South Africa: Phased approach to address flood aftermath

Government is taking a phased approach to dealing with the effects of floods that have ravaged KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces.

Addressing the nation on governments response to the disastrous floods, President Cyril Ramaphosa said government will be responding to the disaster in three phases.

First, we will focus on immediate humanitarian relief, ensuring that all affected persons are safe and that their basic needs are met. Second, we will focus on stabilisation and recovery, rehousing people who have lost homes and restoring provision of services.

Third, we will focus on reconstruction and rebuilding. This will not only involve the construction and repair of major infrastructure. It will also involve the construction of houses in suitably-located areas and measures to protect the residents of these areas from such adverse weather events in the future, President Ramaphosa said in his address to the nation on Monday night.

This as he announced that Cabinet at a special session on Sunday, decided to declare a National State of Disaster.

To date, 443 people are known to have lost their lives in KwaZulu-Natal, with approximately 48 people still missing or unaccounted for. One death has also been reported in the Eastern Cape.

Several national government departments are working with their provincial and local counterparts to ensure an effective response in the allocation of financial resources and technical expertise to the emergency.

The President announced that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have been leading search and rescue efforts, with a total of 247 rescue operations to date.

This includes the deployment of SAPS personnel, diving teams, canine units and various vessels, helicopters and fixed-wing planes to the most affected areas.

Aircraft from the SANDF have been used both for rescue and for the delivery of relief supplies  such as food, water, tents and blankets  to people in inaccessible areas. I have authorised the SANDF to bring in more personnel, water storage and purification supplies and engineering teams to assist with electricity and water restoration.

In addition, various government departments at national and provincial level, municipalities, non-governmental organisations and businesses are distributing basic relief materials such as food, blankets, mattresses, clothing, chronic medication, toiletries and cooking utensils.

Solidarity Fund

The President also reported that he has met with the leadership of the Solidarity Fund for assistance. The board of the fund has agreed to assist with humanitarian and other forms of relief in partnership with government, the private sector and various other non-governmental and community-based organisations.

The National Treasury will make an initial amount of funds available as part of our efforts with the Solidarity Fund to implement these support measures. The Solidarity Fund has effectively managed the resources that government, the private sector and many South Africans made available to manage the COVID-19 effort as well as the July 2021 unrest assistance measures, the President said.

The fund will now set up a separate bank account for the Flood Disaster that can be used by South African and foreign donors who want to contribute to relief efforts.

The bank account details will be available during the course of tomorrow on the website of the Solidarity Fund, said President Ramaphosa.

Restoring water supply

In a bid to ensure the supply of clean water and shelter in the affected areas, the Department of Water and Sanitation is leading efforts to restore water supply to areas of eThekwini that have been affected by the damage to infrastructure.

This includes repairs to the aqueducts supplying water from the Nagle Dam to Durban Heights, assessing and repairing damage to water treatment works, and identifying and repairing leaks.

Areas without water are being supplied by water tankers, with the municipal fleet being complemented by an additional 100 tankers. Most areas that experienced electricity disruptions, particularly in eThekwini, are now back to full service.

Temporary residential units and road repairs

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements has begun an assessment of damages to houses across the province, and has determined initial requirements for the provision of temporary accommodation, repairs to damaged houses and the replacement of destroyed houses.

Preparations are underway to provide temporary residential units and with the construction expected to start by the end of this week. Financial assistance through a voucher system is being made available to assist households to rebuild partially damaged houses. Infrastructure South Africa is also working with relevant departments in all spheres to provide technical support for the repair and rebuilding of infrastructure, including roads, bridges and schools that have been damaged.

The South African National Roads Agency is the lead agency on the extensive work required to repair roads in the province, starting with an immediate focus on the N2 and N3 highways.

To date, around 1 300 road repair projects have been identified by the agencies involved. Progress has been made in restoring operations at the Port of Durban, opening alternative routes for trucks to access the port terminals and clean up debris in the harbour, the President reported.

The Department of Small Business Development is also mobilising funds to assist small businesses that have been affected by the floods.

R1 billion allocation

The Minister of Finance has said that a R1 billion is immediately available, and will be approaching Parliament for the appropriation of additional resources.

I will be approaching the Presiding Officers to request a Joint Sitting of Parliament next week to ensure that the elected representatives of the people of our country can be directly involved in oversight of the work that is needed to provide relief and to rebuild.

A comprehensive assessment of the economic cost of these floods still has to be made, but it is clear that it will run into billions of rands for the rebuilding of infrastructure and loss of production, the President said.

No room for corruption

As government undertakes this work, the President has warned that there can be no room for corruption, mismanagement or fraud or any sort.

It will be critical, as we undertake this work, that all the resources we mobilise are used for their intended purposes and reach the intended recipients. Learning from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are drawing together various stakeholders to be part of an oversight structure to ensure all funds disbursed to respond to this disaster are properly accounted for and that the state receives value for money.

Climate change

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa has noted that the floods are a tragic reminder of the increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change.

We need to increase our investment in climate adaptation measures to better safeguard communities against the effects of climate change. At the same time, we need to pursue our own emission reduction targets through a just transition that protects vulnerable communities and safeguards jobs, he said.

Helping others

The President commended the many individuals and organisations that have taken the initiative to provide humanitarian assistance to those most affected.

He also commended and expressed appreciation to the emergency service personnel, including health care workers, police and defence personnel, municipal workers, volunteers and community members who spent many hours, at great risk to themselves, saving lives and providing support.

We were deeply saddened to learn about the death over the weekend of a police diver, Sergeant Busisiswe Mjwara, who died while conducting a search for victims in the Msunduzi River. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-04-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
UN chief calls for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine

Xinhua) 08:53, April 19, 2022

UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday again called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine to allow for the delivery of life-saving aid as well as evacuations.

The appeal followed attacks on cities across the country - most recently Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv - which reportedly resulted in numerous civilian casualties and destruction.

Guterres was also greatly concerned about the continuing appalling humanitarian situation in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the secretary-general, said at a regular press briefing.

"The secretary-general strongly urges all parties to enact an urgent and immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which will enable the safe and secure functioning of humanitarian corridors, help evacuate civilian residents and also deliver life-saving humanitarian and medical assistance," said Dujarric.

Adding that "genuine negotiations must be given a chance to succeed and to bring lasting peace," he said the UN stands ready to help.

Martin Griffiths, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and the emergency relief coordinator, told journalists prior to the briefing that humanitarian ceasefires in Ukraine are "not on the horizon," but could occur in a couple of weeks.

During his visits to Russia and Ukraine earlier this month, Griffiths met with senior officials to discuss UN "aspirations" for humanitarian pauses and on how to improve the notification system that allows safe passage of humanitarian workers and supplies.

"Obviously we have not yet got humanitarian ceasefires in place on the Russian side," the UN relief chief said. "I went into a lot of details on this, and they continue to promise to get back to me on the details of those proposals."

Griffiths will travel to Turkey this week to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on hosting humanitarian talks between Russia and Ukraine. On Sunday, Guterres spoke with Erdogan, expressing his ongoing support for the Istanbul process related to the war in Ukraine.

Asked about Turkey's role, Griffiths said he was impressed by how the country has presented itself to both sides as a "genuinely valuable and useful host" for talks.

"In classical mediation terms, there isn't a mediation really going between the Russians and Ukrainians," he said, "but the Turks come closest to it in terms of all member states."

On the prospects for a ceasefire, Griffiths pointed to the example of Yemen, where warring sides have implemented a two-month truce.

"Ceasefires, they're not on the horizon right now. But they may be in a couple of weeks; they may be a little longer than that," he said. "And it will all depend on two things: the war, of course...and the talks."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
NEWS.am digest: Armenia marks May 9, Shushi liberation; Azerbaijan opens fire on Sotk gold mine

Ursula von der Leyen says unanimous vote on key areas of EU policy no longer makes sense

US First Lady meets with Slovak President

North Korea urges citizens to strictly adhere to antiviral measures in connection with COVID-19

Javelin manufacturer to double production of anti-tank missile systems

Sri Lankan Prime Minister submits his resignation to the President

Marukyan: There should have been half million people on streets now if people really wanted change of power in Armenia

Russia envoy to Armenia: Everyone should avoid steps that could aggravate situation

Oil prices drop in Saudi Arabia after COVID-19 outbreak in China

Armenia army general staff ex-deputy chief: I will say its a lie if someone says it was possible to win 44-day war

Georgia condemns presidential elections in South Ossetia

ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party official says authorities plan to divide Armenian diaspora

Azerbaijan continues attempts to appropriate Armenian Dadivank Monastery

Bitcoin is trading at a low since the summer of 2021

Armenia ambassador-at-large: Whoever says 'they want Artsakh to be part of Azerbaijan' probably wants it

Turkeys Erdogan to attend Teknofest in Azerbaijan

System Of a Down members welcome opposition Resistance Movement actions in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Journalist attacked in Baku

19 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia in past 5 days

Novak: Russia has already started selling oil to a number of new buyers

Putin: NATO countries did not want to hear Russia

Two Chinese ships enter Japanese territorial waters

China assures Australia of peaceful intentions in cooperation with Solomon Islands

Holy Etchmiadzin clergy visit Victory Park memorial in Yerevan

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Let us live for new victories

Armenia ex-defense minister: Wedding at Mountains ideologically impossible after change of power

NATO Secretary General urges Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine

Karabakh negotiation process did not fail under Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan, says Seyran Ohanyan

Armenia ex-defense minister: Resistance Movements breakthrough moment already passed

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Armenia Investigative Committee chief on including PM Pashinyan as defendant: We have just accepted proceedings

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Al-Monitor: More niceties, zero progress in third round of Turkey-Armenia peace talks
Baku has high hopes for Brussels in normalizing relations with Yerevan, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, receiving the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, Toivo Klaar.

Here we have high hopes for the efforts of the European Union, especially [European Council] President Charles Michel, who is already heavily involved in the process. He is already quite familiar with the process. I think this creates a very promising environment for successful negotiations, the Azerbaijani president said.

Aliyev noted that he considers the last trilateral meeting (Aliyev-Pashinyan-Michel) in Brussels on April 6 as a "starting point" for the development of the negotiation process. According to him, as a result of the Brussels meeting, an agreement was reached between Baku and Yerevan on the establishment of working groups on border issues and regarding a peace agreement.

At the same time, Aliyev sees a need to clarify the issue of Azerbaijan's transport connection with Nakhichevan.

I mean both railway and highway. As for the railway, I informed President Michel that we have built more than 60 kilometers of the railway in Azerbaijan and will complete the construction next year, the Azerbaijani leader said.

But complained that Armenia has not yet started resolving the issues of respective railways and motorways.

Unfortunately, they have not yet started working on the feasibility study in Armenia, which indicates that the process can be delayed. (). Unfortunately, the Armenian prime minister did not specify the geographical coordinates during the meeting in Brussels. I raised this issue in a video conference on 4 February, but there was no answer. On 6 April, I asked for the geographical coordinates of the road again, but there was still no answer. I do hope we will get it soon, Aliyev said.

Aliyev added that the fact that Armenia accepts the "five principles put forward by Azerbaijan to normalize relations is a "turning point."

Now, after this official statement from both sides, we must prove our seriousness on the [negotiating] table, the Azerbaijani president said.

In his turn, Klaar noted that the purpose of the visit to Azerbaijan is to ensure the implementation and continuation of the agreed issues. He added that he will travel to Yerevan in the second half of the week.
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of top news as of 19.04.22:

At the beginning of his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said they will discuss security issues in

He added that the Armenian PMs current visit to Moscow is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Armenia.

During the PMs visit to Russia, Armenia and Russia also signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of information security.

On behalf of Russia and Armenia, the agreement was signed by the secretaries of the security councils of the two countries Nikolay Patrushev and Armen Grigoryan.

On Wednesday, Nikol Pashinyan will also meet with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other high-ranking officials.

The Armenian Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Nizhny Novgorod.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Head of the European Council Charles Michel discussed the process of implementing the agreements reached during the April 6 meeting in Brussels between the President of the European Council.

During the talks, the situation in the region and the agenda of Armenia-EU relations were also discussed.

Pashinyan and Michel also discussed the implementation of the agreement on allocating $2.6 billion to Armenia as part of the economic and investment plan.

Charles Michel reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the full implementation of the investment program for Armenia.

Ukraines president says Russia has launched its offensive to capture eastern Donbas, with local officials reporting constant fighting there.

Explosions were reported all along the front lines and one local official described the situation as hell amid constant fighting.

The Battle for Donbas began on Monday, according to Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with a very large part of the entire Russian army now focused on this offensive.

In recent weeks, the Kremlin declared the capture of the Donbas its main goal of the war after its attempt to storm Kyiv failed. After withdrawing from the capital, Russia began regrouping and reinforcing its ground troops in the east for an all-out offensive.

Russian forces have taken control of the city of Kreminna in Ukraines eastern Luhansk region, its governor says.

Serhiy Haidai told a news briefing that Ukrainian troops had withdrawn from the city.

At least 367 Ukrainian children have been wounded in Ukraine since the beginning of Russias invasion, Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office says.

The office said in its latest daily update that the number of children killed was unchanged from Monday, with the death toll standing at 205.

Russian forces have also damaged 1,141 educational buildings, 99 of which were completely destroyed, it added.
Russia is ready to participate in the railway infrastructure restoration projects of Armenia, including Syunik and other provinces of the republic. This is noted in the joint statement Tuesday by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

"The leaders exchanged views on the situation in the South Caucasus. They supported the continuation of constructive work within the framework of regular meetings of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, and the consistent implementation of the agreements of the three leaderson November 9, 2020 and January 11 and November 26, 2021for the benefit of stability, security and economic development in the region. security. They stressed the decisive contribution of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in ensuring security, creating favorable and safe conditions for the life of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. They stressed the need for a quick solution to urgent humanitarian issues and a political and diplomatic settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this context, they noted the importance of using the potential and experience of the institute of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairsin accordance with its international mandate.

Putin and Pashinyan noted the importance of the activities of the Tripartite Working Groupunder the co-chairmanship the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russiafor the unblocking of all economic ties and transport communications in the South Caucasus,.

The Russian side is ready to participate in the railway infrastructure restoration projects of Armenia, including Syunik and other provinces of the Republic of Armenia.

The parties agreed, in accordance with the trilateral agreements of November 26, 2021, to accelerate the establishmentwith the advisory assistance of the Russian Federationof a bilateral commission on delimitation and security issues in the territory of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The leaders agreed on the high usefulness of contactswith the support of Russiabetween religious figures and public representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia, which contributes to the construction of bridges between the peoples of the two countries. This practice will continue.

The parties agreed to intensify trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in order to promote relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the settlement in the region in general.

The noted the importance of access and participation of all stakeholders, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the specialized agencies of the United Nationsincluding the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UNESCOin addressing humanitarian issues and providing comprehensive assistance to all those in need in the region."

It is noted that Putin and Pashinyan welcomed the processlaunched with the help of Russiaof normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

The parties noted the successful launch of the 3+3 regional consulting platform, which is called to provide additional opportunities for the promotion of dialogue and diverse cooperation between all countries in the region.

The President of the Russian Federation and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia expressed confidence that the effective negotiations in Moscow will further strengthen the Russian-Armenian multilateral privileged alliance.

Pashinyan expressed gratitude for Putin's warm reception, and reiterated his invitation to the Russian leader to visit Yerevan in the second half of 2022 during the CSTO Collective Security Council session. The invitation was accepted with gratitude," the aforesaid statement reads.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in international security. This is noted in a statement by the two leaders following their meeting in Moscow Tuesday.

"In this regard, the parties intend to further strengthen cooperation in order to resist negative trends in this domain. Leaders assume that no state, union or coalition can or should ensure its security at the expense of the security of other states. The leaders also noted the inadmissibility of actions aimed at destroying the arms control architecture and gaining unilateral military advantage to the detriment of others, which undermine the inalienable principle of security, lead to controversy and confrontation," the statement also said.

The statement added that the parties, recognizing the key role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in ensuring regional stability, reaffirmed their readinesstaking into account the current presidency of Armenia in the Organizationto intensify efforts to increase collective security measures and potential force, to improve the Organization's crisis response mechanisms, to strengthen coordination and contribute to the expansion of the CSTO partnership.

Putin and Pashinyan spoke also about the promotion of integration processes within the EEU, the implementation of strategic directions for the development of integrationincluding the creation of an internal market without restrictions and barriers, the increase of the share of calculations in the national currency.

The leaders spoke in favor of further deepening cooperation in the CIS format in all directionsincluding the coordination of positions on current international issues, raising the level of socioeconomic development, and expanding the cultural and humanitarian ties of the Commonwealth.

The leaders noted their commitment to the development of an inclusive, equitable and representative international system consistent with the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and aimed at peace, democracy and prosperity for all peoples. The parties will make the necessary efforts to deepen cooperation within the UN and other platforms in order to harmonize the positions of Russia and Armenia.

The parties stressed the need to increase joint efforts to combat international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as agreed to increase efforts to combat the concealment of sources of financial support for terrorism, counter-trafficking, trafficking of drugs, weapons, explosives, and cross-border organized crime.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed concern over the imposing of unilateral sanctions by a number of countries. This is noted in a joint statement following Tuesdays meetingin Moscowof the leaders of the two countries.

The statement said that the parties expressed their intention to work together to overcome the challenges posed by these measuresincluding in food and energy security, logistics, and other domains of the two countries.

"The parties expressed concern over the growing trend to use modern information and telecommunication technologies, the purpose of which is to carry out illegal and harmful actions, undermine the sovereignty of states and interfere in the internal affairs of states.

The parties stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in international information security.

The leaders reaffirmed their intention to continue joint action aimed at combating the novel coronavirus infection, other dangerous infections, and the spread of epizootics.

The parties stressed the importance of further implementation of the agreements reached between Moscow and Yerevan in biosafety (). It has been confirmed that the territories of the two countries will not be allocated for the use of third countries to carry out activities against each others interests in biosafety.

The partiesmaintaining shared approaches to the shared pastexpressed intention to continue the fight against the revision of the results of the Second World War and the falsification of history. The parties agreed to step up efforts to combat racism, xenophobia, neo-Nazism, as well as discrimination based on nationality, language or religion," the statement added.
On a recent overcast afternoon in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, a group of people gathered around an undated stage diagram of a Dracula production, poring over the placement of the vampires coffin, a day bed and a window, and even a bat release hidden in the corner.

English professors Sheila Cavanagh and Joonna Trapp, graduate student Max Schweigl and Rose Library rare book librarian Beth Shoemaker pooled their knowledge of theater, archives and Bram Stokers novel Dracula as they deciphered clues among the diagrams notations.

The stage diagram is just one of many fascinating items in the John Moore Bram Stoker collection spanning 1707-2020, housed in the Rose Library. Cavanagh and Trapps The Monster in the Library is the first class to have an intense, individualized experience using the Stoker collection since it was acquired by the Rose Library in 2021.

Lessons with a vampire

The class has been immersive, with readings and video presentations from scholars and authors, plus research and written assignments. The class also includes group time working with materials from the Stoker collection, with help from Shoemaker and Roses head of research services, Gabrielle Dudley. Students then develop projects based on their research and discovery in the archive.

The class was kept small deliberately, says Trapp, who is also senior lecturer in English and director of the Emory Writing Program. Because its so hands-on, it needed to be manageable.

Nine students constitute the class, which drew an array of Emory students from different backgrounds and countries, including Austria, India, the Netherlands and Colombia. There are undergraduates, graduate students and PhD candidates. One student is from Candler School of Theology, which Cavanagh said is a first for her.

Schweigl, who came from Austria to work on his PhD in literature and cultural studies with an emphasis on horror movies, spent his time in the Rose Library poring over several items in the Stoker collection.

The way Bram Stokers Dracula has influenced horror cinema is of great interest to me, Schweigl says. One item that caught his attention was a 1768 German book, Abhandlung des Daseyns der Gespenster, nebst einem Anhange vom Vampyrismus, which translates to Treatise on Daseyns Ghosts, together with an Appendix on Vampirism. He read the archaic German typeface with ease.

Its a lot of fun, Schweigl says of working in the Rose Library archives. As a student of history, I really get immersed in it. Reading his [Stokers] work and the other books that he consulted when he was writing Dracula, I do sort of feel like hes looking over my shoulder, he adds with a smile.

Apala Bhowmick, a PhD candidate in English, became fascinated by the materials on F. W. Murnaus German expressivist film Nosferatu (1922) and the adaptations of its predecessor, Stokers Dracula.

All the aspects of the class have been quite interesting so far, but I think Ive enjoyed the archival research part of it the most, Bhowmick says. I enjoy hunting for bits of data in archives.

Guest speakers throughout the course have introduced students to the many paths Stoker scholars have taken. The Bram Stoker lecture series included top Dracula researchers and Victorian-era experts.

On April 20  the 110th anniversary of Stokers death  the students will present their final projects, and Stoker scholar David Skal will present as the final guest lecturer. Skals talk is open to the public online, and those interested can register here.

From Ireland to Emory students

After the Bram Stoker collection arrived at the library in 2021, Shoemaker and Sarah Quigley, head of collection processing, played significant roles in getting the collection unpacked, cataloged, processed and prepared for students and researchers, including creating a detailed finding aid that makes the materials much easier to request.

Student access to the materials is the reason we prioritized this acquisition, says Rose Library director Jennifer Gunter King, who acquired the collection.

I cant say enough about this teams outstanding work on this collection, from the first discussion of the acquisition to the moment it arrived here from Dublin, King says. The teamwork that has gone into making this collection available to students and researchers is inspiring. We are thrilled to see professors Cavanagh and Trapp jump right in, creating an opportunity for Emory students to have personal experience with rare books and archives.

Shoemaker and Dudley worked with the Monster in the Library students during two hands-on research sessions in the Rose Library, as well as any individual research time the students scheduled.

It is important for students to use special collections libraries and materials like those in the Bram Stoker collection because it helps them to grow as scholars, Dudley says. The students in this course are among the first to access the materials and in many ways have the first chance to interpret the materials, which is a unique opportunity for them.

Watching students interact with the materials and ask some really probing questions and make discoveries in the collection is exactly why we acquire collections like Stoker, Shoemaker says. Facilitating student researchers is the reward for all the background work the collection requires.

Practicality of the class in the future

The nature of the students final projects, whether it be a paper, a digital project or something else, is entirely up to the individual, Cavanagh says.

I always encourage my students to think about their career trajectory and what is going to be most helpful for them, so they have a fair bit of latitude for their final projects in terms of what they do with the material, she says. They might put together a course module if they think they may be teaching something, or they might write a newspaper article or a nonfiction essay. It really depends on what will help them get closer to where they want to be.

Whatever they choose for their final project, the experience of this class  working with the materials that influenced Stoker as he developed Dracula and researching the many ways his famous vampire has influenced others in literature and culture  is one these students arent likely to forget.

One of the things about working with original sources is that it makes great conversation, Cavanagh says. It gives you something you can talk about in a job interview or when youre out with friends or home for the weekend. For the graduate students, it gives them an opportunity to think about what kind of archival research they might want to do more broadly. It makes them think, how can I take this experience and build it into something else I want to pursue further?
As an academic research institution, Emorys faculty and staff conduct studies across every discipline, from the sciences to the humanities. Heres a sample of recent grant awards and the work they will support, plus highlights from some published research findings.

To read more about ongoing research at Emory, visit the eScience Commons blog (for natural and social sciences) and the Lab Land blog (for health sciences).

Grants highlighted:

Publications highlighted:

Grants

Expanding smoke-free homes intervention for rural families

A five-year, nearly $5 million National Cancer Institute R01 grant to public health behavior specialist Michelle Kegler will expand her smoke-free homes intervention to rural Native American households, with the goal of reducing second-hand smoke and related cancer disparities. The research builds on an established partnership between the Emory Prevention Research Center and members of the CDC-funded National Native Network to evaluate and adapt a smoke-free homes intervention.

The original intervention was evaluated through a series of studies, from efficacy to effectiveness to dissemination, and is listed on NCIs Evidence-Based Cancer Control Programs website.

Challenge Award funds new prostate cancer study at Winship

Radiation oncologist Sagar Patel and co-principal investigators Brian Olson and Anant Mandawat have received a two-year, $750,000 Prostate Cancer Foundation-Pfizer-Myovant Challenge Award for a new clinical trial studying the effect of androgen deprivation therapy on the heart. The goal of the trial, which will open at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, is to optimize treatment selection for men with prostate cancer and reduce treatment-related cardiovascular side effects.

Donaldson Charitable Trust supports brain tumor, CAR-T research

Two research teams from Winship Cancer Institute were awarded pilot grants from the Donaldson Charitable Trust Research Synergy Fund, a funding mechanism offered jointly by Winship, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory.

The recipients for 2022 are Kimberly Hoang and Jaydev Desai for Real-time Characterization of Malignant Brain Tumors with Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and Gabe Kwong and Madhav Dhodapkar for In Situ Programming of Virus-Specific T cells for CAR-T Cell Therapy. Each one-year grant of $125,000 is funded in part by contributions from the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable Trust. Learn more here.

Blanton awarded stroke rehab grant

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research has awarded the 2021 Paris Patla Physical Therapy Research Grant to physical therapist Sarah Blanton for her work on a telehealth program for stroke rehabilitation. Blanton is associate professor of rehabilitation medicine.

The funds ($100,000) will support the study titled Evaluation of a Care Partner-Integrated Telehealth Gait Rehabilitation Program for Persons with Stroke. The study arises from the preliminary work from Blantons NIH-funded K23 project, which evaluated the feasibility of a web-based, family-focused upper extremity intervention for persons with stroke and their care partners.

Building upon the insights gained and promising results from engagement of the care partner in upper extremity rehabilitation, the current research seeks to broaden the scope of our intervention and optimize post-stroke outcomes by pairing CARE-CITE with home-based gait and functional mobility training (CARE-CITE-Gait). Partnering with co-investigator Trisha Kesars expertise with measuring and treating post-stroke walking deficits, the proposed work will, for the first time, test CARE-CITE-Gait to determine its effects on functional mobility, physical activity, quality of life and psychosocial outcomes in stroke survivors and their care partners.

Low dose naltrexone to be studied for chronic neuropathic pain

Emory pain specialist Anne Marie McKenzie-Brown has received a $50,000 grant from Cures Within Reach to study low dose naltrexone for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in patients living with HIV infection. The grant includes supplementary funds for community engagement.

Naltrexone is a long-acting opioid antagonist that has been repurposed for the treatment of chronic pain at low doses, and systematic research is necessary on best practices for its use. Cures Within Reach is a disease-agnostic organization dedicated to repurposing approved and available drugs, devices, nutraceuticals and diagnostics.

McKenzie-Brown is director of Division of Pain Medicine and associate professor in Emory University School of Medicines Department of Anesthesiology.

Publications

Nurse burnout study continues to attract attention

Pre-pandemic findings from a team of Emory University investigators have contributed to the understanding of why nurses, the largest proportion of the countrys health care workforce, may leave or at least consider leaving their job. With increasing demands placed on frontline nurses during the coronavirus disease pandemic, these findings suggest an urgent need for solutions to address burnout among nurses.

The JAMA Network Open paper Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Nurse Burnout in the U.S. received extensive media coverage and received honorable mention for the 2022 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Research Paper of the Year.

This secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from more than 3.9 million U.S. registered nurses found that among nurses who reported leaving their current employment (9.5 percent of sample), 31.5 percent reported leaving because of burnout in 2018. The hospital setting and working more than 20 hours per week were associated with greater odds of burnout. These findings suggest that burnout is a significant problem among U.S. nurses who leave their job or consider leaving their job. Health systems should focus on implementing known strategies to alleviate burnout, including adequate nurse staffing and limiting the number of hours worked per shift.

Senior author was Mo Ali, vice chair for research in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and professor of global health and epidemiology in the Rollins School of Public Health. Co-authors included School of Nursing faculty member Jeannie Cimiotti; Division of Family Medicine faculty Megha Shah, Neena Ghose and Miranda Moore; and family medicine resident Nikhila Gandrakota. Cimiotti's research on nursing staff resources and hospital infection-related outcomes is currently supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Studying the role of certainty and dogmatism in political beliefs

Individuals with extremist views  whether they identify with the far left or the far right  are about five times more likely than others to be absolutely, 100% certain that their political views are correct, a study by Emory psychologists finds. Social Psychological and Personality Science published the research by Thomas Costello and Shauna Bowes, both Emory PhD candidates in psychology.

They surveyed 2,900 people about how certain they were of their political beliefs, on a scale of 0 to 100%. Four in 10 participants who self-identified as extremely left wing or extremely right wing were 100% certain of their political beliefs. However, only about one in 10 participants with the slightly less polarized views, or very left or right wing, were 100% certain, which was similar to the ratio of people who self-identified as politically neutral.

The researchers also assessed the participants dogmatism as a cognitive style, or how closely people hold their major beliefs in general. While extremists at both ends of the political spectrum were more dogmatic and certain about their beliefs, the most dogmatic of all were the extreme social conservatives. The opposite pattern was found on the left of the spectrum, with the sharpest increase in dogmatism seen in economic liberals.

The findings are part of a larger body of work by the psychologists to explore the cognitive architecture underlying extremist, unjustifiably certain views and for possible ways to bridge the gaps in understanding.

Window system allows for long-term studies of brain activity

Bilal Haider in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering has created a new kind of window that allows for longer-term monitoring and data recording of mouse brain activity.

Haider is studying how multiple areas of the brain work together for visual perception. To get a clear image of the brains visual network, Haiders lab uses an established technique called blood flow imaging, which tracks oxygen in the blood, measuring the active and inactive areas of a mouse brain while the animal views visual stimuli. To capture a strong blood flow signal, researchers typically create a cranial window by thinning the skull or removing a piece of it altogether. These procedures can diminish stability in the awake, pulsing brain  detrimental conditions for delicate electrophysiological measurements made in the same visual areas after imaging.

In Scientific Reports, Haiders team presented a new kind of cranial window they created using a tiny piece of glass and a surgical glue called Vetbond that contains the same compound as Krazy Glue. The glue creates a transparent barrier that allows all the underlying physiological processes to continue but leaving a clear view of brain for imaging. Read more here.

Targeting galectin-9 in obesity-related chemoresistance

Researchers studying the impact of obesity on leukemia have identified galectin-9 as an important immunotherapeutic target to overcome obesity-induced chemoresistance, publishing their findings in Nature Communications. Curtis J. Henry, assistant professor of pediatrics and an investigator with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, is the studys senior author.

Galectin-9 is a protein expressed on the surface of leukemia cells that promotes chemoresistance, and adipocytes secrete factors that promote greater levels of galectin-9. Antibody-mediated targeting of galectin-9 can significantly extend the survival of obese but not lean mice with aggressive B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the authors report.

Promoting improved outcomes for vulnerable patients during COVID-19

COVID-19 disrupted access to critical health care and resources for many people, especially affecting patients at safety-net hospitals who rely on regular care for multiple complex conditions.

Led by Tracey Henry and Maura George, Emory faculty in the Division of General Internal Medicine, medical and physician assistant students from Emory and Morehouse partnered with Grady Health System to perform telephone outreach to thousands of patients at highest risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19.

This proactive, novel initiative identified substantial clinical and social need among patients at highest risk for poor outcomes and filled a pressing health system gap exacerbated by COVID-19. Simultaneously, interprofessional students gained applied exposure to health systems sciences. This program can serve as a model for rapid, cost-effective, high-yield outreach to promote patient health at home both during and beyond the pandemic, the authors write.

The results were published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Elusive function of ribosome modification brought to light

Emory researchers have established the function of 2-O-methylation, a chemical modification of ribosomes, the cells factories for protein synthesis. 2-O-methylation is present on ribosomes in all forms of life but its function has been poorly understood.

Scientists led by assistant professors of biochemistry Sohail Khoshnevis and Homa Ghalei found that under certain conditions, yeast cells produce ribosomes with reduced 2-O-methylation, which allowed them to analyze ribosomes lacking the modification. Those ribosomes displayed reduced fidelity of protein synthesis, including frameshifting and initial codon selection. Collectively, the results suggest that a major role of 2-O-methylation of ribosomes is to support faithful initiation of protein synthesis.

The results were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Biosensors for quick assessment of cancer treatment

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) inhibitors have become a frontline therapy for a broad range of cancers, but less than 25% of patients benefit from these drugs  and sometimes only temporarily. A team led by Gabe Kwong in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory describe in Nature Biomedical Engineering a system of synthetic biosensors they designed to help.

The biosensors can be detected via a noninvasive urinalysis, telling the patient and doctor quickly if ICB therapy is working. The aim is to provide reliable, early information to help oncologists decide if a patient should stay the course or try alternative therapies. The molecules also can flag when patients develop resistance and stop responding to the treatment.

The sensors are attached to the ICB drug that makes its way toward the tumor environment after injection. When they reach their destination, the sensors are activated by proteases produced by both T cells and tumor cells, which triggers the release of signaling fluorescent reporters that are designed to concentrate into urine.

Faculty contribute to new book on ocular telehealth

Two Emory Eye Center faculty contributed to Ocular Telehealth: A Practical Guide, published recently by Elsevier.

Ophthalmologist April Maa, clinical director of Technology-based Eye Care Services at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was the books editor and contributed heavily to several chapters. Ophthalmologist Alexa Lu also wrote or contributed to several chapters.

Calling for more comprehensive studies of diabetes-long COVID connection

Emory researchers have called for large-scale epidemiological studies with multi-ethnic populations from varied socioeconomic backgrounds as well as mechanistic studies to further investigate the connection between type 2 diabetes and long COVID.

In a commentary published by The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, researchers K.M. Venkat Narayan and Lisa Staimez noted that recent studies have suggested COVID-19 could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. They pointed to a new study published in The Lancet that found COVID-19 survivors exhibited an increased risk for and incidence of diabetes a year later  although what triggers this has yet to be determined.

Narayan and Staimez said that given the study results, it is imperative that researchers use a comprehensive approach to investigate some of the critical questions raised about the connection between diabetes and COVID-19. This could include, the authors said, expanding the population to include a more varied demographic; measuring factors that may have some bearing on long-term COVID-19 complications such as disease severity and viral load; and standardizing approaches to measuring exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes. They also urged researchers to look into the mechanisms that might help explain the link between the viral infection and diabetes.

The authors noted that the long-term implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection increasing diabetes risk are profound, and could lead to unprecedented numbers of diabetes cases worldwide and increase the death and disability toll of the chronic disease.

If COVID-19 is indeed a risk factor for diabetes in the post-acute phase of infection, screening and management of dysglycemia should be an integral part of clinical guidelines for COVID-19 diagnosis and follow-up, Narayan and Staimez say.

Multiple myeloma impairs COVID-19 vaccine immune response

Patients with B-cell malignancies, including multiple myeloma, are at increased risk of COVID-19-related mortality and exhibit variable serologic response to the vaccine. Investigators from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University found that although more than 80% of patients with multiple myeloma mount some response to current COVID-19 vaccines, many of these patients lack detectable vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies that are critical for protective immunity.

Serum samples from 238 patients with multiple myeloma were analyzed for neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, with 33% of patients lacking anti-spike antibodies with detectable neutralizing activity. Patients receiving Modernas mRNA1273 vaccine achieved significantly greater induction of neutralizing activity compared with those receiving Pfizer/BioNTech.

Ajay K. Nooka and Uma Shanmugasundaram are co-first authors, and Madhav V. Dhodapkar is senior author of the original report published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dhodapkar is director of the Winship Center for Cancer Immunology and a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. Nooka is an oncologist with Winship and Shanmugasundaram is with the department of hematology/medical oncology.

MIS-C cardiac imaging follow-up results reassuring

A group of 51 children hospitalized for cardiac manifestations of MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) mostly did not display cardiac abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging follow up 3-5 months later. The findings, which the authors call rapid improvement and reassuring, were published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Clinicians led by Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta pediatric cardiologist Matthew Oster have been seeing the largest number of children with MIS-C, a severe complication following COVID-19 infection, in the United States. Emory pediatric cardiology fellow Matthew Dove was the first author.

The 51 children, average age 11, were examined between July 2020 and May 2021 at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. None of the patients showed evidence of acute myocarditis on follow up 3-5 months later, a contrast with previous studies on acute viral myocarditis. However, two patients were observed to have signs of myocardial fibrosis, and a few had other signs of residual cardiac problems (valve regurgitation and coronary artery dilation).

Oster was also lead author on a January 2022 JAMA report on COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis cases, mainly in adolescent males.

Very high HDL levels increase cardiovascular risk

Very high levels of HDL cholesterol carry an increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, according to Emory cardiology researchers using data from the UK Biobank. The results were published in American Journal of Cardiology.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is conventionally described as good cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the body. Most studies of heart disease indicate that HDL-C levels above 40 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood are generally protective against cardiovascular disease.

However, HDL-C at or above 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters (present in about 2% of men) confers increased risk. The increase is about two-fold, after adjusting for other factors, Emory cardiologist Arshed Quyyumi and colleagues found. The findings may partly explain the lack of benefit seen in clinical trials of medications designed to increase HDL cholesterol, such as dalcetrapib and torcetrapib.

About 11% of women have levels of 80 mg/100 ml or above; women with HDL levels above 100 mg/100 ml also appear to be at higher risk. The study looked at more than 410,000 people without coronary artery disease enrolled in the UK Biobank  a much larger number than previous studies. UK Biobank enrollment is predominantly white and older than 50.

The co-first authors are former Rollins School of Public Health graduate student Chang Liu and cardiology research fellow Devinder Dhindsa. Quyyumi is director of Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute and Bruce Logue Chair for Cardiovascular Research.

AI used to quantify key characteristic in lungs of COVID-19 patients

Researchers from Emory University and the University of Southern California recently found that artificial intelligence (AI) could better help detect and quantify a key feature in the lungs of COVID-19 patients, which may allow for a more efficient diagnosis as well as help assess the severity of disease  which could then inform more appropriate interventions.

Researchers, who published their findings in PLOS One, noted that one of the hallmark characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection is a hazy gray density on computed tomography (CT) scans of lungs called ground-glass opacity (GGO). The investigators used an AI-driven approach to detect and quantify GGOs in more than 1,000 CT lung scans of COVID-19 patients. Their algorithm detected GGOs with great accuracy and provided more defined patterns to help delineate those of COVID-19 from other lung diseases.

The research was led by Monjoy Saha, former research scientist at Emory, under the supervision of Ashish Sharma, associate professor in Emory's Department of Biomedical Informatics, and Rajiv K. Kalia, professor of physics and material science at the University of Southern California. Emory's Sagar B. Amin, an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, contributed to the clinical aspects of the study.

The study results could provide radiologists and clinicians with a valuable set of tools when interpreting CT lung scans of COVID-19 patients. Implementation would be particularly useful in under-resourced countries where the number of COVID-19 cases has in the past outstripped available resources creating delays or even breakdowns in patient care.

Non-place brain cells play a crucial role in navigation

A new paper from biomedical engineer Annabelle Singer in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explains how a group of cells in the brain called non-place cells plays a vital role in navigation, separating a real goal from something that looks like the goal. The study described for the first time how they work in tandem with neurons in the brains hippocampus called place cells that help us understand where we are in space.

Singer is an assistant professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. Her team was comparing healthy mice and mice with Alzheimers disease pathology as they navigated a tiny virtual-reality maze in search of a treat. They were studying the electrical oscillations in the brain when they found the non-place cells were out of sync with those signals in Alzheimers mouse models and also in healthy mice who failed to reach the right spot in the maze to receive a treat. That prompted the researchers keep digging to understand what the non-place cells were doing. Learn more here.
Emory University researcher and inventor Dennis Liotta was named recipient of the 2022 Perkin Medal, the highest honor a scientist can receive for contributions to the field of applied chemistry in the U.S.

Liotta, who has served as executive director of the Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD) since its inception and is the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor in the Department of Chemistry, has been instrumental in the creation of novel therapies, including ones that have transformed HIV from a death sentence into a chronic disease.

The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), which confers the Perkin Medal, cited Liottas groundbreaking research in the biopharmaceutical space, especially antivirals, and noted how his discovery of emtricitabine and lamivudine was pivotal in changing the tide of the AIDS epidemic.

It has been extremely gratifying for me to see that emtricitabine and lamivudine continue to be first line therapies for controlling HIV infections. In retrospect, the magnitude of their impact would have been hard to imagine back in 1989 when my collaborators, Drs. Raymond Schinazi and Woo-Baeg Choi, and I initiated our discovery program in HIV therapeutics, says Liotta.

In addition to the obvious prestige associated with this award, it is particularly satisfying to me that an award designated to recognize outstanding contributions to applied chemistry was given to an academician, rather than to someone from the commercial sector where most applied chemical innovations originate.

Emory President Gregory L. Fenves applauds Liottas contributions. This prestigious honor is a reflection of Dr. Liottas groundbreaking work in biopharmaceutical research and development, which has given hope to millions around the world, Fenves says. His exemplary career at Emory as a renowned educator, entrepreneur, medicinal chemist and humanitarian has propelled discoveries that have had a profound impact  stemming the course of global infection, improving public health and saving lives.

Celebrating Liottas honor, Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Emory provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, called the award a remarkable achievement.

Professor Liottas commitment to research excellence is exceeded only by his commitment to serving humanity through knowledge in the form of the many drug discoveries he and his teams have made at Emory, says Bellamkonda. Professor Liottas research has directly saved many lives and we are proud of him.

The Perkin Medal will be presented to Liotta at a dinner in his honor on Sept. 13, 2022, in Philadelphia.

Scientist as entrepreneur

Liotta was one of the leaders of the Emory research team that discovered the antiviral drug emtricitabine (Emtriva), which was approved for treating HIV in 2003. Throughout his multi-decade distinguished career, he has embodied the idea of scientist-entrepreneur, working on developing therapies that address unmet medical needs.

Emtricitabine is now used by every nine out of ten HIV/AIDS patients in the U.S., and by tens of thousands more HIV-infected persons around the globe. In addition to its use as a therapeutic, emtricitabine is also used in combination with other antivirals to protect healthy individuals from acquiring HIV  known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP. Liotta is also a co-inventor of lamivudine (Epivir-HBV), the first therapeutic approved to treat hepatitis B. Both drugs are on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines.

Liottas contributions are not limited to antivirals. He co-discovered samuraciclib, a CDK7 inhibitor for treating hard-to-treat cancers. Samuraciclib is in Phase 2 clinical trials and has been fast-tracked for use in two combination therapies to treat certain breast cancers. He also developed Q-122, an oral drug for controlling hot flashes in post-menopausal women, which has completed a Phase 2 trial. In addition, his collaboration with Stephen Traynelis in Emorys Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology laid the foundation for the discovery of NP-10679, which successfully wrapped up its Phase 1 trial and has received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding in the space around the brain.

A life-long entrepreneur, Liotta has founded or co-founded more than 10 biopharmaceutical companies. These businesses have fostered economic growth, created numerous jobs in the biotechnology sector and brought multiple drugs to the marketplace. One prominent example is Pharmasset, which Liotta founded with his Emtriva co-inventor, Schinazi. Pharmasset, which was acquired by Gilead Sciences for $11.2 billion, developed sofosbuvir, a blockbuster, curative hepatitis C (HCV) medicine.

Liotta joined Emory in 1976 and has played a significant role in fueling its reputation as a drug discovery powerhouse, mentoring multiple generations of scientist-entrepreneurs along the way.

He and fellow scientist and inventor George Painter set up an innovative model a decade ago to bolster Emorys drug development infrastructure and provide critical resources in the developmental continuum for new therapeutics.

That model comprises a pair of complementary Emory entities: the Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD) and Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE). The former serves as an engine for early-stage research and development and the latter acts as a partner to advance drug candidates to the next stage. EIDD and DRIVE aim to focus their attention on critical unmet medical needs rather than on market size like their commercial sector counterparts.

The focus on developing therapeutics for commercially neglected diseases positioned DRIVE and EIDD to deliver a pivotal solution to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Molnupiravir, a drug discovered and developed by EIDD and DRIVE for addressing RNA virus infections, is currently one of only two oral medications granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections.

The importance of basic research

For a scientist with many successes, Liotta talks a lot about failure and how fundamental basic research remains to innovation.

In academia, setbacks often lead to new discoveries because the information learned in these failures becomes the foundation for the next generation compounds that have the properties needed to make a positive difference to patients, says Liotta. Many of the drugs you see in the market today started with information learned in a college chemistry lab somewhere, so never discount the importance of basic research.

Liotta has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on over 100 issued U.S. patents. He is also the founding editor-in-chief of an American Chemical Society journal, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, which provides a rapid communication venue for reporting important new findings in medicinal chemistry and related fields.

A recipient of several teaching awards, including the Williams Teaching Award and the Thomas Jefferson Award  the highest faculty honor at Emory  Liotta has supervised nearly 300 undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists and visiting scholars. He is a fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society. He was elected to the Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame in 2010 and the National Academy of Inventors in 2014.

Liotta served as the associate director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research for over a decade. He is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Cancer Institute-Chemical Biology Consortium at Emory. Beyond his roles at Emory, Liotta has for over two decades initiated outreach activities to cultivate the next generation of African scientists, providing them with skills required to address healthcare needs in the continent. To further the work, he co-founded the Advancing Healthcare Innovation in Africa program with Emorys general counsel, Steve Sencer.

Reflecting on the impact of his work, Liotta says, My personal metric continues to focus on how my discoveries can improve the health of the public. The drugs discovered in my lab have not only saved many lives but have positively impacted the quality of life of the patients that were treated by them. I remain committed to continuing our quest for discovering novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs for as long as I am able.

About the Society of Chemical Industrys Perkin Medal

The annual award is recognized as the highest honor given for outstanding work in applied chemistry in the United States. It commemorates the discovery of the first synthetic dye (the so-called Perkin mauve) by Sir William Henry Perkin in 1856. This discovery was a significant step forward in organic chemistry that led to the birth of a major segment of the chemical industry. The SCI Perkin Medal was first awarded to Perkin at a banquet held by the SCI in New York in 1906. Since then, more than 100 such awards have been given to notable scientists.
As eMerge Americas, a two-day industry conference held on Miami Beach, prepared to open the expo floor for the first time since 2019, University of Miami President Julio Frenk hosted a moderated discussion on Monday titled, Miami at the Intersection of Tech and Democracy, which examined ways to utilize technological innovations to strengthen democracy worldwide.

Frenk explained that the discussion topics stemmed from a concept paper generated by University authors together with a wide range of partners. The paper aimed to produce proposals to sculpt the framework for the Ninth Summit of the Americas, which will take place June 6-10 in Los Angeles, for which the United States is the chair and host.

The central proposal is to create a coalition to champion computational democracy as opposed to computational autocracy, a concept that recognizes technologys potential to serve either democratic or oppressive ideals.

Its the moment to act decisively and create a coalition that proposes the use of technology unleashed with respect for human rights, said Frenk, so that it strengthens, elevates, and empowers and becomes a means to solve the complex challenges humanity faces rather than a tool for exacerbating divisions of disinformation, oppression, and inequality.

Rony Abovitz, tech entrepreneur and double alumnus of the University, was a major contributor to the paper.

Abovitz suggested that the first step to reevaluating techs role at this junction is to convene a gathering that mirrors that of the founding fathers who spent months in Philadelphia in 1787 debating and writing the U.S. Constitution, the foundation of Western democracy.

We need to convene hundreds of the brightest minds who believe in democracy, in the same way that in the late 1700s when we were building this country we convened the greatest minds, Abovitz said. Something like that is deeply needed right nowto bring together the people who are the smartest at technology and the philosophers of democracy.

Andres Oppenheimer, syndicated foreign affairs columnist with the Miami Herald and CNN en Espanol anchor, moderated the discussion that, in addition to Frenk and Abovitz, included the participation of Carlos Trujillo, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS); Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former Florida congresswoman recently named as a special advisor for the Summit of the Americas; Yelena Yesha, University professor and chief innovation officer of the Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC); June Teufel Dreyer, University professor of political science; and Jaret Davis, an alumnus and co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig and a legal expert on the tech industry.

Yesha highlighted the tremendous acceleration of technology and said that 80 to 90 percent of those developments have been positive, promoting advances in health care, in homeland security, and other areas.

She emphasized the need for a better educated workforce that understands how to harness these new technologies and called on universities to play a more active role to train the trainers to help make the technologies more accessible to all and therein seed more positive change.

Dreyer, an expert on China and senior fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, detailed the countrys strategic advances throughout Latin America over the past decades and its approach to wielding influence that sometimes constitutes economic warfare and the sale of technologies such as the carnet de la patria, a national card adopted in Venezuela for access to health care and a range of other services.

ZTE and Huawei [Chinese multinational technology companies] have taken over the technology in Venezuela, and the carnet lets the government and thereby the Chinese government track everything about you, said Dreyer, noting that Chinese companies are compelled by law to share their information with the Chinese government.

Through the Belt and Road Initiative much is promised, but little seems to materialize, Dreyer noted. What is proposed as a gift turns out to be a loan. China provides infrastructure that is good for China, but not necessarily for the country.

Murcasel-Powell emphasized that in order to strengthen democracy in the region through technology it would be critical to engage all sectors of society.

This will not be a summit of only bringing together government officials, the special advisor to the OAS Summit said. We have a strong commitment to partnering with the private sector, the chambers of commerce, and all aspects of civil society. To ensure the summits success we have to bring together everyone to participate and to bring their solutions.

In opening the forum at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Alberto Ibarguen, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation, announced that the Miami Herald would provide 2,500 digital subscriptions to its full capacity of English and Spanish-language content to university students and researchers who are part of the 13-member Hemispheric University Consortium, which includes institutions from Canada to South America and was launched by the University of Miami in 2018.

During a mid-day session on the first day of eMerge, Jeffrey Duerk, the Universitys executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, presided over the inaugural Hemispheric University Consortium Social Ideas Challenge, a new component of the initiative co-hosted by the Miami Herbert Business School.

Teams from six consortium member universities, representing Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States, participated. Students shared their entrepreneurial projects developed within the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework.

Laura Hopman, a University junior majoring in legal studies, and Alison Granirer, a sophomore majoring in economics and legal studies, presented on Kickback UM, a startup geared to spread awareness for the scourge of human trafficking and to provide self-defense skills to women who are victimized.

During a panel, The Future of Education is Being Shaped by Tech and Innovation, Frenk recalled that when the University shifted to a hybrid learning model during the COVID-19 outbreak, the move was done more out of necessity than as a strategy to redesign the college experience.

It was an emergency response, and its not what higher education should look like after the pandemic, Frenk said. What I prefer is blended education.

In the hybrid model, he explained, the institution separated students depending on their needs. Blended education, he said, achieves the optimal blend between in-person instruction and online and other forms of technology-driven instruction depending on pedagogical imperatives.

During the panel, Frenk shared the eMerge main stage with Kenneth A. Jessell, interim president of Florida International University, and Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College, offering his insights on everything from lifelong education to the ways institutions must help students adapt to an ever-changing environment.

With Davis, from the law firm Greenberg Traurig, moderating the forum, Frenk delved into the concept of education for life, explaining that it entails more than learning that lasts for an entire lifetime but also education that prepares students to lead meaningful and rewarding lives," he pointed out.

Our graduates are graduating into the most dynamic labor market in history, thanks to technology, he said. Whatever you learn while youre at the university is not going to be enough. While it will enable students to be creative and to work in teams and appreciate different perspectives, students, he said, also need a foundation that allows them to adapt and fly in a changing labor market.

On Tuesday, Joe Echevarria, UHealth chief executive officer and executive vice president for health affairs, will take part in the Main Stage Founders Factory panel, Founders Factory Makes Its Big Bet on Health in Miami.
Miami Beach residents have all the right reasons for wanting to protect their coastline from damaging storm surge.

When Hurricane Irma lashed Florida in 2017, it reshaped the citys shoreline, washing away massive mounds of sand from a just-completed multimillion-dollar beach widening project.

And while Miami Beach recovered and has since been largely spared the most severe effects of a tropical storm, residents remain acutely aware that a powerful cyclone could one day inundate their city with devastating waves, creating an urban-climate double whammy for a municipality already dealing with sea level rise.

A new sustainable and eco-friendly seawall, which mimics the engineering skills of one of natures best-known plant pollinators, could be the solution Miami Beach and other coastal areas need to safeguard their neighborhoods and infrastructure from crashing waves.

Designed by a team of University of Miami engineers, SEAHIVE incorporates a tiered cement structure with beehive-shaped tubes that dissipate the energy of waves by allowing seawater to flow inside instead of being funneled downward, as is the case with conventional seawalls.

A miniature model of the structure, with its honeycomb-like design, played a starring role at the Universitys exhibition space at this years eMerge Americas technology conference, which returned to the Miami Beach Convention Center for a two-day stint, April 18-19, after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic.

The hexagonal shape is the key to its success, said Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos, an assistant professor of civil and architectural engineering in the College of Engineering and the lead principal investigator of SEAHIVE.

We borrowed a page from nature and looked to bees, which are highly skilled architects and engineers, he explained. Like the hives they build, the hexagon shape weve employed in our design results in more volume for a given amount of material, and it allows us to stack and interlock elements of the structure in a highly efficient manner.

A sloped layer of angular stones, known as riprap, is sometimes placed at the foot of vertical seawalls to augment protection from waves. SEAHIVE replaces those boulders. And it is that efficient use of space, combined with sustainable construction materials, that could make the structure the future of seawalls.

So far, we havent seen any other system that brings all these integrated elements together, said Rhode-Barbarigos, who holds secondary appointment at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

He and his team of researchers, which includes Ph.D. student Mohammad Ghiasian, designed the structure not only to dissipate a waves power but also to be biocompatible and eco-friendly to the marine environmenta characteristic traditional seawalls often lack.

While conventional seawalls may protect land, they can be detrimental to many species of marine life, taking away feeding and protection areas once provided by the mangroves and salt marshes they replace, said SEAHIVE team member Rafael Araujo, a senior research associate in marine biology and ecology at the Rosenstiel School.

And in the case of some vertical seawalls, wave energy is deflected downward, disturbing benthic marine organisms and impeding the growth of seagrasses, corals, or phytoplankton.

That is why the SEAHIVE team is experimenting with planting mangroves and coral on the structure, creating what Araujo calls a greenbelt that will attract marine life. The goal, he said, is to have a system that will not only protect from flooding and erosion but will also be living EcoParks accessible to the public and that will educate our community about our rich marine life and unique ecosystems.

Its long past the time that we start looking at building seawalls in a new way, and SEAHIVE helps serve that purpose, said Esber Andiroglu, an associate professor of practice in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering in the College of Engineering, who is part of the SEAHIVE development team.

When placed inside the Rosenstiel Schools 38,000-gallon SUSTAIN wind-wave tank, models of the SEAHIVE structure performed well, absorbing more wave energy than a traditional seawall would, said Brian Haus, professor and chair of ocean sciences at the Rosenstiel School and director of the SUSTAIN Laboratory.

Now, all that awaits is deployment of the full-scale structures at three South Florida pilot locations. One will be in Miami Beach, where it will be installed as an offshore artificial reef. Another will be set up in North Bay Village as a 4- to 6-foot section to an existing seawall constructed last year using glass fiber-reinforced polymer rods. A third will be installed in Pompano Beach at a new underwater marine park called Wahoo Bay.

In Pompano Beach, Arthur C.R. Gleason, research associate professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Ryan Fochs, a Ph.D. student at the Rosenstiel School, are using drones to photograph and map the Wahoo Bay site, stitching the images together to create a 3-D model of the inlet. The first flights got underway this month.

Well do a second set just after the construction to get a before-and-after view, Gleason stated. Ideally, this will continue annually to build up a time series from which we can evaluate the efficacy of the installation.

A special concrete mixture, still in the process of being perfected, will help ensure that SEAHIVE walls have a low carbon footprint, are not damaged easily, are able to repair themselves should they sustain damage, and will be friendly to marine life.

Sustainability will be ensued by using high volumes of low-carbon cement substitutes, and typically, mixtures with high-volume cement substitutes should also be durable, explained Prannoy Suraneni, assistant professor of civil and architectural engineering.

High-performance, ultra-high performance, and self-healing concretes are being explored for durability and resilience, Suraneni added. For biocompatibility, we will deploy and monitor concrete compositions, including those with surface texture, to evaluate how concrete composition affects its attractiveness to marine life.

Additionally, composite materials will replace steel reinforcement, ensuring that the concrete will not corrode, according to Antonio Nanni, professor and chair of the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering.

With the right type of design features, we believe we can create a seawall thats eco-friendly and versatile enough to be installed in coastal communities around the world, said Rhode-Barbarigos.

Drones to aid in recovery

Decimated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Ricos El Yunque National Forest is once again green, new leaves and flowering plants having replaced the foliage that had turned brown and muddied by a Category 5 storm.

For the rainforests main roads, however, recovery has been a slow process, with some still compromised and susceptible to landslides nearly five years after Hurricane Maria drenched the surrounding soil with torrential rains.

But using a fixed-wing drone capable of reaching altitudes of 5,000 feet, a University of Miami student and two recent graduates recently mapped El Yunques network of roads, turning their images and data over to a construction firm that has relied on the information to help reinforce those thoroughfares.

Benjamin Kling, Alexander Leiva, and Whitaker Redgates drone-mapping efforts are part of Precision Ecology, a remote-sensing and data venture they started two years ago to create digital surface and terrain maps for clients engaged in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and agriculture.

The orange-colored drone that mapped El Yunques main roads, allowing crews to make those passageways safer, was prominently displayed at the Universitys eMerge Americas exhibition space on Monday.

Before we even arrived in Puerto Rico a year ago, we knew that it was dangerous to travel along some of El Yunques roads. Some were still inaccessible, said Leiva, Precision Ecologys drone pilot. We demonstrated our companys value because normal survey crews that would normally go on foot to survey those roads couldnt even reach them. But with our drones, what would have taken ground crews months to do, we were able to accomplish in a matter of days. Five, as a matter of fact.

The team conducted a similar aerial-mapping project in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, mapping 13,000 acres in just six days and providing the data to government officials, who will use it in their road improvement projects.

Now, they have their sights set on expanding their fleet of three drones. Our ultimate goal is to decentralize. And rather than ourselves having all of the drones, have a system that connects the drones and the people who operate them, Kling said.

Among the other endeavors and displays featured at the University of Miamis eMerge Americas exhibition area were the following:

Goggles developed by Bascom Palmer Eye Institute ophthalmologist Mohamed Abou Shousha that can detect eye diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration were showcased. They have a 98 percent reliability in diagnosing conditions, which is the gold standard of visual field testing, said Christian Duque, clinical application specialist for Miami-based Heru, a Bascom Palmer spinoff that develops wearable AI-powered vision diagnostics.

The goggles, which are now in use at clinics and hospitals in all 50 states, are being further developed to help patients with eye diseases to see better. For patients with glaucoma or any other peripheral disease, they only have an island of visual field, meaning they only see through a donut hole, Duque explained. But our goal is to place these goggles on a patient to give them a full fish-eye view of their peripheral vision within that island of view.
Ricky Le (Rachel Carson, Politics 99) was an undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz the first time he set foot outside of his home state of Californiaheaded to Washington DC to participate in the UC in Washington program, widely known as UCDC. He had little idea what to expect, nor whether he would even like it, but his experience with UCDCmade possible in part by philanthropic support at UC Santa Cruz completely changed the trajectory of his life.

The UC in Washington program supervises and supports students who pursue a quarter of academic study and internship work in the nations capital. Students spend three to four days a week at their internshipsgaining hands-on experience working in a variety of opportunities that can include positions on Capitol Hill, in government agencies, major media outlets, cultural institutions or other nonprofit organizations, or at one of the many corporations with a presence in DC.

As a result of his UCDC internship, Le fell in love with politicslaunching a career that has included a variety of political roles including working as a policy advisor for U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren and executive director of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation. Le has called Washington DC home since 2005 and currently serves as Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Linda Sanchez of Californias 38th district.

Before UCDC, I had an interest in politics, but I was really unsure about my career path, Le says. My participation in UCDC changed my life, and opened up new avenues. It helped me realize that I want to be in DC, on Capitol Hill, participating in national politics.

Le, a Vietnamese refugee, was a first generation college student. He chose to attend UC Santa Cruz in part because doing so would allow him to remain close to the support of family and friends in his hometown of San Jose. Coming from a low-income family, he says he didnt feel sure he belonged in higher education.

He found a caring and supportive community at the university, though, and says he felt comfortable being himself. It was one of Les professors, Dan Wirls, who encouraged him to apply to UCDC. He saw potential in me before I saw the potential in myself, Le says. Le credits much of his ultimate success to the nurturing environment at UCSC.

The UCDC Washington Program offers a uniqueand even life-changingopportunity for UCSC students, and philanthropy is key. Tuition is the same as it is for students on campus, and a scholarship that supports a student at UC Santa Cruz can carry over to UCDC. The need for scholarships, however, often outweighs the number available. Additional UCDC expenseswhich are the responsibility of program participants include travel to DC, housing, food, the cost of business attire, and other needs. And while some of the internships offer a stipend, many do not.

Philanthropy can make the difference between a deserving student being able to participate in UCDC or not, notes Dr. Wirls, who in addition to being a professor of politics is also the UCSC director of UCDC. Unfortunately, Ive seen students who were accepted into the program decline because they felt like they couldnt afford it.

UCDC set Ricky Le on a career path he never would have imagined. Le encourages other UCSC students to participate in programs like UCDC and take advantage of all the resources the campus has to offer.

Dont be afraid, go beyond your comfort zoneyoull be surprised by what you can do, Le says.

Scholarships and stipends for programs such as UCDC are among the many funding opportunities supported by UCSCs Student Success Initiative. To learn more about how you can be the change, visit success.ucsc.edu or contact Molly Sims at maasims@ucsc.edu
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], April 19 (ANI/PRNewswire): FlowerAura, one of India's biggest online gifting portals, is ready with a new and exclusive range of gifts and other tokens. The launch is initiated directly on the mobile and website platforms of the brand and is ready for customers to book a surprise in advance. Either people celebrate in person, or they don't celebrate, and that's what FlowerAura is keen to resolve. An occasion like Mother's Day deserves a celebration, and nothing should be a blocker to that. For those who want to surprise their dear mothers with a perfect gift, FlowerAura launched a range of wholly new and exciting Mothers Day gifts, like every year. For those who mostly choose to celebrate with just a wish over a phone call due to distance, FlowerAura promotes a culture of expressing through gifts with its prompt gift delivery service over the nation and some foreign locations too. Gifts like cushions, wall frames, and ceramic mugs have prints and colour combinations that somehow compliment motherhood and express a touch of heart. New launch details shared to the media by the gifting giant include items like greeting cards, jewellery, divine idols, and chocolate boxes in a new and eye-catching style. From body care products to travel hampers and soothing perfumes, the options are countless and amazing for a sweet surprise to a mother. In the current launch and in the previous ones, too, FlowerAura has always emphasized a deep focus on prompting the underrated aura of flowers when it comes to expressing emotions. The newly launched range of Mother's Day flowers holds different types of blooms like rose, gerberas, carnations, orchids, and lilies, in different colours. One can pick from various arrangements of floral gifting such as bouquets, flower boxes, flower & chocolate bouquets, and flowers in glass vases. A flower subscription box (available in selected cities) is another pick for a blooming surprise throughout the month. Amazing indoor plants and quirky planters are amongst the top picks as they express a motherly touch of nature. Next up is the wide assortment of cakes with deliciousness stuffed in every bite and designs sure to make the occasion memorable. As per FlowerAura, cakes are not just edibles, but the way of specifying an occasion is a sweeter way. All the designs are made to connect with motherly love. All Mother's day cakes will be delivered on time through various delivery services. In a telephonic media conversation, Himanshu Chawla, CEO of FA Gifts Pvt Ltd, said, "The passion of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries is what we want people to have for occasions like Mother's Day. We hope people will love all the gifts, flowers, and cakes that are launched especially for Mother's Day celebrations." FA Gifts Pvt. Ltd., the pioneer of the gift industry, has flourished in the Indian market with its unique gifts (flowers, cakes, jar cakes, plants, etc. personalized gifts, combos) for the special moments that can't be put into words. Starting in 2010 under the entrepreneurship of Himanshu Chawla and Shrey Sehgal, the company launched its first FlowerAura store in the city of Gurugram. Today, we lead the gifting market in more than 400 cities to deliver a delightful experience for every customer out there. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 19 (ANI/PRNewswire): Xirify- a Pune-based hyperlocal, quick commerce App for ordering products and services announced the integration of Cashfree Payments, Petpooja, Gupshup, Exotel, and Brozo (Previously known as Wefast), to become a one-stop order management solution for business partners. Having created a mark for itself in the marketplace which is to a large extent dominated by big players, it is steadily consolidating its growth curve with innovative features and integrations. Xirify (still in the pilot phase) is successfully establishing itself in select areas of Pune like Pashan, Baner, and Bavdhan and has come to be reckoned as one of the fastest growing online shopping app with month-on-month order growth of 38% starting November 2021. After launching a completely new look and feel of the App in Nov 21, it is now focusing on integrating with various leading industry 3rdparty software to bring all the benefits and solutions together and provide a one-stop solution for local businesses for end-to-end order management. Xirify has already integrated Dunzo services to enable last-mile delivery. With all these integrations, Xirify aims to empower all its registered businesses to provide a seamless customer experience which is otherwise extremely costly if they do it by themselves. Xirify is a product incubated by Valueadd Softtech & Systems Pvt. Ltd. (VAST). Speaking of Xirify, Prashant Upasani, Founder Director, VAST says, "The platform is intended and created to cater to the development of local marketplace through an Omni online channel which will provide a great shopping experience for all home necessities. Efforts are on to ensure onboarding both small and flourishing local businesses of the local area as also branded entities for a wide range of options and a wholesome customer experience. We have kept our ears to the ground and been actively interacting with our patrons to understand their needs and incorporate matching features in the platform". Pune is home to around 35 lakh population with a high percentage of people employed in Information Technology (IT) and allied fields apart from Automobile and Engineering entities. The convenience of shopping online is an imperative need for such a genre of citizens, time being a luxury for most of them. This window of opportunity is aptly farmed by Xirify with intensified efforts by roping in value-added services of delivery options, POS (Point Of Sale), marketing, and easy payment solution for businesses and customers. Integrations & its benefits: Integrations provide value addition to the users of the platform and thereby enhance its utility across various operations/functions of the platform. Xirify intends to provide a top-in-class experience to its users with these integrations. Cashfree Payments is a leading API and Banking Solutions company that leads the way in bulk disbursals in India with its product Payouts. It is a highly secure payment gateway that supports all Debit/Credit cards, UPI, Net banking, and Wallets with Quick Settlements. These integrations boost the platform's ability to provide a hassle-free payment for orders and help retail business owners to manage their billing efficiently. All payments made through Xirify are directly settled in the Business's account. Business gets access to a comprehensive dashboard to view all payment status and easy one-click refund management. For more information please visit: www.cashfree.com Petpooja a coherent Restaurant Management software is being used by 60% of Xirify's registered restaurants, eateries, and cloud kitchens. With this integration, they will be able to manage all orders in one place. Restaurant/Eatery owners will not have to manage/edit/update their catalog in multiple places and manage multiple apps to receive, and process orders. For more information please visit: www.petpooja.com Gupshup enables better customer interactions through omni-channel conversational engagement (messaging, video and voice). Gupshup handles over 7 billion messages per month and supports more than 44,000 businesses across the world. Converse with Gupshup at http://www.Gupshup.io Exotel is a full stack customer engagement software provider. The integration will smoothen the order coordination. And the automated workflow will make sure all orders are accepted and processed on time. For more information please visit: www.exotel.com Borzo (previously known as Wefast) - Borzo is a last-mile delivery service provider. With this integration, Xirify will be able to reach every nook and corner of the city to offer its delivery service. For more information please visit: https://borzodelivery.com/ Talking about all the above integrations Koeli Chatterjee, Head of Business & Marketing sums up the advantage when she says, "Being a two-sided marketplace, we must make sure both customers and businesses are happy. All the above integrations will result in a hassle-free transaction which will help in eliminating manual errors. The end customer expectations are built around seamless convenience, easy ordering, payment process, and getting the right things delivered at their doorstep. With all the above integrations, we will be ensuring that shoppers on Xirify get the best customer experience." More than 3000 households in Pashan, Bavdhan, and Baner areas are using Xirify to order their daily essentials today. "As we say to our customers -Stop App Hopping and Download Xirify shopping, and you will get every product & service that you regularly need in your daily life. Similarly, with the above integrations, we will make sure that businesses also get access to everything to run their business online - be it catalog listing, tools to manage and market their business, social media integration, last-mile delivery, and much more. We are in our pilot phase and the idea is catching up fast. We are excited and grateful to all our early adopters for giving us a chance. We are looking forward to expanding our footprints soon," Koeli added. Xirify is a platform to bring consumers the benefits of supporting local entrepreneurs with the convenience of online shopping. This feature-rich platform aids all types of retail businesses in acquiring and servicing local customers with minimum effort and spending. Businesses registering with Xirify can reach their customer base and generate demand by listing their products/services catalog, receiving orders online, offering exclusive deals, and discounts, and enjoying the benefits of receiving ratings and reviews. Buyers have a wider choice to choose their seller on Xirify. They can opt to pay online through UPI or use the facility of Cash On Delivery (COD) for their purchases. Xirify is currently operational in Baner, Pashan & Bavdhan, Pune. For more information please visit: https://www.xirify.com/ Link To Download Xirify - Shopping (For Shoppers and service seekers) App: Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vast.xirify.consumer iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/xirify-shopping/id1513152017 Link To Xirify - Business App (For Businesses) Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vast.xirify.business iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/xirify-business/id1513752688 This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
The Union Finance Ministry is reportedly looking for a new secretary for the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) as Ajay Seth, the 1987-batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer who currently holds this charge, has been detected with a serious illness. Seth is undergoing treatment. The government has given a temporary charge of the DEA to Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj till the end of this month. Sources said Seth is not likely to be back in the office by April 30. Seth, who was appointed Secretary DEA last year is admitted to a hospital in Delhi after a late diagnosis of a serious illness. In an order issued late on April 12, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet said it approved an additional charge of the post to Tarun Bajaj, Revenue Secretary with immediate effect till April 30 during the period of absence on leave of Ajay Seth. Prior to Ajay Seth, Bajaj was serving as DEA Secretary till April 2021 after he was shifted as Secretary Revenue last year in April on the appointment of Ajay Seth as Secretary DEA. Sources said that Seth is unwilling to continue as Secretary DEA due to the illness. The government has, therefore, started looking for a full-time Secretary, DEA. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister on April 6, 2021 appointed Seth as the new Economic Affairs Secretary. Ajay Seth is also the central government nominee on the board of the Reserve Bank of India. Seth previously held charge as Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. In his previous stint at the Finance Ministry, Seth served as Deputy Secretary and Director in the Department of Expenditure and Department of Economic Affairs between 2000 and 2004. He also served as an adviser to the executive director of the Asian Development Bank during 2004-2008. (ANI)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 19 (ANI/PNN): At a grand event, the Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), Bangalore, honoured young talent with the 'Student of the Year 2022' award. The grand fest concluded in the presence of many eminent dignitaries. Started in the year 2015, this prestigious award honours the talent of the students by assessing them on several parameters. With the presence of over 700 people, this grand event was no less than a Bollywood party. The glitz and glare of this grand event gave the students the impression of being celebrities. Group dance, solo dance, and a floral fashion show performed by the students added magic to the event. There was a lot of enthusiasm for this event in the packed GIBS Auditorium. The event was made special by the presence of many dignitaries. Special guests included: Col. VS Malhotra-Project Manager at Defence Radar Systems-Indian Army, DRDO; Major Aditie Mohan-Vice President & Head of Corporate Services-Fidelity National Financial; Rajesh Bhat-Vice President-Zones LLC; and Padma Shri Prof. R.M. Vasgam. B.L. Goyal, MD Ritesh Goyal, and Dr K Aparna Rao-Director also graced the Dias. 'Student of the Year' is GIBS' annual event that recognizes the talents of distinguished students and honours them by assessing their outstanding performance in various college and community activities. This award gives young talent a chance to be proud of their brilliance and achievements. Every year, students work diligently to get this prestigious award. The process of assessment goes on throughout the year, and students are tested on various parameters. This year, the Student of the Year Award, also known as the J P Goyal Award, was given to Miss Aluri Supriya, a student of the PGDM 2020-22 batch. She received a trophy and cheque of Rs. 51,000. Along with the 'Student of the Year', other prestigious awards were also given. Miss K. Neha Sri, a student of the PGDM 2020-22 batch, was awarded the Shakuntala Devi Award. She received a gold medal and cheque of Rs. 11,000. Miss Soumya Aithal of the 2020-22 PGDM batch received the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award with a gold medal and cheque of Rs 7,000. Along with this, more than 48 Intellectual Capital Awards were given for teaching, non-teaching, and guest faculties. GIBS recognized the contributions of its partners by giving out 5+ partnership awards to NoPaperForms, Shiksha.com, Career360, CollegeDekho and GetMyUni. GIBS also honoured alumni following its tradition and gave more than 5+ Distinguished Alumni Awards. Apart from these, the Cultural Committee and the Organizing Committee were specially honoured for organizing this grand event. GIBS Business School is known for its practical teaching pedagogy and innovative training. GIBS' astounding process of creating future-ready talents has been widely appreciated by the industry. GIBS has always strived to improve the process with mega events like 'Student of the Year'. GIBS's management has reiterated its promise that such efforts will be intensified in the coming times so that a new batch of innovative global leadership can be prepared in the future. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Surat (Gujarat) [India], April 19 (ANI/BusinessWire India): India-based web hosting company Wise Solution, founded in 2010, was acquired by Server Wala Cloud Data Centers Pvt. Ltd in 2019 which operated it successfully for 3 years. Wise Solution well-accommodated multiple resellers, local and big organizations, and small to large-scale websites while providing the best solutions in domains, web hosting, servers, email, etc. However, after recognizing the huge market demand for the same, Wise Solution has announced its evolved transformation and relaunched itself as Hostbillo Hosting Solution. targeting a global customer base. Presently, Hostbillo has been focusing on rendering avant-garde product solutions to businesses and websites. The founder and CEO of Hostbillo, Akshay Saini, briefed, "The services and facilities of Wise Solution web hosting company were limited to the country 'India.' When I and my team of specialists marked the huge success of Wise Solution and encountered fast-paced increasing demands, we understood that every other user around the globe can considerably benefit from our seamless hosting services. This is where the thought of building Hostbillo Hosting Solution came into the picture. We did not want to bound ourselves to a single location when our hyper-scale, intense, worthy and in-demand services can be launched as well as thrive all over the world." Hostbillo, an entirely new brand with a unique brand mascot, has now come up with plenty of new services and a wide range of unlimited web hosting plans available across 7 locations globally - India, US, Russia, France, Netherlands, Germany, UAE. The company has revamped its hosting plans and introduced highly customizable as well as flexible options to enable customers to build their online presence swiftly and with ultimate ease. From domain registration, web hosting, email facilities, and SSL, to Microsoft 365, Hostbillo web hosting company has covered all with the proactive support of enterprise-grade hardware and the most advanced technologies. The company's servers involve robust security features and measures to provide customers with data protection assurance against all types of security threats. Further, its data centers ensure to deliver the highest and most consistent network connectivity while providing a 99.90% uptime guarantee. Moreover, Hostbillo offers technical assistance and customer service support through experienced, highly-skilled, and proficient professionals. They make themselves available 24/7/365 over diverse communication modes in order to provide instant responses. Hostbillo web hosting company has been accomodating and furnishing its customers by supplying countless benefits and privileges. As a Hostbillo customer, one can acquire access to the following advantages - The company offers inexpensive prices for all its world-class services and plans. It enables its customer to maximize their profit at a minimal investment. The company tends to provide tons of offers and discounts for long-term plans or packages, on diverse occasions, to first-time users, regular customers, and various other criteria. The company delivers influential and efficient services with the support of top-tier equipment and potent hardware tools. It provides SSDs (Solid-State Drives) rather than traditional HDDs (Hard-Disk Drives) for the data storage for ensuring the fastest processing, least web page loading time, and smooth operations with no interruption. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 19 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Embryonics Israel-based data-driven fertility company announced its data-driven fertility company with Jaslok-FertilTree International Fertility Centre led by the internationally renowned Dr Firuza Parikh. The newly set up partnership will aim to help increase the success rate of fertility treatments in the Indian subcontinent. Dr Parikh is one of the pioneers in the field and has many firsts in India including the birth of the first ICSI baby in 1994. She has multiple awards for her contribution to IVF, being named one of Asia's 100 most powerful women in 2015. As millennial women delay having children because of changing socio-economic patterns and gender roles, the IVF market continues to grow across the world. However, there is a discord between demand and the quality of the service being provided which is by no means the fault of IVF practitioners or embryologists. In several key steps of the IVF process, the practices have remained largely unchanged for many years. Coupled with an increase in global infertility, a void exists in the market providing fertility companies both the opportunity and the inclination to develop innovative solutions to improve IVF success rates. Women undergoing IVF face costs of anywhere between $10,000 (EUR8,000) to $25,000 (EUR20,000) per cycle, with no guarantee of success. It is here that Embryonics aims to reduce the number of IVF rounds and their attendant expenses. Embryonics has trained its algorithms using tens of thousands of data points from large clinics in the USA, Israel, Europe, and Asia and the first product to reach the market is UBAR, CE marked assistive embryo selection tool. Designed to aid embryologists in selecting which embryo(s) to transfer is a huge success. It addresses one of the most crucial steps for IVF success. UBAR's purpose is to assist embryologists in a highly subjective decision-making step, utilizing a more objective data-driven approach, and is not intended to replace the human factor. UBAR, builds on technology using bleeding edge deep learning in the clinical setting. Trained using a large, multicentre dataset, UBAR is a cloud-based software which uses time-lapse videos or single images of blastocysts to predict implantation probability, automatically annotate morphokinetic events and assist embryo selection using a data-driven approach. Dr Parikh's goals and vision align with those of Embryonics. She states that one of the keys to IVF success is selection of the best embryo for transfer. Having tested the Embryonics software called UBAR, she is pleased with the ease of use. Continuing her trend of being ahead of the curve and pushing reproductive boundaries, Dr Parikh is delighted to be Embryonics' first Indian collaborator. Explaining computer-driven algorithms she says, "There are characteristics differentiating a good Blastocyst stage embryo which has a possibility of implanting from one that has less potential. Algorithms created by AI and deep machine learning detect signals from developing embryos most likely to result in babies. These include healthy and equal division of embryonic cells. Signals pick up the quality and placement of the inner cell mass which ultimately becomes the baby. The trophectoderm cells surrounding the inner cell mass form the placenta. The timing of the expansion of the Blastocyst at a particular time point also contributes to its success." "When we compute these characteristics, the software comes up with a score from 1-5, 5 being the best. We have conducted interim analysis and have computed a predictive score most likely to result in a pregnancy. This method is simple and inexpensive," she added. Talking about the new partnership, Embryonics CEO Tal Landman said, "We at Embryonics are delighted to finally have our presence in India through Jaslok Hospital and UBAR. UBAR's purpose is to assist embryologists in a highly subjective decision-making step, utilizing a more objective data-driven approach, and is not intended to replace the human factor. I am thankful to Dr Parikh, who has chosen our product in making her dream of bringing happiness to so many Indian couples struggling with infertility. 2022 is also a special year for India and Israel as we celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, and I am elated that Embryonics could also enter the Indian market in the same year." Karan Kalra, General Manager, APAC & MEA, said, "Partnering with a prestigious clinic as Jaslok-FertilTree International is a great honor and we are looking forward to helping prospective parents fulfilling their dreams using the latest technology. The Jaslok-FertilTree collaboration with Embryonics is taking the frontiers of IVF towards a new era of AI-driven personalized medicine." Embryonics is an artificial intelligence (AI) fertility company whose goal is to drastically improve IVF success rates through data-driven means, whilst modernizing the fertility lab, increasing the profitability of IVF clinics and, most importantly, gifting parents struggling with infertility the joy of a successful birth. The Israeli company is led by a multidisciplinary team of expert machine learning specialists, data scientists, physicians, biologists, and embryologists. Among its founders is Prof. Alex Bronstein who heads the Technion-IIT's Department of Computer Science and a fellow of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). An internationally recognized expert in machine learning and computer vision, he has hundreds of publications and patents in the field. Bronstein also stands behind several successful companies that exited and was acquired by household names such as Intel and Philips. CTO & Co-founder David Silver is a world expert in the field of geometric machine learning, studied math and biology under the auspices of the Rothschild Excellence Program at the Technion and undertook a fellowship at the prestigious Microsoft PhD program in Cambridge, UK. Recently the team also welcomed a new medical advisor, Dr Ilan Tur-Kaspaan internationally recognised specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, specializing in personalized advanced Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and the author and co-author of over a hundred scientific publications and textbook contributions. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Guangzhou [China], April 19 (ANI/PR Newswire): Two events of the 131st Canton Fair Virtual Promotion, with one between China and Argentina and the other between China and Colombia, were recently held to promote trade in electronics and household appliances. Such distinguished guests attended and addressed the meeting as Xu Tianshu, Third Secretary at the Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Office, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Argentina and Yu Yi, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Canton Fair. Around 300 Argentine and Colombian representatives of industry and commerce associations, buyers and suppliers took part in the online events. Mr. Yu presented what's new about the 131st Canton Fair during the online events, with a focus on the official website's latest functions and updates. He also extended a warm welcome to all participating Latin American businesses and looked forward to active engagement. In addition, several guests gave individual speeches in the virtual promotion events, expecting broader exchanges, deeper friendship and more common development between Chinese and Latin American industrial and commercial communities. Electronics and household appliance manufacturers based in Yibin, Sichuan Province and Zhuhai, Guangdong Province connected with Latin American buyers online to promote their products. The Chinese companies and their Latin American counterparts discussed a variety of topics, including product functionalities and import and export regulations. The two virtual promotion activities saw active interaction and heated discussions among the participating suppliers and buyers on a wide range of matters, garnering positive feedback from the attendees. Trade and investment cooperation is booming between China and Latin America, two major emerging market economies. Despite the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and a slow recovery of the global economy, the total China-Latin America trade volume set a new record in 2021, exceeding 450 billion US dollars. Meanwhile, China remains Latin America's second-largest trading partner, demonstrating the resilience and great potential of economic cooperation between the two economies. The 131st Canton Fair intends to support China's all-round opening-up to the world, high-quality international trade and facilitate the dual circulations of domestic and international markets. As a result, the Fair will continue to showcase the market potential of China's major trading partners, with a focus on expanding partnerships between China and Latin America and other emerging markets. Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index#/foreign-email for more opportunities. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire)
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], April 19 (ANI/NewsVoir): BML Munjal University (BMU), a Hero Group initiative, is organizing Propel Pitchfest22 on April 20th-21st, 2022. The pitchfest, in its third edition, is a platform provided by the Atal Community Innovation Center (ACIC) and Propel Incubator at BML Munjal University to encourage new ideas, innovations, and young startups. The networking platform will facilitate the attending startups to interact with successful entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders of the startup ecosystem. Dr Chintan Vaishav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog will address the 3rd season of Propel Pitchfest as the keynote speaker. The Propel Pitchfest22 to include pitching contests for startups with prize baskets worth INR +15 lacs (+1.5 Mn) and a track on startups with women founders. The pitching contest will invite young startups led by students (both studying and recently graduated) and accept entries through Dare2Compete. The three categories to be included for the contest are-Product Based Startup, Service Based Startup, Women Founded Startup. The winners of the contest will not only get cash awards but also get incubation support from ACIC-BMU | Propel Incubator @BMU, an opportunity to pitch to various angel investor networks-namely Lead Angels, ah! Ventures, IAN. The winning start-ups will also get access to numerous benefits through the Passport by TheOneValley, membership to TiE Delhi etc. Panel discussions on Building Successful Start-Ups with Purpose will also be held with Bala Sarda, Founder Vahdam Tea, Ariba Khan, Founder-Jumping Minds, Meghana Narayan, Founder-Slurrp Farm, Utkasrh Singh, Founder-BATX Energies along with the other thought leaders of the start-up ecosystem. India is the 3rd largest startup ecosystem, there is a current momentum in the ecosystem where entrepreneurs, investors and central and state governments are together putting investments in creating startup hubs and promoting the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. It is a win-win for all when universities and educational institutes are aligned together to this objective as well. Talking about the Propel Pitchfest of 2022, Prof Davinder Singh, CEO, ACIC-BMU Foundation, In-charge of Incubation and Associate Professor, BML Munjal University said, "We're excited to announce this year's Propel Pitchfest22. As India aspires to be the world's number one start-up ecosystem, we at BMU consider innovation integral to business, as a university we are happy to provide a platform to the budding entrepreneurs of our nation. This is an opportunity for the leaders of tomorrow to showcase their entrepreneurial prowess and utilize the propel platform as a helipad for some of their greatest ideas to take off." To know more about the propel pitchfest, please visit: Dare2Compete (D2C) Propel Incubator @ BML Munjal University has been established to encourage and support aspiring entrepreneurs in their pursuit of innovative solutions and develop entrepreneurship among the students through its programs and activities. Propel provides regular interaction, mentoring and training with successful entrepreneurs, angel investors and industry experts. There would be regular competitions (ideathons, pitching etc.). The student teams would be nurtured to form ventures and would be provided with the support to grow and gain funding. Named after the late Founder Chairman of the Hero Group, BML Munjal University (BMU) is a state-private university founded by the promoters of the Hero Group. BMU is mentored by Imperial College London and is engaged in creating, preserving, and imparting internationally benchmarked knowledge and skills. The university seeks to transform higher education in India by creating world-class innovative teaching, learning, and research environment across Schools spanning the disciplines of law, management, economics, commerce, and engineering. The School of Management at BML Munjal University has been ranked 41st among all management institutions All India in the NIRF Rankings 2021. The university offers undergraduate to doctoral programmes comprising B.Tech, BA (Hons) in Economics, BBA, BCom (Hons), BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLB (Hons), BBA, Integrated BBA-MBA at the undergraduate level and MBA, and PhD at the post-graduate level. For more information log in to www.bmu.edu.in. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], April 19 (ANI/PR Newswire): "The situation of crisis throws open new challenges and opportunities and the global Covid-19 pandemic has once again proved that the science of Biotechnology has the potential to change the world and make it a better place to live," said Noble Laureate Sir Richard John Roberts. Sir Richard John Roberts was speaking during the Annual Convocation ceremony of Chandigarh University, held for the Science students of the 2021 batch at the university campus, Gharuan. It may be mentioned here that Sir Roberts was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of introns in eukaryotic DNA and the mechanism of gene-splicing in 1993. A total of 1,017 students of the 2021 batch from as many as 10 Computing and Sciences programs were awarded degrees. Sir Richard John Roberts was the chief guest on the occasion. Pro-Chancellor, Dr R. S. Bawa and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr S.S. Sehgal along with other officials, were present on the occasion. Sir Richard John Roberts was also awarded with the Honorary Doctorate Degree here in the campus of Chandigarh University for his contribution in organizing a number of nobel initiatives to correct scientific misunderstandings and promote humanitarian causes. Asserting that it is crucial to find themselves a job they are really passionate about and which feels more like a hobby than work, Sir Roberts urged the passing out students to reap the most out of their best education and a new, brighter future that lies ahead of them. Speaking further Richard John said, "Biotechnology really offers the opportunity to change this world. The researchers have worked against the time and produced enzymes that were necessary to produce the mRNA vaccines for protecting humanity from the COVID-19 pandemic. Further the great work done by the scientists has offered us the Genetically Modified Organisms, which have made us food sufficient especially in the developing countries. Now the researchers are working on the problem to help the countries combating the climate change situation which is affecting the humans, animals and plants all over the world". While addressing the students, Sir Roberts said, "It is very important that you find yourself a job for which you are really passionate about. This way, you will not feel the burden of working but will enjoy it like a hobby." During the convocation ceremony, Sir Roberts conferred degrees upon 1,017 students of the 2021 batch including 289 from Master's programs and 728 from Bachelor's programs belonging to the domain of sciences. 10 meritorious students were awarded Gold Medals which included Yeragalla Rajit Kumar, Mohammad Tarique, Vrinda Panwar, Komal Bhayana, Shivraj Singh, Adam Christopher Imam, Navleen Kaur, Sakshi Mehra, Priya Kumari, and Nilesh Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Dr R.S. Bawa congratulated the passing-out students and wished them luck for their future endeavours. "As you begin to start your professional journey, it is expected from you that you all will use your knowledge to fuel your passion and create great things, eventually making this world a better place to live in. Do what you do best, and establish your place in the world," he said, adding that he hopes that the graduate students of the university will contribute to the development of the country with their dedication, talent and hard work. Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire)
New Delhi [India] April 19 (ANI/NewsVoir): Dulux, the flagship decorative paint brand from AkzoNobel India today unleashed the next generation of colour innovation for consumers in India. Dulux's iconic Velvet Touch ultra-luxury interior emulsions now come power-packed with the Tru Color technology edge across the entire range (of Dulux Velvet Touch Diamond Glo, Dulux Velvet Touch Pearl Glo and Dulux Velvet Touch Platinum Glo). Talking about this new offering from the Dulux, Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, AkzoNobel India, said, "Dulux Velvet Touch epitomises the best quality of paint. As Indian consumers are increasingly spending more time rejuvenating their homes, walls have become a canvas of self-expression. Dulux India is now further empowering consumers to flourish through colours. We're delighted to present the all new Dulux Velvet Touch with the Tru Color technology. This is our promise of intense rich colours with ultra-smooth finish so that every living space Feels like Home." Inspired by global contemporary design themes, Tru Color brings to life a specially curated palette of intense rich colours made with the finest ingredients and colour pigments for an ultra-smooth finish. AkzoNobel's Global Aesthetic Center at Amsterdam has distilled its colour expertise into three design palettes - Essential, Accent and Atmosphere. The ESSENTIAL colour palette is a modern take on timeless classics. From Romantic Pink to Warm Peach, Cotton Blossom to Crisp Linen, Lofty Dream to Virtual Reality; complementing whites and neutrals come together with warm and light tones to give an uber sleek, serene, romantic and elegant appeal. Fresh, light, airy, cheerful and energizing encapsulate the ACCENT colour palette. Trendy oranges like Marigold Blossom, come together with fresh greens, sunny yellows and cheerful blues. Whether an entire room or an accent wall, these colours fill your living space with excitement that's impossible to miss. The ATMOSPHERE palette of earthy browns, warm reds, rich greens and deep blues are comforting, warm and dependable. Bask in the boundless glory of nature with this palette inspired by forest, ocean and sky. The new Dulux Velvet Touch range with Tru Color technology is now available for purchase across India. To bring alive this unique proposition, Dulux has launched a new TVC 'Dulux Velvet Touch - Feels like Home'. Directed by acclaimed director Gauri Shinde, the TVC stars Mrunal Thakur and Ronit Roy as a father-daughter duo. The film paints a progressive take on how Dulux Velvet Touch with Tru Color technology plays a colourful role in bringing about closer modern day relationships. Link to the TVC: (link here) We supply the sustainable and innovative paints and coatings that our customers, communities - and the environment - are increasingly relying on. That's why everything we do starts with People. Planet. Paint. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and have set our sights on becoming the global industry leader. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering paints company that's committed to science-based targets and is taking genuine action to address globally relevant challenges and protect future generations. For more information, please visit www.akzonobel.com AkzoNobel India has been present in India for over 60 years and cd is a significant player in the paints industry. In 2008, the company became a member of the AkzoNobel Group. With employee strength of around 1,500, AkzoNobel India has manufacturing sites, offices and a distribution network spread across the country. All manufacturing facilities have a state-of-the-art environmental management system. Its commitment to Health, Safety, Environment and Security (HSE&S) has been among the best-in-class globally, with due care being taken to protect people and the environment. For more information, please visit www.akzonobel.co.in This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
BPP University, a London based university, is part of the BPP Group and is a distinct legal entity with its own degree-awarding powers. With a dedicated management team, it has a responsibility for upholding high standards of governance, educational provision, resourcing and quality assurance.

The university delegates informed the stakeholders about the various courses offered by the university. The delegates said the university not listed in just academic lead tables and instead focuses on employability credentials. In the Graduate Outcomes survey, BPP University ranks 1st Place against the Russell Group of 24 leading Universities for the number of UK Postgraduate Students who went into Employment and are in Highly Skilled Occupations.

In 2007, BPP University made history by becoming the first publicly owned company in the UK to obtain degree awarding powers.

It has around 15,000 students, studying across 13 centres, in eight locations across England and online around the world. 70 per cent are full-time, over 84 per cent are on postgraduate programmes.

BPP University ranks 1st place for the number of UK Postgraduate students who went into Employment & are in High Skilled Occupations. Survey conducted by HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency UK).

Sanwariya Educational Consultants has sent more than 1000 students to BPP University with no single complaint during the last intake.

This story is provided by Target Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Target Media)
Initially titled 'Text For You', the film is based on the 2016 German film 'SMS fur Dich' by Karoline Herfurth, Variety reported.

In the project, Priyanka will be seen playing the role of a woman struggling to move on from the death of her fiance. To cope, she begins sending messages to his old phone number, which has been reassigned to a new man, played by Sam Heughan. The two meet and develop a connection based on their shared heartbreak.

Celine Dion is also a part of 'It's All Coming Back to Me', which is named after Jim Steinman's power ballad 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now'.

Apart from 'It's All Coming Back to Me', Priyanka will also feature in the Russo Brothers' 'Citadel' show. (ANI)
Taking to her Instagram handle on Tuesday, Kiara shared two pictures of herself standing with her hands folded in front of the shrine.

The 'Kabir Singh' actor donned a white kurta with a bright yellow dupatta.

Sharing the picture, she wrote, "Gratitude."

The beautifully captured images garnered more than five lakh likes and thousands of comments from her fans.

Kiara flew to Amritsar earlier this week to shoot for her upcoming political drama 'RC 15' which also features superstar Ram Charan in the lead role.

The upcoming project is jointly produced by Dil Raju and Shirish Garu under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations for a pan-India release.

'RC 15' will release in three languages - Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. (ANI)
Heartfelt wishes have been pouring in for actor R. Madhavan's son Vedaant ever since he bagged gold and silver medals at the Danish Open swimming event. Like many, Priyanka Chopra also congratulated Madhavan and his son after learning about the teenager's glorious achievement. Congratulating Vedaant and his family, Priyanka tweeted, "Wohooo! Congratulations @VedaantMadhavan! That's an amazing feat! Keep trailblazing! Congratulations @ActorMadhavan and Sarita." Priyanka's tweet left Madhavan elated. Responding to the 'Aitraaz' star, Madhavan took to Twitter and wrote, "Wow ... thank you so so much .. don't know what to say.. we are so thrilled and excited .gods grace and thank you for your kindness once again @priyankachopra .. you are the very best." At the Danish Open, Vedaant won the gold medal in the men's 800m freestyle event, beating local swimmer Alexander L Bjorn. He had earlier won a silver in the 1500m freestyle at the same meet. (ANI)
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie is based on the bestselling novel by Rumaan Alam which revolves around a couple vacationing in a rental house on Long Island, who are surprised when the homeowners arrive bearing news of a mysterious blackout.

The film will also star Farrah Mackenzie, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha'la Herrold.

Sam Esmail, who has written the film, will also be donning the director's hat for the project. (ANI)
The two groups clashed on Sunday night over hoisting a saffron flag in Dulla Gate area of Achalpur city, and gradually, the atmosphere became heated.

Stones were also pelted during the skirmish.

However, the situation was brought under control when the police rushed to the spot, and dispersed the agitated crowd.

The Achalpur violence broke out on the heels of the Jahangirpuri communal clash in Delhi on Saturday.

Currently, a curfew has been imposed under Section 144 and a large police contingent has been deployed.

However, tensions are still brewing in Achalpur -- the second most populous in Amravati district after Amravati, after the incident.

Shashikant Satav, the additional Superintendent of Police of Amravati, said three cases have been registered and as many as 16 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.

He has also urged the residents to maintain calm, and not believe in rumours or social media posts.

The police officer further said that to ensure the law-and-order situation is maintained, more than 600 police personnel have been deployed in Achalpur-Paratwada twin city, Kandli village, and another village.

Section 144 was imposed in the affected areas of the district to prevent mass gatherings, he said.

--IANS joseph/pgh

( 235 Words)

2022-04-18-21:12:07 (IANS)
India and Finland on Monday announced establishment of an Indo-Finnish Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing and signed a formal MoU to that effect here. The MoU was signed in the presence of visiting Finnish Economic Affairs Minister, Mika Lintila and India's Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. Singh said that bilateral STI collaboration between the two countries is an attempt to stimulate innovative R&D projects that address a specific need or challenge, demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential, and aim to deliver benefit to both the nations. The Indian side has identified three premier institutes viz IIT Madras, IISER Pune and C-DAC Pune for the Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing. The move comes in the wake of the decision taken in the last joint committee meeting held in November 2020 to initiate cooperation in new emerging areas such as 5G, Quantum Computing and sustainability by involving academia, industries and startups of the two countries. "The Department of Science & Technology has initiated several new mission mode programmes such as electric vehicles, cyber physical systems, quantum technologies, future manufacturing, Green Hydrogen Fuel etc," Singh said and sought joint collaboration with Finland in solving issues of societal challenges. Referring to the virtual summit held last March between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sanna Marin, Singh pointed out that Finland's leading role in clean and green technologies can help India's drive towards sustainable development. India and Finland are consultative members of the Antarctic Treaty and have active stations in Antarctica. Finland would be hosting the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in 2023 and India in 2024. Singh also underlined that India Meteorological Department (IMD), and Finnish Meteorological Institute has been cooperating in the field of atmospheric environment since 2014. Lintila assured India that Finnish companies will partner with India for Carbon-neutral technologies and enhance cooperation for sustainability in climate change. The Finnish Minister also invited India to explore the possibility of deeper cooperation in Finland's Biobank project to mediate high quality human samples to medical research to promote development of new products and services that promote public health, a statement from the Ministry of S&T said. --IANS niv/vd A A ( 373 Words) 2022-04-18-21:22:02 (IANS)
The Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that Ansar, an accused in the Jahangirpuri communal violence, has links with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and urged the police to investigate why the 'mastermind' the clash was associated with one party. Delhi BJP spokesperson Pravin Shankar Kapoor, meanwhile, has written a letter to Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to expel Ansar from the party. Lok Sabha member from North East Delhi, Manoj Tiwari alleged that the mastermind of attack on Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri, Ansar has been a worker of the AAP. "There are evidence of this in the form of photographs. Tahir Hussain who was the mastermind of Delhi riots in 2020 was also a AAP councillor. Is AAP running any riot factory?" Tiwari asked. He claimed that illegal migrants living in the city were a big challenge for the police, and the law and order. "The police and intelligence agencies should probe this angle as to why the masterminds of incidents of riots are being found to be associated with the AAP," Tiwari said. In his letter to chief minister Kejriwal, Kapoor said: "People of Delhi want a reply from the AAP leadership over the involvement of the youth, apparently an AAP worker in Jahangirpuri riots. Earlier too, we saw an AAP councillor Tahir Hussain as the main accused of 2020 Delhi riots." Earlier, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta had alleged on Sunday that Ansar was an AAP activist whose photograph has been seen with many party MLAs. --IANS ssb/pgh ( 273 Words) 2022-04-18-21:24:04 (IANS)
Sanjay Dinker Shivdekar, 65, from Maharashtra was riding a horse from Baisaran towards Pahalgam when the tree fell on them, killing both on the spot, a police official said.

"The body of the tourist has been kept at the mortuary in Pahalgam health centre," the official added.

--IANS sq/vd

( 85 Words)

2022-04-18-21:28:03 (IANS)
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to implement two official agreements between the central government and Naga insurgents in order to resolve the Nagaland issue. "I wish to draw your kind attention to a very important matter of national concern. I am writing this letter to seek a solution for the people of Nagaland. As you are aware 31 years ago, our leader Late Rajiv Gandhi offered a talk with no condition to Naga Insurgents on May 19, 1991 at Dimapur. Talks began in 1997," Chowdhury wrote to Shah. The Congress leader said two official agreements between the central government and Naga insurgents are there including Frame work agreement signed at the residence of Prime Minister on August 3, 2015 between RN Ravi, Interlocutor and Th Muivah, general secretary of NSCN (IM) and the Agreed Points signed between RN Ravi and the Working Committee of 6 factions of Naga Nation Political Groups (NNPG) on November 17, 2017. "In the above matter, Governor and Interlocutor in his address to Nagaland State Assembly in February 2021 declared that talks have concluded. Assembly has adopted a vote of thanks to the address. Thereafter. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio moved a resolution demanding to resume talk instead of endorsing for implementation of agreements. This is what we call a flip-flop," said Chowdhury. "Stakeholders, after consideration of the agreed points, are demanding for implementation of the agreements. In view of the above. I request you to kindly implement the above-mentioned agreements so that the Nagaland issue is resolved," urged Chowdhury. Pertinent to mention here, the Centre has recently withdrawn Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain parts of Nagaland. It has been removed from 15 police stations in seven districts in Nagaland with effect from April 1. The Central Government reduced disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the states of Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur. The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. In 2005, the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee had recommended the repeal of AFSPA and suggested an amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 by inserting a new Chapter with respect to the North-Eastern states. The fresh demand to review AFSPA had stirred last year after 14 civilians were killed in a botched-up operation by the Indian Army on December 4 in the Mon district of Nagaland. Notably, AFSPA is one of the key political issues in the North-East state which is scheduled to go to the polls early next year. (ANI)
Slamming the Opposition for their joint statement expressing concern over communal violence, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Monday said the Opposition parties are running a false narrative for vote bank politics and trying to disrupt the social fabric of the country. Briefing the mediapersons, Bhatia said, "India has also undergone a big political change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi started a new kind of politics that connects everyone in society. The work is being done to bring the weaker section to the mainstream." Bhatia said earlier it was only vote bank politics that used to divide the society but the BJP government brought the politics of integrating the society. "Earlier, the opposition, especially the Congress broke the society on the basis of religion and caste. Now the common citizen looks toward the government. The Modi government is sincerely dedicated to the people. Now to change the narrative, the Opposition is trying to spoil the harmony in the society," he said. "The false appeal was not made by Sonia Gandhi with false intentions to incite her vote bank and to break the social fabric of the country. It was not made to maintain social harmony. If there was even a bit of honesty in this appeal of the opposition, then first of all Congress would have told its CM in the Congress-ruled state not to look at religion in punishing criminals. The people want to ask the Congress government in Rajasthan why is it so compulsive and helpless in Karauli case," added the BJP leader. Notably, several incidents of violence were reported from various parts of the country during the Ram Navami procession last week. Expressing deep concern over the "growing incidents of hate speech and recent outburst of communal violence" in the country, leaders of 13 Opposition parties in a joint statement on Saturday urged people to maintain peace and harmony while demanding stringent punishment against the perpetrators of communal violence. Sonia Gandhi (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Mamata Banerjee (TMC), M K Stalin (DMK), CPI (M)'s Sitaram Yechury, Farooq Abdullah (NC), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), D Raja (CPI), Debabrata Biswas (Forward Bloc), Manoj Bhattacharya (RSP), PK Kunhalikutty (IUML), and CPI (ML)'s Dipanker Bhattacharya issued the joint statement on Saturday. The 13 leaders alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been silent on the spate of communal violence and said that he has "failed to speak against the words and actions of those who propagate bigotry and those who, by their words and actions, incite and provoke our society." (ANI)
The miscreants attacked the two occupants of the cash van with chilli powder before carrying out the crime near the ILD Mall on Sohna Road on Monday afternoon.

An employee named Vipin said that at the time of the incident, two employees had gone inside a car showroom to collect cash while two others were waiting in a vehicle parked near the mall on Sohna Road.

At that time, a group of 4-5 men held the occupants of the van at gunpoint, and threw chilli powder at them, rendering them disabled. When the employees resisted, the accused thrashed them, took the bags containing the cash and fled from the spot.

"We have launched a search for the criminals. We will also question the employees for further investigation," said Virender Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East).

The police are also not ruling out the involvement of the cash van staff.

The accused used a black car to execute the crime. At the time of the incident, the security guard was not present in the van and the vehicle's windowpane was also open.

--IANS str/arm

( 225 Words)

2022-04-18-22:32:03 (IANS)
Central government envoy A.K. Mishra, who held his first round of talks with major Naga groups including the NSCN-IM and others six months ago, arrived here on Monday to carry forward the discussions, officials said. A senior state government official said that Mishra, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, would meet Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and others and the leaders of Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and Naga National Political Groups (NNPG). During his week-long staym he would also meet members of the core committee on Naga political issues headed by the Chief Minister, the official said declining to disclose further details. Mishra was assigned with the Naga peace talks after transfer of Nagaland Governor Ravindra Narayan Ravi, who was the Centre's interlocutor in the Naga peace talks for many years, to Tamil Nadu. There was an open difference of opinion between NSCN-IM and Ravi leading to the deadlock in the peace process. Mishra, during his visit to Nagaland in September last year, also discussed the Naga issue with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the Convener of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Chief Minister Rio, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, United Democratic Alliance Chairman T.R. Zeliang and newly-elected Rajya Sabha Member S. Phangnon Konyak met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah on April 13 in New Delhi and discussed the Naga issue. However, nothing has been disclosed yet about these crucial discussions. During the Assembly session last month, all legislators, cutting across party lines, strongly urged the Centre to settle the issue at the earliest, as Assembly elections are in the state early next year. The Centre has been separately holding peace talks with the NSCN-IM and eight other Naga groups, which came together a few years ago under the banner of NNPGs. The NSCN-IM and other outfits entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997 and since then, both sides held more than 85 rounds of negotiations. A Framework Agreement between the two was signed on August 3, 2015 and the agreed position between the government and the NNPG on November 17, 2017. However, the NSCN-IM's insistence on a separate Naga flag and Constitution became a hurdle. --IANS sc/vd ( 393 Words) 2022-04-18-22:42:03 (IANS)
Delhi Police had denied permission to take out a third 'Shobha Yatra' in the Jahangirpuri area to mark Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday, which later resulted in violent clashes between two groups of people in the area. "A case under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the organisers for taking out a third procession on the evening of April 16 in the Jahangirpuri area without any permission," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usha Rangnani. However, the first two processions which were taken out earlier in the day had due permission from the police. Special CP (Law and Order), Dependra Pathak, said the organisers took the permission from Delhi Police on March 25 and March 31 for the first two processions that were taken out at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. "Request for the third Shobha Yatra was made on Friday night, which was denied by the police," the officer said. Earlier on Monday, Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said in a media briefing that at the time of violence, police were present in adequate numbers and initially the force even managed to separate both the groups. Nine persons, including eight policemen, were injured in the clashes. "This shows that the police efficiently did their job, which prevented injury to the public," Asthana said. --IANS uj/arm ( 237 Words) 2022-04-18-22:48:14 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Uttar Pradesh government's takeover of the land of the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and C.T. Ravikumar passed the interim order while issuing notice to the UP government on a plea by the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust. The plea was filed against the Allahabad High Court order, which declined to interfere with the direction of Additional District Magistrate, Rampur, to take back nearly 400 acres of land, which was allotted to the university. The Trust is run by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. The Samajwadi Party government in 2005, enacted the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University Act, which paved the way for the setting up of the university. The state government allowed the Trust to acquire 400 acres of land against the ceiling of 12.5 acres for setting up the university. The government had imposed certain conditions, one of which was that the land would only be used for educational purposes. In September last year, the high court declined to entertain the plea filed by the Trust seeking a direction to quash a report submitted by Sub-Divisional Magistrate in March 2020. The plea also sought quashing of ADM's order passed in January last year. The high court cited the SDM's report that a mosque was constructed over the land which was granted only for educational purposes, and this is a violation of the state government's permission. --IANS ss/vd ( 257 Words) 2022-04-18-22:48:15 (IANS)
Union Minister Pasupati Kumar Paras, who faced a stone-pelting attack in Mokama on Saturday, on Monday blamed his estranged nephew Chirag Paswan for the incident, while also questioning the state government's arrangements. At an event in Patna, Paras accused Chirag Paswan of continuously being in a conspiracy against him. Paras went to Ghoswari village in Mokama subdivision to celebrate the Jayanti of Chaudharmal on Saturday where a group of people had pelted stones on his convoy. Interestingly, the people had welcomed Chirag Paswan an hour ago when he reached there for the same celebration. "Chirag Paswan conspired against me. Hence, a group of people pelted stones on my convoy. It was also a failure of the local administration which failed to provide security to an Union Minister," Paras said. Noting that during the 2020 Assembly elections, "Chirag threatened to expel me from the party for 6 years every time I talked about contesting the Assembly election under the umbrella of NDA headed by Nitish Kumar in Bihar, he said: "Chirag Paswan always said that he would send Nitish Kumar to jail, if he comes to power in Bihar. The NDA top leadership agreed on giving us respectful number of seats to contest in Assembly election 2020 but Chirag Paswan did not accept it. As a result, the party had performed badly in that election." "If Chirag would have accept the offer of NDA at that time, we would have been part of the Bihar government and we would have had ministers in the Central government as well. Due to the wrong policies of Chirag Paswan, LJP had performed badly in the Bihar Assembly election," he added. --IANS ajk/vd ( 288 Words) 2022-04-18-22:58:38 (IANS)
According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday, Nengroo was involved in infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, who were responsible for various terror attacks in the Valley.

Nengroo has been running a terror syndicate in Kashmir and he is presently engaged in a perilous campaign to orchestrate terror in J&K, remote controlled from Pakistan, the notification read.

A resident of Hayan Bala Rajpora in Pulwama, Nengroo was involved in cases related to the killing of one policeman in Pulwama in 2013, killing of one civilian in 2020, terror funding and illegal supply of weapons to terrorists.

In order to deter him from perpetrating terror, Nengroo is being designated as a terrorist under the provisions of the said Act, the MHA said.

--IANS ams/arm

( 173 Words)

2022-04-18-23:18:02 (IANS)
The three-day event will have around 350 delegates, including state leaders.

Senior party leaders who met on Monday discussed the venue of the 'Chintan Shivir'.

The Congress wants to discuss its roadmap ahead after continuous poll debacles and the blueprint prepared by political strategist Prashant Kishor in coming days and come up with broad parameters during the 'Chintan Shivir'.

Kishor had presented a detailed roadmap for the party for the 2024 elections on Saturday.

After the presentation, party President Sonia Gandhi set up a committee to look into the suggestions.

"Prashant Kishor has given a detailed presentation for the 2024 election and Congress President has deputed a small group to look into it and report to her within a week and after that a final decision will be taken," General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal said.

Sources mentioned that Kishor said during the meeting said that the Congress must target up to 370 to 400 Lok Sabha seats out of the total 543 for 2024 and work on alliances wherever the party was weak.

Sources also said that Kishor is likely to join the Congress formally soon.

--IANS miz/vd

( 220 Words)

2022-04-18-23:22:04 (IANS)
The accused has been identified as Imam alias Sonu alias Yunus, a resident of C Block in Jahangirpuri.

DCP (north-west), Usha Rangnani, said a video was being circulated on social media since Sunday, showing the same man (in blue kurta) opening fire during the clashes.

"He has been nabbed by the Special Staff of the northwest district police," the DCP said.

A case under Section 25 of the Arms Act hs been registered against Imam.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had fired with his pistol near the Kushal Chowk during the clashes of April 16.

Earlier in the day, the family members of Imam had resorted to stone pelting when the police went to their house for investigation.

"To probe the matter, a police team of north-west district had gone to the alleged shooter's house on CD Park road to question his family members," Rangnani said.

However, when the police reached there, the family members pelted stones on them. During the incident, inspector Satender Khari sustained injury on his right ankle as one of the stones hit him.

Subsequently, the police registered a separate FIR under the relevant sections of the IPC at the Jahangirpuri police station and one of the relatives of the accused, identified as Salma, was bound down.

She has joined the investigation, the officer added.

In a case where a person is bound down, he/she is not booked under any legal provision but is released subject to the condition that he/she will appear before the police for further probe.

--IANS uj/arm

( 298 Words)

2022-04-18-23:24:02 (IANS)
Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi on Monday alleged that the violence that broke out in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on April 16 was a conspiracy by those who want to promote enmity. Speaking to the media, Lekhi said, "It is a conspiracy by those who want to promote enmity to hamper law and order situation. Police are taking cognizance of the matter." She further said that the police report is awaited to see who all are responsible. "It should be probed thoroughly..." Lekhi added. An altercation between two groups erupted during a religious procession in Jahangirpuri on April 16 that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and a civilian. A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, while addressing a press conference on Monday, assured that action will be taken against those found guilty irrespective of their class, creed, community and religion. Two prime accused - Ansar and Aslam - were sent to police custody till Wednesday by a Delhi Court today. Four other fresh accused of the incident were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. A day ago, during submission before the court, Delhi Police alleged that the main accused - Ansar and Aslam - got to know about the 'Shobha Yatra' on April 15 and then they hatched this "conspiracy". Delhi Police also said that they have to go through the CCTV footage, and identify others involved in this case. Meanwhile, a Peace March was organised by the Delhi Police along with members of the Aman committee in the Jahangirpuri area. (ANI)
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday expressed confidence about India's aviation industry getting back to the normal pre-pandemic level. The aviation industry of India touched over four lakh domestic passengers in a day on Monday. Calling the domestic passengers "historic" Scindia, while speaking to ANI, said, "It was a very difficult time in the previous years due to the covid pandemic. We have seen over 3.7, 3.8 and 3.9 lakhs passengers in a day over the last 10 days. I'm confident that travelling--both domestically and internationally, in India is coming back strong." The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has imposed a fare cap for 15 days due to the pandemic, so the government may control the fare hike on the sale of air tickets for the last time as the airlines companies have urged the Ministry to remove the fare limit. The Ministry had issued a hundred per cent capacity operations after two years. "If we talk about the fare caps, then it is my responsibility to the passengers as well as to the airlines. The passengers should get the accessible fare and the airlines are also able to survive, especially when the Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has increased at a rapid pace to Rs 1,20,000 per kilolitres; which translates to a difference of about sixty per cent in just one to one and a half years. At present, the fare which is applicable for 15 days is on the rolling system. The decision to remove it will be taken at an appropriate time," Scindia told ANI. Meanwhile, he stated that the aviation industry should run under a 100 per cent free market. "It is our endeavour that from the beginning, the aviation market should run on the basis of 100% free market in the sector," he added. Notably, Scindia has appealed to all air travellers that although the airline companies are to operate at full capacity, "but do not reduce your defences in the pandemic." "It is my humble request to the air travellers to wear masks and follow the rules. Be sure to wear a mask during the flight," he said. Further, Scindia stressed that the Ministry has withdrawn the mandatory RT-PCR report for domestic travel but "a few states can conduct the test as per their requirement." "The Ministry has abolished the need for RT PCR, but many states keep some rules on the basis of their ideology, worrying about their area. It's our responsibility to give that right. RT-PCR is not required for domestic flights at the national level. If the state believes that cases are increasing in their place, then this right will be made in their place," Scindia said. (ANI)
Kerala High Court reserved order in a plea filed by Malayalam actor Dileep till Tuesday seeking to quash the FIR filed by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police against him for the murder conspiracy in connection with the 2017 actress assault case. A single bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman AA will pronounce the verdict at 1.45 pm on Tuesday. The case pertains to actor Dileep allegedly conspiring to murder the investigation officials probing the Actress Assault Case. Crime Branch had registered the case against Dileep and five others on January 9. The case was registered after some audio clips of Dileep and other accused surfaced in which Dileep and others allegedly threatened the investigating officials. Film director Balachandra Kumar has also given his statement against Dileep in the matter. The case was registered under Sections 116 (abetment), 118 (concealing design to commit offence), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Earlier in November, Balachandra Kumar had levelled a series of allegations against Dileep in connection with the case. He had shared audio recordings which led to new conspiracies in the case against actor Dileep. Dileep was also accused of conspiring with others to murder the police officials who have been investigating the actor assault case. The actress, who worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)
Delhi Police arrested five people and apprehended one minor of the same family in connection with the April 16 Delhi Jahangirpuri violence. A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident in which nine people, including eight police personnel and a civilian, were injured. Delhi Police have arrested people from "both communities" for the violence. Among all the arrested, the police have arrested all the men of a family belonging to "one particular community". The accused have been identified as Suken Sarkar, his brother Suresh Sarkar, Suken's two sons Neeraj and Suraj, and Sukeen's brother-in-law Sujit. Police have also detained Suken's minor son. After the arrest, Suken's wife Durga Sarkar told ANI, "My husband, brother-in-law, three sons and my brother have been arrested by the police. They are all innocent. They were on the chariot in the procession and stones were pelted at him. A brick was thrown at my husband. His brother suffered severe injuries to his head, but despite this, they saved the Hanuman idol." Durga told that her husband came home and told her that people belonging to the "other community" first started arguing with them and they also were the ones to start stone-pelting. "My husband ran away from that place to save his life. He does a small job and my son is in Class 12. He has his board exams. If he is not released, his life would be ruined", she added. Durga Sarkar further alleged a larger conspiracy. She said, "Why is just my family members arrested? There were others too. This is a conspiracy, I want my family members to be released." Arrested Sujit's wife Meenu said, "My husband has been arrested by the police. He was pulling the chariot in the Shobha Yatra. He told that 5-6 people came from the mosque and asked them to stop the loudspeaker and stop chanting Jai Shri Ram." "When the people in the procession refused, hundreds of people from the 'other community' came out with swords and attacked the procession. My husband somehow ran to save his life", added Meenu. According to Meenu, her husband did not participate in stone-pelting. "Or he would only do it for self-defence. If someone comes to kill me, should I not try to protect myself?", she added. "My husband knows all the people who actually started the riot. But despite this, the other community became heroes, our people became villains. We live in Hindustan and it is our right to chant Jai Shri Ram." Clashes broke out between two groups after stone-pelting incidents were reported from the Jahangirpuri area in the national capital on Saturday evening during a procession last Saturday. Some people, including two policemen, have been injured. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that he would be visiting Banas Dairy situated in Gujarat and expressed his pride in the dairy stating it is a hub for empowering local communities, especially farmers and women. Taking to Twitter, he shared glimpses of his visit to Dairy in 2016. "I am delighted to be visiting Banas Dairy yet again. I last visited the Dairy in 2016. At that time a series of products of the Dairy was launched. I also visited the Dairy in 2013. Here are glimpses from both programmes," PM Modi tweeted. He further tweeted that in the last several years, the Banas Dairy has become a hub for empowering local communities, especially farmers and women. He added that he is particularly proud of Dairy's innovative zeal which is seen in their various products. Their continued focus on honey is also laudatory, he further added. "I would like to applaud the people of Banaskantha for their hard work and spirit of resilience. The manner in which this district has made a mark in agriculture is commendable. Farmers embraced new technologies, focused on water conservation and the results are for all to see," he tweeted. (ANI)
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After Dingaleshwara Swamiji of the Balehosur Mutt said that officials of the Karnataka government demanded a 30 per cent commission from mutts to release funds, CM Bommai on Monday said that a thorough investigation would be done if the seer provides the details. "A thorough probe would be conducted if Dingaleshwara Swamiji provides details on his statement on paying commission for getting a government grant", Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said. "Dingaleshwara Swamiji is a revered seer, a mahatma. It is not enough if the head of a Mutt just issues a statement. If he could provide details as to who demanded the commission, to whom it was paid, how much was paid and all the related details then I ensure a thorough investigation will be done," Bommai added. Dingaleshwara Swamiji's statement came right after a 40 per cent allegation by Congress amid the death of contractor Santosh and a statement came by the contractor association. "The ruling BJP not only takes a commission from contractors, it even takes 35 per cent commission from religious seers. Corruption has reached this level. The officials say that funds cannot be released until the commission is paid," the seer said on Monday while speaking at the Sankalpa Yatra programme in Bagalkot district. "For cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, funds are like ice creams but by the time they reach north Karnataka, we get only ice-cream sticks," Swamiji added. "Everyone knows what's happening, even if a grant was given to Swamiji (seer of mutt) it is given only after a 30 per cent commission is cut", added Dingaleshwara Swami. The statement comes amid the BJP facing criticism over its legislator KS Eshwarappa's alleged involvement in the death of the contractor. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing loudspeaker row in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray will hold a meeting with the party's top leaders at his residence on Tuesday, said party sources. According to sources, in today's meeting, a strategy will be prepared on the issues of the May 3 ultimatum to remove loudspeakers from mosques, a party meeting scheduled to be held on May 1 in Aurangabad and his upcoming Ayodhya visit in June. After the MNS chief reiterated his warning to take down loudspeakers from the mosques by May 3, the state Home Department on Monday stated that the use of loudspeakers at the religious sites will only be allowed with due permission. In wake of the ongoing loudspeaker row in the state, Thackeray had on Sunday said that the Muslims in the country should understand that "religion is not above law and country" while also asking them to take down loudspeakers from mosques. "We don't want riots in Maharashtra. No one has opposed the offering of prayers. We want the loudspeakers that are put up in the mosques and are illegal in the entire country should be taken down. If you do it on loudspeaker, then we will also use loudspeakers for it. Muslims should understand that religion isn't bigger than the law. After May 3, I will see what to do," Thackeray said. The MNS chief asked the Hindus to "wait till May 3" and play Hanuman Chalisa thereafter in front of the mosques that "don't take down the loudspeakers". "I only have to say to the Hindus across India to wait till May 3. And after that, play Hanuman Chalisa in front of all such mosques that don't take down the loudspeakers," he said. (ANI)
Gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress top brass, including interim president Sonia Gandhi, is holding another meeting with poll strategist Prashant Kishor here on Tuesday. Sources said that Congress leaders, including Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, AK Antony, Ambika Soni and Randeep Surjewala, are also taking part in the meeting at Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence. This is the third meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Prashant Kishor in the last four days amid speculation that the poll strategist may join the Congress. The first meeting took place on April 16 while the second was held on April 18. According to the sources, two more such meetings are scheduled in the coming days. Earlier, Venugopal had said that Kishor had given a detailed presentation with a road map for the 2024 General elections. Answering queries, he said the role of Kishor in the Congress party will be known within a week. Sources told ANI that Kishor, in his presentation, suggested that Congress should fight alone in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha, and it should form alliances in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra to which Rahul Gandhi has agreed. Kishor is learnt to have said that Congress should focus on 370 Lok Sabha constituencies for the 2024 general elections. These meetings are also taking place in the backdrop of Congress' poll preparations for Gujarat and Himachal Assembly elections this year.After the recent poll debacle in five states, Congress is seeking to restart negotiations with Kishor. The results of five Assembly polls came as a shock to Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country. (ANI)
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday appealed to the youth to learn the spirit of sacrifice and unwavering commitment from India's freedom fighters. The Vice President's views came in his Facebook Post as he visited the birthplace of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in Andhra Pradesh. As the country celebrates Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Naidu said, "We must recollect the innumerable sacrifices of our freedom fighters and take inspiration from their patriotic zeal." "It is important to remember that these heroes fought not merely for an abstract geographical entity but to free millions of people from oppressive and unjust British rule," he added. "Our youth must learn the spirit of sacrifice and unwavering commitment from our freedom fighters. They must imbibe the core values of honesty, dedication and selfless service. They must never compromise on those whatever be the exigency," said the Vice President. As he left the village of Pandragi near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, after interacting with the family members of the great revolutionary, Naidu said, "I felt elated as it marked a very special day in my life and urge everyone, particularly the youth to visit the birthplaces of such great national heroes and seek inspiration by reliving their stories". The freedom fighter, tribal leader, 'Manyam Veerudu' (hero of the jungle), the great Alluri Sitarama Raju mobilised the people, particularly tribals and forest dwellers to fight against the British, said the Vice President. "I was greatly blessed to have visited the birthplace of this remarkable hero in Pandrangi today. The awe-inspiring patriotic spirit Shri Alluri left for Telugu people to follow - for many decades now and many more generations to come - seemed to be reverberating through the village." Being his ardent follower since my student days, the trip today will certainly count as one of the most memorable ones in my life, Naidu mentioned. "Shri Alluri did not hesitate to lay down his life to free the motherland from the shackles of the British yoke. He did not flinch when facing the might of the British empire. His conviction, commitment, selfless dedication and sincerity were unshakeable as he galvanised the tribals to fight against the injustices of the British." Born in Pandrangi on July 4, 1897, into a humble middle-class family, Naidu further said, Alluri was motivated by the nationalistic struggle that was underway from an early age. Travelling to various parts of India, Naidu said Alluri found his cause with the tribal people and their issues of displacement and oppression under the draconian laws of the colonial rulers. When he was 22, the Vice President said, Alluri started working with the Adivasis in the Eastern Ghats of the Visakhapatnam and Godavari districts. "Understanding that their major grievance was the 1882 Madras Forest Act, he rallied the support of tribals, farmers and others who bore the injustices by the British and built a strong team of followers. With tactics like guerilla warfare, he struck terror in the hearts of the British by attacking the police stations and decamping with weapons. "It is said that all the attacks ended with a trademark letter signed by Shri Alluri himself, giving details of the raid in the station diary," said Naidu. Finally, after shining as one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of Indian freedom heroes, Shri Alluri was martyred on May 7, 1924. (ANI)
The BJP MLA from Aligarh city Mukta Raja has written to Additional District Magistrate (ADM) seeking immediate information about loudspeakers installed on mosques. According to the letter, Raja asked how many mosques have loudspeakers. He has also asked the ADM about the intensity of the loudspeakers installed in mosques, according to the directions of the Supreme Court. The Aligarh MLA also directed the ADM to conduct physical examination of the loudspeakers. "The sound intensity of the loudspeakers should be made as per the directions of the court," the Aligarh MLA's letter stated. The MLA has asked whether the Azaan at the mosques before 5 in the morning is as per the directions of the court. "If not, what action has been taken so far about this?" added the letter. The use of loudspeakers at religious places is in the spotlight with the Maharashtra government reportedly making police permission a must for such use. The move came days after an ultimatum by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray that the loudspeakers should be removed from mosques by May 3. Various pollution control boards have also given directions on the use of loudspeakers. According to Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, loudspeakers should not be allowed to be operated after 10 pm and before 6 am and they should be fitted with a 'sound limiter'. India is not the only place where governments have imposed restrictions on the use of loudspeakers at religious places. There are limitations on the use of loudspeakers at religious places in many countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, the UK, Austria, Norway, and Belgium. Some cities have also banned or restricted the use of loudspeakers in mosques such as Lagos in Nigeria. (ANI)
The new dairy complex is a greenfield project and will enable the processing of about 30 lakh litres of milk, produce about 80 tonnes of butter, one lakh litres of ice cream, 20 tonnes of condensed milk (Khoya) and 6 tonnes of chocolate daily.

The potato processing plant will produce different types of processed potato products like French fries, potato chips, aloo tikki, patties etc, many of which will be exported to other countries.

These plants will empower the local farmers and give a boost to the rural economy in the region.

The Prime Minister, who arrived in Ahmedabad on Monday for a three-day visit to his home state of Gujarat, laid the foundation stone for multiple projects at Banas Dairy Sankul in Diyodar in Gujarat's Banaskantha district.

Later in the day, he will lay the foundation stone of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar. (ANI)
In wake of the Jahangirpuri violence that broke out on April 16, the Delhi police are conducting drone surveillance to keep a vigil over the Central District. "Delhi police also keeping an eye at Jama Masjid and Hauz Qazi area in Central district from the sky with the use of drones", said DCP Shweta Chauhan, Central District. Besides that, Aman committee meetings were held with residents of the Central district at various police stations under the Central District. "Police officials reached out to communities and appealed to maintain peace and harmony at all times", added the DCP. "The Aman Committee appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony, and not to spread and trust rumours/misinformation and to report mischievous activities," police said. Meanwhile, a total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, while addressing a press conference on Monday, assured that action will be taken against those found guilty irrespective of their class, creed, community and religion. Two prime accused - Ansar and Aslam - were sent to police custody till Wednesday by a Delhi Court today. Four other fresh accused of the incident were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. A day ago, during submission before the court, Delhi Police alleged that the main accused - Ansar and Aslam - got to know about the 'Shobha Yatra' on April 15 and then they hatched this "conspiracy". Delhi Police also said that they have to go through the CCTV footage, and identify others involved in this case. Earlier, an altercation between two groups erupted during a religious procession in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on April 16 that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and a civilian. Meanwhile, police deployment on Tuesday continued in the Jahangirpuri area in New Delhi. (ANI)
Joisna Mary Joseph, who is at the centre of a love jihad controversy in Kerala, on Tuesday said that she married the person she loved and expressed hope that her parents will approve her marriage. Her remarks came after the Kerala High Court disposed of the habeas corpus writ filed by Joisna's father against her marriage with a Muslim man named Shejin. "I married the person I loved. So I wanted to go with him. I liked him and started living with him. I told the court about my decision. It is a decision made by a person over 18 years of age. We will both talk to our parents. We will convince them," Joisna told ANI. Joisna's husband Shejin said he has no problem with Joisna living as a Christian until her death. "We hoped that the verdict would be favourable. As two persons over the age of 18, we are permitted by law in India to live as we wish. The allegation that we were at the SDPI centre came while we were both at my father's brother's house. Such controversy spread at that time," she said. "I am not religious. I will have no problem with Joisna living as a Christian until her death. That is her personal matter. I will not interfere in it. In my case, she did not interfere I hope. It will continue that way until death. Everyone should allow us to live in peace," he said. Earlier in the day, the Division Bench of the High Court sent Joisna with Shejin after the woman submitted in the court that she was not under any detention and had gone with Shejin with her consent. Joisna's father had earlier filed a complaint with police that she was under illegal detention.Shejin is a member of the DYFI, the youth wing of CPIM. Earlier, a CPIM leader from Kozhikode district had supported the allegation of Joisna's father that the interfaith marriage was part of love jihad. (ANI)
The Chief Justice division bench of Calcutta High Court on Tuesday has ordered a two-member committee to probe the rehabilitation of 300 individuals who were rendered homeless after the West Bengal Assembly elections. In the two-member committee, one will be from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commission. The state has submitted that 70 people returned home, 43 did not want to return, and 155 were out of West Bengal. The petitioner in the case, BJP's Priyanka Tibrewal, said that the report was fabricated. The Court earlier had handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the investigation of cases related to murder, rape and crime against women whereas a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted to investigate other criminal cases related to post-poll violence. The petitioner Priyanka Tebriwal while speaking to ANI said, "Lawless situation in West Bengal is prevailing as there is no law and order in the state. Police officers, who are supposed to work for the public have become 'gundas' and working at the behest of the state government." She added, "In some places when the family have returned home after post-poll violence, the girls are being dragged from their homes and attempts of rape and sexual assault are being made on them." The matter will be heard tomorrow. Meanwhile, a PIL has been filed in the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Division bench seeking a CBI probe in five recent rape cases in West Bengal. Calcutta HC called for case diary and status report. It also extended police protection to both the victims and witnesses. The next hearing into the case is on April 26. (ANI)
The Centre has said the compliance of the assurance given to the Portugal government during the extradition of gangster Abu Salem will be done at an "appropriate time" and the judiciary, as the Constitution of India envisages, is independent in deciding all cases in accordance with the applicable laws. The Supreme Court was hearing the plea of Abu Salem which contended that as per the extradition treaty between India and Portugal, his jail terms cannot extend beyond 25 years. In an affidavit filed by Home Secretary, the Government of India said that the question of the Union of India honouring its assurance dated December 17, 2002, will arise only when the period of 25 years is to expire. The Home Secretary also clarified that the Government of India will abide by the assurances in accordance with the law and subject to the remedies as may be available at that stage. Explaining the Extradition Act, 1962, the Centre, in its affidavit, said it is an Act enabling the executive of one State [the term "State" being used in parlance of international law] to deal with another State to extradite accused / convict persons and these powers are executive powers and while exercising such powers, it is an inherent understanding that it would bind the executives of the respective States. The affidavit clarified that the judiciary, as the Constitution of India envisages, is independent in deciding all cases including criminal cases in accordance with the applicable laws without in any way being bound by any position taken by the executive. However, the Central Government said that "the period of 25 years which is mentioned in the assurance will be abided by the Union of India at an appropriate time subject to the remedies which may be available". "The question of the Union of India honouring its assurance dated 17.12.2002 will arise only when the period of 25 years is to expire. This date is 10.11.2030," the affidavit filed by Home Secretary said. The government also said that before the said date, the convict appellant Salem cannot raise any arguments based on the said assurance. The Centre Government remarked that the contention of the petitioner about non-compliance of assurance is premature and based on hypothetical surmises and can never be raised in present proceedings. "The Government of India will abide by the said assurance dated 17.12.2002 subject to the rights which may be available at that stage. The attempt of convict - appellant to club that assurance with merits of the present case is legally untenable as the appeal needs to be decided in accordance with Section 19 of the TADA read with other provisions governing criminal procedure," the affidavit said. "Therefore, there is no question of the convict appellant arguing anything at this stage based upon the said assurance while arguing the present appeal on merits of the case which can be argued only based upon the investigation papers, evidence collected [both oral and documentary] and the findings of the designated court," the affidavit said. Salem has raised issues that the 2017 judgment of a Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) Court sentencing him to life imprisonment was against the terms of the extradition treaty. Salem's advocate Rishi Malhotra had said that on December 17, 2002, the Government of India gave a Solemn Sovereign assurance to the Government of Portugal that if the appellant Salem is extradited for trials in India he would neither be conferred with the death penalty nor be subjected to imprisonment for a term beyond 25 years. He had also said that the TADA Court were not according to the extradition order. He further added that the Government can exercise its powers under section 432, 433 CrPC to commute the sentence of Life imprisonment in order to bring down within the ambit of assurance of the sentence of not more than 25 years as the execution of the sentence was purely in the domain of Government. The petitioner had also said that the government should ensure to bring down punishment consistent and commensurate with the assurances but it cannot be said that the Court's hands were tied in not awarding punishment to Salem for more than 25 years. He also mentioned the issue of 'Set Off'. According to Salem, though he was in custody for some offences of passport violation in Portugal since September 18, 2002, and was undergoing a sentence of 4 1/2 years, yet, the Appellant was detained also on September 18 2002 in pursuance to the Red Corner Notice issued by the Designated Courts, Mumbai. "Even if the said date is not to be taken into consideration for the purposes of Set Off, the Ministerial Order dated 28.3.03 of the Ministry of Justice Portugal by which it had admitted the Extradition request of the Appellant of the Government of India to be tried for various offences ought to have been taken into consideration," the lawyer said. The TADA Court, however, held that since the appellant was released in the Portugal case on October 12, 2005, therefore, the custody for the purposes of set-off would be counted from that date. Salem as per the imprisonment certificate has undergone around 17 years of sentence by counting his Set Off period from November 2005 whereas his Set Off period should be counted from March 28 2003, the lawyer said. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday reconstituted the expert committee to monitor the compensatory afforestation in the Delhi-Dehradun Economic corridor project. A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud directed that the Chairperson of the Committee will be the Director-General Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had appointed an independent twelve-member Expert Committee headed by Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand. The Supreme Court also directed to include additional members --Anil Prakash Joshi and Vijay Dhamsana --in the committee. Anil Prakash Joshi is the founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) and Vijay Dhasmana is an environmentalist. Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Union Government, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the National Highway Authority of India, have agreed with the suggestion to include additional members in the Committee. The NGT had appointed Oversight Committee to ensure that mitigations are effective on the ground and during the construction of the project no damage is caused to the environment by way of unscientific muck dumping or obstruction of the animal corridor. The apex court was hearing the petitions challenging the National Green Tribunal order which upheld the validity of the forest clearances granted to the part of the larger Delhi-Dehradun Economic corridor project. The plea was filed by NGO Citizen for Green Doon raising the issue of the validity of diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes and cutting of trees for widening and elevated corridor construction for a part of NH 72A between Dehradun and Delhi. NGO Citizen for Green Doon was represented by lawyer Ritwick Dutta. The plea, filed through advocate Srishti Agnihotri, challenged the judgment and order dated December 13, 2021 passed by the National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, whereby the Tribunal upheld the validity of the forest clearances granted to the project in question. The Tribunal held that there was nothing to substantiate the Appellant's contention that there was non-application of mind by the authorities during the process of granting forest clearance. The petitioner has questioned the improvement, upgradation and expansion of the existing 20 km stretch of NH72A between Ganeshpur and Dehradun, which is part of the larger Delhi-Dehradun Economic corridor, a highway project of 210 km which has been divided into four segments. The project in question has been further divided into two stretches by the user agency (the National Highways Authority of India). The highway passes through the dense forest and wildlife-rich area of Shivalik Forest Division, Uttar Pradesh, in close vicinity of the Rajaji National Park. The proposal envisages converting an existing two-lane road into a four-lane road with a 25-metre carriageway and involves the construction of a tunnel as well. The total amount of forest area proposed for diversion in the State of Uttar Pradesh is 47.7054 hectares of Protected and Reserve (part of the Uttar Pradesh Elephant Reserve) Forest area, the petition pointed out. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday allotted agricultural and residential land papers to 63 Hindu Bengali refugee families that migrated from East Pakistan in the 1970s. Along with this, they will also be provided with a residential lease and approval letter from Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojna. "I welcome all the brothers and sisters from the 63 families. In Kanpur's Rasulabad, the arrangement has been made to provide two acres to each family for agriculture and 200 square yards for housing to each family in th total of 130 hectares of land," said CM Yogi Adityanath. The chief minister stated that under the Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojna, Rs 1.20 lakh will be given to each for the construction of the house. A total of 65 Hindu Bengali families were rehabilitated by giving them jobs at Madan Yarn Mill, in Hastinapur district but due to the closure of this mill on August 8, 1984. Now, among those 65 families, members of two have died. Hence, 63 families need rehabilitation. There was a total of 407 families, out of which 65 were left when the mill closed. The rest migrated to other places. In the present day, only 63 families are left who were leading their life like nomads. "Rs 1.20 lakh rupees will be available for houses and land levelling will be done under MNREGA", added the chief minister. The facility of land development and irrigation will be provided through NREGS. Along with this, work will be done here under MNREGA, so that these families can get better facilities. According to the chief minister, giving land to those 63 families holds significance because the people fled their native country due to religious persecution. "India is working to rehabilitate them. It shows India's humanity. This will benefit a population of 400 people." Speaking about rehabilitating people in Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister said, "When our government was formed in UP in 2017, 1 lakh 8 thousand families were benefitted under Mukhimanti Awas Yojana. Mushar community along with five other communities including Vantangia caste were given benefits. The insensitive previous governments did nothing for them." After becoming the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, Adityanath granted "revenue village" status to many Vantangia people. After 2017, a new chapter in their lives has started and now everyone has a pucca house, toilet, power supply, LPG gas connection, potable water supply, besides ration card, Ayushman health card and approval letter to do farming. The villages for the Bangladeshi refugees would be built in a planned way. It will have schools and hospitals. There will be animal husbandry work for men. "It is our endeavour to make it a model village," he added. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Government of NCT Delhi (GNCTD) on a plea seeking direction to reconsider its decision to withdraw DTC bus services to schools. The plea stated that this decision would have adverse effects not on just the parents but also on students and every Delhiite, as this decision impinges on the right to a clean environment, which is an implicit aspect of Article 21. The Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla on Tuesday sought responses from GNCTD and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and listed the matter for August 3, 2022, for further hearing. The Petitioner, Baba Alexander a native of Kerala and a resident of Delhi stated that being a parent he is deeply concerned for fellow parents whose children are studying in schools that are affected by the decision of the DTC to withdraw its bus services to schools. The plea stated that the decision of DTC to withdraw its services to schools has come as a disappointment for parents and children at large. Plea mention that DTC had been providing its services to schools in Delhi for years and there is no justified reason for now discontinuing its service to schools. The decision of respondents is also one which will aggravate traffic congestion on Delhi roads. There are already reports that since unlock phase began in March 2022, the traffic situation in Delhi is even worse than what it was prior to Covid. The decision to withdraw bus services for schools will thereby increase vehicular pollution and make the air quality worse. It will also increase traffic woes and may result in a lot of time wastage in travelling, the plea said. From the perspective of the safety of the child; the decision of DTC is one that causes anxiety to parents. The said decision will also increase the financial hardship of parents as they would have to pay more in the name of transportation charges during these precarious times when Covid-19 is still around us, plea added. Appearing for petitioner Advocates Robin Raju, Deepa Joseph and Blessan Mathews submitted that the lack of profit or loss should not be taken as a valid ground for taking the decision to withdraw bus services to schools, as the Delhi Government is a public transport company and ultimately the objective of a state-run department should be to serve maximum citizens and improve it service in a periodic manner. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that World Health Organization has entered into a new partnership with India in the form of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine of traditional medicine which will be a tribute to both India's contribution and potential in the field of traditional medicine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO). The GCTM will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It will emerge as an international hub of global wellness. Speaking at the event today, PM Modi said, "The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is a recognition of India's contribution and potential in this field. WHO, via this Centre of traditional medicine, has done a new partnership with India. With this move, it is a matter of respect for India's potential and contribution in the field of traditional medicine. India will take this partnership with full responsibility." "More than 5 decades ago, the world's first Ayurveda University was established in Jamnagar. Here is one of the best Ayurveda Institute Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda.In addition to healing, Ayurveda includes social health, mental health, happiness, environmental health, compassion, empathy and productivity," he said. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that Jamnagar's contributions towards wellness will get a global identity with WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. "About five decades ago, Jamnagar established the world's first Ayurveda based University. It is named the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda. Jamnagar's contributions towards wellness will get a global identity with WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine," he said. PM Modi further added that the country's ultimate goal should be of attaining wellness. "Our ultimate goal should be of attaining wellness by being free of diseases. It is an important step in the path of life," he said. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to Gujarat from April 18-April 20. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation a new dairy complex and potato processing plant at Diyodar, Banaskantha district, built at a cost of over Rs. 600 crores at around 9:40 AM. (ANI)
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CMD of Naveli Lignite Corporation, key concerned officials of the Coal Ministry along with other officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were also present in the meeting.

The meeting was held in the Home Ministry in which issues of ongoing coal and power situation in the country were learnt to be discussed, an official source said.

The meeting was chaired by the Home Minister Shah.

During over one-hour-long meeting, the four Ministers were believed to have discussed the availability of coal to power plants and the current power demands.

A similar meeting was held in October last year too following the coal crisis in the country.

The meeting was held in the wake of several states warning of a possible power crisis due to the shortage of coal supply to power plants, officials said.

There are reports of depleting coal inventory of domestic thermal power plants in 12 states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Jharkhand and Haryana which are facing power cuts ranging from 3 to 8.7 per cent.

In the first fortnight of April 2022, domestic power demand reportedly hit a 38-year high for the month.

While there was a 1.1 per cent power shortage in October 2021, this shortfall shot up to 1.4 per cent in April 2022.

Union Power Minister R. K. Singh has blamed the steep rise in the prices of imported coal on the Russia-Ukraine war. This is because of the inadequate availability of railway wagons to transport coal. (ANI)
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday was questioned by the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police for more than three hours in connection with the INS Vikrant funds misappropriation case, an official said. Somaiya was interrogated for the second day today. On Monday, the BJP leader was questioned for three hours. Somaiya said that he is fully cooperating in the investigation. "I am fully cooperating in the investigation of the police and giving everything they need to know. For the coming two days, I have to appear for questioning according to the order of the court," he said. The BJP leader further said that he will go to Delhi on Friday to give some documents related to hawala operator Nandkishore Chaturvedi and the Thackeray family. "I will go to Delhi on Friday and will give some important documents to the higher authority about the close relation between hawala operator Nandkishore Chaturvedi and the Thackeray family," Somaiya added. A case has been registered against Kirit Somaiya and his son 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. Last week, the Bombay High Court 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. 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)
The Single Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath held that Crime Branch should conclude the investigation in the case before May 30. Earlier, the time granted for it ended on April 15.

The Court noted that the probe team recovered some more audio clips and submitted them before the High Court and that needs careful analysis. Therefore, the Court has granted more time. The Crime Branch asked for three months but the Court granted only one and a half months.

Court also directed the prosecution to make sure that the probe team will not share the details of the investigation to the media. This direction came after considering a petition of Suraj, brother-in-law of Malayalam actor Dileep seeking to restrict media trial in the case.

Dileep is the eighth accused in this case.

The actress, who worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)
National Security Act (NSA) was on Tuesday imposed against five culprits involved in the clashes that took place in Delhi's Jahangirpuri that erupted between members of two groups during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on April 16, top government officials said. NSA has been imposed against Ansar, Salim, Imam Sheikh alias Sonu, Dilshad and Ahir for their involvement in the Jahangirpuri violence, officials said. The action was taken a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana to take strict action over Jahangirpuri violence. Shah had given his direction in a telephonic conversation with Asthana followed by a report presented before him by senior Delhi Police officials on the incident. On Saturday, the Home Minister also talked to Asthana and Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Depender Pathak over the incident and asked them to maintain law and order. The situation turned tense in the north-west Delhi's Jahangirpuri soon after stone-pelting and chaos ensued following clashes between members of two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in the evening. The FIR, registered on the complaint filed by a police officer at the Jahangirpuri police station, mentions that there was a peaceful Shobha Yatra procession to mark Hanuman Jayanti and an argument escalated. It led to stone-pelting. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Monday informed in a press briefing that 14 teams of police are investigating the Jahangirpuri violence case. So far, 21 people have been arrested and two juveniles detained in connection with the incident that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and one civilian. The Delhi Police Commissioner said that a close watch was being maintained on the social media platforms and assured legal action against those attempting to spread misinformation. "Four teams of forensics examined the spot today. 14 teams of police are investigating the case from different angles. The investigation is in the initial phase. A total of 21 people were arrested and some others are on remand," Asthana told ANI on Monday. A total of 14 accused in the case were produced before the Rohini court on Sunday, which sent two prime accused - Ansar and Aslam - to police custody for a day. The remaining 12 were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. "We are monitoring social media closely, and legal action will be taken against those who are found spreading misinformation," Asthana said when asked about reports that flags were installed at a mosque. Three firearms and five swords have been recovered from the possession of the accused persons, said police. "As of now, three firearms recovered. A forensic examination will be done on the recovery. Restrictions in the Jahangirpuri area were imposed to create a sense of safety. The police deployment will be decreased after the situation gets better," the Delhi CP said. On the violent clashes, the Delhi top cop said, "An altercation between the two groups erupted, now what was the altercation and why it happened, saying anything on this before concluding the investigation will not be right." On Monday, Ravindra Yadav, Special Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch informed that the Delhi Police Crime Branch and the district police are jointly probing the incident. (ANI)
Two cattle smugglers with links to terror money were killed in an ambush by suspected terrorists in the wee hours on Tuesday in Kokhrajhar's Gossaigoan subdivision, Assam police sources said. They said four police personnel were also injured in the incident. Akbar Banjara and Salman Banjara were arrested from Meerut in connection with a case in Gossaigaon Police Station, according to the information given by SP kokrajhar. Assam CMO sources said that during the course of investigation of the accused in police custody, information came out regarding the smuggling of the cattle from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam to Bangladesh via Meghalaya and the money involved in the illegal trade. The sources said some fundamentalist organisations as well as Pakistan ISI were also involved in the illegal trade and "were getting a huge chunk of money". This illegal money, the sources said, is used for anti-India campaign by ISI and fundamentalist organisations and the illegal money acquired through the illegal trade is given for terror funding. The sources said the arrested persons disclosed that a huge amount of the illegal trade is distributed to the banned outfits - NDFB ,KLO and other militant organizations of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and some extremist organizations of Meghalaya. They said that for identifying the routes of cattle smuggling through the Sankosh river bordering Kokrajhar district in Assam and Bhutan, both arrested accused persons were taken along with the police party towards the Jamduar side on Tuesday. Around 1.15 am on Tuesday, the vehicles of the police party came under the ambush of suspected terrorists near Jamduar. The sources said that the terrorists had kept tree stems across the road for blocking vehicles. They said the police team immediately took line position and started firing towards the terrorists but the arrested accused persons could not get down from the vehicle and sustained bullet injuries. The exchange of fire lasted for about 10 to 12 minutes. The sources said the police party evacuated the injured accused persons from the vehicle when the firing stopped sensing no danger. They were shifted to the Soraibil PHC by another vehicle. On reaching the hospital, doctors declared both of them "brought dead". Four police personnel sustained bullet injuries in the ambush, the sources said. In the search operation, police recovered an AK 47 rifle with 2 magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition and 28 rounds of fired empty cases. Sources said illegal hawala transactions in the form of hundis and gold also need to be investigated properly to find out the gamut of the illegal trade and money exchanging hands. (ANI)
Protests were held in 2017 in several places in the Madurai district, including Alankanallur and Tamukkam Maidan, condemning the central and state governments while seeking permission for Jallikattu.

The youth and students engaged in a protest by blocking a train and sitting on the tracks. The vehicles were damaged in the protests. Police had registered a case against 23 people and arrested them. The case has been heard in the Madurai District Criminal Court.

When the case came up for hearing before the bench of Justice Mahalakshmi on Tuesday, the court ordered the release of all the 23 persons involved in the case.

These 23 people have been released after a five-year trial. (ANI)
Previously, Delhi's COVID-19 positivity rate on Monday stood at 7.72 per cent as the city recorded 501 fresh cases.

With the cases logged in today, the city's total COVID-19 cases rose up to 18,69,683 of which 1,947 are active cases.

Moreover, as many as 414 patients recovered from COVID-19 thereby taking the total recoveries to 18,41,576 in the city.

The city health department further informed that no fatalities from Coronavirus was reported on Tuesday. With this, the death toll stood at 26,160. The case fatality rate also stands at 1.4 per cent.

As far as the COVID-19 vaccination's progress is observed, the city health department informed today that as many as 34,480 beneficiaries have been vaccinated in the last 24 hours. Cumulative doses provided so far in the city touched 3,29,53,424.

To contain the spread of the virus, the total number of containment zones in the city as of date is 625.

Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday said it will hold a meeting on April 20 to discuss the current situation in wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital. (ANI)
Amid the rising incidents of violence across the country, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday said that clashes are taking place because the processions are not being led by "religious or social people." The Chief Minister's remarks come in the backdrop of numerous stone-pelting incidents that took place in various states, including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and others. "Irrespective of processions being political, social, or religious, prominent learned people of politics and society should take the lead while proper management of processions should be ensured. That's how such incidents can be avoided," Baghel said to media persons. Further speaking on the bulldozers being used for action against the accused of violence in several states, the Congress leader said that violent politics under the ambit of the judiciary is not right. Referring to the use of bulldozers against the accused, he said, "Use of bulldozers is like violent politics which is being undertaken by the government under the ambit of the judiciary and it is wrong." Taking action against the culprits in Madhya Pradesh, the district administration and police demolished illegal buildings of miscreants involved in the attack on a Ram Navami procession. The authorities ran the bulldozer over about 45 houses and shops. Around 16 houses and 29 shops were demolished. Groups of mobs hurled stones during religious processions in various states such as Delhi's Jahangirpuri, Karnataka's Hubli, Madhya Pradesh's Khargone, and Rajasthan's Karauli. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday denied allegations levelled by the Opposition of arresting innocent persons in connection with Hubli violence. Speaking to media persons in Sringeri, Bommai rejected former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's charge that innocents have been arrested in connection with the Hubballi incidents. "No innocents have been arrested. The arrests have been made based on evidence," Bommai said. An incident of stone-pelting took place on Saturday night at Old Hubli police station leaving four policemen injured in Karnataka's Hubli. Speaking to ANI, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Labhu Ram said, "Last night, a case was registered at Old Hubli PS, where a complaint was filed against a person for uploading a video on social media; the accused was arrested." Hubli Police commissioner has said that 88 persons, including an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator's husband, have been arrested in the matter so far. Reacting to a video inciting to kill a Congress leader, which has gone viral, Bommai said that the Police Commissioner will take action. When asked about opposition leaders accusing him of turning the Rama Rajya into a Ravana Rajya, the Chief Minister said, "They are entitled to have their own interpretations. It is not important as to what the Opposition leaders say, it is the opinion of the people that matters." Responding to the opposition's view that the Chief Minister has adopted a soft stand, Bommai said, "We have acted tough on the Hubballi, Shivamogga incidents. FIR has been registered in the Santosh Patil suicide case. Action has been taken in the Dharwad fruit vendor case. There was no delay in any of the cases. Even in the Police Recruitment case, we have initiated action. What more do you want?" "I have come to have a darshan of Sringeri Sharadamba and will pray for the welfare of the State," he added. (ANI)
Malayalam film actor and screenwriter Sreenivasan, who was admitted to a private hospital on March 30 due to a cardiac ailment for which he underwent by-pass surgery, has been discharged today, informed a medical bulletin on Tuesday. The medical bulletin of Apollo Adlux hospital in Kochi said that he is in a stable state with remarkable improvement in his cardiac and general condition. According to the hospital authorities, "on his discharge, his wife thanked the doctors, nurses and all supporting staff of Apollo Adlux Hospital. She said that she and her kids were praying for his health since he was admitted." "Also, the team of doctors of multiple departments led by Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr Jayashankar did a wonderful job because of which Sreenivasan was able to get better so quick even though his condition when he was brought to the hospital was very bad. She thanked all well-wishers for praying for him," read the bulletin. (ANI)
BJP MP from North-West Delhi Hans Raj Hans on Tuesday said that the party leaders met Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana to discuss the Jahangirpuri violence and urged to take strict action against the culprits. "The meeting with the Delhi Police Commissioner was very successful. We are very satisfied with the work of the Delhi Police. The role played by Delhi Police is commendable. On the day of violence, many police personnel were injured." "They are constantly engaged in arresting the culprits and we have made this request that those who are guilty should not be spared and those who are innocent should not be harassed. This time go to the bottom of the case to identify the "conspirators behind them. Where does this matter come from, who is the main accused of the violence? It is very important to know this," Delhi BJP leaders requested to Delhi Police Commissioner. "We are thankful to the God that no one died that day. In the name of religion and politics, people are killing each other. Life of a person is not so cheap; it is very expensive," he added. He further urged all the political parties to not support the culprits. "I also request to all the political parties not to support any particular religion. The culprit can be of any religion and if he is the culprit then he should be punished. If he is innocent, then definitely support him but if he is guilty then don't support him and work without worrying about vote bank politics," said the BJP MP. Replying to Congress leader Digvijay Singh's statement, the BJP MP said, "Digvijay Singh is sitting idle for many days, so he has become frustrated. They should appreciate that both the central government and Delhi police are engaged and we will do whatever we can to keep our country peaceful. We have to save this country from communal tensions. Politics is not everything, we have done that all our life. They (Congress) know that they will not come to power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not let them (Congress) return to power." He further said that the video footage (prior to violence) widely circulated on social media shows how the culprits were instigated, inspired or provoked or were brainwashed. An altercation between two groups erupted during a religious procession in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on April 16 that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and a civilian. The FIR, registered on the complaint filed by a police officer at the Jahangirpuri police station, mentions that there was a peaceful Shobha Yatra procession to mark Hanuman Jayanti and an argument escalated. It led to stone-pelting. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Monday informed in a press briefing that 14 teams of police are investigating the Jahangirpuri violence case. So far, 21 people have been arrested and two juveniles detained in connection with the incident that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and one civilian. The Delhi Police Commissioner said that a close watch was being maintained on the social media platforms and assured legal action against those attempting to spread misinformation. A total of 14 accused in the case were produced before the Rohini court on Sunday, which sent two prime accused - Ansar and Aslam - to police custody for a day. The remaining 12 were sent to judicial custody for 14 days. Meanwhile, National Security Act (NSA) was on Tuesday imposed against five culprits involved in the clashes that took place in Delhi's Jahangirpuri that erupted between members of two groups during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on April 17, top government officials said. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that a Hindu father or any other managing member of a Hindu undivided family has the power to make a gift of the ancestral property only for a 'pious purpose'. The top court also clarified that a deed of gift in regard to the ancestral property executed 'out of love and affection' does not come within the scope of the term 'pious purpose'. A bench of Justices Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari said, "It is well settled that a Hindu father or any other managing member of a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) has the power to make a gift of the ancestral property only for a 'pious purpose' and what is understood by the term 'pious purpose' is a gift for charitable and/or religious purpose." "Therefore, a deed of gift in regard to the ancestral property executed 'out of love and affection' does not come within the scope of the term 'pious purpose', " the top court said. The Court also said that it is irrelevant if such gift or settlement was made by a donor, that is the first defendant, in favour of a donee who was raised by the donor without any relationship that is the second defendant. The Court held that the gift deed in the instant case is not for any charitable or religious purpose. KC Chandrappa Gowda filed a suit in Trial Court against his father KS Chinne Gowda and one KC Laxmana for partition and separate possession of his one third share in the suit schedule property and for a declaration that the gift/settlement deed dated March 22, 1980 executed by the first defendant China Gowda in favour of the second defendant KC Laxmana as null and void. According to the plaintiff, the scheduled property belongs to the joint family consisting of himself, the first defendant and one KC Subraya Gowda. The plaintiff further contended that the first defendant had no right to transfer the scheduled property in favour of the second defendant as he is not a member of their family. The trial court had dismissed the plea of Chandrappa Gowda, who moved the Appellate Court challenging the order of the trial court. The Appellate Court had set aside the order of the trial court and passed an order in favour of Chandrappa Gowda. Thereafter KC Laxmana, the second defendant in the matter approached Karnataka High Court against the order of the Appellate Court. But Karnataka High Court dismissed KC Laxmana, who later moved to Supreme Court. The top court dismissed the plea of KC Laxmana. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court order and said, "We are of the view that the settlement deed/gift deed dated March 22, 1980 executed by the first defendant in favour of the second defendant was rightly declared as null and void by the first Appellate Court and the High Court. (ANI)
The call for the usage of Hindi by the states by Union Home Minister Amit Shah has triggered a debate among the non-Hindi speaking states. Intellectuals and activists from Karnataka question that if Singapore with a population of 50 lakh people can have five official languages, why should India with a 130 crore population promote only Hindi? It is opined that the central government being in the place of big brother should understand that Hindi is spoken by only 1/3rd of the population and the non-Hindi population comprises 2/3rd of the total population of India. Arun Javagal, state organizational secretary of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, explained to IANS that there is a constitutional preference for the promotion of the Hindi language in the country. Articles 351 and 344 provide this preference and if equality of languages has to be brought, an amendment to the constitution is needed. Since 1950, Hindi has been imposed and no service of the Government of India is available in Kannada, which is an official language of India. "Switzerland has 70 to 80 lakh people and there are five official languages in the country. Why should there be one official language for 130 crore people in India?" he questions. Arun Javagal says that the one language policy has kept non-Hindi people out of policy making. It is not possible to challenge the absence of language options in exams. The Indian government considers only Hindi and English speaking consumers. The manuals of products are only available in these two languages. The right to be informed and the right to safety of consumers have been violated. Recently the union government brought an environmental bill. The objections were called only in Hindi and English. When challenged in the courts, the Karnataka and the Delhi High Courts directed the union government to translate the bill in all official languages. The Indian government went to the Supreme Court and claimed that according to Article 344, it is not required. Dr B.P. Maheshchandra Guru, former Professor, Dean and activist, stated that, "former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru while talking about the country said, plurality is the greatest beauty of India. South India, North East India, East India, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana have their own languages. One thing has to be understood that non-Hindi speaking people are a majority in India." He said that about 60 to 70 per cent of the population in India do not depend on Hindi in their day to day life. It is going to be an onslaught on pluralism if Hindi is imposed. Union Minister Amit Shah's statement would hurt the minds and India does not stand to gain in any way by imposing Hindi, he added. Emphasizing the importance of English, he stated that it is the language of education, learning, communication, development. "Ours is not an autocratic state or theocratic state. The union government should be a patron of all religions, languages and subcultures," he said. --IANS mka/bg ( 508 Words) 2022-04-19-19:51:38 (IANS)
Amid rumblings in the party over a string of electoral losses including in the Ballygunge assembly and Asansol Lok Sabha seats, West Bengal BJP vice-president Saumitra Khan has said the intervention of the party's senior leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda was needed to check the downward slide. He has said that if timely steps were not taken, it will lead to a "huge loss" and the party's position in the state "can be even worse than in Kerala". "We need directions as we have become directionless. There are things only Delhi can do. If we get timely help from Delhi, TMC will not be able to do anything. If we find a solution, TMC will not be able to demoralise us," he said. Khan, MP, said if people with no experience in state politics are given positions, they will not be able to do justice. He said Suvendu Adhikari is "the only good leader" the state unit has at present. Referring to questions concerning state general secretary (organisation) Amitava Chakraborty, Khan said "he (Chakraborty) has not done politics in Bengal". Answering queries, he said there was need to strengthen the BJP organisation in the state. Asked about the remarks of state party chief Sukanta Majumdar about the need to express views only in the party fora, Khan said he has been doing so. BJP general secretary Anupam Hazra has also echoed the views of Khan and said some old party workers with organisational abilities were expressing their grievances. "There is a need for introspection. Covering the deficiencies will not help. It will not be good for the party. There is a need to speak frankly before senior leaders so that they can give their advice," he said. Sources said Nadda has sought a report from the Bengal unit over losses in the bypolls. (ANI)
The sources said the accused who have been booked under the NSA include alleged mastermind Ansar Sheikh, Salim Chikna, Imam Sheikh alias Sonu, Dilshad and Aheed.

According to the FIR lodged at the Jahangirpuri police station, the Hanuman Jayanti procession was passing off peacefully through the area on Saturday, but at around 6 pm, when it reached outside a mosque in C-block, Ansar came with his 4-5 associates and started arguing with the participants of the 'Shobha Yatra'.

The argument soon turned violent and both the sides started pelting stones at each other.

Imam alias Sonu was arrested by the Special Staff of the north-west district police on Monday. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had fired through his pistol near Kushal Chowk during the clashes.

A video of Imam wearing a blue kurta opening fire during the riots went viral on social media.

--IANS uj/arm

( 190 Words)

2022-04-19-20:28:02 (IANS)
The Tamil Nadu government would create a corpus of Tamil words for terms to be used in various sectors like medical, engineering, and technology, Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil culture, Thangam Tenarasu said on Tuesday. Speaking in the state legislative assembly, the minister said this will be done in consultation with Tamil Nadu Text Book and Educational Services Corporations and experts. The Minister said an amount of Rs 35 lakh would be allocated for creating the corpus and added that an amount of Rs 5.36 crore would be allocated for competitions in Tamil-related subjects at 100 arts, science colleges, medical and engineering colleges every year. Thenarasu also said that Tamil-related events would be organised in 6,218 government schools three times a year and an amount of Rs 5.60 crore has been allocated for the same. He said that an amount of Rs 1 crore would be allocated for organising a conference on The Thirukkural at UNESCO Centre in Paris. Rs 78 lakh would be allocated for improving the library facilities at the International Institute of Tamil Studies and Rs 61.50 lakh would be allocated for bettering its infrastructure. An amount of Rs 20 lakh would be allocated for providing Tamil books on behalf of the state government to promote learning of Tamil among the emigrants from the state in France, Germany, and other European countries, Thangam Thenarasu said in the house. --IANS aal/pgh ( 249 Words) 2022-04-19-20:54:07 (IANS)
A special court here has sentenced two accused to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5.64 lakh on the charge of trafficking of minors. On October 16, 2018, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) activists along with the police and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) conducted a raid on a house in Sudamapuri, Painter Colony, Shastri Nagar in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur. The BBA activists had received a tip-off that several children had been employed as child labourers for bangle manufacturing in the building. A total of 33 minor children -- 17 from the first floor and 16 from the ground floor -- were then rescued. The rescued children were trafficked from Bihar and were forced to work "with little food and water" from 8 a.m. in the morning to 12 a.m. at night. They were not given any wages. They were also not allowed to step out of the building. When the children resisted, they were threatened with dire consequences. The children also said that they had been trafficked on the pretext of being provided with educational facilities. The children were subsequently produced before the Child Welfare Committee, which directed them to be lodged in a Child Care Institution. Meanwhile, police registered an FIR against four people under sections 370(5) (trafficking of more than one minor), 374 (unlawful compulsory labour) and 344 (wrongful confinement) of IPC along with the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Child Labour Act. The accused included Mohammed Qudus, Mohammed Yunus, Hasmul Miyan and Mohammed Shamshad. When the judgement was announced, special judge Tara Agarwal sentenced Mohammed Qudus and Mohammed Yunus to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 5.64 lakh. Mohammed Shamshad died during the trial and the charges against him were abated. Hasmul Miyan was acquitted. The judge said that both the accused had violated the rights of the children and forced them into child labour. Physical and mental cruelty towards children and forcing them into child labour was a heinous offence and any leniency shown towards the accused could result in a spurt in such offences in the society. "We are grateful to the court for this judgement. Stringent punishment is the only deterrent for such heinous crimes. For several years, we have been rescuing children employed in various commercial establishments across Jaipur. We will continue our efforts for a child labour free society. We hope that the union government passes the anti-trafficking bill in the upcoming session of parliament," Manish Sharma, director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said. The judgement was pronounced on April 16 while its copy was received on Tuesday. --IANS arc/bg ( 446 Words) 2022-04-19-21:08:01 (IANS)
The University of Michigan developed a non-invasive sound technology that breaks down liver tumours in rats, kills cancer cells and spurs the immune system to prevent further spread. As per researchers, this development could an advance that could lead to improved cancer outcomes in humans. By destroying only 50 per cent to 75 per cent of liver tumour volume, the rats' immune systems were able to clear away the rest, with no evidence of recurrence or metastases in more than 80 per cent of animals. "Even if we don't target the entire tumour, we can still cause the tumour to regress and also reduce the risk of future metastasis," said Zhen Xu, professor of biomedical engineering at U-M and corresponding author of the study in Cancers. Results also showed the treatment stimulated the rats' immune responses, possibly contributing to the eventual regression of the untargeted portion of the tumour and preventing the further spread of cancer. The treatment, called histotripsy, noninvasively focuses ultrasound waves to mechanically destroy target tissue with millimetre precision. The relatively new technique is currently being used in a human liver cancer trial in the United States and Europe. In many clinical situations, the entirety of a cancerous tumour cannot be targeted directly in treatments for reasons that include the mass' size, location or stage. To investigate the effects of partially destroying tumours with sound, this latest study targeted only a portion of each mass, leaving behind a viable intact tumour. It also allowed the team, including researchers at Michigan Medicine and the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, to show the approach's effectiveness under less than optimal conditions. "Histotripsy is a promising option that can overcome the limitations of currently available ablation modalities and provide safe and effective noninvasive liver tumour ablation," said Tejaswi Worlikar, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering. "We hope that our learnings from this study will motivate future preclinical and clinical histotripsy investigations toward the ultimate goal of clinical adoption of histotripsy treatment for liver cancer patients." Liver cancer ranks among the top 10 causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and in the US. Even with multiple treatment options, the prognosis remains poor with five-year survival rates of less than 18 per cent in the US. The high prevalence of tumour recurrence and metastasis after initial treatment highlights the clinical need for improving outcomes of liver cancer. Where a typical ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the body's interior, U-M engineers have pioneered the use of those waves for treatment. And their technique works without the harmful side effects of current approaches such as radiation and chemotherapy. "Our transducer, designed and built at U-M, delivers high amplitude microsecond-length ultrasound pulses -- acoustic cavitation -- to focus on the tumour specifically to break it up," Xu said. "Traditional ultrasound devices use lower amplitude pulses for imaging." The microsecond long pulses from UM's transducer generate microbubbles within the targeted tissues -- bubbles that rapidly expand and collapse. These violent but extremely localized mechanical stresses kill cancer cells and break up the tumour's structure. Since 2001, Xu's laboratory at U-M has pioneered the use of histotripsy in the fight against cancer, leading to the clinical trial '#HOPE4LIVER' sponsored by HistoSonics, a U-M spinoff company. More recently, the group's research has produced promising results on histotripsy treatment of brain therapy and immunotherapy. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Focused Ultrasound Foundation, VA Merit Review, U-M's Forbes Institute for Discovery and Michigan Medicine-Peking University Health Sciences Center Joint Institute for Translational and Clinical Research. (ANI)
Under the leadership of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will make faster headways and advances with the multi-faceted development of the flagship scheme of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), said a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). PML-N senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that the CPEC would move forward with new vigour and vitality and in a rejuvenated manner under Shehbaz Sharif. Talking about the future of collaboration and bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, Sayed highlighted that newly-elected PM Sharif gave pivotal importance to Islamabad's relationship with China and expressed his desire to take CPEC forward at a fast pace. "China shares a very old and longstanding relationship with Shehbaz Sharif. When the BRI was launched with CPEC as it centre piece, it was taken forward by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif," he said. Sayed also highlighted Pakistan's policy to keep China as a top priority in its foreign policy. "China is number one in terms of foreign policy priority, which the Prime Minister made clear when he listed the list of countries, and his formulation has been warmly welcomed in China. So we have no doubts," he said. "China is the only country for which there is across-the-border national consensus, and the entire leadership considers it to be Pakistan's number one friend," Sayed added. He also expressed his confidence that CPEC projects will move forward and play a vital role in further strengthening the relations between the two countries. "The first phase of CPEC was completed when Nawaz Sharif was the Prime Minister. The second phase is bigger and you will perhaps see acceleration in the field of agriculture, information technology and infrastructure, especially railways," he said. "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already announced during his visit to Karachi that his government would expand CPEC, so there would be multifaceted development of the flagship project," he added. Sayed said that CPEC has brought both countries closer through infrastructure and energy projects, resolving many problems. "CPEC is the character of a better tomorrow for the people of Pakistan," Sayed said. --IANS hamza/arm ( 377 Words) 2022-04-18-22:58:36 (IANS)
United States suspects that China may have a plan-in-waiting to use space technology to block American radars and jam sophisticated weapons systems if the need arises, according to recent reports. Recently, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) of the US, has submitted an 80-page report for consideration by the Biden administration and action. The report which is cited by The Singapore Post said that it gives credence to what was suspected by the international community till now that China has reached a stage of self-reliance in space technology and acquired capabilities to "prevail in a major conflict with the United States and is aggressively launching, acquiring, and obtaining through espionage the counter-space capabilities necessary to do so." "As China's and Russia's space and counterspace capabilities increase, both nations are integrating space scenarios into their military exercises," the report said, according to The Singapore Post. However, the DIA focuses more on the activities of China which if finds are "most worrisome to the United States, not only because of the country's rapid growth in space--doubling the number of ISR satellites it has in space to 250 since 2018--but also its rapid acquisition and pursuit of counter-space capabilities". "The PLA probably sees counterspace operations as a means to deter and counter a U.S. intervention during a regional military conflict," the DIA wrote in the report. Quoting an article by DefenseOne, the military analysis website, th DIA said: "China has claimed that 'destroying or capturing satellites and other sensors' would make it difficult for the US and allied militaries to use precision-guided weapons." The DIA also found that China "probably is developing jammers dedicated to targeting SAR, including aboard military reconnaissance platforms," referring to the advanced synthetic aperture radar systems that allow clear imagery even at night or during bad weather, DefenseOne said. Those jammers "would be key to preventing the US and US-affiliated commercial satellite firms from maintaining a clear picture over Taiwan, as they have in Ukraine". Notably, the China National Space Administration is China's equivalent to NASA. It is supervised by the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which handles defense-related science and technology, including China's state-owned defense conglomerates. The infrastructure of the country's space program is similarly militarised. The PLA runs under its command the launch sites, control centers, and even satellites. Most of the personnel, including the astronauts, working in the space program are military personnel, as per The Singapore Post. The DIA report, analyses of DefenseOne, and western military experts, all say in one voice while there could be a tremendous potential of a Chinese and the Americans working together on space programs, China faces a trust deficit. (ANI)
Taliban member Suhail Shaheen has met with French envoy to Afghanistan Jean Marin Schuh and discussed several issues including the recent decree over the prevention of poppy cultivation and substitutes in Afghanistan. "Today, in Doha, I met Mr Jean Marin Schuh, French envoy to Afghanistan currently based in Doha. We talked about a range of topics including education, the recent decree by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan about the prevention of poppy cultivation and substitutes, projects for farmers and bilateral relations," Suhail Shaheen said in a Tweet on Monday. He further said that both Suhail Shaheen and Jean Marin Schuh expressed to remain engaged and continue communication. On April 3, the Taliban announced a ban on the cultivation of poppy. According to Tolo News, Taliban's supreme leader Hebatullah Akhundzada in a decree said the cultivation of poppy seeds as well as drug trafficking are banned in the country. The decree, read by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, said that there is a "strict ban" on the use and trafficking of "all types of illicit drugs" such as alcoholic beverages, heroin, "Tablet K", hashish and others, reported Tolo News. The decree also puts a ban on the production of illicit drugs. "If anyone violates the decree and cultivates poppy, their crop will be destroyed and the violator will be punished based on the Sharia law," the decree said. "The enforcement of this decree is mandatory. Violators will be prosecuted and punished by judiciaries," the decree read. However, multiple reports indicate that poppy cultivation and drug trafficking provide a big income source for the Taliban, mainly in the southern and northern parts of the country. Most of the drug smuggling goes through Iran and the Taliban makes a big money from it. Afghanistan has been among the world's top illicit drug-producing countries. There are scores of drug addicts currently on the streets. Due to the re-rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the country is not only facing a political crisis but also uncertainty in business and unemployment. Moreover, young girls and women of Afghanistan are deprived of their basic right to attend school and go to work. The Taliban earlier had issued a decree banning female students of grade 6 and above from attending classes in schools. (ANI)
China's Premier Li Keqiang issued a third warning about economic growth risks in less than a week, raising concern over businesses as widespread COVID-19 lockdowns disrupt production and spending. Speaking at a forum held with local government officials on April 11, Li urged officials to "increase the sense of urgency" in speeding up the implementation of various policy measures, stressing that all localities and government departments should remain confident, while also be highly vigilant against unexpected challenges, rising downward pressure and resolutely respond to new challenges, according to Global Times. According to the analysts, the rising challenges from COVID-19 as well as global tensions will put downward pressure on the pillars of China's economy, particularly investment and consumption, in the near term. Chinese officials have been repeatedly warning of rising downward pressure. On April 7, Li had said during a forum held with experts and entrepreneurs that some "unforeseen factors" were out of expectations, which brought more uncertainties and challenges to stable economic operation. On April 8, Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Xiao Yaqing also pointed out the difficulties faced by China's industrial economy, including logistics woes and high bulk commodity prices. Chinese officials are paying more attention to the country's economic difficulties at a time that could be the most challenging period after early 2020, Global Times reported citing experts. The current COVID-19 situation may mark the most significant challenge for the country -- and, arguably, for Chinese leader Xi Jinping against zero Covid policy. As of last Tuesday, health authorities said more than 320,000 local COVID-19 cases had been reported across 31 provinces, including those in Shanghai, since March 1. Getting supplies across the country has become a steep challenge, with some expressways closed, and truck drivers ensnared in quarantine or at thousands of highway health checkpoints. On Monday, China's economic hub Shanghai reported the first deaths of the COVID-19 outbreak, along with 2,417 local confirmed coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. Three people, who died were aged between 89 and 91 and all had underlying diseases. "Shanghai registered 2,417 local confirmed COVID19 cases and 19,831 local asymptomatic carriers on Sunday when three deaths were reported, who are seniors aged between 89 and 91, with severe underlying disease," Global Times said in a Tweet. Some cities in China have discouraged their residents from leaving, like the major southern port of Guangzhou, which requires its 18 million people to show a negative COVID test if they want to get out. Moreover, the zero-covid policy has sparked mounting frustration and anger in Shanghai and threatens more disruption amplifying the risks for the Communist Party." Economic slowdown is quite a big concern," said Alfred Wu, an associate professor in the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. (ANI)
"Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman travelled to Brussels. She'll be there from April 19 to April 22. She is going for the third high-level meeting of the US-EU dialogue on China," Price said in a press briefing.

The US-EU dialogue on China will take place on Thursday, Price said.

According to him, Sherman will then have consultations with European allies and partners on Friday on matters surrounding the Indo-Pacific region.

While in Brussels, Sherman will also continue close coordination with NATO and EU partners on the Ukraine conflict, he added, according to Sputnik.

Apart from that, Price said that the US will continue to carefully monitor the level of support China may show toward Russia with respect to Ukraine.

"We're going to continue to keep a careful eye, a careful watch on the level of support the PRC (People's Republic of China) exhibits towards Russia," Price said during a press briefing.

State Department spokesman added that there will be strong consequences for China if it provides weapons or supplies to Russia for its operation in Ukraine or if it helps Moscow evade Western sanctions. (ANI)
"The United States celebrates the release and homecoming of Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Ming-che after five years of unjust detainment in a People's Republic of China prison for human rights advocacy," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a Tweet on Monday (local time).

Lee was detained in March 2017 while travelling in China and convicted of subverting state power six months later by a court in Hunan Province, for which he was to serve a five-year sentence of imprisonment.

Human rights groups had expressed concern over the Taiwanese national.

During a press conference held on the eve of the fifth anniversary of Lee's arrest last month, Amnesty International Taiwan Secretary-General Chiu I-ling said that Lee's family had been unable to get in touch with Lee since the global outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, Focus Taiwan reported.

A suspension of political rights for two years following the five-year prison term was included in the sentence, meaning that Lee Ming-che could be prevented from leaving China before April 2024, Taipei Bar Association human rights committee chairman Chiang Jung-hsiang said.

"If Beijing stops Lee Ming-che from exercising his civil rights in Taiwan by keeping him detained in China, it would sever his connection with society and impose economic hardships that constitute cruel and unusual punishment," he had said.

Covenants Watch convener Huang Song-lih had also informed that four other Taiwanese -- Morrison Lee, Shih Cheng-ping, Tsai Chin-shu and Cheng Yu-chin -- have also been imprisoned in China on unfounded charges of espionage. (ANI)
Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in a video address, adding that Kyiv will defend itself. "Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas for which they've been preparing for a long time and a considerable amount of the Russian forces are concentrated and focused on that offensive," Zelensky said, according to CNN. "No matter how many Russian servicemen they're bringing into that area, we will keep on fighting and defending and we will be doing this daily. We will not give up anything that is Ukrainian but we don't need anything that is not ours," Zelenskyy added. According to Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Russian forces had launched an effort to break through Ukrainian front lines in three regions. Today, almost along the entire front line of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv regions, the occupiers tried to break through our defenses," he said in remarks on television, CNN reported. "Fortunately, our military is holding on, and only in two cities they (the Russians) have passed: Kreminna and another small town. But the fighting continues, we are not surrendering our territories and the attempt to start an active phase has begun this morning," he said. Meanwhile, the US has sent four planes loaded with security assistance to Ukraine over the weekend and made one more delivery on Monday. "There were four planes that arrived of military assistance over the course of the weekend, another one is supposed to arrive today if it hasn't already from the USD 800 million package the President announced," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said during a press briefing today. Moreover, the US Department of Defense said that America wants to see Ukraine as a winner in a fight against Russia, and Pentagon is doing everything possible to do that. "We want Ukraine to win this fight (with Russia) and we are doing everything we can here, at the Department of Defense, to make sure they have the capabilities to do that," US Department of Defense press secretary John Kirby told CNN, as per Sputnik. On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk requested help to defend them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. (ANI)
Harris made the announcement during a visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base in the state of California.

"I am pleased to announce that as of today, the United States commits not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing," she said, according to Sputnik.

United States commits not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, and that the United States seeks to establish this as a new international norm for responsible behaviour in space," a White House statement said on Monday (local time).

According to the statement, the Vice President also called on other nations to make similar commitments and to work together in establishing this as a norm, making the case that such efforts benefit all nations.

At the Biden-Harris Administration's first National Space Council meeting in December, Vice President Harris tasked the National Security Council staff to work with the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and other national security agencies to develop proposals for national security space norms that advance US interests and preserve the security and sustainability of space.

The commitment announced today is the first initiative under this effort. The United States is the first nation to make such a declaration.

This new commitment also protects US interests in space.

"Meaningfully reducing ASAT testing and debris generation advances US national security interests and protects long-term US interests in space exploration, space science, and space-enabled economic development," the statement said further. (ANI)
Kristalina Georgieva, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, on Monday (local time) appreciated India's help to Sri Lanka in tackling its economic crises while assuring Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that the financial institution would continue to actively engage with the island nation. Georgieva made these remarks during the Spring Meetings of IMF-World Bank (WB) in Washington DC with Sitharaman. Discussing the recent geopolitical developments, Sitharaman and Georgieva raised concerns about its impact on the global economy and the challenges linked to the rising energy prices. Sri Lanka 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, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation. The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Georgieva also congratulated India on its successful vaccination programme to control the spread of COVID-19. She also appreciated India for extending COVID-19 relief support to other vulnerable countries, according to the Ministry of Finance. According to the Ministry, Georgieva highlighted India's well-targeted policy mix that has helped the Indian economy remain resilient. During her conversation with Georgieva, Sitharaman stressed at India's commitment to supporting economic growth through Capital Expenditure. The Union Minister underlined that India's accommodative fiscal stance accompanied by major structural reforms and strong monetary policies have helped in India's post-pandemic economic recovery, the ministry said. India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 186.49 crores on Saturday. The Union Minister reached Washington on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG). Apart from her official engagements with the World Bank, IMF, G20, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sitharaman on Monday also attended an event at the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington DC. The visit will also include several bilateral interactions, including with Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as well as a high-level meeting with World Bank President David Malpass, a Ministry of Finance statement said. Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27. (ANI)
The White House has announced that the United States will co-host the second global COVID-19 summit virtually on May 12 to continue the international effort in the fight against pandemic and to advance global preparedness. "The summit will redouble our collective efforts to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future health threats," said the White House in its press release on Monday. The US will host the summit with Belize, chair of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, Germany, the current president of the Group of Seven leading economies, or G-7; Indonesia, which currently holds the presidency of the Group of 20 largest economies, or G-20; and Senegal as African Union chair. Notably, the first Global COVID-19 Summit was convened by the United States on September 22, 2021. White House said that the emergence and spread of new variants, like Omicron, have reinforced the need for a strategy aimed at controlling COVID-19 worldwide. "To help achieve these goals, we urge all countries and stakeholders to pledge to take urgent actions to create the systems we need to end the acute phase of COVID-19, save lives, and build better health security and health systems," the statement read. The Summit will build on the themes and commitments made at the first Summit and will place an emphasis on supporting locally-led solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges. It will emphasize solutions like deploying tests and treatments, expanding and protecting the health workforce, and generating sustainable financing for pandemic preparedness among others. (ANI)
Amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the UAE has provided 30 tons of food supplies to the troubled country. The aircraft carrying the food materials arrived in Kabul on Monday. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said the aid will be distributed to vulnerable people through government institutions, TOLOnews reported. Mujahid also called on donors to not make the process of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan conditional. "We call for unconditional aid, without any political motive. This is a humanitarian issue. The Afghans should be provided with aid. The UAE provided aid without any motive," he said, according to TOLOnews. Meanwhile, the Turkish ambassador in Kabul, Cihad Erginay, said that the fourth package of aid from Turkey had arrived at Torghondi port in Herat province. "We distribute ... aid in coordination with the Red Crescent Society and other organizations in the provinces. The aid includes wheat, medical supplies, sugar and some other materials," Erginay said. Taliban vowed to distribute the aid transparently. "The aid will be distributed through five government institutions. There will be transparency and we will distribute the aid fairly. Unfortunately, there are problems with aid distributed by international organizations," Mujahid said, according to TOLOnews. Highlighting the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier said that nine million people are at risk of famine in the troubled country. Taking to Twitter, Guterres said that the economy of Afghanistan has effectively collapsed and called on donors to fund the country so that the UN and its partners can continue to deliver lifesaving aid. The situation of human rights in Afghanistan has worsened since the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's return to power in August last year. Although the fighting in the country has ended, serious human rights violations continue unabated. (ANI)
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's ouster, his US foreign conspiracy rhetoric which contradicts with Army's standing, and the country's troubled polity have all placed the military in an uneasy spot which is now trying to do damage control and recover the predominance of its own role in national affairs. The Director-General of the Pakistani Army media wing, ISPR, Major General Babar Iftekhar urged Khan to desist from repeating the conspiracy charge in public. The officer stressed that Army is neutral. The officer further noted that the Army plays no role in the country's political affairs. The Army vows that it will continue to support the "democratic institutions", reported Al Arabiya. After Imran Khan's 'foreign conspiracy' accusation against the US, the DG attempted to clear the choked diplomatic channels with Washington, the biggest benefactor of Pakistan and of the Army itself. The DG, ISPR while siding with the Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa cleared the air saying that he (Bajwa) never "sought further extension (from Khan) and even if offered (by the Shehbaz Sharif Government) he will not accept it". Another bone of contention between ex-PM Imran Khan and the Army is the disagreement over the posting of Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed as the next ISI chief. The military would have been uncomfortable with Khan's defiance and abusing legal and Constitutional processes meant to vote him out, till the top judiciary stepped in to apply the corrective, reported Al Arabiya. The Army must plan its strategy as politicians are preparing for the elections. Bajwa must oversee the political parties and come November, leave in glory. (ANI)
The federal cabinet was scheduled to take oath on Tuesday.

Now, according to the sources familiar with the development, the new cabinet is likely to take oath now on Tuesday or Wednesday, reported ARY News.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has 14 ministers and PPP 11 members in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Earlier, the PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the cabinet has been decided and the announcement will be made on Tuesday. "It was a lengthy process of consultations over the cabinet among the allied parties, which has been finalized and soon to be announced," PML-N leader added.

Earlier this month, Alvi took ill just hours before the swearing-in of the country's 23rd Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The President complained of "discomfort" and went on leave on Monday without any further explanation.

According to Alvi's official Twitter account, the Pakistan President complained of discomfort and has been examined by a doctor. "President Dr Arif Alvi has complained of discomfort.

The physician has examined him thoroughly and has advised him to rest for a few days," the tweet post read, ARY News reported. (ANI)
The first blast occurred on the territory of the Mumtaz school in western Kabul. According to an eyewitness, several people were injured in the explosion. The second blast hit near another school in the capital's Dasht-e-Barchi district.

"Six people were killed and dozens were injured," the source said. (ANI)
"Participation of Prime Minister Kishida in this conversation is planned. We intend to express our firm position on the situation in Ukraine," Matsuno said at a press conference.

On Monday, the White House said that Biden will "convene a secure video call with allies and partners to discuss our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable." The video call will start at 13:45 GMT on Tuesday.

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 West 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. (ANI/Sputnik)
As India is set to establish WHO Global Centre for traditional medicine in Gujarat's Jamnagar, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, on Tuesday said that it will be a hub of excellence which will help deliver safe, effective and evidence-based traditional medicines. "I congratulate and thank the government of India for hosting the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (in Jamnagar, Gujarat). This is a very important initiative aimed at harnessing the full potential of traditional medicine to advance global health and wellbeing," Singh said. "The Global Centre in Jamnagar will be a hub of excellence, that will promote the use of evidence and learning and help deliver safe, effective and evidence-based traditional medicines," she added. She also stated that the Centre will facilitate the integration of the traditional systems of medicine into national health systems. "It will apply modern science to leverage ancient wisdom to advance SDG 3 goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all people of all ages," she added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, will inaugurate the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar on Tuesday. The Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Gujarat on Monday organized a curtain-raiser press conference to discuss two pertinent developments in the field of traditional medicine in India - the groundbreaking ceremony of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) and the convening of the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS). Both the events are being held in Gujarat and will be attended by PM Modi, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the Ministry of Ayush in an official statement. The Centre aims to channel the potential of traditional medicine by integrating it with technological advancements and evidence-based research. While Jamnagar will serve as the base, the new Centre aims to engage and benefit the world. The GCTM shall focus on four main strategic areas: evidence and learning; data and analytics; sustainability and equity; and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health. The Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit will be held from April 20 to April 22 in Gandhinagar. The Summit aims to increase investments and showcase innovations in the field of traditional medicine. It is a unique attempt to foster long-lasting partnerships, boost exports and nurture a sustainable ecosystem. (ANI)
Despite following a 'Zero Covid Policy', Covid cases continue to rise in China leading to loss of livelihoods, extended lockdowns, huge economic losses and ascending levels of anxiety among the citizens of the country. The financial capital of China and a city of more than 26 million residents, Shanghai has been in lockdown for the last many weeks due to China's worst outbreak of Covid since the beginning of the pandemic in 2019 in Wuhan province. The stringent measures to control the spread go as far as putting even asymptomatic Covid-positive residents in specialised isolation sites while aggressive mass testing, strict lockdowns, and extended quarantine periods to deal with the pandemic are still in place, The Israel Times quoted. On April 8, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China wrote to Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua complaining of 'significant disruptions' due to the lockdowns. It warned that such an approach had "an unfortunate impact on China's image to the rest of the world while eroding foreign investors' confidence in the Chinese market." According to The Israel Times, several viral videos coming from the city in recent days have highlighted angry locals resisting additional restrictive measures from the authorities, which have already upended their lives. On April 15, for instance, a video live-streamed on Chinese social media platforms showed residents of the city's Pudong district clashing with health authorities after they tried to block a government-mandated requisition of buildings to house Covid-19 patients. Footage also showed some healthcare staff wearing suits labelled 'police,' wrestling residents to the ground and leading several away toward a white van. Other similar videos have shown people protesting the lockdowns, fighting the food and medicines shortage, and babies - sometimes those breastfeeding ones, separated from their parents. Some of these centres' conditions are so awful that some social media posts describe them as 'refugee camps' and 'concentration camps.' The statistics show how miserably is the Chinese government failing when even after the lockdown, a surge in infections can be seen and the daily average load of cases stands around 1700. Moreover, cases have shot up in the past few days, reported local media. These strict restrictions have also caused other kinds of deaths, including critical patients who needed immediate medical attention or who could not reach in time to the hospital due to curbs on local travel. President Xi Jinping has, in his speeches, repeatedly highlighted the success of the Chinese policies and added that there would be no immediate change of approach in pandemic control measures. He also claimed that China's success demonstrates the advantages of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) leadership and the socialist system. However, this unusually harsh response to the pandemic has rather brought a sharp rebuke from foreign governments and businesses. For instance, the United States has advised its citizens to reconsider travel to China "due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and Covid-19 restrictions." In another embarrassment to the authorities, diplomats from more than 30 countries wrote to the Chinese foreign ministry expressing concern over the policy of separating COVID-positive children from their parents. Besides the foreign governments, even businesses have stepped to express scepticism, said The Israel Times, citing sources. Across China, cities are locking down their residents, supply lines are rupturing, and officials are scrambling to secure the movement of basic goods, with its largest-ever recorded outbreak of COVID-19 threatening to spiral into a national crisis of the government's own making. It is estimated that "23 Chinese cities have implemented either full or partial lockdowns" and notably, these cities contribute 22 per cent of China's GDP. Big factories belonging to Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers are shut amid lockdown and the ports are clogged with slow loading and unloading of freight affecting global trade. The Chinese Communist Party(CCP) did not make an intense, deliberate effort to remove vaccine hesitancy among the people to counter and control the pandemic's spread rather politicised the pandemic response to yield the results which in turn is imposing disproportionate economic costs on the people who have to bear the brunt of extended lockdowns. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has refused to review its policy as President Xi Jinping, the architect of the Zero COVID programme claims he can minimize the losses but the worsening situation in Shanghai suggests things getting out of his control. (ANI)
At the initiative of the Polish government, container towns for internal refugees are being created, the official said, adding that women and children fleeing from eastern Ukraine will find refuge there.

"The first of them will be opened today by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Lviv," Dworczyk tweeted. (ANI/Sputnik)
UN envoy stresses political solution to Libya crisis

Xinhua) 08:56, April 19, 2022

CAIRO, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Stephanie Williams, adviser to the United Nations (UN) secretary-general for Libya, stressed here on Monday the importance of finding a political solution to break the political impasse in Libya.

"The Libyan lawmakers agreed to continue the discussion on the establishment of a legislative and constitutional framework for the presidential and parliamentarian elections," Williams said on the last day of a UN-brokered meeting attended by members of Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives or the parliament, and the Tripoli-based High Council of State (HCS).

The meetings, which started in Cairo last week, were held amid "a consensus atmosphere," according to Williams.

A new round of talks is scheduled to be held in Cairo in May, according to Shaban Abu Setta, an HCS member who attended the meeting.

According to an earlier statement released by the UN Support Mission in Libya, the meetings were aimed at determining the constitutional basis for the upcoming elections.

Libya expected 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 HCS to reach a firm constitutional basis to hold national elections as soon as possible.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will attend the inauguration of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, will inaugurate the Global Centre at Jamnagar. The WHO and the Government of India, on March 25, signed an agreement to establish the Centre in Gujarat. The WHO chief at an event in Delhi praised the launch of a 'first of its kind' centre for traditional medicine in Gujarat. "This is the first of its kind centre that will help the whole world to invest in traditional medicine," he said. The Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Gujarat on Monday organized a curtain-raiser press conference to discuss two pertinent developments in the field of traditional medicine in India - the groundbreaking ceremony of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) and the convening of the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS). Both the events are to be held in Gujarat and will be attended by PM Modi, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the Ministry of Ayush in an official statement. The Centre aims to channel the potential of traditional medicine by integrating it with technological advancements and evidence-based research. While Jamnagar will serve as the base, the new Centre aims to engage and benefit the world. The GCTM shall focus on four main strategic areas: evidence and learning; data and analytics; sustainability and equity; and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health. The Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit will be held from April 20 to April 22 in Gandhinagar. The Summit aims to increase investments and showcase innovations in the field of traditional medicine. It is a unique attempt to foster long-lasting partnerships, boost exports and nurture a sustainable ecosystem. (ANI)
In his first visit since the emergence of the pandemic, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will visit Ladakh between the month of July and August. Spokesperson of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Tenzin Lekshay told ANI that after spending most of the time at his residence since the global COVID-19 outbreak, the Dalai Lama agreed to visit and bless devotees in Ladakh between July and August. This comes after the request of Thiksay Rinpoche of Thiksay Monastery and the current President of Ladakh Buddhist Association, Thupten Tsewang, on behalf of the Ladakhi people. The two received a special audience from the Dalai Lama at his residence on Monday during which the request was made. The upcoming visit would be the first of the Dalai Lama since the emergence of a pandemic. Last December, Dalai Lama, in his address during a two-day long virtual event on 'Maha Satipatthana Sutta' for Theravada Sangha, called India a role model of religious harmony in the world. The event organized by the Sri Lankan Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood Society on 'Unduvap Full Moon Poyaday' was attended by hundreds of Buddhist lamas from Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Tibetan spiritual leader attended the event virtually from his residence in Dharmshala in Himachal Pradesh. "The Indian religious tradition teaches non-violence, not harming others. In India, the practice of non-violence - Ahimsa and Karuna have been practiced for over 3,000 years. So, in India different religious traditions of the world such as Islam, Christianity, Jew and Judaism, and so forth live together. India is an example, a role model for religious harmony in the world. Since I came to exile in India as a refugee the practice of non-violence and religious harmony I found to be excellent in India," he said. Dalai Lama made a visit to Ladakh in 2018. Notably, he had fled to India from Tibet in 1959 through Arunachal Pradesh. The Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered at McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh. (ANI)
The MEA said in a statement that this will be her first visit to India as the President of the European Commission. During her visit, the President of the European Commission will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries. The President of the European Commission has been invited as the Chief Guest for this year's edition of Raisina Dialogue and will address the inaugural session on April 25.

"India and the European Union share a vibrant Strategic Partnership which has been witnessing strong growth with wider and deeper cooperation in Political and Strategic, Trade and Commerce, Climate and Sustainability, Digital and Technology aspects as well as people-to-people ties," the MEA statement read.

The India-EU Leaders' Meeting in May 2021 set new milestones with the decision to resume trade talks and the launch of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership.

The forthcoming visit of the President of the European Commission will be an opportunity to review progress and further intensify the multifaceted partnership with the EU. (ANI)
Paris [France], April 19 (ANI/Sputnik): France is trying to convince its EU partners to impose an embargo on oil supplies from Russia to undermine its ability to finance its special military operation in Ukraine despite the spike in energy and food prices worldwide, French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday. Earlier in April, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to restrict oil and coal supplies from Russia. "In light of what is happening now in Donbas, the stoppage of oil supplies from Russia is necessary more than ever. This is what we are preparing. The French president has made it clear that we are trying to convince our European partners of this to cut off supplies of Russian oil, since the stoppage of oil supplies will undermine the financing of the war in Ukraine," Le Maire told French radio station Europe 1. On February 24, Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. Western countries responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia, which has resulted in a spike in fuel and food prices around the world and disrupted supply chains. The European Union has also vowed to reduce its dependency on Russian energy. On April 8, 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. (ANI/Sputnik)
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced the agreement in Beijing, saying it would involve China cooperating with Honiara on maintaining social order, protecting people's safety, aid, combating natural disasters and helping safeguard national security, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Australia and New Zealand have already 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 said that China has intentions to build a naval base in the Solomon Islands to intimidate the continent.

The United States last week expressed concern over the security pact between China and the Solomon Islands, saying this agreement will open the door for the deployment of Chinese military forces to the Pacific nation.

"We believe that signing such an agreement could actually increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and could set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told a press briefing.

"Obviously we are concerned about this," he added.

This security deal also comes ahead of top White House and State Department officials' visit to three Pacific Island nations: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

The delegation--which will include representatives from the National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the United States Agency for International Development--will seek to further deepen US ties with the region. (ANI)
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has decreed to approve the National Action Plan to implement the reforms promised in his March 16 state of the nation address "New Kazakhstan: The Path of Renewal and Modernization". Proposing Constitutional reforms to limit the powers of his office, Tokayev last month had said the Central Asian Country needs to switch from "super presidential" rule to political modernization with a focus on the role of citizens in governing the state, including through electoral processes. With an aim to create "New Kazakhstan", Tokayev had presented a programme of comprehensive modernization based on what he described as long-standing public demand for radical changes. As noted by the President previously, the implementation of the initiatives outlined in the state of the nation address will require approximately 30 amendments to the Constitution and the adoption of more than 20 laws before the end of the year. While the majority of the changes will be implemented by December 2022, numerous changes to the legislation and the Constitution will be made throughout this year, including by April, June and August. The plan, approved by the March 29 presidential decree, not only sets concrete deadlines for implementing the reforms through various legal acts but also defines clear responsibilities of state bodies for meeting those deadlines. Kazakhstan Embassy said in a release that the plan covers ten key areas, which were initially outlined in the address. They comprise limiting the powers of the President, including termination of his/her membership in a political party for the period of their term of office, prohibition for close relatives of the President to hold senior positions of political civil servants and senior positions at the quasi-public sector, etc. Another major area is improving the electoral system, which includes switching to a mixed electoral system. Changes to the legislation will also be made to expand opportunities for the development of the party system in the country, including simplifying registration procedures for political parties. Amendments will also be made to the Constitution to modernize and improve the electoral process. In addition, the National Plan outlines measures to strengthen human rights institutions through changes to the legislation and the Constitution, which will result in the establishment of the Constitutional Court, expansion of categories of cases subject to a jury trial, the exclusive jurisdiction of the Prosecutor General's Office in cases of torture, among several other major initiatives. As outlined in the state of the nation address, other areas that will undergo significant reforms include improving the competitiveness of the media and strengthening the role of civil society institutions, improving the administrative-territorial structure of Kazakhstan, decentralizing and delegating more power to local government, as well as implementing priority anti-crisis measures. The latter entails taking measures to prevent shortages and rise in food prices and developing a new package of structural reforms in the economy and public administration. The Decree, which is dated March 29, also notes that the government will first report on the implementation of the National Plan to the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan by January 25 of next year. On March 16, Tokayev delivered his address to the nation, "New Kazakhstan: The Path of Renewal and Modernization". He had outlined significant political reforms and initiatives aimed at further transforming and modernizing the country. These reforms form the basis of a New Kazakhstan and are building up on the previous packages of political reforms that were initiated by the President since his election in 2019. (ANI)
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday underscored the need to combine the knowledge base of traditional medicine with modern science and technology and lauded the efforts of the government of India, under the "dynamic leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Hasina made these remarks during the inauguration of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Speaking via a video message, Bangladesh PM said, "The efforts of the government of India, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving massive coverage is really commendable." She congratulated PM Modi and the WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus for the Global Centre of Traditional Medicine. "It is my great pleasure to join you on this great occasion. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we need to revisit our focus in ensuring good health and well-being," she said. Hasina said that if traditional medicine is practised in tandem with modern medicine, the world may expect a better outcome in ensuring basic healthcare for all as envisioned in Sustainable Development Goals. "I am confident, the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine will emerge as a global hub for evidence-based research and standard for traditional medicine. We appreciate this centre's strategic focus on sustainability, equity and innovation." Further, she emphasized that it is important that the ancient knowledge base of traditional medicine be combined with modern science and technology. The Bangladesh PM noted that the exchange of COVID-19 related medicine between the two countries has been considered a role model of good neighbourhood diplomacy. "I thank the Government of India and WHO for taking this much-needed initiative." PM Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar. PM Modi laid the foundation stone in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and WHO chief Tedros. Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It will emerge as an international hub of global wellness. (ANI)
Amid the rising concern over media freedom in Afghanistan, another Afghan journalist said that he was detained in Kabul and was beaten. Mohibullah Jalili, host of 1TV's current affairs program said the reason for his detention is unclear, TOLOnews reported. He said that armed men stopped his car at a checkpoint in the capital city on Friday night and detained him. "When I asked for the reason for my detention, they told me, 'I understand that you are a journalist and that you are the ones who have ruined this homeland,' and they said, 'Tell me, which country do you work for?'" Jalili said. "It is very cruel to act like this toward journalists. My uncle was not in the military and had no personal enmity with anyone," said Shafiq, a relative. Responding to the reports of harassment, Kabul Police Command said they have started a probe into the matter. "He was beaten by armed individuals in PD15, the police command was not aware of the issues, we set up a delegation to meet closely with Jalili Sahib, but we have not yet received a positive response from him," said Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Kabul Police Command. With the consistent arbitrary arrests of journalists by the Taliban, the media in Afghanistan faces ever-increasing restrictions. In the last seven months nearly 140 incidents of harassment of Afghan journalists and media workers have been recorded, TOLO news reported citing figures of media-supporting institutions. (ANI)
Deuba made these remarks during the inauguration of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Speaking via a video message, Nepal PM congratulated the Indian government and WHO for the initiative. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this "noble undertaking".

Highlighting the role of traditional medicines in the healthcare sector, Deuba said, "As global health programmes continue to increase, the role of traditional medicine is vital in ensuring holistic health care including affordable health care, prevention of diseases, and overall improvement in human health."

"Our region is rich in traditional medicines since ancient times. Nepal and India are home to this biodiversity in herbs and medicinal plants," he added.

Stating that India is already a leader in Ayurveda with its rich legacy of traditional medicine practices, the Nepal PM said that the GTCM will go a long way in the development of traditional medicines including Ayurveda.

"It will serve to advance the knowledge and practice of traditional medicines and contribute to global health by utilising their vast potential," he stated.

PM Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar. PM Modi laid the foundation stone in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and WHO chief Tedros.

Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It will emerge as an international hub of global wellness. (ANI)
During the meeting, the newly elected PM expressed his government's commitment to further advance the economic dimension of Pakistan's relationship with the United Arab Emirates.

"H.E. Mr. Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to Pakistan, called on PM Shehbaz Sharif. While extending warm felicitations on his assumption of office as the PM of Pakistan, the Ambassador reaffirmed UAE's desire to further strengthen bilateral relations," Pakistan Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted.

The Pakistan Prime Minister underscored his government's commitment to further advance the economic dimension of the relationship, focusing on enhanced trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, food security, and employment generation.

"Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed that Pakistan and the UAE had always enjoyed special relations which are firmly rooted in shared history, common faith and geographical proximity. He underlined that these relations were further amplified by close people-to-people contacts," Pak PMO said.

The newly-elected PM acknowledged the important role of expatriate Pakistanis in the development of the UAE, which he said is serving as a strong bridge between the two countries.

"Pakistan and the UAE enjoy close fraternal ties marked by decades of close collaboration. High-level interactions provide continuous momentum to the growth of bilateral cooperation," the PMO added.

Pakistan Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani on Tuesday administered the oath to the 34-member council of ministers of the Shehbaz Sharif, which included 31 Cabinet Ministers.

Shehbaz was sworn in as the Prime Minister on April 11, following the removal of Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion, making him the first PM to be removed through the democratic process. (ANI)
Shanghai reported a new high of 21,000 new cases of COVID testing on 8th April, as the city's 26 million inhabitants remained under lockdown and other Chinese cities increased restrictions- even in regions where no fresh infections have occurred. After failing to isolate COVID, Beijing officials intervened in Shanghai, closing the city down in phases, and insisting that the country sticks to its zero-tolerance policy to save its medical system from collapsing. The megacity is struggling to suppress the Omicron, as well as rising public dissatisfaction with quarantine policies. People with long-term conditions or who require extensive care are going without treatment as a result of the government's stringent stance on regulating the coronavirus. Recently, a popular article on Chinese social media documented the death of a lady at a Shanghai rehabilitation centre. The patient named Li Chang is a Tsinghua University alumnus and mother of two who required 24-hour care after suffering a brain haemorrhage last year. Her care staff was compelled to quarantine in late March, as per social media posts, after several people at the institution tested positive for COVID-19. Her friends and family were forbidden from responding to her needs, and she died just a few days later. In a now-deleted piece on her WeChat site, Xu Liyuan, a writer and former journalist, lamented Li Chang's death. Xu subsequently stated that she removed the post because Li's family requested not to publish about their relative's death. Weibo is again swamped with posts asking for assistance for those suffering from chronic illnesses including kidney disease, TB, and cancer, as it was during past lockdowns. An article about cancer sufferers in Shanghai was also published on Dxy.cn, an online medical information site that gained a lot of traction. COVID-19 is one of the hundreds of fatal illnesses that exist in the world. People across the social media network are pleading with the administration to enable all patients to get the same critically needed, medical care. There are hundreds of thousands of cases in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Jilin, according to a deleted Zhihu article that criticized the zero-COVID policy while mocking ultranationalists who support severe quarantine restrictions. Several individuals have died because of the virus, counting both symptomatic and asymptomatic instances. As per the post "Lockdown Enthusiasts" are so fond of using the preservation of people's lives to defend the policy, the post even taunted and questioned these people for a definite number of persons who died during the latest wave. Despite outraged social media posts, Chinese news channels have remained mute on tales regarding medical care shortages or medical system failures throughout the lockdown. A Shanghai East Hospital nurse died of an asthma attack three weeks ago after being refused treatment at her own hospital. Thousands of outraged comments flooded the internet in response to the report. Caixin, one of the few Chinese news sites to cover the event, had its piece removed after it was published. A story alleging terrible working conditions for substitute orderlies at Shanghai's Donghai Elderly Care Hospital was also published by Sixth Tone but then subsequently removed. Because detailed documentation is scarce, comparable occurrences are frequently shared online via pictures and videos, the veracity of which is impossible to verify. Another now-deleted WeChat blog post claimed that a doctor in Heilongjiang Province committed suicide after being penalized for doing surgery on a patient who was COVID-19 positive without his knowledge. A recent WeChat article by the Signal News, which was shortly suppressed, appears to give additional information on Dr Shi Jun's situation. The author claims that the patient in question used her nucleic acid test results, which were negative at the time; that Dr Shi was a well-respected surgeon who was vital to his hospital's neurosurgery department; and that news of his suicide has been heavily censored on the Chinese social media and the internet. Given the stress of the lengthy lockdown and acute shortages of food, drugs, and medical services, it's unsurprising that emotions are running high. Two additional stories about Shanghai lockdowns have stirred outrage, each for different reasons. The first is a social media post from Shanghai's Sixth People's Hospital about a male expatriate who underwent a successful operation at the hospital after suffering from an erection that lasted more than fifty hours. Angry internet users wondered why a privileged foreigner would be given such preferential care considering the limited medical resources available. The controversy over the medically legitimate operation took place on March 2nd before the worst of the Omicron crisis hit the country. The hospital's message after the surgery also appears to be part of a typical social media promotion of the work of its different medical divisions, of which the urology unit is just one. The second example is about the massive public outcry over images and video of a pet corgi being beaten to death by a white-suited pandemic worker on a Shanghai street after its owner was brought into quarantine. There were two pieces written, which are available on the subject. In the first, "A Corgi Was Killed on the Streets of Shanghai," the author recalls his childhood in the country, where he describes the loving companionship of pet dogs and compares it with the merciless treatment of China's urban pets during pandemic lockdowns nowadays. An apt quotation from Lu Xun appears in the essay"When the brave are angry, they turn their swords on the stronger; when the cowardly are angry, they turn their swords on the weaker." The second piece, "The Casual Murdering of a Corgi," argues that killing pets during a pandemic is cruel, useless, and perhaps unlawful. The author also compares the treatment of cats and dogs in Shanghai with the care of animals in war-torn Ukraine, praising the compassion with which Ukrainian people, refugees, and the military treat their pets. The essay concludes with "In 2022, we cannot rely on laws, policies, or the kindness of others to protect our pets. We can only rely on ourselves." (ANI)
The body of an Afghan officer showing signs of torture was handed over to his family by the Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan Hospital in Kabul on Sunday, reported local media citing the officer's relatives. Qassim Qayim, an officer of the Ministry of Interior who served both under the former government and the current Taliban regime, had been detained for four days, following which, his corpse was received by his family on Sunday with signs of torture evident on his body, reported ToloNews citing Qayim's relatives. After the fall of the former Afghan government, Qayim worked for at least seven months with the Ministry of Interior under the current Taliban regime. "My brother was a man of the pen. He had a master's degree and never used a gun. He trusted the general amnesty and came to this government. But unfortunately (they) martyred him. He left four children behind--all of them underage," the media outlet quoted Mujahid Qayim, the slain officer's brother, as saying. "They had beaten him up. They hanged him--they didn't shoot him with a bullet. They killed him in a manner that is not allowed under any circumstances," said Mohammad Asif, an uncle of the Afghan officer. However, the Ministry of Interior has said that it will probe the. case "The murder case of officer Qassim Qayim is under serious investigation by the Ministry of Interior. The results will be shared with the media after the completion of the investigation," the media outlet quoted Abdul Nafay Takor, a spokesman for the ministry, as saying. Notably, according to a report by The New York Times, dozens of former military and government officials in Afghanistan have either been killed or have disappeared since the collapse of the former government in mid-August last year. However, the Taliban has denied the report. (ANI)
A single bench of Judge Hari Prasad Phuyal issued a short-term interim order restraining the government from immediately implementing the decision to suspend the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, the Central Bank of the Himalayan Nation.

Issuing the interim order, the court also has summoned both the parties to the court for discussion. On Monday, the sacked Governor moved the court with a writ petition seeking annulment of the Cabinet decision.

The government suspended Adhikari and handed over the role of acting governor to Deputy Governor Neelam Dhungana.

Governor Adhikari was automatically suspended after the government formed a three-member inquiry committee to probe various allegations including leakage of confidential reports and non-cooperation.

The government had formed the three-member committee under the coordination of former judge Purushottam Bhandari and comprising Chandrakant Poudel and Surya Bahadur Thapa.

The committee had also started its investigation of the allegations made against Governor Adhikari on April 17. The probe committee was formed on April 8, the very date the Governor was suspended.

Governor Adhikari on April 18 had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the decision of the Council of Ministers. Stating that the government dismissed him from the job without informing and without explanation, suspended Governor Adhikari has demanded the revocation of the decision.

Adhikari was appointed Governor of the Central Bank by the erstwhile KP Oli government in April of 2020, prior to which he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board Nepal. (ANI)
The protesters were agitating in Rambukkana against the decision of increasing the fuel prices again, Daily Mirror reported.

According to the publication, in the videos, the protestors were seen carrying the wounded people and rushing them to the hospital.

A protestor, in a video, also blamed the police for this incident. They have surrounded the Rambukkana Police Station and are hurling stones at the building, as reported by Daily mirror.

Earlier, Sri Lankan police had shot tear gas at the protesters to disperse them after the 15-hour protest against the fuel price hike, the report added.

On Monday, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPP) decided to increase fuel prices. A litre of petrol 92 octane has been increased by Rs 84 while a litre of petrol 95 octane by Rs 90, a litre of Auto Diesel by Rs 113 and a litre of super diesel has been increased by Rs 75. (ANI)
This meet came a week after Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan by ousting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

During the meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and Gen Bajwa, professional matters, including national security issues, were discussed.

"Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today. Professional matters pertaining to National security were discussed during the meeting," Pakistan's prime minister's office said in a statement.

Notably, this meeting came a few days after Pakistan's military media wing announced that Pakistan's COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa is not seeking an extension of his term.

Addressing a press conference last week, 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. (ANI)
This comes as diesel stocks were depleting fast as only 18-day supply remains in Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported citing sources.

Experts had urged Shehbaz to increase oil prices to avoid the swelling price differential claims that accumulated to around PKR 60 billion in only one month of April this year, the Tribune report added.

The newly elected prime minister was also informed that there would be no protests if the oil prices were increased. However, protests would start if diesel was not available in the market due to the poor financial health of the oil industry.

The Pakistani publication said Shehbaz had refused to increase the oil prices despite the grave situation of the oil industry.

The Pakistan State Oil (PSO), earlier, had made an attempt to import diesel by floating a tender but no trader participated. It had arranged one diesel cargo at the highest premium rate of USD 13 due to non-availability of diesel in the global market

Against this backdrop, the Pakistan government has directed the oil refineries to boost local production to tackle the looming diesel shortage crisis.

However, the refineries in the country were also facing a financial crisis due to the pending price differential claims following the freezing of oil prices. (ANI)
While the failure of Western nations to support Ukraine has raised concerns regarding a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, it is not easy for Beijing to invade the island nation, which has already started taking measures to build up its military power to counter China, said a media report. Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan has started to prepare itself for a war with China and has warned "authoritarian" Beijing of a fierce fight if a military attack occurs. Further, with Taiwan's natural advantages and China's ambitions of gaining the ambitious status of the largest global economic power, invading Taiwan might not be as easy as the Ukraine invasion. While Taiwan's military power is no match to China, it has already started to prepare its citizens for a possible invasion by issuing a war survival handbook. Further, Taiwanese citizens are also learning basic army training to avoid relying on others in the backdrop of the strategic ambiguity maintained by the US and the lack of international response to Ukraine's frantic calls for help, reported The Singapore Post. Preparing itself on the non-military front, Taiwan is taking a slew of measures such as cyber protection and digital spying as it has proposed a tougher law to protect its semiconductor industry from Chinese espionage. The move is important as earlier, a group of Chinese hackers supported by the Beijing government had wedged a month-long attack against the financial institutions in Taiwan. Further, the mountainous terrain makes Taiwan's defence strong as there are 258 peaks over 3,000 metres in elevation. If China risks moving thousands of tanks, artillery guns, armoured vehicles and rocket launchers along with infantry in the difficult terrain, Taiwan is sure that there will not be a smooth landing as in Ukraine's case. "The nation's military has the advantage of the Taiwan Strait being a natural moat and can use joint intercept operations, cutting off the Communist military's supplies, severely reducing the combat effectiveness and endurance of the landing forces," the media outlet quoted a report of Taiwanese Defence Ministry. Moreover, China will also face resistance from Taiwanese people who abhor being identified as Chinese. While Beijing is using new tactics to cajole Taiwanese youth into identifying more with China, Taiwanese people called the Chinese government "authoritarian" and have vowed to fight for their country's sovereignty as well as its democratic way of life. Notably, the US will also be a hindrance in China's plans of invading Taiwan as it would meanthe end of its military might, which is already shaken after the Afghanistan fiasco. Further, China would also not like to risk aggravating political tension in the region and pitting major military powers against itself. (ANI)
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will help harness the power of science to strengthen evidence-based traditional medicine. "The centre that we are launching will help harness the power of science to strengthen evidence-based traditional medicine. I am grateful to PM Modi and the government of India for their leadership in supporting this important initiative," he said. PM Modi had announced USD 250 million investment to establish the centre with an interim office and a 10-year commitment for operating costs. "From the day I spoke to PM Modi, his commitment was amazing and I knew that this centre will be in good hands," said the WHO chief. "I have a special connection with India. I was taught by teachers from India in my high school years and later in university when I was studying biology," Tedros said referring to the special connection he has with India. Tedros, who began his speech with a greeting to the audience in Gujarati amid loud cheers, further said that he was introduced to Indian traditional medicine by his Indian teachers. "I am grateful to Prime Minister Modi and the government of India for their leadership in supporting this important initiative, and the investment of USD 250 million, to establish the centre with an interim office, new location and building, and a ten-year commitment for operating cost," Tadros said while speaking in Gujarat's Jamnagar on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM). Tedros also used the occasion to reveal that he grew up watching Bollywood movies "By the way, I also grew up watching Bollywood films and I understand that the Swiss alps are a favourite destination for Bollywood films," Tedros said in a lighter vein. "The new centre will complement WHO's work on traditional medicine in headquarters, regional and country offices. It will focus on evidence, data, sustainability, and innovation to support national policies and optimise the use of traditional medicine for health and well-being throughout the world," he added. PM Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar. PM Modi laid the foundation stone in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and WHO chief Tedros. Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It is expected to emerge as an international hub of global wellness. (ANI)
Washington [US], April 19 (ANI/Sputnik): The Pentagon and US defence giant Lockheed Martin are discussing increasing the production of weapons destined for Ukraine as Russia continues its special military operation, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. The world's largest defence contractor must boost its output in order to meet the growing number of requests from foreign governments for additional production, the report said. Earlier in the day, Lockheed Martin reported high quarterly profits but at the same time left its year sales guidance unchanged at USD 66 billion. Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave believes additional production for Ukraine will not have an immediate impact on the company's financial results, according to the report. Lockheed Martin is a producer of F-35 combat aircraft, Black Hawk helicopters, and an array of munitions and missile defence systems, which Germany and others now plan to buy, though the company's executives said new contracts would take years to fulfil, the report said. Last week, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks led another round of discussions with the heads of major US defence contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon, about their potential support for Ukraine during Russia's special operation in the country. The discussion was focused primarily on the acceleration and expansion of weapons production for Ukraine. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced an additional USD 800 million in military aid to Ukraine, which includes 18 155mm Howitzers, 40,00 shells, 300 Switchblade drones, 500 Javelin anti-armour missiles, 200 M113 armoured personnel carriers and 16 Mi-17 helicopters, among other equipment. On February 24, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine after recognizing the Ukrainian breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics. Russia maintains that the aim of the special operation is to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine and that it is targeting the country's military infrastructure only. (ANI/Sputnik)
The geostrategic compulsions created by the Ukraine and Afghanistan crises compelled Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit South Asian countries to find common ground and project a unified front with headwinds expected from the West, a report said. Last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nepal within a span of six days from March 22-27. During his visit to Pakistan, Wang Yi expounded 'four suggestions' for the development of Sino-Pakistan relations which revolved around benefits only for China and which clearly reflect Chinese priorities for Pakistan, an Inside Over report said. The emphasis was on Pakistan's support of Chinese policies at multilateral forums, revitalization of CPEC, strengthening anti-terrorism cooperation in the context of security concerns of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and close multilateral cooperation perhaps in the context of cooperation on Afghanistan, the report said. Another key feature of the visit was China's first-time participation at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) as a guest invitee, the report said, adding that, China perceives OIC as an important platform for its outreach to the Muslim world, to mediate for Ukraine crisis in favour of Russia, and to garner support on Afghanistan. Wang Yi's surprise visit to Afghanistan was intended to signal that the Afghan issue remains important in the current international peace and security agenda for China, the report said. During March 30-31, at the 3rd Foreign Ministers' meeting of Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, China exhibited a high level of financial commitment to the Taliban regime, especially in the mining sector, the report further said. The report further said that the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to India could be seen primarily in the context of the projection of a China-India alignment on the Ukrainian crisis. China issued three separate readouts of Wang Yi's meetings with Indian leaders, with a common emphasis on delinking the border issue from the overall development of bilateral relations, contrary to the Indian stand of border issues being the centrepiece of bilateral relations, the report noted. Wang Yi's last trip, which was to Nepal, gave rise to speculation that the implementation of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects would find a major push during the visit. However, though BRI featured in all the official Chinese handouts of Wang Yi's meetings, none of the nine agreements signed was related to the BRI, the report said. Beijing appears to be feeling the pressure, with the US drawing parallels between Ukraine and Taiwan, and Europe asking Beijing to mediate with Russia to stop the war, the report said, adding, China obviously does not want to be clubbed or isolated from Russia in the current scenario and is looking to garner support. The larger aim of China's regional initiatives, however, remains a concern, the report concluded. (ANI)
"I am deeply saddened by the horrible news coming out of Rambukkana. I condemn any violence - whether against protesters or police - and call for restraint and calm from all sides. A full, transparent investigation is essential and the people's right to peaceful protest must be upheld," Ambassador Chung tweeted.

One person died and over 10 people were injured by the gunshot after the protesters and police clashed in Rambukkana town of Sri Lanka on Tuesday afternoon.

The protesters were agitating in Rambukkana against the decision of increasing the fuel prices again, Daily Mirror reported.

According to the publication, in the videos, the protestors were seen carrying the wounded people and rushing them to the hospital.

A protestor, in a video, also blamed the police for this incident. They have surrounded the Rambukkana Police Station and are hurling stones at the building, as reported by Daily mirror.

Earlier, Sri Lankan police had shot tear gas at the protesters to disperse them after the 15-hour protest against the fuel price hike, the report added.

On Monday, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPP) decided to increase fuel prices. A litre of petrol 92 octane has been increased by Rs 84 while a litre of petrol 95 octane by Rs 90, a litre of Auto Diesel by Rs 113 and a litre of super diesel has been increased by Rs 75. (ANI)
On Monday, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced the decision to ban the country's anti-satellite weapon tests as "destructive."

"We hope that the American side will truly assume the obligations of a major power, revise a number of its own negative actions in outer space, stop the hypocritical practice of expanding its military superiority under the pretext of arms control, and stop blocking the process of coordinating legal documents on arms control in space," Wang said.

He added that the US is the first country in the world to test anti-satellite weapons, and has conducted the largest number of such tests.

The diplomat stressed that China has always advocated the peaceful use of outer space, noting that China and Russia in 2008 jointly submitted a draft treaty to the Conference on Disarmament which explicitly prohibits the deployment of weapons in space.

The Biden administration's decision to impose a ban is reportedly in part due to Russia's successful anti-satellite weapon system test in November 2021, when Moscow destroyed its old spacecraft Celina-D.

Moscow said the test was not directed at anyone and was carried out in accordance with international law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. It also said because of the satellite's location, the debris poses no threat to other spacecraft, including the International Space Station. (ANI/Sputnik)
Colombo [Sri Lanka], April 19 (ANI/Sputnik): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and India will support Sri Lanka in the economic crisis that has gripped the country, Sri Lankan Finance Ministry said on Tuesday. On Monday, Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ali Sabry met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Washington. "The IMF has commended on the steps already taken by the Finance Minister to mitigate the financial situation in Sri Lanka. IMF has assured their fullest support to Sri Lanka and a positive response has also been received to expedite the process to strengthen the support extended towards Sri Lanka," the ministry said in a statement. Sabry has requested a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) from the IMF, with the organization promising to consider the request even though it does not meet the standard circumstances for issuing an RFI, according to the ministry. India has also appealed to the IMF on behalf of Sri Lanka, according to the statement. Sitharaman further affirmed to Sabry that India will support the Sri Lankan request to speed up an Extended Fund Facility from IMF. "Sitharaman has assured Minister Ali Sabry on India's fullest support to Sri Lanka to move forward and has emphasized on India's commitment to strengthen the development of the economy in Sri Lanka and building stronger bonds between the two Nations as they move forward together," the statement noted. Sri Lanka is now facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. It left the country unable to buy enough fuel, with people facing an acute scarcity of food and basic necessities, heating fuel, and gas. (ANI/Sputnik)
Last month, Hindu girl Pooja Kumari was killed by a man at her home in Pakistan's Sindh province. Pooja Kumari was shot in Sukkur after she put up resistance to the attackers. Condemning this incident, Pakistan Today said this is not the first time such an incident has happened as there have been several and repeated incidents of killings, abductions and forced conversions of Hindu women in Pakistan, especially in Sindh. Although the killer was arrested, the Pakistan newspaper asked the question raised by critics that when this would end and what the authorities have done to stop it? Pakistan political analysts say that the PPP or other parties will not go against the hardline religious figures and personalities over the fear of losing votes. "PPP has failed to protect minorities. The provincial administration should be pressurised into providing security to non-Muslim communities," said Dr. Jaipal Chhabria, a member of the National Commission of Minorities. Hindu Member of National Assembly (MNA) of Lal Malhi, said, "PPP's Sindh government even do not allow the poor Hindus to protest, as police stop protesting mourners carrying dead body of Pooja." Pakistan analysts say there is mass indifference among the people of Pakistan because religion is involved. According to the expert, many in the country actually wholeheartedly support these conversions. "The time is ripe for the government of Sindh concerned to contemplate a long-lasting solution of this burning issue to safeguard the rights of minority girls and women," maintains analyst Shaikh Abdul Rasheed. "This will help them enjoy a carefree life beyond forced conversions and marriages with people of other religions. All of this is encouraged and supported by religious fanatics." (ANI)
An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam on a three-day visit here on Tuesday and held bilateral meetings with several high-level leaders of the country. Birla held bilateral meetings with President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue. In his meeting with the President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Birla noted that the bilateral relationship between the two countries had transformed into a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in 2016 and a joint vision for peace and prosperity was adopted by Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in 2021, an official statement said. Birla mentioned that the comprehensive strategic partnership includes political ties, trade and investment treaties, energy cooperation, development partnership, and defence and security cooperation. Birla also noted that India and Vietnam have a long tradition of mutual cooperation in challenging global circumstances. He expressed happiness that the two nations have helped each other in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic. Birla further said that economic relations between India and Vietnam have gained momentum over the years. He added that despite the disruption caused by the COVID pandemic, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at over USD 13 billion last year. Birla also mentioned that the defence partnership between the two countries, which has grown significantly based on common interests, has expanded into new areas including defence industrial and technical cooperation. He hoped that the strong bilateral defence cooperation between India and Vietnam will contribute to international peace, regional security and prosperity. Later in the day, Birla called on Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh and held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral matters. Speaking about economic and trade cooperation, Birla said that Indian investors have a keen interest in Vietnam and urged the Prime Minister to create favourable conditions for them in order to encourage more investment. Birla noted that India and Vietnam have cooperated with each other in taking up global issues as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC). He added that the two countries have been working closely with ASEAN towards a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. He further remarked that peace and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region have increased through the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Earlier in the day, Birla was welcomed in a traditional ceremony at the Nation Assembly of Vietnam where he held a bilateral meeting with Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the Nation Assembly. Emphasizing regular bilateral parliamentary exchanges, Birla observed that regular visits between countries provide opportunities to share views and strengthen legislative cooperation. He announced that for this purpose, the India-Vietnam Friendship Group is being formed to provide a new dimension to the mutual relations between the Parliaments of the two countries through regular mutual exchange. During the three-day visit to Vietnam, Birla will also lay a wreath at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and will meet the Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City, Ngyuen Van Nen. He will also attend a community-cum business event in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. The delegation accompanying the Lok Sabha speaker consists of MPs CP Joshi, Riti Pathak, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Rajani Patil, Harnath Singh Yadav, Mitesh Rameshbhai Patel, and Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh. (ANI)
The virtual conference was attended by panellists and participants from India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The conference was one of the engagement activities identified in the Colombo Security Conclave's 'Roadmap for Cooperation and Activities' for 2022-23 agreed by member countries at the 5th National Security Advisor (NSA) level meeting held in the Maldives on March 9-10.

Participants discussed the various challenges related to terrorism in their respective countries and shared experiences in the prosecution of terrorism cases, strategies to deal with foreign fighters and countering the misuse of the internet and social media.

Panellists emphasised the need for closer cooperation and coordination among member and observer countries of the Colombo Security Conclave for effective investigation and prosecution of terrorism and radicalisation related cases.

Participants also agreed to identify specific areas to take forward the cooperation on countering terrorism and radicalisation under the Colombo Security Conclave.

During the fifth NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave in March, the NSAs discussed the significance of close cooperation between member and observer countries in maritime safety and security and countering terrorism and radicalisation.

As maritime nations as well as close maritime neighbours, NSAs agreed that they play the role of the first responders for the region. (ANI)
In an embarrassement to newly-formed coalition government under Shehbaz Sharif government in Pakistan, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) boycotted the National Assembly proceedings on Monday over the killings of civilians by security forces in their province. "On April 16, a heart-wrenching incident happened at Chagai when the security forces opened fire on unarmed and oppressed Baloch people in which six persons were martyred and many others injured. As usual, the past attitude has not been abandoned. Today (Monday) again, the peaceful innocent Baloch protesters were fired upon resulting in more killings," leader of BNP-M Agha Hasan Baloch said in the House, reported Dawn. Pakistani forces allegedly had forced several drivers from the ethnic minority areas of Balochistan to abandon their vehicles and march through the desert to their homes in the Chagai district near the border with Afghanistan, local media reported. The BNP-M member regretted that the Baloch people had been the victim of extrajudicial killings since 1947 and this was happening even today. "Why have the security forces been given too many powers? We condemn it and stage a walkout. How can we stay in the government in these conditions?" Baloch said before leaving the house with other party members. In the absence of PM Sharif from the house, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif responded to the protesting BNP-M lawmakers, stating that the Balochistan issue had been there since the 1960s. He admitted that excesses had been committed with the people of Balochistan and agreements with them were violated. The PML-N leader said "terrorism" was still there in Balochistan where army officers and personnel were being attacked and martyred. He said all the institutions needed to work together to resolve the issue, Dawn reported. The protest by the BNP-M legislators, which is an ally of the current government has further revealed the cracks in the PML-N coalition which ousted the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government earlier this month. (ANI)
New York [US], April 19 (ANI/Xinhua): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for a four-day humanitarian pause in fighting in Ukraine to allow for the opening of humanitarian aid corridors during the Orthodox Christian Holy Week. "Today, I am calling for a four-day Holy Week humanitarian pause beginning on Holy Thursday and running through Easter Sunday, April 24th to allow for the opening of a series of humanitarian corridors," Guterres told reporters standing in front of the "Knotted Gun," or "Non Violence," an iconic sculpture of a large gun, the barrel of which is tied in a knot. The sculpture is the first thing that many visitors to UN headquarters in New York see as they enter the compound and symbolizes the world body's commitment to world peace. Due to the intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine as Easter approaches, the UN chief said a humanitarian pause is all the more important. During the proposed pause, Guterres stated, civilians would be evacuated from "current or expected areas of confrontation" and humanitarian aid would be delivered to desperately in needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Lugansk and Kherson. The top UN official said that more than 4 million people in those areas need assistance."The four-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine," Guterres said. A day earlier, UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths suggested that the time might be right for a ceasefire as the Orthodox Easter holiday approaches. (ANI/Xinhua)
Sri Lanka police imposed a curfew in the Rambukkana Police Division until further notice following unrest in the country with the clash between protesters and police in the city. "Police curfew has been imposed in the Rambukkana Police Division until further notice," Police Spokesman said. Earlier, One person died and 24 people were injured by the gunshot after the protesters and police clashed in Rambukkana town of Sri Lanka on Tuesday afternoon. The protesters were agitating in Rambukkana against the decision of increasing the fuel prices again, Daily Mirror reported. According to the publication, in the videos, the protestors were seen carrying the wounded people and rushing them to the hospital. A protestor, in a video, also blamed the police for this incident. They have surrounded the Rambukkana Police Station and are hurling stones at the building, as reported by Daily mirror. Earlier, Sri Lankan police had shot tear gas at the protesters to disperse them after the 15-hour protest against the fuel price hike, the report added. On Monday, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPP) decided to increase fuel prices. A litre of petrol 92 octane has been increased by Rs 84 while a litre of petrol 95 octane by Rs 90, a litre of Auto Diesel by Rs 113 and a litre of super diesel has been increased by Rs 75. Meanwhile, the US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung called for restraint and calm after reports of violence emerged from the town. "I am deeply saddened by the horrible news coming out of Rambukkana. I condemn any violence - whether against protesters or police - and call for restraint and calm from all sides. A full, transparent investigation is essential and the people's right to peaceful protest must be upheld," Ambassador Chung tweeted. (ANI)
Amid growing concerns over the economic growth risks in China due to the COVID-19 lockdown, American electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla Inc resumed production at its Shanghai plant on Tuesday, as per Chinese media. About 8,000 employees have returned to work in the US carmaker Tesla's factory so far, Xinhua News Agency reported citing the company. Affected by the latest COVID-19 resurgence in Shanghai, the Shanghai Gigafactory had suspended production for over 20 days. "We have full confidence in China's economy," said Tao Lin, vice president of Tesla, as per Xinhua News Agency, adding that "from the process of the current production resumption, we have seen China's ability to cope with challenges and we believe that normality will soon return." Tao said that several government departments have worked almost round the clock to help enterprises resume work and production as quickly as possible. The factory will need three to four days to boost its production gradually to full capacity, according to Song Gang, the factory's manufacturing and operation director, Xinhua reported. According to the news agency, Tesla said it is promoting the resumption of production at more than 100 parts manufacturers with the help of relevant government departments. Some provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Delta region have also been very supportive of Tesla's production resumption. Taizhou city in the neighboring Jiangsu Province has assisted local Tesla supply chain enterprises in their production resumption. All factory employees will have to take an antigen test and a nucleic acid test each day. The company said that its production and office areas are subject to strict disinfection procedures and epidemic prevention measures are being carried out to ensure safe production. Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory is the first wholly foreign-owned car manufacturing enterprise in China. Deliveries from the Shanghai Gigafactory stood at 484,130 vehicles last year, an increase of 235 percent from 2020 and accounting for 51.7 percent of Tesla's global production capacity in 2021, according to Xinhua. On Tuesday, meanwhile, China reported 3,297 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. While lockdowns in cities are triggering cascading effects with Beijing staring at a national crisis. (ANI)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday in Washington DC and discussed enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries. "Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) met Godangwana Enoch, South Africa Finance Minister @TreasuryRSA on the sidelines of IMF-WB (International Monetary Fund-World Bank)Spring Meetings, at Washington D.C., today, to exchange views on issues of #Mutualinterests," Ministry of Finance said in a tweet. "Both Ministers discussed enhancing #Bilateral ties and #EconomicPartnership and exploring opportunities to increase bilateral #investment and #trade," he added. In the series of tweets, Finance Ministry further informed that the Union Finance Minister acknowledged South Africa's revenue collections for the fiscal year 2021-2022. "Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) also acknowledged South Africa's strong revenue collections in FY 2021-22 which helped boost the country's economy," the Ministry of Finance tweeted. The Union Minister reached Washington today morning on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG). During the first day of the visit, Finance Minister participated in a high-level panel discussion on "Money at a Crossroad" hosted by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF. "We are at the crossroads around how fast, how far, and in what proportion, but I see this as a one-way street in which Digital Money is going to play a bigger role," the IMF chief said in her opening remarks. Sitharaman highlighted India's performance in the digital world and the government's efforts to build the digital infrastructure framework over the last decade, stressing the increase of the digital adoption rate in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMF Managing Director lauded India's well-targeted policy mix that has helped the Indian economy remain resilient.Georgieva highlighted the resilience of India which remains the fastest-growing country across the globe despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sitharaman called upon the IMF to support and urgently provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka. The Managing Director assured the Finance Minister that the IMF would continue to actively engage with Sri Lanka, the Ministry stated. During the meeting, they discussed several issues currently being faced by the global and the regional economies. Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27. (ANI)
The recent attacks by Pakistani forces on areas along the Pak-Afghan border indicate Islamabad's deep hatred for the tribal communities including Pashtuns, according to media reports. More than 40 people died when rockets were fired from Pakistan Air Force (PAF) helicopters in Kunar, Khost, Paktika and other bordering provinces last week on April 16, while the neighboring country acknowledged only six deaths, and that too, after local witnesses in Kunar province made claims of PAF helicopters firing rockets, Islam Khabar reported on Tuesday. The tribals, especially Pashtuns living in hilly areas on both sides of the border have been the constant target of the Pakistan army. However, what Islamabad refuses to acknowledge is the agony of the tribal people caught in hostilities between the two countries because of the dispute over the Durand line. Notably, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan does not recognise the British-era Durand Line as the boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Violations along the Durand Line continue to remain a bone of contention between the two countries. The Durand Line divides the traditional Pashtun areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to Islam Khabar, the Pak Army's plans for early completion of fencing work received a setback in December 2021 with the Taliban not only stopping its construction in Nangarhar province but also dismantling it. The illusion of the incident being a 'local event' was dispelled in January 2022 when Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that the fencing by Pakistan was tantamount to "dividing a nation" and was "illegal" in the eyes of the Taliban. The identification of Durand Line as a 'national issue' by the Taliban implies that Islamabad's attempts to fence it would be resisted in future as well. In February 2022, nine incidents of cross border firing/artillery shelling were reported in Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kandahar and Khost provinces. Clashes broke out in February in Kandahar's Spin Boldak district, in which, six Afghans were killed and around 20 injured. Similarly in March 2022, four incidents of firing/artillery shelling were reported in Kunar, Helmand and Nuristan provinces. The Pak Army officials also issued a warning to the Afghan residents in Jaji Maidan District in Khost and Palosi area of Lalpur district in Nangarhar to leave the area to facilitate border fencing or face serious consequences. The frequent attacks made Taliban Foreign Ministry issue a demarche to Islamabad, highlighting incidents of cross-border shelling. By supporting the Taliban and helping it seize control of Afghanistan, Pakistan had hoped to establish strategic depth in the country while persuading the Taliban Government into legitimizing the Durand Line. However, when things did not pan out as per its expectations, Pakistan resorted to employing extreme measures such as imposing a blockade at the Chaman post in early October 2021 in addition to existing disruptions at the Torkham Post. These two were major crossings for men and goods and also a major source of revenue for the Taliban government. Pakistan's military and economic actions have only made clear its obsession to establish control over Taliban and make them subservient to Islamabad. (ANI)
The latest sentencing of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed by Pakistan is nothing but an effort to show its good intentions to Financial Action Task Force (FATF), at a time when the country is going under several financial crises, according to a media report. On April 8, Muhammad Hafiz Saeed, who was already in jail since July 17, 2019, for other charges, was sentenced by a special anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Pakistan, to a jail term of 33 years for "financing terrorism." Though Pakistan would like the world to believe that it is taking action against the likes of Hafiz Saeed and the LeT, the organization itself continues to organise events to raise funds and recruit fighters, according to The Singapore Post. Saeed's conviction comes at a time when Pakistan is trying to avoid blacklisting by the global watchdog FATF, which judges a country's ability to combat illicit financing, including to armed groups. Since 2018, Pakistan has remained on the "grey list". FATF,'s Plenary in early March this year continued to keep Pakistan on the grey list. However, it is unclear, if Saeed will remain in jail for long. Past experience suggests that the more likely scenario will see Saeed walk free after an appeal is filed by his lawyers. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist of religions, writing in Bitter Winter, a magazine of religious liberty and human rights said though Saeed was sentenced to 33 years in jail, terrorism continues. The Pakistan court established that Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization, was financed by Saeed and his political group Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD). The further question, however, is who finances Saeed and Jamat-ud-Dawa. This is a subject the court did not want to explore, said Introvigne. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder and Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed was sent to prison in two terror financing cases that were registered by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in 2019, according to Islam Khabar. Saeed's sentencing is part of Pakistan's 'preparations' to meet stringent anti-terror measures that it is being asked to fulfil since 2018 to escape action by the FATF. It is a seasonal charade to avoid or postpone economic sanctions in case the FATF is not satisfied with the country's measures taken against terror funding and money laundering. (ANI)
China and the Solomon Islands have signed a framework agreement on security cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday. "As approved by the governments of China and Solomon Islands, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, on behalf of the governments of China and Solomon Islands respectively, officially signed the inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation between the two countries the other day," Wang told a briefing, Xinhua News Agency reported. The agreement seeks to enhance "social stability and long-term tranquility in the Solomon Islands," he said, stressing that China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is not targeted at any third country, serving the common interests of the South Pacific region. "The two sides will conduct cooperation in such areas as maintenance of social order, protection of the safety of people's lives and property, humanitarian assistance and natural disaster response, in an effort to help Solomon Islands strengthen capacity building in safeguarding its own security," Wang added, as per Xinhua. On Monday, the Unites States raised concerns over a draft China-Solomon Islands security accord, with US State Department spokesman Ned Price pointing to "the broad nature of the security agreement," which may enable China to deploy its military forces in the country. The agreement, he said, could stir up instability in the Solomon Islands and "set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region." The US State Department also announced that later this week two high-rank US officials, Kurt Campbell and Daniel Kritenbrink, will travel to the Solomon Islands to transmit Washington's concerns over China's rising activity in the region and similar concerns expressed by US allies in the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, the new agency added. (ANI)
For Prince fans around the world, the recent discovery of the singer speaking out at age 11 on behalf of striking Minneapolis public schoolteachers is an exciting piece of Prince pop cultural iconography. Like his vault of unreleased music, its a find that enriches the publics understanding of who he was and the forces that helped shape his life.

As the author of a forthcoming book on the Minneapolis music scene  and the public school system in that city that helped to create it  I find the video especially thrilling.

This footage not only provides a glimpse into the early years of Prince Rogers Nelson  or Skipper, as he was called  but also provides a look at Black North Minneapolis in the 1970s, which is often overlooked despite the fact that it had two major uprisings between 1965 and 1967 that brought out the National Guard.

Overshadowed by scholarly focus on the Black culture of places like Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Oakland and Detroit, Black people in Minneapolis  at least in my experience as a researcher  often seem like an afterthought, if they are considered at all.

Seeing young Prince in that footage already sporting the iconic smirk that fans would come to know and love helps situate him in the tapestry of Black people in the Upper Midwest who created life and culture against the backdrop of icy, mostly white cities.

This footage is also striking because it raises an important question: What prompted him to stand in support of his teachers?

Minneapolis made music education mandatory

Indeed, it is remarkable to see any 11-year-old think of someone else besides themselves. Self-centeredness and adolescence often go hand and hand.

While its tempting to draw a line connecting Princes support of striking teachers with the issues he raised in his music, theres not enough evidence from the video  or elsewhere  to justify that. That said, an understanding of the emphasis that Minneapolis public schools placed on music may provide better insight as to why he spoke up.

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Prince went to school in one of the most advanced, and musically supportive, public school systems in U.S. history. Its a system that helped to musically educate not only Prince but also super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, funk master Morris Day and R&B singer Alexander ONeal, as well as indie rock giants Husker Du and the Suicide Commandos.

Created by its chief architect, Thaddeus Paul Giddings, who was hired as superintendent of musical education in 1910, the music education curriculum in Minneapolis public schools was compulsory for the 50,000 students who attended the schools at the time.

All students, K-12, were trained in music notation, voice, instrumentation, posture, breath and sight-reading.

We learn by doing, Giddings said, according to the 1967 book Thaddeus P. Giddings: A Biography. While the commitment to universal music education lost steam as financial support dried up by the time Prince entered the school system in the early 1960s, the school system still stood out for having been the first in the nation that made music education mandatory.

Music was Princes favorite subject in school, which provided him the opportunity to learn and play music every day  beginning in elementary school.

Considering this, its easy to see how a shy kid could muster up the courage to get on camera and support his striking teachers.

Life before secrecy

Finally, this video is significant because its one of the few unguarded pieces of his life that fans and biographers have ever witnessed.

Prince spent his career making himself into an enigma. People could never pin him down or figure out truth from fiction. He accomplished this by using myth to keep us guessing. Prince played up the image of himself as a mixed-race Black person like his character in Purple Rain, the 1984 hit movie that was loosely based on his life as a rising star in Minneapolis. In it, he says that his mother was Italian; in real life, Princes mother, Mattie Shaw, was Black.

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He used nondisclosure agreements to keep secret his friendships, employees and collaborators  and any violation meant you never heard from him again. And in 1993, he changed his name to an unpronounceable Love Symbol, which he used for nearly a decade.

Even after his tragic death, fans never stopped wondering who he was. Thats why this footage of him as a little boy stands out as one of the few unprotected and noncurated peeks behind the curtain of a life cloaked in mystery.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Rashad Shabazz, Arizona State University.

Read more:



Rashad Shabazz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
TAMPA  U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of Tampa made a nationwide splash Monday with a ruling that struck down the federal mask-wearing requirement for travelers.

The judges decision quickly became political fodder, with commentators left and right alternatively dishing criticism and praise.

Social media critics were quick to resurrect the controversy over Mizelles 2020 judicial nomination. She was just 33 when appointed as a judge in the Middle District of Florida, which includes the Tampa Bay area. She had eight years of prior experience as a lawyer  judicial nominees typically have more  raising questions about her qualifications for the lifetime appointment.

Legal observers noted the thoroughness of her 59-page opinion  its sweep and complexity made it as much a subject of interest as the judge herself.

Ive seen headlines about how shes now a heroine of the right, if you will, said Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, who studies judicial selection. That may be true, though she may have been a heroine before that. Judicial reputations are built over lifetimes and shes got a long way to go.

Here are five things to know about Mizelle and her background.

Whats her educational background?

Mizelle, 35, is from Polk County and graduated in 2005 from Lakeland Christian School. She earned a bachelors degree in 2009 from Covenant College, a private liberal arts Christian school in northwest Georgia. Her law degree came in 2012 from the University of Florida. She earned both her bachelors and law degrees summa cum laude.

What was her experience before becoming a judge?

While not particularly well-known in Tampas legal community before her appointment, her resume bears some highlights. She spent a year as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. She also clerked for U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr. of Tampa and William H. Pryor Jr. of the Atlanta-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

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She became a federal prosecutor in 2014, working in Virginia and Washington, D.C. She was counsel to the associate attorney general from 2017 to 2018, then clerked for Gregory G. Katsas of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit before clerking for Thomas. Prior to her nomination to the federal bench, she was an associate attorney at Jones Day, an international law firm, in Washington, D.C.

What is her judicial philosophy?

Mizelle is a member of the Federalist Society, the influential legal organization that is regarded as advancing a conservative or libertarian view of the law. Members champion the philosophy or originalism, the basic idea of which is to interpret the Constitution the way it would have been understood when it was written. They also advocate a philosophy of textualism, which is a theory that the law should be interpreted according to the plain meaning of its text, rather than on things like legislative intent.

In January 2020, Mizelle spoke at a Federalist Society convention in Orlando, where Thomas was in attendance. She called him the greatest living American and expressed admiration for his commitment to originalism.

What was the controversy over her judicial nomination?

After President Trump nominated Mizelle to the federal bench in 2020, a committee of the American Bar Association sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee opining that she was not qualified. They pointed in particular to the eight years she had practiced law. Typically, federal judicial nominees should have at least 12 years experience, they wrote.

Ms. Mizelle has a very keen intellect, a strong work ethic and an impressive resume, wrote Randall D. Noel, chairman of the associations standing committee on the federal judiciary. She presents as a delightful person, and she has many friends who support her nomination. Her integrity and demeanor are not in question. These attributes, however, simply do not compensate for the short time she has actually practiced law and her lack of meaningful trial experience.

The lack of experience became a feature of her Senate confirmation hearing.

Mizelle was confirmed along party lines, with 49 Republicans voting in her favor and 41 Democrats voting against her.

Are there other prominent members of her family?

She is married to Chad Mizelle, a lawyer who served as general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security and in senior positions in the White House during the Trump administration. In January 2021, he joined Jones Day in the firms government regulation practice. Last September, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the 13th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, the panel that selects nominees for judicial appointments in state court in Hillsborough County.
Lawyer Meredith Fierro and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. listen as lawyer Timothy Burke speaks during the ethics case against Early last Wednesday in Boston. Burke is representing former Massachusetts State Police Maj. Susan Anderson.

BOSTON  The state Ethics Commission hearings into the so-called Troopergate scandal of 2017 continue Wednesday of this week.

Here are five things to know about the proceedings ahead of the second week:

What is the case about?

The Ethics Commission hearings are the first public hearings ever held into a 2017 scandal that preceded the departure of several state police leaders regarding the handling of an arrest report of a Worcester County judges daughter.

The ethics commission alleges four public officials  two state police leaders and Worcesters top two prosecutors  tried to ensure explicit statements the daughter allegedly made to a state trooper never became public, despite the trooper having written the statements in a police report that was accepted by the court.

The commission's lawyers allege the trooper was ordered to revise his report in the state police computer system  overriding the original  and that prosecutors then tried to swap the revised report with the original in a court file.

The case is complicated by the fact that the alleged swap never took place because the top Worcester clerk allegedly refused to allow it to happen.

Defendants have not conceded a swap was attempted. Instead, they argue that what ultimately occurred  an on-the-record redaction of the report allowed by a judge  was completely legal and ethical.

Lawyers for the commission have in pretrial hearings said the case may not have been brought had the on-the-record redaction been the first course of action.

They allege, however, that evidence in the case proves what ultimately occurred was not the original plan and that the actions public officials took violated ethics laws because they were only taken on account of the womans status as the daughter of a judge.

Who are the defendants? Of what are they accused?

The defendants are Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., his top prosecutor Jeffrey Travers, former State Police Col. Richard D. McKeon Jr. and former State Police Maj. Susan Anderson.

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Early is accused of encouraging McKeon to order the troopers report revised and sent to Travers who is accused of, on orders from Early, attempting to swap the revised report with the original in an impounded court file. Anderson is accused of ordering the trooper to obey an improper command that McKeon passed along to her on the chain of command.

All four defendants are accused of civil ethics violations related to the alleged conduct. The commission alleges they violated a civil ethics statute that bars officials from acting with an appearance of a conflict of interest, as well as another statute that bars them from using their public positions to give a person a benefit of substantial value that would not be available to others.

The defendants have not conceded a plot to swap the documents existed. They have argued that the on-the-record redactions that occurred comported with their legal and ethical obligations.

In the trials openings, the defendants said they acted to remove extraneous and improperly included statements that were not needed to prosecute a woman who was suffering from addiction.

Their actions, they say, are consistent not only with basic human decency, but with their professional obligations.

The lawyers said the officials had an obligation to ensure the woman did not suffer adverse pretrial publicity and have noted that nothing they did affected the womans criminal prosecution.

3. What does the commission point to as evidence?

Lawyers for the commission allege a mix of testimony, circumstantial evidence and logic support its case.

They have argued it does not make sense that the officials would want to redact a document that, at the time of the alleged swap, had already been impounded (sealed from public view) by a judge.

They point to the fact that the redaction motion was oral, rather than written, as evidence that the on-the-record motion was plan B.

They also allege the former top Central District Court clerk, Brendan Keenan, has told investigators that Travers asked to switch the documents and that he refused.

In court documents earlier this year, commission lawyers presented excerpts of statements from an interview with David P. Despotopulos, the top Central District Court judge, about a conversation the judge reported having with Keenan and Early shortly after the alleged swap attempt.

According to a transcript of Despotopulos statements, Keenan told the judge he had been asked to swap the documents, but said it could not be done. Early, the judge related, asked why they couldnt change the documents out and the judge decided that was not possible.

The conversation was not detailed in Attorney General Maura Healeys initial report on the scandal in which she declined to press criminal charges but referred the case to the Ethics Commission for possible civil ethics violations.

4. What happened last week?

Last week, the commission heard opening statements from both sides and heard testimony from the trooper who wrote the report along with the top district court judge in Massachusetts.

The trooper who wrote the report, Ryan Sceviour testified, among other things, that an original report is supplanted in the electronic system of state police when it is corrected, which is what he was ordered to do (and did).

Sceviour faced a barrage of questions from defense lawyers about his decisions to include the statements at issue in his report. He was accused of improperly including the statements gratuitously after he developed suspicions the woman was receiving special treatment  an accusation he denied.

The top District Court judge, Paul C. Dawley, testified that he spoke to Early and Despotopulos the same day that the alleged swap  and ultimate on-the-record redaction  occurred.

Dawley testified that the only action he recalled discussing with Early and Despotopulos was that of the redactions, which he recalled instructing must be made in court and on-the-record.

Dawley testified that the first time he heard that state police had created a revised report was in news reports.

5. What is expected this week?

The hearing will resume Wednesday, when both Keenan, the clerk and Travers, Earlys top prosecutor, are expected to testify.

Despotopulos is expected to testify later in the week, after which time the defense will put on its case.

Travers is being put on the stand by his own lawyer  not the commission  but the hearing officer agreed to take Travers out of order to accommodate his lawyers request.

Lawyers for the commission have indicated they do not intend to call any of the defendants as witnesses, but that could still change and the defendants could take the stand on their own volition should they choose.

The hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, along with the same days of the week next week, though lawyers have remarked its possible the case will not take that long to wrap up.

After the hearing is closed, the five members of the state ethics commission will deliberate in closed-door meetings that are expected to take some time to complete.

The commission will then issue a written decision on its findings. If found responsible, the defendants can appeal the rulings to Superior Court. They face fines of up to $20,000.

Contact Brad Petrishen at brad.petrishen@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BPetrishenTG

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 5 Things to Know as Troopergate hearings continue this week
Ukrayinska Pravda

ROMAN PETRENKO - MONDAY, 9 MAY, 2022, 10:45 The flying display part of the parade in Moscow has been cancelled allegedly due to the weather. Source: Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by the Kremlin media Details: On the morning of 9 May, before the start of the [annual military Victory Day] parade, it became known that there will be no flying display in Moscow this year.
Bella Hadid before and after her rhinoplasty. (Photo: Taylor Hill / Mike Marsland // Getty Images)

Bella Hadid before and after her rhinoplasty. (Photo: Taylor Hill / Mike Marsland // Getty Images)

When she was 16, Zoe underwent a septorhinoplasty, a surgery that both corrects a deviated septum (septoplasty) and changes the cosmetic appearance of ones nose (rhinoplasty) at once.

The procedure to correct her deviated septum was necessary; the nose job wasnt  though, as a teenager, it certainly felt like a necessity to her.

In middle school, a boy told me I had a big nose, and that unlocked a new insecurity, said Zoe, who, like some others in this story, asked to be identified only by her first name to protect her privacy.

I had a bump on the bridge of my nose and yearned for a tiny, smooth, upturned pixie nose, she said.

So, at the appointment with an otolaryngologist to address her deviated septum, she also floated the idea of tweaking the appearance of her nose.

Without skipping a beat, her doctor agreed with the idea; Zoes nose could use a little work. The plastic surgeon she met up with shortly afterward agreed, too. He even pointed out characteristics of her nose she had never noticed before.

I distinctly remember him using the words bulbous tip, she said.

Zoes parents never pushed her to get cosmetic surgery  there were just concerned about her breathing problems  but with the encouragement of her doctors, the whole family got swept up in the whole thing, she said.

Soon, Zoe was going under the knife in pursuit of a new and improved, itty-bitty nose.

The end product left a lot to be desired: The recovery process alone took two years, and even after that, her nose healed incorrectly and remained a little crooked. Zoes nose was different, but her insecurities stayed the same.

Fifteen years later, Zoe is now 31 years old and thinks body dysmorphia was at play. (According to the American Psychological Association, body dysmorphia is defined as a preoccupation with a slight or imagined defect in ones appearance. One study suggested that between 5-15% of people interested in cosmetic procedures have body dysmorphic disorder.)

Story continues

I look back at pictures of my nose and there was nothing wrong with it, Zoe said. I regret having it done. I was too young to make that decision. My brain and worldview were not developed. If I had waited until I was older, I definitely would have changed my mind.

Although there are plenty of young people who say they dont regret having plastic surgery, Zoe isnt alone in wondering whether she made the right choice by fixing something she might have otherwise learned to embrace with age.

Last month, in an interview with Vogue, model Bella Hadid made headlines for admitting she regrets the nose job she got at age 14.

I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors, Hadid, now 25, told the fashion magazine. I think I would have grown into it. (Hadids mother is the Dutch-born model and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid. Her father, real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, is Palestinian.)

Bella Hadid, pictured at left in 2016 with her mother, Yolanda, her sister, Gigi, and her father, Mohamed, told Vogue: I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)

Bella Hadid, pictured at left in 2016 with her mother, Yolanda, her sister, Gigi, and her father, Mohamed, told Vogue: I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)

Dulce Candy Ruiz, a 34-year-old influencer from Los Angeles, also regrets the rhinoplasty she got when she was younger.

Ruiz struggled with body dysmorphia issues from as young as 8. Still, her nose was never one of her problem areas. No one had ever commented on it, and she though it looked fine, too.

But scrolling on social media, seeing one perfect button nose after another, Ruiz began to second-guess her own face.

The nose job I ended up getting actually made me feel worse because I realized a few years later, once I started to love myself as I am, that I had made a huge mistake, she told HuffPost.

I made the drastic decision to change a feature that is a part of all the men and women [on] my moms side of the family, she said.

On her popular YouTube channel, Ruiz often shares her complicated feelings about plastic surgery, hoping young girls take it as a cautionary tale.

The last thing that I want is a girl to get surgery done because she doesnt love herself, she says in one YouTube video. I did that when it came to my rhinoplasty. I messed up my nose trying to fix something that wasnt broken.

Ruizs surgery was more than a decade ago when Instagram was still relatively new. The impossible beauty standards of Ruizs generation have nothing on Instagram face (ever notice how every influencer has the same exact features as a Kardashian? Yeah, thats Instagram face) and the ideals foisted on Gen Z-ers.

These days, teens are bringing filtered selfies of Instagram models to plastic surgeons in hopes of capturing an even more well-defined look  a phenomenon called Snapchat Dysmorphia. (The filters on Snapchat and Instagram smooth out your skin, slim your nose, and give you a fuller, more exaggerated lip and eyes.)

Everybody basically is using a filter on their own and theyre either taking that next step to bring it to me saying, Hey, this is what I want to look like, Matthew Schulman, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York City, told HuffPost in 2018.

Not everyone is going that far, but in their head, thats what they want to look like, and then theyre coming to me and saying, I want smoother skin, I want my eyes to be opened up, I want my lips to be fuller, he said.

According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 229,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients ages 13 to 19 in 2020. Thats roughly 2% of all cosmetic enhancements that year.

Of those procedures, 141,000 were minimally invasive nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, like laser hair removal and Botox injections.

Anthony Youn, a board-certified plastic surgeon and author of The Age Fix, told HuffPost that teens are getting more specific about what they want done, thanks to the internet.

Weve seen a rise in teens requesting procedures and either calling the office or DMing, and I do believe that social media plays a big part in this, he said.

In more recent years, its not uncommon for a 16-year-old to come in requesting nonsurgical cosmetic procedures  I want a little lateral brow lift, for instance, or I want cheek filler to define my facial structure, or I want a natural-looking amount of Juvederm to plump up my lips.

Of course, not all of the procedures performed on teens are done for purely aesthetic reasons, Youn said. Plastic surgery procedures routinely performed on teens for medical reasons  or because bullying has become relentless  include breast reduction surgeries for teens with back, neck and shoulder pain, some nose jobs, and ear-pinback surgeries.

When teens come into his office, Youn takes a conservative approach to most procedures. Its an obvious concern if a teenage patient is still growing or if its clear they have unrealistic expectations of life after the procedure.

Then there are surgeries that I consider to be unacceptable when performed for purely cosmetic reasons, such as breast augmentation and liposuction, but theyre being performed by plastic surgeons thousands of times every year across the country, he said.

There are no actual guidelines for plastic surgeons performing these procedures, Youn explained. Its truly up to the doctor, the patient, and the patients parent as to whether the surgery is considered reasonable.

When teens feel unilaterally pressured by one or more of their parents to go under the knife, post-surgery disappointment is more common. (Photo: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

When teens feel unilaterally pressured by one or more of their parents to go under the knife, post-surgery disappointment is more common. (Photo: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

Though patients can have regrets, the majority of those who undergo surgery generally report being satisfied with the outcome of their procedures, according to David B. Sarwer, an associate dean for research at the College of Public Health at Temple University and a psychologist whos studied the psychological implications of cosmetic surgery for over 25 years.

That said, some rhinoplasty patients do report that it takes them a period of time to adjust to the new appearance of their face, and some also express some feelings of regret, particularly if they have changed a feature that is commonly seen in other family members, he told HuffPost.

Sarwer is often brought in as a consultant when a surgeon is concerned that the patient may not be psychologically prepared for a given procedure. If a teen has body dysmorphic disorder issues, the psychologist dissuades the patient and surgeon from moving forward.

When teens feel unilaterally pressured by one or more of their parents to go under the knife, post-surgery disappointment is more common.

That was the case for Megan, a woman who was 18 when she got a breast implant on her left side. (Her left breast never developed the way the right one did.)

Megan never felt bothered by the difference in size, but her mother pushed the idea of surgery on her daughter.

My mom would make comments that she wanted to help me get it fixed and that my husband would thank me one day, she said.

But Megans breast didnt heal the way shed hoped it would, and 10 years later, she still regrets the surgery.

I was happy with my body, even my one undeveloped breast. I made jokes about it, my girlfriends knew and would make the occasional joke, but I was happy with it all, she said. I want it fixed now, but Im afraid to go under the knife again.

Rod Rohrich, a plastic surgeon at the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, tries to suss out which teen patients are there on their own accord and which ones are there because of parental or cultural pressure. (In many cultures, including in Jewish and Persian American communities, a nose job in your teen years is practically a rite of passage.)

I meet with the patient with  and then without  the parent to determine if they are the ones that want the procedure, but it is usually quite obvious when a young girl wants a rhinoplasty because theyll be really pushing their parents to the consultation, he said.

"An adolescent contemplating surgery should also be able to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives to the treatment," according to Michelle Yagoda, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City. (Photo: Coolpicture via Getty Images)

Michelle Yagoda, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City, thinks that all procedures should align with the principle of less is more, especially when teens are concerned.

If youre pursuing cosmetic surgery, you should aim to highlight the beauty associated with ones ethnic and racial uniqueness, she said. An adolescent contemplating surgery should also be able to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives to the treatment.

Worried about regretting surgery later on? Theres always the choice to wait.

The women we spoke to for this story have made varying levels of peace with their past cosmetic work. Still, there was one thing they all agreed on: It wouldnt have hurt to wait a few more years to have booked an appointment with a surgeon.

If I could go back in time and give advice to my younger self, I would encourage her to wait until at least her early 30s to consider a nose job, Ruiz, the influencer, said. The lack of maturity, self-acceptance, and not knowing who you are or what you want out of life can lead to making drastic choices that could never be reversed.

Zoe, meanwhile, hopes Gen Z-ers mulling cosmetic work realize that going under the knife is no little thing, even if its portrayed that way by celebrities who, at this point, might as well have punch cards for their various surgeons and med spas.

For instance, earlier this month, Khole Kardashian made light of her nose job when a fan on Twitter whod done the same thing said she personally had the worst recovery ever.

Stop!!! Kardashian replied. Mine was a breeze. Thats crazy. It honestly was so easy for me. My only regret is that I didnt do it sooner.

Kardashians enviable blinked-and-it-was over! experience may be the case for some, but its not true across the board, and young people need to know that in order to make an informed choice, Zoe said. Ethical plastic surgeons help, but so does taking what you see online with a grain of salt.

Ive noticed cosmetic surgery being normalized and encouraged for young people, especially on TikTok, she said. Thirty-second clips can make plastic surgery seem like a casual glow up, but surgery is definitely not a casual decision.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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The grieving owner is planning to sue the airline. MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

On Monday, a federal judge struck down the CDC's mask mandate for planes and transit agencies.

Following the ruling, the US' four largest airlines dropped the mask mandate, making them optional.

It is still unclear whether the Justice Department will challenge the ruling.

Several US airlines and train systems have dropped their mask mandates after a federal judge on Monday struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's face-mask mandate for airplanes and public transit.

The requirement was put implemented by the Biden administration in February 2021 and had been extended multiple times and challenged in court.

Here are the airlines that dropped their mask mandate:

Alaska Airlines

"It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change. I could not be prouder of our frontline employees who have handled every pivot focusing on safety and the care we're known for,"Alaska Airlines vice president of safety and security Max Tidwell said in a statement on Monday. "We're also thankful for our guests who remained considerate, patient, and stood by us throughout every twist and turn."

United Airlines

In a statement, United Airlines announced the same and added that masks were now optional.

"Effective immediately, masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country's mask requirements), or at US airports," the company said in a statement.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines also announced in a statement that "Southwest Employees and Customers will be able to choose whether they would like to wear a mask, and we encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing."

American Airlines

American Airlines also followed suit, adding that "face masks may still be required based on local ordinances," meaning that the US' four largest airlines have all dropped the mandate.

Story continues

JetBlue Airlines

JetBlue also announced it was moving away from the requirement, joining the big four airline companies.

"In line with Monday's federal court ruling and the Transportation Security Administration's guidance, mask-wearing will now be optional on JetBlue," per the company. "While no longer required, customers and crew members are welcome to continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft."

Amtrak

According to CNBC, transit agencies are figuring out whether or not they will enforce CDC guidelines. Amtrak told Insider in a statement that the agency will no longer require masks for passengers and employees boarding and riding on their trains, adding that "Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so."

The mandate overturned

On Monday, Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump-appointed judge, wrote in her ruling that the CDC overstepped its powers with the initial guidance.

"Our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends," she said in the ruling. The Biden Administration later announced that the Transportation Security Administration would stop enforcing the mandate, while it is still unclear if the Justice Department will appeal the decision.

"We're reviewing the decision and going to decline to comment any further," Danielle Blevins, spokeswoman for the agency, told Insider.

The ruling has largely put the onus on individual airlines, customers, and transit agencies to decide on how to enforce guidelines as companies and agencies brace to see whether the government will appeal.

Read the original article on Business Insider
At 16, Alabama Barker is the newest brand ambassador for Pretty Little Thing. And while many are praising the teenager for the partnership, others claim that she's too young.

The daughter of musician Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler recently shared on social media news of her business venture, posting a photo from a photo shoot inspired by Y2K trends.

Alabama Barker receives criticism for her Pretty Little Things partnership. (Photo: Getty Images)

"I'm SO excited to finally announce I am @prettylittlething's newest Brand Ambassador Stay tuned" Alabama captioned her photo. She added in a brand statement: I have been a long-time buyer and love how inclusive the brand is."

Travis's fiancee Kourtney Kardashian showed her support by commenting on Alabama's post with hearts. Others also took to the comment section to congratulate the teen.

"I think they found the perfect girl for their brand," one person wrote. "Well deserved queen," commented another.

And while one person praised Alabama for being the "Youngest to f***ing do it," some critics found their way to the comment section of the brand's post to say that the 16-year-old influencer is too young for the gig.

"Cute looks, just doesnt seem age appropriate," one person wrote in response to a slideshow of photos that people said look inspired by Paris Hilton, Barbie and The House Bunny.

Another commented, "She's soo beautiful, but all that make up on her just makes her look soo much older [than] she is. She looks like she 28."

Others agreed that the short skirts paired with heels and knee-high boots seemed to be too much for a 16-year-old.

The criticism isn't new for Alabama, who has encountered negativity since gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram. In February, the teen addressed hate comments in a TikTok video that's since been deleted. In it, she responded to similar negativity about her age and her looks. "Yes, I am young," she said, while clarifying that she's "not a normal teenager" as a result of her father's celebrity.

Story continues

Former ambassadors for Pretty Little Thing include Kourtney and her sister Kylie Jenner.

Video: Alabama Barker addresses social media hate

Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter.
The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday that his organization has verified nearly 150 attacks against health care facilities in Ukraine and demanded that they end.

.@WHO unequivocally condemns the continued increase in attacks on health care in #Ukraine. They must stop. To date, WHO has verified 147 attacks, including 73 people killed, and 53 injured. War will not be a solution. Once again, I call on Russia to end the war, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted.

Images of a devastated maternity hospital in Mariupol circulated widely after Ukrainian officials accused Russia of bombing the facility in March.

The bombing killed three people and left more than a dozen wounded.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in London claimed that the photos of the attack were fake and asserted dubious claims about the hospital, who was using it and information regarding one of the victims  leading Twitter to remove several posts.

Ukrainian officials have also accused Russia of attacking a cancer hospital in the southern city of Mykolaiv, among several other buildings.

The United States determined last month that Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointing to attacks on hospitals, among other acts by Russian forces, in his announcement of the formal assessment.

President Biden and former President Trump have also claimed that Russia has committed a genocide in Ukraine. Biden noted, however, that the final determination regarding whether Russias actions amount to genocide would be up to his lawyers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Mexicos nascent lithium sector remains in the cross-hairs of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador even after the populist president lost a battle to bring the industry under state control as part of an energy reform.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The government will review existing contracts for extraction of the key battery metal, AMLO, as hes known, told reporters Tuesday, singling out a project run by Chinas Ganfeng Lithium Co. to build Mexicos first mine, in Sonora state.

The presidents comments are the latest blow to private investment in an industry thats crucial for transitioning away from fossil fuels. While Mexico has yet to produce lithium commercially, previous governments granted permits including to Bacanora Lithium Plc, later bought by Ganfeng. Its also a sign of growing resource nationalism around the world as governments look to gain more control of and profits from the key component in rechargeable batteries.

AMLO spoke on the same day as the Senate debates whether to give the state control of the mineral after the lower house approved a fast-tracked bill Monday. The president sees lithium as a strategic resource that should belong to the nation, nuch like oil.

All of the contracts with lithium authorization will be reviewed, he said. No contracts for other minerals will be suspended. Those will still be valid. This is about lithium, not silver, not gold, not copper.

A previous effort to nationalize lithium failed as part of an energy bill that was voted down Sunday. But AMLO said the government was reviewing whether the Ganfeng project had been granted the necessary permits to operate and whether a proper consultation with local communities had been conducted.

Story continues

The president has previously said there were eight permits given to companies for lithium exploration and they would be allowed to operate if they met certain requirements, though at the time he doubted that most would be eligible.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Brett Malone recalled a question a prosecutor asked him more than 20 years ago that he was unable to answer at the time.

Were going for the death penalty, do any of you have a problem with that? Malone, of Shreveport, recalls the prosecutor asking. He said he doesnt remember him or his family members saying anything in response.

Malones mother was murdered in December 2000 in Plain Dealing, and her murderer was ultimately sentenced to the death. When the discussions about the death penalty were taking place ahead of the trial 20 years ago, Malone said he and his family were still in shock. But speaking to a Louisiana legislative committee Tuesday about abolishing the states death penalty, Malone said he found his answer.

Im here today to express very clearly that I strongly oppose anyone being killed in my name, Malone said. We want justice, not vengeance. We must end the cycle of violence.

Louisiana death penalty: How much does Louisiana spend on the death penalty? Here's what you should know

Malone was one of several to testify in favor of Senate Bill 294, which would eliminate Louisianas death penalty for crimes committed after Aug. 1, 2022. The bill, which was heard by the Republican-dominated Senate Judiciary C Committee, was defeated 5-1.

Over the course of two hours, several people testified in support of eliminating capital punishment, including religious leaders, criminal justice advocates, a member of the states Republican leadership, the son of a murder victim and a man who was sentenced to death and later exonerated.

Sister Helen Prejean, who is known for her activism for abolishing the death penalty, listens to debate as the Louisiana Senate Judiciary C Committee takes up a bill to eliminate the death penalty on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

Sen. Katrina Jackson, a Democrat from Monroe, said she brought up the bill for three reasons, including a moral opposition to state-sponsored killing, a lack of a need for the measure, and the fiscal impact of the death penalty. Her bill would have allocated money saved by abolishing the death penalty to Early Childhood Education Fund literacy programs.

The committee adopted an amendment that stripped the designation for the savings and would put the money in the states general fund instead.

Story continues

Louisiana State Sen. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, speaks to the Senate Judiciary C committee about her bill that would end the state's death penalty on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

The fact is that we convict innocent people, who are later exonerated 30 or 40 years later, Jackson said. Weve seen it all over the state of Louisiana. The one thing that we can not give back to a person when theyve been convicted innocently is their life.

Jackson, who is an attorney, repeatedly called the states criminal justice system imperfect, and referred to the states high rate of exoneration. The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit that analyzes death penalty-related issues, says Louisiana has had 11 innocent people freed from death row.

Louisiana death penalty: Louisiana has 61 inmates on death row - Here's why no one has been executed since 2010

Jackson also said that she does not think many legislators would be willing or capable of carrying out an execution themselves, and said she doesn't think it is right to put constituents in the same situation.

Some of us will make that decision, but none of us will ever sign up to be the person that administers lethal injection, Jackson said. We still want to be able to make the decision, but please dont ask me to be the one to administer the lethal injection.

The bill faced sharp criticism from Sen. Bodi White, a Republican from Baton Rouge, who said Louisianas criminal justice system  which requires a unanimous jury to sentence someone to death  is as good as it can be.

It takes 12 out of 12. You have to12 out of 12 to get a guilty verdict, White said. We have protected it as much as we can.

Shareef Cousin took issue with Whites comments. Cousin, who is Black, was wrongly convicted for the murder of Michael Gerardi and was sentenced to death as a teenager. He was one of the youngest people to be sentenced to death in Louisiana.

After years on death row, Cousin was exonerated.

So if people like me come through, Im just collateral damage? Cousin said.

King Alexander, who described himself as a conservative Republican and is on the Calcasieu Parish Republican Executive Committee, also spoke in favor of eliminating the death penalty. Alexander, who is white, said he does not normally buy arguments on systemic racism, but he said he believes it is true when it comes to the death penalty, particularly because of the role of juries.

The one thing that I can say where there is systemic racism is in our jury system, Alexander said. The death penalty is not imposed when the victim is Black. The death penalty is imposed when the victim is white.

Two people spoke against the bill, including longtime East Baton Rouge Parish prosecutor John Sinquefield, who said he wants the death penalty to remain in the toolbox for prosecutors and judges. He repeatedly called people on death row monsters.

Sinquefield also said he did not agree with the assessment that eliminating the death penalty would ultimately save the state money. Bill Quigley, a Loyola University law professor, detailed his research on the cost of the death penalty in Louisiana.

Quigley has estimated that the state spends upwards of $15.6 million a year on the death penalty. From 1999 to 2019, Quigley estimated the state spent $284 million on its capital punishment system, and executed only one person in that 20 year period.

During the hearing, Quigley said the bulk of that money comes from the appeals process after sentencing, and the state has to pay the bill. Its also more expensive to keep death penalty inmates on death row than in general population.

Sinquefield said the savings would be offset by plea deals that are made to avoid the death penalty. He also said the penalty is needed as a deterrent for serious crimes, such as school shootings.

We can afford to protect our children, Sinquefield said. We can afford to protect our law officers.

The death penalty as a deterrent has been at the center of capital punishment arguments for decades. Studies have shown that the threat of the death penalty has little impact on murder rates. Sinquefield did not provide evidence for his claim that the death penalty works as a deterrent, but he cited movies and television as an example of how it prevents people from killing police officers.

You can talk to gang members, you can watch it in old movies, you can see it on Netflix, Sinquefield said. Some guy will say, Wait a minute. We cant kill a cop because well get the death penalty. Its known.

The head of the Louisiana Public Defender Board said his office spends $7.7 million defending the death penalty in Louisiana.

Several of Louisianas religious leaders, including representatives from the Catholic and Episcopal faiths, argued in favor of the bill. Sister Helen Prejean, a Catholic nun and a prominent voice against capital punishment, said in her testimony that the Catholic Church sanctioned the death penalty for centuries, dating back to a time when it was the only means of keeping citizens safe.

More: Louisiana death penalty: 'We need to be a real pro-life state,' Sister Helen Prejean says

But that isnt the case anymore, she said. Pope Francis officially changed the churchs stance in 2018.

We live in a time where we have a way to protect society, and we dont have to imitate the worst possible behavior, Prejean said. They killed, so were going to kill them.

Since 1722, Louisiana has executed at least 650 people, but no one has been executed in Louisiana since 2010. The state was bound by a moratorium on the death penalty, but it expired recently. Now, the only thing keeping Louisiana from resuming executions is procuring the drugs used for lethal injections, which has become a significant hurdle for several states.

Chris Walters, speaking on behalf of the Louisiana Attorney Generals office, did not explicitly take a stand on the bill, but he argued against claims that the penalty is not a deterrent for violent crime. He also said that the Louisiana legislature likely needs to act to ensure that the state can carry out the death penalty when sentenced.

That would likely mean the legislature would have to adopt another means of execution. He pointed to neighboring states as examples. Arkansas, for one, has a law that would allow the state to use electrocution if a court order prevents it from using the lethal injection.

The bills defeat does not necessarily mean the end of the most-recent push to end the death penalty. Another bill was filed in the House, but it is unlikely to gain much traction.

Sen. Mark Abraham, a Lake Charles Republican, voted against the bill, but he said that it may be something that he has a change of heart on in the future.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support journalists like William Taylor Potter

It took time for these people to make their decisions, Abraham said. At this point, I cannot vote for this bill. Im going to have to vote against itI might change my mind in the future. But right now, I havent come to that conclusion yet.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Bid to end Louisiana's death penalty fails in Senate committee
Joe Biden speaks in North Carolina (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Joe Bidens administration is finally taking action on student loans as it faces mounting pressure to do something to prove to voters that it can take tangible action to improve their lives before the 2022 midterms later this year.

The US Department of Education on Tuesday announced that it would open a review of borrowing practices aimed at addressing historical failures in the administration of the federal student loan programs which it said would result in immediate forgiveness of student loans for 40,000 Americans.

The review is also expected to result in the department granting at least three years of loan credit to more than 3.6 million other borrowers.

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Bravo

After turning 45 last month, Jennifer Aydin celebrated her birthday with a belated bash on Saturday, May 7. Though The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member had a blast at her epic party, the night didnt go entirely smoothly, as she later revealed on her Instagram Stories. Alright guys, so last night, I got home and Im taking some pictures, and what do I notice? My 9-carat yellow diamond is gone, Jennifer explained in a series of videos the day after the party. As RHONJ fans will remembe
A Caldwell police officer has pleaded not guilty to two federal charges that accuse him of hitting someone he was arresting and lying in a report about it.

Lt. Joseph A. Joey Hoadley is charged with deprivation of rights under the color of law for hitting a man identified in court records only as B.H. while arresting him, and with destruction, alteration or falsification of records for later falsifying a narrative report and form on the incident for the Caldwell Police Department.

He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boise.

Chief Magistrate Judge Raymond E. Patricco presided over Hoadleys arraignment. Patricco explained that for deprivation of rights under color of law, Hoadley faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For destruction, alteration or falsification of records, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Patricco set a trial date for 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 21.

According to an indictment, on on March 30, 2017, Hoadley used his hand and arm to strike B.Hs hand and neck area, resulting in bodily injury to B.H. After the arrest Hoadley knowingly falsified his narrative report.

In the report, Hoadley falsely stated that B.H attempted to escape and that Hoadley use(d) his left hand to force (B.H) to the ground by his shirt collar, the indictment said. It said Hoadley also suggested the he used force against B.H. because it was necessary.

The FBI is investigating Caldwell police officers, the city said last month. The FBI declined to say if Hoadleys charges stemmed from its investigation. FBI agent Ryan ONeil is involved in the investigation, according to documents obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

Hoadley began his career with the Caldwell Police Department in 2001. He was a lieutenant in the investigations unit. He was, until recently, a spokesperson for the department, often issuing news releases on arrests and other matters. He is on paid administrative leave, the city has said.

Caldwell police officer faces federal charge for allegedly hitting a man while on duty

Caldwell Police Chief Frank Wyant retires, remembered for making city a safer place
By Phil Lavelle

(Reuters) - The company behind a cannabis mega-factory in California is hoping federal legalization of the substance will allow it to expand distribution of joints, oils and edibles beyond the borders of the most populous U.S. state.

California legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, but it remains on the federal list of controlled substances.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on April 1 to end the federal ban on marijuana, though the measure is seen as unlikely to pass the Senate.

Joshua Krane, vice president of operations for cannabis operator 4Front, said the company's 170,000-square-foot (15,793 square meter) manufacturing and processing space outside of Los Angeles has the capacity to supply the U.S. west coast with cannabis products, if restrictions are lifted

"This facility was designed to really be future-proof for us in terms of being able to service not just the entire California market, but once we have the ability to transport cannabis and sell cannabis across state lines, to be able to really feed the West Coast of the country," he said.

The factory, which opened in November 2021, is operating at 20-25% of capacity, Krane said.

"As we see the natural ramp-up of the industry, that will likely meet an additional demand curve as we get into federal legalization," he added. "And so we would continue to ramp up more and more production from this building as the state and hopefully this side of the country would require."

Krane said the highly automated facility is the largest in California. It manufactures both in-house and partner brands, including oils, tinctures and several types of candies.

Edible items are the most popular, and demand has soared since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020, Krane said.

"It's been somewhat difficult to keep up with the additional demand in terms of manufacturing enough for those new customers. There's been a tremendous pivot from alcohol and other vices to cannabis."

Story continues

In March 2020 as lockdowns went into effect, sales of recreational cannabis across key U.S. markets rose almost 50% from a year earlier, according to cannabis point of sale and data platform Flowhub.

With a machine that can roll 2,000 joints per hour and a kitchen capable of producing 400,000 pieces of candy in a single shift, the factory in Commerce, California, is ready for the demand to continue.

(Reporting by Phil Lavelle; Writing By Jane Ross and Richard Chang; editing by Bernard Orr)
Apr. 18CANTON  At one point, town leaders were flirting with the idea of imposing a $30 vehicle fee to provide more funds to address the town's No. 1 source of complaints: potholes.

During a budget work session Thursday, those plans were scrapped, at least for now. Luckily, the administrative staff anticipated the board's reluctance to add a tax during such trying times, so they didn't even include the revenue in the proposed budget.

Board members talked about the hardships Canton residents are enduring in the wake of Tropical Storm Fred flooding, as well as inflation, which is hitting everyone hard.

"Paving is a huge need and desire for citizens," Mayor Zeb Smathers said. "Less and less money is coming from the state, whether it's due to electric vehicles or the funding mechanism. Finding money to do this will be necessary under the current situation."

That said, Smathers approving the additional $30 tax at this time is "a bridge too far."

Alderwoman Kristina Smith agreed.

"This year has been exceptionally hard with flooding, inflation, gas prices, all of it," she said, but warned, "this is coming, and it will happen at some point."

She asked about an incremental approach to levying the tax, but Town Manager Nick Scheuer said anything less than $30 per vehicle wouldn't allow much paving to be accomplished.

"Even if we do the full $30, we're talking about just paving a street or two," Scheuer said.

Alderman Ralph Hamlett noted inflation is at a 41-year high and urged the board to not even talk about imposing the vehicle tax next year.

Alderman Tim Shepard observed the problem would have to be addressed at some point.

"It's a question of how far we kick the can down the road," he said.

The last time the town briefly discussed passing the local option motor vehicle tax, citizens were critical.

As Smathers recalled, those speaking out urged the board to spend down the funds already in the budget for street repair before asking vehicle owners to pay.

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That's happened, Smathers said, but adding an extra tax in the wake of COVID-19, flooding and inflation is not feasible.

Waynesville used to have a $15 per vehicle tax that generated the equivalent of a penny on the tax valuation amount, but last year, town leaders nixed it from the budget. They felt the vehicle tax was flawed, as it didn't hit second-home owners whose vehicles aren't registered locally.

State law allows towns to enact a municipal motor vehicle tax of up to $30 a vehicle and outlines specifically how such tax can be spent with the first $10 allowed to be spent on general uses and public transportation.
LAPD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

When Los Angeles police officers were accused two years ago of deliberately misidentifying people as gang members, the fallout was swift and sweeping.

Six officers were charged with crimes and police officials opened investigations into two dozen more, seriously tarnishing the reputation of the LAPD's vaunted Metropolitan Division. Prosecutors also dismissed felony cases that had relied on testimony from the charged officers, while then-California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra barred police across the state from using any of the thousands of records LAPD officers had entered about alleged gang members in the CalGang database.

In the years since, however, the case has largely fallen apart.

Charges against three officers have been tossed out, while prosecutors have decided there isn't enough evidence to bring cases against the other officers suspected of possible wrongdoing. And the L.A. district attorney's office is now reconsidering whether to press ahead with the charges that prosecutors filed in the few cases that remain active, according to district attorneys records reviewed by The Times.

The scandal erupted when officers were accused of falsifying field note cards LAPD officers commonly fill out after speaking with people during traffic stops, arrests or other encounters. On the cards, officers can identify a person as belonging to or associating with a certain street gang, and, prior to the scandal, the information was entered into the state database, which officers in all California police departments can access.

Activists have long denounced the LAPD for allegedly misidentifying people as gang members, a label they say can follow people through life and negatively affect their ability to work and secure housing. The LAPD launched its investigation of the Metro officers' practices after a Van Nuys mother complained about her young son being mislabeled a gang member in 2018. Critics say the problem persists.

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The allegations of dishonesty have crumbled largely as blame for the problem has shifted away from the individual officers and landed instead on the LAPD's former policies for identifying gang members.

The most recent setback in the case came last month when prosecutors decided they did not have sufficient evidence to file charges against six LAPD officers  a move that brought the total number of officers who prosecutors have declined to charge to 25, according to the district attorneys records.

The decision was based in large part on a ruling in February by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, when he dismissed charges that prosecutors had filed against three other Metro officers: Rene Braga, Julio Garcia and Raul Uribe.

Prosecutors argued during a preliminary hearing that the three officers were guilty of falsifying evidence because they had written on field cards that people they stopped were "self-admitted" gang members despite the fact that videos of the encounters recorded no such admissions.

Pastor disagreed, finding the LAPD had no clear definition of what it meant for someone to have self-admitted gang membership. Based in part on the testimony of a higher-ranking LAPD commander, he concluded that under LAPD policies, an officer could use not only information they gathered from speaking with people, but also their own understanding of gang behavior and tattoos to determine someone had admitted to being in a gang.

Any "dereliction" in the case, therefore, did not lie with the officers, Pastor concluded, but "higher up in the command structure, perhaps to the highest levels."

After that ruling, prosecutors decided not to bring charges against the six officers in the recent case. They wrote in court filings there was evidence showing Metropolitan Division supervisors "taught and condoned" the practice of officers relying on information not included on interview cards or recorded on video to identify people as gang members.

"The officers were encouraged to use their experience about their observations in the field, render opinions about gang membership, and were allowed a broad view of the terms 'admit,' 'self-admit,' and 'S/A' to include verbal and non-verbal admissions," prosecutors wrote.

The LAPD did not respond to a request for comment, but the department has previously acknowledged its policy for filling out field interview cards gave officers too much leeway when determining if someone is a gang member.

The department revised its policy in September 2021, instructing that officers "shall not document opinions, including an opinion that the person is a member or affiliate of a gang, unless they indicate the specific and articulable facts upon which they base that conclusion."

The district attorney's recent decision not to charge the officers followed another one last year in which prosecutors rejected bringing cases against an additional 19 officers who had come under investigation. Those officers, prosecutors concluded, had been present when other officers were said to have provided false information on field interview cards, but were unaware of the alleged misconduct.

"They either had no participation in the preparation of the [field interview] cards at all or, if they did, the information they provided was accurate," prosecutors wrote. "There is no evidence that they aided and abetted their fellow officers misconduct."

Braga, Garcia and Uribe, the three officers Pastor cleared of wrongdoing, are all now suing the city and the LAPD, alleging that LAPD commanders targeted and demoted them in order to send "a clear message" that officers should "not talk about how Metro operates" to Times reporters or others.

And two of the six officers who prosecutors recently declined to charge, Samantha Fiedler and Mario Fernandez, have also sued the city and the LAPD. They allege commanders for years enforced a de facto quota system, pressuring officers to hit targets for the number of alleged gang members they identified and arrested. Officers who didn't meet the targets were punished and then were scapegoated when the mislabeling scandal broke, the officers allege.

The officers' lawsuits are pending.

Of 31 officers implicated in the scandal, only the fates of Braxton Shaw, Michael Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez, the first three to be charged, remain undecided.

Shaw, who has been shadowed for years by questions surrounding his credibility, stands accused of falsifying 43 interview cards, while Coblentz allegedly falsified seven people's cards and Martinez two. Prosecutors allege the officers each wrote on cards that people admitted to being gang members when body-camera footage showed either no such admissions or that people had explicitly denied gang affiliation.

Unlike the officers who have been cleared in the case, Shaw, Coblentz and Martinez also stand accused of making up and filing field cards on fictional gang members.

The case against the officers has a hearing scheduled for June. But, now, the charges against them are "under further evaluation" in light of the evidence in the case Pastor dismissed, according to a memo by a prosecutor in the district attorney's Justice System Integrity Division, which considers alleged criminality by law enforcement.

A spokesman for Dist. Atty. George Gascon declined to comment beyond what was in the records reviewed by The Times.

Greg Yacoubian, an attorney for Shaw, said all of the charges in the case should be dropped.

Yacoubian said Pastor's finding that officers were instructed to use their understanding of gangs when making a decision on whether someone belonged to one "implies that the same holds true" for other officers  including Shaw.

Also relevant to Shaw's case, he said, were Pastor's findings that there was a broad definition for "self-admitted" that was used by LAPD officers at the time, and that responsibility for misuse of the cards lied higher up in the department, not with individual officers.

An attorney for Coblentz declined to comment. An attorney for Martinez did not respond to a request for comment.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Daily News

Copperheads are popping up as the weather heats up. How dangerous are they, and what to do if you see one?
Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he was in favour of a new type of "political European community" that would allow countries outside the European Union, including Ukraine and Britain, to join the "European core values." Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Macron called his re-election last month a signal that the French had wanted more Europe. But he made clear that Ukraine's desire to join the bloc would take several years and as a result needed to be given some hope in the short-term.
China said Tuesday it has sealed a wide-ranging security pact with the Solomon Islands, an agreement the United States and its regional allies fear could give Beijing a military foothold in the South Pacific.

The confirmation came a day after Washington discouraged a security agreement between the countries, with top US diplomats headed to the South Pacific this week to curb Beijing's inroads.

But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Tuesday: "The foreign ministers of China and the Solomon Islands officially signed the framework agreement on security cooperation recently."

He did not say when or where the signing took place.

A draft version of the agreement leaked last month rattled Western governments, with provisions allowing for Chinese security and naval deployments to the crisis-hit Pacific island nation.

According to the draft, armed Chinese police could be deployed at the Solomon Islands' request to maintain "social order".

Australia said Tuesday it was "deeply disappointed" by the signing of the deal.

"We are concerned about the lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, noting its potential to undermine stability in our region," said a joint statement by Australian foreign minister Marise Payne and Pacific minister Zed Seselja.

Earlier this month, Seselja travelled to Honiara, the former British protectorate's capital, to ask the prime minister in person not to ink the deal.

Australia is worried the agreement could see Beijing establish a military presence less than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) away.

Wang on Tuesday accused Western powers of "deliberately exaggerating tensions" over the pact, and questioned the motives behind US officials' upcoming visit.

The security deal represents a "normal exchange and cooperation between two sovereign and independent countries," Wang said.

"Attempts to interfere and obstruct the cooperation of island countries with China are... doomed to fail," he added at a regular press briefing.

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- 'Broad nature' -

Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's assurances that he does not intend to allow China to build a military base there has done little to alleviate Western concerns.

"The broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of PRC military forces to the Solomon Islands," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday, referring to China.

The signing of the pact "could increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region," he added.

The White House's high-level delegation to the Solomons is expected to discuss its concerns, as well as the reopening of the US embassy in Honiara.

The US and its Asian allies have voiced growing concern about China's assertiveness in the Pacific, where it is locked in several territorial disputes with neighbouring countries.

The Solomon Islands' switch of diplomatic recognition from self-ruled Taiwan to Beijing in 2019 unlocked huge amounts of Chinese investment, but the issue has been fraught with tensions.

The island nation of 800,000 has been wracked by political and social unrest, and many of its people live in poverty.

In November, protesters tried to storm the parliament and went on a deadly three-day rampage, torching much of Honiara's Chinatown.

The unrest was sparked by a range of tensions, including opposition to Sogavare's rule, inter-island rivalries and high unemployment, while anti-China sentiment also played a role.

bys-tjx/dva
The Root

Just over six years ago, a soon to be mother of two died in the operating room only 17 minutes after delivering the second child born to her and her husband, Charles Johnson IV. According to the CDC, Black women die at rates three times higher than that of white mothers during childbirth, and Johnson is unwilling to let his wife become a statistic without due justice. He is suing Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for what he says is the culture of racism within the institution that led to her death.
A 4-month-old boy believed to be in danger after being kidnapped was found safe, officials said.

An Amber Alert was issued after the baby  Ahmaud Griffin  disappeared on Monday, April 18, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He went missing from Waynesboro, roughly 25 miles south of Augusta.

The Waynesboro Police Department told WFXG and WJBF that the child may have been abducted by his father, 27-year-old Travis Griffin. The dad is accused of jumping from a home window and leaving with the baby.

As of about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Ahmaud had been found safe.

Officials had been searching for the baby and his father, who police said has also been found. No attorney information was listed for him in the police departments Facebook post about the case.

The Waynesboro Police Department didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News request for more information on April 19.

Missing 1-year-old found safe after SUV was stolen with him inside, Georgia cops say

1-year-old reported missing after abduction is found safe, Georgia cops say
By Andrea Shalal and David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Western nations are preparing to stage coordinated walk-outs and other diplomatic snubs to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine at Wednesday's meeting of G20 finance ministers in Washington, their officials said.

While some in Western capitals argue that Russia's actions should mean it is excluded from global meetings altogether, that is not a view shared by others in the Group of 20 big economies, including notably China and Indonesia, which is chairing the group this year.

Moscow confirmed on Tuesday Finance Minister Anton Siluanov would lead Russia's delegation at the talks despite repeated protestations by Western diplomats that they could not go ahead as usual during a war in which thousands of civilians have died in bombardments by Russian troops.

"During and after the meeting we will be certain to send a strong message and we will not be alone in doing so," a German government source said, accusing Russia of starting a conflict that has also sent world food and energy prices spiraling.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to avoid G20 sessions joined by Russian officials on the sidelines of International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings. But Yellen will attend an opening session on the Ukraine war regardless of Russian participation, a U.S. Treasury official said.

British finance minister Rishi Sunak also will not attend certain G20 sessions, a British government source told Reuters.

And a French finance ministry official meanwhile expected some ministers from Group of Seven nations to leave their seats when their Russian peer was due to speak.

'UNRAVELING' RISK

The divisions widened by the Ukraine war raise questions over the G20's future as the world's premier economic policy forum.

Conceived as a platform for the biggest wealthy and developing economies to cooperate on recovery efforts during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, the G20 has since broached everything from global tax reform to pandemic debt relief and the fight against climate change, with a patchy record of success.

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"The G20 is at risk of unraveling and this week is incredibly important," said Josh Lipsky, director of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center and a former IMF adviser.

Should Western democracies allow the group to wither in favor of the G7 or other groupings, it would cede significant economic influence to China, Lipsky said.

"Russia can align with China and I think that's a good outcome from Russia's perspective and actually gives them more influence than they have in a body like the G20," he said.

Both the French and the German official said there would be no agreed communique at the end of a meeting which had been originally due to discuss the state of the global economy and coordinating vaccine and other pandemic efforts.

Apart from the G7 nations - the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, France, Germany and Italy - the G20 also incorporates emerging economies including China, India and Brazil that have starkly different views on how the global economy should work.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the fact that some G20 nations have chosen not to follow Western sanctions on Russia is only the latest challenge to efforts to construct a global set of rules for trade and finance.

The United States and China have long traded accusations of protectionism, while the fact that world trade is growing more slowly than the global economy as a whole has prompted questions about the future of globalization.

Ahead of the G20 meeting, a top IMF official warned of the risk of a fragmenting global economy.

"One scenario is one where we have divided blocs that are not trading much with each other, that are on different standards, and that would be a disaster for the global economy," IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told reporters.

Separately, the Fund slashed its forecast for global economic growth by nearly a full percentage point, citing Russia's war in Ukraine, and warning inflation was a "clear and present danger" for many countries.

(Additional reporting by Christian Kraemer in Berlin and Leigh Thomas in Paris; Writing by Mark John, Editing by William Maclean and Andrea Ricci)
A man accused of stabbing a Cleveland County deputy while he was trying to serve an arrest warrant has his first court appearance Wednesday morning.

The incident happened just after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home on Stillwater Road. Deputies said they were there to serve an arrest warrant to James Daniel Bolin.

Attempted Murder of A Deputy

Im in court for the first appearance of James Bolin, the man charged with trying to kill a Cleveland County deputy serving a warrant Tuesday. The sheriff says Bolin stabbed a deputy who is back home. Several officers & Bolins family are in court. pic.twitter.com/yw4wYMwhN9  Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) April 20, 2022

When they arrived, deputies were told there were two children inside of the home with Bolin. The children were not Bolins and were not being allowed to leave, according to authorities.

Deputies said that, as they tried to negotiate with Bolin to safely release the children, he tried to keep deputies from coming inside the home. Fearing for the safety of the children, deputies decided to enter the home.

Officials said Lt. John Humphries was the first deputy to step through the door, and he was immediately attacked by Bolin with a large knife.

Humphries was stabbed twice, in an exposed area around his bullet proof vest, before other deputies were able to take Bolin into custody, authorities said. Humphries was taken to a hospital for his injuries, but he has since been released.

Its a sad day in Cleveland County when one of our own is viciously attacked with a knife, said Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman. Deputies have interacted with the offender many times, but today he took it to the next level by stabbing Lt. John Humphries. By the grace of God, the knife did not hit any vital organs, or this incident could have easily turned out very differently.

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Bolin was charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault inflicting serious injury, and two counts of kidnapping.

ALSO READ: Woman charged with killing man in east Charlotte has lengthy record, documents show

On Wednesday, Channel 9s Ken Lemon spoke to 15-year-old Phanece La Count, one of the children inside the home. She said she wants the kidnapping charges against Bolin dropped and that she doesnt consider him dangerous.

At the time of the incident, she said she was sleeping when deputies knocked on her bedroom window that morning.

La Count said police asked her questions, and she wrote answers on a sheet of paper and showed them through the window. One of those questions was whether Bolin was a threat to her and her brother.

I told them no each and every time, she said.

Phanece La Count

La Count said she tried to let police in, but Bolin, whom she considers a stepfather, was dealing with psychosis, a mental illness that distorts reality.

He told me not to open the door. I said they already saw me, I got to. He said no, they are here to kill me, she said.

At that point, she said deputies kicked open the door and jumped on Bolin. At one point, she ran out of the home and did not see Humphries hurt.

Unfortunately, violent attacks on law enforcement officers are up across the nation, but this type of conduct will not be tolerated in Cleveland County. We will work closely with the district attorneys office to prosecute Mr. Bolin to the fullest extent of the law. The citizens of Cleveland County, along with myself, are tired of hearing about these kind of attacks, and it has to stop now, Norman said.

ALSO READ: Police: Person set 4 troopers cars on fire in Iredell County; investigation underway

Lemon was in court Wednesday when Bolin faced a judge.

His mother was also in court and told Lemon the stabbing was not intentional. She said it was an accident and that Bolin has been diagnosed with psychosis. She said he needs help, not jail.

The judge decide Bolin was a threat to the public and gave him a $1 million bond for attempted murder and a $50,000 bond for the assault.

The sheriff said his officers acted believing Bolin was about to barricade himself into the house with two children. He told Lemon that their actions are under review.

No other details have been released at this point.

(WATCH BELOW: 27-year-old woman charged with killing man in east Charlotte had lengthy record, documents say)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday that he is calling on the state legislature to consider legislation in a special session to dismantle special protections for Disney operating in Florida following the companys opposition to a controversial parental rights bill.

"I am announcing today that we are expanding the call of what they are going to be considering," DeSantis said during a press conference at The Villages in Florida. "Yes, they will be considering the congressional map but they also will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968 and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District."

FILE PHOTO: Fireworks go off around Cinderella's castle. REUTERS/Scott Audette/File Photo REUTERS/Scott Audette/File Photo

FLORIDA REJECTS 41% OF MATH TEXTBOOKS FOR INCLUDING CRT, MOST AIMED AT K-5 STUDENTS: 'IMPERMISSIBLE'

DeSantis, whose comment drew applause from the crowd, has previously hinted at his support for repealing a 55-year-old state law that allows Disney to effectively govern itself on the grounds of Walt Disney World.

"What I would say as a matter of first principle is I dont support special privileges in law just because a company is powerful and theyve been able to wield a lot of power," DeSantis said during a press conference last month.

U.S. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S. February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

DESANTIS SIGNS 15-WEEK ABORTION BAN INTO LAW

"I think what has happened is theres a lot of these special privileges that are not justifiable, but because Disney had held so much sway, they were able to sustain a lot of special treatment over the years," he added.

DeSantis also issued a proclamation outlining various reasons Disney's special status should be revoked.

The Reedy Creek Improvement Act was signed into law in May 1967 by Gov. Claude Kirk in response to lobbying efforts by Disney. The entertainment giant proposed building a recreation-oriented development on 25,000 acres of property in a remote area of Central Florida's Orange and Osceola counties, which consisted of 38.5 square miles of largely uninhabited pasture and swamp land.

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Orange and Osceola County did not have the services or resources needed to bring the project to life, so the state legislature worked with Disney to establish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special taxing district that allows the company to act with the same authority and responsibility as a county government.

Bob Chapek of Disney talks during the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus) Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus

Disney has been engaged in a war of words with Republicans in Florida over a bill recently signed by DeSantis which prohibits classroom instruction on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" with children in third grade or younger "or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

Shortly after the bill was signed, Disney released a statement slamming the bill while echoing media headlines by labeling it the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

"Floridas HB 1557, also known as the Dont Say Gay bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law," Disney said. "Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that. We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country."

The bill does not ban the word "gay" in school settings and it does not ban casual discussions of topics relating to sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.

Recent polling has shown that the bill is popular among Florida voters including 52% of likely voters in the Democratic primary who say that they oppose the kind of teaching that the bill prohibits.

Florida State Rep. Spencer Roach has previously tweeted that he has met with legislators to discuss repealing the self-governing law in response to Disneys recent actions.

"Yesterday was the 2nd meeting in a week w/fellow legislators to discuss a repeal of the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act, which allows Disney to act as its own government," Roach tweeted. "If Disney wants to embrace woke ideology, it seems fitting that they should be regulated by Orange County."

Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News.
Jennifer Grey says her nose jobs made her unrecognisable in Hollywood. (Getty Images)

Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey has admitted she regrets getting a nose job at the height of her career in the early '90s.

The 62-year-old actress had two rhinoplasty surgeries after finding worldwide recognition in the 1987 box-office smash where she played Baby Houseman  but her new look left her unrecognisable, with the actress now admitting that it led to her 'losing her identity and her career overnight'.

Grey also recalled attending a premiere shortly after she'd undergone her nose job  revealing that her actor friend Michael Douglas had no idea who she was because she looked so different.

Read more: Celeb cosmetic surgery regrets: Simon Cowell, Courteney Cox, Linda Evangelista and more

Jennifer Grey and co-star Patrick Swayze at the premiere of Dirty Dancing. (Getty Images)

Read more: Selena Gomez brushes off body-shamers: 'I don't care about my weight'

In an interview with PEOPLE to promote her new memoir Out of the Corner, Grey said: "That was the first time I had gone out in public. And it became the thing, the idea of being completely invisible, from one day to the next. In the world's eyes, I was no longer me.

"And the weird thing was that thing that I resisted my whole life, and the thing I was so upset with my mother for always telling me I should do my nose. I really thought it was capitulating. I really thought it meant surrendering to the enemy camp. I just thought, 'I'm good enough. I shouldn't have to do this.' That's really what I felt. 'I'm beautiful enough.'"

Watch now: Jennifer Grey on being unrecognisable even to famous friends after nose job

Read more: Jessica Simpson celebrates weight loss with bikini photo

It was Grey's mother who first suggested that she undergo surgery to make it easier to get acting jobs.

But Grey felt the operation had the opposite effect.

She explained: "She loves me, loved me, always has, and she was pragmatic because she was saying, 'Guess what? It's too hard to cast you. Make it easier for them.' And then I did and she was right. It wasn't like, 'You're not pretty.' It's like, 'Guess what? If you don't want to be an actor, okay. But if you wanna be an actor...' But when I was a kid, I was completely anti-rhinoplasty.

Story continues

"I mean it was like my religion. I loved that my parents did it. [Underwent rhinoplasty] I understand it was the '50s. I understand they were assimilating. I understood that you had to change your name and you had to do certain things, and it was just normalised, right? You can't be gay. You can't be Jewish. You know, you can't look Jewish. You're just trying to fit into whatever is the group think."

Read more: Jennifer Lopez shares details of Ben Affleck's recent bubble bath proposal

Jennifer says she and co-star Patrick Swayze were not a natural match. (Getty Images)

Read more: Pregnant Rihanna stuns in red lace bodysuit on the cover of Vogues May issue

In her book, Grey touches on being shunned by Hollywood, writing: 'I spent so much energy trying to figure out what I did wrong, why I was banished from the kingdom. That's a lie. I banished myself.'

She adds of the consequences of her nose job: 'Overnight I lose my identity and my career.'

Grey also told PEOPLE that she always felt she and Patrick Swayze weren't a natural match  despite their Dirty Dancing characters captivating millions of people world-wide.

She said: "The same way Baby and Johnny were not supposed to be together... a natural match, right? And we weren't a natural match. And the fact that we needed to be a natural match created a tension. Because normally when someone's not a natural, you... both people move on, but we were forced to be together. And our being forced to be together created a kind of a synergy, or like a friction.

"I actually just had a thought about Patrick. I feel like if I could say anything to him now I would say, 'I'm so sorry that I couldn't just appreciate and luxuriate in who you were, instead of me wishing you were more like what I wanted you to be.'"
The Daily Beast

Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily BeastJust as I was settling down with a husband, and pregnancy, two cats, and a nice house with a mortgage, leaving the recklessness of my youth behindusing mundanity as a salvemy father spiraled out of control. In his determination to drink himself to death, for the first time ever he reached his hand out to me. I took it, but then hesitated, looked back on my life as his daughter, and asked myself, what do I owe him?When I was 6 years old, he ha
What is a challenge and why have they become so popular

Challenge videos are always similar: a person does something extraordinary on camera and offers to repeat it to the audience, throwing a harmless challenge. Videos are gaining millions of views, photos are collecting hundreds and thousands of likes, and challenges appear one after another, without losing popularity among viewers and participants for years. While some researchers believe that the reason for such popularity is self-affirmation, people not only continue to have fun and complete challenges but also earn money.

For example, the driver of Uber Eats announced a challenge for the fastest food delivery. Wellingtonian Jack Hammond has proven he can earn around $1,500 a week just delivering food to customers. The goal is to earn $100,000 a year. Last year, Google Pay announced a challenge where each participant could earn $70 if they collected 4 payment cards from this service.

So, why are people willing to participate in challenges, and what drives the collective mind?

Firstly, the participants note that they are simply pleased to support global initiatives, even if they consist in dousing cold water or eating strange food.

Secondly, the possibility of obtaining material profit only increases the interest in all kinds of tasks. For example, the famous make-up artist Gohar Avetisyan has repeatedly held cash prize draws for the best make-up. Such initiatives allow not only to upgrade skills but also to receive a financial reward.

Thirdly, social network users crave to be famous and recognizable, and participation in various challenges will attract an additional audience to their page.

How to make money on challenges

Even though the challenge culture itself came to us from the West, Russians actively use it and conduct their own challenges. And special platforms help to monetize various kinds of challenges.

YouTube is the most popular video hosting in the world with over 35 billion visits. The platform allows users to create original content and take part in various challenges. Top bloggers can earn tens of thousands of dollars for their videos.

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Pros:

The audience exceeds several hundred millions from 50 countries of the world. The top five countries using YouTube are the US, Russia, Brazil, India, and Japan

Easy to add a video

The built-in targeting system will allow users to accurately select the audience to whom their videos will be shown

Cons:

Lack of a clear and transparent system of monetization. Only top bloggers with millions of audiences can earn

High competition among blogs

Blocking in sanctioned countries

NUTSon. An American platform that was launched in 2021 is actively gaining popularity. Its main advantage is a mechanism for direct monetization of challenges. The application allows users to run challenges with cash rewards. For participation in some of them, the reward reaches $2,000 and more. In addition, if other social networks help only popular bloggers to make money on challenges, everyone has a chance here: the platforms algorithms bring to the feed each participant who posted a high-quality video and completed the task. Then the audience decides everything: marks the video they like and takes the participant to the final. The winner scoops the pool. Becoming a member is simple: just download the application from the store, go through a quick registration, select the appropriate challenge from the list, fulfill the conditions and shoot it on camera. Right now, on NUTSon people can get money for dancing in the most extraordinary places, make a selection of epic fails, recreate their childhood photos, and much more.

Pros:

Easy registration and creation of a personal profile

Clear system of monetization

The possibility of earning for everyone: both for the viewer and the organizer

Cons:

Limited geography of users. Today, only citizens of selected countries have access to the application. However, the company is scaling up its business

NUTSon also plans to support cryptocurrency payments and issue its own token, which will be used within the social network. This will allow participants to earn project tokens for participating in challenges.

TikTok is another short video platform that has quickly become popular all over the world thanks to its challenges. Today, over 1.7 billion people are regular users of this social network, and the resource itself ranks 15th in the global ranking of sites. Despite such popularity among teenagers, the social network practically does not provide any mechanic for making money on content, except for selling direct advertising. Naturally, it will be very difficult to compete with top bloggers.

Pros:

Ease of registering and uploading videos

Wide audience

Availability in many countries around the world

Cons:

There is no earning mechanism other than direct advertising

Blocking in sanctioned countries

Low video moderation speed, so users can often see horrific videos on the social network

Earnings on challenges can be a good source of income, especially for teenagers and representatives of generation Z. Modern platforms allow people to hold various competitions and earn real money. Some platforms, such as NUTSon, even allow users to earn money by simply watching and voting for participants. So, if you know how to put on skinny jeans hands-free, juggle glass balls, or ride a bike blindfolded, its time to challenge others to capitalize on your talent.
Attorney John Eastman revealed Monday that he has asserted attorney-client privilege on 37,000 pages of emails related to his work for then-President Donald Trump in the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The Jan. 6 select committee has objected to every claim over those pages, which now sends the gargantuan dispute to U.S. District Court Judge David Carter for a case-by-case review.

Eastman revealed the scope of the dispute in a status report to Carter, concluding a three-month review that Carter demanded he undertake. Since January, Eastman has been reviewing 1,000 to 1,500 pages per day.

Carter has already ruled that he believes Eastman and Trump more likely than not engaged in a criminal conspiracy to obstruct Congress, an effort he called "a coup in search of a legal theory." He has described the select committees work as urgent, but he must now determine how to parse these 37,000 pages in time for the committee to employ them in its ongoing investigation of Trumps effort to subvert the transfer of power.

The emails are all drawn from Chapman University, where Eastman was employed until shortly after Jan. 6. The committee subpoenaed Chapman to obtain the emails, but Eastman sued the school and the select committee to slow the process. Carter then ordered the review that Eastman undertook.

The select committee urged Carter to prioritize documents sent from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7, 2021, the key period of the panels review. That narrower review resulted in Carters bombshell ruling about likely criminality by Trump. But now Carter must turn to the broader review of Eastmans emails stretching back to Nov. 3, 2020, the date of the presidential election.

The select committee has already raised doubts about whether Eastman was legitimately acting as Trumps lawyer prior to Jan. 6. Eastman, under an order from Carter, produced a retainer agreement dated Dec. 6, 2020, but it was unsigned and its not clear when it was effectuated. But Carter also ruled that Eastman did, eventually, become Trumps attorney, noting that he filed court papers on Trumps behalf in late December and communicated with top White House aides and other officials while representing himself as Trumps lawyer.

Of the 90,000 pages of emails subject to the select committee subpoena, about 30,000 were immediately ruled out as irrelevant mass emails. Eastman made no privilege claims over an additional 25,000 pages of records.

Defendants made no objection to Dr. Eastmans claims of privilege over 643 documents totaling 3,006 pages, but did object to every claim of attorney-client privilege and work-product protection that Dr. Eastman asserted with respect to his representation of former President Trump and/or his campaign committee, Eastmans attorney Charles Burnham wrote. Those 3,264 documents, totaling 37,650 pages, have therefore been submitted for in camera inspection.
Alabama

Huntsville: The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 lunar mission and looking ahead to the next U.S. spaceflight to the moon. A member of the Apollo 16 crew, former astronaut Charlie Duke, will be on hand in Huntsville on Wednesday as the space museum looks back on the April 1972 mission. The Apollo 16 capsule, nicknamed Casper, is housed at the museum, which cleaned up the spaceship earlier this year ahead of the celebration. Duke and NASA officials are among those who will participate in an event that also will focus on the space agencys upcoming test of its new, 30-story Space Launch System rocket. NASA is targeting June for a test flight to send the rocket to the moon without a crew. The administrator of NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Jody Singer, and James Free, NASAs associate administrator for exploration development, will discuss the space agencys work to return to the moon. After the first launch in NASAs Artemis program, the agency plans to send astronauts around the moon in 2024. A lunar landing attempt is planned for as early as 2025. People last walked on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972.

Alaska

Fairbanks: The final two F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets have arrived at Eielson Air Force Base, completing the full complement of 54 aircraft. Col. David Ajax Berkland of the 354 Fighter Wing at Eielson called it a really significant day for us in terms of the buildup of Eielson Air Force Base. The base near Fairbanks was selected in 2016 to host F-35s, spawning a base expansion that cost more than a half-billion dollars and includes 36 new buildings and 54 housing units for the F-35s, Fairbanks television station KTVF reported Saturday, a day after the two final jets arrived. The Air Force says the fifth generation F-35 represents a quantum leap in air combat capability. Combined with two squadrons of F-22s at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will have more operational fifth generation assets than anywhere else in the world, Eleventh Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. David A. Krumm, told Air Force Magazine. Krumm is the senior military official in Alaska. Gen. Billy Mitchell talked about it in the 1930s that whoever holds Alaska holds the world. So the strategic importance of competing and securing our nations interests, which were there then, remains as much now as ever, Berkland told KTVF. The expansion also includes personnel, with about 3,500 new active-duty airmen and their dependents stationed at the base.

Arizona

Story continues

Phoenix: A cannabis dispensary is offering tourists traveling through Sky Harbor International Airport a free shuttle directly to its doors starting Wednesday. The Mint dispensary in Guadalupe is calling the shuttle the #420 and offering it to people 21 and older. The Mint has long captured attention with its kitchen serving marijuana-infused pizza, burgers and other snacks and by offering free marijuana products to people who visited for a COVID-19 vaccination. The Arizona-based dispensary chain is kicking off the service Wednesday, a pseudo-holiday for cannabis consumers sometimes referred to simply as 4/20. National Cannabis Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate how much our industry has evolved and grown, CEO Eivan Shahara said in a statement. Its also a great day to make history by delivering more innovation and excitement, while also finding ways to thank our patients, customers, visitors, and the community at large for their support. The shuttle will pick up at all three Sky Harbor terminals during certain hours, and travelers can reserve a seat online at mintdeals.com/shuttle. Other marijuana-themed airport shuttles exist for a fee in places like Denver, but The Mint claims the free service is the first of its kind.

Arkansas

Little Rock: The state Supreme Court has reversed a judges decision to block a school districts mask mandate that was implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Justices on Thursday reversed the temporary restraining order issued against the Bentonville School Districts mask requirement. Bentonville was among dozens of districts that imposed the requirement last year after a state law banning such mandates was blocked in a separate case. A group of parents had sued challenging the mandate. The court said that Arkansas laws give schools broad authority to determine their policies. Based on this precedent, we conclude that the district properly authorized its policy, Chief Justice Dan Kemp wrote in the courts ruling. A spokeswoman said the district has no plans to reinstate the mask requirement at this time. In a separate opinion, Special Justice Howard Brill said parents have a right to be informed and to be heard on issues such as whether masks should be worn. But, Brill wrote, that doesnt mean they have the right to micromanage schools. If parents are dissatisfied with the school board decisions, they have a remedy, wrote Brill, who was appointed to hear the case after Justice Rhonda Wood recused. It is the ballot box.

California

Sacramento: A Northern California woman pleaded guilty Monday to faking her own kidnapping and lying to the FBI about it, leaving her motive unanswered in the carefully planned hoax that set off a massive three-week search before she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016. Sherri Papini, 39, of Redding, offered no explanation for her elaborate hoax during the half-hour court hearing. I feel very sad, she said tearfully when Senior U.S. District Judge William Shubb asked her how she was feeling. Were you kidnapped? he asked her later in the hearing. No, Your Honor, she replied. Did you lie to government agents when you told them you were kidnapped? Shubb continued. Yes, Your Honor, she responded. Papini agreed to plead guilty in a deal with prosecutors reached last week and is scheduled to be sentenced July 11. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence on the low end of the sentencing range, estimated to be between eight and 14 months in custody, down from the maximum 25 years for the two charges.

Colorado

Denver: The states high school athletics authority has ambitious plans to expand esports into half of Colorado high schools. Rashaan Davis, who oversees esports for the Colorado High School Activities Association, said this years season is the busiest yet. There are over 100 teams playing multiple titles across our state, Davis said. We offer League of Legends, Rocket League, Madden and (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). Gamers have traditionally been labeled as socially awkward geeks. Harrison High coaches Tom McCartney and Sean Hart want to break that stigma. When they were in high school, they found comfort in video games, but schools didnt tolerate gaming on school grounds, much less encourage it. As teachers, and now coaches, they want to foster a safe environment for those awkward geeks to develop and build their talents. Those are the people who ended up being the entrepreneurs, the vanguards for new ideas and opportunities and waves, said McCartney, an English and drama teacher. Lets build their confidence now, so they dont have to wait until 33 or 34 when they find themselves and accept themselves to finally get started with building a new world.

Connecticut

West Haven: Members of a state oversight board have decided they need greater control over the finances of the city, which has been under the microscope after a former state representative and others were accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds awarded to the municipality. The Municipal Accountability Review Board voted Thursday to recommend that West Haven, which is currently under a level of state oversight known as Tier III, be upgraded to Tier IV. That means the state board would have additional management tools, including the ability to hire a financial manager for the city. It will ultimately be up to Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont to decide whether to approve the stepped-up oversight, following a 30-day public comment period. City officials, including the mayor, opposed the move. They argued that West Haven, which has a long history of financial struggles, has made progress in recent years since working with the state board. Michael Last, the citys treasurer, said he didnt think the city of more than 55,000 people met the criteria for such a severe step. Board members countered that the alleged theft would not have occurred if proper financial safeguards recommended by the board were put in place.

Delaware

Wilmington: People living in the shadows of Crodas New Castle-area manufacturing plant say its not a matter of if but when the plant has another dangerous leak along the Route 9 corridor. And its an even bigger concern now, as ethylene oxide, a highly flammable and explosive chemical that has been linked to various types of cancers, was found to be 30 times more cancerous for adults than previously thought, according to a report published by the Environmental Protection Agencys independent Office of Inspector General. This chemical is the same one that leaked nearly 3,000 pounds into the air in 2018, shutting down the Delaware Memorial Bridge and scaring residents who were told to shelter in place as the flammable chemical leaked from the plant about a mile from their homes. Were living with a time bomb in our community  it already exploded one time, said Jakim Mohammed, a local activist and Dunleith resident, as he stood within eyeshot of the plant. These concerns brought Croda, community members, and state and federal officials together Wednesday for a virtual meeting to discuss the companys production of ethylene oxide and what that means for the health and safety of nearby residents. The meeting is one of the first sessions officials have held to update residents about the new risks associated with ethylene oxide since the federal watchdog urged the EPA to promptly hold public meetings in New Castle and 16 other locations across the country in March 2020.

District of Columbia

Washington: Undaunted by soggy skies, President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, kicked off the first White House Easter Egg Roll since before the coronavirus pandemic Monday, welcoming some 30,000 kids and adults for the all-day event. The president encouraged one young egg-roller, coaching the child: Go. You got it. My job is to keep it from raining for another two minutes, he said in opening remarks on the South Lawn. The theme for the day was egg-ucation. The first lady, a community college professor, turned the South Lawn into a school community with a variety of educational stations. Besides the egg roll and an egg hunt, the event included a schoolhouse activity area, a reading nook, a talent show, a place to teach about farming, a photo-taking station, a physical egg-ucation zone with an obstacle course, and a cafetorium where children learned to make treats. The COVID-19 pandemic led the White House to cancel the Easter Egg Roll in 2020 and 2021. But the event is back this year, as the outbreak of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths has eased. This year were finally getting together again, and its so special, the president told the guests. Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, singer Ciara and actor-singer Kristin Chenoweth were set to add a dash of celebrity splash to the event, which dates to 1878.

Florida

Lake Buena Vista: A baby zebra died at Walt Disney Worlds Animal Kingdom after running full speed into a gate when it was spooked by two ostriches Thursday, a television station reports. WESH reports it spoke with a family who witnessed the incident and was told it happened after the enormous birds were released into the same enclosure. The family said the experience was upsetting and sent the station cellphone video of Disney employees trying to save the animal. We are heartbroken over the loss of our Hartmanns mountain zebra that passed away yesterday, and we ask that you keep our dedicated animal care Cast Members in your thoughts, a Disney spokesperson said in an email to the station.

Georgia

Jekyll Island: A pair of rare sea turtles have returned to the ocean after veterinarians spent nearly a year nursing them back to health on the Georgia coast. The adult female loggerhead turtles were released into the surf Friday on the beach at Jekyll Island. Both had been patients at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the islands hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. One was admitted last May after getting struck by a boat, according to a Jekyll Island news release. The other arrived in July after being found anemic and covered in barnacles and leeches. A few hundred people, including children on school trips, turned out to bid the sea turtles farewell. It was the first time the Georgia Sea Turtle Center had held a turtle release publicly since 2019. The turtles returned to the wild just before the nesting season for loggerhead sea turtles begins in Georgia on May 1.

Hawaii

Honolulu: The head of training at the state Department of Public Safety pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges accusing her of lying about her educational background. Public Training Officer J. Marte Martinez pleaded not guilty to perjury, tampering with a government record and unsworn falsification to authorities, according to her attorney Birney Bervar. Trial is set for June, Bervar said, declining to comment on the allegations. A complaint filed in court said Martinez made false statements about her educational background while testifying under oath before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. The alleged false statements included having a liberal arts degree from a Virginia university. Martinez is also accused of submitting a transcript to the public safety department purported to be from an Oregon university, which was falsely made, completed, or altered, the complaint said. When applying for positions in the public safety department, she submitted an application that contained statements about her educational background that she did not believe to be true, the complaint said. The Department of Public Safety oversees Hawaii's jail and prisons, along with law enforcement divisions, including sheriffs.

Idaho

Boise: The National Rifle Association on Monday endorsed Gov. Brad Little ahead of the Republican primary. NRA Idaho State Director Aiobheann Cline said in a statement that the endorsement reflects Littles A-plus rating in the group and his support of Second Amendment issues during his first term. Our members will interpret your A+ rating and endorsement as being a solid pro-gun/pro-hunting candidate who is a staunch defender of the Right to Keep and Bear Arm, Cline said in the endorsement. Little has signed into law a number of gun-rights bills. Those include legislation protecting gun makers, sellers and weapons carriers during declared emergencies, along with another making it easier for nonresidents to carry firearms in the state. With me, Idahoans have a governor who will always protect our Idaho way of life, and that includes my unwavering support for upholding our rights established in the Second Amendment, Little said in a statement. His main challenger in the May 17 Republican primary is Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who has been endorsed by ex-President Donald Trump.

Illinois

Springfield: Almost four decades after a Black student graduated from Springfield High School at the top of her class, shes finally been recognized as valedictorian. Tracey Meares, now a top legal scholar at Yale College of Law, was denied that honorific for 38 years until Saturday. Springfield School District 186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill presented Meares with the valedictorian medal and certificate after the screening of the documentary No Title for Tracey before a crowd of hundreds at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Gill, who was a freshman at SHS when Meares was a senior, personally dug through old records, some on microfiche, to verify the ranking. My first reaction is that its incredibly gratifying, but its also a lot to process, Meares said after the presentation. Many, including Meares parents, believe systemic or institutional racism was behind the snub. The school typically had a valedictorian and a salutatorian, but as graduation neared in 1984, it opted for top students for Meares and a white student. It didnt start naming valedictorians and salutatorians again until 1992. It was not an individual act, mother Carolyn Blackwell said. Thats what makes it systemic. The Southern Illinois University Institute for Plastic Surgery announced it had set up the Tracey Meares Representation Matters scholarship in her honor.

Indiana

Indianapolis: An upcoming Netflix documentary will take a closer look at a local fertility doctor who for years inseminated patients with his own sperm without their knowledge. Years ago, several Indiana residents found out their father  whom some had believed to be an anonymous sperm donor or the man who had raised them  was actually their mothers doctor: Donald Cline, once well respected in his field in Indianapolis. Those biological children will soon tell the story in their own words in Our Father, coming to the streaming service May 11. Clines secret was discovered in 2014, when Jacoba Ballard took a DNA test, expecting to have one or two donor half-siblings, but discovered seven whose mothers had all gone to Cline. Hed told them theyd be inseminated with material from anonymous donor, whose sperm would not be used more than three times to conceive a child. Ballard told the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee in 2019 that shes discovered at least 46 half-siblings. A fertility fraud bill to prevent a similar situation was passed and signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb that year. Clines license was revoked by the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana in 2018, but he did not spend any time in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice after lying to officials.

Iowa

Davenport: Armed with grant money, Humility Homes and Services plans to buy 60 housing units in its bid to end homelessness in the Quad Cities, nearly doubling the social service organizations housing portfolio. In all, Humility Homes received more than $4.2 million from various agencies to help address an affordable housing shortage documented by several area organizations. This is an important step in addressing the gap we have, said Leslie Kilgannon, director of the Quad Cities Housing Council. We have about 6,600 units we need in that extremely low-income category. The bulk  35  of Humility Homes new housing units will be supportive housing, which combines services such as help with physical disabilities or health needs as well as mental illness or substance abuse treatment. The goal is to keep people who face challenges qualifying or keeping other housing in a stable place while they transition from an emergency shelter to more permanent housing. To provide the 35 supportive housing units, Scott County awarded Humility Homes $3.1 million from its allotment of federal COVID-19 relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The other 25 units will provide more permanent affordable housing options for low-income families, some that rely on federal housing vouchers to pay rent.

Kansas

Topeka: A popular program for children to get free admission to some of the states coolest attractions is coming back this summer. Sunflower Summer  a Kansas State Department of Education initiative that gave over 70,000 residents free access to museums, parks and other attractions around the state in 2022  is funded for the next few summers, Education Commissioner Randy Watson said. Were going to be doing it again, and were excited about it, Watson told the Kansas State Department of Education. The department had used federal COVID-19 relief funding to start Sunflower Summer in 2021, in an effort to make sure all Kansas students had access to summer enrichment opportunities. This year, Gov. Laura Kelly decided to reallocate unused federal relief funds for private schools to the education department so it could continue to offer the program. To get free admission to Kansas attractions, parents or other adults download the Sunflower Summer app on their phone and register themselves and their children. The app then provides a single-use, free ticket for the child, as well as free tickets for up to two accompanying adults, to attend attractions around the state. In 2021, about 70 sites participated, including the Kansas Cosmosphere, Kansas Childrens Discovery Center and Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Kentucky

Frankfort: A judge on Monday blocked Republican-backed measures that would weaken Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears contracting authority and prevent him from challenging laws in court. The two new laws were temporarily blocked by Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas D. Wingate after the GOP-dominated Legislature passed them last week over Beshears vetoes. One of the laws being challenged would designate Kentuckys attorney general as the only statewide constitutional officer allowed to spend taxpayer funds on litigation challenging a bills constitutionality. The other contested measure would shift decision-making authority over executive branch contracts to a legislative committee. Both laws took effect immediately. In his order, Wingate said the plaintiffs, including the governor, had more than sufficiently demonstrated that their rights are being or will be violated. Of particular concern to the court is that plaintiffs have alleged that under HB248 their access to the courts has essentially been blocked, the judge wrote. The governor claims that both measures violate Kentuckys Constitution. The lawsuit continues the long-running legal fight between Beshear and Republican lawmakers over measures seeking to rein in his executive authority. Wingate will hear arguments in the latest case May 31.

Louisiana

Baton Rouge: The state says its weekends-only red snapper season for anglers will start May 27 in state and federal waters, with a daily limit of three of the popular sport and food fish. The season will run Fridays through Sundays except for three holiday weekends  Memorial Day, which opens the season; the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Those three weekends extend through Monday. Each licensed angler may take up to three red snapper a day, with a minimum length limit of 16 inches, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said in a news release. The catch limit has been two fish a day for years but was raised to four during a 2021 year-end reopening. The department said anglers went nearly 7,000 pounds over the private recreational allocation last year, so that amount was taken from this years total limit. The agency said this years season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach 809,316 pounds. LDWF also reminded anglers that amberjack and gray triggerfish season will overlap the red snapper season on the opening Memorial Day weekend but be closed from June 1 through July 30. Resident and nonresident recreational anglers who fish for offshore species must have both Louisiana basic and saltwater recreational fishing licenses, plus the free recreational offshore landing permit.

Maine

Augusta: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined an appeal by the Penobscot Indian Nation in its fight with Maine over ownership and regulation of the tribes namesake river. It was a bitter defeat for the tribe that sued a decade ago, claiming the Penobscot River is part of its reservation. Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis said it was a disappointing outcome in a legal case that goes to the core identity of the Penobscot Nation. We see this as a modern day territorial removal by the state by trying to separate us from our ancestral ties to our namesake river, Francis told the Associated Press. A federal judge previously ruled that the reservation includes islands of the rivers main stem but not the waters. There were appeals to a panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of appeals and then to the full appeals court. On Monday, the nations top court, without comment, declined to hear the tribes appeals over river regulation. The ruling came as the Maine Legislature was considering several measures that relate to tribal sovereignty. The Penobscots, whose reservation is on an island in the river, sued in 2012 after then-Attorney General William Schneider issued an opinion that the tribes territory was limited to islands. The tribe said the lawsuit was necessary to protect tribal authority over its ancestral river and ensure sustenance rights.

Maryland

Jessup: The first cohort of students in Georgetown Universitys degree program for prisons in Maryland has begun classes, officials announced. In-person classes at the Patuxent Institution, in Jessup, started Feb. 14 for the 25 students accepted into the program. Officials announced the liberal arts degree program last spring as an expansion of the Prison Scholars Program that Georgetown offers at the D.C. jail. Students completing the program will earn bachelors degrees from the university. Officials said they expect 125 students to enroll within the next five years in the 120-credit interdisciplinary program. The universitys admissions process for the program began last fall with the help of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, officials said. After more than 300 applied from throughout the state prison system, those selected from other facilities were transferred to Patuxent Institution. Cultural humanities, interdisciplinary social science and global intellectual history are the programs three available majors, officials said. Students this semester are taking introductory classes in writing and philosophy. The program will take about five years for most students to complete.

Massachusetts

Lawrence: A wind-fueled blaze that damaged several homes Friday night displaced more than 70 people but resulted in no injuries, with one local leader calling it an Easter miracle. In all, 73 people belonging to 17 different families are residing in temporary housing following the blaze, Lawrence officials said Saturday. Fire officials said they believe the fire started on the third-floor balcony of a home in Lawrence before spreading to five other nearby residences. They said high winds helped the fire spread quickly in the densely settled neighborhood. All residents were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. No pets were reported missing or injured either. An Easter miracle, said City Council President Marc Laplante. Its amazing that we were able to walk away from this. Crews from fire departments in Massachusetts and New Hampshire worked for more than three hours to extinguish the fire. The Red Cross is providing housing and assistance to the occupants of the damaged homes, and local community groups are helping to coordinate donations.

Michigan

Grand Rapids: Funeral services have been scheduled for Patrick Lyoya, an unarmed Black man fatally shot following a traffic stop and struggle with a white police officer. The Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy Friday in Grand Rapids for Lyoya, according to Sharptons National Action Network and the office of attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Lyoyas family. Services will begin at 11 a.m. at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. Lyoya, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was facedown on the ground April 4 when he was shot in the back of the head. Video footage released Wednesday by the police department showed the officer straddling Lyoyas back at the time of the shooting. Video also showed the officer stopping Lyoya for driving with a license plate that didnt belong to the vehicle, Lyoyas attempt to run away before being tackled to the ground, and a struggle over the officers stun gun. The officer could be heard repeatedly ordering Lyoya to let go of his stun gun, at one point demanding: Drop the Taser! Michigan State Police are investigating the shooting and the events that led up to it. Police Chief Eric Winstrom, citing department policy, said he only would release the officers name if and when he is charged. Lyoyas family and Crump have demanded that the city identify the officer.

Minnesota

Minneapolis: Researchers plan to study a group of Minnesotans who dunk themselves in icy Lake Harriet every winter day. The Star Tribune reports researchers from Rockefeller Universitys Cohen Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism are studying so-called brown fat that generates heat in cold conditions in humans. Theyre currently investigating possible links between controlled exposure to cold such as ice water dips or cold showers and improved health. Theyre also investigating blood biomarkers of brown fat in young New Yorkers using cooling vests. The researchers want to validate the study in a larger group of people, so starting this summer theyll collect blood from a group of 70 people who dip themselves in Lake Harriet at least twice a week for a month in winter. The researchers hope to compare molecules in their blood during the summer and winter months as well as their responses to anxiety, stress and depression. The Minneapolis Park Board allows people to swim in lakes Harriet or Cedar during the winter if they apply for a permit and sign a waiver. Data from the waiver system indicates about 1,000 people have taken dips in the lakes since December 2021.

Mississippi

Jackson: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is granting the public access to additional papers from the late author Eudora Welty, including letters written by members of her family. The release came Wednesday on the 113th anniversary of Weltys birth. She died July 23, 2001. According to her will, the family correspondence was to remain private for 20 years after her death. Welty, who lived most of her life in Jackson, was known for the lyrical quality of her short stories and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for her short novel The Optimists Daughter, published in 1972. While establishing herself as a writer, Welty photographed scenes of everyday life in Mississippi during the Great Depression for the Works Progress Administration. Weltys niece, Mary Alice White, said in a news release from the archives department that the newly released letters begin with the courtship of Weltys parents. White said they also include correspondence with relatives and papers and letters from others in the family. The Eudora Welty Collection was established in 1957, when she donated manuscripts, photographs and correspondence to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Missouri

Springfield: Hoping to end the tyranny of the Bradford pear tree, the state Department of Conservation is offering free replacements to residents who cut them down. The Bradford pear, also known as the Callery pear, can create unpleasant smells and, more importantly, is invasive and destructive to other plants and animals. While beautiful in bloom, it multiplies quickly and crowds out native plants, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Callery pear became a popular ornamental landscape tree in the 1960s because it was inexpensive, it grew fast, and provided those eye-catching blooms in the spring, said MDC Forestry Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah. But thats where its benefits end. Different varieties of the tree were planted close to each other, which resulted in cross-pollination, and they took over natural areas. The Bradford pear also has a poor branch structure, so the trees dont fare well in storms. MDC encourages homeowners and landscapers to grow native when picking a tree to plant. There are many great trees to substitute, Hinnah said. Serviceberry trees produce similar showy white blooms in the spring and have small red fruits that attract wildlife. Other great alternatives include American plum, hawthorn, eastern redbud and Missouris state tree, the flowering dogwood.

Montana

Ennis: Instead of only responding to 911 calls, some emergency responders in the state are working with patients in their homes to prevent unnecessary medical emergencies. Community paramedicine services can range from home check-ins between doctor visits to follow-up care with discharged hospital patients, Montana Public Radio reports. According to the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, 10 emergency medical service agencies across Montana are doing this work as part of a pilot program established by the 2019 Legislature. The state received federal funding to help set up a training program at Missoula College that could offer its first class later this year. DPHHS also plans to use a separate $5 million federal grant to expand community paramedicine services in Montana. Nicole Steeneken, who works in the state health departments EMS and trauma section, said the new federal grant will train nearly 50 first responders in community paramedicine services. The grant will also pay for those emergency responders salaries for a year and half. Were trying to hit at least two providers within each county and then build upon that with larger organizations that might fill in the gaps, Steeneken said. Nearly 30 EMS agencies in Montana have submitted applications to take part in the program.

Nebraska

Lincoln: Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about its neighbors increased water use. Ricketts proposed the canal project to help protect Nebraskas water rights as the population of Colorados Front Range increases, although Colorado officials have questioned the need for it. Water is our most important natural resource after our people. We need to continue to manage, protect and steward it here in our state, Ricketts said. The law will allow Nebraska to begin work on the roughly $500 million canal, but the measure includes only $53.5 million to design the project and potentially secure purchase options on land that might be used for it in the future. Officials estimate it will take eight to 10 years to complete the project, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources will have to return to the Legislature next year to obtain additional funding. Ricketts, a Republican, has said the South Platte River Compact agreement that was approved by Nebraska, Colorado and Congress in 1923 gives Nebraska the right to build the canal. That would give Nebraska the right to claim some of the water in late fall, winter and early spring and store it for use in drier times.

Nevada

Las Vegas: Officials who run elections are worried supply shortages could bring delays as they order the paper and envelopes needed for upcoming primary and midterm elections. The dilemma is the result of global supply chain issues coupled with an increase in demand for paper brought on by the pandemic, leaving ballot vendors worried about not getting their supply in time for the elections, the Las Vegas Sun reports. Lawmakers in Nevada, which has almost 1.8 million active registered voters, passed a law last year directing election officials to send every registered voter a mail-in ballot unless they choose to opt out. Some counties, such as Nye, are also pushing for 100% paper ballot elections. Both processes will require election officials to increase their paper supply to print ballots. The Nevada Secretary of States Office has known about the shortage for months and reached out to county officials to recommend they confirm with their ballot suppliers that they will get their supply in time. Joe Gloria, registrar of voters in the Las Vegas area, said he confirmed with the countys vendors that the paper shortage would not affect Clark County in printing ballots or sample ballots for the 2022 election. The county, with more than 1.2 million active registered voters, has two different vendors, he said.

New Hampshire

Concord: Three people have pleaded guilty to wire fraud in opening accounts at financial institutions in their names or in the names of churches to allow another person to use the accounts to sell virtual currency. They pleaded guilty in federal court last week and await sentencing in July. Additional counts of wire fraud and conspiracy were dropped as part of a plea agreement. Two admitted to opening accounts in the names of the Crypto Church of NH and the Church of the Invisible Hand. The accounts were not used by churches but by Ian Freeman to trade virtual currency, prosecutors said. The third person signed blank checks and gave Freeman the login information or those accounts, they said. Each of the defendants was aware that banks would close these accounts if the banks knew the accounts were used to operate an unlicensed virtual currency business, the U.S. attorneys office said in a news release Monday. Freeman and two others are scheduled for trial Nov. 1. Hes pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, money laundering, operating a continuing financial crimes enterprise, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Freeman is a leader of the libertarian Free Keene group and hosts a radio show.

New Jersey

Trenton: Legislation that proposes a later school start time statewide would not be ideal for all, say some educators who are advocating for the decision to be left up to local districts. Students who participate in after-school activities and sports or have part-time jobs would be at a disadvantage with the later start, some educators said, especially during the shorter days of winter. Some argue the change also wont be ideal for those parents who have to drop off their children at school on their way to work. The bill introduced last month by Senate Education Committee Chair Vin Gopal and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin proposes requiring all New Jersey public high schools to start later in the morning to benefit students mental health. The bill proposes later start times, no later than 8:30 a.m, beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. Currently, most of the states high schools start between 7:30 a.m and 8:30 a.m. The choice should be left to individual districts and their school boards, said the New Jersey School Boards Association. Despite well-documented research indicating that adolescents are not getting sufficient sleep for their health and well-being, NJSBA spokesperson Janet Bamford said a potential law must deal with practical hurdles such as transportation costs and family schedules.

New Mexico

Albuquerque: Organizers of a festival held on the date known for celebrating marijuana have had two permits denied by local police. The 420 Fest, scheduled for Wednesday in downtown Albuquerque, had submitted permit requests for streets to be blocked off. Melissa Thompson, New Mexico 420 Fest organizer, told KOB-TV she and her team have been communicating with the city about this since June. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said the request was rejected because the department doesnt have the manpower to block off streets in the middle of the workweek. Officers already have to shut down roads in the same area at night because of traffic around the bars. The 420 Fest has been an ongoing event for six years but was shelved during the pandemic. Thompson said thousands of people are expected to show up. While recreational cannabis is now permitted in New Mexico, attendees wont be able to buy or consume any because theyll be out in public. This month the state joined 17 others that have legalized recreation pot without significant legal challenges. The change came 15 years after the state first began offering medical marijuana.

New York

New York: A lawyer for recently resigned Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said Monday that the Democrat has very lively legal issues from which to challenge corruption charges brought against him. Attorney Barry Berke told a Manhattan federal judge he expects to challenge on legal grounds the charges brought against Benjamin last week based on the U.S. Supreme Courts skepticism toward criminal cases against politicians built solely on political contributions. In a statement issued after the hearing, Berke and defense attorney Dani James wrote: This case is an unprecedented attempt to criminally charge an upstanding state leader for routine fundraising and support of a non-profit providing needed resources to Harlem public schools. Benjamins arrest on charges alleging he promised to trade his political influence for a real estate developers campaign contributions created a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul, seven months after she teamed up with Benjamin and pledged to restore order after ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, another Democrat, resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal. Hochul had been lieutenant governor under Cuomo. Benjamin is free on $250,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty last Tuesday following his arrest on multiple charges including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records.

North Carolina

Harkers Island: A newborn wild horse will be raised as a domesticated animal after well-meaning tourists took it with them as they left a barrier island, officials at a national park said. The foal followed a group of visitors on Shackleford Banks for two hours March 26 with no other horses around, according to a Monday news release from the Cape Lookout National Seashore. When the visitors moved their boat to leave the island, the young horse tried to follow them. The park said the tourists were worried the newborn would drown, so they lifted it into their boat and left. The tourists were cited for removing the horse, and the park said its working with them to assist with future educational opportunities and community service projects that will benefit the banks and its horses. A stallion trying to protect its group of mares might drive them away from where a foal is sleeping, according to the national park. The stallions goal is to keep a mare from going back to get her offspring because he doesnt want to lose her. The newborn might lose its harem in such cases. Dr. Sue Stuska, the parks wildlife biologist, said in the news release that young horses will follow other horses or even people when separated from their mothers. But visitors shouldnt come closer than 50 feet to wildlife.

North Dakota

Bismarck: McKenzie County residents are lukewarm on federal efforts to rename a hamlet on the Montana border. A federal task force is working to replace the names of more than 660 geographic features nationwide that American Indians find derogatory. One of the features is Squaw Gap. The Bismarck Tribune reports the hamlet is little more than a community hall and an old schoolhouse. The community is named for a rock formation that was said to resemble an Indian woman carrying a child, according to the book North Dakota Place Names by Douglas A. Wick. McKenzie County Commission Vice Chair Kathy Skarda, who grew up in the Squaw Gap area, said her friends and family thought the renaming effort was a joke. She said she doesnt think the name was ever meant to deride any ethnicity. People will have to live with the name change, she said, but the area will always be Squaw Gap to residents. Possible replacement names include Spring Creek, One-O-One Creek, Phillip Draw, West Fork Badlands Draw and Phillip Spring. The task force will forward recommendations to the Board on U.S. Geographic Names in the coming months. Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Tribal Chairman Mark Fox said he supports removing the term from place names. It really causes serious and strong emotions and resistance to that term, Fox said.

Ohio

Columbus: State regulation of streams that flow temporarily after rainfall would be restricted under proposed legislation months in the works. Construction companies, the mining industry and other business groups say removing so-called ephemeral streams from regulation would make Ohios practice consistent with federal law. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency created a permitting system for development projects affecting ephemeral streams after the government removed them from federal oversight in 2020 and left their regulation up to states. The EPA says about 36,500 miles of the states 115,200 miles of primary headwater streams are ephemeral streams. Environmental groups largely oppose the legislation, saying the streams play an important role in maintaining water quality. They also question why Ohio would remove the streams from regulation at the same time its spending millions to improve water quality under Gov. Mike DeWines H2Ohio initiative. The state Senate approved the measure late last month along partisan lines. Some environmental groups softened their criticism after the Senate revised the bill to focus only on streams not already regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City: A former Kay County corrections officer faces up to 10 years in prison after a federal jury convicted him of excessive force and placing Black detainees in harms way by moving them into the same cell row as white supremacist inmates. Matthew Ware, 53, was found guilty of willfully depriving two pretrial detainees of their right to be free from a corrections officers deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of serious harm and of willfully depriving a third pretrial detainee of the right to be free from a corrections officers use of excessive force. Prosecutors said while Ware was serving as lieutenant at the Kay County Detention Center in Newkirk on May 18, 2017, he ordered lower-ranking corrections officers to move DAngelo Wilson and Marcus Miller to a cell row housing white supremacist inmates who Ware knew posed a danger to Wilson and Miller. Ware later ordered the officers to unlock the jail cells of Wilson and Miller and the white supremacist inmates at the same time the following morning, prosecutors said. When the cells were unlocked, the white supremacist inmates attacked Wilson and Miller, causing injuries to both, including a facial laceration to Wilson that required seven stitches, prosecutors said.

Oregon

Ontario: Planned Parenthood is renting medical office space in a town on the Oregon-Idaho border. Planned Parenthood has not confirmed its plans for the space but has said its preparing for an influx of out-of-state patients seeking abortions in Oregon because of multiple legal challenges to abortion rights, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports. Earlier this year the group successfully lobbied the Oregon Legislature to set aside $15 million in an unrestricted fund for reproductive health equity. No matter what happens, we will be there for our in-state and out-of-state neighbors and continue to meet the needs of our patients, said Kenji Nozaki, the chief of affiliate operations at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. We are prepared to support anyone who seeks their legal right to decide whether and when to become pregnant. The office space Planned Parenthood is renting in Ontario was previously home to the Four Rivers Health Clinic, a nonprofit serving people without health insurance. Joe Recla, the groups executive director, said Four Rivers will use the rental income to continue to support uninsured patients. A Planned Parenthood clinic in Ontario could be a significant high desert outpost for access to abortion and other reproductive health care services. The town is about an hours drive from Boise, Idaho.

Pennsylvania

Harrisburg: The states acting health secretary is leaving the job, and Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday that his physician general will take over leadership of the department. Wolf said Keara Klinepeters last day is Friday. He plans to name Dr. Denise Johnson to succeed her as acting health secretary. Klinepeter has been acting secretary since her predecessor, Alison Beam, left at the end of 2021. Klinepeter has been deeply involved in the governments handling of COVID-19, including as special adviser to the secretary and executive deputy secretary. Johnson said she was honored to lead the Health Department during what she called a transformative time in public health. Wolf spokeswoman Beth Rementer said Johnson will also continue to serve as physician general.

Rhode Island

Providence: More than 70 employees at Ballys Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort are accusing the company of violating federal and state fair labor laws by failing to pay them adequate overtime wages and systematically undercutting their weekly paychecks. Three employees sued Ballys Twin River last month in U.S. District Court, alleging the casino was willfully and repeatedly miscalculating its pay for hourly, tipped workers. Dozens more employees who worked at Twin River in the past three years are seeking to join the class-action lawsuit. Those affected include dealers and servers and other tip-based employees. We think theres substantial money involved, Chip Muller, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, said Friday. The state-operated casino is privately owned. Patti Doyle, a spokeswoman for Twin River, said the company declined to comment because the matter involves personnel and pending litigation. According to the suit, the employees worked more than 40 hours some weeks but were paid 1.5 times an hourly rate that fell below the required state minimum wage. Federal fair labor and state laws require the employer to pay an hourly rate of 1.5 times the regular rate, which cannot be lower than the state minimum wage, for any overtime hours.

South Carolina

Hampton: Authorities are investigating a shooting at a nightclub early Sunday that wounded at least nine people. It was the second mass shooting in the state and the third in the nation during the Easter holiday weekend. No one was reported killed in the violence at Caras Lounge in Hampton County, roughly 80 miles west of Charleston, according to an email from South Carolinas State Law Enforcement Division, which is investigating the shooting. A phone call to the nightclub was not answered. Gunfire had erupted Saturday at a busy mall in the state capital, Columbia, about 90 miles north of Sundays nightclub shooting. Nine people were shot, and five people sustained other kinds of injuries while trying to flee the scene at the Columbiana Centre, Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook said Saturday. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 73. None faced life-threatening injuries. We dont believe this was random, Holbrook said. We believe they knew each other, and something led to the gunfire.

South Dakota

Sioux Falls: The chief federal prosecutor in the state announced Monday that hes retiring. U.S. Attorney Dennis Holmes spent more than 43 years as a prosecutor in South Dakota. The Custer native began his career as a prosecutor in 1978 as an intern in the Pennington County States Attorneys Office while he was still in law school at the University of South Dakota. He went on to serve as an assistant state attorney general, rising to become chief deputy attorney general. He joined the U.S. attorneys office in Pierre in 1988 and moved to the Sioux Falls office in 1995, where he prosecuted a wide array of cases ranging from large-scale drug conspiracies to environmental crimes. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed him as U.S. attorney for 120 days in December following U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons resignation.

Tennessee

The exterior of Villa Collina in Knoxville on April 8, 2019.

Knoxville: Demolition of the largest house in the state began Monday. The teardown of the 40,000-square-foot, 86-room Villa Collina is expected to take several days. Total Demolition Services is leading the work. The extravagant structure was purchased by LView Properties LLC for $6.5 million last October, according to Knox County property records. The property will be split into three lots for University of Tennessee board of trustees Chair John Compton, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and David and Annie Colquitt. Mike and Deane Conley were the first owners of the Italianate-style mansion and built the house in stages between 1993 and 2000. It is the largest house in Tennessee and the 84th largest in the country, according to the Villa Collina website. The mansion has eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a commercial-grade kitchen and a three-story library, among other audacious amenities. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping room is the $5 million master suite, featuring Swarovski crystal chandeliers and $200,000 doorknobs. In December, an auction that gained the interest of people from around the country was held to sell items in the home before demolition. From stained-glass panels to decorative bathroom fixtures, the auction was full of unique, luxury items.

Texas

Dallas: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review the conviction of death row inmate Kristopher Love, who claimed his trial was improperly influenced by racial bias after a juror said he believed nonwhite races were more violent. No reason was given for rejecting Loves appeal, but the courts three liberal justices issued a dissenting opinion saying the inmates claim deserved closer scrutiny. Racial bias is odious in all aspects, but especially pernicious in the administration of justice, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan. The legal challenge by Love, a Black man, focused on the jury selection portion of his 2018 trial in Dallas, where a potential juror said he believed nonwhite races were more violent races, citing statistics seen in news reports and in criminology classes he had taken. Defense lawyers tried unsuccessfully to strike the man from Loves jury. Sotomayor criticized the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which upheld Loves death sentence in a unanimous ruling, finding last year that any error made at Loves trial was harmless because the judge had given defense lawyers two extra peremptory strikes that let them reject potential jurors for any reason. Those two extra challenges, however, had already been used.

Utah

St. George: The drought-stricken state continues to see below-normal levels of snowpack, and Utah water officials said Friday that they dont expect the annual spring runoff to provide nearly enough water to refill the states reservoirs. Some late-season snow provides some help, but 99% of the state remains in severe drought, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. Some 95% of the water supplies used by state residents comes from snowmelt that flows into state reservoirs. Utah has been in drought eight of the last 10 years, and this years disappointing snowpack is not going to pull the state out of drought, said Brian Steed, executive director of the state Department of Natural Resources. The recent snowstorms were beneficial, however, they added less than an inch of water to our snowpack. Of the 95 measured streams, 51 are flowing below normal despite spring runoff. Eight streams are flowing at record-low conditions. The statewide snow water equivalent, or how much water would be in the snowpack if it melted, peaked at 12 inches this year, which was 75% of the typical median peak of 16 inches. Twenty-eight of Utahs largest 45 reservoirs are below 55% of available capacity. Overall statewide storage is 58% of capacity. At this time last year, reservoirs were about 67% of capacity.

Vermont

Pawlet: The owner of an unpermitted firing range is facing jail time if he wont allow town officials to visit the property within 30 days, a judge said Monday. The town has been working for years to get Daniel Banyai to comply with its zoning regulations and later orders from the state Environmental Court. During the remote hearing, Environmental Court Judge Thomas Durkin also told Banyai that he must sign a contract within 10 days with a surveyor to complete an assessment of the 30-acre property in West Pawlet to determine what is located there. I will caution Mr. Banyai that if you do not abide by this interim order in any respect I will then immediately  consider any request made by the town of Pawlet to have you jailed until you comply, Durkin said. During the three-hour hearing, Banyais lawyer Robert Kaplan said he only began representing Banyai last month, but he would work with town officials and his client to find an acceptable date for a site visit. Banyai bought the 30-acre property known as Slate Ridge in 2013 and sometime in 2017 began operating what he calls a firearms training facility. The property is only permitted to have a garage with an apartment. Slate Ridge neighbors have complained for some time about gunfire at the facility and what they claimed were threats and intimidation by Banyai and his supporters. Many of the neighbors of Slate Ridge are afraid to talk publicly because of fears for their safety.

Virginia

Bedford: Local officials are citing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers among reasons for selling a county-owned nursing home in southwestern Virginia. The Bedford County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a special meeting to consider selling the nursing home. The nursing home was established as the County Poor Farm in 1831. The News & Advance reports that county officials are considering selling the facility to Roanoke-based American HealthCare LLC. County officials released a statement saying that with an increasing regulatory environment surrounding nursing homes, industry experts who specialize in health care compliance, rather than local government officials with no such expertise, are in a better position to make decisions. The statement also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic further prompted local officials to explore their options, and that the vaccine mandate for health care employees is contrary to the positions of all board members and has complicated uniformity in how county employees are treated.

Washington

Renton: After years of protest, moratoriums and delays, King County has granted approval for a proposed asphalt plant to be built on the banks of the Cedar River. The countys Department of Local Services ruled Thursday that the project, which has been fiercely opposed by neighbors and environmental groups, does not pose a probable significant adverse impact to the environment, as long as the company takes mitigation measures. The decision comes six years after Lakeside Industries bought the 25-acre parcel on Highway 169 and nearly four years after Lakeside, which has a dozen asphalt plants in Western Washington, first applied to build the plant, the Seattle Times reports. The county also said an environmental impact statement  which had been requested by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and others  was not necessary. The site sits about 50 yards from the Cedar River, separated by a five-lane highway and bike path. A traffic study found the plant will require 460 truck trips each weekday. The site was rezoned in 2008, in a little-noticed amendment to a massive piece of mandatory legislation. It was shifted from rural, with only one home allowed every 5 acres, to industrial. Lakeside bought the site in 2016 for $9.5 million, five times its assessed value.

West Virginia

Charleston: State residents have until close of business Tuesday to register to vote or update their registration for the May 10 primary. It is especially important for voters who have moved to a different address, changed their name or want to change political party to update registration, Secretary of State Mac Warners office said in a news release. Registration can be completed online at GoVoteWV.com by close of business Tuesday; by mailing a paper application to the county clerk, postmarked by Tuesday; or in person at the offices of the county clerk, secretary of state, Division of Motor Vehicles, pubic assistance, agencies serving people with disabilities and military recruiting agencies, the release said. More information on the primary election is also available at GoVoteWV.com.

Wisconsin

Madison: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway wants to spend $425,000 to design a system to filter PFAS chemicals out of a city well. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the mayor said the system would be the first in the state designed to filter the so-called forever chemicals out of drinking water. Rhodes-Conway and Alderwoman Nasra Wehelie said theyve drafted a resolution authorizing city water officials to contract with AECOM for up to $375,000 in design and engineering services for the system. The resolution includes another $50,000 for staff time. City officials say a no-bid contract is necessary in order to submit the project for state grants in October. The money is part of $143 million the state is receiving through the infrastructure aid bill Congress passed last year. The bill provides $12.8 million in each of the next five years for projects targeting emerging contaminants in drinking water. Competition for the grants is expected to be stiff. The citys water quality manager, Joe Grande, said the filtration likely would cost about $670,000 to install and between $136,000 and $300,000 annually to operate depending on the level of PFAS contamination allowed. The city closed Well 15 in 2009 after tests showed elevated levels of PFAS, likely stemming from the Dane County Regional Airport.

Wyoming

Casper: In honor of National Donate Life Month, Donor Alliance is inviting residents to celebrate the gift of life by raising awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation at events across the state. Ranging from the upcoming Wyoming Donor Dash event  a 5K walk/run April 23 at the Tate Pumphouse in Casper  to celebrations at Driver Services and hospitals across Wyoming, there are plenty of opportunities for Wyoming residents to honor the lives of donors, celebrate the lives of recipients and raise awareness for those still waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Wyoming continues to make an incredible impact when it comes to residents who have signed up as organ and tissue donors, said Jennifer Prinz, president and CEO of Donor Alliance. As we honor National Donate Life Month in Wyoming, were aiming to grow awareness and support of the generous gift of organ and tissue donation. In honor of Blue and Green Day on Friday, twenty-one of the states Driver Services offices in addition to hospitals across Wyoming are honoring the day with celebrations and office decorations. Residents are encouraged to join the celebration by dressing in blue and green to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation.

From USA TODAY Network and wire reports

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Egg roll, valedictorian delay: News from around our 50 states
CAIRO (AP)  Egyptian prosecutors Tuesday referred a man to trial for allegedly stabbing to death a Coptic Christian priest in an attack that shocked the Arab Worlds most populous country.

The public prosecution said in a statement the suspect was accused of killing the priest earlier this month at the popular seaside promenade in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. He was also accused of illegal possession of a knife used in the attack, it said.

No date was set for the trial . The suspect could face a death sentence if convicted.

The Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria identified the priest as Arsanious Wadid, 56, who served at a local parish.

Sectarian violence is not uncommon in Egypt. Islamic extremists have also targeted Christians in recent years, especially following the 2013 military ouster of an Islamist but elected president amid mass protests against his divisive rule.

In September 2017, an alleged Islamic State supporter stabbed to death an 82-year-old Christian doctor in Cairo. He was sentenced to death the following year.

Egypts Copts, the Middle Easts largest Christian community, have repeatedly complained of discrimination. They account for about 10 percent of Egypts over 103 million people.
A 24-year-old El Paso-area man has been arrested on a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of a young woman last week.

El Paso County sheriff's detectives arrested Efrain Orozco after the death of 21-year-old Karina Isabel Tobias, a Sheriff's Office news release stated Tuesday.

Tobias had been hospitalized since April 10 after arriving with a gunshot wound at the Hospitals of Providence East Campus by Joe Battle Boulevard in far East El Paso.

Sheriff's officials said Tobias was mortally wounded in a shooting in a desert area off Montwood Drive outside the El Paso city limits.

On April 10, El Paso police described the incident as a "shooting death" when officers initially responded to the hospital before the Sheriff's Office took over the case because it occurred outside the city limits. The Sheriff's Office had reported her as still alive on April 13.

Tobias died on April 12 at the hospital, according to an obituary and a GoFundMe fundraising page created by a relative describing her as a young woman who was full of life, filled with dreams and full of love.

Karina Isabel Tobias, 21, died on April 12, 2022, following a shooting in El Paso County. She is shown on a GoFundMe online fundraising page.

Sheriff officials have not disclosed any information on the circumstance regarding the shooting.

Violent crime: 19-year-old El Paso homicide suspect arrested driving slain man's car, police say

More: El Paso police arrest man in Cincinnati District shooting during brawl outside bars

Orozco, who is listed as residing in the Clint area, is being held at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown on a $500,000 bond. He was booked into jail Monday.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 915-546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso area man arrested in desert shooting death of Karina Tobias
Unmasked and masked air travelers line up for a flight at Midway International Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022. A federal judge overturned the national mask mandate for transportation for airports, trains, buses and ride-shares. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago travelers were left to navigate a patchwork of changing mask rules Tuesday after a federal judge voided a national mandate for planes, trains and buses and Gov. J.B. Pritzker revised Illinois requirements midday.

The day started with passengers required to wear masks on just some trains, and during only some parts of air travel. The Chicago Department of Aviation, which oversees Midway and OHare International airports, started the day saying it would still enforce mask rules, while major airlines had already largely dropped their requirements. Morning commuters on CTA and Metra needed to wear masks, but not riders on Amtrak or the South Shore commuter line to northern Indiana. Masks were optional in Ubers and Lyfts.

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By the evening commute, the rules had changed. Hours after the aviation department, CTA and Metra cited a state executive order in keeping their mask mandates, Pritzker revised the order, lifting the mask rule for public transportation. Soon, all three agencies had also dropped their requirements.

Customers and employees who wish to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so, the aviation department and CTA said in separate statements. We ask all customers to be courteous and respectful to fellow passengers.

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The end of the transportation mask mandate represents another attempt to leap toward normal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend people wear masks while indoors on public transportation, but with the rule changes Tuesday, masks are no longer legally mandated in Chicago or Illinois businesses, schools or travel settings.

Chicago and Illinois had already lifted most mask requirements for businesses and schools, but before the recent changes, federal rules meant masks were still required in airports and planes, trains, buses and ride-shares.

Monday, a federal judge in Florida voided the national mask mandate, and a day later the U.S. Justice Department said it would not appeal the ruling unless the CDC believes the requirement is still necessary. Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said Tuesday that officials believe the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. The CDC continues to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determines a mandate is necessary, the Justice Department will file an appeal, Coley said.

The judges ruling prompted major airlines and Amtrak to quickly drop their mask requirements and the Transportation Security Administration to say it would no longer enforce rules requiring masks.

At Midway Airport Tuesday morning, travelers were a mix of masked and maskless. One of them, Abbi Warren, said it felt too soon to lift the mask mandate. She called it bad timing.

She sat in the front of the plane and tried not to look back during her journey from Malibu, California, home to Ravenswood. Most of the Southwest Airlines flight attendants and pilots were maskless, she said. She didnt feel apprehensive about traveling.

No one wears (masks) right anyway, she said. Im healthy, I dont have any vulnerabilities to latch on to. I dont eat on the plane.

Some passengers at Chicagos Union Station said earlier in the day the rules were confusing. Masks were still required on Amtrak and Metra at the time, but some passengers walking through the station didnt wear them.

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Its like this patchwork of different rules and enforcement of it, said Erik Abderhalden, who wore a mask as he waited for a Metra train to his home in suburban Naperville. I mean, its like Swiss cheese  theres no uniformity and it seems pretty laissez faire.

Lifting the mandate was met with mixed reactions from Uber and Lyft drivers, said Lenny Sanchez, director of the Illinois chapter of the Independent Drivers Guild. Many were relieved they would not have to enforce the rules in their vehicles, but they remained concerned about their health and safety, and the health and safety of vulnerable family members.

The guild advised concerned drivers to keep wearing masks and use a partition, Sanchez said. He also said passengers who get into a ride-share and see their driver wearing a mask should be respectful, sit in the back seat and mask up.

Its just a matter of respect, he said.

Driver George Keske, 46, said he was glad he wouldnt have to fight with passengers about wearing masks and that he wouldnt have to worry about being falsely accused of not wearing a mask himself. Multiple accusations can lead a driver to be deactivated, Sanchez said.

Keske often faced challenges from passengers who didnt want to wear masks, he said. They would say COVID-19 didnt exist, or a mask doesnt offer protection. He said he was falsely accused of not wearing a mask.

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Still, he worried about vulnerable drivers. He planned to continue wearing a mask as a precaution, to protect his parents when he sees them, but figured he probably couldnt force passengers to wear them.

What can I say at this point? he said. If its not mandated, well, hey, if they wear them, great. If they dont, they dont.

Before Pritzker revised the executive order, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at an unrelated event CTA was looking to make mask-wearing optional, but it wasnt final at that time.

I believe where we will end up is were going to recommend that people who feel comfortable, and feel like they need to wear a mask, continue to wear a mask and make sure, frankly, that were being respectful of people who are making those decisions, she said. Same, Ill just add, with our airports. There are a number of people who are just not ever going to feel comfortable again not wearing a mask in those kind of public spaces, and I can tell you for the foreseeable future for myself, Im not getting on a plane without a mask.

Pritzkers spokeswoman had said earlier in the day masks should be worn in public places where people feel uncomfortable.

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Our plans, our mitigations, are in place as they have been, Pritzker said during a budget signing ceremony before he changed the rules.

We want to encourage local governments and businesses to take actions that they think will keep their patrons or local residents safe, he said. And were going to continue to report on how were doing as a state, very importantly, so that people can take the kind of mitigation measures home and decide for themselves how they want to operate.

Chicago Tribunes John Byrne, Clare Spaulding, Darcel Rockett and The Associated Press contributed.

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The co-founder of collapsed energy firm Bulb has defended continuing to be paid 250,000 a year, saying he is helping with a sale of the company.

Boss Hayden Wood told MPs he was asked to stay on to "support customers".

He said he was "very sorry" for how the company collapsed when it buckled under rising wholesale gas prices.

Bulb collapsed late last year and was placed into "special administration", being run by the government through regulator Ofgem until a buyer is found.

It is one of 29 suppliers which have gone bust following a sharp rise in wholesale gas prices.

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee heard the collapse of Bulb was expected to cost the taxpayer 3bn - which is the biggest state bailout since the Royal Bank of Scotland collapse during the 2008 financial crisis.

Mr Wood told MPs the company had realised it "couldn't afford" losses which would have been incurred in supplying energy to customers with prices of wholesale gas reaching 400p per therm - despite having 120m in the bank.

He said Bulb, which has 1.6 million customers, had been in discussions to raise funds and eventually to sell the company.

But when talks fell through, he said: "We had no reasonable prospect of being able to fund those losses for customers and that is when we made the difficult choice to enter special administration".

He added: "I am very sorry for the way things turned out with Bulb.

"I think I and we at Bulb...should take responsibility for how the business failed."

'Morally justifiable'

Asked if it was "morally justifiable" that taxpayers continued to pay his salary after the company had gone bust, Mr Wood said: "I think everything we are doing right now is to try and complete a sale of the company so that we can minimise the cost to taxpayers and minimise the disruption to consumers."

Mr Wood said he had never received a bonus from Bulb, had put all his personal savings into the company he created in 2015 and had since lost all his shareholdings in the firm.

Story continues

At the time Bulb was placed in special administration, the Treasury set aside 1.7bn to purchase the gas required until the end of the tax year in April 2022 by which time it had been hoped a buyer would be found for the business.

But government officials have conceded that the prospect of offloading the business to a private buyer seems remote in the current environment and that means that taxpayers will foot the bill.

A Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy spokesperson said: "Bulb's administrators have agreed to keep Mr Wood temporarily in place to ensure a smooth handover and sales process."

"Mr Wood is paid for this work under his employment contract with Simple Energy, the parent company of Bulb, in a separate administration process over which the government has no influence.

The spokesperson added that the government will seek to recoup administration costs at a later date.

The committee also quizzed Jake Brown, chief executive of now-collapsed firm Avro, which had 580,000 customers.

Mr Brown faced questions about loans his family business took out of the firm, as well as his failures to engage with regulators and energy charities. Avro's collapse is expected to cost 700m.

The committee chair said Mr Brown had appeared to have got off "pretty lightly" when customers were now having to foot the bill for his business going bust.

Labour MP Darren Jones added Mr Brown "personified" the reason the government needed to change energy market regulation and said he "took customer money out the business".

"In my view you should have never been allowed to start an energy company. I find it quite offensive that you have ended up with so much of customers' money," he said.

Mr Brown told MPs he had a "lot of regret" that that company had gone bust and claimed he "had not touched any customers' money".

Earlier during the committee meeting, the bosses of four major energy firms called on the government to do more to help people struggling with soaring energy bills.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of Scottish Power, told MPs "so many people are really going to struggle" after prices rose by 54% from 1 April.

But he warned further rises forecast in October were going to be "horrific".

E.ON boss Michael Lewis said efforts by the government to soften the blow of higher prices were "not nearly enough".

Scottish Power's Mr Anderson spoke to MPs alongside E.ON's Mr Lewis, Simone Rossi the chief executive of EDF, and Chris O' Shea the boss of British Gas owner Centrica.

Mr Anderson said his company had 8,000 calls with concerns about paying bills since the price for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity increased by 693 on average - from 1,277 to 1,971 per year - at the start of April.

But he said his biggest concern was when prices are due to rise again in October, "particularly around the most vulnerable and poorest".

"In summer consumption goes down. Come October that's going to get horrific, totally horrific," he said.

Mr Anderson said the energy price crisis had now "got to the stage now where I believe the size and scale of this is beyond what I can deal with, it's beyond what I think this industry can deal with".

The Scottish Power boss said the government should set up a "deficit fund" and wipe 1,000 off the bill of anyone who is deemed to be in fuel poverty and on pre-payment meters, which would be repaid by all customers or the government.

Mr Anderson said such a policy was required for people in fuel poverty that "puts their bill back to where it used to be before the gas crisis".

But he said in the future the government should scrap the energy price cap - the maximum price suppliers in England, Wales and Scotland can charge households - and introduce a "social tariff".

He said a social tariff would be "targeted to discount the price" to people in fuel poverty.

Graphic showing how the energy price cap has changed

Mr Lewis, chief executive of E.ON, supported the idea of a social tariff but said the government could do more in the short-term situation which he said was something he had "never" seen in his 30-year career.

He said if the government did not provide more support for households, E.ON forecast 30-40% of its customers would "go into fuel poverty".

To date, the government has said it will offer extra relief of 150 via the council tax system in England in April and in October customers in England, Scotland and Wales will receive a 200 rebate on their energy bills.

They will have to repay this at 40 a year for five years, starting in April 2023.

The warm house discount scheme is also being expanded to cover three million households. It offers low income households a one-off annual discount on their electricity bill, and was worth 140 in 2021-22.

Mr Rossi added the government support for bill payers announced in February was "proportionate at that point", but added things had got worse as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Mr O'Shea said 10% of Centrica customers - about 716,000 households - were in 440 of debt on average compared to 125,000 at this time last year.

He said the insolvency service "should pursue managers, the directors, the executives of every failed company".

"Those that have misbehaved should feel the full force of the law," he added.
Jennifer and James Crumbley pictured in court in February (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The parents of Michigan school shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley have been denied a request for a lower bond, after a judge said their actions in the aftermath of the massacre prove them to be a flight risk.

James and Jennifer Crumbley appeared in court on Tuesday for a pretrial hearing on manslaughter charges over the 30 November mass shooting at Oxford High School.

Attorneys for the Crumbleys had filed a motion asking Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews to slash their bonds from $500,000 each to $100,000, increasing their chances of pre-trial freedom.

Judge Matthews turned down the request, pointing to the circumstances surrounding their arrest as evidence that they would pose a flight risk if released.

Upon a warrant being issued, law enforcement is not required to make an appointment with the defendant, she said.

It is the job of the police to ensure a swift, safe and secure arrest, and this court believes that would have happened but for the defendants actions.

Days after their 15-year-old son allegedly opened fire inside his high school, killing four of his fellow students, the Crumbleys went on the run.

A huge manhunt was launched to find the couple before they were tracked down hours later to an art studio in Detroit where they were hiding out.

They have been held behind bars ever since.

Their attorneys have insisted that the couple were not on the run but were going to arrange a time to hand themselves in to police.

On Tuesday, their legal team said that they had skipped town to avoid the press  not the authorities  and that they would wear electronic bracelets if released.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald welcomed the judges decision not to lower the bond, saying at a press conference that their decision to skip town absolutely was an attempt to evade justice.

Oxford High School shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley appears in court hearing on 22 February (Getty Images)

Tuesdays hearing marked the latest blow for the Crumbley parents after the judge ruled back in February that they would go to trial for their alleged part in the deadliest high school shooting since Parkland in 2018.

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The parents are each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after they allegedly bought the gun used in the massacre, left it accessible to their teenage son, and ignored multiple warning signs about his disturbing behaviour in the lead-up to the shooting.

They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At a hearing in February, prosecutors read out extracts from their troubled 15-year-old sons journal including where he wrote about his plans to carry out the biggest school shooting in Michigans history and how he wanted his first victim to be a pretty girl with a future so she can suffer like me.

Prosecutors pointed to the teenagers repeated mentions of his parents lack of support for his struggles, saying that they wont help or listen to me.

I have zero help with my mental problems and its causing me to shoot the school. My parents wont listen to me, he wrote.

I have fully mentally lost it after fighting my dark side. My parents wont help me.

He added: I hope my parents can forgive me for what I do.

The Crumbleys appear remotely from their car for an arraignment for their son before appearing to go on the run (AP)

The parents bought their son the firearm as an early Christmas present on Black Friday  just days before the attack, according to prosecutors.

One day before the shooting, they were reportedly contacted by staff at Oxford High School after a teacher found Ethan searching for ammunition on his phone.

They ignored attempts from the school to reach them, while Ms Crumbley jokingly texted her son about the incident: LOL. Just dont get caught.

On the morning of the mass shooting, the parents were then called into the school for a meeting with staff, counsellors and Ethan after a teacher found the teenager with a drawing of a shooting victim, gun and bullet and the phrase the thoughts wont stop, help me.

Prosecutors said the parents were told that their son needed urgent mental health support and asked them to take him home from school. They refused and left.

Ethan, who turns 16 next week, was able to return to class.

Hours later, he allegedly opened fire in the hallways and a bathroom of the school, killing four students  Hana St. Juliana, 14, Tate Myre, 16, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17  and wounding many more.

Ethan is charged as an adult with 24 counts including terrorism and first-degree murder. His attorneys have said he plans to plead insanity.
By Elizabeth Howcroft

LONDON (Reuters) - More than 40 crypto business leaders have asked the European Union not to require crypto firms to disclose transaction details and dial down attempts to bring to heel rapidly growing decentralised finance platforms.

The European Union, like countries and jurisdictions across the globe, is working to tame the freewheeling crypto sector. The EU is ahead of the United States and Britain in developing a set of rules for the $2.1 trillion sector.

In a letter seen by Reuters sent to 27 EU finance ministers on April 13, crypto businesses asked policymakers to ensure their regulations did not go beyond rules already in place under the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which set standards for combating money laundering.

EU lawmakers last month voted to back new safeguards for tracing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

The rules, opposed by major U.S. exchange Coinbase Global Inc, would require crypto firms to gather and hold information on who is involved in digital currency transfers.

In response to last month's vote, 46 European crypto industry leaders and organisations said in their letter that the proposals "will put every digital asset owner at risk" by leading to public disclosure of transaction details and wallet addresses. This would reduce crypto holders' privacy and safety, the letter's organisers said.

The EU is also introducing a wider framework, known as MiCA, to regulate all issuers and service providers in the EU dealing with crypto assets. The European Parliament recently approved its draft of the regulation, which will be negotiated with the EU's executive branch and heads of member states.

The letter asked that the EU excludes decentralised projects, which includes decentralised finance or "DeFi", from requirements to register as legal entities. It also said that certain decentralised "stablecoins" should not be subject to the MiCA regulation.

Story continues

Britain has said it will regulate stablecoins, as part of plans to create a global cryptoasset hub.

CoinShares CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti, who organised the letter, said that Europe currently had more complex crypto regulations than other regions, which deterred businesses from growing in Europe.

Diana Biggs, chief security officer at DeFi Technologies, who also organised the letter, said she was keen to increase the influence of the European crypto industry on policymaking in Brussels.

"There hasn't been strong enough or coordinated efforts across our industry in Europe," she said.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft; Editing by Stephen Coates)
A recently released ex-con attacked 5 people in a violent spree through the Upper East Side and East Harlem.

A former convict released from prison a little over a month ago has been arrested after attacking 5 people with a knife and bottle Monday morning. Lavon Davis, 32, attacked 5 individuals while high on meth, according to police.

Davis stabbed one person in the back with a knife, beat two men with his fists, and smashed bottles on two people. Davis, dressed in a black hoodie, jeans, and with a tattooed face, did not say anything to his victims, according to police.

NEW YORK ASSEMBLY SPEAKER NOT BUDGING ON BAIL REFORM POLICIES DESPITE CONCERNS OF VIOLENT CRIME

David reportedly knocked out Evans Bouchand, 65, causing him to collapse and strike his head. Bouchand, a panhandler, was well known in the area. Police reported that Bouchand suffered serious head injuries from the attack.

New York City is grappling with skyrocketing crime. Murders went up 52% from 2019 to 2021, while shootings were up 104% and car theft 91%. In 2020, Black New Yorkers were victims in 65% of murders and 74% of shootings, the authors of the NYT essay wrote.

In New York, policing and incarceration policies have been at the forefront of debate and such policies took effect as Black Lives Matter protests and the defund the police movement hit a fever pitch in 2020.

Progressive leaders have ushered in criminal justice reforms theoretically intended to rectify the imbalance of Black Americans who are arrested, convicted and incarcerated. But in practice, in cities like New York, these reforms have backfired, resulting in a spike in crime, with more Black Americans victimized and incarcerated, according to experts.

"A lot of these policies were designed explicitly around the idea that Blacks are so disproportionately represented in the people who are arrested and the people who are prosecuted and convicted and incarcerated  and trying to design criminal justice policy to back-engineer that number to be more on par with the racial demographics of everybody of society," Hannah E. Meyers, director of the policing and public safety initiative at the Manhattan Institute, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview in February. "That in itself has created a bigger problem."

Fox News' Emma Colton contributed to this report.
EXETER  As the curtain closed on theatre season, Exeter High Schools drama club won four awards at the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild state drama festival. On April 1 and 2, the cast and crew of "Eurydice" performed an encore of their fall musical live for judges and peers around the state before being presented with Best Performance, Best Ensemble, Original Music Composition and All-Star Company awards.

Eurydice cast at NHETG state festival from left to right: (top row) Chase Wyskiel, Weston Bullens, Jack Curtis, Carly Hagan; (middle row) Cali-Skyy McNeil, Isabella Balfour, Shea Hagan, Sophia Hutcheson, India Siecke, Madeline Cooper, Amelia Buckley, Anais Bator; (front row) Felix Sloss, Esme King-Farbstein and Leanne Drown.

Not only did our students present a stunning piece of theatre, but they brought energy, focus, and kindness everywhere they went throughout the festival and the entire experience is a testament to the resilience of our students, said Joel Iwaskiewicz, EHS theatre director and English teacher. Theyve missed connecting with each other in this way for years. When they had the chance to come back and do it again, they did so whole heartedly. All our students represented the Exeter High School community beautifully in every way, and for that, I am exceedingly grateful and so very proud. It was both humbling and thrilling that our cast and crew were honored with four awards.

As the first in-person drama festival since 2019, the NHETG hosted two, two-day state festivals, in New Durham and Derry, with 14 high schools in attendance. EHS was one of eight schools to participate at the festival at Pinkerton Academy in Derry performing Eurydice. Eurydice is a play by Sarah Ruhl that puts a fresh spin on the classic Greek myth of doomed lovers Orpheus and Eurydice as they attempt to escape the underworld together. The 15-person cast and crew revived the show, which was first performed last fall after a two-year live theatre hiatus, for a re-staged version at the state festival.

This production is easily one of the finest I've seen in many years of adjudicating this festival, said Kevin Gardner, the festival's most experienced adjudicator, theatre artist and educator who has judged the NHETG festival for decades. It was superior in every way, from conception and staging to design, execution and impact."

Story continues

NHETG supports, promotes and celebrates the dramatic arts at the high school level in the Granite State through hosting of theatre festivals, student conferences and teacher professional development workshops.

The festival culminated with an awards ceremony and EHS walked away with four recognitions. Best Ensemble was won by the nine-actor Stone Chorus. Two EHS seniors, guitarist Shea Hagan and vocalist Isabella Balfour, both of Exeter, were honored for their Original Music Composition. Balfour earned two other awards including the All-Star Company recognition for her role as "Orpheus" and the Robert A. Stuart Award for Best Performance at the festival.

The drama club is comprised of students in all four grades from the high school. The full cast and crew of Eurydice includes Seniors Maddy Cooper, from Brentwood, as Eurydice; Bella Balfour, from Exeter, as Orpheus; Shea Hagan, from Exeter, as Orpheus' music, Anais Bator, from Stratham, as Eurydice's father and India Siecke, from Exeter, as the Nasty, Interesting Man/Lord of the Underworld. Members of the Stone Chorus include seniors, Sophia Hutcheson, of Newfields and Cali-Skyy McNeil, of Brentwood; juniors Weston Bullens, Jack Curtis and Carly Hagan, of Exeter; sophomores Leanne Drown, of East Kingston, and Esme' King-Farbstein, of Exeter; and freshmen Amelia Buckley and Felix Sloss of Exeter.

The EHS drama club performed a spring musical Into the Woods, the classic Broadway musical from the late, legendary Stephen Sondheim and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Lapine, at the end of March. The trip to the NHETG state drama festival marked the drama clubs final performance this school year and the end of theater season.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter High School Eurydice cast brings home four NHETG awards
Ezra Miller, shown in 2018, was arrested on an assault charge Tuesday in Hawaii. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

"Fantastic Beasts" and "The Flash" star Ezra Miller was arrested again in Hawaii on Tuesday after allegedly throwing a chair at a woman's head.

The actor was taken into custody at 1:30 a.m. for second-degree assault following an incident at a home in Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii, according to a media release from the Hawaii Police Department.

Miller, who is nonbinary, was identified as a 29-year-old visitor from Vermont and was arrested after being located during a traffic stop nearby.

Patrol officers responded to a report of an assault at 1:10 a.m. that occurred at a get-together at a private residence in the Leilani Estates subdivision in lower Puna, authorities said.

"During the course of their investigation, police determined that the individual, later identified as Ezra Miller, became irate after being asked to leave and reportedly threw a chair, striking a 26-year-old female on the forehead, resulting in an approximate half-inch cut," the release said.

The victim refused treatment for her injury.

"After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, at 4:05 a.m. on Tuesday morning Miller was released pending further investigation. This is an active investigation," the statement continued. Miller's new mug shot was posted online Tuesday on the police department's website.

Millers lawyer, Francis Alcain, did not immediately respond Tuesday to The Times' request for comment.

The "Justice League" star has had a number of run-ins with the law during their time in Hawaii. Miller is facing charges in a separate case involving a traffic violation in Hilo and another case that allegedly took place at a karaoke bar.

Police had been called to a dispute in downtown Hilo on March 19 where Miller was allegedly uncooperative and refused to leave the area and continued to obstruct the sidewalk, Hawaii Police Department Asst. Chief Kenneth Quiocho told the Associated Press. Miller was cited for obstructing a highway.

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In the karaoke-bar incident on March 28, Miller allegedly became agitated when people at a Margarita Village bar began singing karaoke. Miller allegedly yelled obscenities and at one point grabbed the microphone from a young woman who was singing. Miller later lunged at a man who was playing darts, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Miller was briefly taken into custody and released on $500 bail.

Last week, a judge dismissed a temporary restraining order against the actor that was requested by a Hawaii couple at the couple's request, scrubbing one of a handful of criminal proceedings that The Flash star has been involved in as of late.

In that case, Miller was accused of harassment and theft after allegedly barging into the couple's bedroom and threatening them at a hostel in Hilo, the same Big Island town where the actor was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and harassment in one of the March incidents.

Their attorney requested last week that a hearing be postponed to April 26 because Miller and prosecutors are in what Alcain described as pre-negotiations for an agreement on the two outstanding cases.

Hawaii News Now reported that Miller is scheduled to be in court Tuesday to enter a plea on the harassment and disorderly conduct charges.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The father of a pilot who was killed after her plane crashed into a potato processing plant with a large chimney has urged authorities to close the nearby landing strip.

Brittney Infanger, 30, was flying UPS packages from Salt Lake City in Utah to Burley in Idaho when her plane crashed into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn, Idaho, last week.

Her father, Jim Bob Infanger, told local press that his daughter had 11 years of flying experience.

Theres a 60-ft chimney sticking out of the food processing plant  no lights on it, dead centre  straight across the runway. So whenever you come in, you have to fly over the top of this and drop down, he said.

He added: The airport needs to be closed, period. Im a pilot myself and...many pilots have told me how unsafe the Burley Airport is and how theyve begged the county to relocate it.

Theyve allowed this potato plant to continue to expand and this chimney comes on and has a huge amount of steam. If the wind is blowing...you fly right into this wall of steam, Mr Infanger said.

However, Heyburn police and Minidoka County Sheriffs Office have said that the pilot was flying too low while attempting to land.

While attempting to land at Burley #Municipal Airport in Idaho, a pilot was killed in the collision with Gem State Processing in Heyburn ,according to Heyburn Police Department. There were no factory employees hurt.https://t.co/tby7B5oXzC#BreakingNews #aeronews

 CandiceHare pic.twitter.com/Ob1OXrhe4Q  Aviation World Group (@Aviationwg_en) April 13, 2022

The federal aviation administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the crash.

Story continues

The heartbroken family of the pilot are now looking for answers.

Mr Infanger said: On a typical flight in, you have to go over the top of these obstructions and then quickly drop down to get on the runway thats right at the edge of the river. So its a very, very technical airport to come into.

He continued: Our mission is to get the Burley Airport closed. We dont think its safe for pilots going in and out.

Mr Infanger doesnt officially know what happened but suggests she might have hit a bird on the way down and the coroner thinks the aeroplane wing might have hit the chimney, causing the plane to flip.

The Minidoka county coroner is expected to release more information about what happened on Thursday or Friday, according to the Heyburn Police Department.

The pilots father and mother have accused Cassia County officials of keeping the Burley Airport in operation despite reports of difficult landings from pilots.

She just lived her dream. She loved to fly. She was very adventurous, her mother said, according to Fox News.

Brittney loved flying more than anything, her sister Emily Goodrich added.

The pilots funeral will be held on 23 April.
The Phoenix Center on Ramsey Street in Fayetteville.

Local activists and organizations are increasing awareness of sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

According to Deanne Gerdes, executive director of Rape Crisis of Cumberland County, even though overall sexual assault in Cumberland County has decreased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still prevalent in the area.

"Sexual assault is happening and I guarantee that you know someone who has been either raped or is in a domestic violence situation," she said. "So, it's not just about reaching the victim, it's about reaching the community who know people who have been assaulted or in a domestic situation so that they have the tools to be able to help the ones that need us."

Rape Crisis of Cumberland County, which operates out of the Phoenix Center on Ramsey Street, has been serving the area since 1974. The nonprofit agency offers free services including support groups, individual counseling and a 24-hour crisis line.

Last year, Gerdes said, the organization helped 517 victims of sexual assault in Cumberland County.

"Most sexual assaults or rapes are by a known person, whether that's a friend, an ex-boyfriend, a friend of a friend," she said. "We haven't had, in the past year, many unknown rapes and that means someone broke into someone's house. We haven't seen much of that, but the acquaintance rapes, as always, (are) up."

Gerdes said the organization has seen a rise in child sexual assault victims since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. With remote learning, she said, children didn't have regular contact with safe adults to confide in.

"If children are stuck in the home with a bad person, then that's just going to continue to be bad," she said.

More: Money from new state budget keeps Fayetteville's Rape Crisis Center open

Sexual assault survivor and sexual assault awareness advocate Kathy Greggs said she started her advocacy work after her sexual assault in 2005. She volunteers with the Phoenix Center on their hotline and offers support to victims.

Story continues

Greggs said addressing sexual assault and increasing awareness is a community effort by doing things like identifying signs of sexual assault including changes in behavior at school or people isolating themselves from others.

"We need to make sure we are monitoring our people that's around us for that trauma, because if we don't look for it, we're not going to know," she said.

Although Greggs said she finds Sexual Assault Awareness Month is good to increase awareness, she noted it's also important to increase awareness of the services available to victims.

"If we're not addressing the real roots of the issue, and having these services and resources available then awareness month really means nothing," she said.

Fort Bragg soldiers: PowerPoint not best way to present sexual assault and harassment topics to soldiers

Within Fort Bragg, the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program outlines procedures for handling sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Army.

Maureen Lawrence, a brigade victim advocate with the SHARP program, started her advocacy work in the late 1990s when she was stationed in Guantanamo Bay with the Navy.

"I know I meet people sometimes on the worst day of their lives but just to make sure that they don't have to go through that day by themselves (that) they don't have to do it alone and I can help them get through that day  it means the world to me," she said.

Through her work at SHARP, Lawrence helps sexual assault victims, whether they are a veteran or active-duty military and dependants.

Lawrence said SHARP offers victims an option to file a restricted report, which means no one else will know about it, or file an unrestricted report, which means there will be an investigation. Both reports would also entitle sexual assault victims to Special Victims Counsel, an attorney in the military who helps victims navigate through the legal process, she said.

Subscribe today to support local journalism and enjoy unlimited digital access including videos, apps, sports news, and more. Special introductory offer for new subscribers only.

Lawrence said the program has reached plenty of people who needed help.

"I think people are trusting the system, trusting the program and they're coming forward and they're speaking up against sexual assault and sexual harassment," she said. "A lot of times, I preferred it for people to show up and ask for help because people have been staying quiet for far too long and if they need help, they've been just keeping everything inside."

For more information on the Phoenix Center, visit the organization's website.

For more information on the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, visit the Army's website.

Staff writer Akira Kyles can be reached at akyles@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: How Fayetteville orgs, activists increase sexual assault awareness
A federal grand jury has indicted 26-year old Traevaughnn Morrison of Hartford for drug and gun crimes.

Federal prosecutors said said that on April 5, members of a federal drug task force made undercover purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Morrison in Bristol.

After the drug sales, investigators followed Morrison as he drove to a condominium parking lot, where he was arrested.

During a search of the car, authorities allegedly found fentanyl, crack cocaine and a Polymer handgun known as a ghost gun manufactured on a hi-tech copy machine, along with an extended magazine loaded with ammunition, federal prosecutors said.

The prosecutors said Morrison has a criminal record that includes felony drug offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The indictment charges Morrison with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base and fentanyl, which, if convicted, carries a maximum prison term of 20 years; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a possible mandatory prison term of at least five years; and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, which carries a maximum possible prison of imprisonment of 10 years.

Morrison has been detained since his arrest.
MarketWatch

Answer: The first thing to know is this: Federal student loans and about half of private student loans provide a death discharge, which cancels the remaining debt upon death of the borrower, says Mark Kantrowitz, author of Who Graduates From College? To find out if your private student loan could be erased in case of death, youll need to call your servicer and inquire about their policies. Have a question about getting out of student loan or other debt?
Unmasked and masked air travelers line up for a flight at Midway International Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022. A federal judge overturned the national mask mandate for transportation for airports, trains, buses and ride-shares. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

After a federal judge in Florida voided a national mask mandate Monday that governed airlines and public transit, some carriers were quick to drop their requirements for planes. Many Chicago-area public transit agencies initially kept their requirements, but that began to change following a rule change by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Pritzkers office announced Tuesday afternoon it would lift state requirements that masks be worn on public transit and in transit hubs and airports. Local municipalities would be allowed to create their own transportation mask rules.

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After the state announcement, CTA, Metra and the Chicago Department of Aviation also lifted their mask requirements. All three agencies had initially continued to require masks despite the federal ruling, citing the state rules.

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Though Chicago and Illinois previously lifted mask requirements for businesses and schools, the federal mandate had still applied to airports, trains, buses and ride-shares. The ruling overturning the mandate left a patchwork of rules for travelers and transit riders to follow, as companies and agencies varied their responses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it continues to recommend people wear masks while indoors on public transportation. Heres how the rules changed in Chicago:

Airports and planes

The Chicago Department of Aviation, which runs Midway and OHare international airports, initially said it would continue to follow, observe and enforce the state executive order requiring masks on transportation, but quickly changed course later Tuesday after the governor lifted the order.

Chicago-based United Airlines said masks were no longer required on domestic flights or certain international flights, depending on the arrival countrys mask requirements. The removal of the requirement was effective immediately, the airline said Monday evening.

While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask  and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public  they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit, the airline said in a statement.

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American and Southwest airlines also said they were no longer requiring masks. Southwest spokesman Dan Landson said mask rules in airports would follow local requirements.

Trains and buses

CTA, Metra and Pace all dropped their mask requirements shortly after the governors announcement Tuesday afternoon.

Metra said masks were welcome but not required.

They remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19, the agency said in a statement. We are asking everyone to please be courteous and kind toward your fellow riders and understanding of their needs and choices. This has been a difficult period for everyone  lets all do what we can to help each other on the way back.

The South Shore Line commuter rail service that runs between downtown Chicago and northern Indiana said it would no longer require masks, citing the TSA move to halt enforcement. Train crews would continue to provide free masks to passengers who choose to wear them, the agency said.

Ride-share

Masks are now optional on Uber and Lyft, the companies said.

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Neither riders nor drivers are required to wear masks when using Uber, the company said.

Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preference, the company said in a statement. And if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.

In addition to masks being optional in Lyfts, riders and drivers are no longer required to keep the front seat empty or the windows open, the company said. It cautioned riders and drivers to avoid using the service if they have COVID-19 or symptoms.

We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so, the company said in a statement. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they dont wish to take.

sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com
Oxygen

Single mother Kelli Underwood survived brain tumors, divorce, and depression, but an ill-fated love triangle would be the death of her. Underwood was born and raised in Mesquite, Texas, just east of Dallas. She married young but it wouldnt last, nor would her second marriage. As a single mother of three, she struggled to balance work and family. When it came down to it she was always a very positive person. Anybody that met her said that her smile would light up a room. Thats just the type of
The former Chicago police officer who shot and killed Laquan McDonald will not face federal civil rights charges following his release earlier this year after serving less than the nearly seven-year prison term he received for the 2014 fatal shooting.

Jason Van Dyke was released from prison after serving 3.5 years following his conviction for second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery on state charges. He served less than half of his 81-month sentence before he was released with time off for good behavior.

CHICAGO COP GETS 81-MONTH SENTENCE IN LAQUAN MCDONALD MURDER

In a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, authorities said a federal investigation was opened into McDonald's death months after he was killed in October 2014.

"The decision not to pursue a federal prosecution is consistent with Department of Justice policy and was made in consultation with Mr. McDonald's family. U.S. Attorney Lausch has spoken with a representative of Mr. McDonald's family on multiple occasions over the past three years, including recently, to discuss the factors the Department of Justice considers when deciding to bring a second prosecution. The family was in agreement not to pursue a second prosecution, and the Office respects their position," the office of U.S. Attorney Jon Lausch said in a statement.

Authorities noted that a federal trial would not have been a retrial of the state's case.

Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke looks on during his murder trial as a monitor displays a scene from a police vehicle dash cam video, moments after the shooting death of Laquan McDonald. On Monday, federal prosecutors announced they will not seek federal civil rights charges against Van Dyke. REUTERS/John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Pool via REUTERS

"There is no general murder charge under federal law that would apply. Federal prosecutors would need to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Van Dyke willfully deprived Mr. McDonald of a constitutional right," the statement said. "To do that, prosecutors would have to prove not only that Mr. Van Dyke acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids, but also that his actions were not the result of mistake, fear, negligence, or bad judgment.

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Van Dyke shot McDonald in October 2014 as the 17-year-old walked away from police on a Southwest Side street while holding a knife. Dash cam footage from the incident shows Van Dyke firing 16 shots at McDonald, prompted protests, a Justice Department investigation of the Chicago Police Department and the firing of the police superintendent, among other changes.

Witnesses accused Van Dyke of using racial slurs and using excessive force against suspects. One of McDonald's family members said during the trial that Van Dyke killed the teenager "without provocation," and that McDonald was just starting to turn his life around when Van Dyke fatally shot him.

Van Dyke said in 2019 that he prayed "daily for the soul of Laquan McDonald."

Even if a federal trial resulted in a conviction, a judge would have to take into account the 81-month sentence Van Dyke was previously given and that he will never again be a police officer, federal officials said.

Fox News' Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
One of Santa Rosa County's own  Don Salter  is being recognized this year as one of 15 inductees into the state's Veterans' Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place April 27 at the state Capitol.

"I was excited, humbled, and honored to have been selected," Salter told the News Journal.

Salter joined the Army right out of high school in 1965. He served as a paratrooper, spending time with 173rd Airborne Brigade while in Vietnam. After one Bronze Star and three years in the military, Salter returned to the Panhandle, logging an over 30-year career with Gulf Power. He also attended then-Pensacola Junior College and later received his master's degree from Troy State University.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter provides an update on COVID-19 during a press conference at the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners chambers in Milton on March 19, 2020.

"After high school, prior to joining the Army, I had no idea what I wanted to do in life and I was not very well-disciplined," Salter said. "But after joining the military, I knew I wanted to exceed. I became more focused and more disciplined."

After his military and Gulf Power stints, Salter took on a role in government, getting elected to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners in 2000, and serving for 20 years.

"It was because (this) was my home county. I was born in Santa Rosa and I love doing economic development and military work and that's what I pretty much did for 20 years," Salter said, adding he always wanted to be heavily involved in the community.

Filling up industrial parks: Santa Rosa County's industrial parks are filling up and one more is in the works

Quality of Life: What the data says about Santa Rosa's best qualities  and what could improve

During much of his tenure on the board, Salter shared the stage alongside fellow county commissioner, and now board chairman, Bob Cole.

"Respect to all he's done for the county and respect what he's done for the country as a veteran serving in Vietnam. (I) just have a lot of respect for the man for all that he's done for the betterment of the community," Cole said.

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Salter and Cole both reminisced about the projects the former worked on during his career with the commission. Salter made a point to mention that his biggest strength in office was military base protection and enhancement.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter, top right, signs a memorial cross during the Santa Rosa County Veterans Day ceremony in Milton on Nov. 11, 2019.

"It took me seven years working with people in Washington, D.C., the Pentagon, other military leaders to get the limited access use agreement. We finally got that in 2009. And that was a key to helping develop what has become the Whiting Aviation Park," Salter said.

More: Parts of Santa Rosa Island to be recognized in Underground Railroad Network

Cole pointed to other long-term items that he and Salter worked on together, including industrial parks and the county courthouse.

"Don and I stuck to our guns about the need for a courthouse and where it was looking to be located," Cole said.

Cole also mentioned that Salter's induction not only says much about his individual character, but also the character of Santa Rosa County, adding that a military background gives significant experience.

"I think a military background for somebody that's honorably served  whether they serve for two years, four years or put in a career as a military personnel, that knowledge and education and respect for authority; respect for upper rank, all plays into being a positive role model and a positive person for your community," Cole said.

Having been away from the board for about two years now, Salter said he still believes the county is heading in a positive direction. And earlier this year, Salter's commitment to the military mission was commemorated another way when the road leading to Whiting Aviation Park was named "Don Salter Boulevard."

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa's Don Salter inducted in Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame
A former Texas constable deputy has been arrested after he was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from multiple Vietnamese businesses while in uniform, court documents state.

Bobby Joe Espinosa, who was a constable deputy with Harris County Precinct 4, was charged with felony theft, accused of targeting businesses run by Vietnamese owners from Sept. 1 through March, according to a complaint filed in Harris County District Court.

Espinosa, 39, is accused of going into the businesses in uniform, kicking out the patrons and forcing open drawers to take money, a probable cause document seeking further detention states. He would also kick in doors to back offices and pry open slot machines for money, according to the document.

The complaint says the amount taken was $2,500 to less than $30,000. NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston reported Espinosa is alleged to have pocketed $5,700 in the raids.

He was arrested Friday and was released Sunday on $30,000 bond, according to court documents.

He had been an officer with Precinct 4 for more than seven years, KPRC reported. He was let go from his job the day he was arrested, a spokesperson for the precinct told NBC News.

"Every one of us who puts on this uniform want to maintain the pride in our agency and our profession and we can only do that by fully investigating any allegations of wrong doing," Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said in a statement.

"These allegations against ex-deputy Bobby Espinosa are no different and are receiving the full attention of my office in collaboration with the Harris County Sheriffs office," he continued.

NBC News has reached out to the sheriff's office, which investigated the case, for comment.

Espinosa's attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who served in the role in the Trump administration, blasted a federal judges decision to strike down the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) travel mask mandate, arguing that the move will endanger lives.

Remind me  which schoolhouse rock explains to kids how a single unelected judge has the power to endanger their lives in public settings? Im just a judge- Im just a judge, and Im hurting you cuz Ive got a grudge, Adams wrote in a tweet on Tuesday.

In a separate tweet, the former surgeon general clarified that he was not arguing whether the judge had the authority to make such a decision, but rather if she should have ruled as she did.

The argument is not if the judge could do it- the argument is whether or not the judge shouldve done it, after taking into account all the variables and implications of the decision, Adams said.

Judges use such discretion all the time. People (and our economy) likely will be harmed, he added.

Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who was appointed by former President Trump, ruled on Monday that the CDC exceeded its statutory authority when it ordered that masks must be worn for travel on planes, trains and buses.

The Transportation Security Administration and a number of airlines are no longer enforcing the travel mask mandate in the wake of the ruling. White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the decision disappointing and said administration officials are still reviewing the move.

In the meantime, she said the administration still recommends that people wear masks on public transit.

Following the judges decision, Adams wrote in a tweet on Monday that if he were writing a headline announcing the news it would read, Federal Judge says kids under 5 with chronic illnesses- stay home, or youre on your own!

In another tweet, he noted the ramifications the ruling could have.

This isnt just about planes. This means a 4 year old kid with cancer whos parents have no vehicle might be forced to sit next to a floridly sick / coughing covid patient with no mask on a bus, while going to get chemo. But tell me about the great ventilation systems on those, he wrote.

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Andy Slavitt, the former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, compared the mask mandate to some flights not serving peanuts if a traveler is allergic.

If airlines can ask us not to eat peanuts on board if there is someone with a peanut allergy, why wont they ask us to wear a mask if theres an unvaccinated 4 year old or cancer patient on board? Slavitt wrote on Twitter.

Adams responded to the post on Twitter, writing, More proof that this whole situation and reasoning are quite literally, nuts

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Nacho Varga (Michael Mando) is on the run on the final season of "Better Call Saul." Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "Better Call Saul."

Nacho (Michael Mando) is currently on the run from the Salamanca family.

Giancarlo Esposito told Insider his daughter is worried his character will do something to Nacho.

Things aren't looking so hot for Ignacio "Nacho" Varga (Michael Mando) on the final season of "Better Call Saul" right now.

By the end of the show's two-episode season premiere, which debuted Monday night on AMC, Nacho is on the run in Mexico from the Salamanca cousins.

On the season five finale, Nacho aided Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) in a failed attempt to kill Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton). As a result, the Salamanca family and the cartel are after Nacho.

Instead of staying put at a motel as he's told, Nacho tries to run down the fearsome Salamanca twins in a truck. Since Nacho doesn't appear on "Breaking Bad," fans are worried that Nacho may not make it out of the prequel series' final season alive. His actions on the two-part premiere definitely don't help his chances at walking away from this mess scot-free.

While fans may be concerned about what the Salamancas could do to Nacho if he's caught, Esposito told Insider that his adult daughter, Kale, who's a fan of both shows, is more concerned about what her father's character may do to the fan-favorite.

"My daughter loves Nacho Varga, understands that he's in a bad place, and asked me, 'What are you gonna do to him?'" Esposito told Insider over Zoom.

"Kale is hooked," he continued, adding that his daughter "knows more about" the "Breaking Bad" universe than him. "She's watched all of season five and has called me and said to me, 'Papa, this is the best show on television ever. I loved 'Breaking Bad,' but this show has elements that 'Breaking Bad' did not."

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Esposito hints that it's not looking good for Nacho.

Is Nacho's time up on "Better Call Saul"? Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

On the two-episode premiere, it's obvious that Nacho's death would be optimal for Gus. If Nacho's caught right now, he could easily rat out Gus as the person who put the hit out on Lalo, hurting his plans to build a meth lab.

When asked whether or not Gus cares if Nacho dies at this point or if he wants him to die, despite being loyal to him, Esposito told Insider that Gus is "between a rock and a hard place in regard to Nacho."

Coincidentally, "Rock and Hard Place" is the title of next week's episode.

"Gus wants what's best for his organization and his family," Esposito said of when it comes to Fring's current feelings, or lack thereof, towards Nacho. "Ignacio Varga is a liability."

"Gus needs to figure out how to use him to get what he wants," he continued, adding that the writing may be on the wall for Nacho. "[Gus] respects the fact that the kid did all the right stuff, but he was unable to do what Gus really needed him to do and so you can imagine where his fate lies. There is no wiggle room there and there's no room for personal feelings."

Gus and Mike are currently at odds a bit about where each other stands with Nacho. Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Gus wanted Nacho to make sure that Lalo was killed in Mexico. Currently, the audience is aware that's not the case. Gus also believes Lalo is likely alive.

Mike (Jonathan Banks) makes it clear that he's not happy that Nacho appears to be expendable to Gus after the loyalty he's shown him.

Of that, Esposito said, "Gus and Mike will come to some very difficult moments in this season because Gus realizes Mike's fondness, but that's personal. This is not a personal game. This is life and death between the Salamancas and Gustavo Fring and Gus is out to win."

Esposito gets a thrill out of his daughters watching 'Better Call Saul.'

Kale, Giancarlo Esposito, Ruby Esposito Better Call Saul premiere

Giancarlo Esposito at the season six "Better Call Saul" premiere with daughters Kale (left) and Ruby (right) on April 7, 2022 in Hollywood, California.Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Both Kale and Esposito's youngest daughter, Ruby, accompanied the actor to the show's April 7 premiere in Hollywood, California. The show's final season shows Jimmy McGill's (Bob Odenkirk) final transformation into Saul Goodman, the criminal lawyer fans first met on "Breaking Bad."

The actor said it was "a terrific thing" to have Kale there since she was completely caught up on the series.

"My youngest daughter, Ruby had to sit next to her sister because she is not as caught up and she wanted information," Esposito said, adding that he gets a kick out of how into the show they get.

"It's hysterical to watch them imbibe the show and get the idea of what's happening to these people who become human to them," Esposito continued. "They become human people, making certain decisions that affect their lives, that then in turn affect the audience's life."

New episodes of "Better Call Saul" air Monday on AMC at 9 p.m. ET.

Read the original article on Insider
Nonprofit Good Energy has published a resource guide to assist the TV and film industries in their coverage of climate change in projects.

Titled Good Energy: A Playbook for Screenwriting in the Age of Climate Change, the document is described by the organization as a guide to incorporating climate into any storyline or genre, was brought to life to provide screenwriters, industry executives, actors, and creatives with a groundbreaking and robust resource to help illustrate ways in which climate can be weaved into TV and movies.

More from Variety

Per the nonprofit, To establish a baseline for climate change representation in TV and film, Good Energy partnered with USCs Media Impact Lab at the Norman Lear Center to commission a first-ever research landscape of climate stories in TV and film over the past five years, as well as an audience survey, to gauge popular interest in climate stories and characters. USC analyzed 37,453 scripts from 2016-2020 and found that only 1,046 (2.8%) of the scripts included any climate change keywords  and within those scripts, there were only 1,772 mentions of those climate change keywords. A more in-depth breakdown of the findings is set to be released in the coming weeks.

Good Energy says it consulted with more than 100 TV and film writers, creatives and producers in Hollywood, Atlanta and around the country, as well as climate scientists, climate psychologists, activists and more to create the playbook, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, CAA Foundation, Sierra Club, Walton Family Foundation, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, The Center for Cultural Power and 1 Earth Fund, as well as Zazie Beetz, Scott Z. Burns, Don Cheadle, Rosario Dawson, Lyn and Norman Lear, Adam McKay, Mark Ruffalo, David Rysdahl, and Sarah Treem.

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The guide, which can be found here, features a thrilling array of raw material  from climate psychology, solutions and the latest science, to fascinating profiles of characters on the frontline of the climate crisis and unique climate impacts like scorpion attacks and blood snow, and aims to provide writers a larger menu of possibilities for how climate change might show up on screen.

Good Energy plans to host workshops and programming on the playbook for writers throughout the year.

Climate change is the biggest story in 66 million years. After reading the 2018 IPCC Report, I couldnt sleep for two nights. I had the sickening realization that we have to take care of this, that it is happening right now, not in 80 years, McKay said. Climate change is terrifying and sad and absurd. And its okay to have all these complicated feelings. Thats where my drive came from to make Dont Look Up. Weve seen how the film has created more conversation and protests to demand that governments look up. Nonetheless, that is just one movie and we have so much more to do.

Theres nothing more dramatic and important than the climate crisis, Anna Jane Joyner, founder and director of Good Energy, said. Yet, we hardly ever see it on screen. The launch of Good Energy: A Playbook for Screenwriting in the Age of Climate Change marks a monumental milestone to help inform and inspire great portrayals of climate change in television and film. In real life, climate change is all around us, so if your story takes place today or in the near future, climate is already a part of the world of your story and characters lives. The Playbook introduces a climate lens that helps writers to discover how to portray it in ways that are entertaining, relevant and authentic.

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Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
SPRINGFIELD, IL  A day after a Florida judge overturned a federal mask mandate that freed air travelers to shed their face coverings, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has lifted the statewide mask mandate on public transportation and airports across the state.

In a statement, Pritzker said his decision aligns with the ending of the enforcement of the federal mask mandate. The governor issued a revised executive order that no longer requires residents to wear masks on public transportation, in public transit hubs or in airports.

The governor left local municipalities to make their own decision about enforcing mask mandates for their own public transportation.

Im proud of the work our state has done to fight COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable, Pritzker said.

I continue to urge Illinoisans to follow CDC guidelines and, most importantly, get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.





Pritzkers announcement comes on the heels of the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and the Department of Aviation announcing that they will still require passengers to wear masks while using city trains and buses along with the Metra train lines. The Department of Aviation announced that despite passengers not being forced to wear masks on airplanes, they would still need to wear them inside OHare International Airport and Midway Airport.

However, on Tuesday afternoon, Metra issued a statement saying that masks would be "welcome but not required" effective immediately following the governor's announcement.

"(Masks) remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. We are asking everyone to please be courteous and kind toward your fellow riders and understanding of their needs and choices," the Metra statement reads. "This has been a difficult period for everyone  lets all do what we can to help each other on the way back."

Early Tuesday evening, CTA issued a statement saying that it too was no longer requiring masks following Pritzker's announcement.

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"Those who wish to continue masking are encouraged to do so," CTA officials said. "Please be kind and courteous to fellow riders as we continue to welcome folks back to the CTA."

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said earlier Tuesday that mask mandates for Chicagos public transportation agencies would remain in place but could be lifted soon. The mayors statement came before Pritzker announced the change in the state mask mandate for public transportation.

At least in the short term here, we are legally covered and masks do remain required on the CTA, Chicago Chief Health Officer Dr. Allison Arwady said during a Tuesday livestream.

Arwardy said the current mask mandate was in place through at least the end of April.

Ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber have also ended their mask requirements for customers.



This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
Apr. 19JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  Getting to compete in the 2022 YMCA State Championships was a thrill for area swimmers from Greater Johnstown.

On Monday, those standouts were honored for their hard work and accomplishments by state Reps. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor, and Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale.

"I get really excited," Greater Johnstown YMCA swimming coach Glenn Giles said of his pupils getting recognized. "Our season starts in September. They put all that hard work in and see it all come together all at the state championships makes me very proud of all the swimming they do. No one knows how much time they put into the pool. They put hours upon hours in a week. They put in two hours a day, five days a week and meets on the weekend. To make it that far is pretty awesome."

Rylee Kohan, 12, of Westmont, earned a state title in the 50-yard backstroke at the state meet in York on March 24-26. She also attained second place in the 50 freestyle, third place in the 100 individual medley and 100 backstroke, fourth place in the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle and 11th place in the 50 breaststroke.

"It was really cool," Kohan said of competing with the state's best swimmers. "I've been working since September. It's just really cool to get that chance to go. In the backstroke, I've been working really hard to get those turns down."

Ethan Amponsah, 10, finished in 15th place in the 100 butterfly.

"I never thought I would qualify in the 100 fly at states after districts, but I actually did that," Amponsah said. "I shaved off two seconds from my district time. I shaved off eight seconds from my previous time. I was trying to work on things that could get me an advantage in a race, turns and starts."

"It's a real pleasure coaching these kids," coach Denny Hartnett said. "They had a really hard stretch toward the end, meet after meet. They competed at top level and did very well. I'm very proud of all of our swimmers."

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Bedford sophomore Leah Shackley won YMCA national titles in the 100 (52.74, Allegheny Mountain record) and 200 backstroke (1:54.91). She won PIAA titles in the 100 back (state record) and butterfly this year.

Blacklick Valley sophomore Noah Marsinko, Conemaugh Township senior Herman Zilch IV (Canisius College recruit) and Westmont Hilltop seniors Elijah Innis (Edinboro) and Cael Long (Virginia Wesleyan) helped the 200 medley (1:39.08) and 400 free relay (3:17) teams finish in second place at the state meet. The quartet earned the opportunity to swim at the YMCA Short Course National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, from March 28 to April 1.

"We were seeded pretty decent, so we were hoping to go out and get first place," Zilch said. "It felt amazing being with my friends and teammates doing well."

Keeping the mood light helped the team soar.

"Getting along together helped a lot," Marsinko said.

"You can't do good if you're not having fun. If you get too worked up over it, then you won't do good. But if you have fun while doing it, then it's going to go a lot better."

Innis, who finished tied for fourth in the 100 butterfly at this year's PIAA Class 2A championships, also finished second in the 100 butterfly and fourth in the 50 free at the state competition.

"That was my first year making it in an individual event for states," Innis said. "The fact that I was so close to winning in the 100 butterfly, let alone just being there, was surreal.

"Being there with the team was extremely fun, especially during the relays. Just standing up on that podium with everybody was just surreal."

Getting to compete with the country's elite swimmers should help Innis, Long and Zilch as they transition to the college level.

"Being there, seeing the sights and seeing the pool, the fact that I saw four pools in one facility, it was just surreal," Innis said. "I didn't think I would get to that point two years ago. For the last few years, I was just stepping it up more and more and more."
Danielle Dauphinais, 35, faces two murder charges in connection to her son Elijah Lewiss death. The 5-year-olds body was found in a wooded area in Massachusetts. (Facebook)

The mother of a 5-year-old boy who was found dead in the woods has been charged with his murder, according to prosecutors.

Danielle Dauphinais, 35, was indicted by a grand jury on Friday on two murder charges "for purposely causing the death" of her son Elijah Lewis.

She and her boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, 30, were arrested in mid October on charges of witness tampering and child endangerment after they allegedly asked other people to lie to Child Protective Services for them when social workers asked about the boy.

Elijah's body was found in a wooded area in Massachusetts two weeks after he was reported missing.
This building at 4343 South Cottage Grove Ave. is slated to be the African American Museum of Performing Arts and a theater. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Harry Lennixs Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts, a project located at 4343 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on Chicagos South Side and designed to aid in the renaissance of Bronzeville, will receive capital funding from the State of Illinois to the tune of $26 million, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday.

This was a quixotic venture and it felt like an impossible dream, the Chicago-born actor said in a telephone interview. The best word I can use is that I feel vindicated.

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By any standards of public support for arts facilities in Illinois, $26 million in state funding is a transformational amount of money.

In a previous Tribune interview, Lennix described his project, which is to contain both a museum and two performing spaces, as the Black version of the Lincoln Center, and part of his passion to reinvigorate Chicagos South Side and give back to the city that launched him on a successful film and television career in New York and Los Angeles, recently including appearances in such shows as The Blacklist and Billions.

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A rendering of the proposed African American Museum of Performing Arts (AAMPA) and Lillian Marcie Theatre at 4343 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Chicago. (Provided by AEFPR)

The center is earmarked as a performance home for the Congo Square Theatre Company. Lennix says he also plans a museum dedicated to Black contributions to the performing arts. TaRon Patton has been tapped to be the executive director of the center; Terrence Carey will be the interim executive director of the centers new African American Museum of Performing Arts, which Lennix hopes will draw tourists to Bronzeville.

As previously reported by the Tribune, the building, a former warehouse, is to be named after both Lennixs mother, Lillian, and one of Lennixs early mentors on Chicagos South Side, Marcella Marcie Gillie.

Lennix said he expects the total cost of the new facility to be about $80 million, for which a capital campaign has been launched. This gives us a great tail wind, he said, describing his project as a tool to reestablish the cultural beauty of the South Side of Chicago. If all goes according to plan, the center should open in the summer or fall of 2024.

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com
Attorneys for the man accused of killing eight people at three metro Atlanta spas last year filed dozens of motions to try to keep him off death row Tuesday morning.

Robert Aaron Long, 23, is accused of going on a multi-county killing spree in March of 2021, leaving eight people dead across three Asian spas in Cherokee County and the city of Atlanta. Six of the eight people who were killed were Asian women.

Long previously pleaded guilty in Cherokee County to four counts of murder in the deaths of Paul Michels, 54; Xiaojie Emily Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; and Delaina Yaun, 33, at a spa near Acworth.

He has already been sentenced to four life sentences for those murders.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Tuesday, he and his attorneys were in a Fulton County courtroom, where Long was trying to avoid the death penalty during his upcoming trial in October for the murders in Atlanta.

Long has been charged with the murders of Suncha Kim, 69; Soon Chung Park, 74; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; and Yong Ae Yue, 63 at two Piedmont Road spas.

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Long pleaded not guilty to those charges, which included murder, aggravated assault, and domestic terrorism in Fulton County.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is seeking the death penalty and sentencing enhancement under Georgias new hate crimes law.

Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes was in the courthouse, where tears rolled down Longs mothers face as she sat behind her son and listened to his attorneys try to keep him alive.

Long avoided the death penalty in Cherokee County DA because he did not go to trial.

Jury selection is set to start in August for Longs trial in Fulton County.

The shooting spree stunned people across the country.

Longs alleged actions highlighted hate crimes, which sparked protests and rallies to stop hate crimes against Asians.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., called for the United States to join the International Criminal Court in light of Russia's alleged war crimes in Ukraine, saying that America's refusal to join is "antithetical to our commitment to human rights."

The Minnesota Congresswoman, who fled her home country to escape the Somali Civil War when she was 8 years old, introduced bills last week that would also codify the State Departments Office of Global Criminal Justice and repeal the Hague Invasion Act, which prohibits the United States from assisting the International Criminal Court.

"Like many of us, I have recoiled in horror at reports of massacres, targeting of civilians, mass graves, and rapes by Russian forces," Omar said in a statement. "Sadly, the U.S. is not party to the International Criminal Court, the principal body responsible for investigating and prosecuting these crimes."

RUSSIA'S ALLEGED WAR CRIMES IN UKRAINE ARE CALCULATED, EXPERTS SAY: AS SHOCKING AS IT IS, ITS NOTHING NEW'

The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court was established 20 years ago by an international treaty to prosecute war crimes and other serious offenses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused of war crimes by dozens of countries around the world. ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. has long kept the court at arm's-length, a position that hardened under the Trump administration.

EVIDENCE OF RUSSIA'S WAR CRIMES IS 'DEVASTATING, DISGUSTING, AND SICKENING': KIRBY

But now that President Biden has called Putin a "war criminal" and said his invasion of Ukraine amounts to a "genocide," Omar and other lawmakers say that the U.S. must join the ICC.

"It would be staggeringly hypocritical to support an ICC investigation into Russia, while opposing the court's very existence as a non-member," Omar told Insider.

The ICC has opened an investigation into war crimes in Ukraine, but Russia, like the United States, is not a member of the court.

As Russian forces pulled back from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, satellite images and journalists cataloged the shocking mass graves and murdered civilians who were left behind.

Story continues

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also cited Russian shelling of "apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances," as well as "attacks deliberately targeting civilians."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An independent autopsy by nationally known pathologists Werner Spitz and Michael Baden is expected to add gravity to any civil cases that might be filed following the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya.

Spitz, a 95-year-old professor of pathology, and Baden, an 87-year-old physician, could play key roles in legal proceedings, while the Michigan State Police also investigate the death.

The pathologists' findings were released Tuesday. The conclusion: Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was shot in the back of the head with a large-caliber bullet and died within seconds of the gunshot.

Attorney Ben Crump, left, forensic pathology expert Dr. Werner Spitz and attorney Ven Johnson speak during a news conference in Detroit on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The three talked about the independent autopsy performed on Patrick Lyoya by Spitz.

The case is significant, because, like the George Floyd death in Minneapolis, Lyoya's death was captured on video. It also is one of the latest deaths in which a Black person is killed by a white police officer.

An initial autopsy was conducted by Kent County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cohle, who announced his report would be completed as soon as the toxicology and tissue test results are in, but not publicly released until the Michigan State Police investigation was concluded.

Both pathologists have extensive experience and credentials, and have testified in cases for decades.

Werner Spitz, famed Detroit doctor

German-born Spitz, who was at the Tuesday news conference at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, is credited with working on the assassination investigations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

Forensic expert Dr. Werner Spitz testifies in the trial of Casey Anthony, talking about autopsy results of the remains of Caylee Anthony at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, Fla., on June 18, 2011. Anthony, 25, was charged with killing her daughter Caylee in the summer of 2008.

He also testified at the trials of Casey Anthony and Phil Spector, and the civil trial of O.J. Simpson, and has been a consultant on the investigation of the death of JonBenet Ramsey.

He started his studies at Geneva University in Switzerland, attended the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and immigrated to America in the late 1950s.

Read more:

Grand Rapids police release video of officer fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya

Lower bond denied for parents in Oxford shooting case; trial could begin in October

Story continues

The former medical examiner in Wayne and Macomb counties has long offered opinions on cases that swirl with conspiracy theories.

He wrote "Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death: Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation," and his son, Daniel Spitz, is the chief medical examiner for Macomb County.

Dr. Werner Spitz, the deputy chief medical examiner from Baltimore, is shown after testifying during the second day of a hearing on a petition to exhume the body of Mary Jo Kopechne for an autopsy, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Oct. 21, 1969. Dr. Spitz took the stand and testified that an autopsy on the body would not prove anything. Kopechne died when the car, driven by Senator Edward Kennedy, plunged off the Dike Bridge into the channel between Chappaquiddick Island and Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

As recently as 2013, Spitz said that Kennedy was hit by two bullets when he was assassinated, the autopsy was botched, and Lee Harvey Oswald was, indeed, the lone gunman.

Michael Baden, HBO series host

Baden, who also is tied to high-profile deaths, has been on TV as host of HBO's "Autopsy" series, which examines forensic case studies.

In this Sept. 7, 1978 file photo, Dr. Michael Baden, New York City's chief medical examiner, appears before the House Assassinations Committee in Washington, with the coat that President John F. Kennedy wore the day he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. On Aug. 16, 2019, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting that Baden performed Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy in 2019. Epstein's lawyers asked the well-known pathologist to attend the autopsy. He did not perform it.

He was the chief medical examiner of the city of New York in the late '70s, investigated the Kennedy assassination and testified in the Simpson trial.

As recently as 2019, the Washington Post called Baden a "celebrity pathologist," and noted he was hired by relatives of Jeffrey Epstein, a politically connected financier who appeared to have committed suicide in jail, to offer opinions on the death.

Dr. Michael Baden, right, speaks as Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump, left, holds a diagram produced during a second autopsy done on 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 18, 2014, in St. Louis County, Mo. The independent autopsy shows Brown was shot at least six times.

According to the Post, Baden was a a self-described "troublesome kid" with contrarian tendencies. He went to City College of New York and then medical school at New York University.

Baden has written a book, "Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner," and estimates that he has performed more than 20,000 autopsies.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Werner Spitz, Michael Baden hired to autopsy Patrick Lyoya's body
A Rapides Parish grand jury issued numerous indictments last week in several homicide and attempted homicide cases, including four juveniles now being tried as adults.

The indictments were handed down on April 12 in shooting cases from last year and earlier this year.

Deven Slade Brooks homicide

Terrance K. Lavalais, indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in the January shooting death of Deven Slade Brooks, 27.

Brooks' body was found in an Alexandria park near the Red River. He had been shot once in his head, and the indictment states his death happened during a kidnapping and attempted robbery.

Bail for Lavalais was raised to $1 million after the indictment.

Lavalais filed a motion on his own for a bond reduction, in which he also claims there is no probable cause in the case against him.

He is represented by attorney Christopher LaCour, according to online Rapides Parish Clerk of Court records. A hearing has been set for May 2.

Three people have been indicted in the January homicide of Deven Slade Brooks, 27. The indictment alleges he was shot and killed during a kidnapping and robbery.

First story: 2 arrested after Ball man's body found in Alexandria park

Deven Slade Brooks case: 3rd man arrested in connection to death of Ball man

Two other defendants have been indicted on second-degree murder charges in the Brooks case.

Jamaria Xavier Randle, 22, pleaded not guilty last week. She filed a motion for a reduction of her $1 million bail, which her attorney, Chad Guillot, said he would adopt. But Guillot asked for time before hearing arguments on it. She has a hearing set for May 19.

Tremaine Deshun Veal, 20, already had a bond reduction motion denied in March when his bail was at $400,000. It was raised to $1 million after the indictment. Online records list LaCour as his attorney. He has no court dates listed.

Serena Williams homicide

Germon Marquise Jefferson, 25, was indicted on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in the November 2021 shooting death of Serena Williams, 18.

Jefferson allegedly went to a Lakeside Drive apartment complex and forced his way inside an apartment. Williams was shot multiple times in her chest and died at a hospital, police said.

Story continues

Germon Marquise Jefferson has been indicted on a second-degree murder charge in the death of Serena Williams, 18. He also was indicted on two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

The Alexandria Police Department later stated Jefferson left the complex and drove to River Bend Drive, where he fired a shot at Williams' brother. No one was injured.

Louisiana State Police troopers saw Jefferson in a car, but he led them on a high-speed chase to Marksville. He fled from an intersection there, and troopers found an 18-month-old child in the vehicle.

Serena Williams case: Man wanted in Alexandria homicide leads troopers on chase into Marksville

He eventually was captured in Dallas and returned to Alexandria. He remains in the Rapides Parish Detention Center #1.

Jefferson, who is represented by attorney Glenn Cortello, has no court dates set. His total bail on the charges was set at $2 million.

Wardville shooting

Two 15-year-old boys have been indicted on attempted second-degree murder charges in connection to a March 11 shooting in Wardville that wounded another juvenile.

In all, four juveniles were arrested. Two were written citations and released to the custody of their parents or guardians, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office.

Initial story: Disagreement between 2 teens leads to shooting in Wardville

Arrests announced: 15-year-olds arrested on attempted murder charges in Wardville shooting

One of the 15-year-olds indicted is set to be arraigned on May 12. The other has an arraignment on May 16. Both teens are from Pineville, and both have bails of $500,000 set.

Michael Brewer is listed as the attorney for one boy. The other does not have an attorney listed in online records.

Kedric Clyde Stafford homicide

Another 15-year-old has been indicted in the Sept. 15, 2021, shooting death of Kedric Clyde Stafford, 36.

Stafford's body was found inside his Yale Street home. The Alexandria Police Department arrested the teen, who was 14 at the time, on a charge of second-degree murder.

Kedric Clyde Stafford was found dead in his Yale Street home last September. Earlier this month, a 15-year-old boy was indicted in his death. The boy was 14 at the time of the shooting.

The indictment formally charged with the same.

The teen's bond has been set at $1 million. No attorney is listed for him in court records, and he has no court dates set.

Lee Street shooting

The 17-year-old male arrested by the Alexandria Police Department in the Feb. 19 fatal shooting at a Lee Street private club has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

Bail for the teen has been set at $1 million. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 17, but has a bond reduction hearing set for May 9.

Lee Street shooting: 15-year-old male arrested on 2nd-degree murder, other charges in Alexandria shooting

Last week update: Charges dropped against teen in fatal Lee Street shooting

LaCour is listed as his attorney.

The victim only is referred to by initials in the indictment. A 15-year-old arrested in the case had all charges against him dropped last week after the grand jury failed to indict him.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: 4 teens to be tried as adults in Alexandria, Pineville shooting cases
MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's antitrust regulator said on Tuesday it would lift a ban on Sky's Italian business related to the distribution of exclusive content on its online service platform.

The three-year ban was imposed in May 2019 after Sky had bought the digital terrestrial pay-TV assets of Mediaset, in a deal which the regulator said would limit competition.

Mediaset is now known as MediaForEurope (MFE).

The regulator said in a statement it had decided to remove the ban given that it would shortly expire and considering the absence of premium content in the remaining period and the changes in the industry due to the coronavirus pandemic.

(Reporting by Federico Maccioni, editing by Giulia Segreti)
Grab your flip-flops and sunblock and get ready to enjoy a Red Stripe on the beach! As of this past weekend, Jamaica implemented major changes to its COVID-19 protocols for travelers. It joins fellow Caribbean islands St. Lucia and Grenada, who relaxed their pandemic policies following a decline in cases.

Earlier this month, the CDC declared Jamaica a Level 1 destination, meaning that the amount of COVID cases is low. You can now enter the country without providing proof of a PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of your trip. The mask mandate has also been scrapped, but you are free to wear one if you prefer.

According to Lonely Planet, Jamaica was one of the first Caribbean destinations to welcome tourists back last year, but it did so by restricting them to certain areas. The tourism board opened whats known as the resilient corridor which were essentially low-risk, quasi-quarantine zones that stretched from Negril to Port Antonio in the east, and from Negril to the south of Jamaica.

A few protocols will remain for the foreseeable future, including the requirement that all public establishments provide stations for handwashing or sanitizer.

The Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, issued the following statement to Travel and Leisure:

Eliminating mask mandates and the need for travelers to present a negative COVID test result are important strides toward our continued gradual relaxation of travel protocols as the spread of COVID-19 keeps declining. We are optimistic that these simpler requirements will serve to increase the appeal of Jamaica as a premier destination and keep us moving along the road to a stronger recovery for both the tourism sector and the nations economy as a whole.

Jamaica was in the news recently following the announcement that American Airlines would be offering flights to Ian Fleming Airport, which services Ocho Rios. Its the first American carrier to do so.
This story originally ran in the Chicago Tribune on Jan. 11, 1984.

Mike Royko, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, joined the staff of the Tribune Tuesday shortly after resigning from the Chicago Sun-Times.

Roykos move touched off a sharp blast and talk of legal action from the Sun-Times new owner, a company controlled by Australian press baron Rupert Murdoch.

James D. Squires, executive vice president and editor of the Tribune, announced Tuesday that Royko signed a three-year contract with the Tribune. Roykos column, beginning Wednesday, will appear on page three of the paper, Monday through Friday.

Needless to say, we are delighted to have Mike Royko join the Tribune It means that the best Chicago columnist and the best Chicago newspaper have finally gotten together. It is about time, Squires said.

Squires said that the terms of Roykos contract are substantially the same as those of his former employment at the Sun-Times.

[Click here to purchase] The Best of Royko: The Tribune Years

At a press conference Tuesday at Tribune Tower, Royko was asked how much he would be making under his new contract. Not as much as Julio Cruz, he said, referring to the free agent who recently agreed to an estimated $800,000-a-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.

Roykos free-agent status was challenged by Robert E. Page, president and publisher of the Sun-Times since Monday. Page said in a brief statement:

Mike Royko has what we consider to be a binding and valid contract with this newspaper, and we plan to vigorously pursue our rights and legal remedies under that agreement. Further, the Tribunes malicious interference into our business is intolerable.

A Sun-Times spokesman declined to elaborate.

Roykos quitting came a day after the paper was sold, for about $100 million, by Field Enterprises Inc. to Murdoch. It also followed by a day the resignations of four top managers of the paper, including Publisher James Hoge and Editor Ralph Orwell.

Story continues

At the press conference, Royko said that he is a member of the Chicago Newspaper Guild and that his lawyer, E. Leonard Rubin, advised him that the contract is no longer binding on a member of the Newspaper Guild.

Royko referred to a provision in the Sun-Times contract with editorial employees represented by the Guild. That provision allows employees to resign with severance pay during a 15-day period following the transfer of the papers ownership.

The ownership transfer was reported on the Sun-Times front page this week, but it couldnt be determined late Tuesday if the Guild had yet received formal notice of the change.

Squires denied that The Tribune had interfered with the Sun-Times. He said he hadnt recruited Royko but was contacted by Royko on Dec. 9.

Squires said: I suggested that he see a lawyer and that if he found himself in a position to be employed and was convinced that he had no contractual obligations with the Sun-Times, that then we could be interested in talking with him, but we would not talk to him until that happened.

He showed up at my office this morning and said he was in that employable condition and we took advantage of it, Squires said Tuesday.

Squires said that lawyers for the Tribune and Royko agreed that Royko is employable and is not under any contractual obligation to the Sun-Times. If we had been told otherwise, we wouldnt have hired him.

Royko, 51, wrote a column for the Chicago Daily News from 1963 until 1978, when the paper folded, and since then for the Sun-Times. His many writing awards include the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1972.

Sign up to receive the Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter for more photos and stories from the citys past and the Tribunes archives.
US Senate candidate JD Vance also told his former college roommate that the Republican Party had "only itself to blame" for former President Donald Trump's rise to power. AP Photo/Jeff Dean

On Monday, a 2016 Facebook message by Trump-endorsed Senate hopeful JD Vance was leaked.

In the message, Vance said Trump might either be an "asshole" like Nixon, or "America's Hitler."

Vance was endorsed on Friday by Trump for his Senate run in Ohio.

JD Vance, an Ohio Republican Senate hopeful backed by former President Donald Trump, once told his college roommate that he thought Trump might be "America's Hitler."

On Monday, Georgia Rep. Josh McLaurin tweeted an image of a lengthy Facebook message sent to him by Vance in 2016.

In the message, Vance said: "I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn't be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he's America's Hitler."

"How's that for discouraging?" added the "Hillbilly Elegy" author, who shared a room with McLaurin during their first year at Yale Law School.

The message began with Vance saying that he was "not surprised by Trump's rise" and that the Republic Party had "only itself to blame" for it.

"We are, whether we like it or not, the party of lower-income, lower-education white people, and I have been saying for a long time that we need to offer those people SOMETHING (and hell, maybe even expand our appeal to working class black people in the process) or a demagogue would," he added.

In his tweet, McLaurin said Vance's message was essentially an "unfiltered explanation" of the "breakdown in Republican politics that he now personally is trying to exploit."

"The public deserves to know the magnitude of this guy's bad faith," he added.

Vance did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider. However, a spokesperson for Vance told Newsweek that the text was "old news" and that Vance is "proud to have President Trump's support."

Story continues

"Clearly, President Trump trusts that JD is a genuine convert, as out of all the Republican candidates running, he endorsed JD and concluded that he is the strongest America First conservative in the race," said Vance's spokesperson per the outlet.

Vance was once known to be anti-Trump but is now a supporter of the former president. In April, Ohio Republicans urged Trump not to back Vance for the Senate, asking that he pick a less risky candidate to endorse.

However, Trump persisted in his endorsement of Vance, which was announced on April 15.

Read the original article on Business Insider
UN Resolution 2758 brooks no misrepresentation

09:08, April 19, 2022 By Fu Zhu ( People's Daily

In 1971, the 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 2758, which recognized the representatives of the Government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations.

Qiao Guanhua (first from left), then vice foreign minister of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), and Huang Hua (second from left), then Permanent Representative of the PRC to the United Nations, attend the 26th United Nations General Assembly, Oct. 25, 1971. (File photo)

In light of the context, consultation process and subsequent international practicethe Resolution has not only solved the question of the representation of China in the UN, but acknowledged that Taiwan is part of China, reaffirming the one-China principle in international law.

However, some think tank in the U.S. recently fabricated a report with fund from Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority to deliberately misrepresent Resolution 2758 of the UNGA.

By brazenly claiming that the Resolution didnt deal with the representation of Taiwan in the UN and that Taiwans status is not yet determined, the report attempts to knock together a so-called legal basis to justify the DPP authoritys pursuit of Taiwan independence.

It must be noted that relevant arguments in the report dont have any legal ground and cannot hold water at all.

UNGA Resolution 2758 has affirmed the effect of one-China principle in international law. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times, which is a basic fact. A series of documents of international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, have confirmed the historical fact that Taiwan belongs to China.

Salim Ahmed Salim, then Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations (UN), is so excited that he raises his hands above his head to dance when the UN General Assembly adopts the draft resolution on the restoration of the lawful rights of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in the UN, Oct. 25, 1971. (File photo)

In 1943, heads of China, Britain and the U.S. jointly issued the Cairo Declaration, which stated in explicit terms that all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Manchuria (northeastern China), Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores, shall be restored to the Republic of China.

In July 1945, China, the U.S. and Britain issued the Potsdam Proclamation. It reiterated that The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out.

Japan also promised to abide by the Potsdam Proclamation in the Japanese Instrument of Surrender in 1945 and the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement. The restoration of Taiwan to China also constitutes an indispensable block of the post-war international order. Any denial of Chinas sovereignty over Taiwan would be a blatant provocation to current international order.

The founding of the PRC in 1949 didnt alter the territorial limits of China, a subject of international law, but only changed the international representation of China from the Republic of China into the Peoples Republic of China.

However, due to interference by external forces including the U.S., Chinas lawful seat in the UN was stolen and long occupied by the Chiang Kai-shek clique. Thats why the UNGA adopted Resolution 2758 to restore all the rights of China to the PRC and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.

In light of the resolutions context, the terms such as "restore", "expel" and "unlawfully occupy" clearly show that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. If "China" here were not to be referred to the whole of China including Taiwan, there would be no need to expel "representatives of Chiang Kai-shek". Considering that the Chiang Kai-shek clique claimed representing the whole of China at that time, including Taiwan, the above wording made clear that the international community had restored the unlawfully occupied representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, to the government of the People's Republic of China.

During the discussion on the Resolution, the so-called representation of Taiwan in the UN and its international status were denied outright. Minutes of the meetings of the UNGA showed that sponsors of the Resolution 2758, including Albania and Algeria, believed that the UNGA shouldnt agree to partition Chinas territory just because the Chiang Kai-shek clique is entrenched in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the motions submitted by countries including the U.S. that proposed the so-called dual representation of China and Taiwan in the UN and attempted to create two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan were considered illegal and clearly inconsistent with current reality, justice and the principles of the UN Charter and were not passed. It meant that the UN acknowledged that Chinas territorial scope wasnt affected at all, and that Taiwans status as part of China had never changed.

From the perspective of international practice,the one-China principle has long become a widely recognized norm of international relations. The UN and its specialized agencies all follow the principle. The UN has referred to Taiwan as Taiwan, Province of China and has never accepted documents issued by the Taiwan authorities, such as Taiwan Passport.

The Office of Legal Affairs of the UN Secretariat, in a number of legal opinions following the Resolution 2758, stressed that the United Nations considers Taiwan as a province of China with no separate status and the authorities in Taipei are not considered to enjoy any form of government status. China has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries on the basis of the one-China principle .

The Shanghai Communique jointly issued by China and the U.S. in 1972 explicitly stated that The United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States Government does not challenge that position.

Chinese delegation attends the 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the U.S., Nov. 15, 1971. (File photo)

The Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Peoples Republic of China and the United States of America signed in 1978 has also made clear that the United States of America recognizes the government of the Peoples Republic of China as the sole legal government of China.

Taiwans status as an inalienable part of China has profound factual and legal basis. Americas act of misrepresenting the Resolution 2758 adopted by the UNGA in defiance of history and documents of international law, including the Cairo Declaration, constitutes gross violation of international law and challenge to the post-war international order.

Such fallacies as the representation of Taiwan in the UN remains to be determined and Taiwans status is not yet determined are untenable both de facto and de jure and dont square with facts.

The attempt to challenge resolution of the UNGA and the one-China principle universally recognized by the international community is doomed to failure.

The author is an international affairs observer.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Florida has rejected 42 of 132 math textbooks proposed for use in public school classrooms because they incorporate prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies, including social-emotional learning and critical race theory, according to the states Department of Education.

The state, which announced its decision Friday afternoon, did not share information on the specific content to which it was objecting, and several publishers told The New York Times they had not yet received documents detailing the states critiques.

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But Florida has a new law, which goes into effect in July, limiting the way that sexual orientation, gender identity and social-emotional skills are taught. Gov. Ron DeSantis is also expected to sign legislation, known as the Stop WOKE Act, prohibiting instruction that could prompt students to feel discomfort about a historical event because of their race, sex or national origin.

At a Monday news conference, DeSantis highlighted the presence of social and emotional learning material in the rejected elementary school textbooks. Math is about getting the right answer, he said. And we want kids to learn to think so they get the right answer. Its not about how you feel about the problem.

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A review of sample content from one publisher whose elementary school textbooks appear to have been rejected, Big Ideas Learning, showed lessons intended to build self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and social awareness and relationship skills.

That framework of five skills is a popular one in schools across the country and was developed by CASEL, an education nonprofit.

In one text, cartoon animals help build one anothers confidence in order to cross a wobbly bridge. In another, a cartoon dog movie star says she feels lonely, and other animals offer to befriend her.

CASEL defended the idea of including social and emotional concepts in math lessons. Research confirms that social and emotional learning bolsters academic achievement because it helps students focus on learning and engage more deeply with content, the company said in a statement. If our nation prioritizes the academic growth of young people, we must also prioritize their social-emotional learning.

An additional 12 books were rejected by the Florida Department of Education because they did not align with the states new academic standards in other ways. Florida is one of a handful of states that seek to avoid materials associated with the Common Core, a national effort to standardize curriculum expectations in math and literacy.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando on Feb. 24, 2022. (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times)

Nationwide, fewer than half of states adopt textbooks at the state level. Among those that do, Florida, California and Texas are the largest markets. It is typical for publishers to adapt their materials specifically for those states, sometimes editing texts in response to critiques from state reviewers.

In recent years, for example, California textbooks have delved into the history of gay, lesbian and transgender Americans  material that is not typically included in the textbooks of more conservative states. Texas books are more likely to emphasize the benefits of the free market and entrepreneurship.

Historically, textbooks in Texas and Florida are often similar to one another.

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Floridas new curriculum laws and regulations, limiting the way race, gender, sexual orientation and social-emotional wellness are taught, could require publishers to redraft books, from the historical stories they tell to the examples used in math word problems.

c.2022 The New York Times Company
Jenna Jameson provided fans with a health update. (Photo via Instagram @jennacantlose)

Jenna Jameson is still on the mend following her recent health scare.

The 48-year-old former adult film actress took to Instagram on Monday to assure fans that her mystery medical condition seems to be improving, after previously revealing that she has been struggling with nerve-related issues that have prevented her from walking.

"Propped up," she captioned a photo of herself leaning on a balcony. "Still walking with a walker, but making strides! Thank you to everyone sending good vibes."

In January, Jameson was hospitalized for a month due to "extreme muscle weakness" and persistent vomiting. While doctors believed at one point that the star was suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder, the diagnosis was dismissed, and no other explanation was publicly disclosed.

Jameson took to Instagram stories in March to share a video with fans, and said that she's "not paralyzed" but still on the mend at home.

I am just dealing with extreme muscle weakness. Some issues with my left nerve, she shared in another Instagram story. I am walking around  with a walker. My legs have lost a lot of muscle so I am busy trying to build it back, she said. This has been not only physically taxing but I think, more than that, just really mentally challenging. Very mentally challenging.

The mother-of-three revealed that she was "fighting" and hoped her life would "be back to normal" soon.

In a separate post to Instagram, Jameson admitted to fans that their constant support was helping her tackle the mental burden of her mystery illness.

"I wanted to update everyone! Im doing really well, working hard with my physical therapist, building strength. I wanted to touch on how important all your love and support has been," she wrote. "The inability to walk can put you in some very dark places and I hope you understand how important your kind words are. So thank you."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter
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On the May 8 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sheree Whitfield filled in Kenya Moore about a word or two that Marlo Hampton said about Kenyas living arrangements (both past and present). She started talking about how, when you first got here, you lived in an apartment with white refrigerators, Sheree recalled as the episode showed Kenyas home from nine years prior. Confused by the remark, Kenya retorted, Whats wrong with a white refrigerator? adding, I mean, at least I can pa
A judge has ruled Amazon must reinstate a former warehouse employee who was fired in the early days of the pandemic, saying the company unlawfully terminated the worker who led a protest calling for Amazon to do more to protect employees against COVID-19.

The dispute involving Gerald Bryson, who worked at an Amazon warehouse in the New York City borough of Staten Island, has stretched on since June 2020, when Bryson filed an unfair labor practice complaint with The National Labor Relations Board, claiming Amazon retaliated against him.

Later that year, the NLRB said it found merit in Brysons complaint that Amazon illegally fired him for workplace organizing. Amazon didnt accept the findings, and the federal board filed a formal complaint against the company, triggering a lengthy administrative court process.

On Monday, administrative law judge Benjamin Green said Amazon must offer Bryson his job back, as well as lost wages and benefits resulting from his discriminatory discharge." Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement that the company will appeal the ruling.

We strongly disagree with this ruling and are surprised the NLRB would want any employer to condone Mr. Brysons behavior," Nantel said. "Mr. Bryson was fired for bullying, cursing at and defaming a female co-worker over a bullhorn in front of the workplace. We do not tolerate that type of conduct in our workplace and intend to file an appeal with the NLRB.

Bryson first participated in a March 2020 protest over working conditions led by Chris Smalls, another warehouse employee who was fired by the online retail giant and is heading up the Amazon Labor Union, the nascent group which won a union election earlier this month at the Amazon facility where both men worked.

After Smalls was fired, Bryson led another protest in April 2020 in front of the warehouse. While off the job during the protest, Bryson got into a dispute with another worker. He was later fired for violating Amazon's vulgar-language policy.

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Court filings give an account of the altercation between Bryson and a female employee. A recording of their dispute detailed by the NLRB showed both Bryson and the woman using profanities during a heated exchange that lasted several minutes. The agencys account shows the woman began the exchange, and twice tried to provoke Bryson into a physical altercation with her, which he did not do. The woman was given a first warning."

The woman also told Bryson, who is Black, to go back to the Bronx, which the judge said Bryson could construe as racial" since since he is African-American and might question why, other than his race, someone would assume he is from the Bronx.

Bryson testified that he informed an Amazon manager who spoke with him about the incident about that comment. The manager has denied Bryson made a reference to a racial comment. But the judge sided with Bryson's account, saying it was unlikely that he would fail to convey such a prominent remark to which he had a strong reaction.

The judge said in his decision that Amazon rushed to judgment and pursued a skewed investigation" into the argument designed to blame only Bryson for that incident, adding the company wanted discharge Bryson for his protected concerted activity instead of fairly evaluating" what happened.

In its investigation into the altercation, Greene said Amazon preferred not to obtain information from someone who was protesting with Bryson even though that person was likely in the best position to explain what happened.

Instead, he said multiple witness accounts of the incident submitted by the company were coincidently one-sided," adding he found it implausible the statements were made unless such accounts were solicited from them.

The NLRB had also pushed for Brysons reinstatement in a federal lawsuit filed last month, using a provision of the National Labor Relations Act that allows it to seek temporary relief in federal court while a case goes through the administrative law process. Amazon has used the case as one of its objections over the Staten Island election results, accusing the agency of tainting the vote by pursuing Bryson's reinstatement in the lead-up to the election.
ACROSS AMERICA  A federal judge struck down the federal travel mask mandate Monday, meaning face coverings to protect against COVID-19 are no longer required on planes, trains and, in most cases, subways and buses.



Florida federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said in the 59-page decision striking down the travel mask mandate that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both exceeded its legal authority and failed to go through proper channels to put the rule in place.

As a result, the CDC late Monday said its order requiring masks on public transportation is no longer in effect and the agency will not enforce it. However, the CDC said it continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

Overnight, the scene at airports across the country changed dramatically. Effective Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration was no longer requiring masks on planes or in the nations airports. One by one, most of the nations major airlines dropped mask requirements, making the face coverings optional for employees and passengers.

The TSA said in its statement that the CDC continues to recommend face coverings to protect against the coronavirus. Amtrak issued a stronger statement, saying that although they are no longer required of passengers and employees, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19.



The Florida decision also affects ride-hailing companies. Uber no longer requires masks as of Tuesday. Lyft also made masks optional for passengers and customers.

Still, some state and local transit agencies could keep their mask requirements. Last week, the CDC had extended the now suspended mask rule to study the worrisome BA.2. variant of the coronavirus, which is responsible for most of the COVID-19 cases around the country.

Philadelphia extended its mask mandate, the first city to do so in response, and on Monday, a group of local residents and businesses filed a lawsuit to throw out the mask mandate.

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City said Monday it would keep its mask mandate in place on the bus, subway and rail systems it oversees, The New York Times reported.

The case before Mizelle, appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump in November 2020 after he lost the presidential election, was filed in July 2021 by two plaintiffs and the Health Freedom Defense Fund.

The court concludes that the mask mandate exceeds the CDC's statutory authority and violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking under the APA, the judge wrote.

Its unclear if the Biden administration will appeal the decision. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that Mizelles decision was disappointing, and the administrations response is still under review and the Department of Justice would make any determination about litigation.

This article originally appeared on the Across America Patch
COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits are pictured in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, December 30, 2021. Credit - Tom Williams-CQ-Roll Call, Inc

The goal is clearly articulated in President Joe Bidens State of the Union address: Test to Treat. He challenged America to get back to work and fill our great downtowns again. He was no longer declaring independence from the virus, adding, I cannot promise you a new variant wont come. But I can promise you well do everything within our power to be ready if it does.

The opportunity to fulfill that promise is here. Weeks later, in the shadow of the BA.2 variant, the country is still averaging an unacceptable 600 daily COVID-19 deaths, 1,500 new hospitalizations, and 2,000 patients in the ICU. This is a major impediment to a safe return to normal lives.

The good news is this challenge can be met head-on by redeploying our existing formidable public health and medical arsenal. With vaccination rates hitting a wall and boosters plateauing in effectiveness, leaning on new highly-effective oral treatments is the single most critical strategic step to allow society to return to a safe new normal. With early treatment of those who get sick and continuing to focus on decreasing transmission, we can sustainably tip the pandemic scales in our favor. With a federal initiative the scale of our vaccination effort, our conservative estimate is that we could achieve at least a 50 percent sustained decrease in both national mortality and hospitalizations.

Ensuring availability of treatment for all high-risk people, combined with at-home tests, is our pandemic response get-out-of-jail card. However, too few people today know of or are able to get these life-saving oral medications. President Biden was prescient when he launched the Test-to-Treat initiative in his address. It makes free treatment available to those eligible who can receive a diagnosis from a medical provider at a one-stop approved Test-to-Treat facility, and can be filled only where the medicines are in-stock. In practice, perhaps less than 10 percent of pharmacy outlets have the providers and clinics that can promptly evaluate and deliver the treatment all in one location. The resulting paradox is that while nine out of 10 Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, millions of treatments, more than half of the available supply, is sitting on shelves unused, because of difficulty accessing this medical diagnostic pathway.

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To fully capture its powerful life-saving potential with the urgency required, significant enhancements to this program must be made and barriers removed. There are daunting but surmountable manufacturing, logistical, regulatory and financing challenges. But there is precedent for overcoming these in the prior federal vaccine and at-home rapid testing programs. We cant wait months to make these life saving medicines available to vulnerable Americans. Heres a six-point roadmap of how we can achieve this now:

First, set a clear initiative goal

The goal of a national Test-to-Treat (T3) program must be to safely get the treatment course of pills in the mouths of every eligible COVID-19 positive person within 3 days of onset of symptoms. The countrys 80 million vulnerable population stands to benefit the most from T3. Although less than a quarter of the population, they suffer over 80 percent of all deaths and hospitalizations. For them these pills are a lifeline.

Second, expand program eligibility

The vulnerable are defined as those over age 65, immunocompromised or who have specific underlying conditions. The oral antivirals are indispensable to this population because their vaccine effectiveness wanes most quickly. They are reliant on these medications when they become sick.

When taken within the critical first 3 days of symptom onset, Pfizers oral antiviral Paxlovid can lower the risk of severe disease by almost 90 percent. Mercks Lagevrio is an alternative that lowers risk by 30 percent. Both are taken at home as a 3-5 day course of pills. Equitable and timely access to these treatments is the delivery highway to get to our new normal while cutting down on hospitalizations and deaths even as some community transmission inevitably continues.

As supply increases, extending coverage to those less vulnerable will have additional benefits: reduced hospitalizations, enhanced virus clearance in the community, and further reduction in transmission. This will diminish the need for isolation and allow faster return to work or school. As more data accrues, we optimistically may find that oral antivirals could cut the risk of long COVID-19, too.

Third, leverage reach and speed through a new at-home program

This requires a well-choreographed one-stop system: 1) rapid test diagnosis of COVID-19; 2) an evaluation and, if medically indicated, a prescription by an authorized medical provider; 3) rapid dispensing of the medicine through a local pharmacy, health-care provider, or direct delivery to the home.

The CDC recommends that people who test positive stay home so that they do not spread the virus. Facility-based T3 requires infectious people to leave home while sick, often using public transport, and to enter crowded health facilities. A dangerous formula that could be avoided with at-home testing.

With the limitations of this facility-based system, the only way to realize the goal of reliably and rapidly getting oral treatments to 80 million eligible Americans is to supplement it with a new federally-authorized at-home user channel. This could immediately expand T3 from the current sparse 2,000 national locations to hypothetically every household in America. It would take advantage of the same distribution channels that the government already has in place to deliver hundreds of millions of free rapid tests to American homes. This would be an exponential force-multiplier.

The components of a necessary one-stop, verified and safe at-home T3 program already exist. T3-enabled QR coded rapid test boxes could be used anywhere to take a virtually-supervised telehealth test. If positive and meeting medical indications, the patient could be immediately evaluated for and prescribed treatment. The medication would be delivered from the nearest supplier pharmacy. All from the convenience of the home and with a high level of quality, safety, security, and timeliness. Patients can start treatment a few hours from symptom onset and gain maximum health benefit with the least friction.

Several testing companies have already demonstrated proof-of-concept feasibility of this at-home delivery model with states, employers and individuals. (One of these is eMed where Dr. Mina is the Chief Science Officer.) Another key public health benefit of at-home T3 is that it incentivizes individuals to report results, both positive and negative, automatically and in real-time to public health agencies without relying on unverifiable self-attestation. This helps close a major gap in epidemic surveillance that results from the ubiquity of self tests that go unreported.

Fourth, ensure treatment is provided safely

Drugs like Paxlovid come with potential significant safety concerns. Side-effects and interactions with other prescribed drugs are not uncommon and must be evaluated by a qualified health professional. Whether at-home or on-site, a thorough assessment of current medications and relevant past medical history is obligatory to assure safe treatment. As this is already part of the telehealth evaluation protocol, high standards of safety should be met.

Fifth, stand-up an enhanced federal program

The only viable solution to fulfill the promise of a program of this scale is through government leadership. The complexity and scope of the required end-to-end supply chain management, multiple clinical, retail and at-home distribution channels, enabling regulatory approvals and large-scale financial backing makes this enhanced T3 initiative a leading candidate for an Operation Warp-speed type government-private sector partnership. This initiative has the potential to replicate the success of the vaccine and at-home rapid test programs that have earlier turned the tide of the pandemic.

Sixth, the incalculable human and financial return-on-investment

We estimate the annual cost of the enhanced T3 program to cover the 80 million vulnerable Americans to be in the $10 billion range. This back-of-the-envelope forecast is based on a high-end estimate of 20 million symptomatic cases of COVID-19 per year, a $500 per treatment drug cost, and $50 per eligible person for distribution and support costs.

The tangible cost offsets relate to savings from medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths avoided. The average cost to Medicare for a COVID-19 hospitalization is approximately $21,000, and $42,000 for a private payer. The projected cost savings from avoided hospitalizations alone is about 15 billion dollars. Additional economies will be captured through reducing outpatient clinic visits, limiting transmission, and avoiding more costly on-site testing. In addition there are incalculable soft gains in individual and societal mental and physical well-being, productivity and related economic benefits.

Test to Treat is by far the highest return-on-investment in the endemic phase of living with the virus. With the political will, this roadmap to a successful program can be realized. Just as with vaccine development the urgency and time value is hugewe must stand-up these enhancements to T3 so that every eligible American starts treatment within 3 days of symptom onset.

COVID-19 is both seasonal and cyclical. It will surge again and again in the not too distant future. Now is the time to invest in endemic preparedness. We can avoid a repeat of health system overload, business closures, social distancing, virtual schooling, and, most importantly, avoidable lives lost. Lets play our societal get-out-of-jail card.
A suspect in the March shooting death of a 30-year-old man in Arlington and the assault of that mans son has been arrested, according to Arlington police.

Uthian Kimble, 22, was arrested on April 8 in Florence, Alabama, after police in Arlington said he killed Salaam Harris and physically assaulted Harris son, according to a Tuesday news release from Arlington police. Kimble is facing charges of murder and injury to a child.

In a news release at the time of the killing, Arlington police said Kimble shot Harris on March 18 after an altercation that occurred between their children at the Lomas Apartments complex in the 800 block of Timberlake Circle.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Kimble was identified in a photo lineup by a witness. The 22-year-old man, who children said they called uncle, is seen in a surveillance video shooting Harris.

Another affidavit says Kimble also punched Harris 10-year-old son, which police said they believe is what led Harris to seek Kimble out before Kimble shot him.

Kimble is being held at the Lauderdale County Jail awaiting extradition back to Tarrant County.

Police did not say how Kimble was located in Alabama.
UPDATE: A hostage situation at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies has been resolved. Click here for updates.

Original story:

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

Police responded to the Hungry Howies in the 400 block of State Road 434 around 5:20 p.m. after receiving a call from the barricaded subjects wife, who told police her husband had made suicidal threats and was at the restaurant.

On the hostage situation scene in Altamonte Springs. Witnesses say a store manager is inside the Hungry Howie's with the suspect. Police are in contact with him. Made suicidal threats before this started. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/snTPwAYzBK  Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) April 19, 2022

Witnesses told police the barricaded man was seen with what appeared to be a gun.

The suspect made several threats to do harm to employees before taking one of them hostage, police said.

Surrounding businesses have been evacuated.

Report: Orlando FreeFalls operator made manual adjustments to ride that made it unsafe

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

The Seminole County Sheriffs SWAT Team and hostage negotiators are assisting on scene.

People are being asked to avoid the area.

Check back later for updates.

Anyone with information is asked to call Altamonte Springs police at 407-339-2441 or 911.

READ: Federal judge voids national mask mandate for travelers

READ: Lawmakers prepare to redraw maps, while taxpayers prepare to pick up the tab

See a map of the scene 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.
NEW JERSEY - Masks are no longer required, nor will be enforced, on New Jersey public transportation following a federal void of the national mask mandate in public transportation settings.

Gov. Phil Murphy made the announcement that NJ Transit and South Jersey Transportation Authority will no longer require face masks early Tuesday morning, less than a day after a federal judge voided the federal mandate and hours after the Transportation Security Administration said it would drop it.

Individuals may wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk, Murphy wrote.

A request for comment regarding continued health and COVID-19 safety precautions on NJ Transit was not immediately returned.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the CDC's order exceeds the agency's statutory authority, according to CNBC.

"The court concludes that the mask mandate exceeds the CDC's statutory authority and violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking under the APA," the judge wrote, CBS News reported. "Accordingly, the court vacates the mandate and remands it to the CDC.

"Because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends, the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate," she wrote.

Mizelle, who has served in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida since Sept. 8, 2020, was nominated to the seat by former President Donald Trump.

Before Monday's ruling, people nationwide were required to wear masks in public transportation hubs like airports and bus stations as well as in taxis, airplanes, ride-share vehicles, ships, ferries, trains and subways. Ride-share companies like Uber have already dropped their mask requirement, but says it still strongly urges riders to use precaution.

The news comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended its mask mandate, slated to expire May 3 due to the recent increase in the BA.2 omicron subvariant. It also comes on the tails of Philadelphias return to an indoor mask mandate after a jump in cases. Read more: Mask Mandate Return In NJ? 'Never Say Never,' Says Gov. Murphy

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Cases nationwide soared in late January as the omicron variant of the coronavirus swept through Maryland and other states. On Jan. 14 the New York Times COVID tracker recorded over 804,000 cases of the virus across the country. On Sunday the national case count was just over 34,000.

On Monday, 901 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state. New Jersey's seven-day case average is 1,691, up nearly 20 percent from last week and 161 percent from one month prior.

Murphy told News12 last week that he still expects a COVID-19 case increase from last weekend's holiday celebrations.

With reporting by Deb Belt and The Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on the Holmdel-Hazlet Patch
Support of Black Lives Matter and calls to defund the police reverberated across America in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, igniting social justice protests and riots at a time when the coronavirus and lockdowns upended society in unprecedented ways. What was left in 2020's wake was a massive increase in the number of murders, dealing a disproportionate blow to Black Americans.

"Certainly, the protests and riots mid-2020 after the death of George Floyd followed a pattern of spiking violence that we've seen following past viral police incidents, such as the deaths of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray. This pattern has been termed the Ferguson Effect: police pull back while violent crime spikes precipitously," Hannah Meyers, director of the policing and public safety initiative at the Manhattan Institute, told Fox News Digital.

KENOSHA, WI - AUGUST 24: People watch a the American flag flies over a burning building during a riot as demonstrators protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Monday, August 24, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Blake was shot in the back multiple times by police officers responding to a domestic dispute call yesterday. Photo by Joshua Lott for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Murders across the board spiked by nearly 30% in 2020 compared to the year prior, according to FBI data, marking the largest single-year increase in killings since the agency began tracking the crimes. Among Black Americans, the number of deaths spiked by more than 32% compared to 2019.

FBI DATA SHOWS LARGE INCREASE IN MURDERS IN 2020 NATIONWIDE

In 2019, at least 7,484 Black Americans were murdered. That number shot up to at least 9,941 murders in 2020, meaning there was an increase of 2,457 Black Americans murdered over the previous year.

The number of Black murders was also far higher than White murders in 2020. The FBI data shows there 7,043 White people murdered that year, meaning 2,898 more Black people were killed compared to Whites.

Between 2010 and 2019, there was an average of 5,954 White murders, which is roughly 16% lower than the 10-year average of Black murders. During that same time period, an average of 6,927 Black Americans were murdered each year, meaning Black murders shot up by 43% in 2020 compared to the previous 10-year average.

There was a roughly 21% increase in White murders in 2020 compared to 2019.

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The figures are more staggering considering White Americans make up 76% of the population compared to Black Americans representing only 13%, according to Census data.

Murders in the 2010s first broke the 7,000 murder benchmark in 2015 after the high-profile deaths of Freddie Gray that same year and Michael Brown in 2014, jumping by nearly a thousand in one year. Brown was fatally shot by a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer and Gray died after he sustained injuries in the back of a Baltimore police van. Their deaths sparked protests and riots similar to the ones following Floyds death.

Prior to Brown's death, Black murders had fallen the previous four years.

Fox News Digital reviewed murder data from 2014 and 2015 and found a spike of 15% in year over year data. At least 7,000 Black Americans were killed each year thereafter without ever exceeding the 8,000 mark.

St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson coined the increase the Ferguson effect in November 2014. The theory gained widespread attention in 2016 after the Manhattan Institutes Heather Mac Donald wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal arguing the effect is one "where the Black Lives Matter narrative about racist, homicidal cops has produced virulent hostility in the streets."

The summer of 2020 was marked by swaths of America pledging support for the Black Lives Matter movement and defunding the police. Many cities answered supporters calls by removing portions of police funding, such as Portland and New York City. The social justice movement even trickled down to small cities and spread to nearly every facet of America, stretching from major corporations, celebrities and the sports world demanding change.

CHICAGO MURDERS CONTINUE TO SKYROCKET AS POLICE BRASS ADMIT 'IT'S JUST BEEN A REALLY CHALLENGING YEAR'

Some experts have pinned the cause of the crime spikes on the coronavirus entirely and warned about it at the beginning of the pandemic.

"Im not surprised at all that we had an increase in crime," Volkan Topalli, a professor of criminology at Georgia State University, told Politico in 2021 after he became a victim of crime himself. "Criminologists and public health people were saying that that was going to be the case as soon as they heard about the pandemic."

"The pandemic  revealed something that most of us already knew, which was that we have segments of society that dont have the advantages of other segments of society," Topalli said. "Theyre just beneath the surface and the pandemic sort of, you know, as with a hurricane  has revealed the disparities."

A University of California study that estimated more than 100,000 Californians bought guns in 2020 out of fear the pandemic's destabilizing effects. The study argued that by aggravating "poverty, unemployment, lack of resources, isolation, hopelessness and loss," the pandemic has "worsened many of the underlying conditions contributing to violence," the New York Times reported in 2020.

But to Mac Donald, the Ferguson effect played out again in 2020  with even more swiftness and brutality than before.

2020s "violent-crime increasecall it Ferguson Effect 2.0 or the Minneapolis Effect has come on with a speed and magnitude that make Ferguson 1.0 seem tranquil," Mac Donald wrote during the crime spike that year. "George Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police in late May was justly condemned  but the event has now spurred an outpouring of contempt against the pillars of law and order that has no precedent in American history."

Mac Donald told Fox News Digital this month that the Black Lives Matter and the defund the police movements contributed to the crime spike in 2020 and had nothing to do with the coronavirus and lockdowns. The spike "began months after lockdowns beginning only after riots," noting the "spike was not at all related to COVID."

The FBI crime data in 2020 came as the FBI switched to a new recording method, the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), amid a push to change how law enforcement agencies provide crime figures and record details on every single crime incident.

NYC REFORMS AIMED AT TINKERING WITH RACIAL MAKEUP OF CRIMINALS CREATED MORE BLACK VICTIMS: EXPERT

Murders and nonnegligent manslaughter offenses were already on the rise during the first half of 2020, with FBI data showing a 14.8% increase across the board from January to June.

Murders began to rise in the late winter of 2020 which is typical of that time of year, with the spike appearing to begin in April with 1,261 murders  the month prior to George Floyd's death. However, April's numbers were not far off track with April's numbers in previous years.

May recorded 1,499 murders  which compared to previous Mays is high  before reaching its peak of 1,772 in July, far above July peaks in the previous six years, according to the New York Times citing FBI data. Murders dipped in the month of September to 1,611 before shooting back up to 1,740 in October.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI for the data set obtained by the Times to take a closer look, but was told they "do not have the Supplementary Homicide Report File List available at this time."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - 2021/04/20: A protester waves a Black Lives Matter flag during the demonstration. Hours after the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial, protesters meet outside of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's home to protest his proposed funding of the Los Angeles Police Department. (Photo by Stanton Sharpe/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Getty Images

Progressive leaders also ushered in criminal justice reforms theoretically intended to rectify the imbalance of Black Americans who are arrested, convicted and incarcerated in response to the social justice uprisings demanding change. But in practice, in cities like New York, these reforms backfired, resulting in a spike in crime, experts say.

"In NY, statewide changes to the bail laws that went into effect in 2020 prevented judges from holding a huge range of defendants in jail pre-trial and effectively prevented judges from considering dangerousness in the decision to set bail. The rate of felony re-offense among defendants out of jail pre-trial who would not have been out of jail prior to "bail reform" has been estimated at 43%. That is a significant number," Meyers told Fox News Digital in an email.

NEW YORK ASSEMBLY SPEAKER NOT BUDGING ON BAIL REFORM POLICIES DESPITE CONCERNS OF VIOLENT CRIME

Meyers and Jim Quinn, a former executive district attorney in the Queens district attorneys office, published an essay in the New York Times this year arguing that by "aiming for racial equity in criminal justice rather than focusing solely on deterring and responding to crime, policymakers seem to have neglected the foundational purpose of law and order."

"What has followed  a sharp rise in victims of crime, who remain disproportionately Black, and a slight increase in the percentage of Rikers Island inmates who are Black  is a racial imbalance of a more troubling kind," the authors wrote in the article.

Manhattan Institute senior fellow Rafael Mangual delivered testimony in front of the Senate last year and noted that studies have found that more policing leads to less crime, benefiting communities of color and upping life expectancies.

MOST HOMICIDE VICTIMS IN MANY US CITIES ARE BLACK, KEY DATA SHOWS

"In laymens terms, what those studies bear out is that, generally speaking, more police means less crime. And just as people of colorparticularly Black menare disproportionately impacted by crime increases, they disproportionately benefit from crime declines," he said.

He noted that a study on the national decline in homicides between 1991 and 2014 led to increases in life expectancy of 0.14 years for White males, and shot up to a year for Black men.

Meyers said that the coronavirus likely aggravated the effects of the Ferguson effect in 2020, explaining that police forces were "diminished" with officers calling out sick, and young men, who are the "most likely to be involved in gun violence," were left with time on their hands when schools closed businesses shuttered. While courts were closed due to the pandemic, "potentially leaving more offenders on the street for longer periods of time," Meyers said.

"But were there more homicides in 2020 due to Covid-related hardships such as the need for food? Anecdotally, I don't know of any such murders and I'm skeptical that this was a significant contributor to the enormous surge," Meyers added.
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the countrys eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two and give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory following the failed attempt by Moscows forces to storm the capital, Kyiv, and heavier-than-expected casualties nearly two months into the war.

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The eastern cities of Kharkiv and Kramatorsk came under deadly attack, and a hospital was reported shelled in the southern town of Bashtanka. Russia also said it struck areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro west of the Donbas with missiles.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscows forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages. Those claims could not be independently verified.

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In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast. Ukraines military said Russian forces tried to break through our defenses along nearly the entire front line.

Weeks ago, after the abortive Russian push to take Kyiv, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years.

Russian military vehicles move on a highway in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatist forces near Mariupol, Ukraine, April 18, 2022. (Alexei Alexandrov/AP)

A Russian victory in the Donbas would deprive Ukraine of the industrial assets concentrated there, including mines, metals plants and heavy-equipment factories.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the Pentagons assessments of the war, said the Russians had added two more combat units, known as battalion tactical groups, in Ukraine over the preceding 24 hours. That brought the total number of units in the country to 78, all of them the south and the east, up from 65 last week, the official said.

That would translate to about 55,000 to 62,000 troops, based on what the Pentagon said at the start of the war was the typical unit strength of 700 to 800 soldiers. But accurately determining Russias fighting capacity at this stage is difficult.

A European official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, said Russia also has 10,000 to 20,000 foreign fighters in the Donbas. They are a mix of mercenaries from Russias private Wagner Group and Russian proxy fighters from Syria and Libya, according to the official.

Valentyna Nechyporenko, 77, mourns at the grave of her 47-year-old son Ruslan, during his funeral at the cemetery in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, April 18, 2022. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

While Ukraine portrayed the attacks on Monday as the start of the long-feared offensive in the east, some observers noted that an escalation has been underway there for some time and questioned whether this was truly the start of a new offensive.

The U.S. official said that the offensive in the Donbas has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

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Justin Crump, a former British tank commander now with the strategic advisory company Sibylline, said the Ukrainian comments could, in part, be an attempt to persuade allies to send more weapons.

What theyre trying to do by positioning this, I think, is ... focus peoples minds and effort by saying, Look, the conflict has begun in the Donbas, Crump said. That partly puts pressure on NATO and EU suppliers to say, Guys, were starting to fight now. We need this now.

European and American arms have played a key role in enabling the outgunned Ukrainians to hold off the Russians. The Dutch prime minister told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday that the Netherlands would send heavier material, including armored vehicles.

Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv said at least four people were killed and three wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area of the city. The attack occurred as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

An explosion also rocked Kramatorsk, killing at least one person and wounding three, according to AP journalists at the scene.

In Bashtanka, an unspecified number of people were wounded when Russian forces shelled the hospital, destroying the emergency room and dialysis area, the head of the regional council, Anna Zamazeyeva, said on Facebook.

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Eyewitness accounts and reports from officials have given a broad picture of the extent of the Russian advance. But independent reporting in the parts of the Donbas held by Russian forces and separatists is severely limited, making it difficult to know what is happening in many places on the ground.

Military experts said the Russians goal is to encircle Ukrainian troops from the north, south and east.

Key to the campaign is the capture of Mariupol, the now-devastated city in the Donbas that the Russians have besieged since the early days of the war. Taking Mariupol would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine from 2014.

It would also free up Russian troops to move elsewhere in the Donbas.

A few thousand Ukrainian troops, by the Russians estimate, remained holed up in a sprawling Mariupol steel plant, representing what was believed to be the last major pocket of resistance in the city.

On Tuesday, Russia issued a new ultimatum to the Ukrainian defenders to surrender, saying those who come out will keep their lives, and said a cease-fire was being declared in the area so the combatants could leave the plant.

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The Ukrainians have ignored previous such offers, and there was no immediate confirmation a cease-fire occurred.

The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, said on a messaging app that Russian forces would root out the Ukrainian resistance within hours and take full control of the steel mill on Tuesday. Kadyrov is known for his bluster and has repeatedly predicted the citys fall in the past.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelenskyy said that the situation in Mariupol remained unchanged and that the Russian military was blocking attempts to establish a humanitarian corridor out of the city and save people.

It is as tough as possible, he said.

Associated Press journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Felipe Dana in Kharkiv, Ukraine; Danica Kirka in London; and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report, as did other AP staff members around the world.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Coca-Cola FEMSA has reached an agreement to distribute Campari Group products in Brazil, the Mexican bottling company said on Tuesday.

Italy's Campari, known for its alcoholic drinks such as Aperol, SKYY vodka and Wild Turkey, will be distributed in the South American country through a Coca-Cola FEMSA subsidiary and the Coca-Cola system, of which Coca-Cola FEMSA is a part.

"We hope to leverage the strength of our distribution network and execution capabilities to increase Campari's presence in our territories," said John Santa Maria, Coca-Cola FEMSA's chief executive.

The Mexican firm, one of the largest Coca-Cola producers in the world, said in December it had made a deal to acquire Brazil's CVI Refrigerantes for 632.5 million reais ($111 million).

(Reporting by Raul Cortes and Kylie Madry; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Former first lady Michelle Obamas brother and sister-in-law are suing their childrens former Milwaukee school over alleged racial bias.

During an interview on Good Morning America, Kelly and Craig Robinson said the University School of Milwaukee, which has students from pre-kindergarten through high school, used racial and ethnic stereotypes in their curriculum.

We heard what was going on in the classroom because of COVID, and there were repeated use of racial and ethnic stereotypes that were in actual assignments, Craig Robinson said, citing the use of the word plantation, an insensitivity to socio-economic status and a disregard for the children who werent physically in the classroom.

He added that they raised the issues to the school, but it summarily dismissed our young children, retaliating against them because of the issues we brought up.

Just as recent as 10 years ago, the University School of Milwaukee had in their fourth grade curriculum that students reenacted the Underground Railroad, and students dressed up as slaves and ran through the school in the dark, and the teachers were actually the slave masters who captured these students, Kelly Robinson said.

She added that one of the other stories that we heard was about how the Black students seem to get more harsh punishments than their white counterparts.

The school allegedly set up a bias incident reporting system last year, but when Kelly Robinson attempted to file a report, she was told the system was not functioning properly.

The Hill has reached out to the University School of Milwaukee for comment.

The Robinsons two young sons now attend a different school.

We want to hold the University School of Milwaukee accountable not just to our two children who they retaliated against, but more importantly, theres a whole community of people who are out there that we wouldnt feel right if this happened moving forward, Craig Robinson said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A World War II veteran from West Tennessee was laid to rest with full military honors Tuesday.

Chief Water Tender Claud White was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

He was stationed on the USS Oklahoma, one of the first ships to be hit by the Japanese that morning.

Flags over the Capitol will fly at half-staff today in honor of the ultimate sacrifice of U.S. Navy Chief Water Tender Claude White from Yorkville. Claude lost his life serving on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor & is being brought home to TN to be laid to rest. pic.twitter.com/asLlOpMUlV  Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) April 19, 2022

Earlier on Monday, volunteers with The Flagmans Mission Continues set up more than 2,000 American flags along a twelve-mile route on U.S. Highway 77 from Newbern to Bells Chapel Cemetery in Yorkville.

A flag was placed every 30 steps.

Gov. Bill Lee tweeted on Tuesday morning that the flags over the Tennessee Capitol were at half-staff in honor of Whites ultimate sacrifice.

Members of Rolling Thunder, a non-profit organization committed to the POW/ MIA issue and helping American veterans from all wars, attended the service along with a number of community members and members of the group The Flagmans Mission Continues.

According to a release for the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency, in December 1947, White was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft.

The ship sustained damage from torpedo hits, causing it to capsize and resulting in the deaths of the 429 crew members, including White.

From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel found the remains of the crew members.

In September 1947, the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency reported that members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) dug up the remains of U.S. casualties from two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory.

Story continues

White was finally accounted for on January 4, 2021, according to The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

Only 35 men from the USS Oklahoma have been identified by the laboratory staff.

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The debate over renaming military sites which honor Confederate leaders will return to Capitol Hill in coming weeks after defense officials said Congress needs to approve additional authorities allowing them to make those changes.

As part of legislative proposals sent to Capitol Hill this month connected to the fiscal 2023 budget request, Defense Department officials said they need new action by lawmakers to finalize the work of the Pentagons Confederate renaming commission, which was mandated by Congress two years ago.

Although [previous legislation] contemplates that the commission may recommend that the defense secretary assign or modify names of real property, it does not authorize the secretary to implement those recommendations, officials wrote. Absent special legislation  this lack of clarity impedes the secretarys ability to meet the obligation to implement the recommendations.

These are the contenders for rebranding Army posts with Confederate namesakes

Last month, commission members announced they had identified about 100 replacement names for nine Army posts originally named in honor of Confederate troops.

They include Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Benning and Fort Gordon in Georgia; and Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Lee and Fort Pickett in Virginia.

Potential replacement names would honor well-known military leaders, such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Colin Powell, or specific soldiers recognized for heroism, like Roy Benavidez and Alwyn Cashe.

However, absent new legislation by Congress this year, service officials would only be able to remove the old names, not finalize the new ones.

That technical change could prompt another round of fierce political fighting in Congress later this year, as lawmakers work to craft the annual defense authorization bill for fiscal 2023.

The issue became a major point of friction between conservative Republicans backing then-President Donald Trump and Democratic lawmakers in 2020 before Congress ultimately authorized the renaming commission.

Story continues

There are 9 Confederate memorials among the military academies, but their fate is unknown

Trump and his supporters argued that military locations named for Confederate leaders had developed a history separate from their namesakes, and changing the names now would lead to confusion and frustration for members of the military.

But Democrats (and a number of Republicans who backed the idea) argued that honoring the Confederate leaders was racist and anti-American, and that better names could be found for the sites.

The commission members are currently meeting with affected installation leaders to discuss upcoming challenges and procedures, and will deliver a final list of recommended changes by Oct. 1. After that, the Army has another year to make the changes final.

Lawmakers have held several defense policy hearings already in anticipation of the release of their initial authorization bill drafts, expected later this spring.

The issue of the renaming commission was not brought up during Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins appearance before the House or Senate Armed Services Committees earlier this month.
An Amber Alert has been issued for a 17-year-old Arkansas girl after she went missing and an unknown man demanded a ransom of $10,000 or hed kill the teen, authorities said.

Trynytee Case was last seen around 9:15 p.m. Monday night in the Exchange Street parking deck in Hot Springs as she was leaving work, the Arkansas State Police said.

MISSING MOM SUZANNE MORPHEW: COLORADO PROSECUTORS ASK JUDGE TO DISMISS CASE AGAINST HUSBAND WEEKS BEFORE TRIAL

Case was believed to be wearing a blue hoodie with the logo "pour some sugar on me," leggings, and white tennis shoes.

Authorities said that her last known possible direction of travel was south on Highway 7, south of Hot Springs in a White 4-door 2014-2017 Honda Accord.

Case was leaving work with a friend when an unknown White woman stated she was lost and that her parents were living in a Condo in Hot Springs, KNWA-TV reported, citing police.

The woman reportedly asked Case if she could use the teens phone before changing her mind, asking Case to come closer to her car so she could use the GPS coordinates.

Cases friend had left to bring their car around during this time. When the friend returned Case was gone and the missing teen wouldnt answer her phone, KHBS-TV reported.

The friend called Cases mom, who tried calling her daughters phone multiple times. Investigators said Case eventually answered, saying "everything is fine," before a male voice demanded $10,000 for Cases return or he would kill her and cut her up, the reports said.

The call ended following the males statement and no contact has been made since.

Authorities asked anyone with information on Case or the vehicle to call the Hot Springs Police Department at 501-651-7711.
Reuters

Pope Francis's planned trip to Lebanon next month has been postponed because the 85-year-old pontiff has experienced difficulty walking recently, sources said on Monday. A plan for the pope to go from Lebanon to Jerusalem on June 14 to meet Kirill, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, had already been cancelled because of the war in Ukraine. Francis is due to make two trips in July, one to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the other to Canada.
Choose or Die is currently the most popular movie on Netflix, according to the streaming services public ranking system.

Formerly titled CURS>R, the new British horror film premiered on April 15 and quickly zoomed to the top of the ranking. Choose or Die follows two friends who start playing a mysterious retro video game and quickly learn that it interferes with reality in terrifying ways.

In second place is Hop, a 2011 animated comedy about the unlikely friendship between a human slacker and a young rabbit named E.B., who is due to succeed his father as the Easter Bunny. And in third is Cleaner, a 2007 thriller about a crime scene cleaner, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes and Ed Harris.

"Choose or Die" on Netflix. (Photo: Netflix)

Other older films in the current ranking include the 2013 Halle Barry thriller The Call and the 2016 supernatural horror flick Ouija: Origin of Evil  a prequel to 2014s Ouija.

As for original films from Netflix, the Ryan Reynolds sci-fi adventure movie The Adam Project remains on the list more than a month after its release on March 11. And theres a new Polish rom-com called The Taming of the Shrewd (Poskromienie zlosnicy).

Check out the full list of the top 10 movies. And if you want to stay informed about everything joining Netflix each week, subscribe to the Streamline newsletter.

(Photo: HuffPost)

(Photo: HuffPost)

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
In the wake of a judge's ruling Monday that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's transit masking rules, major U.S. airlines have made mask-wearing optional for both passengers and employees. Though customers are free to continue wearing masks if they choose to do so, passengers will not be required to mask up on many carriers for the first time in years.

Here are some of the airlines that no longer require masking. For regional airlines, you should check your carrier's website before heading to the airport.

Masks optional:

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

Delta Air Lines

Frontier Airlines

JetBlue

Southwest Airlines

Spirit Airlines

United Airlines

This doesn't mean you'll never have to wear a mask at the airport. Many of the airlines note that while their new policies apply on all domestic flights, masks may still be required to fly to some international destinations. And some airports, like Philadelphia International Airport, still require masks inside their terminals before you fly.

Justice Department will appeal mask ruling if CDC says mandate is still needed

For ground travel, the rules are a bit more complicated. Masks are no longer required on Amtrak trains and in Amtrak stations, and on some subways, but transit systems in some cities still require them.

It's not yet clear if the judge's decision will stand. Federal agencies are reviewing the decision and still may appeal, a Biden administration official confirmed to "CBS Mornings." The CDC still encourages masking on public transit.

News of the judge's decision drew mixed reactions. Some videos showed plane passengers cheering while they pulled off their masks, but other people said they plan to keep them on.

"It's a preventive measure," traveler Bob Mounter told CBS News transportation correspondent Errol Barnett. "If they tell me, for example, I don't have to wear seatbelts anymore, I will still wear my seatbelt."

Story continues

The decision came after the CDC had recently extended the mask mandate by two weeks, until May 3, to give researchers more time to study the Omicron subvariant BA.2.

Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease expert and editor-at-large for Kaiser Health News, told "CBS Mornings" that the CDC's extension was the "appropriate" and "cautious" approach.

"We know that this virus mutates. In fact, it's mutating very rapidly," she said. "We will see more variants, and we will see other pandemics after COVID. So I do think the idea of stripping ourselves of an essential tool and toolbox is a really bad idea."

Russia intensifies assault on eastern Ukraine: CBS News Flash April 20, 2022

IMF chief economist discusses war in Ukraine, impact on global economy

Russia doubles down on attacks in eastern Ukraine
Minnesota State goaltender and Hobey Baker award winner Dryden McKay has been suspended from all hockey competition for six months after testing positive for a banned substance.

McKay accepted the suspension on Apr. 14, marking the start of the period of ineligibility. The 24-year-old played his last NCAA game on Apr. 9, in the Mavericks 5-1 loss to Denver in the Frozen Four national championship game.

McKay was reportedly notified in early February that a urine sample submitted on Jan. 23 returned a positive result for ostarine, a drug that stimulates muscle growth. Ostarine is not approved by the FDA and is considered a banned substance by the USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy and the International Ice Hockey Federation Anti-Doping Regulations.

The amount of ostarine detected in the sample was trillionths of a gram and provided no performance benefit, according to the netminder.

This experience has been a very unexpected and difficult matter for me and my family," McKay said in a statement. "I am remaining optimistic and looking forward to beginning my pro career in the fall."

The Downers Grove, Illinois native was tested after being named an alternate player for the 2022 U.S. mens Olympic hockey team, which he ultimately did not join, in Beijing.

McKay believed the drug could have entered his body through one of the supplements he was taking at the time. After he sent his sample away for an independent lab test, it was determined that ostarine was found in a vitamin D3 booster he had taken amid the Covid-19 Omicron variant wave.

Because McKay successfully proved the source of the contamination, an arbitrator lifted his suspension on Feb. 3 until USADA could make its final decision, resulting in McKay remaining eligible to compete and see out his senior season with Minnesota State, during which he established NCAA records for wins in a season with 38 and career shutouts with 34 while leading the team to the NCAA Frozen Four final.

Story continues

"During USADA's investigation into the circumstances of the case, USADA received results from a WADA-accredited laboratory that a supplement product McKay was using prior to sample collection, which did not list Ostarine on the Supplement Facts label, was contaminated with that substance at an amount consistent with the circumstances of ingestion and his positive test. The Code provides the opportunity for a substantial reduction in the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility in this circumstance," USADA wrote in a statement released on Monday.

McKay was awarded the Hobey Baker Award as the season's top NCAA D1 mens hockey player, and led his school to its first ever Frozen Four championship appearance this spring.

McKay is turning pro next season after wrapping up his college career. Because he was never picked in the NHL Draft, the netminder will be free to sign with any team as a free agent  and he'll surely be coveted.

More from Yahoo Sports
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of the Treasury allege North Koreas Lazarus Group and APT38 were responsible for stealing cryptocurrencies worth about US$620 million off the Ethereum sidechain Ronin.

See related article: Axie Infinity blockchain Ronin hacked for over $600M

Fast facts

The hack was perpetrated by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), the FBI said.

The Treasury department added new sanctions against the Ethereum wallet owned by Lazarus Group.

Some 173,600 Ethereum and 25.5 million USDC were robbed when Ronin Network, the Ethereum sidechain that the blockchain-based play-to-earn game Axie Infinity runs on, was breached on March 23.

Ronin is still updating security measures before redeploying the blockchain, which is expected to happen by the end of April.

The DPRK has allegedly been funding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs with cyberattacks on crypto exchanges, Reuters reported.

Hackers backed by the DPRK s allegedly stole nearly US$400 million worth of cryptocurrencies last year, according to blockchain data analysis platform Chainalysis.

The FBI established a new unit back in February to combat crimes that exploit blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

See related article: Ronin hack proceeds seen headed to Tornado Cash
Local School Councils were created three decades ago to give Chicago parents more control over what happens at their childrens public schools. Here is a look at the duties of these governing bodies and the rules for elections, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at around 500 schools.

What does a Local School Council do? From choosing principals to voting on resource officers

An LSC is tasked with approving the schools budget; developing and monitoring school improvement priorities and goals; selecting the principal and evaluating his or her performance.

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There are other responsibilities as well. Councils at some high schools determine whether to continue their school resource officer program. Earlier this year, the LSC at Daniel Boone Elementary School voted to come up with a new name that better suits the West Ridge school as Chicago Public Schools attempts to rid itself of names and mascots tied to slavery, racism and misogyny.

LSC members must complete lessons on the budget, principal selection and council duties, among other topics, within six months of taking office.

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The Lincoln Park High School Local School Council meets in the school's auditorium on Feb. 13, 2020. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

What are the different types of councils, and does every school have one?

The countrys third-largest school district, CPS has a complex set of offerings including district-run, charter, contract and options schools. LSCs are in district-run schools.

A traditional LSC is supposed to consist of the schools principal; two teachers and one non-teacher staff member who work at the school; six parents of students enrolled at the school; two community members who reside in the schools attendance area or voting district boundaries; and at least one student representative.

Three student representatives can sit on a high school LSC. Starting this year, elementary schools can have one student representative who is in the sixth, seventh or eighth grade.

Student members cannot vote on the principals evaluation, contracts and the allotment of teaching and staff resources, but they can weigh in on textbook selection, LSC vacancies, fundraising and other matters.

Elected LSC members serve two years, while student terms last one year. LSC members must reapply for each term. Council members elected this month are scheduled to take office July 1.

For this election cycle, around 490 of the panels are traditional LSCs, while 20 are Appointed LSCs, according to CPS data.

ALSCs tend to have a similar composition to traditional LSCs, except they can have two advocates instead of a non-teacher staff member and only one high school student representative. You can find ALSCs at some CPS schools managed by the Academy for Urban School Leadership.

At CPS military academies, ALSCs are called Boards of Governors. Theres a spot on those boards for a JROTC instructor in addition to the principal and other representatives.

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The Chicago Board of Education appoints members of ALSCs and Boards of Governors for a new term after taking into consideration recommendations and nonbinding polls.

Can anyone be a candidate?

Candidates have to fill out paperwork, which varies based on the position they are seeking. No experience or formal education is required, but applicants must show proper identification.

They are required to disclose if they do business with the Board of Education, the school or the LSC.

Candidates must submit a criminal conviction disclosure form and undergo a fingerprint-based check of Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation databases before taking office.

When are the 2022 LSC elections?

Elementary school elections are scheduled for 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and high school elections are set for the same hours Thursday. The elections coincide with parent-teacher conferences. Parents can vote when they pick up their childs report card.

Who can vote?

All CPS parents can vote at their childs school. Community members at least 17 years old can use CPS online map to input their address to determine where they can cast their ballot.

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Voters dont need to be a U.S. citizen or a registered voter to participate, but they will be asked to show valid identification. Voting is being done in person this year. There was a mail-in ballot system for the 2020 LSC elections that has since been scrapped.

CPS parents and community members can vote for up to five candidates running to serve as parent or community representatives.

School staff members vote for the teacher and non-teacher staff candidates in a preference poll on the same day and in the same location as the election for the parent and community seats. Students vote for their classmates earlier in the week.

What happens if not enough people signed up to run at my school?

Councils need a quorum to vote on important matters. Traditional LSCs can vote to fill parent and community representative vacancies. The Board of Education is authorized to appoint the teacher, staff and student members of LSCs after considering the preferences of the school community.

tswartz@tribpub.com
Apr. 19GRANITE FALLS

 A Clarkfield man, now the former chief of police for the Upper Sioux Community, faces charges in Yellow Medicine County for allegedly discharging his service revolver into a bedroom door while his roommate was pushing against it to prevent his entry.

Christopher Allen Lee, 53, is charged with a felony count of second-degree assault along with two felony counts of reckless discharge of a firearm and a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault. The Yellow Medicine County District Court at a hearing on Monday set bail at $40,000 with conditions and $150,000 without conditions.

According to the criminal complaint, a Yellow Medicine County sheriff's deputy responded to Lee's residence in the town of Clarkfield on April 15 in response to a report that a gun had been fired within it. The deputy found a person hiding in the basement.

The complaint refers to him as "Victim 1" and says he is Lee's roommate. He told the officer that he did not know where Lee was.

He said that he had been lying in a guest bedroom upstairs and that its door was locked. He said Lee was mad that he had locked him out and started kicking the door.

The roommate said he pushed against the door to prevent Lee's entry "when all of a sudden, he heard a loud BOOM, and part of the door went flying off."

Lee had allegedly fired through the door, according to the roommate, who also told the officer that Lee kicked through the door and they exchanged words.

The roommate then ran to the basement, where he hid. He had white residue over his clothing but was not injured.

The officer found a spent casing from a .40-caliber bullet outside the damaged door.

Lee's service revolver, a Glock .40-caliber, was found on his dresser in his bedroom. It showed signs of having been fired and there were 14 bullets in its magazine, which holds 15 bullets, according to the complaint.

A second sheriff's deputy responding to the scene found Lee in a camper outside of the residence and took him into custody. He reported that the suspect said he was sorry. Lee appeared highly intoxicated and smelled of alcohol, according to the complaint.

Lee was relieved of his duties as police chief for the Upper Sioux Community on April 15 and is no longer employed with the community, according to Tribal Chair Kevin Jensvold.
Apr. 19A 39-year-old Odessa woman was arrested Thursday after failing to appear in court in her pending arson case.

According to an Odessa Fire Rescue report, firefighters were notified about an apartment complex fire around 9 p.m. Jan. 5, 2021 and when they arrived they found one unit had been damaged. They also learned the unit had no electricity or gas service.

A man told investigators that prior to the fire his next-door neighbor, Antonia Rosalinda Martinez, had been yelling and acting strangely, according to the report. She said someone was in the apartment bothering her, but the apartment was empty. Several minutes later, the man said another man came to tell him Martinez's apartment was on fire.

That man told investigators he'd seen Martinez asking someone for her lighter while outside. A few minutes later, the man said he saw Martinez leave her apartment and then a few minutes after that, he saw smoke and flames coming from her apartment.

Ector County District Court records show Martinez was indicted on Feb. 7, 2022, on a first-degree felony charge of arson intend damage habitat/place of worship.

She was released on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond, but court records show she failed to show up for a March 24 hearing. Her bond is now set at $40,000.
COLOMBO (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and over a dozen injured in Sri Lanka after protesters clashed with police in the central town of Rambukkana, a doctor told Reuters, the first fatality since demonstrations began in the crisis-hit country weeks ago.

"Fifteen people who were injured in the incident were brought to the hospital and three are in critical condition having sustained quite severe injuries to their abdomen region," a doctor at the state-run Kegalle Hospital told Reuters.

"One person died after being admitted," the doctor said, declining to be named as he is not authorized to speak to media.

(Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe, Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal, Editing by Catherine Evans)
Barbara Eckstein

When a delegation from Iowa United Nations Association visited last year with a new foreign affairs adviser in the office of U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, he told us that, as a member of the military in Iraq, he had especially admired the presence of the U.N. workers in Baghdad.

While he and his cohort would conduct a mission and return to the Green Zone, he said, the U.N. was present amidst Iraqis all the time. This presence of representatives from different U.N. agencies is why the press routinely cites the U.N. when providing the number of refugees in a crisis, such as that in Ukraine, or when providing an assessment of the severity of hunger or thirst or displacement.

At the request of the Ukrainian government, the WFP (the U.N.s World Food Program) is aiming to provide direct cash transfers and food aid to 3.15 million Ukrainian refugees now in multiple countries, as well as displaced people within the country. Two weeks ago, UNHCR (the U.N. Refugee Agency), in conjunction with the WHO (U.N.s World Health Organization), PiN (People in Need, a European NGO), and the WFP delivered medical supplies and food to Sumy, a site within Ukraine hard hit by violence and cut off for weeks from food and security.

Last week in Ukraine, the UNHCR partnered with Ukrposhta to distribute significant cash assistance to 360,000 internally displaced Ukrainians for up to three months. Another U.N. agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, is monitoring nuclear power plants in Ukraine to help prevent nuclear disasters.

These and many other activities are recorded on the websites of these U.N. agencies. They are not the only aid agencies, but they provide core, large-scale relief in the midst of trouble, a reality recognized by the Ukrainian government.

Ukraine is not the only country whose citizens are in dire need of U.N. support. UNHCR is providing relief and resettlement assistance for many of the worlds 84 million forcibly displaced persons.

Story continues

Yemen is now in a chronic state of emergency with more than 23 million people  75% of the population  needing food assistance. Despite a humanitarian ceasefire declared in late March by the government of Ethiopia and forces in the Tigray province, 5 million people need aid in that country.

The interruption in grain exports from Ukraine and Russia intensifies these crises. On March 29, the head of the WFP told the U.N. Security Council that the war was creating not only a local agricultural crisis in Ukraine but also a global food catastrophe.

The New York Times reported the details he cited: for example, WFP buys 50% of its grain from Ukraine, grain it needs to feed 125 million people around the world. Because the U.N. is present in the midst of trouble providing assistance in crucial ways, the United Nations Association chapters in Johnson and Linn counties urge our Congressional delegation to support U.S. full payment of its dues to the U.N. and its agencies.

We commend President Joe Biden and Congress for providing significant aid to Ukraine. Because the U.N. system of agencies has a worldwide presence and can help suffering people everywhere, we encourage the U.S. to sustain  and increase  its financial support to the U.N. system. Its the right thing to do  and the smart thing.

Jim Olson of Coralville and Barbara Eckstein of Iowa City are the president and vice president of the Johnson County United Nations Association.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Opinion: The United Nations is proving its value in Ukraine
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  A Native American tribe in Oregon said Tuesday it is assessing its legal options after learning the U.S. government plans to release water from a federally operated reservoir to downstream farmers along the Oregon-California border amid a historic drought.

Even limited irrigation for the farmers who use Klamath River water on about 300 square miles of crops puts two critically endangered fish species in peril of extinction because the water withdrawals come at the height of spawning season, The Klamath Tribes said. This summer's water allocation plan, released by the Bureau of Reclamation last week, will send about 50,000 acre-feet of water to farmers in the Klamath Reclamation Project  less than 15% of what they would get in a normal year.

An acre-foot is the amount needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.

Its the third year in a row that extreme drought has affected the farmers, fish and tribes that rely on the 257-mile-long Klamath River in a region where, even in a good year, theres not enough water to satisfy competing demands. Last year, no water at all flowed through the Klamath reclamation projects main irrigation canal, and the water crisis briefly became a political flashpoint for anti-government activists.

At the same time, critically endangered sucker fish central to the Klamath Tribes culture and religion didn't have enough water to spawn and thousands of downstream juvenile salmon died without reservoir releases to support the Klamath Rivers health.

The Klamath Tribes said in a statement that the decision to release any water to about 1,000 farmers in the massive, federal agricultural project was perhaps the saddest chapter yet in a long history of treaty violations" and placed the blame for the current water crisis on 120 years of ecosystem mismanagement at the hands of settler society."

The inland tribes, based in Chiloquin, Oregon, include the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin peoples of southern Oregon and northern California. The Klamath have fought to keep enough water in the reservoir and surrounding rivers for two distinct species of sucker fish to survive and breed, with limited success.

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The fish are important to the tribes' cultural and religious practices and were once a dietary staple. The Klamath stopped fishing for the sucker fish in the 1980s as numbers dwindled. The Klamath Tribes now run a captive breeding program to ensure the species' survival and note that no juvenile sucker fish have survived in the wild in recent years.

"We have nothing left with which to compromise,  the Klamath Tribes said in a statement. Global warming is certainly a global problem, but thus far its local consequences appear to be exacerbating existing and systematic inequalities between ourselves and the larger society.

A spokeswoman from the Bureau of Reclamation declined to comment Tuesday, citing the possibility of litigation.

The Klamath Tribes believe this year's plan violates a biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act, which says that the bureau must maintain the reservoir, which is called Upper Klamath Lake, at a minimum depth for the sucker fish. The opinion acknowledges that in some cases  such as this year  maintaining even that minimum depth may be impossible, but in those cases the bureau must do everything it can to comply.

We feel like Reclamation has pushed us into a corner by making this allocation decision that is so directly contrary to the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, said Jay Weiner, a water rights attorney representing The Klamath Tribes. For them to pull additional water out  is a risk to the very existence of the species that the tribes cant live with.

Last weekend, federal regulators also released a three-day pulse of water from the reservoir down the Klamath River to bolster the health of salmon populations in northern California that have been decimated by a parasite that thrives in slow-moving, warm water.

The amount was half of what would be released in a normal year, and the Yurok Tribe, which is trying to keep the salmon populations afloat, said it was also deeply disappointed by this season's water allocations.

____

Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus

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Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday issued a temporary reprieve to the execution of Oscar Franklin Smith approximately one hour before it was scheduled to go forward.

Due to an oversight in preparation for lethal injection, the scheduled execution of Oscar Smith will not move forward tonight. I am granting a temporary reprieve while we address Tennessee Department of Correction protocol," a statement from the governor's office indicated.

Further details on what the oversight was were not immediately available.

Lee's decision is the first time he's intervened in a capital case. The move parallels a 10-day reprieve issued by then-Gov. Bill Haslam in 2018 to properly prepare to execute Edmund Zagorski by electric chair.

Thursday's announcement did not include a timeframe on when the reprieve would end.

The Tennessee Supreme Court will select his next execution date.

TDOC spokesperson Dorinda Carter referred all questions to the governor's office.

Smith, 72, was scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution.

A Tennessee Department of Correction spokesperson confirmed Thursday evening Smith would be taken off death watch and returned to his cell.

SCOTUS denies to hear case

Earlier Thursday, the United States Supreme Court declined to stop the execution of Oscar Franklin Smith hours before he is scheduled to be put to death in Tennessee, his attorney confirmed.

A federal judge on Wednesday morning denied a push to stay the execution to allow the courts to further review new evidence.

In a rare move, a separate plea founded on Smith's religious objections to certain procedures after death was granted.

Tennessee is scheduled to execute Smith on Thursday evening.

"Tennessee is poised to execute an innocent man," federal public defender Amy D. Harwell said Wednesday after the ruling came down.

Oscar Smith execution: Oscar Franklin Smith moved to death watch ahead of Thursday's scheduled execution

Story continues

'The boys were brutalized': The triple murder case that sent Oscar Franklin Smith to death row

Race to stop the execution

Late Monday night he was moved into a cell next to the execution chamber and placed on death watch.

Smith has been on death row for 32 years for the 1989 killings of his estranged wife, Judith Robirds Smith, 35, and her two sons from a previous marriage, 16-year-old Chad Burnett and 13-year-old Jason Burnett.

In the race to stop his execution, Oscar Smith on Monday filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging his First Amendment rights are being violated by Tennessee courts refusing to hear his case.

U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger denied the request for a temporary restraining order in the case that would block the state from executing him without further hearings.

"He had his day in court," she wrote in an order filed in federal court Wednesday. "These facts, viewed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, are simply not sufficient to establish a violation of his rights to due process, to a judicial remedy, or to access the courts.

"The plaintiff got all of those things; he just did not like the results."

Smith alleges there is DNA evidence in the case favorable to his claim of actual innocence in the brutal murders that has not been properly heard before the courts.

But he has exhausted his appeals through local criminal courts, appellate courts and the Tennessee Supreme Court on the legal argument he hopes will postpone his death.

Thus, despite having evidence that proves that he is not the person who handled the murder weapon, Mr. Smith has been shut out of state court, he argues.

Harwell filed a request Wednesday asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to stay the execution and give him an evidentiary hearing. The request argued Smith's Eighth Amendment rights to due process and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment would be violated if he is not granted a hearing to argue his innocence.

"It is unthinkable that, as DNA analysis continues to overturn hundreds of convictions, the Constitution would permit the state-sanctioned killing of those who can demonstrate their innocence," the request said.

New federal filings

The new filing took the case out of state courts and into the Middle District of Tennessee federal jurisdiction. Tennessee state law allows defendants in certain circumstances to present new DNA evidence.

Oscar Smith, through representation by Harwell and federal public defender Katherine M. Dix, says the courts have erred in blocking him from doing so.

He has asked the court to immediately stay his execution and delay it until the courts hear a full case on the evidence revealed by new DNA testing.

But the state disagrees.

In a response filed Tuesday afternoon, the attorney general's office argued the DNA appeal has been adequately addressed in the lower courts and the immediate stay should not be granted.

The suit names Gov. Bill Lee, Attorney General Herbert Slatery, Tennessee Department of Correction Interim Commissioner Lisa Helton and Riverbend Maximum Security Institution warden Tony Mays.

"Cutting-edge DNA evidence proves what Oscar Smith has claimed since the day of his arrest, more than 30 years ago: He is not the man responsible for the murders for which he stands convicted," Harwell said in an emailed statement Wednesday afternoon. "Nevertheless, procedural technicalities and a judicially-created insurmountable state court burden of proof has shut him out of court."

A request for comment sent to the attorney general's office and Metro legal were not immediately returned.

Religious objection to autopsy

Last week, Smith asked the court to block Nashvilles medical examiner from performing an autopsy after his execution, based on his personal religious beliefs.

Mr. Smith is a life-long, devout Christian and has a sincerely held religious belief that treating his body as described would be a mutilation of his body amounting to a desecration in violation of his beliefs, Smith wrote.

In this case, Trauger agreed.

"It is clear that subjecting Smiths body to invasive procedures, including the withdrawal of bodily fluids and, potentially, an autopsy, would impose a substantial burden on Smiths exercise of his religion," she wrote in a Wednesday order.

If there were no religious objections, Dr. Feng Li, Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Tennessee, said he would normally perform an autopsy on any person executed by the state. Its his duty, he wrote in a sworn declaration filed in federal court Tuesday.

State law requires his oversight on deaths within the county, explicitly mentioning executed prisoners.

Smiths attorneys argue governmental interest does not outweigh his right to express his religion, which Trauger found compelling.

Li and other medical examiners are barred from any autopsy or procedure that would "violate the physical integrity of his body after his death," according to the order.

A request for comment sent to Metro Legal, representing Li, was not immediately returned.

A similar argument was raised in the case of Billy Ray Irick, who was executed on Aug. 9, 2018. In hearings the court allowed Li to perform the more limited version of examination but not a full autopsy.

Plea for mercy denied

Lee announced Tuesday he would not intervene to stop the execution, denying clemency to the prisoner.

After thorough consideration of Oscar Smiths request for clemency and an extensive review of the case, the State of Tennessees sentence will stand, and I will not be intervening," Lee wrote in an emailed statement.

Harwell, responded to Lee's decision Wednesday morning, calling his denial "extremely disappointing."

Mr. Smith has maintained his innocence for more than thirty years," Harwell wrote in a statement released to The Tennessean. "The state has erected an insurmountable roadblock to Mr. Smiths claims of innocence.

Tennessee's first execution since 2020

Smith's death will mark the state's first execution since 2020.

His execution date was initially set for June 2020 but was delayed twice because of the coronavirus pandemic. The April 21 date was scheduled in November.

As of Tuesday, Smith was one of 47 people on death row in the state. Tennessee has executed 139 people since 1916.

Smith is one of dozens of death row inmates who challenged Tennessee's default execution method of lethal injection. State law allows inmates sentenced to death for a crime that took place before 1999 to choose between electrocution and lethal injection.

Smith chose not to decide between the two methods, TDOC spokeswoman Dorinda Carter said. Without a decision, the default method is lethal injection.

Oscar Franklin Smith is found guilty in the October 1, 1989 killings of his estranged wife and her two teen sons.

Robirds Smith and her teen sons were killed inside a home on Lutie Court in Nashville's Woodbine neighborhood. Robirds Smith was shot in the neck and stabbed several times. Chad Burnett was shot in the left eye and then in the upper chest and left torso while his younger brother was stabbed in the neck and abdomen.

Smith, who was 40 at the time of the killings, allegedly threatened to kill his estranged wife on at least 12 occasions and threatened to kill the teens because he said she was better to them than she was to the twins they shared, co-workers said.

During the investigation, a bloody handprint  missing two fingers  was found on a bedsheet beside Robirds Smith's body.

Smith, a machinist living in Robertson County, had recently filed for divorce and was missing two fingers. Before the triple murder, he was also engaged in a custody battle with Robirds Smith over their 3-year-old twin boys. Their mother had also filed multiple domestic violence charges against him in recent months  not only on her behalf, but also for her teen sons.

Natalie Neysa Alund is based in Nashville at The Tennessean and covers breaking news across the South for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Oscar Franklin Smith Tennessee: Gov. Lee issues temporary reprieve to execution
A local woman who lost her mother to cancer learned how to transform her grief into a glowing business. Her sales grew so quickly online that she just opened a store.

Candles are a symbol of hope, said Christina Goldsmith, owner of Intentions by Christina.

Christina Goldsmith needed that glimmer of hope in December of 2019 after her mother passed away from lung cancer.

I went through a lot of grief at that time, said Goldsmith. It was literally months later and covid hit and we were all locked down. So I was plastered to my couch with grief, it was awful.

But then something magical happened. Christina said her mother started popping up in her dreams, showing her different objects. Growing up, the revere native enjoyed making candles. So she decided to revisit her childhood hobby as a path toward healing.

So I ended up just keeping busy with something that I enjoyed and brought happy into my life and thats how the crystal candles were born, said Goldsmith.

Each candle has a theme, a signature six-prong crystal, and includes a little bit of magic to help ease the stress out of our everyday lives.

Its not just a bunch of rocks thrown in a jar, said Goldsmith. Theyre executed to where they drive good energy and they clean out the negative energy.

Christina first posted a picture on Facebook just to show everyone what she created. She had no intention of selling it, but people kept asking to buy them. She said demand grew so quickly that she went from Facebook to a website, to now a store in Rumford, Rhode Island.

Theres nothing like seeing them in person, how they glitter, how they shimmer, and thats the reason we did the store and our customers wanted a store, said Goldsmith.

Christina has since expanded her booming business to include body lotions and sprays. For now, shes manufacturing all of her products out of her home.

Weve sacrificed a portion of our home we are working on getting some sort of factory lab, or some sort of thing way long term, not right now, said Goldsmith.

Story continues

The realtor had prior experience in the hospitality business. But says she had no business plan for her candle creations. She just knew she was going to make it happen because there was loveand hope behind it.

Start small, watch it grow, said Goldsmith. Baby step it. I think sometimes when we look at this elaborate business plan that we need to do it seems like so much and a lot all at once and thats when we tend to shy away from reaching our dreams.

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NEW YORK (AP)  There will be a new pitch on Major League Baseball fields next season.

The San Diego Padres became the first team to announce a deal for ads on their uniforms, saying Tuesday that patches with a Motorola logo will be worn on the sleeves of their jerseys.

The March 10 memorandum of understanding for a new collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the players' association gave the 30 teams the right to sell patch ads on uniforms and sticker ads on helmets. The sides adopted an Aug. 6, 2021, proposal by MLB to amend a section of the Official Baseball Rules which states: No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisement."

MLB's proposal read: "Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in these rules, a club may license to third-party commercial sponsors the right to place their name, logos and/or marks on the uniform, provided that the patch or design is approved in advance by the Office of the Commissioner after consultation with the players' association.

MLB decided to launch the uniform ads with the 2023 season and says it may start the helmet ads with this year's postseason.

The Padres will have the ads on the right sleeves of left-handed hitters and pitchers, and the left sleeves of righties  so as to face cameras more often.

Motorolas iconic logo on our jersey is a perfect alignment with our Padres brand, Padres CEO Erik Greupner said in a statement Tuesday.

MLB and the union agreed that player commercial deals in place as of the start of the 2022 season cannot be challenged by the league or its teams.

Baseball has had ads in the past for special events. For the opening series in Tokyo, the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs wore sleeve patches in 2000 for the insurance company AIU and helmet decals for the am/pm convenience store chain, according to uni-watch.com. The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays had sleeve ads and helmet decals for the Japanese electronics company Ricoh in 2004; the Oakland Athletics had Pepsi ads on their sleeves and the Boston Red Sox EMC in 2008, when Ricoh was on both teams helmets; the Seattle Mariners had Boeing on sleeves and Oakland Athletics had the social app company Gloops in 2012, when Gloops was on both sleeves; and Oakland had MGM Resorts on sleeves and Seattle had the petroleum company Eneos in 2019, when there were no helmet ads.

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Eintracht Braunschweig, then in the Bundesliga, became the first German club with advertising in March 1973 under an agreement with Jagermeister.

Jersey ads in Britain's professional leagues started with Scotland's Hibernian during the 1977-78 season and Bukta, a sportswear company, and extended to English League fields when Liverpool reached an agreement with Hitachi ahead of the 1979-80 season.

Juventus began shirt advertising in Serie A under a deal with Ariston in 1979, and Real Madrid started in Spain's La Liga with Zanussi in 1982, according to footballpink.net.

Major League Soccer became the first of the major North American leagues to allow jersey ads in 2007. Real Salt Lake was the first to announce a deal, with the dietary supplement juice company XanGo.

Among other North American leagues, the NBA started selling sponsorship logos for the 2017-18 season. The NHL launched helmet ads for the 2020-21 season and began jersey advertising this season.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Pascagoula police have arrested and charged a teen in connection with a shooting last week.

On April 14 at 12:20 a.m. police responded to the 3200 block of Eden Street. Officers arrived and found a 26-year-old male who had been shot in the chest, according to a post on the Pascagoula Police Department Facebook page.

The victim was transported to Singing River Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

In the same Facebook post, police asked for help in finding Nicholas Brown, 15, of Pascagoula, who is being charged as an adult for aggravated assault. He was considered armed and dangerous.

Police announced on Facebook that Brown was taken into custody.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with his Polish and Czech counterparts in separate meetings at the Pentagon later this week, the Pentagons top spokesman said Tuesday.

Austin will meet with Polish National Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak on Wednesday and with Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova on Thursday, press secretary John Kirby told reporters.

Both bilateral meetings will focus not only on our relationships with these individual countries but of course whats going on in Ukraine, Kirby said.

The meetings come as Russia has refocused its attack on Ukraines eastern Donbas region, with recent satellite images showing Kremlin military convoys moving toward the region.

Russian has also continued attacks in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, with the city assessed to fall to within days, a European official told reporters earlier Tuesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Joann Podkul won a spot as a teacher representative of Bowen High School in the first Local School Council elections Chicago Public Schools held in 1989.

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Podkul retired from teaching years ago, but she is back as an LSC candidate. Shes vying to fill one of two community representative positions on the council at Douglas Taylor Elementary School, where she was a student during World War II.

I want to be supportive because this is a phenomenal community, Podkul said of the Southeast Side.

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Podkul is among 6,100 people who declared their candidacies across 500 CPS schools. Elementary school elections are scheduled for Wednesday, with high school elections set for Thursday.

Retired teacher and Local School Council candidate Joann Podkul outside Douglas Taylor Elementary School, in Chicago on April 14, 2022. Podkul is running to fill one of two community representative council positions at the Southeast Side school. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Some schools attracted twice as many applicants for the parent and community representative spots on the council, setting the stage for competitive showdowns. Several other schools, meanwhile, failed to recruit more than a couple of parents for these responsibilities, which include approving the schools budget and retaining or dismissing the principal.

CPS even extended the application deadline by five days to stir more interest in the 6,200 open LSC positions. Now the district is hoping for good voter turnout.

Were just really excited about the election. We want everybody to vote, Marcus Pittman, of the Office of LSC Relations, said Thursday in a Twitter question-and-answer session. Your voice will not be heard if youre not voting. If you live in the city, youre more than likely eligible to vote at one school or another.

Born out of reform

LSCs were created under the 1988 Chicago school reform act, which overhauled governance of the citys public education system and pushed power to parents and community residents.

More than 17,000 people ran for seats in the first LSC elections, in October 1989, according to CPS. The district said some 312,000 people cast ballots at the time.

I was the Chicago Teachers Union delegate at the school. And at that time, the teachers union wasnt too happy with the idea of having an LSC because it was like one more group to have to deal with, Podkul said with a laugh. But our vice president in charge of education, John Kotsakis, said we need to work with this, rather than fighting it. And so a number of the teachers ran for their local schools LSCs, and I was one of them.

The Tribune reported in 1989 that 25 parents and 19 community members competed for eight LSC posts at Podkuls school, Bowen High in the South Chicago neighborhood, with the most pressing issue being whether to fire the schools principal. For this months election, Bowen fielded candidates for both community representative positions and four of six parent slots, according to CPS data.

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I want to be supportive because this is a phenomenal community, Joann Podkul said of the Southeast Side. Podkul is running to fill one of two community representative council positions on the Douglas Taylor Elementary School Local School Council. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

A traditional LSC is composed of the schools principal, six parents, two community residents, two teachers and one staff member who is not a teacher. High schools have three student representatives, while elementary schools can have one starting this year.

LSC participation has waned over the decades. The COVID-19 pandemic, which brought a districtwide move to remote learning, didnt help matters. The last LSC elections  postponed from April 2020 to November of that year because of the virus  attracted 5,910 candidates. Councils were seated in January 2021.

CPS enrollment has declined over the years as well, with the district now counting 330,000 students. About 270,000 attend district-run schools, which is where you find LSCs. Charter schools dont hold council elections.

CPS says more than 96% of its schools have enough candidates to meet quorum requirements for LSC meetings. The district said it will work with schools that dont so that each school can start the new school year strong. LSC members can be appointed to fill a vacancy. Terms are scheduled to begin July 1.

Some schools struggle to find candidates

CPS maintains a website that lists LSC candidates by school. The entry for Pershing Magnet School for Humanities shows only one parent, one community and one teacher candidate. A community representative for the Bronzeville-area elementary school told the Tribune several council hopefuls did not participate in the filing process this year because the manner in which the information was disseminated to all parents and community stakeholders was confusing.

There will be a full LSC at Pershing, just not done in the conventional manner, C. Lynn White wrote in an email.

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At Marvin Camras Childrens Engineering School on the Northwest Side, no parents applied for the LSC this year, according to CPS council site. Camras principal did not return a Tribune request for comment.

Ana Rodriguez, who recently led Camras LSC, said she found it difficult to get parents at the Belmont Cragin school involved because the council positions are unpaid and business is typically conducted in English. About 91% of Camras 800 students are Hispanic, district data shows.

Rodriguez said school leaders need to make sure to thoroughly explain the purpose of LSCs to parents whose first language is not English.

Convince them that its something important and that theyre going to have a big job when you join the LSC, Rodriguez said.

The district said more than 100 engagement sessions were held to promote LSC candidacy and the elections. According to the district LSC site, seven Camras students signed up to run for one student representative position on the council.

Starting this year, elementary schools councils can now welcome one student rep in the sixth, seventh or eighth grade. High school LSCs have spots for three students. Student members serve a one-year term.

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More than 230 high school students are running to serve on one of 89 councils, according to CPS, while nearly 760 students are competing for a spot on 420 elementary school councils.

Students vote for their classmates, while school employees cast ballots for their colleagues. CPS parents and community members can vote for up to five candidates running to serve as parent or community representatives.

Parents appear to have very little competition at some schools. There is only one parent candidate for the contests at Seward Communication Arts Academy in the Back of the Yards neighborhood and Mount Vernon Elementary School in Washington Heights, according to CPS data.

No parents at Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Paideia Academy in South Shore and Mary E. Courtenay Language Arts Center in Sheridan Park joined their respective races, CPS LSC site shows.

Councils at Eugene Field Elementary School in Rogers Park and Hearst Elementary School on the Southwest Side failed to reach a quorum at least once this year, which meant they could not vote at those meetings, the Tribune found by reviewing LSC minutes posted online. Both schools each drew just one parent candidate for this election, according to the district.

Only two parents and one community member, Podkul, applied for those LSC spots at Taylor Elementary, according to CPS. Podkul described the small group as passionate advocates for the school, which has about 350 students.

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What I have observed about the Taylor LSC is that the people who are a part of it are seriously invested in the community. They want good things for the kids, said Podkul, who has long been active in organizations on the Southeast Side.

Competitive LSC races around the city

There are some crowded LSC ballots farther north. The Jones College Prep LSC recently recommended the firing of Principal P. Joseph Powers, which divided the school community. Only one parent who participated in that vote is running for reelection.

Thirteen parents and four residents submitted paperwork for the race, according to the district. At a March forum, several candidates talked of the need to unify the selective enrollment high school and make it equitable for all.

Parent Deborah Pascua told the Tribune she felt compelled to run because she believed what the council was doing was irresponsible.

I felt my dismay, and I thought, Well, then I need to do something about it and put my hat in the ring, not knowing that there are other parents that are now very, very interested. So Im very pleased to see that its competitive, Pascua said.

In Little Village, nine parents and two residents filed to join the council at William F. Finkl Academy, which has about 225 students. The elementary school hosted a virtual candidate forum, where the discussion centered on improving the schools rating and adding programs to attract more students.

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At Holden Elementary School in Bridgeport, there are nine parent and three community candidates. LSC chairperson Kevin Robinson, who recalled joining the council in 2016, said he couldnt remember a contested LSC race at Holden  but hes glad to see so much engagement at the school, which experienced a dip in enrollment to 412 students this school year.

Theres a group of us on LSC, parents and community (members), that have just worked really hard to take (the school) to that next level, Robinson said. Its a good school, but we want to make it a great school. We want this school to be one of the shining gems in CPS where other schools see our school and say, Wow, what is Holden doing that we should be doing?

The election at Coonley Elementary School in North Center, which boasts nearly 900 students, spurred filings from 12 parents and three residents. Candidate statements posted online address enrollment, finance, equity and classroom size concerns.

Coonley parent Amika Porwal said this is her first time applying to be an LSC member, and she didnt know what to expect.

I sort of threw my hat in the ring thinking, potentially, there may not be enough interest. This would be, essentially, a volunteer position. But I went to the candidate forum that was held before spring break, and the room was full, Porwal said.

I left feeling pretty energized and almost heartened in a way that, like, it doesnt matter who wins. You have a whole bunch of people who are actually pretty passionate about supporting the stability of the school going forward.

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CHESTER  A Petersburg man is in Chesterfield Police custody, charged with the armed robbery of a convenience store last month.

Demario D. Fisher, 33, of the 200 block of East Bank Street in Petersburg, was arrested Tuesday on one count of robbery, one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and one count of wearing a mask in public. He is being held at the Chesterfield County Jail.

The robbery took place on the evening of March 24 at the ReFresh convenience store at the intersection of Route One and Osborne Road. Police said the suspect pulled a gun on a store clerk and demanded money, then fled the scene on foot. No one was injured.

Police released surveillance photos of the robbery suspect, and a statement from the department said tips from the public led them to arrest Fisher.

An investigation into the robbery is ongoing.

More news from The Progress-Index: Marshals Service will pay up to $2,000 for tips leading to arrest of Hopewell murder suspect

More news from The Progress-Index: Court of Appeals upholds Petersburg man's convictions in 2020 Dinwiddie County robbery

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg man charged with robbing Chester convenience store
Pittsburghs rate of Black homeownership continues to lag that of the white majority as well as averages for the state as a whole, a dynamic that has helped to cause the citys Black population to decrease by more than 10,000 residents over the last decade.

Thats one of the findings in a new report called A Decade in for Black Homeownership in Pittsburgh newly published by the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.

Just released as Ed Gainey, Pittsburghs first Black mayor, completes his first 100 days in office, the new report further details the citys and regions challenging environment for Blacks to get mortgages and buy homes, challenges that may be getting worse amid increasing housing values.

Click here to read more from the Pittsburgh Business Times.

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Police are investigating a deadly shooting at a southwest Atlanta restaurant Monday.

Customers and police told Channel 2 the victim was a security guard.

The shooting happened around 7 p.m. at American Wings & Seafood at 387 Cleveland Ave. SW. Officers said they found a man outside the location dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police have not yet identified the victim or named any suspects.

One customer told Channel 2s Larry Spruill that the victim was at the restaurant every time she would pick up her order.

Kam Kae said he would always say hi and make sure she got to her car safely.

So attentive, he always watched the door. Why would somebody do that to him? she asked.

Kae said she often eats at the restaurant and was shocked to hear the news about the shooting. Kae said the victim was a security guard at the restaurant.

For the most part, theyre very wholesome people, the owners themselves. Usually, theyre always on point, very attentive with orders. I know that they hire security just for their safety as well as the consumers safety. He was a good guy, Kae said.

Atlanta police officers said the shooting happened around 6:52 p.m. Monday.

They got the call of a person shot, and officers found the security guard with a gunshot wound on the ground.

Witnesses said was shot in the back of the head outside the restaurant.

He sits in that back booth every single day. He doesnt bother nobody, Kae said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Atlanta city councilman Antonio Lewis stopped by the scene after hearing about the shooting. He said he would often see the victim while eating at the restaurant.

Spruill asked him about the violence going on in his district, and he said the first step is to get guns off the streets.

Story continues

Were asking people to get lockboxes, the governor is making it illegal to do that. We have to find a way to balance it out. You cant talk about crime and talk about dangers and violent crime, while making it easier access to get these guns, Lewis said.

Meanwhile, those who knew the security guard are hoping for justice.

I really cant put together why they would do that to them. That doesnt even make sense, Kae said.

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Police told Spruill they believe the shooting was targeted.

They are still looking for the suspect, but they do have several leads.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A standoff and hostage situation that lasted more than eight hours at a pizza shop in Altamonte Springs has been resolved, police said.

The ordeal began after a man took an employee hostage inside a Hungry Howies restaurant late Monday afternoon.

Officers responded to the business along State Road 434 near State Road 436 around 5:20 p.m. after receiving a call from the barricaded mans wife, who told police her husband had made suicidal threats and was at the restaurant.

On the hostage situation scene in Altamonte Springs. Witnesses say a store manager is inside the Hungry Howie's with the suspect. Police are in contact with him. Made suicidal threats before this started. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/snTPwAYzBK  Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) April 19, 2022

Witnesses told police the man was seen with what appeared to be a gun.

The suspect made several threats to do harm to employees before taking one of them hostage, police said.

Police evacuated surrounding businesses and asked people to avoid the area.

Report: Orlando FreeFalls operator made manual adjustments to ride that made it unsafe

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

An employee at an Altamonte Springs Hungry Howies was taken hostage inside the restaurant Monday evening, police said.

The Seminole County Sheriffs SWAT Team and hostage negotiators responded to assist Altamonte Springs police.

Around 1 a.m. Tuesday, SWAT members used flash bangs in an effort to stun the suspect inside Hungry Howies and make their way into the store.

They successfully took the suspect, identified as Neal Pittard, 49, into custody and rescued the victim, who was not hurt, according to police.

Pittard is charged with false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery, police said.

READ: Federal judge voids national mask mandate for travelers

Story continues

Mike Bridges, who owns the printing shop next door, witnessed the ordeal.

It was crazy because there was so many police. They really flooded the place, Bridges said.

READ: Lawmakers prepare to redraw maps, while taxpayers prepare to pick up the tab

See a map of the scene 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.
CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's president called on Tuesday for people and opposition politicians to refrain from using Russian symbols during May 9 celebrations to mark victory in World War Two because Russian troops were killing civilians in Ukraine.

"It is impossible to combine in the same symbol the memory of lives given for peace and the current inhumane war," President Maia Sandu told a briefing.

In 2020, the pro-Western Sandu won election against her pro-Russian predecessor Igor Dodon, but his allies still hold influence in the former Soviet republic.

Dodon has urged people to "go on the Victory March with a St. George ribbons" despite possible fines, referring to the black and orange striped ribbon which has become a military symbol of Russian patriotism.

Last week, Moldova's parliament voted to outlaw the ribbon of St. George in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Under the new law, anyone who makes, wears or displays the striped ribbon faces a fine of at least 900 lei ($49) or 69 hours of community service.

Sandu urged her political opponents  communist and socialist parties - not to divide society for the sake of their political interests.

"Moldova...defends its neutrality - and peace in society. That is why the symbols of the war waged against Ukraine are prohibited in the Republic of Moldova. I urge politicians to refrain from any provocation," Sandu said.

Russia has repeatedly denied its troops have targeted civilians since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24 to carry out what it calls a "special military operation".

The West and Russia vie for influence Moldova, a country of 3.5 million people, which depends on Russian energy and part of which has been controlled by Russia-backed separatists for more than three decades.

Last month Sandu signed a formal application for Moldova to join the European Union, hastening its planned pro-Western course after the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Story continues

Lithuania's parliament on Tuesday also voted to ban public displays of St. George ribbon, the letter "Z", and other symbols seen as expressing support for the Russian invasion.

The ribbon of St George, first introduced as an honour by Catherine the Great, has gained significance in the Russian-speaking world since separatists in eastern Ukraine adopted it as a symbol of their support for Russia in 2014.

Russian military vehicles in Ukraine are prominently marked with the letter "Z", and it has started appearing on social media and on clothing elsewhere in support of the war.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, writing by Natalia Zinets, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Prince Harry has said he is making sure his mother Queen Elizabeth II is protected and has the right people around her following a recent secret visit to see her with Meghan markle.

In an upcoming interview with the American TV network NBC News, the Duke of Sussex said it was just so nice to see the Queen on only his third trip back to the UK since March 2020.

The wandering royal sat down with Hoda Kotb of NBCs Today Show while in the Netherlands to attend the Invictus Games, with the full interview to be aired on Wednesday evening.

It comes just one year after the Dukes explosive TV special with Oprah Winfrey alongside his wife Meghan Markle, the interview could cause further turbulence for the royal family.

Follow live updates below as we report the latest news from Prince Harrys visit and learn more about what he said to NBC.

Key points so far

Prince Harry says hes making sure the Queen is protected

California now feels more like home than the UK, Duke says

Harry and Meghan Markle secretly had tea with Queen during visit to UK

Queen was on great form following recent brush with Covid-19

Full interview to air on Wednesday night

Harry says hes making sure Queen is protected'

00:42 , Io Dodds

Prince Harry has revealed that he took the opportunity to make sure that his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, is protected and has the right people around her during his and Meghan Markles recent visit, Chelsea Ritschel reports.

Asked how it felt to be reunited with the Queen, Harry said: Im just making sure that shes, you know, protected, and got the right people around her.

Read Chelseas full story here.

California now feels like home'

00:35 , Io Dodds

California now feels like home to Prince Harry, at least for the time being.

In preview footage from his interview with NBCs Hoda Kotb, the Duke of Sussex said he had adjusted well to the Golden State, my colleague Chelsea Ritschel reports.

Home for me now is, for the time being, its in the States, Harry said. And it feels that way as well. Weve been welcomed with open arms.

Story continues

Your highness, I know the feeling.

First images of Harrys new interview

00:20 , Io Dodds

Heres the first pictures from Prince Harrys NBC interview, in which he was questioned by veteran TV host Hoda Kotb.

Prince Harrys interview with Hoda Kotb (NBC News)

(NBC News)

Harry says Queen is on great form after brush with Covid

00:06 , Io Dodds

Prince Harry told TV host Hoda Kotb that his mother Queen Elizabeth II was on great form after her recent bout with Covid 19.

According to new preview footage released by NBC News just now, the Duke of Sussex opened up about his recent secret visit to the Queen last week.

Being with her, it was great. It was just so nice to see her, Prince Harry told Ms Kotb.

Shes on great form. Shes always got a great sense of humour with me, and Im just making sure that shes protected and got the right people around her.

Child reporters land exclusive royal interview

23:14 , Io Dodds

Of all the journalists covering Prince Harry's visit to the Invictus Games, perhaps the most impressive scoop went to Sophia, 11, and Jay, 12, two cub reporters for the Dutch children's news outlet Kindercorrespondent.

In a sweet interview on Saturday, the pair asked the Duke  kneeling down so he was level with Sophia's microphone  about his wishes for Archie and Lilibet's future.

Prince Harry responded. "To grow up in a better world. To grow up in a fairer world, a safer world, a more equal world. "It's not going to be easy, but I will never ever ever rest until I as a parent have at least tried to make the world a better place for them.

"Because it is our responsibility that the world is the way that it is now, and I don't think that I should be bringing children into the world unless we are going to make that commitment to make it better for them. We cannot steal your future."

#VTeam reporters Sophia and Jay ask Harry what his wish for Archie and Lilibet is: To grow up in a better world. . . a safer world, a more equal world. . . I will never, ever rest until I have tried to make the world a better place for them.



WATCH: https://t.co/5JaaGl4JAq pic.twitter.com/mBxpppvGCD  Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 17, 2022

Asked what he liked most about the Invictus Games, Prince Harry said: "So many kindred spirits, comrades in arms, from all over the world  people who have been struggling and suffering by themselves, knowing that their story is unique to them but also so relatable to so many other people.

"Bringing that energy together and bringing that pain and the suffering together for one week, and then everybody leaves feeling more healed. That's what sport does, that's what community does, that's what human interaction does."

He told the two children that it was important for their generation to understand not only the history of war but "the power of recovery", saying good things could come from conflict. After the interview, the trio embraced.

'I promised I wouldn't have kids until I left the army'

22:41 , Io Dodds

Another nice detail from Prince Harrys interview with People: in his younger days, he did not want to be married or have kids until he had left the British Army.

"When I was in the Army, I promised myself I would be out before having a wife and kids, because I couldn't imagine the heartache of being apart for so long during deployment, the risk of possibly getting injured, and the reality that my family's lives could be changed forever if that happened," Prince Harry said.

"Every member of the Invictus community has experienced varying degrees of these things. I have tremendous respect for what they and their families sacrifice in the name of service."

Harry explains disability to his son Archie

21:55 , Io Dodds

Prince Harry told People that his son Archie, who turns three years old on 6 May, is already very interested by the Invictus Games.

I showed Archie a video of wheelchair basketball and rugby from the Invictus Games in Sydney, and he absolutely loved it, Harry said.

I showed him how some were missing legs and explained that some had invisible injuries, too  not because he asked, but because I wanted to tell him.

Kids understand so much, and to see it through his eyes was amazing because its so unfiltered and honest.

Second Sussex child Lilibet takes her first steps

21:32 , Io Dodds

In his interview with People, Prince Harry also revealed that his 10-month-old daughter Lilibet has taken her first steps, Meredith Clark reports.

Her current priorities are trying to keep up with her brother; she took her first step just a few days ago, Harry told People. Proud papa, here.

Lilibet, or Lili for short, was born last June and named in honour of her late grandmother, the Princess of Wales, and her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

You can read Meredith's full story here.

'To have Meg by my side means everything'

21:10 , Io Dodds

Prince Harry has described his pride and happiness at returning to the Invictus Games with Meghan Markle as parents, my colleague Chelsea Ritschel reports.

In an interview with People magazine, the Duke of Sussex said:

There is nowhere you can feel more embraced and supported than with the Invictus family, The Toronto Games were our first time out and about publicly in an official way. We were dating at the time, so it was a lot to take in, but fortunately, we were with the perfect community for that.

Now, five years later, here we are in The Hague at the fifth Invictus Games, as parents of two, and living in the US, Harry said. I had always wanted to share these incredible moments with someone special, and to have Meg by my side means everything.

Read the full story here.

Harry's secret visit to see the Queen

20:47 , Io Dodds

Last Thursday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a secret visit to the UK to see Harrys grandmother Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.

It was only the third time the Duke of Sussex had returned to the UK since he and the Duchess stepped back from their roles as senior members of the royal family and relocated to California in March 2020.

She had plenty of messages for [Invictus] Team UK, which I have already passed on to most of them, he told the BBC on Monday. "So, it was great to see her. Im sure she would love to be here if she could."

According to The Telegraph, both Sussexes have also been invited to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations later this year.

It suggests that relations are improving between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family following Queen Elizabeths Covid-19 infection in February.

Oprah's royal interview was the most explosive since Diana

19:29 , Io Dodds

The Sussexes interview with Oprah Winrey last year was easily the most revealing royal interview since Prince Harrys mother Princess Dianas tell-all BBC spot in 1995.

Sitting in the grounds of the couples discreet house in Montecito, California, Meghan Markle told Oprah that she had contemplated suicide but been told it "wouldnt be good for the [royal] institution" if she went to hospital.

She said there had been "several conversations" between herself, Harry, and other members of the royal family about "how dark" their mixed-race baby would be  a topic that left Harry "a bit shocked".

We dont know whether this interview will be that explosive. One year on, relations between the Californian and the English Windsors may have cooled enough to make it a more chill affair. Then again, the Sussexes have surprised us all before.

Another potential bombshell interview from Prince Harry

19:07 , Io Dodds

Good morning and welcome to our live blog from sunny California, where Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle make their home.

This week, instead, the couple are in the Netherlands to attend the Invictus Games, a sporting competition for injured or sick military members and veterans founded by the Duke of Sussex.

Its there that Prince Harry sat down with US TV host Hoda Kotb. Well get preview clips from the interview later tonight (Tuesday), and the full interview tomorrow (Wednesday).
Ukrainians in Bucha. John Moore/Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly awarded the Russian military brigade believed responsible for the horrific killings in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha with an honorary title, The Independent reports.

In the wake of the alleged massacre, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in April classified the soldiers in Russia's 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade as war criminals.

On Monday, Putin reportedly congratulated the same unit for its "great heroism and courage," and awarded members the title of "Guards" for "protecting Russia's sovereignty," per The Independent and CNN.

"Through astute and bold actions during the special military operation in Ukraine, the unit's staff became a role model in fulfilling its military duty, valor, dedication, and professionalism," Putin's signed letter continued, per CNN.

The decision to honor the unit will "be seen as a public message to Ukraine's government and the West," CNN posits, given the international condemnation that followed the reports of the alleged war crimes. Though Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky have blamed Russia for the atrocities, the Kremlin has denied any involvement and called the images out of Bucha "fake."

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DETROIT (AP)  A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya after a traffic stop pressed the gun against his head when firing the fatal shot, an expert who performed an independent autopsy for the Black man's family said Tuesday.

Dr. Werner Spitz confirmed what was seen last week on video: Lyoya was shot in the back of the head while facedown on the ground during a vigorous struggle with a white Grand Rapids officer on April 4.

Spitz appeared at a news conference with lawyers for Lyoya's family, who said they believe video collected and released by police shows that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was resisting the officer, not fighting him.

You never see a fist, you never see a knife, no baseball bat, no gun, no nothin, Ven Johnson said. This was not a deadly force scenario. Never gave a warning: Halt or Im going to shoot you' or other words that we can all imagine.

Spitz said he believes the gun was pressed against Lyoyas head when the officer fired, based on the condition of a bone in the head.

Theres no question what killed this young man. ... It was a powerful bullet, said Spitz, holding a skull to show where the bullet entered the head.

Spitz performed the autopsy last weekend at a funeral home. The 95-year-old forensic pathologist participated in the assassination investigations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., among other high-profile cases.

We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head, attorney Ben Crump said. That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution.

The official autopsy report is part of the state police investigation and hasnt been released to the public.

Lyoyas death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer.

Crump said Lyoya could have lived until his early 80s  a long and fruitful life. A lawsuit hasnt been filed, though Johnson signaled that one was in the works.

Story continues

Crump has been involved in multimillion-dollar settlements between U.S. cities and the families of Black men killed by police. His legal team has argued that the costly deals should inspire police departments to change practices and improve their accountability to the public.

Lyoya, who wasnt armed, was killed after a traffic stop in Grand Rapids in western Michigan. The officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

Earlier, the officer, is heard saying that the license plate didn't match the car Lyoya had been driving. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

Crump said it appeared to be a case of racial profiling  driving while Black. Video released by the Grand Rapids Police Department shows the officer's patrol car backing out of a driveway in a residential neighborhood to follow the car for a few blocks. In Michigan, license plates aren't on the front of vehicles.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Kalczuk declined to comment.

Johnson repeated his call for police to publicly release the officer's name, though he indicated that he knows the identity. Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he won't release the name unless charges are filed.

If our client shot this officer in the back of the head, you would know his name the same day, Johnson said.

State police will give their findings to Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker for consideration of any charges. He has told the public to not expect a quick decision.

Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.

___

Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya
Decades-old cases involving accusations against a former Chicago police detective might be emerging from legal limbo with the appointment of special prosecutors after Cook County judges and prosecutors withdrew from handling them.

Among the attorneys named by Will County Judge David Carlson in recent days are two former high-ranking Cook County prosecutors, Fabio Valentini and Maria McCarthy, who along with ex-Kendall County First Assistant States Attorney Nemura Pencyla will handle six of the eight cases.

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Karla Fiaoni, a former Chicago Heights police chief who now has a private law practice, will handle a matter involving two co-defendants.

The cases are all at least 20 years old, and most of them are in various stages of post-conviction proceedings.

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The orders formally appointing the attorneys were signed March 29, but were not made publicly available until late Monday, after the Tribune made repeated requests to circuit clerks offices in Cook and Will counties. The attorneys made their initial appearances as special prosecutors in Will County court last week.

The cases, all of which involve allegations of misconduct by ex-Chicago police Detective Kriston Kato, have been largely stalled for a year, ever since Cook County judges and then Cook County prosecutors decided they would not be involved in the matters.

Their reasoning: Kato is married to Cook County Judge Mary Margaret Brosnahan, who presides over a felony courtroom at the countys main criminal courthouse.

Former FOP representative Kriston Kato testifies in court on Aug. 11, 2017. The ex-police detective has been the target of complaints alleging excessive force dating back decades. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

About a year ago, Will County judges were assigned to preside over the matters after the Cook County Criminal Divisions top judge made a surprise decision that Cook County judges could no longer hear the cases due to possible appearances of impropriety.

A few months later, Cook County prosecutors followed suit, saying they would withdraw from the cases to avoid any possible public perception of a conflict. It took seven months to find the special prosecutors, who must now dive into the decades-old cases and decide how and whether to push back on claims of Katos misconduct.

The matter has highlighted the extraordinarily tightknit culture of Cook County courts. Notably, at least two of the special prosecutors named by Carlson are themselves former Cook County prosecutors whose time in the office overlapped with Brosnahans tenure as a prosecutor and judge.

The situation entangling bureaucracies in two separate counties seems ripe for logistical headaches as well. As of last week, many of the public-facing court records for these cases had not been updated for months. Some of the attorneys representing Kato accusers described confusion about how and when the special prosecutors had been formally appointed.

And from the bench last week, Carlson said that Cook County court clerks had simply sent the voluminous decades-old files to Will County through the mail.

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God forbid something isnt there, he said. These files were mailed to us  in bankers boxes wrapped with clear plastic packing tape, with a handwritten address on it. And one box showed up, and then about a week or so later another box showed up.

One Kato accuser has had to wait for months just to get formal permission from Carlson to file a post-conviction petition. Another, Kevin Murray, was on the brink of a long-awaited hearing that could have won him a new trial when the cases were suddenly moved to Will County. The lead special prosecutor on the Murray case, Maria McCarthy, will have to start more or less from scratch.

Murrays attorney has filed a motion to release him from custody while the matter is pending, noting that the surprise recusals caused lengthy delays.

McCarthy said in court Wednesday she would need time to get up to speed before shes ready to argue in court about the motion to release him  at least another couple of months.

Murrays attorney, Karl Leonard, objected.

Ms. McCarthy is pointing to the reason we need to have a bond hearing as a reason we shouldnt have a bond hearing, Leonard said. While understandably, Ms. McCarthy spends time and bills for time  (Murray is) sitting in a prison cell, he cant get his day in court.

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Carlson, from the bench, noted that at least 11 elected officials, including Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx, declined to exercise their duties. No public prosecuting agencies wanted to take on the significant burden of starting a fresh review on eight enormously complicated decades-old cases, the judge said.

So Carlson was obligated to find private attorneys to appoint on the taxpayer dime, he said, and the special prosecutors shouldnt be criticized for billing to review files that they hadnt even received yet.

Carlson hinted strongly in court last year that he felt prosecutors were shirking their responsibility, and that their withdrawal could lead to a wealth of unintended consequences. But legally, he had no choice but to find a replacement after Cook County prosecutors decided to withdraw.

Kato has been married to Judge Mary Margaret Brosnahan since 2006, at which point she already was a judge in the Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

The former detective has been the target of complaints alleging excessive force dating back decades. In the past, Brosnahan has voluntarily recused herself from at least one case that involved Kato.

But for years, other Cook County judges have routinely presided over cases in which the former detective played a role. The decision to disqualify all of those judges due to their colleagues marriage was far more sweeping, and came as a surprise to many in the building.

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At a hearing a year ago, Acting Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division Erica Reddick said that upon her elevation to presiding judge, she was made aware of new circumstances that necessitated recusing all Cook County judges. In her new role, she hinted, she had access to a whole different amount of information.

It directly affects what I believe to be fundamental fairness and due process issues that revolve around ethics, she said from the bench.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
A Russian newspaper that echoes viewpoints held by the Russian government is taking aim at President Biden, claiming he suffers from dementia as pressure mounts in Ukraine.

Komsomolskaya Pravda, a pro-Kremlin newspaper headquartered in Moscow, recently published an article questioning whether Biden is "in his right mind" and listed five examples of "dementia that can be found in the President of the United States."

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Citing the World Health Organizations definition of dementia, Lyudmila Plotnikova, the author of the article, said Biden is "very elderly" and "too often in the last years of his life he either forgot names and dates, or lost his orientation in space."

"Americans feel sorry for their president, but at the same time they are wondering if such a person is able to perform the functions of not only the owner of the Oval Office of the White House, but also the supreme commander of one of the most powerful armies in the world," Plotnikova wrote for the paper, which was founded nearly 100 years ago in Russia.

Pointing to columns written by American physicians, as well as previous health battles Biden has faced, including those related to brain aneurysms, the paper suggested Biden has repeatedly "embarrassed himself" on the world stage as a result of some kind of cognitive impairment.

The author listed five categories to support the paper's claim that Biden suffers from dementia and provided specific examples for each. The categories included: forgetfulness, disorientation, aimless wandering, behavioral changes including aggression, and difficulties in movement.

President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on Sept. 9, 2021. Samuel Corum/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The paper highlighted a recent appearance Biden made in North Carolina where he "finished his speech, turned to the side and began to speak into empty space, and then began to imitate a handshake with someone invisible."

"Biden began to feverishly look around the stage on which he stood," the author said of the incident. "His expression was confused. This miserable spectacle ended with the fact that the president began to wander aimlessly around the crowded hall."

Story continues

The paper also cited examples of when Biden "yelled at reporters" and insisted that "experts are sure that the state of health of the leader of the American nation inspires serious concern."

Rebekah Koffler, a former U.S. DIA intelligence officer focused on Russia and the author of "Putin's Playbook: Russia's Secret Plan to Defeat America," told Fox News Digital that the paper's efforts are "almost certainly part of Russias psychological operation designed to discredit President Biden and his administrations decision-making with regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict."

"This accusation is also likely in part a payback for U.S. medias allegations of Russian President Putins COVID-related mental instability," Koffler said. "The Kremlin seeks to portray U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as lacking legitimacy because the decision to do so is made by a person who is allegedly cognitively impaired."

Koffler said Putin is "building the justification narrative for domestic and foreign audiences for whatever escalatory action he would take in the ongoing conflict."

The newspaper faced scrutiny last month after it deleted an online report that claimed almost 10,000 Russian troops had been killed since Putin began invading Ukraine. According to a statement released by the paper, the article appeared online for a short time after it was published by hackers.
The deadline issued by Moscow Tuesday has passed after it spoke directly to thousands of Ukrainian fighters holed up in a Mariupol steel factory, telling them to surrender or die.

"All who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive," the defense ministry said as it prepares for a major offensive in the southeastern port city.

MARIUPOL WARNS RUSSIA IS PREPARING TO SHUT DOWN CITY TO 'FILTER' ALL MEN FOR FORCED SERVICE, LABOR

The Kremlin gave the Ukrainian fighters a deadline for noon local time  5 a.m. EDT  telling them to leave "without exception, without any weapons and without ammunition," first reported Reuters.

The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works was once the site of one of the largest metallurgical factories in Europe, but since the onslaught of the war more than 50 days ago it has become a symbol of the citys resistance.

The plants network of underground tunnels has become home to Mariupol residents seeking shelter from the barrage of shelling and a base for several military units.

Despite weeks of intense shelling that has resulted in the death of more than 20,000 Mariupol residents according to Mayor Vadym Boychenko, Russian forces have been unable to take the strategically important city.

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES

Advisor to the Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donetsk region said the Azovstal tunnels were a leading contributor to Russias failed attempts to completely besiege the city, claiming they could withstand "even [a] nuclear strike."

Boychenko said last week that several military units were still fighting in Mariupol, including the 36th Marine Brigade, Interior Ministry troops, border guards and the National Guards controversial Azov Regiment.

On Monday commander of the Azov Regiment, Denys Prokopenko, said that Russian forces were dropping bunker-buster bombs on the plant.

Smoke rises above Azovstal steelworks, in Mariupol, Ukraine, in this still image obtained from a recent drone video posted on social media. MARIUPOL CITY COUNCIL/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

U.S. defense officials maintain that Mariupol is still a contested city, but Russias blockade on the city has many concerned Ukraine will be hard-pressed to resupply its fighters.

Story continues

Russia announced Tuesday that its second phase in the war in Ukraine had begun after security officials have been sounding the alarm for weeks that Moscow will hit the easternmost regions with a "major offensive."

"No matter how many soldiers are drawn there, we will defend ourselves," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged Monday night. "We will fight. We will not give up anything Ukrainian."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Russia launches offensive in eastern Ukraine

The Ukrainian military's General Staff said Tuesday that Russian forces were focusing their efforts on taking full control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east. It noted a "new phase of war" began Monday when "the occupiers made an attempt to break through our defenses along nearly the entire frontline ..." The group also said in a statement that "the Russian military has continued to blockade and shell Mariupol and to deal missile strikes on other cities." Russian forces started dropping bunker-buster bombs on a Mariupol steel plant where Ukrainians were refusing to surrender, a Ukrainian military official said Monday. In a video message Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed that his people will continue to fight and "defend ourselves," adding, "We will do it every day." In recent days, Russia has reinforced its invading force in Ukraine, adding about 11 battalion tactical groups and as many as 11,000 troops, a senior U.S. Defense Department official said Monday.

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Judge's ruling creates inconsistent, confusing transportation mask rules

The federal government said Monday passengers traveling on airplanes and other forms of public transportation won't be required to wear a face mask for now after a federal judge in Florida ruled the federal mask mandate exceeded the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which failed to justify the order and didn't follow proper rulemaking procedures. A Biden administration official said the ruling means that, for now, the mask mandate is not in effect. The Transportation Security Administration said it won't enforce it. The official noted the CDC recommends people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings to fight the spread of COVID. A consequence of the decision is it has created a confusing patchwork of rules for passengers as they navigate airports and transit systems on Tuesday and going forward. Major airlines have dropped the mask requirement. Airports weren't as fast to do away with masks, with several expressing uncertainty about the ruling and taking a wait-and-see approach.

Story continues

Biden pushes infrastructure plan to lower prices, strengthen supply chains

President Joe Biden is traveling to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Tuesday to discuss how investments in infrastructure will improve the country's ports and waterways. The president is expected to highlight how these investments will strengthen supply chains and keep goods moving to help lower prices. Biden's visit comes as Americans continue to face record-high gas prices and rising inflation rates. The soaring gas prices, climbing before the war in Ukraine but skyrocketing since, have underscored the challenge of transitioning the nation toward clean and renewable energy  a key part of Bidens economic agenda. Biden has responded to the recent spike in gas prices by tapping into the nation's oil reserves, pushing the U.S. petroleum industry to boost production and courting despotic nations abroad for more oil to compensate for a ban on Russian energy imports he imposed.

Results of independent autopsy to be released in Patrick Lyoya's death

Lawyers for the family of Patrick Lyoya, an unarmed Black man killed by police in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said they will release results from an independent autopsy Tuesday. Details emerged last week about Lyoya after police released video of the fatal traffic stop, which occurred April 4. It shows Lyoya was shot by a white police officer after a struggle. Despite the Lyoya family asking for police to release the name of the officer, the department has not done so and no charges have been issued. The official autopsy report is being shared with state police and won't immediately be released to the public. But a separate autopsy was performed by Dr. Werner Spitz, a 95-year-old forensic pathologist who worked on investigations following the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., among other high-profile cases. One of the lawyers representing Lyoya's family is Ben Crump, who represented the families of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and many others.

What happened to spring? Winter storm to blast Northeast

A winter storm is expected to make weather in the Northeast feel more like February than April on Tuesday. Heavy, accumulating snow is forecast to spread across portions of the region through Tuesday, Accuweather said. The snow is likely to cause travel disruptions, particularly in the mountains from West Virginia to northwestern New England, the forecaster added. Many areas are projected to see 6-12 inches of snow, and some spots could see as much as 2 feet, AccuWeather said. Snowfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour are possible. Closer to the coast, heavy rain and howling winds will dominate the weather headlines. Cities from Philadelphia to Portland, Maine, are at risk of a period of urban flooding, AccuWeather said.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russia attacks Ukraine, airline mask rules: 5 things to know Tuesday
By Joanna Plucinska

WARSAW (Reuters) - Russia will retaliate against Poland if its embassy in Warsaw stops working because it cannot receive fresh funds from Moscow, its ambassador warned on Tuesday.

In March, Poland expelled 45 Russian diplomats over allegations of working for Russian intelligence and blocked the embassy's bank accounts. Moscow, which dismissed the accusations as baseless, retaliated in kind.

"We have some cash reserves, but they are not unlimited and unless the situation changes, after some time it may so happen that we shall not be in a position to pay our bills," Sergiy Andreev, 63, told Reuters.

"And it should be clear that as soon as our embassy stops functioning here, the same will happen to the Polish embassy in Moscow," he added.

Relations between Russia and Central European countries that once formed part of its sphere of influence have long been fraught but the invasion of Ukraine has fueled fear and suspicion about Moscow's intentions.

Andreev did not specify how soon the embassy may run out of cash, but added that about three-quarters of Russian officials who held diplomatic passports were expelled from Poland.

A spokesperson for Poland's foreign affairs ministry said 45 Polish diplomats were asked to leave Moscow in retaliation and the Polish embassy's bank accounts were frozen.

Andreev said that Poland's stance towards Russia since the Ukraine crisis began on Feb. 24 was particularly hostile, compared to other international partners.

"They are projecting this image of the most unfriendly country towards Russia, in NATO, in the EU, in Europe," he said.

Poland's decision to expel the Russian diplomats followed similar decisions in the Baltic states and Bulgaria.

(Reporting by Joanna Plucinska and Kuba Stezycki; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
A senior defense official on Tuesday warned that Russia is "still refitting units" and tactical groups continue to enter the country as Moscow looks to target eastern Ukraine.

"They're still refitting units outside of Ukraine for insertion in Ukraine. They have added, over the last 24-hours, another two battalion tactical groups into the country" the senior defense official told reporters, noting there are now 78 operational battalion tactical groups in Ukraine.

RUSSIA LAUNCHES FULL-SCALE OFFENSIVE IN EASTERN UKRAINE, DECLARES 'ANOTHER STAGE' OF WAR HAS STARTED

Defense officials have assessed that Russia has maintained roughly 75 percent of its original combat fighting force from when it first amassed along Ukraines borders in the lead up to the invasion.

Security officials warned that after failing to take the capital city of Kyiv, Moscow would launch a "major offensive" in the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk  also known as the Donbas  where Russian backed separatist forces have been fighting the Ukrainian army since 2014.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Tuesday that Moscow had begun its second campaign in eastern Ukraine and claimed it will be a "very important moment of this entire special operation."

But a senior U.S. defense official warned that the full campaign has yet to actually kick off.

"I would say that we have seen some limited offensive operations beginning southwest of Donetsk and south of Izyum. We think that these offensives are preludes to larger offensive operations that the Russians plan to conduct," the official told reporters.

The senior defense official said the U.S. assesses that Russia will attempt to join its forces in the north and south by coming up through Mariupol and down from the Kharkiv area.

Smoke rises above Azovstal steelworks, in Mariupol, Ukraine, in this still image obtained from a recent drone video posted on social media. MARIUPOL CITY COUNCIL/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

RUSSIA SAYS EVACUATION CORRIDORS OPENED FOR MARIUPOL BUT UKRAINE SAYS 4 PEOPLE WERE KILLED TRYING TO FLEE

Despite weeks of intense shelling and attempts to take the strategic port city of Mariupol, U.S. security officials assess that the city is still contested.

Story continues

A Mariupol steel plant has become pivotal in the siege as Ukrainian forces and civilians continue to rely on a deep network of tunnels to evade Russian bombardment.

Over 120,000 residents are believed to still be stuck in the city after Russian forces cut off evacuation points.

The Mariupol mayor estimated that over 20,000 civilians have been killed in the fighting since the invasion began and U.S. defense officials have warned the brutality of the war is expected to escalate as Russia focuses all its effort on an area the size of West Virginia.

The Biden administration has provided Ukraine with $2.6 billion in defensive aid and the U.S. is expected to deliver another seven flights worth of military aid to Ukraine in next 24 hours.
(Reuters) - Russia on Tuesday called on Ukrainian forces and foreign fighters holed up in the Azovstal metallurgical plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol to lay down their arms by noon Moscow time (0900 GMT) if they wanted to live.

Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the fiercest fighting and most comprehensive destruction since Russia sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Ukrainian authorities said on Monday that no fewer than 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal plant, adding that Russia was dropping heavy bombs onto the Ukrainian-held factory in the besieged city.

Russia's defence ministry on Tuesday issued a statement calling on Ukrainian forces and foreign fighters inside to surrender.

"All who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive," the defence ministry said.

It called on troops to withdraw from the steel plant between 1400 and 1600 Moscow time "without exception, without any weapons and without ammunition".

Earlier on Tuesday, Russia-backed separatist forces said they were trying to storm the Azovstal steel works and take control of it as quickly as possible.

(Reporting by Reuters)
KYIV (Reuters) - Russian forces have seized the city of Kreminna in eastern Ukraine and Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the city, the regional governor said on Tuesday.

Kreminna, which had a population of more than 18,000 before the war with Russia, appears to be the first city confirmed to have been taken by Russian forces since they launched a new offensive in eastern Ukraine.

"Kreminna is under the control of the 'Orcs' (Russians). They have entered the city," Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, told a briefing.

"Our defenders had to withdraw. They have entrenched themselves in new positions and continue to fight the Russian army."

He did not say when the Russian forces established control over Kreminna but said they had attacked "from all sides".

"It is impossible to calculate the number of dead among the civilian population. We have official statistics - about 200 dead - but in reality there are many more, " he said, without making clear what period the estimated death toll covered.

Russia, which launched what it calls a "special military operation" on Feb. 24, denies targeting civilians. Ukraine said on Monday the Russian forces, after regrouping, had launched a new offensive focused on eastern Ukraine.

The seizure of Kreminna takes Russian forces a step closer to the much larger city of Kramatorsk, one of Russia's potential targets in its offensive on the Donbas region of east Ukraine.

Capturing Donbas and the southern port city of Mariupol would help Russia establish a land link between territory it controls in eastern Ukraine and the Crimea region that Moscow seized and annexed in 2014.

(Reporting By Pavel Polityuuk and Aleksandar Vasovic, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
(Note language that may offend some readers in paragraph 9)

LONDON (Reuters) - Wealthy Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov on Tuesday condemned what he called Moscow's "crazy war" in Ukraine, saying 90% of his countrymen did not support it and calling on the West to offer Vladimir Putin a dignified way to withdraw.

"I don't see a single beneficiary of this crazy war! Innocent people and soldiers are dying," Tinkov, who founded Tinkoff Bank, Russia's second biggest credit card issuer, wrote in an Instagram post, one of the most outspoken broadsides against the conflict by a Russian tycoon.

President Putin ordered troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what he calls a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" the country.

Kyiv and Western governments reject these arguments as false pretexts for an attack and have imposed sanctions against Russian companies and individuals - including Tinkov - in a bid to force Putin to retreat.

Several Russian billionaires have publicly called for peace, but many Russians have rallied to the Kremlin, which has whipped up support with a publicity campaign using the "Z" logo of the armed forces.

"Of course there are morons who draw Z, but 10% of any country are morons. 90% of Russians are AGAINST this war!" wrote Tinkov, who has denied having any close relationship with Putin or the Kremlin.

"Kremlin officials are shocked that neither they or their children will be off to the Mediterranean in the summer. Businessmen are trying to save the rest of their property," he said.

Russia's offensive in Ukraine quickly stalled in the face of stiff Ukrainian resistance and Moscow has abandoned assaults on the capital Kyiv in the north of the country to launch a new offensive in the east.

"The (Russian) generals, waking up with a hangover, realized that they had a shit army," Tinkov wrote. "And how could the army be good if everything else in the country is shit and mired in nepotism, sycophancy and servility?"

Story continues

Switching to English, Tinkov wrote: "Dear 'collective West' please give Mr. Putin a clear exit to save his face and stop this massacre. Please be more rational and humanitarian."

Tinkov owns around 35% of Cyprus-based TCS Group Holding, whose stable of companies under the Tinkoff brand span sectors from banking and insurance to mobile services. The company's share price has plummeted this year.

Tinkov, 54, stepped down as chairman of Tinkoff Bank in 2020. TCS said last month Tinkov did not occupy any decision-making position and sanctions against him would not affect the company.

It is not clear whether Tinkov is currently in Russia.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
The New Mexico state agency tasked with investigating possible workplace safety violations on the set of Rust is on track to release its report by Thursday, according to a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department.

Hutchins

More from Deadline

New Mexico law requires that if the states Occupational Health & Safety Bureau is to file citations against the doomed films production company, it must do so within six months of the incident. Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza was wounded in an October 21 shooting accident during rehearsals on the set.

We are on track to release the report by the April 21 deadline, Matthew Maeza, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department, told Deadline. I dont have details about the report findings to share at this time.

A day after the shooting, Rebecca Roose, the departments deputy cabinet secretary, told Deadline: Our state OSHA program is investigating this. The state takes all workplace safety issues very seriously and will work diligently through our investigation of this tragic fatality. In January, she said, Our investigation is looking into possible workplace safety violations by the Rust production company.

Cinematography Is The Deadliest Job In Hollywood: Death Of Rusts Halyna Hutchins Puts Spotlight On Safety For Camera Crews

The anticipated report comes as the Santa Fe Sheriffs office continues its probe into what occurred at the Bonanza Creek Ranch that day last fall. While a series of lawsuits have been filed  including a wrongful death suit by the family of Hutchins against Baldwin, other Rust producers and crew  the police and the local D.A. havent charged or arrested anyone in the case.

Story continues

The investigation by the states Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, which is a division of the New Mexico Environment Department, can levy fines against the films production company but cannot bring criminal charges. Thats the domain of the Santa Fe District Attorney and the Santa Fe Sheriffs Department, which still are investigating the incident.

Hutchins and Souza were stuck by a bullet fired from gun held by Alec Baldwin, who has said that he was told that the gun was not loaded. He has also claimed that he did not pull the trigger and that it must have misfired.

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Unmasked and masked air travelers line up for a flight at Midway International Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022. A federal judge overturned the national mask mandate for transportation for airports, trains, buses and ride-shares. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Hours after a judge in Florida voided the federal mask mandate for those aboard planes and public transit, travelers arriving at Midway Airport on Tuesday morning were a mix of masked and maskless riding the escalators down to baggage claim. An overall relaxed vibe was in the air.

Randall Maxie, a Chicago firefighter at Engine 70, said he was very excited after hearing the news he doesnt have to wear a mask anymore when returning from his Dallas vacation. He was maskless in the airport, but he said he noticed a big difference when the mask mandate was on. Maxie mentioned his flight was full on his return trip and he only saw six or seven people masked, aside from the planes crew.

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I thought the mask was pointless, Maxie said. I thought so since we started wearing masks. I just felt that it (coronavirus) was going to be like the flu. It was going to be around, some people are going to catch it and some people are not going to catch it.

Early Tuesday, city officials said technically, masks should still be worn in airport corridors themselves, falling in line with an executive order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. But by the afternoon, the governor had lifted it.

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Abbi Warren, a Ravenswood resident, was arriving from Malibu, California. She donned a mask while waiting for her bag at a carousel. She was not happy the mandate had been lifted.

Air traveler Abbi Warren passes through Midway Airport in Chicago, April 19, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

I sat in the front of the plane and tried not to look back, Warren said.

She called the dropping of the mask mandate bad timing. This is after the April 15 statement from the Chicago Department of Health that stated the number of U.S. counties that register high community levels on CDCs map had gone from 19 to 14.

L.A. had way more masks and here, they were all off, Warren said. But I left at 5 a.m., so maybe they didnt get the news yet, but then again L.A. has always had mask mandates and theyve always worn the masks better than those in our area. No one wears the masks right anyway.

Danny Thomas and Matthew Ellwood arrived in Chicago from Columbus, Ohio, to attend a conference for their work at Equitas Health, a federally qualified health center that serves the LGBTQ community and underserved populations. The pair talked maskless in the baggage claim area.

Matthew Elwood and Danny Thomas wait at Midway Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Thomas, a Dayton, Ohio, native said on the ride in, the plane crew did not make a big deal about the mandate being lifted. Masks could still be seen on passengers here and there on their flight.

Thomas said he sees the lift of the mandate as a reprieve that he is taking full advantage of, knowing that they will be wearing masks in their health care jobs.

I was shocked when I came to the airport this morning with a mask and I was told I didnt have to wear it, Thomas said. Im excited about it.

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Ellwood, a native of downstate Morris, said it feels more free and being maskless is liberating. But he carries masks just in case.

Masks also were still required on CTA trains and buses across the Chicago region, at least by midafternoon Tuesday. CTA follows Transportation Security Administration requirements for masks, and those requirements havent changed, officials said.

The James family arrived from Baltimore, and were maskless before heading out to drive home to Iowa. Not flying very often, Jason James said he was indifferent about the mandate being lifted, as was his wife Julia.

Jason James, wife Julia James and their children, Joanna and Jace, walk toward the exit with their suitcases at Midway Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

But their two children were excited that they didnt have to cover their faces. James said they are a family that goes with the flow, and now that masks are not required, its one less thing that they have to keep up with.

Maria Tremini arrived at Midway from Oklahoma City, visiting her brother, a member of the Air Force, before he shipped off to Africa. Tremini has had COVID three times, but she was not wearing a mask as she loaded a trolley with her familys suitcases. Her parents, Maria and Julio Pena, were wearing masks.

We had a good time over there, but we didnt go a lot of places since a lot of people over there didnt wear masks, Maria Pena said.

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I have a really bad immune system, but Ive been good, Tremini said. When talking about the mask mandate, she said, cant live in fear, gotta keep living.

drockett@chicagotribune.com
The fireball streaked above Shropshire last week. (Gareth Oakey, UK Meteor Network)

A huge fireball that streaked across the sky last week may have left a meteorite somewhere in Shropshire, scientists believe.

Experts at the UK Fireball Alliance (UKFAll) believe fragments weighing up to 500g  the weight of a loaf of bread  may have fallen somewhere south of Shrewsbury.

Planetary scientists spent the Easter bank holiday weekend searching the Shropshire countryside for fragments of the meteorite.

They have now appealed for help, asking locals to look out for dark shiny rocks.

Read more: Mysterious rogue planet could be even weirder than we thought

What a usual meteorite looks like. (Getty)

Read more: Huge meteor explodes in the sky above Derby

Dr Luke Daly, of UKFAll and the University of Glasgow, said: "We think about 500g of meteorite survived to the ground in approximately four fragments just south of Shrewsbury.

"Given the amount of wheat and oilseed rape in the area, we have been literally looking for a needle in a haystack.

"Now the UK Fireball Alliance are asking people in the area if they've found anything interesting in their back gardens or driveways over the bank holiday weekend to let them know."

The scientists have warned anyone who may have seen a meteorite not to pick it up with bare hands, and instead use aluminium foil or a sandwich bag.

Professor Katie Joy, of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said: "The meteorite won't be hot and is as safe to handle as any other rock, but please dont pick it up with your bare hands as that would contaminate the stone.

"It's probably a glossy black or brown colour, maybe with the dark crust broken off in places. The largest pieces wont be bigger than an Easter egg, and the smallest could be the size of a mini egg.

"It may be in a place where rocks arent usually found, like on a lawn or footpath. Dont take any risks looking for it and dont go where you shouldn't. But if you do find something out-of-place, we'll certainly be interested to check it out."

Story continues

The Shropshire meteorite fall comes just over a year after a meteorite was discovered in the town of Winchcombe in the Cotswolds, landing on a familys driveway.

If you think you have seen a piece of meteorite, email the coordinates to shropshire@ukfall.org.uk.

Watch: Space treasures fetch $1.2 million at auction
The Secret Service has reportedly seized more than $100 million in cryptocurrency since 2015 in an effort to crack down on fraudulent digital currency transactions.

David Smith of the Secret Service told CNBC that his office has been tracking the flow of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on the blockchain to prevent and combat fraudulent activities.

When you follow a digital currency wallet, its not different than an email address that has some correlating identifiers, Smith, the assistant director of the agencys Office of Investigations, told the outlet.

And once a person and another person make a transaction, and that gets into the blockchain, we have the ability to follow that email address or wallet address, if you will, and trace it through the blockchain, he added.

CNBC reported Tuesday, citing data from the agency, that the Secret Service has seized $102 million in crypto funds across more than 250 cases over the past seven years.

The Secret Service said it went after a Russian cyber crime group that used a crypto exchange to launder illicit funds, and the agency also blocked a ransomware operation tied to Russian and North Korean criminals.

The Hill has reached out to the agency for more information.

The crypto seizure follows a government advisory issued on Monday about the rising cyber threats related to cryptocurrency.

In the advisory, the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of the Treasury said that a North Korean cybercrime group has been targeting several organizations in the cryptocurrency industry, tricking users to download illegitimate crypto applications through their devices. The group then uses the fake applications to gain access to the network and steal private information.

Just last week, the FBI announced that North Korean hackers, known as the Lazarus Group, stole more than $620 million in cryptocurrency in March from the virtual game Axie Infinity. That same month, the Treasury Department sanctioned two Chinese nationals for their role in a 2018 cyber breach involving stolen cryptocurrency. According to the agency, the breach was linked to the Lazarus Group.

The FBI said it would continue to expose and combat [North Koreas] use of illicit activities  including cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft  to generate revenue for the regime.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A former district staff member for Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) is accusing him of improperly firing her after denying her family and medical leave, allegations the lawmaker and his office have vehemently denied.

At one point during the call, Lisa Wiggins, who was a caseworker for the 26-year-old first-term representative in his district office for over a year, described that office as having more liquor bottles than they do water bottles.

Cawthorns office insinuated that the allegations, made in a secretly recorded and released conversation with the head of an anti-Cawthorn PAC, were politically motivated, and hinted at potential counteraction by saying that they constitute defamation of character.

Wiggins unloaded about Cawthorn in a call with David Wheeler, the president of the anti-Cawthorn American Muckrakers PAC more commonly known as Fire Madison Cawthorn, accusing him of denying me my FMLA leave when her uncle died and her husband suffered a heart attack the same week.

Wiggins did not know the call was being recorded, and Wheeler assured her that there was no way Cawthorn could know that they talked. North Carolina has a one-party consent state wiretapping law, allowing just one person who is party to a conversation to record it without the knowledge of the other party.

Wiggins, who was not ready to share her personal story and was shell-shocked at statements she made in confidence being made public, declined to elaborate on the accusations or confirm that a workplace complaint had been filed against Cawthorn when reached by The Hill on Monday.

But Wiggins did confirm that she is working for a GOP challenger to Cawthorn, retired Army Col. Rod Honeycutt. She started supporting Honeycutts campaign after Cawthorn had said he would run in a new adjacent district before switching back to the district encompassing most of his current western Appalachian territory.

Its not as though I was just working for him against Cawthorn. Cawthorn was no longer going to be working in this district. And he also gave me blessing to do so when he left the district, Wiggins told The Hill.

Story continues

Wheeler said that the call took place last week on April 12. He released the audio from the conversation on the PACs website on Monday, and a report about it from local outlet Smoky Mountain News soon followed.

I recorded it for my notes because I usually transcribe notes out, and she just kept going on and on. I realized I had a bombshell on my hands, Wheeler told The Hill. I just think it was in the publics interest to hear this story.

During the call, Wiggins told Wheeler that she was fired three days after she was given a warning that did not specify what she was being warned about. She added that being in her 40s, she was the oldest caseworker that Cawthorn had.



The former staffer told Wheeler that she was working with a lawyer on Capitol Hill to take action against the congressman. A complaint about that issue would likely be filed with the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, the entity that handles workplace issues for congressional staff, which keeps such matters confidential.

In the recorded call, Wiggins said that Cawthorn closed all of his district offices except his Hendersonville office and described staff as partying and drinking like crazy.

They have more liquor bottles than they do water bottles, Wiggins told Wheeler. Theres always all kind of animals in there. Kittens, puppies, you know. Theres a litter box in there, for heavens sake. Im not against animals, dont get me wrong, but its not professional.

She plainly expressed her dislike of Cawthorn.

Hes just a bad person, hes a habitual liar, and hes going to say and do anything he can to your face, but behind your back its completely opposite, Wiggins said in the call.

Wiggins said during the call that while we all want the ultimate goal of him not ever serving again and that she wished the news of her complaint would hit the front newspaper, she repeatedly said during the call that she could not go public with her claims.

I cant release it until the end, cause it can hinder my case, she said.

Cawthorns office refuted Wigginss claims.

These accusations are verifiably false. The individual spreading these disgusting allegations is currently working for a primary opponent of Congressman Cawthorn, spokesman Luke Ball said in a statement. We believe these comments potentially amount to defamation of character, and are exploring options to ensure the Congressmans name emerges from these slanderous remarks unscathed.

Ball added that to his knowledge, Cawthorns office had not gotten notice of a complaint filed with the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

The allegations add to a growing list of recent troubles for Cawthorn, who has come under fire from fellow Republican colleagues for incendiary statements and actions in recent weeks.

Cawthorn was recently charged with driving with a revoked license. Last month, he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a thug. On a recent podcast, Cawthorn alleged that he had been invited to an orgy in Washington, D.C. and said people who advocate for addiction treatment will do a key bump of cocaine right in front of you.

That prompted a stern public rebuke from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who told reporters that Cawthorn had lost my trust and has got to turn himself around.

It has also put pressure on his reelection prospects. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) recently endorsed state Sen. Chuck Edwards, one of Cawthorns challengers. Cawthorn needs to secure at least 30 percent support in his May 17 primary in order to avoid a primary runoff.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A sheriffs deputy resigned after he was accused of assaulting his ex-wife, the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday.

On April 14, Cody Blackmon was off duty when his ex-wife called the Camden Police Department and said shed been assaulted by her former husband, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Blackmon, 33, was suspended from duty that night, and the sheriffs office said it asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the incident.

Blackmon was also investigated by the sheriffs office, and he resigned during a meeting with Sheriff Lee Boan, according to the release.

Following his resignation, the sheriffs office said it notified the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy to suspend Blackmons law enforcement certification.

SLED completed the investigation, and after its findings were reviewed by the 5th Circuit Solicitors Office, Blackmon was charged with second-degree domestic violence, according to the release.

On Tuesday, Blackmon turned himself in to law enforcement officers and was locked up at the Kershaw County Detention Center, the sheriffs office said.

No bond has been set for Blackmon, who remains behind bars, jail records show.

If convicted on the misdemeanor domestic violence charge, Blackmon faces a maximum punishment of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to South Carolina law.
SheKnows

Barack Obama shared a lovely message for Michelle Obama in honor of Mothers Day on Sunday, and the family photo shows how his daughters, Malia, 23, and Sasha, 20, have each developed their own flair for fashion. One of them prefers a breezy laidback style while the other is comfortable with a more glamorous look []
BARCELONA (Reuters) -Catalonia's regional leader will ask police to investigate alleged spying by the Spanish government, he said on Tuesday, after a rights group found that his phone and those of dozens more pro-independence leaders were infected with spy software.

On Monday, Canada's Citizen Lab group said that in the wake of a failed independence bid in 2017, more than 60 people linked to the Catalan separatist movement, including current leader Pere Aragones and several of his predecessors, had been targets of "Pegasus" spyware made by Israel's NSO Group.

"A democratic state does not spy on its citizens...a democratic state does not listen in on the private conversations of its political opponents," Aragones told a news conference.

He said the allegations had severely damaged relations with central authorities in Madrid and "normal political relations cannot be restored until they take responsibility".

The government denied illegally spying on the Catalan independence leaders but was mum on whether it had undertaken any court-approved electronic surveillance.

"The government has nothing to hide," spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez said, adding that it would cooperate fully with any investigation.

Citizen Lab said it could not directly attribute the spying operations but that circumstantial evidence pointed to Spanish authorities.

Asked if Spain had ever engaged in legally-sanctioned electronic surveillance of Catalan leaders or if Madrid had access to Pegasus, which can be used to remotely break into iPhones, Rodriguez said she could not answer questions on such matters of national security that are classified.

Citizen Lab is known as one of the leading research groups on mercenary spyware within the cybersecurity industry.

It also revealed this week that it had warned British officials that electronic devices connected to government networks, including in the prime minister's office and foreign ministry, appeared to be targeted with Pegasus.

Story continues

The group began its Spanish inquiry in 2020 after researchers working with Facebook's instant message service WhatsApp warned several Catalan lawmakers that their phones had been hacked. A Barcelona court then opened an investigation after two lawmakers filed a lawsuit against the government.

El Pais newspaper reported on Wednesday that the investigation had been stalled for over a year as the court was awaiting a response from the Israeli government.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro and Joan Faus; Writing by Nathan Allen; editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean)
Square Peg Capital, one of Australias largest venture capital firms with current assets under management of about $3 billion USD, is digging deeper into Southeast Asia. The firm is currently raising $550 million in new funding, and if its recent investment history is anything to go by, a good chunk of that will be invested into Southeast Asian startups.

Tushar Roy, partner at Square Peg Capital, told TechCrunch that Southeast Asia has been the firms fastest-growing geographical footprint (it is also known for investments in Israel). Half of the firms last $275 million fund, called Fund 3, was invested in Southeast Asia. Across all its funds, Square Peg has now invested a total of about $250 million in Southeast Asia. It now has 18 companies in its portfolio from the region.

The ones that have been made public are: Cialfo, Chope, DoctorAnywhere, FinAccel, Kaodim, Neuron, OnLoop, Pluang, PropertyGuru, StashAway, Timo and Wego.

The $550 million in new funding, which Roy said is set to close in the next quarter, will be spread across two funds. One is an early-stage venture fund that will invest in seed through Series B-stage tech companies across Southeast Asia, Australia and Israel. The second, called Opportunities Fund 2, will be for later-stage follow-on investments in Square Pegs best-performing companies from its earlier funds.

Over the firms history, it has deployed $900 million and has a net IRR of 37%.

Square Pegs first investment in Southeast Asia was about eight years ago, in WeGo. Since then, its interest in the region has ramped up considerably, especially in the last two years.

I joined Square Peg seven years ago and almost from day one, I focused on Southeast Asia region, Roy said. The first five years were us going from the region being a bit of a curiosity to us, essentially looking more deeply at the region to now doubling down, and its a key driver of strategy for our firm. In 2020, just as COVID was ramping up, he moved to Singapore to establish Square Pegs office there.

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The pandemic accelerated investment in the region because deals were being done over Zoom, opening it up to investors without traveling. Its really through the period of COVID 2020, 2021 that you saw a massive acceleration in some of the international funds interest in this region, as more international funds set up offices in the region, Piruze Sabuncu, partner and another member of Square Pegs Singapore office, said.

COVID and remote work also opened up new workers to help companies scale up. For example, Indonesian companies started working with employees in Vietnam, Singapore or India. This really brought in the right level of talent to get to the next stage as well, said Sabuncu.

As for the first-quarter slowdown in funding, Roy said, I think founders expectations on valuations are a bit more muted than they were at the end of last year, but there is still a small number of companies that everyone wants to invest in and so the valuations are holding up, its continuing to go up in those cases.

Square Pegs next funds will focus on software as a service, consumer internet, fintech, health education and the future of work, as well as a growing focus on web3 or crypto-enabled business models.

Roy said Square Peg is interested in working with the founders for five to 10 years or more to help them build iconic companies.

You might see many funds around that have 30, 40 to 50 investments. In our funds, its much more typical to have 15 to 20 and thats across three geographies, said Roy. What that leads to is a much more concentrated portfolio, not in terms of just capital, but also in terms of relationships. We really invest a lot of energy on a smaller set of people.
Apr. 18Action taken by a passing truck driver helped defuse a struggle Saturday between a New Mexico State Police officer and an armed man on the shoulder of Interstate 40 in McKinley County.

The officer fired at least one shot from his service weapon during the scuffle, injuring the man he found slumped over the wheel of a car beside I-40, State Police said in a written statement. The officer, who was not injured, was placed on standard administrative leave.

The officer was dispatched about noon Saturday to check on a male driver slumped over the wheel of a brown BMW car. A scuffle ensued and the officer fired at least one shot, striking the man.

A passing semi-truck driver stopped to assist and saw the man had a gun, police said. The truck driver threw the gun out of reach and helped the officer take the man into custody.

The incident is under investigation by the State Police Investigations Bureau. The decision whether to file criminal charges will be made by the district attorney's office, police said.
By most accounts, including ours, Peacock got off to a rough start. But the NBCUniversal streaming service may have teeth  er, beak?  after all.

In the first quarter of 2022, usage of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ were all relatively flat, according to market research and consulting company HarrisX. The data came from a survey with 22,839 respondents between January and March, which was analyzed and reported Monday by media analysts MoffettNathanson.

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Peacock (and Paramount+, for that matter) experienced tremendous growth, they wrote. The star of these charts is the rocket ship that is Peacock, MoffettNathanson said.

Take a moment to read that sentence again: star rocket ship is Peacock.

MoffettNathanson tacked on a few caveats to that bold statement. Peacocks ad-supported tier likely serves to exaggerate its growth; the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl also served to goose the quarter. Being a relative newcomer thats only begun getting the benefit of original content tends to be a good look for a quarterly snapshot.

Now home to The Office as well as the WWE Network, Peacock had more than 9 million paid subscribers at the end of 2021, Comcast executives noted in January. Most come from the services cheaper, $4.99-per-month, ad-supported option as opposed to the $9.99 ad-free option. (Theres also the totally free sign-up option, but its limited.)

All told, Peacock had nearly 25 million monthly active accounts, the NBCUniversal parent company said in its fourth-quarter earnings release, and made about $10 per user when including advertising. (At the time, Peacock tacked on another 7 million monthly users from Xfinity bundles; Peacock President Kelly Campbell told Vulture last month that 75 percent of Peacocks viewership comes from paid and bundled consumers.)

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See Peacock the rocket ship blast off below in yellow; the disparity between the big players and the bit players here is so large, HarrisX and MoffettNathanson analysts split the line graph in two.

The Quarterly U.S. SVOD Tracker (1Q 2022) (MoffettNathanson/HarrisX) - Credit: MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

The vertical trajectory, as depicted, is only made possible by how late NBCUniversal got into the streaming game and how slowly Peacock started. Covid delayed the 2020 Summer Olympics, which were supposed to be Peacocks big launch moment. It also clogged the development pipeline at a time when Peacock needed content.

Those circumstances clipped its wings out of the gate, but within its first 18 months Peacock launched 70 original series and grew its catalog by more than 500 percent, Campbell said. Peacock aims to tack on 50 to 60 more original series this year, and the library is set to explode after NBCU decided to remove its next-day programming from Hulu in favor of its own streaming service.

Weeks after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, during a soft launch for Comcast cable customers in April 2020, Peacock decided to open up streaming access in exchange for email addresses it could theoretically monetize later. A relatively robust free tier wasnt originally in the plans; today, it is a driving introductory force. TV Rev co-founder and lead analyst Alan Wolk, the guy who created the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) acronym back in 2018, told IndieWire that he believes Peacock stumbled into a triple-decker setup that is where the whole industry is headed.

Wolk believes the SVOD business is maxing out on high-value subscribers, but FAST and AVOD services can produce more ad revenue  especially in poor countries. As cord-cutting continues, free-streaming services provide needed reach for advertisers. Subscription options are tiered like wedding cakes, with free as the large and stable base that allows streamers to attract catch-up viewing, convert window shoppers, and create unique marketing opportunities.

Peacock is still mired in bird poop when it comes to time viewed, especially when compared with industry leader Netflix. According to Nielsen, the NBCU service gets just eight percent of Netflixs minutes viewed, ranking behind most of the well-known streaming options (minus Discovery+ and Apple TV+) as well as FAST platforms Pluto TV and Tubi. At least Peacock beats the Roku Channel  by a very thin margin.

Source: Nielsen - Credit: MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

If the streaming wars were the Olympics, Peacock would earn the bronze for viewership-minutes growth with Tubi taking the gold and Roku landing the silver. Here again, it is the Olympics and Super Bowl making the Q1 advancement possible for Peacock, which also launched the anticipated Fresh Prince of Bel-Air dramatic reimagining, Bel-Air, in February. Bel-Air has been Peacocks most successful original to date and its third biggest series. (Likely behind The Office and Yellowstone.) The day-and-date release of Jennifer Lopez movie Marry Me was also a bright spot, quickly becoming the most-watched movie ever on Peacock.

From the end of last year to the beginning of this one, Philo, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video showed double-digit growth in minutes streamed. Apple TV+ is the big loser here with a decline of 18 percent  this despite CODA winning the Oscar for Best Picture Oscar in the final days of Q1. CODA should help more in Q2, but a pair of key fourth-quarter series made for this unfavorable (and perhaps unfair) comparison.

The Morning Show Season 2 premiered September 17, 2021; sci-fi show Foundation debuted September 24, 2021. With Apple TV+ sticking to a weekly episodic rollout, it is not surprising that Q4 2021 outperformed Q1 2022  though readers really should be watching Severance, which premiered on February 18.

The Quarterly U.S. SVOD Tracker (1Q 2022)/Nielsen - Credit: MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

Despite impressive quarter-to-quarter growth, daily usage is definitely an issue for Peacock. Among Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Hulu, HBO Max, Discovery+, and Peacock, guess which still ranks dead last in daily and weekly usage? Its Peacock, according to HarrisX  and its not even particularly close.

Like Peacock, Discovery+, does not have a ton of subscribers. (Discovery, Inc. ended 2021 with 22 million streaming subscribers; most of those come from Discovery+.) But what Discovery+ lacks in sheer numbers it makes up in regular usage, which is attractive in its own right to the advertising community. Among streaming services with a commercial option, only Hulu gets more daily usage. (Netflix has the most daily usage overall, but no commercials  yet).

The Quarterly U.S. SVOD Tracker (1Q 2022) (MoffettNathanson/HarrisX) - Credit: MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

MoffettNathanson/HarrisX data

Peacock also resides in an area where a SVOD service might like to rank dead last: password sharing. (Having a strong free tier is one reason for that.) That also could be interpreted as an indictment on the range and relative attractiveness of a platforms programming, so we wont celebrate this one too much  and neither should Peacock.

Peacock just needs a couple of big hits, Wolk told us. Or they need to merge with Paramount+, but thats a whole different story.

You know who doesnt tend to swap passwords? (Other than Peacock users?) Old people. Old people are also who watch Peacock. While Disney+ skews dramatically young, as does Hulu, Peacock peaks among viewers in their early 50s. Executives should like to see that brought down by about a decade  but at least theres disposable income among the oldest Gen Xers.

Comcasts first-quarter 2022 earnings come out April 28. We should get a Peacock-subscriber update then  and a whole bunch of Olympics- and Super Bowl-boosted peacocking.

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Apr. 19ELLSWORTH  News reports of the devastation in Ukraine have moved a number of Ellsworth High School students to do something to help the Ukrainian people.

They didn't have to look far for motivation, as one of their classmates this year, Ukrainian exchange student Denys Lohachov, hails from Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine that has been decimated by Russian missile strikes. Lohachov's school in Kharkiv was destroyed in the war that began when Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Instead of just asking for money, the students elected to organize a Food for Effect fundraising dinner, complete with a Ukrainian menu, to highlight that nation's culture and collect donations for groups providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians. The meal is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Ellsworth High School. Tickets cost $10 apiece.

The menu will include Chicken Kyiv (named after the Ukrainian capital), potato cakes, sauerkraut soup and two or three yet-to-be-determined Ukrainian desserts. It will be prepared by school cooks as well as students in food sciences classes. T-shirts and various souvenirs with Ukrainian national colors and symbols also will be sold at the event.

"We've all been watching the news and feeling like we can't do anything," said senior Ann Lundstrom. "This project allows us to feel like we can get involved, like we're not just sitting back passively. In Ellsworth, we're all part of the community, so when someone in our community is being hurt, we feel like we need to step up and help."

Lohachov, whose family has escaped harm so far, said he is touched by his Ellsworth classmates' efforts.

"Their desire to help is awesome," Lohachov said. "I really appreciate that people from a small town so far away do actually care about another country that a lot of them haven't known a lot about before all this happened. That is very impressive, and I'm very grateful."

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The students determined that all proceeds from the dinner and cash donations will be directed to the Red Cross in Ukraine and World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization run by celebrity chef Jose Andres that seeks to establish feeding systems in disaster and war zones and has been providing 300,000 meals a day to Ukrainian citizens and refugees.

A community kitchen operated by World Central Kitchen in Kharkiv was destroyed Saturday by a missile strike.

The Food for Effect fundraiser is the latest chapter in a series of humanitarian aid projects carried out by Ellsworth students and spearheaded by Ellsworth High School social studies teacher Ryan Casper and colleague Ann Pechacek under the umbrella of a group they call the Ellsworth Hearts & Minds Club.

Lt. Col. Casper, an Army Reservist who serves as commander of the Rochester, Minnesota-based 7212th Medical Support Unit, launched the group to collect school supplies for children when he was deployed to Iraq in 2004-05 and Afghanistan in 2008-09 and brought it back to life last fall to collect school supplies for Afghan refugee children at Fort McCoy.

Casper, a graduate of Eau Claire Memorial High School and UW-Eau Claire, said the latest project, like those before it, has the potential to teach a new group of students the positive nature of giving and helping others.

Not only do the other students know Lohachov, but they are aware of several people from the Ellsworth area who have connections with Ukraine.

"We never have a problem getting kids to volunteer for our Hearts & Minds projects, but those personal connections help motivate our students even more," Casper said.

Junior Audrey Farrell, one of the students who participated in the effort to help Afghan children in the fall, was eager to get involved in the new fundraiser as well.

"I realized how much our work this fall had helped people, and it's a great feeling to help people and move the world in a positive way," Farrell said.

For Lohachov, there was never a doubt he would take part in the effort to aid his home country.

"When I had an opportunity to help my people, while being away, I wouldn't miss that opportunity. If I cannot help them over there, then I am happy to help them from here," Lohachov said, adding that his parents are glad he is in Wisconsin as the fighting rages so they don't have to worry about his safety.

The students applied for and received a $1,000 Empower Ellsworth grant to support the dinner fundraising project.
Ananias Ocampo, 78, an undocumented street vendor who worked for years pushing an ice cream cart in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, uses a walker for mobility along 18th Street on Dec. 2, 2021. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

There are at least 3,900 undocumented immigrants age 65 and older living in Illinois. But by 2030, the number of undocumented seniors in the state will top 55,000  a 1,300% increase in just a decade, according to a report published by Rush University Medical Center last year.

Most undocumented immigrants arrived in the country decades ago and have lived here without a viable pathway to citizenship. By 2030, Mexican immigrants will make up two-thirds of the undocumented older adult population in Illinois, followed by immigrants from Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeastern Asia, and Central America.

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Now, this generation of immigrants faces the prospect of having lived and died in the shadows.

The Chicago Tribune and Injustice Watch teamed up to report on the challenges facing Illinois aging undocumented population in a four-part series of stories focused on access to health care and housing.

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Join the reporters for a Facebook live conversation about the series with some of the experts on the topic at noon Wednesday.

Chicago Tribune reporter Laura Rodriguez and Injustice Watch reporter Carlos Ballesteros will converse with a panel of experts on the topic to dissect the series, its meaning and its potential impact. The panel includes:

Rob Paral: Researcher of the study on aging undocumented adults. Paral is also an analyst with years of experience in community development, human services and immigrant integration.

Erendira Rendon: Vice president of Immigrant Justice at The Resurrection Project (TRP). Rendon created TRPs Immigrant Justice Department and serves as the organizations lead strategist and manager of local and statewide campaigns that affect the lives of immigrants.

Glo Choi: A community organizer with HANA Center who has been working to build leadership and conditions for thriving within the immigrant community since 2018. His lived experience as a low-income undocumented person guides his organizing principles.

You can read the series here.
WARWICK  The Rhode Island Airport Corporation and state bus line were hastily revising their mask-wearing messages to travelers Tuesday morning after a federal judge in Florida struck down the national mask mandate in public transportation systems Monday.

The news of a change in pandemic restrictions came so abruptly that at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, the recorded message Tuesday morning was still reminding passengers that mask-wearing in airports and on airplanes was a federal mandate.

But airport spokesman John Goodman said just before 10 a.m. that the agency was in the process of taking those messages down and would be replacing them with new guidance that masks are now optional at Green.

Ohio natives Joey and Alexis Salser, visiting RI and Cape Cod, gather their luggage from baggage claim at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport on Tuesday.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority issued a statement around the same time advising passengers that the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is no longer enforcing the federal mandate requiring face masks when using public transportation.

RIPTA encourages those who want to continue to wear a mask when on board to continue to do so, said Scott Avedisian, RIPTAs chief executive officer.

Evelina Do Rosario, who was changing buses at RIPTA's Pawtucket Transit Center on Tuesday afternoon, heading home from classes at the Community College of Rhode Island in Lincoln, hailed the change in policy even though she said she plans to continue wearing a mask on the bus.

"It's good to have a choice," Do Rosario said, explaining she will choose to wear one "just in case."

Taisha Diaz gives her daughter Nayalise, 5, a mask to wear before they board their bus at Providence's Kennedy Plaza in November 2020. Tuesday morning, masks became optional for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus passengers.

Cecelia Wisseh-Smith, waiting at the transit center to take a bus to see a prospective landlord about a place to stay, criticized the policy change.

"I really don't think they should do that," Wisseh-Smith said. "This thing is still floating in the air."

She added that she recently had COVID, but credited a vaccine booster with limiting its severity.

The mask mandate had been in place since Feb. 1, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control had recently extended the mask mandate  which was set to expire in days  until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

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Meanwhile on Tuesday, the CDC continued to recommend that people wear masks on public transit.

'A limited remedy would be no remedy at all'

Mondays decision by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, also said the CDC failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures that left it fatally flawed.

In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle said the only remedy was to vacate the rule nationwide because it would be impossible to end it only for the limited group of people who objected in the lawsuit.

The judge said "a limited remedy would be no remedy at all" and courts have full authority to make a decision such as this  even if the CDC's goals in fighting the virus are laudable.

The Justice Department declined to comment when asked if it would seek an emergency stay to block the judge's order. The CDC also declined to comment.

The White House said the court ruling means that for now the mask order "is not in effect at this time."

"This is obviously a disappointing decision," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. "The CDC is recommending wearing a mask on public transit."

Jeremie McLaughlin of North Providence checks his watch as he, wife Stacy, center, and their children Ensley and Skyla, in stroller, wait for the Frontier Airlines bag check to open Tuesday afternoon.

Soon after Mizelle's decision, the major airlines switched to a mask-optional policy, with some eliciting cheers from passengers when the changes were announced over loudspeakers.

The TSA said Monday night that it would it will no longer enforce the mask requirement, and airports in Houston and Dallas almost immediately did away with their mandates after the TSA announcement.

Los Angeles International Airport, the world's fifth-largest by passenger volume, also dropped its mandate. New York City's public-transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in place. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it would make masks optional for riders on its buses and trains.

With reports from Staff Writer Paul Edward Parker and The Associated Press

Email Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com

COVID by the numbers

Cases in R.I.: 367,095 (1,215 reported Friday through Tuesday)

Negative tests in R.I.: 7,310,770 (15,611 reported Friday through Tuesday; 7.2% positive rate)

R.I. COVID-related deaths: 3,532 (5 reported Friday through Tuesday)

Rhode Islanders hospitalized with COVID: 66 (3 in intensive care)

Fully vaccinated in R.I.: 827,231 (947,440 at least partially vaccinated)

Cases in Mass.: 1,724,369

Mass COVID-related deaths: 20,176

Cases in U.S.: 80,698,226

U.S. COVID-related deaths: 989,148

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: T.F. Green, RIPTA mask policy changes in wake of Federal court ruling
Dr. Bennie L. Harris was named last year as the fifth chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate. The University, founded in 1967, has its main campus in Spartanburg and offers classes and degree programs through the University Center of Greenville.

Harris says his purpose is to help young people develop and to inspire them to change the world. He strongly believes that higher education offers opportunities for people to experience possibilities and achieve their greatest aspirations. He says he is committed to inspiring young people to persist in their pursuit of an education.

Before his appointment at USC Upstate, Dr. Harris served as Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, where he helped develop the schools Leadership Academy and dramatically increased the schools fundraising. When he arrived at Morehouse, the school had set a $100 million goal. Over the course of seven years, Harris and his team raised $235 million.

Read more: 15 Minutes With Greenville entrepreneur and business owner Linsdey Karlson

Harris has also held leadership positions at Lipscomb University, DePaul University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Washington State University.

A native of Rosedale, Mississippi, he has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering, a Master of Business Administration, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership.

Since moving to the Upstate, Dr. Harris has been appointed to the boards of several civic organizations, including the Spartanburg Academic Movement, Ten at the Top, OneSpartanburg, The Charles Lea Center Administrative Board, United Way of the Piedmont, the Franklin School, and the Big South Conference. He is also a member of the Greenville Chambers Accelerate Steering committee and was recently named one of Greenvilles 50 Most Influential by Greenville Business Magazine.

Dr. Harris lives in Spartanburg with his wife, Frankie A. Harris. The couple has three adult children, Bria, Bennie II, and Branden.

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Dr. Bennie L. Harris

Talk Greenville: What exactly is a chancellor?

Dr. Bennie L. Harris: In the University of South Carolina system, a chancellor is essentially the CEO or president of the University. In the USC System, we have a president over the eight campuses and four chancellors. Other systems may have a chancellor who leads the system and presidents at each individual campus.

G: What is your favorite part about being one?

BH: The best part about being chancellor is interacting with students, learning their stories, and having a direct or even an indirect influence in positioning them to accomplish their goals. My personal mission is to inspire and develop people to change the world, and the higher education setting gives me the greatest opportunity to do that.

TG: What do you wish everyone knew about the value of higher education?

BH: That it's not just about getting a job. Now, one of the key components of our vision at USC Upstate is to prepare students to go from college to a career with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to that setting. The value of higher education is shown in economic health and mobility, access to health care, and so on. But on a larger scale, higher education is about learning how to think and innovate, how to participate collaboratively toward a common goal, how to interact and work constructively with others who may come from a different mindset, a different culture than yours, to make informed decisions. It's about developing the ability to adapt because many of today's graduates will end up in careers and professions that have yet to be invented. Higher education is an investment of time and resources, but it is an investment that pays off over a lifetime.

TG: You have held several positions in the field of higher education during your career. Were you always drawn to the field?

BH: My previous positions supported those institutions' overall missions. The vertical that I have led is in institutional advancement, which allowed me to develop partnerships, garner resources, and raise funds for scholarships and for advancing research and community partnerships. I have always been drawn to helping others and to seeing young people excel and experience what they may not have imagined had it not been for the education they received.

TG: Was education emphasized when you were growing up?

BH: I grew up on a 60-acre farm in the Mississippi Delta. I have beautiful parents who emphasized to me from the time I was able to understand that I could be anything I chose to be. My Dad made a deal with me  he said that as long as I stayed in school, I didn't have to go back to work on the farm. Farming is a noble and vital profession, but that wasn't what I wanted to do in life, even from an early age. Education was a constant theme. My parents wouldn't accept mediocrity from any of us, nor would they allow us to see the property lines of the farm as the boundaries of our aspirations. All eight of us, except my oldest brother, who passed at 17, went to college.

Also: 15 Minutes with Jeff Tennyson, president and CEO of Lima One Capital in Greenville

TG: How did that continue with your own children?

BH: All my children have ever known is the context of education. My wife, Frankie, spent more than 20 years in K-12 education and administration. My professional career has always been in a university setting. Our kids have embraced that. Our daughter and older son, Bria and Bennie II, are graduates of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and our younger son, Brenden, is a senior-year student in marketing at Lipscomb. Bria is a second-year student in medical school at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and Bennie is the implementation manager at UBS in Nashville.

TG: What is one piece of advice you would give anyone wanting to start a career in education?

BH: It is a noble career with so many pathways to experience one's passion: faculty, administration, student affairs, student success, marketing, research, information technology, business, finance, etc. The list goes on and on. What makes higher education unique as an industry is its product. Our products are the dreams and aspirations of people. Ultimately, you're contributing to a better society, a better world.

TG: What is one thing you would do differently if you were just starting out?

BH: There are not too many things I would do differently. I see that most of what I experienced was instrumental in shaping me and helping me to develop my dream. My path gave clarity to my passion and my purpose.

TG: What can our community do to support educators?

BH: The community can advocate for funding support for higher education, tuition mitigation, and scholarships. More and more students incur an enormous amount of debt to pay for college. Many brilliant students do not qualify for a need-based scholarship or high-funded merit scholarships. The community can also continue to advocate for the importance of a four-year degree in creating a vibrant community, culture, and society.

TG: What is the best part about what you do?

BH: Seeing the results of our work in the things our students accomplish, particularly after they graduate. I see them choosing careers in health care, education, business, public service, research, innovation, and many other careers, which demonstrates the impact of what we do every day.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: TALK Greenville: Dr. Harris is the fifth chancellor of USC Upstate
The executive director of communications at Tarrant County College is the latest employee to file a lawsuit against the college claiming wrongful termination, court records show.

Suzanne Groves, an employee of the college since 2013, alleges that her First Amendment right of free speech and Fifth Amendment right of due process were violated after she went forward to a superior, Kristen Bennett, with documents pertaining to an inappropriate relationship between an employee and former TCC chancellor Eugene Giovannini, who was fired last month.

Bennett, who is also suing the community college, said she was improperly disciplined by the chancellor when she began to intervene in conflicts with the subordinate who had a personal relationship with Giovannini. Bennett was fired by the college in January, according to her lawsuit.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on Monday by Groves says that the college placed her on administrative leave on April 15 and recommended termination of her employment because of her involvement in the situation with Bennett, the unnamed employee and Giovannini.

Groves reportedly provided a document to Bennett last October that showed that the woman who Giovannini was involved with had a criminal record, according to the suit.

(Groves) gave that document to Dr. Bennett because Dr. Bennett was the supervisor of the woman in question and because the woman in question was already known to have a volatile temperament, the lawsuit states. ... The (Tarrant County College) District is now retaliating against (Groves) herein for having (as the district sees it) assisted Dr. Bennett in Dr. Bennetts efforts to regain her job and to seek compensation for defendants wrongful conduct.

The lawsuit argues that Groves was made aware of the employees criminal history by a board member and by going to Bennett, that action and that speech by (Groves,) according to (the college,) was not done in the course of performing her duties as an employee but was, rather, impermissible and outside the scope of her usual duties.

Story continues

The contents of her message were of public importance in that they concerned conduct by an employee which was violative of district policy and allegedly criminal in nature, the suit said.

Groves alleges that the college retaliated against her for working with Bennett regarding the inappropriate relationship, and furthermore, with the colleges investigation into the inappropriate relationship between Giovannini and a subordinate, a hearing before the board of trustees to appeal her termination wouldnt provide the appearance of neutrality.

The district is in utter chaos administratively, functionally, and politically because the former chancellor has been fired and (Groves) is accused of impermissibly participating in the process which led to his firing, even though her conduct was specifically protected by the (college)s own policies and by the First Amendment, the lawsuit said, adding that present board members were witness to the wrongful conduct prior to public disclosure  but  took no action to rectify the situation.

Tarrant County College did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
By Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panarat Thepgumpanat

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The leader of one of Thailand's biggest political parties apologised on Tuesday over the conduct of a former executive accused by more than a dozen women of sexual abuse in what some activists have called the country's first "MeToo" moment.

Prinn Panitchpakdi, 44, resigned as deputy leader of the Democrat Party last week and was charged on Saturday with sexual abuse and rape after complaints were filed against him by five women separately.

Prinn, the son of former World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Supachai Panitchpakdi, has denied the charges and was freed on bail on Sunday.

Nine more women have since come forward with similar allegations against Prinn, according to police. Prinn has made no public comment since the new allegations were made and said he was unavailable when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday.

Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, a close associate of Prinn, on Tuesday apologised over the scandal and acknowledged his role in endorsing him as a senior party member.

"I'm deeply sorry and must apologise for everything that has happened that was linked to a Democrat Party member," Jurin told a news conference, without elaborating.

"As a party leader, I must acknowledge that I was a key part in an effort to bring Prinn into the party."

The hashtag #MeToo has trended on social media in Thailand since last week, with users expressing outrage over the scope of the alleged misconduct and a perception of impunity for the political elite.

Jurin, who is commerce minister and deputy prime minister in the ruling coalition, said his party stands against sexual harassment and violence against children and women.

He also resigned as chairman of two government committees on gender equality and women's policies, and said the Democrat Party would conduct its own internal investigation.

"We will not step in to protect Prinn, nor intervene in the justice process," he said.

Story continues

Trairong Piwpan, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, confirmed to Reuters that 14 victims had so far come forward with allegations against Prinn, nine of whom met on Monday with police, who were considering the cases.

According to Sittra Biabungkerd of the People's Lawyers Foundation, a legal assistance group representing the victims, all were between 17 and 30 at the time of the alleged offences, some of which were more than a decade ago, and five have said they were raped.

"There are many others who are still afraid to come forward," Sittra told Reuters.

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty and Angus MacSwan)
On 21 March 2002, Hartlepool prison officer John Darwin went out in his canoe. When he missed his shift at work and didnt return home, the alarm was raised and there was a huge search operation. He was a missing person, presumed dead. Little did the police know, John had actually faked his own death, with the help of his wife Anne, so that they could claim the life insurance money.

The couple lied to their two sons and the world. In 2007, after trying and failing to start a new life under a fake name in Panama with Anne, John turned up at a police station in London, claiming he had amnesia. The story exploded, and John was soon known as Canoe Man, but the pair were caught out when a member of the public found a photo online of the couple in Panama, taken in 2006. They were both convicted of fraud and sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Now, ten years on from Johns initial disappearance, ITV is dramatising the story in a new four-part seriesThe Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, with Eddie Marsan and Monica Dolan playing the couple at the centre of the scandal. Read our interview with Dolan about portraying Anne here.

The ITV series ends with Anne leaving prison and going to a halfway house in Leeds  but where are the Darwins now?

Anne separated from John just before she was released from prison. I hadnt realised how much John manipulated me until I was in prison. I had to see a psychologist to finally help me see things in a different light," she told The Guardian in 2016.

Until then Id always had his voice in my head. Finally, when it faded away, I could then make decisions for myself and I realised that I didnt have to depend on him. I could cope on my own.

In 2011, when Anne was released, John reportedly sent her a photograph of herself with a copyright symbol on it, to imply she was his property. They eventually divorced, with John citing unreasonable behaviour.

John Darwin and his second wife Mercy (Jamie Wiseman/ANL/Shutterstock)

Soon afterwards, Anne decided to tell her story. In 2016, she released a memoir, Out of My Depth. The blurb for the book reads: After years of remaining silent, Anne Darwin finally reveals the truth behind the crime that tore her family apart.

Story continues

Read more: What is fact and what is fiction in The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe?

Anne also got a job with the RSPCA using the qualifications she gained in prison. The proceeds from her book went to the RNLI and the RSPCA.

She is now retired and living alone in the north of England. She is reconciled with her two sons, Mark and Anthony, who had previously disowned her, and is a part of her grandchildrens lives.

John, meanwhile, remarried in 2015. He moved to Manila in the Philippines, where he helps his second wife, Mercy, run a market stall. She is 23 years younger than him.

In a recent development that, like the original story is stranger than fiction, John has reportedly gone to Ukraine to fight against the Russians. Mercy told The Mirror: He will have a bullet proof vest and good life insurance, good for me.

The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe begins on ITV at 9pm on Sunday 17 April.
With a little over a week away from the 2022 NFL draft, ESPNs Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. released their latest collaborative three-round mock draft on Tuesday where they alternated picks. They have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick but then selecting offensive players with the rest of their picks in this mock draft.

They surprisingly also have the Jaguars double-dipping for wide receivers in the third round. Here is who they mocked to Jacksonville:

McShays pick: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan Top selection, best player on the board. Its that simple. Josh Allen and Hutchinson  who had 14 sacks last season  would form a fantastic edge-rush duo in Jacksonville. McShays pick: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa Linderbaum is a first-round talent who is still here to start Day 2. And wouldnt you know it, the Jags have a hole at center after Brandon Linder retired this offseason. McShays pick: WanDale Robinson, WR, Kentucky Get the ball in this guys hands. Hell break your ankles with his explosive shiftiness and then run away from you with his speed. Jacksonville could use another playmaker for Trevor Lawrence. Kipers pick: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis Im going to double up on short slot receivers for the Jags, because Im not sure Laviska Shenault Jr.s future is in Jacksonville. Todd gave the Jaguars Robinson a few picks ago, and Austin is a dynamo with the ball in his hands. At 5-foot-8, he ran a 4.32 40 at the combine. Austin and Robinson can be versatile targets for a quarterback who needs them.

Hutchinson and Linderbaum would be home-run picks for the Jaguars. Jacksonville needs the surer player with the first overall pick. Hutchinson fits that bill compared to Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker who has a higher ceiling but a lower floor. Linderbaum would also be an excellent replacement for Linder.

Taking two receivers in the third round is a bit puzzling, though. Especially when considering the money the Jags spent at the position in free agency with the additions of Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. That said, maybe taking one receiver early is on the table, but probably not two.

Of the two receivers taken, Austin is more of a straight-line burner, while Robinson is more of a shiftier and elusive player. If the Jags were to land one of the two it would certainly add some exciting playmaking ability to their offense, which is something that was missing in 2021
Donald Trump waves to supporters lined along on the route to his Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida, after his presidency. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Trump has privately expressed support for the idea that he can be returned to power, NYT reported.

Trump allies are still trying to get the result of the 2020 election "decertified," the report said.

Trump and his allies have already lost multiple court cases challenging the 2020 result.

Former President Donald Trump is privately pushing the claim that the result of the 2020 presidential election could still be overturned and he could return to power, The New York Times reported.

In the Monday report, The Times detailed how a group of Trump allies, including the conservative attorney John Eastman, were continuing to press state legislatures to cancel Joe Biden's victory on the basis of discredited legal theories. It's a move some claim could lead to Trump returning to office.

Trump is also continuing to push that idea in private, The Times reported, as he prepares for another potential presidential bid in 2024.

Ever since his defeat in the 2020 election, Trump has pushed the claim that he was deprived of victory as a result of a vast plot by Democrats, though he and allies have offered no convincing evidence to substantiate the claim. They have also launched a series of court cases challenging the election results, almost all of which have failed.

That claim incited Trump supporters to attack the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a bid to halt Biden's certification as president.

Both Trump and Eastman are being scrutinized by the House committee probing the Capitol attack. In a memo obtained by the committee, Eastman had laid out a plan that included the false claim that Biden's Electoral College votes could be canceled on the basis on bogus election-fraud claims.

But the legal pressure has not stopped Eastman continuing his bid to overturn the election.

According to multiple reports, Eastman recently visited the Republican speaker of the state legislature in Wisconsin and tried to persuade him to decertify the 2020 election.

Story continues

Other Trump allies have also championed similar bids in Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin, despite legal experts saying there is no constitutional basis for election results to be canceled long after the fact, The Times reported.

Trump's spokesperson did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tulare police are asking the public to help identify this woman, who is suspected of robbing the Tulare Wells Fargo Bank on Monday.

Tulare police are searching for a woman suspected of robbing the Wells Fargo Bank Monday afternoon.

Around 2 p.m., the suspect entered the bank on Tulare Avenue.

She passed a note to a teller demanding money and warning that she was armed, Sgt. Eddie Hinojosa said. The woman was not seen carrying weapons and no injuries were reported.

Police shared a photo of the suspect and described her as a 5-foot-10-inch woman in her late 20s or early 30s with red-colored hair and weighing about 150 pounds.

She wore a black shirt and surgical mask at the time of the robbery.

She escaped the bank with an undisclosed amount of money and was last seen heading south, police said. Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect's identity is urged to contact Tulare Police Department at 684-4290, or anonymously at 685-2300 extension 4445.

The alleged crime is the second bank robbery to happen in Tulare since December.

On Christmas Eve, two suspects robbed the Chase bank on Prosperity Avenue at gunpoint, firing several rounds inside the business. No injuries were reported and the suspects remain at large in that case, Hinojosa said.

Joshua Yeager is a reporter with the Visalia Times-Delta and a Report for America corps member. He covers Tulare County news deserts with a focus on the environment and local governments.

Follow him on Twitter @VTD_Joshy. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare bank robbed; police ask public for help ID'ing suspect
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish authorities jailed a journalist on Tuesday pending trial after he announced hackers had stolen personal information from government websites and shared some of it with him, including President Tayyip Erdogan's ID card, as proof, his lawyer said.

The independent journalist, Ibrahim Haskologlu, posted the announcement on Twitter, illustrating it with a partially obscured photo of what he said was Erdogan's ID.

His lawyer, Emrah Karatay, said his client was arrested on a charge of illegally obtaining and disseminating personal information due to his social media posts.

In his Twitter posts last week, Haskologlu said that a group of hackers had contacted him two months ago and told him that they had obtained Turks' personal information from government websites.

As well as sharing the purported photo of Erdogan's ID, Haskologlu also published an image of what he said was the ID card of Hakan Fidan, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Agency. Most of the information on the cards was concealed.

"The reason for his formal arrest was that he did not notify prosecutors," Karatay said, adding that Haskologlu had warned various authorities but no action was taken.

"He thought he had to warn people as a journalist and posted these. Now he's arrested - that's all," Karatay said, adding that police had searched Haskologlu's house when they detained him last night.

Istanbul police was not immediately available for comment.

Broadcaster NTV said the interior ministry had filed a complaint about Haskologlu after his posts, prompting an investigation by the Istanbul prosecutor's office.

Turkey is one of the world's top jailers of journalists and mainstream media is controlled by those close to Erdogan's government. Turkey's government denies accusations by human rights groups that it muzzles the media.

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen, Editing by William Maclean)
A group photo is taken of children posing beside figures of the Lincoln family in front of a replica of the White House as visitors tour the Abraham Lincoln museum in Springfield on April 8, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Ever since it opened late and over budget in 2005, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield has been regularly beset by problems tied to the historically transactional nature of Illinois politics.

Former Gov. George Ryan had his name put on the cornerstone before going to prison. Likenesses of modern-day political power brokers found their way into paintings depicting Lincoln and 19th-century scenes. Indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan pushed to set up the museum as a free-standing state agency, raising fears it would become a haven for patronage.

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A measure passed this month by legislators and now headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzkers desk is the latest effort to rebuild trust in one of the states prized institutions. The bill would restructure some of the museums operations and further centralize fundraising and decision-making power under the museums executive director and a board of trustees appointed by the governor.

Visitors tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield on April 8, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

I think weve gotten it, Pritzker said recently at an unrelated event. Im very pleased about the direction.

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Trustees on the 11-member board are required to have expertise in at least one area such as Illinois history, Lincoln history, business administration, cultural tourism or historic preservation.

An independent expert said the measure could indeed solve some of the librarys problems by consolidating power with a board that would by law have a plurality of voices with unique qualifications.

The intent (of the bill) is to basically add multiple voices and multiple kinds of expertise to decision-making, said Susan Frankenberg, museum studies program coordinator at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It has the potential to be incredibly great for the museum.

For more than a decade after it opened, the museum operated under oversight from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Madigan, a friend of then-director Eileen Mackevich, drafted legislation in 2015 to make the museum a stand-alone agency and dissolve the Historic Preservation Agency.

It was part of a deal with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who in return would have gotten a privatization plan he campaigned on. But talks fizzled, neither legislative action advanced, and Mackevich ended up resigning in October 2015 over differences with the Historic Preservation Agency.

The Lincoln museum did, however, become a separate state agency through a Rauner executive order in 2017. The order, lauded for removing bureaucratic red tape hindering the museum, nested the Historic Preservation Agency under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Visitors look over lifelike figures of President Abraham Lincoln talking with members of his cabinet about the Emancipation Proclamation. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Troubles for the museum persisted, however, much of it revolving around a stovepipe hat.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, which formed in 2000 with the express goal of opening and fundraising for the museum, borrowed $23 million in 2007 to buy the hat and 1,400 other Lincoln-related artifacts and documents from collector Louise Taper, who happened to sit on the foundations board.

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Struggling to repay its loan, the foundation asked for state money, even while facing mounting questions as to whether Lincoln did, in fact, once own the hat.

In 2019, the states most recent historian, Sam Wheeler, issued a report that did not reach a definitive conclusion concerning the hats provenance, but did allege that senior officials at (the museum) had repeatedly weaponized the stovepipe hat  as part of a power struggle with the foundation that helped start the museum.

In response to the provenance issues that were raised in 2012, (the museum) did not respond like a responsible museum, Wheeler wrote in the report.

Wheeler was fired in 2020 for reasons that were never made clear. A year earlier, Pritzker fired the museums director after a state watchdog found he violated procedures by lending a handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address to an upstart museum affiliated with conservative pundit Glenn Beck.

Last April, the relationship between the state and the foundation was severed after the state alleged a lack of transparency around the foundations finances, while the foundation flung back accusations that the state was threatening and spreading misinformation.

The recently passed legislation eliminates all references to the foundation, now rebranded as the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, which had supported the museum philanthropically and served as a nonvoting member on its board.

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Christina Shutt, who previously headed the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, an African American history and culture museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, took over as the museums executive director last June. She said bringing fundraising capabilities solely into the institution will make the museum more transparent and accountable.

State Rep. Lamont Robinson, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bill, said the legislation puts Shutt in the drivers seat to lead the agency, particularly in regard to its finances.

Visitors look over a soldier's story as they tour the Abraham Lincoln museum in Springfield on April 8, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

The foundation, which is no longer affiliated with the museum, was completely neutral on the legislation, said Nick Kalm, the foundations vice chair. The foundation recently rebranded and expanded its efforts to preserve Lincolns legacy nationwide, starting with a partnership with the National Park Service to help fund the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, according to a release.

An agreement with the foundation that lends the museum its prized Taper collection  which includes the stovepipe hat  expires at the end of October, upon which a new agreement will have to be reached.

Also under the recently passed legislation, the state historian will be appointed by the governor. Responsibilities previously held by the state historian, including sitting on select boards, procuring historical materials and conducting research, would instead fall to museum employees.

The legislation also requires the historian to have expertise in a diverse community groups Illinois history  either African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American or LGBTQ.

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This really will help us tell the story of Illinois history in a bigger way, a more broad way, Shutt said. Itll help us connect with communities across the state.

State Rep. Tim Butler, a Springfield Republican who co-sponsored the bill, said he was literally approached by no one with concerns about the legislation, which passed both chambers without any dissenting votes.

A museum is supposed to be a civic and social institution designed for the public to glean knowledge, not a bargaining chip in the political sphere, the U. of I.s Frankenberg said. She said she sees the changes outlined in the bill as an effort to avoid cronyism and make the museum stronger, she said.

I get why people are cautious and wary. Weve seen political bad stuff happen, Frankenberg said. But this is attempting to clean some of that up.

cspaulding@chicagotribune.com
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -The United States seeks to seize a superyacht that is suspected of belonging to a Russian oligarch and is docked in the Pacific island nation of Fiji, according to an application for a restraining order filed on Tuesday by Fiji's public prosecutor.

The luxury vessel the Amadea is widely believed to be owned by Russian tycoon Suleiman Kerimov, who has been sanctioned by the United States and European Union. The vessel arrived in Fiji a week ago after leaving Mexico 18 days earlier and crossing the Pacific. Police are investigating.

Authorities in various countries have confiscated luxury vessels and villas owned by Russian billionaires in response to sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a special military operation.

Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, filed an application to the High Court seeking to prevent the Amadea from leaving Fiji.

The application requested "the motor yacht Amadea be restrained from leaving Fijian waters until the finalisation of an application to register a warrant to seize the property and (ii) that a US warrant to seize the Amadea be registered".

The U.S. embassy on Tuesday referred questions on the case to the U.S. Department of Justice.

"We continue to ratchet up the pressure on Putins oligarchs and we are working with allies and partners to go after corrupt gains from some of the individuals closest to Putin, no matter where they are held around the world," the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The court has not heard the application.

A superyacht agent in Fiji acting for the Amadea told Reuters last week the vessel's lawyers were contesting that Suleiman was the owner.

Registration records viewed by Reuters show the yacht is registered to a company in the Cayman islands.

"The legal ownership of the vessel remains subject to investigation," said a spokeswoman from Fiji's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Kerimov was sanctioned by the United States in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham;Editing by Robert Birsel and Mark Heinrich)
By Elizabeth Piper

KYIV (Reuters) - Mila Panchenko found herself on a station platform in southwest Russia after lack of food and water forced her to hand herself over to pro-Russian forces to escape the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

At the station in Taganrog, a port on the Sea of Azov, she was put on a train along with around 200 other Ukrainians and told they were being transported to another part of Russia's Rostov region, which borders Ukraine.

But when the train arrived at its destination, the 53-year-old found herself in Tula province in central Russia, in the town of Suvorov, some 1,000 km (621 miles) away.

"There were a lot of police. The station was sealed off so no Russian civilians could approach us," Panchenko said, adding that there were crowds to greet them but the son of a friend from Tula - who she did not identify - was not allowed in. "We were met cheerfully, with cookies."

In addition to Panchenko, Reuters spoke to another Ukrainian woman - Natalia Bil-Maer - who escaped Mariupol last month, as well as the relatives of two other refugees.

They painted a picture of some civilians in Mariupol having no choice but to flee from the besieged city to Russia, a journey that involved repeated searches and questioning by pro-Russian forces before being transported often far from Ukraine's border.

Reuters was unable to verify their stories independently.

The Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment about the independent accounts provided to Reuters by Panchenko and Bil-Maer of Ukrainians being sent to distant parts of Russia without any choice.

Moscow has denied intentionally targeting civilians since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Panchenko said she and the other Ukrainians on the train were taken by Russian authorities to a sanatorium in the Tula region called Krainka. She was given a room with a small fridge, a television and two single beds. Laid on a table was traditional gingerbread, sweet biscuits, water and iced tea.

Story continues

The Krainka resort did not respond to a request for comment on its role in sheltering the Ukrainians.

After arriving at the sanatorium, Panchenko - the duty manager of a cistern factory before the war and a member of the local council - said she was fingerprinted, photographed and questioned in front of a prosecutor, whom Reuters was unable to identify.

Panchenko - who speaks Russian and Ukrainian - was asked whether the suppression of the Russian language in Ukraine had worsened since 2014, she said.

In that year, Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula while two breakaway regions of Ukraine -- Donetsk and Luhansk -- declared themselves people's republics with Moscow's backing.

One of Russia's justifications for what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine is to protect Russian speakers from what Moscow brands aggression from Ukrainian nationalists. Ukraine has denied this.

"I only said that I could speak Ukrainian and that I loved it ... I said I hadn't witnessed any suppression of Russian."

FORCED DEPORTATIONS

Liudmyla Denisova, Ukraine's ombudswoman for human rights, said last week that Russia had taken 134,000 people from Mariupol and that 33,000 of those were forcibly deported. Reuters was unable to determine the accuracy of those statistics.

Rachel Denber, deputy director for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch, said her organisation had documented at least one instance where there was "no question that it would be considered a forced transfer" - which she defined as "being forced to go to the side that has invaded your country."

The 1949 Geneva Conventions, which defined legal standards for humanitarian treatment in conflict, prohibit the mass forcible transfer of civilians during an international conflict to the territory of the occupying power, classifying it as a war crime.

Russia says it is offering humanitarian aid to those wanting to leave Mariupol. A Russian government resolution, published on March 12 on its website, listed the whereabouts of 95,909 people across Russia who had left Ukraine and the two breakaway republics.

A month later, on April 14, Russian Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev said that 138,014 civilians had been rescued by Russian forces just from Mariupol, as the fighting intensified.

Panchenko said she fled Mariupol on March 17 when Chechen troops seized the building on the left bank of the Kalmius river where she and dozens of other civilians had been sheltering in a basement.

"They said that we had to evacuate because they wanted to set up their headquarters there," Panchenko said by telephone from Brescia, in northern Italy, where she is now living, having left Russia.

With scant supplies of food and water, Panchenko said she had no choice but to get into the cars offered by the Chechen soldiers to take them to Russian-controlled parts of Donetsk.

They were transported by car and then bus to the village of Bezimenne, where police from the separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) have set up processing facilities, Panchenko said. They were fingerprinted and questioned by separatist police.

Spokespeople for the DPR and the Chechen authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

"We were asked if we had any connection with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, if we knew anyone from the Azov Battalion," she said, referring to a Ukrainian National Guard unit that Moscow has accused of targeting Russian speakers. "We weren't on any lists, so they put us on a bus again and took us to Taganrog train station."

TRAINS SENT ACROSS RUSSIA

On March 22, Bil-Maer fled the basement of a relative's apartment block with her husband and two children - aged 6 and 7 - as the Russian assault drew closer. They had planned to go to the nearby coastal town of Berdiansk, to the west, but their route was blocked by shelling.

"We had only one way left to go because that part of town was controlled by Russian soldiers ... So they transported us and we were deported to Russia."

As they were taken through Russian-controlled territory, Bil-Maer said Ukrainians were repeatedly questioned and men were asked to strip, as Russian forces searched for combatants.

But by March 23 she found herself on Russian soil and was taken to Taganrog station.

"In Taganrog, there were a lot of nice words said to us: We've saved you. We'll feed you," said Bil-Maer, who saw trains headed to Tambov and Vladimir in central Russia. "It was clear that every train was going to a different place."

As soon as Bil-Maer could use her phone, she called an aunt in Russia's Krasnodar region, across the Sea of Azov from east Ukraine, and she came to pick up the family.

But, once in her aunts home, Bil-Maer said she was reluctant to go outside because she was tired of being told by strangers that the Russian bombing was Ukraine's fault for attacking Russian-speakers. She said many Russians echoed the Kremlins position - reproduced in the media - that civilian casualties in the conflict were caused by Ukraines own armed forces to discredit Moscow.

Bil-Maer quickly fled to Georgia with her husband and children.

She does not know how she will return home: she is struggling to get help from the Ukrainian embassy and only has her internal passport with her. Her husband also left the country with her illegally when it was banned because he was of fighting age.

Ukraine foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Ukraine had to close its diplomatic missions in Russia for security reasons but embassies in the neighboring countries would provide consular assistance to Ukrainians deported to Russia to enable them to return home, including temporary travel documents.

After 10 days at the Krainka resort, Panchenko said she persuaded the Russians to allow her to leave for Nizhny Novgorod, a city on the Volga river east of Moscow, to stay with the family of an elderly neighbor from Mariupol who had fled with her.

Once outside the resort, Panchenko and her neighbor, who she identified as Zhan, went instead to Moscow and then to the Baltic States. Panchenko found her way eventually to Italy.

"But my plan is to make some money and return to my home Mariupol, if it stays Ukrainian," she said. "I want to come back to Ukraine very much."

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday apologised to MPs after he became the first British leader fined for breaking the law, but faced opposition calls to quit for the sake of integrity in politics.

Addressing parliament for the first time since the April 12 fine, he reiterated that he did not think he had done anything wrong when he attended an office gathering for his birthday in June 2020, when Britain was under a pandemic lockdown.

"That was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly," he said.

The British public "had a right to expect better of their prime minister", Johnson added, while insisting he would get on with the job including to defend Ukraine against Russia's "barbaric" invasion.

The conflation of issues led to charges that Johnson was seeking to bury the controversy over "partygate" fines -- which have also embroiled his finance minister and wife.

Johnson could yet receive further fines over various Downing Street parties held despite strict coronavirus lockdowns imposed by his own government over the past two years.

MPs will hold a special debate on Thursday into whether he misled the House of Commons when, in December, he denied ever breaking the rules. He will be on an official visit to India by then.

Knowingly misleading parliament is a breach of government ministers' code of conduct, which states they should resign as a result -- and opposition lawmakers are adamant he should go.

But asked directly if he deliberately misled parliament, Johnson emphatically replied: "No."

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said there was cross-party support towards Britain's backing for Ukraine, and any Conservative successor would continue Johnson's war policy.

Starmer recounted the experience of one member of the public who, because of the Covid rules then in place, was denied the chance to hold his dying wife's hand in hospital.

Johnson was "a man without shame" backed by "nodding dogs" in his cabinet, Starmer said, urging Conservative MPs to eject their leader.

Story continues

They should "bring decency, honesty and integrity back into our politics and stop the denigration of this country", the Labour leader said.

- 'Liar' -

One national survey suggested around two-thirds of the public spoke negatively about Johnson, compared to just 16 percent positively, with the word "liar" the most commonly shared response.

"Overall, 'partygate' dominates views of Boris over Ukraine," said James Johnson, a Conservative pollster who conducted the sample.

"Fury has not receded. Many negative comments are by people who liked him previously but have now changed their minds."

Voters will get their chance to deliver a verdict on May 5, when the UK holds nationwide elections for local and city councils.

A drubbing for the Conservatives then could sharpen the debate among his own MPs, some of whom have said that now is not the time to change leader given the war in Ukraine.

David Wolfson, a justice minister, has already resigned from the government, citing "the scale, context and nature" of the rule breaches.

Johnson will bid to shore up his standing with backbenchers when he addresses a meeting of the Conservative parliamentary party on Tuesday evening.

But one senior Tory backbencher, Mark Harper, responded to Johnson in the Commons that he was "no longer... worthy" of being prime minister after his apology.

- Attention diverted -

London's Metropolitan Police is investigating dozens of alleged lockdown breaches by Johnson and his staff in the Downing Street complex where he lives and works.

It said last week officers had so far issued more than 50 fines.

The scandal, the latest in a stream of controversies to hit Johnson since last year, left his position hanging by a thread and MPs from his Conservative Party in a rebellious mood.

But he boosted his survival chances with what is seen as a firm response to Ukraine, which diverted attention away from the furore when he was most vulnerable in February.

Britain's cost-of-living crisis is also credited with distracting people from the scandal, while Johnson has made several big policy announcements aimed at his pro-Brexit political base.

They include controversial plans to send migrants and asylum seekers who cross the Channel thousands of miles away to Rwanda.

jj-jit/phz/yad
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The U.S. is sending two top officials to the Solomon Islands following a visit last week by an Australian senator over concerns that China could establish a military presence in the South Pacific island nation.

The White House said Monday that later this week, Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council Indo-Pacific coordinator, and Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, will lead a delegation of U.S. government officials to the Solomon Islands, and will also visit Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday said Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Solomon Islands counterpart, Jeremiah Manele, officially signed a security agreement the other day. No specific date was given.

A draft of the pact, which was leaked online, said Chinese warships could stop in the Solomon Islands and China could send police and armed forces there to assist in maintaining social order.

Wang told reporters at a daily briefing that the agreement covers maintaining social order, along with protecting lives and property, providing humanitarian assistance and responding to natural disasters.

We are committed to helping the Solomon Islands to strengthen its capacity building to maintain national security, Wang said. He said the agreement does not seek to supersede the South Pacific nation's security ties with other nations.

The Solomon Islands has sought to downplay the significance of the agreement and says it won't lead to China establishing a military base there, but many neighboring countries and Western nations remain worried.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agreement could destabilize the Solomon Islands and would set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific region.

Despite the Solomon Islands governments comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of P.R.C. (Peoples Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands, Price said.

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The U.S. trip comes after a visit to the Solomon Islands last week by Australian Sen. Zed Seselja, the minister for international development and the Pacific.

The Australian government said it was deeply disappointed by the Chinese announcement that the deal was signed.

We are concerned about the lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, noting its potential to undermine stability in our region, Seselja and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a joint statement.

We continue to seek further clarity on the terms of the agreement, and its consequences for the Pacific region, the statement added.

Last week, Seselja said he met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and asked him to abandon the Chinese agreement.

We have asked Solomon Islands respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our regions security frameworks, Seselja said.

The Solomon Islands portrayed the meeting in a more positive light, saying Sogavare and Seselja held productive discussions regarding the security concerns of the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.

Last week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about Washingtons plan to reopen an embassy in the capital, Honiara.

The announcement of the reopening of the embassy, which has been closed since 1993, came in February before the security pact came to light, but amid already growing concerns about Chinese influence in the strategically important country.

___

Associated Press reporter Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, DC. Jim Watson/Pool AFP/Getty

Lawmakers from the US and UK urged their governments to impose travel bans on lawyers who had represented oligarchs.

US Rep. Steve Cohen said "foreign enablers of Russian oligarchs" should not get US visas.

Liam Byrne MP told Insider the UK should "shut down the venomous ecosystem of oligarch enablers."

The US and UK have been urged to impose travel bans on British lawyers whom lawmakers say have "enabled malign activities of Russian oligarchs."

In a letter published Monday, Rep. Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, urged US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to withhold "the privilege of traveling to the United States" from individuals from some of the UK's most recognisable law firms.

The congressman said "certain" lawyers from the UK were "among the worst such enablers", blasting British libel laws and "the vast amount of blood money" in the UK's financial system for having helped create "an ideal place for oligarchs to abuse the law to harass and intimidate" journalists and activists working to expose them.

Citing "abusive" lawsuits against the journalist Catherine Belton and her publisher HarperCollins, the journalist Scott Stedman, and the human-rights campaigner Bill Browder, Cohen called on Blinken to consider banning US visas for six lawyers. Not all of the six lawyers were accused of representing Russian oligarchs.

They are:

Nigel Tait of Carter-Ruck, who Cohen said acted on behalf of the Kremlin oil champion Rosneft and the Russian oligarch Gennady Timchenko to stop investigative reporting.

John Kelly of Harbottle & Lewis, who Cohen said represented the oligarch Roman Abramovich in a lawsuit against Belton and HarperCollins.

Hugh Tomlinson, who Cohen said had represented Abramovich and the oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven against Belton and HarperCollins.

Geraldine Proudler of CMS, who Cohen said worked for Fridman and Aven in suits against HarperCollins, and worked for Maj. Pavel Karpov, a former official at the Russian Interior Ministry, in a suit against Browder.

Keith Schilling of Schillings, who represented the Malaysian businessman Jho Low, who is accused of embezzling billions of dollars from the Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB.

Shlomo Rechtschaffen, who is representing the businessman Walter Soriano  who Cohen said was an "enabler" of Abramovich and the oligarchs Oleg Deripaska and Dmitry Rybolovlev  in a case against Stedman.

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"While the Biden administration and our allies have imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs since the brutal full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the enablers of kleptocracy have remained untouched," said Cohen. "The United States must crack down on both oligarchs and enablers to end the system of global corruption that made possible this horrific war."

Liam Byrne, a Labour MP and former minister, told Insider he had written to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to ask her to do the same, saying it was "absolutely vital" that the UK "shut down the venomous ecosystem of oligarch enablers like the law firms that worked to silence journalists".

"Corruption is at the root of every autocracy. But oligarchs don't act alone. They act through their tentacles of lawyers, PR firms and wealth managers," he said.

"That's why I've written to the foreign secretary to ask her to back Rep, Steve Cohen's proposals and issue travel bans on the named lawyers. And it's why I'll be working with colleagues to bring forward UK laws to match the powerful new Enablers Bill designed to take these networks down for good."

In the letter, seen by Insider, Byrne told Truss: "As you will know from debates in the House, these same individuals have been named in our debates as individuals with long track records of working at the behest of the rich and powerful to sue journalists seeking to expose the truth."

He urged her to ensure the UK "stays in lockstep" with the US.

Roman Abramovich. Clive Mason/Getty Images

The UK's libel law system has increasingly become under the spotlight in recent months amid concerns it is being misused by oligarchs and others.

During a Commons debate in January, Byrne attacked "the behaviour of Hugh Tomlinson, Geraldine Proudler, Carter-Ruck, Mishcon de Reya, Schillings, CMS and Olswang", while Conservative MP David Davis highlighted the prevalent use of lawfare to "threaten, intimidate and put the fear of God into British journalists, citizens, officials and media organisations".

In March, UK Justice Secretary Dominic Raab set out plans to tackle so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), a tactic involving endless legal action and costs to intimidate journalists, authors and campaigners.

Proposals include amending the Defamation Act 2013 to strengthen the "public interest defence" and the potential introduction of a specific requirement for claimants to prove "actual malice" to deter spurious claims.

Lawyers hit back

Many of the lawyers hit back at their inclusion on the list.

Rechtschaffen told Insider: "I did not act for any oligarch or enabler. Walter Soriano is not an enabler of any oligarch. Mr. Stedman, who lost a hearing in the UK and is in breach of UK court orders, is clutching at straws and is now trying to tarnish my client's reputation in the American public eye and the American political system."

A spokesperson for Carter-Ruck said: "The claims made against Carter-Ruck are misconceived and are rejected entirely. In addition to other matters, we are not working for any Russian individuals, companies or entities seeking to challenge, overturn, frustrate or minimise sanctions. We have never acted for Russian individuals, companies or entities seeking to challenge sanctions.

"We condemn the Russian government's decision to invade Ukraine. We are not acting for, and will not be acting for, any individual, company or entity associated with the Putin regime in any matter or context, whether sanctions-related or otherwise, and will continue to conduct all 'know your client' checks in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, as we have always done."

A spokesperson for Harbottle & Lewis said: "The firm has acted at all time in accordance with its professional and legal obligations, and takes these matters very seriously. The firm has not engaged in an abusive lawsuit as alleged, and there was no such suggestion made when the proceedings were considered by a High Court Judge who reviewed the book and ruled that it contained a number of defamatory allegations. As such there is no basis for any such steps to be taken."

A spokesman for Schllings said: "We are on record as confirming that we not acting for any sanctioned entities and that we also hope that sanctions will foreshorten the Putin's regimes horrendous war in Ukraine.

"We do not comment on client matters and indeed are not permitted to do so, but we fail to see how any representation of the Malaysian national named by Congressman Cohen could in any circumstances support the (in any event wholly misplaced) allegations that we are acting in the manner alleged in relation to Russian "oligarchs".

"Congressman Cohen has been sadly misinformed and there is no basis for any allegation that we have in any way behaved other than in the highest traditions of the legal profession in upholding the rule of law."

A CMS spokesperson said: "We strongly reject the allegations of impropriety that have been made against CMS, and in particular Geraldine Proudler.

"We have reviewed the steps taken in our Media Litigation practice and are confident that these were compliant with all professional regulations as well as our wider responsibilities at the time. Congressman Cohen says he seeks to sanction lawyers who are currently performing work for Russian clients, but as we have said since the invasion of Ukraine, CMS is no longer accepting new instructions from Russian based entities or from any individuals with connections to the Russian government."

Representatives for Tomlinson did not respond to Insider's requests for comment at the time of publication.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TRUMP-OHIO (AP)

On Monday evening, Donald Trump decided to completely upend Arizonas Republican Senate primary. The Grand Canyon State is central to the sometime presidents Big Lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. While most people outside the state might associate Arizona with the maverick attitude of John McCain or the more libertarian conservatism of Barry Goldwater  the 1964 GOP nominee and the father of the modern conservative movement  the state is now home to a Trumpist variant of anti-immigrant, election-denying extremism.

Kelli Ward, who challenged McCain for the Senate nomination in 2016, is now chairwoman of the Arizona GOP, while Congressmen Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar have been central to promoting the idea that the election was stolen. Maricopa County has become a focal point for true believers, with pro-Trump conspiracy theory collective Cyber Ninjas conducting an audit of the county in hopes of exposing massive electoral fraud. (It found nothing.)

Trumps false allegations of voter fraud have scrambled Republicans hopes of winning back the Senate seat McCain held for decades. In 2020, Democrat Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and the husband of former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, defenestrated Senator Martha McSally, who was appointed the seat following McCains death (after she lost her 2018 race to Kyrsten Sinema.) This time around, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell worked hard to recruit outgoing Governor Doug Ducey to take Kelly on  but the former president has already made his virulent dislike of Ducey abundantly clear, and he has declined to run.

Now, the Big Lie has come for Arizona Republicans second-best hope in the race, state Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Last week, Brnovich released an interim report that, while it stated his concerns about irregularities in Maricopa Countys election in 2020, did not prove instances of widespread voter fraud. But that wasnt enough for Trump, who threw a bomb at Brnovich in a characteristically long-winded screed.

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He wants to be politically correct, Trump crowed. Because of the amount of time that it took him to do the report, which was endless, his poll numbers have been rapidly sinking. Now, people are upset with the fact that while he states the problem, he seems to be doing nothing about it  he doesnt give the answers.

Trump said he would endorse a Senate candidate soon, and its extremely unlikely that Brnovich will be the beneficiary. Last week, OH Predictive Insights released a poll showing that the attorney general had a slight lead against his opponents, but that 44 percent of Republican primary voters were undecided. Arizona has its primary relatively late on August 2nd, and a Trump endorsement could hold massive sway.

All the while, the endangered Kelly can keep on building his massive warchest. He raised the $11.35 million the first three months of 2022 and now has $23.2 million in the bank.
A game of cat and mouse played out in a Minnehaha County courtroom on Tuesday, and the mouse got away.

In this case, the mouse was the South Dakota Attorney Generals Office and the cat was the plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to remove a proposed ballot measure from Junes primary election. Amendment C, if it passes, would require that any future ballot measure that raises taxes or spends $10 million over five years would have to be approved by 60% of voters.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit  former Harrisburg schools Superintendent Jim Holbeck and David Owen, the president of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Energy  argue that the language in Amendment C violates the state Constitutions requirement that ballot measures address a single subject.

But the substance of the lawsuit wasnt addressed Tuesday. Instead, it was whether the attorney general had been properly served with the lawsuit.

More: Lawmakers' proposed three-fifths rule on spending, tax initiatives headed to court

Brendan Johnson, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, had notified lawyers in the attorney generals office in a January email that the lawsuit would be filed. A copy of the lawsuit was sent by certified mail, that the office received.

After 30 days passed, Johnson inquired why the office hadnt admitted service. He was told that the office would only accept being served in person, by a process server or deputy.

Johnson, a former U.S. attorney for South Dakota, argued that it was an unprecedented demand. He had worked with other attorneys general in the past and none of them were unwilling to accept service via certified mail.

Not once have I ever heard the state make the argument that it can evade service, Johnson told Judge Douglas Hoffman.

Clifton Katz, an assistant attorney general, admitted that the office typically accepts service without being served personally. But in this case, the office was within its legal rights to demand personal service. Katz noted that the certified letter had been addressed to the attorney general, but the office address was to the secretary of state. Although somebody at the state had signed the certified mail, Katz said he didnt know who that was because the signature will illegible and that it could have been signed by a mailroom employee.

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It was left to Hoffman to wade into a maze of state law regarding serving parties in civil disputes. Ultimately, Hoffman ruled that the attorney general was not required to accept service via certified mail.

Were in this picadillo because the statute is very poorly crafted, unfortunately, he said.

More: South Dakota Attorney General's Office accused of delaying lawsuit in upcoming election measure

Its all but certain now that voters will weigh in on Amendment C. But the lawsuit will continue, Johnson said after the ruling, and that will start with personally serving Secretary of State Steve Barnett.

That means the underlying legal dispute will play out long after Junes primary election. Opponents of Amendment C hoped to have a ruling prior to a vote to expand Medicaid in November, which would need 60% if Amendment C passes. But Tuesdays ruling puts that timeline in jeopardy.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Amendment C to see June election ballot measure after court challenge
Like something from a science fiction novel, with its six golden spires and pristine white walls rising above the surrounding trees, the Washington Mormon Temple has for decades intrigued those barred from entering.

Their curiosity will soon be satisfied, however, as for the first time in almost half a century, the temple this month will open its doors to the general public.

The building, one of the most mysterious in the US capital, is usually only open to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for whom family, chastity and mission work are central values.

"People feel like what we do inside is a secret, but as you saw today, it's just sacred. It's very sacred for us," Kevin Duncan, a senior official in the Church, told AFP.

On Monday, during an open day for the media, the temple welcomed non-members for the first time since 1974, when it was dedicated.

The visitors had to put on white slippers to view the hushed, luxurious interior with its pristine thick carpets and gilt surfaces.

The last time the public was allowed to cross the threshold, 750,000 people, according to the Church, had swarmed the site in Kensington, Maryland, a few miles (kilometers) outside the bounds of Washington proper. Among them was the First Lady, Betty Ford.

The temple closed in 2018 for renovations and was due to re-open in 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic upended the schedule.

- Baptisms for the dead -

Future visitors must reserve free tickets to enter the site from the end of April to the beginning of June.

Inside they will be able to discover the rituals of the Church, where as soon as members enter what they consider to be one of the most sacred places on Earth, they abandon their street clothes to dress in white.

"It's a reset. A symbol of equality, purity," said David Bednar, one of the 12 apostles of the Church, who came from Utah for the occasion.

The curious can also visit the baptistry, where a small pool is mounted on the backs of 12 life-size white marble bulls representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

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In the Mormon faith, baptism by immersion inside the temple is reserved for the dead.

The Church allows its flock to be baptized on behalf of their ancestors, and it is then up to the souls of the deceased -- if they exist, and the Church firmly believes they do -- to accept the "gift" or not.

Ordinary baptisms take place in other buildings.

Among the other spaces in the sprawling temple is the "sealing room," where marriages are celebrated (or "sealed") around a white marble altar upholstered with beige velvet.

Unions are exclusively between a man and a woman and are deemed to last not just a lifetime but into death, because "family is essential to the Father's plan," said Bednar.

Family ties between parents and children can also be "sealed" for eternity in a ceremony in these same rooms.

The Church says it expects to welcome several hundred thousand visitors during its open house period.

iba/jh/sw
One of the seminal moments in our knowledge of infectious diseases happened because of a health disaster. In 1854, a mother washed her babys diaper in a town well, touching off an epidemic that killed 616 people.

Within 250 yards of a water pump outside London, upwards of 500 fatal attacks of cholera occurred in 10 days. Dr. John Snow worked around the clock to track down information from hospital and public records on when the outbreak began and whether the victims drank water from the Broad Street pump.

Snow went to town officials and despite their reticence about his theories, he persuaded them to take the handle off the pump. The outbreak of cholera almost immediately ended.

Today, scientists consider Snow to be the father of epidemiology. Hundreds died in that 1854 superspreader event, but millions have benefited because of the lessons learned.

We decided to help: My dad and I went to Poland and Ukraine to help refugees, including teens just like me

I was part of a John Snow moment in 2014, when we had an HIV outbreak in rural Scott County, Indiana. At the time, I served as Indiana's health commissioner. Out of what was clearly a disastrous public health moment, syringe service programs were implemented first in Indiana, then in Kentucky, then in communities across America  particularly so in conservative ones. The example set and the lessons learned likely prevented thousands of hepatitis and HIV infections.

A public health disaster

The recent Gridiron Club event in Washington, D.C., was by any objective measure a public health disaster.

A mass gathering occurring during a global pandemic  attended by government leaders, members of the media whove regularly reported on the pandemic, and even the Centers of Disease Control Prevention director and the chief medical adviser to the president  resulted in the infection of 70 attendees and counting. (A team of USA TODAY journalists attended the Gridiron.)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Attorney General Merrick Garland are among the high-ranking government leaders who have tested positive for COVID-19 this month.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland

However, with sufficient scrutiny (and humility), this could prove to be another John Snow moment. There are so many unanswered questions about the details of the event  what the protective protocols were, who was impacted, what we thought we knew, what turned out to be wrong  but the answers to those questions can help us do better and save lives in the future.

One of the unanswered questions about the Gridiron dinner harkens directly back to John Snows cholera outbreak: Who was infected? Just as in 1854, we now need thorough and transparent contact tracing so we can ascertain the source of the outbreak and determine precipitating factors.

World Health Organization: Infodemic spreads faster than viruses

Was the index case someone who had been recently infected but followed CDC guidance about leaving isolation early (where a study showed up to 40% may be still infectious)? Was it someone who is immunocompromised and carrying a higher than expected viral load? Was that person carrying a new variant? Knowing these answers helps us prevent the next outbreak.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tested positive for COVID-19 on April 7, her spokesman said.

Contact tracing also means determining everyone who was infected  and this speaks to health equity. So far, weve heard about attendees who were infected, but what about the staff working the event? Its hard to believe that more than 70 attendees were infected but that no workers at the event were  workers who almost certainly had less wealth, were less likely to be insured and had much less choice in whether or not to be there in the first place.

Health care inequity

Every news report of an infected attendee doing well doesnt mention the likely more vulnerable workers who may have been exposed is perpetuating health inequities.

Another source of possible inequity involves availability of treatment. How many of the diagnosed attendees at this event were given oral antiviral treatment  treatment that still isnt available to most Americans and may not have been available to the workers at the event? Suggesting everyone infected has had a mild case without including key variables, such as access to treatment, encourages others to engage in risky behaviors without all the tools and knowledge to protect themselves.

Progressive wrong about Justice Thomas: And they have been for decades

What was the vaccination and boost status of the individuals at the event who were infected? There is important information to be gleaned about whether or not third and fourth shots played a role in who was protected versus who wasnt.

What were the other protective protocols? We know there was no masking requirement. It would be nice to also know whether any ventilation precautions were taken. One of the most helpful but least used preventive measures for gatherings is thought to be promoting proper ventilation.

Dr. Jerome Adams

As with most things involving COVID-19, analysis of this event has been reduced to politics, finger-pointing and hyperbole. That has distracted us from discussing the potentially lifesaving lessons to be gleaned from a critical scientific and health equity assessment.

Simply put, the American people deserve better from the White House COVID response team, public health officials and the news media. But despite politicians and pundits suggesting otherwise, mass gatherings that lead to mass infections cannot become our new normal."

Long COVID is a significant risk

Up to 30% of people experience long-COVID symptoms even after a mild case, so despite the talk of most of the diagnosed doing well, statistically speaking not all of them will feel that way in six or 12 months.

We also cant normalize those with the resources to protect themselves returning to normal at the expense of a service industry that is victimized. Unfortunately, it's looking like it could repeat with the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 30.

Finally, there are many unanswered questions and potentially low-hanging fruit that can accelerate us toward a safer return to normal  if, like John Snow, we only have the courage to challenge conventional wisdom and dig a little deeper.

Dr. Jerome Adams, a former U.S. surgeon general, is a distinguished professor and executive director of health equity initiatives at Purdue University. Follow him on Twitter: @JeromeAdamsMD

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gridiron dinner was a COVID superspreader. Let's learn from it.
A diver holds up an "Illinois the middle of everything" sign during a news conference at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as part of the announcement for a new Illinois tourism campaign on April 18, 2022. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

A $30 million national campaign promoting Illinois tourism with the theme Middle of Everything was unveiled Monday with TV spots directed by and starring actress and Illinois native Jane Lynch.

The spending far outstrips recent tourism efforts by the state, which include the $6 million Time for Me to Drive campaign last summer and a $15 million push in 2019 that touted Amazing destinations across Illinois, from Cave-in-Rock State Park near the Kentucky border to The Ledge glass viewing box atop Willis Tower in Chicago.

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Visitors explore The Ledge glass boxes on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower on April 21, 2021. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

The campaign was introduced by reelection-seeking Gov. J.B. Pritzker during a news conference at Shedd Aquarium. The 30-second ads highlight notable attractions and activities in the state, from Chicagos Navy Pier and Cloud Gate sculpture to Springfields Cozy Dog Drive-In and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, to zip-lining in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.

The ad campaign comes as Illinois, like other states, is trying to move away from the pandemic with businesses and tourist attractions open without any mask or COVID-19 vaccine restrictions.

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According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, visitor spending in the state jumped 12% from $40.5 billion in 2016 to $45.5 billion in 2019 before it dropped 49% in 2020 to $23.3 billion. The agency couldnt provide figures for 2021 or so far in 2022, but its director, Sylvia Garcia, said tourism is rebounding and people are eager to travel.

The campaign kicks off as Pritzker tries to counter Republican criticism over his handling of crime, an issue that will be front and center throughout the election season. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, gun violence has been up not only in Chicago but in other cities throughout the state. He was asked about the effect of crime might have on getting visitors to places like Chicago.

We have so many things to see all across the state, so people will be traveling, I think, both to Chicago and to the rest of the state. As for people who are coming to Chicago, Chicago is really a wonderful place to visit. The people of Chicago are good, decent, hardworking, honest, wonderful people, and nice, Pritzker said.

Of course, the challenges that we have in Illinois and in Chicago are ones were always looking to overcome, he said. But now is a great time to come visit. Maybe a little more sunshine than we have today. And we will have lots of that for the next five, six months.

The $30.3 million TV campaign will span 20 markets across Illinois and seven neighboring states, and will appear nationally on cable TV beginning April 25. A Spanish-language ad will also air in the Chicago market.

Lynch, an Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning actress who said the ads were her first directorial effort, was raised in south suburban Dolton.

Were excited to share Illinois with more visitors from across the country and around the globe, as well as our fellow Illinoisans who may not know about all the amazing attractions and unique destinations they can visit close to home, Garcia said.

An earlier version of this story included incorrect figures for visitor spending in Illinois.

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jgorner@chicagotribune.com
After a federal judge on Monday struck down the federal mask mandate on planes and public transportation, many Americans cheered the decision, while others wondered whether it is safe to go without facial coverings while traveling at a time when COVID-19 cases are back on the rise nationwide.

The Transportation Security Administration said Monday it wouldnt enforce the mask requirement while the White House reviewed whether it would appeal the ruling, according to a Biden administration official.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends that people wear masks while on public transportation or airplanes. To add to the confusion, some local transit authorities (like the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority of Philadelphia) have changed their mask mandates after the ruling while others (like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York City) have kept them intact.

To help offer some guidance on mask wearing, Yahoo News spoke to medical contributor Dr. Lucy McBride, a physician in Washington, D.C, who specializes in internal medicine. (Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.)

Yahoo News: What are some factors to consider when deciding to wear a mask?

Dr. Lucy McBride: Vaccination, ventilation and vigilance  those are the three Vs in mitigating the risk for people who are at highest risk for this virus.

Whether or not you decide to mask in public in a crowded space, in a not-so-crowded space, in a concert, in a bar, in a restaurant with your friends, it really comes down to your medical vulnerabilities, your immune status: have you had Omicron or COVID in the past; have you been vaccinated; which vaccine have you had and how spaced apart has it been; and your tolerance for risk.

There's really no right answer for whether you should [wear a] mask or not. There's no one-size-fits-all behavior recommendation, because in the Omicron era, this is a wildly contagious variant. We can only delay, we cannot prevent an exposure to coronavirus. Unless, of course, we decided to seal ourselves off from the world, which isn't compatible for most people. My job is really to arm people with the tools they need to delay the exposure to the coronavirus, and then protect themselves from the severe consequences with mitigation measures that are proven effective and weigh the harms of ongoing restrictions.

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What are the highest- and lowest-risk situations when it comes to deciding to wear a mask?

The higher-risk situation in which a patient might want to consider a one-way mask is a poorly ventilated, crowded, indoor public space when you don't know the immune status of the people around you, if you yourself are at high risk for serious consequences from COVID and in locations where hospitalization rates are high.

Outdoors, we neednt worry [about wearing a mask].

What is the risk level with public transit?

Public transit, it depends. Airplanes actually have very sophisticated ventilation systems and are probably the lowest risk. There are so many other variables besides just the plane itself. If you had a plane full of people who are teeming with coronavirus, there's no amount of ventilation to make a difference. I would worry less about an airplane than I would a poorly ventilated subway car where people were coughing and sneezing on each other. But I would also have worried about that in 2019, pre-pandemic.

If you're not going to travel on public transport because of a [lifted] mask mandate now, you might not travel again, because this virus is here in perpetuity. I would really encourage people to think about how to protect themselves with the proven mitigation measures we have [COVID-19 vaccines] and use the mask as added protection if you want or need to.

Is a person wearing a mask still protected if everyone else in public isnt wearing one?

One-way masking  meaning an N95 mask that you have well fitted and you don't take off  is not contingent on the people around you. That's not contingent on the behavior of people around you. That's the mental leap we have to get over, is thinking that when other people aren't masked that we can't protect ourselves. We can.

What should people know going forward?

Given how contagious and how transmissible Omicron is, and given that this virus is here in perpetuity, we can't prevent exposure to this virus. We can delay it, and we can minimize the risk of serious outcomes. Which is not to say we should not be careful  it's to say that we need to accept the unpleasant reality that COVID is here to stay. We have to root our policies and our own behaviors in fact, and not this notion that we can avoid this virus forever, because it's not realistic.
The White House on Monday said the United States will continue to provide security and economic assistance to Ukraine, even amid "empty threats" from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of "unpredictable consequences."

Russia, last week, warned the United States and NATO to stop sending Ukraine "sensitive" weapons or risk "unpredictable consequences."

RUSSIA WARNS US OF 'UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES' AMID LATEST ARMS SHIPMENT TO UKRAINE: REPORT

When asked Monday what the Biden administration believes those threatened Russian "consequences" could be, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: "We're not going to comment."

"I'm not going to speculate on empty threats by President Putin or Russian leadership," Psaki said Monday during the White House press briefing. "What we have done is exactly what the president said we would do from the beginning."

Psaki said that was to provide "significant security assistance, economic assistance and support to the Ukrainian people."

"And we're going to continue to do exactly that," Psaki said.

The threats from Russia came after President Biden notified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week that the United States is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance to the country as it fights to defend itself against Russias multi-front war.

Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., over the weekend, floated that the U.S. military may need to send troops to aid in Ukraine.

The president has maintained that he will not send U.S. troops into Ukraine amid Russias multi-front war against the country, and instead, would continue sending military and economic support.

When asked about Coons comments, Psaki on Monday called him "a close friend of the president and the administration," but said that they "just respectfully disagree with his proposal."

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"The president continues tohas no plans to send troops to fight a war with Russia," Psaki said. "He doesnt think thats in our national security interestsin the interests of the American peopleand so what our focus has been on has been obviously providing this historic amount of security assistance, military assistance, weapons to the Ukrainians that has helped them effectively fight this war and economic assistance as well."

"That has been our strategic focus," Psaki said. "Of course, we support the Ukrainians in every way possible, but the president is not going to fight a war with Russia."

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL $800 MILLION IN WEAPONS, SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE

Last month, the Biden administration sent a security package with 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems; 2,000 Javelins, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems; 100 unmanned drones; 100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns; more than 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds; 25,000 sets of body armor; and 25,000 helmets. The equipment was transferred directly from the Department of Defense to the Ukrainian military.

RUSSIAN CONVOY HEADS FOR EASTERN UKRAINE, DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS WEATHER WILL FORCE TROOPS TO STICK TO ROADS

Security aid is continuing to flow into Ukraine unabated, with senior U.S. defense officials telling Fox News last week that "everything were doing in respect to Ukraine is being expedited  everything."

The Biden administration announced $300 million in security assistance and lethal aid earlier this month, which is separate from the $800 million previously authorized in March. That additional $300 million in aid was expected to be used to buy weapons from defense contractors, an official said.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki calls on reporters during the daily news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 08, 2022 in Washington, DC. Psaki fielded questions about the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, the ongoing U.S. support for the people of Ukraine after the Russian invasion and other topics. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

That aid came after U.S. defense officials warned that a Russian convoy appears to be reinforcing its efforts in Donbas.

On Monday, Zelenskyy said in a statement that the battle of Donbas has begun.

"No matter how many soldiers are drawn there, we will defend ourselves," Zelenskyy said Monday. "We will fight. We will not give up anything Ukrainian."
President Biden held a call Tuesday with top U.S. allies to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine as Russia ratchets up its offensive in the east.

Biden was joined by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland and the United Kingdom.

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the General Motors Factory ZERO electric vehicle assembly plant on November 17, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

RUSSIA LAUNCHES FULL-SCALE OFFENSIVE IN EASTERN UKRAINE, DECLARES 'ANOTHER STAGE' OF WAR HAS STARTED

The top leaders discussed "continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable as part of our close coordination," reported Reuters.

Specifics on additional aid to Ukraine have not yet been announced.

The call ended just moments before a senior U.S. defense official warned reporters that Russias second campaign in eastern Ukraine had not yet begun, despite claims made earlier in the day by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov said the offensive had been officially launched and would prove to be a "very important moment of this entire special operation."

Defense officials have warned that Russia is "still refitting units" outside of Ukraine and that tactical battalion groups are still entering the county.

It has been assessed that 78 operational battalion groups have entered eastern Ukraine  an area the size of West Virginia.

Russia maintains roughly 75 percent of the fighting force it first amassed along Ukraines border in the lead-up to the invasion.

Russias actions have been described as a "shaping operation" and a "prelude" to a full-scale attack that officials have warned will likely be even more brutal than what occurred during the first seven weeks of Russias invasion.

The U.S. has provided $2.6 billion in security assistance for Ukraine and the senior defense official said Tuesday that another seven flights transporting military aid will be sent over the next 24-hours.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that President Joe Biden is confident that Senator Dianne Feinstein can still do her job.

Ms Psaki said on Monday that the president was confident that the California Democrat still can do her job.

Yes. Shes a longtime friend, a proud public servant and someone he has long enjoyed serving with and working with, she said, The Hill reported.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that many in Congress, including four US senators, think Ms Feinsteins memory is declining and that she is no longer fit to serve in the Senate. But Ms Feinstein pushed back on the allegation, saying that nobody has brought the issue up to her.

I meet regularly with leaders, she said last week. Im not isolated. I see people. My attendance is good. I put in the hours. We represent a huge state. And so Im rather puzzled by all of this.

Similarly, she said nobody had mentioned her memory to her.

No, that conversation has not happened, she said. The real conversation is whether Im an effective representative for 40 million people.

Mr Biden and Ms Feinstein have known each other for years, going back to Mr Bidens time as a senator, when Ms Feinstein worked on the assault weapons ban that became part of the 1994 Crime Bill that Mr Biden authored.

Ms Feinstein also endorsed Mr Biden in his 2020 presidential run instead of her fellow Californian Kamala Harris, who later became Mr Bidens running mate.

The California Democrat was first elected to the Senate in 1992 and became one of the first two women senators from the state. Earlier this year, her husband Richard C Blum died of cancer.

Ms Feinstein has taken a diminished role in recent years, giving up Democrats top position on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
A new phase of the war between Russia and Ukraine has begun, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday night.

Now we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, he said in a video address about the long-feared, full-scale offensive to take control of Ukraines east.

With a significant part of the entire Russian army now deployed in the region, according to Zelenskyy, heres what you need to know about what could be a turning point in the conflict.

What Has Happened So Far?

On February 24, Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine. Tanks and soldiers streamed across the border, in scenes more reminiscent of World War II than the remote cyber warfare that modern conflict was supposed to be dominated by.

Russias invasion has damaged or destroyed up to 30% of Ukraines infrastructure at a cost of $100 billion, Ukrainian officials have said, as the United Nations revealed the civilian death toll has now surpassed 2,000. About 4 million Ukrainians have fled the country.

But Russias swift march to victory did not materialize. Driven back by Ukrainian resistance in the north, Moscow has refocused its ground offensive in the two eastern provinces known as the Donbas, while launching long-distance strikes at other targets including the capital, Kyiv.

Why Does The Donbas Matter?

The Donbas is Ukraines mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland in the east, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for the past eight years and have declared two independent republics that have been recognised by Russia.

In recent weeks, the Kremlin declared the capture of the Donbas its main goal of the war after its attempt to storm Kyiv failed. After withdrawing from the capital, it began regrouping and reinforcing its ground troops in the east for what could be a climactic battle.

On Monday, Ukraine military generals said Russian forces were increasing assaults in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions  both of which are part of the Donbas  as well as in the area of Zaporizhzhia.

Story continues

They also said Russia was sending reinforcements to the Crimean peninsula  seized from Ukraine in 2014  and to the Rostov-on-Don area, which borders Ukraine.

(Photo: PA Graphics via PA Graphics/Press Association Images)

(Photo: PA Graphics via PA Graphics/Press Association Images)

Zelenskyys chief of staff Andriy Yermak called it the second phase of the war and assured Ukrainians that their forces could hold off the offensive. Believe in our army, it is very strong, he said.

The Associated Press reported a senior U.S. defense official saying there are now 76 Russian combat units in eastern and southern Ukraine, up from 65 last week. That could translate to around 50,000 to 60,000 troops.

Foreign minister: Battle of Donbas will be similar to World War II.



This will not be a local operation based on what we see from Russias preparations, Dmytro Kuleba said, adding that he expects large-scale operations involving thousands of tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft.  The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 7, 2022

Russias stuttering campaign means control of eastern Ukraine has taken added significance, and may prompt the fiercest fighting yet. Russia needs some kind of win recognizing Russias claims in the Donbas and Crimea has also been the central plank of Vladamir Putins demands at failed peace talks  and following the sinking of its Black Sea lead ship, Putin will not be contemplating further embarrassment.

How Did Russia Prepare For The Offensive?

The new offensive in the east came as a Russian missile attack killed seven people in Lviv, the first civilian victims in the western city about 40 miles from Poland. It was one of a multitude of other targets across Ukraine in what appeared to be an intensified bid to grind down the countrys defenses.

Lviv has seen only sporadic attacks during almost two months of war and has become a haven for civilians fleeing the fighting elsewhere.

Now President Zelensky, in a new public address, says Russia has begun the battle for the Donbas and concentrated a large part of its army there for an all-out offensive in eastern Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Itp6VX1ROJ  Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 18, 2022

In other developments, Ukrainian troops remained holed up at a mammoth steel mill in Mariupol, the last known pocket of resistance in the devastated southern port city.

The capture of Mariupol, where Ukraine estimates 21,000 people have been killed, is seen as key, and not just because it would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean peninsula.

General Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, told Sky News that Russia is waging a softening-up campaign ahead of the Donbas offensive.

The U.S. defense official said that if Russian forces succeed in taking full control of Mariupol, that could free up nearly a dozen combat units for use elsewhere in the Donbas.

Is Support From The West Likely To Grow?

Given the changing dynamics of the war, Ukraine is calling for an increasing supply of Western weapons.

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, expanding the aid to include heavy artillery ahead of the wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. military expects to start training Ukrainians on using howitzer artillery in coming days, with the training taking place outside Ukraine.

EXC: Britain will hand Stormer armoured missile launchers to Ukraine to unleash hell on Mad Vlad Putins jets and choppers



Major boost to Ukrainian air defences dubbed 'best kit yet' sent to hero Zelensky after display on Salisbury Plain two weeks ago.https://t.co/yjFIeqWVi1pic.twitter.com/LE4p9l9YTY  Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) April 18, 2022

The Sun reported that U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to provide Ukraine with tank-mounted Stormer armoured missile launchers, another sign the West is prepared to offer as much military hardware as possible without triggering a wider NATO vs. Russia conflict.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Police

A woman was sentenced to just over seven years in prison for a shooting last year.

Jerryctana Woolboy, 31, of Dennehotso, Arizona, was sentenced last week for the February 14, 2021, shooting of a member of the Navajo Nation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of Arizona.

Woolboy shot her gun at an occupied vehicle on Navajo Nation land, causing serious injury to an unidentified passenger, officials said.

Woolboy was sentenced to 85 months in prison after pleading guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Woolboy and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, and the case was investigated jointly by FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.

Woolboy will be released under supervision after finishing her sentence.

Reach breaking news intern Brock Blasdell at Bblasdell@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @BrockBlasdell.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jerryctana Woolboy sentenced for 2021 shooting on Navajo Nation
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand unveiled new sanctions on Tuesday targeting Russias largest banks and financial institutions, in its response to the invasion of Ukraine.

"We are deeply concerned at the reports of brutality from Russian forces," Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said in a statement after the measures were announced.

"New Zealand continues to condemn Putins war and supports the International Criminal Courts investigations into the atrocities committed against the citizens of Ukraine."

She said the central bank and the sovereign wealth fund were among three core government financial bodies affected, as well as eight of Russia's largest banks and seven others with ties to oligarchs, the defence sector and the annexation of Crimea.

Moscow calls its action in Ukraine a "special military operation".

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Servicemen of Donetsk People's Republic militia walk past damaged apartment buildings in an area controlled by Russian-backed separatist forces in Mariupol, Ukraine on Saturday, April 16. AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov

Russian forces continue to bombard the strategic port city of Mariupol as Russia refocuses its war efforts on eastern Ukraine.

An advisor to Zelenskyy said if Putin's forces capture the besieged city, it would end peace talks.

The city is on the brink of falling, though Ukrainian troops have refused to surrender.

An advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that there won't be peace talks with Russia if President Vladimir Putin's forces capture the southern port city of Mariupol.

Oleksiy Arestovych said in a briefing that Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine has entered its second phase  a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region  and will play out in one of three scenarios.

Russian forces will fight to hold ground and maintain territorial dominance in the region or troops will withdraw from the area, Arestovych said in his speech.

The third option is that peace negotiations will resume, Arestovych said. But he added that "there may be no peace talks" if Russian forces capture besieged Mariupol.

"Then our main course of action will be the complete destruction of the enemy, relying on Western aid and the fact that the Russians have no one to get the aid from," Arestovych said.

Mariupol has for weeks been the target of a devastating Russian shelling campaign, which has bombed civilian areas including schools, theaters, shelters, and hospitals.

Ukrainian officials estimate that around 21,000 civilians have died there. Arestovych said Russian forces surrounding Mariupol continue to attack the city, but have failed to completely capture it.

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian forces bombed a steel plant in the southeastern part of the city where Ukrainian soldiers and civilians were holding out.

Russian forces have ordered the remaining pockets of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol to surrender  a request that has been denied.

The city is strategic because it would unlock a vital land bridge from Russian-controlled Crimea to eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, where Russia's renewed offensive began on Monday after it failed to capture the capital city Kyiv.

Story continues

UK intelligence said last week that Ukraine's resistance in Mariupol had tied up a significant number of Russian troops and equipment ahead of the renewed Donbas offensive.

Translations by Oleksandr Vynogradov.

Read the original article on Business Insider
U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, left, and Marie Newman are both running in the Democratic primary for the newly mapped 6th Congressional District (Stacey Wescott and Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Two-term U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove holds a sizable cash advantage over first-term U.S. Rep. Marie Newman of LaGrange in Illinois only one-on-one Democratic incumbent face-off following the recent redrawing of congressional districts, federal campaign records show.

In another closely watched Democratic race, for the new open-seat 3rd Congressional District that includes much of the Northwest Side and western suburbs, Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, carries a money edge over state Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago, records show.

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The reports tally how much money candidates raised from January through March of this year and how much cash they had in their bank accounts as of April 1 as they enter the final months of the June 28 primary campaign.

U.S. Rep. Marie Newman speaks at a strike event outside the WTTW studios in Chicago on March 21, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Casten and Newman are competing in the new 6th Congressional District, with boundaries running from Tinley Park northwest to McKinley Park and from Burbank west to Lisle and Villa Park, after congressional reapportionment reduced Illinois U.S. House delegation from 18 to 17 members as a result of population shifts in the federal census.

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Federal Election Commission reports showed Casten ended the first quarter of 2022 with nearly four times as much cash on hand as Newman.

Casten had more than $2 million in his campaign bank account at the start of April after having raised $787,440 and spent $352,137. He started the year with $1.6 million in the bank, the reports show.

Newman began April with $552,510, and FEC reports show she spent more than she raised in the first quarter of 2022: $252,227 in expenditures and $231,617 in cash raised. She started the year with $573,120.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten speaks at a rally outside the the Art Institute of Chicago on Nov.22, 2021. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Of the four Republican district candidates vying for their partys nomination, former Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, a DuPage County Board member, had the most money available to end the quarter: $309,598. Grasso raised $350,486, which included a $100,000 personal loan, and spent $40,887.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau had $170,092 in available cash as of April 1, while Scott Kaspar, also of Orland Park, had $25,727 at the end of the quarter after lending his campaign $144,251. Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn reported $9,371.

The new 3rd Congressional District was drawn to reflect a growing Latino population in Illinois and stretches from Logan Square west to Addison, Wheaton and West Chicago.

Villegas, the head of the City Council Latino Caucus, reported nearly $600,000 in cash on hand at the start of April. Ramirez, a member of the Illinois House since 2019, had $321,713 on hand. In the three-month period, Villegas raised nearly $400,000 while Ramirez raised $305,759.

State Rep. Delia Ramirez, left, and Ald. Gilbert Villegas are two of the candidates running for the 3rd Congressional District. (Trent Sprague/for the Chicago Tribune)

The FEC did not have updated figures for two other candidates in the race, Iymen Chehade, and Juan Enrique Aguirre.

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In the crowded Democratic race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, Hyde Park businessman Jonathan Swain had more than $321,790 in cash on hand to start April. Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, reported $297,110 in available cash, and Rush-endorsed candidate Karin Norington-Reaves had $237,112 on hand, while civil rights activist Jonathan Jackson had $129,765.

Real-estate agent Nykea Pippion McGriff reported $78,718 in cash on hand while Jacqueline Collins, a state senator since 2003, reported $62,341 in available cash, with 14 others reporting lesser amounts or whose information was not updated on the FEC website. The candidates are seeking to represent the new 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of Chicagos South Side as well as southwest suburban and exurban areas.

In the new 7th District on the West and South Sides, insurgent challenger Kina Collins outraised 24-year veteran Democratic U.S. Rep. Danny Davis in the quarter  $127,570 to $66,840. But Davis still maintained a cash-on-hand advantage of $543,981 to Collins $125,217.

In the new sprawling western 11th Congressional District, which goes from Bolingbrook to Belvidere and Woodstock, six Republicans filed to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville, who has been in the House since 2013.

Catalina Lauf of Woodstock ended the quarter with $148,241 in cash on hand. During the quarter she spent $263,879 while raising $156,144. Trailing her on the cash-on-hand quarterly reports were Jerry Evans of Warrenville with $83,806, Mark Carroll of North Aurora with $3,177 and Cassandra Tanner Miller of Elgin with $1,925. Lauf and Evans were unsuccessful in bids for the GOP nomination in the 14th Congressional District two years ago.

Foster ended the quarter with nearly $4.6 million in his campaign bank account.

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In the new far west and southwest 14th District held by two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville, five Republicans have filed to challenge her. Mike Koolidge of Rochelle, a former right-wing radio talk show host, had $103,955 in cash on hand to start the month of April, ahead of Kendall County Board Chair Scott Gryder of Oswego with $39,741, Kendall County GOP chair and frequent candidate James Marter of Oswego with $39,714 and Jack Lombardi of Manhattan with $30,436 in cash on hand.

In central Illinois 15th Congressional District, in the only one-on-one Republican incumbent matchup for the House, five-term U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville reported $1.9 million in cash on hand to $510,795 for first-term U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Oakland. Miller is backed by former President Donald Trump, who is hosting a fundraiser for Miller at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.

He laid the foundation stone in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO). Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It will emerge as an international hub of global wellness.

I thank PM Modi for USD 250mn investment to establish the centre with an interim office & a 10-yr commitment for operating costs. From the day I spoke to PM Modi, his commitment was amazing & I knew that this centre will be in good hands: WHO DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pic.twitter.com/qyFL4KcI2c  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2022

PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Gujarat. Earlier in the day, he dedicated to the nation a new dairy complex and potato processing plant at Diyodar, Banaskantha district, built at a cost of over Rs. 600 crores.
Come visit the gift shop at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, and there is an above average chance that you will find Karen Russell, one of Jennie Edmundsons valued volunteers.

While scheduled to work in the gift shop one day a week, Karen is always willing to fill in when needed. Her beautiful smile and genuinely good spirits are a welcome reminder that Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital is a place where everyone feels welcome. In addition to her volunteer work at Jennie Ed, Karen is also an active volunteer with Interfaith, a charitable organization that helps those in need with rental and utility costs. Interfaith is a collaborative effort sponsored by several churches in the Council Bluffs area, and has proven to be a very valuable local resource.

Before starting her volunteer career, Karen spent 25 years at Aquila Energy. Upon leaving Aquila, Karen went on to teach special education and para education for the Council Bluffs school system. She retired in May of 2021 after ten years of service.

Karen also has a very busy family life. She is single, has three children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, a few of which live with her. She is also active in her church, and enjoys baking, cooking, and reading. When not busy with those things, you can find her outside, more than likely with her good neighbor and walking partner. When asked what makes a good volunteer, Karen felt that someone who is willing to go out of their way to help others is a good place to start. Other important attributes include a desire to be involved and invested in what you do, liking what you do, and being friendly to all you meet.

As someone who enjoys new experiences and meeting new people, Karen is a perfect fit for the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital volunteer program. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about how to become involved, please contact Lisa Dempsey, volunteer coordinator, at 712-396-6341 or visit www.jehfoundation/volunteers.

 Jennie Edmundson

Hospital
Hempcrete is exactly what it sounds like  concrete mixed with hemp.

It exemplifies the promise of materials made with industrial hemp, according to a local contractor who extolled the cash crops many uses during a Council Bluffs visit by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.

Tamara Brunow, owner of Brunow Contracting, has been interested in using hemp in her contracting and construction work for a number of years.

The uses are pretty fantastic and the strength of hemp is notable and I just think theres so many applications, Brunow said.

Hemp is one of the most versatile, underutilized materials in the country, and Brunow thinks its ready for a popular resurgence. In addition to the pain relief properties of cannabinoid, or CBD, oil derived from hemp, the plant itself can be used to produce everything from paper to textiles to biodegradable plastics and insulation.

The myriad of products with the right team and the right integrated supply chain, can create a wide breadth of products that are economic and differentiated and sustainable, said John Carpenter, president and CEO of Bastlab, a biotechnology company based in Omaha that engineers, manufactures and commercializes high-performance products using bio-based materials, focusing especially on industrial hemp fiber.

Brunow met Carpenter a few years ago and really latched on to the research and development that Bastlab was doing with hemp.

Iowa already has hemp farmers, thanks to the Iowa Hemp Act, which Gov. Reynolds signed into law in 2019. The law allows farmers to purchase licenses to grow up to 40 acres of hemp, which is fine if youre just looking to harvest the CBD oil, but if you want to use hemp plants to make insulation or clothes, youre going to need more. A lot more.

We cant pull enough fiber off of 40 acres, Brunow said. Weve got to get these Montgomery County farmers who have 4,000 acres planting for us.

Being allowed to farm that much hemp would require changing the 40-acre limit set by the Iowa Hemp Act or introducing a separate bill specifically for industrial hemp, Brunow said.

Being able to locally source industrial hemp would be a huge benefit, Carpenter said. Bastlab currently gets its hemp from India.

We spent four years over there, three months at a time, just vetting the different suppliers and getting it stood up, Carpenter said. We did it thinking, its gonna take quite a while for the know-how to come over here and for the regulations to change or whatnot.

Industrial hemp fibers can also be treated to be flame-resistant and hypoallergenic, which opens the door to even more uses.

When I went to the Defense Logistics show years ago  the biggest ask at that time, from the buyers for the government were, we want a flame-retardant, hemp-based fabric for our uniforms, Brunow said.

Brunow and Carpenter want to know why the government is importing industrial hemp-based fabric from other countries when it could be manufactured right here in Iowa.

Carpenter imagines a research and development facility in close proximity to hemp farmland where the crop can be processed. This would cut transportation costs and the international supply chain wouldnt be as much of a factor.

It creates not only an additional crop for farmers, but it also creates jobs in the rural communities, he said. I think its gonna happen in the United States in different places. I think Iowa could be well-suited for it. You have a lot of USDA grants, you have a lot of research.

Ernst left the meeting enthusiastic about the possibilities of industrial hemp farming in Iowa and the crops potential uses.

I think its just wonderful what youre doing and I love it, Ernst said. I just remember, when you talk about the textiles, Im so glad that youve engaged in that as well. I remember, as a young girl, my mom, she loved to sew. I mean, she sewed all of our clothes and just, it was her thing. I kind of have always been fascinated by fabrics or textiles that are made of other types of products, not just cotton or polyester, but theres so much out there that we should be looking at.

Ernst was in Council Bluffs as part of her annual 99 County Tour, a statewide pilgrimage she has undertaken every year since she was elected to the Senate in 2014. Ernst uses the yearly tours to speak with and listen to Iowans from across the state about their concerns and ideas.

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China gains more confidence in understanding universe

09:13, April 19, 2022 By Yu Jianbin ( People's Daily

Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu completed their six-month business trip to space and returned to Earth on April 16, wrapping up the longest crewed mission to space in Chinas aerospace history.

Students from a primary school in Haigang district, Qinhuangdao, north Chinas Hebei province attend a live class given by Chinese astronauts from China's space station Tiangong, Dec. 9, 2021. (Peoples Daily Online/Cao Jianxiong)

From launching extra-vehicular activities (EVAs) to completing the first autonomous docking between a cargo ship and the core module of the space station, and from witnessing the first spacewalk conducted by a Chinese woman to setting a record for China's crewed space mission duration, the 183-day mission has completed a series of experiments and technological verification, laying a solid foundation for subsequent construction of the space station.

The Shenzhou-13 mission marked a historic transition of Chinas aerospace undertaking. The successful mission comprehensively verified the critical technologies required for the construction of the space station and paved a path for subsequent in-orbit assembly and construction.

The three astronauts great performance stemmed from the confidence of Chinas aerospace industry and the innovation of Chinas aerospace technologies.

Wearing Chinas independently developed EVA suit Feitian, they calmly completed extra-vehicular activities that were both dangerous and stunning. With a space network that was times faster than 5G, they shared magnificent space views 400 kilometers above the Earth and gave live classes to students.

Previously, Chinese astronauts had to take cargoes and materials in spaceships when leaving the Earth, but the Tianzhou-2 cargo ship acted as a space courier this time, delivering materials to the astronauts.

The aerospace progress driven by Chinas independent innovation is constantly improving the Chinese peoples ability to enter and exit from the space, and realizing more of their space dreams.

As Wang Yaping encouraged the young generation in a letter she replied to middle school students to build their own spaceships of dreams with wisdom and sweats, realizing dreams takes both actions and perseverance.

An aerospace science popularization activity is held at a kindergarten in Daying county, Suining, southwest Chinas Sichuan province, March 22, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Liu Changsong)

This year commemorates the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinas manned space engineering project. The countrys perseverance in the past three decades will eventually result in the realization of the countrys three-step strategy for manned space program.

In the past 30 years, Chinas aerospace industry has made astonishing achievements, such as extending crewed space mission duration from days to half a year and building a spacious and comfortable space station.

What is also noteworthy is Chinas efforts to continuously implement its aerospace strategies. Chinese aerospace personnel have made stable progress and led the country to an era of space station. The achievements nowadays are rewards of their perseverance.

As an important indicator of national sci-tech level and capability, Chinese aerospace has achieved considerable strides toward sci-tech independence with self-confidence and self-reliance, significantly inspiring the society to make further innovations.

A child visits an aerospace exhibition at the Ningxia Science and Technology Museum, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, April 17, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Yuan Hongyan)

The cosmos is immense and exploration of it will never be completed. The construction of the space station is an important milestone of Chinas aerospace undertaking and will make groundbreaking contributions to mankinds peaceful exploitation of space.

This year will be a year of decisive victory for the construction of the space station. The in-orbit construction of the space station remains arduous, and the building of a stable in-orbit national space lab still confronts obstacles.

It is believed that Chinese astronauts will explore the universe with more confidence and the Chinese people will undoubtedly have more profound knowledge of the enormous space.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Chicago businessman and mayoral candidate Willie Wilson announced he will be giving away another $1 million in gas this Saturday, a move that will provide some relief for city motorists but also, once again, raises thorny questions about Wilson providing handouts to potential voters.

In March, Wilson gave away $1.2 million in free gas over two events at several city and suburban gas stations. Citing skyrocketing gasoline prices in recent months, Wilson  who has a history of practicing sometimes unorthodox, grassroots philanthropy  said he is just trying to help struggling residents.

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But this most recent gas giveaway announcement on Tuesday comes just one week after Wilson formally declared his intention in 2023 to succeed Lori Lightfoot as Chicagos mayor, the third time Wilson will be a Chicago mayoral candidate.

Four years ago, state election officials cleared Wilson of violating election law after he was accused as a mayoral candidate of improperly mixing politics and charity work when he handed out tens of thousands of dollars to potential voters at a South Side church.

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On Tuesday, Wilson said he wasnt worried about anyone raising similar claims this time around because hes been consistent about giving money to those in need for more than 25 years. Those who might have an issue with his philanthropy leading up to and during elections in which he is a candidate should look at themselves, he said.

Go out there and help those people who are homeless, that dont have food, that are still sick with COVID-19, he said. Go out there with the people who cant get to work, who cant get to a babysitter. Go out there and tell those people you stopped giving because of some political season. Im not that way.

Vote-buying is illegal, but candidates and political figures are generally allowed to give away money or other resources as long as it isnt explicitly tied to politics.

Wilson came under scrutiny after in 2018 he handed out more than $200,000 in cash and checks to people at a South Side church for an event he attended with then-Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a watchdog organization now called Reform for Illinois, filed a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections that alleged Wilson violated state law by not reporting the money he gave away at the church as an in-kind contribution to Wilsons mayoral political committee.

Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson at his home in The Residences at The St. Regis tower in Chicago after announcing April 19, 2022, that he will pay for a third gasoline giveaway. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

While the Wilson campaign maintained the nonprofit Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation is a separate organization from his political operation, the political reform group noted the two groups used the same spokesman and that scenes from the July 2018 event were shown on the Wilson for Mayor political campaigns Facebook page.

The elections board eventually rejected the complaint, agreeing with the Wilson campaign that the church giveaway was part of a long-established practice by Wilson and unrelated to the campaign.

Alisa Kaplan, Reform for Illinois current executive director, said voters can draw their own conclusions about the ethical implications of gas or cash giveaways during an election, regardless of whether theyre properly disclosed.

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You could certainly see where reasonable observers might think it comes close to vote-buying, but theres nothing in the law that prohibits it if its properly disclosed and candidates arent pretty explicitly soliciting or influencing votes, Kaplan said. And of course elected officials do things like turkey giveaways under the umbrella of charity. You couldnt blame anyone, especially people in need, for taking advantage of these events, but they certainly raise ethical questions about the use of charity and giveaways to boost the candidates electoral chances.

The ability to give away large sums of money is yet another advantage the wealthy have in electoral politics, and the interplay between charity and campaigning may become a bigger and bigger problem, Kaplan said.

Brian Pryor, a spokesman for the state elections board, said the board cant provide legal advice but can give out general guidelines.

In order to avoid problems, our campaign disclosure staff suggests the charitable giveaway should be kept separate from political activities. The recommendation is that there should be no campaign signs, campaign speeches or other advertising related to Mr. Wilsons candidacy, as well as no appeals to vote for him, Pryor said. The same would go for promotion of the giveaway event.

Southwest Side Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, who has also announced his candidacy for mayor in the 2023 elections, said Wilsons philanthropy is well known and didnt take issue with this weeks announced gas giveaway.

To say you have a problem with it now would be politics in and of itself, Lopez said this week. I know Dr. Wilson has helped our wards, our city, with his efforts, most notably during the pandemic when he donated masks to the city of Chicago. Nobody questioned if it was politics.

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In the 2018 case, a state hearing officer, James Tenuto, said the church cash giveaway event didnt violate state law for various reasons, including that there were no political speeches at the event, there was no requirement recipients be registered voters, people in attendance werent urged to vote and suburban taxpayers made up 25% of the recipients.

Most significantly, Willie Wilson has a 30-year history of charitable donations throughout the country, Tenuto said.

Wilson celebrated the election boards favorable ruling by promising to do it again and criticizing then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was not party to the complaint.

I dont usually curse, but these guys, Rahm Emanuel, (this) lawyer guy here, theyre a bunch of a------- (for) even thinking of doing something like this, Wilson said.

Former state senator and paid Wilson adviser Rickey Hendon also defended Wilson by denying that he was buying votes.

Theyve accused this man of buying votes, and I just have to say it  buying votes on the West Side, South Side, votes about $5, $10, said Hendon. So if Willie Wilson is giving somebody $3,000, as an adviser, Id be like, youre overpaying by 1,500%. Because if we wanted to buy votes, its 5, 10 bucks on the West Side and South Side, so lets just be real about that.

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After Wilsons first gas giveaways, 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, and she denied her move was a reaction to Wilson.

In announcing his latest gas donation, Wilson said a list of participating gas stations would be made available on his Facebook page. He also called on city and state leaders to temporarily waive taxes on gasoline and asked gas station owners to lower their prices during Saturdays giveaway so that more people can benefit.

It saddens my heart to see people who cannot get to work because of gasoline, Wilson said. Im going to go this Saturday, and were going to pump some more gas like we did last time.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com

sahmad@chicagotribune.com
Libyas National Oil Company (NOC) announced on Monday the halt of operations at two major oil sites, the Zouetina terminal and the Al-Charara field, after several other facilities were shut down in connection with protests and political rivalries.

The blockades come at a time when Libya, struggling to turn the page on the years of Muammar Gaddafis regime overthrown in 2011, is in the grip of a serious institutional crisis, with two rival executives.

In February, the parliament in the east of the country appointed Fathi Bachagha as the new head of government. But he has still not succeeded in ousting the current executive in Tripoli led by Abdelhamid Dbeibah, who refuses to hand over power until elections are held.

Considered close to the eastern camp, the groups blocking the oil sites are demanding equitable distribution of revenues and the transfer of executive power to Mr. Bachagha.

The suspension follows the refusal to let Prime Minister Fathi Bachagha enter Libya. After meeting in Tunis with several military officials from the west, Libyan Prime Minister Fathi Bachagha attempted to enter Libya to reach Tripoli through the Tunisian border, but was prevented by forces loyal to the government of Abdelhamid Dbeibah.

As a result, oil exports have been suspended after the closure of several oil fields and terminals in the south and east of the country, occupied by civilian groups sympathetic to Fathi Bachagha.

In a statement, the NOC regretted the beginning of a painful wave of closures of oil facilities, while oil and gas prices are soaring on international markets under the impact of the war in Ukraine. After the forced closure on Sunday of the al-Fil field (south), employees working in facilities in Zouetina (east), Mellitah (north-west), al-Sarrir (east) and Al Khaleej (east) have been forced to stop production completely and gradually, according to the company.

Production at the Abu Al-Tifl (east), al-Intissar (east), al-Nakhla (east) fields also ceased on Sunday as did gas production at plants affiliated to these sites and at the port of Zouetina, where a group of individuals forced their way in to force employees to stop operations, the NOC said.

A few hours later, the NOC announced that it was forced to declare a state of force majeure until further notice on al-Sharara field, one of the countrys largest fields located in the southwest of the country. A group of individuals pressured workers at the al-Sharara oil field, forcing them to gradually stop production, said a statement from the NOC.
Morocco and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to draw a roadmap for the creation of an integrated industrial system to increase investment opportunities and promote employment between the two kingdoms.

The announcement was made during a meeting in Jeddah, between Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, and Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, who is leading the Moroccan delegation to the Moroccan-Saudi Business Forum.

According to Mezzour, the two sides agreed to work on a number of sectors, particularly innovation, human capital and the integrated competitiveness between the industrial systems of the two countries to enter the markets with a double added value.

As part of its industrial policy, Morocco is committed to the diversification of its products and exports in order to strengthen trade between the two countries, the minister said in a statement to MAP, explaining that the goal is not diversification per se, but rather the integration of production chains and industrial and commercial value.

He stressed that Morocco aims to benefit from the huge potentials offered by Saudi Arabia, especially in terms of car exports, which have recently experienced a remarkable revival, as well as the agricultural sector which has begun to direct its attention to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf market in general to meet urgent demands and take advantage of the huge potentials in this area.

The minister further stressed the importance of working on the logistical system to create a maritime line between the two countries, calling on both sides to work together to reduce the exorbitant cost of maritime transport.

In his address before the Moroccan-Saudi Business Forum, Ryad Mezzour urged economic stakeholders in the two countries to step up efforts in order to build effective strategic partnerships, through better exploitation of the industrial complementarity between the two countries and the enormous potential offered within the framework of a win-win relationship for both sides, while taking into account mutual interests.

The Moroccan official voiced the Moroccan governments full support for the objectives of this partnership, as well as the particular interest it takes in its development so as to meet the expectations of the two peoples.

Mezzour who reviewed the results of bilateral relations, said that Saudi Arabia is Moroccos leading partner in the Arab world, noting that the overall value of trade between the two countries reached 17.2 billion dirhams ($1.76 billion) in 2021.

Moroccos imports amounted to 16.40 billion dirhams ($1.68 billion) in 2021, while exports reached 771 million dirhams ($79 million), Mezzour said, adding that Saudi direct investments in Morocco, in the sectors of industry, real estate, tourism and agriculture, amounted to 246 million dirhams (26.6 million dollars) in 2020.

Mezzour also held a side meeting with Saudi trade minister Majid ben Abdullah Al Qasabi.

During this meeting, the Saudi official voiced his countrys intention to increase the number of Moroccan workers from 22,000 to nearly 500,000 within the frame of its new investment strategy focusing on human capital.

Al Qasabi said Saudi Arabia is determined to strengthen further economic & trade relations with Morocco, stressing the need to enhance contacts between the two countries private sectors and work hand in hand for joint access to emerging markets.

Al Qasabi also called for increasing the Moroccan and Saudi investments injected in both countries for shared dividends, development and prosperity.
The Lincoln County commissioners on Monday selected Jason Schultz to be the new county highway superintendent.

The discussion after the two interviews highlighted the difficulty of choosing between two well-qualified individuals, Schultz and Brian Glos, current road construction foreman with the county.

Chairman Chris Bruns spoke with The Telegraph after the meeting.

It was extremely difficult from the outset doing our initial interviews, Bruns said. We had several candidates and interviewed four.

He said all four candidates were capable of handling the job, but they narrowed it down to two.

The interviews that we had (Monday) just reinforced how difficult the decision is, Bruns said. The candidates both had different strengths and weaknesses in different areas as was apparent in the line of questioning that we provided.

Ultimately, Bruns said he believes the board picked the right candidate.

We look forward to working with Jason as the years progress, Bruns said, and seeing what he does in that department to create efficiencies and improve our county roads.

The first motion from the board was to hire Glos, which failed by a 2-3 vote. Commissioners Joe Hewgley and Micaela Wuehler voted for Glos, while Bruns, Kent Weems and Jerry Woodruff voted against.

The second motion was to approve Schultz for the position, and the vote was 3-2 along the same lines.

Wuehler and Hewgley said they heard from people in the community who were appreciative of and supported hiring Glos. From her own observations, Wuehler was confident in Glos skills and qualifications.

He did a fantastic job, Wuehler said about Glos taking over the department under difficult circumstances following the dismissal of previous highway superintendent Carla ODell.

He has grown and shown an interest in learning, Wuehler said. I am impressed with his ability to bring people together.

Hewgley said the decision was difficult for him as well.

They are two obviously qualified good people with different skill sets and different strengths, Hewgley said.

Schultz has worked 30 years in the construction industry, including 15 years at his current position with IHC Scott out of Denver.

During Mondays interview, Weems asked Schultz what his strategic vision for the department would be.

Im not sure until I have a chance to evaluate the positions, Schultz said. Its difficult to pinpoint specific areas.

Schultz said he has had a lot of experience with building teams and said accountability would be high on his list.

There are different ways to handle accountability, Schultz said, and he would tailor his approach to the individual.

Within the first 30 to 60 days, Schultz said, he would look at areas within the department and identify those that need improvement and places to improve efficiency.

Schultz began with IHC Scott as a senior project manager and was promoted to his current position as Denver area equipment department manager.

He and his wife, Torri, have lived in North Platte for 3 years and have a son who lives here with his family as well.

Bruns said Glos would remain in his position with the county and said he loves Lincoln County and wants to do whatever is best for the department.

The commissioners also voted to work out an interlocal agreement with the city of North Platte for two asphalt overlay projects. The two sections are on Walker Road east of Buffalo and west of Buffalo on State Farm Road.

The city will be working on overlay projects at those locations and agreed to work with the county since the contractors would already be in place.

Glos, who represented the County Roads Department on the item, said there will not likely be any companies bidding on asphalt projects for the rest of the year due to high prices. The two cooperative projects with the city would be priced at $130 a ton, but costs are expected to be much higher for the rest of the year due to rising oil prices, he said.

The commissioners also:

 Approved a report from County Treasurer Alex Gurciullo on personal and real property taxes that are uncollectible and need to be stricken from the record.

 Authorized Bruns to sign the Nationwide Click It or Ticket grant request for the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office.

 Appointed Micaela Wuehler and Kent Weems to the Sandhills Resource, Conservation, and Development Council and approved paying the 2022 dues of $50.

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A 41-year-old Glendale, Colorado, man has been charged after being arrested at a rest stop in Brady on Sunday.

Brett E. Avila made an initial court appearance in Lincoln County Court Monday afternoon. He has a felony charge of being in possession of 10-27 grams of methamphetamine, and a misdemeanor charge of theft by receiving stolen property with a value of $500 or less.

Bail was set at 10% of $25,000 and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 28.

According to a Nebraska State Patrol media release and court records:

About 1:30 p.m. Sunday, the State Patrol was alerted to a shoplifting incident at Walmart in Lexington. A short time later, a trooper located a Toyota Prius, believed to be connected to the shoplifting, at a rest area near mile marker 194 on westbound Interstate 80.

A search of the vehicle found numerous stolen items, as well as multiple baggies of methamphetamine.
In the last three months, more than 700 railroaders have walked off the job at BNSF because of the attendance policy, according to the union.
Nevada Democratic senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

From one perspective, Democrats have a positive Senate landscape for 2022. They are defending only 14 seats, compared with 20 for Republicans. None are in states Donald Trump carried in 2020, while Republicans are defending three seats in states carried by Joe Biden. Yet three Democratic seats are in states Biden carried by an eyelash (Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada), which means, in the event of a Republican wave election, they could be extremely vulnerable. A lot of attention is being paid to Nevada, in part because Democrats are vulnerable to top-to-bottom ballot losses and in part because the state provides yet another example of the latest big freakout for the Donkey Party: growing problems with Latino voters.

The peculiar vulnerability of Nevada Democrats is the product of a risky redistricting gambit made by the Democratic-controlled state legislature and approved by Democratic governor Steve Sisolak, who, like U.S. senator Catherine Cortez Masto, is up for reelection this year. Nathaniel Rakich explains in a FiveThirtyEight chat:

When Democrats set out to redraw Nevadas four congressional districts, they could have virtually guaranteed that Nevada would elect at least two Democratic representatives by drawing two safely blue seats. But they decided to roll the dice and draw three less secure Democratic seats instead.

In most elections under the new map, wed expect Democrats to win all three seats around Las Vegas, while Republicans would win only the 2nd District in rural northern Nevada. But in a red wave election, the map could severely backfire on Democrats: It would just take a 5-percentage-point Republican overperformance for the GOP to hit the jackpot and win all four of Nevadas House seats.

A five-point overperformance is well within the realm of possibility in a midterm wave election. And that type of breeze at the pachyderms back could sweep away both Cortez Masto and Sisolak.

Worse yet, Nevada Democrats have gradually been losing vote share in recent elections even as they continued to win, despite a diversification of the electorate that, in theory, should have helped them, as FiveThirtyEights Harry Enten explains:

The problem for Democrats who rely on Hispanic voters is that then-President Donald Trump did better with Hispanics nationally in 2020 than any Republican since Bush in 2004. The trend among Hispanics away from the Democratic Party has continued during the Biden administration 

Only White voters in Wisconsin (65%) are more likely to lack a college degree than White voters in Nevada (64%) among the states that were decided by 5 points or less in the 2020 presidential election.

Nevada was the only swing state that was in the top three when looking at the percentage of Hispanic voters and of White voters without a college degree.

So two Democratic problems are coinciding in Nevada, and as Ruy Teixeira points out, Democrats are losing working-class votes in Nevada particularly among Hispanic and even Black voters. As Teixeira has been arguing, the white-working-class crisis all Democrats know about is becoming a working-class crisis more generally:

Democrats have generally comforted themselves that their poor performance among the working class was purely a matter of white working-class voters, who they presumed were motivated by retrograde racial and cultural attitudes. But since 2012, nonwhite working-class voters have shifted away from the Democrats by 18 margin points, with a particularly sharp shift in the last election and particularly among Hispanics. This gives Democrats nonchalance about their losing record among working-class voters a bit of a whistling-past-the-graveyard quality.

Thats an especially disturbing trend in Nevada. Yes, 2012 was an unusually good year for Democratic working-class prospects, but Barack Obama isnt walking through the door to help reclaim these votes anytime soon.

Neither is the legendary Nevada Democratic kingpin Harry Reid, Cortez Mastos predecessor and mentor, who died last December. Reid is credited with putting together a powerful labor-based get-out-the-vote operation that won many a close election (including Cortez Mastos in 2016 and his own last election in 2010). Today, long-simmering conflicts between progressive and centrist Democrats (dating back to a wild battle between supporters of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in 2016) still fester.

The usual split among Republicans between hard-core MAGA fans who support Trumps 2020 stolen-election fables and more staid GOP politicians who want to look ahead exists in Nevada too. In fact, one of Trumps closest Nevada allies, former attorney general (and unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial candidate) Adam Laxalt, is expected to win the June primary to face Cortez Masto (though Trump-skeptic rival and combat veteran Sam Brown is giving him a challenge). As the grandson of a renowned Nevada senator and governor and the son of a New Mexico senator, Laxalt may have higher name ID than the incumbent, who has been criticized by some observers for keeping too low a profile.

Polls are showing Cortez Masto leading Laxalt among registered voters while trailing among likely voters, probably a reflection of depressed Democratic enthusiasm at this stage in the 2022 cycle. The most recent poll the incumbent was leading, however, showed her well below 50 percent; President Bidens job-approval ratings in the state have been regularly underwater as well. Objective conditions in Nevada arent positive for incumbents, either, as a recent New York Times analysis noted:

Scars from the coronavirus pandemic are still visible here. Housing prices skyrocketed, with rents rising faster than almost anywhere else in the country. Roughly 10,000 casino workers remain out of work. Gas prices, now more than $5 a gallon, are higher than in every other state except California.

Democrats need a turnaround to hang on to their power in Nevada, while Democrats need Nevada nationally to hang on to their slim odds of holding the House and their better (but fragile) odds of holding the Senate. If they lose it all in Nevada, it will likely be a terrible midterm overall.
Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

This post was updated to include Netflixs share price Wednesday morning.

Netflix was supposed to be the antidote to the bloated world of cable television. Remember back when you had those low gray boxes on your console? Youd click through hundreds of channels, spending a fraction of a second glancing at one low-budget show after another, and feel  after all that  that there was nothing on TV. Of course, there was plenty to watch, but the problem was none of it was good. So when the pandemic hit, things were very good for Netflix, just as things were good for all kinds of businesses that ask you to do nothing more than sit on your ass. But now Netflix is an expensive, swollen monster of a company thats not very different from its competitors. Why pay $20 a month for a premium subscription when youre not even sure if that new show you want to watch is Apple+, or Disney+, or Hulu?

How bad are things? Heres how Netflix put it in its first quarterly earnings report for 2022: Our revenue growth has slowed considerably as our results and forecast below show. During the first three months of this year, 200,000 subscribers decided theyd had enough. This is the first time Netflix has lost subscribers since 2011, according to the number crunchers at Bloomberg. And its getting worse: Netflix predicts that another 2 million paying subscribers will bolt by the end of June. This is particularly bad in light of the companys forecast from January that it would add 2.5 million subscribers during the first half of the year  which was considered really bad at the time, even though the company still thought it would be growing. This most recent report caused Netflix stock to crater about 25 percent in after-hours stock trading, erasing about $38 billion off its market capitalization  usually the kind of punch to the gut thats reserved for people named Mark Zuckerberg. [Update: Netflix shares fell as much as 37 percent on Wednesday morning, erasing about $50 billion from its market capitalization. Thats the companys biggest drop in a decade, and the lowest point since January, 2018].

Of course, theres a lot more going on here. Netflix blamed a large chunk of the subscriber loss on the war in Ukraine, since it pulled out of Russia and lost 700,000 subscribers with it. (The company says that if it werent for its exiting Russia, it would have added a half a million subscribers  still well below its forecast). Netflix is still huge  it has 222 million subscribers worldwide  but about 100 million households are sharing passwords, with about a third of those in the U.S. and Canada, according to the company. That may end soon, though, as the company pilots more expensive account-sharing programs in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru. And more than that, the pandemic economy is crumbling under two strains: the fact that people are leaving their homes and the fact that just about everything is getting more expensive.

Maybe we should have seen this coming. Last week, before Netflix published its earnings, the film-and-TV website Screencrush published a weird and funny list about dud movies and shows that had inexplicably become hits around the world, like Blitz, the 2011 Jason Statham vehicle thats Netflixs most watched movie in Italy, or Men In Black: International, the one without Will Smith, which was No. 1 throughout the Middle East. And this was before The Slap. As goofy as all that is, it points to another problem: Netflix spent more than $13 billion on original content last year, and people apparently arent watching it all that much. Yes, there have been hits, such as Squid Game and Love Is Blind, but there are also shows that are so bad and pointless  like Is It Cake?, a game show where people guess if things are real or are cakes in disguise  that as I watch them I am forced to consider that one day I will die, and Ill look back on my life and the part of it when I yelled at the screen that no, thats not in fact a cake. But I still have a Netflix subscription, so jokes on me.
Chicago Heights resident Don Turnow holds a photocopy of an altered version of a check he had written for $10 that was inflated to $9,500. (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown) (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown)

It started out innocently in early December, when Chicago Heights resident Don Tornow, a Daily Southtown subscriber, sent a check for a holiday tip to his delivery person.

The $10 check somehow was altered to show a payment of $9,500 and was cashed two months later. Tornow spent weeks working with his bank to get the money returned to his account.

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Tornow, 85, said he believes he was the victim of mail theft, because he sent three checks, including the $10 one, at the same time. The two other checks, for his water and gas bills, were never cashed and Tornow later voided them.

Chicago Heights police are investigating the forgery incident, noted in a Feb. 22 police report, but said they could offer no other comment because the investigation is ongoing.

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The initial incident report does not reference a possible mail theft but rather a forgery.

On Feb. 7, an altered check bearing the same number as the $10 check Tornow wrote Dec. 6 to the newspaper carrier, was cashed and $9,500 was withdrawn from his Chase Bank account. A facsimile of the check shows it apparently being made payable to Tatiana Swan, with a date of Feb. 6. That is not the name of the newspaper delivery person who had solicited holiday tips.

Funds were withdrawn from Tornows account the following day. The altered check shows other information, such as the bank routing number, and it is difficult to decipher the names on the signature line on the front of the check as well as the endorsement line on the back of it.

Tornow says he is at a loss to explain how his $10 check was altered to show an amount approaching $10,000 and that police have told him theyre not entirely sure what happened.

The scamming today is unbelievable, Tornow said. People have learned to get around the system.

Tornow said that, with the help of Chicago Heights police, he was able to get the $9,500 returned to his account in early March. He said he learned, through police, the check was cashed at a bank other than Chase.

A representative with Chase said the bank could not comment on a specific customer account but that we understand that the customer is satisfied with the resolution.

Tornow said that there had been a flyer tucked inside his newspaper with the delivery persons name and address, thanking the customer for letting me serve you this year and asking that all gifts & donations be forwarded to his address in Markham.

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Tornow said when he noticed on his January bank statement the $10 check hadnt been cashed, he sent two letters to the delivery person asking about it, but did not get a response.

It was not clear whether the news carrier got the $10 check, and Tornow wonders if it was stolen from a mailbox.

I saw an article in the Southtown about (mail thefts) and thought maybe it happened to me, he said.

Mailboxes in front of the Chicago Heights post office in 2019, when the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated a series of thefts from mail collection boxes in Chicago Heights. According to an employee from one business, the store's mail was compromised after being dropped off at these boxes. (Zak Koeske / Pioneer Press)

Tornow said he dropped off three checks in early December  the utility payments and the check that was later forged  at an outside collection box at the Chicago Heights post office.

Messages left Tuesday with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Chicago Heights police regarding possible mail thefts from that location were not immediately returned.

Thefts of mail at collection points outside post offices in the Chicago suburbs have resulted in investigations by postal authorities in recent months.

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In late 2019, postal inspectors were involved following several reports of checks being stolen from mail collection points in Chicago Heights, including those in front of the post office.

In New Lenox, three outside mail collection boxes were removed at the post office there earlier this year as postal authorities investigated a report of theft of mail. Initially, two of the boxes had been secured with tape in a way to prevent them from being used.

The boxes were removed at some point after New Lenox police investigated a Feb. 21 incident in which one of the boxes was pried open.

Thefts of mail containing checks have occurred in other Chicago suburbs, according to an investigation by the Chicago Tribune and another Tribune suburban publication, Pioneer Press.

The report showed numerous instances of checks mailed from the Park Ridge post office that had been intercepted, altered and cashed by people who were not the intended recipients.

A Dolton man, Kelvin Dortch Jr., has been charged in federal court in connection with alleged mail thefts at the Park Ridge post office, and a status hearing in that case is set for April 29.

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Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Several days after Dortchs arrest last September, the three connected mailboxes outside the Park Ridge post office were, like in New Lenox, taped off and sealed, preventing them from being used, and new boxes later installed.

Par Ridder, general manager for the Chicago Tribune, said the company did not have a comment on the matter regarding the check Tornow sent to his newspaper delivery person.

Tornow said the incident has left him nervous about sending checks in the mail, but at the same time he doesnt like the idea of having funds taken from his account automatically for bills such as utilities.

Im running scared now, he said.

Tornow said he had to change his bank account after the check incident.

It really screwed my whole life up, he said.

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mnolan@tribpub.com
OLDWICK, N.J., April 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best will participate in a panel discussion focused on the increasing role of private equity in the insurance industry during the upcoming 2022 Life Insurance Conference hosted in part by LIMRA, which will take place April 25-27, in Tampa, FL.

Rosemarie Mirabella, director, will participate in the discussion titled, "Private Equity and the Life Insurance Industry," which is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 26, at the JW Marriott, 510 Water St., Tampa, FL. Recent years have seen a growing increase in the prominence of private equity firms involved in insurance merger and acquisition activity and reinsurance transactions.

Mirabella oversees a team of AM Best analysts who are responsible for monitoring and evaluating a myriad of insurance companies that operate in the personal lines, commercial lines and life/annuity segments in the United States and Canada.

In addition to LIMRA, the event is also being hosted by the Life Office Management Association (LOMA), the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). For more information on the 2022 Life Insurance Conference, please visit the event page and agenda.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2022 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005909/en/

Contacts

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com



Jim Peavy

Director, Communications

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

james.peavy@ambest.com
MELBOURNE, Australia, April 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm, said: "We made notable progress during the quarter with the commencement of underground mining at Oyu Tolgoi following a comprehensive agreement reached with the Government of Mongolia, completed the acquisition of the Rincon lithium project in Argentina, and signed a framework agreement at the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea. These projects are all aligned with our strategy of growing in materials essential to a decarbonising world.

"Production in the first quarter was challenging as expected, re-emphasising a need to lift our operational performance. We launched seven more deployments of the Rio Tinto Safe Production System, building on the achievements from the previous rollouts. As we ramp up Gudai-Darri, our iron ore business will have greater production capacity and be better placed to produce additional tonnes of Pilbara Blend in the second half.

"We released an independent report on our workplace culture and are implementing all 26 recommendations to make positive and lasting changes. We also announced an agreement with the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation on a new co-designed management plan to ensure the protection of significant social and cultural heritage values.

"These actions will ensure we continue to deliver attractive returns to shareholders, as we invest in sustaining and growing our portfolio, be a partner and employer of choice and progress our ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions."

Production* Quarter 1

2022 vs Q1

2021 vs Q4

2021 Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis) (Mt) 71.5 -8% -15% Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis) (Mt) 71.7 -6% -15% Bauxite (Mt) 13.6 0% +4% Aluminium (kt) 736 -8% -3% Mined Copper (kt) 125 +4% -5% Titanium dioxide slag (kt) 273 -2% +20% IOC iron ore pellets & concentrate (Mt) 2.4 +3% -4% *Rio Tinto share unless otherwise stated

Q1 2022 operational highlights and other key announcements

Story continues

The safety, health and well-being of our workforce and the communities in which we operate are key priorities for our business. Our all-injury frequency rate of 0.33 is an improvement from the first quarter of 2021 (0.36), and an improvement against the prior quarter (0.41). We experienced increased COVID-19 cases on-site in the Pilbara following the Western Australian border opening and spikes in cases across our other operations. We continue to monitor new variants and will remain vigilant.

Pilbara operations had a challenging first quarter, as expected. We produced 71.7 million tonnes (100% basis), 6% lower than the first quarter of 2021. Pilbara shipments in the first quarter were 71.5 million tonnes (100% basis), 8% lower than the first quarter of 2021. We expect increased production volumes and improved product mix in the second half with the commissioning and ramp up of Gudai-Darri, commissioning of the Robe Valley wet plant and improved mine pit health. Full year shipments guidance remains unchanged.

Bauxite production of 13.6 million tonnes was in line with the first quarter of 2021 with similar wet weather disruptions as the corresponding period.

Aluminium production of 0.7 million tonnes was 8% lower than the first quarter of 2021 due to reduced capacity at our Kitimat smelter in British Columbia following the strike which commenced in July 2021. Preparations continue for the Kitimat smelter to progressively restart from June 2022 with full ramp up expected by the end of the year. All our other smelters continued to have stable performance, despite considerable challenges related to unplanned employee absences due to COVID-19.

Mined copper production of 125 thousand tonnes was 4% higher than the first quarter of 2021 due to higher recoveries and grades at Kennecott, partly offset by lower grades at Oyu Tolgoi and lower throughput at Escondida. On 1 April, we announced a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement had been reached with unions representing approximately 1,300 employees at the Kennecott operation.

On 25 January, we announced we had reached agreement with Turquoise Hill Resources and the Government of Mongolia to move the Oyu Tolgoi project forward, resetting the relationship between the partners and increasing the value the project delivers for Mongolia. This step unlocks the most valuable part of the mine, with first sustainable production expected in the first half of 2023.

On 14 March, we announced we had made a non-binding proposal to the Turquoise Hill Board to acquire the approximately 49% of the issued and outstanding shares of Turquoise Hill that Rio Tinto does not currently own. The proposed acquisition price is C$34 per share which values Turquoise Hill minority shareholdings at US$2.7 billion.

Titanium dioxide slag production of 273 thousand tonnes was 2% lower than the first quarter of 2021 as a result of equipment reliability issues at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT), Canada, partly offset by continuing ramp up at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa. On 18 March, we announced the lifting of force majeure on customer contracts at RBM, that had been in place since 30 June 2021.

Production of pellets and concentrate at Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) was 3% higher than the first quarter of 2021, which was impacted by mine feed constraints. There is good progress on the initiation of Rio Tinto Safe Production System (RTSPS) at the concentrator.

In the first quarter, we initiated seven more deployments of the RTSPS at five sites focusing on sustainably unlocking capacity across the Rio Tinto system. We are already seeing promising results for example at West Angelas achieving the best effective utilisation of its production drills across Pilbara iron ore.

On 29 March, we announced the completion of the acquisition of the Rincon lithium project for $825 million, following approval from Australias Foreign Investment Review Board. Rincon is a large undeveloped lithium brine project located in Argentina - the heart of the Latin American lithium triangle.

In the first quarter, we entered into partnerships and progressed initiatives to accelerate decarbonising our own business and the value chains we operate. These include an agreement with the Tasmanian Government to jointly investigate how the Bell Bay smelter can help support the development of new industries, and with the US Department of Energy who have provided funding for a Rio Tinto-led team to explore carbon storage potential at the Tamarack nickel joint venture in central Minnesota.

On 8 April, we released Taxes Paid: Our Economic Contribution 2021, showing that we made a total direct economic contribution of $66.6 billion in the countries and communities where we operate and paid $13.3 billion of taxes and royalties.

On 24 February, we announced that Hinda Gharbi is stepping down as a non-executive director at the conclusion of the Rio Tinto plc AGM on 8 April 2022 to join Bureau Veritas, initially as Chief Operating Officer and transitioning in 2023 to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

On 6 March, we announced that we had reached a settlement with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regarding the disclosure of the impairment of Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique, which was reflected in Rio Tintos 2012 year-end accounts. As part of this court approved settlement between ASIC and Rio Tinto, there were no findings of fraud or any systemic or widespread failure by Rio Tinto.

We continue to offer support to our team members of Ukrainian and Russian heritage and we have committed $5 million to humanitarian agencies. We are in the process of terminating commercial relationships with Russian businesses, while also ensuring the well-being of our people, our contribution to communities, and the continued safe operation of our businesses. As a result of the Australian Governments sanction measures, we have taken on 100% of the capacity and governance of Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) until further notice. QAL is 80% owned by Rio Tinto and 20% owned by Rusal. Our focus remains on ensuring the continued safe operation of QAL, as a significant employer and contributor to the local Gladstone and Queensland economies.

All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tintos share of production, unless otherwise stated.

The full first quarter production results are available here.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005718/en/

Contacts

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, UK

Illtud Harri

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Media Relations, Americas

Matthew Klar

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Investor Relations, UK

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David Ovington

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Clare Peever

M +44 7788 967 877

Media Relations, Australia

Jonathan Rose

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Matt Chambers

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Investor Relations, Australia

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Amar Jambaa

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Rio Tinto plc

6 St Jamess Square

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T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 7, 360 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Steve Allen, Rio Tintos Group Company Secretary.

LEI: 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82

Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State

riotinto.com

Category: General
Two Iconic Colorado Brands Tap Into a Culture of Connection With Sizzling Swag and Grand-Prize Trip to the Emerald Cup

DENVER, April 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The WILLIES RESERVE cannabis brand inspired by legendary musician and activist Willie Nelson is celebrating its Colorado roots and the 4/20 holiday in a collaboration with the Cheba Hut restaurant franchise.

On Wednesday, Cheba Hut will be offering select "nug" sized sandwiches, served on a commemorative frisbee with a side of WILLIES RESERVE rolling papers for $4.20. Each pack of rolling papers comes with a QR code that customers can scan between 4/20 and April 30 to enter for a chance to win the grand prize: a trip to the Emerald Cup in Hollywood, CA plus two WILLIES RESERVE gift packs. The winner will be announced May 2 (must be 21+ to enter).

"Were just two like-minded, Colorado-based businesses that love how cannabis connects people," said Nicole Kennebeck, Marketing Director at WILLIES RESERVE. "What better way to celebrate this holiday than giving fans of cannabis culture a chance to conquer their munchies and win something special?"

The in-store promotion is one day onlyWednesday, April 20and runs in Cheba Hut locations in 15 states, including: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin.

About WILLIES RESERVE

WILLIE'S RESERVE is a line of cannabis products inspired by American music legend and long-time marijuana advocate Willie Nelson. Launched in 2016, WILLIE'S RESERVE is now available in California, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, Arizona, Montana and Ohio. Operating under the simple philosophy of "my stash is your stash," WILLIE'S RESERVE pays tribute to its namesake's tradition of sharing, caring and toking. WILLIE'S RESERVE promotes a positive cannabis culture through partnering with responsible growers for flower and offering products including a variety of strains, signature Ready Rolls, concentrates, and vapes. For more information, visit WilliesReserve.com.

Story continues

About Cheba Hut

Cheba Hut has been escaping the established and getting "toasted" since 1998. Breaking the mold of mundane fast-casual concepts by becoming the first marijuana-themed sandwich "joint," Cheba Hut is dedicated to providing customers with delicious and memorable sandwich and munchie options in a chill, eclectic environment where made-to-order food is served by genuine people. Cheba Huts fun and authentic dining experience includes a full-service bar and highlights its menu because its not about getting high, its about epic food and legendary service! For more information, check us out on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005385/en/

Contacts

Media Contact:

Lauren Carasso

Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency

Lauren@mygrasslands.com

(201) 913-0400

Media Contact:

Mel Banister

mel@chebahut.com

(720) 212-8463
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Three outstanding alumni of Auburn Universitys College of Veterinary MedicineClayton Hilton 97, Gregory Daniel 83 and the late Robert Lofton 72were honored as the 2022 winners of the Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni Awards during a ceremony April 7.

The award is the highest honor given to Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine alumni to recognize their professional accomplishments in veterinary medicine, outstanding contributions to their communities and the overall advancement of animal and human health.

It is named to honor the late Wilford S. Bailey, who held a 50-year continuous faculty appointment at Auburn, serving in positions ranging from veterinary instructor to university president. A 1942 graduate of the college, Bailey was the first recipient of the colleges Distinguished Alumnus Award. Following his death in 2000, the award was named in his honor. Awardees are recognized in three areas of eligibility: public policy and research, academia and private practice.

Public policy and research: Clayton Hilton

Hilton was named the 2022 Bailey Award recipient in public policy and research. He earned both a bachelors degree in wildlife biology and a masters degree in wildlife ecology at Auburn before graduating with a doctor of veterinary medicine in 1997. He later served as staff veterinarian at the Montgomery Zoo and on the faculty at Auburn before moving to Texas where he held several positions including veterinarian at the Abilene Zoological Park. In 2008, he returned to Alabama as staff veterinarian at the Birmingham Zoo and held several positions there before joining the faculty at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2014.

Hilton is currently a professor and the Jo and Bruce Gunn Endowed Director of Veterinary Technology in the Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. In addition, he serves as wildlife veterinarian at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and unit manager at the Alkek Captive Ungulate Research Facility, both in Kingsville.

Hilton has been honored with various awards for his many achievements, including the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Presidential Service Award in 2020 and the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Junior Faculty Teaching Award in 2017. He has also been recognized for outstanding service by both the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Dr. Hiltons work as a wildlife veterinarian has included many important roles in zoos and wildlife research institutes, said Calvin Johnson, Auburn veterinary dean. His expertise with wildlife in captivity and at the human-animal interface has been vital to the development of sound policy to protect their health and welfare. He is an excellent practitioner of the One Health philosophy.

Academia: Gregory Daniel

Daniel is the recipient of the 2022 Bailey Award in academia. He received a bachelors degree in animal science from the University of Kentucky before earning a doctor of veterinary medicine at Auburn in 1983, a masters degree from the University of Illinois in 1998 and achieved board certification by the American College of Veterinary Radiology in 1987.

In 1987, Daniel was appointed to the faculty of the University of Tennessee as an assistant professor of radiology in the Department of Urban Practice and was later appointed director of radiological services in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. Since 2007, he has served as professor of radiology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech University and as department head from 2007-17. He held a joint appointment as professor in the Department of Basic Science Education at Virginia Techs Carilion School of Medicine from 2009-19. Daniel served with distinction as interim dean of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech from 2017-20.

Daniels teaching and research focus is on nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging. Over the course of his academic service, he has published more than 120 peer-reviewed articles, authored multiple book chapters and edited one textbook. He has been recognized with numerous previous honors and awards, including the Auburn University Young Achievers Award, the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, the Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian Award from the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, the Virginia and Edward Thompson Award from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence and the Chancellors Award for Research Excellence from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Daniel is an exceptionally skilled and versatile academic leader, having served as a faculty member, service director, department head and interim dean over the course of his career, said Johnson. His service in academia has connected extensively with private practice, organized veterinary medicine and biomedical research, and he has received some of the nations most prestigious awards for excellence in each of these domains. His dedication to veterinary students and education are perfectly aligned with Dr. Baileys legacy and position him as a worthy recipient of this award.

Private practice: Robert Lofton

The late Robert Lofton was named recipient of the 2022 Bailey Award in private practice. Lofton earned a bachelors degree in animal science from Louisiana State University before completing a doctor of veterinary medicine from Auburn in 1972. Following graduation, he founded University Animal Clinic in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he practiced for the next 36 years. He joined the Auburn faculty in 2013 as an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences. During his five-year tenure at Auburn, he was a principal developer of the Auburn University Veterinary Clinic, the Auburn Veterinary Academy and the Hoerlein Hall Spay-Neuter Program.

Lofton, Louisiana Veterinarian of the Year in 1999 and a former chair of the Veterinary Advisory Council at Auburn, served on the board of directors of the American Animal Hospital Association from 2003-08. He was also a Diamond Level Member of the Auburn Vet Med Centennial Club. He and his wife, Lela, established the Robert M. and Lela Lofton Endowed Scholarship fund in 2017. He was also elected to the Opelika, Alabama, City Council in 2020. Lofton fought valiantly against a rapidly progressing disease in 2021 and passed away in January 2022.

Dr. Lofton was a truly inspiring graduate of our college, said Johnson. He derived great joy from teaching and his contributions to Auburn will last for many years through his students success. Although his life was shortened by a tragic disease, Dr. Lofton left a permanent mark on countless people who had the good fortune of learning from and working alongside him.

(Written by Mike Jernigan)
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Following a national search, Auburn University has selected Jason Hicks as the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts, or CLA, effective July 1.

Hicks joins Auburn from Louisiana State University, where he is currently a Provosts Fellow in the Office of Academic Affairs. He succeeds Ana Franco-Watkins, who has served as interim dean since July 2021 following the transition of Joe Aistrup back to the faculty after serving as dean for eight years. Franco-Watkins will return to her position as professor and chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences.

Throughout the search process, our CLA faculty, staff, students and alumni indicated their desire for an effective leader to bring together diverse viewpoints and create a refreshed vision for the college, said Interim Provost Vini Nathan. With the selection of Jason Hicks, I am confident that he will deliver on these goals and foster new levels of innovation and excellence across the colleges instruction, research and outreach programs.

An international scholar in human memory, Hicks began his tenure at LSU in 1998 as an assistant professor of psychology, rising to the rank of associate professor in 2004 and full professor in 2011. Hicks served as chair of LSUs Department of Psychology from 2014-18, leading a large academic unit with 26 full-time faculty, 100 graduate students across five doctoral programs and more than 850 undergraduates. From 2018-21, he was associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he spearheaded professional and leadership development efforts for the college, including the creation of HSS Future Forwarda professional development program for aspirational department leaders.

I am extremely honored to accept this leadership opportunity, said Hicks. The College of Liberal Arts is truly integral to the universitys success. I am eager to enhance the colleges positive impact on students, staff, faculty and alumni of the college.

Hicks will lead one of the largest colleges on Auburns campus, comprised of two schools and 12 departments encompassing the social sciences, communication, fine and performing arts, humanities and aviation. As the academic core of Auburn, CLA has a successful record of research, creative activities and outreach among its 800 faculty and staff and 4,800 students.

As dean, Hicks immediate priorities include developing strategies to elevate the student experience and broaden access to CLA curricula and courses, furthering opportunities to support the recruitment and retention of faculty, expanding engagement with alumni and enhancing professional and leadership development for faculty and staff. With both short- and long-term strategies, Hicks will build upon academic endeavors that enhance CLAs core values: learning and knowledge, inclusion and equity and engagement and impact.

A native of Wichita, Kansas, Hicks earned his bachelors degree in psychology from Truman State University and his masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Georgia.

Hicks research expertise includes the areas of human memory distortion, memory for intentions (prospective memory), memory for the source of learned information and how people control memory retrieval. He has published in top journals such as Memory & Cognition; Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition; and the Journal of Memory and Language. He is an American Psychological Association Fellow, a member of the Association for Psychological Science and a Psychonomic Society Fellow.
An Evanston man has been charged with stabbing his sister to death with a butcher knife Saturday night following an argument over household chores, Evanston police announced in a news release.

Andy Aphour, 26, of the 100 block of Callan Avenue in Evanston, is charged with first degree murder in the Saturday night stabbing death of his sister, Karen Aphour, 30, of the same residence, police said in the release. Bond was set at $300,000 and Andy Aphour has been ordered to surrender his passport.

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According to the release, police responded to the residence around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on a call of a woman who had suffered several stab wounds. The release states that Karen Aphour was taken to St. Francis hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The Cook County medical examiner ruled her death a homicide due to multiple sharp force injuries.

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Police said in the release that Andy Aphour admitted to stabbing his sister in the home they shared with their mother and other family members, and the stabbing was preceded by a verbal dispute over routine household chores.

Witness accounts backed up Andy Aphours alleged admission, police said.

When the victim was finished cleaning up the dishes from the meal, she began to yell at the defendant and their brother that they were not doing enough around the house to be helpful, according to information from the Cook County states attorneys office read during Aphours bond hearing Monday. The defendant went upstairs to complain to his mother, who informed him to just ignore the victims complaint.

But the brother didnt ignore his sisters complaining, prosecutors alleged.

Instead, the defendant perseverated in his anger and returned to the main level of the house, according to prosecutors. Using a butcher knife, the defendant began stabbing his sister, the victim, multiple times. The victim sustained five different stab wounds to the upper left chest, left thigh, stomach, right elbow and right forearm.

When the mother heard a commotion, she went into the kitchen and saw her daughter on the floor, in a corner of the kitchen, lying in a pool of blood, according to the states attorneys office.

Prosecutors said that when the mother screamed, another sibling came into the kitchen, saw Karen Aphour on the floor and saw Andy Aphour standing nearby  still holding the knife.

The defendant moved as if he was going to continue attacking the victim, according to prosecutors, but relatives stopped him, took the knife from him and called 911.

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As of Monday, Andy Aphour remained in Cook County Jail, according to a spokesperson. He is scheduled to appear in court again May 2 at the Skokie Courthouse.

Brian L. Cox is a freelancer.
Didn't they do something really dumb and claim sharing your netflix account was theft too?

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they're piloting a fee for sharing your account outside your household ya

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I imagine that didn't help lol

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They need to stop it with the shitty ~Netflix originals

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Also, they need to stop cancelling everything after 1 season.

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I am so pissed off at them for canceling, first, Chambers and now Archive 81. Those were both such great shows. Im really beginning to get fed up with them. Im wary of getting into any Netflix series now.

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They just don't have enough good content HBOmax has way better shows. I think the fact that they drop the entire seasons at once hurts them too. There is no hype that builds like when they come out week by week.

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i'm the one with the account the entire fam uses, so i feel like such a sucker. I'm gonna start charging them!

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same, but one sibling has HBO, Paramount, Discovery+ and another sibling has Disney and one has Hulu so who am I to complain honestly

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this is how we have it in my house, all of us pay for a different sub and just have separate profiles

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Yeah my brother and his wife make bank with two incomes and I have one income but they wanna use my Netflix. Im getting real tired of the mooches tbh.



Im gonna start sending out Venmo requests lol.

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This is the exact same for me and my brother and his wife, but I also pay for ad-free Hulu! I'll just start deducting it from the gift cards I buy them for birthdays and Christmas.

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do it! i get rewards on one of my credit cards for streaming services so i pay for them all and my mom has a monthly deposit to cover her half sent to my bank account every month. we never even have to think about it now.

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i get netflix gift cards from everyone in my fam that's sharing my account at xmas and that used to cover almost the first half of the year. the price increases have meant that i'm barely good until march and then have to pay the rest of the year :/

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I think I might cancel. They make the shittiest shows and their ten part documentaries that really should be one documentary are getting unwatchable. I use HBOMax a lot more.

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at this point i'm just waiting for disney+ to drop here and crossing my fingers their content will be available dubbed in italian, because that is the only reason why I am still subscribed (my mom uses it the most and she can't be bothered to read subtitles most of the times even if we have HBOmax for free).

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i cancelled it for pretty much the same reasons. switched to hbomax and never looked back. it has less content but it's much higher in quality. the last year of my netflix sub consisted pretty much of spending at least an hour browsing through their shitty catalogue, finally settling on a film or series that seemed somewhat appealing then realizing half way through that it's an absolute turd. i might subscribe again just for a month once the second part of ozark's final season is released. that's the only original show of theirs that i remained invested in.

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I said I was going to cancel after Bridgerton but the bastards got me by putting Black Sails up so I'm going to watch that AND THEN cancel

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This just means ads will be coming sooner than expected imo

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That would be the killing blow

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Nope

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why do they keep making bad decisions?

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I think I read somewhere that cable tv's selling point when they first launched was that they would be ad-free too since customers are paying for it. Ironically, that didn't last long.

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Increasing the price with mediocre content and trying to crackdown on password sharing isnt working out for them, huh? This news is very pleasing to me 



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if i had better streaming options i'd do it, but while i use a friends' subscription for crave, i loathe the interface and idk if there's anything i'm that interested in on disney+/star, the only other option here in canada. but this recent price hike really did piss me off and next time they try it will probably be my last straw

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I wish we had Hulu here :(

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i would def cancel netflix and just stick with crave and hulu if we did :/

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Damn. Should have bought those puts.

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The first time they have reported a loss of subs during a quarter since 2011.

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Wow. It's CRAZY to watch a company that was once innovative a huge part of a culture shift suddenly become out of touch.

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They lost that many subscribers because they keep cancelling their good shows and renewing trash.



Still not over them renewing Im Not Okay With This then cancelling it a few months later.

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Too lazy to edit but Amazon, Crave/HBO Max and Apple TV also all have better content.

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that was me. i was one of those people, and this is the reason why. canceling nailed it! was pretty much the last straw. as much as i love money heist, i'll just subscribe for a month to catch up as needed.

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they canceled nailed it??

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I still am pressed they canceled Santa Clarita Diet on like the biggest cliffhanger ever. Well, maybe not ever, but it was a huge fucking cliffhanger.

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still bummed about I'm Not Okay with This and Glow :(

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I Am Not Okay With This and Santa Clarita Diet still fucking hurt. They were so good and so original I just dont understand what Netflix is doing.

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Santa Clarita Diet and Babysitter's Club cancellations broke my heart.

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Adding GLOW to the list, I'm still sad about it.

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Glow, I Am Not Okay With This, The Get Down for me. (I really liked The Get Down, so I'm prob in the minority here.)

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Agreed with all the shows mentioned and would also like to throw in The Society lol. Still bitter about that one.

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+1 for GLOW and I Am Not Okay With This

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I wouldn't mind the content if they weren't constantly trying to hamstring account sharing and increasing the price. All these streaming services are just making Other Options more viable. Just straight murdering that golden goose.

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$15.50 is a ridiculous amount to pay considering how much the other services charge; they're probably doing it just as much to recoup losses from multiple adults sharing one account as they are to "fund" more original content



these days, family is just whoever comes with the login for a streaming service you don't already have access to

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i was literally watching paris is burning on netflix a while ago, went to get some water and when i came back they'd removed it, i was so fucking PISSED!

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they saw someone enjoying it and said not on our watch! they saw someone enjoying it and said not on our watch!

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I feel like I can't trust watching a Netflix show because it feels like they randomly cancel after 1, 2, sometimes 3 seasons even if the show is amazing and seems like it is getting views? It's like they throw stuff out to get people to subscribe, but the focus is getting a new subscription, even short term, rather than having a stable amount of subscriptions with shows they support for longer than a year or two.

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Seriously, my kids and I loved Julie and the Phantoms, were waiting for a season 2, and then OVER A YEAR after season 1 came out they announced its cancelled and there will be no season 2. WHY.

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And I can't imagine that show has a massive unsupportable budget and it seemed popular on social media? I don't get it.

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this one was wild to me. i never watched it but i saw soo much of it on social media. i thought it was a huge hit or at least season two was a sure thing.

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The weird thing is, they're so ambitious with some of the stuff they plan on. They plan to adapt every Redwall novel into an animated movie. That is 23 separate animated movies. They're not going to do that, who are they kidding with this?

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Yeah mte. I don't ever take anybody's recs for Netflix originals, I know it's gonna get canceled prematurely, or or will just suck towards the end lol.

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The worlds newest offshore oil player, Guyana, is considering making a big moveone that could sideline Exxon from bidding on further exploration areas, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said at the BNEF Summit in New York on Tuesday.

The news comes as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the nations oil wealth poses a risk, and that diversifying the fastest growing economy in the world would be critical.

It also follows Exxons FID for an additional $10 billion on its Yellow Tail project, which should start producing in 2025 with a production of 250,000 bpdExxons largest Guyanese project to date.

Guyana is now planning the next round of oil licensing, with decisions on the licensing process expected by September, but Guyana has had concerns about the number of oil projects Exxon now controls.

Hess and CNOOC, who also hold large positions in Guyanas oil resources, could also be excluded.

Guyana has been inundated with oil company interest after Exxon made its initial discovery since 2015, and Guyana will now look for a strategic partner to run a state-run oil companypotentially from the Middle East.

The push for Guyana to have a bigger hand in its oil wealth is nothing new. Guyana was criticized for the deal it made with Exxon following Exxons initial discovery on the grounds that Guyana gave up too much to Exxon. One report from Watchdog Global Witness in 2020 suggested that Guyana lost as much as $55 billion from its offshore oil deal with Exxon.

Exxon has made more than 20 discoveries in Guyana, and the oil supermajor is prioritizing its exploration and production in Guyana due to low breakevens and high-quality, light, sweet oil found there.

Guyanas oil production is expected to rise to 800,000 bpd by 2025, Jagdeo said.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The gap between target levels and actual production of the OPEC+ group further widened in March to over 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) as Russian crude output started to feel the sting of the sanctions and self-sanctioning of buyers and was 300,000 bpd below target, according to an OPEC+ report seen by Reuters.

Last month, the producers in the OPEC+ alliance saw their combined crude oil production lag behind the quota by 1.45 million bpd, with the compliance rate shooting up to a record 157 percent since the start of the 10-million-bpd production cut agreed upon in April 2020.

Russias crude oil production, in particular, averaged 300,000 bpd below target at 10.018 million bpd, per secondary sources in the report seen by Reuters.

The OPEC+ crude production in March fell further behind the target levels after February output was more than 1 million bpd below the collective quota and the compliance rate was 136 percent.

In March, Russia began to feel the pinch from the sanctions, according to the latest OPEC+ estimates.

Russias oil industry is already showing signs of slowing down as Western buyers shun Russian oil while Moscow struggles to replace lost sales in the West with sales in emerging Asian markets. The war Putin started in Ukraine is hitting home: storage capacity is full, infrastructure and shipping logistics prevent Russian from exporting all the oil unwanted in the West to China and India, refineries are cutting run rates as product storage is overflowing, and as a result, companies are scaling back crude production.

OPEC only raised its oil production by just 57,000 bpd in March from February, as African members struggles to pump more crude partially offset increases at the core OPEC members of the Middle East, OPECs Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) showed last week.

Russian oil supply is expected to fall by 1.5 million bpd in April, with shut-ins projected to accelerate to around 3 million bpd from May, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly report last week. The IEA was ditched by OPEC at its latest meeting as a secondary source provider to assess production.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Despite the turmoil in the global oil and energy markets following Russias invasion of Ukraine, OPEC+ publicly presents a unified stance.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, OPEC and the OPEC+ group have not publicly commented on the invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed this weekend their countries cooperation in the OPEC+ oil production pact in their second telephone call since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is a key partner to OPECs largest producer and de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, in the OPEC+ alliance, which has been working for years to manage oil supply to the market. And it looks like Russia will continue to be such, despite Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, OPEC and the OPEC+ group have not publicly commented on the invasion, limiting themselves to saying that the market is currently run by geopolitical events or the geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, not by fundamentals.

The Saudi and Russian leaders gave a positive assessment of Saudi Arabia and Russias cooperation in the OPEC+ group during the phone call on Saturday, according to a statement from the Kremlin.



The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), for its part, said that the Saudi Crown Prince had received a call from Putin in which bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all fields in a way that achieves the interests of the two countries and their friendly peoples were discussed.

For his part, HRH the Crown Prince asserted the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for efforts that would lead to a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine and achieve security and stability, the Saudi agency reported.

Despite the turmoil in the global oil and energy markets following Russias invasion of Ukraine, OPEC+ publicly presents a unified stance on reiterating that its not fundamentals that are currently driving the oil prices higher. And despite calls from many oil-consuming nations to boost production more than planned, the alliance continues to stick to its monthly increases of 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), as agreed upon in the summer of last year. OPEC+ has defied some expectations that since Russias invasion of Ukraine, the meetings within the group would be difficult. On the contrary, the alliance has held two of its shortest meetings ever since the end of February and hasnt mentioned Ukraine in any public statement.

OPEC, and by extension OPEC+, has steered clear of political statements and references as a matter of policy. OPEC did not break up even when its founding members, Iraq and Iran, for example, were in a state of war in the 1980s.

The next meeting of the OPEC+ group is scheduled to take place on May 5 to decide production levels for June. While there is concern about an immediate demand slump with the Chinese lockdowns, OPEC+ has not pumped to its quota for many months. OPEC only raised its oil production by just 57,000 bpd in March from February, as African members struggles to pump more crude partially offset increases at the core OPEC members of the Middle East.

Production in the key non-OPEC member of the pact, Russia, has started to show signs of distress as storage capacity fills up, infrastructure and shipping logistics prevent Russia from exporting all the oil unwanted in the West to China and India, and refineries cut run rates as product storage is overflowing. As a result, companies are scaling back crude production.

OPEC+ struggles to deliver on its production targets, with estimates pointing to the group pumping 1 million bpd below its overall quota.

But OPEC now expects lower demand growth this year after it slashed last week its oil demand growth estimate for 2022 by nearly 500,000 bpd on the back of lower expected global economic growth with the Russian war in Ukraine and the return of COVID lockdowns in China.

The reduced demand growth forecast could give reason to OPEC+ to continue sticking to its nominal monthly production increaseseven if it never achieves themand to continue ignoring calls for more production at oil above $100 per barrel.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Reader Update: Whether you are new to the oil and gas industry or an energy market veteran, you will regret not signing up for Global Energy Alert. Oilprice.com's premium newsletter provides everything from geopolitical analysis to trading analysis, and all for less than a cup of coffee per week.

Chart of the Week

- US cash natural gas prices for next-day deliveries have soared this week, with many locations trading above $7 per mmBtu for the first time since the Big Freeze in February 2021.

- The Henry Hub May 22 contract has been on the rise recently, settling at $7.82 per mmBtu on Monday, though a downwards correction on Tuesday brought trading closer to $7 per mmBtu.

- The peculiarity of the gas price spike is that demand is expected to be easing over the next seven days and production remains stagnant at 93.4 BCf per day.

- With domestic coal supplies remaining tight, disallowing any large-scale fuel switching, the longevity of the bull run will largely depend on LNG outflows from the US.

Market Movers

- UK industry holding Rolls-Royce (LON:RR) will likely receive regulatory approval for its small modular reactors by mid-2024, meaning that by the end of the decade pilot SMR projects could be producing energy already.

- A month after rejecting Carl Icahns purchase offer as inadequate, US utility firm Southwest Gas Holdings (NYSE:SWX) said it would evaluate selling itself after an unnamed buyer reportedly offered a price well in excess of Icahns $82.50 per share offer.

- The Iraqi government might reportedly reactivate a deal with Halliburton (NYSE:HAL)to drill wells in the idled Akkas gas field, potentially paving the way for a subsequent entry of either Chevron (NYSE:CVX) or Saudi Aramco.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The IMF cutting the global economys 2022 outlook by 0.8% compared to its previous forecast is the main talking point in markets today - after seeing strong demand across all commodities in Q1, we are now facing the reality of protracted demand loss going forwards. The Russia-Ukraine war has sent shockwaves across the metal and agriculture markets, potentially having an even larger impact on global markets than a Russian oil embargo would. Against this background, not even Libyas descent into another period of chaos could hold oil prices above the $110 per barrel mark.

Libya Supply Disruption Puts Europe on Alert. Libyas national oil company has seen a painful wave of closures and declared force majeure on exports from the Zueitina, Mellitah, and Sarir terminals amidst skirmishes, having been forced to shut down production at the countrys largest field, Sharara.

OPEC+ Gap Widens as Russia Starts Decline. Internal OPEC+ documentation showed that the oil group underperformed its March production target by a whopping 1.45 million b/d, bringing total compliance to 157%, with this month expected to see even wider discrepancies between output targets and actual production. Related: U.S. Natural Gas Prices To Spike As Exports Boom

Biden Administration Resumes Oil Drilling on Public Land. According to media reports, the US Bureau of Land Management plans to resume selling drilling rights on federal lands in the western part of the country starting this week, curbing available leasing zones and hiking royalty rates.

US NatGas Falls Back After Hitting 2008 Levels. Natural gas prices hit levels not seen since 2008 due to counter-seasonally cold weather across the mid-continent and still-strong LNG send-outs. On Tuesday morning, however, natural gas pulled back as traders took profits.

US DUCs Drops to Lowest Level Ever. According to the EIA Drilling Productivity Report, the number of drilled but uncompleted wells in the US dropped to the lowest level on record as of March 2022, at 4,273, indicating that drillers continue to prefer depleting DUCs instead of drilling new wells.

Glencore Declares Cobalt Force Majeure. Energy major Glencore (LON:GLEN)reportedly declared force majeure on its cobalt deliveries out of the Democratic Republic of Congo after severe flooding debilitated logistics operations in South Africa, from where cobalt was usually exported.

PEMEX Refinery Blaze to Trigger Higher Imports. The 330,000 b/d Salina Cruz refinery operated by Mexicos national oil company PEMEX remains shut after a fire broke out over the weekend, most likely triggering higher imports of road fuels into the country over the upcoming weeks.

UK Energy Firms Warn on Horrific Power Hikes. With power and gas prices rising 54% from April onwards, leading power generation companies have called for a shift in government policy as some 30-40% of British households are expected to run into difficulties when paying electricity bills by the end of this year.

India Starts Buying Discounted Russian Coal. Confirming market expectations, Indian buyers started taking in Russian deliveries of thermal coal at prices of $160-165 per metric ton CFR India (some $40/mt lower than ICE Newcastle) on the back of nationwide coal inventories reaching a mere eight days of consumption.

Romania to Amend Upstream Terms to Lure Investors. Little less than a year after ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) decided to quit Romanias offshore, the countrys government agreed to amend the countrys offshore law and reduce the progression taxation brackets.

China Undercuts Iron Ore Prices. Iron ore futures in both Dalian and Singapore fell following NDRC comments that it expects 2022 steel production to be lower than last year (at 1.035 billion tons) so that China can be in line with its carbon emission commitments.

Indonesia Hikes Coal Royalty Rates. Confronted with the long-term challenge of keeping domestically produced coal at home, the Indonesian government hiked royalty rates for coal miners from a single tariff of 13.5% to a range of 14-28%, with the maximum rate applying when prices surpass $100 per metric ton, i.e. now.

Mexicos Controversial Power Bill Voted Down. The AMLO-championed power bill that would have prioritized Mexicos state-owned utility firm CFE over private operators failed to garner the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments, providing a mood upswing for the countrys business climate in general.

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The increase in oil production and export revenues fuel the Saudi economy.

The IMF is targeting 7.6% growth for the Saudi economy this year, raising its forecast by 2.8%.

High oil prices will push Saudi Arabias economy into high-growth mode, more than doubling this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which raised its growth forecast for the Kingdom on Tuesday.

The IMF is targeting 7.6% growth for the Saudi economy this year, raising its forecast by 2.8%.

While much of this was attributed to multi-year-high oil prices, the IMF has also noted growth and expected further growth in non-oil revenues.

We raised our estimates of the growth rate of the Saudi economy by 2.8 percentage points, which reflects the increase in oil production in accordance with the OPEC+ agreement, in conjunction with the more non-oil output growth exceeding expectations, the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook report.

A Capital Economics report has Saudi oil production rising to 10.3 million barrels per day in March, for 26.7% year-on-year growth, which is classified as the fastest rate of growth for the kingdom in nearly two decades.

Capital Economics forecasts the Saudi economy will grow by 10% this year and by 5.3% in 2023.

At the same time, Capital Economics economist James Swanston remains optimistic that the Saudis will further increase output beyond what OPEC+ has agreed to, Arab News reports.

Capital Economics increased Saudi output projection comes despite the cartels recent report suggesting that global oil demand would be around 480,000 bpd lower than previously expected due to slower economic growth driven down by Russias war in Ukraine and Chinas COVID restrictions.

The IMFs double-growth projections for Saudi Arabia come as it slashes its forecast for overall economic growth from 6.1% in 2021 to 3.6% in 2022 and 2023.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The United States may be exporting crude oil released from the strategic petroleum reserve in a bid by the federal government to lower prices at the pump.

This is according to a report by ZeroHedge, citing information from Bloomberg that the author of this article could not locate on Bloombergs website.

According to the information, tanker tracking data showed that at least one tanker, the Advantage Spring Suezmax, received light, sweet U.S. crude from the SPR at the start of April and is currently en route to Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

If the information is confirmed, it would not be the first instance of the U.S. exporting oil supposedly released to alleviate tight supply on the local market. A Bloomberg report from November last year noted that in the previous month, exports of SPR crude released to tame prices had hit a record high of some 1.6 million barrels.

Given the ongoing pace of the current SPR release -- 12 million barrels in the last two months and the biggest weekly release so far last week at 3.1 million barrels -- its fair to assume more SPR barrels are going to leave U.S. shores in the weeks ahead, said Matt Smith, an oil analyst from Kpler.

If the new information is confirmed, the Biden administrations decision to release a record 180 million barrels from the strategic reserve over six months might well blow up in its face.

The White House announced the release plan at the beginning of the month, and oil prices reacted accordingly, with WTI slipping below $100. However, the drop was only temporary, and by this week, WTI had recouped its losses.

Meanwhile, the national average price per gallon of regular gasoline remains above $4. The national average is slightly lower than the $4.274 price per gallon of regular a month ago but significantly higher than the $2.87 per gallon that drivers paid on average a year ago.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices could shoot up to a record $185 per barrel if the European Union acts to impose a full immediate ban on imports of Russian oil, JPMorgan says.

The EU has started tentative discussions on potentially imposing an embargo on Russian oil, but the bloc is still split on a ban on Russian energy imports. The biggest European economyGermanycontinues to resist an immediate oil embargo for now, saying an oil ban would plunge Germany, and Europe, into a deep recession. Germany, Hungary, and Austria, as well as some other EU members, continue to resist an immediate outright ban on Russian oil, although Germany signaled earlier this month that it could end its dependence on Russian oil this year.

If the EU escalates embargoes in the sixth package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and decides to impose a full immediate embargo on Russian oil, then Brent Crude prices could soar by 65 percent to as much as $185 per barrel, Natasha Kaneva, Head of Global Commodities Strategy at J.P. Morgan, says, as carried by Bloomberg.

A full immediate ban would cut over 4 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian supply, and China and India wouldnt be able to absorb all those volumes very soon, Kaneva added.

Still, an immediate EU ban is not JPMorgans base-case scenariothe investment bank sees 2.1 million bpd of Russian supply to Europe cut. If the EU imposes a gradual phase-out ban on Russian oil over several months, as it did with the ban on Russian coal imports, adopted in early April but effective only from August, this would not impact oil prices as much, JPMorgans Kaneva says.

An EU embargo on Russian oil imports may be in the works, but drafting and preparing for such a ban would likely take several months, European officials told AFP last week.

A ban is in the works at the EU level, Frances Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said today.

I hope that in the weeks to come we will convince our European partners to stop importing Russian oil, the minister told Europe 1 radio on Tuesday.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A former vice president at Russian bank Gazprombankthe bank at the center of Russias rubles-for-gas payment schemehas killed his wife and daughter before killing himself in their Moscow apartment, police in Moscow say, according to Russian media.

Vladislav Avayev, 51, also a former Kremlin official, shot his wife and 13-year-old daughter before shooting himself, according to police, who concluded that the incident was a murder-suicide.

The bodies were found by the 26-year-old daughter of the couple, Daily Mail reported on Tuesday. The bodies were found with gunshot wounds while Vladislav Avayeva multi-millionairehad a gun in his hand, according to Moscow police.

Some media reports suggest that Avayev and his wife were fighting a lawsuit over their younger daughter, while other reports say that the murder-suicide could have been committed out of jealousy after Avayev found that his wife was cheating on him and was reportedly pregnant with another mans child.

At one point in his career, Avayev worked as a vice president at major Russian bank Gazprombank, although it is not immediately clear whether he continued to keep ties with the bank.

Gazprombank is the bank that Russian President Vladimir Putin designated to handle the ruble-for-gas payments.

Last month, Putin said that unfriendly nations should pay in rubles for natural gas.

Russia had set a March 31 deadline for the countries it considers hostileincluding the United States, all EU member states, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, South Korea, Japan, and many othersto start paying in rubles for natural gas.

The EU has rejected Putins demands for payments in rubles, while Russia did not immediately cut off the gas supply to Europe after April 1, partly because it is dependent on revenues from gas and partly because payments for gas delivered after April 1 are not due until later this month or early May.

The Kremlin has signaled the gas-for-rubles demand is just the beginning of a switch to the Russian currency for Russian exports.

Some of Russias natural gas customers have agreed to pay in rubles for Russian gas, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last week, without naming the countries specifically.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The past seven days have seen shipments of Russian crude drop by 25%, as the Kremlin announces plans for building new export outlets to balance out the impact of sanctions.

From April 8 to April 15, Russia has seen crude oil shipments decline by one-quarter, with Bloomberg data showing that only 30 Russian tankers carried under 22 million barrels of oil to ports on the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

Those reduced shipments cut an estimated $60 million out of Russia war chest for the week.

Despite the war, sanctions and trader self-sanctioning, Russia is expected to earn over $320 billion from energy exports in 2022, according to Bloomberg. Even in a time of war that has isolated Russia from the West, energy export revenues will be one-third higher than they were in 2021.

On Tuesday, Russia unveiled plans to construct new export facilities, along with oil storage facilities, to counteract the effect of sanctions, Reuters reports.

Without major oil storage capabilities, there is little room for Russia to maneuver, but Reuters cited Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin as saying that some companies have been engaged in such projects and have been implementing it.

On Monday, Russian President Vladmir Putin stated publicly that Western sanctions against his country were failing.

China and India have continued to prop up Russian oil, and the European Union has not been able to agree on a ban on Russian oil and gas.

Russias April energy sales were expected to be around $9.6 billion above the Kremlins original target thanks to multi-year-high oil prices. That projection, however, came in prior to Bloomberg data showing the 25% weekly decline in Russian crude oil exports from April 8 to April 15.

Those projections also came before oil prices fell around 5% this week on downsized IMF economic growth forecasts and Chinas COVID lockdowns that leave the demand picture in a state of uncertainty.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Prosecutors filed murder charges Monday against a couple after a 3-year-old girl died days later at a Chicago childrens hospital.

The girls mother, Tiarra Glenn, 28, of Gary and her boyfriend Devan L. Allen, 29, of East Chicago, were already charged since April 14 with several other neglect and battery felonies.

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Glenn was arrested Thursday, while Allen is not in custody.

As murder charges were added, both are ordered to be held without bond. Their prior bail was set at $8,000 cash surety each.

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The child, Xoey Glenn, 3, was pronounced dead just before 11 a.m. Friday at the University of Chicagos Comer Childrens Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

Gary Police were called at 11:20 a.m. April 12 to an apartment on the 300 block of Clark Road where the girl was unconscious, but breathing in the living room of a basement apartment. She was only wearing shorts, charges stated.

Paramedics asked if anyone tried performing CPR.

No, I think shes breathing, Glenn said, according to the probable cause affidavit.

An officer put his hand on the childs stomach and realized she was unconscious, but still alive.

Glenn told police during two interviews on April 12 and 13 that she was three months pregnant and suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, making her very tired. She struggled to care for her children and let Allen beat the child that morning when they felt she misbehaved, charges state.

The child didnt listen and cried a lot, she said. In the past, Glenn, her mother, brothers or Allen would often hit the girl with a belt, who spent most of her life in the corner.

That morning, Allen was still upset with the girl because she had misbehaved the day prior and hadnt finished her dinner, saying her stomach hurt, documents state.

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Allen told her to stand in the corner and make an X with her arms on the wall. The girl started crying hysterically saying she didnt want to, Glenn said, according to court documents. She couldnt take the childs crying anymore and went to the living room.

Allen was super frustrated around 8:20 a.m. and started to whoop the girl with a Michael Kors belt, she said.

She couldnt really see what was happening, but heard the child as Allen was going back and forth from the living room to the closet with a belt, she said.

Then, Allen carried the girl out who was hyperventilating and wouldnt calm down enough to drink water, charges state. He had tied the childs hands behind her back and tied a black scarf over her face, charges state.

After they pulled up the scarf and made her drink some water, Allen took the child back to the bedroom closet where he beat her some more, documents state.

Glenn heard a loud thump, she said, according to court documents.

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Allen carried the child back, now shirtless, who was limp with eyes open and staring into space, and gasping for air, the affidavit states. She had urinated and defecated on herself, documents state.

The couple changed her clothes, cleaned up the apartment. Twenty minutes later, she Googled hyperventilation and followed the online instructions to call 911, charges state.

EMTs saw immediate signs of child abuse, documents state.

Doctors at Methodist Hospitals Northlake campus in Gary told police the girl was abused from head to toe, with a bite mark on her abdomen, a three finger-shaped chest bruise, belt marks on her legs, thighs, buttocks, bloody lips, neck redness, bruises on her forehead and feet and armpit redness, court documents said.

The girl was airlifted to the University of Chicago with a life-threatening brain injury from a lack of oxygen, the affidavit states. She was taken to the emergency room so doctors could surgically open her skull. The child had significant brain swelling, charges state.

Glenns 5-year-old daughter was in the apartment at the time, charges state.

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Her sister slept on the floor, because she didnt have a bed, the older child said, according to court documents. The older child told police that her sister was crying so loudly while being beaten, she went into another room and put on a movie, charges state.

Once the girl was transported by ambulance she knew she didnt have a sister anymore, according to court documents. All her sister had to do was not misbehave, the child told officers.
The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

In a statement released a day after a Florida judge ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said officials believe that the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. He said it was an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.

Coley said the CDC had said it would continue to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determined a mandate was necessary for public health, the Justice Department would file an appeal.

As of Tuesday, the agency hadnt made a determination, officials said.

The federal judge's ruling did away with the last major vestige of federal pandemic rules and led to a mishmash of new locally created rules that reflected the nations ongoing divisions over how to battle the virus.

Major airlines and airports in places like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City quickly switched to a mask-optional policy. Los Angeles County dropped its mandate for mass transit and a train conductor in New Jersey told commuters of their masks Tuesday: Feel free to burn them at will."

New York City, Chicago and Connecticut, however, continued to require masks for travelers.

The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving.

Even Walt Disney World in Florida on Tuesday announced it was lifting its mask requirement for its monorail, buses and sky gondola.

For many, the news was welcome. A video showed some passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight cheering and applauding as they removed masks upon hearing the announcement they were now optional. One man happily twirled his mask on his finger.

However Brooke Tansley, a television producer and former Broadway performer, was incensed after boarding a flight with her 4-year-old and 8-month-old baby neither old enough to be vaccinated  only to learn the mask mandate had ended mid-flight.

Very very angry about this, she said in a tweet, noting her baby was too young to wear a mask.

President Joe Biden went all-in on flexibility Tuesday when asked if Americans should mask up on planes.

Thats up to them, Biden declared during a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the White House continues to require face coverings for those traveling with him on Air Force One, citing CDC guidance.

In Portland, Oregon, transit employees immediately began taking down mask required announcements and signs, but said it would likely take several days to remove everything.

The city joined Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and two of Alaska's largest cities, Anchorage and Juneau, in making masking optional on mass transit.

Some passengers at Chicagos Union Station said the rules were confusing. Amtrak dropped its requirement. The Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, the regional commuter rail service, kept the requirement at first but dropped it late Tuesday.

Its like this patchwork of different rules and enforcement of it, said Erik Abderhalden, who wore a mask as he waited for a Metra train to his home in suburban Naperville. I mean, its like Swiss cheese ... theres no uniformity and it seems pretty laissez-faire.

Subway rider Cooper Klinges was pleased that New York Citys public transit system wasnt following the trend and planned to keep its mask requirement in place. As he waited at a Brooklyn train station, he said he canceled a flight earlier this year over concerns about the virus.

I dont think we are out of the woods yet, said Klinges, a teacher, citing concerns about the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. It is still around. We have to still stick it out.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of U.S. cases. But the court ruling puts that decision on hold.

After a winter surge fueled by the omicron variant that prompted record hospitalizations, the U.S. has seen a significant drop in virus spread in recent months that led most states and cities to drop mask mandates.

But several Northeast cities have seen a rise in hospitalizations in recent weeks, leading Philadelphia to bring back its mask mandate.

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas, and Crawford from Chicago. Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.: Brad committed his life to Omaha and Nebraska  leaving a legacy of public service. Melissa and I are praying for Ann and the Ashford family.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert: "I extend the heartfelt condolences of our city to the family and friends of Brad Ashford. Brad had a unique and special skill of bringing people together for the common good. His passion for public service and ability to solve complex problems led to leadership roles over several decades.

"Brads tireless advocacy for our state and nation made a profound difference for all of us. His approach to dealing with people of varied interests is one we should all emulate.

"In 2013, Brad and I competed against each other in the primary election for Mayor. I value the friendship we developed as a result of that campaign. I will miss his creativity, passion, and laugh."

Former State Sen. Ernie Chambers: "Brad was a genuinely good person, kind-hearted and gentle, and as upright an individual as I have ever met. He was not traitorous or treacherous. And in regard to his political affiliation, the formal one, none of that I was really aware of, because Brad was always the same.

"I got along with him probably better than I did any other senator there. I came to develop a working relationship with him that kind of oozed over into something a little more personal. Its not often people affect me the way Brad did.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts: Susanne and I are saddened to receive news of Brad Ashfords passing. Brad was a dedicated public servant, who cared deeply for the state of Nebraska. Please join us in praying for Brads wife, Ann, and the rest of the Ashford family. We send them our sincerest condolences.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.: The passing of Congressman Brad Ashford is a sad loss for the people of Nebraska and for America. A proud son of Omaha, Congressman Ashford devoted much of his career to serving his city and state: whether fighting for safe and affordable housing for every family, enacting landmark legislation in the State Legislature or representing his community in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the halls of Congress, he was widely respected as a serious legislator with a special ability to rise above partisan politics, build consensus and get things done. He will long be remembered by his colleagues and the country for authoring an important law that paved the way for new health care facilities for veterans to be built across the nation  including in his beloved Omaha.

May it be a comfort to his wife Ann, his children John, Ellie and Tom, his granddaughter Rosie, and his many loved ones that so many in the Congress and around the nation mourn with you during this sad time.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.: I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Rep. Brad Ashford, who gave so much back to public service in his beloved Nebraska. As a state legislator and a Member of Congress, Brad was guided by what he called the Nebraska Way of building bipartisan consensus. Those of us who knew him saw how Brad strove to overcome the often bitter partisanship in Congress to bring Democrats and Republicans together to find common ground and make progress on the toughest issues. That effort at finding consensus paid dividends back home, most recently as he worked both across the political aisle in Washington and with public and private interests in Omaha to secure funding for a new Veterans' clinic. While often a pragmatist in the tradition of the Blue Dog Coalition, Brad never wavered in his advocacy on matters of principle, speaking out in favor of LGBTQ equality, the dignity of immigrants, fairness in criminal sentencing, and common-sense gun-safety measures, among others.

I will remember Brad for his friendship, his humility, his convictions, and his deep sense of justice. He was a trusted colleague and a tough campaigner, and even in defeat Brad displayed a magnanimity and graciousness that ought to be a model for others in the future. I join in offering my condolences to his wife Ann, who has truly been his partner not only in life but also in service, and to his children John, Ellie, and Tom and his granddaughter Rosie. May they be comforted in this time of loss by the knowledge that their husband, father, and grandfather made an enormous and positive difference in the lives of so many, not only in Omaha, but across the nation.

Former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman: Brad Ashford was a special person and a good friend. He was an outstanding public servant and an extraordinary Nebraskan who cared deeply about Omaha and Nebraska. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ashford family.

Mary Ann Borgeson, chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners: "On behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Brad Ashford. Brad was a champion for Douglas County as a State Senator and as a Congressman. He was always willing to work with us to make Douglas County the best it could be. We will miss Brad deeply and will keep his wife Ann and their family in our thoughts as they travel through this journey."

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party: Representative Brad Ashford was a hero to many. He served the people of the state with pride, skill and grace. Brad was a rare public servant who had a true, unselfish heart. May we all strive to build bridges in order to find common ground just like Brad did every day.

Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub: The George Norris of our day. His heart and his intellect have left a meaningful impact on the scope of public policy in Nebraska in this modern time. Like George Norris, he knew how to reach for the middle ground and bring people together to solve problems. His productivity should be a real lesson to people that public service can be constructive, honorable and a useful tool for the good. He certainly has left our state better than he found it. I admire him greatly.

Precious McKesson, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party: Brad Ashford was a great representative of Nebraska. The work he did for our veterans and underserved communities will always be remembered. Brad was loved by many and will be missed.

Union Pacific executive Scott Moore, who was elected to the Legislature with Ashford in 1986: I had long talks with Brad over the years about what can be accomplished by governing in the middle. Brad truly lived in the political middle, and that explains some of his party switching. But regardless of registration, Brad was committed to action, always looking for the possible way to move the needle.
Zelenskyy: Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine has begun

LVIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias offensive to take control of eastern Ukraine is in full swing. Now we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time, he announced Monday in a video address. He said a significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive. He vowed: No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. We will do it every day.

Live Updates | Russians fight in streets of Ukrainian town

A Ukrainian military official said street battles have begun and evacuation is impossible in the town of Kreminna. Thats one of only two spots where the Ukrainians said the Russians managed to break through on Monday along a front stretching for hundreds of miles. The Luhansk regional military administrator said the town came under heavy artillery setting seven residential buildings on fire and that Russians took control after leveling everything to the ground. He said his guys retreated so that they can keep on fighting rather than stand in one place and die without causing significant damage to the enemy.

Florida judge voids US mask mandate for planes, other travel

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit Monday, and airlines and airports swiftly began repealing their face covering requirements. The judges decision freed airlines, airports and mass transit systems to make their own decisions about mask requirements, resulting in a mix of responses to the ruling. The major airlines switched to a mask optional policy, eliciting cheers from passengers when the changes were announced over loudspeakers. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday night that it would it will no longer enforce the mask requirement, and airports in Houston and Dallas almost immediately did away with their mandates after the TSA announcement.

Second arrest made in South Carolina mall shooting

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Police say they have have identified two more suspects in a Saturday shootout inside a crowded South Carolina mall in which nine people were shot. Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook on Monday announced the arrest of 20-year-old Marquise Love Robinson and said police are seeking a third suspect named Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith. In addition to the nine people who were shot, six others were injured while fleeing Columbiana Centre on Saturday afternoon. A 22-year-old man is already facing charges in connection with the shooting. State police are also investigating another weekend shooting in Hampton County that injured at least nine.

Migrant crossings spike as US plans to lift curb on asylum

WASHINGTON (AP)  The number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has surged in recent weeks as the U.S. prepares for even larger numbers with the expected lifting of a pandemic-era order that turned away asylum seekers. Immigration authorities stopped migrants 221,303 times along the Southwest border in March, a 34% increase from the month earlier and the highest in nearly two decades. U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed the data with a federal court in Texas. CBP was expected to publicly release the monthly statistics soon, before the looming expiration of a public health order that enabled U.S. authorities to turn back most migrants, including people seeking asylum.

Patrick Lyoya shooting raises issue of officer name release

Patrick Lyoyas father says he and his family have a right to know the name of the white officer who fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man. But the police chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says he will only do so if the officer is charged in the April 4 shooting that followed a brief foot chase and a struggle over the officers Taser. Eric Winstroms department is among those across the U.S. that have faced scrutiny for withholding identities of officers in cases where Black people were wounded or killed during interactions with police. Some have said its to protect the officers from retribution. Others, like Grand Rapids, point to policies that prohibit the release of an officers name before charges are filed.

Parents charged in Michigan school shooting seek lower bond

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  The parents of a Michigan teen who is accused of a fatal school shooting are asking a judge to lower their bond and help release them from jail. James and Jennifer Crumbley have been locked up since Dec. 4. They've been unable to come up with $500,000 each to leave custody and await trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. Lawyers say the Crumbleys are not a risk to the public and would wear electronic monitoring devices. Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews will hear arguments Tuesday. Ethan Crumbley is charged with murder and other crimes. The parents are accused of failing to keep a gun secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress.

Judge rules Amazon must reinstate fired warehouse worker

A judge has ruled Amazon must reinstate a former employee who was fired in the early days of the pandemic after leading a protest calling for the company to do more to protect workers against COVID-19. On Monday, administrative law judge Benjamin Green said Amazon must offer the former worker, Gerald Bryson, his job back, as well as lost wages and benefits resulting from his discriminatory discharge. Bryson led a protest in April 2020 in front of the Staten Island warehouse that voted to unionize earlier this month. While off the job during the protest, Bryson got into a dispute with another worker. He was later fired for violating Amazons vulgar-language policy.

Gaza militants fire rocket into Israel as tensions soar

JERUSALEM (AP)  Palestinian militants have fired a rocket into southern Israel for the first time in months. It's a potentially major escalation after clashes at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem and a wave of attacks and military raids elsewhere. Israel said it intercepted the rocket Monday, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Israel holds Gazas militant Hamas rulers responsible for all such projectiles and usually launches airstrikes in their wake. It was the first such rocket fire since New Years Eve. Hours earlier, the leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group, which boasts an arsenal of rockets, had issued a brief, cryptic warning, condemning Israeli violations in Jerusalem.

EXPLAINER: What does Infowars bankruptcy filing mean?

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Infowars has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the websites founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones faces defamation lawsuits over his comments that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. The bankruptcy filing in Texas puts civil litigation on hold while the business reorganizes its finances. In the court filing Sunday, Infowars says it has estimated assets of $50,000 or less and estimated liabilities of $1 million to $10 million. Creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing include relatives of some of the 20 children and six educators killed in the 2012 school massacre in Connecticut. Jones has since conceded that the shooting did happen, but a lawyer for Sandy Hook families in a Connecticut lawsuit says Jones is trying to avoid being held accountable.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Chef Blaque Shelton smiles while speaking before Chef Carol Baisdens Bakery Merchandising class at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County in East Chicago, Indiana Friday April 15, 2022. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Post-Tribune)

Blaque Shelton learned early in his career that networking was vital to his success, even if there was one time it nearly killed him.

Shelton, the award-winning pastry chef whos competed in and been featured in popular baking shows on Food Network, Netflix and Discovery-Plus, was once asked early on in his career to represent a baking magazine at an industry show in Miami.

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Joined by his mother and sister-in-law, he drove the 16 hours to Florida toting a tree with an earth replica atop it made entirely of cake, he told Carol Baisdens Bakery Merchandising class at IVY Techs De La Garza Campus in East Chicago Friday morning.

When it fell apart en route, Shelton did the only thing he think of: look for a liquor store and get as drunk as humanly possible to soften the blow, he said.

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Chef Blaque Shelton speaks before Chef Carol Baisdens Bakery Merchandising class at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County in East Chicago, Indiana Friday April 15, 2022. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Post-Tribune)

Thirty-four glasses of boxed wine into his sorrow later, Shelton  whose given name is Maurice  repaired what he could of his work and still managed to come in second place during a show competition, he said, further solidifying his hunch that he had a shot at making it big in sugar art. It may or may not have also been the moment he realized he needed to charge what his talent is worth for the pieces he creates.

Shelton told the class he got into baking because his family, while big on cooking, was demonstratively indifferent to their sweets when he was growing up on the Chicagos South Side.

Our idea of baking was Jewel-Osco, so here we would spend 16 hours cooking Sunday dinner, and our dessert was frozen sweet potato pie from Marie (Callenders), he said with a side eye. I started baking cookies to supplement, and it just kind of grew from there.

Students Blanche Morales, left, and LaTasha Edwards listen as Chef Blaque Shelton speaks before their Bakery Merchandising class at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County in East Chicago, Indiana Friday April 15, 2022. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Post-Tribune)

Besides, everybody cooks or has some knowledge of cooking. With pastries, you cant necessarily tell me what a pastrys supposed to taste like.

From there, Sheltons career took him to managing a deli, flying the skies as a flight attendant and then managing a store, but through all that, he kept baking and taking advantage of every single opportunity he could, he told the class. Hes operated online bakery Black Rose Pastries since 2007 and will open his first brick-and-mortar shop, Steel City Bakery, in Garys Miller section by the end of summer, he said, all the while keeping up with TV appearances and competitions, which he says help fund his grind.

Choosing Gary to open Steel City, he said, was easy for two reasons: Following his family to Gary from Chicago showed him how much less expensive it would be, and Gary is a food desert that deserves excellent baked goods.

I love to bake, and people love sweets. See? Im your solution! he said.

Patches decorate the sleeve of Chef Blaque Shelton during his presentation before Chef Carol Baisdens Bakery Merchandising class at Ivy Tech Community College Lake County in East Chicago, Indiana Friday April 15, 2022. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Post-Tribune)

Aside from just keeping at baking if thats what you love to do, Shelton insisted to the class that they must make connections everywhere they go, because connections become opportunities. Through his talk with Baisdens class alone, Shelton set up a baking externship with IVY Tech for the Gary bakery, he said.

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See all these patches on my jacket? These all represent opportunities, he said.

Carolina Martinez, of Merrillville, asked Shelton if he had any regrets, of which he said he has one: not staying in culinary school. Martinez brought her 4-year-old daughter, Victoriana Martinez, to hear Shelton speak.

Shes been sitting here whispering, Is that the man from Sugar Rush? Martinez said.

Valencia Da Silva, 24, and her aunt, Yvette Harvey, 62, accompanied Valerie Da Silva, 61, to the class. Valerie Da Silva graduates May 14 with a pastry arts degree.

You just have to go for it to support your dreams, Valerie Da Silva said.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
MODESTO, Calif. (AP)  Between vast almond orchards and dairy pastures in the heart of Californias farm country sits a property being redesigned to look like it did 150 years ago, before levees restricted the flow of rivers that weave across the landscape.

The 2,100 acres (1,100 hectares) at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers in the states Central Valley are being reverted to a floodplain. That means when heavy rains cause the rivers to go over their banks, water will run onto the land, allowing traditional ecosystems to flourish and lowering flood risk downstream.

The Dos Rios Ranch Preserve is Californias largest single floodplain restoration project, part of the nations broadest effort to rethink how rivers flow as climate change alters the environment. The land it covers used to be a farm, but the owners sold it to the nonprofit River Partners to use for restoring wildlife habitat.

The state wants to fund and prioritize similar projects that lower risks to homes and property while providing other benefits, like boosting habitats, improving water quality and potentially recharging depleted groundwater supplies. By notching or removing levees, swelling rivers can flow onto land that no longer needs to be kept dry.

It's giving new life ecologically but in a way that's consistent with, complementary to, the human systems that have developed over the 150 years since the Gold Rush, said Julie Rentner, president of Rivers Partners.

The Central Valley covers about 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers) and is an agricultural powerhouse  more than 250 crops are grown there. The region constitutes about 1% of U.S. farmland but produces 25% of the nations food while accounting for one-fifth of all groundwater pumping in the U.S.

A flood in the 1860s demonstrates the potential for disaster; up to 6,000 square miles (15,500 square kilometers) of the valley were submerged. As the state's population rapidly expanded and farming boomed through the 20th century, the government engineered vast systems to move water around to supply people and farms, and erected levees to protect cities and crops.

Some of those levees cut off rivers from their natural floodplains. As climate change causes temperatures to warm, mountain snow that typically trickles into the state's watershed may fill rivers much faster, increasing the flows beyond what levees can take.

Floodplain restoration can help. For projects like Dos Rios, land that farmers no longer want to manage is being turned into space where rivers can breathe. Farther north, barriers on the Feather River have been altered to allow more water to flow into an existing wildlife area. In West Sacramento, 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of levee along the Sacramento River is being set back.

California officials began centralizing valley flood planning a decade ago. Though some of the worst and most notable floods in recent decades have occurred in places like Houston and New Orleans, parts of California are at serious risk that's only expected to increase due to climate change. In 1997, major storms caused levees to break throughout the valley, including on the Tuolumne River, causing nearly $2 billion in damage and destroying more than 20,000 homes. Nine people died.

An update to the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan is set for release this week. It will detail ways to lower flood risk and protect the roughly 1.3 million people who live on floodplains, along with key infrastructure, agricultural lands and ecosystems.

In the last update five years ago, the state put a premium on flood plain restoration projects. Dos Rios is one of 17 identified by the state. Four have been completed since 2013, three are under construction, and 10 are proposed. They've cost $300 million so far, with money coming from bond funds and local and federal dollars.

Dos Rios is an amazing example, but we need like 30 more of those, said Jane Dolan, chair of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

Floodplain restoration isnt unique to California. Washington state launched a program in 2013 called Floodplains by Design, and projects are popping up along the Mississippi River. But experts say California stands out for its emphasis on projects that provide ecological support.

Theres tremendous potential for this kind of work, and Im quite impressed by how deliberate and thoughtful California is being in this space, said Todd Bridges, head of the Army Corps Engineering with Nature program, which takes a similar approach.

The Biden administration set aside at least $1.75 billion in the infrastructure bill for multipurpose projects aimed at reducing flood risk.

Just as climate change is making Californias dry periods drier, its expected to make the wet periods wetter. The state experienced an atmospheric river in October and major rain and snowfall in December, followed by its driest January through March on record.

One of the things that drives me crazy about California water is that decision makers want to talk about floods in flood years and droughts in drought years, said Barry Nelson, a water consultant who worked on the Dos Rios project. The weather whiplash were seeing this year is really teaching us we need to break out of that pattern.

Since the 1850s, 95% of the historical wetlands and river habitats in the Central Valley have been eliminated, according to state flood planners. It would be impossible to restore all of that in a state of 40 million people, where major cities like the capital of Sacramento and Stockton have been built in floodplains.

But the valley's vast open spaces offer opportunities, such as on farmland that's no longer in use. The property Dos Rios sits on was most recently a dairy, and the owners approach River Partners about selling the land for conservation in the mid-2000s.

River Partners has notched berms to allow river water to flow onto 1,000 acres (400 hectares). The nonprofit is going through government hurdles to breach a federal levee keeping the Tuolumne River at bay. Eventually Dos Rios could hold up to 10,000 acre-feet of flood water, keeping it from flowing toward cities like Stockton. An acre-foot is about 325,850 gallons (about 1.23 million liters).

Fourteen kinds of woody trees and shrubs are planted in a way thats designed to attract native species. The riparian brush rabbit, chinook salmon, steelhead trout, the yellow warbler, and the sandhill crane are among the species that call Dos Rios home. The habitat there also supports the Aleutian cackling goose, which used to be listed as an endangered species.

Advocates for such projects would like to see them built faster in California and beyond. Rentner, of River Partners, said while there's broad agreement on the value of restoring floodplains, concerns about the impact of land conversion on local tax bases and debates about how broadly to expand public access can slow things down.

But in the messy world of California water, floodplain restoration stands out, said Nelson, the water consultant.

In this sort of ocean of disagreements about water policy, about all these other issues, flood management is this place where enormous change has happened in the last decade in a way that is incredibly broadly supported," he said.

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the last name of Julie Rentner. It has also been corrected to say that the habitat at Dos Rios supports the Aleutian cackling goose, not that it helped lead to the delisting of the goose as an endangered species.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Sri Lanka's president acknowledged Monday that he made mistakes that led to the country's worst economic crisis in decades and pledged to correct them.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made the admission while speaking to 17 new Cabinet ministers he appointed Monday as he and his powerful family seek to resolve a political crisis resulting from the countrys dire economic state.

Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy, with nearly $7 billion of its total $25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment this year. A severe shortage of foreign exchange means the country lacks money to buy imported goods.

People have endured months of shortages of essentials like food, cooking gas, fuel and medicine, lining up for hours to buy the very limited stocks available.

During the last two and a half years we have had vast challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the debt burden, and some mistakes on our part, Rajapaksa said.

They need to be rectified. We have to correct them and move forward. We need to regain the trust of the people.

He said the government should have approached the International Monetary Fund early on for help in facing the impending debt crisis and should not have banned chemical fertilizer in an attempt to make Sri Lankan agriculture fully organic. Critics say the ban on imported fertilizer was aimed at conserving the country's declining foreign exchange holdings and badly hurt farmers.

The government is also blamed for taking out large loans for infrastructure projects which have not brought in any money.

Today, people are under immense pressure due to this economic crisis. I deeply regret this situation," Rajapaksa said, adding that the pain, discomfort and anger displayed by people forced to wait in long lines to get essential items at high prices is justified.

The Cabinet appointments follow weeks of protests over shortages of fuel and food and demands that Rajapaksa, his politically powerful family and his government resign.

Much public anger has been directed at Rajapaksa and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. They head an influential clan that has held power for most of the past two decades.

Thousands of protesters occupied the entrance to the presidents office for a 10th day on Monday.

The president and prime minister remain in office, but some other relatives lost their Cabinet seats in what was seen as an attempt to pacify the protesters without giving up the family's hold on power.

Many senior politicians and those facing corruption allegations were excluded from the new Cabinet in line with calls for a younger administration, though the finance and foreign affairs ministers retained their positions to assist with an economic recovery.

Most of the Cabinet resigned on April 3 after protests erupted across the country and demonstrators stormed and vandalized the homes of some Cabinet ministers.

Opposition parties rejected an offer by President Rajapaksa to form a unity government with him and his brother remaining in power. Opposition parties have failed, meanwhile, to gain a parliamentary majority.

Last week, the government said it was suspending repayment of foreign loans pending talks with the International Monetary Fund. Finance Minister Ali Sabry and officials left for talks with the IMF on Sunday. The IMF and World Bank are holding annual meetings in Washington this week.

Sri Lanka has also turned to China and India for emergency loans to buy food and fuel.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The U.S. is sending two top officials to the Solomon Islands following a visit last week by an Australian senator over concerns that China could establish a military presence in the South Pacific island nation.

The White House said Monday that later this week, Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council Indo-Pacific coordinator, and Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, will lead a delegation of U.S. government officials to the Solomon Islands, and will also visit Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday said Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Solomon Islands counterpart, Jeremiah Manele, officially signed a security agreement the other day. No specific date was given.

A draft of the pact, which was leaked online, said Chinese warships could stop in the Solomon Islands and China could send police and armed forces there to assist in maintaining social order.

Wang told reporters at a daily briefing that the agreement covers maintaining social order, along with protecting lives and property, providing humanitarian assistance and responding to natural disasters.

We are committed to helping the Solomon Islands to strengthen its capacity building to maintain national security, Wang said. He said the agreement does not seek to supersede the South Pacific nation's security ties with other nations.

The Solomon Islands has sought to downplay the significance of the agreement and says it won't lead to China establishing a military base there, but many neighboring countries and Western nations remain worried.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agreement could destabilize the Solomon Islands and would set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific region.

Despite the Solomon Islands governments comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of P.R.C. (Peoples Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands, Price said.

The U.S. trip comes after a visit to the Solomon Islands last week by Australian Sen. Zed Seselja, the minister for international development and the Pacific.

The Australian government said it was deeply disappointed by the Chinese announcement that the deal was signed.

We are concerned about the lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, noting its potential to undermine stability in our region, Seselja and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a joint statement.

We continue to seek further clarity on the terms of the agreement, and its consequences for the Pacific region, the statement added.

Last week, Seselja said he met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and asked him to abandon the Chinese agreement.

We have asked Solomon Islands respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our regions security frameworks, Seselja said.

The Solomon Islands portrayed the meeting in a more positive light, saying Sogavare and Seselja held productive discussions regarding the security concerns of the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.

Last week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about Washingtons plan to reopen an embassy in the capital, Honiara.

The announcement of the reopening of the embassy, which has been closed since 1993, came in February before the security pact came to light, but amid already growing concerns about Chinese influence in the strategically important country.

Associated Press reporter Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
DETROIT (AP)  A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya after a traffic stop pressed the gun against his head when firing the fatal shot, an expert who performed an independent autopsy for the Black man's family said Tuesday.

Dr. Werner Spitz confirmed what was seen last week on video: Lyoya was shot in the back of the head while facedown on the ground during a vigorous struggle with a white Grand Rapids officer on April 4.

Spitz appeared at a news conference with lawyers for Lyoya's family, who said they believe video collected and released by police shows that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was resisting the officer, not fighting him.

You never see a fist, you never see a knife, no baseball bat, no gun, no nothin, Ven Johnson said. This was not a deadly force scenario. Never gave a warning: Halt or Im going to shoot you' or other words that we can all imagine.

Spitz said he believes the gun was pressed against Lyoyas head when the officer fired, based on the condition of a bone in the head.

Theres no question what killed this young man. ... It was a powerful bullet, said Spitz, holding a skull to show where the bullet entered the head.

Spitz performed the autopsy last weekend at a funeral home. The 95-year-old forensic pathologist participated in the assassination investigations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., among other high-profile cases.

We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head, attorney Ben Crump said. That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution.

The official autopsy report is part of the state police investigation and hasnt been released to the public.

Lyoyas death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer.

Crump said Lyoya could have lived until his early 80s  a long and fruitful life. A lawsuit hasnt been filed, though Johnson signaled that one was in the works.

Crump has been involved in multimillion-dollar settlements between U.S. cities and the families of Black men killed by police. His legal team has argued that the costly deals should inspire police departments to change practices and improve their accountability to the public.

Lyoya, who wasnt armed, was killed after a traffic stop in Grand Rapids in western Michigan. The officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

Earlier, the officer, is heard saying that the license plate didn't match the car Lyoya had been driving. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

Crump said it appeared to be a case of racial profiling  driving while Black. Video released by the Grand Rapids Police Department shows the officer's patrol car backing out of a driveway in a residential neighborhood to follow the car for a few blocks. In Michigan, license plates aren't on the front of vehicles.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Kalczuk declined to comment.

Johnson repeated his call for police to publicly release the officer's name, though he indicated that he knows the identity. Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he won't release the name unless charges are filed.

If our client shot this officer in the back of the head, you would know his name the same day, Johnson said.

State police will give their findings to Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker for consideration of any charges. He has told the public to not expect a quick decision.

Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.

Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
LINCOLN  A key lawmaker said Tuesday that Nebraskas search for companies to administer pieces of the $1.8 billion Medicaid program appears to be steering clear of the problems that plagued a major child welfare contract.

State Medicaid officials issued a request for proposals Friday from companies interested in managing the care of some 347,000 Nebraskans through at least 2028.

The winning bidders will take over from the three companies that currently manage physical and behavioral health care and pharmacy services for almost all Medicaid patients in a program called Heritage Health. The three include Healthy Blue, Nebraska Total Care and United HealthCare Community Plan of Nebraska.

State Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he has been encouraged by the process so far. He said officials are following a different path from the one that led to a problematic 2019 contract with the Kansas-based St. Francis Ministries.

St. Francis got the job of managing metro-area child welfare cases by underbidding the contract, then negotiated a 55% boost in payments when financial shortfalls nearly forced its Omaha operations to shut down. Meanwhile, the private nonprofit never met contract terms or complied with state laws limiting caseload sizes. The contract has since been terminated.

Overall, I think the state did learn a lot with the St. Francis contracting problems, Arch said. This is not price-driven. They are really looking at quality.

For the Medicaid managed care contracts, the state has put more emphasis on quality and performance rather than cost, he said. Companies can compete by offering various value-added services, which go beyond what the state requires.

The new contracts will require companies to add dental benefits, along with physical health, behavioral health and prescription drugs. Currently, Nebraska has a separate contract for dental care management. In addition, state Medicaid officials said they will increase payment rates for dental providers and remove the annual limits on dental benefits for adults.

Contractors also will be required to use a common provider credentialing service, so doctors and other professionals will not have to submit documentation to multiple entities.

State Medicaid Director Kevin Bagley said the changes grew out of listening sessions held across the state in January for Medicaid providers, patients and others.

Fostering consistency between our health plans in regard to provider credentialing and service delivery was a common theme we heard in many of these sessions, as was finding ways to improve access to dental services, he said. We hope these new additions to Nebraskas next managed care contracts make positive progress in improving the member and provider experience.

Officials plan to announce the winning bidders in August, with the contracts set to start on July 1, 2023.

The current contracts date to 2017, when the state signed with three private companies to administer what was then $1.2 billion worth of Medicaid services. Since then, two of the original three companies merged, which led to the state signing a contract with Healthy Blue.

Heritage Health does not cover nursing home care and other long-term support and services for the elderly and people with disabilities.

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Former President Donald Trump is coming to Nebraska.

Trump is scheduled to hold a rally at the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, between Omaha and Lincoln, on Friday, April 29.

His visit will take place less than two weeks ahead of Nebraskas May 10 primary. Trump has endorsed Charles W. Herbster in the race for governor.

Herbster, a Republican megadonor and businessman from Falls City, is seen as one of the front-runners in the GOP race along with Columbus hog producer Jim Pillen and State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha.

The announcement of Trumps visit, which was shared by Herbsters campaign Tuesday morning, comes days after the Nebraska Examiner published a report detailing allegations that Herbster groped multiple women, including State Sen. Julie Slama, who has since confirmed the alleged assault.

The Examiner reported that Herbster reached up Slamas skirt without her consent and touched her inappropriately as she walked by at the Douglas County Republican Partys 2019 Elephant Remembers dinner.

Herbster has denied the allegations and said they are a dirty political trick being carried out by his political opponents, specifically Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Ricketts has endorsed Pillen in the governors race. He also originally appointed Slama to the Legislature. Ricketts has denied Herbsters claim, as has Slama.

The allegations sent a tremor through Nebraskas political world. All 13 women serving in the Legislature, including Slama, signed a letter concluding that Herbsters actions, as detailed by the Examiner, made him unfit to serve.

Others, including the Nebraska GOP, said the allegations were serious but refrained from casting judgment.

Trumps last visit to the area came just ahead of the 2020 election when he held a campaign rally at Eppley Airfield. Hundreds of attendees at the rally spent up to three hours in freezing temperatures waiting for buses to take them back to their cars.

Trumps April 29 rally in Greenwood is set to get underway at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m. Trump is slated to deliver remarks at 8 p.m.

Herbster is the only special guest identified in the announcement.

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Chinese film studio Light Chaser Animation announced on Monday that the second installment of its "new gods" animated film series, following the 2021 fantasy "New Gods: Nezha Reborn," is set for release this July, without specifying the date.



Famed for producing the 2019 animated blockbuster "White Snake," the studio has released a teaser of the new title, which is known in Chinese as "Xin Shen Bang: Yang Jian," literally meaning "New God List: Yang Jian" in English.

The upcoming film revolves around Yang Jian, a mythological figure who, just like Nezha, is also from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel "The Investiture of the Gods."

It is the same book that inspired the 2019 movie "Ne Zha" by Beijing Enlight Pictures which pocketed 5 billion yuan (about 784 million U.S. dollars).

"New Gods: Nezha Reborn" raked in 456 million yuan.
EUREKA  Collectors interested in owning a book from President Ronald Reagans personal library will have a chance to buy some at an auction next month. Eureka College is selling books gifted to it by the former president to raise funds for library improvements.

Reagan graduated from Eureka in 1932 and dedicated the library building when it opened in 1967. The library is largely the same as it was when he dedicated it, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ann Fulop said in a statement.

The funds raised will be going toward physical and technology upgrades for the library. That includes decor updates as well as more collaborative spaces with materials like whiteboards, screen sharing and charging stations, said Kelly Fisher, public and access services librarian.

The auction is being held by Hindman Auctions of Chicago at 10 a.m. May 4. The Reagan materials are lots 236 through 316 of the Fine Books and Manuscripts auction. A full catalogue can be found on the Hindman website at hindmanauctions.com.

The books are donations Reagan made between 1988 and 2001, Eurekas press release said. None come from the colleges Reagan archives or museum collections.

Many are signed or inscribed to Reagan or his wife Nancy Reagan by the authors or others who were giving the book to the Reagans as a gift. The Hindman catalogue lists the books and lots with estimated values between $300 and $700, with most in the $300 to $400 range.

The sale also has support from the Reagan family.

My father loved Eureka College with all his heart and would do anything he could to support the school, Michael Reagan, the former president's son, said in a statement. He would be thrilled to know that his autographed book collection, given to him by authors and celebrities, is being used to help make the library better for students.

The auction is being held in person and online. The lots are available for preview starting May 1. Registration for online bidding can be done on the Hindman website.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood

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BLOOMINGTON  Whether it's bud, hash, oil or brownies, spring blooms yet another green holiday as cannabis sales in Bloomington-Normal increase with consumers eating, drinking or smoking pot.

"I don't smoke weed," said Dakota Manuel, an Illinois State University student, outside Beyond/Hello cannabis dispensary in Bloomington. "This is actually my second time doing anything related to weed, but I mainly like edibles because it helps me chill out and relax."

The weed smoking holiday known as 4/20 and celebrated on April 20 has evolved since recreational sales became legal in Illinois, leaving law enforcement to adapt and substance abuse advocates wary.

Kaitlyn O'Connell, general manager at Beyond/Hello  the cannabis company with two dispensaries in Bloomington-Normal  said business has been great this year with a wider inventory of products and their promotions team creating ways for customers to save.

"I feel like the feedback we get from our customers, especially lately, is positive," O'Connell said. "If we're able to pass along our deals and consistently lower our prices, it really impacts our customers' experience."

The communitys first legal recreational sales were offered when the former Green Solutions at 501 W. Northtown Road in Normal expanded from solely medical cannabis in January 2020 and sold to Jushi Holdings, a global cannabis and hemp operator that is a parent company to Beyond/Hello dispensaries.

The second Beyond/Hello opened in January 2021 at 1515 N. Veterans Parkway in Bloomington.

"Honestly we see people coming from out of state, even as they're passing through between here and Chicago," O'Connell said. "We, of course, have a strong customer base of college students  being in a college town  and we see people from all over the state, but at the same time, we do have people that consistently travel 40 minutes to an hour to come here."

O'Connell said they have been running sales for each of the 10 days leading up to the hash holiday with a storewide 25% discount being offered on 4/20 to all customers.

They have products ranging from different strains of flower, extracts, oils, topical creams, edibles, drinks, pre-roll, tobacco-free joint and blunt wrappers and vapes.

Non-dispensary shops like Smokin' Glass in Bloomington will be open untll midnight with free food and a raffle while others like Mother Murphy's in Normal will be selling a special pin for the occasion.

Manuel said they bought edibles for the day and plan on going to the bars with some friends later that night.

Normal resident Ryan Laird said he has been smoking weed for a few years now and bought pre-rolls to share with his cousin on 4/20.

"I prefer it more than alcohol because with alcohol, I just find it to change your mood and even heightening it to where it's worse," Laird said. "With weed, it just mellows you out and helps you get through the day while also feeling more in control."

Use up, arrests down

Law enforcement officials in Bloomington-Normal say theyve had to adjust to legalization with an increase in general use but not a noticeable increase on 4/20s past.

Brandt Parsley, public information officer for the Bloomington Police Department, said after about 14 years on patrol, I don't recall an uptick in cannabis use on that day.

Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner agreed his patrol officers arent hyper-focused on cannabis on the high holiday, with no additional patrols or similar measures scheduled.

However, he said the dates significance goes beyond marijuana for some, recalling the shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.

There are a lot of things on our radar and we do risk assessment for those, but its typically business as usual, Bleichner said.

ISU police Chief Aaron Woodruff said his department has noticed an increase in use throughout the school year, though he expected his statistics would be skewed because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We primarily deal with people who are under the age of 21 so whether its legal or not, theyre not permitted to possess it or use it, he said. Oftentimes, because its actually a lesser offense than alcohol, well just cite them for a university violation and the university sanctions them instead of us.

Unless further assistance from officers is needed, residence hall staff members often handle reports related to cannabis as well, like they do for some alcohol reports, Woodruff said.

If we had to respond to every alcohol call, we wouldnt have enough officers. So its just one of those things where weve adapted to it, he said.

According to the universitys annual security report for 2020, ISU police averaged 68 drug law arrests and 747 drug law referrals in 2018 and 59 drug law arrests and 668 drug law referrals in 2019. Those numbers dropped to 31 and 217 after legalization in 2020. The report for 2021 is expected to be released in October.

Bleichner said cannabis-related arrests and ordinance violations have dropped by about 60-75% in Normal since legalization.

For example, in March 2019, Normal police reported five arrests and 35 ordinance violations related to cannabis use and possession, and in March 2022 reported two arrests and nine ordinance violations.

Bleichner said the majority of those arrests and violations stemmed from investigations during traffic stops.

We focus heavily on impaired driving enforcement, he said, noting those arrests are often made for improper transportation of cannabis and for using cannabis before or while driving.

We take that very seriously for the safety of our roadways.  Dont consume it and drive; dont consume it while driving or in vehicles as a passenger, Bleichener said. We want to remove impaired drivers from the roadway.

Comparatively, the Bloomington Police Department reported 25 cannabis-related arrests, reports and violations in March 2019, and 15 in March 2022. Most of the cannabis-related arrests and reports in March 2022 involved possession in a vehicle outside an approved container for transportation.

While arrests are down, McLean County Circuit Clerk Don Everhart also said since legalization, 968 criminal misdemeanors related to cannabis have been expunged in the county.

Careful consumption

Manuel said they initially tried edibles from a friend to help manage anxiety and improve sleep, having only smoked occasionally before.

"I've had some issues with alcohol so I think moving more towards weed is going to be a healthier option for me in general," said Manuel, holding a bag with edibles. "I might try smoking at some time, but I'm not really sure right now."

Bryan Hinman, associate director of Court Treatment Programs at Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington, said in many cases, those with substance use disorder start at an early age with alcohol and tobacco.

Of people who use cannabis, most of them do not go on to use other illicit substances just based on data that we have," Hinman said. "I don't see a lot of support for the common gateway theory as it's framed."

Chestnut Health Services, which was first established in Bloomington in 1975, is a behavioral health center that provides treatment for substance use, mental health, primary care and research.

Hinman said a big component of their work is youth prevention, primarily focused on e-cigarette use and providing intervention and education opportunities using community partnerships to continue conversations around substance use.

Lisa Thompson, executive director at Project Oz in Bloomington, said there is little statewide data on Illinois youth marijuana use, mainly due to COVIDs impact on data collection.

Project Oz, a nonprofit organization that works with youth and families providing counseling, education and other support services, works with local schools to incorporate youth substance use prevention education into curricula.

"Utilizing the evidence-based Too Good For Drugs program, we deliver universal, classroom-based education to junior high students throughout McLean County to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes students need to reduce or prevent substance use and to keep the school and community drug-free," Thompson said.

Hinman said less than 19% of the population has a substance use disorder with cannabis and about 9% are considered to have a severe use disorder or addiction to cannabis.

"In my experience, ... I would see cases where there was someone whose severe use disorder was cannabis, but oftentimes it's multiple substances like using cannabis and alcohol, or maybe they're using meth and cannabis is used to come off of that," he said.

Laird, who primarily uses cannabis for anxiety, said he's had friends diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and other disorders who have been prescribed cannabis and have felt better using it instead of prescription drugs.

Manuel even said they did have an ex-girlfriend who was pretty dependent on marijuana before she sought help and thinks there are recreational consumers who can develop a dependence on marijuana.

"Even with painkillers prescribed by doctors nowadays, I understand that they've got to find a way to manage pain but if it's going to cause the patient to become addicted to them later on after going through all that pain, is it worth it?" Laird said. "I'd rather not be addicted to something that can be harmful to me later on."

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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Here's the COVID news for today, April 19.

Many are reacting to a federal judge's reversal of Biden's travel mask mandate

A pilot declared over the loudspeaker on a cross-country Delta Air Lines flight that passengers were no longer required to wear masks, eliciting cheers from the cabin and prompting some on board to immediately toss their face coverings onto their seats.

Feel free to burn them at will, a train conductor told New Jersey commuters Tuesday. Other passengers were confused, startled and angered by the abrupt change, however, especially those who booked trips in the belief that their unvaccinated children would be traveling in a masked environment. Read more here:

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said it was up to individual travelers about whether to wear face masks on planes in the wake of a judge's ruling striking down a federal mandate, which the Biden administration is considering appealing.

The evolving situation was on display Tuesday as passengers on Biden's trip aboard Air Force One to New Hampshire were required to wear masks while, at the same time, commercial airline passengers across the United States were stepping into plane cabins with the option to forgo a mask. The President boarded the aircraft Tuesday afternoon sporting a black mask. Read on:

What does it mean?

Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks. United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and other airlines all made masks voluntary.

On the ground, however, requirements could vary from place to place. New York Citys public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in effect. In San Francisco, the regional commuter rail system known as BART made masks voluntary, but the city transit authority did not. Read more:

How to keep safe

How can people continue to keep safe on planes now that masks are no longer required? What about vulnerable individuals like immunocompromised people and young children who aren't yet vaccinated? Do you need to quarantine if you're visiting vulnerable people and you were just on a flight? Should people consider canceling their travel plans? Get the answers here:

Uber and Lyft also drop their mandates

Face masks are now optional for Uber and Lyft riders and drivers in the United States, the ride-hailing companies said Tuesday, shortly after several major airlines announced a similar change in policy.

"The CDC order requiring masks while using rideshare platforms such as Uber is no longer in effect, and we've revised our COVID-19 mask and front-seat policies accordingly," Uber wrote in emails to users on Tuesday. Check out more here:

Uber and Lyft will no longer require masks for US riders and drivers Face masks are now optional for Uber and Lyft riders and drivers in the United States, the ride-hailing companies said Tuesday, shortly after several major airlines announced a similar change in policy.

Moderna looks to update shots for fall

Moderna hopes to offer updated COVID-19 boosters in the fall that combine its original vaccine with protection against the omicron variant. On Tuesday, it reported a preliminary hint that such an approach might work.

Today's COVID-19 vaccines all are based on the original version of the coronavirus. But the virus continues to mutate, with the super-contagious omicron variant  and its siblings  the latest threat. Read on:

Small businesses may face cut in COVID funding

Congress is considering taking back some of the money it authorized last year for a small business aid program in order to pay for new Covid-19 vaccines, testing and therapeutics.

The Biden administration asked Congress to provide more money weeks ago, warning that funds are needed to continue fighting Covid-19. But lawmakers have disagreed on how to pay for the request. Senate Republicans have insisted any new funding be fully offset by repurposing money from Covid-19 relief legislation that Congress previously passed. Find out more here:
SPRINGFIELD  Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed his final first-term budget into law Tuesday, a roughly $46 billion spending plan buoyed by pandemic-driven revenue windfalls and a current-year surplus that helped the state pay down debts and offer temporary tax relief.

Between the three budget-related bills signed Tuesday  House Bill 900, House Bill 4700 and Senate Bill 157  as well as a supplemental appropriations bill Pritzker signed last month  Senate Bill 2803  the plan includes $500 million beyond statutory requirements to the states beleaguered pension funds; $1 billion to the states rainy day fund which currently has a balance of just $27 million; and an estimated $1.8 billion in tax relief, much of which is temporary.

At a signing event at Chicago State University, Pritzker touted the spending plan as proof of his fiscal leadership as he seeks a second term, contrasting the three-plus years under his leadership with that of his Republican predecessor, Bruce Rauner.

Do you remember just five years ago when our state was held hostage by the former governor and the majority of the Republican Party? Pritzker asked rhetorically. Violence interruption programs were destroyed. DCFS shutdown 500 residential beds for our state's most vulnerable children. The developmentally disabled were forgotten. Our state's unpaid backlog of bills piled up to nearly $17 billion and our state suffered eight credit downgrades while sending five of our universities into junk credit status.

Rauner presided over a 736-day impasse in which he and Democrats in the General Assembly failed to bridge ideological gaps to pass a state budget. During that period, court-mandated spending continued at a pace that was billions of dollars more than available revenues, due in large part to the rollback of a temporary tax hike that occurred just before Rauner took office.

Pritzker beat Rauner by 16 percentage points in the 2018 election, and he and Democrats have highlighted the impasse and played up the differences between the two administrations throughout Pritzkers first term in an effort to claim the mantle of the party of fiscal responsibility in Illinois.

Its a contrast that Pritzkers campaign has highlighted in television advertising, noting the state has seen credit upgrades from two ratings agencies since he took office and paid down the bill backlog to a regular 30-day billing cycle.

Thats on top of a March debt retirement plan that saw the state dedicate $898 million to pay down old health insurance bills that were collecting interest and $230 million to fully fund the states College Illinois program.

The budget also includes $1.8 billion in tax relief, including a one-year suspension on the states grocery tax ($400 million), A one-time 5 percent property tax rebate up to $300 per household ($520 million), and a 10-day sales tax holiday for back-to-school items and clothing from Aug. 5-14 ($50 million).

Another $685 million would fund one-time direct rebate checks at $50 per individual and $100 per dependent, up to three, for individuals earning $200,000 or less or joint filers earning $400,000 or less.

While that relief was temporary, the budget also permanently increased the earned income tax credit from 18 to 20 percent of the federal credit while expanding the program to noncitizens who have an individual taxpayer identification number rather than a Social Security number. That program would cost about $100 million.

The states statutory annual motor fuel tax increase will be delayed for six months this year, costing about $70 million.

Republicans in the General Assembly opposed the spending portions of the budget but largely supported the tax relief proposals, even though they criticized them as being temporary.

This budget is nothing more than a campaign tool for Pritzker and the Democratic Party, Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, who voted for the tax relief plan, said in a statement. Providing one-time checks to people in the mail right before their names appear on the ballot and expire right after the election is a disgrace.

While Democrats have generally praised themselves for fiscal stability, Pritzkers Department of Revenue in a March committee presentation noted that much of the unforeseen state revenue growth was a result of pandemic-related shifts in consumer spending and other federal aid, either directly or indirectly.

Revenues for the current fiscal year were about $5 billion higher than originally budgeted last year, creating surpluses that allowed for the flexibility in the FY 2023 spending plan.

That was largely driven by increases to the states personal and corporate income taxes, as well as sales taxes, as consumers purchased more taxable goods than untaxed services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On top of that, the federal government made direct payments to Illinoisans and provided for additional unemployment benefits which are taxable at the state level, further boosting state coffers.

The revenue windfalls have created the opposite reality of one that Pritzker had predicted would come to fruition if voters rejected his graduated income tax proposal in November 2020.

After that initiative which would have taxed higher income Illinoisans at a higher rate failed by a 53-47 margin, Pritzker said painful budget cuts were unavoidable.

Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, who is a candidate for state treasurer, contrasted the governors dire warnings with the financial picture put forth by Democrats in an election year that will see every statewide office and seat in the General Assembly up for grabs.

You were bailed out by billions in additional funding from the federal government in Medicaid matching funds. You were bailed out by, across the country, trillions of dollars that were injected into our economies that led to higher-than-expected collections in revenue for the state temporarily, he said during floor debate.

So as we look at this year's budget, and we try to ask which direction is it heading in, it's growing spending faster than we're growing revenues, he added. It ignores the fact that voters rejected a tax increase. And when this one-time revenue dries up, the only thing you'll know how to do is go back and raise taxes yet again.

Democrats, on the other hand, have tried to paint Republicans as voting against fiscal stability.

Balancing the budget allows us to save for the future and live up to our financial obligations, Pritzker said Tuesday. On all of these things, the only members of the General Assembly who voted to kick the can down the road and stick you and your children with the bill were the Republicans who voted against it.

As well, in an election year in which Republicans are relentlessly campaigning on a platform that pits Democrats as weak on crime, Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat, tried to flip the script.

There are those who are standing on the sideline talking about crime is increasing, but they are the ones who would only want voting to defund police, Sims said at the Tuesday bill signing. They don't vote for additional investments in creating public safety initiatives that will truly make our communities safer.

Democrats touted $240 million in spending  $235 million of which came from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding  for violence reduction programs; funding for 300 additional Illinois State Police troopers; $30 million for the Violent Crime Witness Protection Program; $30 million for police body camera grants; $20 million in grants for less lethal devices and training; $10 million for a local law enforcement retention grant program; and $20 million for cameras and automatic license plate readers on state routes, among other public safety spending.

Republicans have focused their rhetoric on a January 2021 criminal justice reform known as the SAFE-T Act, which, among other things, overhauled police training and certification standards and authorized the end of cash bail in Illinois beginning in January 2023.

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In its current efforts to reform long-running patterns of civil rights abuses, the Chicago Police Department appears to be inching up from failure to needs improvement.

Thats the bottom line in the latest accounting by court-appointed independent monitor Margaret Maggie Hickey of the citys court-ordered efforts to reform long-standing and pervasive patterns and practices of civil rights abuses.

Constitutional and effective policing and the Consent Decree require more than a simple checklist, she wrote in a letter accompanying her offices latest biannual report last Tuesday.

CPD and related city entities must become learning organizations, capable of identifying new and existing challenges and implementing corresponding solutions, Hickey wrote, while also allowing that CPD has had to work on reform while also working through some extraordinary challenges, ranging from officer attrition to the spike in crime to the myriad challenges posed to the department by COVID-19.

Its hard to argue with such simple wisdom, yet arguing over how those goals might best be achieved never seems to end.

Chicagos police department has operated since 2019 under a consent decree, a series of court-mandated reforms, agreed to with the U.S. Department of Justice, after the killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014 by former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Hickey, a former federal prosecutor, attached a letter to the report that acknowledged major changes instituted by CPD under the guidance of the consent decree, but also highlighted persistent problems.

Its good news includes a welcome rise in the city and CPDs compliance with the consent decree. That list includes 519 paragraphs of court-ordered reforms.

Full or partial compliance was achieved in more than 70% of the requirements reviewed, compared with barely more than 50% in the previous period last year. So thats better.

But the report also scolded the departments sluggish progress toward a crucial new foot-pursuit policy in the wake of the shooting death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in March 2021. Although it has an interim policy, the department missed its deadline for formulating the new policy report. At least one official said theyll have one later in the year.

The report also rapped the CPDs recent focus on generating at least 1.5 million positive community interactions. Thats meant to build trust in the community, but the monitoring team said it might actually do more harm in reaching that goal than helping it. Counting interactions with the community as if they were widgets hardly feels like a good use of police time.

Yet, healthy community relations matter, Hickey said, and called on CPD to improve and show a commitment to community policing and other engagement efforts that continue to frustrate members of Chicagos communities.

Police Superintendent David Brown agrees that effective reform efforts and crime reduction need to work hand in hand. Yet in achieving that goal, the report notes, CPD often gets in its own way.

The department is still too slow in seeking community input, it says, leaving too little time for feedback from the public as plans are being formed, and offices of community policing are understaffed.

The monitoring report cites an almost laughable redundancy in the CPD having two offices responsible for community policing  the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) and its Neighborhood Policing Initiative (NPI)  that would be better if merged into one.

Worse, the report notes, its not clear how CPD tells the difference between community engagement, community partnerships, community relationships, community policing and community service.

If that sounds like late-night television comedy, it is important to remember that community-oriented policing, by whatever label, is not a joke.

Its a strategy that focuses on developing strong relationships between police officers and the residents, businesses and others in the communities they serve. Many police forces across the country have teams that focus specifically on community policing.

When it is done well, ample evidence and experience shows, it works. Some hardliners may scoff at what sounds to them like police doing social work or dropping buzzwords to get bureaucrats and pesky monitors off their backs while they do the real work of arresting criminals.

But wise police heads know that crime-fighting also relies on building stronger communities. We must not leave that off of our checklist.

Chicago Tribune

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AZA Finance, Africas largest non-bank institution specialising in cross-border international payments, forex and treasury services, has joined the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) organised The Money Summit (TMS) 2022 as a key sponsoring partner.



The Money Summit (TMS) 2022 is scheduled to come off at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 9am. The invitation-only event seeks to bring together players in the financial sector including banking, payment, insurance, investment banking, fintechs and others, to discuss pertinent financial issues and proffer solutions for the industry.



The 2022 edition, under the theme Africas Economic Growth - Facilitating Investment, Payments and Settlement Systems will focus on payments as a gateway to developing Africas financial systems on the back of the recently launched Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).



AZA Finances Country Manager, Nana Yaw Owusu Banahene, in an interview ahead of the summit, at which he will join experts as part of the first plenary session, explained that The Money Summit 2022 is a key platform to help discuss the growing conversations around payments and financial inclusion on the continent with the recently launched PAPSS and the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).



The AfCFTA was launched a little over a year ago and a couple of months ago the PAPSS has been launched. The continent is on the cusp of something great and AZA Finance is here to help play its role in driving more and more financial inclusion and cross border transactions, he said.



He added that AZA Finance would continue to work on ways to develop partnerships to grow and enhance cross-border international Payments, FX and Treasury with Licensed entities.



Touching on the companys product offering, Mr. Owusu Banahene added that by leveraging cutting edge technology with our proprietary technology in our flagship products, AZA Finance is able to significantly lower the cost and increase the speed of business payments to, from and across African markets in partnership with licensed local players.



Our partners utilise our hybrid financial infrastructure and deep local knowledge to manage liquidity and send payments to dozens of bank networks, mobile money operators and payments aggregators across Africa, he added.

The Money Summit 2022 comes with two plenary sessions and presentations from the Bank of Ghana (BoG); Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS); PAPSS, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).



The first plenary session will see Dr. Settor Amediku, Head of Payment Systems at BoG; Afua Adubea Koranteng, Managing Partner at Koranteng & Koranteng Legal Advisors; Nana Yaw Owusu- Banahene, Country Manager at AZA Finance; Ato Okyir, Group Head, New Ventures (Technology Innovation) at Letshego Group; and Attah Yeboah Gyan, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Fidelity Bank discuss the topic Africas payment and settlement system; Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward. This session would be moderated by Prince Moses, General Manager at Asaase Radio.



The second session on the topic Enhancing Investors Confidence: Critical Vehicle to Driving Economic Growth, will have Deborah Agyemfra, Deputy Director General at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Ekow Afedzie, Managing Director at the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE); Victor Asante, Managing Director at FBN Bank Ghana; Professor Mahmoud Abdulai Mahmoud, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS). The session would be moderated by Josephine A Offei, a Business Consultant.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Ghana Police Service says six alleged armed robbers have been arrested between the period of April 15 and April 17, 2022.



According to the Police, the suspects were arrested through a targeted intelligence led-operations in connection with a series of robberies including carjacking in Accra and Central Regions.



The six suspects, Jibrila Musa alias Danturi, Hussain Sampa, Daniel Acquah, Anthony Sackey, Michael Ojo and Ade Banjor were arrested at various locations across the two regions.



Items retrieved so far from the suspects are one locally manufactured gun, one foreign pistol, a cache of ammunition, two iPhones and four wristwatches, the Director, Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Supt. Alexander Kwaku Obeng narrated in a press release seen by Starrfm.com.gh



Supt Alexander Obeng further disclosed that the Police also retrieved one of the stolen vehicles during the operation.



Attached is the full press release from the Ghana Police Service:









Source: starrfm









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The United States (US) government has announced a $24.7 million funding to augment the countrys COVID-19 vaccination efforts nationwide.



The funding, provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will accelerate the delivery of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations in every part of Ghana.



The announcement formed part of the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX).



USAID Ghana Acting Mission Director, Janean Davis, said the US has now donated 9.6 million COVID-19 vaccines to Ghana.



We realize, however, that the donation of vaccines is not enough. Thats why, today, 1am excited to announce on behalf of the US government, an additional S24.7 million dollars to Ghana to accelerate the delivery of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations as part of Global VAX, she said.



Ms. Davis also announced the recent arrival of nearly two million more Plizer COVID-19 vaccines, which arrived in Ghana the week of March 21.



Since September 2021, the United States has donated more than 9.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Ghana, representing more than 30 percent of all vaccines available in Ghana, Worldwide.



Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said the country has so far vaccinated close to 13.4 million people using different strategies including targeting the most vulnerable and hotspots.



He noted that one of the challenges the service faces in its vaccination drive is vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women.



Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said the service has increased its advocacy especially among pregnant women adding that it is expecting to vaccinate over 5000 pregnant women by the close of the year.



The Greater Accra Regional Health Director, Dr. Charity Sarpong lauded the programme, saying the region has had its fair share of the pandemic since the first two cases were recorded.



She noted that the region has recorded over 90,000 cases but also had over 99 per cent recovering due to hard work of staff and leadership.



She said although the region experience four waves and lost four per cent of the affected persons, the introduction of the vaccine recorded case management improvements.









Source: Daily Guide









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Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and legal practitioner, Inusah Fuseini, has described attacks on the Chief Justice for directing Judges to call cases of senior lawyers first as unfortunate.



According to him, that (Directive) has been the existing protocol ever since he was called to the Bar over 10 years ago.



The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah has issued a circular asking judges to hear cases of senior lawyers first, then they can hear those of the junior lawyers.



The circular indicated that young lawyers need to learn from their senior colleagues. To that end, the Chief Justice said I would request all Trial Court Judges to strictly adhere to this age-old tradition and resort to inviting applications from Seniors first.



Justice Anin-Yeboah has come under fire following the directives as some Ghanaians described the move as partial.



Speaking in an interview on Atinka FMs AM Drive with host Kaakyire Ofori Ayim, the former Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini said, That has been the normal procedure ever since I entered the bar so this is not something new that he {The Chief Justice} is trying to introduce.



I believe Chief Justice Anin-Yeboah was just trying to remind and draw the attention of the Judges to obey the procedure



So, I dont know why some are criticizing the Chief Justice for reminding the Judges something thats already in the system- he said



He said the protocol helps the junior lawyers to acquire more knowledge from the senior lawyers to boost their confidence in dealing with cases.















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The Running Mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Election 2020, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, has donated quantities of provisions and assorted items worth several thousands of Ghana Cedis to Muslims in the Central Region towards the success of this years Ramadan.



She said the gesture was a demonstration of her commitment and dedication of the party to the welfare of the Muslim community throughout the country and the need to work in unity, peace and harmony at all times for sustainable development.



Prof. Opoku-Agyeman requested Muslims during their period of prayer and fasting to pray for the nation and in particular the 2020 presidential candidate of the NDC and the former President, John Dramani Mahama.



Receiving the items, Sheik Alhaji Yusuf Mahammed Kamagateh, the Central Regional Chief Imam, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Muslims in the Central Region and especially Cape Coast, to Prof. Opoku-Agyeman and the NDC for the donation which he said was most timely and handy for the religious season.



He prayed for peace and oneness of purpose in the leadership of the NDC, especially former President Mahama and his running mate, Prof. Opoku-Agyeman.



Ibrahim Mazawajey Mamudu, the Sariki Zongo was full of praise for Prof. Opoku-Agyeman not only for the presentation but also for her proven humility and peaceful nature in addition to her being a mother for all irrespective of the persons tribe, religion, region or political orientation.



Prof. Opoku-Agyeman was accompanied by George Kweku Ricketts Hagan, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast South Constituency, Dr Kwamena Mintah, MP for Cape Coast North Constituency and Richard Gyan, MP for Gomoa West all in the Central Region.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other potential obstacles, the fifth China International Import Expo will be held this November in Shanghai as scheduled, said Sun Chenghai, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, on April 18, which marks the 200-day countdown to the expo.



During a special online event held on the day, the bureau released the second exhibitor list, which has 121 companies and three national or regional pavilions.

The tentative procurement plans of several purchasers, including the National Health Commission and trade missions from Beijing, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Gansu, were also published for the first time. The purchasers expect to browse 194 types of products from the six exhibition areas of the expo.

According to Sun, more than 70 percent of the planned business exhibition area has been booked and increased efforts are being made to attract purchasers. The country exhibition, part of the CIIE, will continue to take place online, while this year's Hongqiao International Economic Forum will focus attention on global opening-up.

Zhou Lan, an official from the leading group in charge of city services for the expo, said Shanghai will make all necessary preparations to make sure the fifth CIIE will be a success.

Pfizer has debuted many innovations at the previous CIIEs and will expand its presence at the fifth edition, said Jean-Christophe Pointeau, president of Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Group China, at the meeting. Pointeau added that the company is looking forward to finding multiple resources that would promote medical innovation at this year's expo.

The online event marking the 200-day countdown to the fifth CIIE has bolstered exhibitors' confidence, noted Pointeau. He hopes that more enterprises could participate in the expo and seize opportunities in the Chinese market to spur the steady growth of China's economy and to contribute to global economic recovery.

The Bank of China, one of the CIIE partners, said it will upgrade financial solutions for the expo and further improve services.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh says persons behind the illegal demolishing of some houses in Panpanso No.1, a community near Teacher Mante in the Eastern region, will face the full rigours of the law.



He assured the community of the police's commitment to fish out the hoodlums for prosecution.



I have spoken to the police commander in the area and the investigation is ongoing. The law will work, he told NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie.



Angry residents of Panpanso No.1 went on a rampage Monday morning after over 11 houses in the community were illegally demolished by masked armed men at the behest of an alleged real estate developer.



The affected persons became agitated and embarked on a spontaneous demonstration blocking the main Accra  Kumasi Highway.



The MP for the area, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has called for calm after describing the situation as unfortunate.



He said the affected persons will be catered for.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The Russian Embassy in Ghana says the Government of Ghana must desist from blaming its economic woes on the Vladimir Putin-led attack on Ukraine.



The Akufo-Addo led-administration has consistently blamed the current economic hardship in the country on a global crises such as COVID-19 and the recent Russia-Ukraine war.



His Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during an economy lecture held in the Central also alluded to the same.



But, the Russian Embassy in Accra disagrees.



In a series of tweets on its official Twitter handle, the Embassy disclosed that Ghanas economic challenges started before the invasion of Ukraine.



The Embassy took notice of the increased number of news articles somehow or other accusing Russia of all negative trends in agricultural markets, gloomy prospects in terms of access of food and huge losses of farmers, the Embassy indicated.



It continued that However, the truth is different.



The Embassy wishes to shed some light on the roots and drivers of this crisis and provide a comprehensive and objective analysis without emotions and political prejudice.



Food prices started rising in mid-2020 and reached an all-time high in February 2022.



This is a real market shock caused by high demand and rising prices on food, raw materials, and transportation services, including freight in the post-COVID recovery period, portions of the Embassys tweet explained.



The Embassy reiterated that the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be blamed and is not a result of two months of this year, invasion.





Source: starrfm









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The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, wants the government to speed up the legislation of laws that decriminalise petty offences.

The legislation, he said, would consolidate the countrys image as a beacon of democracy and human rights in Africa.



The commissioner was speaking at a national conference on the decriminalisation of petty offences in Ghana held in Accra.



Organised by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), in collaboration with CHRAJ and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the conference was on the theme: "Decriminalising Petty Offences: The State, the Offender, the society".



Petty offences



Petty offences are minor offences for which the punishment is prescribed by law to carry a warning, community service, a low-value fine or short term of imprisonment, often for failure to pay the fine.



They include loitering, begging, being a vagrant, failure to pay debts, being a common nuisance and disobedience to parents, causing a public nuisance, hawking and vending, urinating in public and washing clothes in public among others.



Conference



The conference brought together stakeholders in the criminal justice system working within the country and on the continent.



The conference was a platform for human rights activists and stakeholders in the justice sector to drum home the need for petty offences to attract alternative punishments instead of custodial sentences.



Former CHRAJ Commissioner, Emile Short, said the criminal justice system in the country discriminated against the poor and vulnerable, citing how the police treated vulnerable suspects and kept them in custody beyond the mandated 48 hours without taking them to court.



He said the petty offences laws were "vague, arbitrary and highly dependent on police discretion for arrest and therefore encouraged police corruption, extortion, arrest and unlawful detention".



He said because many were unable to pay the fines, they often ended up in prison which compounded the congestion in the prisons.



Justice Short expressed worry that no change had occurred despite years of decriminalisation of petty offences.



Assessment



A Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, said the government efforts were being made to reassess the impact of some minor offences, but public safety and order should not be sacrificed.



He said plea-bargaining arrangements in criminal cases were at advanced stages, while a new sentencing bill was undergoing review towards introducing alternative modes of sentences to mitigate incarceration of the disadvantaged in society.



The Director of CHRI Africa Office, Mina Mensah, said the organisation would not relent in its advocacy for the creation of the laws.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Dozens of young Ethiopian men continue to gather at the Russian embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa, on Tuesday following rumours of soldiers being recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine.



But the embassys spokeswoman, Maria Chernukhina, said no recruitment was being carried out in Ethiopia.



She said the crowd was showing solidarity with Russia.



"We have a lot of visitors to the embassy in order to express support for Russia," she told the BBC.



"Some of them are telling us they are willing to help in any way they can. But we are not a recruitment agency," Ms Chernukhina added.



Many of the Ethiopians at the embassy were seen carrying their personal documents.



A young man waiting at the entrance told the BBC that he's looking for a good salary as a soldier or to be hired in any other job available.



"I also like Russia," he said.



Others said they had heard rumours of high wages in Russia.



Ethiopia was among countries that missed a UN session to vote on a resolution on the Russian invasion in Ukraine.



Some 17 African countries including South Africa abstained from the vote.

Source: BBC









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A number of Kenyan teachers say corporal punishment should be allowed in classrooms again so that they can be tougher on pupils who misbehave.



Kenya outlawed corporal punishment in schools in 2001. The Children's Act protects children from all forms of abuse.



But some secondary school headteachers say the ban undermines their authority in schools.



"The policy on management of discipline is laborious and [makes it] difficult for any school or board of management to take any disciplinary measures," says Kahi Indimuli, who leads the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association.



Headteachers are meeting this week for an annual conference and will discuss the rising unrest in schools.



Many government secondary schools were set alight last year, with many of the incidents blamed on students.



In February, Education Minister George Magoha warned teachers against caning learners in schools but had previously hinted at a change in policy to deal with rising cases of indiscipline in schools.

Source: BBC









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Liberia's President George Weah has ordered a second post-mortem on the body of a 25-year-old woman, Princess Cooper, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in eastern Monrovia in March.



Ms Cooper's body was reportedly located near the property of a wealthy businessman.



Princesss death sparked street protests last week with people furious over the government's alleged delay in investigating.



But police have insisted they are looking into the case properly.



The presidents intervention comes after the girls family rejected outright the outcome of an examination conducted by a team of newly trained state pathologists, who reported she had died of tuberculosis-related natural causes.



Under public pressure, President Weah instructed the justice minister to work with the family in identifying pathologists of their choice to conduct a second autopsy.



There has been growing insecurity in Liberia, with reports on social media about the disappearances of citizens.



Last year President Weah asked citizens to protect themselves by installing CCTV cameras at home, in a country where electricity is almost non-existent.

Source: BBC









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A 46-year-old farmer and hunter, Alex Quainoo has shot his wife, Victoria Asiedu after the latter failed to give him GH2 to buy alcohol and cigarette at Assin Bepokokoo in the Central Region.



Information gathered indicates that the suspect had earlier requested a torchlight to go on a hunting expedition. Upon his return from his hunting around 8pm on Easter Sunday, he demanded GH2 for alcohol but when the victim declined, an argument broke out.



The suspect then threatened to kill her and without provocation, he shot the victim in her two palms after missing the targeted neck.



The victim is currently receiving treatment at the St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu while the suspect is on the run.



The Assin South police command has mounted a search to arrest him.





Source: kasapaonline









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The Rwandan High Commission in India, on Saturday, April 16, held a virtual event to commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi.



It was attended by around 80 people, the majority being young Rwandan students studying in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.



The event had the aim of educating the young students about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi and pave ways to their engagements in fighting the Genocide denial and the Genocide ideology.



Addressing them, Jacqueline Mukangira, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to India sent a message of compassion to the Genocide survivors, and praised the bravery of the RPA/RPF military who stopped the Genocide.





She told them about the history of the Genocide, where she emphasized the uniqueness of its rapid execution by the killers nationwide, and the level of cruelty that marked the onslaught.



Polisi Denis, a former member of the parliament in Rwanda also addressed the attendants, elaborating on the preparations, implementation and consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.



His expose went back to the historical migrations into the Great Lakes region and captured the cultural and linguistic similarities of the peoples inhabiting the region to expel the theories that divide Rwandans on ground of fabricated ethnicities by the colonialists.



He also educated them about marginalization of the Tutsi during the first two republics of Rwanda after independence, culminating into the Genocide perpetrated against them in 1994.



He also tipped them on the efforts that the government and people of Rwanda have embarked on currently to achieve unity and reconciliation of the citizens, as well as stability and progress of the nation, as he called upon the youth to protect what has been achieved so far, and strive to take the country to another level.



Dr Abdallah Utumatwishima, a Rwandan medic also spoke to the attendants of the commemoration event, taking them through a pictorial presentation about Genocide ideology, the denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi outside Rwanda and the role of the youth in fight against it.



He urged them to stand for Unity, Thinking Big and Accountability, which are the key pillars for the post-Genocide Rwanda.



He said the unity of Rwandans is the antidote of divisionism, while thinking big has seen the country do big projects to boost its economy, and accountability guarantees the sustainability of the achievements.





Source: newtimes.co.rw









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Rwanda National Police (RNP) has started the rotation of its Formed Police Unit-One (RWAFPU-1) serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).



On Sunday, April 17, a cohort of 80 officers, who are part of RWAFPU-1 contingent of 240 officers, left Kigali International Airport for the one year tour-of-duty. The rotation will be conducted in three phases.



The batch left with the contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prudence Ngendahimana. Rwanda FPU-1 operates in Malakal, Upper Nile State.



This is the seventh rotation of RWAFPU-1 since its maiden deployment in 2015.



Rwanda FPU-1 has the major responsibility to ensure the security of South Sudanese, who fled the violent conflicts and currently in the Protection of Civilian (PoC) camp in Malakal.



Other duties include patrols, escort duties as well as supporting the UN Police capacity development in South Sudan.



Prior to the deployment, the officers were on Saturday, April 16, briefed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, who urged them to be defined by team work, respect, discipline and professionalism.



Another batch of 80 officers also returned home later in the evening under the command of Superintendent of Police (SP) Prosper Nshimiyimana after successfully completing their tour-of-duty.



RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police John Bosco Kabera, who presided over the rotation on behalf of the RNP leadership, thanked the officers who returned home for their resilience, professionalism and being good ambassadors.



"The leadership of RNP and your country welcomes you back home and thanks you for your commitment and sacrifice, and representing your country ably," Kabera said.





Source: newtimes.co.rw









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South Sudans Mining Minister Martin Gama Abucha who was arrested by security agents in Nimule has been released after two hours in detention, a senior military officer said.



Gen. Abucha was arrested on Saturday afternoon while travelling to the Adjumani District of Uganda.



Security agents reportedly followed the national ministers convoy from the Loa area before intercepting him at the border town of Nimule.



The SPLA-IO commander in charge of the Anyanya Division at the Achwa cantonment site confirmed Gen. Abuchas release to Radio Tamazuj.



Brig. Gen Okeny George M Lam said the minister was released following intervention from CTSAMVM in Torit Town.



The SPLA-IO general blamed the security forces along the Juba-Nimule highway over what he termed as political parties affiliation.



What happened yesterday Saturday exactly was a belief many partners in the revitalized agreement continue to annex the ministers and other national or state figures to other party systems, Gen. Lam stressed.



The spokesperson in the office of First Vice President Dr Riak Machar also confirmed the ministers release and said Gen. Abucha has proceeded to Uganda.



Puok Both Baluang described the arrest as a violation of the revitalized agreement.



He calls for thorough investigations into the arrest of the national minister. This is also a violation to our government because it is their minister and national security being put in.



We are calling for investigations on what happened and the people responsible should be held accountable for the mistake they committed because this is a violation. We condemn that in the strongest terms possible, this is not the way the government of national unity can work, Baluang stated.



It remains unclear why Gen. Martin Gama Abucha was arrested and detained by the security forces.



Gen. Abucha who was appointed into the ministerial post under the SPLM-IO ticket is also the partys representative at the security mechanism, CTSAMVM.





Source: radiotamazuj.org









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Shanghai is on track to resume production and ensure smooth logistics following a COVID-related citywide lockdown since April 1, as the city moves to safeguard its industrial and supply chains.

A series of policies and measures, including a national directive to ensure smooth logistics and stabilize industrial and supply chains, are seen as key in reviving production and expediting recovery in China's commercial hub.

The country will identify a list of key industries and enterprises engaged in foreign trade in fields such as automobiles, integrated circuits, consumer electronics, equipment manufacturing, agricultural supplies, food and medicine, said the 10-point circular published following the national teleconference on keeping industrial and supply chains stable, which was attended by Vice-Premier Liu He.

To overcome logistical barriers and boost traffic flow, the country will issue sufficient travel permits that can be recognized across the nation and make sure that nucleic acid test results within 48 hours can be used in different regions, the Ministry of Transport said on Monday after the directive's release.

More targeted measures have been issued in Shanghai over the weekend, with local authorities publishing detailed plans to help restore operations in key manufacturing sites.

Major enterprises in integrated circuits, automobiles, equipment manufacturing and biomedicines must submit plans regarding prevention of the spread of the virus before they are given the green light to resume operations in closed-loop management, the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization said on Saturday.

Regarding logistics management and the storage of epidemic prevention materials, the guidelines proposed that special routes and fixed sites be set up for production and living materials to enter the factory area, and they should be isolated from other areas.

Supply vehicle drivers and passengers are required to enter the factory area in strict accordance with epidemic prevention requirements.

The notice identified 666 manufacturers to resume production, in line with an early directive from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to help key industries get back to work.

SAIC Group kicked off "stress testing" for work and production resumption on Monday, targeting personnel, supply chain and logistics provisions, closed-loop production management, and epidemic prevention measures.

Multinational manufacturers, including 3M, BASF and Bosch said some of their production sites remained operational even at the beginning of the lockdown, with closed-loop management already in place to ensure orderly and virus-free manufacturing.

"With the support of government, we are also making preparations for other production resumption, developing a comprehensive plan to resume work and production," United States conglomerate 3M said in a statement on Monday.

German chemicals giant BASF said it is "actively organizing transportation capacity with logistics service providers for early recovery".

"We have been making every effort to overcome challenges, including raw material supply issues, logistic disruptions and labor shortages, to maintain supply and business continuity for our customers," said Jeffrey Lou, president and chairman of BASF Greater China.

Ai Zhouping, president of Heraeus Greater China, called for smoother inner-city and intercity transportation of products and raw materials, as well as daily supplies. He suggested the orderly flow of personnel, with employees fulfilling health requirements, being free to travel between plants and their homes.

"We are already on course to complete several key projects, but the sudden lockdown has hindered progress," Ai said. "We hope the government can greenlight these cases and allow us to wrap up the projects as soon as possible."
Rwanda has agreed to take in immigrants denied entry into the United Kingdom even as Kenya declined Londons requests to help it ease the burden of unwanted guests.



And as Rwanda and the UK signed the Migration and Economic Development Partnership on Thursday, questions were being asked about the fate of those who will be relocated.



Previous such deals neither prevented the refugees from attempting to return to the territories that rejected them nor assured them of adequate settlement life in their new homes.



While the deal with Rwanda reflects just how the UK has struggled to seal its borders, especially after voting to exit the European Union, it is expected to allow London to dispense with the burden, at a fee to Rwanda.



The actual number of the migrants to be relocated was not given, but officials suggested that any male migrant caught trying to enter the UK territory illegally by boat or hiding in vehicles will be shipped to Rwanda.



The deal with Rwanda applies to only men. Last year, 28,526 people were caught.



It has now emerged that before making the partnership with Rwanda, the UK had approached other countries in the region, including Kenya, which declined the request on a cost-benefit analysis, according to a diplomatic source who spoke to The EastAfrican in confidence.



Kenya, which already hosts about 800,000 refugees, most in camps and others in urban centres across the country, declined the offer to take in the migrants citing an already burdensome number in the country, the official said.



On a cost-benefit analysis, the money being offered is too little to manage these numbers. If refugees were a big business, maybe we would be rich. But it costs more to host them.



Even if a country is paid, funds go to schools and other welfare stuff. In three to five years, this becomes your problem because what you need are jobs and other elements for basic sustainability, the official told The EastAfrican.



The UK will also pay up to 120 million ($160 million) for support services to Rwanda. According to UK authorities, refugees mainly from African countries with broken governance systems have become a burden, costing up to $6.3 million per day to deport and also patrol the borders.



Before Christmas 2021, 27 people drowned, and in the weeks ahead there may be many more losing their lives at sea, and whose bodies may never be recovered. Around 600 came across the Channel yesterday. In just a few weeks this could again reach a thousand a day, The UK government said on Thursday, indicating the asylum programme was no longer sustainable.



The new programme, London argues, is meant to break the business model of people-smuggling gangs, step-up our operations in the Channel, bring more criminals to justice and end this barbaric trade in human misery.



Since its exit from the European Union, the UK doesnt have a common migration policy with EU members, forcing it to seek other partners to settle the unwanted illegals.



While announcing the deal on Thursday, UKs Prime Minister Boris Johnson, explained that Rwanda is a better host because it is one of the safest countries in the world, globally recognised for its record of welcoming and integrating migrants and it will have the capacity to resettle tens of thousands of migrants in the years ahead.



But he also suggested that even among those caught from boats who end up getting asylum, will still be settled elsewhere.



This means that the economic migrants taking advantage of the asylum system will not get to stay in the UK while those in genuine need will be properly protected with access to legal services in Rwanda supported by the funding we are providing, he added.



The deal had been in the works for months and was signed on Thursday by UKs Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Vincent Biruta.



But refugee agency UNHCR said that it was not a party to negotiations between London and Kigali, which it is understood were part of an economic development partnership.



UNHCR remains firmly opposed to arrangements that seek to transfer refugees and asylum seekers to third countries in the absence of sufficient safeguards and standards, said UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs, describing the arrangements as shifting asylum responsibilities and evading international obligations that are "contrary to the letter and spirit of the Refugee Convention.



Officials in Kigali say migrants will be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to employment, and enrolment in healthcare and social care services as well as the issuance of necessary identification documents.



And Secretary Patel explained to the media that migrants who arrive in the UK via illegal means such as small boats and human traffickers will be relocated, to Rwanda.



This is not the first time Rwanda has opened its doors to refugees. In 2014 it signed a deal with the government in Tel Aviv to take in African migrants who had been denied residence in Israel creating controversy as well.



A 2015 study by the International Refugee Rights Initiative found that many of those settled in the two countries had been given little support and no labour rights. Some ended up begging on the streets. In 2021, Rwanda reached a deal to host migrants who refused entry into Denmark, in exchange for a continuous arrangement to support its social systems to host refugees.



Rwanda also took African refugees stranded in inhumane conditions in Libya, after failing to make the crossing to Europe. This programme too was questioned on whether it could dissuade the migrants from trying to flee to Europe again. After the deal with the UK this week was announced, both governments faced criticism.



Besides the open arms, Rwanda says the deal excludes asylum seekers from any bordering countries and that it will decline those with criminal records.





Source: theeastafrican.co.ke









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Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building has bemoaned what it describes as the continuous attack on Fulani communities in Ghana and the inability of the security apparatus to address this violence.



According to the centre, the inability of the police to take action against the perpetrators poses a major national security threat to the country.



In a statement by its executive director, Adib Saani, the centre noted that Ghana Police Service have failed to take action after 9 Fulanis were killed at Zakoli, a suburb of Yendi, by a mod numbering about 100 people.



We are shocked by the inability of the Ghana Police Service to arrest a single suspect days after the incident. Not even a statement has been issued by the police in respect of the crime. Jatikay Centre has had the opportunity to interview some leaders of the Fulani Community in Ghana and they appear to be having a hectic job appealing to their fellows to remain calm.



When Fulanis stage revenge attacks, it could start a full-blown conflict. Already, many human insecurities have pushed a lot of young people in the area into uncertainty. Any trigger can cause these young people to explode into open belligerence as they already do not have much to live for, the statement read.



It added that this recent attack in Yendi forms part of ethnically-based violence Fulani communities have suffered for years in Ghana.



In Gushegu in 2014, 14 Fulanis were killed and their houses burned. In Gulumpe and Babato, 25 Fulanis were also killed. In 2019, in Baguruguinthe Northern Region, 68 homes belonging to Fulanis were destroyed. In 2021 alone, Fulanis in Chamba in the Nanumba North District were attacked and their cows, numbering about 500, were killed, among several other incidents, the statement added.



The centre, therefore, urged the government to take proactive steps to curb the violence and protect minorities groups in Ghana, including Fulanis.







Source: daily guide









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The Giving hope foundation a Non governmental organization (NGO) in Partnership with Sooyoo Foundation and Ten Talernts foundation have brought smiles to the people of Awudome Avenui in the Ho West District.



The items comprised over Eight hundred (800) Exercise books, Pencils, Erasors, quantity of straight dresses, trousers and top wears, skirts and blouses and many playing Toys.



Awudome Avenui, located in Ho west District in the volta Region with approximately Over Ten Thousand (10,000) inhabitants, is a fast growing in farming community.



The founder and President of Giving hope foundation, Madam Patience Ashorkor Quaye in a presentation to the Queen mother, Mama Elewosi Akordake Gbeklui 1V said, her foundation supportes the needy by focusing on changing lives especially, women and children for the best through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which is recognised as a crucial vehicle for social equity and sustainable development.



Madam Patience Ashorkor also use the occasion to thanked the husband, for such a support and most importantly, Naa Tsotso, the Executive Director for Sooyoo Foundation and Ten Talernts, a Ghanaian based in United Kingdom (UK) and a mother who cares about the future generations for her tremendous Support.



She pledge to return upon seeing many of the ongoing projects that is taking shape at Awudome Avenui.



The Queen mother of Awudome Avenui, Mama Elewosi Akordake Gbeklui 1V who received the donation on behalf of the Community, expressed her profound appreciations to Giving Hope Foundation, Sooyo Foundation and Ten Talernts for remembering the people of Awudome Avenui and bringing smiles, especially as the world celebrate the birth and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ which would go down history.



The Assembly Woman for Awudome Avenui, Hon Vicentia Okai Who also is the Government appointee, welcome the Giving hope foundation and Partners to the community and thanked them for such a great gesture added that, its mission is to build the capacities of women and children in Awudome Avenui and beyond by implementing creative community-based strategies that result in enhancing economic opportunities, strong neighbourhoods and ensure a dynamic framework for quality growth and development, using TVET and good health care awareness through traditional and global leaders.



The Chief of Awudome Avenui Community, Togbe Adzesi Dzaga V1 on his part add his blessings at the durber where he thanked the Giving hope foundation and Partners for the honor done them and, appeal to other well meaning Ghanians to turn their eyes to his communty.



Togbe Adzesi Dzaga V1, warned the youth to disist from unwanted behaviour that would drived investors away, making Awudome Avenui to get a bad image. The chief thanked all well meaning sons and daughters of the soil who attended the durber and contributed meaningfully in building a better Awudome Avenui.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Police Service has disclosed that preliminary investigations on the illegal demolishing of homes in Pampaso Number 1, a suburb of Nsawam in the Eastern Region point to one Kofi Acquah, as being the mastermind.



The police said that Kofi Acquah will soon be arrested and duly prosecuted for the illegal destruction of homes that affected 11 houses in Pampaso, citinewroom.com reports.



In an interview with Citi News, the Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, urged the affected residents who have blocked the Accra-Kumasi highway in protest of the demolishing to leave the road as it works to resolve the situation.



Police received information on the illegal demolition. Based on that, we proceeded quickly to the scene. Officers saw agitated people blocking the main Accra-Kumasi Highway. We pleaded with them to rescind the decision because of its repercussions.



Investigations so far point to the fact that one Kofi Acquah is behind the illegal demolition and as soon as he is arrested, he will be taken through due processes of the law. We want to appeal to agitated residents not to take the law into their hands. They should remain calm because we will make sure we will get to the bottom of this matter, he said.



Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency, Frank Annoh Dompreh, who is the MP responsible for the area, has urged the affected persons to stay calm.



He has also indicated that the affected person will be given some relief while the police work to resolve the matter.



Residents of Pampaso Number 1, a suburb of Nsawam in the Eastern Region, on April 18, 2022, blocked the Accra-Kumasi Highway in protest of their houses being demolished.



According to the residents, gunmen, who they claim were land guards, attacked them while they were sleeping, threw them out and demolished their buildings, reports myjoyonline.com.



The residents also alleged that some Chinese nationals, who claim that they have bought Pampaso, sent the land guards to evict them and destroy their homes.



Police commence a manhunt for the person behind an illegal demolishing at Pampaso No. 1



Police say investigations point to one Kofi Acquah as being behind the illegal demolishing



Residents of Pampaso Number 1 block Accra-Kumasi Highway after alleged evacuation by land guards



Police urge residents of Pampaso to leave the Accra-Kumasi highway



The Ghana Police Service has disclosed that preliminary investigations on the illegal demolishing of homes at Pampaso Number 1, a suburb of Nsawam in the Eastern Region, point to one Kofi Acquah as being the mastermind.



The police say that Kofi Acquah would soon be arrested and duly prosecuted for the illegal demolishing that affected 11 houses in Pampaso, citinewroom.com reports.



In an interview with Citi News, the Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, urged the affected residents who have blocked the Accra-Kumasi highway in protest of the demolishing to leave the road as it works to resolve the situation.



Police received information on the illegal demolition. Based on that, we proceeded quickly to the scene. Officers saw agitated people blocking the main Accra-Kumasi Highway. We pleaded with them to rescind the decision because of its repercussions.



Investigations so far point to the fact that one Kofi Acquah is behind the illegal demolition, and as soon as he is arrested, he will be taken through due processes of the law. We want to appeal to agitated residents not to take the law into their hands. They should remain calm because we will make sure we will get to the bottom of this matter, he said.



Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam Adoagyiri Constituency, Frank Annoh Dompreh, who is the MP responsible for the area, has urged the affected persons to stay calm.



He has also indicated that the affected persons will be given some relief while the police work to resolve the matter.



Residents of Pampaso Number 1, a suburb of Nsawam in the Eastern Region, on April 18, 2022, blocked the Accra-Kumasi Highway in protest of their houses being demolished.



According to the residents, gunmen, who they claim were land guards, attacked them while they were sleeping, threw them out and demolished their buildings, reports myjoyonline.com.



The residents also alleged that some Chinese nationals who claim that they have bought Pampaso sent the land guards to evict them and destroy their homes.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has said, despite the highly acrimonious party-political landscape of the country, it expects the sector to be stable.



The London-based analysts made these projections on Ghana's political landscape in its five-year forecast for Ghana released on April 13.



The fierce rivalry between the two major partiesthe ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC)will remain the core feature of the political scene, the EIU report stated.



The EIU further observed that reaching a consensus on certain policies, particularly, taxes and reforms will be very tumultuous for the governing party.



Using the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) as an example, EIU recounted, in November 2021 the minority government rejected the proposed 2022 budget bill over the introduction of an electronic-transaction levy (e-levy); this was later reversed, and the 2022 budget bill was passed by an NPP-led majority, albeit without the e-levy clause.



E-Levy



Parliament on Tuesday, March 29, passed the Electronic Transfer Levy, E-Levy, bill.



This was after nearly three months of back and forth, including fisticuffs among the Parliamentarians.



Before the bill was passed, the levy was reduced to a 1.5% levy from the initial 1.75% amid a Minority walkout.



E-levy was first mentioned by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, when he was presenting the 2022 budget in November 2021.



He explained that the innovative tax will broaden the governments revenue generation basket.





Source: ghanaweb.com









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A former Communications Team member for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Stephen Atubiga says the current crop of NDC executives are the partys bane.



According to him, these individuals are working behind the scenes to ensure that John Dramani Mahama never becomes President again.



He says if he was John Dramani Mahama, he would have retired and gone to rest peacefully rather than waste time on a cause not supported by people who are close to him.



He should be grateful and bow out of politics and enjoy his retirement because the people following him, there is no way John Dramani Mahama will be President in this country again. While John Mahama was on a Thank You tour, the partys executives were also thanking people for not voting for Mahama.



He said the move to punish John Dramani Mahama started in 2016 when they decided to work to take him off the seat after one term in office.



The move to punish John Mahama started in 2016 when a sitting government sat there for the opposition to win. In 2020 they said they will punish him but they are around him faking. He cant be President with this kind of leadership the party has.



The leadership of the party is not happy with John Dramani Mahama. The cadres are not happy with Mahama because to them they say he does not consult and that when he had the opportunity, he looked just at his friends, he said.













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The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has projected that the National Democratic Congress will have a better chance of winning the 2024 polls if they are led by a new candidate.



The EIU, however, notes that it is aware former President John Mahama who led the NDC unsuccessfully in 2016 and 2020 is aiming to run again.



The next parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2024. Under constitutionally mandated term limits, the incumbent president, Mr Akufo-Addo, cannot run for a third term. The former president, John Mahama, is reportedly considering running again, but we expect the opposition NDC to try to revitalise its prospects with a fresh candidate, the latest report of the EIU said.



It added: Our baseline forecast is that ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governancesuch as infrastructure development, job creation and easing of corruptionwill trigger anti-incumbency factors and push the electorate to seek a change. The NDC, therefore, stands a reasonable chance of winning the 2024 elections.



The development comes in the wake of reports that former Governor of the Central Bank who is also a former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor is lacing his boot to contest in the flagbearer race of the opposition party.



The EIU has successfully predicted the outcome of elections in Ghana since 2012.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Ranking Member on Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has asked the ruling government to abort any dream of buying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Presidential Jet on sale by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.



The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency in a Facebook post said since "the ultra-luxury Presidential Jet has all the features President Akufo-Addo craves in an aircraft", the government might purchase it to satisfy the "recently acquired flying taste in vulgar opulence"



He, therefore, made the following demands:



1) That the sovereign Ghanaian people strongly caution President Akufo-Addo not to entertain any thought of approaching the Mexicans to buy their Presidential Jet considering that his government had earlier announced and defended plans to buy a new so-called fit for purpose presidential jet, and particularly seeing that the Mexican configuration is similar to what he has become addicted to in his infamous sky bath charters;



2) That the Parliament of Ghana serves notice that any such Ghana-Mexico Presidential Jet Purchase Agreement will not be ratified;



3) That Mexico is herein advised not to entertain any bid from Ghana  particularly as aside having our own Presidential Jet in pristine condition, albeit not of Akufo-Addos oligarchic standards, our mismanaged economy makes us unlikely candidates to meet their financial terms.





Full Post

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who took office in December 2018 still refuses to fly the US$218million Boeing 787 Dreamliner Presidential Jet his predecessor bought after criticizing former President Nieto of engaging in obscene ostentation in the abundance of poverty.



Now this is my real fear: President AMLO, as he is widely called in Mexico has put up for sale the ultra-luxury Presidential Jet which has all the features President Akufo-Addo craves in an aircraft; in addition, President AMLO has now reduced the selling price of the jet which comes equipped with a private presidential suite, master bedroom, marble-lined showers, banquet dining facilities and an exclusive cinema room to a tempting US$130million.



Even though President AMLO has announced an unprecedented rental package for Mexicans intending to use the jet bought with their taxes in 2012 for weddings and parties  proceeds he will use to pay for interim maintenance of the jet, he has told the media Mexico is still open to sell the luxurious monster as he insists on flying commercial, consistent with his policies of austerity and modest leadership. This is a profound example in frugal leadership many aviation experts do not take lightly, especially for a Mexican Presidential Jet described by Mashable as the worlds most modern, luxurious and efficient presidential carrier, and not forgetting Canadas initial spirited but botched interest to buy.



As Ghanaians who bear the brunt financially for President Akufo-Addos recently acquired flying taste in vulgar opulence, these should be our preemptive demands:



1) That the sovereign Ghanaian people strongly caution President Akufo-Addo not to entertain any thought of approaching the Mexicans to buy their Presidential Jet considering that his government had earlier announced and defended plans to buy a new so-called fit for purpose presidential jet, and particularly seeing that the Mexican configuration is similar to what he has become addicted to in his infamous sky bath charters;



2) That the Parliament of Ghana serves notice that any such Ghana-Mexico Presidential Jet Purchase Agreement will not be ratified;



3) That Mexico is herein advised not to entertain any bid from Ghana  particularly as aside having our own Presidential Jet in pristine condition, albeit not of Akufo-Addos oligarchic standards, our mismanaged economy makes us unlikely candidates to meet their financial terms.



Hands off Mexicos Presidential Jet!

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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.
Political Communications lecturer, Dr Kobby Mensah has described Dr Kwabena Duffuors Ahotor Project as a novel and fantastic party gesture.



According to him, political parties need such projects to build financial capacity at the base level.



Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Tuesday, the political communications expert said the NDC must outline the modalities for the project being undertaken by the former governor of the Central bank.



The model for the Ahotor project is fantastic and great but we need clearer guidance on how things really are with the project. The NDC executives must outline the modalities and who benefits, he said.



Meanwhile, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has projected that the National Democratic Congress will have a better chance of winning the 2024 polls if they are led by a new candidate.



The EIU, however, notes that it is aware former President John Mahama who led the NDC unsuccessfully in 2016 and 2020 is aiming to run again.



The next parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2024. Under constitutionally mandated term limits, the incumbent president, Mr Akufo-Addo, cannot run for a third term. The former president, John Mahama, is reportedly considering running again, but we expect the opposition NDC to try to revitalise its prospects with a fresh candidate, the latest report of the EIU said.



It added: Our baseline forecast is that ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governancesuch as infrastructure development, job creation and easing of corruptionwill trigger anti-incumbency factors and push the electorate to seek a change. The NDC, therefore, stands a reasonable chance of winning the 2024 elections.



The development comes in the wake of reports that former Governor of the Central Bank who is also a former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor is lacing his boot to contest in the flagbearer race of the opposition party.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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Shanghai is expected to complete weeklong screening tests by Thursday in its effort to realize zero COVID-19 transmission in communities, the municipal government said on Monday.

The government urged the public to participate in the tests, which include both nucleic acid tests and antigen tests to identify infections as early as possible and halt the spread of the disease.

"We encourage all residents to make joint efforts to help the city return to normal production and living order as soon as possible," Wu Qianyu, primary inspector of the Shanghai Health Commission, said at a news briefing on Monday.

During the campaign, which kicked off on Friday, residents in lockdown zones were scheduled to take nucleic acid tests once a day, and those in controlled zones take antigen tests on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and nucleic acid tests on Wednesday. Residents in precautionary zones are required to take antigen tests twice during the seven days.

The municipality started implementing an epidemic control system on April 11 that categorizes communities according to three COVID-19 risk levels: lockdown, controlled and precautionary.

Lockdown zones refer to neighborhoods that reported new infections over the past seven days. Controlled zones refer to compounds where no infections were reported over the past week. Precautionary zones are communities that have not reported infections over the past 14 days.

Shanghai reported 2,417 locally transmitted confirmed cases and 19,831 asymptomatic infections on Sunday. It was the 10th consecutive day in which the number of newly reported infections in the city surpassed 20,000.

The city also reported three COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday, the first deaths in the city's current outbreak, which began at the start of March.

The people in each of those three casestwo were age 91 and one age 89suffered from multiple serious preexisting medical conditions, including acute coronary syndrome, diabetes, hypertension and cerebral infarction, according to the municipal government. None were vaccinated.

"They were identified as having been severe cases upon being admitted to the hospital. Their conditions continued to worsen, and they died despite all-out rescue efforts. The direct cause of their death was their underlying diseases," said Wu.

As of Sunday, there were 16 severely ill COVID-19 patients in Shanghai, Wu added.

At the same time, a total of 733 COVID-19 patients and 19,473 people with asymptomatic infections were discharged and released from medical observation after recovery on Sunday.

They were sent back to their residences and required to follow seven-day self-health monitoring at home.

In general, the city government said, the situation in Pudong, Songjiang and Qingpu districts had continued to improve over the past three days, while that in Minhang, Xuhui, Huangpu, Baoshan, Yangpu, Hongkou, Changning and Jiading districts remained mostly stable with slight fluctuations.

Meanwhile, the epidemic situation has stabilized in Fengxian, Jinshan and Chongming districts.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has urged his fellow MPs and other NPP communicators to propagate the good works of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



He said members of the NPP must at all times be the mouthpiece for government developmental projects across the country.



Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has, however, promised to make the NPP popular by using his social media handle to tell Ghanaians what the Nana Addo-led government has been able to achieve with pictorial evidence.



From now to election, I will make sure I will sell government projects, he told NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie'.



To him, the move of selling government projects to the masses will help Break The 8 in the next presidential election.









Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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A delegation from the Greater Accra Region of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to increase the partys seats in Parliament to 25 in the 2024 elections.



The NDC won 20 of the 34 parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region in the 2020 general election, and according to the delegation, its target for 2024 was to win a minimum of 25 parliamentary seats and the presidential votes.



A statement issued from the office of former President John Dramani Mahama said the delegation made the pledge when they called on him.



It said the delegation was made up of the regional executive, council of elders and Members of Parliament from the region.



It said the stakeholders were in the office of the former leader of the party to discuss pertinent issues and also to bring to the fore some matters that are a challenge to the party in the region.



Issues



The statement said among the issues discussed was increased funding because the region was the most populous with 20 per cent of the total national votes, improving relations among the various stakeholders and also with the office of the former President.



It said the delegation also discussed the need to ensure that preparations for all operational activities including selection, training and equipping for election-day activities were concluded early.



It said former President Mahama thanked the delegation for the visit and the discussions, recognising that the Greater Accra Region performed very well in the last election.



It said he reminded the delegation that because the NDC was in opposition, access to funding and logistics going into the 2024 elections would not be easy, but said the region would nonetheless be given extra consideration.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Former President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged the efforts of outgoing United States (US) ambassador to Ghana H.E. Stephanie S. Sullivan in advancing relations between both countries.



This was disclosed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu and Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa following a farewell gathering in honor of the outgoing US ambassador.



In a Facebook post on Tuesday, 19 April 2022, Mr. Ablakwa said: A cordial and gracious farewell gathering under the distinguished auspices of former President John Mahama in honor of outgoing US Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Stephanie S. Sullivan.



The former President acknowledges her tireless & outstanding efforts at advancing Ghana, United States relations.





Source: class fm









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The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) five-year forecast for Ghana, released on April 13, 2022 says unemployment, economic downturn, corruption among others under the Akufo-Addo-led administration can push Ghanaians "to seek change"



Our baseline forecast is that ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governancesuch as infrastructure development, job creation and easing of corruptionwill trigger anti-incumbency factors and push the electorate to seek a change.



They believe the situation will in the end favour the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) but not with former President John Mahama as the leader.



Speaking to this report in a statement signed by the National Communication Director of the NPP, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, the ruling party welcomed the "constructive analysis" saying "it extends the democratic tenet of free speech and provides perspectives capable of informing policy reform"



According to the ruling party, even though the EIU has cited unemployment, economic downturn, corruption as reasons for change, their record compared to the NDC is far better.



"The cumulative record of the NPP in the 4th Republic is better on all these factors than the NDC. But more importantly, NDC has not demonstrated any policy capacity capable of turning out better and faster outcomes in the areas listed. Indeed, the tendency is for the NDC to set the country back in respect of these factors whenever the eight-year cycle kicks in. The NPP builds and the NDC destroys.



Political stability is also a product of the NPPs quiet yet hard work on the security front. Notwithstanding increased threats of regional instability spilling over into Ghana, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and sometimes very extremist talk from anarchic elements, the EIU predicts without hesitation that there will be political stability over the next five years. A plus for free, fair and violence free elections.



Finally, the economy. No country is immune to the twin scourges of Covid-19 and the Russia/Ukraine conflict. The NDCs solution to the economic difficulties driven by these factors is to seek solace in the IMF. Abandon their leadership to the excuse of the IMF and feed off the crumbs of the harsh austerity measures that would roll back all the socially sensitive policies the NPP is sustaining to cushion the Ghanaian" portions of the statement read.





NPP WELCOMES CONSTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS: EIU 2024



The New Patriotic Party (NPP) welcomes constructive analysis of the governance of the country. This is because objective analysis extends the democratic tenet of free speech and provides perspectives capable of informing policy reform.



The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) has a record of reviewing Ghanas governance systems, especially potential political outcomes. To buttress its prediction of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) winning the Presidential election and the Parliamentary elections by a slim margin in 2024, the EIU touts its record of successful predictions over the years.



The EIU hangs its prediction on the usual assumption. That presidential power has been rotating over eight-year periods in the 4th Republic is a fact so far. If NDC wins, it will not be news. But if the NPP wins, it would be a remarkable achievement that would demonstrate the coming of age of electoral politics in Ghana. In other words, an NPP victory in 2024, popularly dubbed breaking the 8 would be a more unusual event than an NDC victory based on the history of elections in the 4th Republic.



However, EIU introduces a new and significant double-edged factor into the eight-year cycle. That is, the quality of leadership. EIU implies that former President Mahamas record of leadership is so poor that if he becomes the Candidate, the NDC predicted win goes up in smoke. This is a huge boost to the NPP effort of breaking the 8, since we are confident that the NPP Candidate will have a better governance record based on the cumulative achievements of the NPP in the 4th Republic.



The EIU cites slow governance progress as another reason for change in 2024. Unemployment, Infrastructure and Anti-Corruption. The cumulative record of the NPP in the 4th Republic is better on all these factors than the NDC. But more importantly, NDC has not demonstrated any policy capacity capable of turning out better and faster outcomes in the areas listed. Indeed, the tendency is for the NDC to set the country back in respect of these factors whenever the eight-year cycle kicks in. The NPP builds and the NDC destroys.



Political stability is also a product of the NPPs quiet yet hard work on the security front. Notwithstanding increased threats of regional instability spilling over into Ghana, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and sometimes very extremist talk from anarchic elements, the EIU predicts without hesitation that there will be political stability over the next five years. A plus for free, fair and violence free elections.



Finally, the economy. No country is immune to the twin scourges of Covid-19 and the Russia/Ukraine conflict. The NDCs solution to the economic difficulties driven by these factors is to seek solace in the IMF. Abandon their leadership to the excuse of the IMF and feed off the crumbs of the harsh austerity measures that would roll back all the socially sensitive policies the NPP is sustaining to cushion the Ghanaian.



Needed to ride over this difficult phase is a strong bureaucratic commitment to efficiently and effectively implement the expenditure cuts and revenue measures outlined by the Government. Given an impetus by increased collections on the e-levy, reliance on external debt will gradually reduce, leading to increased growth by 2024.



Unfortunately, the EIU does not tell us how the NDC will come by its slim majority in Parliament. But given that Mahama is already the putative candidate, the EIU can comfortably say we told you so when the NPP breaks the eight with quality leadership and a strong policy performance that continues to deliver employment, increased infrastructure, and a higher profile against corruption.



SIGNED



Yaw Buaben Asamoa, ESQ.



(National Communications Director)

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) says the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has a high probability of winning the 2024 election with a new candidate



According to the EIU, there will be no victory for the NDC if former President John Mahama who has led the party since 2012 leads again in 2024.



Reacting to this, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) says EIU's analysis is "a huge boost to the NPP efforts of breaking the 8.



The party is confident that the record of an NPP candidate will be better than that of former President John Mahama.



In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, the "EIU implies that former President Mahamas record of leadership is so poor that if he becomes the Candidate, the NDC predicted win goes up in smoke. This is a huge boost to the NPP effort of breaking the 8, since we are confident that the NPP Candidate will have a better governance record based on the cumulative achievements of the NPP in the 4th Republic.



Unfortunately, the EIU does not tell us how the NDC will come by its slim majority in Parliament. But given that Mahama is already the putative candidate, the EIU can comfortably say we told you so when the NPP breaks the eight with quality leadership and a strong policy performance that continues to deliver employment, increased infrastructure, and a higher profile against corruption".



"The EIU hangs its prediction on the usual assumption. That presidential power has been rotating over eight-year periods in the 4th Republic is a fact so far. If NDC wins, it will not be news. But if the NPP wins, it would be a remarkable achievement that would demonstrate the coming of age of electoral politics in Ghana. In other words, an NPP victory in 2024, popularly dubbed breaking the 8 would be a more unusual event than an NDC victory based on the history of elections in the 4th Republic" the statement added.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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" " President Donald J. Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., 2018. Each House rep only serves two years, so they are all up for reelection at midterms. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Put simply, midterm elections exist because not all elected offices in the United States federal government have four-year terms equal to the president. The terms of each elected office in the federal government were debated and settled during the 1787 Constitutional Convention and inscribed in the U.S. Constitution.

In the U.S. federal government, the only elected officials are the president, vice president and congressional representatives. Congress consists of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, each with its own term lengths and election schedules.

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There are 100 U.S. senators, two for each state. Senators serve six-year terms, the longest of any elected official in the federal government. But not every Senate seat is up for election every six years. Instead, according to Article I, section 3, clause 2 of the Constitution, the Senate is divided into three "classes." In the modern Senate, each class consists of 33 or 34 senators. Senate elections are staggered so that one class is up for election every two years.

That's why every midterm election there are at least 33 or 34 Senate seats up for a vote. There can be more Senate seats up for election if a senator dies in office or resigns before the end of his or her term. The election schedule is also staggered so that no more than one Senate seat from each state is up for grabs during any single election, midterm or otherwise.

According to constitutional scholars, there were a couple of reasons why the Founding Fathers decided on a six-year term for senators with staggered elections every two years. First, senators are supposed to bring stability and continuity to the federal government. By serving six years, for instance, they may serve under two different presidents.

But that continuity comes with a price. The Founding Fathers worried that senators would become too chummy and permanently conspire for "sinister purposes" [source: U.S. Senate]. So, they decided to shuffle the senatorial deck every two years and put a third of the Senate seats up for a vote.

The House of Representatives is a different beast. Representation in the House is based on population, with more populous states getting more House seats at the table. The current House of Representatives has 435 members, each serving two-year terms, the shortest of federally elected officials.

The term length of representatives was another lively debate at the Constitutional Convention. The precedent, as set by colonial legislatures and early state legislatures, was that the representatives in state houses were elected every year and sometimes every six months. The idea was that a short term kept representatives honest to the needs of their constituents. Some of the Founding Fathers believed that federal representatives should also be held to the same tight leash  a one-year term.

Others at the Constitutional Convention argued that one year was far too short to get anything done in the federal government, where legislative business would be more complicated than in the states and colonies. As a practical matter, they also pointed out that it took months for some representatives to simply travel back and forth from their home states to the capital, so they lobbied for a three-year term in the House. In the end, the two sides compromised on a two-year term [source: U.S. House of Representatives].

With two-year terms, every single House seat is up for election every two years. That's why Americans vote for their House members during both presidential election years and midterms.

But midterms are not just about national races.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan for the 2022 Philippine presidential elections in an April 18 YouTube video titled "Pinuno: Para sa Bayan". (Screenshot from YouTube)

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan as the ticket she will vote for in the upcoming presidential elections.

The beauty queen shared her thoughts about the upcoming polls in an April 18 YouTube video titled "Pinuno: Para sa Bayan".

"My vote for vice president is Kiko Pangilinan. My choice for president is Leni Robredo," she said in the video.

Gray said that it was important for voters to do their own research before making their choice in elections, but it was often difficult for many voters to get access to quality information about candidates, especially since the most readily accessible platforms on social media were not really policed and were breeding grounds for "false narratives and unchecked news".

She was moved to share the facts that she had learnt through her own research and make it accessible to more people.

Gray listed five qualities which she believes are required of good leaders, namely qualifications, history, service, platform and values.

She then named Robredo and Pangilinan as the candidates whom she thought met these criteria.

Gray described Pangilinan as a "long-serving public servant, effective legislator authoring 79 laws, and active advocate for the agricultural sector, education and national welfare."

As for Robredo, Gray said the incumbent VP is "the only candidate with experience in all three branches of our government: judiciary as a volunteer lawyer, legislative as a congresswoman, and executive as a vice president."

Gray said the COVID-19 pandemic response was also an important indicator of capabilities of leaders.

"I believe that one of the most competent responses during the pandemic was that under the stewardship of her Office of the Vice President, which has actually reflected the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit, three consecutive years in a row," she said.

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Gray also personally aligned with Robredo's initiatives for marginalized Filipinos such as in education, poverty reduction and women empowerment through her Angat Buhay program, which has provided social services for six years.

"Above all else, of all the candidates, she's the only one who gives me hope for change for the future that I wish to see for my country," Gray added.

The beauty queen said she did not expect people to vote a certain way just because their favourite artist or celebrity told them to, but she hoped that by sharing her own research and thoughts on how she came to her electoral choice, she could empower people to inform themselves and engage in constructive political conversations.

"At the end of the day, I believe no matter who your vote stands with, each and every one of us, every Filipino wants the same thing: a better future, a cleaner government, better and equal opportunities and better quality and security of life for all," she said.

Gray, who is one of the most influential figures in the Philippines, recently unveiled a Madame Tussauds wax figure made in her image at the wax museum in Singapore.

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FILE PHOTO: Some of the 43 freed Filipino health workers raise their clenched fists as they shout slogans upon their release from a Metro Manila Detention Jail in the Taguig City suburb of Manila on December 17, 2010 after ten months detention. The Morong 43 as they are called is suspected for being a communist rebels and was arrested on February 6, 2010 by soldiers and police during a raid at a house in Morong town, east of Manila. President Benigno Aquino directed prosecutors to withdraw charges of the 43 on grounds they were denied due process. (Photo: JAY DIRECTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Red-tagged health workers on Tuesday (April 19) filed their opposition to former President Gloria Arroyos motion to dismiss a civil complaint filed against her by six of the 43 health workers known as Morong 43.

The P15-million damage suit was filed by members of the Morong 43 against Arroyo on April 5, 2011, at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

In 2014, the Court of Appeals (CA) also denied Arroyos motion to dismiss the same case, prompting a full trial on the case.

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is accountable for the torture, illegal arrest and detention and other grave rights violations against the health workers known as the Morong 43, Karapatan Deputy Secretary General Roneo Clamor said, adding that the motion by way of demurrer reeks of legal contortions meant to evade justice.

Clamors wife, Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, was among the 43 health workers illegally arrested on February 6, 2010 in Morong, Rizal. They were tagged by the government as members of the New Peoples Army (NPA).

The health workers were arrested on the alleged grounds of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, which has been dismissed by former President Benigno Aquino III, citing lack of due process.

Arroyo is the lead respondent in the said P15-million civil case filed by Dr. Clamor, Dr. Alex Montes, nurse Gary Liberal, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Macabenta and Mercy Castro.

Also named respondents in the said case were former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Victor Ibrado, former National Security Adviser and current presidential candidate Norberto Gonzales, Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia, Col. Victorino Zaragoza, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Col. Aurelio Baladad, Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, and Superintendents Marion Balolong and Allan Nobleza.

There was deliberate disregard of the illegal arrest, detention, and torture of the health workers, without any public orders for the soldiers to halt their cruel and inhumane treatment of the detainees, despite numerous reports by the health workers and their kin, the Commission on Human Rights and other independent organizations and bodies, Karapatan said.

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Clamor added that GMA acts as a kingmaker of sorts of Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte to remain free from accountability.

The former president, who is also currently seeking election as Pampanga representative, has recently endorsed the Marcos-Duterte tandem following her partys  Lakas-CMD  bid.

The Supreme Court acquitted Arroyo in 2016 of the plunder case involving alleged misuse of the P366-million intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. In 2019, she thanked President Duterte for "[providing] the atmosphere in which the Court had the freedom to acquit me of the trumped up charges of my successor and your predecessor."

Arroyo now runs unopposed in her bid to return to the House of Representatives.

Pola Rubio is a news writer and photojournalist covering Philippine politics and events. She regularly follows worldwide and local happenings. The views expressed are her own.

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To protect the areas of the Amazon that are still intact, effective action must be taken to enforce the nation's environmental laws. Credit: Guilherme Mataveli/INPE

Indigenous lands in the Brazilian Amazon are under constant pressure, and deforestation of these areas has accelerated in recent years. Some of them, such as Apyterewa Indigenous Territory in Para state, are particularly affected, endangering Brazil's ability to meet the targets to which it is committed internationally in terms of combating deforestation and mitigating the impact of climate change. To protect the areas of the Amazon that are still intact, effective action must be taken to enforce the nation's environmental laws.

This warning is in a letter entitled "Protect the Amazon's Indigenous lands" and published in the journal Science. The letter is signed by Guilherme Augusto Verola Mataveli, a researcher in the Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division of Brazil's National Space Research Institute (INPE) with a postdoctoral scholarship from FAPESP; and Gabriel de Oliveira, a professor at the University of South Alabama in the United States.

The same issue of the journal, published on January 21, features similar warnings in another letter, entitled "Mining and Brazil's Indigenous peoples," by two scientists affiliated with the National Institute of Amazon Research (INPA), Lucas Ferrante and Philip Fearnside.

"Brazil has good environmental laws that on paper should reduce and inhibit deforestation. However, enforcement of these laws is the big issue. It's the first step, which should be associated with long-term measures, such as promoting environmental education, valorizing the standing forest as a source of income for the communities that live in the Amazon, and resuming and strengthening the actions called for by the PPCDAm. They proved effective in the past," Mataveli told Agencia FAPESP.

The Action Plan to Prevent and Control Deforestation in Legal Amazonia (PPCDAm) was launched in 2003 to bring about a continuous reduction in deforestation and create conditions for a transition to a sustainable development model in the area. However, the fourth phase of the plan, which was supposed to have lasted until 2020, was starved of resources and interrupted. During last year's COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, the federal government pledged to reduce illegal deforestation to zero by 2028.

Legal Amazonia is an area of more than 5 million square kilometers comprising the Brazilian states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins. It was created by Brazilian federal law dating back to 1953 in order to promote special protection and development policies for the area.

In their letter, Mataveli and Oliveira refer to the "dramatic increase" in deforestation rates in Legal Amazonia since 2019. The official rate for the 12 months between August 2020 and July 2021 was the highest for 15 years, reaching 13,235 sq. km., or slightly less than the area of Northern Ireland (14,130 sq. km).

This rate was also 69% higher than the average annual since 2012, according to data from INPE's Amazon Forest Satellite Monitoring Service (PRODES). Internationally recognized as the most accurate tool for estimating annual deforestation rates in the Amazon, PRODES focuses on cut-and-burn rates and has used the same methodology since 1988.

As the letter notes, accelerating destruction of the forest affects conservation areas, including Indigenous lands, which are supposed to act as shields against deforestation. The authors stress that deforestation in Indigenous lands had an annual average of 419 sq. km. in the last three years, corresponding to a rate 80.9% higher than the annual average for the period 2012-21.

Located in the municipality of Sao Felix do Xingu (Para), Apyterewa accounted for 20.7% of total deforestation in Indigenous lands in 2021. It had already lost 200 sq. km. of forest between 2016 and 2019, with deforestation rising from 4.7% of the area (362 sq. km.) to 7.4% (570 sq. km.) in the period.

This resulted in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon from burning, as noted by an article published in 2020 in the journal Forests, with Mataveli and Oliveira among its authors.

"When we studied the satellite data, we found that forest conversion is mainly to pasture and cropland, but we located mining sites inside Apyterewa," Mataveli said. "The increase in greenhouse gas emissions didn't continue at the same rate, since deforestation doesn't always involve burning."

Mataveli is part of a Thematic Project linked to the FAPESP Research Program on Global Climate Change (RPGCC). The principal investigator is Luiz Eduardo Oliveira e Cruz de Aragao, also a researcher at INPE.

Legislation

In the letter to Science, the researchers state that "no effective law enforcement actions were taken to stop land grabbers" in Apyterewa, home to the Parakana, after the alarm was raised in the 2020 article in Forests. The reservation was officially recognized by a federal government decree in 2007, but since then the decree has been challenged in the courts on the grounds that non-Indigenous people were not given a chance to oppose it according to due process of law.

On March 9, 2022, the 2nd Panel of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) unanimously rejected a motion by the mayor of Sao Felix do Xingu to revoke the decree. In a press release issued in July 2021, the mayor had justified opposition to the decree by noting that between 4,000 and 5,000 non-Indigenous people lived in the area more than a decade before it was demarcated as an Indigenous territory, arguing that they should be allowed to remain.

A study by a different group, in which Mataveli took part alongside Gilberto Camara, also a researcher at INPE, highlighted the threat posed to Indigenous reservations by land speculation, adverse land-use change involving conversion of primary forest to pasture and cropland, and rising emissions of fine particulate matter from burning. An article on the study, which focused on Ituna/Itata Indigenous Territory in Altamira, Para, is published in the journal Land Use Policy.

"The conservation of Indigenous lands is paramount for honoring Brazil's legal commitments, maintaining Amazonian environmental stability, fighting climate change, and guaranteeing traditional peoples' well-being. The existence of laws for preserving the Amazon's remaining forests and the rights of traditional peoples is not sufficient. Effective law enforcement actions are required to protect the last intact frontiers of the Amazon," the authors of the letter to Science conclude.

We asked FUNAI, Brazil's Indigenous affairs agency, to comment on the letter, but had received no reply when the original news story in Portuguese was posted on the Agencia FAPESP website (April 6, 2022). Early this year, in a report available from its website, FUNAI announced that it had invested some BRL 34 million in surveillance and inspection of Indigenous lands in 2021, and had hired temporary personnel to operate reservation sanitary checkpoints and border controls.

A report published on March 31 by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Climate Focus says that "Indigenous peoples and other local communities are the most effective stewards and protectors of forest lands," arguing that Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru will not be able to achieve their commitments to ending forest loss and land degradation as climate change mitigation goals by 2030 unless they protect Indigenous territories. This is because these lands in the four countries are net carbon sinks, with each hectare sequestering an average of 30 metric tons of carbon per hectare every year, or more than twice as much as non-Indigenous lands.

Explore further Indigenous lands block Brazil deforestation: study

More information: Guilherme Mataveli et al, Protect the Amazon's Indigenous lands, Science (2022). Journal information: Science Guilherme Mataveli et al, Protect the Amazon's Indigenous lands,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abn4936
University of Vermont forest scientist Bill Keeton peers up into an old-growth beech forest in the Bukk Mountains, Hungary. He co-led a team of scientists in exploring how forests like this one might be restored after centuries of spruce plantations and other intensive management. With the European Unions developing biodiversity strategy calling for broader use of close-to-nature forestry practices, a new study Keeton co-authored in the journal Ecological Applications arrives at a good time to help guide policymakers and land managers across the European continent. Credit: Bill Keeton

European forests are in trouble. "Not because they're being lost," says University of Vermont scientist William Keeton. "Europe, actually, is greener and more heavily forested now than it has been in centuries." But many of the continent's forests are suffering major insect outbreaks, forest disease problems, increasing frequencies of wind-storms, and more-intense fires.

To help give forest managers and policymakers new options, Keeton and a large team of European scientists completed an extensive, multi-year study of forests in thirteen countries across the continent.

Their results show that most current forest management in Europe doesn't imitate the patterns of naturespecifically, the complex patterns created by natural disturbances that leave behind a mosaic of tree types, ages, and sizes; standing and downed dead wood; and highly variable, resilient landscapes.

Instead, they found that the vast majorityalmost 73%of European forests skew toward homogenous, even-aged plantations. These, historically, have been managed to maximize growth and yield of timber and other wood products, but are increasingly vulnerable to environmental stress and climate change.

"If we homogenize a landscape so everything is spruce for as far as the eye can see," says Keeton, "it means that when spruce bark beetles come in, they can spread as far as the eye can see too."

And a growing number of European citizens and land managers seek to have their forests make larger contributions to carbon uptake, protecting biodiversity, and other services like water quality and flood protection. But the results of the new study reveal that only 8% of European forests are unmanaged or managed primarily for non-timber objectives such as carbon storage, water quality, or wildlife habitat.

The team of scientists developed a new toola three-dimensional map, essentiallythat they call a "comparability index." This index uses on-the-ground, real-world data from across Europe to show that the patterns created by natural disturbanceswhether minor insect outbreaks or huge firesdon't match the patterns imposed on forests by most modern forestry techniques.

The index shows that natural disturbances tend to be highly variable in size, but less severe than the patterns left by logging and other human forest management. Natural disturbances also tend to happen less frequently. Some, like big fires and windstorms, might occur infrequently yet shape landscapes over many centuries. The disturbances caused by rotational forest cutting are more frequent, allowing less time for ecosystems to develop habitats that recover slowly. Perhaps most importantly, the new index shows that natural disturbances usually leave more living and dead trees and wood behind (what the scientists call "residual structure") than the four major types of forest management popular in Europelike clearcutting, the repeated cuts of young trees in coppice systems, shelterwoods, and the continuous removal of medium-aged trees in a selection system.

"For the first time ever, our paper shows how European forestry practices could more closely emulate natural disturbances to produce a broader range of habitats and ecosystem services, and to be more sustainable and resilient," Keeton says. "This is new, leading-edge thinking for Europe, where controlling and removing disturbances, rather than emulating them, has been the dominant way of thinking for several centuries."

The new study, "Natural disturbance regimes as a guide for sustainable forest management in Europe," was first published online on March 27, 2022, and will be included in a forthcoming edition of the peer-reviewed journal Ecological Applications.

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"We increasingly realize that human disturbance is very different than natural disturbance," says Reka Aszalos, the lead author on the new study and a forest scientist at the Institute of Ecology and Botany in Vacratot, Hungary, who collaborated with Keeton as a visiting scientist at the University of Vermont, and while he was in Europe on sabbatical, through the U.S. Fulbright Scholars Program.

That's why the scientists in the team suggest that a style of forestry called "close-to-nature" or "natural dynamics silviculture" would be beneficial for European forest managers and policymakers to include in their toolkit. "We need large trees, wildlife trees, habitat trees, dead wood in different stages of decay, microhabitats, and complex canopies, for many kinds of creatures and biodiversity," says Aszalos.

Silvicultural techniques that pay more attention to these elements of natural forestsand copy the dynamics of natural disturbance at the scale of individual stands of trees and larger landscapes"can enrich Europe's portfolio of management systems," the team writes in the new study, "for example, where wood production is not the primary objective."

The team's new study shows that the high-intensity, even-aged forest management practices used in much of Europe "are far out of alignment with natural disturbance regimes," Keeton notes, "and by inference, the conditions under which organisms co-evolved and are most adapted."

Since the end of the last ice age, people have used and changed the forests of Europedecisively so since the Neolithic revolution of settlement and farming over the last 6,000 years. And for the last few centuries, European countries have developed great expertise in managing the vast majority of their forested lands for intensive production of timber.

These managed plantationsoften maintained with clear-cutting; composed of even-aged stands of one species; and harvested every 80 or 120 yearscontrol forest dynamics to sustain a flow of wood to market. The supposed benefits of removing disturbanceslike fire, dead and dying trees, floods, or non-marketable specieshas largely been taken for granted until recent years. However, a growing body of research shows that a single-minded focus on maximizing growth, and yield of merchantable volume, often diminishes a forest's resilience to many stressesfrom climate change to bark beetles to drought.

"We found that more than 85% of the managed forests in Europe mimic some kind of stand-replacing disturbance. This is a huge percentage of our forests given that almost all forests in Europe are managed and there are very few nature reserves," says forest scientist Dominik Thom, a co-author on the new study at the Technical University of Munich in Freising, Germany, who also has been a visiting post-doctoral researcher in Keeton's lab at UVM and an affiliate of the university's Gund Institute for Environment. "The things we are missing the most in our forests are late-development stages," he says, "old-growth structures, such as really large trees."

In a natural forest, a great deal of complexity emerges over many years and centuries. UVM's Bill Keetona professor in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and fellow in the Gund Institute for Environmentsees it in the old forests that he's studied for decades around the globe. He's worked to imitate and include key characteristics of old growth in various forestry techniques he's developed for a range of landowners with diverse goals. "And natural disturbances create very complex patches and mosaics too," he says. "They're nearly infinitely complex. If we can emulate natural disturbances a little more closely in managed forests, we'll have a better chance of providing the full array of habitats that salamanders and fungi and spiders and many other forms of life needand we'll probably make these European forests, and ourselves, more resilient to the fast-changing climate."

Explore further Halt post-disturbance logging in forests

More information: Reka Aszalos et al, Natural disturbance regimes as a guide for sustainable forest management in Europe, Ecological Applications (2022). Journal information: Ecological Applications Reka Aszalos et al, Natural disturbance regimes as a guide for sustainable forest management in Europe,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/eap.2596
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UN Humanitarians said Monday that 35 civilians have been killed in Ituri Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), noting that the deadly situation limits aid delivery.

The 35 slain in Djugu and Irumu territories last week include one displaced person and 19 people who recently returned to their homes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

"Insecurity has forced nine humanitarian organizations, one UN agency and eight international non-governmental organizations, to temporarily suspend their road movements in Irumu and Mambasa territories, delaying the provision of assistance to thousands of people," it said. "The humanitarian situation in Ituri has been deteriorating since October last year, when attacks on civilians increased, including on sites for displaced people."

Such attacks triggered significant population movements, OCHA said. There are now more than 1.9 million displaced people in Ituri.

The continuing violence has also affected food production in Ituri, leaving thousands of families with not enough food to eat, the humanitarians said. Food insecurity affects nearly 3 million people, particularly in Djugu territory, where one in five people faces emergency hunger levels.

Between March 2020 and March 2022, about 211 schools were destroyed or damaged, leaving over 55,000 children out of school across the province, OCHA said.

The office said the United Nations and its partners continue to assist civilians, despite the volatile situation. Eight shelter, health, food security, nutrition, and protection projects operate in Komanda and Mambasa territories.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Skoltech scientists and their partners from Sergeev Institute of Environmental Geoscience of RAS, with support from the R&D unit of TotalEnergies, have predicted how oil and gas wells heat up the permafrost around them. Presented in Geosciences, the new model encompasses 30 years of well operation and accounts for not just the melting of ice in frozen soil but also the gradual release of methane locked up in it. Understanding these processes is becoming increasingly relevant for accident-proof extraction and greenhouse gas emission monitoring as oil companies shift their attention to deposits in the Arctic region.

Oil and gas deposits in the Arctic region lie beneath a 100-to-500-meter layer of permafrost. As comparatively hot hydrocarbons rise up along the well shaft drilled in the frozen soil, it heats up. This causes the surrounding permafrost to thaw, compromising its ability to support structures, including the well itself. Moreover, if the frozen soil is saturated with methane, which is typical for the northern part of Western Siberia and the Yamal Peninsula in particular (Russia's major oil and gas companies such as Gazprom and Novatek are active there), the thawing permafrost releases methanea potent greenhouse gas and a fire hazard.

The first author of the study, Skoltech Leading Research Scientist Evgeny Chuvilin commented on the findings that they "modeled thawing around a production well that operates on the Yamal Peninsula, but similar processes can occur elsewhere and on other types of oil and gas wells, because by definition, hydrocarbons rising up from the depths carry heat: Every time you go 100 meters deeper, things heat up by about 3 degrees Celsius. With extremely deep drilling, oil can get as hot as 100 C or more."

The model proposed by the team shows how the permafrost surrounding an active well gradually heats up and thaws, but there's more to it. Chuvilin added that they "looked at the case with permafrost that is more complexly structured: At the depth of between 60 and 120 meters, it contains gas hydrate inclusionsicelike solids made up of frozen water and natural gas locked up in it. They are stable within a certain range of temperatures and pressures, but when these conditions are disrupted, they decompose, releasing about 170 liters of free gas per liter of solid gas hydrate. We have shown that operating one gas well for 30 years may melt the surrounding permafrost in a 10-meter radius, releasing up to 500,000 cubic meters of methane into the atmosphere."

The team stresses that correct predictions of the well-permafrost thermal interactions are necessary for preventing critical ground depressions and cave-ins, which in turn may result in flooding and disrupt well shaft stability, potentially resulting in major repair costs. As for the emission of methane, that aspect is important for two reasons. First, that combustible gas may create the risk of fires or explosions, which might ruin the well and lead to substantial economic loss. Second, methane is a potent greenhouse gas whose release into the atmosphere needs to be monitored so that researchers could understand global and regional climate change better.

Explore further Study shows how permafrost releases methane in the warming Arctic

More information: Evgeny Chuvilin et al, Simulating Thermal Interaction of Gas Production Wells with Relict Gas Hydrate-Bearing Permafrost, Geosciences (2022). Evgeny Chuvilin et al, Simulating Thermal Interaction of Gas Production Wells with Relict Gas Hydrate-Bearing Permafrost,(2022). DOI: 10.3390/geosciences12030115
Drillship "JOIDES Resolution" with characteristic derrick. Credit: IODP

Changes in the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) are considered to be the main cause of past and future climate change. A long-standing debate centers on whether the roughly 30 percent lower CO 2 content of the ice-age atmosphere was caused by iron fertilization. It is argued that iron-rich dust is carried into the ocean by wind and water, where it stimulates the growth of algae that absorb more CO 2 . As the algae die and then sink permanently into the depths of the ocean, the CO 2 also remains there like in a trap. Although there is clear evidence that dust input increased during the ice ages, the fertilization effect is controversial, at least for the Antarctic Ocean.

In a recent study, an international team of 38 researchers from 13 countries led by Dr. Michael Weber from the Institute for Geosciences at the University of Bonn investigated this question. As part of the Integrated Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), the team traveled to the Scotia Sea on the drillship "JOIDES Resolution" and spent two months in 2019 bringing up cores from the seafloor at depths of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Weber: "We collected the highest-resolution and longest climate archive ever obtained near Antarctica and its main dust source, Patagonia."

1.5 million years of climate history

In the 200-meter-long deep-sea core U1537, the climate history of the last 1.5 million years was recorded in detail. This allows the reconstruction of the dust input to be nearly doubled, since Antarctic ice cores only cover the last 800,000 years. Current records from the deep ocean show that dust deposition during the ice ages was actually five to 15 times higher. This is also reflected in the ice cores.

However, the researchers found no evidence of a fertilization effect from dust in the Antarctic Ocean during the ice ages. Rather, the production of algae, for example, and thus carbon CO 2 sequestration, was high only during warm periods when dust input into the Scotia Sea was low. This means that during cold periods, other processes prevented the CO 2 captured in the ocean from escaping into the atmosphere and triggering warming. The main factors here are much more extensive sea ice cover, more intense stratification in the ocean, and reduced dynamics of the current systems, which contributed to a reduction in the CO 2 content of the atmosphere during cold periods.

Crew sampling a drill core on the "catwalk." Credit: IODP

Thomas Ronge with a drill core in the laboratory. Credit: IODP

Co-chiefs Michael Weber, Maureen Raymo and expedition manager Trevor Williams. Credit: IODP

The opposing trends in dust deposition and oceanic productivity during the ice ages and interglacial periods of the Pleistocene are accompanied by long-term, gradual changes in the climate system in the southern polar region. Bioproductivity was particularly high during the interglacial periods of the last 400,000 years, but during the mid-Pleistocene transition 1.2 million to 700,000 years ago, it differed little from that during cold periods. As the transition progressed, the dust input covered larger and larger areas in the Southern Hemisphere. Abrupt changes continued to occur 900,000 years ago, indicating greater glaciation of Antarctica.

"There is indeed evidence of a fertilization effect during the ice ages in cores outside the Antarctic zone," Weber concludes. "However, our study shows that atmospheric CO 2 fluctuations do not depend solely on iron fertilization from dust deposition. In the Antarctic Ocean, it is rather a complex interplay of a westerly wind system, productivity, and feedback with sea ice. This relationship has been consistent over the last 1.5 million years."

Iceberg in the Scotia Sea. Credit: Thomas Ronge

IODP core store at the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (marum) in Bremen. Credit: IODP

Southern Ocean frontal systems and Patagonian dust (left) and Chlorophyll (right) distribution. Credit: Graphic: Yasmina Martos

The research was published in Nature Communications.

Explore further Study finds that past global photosynthesis reacted quickly to more carbon in the air

More information: Michael E. Weber et al, Antiphased dust deposition and productivity in the Antarctic Zone over 1.5 million years, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Michael E. Weber et al, Antiphased dust deposition and productivity in the Antarctic Zone over 1.5 million years,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29642-5
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The first global initiative aimed at ending street homelessness has revealed key ingredients for success along with common systemic barriers, new research from Heriot-Watt University has found.

The Institute of Global Homelessness' (IGH) A Place to Call Home, launched in 2017, is the first concerted effort to support cities across the globe to eradicate street homelessness.

An initial 13 "Vanguard Cities" committed to either ending or reducing street homelessness by December 2020, with over half (Adelaide, Glasgow, Greater Manchester, Montevideo, Santiago, Sydney and Tshwane) achieving reductions.

Greater Manchester set the most ambitious target, to end all street homelessness by December 2020, and achieved an impressive 52% reduction against baseline, the largest reduction in absolute numbers on the streets. COVID initiatives helped to accelerate success and demonstrate what can be achieved with sufficient political will.

The independent evaluation, funded by Oak Foundation and delivered by Heriot-Watt University in partnership with the GISS institute in Bremen, Germany, monitored progress towards the numerical goals set by each city. Crucially, it draws out successful interventions that may be relevant to other locations.

Key to success in several cities was a lead agency driving efforts and coordinated entry to homelessness services including assertive street outreach services, individual case management, and the Housing First approach. Common barriers to progress included a lack of preventative interventions, pressure on affordable housing and insufficient resources, especially in Global South cities.

An overreliance on undignified and, at times, unsafe communal shelters and aggressive enforcement interventions represented an approach limited to "managing" rather than reducing street homelessness. Additionally, the direct involvement of some religious denominations was found to discourage some people from accessing services.

Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, director of I-SPHERE at Heriot-Watt University led the international research team. She said: "Street homelessness is one of the most extreme and visible manifestations of profound injustice that our society faces today. Yet, it often struggles to achieve sufficient attention at an international level.

"While there are clear country-specific challenges that need to be overcome, this first global initiative on tackling street homelessness has highlighted the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, towards more specialized interventions that target specific subgroups. Appropriate services for women, children, older people and other vulnerable groups, as well as culturally sensitive responses to Indigenous people and other groups affected by racial and associated forms of prejudice are essential.

"The overwhelming emphasis on emergency interventions was clear in our findings, with support applied only when people are already in crisis, rather than placing greater focus on preventative models. Even predictable pathways into street homelessness from institutions like prisons and hospitals have seldom attracted concerted prevention efforts."

Baroness Louise Casey, Chair of the Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH) said: "This report is the first examination of approaches that compares homelessness across six continents in thirteen different cities. While we brought together a diverse set of cities across the Global North and South, the report demonstrates a high degree of continuity in terms of next steps to addressing street homelessness. That said, it's clear that radical reform is still required to achieve meaningful and constructive systemic change.

"You cannot, however, solve street homelessness if you do not first 'see it.' The report findings come as the United Nations recently passed a Resolution calling for a common measurement of homelessness across member states for the first time in 60 years. IGH has since signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN's Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to improve global homeless data. We will use better global data to build on the findings of this international evaluation for what works and what does not work to end homelessness.

"Each global city demonstrated the importance of assertive outreach services and decent emergency accommodation, coupled with rapid access to long-term housing in settled communities. This report highlights that we now need to move away from inhumane and undignified communal shelters and reject exclusionary conditionality thresholds including unnecessary ID requirements, but countries need more support to facilitate this move. A concerted effort to identify and prevent key routes onto the streets is needed."

The involvement of the Institute of Global Homelessness was viewed as instrumental in driving up the local profile, momentum and level of ambition attached to reducing street homelessness in the Vanguard Cities. It is recommended that work with future cohorts of cities should focus on more tailored forms of support specific to the needs of each city, and to different types of stakeholders, particularly frontline workers.

Explore further Five lessons the pandemic taught us about ending homelessness permanently
Male Alberts lyrebirds with their tails displayed. Credit: Fiona Backhouse.

New research led by Western Sydney University has found that male lyrebirds 'compose' long complex songs created out of mimicked sounds 'sampled' from their environment, and share these songs with their neighbors.

The study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences investigated the organization, transmission, and function of sequences of vocal mimicry sung by male Albert's lyrebirds in Bundjalung Country, Eastern Australia.

Lead researcher Ph.D. student Fiona Backhouse from Western Sydney University explained that a bit like in the hip-hop genre, lyrebirds were found to sample sounds produced by other birds from their environments and compose new songs by assembling these mimicked sounds into highly particular sequences.

According to Backhouse, many bird species organize their songs into sequences, yet little is known about the drivers of that sequence structure including with lyrebird mimicry.

"Through our study, we've established that each population has a characteristic song sequence, where individual males sing the same song sequence many times during the breeding season with only minor variations, and his neighbors will sing a very similar song sequence, but there are differences among populations," said Backhouse.

On average, the study found the similarity between sequences an individual male sings was 40.7%a figure significantly higher than expected by random chance. The average similarity among sequences from different males from the same population was 35.6%, but the average similarity between sequences from different populations was only 19.3%.

"Our study provides strong evidence that individuals copy the sequences from individuals nearbytheir neighborswhom themselves copy the sequences from others. This then provides the ingredients for a 'game of telephone,' whereby changes in sequence structure evolve throughout the species' range. This process is similar to how geographical differences arise in human communication."

Across the entire species range, songs were sung with immediate variety and a high acoustic contrast, suggesting that sequence structure is a means to enhance perceptions of the male lyrebirds' repertoire.

"Lyrebirds appear to compose their song sequences to maximize drama: they order the individual mimetic samples so that consecutive samples are as dramatically different as possible. This seems like an excellent way to give the listener the best and quickest impression of the virtuosity of the male's mimicry."

The research team, which included collaborators from Cornell University, the University of Wollongong and the Australian National University, said the results provide evidence that higher order sequences of mimicry can be socially transmitted, and that the order of vocal units can be functionally significant.

"Previously, lyrebirds and other vocal mimics were viewed as 'passive' mimicslike a recorder merely reproducing what they heard. This research shows that lyrebirds do in fact use their mimicry to 'compose' long, complex songs, all in an effort to appeal to their female listeners."

Explore further Masters of mimicry, male lyrebirds use their skill to deceive potential mates

More information: Fiona Backhouse et al, Higher-order sequences of vocal mimicry performed by male Albert's lyrebirds are socially transmitted and enhance acoustic contrast, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Fiona Backhouse et al, Higher-order sequences of vocal mimicry performed by male Albert's lyrebirds are socially transmitted and enhance acoustic contrast,(2022). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2498
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The United States announced a commitment to stop testing anti-satellite missiles that generate dangerous debris in space, a measure described Tuesday as "an important step" by the head of NASA.

The United States, the first country to make such a pledge, has encouraged other nations to follow its lead, with the goal of establishing "a new international norm for responsible behavior in space," the White House said in a statement.

"This is especially important as there is an ever-increasing number of states and non-governmental entities that rely on space services and space assets which are vulnerable to debris," it added.

The announcement comes five months after Russia destroyed one of its own satellites in a missile test that created a cloud of debris and forced the seven crew on the International Space Station to temporarily take shelter in their return ships.

Washington denounced the strike as "dangerous and irresponsible."

Russia and the United States are among the small handful of nations that possess the high-tech anti-satellite weapons known as ASATs. The missiles have also been used by China and India.

"There is no doubt that human spaceflight and the future of the space environment are incompatible with destructive direct-ascent ASAT missile tests," said NASA head Bill Nelson in a statement.

He dubbed the US measure "an important step forward to foster a safe, sustainable space environment," and called on other countries to follow suit.

The debris generated by anti-satellite strikes has the potential to collide with the thousands of satellites in orbit that are key to numerous systems, including communications and navigation.

The ability to destroy other countries' satellites can, therefore, prove to be a strategic military asset and such tests fuel fears over the weaponization of space.

Explore further China satellite in close encounter with Russian debris: state media

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The term "superspreader event" has become well known since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, although such events are not without precedence throughout history. Such an event involves a large gathering of people wherein several individuals who are carriers of an infectious disease spread the disease to those with whom they come into contact at the event: Those newly infected individuals take away with them the potential to spread the disease to family, friends, work colleagues and many others.

Williams Chukwu of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of California San Diego, U.S. and colleagues at the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, explain that superspreader events can increase the public healthcare burden considerably in a short space of time. The researchers have now developed a mathematical model to look at the dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 at large events.

Their model takes into account two important variables that must be considered in assessing the risk and ultimate impact of large-scale events in the face of a major infectious disease: clinical, infectivity level and social or environmental contact level. Ultimately, it provides a way to assess the likely effect on wider public health of running large-scale events and what control measures might be put in place to reduce the risk of such an event being a superspreader.

Indeed, the measures the team suggests in the International Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Optimisation are those that have been implemented in many parts of the world with varying degrees of success in this pandemic and in previous pandemicssocial distancing, curfews, wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitizers, and other measures. The team points out that the adoption and efficacy of vaccination programs should also be taken into account to reflect a more realistic model, where such programs have been instigated and events are being held.

Explore further What do we know about superspreader events in the pandemic?

More information: Josiah Mushanyu et al, Modelling the potential role of super spreaders on COVID-19 transmission dynamics, International Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Optimisation (2022). Josiah Mushanyu et al, Modelling the potential role of super spreaders on COVID-19 transmission dynamics,(2022). DOI: 10.1504/IJMMNO.2022.122123
Various views of well-preserved 5,000-year-old corn roots.The researchers analyzed the anatomy and architecture of these ancient root samples to see how they have changed over time with corn domestication. Credit: Ivan Lopez Valdivia, Alden Perkins and Michael Williams/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

A unique confluence of archeology, molecular genetics and serendipity guided a collaboration of Mexican and Penn State researchers to a deeper understanding of how modern corn was domesticated from teosinte, a perennial grass native to Mexico and Central America, more than 5,000 years ago.

There is much interest in how ancient agriculturists transformed the wild grass teosinte into modern corn, one of the most important and successful crops on earth, according to team leader Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor of plant nutrition. For decades, his research group in the College of Agricultural Sciences has been uncovering how roots play a critical role in plant development and survival.

"Corn is no exception, and it turns out that early growerslikely unknowinglyselected for root traits that supported increased development of seeds and cobs," he said. "And while it is inherently interesting to learn how corn evolved from its wild ancestor to what we know today, what we learn about how the plant changed to deal with drought and hard soils may help plant breeders tomorrow."

Spearheaded by Ivan Lopez-Valdivia, initially a graduate student at LANGEBIO in Mexico and now a doctoral student in Lynch's lab, the researchers examined two ancient root stalks found in San Marcos cave at Tehuacan Valley, Mexico, to understand the changes that happened underground during domestication. They used laser ablation tomographya high-resolution phenotyping platform that combines laser optics and serial imaging with 3D image reconstruction and quantificationto understand plant anatomy.

Often referred to as LAT, the technology was developed a decade ago by Lynch's research group, including former student Ben Hall, who has created a company focusing on this technique. In this study, LAT was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional root structure and internal anatomy of the two ancient corn root specimens, dated between 4,956 and 5,280 years old.

In findings published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers reported that the outer cortical cells of the roots featured thick walls similar to those found in today's corn plants adapted to hard soil. But unlike modern corn, the two specimens lacked seminal roots. Seminal roots, which supply corn seedlings with additional water and nutrients, are not present in teosinte.

The researchers then analyzed DNA from a third specimen of approximately the same age and found mutations in two genes that contribute to seminal roots in modern corn. These early corn specimens appear more teosinte-like in their drought adaption.

The results indicate that some traits related to drought adaptation were not fully present in the earliest corn from Tehuacan, providing insight into conditions prevailing during early corn cultivation in the region, Lopez-Valdivia noted.

The back story behind the research is nearly as interesting as the work itself. It started when Lynch gave an invited presentation on his root research at the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversityalso known as LANGEBIO, CINVESTAVlocated at Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. After the presentation, he visited with a molecular biologist at that institution who was Lopez-Valdivia's adviser during the latter's pursuit of a master's degree in plant biotechnology.

"We were talking about the cool stuff that he had done with ancient maize roots that were preserved in these very dry caves, and I hadn't even known about them," Lynch recalled. "We decided to analyze the anatomy and architecture of these ancient root samples to see how they have changed over time with corn domestication. So, that was the origin. Ivan started this work in Mexico and finished it at Penn State as a student."

Lopez-Valdivia is continuing the research with his doctoral degree thesis, which will focus on how evolving maize roots fit their environment through their evolution. He appreciates how his work unexpectedly crossed over from plant biotechnology to phenomics and simulation modelingmoving from one country to another.

"To provide a little bit of context about the caves in Tehuacan, Mexico, American archeologist Richard MacNeish tried to find the oldest remains of corn in them," he said. "His efforts offer some clues about the origin of agriculture in Mesoamerica. In the '60s, he found thousands of cob remains and only a dozen of roots, with only one preserved scutellar nodethe delicate structure from which the seminal roots develop."

Those specimens are being stored in the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico, Lopez-Valdivia added, and the researchers ended up taking samples from them to complete their study.

Explore further Comparing genes to understand the domestication of corn
Atolla reynoldsi, a large new species of deep-sea crown jelly with distinctive thorny projections around the margin of its bell. Credit:  2018 MBARI

The deep-sea crown jelly Atolla is one of the most common residents of the ocean's midnight zone. Its bell has a signature scarlet color and bears one tentacle much longer than the rest. So 15 years ago, when MBARI researchers spotted a jelly that looked like Atolla, but lacked the telltale trailing tentacle, their curiosity was piqued.

MBARI researchers have now published the scientific description of a large new species of Atolla in the scientific journal Animals. They have named their discovery Atolla reynoldsi in honor of the first volunteer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, MBARI's education and conservation partner.

"We named this stunning new species in honor of Jeff Reynolds in recognition of the 4.3 million hours of service that he and other volunteers have contributed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium over the past 38 years. They have graciously given their time to educate the public about the wonders of the ocean. Aquarium volunteers have been instrumental in raising awareness about the fragility of the ocean and inspiring the public to care about the health of the ocean," said MBARI Senior Education and Research Specialist George Matsumoto, who was the lead author on the description of this new species.

Matsumoto and his co-authors believe two more previously unknown species of Atolla also live in the depths of Monterey Bay, California. They hope to eventually describe these new additions to Atolla's family tree.

The deep-sea crown jelly Atolla is found worldwide and can be abundant in deep water. MBARI's archive of more than 27,600 hours of video contains thousands of observations of Atolla. To date, scientists recognize 10 species in the genus. Atolla chuni, A. gigantea, and A. vanhoeffeni are the most recognizablethey have unique features that make them relatively easy to identify. But others, even the common and widespread A. wyvillei, can be rather difficult to identify. Some characteristics thought to be species-specific have turned out to be less than helpful in separating out the species.

One feature researchers often use to identify Atolla is the single elongateor hypertrophiedtentacle. One tentacle can stretch up to six times the diameter of the bell. Researchers believe this long tentacle aids in capturing prey. Observations from researchers in Japan suggest the single trailing tentacle helps a hungry Atolla snag siphonophores (rope-like gelatinous animals made of specialized segments).

Over the past 15 years, MBARI researchers have observed and collected numerous specimens of three types of Atolla-like jellies that lack the typical trailing tentacle. Now, researchers have collected sufficient details about morphological and molecular features to describe one of these three unique jellies: Atolla reynoldsi.

A. reynoldsi is relatively large compared to other species of Atolla. The largest specimen MBARI researchers collected was 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) in diameter, making this newly discovered species one of the largest in the genus.

Like other deep-sea crown jellies, A. reynoldsi has a furrowed bell. A deep groove runs around the bell, separating the domed bell from the wide margin with thick segments, known as pedalia, containing finger-like lappets. The edge of the bell resembles a crown, earning this group of jellies its regal name. The "crown" in A. reynoldsi has warty papillae and spiked ridges. Only one other species of AtollaA. chuni, known from the South Atlantic and Southern oceanshas a similarly bumpy bell. A. reynoldsi also has a distinct gut that is shaped like a Greek cross.

In addition to the lack of the hypertrophied tentacle, A. reynoldsi is often observed with its tentacles coiled. MBARI researchers have learned that the number of tentacles may not be a reliable diagnostic tool for identifying individual species of Atolla. Tentacle number varies considerably from one individual to the next, and the new A. reynoldsi can have anywhere from 26 to 39 tentacles.

A. reynoldsi is not commonMBARI researchers have only observed 10 specimens between April 2006 and June 2021. So far, this species is only known from Monterey Bay and lives at depths of 1,013 to 3,189 meters (3,323 to 10,463 feet).

A. reynoldsi is molecularly distinct from the other Atolla species that the MBARI research team was able to collect and is morphologically distinct from all 10 described Atolla species, although it shares the presence of papillae with A. chuni.

The new species of Atolla is named after Jeff Reynolds, the first volunteer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and honors the contributions of Aquarium volunteers to inspiring conservation of the ocean.

In 1980, four years before the Aquarium's grand opening, Reynolds guarded a beached whale on Del Monte Beach overnight so that the Aquarium could retrieve it and prepare it for eventual overhead display. Reynolds assisted veterinarian Tom Williams with marine mammal research during the Aquarium's early years. He even helped Williams launch the Aquarium's groundbreaking effort to rescue and rehabilitate stranded sea otter pups.

"This is such an honor to have this new species named after me. It also honors all the fantastic Aquarium volunteers over the decades, I was just the lucky one to be there so early on," said Jeff Reynolds. "Volunteering and working for the Aquarium for 42 years was just such an awesome and rewarding experience. It was especially wonderful being taken in as a 16-year-old kid by mentors like [Aquarium co-founder] Steve Webster and Tom Williams to just do whatever needed being done at the moment, from vacuuming the floor to caring for stranded sea otter pups to assisting with whale necropsies to building exhibit models."

Since its inception in 1984, Aquarium staff have worked alongside a community of committed, enthusiastic, and highly effective volunteers. Aquarium volunteers experience a unique sense of community, a passionate connection to the Aquarium's mission, and an unusually high quantity of service hours. Since the opening of the Aquarium, volunteers have contributed more than 4.3 million hours of service.

The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the ocean. Aquarium volunteers support this mission both directly and indirectly, in front of and behind the scenes. Volunteers assume a diverse assortment of roles across the institution. Interpretive guides interact with visitors and share the wonders of Aquarium exhibits with the public. Others work behind the scenes to prepare food for Aquarium animals, track otters in Elkhorn Slough, or even dive in Aquarium exhibits to polish the acrylic and maintain the beauty of the exhibits for visitors.

It is impossible to overstate the magnitude of the impact of Aquarium volunteers. Their contributions extend far beyond their activities at the Aquariumthey also become ambassadors in their communities not only for the Aquarium but also for ocean conservation.

"As an Aquarium volunteer myself, it's so rewarding to see visitors fall in love with the ocean. We're privileged to have the Monterey Bay Aquarium as MBARI's education and conservation partner. Together, we brought the deep sea to land in the new Into the Deep exhibition. It's my hope that the volunteers in this exhibition can help inspire future generations to care about an environment that's the largest living space on Earth, but one we still know so little about," said Matsumoto.

Indeed, there is still much to learn about the diversity of life in the deep sea, even in a location as well studied as Monterey Bay.

In addition to the description of the new Atolla reynoldsi, the MBARI research team also collected natural history information for two more unique Atolla that will likely prove to be new species, but the research team did not have enough samples at this time to confirm those suspicions.

One speciesfor now given the placeholder name of Atolla species Ahas only been observed three times, once in 2002 and twice in 2021. Like A. reynoldsi, it can be quite large compared to its relatives, with one specimen too large to collect in ROV samplers and another 8.5 centimeters (3.3 inches) across. It too does not have a trailing tentacle and the shape of the gut resembles a Greek cross. However, unlike A. reynoldsi, "species A" displays straightnot curledtentacles and does not have papillae or spiky ridges on its bell. Its bell is tall with a distinctive large, rounded dome shape.

The second speciesknown as Atolla species B until it is formally described by researchershas been seen by MBARI researchers five times in the past 15 years. It occurs in very deep water, with three out of five observations recorded deeper than 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). The largest specimen was 7.4 centimeters (2.9 inches) across. All five specimens displayed coiled tentacles, lacked the trailing tentacle, and had a Greek cross-shaped gut like A. reynoldsi, but the bell was white, very flat, and lacked any warts of spikes around the margin.

The three new Atolla-like jellies do not fall within the current taxonomic descriptions of the family Atollidae or the genus Atolla. All three of these unique Atolla may eventually need to be placed into a new genus due to their distinct stomach morphology and the lack of a trailing tentacle. Until further work to determine the morphological features and genetic sequences that define the genus Atolla and the individual species therein is completed, the research team recommends that they remain within the genus Atolla.

A. reynoldsi is just one of millions of species that live in the deep sea, many of which are still unknown to humans. Over the past 34 years, MBARI researchers have documented more than 225 new species from explorations in Monterey Bay and beyond, but have barely scratched the surface in revealing the diversity of life in the deep sea.

These discoveries remind us that we still know so little about the ocean, the largest living space on Earth. The ocean is changing rapidly and the same threats that face coastal watersoverfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and habitat destructionalso extend to the depths below. We must document the diversity of life deep beneath the surface before it becomes lost forever.

"These remarkable new jellies underscore how much we still have to learn about the deep sea. On just about every dive into the depths of Monterey Bay, we learn something new," explained Matsumoto. "MBARI's work to understand the ocean is more urgent than ever as the deep sea and the animals that live there face a growing number of threats. We cannot protect life in the deep sea unless we understand it first."

Explore further Mysterious little red jellies: A case of mistaken identity

More information: George I. Matsumoto et al, Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A New Species of Coronate Scyphozoan Found in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Animals (2022). George I. Matsumoto et al, Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A New Species of Coronate Scyphozoan Found in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean,(2022). DOI: 10.3390/ani12060742
The scientists collected vital biological data from the shark before releasing her safely. Credit: Trinity College Dublin

An international team of scientists led by Trinity College Dublin tagged and released a record-breaking 2.8 m porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus, off the coast of Donegal last week.

The huge female specimen, estimated to weigh 400-500 pounds, is the largest ever recorded in Irish waters and likely to be 25-30 years old. Local anglers (Sid, Terry, and Peter from Counties Cork, Down and Antrim, respectively) worked together to catch the giant "porgie" and transfer it to the scientists' vessel so the team could quickly measure it, attach two different types of satellite tag, and take samples to examine reproductive status.

Nick Payne, shark biologist and Assistant Professor in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences, said this was a significant moment.

"It is exciting to see such huge porbeagles in Irish waters," he noted. "The conservation status of porbeagles has been really concerning in this part of the world, with the European population considered critically endangered. There's evidence that the Donegal coast may act as a globally important reproductive area for this species, with lots of very large female sharks appearing here for a short period in spring."

Last week was the first trip in a new research collaboration between Trinity, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), and local shark anglers, together with leading scientists from James Cook University (Australia), University of Miami, and US non-profit Beneath the Waves.

Dr. Payne added, "This was an incredible start to an important new project, where we will work with the local shark angling community to learn as much as we can about porbeagle movements and their reproductive dynamics in Irish waters. If this is an important breeding location then we need to know about it, so we can monitor and conserve the animals as best we can when they visit our shores."

Jenny Bortoluzzi, Ph.D. candidate in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences, took blood samples from the shark. She said, "This highlights once again both the importance of collaboration between scientists and anglers in a citizen science context, and Ireland's potential key role in conservation as a marine biodiversity hotspot."

Overfishing saw severe declines in porbeagle stocks since the 1930s, and commercial fishing by EU vessels has been prohibited under EU regulations since 2010. The International Council for Exploration of the Sea considers there to be just a single stock in the Northeast Atlantic, with tagging data showing individual porbeagle sharks can migrate long distances throughout the region.

"If we are to see recovery of the European porbeagle population it is especially important to monitor reproductive areas. If Ireland is a key breeding site then we really have a global responsibility to protect porbeagles using this area," Dr. Payne said.

Willie Roche, IFI Senior Scientist, echoed those thoughts. He said, "Understanding the movements and migrations of porbeagles, especially large females which we are targeting for tagging, will contribute immensely to identifying potential challenges to their continued survival, as well as piecing together their seasonal patterns.

"The satellite tagging data is complemented by IFI's long running Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme, which uses conventional tags to tag mainly elasmobranchs. The role of anglers in both these tagging initiatives highlights the importance of their contribution to targeted tagging studies and, as active marine environment observers, to ongoing monitoring of elasmobranch species generally."

The shark, which the team have nicknamed Danu, was handled and tagged safely and released in a healthy condition. One of her satellite tags will transmit a wealth of information to satellite on her migration history and ocean conditions encountered, before detaching in several months.

A second "SPOT" tag provides near real-time data on her location whenever her fin breaks the water surfacea trait of porbeagles.

Dr. Payne said that Danu had already covered a lot of ground and was almost at the Hebrides in Scotland 48 hours after her release. A second large female porbeagle (around 2.4 m in length, nicknamed Sorcha) was also tagged and released, but she was spending more time cruising around the same region in which she was captured.

The research team plans to tag more porbeagles in the near future. Analysis of the blood samples collected last week will begin almost immediately.

Explore further Study dives deep into saving endangered shark
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The odor emitted by wastewater treatment plants in cities is one of the social problems that technology has been trying to solve for years. The control and management systems of this type of infrastructure have been concerned with minimizing the environmental and odorous impact of this waste, which directly affects quality of life, especially for those who live near treatment plants. Among the latest systems that biotechnology has devised there are two that are on the rise, their effectiveness having been gauged: mechanical ventilation and biofiltration.

Both were evaluated in two independent studies carried out by two scientific teams at the University of Cordoba and published in the Process Safety and Environmental Protection journal. The first of these studies describes the work carried out at real scale at the Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) in two Cordoba towns: Espiel and Villaviciosa, while the second analyzed the operation of pilot-scale biofilters operated at the facilities of the Chemical Engineering area of the University of Cordoba.

In the first work, the analysis of different biological treatments of wastewater showed that the process known as the extended aeration of activated sludge, which is employed at the WWTP in Espiel, emits slightly a higher odor rate per inhabitant than the rotating disk system used in Villaviciosa. It was also found that the system in Espiel is more efficient and intensive for the treatment of wastewater, and generates a greater amount of sludge, a by-product that can be properly treated, thus favoring the development of the Circular Economy. In addition, as the analysis of the sludge genome has shown, the presence of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria allows for the elimination of nitrogenous contaminating compounds from wastewater.

The second publication analyzed the effectiveness of biofiltration in eliminating odoriferous compounds in systems filled with different organic waste: pruning waste, exclusively, or mixing them with sludge compost from the treatment plant itself. The results of this work showed that when biofilters are used to remove acidic and water-soluble odorous compounds, such as butyric acid, their efficacy was greater but less lasting than in the removal of less water-miscible compounds, such as D-Limonene. Butyric acid is a compound that is generated in fermentation processes, featuring a characteristic rancid odor, while D-Limonene is a compound characterized by a citrus odor.

In any case, as Maria Angeles Martin Santos, a professor of Chemical Engineering at the UCO, explained: "It must be taken into account that all the plants studied comply with the established discharge limits, and that the smell of a treatment station does not always reach the nearby populations. There is a whole process of transport and dilution of polluting odors through the environment that diminishes their perception. The wind, for example, can disperse them. Hence, an essential aspect in wastewater management is where treatment plants are located. The problem is that, as a result of urbanization and rezoning, many sewage treatment plants are very close to towns, so they must be better outfitted with systems to reduce odor emissions."

Explore further New evaluation framework for energy neutrality potential of wastewater treatment plants

More information: P. Marquez et al, Activated sludge process versus rotating biological contactors in WWTPs: Evaluating the influence of operation and sludge bacterial content on their odor impact, Process Safety and Environmental Protection (2022). P. Marquez et al, Activated sludge process versus rotating biological contactors in WWTPs: Evaluating the influence of operation and sludge bacterial content on their odor impact,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2022.02.071 P. Marquez et al, A comparative study between the biofiltration for air contaminated with limonene or butyric acid using a combination of olfactometric, physico-chemical and genomic approaches, Process Safety and Environmental Protection (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2022.02.024
Facts about Russia-Ukraine conflict: Zelensky says Ukraine won't give up territories to end conflict

Xinhua) 09:35, April 19, 2022

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The Russia-Ukraine conflict continued as Ukraine's western city of Lviv reported missile strikes on Monday morning. The following are the latest developments:

Five missiles struck Ukraine's western city of Lviv on Monday morning, City Mayor Andriy Sadovyi wrote on Facebook, adding that the emergency services rushed to the site of the blasts.

- - - -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will not give up territories to end the conflict with Russia, Ukrinform news agency reported on Sunday.

His country has no guarantee that Russia wouldn't try to seize Kiev again if it is able to capture Donbas, said the report.

- - - -

Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, recently intercepted large-scale attacks on Russian bank cards and the attempts were initiated by a Ukrainian developer of mobile applications, Stanislav Kuznetsov, deputy chairman of the bank's executive board, told the RIA Novosti news agency on Sunday.

Kuznetsov said the company, whose name was not released, tried to write off funds from those who own Sberbank's cards.

"Almost immediately after the start of the special operation, we stopped the massive debiting of funds from the cards of our clients. Moreover, the number of debit attempts reached ten thousand per minute," Kuznetsov said.

- - - -

Economic advisor to the Ukrainian President Oleh Ustenko called on the Group of Seven (G7) countries to provide 50 billion U.S. dollars to help Ukraine close its budget gap, according to a press release from Ukraine's Presidential Office.

"If the G7 provided 50 billion dollars in new financing, that would resolve the deficit issue for at least another six months," Ustenko was quoted as saying in an interview with U.S. magazine The New Yorker.

The advisor estimated the country's budget deficit at about 8 billion dollars a month due to the conflict with Russia.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
You are here: World

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Russian troops destroyed a depot of weapons supplied by Western countries near west Ukraine's Lviv on Monday morning, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

The Russian Aerospace Forces used high-precision airborne missiles to hit a logistics center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Lviv, destroying large consignments of weapons arrived from the United States and European countries over the past six days, Konashenkov told a briefing.

At least seven people were killed and 11 others wounded on Monday morning in missile strikes on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, said Maksym Kozytsky, head of the Lviv regional military-civilian administration.
Researchers from Murdoch Universitys Harry Butler Institute will conduct a study in winter of 2022 to understand how the disease sarcoptic mange is manifesting in quenda in Roleystone urban and bushland sites. Credit: Murdoch University

Over the last three years the Roleystone community and wildlife rehabilitation centers have become concerned over increasing numbers of the small marsupial, otherwise known as the southwestern brown bandicoot, seen with severe skin disease in local reserves and backyards.

And a cluster of cases has been detected in the Jandakot area recently, suggesting the disease may be establishing in new areas.

Sarcoptic mange is caused by a skin mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is a significant and debilitating disease threat to several Australian mammal species, including wombats and koalas. The parasite was likely introduced to Australia at the time of European settlement, carried by settlers and their domestic animals. Once infected, quenda develop crusting of the skin, intense itchiness, and secondary complications that may lead to death.

Murdoch University Lecturer in Wildlife Health and Epidemiology, Bethany Jackson said it was a matter of considerable concern to members of the Roleystone and wildlife health community. "We are working closely with the wildlife care facilities and local council to understand why this disease is being seen more commonly in quenda, and what the impact is on their populations," Dr. Jackson said.

"We suspect as sarcoptic mange has only been seen occasionally in this species prior to the last five years, it could be coming from another reservoir animal, potentially European foxes. This sort of event shows the critical role played by the public, local government and wildlife care facilities in disease surveillance for our native species."

Even with treatment, Darling Range Wildlife Service reports 40% of quenda will still require euthanasia due to the severity of the skin changes and complications. Early intervention for infected quenda is vital to the success of treatment programs, and successful release.

Sarcoptic mange occurs when mites bury into and feed on the skin of a mammal. Although it is not common for the mite to be transmitted to people from wildlife, it can cause disease in pets and people. Further research is needed to understand how quenda become infected and what risk this poses to other species and to humans.

The researchers aim to capture quenda in urban and bush areas of Roleystone, collect samples, and determine how the mite impacts the skin and host, the best method for detecting the mite in this species, and how the mite found on quenda is related to other sarcoptid mites collected from hosts such as local foxes, and species in the east of Australia.

Based on the findings of this pilot study, the group of stakeholders hope to establish guidance on best management practices for individual quenda, as well as expanding surveillance through local councils and citizen-science programs.

Overall, the study will aim to improve on-ground decision-making for wildlife departments and care facilities, when working with affected quenda.

City of Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield said quenda played an important role in local environments and conservation areas.

"The City is pleased to be working with Murdoch University researchers, local wildlife carers and government agencies to advance understanding of the severe skin disease affecting our local quenda population, and to assist with on-ground wildlife management and conservation," she said.

Explore further Quendas: The cute little helper keeping our gardens and bushland healthy
SHUSHAN  Michael Maturo and NooshAnna Andreeva parked their pickup truck at the west end of the county Route 61 bridge Tuesday night and held up a 5,500-lumen LED lamp. The glare lit up the bridge, the roads and the trees around the bridges approach.

The state wants to put three of these on the new bridge, one at each end and one in the middle, Maturo said. Why is the state stipulating lights? Nobody walks this bridge after dark except for us.

This is not Troy, Andreeva said. Its not even a village. Its a hamlet.

The bridge over the Batten Kill connects the Salem and Jackson sides of the rural hamlet. The open-deck steel bridge dates from 1962.

In March, the Washington County Board of Supervisors awarded a $2.25 million contract to Winn Construction of Waterford to construct a replacement. Work is scheduled to begin in May and be completed in December.

Maturo and Andreeva moved to Shushan from Brooklyn a year and a half ago. They live in the stately house overlooking the bridge from the west side.

Maturo said he only learned recently that the state is paying most of the construction costs and is requiring the lights. The couple and a neighbor, Heather Santelli, have been taking a petition around the hamlet, asking that the lights be removed from the project. More than 100 people have signed so far, Maturo said.

Despite a public meeting several years ago, were finding people didnt know lights were planned, he said.

Theres no argument that the aging bridge needs to be replaced.

We are happy and excited for a safer and long-life bridge replacement, the petition states. However, the county proposes to add three lights, 5000 lumens (each), at 10 feet height along the north side of the bridge, which will damage the nighttime experience of the Batten Kill, including light reflecting on the river visible from the Georgi (Museum)  forever. And even possibly increase the speed of nighttime drivers.

Although the Salem side of the hamlet has streetlights, the bridge has never been lit, Maturo said. The road has little vehicular traffic after dark and even fewer pedestrians. Except for the occasional evening event at the Georgi or one of the churches, theres no nightlife in Shushan. Most of the residents live on the Salem side of the bridge.

Maturo contacted the project engineer for the lights specifications. The fixtures are 1430LED Roadway from Sternberg Lighting, a replica turn-of-the-century model with a metal cap and dimpled glass sides. The cap would prevent glare from going up but light would be emitted on all sides. The engineers report described the quality of light as dim and warm, Maturo said, but the test Tuesday night showed that 5,000 lumens, brighter than three 100-watt incandescent lights, would be anything but dim in the rural neighborhood.

Opponents of the lights are concerned about their possible effect on night-flying insects and how that might in turn affect insect-eating trout in the Batten Kill.

LED light is known to interfere with insects, Andreeva said.

Lights on the bridge would be part of the Shushan lighting district, Maturo said. The town of Salem would be responsible for power and maintenance.

If the bridge absolutely has to be illuminated, an alternative might be walkway lights mounted at knee height, Maturo and Andreeva said.

But theyd rather have no lights at all.

We moved away from the city, Andreeva said. We didnt come here to change anything. Were trying to preserve the rural character we love so much.

This is a civic effort, not a political one, Maturo added.

Maturo and some Shushan residents plan to present their petition Friday morning at the Washington County Board of Supervisors monthly meeting in Fort Edward. The petition is available at https://forms.gle/U66fxsVydFGw3DFw7. Those interested may also ask to join Friends of Shushan on Facebook.

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Last week, the publisher of Bad and Boujee: Toward a Trap Feminist Theology pulled it from distribution after critics raised concerns about the white authors qualifications to write on the books stated topics of the Black experience, hip-hop music, ethics, and feminism.

Among those critics was author Sesali Bowen, who coined the concept of trap feminism years ago. At its core was how people attempt to celebrate Black women without talking about their lived experiences. Things like copying the aesthetics of musicians such as Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion without giving them attribution or linking it to their lives.

Bowen says she wanted to emphasize these women because they are often talked about without ever being talked to.

So she was taken aback when earlier this year, white academic Jennifer Buck released a theology book on trap feminism. While Bowen first introduced the concept of trap feminism nearly a decade ago, she said Buck did not approach her while researching Bad and Boujee. The idea of talking about Black women, but not directly engaging with them about their lived experiences, gets to the core of why Bowen first felt the need to label this era and concept of trap feminism.

Bowen coined the term in 2014, taking its name from a hip-hop genre that originated in the South. Trap is slang for a house where drugs are sold and the music references street life, violence, poverty and many of the experiences Black people face in the South.

Buck is an associate professor of practical theology at Southern Californias Azusa Pacific University, a private, evangelical Christian college. Her book features a Black woman on the cover and throughout references the lived experiences of Black women, according to the books online description. She did not respond to the L.A. Times requests for comment on the fallout.

Bowens 2021 book Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist summarizes the niche topic: Trap feminism says that Black girls who have ever rocked bamboo earrings, dookie braids, Baby Phat, lace fronts, or those who have worked as hoes, scammers, call-center reps, at daycares, in retail, and those who sell waist trainers and mink lashes on Instagram are all worth the same dignity and respect we give Michelle Obama and Beyonce.

Bowen shared a recent exchange she had with Buck over Instagram.

After a few messages, Bowen wrote to Buck, I think more than anything I would like to know what brought you to this research, why you thought you were the best person to do it, and why its not in conversation with folks who have been doing trap feminist work for years?

She says she hasnt heard back.

I think I was just shocked at the lack of awareness, if you will. I think it was just disheartening, Bowen told the L.A. Times about the whole ordeal.

Bowen has a masters degree in gender studies from Georgia State University; she understands the process of academic research. She says if Buck had Googled trap feminism, her work would have come up. Instead, Buck cited Bowens work in a footnote in her book.

I think the fact that Jennifer Buck does not have the lived experience that makes her the person to write about trap feminism or Black feminism is honestly just the salt in the wound, Bowen said. Now were also dealing with issues around cultural appropriation, culture vulturing and just kind of like cultural voyeurism that is just icky, you know. Its just cringe and I hate that we are still doing this in 2022.

In a separate Instagram exchange with Christian writer Jo Luehmann, Buck explained her research process.

I did this research directly interviewing women running trap with a research team of primarily black women. Everyone was paid well  those who helped me conduct the research and those interviewed, Buck wrote. I will also add: I believe anti-racist work is the work of white people to do, which includes hiring and elevating black voices and all historically marginalized voices in doing theology.

Author Chanequa Walker-Barnes joined a chorus of voices on Twitter decrying Bucks approach to this topic within Black culture. One of Walker-Barnes first books was published by Wipf and Stock Publishers, a Christian publishing house, which also released Bad and Boujee this February.

Its not that White scholars cant write about Black women, but it has to be done with extreme care, a whole lot of cultural sensitivity and humility, and in relationships of accountability with Black women, Walker-Barnes wrote on Twitter. And it would probably need a Black woman editor.

Wipf and Stock announced on Friday that it would pull Bad and Boujee from distribution.

We humbly acknowledge that we failed Black women in particular, and we take full responsibility for the numerous failures of judgment that led to this moment, the publisher said in a statement. Our critics are right: we should have seen numerous red flags, including but not limited to the inappropriateness of a White theologian writing about the experience of Black women (the issue of cultural appropriation is pervasive, from cover to content), the lack of Black endorsers, and the apparent lack of relationship with Black scholars, especially those who originated the trap feminist discourse.

Bowen said Bucks silence is the least trap feminist approach to this controversy.

I want to call it kind of a psychological violence, if you will. Professor Buck starts this sstorm and then to just turn away from it, Bowen said. She has refused so far to engage in this conversation that she has started. Thats not what trap feminism is all about. Because a trap feminist can fight her battles, be accountable and hold people accountable.


ABSECON  The Hi Point Pub has closed after the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control indefinitely suspended its liquor license.

After a series of alleged serious violations, Hi Point Pub was ordered to appear before the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control on April 12, 2022, and show cause why their license should not be suspended, said Lisa Coryell, public information officer for the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office, in a statement. Following the hearing, Director James B. Graziano ordered that the license held by Hi-Point Pub be indefinitely suspended pending the adjudication of charges filed against the licensee in March.

The bar, on top of a small hill at Shore Road and the White Horse Pike in Absecon, has been in business for more than 50 years, serving locals and highway travelers going to and from Atlantic City, the bars Facebook page says. Its known by many to be open 24/7. The bars Facebook page makes no mention of the establishment being closed.

It now sits unattended, with a piece of paper taped to the front door notifying the public of its closure.

Attempts to reach Hi Points owners were unsuccessful. Louis Cappelli Jr., the lawyer representing Hi Point, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Graziano wrote in his ruling that several incidents led to the suspension. The pub is accused of various offenses, including allowing a fight at the bar, serving underage patrons, overserving patrons  a practice that possibly implicates the establishment in two fatal accidents  and employing people with criminal convictions who are barred under state law from working at the establishment.

Somers Point clears path for state ban on plastic bags SOMERS POINT  City Council adopted an ordinance repealing its local bag ban Thursday, but t

The bar has 14 days from the April 14 ruling to appeal.

The Division has shown, clearly and convincingly, that suspension of Hi Points license is necessary. First, the harm done here has been irreparable, with two fatalities, brawls, and DWIs. The charged violations are of course all very serious, but what is especially troubling is the pattern of conduct and the gravity of the consequences. The offenses must be  can only be guaranteed to be  stopped immediately with suspension, according to the ruling.

Neither police Chief James Laughlin nor city Administrator Jessica Thompson responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Shelby Hughes, of Mantua, Gloucester County, who frequented the bar when she lived in Egg Harbor Township, said Hi Point was one of her favorite bars to visit if she was out with friends. She feels the atmosphere there changed over the past few years, describing the perceived change as upsetting.

The scene was going real bad, Hughes said.

In July 2021, a 58-year-old Massachusetts man was struck and killed while crossing the White Horse Pike after drinking eight beers in two hours at the pub, according to the ruling.

Water work underway in 4 Atlantic County towns Water infrastructure projects in Absecon, Northfield, Linwood and Egg Harbor Township are ex

The division also is investigating the bars involvement in a January car accident that left an Absecon man dead. According to the report, a 24-year old Northfield man who had been drinking at the bar struck a car and killed its driver and then fled the scene.

Hi Point ownership contends they have taken numerous steps to comply with state regulations.

Todd Jacobs, a co-owner of Hi Point, told the commission the business seeks to comply with the law, according to the report. Over the past couple of months, Jacobs has met with local law enforcement and city officials, according to the ruling.

Mr. Jacobs emphasizes that Hi Point has distributed to its staff a guide on best practices for the service of alcohol and that, according to the ruling. On March 30, 2022, he held two sessions with Hi Point staff on security training and procedures.

Contact Nicholas Huba: 609-272-7046 nhuba@pressofac.com Twitter @acpresshuba

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Nicholas Huba Sports Editor Started working in newsrooms when I was 17 years old. Spent 15 years working for Gannett New Jersey before coming to The Press of Atlantic City in April 2015. Follow Nicholas Huba 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
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At first, Gisselle Smith-Echevarria thought she would write about pollution, a safe topic, nothing personal.

Then, she grew more fearless. She scrapped that idea and instead penned an essay that hit close to home: her familys bout with homelessness when she was 9 years old. She wants to inspire others in similar circumstances not to give up hope.

Smith-Echevarria, 17, a senior at the Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School in Camden, is among 10 young women from the city who shared their stories in a newly released book, Speak, Young Brown People, Speak. We Are Listening!

It was very important to share my experiences, she said. I felt like I needed to do it.

Smith-Echevarria and the other teens wrote candidly about poverty, racism, sexism, social injustice, police brutality and environmental racism. Some wrote poems; others expressed their views through artwork. They were allowed creative freedom with minor editing.

The girls embraced the project because it provided an outlet for their voices to be heard and released to the masses, said Gaylene Gordon, the girls adviser and creative-writing instructor for the book project.

Gunshot alert leads to arrest of 3 Atlantic City men ATLANTIC CITY  A gunshot alert led to the arrest of three city men and the recovery of hand

The books publisher, Alberta Lampkins, issued a national call in 2020 seeking essays, poems, affirmations and art submissions and received 10 from the girls from the Women of the Dream program in Camden. Six other submissions came from girls in North Carolina and New York.

They spoke boldly. I was really just blown away, said Lampkins, of A.L. Savvy Publications, a self-publishing company in North Carolina. We need to listen to what they have to say.

Lampkins waived all fees and covered all expenses, including paying for the striking cover design. She gave all the participants two free copies of the book, too.

The girls, wearing orange Women of the Dream T-shirts, were treated like rock stars at a book unveiling last week at the Camden High School complex. They sat on stage in the auditorium and were introduced at a news conference.

Nine of the girls are seniors at Brimm, Creative Arts, LEAP Academy and Penn Tech High schools. The remaining girl from Camden, Monae Clayton, graduated in 2021 from Brimm.

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs purchased copies of the book and got their autographs. Carstarphen called the signing beyond incredible.

Questions about state education guidelines raised at Ocean City meetings OCEAN CITY  Long-simmering questions about how much children should learn about sexuality i

Your city is proud of you, McCombs said. We cant wait to see what you accomplish in the next chapter of your lives.

McCombs read a poem from the book as the author, Aaliyah Burke, 18, stood with her at the lectern. McCombs, who grew up in Camden, said she related to the girls poem, titled Misunderstanding, which reads, in part:

I am a woman

My posture is strong

My voice is stern

My heart is broken.

Two Stockton students named Designated Driver Heroes by HERO Campaign Stockton University students Sophia Bradach and Patrick Moore were named the 2022 Heroes of 

Burke, an aspiring veterinarian or possibly psychologist, said she enjoyed writing a short piece instead of an essay. Expressing herself was cathartic, she said.

I felt like I got a very lot off my chest, she said. It felt right.

Another author, Killiam Cato, spoke for her fellow writers at the event.

All of the girls you see here today have dreams from the time they were little girls  the dream of a life that wasnt so hard, Cato said. We watched our parents and caregivers struggle under the weight of poverty, crime, addiction, food insecurity and institutional racism.

She added: Sometimes, it was hard to believe that just a few miles away, girls our age have a completely different reality: clean, safe neighborhoods, big, single-family homes, closets full of new clothes, kitchens full of healthy foods, and the support they need to go to school and just be teenagers.

In her essay, Smith-Echevarria recalled moving from place to place, living with relatives and living in motels for 18 months when her family was evicted. At one point, she was enrolled in a predominantly white suburban school district nearby where she found it hard to make new friends.

New Stockton program hopes to help casino employment struggles ATLANTIC CITY  Despite casino revenue showing signs of recovery from the worst of the COVID

Bouncing around from one place to another affected me in ways that I didnt understand then, but I realize now that we were homeless because we were poor and Black, she wrote.

Smith-Echevarria said the experience helped mend her relationship with her mother. It also made her grateful for small things, such as water-gun fights on hot summer days at the motel with her brother and friends.

I want people to know it gets easier. Just hold on to your happiness, she said.

Ildeanis Martinez wrote about what she believes are unspoken problems in some dysfunctional Hispanic families. Raised by a single mother, she watched her mother struggle financially. She didnt agree when girls were given tasks that boys didnt have to do.

In her essay titled Pain, Jasmine Robinson expressed hurt she experienced when she was judged by the color of her dark brown skin. She was rejected for dates or ostracized by some, the last picked for activities.

Growing up, I hated to look at mirrors; it just reminded me of something nobody liked. Little did they know that little jokes planted hatred in me about myself, she wrote.

Local artist uses beach litter to raise awareness for a cleaner community BRIGANTINE  Local artist Eduardo Jimenez has advocated for a cleaner community on the islan

Robinson, 17, who attends LEAP Academy, said she eventually became more confident in her skin tone and no longer worries about how others view her. She plans to become a dental hygienist.

I will never let them steal my sunshine, she wrote.

Shaniya Bates and Clayton wrote essays that touched on police brutality. The girls began working on the project around the time George Floyd was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Bates, 17, said police twice raided her grandmothers house without warrants seeking a cousin and her father. The first time happened when she was 8 and again when she was a teenager.

No kid should ever have to experience what I went through, she wrote. To experience police brutality breaks you in ways you cant imagine.

Clayton wrote:

Im From Camden

Where you dont know if you going to die or not

Get shot

When you get stopped by the cops

They dont see innocence

They just see color

They get scared and shoot

Leslie Morris, who founded Women of the Dream in 2008, wanted to give the girls a forum to express how their lives have been affected by injustice. The nonprofit provides mentoring, life skills and college-prep training to about 200 high school and middle school girls in Camden.

They have been trained to be OK with being transparent and honest, said Morris.

Proceeds from books purchased through the groups website will help fund scholarships for the 10 authors. The other authors are Lanasia Melvins, Paris Mears and Trinity Martinez.

For more information or to buy the book for $15, visit womenofthedream.org or contact Leslie Morris at 609-968-8961 or leslie.morris@womenofthedream.org.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Residents will see a municipal tax decrease for the eighth consecutive year in the townships lastest budget.

The committee adopted its 2022 township budget on April 12. General appropriations in the budget totaled about $28.1 million, a decrease from the 2021 budget which came in at just under $28.7 million.

The municipal purpose tax was set at 61.3 cents per $100 of assed value  a small drop from the 2021 budget when the rate was set at 61.3 cents. With the average residential property assessment at about $167,695.23, the average homeowners would see the municipal-use portion of their property taxes decrease slightly by about $1.68 to $1,027.97.

Township Manager Chris Johansen said the budget was the result of the councils long-term plan and thanked those who helped prepare the budget.

This is the same philosophy weve had, financially speaking of course, that weve followed for the past eight years, Johansen said at last weeks council meeting. Were continuing with this trend, nothing has changedthis is a budget that Im really proud of.

Its unbelievable that weve had an eighth consecutive year of municipal tax decreases and its a credit to everybody up here, said Mayor Anthony Coppola.

With a total ratable base valuated at over $2.7 billion, revenue to be collected from the municipal purpose tax at the 2022 rate is about $16.8 million  a slight decrease of about $43,000 from what was collected in 2021.

Johansen said the township was still waiting to be allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan  the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief act that President Joe Biden signed into law in March 2021. The township received about $1.8 million from the ARP in 2021 and council will likely amend the budget once APR funds are awarded to the township in 2022.

Capital spending for 2022 is currently at about $660,000 for the service year, down from 2021, but could be increased once the township receives ARP funds.

Johansen said that spending on salaries is up slightly beyond contractually set increases, due to the hiring of one Public Works employee and two police officers.

The amount of money the township is paying on debt service is rising by just under $468,000  an increase Johansen attributed to the administrations desire to aggressively retire the townships debt after the COVID-19 pandemic had caused the township to decelerate its note payments. Township officials said Galloway is on pace to be debt free by 2023.

Township officials contrasted the 2022 budget with the actions the township had to take in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis and recession. Coppola and Councilman Tom Bassford recalled how the financial straits required the township to furlough township employees one day a week.

Its a credit to the long-term plan that we put in place when we werent able to offer tax reductions, Coppola said. But we had a plan, we had a long-term plan moving forward and we implemented that plan and within a couple years that plan started to take shape and we were able to start doing tax reductions.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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PATERSON  Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday again pledged his support for gun safety in New Jersey, calling on state lawmakers to pass a comprehensive legislative package introduced last April.

The bills that I introduced one year ago are basic measures that will keep guns out of the wrong hands, help law enforcement apprehend the perpetrators of gun violence, and hold the gun industry accountable for its deceptive and dangerous practices, Murphy said in a statement. I hope to work with my legislative partners to continue making New Jersey a national leader in gun safety and prevent the meaningless violence and loss of life that results from the gun violence epidemic.

Murphy revitalized his push for tougher gun-control laws in the state in a speech at Saint Luke Baptist Church in Paterson. He appeared alongside state and federal lawmakers, some of whom have joined in the governors call for enhanced gun-safety measures.

If passed by the Senate and Assembly and signed by Murphy, it would be the third wide-ranging gun safety package signed by the governor since he began his tenure, Murphys office said Tuesday.

Murphys package would require gun owners who recently relocated to New Jersey to obtain a firearm purchaser identification card and register their weapons within 60 days of moving to the state. Nearly 80% of guns used in crimes in New Jersey are purchased in another state, Murphys office said.

Additionally, Murphys package would require that a person be 21 years old to acquire a firearms purchaser identification card for buying shotguns and rifles.

With the surge in gun violence there are steps we should take to keep our communities safe and protect residents from senseless gun crimes, said Sen. Joseph Cryan, D-Union, who sponsors some laws in Murphys package. There are also actions we can take that will help prevent the tragedies of accidental shootings and gun suicides. The secured storage of firearms is one of the most effective ways of preventing gun deaths, requiring those who move to New Jersey to abide by our gun laws is a matter of common sense, and increasing the age to 21 to purchase shotguns and rifles will make life be safer for young people.

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th, said this year should be the year to act, given a rise in violent crimes involving firearms. He said hes worked toward making communities safer, bringing federal dollars from Washington to Paterson to support law enforcement.

I joined our governor in Paterson today because cities in North Jersey want comprehensive gun safety reform, Pascrell said in a statement Tuesday. Our neighbors are tired of living in fear. They are tired of thoughts and prayers. They want action.

Murphys fresh call for action was made a week after a shooting on a Brooklyn subway left almost a dozen riders injured.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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OCEAN CITY  Long-simmering questions about how much children should learn about sexuality in schools have taken on new urgency, with state standards approved in 2020 set to go into effect in September.

In Ocean City, some have taken their concerns to local elected officials, asking they take a stand against what they see as an imposition of Trenton values on local families.

Among them is resident Jay Reimer, who has been attending Ocean City Board of Education meetings since last fall, asking for the local body to fight the new state education standards.

When he spoke at a recent school board meeting, Reimer described himself as an Ocean City resident. He is also a pastor and the president of the Ocean City Tabernacle, a non-denominational congregation around which the seaside resort was literally founded.

He argued to the school board that the state educational standards seek to supplant the role of parents.

There are certain things related to values and morals that parents should have the authority over, not somebody thats coming in as a potential role model to share things that come across as facts, when the truth is theyre not, Reimer said at the meeting.

He cited issues of gender identity and other topics, including contraception, and suggested they were being brought to children at far too young an age.

Reimer suggested the elected members of the school board would be remembered if they allowed the educational standards to be imposed.

Attempts to reach some advocacy organizations in Cape May County were not successful by Monday. This month, the group Equality Cape May posted an image to its Facebook page that said gay kids read thousands of books about straight characters, and yet remain gay.

The meme questions why someone would worry about straight kids seeing gay characters represented.

In Ocean City, Reimer told school board members, You were voted in to represent the parents and families of Ocean City, not to represent the state of New Jersey or its leaders trying to mandate these things.

The New Jersey Student Learning Standards  Comprehensive Health and Physical Education have drawn sharp criticism, including from elected officials. Some Republican senators, including Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, have introduced a resolution calling for the standards to be revised.

Although the standards allow parents to opt their children out of lessons, critics say that is not enough to make sure students are not exposed to what they describe as graphic sexual content.

Attempts to reach members or the advisers of a student club at Ocean City High School, STOP, or Students Together Opposing Prejudice, were not successful.

Thomas Baruffi, the acting Superintendent of Schools for Ocean City, said there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the state standards. He said the school sought to address that through a community forum and met with local leaders.

The operative word is requirements, Baruffi said. We are required to teach the standards as written and adopted by the state Board of Education. As far as what things will look like in the classroom, were still in the process of writing the curriculum to meet the standards and researching materials and resources that will help us implement them.

Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy announced he ordered a review of the standards in the face of mounting criticism, and said parents should have a say in education.

In New Jersey, parents always have and always will have a say in their childs education, which includes opting their child out of any health lesson that they would rather discuss in the privacy of their own home, Murphy said.

In the same statement, he said the standards were carefully prepared over a long period, with multiple stakeholders involved. In the wake of COVID-19, he said, schools must prioritize academic recovery and student mental health. He also cited inclusivity and respect for students, including LGBTQ youth.

Unfortunately, our learning standards have been intentionally misrepresented by some politicians seeking to divide and score political points, Murphy said. He said some sample lesson plans have been circulated that do not accurately reflect the new standards. Any proposed educational content that is not age-appropriate should be immediately revised by local officials.

Questions of how students should be educated about sexuality and gender  and if they should be at all  have come and gone for decades. Currently, much of the discussion focuses on homosexuality and gender identity, with elected officials in Florida and elsewhere seeking to limit how these topics are discussed in classrooms.

While Florida lawmakers try to keep sexual orientation and gender identity out of classrooms, New Jersey will require they be covered.

A board of education shall include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the districts implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, reads an outline of the standards posted to the state Department of Education website.

The topic has not been limited to school board meetings. At a recent Ocean City Council meeting, Liz Nicoletti asked the city governments help in heading off the standards. The city government has no constitutional power over the elected school board.

She mentioned what she described as the mafia alphabet, including critical race theory, or CRT, and diversity, education and inclusion, or DEI, among other acronyms.

She said the state educational system is preoccupied with a social agenda instead of the fundamentals of education.

Im asking you guys to get on board. Everyone in this room, actually, she said at the council meeting. Im going to pray for you guys. Its my duty as a citizen.

At the Board of Education meeting, several speakers had discussed issues of bullying.

There should be no bullying of anybody in school, of any students. Any student should be accepted for who they are, Reimer said at the start of his remarks.

Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill

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 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, over the suffering caused by a typhoon attack.

In his message, Xi said that he was shocked to learn the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which caused serious casualties and property losses, adding that he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, expresses his deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured people.

China, he said, stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity to the Philippines.

Xi said he believes that under the leadership of President Duterte and the Philippine government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.
Republican candidate Esther Joy King is crushing her 17th Congressional District competition in terms of fundraising with less than three months to go until the June 28 primary election.

According to Federal Election Commission first-quarter campaign finance reports, King has raised nearly $2.2 million, far outpacing the leading Democratic candidate, former WQAD meteorologist Eric Sorensen, who has brought in $312,500.

Nine candidates are vying for the seat soon to be vacated by outgoing U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, who announced last April that she would not seek a sixth term. The general election is Nov. 8.

In addition to Sorensen, the crowded field of seven Democratic candidates who will face off in the June 28 primary are Rock Island County board member Angie Normoyle, Rockford resident and former Illinois state Rep. Litesa Wallace, Rockford Alderwoman Linda McNeely, Rockford Alderman Jonathan Logemann, Marsha Williams of Channahon and former cannabis lobbyist Jacqueline McGowan.

King, an East Moline attorney, will compete against East Moline insurance broker Charlie Helmick in the Republican primary.

Esther Joy King

Of the $2.2 million in donations to King, more than $1.9 million come from individual donors. Among the largest donations is $17,400 from Jeffrey Jay, a physician and venture capitalist from Palm Beach, Fla.; $11,600 from philanthropists Daniel and Kathy Mezzalingua of Naples, Fla.; and $5,800 from Chicago billionaire and hedge fund manager Kenneth Griffin.

First-quarter reports show King spent $930,000 and has almost $1.5 million cash on hand. Of her expenditures, $887,000 went toward operating expenses.

This is King's second attempt at running for Congress. She lost to Bustos in the Nov. 3, 2020, general election by 11,526 votes.

Charlie Helmick

Helmick has no revenue or expenses filed with the FEC, meaning he either has not met the minimum level or he is paying for everything out of pocket. The FEC requires a candidate to file a quarterly report when their campaign exceeds $5,000 in either contributions received or expenditures made.

Helmick lives in East Moline and co-owns two Country Financial Insurance franchises with his wife, Shirley.

Eric Sorensen

Of the seven Democratic candidates, Sorensen is leading in terms of fundraising with more than $313,000 in revenue coming from more than 1,050 donors with an average contribution of less than $165.

According to his FEC filing, Sorensen's largest donations include $5,800 from Stephen Schuler, an investment manager from Oak Park; $5,000 from Tom Skilling, a Chicago meteorologist; and $1,500 from Terence Kelly, president of an investment company in Madison, Wis.

Sorensen has spent $124,572 to date and has $188,000 cash on hand.

Joe Goldberg, campaign manager for Sorensen, attributed his strong fundraising to grassroots support in a news release.

"Momentum continues to grow because voters know their trusted meteorologist is the best choice to represent them in Congress," Goldberg said.

Sorensen has received three national endorsements: the National Weather Service Employees Organization; 314 Action; and the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

Jonathan Logemann

Logemann has raised $257,600, of which $243,000 has come from individual contributions. His largest donations include $5,800 from Marni George of Carbondale, Co.; $5,800 from Joseph Alsop, a venture capitalist from Beverly, Mass.; and $2,900 from Justin Fern, a Rockford real estate developer.

Logemann reported $142,500 in expenses and $115,000 cash on hand.

Logemann has received three national endorsements: VoteVets; Serve America PAC; and Democrats Serve PAC.

Angie Normoyle

Normoyle, who has received a national endorsement from Leadership Now, reported $160,670 in contributions, of which $30,000 is a personal loan to her own campaign. Other donations include $2,900 from Jenny Molyneaux, project manager for the Quad Cities Community Foundation; $2,900 from Julie Corey, owner of Corey Search Group in Barrington; and $1,000 from Cosette Shrader, a Bettendorf travel consultant.

Normoyle reported $94,900 in expenditures and $65,800 cash on hand.

Litesa Wallace

Wallace reported $92,950 in first-quarter contributions, with $85,700 coming from individual donors. Wallace donated $28,000 to her own campaign, making her the single largest donor.

Wallace reported $82,900 in expenses and $38,400 cash on hand.

Wallace has received national endorsements from Democracy for America and Collective PAC.

Marsha Williams

Williams has raised $45,000, of which $5,000 was donated by Williams to her own political campaign, Friends to Elect Marsha Williams.

Williams reported $25,700 in expenditures and $42,575 cash on hand.

Jacqueline McGowan

McGowan, of Palos Hills, is a former cannabis lobbyist and stockbroker. While living in California last year, she ran as a gubernatorial replacement candidate in case Gov. Gavin Newsom was recalled.

First-quarter FEC reports show McGowan has $17,745 in contributions, $13,288 in expenditures and $4,500 cash on hand.

Linda McNeely

McNeely, is a Rockford alderwoman and businesswoman who owns the Rockford accounting and tax preparation service, Bias Terry McNeely & Associates. She has not filed any campaign disclosures with the FEC, indicating she has not raised or spent at least $5,000.

According to the FEC, McNeely, Williams and McGowan currently have ballot objections pending against them related to a number of alleged invalid signatures and/or contested addresses on their petitions that could invalidate the minimum requirement of 400 signatures needed to remain on the ballot.

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Ever since it opened late and over budget in 2005, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield has been regularly beset by problems tied to the historically transactional nature of Illinois politics.

Former Gov. George Ryan had his name put on the cornerstone before going to prison. Likenesses of modern day political power brokers found their way into paintings depicting Lincoln and 19th-century scenes. Indicted former House Speaker Mike Madigan pushed to set up the museum as a free-standing state agency, raising fears it would become a haven for patronage.

A measure passed this month by legislators and now headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzkers desk is the latest effort to rebuild trust in one of the states prized institutions. The bill would restructure some of the museums operations and further centralize fundraising and decision-making power under the museums executive director and a board of trustees appointed by the governor.

I think weve gotten it, Pritzker said recently at an unrelated event. Im very pleased about the direction.

Trustees on the 11-member board are required to have expertise in at least one area such as Illinois history, Lincoln history, business administration, cultural tourism or historic preservation.

An independent expert said the measure could indeed solve some of the librarys problems by consolidating power with a board that would by law have a plurality of voices with unique qualifications.

The intent (of the bill) is to basically add multiple voices and multiple kinds of expertise to decision making, said Susan Frankenberg, museum studies program coordinator at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It has the potential to be incredibly great for the museum.

For more than a decade after it opened, the museum operated under oversight from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Madigan, a friend of then-director Eileen Mackevich, drafted legislation in 2015 to make the museum a stand-alone agency and dissolve the Historic Preservation Agency.

It was part of a deal with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who in return would have gotten a privatization plan he campaigned on. But talks fizzled, neither legislative action advanced, and Mackevich ended up resigning in October 2015 over differences with the Historic Preservation Agency.

The Lincoln museum did, however, become a separate state agency through a Rauner executive order in 2017. The order, lauded for removing bureaucratic red tape hindering the museum, nested the Historic Preservation Agency under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Troubles for the museum persisted, however, much of it revolving around a stovepipe hat.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, which formed in 2000 with the express goal of opening and fundraising for the museum, borrowed $23 million in 2007 to buy the hat and 1,400 other Lincoln-related artifacts and documents from collector Louise Taper, who happened to sit on the foundations board.

Struggling to repay its loan, the foundation asked for state money, even while facing mounting questions as to whether Lincoln did, in fact, once own the hat.

In 2019, the states most recent historian Sam Wheeler issued a report that did not reach a definitive conclusion concerning the hats provenance, but did allege that senior officials at (the museum) had repeatedly weaponized the stovepipe hat  as part of a power struggle against the foundation that helped start the museum.

In response to the provenance issues that were raised in 2012, (the museum) did not respond like a responsible museum, Wheeler wrote in the report.

Wheeler was fired in 2020 for reasons that were never made clear. A year earlier year, Pritzker fired the museums director after a state watchdog found he violated procedures by lending a handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address to an upstart museum affiliated with conservative pundit Glenn Beck.

Last April, the relationships between the state and the foundation was severed after the state alleged a lack of transparency around the foundations finances, while the foundation flung back accusations that the state was threatening and spreading misinformation.

The recently passed legislation eliminates all references to the foundation, now rebranded as the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, which had supported the museum philanthropically and served as a nonvoting member on its board.

Christina Shutt, who previously headed the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, an African American history and culture museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, took over as the museums executive director last June. She said bringing fundraising capabilities solely into the institution will make the museum more transparent and accountable.

State Rep. Lamont Robinson, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bill, said the legislation puts Shutt in the drivers seat to lead the agency, particularly in regard to its finances.

The foundation, which is no longer affiliated with the museum, was completely neutral on the legislation, said Nick Kalm, the foundations vice chair. The foundation recently rebranded and expanded its efforts to preserve Lincolns legacy nationwide, starting with a partnership with the National Park Service to help fund the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, according to a release.

An agreement with foundation that lends the museum its prized Taper collection  which includes the stovepipe hat  expires at the end of October, upon which a new agreement will have to be reached.

Also under the recently passed legislation, the state historian will be appointed by the governor. Responsibilities previously held by the state historian, including sitting on select boards, procuring historical materials and conducting research, would instead fall to museum employees,

The legislation also requires the historian to have expertise in a diverse community groups Illinois history  either African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American or LGBTQ.

This really will help us tell the story of Illinois history in a bigger way, a more broad way, Shutt said. Itll help us connect with communities across the state.

State Rep. Tim Butler, a Springfield Republican who co-sponsored the bill, said he was literally approached by no one with concerns about the legislation, which passed both chambers without any dissenting votes.

A museum is supposed to be a civic and social institution designed for the public to glean knowledge not a bargaining chip in the political sphere, the U. of I.s Frankenberg said. She said she sees the changes outlined in the bill as an effort to avoid cronyism and make the museum stronger, she said.

I get why people are cautious and wary. Weve seen political bad stuff happen, Frankenberg said. But this is attempting to clean some of that up.

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LeClaire will have a grocery store again by the summer of 2023.

Fareway plans to open a grocery story in the former Slagle's store, 1301 Eagle Ridge Road.

The company will renovate the approximately 18,000 square foot space. Fareway has locations in Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, Geneseo, Moline and Muscatine.

Slagle Foods opened in 1965 as the town's only full-service grocer. It closed in 2019. LeClaire is among the fastest-growing communities in the Quad-Cities, with population growth of 65% since 2000. The population in 2020 was 4,710, up from 2,847 in 2000.

We are excited to announce plans to expand and want to thank local officials and the Iowa Economic Development Authority for making this project possible, said Fareway CEO Reynolds W. Cramer in a news release. While residents of LeClaire are familiar with Fareway, we look forward to serving and becoming an integral part of the growing community.

We are thrilled to have Fareway coming to the City of LeClaire, said Mayor Dennis Gerard. Having a full-service grocery store in our city is the number one requested amenity we hear from our residents. We have been working on this for several years. Fareway is the perfect fit for our community!

Bringing a full-service grocery store to LeClaire has been a goal of many for years, said GRT QC Properties, LLC Managing Partner Steve Geifman. Along with Fareways great grocery selection, bakery, and fresh meats, we are also committed to renovating the center and bringing more businesses and visitors to LeClaire.

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A Henry County correctional officer has been arrested and fired following a report of sexual misconduct from a female inmate.

Trayton Jones, 21, of Toulon, Ill., has been charged with two counts of custodial sexual misconduct and two counts of official misconduct, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the Henry County Sheriffs Office. Jones' employment with the Henry County Sheriff's Office was also terminated, according to the release.

The charges were the result of an Illinois State Police investigation that began Friday when a woman held in the Henry County Jail complained of sexual misconduct by a correctional officer, the release states. The state police arrested Jones on Monday.

According to the charges, Jones is alleged to have engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a woman in the custody of the jail between Jan. 1, 2022, and April 18, 2022. He is also alleged to have engaged in an act of sexual penetration with a different woman also in the custody of the jail during that same time frame.

The official misconduct charges allege that he performed an act that he knows he is forbidden by law to perform in that he was an employee of the jail.

Jones made a court appearance Tuesday, according to online court records. His bail has been set at $50,000. To be released he would have to post $5,000. As a condition of bond, Jones can have no contact with the victims.

His next court date was set for April 25, according to the court records.

Jones remained in custody Wednesday afternoon. He was being held at the Stark County Jail, according to the Illinois State Police.

The sheriffs office stated the investigation was ongoing and that no further information would be released.

Correspondent Lisa Hammer contributed reporting to this article.

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A deadline for Gov. Kristi Noem to respond to a pair of ethics complaints levied against her last year has passed.

But neither Noem nor the panel of retired judges vetting whether the Republican governor misused state airplanes for personal use and improperly interfered in a state certification program her daughter was enrolled in will say whether a response was submitted by the April 15 deadline.

The South Dakota Government Accountability Board is scheduled to revisit both complaints during its next meeting at 10 a.m. May 2 in Sioux Falls. But because of the confidential nature of the board and the complaints it examines, few other details are known.

Assistant Attorney General Katie Mallery, who serves as the board's liaison, said in a call with the Argus Leader on Tuesday that the April 15 deadline for the subject of the complaints to respond remained in place, though she declined to say whether any response or responses were received by the board.

Created in 2017 by the South Dakota Legislature, the South Dakota Government Accountability Board investigates complaints against state officials. The majority of its work is done behind closed doors.

Considering complaints in secret, GAB is by law required to keep any complaints and related information it receives confidential throughout its proceedings. The complaints and related information only become open for public inspection if the board finds the complaints have merit and vote to hold a contested case hearing.

Asked if the governor complied with the April 15 deadline to respond to GAB's request for additional information, Noem's spokesman, Ian Fury, said the confidential nature of the board's work prohibits him or the governor from answering any questions from the media related to the complaints.

"It would be a violation of state law to comment on your question," Fury said, though that statute states only that information, reports, complaints and investigative records are off limits until GAB holds a contested hearing.

The Argus Leader was not seeking copies of the responses or any other formal materials related to GAB's investigation.

Members of the Government Accountability Board are appointed by the governor with consent of the state Senate. Noem's lone appointment on the board, retired South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson, has been abstaining from voting on the complaints involving the governor.

Noem is accused of repeatedly using state-owned airplanes for personal travel since taking office in 2019, and has faced repeated allegations that she abused her authority to advantage one of her children who'd been struggling to become certified as a state real estate appraiser through the Department of Labor and Regulation.

Former director of the state appraiser certification program, Sherry Bren, abruptly retired in March 2021, months after a closed-door meeting she was summoned to with both Noem and her daughter at the Governor's Mansion in Pierre.

Once I got there, I was very nervous and quite frankly intimidated as you can imagine, Bren told legislators last year who also had been vetting the allegations of misconduct from the governor in late 2021 and a $200,000 wrongful termination settlement paid to Bren following her retirement.

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Having toured war-torn Ukraine last week, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said Monday he will write President Joe Biden requesting the return of U.S. diplomats to the country. He will also lobby for faster delivery of lethal aid and support for war crimes investigations.

Speaking with Montana media, Daines said it was important that the U.S government have a presence in Ukraine and that Ukrainians receive the weaponry requested, specifically heavy artillery. The Montana Republican became one of only two members of Congress to tour Ukraine last week, after scrapping a visit to Eastern European NATO countries for the hastily planned trip to Kyiv and Bucha.

It's an important, strong message to have a diplomatic presence in Ukraine, as we're going through the war and working on humanitarian and lethal aid with the Ukrainian government. Second is delivering robust legal aid faster, Daines said.

The senator was critical of the $800 million in military aid approved by Biden last week, which Daines said didnt include enough heavy artillery.

That's the number-one thing, heavy artillery. They asked for heavy artillery, heavy armor, air defense systems, military aircraft, anti-ship missiles and light vehicles. But under heavy artillery, their number-one request is artillery cannons, and it's the 155-millimeter howitzer.

"The Biden administration just said they're going to send 18 over. Ukraine said we need a minimum of 100. And it's really important with what's going on in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. The Russians now are looking to build, to control, that land bridge that leads to Crimea. But, they're also are looking to move all the way along the Black Sea to Odessa. If they get to Odessa, they likely will cross Transnistria and then in the Moldova, and take Moldova. And then you have the Russians literally next to the border of Romania where we have an airbase, the MK airbase there near Constanta.

Like Ukraine, Moldova isnt a NATO member, though Romania is.

If I could summarize what I've seen over the course of last week and thinking about what's the bottom line, it's this: the humanitarian crisis is not going to end until the war ends. The war crimes are not going to end until the war ends. This war is not going to end, Daines said.

Biden announced April 13 that he was in discussions about sending a high-level official to Kyiv in a show of support. Other NATO countries have sent top officials, most notably British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who visited Kyiv on April 9.

Specifically, concerning 155-millimeter howitzers, the Pentagon on Monday said it will start a train-the-trainers program outside of Ukraine within days. The program will train Ukrainians who would then return to their country and train others. The remarks were provided in a readout about the briefing.

While there were only 18 towable howitzers identified in the country last week, there were 40,000 howitzer rounds on a weapons summary. After the list was published, A senior Pentagon official avoided disclosing several specific details on the weapons sheet, including a line about an undisclosed number of unmanned coastal defense vessels, which are large robotic ships, described by the Department of Defense as prototypes, which as recently as 10 months ago traveled 4,421 nautical miles nearly autonomously.

A reporter noted that robotic warships arent officially in the U.S. Navy inventory, according to the read out.

Im not going to promise you a fact sheet, Press Secretary John Kirby replied. I can promise you the damn thing works.

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 Flash

Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare.

Mnangagwa said the main event in Bulawayo, in fulfillment of the government's decision to decentralize the national celebrations, was historic and extraordinary.

The celebrations also carried an added significance in that it was the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that the nation held a large, physical gathering in Bulawayo and other provinces throughout the country to commemorate Independence Day, Mnangagwa said.

While forging ahead with efforts to build the nation for common prosperity, Mnangagwa stressed the need for national unity for Zimbabwe to achieve its development goals.

"As we celebrate 42 years of our country's independence, let us never allow divisive tendencies, greed and the pursuit of unpatriotic self-centered political gains to weaken our bond of unity, peace, love and harmony. Individually and collectively we have a duty to wholeheartedly serve and work hard for the development and prosperity of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe," Mnangagwa said.

He said in unity, Zimbabwe is rising with no one and no place being left behind as the country marches forward towards its vision of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income country by 2030.

Mnangagwa said the country's independence from Britain in 1980 was achieved through the collective effort by all the people of Zimbabwe, including the gallant heroes and heroines who sacrificed their personal freedoms in order to liberate the country.

"Let us not grow tired but keep marching forward with joy, great optimism, determination, zeal and focus on unity, peace and freedom. Good times lie ahead and the fruits of our labor will be there for all to enjoy," Mnangagwa said.

He said despite various challenges over the past 42 years including sanctions, Zimbabwe had made tremendous progress in many areas of which it is proud.

The country had also learned invaluable lessons from its 42-year journey which will make its actions more targeted for coordinated and balanced development, the president said.

Mnangagwa said more economic production was required and to this end, the Zimbabwean government will remain unwavering in its commitment to creating opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, healthcare, education, sciences and information communication technologies, among other sectors.

Zimbabweans at home and abroad, Mnangagwa said, have a sacred obligation and responsibility to help in building the nation, riding on the abundant business and investment prospects in the economy.

Zimbabwe hoped for an adequate grain harvest this year despite mixed fortunes due to the impact of mid-season drought and recurrent tropical cyclones in some provinces.

Mnangagwa said it was important for Zimbabwe to lay a sound infrastructure base for sustainable socio-economic development, and as such infrastructure development and expansion were being speeded up across all provinces.

The mining sector had immense potential to spur socio-economic development and due to responsive strategies, Zimbabwe was on course to achieving the target of a 12 billion U.S. dollars mining industry by 2023, the president said.

"Recently, our country assumed the Vice Chairmanship of both the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme and the African Diamond Producers Association, subsequently becoming Chair in 2023. These portfolios will be leveraged to achieve maximum value from our diamond mining sector," Mnangagwa said.

He said the development of rural industrialization is being prioritized, leveraging the various unique resources within communities.

Total exports were projected to grow by 10 percent this year, Mnangagwa said, adding that the number of foreign airlines coming into the country had increased from three in 2017 to 17 in 2022.

Mnangagwa urged the nation to remain alert to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that in order to protect children from the pandemic, parents and guardians should facilitate the vaccination of children from 12 years and above.

The celebrations ran under the theme: "Zimbabwe @ 42, Leaving No One and No Place Behind."
After eight seasons, the groundbreaking comedy black-ish signs off. In another emotional high point of its final season, This Is Us brings the family together for Kates wedding (her second) to Phillip. Hospital drama New Amsterdam returns from hiatus, while cable hits Deadliest Catch and Mayans M.C. begin new seasons.

Series Finale 9:30/8:30c

Expect an emotional sendoff when this groundbreaking Black family sitcom takes a final bow, with Olympian Simone Biles making a celebrity cameo as the Johnsons  especially Dre (Anthony Anderson)  consider making major life changes while reflecting on their unique take on achieving the American dream. Followed by a half-hour ABC News retrospective (9:30/8:30c) in which the cast looks back at how black-ish took on sometimes heavy subject matter involving race in society while leaning into the strength of a loving family. The special includes excerpts from the casts final table read and their audition tapes. Among those weighing in: series creator Kenya Barris and episodic director Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives).

9/8c

Who doesnt love to cry at weddings? Tears, of course, flow naturally on this emotional family drama, and while its a mostly joyous occasion when Kate (Chrissy Metz) ties the knot with Phillip (Chris Geere), theres plenty of anxiety and angst among the Pearson clan when it comes to the mental state of Rebecca (Mandy Moore). In a more lighthearted subplot, Kevins (Justin Hartley) ex Madison (Caitlin Thompson) and sister-in-law Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) spend much of the ceremony obsessing on who at the wedding party might have caught the handsome Manny actors amorous attentions. Its like a true-crime whodunit  but with sex, Beth exults. Levity on this show is always appreciated.

Season Premiere 8/7c

The catch in the enduring reality series 18th season: The government shuts down Red King Crab Fishing to replenish numbers, which presents the captains with an existential crisis. For Josh and Casey, it means hunting for a new species of crab in the Bering Sea. For Sig Hansen, its an invitation to explore new waters, all the way to Norway.

Season Premiere 10/9c

The fourth season of the Sons of Anarchy spinoff kicks into gear with back-to-back episodes. In the first, the Santo Padre chapter of the Mayans motorcycle club is attacked by chapters from across the country. In the second, the M.C. navigates a shaky new world order.

10/9c

Back from hiatus now that The Thing About Pam is over, the hospital drama lets its hair down with nemesis Veronica Fuentes (Michelle Forbes) away for the week. Celebrating with karaoke and much alcohol, Max (Ryan Eggold) and his besties greet the following workday with varying degrees of morning-after bleariness. Only gradually do they begin to realize that several among them never showed up for work, prompting a to be continued (April 26) cliffhanger.
Its been nearly three years since Scott Fairman last hugged his mother, he said Monday before her killer was sentenced to spend three lifetimes behind bars.

I would give just about anything to hug her just one last time, Fairman told Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley B. Cavedo, who later imposed the maximum sentence. Suzanne Fairman, a Virginia Commonwealth University administrator, was by all accounts a joyful, positive person. Adored, not just by her son, who called her his best friend, but by her grandchildren, who will now grow up hearing only stories of her.

Thomas Edward Clark, 62, was convicted by a jury in November of abducting, raping and murdering Suzanne Fairman inside her South Richmond home in May 2019. Clark was part of a landscaping crew that had worked on Fairmans back deck. She had complained that the work was shoddy and Clark returned to redo the work the week before Fairman was killed.

There is so much pain and so much hurt, but at the same time, Im there for justice, Scott Fairman told reporters outside the John Marshall Courts Building. I believe he got everything he deserved.

Moving forward, Scott Fairman said, will take a lifetime of healing.

I try to live my life the way she would want. I try to raise my kids in her memory, he said. Keeping her alive through them.

Suzanne Fairman, 53, lived alone in the quiet Stratford Hills neighborhood of South Richmond. She had planned to visit her mother in Florida for Mothers Day, but never arrived at the airport.

On May 9 around 11 p.m., police were sent to her home where they found her body submerged, face up in the tub, her head beneath the still-running faucet. She was fully clothed, though her shirt was pulled up revealing a black bra. Her pants were on inside out. Her wrists showed ligature marks.

Prosecutors say Clark put her in the water, hoping that his DNA would be washed away, but it was found on her and her clothing.

A bandana Clark told investigators he left behind while working on her deck was found on the counter in the bathroom, where Fairmans body was found. It was alongside a knife, a glove and a phone charging cord that had been cut. Prosecutors said the cord was used to tie her hands, and that Clark held the knife on her as he raped her.

Phone records also tied Clark to the scene.

Clark has maintained his innocence throughout the case, saying in court on Monday: I know Im not guilty of these charges.

His attorney, Ali Amirshahi, said Clark intends to appeal. Amirshahi unsuccessfully asked Cavedo for a new trial three times. The first, a common maneuver by defense attorneys, came immediately after the trial, which lasted three days and jurors took only about an hour to reach their unanimous verdicts.

In January, Amirshahi argued that his client was deprived of a fair trial because prosecutors were allowed to change the offense date negating Clarks alibi.

Originally, the indictment charging Clark read that the murder occurred on or about May 9, the evening police found her body. But after resting their case during the November trial, prosecutors Hillary Brown and Chris Bullard were allowed to amend the offense date to May 8 or 9, and then argued that Fairman was killed the evening of May 8, nullifying Clarks alibi that hed been driving a friend around Henrico County on May 9.

Amirshahi also said that the testimony of an expert witness  an FBI agent who presented cellphone records that placed Clark near Fairmans home  was not disclosed until after the trial had begun, depriving the defense time to prepare to confront or rebut the evidence. Cavedo denied the motion.

Later, it was discovered that one of the 12 jurors who found Clark guilty had lied under oath. The juror, Russell Osborne, who also served on a jury that convicted another man the week before Clarks trial, was not a Richmond resident.

State law requires that eligible jurors live in a jurisdiction six months prior to being summoned. Cavedo and Judge Claire Cardwell, who presided over the earlier trial, each found Osborne guilty of contempt of court.

In a March hearing, Cavedo again denied Amirshahis motion for a new trial saying that while the juror was found in contempt, it didnt call into question his ability to remain impartial.

Had it been discovered during the selection process, Cavedo continued, he would have been dismissed, but not for bias reasons.

Scott Fairman said he was confident the verdict and sentencing will stand, despite the possibility of an appeal.

She deserves as much justice as we can give her, he said of his mother, who most knew as Suzie.

Dozens of friends and family members attended Mondays hearing, including the father of another of Clarks victims. He has a history of violent assaults.

In 1988, Clark was sentenced to serve 15 years for forcibly raping a woman in Alexandria. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in Richmond, which came with a 10-year sentence. His victim, a woman, was photographed in the court file with a blackened right eye.
What was intended to be a small, private tour of the West End Islamic Center turned out to be a painful discovery, Syed Kashif Perwez said after he and a small family were among the first to learn that the center was vandalized Saturday  the second time its happened within the past six months.

Kashif said the community had just finished celebrating another day of Ramadan  the Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection  on Saturday shortly before the damage was discovered.

On Monday, Kashif, a representative from the West End Islamic Center, said that as the community reflects on the vandalism that took place, people are feeling a gamut of emotions.

There was a little bit of anger, but a lot more sadness than anything else, Kashif said. But then we had put that aside because we have daily services here, so we just had to get through our emotions and move forward basically.

Henrico police responded to reports of vandalism around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, according to the division spokesperson Lt. Matt Pecka. Officers discovered trash, graffiti, tables and chairs flipped over inside the building and a shattered glass window. In November, the center filed a police report about similar destruction found on the property. It is unclear if the damage is related.

The West End Islamic Center community had recently received permission to enter the building just in time for Ramadan, according to Kashif. Construction crews have been working on the building for the past year and a half. Construction still isnt complete.

The walls inside the mosque havent been fully painted. Flooring and electrical equipment still need to be installed and front loaders and compactors are still idle outside the mosque to finish exterior paving.

It took 10 years to break ground on the building while the community raised enough funds to finance construction. Prior to that, the community worshipped in a small building off to the side of the property. The West End Islamic Center is one of three mosques in Henrico, Kashif said.

As Kashif reflected on discovering the graffiti, broken windows, damaged prayer mats and foot-shaped holes in the walls of their worship center, he said the community still intends to continue their daily worship despite everything thats happened.

All signs of vandalism had been removed as of Monday, Kashif said as he walked around the interior of the prayer hall. He said the community donated $2,000 to fix the damage.

Part of our faith tradition tells us to be patient during times of adversity and this is definitely one of those times, Kashif said. Our adults, they can understand and rationalize this, but the children are having a harder time. Weve basically given them the message that this is an exception not the norm.

After filing a police report, Kashif said the mosque reached out to The Council on American-Islamic Relations , the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, to spread the news. CAIR has called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the motive of the incident as a potential hate crime.

We hope that law enforcement authorities will answer the call and step up patrols, especially during the second half of Ramadan, where generally theres more activity at local Islamic centers, said Ibrahim Hooper, CAIRs communications director. When a house of worship is targeted, its always concerning.

The American Civil Liberties Union has tracked nationwide anti-mosque activity in the U.S. since 2005. According to their statistics  which were previously updated in January of this year  Virginia has recorded 11 or more anti-mosque incidents during that time.

Its one thing to hear or read about these sorts of incidents, but it feels like something else entirely when its happening in your own community, Kashif told The Times-Dispatch.

Security cameras surrounding the West End Islamic Center werent able to capture the perpetrators, but Kashif said the mosque will install more cameras in the near future as they continue their daily worship services and depend on law enforcement to discover the person or people involved with this incident.

We dont know the motivation behind the person or persons that did this, but because we dont know that, we have to treat it as severely as we can, Kashif said.

As the West End Islamic Center continues its daily worship services, County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said Henrico County police are investigating this incident and reemphasized the countys support for its Muslim community and its residents as a whole.

The vandalism that occurred at the West End Islamic Center on Saturday is deplorable, Vithoulkas told The Times-Dispatch. Henrico County condemns this type of destructive activity at any religious institution, and our police division is actively investigating this act. I have been in touch with leaders in the Muslim community to offer the countys support and reiterate our commitment to creating a community that is safe and welcoming to all.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000, call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, or submit anonymous tips at p3Tips.com.
Delegates on the House Finance Committee met Tuesday in Richmond to debate Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposal for a three-month gas tax holiday.

Republicans on the GOP-led committee voted in support while Democrats  who want to give $50 payments to vehicle owners instead  opposed the governors idea.

But the committee hearing was largely for show. The Democratic controlled Virginia Senate says the plan is dead on arrival and Senate Finance Chairwoman Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, has said Youngkins plan isnt going to happen.

What did happen Tuesday were partisan speeches and maneuvers on the committee.

The General Assembly is in a special session because lawmakers couldnt agree on a new budget during this years regular session, and several other bills also remain pending.

Youngkins gas tax holiday was introduced in the special session through a bill from Del. Tara Durant, R-Stafford. Shes a 2023 candidate for state Senate in an important seat Youngkin will need to win if he wants his Republican Party to control both chambers of the legislature so he can advance his agenda.

Youngkin is pushing for the legislature to enact a variety of tax cuts, and he announced his gas tax proposal in March after Senate Democrats rejected his request to suspend Virginias most recent 5-cent increase to the gas tax for a year.

The governor wants to use what he described as $437 million in unanticipated transportation revenues to suspend the states 26 cent gas tax in May, June and July, reduce it by 50 percent in August and reduce it by 25 percent in September before it returns to its normal rate.

With Virginia revenues surging, Youngkin touts tax cuts on CNBC With state revenues continuing to rise, Gov. Glenn Youngkin took his public campaign for tax

The purpose is to help cut the costs for Virginia families and fight the price of gasoline that has increased 48 percent in the last 12 months, Durant told the Finance Committee, which advanced the bill to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

She said the state could afford the tax cut and it wouldnt affect scheduled transportation improvements.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Virginia on Tuesday was $3.94, according to AAA.

Democrats pushed back, saying their idea of $50 payments for up to two cars per household would provide more aid to people who need it.

Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, said she calculated that the average motorist would receive $11 a month under the Youngkin proposal.

The 11 dollars a month wont feed anyone at McDonalds, I know that having just driven up to the window on the way down, she said. The committee voted down her proposal.

Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, noted that non-Virginians filling their tanks in the commonwealth would avoid paying gas tax, too.

Ive heard a lot of concern about the transportation money that its going to take out of the system, he said. A lot of non-Virginians are going to benefit from this gas tax holiday.

Garren Shipley, the communications director for House Republicans, responded by tweeting that his family fills up four times a month, 18 gallons each time, and would save $108 during the period from May to July in which the tax would be suspended.

Youngkin said in a statement: Todays vote was an important step in moving our proposal to lower gas prices for Virginians feeling pain at the pump for too long.
On Monday, the CEO of The Montpelier Foundationsteward of a presidential home in Central Virginiafired key staff members who say the terminations were retaliation for criticizing the foundation after it voted to limit Madison slave descendants role in governing the former plantation.

Montpelier Foundation CEO Roy Young fired Elizabeth Chew, executive vice president and chief curator; Matthew Reeves, director of archaeology and landscape restoration; and Communications Director Christy Moriarty, the Montpelier Descendants Committee said in a statement Monday afternoon. He also suspended Mary Furlong Minkoff, director of archaeology and curator of archaeological collections.

Last week, Young fired Event Manager Alex Walsh from the historic site in Orange County, according to the committee.

Together, the employees devoted more than 50 years of service to Montpelier and have 100 years of experience in their professional fields, the committee said.

The Descendants Committee is a nonprofit trying to restore enslaved Americans stories at plantation sites in Central Virginia, including James Madisons Montpelier. Membership in the MDC is open to all descendants of enslaved ancestors in Central Virginia, known as the Arc of Enslaved Communities.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which owns the 2,650-acre estate and leases it to the foundation, condemned Youngs actions against highly regarded and nationally recognized professionals, which will impede the effective stewardship of Montpelier and diminish important public programming at this highly significant historic site.

The trust noted that Chew and Reeves are largely responsible for building the groundbreaking interpretive and research programs at Montpelier in collaboration with the descendant community.

Young did not reply Monday afternoon to a request for comment.

It is now plain to all that Montpelier will not recover with Roy Young or (foundation) Board Chairman Gene Hickok at the helm, Orange County resident James French, a foundation board member who chairs the Montpelier Descendants Committee, said Monday. MDC calls on them to step down before the damage they are doing is irreparable.

After making repeated public statements that the Foundation would not retaliate against staff for opposing the boards abandonment of its commitment, Young has reneged, the MDC said in an announcement released by the law firm Cultural Heritage Partners.

MDC attorney Greg Werkheiser, founding partner of Cultural Heritage Partners in Richmond, said, When Young fires everyone who thinks he is a failed leader, hell find Montpelier uninhabited.

My colleagues and I stood up for our longtime partners in the Montpelier Descendants Committee, just as they have always encouraged and valued us, said Chew. I do not regret taking this stand.

Chew served as Montpeliers executive vice president for seven years. She joined Montpelier to head projects funded by philanthropist David Rubensteins 2014 gift of $10 million, which reconstructed some of the slave quarters.

Chew led the team that created The Mere Distinction of Colour exhibition in partnership with the Montpelier descendant community. Her career at American museums and historic sites spans 35 years.

She was among the authors of groundbreaking ethical principles created in 2018, called the Rubric of Best Practices for Descendant Engagement in the Interpretation of Museums and Historic Sites. It is considered the gold standard by museums and sites of enslavement for involving descendant communities in their work.

Reeves led archaeological work at Montpelier for 22 years. After his firing, he said, I have devoted my archaeological career to understanding the lives of the enslaved men, women, and children who lived at Montpelier in partnership with the Montpelier Descendants Committee. To be retaliated against by the Montpelier leadership for doing my job is a bitter irony.

Reeves public archaeology program set U.S. precedent for inviting the public to work side by side with professional archaeologists excavating places where enslaved people lived and worked.

He has collaborated with members of Montpeliers descendant community since his arrival at Montpelier, and trained a generation of archaeologists passionate about working with the public in investigating the institution of slavery.

Dr. Bettye Kearse, a foundation board member who is a leader of the Montpelier Descendants Committee, saluted the work done by the terminated and disciplined employees.

We are in awe of these faithful employees for their principled stand, and pray that their leave from Montpelier is temporary, Kearse said. Any historic site would be lucky to have them. Montpelier, however, will be unable to replace the brain trust it has so thoughtlessly discarded.

The Montpelier Descendants Committee seeks to demonstrate how enslaved persons lives made possible and informed the ideals of universal liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution yet denied to them. James Madison is widely known as the Father of the Constitution.

The committee works to promote a more accurate understanding of the lives of enslaved people through public programs, events and research.

Last year, Montpeliers foundation announced it would seek structural parity with the MDC, committing to equal representation on the board of directors.

But late last month, Hickok led the board to strip the MDC of its official status.

Of todays 16 board members, five are descended from enslaved workers; three were named by the committee, two by the foundation.

The boards action outraged many of Montpeliers 40-some curators, historians and archaeologists, a majority of whom met and decided to publicly speak out against the foundations action. More than 6,700 members of the public, as well as foundation donors, have signed a petition supporting the MDC and Montpelier staff.

In March, the National Trust for Historic Preservation warned Hickok that the boards action would undermine decades of important work to repair the relationship between Montpelier and the broader African-American community.

James Madisons Montpelier shares power with enslaved people's descendants ORANGE, Va.In a breakthrough culminating nearly 30 years of work at James Madisons Montpelier, descendants of enslaved persons at a major national historic site for the first time will be co-equals in governing the place that held their ancestors in bondage.

James Madison's Montpelier disempowers slave descendants, breaking promise MontpelierPresident James Madisons home in Orange County, Virginiais embroiled in controversy over what authority it allows descendants of the enslaved people who built and powered his familys plantation.

America's Black museums decry Montpelier's denying power to descendants of the Madisons' enslaved Association of African American Museums vows to investigate decision by James Madison's home to cut Montpelier Descendants Committee out of an equal governance role.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a condolence message to his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, over the severe floods hitting the country.

Continuous heavy rains in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province has triggered a severe flood disaster, causing heavy casualties and serious property losses, the Chinese president noted.

Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, the injured and the people in the affected areas.

Xi also expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the South African government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date.
" " A golden field of ripening intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), or Kernza, at The Land Institute's research farm in Salina, Kansas. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The development of agriculture has been essential to the rise of civilization. But in the 21st century, the ever-increasing need of Earth's growing population for food is one of the factors that has put our planet's environment in peril. Farming accounts for nearly a quarter of human emissions that are warming the atmosphere, and as much as half of that comes from plowing the soil to grow crops such as wheat, corn and soybeans, which releases carbon dioxide and the more potent greenhouses gases methane and nitrous oxide, the latter a byproduct of fertilizer use.

That's why researchers have been working on ways to reduce the harmful environmental effects of agriculture. One promising innovation is a grain with the trademarked name Kernza, which has a sweet, nutty taste and can be made into flour for use in bread, breakfast cereal and other foods, and also as an ingredient in products ranging from beer to ice cream. Unlike some more familiar grains, Kernza is a perennial grain, produced from plants that don't have to be replanted each year, so don't require annual tilling.

In addition, Kernza has a deep root system that reaches over 10 feet (over 3 meters) into the soil and may help to sequester, or capture, atmospheric carbon. And that root system also possibly might make it more resistant to the impact of drought related to climate change in some areas. After grain is harvested, fields planted with Kernza also can be used for foraging by livestock.

" " Comparison of wheat roots to those of Thinopyrum intermedium, or perennial wheatgrass, in four seasons. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

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The Role of The Land Institute

Kernza was developed by The Land Institute, a Salina, Kansas-based organization founded in 1976. Co-founder Wes Jackson "had this epiphany," explains Rachel Stroer, the institute's chief strategy officer. The big problem of modern agriculture, Jackson realized, was that it was wearing out the soil, by focusing upon monoculture  growing a single crop in a certain area  and relying upon annual crops.

"We've been using annual crops since the beginning of agriculture, 10,000 years ago, so that is not new," Stroer says. But as that practice intensified on modern farms, its destructive downsides became more and more evident, in the form of erosion, worn-out soil that required increasing amounts of fertilizer and polluted groundwater.

According to Stroer, Jackson saw the development of perennial grains to replace annual ones as a vital part of the solution to those problems.

"Given that grains make up over 70 percent of our global caloric consumption and over 70 percent of our global crop lands, transitioning from an extractive annual model to a perennial model is the best chance we have to create a truly regenerative food future," The Land Institute's website explains.

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The Challenge of Developing a New Food Crop

Developing new food crops is a difficult, time-intensive challenge. Back in 1983, scientists at the Rodale Institute, another research organization, identified a plant called intermediate wheatgrass (scientific name Thinopyrum intermedium), a species related to wheat, as a promising candidate that could be developed into a perennial grain. They worked with researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to breed the plant and improve its fertility and seed size.

In 2003, The Land Institute began working on developing intermediate wheatgrass as well. With the effort guided by lead scientist Lee DeHaan, the institute has spent years breeding the plant to develop Kernza, the registered trade name for their variety. (Here's more on Kernza's origin story from the institute's website.)

In some ways, the process of developing a new crop hasn't changed much since prehistoric times. Basically, it involves breeding generation after generation of a plant, in an effort to promote whatever are the desirable characteristics that you're seeking. "You make a cross of two parents, and plant the babies, and see how they look," Stroer says. "The ones with the biggest seeds, you keep. And you do that year after year."

However, plant breeders have some tools that the ancients lacked. They've employed a process called molecular breeding, in which they use genetic analysis to determine the traits that the plant has, even before it grows to full size, to spot plants with the most potential for breeding.

"It's taken us 10,000 years and an intensified 200 years of modern breeding to get the crops we have today," Stroer says. In comparison, "It's taken 20 to get Kernza to where it is. It might take another 20 to get it to competing at scale with the annuals."

But in the effort to turn Kernza into a commercially viable crop, there's a lot of work ahead. Stroer says that researchers are now working to increase the size and number of the seeds produced by each Kernza plant, and to increase the height of the plants.

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The Harvesting Challenge

One drawback of Kernza is that unlike conventional wheat, it doesn't yet lend itself to free threshing, in which the edible grain is easily loosened from the plant, and instead requires another step called dehulling to remove the skin of the seed before it can be turned into flour, according to Stroer.

"Harvesting grain from Kernza can also be more challenging than annual grains like wheat because Kernza stems stay green after the grain matures, whereas wheat stems fully senesce [or grow old and wither] and pass through combines more easily," says Matt Ryan, an associate professor of soil and crop sciences at Cornell University and co-author of this 2018 Bioscience article on Kernza cultivation methods, via email.

In addition to breeding Kernza to make it suitable for free threshing in the future, scientists are working to make the yield produced by Kernza farms match what they've been able to achieve on their research plots. To that end, they're gathering data from farmers to help figure out how to time the Kernza harvest, what settings would be optimal for combines, and other factors that might make the fields more productive. Already, Kernza is being grown on 2,025 acres (819 hectares) in 15 states and more than 100 farmers and 53 different research partners from various institutions are working on the effort.

Researchers also are working with bakers, chefs, brewers and distillers to develop products that utilize Kernza, to help create a future market for it. One product already on the market is Long Root Pale Ale, whose maker, Patagonia Provisions, cites Kernza's environmental positives in its marketing.

"I've been working with Kernza for 10 years and it's been a fun adventure," Steve Culman, an assistant professor in the school of environment and natural resources at Ohio State University, and one of Ryan's co-authors, says via email. "I think one of the things that I've really come to appreciate is that successfully domesticating and developing a new crop requires more work than anyone can really appreciate. It's a major collaborative effort that really does require many people working together  scientists of many disciplines, food chain actors and a consumer market that is ready for and wants it. It's a pretty daunting task, but also what makes it so much fun to be a part of it."

The institute's Kernza program is just part of a larger effort to develop perennial crops that could someday replace conventional annual ones. Also in the works are perennial wheat, sorghum, legumes and oilseed. The institute has helped launch and fund a program in China's Yunnan province to develop a perennial version of rice.

"The ultimate goal is audacious certainly, but it is to replace annuals with perennials globally," Stroer says.

Now That's Cool Last year, General Mills' Cascadian Farms brand produced a limited-edition Honey Toasted Kernza cereal, which it sold to raise funds for researchers. "We are hopeful that the harvest this year will yield a higher volume such that we can create a cereal that can be more widely available," a General Mills spokesperson says via email.
Prof Hakan Urey and Prof Afsun Sahin from Koc University. Credit: Koc University

Koc University professors Hakan Urey and Afsun Sahin have been awarded 2 million euros from a European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition grant to develop a holographic vision test device for use before cataract surgery. The device is important for cataract patients and persons over 50 without cataracts who do not use glasses. The device allows patients to experience how they will see after surgery or help find the right lenses.

Koc University's Hakan Urey and Afsun Sahin have been awarded 2 million euros from a European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition grant to develop a device that simulates a patient's vision with different lenses or visual impairments they might experience after surgery. Urey is a professor in Koc University's Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Sahin is a professor in Koc University's School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology.

The EIC provides transition grants to researchers with EIC Pathfinder or European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept projects, to support commercialization and deliver inventions to users.

In a world-first, Urey and Sahin's device will use holographic images to make it possible to see in three dimensions with only one eye. In addition, patients with cataracts will experience a clear image despite the ailment's "frosted glass". Clinical studies for the project will be carried out in Turkey, Germany, and Italy.

The holographic vision device is of particular importance for cataract patients and persons over 50 without cataracts who do not use glasses. Thanks to the device, patients will experience in advance how their vision will change after surgery or with glasses, helping them decide whether to have surgery or which lens to choose.

Koc University is Home to One of Two EIC Projects in Turkey

The grant is the first EIC grant for Koc University as part of the EU's Horizon Europe, the successor to the Horizon 2020 program. Researchers at Koc University's College of Engineering and School of Medicine are highly qualified, and the University is home to a fully equipped Research Hospital, making it among the country's leading institutions for projects that shape the future.

The new funding will be financed through the EIC's Transition program, which helps research teams "research or develop a ground-breaking technology". In 2013, Urey's project, "New Imaging and Tracking Technologies for Augmented Reality and 3D Applications", became Turkey's first ERC-funded engineering project, with a 2.5-million-euro grant. Urey was subsequently awarded three ERC Proof of Concept grants. In the project's final phase, Urey began working with Sahin to develop the project's eye-tracking system and software, and to begin its clinical studies.

Urey and Sahin's new project is only the second to receive an EIC grant in Turkey. "Development of a Holographic Vision Test Device for Use Before Cataract Surgery" will be supported for three years and will be conducted in partnership with Koc University and CY Vision A.S. in Turkey, Friedrich-Alexander University in Germany, and the San Raffaele University Hospital in Italy. Clinical trials will be conducted with cataract patients in three hospitals.

Provided by Koc University
Last month, former Florence School District One Superintendent Larry L. Jackson and I were approached by a staff member that works in a Pee Dee school district to talk about the subject, Bullying.

The staff members motive was to proactively engage the student body in an effort to prevent violence in the school.

After having received the approval of the district and school administrators, Jackson and I gladly accepted the invitation to converse with the students over a two-hour period for three consecutive days. We each had two groups to talk to in separate locations within the school.

Seeking to achieve a comfort level and trust, we asked the students to share reasons for fighting. One response given as a reason to fight was to be called the B word.

We then asked the question, Is that your name? If not, why are you responding in a hostile way?

Jackson shared an experience in high school when he had to be disciplined by his beloved mother. The bottom line was to show students alternative ways to handle a conflict such as bullying without resorting to the use of physical abuse, verbal abuse, cyberbullying or social bullying.

The school staff member is to be commended for exposing students to a more excellent way of handling bullies.

While Jackson and I enjoyed sharing with the students, we readily acknowledged the fact that the schools cannot be The Lone Ranger in helping students get the proper focus about life.

We hear frequent references to raising a child as described in the African Proverb, It takes a village to raise a child.

Some are turned off by the origin of this Proverb, yet, the truth of the matter is the village includes the neighborhood homes, the schools, faith houses, the business community and all other stakeholders.

The Psalms and the Proverbs remind us that A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) We tried to show the students that the use of the tongue can add wood to the fire or put the fire out.

Former President Theodore Roosevelt said, No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

In all aspects of our society, there is a need for people to be genuine when it comes to relationships with other people.

Whether it be students, customers entering a business, employer-employee relationships, persons in leadership positions on a local, state, or national level or members of the various faith houses  people will know if you care about them.

Being a servant requires a mindset that focuses on helping people. Unfortunately, some of us allow factors such as race, gender, nationality, faith, education level and type of employment to determine whether one will reach out.

Nevertheless, I love hymns and I am reminded of the hymn that Charles Wesley wrote, A Charge to Keep I Have.

As faith believers we should be purpose driven. Everybody needs encouraging  parents, children, leadership on all levels, as well as all those who have seemingly have lost hope for one reason or another.

Love, pain, suffering, hate and joy produce universal expressions that need no translation. Whether these emotions occur in Ukraine, Africa, Florence, South Carolina, or any other place on earth, when we cry we do not cry in English, Spanish or any other language.

We just cry.

The same holds true for laughter and sorrow. Whether we are called upon to help someone or not, let us remember,

A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify;

Who gave His son my soul to save, And fit it for the sky;

To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill

O may it all my powers engage, To do my Masters will!

Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live;

And O, Thy servant, Lord prepare A strict account to give!

Allie E. Brooks Jr is the former superintendent of Florence School District One and past principal of Wilson High School.
 Justice Department tweaking prison PATTERN risk tool "to ensure that racial disparities are reduced to the greatest extent possible" | Main | Wouldn't a few marijuana offenders be a "light lift" for Prez Biden's first clemency grants? 

April 19, 2022

Highlighting just some of the notable US executions scheduled for the next few weeks

This Upcoming Executions page at the Death Penalty Information Center has listed six executions scheduled to be carried out by five states over the next three weeks. Given that there have only been three executions nationwide so far in 2022 and that there were only eight state executions in all of 2021, the fact that six executions might be completed in the span of a few weeks is itself noteworthy. But, as this Voice of America article details, there are some particularly notable aspects of some of these scheduled executions. Here is excerpts from the VOA piece:

Capital punishment has been on the wane in the United States but an upcoming slate of executions has refocused attention on the use of the death penalty. Richard Moore, a 57-year-old African-American man, is to be executed in South Carolina on April 29 for the 1999 murder of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. It would be the first execution in the southern state in over a decade. Recent US executions have been carried out by lethal injection but South Carolina has been forced to abandon that method because drug manufacturers are refusing to supply the necessary ingredients. So Moore had the choice between the electric chair and a firing squad made up of three rifle-toting volunteers from the Corrections Department. He chose the firing squad.... There have been three executions in the United States this year. There were 11 in 2021, down from 17 in 2020. Only one of the executions in 2021 was of a woman and of the more than 1,540 people executed in the United States since 1976, only 17 have been women. Melissa Lucio, 53, could be the 18th. Lucio, a Mexican-American mother of 14, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in Texas on April 27 for the 2007 death of her two-year-old daughter, Mariah. Lucio claims a confession was coerced by police during a five-hour interrogation and that the toddler's death was actually caused by an accidental fall down a staircase. Her case has been championed by the Innocence Project, which fights for the wrongly convicted, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who has urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to grant clemency for Lucio..... Also scheduled to be executed in Texas in coming days is Carl Wayne Buntion, who was sentenced to death in 1991 for the murder of a Houston police officer. Buntion, who does not dispute his guilt, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on April 21. At 78, he is the oldest man on Death Row in Texas and his lawyers have argued that executing him now - more than 30 years after the crime - would constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." Texas law also requires it be established that Buntion would "likely harm others if he is not executed," his lawyers said. Buntion, they said, poses no danger to anyone and suffers from multiple ailments including arthritis, vertigo, hepatitis, sciatic nerve pain, and cirrhosis. "Mr. Buntion is a frail, elderly man," his lawyers said in a petition to the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, "and will not be a threat to anyone in prison if his sentence is reduced to a lesser penalty." Buntion also has been in solitary confinement for the past 20 years, restricted to his cell for 23 hours a day.

April 19, 2022 at 03:12 PM | Permalink

Comments

These executions take way too long to actually happen. People are finally getting executed for murders they committed 30 years ago. Good grief.

Posted by: William C Jockusch | Apr 20, 2022 8:26:08 AM

William C Jockusch --

Exactly. What would actually be a worthwhile "criminal justice reform" is, by statute, to expedite appointment of counsel (which often takes years) and appeals, whether direct or via habeas. After that expedited schedule is over (say, in five or six years), the execution would proceed forthwith absent a compelling claim by defense counsel that the defendant is factually innocent, i.e., didn't do it. The courts would be given 120 to resolve that claim. If defense counsel is determined to have made such a claim knowing or having good reason to know it is false, his bar license would be suspended for a year and he'd be fined $25,000.

The amount of delay the system tolerates is beyond absurd. We need resolute measures to bring it to an end.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Apr 20, 2022 10:55:06 AM

Post a comment
SIngapore Airlines

After two turbulent years, the skies are finally clearing for Singapore Airlines Limited (SGX: C6L), or SIA.

In late March, the Singapore government had announced an easing of safe management measures, along with a slew of changes that further relaxed rules on travel, gatherings, and live performances.

This reopening should be music to the airlines ears as it looks forward to better days ahead.

Importantly, Singapore is also shifting to a new Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) for all travellers.

The VTF simplifies the rules regarding travel, where countries are either classified in the general travel or restricted categories.

All fully-vaccinated travellers will be able to enter Singapore with just a pre-departure test from this month onwards.

They also will not need to quarantine and no longer need to take any COVID-19 tests here.

These changes should significantly increase the number of tourists entering Singapore, thereby boosting SIAs prospects.

With a brighter outlook ahead, can Singapores flagship carrier see its dividend being restored?

Jump in passenger numbers

Since the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) scheme was launched in August last year, SIA has seen passenger numbers rise steadily.

Granted, passenger numbers had already been on an uptrend since early 2021 as several countries eased their border rules, but the VTL scheme resulted in an even stronger surge.

Source: Singapore Airlines Operating Statistics; Authors Compilation

Passenger numbers rose from 85,200 in December 2020 to 132,600 in June 2021, a period of six months.

However, from September 2021 till March this year, this number went from 159,700 to 893,000, a more than five-fold increase.

And there are indications that this uptrend can continue with the introduction of the VTF.

Better financial numbers

There are also signs pointing towards better financial numbers for the group.

For its fiscal 2022s (FY2022) third quarter ended 31 December 2021, SIA reported its first quarterly profit of S$85 million since the onset of the pandemic.

Story continues

Group revenue also more than doubled year on year to S$2.3 billion for the quarter backed by the year-end holiday season and strong cargo demand.

The airline also generated an operating cash surplus of S$322 million for the first nine months of FY2022.

For context, in late-2020, SIAs cash burn rate stood at S$4.2 billion a year, or around S$350,000 a month.

By May last year, this had been reduced to S$150,000 a month and by November, had further shrunk to just S$18 million per month.

These encouraging numbers demonstrate SIAs commitment to reduce costs and help to make its business leaner, thus preparing it for the economic recovery.

Catalysts for growth

Several catalysts have also emerged for the airline that should enable it to do well over time.

First off, its cargo division is seeing robust demand, with loads comfortably exceeding pre-COVID levels for the past three quarters of FY2022.

The number of cargo destinations has also more than tripled since April 2020 from 26 to 97.

SIA also inked a crew and maintenance agreement with logistics company DHL Express to latch on to the fast-growing e-commerce segment.

Meanwhile, the carrier also signed a letter of intent to purchase seven A350F freighter aircraft with an option to buy five more.

When delivered in 2025, it will make SIA the first airline to operate this new-generation wide-bodied aircraft.

Not only will this move help in the groups fleet renewal process, but it also demonstrates SIAs commitment to ensuring its fleet remains one of the youngest in the industry.

Get Smart: Green shoots, but patience is needed

The last time SIA paid out a dividend was back in November 2019 when it declared an interim dividend of S$0.08 for the first half of FY2020.

By the end of FY2020, the pandemic had resulted in SIA reporting a full-year loss of S$212 million, leading it to suspend its final dividend to conserve cash.

While the signs are positive, I believe that several factors need to be in place before the airline can resume its dividend payments.

First, passenger numbers need to rise closer to pre-COVID levels so that the airline can enjoy a material boost in its financial numbers.

As a comparison, passenger numbers back in January 2020 stood at close to 3.4 million.

Next, SIA needs to report significantly higher operating cash flow and consistent net profit.

These will take time as tourism volumes ramp up, so investors need more patience as it is unlikely that the airline will start doling out dividends for FY2022.

Looking for investment opportunities in 2022 and beyond? In our latest special FREE report Top 9 Dividend Stocks for 2022, were revealing 3 groups of stocks that are set to deliver mouth-watering dividends in the coming year.

Our safe-harbour stocks are a set of blue-chip companies that have been able to hold their own and deliver steady dividends. Growth accelerators stocks are enterprising businesses poised to continue their growth. And finally, the pandemic surprises are the unexpected winners of the pandemic.

Want to know more? Click HERE to download for free now!

Follow us on Facebook and Telegram for the latest investing news and analyses!

Disclaimer: Royston Yang does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.

The post Can SIAs Dividend Return? appeared first on The Smart Investor.
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), a centrist, is touting his vote for a bill empowering Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. He omits that he also worked to water the bill down. (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images)

Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), a centrist, is touting his vote for a bill empowering Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. He omits that he also worked to water the bill down. (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images)

In a 30-second TV advertisement filled with footage of adorable dogs, Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), a veterinarian and farmer, touts his work to lower prescription drug prices.

Referring to the dogs, Schrader says, Im making a real difference for their owners too  taking on drug companies to lower insulin costs, making sure Medicare can negotiate lower drug prices, expanding Pell grants and career and technical education. And Im leading the fight to get big money out of politics.

But Schrader is not being completely honest about his record on prescription drug price policy.

He played a key role in watering down Democrats efforts to rein in prescription drug prices. And while Schrader portrays himself as a critic of big money in politics, Big Pharma has stepped in with major financial support for Schraders bid as he seeks to fend off progressive primary challenger Jamie McLeod-Skinner in Oregons 5th Congressional District.

Schraders sleight of hand reflects the enduring influence of the biopharmaceutical industry in the Democratic Party, and the difficulty in exposing the sometimes complex ways that politicians advance the industrys interests.

It is the height of hypocrisy for Kurt Schrader to take credit for the bill that came out of the House on drug pricing and is now before the Senate when his principal contribution to that bill was to do everything in his power to weaken it, said David Mitchell, president of the group Patients for Affordable Drugs. He stood with Pharma against the will of voters who overwhelmingly want action, and the most effective possible action taken, to lower prescription drug prices.

Patients for Affordable Drugs political arm has not endorsed a candidate in the May 17 primary.

Story continues

Congressman Schraders record of delivering results for Oregonians is clear.Deb Barnes, Schrader campaign spokesperson

But allies of McLeod-Skinner, an attorney and central Oregon education service district board member, are seizing the opportunity to highlight what they see as Schraders dishonesty on the issue of prescription drug prices. The American Federation of Teachers-Oregon, a teachers union backing McLeod-Skinner, sent a letter to Schraders Capitol Hill office on April 12, calling for his campaign to remove the TV ad on the grounds that it contains numerous false claims clearly intended to mislead Oregons voters.

Schrader maintains that by voting for the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House and contained provisions empowering Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, his credentials on the matter remain above reproach.

Congressman Schraders record of delivering results for Oregonians is clear, Deb Barnes, a spokesperson for the Schrader campaign, said in a statement. He has been a partner to the Biden Administration, helping to pass the Build Back Better Act that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription prices and cap the cost of insulin.

Schraders campaign does not mention that he would not have supported the drug-price provisions, which are likely to become law as part of a budget bill that the Senate is due to take up, if House leaders had not granted his wish to grant Medicare weaker negotiating power than the bill originally contained.

That omission  in both the ad and the campaigns statement  is incredibly misleading, according to Mitchell.

At issue is Schraders evolving stance on the provisions of what was once known as H.R. 3, a prescription drug pricing bill that he joined his Democratic colleagues in supporting in the last Congress.

That bill would have enabled the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prices on at least 50 prescription drugs covered by Medicare. The limited number of drugs subject to negotiation already reflected a compromise with progressives in Congress, who fought to raise the minimum from 30 to 50.

But as provisions of the bill came up for a vote in the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, Schrader was one of three centrist Democrats who voted against the provisions.

Schrader instead proposed enabling Medicare to negotiate only on the most expensive subset of prescription drugs.

Given the narrowness of Democrats majority in the House and the unanimous opposition of Republican lawmakers to this kind of drug-price legislation, House Democratic leaders subsequently needed to negotiate weaker drug-price provisions to ensure that the package would pass on the House floor.

Jamie McLeod-Skinner, an attorney challenging Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), has vowed not to accept corporate PAC donations. (Photo: Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congress)

Jamie McLeod-Skinner, an attorney challenging Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), has vowed not to accept corporate PAC donations. (Photo: Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congress)

Under the new bill text, a small-molecule drug would be eligible for price negotiation nine years after its introduction, and a biologic drug would be eligible for price negotiation 13 years after its introduction. The previous legislative language contained no such waiting periods.

By forcing the federal government to narrow the kinds of drugs subject to negotiation, Schrader and his allies reduced the potential savings to both patients and the federal government by hundreds of billions of dollars.

It has taken 20 years, almost, to get to the point that we are within reach of passing legislation that will allow Medicare to negotiate over any drugs. And breaking that barrier is a big deal, said Mitchell, who relies on expensive drugs to treat his incurable blood cancer. But we could have had a stronger bill to help millions of more Americans if Kurt Schrader had not led this effort to weaken the bill on behalf of Pharma.

Schrader and other lawmakers sympathetic to the concerns of the pharmaceutical industry argue that unduly aggressive price negotiation risks putting a damper on pharmaceutical research and innovation.

But the federal government plays a major role in funding the initial research that drug makers use to develop their products. Studies from nations like Germany, where governments negotiate drug prices, show little or no impact on the number of drugs approved for use. And through Medicare and other programs, the federal government guarantees the pharmaceutical industry tens of millions of customers for whatever drug they develop, granting the government some standing to influence the prices of those drugs.

In addition, Schraders reliance on contributions from the pharmaceutical industry raises the question of whether the sectors financial largesse has affected his thinking.

Schrader is the 4th-largest recipient of contributions from pharmaceutical industry political action committees of any member of Congress in this election cycle.

Last summer, the Pharmaceutical Industry Labor-Management Association (PILMA), a Big Pharma-funded nonprofit that touts the industrys use of union labor, aired TV ads thanking Schrader for opposing the original drug-price negotiation bill.

Now, as Schrader faces a primary battle, another group with pharmaceutical industry ties has mounted an independent spending initiative in support of Schrader. The Center Forward Committee, a super PAC funded by a Big Pharma-backed dark money group, has spent $464,000 to bolster Schrader on the TV airwaves as of this week and is slated to spend an additional $204,000 in the coming weeks, according to advertising data obtained by HuffPost.

With help from seasoned progressive groups like the Working Families Party and Indivisible, McLeod-Skinner has made Schraders coziness with pharmaceutical companies a central part of her pitch to voters. Like other left-leaning candidates, she has forsworn corporate PAC donations entirely.

Whats the difference between me and Kurt Schrader? He takes millions in corporate PAC money. I wont take a dime, says McLeod-Skinner in her first TV ad.

One of the things that makes McLeod-Skinners campaign unique is the extent to which her bid has elicited the support of normally establishment-friendly groups. Four county Democratic parties in Oregons 5th  and a host of labor unions and Democratic elected officials  have endorsed her candidacy, an unusual development in a primary with a Democratic incumbent.

Part of the challenge for Schrader is that the districts new boundaries include parts of central and Eastern Oregon that he did not previously represent. He has also angered some local Democrats with his vote against President Joe Bidens COVID-19 recovery bill and his initial description of the 2021 impeachment of former President Donald Trump as a lynching.

But Schrader has the firm backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which added him to its list of frontline members in need of defending in December, and is taking an active role in his primary race.

The party body notes that the Democratic nominee in Oregons 5th will have to run against a Republican in a more rural, Republican-leaning seat than in previous election cycles. Biden won the old boundaries of Oregons 5th by nearly 10 percentage points, but would have won the new one by just under nine points.

Congressman Schrader has been critical in advancing President Bidens agenda  from fighting to lower the cost of prescription drugs and tackle our climate crisis to protecting a womans right to choose, DCCC spokesperson Johanna Warshaw said in a statement. We need a candidate who can win in November and keep delivering on these critical issues, and Congressman Schrader is the person for the job.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Johnny Depps sound engineer Keenan Wyatt has testified during the actors defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard that she became abruptly loud when he told her that Mr Depp cared for her.

According to Mr Wyatt, Ms Heard yelled how dare you talk to me after he tried to speak to her during a private flight.

The defamation trial between Mr Depp and Ms Heard began on Monday 11 April in Fairfax, Virginia following Mr Depps lawsuit against his ex-wife in March 2019. Mr Depp is arguing that she defamed him in a December 2018 op-ed published in The Washington Post titled I spoke up against sexual violence  and faced our cultures wrath. That has to change.

On a May 2014 private jet flight from Boston to Los Angeles, Mr Wyatt said Ms Heard appeared to be giving Mr Depp the cold shoulder, and that she was being quiet and seemed pouty.

At one point, Mr Wyatt said he went up to her and said something to the effect of you know he cares about you. And all of a sudden she snapped and started yelling at me. How dare you talk to me? Get away from me. So I went back to my seat and minded my own business.

"She started yelling at me, 'How dare you talk to me!'"



Keenan Wyatt, a sound engineer who worked with #JohnnyDepp, testified that #AmberHeard was rude to him on a flight from Boston to LA.



WATCH #CourtTV LIVE - Johnny Depp to Testfiy - https://t.co/tnYdPcDRMU pic.twitter.com/xJTByz5Uwl  Court TV (@CourtTV) April 19, 2022

She was abruptly loud, it was a quiet plane  all of a sudden it got very loud, he added.

Story continues

On several occasions, Mr Wyatt said he has never seen Johnny abuse anybody ever.

Mr Wyatt said Mr Depp said something to her like, dont talk to my friend that way and I just stayed in my seat and finished the rest of the flight.

In her 2018 op-ed, Ms Heard partly wrote that like many women, I had been harassed and sexually assaulted by the time I was of college age. But I kept quiet  I did not expect filing complaints to bring justice. And I didnt see myself as a victim.

Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out, she added at the time.

While Mr Depp isnt named in the piece, his legal team argues that it contains a clear implication that Mr Depp is a domestic abuser, which they say is categorically and demonstrably false. Mr Depp is seeking damages of not less than $50m.
Protesters outside the Surrey home of Jemima Goldsmiths elderly mother (Twitter)

Jemima Goldsmith has condemned protestors who threatened to forced their way into her bedroom in a rally against her ex-husband, the ousted Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan.

Hundreds of people also demonstrated outside her 88-year-olds motherss house in Surrey, the screenwriter and former journalist said.

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) organised rallies on Sunday in response to Khan supporters crowding outside the London home of his predecessor as PM, Nawaz Sharif.

Mr Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was ousted in a no-confidence vote by parliament on 9 April.

PMLN protestors targeted Ms Goldmith, a British screenwriter, because she is the former wife of Mr Khan, though the two divorced in 2004 and she is not involved in Pakistani politics.

Jemima Goldsmith was formerly married to ousted prime minister Imran Khan (PA)

She posted a video of crowds outside her mothers home on Twitter and appealed for the police to intervene.

This is a video of hundreds of men protesting for hours outside my 88 yr old mothers house in Surrey yesterday, she wrote.

The man with the tannoy is threatening - If Jemima and her children dont come down here, then we will enter her bedroom. @metpoliceuk is this legal?

This is a video of hundreds of men protesting for hours outside my 88 yr old mothers house in Surrey yesterday.

The man with the tannoy is threatening -

If Jemima and her children dont come down here, then we will enter her bedroom.@metpoliceuk is this legal? https://t.co/0aNE7J0Hmx  Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) April 18, 2022

Nawaz demanded PTI stop targeting the members of the Sharif family, while outside Ms Goldsmiths house.

The Pakistan Muslim Leagues Zubair Gull said his party was forced to stage the protest outside Jemimas house to teach PTI a lesson that they are not scared.

Story continues

Former cricketer and Pakistani prime minister was ousted from leadership earlier this month (EPA)

When the screenwriter was made aware of the protest outside her home, she said: Protests outside my house, targeting my children, antisemitic abuse on social media. Its almost like Im back in 90s Lahore.

Protests outside my house, targeting my children, antisemitic abuse on social media. Its almost like Im back in 90s Lahore. #PuranaPakistan pic.twitter.com/0R2YOPcQrJ  Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) April 15, 2022

Ms Goldsmith also tweeted that she has been dealing with a stalker who was arrested at my work place last week and another who breached his restraining order and is being tried in a few weeks.

The mother-of-three has not made any statements regarding her former husband was ousted from Pakistans government, but her brothers Zac Goldsmith, a UK government minister, and Ben Goldsmith have expressed support for Mr Khan.

Surrey Police confirmed oficers were stationed outside Ms Goldsmiths mothers home during the protest but no arrests were made.

The Metropolitan Police said it attended Ms Goldsmiths house in Richmond, southwest London, but made no arrests.
              3.9%2736     21490       2.9915.2% 59 228010%  22 55 2530 2407  
Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the countrys eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two. In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military was dropping heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscows forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages.

Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russian forces are attacking along broad east front, Ukraine says

 Displaced people from across Ukraine seek shelter in Lviv apartment building

 Yellen to see Ukraine PM, avoid Russians at global meetings

 Global finance meeting focuses on war-driven food insecurity

 UN chief urges 4-day Easter pause in fighting in Ukraine

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a four-day halt in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians Holy Week observances.

Noting that Orthodox Easter is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said Tuesday that the need for a humanitarian pause is all the more urgent.

Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya called on Russia to heed Guterres call.

But Russian deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Tuesday he was a bit skeptical about the idea.

Guterres said the goal is to allow for evacuating civilians from current or expected areas of confrontation and or getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.

The proposal comes after the U.N. recently helped to foster a two-month truce in Yemens civil war, halting fighting as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began.

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new security assistance package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said details of the latest package are being finalized.

Last week, in anticipation of Russias offensive in eastern Ukraine, Biden approved an $800 million package including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery. The U.S. has sent about $2.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian invaded.

Asked by reporters whether hed be sending more artillery, Biden said Yes.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said providing more ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine was discussed by Biden and other allied leaders during a video call on Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took part in the more than 80-minute call.

 Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

OTTAWA, Ontario  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will send heavy artillery to Ukraine.

Trudeau says hes been in close contact with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canada is very responsive to what Ukraine needs. He says there will be more details on the pledge in the days to come, and that Ukrainians have fought like heroes.

Canadas government has also hit 14 more Russians with sanctions for their close ties with President Vladimir Putin, including his two adult daughters.

BERLIN  The International Atomic Energy Agency says direct phone communications between the decommissioned Chernobyl power plant and Ukraines nuclear regulator have been restored.

Ukraine informed the Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog on March 10 that it had lost direct contact with the plant, the site of the 1986 disaster. Russian forces seized Chernobyl at the beginning of the invasion on Feb. 24 and withdrew on March 31.

The IAEAs director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said Tuesday that this was clearly not a sustainable situation, and it is very good news that the regulator can now contact the plant directly when it needs to.

Grossi plans to lead a mission of IAEA experts to Chernobyl to conduct nuclear safety and radiological assessments, deliver equipment and repair the agencys own remote monitoring systems there.

WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged world finance leaders Tuesday to get concrete as they look for ways to combat a global crisis over food insecurity that's getting worse due to Russias war in Ukraine.

This threat touches the most vulnerable people the hardest  families that are already spending disproportionate amounts of their income on food, Yellen told fellow finance leaders during a food security meeting convened with members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. People on every continent are impacted.

Failure to feed the worlds population risks not only starvation, but also social unrest and cross-border political upheaval. Among the proposed solutions: reducing export restrictions, relieving price controls and subsidizing small farmers.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a carve-out to sanctions against Russia to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications.

Russia and Ukraine produce a third of the worlds wheat supply. The loss of commodities due to the war has resulted in soaring food prices and uncertainty about the future of food security globally, especially in impoverished countries. With fertilizer and natural gas costs exploding, leaders expressed concern that countries could turn inward and restrict trade to protect their populations, indirectly hurting more vulnerable countries that face even worse food problems.

David Malpass, president of the World Bank, said his organization will provide $17 billion per year to strengthen food security, and develop a 15-month crisis response package of $170 billion, that will address the pandemic, refugee resettlement and other issues alongside food supply.

KVIV, Ukraine  Russia is assaulting cities and towns across Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in a new phase of the war after losing about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine, according to Pentagon estimates.

Capturing the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas region would give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory, slicing Ukraine in two and depriving it of key industrial assets.

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said air-launched missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations while artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours. The claims could not be independently verified.

WASHINGTON  The U.S. militarys assessment of Russias renewed offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine is that it has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

When people say the offensive has begun, thats what theyre referring to, and were not pushing back on that notion, a senior U.S. defense official said.

The official said the Russians are taking actions to improve their ability to sustain combat operations in the Donbas and to prepare for what we believe will be larger offensives in the future.

The U.S. estimates that the Russian military has lost about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine at the start of the war, so theyre refitting ground combat units for insertion into Ukraine. The official said the Russians added two more battalion tactical groups in the past 24 hours, for a total of 78. Thats up from 65 last week.

 AP Military Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.

BERLIN  Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany will continue to enable weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with one possibility being systems from eastern European nations that would be easily and quickly usable.

Scholz has faced increasing pressure from within his own governing coalition and the main opposition party to deliver heavy weapons such as German Leopard tanks.

But Scholz said Germany and its partners in the Group of Seven industrial nations have concluded it makes more sense to send in systems already used in Ukraine, such as the Soviet-era weapons some NATO partners still have.

Western partners would help those countries with replacements.

After conferring with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders on Tuesday, Scholz said all of us will continue to support Ukraine, financially and also militarily.

The Kremlins diplomats are doing more online dirty work as governments and social media companies try to suppress Russias state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine.

Russian embassies and consulates are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine.

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russias diplomatic corps acts as a global propaganda network, tailoring claims for each nations audience.

Tech companies have responded by adding warning labels and removing Russias diplomatic accounts from its recommendations and search results. But they remain active, as their diplomatic status provides more protection from moderation.

Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week, said disinformation researcher Marcel Schliebs at the Oxford Internet Institute.

PRAGUE  Czech authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

Pragues High Public Prosecutors Office that oversees the investigation said Tuesday that the initial information from Ukraine shows signs of war crimes, according to international law.

The office said the purpose of the investigation is to secure evidence from witnesses and victims who have arrived to seek refuge in the Czech Republic. The Czechs coordinate their effort with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

The investigators are focusing on suspected use of banned and illegal means and methods of warfare.

KHARKIV, Ukraine  Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv say at least four people were killed and three others wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area.

The attack on Tuesday happened as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy in the eastern city, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

Kharkiv is near the front lines and has faced repeated shelling from the Russian forces. Earlier on Tuesday, a regional governor in Kharkiv said 5 civilians had been killed and 17 wounded in the past 24 hours.

Also on Tuesday, an explosion rocked the eastern city of Kramatorsk killing at least 1 person and injuring 3, according to AP journalists at the scene.

 By Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv; Yesica Fisch in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

MOSCOW  Russia said Tuesday it is expelling 15 diplomats from the Netherlands and an unspecified number of Belgian embassy staff in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by those countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has ordered 14 employees of the Dutch embassy in Moscow and one from the consulate in St. Petersburg to leave the country.

We expected Russia to take reciprocal measures. Nevertheless I regret this step. We are now going to see what the consequences are of the fact that so many colleagues have to leave Moscow and Petersburg, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

That follows the Netherlands expelling Russian diplomats last month. Dutch authorities said they expelled 17 and alleged they had been using diplomatic cover to work as spies. The Russian Foreign Ministry said a total 18 people with diplomatic status were expelled from its embassy in The Hague, a trade mission in Amsterdam and the Russian representation at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is based in the Netherlands.

The ministry added that the Belgian ambassador had been notified that embassy staff would have to leave by May 3, without saying how many people were affected. The ambassador of Luxembourg was summoned for an official protest after the small Western European nation expelled a single Russian diplomat this month.

LONDON  British officials say the next phase of the war in Ukraine is likely to be an attritional conflict that could last several months.

A senior U.K. national security official briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday, as Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said the official told ministers that Russias greater number of troops was unlikely to be decisive on its own against fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The official told Cabinet that there are signs Russia has not learned the lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, with evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion and some soldiers and units refusing to fight.

Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister had told Cabinet that Ukraines position remained perilous, with Russian President Vladimir Putin angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost.

MOSCOW  The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya says he is certain that the Russian forces will uproot the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the key port of Mariupol within hours.

Ramzan Kadyrov said on a messaging app channel that the Russian troops will finish off the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol on Tuesday and take full control of the giant Azovstal steel mill, the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city.

Ukrainian troops have defended the strategic port on the Sea of Azov for seven weeks despite the Russian blockade and relentless barrage that flattened most of the city.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles), offered Ukrainian defenders a strong fighting position thanks to its sprawling network of underground tunnels and depots.

Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, has repeatedly made blustery comments about the citys inevitable fall.

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says he plans to speak with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts as part of Turkeys efforts to halt the conflict.

Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey was also talking to P5 nations  the United States, China, France, Russia and the U.K.  and other countries about possible security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that Kyivs request for guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty hadn't found support, especially among Western countries.

If there can be no guarantees (similar to) NATOs Article 5, then what options are there? We are taking care of such these details, Cavusoglu said. We must be prepared for the possibility of a cease-fire.

He was speaking during a joint news conference with Hungarys foreign minister in Ankara.

NATO-member Turkey, which has maintained its close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has hosted a meeting between the two countries foreign ministers as well as talks between the two negotiating teams last month.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said he hopes to bring the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to the negotiating table.

MOSCOW  Russias defense minister has accused the U.S. and other Western nations of supplying Ukraine with weapons so that it continues fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with the top military brass that Washington and its allies are doing all they can to drag out Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that the growing supplies of foreign weapons clearly signal their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Shoigu said that the Russian military has consistently implemented the plan to fully liberate the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics.

Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region eastern industrial heartland, Donbas, that includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Russia.

SOFIA, Bulgaria  Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says security for his country also means security for Bulgaria and all other Black Sea countries.

We are fighting not only for our safety," Kuleba said after talks Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart, Teodora Genchovska. "We are fighting for you too, so that you never have to face the tragedy of Russias attempts to affect and damage your country.

Kuleba expressed understanding that many in Bulgaria have emotional and historic links to Russia.

But now its different  destroying, killing, torturing, raping," he said. "This is not a Russia that deserves sympathy and understanding. I want everyone to understand that.

No details of the talks have been disclosed, but media reports alleged that Kuleba may ask for a stronger engagement of Bulgaria in Ukraines defense from Russias aggression. Along with Hungary, Bulgaria is the only EU member that has so far been reluctant to send weapons to Kyiv.

During his unofficial visit to Sofia, Kuleba will also meet Bulgarias President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

MOSCOW  The Russian foreign minister says that Moscows campaign in Ukraine is entering a new stage.

Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now.

Lavrovs statement follows Ukrainian statements that Russia on Monday launched an offensive in the countrys eastern industrial heartland, Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Moscow.

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian operation is aimed at the full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

AMSTERDAM  Automaker Stellantis says it is suspending production in Russia because of the impact of sanctions and logistical problems.

Stellantis was making vans in Russia under the Peugeot and Citroen brands at a factory in Kaluga which it shared with Mitsubishi. The Japanese manufacturer suspended its production there earlier this month.

Stellantis said Tuesday it wanted to ensure full compliance with international sanctions and protect its employees by suspending production. The company had previously warned the Kaluga factory was running low on parts. Many automakers with operations in Russia have struggled to import the components they need since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Based in the Netherlands, Stellantis is the worlds fourth-largest automaker with brands including Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat. It previously stopped vehicle shipments to and from Russia last month.

Russian authorities have criticized companies which shut down their operations, and warned they could take steps to put production facilities under state control.

MOSCOW  The Russian military has made a new demand to the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol to lay down their arms.

Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev gave the Ukrainian troops holed up at the giant Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol until midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday to surrender.

He said that those who surrender will keep their lives.

Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks have ignored such previous offers. The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov.

Earlier Tuesday, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region, said that assault groups had moved into Azovstal in a bid to uproot the Ukrainian troops following bombing and artillery barrage.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Democrats have spent years pledging to address the gun violence that plagues communities across the U.S. But a surge of mass shootings over the weekend that left dozens wounded and two dead served as a reminder of how little they have accomplished since taking control of Washington 15 months ago.

The struggle for the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress to enact any meaningful legislation to enhance gun safety reflects how the partys ambitious agenda has been frustratingly stunted by internal squabbling, the persistence of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The almost complete Republican opposition to Democratic priorities, including gun rules, has hobbled a party with razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate.

But thats little solace to gun safety advocates and tens of thousands of shooting victims who were told Democrats would reduce gun violence if given the chance to govern. In an already difficult election year, the inaction threatens to further undermine the coalition of young people, women, voters of color and independents who helped deliver Joe Biden the presidency in 2020 and will be needed again if Democrats are to hold control of Congress.

Im just angry, said David Hogg, a gun safety activist who survived the 2018 shooting that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We took the House and then we took the Senate and now we have the White House, too, and still, nothing is changing.

Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., whose son was shot to death nearly a decade ago, encouraged those frustrated with the pace of progress to be patient. She likened the fight to reduce gun violence to her parents' fight for civil rights a generation earlier.

Change doesnt come as quickly as we ever want it to happen. Because understand, this is a culture that were having to change, McBath said in an interview. I know that were making real progress on this issue. The fact that I am actually in Washington, and I was elected in Georgia with a gun violence policy agenda ... tells you there is progress.

Yet McBath's return to Congress next year is far from assured. She's locked in a competitive primary against Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux in a redrawn district in Atlanta's northeast suburbs.

Meanwhile, White House aides insist that Biden is doing all he can to keep the issue of gun violence front and center.

But some of those same progressives who cheered the presidents efforts insist he and his party are not doing enough.

Its appalling, its horrifying, its so very sad and embarrassing that this is just continuing and getting worse, said Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son, Daniel, was among 26 students and educators killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Barden now serves as co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, one of the gun violence prevention groups that emerged over the last decade to help counter the gun lobby's influence on policy and politics.

Congress needs to step up and get to work, Barden said, noting that this December marks the 10th anniversary of his first-grade sons murder.

Democrats frustration around gun violence prevention is not new.

After the Sandy Hook shooting, President Barack Obama tried and failed to convince Congress to enact popular gun safety measures like universal background checks and an assault weapon ban.

Theres little sign now that the Democrats who control Congress will send gun safety measures to Biden's desk anytime soon.

The House passed legislation last year to expand background checks to include private and online sales, including at gun shows. But Senate Democratic leaders havent yet scheduled their version of the legislation for a vote. And facing near-unanimous GOP opposition, Democrats would need support from at least 10 Republicans in a 50-50 Senate to overcome any filibuster.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tried to bring the background check bill up for a Senate vote in December, but that effort failed when Republicans objected. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia also opposes the House bill.

Asked whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would bring gun safety legislation up for a vote, an aide pointed to comments the New York Democrat made in February.

Sen. Murphy had been trying to work with Republicans to get 60 votes. He hasnt given up on those efforts, although theyve not gotten that far. But were going to keep pursuing background checks. I believe in that very, very strongly, Schumer said at the time.

In the meantime, more Americans are dying from gun-related injuries than ever before.

In 2020, the most recent year for which federal data is available, 19,384 people were killed in gun homicides  a 35% increase from the previous year and the largest one-year increase in gun homicides on record.

Republicans have overwhelmingly opposed gun control measures, casting any tightening of current law as a threat to the constitutionally protected right to bear arms. The GOP has instead called for stronger policing and more gun ownership to combat the crime surge.

At the same time, Republicans have seized on the spike in violent crime under the broad umbrella of public safety as a wedge issue to reshape how voters view gun violence. Republicans did well across Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in last fall's off-year elections with public safety as one of their primary talking points.

And the gun lobby is convinced that public safety concerns will help its Republican allies retake the House, if not the Senate, this fall.

We see a lot of opportunity heading into the midterms, said National Rifle Association spokesperson Andrew Arulanandam. Whether the gun control lobby realizes it or not, theres an increased appreciation and realization in this country that gun control does not make people safer.

The NRA has already celebrated sweeping successes at the state level in its push to allow people to carry concealed weapons without a license. Republican lawmakers in nine states enacted such laws since Democrats came to power in Washington in 2021. Overall, 25 states no longer require gun owners to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public.

Guns remain an incredibly divisive issue in American politics, though polling suggests the issue has been overshadowed over the last year by other events.

In an AP-NORC poll last December, 24% named gun laws in an open-ended question as one of five top issues for the government to work on in 2022. That ranked below other issues, like the economy, COVID-19 and even immigration, but the percentage prioritizing gun laws for 2022 grew from 5% for 2021 and 12% for 2020. The poll was conducted the weekend after a shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan killed four and injured seven.

Forty-one percent of Democrats named gun laws as a government priority in 2022, compared to just 6% of Republicans.

Meanwhile, gun safety groups like March For Our Lives are ratcheting up pressure on Democrats to take action. The group for the first time is backing primary challenges this spring and summer to Democratic incumbents who haven't prioritized the issue.

On Tuesday, Hogg and other young activists with March For Our Lives dropped body bags outside Schumer's New York office to protest his unwillingness to bring gun safety legislation to the Senate floor for a vote.

Democrats suck at fulfilling these promises," Hogg said.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A jury in January found Matthew Carter, 31, guilty of one count of possession of child pornography. Carter was ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution and must serve five years on supervised release after completing his prison sentence.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, while Carter was jailed in January 2021, he called his father and directed him to retrieve some property that Carter had hidden above the ceiling tile in his bathroom. An officer listening to the call went to Carters home and found a computer hard drive above the ceiling tile. A forensic examination of the drive revealed 60 video files containing child pornography.
SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council, by voting in favor of its consent agenda on Monday, approved a consulting services agreement with a Sioux City engineering firm for the Floyd Trail Connector and PlyWood Trail Connector projects.

McClure Engineering, Co. will provide survey, design and engineering services in an amount not to exceed $142,505 for the two key trail connection projects.

The Floyd Trail to Riverfront Trail connection will commence at Sixth Street and Hoeven Drive and connect to the Riverfront Trail at Expo Center Drive.

The Floyd Trail to PlyWood Trail connection will begin near the Outer Drive Pedestrian Bridge and extend to the city limits of Sioux City proper.

The design is expected to be completed for a fall 2023 bid letting, while construction is slated to begin in 2024.

The consulting services agreement will be funded through the city's capital improvement program. According to the documents, the city budgeted $200,000 for the projects in fiscal year 2023.

The concept for the 16-mile PlyWood Trail, which has an estimated cost of $18 to $20 million, has been in the works for nearly a decade. It is named after the two counties it connects, Plymouth and Woodbury.

The trail, which will run parallel with Highway 75, will span from Le Mars, through Merrill and Hinton, and into Sioux City. It will serve as a transportation link for pedestrians and cyclists.

In December, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Merrill for one of the first segments of the trail.

The portion of the trail under construction -- a trailhead in Merrill with some parking spots and a quarter-mile of trail headed north, designated by trail planners as phase 1A of the project -- is expected to be finished toward the end of the summer. Phase 1A also includes a bridge over the Floyd River.

Phase 1B, the other half of the first phase of the project, will connect Le Mars to Merrill. Phase 2 is the Sioux City-to-Hinton portion, while Phase 3 will connect Hinton and Merrill.

The trail's planners would like to have the Merrill-to-Le Mars leg of the trail finished by the end of the summer or fall of 2023.

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DES MOINES -- On Thursday, Siouxland orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Meyer will be recognized by the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame, as a part of its 2022 class, for a quarter-century's work as the founder of Siouxland Tanzania Educational and Medical Ministries.

For the ceremony, Meyer, who also works with MercyOne, will be inducted by Lt. Governor Adam Gregg at the Iowa State Capitol building at 2:30 p.m. along with seven other individuals and the "VaxDSM" project.

"I dont do what I do to get awards or pats on the back, I just get so much joy from seeing peoples lives change through education and operation," Meyer said over the phone on Tuesday afternoon. "It means a lot to be recognized by your peers and I wouldnt want to live anywhere else in the whole world."

STEMM, an interdenominational Christian ministry, offers medical, educational, spiritual and humanitarian assistance to children in need. It was founded in 1996 and organized in 1997 by Meyer, Rev. Jon Gerdts, Mike Boose, Lazaro Nyalandu and Dana Meyer, who led a group of 10 Siouxland residents on the first trip to Tanzania in 1997.

Meyer has said previously STEMM provides each child up to $500 to cover the costs of transportation to and from school, school uniforms, test fees and more. He's also said that STEMM has mentorship and leadership clubs in 28 schools in the country and has sent more than 12,00 kids to high school and college. In 2021, a student mentored by STEMM, graduated from high school with the top academic score in the entire East African country.

"It is through this support my life changed. STEMM gave me an opportunity and hope for my future," Leocadia Mbukilo Kayandakamo wrote in a letter provided to The Journal at the time.

In 2017, 35 people were killed in a school bus crash near Karatu, Tanzania. Three children survived the crash and were flown to Sioux City where CNOS doctors operated on them at MercyOne Medical Center. The children, nicknamed "Miracle Kids," were able to return to their homes in three months. They have since graduated from high school, according Meyer. In June, Meyer said the Miracle Kids are returning to Sioux City and going to school at Briar Cliff.

With the 25th anniversary of STEMM, Meyer said the organization is looking to raise $2.5 million for an endowment that would work to support the program well into the future. He said the plan is to get a hashtag campaign going to raise awareness, raise funds and get folks talking about the work that's been done and how's it impacted people.

Jared McNett is an online editor and reporter for the Sioux City Journal. You can reach him at 712-293-4234 and follow him on Twitter @TwoHeadedBoy98.

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Russia pours in more troops and presses attack in the east

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia is attacking cities and towns in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and pouring more forces into the country. It intensified assaults along a front hundreds of miles long Tuesday in what officials on both sides described as a new phase of the war. After a Russian push to overrun the capital failed, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the eastern Donbas region. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces there for eight years. If successful, that offensive would give President Vladimir Putin a vital piece of Ukraine and a badly needed victory in the now 7-week-old war.

EXPLAINER: How Russia's eastern push in Ukraine may unfold

Russias new offensive in eastern Ukraine reflects Moscows hope to reverse its battlefield fortunes after a catastrophic seven weeks of war. Russian forces have intensified artillery barrages and airstrikes on Ukrainian positions in the industrial heartland known as the Donbas. Ukrainian officials said the push began Monday, with Russia trying to press the offensive along an arc-shaped front line for more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from the northeast to the southeast. In what appeared to be a sharp increase in bombardment Tuesday, Russia said that in the last 24 hours, it struck 60 Ukrainian military facilities with its warplanes and 1,260 with its artillery, while attacking 1,214 troop concentrations. The claims could not be independently confirmed.

Shanghai allows 4 million out of homes as virus rules ease

BEIJING (AP)  A health official says 4 million more people in Shanghai have been allowed to leave their homes as coronavirus quarantine rules ease. The official, Wu Ganyu, said a total of almost 12 million people have been allowed to leave their homes as Chinas largest tries to contain virus outbreaks. Authorities confined most of Shanghais 25 million people to their homes starting March 28 following a surge in infections. Chinas case numbers in its latest infection surge are relatively low, but the ruling Communist Party is enforcing a zero-COVID strategy that has shut down major cities to isolate every case.

Feds will appeal mask ruling only if mandate still needed

The Justice Department says it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary. A judge in Florida on Monday ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs. Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said Tuesday that officials believe the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. The CDC continues to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determines a mandate is necessary, the Justice Department will file an appeal.

Moving beyond masks: Biden toils to put pandemic behind him

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Bidens administration has been working for months to prepare people to rethink their personal risk calculations as the nation gets used to the idea of living with an endemic COVID-19. That measured approach disappeared abruptly after a federal judge threw out a federal requirement to mask up when using mass transit. The ruling adds to the administrations messaging challenges as it tries to move past the virus in the leadup to midterm elections. The Biden administration is accelerating its efforts to provide the best advice for millions making their own personal safety decisions on the still-dangerous pandemic. Its both a public health imperative and an important shift in emphasis for Bidens political future.

For Russian diplomats, disinformation is part of the job

Governments and social media companies have moved to restrict the ability of Russia's state media to spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine. That has prompted the Kremlin's diplomats to step up to do the dirty work. Russian embassies around the world control hundreds of accounts on platforms including Facebook and Twitter. Those two companies have added labels to their posts and tried to limit their reach. But research shows these diplomatic accounts are still disseminating pro-Russian propaganda and conspiracy theories, including ones suggesting Russia has been framed for recent attacks that killed civilians. The Russian Embassy in the U.S. hasn't returned a message seeking comment.

Energy shift creates opening for 'world's largest batteries'

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP)  A question is hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy such as wind and solar: What happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine? The hydropower industry says the answer is developing more pumped storage plants. They function like giant batteries, pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper one. When power is needed, the water is released downhill through turbines. The U.S. has 43 pumped storage plants but only one has been built since the 1990s. Cost, regulatory and logistical problems have hampered new construction. The industry is lobbying for tax breaks and streamlined permitting. But some say pumped storage causes environmental problems and better technologies may emerge.

Johnny Depp on stand: Ex-wife Heard's allegations 'heinous'

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  Actor Johnny Depp told jurors that he felt compelled to sue his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel out of an obsession for the truth after she accused him of physical and sexual assault. Depp on Tuesday flatly denied ever hitting Heard, calling the allegations against him disturbing, heinous and not based in any species of truth. Depp says Heard falsely accused him of domestic abuse when she wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post. The trial in Fairfax, Virginia, began last week but, prior to Tuesday afternoon, the jury had only seen Depp sitting silently with his lawyers. Heard is scheduled to take the stand later in the six-week trial.

Netflix shares drop 25% after service loses 200K subscribers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Netflix suffered its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, causing its shares to plunge 25% in extended trading amid concerns that the pioneering streaming service may have already seen its best days. The companys customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period, and it now expects to lose another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period. Netflix is hoping to reverse the tide by taking steps it has previously resisted, including blocking the sharing of accounts and introducing a lower-priced  and ad-supported  version of its service.

Massive flames force evacuation of hundreds of Arizona homes

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Winds kicked up a towering wall of flames in rural northern Arizona on Tuesday, tearing through two-dozen structures and forcing the evacuation of more than 700 homes. Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll said during a news conference that the county declared an emergency Tuesday as the fast-moving wildfire outside of Flagstaff ballooned to over 9 square miles. Forest Service officials say flame lengths are as high as 100 feet. County officials said 766 homes and 1,000 animals have been evacuated. A couple of hundred homes are still threatened as smoke billowed into the air in an all-too-familiar scene. Elsewhere in Arizona, firefighters battled a wildfire in a sparsely populated area of the Prescott National Forest south of Prescott.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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KABUL, Afghanstan (AP)  Explosions targeting educational institutions killed at least six people, including students, and wounded 17 Tuesday in a mostly Shiite neighborhood of Afghanistan's capital city, police said.

The blasts, which happened in rapid succession, were being investigated and more casualties were feared, according to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran and the city's Emergency Hospital. Several of the wounded were in serious condition and some had been treated and released.

The explosions occurred inside the Abdul Rahim Shaheed High School and near the Mumtaz Education Center several kilometers (miles) away, both in the predominately Shiite Muslim neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. There were no immediate reports of casualties at the education center.

Guards in the narrow street leading to the two-story high school said they saw 10 casualties. Inside the school, an Associated Press video journalist saw walls splattered with blood, burned notebooks and children's shoes.

The AP spoke to several private guards in the area but they refused to give their names, fearing repercussions from the Taliban security force cordoning off the area.

It appeared a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the sprawling compound, which can house up to 1,000 students, witnesses said. It wasn't immediately clear how many children were in the school at the time of the explosion.

The school is teaching students only until grade 6 after Afghanistan's hard-line Taliban rulers went back on a promise to allow all girls to attend school.

No one immediately claimed responsibility. The area has been targeted in the past by Afghanistans deadly Islamic State affiliate, which reviles Shiite Muslims as heretics.

Save the Children in Afghanistan issued a statement "strongly condemning  the attack and saying no school should be deliberately targeted, and no child should fear physical harm at or on the way to school."

The U.N.'s high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, said on Twitter he joined the world body's special representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, in offering condolences to families of the victims. He said the attack against the school was horrific and cowardly.

The Islamic State affiliate known as IS in Khorasan Province, or IS-K, has previously targeted schools, particularly in the Shiite dominated Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood. In May last year, months before the Taliban took power in Kabul, more than 60 children, mostly girls, were killed when two bombs were detonated outside their school, also in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood.

IS has presented the biggest security challenge to the country's Taliban rulers, who swept into Kabul last August as the United States ended its 20-year war.

Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and Tameem Akhgar in Islamabad and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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A livestreamed fatal stabbing of a woman on social media led police to her body in an office building parking lot in Louisianas capital. News outlets report that Baton Rouge Police found Janice Davids naked body just before 10 p.m. Monday. It was inside a vehicle and bound to the steering wheel with jumper cables. Someone who saw video of the attack on Facebook Live notified Facebook, which in turn contacted authorities. On Tuesday, police announced the arrest of 35-year-old Earl Lee Johnson on a charge of first-degree murder. Police said the pair had been on a dayslong drug binge before he allegedly choked, beat and stabbed her.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The warden who ran the federal jail where disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself was allowed to quietly retire from the Bureau of Prisons in February. His retirement came in the midst of an investigation examining how one of the governments highest profile inmates could take his own life in custody.

Lamine NDiaye retired from the Bureau of Prisons on Feb. 26, agency spokesperson Kristie Breshears told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He was most recently the warden at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in Burlington County, New Jersey.

He had been put in that position despite the ongoing federal probe and in direct contradiction of a public pronouncement from the Bureau of Prisons that it would delay NDiaye's transfer to run any prison until the inquiry by the Justice Departments inspector general was finished.

FCI Fort Dix, located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is the largest single federal prison by population, with just under 3,000 inmates. An adjacent prison camp has 231 minimum-security inmates.

Under NDiayes watch as warden, an inmate at Fort Dix was stabbed in the eyeball by a fellow prisoner, exemplifying the gruesome chronic violence that plagues the Bureau of Prisons and quickly added to calls from congressional lawmakers for the Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal to resign from his position. Carvajal announced in January he was resigning but has remained in place while the Justice Department searches for a replacement.

A handful of inmates  some of whom were believed to be friends and associates of the suspected attacker  have been held in segregated housing units for more than four months and some were threatened with transfers if they didnt cooperate with the investigation into the stabbing, two people familiar with the matter told The AP. The people could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

NDiaye was previously the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the now-closed federal lockup in Manhattan. He was removed from that position after Epstein killed himself at the jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Prosecutors say the guards who were supposed to be monitoring Epstein were instead sleeping and browsing the internet. The Bureau of Prisons closed the jail in October for much-needed repairs after years of decay, though it may never reopen.

The Bureau of Prisons named NDiaye as warden at Fort Dix in February 2021 despite an ongoing federal investigation into lapses that led to Epsteins death and in contradiction of its pronouncement that the agency would delay any move until the inquiry was finished.

The bureau attempted to place NDiaye in the Fort Dix job a year earlier, but the move was stopped by then-Attorney General William Barr after the AP reported the transfer.

The Justice Departments inspector general has yet to complete the investigation. A spokesperson for Inspector General Michael Horowitz said Tuesday that the probe was still ongoing.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. will no longer ask riders and drivers in the U.S. to wear masks, joining a growing number of major transport providers shifting their policies.

The ride-hailing giants' relaxing of their rules comes after U.S. airlines said they would no longer require travelers or employees to wear face coverings on domestic and some international flights. A U.S. judge on Monday overturned a federal mandate for passengers to cover their faces.

"Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences," Uber said in a statement.

Both Uber and Lyft said they will allow riders to sit in the front passenger seat. "While riders and drivers can always cancel any ride they don't wish to take, health safety reasons  like not wearing a mask  will no longer appear as cancellation options in the app," Lyft said in a blog post.

In the U.K., Uber's other major market, the company already relaxed its rules for mask-wearing in line with government advice.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that companies would no longer be able to order passengers to wear masks on public transportation, although both agencies recommended their continued use.

COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. have eased after a decline in case numbers from a January peak caused by the omicron variant. Almost 1 million Americans have died of COVID in the past two years, and hundreds more continue to die every day.

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Sometimes 50% are odds worth taking.

Aurora Hospital patient Tom Jozsi would certainly agree.

Last month, when the Antioch resident underwent a procedure to remove a tiny metal piece from his right lung, the predicted outcome wasnt a sure bet.

But in the hands of Dr. Abdul Hamid Alraiyes, pulmonary interventionalist at Aurora Medical Center, aided by cutting edge robotic technology, a 50% chance of success turned into 100%.

The surgical drama began March 18, when Jozsi, 60, had a routine dental exam near his home in Antioch, Ill. As his dentist finished filling a tooth, Jozsi accidently breathed in a small metal pin released from a dental tool.

The dentist thought at first I might have swallowed it, but realized it had gone down my windpipe, said Jozsi in a recent interview at Aurora Medical Center, Kenosha.

Because hed had been given a local anesthetic, Jozsi didnt feel anything at the time. It soon became apparent that he had not swallowed the bit, but aspirated it into his airway.

Jozsi went to the emergency room at Lindenhurst, Ill., hospital where X-rays did not detect the location of the piece. A subsquent CT scan confirmed it had fallen to the bottom of his right lung.

He was transferred to another area hospital where a bronchoscopy  a procedure that looks directly at the airways in the lungs using a thin, lighted tube  was performed in hopes of removing the item.

Jozsi said: I looked at the doctors eyes and even with his mask on could tell it wasnt good news. My first words to him were, You didnt get it, did you?

Fortunately for Jozsi, the surgical staff knew of Alraiyes and his capability at Aurora Medical Center and its recently acquired latest generation robotic technology.

They sent me the CT scan and I confirmed that the only way to get the item out was by using smaller tools that would be more precise and able to reach down into the lung, Alraiyes said.

Alraiyes set a consultation with Jozsi for Monday, March 21, and successfully removed the 2-centimeter metal piece the next day during a 90-minute outpatient procedure.

Time crunch

Moving quickly was critical, explained Alraiyes. The fact that the dental tool had been in the patients mouth presented the enhanced danger due to the high concentration of bacteria in the human mouth. Having that item embedded in the lung could have led to infection and abscess and led to a critical situation, he said.

The equipment used for the procedure was the Ion Endoluminal System, which was purchased by Aurora Medical Center last summer.

Alraiyes, previously affiliated with Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Ill., was brought on to work with the machine along with pulmonary specialist Dr. Hasnain Bawaadam.

This machine was made to reach further into the lung for small lesions we werent able to sample before and to try to detect them in the earliest stages of cancer before they get bigger in size, Alraiyes said.

A new application

Since the equipment became operational in September, the doctors have used the system on dozens of cases, but using it to retrieve an object from a lung was not one of them.

Explaining the system, Alraiyes said: This machine takes data from (CT) images and uses artificial intelligence to build a picture (of the lungs) in 3-D. Then it uses a GPS-like guidance system for us to direct a 3.5 mm (bronchoscope) through the windpipe to biopsy the lesion.

Under normal circumstances, the bronchoscopes needle-like tip suctions a small sample of tissue for diagnosis and treatment.

In this case, however, instead of collecting tissue, Alraiyes was planning to use the tool to grab the metal tip and draw it out of Jozsis lung.

In his consultation with Jozsi, Alraiyes said there was there was no guarantee that the procedure would work.

These procedures involve muscle memory but because we hadnt yet used the machine in this way I told Tom there was a 50% to 60% chance of it being successful.

But circumstances and skill aligned in everyones favor.

In our luck and Toms luck, however, the metal bit had landed with the sharp part pointing away from the tissue. So when we tried to grab it we grabbed it by the sharp end so could pull it out without it scratching the surrounding tissue which can lead to bleeding or a collapsed lung, Alraiyes explained.

It wasnt all smooth sailing because as they began to draw the bit out, the team was met with resistance because tissue had already begun to close around the piece with a small infection.

But it was worth it in the end, Alraiyes said. Had we not had the Ion system at our disposal, Tom would have had to undergo major surgery involving a cut between the ribs and removal of a wedge of the lung.

Expressing his relief and gratitude to the team, Jozsi said, I was never so happy as when I woke up in the ER and Dr. Alraiyes came into the room and even with a mask on I could there was a smile under that mask. He said he got it and shook a pill container with it in it.

Its amazing that this machine did this and that it wasnt even designed to do it, Jozsi said.

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Brad loved his wife, Ann, and his family deeply. Bruce and I extend our deepest condolences to them at this difficult time.

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.: Brad committed his life to Omaha and Nebraska  leaving a legacy of public service. Melissa and I are praying for Ann and the Ashford family.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert: "I extend the heartfelt condolences of our city to the family and friends of Brad Ashford. Brad had a unique and special skill of bringing people together for the common good. His passion for public service and ability to solve complex problems led to leadership roles over several decades.

"Brads tireless advocacy for our state and nation made a profound difference for all of us. His approach to dealing with people of varied interests is one we should all emulate.

"In 2013, Brad and I competed against each other in the primary election for Mayor. I value the friendship we developed as a result of that campaign. I will miss his creativity, passion, and laugh."

Former State Sen. Ernie Chambers: "Brad was a genuinely good person, kind-hearted and gentle, and as upright an individual as I have ever met. He was not traitorous or treacherous. And in regard to his political affiliation, the formal one, none of that I was really aware of, because Brad was always the same.

"I got along with him probably better than I did any other senator there. I came to develop a working relationship with him that kind of oozed over into something a little more personal. Its not often people affect me the way Brad did.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts: Susanne and I are saddened to receive news of Brad Ashfords passing. Brad was a dedicated public servant, who cared deeply for the state of Nebraska. Please join us in praying for Brads wife, Ann, and the rest of the Ashford family. We send them our sincerest condolences.

Mary Ann Borgeson, chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners: "On behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Brad Ashford. Brad was a champion for Douglas County as a State Senator and as a Congressman. He was always willing to work with us to make Douglas County the best it could be. We will miss Brad deeply and will keep his wife Ann and their family in our thoughts as they travel through this journey."

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party: Representative Brad Ashford was a hero to many. He served the people of the state with pride, skill and grace. Brad was a rare public servant who had a true, unselfish heart. May we all strive to build bridges in order to find common ground just like Brad did every day.

Precious McKesson, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party: Brad Ashford was a great representative of Nebraska. The work he did for our veterans and underserved communities will always be remembered. Brad was loved by many and will be missed.
While Ukraine has had some enormous early successes in facing down the Russian invasion, the road ahead will be extremely difficult. The atrocities in Bucha and beyondas well as speculation over Russian chemical warfareunderscore the need for the international community to support Ukraine by intensifying pressure on Russia. As editors of the Brookings Sanctions Tracker, we know sanctions are one of the most important ways to do that. The unprecedented early sanctions regime against Russias central bank helped freeze much of Vladimir Putins war chest. Now Russias continued escalation means it is time for the U.S. and our allies to up the ante by leveraging existing legal authorities and adding new laws to seize frozen assets and use the proceeds to support Ukraine.

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The U.S., Europe, and other allies have, of course, already implemented historic economic countermeasures against Russian aggression. That includes the latest sanctions from the U.S. that targeted Putins family, Russias largest financial institution, and its largest private bank. Congress further strengthened the blow by recently passing a new law revoking Russias preferred trade relations status, banning U.S. purchases of Russian oil and gas, and implementing a World War IIstyle lend-lease to Ukraine. Yet more must be done to increase pressure on Russia.

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One key additional step that would bolster Ukraine while damaging Russia would be to establish a fund or commission that uses Russian wealth to support Ukraines reconstruction. Typically, U.S. sanctions freeze rather than seize the assets of a targeted individual. By actually seizing and liquidating assets, the U.S. can use the funds for Ukraine and its people.

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The time has come to set aside our usual reluctancefor legal and diplomatic reasonsto take frozen U.S.-based property owned by a foreign state or individual and liquidate it for the benefit of victims. Efforts such as the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act, recently introduced by Rep. Tom Malinowski, seek to liquidate Russian oligarchs assets and use the proceeds for postwar reconstruction and humanitarian and military aid. Some leading commentators have also called for the liquidation of frozen Russian central bank dollar reserves. These proposals raise important political and legal questions. Our view is that there is sufficient need, precedent, and authority for these kinds of measures if theyre done right. In short, we should use all legal tools in our arsenal.

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Of course, the impulse for fundamental justice must be balanced by the rule of law and due process. No matter how awful the behavior is, the U.S. court system does not allow easy seizure and transfer of property. That of the Russian state is protected by the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity and other domestic and international law; that of oligarchs is protected by mechanisms such as due process. There have been robust debates on these legal considerations, but we believe these critiques are soluble. For instance, Malinowski has offered to change the legislation as needed to protect due process, including by incorporating a new judicial mechanism for asset seizure.

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The United States is no stranger to seizures of ill-gotten gains through appropriate legal process. For instance, the Department of Justice prosecuted Equatorial Guineas Second Vice President Nguema Obiang for purchasing U.S. commodities with proceeds of corruption. The settlement forced Nguema Obiang to relinquish assets worth an estimated $30 million and prevents Nguema Obiang from hiding other stolen money in the United States. South Florida federal authorities also seized $450 million in bank accounts and other assets since targeting Venezuelan corruption in 2017.

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While the legality of new mechanisms must be carefully considered, it is essential that Ukrainian victims have a voice and tool for justice. That concern outweighs any historical or prudential reluctance to go to the limit to, in effect, start funding reparations from Russian property. We should look to models that have been utilized to address other extreme situations. Using precedents like the Justice for U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act, Congress could allow the courts to adjudicate and award damages to individual victims, extending jurisdiction to the full extent permitted by the Constitution.

To take another example, in 2012, Congress allowed frozen Iranian central bank assets to be used to satisfy judgments separately secured by victims of Iranian-sponsored terror. To address arguments that this was an unlawful property grab, Congress did not simply dictate liquidation of the property but established an elaborate mechanism of judicial review, which the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately upheld.

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Asset seizure legislation should be complemented by other measures to hold Russian actors accountable. For example, new legislation to increase beneficial ownership transparency and expose proxy owners of Russian wealth is also important. Such forms of sunlight make it harder for actors to conceal their ill-gotten gains and make it easier to facilitate the collection of admissible evidence.

Its important to note that international coordination is key to addressing implementation gaps in sanctions and facilitating seizures across jurisdictions. Other countries are wrestling with these same questions about how to best support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable. For example, Canada has proposed legislation that establishes a legal avenue to seize and repurpose assets frozen under any human rights and corruption-related sanctioning authorities (regardless of the country context) as reparations for the relevant crimes. In the United Kingdom, as of early March, Cabinet minister Michael Gove was drawing up plans to seize property in the U.K. owned by Russian oligarchs associated with Putin.

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These strong new approaches are merited because the documented human rights abuses in Ukraine have been extreme. U.S. President Joe Biden has described it as genocide. These new directions are no substitute for other legal remedies, like war crime tribunals. But those are notoriously slow and may result in uneven accountability for those responsible for atrocities. We must do more to support Ukraine and its people now. The U.S. and allies must show Putins circle there are real consequences to invasions and human rights abuses. Seizing frozen assets is an important step in the right direction, and the U.S. has an opportunity to lead the charge. We hope other jurisdictions will follow U.S. leadership in this area, as they have in so many other respects.
In 2004, Emeryville, an industrial suburb of San Francisco, sent an environmental remediation crew to inject 15,000 gallons of cottage cheese into groundwater below an abandoned factory. The factory manufactured car bumpers from 1951 to 1967, and the hexavalent chromium it left behind had since traveled into the groundwater. Hexavalent chromium gives humans cancer, trivalent chromium doesnt, and cottage cheese converts the former to the latter.

Emeryvilles city manager of several decades tells me the cottage cheese story with obvious delight. Im asking how Emeryville went from an industrial wasteland in 1975 to the tidy business suburb it is today. His answer is that cleaning up a centurys worth of toxic waste is not straightforward, and that the process of environmental remediation can be strange and labyrinthine. So strange that in certain moments and from certain angles, like a team spraying cottage cheese into the ground in 2004, the science looks like its descending into witchcraft.

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Im talking to the city manager because Ive gotten off track. I do field work in Emeryville, supposedly organizational studies with the biotechnology companies that fill the city. People are bored and suspicious when I ask them about their industry work, and then they brighten when I ask them about how Emeryville used to be a dump. How 30 years ago, a trash compactor was blocks away from where the Pixar campus now stands, and green goo still oozes from some lots of land.

You can rarely fully un-poison poisoned land, and so theres a matrix of half measures to navigate while cleaning up. You arrive at a factory abandoned decades ago and have no idea whats in the ground. You do your best to find out whats there, because different chemicals need to get treated in different ways. But very rarely is there just one toxic chemical in the ground, and the multiple chemicals are probably interacting with one another in additionally complicated ways. Lead or arsenic is different from lead and arsenic. The waste might also be leached into the soil, or into harder sediment, or, worst case, might have made its way into the groundwater. Sometimes you can put in tubes to vaporize chemicals. Sometimes you vacuum dirt out, treat it, and send it back in. Sometimes you put up a barrier to keep it from getting into the groundwater. Most often, you cant meaningfully reduce the toxicity, so you dig up the dirt and send it to an incinerator. If all else fails, you just try to contain the waste by pouring a concrete cap on it, and/or create use restrictions that keep residences or schools or nursing homes off the ground floor.

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Its easy to forget the Environmental Protection Agency has only existed since 1970, and the science of toxic remediation is still a fairly new oneand its made all the more complicated by the difficulty of determining who has to do the cleaning up, and who decides when its cleaned up enough.

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According to the origin story, matron saint Rachel Carsons writing led to the formation of the EPA as a federal agency for pollution control. Then, color photos of wild trash landscapes like Valley of the Drums and Love Canal helped establish the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act in 1980, more commonly referred to as Superfund.

The Superfund program allowed the EPA to identify polluted sites, pursue responsible parties for the pollution, and oversee their environmental remediation. The polluted sites on its national priorities list are usually just called Superfund sites. But the Superfund sites are only the very dirtiest toxic messes in the United States, and theyre the only cleanups overseen by the EPA. There are only so many funds in the Superfund, and there are many more contaminated industrial sites in the United States beyond the 1,333 on the priority list as of March 2022. The Brownfields Program, launched by the EPA in 1995, was one solution to this problem.

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Through the Brownfields Program, the EPA has parceled out smaller grants and loans for old industrial sites, but without standards for cleanup or significant oversight. It gave city and state governments the resources to cut deals with developers who would take on the burden of cleanup in exchange for tax breaks as they built new businesses on the properties. Emeryville became a textbook example and best-case scenario for how this program could play out. Now, its the big-box store capital of the Bay Area. Ikea and Targets are the devils bargain for getting toxic waste out, or most of it out.

The Brownfields Program is especially trusting toward business and developers as stewards of environmental responsibility. These, notably, are the types of actors responsible for the mess in the first place. Brownfields Program critics like the Center for Public Integrity point out that this allows developers to clean up with no federal oversight, no standards for cleanup, and no verification even that any work was done. The developer dictates the terms, and the result is a level of trust unheard of in other contexts. The EPA has bigger Superfund fish to fry, and some of the arsenic and chromium gone is better than none of it.

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And its true that these unheard-of levels of trust have resulted in shenanigans. Residents of Emeryvilles neighbor Richmond woke one recent morning to a pile of PCB-contaminated dirt sitting under a tarp in an empty lot near homes and an elementary school. An Emeryville developer sent the dirt to the now fallow site of the old Pixar headquarters. Pixar was originally founded in Richmond and later lured to developer-friendly Emeryville, and the irony was not lost on Richmond resident Edie Alderette-Sellers, who lived nearby: Emeryville took Pixar out of Richmond and literally shipped back to us toxic soil. Thats how it feels. Its a real kick in the teeth,as she told the East Bay Express. Local muckrakers seem to keep their eyes peeled for sinister colors at construction sites. A local blog posted pictures in February 2020 of a Lennar construction site with green goo seeping out of the ground. There are more stories Ive been told and also told not to repeat. Its a mess.

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Whats worse is that this mess is visible only because Emeryville has done way more than its neighbors to clean up its old industrial sites. Much of San Franciscos East Bay was once covered in industrial warehouses just like Emeryvilles, and those brave enough to browse the EPAs interactive map will find the rest of the East Bay (and many other American cities) have just as much toxic waste to deal with. Emeryville is the best-case scenario, a scenario where a lot of hazardous waste gets left in the ground and neoliberal hellscapes get paved on top.

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If you Google Emeryville cottage cheese, youll find the story in a few write-ups over the past decade and a half, and Ive wondered about its fundamental appeal. I think theres something more to the story than its zaniness. The cottage cheese is cheap, simple, sweet; comes from a nice cow farm in Marin; and is 95 percent effective. It feels hopeful. Its a special tiny miracle to fix something so ugly and messy with something so pure when, more often, old lead and arsenic and mercury get paved over with concrete caps for the time being, or sent to incinerators in Texas, or hidden under tarps in Richmondbecause more often, we have to live in the messes we make.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication.

Adapted from The End of Astronauts: Why Robots Are the Future of Exploration by Donald Goldsmith and Martin Rees, published by the Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

In the last 60 years, half a dozen spacecraft have flown past Mars, and 15 others have orbited the planet; seven have landed on Mars, and six rovers have traversed part of the Martian surface. Nearly two dozen spacecraft destined for Mars have failed in their efforts, some on the launch pad, some in interplanetary space, and some on the Martian surface. The first Martian fly-by (1964), the first Martian orbiter (1971), the first Martian landers (1976), and the first Martian rover (1996) testify to our stubbornness and problem-solving abilities in overcoming the obstacles to exploring another planet.

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These successes may tend to obscure the most significant obstacle of missions to Mars, especially those that require providing life support to astronauts for months on end: Its a long way to the Red Planet. As Mars and Earth orbit the sun, the distance between them varies by a factor of seven, from 35 million miles at their closest up to 250 million miles at their most distant. Reworking a simile provided by John McPhee, if you imagine the Earth-moon distance as a short fingernail clipping, the least Earth-Mars distance will run to your elbow, while the longest will span twice the width of your outstretched arms. The laws of gravity and planetary dynamics disfavor trips across the shortest path; instead, interplanetary travel to Mars typically covers 300 million miles, even more than the greatest distance to Mars, as the spacecraft swoops outward to overtake the planet. Using our best rocket technology, each journey requires nearly seven months.

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The advantages that human explorers now hold over robots will continue to diminish as advances in A.I. and technology increase the robots abilities. Future breakthroughs in artificial intelligence could lead to self-guided Martian robots that would follow general instructions while performing the same tasks that human explorers would. We may use the Perseverance rovers success on Mars to analyze the issue of how astronauts on Mars would improve the situation. What would change if we replaced a fully automated investigation with one with on-site humans? To take sample return as an example, the tasks involved include reaching Mars, choosing the best locations to sample, drilling into the rocks or soil at those locations, extracting material and sealing it for study, bringing the material to Earth, and examining the samples with the instruments best suited to that task. For all of these except the choice of drilling locations, robots rather than humans can perform more safely, more easily, and less expensively. They cannot match the brain of an experienced geologistfor now. Although our robots will continue to increase their artificial intelligence, no one knows when, if ever, they can match us humans, though we must beware of a bias in assessing our own proficiency.

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For some people the idea of having humans on the ground provides the paramount reason for space exploration. In that context, the history of our efforts to study Mars appears as a 60-year prelude to the epoch when humans reach Mars and colonize it. Marvelous though this era will be, the issue remains not whether we want it as soon as possible but whether we need it as soon as possible. Consider this heartfelt exclamation from Jeffrey Hoffman, one of the scientist-astronauts who repaired the Hubble Space Telescope. After five missions in space, Hoffman has no hesitation in saying, I want to know what its like being on Mars! For those of us who are not going there, the desire to put humans on Mars resides not in our own journey but in relishing the views and news from those who do reach the planet. Hoffman himself summarizes the robot/human issue by saying, If it can be done robotically, do it.

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The scientific rationale for sending astronauts to Mars centers on the expectation that the long experience and human flexibility of scientifically trained astronauts will allow them to search through new locales and to discern special, perhaps unexpected features far more rapidly than any robot can. Steve Swanson, who flew twice on the space shuttle and once to the International Space Station, points to the fact that Apollo 17s astronauts covered 22 miles on the moon in three days, while the Curiosity rover on Mars traveled about 12 miles in more than six years. Quite sobut Perseverance will cover Martian ground far more rapidly, and its successors will do still better. The same objection applies to the statement that Steve Squyres, one of the chief scientists for Curiositys predecessors, Spirit and Opportunity, made in 2005: The unfortunate truth is that most things our rovers can do in a perfect sol [one Martian day of 24 hours and 37 minutes], a human explorer on the scene could do in less than a minute. In 2009, Squyres left academia to become the chief scientist at Jeff Bezos Blue Origin corporation, which plans to land cargo on the moon by 2023 and astronauts a year later.

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Chris McKay, one of the leading astrobiologists involved in planning future missions to Mars, has spent years in the Arctic and Antarctic to study life under conditions as close to those on Mars as Earth offers. When will robots on Mars have abilities equal to those of a human field scientist? Not on the horizon, McKay says. What about abilities equal to those of a capable field assistant? That would require our robots current capabilities to be doubled at least five times, he thinks; he notes that at present each doubling requires more than a decade, but innovations in the space biz may greatly shorten that.

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Those who want to make the strongest scientific case for astronauts on Mars should rely on McKays judgment to argue that in order to obtain the best result, we must send our best investigators: humans. The issue then becomes one of how much we are willing to pay for the advantages that humans can provide. Those who favor robots could stress that as more time elapses, the advantage humans hold over robots will continue to decline, eventually to the point that the scientific argument for astronauts disappears. Meanwhile, public enthusiasm for sending astronauts to Mars will persist, not so much because of the superiority of human geologists but instead because of the belief that we ought to go there.

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How badly do we want to see humans on Mars? If you want to assess the strength of your own desire, try the following approach. Imagine that advances in technology could produce a superior form of virtual reality that would allow you to transport your senses to Mars, so that you could feel yourself walking on its surface, feeling the light Martian breezes, watching the sun set over Olympus Mons or Tharsis Tholus, or admiring temporary rivulets at the edge of the ice cap at the South Pole. How less satisfactory would this be than traveling to Mars in your actual body? And how much more important would it be for astronauts to reach Mars in person rather than by this advanced application of virtual exploration? If you believe that in-person exploration could reveal more than virtual exploration, you have judged that we need astronauts. But if you believe that were not really exploring Mars if we only do it virtually, then your stance reflects primarily your desire to see them on Mars.

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Honesty compels us to admit that this type of virtual reality probably could never occur, not least because of the many minutes required for any transmission between Earth and Mars. But try the mental experiment not with Mars but with Mount Everest: How different would it be for you to experience everything that a climber does without being physically present on the mountain?

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Mars aint the kind of place to raise your kids, Elton John famously sang in his song Rocket Man. A lot of people who want to see human settlement on our neighbor planet think hes wrong. And yes, exploring Marsunderstanding its geology, searching for traces of ancient life and for possible existing life in places where liquid water exists, uncovering Marss history and how it fits into the origin and evolution of the solar system, flying drones that can map the entire surface of the planet and discover individual locations of intense interestis a marvelous goal that fascinates all of us. But to achieve this, we dont need astronauts, whose presence inevitably degrades their surroundingssomething that is of special concern if we hope to be sure that any life forms we may discover are indeed Martian. When we send our ever-improved robots there, they confirm that we are indeed on Marsnot individual humans, but all of us, the earthly species that has the ability to explore another planet in an efficient and ecologically sound manner.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
The prime minister gave an interview to CNN, commenting on the S-300 system and other forms of Slovak aid to Ukraine.

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Democratic countries should not be intimidated by Russia, and should provide maximum assistance to Ukraine, which has been subject to a Russian invasion that has lasted for more than 50 days. That is how Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OLaNO) responded to questions from CNN television news in an interview aired on April 15.

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Speaking in fluent English in the six-minute interview, he also referred to the S-300 surface-to-air missile defence system that Bratislava had gifted to Ukraine, and the potential provision of MiG-29 jet fighters as well as other forms of Slovak aid.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/LboM8jOS5kg

In addition, he touched on plans to reduce Slovakias dependence on Russian energy supplies.

We know that Russia [...] is really trying to break the unity that we have in the democratic world, and we cannot allow that, Heger told CNN. We should not be afraid, we should be bold and face the danger, and help Ukraine as much as we can.

He added that it is in Slovakia's interests to help Ukraine win the war and get Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory, stressing that Ukraine is Slovakia's neighbour and that the two countries have very close contacts.

Military aid discussed

Another 900 NATO troops could arrive in Slovakia Read more

As for the potential delivery of MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, Heger stated that Slovakia is closely coordinating its military assistance with the Ukrainian army and responding to its current needs. Ukraine, he said, is not currently requesting these aircraft, but instead requires help repairing military equipment.

He reiterated that in few weeks' time it will not be possible for Slovakia to use its MiG-29 jets, and that the country is already discussing ways to protect its airspace together with its NATO partners.

PM Heger: Ukraine could use Slovakias MiG jets Read more

Heger also said Ukraine is interested in buying Zuzana howitzers from Slovakia, and that negotiations are currently underway.
Most of the increase is attributed to steelmakers in the east of the country.

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The production of greenhouse gases in Europe increased slightly last year, after a fall in 2020. However, output in 2021 was still about 10 percent below the pre-pandemic average.

Slovakia was an exception, though. It was the only EU country where total emissions exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to analysts from the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), the countrys central bank.

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The main reason was increased production at the eastern Slovak steelworks, as reported by the TASR newswire.

Decline replaced by increase

Slovakia, consistent with the European development, reported a drop in emissions in the years 2019 and 2020, the analysts said, as quoted by TASR. The drop in 2019 was affected particularly by U.S. Steel Kosice and its subsidiary Ferroenergy, [which are] the largest producers of carbon dioxide emissions.

Apart from these two companies, fertiliser manufacturer Duslo Sala and the thermal power plant in Vojany contributed to the drop in emissions in 2019. A year later, the Covid pandemic broke out and emissions fell by nearly 9 percent. Apart from big players, emissions by other, smaller polluters also fell.

Most Slovaks are worried about climate change but sceptical of carbon neutrality Read more

In 2021, the increase in emissions was mostly attributable to U.S. Steel Kosice and Ferroenergy.

In the case of most of other subjects, we see a stagnation in emissions or a slight annual increase only, the NBS analysts said, as quoted by TASR.

If the figures provided by the two metals producers were omitted, the production of emissions in Slovakia would have dropped by nearly 5 percent compared to 2019. This development would correspond to the wider European figures, they added.

Long-term trend

The slight annual increase in Slovakia in 2021, amounting to 2.4 percent, reflects the gradual recovery of the Slovak economy following the pandemic. It also suggests that the more significant drops in 2019 and 2020 were probably temporary.

Energy prices for households will be frozen Read more

The long-term trend of emissions is declining, the analysts said, meaning the amounts of emissions produced by Slovak companies will probably not return completely to pre-pandemic levels.

The trend of reducing emission intensity, strengthened by current high energy prices on global markets, could thus help to further reduce the production of greenhouse gases in the future, TASR reported.
Slovakia is the only EU country where the production of emissions in 2021 exceeded pre-pandemic times. Caucus of far-right in parliament ceased to exist.

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Good evening. The Tuesday, April 19 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

PM comments on donation of S-300 for CNN

Prime Minister Eduard Heger (Source: TASR)

Slovak PM Eduard Heger appeared on CNN television news, commenting on the donation of the S-300 surface-to-air missile defence system to Ukraine and other forms of aid.

Democratic countries should not be intimidated by Russia, and should provide maximum assistance to Ukraine, which has been subject to a Russian invasion that has lasted more than 50 days, Heger said in the interview that aired on April 15.

In addition, he touched on plans to reduce Slovakias dependence on Russian energy supplies.

We know that Russia [...] is really trying to break the unity that we have in the democratic world, and we cannot allow that, Heger told CNN. We should not be afraid, we should be bold and face the danger, and help Ukraine as much as we can.

He added that it is in Slovakia's interests to help Ukraine win the war and get Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory, stressing that Ukraine is Slovakia's neighbour and that the two countries have very close contact.

Slovakia produced more emissions than before pandemic

Slovakia's greenhouse gases rose in 2021. (Source: Sme)

The production of greenhouse gases was lower in Europe in 2021 than in pre-pandemic times. This does not apply to Slovakia.

Slovakia was the only EU country where total emissions exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to analysts from the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), the countrys central bank.

The main reason was increased production at eastern Slovak steelworks, the U.S. Steel Kosice and its subsidiary Ferroenergy.

If the figures provided by the two metals producers had been omitted, the production of emissions in Slovakia would have dropped by nearly 5 percent compared to 2019.

Refugees from Ukraine

2,454 people crossed the Slovak-Ukrainian border on April 18 and 163 people asked for temporary protection. The overall number of refugees since the war started is 344,088 and 68,361 have asked for temporary protection.

and 163 people asked for temporary protection. The overall number of refugees since the war started is 344,088 and 68,361 have asked for temporary protection. About 500 soldiers are helping at the Slovak-Ukrainian border every day . Some work directly at the border and border crossings, others perform supportive tasks.

. Some work directly at the border and border crossings, others perform supportive tasks. Trencin police officers have launched a criminal investigation in a property damage case. An unknown perpetrator sprayed the letter Z on a Ukrainian car. Trencin police are searching for the perpetrator.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

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Photo of the day

The manor house in the village of Tajna, near Nitra, is on the market again. A national cultural monument that served as a home for orphans for almost 60 years is auctioned off by the government.

The manor house in Tajna, which is owned by the Labour Ministry, is on sale. (Source: Miriam Hojcusova/My Nitra)

Feature story for today

These experiences are really strong  the fact that youre transporting a family so desperate that they get into a car with strangers and allow themselves to be taken to an unknown place with all their property packed into six bags, in the hope of a better life, fills me with sadness but joy as well because we can help improve their situation, at least a little bit.

This is how Peter Gavlak describes his volunteering experience.

The Ukrainian refugee crisis  through the eyes of Slovakias volunteers Read more

In other news

704 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 3,331 PCR tests performed on Monday. The number of people in hospitals is 1,276 people. 14 more deaths were reported on Monday. The vaccination rate is at 51.29 percent, 2,820,896 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

out of 3,331 PCR tests performed on Monday. The number of people in hospitals is 1,276 people. 14 more deaths were reported on Monday. The vaccination rate is at 51.29 percent, 2,820,896 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. About 50 soldiers from Qatar could train in Slovakia in May . These military exercises for the first half-year should be completed with the specialised training of 11 members of the Military Police before deployment to shared operations.

. These military exercises for the first half-year should be completed with the specialised training of 11 members of the Military Police before deployment to shared operations. Marian Kotleba lost his mandate and the caucus of his Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) has ceased to exist , as they have less than eight members, which is the limit for creating a caucus. The MPs will remain in parliament as non-partisan.

, as they have less than eight members, which is the limit for creating a caucus. The MPs will remain in parliament as non-partisan. Vice-president of the European Parliament, Michal Simecka, will be the only candidate to run for the chair of the extra-parliamentary Progressive Slovakia . Incumbent chair Irena Bihariova applied for deputy chair of the party. The deadline for candidates to apply has already passed, the party congress scheduled to May 7.

. Incumbent chair Irena Bihariova applied for deputy chair of the party. The deadline for candidates to apply has already passed, the party congress scheduled to May 7. Police in Bosnia and Herzegovina arrested a former functionary of the National Criminal Agency, Jan Kalavsky. The website zregionu.sk was the first to break the news. Kalavsky had been on the run for half a year. The Justice Ministry is preparing an extradition request and has asked the Specialised Criminal Court for the original of the international arrest warrant with a translation.

The website zregionu.sk was the first to break the news. Kalavsky had been on the run for half a year. The Justice Ministry is preparing an extradition request and has asked the Specialised Criminal Court for the original of the international arrest warrant with a translation. Tatry Mountain Resorts (TMR) broadened its portfolio and became an owner and operator of the Besenova water park , when it bought a 100-percent share from the company Eurocom Investment. The price of the transaction was not disclosed.

, when it bought a 100-percent share from the company Eurocom Investment. The price of the transaction was not disclosed. The session of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights, which should have been held in connection with the murder of civilians in Ukraine, did not take place because the invited Russian Ambassador in Slovakia failed to show up. Igor Bratchikov delivered a statement several pages long to the committee, but refused to participate at the meeting and decided not to answer additional questions from MPs, said committee vice-chair Peter Pollak Jr.

Do not miss on Spectator.sk today

Piestany ready to kick off a new rafting season Read more

Sales of flats in Bratislava exceed offer Read more

Statue of aristocrat religious freedom fighter unveiled in Kezmarok Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
The 2022 MGM Borgata Pacing Series preliminaries started with favourites going five-for-five in leg one and ended with the chalk registering a three-for-three mark in Monday's trio of $50,000 divisions of the final round at Yonkers Raceway.

Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) heads into next Monday's (April 25) $549,000 final as the horse to beat thanks to a 1:51 tally in the opening split, giving him four wins in the four legs he competed in.

Siegelman got away in the pocket with Leonidas A and watched as Dragon Said (Joe Bongiorno) parked out Semi Tough (Yannick Gingras) through fast fractions of :25.4, :53.4 and 1:22.1. Dean B Hanover (Jordan Stratton) made a three-wide move from second-over going to three-quarters, but as Semi Tough began to fade, Siegelman was able to squeeze out two-wide with Leonidas A before Dean B Hanover could get over and lock him in.

Dragon Said, Leonidas A, and Dean B Hanover battled across the track around the last turn, but at the top of the stretch, Leonidas A shook away from his rivals and went on to defeat Dean B Hanover by a length and a half. Im Sir Blake A (Marcus Miller) was third, followed by Chase H Hanover (Matt Kakaley) and Western Joe (Dexter Dunn).

The victorious seven-year-old gelding by Mach Three is trained by Sheena Cohen for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A made his 40th appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now pocketed $624,187. The 1-9 favourite, Leonidas A returned $2.20 to win.

In the second section, Jacks Legend N (Kakaley) went to the lead from post one and controlled the race through well-rated stations of :28.1, :57, and 1:24.4. Bee Two Bee (Gingras) tipped out first-over from third going to three-quarters and pressured Jacks Legend N throughout the last quarter, but Jacks Legend N was game and held him off to tally by half a length in 1:52.2. Poseidon Seelster (George Brennan) got third after a pocket trip and Splash Brother (Tyler Buter) was fourth from second-over. Whichwaytothebeach (Scott Zeron) grabbed fifth.

Trainer Josh Green also co-owns Jacks Legend N, an eight-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, with partners Rich Lombardo Racing LLC, David Kryway and Eric Good. Jacks Legend N is now a 33-time winner in his life, and he has stashed away $775,377. Dispatched at 3-5, Jack's Legend N paid $3.20 to win.

The final flight saw Tattoo Artist (Dunn) make quick work of his six rivals, dominating on the front-end in 1:51.3 romp.

Dunn put Tattoo Artist on the point straight away from post two, and he clicked off panels of :27.3, :56.1, and 1:23.2. Tattoo Artist got a gap on the rest of the field heading to three-quarters, and his margin only increased from there, as he hit the line 4-1/4 lengths ahead of Diamondbeach (Brennan). This Is The Plan (Gingras) raced in fourth for the first three-quarters of the mile and would end up finishing in third. Belmont Major N (Tyler Buter) and Ostro Hanover (Bongiorno) completed the top five finishers.

Tattoo Artist is a five-year-old Hes Watching stallion trained by Chris Ryder for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc, Frank Cannon and Diamond Creek Racing. Tattoo Artist, a co-holder of the all-age track record at Yonkers (1:49.3), has compiled a record of 22-7-7 from 52 lifetime appearances, and his earnings now stand at $1,043,527. Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, Tattoo Artist returned $3.40 to win.

In other news from the program, the recent run Million Dollar Mondays on the wagering front at Yonkers continued, with handle closing at $1,000,438.

Unofficially, the horses that have clinched spots in next Monday's $549,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final are:

1-Leonidas A (300 points)

2-Tattoo Artist (287)

3-This Is The Plan (264.5)

4-Jacks Legend N (262)

5-Nandolo N (250)

6-Funatthebeach N (235)

7-Pat Stanley N (225)

There is a tie for the eighth spot between Semi Tough and Poseidon Seelster at 207 points. There will be a draw between those two horses, with one going to the final and one to the consolation.

The draws for the finals of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, plus the consolation races, will take place tomorrow afternoon (April 19).

Stakes action resumes at Yonkers on Wednesday (April 20) with three $25,000 divisions of the third and final round of the John Brennan Trotting Series.

Yonkers is currently racing on a Monday-Friday live schedule with post time at 6:55 p.m.

(Yonkers)
Longtime horseman Jean Guy Belliveau of Guelph, Ont. passed away on Friday, April 15, at the age of 64.

Belliveau followed his uncle Rheal Bourgeois into harness racing and over the years has worked for trainers such as Fred Goudreau and Frank Conlin. He is most known for his time working for trainer Tom Artandi, and the tandem enjoyed a string of success that included back-to-back Little Brown Jug winners B J Scoot (1988) and Goalie Jeff (1989).

Jean Guy had many close friends and will be missed by all. His closest friend was Travis Moore, they had a special friendship and Jean Guy would never missed an opportunity to spend time with Travis whether it was picking him up from school or watching him race his pony.

Funeral services entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hart Chapel (1099 Gordon St., Guelph, ON N1G 4X9).

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jean Guy Belliveau.
Building on a strategy first embraced by the University of Virginia, Southern New Hampshire University is giving Germanna Community College students an easier path to transfer credits and complete their bachelors degree online at SNHU.

Germanna and SNHU recently announced their partnership, which provides degree-transfer opportunities between the two higher-education institutions. Germanna recently signed a similar agreement with U.Va.

Under the agreement, students from Germanna will be able to transfer up to 90 credits and complete their bachelors degree online with Southern New Hampshire University.

GCC President Janet Gullickson praised the agreement, which enables Germanna students to transfer to one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country with more than 200 affordable online undergraduate and graduate degrees. And they can do so without leaving home, Gullickson noted.

SNHU will accept up to 90 transfer credits from Germanna toward a bachelors degree.

As SNHU is accredited with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, so all academic coursework in which students earn a grade of C- or higher is fully transferable based on course equivalents, Germanna said in a statement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Germanna learned that online learnings flexibility was not only attractive to many students, but helps families, Gullickson said. The growth of online learning will make higher education more accessible and affordable nationally.

Germannas new College Everywhere programwhich accelerates all online degreeshas been a major success, officials said. allows its students to earn a two-year degree in one year.

To date, 68 percent of College Everywhere students earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 to 4.0. Among other Germanna students, 55 percent were in that GPA range.

Based on the New Hampshire agreement, eligible Germanna graduates, employees and the immediate family members of employees (spouse, domestic partners, children, siblings, and parents) will get a 10 percent tuition reduction for SNHUs online programs. The agreement also allows for a waiver of the application fee to SNHU.

At SNHU, we partner with a number of community colleges across the country to help students continue their education, and were proud to be teaming up with Germanna Community College, said Dr. Jennifer Batchelor, the universitys senior vice president. Through this new partnership, thousands of learners will have the opportunity to seamlessly transfer their credits to SNHU and continue on their educational journey.

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. It now serves more than 170,000 learners worldwide, with undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, N.H.

U.S. News & World Report recognized SNHU as the nations most innovative regional university. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Established in 1970, Germanna is one of 23 community colleges in the commonwealth that comprise the Virginia Community College System. The two year institution provides quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities for residents of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties and the city of Fredericksburg.

In recent years, Germanna has been Culpeper County residents preferred college for enrollment, educating more than 1,000 students from Culpeper annually.

Germannas campuses in Orange and Spotsylvania counties and its centers in Stafford and Culpeper serve more than 13,000 students.

Rated Virginias No. 1 community college by WalletHub in 2019, it is one of few colleges in the country to see enrollment surge during the pandemic, with a 15.65 percent increase over the last four years.

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Multiple bystanders are believed to have saved the life of a Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs deputy this morning when his patrol vehicle was involved in a crash on the Heartland Expressway in Scottsbluff.

In a press release, Cody Thomas of Nebraska State Patrol said a deputy was involved in a single-vehicle crash at about 7:20 a.m. Monday.

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the crash.

Preliminary investigation shows that the deputy suffered a medical incident while driving his marked patrol vehicle on Highway 71, south of the Highway 26 junction. The vehicle then left the roadway and struck an embankment. The collision caused the vehicle to catch fire.

Multiple witnesses saw the incident occur and rushed to assist the deputy, who was unconscious, Thomas said. The witnesses were able to extract the deputy from the vehicle and pull him to safety, away from the vehicle and fire. Emergency personnel arrived on scene shortly thereafter and began care for the deputy. He was transported to Regional West Medical Center, where he is reported to be alert and in good condition.

The Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office has identified the deputy as Josh Ruzicka, 39, of Gering.

Our entire department is very grateful for the quick actions taken by the witnesses to remove Deputy Ruzicka from the vehicle, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman said. We would also like to thank the Scottsbluff Police Department, Scottsbluff Fire Department, Scotts Bluff Rural Fire Department, and Valley Ambulance for their assistance.

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High speed, AI trends for future helicopters: Chinese attack chopper designer

By Liu Xuanzun (Global Times) 09:52, April 19, 2022

Attack helicopters attached to a naval aviation brigade under the PLA Eastern Theater Command sit in formation on the parking apron during a flight training exercise in April 19,2021. Photo:China Military

High speeds and artificial intelligence (AI) are among the trends in the development of future helicopters, a top Chinese military helicopter designer said during a recent public lecture, giving a glimpse into the possibilities of the country's next-generation choppers, which could feature completely new designs and configurations.

The world has made concrete steps in the development and application of high-speed rotorcraft, with the US commissioning the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and conducting test flights for the S-97 Raider and SB-1 Defiant helicopters. Within 10 years, it will be the norm for helicopters, or rotorcraft in general, to feature high speeds, Wu Ximing, deputy head of the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, said during the lecture organized by the China Science and Technology Museum on Sunday.

Unlike the traditional configuration of previous helicopters, the new ones will have very different designs, including those that were made to break the physical speed limit of about 300 kilometers an hour restricted by the traditional design, said Wu, who is also the chief designer of the Z-10, the main battle attack helicopter used by the Chinese military.

It will require exploration and innovation by helicopter designers to achieve high speeds while maintaining the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, Wu said.

Since Wu gave a general time frame of 10 years for most helicopters to achieve high speed, it can be expected that China could also reveal its high-speed helicopters within 10 years, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Monday, requesting anonymity.

China's helicopter makers have reportedly conducted test flights for at least two types of helicopters with innovative designs: one is a blended-wing body multi-rotorvertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the other is a helicopter with a completely different, innovative design.

Helicopters will also be empowered by AI, and this means that a digital helmet or screen could replace the control levers on a helicopter, as AI could understand voice commands from the pilot, give suggestions on flight routes, or even make independent decisions under harsh environments or in complex missions, Wu said. "Intelligent technologies will greatly reduce the workload of the pilot in flying the chopper."

AI will enable the intelligent flight of a single helicopter, the coordinated flight of multiple helicopters, and the autonomous carrying out of missions, according to Wu's presentation.

With the rapid development of information technologies like 5G and 6G, it is possible that the helicopter could get larger computing capacity from ground-based systems through a network, and this could optimize the helicopter's capabilities and enhance its efficiency, Wu said.

The use of AI will apply not only to helicopters, but also to aircraft in general, including fighter jets, the anonymous expert said.

The development of drones is another future trend for helicopters, as drones do not lead to casualties. They are not restricted by a human pilot's physical limits and can be used in harsh environments, Wu pointed out, while they cost less and offer higher survivability.

Miniature drone helicopters are also a viable option in missions like tactical reconnaissance, as they are easy to carry and can penetrate hostile defenses stealthily, Wu said.

China has developed a type of portable reconnaissance drone helicopter dubbed the Hummingbird, which is only 15 centimeters long and weighs only 35 grams, China Central Television reported in February.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
TORRINGTON  The Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees has announced that President Lesley Travers has tendered her resignation, effective immediately.

The Board would like to thank Dr. Travers for her service to the College and wish her well in her retirement, said Board Chair Robert Baumgartner. As we move forward, the Board is committed to finding the best fit for EWC who will focus on our students and build a strong future.

Following an emergency executive session, the Board convened to accept the resignation of Travers and approve the immediate appointment of Richard Patterson as the Interim President to assume all presidential duties immediately.

The Board intends to move expeditiously in the presidential search process to find the right president as quickly as possible.

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Gerings community welcomed three new businesses during a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 14. Owner Mark Schultz, who started his business alongside Mike Kearns in Scottsbluff in 2006, opened Western Sleep Medicine, Western CPAP Supply and Sweet Dreams Sleep Services with his family.

The new businesses are located on the property of the old Packerland lot on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Country Club Road in Gering.

Dr. Brittany Meyer, Schultzs daughter, said opening a family practice made sense as both of them were diagnosed with sleep apnea.

What started this whole thing was because in 2000 or so dad got diagnosed with sleep apnea so bad we couldnt go on family trips because he snored so bad no one else could sleep at night, Meyer said.

Schultz became a sleep tech before he determined he could offer better patient education with his own practice. He worked alongside Kearns about 15 years ago.

Around that same time, Meyer, who was 19, was also diagnosed with sleep apnea.

I then became a sleep tech throughout college and during my summers, she said. I knew I had a passion for it so went into the family practice.

Meyer wanted to increase her knowledge on sleep, so she attended college at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, completed her residency at the University of Oklahoma and then completed a sleep medicine fellowship at Stanford University, where she had the privilege of learning from the pioneers of sleep medicine.

Abbie Fulk, an advanced practice registered nurse, brings 12 years of experience to the practice to complement the care Meyer offers patients.

Community leaders celebrated the businesses with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 14, although Schultz said they officially opened in early February. The citys support throughout the preopening phase was instrumental.

The City of Gering really came forward with a lot of good support as far as the LB 840 funds that were available in Gering and the tax increment funding (TIF), he said. The community support in Gering was just phenomenal from the city government to the planning commission.

Scottsbluff leaders and businesses also turned out to show support for the business.

Sweet Dreams offers customers a comprehensive sleep care consultation, a sleep clinic and lab, and CPAP and Bi-PAP machines.

I am so excited because it is the first time ever in western Nebraska and the Panhandle that we are going to have a complete sleep center with comprehensive sleep services, Meyer said.

Meyer said she see patients from adolescent to adult for their sleep issues such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, and people who sleepwalk or talk. The clinic offers telehealth and in-person visits. Meyer said the office communicates with dentists, orthodontists and ear, nose and throat doctors on palate expansion and oral appliances. Patients can obtain referrals to the sleep center from any of their doctors; however, patients do not need a referral. They can call the office at 308-633-1325 and schedule a sleep checkup appointment.

Its not like the old days where if you have sleep apnea, heres your sleep apnea machine, she said. Were actually offering comprehensive care for sleep apnea and over 40 sleep disorders.

The quality of a persons sleep affects every aspect of life  cognitive function, hypertension, heart and mood  so offering services to support the community makes the family-led practice a pioneer in the area.

I am excited to be able to help with sleep issues and embark on this new experience, Meyer said.

Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form

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The Scottsbluff City Council heard an update on the creative district, over a month after the Scottsbluff Creative District Steering Committee held a pair of public informational meetings March 8.

Kristin Wiebe came before the council to share information on the project Monday.

Creative district program is an initiative run by the Nebraska Arts Council with legislation passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2020, she said. It will show the arts as an economic driver, support communities in Nebraska in telling their stories and elevate the value of the arts.

Following the program details announcement during the summer of 2021, several communities have started to establish such districts, including Scottsbluff. As the process continues, community input is sought to ensure the creative district reflects the values of the community members.

A steering committee was created and received the citys approval in December. The committee sent in a letter of intent to the state and had its eligibility assessment completed. Once the creative district plan is finalized, they will need to submit grant plans and certifications and participate in a yearly evaluation.

The creative districts proposed layout is L-shaped, with work to be featured on buildings along Broadway, First Avenue, East Overland and the surrounding area. The concentration of the district in downtown Scottsbluff would allow for marketing it as a tourist destination and support the local economy through the improvement of livability and job creation.

It is a well-defined geographic area with a high concentration of creative resources and activities, Wiebe said. Creative districts work to help communities throughout the state set goals unique to their community.

Throughout the planning process, the committee will work with the community to identify assets, establish a clear vision and create a distinct sense of place.

Starr Lehl, community economic director, presented information to partners early this month with the goal that community input is collected to benefit the entire region. Some of the ideas community members want to see more of that came from the meeting Wiebe mentioned include: music; public art; green space areas for a variety of types of gatherings; making downtown as walkable as possible; tying East Overland and downtown together; establishing spaces for public art; designating studio space for artists, creative industries and performing arts of all kind; and creating signage showcasing the district.

The one thing that we know is if we dont value creative industries by investing in the infrastructure to attract and support them, they wont exist, she said. We cant expect to find a local artist for a project if we havent worked and been supporting them.

As part of showing support, there has to be a mindset where the community values the arts just as any other business, Wiebe told the council. The committees goals focus on building on current assets.

There are funding opportunities with the project with a $10,000 certification grant initially once approved as a creative district. Following the completion of the workbook process, which outlines the goals and plan of the district, the committee would be eligible for an additional $250,000 development grant.

The committee plans to use the assets the community has in place to build upon and make the creative district a reflection of the community.

The council asked about the timeline for sharing the information with the arts council, which is currently set for this summer. The values, mission, vision statement and logo design will be development over the next month. Those details will later be presented to the community.

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A citizens request for information from Smyth County and the bill that accompanied the response has sparked articles and editorials across the commonwealth. From Bristol to Charlottesville to Richmond, the $884.09 bill has attracted media attention and commentary.

The request was not a simple one.

Dated Feb. 16, attorney W. Watts Burks IV made the records request on behalf of Veda Odle, who opposed her neighbors application for a special use permit to develop a private airstrip on his land.

Using the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which is also known as the Sunshine Law, Burks sought all material used by the planning commission and board of supervisors to make decisions that led to granting Odles neighbor, Robert de Camara, the permit.

The two-page FOIA request, also sought any communications between the Smyth County Board of Supervisors members or staff and any other person regarding the permit application as well as a prior decision to amend the countys zoning ordinance to allow private airstrips.

According to Lisa Richardson, the assistant county administrator for operations and the county FOIA officer, the response took 522 pages and 23 hours of staff time, including 9.75 hours for Richardson, 3 hours for the IT director, 7.75 hours for the zoning administrator, and 2.5 hours for an IT specialist. That time amounts to more than half of a 40-hour work week.

Virginias FOIA does allow government agencies to bill citizens for reasonable charges not to exceed its actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records.

However, the act does not require that fees be charged.

For the majority of FOIA requests, County Administrator Shawn Utt said, the county strives to answer citizens at no charge.

Richardson concurred, saying, We try to be mindful and dont charge any fees if the information requested is easily obtained, such as sending a single existing PDF record, scanning a document from a file folder, or responding to general questions.

While the county doesnt maintain a database of FOIA requests, Richardson said, of the 23 on file for 2021, costs were assessed on six. Those fees, she said, ranged from $18.48 to $65.38.

Utt told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, which first reported on the bill to Odle, that from the countys perspective, its small staff does the best it can providing citizens with information, free of charge as much as possible. FOIA also provides a cost-recovery mechanism that is designed both to ensure that citizens can obtain the information that they seek and that the wheels of a local government do not grind to a halt while responding to voluminous, and, sometimes, repetitive and redundant requests that draw staff away from the business of the people generally, Utt told the RTD.

Advocates for government transparency often oppose any fees for FOIA.

In an editorial on Odles bill, the Charlottesville Daily Progress wrote, The issue here is not about an individual or an onerous request for data. It concerns the costs of transparency or the lack thereof. Sometimes, VFOIA requests are comprehensive. Are these requests a pain for the employees who have to track down correspondence and memos? You betcha. They are also necessary to protect the public.

The advocates also note that citizens are taxpayers, who have already funded the documents and the search for them.

Odle, who has since filed suit against the supervisors in an effort to overturn the permit, told the RTD that she was shocked by the bill.

Legislation filed this year by Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, would ease such surprises.

Freitas bill, which received wide bipartisan support, would require government officials to let individuals who are requesting information know that there may be a cost and provide them with an estimate of the fees.

The bill would also require public record keepers to make all reasonable efforts to supply the requested records at the lowest possible cost.

That legislation, HB307, is again before the General Assembly following a recommended change by the governor.
The former Longview car dealership owner who was found guilty of four felonies, including child rape, in August likely will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jay Dean Douglas of Longview was sentenced Monday to 23 years to life in prison by Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Patricia Fassett. Now 60 years old, Douglas would be 83 if released during his first parole board hearing. The board could decide to keep him in prison for life.

Douglas was arrested in 2018, when authorities alleged Heather Annette Hughes, 47, of Longview, brought a 12-year-old girl to his home and used-car dealership several times for sexual acts. Hughes trial is scheduled for April 26.

A protection order on behalf of the victim will be in place for the rest of Douglas life.

At Mondays hearing, the victim, now 17, said she still endures pain and anger from her abuses. She said, at times, she has wanted to die, and hopes the offenses stop with her.

I hope that Jay never has the opportunity to ever hurt another child in his life, she said.

Douglas chose not to speak at Mondays hearing.

After a five-day trial in August, jurors found Douglas guilty of second-degree child rape, two counts of second-degree child molestation and second-degree possession of child pornography.

A March jury trial also found Douglas guilty of two counts of bail jumping when he did not show up to two 2018 hearings related to his child sexual abuse charges. Three counts of possession with the intent to distribute or sell methamphetamine were dropped.

Douglas owned Triangle Motors, which was destroyed in a fire in 2019 when Douglas was on bail. Longview Police Department Capt. Branden McNew said the fire was deliberately set; police investigated the case but no arrests were made.

In 2010, Douglas was sentenced to one year in prison for possessing child pornography and trying to extort his former defense attorney, according to a previous Daily News article.

Sentencing

Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jason Laurine on Monday asked for the court to sentence Douglas for all his convictions, even though sentencing him for child rape could leave him in prison for life.

Laurine said if the court didnt impose sentences on all of his convictions, the ruling would send a message, not only to the defendant, but many people, that such behavior is permissible when you have an opportunity to max out your standard range.

The standard range of sentencing is the amount of prison time suggested for defendants based on their history of convictions.

Douglas court-appointed attorney asked the court to impose a low sentence for child rape because, due to Douglas age and the low life expectancy in prison, he likely would not be alive, even at the first hearing possible under the lightest range when he would be 77.

Douglas was sentenced in each count. All of his sentences will run at the same time, so his sentence is 23 years to life. A Department of Corrections parole board determines if he will get out in 23 years or stay in prison for life.

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Editors note: Information is provided by the Cowlitz County Corrections Department and local law enforcement agencies. Each individual named in this report is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Elude  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Monday arrested Dezaray Rose Brittain, 36, of an unknown location on suspicion of attempt to elude, driving while license suspended in the third degree and driving without a license.

Burglary  Kelso police officers Monday arrested Tommie Rae Geretta Knight, 32, of Longview, on suspicion of second-degree burglary, four counts of fourth-degree assault and hit-and-run involving unattended property.

Child rape  Kelso police officers Monday arrested a 26-year-old man from Castle Rock on suspicion of second-degree child rape, first-degree child molestation, second-degree child molestation and voyeurism. (Editors note: The Daily News does not name arrestees of child crimes until suspects are charged to ensure alleged victims arent identified before the suspect has been formally accused of a crime.)

Assault

1600 block of Mark Morris Court, Longview. Monday.

Burglaries

Redpath Street and Wood Avenue, Kelso. Monday. Report of break in on side of a commercial building.

3700 block of Memorial Park Drive, Longview. Monday. Report of fence cut to reach a truck and take the catalytic converter. Estimated cost of $4,000 to repair the car and $500 to repair the fence.

Stolen vehicles

200 block of Lodgepole Road, Kalama. Monday. Report of silver 2004 Buick Century stolen during the night, with a 9mm SIG fire arm inside. Serial 66F138896.

600 block of 18th Avenue, Longview. Monday. Report of dark gray 2005 Honda Accord four-door taken overnight. Washington BND2530.

Thefts

200 block of Owl Creek Road, Kelso. Monday. Report of work laptop stolen.

100 block of Schaffran Road, Castle Rock. Monday. Report of a woman stealing $50 found inside a golden egg by someones granddaughter at an Easter egg hunt hosted by an RV park.

200 block of Sixth Avenue, Kelso. Monday. Report of grocery order stolen.

400 block of 32nd Avenue, Longview. Monday. Report of a red Toro Recycler 22-inch lawn mower stolen the night before. Estimated price of $530.

3100 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Monday. Report of a lock cut on a propane locker and 12 tanks stolen.

30th Avenue and Hemlock Street, Longview. Monday. A witness reported seeing a man ditch a Craftsman tool set with sockets and wrenches in a yard after taking the item from Lowes.

Vandalism/malicious mischief

5400 block of West Side Highway, Castle Rock. Monday. Report of hit-and-run involving a mailbox.

Vehicle prowl

1300 block of Woodside Street, Woodland. Monday. Report of a purse and other items taken from a vehicle.

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Earth Day 2022: NASA to hold an in-person as well as a virtual event comprising live talks, conversation with scientists, a learning zone for students and more. Know how to join.

Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 to inform people around the world about the issues and problems that our planet is facing. From plastic pollution to biodiversity collapse to the climate change crisis, there are several issues that our planet is tackling. The day is celebrated globally to protect the planet from pollution and deforestation. Every year more than a billion people participate in the Earth Day celebration by getting involved in activities like cleaning their surroundings and planting trees. Best part is that you can join too. Read on to know how to do so.

NASA too celebrates this day to cherish all the activities and steps taken to safeguard our planet. This year, the space agency will be hosting a free, public event at Union Station's Main Hall, located at 40 Massachusetts Ave. NE in Washington. The event will take place from Friday, April 22 (Earth Day) through Sunday, April 24, between noon and 5 p.m. EDT. It will share information about NASA science, live demonstrations, and other family friendly activities.

Not only in-person events, but NASA will also host Earth Day events online, with live events on April 22 and site access through Monday, May 2. As per the official statement of NASA, the virtual event will include live talks, conversation with scientists, a learning zone for students and other activities. To participate in the event, you can visit:https://go.nasa.gov/EarthDayEvent2022.

Connect with us this Earth Day on social media with the tag #NASAEarthling to show off what makes life on our planet truly special-you, says NASA in a press release. On Earth Day, NASA will also display the collective images of the stunning breadth and variety of life that persists, survives, and thrives on Earth.

Apart from these, NASA's Science Mission Directorate has also shared that the 2022 Earth Day poster will be available to download in English and Spanish from an online toolkit. It will also include wallpapers and a special video from its creative director. This year's poster will also have QR codes.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Amazon is launching a racial equity audit to examine any uneven effects of its policies, programs and practices on hourly employees.

Facing pressure from shareholders to provide more information about pay gaps, working conditions and procedures that may be negatively affecting women, people of color and other minorities, Amazon announced in a recent legal filing it had hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct an audit to "evaluate any disparate racial impacts on our nearly one million U.S. hourly employees resulting from our policies, programs and practices."

The audit is part of its "existing commitment to human and civil rights, racial equity, diversity and inclusion and nondiscrimination," the filing read.

Amazon said it would publicly release the results of the audit but declined to share when it would be completed or specifics about what the audit would study.

The audit will include only hourly employees and will not include workers at Whole Foods or PillPack, Amazon's pharmaceutical centers where workers pack and ship prescriptions.

Attorneys at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, a law firm based in New York City, will conduct the audit, and Lynch will lead it. The firm also recently represented Amazon in an antitrust lawsuit filed by Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine challenging Amazon's pricing policies. In March, a D.C. Superior Court judge dismissed the case.

Amazon tucked the announcement of the racial equity audit into an annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, ahead of its quarterly earnings call with investors next week and its meeting with shareholders in May.

A shareholder proposal requesting a similar audit failed to pass at Amazon's last annual meeting, but 44% of stakeholders voted in favor of it. This year, shareholders again introduced a proposal for a diversity and equity audit, asking for a report that would analyze the effects of its policies, practices, products and services "through a racial equity lens." It asks for an assessment of Amazon's diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and its effectiveness as well as how the company is addressing any implicit biases.

"Because of the pattern and magnitude of controversies repeatedly facing Amazon, we believe that it is in shareholders' best interests for Amazon to proactively identify and mitigate risks through an independent racial equity audit," the proposal reads.

Ahead of Amazon's annual meeting, shareholders also introduced several other proposals to study how the company's policies and products could be contributing to racial and gender divides, including:

Whether Amazon's health and safety practices give rise to any racial and gender disparities in workplace injury rates, affecting long-term earnings and career advancement for women and minority warehouse workers

More information on gender and racial pay gaps to address "structural bias" that women and minorities face regarding job opportunity and pay

A public report on the risk to Amazon of using contract clauses, like nondisclosure agreements, related to harassment and discrimination

And an independent study of Rekognition, a facial recognition system that Amazon Web Services markets and sells to government and shareholders say is "worse at identifying Black women than white men and misgenders nonbinary people."

Amazon's board of directors is recommending shareholders vote against all those proposals, as well as one that asks more broadly for a study on working conditions in its warehouses.

The board pointed to a report it released earlier this year that found the rate of injury at its facilities has declined and noted its investment in new technologies, research and procedures to protect warehouse employees.

When it comes to its facial recognition product offering, the board said Amazon is "committed to the responsible use of artificial intelligence and machine learning," and had never received a report of the technology being misused "in the manner posited in this proposal." Related to pay gaps and racial and gender disparities, the board said it regularly reviews employee well-being and workplace safety, and that Amazon is "committed to supporting and increasing diversity."

Amazon's board of directors is comprised of six men and five women, according to the SEC filing. Of 11 total members, it includes nine white people, one Black person and one Asian person.

It employs 1.6 million people worldwide.

Explore further Amazon CEO Jassy says he wants to improve warehouse safety

2022 The Seattle Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A prosecutor said Deliveroo wanted all the benefits of an employer 'without any of the inconveniences'

A Paris court on Tuesday fined the British meal delivery group Deliveroo after ruling it was guilty of "undeclared labour" for using freelance riders who should have been classified as employees, depriving the state of millions of euros in payroll taxes.

It was the latest move by European courts to recognise the rights of "gig economy" workers used by start-ups and other firms, which often claim they are simply go-betweens for clients and independent contractors.

The court ordered the maximum fine of 375,000 euros ($405,000) sought by prosecutors and also handed suspended one-year prison sentences and 30,000-euro fines to two former French executives at Deliveroo.

A third executive got a suspended four-month sentence and a 10,000-euro fine for complicity in the system, and Deliveroo was also ordered to pay 50,000 euros each in damages to five labour unions who joined the case as plaintiffs.

State prosecutor Celine Ducournau had sought in vain to question Deliveroo's American founder and CEO Will Shu over a "fraud" that gave "all the benefits to the employer... without any of the inconveniences."

"The question is not to determine if the status of independent contractor is appropriate, but to acknowledge that in this instance, Deliveroo used a fake legal arrangement that did not correspond to the reality of how the delivery riders work," the presiding judge said in her ruling.

A Deliveroo spokesman said the company "categorically contested" the decision and said it was considering an appeal.

"Our business model offers our deliverers the flexibility they need and which they tell us they appreciate," he said.

Legal gray area

Over 100 Deliveroo riders were plaintiffs in the case prosecutors opened in 2015 but which got fresh impetus in 2020, when France's URSSAF agency in charge of employer social security collections demanded millions of euros in back payments.

Several riders told the court they had sought jobs that offered scheduling freedom only to find intense pressure to work at peak meal times, strict oversight of their routes and days off, and penalties if orders weren't delivered fast enough.

Deliveroo France had already been found guilty of undeclared labour in a civil case in February 2000, when a court sided with a rider seeking to be recognised as an employee and not a contractor.

URSSAF is seeking to recover some 9.7 million euros from Deliveroo, and a court had already ordered in 2020 the seizure of three million euros in Deliveroo's account while the case was ongoing.

The ruling comes as the European Union is taking aim at the business model of gig economy companies like Deliveroo and the ride-sharing service Uber, with plans that could force them to reclassify their workers as fully-fledged employees.

The companies insist the workers are self-employed, and courts across Europe have issued contradictory decisionssometimes forcing companies to provide workers with standard contracts, at other times upholding their status as independent contractors.

In December, Deliveroo won a case in Belgium where a court found that riders did not have to be requalified as employees, with the requisite social security and tax obligations.

Explore further Deliveroo wins court battle on riders' status in Belgium

 2022 AFP
Overview of the systems design. Credit: Kashapov et al.

Phishing attacks are cyber-attacks through which criminals trick users into sending them money and sensitive information, or into installing malware on their computer, by sending them deceptive emails or messages. As these attacks have become increasingly widespread, developers have been trying to develop more advanced tools to detect them and protect potential victims.

Researchers at Monash University and CSIRO's Data61 in Australia have recently developed a machine learning-based approach that could help users to identify phishing emails, so that they don't inadvertently install malware or send sensitive data to cyber-criminals. This model was introduced in a paper pre-published on arXiv and set to be presented at AsiaCCS 2022, a cyber-security conference.

"We have identified a gap in current phishing research, namely realizing that existing literature focuses on rigorous 'black and white' methods to classify whether something is a phishing email or not," Tingmin (Tina) Wu, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore.

Researchers have recently tried to develop models that can automatically analyze emails in people's inbox and detect phishing messages. Most of these methods, however, were found to only identify a limited number of patterns, thus missing many malicious emails.

"In contrast with other 'black and white' methods, we hand the power to decide whether something is suspicious over to the users, by equipping them with easily understandable machine results and conversions," Wu explained. "The reasoning behind this is that recent phishing attacks might not have obvious malicious patterns but instead can leverage human psychology to persuade users to hand over their personal information."

After realizing that automated phishing email detection methods did not achieve satisfactory results, researchers started shifting their focus on the introduction of detection support tools, such as security warnings, which allow users to make the final decision about whether to delete emails or not. These warnings, however, also proved to be ineffective, as they can be too technical for non-expert users.

Wu and her colleagues thus set out to develop an alternative tool for helping non-expert email users to determine what emails are safe and which are potentially malicious. The model they developed was designed to produce a more "digestible" summary of emails, which highlights emotional triggers, key content of the text, and the result of an intent analysis.

"Our system summarizes phishing emails from three different angles to users to make informed decisions," Wu said. "Firstly, we summarize the emails using a variety of machine learning models to create an accurate, short summary so that users can quickly be aware of the most important content in the email."

The system in action. Credit: Kashapov et al.

After it creates a digestible summary of the content of emails, the tool developed by Wu and her colleagues tries to identify the possible intent of phishing emails, so that users can make more informed decisions about what to do with the email. For instance, it shows them if an email from an unknown contact is asking them to click on a link. Finally, the approach created by the researchers also tries to identify emotional triggers.

"We derive a model to extract the cognitive triggers based on the language used in the emails," Wu said. "One example of a psychological weakness used by attackers is that users might tend to obey the request when it comes to punishment if not complying with it. The information from these three branches is merged to support users to make the final decision."

Instead of automatically detecting and filtering potentially malicious emails, the approach devised by Wu and her colleagues prepares a summary of emails that users can then use to decide what to do with different emails in their inbox. By using the tool regularly, therefore, non-expert users can learn to identify common patterns in phishing by themselves.

The model introduced by the researchers combines a variety of state-of-the-art phishing detection methods into a single, concise "informational package." In contrast with other previously proposed approaches, therefore, it presents users with probabilities, instead of "hard truths," preventing errors that might result in the loss of important messages.

"Our system is designed to address the challenges of improving the readability and effectiveness of generated information on phishing emails," Wu said. "While most of the current warnings are generated based on the URL, our method focuses on generating useful information around the intention of the emails. That is, to help users identify the phishing attempts by better leveraging their contextual knowledge and aim at the latest trending tactics, e.g., using phishing emails that can easily bypass URL-based detection."

The recent work by this team of researchers introduces an alternative approach for decreasing the impact of phishing attack, which does not rely on error-prone automated systems or on pop-up windows that users typically ignore. So far, the team created an elementary proof-of-concept of their system, but they now plan to develop it further.

"We now plan to continue improving our system," Wu added. "We will keep collecting the new datasets and make sure the model can extract the useful contents from the emails no matter how the attacking tactic evolves. We will also conduct a large-scale user study to ensure the system is user-friendly and effective."

In the future, the system developed by Wu and her colleagues could open new possibilities for tackling phishing attacks. In addition, it could help email providers to teach non-expert users to independently detect these malicious messages, thus potentially reducing their impact.

"Human-centric systems are the first step toward leveraging the complementary intelligence of humans and machines," Wu added. "Some future studies are still needed, e.g., to investigate the impact of the human factors on the final decision, to understand users' habituation in long-time interacting with the warnings and implementing the system in a broad area in cybersecurity, not only phishing."

Explore further A new model to automatically detect and filter spam emails

More information: Amir Kashapov, Tingmin Wu, Alsharif Abuadbba, Carsten Rudolph, Email summarization to assist users in phishing identification. arXiv:2203.13380v1 [cs.CR], Amir Kashapov, Tingmin Wu, Alsharif Abuadbba, Carsten Rudolph, Email summarization to assist users in phishing identification. arXiv:2203.13380v1 [cs.CR], arxiv.org/abs/2203.13380

 2022 Science X Network
The device uses two cameras to capture the wafer's edge. Credit: University of Colorado at Boulder

The shortage of semiconductorsthe computer chips that products such as smartphones, laptops, cars and even washing machines rely oncontinues to impact industries around the world.

The current supply chain issues are motivating engineers to make the inspection of the silicon wafers that semiconductors are fabricated from more efficient. It is a goal that the industry would focus on even without the global shortage. To help accomplish that, University of Colorado mechanical engineering students have developed a device that improves the inspection process.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering seniors have built a silicon wafer center-finding improvement device for KLA, a semiconductor manufacturing company. The Senior Design team's prototype uses two cameras to capture the circular wafer's edge, plus computer software to calculate the radius and find the wafer's center.

"The reason this is important is that KLA has to inspect these wafers for defects, and when they find one, they need to know where on the wafer it is with a high-level of precision," said Marty LaRocque, the team's electro-mechanical engineer. "They have to establish a coordinate system on the wafer and the hardest part of that is finding the center."

Currently, KLA is detecting the wafer's center with ten different images around the edge. The team of students designed their device to find the center just as efficiently with only two images.

"On one of KLA's inspection tools, it currently takes them eight seconds to align one wafer, and we're trying to get that down to two seconds," said Project Manager Jack Carver. "A 75% reduction is going to get so much more throughput. With the global silicon wafer supply shortage, any improvements in that would be greatly beneficial for them."

The real-world impact that the students' device could have on the industry is part of the reason this project enticed them.

"It's interesting because KLA explained to us the real significance of our prototype," said Prem Griddalur, the systems engineer on the team. "About every two years, the size of the semiconductor becomes smaller, and at the same time, the scale they're manufacturing these at gets larger because of increased demand. KLA did a great job explaining why their equipment is important and how our project plays a role in the larger scheme of the industry."

The team captured their first position of the wafer's center in early March. They are now running statistical tests and taking measurements to check the device's accuracy. They need the coordinates to be within 10 microns of the true center, which is the width of a human red blood cell.

Since the team's device is a prototype, KLA's system may not end up looking exactly like the students' design. However, their prototype and tests will still provide the company with critical information to help guide decisions about future designs.

The students said that aspect is relatable to real-world scenarios. Typically, engineers are tasked with making current systems better, rather than creating new designs from scratch.

"That's what our prototype isimproving upon KLA's system," said CAD Engineer Hank Kussin-Bordo. "We were given the requirement that our design has to work with the company's current system, since they can't change their entire process. The challenge of being an engineer is finding ways to make systems better, while also being cost effective and not over-complicating things."

Designing, assembling and testing the device have also allowed the students to work at the intersection of engineering and electronicsa collaboration that the team agreed is the future of modern engineering.

"When the images from our two cameras show the tiny little patterns that are printed on the wafer that you can't see with the naked eye, we all feel a sense of wow, that's some real-life engineering right there," said Carver.

The Senior Design team will present their silicon wafer center-finding improvement device at the College of Engineering and Applied Science Engineering Projects Expo 2022 on April 22.

Explore further Engineers introduce the Oreometer
BANGKOK, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The latest transportation of Thai fruits through the China-Laos Railway, after the first shipment of Thai rice to China in February, is fueling hope that the rail route would facilitate and boost exports of Thai agricultural products to their major market.

The batch of Thai fruits, 40 tons of durians and 20 tons of coconuts, was loaded on the train at the Vientiane South Station of the China-Laos Railway and reached the Nateuy Station in Luang Namtha Province on Friday, which borders southwest China's Yunnan Province. The fruits were then transited to trucks at the Nateuy Station and entered China by road.

The shipment came after Thailand used the rail route to transport 500 tons of rice to southwest China's Chongqing Municipality in February.

Yan Jianchao, the Thai chief representative of the Shanghai Minsheng Shipping Co., the logistics company responsible for the shipment of the Thai rice, said extra efforts were spent on communication and coordination because it was the first time, but it went well thanks to the support of relevant departments from China, Thailand and Laos.

The China-Laos Railway has opened a new gate for expanding trade cooperation between China's southwestern regions and Southeast Asian countries, Yan said.

China has remained Thailand's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years, and has been a major export market for Thailand's agricultural products. Bilateral trade volume surged 33 percent year on year to 131.18 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs.

Thailand expects to see the transportation of more export products to China through the China-Laos Railway, with fruits, vegetables and other products being the prioritized items, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The China-Laos Railway, which stretches over 1,000 km and links Kunming, capital of China's Yunnan Province, with Vientiane, has boosted regional connectivity and economic cooperation since it started operation four months ago.

"This rail route will become the new channel to transport goods from Thailand to China, especially agricultural products, which saves more time on transportation that can retain the freshness of agricultural products such as fruit and vegetable," Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations under Thailand's Ministry of Commerce, told Xinhua in an interview.

As it is anticipated to reduce transportation time with reasonable cost, the China-Laos Railway would be considered as a new option for Thai exporters, Auramon said, adding that it would advantage not only agricultural products but also all other exporting products such as synthetic rubber, cassava and cassava starch.

Thailand is ready to ship more goods through this route after the construction of sanitary and phytosanitary facility at the Mohan railway checkpoint, which is scheduled to be ready by mid-year, Auramon said.

Given the majority of China-ASEAN trade has relied mainly on maritime routes rather than overland transportation, it is foreseeable that with the China-Laos Railway, there could be a significant shift from maritime trade to road and rail in the coming years, she said.

Auramon noted that the railway also helps open the possibilities of extending export routes to other countries such as in Europe with an approximately 15-18 days delivery, which is faster and lower cost compared to marine transportation. 
Much like human vision, the method allows for the detection of visible, partially occluded, and unseen objects in a single framework. Credit: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)

When artificial intelligence systems encounter scenes where objects are not fully visible, they have to make estimations based only on the visible parts of the objects. This partial information leads to detection errors, and large training data is required to correctly recognize such scenes. Now, researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a framework that allows robot vision to detect such objects successfully in the same way that we perceive them

Robotic vision has come a long way, reaching a level of sophistication with applications in complex and demanding tasks, such as autonomous driving and object manipulation. However, it still struggles to identify individual objects in cluttered scenes where some objects are partially or completely hidden behind others. Typically, when dealing with such scenes, robotic vision systems are trained to identify the occluded object based only on its visible parts. But such training requires large datasets of objects and can be pretty tedious.

Associate Professor Kyoobin Lee and Ph.D. student Seunghyeok Back from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Korea found themselves facing this problem when they were developing an artificial intelligence system to identify and sort objects in cluttered scenes. "We expect a robot to recognize and manipulate objects they have not encountered before or been trained to recognize. In reality, however, we need to manually collect and label data one by one as the generalizability of deep neural networks depends highly on the quality and quantity of the training dataset," says Mr. Back.

In a new study accepted at the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, a research team led by Prof. Lee and Mr. Back developed a model called "unseen object amodal instance segmentation" (UOAIS) for detecting occluded objects in cluttered scenes. To train the model in identifying object geometry, they developed a database containing 45,000 photorealistic synthetic images containing depth information. With this (limited) training data, the model was able to detect a variety of occluded objects. Upon encountering a cluttered scene, it first picked out the object of interest and then determines if the object is occluded by segmenting the object into a "visible mask" and an "amodal mask."

The researchers were excited by the results. "Previous methods are limited to either detecting only specific types of objects or detecting only the visible regions without explicitly reasoning over occluded areas. By contrast, our method can infer the hidden regions of occluded objects like a human vision system. This enables a reduction in data collection efforts while improving performance in a complex environment," comments Mr. Back.

To enable "occlusion reasoning" in their system, the researchers introduced a "hierarchical occlusion modeling" (HOM) scheme, which assigned a hierarchy to the combination of multiple extracted features and their prediction order. By testing their model against three benchmarks, they validated the effectiveness of the HOM scheme, which achieved state-of-the-art performance.

The researchers are hopeful about the future prospects of their method. "Perceiving unseen objects in a cluttered environment is essential for amodal robotic manipulation. Our UOAIS method could serve as a baseline on this front," says Mr. Back.

Explore further Machines that see the world more like humans do

More information: Seunghyeok Back et al, Unseen Object Amodal Instance Segmentation via Hierarchical Occlusion Modeling, arXiv:2109.11103 [cs.RO] Seunghyeok Back et al, Unseen Object Amodal Instance Segmentation via Hierarchical Occlusion Modeling, arXiv:2109.11103 [cs.RO] arxiv.org/abs/2109.11103

Provided by GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
A network of capillaries 3D-printed using a newly-developed technique. Credit: Hayes et al. 2022, Advanced Materials

Imagine a future in which you could 3D-print an entire robot or stretchy, electronic medical device with the press of a buttonno tedious hours spent assembling parts by hand.

That possibility may be closer than ever thanks to a recent advancement in 3D-printing technology led by engineers at CU Boulder. In a new study, the team lays out a strategy for using currently-available printers to create materials that meld solid and liquid componentsa tricky feat if you don't want your robot to collapse.

"I think there's a future where we could, for example, fabricate a complete system like a robot using this process," said Robert MacCurdy, senior author of the study and assistant professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering.

MacCurdy, along with doctoral students Brandon Hayes and Travis Hainsworth, published their results April 14 in the journal Additive Manufacturing.

3D printers have long been the province of hobbyists and researchers working in labs. They're pretty good at making plastic dinosaurs or individual parts for machines, such as gears or joints. But MacCurdy believes that they can do a lot more: By mixing solids and liquids, 3D printers could churn out devices that are more flexible, dynamic and potentially more useful. They include wearable electronic devices with wires made of liquid contained within solid substrates, or even models that mimic the squishiness of real human organs.

The engineer compares the advancement to traditional printers that print in color, not just black and white.

"Color printers combine a small number of primary colors to create a rich range of images," MaCurdy said. "The same is true with materials. If you have a printer that can use multiple kinds of materials, you can combine them in new ways and create a much broader range of mechanical properties."

Empty space

To understand those properties, it helps to compare 3D printers to the normal printers in your office. Paper printers create an image by laying down liquid inks in thousands of flat pixels. Inkjet 3D printers, in contrast, use a printhead to drop tiny beads of fluid, called "voxels" (a mash-up of "volume" and "pixel"), one on top of the other.

"Very soon after those droplets are deposited, they are exposed to a bright, ultraviolet light," MacCurdy said. "The curable liquids convert into solids within a second or less."

A spiraling pattern created by mixing solid and liquid 3D-printed materials. Credit: Hayes et al. 2022, Advanced Materials

But, he added, there are many cases in which you might want those liquids to stay liquid. Some engineers, for example, use liquids or waxes to create tiny channels within their solid materials, which they then empty out at a later point. It's a bit like how drips of water can carve out an underground cavern.

Engineers have come up with ways to make those kinds of empty spaces in 3D-printed parts, but it usually takes a lot of time and effort to clean them. The channels also have to stay relatively simple.

MacCurdy and his colleagues decided to find a way around those limitationsbetter understanding the conditions that would allow engineers to print solid and liquid materials at the same time.

Liquid courage

The researchers first designed a series of computer simulations that probed the physics of printing different kinds of materials next to each other. One of the big problems, MacCurdy said, is: "How can you keep your droplets of solid materials from mixing into the liquid materials, even when the droplets of solid material are printed directly on top of the liquid droplets?"

The team established a set of rules to help them do just that.

"We found that the surface tension of a liquid can be used to support solid material, but it is helpful to pick a liquid material that is more dense than the solid materialthe same physics that allow oil to float on top of water," Hayes said.

Next, the researchers experimented with a real 3D printer in the lab. They loaded the printer up with a curable polymer, or plastic (the solid), and with a standard cleaning solution (the liquid). Their creations were impressive: The group was able to 3D-print twisting loops of liquid and a complex network of channels not unlike the branching pathways in a human lung.

"Both structures would have been nearly impossible to make through previous approaches," Hainsworth said.

MacCurdy also recently joined a team of researchers from CU Boulder and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus who are developing ways to 3D-print realistic models of human tissue. Doctors could use these models to practice for procedures and make diagnoses. The project will employ MacCurdy's liquid-solid approach among other tools.

"We hope that our results will make multi-material inkjet 3D printing using liquids and solids more accessible to researchers and enthusiasts around the world," he said.

More information: Brandon Hayes et al, Liquid-solid co-printing of multi-material 3D fluidic devices via material jetting, Additive Manufacturing (2022). Journal information: Advanced Materials Brandon Hayes et al, Liquid-solid co-printing of multi-material 3D fluidic devices via material jetting,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.addma.2022.102785
The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History will have a free Earth Day celebration on Friday beginning at 6 p.m. with a presentation by Texas A&M University professor Miladin Radovic on the history of ceramics. The event will also include a farewell reception for departing museum employees Rebecca Ingram and Maddy Herron along with wine, appetizers, live music and a gallery viewing. The museum is at 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan.

TUESDAY

EVENTS

Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center on the Texas A&M University campus, 797 Olsen Blvd. in College Station. Email fapavolunteer@gmail.com for more information.

Brazos Valley Beekeepers Association monthly meeting, 6 to 9 p.m. at First Christian Church, 900 S. Ennis St. in Bryan. Youth program begins at 6 p.m.; general meeting at 7 p.m. The speaker will be Michelle Kerr-Pankonien, who will talk about bee nutrition and space management. bvbeeks.org.

Steel Magnolias auditions, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at StageCenter Community Theatre, 218 N. Bryan Ave. in Downtown Bryan. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Breakaway worship, 9 p.m. at Reed Arena on the Texas A&M campus. Students gather for worship and music. Everyone welcome. breakawayministries.org.

Comedy night, 8 to 10 p.m. at Stage 12 in Brookshire Brothers, 455 George Bush Drive in College Station.

Book Club at the Monastery, 10:30 a.m. at Middleway Urban Monastery, 309 N. Tabor Ave. in Bryan.

Brazos Valley Stitchers membership meeting, 7 to 9 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1200 Foxfire Drive in College Station. Everyone interested in the art of embroidery is invited. Topic Bring your own stitching project to work on.

Brazos County Senior Citizens Association activities, 1402 Bristol St. in Bryan. Dominoes at 9 a.m.; rubber bridge at 1 p.m.; Mexican Train dominoes at 1:30 p.m. No registration necessary. Performances will be June 9-25.

Tuesday Yoga, 6:15 p.m. at The Boathouse at Millican Reserve, 19851 F.M. 2154 in College Station. The session focuses on stability, core building and balance. All experience levels welcome. Free for members and $10 for non-members. millicanreserve.com/calendar.

English Conversation Circle, 2 to 3 p.m. at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway in College Station. Practice speaking English. All levels welcome. For more information, email handerson@bryantx.gov or call 209-6347.

Adult Anime Club, 5:30 p.m. at Larry J. Ringer Library, 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway in College Station. For adults who love anime. Contact Liz at earthur@bryantx.gov or 209-6347 for information.

Brazos Church Pantry food distribution, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 304 W. 26th St. in Bryan. brazoschurchpantry.org.

Business networking lunch, noon at Ozona Grill & Bar, 520 Harvey Road in College Station. Meet local professionals and make new connections. go.theeagle.com/bni.

South Brazos County Farmers Market, noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Baylor Scott & White Clinic parking lot off Glenhaven Drive in College Station.

The Local, 4 to 7 p.m. at Lake Walk Pavilion, 4107 Lake Atlas Drive in Bryan. Featuring artisans, farmers, producers and crafters from across the Brazos valley.

LIVE MUSIC

Karl Rehn, 7 to 9 p.m. at Luigis Patio Ristorante, 3975 Texas 6 in College Station.

North by North, Jasper, Skunk Money and Wisdom Cat, 8 p.m. at The 101, 101 S. Texas Ave. in Bryan.

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. On-site registration accepted. curative.com.

Blinn College, 651 Blinn Blvd. in Brenham, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 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. 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. For Texas A&M students, faculty and staff members. Appointments required.

SUPPORT GROUPS

NAMI Brazos Valley Mental Health family support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m., online and in person at 3705 S. College Ave. in Bryan. Free support group for loved ones of someone with mental health issues. Call 774-4713 for more information. Register at go.theeagle.com/namibv.

Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m. at Grace Bible Churchs Southwood campus, 1901 Harvey Mitchell Parkway in College Station. A 12-step Christian-based program to find freedom from shame, guilt, anger, depression and despair.

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.

Unexpected Treasures on the Texas A&M campus, through Friday at the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives. The exhibit includes rare and unique items from campus collections. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Throughout the Bryan school district on Monday, families of incoming kindergarteners learned about their students new schools and met some of the kindergarten teachers during the districts Kindergarten Roundup.

Each elementary school hosted two roundup sessions, one in the morning and a second in the afternoon.

At Houston Elementary School, kindergarten teacher Anne Murray and the school counselor Sylvia Luera gave families the ABCs of Kindergarten, including how students will be graded, the districts dress code and the importance of reading and writing and labeling coats and jackets with their students name.

I think just being able to prepare your child for kindergarten is such a good step because it is a big transition, Murray said. Even like just seeing the school can help your child feel more safe and secure. I think a child cannot learn without being safe and without being loved.

She said they can help with the safe aspect by allowing the families see the school and meet some of the teachers, and then the love comes once the students are in the classroom. The two combined help allow the students to excel.

Luera said seeing the school also could help alleviate some of the jitters the students may feel about going to the school.

Even if they have been in a school setting before, she said, moving to kindergarten means being around bigger kids  all the way up to fourth graders  and being in a much bigger building than what they are likely used to in preschool.

Incoming Houston Elementary kindergartener Luke Wolfe, 5, listened to Murrays presentation, played with some of the centers in the kindergarten classes and eagerly asked if he would get to do science experiments in kindergarten.

Murray assured him they would be doing experiments, saying they are studying plants now.

Lukes mom, Anna, said he goes to the Becky Gates Childrens Center for preschool and loves everything about school.

This to him is like finally becoming a big kid, she said.

She said the schools playground is one of her sons favorites to play on, so they saw Mondays roundup event as a good opportunity to see the inside of the school and let him get acquainted with the school he will be in beginning this fall.

Wolfe said it makes it a bit more real to see inside the school and the places where her son will be throughout the day once he starts the 2022-2023 school year.

You like to know who is interacting with your kids on a daily basis, so to have a chance to meet with the teachers and get a little sense of the routine thats going to be a part of his everyday life also helps me just sort of imagine what our lives will be like for the next year and beyond really because hell be here for a few years, she said.

The school staff also encouraged the families to make sure to register their student so they can begin planning for the right number of kindergarten classes.

The preview of kindergarten, Luera said, also helps families make a plan to ensure their student knows their names  rather than a variation of mom and dad  and can perform tasks independently, including being able to fasten their shoes and button their clothes.

The more prepared we are, the more success well have. Thats our goal, she said.

The families who attended the roundup sessions were given yard signs also to celebrate their new kindergartener and were encouraged to use the sign in any first-day pictures they post on social media.

The first day of the 2022-2023 school year school is scheduled for Aug. 16.

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Local Vietnam veteran Gary Solomon salutes the flag during a recent ceremony at the Franklin County Veterans Memorial Park honoring local soldiers who served their country in Southeast Asia..JPG
TEHRAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Tuesday condemned the twin suicide bombings outside a school in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, urging Afghan authorities to identify and punish those behind the "act of terror."

Those anti-religious perpetrators did not even show respect for the holy month of Ramadan, he said on Twitter.

The Iranian Embassy in Afghanistan also condemned the "terrorist" attack, saying the bombing has killed and wounded many Afghan Muslims who were fasting, including innocent children, the embassy said on its Twitter account.

Meanwhile, the Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said targeting innocent children in the holy month of Ramadan once again showed terrorists' real criminal nature.

At least six people were killed and 11 wounded in twin suicide bombings on Tuesday morning outside Abdul Rahim Shahid school in the Shiite-dominated west of the city.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Previous attacks on school and educational centers in the area were claimed by Islamic State hardliner outfit. 
Three high-impact Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) security vulnerabilities have been discovered impacting various Lenovo consumer laptop models, enabling malicious actors to deploy and execute firmware implants on the affected devices.

Tracked as CVE-2021-3970, CVE-2021-3971, and CVE-2021-3972, the latter two "affect firmware drivers originally meant to be used only during the manufacturing process of Lenovo consumer notebooks," ESET researcher Martin Smolar said in a report published today.

"Unfortunately, they were mistakenly included also in the production BIOS images without being properly deactivated," Smolar added.

Successful exploitation of the flaws could permit an attacker to disable SPI flash protections or Secure Boot, effectively granting the adversary the ability to install persistent malware that can survive system reboots.

CVE-2021-3970, on the other hand, relates to a case of memory corruption in the System Management Mode (SMM) of the firm, leading to the execution of malicious code with the highest privileges.

The three flaws were reported to the PC maker on October 11, 2021, following which patches were issued on April 12, 2022. A summary of the three flaws as described by Lenovo is below -

CVE-2021-3970  A potential vulnerability in LenovoVariable SMI Handler due to insufficient validation in some Lenovo Notebook models may allow an attacker with local access and elevated privileges to execute arbitrary code.

CVE-2021-3971  A potential vulnerability by a driver used during older manufacturing processes on some consumer Lenovo Notebook devices that was mistakenly included in the BIOS image could allow an attacker with elevated privileges to modify the firmware protection region by modifying an NVRAM variable.

CVE-2021-3972  A potential vulnerability by a driver used during manufacturing process on some consumer Lenovo Notebook devices that was mistakenly not deactivated may allow an attacker with elevated privileges to modify secure boot setting by modifying an NVRAM variable.

The weaknesses, which impact Lenovo Flex; IdeaPads; Legion; V14, V15, and V17 series; and Yoga laptops, add to the disclosure of as many as 50 UEFI firmware vulnerabilities in Insyde Software's InsydeH2O, HP, and Dell since the start of the year.

Included in the list are six severe flaws in HP's firmware affecting laptops and desktops that, if successfully exploited, could allow attackers to locally escalate to SMM privileges and trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.

"UEFI threats can be extremely stealthy and dangerous," Smolar said. "They are executed early in the boot process, before transferring control to the operating system, which means that they can bypass almost all security measures and mitigations higher in the stack that could prevent their OS payloads from being executed."
A 24-year-old man under the influence of alcohol was arrested early Sunday after he allegedly fled from police, almost hitting a patrol vehicle and running several red lights.

Shortly after 1 a.m., Grand Island Police Department officers observed a vehicle turn sharply at a high rate of speed near Third and Pine streets. After the vehicle nearly hit their marked patrol vehicle, the driver then fled from officers, who had their overhead lights activated.

After running several red lights, the same vehicle fled from another officer at Fourth and Eddy. That police vehicle also had its overhead lights activated.

When apprehended, the driver, Luis Castro, was found to be under the influence of alcohol, according to the GIPD Monday media report.

Police say Castro refused to provide a preliminary breath test and did not have a valid operators license.

He also had marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle, according to the GIPD media report.

Castro was arrested for two counts of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, first-offense driving under the influence, refusal to be tested, having no operators license, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Castros address is listed as Plainview, Texas, but GIPD says he has spent time in Grand Island.
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Who really climbed Everest first? Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary did it in 1953, but George Mallory (right) and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine perished in an attempt in 1924. The key question is, did they die on the way up or the way down? Whether they summited before dying has long been one of the greatest mysteries in mountaineering.

It's been speculated that the answer could be contained in a missing camera they carried with them. It was one of various models called a Vest Pocket Kodak (VPK), a folding camera made from 1912 to 1926 that was among the first to use 127 film. If they reached the top, surely they would have commemorated it with triumphant photographs of themselves celebrating. Mallory's body was finally found in 1999, which caused a sensation. But Sandy Irvine's remains were not foundand neither was the VPK.

Mark Synnott is a mountaineer and author who participated in an expedition to search for Sandy Irvine in 2019...a search that failed. And there might be a reason why. He thinks there's evidence that Chinese climbers found and retrieved Irvine's body, and perhaps the VPK. The first ascent of Everest's North Face is a treasured national feat in China, and if the VPK showed that Mallory and Irvine did it first, it would rob their nation of that accomplishment. Synnott speculates that the Chinese could have found the VPK and that Chinese technicians either bungled the development of the film or that the Chinese government is suppressing the discovery to preserve national honor. Either way, if they did find Irvine, they're keeping it a secret. Mark Synnott has written a book about the mystery called The Third Pole. (Outside magazine said, "If youre only going to read one Everest book this decade, make it The Third Pole...a riveting adventure."*)

Salon has Mark's short article giving the outlines of the mystery....

Mike

*I'm "scared of heights" and the highest mountain I've climbed is The Gonzen at 1,829m in the Appenzell Alps in Switzerland (Everest is 8,848m). Armchair adventure is enough for me now. The linked article is a good read. If you're not up for it, maybe have a listen to Tennessee comedian Nate Bargatze's take on his personal Mount Everest. Less than a minute of your time. (I'm a fan of clean standup. Nate's Dad was a clown for the first dozen years of his life, and his recent album has a great title: Yelled At by a Clown.)

Book of Interest:

Hank O'Neal, Ed., A Vision Shared: A Portrait of America 19351943 (Steidl, 2019). The reissue of the best overall survey of the work of the FSA photographers of the 1930s. Every public and school library should have a copy, for one thing. Thanks to Andy Moursund for turning me on to this book many years ago. Originally published in 1976 by St. Martin's Press.



The book link above is a portal to Amazon.

Link to B&H Photo

Original contents copyright 2020 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)

Featured Comments from:

Mueller Alois: Dear all, I live for ten years at the base of Mount Gonzen (Sargans), and have yet to be at the peak and have a look down."

Nick Vincent: "It's precisely the (sub)plot of the French animated film (or anime, rather, as it was adapted from a manga by Jiro Taniguchi). It's called Le Sommet des Dieux (Summit Of The Gods) and was released last year. It should be available on Netflix by now. Here's the link to the Wikipedia article."
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 91F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a warning that COVID-19 case rates are slowly rising in many areas of the state.

Officials say members of the public should be paying close attention to conditions in their local communities and staying up-to-date on their vaccination status.

While hospitalizations and deaths tied to COVID-19 remain stable at this time, we are seeing a slow increase in cases in many areas of the state, Acting IDPH Director Amaal Tokars said in a news release. This is a reminder that we all need to remain vigilant and remain up to date on our vaccination status. This is especially important for those who are at higher risk for serious outcomes.

On April 14, IDPH reported 14,049 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 45 deaths since April 8.

The week before, IDPH reported 10,786 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, including 71 deaths since April 1.

Even with slowly climbing case rates, most of the state remains at low levels of cases.

If you look at the landing page on the IDPH website, only one county, Champaign, is listed in the medium category  all others are currently colored green, meaning they are in the low category, Michael Caffey, public information officer of IDPH, said.

State health officials are stressing the following precautions, which are critically important for those who are at high risk for serious illness:

 Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on recommended booster shots.

 If you are in an area with rising COVID-19 infections, wear a mask if entering indoor spaces with other people present.

 Stick to well-ventilated areas if you are not wearing a mask indoors around other people.

 If you feel flu-like symptoms, self-isolate and stay home from work and social gatherings. Obtain a test as quickly as possible.

 If you test positive, talk to your provider immediately so you can get COVID-19 treatment within five days of starting to feel sick. Share your positive result with anyone you have been in close contact within two days of falling ill or testing positive.

 Frequently wash your hands and cover coughs and sneezes.

Vaccination is the most effective tool to fight the virus. It is easy to find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you by either calling your local health provider or visiting www.vaccines.gov.

The CDC has authorized a second booster dose at least four months after the first booster dose. This includes for over 50 years of age and people who are immunocompromised (have a poor ability to fight infections) over 12 years old.

IDPH has adopted new federal guidelines for tracking COVID-19 at the community level.

As a result of these new guidelines, testing providers will no longer be required to report some negative tests and IDPH will therefore no longer report test and case positivity.

In addition to adopting new CDC guidelines, IDPH is bolstering the data on its COVID-19 dashboard to provide additional information to help communities respond to changes in the course of the virus.

The state of Illinois remains strongly positioned to respond to a new COVID-19 surge with more than 1.5 million rapid tests on hand and a half a million more on the way, officials have said.

In addition, hospitals, schools and long term care facilities have been urged to increase their testing capacity.

For more information, go to: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html or a new federal website, https://www.covid.gov/.

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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for Williamson Energy LLC for its Pond Creek Mine No. 1.

On April 15, 2022, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA, IEPA, or Agency) approved a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for Williamson Energy, LLC Pond Creek Mine No. 1, documents show.

Public notice for a draft NPDES permit was given July 12, 2019 and placed on the Illinois EPA public notice webpage.

IEPA required changes to the draft NPDES permit in its final decision.

Some of those changes include the following.

Installing and operating a 1-million gallon per day reverse osmosis unit by Dec. 31, 2023. Reverse Osmosis permeate (treated water) will discharge through outfalls 001 through 008. The RO reject will discharge through outfall 011 into the Big Muddy.

Some outfalls have been removed due to the status of Pond Creek.

Changes conditions for monitoring chloride, iron and sulfate in the water.

Includes mussel survey and a macroinvertebrate survey approximately one year after initial discharge of the RO reject.

Sets the limits for chemicals released into the water.

Sets the conditions for monitoring the Big Muddy River downstream from Outfall 011.

Andrew Rehn, water resources engineer with Prairie Rivers Network, said the NDPDES permit is improved from Williamson Energys original application.

The permit was improved because of the huge turnout Dec. 18, Rehn said.

A public hearing on the application was Dec. 18, 2019, at Rent One Park in Marion with approximately 185 people attending.

Rehn said that sort of public engagement improved the permit.

Illinois EPA held this hearing for the purpose of receiving comments on the draft permit prior to taking final action on the permit application.

Still, he calls the total permit a mixed bag.

The treated water will be discharged into Pond Creek. The rejected reverse osmosis water will go into a refuse disposal area to dilute the concentration of chemicals. The diluted water will be discharged directly into the Big Muddy. Rehn said it will have to hit the equation listed in the permit.

Prairie Rivers Network and the Sierra Club will monitor the situation.

Were going to have to watchdog and make sure were doing right, Rehn said.

Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens is disappointed but respects the process. The Big Muddy River runs through a part of Murphysboro.

I still think its a bad idea and will continue to monitor the situation closely, Stephens said.

Murphysboro residents Cameron Smith and Jan Thomas were disheartened to learn IEPA issued the permit that will disrupt the aquatic ecosystems and harm properties along the Big Muddy.

Although their property is not on the river, floodwaters flow onto their land several times a year, where they are creating a sanctuary for native plants and wildlife. They are concerned that added salinity will harm the plants and wildlife they are protecting.

A press release from the Sierra Club Illinois and Prairie Rivers Network said the permit will allow the coal mine, which is notorious for its inability to adhere to its permits, to discharge millions of gallons of mine water with very high levels of chlorides and sulfates per day through a 12.5-mile pipeline into the Big Muddy River. Along with local activists, they object to the permit and are considering an appeal.

Rehn said they are still reviewing the 79-page document and dont have a full analysis yet.

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DAMASCUS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- It's time to expose the crimes of the U.S.-led coalition in killing thousands of civilians in Syria's northern Raqqa province by airstrikes and shelling, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Monday night.

In a statement, the ministry said that the U.S.-led coalition must be held accountable for the "war crimes" committed in Raqqa, the former de-facto capital of the Islamic State, in 2017.

"The U.S. military operation launched by the coalition forces on Raqqa between June and October 2017 led to the almost complete destruction of the city and the extermination of thousands of civilians whose bodies were buried under the rubble," the statement read.

It added that such practices are among the most heinous crimes which deserve more attention from the international community.

The extent of the damage to infrastructure, private and public properties, and the number of casualties testified that the United States and its allies perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the ministry.

"Syria reserves its right in holding governments of states that were involved with the U.S.-led coalition the political, moral, and legal responsibility for the crimes perpetrated by the military forces and for the losses and damage that affected the private and public properties," it said. 
An attorney is asking an appeals court to review Bowen Gray Turners sentence for first-degree assault and battery.

Turner, 19, of Orangeburg, pleaded guilty on April 8.

Circuit Judge Markley Dennis sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years, suspended to five years of probation. The probation term may not be shortened.

The S.C. Law Enforcement Division originally charged him with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, but he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge instead.

Turner was 16 when he assaulted 17-year-old Chloe Bess outside the site of a party in Orangeburg County on June 2, 2019.

Bess attorney, Sarah Ford, of the S.C. Victim Assistance Network, filed a notice of appeal on Monday. The network represents the accusers in incidents.

Ford claims an appeals court needs to review Turners sentence because Bess wasnt allowed to have her statement meaningfully considered prior to the courts consideration of Turners proposed guilty plea.

The attorney alleges the court refused to consider a motion to enforce victims rights, as protected by the S.C. Constitution.

Ford also claims the court refused to sign her paperwork seeking information on why Turners alleged bond violations werent reported.

Court records show over 50 alleged violations between November 2021 and February 2022 alone, based on his GPS monitoring device.

Bess, through her attorney, Ford, filed a pre-hearing motion asking the court to take Turner into custody due to the alleged bond violations.

Ford claims the court refused to take the motion into consideration.

At the start of Turners hearing on April 8, Dennis addressed Ford, saying that she shouldve filed her motions four days before the hearing instead of three.

In her filing on Monday, Ford said, there is no known rule addressing the time requirements of the pre-sentencing motions she filed.

An attempt to reach Turners attorney, state Sen. Brad Hutto, for comments about Fords appeal on Monday wasnt returned by press time.

Turner was out on bond on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct when he assaulted Bess.

He was accused of assaulting 17-year-old Dallas Hayes Stoller at a party in Bamberg County on Oct. 7, 2018.

Stollers family said she died following a self-inflicted injury on Nov. 14, 2021 in Bluffton.

The 2nd Circuit Solicitors Office dropped Turners charge in that case due to Stollers death.

Turner must serve a true five-year probation while also adhering to the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services conditions for sex offenders.

In Dennis sentencing of Turner, he stipulated that if Turner violates any of those conditions during his five-year probation, hes required to register as a sex offender.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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Former Bamberg County councilman Kerry Trent Kinard has been released on bond while he awaits trial on multiple state sex charges.

Kinard posted his $75,000 surety bond and was released on Thursday, according to the Bamberg County Detention Center.

Kinard had been in prison in a federal gun charge. He completed his federal sentence at the Loretto Correctional Institution in Loretto, Pennsylvania.

The 51-year-old has since been returned to Bamberg County while he awaits trial on the state charges.

As part of his bond conditions, Circuit Judge Eugene Griffith Jr. ordered Kinard to wear a GPS monitor at all times and live at 363 Smoak St., the home of Kinards late father.

Griffith also ordered Kinard to pay for the GPS monitoring expenses.

He stipulated that Kinard may only leave the home for work, religious services, medical treatment and legal obligations.

Other bond conditions include:

 No direct or indirect contact with his accusers or their families, except as required by Bamberg County Family Court.

 No use of social media.

 Use of internet is allowable to receive information he can only communicate on the internet through email.

 No use of pseudonyms or fictional names while using the internet.

 Continued mental health and drug abuse treatment.

 Complying with all treatment deemed medically necessary. He must provide regular status reports on his treatment, upon request.

Kinard is awaiting trial on the following Bamberg County charges: first-degree assault and battery, second-degree attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor under age 16, committing or attempting to commit a lewd act upon a child under age 16, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor between the ages of 11 and 14 and two counts each of criminal solicitation of a minor, dissemination of obscene material to a person under 18 years of age and first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 11 years old.

Hes also facing Jasper County charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and dissemination of obscene material to a person under 18 and committing lewd acts upon a child under 16.

This isnt the first time Kinards been out on bond while wearing a GPS monitor.

He was first taken into custody on state charges on Sept. 25, 2020. Circuit Judge Clifton Newman set bond on Kinard on Oct. 27, 2020. He ordered Kinard to wear a GPS monitor.

While out on bond, Kinard attempted to purchase a firearm from Sportsmans Warehouse in Columbia on Dec. 2, 2020.

Kinard lied on the firearm purchasing application.

On Feb. 2, 2021, Newman revoked Kinards bond.

Then on April 1, 2021, Kinard pleaded guilty to one of the two federal charges he faced. Federal prosecutors dismissed the other charge as part of his plea agreement.

Kinard remained in state custody until U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced him on Oct. 20, 2021 to 18 months in federal prison.

Kinard completed his federal prison term on March 15. Hes currently serving three years of federal supervised release.

He remained in state custody until he posted bond this past Thursday. Griffith signed the order granting bond on April 8.

If Kinard is convicted on his most severe charges, he faces up to life in prison.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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An Orangeburg County home was damaged by fire last week, according to the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross is helping the two residents of the Caesar Court home by providing financial assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing and shelter, along with referrals to much-needed resources.
South Carolina State Universitys Visual Arts Program is presenting the 50th annual Student Art Exhibition at the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium on the university campus through May 6.

An opening reception and awards ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, from 5-6:30 p.m.

The exhibit will be available for viewing by appointment each week Monday through Thursday 2-4 p.m. Please contact Dr. Frank Martin to make an appointment to view the exhibitions: Phone: 803-536-7174 or email: fmartin@scsu.edu.

Studio arts majors are encouraged to participate in the annual exhibition, providing them with opportunity to present their works publicly. Non-art majors at SC State are also encouraged to submit their work.

The annual student exhibition provides an opportunity for the faculty, staff, alumni and students of SC State, as well as all interested members of the community, to recognize, support and celebrate the creativity of the burgeoning young artists within the University program.

John Wright, a former SC State and Benedict University professor, has served as exhibition juror, and he selected works for the inclusion in the exhibition. He has enjoyed a distinguished career both as a contemporary visual artist and as a professor. Mr. Wright received a Master of Arts degree in art education, a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine art from the University of South Carolina (USC), and an Associate of Arts in studio art from USC Salkehatchie. Wright recently retired from the world of university academia to return to his roots in rural Hampton County where he teaches art to elementary and middle school students. A member of the Hampton County Arts Council and board chairman for Hampton Friends of the Arts, Wright serves as the curator for both of Hampton's public galleries, The Stanley Arts Center and The Palmetto Gallery.

The Visual Arts Program functions within the purview of the College of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences under the oversight of Dr. Evelyn Fields, Dean of the College, in coordination with the efforts of the chair of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts, Dr. Tolulope Filani. The Visual Arts program coordinator is Professor of Drawing and Painting Kim LeDee, accompanied by Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Sculpture & 3D Design Alexander Thierry, Assistant Professor of Digital Media Martin Lang, Assistant Professor of Photography Maggie OHara, Director of the I.P Stanback Museum Frank Martin and Fine Arts Building Curator and Assistant Professor of Printmaking Ian Welch.

The exhibitions planning and installation is directed by Welch.

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The federal government will include one-third fewer Wyoming tracts than anticipated in the first oil and gas lease sale of the Biden presidency  about 28% of the 459 parcels analyzed across the state last fall.

A total of 129 offerings containing about 131,771 acres of public minerals will be available for leasing in Wyoming on June 21 and 22, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said Monday. Roughly another 44 parcels will be up for sale in seven other Western states.

The sale, originally scheduled for the first quarter of 2022, was postponed due to a since-reversed court order barring the Biden administration from using its estimate of climate harm to inform decisions about leasing. Its now set for the final days of the second quarter  nearly a year and a half after the administrations announcement that it would suspend new oil and gas leasing on federal lands until the program could be reviewed and reformed.

Comparatively, in 2019, before COVID-19 caused interest in leasing to temporarily plummet, the Trump BLM included 160 Wyoming parcels in its second-quarter sale notice.

Public comment on the upcoming sale will be accepted through May 18.

Oil prices soared this year. Wyoming production didn't. Here's why. Even in the best of times, boosting production takes a while. But these are not the best of times for the oil industry.

Reactions from interest groups to the Biden administrations announcement Friday that the BLM would resume leasing, but reduce the total number of leases substantially, ran the gamut from enthusiasm to outrage. The details, released late Monday, didnt change overall reception much.

To some conservation groups, the decreased number of potential leases and higher royalty rate of 18.75%  the first time in more than a century that the BLM has set the royalty for new leases above the federal minimum of 12.5%  was a victory.

Its high time to halt the underpriced giveaway of federal lands and mineral resources and reframe leasing to better serve American taxpayers, state treasuries, public land users, and the millions of citizens suffering accelerating harm from climate change, Bob LeResche, a Powder River Basin Resource Council board member, said in a statement.

The Wyoming Outdoor Council, Taxpayers for Common Sense and other groups also advocating for a higher royalty rate celebrated the long-overdue announcement.

But to the conservation groups that want federal oil and gas leasing to end, the news felt like a betrayal.

The Biden administrations claim that it must hold these lease sales is pure fiction and a reckless failure of climate leadership, Randi Spivak, public lands director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. Its as if theyre ignoring the horror of firestorms, floods and megadroughts, and accepting climate catastrophes as business as usual.

The Sierra Club criticized the move, calling it a handout to oil companies. Jeremy Nichols, climate and energy program director for WildEarth Guardians, said it was pure climate denial.

Federal oil and gas leasing to resume The Biden administration announced Friday that it will offer a curtailed set of leases at a higher royalty rate. Leasing has been paused since President Biden took office.

Meanwhile, to an oil and gas industry already angered by the yearlong pause on leasing, the reduction came as yet another blow  one that is, according to Western Energy Alliance president Kathleen Sgamma, unwarranted.

In Wyoming, where nearly half of the land and more of the minerals are federally owned, industry is especially nervous about whether, and how significantly, the changes could affect companies willingness to drill.

Ryan McConnaughey, director of communications for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, said reducing the number of available leases and raising the federal royalty rate is going to put Wyoming in a difficult position.

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BAGHDAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraq said on Tuesday that the Turkish military operation in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region is a threat to Iraq's national security and a violation of its sovereignty.

The latest Turkish military operation into the Iraqi frontier without coordinating with the Iraqi federal government is unacceptable, said a statement by the Presidency.

The pending security issues in the border areas could be resolved through further coordination between the two countries and the Iraqi sovereignty must be respected, it added.

On Monday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in a statement that the Turkish forces launched a new ground and air cross-border operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.

Turkish forces regularly carry out ground operations, airstrikes, and artillery bombardments against the positions of PKK militants in northern Iraq, especially the Qandil mountain range, where the main PKK bases are stationed.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. 
The Casper police are likely getting a new home this year.

The department is looking to move its headquarters to the eight-story Casper Business Center, a large office building about a block south of its current office, City Manager Carter Napier confirmed on Tuesday.

Mayor Ray Pacheco is expected to call a special city council meeting next week to discuss the sale, Napier said. Theyll have details on the price of the building at that time.

The building, on West First Street, is owned by Wyoming Financial Properties.

Police now share the Hall of Justice on David Street with the Natrona County Sheriffs Office, and have long complained of a lack of adequate space.

City Manager Carter Napier previously told the Star-Tribune the buildings sale should hopefully be done by the end of the calendar year.

Bob Moberly of WERCS, the parent company of Wyoming Financial, declined to comment on the potential sale Tuesday.

The final purchase agreement, with the agreed-upon sale amount, will have to be approved by the city council before the sale is made final. Then, there will be renovations done before police can move in.

Now, the business center is home to several offices and is attached to a covered parking garage that Napier said will also be part of the sale.

Police spokesperson Rebekah Ladd said the department outgrew their rented space in the first floor and basement of the Hall of Justice years and years ago, and that the building wasnt built to support the advanced technology the department is using these days.

Casper police lease several other buildings across town, including their dispatch center and evidence warehouse, which Ladd said they hope to bring under one roof in the new space. She declined to confirm the potential location of the new headquarters on Tuesday.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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Casper to lift its mask mandate on city buses

Masks are now optional on Casper buses after a federal judge in Florida struck down the national transportation mandate Monday.

We have notified all of our drivers that masks are no longer required. They are optional, Casper Community Development Director Liz Becher said in a text Tuesday.

The judges ruling, which found the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had exceeded its authority in extending the mandate through May 3, leaves local transit agencies to decide whether to continue to require masks for their passengers and employees.

The federal mandate had been set to expire on Monday before the extension.

Following the ruling, Becher said Monday that the Casper buses were waiting for direction from the Federal Transit Administration, which funds the service.

Since taking over transit operations from a contractor last year, Casper runs both fixed-route and on-demand bus services in the city and surrounding areas.

The buses were one of the only remaining places in the county to require masking, as the majority of businesses and public buildings removed their mandates when the states expired last March.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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Emergency room visits for Montanans with health insurance through Medicaid expansion declined each year they were enrolled in the program, a new report commissioned by the Montana Healthcare Foundation found. That could be good news for Wyoming, which is still on the fence about expanding its Medicaid program.

Montana expanded Medicaid through the 2015 Health and Economic Livelihood (HELP) Act. The states legislature voted to continue expansion in 2019. Legislators will decide in 2025, when the current version of Montanas Medicaid expires, if they want to continue the program. Now, more than 278,000 Montanans are insured through Medicaid, the report states.

Among individuals enrolled in Medicaid through Montanas expansion between 2016 and 2020, the number who used the emergency room declined by about 14% between their first and second year in the program, the report says. Emergency room visits for preventable dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease also declined by more than a third over a three-year period.

Access to preventative care might be driving these decreases; the report states that more than 55,000 expansion enrollees accessed preventative services in 2020. In the same year, more than 31,000 enrollees used mental health services, over 5,000 got substance use disorder treatments and those with chronic illnesses visited specialists increasingly.

The Wyoming Legislature is hesitant to expand Medicaid, the jointly funded federal-state program that began in 1965. Its meant to provide affordable health insurance for low-income and medically needy people. Every state has some version of the program.

The 2010 Affordable Care Act required states to expand their Medicaid programs to cover more people with higher incomes. But the Supreme Court ruled mandatory expansion to be unconstitutional, so it became optional. Most states have chosen to expand anyway. Wyoming is one of 12 that hasnt. The state has yet to find some kind of alternative to expansion that enough people can get on board with.

Wyomings current eligibility criteria for the Medicaid program are also fairly strict.

Wyomingites dont automatically qualify for Medicaid if they earn below a certain income. They also have to fall under other criteria  like being a family caretaker or being on supplemental security income, for example. Some of these categories are tied to income thresholds that are well below the federal poverty level, while others have income requirements that are above it. Wyomingites who earn less than 100% of the federal poverty level dont qualify for federal financial assistance to buy private insurance.

Challenges for getting affordable health insurance compounded with expensive health care costs in Wyoming result in people who cant pay for care. When people cant afford to pay for care, that cost is absorbed or passed along by Wyoming hospitals to the tune of about $110 million to $125 million dollars annually.

Emergency department visits are expensive, so the decrease in these visits among Montanas Medicaid expansion enrollees might add some points to the option of expansion in Wyoming.

But Wyoming isnt Montana, and just because its northern neighbor has seen a decrease in emergency department visits doesnt mean that Wyoming also would if it expanded Medicaid.

In fact, the Wyoming Department of Health highlighted a study in its 2022 Medicaid expansion enrollment and cost projections report that showed the opposite effect in Oregon.

The study found that health care utilization  including emergency room visits  increased overall among newly enrolled Medicaid recipients.

At the same time, the Oregon study also found that Medicaid coverage lowered medical debt and almost completely eliminated catastrophic medical expenditures for these people.

And another study that the health department highlighted found what appeared to be a correlation between increased health insurance enrollments and decreased mortality rates among 45 to 64 year olds.

That study looked at 3.9 million random individuals who were paying a penalty for not having health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The Internal Revenue Service mailed these people to encourage them to enroll in health insurance. The study found that every 87 letters sent increased insurance coverage among this group by about one year. The researchers also estimated a reduction of one death over the following two years for every 1,648 people who were sent the letter.

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SHERIDAN  Local and statewide snow and water content data warn of continued drought conditions, particularly in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, despite last weeks snowfall.

Conservationists and emergency personnel in Sheridan County are preparing for drought  and its frequent companion, fires  this summer.

The Wyoming State Climate Office and U.S. Department of Agriculture collect snow and water content data in basins throughout Wyoming. District Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Services local district Andrew Cassiday explained these data can come from snow courses, in which researchers use probes to collect tubes of snow-water in the same location over time, or snotels, rubber bladders that relay snow-water levels via satellite.

On April 1, snowpack snow-water content remained below median levels throughout the Bighorn Mountains, Cassiday said. Tongue River drainage averaged 84% of median snow-water levels, about four-fifths of snow-water levels observed last year, Cassidays April 1 snowpack report indicates.

Meanwhile, Clear Creek drainage in the southern Bighorns averaged about 90% of median snow-water levels, about three-quarters of snow-water levels observed last year.

These snow-water levels were not great but not catastrophic, Cassiday explained; theyre neither significantly better nor worse than past years.

Were at a definite in-between, Cassiday said.

The past week of snow has increased snowpack in many areas of the state  including Sheridan County  but snow-water levels throughout Wyoming remain well below the median, Wyoming State Climate Office Hydrologist Jim Fahey announced in an updated report Friday.

Wyomings snow-water content averaged 78% of median, a decrease from 2021 (86% of median) and 2020 (110% of median), Fahey indicated.

As of April 12, the Tongue River basin had reached 91% of median snow-water levels, one of just three basins in Wyoming above 90% of median snow-water levels, Faheys report indicates.

Most basins in Wyoming are between 70% and 89% of median levels, including the Powder River basin, which encompasses much of eastern Sheridan, Johnson and Campbell counties and was at 86% of median snow-water levels April 12.

This time in 2021 and 2020, snow-water levels in the Tongue River and Powder River basins were well above 100% of median.

Faheys report states the Belle Fourche and Cheyenne River basins in the far eastern part of Wyoming have experienced the lowest snow-water levels in the state this year, at just 61% and 51% of the median, respectively, so far this year.

Especially in Sheridan County, this data has one major caveat, Cassiday said: It offers little indication of climatic realities at elevations below 5,000 feet, where snow remains on the ground for shorter periods. As a result, the data offer limited insight about the status of the eastern two-thirds of the county.

However, Cassiday said eastern Sheridan County remains generally much drier than the countys drier-than-usual western half.

There is good and bad news heading into the summer heat for Sheridan County residents.

The good news is flooding is unlikely this summer, Cassiday said.

Flooding can damage human homes and infrastructure, Cassiday explained, but it can also wreak havoc on the natural world, causing erosion and carrying pathogen loads into streams and rivers.

Sheridan County Emergency Management Coordinator Jesse Ludikhuize said the county is closely monitoring the possibility of flooding  which would most likely occur in towns on the Tongue River like Dayton and Ranchester as well as other areas near water  but is not too concerned about flooding this year, according to the National Weather Service.

Just in case flooding does occur, Ludikhuize said the county has established free sandbag stations throughout Sheridan County, including one at the fairgrounds. Residents are welcome to fill and take home sandbags, Ludikhuize said; all they have to do is bring a shovel.

The bad news about this years low snow-water content is drought and the possibility of associated fires.

Rain and snowfall in the next month or two will be essential for rangeland forage growth, Cassiday explained. The amount of water will determine the amount of hillside plant growth for livestock and wildlife to consume. Although less growth would mean less vegetation for potential grass fires, a dry spring will be harmful, particularly in the eastern half of Sheridan County.

It has been terribly dry there for two summers already, and it looks a lot like its not going to change, Cassiday said.

In response to this drought, officials across Wyoming are getting into fire season mode, Ludikhuize said. Cassiday explained dry springs and autumns have extended the local fire season in recent years.

Weve seen in the past five or 10 years that we still worry about fire even into September (and) October, Cassiday said.

In Sheridan County, Ludikhuize said preparing for fire season means establishing an evacuation plan for Story, which is the community in the county at the highest risk of fire. The county has an evacuation plan in place for the town and recently received approval from the Wyoming Department of Transportation to put up signs to indicate evacuation routes.

Ludikhuize recommended county residents assemble emergency preparedness kits, including a weeks worth of supplies for each household resident. Additional fire and other emergency information is available at sheridancounty.com/depts/emergency-management.

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AS INFLATION rates climb throughout the Caribbean, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Cleviston Haynes is cautious about wage adjustments to match it.

A wage adjustment to match inflation is really not the first best option for us, Haynes said at an inflation discussion hosted by the Central Bank of Barbados on Thursday night.
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SOME assault victims are choosing to profit from their situations by making deals with cri
KABUL, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The war-weary Kabul residents once again were shocked by twin blasts that targeted a school in Dasht-e-Barchi area in Police District 18 as six persons, obviously school children, were killed and 11 others injured on Tuesday.

The twin blasts took place at 10:00 a.m. local time. According to locals, the first blast occurred outside the school when the students were coming out and the second blast came when people gathered to help the injured ones from the first blast.

Confirming the deadly incidents, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said on his twitter account "In the two blasts that happened next to Abdul Rahim Shahid school at 10:00 a.m. local time today in Police District 18, six countrymen were martyred and 11 others sustained injury."

The victims, according to Zadran, belonged to the Shiite Muslims, a major religious minority sect living in the war-torn Afghanistan.

However, eyewitnesses without giving their names said that three blasts occurred and two of them targeted Abdul Rahim Shahid and the third blast attacked Mumtaz learning course.

The number of casualties, according to the eyewitnesses, is higher than reported as more than 22 injured persons have been taken to hospital.

The blasts indicated continuation of instability in Afghanistan, Kabul resident Abdul Azim told Xinhua.

Azim said the war in his country was practically over with the collapse of the U.S.-backed government and the pull-out of foreign forces in August last year.

However, Azim believed continuation of militancy in the form of bomb blasts means insecurity in the country.

"Targeting Shiite community clearly speaks of enemies' conspiracy to keep on conflict in the country," an eyewitness said, declining to be named.

School and educational centers had in the past been attacked in Dasht-e-Barchi area and the hardliner Daesh or Islamic State outfit claimed responsibility.

Condemning the twin blasts, Kabul residents have urged the government to take measures to ensure security of citizens. 
Dotdash Merediths Food & Wine: Dotdash Merediths Food & Wine named the seven most exciting up-and-coming big American cities for food lovers right now, and Tucson made the list. The cities were chosen based on their creativity, innovation, diversity and deliciousness, said Food & Wine Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis, who said he ate his weight in tacos and filled a carry-on bag with Monsoon chocolate bars, pizza flour from Barrio Bread, and flour tortillas from Anitas Street Market to take home. For more info on the winning cities, visit foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities.

Ameriprise Financial: Private wealth advisors with Ameriprise Financial, Stephen Harnden and Matt MacLean, were named to the list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisors published by Forbes magazine. The list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business. The rankings are based on data provided by thousands of the nations most productive advisors. Harnden and MacLean were chosen based on assets under management, industry experience, compliance record and best practices in their practice and approach to working with clients.

Hughes Federal Credit Union: Hughes Federal Credit Union has received two Diamond Awards from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing and Business Development Council. The CUNA Diamond Awards recognize creative excellence and outstanding achievements in credit union marketing. Hughes brought home awards in the Plastic Access Card Design category for its Little Prowler debit card design and in the Complete Campaign category for its Hit the Road with Checking Plus promotion. The award-winning Little Prowler design, by local artist Diana Madaras, raises funds for the Tucson Wildlife Center.

Submit items to business@tucson.com; please use Biz Awards in the email subject line.

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The Pima County Board of Supervisors discussed on Tuesday the early retirement of former County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, who they recently learned had been drawing more than $12,000 in monthly pension benefits on top of his salary since July 2021.

The discussions ensued before the board officially approved the contract of Jan Lesher as the countys new top administrator with a $260,000 annual salary, about $32,000 less than her predecessor.

Lesher has taken over Huckelberrys roles since he suffered critical injuries in a bicycle accident in October. The former county administrator formally submitted his resignation April 4, and the board appointed Lesher to take over as county administrator April 5.

The key administration change comes after the supervisors were told by a Tucson Sentinel reporter that Huckelberry submitted his retirement to the Arizona State Retirement System in July and has since received a monthly pension of $12,228, according to the state retirement system.

On top of the pension payments, Huckelberry received his regular salary from the county, which totaled $114,110 from the date his retirement took effect on July 4, 2021, through his last paycheck issued April 15, according to county payroll records. The board accepted his resignation and terminated the former county administrators contract on April 5.

Huckelberrys last paycheck totaled $9,815 for 80.8 hours of payout for his remaining vacation and sick leave and 31 hours of vacation used for his last week as county administrator.

Huckelberry questions

On Tuesday, Supervisor Steve Christy asked Lesher about who knew of Huckelberrys retirement and who ensured it was carried out legally. Lesher said she knew about Huckelberry drawing his retirement benefits sometime after July.

She wrote in an April 15 memo to the board that the former county administrator instructed Monica Perez, his chief executive assistant, to work with the countys Finance and Risk Management and Human Resources departments to ensure compliance with the states retirement system and that Huckelberry instructed a limited number of staff to closely hold this information.

The move of simultaneously receiving pension benefits and a regular salary is commonly referred to as double-dipping, and is allowed under state law in certain conditions.

State retirement system members can retire, return to work and continue to collect pension benefits if they work less than 20 hours a week after the 19th week of the fiscal year, which runs from July to June. That means the pension recipient can only work full time for 19 weeks of the fiscal year.

Huckelberry abided by this rule and received full-time compensation for 19 weeks, as required, and received compensation for 19-hour work weeks from his accrued time off thereafter.

In response to a request for all documents related to the retirement of Huckelberry, the county provided the Star with a New Retirement Ending Payroll Verification Form, which ASRS requires employers to fill out upon applications for retirement.

The form shows Elizabeth Mesa, listed as the countys principal accountant, filled out the form, though the date it was submitted is not included.

Lesher clarified the countys Human Resources and payroll departments knew of the retirement request Huckelberry submitted to ASRS, but that employees in those departments adhere to a variety of standards of confidentiality regarding not only this employee but every employee.

Lesher told the board that Huckelberrys concern, apparently, was that (the retirement) be done in accordance with all legal authority and with the adherence to his contract and his direction was to make sure that all was done legally and that, to her knowledge, all legal and procedural requirements were met.

Christy, however, said the legality of the process is not the main concern.

The issue, of course, is the fact that this caught this board and many others in Pima County completely by surprise, Christy said. Were really not in a position where were talking about the legality or illegality of what Mr. Huckelberry did, were talking about how the process evolved, and what the result of his actions did as far as the transparency, the trust, where we can put our faith in our administrators and community leaders.

Lesher said she believes there are issues related to each and every county employee for which the system was developed and that we are going to continue to maintain the strictest confidentiality regarding those employees.

However, the new county administrator indicated there are already actions in the works to increase the transparency of county employment changes, including sending a report to each board member listing all changes in county employees work statuses.

I am not in a position to go backward on what may have occurred under a different administration, Lesher said. I can tell you that what we are recognizing is where are the teachable moments that we can use to move a system forward and to provide, we hope, additional transparency for the public and for the board.

Supervisor Adelita Grijalva said the board may have more culpability in the matter. When the board approved Huckelberrys renewed contract in January 2021, it approved a clause in that contract that said: If Employee retires as allowed by the Arizona State Retirement System, Employee can return to work as a contractor without any negation of the terms of this contract, including its length.

Do I agree that (Huckelberrys retirement) is something that he should have communicated directly to us? Yes. But that is our responsibility, that wasnt clearly articulated in his contract. And so thats our fault, Grijalva said. Should he have told us? I think he should have. But is that something that was required explicitly? No. So I do think thats a learning opportunity for us.

Supervisor Rex Scott agreed We should have been more explicit in the way that we crafted that contract, adding that the way the supervisors were alerted to the news was less than ideal.

It certainly is jarring to hear the news that Mr. Huckelberry had applied for his retirement benefits in July from a member of the media. I dont think any of us were prepared for that nor did we appreciate it, he said. But the one person that we would like to ask about that situation is not here, and were not able to ask (Huckelberry) about it.

Scott emphasized, however, that Huckelberrys drawing of retirement benefits was carried out legally.

Supervisor Matt Heinz placed two items on the boards agenda to prevent a stealth drawdown of retirement benefits from happening again. Both items failed.

Lesher said county administration will work with the county attorneys office to draft a new policy for the board to review.

Lesher contract approved

The board voted 3-2 to approve Leshers contract as county administrator, formalizing the terms of her position and granting her a $260,000 annual salary  a 13% increase from her $231,000 salary as deputy county administrator. Supervisors Christy and Heinz voted no. Leshers contract runs through Jan. 7, 2025.

Lesher has worked for the county since 2011 and has served as the chief deputy county administrator since 2017. She previously worked as chief of staff for former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and as the director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.

Christy said he voted against the contract due to a lack of an adequate search process for Huckelberrys replacement and that he preferred at least a one-year agreement with a probationary period involved instead of a four-year contract. I think at this point, we need to have a new slate of leadership in the county administrators office, Christy said. Im disappointed that there werent some more safeguards put in in that regard.

Although Heinz didnt explain his opposition to the contract at Tuesdays meeting, he told the Star, My objection to this contract is not a reflection in any way on Jan Lesher. I have 100% confidence in her. I did not like the total compensation package.

She has tremendous value to the county and we are lucky to get her. I just think that the compensation package should have more accurately reflected the value that she brings and should not have slashed compensation for the county administrator quite so severely, Heinz said. I believe it was an overcorrection in the wake of being basically bamboozled and kept in the dark by the last county administrator.

Leshers contract, which puts her salary $32,000 below Huckelberrys compensation at his resignation, also excludes some of the significant benefits he received. Unlike Huckelberry, Lesher wont receive 240 extra hours of sick and vacation leave, an annual $15,000 contribution to a supplemental retirement savings plan account nor an annual $8,200 payment to a health savings account.

Lesher also wont be able to return to work as a contractor, as the controversial clause on Huckelberrys previous contract stated.

Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com

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The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all of southeast Arizona from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Tucson is expected to see strong and gusty winds, dry conditions and a high to very high fire danger, the NWS said.

The NWS warns any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly.

In Bisbee, a wildland fire broke out on Monday night, causing Highway 80 to close for several hours. Fifteen homes were in pre-evacuation status, according to a Facebook post from the Cochise County Sheriffs Office, which also noted the challenging winds.

U.S. 80 was reopened around 6 a.m. on Tuesday and the pre-evacuation status has been lifted, the Associated Press reported. There was no information available on the fires size or how it started.

Prescott has also been fighting a wildfire of its own. The Associated Press reported that the wildfire began around 10 a.m. on Monday and mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Arizona residents near Mount Union, about 10 miles south of Prescott.

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A shelter has been set up at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, a Facebook post from the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office said.

The fire had burned about 500 acres in rugged terrain filled with brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, The Associated press reported.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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Hudbay Minerals has started grading and clearing land on the Santa Rita Mountains west slope for its major Copper World Mine project.

For now, the companys work is aimed at building facilities to store and dispose of waste rock and tailings, to house what will eventually be up to 64 million tons of mine waste.

Ultimately, the company plans to build a major mining operation there, accommodating up to five open pits, a processing plant and a heap leach pad, along with settling and stormwater ponds.

The company told Pima County flood control officials on April 12 that it was going to start clearing and grading that day. It has confirmed to the Star its working in that area now.

Environmental groups and three Arizona tribes have said this work violates the federal Clean Water Act and called on federal agencies to stop the construction work. Hudbay said the federal government has no legal authority over the site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency have declined to halt Hudbays work.

The companys Copper World work is occurring on private, Hudbay-owned land, unlike the proposed, long-delayed Rosemont Mine the company wants to build on the Santa Ritas east slope where waste rock and tailings sites would be on U.S. Forest Service land. That frees Copper World from many of the federal regulations that have put the brakes on Rosemont.

But because of the presence of numerous ephemeral washes on the Copper World site, legal challenges to Hudbays work have arisen. Ephemeral streams and washes carry water only after heavy rains.

Attorneys representing four environmental groups and three tribes have in the past three weeks filed separate notices with federal agencies that they intend to sue to block this activity. They argue the companys activity in discharging dredge and fill material into various washes on the site southeast of Tucson violates the Clean Water Act.

But under federal law, the groups and tribes cant file lawsuits for 60 days after filing the notices.

In a statement, Hudbay told the Star that the federal government has never designated any of the washes on its Copper World site as Waters of the U.S. Thats the formal, legal threshold that the Army Corps of Engineers uses to determine if washes and other water courses are significant enough to merit federal regulation and other oversight.

Hudbay has all approvals required for this initial site preparation work on Rosemonts private property. As always, Hudbay will take great care to ensure that we minimize disturbances to the environment and comply with all federal, state and local requirements, Hudbays statement said.

The tribes and environmentalists have noted some of this clearing work has occurred or will occur in and around washes for which the Corps approved a preliminary determination of its formal jurisdiction back in 2010. That preliminary jurisdiction covered a water and power line corridor that was to be used for the Rosemont project.

The proposed mine site contains a dense network of ephemeral streams that qualify as jurisdictional waters of the United States protected by the Clean Water Act. Yet, the Rosemont Copper Company (Rosemont) has filled, dumped or otherwise caused rock, soil and other material to bury ephemeral streams or portions thereof on the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains and imminently plans to undertake operations that will clear and grade the site, including the discharge of dredge or fill material into waters of the United States without a Clean Water Act permit, said the notice of intent to sue filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition and the Sierra Clubs Grand Canyon chapter.

We urge Rosemont to cease any construction activities, including discharges of dredge or fill material, remediate any dredge or fill activities, and apply for a section 404 permit, as the Clean Water Act requires, said the notice, sent to Javier del Rio, vice president for Rosemont Copper, Hudbays Arizona subsidiary.

Hudbay said in a statement to the Star, "We never believed there were jurisdictional waters in the area and still dont. The only jurisdictional determinations that exist are the ones from March 2021 that found no jurisdictional waters."

By "jurisdictional waters," Hudbay was referring to washes and other water courses that the Corps concludes it has regulatory authority over.

The Corps' March 2021 decision determined that it had no authority over the washes on the Rosemont site, including all those washes covered by that mine project's 2019 Clean Water Act permit that the Corps had issued.

But in a letter to the Corps on April 11, the company said it was not grading any lands that were covered by the 2019 Clean Water Act permit, which is now suspended  only lands outside that area.

In a statement to the Star, Hudbay said it has procedures to identify and protect, to the extent possible, biological and cultural resources.

Specifically, all areas have been surveyed for threatened and endangered species, historic artifacts, and prehistoric archeological sites. We have relocated all special status plants prior to clearing and have not impacted any prehistoric (i.e., Native American) archeological features. These measures are not legally required on our private property, but we view them as best practices for a modern mining project, Hudbay said.

Hudbay disclosed its plans to start construction activity at Copper World in a March 10 letter to the Pima County Regional Flood Control District. Flood Control District Deputy Director Eric Shepp acknowledged that Hudbay does not need a formal permit from the county to build the waste rock and tailings facilities. But he said the company must submit detailed construction plans before starting to build improvements on the site.

Hudbay did send some plans in, but the county replied that additional details were still required, particularly a drainage report to delineate regulatory floodplains. On April 8, Shepp suggested to Hudbays Del Rio in an email that they meet to discuss the companys construction plans.

But on April 12, Del Rio replied that while he would be happy to meet with Shepp in early May, he could not delay the companys construction work any further, considering the amount of planning and commercial commitments involved with this work.

In an email to the Star, Shepp said the county does not require companies like Hudbay to submit construction plans for site preparation work  only for improvements, such as equipment for a processing plant, buildings and storm drains.

On April 6, the Army Corps sent Hudbay a letter saying it is still covered by the Clean Water Act permit that the agency approved for the Rosemont site in March 2019  which includes the west slope area intended for the utility corridor. The Corps relinquished its authority over the mine site in a March 2021 decision, based on new Trump administration regulations that removed federal authority over ephemeral streams.

But after a federal judge threw out the Trump-era rules last summer, the Corps later told Hudbay it can no longer depend on its March 2021 decision. Its April 6 letter reminded Hudbay the 2021 decision also did not revoke, reinstate or modify the companys suspended 2019 Clean Water Act permit, and that Hudbay should not conduct any activities inconsistent with that permit.

In its April 11 letter to the Corps, Hudbays Del Rio said the company has not impacted any washes covered by the permit since it was suspended in August 2019. As directed, we will not impact any washes covered by this permit until it is either revoked or reinstated.

But tribal attorney Stu Gillespie said Hudbay needs to get a Clean Water Act permit for the entire west slope area before building anything on it.

What they are doing is backward. They cant build the project without a permit. You cant put the cart before the horse, said Gillespie, who represents the Tohono Oodham, Pascua Yaqui and Hopi tribes in this case.

Contact Tony Davis at 520-349-0350 or tdavis@tucson.com. Follow Davis on Twitter@tonydavis987.

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Zelenskyy: Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine has begun

LVIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias offensive to take control of eastern Ukraine is in full swing. Now we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time, he announced Monday in a video address. He said a significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive. He vowed: No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. We will do it every day.

Live Updates | Russians fight in streets of Ukrainian town

A Ukrainian military official said street battles have begun and evacuation is impossible in the town of Kreminna. Thats one of only two spots where the Ukrainians said the Russians managed to break through on Monday along a front stretching for hundreds of miles. The Luhansk regional military administrator said the town came under heavy artillery setting seven residential buildings on fire and that Russians took control after leveling everything to the ground. He said his guys retreated so that they can keep on fighting rather than stand in one place and die without causing significant damage to the enemy.

Florida judge voids US mask mandate for planes, other travel

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit Monday, and airlines and airports swiftly began repealing their face covering requirements. The judges decision freed airlines, airports and mass transit systems to make their own decisions about mask requirements, resulting in a mix of responses to the ruling. The major airlines switched to a mask optional policy, eliciting cheers from passengers when the changes were announced over loudspeakers. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday night that it would it will no longer enforce the mask requirement, and airports in Houston and Dallas almost immediately did away with their mandates after the TSA announcement.

Second arrest made in South Carolina mall shooting

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Police say they have have identified two more suspects in a Saturday shootout inside a crowded South Carolina mall in which nine people were shot. Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook on Monday announced the arrest of 20-year-old Marquise Love Robinson and said police are seeking a third suspect named Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith. In addition to the nine people who were shot, six others were injured while fleeing Columbiana Centre on Saturday afternoon. A 22-year-old man is already facing charges in connection with the shooting. State police are also investigating another weekend shooting in Hampton County that injured at least nine.

Migrant crossings spike as US plans to lift curb on asylum

WASHINGTON (AP)  The number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has surged in recent weeks as the U.S. prepares for even larger numbers with the expected lifting of a pandemic-era order that turned away asylum seekers. Immigration authorities stopped migrants 221,303 times along the Southwest border in March, a 34% increase from the month earlier and the highest in nearly two decades. U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed the data with a federal court in Texas. CBP was expected to publicly release the monthly statistics soon, before the looming expiration of a public health order that enabled U.S. authorities to turn back most migrants, including people seeking asylum.

Patrick Lyoya shooting raises issue of officer name release

Patrick Lyoyas father says he and his family have a right to know the name of the white officer who fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man. But the police chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says he will only do so if the officer is charged in the April 4 shooting that followed a brief foot chase and a struggle over the officers Taser. Eric Winstroms department is among those across the U.S. that have faced scrutiny for withholding identities of officers in cases where Black people were wounded or killed during interactions with police. Some have said its to protect the officers from retribution. Others, like Grand Rapids, point to policies that prohibit the release of an officers name before charges are filed.

Parents charged in Michigan school shooting seek lower bond

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  The parents of a Michigan teen who is accused of a fatal school shooting are asking a judge to lower their bond and help release them from jail. James and Jennifer Crumbley have been locked up since Dec. 4. They've been unable to come up with $500,000 each to leave custody and await trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. Lawyers say the Crumbleys are not a risk to the public and would wear electronic monitoring devices. Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews will hear arguments Tuesday. Ethan Crumbley is charged with murder and other crimes. The parents are accused of failing to keep a gun secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress.

Judge rules Amazon must reinstate fired warehouse worker

A judge has ruled Amazon must reinstate a former employee who was fired in the early days of the pandemic after leading a protest calling for the company to do more to protect workers against COVID-19. On Monday, administrative law judge Benjamin Green said Amazon must offer the former worker, Gerald Bryson, his job back, as well as lost wages and benefits resulting from his discriminatory discharge. Bryson led a protest in April 2020 in front of the Staten Island warehouse that voted to unionize earlier this month. While off the job during the protest, Bryson got into a dispute with another worker. He was later fired for violating Amazons vulgar-language policy.

Gaza militants fire rocket into Israel as tensions soar

JERUSALEM (AP)  Palestinian militants have fired a rocket into southern Israel for the first time in months. It's a potentially major escalation after clashes at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem and a wave of attacks and military raids elsewhere. Israel said it intercepted the rocket Monday, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Israel holds Gazas militant Hamas rulers responsible for all such projectiles and usually launches airstrikes in their wake. It was the first such rocket fire since New Years Eve. Hours earlier, the leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group, which boasts an arsenal of rockets, had issued a brief, cryptic warning, condemning Israeli violations in Jerusalem.

EXPLAINER: What does Infowars bankruptcy filing mean?

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Infowars has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the websites founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones faces defamation lawsuits over his comments that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. The bankruptcy filing in Texas puts civil litigation on hold while the business reorganizes its finances. In the court filing Sunday, Infowars says it has estimated assets of $50,000 or less and estimated liabilities of $1 million to $10 million. Creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing include relatives of some of the 20 children and six educators killed in the 2012 school massacre in Connecticut. Jones has since conceded that the shooting did happen, but a lawyer for Sandy Hook families in a Connecticut lawsuit says Jones is trying to avoid being held accountable.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Russia pours in more troops and presses attack in the east

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia is attacking cities and towns in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and pouring more forces into the country. It intensified assaults along a front hundreds of miles long Tuesday in what officials on both sides described as a new phase of the war. After a Russian push to overrun the capital failed, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the eastern Donbas region. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces there for eight years. If successful, that offensive would give President Vladimir Putin a vital piece of Ukraine and a badly needed victory in the now 7-week-old war.

EXPLAINER: How Russia's eastern push in Ukraine may unfold

Russias new offensive in eastern Ukraine reflects Moscows hope to reverse its battlefield fortunes after a catastrophic seven weeks of war. Russian forces have intensified artillery barrages and airstrikes on Ukrainian positions in the industrial heartland known as the Donbas. Ukrainian officials said the push began Monday, with Russia trying to press the offensive along an arc-shaped front line for more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from the northeast to the southeast. In what appeared to be a sharp increase in bombardment Tuesday, Russia said that in the last 24 hours, it struck 60 Ukrainian military facilities with its warplanes and 1,260 with its artillery, while attacking 1,214 troop concentrations. The claims could not be independently confirmed.

Shanghai allows 4 million out of homes as virus rules ease

BEIJING (AP)  A health official says 4 million more people in Shanghai have been allowed to leave their homes as coronavirus quarantine rules ease. The official, Wu Ganyu, said a total of almost 12 million people have been allowed to leave their homes as Chinas largest tries to contain virus outbreaks. Authorities confined most of Shanghais 25 million people to their homes starting March 28 following a surge in infections. Chinas case numbers in its latest infection surge are relatively low, but the ruling Communist Party is enforcing a zero-COVID strategy that has shut down major cities to isolate every case.

Feds will appeal mask ruling only if mandate still needed

The Justice Department says it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary. A judge in Florida on Monday ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs. Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said Tuesday that officials believe the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. The CDC continues to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determines a mandate is necessary, the Justice Department will file an appeal.

Moving beyond masks: Biden toils to put pandemic behind him

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Bidens administration has been working for months to prepare people to rethink their personal risk calculations as the nation gets used to the idea of living with an endemic COVID-19. That measured approach disappeared abruptly after a federal judge threw out a federal requirement to mask up when using mass transit. The ruling adds to the administrations messaging challenges as it tries to move past the virus in the leadup to midterm elections. The Biden administration is accelerating its efforts to provide the best advice for millions making their own personal safety decisions on the still-dangerous pandemic. Its both a public health imperative and an important shift in emphasis for Bidens political future.

For Russian diplomats, disinformation is part of the job

Governments and social media companies have moved to restrict the ability of Russia's state media to spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine. That has prompted the Kremlin's diplomats to step up to do the dirty work. Russian embassies around the world control hundreds of accounts on platforms including Facebook and Twitter. Those two companies have added labels to their posts and tried to limit their reach. But research shows these diplomatic accounts are still disseminating pro-Russian propaganda and conspiracy theories, including ones suggesting Russia has been framed for recent attacks that killed civilians. The Russian Embassy in the U.S. hasn't returned a message seeking comment.

Energy shift creates opening for 'world's largest batteries'

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP)  A question is hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy such as wind and solar: What happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine? The hydropower industry says the answer is developing more pumped storage plants. They function like giant batteries, pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper one. When power is needed, the water is released downhill through turbines. The U.S. has 43 pumped storage plants but only one has been built since the 1990s. Cost, regulatory and logistical problems have hampered new construction. The industry is lobbying for tax breaks and streamlined permitting. But some say pumped storage causes environmental problems and better technologies may emerge.

Johnny Depp on stand: Ex-wife Heard's allegations 'heinous'

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  Actor Johnny Depp told jurors that he felt compelled to sue his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel out of an obsession for the truth after she accused him of physical and sexual assault. Depp on Tuesday flatly denied ever hitting Heard, calling the allegations against him disturbing, heinous and not based in any species of truth. Depp says Heard falsely accused him of domestic abuse when she wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post. The trial in Fairfax, Virginia, began last week but, prior to Tuesday afternoon, the jury had only seen Depp sitting silently with his lawyers. Heard is scheduled to take the stand later in the six-week trial.

Netflix shares drop 25% after service loses 200K subscribers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Netflix suffered its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, causing its shares to plunge 25% in extended trading amid concerns that the pioneering streaming service may have already seen its best days. The companys customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period, and it now expects to lose another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period. Netflix is hoping to reverse the tide by taking steps it has previously resisted, including blocking the sharing of accounts and introducing a lower-priced  and ad-supported  version of its service.

Massive flames force evacuation of hundreds of Arizona homes

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Winds kicked up a towering wall of flames in rural northern Arizona on Tuesday, tearing through two-dozen structures and forcing the evacuation of more than 700 homes. Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll said during a news conference that the county declared an emergency Tuesday as the fast-moving wildfire outside of Flagstaff ballooned to over 9 square miles. Forest Service officials say flame lengths are as high as 100 feet. County officials said 766 homes and 1,000 animals have been evacuated. A couple of hundred homes are still threatened as smoke billowed into the air in an all-too-familiar scene. Elsewhere in Arizona, firefighters battled a wildfire in a sparsely populated area of the Prescott National Forest south of Prescott.

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FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  Actor Johnny Depp told jurors Tuesday that he felt compelled to sue his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel out of an obsession for the truth after she accused him of domestic violence.

My goal is the truth because it killed me that all these people I had met over the years ... that these people would think that I was a fraud, he said.

Depp flatly denied ever hitting Heard, calling the physical and sexual assault allegations against him disturbing, heinous and not based in any species of truth.

Nothing of the kind ever happened, Depp said in court.

Alluding to the fall his career has taken since Heard levied abuse allegations against him, the former Pirates of the Caribbean star said, its been six years of trying times. Its very strange when one day youre Cinderella, so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds youre Quasimodo.

For the first hour-plus of testimony Tuesday, Depp gave long, stream-of-consciousness answers to questions about his childhood and his early movie career, speaking in his signature deep baritone. After one long answer, he admitted: I forgot what the original question was.

Indeed, he acknowledged his meandering style, particularly as it relates to his writing style. He mentioned his long friendship and collaborations with the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, and said he sought to emulate a style that often incorporated brash language and embellishing thoughts.

He said that led him at times to write text messages that he now finds embarrassing, and he apologized to the jury for the vulgar language he used in text messages introduced as evidence to describe Heard.

In the heat of the moment, in the heat of the pain I was feeling, I went to dark places, he said.

But he said he'd been waiting for six years to tell his side of the story after Heard filed for divorce against him in 2016 and sought a restraining order against him.

The trial began more than a week ago, but, prior to Tuesday, jurors had only seen the Hollywood star sitting silently with his team of lawyers as each side has tried to embarrass the other in a trial that Heard's lawyers accurately predicted would turn into a mudslinging soap opera.

After denying Heard's abuse allegations, Depp spoke at length about a childhood in which physical abuse from his mother was constant. When he became a father, Depp said, he made sure his children didnt experience that kind of upbringing.

Depp will continue his testimony Wednesday. In Tuesday's session, he testified primarily about the early years of his relationship with Heard, saying she seemed too good to be true at first.

She was attentive, Depp said of the woman he married in 2015. She was loving. She was smart. She was kind. She was funny. She was understanding  We had many things in common, certain blues music  literature.

He said there were little things, though, that gave him indications of a rocky relationship ahead. She became upset, he said, when he broke an established routine in which she took off his boots for him when he came home. And he said she was angry when he wouldn't go to bed when she was ready.

I didn't understand why, as a 50-some-year-old man, I couldn't go to sleep when I wanted to. he said.

Depp, 58, said he was cognizant of the age difference between him and Heard, 35.

I acknowledge the fact I was the old, craggy fogey and she was this beautiful, creature, he said.

But Depp said that within a year and a half, it was as if Heard had become another person.

So far, Depp's friends, family and employees have testified that Heard was the aggressor in the relationship, physically attacking him on multiple occasions. Heard's former personal assistant testified that Heard spit in her face in a fit of rage.

Heard's lawyers have said Depp physically and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, often in situations where he drank so much he later blacked out.

Depp said Heards allegations of his substance abuse have been grossly embellished and that there have been no moments where hes been out of control.

Im not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time, Depp said, though he admitted to doing a line or two of cocaine with Heard's sister, Whitney.

The actor said he was addicted to pain medication, which stemmed from an injury on the set of the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. He also said he took his mothers nerve pills when he was a kid.

But Depp said he detoxed from the pain medication and has experienced long periods of sobriety over the years.

The characterization of my substance abuse thats been delivered by Ms. Heard is grossly embellished, Depp said. And Im sorry to say, but a lot of it is just plainly false. I think that it was an easy target for her to hit."

The lawsuit itself is supposed to be over whether Heard libeled Depp when she wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post about domestic violence. In the article, Heard referred to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

She never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp and his lawyers said it was a clear reference to accusations Heard made in 2016 when the couple divorced and she sought a restraining order against him.

Heard's lawyers, who have filed their own countersuit against Depp, said nothing in the article libels him. They say the abuse allegations are true, and that the damage to Depp's reputation  which he says got him booted from the lucrative Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise  came from his own bad behavior.

Associated Press writer Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed to this report.

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TOKYO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Local prosecutors said Tuesday that a 22-year-old U.S. marine was indicted last December over a sexual assault resulting in injury on a woman in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.

The latest indictment brings to light a steady slew of sexual and other crimes committed in Okinawa over the years by U.S. military and related personnel.

According to the indictment and investigators, Lance Corporal Jordan Begaye is alleged to have assaulted the woman off base in October. His victim had no known connections with him.

Begaye was indicted on Dec. 23 although the public was not notified about the case "due to its nature" and out of respect for the woman's privacy, the prosecutors said.

They also did not make public whether the alleged assailant admitted to the charge or not, according to local accounts.

The police failed to arrest Begaye at the scene of the alleged attack as he had escaped by the time the victim had alerted neighbors saying she needed help and they had called the police, local media said.

In line with the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, the U.S. military handed over the alleged assailant to Japanese authorities following the Dec. 23 indictment.

Prior to this, the case was investigated with cooperation from the U.S. side, local media said, and the case was referred to prosecutors on Dec. 3, with the alleged attacker suspected of indecent assault resulting in injury.

Okinawa hosts the vast majority of Japan's U.S. bases, yet the tiny subtropical island accounts for just a fraction of Japan's landmass.

Instances of violent crimes, including murder and rape by U.S. military-linked personnel along with a near-constant string of U.S. military-related accidents, particularly those involving aircraft, have led to rising anti-U.S. sentiment on the island and vociferous calls from Okinawans for its decades of occupation by U.S. forces to be ended. 
A judge denied a motion Tuesday to reduce bonds for the jailed parents of a Michigan teenager who is charged in a shooting at Oxford High School that left four of his fellow students dead.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews said that James and Jennifer Crumbleys actions before their Dec. 4 arrests in a commercial building in Detroit were meant to conceal their whereabouts.

The defendants indicate they were devastated when they heard about the alleged actions of their son, felt unsafe in their home, felt hounded by the press and found it necessary to leave, Matthews said. The chronology of events that occurred subsequent to the defendants leaving their home is not consistent with cooperation with law enforcement.

The Crumbleys had disappeared the day before  after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The parents are accused of failing to keep a gun secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress. They have pleaded not guilty.

Upon a warrant being issued, law enforcement is not required to make an appointment with a defendant, Matthews said. It is the job of the police to ensure a swift, safe and secure arrest. The defendants actions were premeditated to conceal their whereabouts.

The Crumbleys' attorneys had requested that their bonds be lowered from $500,000 each to $100,000 each. They indicated they would appeal Matthews ruling on bond and would seek a change of venue as the case heads to trial, which is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 24.

The Crumbleys were absolutely shocked parents who had no reason to foresee what would happen, defense attorneys Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman wrote earlier.

The Oakland County prosecutors office opposed a lower bond for the Crumbleys, noting that a similar request was denied by a judge in a lower court.

The claim that they werent trying to flee is not credible, Prosecutor Karen McDonald told reporters following Tuesday's hearing. Turning yourself in is always the best route. You can't try to run from being prosecuted and claim you were always going to return to a court date.

Ethan Crumbley, who turns 16 next week, is charged with murder and other crimes. Four students were killed and more were injured in the Nov. 30 shooting.

McDonald said Tuesday that her office has been spent the past several weeks meeting with parents of the Oxford High students who died and those whose children were wounded. They've also met with students who survived the attack.

The one thing they really want is certainty and they want to know that the Crumbleys will be held accountable for their actions, McDonald told reporters. There is a lot that that community is dealing with, and having your child be shot at school is something that I don't think were really wired to understand.

None of that should impact the couple's right to a fair trial, she added.

Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan.

___

For more of the APs coverage of the Michigan school shooting: https://apnews.com/hub/oxford-high-school-shooting

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PHOENIX  State lawmakers gave final approval to a religious freedom bill designed to keep the government from shutting down religious services during emergency declarations.

The 35-22 House vote Tuesday came despite concerns it could legalize discrimination and preclude lawsuits against religious hospitals.

House Bill 2507, already approved by the Senate, would declare that religious services are essential services and deemed necessary and vital to the health and welfare of the public. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Doug Ducey.

During the pandemic, Ducey exempted religious services from his orders limiting the size of gatherings. But proponents say they need something in statute to protect against future executive orders.Rep. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson, said there is a concern that disparate, and less favorable, treatment might be given to religions during declared emergencies.

Its amazing that we could be denied gathering, or possibly denied gathering, at churches and yet have stadiums and malls open, box stores open, said Diaz, who is a pastor at Grace Chapel. It is an essential service.

House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, said such protection from government overreach is necessary. In times of exigency, people can meet and give each other comfort, he said.

But Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said the problem is that the bill goes beyond guaranteeing religious services during emergencies. She cited language that also exempts religious institutions  including the schools and corporations they run and any societies, whether or not affiliated with a church  from various state and local laws, rules and regulations.

For example, a corporation could fire an employee for getting divorced, by claiming religious immunity, she said. And thats not really the intention of this bill, I hope. Epstein said its not limited to those who work for these religious organizations.

A patient would lose the right to sue a religious hospital for medical neglect, she said.

Arizonans support their houses of worship, Epstein said. The spirit of this bill is a lovely idea, she said. But the words on the page are a horrible idea.

Epstein is not the only one raising concerns about the scope of immunity for churches and religious organizations.

Even if they engage in abuse, fraud, or otherwise violate the law, religious organizations, including hospitals and schools, could not be sued, according to a statement by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona. This is unprecedented  and dangerous.

Rep. Judy Schweibert, D-Phoenix, said she has heard concerns from religious leaders that the bill could immunize organizations from charges of child abuse.

But that conclusion is less than clear. The legislation says it does not apply to any case based on criminal conduct or to civil cases brought by victims of that conduct. It specifically spells out that nothing in the bill bars victims of sexual abuse from taking advantage of new laws that give them up to 12 years after reaching age 18 to file suit against their abusers and those who employed them.

The ban against governments closing down or limiting worship services would not be absolute.

The measure still would allow the state to impose neutral health, safety or occupancy requirements issued by state or local governments as long as they apply to all organizations and businesses that provide essential services.

There is an area where religious services would get greater immunity than other gatherings, however. The language says the state cannot enforce any requirements that impose a substantial burden on services unless the government can show it is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

It allows religious organizations to file suit and get not only a court order permitting them to operate but also to receive compensatory damage and reasonable legal fees.

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 .

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PHOENIX  The Arizona Senate voted Monday to allow parents to sue teachers and other government officials if they usurp parents fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their children.

The 16-12 vote in the Republican-led chamber came over the objections of several Democrats.

The language is not clear at all, said Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, who also is a teacher, quoting from the measure, House Bill 2161.

That entire quotation is so incredibly vague that anything could potentially qualify for it, meaning that we might have a whole bunch of teachers going to court over this, she said.

Marsh noted this new restriction would come even as the state faces a teacher shortage, with about 2,000 classrooms across the state headed by someone who is not a certified educator.

No one spoke Monday in favor of the measure, which was written by Rep. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix, and previously approved by the House.

But Kaiser, to get that prior House approval, removed one provision. It would have required teachers to share with parents a students purported gender identity or requested transition if the child identifies in a way that is incongruous with the students biological sex.

Kaiser earlier told the House Education Committee that the bill underlines and gives teeth to existing requirements ensuring parents have access to various records, grades and test scores.

When students are given various assessments and surveys, the proposed legislation spells out that these would first need to be sent to parents at least seven days ahead.

Kaiser said some of those get into personal areas, like whether there are firearms at home and whether the parents get along with each other.

Split results on two other school bills

By the same 16-12 party-line vote Monday, the Senate also approved House Bill 2439.

It spells out that beginning in 2023, school boards would have to adopt procedures for parents to access the schools library collection of available books and materials.

It also says parents are entitled to get a list of all books and materials that their children borrow from the library.

Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale, said theres a simpler way to deal with this other than passing another law that could penalize school staff.

The best way to find out what your kid is reading in school or what theyre checking out from the library is just to talk to them, he said.

If you cant establish that relationship with your own child and they dont want to tell you what theyre reading, then thats emblematic of a bigger problem, not the fact that the school isnt telling you, Quezada said. Thats a problem between you and your child.

Sen. Raquel Teran, D-Phoenix, said the measure is overkill and will just create additional work. She pointed out there already are various laws protecting the rights of parents to access information about their children.

That same concern resulted in the defeat of a related measure Monday in the House.

Senate Bill 1211 sought to mandate that each school district and charter school post on its website a list of learning materials and activities used for student instruction.

Several Democrats spoke against the measure, including Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, who said it would create a burden.

Youve got to understand that this bill will require teachers to post every single item that they use in every single lesson every single day, she told colleagues.

Its defeat came because Rep. Joel John, R-Arlington, parted ways with all other House Republicans who voted in support.

Ive got a laundry list of statutes on the rights that parents already have, he said, ranging from the ability to publicly review courses of studies and textbooks to public access to school policies and curriculum.

I think this bill frankly goes too far and puts too many extra burdens on teachers, said John, who has been a teacher. Teaching already is a low-paying, thankless job, lots of work, lots of worry. How do I know? Ive been there.

Other Republicans, however, didnt see it that way.

It does take extra work, conceded Rep. Michelle Udall, D-Mesa, who also is a teacher. She suggested lawmakers might want to consider an additional stipend for educators to do the posting.

But Udall said she does not consider whats in the measure overly burdensome.

Rep. Teresa Martinez, R-Casa Grande, argued that the disclosure is necessary. She said students are presented with lesson plans and questions about whether they believe they are normal if they have sexual fantasies, or about whether they masturbate.

I do not require these schools in the state of Arizona to teach sexuality to my child, Martinez said.

I need them to teach reading, writing, science and history, she continued. Children belong to their parents, and their parents are responsible for the morality that they choose for their child.

After the measure fell one vote short of the majority  that of John  another lawmaker made a procedural motion to allow it to be reconsidered at a future date. But that would require John to change his mind unless one of the House Democrats agrees to go along.

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 .

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PHOENIX  An organization dedicated to limiting the size of government is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to prevent voters from getting the last word in November on a $1.9 billion state tax cut.

Lawyer Kory Langhofer, representing the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, told the justices Tuesday that the power of the public to refer to the ballot any measure approved by the Legislature does not extend to actions related to the support and maintenance of the state. He argued that, by definition, any change in tax law fits that definition.

Attorney Andy Gaona, representing Invest in Arizona, the group that collected the signatures to force a public vote, agreed that voters cannot use the referendum process  which puts a legislative act on hold until the next election  to hold up the functioning of government.

But Gaona pointed out that the issue here was not a new tax, where the revenues are needed to keep the state operating.

Instead, he said, the issue is the desire of the Republican-controlled Legislature to forego revenues that otherwise would flow into state coffers. Holding them up to give the public a chance to review them, Gaona said, would not affect the ability of state agencies to do their jobs.

The tax cut plan was approved last year in Senate Bill 1828 on a party-line vote and signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. As structured, it would give far greater benefits to those at the top of the income scale.

Foes gathered more than the 118,823 valid signatures needed to hold up enactment until voters get the last word. They said their issue with the tax-cut plan is that the state would see a $1.5 billion loss in revenues by 2025 when it is fully phased in, which could hurt funding for education and other programs. and other programs.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper last year slapped down the bid by the Free Enterprise Club to declare the issue exempt from the constitutional right of referendum.

Cooper agreed with Langhofer there is an exception for appropriation bills. She said those are measures that set aside public funds for a specific government purpose.

But she said that s not what is in SB 1828.

It adjusts Arizonas income tax rates, lowering them over time to a flat tax,  the judge said.

It does not set aside any tax revenue of a certain sum for any specified purpose nor does it dictate how agencies use that revenue, Cooper continued. SB 1828 does not fall under the well-recognized definition of appropriation. 

On Tuesday, Langhofer told the justices thats too narrow a reading of what the Arizona Constitution does and does not allow.

If nothing else, he said it would be an oversimplification to say the tax cut in SB 1828 would not increase revenues, and support state government operations, albeit over the long term.

There are so many variables in the question of whether a change in the tax code will increase or decrease revenue over time, he said. What industries may flourish? We dont know the answer to those questions.

He said that analysis need not be limited to what might happen due to SB 1828 in, say, the next two years. It could be 100 years, he said. Why wouldnt that be relevant?

What is clear, though  and the fact the justices have in front of them now  is that the measure is designed to cut taxes immediately. It does that by altering the tax code.

Under current law, anyone with taxable income up to $26,500 a year pays a tax rate of 2.59%, with those figures doubled for married couples filing jointly. That rate increases in steps, to the point where taxable earnings on individuals above $159,000 are taxed at 4.5%.

SB 1828 would impose a single 2.5% tax rate on all incomes beginning in 2025. Legislative budget staffers peg the state revenue loss at $1.9 billion a year.

Ducey has portrayed the measure as providing a tax cut of about $300 a year for the average Arizonan.

But an analysis of the package by legislative budget staffers puts the annual savings for someone making between $25,000 and $30,000 a year at $11. That increases to $96 for those in the $50,000 to $75,000 taxable income range.

Bigger benefits kick in at higher income levels.

Taxpayers with income of between $250,000 and $500,000 would see an average $3,071 reduction in what they owe each year according to the staff analysis. That increases to more than $7,300 annually for those earning from $500,000 to $1 million.

Gaona told the justices the framers of the Arizona Constitution provided a fundamental right of voters to have the last word on legislative actions, with only a handful of exceptions.

We should interpret that right in favor of the people, and people having the maximum possible legislative power, he said. He told the justices that is consistent with their prior rulings about the ultimate power to legislate belonging to the people.

Langhofer, however, said denying people the right to have the last word on this kind of tax cut does not leave them powerless if lawmakers approve improvident laws.

The solution is no more than two years away, he said. You can vote them all out and start over. Everyones up for reelection, everyone has to answer for their acts.

If the justices dont buy Langhofers legal arguments, that wont end the Free Enterprise Clubs attempt to quash what is currently slated to be on the November ballot as Proposition 307.

Langhofer contends some of the paid circulators who gathered signatures did not register with the secretary of state as required, or that they collected signatures before registering. There also are claims that some of the registration forms are missing required information like providing a full address.

All this is occurring against the backdrop of efforts by some Republican lawmakers to repeal the 2021 law outright and replace it with something else, perhaps an even faster move to the 2.5% flat tax rate than by 2025. If successful, that would have the effect of nullifying the entire petition drive.

The justices gave no indication when they will rule.

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High school commencement is still a couple of weeks away, but for some Sand Springs students, Fridays field trip to Junior Achievements Finance Park felt like a graduation of sorts.

Some of these students  when they were fifth-graders  attended JA BizTown, a simulated town where they learned about the life of a community and the roles played by the various members of society.

Some of these students  when they were in the eighth grade  attended JA Inspire, a career exploration fair where they learned about a variety of industries and jobs that might interest them.

And for these 64 students from Charles Page High School and Page Academy, the districts alternative high school, the day spent at JA Finance Park was about bringing all of that together as part of a roadmap to become self-sufficient, successful adults.

The journey these students have taken is not just a job but a passion for Brian Jackson, the development manager for Junior Achievement of Oklahoma.

Jackson, who graduated from Charles Page in 2002 and is a Sand Springs city councilor, is proud of the fact that the JA mission dovetails so well with what he sees at Sand Springs Public Schools.

You hear this frequently from our school administrators that from Sand Springs you can go anywhere and you can accomplish anything you want to do, he said.

He also knows that community support is what makes programs such as Junior Achievements possible.

Finance Park is a half-million-dollar program for Junior Achievement, Jackson said. We go out and find the corporate resources to pay for the program, (and) the community provides the volunteers.

About a dozen adult volunteers from Sand Springs, some representing the retail, nonprofit, banking, property management and real estate sectors, worked with the students Friday at the JA Finance Park mobile facility at Tulsa Techs Peoria Campus, 3850 N. Peoria Ave. in Tulsa.

To keep things interesting, the students were given a profile  a simulated family, an educational background, a career and an income level. Some were single parents; others had no children. Salaries ranged from $25,000 to $65,000.

The morning session involved a lot of research. Students investigated topics such as what is philanthropy and why insurance matters, and they learned about creating an emergency fund and why its important to pay yourself first.

In the afternoon, they crafted family budgets that encompassed housing, food, transportation, utilities, health care, investments, banking and philanthropy.

Having a monthly budget is very important to your success, Jackson said. Otherwise you will have the pitfalls of debt, and it will take years (to overcome). Generations, sometimes, of families will have that difficulty to get out of that.

With proper education, we can break that cycle and make sure you have options for your life.

Adult volunteers  one per table of five or six students  guided the students toward sound financial and lifestyle choices, ideally using examples from their own lives and experiences.

This is kind of a re-creation of the family table where were having that conversation and learning about the healthy habits of a family budget, Jackson said.

The final part of the experience involves students taking real debit cards  albeit ones active only in JA Finance Park  and going to various stations around the room to spend their budgeted dollars.

Charles Page senior Isabel McIntyre-Webb was a girl on a mission Friday, moving quickly from one station to the next with a seriousness about her that belied the fun she said she was having.

Its entertaining, she said. Its definitely a good learning experience for young teens and young adults trying to navigate life outside and understanding the real-life things that we have to go through in order to survive.

In McIntyre-Webbs simulated life, she was a single mother with one child and a gross annual income of $56,500.

Its definitely a challenge, she said, but its not undoable.

For McIntyre-Webb, the biggest surprise wasnt about how far her income would  or wouldnt  go but about getting to take part in something such as JA Finance Park at all.

The biggest surprise is that there are actually opportunities like this out there for students, she said. Its very nice to know that people are actually out here caring about us and caring if were going to make it in life and be successful.

McIntyre-Webb said students should jump at any opportunity to go through the simulation.

Definitely do it, she said. You may be like, Oh, thats going to be boring. I dont really want to do it. Its just money.

But its going to help you in the long run. Its going to get you to where you want to be, and its going to teach you to be financially responsible.

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BUENOS AIRES, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Argentina condemned on Monday Britain's military exercises in the area of the Malvinas Islands, a territory in the South Atlantic that the South American country claims as its own but is now controlled by Britain.

Britain is once again carrying out military maneuvers in the area of the Malvinas Islands on April 18-29, involving "British forces stationed in the Malvinas Islands from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and the illegitimate defense forces of the islands, along with Royal Navy and Royal Air Force troops, as part of the illegal UK occupation of the Malvinas Islands," the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Argentina rejects "in the strongest terms these military maneuvers in the illegitimately occupied Argentine territory, which constitute an unjustified show of force," the statement said.

The exercises also deviate "from the calls of the numerous resolutions of the United Nations and other international organizations, which urge both Argentina and the UK to resume negotiations to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the sovereignty dispute in the question of the Malvinas Islands," the statement added.

The Argentine government reaffirmed its "sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands," and reiterated its willingness to resume negotiations to resolve the dispute.

A spokesman for the UK Foreign Office was quoted as saying by BBC that the exercises were routine, taking place at least twice a year, and had been carried out for many years.

Argentina and Britain battled over the Malvinas Islands, also known to the Britons as the Falklands, from April 2 to June 14, 1982. 
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the country's eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two and give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory following the failed attempt by Moscow's forces to storm the capital, Kyiv, and heavier-than-expected casualties nearly two months into the war.

The eastern cities of Kharkiv and Kramatorsk came under deadly attack. Russia also said it struck areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro west of the Donbas with missiles. Multiple explosions were heard early Wednesday in the southern city of Mykolaiv, the regional governor said. A hospital was reported shelled earlier in the nearby town of Bashtanka.

In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military dropped heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscow's forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages. Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast. Ukraines military said Russian forces tried to "break through our defenses along nearly the entire front line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

They have driven almost everyone and everything that is capable of fighting us against Ukraine, he said in his nightly video address to the nation.

Despite Russian claims of hitting only military sites, they continue to target residential areas and kill civilians, he said.

The Russian army in this war is writing itself into world history forever as the most barbaric and inhuman army in the world, Zelenskyy said.

Weeks ago, after the abortive Russian push to take Kyiv, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years.

A Russian victory in the Donbas would deprive Ukraine of the industrial assets concentrated there, including mines, metals plants and heavy-equipment factories.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the Pentagons assessments of the war, said the Russians had added two more combat units, known as battalion tactical groups, in Ukraine over the preceding 24 hours. That brought the total number of units in the country to 78, all of them in the south and the east, up from 65 last week, the official said.

That would translate to about 55,000 to 62,000 troops, based on what the Pentagon said at the start of the war was the typical unit strength of 700 to 800 soldiers. But accurately determining Russia's fighting capacity at this stage is difficult.

A European official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, said Russia also has 10,000 to 20,000 foreign fighters in the Donbas. They are a mix of mercenaries from Russia's private Wagner Group and Russian proxy fighters from Syria and Libya, according to the official.

While Ukraine portrayed the attacks on Monday as the start of the long-feared offensive in the east, some observers noted that an escalation has been underway there for some time and questioned whether this was truly the start of a new offensive.

The U.S. official said the offensive in the Donbas has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

Justin Crump, a former British tank commander now with the strategic advisory company Sibylline, said the Ukrainian comments could, in part, be an attempt to persuade allies to send more weapons.

What theyre trying to do by positioning this, I think, is ... focus peoples minds and effort by saying, Look, the conflict has begun in the Donbas, Crump said. That partly puts pressure on NATO and EU suppliers to say, Guys, were starting to fight now. We need this now.

President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new weapons package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said his country will send heavy artillery to Ukraine. And Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Zelensky that the Netherlands will send more heavy weapons, including armored vehicles.

Western arms have played a key role in enabling the outgunned Ukrainians to hold off the Russians.

Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv said at least four people were killed and three wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area of the city. The attack occurred as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

An explosion also rocked Kramatorsk, killing at least one person and wounding three, according to AP journalists at the scene.

In Bashtanka, an unspecified number of people were wounded when Russian forces shelled the hospital, destroying the reception area and the dialysis unit, the head of the regional council, Hanna Zamazeeva, said on Facebook. Bashtanka is about 70 kilometers (40 miles) north of Mykolaiv.

Eyewitness accounts and reports from officials have given a broad picture of the extent of the Russian advance. But independent reporting in the parts of the Donbas held by Russian forces and separatists is severely limited, making it difficult to know what is happening in many places on the ground.

Military experts said the Russians' goal is to encircle Ukrainian troops from the north, south and east.

Key to the campaign is the capture of Mariupol, which would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine in 2014. It would also free up Russian troops to move elsewhere in the Donbas.

A few thousand Ukrainian troops, by the Russians estimate, remained holed up in a sprawling Mariupol steel plant, representing what was believed to be the last major pocket of resistance in the city.

Russia issued a new ultimatum to the Ukrainian defenders to surrender Wednesday after a previous ultimatum was ignored. The Russian Defense Ministry said those who surrender will be allowed to live and given medical treatment. There was no immediate response from the Ukrainian troops, but they have repeatedly vowed not to give up.

Instead, the deputy commander of the Azov regiment, who was among the troops remaining in Mariupol, said the Russian military dropped heavy bombs on the steel plant and hit an improvised hospital. We are pulling people out from under the rubble, Sviatoslav Palamar told Radio Liberty.

Serhiy Taruta, the former governor of the Donetsk region and a Mariupol native, also reported the bombing of the hospital, where he said 300 people, including wounded troops and civilians with children, were sheltered.

The reports could not be independently confirmed.

Zelenskyy said the Kremlin has not responded to a proposal to exchange Viktor Medvedchuk, the jailed leader of a pro-Russia party, for the Mariupol defenders.

Associated Press journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Felipe Dana in Kharkiv, Ukraine; Danica Kirka in London; and Robert Burns and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report, as did other AP staff members around the world.

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.
In debating a $698 million incentive package to lure a $3 billion to $5 billion electric vehicle battery factory to Pryor, no one in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday really disputed the claim that such a project would bring arc-bending change to the community, the region and even the state.

The arguments were about whether change is good or bad, and whether the state should be involved in such things at all.

I cant get past the question, why are we giving ... hard-earned tax money away ... and give it to a corporation that doesnt need it? said Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, whose district includes Pryor and the Mid-America Industrial Park, where the plant would be built.

It is immoral to give taxpayer money to a corporation that doesnt need it or has a business model that doesnt work.

One of the Houses most austere conservatives, Gann said the people of the area do not want the proposed plant and neither do other MAIP tenants  a claim proponents of the project disputed.

Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville, answered promises of jobs, growth and economic diversification by saying, I dont want Oklahoma to change, and the majority of my constituents do not want Oklahoma to change.

But Gann and Stearman were among a small minority. By a vote of 81-17, the incentive program  in the form of House Bill 4455  was sent to the Senate Tuesday morning.

Gov. Kevin Stitt hopes to have the bill by Friday.

Speaker Pro Tem Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, who presented the bill, said legislators had to decide whether they are really want to diversify the states economy or consider it "something we just talk about on the doorstep" when campaigning.

If we pass this bill and land this deal, the future of the automotive industry runs through Oklahoma, Hilbert said. The future of technology is running through Oklahoma.

Every other commercial on the Super Bowl was an electric vehicle commercial, he continued. Whether you support electric vehicles, whether you oppose electric vehicles, whatever your stance is on that, it doesnt matter. Thats where the industry is going.  The electric vehicle industry is growing, and we have a chance to be at the front and center.

A common complaint, even among those who voted for HB 4455, is the secrecy surrounding the deal.

HB 4455, entitled the Large-scale Economic Activity and Development Act, calls for a 3.4% state rebate on qualified capital expenditures with a minimum investment of $3.06 and a maximum of $4.5 billion. The rebates also require meeting certain employment minimums and other conditions over five years.

A $4.5 billion minimum investment would result in rebates totaling $613 million, Hilbert said later Tuesday.

The remaining $85 million would be available to an unnamed second, separate establishment, referred to as Player 2 in explanations of the program. Player 2 would have to invest $500 million to be eligible.

The LEAD program would be limited to the initial $698 million, which would come from state reserve funds and placed in a segregated account. Anything left after 10 years would return to the general fund.

Any additions to the program would have to go through the Legislature.

Hilbert said the $698 million total is a bump of $198 million over what the two target companies would qualify for under the states existing 2% capital refund program.

In its final form, the incentive package differs from the request outlined by Stitt Monday afternoon, hours before HB 4455 was introduced in legislative committees.

Stitt had asked that the rebate rates for Quality Jobs  a program that reimburses 5% of payroll for qualifying jobs  and capital investment be increased.

Instead, the Legislature created LEAD, which requires capital investment and job creation but calculates rebates based solely on the capital investment.

The target businesses apparently could also qualify for Quality Jobs, which on the $250 million annual payroll mentioned over the past two days works out to as much as $12.5 million a year for 10 years.

Separately, the Legislature is also considering a phase out of the states corporate income tax, which, if adopted, would be another perk.

Hilbert said he understands total incentives from all sources for the project are around $1 billion.

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The year 2021 marked the event of Dr. Le Thi Hoai An's 30 years of living in France. Together with her husband, Dr. Pham Dinh Tao, she has successfully developed an optimization algorithm that is increasingly used worldwide.

"There is an interesting fact that not many people know: Everything in our real world can be represented by mathematical language," Le Thi Hoai An said.

"This means that we do our best to find the most effective way to perform an activity with the best performance and the lowest cost. Our research area is focused on this issue," she added.

Inevitability and chance

Prof. Le Thi Hoai An works at the College of Lorraine in France, where she received the highest award for a professor in an EU country.

There is a quote from a French philosopher that has stuck in her mind: "All existing things in the world are the result of inevitability and chance."

She has been thinking about this for the past decades that she has lived and worked.

One of her accidental experiences in the past is her decision to learn French from her own mother, Nguyen Thi Loc.

At a time when French was not a popular foreign language, her study of French was truly accidental, which led to a turning point in her life when she later received a scholarship to France. It was the scholarship that completely changed her life.

There is also a special fortuitous "division" among Hoai An's four siblings. While two of them pursue their father's career as a literature professor, the other two wanted to study in the same field as their mother and become natural scientists.

Of course, it was not a random decision that Hoai An married Prof. Pham Dinh Tao, who is her teacher, friend, and colleague in their common scientific passion: DC (Difference of Convex functions) programming and DCA (DC algorithms).

Prof. Le Thi Hoai An and her husband, Prof. Pham Dinh Tao in a supplied photo.

The pair "gives birth" to a famous algorithm

In fact, DC Programming and DCA were introduced in their preliminary form by Prof. Pham Dinh Tao.

While there were many PhD students who wanted to further develop Tao's algorithms, there were no outstanding achievements until his wife, Prof. Le Thi Hoai An, began her PhD work with further research in DC Programming and DCA.

She has contributed so much to her husband's algorithms by making some of the most important breakthroughs in her husband's scientific field.

It is Hoai An who contributes to developing and changing Programming and DCA in a remarkable way.

Thanks to her valuable solutions to Pham Dinh Tao's algorithms, Hoai An was able to successfully complete her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in only two years and three months, and only needed two and a half years to obtain her Doctor of Science.

This is indeed an extraordinary achievement, considering that a PhD in France takes an average of eight to ten years between the two stages.

DC Programming and DCA are the "very successful child" of the couple, who have gained a foothold in various industries over the years, particularly in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence.

The two Vietnamese scientists are immensely proud of having created their own field of mathematical science.

Hoai An said she is incredibly happy that her scientific achievements have been increasingly applied in various production processes and management in many large corporations in France and other countries.

Currently, Hoai An is the leading scientist in charge of many major energy management projects of Reseau de Transport d'Electricite ("Electricity Transmission Network"), usually known as RTE, the electricity transmission network operator of France.

She also takes part in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) management and operation projects of the NAVAL group, which is closely associated with the French Ministry of Defense.

Faced with new demands resulting from current technological innovations, especially in the field of Big Data processing, the couple is busy improving and perfecting its algorithms in the hope that they will be suitable for more users.

"For me, DC Programming and DCA are not just algorithms, but also a philosophy, a different approach to developing a family of algorithms. Also, a powerful algorithm cannot solve all problems in the same way.

"Therefore, we try to do more research to adapt our algorithms to each problem that needs to be solved," Hoai An added.

"Being able to do what I am interested in and maintain an ongoing passion for what I am doing," the veteran scientist said when asked what has made her most proud so far.

Contributions to applied mathematics in Vietnam

Mathematical optimization (or mathematical programming) is a branch of applied mathematics that is a combination of mathematical science and specialized knowledge from various fields such as biology, finance, economics, and computer science.

Noticing that this field of mathematics is not as popular in Vietnam, Hoai An dreamed of setting up a course of study in Vietnamese universities.

After many years of teaching Vietnams postgraduate and doctoral students in applied mathematics, she successfully set up a data analysis and optimization laboratory at the International School of Vietnam National College in Hanoi.

She has trained 25 PhD students in applied mathematics for Vietnam, including 16 individuals who hold important positions in prominent universities in the country, and four PhD postdocs who have graduated in France or the U.S.

Achievements of Prof. Le Thi Hoai An . She won the medal of the "Ordre des Palmes Academiques" awarded by the French government. . She was honored with the Constantine Caratheodory Prize in 2021 by the International Society of Global Optimization. She is the first mathematician in France, the third in Europe, and the tenth in the world to receive this prestigious prize. . Hoai An was also named a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF).

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A death row inmate in South Carolina forced to decide whether he wants the electric chair or a firing squad.

In Texas, an ailing 78-year-old man scheduled to die for a murder he committed three decades ago and a mother of 14 children to be put to death despite serious doubts about her guilt.

Capital punishment has been on the wane in the United States but an upcoming slate of executions has refocused attention on the use of the death penalty.

Richard Moore, a 57-year-old African-American man, is to be executed in South Carolina on April 29 for the 1999 murder of a convenience store clerk during a robbery.

It would be the first execution in the southern state in over a decade.

Recent US executions have been carried out by lethal injection but South Carolina has been forced to abandon that method because drug manufacturers are refusing to supply the necessary ingredients.

So Moore had the choice between the electric chair and a firing squad made up of three rifle-toting volunteers from the Corrections Department.

He chose the firing squad on Friday.

Moore's lawyers have challenged both methods of execution, however, claiming they violate a constitutional ban on "cruel and unusual punishment," and a judge agreed on Thursday to hear their arguments.

"The electric chair and the firing squad are antiquated, barbaric methods of execution that virtually all American jurisdictions have left behind," said Lindsey Vann, a lawyer for Moore.

Electrocution has been used for seven of the 43 executions carried out in South Carolina since 1985. The last time was in 2008.

A firing squad has been used only three times in the United States -- all in the western state of Utah -- since 1976, when the US Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment.

'Unreliable confession'

There have been three executions in the United States this year and there were 11 in 2021, down from 17 in 2020.

Only one of the executions in 2021 was of a woman and of the more than 1,540 people executed in the United States since 1976, only 17 have been women.

Melissa Lucio, 53, could be the 18th.

Lucio, a Mexican-American mother of 14 children, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in Texas on April 27 for the 2007 death of her two-year-old daughter, Mariah.

Lucio claims a confession was coerced by police during a five-hour interrogation and that the toddler's death was actually caused by an accidental fall down a staircase.

Her case has been championed by the Innocence Project, which fights for the wrongly convicted, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who has urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to grant clemency for Lucio.

"The state extracted an unreliable 'confession' and used false scientific evidence to convict Melissa Lucio of a crime she did not commit and in fact never occurred," said Vanessa Potkin, an attorney for Lucio.

"What we know today is this: Mariah died from medical complications after an accidental fall. She was not murdered."

'Torture'

Also scheduled to be executed in Texas in the coming days is Carl Wayne Buntion, who was sentenced to death in 1991 for the murder of a Houston police officer.

Buntion, who does not dispute his guilt, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on April 21.

At 78, he is the oldest man on Death Row in Texas and his lawyers have argued that executing him now -- over 30 years after the crime -- would constitute "cruel and unusual punishment."

Texas law also requires it be established that Buntion would "likely harm others if he is not executed," his lawyers said.

Buntion, they said, poses no danger to anyone and suffers from multiple ailments including arthritis, vertigo, hepatitis, sciatic nerve pain and cirrhosis.

"Mr. Buntion is a frail, elderly man," his lawyers said in a petition to the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, "and will not be a threat to anyone in prison if his sentence is reduced to a lesser penalty."

Buntion has also been in solitary confinement for the past 20 years, restricted to his cell for 23 hours a day.

"When someone's sentenced to death, the jury isn't agreeing to sentence them to 30, 40, 50 years of solitary confinement and then death," Burke Butler, executive director of the Texas Defender Service, told AFP.

"That is torture," Butler said. "It's widely agreed across the world that solitary confinement is incredibly cruel. To confine someone to solitary confinement and then execute them is even crueler."

Texas has carried out far more executions -- 573 -- than any other state since 1976. Virginia, which abolished the death penalty last year, is next with 113.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Son, former commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard, and six other senior officers of the force have been detained for their involvement in an embezzlement case, the Ministry of National Defense has announced.

Along with Son, four other Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) generals including Lieutenant General Hoang Van Dong; Major General Doan Bao Quyet; Major General Pham Kim Hau, former deputy commander of the guard; and Major General Bui Trung Dung, former deputy commander, were arrested on April 13, the ministrys Criminal Investigation Agency said on Monday.

Two other VCG officials taken into custody were Colonel Nguyen Van Hung, former deputy commander, and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Bui Van Hoe, former deputy of the Finance Department.

All the detainees have been prosecuted on charges of asset embezzlement under Article 353 of the Vietnamese Penal Code, investigators said.

The related arrest warrants and prosecution decisions had been approved by the Central Military Procuracy.

All the seven were all removed from their Party positions in October last year, after the Party Central Committees Secretariat concluded that the Standing Board of the VCG Party Committee in the 2015-20 tenure had seriously violated the principle of democratic centralism and the principle of self-criticism, working regulations, and regulations of the Central Military Commission.

Such violations have resulted in a degradation of political virtues, ethics, and lifestyles among certain officers, the Secretariat stated.

The board also showed a lack of responsibility, loosened leadership and supervision, and violated the Partys regulations, the States laws and the Defense Ministrys regulations on finance, investment, equipment procurement, and anti-smuggling, causing very serious consequences.

These violations led to significant losses of assets to the State, affected the prestige of the Party and the army, and gave rise to concerns among officers and soldiers, the Vietnam News Agency cited the Party Central Committees Inspection Commission as saying.

The Central Military Commission has directed military judicial agencies concerned to expand their investigation to identify and verify violations, if any, of organizations and individuals involved.

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Here are todays leading news stories:

COVID-19 Updates

-- Vietnams Ministry of Health reported 12,012 COVID-19 cases on Monday, raising the national tally to 10,475,819, with 8,941,064 recoveries and 42,957 deaths.

Society

-- The Criminal Investigation Agency under the Ministry of National Defense has arrested and launched legal proceedings against Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Son, former commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard, and some other officials on embezzlement charge.

-- Traffic congestion broke out along multiple kilometers of the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong Expressway after a tractor-trailer tipped over and blocked the route early on Tuesday morning.

-- As of Monday, health workers in Ho Chi Minh City had administered COVID-19 vaccine doses to more than 10,400 sixth graders and recorded no cases of serious postvaccinal side effect, according to a health official.

-- One person was killed after a fire broke out at a three-story house in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday afternoon. Police have been investigating to determine the cause.

-- A nine-kilogram monkey was handed over to forest protection officers on Monday as it attacked its owner in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City last week.

-- Nearly 200 youth union members and volunteers collected more than four metric tons of garbage along two beaches on Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang Province on Monday.

-- Buses of routes No.152 and No.72-1 are now allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the domestic terminal of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City to provide convenience for travelers.

Business

-- Vietnams tra fish exports reached US$646 million in the first quarter of 2022, posting year-on-year growth of 88 percent and making up 27 percent of the countrys aquatic product exports, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers as saying.

Sports

-- Vietnams Hoang Anh Gia Lai is scheduled to compete with Australias Sydney FC at the 2022 AFC Champions League at 6:00 pm on Tuesday. The match will be aired on VTV6 channel and FPT Play.

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RAMALLAH, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian rights group on Monday said that it has called on the United Nations to investigate the Israeli killing of Palestinians in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights said that it addressed a letter to several UN special rapporteurs and international committees over the current situation in the Palestinian territories.

It added that letter was sent following "the Israeli army's continuation of the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and the policy of excessive use of force against defenseless Palestinian civilians."

"Our crews documented the killing of Palestinians, including women and children, at Israeli military checkpoints, on the pretext of trying to carry out attacks or just suspecting them without a serious threat to the soldiers' lives," the letter said.

On the same day, Palestinian medics said that a Palestinian girl was killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Jenin last week.

In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that Hanan Khadour, 18, from the village of Faqqu'a northeast of Jenin, succumbed to severe wounds she sustained by Israeli soldiers.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that 112 Palestinians were injured during the clashes, including 90 who were suffocated from tear gas and 18 shot by rubber-coated bullets fired by the Israeli army. 
One man was killed after a fire broke out at a three-story house in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning.

Police have been investigating to determine the cause.

Local people noticed smoke rising from the house on No. 17 Street in Go Vap District at around 11:00 am on Monday.

Twenty firefighters and three water tankers swiftly arrived at the scene after the locals reported the incident.

As there were a large amount of clothing items in the house, the fire grew quickly, producing a lot of smoke, hampering firefighting and rescue efforts.

It was not until 11:40 am on the same day that the blaze was put out.

A victim, who was later determined to be 31-year-old P.M.H. from south-central Binh Dinh Province, was found dead on the third floor of the house.

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An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 on the Richter scale was recorded in Kon Tum Province in Vietnams Central Highlands on Monday.

A total of four earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 and over occurred at a depth of about 8.1 kilometers under Kon Plong District between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm on Monday, according to the Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center under the Institute of Geophysics.

The strongest of them, measured at 4.5 on the Richter scale, took place at 12:54 pm, the center elaborated.

These quakes did not pose a disaster risk, it added.

The 4.5 magnitude earthquake could be clearly felt in Dak Nen Commune, Kon Plong District, Tran Van Net, the communes chairman, confirmed, adding that it was the strongest earthquake to have struck the locality so far.

Some residents in Dak Tang Commune, Kon Plong District, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that they could feel the tremor inside their houses.

A map detailing the epicenter of an earthquake that occurred in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, Vietnam, April 18, 2022. Photo: Institute of Geophysics

The locals also noticed objects such as chairs and clocks moving during the quake.

An owner of a grocery store stated that many products on his shelves had fallen on the floor during the earthquake.

The residents expressed their concern as earthquakes have recently occurred more often and become more powerful in the commune.

On Sunday, Kon Plong District recorded four earthquakes of magnitude under four.

Dozens of quakes of magnitude 2.4 to 3.7 had also struck the locality since the beginning of this year.

All of them did not pose any risk of disasters.

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This week on Foreign Correspondent, Fran Kelly travels to Italy for her report, The Magistrate vs The Mob.

In Italys south, prosecutors in the province of Vibo Valentia are taking on the Calabrian mafia.

For decades, this ruthless mafia group, the Ndrangheta, has ruled this region through violence and intimidation.

What began as a local mafia group has grown into a powerful, multi-national criminal organisation, with an estimated turnover of 80 billion dollars a year. It also has a presence in Australia.

Now Italian prosecutors have launched criminal cases against members of a family they allege is one of the Ndrangehtas most powerful clans  the Mancusos.

More than 300 members and associates of the Mancusos have been arrested.

The charge sheet is sobering. It includes murder, extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering.

In this gripping crime saga, Fran Kelly travels to Vibo Valentia to tell the story of this historic attempt to curb the power of the Ndrangheta.

She gets rare access to the man leading the trial, Chief Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri. Hes been investigating the Calabrian mafia for decades and has long been the mafias kill list.

Theres always tension. Theres always fear and you must always be careful, he tells Kelly as he drives to court surrounded by his security motorcade. You have to tame fear and talk to death.

Kelly speaks with community members who now feel emboldened to speak out against the mafia.

The number of people turning on the mafia has increased, says anti-mafia activist Giuseppe Borrello. Its new for Vibo Valentia.

Gratteris actions have given a lot of hope to Sara Scarpulla, whose son was blown up in a car bomb organised by a member of the Mancuso family.

Kelly also visits Milan, Italys financial heart, where the Ndrangheta have established a strong presence. The head of Milans Anti-Mafia Department, Prosecutor Alessandra Dolci, calls for Australian law enforcement to connect more urgently with their counterparts in Italy.

It would be appropriate for the Australian police to establish stronger relations with our authorities, she tells Kelly. As we say, if you dont know, you dont see. They must become aware of the danger presented by the Ndrangheta.

In Calabria, not everyone in the community is rallying behind Nicola Gratteris maxi-trial.

Theres vicious mudslinging aimed at the Prosecutors Office, explains lawyer Giovanna Fronte. Thats how the Ndrangheta operates.

For the people of Vibo Valentia, the maxi-trial has raised hopes of a new chapter in which the State regains control of a land long thought lost to organised crime.

But can these prosecutions uproot the powerful networks of the Ndrangheta?

8pm Thursday on ABC.
By Connor King, chemical engineering major

My time working in the engineering field as a University of Dayton School of Engineering cooperative education student significantly shaped my development as a student, engineer and professional.

The knowledge learned and experience gained has been invaluable in my studies and my pursuit of a full-time engineering position after college. I would highly recommend engaging in a co-op experience of any kind.

After working for Tate & Lyle at the Citric Acid Manufacturing plant in Dayton, Ohio, as a co-op student for three work terms, I recently accepted an offer for the Production Engineer position at the plant.

During the summer of 2019, I began my engineering co-op experience at Tate & Lyle and worked a double term, finishing in December 2019. I then returned to Tate & Lyle during the summer of 2021 for my third and final work term.

During my first two terms, I worked on projects related to equipment-performance tracking and cost-saving alternatives for utilities in the plant. My third work term consisted of projects in equipment replacement and day-to-day process issue solving. Throughout my entire time there, I gained valuable skills in the areas of project management, process engineering and operations.

Having this experience is a great way of getting ahead of the competition in applying for jobs, paying for college and learning if engineering is the right field for you!
Algerian, Russian presidents discuss ties, Russia-Ukraine conflict over phone

Xinhua) 11:20, April 19, 2022

ALGIERS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, held a phone conversation on Monday, exchanging views over bilateral cooperation as well as a series of regional issues.

According to a statement from the Algerian Presidency, Tebboune and Putin discussed the forthcoming bilateral economic cooperation and pledged to further exchange high-level visits.

The two presidents also talked about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the escalating tensions between Palestine and Israel.

In a Kremlin's press release, Putin and Tebboune agreed to continue coordination within the format of the OPEC+, a loosely-affiliated entity consisting of the 13 OPEC members and 10 world's major non-OPEC oil-exporting nations, to ensure stability of global energy markets.

They "agreed to maintain contacts at various levels," it added.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
BEIRUT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A huge fire broke out on Tuesday at a bathtub factory in the village of Fanar in western Lebanon, killing at least three and injuring two others, the National News Agency reported.

The casualties have been transferred to Mar Youssef hospital while the Red Cross and civil defense teams are still in search of more trapped survivors.

The cause of the fire is still unidentified. 
By Kathryn McAuliffe

The dreaded treks up Stu Hill and strolls down Lowes Street have led 2021 alumnus Olivia LeBlanc to Parnu, Estonia, where she is completing a Fulbright grant teaching English to high school students.

LeBlanc is one of many Dayton alumni abroad using the resources and skills they learned to work for the common good. She first became interested in teaching in Estonia after attending a Fulbright informational seminar sponsored by the University Honors Program.

The presentation included information about the Fulbright program and application process and sparked my interest in teaching English in an international classroom. I specifically decided to apply to Estonia because I am interested in educational equity, and wanted to learn about the different aspects of equitable education in Estonia as compared to the United States, LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc graduated in May 2021 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a minor in Family Development and a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certification.

My education and experiences at UD drastically prepared me for immersing myself in an international classroom. Through my Psychology and TESOL Certification courses, I learned about successful teaching pedagogies and potential challenges I would face in the classroom, LeBlanc said. Through my various experiences on campus, I also learned successful communication, organization and leadership skills that have assisted with my language teaching as well.

It was the resources and professors at UD that made LeBlancs time abroad possible. After learning of the program through the Honors Program, she continued to be supported by the campus community.

Take advantage of the resources and connections you can make at UD, LeBlanc added. I found that connecting with my professors and peers about my personal interests and goals allowed me to pursue many unique opportunities while at UD. The close-knit community of UD allows for students to pursue their own passions, and if you are interested in becoming involved in something, do not be afraid to ask. You never know what amazing opportunities are available and where they can lead you.

The transition from life in Dayton, Ohio, to Parnu, Estonia, led LeBlanc to focus on new mindsets and new relationships.

The biggest surprise I have faced while abroad is the more relaxed Estonian lifestyle. It seems that in the United States, we constantly prioritize being busy and tend to stretch ourselves too-thin in school and at work. Although stress is prevalent everywhere, I have learned to relax and to appreciate my surroundings more while living at a slower place. I feel that Estonian culture does not constantly prioritize stress and productivity as much as American culture, and it has been a really great change of pace for me, LeBlanc said.

Her change in lifestyle came alongside a change in other lifestyle factors as well. Her biggest advice to be accustomed to the change when abroad is to have a say yes mentality.

I wish I knew that it is okay to not know what is going on in a situation and to embrace being uncomfortable, LeBlanc said. In the months leading up to leaving for Estonia, I was so stressed about how to prepare myself for this extended period away from home. I learned very quickly that it is useful to approach a situation without any expectations or pressures on yourself, and give yourself grace while you adjust to a new place and culture. I would tell [everyone] to say yes to as many invitations and opportunities as you can because you never know what amazing people or experiences you will encounter.

After completing her Fulbright, LeBlanc will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in School Psychology Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program, which involves two years of coursework and one year of a full-time internship. LeBlanc hopes to work with students' academic, behavioral and emotional concerns in diverse school settings. Her newest transition will return her to the U.S., but the memories of Estonia will stay with her forever.

The people that I have been able to connect with through Fulbright have absolutely been the best part of my experience. I love working with the students and teachers in Estonia, and everyone has been so incredibly kind and helpful to me. I have also fostered amazing friendships with the other Fulbrighters located in Estonia, and they have been an amazing support system for me as well, LeBlanc said. I will keep in touch with the people that I have met in Estonia for the rest of my life.

You can continue to follow Olivias journey here.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty

Trailblazing diplomat and politician Madeleine Albright, an immigrant who rose to become the the first female secretary of state, died on Wednesday of cancer, her family said. She was 84.

She was surrounded by family and friends, the statement said. We have lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Below is a statement from the family of @Madeleine: pic.twitter.com/C7Xt0EN5c9  Madeleine Albright (@madeleine) March 23, 2022

Albright, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from Czechoslovakia, got into politics working as an aide to the late Sen. Edmund Munskie (D-ME), who served as secretary of state under President Jimmy Carter. She worked on the National Security Council under Carter and again under President Bill Clinton until Clinton appointed her U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and then secretary of state in 1997.

As secretary of state, she steered the U.S.s post-Cold War diplomatic strategy of assertive multilateralism. She advocated for the expansion of NATO and pushed for U.S. intervention to bring peace to the Balkans, infamously telling a reluctant Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, Whats the point of having this superb military youre always talking about if we cant use it?

But her tenure was not without controversy. She participated in failed talks to negotiate peace between Israelis and Palestinians and was accused by some of going too soft on al-Qaeda following the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, a precursor for 9/11. She called the Clinton administrations reluctance to intervene in the 1994 Rwandan genocide her greatest regret from that time.

Just last month, Albright penned a New York Times essay warning Putin that an invasion of Ukraine would leave his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance. It was titled, Putin Is Making a Historic Mistake.

Story continues

When President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, he made sure to highlight her refugee past.

And as an immigrant herselfthe granddaughter of Holocaust victims who fled her native Czechoslovakia as a childMadeleine brought a unique perspective to the job, he said.

This is one of my favorite stories. Once, at a naturalization ceremony, an Ethiopian man came up to her and said, Only in America can a refugee meet the Secretary of State. And she replied, Only in America can a refugee become the Secretary of State.

After serving in public office, Albright founded and chaired a private business strategy firm called Albright Stonebridge Group, chaired several think tanks and policy groups, and worked as a professor at Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service.

She was a tireless champion of democracy and human rights, her family said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
 Nuvaxovid Intramuscular Injection, containing Matrix-MTM adjuvant, is the first recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Japan

 Approval for primary and booster immunization is based on efficacy and safety data from Japan and international clinical studies

 Takeda is manufacturing Nuvaxovid at its Hikari facility and will begin distribution in Japan as soon as possible

OSAKA, Japan & CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced that it has received manufacturing and marketing approval from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for Nuvaxovid Intramuscular Injection (Nuvaxovid), a novel recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, for primary and booster immunization in individuals aged 18 and older. Novavax licensed and transferred its manufacturing technologies to enable Takeda to develop and manufacture the vaccine at its facility in Hikari. Takeda will begin distribution of Nuvaxovid doses purchased by the Government of Japan as soon as possible.

"COVID-19 continues to pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of our global community," said Gary Dubin, M.D., President of the Global Vaccine Business Unit, Takeda. "We are proud to contribute to the development of Nuvaxovid and to manufacture the vaccine at our Hikari facilities, continuing our commitment to the COVID-19 public health response in Japan."

The approval is based on Takedas New Drug Application (NDA) submission which included interim results from a Phase 1/2 study conducted by Takeda in Japan and several studies conducted by Novavax, including two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials in the U.K., the U.S. and Mexico, and Phase 1/2 studies in Australia and the U.S. Interim results from the Phase 1/2 study in Japan were positive and consistent with previously reported clinical trial results. No serious adverse events were reported in this study and the vaccine candidate was well-tolerated. Additional safety and efficacy data were submitted to support booster immunization, including a Phase 2 study conducted by Novavax in South Africa evaluating a booster dose given 6 months after primary immunization.

Story continues

Nuvaxovid is stored at a refrigerated temperature of 2 -8 and will be transported using a conventional vaccine supply chain.

Takeda received funding for the technology transfer and research and development to manufacture Nuvaxovid at its Hikari facility through the MHLW and Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.

The financial impact of the vaccine on the full year consolidated financials for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2022) will depend on the specific distribution schedule. We will disclose the Fiscal Year 2022 forecast at the Fiscal Year 2021 financial results announcement scheduled in May 2022.

TAK-019 Clinical Trial

This placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 study in Japan evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of two vaccinations of TAK-019 given 21 days apart. The first of 200 subjects aged 20 years and older was dosed in Japan on February 24, 2021, and each participant was assigned to receive a placebo or a 0.5 ml dose of TAK-019 at both vaccinations. Subjects have been followed for 12 months after the second dose of investigational product. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier for this trial is NCT04712110.

About Takedas COVID-19 Efforts

Takeda is taking a comprehensive approach to treat and prevent COVID-19 today, and future pandemics through multiple activities and partnerships including, but not limited to:

Vaccines: Takeda has partnered with the Government of Japan, Novavax and Moderna, to help accelerate the availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Through the collaboration with Novavax, Takeda is using its well-established global manufacturing and supply capabilities to develop and commercialize Novavax vaccine candidate for Japan. The company is also importing and distributing Modernas COVID-19 vaccine as part of a three-way partnership with Moderna and Japans MHLW. Takeda supports our partners and alliances in a shared goal to rapidly discover, develop and deliver effective treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 and ensure preparedness for future pandemics.

Hyperimmune globulin : Takeda co-founded the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance and joined forces with other leading plasma companies to evaluate a hyperimmune globulin medicine in a global clinical trial. While the data did not meet its endpoints, the program has contributed to the scientific understanding of antibody-based treatment to address the virus and highlighted the broader therapeutic value and importance of plasma to treat rare diseases.

Additional therapeutics: The company has assessed existing Takeda products for activity against the COVID-19 virus and co-founded the COVID R&D Alliance. In addition, Takeda has joined the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) CARE consortium, the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) partnership and the COVID RED project.

Takedas Commitment to Vaccines

Vaccines prevent 2 to 3 million deaths each year and have transformed global public health.1 For more than 70 years, Takeda has supplied vaccines to protect the health of people in Japan. Today, Takedas global vaccine business is applying innovation to tackle some of the worlds most challenging infectious diseases, such as dengue, COVID-19, pandemic influenza and Zika. Takedas team brings an outstanding track record and a wealth of knowledge in vaccine development and manufacturing to advance a pipeline of vaccines to address some of the worlds most pressing public health needs. For more information, visit www.TakedaVaccines.com.

About Takeda

Takeda is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Genetics and Hematology, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in peoples lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.

Important Notice

For the purposes of this notice, "press release" means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws.

The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, "Takeda" is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takedas future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as "targets", "plans", "believes", "hopes", "continues", "expects", "aims", "intends", "ensures", "will", "may", "should", "would", "could" "anticipates", "estimates", "projects" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takedas global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations; the success of or failure of product development programs; decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takedas operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takedas most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takedas other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takedas website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/ reports/sec-filings/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takedas future results.

Medical Information

This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.

References

World Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization. Retrieved December 2021.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220418005475/en/

Contacts

Media In Japan

Mika Shirai

mika.shirai@takeda.com

+81332782407

Media Outside Japan

Rachel Wiese

rachel.wiese@takeda.com

+1 917-796-8703
Robin Cook photographed making his resignation speech in the House of Commons in March 2003.. He is looked on by Jeremy Corbyn, back left, and other Labour MPs. Photo PA.

POLICE Scotland have been told to release more details about the death of Robin Cook following a freedom of information request.

The former Foreign Secretary, who became the most senior Labour figure to oppose Tony Blairs decision to invade Iraq, died of a heart attack while hill-climbing in the Highlands in 2005.

Conspiracy theories have since circulated, without corroboration or support from Mr Cooks family and friends, which suggested he may have been targeted by the security services.

Their most prominent proponent is Norman Baker, the former Home Office minister and Liberal Democrat MP, who in 2007 stated: Robin Cook was on Ministry of Defence land, I believe, when he died and certainly I have doubts over what happened.

A report in The Times today said that Police Scotland last year received a request from an individual, whose identity has been redacted, asking for seven pieces of information about the circumstances surrounding Mr Cooks death.

The initial request was rejected, but the office of the Scottish Information Commissioner ruled it had been wrong to do so and had breached the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Its ruling, reported on in today's Times and seen by The Herald, states: Police Scotland refused to comply with the requests, arguing they were substantially similar or identical to a previous information request.

The commissioner investigated and found that Police Scotland were not entitled to refuse the requests on the basis that they were repeated requests. He required Police Scotland to issue a revised review outcome.

Media reports from the time suggested Mr Cook had a heart attack and then fell down a ridge, breaking his neck. It was said he was assisted by a hill-walker before being airlifted to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem found he had died of hypertensive heart disease.

The applicant requested a series of responses to questions relating to the death of Cook, 59, after he had climbed Ben Stack in Sutherland with his wife Gaynor.

Story continues

He asked what time officers were alerted to the incident, whether interviews with witnesses were conducted and if Mr Cook and his wife had mobile phones with them.

Details were also sought on who had raised the alarm and how, what the weather conditions had been and if the MP for Livingston had fallen into a ravine. The applicant also asked whether a hill-walker who had helped Mrs Cook had given his name.

In addition he asked: "If media reports from the period were correct, that Gaynor Cook was left to make it down Ben Stack mountain by herself, were accurate. I would also like to know if anyone, police officers or the hillwalker, accompanied Gaynor Cook back to Scourie Lodge or whether she walked there alone.

"If the Northern Constabulary (now Police Scotland) interviewed Mr and Mrs Klein (spelled Clyne in media reports) who were the owners of the Scourie Lodge in which the Cooks were staying. If interviews were not conducted, I would like to know the reason.

"If interviews were conducted, I would like to know whether the Northern Constabulary was aware that Mr Klein had suggested to Mr Cook that Mr Cook climb Ben Stack, the mountain on which Mr Cook died, and whether the Northern Constabulary thought that this was relevant to the case."

The police were also asked if they could confirm the exact times of the following:

1) At what time the Northern Constabulary were first alerted to Mr Cook having fallen,

2) Whether the Northern Constabulary first alerted the Scottish health authorities or whether the parties originally at the scene first alerted them,

3) At what time the Scottish Ambulance service was first alerted,

4) At what time the search and rescue helicopter was dispatched,

5) At what time the search and rescue helicopter arrived at Ben Stack.

Ben Stack is within the boundaries of the Reay Forest Estate, which is owned by the Grosvenor family. At the time of Cooks death the late Gerald Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster, was an assistant chief of the defence staff with the Ministry of Defence.

The ruling, made by Margaret Keyse the commissioners head of enforcement, concludes: If Police Scotland fail to comply with this decision, the commissioner has the right to certify to the Court of Session that Police Scotland have failed to comply.

In March 2003 Mr Cook, who served as foreign secretary from 1997 to 2001, resigned as leader of the House of Commons in protest against the invasion of Iraq.Gordon Brown, then chancellor, delivered the eulogy at his funeral, but Mr Blair did not attend.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we received a freedom of information request and following instruction from the Scottish Information Commissioner we sent a response to the applicant."

In its response sent to the applicant, Police Scotland confirmed that a hillwalker who had helped Mrs Cook has given his name to officers.

However, it refused to supply information on other points including whether Mr Cook or his wife or the hillwalker had mobile phones with them.

They also refused to say whether Mr Cook fell into a ravine.

Police Scotland also would not say how Mrs Cook returned to the holiday accommodation. The force said a number of freedom of information exemptions applied to this detail including over personal information and investigations.

Responding to the applicant, Police Scotland said it would be inappropriate to release some of the details.

The force said: "It may also be the case that some questions simply cannot be answered in definitive terms.

"I note the Commissioners comments that you should not be expected to know what information is and is not included in the incident and death reports but whilst we have tried where possible to assist in your understanding of that in the responses below, it has been decided in respect of some of your questions that to do so would in itself provide a level of detail regarding the events that transpired inappropriate for public disclosure.

"An individual died and whilst we appreciate said individual was a public figure, they are entitled to privacy and dignity in death and the details of what happened that day are a matter for Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service - with due consideration of the impact public disclosure might have on the deceaseds friends and family."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (left) meets with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana in Singapore. (PHOTO: Then Chih-Wey/Pool via Reuters)

SINGAPORE  Singapore and New Zealand will be working more closely on the green economy as well as climate change, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a joint media conference with the visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday (19 April).

The two PMs announced at the Istana the establishment of a new pillar on the two issues under the enhanced partnership between the two countries, which was set up during PM Ardern's last visit in 2019.

The other four pillars are trade and economics; security and defence; science, technology and innovation; and people-to-people links.

Cooperation under this new pillar will include initiatives on energy transition technology, carbon markets, sustainable transport and waste management as a start. Initiatives on sustainable aviation, business collaboration and supply-chain resilience have also been established.

Singapore and New Zealand will also establish a regular climate change policy dialogue between officials of both sides.

PM Ardern on first overseas visit since start of COVID-19 pandemic

PM Ardern had arrived in Singapore on Monday for a three-day official visit, in her first overseas visit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

She received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana on Tuesday morning, and had a new orchid hybrid named in her honour - the Dendrobium Jacinda Ardern.

Before meeting PM Lee, she called on President Halimah Yacob, and both of them noted on the strong COVID-19 cooperation between the two countries. They also spoke on the contributions and progress of women, as well as the importance of maintaining social cohesion in multi-cultural societies among Singapore and New Zealand.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with Singapore's President Halimah Yacob at the Istana in Singapore. (PHOTO: Then Chih-Wey/Pool via Reuters)

In their meeting, PM Lee and PM Ardern welcomed the reopening of borders between the two countries as an important step towards living with COVID-19, and critical in restoring the people-to-people and business links between the two countries and the rest of the world.

Story continues

Singapore had launched its Vaccinated Travel Framework for quarantine-free travel for fully-vaccinated people on 1 April. Meanwhile, New Zealand will be reopening its borders to visa-free countries, including Singapore, from 1 May.

The Prime Ministers welcomed a new Working Holiday Scheme to allow young Singaporeans and New Zealanders to travel and work in each others country each year.

Both leaders also strongly condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and called on all parties to facilitate unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in need in Ukraine. They agreed that actions by Russia are a flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law and risk long-term global instability, and called on all parties to protect civilians and respect human rights.

The PMs shared their deep concerns regarding the situation in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, and reiterated their support for multilateral and United Nations (UN) engagement on Myanmar. Both agreed on the importance of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Key Insights:

Gulf Energy Development and Binance have entered a joint venture in Thailand.

Gulf has invested in Binances US affiliate and its signature crypto  BNB.

The company will apply for a digital asset exchange license in Thailand.

Thai billionaire Sarath Ratanavadis firm Gulf Energy Development PCL has finalized an investment in the US arm of the Binance crypto exchange and its signature cryptocurrency  BNB.

The move comes after both the firms entered a partnership in January to launch a digital asset exchange in Thailand. Binance described the collaboration as the first step in exploring opportunities in Thailand. Although, a criminal complaint on the exchange from the Thailand regulator for operating without a license still remains.

Investment To Deepen Crypto Market Involvement

Per a regulatory filing with the Thailand Stock Exchange on Monday, Gulf revealed investment in Series Seed Preferred Stock issued by BAM Trading Services, which operates Binance.US.

As such, the investment in Binance.US not only provides an opportunity for the Company to participate in one of the fastest user scale-up exchanges in the world but also realizes potential higher investment value post Binance.US IPO.

Binance is targeting an initial public offering (IPO) in two to three years, according to its CEO Brian Shroder. Binances US arm will utilize the funds to expand headcount and its product portfolio, launch ROI-based marketing efforts and make future acquisitions before its planned IPO, the filing noted.

Additionally, Gulf invested an undisclosed sum in Binance Coin (BNB), the native cryptocurrency that powers the BNB Chain ecosystem.

In another regulatory record, the company announced a joint venture agreement with Binance to establish a crypto exchange unit in Thailand.

Following the establishment of the joint venture, it will apply for a digital asset exchange license and other licenses with relevant agencies.

Story continues

Binance said last week that it received primary approval for operations from Abu Dhabi Global Market. The approval will allow Binance to operate as a virtual assets broker-dealer and marks the third aggressive expansion in the Middle East after obtaining licenses from Bahrain and Dubai.

Gulf noted that the joint venture would create more opportunities for it to explore the digital asset market and open the scope of its investments.

Thailand Crypto Tax

Meanwhile, Thailand banned crypto payments last month, pointing out price volatility, lack of customer safeguards, money laundering, and cyber theft risks as significant reasons for the decision.

The financial regulator noted that crypto businesses will not be permitted to promote or advertise crypto payments.

The country initially imposed a 15% tax on crypto assets and later withdrew its plans following public outcry. However, this seems to be much lesser when compared to Indias 30% tax rule.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
The next major festival in Europe's biggest poker arena at the King's Resort in Rozvadov has crowned a winner. After a short-lived final day in the marquee event of the 2022 WSOP International Circuit Rozvadov Spring Edition, Germany's Volkan Alkan came out on top of a 648-entry strong field despite entering the final table as the shortest stack.

It only took just over six hours to distribute the lion's share of the 1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool in the WSOP Circuit 1,700 Main Event and Alkan walked away with a cash prize of 160,500. On top of that, he received the coveted WSOP Circuit gold ring, an entry into the 2022 WSOP Europe 10,350 Main Event and seat in the WSOP Circuit Tournament of Champions during the 2022 WSOP in Las Vegas.

Kosovo's Besnik Lalinovci, who resides in Switzerland, entered the final day as the chip leader and was responsible for the vast majority of the table action. He ultimately fell short of victory and had to settle for a consolation prize of 100,900 after a heads-up duel that lasted all but seven hands. The final table wrapped up in 138 hands on the King's Resort Twitch channel.

Among the finalists was also Israel's Tom Cohen, won took down the Dutch Classics 230 Main Event in September 2021 at the same venue. Cohen's bid for another victory at King's Resort was cut short in third place while Czech WSOP bracelet winner Lukas Zaskodny had to settle for fifth place despite being responsible for the first four eliminations on the final table.

Final Result 2022 WSOP International Circuit Rozvadov Spring Edition 1,700 Main Event

Place Winner Country Prize (in EUR) 1 Volkan Alkan Germany 160,500* 2 Besnik Lalinovci Kosovo 100,900 3 Tom Cohen Israel 72,300 4 Nedeljko Todorovic Slovenia 56,900 5 Lukas Zaskodny Czech Republic 44,700 6 Rama Mulaj Kosovo 34,900 7 Ruslan Volkov Ukraine 26,300 8 Luc Ta Germany 18,300 9 Vincent De Neve Germany 14,500

* the top 12 finishers also received an entry into the 2022 WSOP Europe Main Event worth 10,350 each

Volkan Alkan Wins the WSOPC 1,700 Main Event

The third edition of the WSOP International Circuit within seven months awarded 12 coveted gold rings. Unlike the last two stops, the flagship tournament came up short of surpassing the ambitious seven-figure guarantee this time and the top 71 spots were paid.

Italy's Fausto Tantillo finished in 13th place to miss out on the additional 2022 WSOP Europe Main Event ticket but had won the 2,200 High Roller Ring Event earlier in the series to unlock his entry to the WSOP Circuit Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas. Ciprian Paunescu, Rene Crha and Symeon Alexandridis fell short of the final table but will be back in fall to compete in the most prestigious tournament of the year at the King's Resort.

The Action of the Final Day

Right from the start, the fireworks kicked off and it was former WSOP Circuit Main Event finalist Vincent De Neve who became the first casualty on the final day. He started with the second-shortest stack and found a premium hand in pocket kings to get it in with. Despite flopping top set, De Neve ended up second-best as the ten-nine suited of Lukas Zaskodny rivered a straight.

Luc Ta was one of the bigger stacks when the cards went back in the air but never got much going. Eventually, he entered one of the most classic flips with jacks versus ace-king and Zaskodny peeled an ace on the turn. The Czech then also won a flip to knock out Ruslan Volkov and he made it four in a row when his kings nailed a full house against the ace-nine suited of a short-stacked Rama Mulaj.

Zaskodny took the lead into five-handed action when he profited from the aggressive playing style of Besnik Lalinovci but the wheels then came off in a span of one hour. He first lost two pots to Lalinovci and was then on the wrong end of a trips versus trips cooler to double Tom Cohen. It was all over soon after for Zaskodny and what followed thereafter can only be described as a frantic frenzy.

Lukas Zaskodny

Despite an average of more than 40 big blinds, it took fewer than one hour to determine a champion. Volkan Alkan doubled through Cohen to take the lead, who then doubled through Nedeljko Todorovic and finished the job shortly after. Only a few hands later, the two big stacks collided and Cohen's ace-queen suited were no match to the ace-king suited of Alkan. Seven hands of heads-up play culminated in the preflop shove by Lalinovci with queen-nine and Alkan prevailed with ace-ten.

One day prior when he had bagged up the shortest stack, Alkan had bemoaned the fact that he has to stay another day and may potentially bust in the first few hands. However, the comeback story turned into the biggest success of his poker career so far and wrapped up the festival at the King's Resort. The next stop of the WSOP International Circuit is already underway at the Casino Barriere Cannes Le Croisette and will head to Venlo in the Netherlands next in May 2022.
P&O Ferries vessels will be blocked from sailing if they fail safety checks, the Government said, amid claims Indian seafarers to replace sacked crews are being paid 2.38 US dollars (1.81) an hour.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been instructed to inspect the companys ferries prior to them being able to re-enter service to ensure the new crews proposed for them are safe and properly trained.

He told MPs: If they are not these ships will not sail.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (Aaron Chown/PA)

Sacked P&O workers watched in the House of Commons public gallery as concerns were raised about the ferry operator, bought by Dubai-based logistics firm DP World in 2019, opting to replace the them with cheaper agency staff.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), which represented many of the 800 staff fired without notice last week, said their replacements are being paid well below the minimum wage in the UK.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: The news that the seafarers now on ships in British ports are to be paid 2.38 dollars an hour is a shocking exploitation of those seafarers and another gut-wrenching betrayal of those who have been sacked.

The rule of law and acceptable norms of decent employment and behaviour have completely broken down beneath the white cliffs of Dover and in other ports, yet five days into this national crisis the Government has done nothing to stop it.

These ships of shame must not be allowed to sail. The Government has to step in now and take control before its too late.

A protest by unions outside the Houses of Parliament (James Manning/PA)

The minimum wage in the UK for people aged 23 and above is 8.91 per hour.

But companies using UK ports often register ships in other countries, allowing them to pay lower wages.

For example, some vessels operated by P&O Ferries are flagged in Cyprus.

P&O Ferries refused to comment on the pay of agency workers.

When the firm informed staff on Thursday they were losing their jobs, it told them it was aiming to halve crewing costs.

Story continues

No sailings have operated since that date.

Mr Shapps said he has not got the details of how P&O Ferries will recrew their ships, telling Labour former minister Dame Angela Eagle: I implore P&O Ferries to reconsider their decision.

Its not too late to acknowledge their mistakes. I hope the reaction to that now infamous video in the House, the media and across the country tells them that this approach is quite simply acceptable.

Mr Shapps confirmed P&O Ferries could face criminal prosecution and unlimited fines over its handling of the redundancies, with the Insolvency Service examining the matter.

He went on: For our part were reviewing all Government contracts with P&O Ferries as a matter of urgency and with DP World and, where possible, were looking to use other providers if indeed there are any contracts where the UK Government is involved; I believe at this point that they have been historic in nature rather than current.

Were considering further steps we can take to remove P&O Ferries influence from British maritime, including positions on any advisory boards because again I dont want to see that company, with the way the management has behaved, advising the way that British maritime is shaped and rolls out.

Mr Shapps said the Government will consider whether it needs to go further on fire and rehire laws.

He also suggested he was blindsided by the companys announcement to sack the seafarers without consultation.

MPs heard his officials were contacted by P&O management on Wednesday afternoon and he was first informed at 8.30pm about the prospect of redundancies.

But Mr Shapps said his concern wasnt really sparked until Thursday morning when he heard how the redundancies were being carried out by the company.

He said in both 2020 and in 2021 voluntary redundancies had taken place in a way that you would expect, adding: It was deeply concerning to see the footage of staff being forcibly removed from ferries, underlining a very cynical approach and confrontational nature of the entire operation, not at all what wed seen in those previous two rounds.

His comments came after Labour said it had obtained a memo which showed the Government was aware of P&O Ferries game plan to sack 800 staff before workers were told.

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: There is no indication, nothing in this memo at all that expresses any concern, any opposition, raises any alarm about the sacking of 800 loyal British workers.

This is the clearest proof that the Governments first instinct was to do absolutely nothing.

A protest by unions outside the Houses of Parliament (James Manning/PA)

Protesters gathered outside the London offices of P&O Ferries owner DP World on Monday afternoon, before marching to Parliament.

P&O Ferries hit back at claims by unions that its decision to replace staff with agency workers puts the safety of ships at risk.

A spokesman for the company said: Safety is the utmost priority for P&O Ferries and our crewing management partners.

They have recruited high-quality experienced seafarers, who will now familiarise themselves with the ships, going through all mandatory training requirements set out by our regulators.

Safety is paramount in our new crewing management model, which is used by many of our competitors and has been proven to be the most successful model in this industry and the competitive baseline.

We will not be reducing crewing numbers. We dont have a business if we dont have a safe business.

MPs voted 211 votes to zero, majority 211, to back a Labour motion condemning the decision of P&O Ferries to sack staff and demanding their immediate reinstatement.

The non-binding motion also called on the Government to suspend the contracts and licences of DP World and to urgently bring forward legislation to outlaw fire and rehire.

Conservative MPs did not take part in the vote.
ANKARA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday urged his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog not to allow "provocations and threats" against the status and spirituality of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

In a Twitter post, Erdogan said he held a phone talk with Herzog to discuss regional issues and bilateral relations, especially the events caused by "some Israeli radical groups and security forces in Palestine."

Erdogan said he told Herzog that he had been "very upset" about the Palestinians being injured or killed in the incidents in the West Bank and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in early April.

These incidents caused by radicals every year "hurt consciences and cause justifiable reactions" in the entire Islamic world, he said.

The tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been rising in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the past weeks, especially on Friday when the Jewish festival of Passover began.

Some 200 Palestinians have been injured in a recent wave of clashes in East Jerusalem, mainly at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews. Scores of Israeli have also died in a spate of deadly attacks in Israel.

The phone talk came amid the reconciliation efforts made by Israel and Turkey, whose ties were strained in 2010 when a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip clashed with Israeli forces, leaving 10 Turks on board dead.

In 2018, Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador to Turkey after the United States moved its embassy to the disputed holy city of Jerusalem.

On March 9, Herzog paid a visit to Ankara, during which Erdogan said he "clearly expressed Turkey's sensitivity on the issue of Palestine." 
The suspect in a fatal shooting in Waco last Friday surrendered to authorities after a four-hour standoff Monday in Llano County, Waco Police Department officials said.

Evaristo Jacobo Garcia, 34, was arrested at a house in the small town of Tow near Lake Buchanan after authorities received information that he was at that address. When officers with the Llano Sheriffs Office and the Williamson County SWAT team arrived, Garcia barricaded himself in the house before surrendering peacefully, Waco police said.

Detectives on Friday issued a warrant for his arrest on murder charges after he was accused of killing Johnny Vidal Hogan, 47. Officers found Hogan unresponsive and with a gunshot wound around 6:02 a.m. Friday in the 3100 block of Pipkin Lane, between Marlin Highway and Loop 340.

Local authorities sent a warrant bulletin for him to law enforcement agencies across Texas. A woman and child who were thought to be traveling with Garcia but are not suspects have been found safe.

Police had warned in the bulletin that Garcia was considered armed and dangerous. Authorities recovered two guns during Garcias arrest.

A news release from Waco police said Garcia will be extradited this week to McLennan County Jail but did not state where he was being held. The Williamson County and Llano County jails did not list him as an inmate Monday.

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NAIROBI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has commenced inspection of product standards for all imported cargo at its ports of entry, a government official said Tuesday.

Bernard Njiraini, the managing director of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) told journalists in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, that pre-export verification of conformity (PVOC) that applied to products at the respective exporting countries to ensure their compliance with the applicable Kenya technical regulations that began in 2005, has come to an end.

KEBS said that a local certificate of conformity will be issued for those goods meeting the standard requirements.

"It is equally important to note that those goods tested and are found not to meet the standard requirements will be re-shipped or destroyed at the owner's cost," he stressed.

The official revealed that in order to ensure minimal import disruptions while ensuring that no substandard goods enter the country, KEBS has come up with four destination certification options based on risk assessment.

"KEBS has also bolstered the number of inspectors at the ports of entry, the market surveillance directorate and in the testing labs just to ensure timely inspection, sampling, testing and surveillance of all goods imported into the country to safeguard the health of consumers," Njiraini added. 
Patrick Lyoyas father says he and his family have a right to know the name of the white officer who fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man.

But the police chief in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says he will only do so if the officer is charged in the April 4 shooting that followed a brief foot chase and a struggle over the officer's Taser.

Eric Winstrom's department is among those across the U.S. that have faced scrutiny for withholding identities of officers in cases where Black people were wounded or killed during interactions with police. Some have said its to protect the officers from retribution. Others, like Grand Rapids, point to policies that prohibit the release of an officers name before charges are filed.

Im asking for the law to release his face, his image and his identification because I would love to know the person who has killed my son. I have the right, Peter Lyoya said through a translator during an emotional news conference after video of the shooting of his son was released last week.

Andrew Shannon, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Peninsula Chapter and vice president for the SCLC Virginia State Unit, said police departments should treat officers who are under investigation like they would anyone else.

They always report who the suspect is and they report who the victim is, except in cases of rape, Shannon told The Associated Press. There should be no special treatment when law enforcement are involved in these types of matters. They should want to demonstrate transparency and openness so everyone can be fully apprised of the process.

Lyoya was facedown on the ground when an officer shot him in the back of the head while straddling Lyoya. The officer had stopped Lyoya for driving with a license plate that didnt belong to the vehicle.

The funeral for Lyoya, a native of Congo, is scheduled Friday in Grand Rapids, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to deliver the eulogy.

While Winstrom said he could not release the officer's name, he did release videos of the shooting, citing a need for transparency. The officer could be heard repeatedly ordering Lyoya to let go of his Taser, at one point demanding: Drop the Taser!

Ben Crump, an attorney for Lyoyas family, planned to release results of an independent autopsy on Tuesday.

Michigan State Police are investigating. The prosecutor who will determine whether the officer will face any charges has said not to expect a quick decision.

A Grand Rapids police spokeswoman said Monday in an email that a person's name, age, other basic information and the charges against him can be released following an arrest or issuance of an arrest warrant.

Not releasing the officers name is consistent with the procedure, Jennifer Kalczuk wrote.

Such policies vary from city to city.

Chicago, for example, changed how it handles such cases after Black teenager Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times by a white police officer in October 2014. In that case, it was prosecutors who released Officer Jason Van Dyke's name  13 months later, when he was charged with murder and video for the shooting was also released. On Monday, Federal authorities said they will not criminally charge Van Dyke.

In response to criticism of how the McDonald shooting was handled, the city made changes. While police still will not release an officer's name unless he's charged, the agency that reviews those shootings does so regardless. City policy also requires that video be released within 60 days.

Last year, within a month of two separate fatal shootings by police, including of a 13-year-old boy, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released officers' names. Prosecutors have said the officers won't face charges.

Ephraim Eaddy, spokesman for the agency, said it has concluded that officers names cannot be held back because they are public servants.

If the release of the names of the Chicago officers involved in the two 2021 shootings seemed to come quickly, the name of the Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer who shot Jacob Blake several times in 2020 was made public in lightning speed.

Three days after that shooting, the Wisconsin Department of Justice issued a news release that included Officer Rusten Sheskey's name.

The decision came after the Kenosha Police Department handed the investigation over to the states Justice Department for complete transparency, said Kenosha police Lt. Joseph Nosalik.

Nosalik said he agreed with the decision. Had the department refused to release the name, Nosalik said he would have called to ask why.

The public has a right to know ... and unless theres a logical reason like it might put the officers safety and his family in jeopardy, I dont see a reason why the name cant be released, he said.

In fact, he said, the Kenosha police moved to extricate" Sheskey's family from their home after learning that they might be in danger, and suggested the same concern might be part of the reason why authorities in Grand Rapids have not released the officers name.

Crump, the Lyoyas' attorney, said having the officer's name would allow the family to find out more about him.

We want to know his history, Crump said last week. I can guarantee you, theyre going to do everything in their power to try to learn the history of Patrick to assassinate his character."

Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya

Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan. Babwin reported from Chicago. Williams is a member of AP's Race and Ethnicity team.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
DALLAS  The clean energy transition has been interrupted.

With soaring prices and the disruptions caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine, the world is turning to fossil fuels again. Governments are releasing strategic reserves, lining up new supplies and urging oil and gas producers to pump up production.

Call it the carbon resurgence, and its a reminder that fossil fuels remain as essential as ever.

Even strong advocates of clean energy, such as Larry Fink, CEO of investment giant BlackRock, acknowledged the reset. He said the U.S. was focused on boosting oil and gas supply, and Europe and Asia may increase coal consumption over the next year.

This will inevitably slow the worlds progress toward net zero in the near term, Fink wrote in a recent letter to shareholders.

Expensive energy will make renewables and electric vehicles more competitive, but at a cost: Energy prices at this level are also imposing a terrible burden on those people who can least afford it, Fink wrote.

The average price of regular gasoline has topped $4 a gallon in recent weeks in the U.S. Thats nearly 50% higher than a year ago. Natural gas prices are also up significantly, which drives up the cost of electricity and home heating.

For years, fossil fuel companies were criticized for contributing to climate change, and some investors divested their holdings, hoping that would accelerate the switch to clean energy. But the current supply shock upends that approach.

Theres a huge conflict between what people say they want versus what theyre willing to do, said Michelle Michot Foss, a fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy. The bottom line is there are few options for governments and societies, except to continue to use legacy energy systems. And when you look at the data, thats really whats happening.

Global production from wind and solar grew sixfold in the past decade, she said. Combined, they still supplied only about 4% of global energy while fossil fuels provided over 80%.

In the U.S., wind and solar accounted for about 5% of U.S. energy production last year. Add in biomass and hydro power, and renewables share topped 12%, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Nuclear contributed 8.3%, and fossil fuels still accounted for 79% of U.S. energy production.

Everybodys excited about the idea of using wind and solar, but you really are giving up a lot  and its costly because backup supplies are required in some weather, Michot Foss said.

The surge in wind and solar power over the past decade coincided with the shale revolution, which revived oil and gas production in Texas and beyond.

Since 2010, the shale fields net gains in energy supply dwarf the gains from the much smaller wind and solar sectors. The shale gains also made it easier to reduce coal production by almost half, and thats meaningful in reducing emissions.

The costs of solar and wind have declined by half or more since 2011, according to Lazard estimates. But energy from renewables cant be stored, transported and dispatched on par with fossil fuels.

Pushing to defund fossil fuels  before lower-carbon resources can credibly fill the gap  risks destabilizing economies around the world, Michot Foss and colleague Gabriel Collins wrote in a January report.

The broader world grapples with a massively impactful contradiction, they wrote.

On one side, wealthy elites in the U.S. and Western Europe want to accelerate the energy transition by constraining investment in carbon. On the other side, billions of global consumers are facing higher costs.

A consumer backlash, along with other pressures, appear poised to deliver a carbon resurgence, they wrote.

The upshot? I think people are going to learn how to live with carbon-based fuels in the best way they can for the foreseeable future, Michot Foss said in an interview.

On Wednesday, at a House committee hearing in Washington, lawmakers asked energy executives to explain why gasoline prices were so high  and why they werent boosting production even more.

U.S. oil production has not recovered to pre-pandemic highs. One reason is that oil companies are returning more cash to investors, who lost billions in the shale fields over the past decade.

But in West Texas Permian Basin, both oil and natural gas production are hitting new highs, according to projections by the Energy Information Administration. In February, Texas also added 5,100 oil and gas jobs, a 2.9% gain for the month, according to federal data.

Liquefied natural gas from the Permian will be the best source to displace Russian natural gas in Europe, Scott Sheffield, CEO of Irving-based Pioneer Natural Resources, told lawmakers.

Just imagine what the price of oil would be today without shale oil growth, Sheffield said in prepared testimony.

Big investments in solar projects and batteries are in the pipeline at ERCOT, which operates the Texas grid. So renewables should continue their fast growth, especially if federal tax credits are renewed. But oil and gas volumes are climbing, too.

Both can happen at the same time, said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas, an advocate for clean energy. We can expedite the growth in renewables and efficiency, even if we are  in the short term  continuing our reliance on fossil fuels.

The world still must reduce carbon, he said, citing a U.N. report released Monday. The report warned that greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest and be reduced by a quarter by 2030.

Yet Metzger acknowledged the upside to increasing oil and natural gas now, citing the fuel hike protests in 2018 by rural French residents who had to drive long distances daily.

We have to be mindful of gas prices so there isnt a big backlash like we saw in France with the yellow vest movement, he said.

2022 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
David Naylors knowledge of cryptocurrency was limited, to say the least, when Bitcoin miners started approaching him last year about buying power from the utility he runs across a 16-county stretch of rural Texas.

I was writing it down, B-i-t-c-o-i-n, said Naylor, chief executive officer of Rayburn Country Electric Cooperative Inc., which provides power to about 229,000 customers  mostly small towns and homes  north and east of Dallas.

Naylor has had to get up to speed quickly. Hes received multiple proposals to build Bitcoin mines, with rows of electricity-guzzling computers that solve mathematical problems to create digital coins, on whats now ranch land. Two of the mines would each require as much as $20 million to fortify power lines and avert blackouts. Each would consume enough electricity to power as many as 60,000 Texas homes. Utilities like Rayburn have to provide service to miners if its technically feasible to do so, but upgrades to the grid threaten to drive up bills for consumers already shouldering price shocks for almost everything.

Rayburns talks with Bitcoin miners illustrate the conundrum utilities face as crypto companies like Riot Blockchain Inc. and Argo Blockchain Plc flock to Texas, spurred by almost nonexistent regulation, relatively cheap electricity and Governor Greg Abbotts quest to make the state the global center for crypto mining. Besides threatening to boost power bills, the dozens of Bitcoin mines proposed are also a risk to the states shaky power grid after a deep freeze last year left hundreds dead and pushed up prices so much that utilities were left with massive debts or bankrupted.

These are just challenges weve never faced before, Naylor said in an interview.

Texas utilities may have to figure it out largely on their own, weighing the cost of upgrades against long-term benefits like revenue that can be invested in protecting against outages. It falls to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states grid operator, to evaluate how Bitcoin mining will affect the power system. So far, ERCOT hasnt publicly disclosed what it's done, but its members voted March 30 to create a task force to understand how many mines will connect to the grid and how fast. New types of demand come with a number of risks and challenges, and ERCOT will continue to coordinate and collaborate with its regulators and stakeholders to successfully integrate crypto loads, the grid operator said in an emailed statement.

Its too early to estimate how much Texans power bills could rise as a result of Bitcoin mining. But the city of Plattsburgh, New York, may provide clues. After power prices surged, Plattsburgh temporarily banned crypto mining in 2018 until it could pass measures to regulate the industry. Two counties in Washington state took similar steps.

Overall, Bitcoin mining cost residents and businesses in upstate New York about $250 million a year in higher annual electricity bills, a 2021 University of California Berkeley study concluded. Mining pushes up monthly electric bills about $8 for individuals, and $12 for small businesses, the researchers estimated.

Industry advocates argue that as Bitcoin mining booms in the state, someone will come along to build more power plants. One year after the deadly winter storm, a record amount of solar capacity is planned for Texas. Plus, miners say their ability to quickly throttle back operations when the grid needs power will actually make the system more stable. Bitcoin mines shouldn't cost consumers much because they seek out more sparsely populated areas with electricity to spare, said Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, a lobbying group.

But Rayburn's experience shows that's not always the case. Miners are looking at remote sites, which in some cases will require millions of dollars in grid upgrades, Naylor said.

Utilities across Texas are fielding proposals. American Electric Power Co. is weighing requests from 75 to 100 Bitcoin miners to connect primarily across West Texas and is evaluating the need for upgrades to handle the mines. Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, which serves the Texas Panhandle and Central Plains, is studying inquiries from two dozen miners.

Austin Energy, which powers the state capital, says investors want to build five mines just outside Austin that would need a total of 1,000 megawatts of electricity, equal to about two-thirds of the city's current demand. That may require the utility to build more transmission lines, said Erika Bierschbach, vice president of energy market operations.

The risk is that we dont manage the opportunity very well, Bierschbach said. Austin Energy, Rayburn and Golden are considering whether to require miners to pay higher power rates.

Upgrades to the power system will be needed because the grid cant handle all of this new load, said Evan Caron, a former power trader in Austin who invests in energy technology. New investments in the transmission system are typically shared among ERCOTs consumers and show up in their utility bills. This year, ERCOT expects more than $4.5 billion in transmission charges to be distributed among users from factories to utilities.

Given the crypto industrys notorious volatility, theres also the chance that miners will close up shop, leaving ratepayers to cover the costs of upgrades that may no longer be needed. To mitigate that risk, utilities can ask for a deposit, which would be refunded after the miner uses the power for a certain period of time.

Worldwide, mining consumes an amount equal to twice whats needed to power every light in the U.S., according to the University of Cambridges Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index.

But in Texas, the payback can be immense because electricity is so cheap, Caron said. Even if Bitcoin prices fell to $30,000  roughly 25% below current levels  miners would still make revenue equal to about six times the cost of power, he said.

At Rayburn, CEO Naylor wants to make sure hes not taking undue risks to help deliver those returns. Rayburn had to sell $908 million of bonds in February to cover the bill from ERCOT for soaring power prices during last years crisis, and it will take 28 years for customers to repay the debt.

The risks may pay off because crypto miners have pledged to shut down in times of crisis to conserve power, Naylor said. The biggest Bitcoin miner in Texas, Riot Blockchain, did so in February and last year, and others, such as Compute North LLC and Bitdeer Technologies Holding Co., have committed to shutting if needed.

Even with those safeguards in place, Bitcoin mining comes with costs. Its definitely going to have an impact, Naylor said. Its simple supply and demand.

___

2022 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Not everyone is on board with depending on computer-assisted autonomous driving. Humans continue to outperform artificial intelligence in terms of performance and efficiency. Before self-driving cars become a reality, more straightforward approaches can make the roads much safer.

According to the World Health Organization, over 1.35 million people are killed, and up to 50 million more are badly injured in car accidents on the world's roadways each year. According to estimates from the United States Department of Transportation, mortality in the United States increased dramatically during the epidemic, resulting in the highest six-month jump in the country's history. The most common causes were too much speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, not wearing a seatbelt, etc.

Artificial intelligence is already being used to make driving safer, including apps that track drivers' behavior and reward good drivers with money and connected cars that talk to each other and the road.

Advocates seek helpful, low-cost, intermediate technologies that are now accessible on the market to achieve their goals. Intelligent speed assistance, or I.S.A., is a good illustration of how artificial intelligence may be used to regulate a car's speed through in-vehicle cameras and maps. Starting in July, all new vehicles sold in the European Union will be required to be equipped with the system, which has failed to catch on in the United States.

Acusensus, a company located in Australia, is one of the firms that use artificial intelligence to improve road safety. Acusensus' cameras, which the company refers to as "intelligent eyes," employ high-resolution photography in conjunction with machine learning to detect and enforce unsafe driving behaviors that are difficult to detect and punish.

In the words of Mark Etzbach, the company's vice president of sales for North America, "we have technology that has the potential to save lives."

According to Acusensus, their algorithms can determine with a high degree of certainty if a particular motorist is engaging in potentially dangerous conduct. "We have the ability to analyze occupant restraint." we can determine whether or not someone is distracted, Mr. Etzbach added. We can determine the speed of the vehicle. We can examine three different behaviors at the same time. "Above the dashboard, much over 90 percent of the actions are taking place."

Law enforcement would be able to see plainly if a motorist is holding something other than the steering wheel  such as a phone, for example  and whether that driver is looking down to text someone if such technology were available. A clear view through the windshield is made possible by an unseen flash.

A proposal for implementing the next edition of the technology, known as Heads-Up Real-Time, is being considered in the United States. Officers in patrol cars would get data and photographs in real-time, which they would subsequently be able to see on laptop computers.

In this case, artificial intelligence (A.I.) can assist us in better understanding what people are doing behind the wheel that could put themselves and others in danger, according to Pam Shadel Fischer, senior director of external engagement for the Governors Highway Safety Association. This nonprofit organization represents state highway safety offices. "We believe there is significant potential here."

Shadel Fischer claims that when high-visibility traffic enforcement is present  such as cops in marked cars  "people behave better, they slow down and put their phones away," among other things.

In terms of traffic deaths, Mr. Etzbach remarked that last year was "one of their best years on record." "They want to amend the policy to be able to address some of these road safety concerns," says the spokesperson.

At the state level, there is a growing interest in technology. According to Mr. Etzbach, "we have signed contracts with two states for data initiatives, and we are in discussions with a number of others." According to the National Institute of Standards and Technologies, "Indiana is piloting technology to evaluate enforcement deployability."

In Europe, a technology comparable to Acusensus is also being studied for use. EMTA Secretary-General Alexandre Santacreu remarked in a speech in Paris that large-scale data collecting has enormous potential for application in collision prevention throughout road networks. "A.I. is data-hungry, but road authorities now have relatively little data at their disposal," he explained.

Using computer vision equipment aboard municipal buses, a recent trial in Barcelona, Spain, identified areas along the route where there were conflicts with automobiles, pedestrians, and other road users, allowing officials to determine the largest accident risks. Mr. Santacreu, who prepared a paper on artificial intelligence and road safety that the International Transport Forum published, said, "When you gather that type of data for a full year with tens of thousands of buses and tens of thousands of streets, you get someplace." "This technique is not commonly accepted, but it should be." says the author. "I would encourage every community to put it to the test."

Computer vision technology, which uses artificial intelligence to make sense of raw video feeds  in this example, bus cameras that capture road layouts, the positions of people and cars, and the speed of vehicles  is becoming increasingly popular. Mr. Santacreu explained that video data is frequently destroyed after being analyzed to safeguard privacy.

As the paper points out, "A.I. can identify potentially unsafe sites proactively, before collisions occur" in regions where precise and relevant data is available. In Bellevue, Washington, a recent study of 40 junctions used powerful artificial intelligence algorithms and video analytics.

Mr. Santacreu believes that governments must distribute data extensively and allow room for data marketplaces "since they are the most effective method to buy high-quality data," he says. The future is bright for me if we can take all this data and figure out how to use it and get a little closer to Vision Zero."

Initially established in Sweden in the 1990s and now adopted by many cities worldwide, Vision Zero aims to eliminate all road fatalities and significant injuries by putting several layers of protection in place. If one fails, the others can step in to offer a backup plan.

The idea persuades not everyone to rely on computer-assisted learning. The Global New Car Assessment Program's Mr. Ward claims that humans continue to beat artificial intelligence performance.

An attentive motorist who makes eye contact with a pedestrian can determine whether or not the pedestrian intends to cross the roadway. " "A.I. is not capable of doing that at this time," he stated. "We know that artificial intelligence has huge potential for improvement, but we might be making a significant error if we believe that it will be able to replace the human element from all of this entirely."

As with many artificial intelligence advances, the technology raises privacy concerns.

As Mr. Ward put it, "it's the age-old question of how much interference we want into our lives to keep ourselves safe."

With monitoring technology, he said that "we share the road space and that there are limits to our liberty in the limited environment of automobiles," but it "implies a greater degree of intrusion." "This is what artificial intelligence is coming to us."

Saving Lives with Edge Computing and Autonomous Cars
GRUNDY CENTER  Attorneys for a Grundy Center man accused of killing an Iowa state trooper during a standoff in April 2021 have dropped their request to throw out statements he made during a police interview.

Defense attorneys for Michael Thomas Lang, 42, had sought to suppress statements he made to Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents while he was hospitalized in Iowa City with gunshot wounds sustained during the standoffs conclusion.

The defense had argued Lang was heavily medicated during the four days of questioning and didnt knowingly waive his right to have a lawyer present.

Prosecutors resisted, saying they dont plan to use statements from the first three days of the interviews and noting Lang said yeah after he was read his Miranda Rights and asked if he wanted if he wanted to talk to DCI agents on the fourth day.

The court had planned to hear the matter on Monday, but the defense withdrew its motion to suppress the statements last week.

Authorities allege Lang struggled with a Grundy Center police officer following a traffic stop and then fled home. Sgt. Jim Smith with the Iowa State Patrol and others later attempted to enter Langs home to arrest him.

A standoff followed, and Lang allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers when they attempted to take the house.

Lang is charge with murder, attempted murder and assault on a peace office. Trial has been set for May in Webster City following a change of venue.

The state had attempted to reschedule the trial date because the May date coincides with a National Police Week conference in Washington, D.C.

The event honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, and many of the officers involved in the Grundy Center incident and Smiths relatives had planned to travel to the capital for Smiths induction ceremony during the event.

A judge ruled against changing the trial date.

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WATERLOO  A Waterloo man who was shot by police in 2021 is appealing a district court decision that threw out his lawsuit against the police department.

Authorities said the Officer C.J. Nichols shot Marcelino Alvarez-Victoriano after Alvarez allegedly chased sheriffs deputies with what turned out to be a BB gun in downtown Waterloo on April 7, 2021.

Alvarez survived but was paralyzed from the waist down.

His attorney, Molly Hamilton of Clive, had asked a judge to voluntarily dismiss the case with the possibility of refiling the action to change language in the original suit.

But in February, the judge sided with attorneys for the city who had asked that the case be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cant be reinstated.

Attorneys for the city had argued that the original lawsuit didnt elaborate on how the officer is alleged to have broken the law when he shot Alvarez. That lack of specifics requires dismissal under changes to Iowas qualified immunity statues that became law after Alvarezs suit was filed and before an amended suit was filed naming the officer.

Authorities said a Black Hawk County sheriffs deputy was responding to a report of a man walking down the street with a rifle when he noticed Alvarez by the West Sixth Street Bridge around 12:50 a.m.

Alvarez picked up his gun and approached the deputy, who retreated for cover.

A second deputy arrived and attempted to hit Alvarez with his squad car but missed.

The Waterloo officer arrived moments later and saw Alvarez point the weapon at the first deputy. The officer fired a shot through his squad car windshield, striking Alvarez.

Authorities realized the weapon was an air gun when they approached to kick it away from Alvarez.

A review by the Black Hawk County Attorneys Office released in October determined the police officer acted reasonably in the shooting.

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WATERLOO  Coming soon: Expansion from North End Cultural Center, sponsors of North End Arts and Music Fest and the Summer Hip Hop Literacy program.

Felicia Smith-Nalls is the new artistic director, and shes excited to get started developing new programs that will heighten the organizations impact on the arts in the community, particularly in the African-American community.

Weve had all the pieces in place. Now were putting them all together. It is great timing and a great opportunity to expand, said Smith-Nalls. Her mission is to create programming and events and develop new opportunities to showcase the communitys artistry and creativity through the North End Cultural Center.

We have received additional funding from Black Hawk Gaming and the Community Foundation that will enable us to hire a part-time artistic director, said Allen Hays, president of the North End Cultural Center Inc.

Its the perfect role for Smith-Nalls, who has coordinated the festival for the past several years. It helps because I understand the journey that weve been on, things that worked and some things that didnt work. The festival has grown from one day to a two-day event, and weve added the parade. Were growing organically as well. I want to show the beauty, the creativity, the art and artists from the North End and work to reflect the people of the North End, to be representative and educational, she explained.

The North End Arts and Music Fest will take place July 8 and 9. A new partnership has been formed with Main Street Waterloo to present FridayLoo/North End on July 8, said Smith-Nalls. More details and performers will be announced at a later date.

There are no vendor fees to participate in the North End festival in order to encourage participation. The other part that is clear to me is, we dont stop dreaming as adults. We have programs that focus on youth in the arts, but so many creative people dont think they have a space or the voice. They have one at the festival, she explained.

One idea is to launch urban musical theater. The Waterloo Community Playhouse and Black Hawk Childrens Theatre do amazing work, so we dont want to duplicate services. We are talking about the content, the writers, who its designed for, and its going to add to the theatrical buffet that Waterloo has to offer and validate a group of people and educate others.

In addition, the Summer Hip Hop Literacy program begins June 13. The six-week program meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at First Presbyterian Church at 505 Franklin St. Now in its ninth year, the program is for elementary through middle school students.

The program uses young peoples interest in hip hop music to develop literacy skills, including writing, performing and recording their own music, as well as helping children gain confidence and explore their creative sides.

This summer, theyre also going to learn how to make and produce music videos and podcasts based on their biographies as artists and get an immersion in social media marketing, said Shuaib Meacham, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and Hip Hop Literacy founder.

The young artists have already had the experience of hearing their songs featured on the Young Artists Radio Network.

Its very important to offer practical development skills and business skills that provides the full, big picture, so they can be effective in promoting their music, he explained.

In addition, the program is now doing after-school programming at Hoover Middle School, funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Students had an opportunity to speak to Oksana Grybovich, who is from Ukraine, and from that conversation created a piece that reflects on the war and its impact on children.

They recorded a video of Ukraine Tribute 480 D, which was played by invitation for the virtual World Leisure Festival organized in Hungary. It is also available on YouTube. In 2016, students traveled to Hangzhou, China, to participate in the festival in person.

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KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia must seize opportunities to upgrade trade ties with major partners like China following the country's ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in January, which came into force for the Southeast Asian nation on March 18, said a renowned expert in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Among the opportunities for the country are diversification away from goods to services especially with regard to Malaysia's biggest trade partner China, Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser for Malaysia's Pacific Research Center, told Xinhua in an online interview.

Oh pointed out that volumes of commodity trade between China and Malaysia are already huge, therefore both sides should put more effort into improving the quality, upgrading bilateral trade in services and the use of digital tools to boost trade through RCEP.

Speaking of trade in services, he highlighted the cooperation and exchanges in education sector between the two countries. "I'm happy to see that, for example, over the past few years, there are more and more Malaysian students going to study in China and Chinese students coming to Malaysia to study."

Oh also said the COVID-19 pandemic had been an effective lesson for many countries, including Malaysia in demonstrating the importance of digitalization and the need to change mindsets and attitudes to take advantage of RCEP and new trade opportunities.

He said while Malaysia was no stranger to international trade, the Southeast Asian nation must strengthen its basic trading mechanisms and institutions, for foreign investors who are trying to invest in Malaysia, to take advantage of RCEP provisions.

"Traditionally, I think Malaysian businesses, even though we do a lot of foreign trade, but sometimes we are more reactive. When there are foreign traders who would like to do business with us, we would react to them. But we need to (act) more proactively, and when travels are allowed, go to other markets within the RCEP framework to try to explore new business opportunities there. We must make the first steps ourselves instead of reacting to others' proposals," he said.

Oh also noted that with China's economy in a full upswing, Malaysia and other RCEP members stood to make their own gains and fuel the post-pandemic recovery of their respective economies and to further deepen the economic integration among member states.

Under the framework of RCEP, economic development in one member state could also has its trickling down effects on other economies, Oh said, adding that as China is picking up its pace in booming its economy, some of these other RCEP member states, Malaysia included, but more broadly, the Southeast Asian countries could be deeper, broader and closer partners to China.

Signed in November 2020, the RCEP groups the 10 members of the ASEAN, as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, covering roughly 30 percent of the world's gross domestic product and population. 
UKR LEAKS investigation centre

ukr-leaks.org

DAILYMOTION:

https://www.dailymotion.com/dm_8a861a2c4ff3479f40aed2111b50e6d5

Rumble:

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Contact me:

https://t.me/Vasily_Prozorov

Work mail:

ukr-leaks@inbox.lv

Here is another letter to the Pope written by a girl from Donbass:

To His Holiness Pope Francis.

Your Holiness,

My name is Faina Savenkova. I live in the Donbass, in the city of Lugansk, where the war has been going on for eight years. Many people in the world know my story. In 2014, when the war began, I was 5 years old. At that time, I learned what the shelling of Ukrainian artillery is: My grandmother was near the administration building on May 2, 2014, when the Ukrainian Armed Forces aircraft fired at a peaceful quarter in the center of Lugansk. Since 2019, I have been fighting for peace. I called on the UN, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister, President Zelensky to stop the war, but instead artillery strikes on Donetsk and Lugansk continue. Nationalists began to seize power in Ukraine more and more. Such as the regiment Azov, Aidar and many others destroyed civilians and those who disagree with the actions of the Ukrainian authorities. I think you know that they are banned in different countries.

It seems to me that God will never be with those who profess the destruction and superiority of some over others. All this time I have been asking the Lord to help and stop this war, to bring to reason many both in the West and in Ukraine, because I believe in God, just like you. After all, he was the only one who helped me survive the shelling. I read that you were approached by fighters of the Ukrainian army and fascists of the Azov regiment, trapped by the Russian army and the DPR army. I ask you to pray for them to surrender and answer before the court for what they have done, because they have the blood of many peaceful people on their hands. Of course, the easiest way is to blame Russia for everything. But Russia has been waiting and defending Donbass for 8 years. All this time, Russia and we have been listening to Ukraines promises, sitting under shelling, and seeing the deaths of others. Things are different now. Russia is saving Donbass and Ukraine by destroying those who have been mocking all of us all this time.

Your Holiness, as I have read, although my knowledge of this is still small, the Vatican has always been against fascism. Now in Mariupol, those who hate not only Russian people, but also representatives of other faiths, other nationalities are locked up at the factory. They are not just praising Hitler, they are continuing his ideas. Help these people to make the right decision  to surrender and be justly punished for what they have done.

With respect to you,

Faina Savenkova (writer, playwright, listed by nationalists on the Peacemaker website*, 13 years old).

I publish with the permission of the author

*Peacemaker (Myrotvorets) is a Ukrainian Kyiv-based website that publishes personal information of people who are considered to be enemies of Ukraine.

Thought it was worth getting a letter like this out there and seen by all.just maybe something will trigger a good reaction?

WtR
WELLINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand recorded 8,270 new community cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the country's Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Of the new community infections, 597 were detected in the largest city of Auckland, which saw a great decline in infections from last week, whereas Canterbury in the South Island reported 1,445 cases, the highest daily tally compared to other regions, according to the ministry.

In addition, 38 new cases of COVID-19 were detected at the New Zealand border, said the ministry.

Currently, 572 patients are being treated in New Zealand hospitals, including 19 in intensive care units. The ministry also reported five more deaths from COVID-19.

New Zealand has reported 837,175 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in the country.

The country is currently at the second-highest Orange setting under its COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Under the Orange setting there are no indoor capacity limits and the seating rules for hospitality venues are lifted, with bars, cafes and restaurants being able to fill up again. However, people are required to wear a face mask in many indoor settings. 
Coronavirus vs. allergy symptoms

How can you tell the difference between seasonal allergies and COVID-19 symptoms? If you have a fever and chills, that can indicate an infection, so you should definitely get a coronavirus test, Galiatsatos says. The same goes if you lose your sense of taste or smell.

Allergies are rarely associated with a fever. They usually affect your upper respiratory system, Galiatsatos says, so youre more likely to have itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose.

Most people with seasonal allergies know their symptoms; its almost like a Spidey sense, Galiatsatos adds. If its what you feel every year, its probably not COVID.

Milwaukee allergist Gary Steven, M.D., recommends paying attention to what makes your symptoms worse. If you're fine when you're indoors and the windows are closed, but then you go out on a dry, windy day and start sneezing your head off, yes, that's an allergy.



If youre still uncertain, though, theres no downside to getting a COVID-19 test.

Why your allergies may seem worse

Spring arrived early this year in many parts of the U.S. For California and Arizona, it arrived earlier in 2021 than at any point in the past 40 years, which is how long such records have been kept, according to the USA National Phenology Network, funded primarily by the U.S. Geological Survey.

It's part of a continuing trend in recent years of longer and more intense allergy seasons caused by climate change, explains Ronald Saff, M.D., an allergist in Tallahassee, Florida. A 2019 study, reported in the journal Lancet Planetary Health, found that airborne pollen counts increase as average temperatures climb.

"Warmer weather tricks the trees into thinking it's an early spring, so they start pollinating, Saff says. Because tree pollen is so fine, wind can carry it for miles. For allergy sufferers, it can cause itchy, swollen eyes, a dry cough, congestion, sneezing and wheezing. From 10 to 30 percent of the adult population suffers from seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis).

Older adults are not immune. In one study about 15 percent of women and 13 percent of men over age 60 reported they have some type of seasonal allergy. After age 70, however, allergies tend to decrease, along with the responsiveness of your immune system.

If you're experiencing symptoms, doctors recommend the following steps.
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Nine people including kids were killed and scores of others injured when a fire engulfed over 70 houses in Pakistan's south Dadu district, local reports said on Tuesday.

The fire broke out in three villages of the district after spreading from the stoves of the villagers due to gusty winds in the area Monday night, the reports said.

The villagers were cooking at the outdoor stoves using woods when the fire spread in three different places, the reports said, adding that over 70 houses in separate places were engulfed in the big fire.

The killed included at least five kids who were sleeping in their houses when the fire erupted.

Local volunteers took part in the rescue operation and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital.

Rescue workers dispatched by the district administration also reached the site following the accident to help recover the bodies and the injured. 


Kalahari Metals - Botswana Exploration Update

Sydney, April 12, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cobre Limited ( ASX:CBE ) is pleased to provide an update after review of final drill core and Reverse Circulation (RC) results on the Endurance Prospect located on Kalahari Metals Limited's (KML) Kitlanya East Project.The Endurance Prospect covers an area over 25 kilometres (km) containing an extensive elongated fold structure with numerous smaller doubly plunging anticlinal structures superimposed, offering excellent trap-sites for Cu-Ag mineralisation analogous to Sandfire Resources' ( ASX:SFR ) neighbouring T3 and A4 deposits.HIGHLIGHTS:- Positive drill results support KML's targeting model, increasing confidence in the Project.- Base metal assays from priority holes corroborate geological logging results and validate the targeting methodology employed with indications of mineralisation consistently occurring below, and along breaks, in folded conductors.- A total of 34 drill holes have been designed by KML's technical team to test new high-priority targets with an initial 14 holes (approximately 4,000m) prioritised for the next phase of drilling.- Next phase drilling, which is subject to approvals under the KML joint venture, forms part of KML's systematic exploration programme aimed at discovering the next Cu-Ag deposit in the Kalahari Copper Belt, Botswana.Cobre Limited's Executive Chairman and Managing Director Martin Holland said:"The next stage of proposed exploration that has been well thought out by our experienced technical team, is a significant step towards the potential discovery of a new copper orebody in the Kalahari Copper Belt, Botswana. This copper belt is gathering significant traction with Sandfire Resources Limited recently announcing the commencement of open pit mining at Motheo, a significant Cu/Ag mine that sits adjacent to KML's advanced exploration tenure".During 2021, KML set out to test a targeting model based on folding, feeder structures and stratigraphy. Drilling was very broadly spaced to provide an initial insight into multiple targets across the large prospect area. A total of 3,345 meters (m) of diamond and 1,701m of RC drilling were completed on the Endurance Prospect in two stages. The first stage provided important insights into the selected targets and demonstrated key alteration assemblages at Endurance, which are known to be associated with major deposits across the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB). Second stage drilling successfully refined the targeting model and involved an initial test of new targets and broad step out around some first stage holes (aimed at assessing alteration vectors).Drill results provided several intersections displaying signs of encouraging alteration and intense veining with accompanying visible trace Cu, Pb and Zn mineralisation, all considered important vectors to mineralisation. Selected zones of drill core and RC samples were sent for assay to confirm the logging results and assist with further target generation.Based on drill results to date, an expanded programme testing multiple targets on the Endurance Prospect has been designed as the next step in KML's systematic exploration programme aimed at discovering the next Cu-Ag deposit in the KCB.UPDATED TARGETS FOR FOLLOW-UP WORKSeveral new targets have been prioritised for follow-up drill testing subject to appropriate approvals by the KML JV. The new targets focus on disruptions and washouts in folded AEM conductors which, based on the 2021 drilling, appear to relate to hydrothermal fluid activity associated with introduction of Cu-Ag mineralisation. The 5km x 2km central portion of the Endurance Prospect looks particularly interesting with evidence for a degree of stratigraphic uplift in this area supported by magnetic data and drill results to date. A total of 34 drill holes have been planned to test these new targets with an initial 14 holes (approximately 4,000m) prioritised for the next phase of drilling. Targets are illustrated in Figure 2*. The exploration process to whittle down the extensive prospective areas to focussed drill targets is schematically illustrated in Figure 3*.DRILL SAMPLE RESULTSA total of 832 drill core and 115 RC samples along with appropriate duplicates, replicates and control source material were sent for aqua-regia ICP-AES multi-element analysis at ALS laboratories in Johannesburg. Samples were selected from zones with intense alteration and veining, often with evidence of trace base metal mineralisation in drill core. RC samples with anomalous provisional pXRF results were also included for assay.Results were used to:- Confirm the logging of trace base metal sulphides in drill core;- Identify potential element assemblages which could help with identification of alteration halos associated with mineralisation; and- Prioritise the multiple targets identified to date and refine the next phase of drilling.Results:- Base metal assays from priority holes corroborate geological logging results and validate target selection criteria;- Mineralisation appears to consistently occur in breaks in folded AEM conductors as well as below the marker conductor horizon corroborating the structural model used for target generation; and- Encouraging Cu results were returned from a doubly plunging fold target identified during progressive review of field observations and refinement of the targeting model during the 2021 drilling programme.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cobre Limited

Cobre Limited (ASX:CBE) is a copper and base-metals explorer with projects in Western Australia and Botswana. The Company recently discovered a new high-grade VMS deposit enriched in Copper, Gold, Zinc and Silver in Western Australia, and is currently exploring approximately 8,100 km2 of tenements within the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB) in Botswana.
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Malibu, CA, April 19, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a conversation with Timothy Johnson, the President and CEO of Granite Creek Copper Ltd ( CVE:GCX ) ( OTCMKTS:GCXXF ) ( FRA:GRK ).Granite Creek Copper is a Canadian exploration company focused on its 100%-owned, high-grade Carmacks copper-gold-silver project, south of the operating Minto mine in Canada's Yukon Territory. In November 2020, Granite Creek Copper consolidated the southern half of the productive and highly prospective Minto Copper Belt and, in March 2022, announced an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate on its 176-square-kilometer Carmacks property. The Company is expecting to provide an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment this year, based on an open pit configuration. The Carmacks project features excellent access to infrastructure.Mr. Johnson has over 25 years experience in the mineral exploration industry ranging from grassroots prospecting to consulting company operations and public company management. As a founder and manager of Arcmin Enterprises he helped a northern British Columbia First Nation build a labour service company employing over 180 people providing entry level and skilled workers to exploration and development projects in BC's golden triangle.ATTEND THE FREE WEBNAR WITH CEO Timothy Johnson and Brien Lundin of The Gold Newsletter. April 19, 2022 at 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern.Register here:To listen to the Interview, please visit:About Granite Creek Copper Ltd

Granite Creek Copper Ltd (CVE:GCX) (OTCMKTS:GCXXF) (FRA:GRK) is a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada's Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company's website at www.gcxcopper.com.
Russias invasion of Ukraine has brought energy security crisis back to page one news. Or, more precisely, energy insecurity is back in the news.

What do we mean by energy security? Broadly, its the reliable supply of clean and affordable energy, consistent with domestic and international objectives and sustainability. It encompasses a range of concerns and time scales  long-term and short-term, domestic and foreign, economic and political, environmental and reliability in the face of natural and man-made risks.

Energy security in one form or another has been an issue for decades, but when things seem calm we take it for granted. Its when things go wrong that we wake up and pay attention.

Today, rising prices for petroleum and natural gas have been turbocharged by Russias invasion of Ukraine. These sharply rising energy costs are causing widespread economic distress around the world.

Many actions and policies are under consideration, aimed at increasing alternative energy supplies, reducing energy consumption, or both. But most policy measures and the subsequent economic relief wont happen quickly, with results often measured in months if not years.

However, there is one near-term action that can be implemented quickly to offset the 672,000 barrels per day of Russian petroleum the United States imported in 2021. We can simply reduce our roadway fuel consumption by lowering our vehicle-miles traveled (VMT).

Russian imports equal a little more than 5% of U.S. energy used just for powering cars and trucks. When VMT drops, so does fuel consumption. In 2020, when COVID-19 most restricted travel, VMT dropped 11% from 2019. For the 12 months beginning March 2020, every month showed at least a 6% reduction in VMT over the year-earlier month, even after restrictions began to ease.

A 5% to 6% reduction in VMT would save enough fuel to offset all of our Russian oil imports. Collectively, we can stop paying for Putins invasion of Ukraine by breaking our dependence on Russian oil and gas exports.

Make working from home a patriotic response to Putins war. For companies encouraging remote workers to return to the office, consider hitting the pause button. Keep Zooming for Ukraine!

For the rest of us, can we get everything done with just one or two fewer car trips per week? For most of us, just 10-15 fewer miles driven per week saves more than our Russian imports. Thats not a big ask.

Theres also a substantial environmental bonus from a VMT reduction. A 5% VMT reduction would reduce CO2 emissions by about 75 million metric tons per year, equal to more than 16 million passenger vehicles. Patriotism meets environmental stewardship.

Energy security has again moved front and center. While our leaders consider the actions that can make a longer-term difference, the rest of us can start making a difference right away.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Attorneys for the state Republican Party asked a judge Monday to bar New Mexico from conducting this years congressional elections under the new map adopted in last years special session, describing it as an illegal partisan gerrymander.

Lawyers for the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, by contrast, urged the judge to dismiss the lawsuit altogether, contending the map complies with every requirement in the state Constitution.

The clash played out before Clovis-based District Judge Fred Van Soelen, who said he will issue a ruling by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The timing is critical. The first ballots for the primary election must go in the mail to military and overseas voters by Saturday.

Dylan Lange, an attorney for Democratic Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, said its already too late  that changing the map now would cause mass chaos.

Five days before an election is just too much for us to handle, Lange told the judge. Its not feasible.

Van Soelen didnt say how he intends to rule, but he asked a number of questions centering on the potential disruption of overturning the map approved by the Legislature.

Chris Murray, an attorney for the state GOP and other plaintiffs, said federal law allows for an exemption to the deadline for military and overseas ballots when theres a legal dispute.

Furthermore, he said, allowing the election to go forward under the new map would violate the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs by diluting the voting strength of Republicans in southeastern New Mexico. He cited a provision in the Constitution guaranteeing people equal protection of the law.

Murray cited comments by Democratic legislative leaders that he said showed their goal was to damage the reelection chances of U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell of Alamogordo  the only Republican in the state delegation  and analysis by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report and others.

Its a clear partisan gerrymander, Murray said.

Attorneys for Democratic legislative leaders and the governor said the state Constitution assigns the task of redistricting to political officeholders in the legislative and executive branches of government. Theres no clear standard, the defendants said, for what would constitute an illegal partisan gerrymander.

The process worked just like the Constitution envisions, Richard Olson, an attorney for legislative leaders, said of the new map. Theres no reason for judicial involvement.

Lujan Grisham attorney Holly Agajanian said the Constitution doesnt require lawmakers to adopt maps with the blessing of the minority party.

Lawmakers in December adopted the new congressional map, substantially reshaping all three districts. The map, for example, splits Albuquerque into two districts with ripple effects that make Herrells seat more friendly to Democrats.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Authorities say a homeless man on a court-ordered GPS monitor stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry from Santa Fe businesses over the past several months to feed a purported fentanyl habit.

Edgar Guzman, who lived beneath a bridge near downtown Santa Fe, told police he sold the jewelry  at least one piece worth up to $35,000  to tourists for between $20 and $100 each.

Authorities say businesses are now trying to compete with their own product due to the 26-year-old reselling the items around town at a considerably lower rate.

The net effect of these crimes can be devastating to the owners of these businesses and the citys economy, a Santa Fe Police Department detective wrote in court records.

Santa Fe Police Capt. Aaron Ortiz said in the two biggest hauls  two burglaries at the Manitou Galleries  Guzman stole hundreds of jewelry pieces worth $250,000. He said none of the jewelry has been recovered.

Were following up with pawn shops to try and recover some, Ortiz said, calling Guzmans arrest a step in the right direction of curbing burglaries around the capital city.

Police used the GPS from Guzmans ankle monitor to place him at the scene of multiple burglaries and attempted break-ins.

He is now jailed at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center, charged with two counts each of receiving stolen property over $20,000, larceny over $20,000, four counts of non-residential burglary and lesser charges. It is unclear if he has an attorney.

Court records show Guzman picked up his first serious charges in 2019 and 2020, when he allegedly threatened juveniles with a knife and, in a separate case, threatened a man with a knife after shoplifting. Both cases were dismissed due to prosecutors not meeting deadlines or filing discovery.

In January, he was sentenced to community service and a year of probation in a November 2021 case in which he was caught with fentanyl pills. At the time, Guzman had already been placed on an ankle monitor by the court after police say they caught him with $230,000 in jewelry, cash and coins following back-to-back burglaries from Momenis Gallery at 222 Old Santa Fe Trail.

In all, authorities say Guzman was arrested three times over the past four months for crimes related to burglary and property theft.

I believe Mr. Guzman is a danger to the private business owners of the City of Santa Fe, the detective on the case wrote in a statement of probable cause filed in Santa Fe Magistrate Court.

In the largest heists, on Feb. 15 and March 4, Guzman allegedly broke into the same Manitou Galleries location on Palace Avenue, a few blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, according to police.

Both burglaries happened just before 5 a.m. and took minutes as Guzman allegedly pried his way into the building and filled a backpack with hundreds of jewelry pieces, like an 18-karat white gold and sapphire diamond ring worth $35,000.

Guzman was arrested April 10 after he attempted to drill through the lock of a business and police said he had a backpack matching the one seen in surveillance footage from the gallery. Guzman, who had been in and out of jail between the gallery burglaries, told the arresting officers he was trying to get money for a fentanyl habit.

Court records show a detective met with Guzman, who said he had been homeless for a year and living under a bridge a quarter-mile from the gallery. He said there was no chance of returning the jewelry as he had sold it on the streets to tourists.

Police said he told them he burglarized the gallery twice because it was easy.

Guzmans ankle monitor placed him at the scene of the Feb. 15 gallery burglary and another two burglaries, in which he stole a safe and cash registers.

In one of those cases, on Feb. 24, an officer followed bicycle tracks in the fresh snow from the business through Santa Fe to Guzmans tent near the bridge at Sandoval and DeVargas street.

Guzmans GPS location for the second gallery burglary could not be confirmed because his ankle monitor had been removed on March 1 due to the prior case being dismissed to be refiled later, according to court records.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has successfully intervened to ensure unions have a guaranteed role in major city construction projects.

After the City Council voted earlier this month to repeal 2021 legislation that required project labor agreements on the biggest public works projects, Keller countered with a veto.

His veto returned to the council Monday night for a potential override, but the legislative body lacked the six votes needed to supersede Keller.

Only five councilors  Brook Bassan, Renee Grout, Trudy Jones, Dan Lewis and Louie Sanchez  supported the override. The same five had previously voted for the repeal.

Isaac Benton, Pat Davis, Tammy Fiebelkorn and Klarissa Pena voted against the override, giving Keller his third veto victory out of four tries in about a months time.

I want to thank the councilors who upheld the veto tonight for standing up for our taxpayers and our workers, Keller said in a statement. Project Labor Agreements have been used to ensure quality and accountability on civic projects from the Hoover Dam to the Kennedy Space Center, and well use them in Albuquerque to build our city and strengthen pathways to good careers.

The original bill, enacted last December, requires a PLA  defined as pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations or their representatives  on city construction projects that cost at least $10 million and use workers from three or more crafts.

There are two projects of that scale on tap this year, city officials have said. There were five over the $10 million threshold last year.

Non-union contractors can still bid on and win the big jobs but would still have to execute a PLA.

Construction and development industry representatives urged the council Monday to override Keller, arguing that the PLA requirement is unfair.

Mandating project labor agreements disproportionately disadvantages most of our trades workforce by failing to give them equal access to city contracts, said Rhiannon Samuel of NAIOP New Mexico, the commercial real estate development association.

But union members  who spoke as dozens of their peers in the audience stood in solidarity  argued that the agreements ensure apprenticeship and workforce development and keep contractors from misclassifying workers to pay them less than the applicable prevailing wage.

A few also took issue with Councilor Sanchezs comments during the Councils last meeting, specifically when he said  after noting that hes been both a Teamster and a member of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association  theres a lot of slugs in the union.

I choose to forgive you for what you said, but I will never forget and neither will our membership, Bobby Baca of IBEW 611 told Sanchez while addressing the council. What you said about union workers is totally wrong, and I believe you owe a public apology to everybody standing in this room.

Sanchez addressed the criticism prior to the override vote.

To make it clear, I didnt call each and every one of you a slug  thats not what my comment was, he said. My comment was that Ive been in unions before, and Ive been in unions that have had slugs that worked for them.
DETROIT  A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya after a traffic stop pressed the gun against his head when firing the fatal shot, an expert who performed an independent autopsy for the Black mans family said Tuesday.

Dr. Werner Spitz confirmed what was seen last week on video: Lyoya was shot in the back of the head while facedown on the ground during a vigorous struggle with a white Grand Rapids officer on April 4.

Spitz appeared at a news conference with lawyers for Lyoyas family, who said they believe video collected and released by police shows that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was resisting the officer, not fighting him.

You never see a fist, you never see a knife, no baseball bat, no gun, no nothin, Ven Johnson said. This was not a deadly force scenario. Never gave a warning: Halt or Im going to shoot you or other words that we can all imagine.

Spitz said he believes the gun was pressed against Lyoyas head when the officer fired, based on the condition of a bone in the head.

Theres no question what killed this young man.  It was a powerful bullet, said Spitz, holding a skull to show where the bullet entered the head.

Spitz performed the autopsy last weekend at a funeral home. The 95-year-old forensic pathologist participated in the assassination investigations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., among other high-profile cases.

We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head, attorney Ben Crump said. That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution.

The official autopsy report is part of the state police investigation and hasnt been released to the public.

Lyoyas death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer.

Crump said Lyoya could have lived until his early 80s  a long and fruitful life. A lawsuit hasnt been filed, though Johnson signaled that one was in the works.

Crump has been involved in multimillion-dollar settlements between U.S. cities and the families of Black men killed by police. His legal team has argued that the costly deals should inspire police departments to change practices and improve their accountability to the public.

Lyoya, who wasnt armed, was killed after a traffic stop in Grand Rapids in western Michigan. The officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

Earlier, the officer, is heard saying that the license plate didnt match the car Lyoya had been driving. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

Crump said it appeared to be a case of racial profiling  driving while Black. Video released by the Grand Rapids Police Department shows the officers patrol car backing out of a driveway in a residential neighborhood to follow the car for a few blocks. In Michigan, license plates arent on the front of vehicles.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Kalczuk declined to comment.

Johnson repeated his call for police to publicly release the officers name, though he indicated that he knows the identity. Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he wont release the name unless charges are filed.

If our client shot this officer in the back of the head, you would know his name the same day, Johnson said.

State police will give their findings to Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker for consideration of any charges. He has told the public to not expect a quick decision.

Lyoyas funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Al Sharptons National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.

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Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya
KABUL, Afghanstan  Explosions targeting educational institutions killed at least six people, including students, and wounded 17 Tuesday in a mostly Shiite neighborhood of Afghanistans capital city, police said.

The blasts, which happened in rapid succession, were being investigated and more casualties were feared, according to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran and the citys Emergency Hospital. Several of the wounded were in serious condition and some had been treated and released.

The explosions occurred inside the Abdul Rahim Shaheed High School and near the Mumtaz Education Center several kilometers (miles) away, both in the predominately Shiite Muslim neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. There were no immediate reports of casualties at the education center.

Guards in the narrow street leading to the two-story high school said they saw 10 casualties. Inside the school, an Associated Press video journalist saw walls splattered with blood, burned notebooks and childrens shoes.

The AP spoke to several private guards in the area but they refused to give their names, fearing repercussions from the Taliban security force cordoning off the area.

It appeared a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the sprawling compound, which can house up to 1,000 students, witnesses said. It wasnt immediately clear how many children were in the school at the time of the explosion.

The school is teaching students only until grade 6 after Afghanistans hard-line Taliban rulers went back on a promise to allow all girls to attend school.

No one immediately claimed responsibility. The area has been targeted in the past by Afghanistans deadly Islamic State affiliate, which reviles Shiite Muslims as heretics.

Save the Children in Afghanistan issued a statement strongly condemning  the attack and saying no school should be deliberately targeted, and no child should fear physical harm at or on the way to school.

The U.N.s high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, said on Twitter he joined the world bodys special representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, in offering condolences to families of the victims. He said the attack against the school was horrific and cowardly.

The Islamic State affiliate known as IS in Khorasan Province, or IS-K, has previously targeted schools, particularly in the Shiite dominated Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood. In May last year, months before the Taliban took power in Kabul, more than 60 children, mostly girls, were killed when two bombs were detonated outside their school, also in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood.

IS has presented the biggest security challenge to the countrys Taliban rulers, who swept into Kabul last August as the United States ended its 20-year war.

___

Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and Tameem Akhgar in Islamabad and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

In a statement released a day after a Florida judge ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said officials believe that the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. He said it was an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.

Coley said the CDC had said it would continue to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determined a mandate was necessary for public health, the Justice Department would file an appeal.

As of Tuesday, the agency hadnt made a determination, officials said.

The federal judges ruling did away with the last major vestige of federal pandemic rules and led to a mishmash of new locally created rules that reflected the nations ongoing divisions over how to battle the virus.

Major airlines and airports in places like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City quickly switched to a mask-optional policy. Los Angeles County dropped its mandate for mass transit and a train conductor in New Jersey told commuters of their masks Tuesday: Feel free to burn them at will.

New York City, Chicago and Connecticut, however, continued to require masks for travelers.

The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving.

Even Walt Disney World in Florida on Tuesday announced it was lifting its mask requirement for its monorail, buses and sky gondola.

For many, the news was welcome. A video showed some passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight cheering and applauding as they removed masks upon hearing the announcement they were now optional. One man happily twirled his mask on his finger.

However Brooke Tansley, a television producer and former Broadway performer, was incensed after boarding a flight with her 4-year-old and 8-month-old baby neither old enough to be vaccinated  only to learn the mask mandate had ended mid-flight.

Very very angry about this, she said in a tweet, noting her baby was too young to wear a mask.

President Joe Biden went all-in on flexibility Tuesday when asked if Americans should mask up on planes.

Thats up to them, Biden declared during a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the White House continues to require face coverings for those traveling with him on Air Force One, citing CDC guidance.

In Portland, Oregon, transit employees immediately began taking down mask required announcements and signs, but said it would likely take several days to remove everything.

The city joined Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and two of Alaskas largest cities, Anchorage and Juneau, in making masking optional on mass transit.

Some passengers at Chicagos Union Station said the rules were confusing. Amtrak dropped its requirement. The Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, the regional commuter rail service, kept the requirement at first but dropped it late Tuesday.

Its like this patchwork of different rules and enforcement of it, said Erik Abderhalden, who wore a mask as he waited for a Metra train to his home in suburban Naperville. I mean, its like Swiss cheese  theres no uniformity and it seems pretty laissez-faire.

Subway rider Cooper Klinges was pleased that New York Citys public transit system wasnt following the trend and planned to keep its mask requirement in place. As he waited at a Brooklyn train station, he said he canceled a flight earlier this year over concerns about the virus.

I dont think we are out of the woods yet, said Klinges, a teacher, citing concerns about the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. It is still around. We have to still stick it out.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of U.S. cases. But the court ruling puts that decision on hold.

After a winter surge fueled by the omicron variant that prompted record hospitalizations, the U.S. has seen a significant drop in virus spread in recent months that led most states and cities to drop mask mandates.

But several Northeast cities have seen a rise in hospitalizations in recent weeks, leading Philadelphia to bring back its mask mandate.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas, and Crawford from Chicago. Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.
Albuquerque-based startup BioFlyte Inc. won a $6.1 million venture investment to prepare for commercial launch of proprietary technology to detect airborne biological threats, the company announced Tuesday.

Santa Fe-based Cottonwood Technologies Fund led the round, joined by Anzu Partners, which previously pumped $1.25 million in seed funding into BioFlyte in 2020.

The new investment will allow BioFlyte to expand field testing of its technology with potential customers, leading to commercial sales later this year, or in early 2023, said BioFlyte president and CEO Charles Call.

Weve already deployed it for testing and evaluation in operational environments, including a major test in the Pentagon building, Call told the Journal. We havent started full commercial sales yet because we first want to conduct more field testing to prove its capabilities.

The technology provides continuous and autonomous detection of airborne pathogens, chemicals and microbes through wall-mounted sensors that detect and identify toxins in real time. Its extremely sensitive, pinpointing threats at levels as low as 100 particles per liter of ambient air, according to the company.

BioFlyte is targeting both defense and commercial markets to protect critical infrastructure, such as airports, buildings and other high-transit environments.

The technology was built by parent firm Zeteo Tech Inc., which Call co-founded in 2013. After creating workable prototypes, Zeteo Tech spun out BioFlyte in 2020 as a separate company to commercialize the technology, Call said.

BioFlytes spinout coincided with the global pandemic, encouraging the company to initially offer airborne-detection capabilities specifically for COVID-19.

As the pandemic evolved, we adapted our technology for use in schools and workplaces, Call said. Well continue to pursue those markets going forward to help with new Coronavirus waves, variants and other diseases. But with the pandemic now winding down, were re-focusing on our original defense and security mission to protect critical infrastructure.

The company got a major boost last fall, when former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton joined BioFlytes board of directors.

Bolton brings a global perspective and network of relationships, Call said. As the technology matures, were hoping he can provide guidance on needs and opportunities to deploy it on a global scale.

BioFlyte currently employs 12 people at two facilities in the Bioscience Center in Uptown Albuquerque, and at the Sandia Science and Technology Park.

Cottonwood Managing Partner David Blivin said BioFlytes technology has significant market potential.

(BioFlyte) brings a fast, accurate, and low-cost solution into a world that is increasingly dangerous, Blivin said in a statement. The need for technologies that can quickly detect bio-hazards in all environments has never been more important, and we are excited to help bring this technology to market.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story misspelled the company name BioFlyte. The story has been updated.
KABUL, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 700 soldiers have been commissioned to security forces of the Afghan caretaker government, the Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday.

At a special ceremony, 700 soldiers graduated after military and intellectual training from the training center of 215th al-Azam Corps on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.

The newly trained soldiers assured that they are ready to make any sacrifice to preserve the country's territorial integrity and defend the land and serve the people of Afghanistan, the statement said.

The Taliban-led caretaker government has been working to establish a 350,000-strong security force, Deputy Prime Minister Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi told local media recently. 
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho  A mother charged with conspiring to kill her children, her estranged husband and a lovers wife refused to enter a plea to murder and other charges on Tuesday, prompting an Idaho judge to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf.

Lori Vallow Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, were both at the courthouse in the eastern Idaho town of St. Anthony for separate court proceedings: Lori Daybell for an afternoon arraignment that was delayed for months while she underwent treatment at a mental health facility, and Chad Daybell for a morning hearing over the trial venue.

The couple face numerous charges in the bizarre case, including conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybells children, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybells first wife, Tammy Daybell. Lori Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of her now-deceased brother, Alex Cox.

Chad Daybell pleaded not guilty to the charges months ago and is being held in the Fremont County Jail. The case against Lori Daybell was stalled after a judge found her mentally incompetent to aid in her own defense and ordered her to undergo treatment at a mental health facility. Last week, the judge said Daybell had been made competent and the case could go forward, and she was transferred to the Madison County Jail.

Lori Daybell kept her head down as she entered the courtroom and spoke quietly during her arraignment on Tuesday. The courtroom was mostly full, with JJ Vallows grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, seated in one of the front rows. The Woodcocks wiped away tears as 7th District Judge Steven Boyce read the murder charge related to the young boys death.

Lori Daybell, wearing a light blue blouse and glasses, opted to stand silent when she was asked to enter a plea to the charges. Boyce, who told her she could face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.

Investigators say Chad and Lori Daybell began espousing an unusual, doomsday-focused system of religious belief involving zombies, teleportation and communication with other spiritual realms starting in 2018, when both were still married to other people. The Idaho prosecutors say they used their religious beliefs to justify or encourage the murders.

Lori Daybells brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix, according to an indictment in Arizona. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, and wrote in court filings that his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the biblical apocalypse.

Cox told police the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. He later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

Shortly after Charles Vallows death, Lori Daybell  who then had the last name Vallow  and her children moved to the rural eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, near where Chad Daybell lived. At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell. She died in October 2019.

Though Tammy Daybells obituary said her death was from natural causes, authorities grew suspicious when Chad and Lori Daybell married just two weeks later. Investigators had Tammy Daybells body exhumed for an autopsy, though authorities have not formally released her cause of death.

Police began searching for Lori Daybells youngest two children a few weeks later in November 2019 after relatives raised concerns. The Daybells quickly left town, and they were found months later in Hawaii without the children.

The childrens bodies were eventually found buried in Chad Daybells yard back in Idaho.

During a news conference after the arraignment, Larry Woodcock said he was happy that the case is moving forward, saying Lori Daybells day will come.

Shes going to have a miserable life, and thats all I ask for. I know that justice will be served, Larry Woodcock said.

The arraignment was held about an hour after a motion hearing where prosecutors and Chad Daybells attorney, John Prior, argued over whether the entire trial should be moved to a more populated region or whether jurors from Ada County should be brought across the state to Fremont County for the trial, which is expected to last about 10 weeks.

The judge had originally ruled that the trial would be moved to Ada County, which includes the city of Boise, but Prosecutor Rachel Smith contended that would substantially raise trial-related costs for taxpayers and potentially witnesses.

Prior said ensuring a fair trial is more important than any financial burden faced by Fremont County. He also said sequestering a jury in Fremont County would essentially turn jurors into prisoners, with no phones, television or ability to move around town.

The judge said he would issue a written ruling on the matter.

The judge has previously ordered that Chad and Lori Daybell will be tried together. But though Chad Daybell has waived his right to a speedy trial  with the trial tentatively set for January 2023  Lori Daybell did not.

Her attorney, Jim Archibald, told the judge on Tuesday that Lori Daybell would not waive her right to a speedy trial, which means the case has to be tried within six months. Its not yet clear if that means the Daybells will be tried separately or if the date previously set for trial in Chad Daybells case will be moved up.
As India has returned to the pre-pandemic way of operating businesses, the MSMEs in the country are optimistic about their growth and business outcomes, as per the Khatabooks Business sentiment survey results released today. The Survey sums up the overall sentiment of small and medium business owners in India and their expectations for their business outcomes for the first 6 months in the year 2022. Khatabook studied the business growth witnessed by 15942 MSMEs across every state in the country in Q3  Q4 2021 and the expected growth for Q1  Q2 2022. Through this Business Sentiment Survey, Khatabook also aims to identify challenges that the MSME businesses face in India and take necessary actions to aid their growth. The startup is planning to conduct a Business Sentiment Survey with MSMEs every 6 months.

According to the findings of the Khatabooks Business Sentiment Survey, during the second half of 2021, 41% of the MSME owners in India saw growth in their business while 23% experienced a decline in their business. The findings also revealed that the remaining 36% believed that their business has stayed stagnant. Furthermore, the Survey revealed that about 54% of the businesses did not face any significant issues during this period. Although, for the remaining 46%, weak demand, financial liquidity, and credit availability still posed a major challenge. The overall sentiment across industries was found to be positive with 68% of the MSMEs expecting better prospects, while only 7% expecting to see a business dip in the first half of 2022.

The states where more businesses thrived in 2021 Q3-Q4 were Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, as per the findings, manufacturers and retailers were most impacted during this period while the wholesalers prevailed and scored the highest current Confidence Score.

With healthcare and hygiene being a top priority since the pandemic, the businesses in the healthcare and pharma industries witnessed a surge in their profits. Similarly, financial services, marketing-related businesses, and internet services were amongst the businesses that experienced substantial growth. Businesses like education, restaurants, fashion lifestyle and stationery/xerox struggled due to the limited contact guidelines. Furthermore, the survey revealed that they expect slower progress even in the coming months.

Commenting on the key findings of the survey, Ravish Naresh, CEO and Co-founder, Khatabook, said, "We are committed to understand our merchant users better to provide them with best digital solutions to make their businesses more efficient and profitable. Business Sentiment Survey is an effort in that direction. We plan to conduct this survey every 6 months to identify the level of confidence for business growth and understand the key challenges for the MSME ecosystem in the country. These findings help us devise a strategy to better equip our users with technological capabilities to ensure that their growth is not stinted.

Khatabook and Biz Analyst by Khatabook provides millions of MSMEs in India the digital business capabilities to manage their finances and day-to-day operations. The FinTech start-up aims to empower them by making their business execution convenient, profitable, and efficient through its platforms. Some of the well-liked features entail functions related to payments and recovery of outstanding, digitized business ledgers, digital receipts, downloadable financial reports, and real-time insights about finances. The App also allows users to send payment reminders and payment links to their customers via SMS. In addition to that in 2021, Khatabook introduced Automated Bot Call Reminders, the first-ever IVR (Interactive Voice Response) tech exclusively designed for Indian MSMEs. In Jan 2022, the startup announced 1.8 trillion Monthly Transactions being recorded across their platforms.
Bajaj Electricals Ltd., India's leading consumer appliances brand, has launched its technologically superior range of fans through a new multi-media campaign, 'Fan Nahin Fantastic' to help consumers have a pleasant summer experience. The brands consumer research highlighted that modern Indian consumers are increasingly looking for new-age features in fans and the top three factors they consider while purchasing a fan are 1) Speed of the fan, 2) Preference for low noise and 3) Aesthetic fans that can uplift the home decor. Bajaj Electricals latest offering caters to all these requirements. The range includes the Super High-Speed 425 RPM fans that offers a high blast of air for quick comfort, Silent Fans with reduced noise levels and Decorative Fans in Ceiling, Tower & Pedestal range that are in the premium category. The newly launched models can be purchased from all leading retail outlets and e-commerce websites, and also from https://shop.bajajelectricals. com.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Krishna Raman, Business Head of Consumer Products at Bajaj Electricals Limited, said, "Over the years we have tried to understand the requirements of the consumer and have added Super High-Speed, Silent and Decorative fans to our existing vast range. The latest campaign 'Fan Nahin Fantastic is an interesting articulation of the changing needs of todays modern consumer and we hope the new TVC shown in lighter vein will strike a chord with them. With the latest range, we aim to go beyond the basic requirement of fans as an appliance by enhancing functionality and appearance in a way that enables our fans to seamlessly fit in our consumers daily life."

The multimedia campaign Fan Nahin Fantastic is live across TV, print, digital & in-store and showcases that the capability of a fan can deliver much more than just air circulation. The brand's creative agency McCann Worldgroup India has worked on the films.

Ashish Chakravarty, Executive Director & Head of Creative, McCann Worldgroup,said, We wanted to create a sharp, disruptive, and humorous storytelling that is completely driven by functionality and highlights the product proposition. The new range of Bajaj fans are designed with technological innovation that offer a bouquet of consumer benefits, tailored to the varied demands of the new-age consumers. And our campaign idea Fan Nahin Fantastic demonstrates and underlines this unique proposition.

By introducing such unique advanced features, the brand has reaffirmed its position as a leading player and consumer's go-to choice in the fan category. Founded on the pillars of innovation, technology and nuanced understanding of the consumers, Bajaj Electricals continues its journey towards building the future and opening the world to newer possibilities.
Bajaj Electricals Ltd., India's leading consumer appliances brand, has launched its technologically superior range of fans through a new multi-media campaign, 'Fan Nahin Fantastic' to help consumers have a pleasant summer experience. The brands consumer research highlighted that modern Indian consumers are increasingly looking for new-age features in fans and the top three factors they consider while purchasing a fan are 1) Speed of the fan, 2) Preference for low noise and 3) Aesthetic fans that can uplift the home decor. Bajaj Electricals latest offering caters to all these requirements. The range includes the Super High-Speed 425 RPM fans that offers a high blast of air for quick comfort, Silent Fans with reduced noise levels and Decorative Fans in Ceiling, Tower & Pedestal range that are in the premium category. The newly launched models can be purchased from all leading retail outlets and e-commerce websites, and also from https://shop.bajajelectricals.com.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Krishna Raman, Business Head of Consumer Products at Bajaj Electricals Limited, said, "Over the years we have tried to understand the requirements of the consumer and have added Super High-Speed, Silent and Decorative fans to our existing vast range. The latest campaign 'Fan Nahi Fantastic is an interesting articulation of the changing needs of todays modern consumer and we hope the new TVC shown in lighter vein will strike a chord with them. With the latest range, we aim to go beyond the basic requirement of fans as an appliance by enhancing functionality and appearance in a way that enables our fans to seamlessly fit in our consumers daily life."

The multimedia campaign Fan nahin Fantastic is live across TV, print, digital & in-store and showcases that the capability of a fan can deliver much more than just air circulation. The brand's creative agency McCann Worldgroup India has worked on the films.

Ashish Chakravarty, Executive Director & Head of Creative, McCann Worldgroup, said, We wanted to create a sharp, disruptive, and humorous storytelling that is completely driven by functionality and highlights the product proposition. The new range of Bajaj fans are designed with technological innovation that offer a bouquet of consumer benefits, tailored to the varied demands of the new-age consumers. And our campaign idea Fan Nahin Fantastic demonstrates and underlines this unique proposition.

By introducing such unique advanced features, the brand has reaffirmed its position as a leading player and consumer's go-to choice in the fan category. Founded on the pillars of innovation, technology and nuanced understanding of the consumers, Bajaj Electricals continues its journey towards building the future and opening the world to newer possibilities.
Canara Bank displayed an aerial advertisement of their brand on 16th April, 2022 in Mumbai. The Aerial Advertisement Aircraft was in Mumbai and displayed aerial advertisements over Mumbai City as per pre-determined route.

The flying time for the advertisement campaign was 2 hours -- 3.45 PM to 5.45 PM -- on 16th April, 2022. The flight was undertaken at 1,000 ft above ground level and 500 ft above sea level, at a speed of 60 miles / hour.
TOKYO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan's health ministry on Tuesday approved the use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Novavax to be used on people aged 18 and older.

The Novavax vaccine will mark the fourth COVID-19 inoculation approved in Japan, although will be the first protein-based vaccine compared to those developed by Pfizer and Moderna that are messenger RNA-based (mRNA) jabs.

The ministry hopes the Novavax jab can be administered to those who are likely to show allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines so they can still be vaccinated against the virus which has yet to be brought under control in Japan.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, protein-based vaccines are known to cause relatively fewer reactions, with the thinking being among the ministry that this will help the uptake of those who are as yet unvaccinated because they have been worried about side effects.

The Novavax vaccine requires recipients to be jabbed twice with a three-week period between doses, the ministry said, although a third booster shot will be allowed six months or more after the second jab.

Takeda Pharmaceutical will manufacture the jab locally and distribute the Novavax vaccine and is under contract to supply 150 million doses of the vaccine to the government within a year, according to official accounts.

The rollout, they said, is expected to begin in late May, with Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto saying on Tuesday that the government purchased the vaccine last September to make sure Japan was in possession of a stable supply should restrictions be applied on overseas vaccines.

Goto also said Novavax as a vaccine also got the green light from the government specifically because it is protein-based and is regarded as safe and effective.

He added that the Japanese government had always intended to procure a variety of different vaccines so as to offer the public more choices.

Local governments have been asked by the health ministry to open at least one site where the Novavax vaccine can be administered to make sure that those who prefer the protein-based jab, or require a non-mRNA for whatever reason, have access to it. 
There were always some discussions going on regarding the HDFC-HDFC Bank merger, which date back to 2014. Hence, the deal has been in the works for many years. HDFC and HDFC Bank have an agreement, whereby the parent company will sell a certain portion of its loans to the bank every quarter. For the bank, this was the only exposure to the home loans business. Therefore, owing to the complementary nature of businesses and the cost synergies, particularly for the home loan business, the deal made sense to both and today, we will have only one entity, that is, HDFC Bank. Actually, the current crop of consumers may not relate so strongly with HDFC Loans, but their association with HDFC Bank will be deeper and stronger.

Earlier, when you were planning to take a housing loan, you approached HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation), who were primarily only disbursing housing loans. But with this merger, the loan portfolio will come under HDFC Banks umbrella, like many other financial services that the bank is offering. I think the consumer always saw them as HDFC, but it took some time for them to take a decision to bring this under one umbrella brand.

HDFC has many other subsidiaries, like HDFC Life, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, HDFC Securities and HDFC Red, and they are all separate organisations. But the public simply connects with the banks name, that is, HDFC Bank. HDFC Bank enjoys a great brand recall because of its excellent PR and advertising campaigns, and also because their earlier Chairman Aditya Puri was seen has a voice of authority in the banking circle and a thought leader. His presence also helped the bank to manage the external communication very efficiently. Puri was instrumental in giving the bank a very strong foundation and built the equity of the brand, which has helped the other businesses to piggyback on it.

This merger is a win-win situation for both the entities since as a brand both of them are fundamentally very strong financially and have good equity in the market and with the external stakeholders. This merger will also enable HDFC Bank to build its housing loan portfolio and also get a strong customer base to expand and penetrate in the banking services and do cross-selling of several financial products which could help them to get a large pie of the share. The housing loan market is at the cusp of a strong up-cycle along with tailwinds for the real estate sector, and with a robust growth expected in the infrastructure in the coming years, this will only further strengthen their position. Now, it remains to be seen how they will marry the brand from a communication and branding point of view to reposition themselves as one strong and giant financial brand.

When it comes to banking and finance, there is always an emotional connect with the brand. In the case of HDFC, the strong equity, especially the trust factor, that has had will certainly have some rub-off as they get merged with HDFC Bank. Any kind of rebranding or repositioning of a large merger, especially in the highly competitive financial sector, is always a challenge, but one needs to view the overall situation of the two big brands before planning the communication process and deciding on a strategy which will benefit overall the mother brand in fortifying their position in the market.

Sharing his perspective, Lloyd Mathias, Business Strategist and Independent Director, said that the merger of two strong entities  HDFC Limited into HDFC Bank  will make HDFC Bank Indias second largest bank pulling ahead of the others, with the gap between HDFC Bank and State Bank of India at about Rs 67 lakh crore.

Besides the cost optimisation and HDFC Bank inheriting a ready home-loan portfolio the big advantage will be in brand synergies  commonality of messaging; better scale in media buying and larger consumer reach. Consequently, these will help drive awareness, recall and enable lower cost customer acquisition, he added.

Mathias further said, Both home loans and banking being mass financial products, HDFC will now be a significant player across both and will be able to leverage its strong brand to reach consumers more effectively. Banking being deeper penetrated it will help the home loan business grow. Also, with the increased turnover the marketing outlay can be increased ever so slightly to drive huge returns.

Apart from the business synergies, this merger brings together brand synergies for both the brands. Commenting on this merger, Ajit Devraj, Managing Partner, Dentsu Impact, said, While both are leading and well-established brands, there are unique attributes that could potentially get associated with each of them. HDFC Bank definitely has a greater scale, which adds to the stature and leadership credentials of the brand. Whereas for HDFC, there is a strong rub-off of the trust, credibility and professionalism that HDFC bank enjoys. The access to financial services at scale and almost all across India will be a huge opportunity that the merger will offer.

According to Devraj, For the end consumer, HDFC will now play a bigger role in their lives and it can potentially have a larger footprint in the minds of the consumers. This merger will also give the consolidated brand much more stature in the eyes of the consumers.

He further said, Rebranding can help draw attention to the merger and is a huge opportunity to make a statement in the market. However, given the stature of both the brands, it will be imperative to ensure that they do not dilute the core strengths of each brand. Thus, the rebranding activity has to be very carefully conceptualised and executed.

Looking from a branding POV, a merger offers both opportunities and potential pitfalls that should be carefully negotiated, remarked Nisha Sampat, Managing Partner,Bright Angles Consulting LLP. According to her, Both brands that are being merged will need to align and build on their root strengths and past equity to ensure that the new whole is greater than the sum of the older parts. HDFC Bank is the image driver, as it is modern and consumer-centric unlike the parent entity. But HDFC Ltd has disbursed housing loans over generations of Indians and can contribute an emotional connect and substantial goodwill and credibility. It is important that these aspects are not lost, but synergised during the re-branding exercise. The re-branding exercise can bring a depth of meaning to the merger, by showing how it will benefit end consumers. Hence, it is definitely an exercise of value to the brand. While some amount of education and messages will have to be created through their brand communication efforts but there will not be need of some large-scale rebranding exercise as the brand is deeply etched in the consumers mind as a financial conglomerate.

Generally, consumers always expect that mergers will bring them greater convenience and seamless access to all solutions under one roof. Paradoxically, consumers also fear that when a business grows larger, the smaller customers lose importance. Hence, it will become extremely important to design a consumer experience that brings the brand promise to life on ground, while addressing their expectations and concerns. In my opinion, the consumer experience design will be as important, if not more important than conventional communication, to build the future equity of HDFC as a power brand, Sampat noted.

Ashwini Deshpande, Founder & Director, Elephant Design, added here that a merger of such large entities in a domain that takes years to establish trust is a challenge and there is a huge opportunity for branding.

She pointed out that while the names are similar, the visual identities and tone of voice of the two entities have been quite different. Bank has had more opportunities to establish its visual equity due retail facings. The loan side of business has had longer, deeper, and almost monopolistic association with end users. There are other entities that also have the HDFC badge  like HDFC life and HDFC Ergo, she observed.

This may be the perfect opportunity to examine commonalities of purpose and use them to advantage of the new entity. A good time for rediscovering a common, fresh, and forward-thinking brand promise followed by brand assets like visual identity, tone of voice, sonic branding, etc.
United Breweries Limited today announced that it has signed actors Rashmika Mandanna and Varun Dhawan as brand ambassadors for its iconic brand Kingfisher. The association will kick off Kingfishers Spread the Cheer campaign, focused on celebrating this year as the Year of the Cheer.

Kingfisher is a youthful, contemporary and fun brand, which constantly reinvents itself to engage with its consumers in new and exciting ways. The brand is associated with some of the best music, food and sporting events, and lives up to its name of The King of Good Times.

Speaking about the campaign, Debabrata Mukherjee, Chief Marketing Officer, United Breweries Ltd, said, Kingfisher has brought joy and energy to the lives of consumers over the years and has always been Indias first choice of a social beverage. As we look back on this journey with humble pride, we also look ahead with renewed resolve to further strengthen our consumer connections, enhance the aspirational and iconic brand codes and dial up differentiated consumer engagement experiences. The ever-evolving consumer landscape and the continuous tectonic shifts in the media platforms are energizing us to strive for more in the way we approach integrated marketing communications and how we build winning partnerships. We are thrilled that Rashmika and Varun are joining forces with us as our brand ambassadors as we embark on this invigorating voyage. They truly represent what the brand stands for  fun, happiness, optimism and cheer! We believe that they will help spread our brand message and uplift our brand experiences across the country and beyond.

Through this campaign, Kingfisher has also created an exciting dance hook-step with Rashmika and Varun as their way of spreading the cheer.

Actor Varun Dhawan said, I am super excited to be the face of a brand as iconic as Kingfisher. For me Kingfisher represents passion, enjoyment and living life to the fullest. The last two years have been tough for everyone because of the pandemic and now I hope we all spread the cheer with Kingfisher and come together to have a good time.

Actor Rashmika Mandanna said, Kingfisher is one of the most iconic brands to have come out of India, enjoyed not just locally but across the world. I am very excited to be a part of the Kingfisher brand family and urge everyone to come together, spread the cheer and celebrate the joy of true togetherness.

The TVC is shot by Raylin Valles and the music by composer Ram Sampath is sure to get you grooving.
Neutrogena has launched its new range, Neutrogena Bright Boost for Indian consumers, to address the increasing problem of skin dullness. Dullness occurs over time, when the fresh new skin cells that help skin look luminous, take longer to resurface. For the first time, Neutrogena has formulated a range to meet the unique skin brightening needs of Indian women. This customized formulation boosts the surface skin cell renewal process by 10 times, helping achieve smoother, brighter, and more-even skin tone in just a week.

With the Bright Boost range, Neutrogena aims to help women achieve a radiant, more-even skin tone. Neutrogenas proven skin results, backed by science are the answer for millennial women who have been disappointed so far with products that may be on-trend but dont actually fulfill their skin needs.

The three key products in the new range- Resurfacing Micro Polish, Illuminating Serum, and Gel Cream, effectively address dullness and pigmentation. These products are powered by the revolutionary dermatologist- preferred ingredient, Neogluco samine (pronounced ne-oh- gloo-koh-suh-meen) which has been developed in-house. It boosts surface skin cell turnover by 10 times while acting with other powerful ingredients for smoother, brighter, even-toned skin that caters to Indian consumer needs.

Commenting on the launch, Manoj Gadgil, Vice President  Marketing, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, India said,  We, at Neutrogena, believe in helping every woman achieve her best self through her best skin ever. Which is why we challenge the status quo, continue to innovate and rethink whats possible in skincare. Our products are scientifically crafted in labs, perfected by experts, and proven effective on your skin.

For our new Bright Boost range, we brought together our most talented scientists for a first- ever global collaboration in an endeavor to create a skin-brightening line that would meet the diverse needs of all skin tones and deliver real, visible, quick results. This is how our revolutionary Bright Boost range was born.

This new product range will not only be a game-changer but will also further strengthen the brands position in the skincare category in India.

The launch of the Bright Boost range will be supported by a 360-degree digital-first outreach program across platforms and further amplified through a digital film that introduces the Bright Boost range and the revolutionary dermatologist-preferred ingredient Neoglucosamine.
Procter & Gamble has announced that LV Vaidyanathan will take over as the Chief Executive Officer for its operations in India from July 1, 2022. Vaidyanathan is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, who started his journey with P&G in 1995 as an intern and joined the India Sales team straight from campus in 1996. He has more than 26 years of experience across diverse geographies and cultures like India and ASEAN countries including Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. He is currently leading the P&G business in Indonesia as CEO, where he has been responsible for industry-leading growth and value creation for the company.

Under his leadership, the Indonesian business has transformed to become value accretive for the parent company and has overtaken a formidable competitor in the market by turning around the share gap in the last 4 years. Vaidyanathan is a passionate advocate for Equality and Inclusion, and under his leadership, P&G has achieved the milestone of having 50% women representation in their leadership team. He has also stepped up the companys focus on environment sustainability in Indonesia where all of the companys manufacturing sites have become Zero Manufacturing Waste to Landfill, and the company is working with external stakeholders to innovate and develop technology that can accelerate efforts to advance the circular economy. Vaidyanathan has also served as the Chairman of Indonesia Chapter of US ASEAN Business Council.

LV Vaidyanathan will take over from Madhusudan Gopalan, who is going to take on an important leadership role within P&G as Senior Vice President  Grooming & Oral Care, P&G Japan & Korea. During his four-year tenure at the helm of P&G India, Gopalan led the transformation of the business and find its winning formula to consistently deliver sustainable top and bottom-line growth. P&G continues to be the market leader in most of the segments it operates in like baby diapers, blades & razors, feminine care, shave prep, health care, anti-ageing skincare, and is No. 2 in shampoos and toothbrushes. He has been instrumental in guiding the company through the challenges of the pandemic, delivering strong balanced growth while prioritising the health and well-being of P&G people.

Gopalan has been heavily invested in developing young Indian talent and grooming Indian talent for international roles within the company. As a result, Indian talent growth has accelerated over the last 4 years with a strong pipeline of diverse, highly capable, and agile leaders for India and the globe. He is also known for his passion to elevate the companys focus to be a force for good across areas of community impact, equality & inclusion and environmental sustainability. Under his leadership, the company launched its P&G Suraksha India program towards COVID relief, where it contributed towards vaccine doses, oxygen concentrators, masks, and sanitizers for the protection of frontline workers and underprivileged communities. He has been instrumental in sharpening the companys focus on environmental sustainability and P&G recently became one of the first FMCG companies in the country to achieve plastic packaging waste neutrality.

Commenting on the development, Magesvaran Suranjan, P&G President, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, said, I want to thank Madhusudan for his outstanding leadership of the India organization over the last four years and the transformation of the business to delivering consistent balanced growth and value creation. Not only has his leadership been exemplary to guide the company through the pandemic, but he is also leaving the business well-positioned to win in India for years to come. I am thrilled with LV Vaidyanathans appointment as the India CEO, who has been an integral part of the P&G growth story for well over two decades. He is an outstanding leader, and the India business will immensely benefit from his leadership and skills which have led to the strong growth of the different businesses that he has led across Southeast Asia. The moves for both Madhusudan and LV are testament to the strength of Indian talent and Indias importance as a talent factory for P&G globally.

Madhusudan Gopalan added here, It has been a great honour to lead the P&G business in India, my home country where I started my P&G career. The four-year journey has been an enriching and rewarding one and Im proud of what we have achieved together as the India team. The business is in great shape and we have found our winning formula where our strategy is delivering consistent top and bottom-line growth and our people are growing and thriving. I am delighted with the appointment of LV Vaidyanathan as my successor, one of Indias home-grown talents who I firmly believe has the right expertise to lead the growth of our business in India in the years to come. I am confident that he will continue to lead the P&G India business to greater heights and in turn, incrementally contribute to the overall growth for the parent company.

On his new role, LV Vaidyanathan said, It is a moment of great pride for me to come back to India and spearhead the P&G business. I am looking forward to being back in the market, learning more about the Indian consumers and serving their needs. For us, going forward, it will be important to continue the focus on our strategy which is delivering consistent results. We will raise the bar on all aspects of our superiority strategy product, package, brand communication, retail execution, and value. We will continue to drive productivity improvements to fund investments in innovation and help drive balanced top-and bottom-line growth. As a focused and agile and accountable organization operating at the speed of the market, we will also aim to lead constructive disruption across the value chain in the industry. I cant wait to get started and I am looking forward to working with our incredibly talented team in India.
CANBERRA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia's opposition the Labor Party has maintained lead in one of the nation's opinion polls ahead of the election to be held next month.

According to the latest Newspoll, which was published by The Australian on Tuesday, Labor leads the governing Coalition 53-47 on a two-party preferred basis after the first week of the election campaign - the same margin prior to the election being called for May 21.

If replicated at the election, that margin would result in Labor winning power at the election after nine years in opposition.

However, the poll found that the number of voters who intend to vote for either Labor or the Coalition as their first preference fell by 1 percent each to 36 and 35 percent, respectively.

It marks the lowest combined popular support for the two major parties recorded by Newspoll for five years.

Twenty-nine percent of participants in the poll said they would support a minor party or independent in the election, leaving the major parties facing the prospect of forming a minority government.

If neither Labor nor the Coalition wins a majority of the 151 seats in the lower house of Australian Parliament in their own right on May 21, both will enter negotiations with minor parties seeking support to form a minority government as Labor did in 2010.

Asked recently about the potential of forming a minority government, Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned Australians against voting for independent candidates.

"We intend to win a majority government at this election," he told reporters on Monday.

"So a vote for those Independents, is a vote for uncertainty, it's a vote for instability."

The latest Newspoll also found that despite Labor holding its advantage over the Coalition, support for leader Anthony Albanese has slumped.

Albanese's net approval rating, which is calculated by subtracting the disapproval rating from the approval rating, fell from negative three to negative 14, the lowest figure since he became Labor leader in 2019.

It comes after Albanese was criticized for not knowing Australia's unemployment rate or the central bank's cash rate target during the election campaign.

By comparison, Morrison's net rating improved from negative 12 to negative nine and 44 percent of voters chose the incumbent as their preferred PM compared to 37 percent for Albanese.

A separate poll published by the Australian Financial Review on Tuesday found that 40 percent of respondents thought Albanese's blunder on the unemployment rate could hurt Labor's chances of winning the election.

Thirty-five percent still predicted Labor would win the election compared to 21 percent who said they expected the Coalition to return to power, with 33 percent anticipating a minority government.

Morrison continued the second week of the campaign on Tuesday in electorates in Western Australia, where he announced a re-elected Coalition would spend 140 million Australian dollars (102.9 million U.S. dollars) on two new hydrogen hubs. 
ANKARA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 26 members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been "neutralized" during Turkey's new ground and air cross-border offensive into northern Iraq, Turkey's Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, one Turkish soldier was killed by a hand-made explosive in the conflict area on the first day of the the operation, the ministry tweeted.

The operation continues successfully as planned, it noted.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" to imply terrorists are killed, wounded, or captured in security operations.

Turkey launched on Monday a military campaign, dubbed Claw-Lock, against the PKK's shelters, bunkers, caves, tunnels, ammunition depots and headquarters in Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions in northern Iraq.

The operation was launched after the PKK was found to be planning a large-scale attack, the Turkish defense ministry said earlier, adding it is in line with Turkey's self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Turkey regularly conducts cross-border operations on PKK bases in northern Iraq, despite Iraq's repeated condemnation of Turkey's violation of its sovereignty by airstrikes in its northern region.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than 30 years. 
Palestinian president discusses Mideast tension with Jordanian King, Putin

Xinhua) 11:20, April 19, 2022

RAMALLAH, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday discussed the growing tension with Israel in East Jerusalem during two separate phone conversations with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Abbas exchanged views with King Abdullah over the situation in East Jerusalem, accusing the Israeli police forces of acting "brutally towards the safe worshipers, in flagrant violation of international law and the legal and historical status of the status quo in the holy city," the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have run high in recent days during the rare confluence of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover. Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police erupted on Friday at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, leaving over 160 Palestinians injured.

According to the report, the two sides agreed to hold a meeting soon, and continue consultation, coordination and contact with concerned parties to stop violence at the holy site.

In his phone talk with Putin, Abbas discussed bilateral ties as well as the recent development of situation in the Middle East, saying there is a need to respect international law and work to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Abbas called for efforts to provide international protection for the Palestinians, WAFA said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
HELSINKI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has been diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday, said the president's office in a press release on Tuesday.

The president is doing well and will continue to work remotely, said the release.

Due to the infection, Niinisto's official visit to Norway on April 21-22 will be rescheduled. 
A couple of years ago I moved to a different state and had to change my auto insurance policy with my big-name insurance company. A month after paying for the new policy, I accidentally discovered that they were about to auto-renew my old policy (for the state I no longer lived in). I was livid. The lady on the phone told me Well, of course, you have to tell us to cancel your old policy". Recently I canceled the policy, which was an amazingly tricky and confusing process. I cant imagine what it would be like trying to make a claim after an accident with such shysters.

Thats when I started to appreciate the genius of the new generation of crazy insurance commercials. My favorites are the Limu Emu and Doug commercials by Liberty Mutual. Watch them often enough and you start to think of Doug as a good neighbor (not the State Farm Insurance kind, but more like the Simpsons). Hes your friend, almost family, not a conniving businessman. A company that makes such commercials understands you

Thats the problem. They do understand you, but you dont understand them. You forget that they want to take as much of your money as possible, and give as little as possible back (thats why they are so successful). They never talk about what happens when you need to make an insurance claim, and you never think about it. Conveniently for them, not for you.

We dont understand Russia

The relationship between the Soviet Union and Russia is incredibly important to each American. For generations, there have been thousands of nuclear warheads that the Russians could drop on America at any time. Yet our schools teach nothing about this incredibly dangerous threat. Russians understand America, but most of us understand nothing about Russia (or CCP China).

I do. In 1994 I landed in Moscow. I had already studied Russian for several years, but this was my first time in Russia. I was shocked by the grotesque scene of filth and stagnation in front of me. All of the western politicians, academics, and intellectuals that ever had anything good to say about the Soviet Union were total frauds (including Comrade Bernie Sanders who was in Moscow praising breadlines only 6 years before I arrived). This was a country that had been at war with itself, run by a gang of genocidal Marxist maniacs.

I had gone to the Urals with fellow Americans Kate and Simon to work in an orphanage. Sweet little Katie wanted to give something back to the land of her ancestors. The local school system invited us and was responsible for our safety. The top school administrator was intent on raping Kate. The only thing that saved her was the constant presence of Simon and me.

The school administrators behavior was nothing unusual in Russia (the Soviet Union was worse). But in the early 1990s we were sold the myth about the new Russia, that it was finally free. I knew otherwise, from first-hand experience. Even my Russian friends used to jokingly ask on Russian Independence Day independence from who?.

Good ol' Vlad

During WW2 FDRs government called the genocidal mass-murderer Stalin "Good ol' Joe" to make Americans not throw up at the idea of helping a man at least as evil as Hitler. Putins father was an NKVD (KGB) goon operating in the Baltics during WW2. Between 1941 and 1951 the genocidal Soviets deported about 20,000 Estonian women and children to their deaths in Siberia. Putin rose rapidly up the ranks of the KGB, the Stalinist killing machine. Its no accident that Putin is deporting Ukrainians to Siberia now.

I lived in St. Petersburg when Putin was a miserable grey nobody assistant to mayor Sobchak. Only a few years later I was watching TV in Germany with my dear friend Alla, a Russian Jewish retiree immigrant from St. Petersburg, when Yeltsin appeared on the news, handing the keys to the Kremlin to Putin. We were shocked. Russia was lost. The terror had returned to Russia.

We did not know who Putin was (the Russians did). He made sure we never found out. With the help of western image-makers, he became masculine, but not toxic. He smiled (well, at least smirked). In Liberty Mutual insurance commercials, they breakdance, ride mechanical bulls, and knit clothes for their pets. Good ol Vlad flies planes, goes fishing and horseback riding bare-chested, and practices judo.

He slowly became someone we trusted. Western leaders played along. Sweet little Angela Merkel, who had only good things to say about her life growing up in East Germany (which for me was a red flag that she was a fraud or a nutcase), was one of Putins best friends and key enablers. Not surprisingly, she hated Trump.

"Why cant we all just get along?" (Rodney King)

As the years went by, we all came to think that we had an unspoken contract with Vlad. Wed all get along and prosper together peacefully. Never mind that Vlad got ultra-wealthy while impoverishing his own citizens, invading neighboring countries, and killing indiscriminately.

America was not responsible for Russias failure to become a normal country; America in the 1990s was too morally rudderless to save the Russians from themselves.

For the Russians to buck the system would have cost many of them everything (look at Navalny now), but it would have cost our government officials and business elite almost nothing. The Russians really believed in America in the 1990s. But they quickly came to understand American decadence and immorality, and out of desperation and a desire for some kind of stability, they embraced Putin. It was the only way they could get along with themselves.

They needed Vlad, and so do we. Thirty years after the fall of the wall, we need Vlad to save us from ourselves. Western governments and elites have been selling us another New Deal, the Deal of Deals, a great reset (sending us back to the countryside like Mao sent the Chinese), saving us carbon-based life forms from carbon, from fossil fuels, from our own genes (transgenderism and Covid gene therapy). But Putins invasion of Ukraine has forced western governments to focus on their own survival instead of the subjugation of the proletariat. Even the German Marxists have temporarily become responsible leaders. They might even stop being a vassal state of Russia (something Trump, a man the Germans constantly compared to Hitler, could not convince them to do). Instead of pointing their guns at their own citizens for not wearing masks, they have started rebuilding their almost non-existent army to protect themselves from good ol Vlad.

Maybe Vlad (and the CCP) are the only way to save an America that buys car insurance from an emu (a deadly modern-day dinosaur) and puts faith in some cold-blooded KGB killer goon riding bare-chested on a horse (another deadly dinosaur that we all thought was extinct). Thank the good Lord that we have good ol Vlad (and the CCP) to save us from ourselves.

Photo credit: Russia

Joseph Kulve is a pen name.
The United States has now had 46 Presidents since the inception of the Presidency some 230+ years ago. Of all those men, only a handful were true statesmen, and one of those men, much discounted now thanks to leftism, was Thomas Jefferson.

When I survey the men who have held the office of the Presidency, there are few who meet the mark of being a true statesman. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the noun stateman to mean one versed in the principles of government. Another definition describes being, a wise, skillful, and respected political leader. Of course, many who have held the office of the Presidency have been shrewd at promoting their policies, oftentimes by ignoring the most basic precepts of our Constitutional Republic to advance whatever agenda necessary, often ignoring their constituents voices.

This is a behavior pattern echoed by most of those holding the office of the Presidency or, for that matter, any public office straight to the local levels of governing. Being shrewd in politics does not equate to being a true statesman.

No matter on which side of the political aisle one may stand, we all know that our modern political era has had its fair share of elected representatives who have been as crooked as corkscrews. Unfortunately, there is no end in sight to this quandary.

In stark contrast to the corkscrew rulers of the Republic, what a pleasure it is to contemplate a true statesman of the highest degree like Thomas Jefferson. President Kennedy once remarked at a White House dinner hosting Nobel Peace Prize winners that the event was probably the greatest concentration of talent and genius in this house except for perhaps those times when Thomas Jefferson ate alone.

Jefferson was beyond brilliant. He was a downright living genius. Another accurate description summing up his personage is from Ken Burnss 1997 documentary in which he describes Jefferson as a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect, a true renaissance man.

Who today holding public office could match his mental prowess? To list all of Jeffersons accomplishments would take pages. Hundreds of books and thousands of articles have been written on him over the decades. He held virtues of being unselfish, wise, and knowledgeable in life and throughout his time as a statesman. He championed the yeoman farmer of the early Republic who he believed was the backbone of the young country.

He served the public interest for over six decades, never accepting any pay except for expenses, which he faithfully paid back. After assuming the presidency following the contested election of 1800, he slashed federal taxes in half and paid off half of the national debt through his two terms as President.

It is important to note that Alexander Hamilton was always a strong political influencer in the early days of the Republic. He often had the ears of George Washington and John Adams but not Jeffersons, as he and Hamilton remained diametrically opposed in their views of government and finance.

Images: Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale, 1800. Public domain.

Hamilton favored letting the moneychangers into the halls of government as well as large British monarchical styles of governing while Jefferson wanted limited decentralized government and banking practices, as well as always seeing the People as the rightful sovereign. He refused to address Congress for his annual message in public and simply wrote letters to be written aloud to the body members. Furthermore, he kept the young Republic out of foreign confrontations and made brilliant statements that commerce with all nations, and entanglements with none, should be our motto.

Perhaps Jeffersons greatest accomplishment as President was purchasing the vast Louisiana Territory from the French for a reasonable sum. This, of course, allowed the United States to become the nation it is today, with millions of individuals from dozens of foreign lands being able to hold private property while seeking their own fortunes away from oppressive governments around the world. This lifestyle coming to fruition for millions of hard-working people emulates Jeffersons phrase of the pursuit of happiness, which he coined when writing the Declaration of Independence.

Today, many among the leftist intelligentsia have a ball exclaiming that Jefferson was a complete hypocrite, stating in the Declaration of Independence that, all men are created equal and all the while still owning slaves on his Virginia plantation. While Jefferson did own slaves, as did most of the Virginia gentry at the time, he was completely opposed to the system.

This is evidenced by his defending slaves in Virginia court of law as a young attorney, numerous writings that are conveniently left out from modern scholarship, and his 1807 legislation Act prohibiting the importation of slaves, something he had advocated for before the War of Independence, some thirty-plus years before the Act passed. This law made importing slaves a federal crime.

Some also proclaim that Jefferson was the Founder of the modern Democrat party. This could not be further from the truth. Jeffersons cornerstone philosophy championed the individual, not the collective, one-size-fits-all, regurgitated and recycled Marxist/Socialistic philosophy of todays Democrat party. It would do well for todays bottom-feeder media and Woke advocates to read a book on Thomas Jefferson and realize that he was a man of his time, which was indeed a complicated and conflicting time, much like our world today.

Sadly, there are extremists who would triumphantly lift their clenched fists of Marxism at the sight of Jeffersons Monticello plantation being taken down brick by brick as well as the University of Virginia wiping his image forever from its campus. This form of thinking must be met with total head-on resistance from patriots from all walks of life, lest America ceases to exist.

Perhaps one day I will detail more of Jeffersons accomplishments as a true Statesman and in his personal life. As I mentioned, there have been thousands of articles, hundreds of books, and numerous documentaries detailing this good mans life. Below are several thought-provoking quotes from Jeffersons political philosophy and personal worldviews. Who amongst us today would say such things?
They met on January 20, 1942, at a luxury villa on park-like grounds overlooking Lake Wannsee, a recreation site a half-hours drive from Berlin. Built by a wealthy industrialist, the villa was now held by an SS (Schutzstaffel) foundation. They were 15 top officials of the Nazi state  among them were nine lawyers and eight with doctorates. In that idyllic setting, in a meeting that lasted 90 minutes, they decided the Jewish questionhow to deport 11 million people to labor camps and kill any who survived. If they differed, it was on the details. Never on the intentmass murder.

Holocaust expert Peter Longerichs illuminating book Wannsee: The Road to the Final Solution begins by describing the meeting on that wintry day. The description brings out Nazi cynicism and cold-bloodedness as they convened at a pleasure spot to plan genocide. Longerich draws on the only remaining record of the meeting: the minutes prepared and distributed by Adolph Eichmann with instructions for destruction after review. One minister disobeyed, and the U.S. Army discovered his copy in 1945. The document summarizes the main lines of discussion and the decisions reached; it estimates Jewish populations in 30 countries, sets out specific territories where fit Jews should be made to work in labor gangs subjected to natural wastage; and says survivors would be disposed of in an unspecified manner.

The participants at the Wannsee Conference, called by Gen. Reinhard Heydrich, broadly represented all facets of the Reich. They did not actually initiate the Holocaust; it had already been haphazardly set in motion by disparate factions of the Nazi machinery. What they achieved was consensus. Those horrified by plans for exterminating Jews were pressured into compliance as evidence of their commitment to the Nazi goal of purifying the German volk.

Reichstag president Hermann Goring had made Heydrich, chief of the Reich Security Head Office (RSHA), directly responsible for the final solution. But even before the Wannsee Conference, deportations had begun at Fuhrer Adolf Hitlers behest in October 1941. The first extermination camps had already been built. Agencies of the Reich were carrying out uncoordinated campaigns of mass murder and competing to propose radical solutions. The conference defined Jewishness for the Nazis base purposes, decided on what to do with half-Jews, and created an RHSA-led master plan for eliminating Jews. It channeled intention into a systematic extermination program.

Right from the time they came to power in 1933, the Nazis instituted discriminatory policies to remove Jews from public life, boycott their businesses, impose curfews on them, force them into labor, and harass, humiliate, intimidate and exploit them. Enacted in 1935 and imposed the next year, the Nuremberg Laws included statutes that forbade marriage and sexual relations between Jews and Germans and decreed that only those of pure German blood were eligible to be citizens of the Reich. Hitlers Four-Year Plan of 1936 expropriated Jewish property for financing rearmament. And Jews were already forced to wear yellow Stars of David well before the Wannsee Conference.

According to Longerichs book, the conference should be seen in the context of two significant factors: the outbreak of the Second World War and the rivalry between Heydrich and Heinrich Himmler, another architect of the Holocaust.

Image: The entrance to Auschwitz, the fruit of the Wannsee conference by Bibi595. CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Second World War, which began on September 1, 1939, brought about a significant change in the Reichs Jewish policy. Germany still had 190,000 Jews, to which the victory in Poland added 1.7 million Polish Jews. In 1941, Hitler attacked the Soviet Union and, with the early gains of territory, he was thinking of how to deal with the population, which he viewed as a collection of racially impure Slavs, Asiatic crossbreed, and Jewish Bolshevists. Deportation planseven one to ship Jews to Madagascarwere being considered. Death squads called Einsatzgruppen were charged with murdering all Jews and impure races in conquered territories. In the late summer and autumn of 1941, it became increasingly clear that the U.S. was likely to enter the war. By year-end, at least 500,000 people had been killed in mass shootings but Hitler was now desperate and the Nazis were exploring options such as gassing, large-scale crematoria, and the use of toxic Zyklon B.

Heydrich and Himmler were vying for power and Hitlers approval. They differed in their objectives as wellso Heydrich did not invite Himmler to Wannsee. Heydrich favored postwar extermination of Jews and wanted to exploit them in concentration camps, then remove them to Soviet territories via transit ghettos, hoping theyd perish from forced labor, hunger, and poor living conditions. He even planned for old peoples ghettos to spare elderly, disabled Jews, and Jewish veterans.

Himmler, on the other hand, was all for a racially motivated war of annihilation on an enormous scale. His message was its us or them: Germans face extinction if the Jewish world enemy is allowed to exist. For him, war was not to create the conditions for the final solution but rather the final solution was being placed in the service of war. Heydrich and Himmler both drew authority from the Fuhrer but, eventually, history saw Himmlers views prevail.

Longerich combines extant models of analyzing the conference minutes to present a more complex explanation that the Holocaust was not set in motion by a single decision from the center, but must be seen as the result of a decision-making process in which Hitler, acting in close cooperation with other parts of the power structure gradually developed what was a vague intention to destroy the Jews into a concrete program to murder them.

He demonstrates how the Wannsee Conference was a focal point of this process, effectively deciding the when, how, and where of the final solution. When: during the war itself, not after. How: by gassing, mass executions, and setting up extermination camps. Where: chiefly in occupied Poland. The conference also decided that decisions on mixed marriages would be made on a case-by-case basis, with compulsory divorce and sterilization as choices.

The day after the conference, Heydrich informed Himmler of the important outcomes, including the plan for a progression from transit ghettos to evacuation further eastward and the combing of Europe from West to East. In a few days, Himmler ordered 150,000 Jews from Germany into concentration camps to provide labor for the SSs construction plans in the eastern territories. A month later, Hitler was prophesying that the war would end with the Aryan nation prevailing and the Jews being exterminated. Heydrichs original plan escalated into mass murder on an unprecedented scale, and after his assassination by the Czech resistance in June 1942, Himmler got a free hand for his plan for total annihilation.

During the Nuremberg trials, the Wannsee Conference minutes had not yet been discovered. Participants claimed they couldnt remember the proceedings or denied being present. Some said they had heard nothing about a final solution. A state secretary (the highest bureaucrat in a ministry) testified that, for the sake of the German nations reputation, Heydrich wanted Jews to be resettled in a humane fashion. The surviving copy of the minutes put paid to those lies.

Longerichs book provides context and analysis to that important document to plausibly explain the convergence of diverse decisions by components of the Nazi regime into the enormity of a radical solutionthe Holocaust.
Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a United States district judge in Florida and a Trump appointee, issued an order today striking down the hated federal mask mandate. Staying within her lane, she didn't strike it down because even the CDC conceded that the mandate is useless, although she could have. Instead, she properly concluded that the CDC lacked the statutory authority to issue the mandate and violated the procedures federal agencies must follow to create such rules.

Judge Mizelle's meticulous 59-page decision carefully walks through the applicable facts and law. The gist is as stated above: the CDC exceeded its mandate when, on February 3, 2021, in response to a directive from Biden, it issued its mask mandate without allowing any public participation or comment under the Administrative Procedure Act. The CDC's masking mandate is now dead.

While airlines can still impose the mandate should they desire, several major airlines  American, United, Delta, Southwest, and Alaska  have already announced that they now consider masks optional. That was a smart business decision because passengers and crew are delighted to have the mandate gone.



Image: Masks on airplanes (edited) by rawpixel. Freepik license.

As it happened, my daughter flew today. She texted me excitedly that, as the passengers boarded the plane, the pilot was standing there to inform them that they were no longer required to wear masks. Everybody, she said, was excited. Multiple videos and photographs support my daughter's narrative, with a sample here:

Delta Airlines says masks are no longer required on their flights pic.twitter.com/2FNcL1UCMd  LeGate (founder @ GoodPillow) (@williamlegate) April 18, 2022

They just announced on my flight the mask mandate for flights is over! pic.twitter.com/iRnkFly2w9  Rennie Cook (@renniecook) April 18, 2022

WATCH: Passengers applaud as Delta flight crew announces masks are optional, effective immediately



pic.twitter.com/ai8oAXEsEL  Election Wizard  (@ElectionWiz) April 19, 2022

Passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight clap after the pilot announces the end of the federal mask mandate. pic.twitter.com/GuiK2iMWKa  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 18, 2022

Of course, the neurotic, elite leftists weren't as thrilled. Here's a Harvard M.D. and Slate contributor who dreams of vaccinating babies and whining that normal people are baby-killers.

Hi @united.



When I bought my tickets for me, my wife (who is pregnant), and our unvaccinated 4-year-old, I assumed you would continue to have a mask mandate.



Now you cancel it and we will have to board our return flight under your new no mask required policy?!



Thanks so much.  Jeremy Faust MD MS (ER physician) (@jeremyfaust) April 18, 2022

The odd thing about my being disappointed in @united dropping its mask mandate is how many people who claim to love kids are totally cool with this meaning that a small number of babies will die of Covid, when were weeks away from a vaccinate for all ages over 6 months.  Jeremy Faust MD MS (ER physician) (@jeremyfaust) April 18, 2022

Imagine celebrating the deaths of a small number of kids so that you dont have to wear a mask on a plane.



What happened to decency?  Jeremy Faust MD MS (ER physician) (@jeremyfaust) April 18, 2022

Would you be at all surprised to learn that Dr. Faustus, er, Faust apparently supports abortion?

The best take of all, though, comes courtesy of Spencer Brown, who found this wonderful take from Mark Joseph Stern, another Slate writer. Why is it wonderful? Because of what he said five years ago. Here's Stern now:

Try explaining to your friends in other liberal democracies that a single unelected, life-tenured, 35-year-old judge just abolished the air travel mask mandate for the entire country.



No peer nation would tolerate such a power-drunk juristocracy. Our system is badly broken.  Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) April 18, 2022

And this was Stern then:

Trump's Muslim ban was blocked by four bad-ass female judges. The judiciary grabs back: https://t.co/RFGc10GO5F  Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) January 29, 2017

More seriously, it seems doubtful that the Biden administration will be able to summon the political will to go through the correct process for masking people again anywhere on federally controlled property. While the political class wants COVID to last because of the power it confers, the American people have moved on. They're done. Over. No more. Never again.

That doesn't mean that the Democrats dont still have tricks up their sleeve to game the elections (2022 and 2024) as successfully as they did in 2020. It does mean, however, that COVID won't be the weapon of choice.
Two weeks ago, Elon Musk initiated the biggest Leeroy Jenkins move against a social media giant we have ever witnessed.

That is a gaming reference, and this is a game that is being played out. With his bid to take Twitter private and restore free speech, he provided a stage for the mainstream media and the progressive pundits to expose themselves as not only being in favor of censorship, but demanding that there be more of it.

Musk's stunning gambit rumbled through the halls of Twitter and the newsrooms of CNN and MSNBC. Their fear was palpable. After years of saying, "If you don't like what we are doing to you, go build your own social media platform," they suddenly were faced with someone calling their bluff.

The progressives found themselves wallowing in their own hypocrisy on the matter. When Facebook purchased Instagram, there was no outcry of "foul." When Jeff Bezos purchased the Washington Post, there were cheers from the left. But when Musk put his money where his mouth was and purchased 9% of Twitter, they immediately tried to toss a flag on the play. They screamed warnings of dire consequences of people being able to express themselves.

Their reaction was no surprise. The man who single-handedly ushered in the return of electric cars was overnight painted as a social media pariah. The progressive left staked out its lack of moral high ground as advocating that you have to have restrictions on free speech. Some went so far as to say we needed even more restraints. The leftist media advocated that allowing anyone to share their opinions is dangerous, racist, and un-American. Their stark fears that Donald Trump might be given voice again were palpable.

The right of free speech is fundamental to the American way of life. Yes, social media have given utter morons a platform to spew hate, on both sides of the political spectrum, but it also gives us the ability to ignore those people. Censorship in any manner is against a principle that this nation was built on. Clearly, Elon Musk sees this and is willing to pay big bucks to set these matters right.

The silent acceptance of social media platforms like Twitter using bots and mysterious, unnamed "fact-checkers" to determine what is the truth, blocking things that they deem inappropriate, is borderline madness. Yet it is the world we have begrudgingly been forced to accept.

Musk is facing his own Deep State at Twitter. The day that his purchase was announced, there was a late-night purge of conservative accounts. It was a hissy fit that was obvious and utterly predictable. I attempted to get Twitter to confirm or deny that this happened, but reps there did not return my calls, emails, or messages on the matter. This lack of transparency about its seeming arbitrary actions is part of the problem with Twitter. Although they claim to be protecting their users from hate, it is clearly a one-way street.

The fact that employees at Twitter were upset at the thought that the platform might return to one based on free speech says a great deal about their twisted internal corporate culture. Some expressed their fears online, with a handful boasting they would resign if Musk got control of the company. One must wonder what an unemployed fact-checker is qualified for. Perhaps something in the fascinating world of fast food. I hear Walmart is hiring. Somehow, a bunch of leftists whose days are spent tormenting and blocking conservatives facing unemployment is enough to provide some small degree of satisfaction, if not glee.

The board at Twitter did not even put his offer, far in excess of the price of the stock, to the shareholders to decide. Instead, they pursued a "poison pill" strategy. In other words, they were unwilling to let their own shareholders have a voice in the future of the platform. To protect their digital domain and continue to silence conservatives, they were willing to risk destroying the value of the stock. This was the same organization that has allowed terrorists and radical left groups a platform to broadcast; while at the same time banning an American president, not for what he posted on Twitter, but for what he might post.

Whether you like Elon Musk or not is irrelevant. What he has done is nothing short of brilliant. He has exposed the left for the censorship-supporting tyrants that they are. He has allowed the media to once more demonstrate their hypocrisy and disdain for the American people. More importantly, he has given a hint of hope that the online world might return to a state of fairness that we have not seen in a long time.

Blaine L. Pardoe is author of Blue Dawn: The most chilling "what-if" in history...the progressive overthrow of the United States. Pardoe is an award winning New York Times bestselling author who lives in Virginia. He is the author of numerous science fiction, military history, true crime, horror, and business leadership books.

Image: J.D. Lasica, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
HOUSTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Residents living in the Plaquemine area of southern state Louisiana were urged to shelter in place after a release of chlorine caused by a local chemical plant fire on Monday night.

Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi said the fire and chlorine leak took place at Olin Chemical, a third-party company that works at the site of the Dow Chemical Plant.

"We've set off the sirens and we've got several roads closed," Stassi said.

The fire broke out at 8:40 p.m. local time (0140 GMT on Tuesday) and was extinguished by 9:30 p.m. local time (0230 GMT), but the crew were still working to contain the chlorine spill, the sheriff said.

Parish President Mitch Ourso said the smell of chlorine was being reported in the air several miles from the facility. Authorities are asking residents living south and east of the plant to go inside, turn off air conditioners and close all doors and windows immediately.

However, the sheriff said no evacuations were being ordered since chlorine levels outside of the plant were not dangerously high.

So far there have been no reported injuries inside or outside the plant.

"A chlorine release has occurred within Olin's facility in Plaquemine ... A shelter in place has been implemented and local roads have been temporarily closed," said a statement from Olin Corporation.

"Site emergency response was immediately engaged and we are working to stop the release. Employees at the facility took immediate safety precautions while the team began working to address the situation," it said.

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Greg Langley said inspectors were headed to the scene.

Exposure to chlorine can irritate the eyes, upper respiratory tract and lungs, according to a fact sheet from the Environmental Protection Agency. At higher levels, it can cause chest pains and vomiting. It is extremely irritating to the skin and can cause severe burns with high enough exposure.

In 2016 and in 2017, Olin Corp.'s operations inside the Dow Hydrocarbons complex had three chlorine leaks that injured a contract worker, prompted worker evacuations and road closures though did not pose a risk to the public at the time, said a report from local media outlet The Advocate.

One of the leaks, in December 2016, stemmed from a massive power outage that Entergy, Louisiana's biggest electricity provider, later said was triggered by the burning of sugar cane, while the others in September 2017 were caused after four electrical rectifiers tripped, said the report. 
Fern Feather is a transgender Vermont homicide victim killed by an "intimate partner or associate" last week in Morristown. Extremist progressives have sought to connect Fern's death with parental concerns about exposing young children to gender hormone therapies and controversial sex education materials. This "trans-truth" transcends truth, logic, and even human decency in its shallow effort to seed yet more identity hatred.

Progressive Vermont legislators pounced on this tragedy to agitate and divide, unjustifiably alleging that this crime was an anti-trans hate crime fueled by GOP policies. The facts suggest that the victim and assailant spent several days together, reflecting a personal relationship gone sour  the cause of the majority of trans-homicides:

[B]etween 2013 and 2021, approximately two thirds of transgender and gender non-conforming people with known killers had their lives taken by an acquaintance, friend, family member or intimate partner.

Two Vermont legislators launched a rally on a local social media platform:

We wanted to let you know about an important rally to express solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community  and outrage at the murder of Fern Feather in Morristown. Over the last week, the Vermont GOP has centered anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in their fundraising efforts taking out ads on social media targeting specific legislators who have supported gender-affirming care for LGBTQ youth. Fern Feather's murder, and these recent political attacks have contributed to widespread fear and anxiety within our trans and LGBTQ community.

This is the modus operandi of Identity Politics: truth doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whether this was a hate crime  it is weaponized solely on the political identity of the victim, reducing Fern to nothing but a post-mortem pawn. It is joined to a second, bigger lie: that those who support behind-the-parents'-backs legislation "have supported gender-affirming care for LGBTQ youth."

As one writer explained, alienating children from parents during gender transition is the most harmful thing that can be done to them:

[S]ocial transition  assuming a new identity ... is actually a serious mental health treatment and a "huge decision" that should be made by the family, said Dr. Erica Anderson, a clinical psychologist specializing in gender, who is trans herself. Secret social transition is, essentially, performing a psychological intervention without parental knowledge or permission[.] ... [T]here is also a culture of parental demonization at work here, in the form of a narrative, oft-repeated by organizations like the Trevor Project and adopted in schools, that parents are potentially dangerous, denying treatment out of bigotry rather than concern for their children's mental health.

(The Trevor Project is invoked as an authority in Vermont's H.659.)

A myriad of potential physical harms can accompany these hormones, as recounted in the consent forms  cancer, infertility, diabetes, heart and liver disease, stroke, and others yet unknown. To widely expose children as ideological gender "theory" guinea pigs to such drugs is Mengelian, and to sneak around conspiring with children against their parents inflicts its own harm.

To shift attention away from these facts, Vermont's extremists exploited a horrid murder to posture a "Fern rally" that was never for Fern. Responding to a constituent who raised these concerns, Representative Tiffany Bluemle wrote:

[T]he rally yesterday was an expression of love for those who have been recently harmed by anti LGBTQ+ hatred; hence the appearance of rainbow flags. I'm not sure what you are trying to say about Gabrielle [Stebbins] and me, but hope that you do not condone the particular violence and political harm that has occurred over the past two weeks.

These legislators have not defined any "particular violence and political harm," only vague allusions to "anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric"  understandable concerns by parents about the highly offensive indoctrination of their young children with a political gender "theory."

It is questionable whether any of these legislators have ever studied the science of gender hormone therapy. Vermont lieutenant governor candidate Dave Zuckerman claims that parents who object to these "therapies" are hateful bigots. In a recent email to a constituent, Zuckerman supports granting prepubescent children hormone therapy without parental consent (H.659):

David does support this bill. It's so important that we make trans-inclusive healthcare accessible to everyone in the state. Adolescence is already hard enough, and for trans kids who are struggling to be comfortable in their bodies, being denied life-saving medical care is unconscionable

Fern Feather has been shamelessly manipulated as a political pawn. Similarly, Vermont schoolchildren have been enlisted as gender-theory guinea pigs in controversial, inadequately tested hormone therapy for young kids.

Vermont's progressive leadership falsely attributed hate motives to a terrible crime to attack those raising the alarm to protect children. Interfering with parental relationships is serious business: deliberately obfuscating facts using "trans-truth" tactics will not deflect parents from the realization of what is already being done to their children.

Image: Arrian Jahangiri.
A day doesn't go by without right-leaning websites, newspapers, and commentators becoming giddy about taking back Congress in the midterms. In their view, it's just a question of how big the Red Wave will be. They cite increased Republican registrations in purple or blue cities and states. They hype how many traditional Democrat constituencies such as Hispanics and Blacks are switching to Republican.

But what is the purpose of taking back Congress if we have most of the same spineless leadership as before? In 20172018, President Trump was in the White House, and we had both houses of Congress. Shouldn't the results have been much better? Will things vastly improve if a 2023 or 2025 Republican Congress is sworn in and Rep. Kevin "which way the wind is blowing" McCarthy is House speaker? Or if Sen. Mitch "Donate to Liz Cheney's campaign" McConnell remains Senate leader? Sure, they decide the agenda and which bills reach the floor, but McCarthy and McConnell are the same Establishment Republicans who have always given MAGAs heartburn.

A walk down memory lane

McConnell was probably watching MSNBC and didn't know that, on January 6, 2021, President Donald Trump urged his followers at the D.C. rally to go to the U.S. Capitol and "peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard." Trump repeatedly tweeted the same message even as some Capitol Police officers held doors open for MAGAs to enter the building.

Yet days after the melee and without any proof, McConnell went onto the Senate floor and accused President Trump of being "practically and morally responsible" for January 6 events at the U.S. Capitol. He called Trump's actions a "disgraceful  disgraceful  dereliction of duty."

Well, I call many of McConnell's actions as Senate leader disgraceful  disgraceful  dereliction of duty.

Following January 6's events, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy called on President Trump to "accept his share of responsibility" for what happened.

Well, I call on McCarthy to accept his share of responsibility as House leader for, among other things, his pathetic initial support of Rep. Liz Cheney to remain chair of the House Republican Conference. His giving California rep. David Valadao a prime committee assignment just days after Valadao voted to impeach President Trump. His not removing Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger from the GOP Caucus when they accepted an appointment to Nancy Pelosi's January 6 circus committee.

As President Trump said on March 26 during his "Save America" rally in Commerce, Georgia:

Before we can defeat the Democrats, socialists, and communists, which is exactly what we're running against at the ballot boxes in the fall, we first have to defeat the RINOs, sellouts, and the losers in the primaries this spring.



Image: Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Midterms must be a MAGA Tsunami

Without a MAGA Tsunami in November, we will continually repeat the cycle of MAGAs enthusiastically running in primaries but being pushed out by Establishment Republicans. Then, in the general election, state and county GOPs claim that the RINO candidate is still better than the Democrat. Really? Is "Republican" Mitt Romney better than a Democrat?

Let's be honest: many Establishment Republicans prefer candidates who can swim in the D.C. swamp. MAGAs won't even dip their toe in the swamp!

Deborah Pauly, president of Conservative Patriots of Orange County (California), a growing and influential non-partisan organization that welcomes members across the political spectrum, said:

We need to reframe the election conversation and stop buying the establishment narrative, which is that we have to vote for these "liberal Republicans," or we will lose the seat to the Democrats. A "liberal Republican" is an oxymoron and only a moron would keep voting for that. This is particularly true in California where we have been conditioned to accept an extremely milquetoast version of the conservative Republican as the best we can hope to achieve.

The GOP belongs to MAGAs

During his April 2 "Save America" rally in Washington Township, Michigan, President Trump said:

The choice this November is very simple, if you want high crime, high prices, high taxes, high corruption, and high incompetence, vote for the radical Democrats. If you want a country that is strong, sovereign, safe, and secure, you must vote for America First Republicans.

If Republicans are poised to take back the House in a "yuge" Red Wave, wouldn't it be better to do it without Never Trump/RINO candidates, even if we lose a few seats? From Young Kim and David Valadao in California to Liz Cheney in Wyoming to Nancy Mace in South Carolina, let's finally show those RINOs that this is the "America First" MAGA Party!

That message might be getting out even in very blue California. Recently, the California Republican Assembly (CRA), founded in 1935, held its Orange and San Diego Counties' convention to vote on endorsements. In the new congressional 40th District, CRA endorsed "America First" MAGA candidate Greg Raths over NeverTrump incumbent Young Kim.

That's a "yuge" endorsement! MAGA Greg Raths over NeverTrump Young Kim!

As we enter primary season, MAGAs must not be afraid of supporting "America First" MAGA candidates, even if state and county GOPs are fawning over establishment candidates. As Pauly pointed out:

If the Red Wave nationally is as predicted, this is the best time for true conservatives to take a stand here in California and stop adding to the swamp in Washington D.C.

Let's make this a MAGA Tsunami!

Robin Itzler can be reached at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com.
We live in a small town in eastern Massachusetts, about an hour outside Boston. Except for the bigger cities like Boston, Springfield, Worcester, Fall River, etc., Massachusetts is pretty evenly split along the liberal/conservative lines. The four or five towns around us are actually fairly conservative, and we often elect Republican state representatives and Republican town mayors. The last Republican U.S. senator to be elected from Massachusetts was from this area of the state. We just don't have quite enough conservative voters statewide to push enough of our candidates over the top. Every single Republican who loses a statewide election loses by exactly the same margin  6139%  and the race is always called at exactly the same time  8:04 P.M. Go figure that, OK? Every single time.

However, as that old cliche goes, "All politics is local." And no local elected office has assumed more importance or gained a higher profile recently than the office of School Committee member. The office of School Committee is now charged with the responsibility to monitor and approve or disapprove of specific items and courses in the school curriculum.

That the direction and nature of what is being taught in our public schools have become highly controversial recently is not open to question. Many schools are now openly promoting Critical Race Theory and anti-capitalism/pro-socialism themes, and are actively presenting revisionist American history, where accepted facts about the Founding Fathers and our past wartime victories are portrayed in a negative light. The notion of sex as a "social construct, not a biological fact" is also part of the left's new woke educational agenda.

COVID also exposed another liberal/conservative educational divide here in Massachusetts. Without justifiable, ironclad scientific backing, in-person learning at public schools was shut down, and when it finally resumed, student mask mandates were imposed. This was despite mountains of verifiable scientific studies proving the ineffectiveness of cloth masks to stop COVID and the incredibly low incidence of COVID-caused hospitalization and death among school-aged children.

School Committee members were in a position to contest and prevent both the woke educational agenda and the baseless, socially harmful COVID mandates, but around here, those committees just rubber-stamped any directives that came down from the state. Each town had the autonomy to go its own way, but none did.

Parents here have had enough. Our small town has its elections soon, and there are two School Committee seats (out of five) up for re-election. On the current school board, three members can be considered hard leftists, one is a soft RINO, and one is an honest swing voter. Two new candidates  both commonsense educational/social traditionalists (or what their critics call "hard-hearted far-right extremists")  stepped forward to run for the contested seats. If both new candidates win, the Board will have a slim majority of traditional voters.

We chair our town's Republican Town Committee. Every month, we run our modest meeting featuring guest speakers like the local state representative or the county sheriff or the town's registrar of voters. Not exactly controversial stuff. Our meetings are advertised in the town paper and are open to all, not just Republicans.

Each year, just before town elections, we put on a Candidates' Night, where we invite the local candidates to present their positions and take questions from the audience. We feel that we're performing a nice public service. The actual "party" affiliation of the candidate is not as relevant as his take and proposed solutions to whatever local problems are at hand. (Should we replace the stop sign with a traffic light at the intersection of Maple and Main Street? Should the town restaurants be allowed to have outdoor dining again this summer? And so on.) Every year, Candidates' Night is one of our more popular and best-attended meetings.

This year was different. For merely putting on a Candidates' Night where we'd allow School Committee candidates who had "traditional" views of school curricula and who didn't automatically accept the non-science-based state student mask mandates to actually speak and present their views to the public, the Republican Town Committee was called out on the town's Facebook dialogue page as "promoting hate speech, racism, intolerance and bigotry." This one-way piling-on continued for days, for more than a week, starting as soon as our ad announcing the event hit our town newspaper.

We felt that putting on a Candidates' Night, including the School Committee candidates, was a worthy public service. For that, we were personally attacked as racists and hate-mongers. It got so bad, so threatening, that we had to announce that attendance would be limited to 50 people in the relatively small hall we rent each month and that all attendees would be required to sign in with name, cell phone number, and street address, figuring (correctly) that that would keep away the worst of the rabble-rousers who were intent on disrupting the proceedings and making a big public spectacle. We also alerted the police beforehand to keep an eye on the meeting, and, incredibly, they told us they already knew all about it  that's how much talk there was!

The event itself went off fairly smoothly. The Q&A session was very "spirited" at times. One liberal proponent (amusingly, he could be a screen double for former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey) became so emotionally inflamed in his anti-new-candidate tirade that he almost started crying, but outside him, most of the audience comported itself well. It was obvious that some people were there strictly to try to embarrass the traditional candidates, but toward the end of the evening, a recently retired school official said this: "Kids never noticed or cared about other kids' color or race. It just didn't matter. But now, with this new curriculum, they notice, that's for sure. This has got to stop." The room exploded in agreement.

All the candidates  the one wokish incumbent and the two new traditionalists  remained calm and composed throughout the evening. Full credit to them.

However, the instantaneous liberal vitriol and opposition directed towards us for even having proposed and organized this event in the first place were stunning to me. It's one thing to watch the nightly cable news programs and see examples of unhinged wokists upending all manner of public decorum and established benchmarks of correct behavior. It's quite another to be personally on the receiving end.

For promoting free speech and the open exchange of different ideas, I guess I'm a racist. Who knew?

Image: John Phelan via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote an essay for American Thinker: "They escaped totalitarianism twice, only to see it again in America." I described how badly our leftist neighbors responded to my father-in-law's support for President Trump in the 2020 election. I described how vandals stole his political signs several times, but the gist of the article was about two main points.

First, I told how my father-in-law had survived both the Nazis and the Soviets in Poland during WW2, emigrated to Argentina as a kid, and then survived the dictatorship in that country. In Argentina, he had been forced to hide his college textbooks in the backyard for fear of government agents. My wife recalls the young next-door neighbors being dragged out of the house and shot in the street, ostensibly for being socialist, but it was just as likely that they simply did not want to live in a dictatorship.

The second point was that Carmel, Indiana, a wealthy bedroom community of Indianapolis, and a thriving community in its own right, was beginning to show the same initial signs of social intolerance fomented by the Nazis, the Soviets, and Argentina's dictators. Gina Carano warned about letting this happen in the U.S. on her social media and was fired from Disney for her trouble.

Currently, my 82-year-old father-in-law displays in his front yard a pro-life sign and a "Facts Are Facts" sign (that I created). He also flies his U.S. flag upside-down as a sign that he believes that the "greatest country on Earth" is in serious distress. Because we have cleverly hidden cameras (and some not so hidden), the signs have not yet been molested.



Image courtesy of Matt Rowe.

However, he is now receiving anonymous mail claiming he needs "to get a freaking clue" and asking him if he isn't aware that he lives in Carmel, Indiana with "a life full of privilege." The same mail also asked, "Don't you watch the news and know what country you are living in?" Then the author(s) went so far as to say that my sign is wrong (and that hurt).

Indiana has traditionally been a red state, with college towns and the capital city being blue. All in all, it has been fairly balanced in my opinion. My county, Hamilton, and the City of Carmel within it have traditionally been GOP areas for decades. In fact, I would say many of our state's GOP representatives end up being closer to RINOs, which has prevented a major awaking of Hoosier Liberals in the past. Smarter people than I probably know better reasons for this.

In any event, during the 2020 presidential election and for the first time, Carmel predominantly voted for President Biden. President Trump carried Hamilton County. One of my neighbors had a banner on his house announcing that he was a "Republican for Biden." The banner on my house (and my father-in-law's) was "Bring Venezuela to the US...Vote Biden Harris." I can't tell you how many people actually thought we were advocating for President Biden. We will be more direct with our banners next time.

My wife, a naturalized U.S. citizen, immigrated legally, graduated from West Point, and served in the Balkans. I am a disabled Special Forces veteran. We have chosen to fly the Betsy Ross revolutionary flag rather than fly our American flag upside-down. We need to have a more revolutionary attitude about keeping this country great, though I am not advocating for rebellion in any way.

One thing is for sure: leftists hate us. They are afraid of us and are up to their same old shameful tricks at every level of politics.

Don't fall for the hype about a GOP sweep in the next elections simply because the Biden administration has done such a terrible job. The GOP has also done a terrible job  mostly nothing  and people are still going to vote along party lines.

When it comes your time to vote, please get out there. Canvass for a local candidate. Send flyers and talk to your friends. The battle for the nation is far from over, and it can get much worse. Just ask my father-in-law, or his wife, or my wife, or our cousins in Poland playing host to two Ukrainian women and a handful of kids.

One last point, if you don't mind. The letter made a big deal about my father-in-law's U.S. flag being upside-down: "For the love of God and country...take down the flag and put it up the way a real man that loves America would hang it!"

We don't know the "real" man or woman who sent this message because it was anonymous. What we do know is that these people could never understand how my family loves this country as only formerly oppressed immigrants could. Talk about privilege! The "real man" is 82 years old and doing everything he can to save this country.

Nous defions!
Libs of Tik Tok is one of the most important sites on the internet. Day after day, her account showcases the Democrat base in its own words  and it never reflects well on the party. That's undoubtedly why the WaPo's Taylor Lorenz, who was on the news a few weeks ago weeping about the pain of being exposed on the internet, is set to dox the woman behind Libs of Tik Tok, putting her in terrible danger.

Every conservative site has shared posts from Libs of Tik Tok's account. So that you can get an idea of what she's doing to expose the moral corruption that is modern American leftism, here are a few samples of the hundreds (even thousands?) of videos she's posted:

We shouldnt define the word woman because gender is a system of oppression pic.twitter.com/KYbtCeynpr  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 18, 2022

.@UofNH professor says its ineffective to assume a sexual relationship between young people and adults is predatory and criminal pic.twitter.com/GqQXmcr7hc  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 18, 2022

.@BrookeSchool 1st grade teacher records an identity share zoom call with K-2 grades where he spoke about being trans.



When babies are born the dr looks & makes a guess on whether the baby is a boy or girl. Sometimes the dr is wrong. If they are right, the baby is cisgender pic.twitter.com/qYGFm9B7rF  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 10, 2022

This is absolutely sickening. pic.twitter.com/CLm2hZbaj5  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) March 31, 2022

You can see why Democrats are desperate to shut her down. Twitter has twice removed her posting privileges in April only  but has also reinstated them twice because Twitter had no basis whatsoever for doing so. Libs of Tik Tok, after all, is just putting up materials that Democrats proudly put up themselves. So now, Democrats are going to Plan B to silence Libs of Tik Tok. Yesterday, Christina Pushaw, who is Governor Ron DeSantis's press secretary, received this message from Taylor Lorenz, of the WaPo:

The Bezos Posts internet hall monitor is so excited to expose @libsoftiktok. Here is my comment:  pic.twitter.com/SodXls9NV7  Christina Pushaw  (@ChristinaPushaw) April 19, 2022

If Lorenz's name is familiar to you, it's because she was recently on television weeping about the incredible pain of being doxed:

When this story about @LibsOfTikTok is published ...



Remember this (now-deleted) video of Cry-Bully @TaylorLorenz sobbing on TV about how she felt when people published her private information online https://t.co/Ouopoc2IyH pic.twitter.com/67bQDOXfx8  Brian Anderson (@AZBrianAnderson) April 19, 2022

Indeed, Lorenz put in writing her feelings about the horrors of exposing people to the mob:

Of course, Lorenz is just a flunky acting on orders. In her case, the orders come from Christina Passariello:

Its not just @TaylorLorenz who is responsible for doxxing @libsoftiktok



Taylor has an editor, Christina Passariello (@cpassariello) who absolutely should explain herself pic.twitter.com/jfutwmFvHS  Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) April 19, 2022

Given the truly insane people Libs of Tik Tok exposes to the world  all of whom are providing the ideas driving the Democrat party  Libs of Tik Tok isn't merely at risk of insults. These are the same kind of people who spent months in Portland in 2020 attacking federal buildings, who tried to slaughter the entire Republican House membership, who've repeatedly tried to kill Sen. Rand Paul, and who regularly fill the pages of the Daily Mail and the New York Post with stories about their bizarre and dangerous antics.

For that reason, Libs of Tik Tok has had to go into hiding:

Words cannot express how appreciative I am of the support Im receiving right now. Thankfully Im currently holed up in a safe location. Im confident we will get through this and come out even stronger. Grateful for all the thoughts and prayers   Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 19, 2022

It's entirely possible that, if the WaPo goes ahead with its plan to expose Libs of Tik Tok, she will find herself in the same situation as people like Salman Rushdie; Ayaan Hirsi Ali; and the editor of the Jyllands-Posten, in Denmark, who had to go into hiding after publishing Mohamed cartoons. She will need armed guards indefinitely, perhaps forever, to protect her from the leftist mob. One can only hope, therefore, that Libs of Tik Tok sues the Washington Post into complete penury for its decision deliberately to put her life at risk and force her to incur extraordinary expense if she wishes to stay alive.



Image: Libs of Tik Tok meme.
Joe Biden has been fully exposed as a dotard who'd be better off at the dog tracks than the Oval Office, but he's got nothing on Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who's reportedly so senile she can't recognize her own staff.

Now, after a bombshell report from the San Francisco Chronicle on Feinstein's desiccated state, Joe's White House is telling the press that he's got "confidence" in his former Senate colleague.

According to the New York Post:

President Biden has confidence in Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) despite a recent report that her Democratic colleagues believe shes mentally unfit for office, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday. Daily Mail reporter Nikki Schwab asked Psaki at her regular briefing if Biden still believes in Feinstein, 88, in light of last weeks San Francisco Chronicle bombshell. Yes, shes a longtime friend, a proud public servant and someone he has long enjoyed serving with and working with, Psaki replied. Schwab followed up, asking, After that report came out last week questioning her health, did the president reach out to her at all? I dont have any updates on private conversations, Psaki said.

Here's the exchange, marked at the 45:43 point when it began:

So Biden's so cozy with Feinstein that he has "private conversations" with her, which Psaki unwittingly revealed after the reporter had only asked about whether Joe had any "confidence."

Which is embarrassing stuff, because Joe himself is such an insentient mess. The latest poll on him, from IBD/TIPP, shows that one out of five voters think he's so out of it he won't finish his first term.

It was obviously a nod to the good old days, given that Biden entered the Senate in 1973 and Feinstein entered in 1992, and the pair of them served together as Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee, each making themselves famous for their nasty treatment of conservative Supreme Court nominees. Feinstein endorsed Biden early in the 2020 presidential race and actually raised money for him, sucking the cash out of the donor base that might have otherwise gone to her Senate colleague, Kamala Harris, with whom she holds undisguised contempt.

Now Joe's returning the favor, and trying to tell us that "yes," he's got confidence in Feinstein, even though the Chronicle reported this:

WASHINGTON  When a California Democrat in Congress recently engaged in an extended conversation with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, they prepared for a rigorous policy discussion like those theyd had with her many times over the last 15 years. Instead, the lawmaker said, they had to reintroduce themselves to Feinstein multiple times during an interaction that lasted several hours. Rather than delve into policy, Feinstein, 88, repeated the same small-talk questions, like asking the lawmaker what mattered to voters in their district, the member of Congress said, with no apparent recognition the two had already had a similar conversation. The episode was so unnerving that the lawmaker  who spoke to The Chronicle on condition they not be identified because of the sensitivity of the topic  began raising concerns with colleagues to see if some kind of intervention to persuade Feinstein to retire was possible. Feinsteins term runs through the end of 2024. The conversation occurred several weeks before the death of her husband in February. I have worked with her for a long time and long enough to know what she was like just a few years ago: always in command, always in charge, on top of the details, basically couldnt resist a conversation where she was driving some bill or some idea. All of that is gone, the lawmaker said. She was an intellectual and political force not that long ago, and thats why my encounter with her was so jarring. Because there was just no trace of that.

One gerontocrat's hand washes the other. This is hideous stuff, actually, because it deprives Democrats of any chance for some meaningful representation. We already know that Biden is senile. We know that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is way too old and addled for her office, too. Now we have Feinstein, who doesn't even recognize staff on her "bad days."

These people are in the top leadership of the Democrats and they're all dinosaurs. With midterms approaching, and a red wave forecast, it's almost redolent of the last days of the Soviet Union, when Leonid Brezhnev, and his loyal Jurassic lieutenants high on the Kremlin wall at parade time, were out of a sentient state in his last days, was then followed by even more senile Konstantin Chernenko, who like Biden was largely controlled by his aides, and then died off rather quickly, and then followed by ailing Yuri Andropov. The Soviets wised up after that string of gerontocrats, putting youthful Mikhail Gorbachev into the job until he was overthrown by other gerontocrats embedded deep in the Soviet military and intelligence apparat.

Is America coming to that with this sorry Biden-Feinsteing racket-protection scenario? Well, when you have a one-party state, let's say that happens. Hard to think it's not with these Democrats.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Samsung last week began rolling out the April 2022 Android security patch to the Galaxy A53 5G. The initial rollout was limited to the companys homeland South Korea and India. The update is now available to users in Europe as well. Other remaining markets should also soon join the party.

Along with the latest SMR (security maintenance release), the new update for the Galaxy A53 5G also brings some camera-related improvements. When the rollout first began, Samsung didnt specify what else the newly released mid-ranger is getting along with this months security update. The changelog simply said, new and/or enhanced features.

But the changelog for the same update in Europe mentions stability improvements for the camera. Samsung more often than not pushes these kinds of camera optimizations to its new devices. We were expecting the Galaxy A53 5G to receive it too, and it has. Of course, the April SMR is part of the package too. It patches more than 80 vulnerabilities found in Googles version of Android as well as Samsungs custom software. Several of those vulnerabilities were labeled critical by the company.

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The Galaxy A53 5G will receive updates until Android 16

Samsung launched the Galaxy A53 5G last month. It is a well-positioned device that offers more for less. You get several flagship-grade features without unnecessary extras. Perhaps this mantra has helped the Korean brand establish the Galaxy A5x series as a crowd favorite.

To make the lineup more appealing, the company has now promised the same level of software support to the Galaxy A53 5G as the Galaxy S22 flagship series. These phones will get as many as four major Android OS updates. Debuted with Android 12 onboard, the new Samsung mid-ranger will receive updates until Android 16, which should arrive in late 2025 or early 2026. It will also get an additional year of security updates.

In the meantime, the Galaxy A53 5G is now receiving the April 2022 security update widely. The update is already available to users in most European countries. The new firmware version for the phone is A536BXXU1AVCC. You should get a notification for the OTA (over the air) software package once it becomes available for your phone. You can also manually check for updates from the Settings app. Simple scroll down to the Software update menu and tap on Download and install to see if an OTA file is pending download. If theres no update available, check back again later.
Those of you who have been hoping for a built-in S Pen inside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, well, thats not happening, it seems. This information comes from a well-known tipster, Ice Universe.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 wont include a built-in S Pen, it seems

He tweeted out that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 will be a little smaller and thinner. Including an S Pen inside it would increase the devices size and weight, which would be far from ideal, as its already quite a hefty, and large device.

There were a lot of rumors that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 will include an S Pen silo, like the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It seems those rumors were wrong. Ice Universe is usually right, and this does make sense.

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It would be ideal to have a built-in S Pen inside the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but for the phones size not to increase, and for its battery not to decrease in the process. Thats not possible, though, so it seems like Samsung gave up on that idea.

The device is expected to arrive in Q3 this year, most likely in August

Well, of course, have to wait until the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to launch in order to be sure. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 rumors and leaks will only get louder as we get closer to its launch. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is expected to launch in Q3 this year.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 arrived at the same time. They launched in August 2021. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 are expected to do the same this year. Its quite possible well see them arrive in August as well.

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It remains to be seen if Samsung will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ inside of these two phones. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ would be ideal, but well see. The phones design will likely be quite similar to what the Galaxy Z Fold 3 offers.
LONDON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States was rocked by three separate mass shootings over Easter weekend, with two male youths dead and at least 26 people wounded, which reignited calls for U.S. gun control legislation, The Guardian reported on Sunday.

Early Sunday morning, gunfire erupted at a party in a short-term Airbnb rental home in Pittsburgh, a major city in the northeastern U.S. state of Pennsylvania, where two 17-year-old boys were killed and eight other people were injured, The Guardian said.

Investigators determined the party had drawn roughly 200 guests who were mostly younger than 18, the British newspaper added.

Earlier on the same day, other nine people were injured in a gunfire which erupted at a nightclub in Hampton county of southeastern U.S. state of South Carolina. None of the wounds reported were fatal, said officials, who had not immediately announced any arrests.

Hours before, a separate bloodshed at a mall in South Carolina's capital of Columbia left at least nine people with bullet wounds. One 22-year-old suspect was jailed following that shooting on accusations of unlawfully carrying a pistol.

According to The Guardian, the mass shootings in the United States once again sparked calls among advocates for legislation targeting gun violence. 
Samsung has taken the wraps off the Galaxy Z Flip 3 Pokemon Edition in South Korea. The Pokemon Edition Galaxy Z Flip 3 includes the device itself, accompanied by a Pikachu keychain, a Pokemon Custom Pack, a Pokemon Pouch with a lanyard strap, and a stand shaped like the Poke Ball.

The device will go on sale in the region this week. Expectedly, this limited edition model has already made its way to Samsung Koreas website. Samsung will also provide a Pikachu Clear Cover Set, which is user-customizable (via SamMobile). Due to the contents of this model, the box is significantly larger than the standard Galaxy Z Flip 3.

In addition to the accessories, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 Pokemon Edition will also include exclusive wallpapers, themes, and ringtones. But pricing information is currently unavailable, and its unclear if this version will make it to other markets.

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Samsung said it would provide additional details on this Galaxy Z Flip 3 variant later this week. Since this is a limited edition variant, the Korean manufacturer is unlikely to have too many units up for sale.

Samsung is currently preparing for the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 4

This is not the first limited edition collaboration for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Weve already seen Star Wars, Marvel, and Bespoke Editions of the foldable in the past few months. The company even released the Olympic Commemorative Edition Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Given that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 successor is already making the rounds, we expect this to be the last of the limited edition models before the formal arrival of the Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 4 later this year.

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A report last month stated that the upcoming foldable could include an improved UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) technology, known as Super UTG. It is reportedly more durable than the tech used with the Z Flip 3 last year, potentially improving scratch resistance.

Moreover, Samsung has seemingly upped the display orders for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. While the company only ordered 5.1 million foldable panels last year, the number has jumped to 8.7 million panels this year, accounting for a 70% increase.
Arlo is easily one of the best smart home camera makers on the planet and one of the best features of its cameras is how they can be used when linked up to the Google smart home ecosystem. Namely, via Google Home.

But that doesnt mean its an easy task to accomplish, particularly if you arent well versed in the deeper settings of the Google Home app. So this guide takes a closer look at how you can link your Arlo account  and any associated cameras or other gadgets that are compatible  with Google Home.

What exactly does this do?

In terms of what youll get out of linking Arlo and Google Home, the results will vary. That is, depending on which devices you link.

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With cameras, youll have ready access via voice or Google Home devices and apps. That includes control for checking the cameras and interacting with some key controls. Youll also get access to notifications and alerts youve set up from your cameras. That means that you wont have to pull your phone out all of the time. Or at least not if you happen to be near an Assistant-enabled display, for instance.

That helps your Google Home products, such as the Nest Hub or your Google Home app, function more efficiently as a single-point access hub for your entire smart home.

Heres how you can add Arlo-branded cameras to your Google Home ecosystem

Now, before performing this setup, you will need to first set up your Arlo cameras using the Arlo app. Thats a process in its own right. But that will ensure that first, you have an Arlo account and, second, that you have cameras associated with that account. That way, when you go to add your Arlo cameras to your Google Home ecosystem, you wont have to wonder how it is that your cameras arent showing up.

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You should also complete this process on a smartphone, tablet, or other app-enabled gadget using the same gadget that you have signed into the Arlo app with. That will make the process easier.

Once thats complete, your next step will be to open the Google Home app itself. Then tap the Plus symbol at the top right-hand corner of the main page UI of that app. As shown in our sample image below.

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Next, select the Set up a device option, located near the top of the resulting page.

Google will offer you options for adding a new device. You can add new devices made by Google or Nest using the first option. Or any device that comes in a box labeled Seamless Setup with the Google Home App.

But to add your Arlo cameras to Google Home, youll need to learn to follow a different set of steps. So select Works with Google to link up your existing devices or accounts.

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The result will be a page labeled Home control.

On that page, is a list of services supported by Google Home. Its an extensive list that includes any account-associated brand thats compatible with Google Home to any extent. And that means it can take a not-insignificant length of time to navigate and scroll through. So, instead, well perform a search for the appropriate service. As should always be the first thing you try when navigating this list.

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Namely, by selecting the magnifying glass icon at the top of the page and entering Arlo to perform a search.

When the search is complete, youll need to select Arlo from the top of the list.

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Google Home will open a new window, labeled Link an account to control Arlo on any device, with a Continue or Cancel button. This will link your Arlo account to your Google account and your Google Home devices. Allowing you to control and view the cameras made by Arlo on those gadgets and with those gadgets. As well as offering up some control for some features. Select Continue.

The next page you see will ask you to Link Arlo with Google again, but this time from the Arlo side of the equation.

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So you should see your own email referenced, and associated with the Arlo account. Thats if youre using the same device you set up Arlo on. The same email should be used for both accounts for ease. You can also select Change account if the email isnt right. But its easier to associate all of your smart home products with the same account for management purposes.

Select whichever option you need to. Then select the Agree and link button, after checking that you agree to the terms. Otherwise, cancel.

After that finishes up, youll be taken back to the page for adding devices. More directly, thats the Add and manage page pictured above.

You can now back out to the main page of the Google app, using the back-arrow and x icons at the top of the pages. When you arrive back at the home page, you can now scroll to the bottom and see a segment labeled Linked to you.

Your Arlo camera or cameras and devices will be shown below that segment. So the next logical step will be learning how to move your cameras to a new room or an existing one in your smart home. That will help you keep your devices organized and make things easier to access. For instance, in this case, well be moving the camera back to the Cat Room segment or room. Since it is, after all, a cat room camera.
(ANSA) - ROME, APR 19 - An Italian woman was killed in a Luxembourg restaurant she worked in over the weekend, sources said Monday.

The body of Sonia Di Pinto, 46, from Molise, was found in the eatery's cellar on Easter morning.

It bore the signs of a violent blow to the head.

Police think she may have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong.

Her home town of Petacciato, an Adriatic seaside town, went into civic mourning.

Di Pinto welcomed clients and supervised waiters in the restaurant.

Her boyfriend Sauro Diogenici told ANSA on the phone: "I don't think it was murder. She was a tranquil person, she had no enemies.

"She did her job and she did it well, they didn't show her to me, they only told me her head was caved in by a big blow".

(ANSA).


Athens has seized a Russian oil tanker as part of EU sanctions against Moscow, coast guard officials in Karystos were quoted as saying by Greek news site Kathimerini.gr.



The tanker blocked by port authorities is called Pegas, it is 250-meter-long and flies the Russian flag. The 19 crew members are Russian nationals. The seizure concerns the vessel and its cargo, the same sources said.




ISTANBUL - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will allocate 500 million euros in funding for Turkey to support its green transition, EBRD official Arthur Poghosyan told the Anadolu news agency. In the interview, he said that the sum allocated is higher compared to previous funding granted to Turkey for energy projects.



"The dimension of the new funding (Green Economy Financing Facility Geff) responds to the ambitious pledge by Turkey after the signature (in October) of the Paris agreement on climate change. Honoring these engagements will require a net increase in green investments", said Poghosyan during the interview, adding that the timing of funding will depend on the request coming from Turkish banks.



According to a statement released by EBRD, Turkey uses only 3% of the estimated potential for solar energy and 15% of wind power.
Tunisia: African refugees ask to be evacuated UNHCR has 'resettlement, not evacuation plan'

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, 19 APR - Dozens of African asylum seekers and refugees are protesting for the third consecutive day in front of the offices of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Tunis.



They are asking to be evacuated to other countries. These refugees, including women and children, are mainly survivors of attempts to emigrate illegally by sea to Europe. Since Saturday, they have been sleeping rough in the street in the middle of luggage containing all their personal belongings.



"We need to be evacuated", says a banner at the agency's entrance. "We ask for our fundamental rights to be respected. We want to be evacuated to any other country respecting human rights and dignity", said one of the demonstrators, Saleh Saeed, a 24-year-old Sudanese from Darfur who says he has been stranded in Tunisia for four years.



Migrants and refugees, in particular from sub Saharan Africa, who are in Tunisia regularly complain that they are subjected to verbal and physical violence. Most of these migrants were rescued off Tunisia's coast after their vessels capsized as they were trying to illegally reach the European continent.



According to data provided by the Tunisian forum for economic and social rights, the Tunisian coast guard intercepted 25,657 migrants who were trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2021, nearly twice as many as the previous year. (ANSAmed).




Turkey: 500 mn euros from EBRD for green transition Funding increased compared to the past

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, 19 APR - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will allocate 500 million euros in funding for Turkey to support its green transition, EBRD official Arthur Poghosyan told the Anadolu news agency. In the interview, he said that the sum allocated is higher compared to previous funding granted to Turkey for energy projects.



"The dimension of the new funding (Green Economy Financing Facility Geff) responds to the ambitious pledge by Turkey after the signature (in October) of the Paris agreement on climate change. Honoring these engagements will require a net increase in green investments", said Poghosyan during the interview, adding that the timing of funding will depend on the request coming from Turkish banks.



According to a statement released by EBRD, Turkey uses only 3% of the estimated potential for solar energy and 15% of wind power. (ANSAmed).




Ukraine: Greek authorities seize Russian oil tanker Pegas ship held as part as EU sanctions

(ANSAmed) - ROME, 19 APR - Athens has seized a Russian oil tanker as part of EU sanctions against Moscow, coast guard officials in Karystos were quoted as saying by Greek news site Kathimerini.gr.



The tanker blocked by port authorities is called Pegas, it is 250-meter-long and flies the Russian flag. The 19 crew members are Russian nationals. The seizure concerns the vessel and its cargo, the same sources said. (ANSAmed).




TEL AVIV - The Israeli army mobilized on Tuesday in the northern West Bank to protect a march organized by the settlers' movement with the aim of obtaining from the Israeli government the authorization to reopen the rabbinical school of Homesh. The institute was targeted by a Palestinian attack in December in which a student was killed. Since then, the army has not allowed the presence of Israeli civilians.



On Monday, according to public radio Kan, the army denied permission for a march given the geographical proximity the city of Jenin where, over the past two weeks, gunfights were reported between Palestinian militants and Israeli soldiers. On Tuesday, a Palestinian village in the area hosted the funeral of an 18-year-old Palestinian girl, Hanan Khadour, who was injured last week in one of these incidents. However, political pressure by the nationalist right, according to Kan, induced the army on Tuesday to protect the grant protection to the settlers' march which should be attended by at least 10,000 people. The schedule included rallies and - despite the high level of military tension - recreational activities for children.




Spain: Catalan leaders 'targeted by spyware' Aragones asks government for 'explanation' after media reports

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, APRIL 19 - Reports published by The New Yorker and El Pais claiming over 60 Catalonian pro-independence leaders were targeted with the Pegasus spyware created by Israel's NSO group have been at the center of a debate in Spain. Separatist figures have alleged that Spanish central authorities could be behind this attempted "mass espionage".



According to the published articles, the alleged use of the Pegasus program against the separatist leaders, allegedly including current regional president, Pere Aragones, occurred at least between 2017 and 2020. During that period, a judicial case was pursued against the Catalan politicians who were accused of orchestrating an attempted secession of Catalonia.



The alleged virtual surveillance operation was revealed by Citizen Lab, a research group of the University of Toronto which called its analysis 'CatalanGate'. The team of cyber security experts said the alleged spyware operations it reported could not be attributed to "a specific entity", although there was "strong circumstantial evidence" that "suggested a connection with Spanish authorities". NSO's website specifies that the company's products can "exclusively" be used by government agencies.



In a post on Twitter, Aragones claimed that Pegasus "can only be bought by States" and that the central government "must immediately give an explanation". According to Spanish media, the interior ministry and security forces of Spain have said they don't use Pegasus. (ANSAmed)
Boris Johnson insisted he did not know he was breaking his own coronavirus rules, as he offered MPs a wholehearted apology after being fined by police.

The Prime Minister repeated his apology in the Commons on Tuesday, after Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved a vote on whether Mr Johnson lied to MPs with his earlier denials.

Mr Johnson is expected to be on a Government visit to India when the vote takes place on Thursday.

After the House returned from its Easter recess, Mr Johnson said he was speaking in all humility by acknowledging the fine police issued, over the gathering in No 10 for his birthday in June 2020.

I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House, he said, as he faced shouts of resign.

Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse, but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently, that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.

I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.

I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still under way, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps.

Mr Johnson said he has taken significant steps to change No 10.
Chinese pianist Lang Lang has announced he will donate hundreds of keyboards to British schools to help bring music to children in disadvantaged communities.

The musician, 39, who is one of the most famous solo pianists in the world, said he has been shocked by how limited access to music lessons can be in the UK.

Lang Lang has announced that his International Music Foundation will set up special piano tuition centres, known as piano labs in London state schools, The Times reported.

The project is modelled on his programme Keys of Inspiration, which has enjoyed success in China and the US.

Lang Lang has been shocked by how limited access to music lessons can be in the UK (Isabel Infantes/PA)

The Foundation says the programmes have given nearly 200,000 children access to keyboards.

As well as the instruments, schools will receive teacher training and extra grants as well as a special curriculum designed by Lang Lang and the Conservatory of Music in Toronto, according to The Times.

I was so surprised by how music classes are never a guarantee, he told the publication.

The schools and teachers are incredible, and are so dedicated to providing their students with everything they can.

But it shocked me how access to music education can be so limited.

The first school to benefit from the donations are Winns Primary School in Waltham Forest, north London, which will receive 30 keyboards.
A mysterious strain of hepatitis found in 13 Scottish children has no link to the Covid-19 vaccine, the public health minister has said.

The World Health Organisation said last week that 10 cases of the virus had been reported across the central belt of Scotland, adding a few days later the figure stood at 74 across the UK.

On Tuesday, Maree Todd told the Scottish Parliament the number of infections north of the border stood at 13.

The minister said the virus was a global concern (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA)

But the minister assured MSPs there was no link between the hepatitis and the Covid-19 vaccine, because all of the youngsters  aged between one and 10 years old  had not received a dose of the inoculation.

Although investigations into the cause are ongoing, we are able to definitively confirm that there is no connection between the Covid-19 vaccination and these cases, she said.

None of the infected children have received a first dose.

Whilst I know many will be concerned by this situation, please be assured that Public Health Scotland is working hard to identify the cause and is working closely with health agencies across the United Kingdom and international partners.

Ms Todd told MSPs the cases were unusual given they do not appear to have been cause by recognised strains of the virus, adding that only seven or eight such cases would be expected in a year if there were not another underlying condition present.

At present, we dont know the cause of the hepatitis  all potential causes are being thoroughly investigated and a number of children have tested positive for adenovirus, which is generally mild but which can, in some rare cases, cause hepatitis, she said.

Ms Todd said the most effective way to stem transmission of adenovirus was good hand and respiratory hygiene.

I therefore urge anyone taking care of younger children to supervise hand washing and ensure good hygiene, she added.

Parents were warned to contact health care professionals if they notice signs of jaundice in their children.

When asked by Labour MSP Paul OKane to give a timetable for more information to be made public about the cause of the outbreak, Ms Todd was unable to give a specific date, but committed to come back to the chamber with definitive information when it was available.

She added that, given reports of cases in the US and EU, the virus was now a global concern.
As many as four in 10 people in Britain could fall into fuel poverty in October, energy bosses warned, as they called for more support from the Treasury for vulnerable households.

ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson said the Government should take 1,000 off the bills of the poorest people in the country in October.

The Government or billpayers would then pay this off over 10 years, he suggested.

I think the problems got to the size and scale that it requires something significant of that nature where those people who are deemed to be in fuel poverty or vulnerable need something of the size and scale that puts their bills back to where it used to be before the gas crisis, he told MPs on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee.

Mr Anderson called that stage one, which should be followed up with a social tariff that gives poorer households discounted energy. This should replace the current price cap, he said.

He added it is perverse that customers with prepayment meters  who are likely to be more vulnerable  pay more for their energy than those who pay by direct debit.

E.ON UK chief executive Michael Lewis said his company would support a social tariff, but called it a long-term measure.

He said that between 30% and 40% of people in Britain might go into fuel poverty from October when the price cap is likely to rise significantly again.

EDF estimates that its most vulnerable tenth of customers will go from paying 1 in every 12 they have on energy bills to 1 in every 6.

Centrica boss Chris OShea said prepayment customers will start seeing a real increase in October.

At the start of April the price of energy soared by around 54% for the average household, but meanwhile the weather is getting warmer, so consumption is likely to drop.

Those who are paying their energy bill by direct debit will see prices go up this summer to build up credit for the winter, but prepayment customers will not do that so will see an even bigger rise in October.

Two months ago the Government announced a 200 rebate to be applied to energy bills in October, which will need to be paid back over the next few years.

Mr Lewis called for the 200 to be increased if bills go up significantly again in October, and for the repayment period to be extended if necessary.

After the hearing, Labours shadow secretary of state for climate change and net zero Ed Miliband said: As energy bills rise by record amounts for millions of families, it is shameful that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are refusing to support the British people facing a cost of living crisis.

It tells you everything you need to know about this Government that they stand by whilst working people, families, and pensioners suffer. Britain deserves better. All they have to offer is a Buy Now Pay Later loan scheme that will saddle families with higher bills in years to come.

Labour would introduce a package of real support to bring down bills by up to 600, funded by a one-off windfall tax on the oil and gas producers making record profits.
Queen Elizabeth II during the funeral of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Berkshire. Photo: PA

The Queen shut herself in her sitting room and spent time alone with her own thoughts after the Duke of Edinburghs funeral, according to her personal adviser.

Angela Kelly has updated her book about serving the Queen and included a new chapter that covers the pandemic and Philips funeral, which took place under strict Covid restrictions that prevented the monarch from sitting with family members during the service.

Ms Kelly, the Queens senior dresser and personal adviser, described her return to Windsor Castle from St Georges Chapel last April.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were married for more than 70 years before his death last year aged 99 (PA)

I helped her off with her coat and hat and no words were spoken, she wrote, according to Hello! magazine, which is publishing the new chapter this week.

The Queen then walked to her sitting room, closed the door behind her, and she was alone with her own thoughts.

Ms Kelly was part of HMS Bubble, the nickname believed to have been given to the reduced household of dedicated staff who isolated with the head of state during lockdown.

In her revised book, The Other Side Of The Coin: The Queen, The Dresser And The Wardrobe, first published in 2019, she also described the sombre mood among the team when they were informed of Philips death.
A report into possible workplace safety violations on the movie set where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed is reportedly on track to be released on Thursday.

The report, carried out by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), is due to be delivered six months after the incident in Santa Fe.

Ms Hutchins was killed on the set of the movie in October last year, after a prop gun actor Alec Baldwin was holding was discharged.

We are on track to release the report by the April 21 deadline, Matthew Maeza, a spokesperson for the NMED, told US media outlet Deadline.

I dont have details about the report findings to share at this time.

Lawyers said Baldwin had pointed the prop gun at Ms Hutchins during the set-up for the filming of a scene when it discharged, killing the cinematographer and wounding the westerns director, Joel Souza.

The actor has said he was pointing the gun at Ms Hutchins at her instruction and it fired without him pulling the trigger.

He is currently fighting a number of lawsuits stemming from the incident, including those brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, head of lighting Serge Svetnoy and Ms Hutchinss family.

The incident also resulted in calls from politicians for increased state-sponsored firearms training.

Earlier this year, New Mexico senator Cliff Pirtle introduced a bill that would require all acting and film production personnel in the state where firearms are present to complete a safety course that is designed primarily for hunters.
Boris Johnson is scheduled to jet to India despite the trip clashing with a Commons vote on whether to investigate him for misleading Parliament over breaches of coronavirus laws.

The Prime Minister is preparing to depart for the official trip on Wednesday ahead of Thursdays vote calling for a committee to determine whether he lied with his denials.

Mr Johnson is under renewed pressure after he was told to resign by Conservative former chief whip Mark Harper, who said he was no longer worthy of being Prime Minister.

That came despite Mr Johnson apologising dozens of times in the Commons and insisting he did not know he was breaching his own Covid rules after being fined by police.

But he denied intentionally misleading MPs in the past with his denials, including when he assured all guidance was followed completely in Downing Street.

Instead, Mr Johnson apologised repeatedly for the mistake of his 56th birthday gathering in No 10 in June 2020, as the police investigation into further alleged parties continues.

Government sources insisted the trip for talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi was definitely happening despite pressure to cancel it so he can attend the debate.

He is set to depart after Prime Ministers Questions.

The wording of the motion being tabled by Labour and other opposition MPs was not yet clear, but was expected to refer Mr Johnson for investigation by the Commons Privileges Committee.

Tory MP Craig Whittaker, one of the Conservatives to call for Mr Johnsons resignation, urged the Prime Minister to instead refer himself to avoid taking colleagues to the brink.

Noting Mr Johnson denies intentionally misleading the House, Mr Whittaker told BBC Newsnight: If thats the case, what I would like to see is the Prime Minister referring himself to the privileges committee so that he doesnt take all of my colleagues, including myself, to the brink on Thursday evening.

The committee has the power to summon reports and documents, meaning MPs could request a full version of senior civil servant Sue Grays inquiry into lockdown breaches as well as photographic evidence.

Shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire conceded the Tories may be able to amend the opposition motion, but urged Conservative MPs to do the right thing, listen to their constituents.

Tory whips are yet to set out how MPs will be told to vote, while awaiting the wording of the motion.

Mr Harper revealed he had submitted a letter to the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives calling for a no confidence vote after branding Mr Johnsons actions indefensible.

Im very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds, Mr Harper told MPs.

A no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister is triggered if 1922 chair Sir Graham Brady has 54 letters from Tory MPs. The number submitted is a closely-guarded secret.

Plans for Mr Johnson to visit India have been twice cancelled in the past, first over the UKs winter wave of Covid infections and then in April last year in response to a new variant hitting India.

But a second Government source insisted there was no way the latest trip will be cancelled, arguing it is critical for jobs, trade, investment and diplomacy.

The Prime Minister is expected to encourage Mr Modi to loosen ties with Vladimir Putins Russia when they meet in New Delhi on Friday.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson will not seek to lecture his Indian counterpart, despite concerns within Government that Mr Modi has not been strong enough in condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Instead, No 10 said Mr Johnson will promise to work with India and other countries in a similar position to reduce their dependence on Russian fossil fuels and defence equipment.
An inability to safely deploy lifeboats or life rafts was one of 31 failures discovered on a P&O Ferries vessel, according to a new report.

Inspectors for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found that the launching arrangements for survival craft on European Causeway were not as required.

The ship has two lifeboats and several life rafts for use in emergencies.

Among other flaws identified by the MCA were an inflatable evacuation slide not properly maintained, inadequate fire prevention systems and crew having a lack of familiarity with radio equipment.

There were also problems with labour conditions, navigation and documentation.

The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  an alliance of 27 national maritime authorities, including the UK  listed the 31 safety deficiencies but did not provide further details.

Analysis by the PA news agency revealed more failures were found than in any of the other 46,000 Port State Control inspections of ships within the Paris MOU in the past three years.

P&O Ferries was widely condemned after sacking nearly 800 seafarers without notice on March 17 and replacing them with cheaper agency staff.

The firm suspended most of its sailings, including by European Causeway on the Northern Ireland-Scotland route.

It reportedly predicted the disruption would only last around 10 days, but European Causeway was detained at Larne, Northern Ireland by the MCA on March 25.

The 22-year-old ship, which can carry up to 410 passengers, was not cleared to sail until April 8 following another examination.

A total of eight P&O Ferries vessels will be probed by the MCA following the mass sackings.

Spirit of Britain and Pride of Kent remain under detention after safety issues were found.

This has caused a shortage of ferry capacity on the key Dover-Calais route, contributing to large queues of lorries on coastbound roads in Kent.

Pride of Hull passed its inspection, enabling it to operate between Hull and Rotterdam.

Four other ferries are also out of action as they have not yet been inspected.

A spokesman for P&O Ferries said: Following confirmation from the MCA that the European Causeway is safe to sail, we were delighted to restart sailings between Larne and Cairnryan last week.

P&O is pleased to play its part in supporting customers to move vital goods between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

It is clear that inspections of our vessels have reached an unprecedented level of rigour.

We welcome this additional scrutiny and would reiterate that the safety of our passengers and crew is our foremost priority.

Any suggestion that it is being compromised in any way is categorically false and we look forward to all of our ships welcoming tourist passengers and freight customers again as soon as all mandatory safety tests have been passed.

The MCA has said its inspections are conducted in exactly the same robust way for every ship.
FILE -Action artist Hermann Nitsch sits in front of the Festspielhaus in Bayreuth, Germany, July 23, 2021. Nitsch, an Austrian avant-garde artist who was known among other things for Action" paintings created with animal blood and entrails, has died. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP,file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BERLIN (AP)  Hermann Nitsch, an Austrian avant-garde artist known among other things for works in which he used blood and animal entrails, has died. He was 83.

Nitsch's wife, Rita Nitsch, told the Austria Press Agency on Tuesday that Nitsch died at a hospital in the Austrian town of Mistelbach on Monday after a serious illness.

Nitsch, born in Vienna on Aug. 29, 1938, was versatile  with performance art, painting, sculpting and composing among his activities.

He was a co-founder of Viennese Actionism and best known for his Theater of Orgies and Mysteries, conceived as a visceral synthesis of the arts  which peaked with a 6-day Play in 1998, featuring 13,000 liters (more than 3,400 gallons) of wine, hundreds of liters of blood, kilogram of grapes and tomatoes, several animal carcasses and musical accompaniment.

His works and performances drew plenty of criticism. After protests against one of his exhibitions, Nitsch said in 2015 that the meat I use is not eaten but used for a theater performance, a higher purpose.

He told German news agency dpa before his 80th birthday that overcoming the revulsion barrier is a task of art.

There are museums dedicated to Nitsch's work in Mistelbach in northeastern Austria and in Naples, Italy.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen tweeted that Nitsch redefined the Austrian art world.

Austria is mourning a fascinating painter and an impressive person, he said. His work will live on; I am certain of that.
Jodie Sweetin appeared on Conversations With Olivia Jade. (Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

As Jodie Sweetin remembers it, the adults on the set of Full House, especially the late Bob Saget, weren't like the adults on most sets. They didn't separate themselves from the kids.

"We were the kids that they joked around with in between takes and, you know, I would spend time with Bob's family on weekends," Sweetin told Olivia Jade Giannulli, the daughter of cast member Lori Loughlin, on Sunday's episode of the Conversations With Olivia Jade podcast. "And somebody would change the twins' diapers, like my mom or a teacher. It was just a family unit, and I'm so incredibly grateful for it, because I just gained this huge family of people that I know love me no matter what. Whatever happens, our differences or whatever, we just genuinely love each other. And no matter what happens, we'll always show up for each other."

The sitcom about a father, Saget's Danny Tanner, raising three daughters (played by Sweetin, Candace Cameron Bure and twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) with a friend (Dave Coulier) and his late wife's brother (John Stamos) and his partner (Loughlin) was of course such a hit that it came back to TV in 2016 in a sequel series, Fuller House.

Lori Loughlin and Jodie Sweetin pose with the rest of the Full House cast in this undated photo. (Photo: ABC /Courtesy Everett Collection)

By then, Sweetin and her co-stars knew just how to treat the kids on their set. Even more importantly, she knew some things about being a good parent, thanks to them and her own mom.

"I remember Bob just being really inclusive of his kids," Sweetin, the mother of daughters Zoie, 14, and 11-year-old Beatrix, said of Saget's three, now adult daughters. "And he didn't talk to them like they were idiots. And he did the same with me. Like, he treated me with respect as a young person and so did John and Dave. I understood that when I had kids, you can joke with them, you can have real conversations."

After Saget's death on Jan. 9, tributes poured out from the entire comedy world and, of course, the cast of the family sitcom. Sweetin said on Good Morning America the following month that the cast continues to keep in regular contact through a group text. She lamented that the group chat was already "missing a lot" without Saget's humor.

"It happened so suddenly," Sweetin said. "And to lose someone who was such a wonderful, big, shining personality like that  in all of our lives  it's been a lot."

Host Giannulli said it's obvious how close the group continues to be. Though the host didn't mention it, the cast came together, too, when Giannulli's mom went to prison for her role in the college admissions scandal, which included paying $500,000 to have her and her sister, Isabella Giannulli, admitted to the University of Southern California as crew recruits, even though neither participated in the sport.

"Even being at Bob's memorial recently," she said. "Its like, the love that fills the room when its all of you guys together is so genuine."

Sweetin also spoke about what it's like for people to see her as her character, Stephanie Tanner, after all these years. After all, she began playing the part when she was 5. Now she's 40.

"It's a blessing and a curse, and, I think, in a way, I've grown through it and grown to accept it. I think, at some point, when I was young, there was some resentment about it and absolutely wanting to shed that image," Sweetin said. "And I think sometimes I did some really self-destructive things to do that."

The actress has been open about her experiences with addiction to drugs and alcohol after the original show ended. On the podcast, she said that she's 14 years sober.

She's since had a change of heart, realizing that some people have watched that character their entire lives. She was "incredibly moved" recently when a women stopped her on the street to tell her that she grew up watching Full House with her mother and grandmother.

"And it means something incredibly important. And I've now come to this place where I really appreciate that," Sweetin noted. "I'm glad that I get to bring that to somebody.

"Now, do I wish that I had other opportunities or that people take me as seriously doing something else? Absolutely. I know I can do a lot more. But sometimes I just have to make the choice what do you want to do? Do you wanna fight and only wanna try and do what you wanna do? Or do you want to just lean in to the fact that you make people happy being this person?"
MILAN (Reuters) - Ferrari unveiled on Tuesday the new 296 GTS convertible, its fourth plug-in hybrid model, as the luxury sportscar maker pushes ahead with its electrification strategy.

It follows Ferrari's previous three hybrid models that went into full series production  the SF 90 Stradale in 2019, its convertible version, called SF90 Spider, in 2020 and last year's 296 GTB.

The 296 GTS is a convertible version, fitted with a retractable hard top, of the existing 296 GTB, a luxury car which sells for around 300,000 euros ($324,000).

The two cars share most relevant features, including a 6-cylinder (V6) mid-rear turbo engine coupled with a 122 KW electric motor for a total of 830 horse power, and 25 km of silent electric-only power.

Its top speed exceeds 330 km/h, Ferrari said.

Deliveries of the new model will start from Europe in early 2023 and the price will be confirmed in due course.

So far Ferrari road cars have been normally powered by V8 or more powerful V12 engines but the company is increasingly reducing the share of highly polluting V12-fitted cars in its production.

Another new model is planned for release in the coming months, the much awaited Purosangue (Thoroughbred). That will be Ferrari's first ever sport utility vehicle (SUV) and bring the company into a lucrative segment where direct rivals such as Volkswagen's Lamborghini are already present.

"I'm confident (the Purosangue) will exceed our customers' expectations," Chief Executive Benedetto Vigna said last week.

A tech industry veteran, Vigna took charge of Ferrari last September, with a task to take a brand synonymous with roaring combustion engines, into the new era of silent and cleaner electric mobility.

As part of this Ferrari has already promised its first full-electric model in 2025, while Vigna has already said the company would seek technology partnerships.

More details of Ferrari's electrification strategy are expected on June 16, when Vigna will present his first comprehensive business plan.

($1 = 0.9272 euros)

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Keith Weir)
Johnny Depp denied the abuse allegations against him as he took the stand Tuesday in his $50 million defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, and described being physically and emotionally tormented by his mother as a child.

The actor said Heards accusations of domestic violence against him were not based in any species of truth as he testified in front of a seven-person jury at a Fairfax, Va., courtroom, where Heard was present.

Never did I, myself, reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life, Depp, 58, said.

Depps testimony comes a little over a week after the trial began. Depp sued Heard in early 2019 over an op-ed published in the Washington Post in which she wrote shed become a public figure representing domestic abuse.

Heard didnt name Depp in that December 2018 essay, but had previously accused the Oscar-nominated actor of physically and verbally abusing her during their marriage, which he denied.

Actor Johnny Depp testifies during a hearing at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., on Tuesday.





Actor Johnny Depp testifies during a hearing at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., on Tuesday. (JIM WATSON/)

Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial: Lawyers prepare jury for soap opera

On Tuesday, Depp said his late mother, Betty Sue Palmer, was quite violent and quite cruel, saying the psychological and verbal abuse is what tore his family apart.

In our house, we were never exposed to any type of safety or security, Depp said. The only thing that one could do, really, was to try to stay out of the line of fire. I started to be able to observe, and I could start to see when she was about to head into a situation where she was going to get riled up and somebody was going to get it. Generally, it was me.

U.S. actress Amber Heard speaks to her attorney at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022.





U.S. actress Amber Heard speaks to her attorney at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022. (JIM WATSON/)

Depps team asserts Heard fabricated the abuse allegations to destroy his reputation, while Heards camp claims Depp damaged his own career.

The defamation case, which is expected to last for week is being held in Virginia because the Washington Post has servers there.

Johnny Depp is sworn in during his defamation trial in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022.





Johnny Depp is sworn in during his defamation trial in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022. (JIM WATSON/)

Heard, 35, hasnt testified during the defamation trial.

During Depps testimony Tuesday, he spoke openly about substance abuse, as well as his training regimen and stunt work on some of his films.

Im not some maniac that needs to be high or loaded all the time, Depp said. On film sets, there have been no moments where I would have been considered out of control.

He later said that when he was still in a relationship with Heard, she and her friends teased him about the amount of wine and marijuana he could consume.

After being asked if he had ever been addicted to any substances, Depp cited the opiate Roxycodone.

Actor Johnny Depp demonstrates how he claims to have shielded himself from an alleged attack by his ex-wife Amber Heard as he testifies during the trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

A knife with an inscription "from Amber Heard to Johnny Depp" on the blade is seen on a screen as actor Johnny Depp testifies during the trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Actor Johnny Depp testifies during a hearing in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Actress Amber Heard listens while actor Johnny Depp testifies, as a picture of an injury to his face is viewed on a screen during a trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Actress Amber Heard talks to her attorneys in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Johnny Depp testifies during his defamation trial in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022.

Johnny Depp is sworn in during his defamation trial in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022. Depp is suing ex-wife Amber Heard for libel after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

U.S. actor Johnny Depp attends his defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022. Depp is suing ex-wife Amber Heard for libel after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

U.S. actress Amber Heard speaks to her attorney at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022. U.S. actor Johnny Depp is suing ex-wife Heard for libel after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

Judge Penney Azcarate speaks to lawyers during trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022. Johnny Depp is suing ex-wife Amber Heard for libel after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

Sean Bett, a security guard for U.S. actor Johnny Depp, testifies during a hearing at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022.

Johnny Depp steps outside court during the 8th day of his civil trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 19, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia. Depp is seeking $50 million in alleged damages to his career over an op-ed Heard wrote in the Washington Post in 2018.

Sound engineer Keenan Wyatt testifies during a hearing at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022.

U.S. actress Amber Heard (R) embraces attorney Elaine Bredehoft during a hearing at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia on April 19, 2022.

U.S. actor Johnny Depp sits in the courthouse after a break during the $50 million Depp vs. Heard defamation trial at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on April 14, 2022. Heard is being sued for defamation by her former husband, Johnny Depp, after she wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post in 2018 that, without naming Depp, accused him of domestic abuse.

Johnny Depp is seen outside court for the start of a civil trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 11, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia. Depp is seeking $50 million in alleged damages to his career over an op-ed Heard wrote in the Washington Post in 2018.

Amber Heard is seen outside court for the start of a civil trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 11, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia. Depp is seeking $50 million in alleged damages to his career over an op-ed Heard wrote in the Washington Post in 2018.

Spectators showing support for Johnny Depp And Amber Heard outside of Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 11, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia.

The actor claimed he was prescribed Roxycodone pills after suffering an injury on the set of the 2011 film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

He told Heards attorney he did not remember which year he filmed Pirates 4 but that he was addicted and detoxed before starting his relationship with Heard. He said hed never done opiates again after detoxing.

He then explained to the jury how he met Heard while in preproduction for the film The Rum Diary, a movie based on a novel by Hunter S. Thompson.

I thought, she could definitely kill me and thats what Hunter wants, he said.

When Heard had to shoot a nude scene for the film, he said he devised a plan where the nudity was implied.

You dont have to take your clothes off, you dont have to take your top off. Its cool. And she was appreciative, he said.

However, he said an on-screen kiss they later shared felt like a real one and that was the beginning of their romantic relationship. He said they later kissed in his trailer after they had some wine.

He said this occurred while he was having relationship trouble with his then-partner Vanessa Paradis.

Depp said for the first year and a half of their relationship, things were wonderful, comparing their relationship to the one between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, who also met on a film set and had a large age difference.

Things started to change. Or things started to reveal themselves is a better way to put it.

Depp and Heard were married from 2015 to 2017.
FILE PHOTO: People light oil lamps to express their condolences, following the lynching of the Sri Lankan manager of a garment factory in Sialkot, in Karachi

By Mubasher Bukhari and Asif Shahzad

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani mob lynching of a Sri Lankan manager of a garment factory who was accused of blasphemy was an act against the Islamic religion, a court said in a detailed ruling on Tuesday.

The anti-terrorism court had on Monday sentenced six men to death, nine to life in prison, one to five years' jail and another 72 to two years each in a mass trial over the crime. Eight of those sentenced were juveniles.

Scores of enraged workers in the city of Sialkot tortured and burned DDN Priyantha Kumara in December over accusations of blasphemy which a police official at the time linked to the removal of a poster with Islamic holy verses.

"The disgracing of a dead body and setting it on fire are strictly forbidden in Islam," the court ruled. "The Holy Prophet...forbade Muslims to disgrace the dead body of even a non-Muslim."

The accused had disobeyed the Prophet Mohammed, added the court, which was set up inside a high-security prison.

Lynchings over accusations of blasphemy, both crimes that can carry the death sentence in Pakistan, have been frequent in the Muslim-majority country. The factory incident took place in the heart of Pakistan's most heavily industrialised region.

Pakistani judges and courts have often delayed decisions in lynching cases out of fear of retribution, and a clear court declaration that lynching is un-Islamic is rare.

The court said Kumara begged forgiveness before being brutally killed, saying he did not know what was written on the poster because he could not speak the local Urdu language.

It said the mob chased him onto a roof and then "started hitting him again and again with scissors on his face, head and different parts of his body". The attackers also inflicted "blows with a brick, kicks and fists to his head".

Kumara died on the spot before his body was desecrated and dragged through his factory and out onto a highway where it was set on fire, the court said.

"In our society, such incidents are increasing where a person is done to death by a mob on an allegation of blasphemy," it said. "These cases should be dealt with by iron hands."

(Writing and reporting by Asif Shahzad in Islamabad, editing by Mark Heinrich)
FILE - Marqel Cockrell appears at an extradition hearing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Cockrell a co-owner of a Southern California shoe store who allegedly wounded a 9-year-old girl while shooting at shoplifters has been charged with assault with a firearm, authorities said Monday, April 18, 2022. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)  A co-owner of a Southern California shoe store who allegedly wounded a 9-year-old girl while shooting at shoplifters has been charged with assault with a firearm, authorities said Monday.

Marquel Michael James Cockrell, 20, was scheduled for a San Bernardino County Superior Court video arraignment in Rancho Cucamonga, a prosecution press release said.

Other charges include discharging a firearm with gross negligence and carrying a loaded firearm that was not registered to the defendant. It was not immediately known if Cockrell has an attorney to speak on his behalf.

The shooting occurred April 12 at the Mall of Victor Valley in the high desert city of Victorville.

Cockrell chased two shoplifters and fired shots that instead hit the 9-year-old female victim, Victorville police said in a statement.

The girl, Ava Chruniak, suffered three gunshot wounds, including two in an arm, said her grandmother, Robin Moraga-Saldarelli. One of the bullets fractured an arm bone.

Police said Cockrell fled and was later arrested in Nevada's Clark County. He was subsequently extradited and held in custody in California, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said.

Ava was released from the hospital April 14 but will require an operation to repair nerve damage, KCBS-TV reported last week.
Last Wednesday in Stockholm, the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland, countries where neutrality and military non-alliance are deeply woven into their cultures, shocked the world by issuing a joint statement that, thanks to Russias invasion of Ukraine, they were considering applying for membership in NATO.

There is a before and after Feb. 24, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told reporters in reference to Russias latest military incursion in Ukraine. The security landscape has completely changed.

We have to be prepared for all kinds of actions from Russia, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said, adding that Finland would decide about applying to NATO in a matter of weeks.

While both countries had already closed off their skies to Russian air traffic, the announcement about NATO membership further risked the wrath of the Kremlin, which has repeatedly threatened both against joining the 30-member military alliance.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. (John MacDougall/Pool via AP)

Over the last week in Sweden, radios, portable generators and camping stoves are flying off shelves as its 10.4 million citizens begin stocking up on canned food, water, flashlights and matches in preparation for anticipated acts of Russian sabotage. In Finland, where the government has stockpiled enough grains and fuels in strategic reserves to last at least five months, theyre expecting more cyberattacks like those that hit the ministries of defense and foreign relations on April 8, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Finnish Parliament via video. Like the Swedes, the 5.5 million residents of Finland believe that Russia will soon target its infrastructure, including the internet and electrical grid, and Russian violations of the airspace in both countries are already on the rise.

In response to their public declarations of interest in NATO membership, Moscow has renewed its threats to retaliate and bolster nearby ground and air forces, deploying significant naval forces in the Gulf of Finland, according to Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council. "There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic [Sea], Medvedev added, a threat dismissed by analysts in the region as saber rattling, since tiny Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic, is widely believed to already hold nuclear weapons.

If youre talking about large nuclear weapons, it doesnt really matter if the bases literally are in the Baltic Sea or the Gulf of Finland, if it is in Kaliningrad or if theyre 500 miles away, Charly Salonius-Pasternak, security and defense analyst at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs in Helsinki, told Yahoo News.

The addition of Finland and Sweden to the Western military alliance would not only expand NATO territory by 300,000 square miles toward the northeast  in blatant defiance of Putins demands last December to shrink NATOs footprint  but it would also roughly double NATO's borders with Russia to nearly 1,600 miles. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who called Sweden and Finland our closest partners, said in early April that he expected all NATO allies will welcome them. He added, We know that they can easily join this alliance if they decide to apply.

These are two really capable military powers, who are far more capable than the size of the countries would suggest, Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, told Yahoo News with regard to Sweden and Finland. And they would also boost military capabilities in the Baltic Sea, home to three small NATO countries  Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  whose defense has always posed a problem for the alliance, Daalder said.

The likely accession of Finland and Sweden is a really big deal for NATO as well as Finland and Sweden themselves, Daalder added.

Sweden has been neutral or [militarily nonaligned] since 1814, he noted. And Finland, which became independent from Russia over a century ago, has never wanted to be part of any alliance since it became independent in 1917. ... But for the invasion of Ukraine, this wouldnt have happened.

Indeed, even three months ago the prospect of Sweden and Finland joining NATO didnt appear in the cards. Finnish Prime Minister Marin said in January that her country was very unlikely to join NATO under her watch, a sentiment that was echoed by Swedens defense minister. Two weeks ago, however, Marin did an about-face, proclaiming that Russia is not the neighbor we thought it was.

On Monday a few thousand people gathered in Senaatintori Square in Helsinki, Finland, to show their support for Ukraine. (Alessandro Rampazzo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The fact that Russia seems willing to invade, on completely false pretenses, its neighbors that dont belong to NATO sparked a realization among Finns, who have long tried to placate the Kremlin, Salonius-Pasternak said.

Specifically, when the citizens of Finland, which fought the Soviet Union after it invaded in 1939, watched Russias savage attacks unfold in Ukraine, something fundamental changed in their logic. After Russias atrocities in Bucha became clear earlier this month, Finnish public support for joining NATO soared to 68%. Local thinking, Salonius-Pasternak said, switched from If we join NATO, Russia may get annoyed and do something bad to us to They may do something bad anyway, so why not seek a form of deterrence that is completely unavailable to them?

What happened, Salonius-Pasternak added, was the Finnish population drew some conclusions which forced the hand of the Finnish political elite, and thereby also the Swedish.

Gunilla Herolf, senior associate research fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs in Stockholm, agreed that Finland is blazing the trail toward NATO membership. Finland has been taking the lead, she told Yahoo News. After public support for NATO went up so much in Finland, people in Sweden started to realize that its very likely that Finland will join, and that made public opinion go up in Sweden as well. The two countries have a very close relationship, she added, which only intensified in 2014 when Russia invaded Ukraine the first time, annexing Crimea.

The Swedish army participates in a military exercise in the Artic Circle, Norway, on March 25 in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

Herolf expects that the extensive cooperation of Sweden and Finland with NATO, with which they often perform joint military exercises and whose forces they fought alongside in the Balkans and Afghanistan, will help speed up the process of applying for membership.

But theres a risk: While Finland and Sweden are expected to apply in the coming weeks, their acceptance into the military alliance depends on unanimous agreement from all 30 of NATOs current members, a process that could take months.

That invitation needs to be ratified by all 30 current members, and that means that the U.S. Senate will have to ratify it, and 29 parliaments will have to ratify it, said Daalder. While he doesnt foresee any problems, he added, you never know  maybe a parliament gets dissolved and therefore theres no parliament to ratify it.

Until their membership is ratified, Finland and Sweden will remain vulnerable. If Russia attacked either before they were admitted to the alliance, neither could invoke Article 5, the NATO clause that states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Another potential snag is the upcoming presidential election in France. Right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen, currently trailing incumbent President Emmanuel Macron by at least 7 points, has vowed to cut Frances military involvement with NATO.

French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. (Julien De Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)

While the ratification process among the 30 NATO members could happen quickly," said Daalder, the problem is it needs to go quickly in 30 countries. The real question is, what do you do in the meantime? Once Finland and Sweden are officially invited to apply to NATO, Daalder said, even before their membership is approved by member countries, the president of the United States should make clear that until such time as these countries are formally part of NATO, that we, the United States, hopefully with partner countries, are committed to defending their security.

In the meantime, both Finland and Sweden are boosting their armed forces and ramping up annual spending on civil defense and arms. The Finnish government in February ordered 64 F-35s from Lockheed Martin, with a price tag of over $9 billion. Sweden, where the 2021 defense budget was around $7 billion, is expected to raise that amount to about $11 billion, roughly the 2% of GDP required of NATO members.

_____

What happened last week in Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out.
It's pronounced with a vowel sound like "row," not "rot." But you knew that  and surely you know who the Broad Museum is named for. What about other L.A. buildings? (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Happy Lummis Day, L.A.!

What? You havent planned your party yet?

Never mind; the city has. Over two decades, L.A., with the help of a foundation and sponsors, has celebrated the life and work of a man who remains a standout figure in a city overrun by them.

Charles Lummis was a passionate convert to the life and culture of Southern California and one of its most fabulous founding characters.

I am Lummis! Im the West! he exulted.

In 1884, he perambulated more than 3,000 miles from Ohio to L.A., writing newspaper dispatches along the way and becoming a sympathetic ethnographer of Native American culture. Here, he went about town in a corduroy suit with a woven red Navajo sash, an outfit he wore constantly, yea, even unto the White House to visit his Harvard classmate Theodore Roosevelt. He crusaded to restore the states tumbledown missions and built the citys first museum, the Southwest, where he housed his matchless collection of artifacts. He paired off with three wives and many lovers, wrote books, poems and columns and edited and wrote a magazine, Out West. As city librarian, he insisted that all Angelenos be allowed to use its collection and discouraged book theft by using a branding iron to burn "LA PUB LIBRARY" into books edges.

So of course you want to visit the Lummis House in Highland Park, which he built of boulders dragged up from the Arroyo Seco, the sometimes-waterway of which Teddy Roosevelt told Angelenos: This arroyo would make one of the greatest parks in the world." Naturally, we turned it into the Pasadena Freeway.

Surely youve seen some name or another blazoned on a public landmark building and wondered to yourself, who are those guys?

Here are origin stories of some (but by no means all) of the buildings  whose names are occasionally womens names too.

Bradbury Building, downtown

The man who envisioned and paid for it was the silver-mine and real estate tycoon Lewis L. Bradbury, whose name adorns a town in the San Gabriel Valley. A dazzled critic called the building a fairy tale of mathematics. The interior is what Id call "Victorian futurist": glazed brick and tracery wrought-iron staircases and balustrades. Scenes from Blade Runner were filmed here.

One of my favorite L.A. tales  that the Bradbury was built on the advice of the architects dead brother, sent via Ouija board  has been debunked. The tale went like this: George Wyman, an associate in the office of architect Sumner Hunt, was given the building job after Bradbury didnt like Hunts design. Wyman was reluctant to take the job out from under his boss, but he and his wife were messing around with a Ouija board and got a message from Wymans dead 8-year-old brother, Mark: Take the Bradbury assignment. It will make you successful. Then about 20 years ago, along comes architect and historian John Crandell, who plumbed contemporary accounts to show that the Wyman fable was not true. Bummer.

Bradburys wife, Simoneta, finished the building after he died. The Times called her the vivacious daughter of a leading Spanish family in Mazatlan, but Bradbury family papers at UC Davis say she was called the Cinderella of Rosario, because she was a maid on Bradburys Mexican estate when he met and wooed her.

Oviatt Building, downtown

An advertisement for Oviatt Clothes that ran in The Times  not cheap for 1929 prices. (Los Angeles Times archive)

James Oviatt was thinking of Mission-style architecture for his top-end haberdashery, but a trip to the 1925 Paris Art Deco Exposition changed his mind, and soon, 30 tons of custom glass and adornments  windows, mailboxes, light panels  were on their way to Los Angeles. Movie stars and moguls shopped by the light of the Oviatts Lalique lamps.

The Art Deco jewel-box penthouse is where Oviatt lived with his wife, Mary. She was a saleswoman when Oviatt saw her, called her up to the penthouse and proposed. The roof once had a swimming basin and sand imported from the south of France for beachy sunbathing.

A now-closed ground-floor restaurant, Cicada, is where the flying-escargot dinner scene from Pretty Woman was filmed.

Getty Center and Getty Villa, Sepulveda Pass and Malibu

Two Los Angeles-area museums bear the name of the oilman J. Paul Getty. In 1957, Fortune assessed him to be the richest American, and his worth in the 1970s, back when billionaires werent a dime a dozen, was something between $2 billion and $4 billion. In 1971, the Times writer and astute cultural critic (and my old friend) Bevis Hillier spent a weekend with Getty as a houseguest of the Duke of Bedford and concluded that Getty was one of the most boring people I have ever met" and a man devoted equally to pinching pennies and womens bottoms.

Gettys charitable trust of more than $7 billion makes it probably the deepest pockets in any art sale. After an aristocratic cousin of Queen Elizabeth IIs sold off a Titian, The Death of Actaeon, the Getty acquired it. But Britain, its amour propre stung at losing such a treasure, halted its export and raised money to keep it in the country. Once in a while, the flow of antiquitieshas gonethe other way: The Getty has had to return dozens to their countries of origin over questions about how they were acquired.

The Getty, like Julius Caesars Gaul, is divided into three parts.

The Getty Center hovers at a hilltop over the 405 Freeway like a lenticular cloud. Its collection runs to paintings, furniture, statuary, manuscripts, sundry objets de vertu and an authoritative collection of photography.

The Getty Villa in Malibu is modeled on a villa buried by the volcanic lava flows that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum 200 centuries ago. It was originally built after Gettys place nearby ran out of room to keep all his stuff  and who among us cant identify with that? Getty never visited it, but he is buried there.

The Getty Conservation Institute, with facilities at both museums, is the Oz-behind-the-curtain scientific undertaking that helps the world preserve its art treasures.

Skirball Cultural Center, Sepulveda Pass

Like the Getty, it sits atop a hill above the Sepulveda Pass and has its own exit sign on the 405. Its a meeting and exhibit space describing itself as guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality.

Jack H. Skirball may have been the worlds only rabbi/developer/philanthropist. He spent nine years as a rabbi but moonlighted as a film salesman and wound up producing nearly 60, most of them short subjects but two of them Hitchcocks.

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena

Even if you havent visited this museum, youve seen it. It stands near the starting line of the New Years Day Tournament of Roses Parade.

Founded as Pasadenas art museum, it was facing ruin in 1974 when it agreed to Norton Simon taking it over, paying its bills and installing his own enormous and top-notch collection there.

Simons wife, the Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Jones, oversaw the museums renovation after Simon died. A Times critic called him the mercurial Medici of Los Angeles art. He was a sharp-elbowed businessman who leveraged railroads and canned tomatoes and other enterprises into a fortune. And he spent a lot of it on Old Masters, Impressionists, Asian treasures  12,000 works in all.

You see creativity [in art], Simon once said. You see that this man spent his life painting. You wonder what that expression meant to him, and you wonder what your expression means to you. What kind of nut spends his whole life painting? What kind of nut am I? What is my life expressing?

Hammer Museum at UCLA, Westwood

Armand Hammer is one of those characters whose career, both self-mythologizing and real, can scarcely be bound by a book: a wheeler-dealer who parlayed knowing Lenin into a nine-year career living in the fledgling Soviet Union as a manufacturer and import-export businessman. He was a medical doctor who never practiced but clung to the title.

Some years ago, in New Mexico to write about the dedication of a boarding school Hammer funded, I put a question to the actor Cary Grant, a visiting VIP, about Mr. Hammer. Ah, ah, ah, Grant corrected me with a finger wag. Its Dr. Hammer.

The school was a favorite project of Prince Charles, and funding it got Hammer into the royal good graces. Charles reportedly wanted to make Hammer a godfather to his elder son, Prince William. His wife, Diana, put a stop to that.

Hammer, like Simon, had flirted with giving his art collection to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art but opted instead for a building that bore his name. Hammer had reportedly demanded that other donors names be taken off the LACMA galleries where his paintings would be hung and that lifesize portraits of him and his wife be displayed permanently at the museum. As they say in the telling of tales, you havent heard the half of it.

The Lummis home was built with stones from the nearby Arroyo Seco. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

The Broad, downtown

Eli Broad, who died a year ago, made his billions in insurance and in the home-building business. Broad was a pioneering big-donor philanthropist with a foundation promoting science, education and civic engagement. He was also a deep-pocketed patron of modern art, helping to raise the profiles of dozens of 20th century artists.

The Broad Museum has almost 2,000 pieces from the collection he built with his wife, Edythe. Broad had a hand in creating downtowns Museum of Contemporary Art and had worked with LACMA, but he too chose a museum of his own.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, San Marino

Its a legendary name from California history, but it was not the uncle, the Gold Rush tycoon Collis P. Huntington, who founded the place, but his nephew Henry, who made his fortune in L.A. real estate and married his uncles 63-year-old widow, Arabella.

Huntington, said California historian Kevin Starr, was a heroic spender. The couple hoovered up manuscripts, paintings, sculpture and et ceteras for their estate, now set among more than 130 acres of varied and inventive gardens. Today, the collections run to 11 million items across 1,000 years of human history.

Star turns: the famous 18th century British portraits Blue Boy and Pinkie. I once took English visitors here, and they stopped dead in front of the portraits and demanded, What are those doing here?

Now that weve toured the billionaires buildings, lets move on.

Chateau Marmont, Hollywood Hills West

The lounge-around hangout of the beautiful people, and anyone else who can afford the price of a room, or at least a cocktail, is named for the street it sits on, Marmont Lane. But where did Marmont come from? Most likely from a virtually forgotten silent-film leading man, the English-born Percy Marmont. In dozens of films and on the stage, he played the stoically romantic hero whose characters were usually Lord or Sir or Colonel something. His IMDb biography suggests that his perpetually serious, somewhat tortured demeanor may well have been compounded by a hernia he suffered while picking up Clara Bow in Mantrap. 

Margaret Herrick Library, Beverly Hills

The Herrick is one of the regions many specialty libraries, and it just reopened. Its a natural for L.A., a research resource entirely about movies, with many thousands of papers: production notes and screenplays, clippings, promotional materials, photographs, musical scores.

Dont think that you can check out, say, Thornton Wilders screenplay for Strangers on a Train  all the material is for use only on-site. The collection was begun in 1928 and was later named for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's librarian and executive director, Margaret Herrick. It is Herrick who in all likelihood gave the saucy name Oscar to the academys award of merit; it was, she wrote in a 1959 letter to a Merriam-Webster dictionary editor, a thoughtless quip that she regretted more times than I care to remember.

Simon Wiesenthal Center, Pico-Robertson

With its companion Museum of Tolerance, the institution supports Holocaust research and campaigns for human rights for Jews the world over. Its named for the legendary Holocaust survivor and investigator whose work brought some thousand Nazi war criminals to justice. (The nations oldest Holocaust museum, the 61-year-old Holocaust Museum L.A., stands a few miles away in Pan Pacific Park.)

Simon Wiesenthal came here in 1977 for a dedicatory ceremony. He also took in a concert at which a teenage Jewish pianist named Yefim Bronfman played Rachmaninoffs "Piano Concerto No. 3." As wonderful as it was, Wiesenthal told conductor Zubin Mehta backstage, he could not help thinking of the others, the ones we lost in the Holocaust, how many brilliant young musicians, poets, painters "

A.C. Bilbrew Library, Willowbrook

The south L.A. civic leader Madame A.C. Bilbrew was said to be the first African American to have her own radio show. Her name appears with some frequency in The Times stories from the 1920s to the 1950s, like one in 1957 noting her new show on radio station KPOP. Her singing group performed for white womens clubs, and after it appeared in the 1929 Black-cast movie Hearts in Dixie (in which Bilbrew played a voodoo or hoodoo woman), it put on a special show at the Orpheum Theatre. In 1932, she sponsored what The Times called the first real Negro drama staged in L.A., a production of the play Hoo-Dooed, performed at the Philharmonic Auditorium, the first permanent home of the L.A. Philharmonic.

Alma Reaves Woods-Watts Branch Library, Watts

In the 1990s, the city of L.A. dropped, like the very hot potato it was, a policy that new libraries would be named for those who gave more than $1 million to build them. The city backed down after the Watts community insisted that its new branch library be named for Alma Reaves Woods, the woman locals knew as the lady who built the library.

Woods worked for decades to build a library in Watts, buying cheap books and handing them out to kids, lugging books from a faraway library to a housing project where she herself had once lived and campaigning door to door for a bond issue to build the branch library that now bears her name.

Masao W. Satow Library, Gardena

L.A. County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn presided over the librarys dedication in 1977, calling Masao W. Satow one of Americas most distinguished civic leaders. The child of Japanese immigrants, Satow graduated in 1929 from UCLAs old campus on Vermont Avenue and later went to work for the YMCA as a community leader.

In the weeks after Pearl Harbor, he addressed a Lawyers Club audience on the topic We too are Americans. In February 1942  before he and his wife were sent off to a relocation camp in Colorado  he presented to county supervisors a parchment with the signatures of hundreds of Japanese Americans pledging absolute allegiance to the U.S. He organized YMCA groups in his detention camp and in 1946 came back to California to head the Japanese American Citizens League and, later, to serve on the states advisory committee on civil rights.

Avila Adobe, Olvera Street

At 204 years old, its the oldest house left standing in the city of L.A.  imagine the built-up equity! Its builder and first resident was the rich pioneer rancher Francisco Jose Avila, the citys mayor in 1810. For nine days in January 1847, Commodore Robert Stockton took over the building as his headquarters in the Mexican-American War, joined by the fabled scout Kit Carson. The Avila family moved out in 1869, and the place slipped into desultory habitation. It was almost lost twice: when the city condemned it in the 1920s, and the mother of the re-created Olvera Street, Christine Sterling, undertook to save it; and again in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The adobe was restored as an example of L.A. life in the 1840s.

It isnt L.A. Countys oldest residence, though. The Gage Mansion, built in 1795 by the Lugo family and named for a California governor who later lived there, is now owned and encircled by a mobile home park in Bell Gardens.

Gamble House, Pasadena

This is the flagship of Craftsman houses, built in 1909 by the Greene and Green architectural firm for the Gamble family, of the Procter & Gamble fortune. It cost $55,000, twice as much as the midsize school going up in Pasadena at the time.

The supersize California bungalow fit into the contours of land and was designed with art glass and natural wood throughout. The Gamble family heirs gave it to Pasadena in 1966; 11 years later, it was declared a national historic landmark. I have never heard the breath of suggestion to tear it down, but this is one of the rare buildings that people  me among them  would lie down in front of bulldozers to save.

Graumans Chinese Theatre, Hollywood

Showman Sid Graumans over-the-top theater opened in May 1927 with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMilles epic The King of Kings. Its equally famous forecourt is paved with cement squares into which stars have embedded handprints, footprints and signatures.

Legend says that practice began when film star Norma Talmadge, invited by Grauman to inspect the work in progress, stepped into wet cement, and Grauman realized he had a double attraction. (The Times story says that in January 1926, Talmadge was handed a shovel by actress Anna May Wong  a metaphorical Hollywood groundbreaker herself  to turn the first dirt in the construction project.) The Talmadge origin story is now as firmly fixed in the anthology of Hollywood as the cement itself. She may have re-enacted the moment for an audience, because a photo shows her creating her square surrounded by a crowd, and the date daubed alongside her name is May 18, 1927  the day of the DeMille premiere.

The theater was sold in 1973 to the Mann chain, which tried without great success to get Angelenos to start calling it Manns Chinese Theatre. Ditto the Chinese company that bought naming rights in 2013 and rechristened it TCL Chinese Theatre. That naming contract expires next year. Who next is going to spend many, many dollars to try to rewrite history thats set in cement?

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Michael Lodge, secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority, near center with hand at his chin, stands with DeepGreen CEO Gerard Barron, left center, and DeepGreen chief ocean scientist Greg Stone, second from right, while touring the Maersk Launcher used by the mining company in 2018. (Sandy Huffaker / Associated Press )

The startups pitch was simple and cinematic:

The mining company would send large robots to explore the bottom of the ocean and harvest minerals millions of years old that could be used to make electric car batteries.

A promotional video showed a machine gliding over the seabed and DeepGreen Metals company executives in deep contemplation along adramatic shoreline. A big selling point at a time the company was courting investors, though, was the man shown walking on a massive ship and speaking of the need to mine the ocean floor: the secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority , the United Nations-affiliated organization responsible for regulating ocean mining companies and preserving the deep sea.

Michael Lodge's appearance in the videostruck now-former members of Lodges own staff  and scientists who warn of potentially catastrophic environmental fallout from the mining venture  as problematic. It raised concerns, they said, of a conflict of interest between industry, the authority and its secretariat, the 47-person administrative arm Lodge leads, at a crucial moment for the worlds oceans.

Land-based resources are becoming increasingly difficult to access. We have taken the best resources already, Lodge said in the 2018 video, as he peered at the computer screens on the DeepGreen vessel. He went on to let viewers know that his agency was on board with the company's quest, having greenlighted a 15-year exploration contract.

As Lodges organization works to draft regulations that will allow robots to mine the seabed on an industrial scale, internal documents reviewed by The Times point to a closeness with mining companies that stands out as unorthodox in environmental regulation.

The ISA is not fit to regulate any activity in international waters, said Sandor Mulsow, a marine geologist who served as the authoritys top environmental official for more than five years until 2019. It is like to ask the wolf to take care of the sheep.

The authority, which was established by a United Nations treaty but operates autonomously, is pushing to set up rules that could allow seabed mining in as soon as two years, despite calls from scientists and even some car companies for more research into the little-known ecosystems and the scale of damage that excavating the ocean floor could cause. A vast stretch of the Pacific between Hawaii and Mexico is set to be mined first, and Southern California ports would probably be a major base for some mining operations.

This new frontier of the electric car supply chain operates by its own rules. Much of the International Seabed Authoritys key work is conducted out of sight from its members  167 nations and the European Union. Australia, Mexico, Chile, Britain and at least five other member states have expressed growing concern that the authority isnt requiring mining contractors to do enough environmental assessment. The organization is accused by some nongovernmental organizations and some of its own former employees of being too accommodating to the companies it regulates.

Its budget is small, at less than $10 million, but auditors and key ISA staff have raised concerns over the authority'sfinancial controls. The staff is dispirited to the point that a management consultant in 2018 summarized the ISA in an internal email as an unpleasant (and often toxic) place to be. The consultant returned in 2019 to report morale had dropped further.

The International Seabed Authority, through a lawyer, disputed the findings of The Times investigation. It said the authority consists of motivated, highly committed experts from more than 20 countries, working hard to fulfill the important mandate with which it has been entrusted. Asked about the promotional video in which Lodge is shown, the ISA said he regularly interacts with stakeholders including member states and contractors and visits sites including research vessels, adding that interactions reflect the proper and professional continuance of the authoritys mission. The ISA had little control over the use of the images captured by third parties.

Lodge has publicly accused critics of the authority of misconstruing its work and overstating the potential impacts of mining. At a conference in June, he talked of a growing environmental absolutism and dogmatism bordering on fanaticism.

Earlier, he had pointedly dismissed concerns raised by scientists and nonprofits, telling the publication Economist Impact that the consequences of mining are predictable and manageable. If you said that no industry can start until we know what is going to happen from that industry, then thats an entirely circular argument that would prevent any industry in the history of humanity from starting, Lodge said in the late 2019 interview.

When Radio New Zealand referred to Lodge as a cheerleader for mining interests in 2020, he threatened a defamation lawsuit, according to a letter sent to the news organization by an Australian law firm representing the secretary-general. Radio New Zealand subsequently removed the reference to Lodge in a news story.

Electric vehicles start seabed gold rush

The International Seabed Authority operated in relative obscurity for years from its harborside headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea established the authority in 1994 to ensure the equitable exploitation of the seabed in international waters, which it declared the common heritage of mankind.

Now, a California-ledpush for electric vehicles has brought it more attention as automakers scramble to find the cobalt, nickel and other minerals crucial to making the batteries that power the vehicles. The International Energy Agency projects that demand for the materials could soar 600% over the next two decades.

That has some deep-pocketed companies and investors looking toward the sea.

They are invoking the urgency of climate action and harm caused by gas- and diesel-powered vehicles in their push to vacuum the seabed for ancient, mineral-rich nodules. Mining contractors, which also include government-owned enterprises and agencies, must be sponsored by a member state and would pay royalties to the authority once extraction begins. At present they are permitted only to engage in research expeditions aimed at gauging the viability and environmental impact of mining. But rules the ISA is fast-tracking would allow large-scale excavation.

Gerard Barron, chairman and chief executive of the Metals Co.  formerly known as DeepGreen  holds a nodule brought up from the seafloor. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The push comes at the behest of companies like DeepGreen  now called the Metals Co. after a 2021 merger  which have been lobbying the authority to finalize regulations so the mining of minerals potentially worth trillions of dollars could begin.

The Canadian-registered company said in a statement that the environmental impact of its mining operations would be dramatically lower than those of land-based mining, and it contends that massive volumes of data have been collected in research on that impact over more than five decades.

Despite entreaties to engage with us on the science which shows that nodules are a better source of metals for the planet, anti-[deep sea mining] groups choose to ignore the data and proceed to promote the myth that we can fight climate change and achieve global decarbonization by recycling and consuming less, its statement said.

Mining firms have found an ally in Lodge, a 62-year-old British lawyer first elected as secretary-general in 2016 after serving at the ISA since it began operations, according to former authority staffers, activists and scientists.

I am disturbed by the fact that popular perception of deep seabed mining is increasingly subject to wildly inaccurate and distorted scenarios portrayed by some sections of the media and interest groups, Lodge said in a 2018 speech to a business group in Hamburg, Germany. Suggestions that deep seabed mining will inevitably cause large-scale irreversible damage and ecosystem collapse appear to be grossly exaggerated and lack any basis in fact.

At the same time the authority is writing the rules for this deep-sea gold rush, it is also looking to join it. The authoritys charter calls for it to create a seabed mining company called the Enterprise. The stated goal is to help cash-strapped developing nations share in the profits and technology from mining operations with developing nations. But there is deep unease among some member countries and observers who see an intrinsic conflict of interest.

It's extremely concerning" that the ISA "would be in charge of running a business that it is also in charge of regulating, said Arlo Hemphill, a senior oceans campaigner for Greenpeace.

The authority, through its attorney, said there is no conflict within the mandate of the ISA and that it is charged with "regulation of seabed activities in the context of the aim of protecting the marine environment."

In a 2018 image, ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge, right, on a ship that a mining company is using to explore the seabed in its bid to mine for metallic nodules used in making electric vehicle batteries. With him are Baron Waqa, then-president of the island nation of Nauru, center left, and DeepGreen chief Gerard Barron, holding helmet. (Sandy Huffaker / Associated Press)

The authority said through the attorney that the Enterprise will be "separate from the ISA, supervised by an elected Governing Board and administered by an elected Director-General." An interim director-general will be appointed by the ISA's secretary-general. Until it is operational, the ISA secretariat will carry out some "functions which mainly relate to the preparation of studies and assessments" consistent with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the attorney's letter said, adding that there is no conflict.

That U.N. convention states the Enterprise will be an "organ of the Authority." The board and director-general of the Enterprise will be elected to fixed terms by the full ISA Assembly based on a recommendation by the smaller ISA Council. The Enterprise will have its "principal place of business at the seat of the Authority" and have "autonomy in the conduct of its operations," but must present project proposals to and "be subject to the directives and control of the [ISA] Council."

The Enterprise is essentially a potential multibillion-dollar mining company that could provide revenue for impoverished nations and bring the seabed authority hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties.

Little-known undersea ecosystems

Scientists have called for a pause in the move to mine the seabed. A petition signed by 622 scientists and marine policy experts from more than 44 nations warns there are too many unknowns. BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen and Google are all pledging  for now, at least  not to use metals mined from the deep ocean floor. In February, California legislators introduced a bill to ban seabed mining in state waters.

Scientists are just starting to unravel the role these ecosystems play in the global carbon cycle and climate change. Life that evolved under the crushing pressure and frigid darkness of this targeted seabed more than two miles underwater tends to live long, reproduce slowly and be found nowhere else. With each expedition to the abyss come astonishing discoveries  ghost octopuses , gummy squirrels and evidence that whales dive miles to the ocean floor. Even so, researchers say they have identified only a few strands of this otherworldly web of life.

Mining threatens habitats unlikely to recover on human time scales, oceanographers say . Plumes of sediment kicked up from mining could suffocate organisms miles away, they say. Toxic metals and mining waste could be released into the water column that connects the deep ocean to the surface and is a two-way highway for marine life on which humans depend, scientists say.

There is no place on Earth that we know less about, and it is responsible for keeping the planet habitable and contributing to our well-being and our livelihoods, said Diva Amon, a research scientist at UC Santa Barbara who studies the deep ocean marked for mining. Amon has participated in ISA proceedings and in 2018 received a research award from the secretary-general.

Given how this would be impacting one of the biggest ecosystems on the planet, we need to do a lot more research, said Douglas McCauley, a marine science professor at UC Santa Barbara. This is the space on the planet where we know least about what species are down there and how they function. There would be a lot of impacts we are aware of, and a lot we are not yet aware of.

Some scientists say the authority does not push mining companies to collect sufficient environmental data to effectively weigh the risks of industrial-scale seabed mining.

The current secretariat is very much in favor of deep seabed mining, and its no secret that it perceived that environmental conservation would be more hindering than helping mining, said Stefan Brager, a marine biologist who served as the authoritys scientific affairs officer for five years until late 2018.

In public and private comments, Lodge has disputed many of the concerns raised by scientists. After Mulsow and Brager published a paper in September 2018 that highlighted the authoritys lack of enforcement of environmental regulations, Lodge moved to discredit their findings.

The paper was published without any authorization, and I actually dont accept any conclusions of that paper, Lodge told a Times reporter in 2019. "I think it's based on misconception of what the actual requirements were for contractors in collecting data.

The only requirement," Lodge said, "is that you have to submit an environmental impact assessment. Whether that's based on two years of data or 30 years of data, it doesn't matter.

Sounding an alarm

Mulsow and Brager were not alone in sounding an alarm. Representatives from some of the authoritys member states have repeatedly raised issues about its approach to protecting the seabed.

As has been brought up year after year, not enough baseline data is available and not enough will be available before the start of exploitation, Italys representative to the ISA said at its meeting in July 2019, after delegates were again told that mining contractors whose names were not disclosed had not reported required environmental data. Theres an urgent need for more data.Australias delegate said, "Non-compliance is particularly concerning as we move closer to the exploitation phase.

Lodge had earlier assured mining interests that he is not necessarily worried about how they are conducting their research. I want to emphasize that I, personally, do not have major concerns about the performance of contractors, he told mining executives at a private meeting in Warsaw in 2018, according to a transcript reviewed by The Times.

A team of 31 deep-sea scientists and experts, including four members of the ISAs mining regulations committee, recently conducted an exhaustive review of all available research and concluded there is inadequate scientific data to properly manage mining.

Their peer-reviewed paper , published in the April issue of Marine Policy with Amon as lead author, found there was no or next to no scientific knowledge and scientific knowledge gaps for most of the seabed targeted for mining. The knowledge that does exist is too limited to currently enable appropriate regulation of mining, the authors said.

Some member states have reached the same conclusion. The current state of knowledge about the deep sea is insufficient to permit a move to the exploitation stage, Germanys delegate told the council on March 21 as it met in Kingston to negotiate mining regulations in-person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Little oversight from the U.N.

Although the ISA is associated with the United Nations, the U.N. exercises little oversight of the authority or its secretary-general. The ISA Council is the authority's policymaking body, comprising 36 member nations. The United States, which has not ratified the Law of the Sea treaty, is not among them, although it participates as an observer. The council elects a smaller group of experts  including lawyers, scientists and mining specialists to review mining applications, write regulations and track environmental compliance.







Most of the work of that smaller group, called the Legal and Technical Commission , happens behind closed doors. And even that group is not apprised of key details of contracts, which the secretary-general personally negotiates with the mining contractors.

At the council meeting on March 30, Chiles delegate objected to the Legal and Technical Commissions refusal to identify the owners of a mining company that has applied for an exploration contract sponsored by Tuvalu, a South Pacific nation with a population of 11,000. The chair of the commission would only say that the applicant is a subsidiary of a Canadian-registered company.

Im quite concerned, said the delegate. Chile believes there must be transparency in regard to the contractors. (On Wednesday, Tuvalus foreign minister said his government had rescinded the sponsorship approved by the previous administration, citing concern over "the environmental impacts of seabed mining.)

It is under this system that the identity of mining contractors who do not report required environmental data stay hidden even from the authoritys member nations. Several complain the lack of disclosure means the organization wouldnt be able to stop scofflaws from winning permission to excavate the seabed.

We find it concerning that at least a few contractors have repeatedly performed inadequately on the reporting requirements put on them, Norways delegate to the authority said at a 2019 ISA Council meeting. That year, a representative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, an accredited ISA observer, stated: This body deserves to know which contractors are not in compliance with the requirements. At a 2018 council meeting, a representative for Mexico said, When there is not compliance, there should be concrete measures taken, such as termination of the contract.

Years before Mulsow and Brager publicly accusedthe ISAof failing to conduct proper environmental oversight, independent researchers that the authority hired to review its operations raised the same concerns.

Even though some contractors have had the opportunity to carry out more than a decade of research activity there is little to show for it, in particular with regard to environmental baseline data, said a 2016 report , the latest publicly available review, by a British firm called Seascape Consultants."

"The Authority is not yet fulfilling its obligations to ensure that activities in the [mining] Area are carried out for the benefit of mankind, it said.

A 2016 ISA summary of biological data gathered by mining contractors shows that over a 16-year period some contractors had collected only a single biological sample for every 4,000 square miles of their 29,000-square-mile concessions. A copy of the summary, which the authority has not publicly disclosed, was reviewed by The Times.

It is like going into Central Park in New York with a soda straw, taking one sample and then trying to tell me how many worms are in all of the park, said Mulsow, the former top ISA official who reviewed mining contactors' annual compliance reports.

The data that mining contractors provided, he added, were "statistically not credible."

When the Legal and Technical Commission advised the authoritys policymaking council to greenlight a 2017 exploration contract with Poland, it did not note that the area of the deep ocean at issue had been identified by another U.N.-affiliated bodyas ecologically and biologically sensitive. Nor did it disclose that the proposed mining zone was adjacent to the Lost City, a complex of skyscraper-high spires and unique deep-sea life forms that was under consideration to be protected as a World Heritage Site.

The ISA Council has never invoked its authority to block such a contract, which requires a two-thirds vote. And it did not block the Polish contract.

The attorney representing the ISA said "all exploration contractors" collect environmental data. "It is not the function of the ISA Secretariat to make qualitative judgments in respect of this baseline environmental data" but to verify the contractors have reported any data correctly and to review whether they've met any milestones for their exploratory work.

The pope has questioned whether the authoritys effectiveness as an environmental regulator is undermined by its institutional structure. At a February 2019 ISA Council meeting, the Holy Sees representative, Msgr. Tomasz Grysa, expressed concern that inherent conflicts" between the secretariat's mission of developing mining and enforcing regulations could undermine protection of the deep ocean.

Nine months earlier, Lodge had hosted a dinnerat a Houston restaurant attended by DeepGreen Chief Executive Gerard Barron and other mining executives. The bar tab for the group of 15, which included $95 bottles of wine, came to $1,230, according to a receipt and expense report filed with the secretariat.

Privilege to be at the unveiling of #Patania II in Antwerp with @DEMEgroup CEO Alain Bernard and #GSR CEO Kris van Nijen. Testing will help us manage environmental impact of #deepseaminingpic.twitter.com/6uPsVhHkMB  Michael Lodge (@mwlodge) September 22, 2018

Lodge also appeared onstage at a 2018publicity event in Belgium for a mining company the authority regulates, GSR. He joined hands with two top executives and the trio pressed a button to reveal a massive,tank-like mining machine. Privilege to be at the unveiling of #Patania II in Antwerp, Lodge later tweeted .

In 2017 email correspondence reviewed by The Times, DeepGreen Chief Executive Barron confided to Lodge that he was holding off taking his company public at that time because he wanted to work under the radar with the ISA to pave the way for mining approval.

We want to assist in getting this very delicate legislation in place, and keeping that out of the very public eye will be of benefit to us all I feel, Barron wrote.

Gerard Barron, chairman and chief executive of the Metals Co., formerly known as DeepGreen, stands near a research vessel in San Diego. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists characterize such relationships as inappropriate.

These revelations underscore the inherent conflicts of interest that have pervaded the International Seabed Authority and the need for a truly international oversight body to hold organizations like the ISA accountable, said Kristina Gjerde , a senior high-seas advisor at the International Union for Conservation of Nature and a longtime ISA watchdog.

Officials at the Metals Co. say the authority is holding them to rigorous standards and there is nothing inappropriate about the firms relationship with Lodge. A company statement said its officials never lobbied Lodge on regulations anywhere but in public ISA proceedings.

Barrons email, the statement said, was expressing a desire to support and assist the balancing of stakeholders as the ISA progressed towards the adoption of regulations.

As for Lodges appearance in the company's 2018 video, which appears to have been removed from public view on its Vimeo page within the last year, the firm said he was one of many visitors to a ship it considers an open platform for educating stakeholders.

Fast-tracking regulations

The Metals Co. has not let the absence of mining regulations slow its quest. Soon after it assured investors last year that mining could begin in 2024, one of its sponsoring states, the tiny South Pacific island nation of Nauru, made a move that will help the company meet that aggressive timeline.

In June, Nauru, which is 8.1 square miles in size and has a population of fewer than 11,000 people, triggered a clause in the Law of the Sea that forces the ISA to fast-track regulations. The impoverished nations partnership with the mining company presents the prospect of a financial windfall.

If the authority doesnt finish its rulemaking in atwo-year time frame, it may be compelled to allow the Metals Co. to begin mining under whatever environmental standards are in place at that time, regardless of whether they are judged sufficient to protect ocean ecosystems.

The Metal Co.s sway over Nauru was underscored at a February 2019 ISA Council meeting that DeepGreen chief Barron attended as part of the countrys official delegation. Nauru allowed Barron, an Australian,to sit in its delegate's seat to address the council to pitch his companys business plan and push seabed mining as a way to transition away from fossil fuels.

We need to have confidence that the authority is acting in the interests of everyone and not just a handful of mining companies or individuals working for the secretariat, said Matthew Gianni, a founder of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition , an alliance of over 90 environmental groups.

Changes at the ISA

Some inside the authority who questioned Lodges judgment find themselves no longer employed there.

Mulsow, who had raised concerns as a top environmental official at the ISA, said he was forced to retire at age 62. That was the official retirement age at the time, but the secretary-general had the ability to extend the age limit, according to authority staff regulations from 2017.

Around the same time, the secretariat reclassified chief scientific officer Brager's position and he left the ISA. I think that conservation is not of the highest priority of the current secretariat, and that was our job, said Brager.

The ISA, through its attorney, said it the authority cannot provide any further detail for reasons of confidentiality but can confirm that it acted properly and professionally and complied with all regulations and human resources procedures."

A finance officer who repeatedly raised concerns about spending resigned after just 18 months in the position.

The authoritys financial controls have come under criticism. Three former staffers pointed to the authoritys contracting out in 2017 of budget oversight to a Hong Kong company that produces protein from insects. While the companys chief executive, a retired U.N. official, served as the temporary ISA budget and oversight officer, auditors hired by the authority identified certain weaknesses" in internal control, including improper accounting of transactions, according to a July 2019 letter sent to the ISA's Finance Committee.

A lawyer representing the ISA said the authority's Finance Committee is responsible for internal financial controls and pointed out that the committee is separate from the council and the Secretariat. The lawyer also said the rules include an independent audit process.

The letter from the attorney said that "consistent with the auditors obligation, they did not find 'any indication of fraud or irregularities.'" Ernst & Young, in a letter to the ISA Finance Committee reviewed by The Times, said the audit for 2018 was "not primarily directed towards the discovery of weaknesses, the detection of fraud or other irregularities," but added, "we have not found any indications of fraud or irregularities this year."

The ISA, through its attorney, said, "The auditors, as is usual practice, made a number of recommendations in respect of matters which were largely the result of a transition, in common with other organizations at the time, to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) which required a progressive adoption of new accounting standards.

A former ISA official who asked that their name not be used for fear of retaliation said a lack of financial oversight at the authority invited the potential for abuse.

The ISA needs to be audited by the U.N. Board of Auditors or Joint Inspection Unit, and not by private firms hired by the ISA Secretariat, the person said.

Closer financial oversight is especially important, legal experts say, as the International Seabed Authority creates itsown mining venturethrough the Enterprise.

"It is concerning," said Pradeep Singh, an ocean governance scholar at the University of Bremen in Germany. "You don't have any other international organization that issues contracts saying, 'You can mine here and make a lot of money.'"

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ATLANTA (AP)  A federal judge on Monday ruled that a group of Georgia voters can proceed with legal efforts seeking to disqualify U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from running for reelection to Congress, citing her role in the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The challenge filed last month with the Georgia secretary of states office alleges that Greene, a Republican, helped facilitate the Jan. 6, 2021, riot that disrupted Congress from certifying Joe Bidens presidential election victory. That violates a rarely cited provision of the 14th Amendment and makes her ineligible to run for reelection, according to the challenge.

The amendment says no one can serve in Congress who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress . . . to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same. Ratified shortly after the Civil War, it was meant in part to keep representatives who had fought for the Confederacy from returning to Congress.

Greene, 47, filed a lawsuit earlier this month asking a judge to declare that the law that the voters are using to challenge her eligibility is itself unconstitutional and to prohibit state officials from enforcing it.

Judge Amy Totenberg, in a 73-page ruling, denied Greenes request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during a rall in Rome, Georgia, on March 5, 2022. (AP)

Totenberg, who was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by President Barack Obama, wrote that Greene had failed to meet the burden of persuasion in her request for injunctive relief.

Georgia law says any voter who is eligible to vote for a candidate may challenge that candidates qualifications by filing a written complaint within two weeks after the deadline for qualifying. The secretary of state must then notify the candidate of the challenge and request a hearing before an administrative law judge. After holding a hearing, the administrative law judge presents findings to the secretary of state, who then must determine whether the candidate is qualified.

Free Speech for People, a national election and campaign finance reform group, filed the challenge March 24 on behalf of the group of voters.

Greene said in her lawsuit that she vigorously denies that she aided and engaged in insurrection to obstruct the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
An Oregon woman murdered nearly 30 years ago by the notorious Happy Face Killer has been identified.

On June 3, 1993, a truck driver spotted a body on the side of California State Route 152, about a half hour south of San Jose. Dressed in denim at the time, the victim was known only as Blue Pacheco until just last week, when genetic genealogy was used to identify her as Patricia Skiple.

The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office reopened the case in 2019 with help from the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying John and Jane Does. The agency also confirmed the identity of her killer as Keith Hunter Jesperson, a California criminal nicknamed the Happy Face Killer because of the smiley doodles he scribbled on notes to the media and authorities.

The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office reopened the case in 2019 with help from the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying John and Jane Does.





The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office reopened the case in 2019 with help from the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying John and Jane Does.

This case was exceptionally challenging due to recent Norwegian ancestry which resulted in very distant DNA matches on GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA, DNA Doe Project team leader Cairenn Binder told the Salem Statesman Journal.

Convicted murderer Keith Jesperson, right, shown here at a Nov. 2, 1995, court appearance in Portland, Ore., with attorney Thomas Phelan.





Convicted murderer Keith Jesperson, right, shown here at a Nov. 2, 1995, court appearance in Portland, Ore., with attorney Thomas Phelan. (DON RYAN/)

Jesperson was arrested in 1995 on suspicion of killing a woman in Washington state and ultimately confessed to to killing eight women across California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming. His deadly spree unfolded between 1990 and 1995, according to authorities.

He currently is serving four life sentences without possibility of parole in Oregon.

In 2006, Jesperson wrote a note to the county district attorneys office, claiming he had sexually assaulted and killed a woman near the highway. Investigators now believe that to be Skiple, a mother known to friends and family as Patsy. She would have been about 45 years old when she was killed.

Her cause of death was listed as undetermined.

With News Wire Services
The White House on Monday said the United States will continue to provide security and economic assistance to Ukraine, even amid "empty threats" from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of "unpredictable consequences."

Russia, last week, warned the United States and NATO to stop sending Ukraine "sensitive" weapons or risk "unpredictable consequences."

RUSSIA WARNS US OF 'UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES' AMID LATEST ARMS SHIPMENT TO UKRAINE: REPORT

When asked Monday what the Biden administration believes those threatened Russian "consequences" could be, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: "We're not going to comment."

"I'm not going to speculate on empty threats by President Putin or Russian leadership," Psaki said Monday during the White House press briefing. "What we have done is exactly what the president said we would do from the beginning."

Psaki said that was to provide "significant security assistance, economic assistance and support to the Ukrainian people."

"And we're going to continue to do exactly that," Psaki said.

The threats from Russia came after President Biden notified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week that the United States is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance to the country as it fights to defend itself against Russias multi-front war.

Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., over the weekend, floated that the U.S. military may need to send troops to aid in Ukraine.

The president has maintained that he will not send U.S. troops into Ukraine amid Russias multi-front war against the country, and instead, would continue sending military and economic support.

When asked about Coons comments, Psaki on Monday called him "a close friend of the president and the administration," but said that they "just respectfully disagree with his proposal."

"The president continues tohas no plans to send troops to fight a war with Russia," Psaki said. "He doesnt think thats in our national security interestsin the interests of the American peopleand so what our focus has been on has been obviously providing this historic amount of security assistance, military assistance, weapons to the Ukrainians that has helped them effectively fight this war and economic assistance as well."

"That has been our strategic focus," Psaki said. "Of course, we support the Ukrainians in every way possible, but the president is not going to fight a war with Russia."

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL $800 MILLION IN WEAPONS, SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE

Last month, the Biden administration sent a security package with 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems; 2,000 Javelins, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems; 100 unmanned drones; 100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns; more than 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds; 25,000 sets of body armor; and 25,000 helmets. The equipment was transferred directly from the Department of Defense to the Ukrainian military.

RUSSIAN CONVOY HEADS FOR EASTERN UKRAINE, DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS WEATHER WILL FORCE TROOPS TO STICK TO ROADS

Security aid is continuing to flow into Ukraine unabated, with senior U.S. defense officials telling Fox News last week that "everything were doing in respect to Ukraine is being expedited  everything."

The Biden administration announced $300 million in security assistance and lethal aid earlier this month, which is separate from the $800 million previously authorized in March. That additional $300 million in aid was expected to be used to buy weapons from defense contractors, an official said.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki calls on reporters during the daily news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 08, 2022 in Washington, DC. Psaki fielded questions about the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, the ongoing U.S. support for the people of Ukraine after the Russian invasion and other topics. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

That aid came after U.S. defense officials warned that a Russian convoy appears to be reinforcing its efforts in Donbas.

On Monday, Zelenskyy said in a statement that the battle of Donbas has begun.

"No matter how many soldiers are drawn there, we will defend ourselves," Zelenskyy said Monday. "We will fight. We will not give up anything Ukrainian."
With one month to go until the primary election, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is leading in the polls for the Democratic Partys nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat, while the Republican race has narrowed to an expensive two-person contest.

The retirement of Republican Sen. Pat Toomey has opened up two primaries in what might be the Democratic Partys best chance to gain a Senate seat in the fall. The Democratic frontrunner since the beginning of the race, Fetterman is looking to maintain his polling lead through the May 17 primary.

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, left, and Dr. Mehmet Oz. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Matt Rourke/AP)

Fetterman has been a prolific fundraiser, building on a reputation he established in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election when he loudly rebutted claims of election fraud leveled by Republicans. The tall, goateed and tattooed Fetterman has a distinctive look for a would-be senator, standing out in crowds as he campaigns though rural areas where the GOP typically enjoys wide margins of victory.

Fetterman has campaigned on legalizing recreational marijuana use and ending the legislative filibuster in the Senate, and has been an outspoken supporter of gay and transgender rights, including flying a pro-trans flag from his Harrisburg office.

His biggest rival in the Democratic primary is Rep. Conor Lamb, a moderate who represents a Pittsburgh-area district. Last month Politico reported that Lamb was trailing Fetterman by 30 points. Since then, a super-PAC aligned with Lamb began airing an ad that called Fetterman a self-described democratic socialist.

Senate candidate John Fetterman speaking with potential voters in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., on Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

The ad landed with a thud, in large part because that is not how Fetterman describes himself, and was criticized by leading Democratic lawmakers like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren before getting pulled from the airwaves. While Lamb had his best fundraising quarter to start the year, Fetterman still has millions more on hand.

Fetterman has been criticized for skipping the first debate with Lamb and Malcolm Kenyatta, a state legislator also running for the Democratic nomination. He's also been knocked for a 2013 incident in which Fetterman  then the mayor of Braddock, a small Pittsburgh suburb  chased down an unarmed Black jogger with a shotgun.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, left, and Rep. Conor Lamb in a forum for Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate in Allentown, Pa., earlier this month. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Fetterman has said that he thought he had heard gunfire and that he was unaware of the joggers race when he chased the man down. The people of Braddock understand that, as the towns mayor and chief law enforcement officer, John was acting to keep his community safe, an aide told the Associated Press earlier this month.

Although he skipped the first debate and a number of other candidate forums, Fetterman is expected to participate in three televised debates ahead of the primary, the first of which will be held on Thursday.

Debates are an important part of this primary, and Im proud to have already committed to three, said Fetterman in a late March statement. We have believed since the beginning of this campaign that voters deserve three debates that reach the most households in markets across Pennsylvania.

The attacks have yet to have a major effect, at least according to a Franklin & Marshall College Poll released last week that showed Fetterman with 41% support among registered Democrats, compared with 17% backing Lamb and 4% for Kenyatta.

The Republican race, meanwhile, appears far from settled, with two candidates leading the rest of the field in both polling and fundraising: Dr. Mehmet Oz, the former talk show host and cardiothoracic surgeon who moved from New Jersey to run in the race, and David McCormick, a former hedge fund manager who moved from Connecticut.

Mehmet Oz speaking at a campaign event in York, Pa., in February. (Hannah Beier/Reuters)

McCormick has hired a number of former President Donald Trumps staffers and has painted himself as an America First candidate. Hes also won the backing of Sean Parnell, a former congressional candidate who was endorsed by Trump before abruptly leaving the race over accusations of domestic violence.

But that wasnt enough to keep Trump from backing Oz earlier this month in an endorsement that immediately proved controversial among the ex-presidents supporters. In an April 9 statement, Trump argued that Oz  a regular guest on Sean Hannitys Fox News show  would do very well in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where other candidates will just not be accepted.

The Trump endorsement will likely aid Oz in battling accusations that hes not conservative enough, although McCormick has largely stayed with that line of attack, accusing the celebrity doctor of being an erstwhile liberal.

The two wealthy Republican rivals have been pummeling each other in TV ads since late last year. According to financial disclosure forms, Oz and McCormick had spent a combined $18 million of their own money on the race through the end of March. McCormick also has the backing of a super-PAC that received $5 million from Chicago hedge fund chief Ken Griffin earlier this year.

David McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, at a campaign event in York, Pa. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Oz, who would be first Muslim U.S. senator, has accused McCormick of bigoted attacks and said he would renounce his dual citizenship with Turkey if he were elected to the Senate. Oz served in the Turkish military in the 1980s, and says he maintains his citizenship to care for my ailing mother, who lives in Turkey.

Both the nonpartisan Cook Political Report and the University of Virginias Center for Politics rate the November general election as a toss-up.

In addition to the Senate race and a number of competitive House races, Pennsylvania has an open governors race, with incumbent Democrat Tom Wolf stepping down due to term limits.

In recent years, the state has seen a number of close results in big races, including the last two presidential races and Toomeys 2016 reelection, all of which were decided by less than 2 points.
Britain will reportedly soon send armoured missile launchers to Ukraine after Russia started its full-scale offensive to take control of the countrys east.

The Ministry of Defence demonstrated the Stormer High Velocity Missile (HVM) launcher for Ukrainians on Salisbury Plain two weeks ago, according to The Sun, with the paper adding the 13-tonne vehicles can be flown to the war on C-17 transport planes in days.

The Stormer is manufactured by BAE Systems, needs just three people to operate it and and uses Starstreak missiles, which can be used to take down low-flying aircraft.

It comes as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said a significant part of the entire Russian army was concentrated on an offensive in the east in the mostly-Russian speaking Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have declared two independent republics that have been recognised by Russia.

Mr Zelensky has been pleading for Western powers to give him greater firepower to fight back, with Boris Johnson saying on April 7 that he was certainly looking at what more military assistance we can give amid reports the UK could send armoured vehicles.

On the same date, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK was stepping up the supply of arms, as she joined Nato counterparts in Brussels to hear the demands from Ukraine for more equipment.

Boris Johnson had said he was looking at what additional military assistance the UK could provide to Ukraine (Ukraine Government/PA)

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved 800 million dollars (610m) in military assistance for Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defences against the expected Russian offensive in the countrys east.

Mr Johnson spoke to Mr Zelensky on Saturday afternoon, with a Downing Street spokesperson saying: The Prime Minister paid tribute to the bravery of Ukrainian forces who continue to valiantly defend their countrys freedom.

Russia on Monday bombarded the western city of Lviv, where at least seven people were killed, and numerous other targets across Ukraine in what appeared to be an intensified bid to grind down the countrys defences.

Meanwhile, Government figures show around 16,400 people had arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes by last Monday.

About 13,200 had arrived under the Ukraine family scheme and 3,200 under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, provisional data shows.
FILE - A sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building, Thursday, May 6, 2021 in New York. The New York Times has named Joseph Kahn as its new executive editor, replacing Dean Baquet as leader of the storied paper's newsroom. The Times said Kahn, who has been managing editor at the the paper since 2016, will assume his new role effective June 14. Baquet will remain at The Times but in a new position, the paper said in a news release Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW YORK (AP)  The New York Times has named Joseph Kahn as its new executive editor, replacing Dean Baquet as leader of the storied paper's newsroom.

The Times said Kahn, who has been managing editor at the the paper since 2016, will assume his new role effective June 14. Baquet will remain at The Times but in a new position, the paper said in a news release Tuesday.

Kahn previously served as The Times' Beijing bureau chief and led the paper's international desk, which won six Pulitzer Prizes under his stewardship.

We couldnt ask for a better leader for our newsroom amid a historic convergence of events," said A. G. Sulzberger, publisher and chairman of The New York Times Co. And as one of the architects of our digital transformation, Joes vision will be crucial as we seek to become even more valuable to readers around the world.
Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk.

Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen.

If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned.

I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country.

It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously.

Vote

View Results
Survivors of the Sexual Revolution to Take Center Stage at 2022 Ruth Institute Summit

Only national summit to focus on survivors of post-abortion stress, divorce and gender ideology



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Carmel Communications

April 19, 2022



LAKE CHARLES, La., April 19, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Survivors of the Sexual Revolution will unveil their compelling stories and share personal testimonies at the fifth annual Ruth Institute Summit this summer. No other event exists to defend the traditional, Christian family by telling the stories of survivors of divorce, transgender ideology, the LGBT subculture and abortion.



"The Survivors of the Sexual Revolution Summit will expose the hidden dangers of the Sexual Revolution and explain how to counter this most devastating force in our society through the testimonies and witnesses of those who lived it," said Ruth Institute President Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. "Attendees will learn how to defend traditional, Christian sexual ethics using scientifically-backed and sound, reasoned arguments."



The 2022 Summit will take place June 24-25, 2022, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and feature several speakers familiar with living through  and escaping  the Sexual Revolution. The summit is organized by the Ruth Institute, an international, interfaith organization founded in 2008 that equips people to understand, appreciate and defend traditional Christian sexual ethics. The Summit will present the Ruth Institutes unique blend of scientifically sound evidence, carefully reasoned arguments and compelling personal testimonies.



Topics include:

Understanding and Confronting the Sexual Revolution



Counting the Casualties of the Sexual Revolution



The Medical Costs of the Sexual Revolution



The Mistakes of Modern Philosophy and Why They Matter



Healing the Children of Divorce



Healing the Post-Abortive Church Congregation



The Integrity of the Body: Confronting the Trans Ideology



Sexual Orientation Change is possible

"The Sexual Revolution not only covers what history books deem as the time period for sexual freedom and loose morals but the ongoing demeaning and dehumanizing revolution that seeks to dismiss scientific facts like gender, destigmatize abortion and demonize the traditional family of a woman, man and children," said Dr. Morse. "The summit will have speakers that address all of these issues and more and give attendees concrete ways on how to be a light in their own communities for the truth."



Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, will be the keynote speaker on June 24. Kristan is a Christian, wife, mother, grassroots activist, author, speaker, podcast host and a human rights advocate. She has built up a small organization made up of a few dozen student groups scattered around the country to a coordinated national team that serves 1,200-plus Students for Life chapters in all fifty states, and has trained over 100,000 young people.



Registration for the Summit is currently open. To learn more about the event, please see the FAQ page and visit https://ruthinstitute.org/ruth-institute-summit/.



For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph. D, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.



ABOUT THE RUTH INSTITUTE

The Ruth Institute is a global non-profit organization, leading an international interfaith coalition to defend the family and build a civilization of love. Jennifer Roback Morse is the author of "The Sexual State" and "Love and Economics  It Takes a Family to Raise a Village."



SOURCE Carmel Communications



CONTACT: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com


Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 62F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Near record low temperatures. Low 42F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 61F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Near record low temperatures. Low 42F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Council Charles Michel expressed support to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans efforts to promote a peaceful, stable and secure South Caucasus.

Spoke with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to follow up on our recent discussions in Brussels. Full support to his and all efforts to promote a peaceful, stable and secure South Caucasus, Michel tweeted.
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. The new single electronic platform of providing employment-based residence status allows employers and foreign employees to complete the registration process in a shorter period of time.

The platform was presented by the Migration Service of the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on April 19, but the platform is operating since January 1, 2022.

Head of the Migration Service Armen Ghazaryan said that they made the presentation a little later because of the coronavirus-related restrictions. He said this platform has two advantages: firstly, it cuts the time spent on administration and ensures the simultaneous work of different state agencies in online domain. Secondly, employers and foreigners do not need to contact the state bodies face-to-face, in other words, all documentation processes have been minimized. In fact, a foreigner needs a one-time visit to the Migration Service at the end when he/she must get the card confirming his/her residence status.

The first step in the platform is done by an employer. He/she is registered, submits a job description and presents that there is a foreign candidate for that particular job. After that the case is sent to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and if the ministry has in its database an Armenian citizen employer for that particular position, it presents, if an Armenian citizen employer is elected, the case closes, if not, the process goes to the next stage. Here the foreigners data is checked, the respective security checks are being carried out and he/she is provided with a residence status for a term of up to 1 year, or is rejected depending on the results of the security checks, the Head of the Migration Service said.

He informed that as of April 18, 2022, more than 260 foreigners received an employment-based residence status and among the EAEU citizens over 170 have received a certificate of legal residence. The EAEU citizens receive the residence status within a week, in case of other citizens, the process may last 25-30 days, compared to the previous 60-80 days.

Armen Ghazaryan said they are in daily contact with employers and some changes have already been made in the platform based on the proposals and problems raised by them. He said this will be continuous in order for the platform to be more effective.

Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Vache Terteryan said the platform has already shown its efficiency as they already have citizens registered by this platform and successful stories.

I attach very importance to the fact that thanks to this platform all agencies will conduct their functions without additional documentation. They will have a chance to get the necessary information and collect a necessary base for further monitoring without any contact with an employer and foreign citizens.

Heghine Hovhannisyan, having over 14 years of experience in the field of human resources, said they have always hired foreign employees both in the past and present workplaces.

Previously, it was a terribly time-consuming process, which took both the time and in fact, was detrimental to the employer because when an employer is constantly engaged in documentation issues, all the remaining works suffer. We now have foreigners in this company, we have used the platform and I can state that everything is easier now compared to the past, and you do the process very fast just sitting in front of the computer, she said.

The specialist said at the initial stage there were some difficulties because of unawareness, but the staffers of the Legal Department of the Migration Service are ready to help all employers and introduce them on all nuances how to use the platform.
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Today, April 19, the Russian peacekeeping contingent neutralized an artillery position in the Chartar village of the Artsakh Republic during the engineering works, ARMENPRESS reports the Telegram channel of the Russian peacekeeping troops informs.

It is stated that a total of two 152-mm cannons with 60 projectiles were neutralised in that position.
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the official visit of the governmental delegation headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Moscow, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia Armen Grigoryan met with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolay Patrushev on April 19.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Security Council of Armenia, during the meeting, the parties signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of information security between the Governments of the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation.

The direction of further bilateral cooperation will include the investigation of crimes related to the use of information and communication technologies for terrorist and other criminal purposes.

The interlocutors also discussed a number of issues related to the regional security situation.
The Threatened Miracle of South Africas Democracy is an inspirational documentary based on the book A Witness for Ever written by Michael Cassidy in 1995.

Michael is the founder and leader of African Enterprise, and was involved in many initiatives to support and promote the peaceful transition in South Africa in 1994. Also included in the documentary are the thoughts of younger generation leaders who bring insight into our context today.

From 1992 to 1994 there was a spontaneous movement of unbroken 24/7 prayer in South Africa. The nation was on its knees, and apartheid was breaking down the human dignity of people.

By the late 1980s the national party was under enormous pressure to abolish apartheid. Michael Cassidy was one of many people deeply involved in facilitating that change.

Michael also initiated and participated in The South African Leadership Assembly, and a succession of conferences and prayer initiatives between the 1960s and 1994. But the long history of tribal violence in South Africa continued to threaten the idea of a peaceful and fair election.

After the assassination of Chris Hani in April 1993, Michael and the agency started pushing for the creation of a body that would ensure a level playing field in order to transition South Africa to a peaceful democracy.

African Enterprise hosted conferences in an effort to bring peace and reconciliation. In total 92 senior political leaders attended, and a network of new friendships were formed.

A prayer gathering was put in place by Michael Cassidy and African Enterprise to call for peace. This was a faith venture. When we put our trust in God, we also know that we are co-laborers together with Him, said Michael. We had to depend on that, and God really was working on our behalf because He had his own plans for this country.

I had a sense of the spirit of God saying to me, the stronghold has been broken and the walls have come down.

After years of struggle, freedom was found from this moment on. The first democratic election in South Africa commenced peacefully from 26  29 April 1994.

Only God can create a miracle. Something extraordinary and astonishing. He makes this happen through people. He is able to turn sworn enemies into friends.

There was a new feeling in South Africa after that election. And thats what we had been fighting for all along.

South Africa may still have some serious challenges, but the miracle story of their democracy teaches us that God can use ordinary people to bring about great change.

Feature photo  Michael Cassidy and FW de Klerk, after the passing of FW De Klerk earlier this year, Michael Cassidy said the following:

The passing of FW de Klerk (11 November 2021) reminds all South Africans of the historically important role he played in bringing South Africa through to becoming a non-racial, democratic country.

Had de Klerk not released Nelson Mandela, unbanned the Liberation Movements, & instead tried forcefully to screw the political lid down even more, our country would surely have descended into the abyss of epic political & social tragedy & ongoing civil conflict.

But de Klerk made the highly courageous decision to break not just with his own party, but his own history, which included being Transvaal National Party leader for many years when he sought to implement the dreadful policy.

His cynical critics will see his change of heart & mind as totally opportunistic because he finally saw no other way could pragmatically work. And he was out of options.

But I personally believe he had some sort of genuine Damascus Road experience, whether spiritual or political or both, which he in his last speech to South Africa called a conversion.

In that last speech he also apologized to South Africa for the pain & injustice caused by that dreadful system. I felt this apology was genuinely sincere & expressed the pain & remorse of a man who had finally realized with deep regret that most of his political life he had embraced & propagated an iniquitous & unjust policy.

One hopes all South Africans, particularly those most wounded by Apartheid, will, like Mandela, extend forgiveness to de Klerk & all who misguidedly inflicted that horrific system on our country. All this is part of closing past chapters of our story, learning the lessons from them, & opening a new chapter of a happy, prosperous, & just South Africa.

In this I would hope de Klerk will be given his rightful place in our history alongside Nelson Mandela, Oliver Thambo, Govan Mbeki, Robert Sobukwe, Desmond Tutu & others. We in African Enterprise extend deep sympathy to his wife, Elita, & family.
Lt. Gen Pande, now serving as the Armys vice-chief, will be the first officer commissioned into the Corps of Engineers to become Army Chief

New Delhi: Lt. Gen. Manoj Pande has been appointed as the next Chief of the Indian Army. He will take over as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff from the outgoing chief, Gen. M.M. Naravane, on April 30. Lt. Gen. Pande, now serving as the Armys vice-chief, will be the first officer commissioned into the Corps of Engineers to become Army Chief. The top position has been traditionally held by officers from the Armys fighting arms  the Infantry, Armoured Corps and Artillery.

There is still no clarity on when the government will name the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the post lying vacant after Gen. Bipin Rawat was killed along with his wife and 12 other military personnel during a helicopter crash on December 8. It is learnt the government is looking at both current and even retired four-star and three-star officers to fill the post of CDS.

Lt. Gen. Pande had earlier headed the Armys crucial Eastern Command, headquartered at Fort William in Kolkata, which looks after the Line of Actual Control with China and also served as the commander-in-chief of India's only tri-services command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN). He was the Armys senior-most officer after the retirement of Gen. Naravane. In his 39-year military career, Lt. Gen. Pande has held important and challenging command and staff appointments in different operational environments.

Born on May 6, 1962, Lt. Gen. Pande was commissioned on December 24, 1982 in the Armys Corps of Engineers (Bombay Sappers). He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and has undergone courses at Staff College, Camberley (UK), Army War College, Mhow, and National Defence College, New Delhi.

He has held command of an engineer brigade in the western theatre, as part of a strike corps, and an infantry brigade along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. His other key command appointments include a mountain division in the high-altitude area of western Ladakh. He has also served as chief engineer in the UN mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. He was also additional director-general of military operations at Army Headquarters and chief of staff of Southern Command. He is also the colonel commandant of the Bombay Sappers.
The regulations shall not be applicable to the programmes offered online and in the open and distance learning mode

Indian and foreign higher educational institutions may soon be able to offer joint or dual degrees and twinning programmes. (Representational Image/ DC File)

New Delhi: Indian and foreign higher educational institutions may soon be able to offer joint or dual degrees and twinning programmes with the University Grants Commission (UGC) approving the regulations for these programmes, according to its Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the higher education regulator on Tuesday.

"Any Indian institution accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a minimum score of 3.01 or in the top 100 in the university category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) or an Institution of Eminence can collaborate with any foreign institution in the top 500 of the Times Higher Education or QS World University ranking, without seeking any prior approval from the UGC," Kumar said at a press conference here.

The regulations shall not be applicable to the programmes offered online and in the open and distance learning mode, he added.

Kumar, however, clarified that no franchise arrangement or study centre, "whether overtly or covertly, by whatever nomenclature used, between a foreign higher educational institution and an Indian higher educational institution shall be allowed under these regulations".

According to the approved regulations, a "twinning programme" shall be a collaborative arrangement whereby students enrolled with an Indian higher educational institution may undertake their programmes of study partly in India, complying with the relevant UGC regulations, and partly in a foreign higher educational institution.

"The degree offered under such twinning programmes shall be awarded by the Indian institution," Kumar said.

For a "joint degree programme", the curriculum shall be designed jointly by the collaborating Indian and foreign higher educational institutions and upon the completion of the programme, the degree will be awarded by both the institutions with a single certificate.

A "dual degree programme" shall be a programme jointly designed and offered by the Indian and foreign higher educational institutions in the same disciplines and subject areas and at the same level.

"The degrees for such a programme shall be conferred by the Indian and foreign higher educational institutions, separately and simultaneously, upon the completion of the degree requirements of both the institutions. This shall not in any way be construed as two degree programmes in separate disciplines and subject areas or levels being pursued simultaneously," the UGC chairman said.

According to the "Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to offer Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes Regulations, 2022", which the UGC is likely to notify in the coming week, for a dual degree, the students must earn at least 30 per cent of total credits from the Indian institution.

The Indian higher educational institutions shall seek the necessary approvals from the relevant statutory councils and bodies before entering into collaborations in technical, medical, legal, agricultural and such other professional programmes.

"The degree awarded under these regulations shall be equivalent to any corresponding degree awarded by the Indian higher educational institution. There shall be no further requirement of seeking equivalence from any authority and the degree shall have all benefits, rights and privileges as obtaining in the case of a degree awarded by an Indian higher educational institution ordinarily," Kumar said.

The UGC chairman said the regulations will provide access to "high quality education" to Indian students in India through a collaborative mechanism.

"It will lead to internationalisation of our higher education while the students are in India. This will also provide a great opportunity for our students to acquire multidisciplinary education through an internationally relevant curriculum. Because of this multidisciplinary education and additional skills that our students can get through either twinning or joint degree or degree programmes, it will enhance their employability.

"And it is also true for the foreign students when they come and study here. They will know more about India, the Indian culture, the Indian society and this can lead to collaborations between countries. These regulations will lead to more collaborations between Indian institutes and big foreign institutes, which can also lead to faculty exchange and sharing of best practices," Kumar said.

At least four crore foreign students study in India and according to Kumar, the number is expected to go up to 10 crore.

While no capping of fees has been mentioned in the regulations, it has been stated that "fees as applicable for the entire duration of the programme (including courses imparted by the foreign HEI) shall be made public at the time of admission. Fee structure should be reasonable so as to make quality higher education accessible and affordable to all sections of the society".
Lavrov said that Moscow is in favour of the continuing direct negotiations between India and China to resolve their bilateral differences

New Delhi: Russia can give India any defence platform and weaponry it wants, the countrys foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

Speaking to an Indian TV channel, he also termed the transfer of defence technology to India as unprecedented among the foreign nations that India has ties with. Mr Lavrov also said that Moscow is in favour of the continuing direct negotiations between India and China to resolve their bilateral differences. He also hailed Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar as a great patriot for taking decisions solely on the basis of Indias own national interests, an obvious reference to New Delhis firm resolve to continue its close ties with Moscow despite pressure from the West.

It may be noted that Mr Lavrov had visited New Delhi earlier this month and held detailed discussions with Mr Jaishankar, besides calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The subject of Russias military offensive in Ukraine had been discussed in great detail then at the bilateral talks, besides the issue of maintaining bilateral defence and economic ties in the face of the crippling Western sanctions on Russia. India has so far refused to criticise Russia but has been constantly calling for immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. This also comes as the West has been mounting pressure on India to not buy Russian weaponry and oil.

India is acquiring the crucial S-400 missiles from Russia. India has had close strategic ties with Russia and its earlier avatar, the erstwhile Soviet Union, spanning decades ever since Indias independence in 1947.

On defence, we can give India anything it wants. The technology transfer (from Russia) is unprecedented among Indias outside partners, Mr Lavrov told the TV channel. Asked about the Sino-Indian border dispute, he said: We welcome the discussions between India and China, adding that Russia wanted to further strengthen the trilateral Russia-India-China (RIC) format that he said was envisaged by Moscow way back in 1996 and made a reality.

The Russian foreign minister also reiterated his countrys position on the Ukraine conflict and blamed Ukraines government for the situation.
by Melani Manel Perera

The president has named a new 17-member cabinet in an attempt to calm the unrest. Yesterday, Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund began talks to ease the countrys financial crisis. Cardinal Ranjith calls on the current leadership to resign.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed 17 new ministers in an attempt to appease growing unrest against the high cost of living.

Opposition parties and protesters have been calling for his resignation for weeks, while negotiations just kicked off with the International Monetary Fund to deal with the countrys economic crisis, the worst in its history.

Speaking about the issue, Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo said, It is the responsibility of rulers to listen to the voice of the people. They are not the owners of the country but only temporary custodians.

Since early April, protesters have been calling on the government and the president to resign, chanting Gota go home. Although the cabinet did quit, Rajapaksa refused to resign as did his brother, Mahinda, who remains the current prime minister.

The opposition, which rejected the presidents request to join a unity government, backs the protesters, saying that Gotabaya Rajapaksa must leave because he has lost popular support.

In an effort to stem calls for his resignation, the president and his brother, a former president, have offered to amend the constitution to curtail presidential powers.

In the capital Colombo, thousands of people have joined the peaceful protests, which pro-government media have dubbed beach parties while claiming that they were funded by terrorist organisations.

Changing the cabinet is like changing a pillow for a headache. Instead, the disease must be treated, Card Ranjith said at a press conference. If the current leadership continues, we urge them to step down, he added. This is the voice of the common people in this country.

For the prelate, the protests are a just struggle; for this reason, we pay our respects to the youth who have come forward and made various sacrifices for it.

If the government or those in power try to suppress or sabotage this protest movement in any way, we shall see it as an attack on the citizens of the whole country, he warned.

The use of force and armed repression is undemocratic and immoral. "All that needs to be done is to listen to the voice of the people and to ensure that the law prevails over political authority.

Meanwhile, talks began yesterday in Washington with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which will consider Sri Lankas request for quick financial assistance, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said.

The IMF has ben reluctant to grant a loan, but said that it would evaluate guarantees provided by the Indian government.

Colombo needs at least US$ 3 billion, which it is trying to get from the IMF, the World Bank and other countries like India and China.

Sri Lanka has submitted to the IMF a request for a loan under the rapid financial instrument (RFI) policy, usually granted to countries with urgent needs due to sharp increases in the prices of raw materials, natural disasters or conflicts.

Sri Lankas foreign exchange reserves have been seriously depleted, preventing it from buying fuel, medicines and other basic necessities.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Fr. Fernando Vera will have to return to his native Mexico. With the invasion of Ukraine it is difficult to avoid the crime of "defamation of the authorities and the army". Religious driven out to ward off "foreign influences".

Moscow (AsiaNews) - As the parishioners themselves announced on social channels, on Holy Saturday "the Russian authorities gave Catholics an Easter gift, orderingthe expulsion within 24 hours of the priest of the Moscow parish of Saints Peter and Paul, Father Fernando Vera, without even allowing him to celebrate the Vigil and Easter Day liturgies".

The Mexican Opus Dei parish priest, who has been serving in Russia for seven years, had his residence permit withdrawn without any explanation, giving him only one day to return to his country, from which he will probably not be allowed to return to his mission in Russia.

As the faithful commented, "Fr. Fernando is in the habit of calling things by their name, but today this is not considered a civil virtue in our country. Even with all the necessary prudence, it is difficult today to avoid committing the offence of "defaming the authorities and the army" even if one only mentions the "war" going on in Ukraine. While this can cost Russian citizens heavy fines or even arrest and imprisonment, for a foreign missionary it means the loss of the right to remain in his post, without even the 48 hours' notice given to diplomats to be expelled.

The expulsion of missionaries is nothing new in Russia, and already in the early years of the Putin regime there had been several cases, indicating the Russians' desire to ward off "foreign influences". For years, Russian Catholics have been keeping a low profile, avoiding initiatives that could be accused of proselytism and professing absolute loyalty to the authorities and their instructions, but this is clearly not enough.

There are still many missionaries coming from various countries around the world, partly because local priests are still not enough to cover the approximately 300 Catholic parishes in Russia. Of the four bishops working in Russia, three are foreign citizens and one is a German with Russian citizenship. A bishop was already removed in 2002, when Bishop Erzy Mazur of Irkutsk in Siberia was forced to return to his native Poland.

Fr Fernando's departure is very painful for Moscow Catholics: he had only a few months before replaced Fr Igor Kovalevsky at the title of the historic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which together with the French Church of St Louis of the French and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception constitutes the entire architectural and cultic heritage of the Roman Catholic Church in the Russian capital.

Fr Igor had left office in a dispute with Archbishop Paolo Pezzi and the Curia, of which he had been one of the first collaborators since the 1990s, over the poor management of the restitution of parish buildings, and his successor was trying to rebuild harmony between the faithful and the pastors.

Only a week before Fr Vera's expulsion, Mons. Pezzi had signed a decree of "canonical punishment of the priest Igor Kovalevsky for failure to fulfil his duties" with a series of accusations that had further exacerbated the unease within the Catholic community. Fr Igor spontaneously left Russia months ago, even interrupting his priestly service, and has now been canonically suspended by the bishop for disobedience and for 'leading the faithful into temptation'.

Archbishop Pezzi himself presided over the Holy Week and Easter services invoking "the Holy Cross, our only hope". He said that the world is on fire, but under its flames rises the Cross, and nothing can destroy it: "It is our way from earth to heaven". Catholics "listen to the cries of pain of those who die, and we would like to help them, to be guardian angels and consolers, but we can only act together with Christ Crucified", the bishop concluded. "Not only here or there, but on all fronts, wherever there is suffering, embracing the Cross".
Today's headlines: authorities in Shanghai declare 10 deaths from Covid-19; sectarian violence flares up again in India; Sri Lanka's president tries to reset government; Israel says it has hit Hamas targets in Gaza Strip; Russia blocks Ukrainian news sites.

TIMOR EAST

Voting in the second round of East Timor's presidential election began today, with Jose Ramos-Horta, who received more than 45% of the vote in the first round, and incumbent President Francisco 'Lu Olo' Guterres on the ballot. The next Head of State will then be sworn in on 20 May.

CHINA

There have been seven more deaths from Covid-19 in Shanghai, with official authorities reporting 10 deaths in the city so far. Several posts on social media questioned the count by Beijing, which insists on applying its zero covid policy.

SRI LANKA

Colombo has begun talks with the International Monetary Fund in a bid to ease the worst economic crisis in decades. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose resignation is demanded by the population, tried to calm the protests by appointing a new cabinet of 17 ministers.

PAKISTAN

Six people were sentenced to death in Pakistan for the lynching of Priyantha Diyawadanage, the Sri Lankan citizen in charge of a factory who was killed by a mob of fanatics in early December. Nine other people were sentenced to life imprisonment and others were given prison terms of between two and five years.

INDIA

Jahangirpuri, near Delhi, was the scene of another episode of sectarian violence this weekend: during a Hindu procession there were clashes with Muslims living in the neighbourhood. The situation has not yet completely calmed down: yesterday some women started throwing stones at the police again after the arrest of the wife of a suspect.

RUSSIA - UKRAINE

The Russian monitoring agency Roskomnadzor, at the request of the General Prosecutor's Office, blocked the site of "Human Rights Watch", after it had published news about civilians killed in Ukraine by the Russians. Almost all Ukrainian information sites were blocked, including that of the Ministry of Finance in Kiev, and the Georgian site "News Tbilisi".

KYRGYZSTAN

A billion agreement was signed in Kyrgyzstan between President Sadyr Zaparov and investors from three French companies, with the aim of building the "green city" of Asman on Lake Issyk-Kul, an urban model of ecological purity, without asphalt and pollution. Other sites are being evaluated, also for future similar projects in the country.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

The Israeli defence said it had hit a Hamas weapons production site in the Gaza Strip. Yesterday, a missile from the Strip was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. No casualties were reported. The violence flared up again after clashes between Jews and Muslims on the Esplanade of Mosques in Jerusalem.
Beijing wants no surprises in replacement for controversial Carrie Lam. The city's leader is to be chosen by a restricted election committee loyal to the central government. The reopening of the border with mainland China, closed due to Covid-19, is among Lee's priorities. The city leader in pectore invites the democratic camp to submitt suggestions "in writing".

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - From Beijing's supposed candidate to lead the city executive, it would now appear that John Lee is the only one running for the post. The central government does not want any surprises when it comes to replacing Carrie Lam, disgraced by her handling of the pandemic and democracy protests, and is squashing all competition that gave a semblance of democracy to the election of the local leader.

The appointment of the city premier is scheduled for 8 May, after being postponed due to the re-emergence of the coronavirus emergency. Far from any democratic standards, the vote is the prerogative of a pro-Beijing Election Committee, which local authorities describe as "representative" of all voters: in reality, it is made up of 1,462 members overwhelmingly aligned with the national leadership, who will decide for more than 7 million citizens.

In March 2021, the Chinese leadership passed a law allowing only 'patriots' to govern Hong Kong: a way to exclude democratic candidates from the city's electoral contests.

Today, the commission that evaluates candidates for election offices in Hong Kong gave the (discounted) green light to Lee, who until the announcement of his run was Lam's number two. As Security Secretary, he organised the machine that ensures the enforcement of the draconian National Security Act. Imposed by Beijing in the summer of 2020, the measure has effectively silenced the democratic opposition.

The nomination control commission, headed by Lee until his resignation as chief executive secretary, only received his application, although others had previously expressed their intention to run for office. It should be remembered that under Lee's leadership, the selection body approved the appointment of the current members of the Election Committee.

Since the handover from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong has only had two instances of a single-candidate Chief Executive election: that of Tung Chee-hwa in 2002 and Donald Tsang in 2005.

Lee has not presented an election manifesto so far. In recent days, however, he has said that his priorities will include reopening the border with mainland China, now closed due to the Covid-19 emergency, and passing a local security law. The one now in force was introduced by Beijing, not by Hong Kong's executive. In 2002-2003, pro-democracy protests attended by hundreds of thousands of people scuttled an attempt to legislate on the issue.

The Hong Kong Free Press noted that when the press asked Lee today whether he would meet with members of the pro-democracy camp, he said he would "listen to everyone's views". However, he stressed that time constraints prevented him from organising meetings in person or by video conference, and invited interested parties to submit "written" proposals. Since the imposition of the security law, the city's main democratic leaders have ended up in prison or in exile, or have abandoned active politics.
by Steve Suwannarat

In office since 2004, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong could step down in favour of Finance Minister Lawrence Wong after the ruling party gave the thumbs up. Wong, who faces the post-pandemic economic situation, is well-liked by Singaporeans.

Singapore (AsiaNews)  The city-state is preparing for a leadership change but the path could still be long.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has been in office since 2004, is expected to resign in favour of Lawrence Wong, the current finance minister, who was recently chosen by the ruling party.

Wong was chosen by 15 of the 19 stakeholders of the People's Action Party, which has governed Singapore since independence in 1965. The next general election is set for November 2025.

Lee could give up the day-to-day running of the country to play senior minister or minister mentor like his father, Lee Kwan Yew, who was also prime minister.

As finance minister, Wong, 49, has had to handle the difficult economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an eye on its future consequences.

He was welcomed by the prime minister as leader of the fourth generation, after Lee Kwan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, and Lee Hsien Loong who ran the city-state's 15 legislatures so far.

The COVID-19 epidemic delayed the succession, which had been expected to take place after the 2020 election, as indicated by the 62-year-old Lee himself.

The ability to coordinate the forces in the field to face the main obstacles for the country will be decisive for Wongs leadership.

My philosophy in life, instilled by my parents from young, is that whatever task I'm assigned, I will give of my best, Wong said at a press conference last Saturday

Many in Singapore already appreciate this attitude. What is more, Wong has shown a human touch and shared the hardships with the population at the worse moments of the pandemic.

Such qualities have also allowed him to overcome the hostility sparked by the increase in the value added tax that will provide S.5 billion (about US$ 2.5 billion) to public coffers.
by Nirmala Carvalho

26 people were arrested in the Fatehpur district during a liturgy held by an evangelical community. The charge of "illegal conversions from Hinduism". The bishop of Lucknow Mgr Mathias to AsiaNews: "Hindu fundamentalists are increasingly encouraged to behave like vigilantes. One wonders where the religious freedom guaranteed by the Indian Constitution has gone".

Lucknow (AsiaNews) - Easter in India was marked by arrests in the campaign of Hindu fundamentalists against Christians over accusations of forced conversions. On Good Friday in the Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh, 55 people were charged under the anti-conversion law, and police detained 26 later releasing them.

The arrests took place after a spokesman of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Himanshu Dixit, informed the police that about 90 Hindus had been illegally converted to Christianity by the 'Evangelical Church of India' in the Hariharganj area. Superintendent of Police Rajesh Singh said a complaint had been lodged at the Kotwali police station against 55 persons, including 10 women.

The Bishop of Lucknow Msgr Gerald Mathias commented on this news to AsiaNews: "The arrest of Christians in Fatehpur is illegal and totally condemnable. They were participating in a liturgy and no conversion was taking place. The accusation of illegal conversion is absolutely unfounded and has been fabricated by Hindutva fundamentalists. They were all released because the accusation was manifestly false."

The prelate continued, "The Hinduvta fundamentalists are increasingly encouraged and go around like vigilantes, taking the law into their own hands. The police are often mute spectators and even encourage them. Unfortunately, these incidents are on the rise and one wonders whether the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution is really respected by everyone."
A still shot from Learning to Drown, which chronicles pro snowboarder Jess Kimuras journey from personal loss to a newfound awareness of her legacy in the sport.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Vehicles make their way through the Aspen roundabout in this March file photo. On Monday, Aspen City Council gave direction on a community education plan on the entrance to Aspen, which will include open houses and a public poll later this year.
One look at the Boos, and you realize instantly that youre not dealing with an ordinary or entry-level bike. This aggressive-looking two-wheeler was designed specifically to break out of the conventional, and Unno boasts of it being its most challenging project, rebellion in its purest state.With a name inspired by the highest mountain of Jupiters moon Io (Boosaule Montes) and one of the tallest ones in the Solar System, the beautiful Boos is lightweight and robust, featuring a monocoque carbon fiber frame built around a 170 mm fork, combined with 160 mm of travel in the rear. It features a 29 front wheel and a 27.5 one in the rear.The eMTB will be available in three sizes: S1 (which corresponds to a traditional S-M size and is for riders measuring under 175 cm/5.7 ft), S2 (corresponds to an M-L and is for riders between 175 cm and 185 cm/5.7 ft and 6.06 ft), and S3 (corresponds to an L-XL and is suitable for riders taller than 185 cm/6.06 ft). However, for now, you can only pre-order it in the S2 version, in the Race build kit. The other two sizes are to be released later this year and in early 2023.Im not going to insist on all the tech specs of the Boos, you can find them on the official website, but I will mention another interesting thing about this sophisticated eMTB. Unno partnered with Oceanworks for the bike and made all the resin parts of the frame using recycled nylon that comes mostly (80 percent of it) from the ocean, mainly from the nearshores of Asia. Unno says that each Boos contains 184 grams (6.4 oz) of Oceanworks nylon.The Barcelona-crafted two-wheeler packs a Bosch CX Gen 4 motor and a 750 Wh battery and is one of the lightest bikes to feature such a motor, weighing 22.6 kg (almost 50 lb) in the S2 size.Even though it just launched, the first units of the Boos sold within less than 24 hours from release, despite the bike's hefty price of $10,800 (9,995). Unno plans to replenish its stock in approximately nine weeks. You can find all the Boos details on the manufacturers website
For example, the Polara served as Nevadas highway patrol car for several years, something that wasnt necessarily surprising given the big-block engines that could be ordered.Just check out this 1973 example that previously served as a Nevada highway patrol car as well. Fitted with a 440 4-barrel, this Polara was more than capable of chasing speedsters on the highway, and it remained in service until late 1977.Bought new by the State of Nevada Purchasing Department from Reno Dodge, the Polara was driven by patrol officers for 80,000 miles (nearly 129,000 km) before being retired and sold to someone in Silver Springs.The engine under the hood is the same 440 that was fitted from the factory, but at this point, its not known if its running or not.At first glance, however, this Polara looks like a very solid restoration candidate, not only in terms of engine power but also as far as the metal is concerned. Theres indeed occasional rust here and there, but on the other hand, no massive damage has been produced so far.eBay seller mattmcl4065 claims no patches are required, so overall, the car is in pretty good shape.Most of the parts are still there, and some aftermarkets components also go with the car to help with a potential restoration process. Original documentation, including the owners manual and various other papers, is also available.Without a doubt, such a Polara isnt necessarily easy to find, especially considering its history. This is probably the main reason why the car has already received 24 bids in just a few hours spent online.Best of all, the car is being sold without a reserve, so the top bidder will certainly take it home.
SUV

While, at first, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan ultra-luxurywas fighting for ultimate baller supremacy with Lambo Urus super-SUVs or Caddy Escalade (hipster) heroes across the entire murdered-out range, now there is a momentous change of pace. Never mind the few colorful ideas as it seems that Ice White acts like orange is the new black across the entire aftermarket realm.And we have seen bubble-gum-style interpretations, elegantly contrasting two-tone ideas, and just about everything in between. But here is the thing. Once people start highlighting that some trends are yesterdays news those might easily spring back into fashion just because others really do not like to be told whats vogue and what is not Well, the Santa Fe Springs, California-based forged wheel experts over at AG Luxury might not even care about our black vs. white musings . Instead, perhaps they just wanted to appropriately highlight the latest build from Scottsdale, Arizona-based automotive customization shop Ultimate Mobile Wheel & Tire, which is a thoroughly murdered-out Rolls-Royce Cullinan.Probably a Black Badge  or at least a great chrome-delete job  this ultra-luxury SUV rides tradition like it is no one elses business. As such, the Gloss Black paintjob is appropriately plastered all over the body  even in places where black plastic cladding was the OEM norm. Adding to the panache is the lowered suspension setup, and now the custom Rolls-Royce Cullinan also rides proudly on a matching, gloss black set of AG Luxury AGL45 monoblock forged aftermarket wheels.By the way, there is little to no information regarding the exact modifications performed by the personalization specialist and, unfortunately, neither AG Luxury nor Ultimate provided us with a glimpse of the posh cockpit goodies ...
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As its name implies, this is a concept vehicle, and it may not be turned into a production model. The urbansphere is an all-electric vehicle, and it has been designed to have self-driving capabilities, just like other Volkswagen Group models have recently exhibited. Yes, we are referring to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD, which was driven through Munich earlier this month Now, coming back to the urbansphere concept, it is part of Audi's Artemis project, which previously unveiled two other concept cars, the skysphere and the grandsphere. As you have probably observed by now, both names have "sphere" in them, as well as feature spelling without capital letters, just like Audi likes to refer to its quattro all-wheel-drive system.Audi describes the urbansphere as being built on the PPE technology platform, which is shared with Porsche. That is why this model comes with an 800-volt electrical system, and it can get charged with up to 270. Estimated range is up to 466 miles (750 km) according to estimates made by following thetesting procedure. The latter did not happen yet, as this is a concept vehicle, not a production car.The urbansphere has two motors that deliver a total output of 295 kW (395 horsepower) and a peak system torque of 690 Nm (508 lb.-ft.). The rear axle also has a dedicated steering system, so this is an all-wheel-drive and all-wheel steer electric vehicle. The battery pack is almost entirely flat and it sits between the axles. Its capacity is not specified entirely, but it is described as being "about 120hours of energy."The front axle motor can be deactivated as required to reduce friction and improve range, as well as for allowing functions like coasting. Even Audi notes that the figures are "often not fully utilized when driving in dense urban traffic." It's still nice to have them available, though.The decision for rear wheel steering is linked to its long wheelbase, of 3.40 meters (11 feet). The front axle has five-link independent suspension, while the rear is a multi-link axle. Both are made from aluminum, Audi notes. That does not change the fact that unsprung mass will be rather high with the implementation of 24-inch wheels, along with tires to match.The designers initially created the Audi urbansphere for use in traffic-dense megacities in China , and the company even names the country as the place this concept was imagined for. Audi then quickly points out that the concept is suitable for any other metropolitan center in the world. After all, sitting in traffic may happen anywhere, and you do not have to be in a Chinese megacity to sit in traffic.Since there is not much driving to do while sitting in traffic, Audi designers have imagined the urbansphere to have the largest interior space of any Audi to date. Yes, you read that right, this is the roomiest Audi ever built, but you cannot buy it yet. The idea is to showcase a few design trends from the German marque, as well as a few ideas for interior arrangements. The Ingolstadt brand proposes a blend of technologies and digital services that will appeal to all the senses, while offering a "whole new level of experience." While that is not too much to go by, it does involve the idea of offering various services to increase the level of comfort for the occupants, as well as enhancing the interior atmosphere instead of just referring to comfort or the driving experience.
The superyacht was named after the first Callisto , launched by Feadship in 2006. Commissioned by repeat clients, it blends performance with elegance and comfort. The new 42.5-meter (140-ft) vessel hit the water at the beginning of the month, and now, its finally ready to leave its shed and begin sea trials.It retains some classic elements from the original Callisto and integrates specific design features requested by the owners, who have a vast experience at sea. Its dynamic profile includes angled lines that run from the shoulder towards the bow. The owners wanted to have a superyacht with a relatively low profile and large interior and exterior spaces.Therefore, the vessel comes with a generous sun deck that also provides shade to the guests. It also has a large swimming platform that allows passengers to get closer to the sea and optional waterfront dining.The lower deck garage hosts a luxury tender, and in the foredeck, theres an extra crew tender that the owners requested. The interior was drawn by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, and it reflects the Mediterranean-summer theme.The owners stateroom is positioned forward on the main deck, and it includes all the necessary amenities. Guests will be accommodated in two VIP staterooms and two twin en suite staterooms on the lower deck. Thats where a crew of eight will also enjoy privacy.Performance-wise, Callisto is capable of reaching speeds of 21 knots (24 mph/ 39 kph) and cruising at 12.5 knots (14 mph/ 23 kph). Achieving these impressive numbers on a vessel of this size was possible thanks to the twin MTU propulsion power and heavy-duty propellers. The underwater body was also extensively optimized, resulting in a one-of-a-kind bow shape that reduces resistance at greater speeds.
Dacia vice-president for product Lionel Jaillet initially told the media that the Romanian automaker was looking into camper and commercial vehicle spin-offs of the Jogger. But due to tightening regulations on the latter category, the commercial vehicle was dropped in favor of the camper.We are working on it, yes, he told Auto Express . It should come quite soon. Its clearly in our philosophy - to extend the level of outdoor activities that our customers can do with our cars. Jogger has the right spirit for that.Jaillet also highlighted that its unclear if the car will offer sleeping quarters or living space and cooking facilities. Given the limited amount of room, the options are fairly limited. 4.5 meters the long, the Jogger is based on the CMF-B LS platform thats currently shared with the Sandero and Logan.Derived from the CMF-B HS of the Renault Clio and Nissan Juke, this vehicle architecture replaces the B0 and M0 platforms. Offered exclusively with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive, the Jogger will gain a multi-mode automatic transmission and hybrid power sometime in 2023.Until then, prospective customers will have to make do with H4Dt turbocharged mills. From a displacement of 999 cubic centimeters, the TCe 110 is much obliged to crank out 110 ponies and 200 Nm (148 pound-feet) at 2,900 rpm. The ECO-G 100 is a bi-fuel option that develops 101 metric horsepower and 170 Nm (125 pound-feet) between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm.Available with five- and seven-seat configurations, the Jogger comes in three grades in its home market. Essential is the name of the most affordable specification at 14,790 euros, which is $16,560 at current exchange rates. Seven seats are standard in the Essential for the British market, which is listed at 15,345 pounds sterling ($19,960) with six exterior color options.
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EV

On top of covering the cost of all charging sessions for all of its over 740 participating stations, Electrify America is also offering a discount for its HomeStation Level 2 charger. The latter is a $50.00 off deal on the home charger if it is purchased through the Electrify Home website and the promo code "CHARGEONEARTH" is used at checkout.As the company notes, the home charging station has an adjustable charging power of up to 40 amps, and it can charge EVs or PHEVs with up to 9.6. Electrify America estimates that their HomeStation can add up to 33 miles (ca. 53 km) of range per hour for "capable vehicles."Currently (no pun intended, but hey), the Electrify America network is composed of 800 charging stations, and they have approximately 3,500 individual chargers open or with construction completed. The fastest of them can charge a compatibleat 350 kW, which is the industry's highest value so far, while other high-speed chargers in the network work at 150 kW.Mind you, charging an EV at 150 kW is fast and will get you an 80 percent charge faster than you can walk into the mall, get something to eat, and return to the vehicle. The latter applies if you are already parked in the mall's parking lot, but you do need a capable vehicle to handle that much charging power.By 2026, Electrify America wants to have over 1,800 charging stations in the U.S., which will have over 10,000 individual chargers. The expansion will include 49 states and the District of Columbia. With a bit of planning, a customer could drive from state to state using only their chargers The company describes itself as being the largest open DC fast-charging network in the U.S. and has pledged to invest $2 billion over a decade in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, education, and access.
Musk's decision to take over Twitter has received mixed reactions. Twitter's shares rose by roughly 15%, while Tesla's fell 3.7%. Tesla's investors feel the move could affect the auto manufacturer's future In a tweet responding to a user criticizing the board's decision, Tesla's CEO said the board's salary would be $0 should his bid succeed, adding the company will save $3 million per year. He did not elaborate further on the tweet.Last week, Musk offered to buy Twitter for $54.20 a share a week after revealing his 9.1% stake in the company. He said the social media company needs to go private. His offer values the giant social media platform at about $43 billion.The Space X CEO launched a poll on Twitter asking his 80 million followers if the decision to take the company private should be up to the shareholders and not the board. Most followers responded with "yes."Twitter's shares are currently at $46.85 lower than Musk's offer of $54.20.To express his feelings to the board after the social media company opted to sell shares at a discount to prevent him or any other stakeholder from amassing more than 15%, he tweeted Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" song.Musk isn't the only one with a bone to chew with the board. In a series of tweets on Saturday, co-founder and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey called out the board, saying it has consistently been the company's dysfunction.Buyout firm Thoma Bravo LP has also expressed interest in the company and is putting together a bid to rival Musk's $43 billion offer. The technology-focused private equity firm has more than $103 billion in assets under management as of December.
During the brief drive through Munich , right near the center of the city, Diess speaks with Alex Haag, the managing director of Argo Munich, about the way that the self-driving system is designed and what are its biggest challenges now.Furthermore, we get to see how the system "views" the world around us, as well as to note that VW uses LiDAR , Radar, and cameras to assess the surroundings.There are also legislative challenges that Volkswagen does not address in this video. Instead, the managing director of Argo Munich explained that the human factor is one of the biggest hurdles the development team faces at the moment.For example, while human drivers can use their experience and social skills to determine if a person standing by the side of the road intends to cross it or not, the development team found that it is difficult to teach a robot to grasp these delicate aspects of human interaction.Moreover, there is still the element of surprise, which involves humans doing unpredictable things for unknown reasons. In the latter case, not even human drivers are prepared for that, so do not imagine that replacing all human-driven vehicles with autonomous ones overnight will lead to zero car accidents starting that day.Instead, each incident will be under heavy scrutiny, and the first fatal accident will make headlines across the world. None of this will be the manufacturer's fault unless proven otherwise by an investigation, but that is how we imagine it playing out when it happens.At this point, we should underline that the latter is just an educated guess based on other events that were linked to new technologies being introduced, and these have nothing to do with VW 's new tech.
Washington's new attempt to pit ASEAN against China

16:10, April 19, 2022 By China Daily editorial ( Chinadaily.com.cn

File photo shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington DC, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

United States President Joe Biden will host a special summit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders on May 12 and 13 in Washington, according to a statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

The purpose of the summit is to "demonstrate the United States' enduring commitment to ASEAN ... and commemorate 45 years of US-ASEAN relations", according to a statement issued by the White House. Considering the meeting was convened in late October 2021, this one certainly will be special in some ways.

It will surely provide some clues as to whether and how the US will adjust its global strategic deployment in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its geopolitical impacts on major country relationships. In particular, how it will approach the Asia-Pacific, or what it perceives to be the Indo-Pacific, in the future.

Despite the hostilities in Ukraine, as has been the case for other summits and meetings organized by the US, many believe China will be a "likely focus" of the summit.

When it comes to what the US perceives to be "the region's most pressing challenges", for instance, it is very unlikely that China will not be to the fore in the corresponding discussions.

Although ASEAN countries may be more concerned about such immediate concerns as internal unity in the aftermath of the political change in Myanmar as well as domestic and regional economic hardships and giving impetus to economic recovery, there simply is no way to distract Washington from its obsession with the South China Sea as the venue for its "competition" with China. Even as countries in the region have generally found peace between and among themselves and are now working toward a common code of conduct for the waters of the South China Sea.

Based on what Washington has been saying and doing, it is almost impossible to imagine that it will not take advantage of the summit to nurture the seeds of distrust that it has been trying to cultivate between ASEAN and China. After all, in the typical Washington narrative, Beijing is the single largest threat to its vision of a "free and open, secure, connected, and resilient" Indo-Pacific.

Correspondingly, Beijing has read US diplomatic maneuvers in the region as aimed at creating an Asia-Pacific version of NATO, with the intention of damaging the regional cooperation framework centered on ASEAN.

Washington climbs from one step of ambition to another, playing a geopolitical game in the guise of promoting regional cooperation. Professing it wants to protect others from injury, it acts to injure others.

ASEAN members should treat with caution the stirring rhetoric and brave promises meant to align them to Washington's purpose.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
EV

Production of the R1T electric pickup truck began in September 2021. Despite what challenges the world is facing at the moment, the American automaker managed to push forward and didnt disappoint its pre-order holders. Deliveries started and are continuing at a normal pace, considering whats currently going on across the industry.This new footage shows people working at the Rivian site in Illinois, but things look like theyre moving pretty slow. If were to compare the video Tesla provided from its Berlin Gigafactory with the one down below, then youd be inclined to think Rivian is just a struggling little company. Even though investors might boil right now, keep in mind two important things: the R1T and R1S maker has a clear strategy in mind and has followed through with everything they set for themselves as a target.Furthermore, its a bold move to let the press in without any restraints and without any kind of false preparations in advance. We get an honest look inside, which says a lot about how Rivian will be doing business going further.Delays are to be expected because sourcing important parts are increasingly harder right now, despite Rivian having almost doubled the number of employees.Theres always room for improvement, but we should appreciate this Americanmaker for its transparency. Its a fresh breath of air after the whole Tesla debacle In the end, theres also another thing worth mentioning here: calm employees will make sure products are delivered to spec  something that new Rivian owners have experienced for themselves lately. Issues with the all-electric trucks rarely appear.Rivian wont be the next Tesla, but it sure has a real chance at becoming an important part of the auto industry in the U.S. and in other parts of the globe.
But what is known with certainty is the Moskva (Moscow), the pride of the Russian Navy, is now at the bottom of the Black Sea. This is the biggest military incident in recent years and the first time a ship this size has been downed in (alleged) enemy fire since World War II.Footage and a couple of blurry photos have emerged online, apparently showing the Moskva right before it sank. Their authenticity has not yet been verified independently, but if theyre not fakes, they seem to confirm Ukraines version of events: Moskva was downed by two Neptune missiles fired by the Ukrainian army from the coast.The two photos are included in the gallery above and also in the video below. Both the photos and the 3-second footage seem to have been taken from a nearby vessel, presumably the tugboat that came to the warships rescue right after the attack. They show that all lifeboats were gone, which would indicate that at least some of the 510 crew were able to evacuate. They also show fire damage and billowing smoke, and the ship tilting to the side.Kremlins version of events is that a fire broke out onboard Moskva and reached the ammunition storage. Moskva was left buoyant after the fire was put out but eventually sank as it was being towed to port for repairs. Kyiv, on the other hand, claims that the Ukrainian army hit the warship with two of its Neptune missiles and that it sank shortly afterward.Whatever the cause of the incident, the loss of Moskva is a terrible blow for Russia. The Soviet-era warship was the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, an impressive carrier that had been in service since the 80s. Last year, Russia brought it out for a string of exercises in the Black Sea as a means to show it was still as powerful and fearsome as ever.With a total length of 558 feet (186.4 meters), Moskva could hit max speeds of 32 knots (37 mph / 59 kph) and had a range of 10,000 nm (12,000 miles / 19,000 km). It carried Vulkan anti-ship missiles, a helicopter, and anti-submarine and mine-torpedo weapons, all of which were on board when it went down.
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Spied in a premiere, in right-hand drive, while doing the usual rounds at the Nurburgring, it might be named the Land Rover Defender SVX , our man with the cam believes. And we agree, because it features some addons that improve its credentials on arduous terrains.For instance, this prototype rides on BFGoodrich rubber and appears to have more space between its belly and the road. The wheel arches are fatter, and mudflaps can be seen behind each tire. The spare alloy also has the chunky rubber wrapped around it, and the front and rear bumpers have a part-silver look. The hood does not seem to have been made of carbon fiber, further suggesting that we are indeed looking at a more off-road-y Defender.In terms of power, it likely packs an eight-cylinder engine, as the quad exhaust pipes are identical to those of the Defender V8 . The latter uses a supercharged 5.0-liter unit, kicking out 518 hp (525 ps / 386) and 461 lb-ft (625 Nm) of torque. The thrust is directed to both axles via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Electronic Active Rear Differential, otherwise, an option, is standard in this model. Flat-out, the Defender V8 can do 149 mph (240 kph), and it needs 5.2 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 kph) from rest.This wouldnt be the first time Land Rover launches a Defender SVX, as they used the suffix on the previous generation. As far as the unveiling date goes, no one outside the British company knows when it will premiere, but if anything, it might arrive before the end of the year or in early 2023.
The 1,095-foot (334 meters) cargo ship that had been stuck in the mudbanks of the Chesapeake Bay was finally freed after several rescue attempts proved useless. It was an unusual incident in the first place. Unlike its sister ship, Ever Given, which got stuck last year in the Suez Canal, causing a real crisis, the Ever Forward had a very simple route, from Baltimore to Norfolk. However, its crew somehow managed to take a wrong turn and get it stuck in relatively shallow waters. The Washington Post reports that an investigation into what actually happened is still ongoing. But the most important thing was to get Ever Forward unstuck. Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard made announced that it will change its strategy after several previous attempts had failed. It was decided to first remove the 5,000 containers on board so that it would be easier to pull. The only problem was that it would take a while to do that.But, finally, it was done. William Doyle, Executive Director at Maryland Port Administration, announced on social media that the vessel was able to move thanks to a tremendous team effort with a little help from the Easter Sunday rising tide in the Chesapeake Bay. This entire operation was far from easy  its vastness and complexity were historic, according to Capt. David OConnell, commander of Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.After the operation was successfully completed, the Ever Forward went to the port of Baltimore to retrieve the containers that were removed (not all 5,000 had to be taken away), after which it headed back to its initial destination as if nothing had happened. Luckily, things ended well, but it was a challenging month-long effort for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Our Mexican master of defence ???? @SChecoPerez ????????pic.twitter.com/ocNTRNbwjw  Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 14, 2021

Happy Birthday to Mexico's Minister of Defence, Checo Perez ????????



His battle with Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi will go down in F1 history ?? pic.twitter.com/zinEhO86Ln  ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) January 26, 2022

Since Sergio Perez is a stand-up fellow, also referred to by some as the Mexican Ministry of Defense, he always has his pit crew on hand. Just like Max, he also seems to have a Formula 1 car at his disposal. This might be one of the perks of being a Formula 1 racing driver with a multi-year contract, right, Max?Now, this is not the first time when Red Bull takes their F1 cars, albeit older models, on public roads or even on gravel roads. Or on ice, for that matter.It looks so wrong, but it is right, as one album from the early 2000s was named. Moving on, Red Bull pulled all the stops here, including the pit stops, as the vehicle required specialized attention along the way.As Perez traveled from New York to Miami to the location of the racetrack, he also met a couple of athletes and personalities along the way. Among them are Parks Bonifay, Reilly Oprelka, Byron Jones, Zion Wright, and Jamie Foy.The production you are bound to enjoy below was directed by Nicholas Schrunk and had editing and graphics done by 99Jackals. Just like whoever had the great idea for the script, possibly  Dan Carr  the writer, their work was top-notch.While this has made everyone hyped for the Miami GP, possibly not as hyped as Checo, though, the race will be held in May. The Miami International Autodrome will host the inaugural race on Sunday, May 8th, 2022.So yes, Checo was a bit too early for the race, but we are sure he will get the job done once he finishes the fizzy drink that gives him wings. Forgot what was its name, though, but I am sure it will come back to me.
The last time we heard anything about the Mitsubishi Colt, in an official manner, was in 2013, the last year of production of the Z30. Back then, the Japanese company had nothing to do with Renault-Nissan, but in the meantime, as you likely already know, they have become part of the Alliance.As a result, they will use a very familiar platform to come up with the next-gen Colt, the CMF-B. The construction is otherwise used by the Renault Clio , in addition to the second-gen Captur and Nissan Juke, and the vehicle is understood to be a slightly different looking variant of the French subcompact hatchback.Expected to go on sale towards the end of 2023, which would make it a 2024 model, it will obviously feature electrical assistance, with some believing that it will pack the same setup as the Clio E-Tech . The latter has a 1.6-liter four-pot and an electric motor, as well as a second motor acting as the high-voltage starter generator.It will be put together in Turkey and Slovenia, and if anything, it might look similar to the one rendered out by our friends at Kolesa . The digital illustrations build on the latest Renault Clio and were inspired by the official teaser image released by Mitsubishi, whose greenhouse, rear quarter panels, doors, positioning of the handles, and other stuff look identical to the ones of the French model.Nonetheless, keep in mind that there is enough time to tweak literally everything, so the upcoming Mitsubishi Colt could look different by the time it premieres.
The delta is a yet-to-be-explored collection of sedimentary rock layers and boulders swept by a river billions of years ago into a lake system at the western border of Jezero Crater. The fine-grained sediment deposited at the crater's base might have trapped ancient microbial life. This is an incredible opportunity for Perseverance to see if the conditions made life possible at some point on Mars.The Three Forks location will be the starting point for the rover's second science expedition, the "Delta Front Campaign," which began on April 18th. The team is currently assessing the best path to follow in order to climb the delta, which is roughly 130 ft (40 meters) higher than the crater floor. Perseverance can travel on two possible routes, called Cape Nukshak and Hawksbill Gap. Currently, scientists are betting on Hawksbill Gap since it would take the rover less time to travel across this path to reach the top of the delta.However, if additional data suggests the other route is better, the team might reconsider its options. On its way to the top, Perseverance will be busy drilling into ancient, unique rocks and collecting samples, which will be returned to Earth on a future mission Over a six-month period, the rover will collect up to eight samples until it reaches the top. On its way down, it will follow some other route and gather more samples. The machine's descent will kickstart another expedition named "Delta Top Campaign," which is also expected to last half a year."We will look for signs of ancient life in the rocks at the base of the delta, rocks that we think were once mud on the bottom of 'Lake Jezero.' Higher up the delta, we can look at sand and rock fragments that came from upstream, perhaps from miles away. These are locations the rover will never visit. We can take advantage of an ancient Martian river that brought the planet's geological secrets to us," said Ken Farley, Perseverance project scientist at Caltech in Pasadena.
While in Texas , whats ready of the plane was subjected to ground tests meant to validate its ability to withstand the loads and stresses of supersonic flight, and the fuel systems were calibrated.Moved from the Lone Star State to the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, the X-59 is now ready to be at the receiving end of some more ground test procedures, in light of what NASA say is the approaching full completion.The first actual flight of the thing is expected to take place by the end of the year, followed in 2023 by acoustic validation flights and flybys of populated areas in 2024. In 2027, as per the timetable released by the space agency, the achievements of the X-59 should be ready for review by the International Civil Aviation Organization and Federal Aviation Administration.If successful, the X-59 might open the doors to a new way of designing the airplanes of the future, the ones capable of going supersonic. While thats something we can easily achieve today, making these planes travel without the sonic boom associated with supersonic flight is what NASA is trying to do with the QueSST.Shaped in such as way as to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight, the plane should be able to be no louder than 60 dB, 30 dB lower than the Concorde.Presently, supersonic flight over land is prohibited on account of noise generated.
And earlier this week, an alleged change in the Google Maps satellite imagery caused a lot of buzz online, especially as its related to the current war in Ukraine.An unofficial account thats believed to be operated by the Ukrainian troops (though unofficial, the account has already been retweeted on several occasions by official Ukrainian accounts) announced earlier this week that Google Maps unblurred images of Russian military bases.In other words, Google Maps allegedly allowed anyone online to inspect Russias military facilities, all thanks to high-resolution satellite imagery that was now publicly available on the Internet.The announcement went viral, with several other high-profile Ukrainian figures then sharing the news on their own accounts. Some of the tweets also included images of alleged Russian military bases that were believed to be protected on Google Maps before the start of the war.But according to the Mountain View-based search giant, Google Maps hasnt actually received any change related to the satellite imagery in Russia. Google clearly explained that it hasnt implemented any blurring changes in Google Maps regarding its Russian coverage.In theory, this means that the images available online right now showing Russias military facilities have been there before the announcement released by the Ukrainian troops as well.However, there are users online who claim that some of the images havent been available before, though, given Googles statement, theres a chance these photos have never been blurred in the first place.Google typically blurs satellite images of military bases not only in Russia but all over the world, with some data removed on purpose specifically to protect critical information from becoming available online. However, unblurring images is something that almost never happens.
Historically, the first to have thought of flying airplanes to wow crowds were the French, who in 1931 formed what is to this day known as Patrouille de France. The following decade saw the birth of the U.S. Navys Blue Angels , which alongside South Africas Silver Falcons took Frances wow factor to a whole new level.It is generally agreed that the USAF Thunderbirds , formed in 1953, are the third major aerobatics teams still in operation to have been created, although the same year was the birth year for the Taiwanese Thunder Tiger Squadron, and the years before witnessed the arrival onto the scene of Britains Fighting Cocks and Meteorites, and the Pakistani Red Dragons and Paybills.It's unclear which of them was the first to use smoke in their shows, but, for what its worth, most of the others sank into oblivion, while the Thunderbirds kept flying, and are now one of the most spectacular teams in the skies over various air shows.A taste of that can be seen in the main photo of this piece, snapped by a USAF Senior Airman during the teams outing over Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, at the end of March.This time, were treated to a single Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon, making its way through the clouds of smoke others before it created, and spitting out its rear its own share of the stuff, on purpose and for show.As stated on the side of the Falcon, inside the cockpit sits Captain Daniel Katz, playing the role of the teams Opposing Solo pilot in plane No. 6. Until being selected for duty as an aerobatics pilot, he flew F-16s in Europe, as part of the 510th Fighter Squadrons missions out of Aviano, Italy.
WLTP

The chronology of defect begins in the latter part of 2018, when MBAG launched investigations based on field reports about vans fitted with backup cameras that may not display the rearview image due to a software issue.The supplier, Magna Electronics, promptly started the development of a more robust software that was launched into the series production of passenger cars in October 2019. A further software release with additional improvements rolled out in June 2020. During that period, Merc discovered through market observation that the issue may also affect passenger cars.The problem couldnt be systematically reproduced, but on the other hand, Mercedes-Benz noted that vehicles with the original software showed the subject condition. Come spring 2021, the German company discovered that vehicles with the first improved release may also lose the rearview image.Come April 2020, MBAG determined that a non-compliance cannot be ruled out. According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111, the rearview camera image needs to be available within two seconds from engaging reverse. The automaker points the finger at a deviation in the development process of the supplier. When the issue occurs, the central display would either continue to show the existing image or a black screen.From December 2018 to August 2021, Mercedes identified eight cases in the United States of America. Thankfully for everyone involved, there have been no reports of injuries or crashes associated with this uncanny issue.Affected vehicles were produced between the 2018 and 2021 model years, according to the attached document, which lists pretty much everything ranging from the A-Class Sedan to the GLS. Weirdly enough, even the EQC is listed although it was never sold in the United States because its not up to snuff. Assembled in Germany and China, the all-electric brother of the GLC is rated at 373 to 437 kilometers (232 to 272 miles) on theOwners will be notified of the recall campaign on June 7th.
A fighter jet losing communication and deviating from its flight plan  this isnt a scene from a war movie, but a scenario that was played out during Seihan River. It was a way to test the Quick Reaction Alert capabilities of the Typhoon jets arriving from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.Operated by Draken Europe, the Aggressor DA20 Falcon aircraft acted as the airborne threat. "It was phenomenal to see how quickly the QRA aircraft can intercept our Falcon. Within minutes of the Exercise starting, a Typhoon was alongside our aircraft running through the carefully rehearsed intervention procedures, said Mr. Heasman, DA20 Aircrewman.According to RAF , its Control and Reporting Centers are constantly monitoring the countrys airspace. When its necessary, the controllers at RAF Boulmer or Scampton scramble (quickly mobilize) the Typhoons so that they can intercept any unidentified or un-notified aircraft that is approaching. Indeed, these multi-role fighter jets are able to take off within minutes when needed.As the name suggests, the Quick Reaction Alert operations are meant to provide an immediate air counter-terrorism response to a threat. But they can also provide this kind of fast response to unauthorized airspace incursions taking place in other countries under NATO command and control.Exercises such as Seihan River are meant to not only test and refine the procedures and tactics of the National Air and Space Operations Center but also provide training for these types of QRA operations.The Eurofighter Typhoon, powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofans, can engage several target types. Its equipped with a Captor radar and a Pirate electro-optical targeting system, in addition to infrared-guided and radar-guided weapons.
FWD

4WD

In 2002, Ford decided to revive the RS (Rallye Sport) badge made famous by legendary homologation specials such as the RS200 , Sierra RS500 Cosworth, or Escort RS Cosworth. This time, it was donned by a two-door version of the compact Focus, the companys latest international model, which had won dozens of awards since its introduction in 1998.Like its spiritual successors, the new car was much more focused on performance (pun intended) than the plebian hatchback it was based on. In fact, according to the manufacturer, the limited-edition only shared 30% of the mechanicals with the standard model, while everything else was specifically designed to make it one of the most impressive hot hatches of its era.Developed by a joint team of mainstream Ford engineers and tuning experts from UK-based Tickford Engineering, the Focus RS was powered by a beefed-up version of the 2.0-liter Zetec inline-four.Codenamed Duratec-RS, the bespoke engine received revamped pistons, forged conrods, hardened valve seats, sodium-filled exhaust valves, and a stainless-steel exhaust system. However, the most notable addition was a forced induction system that included a Garrett turbocharger, an air-to-water intercooler, and an electric water pump.With all these upgrades, the unit could spit out 215 hp at 5500 rpm and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque at 3500 rpm. These figures werent particularly exciting, but the list of performance-oriented components didnt end with the engine.The car also received a five-speed MTX-75 gearbox with shorter gear ratios, a Quaife automatic torque biasing (ATB) differential, stiffer Sachs shocks, thicker anti-roll bars, Brembo brakes , and a quick ratio steering rack.Donning lightweight, 18-inch O.Z wheels as well as a set of custom, aggressive-looking bumpers, the RS stood 1-inch (25 mm) lower and was 2.5 inches (65 mm) wider than the stock Focus.Inside, it received a pair of very cool Sparco bucket seats that were upholstered in a mix of Alcantara and blue leather, but for some reason, engineers opted against redesigning the standard steering wheel , which was by far the ugliest part of the car.Produced from October 2, 2002, to November 11, 2003, in 4501 units, the Focus RS was only available in one metallic color called Imperial Blue. It was marketed throughout various European markets, but as many as 2,147 were examples were sold in the UK.One of these right-hand-drive variants surfaced on a used car website in England back in 2019. Virgil, a close friend of mine who was living in the UK at the time, saw it online and was immediately intrigued. Ignoring his brain and following his heart, he called the seller and scheduled a test drive . A week later, he had sold his RAV4, emptied his savings account, and alienated his wife in the process, but he was the proud owner of an iconic hot hatch.About two years ago, Virgil decided to spend his vacation in his native Romania, and, along with his family, he came home with his rabid Focus.To most people, Romania is almost synonymous with the legend of Dracula, but for some well-informed car nuts, the country is known for one of the most incredible mountain roads in the world. A 56-mile (90 km) of twists and turns that cross the Carpathian Mountains two highest peaks, the mighty Transfagarasan was the place where Virgil and I chose for a boys-only weekend.Each with his own car, we arrived there in the morning and were met by thick fog. Despite this, we managed to climb to the roads highest section, where we stopped to eat and pray for better weather. Fortunately, our prayers were answered about an hour later when the fog cleared and the sun peeked out of the clouds. As we were walking back to our cars, my good friend threw me the keys to the RS and said: Lets swap!.With Virgil ahead in my old E46 BMW and not much traffic, I tackled the first series of corners with caution. The car hugged the road at all times, braking was extremely responsive, and the steering surprisingly sharp, without the slightest trace of understeer. I got comfortable with it quickly, and with every turn, it seemed like it was asking me, is that all you got?As we got to a less difficult, dry section which featured an adequately long straight, I firmly gripped the steering wheel, said a short prayer, and floored it. The turbo kicked in, I got pushed back into the seat, and although the acceleration was nowhere near as dramatic as I would have expected, that torque biasing diff kept tugging at the steering wheel, which felt like trying to tame a wild horse.Half terrified, half intrigued, I kept my foot down and waited for the tach needle to reach the redline, even though part of my brain was telling me I should slow down. The next sharp turn was closer than I expected, and needless to say that I was going much faster than I should have been. Braking late and rather aggressively, I was expecting to get thrown into the barriers, but although I had to wrestle the Quaife yet again, the hot hatch stayed glued to the road, and with its front tires screeching, it attacked the thigh corner like a thoroughbred rally car.When we were finally off the Transfagarasan, I realized that I was fortunate enough to drive one of the most thrillingcars ever built and a worthy member of the Ford RS linage . Its nowhere near as powerful or maneuverable as theMk3I RS, but its ferocious, old-school manners make it instantly addictive.Today, a well-maintained example like Virgils is worth around 25,000 ($26,971), which is a bargain price for such an amazing vehicle. You can watch an honest review of one below, courtesy of JayEmm on Cars.
AV

Its unclear whether media millionaire Jim Gabbert owned Invader right from the start, but back in 2015, his impressive white superyacht could be admired in the Seattle area, where it spent the summer. At that time, the 164-footer (50 meters) was among Americas top 100 yachts.A media icon in California, Gabberts K101 radio station became the most popular one in San Francisco. Like most millionaires, he seems to also be passionate about luxury toys such as massive boats and private planes. Although it spent most of its time in U.S. waters, Invader has an Italian DNA. It was built by the well-known Codecasa shipyard in 1999 but also underwent an extensive refit in 2019, which is why it still looks fresh, modern, and welcoming.Its large enough to accommodate ten guests in five cabins, with up to 12 crew members on board also. The masters suite on the main deck features his-and-her marble bathrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, and an elegant office. According to Burgess , where Invader is listed for sale, the lounge on the upper deck features premiumsystems and a fully-equipped bar. A large jacuzzi, surrounded by raised sun pads on three sides, welcomes guests on the sun deck.This Codecasa creation was also used as a popular luxury charter yacht, so its equipped with an alluring range of water toys.According to The Business Journals , by 2015, Invader had already completed more than 11 trans-Atlantic crossings, so this superyachts performance is unquestionable. It can still hit 17 knots (19.5 mph/31 kph), boasting a range of 5,500 nautical miles (6,300 miles/10,100 km).Despite the venerable age of both the superyacht and its owner (Gabbert is 86-year-old), it looks like the media millionaire is ready to let this one go. The asking price is undisclosed, but Invader was previously estimated to be worth $40 million.
The vessel is a Fletcher-class destroyer that served in World War II and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1965. But as often is the case with military vessels, it is not the only one of its kind to wear this name.Presently, theres another USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) in the service of the American Navy, named after the same five brothers who lost their lives when the USS Juneau was sunk by the Japanese in 1942. Its an Arleigh Burke -class guided-missile destroyer commissioned in 1997, and this week, it came back from a very long, three-month assignment in the waters around Europe.The ship came back to Naval Station Mayport after it departed back in late January. During its time at sea, it traveled for 20,000 nautical miles (23,000 miles/37,000 km), touching the waters of the Irish, North and Baltic seas.The ship took part in NATO Exercise Dynamic Guard 2022 in the North Sea, and then operated with the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1, alongside German replenishment ship FGS Berlin (A1411), Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Van Amstel (F831), and the Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362).Like all other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (of which close to 70 are now active), the USS The Sullivans has a 6,800 long tons displacement and a length of 505 feet (154 meters). It can reach speeds of over 30 knots (35 mph/56 kph) and has a range of 4,400 nautical miles (5,063 miles/8,148 km).The vessel, on which over 300 people can serve, is loaded with weaponry, being capable of carrying vertical launching systems ready to fire an assortment of missiles (including Tomahawks), chain guns, the Phalanx CIWS defense system, and even torpedoes.The USS The Sullivans was the target of a failed al-Qaeda attack in 2000, and later, in the wake of the 2001 attacks, was involved in Operation Noble Eagle close to home, and Operation Enduring Freedom against targets in Afghanistan.
The Swedish manufacturer plans to invest in the pioneering battery technology through Volvo Cars Tech Fund, its venture capital arm, and boasts of being the first premium carmaker to do so. This decision comes as no surprise given that Volvo has clearly shared its future business direction with every opportunity, announcing that it plans to only sell pure electric cars by 2030. Moreover, by 2025, Volvo aims for half of its global volume to consist exclusively of electric vehicles.This recently announced partnership between StoreDot and Volvos Tech Fund aims to take the formers battery technology to the market as soon as possible, with mass production being targeted for 2024. Volvo also specifies that this collaboration secures its access to any resulting technology from the partnership.In other news, Volvo is also working on developing and producing its own battery cells, teaming up with Swedish battery developer Northvolt. The two plan to build a plant in Gothenburg (Sweden), a joint venture announced last year. The factory will deliver 50 GWh per year by 2025. In addition to the factory, they are also working on opening a research and development center at that same location, a facility that should become operational sometime this year. Together, they will create more than 3,000 new jobs in the area.Back to StoreDot s groundbreaking battery, it uses a unique silicon-dominant anode technology. The result is a battery that claims to offer a range of 160 km (100 miles) after just five minutes of charge. And this would be just the beginning, with the Israeli developer dreaming even bigger. The company promises that 10 years from now, its batteries will evolve to the stage where they will only require two minutes of charge to offer 100 miles of range.
HP

One of Kilmers followers asked him if the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla will beat the current 2022 Honda Civic Type R. He didnt take any time to think about it. The auto mechanic immediately pointed out that hes doubting the new Toyota.Scotty Kilmer admits that he might receive some hate from Toyota owners and fans. He says the three-cylinder turbocharged engine that puts out 300(304 PS) might prove to be good enough and it will provide the GR Corolla with enough speed, but the Civic Type-R is basically a street-legal racing machine.The mechanic-turned-YouTuber says this even though he doesnt like the performance-oriented Honda because of its sporty suspension setup. He underlines that the ride is too rough for his taste. Kilmer learned this the hard way because his wife had one.Just so you know, another fast Civic is coming our way. Its currently in the final testing phase and already established a new speed record at Suzuka . The hot hatch will join Hondas ranks soon.Scotty Kilmer argues the Civic Type R remains a baby racecar while underlining that the new GR Corolla wont be anything near what Honda has.The famous auto mechanic forgot to take into account that the GR Corolla is all-wheel drive, while the Civic Type R is just front-wheel drive. Traction matters when youre looking at launching properly and keeping power connected to the ground. Plus, Toyota has added a lot of new tech that allows you to switch to a more dynamic drive when you feel like it.One things for sure: we cant wait to see these two cars side by side. Japan is once again giving us a reason to celebrate the internal combustion engine until well all move to some sort of all-electric powertrain.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Mostly sunny. Becoming windy this afternoon. High 67F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 39F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
They called for a consistent implementation of Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements brokered by Moscow during and after the 2020 war in Karabakh. They also agreed to speed up the planned creation of a commission on demarcating Armenias border with Azerbaijan with Russian assistance.

The parties agreed to intensify trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in order to foster the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the region as a whole, Putin and Pashinian added in a joint declaration issued after their talks.

Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed to start drafting an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty and to set up the commission on the border demarcation during their April 6 talks in Brussels hosted by European Council President Charles Michel. The latter reaffirmed the European Unions readiness to facilitate the opening of transport links between the two South Caucasus states.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted on April 8 that Putin had already laid the groundwork for these agreements during his frequent contacts with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. Lavrov accused the EU of seeking to sideline Moscow and use the Karabakh conflict in the standoff over Ukraine.

A senior EU diplomat insisted shortly before Lavrovs comments that the EU and Russian efforts are not mutually incompatible.

In their joint statement, Putin and Pashinian stressed the importance of revitalizing the work of a Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental body dealing with practical modalities of reopening regional transport links. The working group has not met since December.

The statement made no explicit mention of the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. Lavrov said that Moscow is ready to help Yerevan and Baku create conditions for concluding such an accord.

In his opening remarks at the talks held in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow, Putin noted that many problems remain in the Karabakh conflict zone. He did not go into details.

The two leaders did not address the press in person after the talks.
In a joint statement issued after their talks held outside Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said the privileged alliance of their states will grow stronger.

Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinian expressed concern over the use of unilateral restrictive measures by a number of countries, they said, clearly referring to the Western sanctions. They expressed their intention to jointly overcome the challenges caused by these measures, including in the field of food and energy security of the two countries, logistics, etc.

In particular, they said, the two sides will continue to facilitate the flow of Russian investments in Armenia.

Visiting Moscow last week, Armenian Economy Minister Kerobian said that Russian-Armenian trade, which totaled over $2.5 billion last year, began falling in March. He said the two governments should work together to urgently eliminate the causes of the decline and restore growth.

Because of its close economic links with Russia, Armenia is expected to be significantly affected by the Western sanctions. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have forecast that the Armenian economy will barely grow this year.

In another veiled reference to the conflict in Ukraine, Putin and Pashinian expressed serious concern over the aggravating situation in the field of international security.

In this regard, the Parties intend to further strengthen cooperation in order to counter negative trends in this area, reads their joint statement.

The leaders proceed from the premise that no state, union or coalition can or should ensure its security at the expense of the security of other states, it adds, echoing a Russian argument against Ukraines membership in NATO.
Technician at Fort Sill installs a new energy-efficient HVAC system as part of the $325 million Solutions Investment by Corvias to enable energy resilience and modernization across six Army installations.
Butler Concrete and Aggregate celebrates the installation of a fuel enhancement system with a new concrete drum wrap design in collaboration with Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems Inc. The fuel enhancement system reduces carbon emissions during the transportation of concrete.
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  The Maine Legislature overwhelmingly approved a supplemental budget on Tuesday that includes $850 relief checks for most residents.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills proposed returning more than half of the $1.2 billion budget to residents, and the Legislature's appropriations committee unanimously adopted a bipartisan spending proposal with some changes.

Once the governor signs the budget, the checks will be mailed to more than 850,000 Mainers as early as June.

The measure was approved 119-16 in the House and 32-2 in a strong show of bipartisanship on Tuesday.

The payments came as the state dealt with an unprecedented surplus that was revised upward several times in recent months thanks to federal funding and increased tax revenues.

In addition to paybacks to Maine residents, the budget includes $20 million to fund two years of free community college for eligible graduating high school students between 2020 and 2023. It also includes $60 million to address contamination from so-called forever chemicals including PFAS.

It would also provide property tax relief for older Mainers and lower income tenants and homeowners, and would boost income tax exemptions for retiree pensions. It also includes assistance to child care workers.

Mills said she listened to Republicans who wanted to return some of the money to taxpayers. The payments had bipartisan support as the nation deals with inflationary pressures.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the value of the budget is $1.2 billion.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Ten people were shot and two others injured in a shooting at a busy shopping mall in South Carolinas capital that authorities do not believe was a random attack.

Three people who had firearms have been detained in connection with the Saturday afternoon shooting at Columbiana Centre, Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook said. He said at least one of those three people fired a weapon.

We dont believe this was random, Holbrook said. We believe they knew each other and something led to the gunfire.

Authorities said no fatalities have been reported but that eight of the victims were taken to the hospital. Of those eight, two were in critical condition and six were in stable condition, Holbrook said. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 73, he said.

Daniel Johnson said he and his family were visiting from Alabama and were eating in the food court when they first heard shots ring out and started seeing people running.

Johnson said people were screaming for their children and spouses, knocking over tables in the food court as they fled.

Everybody was trying to get outside, Johnson said. When I was coming out, you could see baby strollers turned over, peoples phones and left keys. It was kind of a hectic situation.

Johnson said he gathered his wife, daughter and son and began heading toward the exit after letting the crowd clear out for a bit.

My biggest thing was  and not to sound selfish  was to make sure that our family was OK and to get them out safely because this is not something that we love to do for Easter weekend.

Heavy police presence continued in the area hours after the shooting, though officers began letting more traffic through the streets surrounding the shopping centers and strip malls that are usually packed on weekends. Officers were also stationed outside a nearby hotel designated as a reunification area for people at the scene of the shooting and their families.

Workers from a couple of stores remained clustered in the mostly empty parking lot Saturday evening, waiting for police to let them back inside to retrieve their car keys and personal belongings so they could leave. They said they did not hear or see anything during the shooting but followed the malls alert system and were evacuated by police shortly after. They declined to give their names, citing company policies.

Todays isolated, senseless act of violence is extremely upsetting and our thoughts are with everyone impacted," Columbiana Centre said in a statement. "We are grateful for the quick response and continued support of our security team and our partners in law enforcement.

The shooting is the latest in a rash of shootings at or near malls across the country.

A 15-year-old boy was shot in the head Wednesday outside Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal Mall. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Officials said he was with a group of boys when they got into a dispute with a second group.

On Tuesday, a Southern California shoe store owner mistakenly shot a 9-year-old girl while firing at two shoplifters at the Mall of Victor Valley, police said.

And earlier this month, police said six people were killed and 12 others wounded in Sacramento, California, during a gunfight between rival gangs as bars closed in a busy area near the Downtown Commons shopping mall and the state Capitol.
Texans across the political spectrum know that our border with Mexico is crossed illegally by too many migrants and too many shipments of dangerous drugs. But Gov. Greg Abbott did nothing to improve the situation last week with two actions that were more political stunts than anything.

First, he sent three busloads of migrants to Washington, D.C., apparently to embarrass Democrats in Congress and the president.

Biden refuses to come see the mess hes made at the border, Abbott posted on Twitter, along with a link to a Fox News story. So Texas is bringing the border to him.

That may seem like good political theater, but it doesnt really accomplish anything.

The migrants were sent to Washington a voluntary basis after being processed and released by the Department of Homeland Security. In effect, they could have gone anywhere in the country as long as they complied with any instructions issued to them upon their release from custody.

But as unstatesmanlike as that was, his other gesture was even worse. Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to dramatically increase inspections of commercial vehicles entering Texas from Mexico, and the result was chaos. Predictably, long lines of trucks developed at every crossing where the enhanced inspections were taking place.

Mexican truckers were obviously frustrated by this unnecessary delay, but so were many Texans who wanted the products the trucks were bringing.

Dante Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas Independent Producers Association, said the logjam had tied up $30 million in fresh produce, much of which was spoiling while the delay dragged on.

The critics even included Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a fellow Republican, who told Abbott in an open letter, Your inspection protocol is not stopping illegal immigration. It is stopping food from getting to grocery store shelves and in many cases causing food to rot in trucks  many of which are owned by Texas and other American companies.

Finally, Abbott heard the chorus of protests and backed down. He signed agreements with several Mexican governors to increase border inspections and security on their side, and that could help reduce drug smuggling and illegal crossings. But the deals seemed more like something Abbott could hang his hat on to declare some kind of victory.

Democrats were sharply critical of these moves, but their party is hardly blameless in our ongoing border crisis. President Biden is about to end an administrative procedure known as Title 42 that allowed U.S. officials to deny entry to large numbers of migrants when COVID-19 cases were soaring. But as the pandemic has waned, that approach can no longer be used.

Yet the end of Title 42 will almost certainly mean a surge in illegal crossing, and even many moderate Democrats are uneasy about that prospect. They want the president to do something else to control the border when Title 42 is lifted, but so far Biden has not indicated he will do anything.

Thats not good. But some wise advice about chronic problems is that if you cant make them better, at least dont make them worse. Going forward, Gov. Abbott should remember that.
In one sense Twitter and Elon Musk are made for each other. Both are overrated, annoying and rolling in cash. And thats coming from someone (PoliticalTom) who actually uses the platform several times a day to dispense pearls of wisdom. (Hey, someones gotta do it.)

But Musk is not the right person to save Twitter. More accurately, it needs an overhaul to figure out how to filter out the crazies (Holocaust deniers, flat-earthers) while still allowing robust political discussion of controversial topics.

It has a lot of the latter these days, but many conservatives correctly complain that their Tweets are blocked or their accounts suspended while liberals get a pass for similar offenses. In fact, thats one of the things Musk is promising to do if he ever gets control of Twitter  reopen the platform to almost everyone and every Tweet.

It sounds nice in theory, but past experience has shown that the crazies and haters can crowd out mainstream users and basically ruin the whole thing for everyone.

The beauty of Twitter is not that its just the largest such platform (73 million American users, 22% of the population) but that it has the greatest variety of political viewpoints. Similar sites like Tumblr, Gettr, etc. are targeted at conservatives  and in most cases, extreme conservatives.

There is some valuable content on them, but they are information silos: People of one viewpoint talking to people of the same viewpoint, echoing each other and perpetuating the same truths and untruths.

Musk is the most colorful and interesting billionaire out there, but he would basically ruin Twitter if he ever snagged it. Fortunately, his latest venture to do just that was typical Musk  heavy on the hype, but light on substance.

He has only about $3 billion cash on hand, and buying Twitter would cost $43 billion. He could sell a lot of Tesla stock with his net worth of $259 billion, but lately its looking likes hes grown bored with his latest publicity stunt and will be moving on to something else.

Running a modern social media platform like Twitter is actually like running an old-fashioned information provider like newspapers. You want to be open and daring, but sometimes you have to draw a line and say no to nonsense.

So if you want to help Elon Musk, buy a Tesla. It will make him even richer, and maybe help him do something useful like colonizing Mars. I hope he stays on Twitter as a user  but never an owner.

Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom
Bangladesh Border Guard personnel keep watch over Rohingya who are stuck in no mans land as they stop them from crossing over to the Bangladesh side of the border in Coxs Bazar, Aug. 27, 2017.

Bangladesh officials on Tuesday announced an extension until 2024 for a road-building project in the remote Chittagong Hill Tracts and Coxs Bazar, saying the improved infrastructure would help combat illegal smuggling across the nearby frontiers with Myanmar and India, among other uses.

An army-run initiative, which was to have wrapped up in June 2021, is being extended to June 2024 and will more than double in price, to 38.6 billion taka (U.S. $448 million), they said.

Bangladeshs southeast has 210 km (130 miles) of land border with Myanmar and 330 km (205 miles) with India. Insurgents, such as the Arakan Army from Myanmar, have slipped across the porous borders, according to an analyst, even attacking Bangladeshi border guards on at least one occasion.

On Tuesday, the National Economic Council Executive Committee, headed by the prime minister, approved the updated proposal for the road system in the hilly and largely inaccessible southeastern region, Shahedur Rahman, the planning ministrys spokesman, told BenarNews.

He said the project, approved at an earlier committee meeting, was supposed to finish by 2021, but would end in June 2024 after the extension approval. The system is to connect all roads along the bordering areas of four southeastern districts and ultimately link with the regions existing road system.

According to a copy of the updated proposal obtained by BenarNews, the roads and highways department is to build a 317-km (197-mile) border road in three districts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts  Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban  and Coxs Bazar district along its frontiers with Myanmar and northeastern Indian states.

The hills and dense forest in the region hamper Border Guard Bangladesh efforts. In 2020, the government for the first time acquired two helicopters for the BGB along the southeastern border.

There is no road in this highly inaccessible and hilly region; our soldiers need to walk at least eight hours to cross 1 km. The distance between two BGB border outposts in this region ranges between 4 and 6 km, depending on terrain, Lt Col. Foyzur Rahman, the BGB operations director, told BenarNews.

Construction of the border road would enable our soldiers to reach one outpost to another very easily and quickly, making guarding the border[s] an easier task. The smuggling of arms and narcotics would stop, he said.

Many security considerations

The original timeline for the road ran from January 2018 to June 2021 and set the project cost at nearly 17 billion taka ($197 million), according to the document. But that deadline passed before the project was finished  the government estimates more than 30 percent of the project has been completed.

The new timeline runs through June 2024 and increases the cost.

A.K.M. Manir Hossain Pathan, chief engineer of the roads and highways department, said his department had been constructing the border road system with assistance from the armys engineering corps.

The border road involved many security considerations which the roads and highways department engineers are not supposed to be involved with. Therefore, we have been implementing the project through the Bangladesh Army, he told BenarNews.

The inaccessible hilly terrain has slowed the implementation of the border road project. Getting machines, construction materials and the engineers and workers [to] the site is a herculean task so the projects deadline has been extended to June 2024, he said.

In addition to the road project, the proposal calls for establishing improved communication links in Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Coxs Bazar districts and establishing government control in the bordering areas through heightening security measures.

Such measures would be used to combat the smuggling of illegal arms, narcotics and human trafficking at the border, it said.

The proposal also says construction of helipads and security enclosures have been added to the original project.

Cross-border infiltration

Separatist groups have taken advantage of the rugged and remote terrain. On Aug. 25, 2015, a group of Arakan Army insurgents from the other side of the Myanmar border attacked BGB in Bandarban district, injuring two soldiers.

The border road would benefit Bangladesh, said retired Maj. Gen. K. Mohammad Ali Sikder, a security analyst.

The terrain along the border in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Coxs Bazar has been very tough and inaccessible. Exploiting this tough hilly terrain, the cross-border criminal syndicates carry out smuggling of arms, narcotics and other contraband while different separatist groups move freely between countries, he told BenarNews.

The members of the Arakan Army very often enter Bangladesh territory from Myanmar as the BGB members cannot guard all the time, and the anti-Bangladesh groups easily cross into Myanmar, he said. After completion of the road, the movement of the criminals and separatist groups would stop.
Chito Sta. Romana, the Philippine ambassador to China, speaks during a forum on the South China Sea, in Manila, Feb. 19, 2018.

The Philippine ambassador to Beijing, Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana, has died in China, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday without revealing information about the cause of death.

The envoy, a former newsman and ex-bureau chief in Beijing for the American ABC News network, had served as the Duterte administrations envoy to China since 2016. He was 74.

It is with the inconsolable grief of the secretary and the profoundest sadness that the Department of Foreign Affairs announces the demise of Philippine ambassador to China, His Excellency Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana, the Philippine foreign office said in a statement.

Local news reports said Romana died Monday in the Chinese city of Huangshan where he was completing a 21-day quarantine after traveling from the Philippines with Filipino Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who visited China for talks with his counterpart, Wang Yi.

The Philippine Embassy in Beijing was coordinating with the Chinese authorities to repatriate the ambassadors remains, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Sta. Romana was appointed as Manilas envoy to Beijing in December 2016 in recognition of his deep knowledge of Chinas history and people, the department said.

[W]e honor his important legacy of selfless service to the Filipino in the most challenging foreign post, it said.

In Beijing, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, which in recent years had traded verbal blows with Manila over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, heaped praise on Sta. Romana.

He worked and lived in China for many years and was our old friend and good friend. After assuming the post of the Philippine ambassador to China in 2017, [sic] he worked actively and industriously, making important contributions to promoting bilateral relations and friendship between our two peoples, Wang Wenbin said in the statement.

We are deeply grieved by the loss of a good friend and extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.

Broadcast career

Jim Laurie, a former ABC News correspondent who set up the networks bureau in China, paid tribute to Sta. Romana on Facebook as a kind, compassionate and extraordinary knowledgeable man. He said Sta. Romana died while completing his mandatory quarantine in a hotel.

He joined ABC News a few years after I set up the bureau in 1981. And remained there through numerous correspondents and visiting producers well into the 2000s, Laurie said.

As the Beijing bureau chief for ABC News, Sta. Romana covered China as a producer and reporter from 1989 until his retirement in November 2010.

He reported on major stories such as the Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown in 1989, the crisis in Sino-U.S. relations in 1999 and 2001, the economic rise of China, and the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Chinas envoy to Manila, Huang Xilian, was among those paying homage to Sta. Romana.

I greatly value our time working together and will always be grateful for his friendship and undeniable contribution to the development of China-Philippines relations, Huang said in a statement.

Sta. Romana was among the first Filipinos to visit China as part of the Philippine Youth Delegation in 1971. Stuck there the following year when Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, he studied Mandarin.

He was appointed ambassador in December 2016, months after President Rodrigo Duterte took office and the Philippines won an international arbitration court ruling that invalidated Chinas expansive claims to the disputed South China Sea region.

The ambassador steered bilateral relations despite those territorial differences. Under his tenure, ties flourished all the more in maturity and were deeply strengthened, the Philippine foreign office said.

Sta. Romana was present in 2019 when Duterte decided to confront Xi about the ruling, years after he shelved the decision in order to foster closer ties with Beijing.

I think the first three years he has exerted a lot of the diplomatic capital to build a reservoir of goodwill and friendship with President Xi, Sta. Romana said at the time.

And so he has decided that its the time to include in the diplomatic agenda and in the discussions sensitive issues that may have caused misunderstanding if they were brought up in the past, he said.
Labor leader and 2022 presidential candidate Leody de Guzman speaks during a protest to mark the 73rd International Human Rights Day, at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Dec. 10, 2021.

Updated at 7:48 p.m. ET on 2022-04-20

Leody de Guzman, a labor leader and Filipino presidential candidate in the May 2022 general election, along with two senatorial hopefuls survived unscathed after gunmen fired at their group Tuesday as they met with indigenous farmers in the southern Philippines.

Several other people were reported injured in the shooting incident in the village of San Jose in Bukidnon, a province on Mindanao Island.

De Guzman, a 62-year-old activist who is a familiar face at labor-rights rallies in the Philippines, was meeting with leaders and members of the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe to discuss how they could reclaim their ancestral lands in a land dispute, when gunfire erupted. Shots can be heard in a Facebook live-streaming video of the event, where people are seen scampering and taking cover.

Thank you to those who were concerned for our safety, De Guzman said afterwards in a message on Twitter. He and his two companions, Senate candidates Roy Cabonegro and David DAngelo, were unhurt in the incident, he said. D'Angelo later posted the video on his Facebook page and urged people to disseminate it (see a clip from the video below).

The one beside me who was hit was Nanie Abela, a farmer organizer in Mindanao. A leader of the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe was also a casualty, De Guzman said in Tagalog.

De Guzman said the gunshots lasted about 10 minutes as he and the farmers lay on the ground for cover. When the firing ended, he and the rest of his party and the farmers stood up and got out of the contested land.

While De Guzman was not deliberately targeted in the shooting, Tuesdays incident marked the first time that a presidential candidate was shot at in the Southeast Asian country.

Later in the day, CNN Philippines reported that at least 5 people were hurt in the shooting.

Philippine National Police spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the incident in San Jose happened at half past noon, when a group of tribal petitioners, including De Guzman and his companions, allegedly forced their way onto private property, provoking a confrontation with security guards.

The security personnel fired a warning shot to stop them from advancing. The tribal people put up a flag, and that was when the violence began. The personnel opened fire that led to the casualties, she told reporters in Manila.

Fajardo said tensions had been simmering due to the land dispute, which is now with the local courts. The same group had also previously tried to barge into the property, Fajardo said.

De Guzmans presence in the area may have led to agitation on the part of the tribal folk who eventually entered the property, Fajardo said.

We dont like to give this a bad meaning, and we would like to give due respect to Ka Leody, who was there to talk to the tribal folks who have a claim on the land, the police spokesman said, as she appealed for calm.

Leody De Guzman (far right) holds consultations with farmers in a remote Bukidnon farm in the southern Philippines, April 18, 2022. [Basilio Sepe/BenarNews]

In Manila, acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar called on local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

Violence has no place in any civilized society, and we condemn the incident in Bukidnon where gunshots were allegedly fired against the camp of Ka Leody de Guzman, Andanar said in a statement.

Philippine voters are to go to the polls on May 9 to choose a successor for President Rodrigo Duterte and his deputy, along with 12 of the 24 members of the Senate, all 316 members of the House of Representatives as well as thousands of officials, who range from provincial governors and town mayors to village chiefs and councilors.

Gun violence and politics-related killings are common, especially during electoral seasons, in Southeast Asian countries.

Twenty-three people were killed and 50 injured during mid-term polls in 2019, and as many as 50 people died in poll-related violence during the 2016 presidential election, according to statistics from the Philippine National Police.

Police had said last year that, before the 2022 polls, they were looking at dismantling more than 150 known private armed groups nationwide known to be controlled by politicians.

These guns-for-hire exist because of the long-running gun culture in the Philippines, coupled with the presence of feuding clans in tribal areas and rival political dynasties trying to outdo each other, police had said at the time.

Jojo Rinoza and Jeoffrey Maitem contributed to this report from Manila and Cotabato City, southern Philippines.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Native Americans marching in support of one of several tribal sovereignty bills pass by the governor's mansion on April 11, 2022, in Augusta, Maine. On Monday, April 18, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt the Penobscot Indian Nation a blow by rejecting its appeal over ownership and regulation of the tribe's namesake river.
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
FILE - Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks to the Atlantic Council, on April 13, 2022, in Washington. Yellen plans to meet with Ukraine's prime minister Denys Shmyhal during this week's spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington. At the same time, she'll be trying to avoid contact with Russian officials who plan attend some Group of 20 portions of the event.
PITTSFIELD  The federal government now says Berkshire County is at medium risk for the transmission of COVID-19  a status shared, as of last week, by just 5 percent of U.S. counties.

That may sound worse than it is.

Quote Tallies of the virus in Pittsfield wastewater, a reliable predictor of future positive tests, have found increasing concentrations this month.

The number of new cases is nowhere near the spikes of the omicron surge in January, and even when people fall ill, vaccines and use of immunotherapy treatments are keeping hospitalizations down. The total of newly confirmed daily cases nationally is at its lowest level since last summer.

Still, tallies of the virus in Pittsfield wastewater, a reliable predictor of future positive tests, have found increasing concentrations this month, up nearly threefold since late March, amid evidence that the highly transmissible omicron subvariant known as BA.2 is now the form blamed for most new infections, particularly on the East Coast.

For the week ending Friday, Berkshire County saw 294 newly confirmed cases. New cases are up 54 percent over two weeks, while hospitalizations have dropped by 27 percent, according to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention data.

In the prior week, the county added two COVID-19 deaths, for a total of 373.

The state Department of Public Health did not update its COVID-19 dashboard on Monday because of the Patriots Day holiday.

In Massachusetts, the average number of new cases climbed 77 percent in the last two weeks, though the overall count is relatively low, at 30 per 100,000 people, or just over 2,000. Hospitalizations in the state were up 36 percent over two weeks, according to data assembled by The New York Times.

As of Friday, Berkshire Medical Center was caring for three inpatients with COVID-19. In the previous week, it reported a patient census of four with the virus, compared to 12 over the last two weeks. The 14-day rate of test positivity was 8.8 percent as of Friday, according to the hospitals online report.

When the CDC listed Berkshire County as an area at medium risk, it came in second to Suffolk County on one common measure of disease incidence: the 14-day daily average per 100,000 population. Berkshire County showed 25 on that scale, behind Suffolk County at 28.7 and a nose ahead of Middlesex County at 24.9.

The CDC lists communities as being at low, medium or high risk. The government revised the way it calculated those categories and now includes in its formula the number of available inpatient hospital beds in use and hospital admissions.

CDC tips

In communities listed as medium risk, the CDC has a message, but it mainly concerns people already at elevated risk.

The CDC recommends the following: People should keep current with recommended vaccines. On that front, Berkshire County continues to lag other parts of the state.

Though the state no longer has a mask mandate for indoor public spaces, the CDC says people should don them if they have symptoms, have tested positive or been exposed to someone with the virus.

People at high risk for severe illness, the agency says, should consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.

Quote Nationally, signals are mixed.

Around the country, headlines show public policy on COVID-19 moving in different directions.

On Monday, the city of Philadelphia reinstated a mandate to wear masks inside at public places, roughly a month after that rule had been lifted.

Nationally, signals are mixed. Though the CDC recently extended an order requiring masks on public transit, including airplanes, through May 3, a federal judge in Florida struck down that order.

The judge, Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, said the mask mandate exceeded the federal governments authority under a public health law from 1944. The CDC has said masking is needed as it determines the threat posed by the latest subvariant.

In late February, the CDC eased rules on masking, including in western Massachusetts.

Cases are rising on the East Coast, more than doubling, since April 1, in Rhode Island and in Washington, D.C., according to data from The New York Times.

Experts note that the popularity and availability of in-home tests for COVID-19 may result in an undercount of positive cases.
DALTON  Nearly a year ago, the mother of a young Dalton woman sued the town and members of its police force for more than $3.7 million, claiming they should have done more to protect her daughter on the night in late 2019 when she was found to have died by suicide.

The U.S. District Court magistrate overseeing the case says the man Sherilyn Hayes lived with will remain a defendant. And Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson has approved a timetable that will bring the case to trial in mid-2023.

In a recent order, Robertson rejected a request from an attorney for Kyle Nutting, Sherilyn Hayes boyfriend at the time of her death, that she reconsider her decision not to remove Nutting from the case.

Robertson also approved deadlines that will require lawyers for all the parties, including the town of Dalton, to finish the discovery process of the trial, in which the legal adversaries gather facts from one another, by Dec. 30. In the five months that follow the deadline, through May 2023, they must find and depose all the experts that could be called to testify.

Just about a year from now, by May 1, the lawyers must file final motions  at which point Hayes mother, Patricia, will see her case go to trial.

She filed suit May 7, 2021, 18 months after her daughters death, claiming that instead of going to the scene of a reported domestic dispute, a Dalton cop tried to protect the reputation of a fellow officer, Nutting, and then engaged in a cover-up.

Hayes lawsuit says that if Dalton police had gone to her daughters apartment  as a concerned neighbor urged, and as police policy dictates in domestic incidents  they might have saved Sherilyn Hayes life.

The original suit named the towns of Dalton and Peru, four people who worked at the time for the Dalton Police Department and Nutting, then an officer with the town of Peru.

Nutting lived with Sherilyn Hayes and was identified in an emergency call on the night of Nov. 23, 2019, as having been involved in an argument with Hayes. The suit named John M. Marley and Police Chief Jeffrey Coe, both of whom left the force in the wake of the incident.

Marley never went to Hayes home to check on her well-being, according to an outside investigator hired by the town of Dalton.

The suit also named Frank M. Speth III, a dispatcher, and officer Dylan Bencivenga.

In February, an attorney for Nutting asked Robertson to reconsider her decision to keep Nutting in the case in connection with the lawsuits claim that his conduct, on the night Sherilyn Hayes died, constituted gross negligence and that the lawsuits claim of wrongful death should go forward against him.

Nuttings lawyer, Keith A. Minoff, argued that evidence against his client was insufficient. Robertson denied the motion for reconsideration.

Timothy M. Burke, the lawyer for Patricia Hayes, opposed the motion for reconsideration, arguing that Nutting was aware of the risk that Hayes might harm herself.

Archives Dalton officer loses job over lax response to suicide call

Burke wrote that his client has sufficiently pled that Nuttings negligence was the cause, or a significant contributing factor to the decedents uncontrollable suicidal impulse; and that his intentional conduct caused severe emotional distress that was a substantial factor in bringing about the suicide.  It is premature to deny Plaintiff the ability to conduct discovery that would allow her to shed light on Defendant Nuttings conduct and its cause and effect on Ms. Hayes loss of life.

The town of Dalton, Speth and Bencivenga are represented by David Lawless and Nancy Frankel Pelletier of Robinson Donovan in Springfield.

Marley is represented by Alexandra Gill of Louison, Costello, Condron & Pfaff of Boston.
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.
LENOX  Bradley Cooper is looking for Berkshire County residents to appear as background performers for his upcoming Netflix film Maestro, a biopic about Leonard Bernstein.

The film, which Cooper will star in and direct, will begin filming in May, with scenes shot on the Tanglewood grounds May 21-26, according to a casting call for the Lenox shoot. Grant Wilfley Casting, out of New York City, is handling the casting. For more information, email your name, phone number, age range, location, union status and a photo of yourself to maestro@gwcnyc.com.

The team behind Maestro is looking for local actors for scenes set in the 1940s and 1980s. For 1940s scenes, men must be comfortable receiving a period haircut and have natural colored hair. No buzz cuts, crew cuts, shaved heads, etc. Women must have natural-colored hair and preferably above shoulder-length. For 1980s scenes, we are looking for men with longer/shaggy hair and women with natural colored hair, all lengths, according to the casting post.

Bernsteins career began and ended at Tanglewood. He was in the first class at the Tanglewood (then Berkshire) Music Center, in 1940 and for the next 50 years he returned to Tanglewood most summers.

Cooper  who is no stranger to the Berkshires after starring in The Elephant Man at Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2012  told Mahershala Ali, as part of Varietys Actors on Actors series, that he had always wanted to be a conductor as a child. So, when Steven Spielberg approached Cooper about a possible role of Bernstein, the actor asked if he could not only star in it, but direct it.

Steven has a lot of interests  hell just choose one thing and all of the other things will be on hold, Cooper said in the interview. I think he knew he wasnt going to make that movie for a while. He was kind enough to hand it off to me, and thats what Ive been doing for the last four and a half years, and we start shooting in May.

This will be Coopers first directorial effort since A Star Is Born, which also included a role for Lenoxs own Rebecca Field.

No release date has been announced for the film.
Ruth Bass is an award-winning journalist. Her website is www.ruthbass.com. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.
LEWISTON - Idaho Gives is an annual program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center designed to bring the state together by raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits. During Idaho Gives, residents are encouraged to donate to a participating nonprofit organization. This year, donations for Idaho Gives will be collected between May 2-5, 2022.

Since the program began in 2013, Idaho Gives has raised more than $15 million in donations to benefit Idahos communities.

All Idaho Gives donations are tax deductible. Donations can be provided by visiting Idahogives.org. Simply visit the website, type in the name of the organization you would like to donate to, and click on the donate page.

"On behalf of all the participating nonprofits in Idaho, I want to say thank you to our wonderful donors, volunteers and community members who make our work possible," said Gabe Iacoboni, Executive Director at the Willow Center for Grieving Children. "We could not do it without you. We humbly ask for your support from May 2-5, 2022. Lets make our community better."
BOISE - The State Board of Education will this week consider temporarily changing the way Idaho funds K-12 schools, fee increases at four-year institutions and an appeal from an embattled charter school hoping to avoid a permanent closure.

The State Boards meeting is set for Wednesday and Thursday at the University of Idaho.

The event will be live streamed both days here. EdNews will have coverage. Go here for meeting materials.

A few things to watch for:

Thursday: another one-year K-12 funding overhaul?

The State Board will again consider a temporary rule to use student enrollment, not average daily attendance, to carve up K-12 tax dollars for the 2022-23 school year.

The State Board approved the switch in each of the last two school years in an effort to delink school funding from volatile pandemic-era attendance numbers.

Lawmakers this session approved a bill to make that switch permanent, but Gov. Brad Little vetoed it last month, saying hed support another temporary switch if attendance dropoffs surface.

If approved, the change would expire after the 2023 Legislature adjourns.

Wednesday: possible fee hikes at four-year institutions

Earlier this year, Idahos college and university presidents pledged not to ask the State Board for increases to undergraduate resident tuition  for the third straight year.

But the institutions are asking for increases in mandatory consolidated student fees that fall into four standardized fee categories:

Student enrollment, engagement and success.

Institutional operations, services and support.

Student health and wellness.

Student government.

Earlier this year, the State Board revised a policy to let students opt out of fees that support certain student activities, clubs and organizations.

Thursday: a charter schools appeal to stay open

An online school of some 500 K-12 students is asking the State Board to reconsider a prior order that it close its doors for good this summer.

Another Choice Virtual Charter School is appealing the Idaho Public Charter School Commissions Feb. 11 decision to not renew the schools performance certificate. The commission cited problems ranging from low and stagnant student achievement to various board and administrative oversight issues.

The commissions decision included a directive for the school to begin closure procedures on June 30.

State Board staff recommends the appointment of a hearing officer as a first step in considering Another Choices appeal. The appointed officer would be required to hold a public hearing within 43 days of Thursdays State Board meeting, and make a recommendation to the board, which would have final say.

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Launch of novel stent technology with 10-year safety and efficacy data adds further momentum to the company's global growth journey

New Delhi-based Translumina has launched VIVO ISAR, its latest generation dual drug polymer-free coated stent (DDCS), in various international markets including Europe.

VIVO ISAR is the first Dual Drug Polymer-Free Coronary Stent technology, which brings together a stent with a superior safety profile without compromising the drug release kinetics.

VIVO ISAR is the first technology that uses Probucol, an antioxidant and lipid-lowering drug, as a carrier for releasing Sirolimus (an anti-restenotic drug) and thus creates a polymer-free DES platform with uncompromised safety and efficacy.

Translumina has launched VIVO ISAR in Italy & Spain and plans to roll it out in several markets across Europe, Latin America and APAC over the coming months.
India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre in collaboration with AIIMS Jodhpur and AstraZeneca India launches this programme

India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre, a collaboration between the Swedish Trade Commissioners Office, AIIMS New Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur, has launched Skill For Scale, an e-learning initiative designed to equip nurses with hands-on practical knowledge and skills to practice latest patient care for managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

This programme is certified by AIIMS Jodhpur and is endorsed by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to allow nurses from across the country to register for free, learn at their own pace.

The content and modules are created by the team of experts from AIIMS Jodhpur and an advisory board with representation from AIIMS Delhi, ICMR, DGHS, Indian Nursing Council (INC) and AstraZeneca. These modules will equip nurses to provide standardized and quality counselling, care and support services to the people to prevent and manage Diabetes. Subsequently, these trainings will be extended to other areas of NCDs in the subsequent phases like Hypertension, Cardiovascular and Oncology.

With a multi-phased approach, the Skill for Scale program is aimed to upskill 5000 nurses across the country within this year by converting the current theoretical and practical modules into easy interactive e-learning techniques.
Heineken South Africa recently hosted a government delegation from the Flanders region of Belgium for a tour of a newly constructed water reclamation plant at Sedibeng Brewery. The water treatment plant was constructed in 2020 by the Flemish company Waterleau, a global water technology company specialising in design and construction of water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.

The Water Reclamation Plant at Heineken South Africas Sedibeng Brewery

Delegation including the Flanders Government, and local key stakeholders

The visit by the Flemish-Belgian government led by His Excellency Minister-President Jan Jambon, was part of a showcase by Waterleau of its successful water projects in South Africa, of which the water treatment plant in Sedibeng is one.Amongst the key stakeholders in attendance were the Midvaal executive mayor, Peter Teixeira; the diplomatic representative of the Government of Flanders in South Africa, Dr Geraldine Reymenants; City of Johannesburg councillor, Michael Sun; as well as the representatives from Rand Water and Johannesburg Water.The Sedibeng Brewery water reclamation plant is one aspect of Heinekens global Brew a Better World strategy for 2030. It aims to drive progress towards a net zero, fairer and more balanced world. This strategy is of immense benefit to local communities around its breweries, such as the Midvaal communities who were represented at the occasion, because of its critical goal of conserving local water supplies and wetlands.Central to this strategy is reducing Heinekens reliance on local water supplies, by rather reclaiming used water. With this plant, up to 30% of the brewery water intake is saved, producing up to 45,000m per month of potable water, equivalent to 18 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water each month. Heineken, one of the major brewers in Africa and the world, has done over 30 such projects across Africa with Waterleau Group, said Vinicius Genio de Almeida, Heineken South Africas Supply Chain director. De Almeida noted that the food and beverage sector needs large amounts of water for production, and as Southern Africa is ranked by Bloomberg as becoming one of the most drought stressed regions in the world by 2050, Heineken sought such innovative solutions to reduce its water usage.De Almeida also noted that the companys investment in local infrastructure was part of its commitment made to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the governments annual investment conferences. Water is central to local communities but also key to the beer brewing process: The brewery produces eight million hectolitres of beer and other products annually. Each bottle of beer requires four litres of water. The goal of this project was therefore to reduce the water content from four litres per bottle to 2.5 litres. This project talks to the responsibility Heineken has to the environment and local communities.Jambon described the involvement of his government as being one of its initiatives to combat the impact of climate change on the environment. This is best achieved, as with this project, in implementing effective technology and innovations. We see our contribution as developing such technologies locally in Flanders, and then taking these to the rest of the world in this manner.Water recovery has become ever more accessible in recent years in the food and beverage industry as the technology has evolved to be able to provide the extremely high-quality standard required in a brewery.Bart Goedseels, CEO of Waterleau, described the technology of the effluent treatment plant. It consists of anaerobic and aerobic technology, not only purifying the effluent up to river discharge limits, but also converting this pollution into biogas. The water discharge limits are strict, with chemical oxygen demand below 75ppm (parts per million) and suspended solids below 15ppm. Furthermore, all nitrogen and phosphorus is removed.This biogas on the other hand is collected in the anaerobic treatment stage and sent back to the brewery boilers. At full production capacity, it saves 15-20% of the brewerys natural gas demand. Instead of sending the purified effluent to discharge, we then added the water reclamation plant. In this plant, the water is further treated up to potable water standards, by ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.In these steps, all the last pollutants are taken out of the water, resulting in 100% pathogen and virus free drinking water following the strictest World Health Organisation standards, it is only used as utilities water in the brewery. Though the water is not used by the community as drinking water, it nonetheless reduces demand on community drinking water resources, resulting in less drought stress on the region.Mayor Teixeira acknowledged Heineken and the Flanders government, saying his municipality had considerable interest in such technologies to improve access to water.
Urban Zulu, a pan-African clothing brand has partnered with Nubian Hueman, a modern boutique store featuring African apparel based in Washington DC in the United States of America.

Urban Zulu is an Afrocentric fashion brand specialising in ready-to-wear clothes, as well as bespoke clothing and accessory designs. The name Urban Zulu embodies the ideal of the Urban Heaven. Inspired by the spiritual, connected to the beauty and texture of the physical, Urban Zulu reflects the balance between the higher ideals of love and unity and practical functionality. The Urban element of the brand speaks to the fast-paced lifestyle demands of modern living.After dropping out of university due to a lack of funds, Papy Kaluw, Urban Zulu founder, taught himself how to hold a hand needle, and nearly two decades later is taking his brand to the world. The Pan African clothing brand has partnered with Nubian Hueman, a modern boutique store featuring African apparel based in Washington DC, USA.The roots of Urban Zulu have always been about African people uniting, says Kaluw.He adds that this partnership allows Africans and those with African roots, no matter where they are to experience Urban Zulu and be united through clothes.The partnership will allow Urban Zulu to have a physical presence and a store in Washington DC.
Chinas space program: achievements and contributions for the shared future of mankind

16:18, April 19, 2022 By Sugath Ratnayake ( People's Daily Online

Chinese astronauts (from left) Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu of the Shenzhou XIII spaceship complete their six-month space station mission, returning to Earth safely on Saturday. The mission sets a record for the duration in orbit of Chinese astronauts. [Photo/Xinhua]

Last Saturday marked yet another important day to showcase to the world the pride and determination of the Chinese people. On that day, China successfully completed its Shenzhou-13 mission, marking several new milestones in the countrys quest for space exploration.

Achievements and future plans

The success of the Shenzhou-13 mission highlights the reality of China's technological breakthroughs and demonstrates the capabilities and utility of its space program.

The three Chinese astronauts completed a six-month mission on the Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft and landed safely in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of northern China last Saturday. The crew landed only eight hours after the manned spacecraft's detachment from the Tianhe core module. Upon their return, they had successfully completed the nation's longest manned spaceflight.

Zoey Cardamone, a US student who asked China's astronauts aboard the Shenzhou XIII spacecraft a question, shares her insights on Saturday during an event in Washington, DC, that featured a Q&A session between US students and the astronauts. The event was hosted by the Chinese embassy in the United States. SHA HANTING/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

The Shenzhou-13 spacecraft that carried Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu was launched by a Long March 2F carrier rocket last October from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gobi Desert. From then on, its crew would go on to live and work in the spacestation complex for a total of 183 days. It is almost double the previous record of 92 days set during the Shenzhou-12 mission.

Chinese scientists plan to complete construction of the Tiangong Space Station this year. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has said it plans to launch more than 40 space launches in 2022.

This year, China will launch the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft. After that, it will launch the countrys Shenzhou-14 crewed spaceship. The Tianzhou-4 will be launched to deliver supplies for the Shenzhou-14 crew. During their stay in outerspace, two laboratory modules  namely, Wentian and Mengtian  will be launched into space. At the same time, a number of scientific experiments are being planned for the Tiangong Space Station.

Photo taken on Jan. 6, 2022 at Beijing Aerospace Control Center shows the transposition test of the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft using its space station's robotic arm. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng)

Peaceful purposes

Since 2016, China's aerospace industry has made rapid and innovative progress. China conducts this scientific research while defending the principle of space exploration and its use for peaceful purposes. Meanwhile, China has in many ways helped to promote space science and research in other developing countries. Accordingly, assistance has been provided for the construction of space infrastructure, the training of professionals and the provision of space observation data.

As a developing country, China's current achievements in the field of space research are of paramount importance not only to China but to the entire world. These achievements for China are a contribution to extraordinary human endeavors in the area of space exploration.

China has partnered with other countries in the world to jointly promote the role of space technology in implementing the UN 2030 Agenda, including facilitating the concept of sustainable development. CNSA says that China has signed about 50 space industry cooperation agreements or memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with foreign countries over the past five years.

China has launched an International Lunar Research station project with Russia and has signed cooperation agreements with the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) for its Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation. The China-France Oceanographic Satellite and the China-Italy Electromagnetic Monitoring Experiment Satellite are just a few of the collaborative projects now underway. Over the past five years, data from China's Gaofen-1 and Gaofen-6 remote sensing satellites have been provided free of charge to 158 countries or regions.

The return capsule of the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship lands successfully at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, April 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Peng Yuan)

Open to foreign astronauts

China has already announced that it will welcome foreign astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station. It has been designed to be adaptable to foreign astronauts in order to make greater contributions to the shared future of mankind.

China's space station is the first project of its kind that is open to all UN member states and has already selected nine projects from 17 countries and 23 institutions for research purposes.

Exploration of the unknown universe and the development of space technology would not have been possible without the cooperation of countries around the world. Therefore, the opening of the Chinese spacestation to the world is a good example of the countrys desire to enhance international cooperation in conducting space missions.

The author is a lecturer at the Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages, a former foreign expert for the China Media Group (CMG) Sinhala Service, a senior journalist of Sri Lanka and a published author.

The opinions expressed in this article reflect those of the author, and not necessarily those of People's Daily Online.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
African MBA and master's graduates will be able to enrol for their doctoral studies at Henley Business School's African satellite office later this year. Henley Africa is currently pursuing its own accreditation through the Council on Higher Education, but in the interim Henley UK will open a satellite support office at the Johannesburg campus.

This is a long overdue innovation, says Henley Africa dean and director Jon Foster-Pedley. We have been under increasing pressure from our MBA graduates to let them take their studies to the apex qualification of a doctorate in business administration, but the travel expenses and logistical difficulties associated with actually studying at Henley UK have been challenging.Now, thanks to a combination of factors, particularly the technological innovations we implemented and perfected during lockdown, developments in the UK and a good availability of experienced supervisors in South Africa, we are now able to affordably support the Henley DBA from South Africa.Henley Africa will also extend its extensive scholarship scheme to the DBA programme, further facilitating access to deserving candidates.African students will be advised and supported in South Africa, but recruited, taught and managed via the UK. The degree will be conferred by Henley UK, with all contact sessions occurring either face-to-face in Britain, or virtually. Each doctoral student will be assigned two supervisors and one mentor, with one supervisor ultimately being recruited locally. Students will have full access to Henley Africa state-of-the-art South African campus in Johannesburg with its student lounge, syndicate rooms, catering, controlled access and free secure parking and Wi-Fi.Henley Africa currently provides more than 66% of the entire Henley MBA intake, which includes the UK, Finland, Denmark and Malaysia. It is also the first and only business school on the continent to be quadruple accredited, being awarded accreditation after a tough quality assessment process by the Association of African Business Schools, over and above the coveted triple crown of the EFMD from Europe, the AMBA from the UK and AACSB from the US.We have been on an exponentially upward trajectory over the last 10 years, which has increased at almost warp speed over the last two years. We have been accredited as a fully-fledged African business school in our own right, rather than just a satellite operation of a global brand, establishing our own unique research department and appointing our first professor.We have developed inventive short courses and expanded our existing programmes, but the development of a Henley Africa post-MBA doctorate in business administration will be the ultimate achievement for all of us. Opening a satellite doctoral office on campus is the penultimate step to reaching that milestone and I have no doubt that the doctoral candidates we produce will be the equal of their peers anywhere in the world, if not better  just as our MBA graduates consistently shine in the international Henley community.The closing date for DBA applications is June. For help on how to apply to the UK, please contact Zara Cupido on az.ca.asyelneh@caraZ Henley Business School Africa is a leading global business school with campuses in Europe, Asia and Africa, and the only business school in Africa to hold quadruple international accreditation. It was ranked as the number one business school alumni network in the world for potential to network (Economist 2017); and is the number one African-accredited and -campused business school in the world for executive education (FT 2018, 2020), as well as the number one MBA business school in South Africa as rated by corporate SA (PMR 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021). It is the first and only leading business school in the country to hold a level 1 B-BBEE rating.
Days ago, I wrote about suspicions I had about Chinas latest round of Covid lockdowns. In that piece, I drew the conclusion that the countrys Covid Zero plan is irrational and egregious, and that Chinas lockdowns may have to do with something more than Covid.

The three scenarios I floated for the potential reason China was overshooting the mark with its draconian lockdowns were:

The CCP may be trying to usurp more power There may be something about Covid that China knows that the rest of the world still doesnt know China is looking for an excuse to slow its production to put pressure on the Western world at a time when it is trying to separate further, economically, from the West

Today, Im leaning toward reason number three. Thats because as of this past weekend, China is now expanding its lockdowns further across the country. Oh, and did I mentioned that Chinas top oil and gas producer has also all of a sudden decided it is going to cease doing business with Britain, Canada and the United States?

First, lets identify some of the interesting ways that lockdowns are spreading across the country. One lockdown happens to hit California-based Apple, Inc. in the gut. The Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, a central Chinese manufacturing area that includes Apple Inc supplier Foxconn, announced a 14-day lockdown on Friday to be adjusted according to the epidemic situation, according to Reuters.

Photo: SCMP

Additionally, the country has tightened controls in northwestern China, where in the city of Xian, residents were told to avoid unnecessary trips outside their residential compounds and encouraged companies to have employees work from home or live at their workplace.

Suzhou also told its residents that all employees capable of working from home must do so, and residential compounds and company campuses should avoid unnecessary entry of people and vehicles, the report noted.

All told, we are witnessing a significant increase in the intensity of lockdowns across China - the very same actions that led us to supply chain hell in 2020 to begin with.

Its important to remember that the rest of the world hasnt even recovered from the first round of lockdowns nearly 2 years ago. Automakers globally are still mired in a semiconductor shortage, store shelves in the U.S. remain sparsely stocked, commodities and goods that would be normally available have multiple-month backlogs and prices have gone through the roof.

Every indication out of China seems to point to the fact that we are about to relive 2020s disruption all over again, despite objections from Chinas own residents.

Domestic support for a zero-COVID policy has worn thin in recent weeks as virus-related restrictions have triggered food shortages, family separations, lost wages and economic pain. Analysts say broad supply chain disruptions are likely to lead to delays in shipments from companies including Apple, and to weigh on the country's economic growth rate this year.

Japan is already feeling restless about the lockdowns, Reuters reported:

ongoing restrictions prompted Japan's consul general in Shanghai to call for the local government to address concerns of Japanese businesses, in a letter posted on the consulate's website on Saturday.

Additionally, according to another Reuters article out this weekend, Chinas main offshore oil and gas producer has all of a sudden decided to end business operations in Britain, Canada and the U.S. because of concerns in Beijing the assets could become subject to Western sanctions.

This only exacerbates tensions between the U.S. and China, which are already the highest they have been in decades. Further, the U.S. has warned China about trying to help Russia skirt Western sanctions, the report says:

The United States said last week China could face consequences if it helped Russia to evade Western sanctions that have included financial measures that restrict Russia's access to foreign currency and make it complicated to process international payments

2020 was one thing - we (likely wrongfully) gave China the benefit of the doubt on its lockdowns because of the air of confusion Covid created globally - but thanks to the war in Ukraine and what we now know about Covid, 2022 should be handled with far more skepticism.

But this time around, wed be better served to question Chinas motive in a way most of us didnt in 2020. While in 2020, it was easy to attribute Chinas shut down to the virus, this time around we shouldnt be so quick to be satisfied with that answer.

For one, we know far more about the virus than we did 2 years ago - notably that it isnt a guaranteed death sentence.

On top of that, we have the unique economic situation developing globally, wherein Russia - in the midst of war and being alienated from the West - is seeking an economic partner and has likely found one in Beijing.

Given the global backdrop and what we now know about the virus, its tough to draw a road of logic that doesnt, at some point, lead to asking questions about whether or not China could be engaging in these lockdowns on purpose.

Beijings forthcoming actions will continue to tell the tale.
Municipal officials from across the province will be gathering in Brandon this week for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities spring convention.

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FILE The Welcome to Manitoba sign at the Canada-U.S. border crossing south of Boissevain. Municipal officials across the province will convene in Brandon this week for the AMM's spring convention.

Municipal officials from across the province will be gathering in Brandon this week for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities spring convention.

The event, which takes place today through Thursday, is an opportunity for mayors, reeves, chief administrative officers and other officials to connect, network and participate in various presentations.

"This is huge for municipal officials from across the province," said Denys Volkov, executive director of AMM.

"There will be municipal officials from all parts of the province, including our special guest  the premier of Manitoba  several ministers and a full packed agenda for our members."

On Tuesday, officials will gather for meetings.

On Wednesday at 9 a.m., opening remarks will be provided by federal Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings, provincial Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke and AMM president Kam Blight.

The remarks will lead into breakout sessions at 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., followed by a plenary session with the topic centred around fostering municipal and Indigenous partnerships at 2:45 p.m.

The breakout sessions are designed to teach people information on policy and professional development for those who work in municipal government.

"We usually have a combination of policy announcements," Volkov said. "Our municipal relations department will be talking about upcoming municipal elections and changes for people who would like to run in municipal elections."

After two years spent apart from the pandemic, Volkov said, this conference will serve as an opportunity to re-engage discussions between municipal officials from across the province.

"Its very important to remind ourselves how to run meetings, talk about insurance and talk about saving money on procurements."

Breakout sessions on Wednesday will explore topics such as advancing accessibility in municipalities, strategies for polarizing interactions on issues like COVID-19, and preparing for elections.

On Thursday, the AMM will host its first-ever Women in Leadership breakfast ahead of a provincial announcement at 9 a.m. More details will be revealed at the conference.

This will be followed by a "fireside chat" with Clarke and Blight.

The discussion will prelude more breakout sessions throughout the day, which will focus on topics such as immigration, engaging and retaining employees, cosmetic pesticide legislation, workplace investigations and whistleblower hotlines.

Event organizers noted the convention is an in-person event only and no component will be made available virtually.

A full lineup of Manitoba displayers will be featured in the Manitoba Room and City Square facilities inside the Keystone Centre, giving attendees the opportunity to reconnect with dozens of municipal providers and the products and services they offer.

Some of this years displayers include CAA Manitoba, Armtec, Western Financial Group Insurance, Canadian Public Works Association, Timber Restoration Services, Ritchie Bros., and JBB Consultants and Engineers.

Before the convention closes on Thursday, the AMM conference will draw for a $500 door prize sponsored by Superior Asphalt Paving Co. in addition to a $2,000 grand prize sponsored by AMM. All registrants to the convention are automatically entered for a chance to win.

 jbernacki@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @JosephBernacki
Graduating doctors and nurses in Brandon can look forward to a significant cut to their student debts in the 2022 federal budget.

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TIM SMITH/THE BRANDON SUN Federal Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings is shown a "patient" in the simulation lab at the Brandon University Health Studies Complex during an announcement and tour on Tuesday. A new federal program will offer loan forgiveness to some health studies students.

Graduating doctors and nurses in Brandon can look forward to a significant cut to their student debts in the 2022 federal budget.

In the proposed budget, $33 million has been allocated for loan forgiveness for anyone enrolled in health sciences studies and are working toward a physician or nursing career. Nurses can get up to $30,000 for National Student Loan forgiveness and doctors can get up to $60,000.

As part of the loan repayment, physicians and nurses must practise in Manitoba for five years.

This is an addition to a federal 2019 program for student family doctors and nurses. A family doctor or resident in family medicine could get up to $40,000 over a maximum of five years. A nurse or nurse practitioner could get up to $20,000 over the same time period.

Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings made the announcement on Tuesday while touring Brandon Universitys faculty of health studies, which houses the school's nursing programs.

The minister was in Brandon for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities spring convention to discuss various issues  among them is attracting more medical professionals to rural and remote areas.

"Im here to listen to what the municipalities have to say so we can fine-tune this loan forgiveness proposal and see what needs to be done to help them in many other areas," Hutchings said. "This is to show Canadians I work from the ground up, not top down when it comes to rural development, and one of those key areas is having reliable medical care in many forms. You cannot grow a community without healthy people."

The program still needs to be approved, Hutchings said, but with the NDP's support behind the budget, she expects it to pass. All that is left is to get feedback from municipalities.

As someone from a rural and remote area, Hutchings said the definition of rural can vary across the country. In her riding of Long Range Mountains, N.L., there are some communities with only a few dozen residents, and five that can only be accessed by boat.

Parts of Westman saw population declines as recorded by the 2021 census. Exceptions were in areas that had meat production like Neepawa.

Another concern is making sure physicians and nurses are also cared for. Not only are communities and governments working to protect their work-life balance, they are integrating virtual medicine into the system to make it easier for medical personnel to see and treat patients, the minister said.

The proposed loan forgiveness initiative was exciting news, and the timing is perfect, said Brandon University president David Docherty. Its exam preparation time for graduating students and the announcement will come as a relief to many.

It also helps the university position itself to attract more nursing students and make itself more appealing as an employer and research hub.

"Rural education needs are different than larger centres and while Brandon is a city, we are a service hub for many smaller communities," he said. "People who study at a rural university like ours tend to stay here, raise families, pay taxes and help grow their community. We are an economic, cultural and social hub."

The loan forgiveness program will help many students establish themselves once they are licensed, said Ashley Pylypowich, a nurse practitioner and assistant professor in the universitys faculty of health studies. She was especially pleased when Hutchings told her the government is looking at ways to extend loan forgiveness to all who work in health care.

"Graduation is a very stressful time for them, so to have support from the federal government is excellent," she said. "I just want to make sure that extension goes to our nurse practitioner programs because we are an answer to primary care service inequities we find in rural Canada."

Nurse practitioners in Manitoba have one of the largest practice books in Canada, Pylypowich said. They can diagnose, write prescriptions, and treat clients across their lifespan. They are working in communities that need them to do all those things, so they want to see more of a pledge for help from provincial and federal governments.

 kmckinley@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
After enduring between 50 and 100 centimetres of snow last week, Westman residents will have to deal with some more unseasonal wintry weather in the coming days.

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FILE A worker with the City of Brandon clears the sidewalks around Stanley Park in Brandon during last week's blizzard. More snow is expected this week.

After enduring between 50 and 100 centimetres of snow last week, Westman residents will have to deal with some more unseasonal wintry weather in the coming days.

An additional layer of spring snow is scheduled to fall in Brandon around Tuesday and Wednesday courtesy of an Alberta clipper, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Kyle McAuley.

"This is probably going to bring a few centimetres of snow, up to 10 centimetres at the most," he said. "There will be a little bit of rain mixed in with it at the end as temperatures warm up."

McAuley revealed that Westman residents should also prepare for more precipitation on Friday, with another strong low-pressure system, potentially a Colorado low, moving up from the United States.

"Models are showing a few different solutions," he said. "Some involve rain mixed with snow, some models are even showing potential thunder storms down to the south, and theres even a possibility of freezing rain."

Throughout the week, McAuley said, local temperatures will remain well below average for this time of year, thanks in part to the one-two punch of the recent blizzard and heavy weekend snowfall that locals are still recovering from.

"In Brandon, our normal [temperature] should be around 12 degrees, and were seeing a high tomorrow of around -2 [C]," he said on Monday. "So its very unusual. Usually, the snow is almost gone by this time of year, but theres more on the way."

However, McAuley predicts regular spring temperatures will return to the Westman region next week, with increasingly lengthy days allowing for more sunshine to melt the excess snow.

"Were only two months away from the first day of summer, the longest day of the year, and our UVs right now are similar to what they are at the end of August, and the sun is pretty intense out there."

In the meantime, McAuley suggests that Westman residents exercise caution as they travel this week, especially since fluctuating temperatures can result in treacherous road conditions.

"Keep a close eye on the forecast and be prepared and give yourself extra time if you have to travel."

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
When the streaming businesses started and the pricing was in the mid-single digits, there was no room or need because pricing was competitive and low enough, said JB Perrette, the president of global streaming at Warner Bros. Discovery, the new parent company of HBO Max. But content is expensive, and as the pricing for ad-free tiers has gone up  in the high teens level on some of these packages, and even Netflix moving up  it has to be paid for. Loading The number of subscribers for the ad-supported services has soared. By the end of last year, 129 million people used an advertising video-on-demand service, according to Insider Intelligence, a market research firm. By 2025, the firm projects, that figure will rise to 165 million users. Likewise, video advertising revenue shot up 51 per cent last year to $US39.5 billion ($53.6 billion), according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, a trade organisation. Free, ad-driven TV isnt sitting at the kids table anymore, said Jennifer Salke, the head of Amazon Studios, which supplies programming to Freevee. Some executives said advertisings arrival was inevitable, as the streaming industrys offerings increasingly mirror what has been available on television for decades: a mix of broadcast, basic cable with commercials and premium ad-free services.

In many ways, we are seeing reincarnation of the last half a century of television for the streaming age, said Perrette, the streaming executive at Warner Bros. Discovery, whose portfolio also includes Discovery+. Some streaming platforms have run ads for years; Hulu has had ads since 2007, adding a commercial-free tier in 2015. The company, which Disney owns, reaches nearly half of all connected television households in the United States, Comscore found last year. With Netflixs growth slowing, many people inside the streaming industry say the companys turn to advertising seems inevitable. The streaming services that are essential are on a very short list, and those that are essential and ad-supported  even shorter, said Josh Mattison, vice president of business operations for Disney Advertising. You do have some pretty rarefied air at the top. For years, brands have wanted to advertise on platforms like Netflix. Instead, Madison Avenue often settled for product placement and the occasional brand partnership.

But with Netflixs growth slowing, many people inside the streaming industry say the companys turn to advertising seems inevitable. The company on Tuesday reported its first fall in subscribers in a decade. I suspect the religion that they currently have about not having ads will change in time, said Jason Kilar, the former chief executive of WarnerMedia, on The Town podcast this month. I say that because offering consumers lower prices is a really, really good strategy. The idea of ads breaking up Bridgerton or Severance may be anathema to some viewers, but it is thrilling to many advertisers. Andrew Essex, a longtime advertising executive who now runs the consulting firm GoingConcern, said the streaming industry is maturing, becoming much more realpolitik, where theyre saying to hell with the user experience  we need revenue, we will explore additional forms of monetisation. Its basically game on. Many companies are trying to expand their reach beyond traditional television, where a shrinking number of must-watch events are drawing softer ratings and an ageing audience.

The financial implications mean that the presence of streaming commercials is fantastic news for anyone in advertising, and ultimately, fantastic news for the US consumer, who cannot sustain 15 paid subscriptions, said Kelly Metz, the managing director of advanced TV activation at the Omnicom Media Group. They need advertising-supported models so that they can balance their bank accounts at the end of the month, she said. Theres a ceiling on what the consumer can practically afford, just like what we saw back in the day with cable television. As more of the services have added commercials, they have become a playground for experimentation with ad formats. In some cases, ads appear based on whether viewers are bingeing or pausing shows. Hulu asks viewers whether they are willing to watch longer ads earlier in their viewing session in exchange for fewer ads later, or whether they are open to sequential messaging across multiple ad breaks. The company is looking into interactive trivia-type ads to run during movies. Loading Peacock worked with several major companies to promote its Fresh Prince adaptation, Bel-Air, which had its premiere in February. State Farm and Unilever created custom commercials that featured Jabari Banks, the star of the show, and aired across NBCUniversals digital and linear channels.
Before the pandemic began, Low Tuck Kwong tried - and failed - to sell a stake in his Indonesian mining company. Unable to find the right buyer, he decided to double down, adding shares instead of paring them.

The bet paid off: PT Bayan Resources stock has more than doubled since, making Low one of the wealthiest people in the industry, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His stake, now at 61 per cent, is worth $US6.1 billion ($8 billion).

Its very simple: If I cant sell part of my shares, I better buy more, Low said in a rare interview from Jakarta in March, the month he added another 199 million shares.

Tugboats and barges transporting coal are moored on the Mahakam River in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Credit:Bloomberg

Coal producers have been on a tear recently, an unexpected development for the industry most responsible for carbon emissions. At last years COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, more than 40 countries pledged to shift away from the fuel. Indonesia, its largest exporter, has boosted regulation to safeguard natural resources.
When it comes to knowing whats going on in the jobs market, theres a bit more to it than being able to remember the present rate of unemployment. It helps to know why the unemployment rate is at the level it is, and what that implies for the familys future finances.

In case youve gone deaf  or just stopped listening  Scott Morrison wants you to know the rate of unemployment has been falling rapidly over the past six months, and is now a fraction under 4 per cent.

Thats the lowest its been in about 50 years.

Scott Morrisons mantra is jobs, jobs, jobs. Credit:James Brickwood

But wait, theres more. Morrison said last week his priorities are jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs. To which effect hes promising to create a further 1.3 million over the next five years. This will be on top of the 1.9 million jobs already created since the Coalition returned to power in 2013.
The Fox family has donated $100 million to the National Gallery of Victoria, to help fund the construction of its new contemporary wing.

The philanthropic gift is the largest single donation in the history of the gallery, eclipsing the $20 million donated by the Ian Potter Foundation towards the same project in 2020.

Lindsay and Paula Fox have donated $100 million to the NGV. Credit:Paul Rovere

Tony Ellwood, director of the NGV, said trucking magnate Lindsay and his wife Paula were motivated by a belief that the arts should be available and accessible to all.

Victorian creative industries minister Danny Pearson hailed the extraordinary commitment shown by the Fox family in donating the sum, announced on the day Lindsay turned 85.
Ry Cooder was jamming with Taj Mahal and a crack band of musicians at Nashvilles Ryman Auditorium eight years ago on the same night Mahal received the Americana Music Associations Lifetime Achievement award.

Taj Mahal (left) and Ry Cooder have reunited for an album that pays tribute to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Credit:

Cooder, who has known Mahal since the mid-1960s, when they played together in Californian band Rising Sons, suggested they play Statesboro Blues that night at the Ryman. Not only was it a knock-out performance, it planted a seed in Cooders mind.

Mahal, 79, recorded Statesboro Blues in 1967 for his debut album, released just a couple of years after Rising Sons disbanded. The Allman Brothers rendition of Statesboro Blues is perhaps more widely known, but it originated with Piedmont blues player Blind Willie McTell in the late 1920s.

While they continued to cross paths, Cooder and Mahal had not made any albums together since their one, ill-fated studio recording with Rising Sons. All thats changed with their shared passion for the finger picking, rag-time style of the Piedmont blues, made popular by the likes of guitarist Brownie McGhee and harmonica player Sonny Terry.
Australias media authority has cleared the public broadcaster ABC over an episode of its current affairs discussion program Q+A in May last year that drew criticism from some Jewish groups for breaching principles of impartiality and balance.

Ten complaints about the episode, including one from the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, were rejected by the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) on Tuesday.

The Q+A panel, which included (l-r) host Hamish Macdonald; singer and dancer Mitch Tambo; Palestinian advocate Randa Abdel-Fattah; Liberal MP and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma; Jennifer Robinson, a lawyer who has represented the Palestinians at the International Criminal Court; and Labor MP Ed Husic. Credit:ABC

The complaints criticised the composition of the panel, which contained several people critical of Israel but only one, Liberal MP and former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma, who consistently defended the country.

The ABC ran the episode following a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas after 11 days of violence that began on May 10, 2021. In that period, Hamas fired hundreds of rockets into Israel following tensions in occupied East Jerusalem, before Israeli forces bombarded the Gaza Strip with air strikes.
Most of us want to adhere to the idea that each federal election is an even contest, with both sides having an equal chance of victory, at least in principle.

The contestants stand on their respective records, issue their policies, and voters make up their minds based on what they see.

Most of us want to adhere to the idea that each federal election is an even contest, with both sides having an equal chance of victory. Credit:James Brickwood and Alex Ellinghausen

Thats what we like to think. What if its no longer the case?

Im not suggesting theres anything crooked in our election machinery or architecture. But it does seem theres mounting evidence that voters have entrenched perceptions of the major parties that give one side a decisive, inbuilt advantage.
At the height of Scott Morrisons frustration over Western Australias refusal to reopen its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prime minister likened recalcitrant states to cavemen.

Now its like that movie The Croods, he told the Today show in August last year, in reference to the childrens film set in a fictional prehistoric era.

Men dressed as cavemen awaited Scott Morrison at a Bunnings in Perth. Credit:James Brickwood

Some wanted to stay in the cave and the young girl wanted to deal with the challenges of living in a different world. COVID is a different world we cant stay in the cave.

When Morrison arrived at a Bunnings in Perths northern suburbs on Monday, there were three men dressed in cavemen costumes carrying wooden bats waiting outside.
The Victorian government will remove many of the states remaining coronavirus restrictions by the weekend after the premier flagged the state appeared to have passed the peak of its latest wave of COVID-19 cases.

The government is expected to amend household contact rules and mask rules, as revealed by The Age earlier this month. Similar changes will be mirrored by the NSW government.

Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media last month. Credit:Paul Jeffers

However, Victorias branch of the Australian Medical Association warned the government not to make major changes to the rules while hundreds of healthcare workers remain furloughed and a third of eligible Victorians have not received a vaccination booster shot.

Health Minister Martin Foley will announce the changes on Wednesday or Thursday, and they will come into effect on Friday or Saturday, according to two government sources speaking confidentially to detail the plans.
Beijing: China has signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday, despite the US, Australia and New Zealand expressing concerns about Chinese influence in the region.

The announcement from China came as US Indo-Pacific chief Kurt Campbell prepares to fly into Honiara to lobby against the deal. The Solomons has yet to publicly confirm if it has fully signed off on the agreement after initialling it with Chinese officials a fortnight ago.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, left, walks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in October 2019. Credit:AP

The Pacific island nation switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019. After it was rocked by anti-Chinese violence in November, China donated anti-riot gear and offered to send police advisers.

The framework pact was recently signed by State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing.
London: Health officials say they have detected more cases of a mysterious liver disease in children that was first identified in Britain, with new infections spreading to Europe and the US.

Last week, British officials reported 74 cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, found in children since January. The usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis were not seen in the cases, and scientists and doctors are considering other possible sources.

Doctors and health officials do not know what is causing the rising the number of cases in children. Credit:Peter Braig

Additional cases of hepatitis had been identified in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said without specifying exactly how many cases were found.

US officials have spotted nine cases in Alabama in children aged 1 to 6.
Fairfax County, Virginia: Its shortly after midday and a group of Johnny Depp fans have gathered outside a courthouse in northern Virginia to show their support for the Hollywood star as he prepares to testify in yet another legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

Two years after losing a similar case in London, Depp is once again suing Heard for defamation, claiming she damaged his reputation when she wrote about domestic abuse in a Washington Post opinion piece in 2018.

As the embattled actor gets ready to take the stand in a small brown room on the fifth level of the Fairfax County Court, Ethan Diddlemeyer stands with two friends outside the building, waving a Pirates of the Caribbean T-shirt emblazoned with the words: Im Innocent, Savvy!

Its a play on one of his lines from Pirates, explains the 20-year-old, who has travelled more than an hour from Maryland with his workmates, Hannah Yeagley, 19, and Nick Lusby, 20, to be at the trial.
New business credit card provider Archa has raised $24 million in a mix of debt and equity.

Archas goal in raising the funds was to scale up its operations and help businesses save time and money.

The Victoria-based company provides a business credit card and spend management platform for Australian businesses.

Archa founder and CEO Oliver Kidd (pictured) said brokers as small business owners could benefit from the high-profile offering.

Archa is now able to scale more quickly and serve more businesses including mortgage brokers, Kidd said.

We already have a reasonably large cohort of brokers using our platform and were so pleased with the great feedback weve received from them.

Read more: Nodifi appoints new chief revenue officer to support brokers, SMEs

Kidd said brokers worked on different models to many other businesses, meaning covering expenses, managing cash flow and spending could be particularly challenging.

Archas cards platform is designed for exactly this  weve built something to give owners better control and more flexibility on day-to-day spend so that they can focus on what they do best, he said.

Tech companies such as Wisr, Betashares, The Iconic, and Macquarie Capital have also invested funds in Archa.

Kidd welcomed the high calibre of investors and believed it reflected the growing need for alternatives to traditional business banking products.

This round of funding is growth capital. It will help us scale faster, serve more businesses, and grow our product functionality, Kidd said.

The debt facility fortifies the economics of our business and importantly it provides us with the capacity to fund a substantial corporate credit card book.

Kidd said he was ambitious about leading the future of operational finance for businesses, and funding was crucial for the company to deliver on that.

Wisr CEO and founder Anthony Nantes said Archa was building a product to solve a real problem for businesses everywhere.

Weve watched several businesses successfully solve this problem and launch a disruptive cards model in other markets. Having seen Oliver and the team quietly executing on their strategy for some time now, Ive been impressed with their approach and consistency, Nantes said.

Read more: Fintech Bridgit secures $7.7 million to launch new product

Archas growth was reflective of a global trend in the corporate card space with US start-up company Brex recently closing US$300 million (AU$407 million) in capital at a US$12.3 billion (AU$16.2 billion) valuation.

Kidd was confident Archa could replicate this success in the Australian market where corporate spending solutions were few and far between.
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Loop, a Pune-based and insurance has raised $25 million in a Series B round co-led by General Catalyst and Elevation Capital (formerly Saif Partners). The round also included participation from leading Silicon Valley investor - Vinod Khosla and Khosla Ventures, Sierra Ventures, as well as a new investor, Optum Ventures. The round comes just 6 months after Loop raised a $12 million Series A round, bringing the total funds raised by Loop till date to $40 million.

The company will use the fresh funds to drive sales growth, product development, and strategic hiring. This would help in its efforts to scale their new health assurance delivery model to millions of people across India.

When we started Loop in 2018, it was to change how the system worked. We wanted it to be more preventive than reactive," said Mayank Kale, co-founder and CEO, Loop. "We wanted to bring insurers and doctors on the same side for once, so that we create a health assurance model that is incentivized to keep people healthy. Through our journey, weve also been able to bring back the concept of family doctors to India."

Loop has recorded tremendous growth in FY 2021-22, recently growing at a clip of 30 per cent month-on-month. The company has seen a 5x revenue growth from the previous financial year driven by phenomenal adoption by new customers. They now provide health insurance and benefits to 130,000 members across over 300 pan India. Their corporate team has grown from 50 to 250 in this period and is currently operational in Pune, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Care delivery in India has many pain points with conflicting incentives," said Vinod Khosla, founder, Khosla Ventures."Loop is changing the cost equation by allowing payers and providers to work together. Through its unique product and affordable pricing, Loop has a significant competitive advantage."

Founded in 2018 by Mayank Kale, Ryan Singh, Amrit Singh, and Shami Raj, Loop provides group health insurance plans from prominent insurers to companies, bundled with an instant, virtual care experience. The firm said it is the only insurance broker in the country with an in-house medical team. This means it can directly extend preventive care, helping members manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and mental health issues.

Loops healthcare-first mission aligns deeply with our thesis that an outcome-focused solution is needed to crack an age-old market that sells insurance as a commodity," said Mayank Khanduja at Elevation Capital. "Since we co-led the Series A, the team has demonstrated this in plenty, growing 3X in three quarters. The founders have built a stellar team across tech, product, and business thats looking to solve the hardest challenges in insurtech and healthtech."

Loop offers their health benefits complementary to who buy health insurance from them. Loop members get access to a dedicated family doctor, unlimited consultations with Loops in-house specialists, and discounts on lab tests. During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Loop offered home quarantine kits to Covid-positive members who had to be isolated at home.

Through Loop, the founders aim to disrupt the industry by changing the incentives for doctors. The company said that today the health system makes money when people are sick, not when they are healthy. Loop hopes that by paying doctors to keep people healthy preventatively, they can change healthcare to be more empathetic, accessible, and proactive. Currently, thousands of Loop members use primary care services through the Loop app every week.

As of April 2020, there is a federal mandate for employer health insurance and 65 per cent of health insurance policies are booked by employers. The $10 billion health insurance market is growing at a 25 per cent CAGR. This largely unpenetrated segment is mainly bought by company Human Resource managers from traditional offline brokers. Loop said brokers have limited offerings that dont include true health benefits like primary care, specialist care, mental health and chronic care management.

Loops notable clients include NoBroker, Bilcare and NTEX Transportation Services. The other clients include Bekart Industries, WOM India, Incred and Saregama.
(IHCL), the largest hospitality company in India, on Tuesday announced the signing of another in . The new development under management contract will feature branded residences as part of the hotel complex.

Spread over 3.5 acres, the complex is strategically located at Nelson Manickam road with close proximity to key business districts. This greenfield development once completed will comprise a luxury hotel with 235 keys and 123 Taj branded residences.

We are excited to announce the fourth in Chennai, together with branded luxury residences. This signing is in line with IHCLs vision of strengthening our presence in key markets across India, said Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL. The multi-use development will cater to our discerning clientele and in addition to a world-class hotel will offer some of the most exclusive homes in the city managed by a trusted brand. We are pleased to partner with AMPA Group for this project,  Chhatwal added.

The hotel will have four restaurants and bars, and a selection of adaptable meeting spaces with outdoor areas ideal for hosting both business and social events. Guests will also be able to enjoy recreational facilities of a pool, fitness center and spa. The branded residences will enjoy Tajs legendary service and access to the hotels facilities.

The project will be in collaboration with AMPA Group. We are happy to collaborate with IHCL for the and branded residences. Homeowners will have the privilege of enjoying the world-renowned Taj hospitality, in the privacy of their homes, said Ampa Palaniappan, Managing Director, AMPA Group.
and reported month on month decline in wireless subscribers while showed gains in February, according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India data.

Jio lost over 3.6 million subscribers and its total customer base stood at 402.7 million. This was the third consecutive month of negative growth for the countrys largest mobile service provider.

Jio however continues to show gains in number of active users and according to TRAI data it stood at 94 per cent of its total base in February. The figure of active subscribers stood at 78 per cent seven months ago. Jio has been de-recognizing inactive users that has resulted in this positive trend.

Vodafone lost over 1.5 million subscribers and its customer count slipped to 263.5 million. added 1.59 million new users and its customer count increased to 358 million.

Mobile took a 20 per cent tariff hike in prepaid plans towards the end of November that has resulted in consolidation of SIM cards. Following its third quarter result in February, Jio had also said its repurposing its customer retention efforts aimed to improve the quality of base and to reduce its costs.
Ltd on Tuesday said its board has approved amalgamation of the company with its wholly-owned subsidiary Max Estates Ltd as a part of group's restructuring exercise and to focus completely on business.

In November, had announced an exit from specialty packaging film business. The company sold its entire 51 per cent stake to Japanese joint venture partner Toppan Printing for Rs 600-650 crore as part of the company's decision to fully focus on segment. Its board had then authorised the Investment and Finance Committee to explore various modalities for restructuring with Max Estates Ltd and be renamed as Max Estates after receiving the required statutory approvals.

According to a regulatory filing, the company informed that the board of directors, in its meeting held on April 18, has approved the "composite scheme of amalgamation and arrangement amongst Ltd and Max Estates Ltd and their respective shareholders and creditors."



The scheme is for amalgamation of Max Ventures and Industries Ltd (MVIL or transferor company) with Max Estates Ltd (MEL or transferee company).

In consideration of the amalgamation, MEL or the transferee company will issue its equity shares to the equity shareholders of the MVIL or transferor company. For every one equity share held in MVIL, the shareholders will be issued one share credited and fully paid-up in MEL.

After the scheme comes into effect, the transferor company will be automatically dissolved without being wound up. Further, the shares held by the transferor company in the transferee company will get extinguished and cancelled.

"Management deliberated that the scheme is a part of an overall re-organisation plan to rationalise and streamline the existing group structure," the filing said.

The amalgamation would lead to simplification of the existing holding structure and reduction of shareholding tiers to remove impediments, if any, in facilitating future expansion plans and create enhanced shareholder value.

The consolidation of businesses will create greater operational synergies and efficiencies at multiple levels of business operations and will provide significant impetus to their growth.

"The amalgamation would result in financial resources being efficiently pooled, leadlng to centralised and more efficient management of funds, greater economies of scale and a bigger and stronger resource base for future growth which are presentiy divided amongst two separate corporate entities within the group," it said.

MVIL and MEL operate businesses that complement each other and therefore, can be combined for mutual benefit of the shareholders.

In November, Sahil Vachani, MD and CEO of Max Ventures and Industries, had said, "The decision to divest the residual 51 per cent stake in specialty packaging business to the existing partner is to generate additional growth capital to deploy in the business that offers tremendous growth opportunities."



With the divestment, the company had said it would be able to create a war chest of more than Rs 1,000 crore for expansion in the residential and commercial real estate portfolio in .

The company's first 'Grade-A' office building 'Max Towers' in Noida, comprising around 6-7 lakh square feet, has been almost fully leased. It has developed second office building 'Max House' at Okhla in the national capital with around 2 lakh square feet of leasable area.

The company is now developing a new office complex 'Max Square', comprising 7 lakh square feet of leasable area, on Noida Expressway. This is being developed through a joint venture with New York Life Insurance Company, which has a 49 per cent stake in the project.

(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 Tuesday said they are reactivating their codeshare partnership following India's decision to resume regular international passenger flights from March 27.

In a codeshare partnership, each carrier on its distribution system can sell seats of other's flights. had in November 2019 signed the codeshare agreement with .

On Tuesday, their joint statement said, "As part of this expanded code-share agreement, will be placing its marketing code on operated flights between Doha and Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, starting from April 25, and Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kozhikode, starting from May 9."



Qatar Airways is currently operating 190 flights per week to and from 12 destinations in India, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Kozhikode, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram.

IndiGo is currently operating 154 flights per week between Doha and eight Indian cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kannur.

Currently, IndiGo has codeshare partnerships with Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and American Airlines.

Earlier this month, Australian carrier Qantas said it is finalising a codeshare partnership with Indian carrier IndiGo.

India had on March 27 resumed scheduled after a coronavirus-induced hiatus of two years.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's Shailendra Singh has stepped down from the board of Singapore-based Pte following questions over the fashion technology startup's accounting practices, sources said.

Zilingo, a platform for fashion merchants backed by Singaporean state-owned investor Temasek Holdings, was co-founded in 2015 by CEO Ankiti Bose alongside Dhruv Kapoor, its chief technology and chief product officer.

Singh resigned as a director a few days back after the departures of Temasek Holding Pet's Xu Wei Yang and Burda Principal Investments Ltd's Albert Shyy, sources familiar with the matter said.

Last week, suspended its CEO Bose pending an investigation.

The investigation reportedly is into the way that had accounted for transactions and revenue across a platform spanning thousands of small merchants.

"We expect our portfolio to abide by sound corporate governance and codes of conduct and ethics. We are therefore supportive of the board's investigation into the complaint as part of good governance, to safeguard the interests of the company," Temasek said in a statement.

Besides Temasek and venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, Zilingo also counts Burda Principal as well as Singapore's Economic Development Board's investment arm EDBI among its investors. It was not immediately clear how much each holds in the company.

(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 Tuesday said it has commenced the third shift at its manufacturing plant in Pune to cater to the enhanced demand for its model range in the country.

Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) manages the Indian operations of five Volkswagen Group brands Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini.

"The commencement of the third shift at our Pune facility is a testimony to the overwhelming response received by the cars launched under the VW Group's INDIA 2.0 project.

"The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun have been well received by our customers," SAVWIPL Managing Director Piyush Arora said in a statement.

The company is also gearing up to accelerate the deliveries of the Skoda Slavia, while the Volkswagen Virtus is slated for launch in the second quarter of 2022, he added.

Arora further said that the company has recently commenced exports of the Volkswagen T-Cross to Mexico and the exports of the other INDIA 2.0 cars will follow in the months ahead.

"With the third shift, we have taken on additional manpower to help us cater to the increase in demand, that we foresee both on the domestic and export front. We are confident that we will continue on the growth path set in motion by the Volkswagen Group in the year 2021," he added.

The Volkswagen Group implemented its INDIA 2.0 project with an investment of one billion euros in India from 2019 to 2022.

Under the project, the Group designed and produced four cars Kushaq, Taigun, Slavia and Virtus - which are customised for India at the Group's Pune facility in Chakan.

Spread across 540 acres, the facility currently produces Polo, Vento, Taigun, Kushaq, Slavia and Virtus.

The Group, which also has a manufacturing facility in Shendra in Aurangabad, clocked 76 per cent growth in volumes across its five brands with 21 new launches and six luxury EVs introduced in the market.

(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.)
Crypto exchange CoinDCX raises $135 mn in funding as valuation tops $2 bn

Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX has raised $135 million in its Series D funding round, with a valuation of over $2 billion. The round was led by Pantera and Steadview and saw participation from prominent investors like Kingsway, DraperDragon, Republic, and Kindred.

The latest funding round also saw existing investors such as B Capital Group, Coinbase, Polychain, and Cadenza increase their investments in CoinDCX. Read more

Refinery margins, inventory gains to offset losses on petrol, diesel: Fitch

State-owned fuel retailers IOC, BPCL and HPCL may suffer marketing losses in January-March 2022 quarter for holding petrol and diesel prices despite a rise in cost but robust core refining margins and windfall inventory gains should mitigate the potential losses in near term, Fitch Ratings said Tuesday.

The three fuel retailers kept petrol and diesel prices unchanged for a record 137-days between November 2021 and March 2022 despite a nearly USD 27 per barrel rise in crude oil prices. Read more

hikes lending rate by 0.1% across all tenures; EMIs to go up

The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has raised its marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by 10 basis points (bps) or 0.1 per cent across all tenures, a move that will lead to an increase in EMIs for borrowers.

The lending rate revision by is likely to be followed by other banks in the days to come. Read more

Ukraine operation is in new stage, says Russian Foreign Minister

The Russian foreign minister says that Moscow's campaign in Ukraine is entering a new stage.

Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now. Read more
India's second largest IT services firm has said that the situation in Ukraine has not impacted the demand environment when it comes to European clients, and the company will see over the next few quarters on how things pan out.

CEO Salil Parekh, during a post-earnings investor call last week, also said as far as the recruitment situation is concerned, the company has centers in eastern Europe and "we see that growing quite well for us."



"So, I have understood first (question) was, is the situation in Ukraine impacting any demand in European clients, if that is the question. Currently our conversations and discussions with clients in Europe do not see any impact on the demand environment for us because of this situation," Parekh said during the call, as per the transcripts submitted to the exchanges on Tuesday.

He added: "As we go through the next few quarters and so on, we will see how it plays out depending on the duration and so on."



To another question on the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on the attractiveness of eastern Europe for talent hiring, Parekh noted that the company's centers in the region are growing well.

"...the recruitment situation, we have centers for example in countries in Eastern Europe and we see that growing quite well for us," Infosys' top honcho said.

"Today we have no center in Ukraine but the other areas we have been expanding in and that has developed quite well," he said.

Infosys' centers which are in other geographies in eastern Europe are seeing good growth.

"Poland and Romania are the locations where we have centers and we are actively recruiting and scaling up in those locations," Parekh affirmed.

on April 13 had reported a 12 per cent rise in March quarter net profit and said it is moving its business out of Russia -- joining a growing roster of that are pulling out of the country following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Bengaluru-headquartered company saw its net profit in January-March surge to Rs 5,686 crore and projected a 13-15 per cent revenue growth in the fiscal year that began on April 1, 2022.

However, its weaker-than-expected earnings for the March quarter sent its stocks tumbling on Monday, once trading resumed after a two-day holiday last week.

(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.)
After Mizoram, cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been detected in Tripura's Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD)-run government breeding farm located at Devipur under Sepahijala district, top sources in the department told ANI requesting anonymity.

A team of experts from Agartala's disease investigation Centre reached the farm and formed rapid response teams to handle the situation.

"On April 7, three samples were sent to North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. On April 13, last we received the PCR report that confirmed that all the samples were positive. Even the symptoms of the pigs now sheltered on the farm also indicate that the contagious disease has already entered the farm. Another report that was supposed to come from Bhopal's National Disease Diagnostic institute is yet to reach Tripura," a senior official in the Animal Husbandry Department run disease investigation laboratory said.

Primarily, the source said, the farmworkers have been advised to deal with the disease.

"We have formed two task forces comprising ten people in each of the groups. The teams will be led by a veterinary officer and they will directly report to the panel of nodal officers. In charge of ARDD's Disease Investigation laboratory Dr Mrinal Dutta and SDM Bishalgarh have been included in the team of nodal officers," the source added.

In the first phase, 8 feet by 8 feet graves had been dug up to bury the infected pigs after mass execution. Besides, all the pigs are being reared in a private capacity.

"Initially pigs available within the one-kilometre radius of the farm will be executed and buried to contain the spread of the disease. We are trying to confine the disease within the farm and its peripheries so that the virus does not spread across the state," said the sources.

On being asked about official confirmation, sources said, according to the process, the laboratory authorities will write a letter to the Government of India and the Centre will communicate the matter to the Chief Secretary.

"All the further proceedings can only be carried out once the official letter reaches the state government," he added.

According to officials, a total of 63 mature pigs died due to unknown reasons which raised an alarm. Before the outbreak, there were 265 mature pigs and 185 piglets in the pig shed of the farm.

(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.)
Union Home Minister is likely to come to West Bengal, his first since the 2021 state poll, on a three-day visit from May 4, party sources said on Tuesday.

State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said Shah is likely to visit the state from May 4-6 and hold meetings with the state party leadership, besides attending some official engagements.

"He will also participate in party programmes in north Bengal, meet party leaders and hold organisational meetings in south Bengal," Majumdar said.

Shah is also likely to hold a meeting with party MLAs and MPs from the state.

"The visit is quite important as this will be Ji's first visit to the state after last year's assembly poll. He is likely to give us a direction and a roadmap for the panchayat poll next year," a senior BJP leader said.

Shah's proposed visit also assumes significance as the state BJP unit is plagued by infighting and exodus and is still licking its wounds after the assembly poll defeat.

Several senior BJP leaders are engaged in feuds on social media and off it, leaving little time for the party's growth.

The BJP state unit has been fighting hard to keep its flock together after former union minister Babul Supriyo and five legislators, including its national vice-president Mukul Roy, switched over to TMC since the assembly poll result last year.

The saffron party despite its high pitch poll campaign before the state poll had managed to bag only 77 seats. Trinamool Congress, led by feisty Mamata Banerjee had stormed back to power for the third consecutive time riding on the plank of 'Bengali Pride' and had won 213 seats by creating a poll narrative of sub-nationalism to counter and trounce BJP's identity politics.

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A government-appointed special investigation team (SIT) on Tuesday submitted a progress report on its investigation into the alleged murder of student leader Anis Khan to the .

Submitting the report in a sealed cover before the court of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, the state government's lawyer told it that the investigation was nearing completion.

Taking the 82-page report on record, the court directed that the matter will be taken up for hearing again on Monday.

Adjourning the matter till April 18, the court had on March 14 said that it expects the investigation will be completed in the meantime.

Since Justice Mantha did not preside on Monday, the report was submitted on Tuesday before his court.

Khan died on February 19 in his residence at Amta in Howrah district. His father has alleged that he was murdered by men wearing khaki and civic volunteer uniform.

The SIT had arrested a home guard and a civic volunteer in connection with the death of Khan and they are in judicial custody.

Justice Mantha had said that an extension of time to complete the probe will not be considered except for reasons beyond the control of the investigating agency.

Justice Mantha, taking up a petition by the deceased's father Salem Khan, along with a suo motu petition initiated by the court into the death, had on February 24 said it is expected that no stone will be left unturned in course of such investigation.

Alleging that Khan was murdered, senior advocate Bikash Bhattacharya had claimed before the court that he had been brutally assaulted by four people, of whom one was in police uniform and the other three in civic volunteer dress, and thrown over from the third floor of his home on the night of February 19.

Khan's family members have been demanding a CBI investigation into his death.

Claiming that the killing of Anis Khan, a social activist, was a "premeditated murder", Bhattacharya had prayed before the court that an independent investigation be ordered into it.

The state government had formed the SIT headed by Additional director general (CID) Gyanwant Singh to hold the probe.

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Prime Minister on Tuesday said that World Health Organization has entered into a new partnership with India in the form of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine of traditional medicine which will be a tribute to both India's contribution and potential in the field of traditional medicine.

Prime Minister today laid the foundation stone of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO).

The GCTM will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It will emerge as an international hub of global wellness.

Speaking at the event today, PM Modi said, "The Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is a recognition of India's contribution and potential in this field. WHO, via this Centre of traditional medicine, has done a new partnership with India. With this move, it is a matter of respect for India's potential and contribution in the field of traditional medicine. India will take this partnership with full responsibility."

"More than 5 decades ago, the world's first Ayurveda University was established in Jamnagar. Here is one of the best Ayurveda Institute Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda.In addition to healing, Ayurveda includes social health, mental health, happiness, environmental health, compassion, empathy and productivity," he said.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that Jamnagar's contributions towards wellness will get a global identity with WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.

"About five decades ago, Jamnagar established the world's first Ayurveda based University. It is named the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda. Jamnagar's contributions towards wellness will get a global identity with WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine," he said.

PM Modi further added that the country's ultimate goal should be of attaining wellness.

"Our ultimate goal should be of attaining wellness by being free of diseases. It is an important step in the path of life," he said.

Notably, Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to from April 18-April 20.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation a new dairy complex and potato processing plant at Diyodar, Banaskantha district, built at a cost of over Rs. 600 crores at around 9:40 AM.

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Prime Minister on Tuesday said that the progress made by the Banas dairy in Gujarat's Banaskantha district is a right move towards 'local to global'.

He is currently on a three-day visit to his home state since Monday to inaugurate a slew of development projects.

On Tuesday morning, he inaugurated the Banas dairy complex at Deodar, built at a cost of around Rs 610 crore.

While addressing around one lakh people, the Prime Minister said: "This is probably the first time that I am being blessed by around 2 lakh mothers and sisters. During the 1 to 2 hours that I spent in the plant, I got to meet agro producers and plant officials and was very impressed by their work. The Banas dairy plant is the best example of women empowerment".

The project also includes a potato processing plant and a community radio station.

The PM also opened virtually, a project for expansion of a cheese and whey plants at Palanpur besides an organic fertiliser and bio-CNG plant at Dama.

He laid the foundation stone for four new biogas plants at Khimana, Ratanpur Bhildi, Radhanpur and Thawar virtually. "The Banas dairy project has established that to double the farmers' income, not only milk, but other products can also be useful. This is a right step of today's Bharat from going local to global. Despite, being a water scarce region, Banaskantha has shown that through the Kankrej breed cow, Mehsana buffalo and potatoes, it can be a model to be replicated," he concluded.

--IANS

amc/shb/bg

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The Centre is following "regressive" agriculture policies and they are "dampening" farm sector growth in the country, Chief Minister alleged on Tuesday.

The Centre's improper policies would reduce output instead of giving a push to it, he claimed.

Rao made the comments during a meeting with state Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy and officials on the preparedness for the coming rainy season crops, according to an official release.

Rao, popularly known as KCR, enquired about the ongoing paddy procurement in the state during the current summer season crop.

The officials told him that procurement has gained momentum. Gunny bags, transport vehicles and others which are required for paddy purchases have been obtained, they said.

While 6,983 procurement centres have been set up across the state, 536 have already been opened. About 1,200 MTs of paddy has already been procured, the officials said.

Observing that agriculture is achieving great progress in the state, Rao said the farm sector would not face drought in future as irrigation projects are being completed expeditiously.

He directed officials to procure seeds and fertilizers in adequate quantity for the ensuing rainy season crop.

Rao said tough action would be taken to check the menace of spurious seeds.

He suggested that special plans be prepared for cultivation of crops which are profitable.

As and Ukraine, who supply raw material for making DAP, are currently engaged in war, Rao said farmers should be made aware that DAP should be used with discipline.

He also asked officials to take steps to see to it that the state government's flagship Dalit welfare scheme 'Dalit Bandhu' reaches the beneficiaries, who have already been identified, with more speed, the release said.

Rao's criticism of the Centre's agriculture policies came against the backdrop of the recent row between the state and Central Government over paddy/ rice procurement in the state.

While the state government had demanded that the Centre procure paddy produced in the state during the current summer season crop, the latter said it would purchase raw rice.

The state government had recently announced opening paddy procurement centres.

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After a steady decline in Covid cases, has been witnessing a spurt in new infections with the positivity rate registering a nearly three-fold rise between April 11-18, according to city department data.

On April 11, the positivity rate stood at 2.70 percent which jumped to 3.95 percent on April 15 followed by 5.33 percent on April 16 and 7.72 percent on April 18, according to the data.

Last week, recorded a total of 2,606 positive Covid cases against 67,360 tests conducted during the period while the average positive rate was 4.79 percent, it showed.

On April 11, 5,079 Covid tests were conducted of which 137 came out positive while on April 18, 6,492 tests were conducted and over 501 people tested positive, according to the data provided by the government.

The national capital registered two deaths due to Covid during this period.

The positive rate surged during the April 11-18 week, barring on April 17 when the it dropped to 4.21 percent from 5.33 percent the previous day.

Doctors said the cases are expected to surge in the coming days.

However, they said the current trends are not concerning as most of the cases are mild and due to the Omicron XE variant.

"The variant has more transmissibility but is causing mild infection. It is causing upper respiratory infection and not lower respiratory infection," said Dr Jugal Kishore, head of community Medicine, Safdurjung hospital.

The doctors said as the cases rise, there will be some increase in the mortality and hospitalisation rate, but it will not go beyond control.

Dr Abhinav Guliani, a pulmonologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said, "People must remain vigilant. There will be an increase in cases but it will not go beyond control," he added.

The Delhi government recently relaxed Covid restrictions and made masks voluntary last month as cases declined.

On April 1, the positivity rate in Delhi was 0.5 percent. However, there was a surge in Covid cases from the second week of April.

Dr Kishore said the relaxation of curbs had a little impact on the current surge.

"People coming out in large numbers might have also led to this increase in cases. But the major reason for the surge, I feel, is the highly transmissible variant," said Kishore.

Guliani also pointed out the the curbs were relaxed last month but cases have only risen since the last week.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will hold a crucial meeting on Wednesday to discuss the rising number of infections in the city.

The meeting is likely to discuss the mandatory use of face masks and hybrid modes of offline and online teaching for school children as well.

When asked whether the curbs should be re-imposed, Dr Guliani said instead of relying on government-imposed restrictions, people must remain vigilant and exercise social distancing.

"The virus is here to stay for a long time. We cannot impose restrictions every time there is a surge in Covid cases. People should take care of themselves and isolate themselves whenever they witness any kind of symptoms," he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Kishore said the new restrictions will not have a major impact on the number of positive cases.

"We have seen the cases of the previous wave that the surge in cases was not prevented by imposing curbs. So I dont think it will be more helpful. Moreover, the economic activities are hindered because of these curbs," he said.

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President of the Ursula Von Der Leyen will pay a two-day visit to India from April 24, the (MEA) said on Tuesday.

It will be her first visit to India as the president of the .

Der Leyen is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet President Ram Nath Kovind among other leaders.

The crisis in Ukraine as well as ways to deepen EU-India cooperation are set to figure prominently in her talks with Indian leaders.

The President of the has been invited as the Chief Guest for this year's Raisina Dialogue.

"India and the share a vibrant Strategic Partnership which has been witnessing strong growth with wider and deeper co-operation in political and strategic, trade and commerce, climate and sustainability, digital and technology aspects as well as people-to-people ties," the MEA said.

The India-EU leaders' meeting in May last year set new milestones with the decision to resume trade talks and the launch of the India-EU connectivity partnership.

"The forthcoming visit of the President of the European Commission will be an opportunity to review progress and further intensify the multifaceted partnership with EU," the MEA said in a statement.

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In demonstrating its operational preparedness, the (IAF) on Tuesday successfully test-fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet on the Eastern seaboard.

The "live firing" of the missile was carried out in close coordination with the Indian Navy, the said.

The missile hit the target with accuracy and precision, officials said.

"Today on the Eastern seaboard, # undertook live firing of # from a Su30 MkI aircraft. The missile achieved a direct hit on the target, a decommissioned #IndianNavy ship. The mission was undertaken in close coordination with @indiannavy," the said in a tweet.

In 2016, the government had decided to integrate the air-launched variant of the Brahmos into over 40 .

The project was conceived to enhance the IAF's capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target on sea or land.

On March 5, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired an advanced version of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from a stealth destroyer in the Indian Ocean.

The missile was test-fired from the stealth destroyer INS Chennai.

BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

The range of the advanced version of the missile is learnt to have been extended to around 350 km from the original 290 km.

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Prime Minister will address the nation from the on Thursday night to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the first prime minister to deliver a speech at the Mughal-era monument after sunset.

Modi will be addressing the nation from the lawns of the and not its ramparts.

The fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was from here that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, in 1675, according to officials of the culture ministry.

The ramparts of the is from where prime ministers addresses the nation on Independence Day.

Prime Minister Modi will speak at 9.30 pm on Thursday and his speech will be about interfaith peace and harmony among communities, according to the officials.

Other than Independence Day, this is the second time that Modi will be making a speech from the monument.

In 2018, he had hoisted the flag at the monument and commemorated the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Azad Hind Government by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His address on this occasion was at 9 am.

The Thursday event will have performances by 400 Sikh musicians and there will also be a langar. Modi will also release a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion, the officials said.

Close to the Red Fort, is the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk. It was built at the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded by the Mughals, they said, adding that Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, which is near Parliament, was built at his cremation site.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday will start off the event, which will be attended by 11 chief ministers and prominent Sikh leaders from across the country. The families of 400 Sikh 'jathedars' have also been invited, including those from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

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Prime Minister on Tuesday held talks with (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus and discussed ways to further strengthen the health sector.

PM Modi today laid the foundation stone of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, . PM Modi laid the foundation stone in the presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and chief Tedros.

"Always a delight to meet @DrTedros and exchange notes on further strengthening the health sector. He always cherishes the influence of Indian teachers on his life. And today, he got a lot of praise for his Gujarati skills too!" PM Modi tweeted.

"India is proud of be home to the @ Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. At a time when traditional medicine is picking popularity, this Centre will go a long way in merging the traditional with modern in the quest for a healthier planet," he said in a subsequent tweet.

Separately, PM Modi also interacted with Mauritius Prime Minister in Jamnagar today. "Glad to have interacted with my friend, PM @KumarJugnauth of Mauritius. His coming to Jamnagar today is a remarkable gesture," he said.

Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. It will emerge as an international hub of global wellness.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, will inaugurate the Global Centre for Traditional at Jamnagar on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Gujarat on Monday organized a curtain-raiser press conference to discuss two pertinent developments in the field of traditional in India- the groundbreaking event of the Global Centre for Traditional (GCTM) and the convening of the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS).

Both the events are being held in Gujarat and will be graced by the presence of PM Modi, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the Ministry of Ayush in an official statement.

The Centre aims to channel the potential of traditional medicine, by integrating it with technological advancements and evidence-based research. While Jamnagar will serve as the base, the new Centre aims to engage and benefit the world. The GCTM shall focus on four main strategic areas: evidence and learning; data and analytics; sustainability and equity; and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health.

The Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit will be held from April 20 to April 22 in Gandhinagar. The Summit aims to increase investments and showcase innovations in the field of traditional medicine. It is a unique attempt to foster long-lasting partnerships, boost exports and nurture a sustainable ecosystem.

He added, "Global Centre for Traditional Medicine represents WHO's and India's outstanding commitment to global health. Standing at the juncture of advanced technology and ancient wisdom, the only way ahead of us is upwards."

The GCTM seeks to set policies and standards on traditional medicine products and help countries create a comprehensive, safe, and high-quality health system. Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit is an initiative to strategize India's efforts in becoming a global hub of traditional products, practices, and related services.

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President has given his assent to the Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to unify the three civic bodies in the capital.

The legislation was approved by the Lok Sabha on March 30 and by the Rajya Sabha on April 5.

"The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 18th April, 2022 and is hereby published for general information: The Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022 No. 10 of 2022," said a gazette notification issued by the Centre.

According to the legislation, the unification of the municipal corporations in will ensure synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation of resources.

Replying to debates on the legislation in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said the move was necessitated due to the "step-motherly treatment" meted out to the civic bodies by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.

"The way the AAP government in Delhi meted out step-motherly treatment towards the three civic bodies, we had to bring this bill. You can have animosity towards us, but what animosity do you have towards the people of Delhi? They have voted you to power...," Shah had said.

"This bill is in accordance with the Constitution. The Centre has the power to enact laws in the Union Territory of Delhi.... This bill, from no angle, is an attack on the federal structure," the Union home minister had said, allaying the concerns raised by some Opposition members.

Delhi is only a Union Territory and not a full state, he had said, adding that Parliament has the competence to frame laws for Delhi.

Shah had also claimed that the Centre has doubled the allocation amount to Delhi and not reduced a single penny due to it being a Union Territory, but the AAP government has not paid the three civic bodies Rs 40,561 crore in accordance with the fifth Finance Commission and instead, given only Rs 21,000 crore, which is the reason behind the plight of these bodies.

According to the legislation, the total number of seats of councillors and the number of seats reserved for the members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities in the corporation, shall, at the time of the establishment of the corporation, be as determined by the Centre and in no case, be more than 250.

Upon the completion of each census after the establishment of the corporation, the number of seats shall be on the basis of the city's population as ascertained at that census and shall be determined by the Centre.

The number of seats to be reserved for the members of the SC communities shall, as nearly as may be, bear the same ratio to the total number of seats as the population of SCs bears to the total population of Delhi.

All properties, movable and immovable, of or belonging to the erstwhile corporations shall vest in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. All the rights and liabilities of the erstwhile corporations shall be transferred to and be the rights and liabilities of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Any pending proceedings, including disciplinary, arbitration, appeal or other legal proceedings, of whatever nature, by or against the erstwhile corporations shall be continued or enforced by or against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha weeks before the polls to the three civic bodies of Delhi -- South, North and East -- were scheduled to be held.

The polls were to be held in April and the Delhi State Election Commission had deferred it at the eleventh hour, citing a communication from the lieutenant governor, which informed that the Centre was contemplating to reunify the three MCDs.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi was trifurcated in 2011 when late Sheila Dikshit was the chief minister of Delhi and the Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre.

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Amid a rise in Covid cases in the city, the Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will meet on Wednesday to discuss the prevailing situation and is likely take a call on reimposing fine for not wearing face masks at public places, official sources said.

The meeting, which will be chaired by the Lt Governor at 12.30 pm, is also expected to hold discussions on hybrid mode of education-- online and offline classes -- for schools, they said.

According to the health bulletin of the government on Tuesday, 632 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours. The number of hospitalisations however are very low and deaths due to Covid are negligible.

The Delhi government had lifted the fine of Rs 500 on not wearing face masks at public places through an order on April 2.

However, with a rise in number of cases, experts have suggested that wearing of face masks be strictly enforced to prevent spread of the virus.

"Imposition of fine for strict enforcement of face mask use is highly likely as neighbouring towns including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon have done so in view of rising cases," said a senior government officer.

Experts and other members of the DDMA are also expected to discuss the option of hybrid mode of teaching in schools as many children have been found Covid positive, he said.

Schools across have sprung into action following a spike in Covid cases and are taking various measures, including frequent sanitisation, to restrict the spread of the virus to a minimum and thus, avoid closure of campuses.

The Delhi government has told school authorities to close specific wings or classrooms wherever any student or teacher is found infected.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said on Monday that the Covid situation was not alarming in Delhi although cases were rising. The number of hospitalisations were low and the government was keeping watch on the situation, he had said.

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Finance Minister has met her Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry here and assured him that as a close friend and good neighbour, India will try to extend all possible cooperation and assistance to the island nation amidst its worst .

Sri Lanka, which is on the brink of bankruptcy, is grappling with an unprecedented economic turmoil, the worst since its independence from Britain in 1948.

Sitharaman, who is here for the annual spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, discussed the current economic situation and India's approach towards addressing the prevailing challenges in on Monday, the Ministry of Finance said.

Union Finance Minister Smt.@nsitharaman met Finance Minister Mr Ali Sabry on the sidelines of IMF-WB Spring Meetings, at Washington D.C., today, and discussed current economic situation and its approach towards addressing the prevailing challenges in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance said on Twitter.

Union Finance Minister Smt.@nsitharaman assured that as a close friend and good neighbour, India will try to extend all possible cooperation and assistance to Sri Lanka, it said in another tweet.

As the island nation is experiencing its worst in history, massive anti-government protests are being held throughout the country against the government's failure to tackle the crisis.

With long lines for fuel, cooking gas, essentials in short supply and long hours of power cuts, the public has been suffering for months.

With the and the shortage of forex, an Indian credit line of USD 500 million for fuel imports provided a lifeline to the island nation.

India recently announced to extend a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial assistance to the country to deal with the economic crisis following a previous USD 500 billion line of credit in February to help it purchase petroleum products.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has defended his government's actions, saying the foreign exchange crisis was not his making and the economic downturn was largely pandemic driven with the island nation's tourism revenue and inward remittances waning.

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The government has planned to develop a new in the industrial belt of Hosur (in Krishnagiri district and located about 40 km from Bengaluru), and a study on air traffic and other aspects has been ordered, state Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu said on Tuesday.

The Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO) has been directed to undertake a study on the air traffic and its growth in surrounding regions, market demand and potential sites for developing an in Hosur, which is one of the industrial hubs in the state, he said. TIDCO is in the process of selecting a consultant for undertaking the study.

"Considering the industrial growth, regional economic growth, tourism, per capita income growth rate in northwest region of and interest of the travelling public, the government intends to develop a new in this region," a policy note on industries department tabled in the Assembly, said.

On the proposed new airport at Neyveli, the note said infrastructure facilities for flight operations (at Neyveli airport) are ready and that licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation is awaited. "Flight operations will commence thereafter," the note added.

TIDCO will establish an Aero Hub as part of Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor within the Aerospace Park in Sriperumbudur. This project will be implemented in two phases. Phase-1 will be implemented by TIDEL Chennai with a built up space of 3.5 lakh sq. ft. at a cost of Rs 230 crore and and will be completed by February 2023.

On Chief Minister M K Stalin's ambitious target of making Tamil Nadu a US $1 trillion economy by 2030-31 fiscal, the note said this can be achieved only if the manufacturing sector takes the centrestage for economic development. "Tamil Nadu is recognised for its well-developed manufacturing eco-system and the state is on track to ensure this sector grows from US $48.1 billion in 2020-21 fiscal (18 per cent of GSDP) to US $250 billion in 2030-31 fiscal (25 percent of GSDP)," the note said.

Steps are on to attract approximately Rs 23 lakh crore of investment in manufacturing sector and for the creation of employment opportunities for 46 lakh people, which are necessary to achieve its growth target, it further stated.

Also, a sharp focus on the logistics sector is essential to strengthen the competitive advantage of the state and to propel it to a high growth path for realising the US $1 trillion economy target. Hence, the state Logistics Policy will focus on the key elements like regulatory framework; interconnected infrastructure; digital transformation; training and skill development in the state.

The objective of the Logistics Policy is to facilitate and develop an integrated logistics ecosystem in Tamil Nadu, to enhance competitiveness, operational efficiency and sustainability through innovation, skilled manpower, quality and disruptive technologies; thereby strengthening Tamil Nadu's position as the most preferred destination for trade and commerce.

A Fintech City will be developed by TIDCO on around 122.69 acres of land in Nandambakkam here, in order to make Chennai a global financial centre. This will accommodate both domestic and overseas financial institutions. The feasibility report for the project has been completed and the state government has granted enter upon permission to TIDCO for 61.09 acres land in Nandambakkam and transferred the land to TIDCO for establishing the Fintech City project.

It has also been proposed to establish a Fintech Tower of international standards, with a built up area of 5 lakh sq.ft as part of Fintech City for Fintech companies to establish their operations. Further, in order to develop a startup ecosystem in the state, it is proposed to create a Startup Hub, an iconic structure in the Fintech city to provide space to startups. A detailed master plan for this project is being prepared. TIDCO is in the process of selecting a Project Management Consultant for this project.

TIDEL will set up Mini (TIDEL Neo) of 50,000 to 1,00,000 sq.ft. in Tier-2 & Tier-3 urban centres of Tamil Nadu. Government will provide land for the development of these TIDEL Neo Parks. TIDCO will represent the government of Tamil Nadu in the SPV. In the first phase, it is proposed to set up TIDEL Neo Parks in Villupuram, Thoothukudi, Vellore, Tirupur and Salem districts and in other districts in subsequent phases. In Villupuram, Thoothukudi, Tiruppur and Salem, suitable land parcels have been identified and Project Management Consultants have been appointed.

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Telecom subscribers' base in the country declined to 116.6 crore in February this year, with players like Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea losing customers in the mobile services segment during the period.

Bharti Airtel was the only net gainer in the mobile segment, according to the subscribers data report of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for February. The report was released on Tuesday.

On the other hand, fixed line customer base continued to increase with private telecom operators gaining market share while public sector firms -- BSNL and MTNL --lost subscribers.

"The number of telephone subscribers in India decreased from 1,169.46 million at the end of January-2022 to 1,166.05 million at the end of February-2022, thereby showing a monthly decline rate of 0.29 per cent," the Trai report said.

Mobile subscribers' base declined across the country except in three circles -- UP East, Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.

February was the third straight month when Reliance Jio lost its mobile customers. The company lost 36.6 lakh mobile subscribers taking its total wireless customer base to 40.27 crore.

Vodafone Idea (VI) continued to lose its mobile subscribers. It lost 15.32 lakh mobile subscribers while BSNL and MTNL lost 1.11 lakh and 5,097 such customers, respectively.

Bharti Airtel added 15.91 lakh new customers in February.

The growth trend in wireline subscriber base, which picked up after the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, is gaining momentum with private telecom operators driving the growth in the segment.

"Wireline subscribers increased from 24.21 million at the end of January-2022 to 24.52 million at the end of February-2022. Net increase in the wireline subscriber base was 0.31 million with a monthly growth rate of 1.27 per cent," Trai report said.

Reliance Jio led the growth in the wireline segment by adding 2.44 lakh customers. It was followed by Bharti Airtel which added 91,243 customers, Vodafone Idea (24,948), Quadrant (18,622) and Tata Teleservices (3,772).

The government-owned BSNL and MTNL, who jointly have a 49.5 per cent share in the segment, lost 49,074 and 21,900 fixed line customers, respectively.

Broadband subscriber base in the country declined marginally to 78.33 crore in February from 78.34 crore in January.

"Top five service providers constituted 98.5 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of February-22. These service providers were Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (40.77 crore), Bharti Airtel (21.31 crore), Vodafone Idea (12.19 crore), BSNL (2.67 crore) and Atria Convergence (20.6 lakh)," the report said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Tourism Minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, Aditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena, and his uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, plan to visit and pray at the upcoming Ram temple there over the next few weeks.

While the dates and details of Aditya's trip shall be finalised by the weekend, Raj plans to visit on June 5 along with over 10,000 MNS activists in a dozen special trains being booked to transport them from different parts of Maharashtra.

Sena MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that his party is very familiar with since long and doesn't need to make too many preparations, and the party's Nashik unit will make the necessary arrangements.

He said 30 years ago, many Shiv Sainiks had sacrificed their lives for Lord Ram, in a reference to the razing of the disputed Ayodhya structure in December 1992, and the party's Hindutva is not taken on 'rent'.

Earlier, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had celebrated his 100 days in power by praying at the site of the Ram temple in Ayodhya in April 2020, and previously in November 2018 to remind the BJP of its commitment to build a grand temple there.

Currently, the MNS is staking a claim to the Hindutva agenda with a shrill campaign against loudspeakers on mosques and to yank them off by May 3.

The Uttar Pradesh government has indicated that shall be accorded special security during his trip to Ayodhya with plans to address a public rally there.

Meanwhile, Raut accused the BJP of creating an atmosphere to spark riots in Mumbai and Delhi where the civic elections are due soon, and termed it as "unfortunate".

The MNS has raised cudgels against mosque loudspeakers which some BJP activists are supporting, though Union minister and the President of its ally at the Centre, the Republican Party of India (A), Ramdas Athawale, has distanced himself from the issue.

Communal clashes erupted in Delhi's Jahangirpuri and in Maharashtra's Amravati district over the past weekend, though the situation is under control now.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil has warned that any person or party indulging in fomenting communal troubles in Maharashtra shall be dealt with very seriously with the state police closely monitoring the developments.

--IANS

qn/arm

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Hong Kong: Home jab service urges booking

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip today visited the Home Vaccination Service call centre at the Hong Kong Spinners Industrial Building in Cheung Sha Wan to view the centre's first day of operation.

Unvaccinated seniors aged 70 or above and people with impaired mobility due to illness or physical disability are advised to register for the free door-to-door Sinovac vaccination service via the service website or the enquiry hotline at 5688 5234.

Mr Nip noted that the hotline provides phone registration service from 9am to 8pm.

Members of the call centre comprise students of healthcare-related disciplines from seven tertiary institutions and members of the Hong Kong Dental Association.

With co-ordination by staff of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the hotline will also proactively call unvaccinated people aged 70 or above.

Staff of the Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po district health centres will also take part in the work of contacting such people.

Mr Nip thanked all the staff and volunteers for their contribution to the project as well as the Fung Group for providing a free venue for the setting up of the call centre.

He noted that the call centre will also approach nearly 200,000 people who are receiving relevant allowances under the Social Welfare Department and are not yet vaccinated, to help them register for vaccination.

The Home Vaccination Service is scheduled to be launched on April 26.

The service will be rolled out by district, with four or five districts being served each week, in order to ensure that the elderly and needy people can receive vaccine protection to reduce their risk of serious illness and death from infection.

The Government reminded the public that they can receive COVID-19 vaccination free of charge. The Home Vaccination Service will not charge any fees or refer other services to the vaccine recipients.

The services outreach teams will only provide services to people who have completed registration and will not conduct home visits without prior arrangements. Staff members will wear a green uniform shirt while on duty.

The public should carefully check the identity of the outreach team staff members before allowing them to enter their premises. If they have any doubt, they may call the enquiry hotline at 5688 5234.

This story has been published on: 2022-04-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China's top political advisor meets Samoan Legislative Assembly speaker via video link

Xinhua) 16:50, April 19, 2022

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang met with Papali'i Li'o Taeu Masipa'u, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Independent State of Samoa, on Tuesday via video link.

Wang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Samoa 47 years ago, bilateral relations have made great progress and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Wang said China will continue working with Samoa to vigorously expand cooperation in economy, trade and investment, infrastructure, agriculture, fishery, tourism and other fields under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote anti-epidemic cooperation, so as to enrich the China-Samoa comprehensive strategic partnership.

He said the CPPCC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Parliament of Samoa to consolidate the social and public support for the development of bilateral relations.

Papali'i said the Samoan side cherishes its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, and highly recognizes the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Samoa is willing to take an active part in jointly building the Belt and Road, Papali'i said, adding that the Parliament of Samoa is ready to strengthen exchanges with the CPPCC to boost bilateral relations.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Unlike in the cases of other heads of government or state such as Japans Shinzo Abe, Chinas Xi Jinping, or Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, will not be accompanied by his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on his first visit to Gujarat.



The first to visit Gujarat, Johnson will begin his two-day visit to India with Modis home state on April 21, ahead of in-depth talks with the latter in New Delhi on April 22.

During their visits in 2014, 2017, and 2018, Jinping, Abe, and Netanyahu had Modi accompanying them for a roadshow during their visit to Ahmedabad, along with a trip to the Sabarmati Ashram.

Contrary to previous instances, by Tuesday the route between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) and the Sabarmati Ashram was without any banner or barricade meant to hold the crowd during roadshows.

Similarly, the Sabarmati Ashram too had a deserted look without any signage that is otherwise typical of a visit by a head of state or government, till Tuesday late afternoon.

According to sources, this is also because Johnsons visit will follow at the end of Modis three-day visit to Gujarat for inaugurating projects including the World Health Organizations (WHOs) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar in the presence of WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

Modi is scheduled to be in Gujarat till April 20. He will travel from Gandhinagar to Dahod before returning to the capital. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) schedule requires the prime minister to be back in New Delhi by Wednesday. However, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will be hosting the UK PM on Thursday. Work will soon begin on hoarding and signage welcoming him to PM Modis home state, said a source.

While Johnsons itinerary is closely guarded, he is likely to land in Ahmedabad early on April 21 before heading to the Sabarmati Ashram, where, as has been the tradition, he will be shown how to run the charkha.

We have not received his itinerary yet and so we cannot comment on the preparations, a senior state government official told Business Standard.

Sources said accompanied by government and business delegates like JCB Chairman the Lord Bamford DL, Johnson is likely to travel to Vadodara for the launch of the companys export-focused plant in Halol.

Johnsons closed-door meetings with business top guns such as Gautam Adani are on the cards.

There is speculation that Johnson will visit the states international financial services hub at GIFT City and this could not be confirmed.
OPEC's share of India's oil imports for the 2021/22 financial year remained almost flat year on year, arresting sharp declines over the the past six years, as refiners snapped up short-haul crude from the middle east to counter rising global prices.

Total crude imports by the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer rose by an annual 7.2% to 4.26 million barrels per day (bpd) in the year to March 31, ship-tracking data from industry sources showed.

The share of that provided by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) - mainly from the Middle East and Africa - was 71.6% in 2021/22, compared with 71.9% in 2020/21, the data showed.

oil accounted for about 88% of India's crude imports in 2007/08.

" is increasing its production almost every month by about 250,000 bpd, and India is a nearby market for that. At the same time Indian refiners raised crude processing to meet rising fuel demand," said Refinitiv analyst Ehsan Ul Haq.

In the next few months OPEC's share of India's overall imports could decline because refiners in Asia's third-largest economy are buying cheaper Russian oil that has been shunned by some western countries and companies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian oil continued to account for less than 1% of India's crude imports in 2021/22.

A rally in global oil prices from November pushed Indian refiners to take "full volumes or perhaps more than committed volumes" in their annual contracts with Middle East producers, said Haq.

Indian refiners' intake of medium to heavy grades of oil, mainly from the Middle East, rose as the easing of the country's COVID-19 lockdown boosted domestic fuel demand.

"Margins for diesel have been dazzling and heavy grades from the Middle East are diesel-rich," said Haq.

India's fuel demand in the past financial year rose by 4.3% for the biggest increase in four years. [O/INDIA2]

The share of Middle East oil in India's imports improved to 64% in 2021/22, up from 62% the previous year, while that of Latin America and Africa declined.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by David Goodman)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least one person was killed and 12 injured on Tuesday when police opened fire to disperse anti-government protestors in Sri Lanka's southwestern region of Rambukkana.

The residents were protesting the latest fuel price hike when they clashed with the police.

Police said the protesters had blocked the railway track at Rambukkana and started pelting stones at them.

Police Spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said in order to control the situation police opened fire and several people were injured.

At least 12 people were admitted to the Kegalle hospital, four of them were critical, police said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President has no plans to visit Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday (local time).

"There are no plans for the President to go," Psaki said regarding the Biden administration's plans to send a high-level US official to Kiev soon.

The US earlier had 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.

Today, Washington has sent four planes loaded with security assistance to Ukraine over the weekend and made one more delivery on Monday, as per Psaki.

"There were four planes that arrived of military assistance over the course of the weekend, another one is supposed to arrive today if it hasn't already from the US 800 million package the President announced," Psaki said during a press briefing on Monday.

The remains the largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine among the 30 allies supporting the country.

Washington has committed more than USD 3.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since President took office in January 2021. Approximately USD 2.6 billion of the total amount was approved since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine at the end on February, according to the Defense Department.

The US military assistance includes lethal weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Javelin anti-armor systems, Howitzers and artillery rounds, Mi-17 helicopters, small arms and ammunition, drones, radar devices, among other equipment, according to Sputnik.

On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk requested help to defend them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops.

(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.)
reported seven more deaths from Covid-19 in the locked-down city of on Tuesday, a day after announcing its first fatalities from a weeks-long outbreak driven by the Omicron variant. The deaths took the total death toll in to 10, with the virus continuing to spread.



The first three people confirmed dead were elderly and had not been vaccinated against the . The seven who died on Tuesday were also unvaccinated, city health official Wu Qianyu told a news conference, and were aged between 60 and 101.



Philippines envoy dies in quarantine The Philippines' ambassador to China, Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana died while in quarantine for Covid-19. He was 74. Sta. Romana had been residing in for a long time . No word was given on the cause of death. Philippine media reports said he died in Huangshan, where he was completing his 21-day quarantine after returning from the Philippines with Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin Jr. Agencies

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The East Coast Chapter of the Foundation has been launched here, with the aim to connect diaspora in the region from the Indian State.

The Foundation is the diaspora cell of the Government of and is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad.

It aims to strengthen and renew the bonds between all stake holders in the overall socio-economic development of the State. It also aims to provide a forum for, and to facilitate a process of continuous communication and interaction between Non-Resident Biharis (NRB) and the State of Bihar and its various agencies, according to the information available on its website.

Members of the foundation (East Coast Chapter) elected former president of Federation of Indian Associations - NY, NJ, CT, NE (FIA) Alok Kumar as Chairman, Ranjeet Kumar as Vice-Chairman, Chandan Trivedi as Secretary, Gaurav Kumar as Joint Secretary, Alok Kashyap as Treasurer and Anand Gupta as Joint Treasurer, a statement said here.

The core committee of Bihar Foundation USA (East Coast Chapter) met on Sunday when Alok Kumar said that Bihar Foundation USA has evolved as a popular forum to facilitate continuous communication and interaction between NRBs and the State of Bihar and its various agencies.

Kumar also highlighted that land-related Zameeni Baatein initiative organised by the foundation in February this year has helped hundreds of NRBs in resolving their land-related disputes.

The members also discussed and identified various developmental and non-profit activities in Bihar.

The foundation is soon starting a project to provide free mentorship to college students from US-based experts.

This initiative would help students secure jobs in top IT companies and make excellent career choices, Kumar said.

The foundation is also launching a state-wide campaign to raise awareness about Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme.

Under this initiative, the foundation is collaborating with Mukhiyas and Sarpanches of each village to identify eligible people for Ayushman Bharat' and help them enroll in the scheme.

This initiative is expected to help eight crore people from marginalised sections of the society to understand the scheme, enroll in it and avail of its benefits.

Kumar had recently visited Bihar and met with Prasad and members of the foundation. He extended an invitation to Prasad to visit the US and meet with the diaspora here. The foundation said that this meeting will help strengthen and encourage various US-based organisations in accomplishing their Bihar-centric initiatives.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's new prime minister has appointed 57-year-old economist and businessman Miftah Ismail as the finance minister who will be tasked with quickly arresting a downward economic spiral and getting Monetary Fund (IMF) talks back on track.

Ismail, who briefly held the post four years ago, brings with him a record of decisive policy action and a close relationship with prime minister but faces a daunting array of challenges. The former economist, with a PhD in Public Finance and Political Economy from the Wharton School of Business, held the job for a few months in 2018 when he joined a government near the end of its term.

As he returns to the post, central bank foreign reserves have fallen to $10.8 billion from $16.2 billion in just one month, according to the latest figures released on Thursday, providing import cover of only around 50 days, Ismail said. He will also prioritise securing a successful Monetary Fund review to release a tranche of more than $900 million and unlock finances from other lenders that require a clean bill of health from the Fund. Ismail has said he intends to restart talks soon to resume the 39-month, $6 billion bailout programme, which entered in 2019, but negotiations will be tough with many targets off track. He has also said his foremost task will be to contain a burgeoning fiscal deficit that could hit 6.4 trillion Pakistani rupees ($35 billion), or about 10% of gross domestic product, versus a target of about 4 trillion rupees, by the end of June.





Just prior to his appointment, Ismail had said that tough decisions need to be made. "We cannot let our fiscal and external financial position deteriorate further and have our development partners walk out. Tough choices need to be made," he said in a tweet on Saturday.

Ismail comes from a wealthy family that runs a confectionery business, Ismail Industrial, is expected to have good working ties with Sharif.







Bilawal not among new ministers New PM on Tuesday appointed a multi-party coalition cabinet made up of what had previously been political rivals in opposition who united to oust Imran Khan. The Cabinet includes five women. Among the key appointments was finance minister Miftah Ismail, 57. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, a former provincial finance minister, will work with Ismail as a state minister for finance. Ismail's first officially announced meeting was with the Chinese Embassy's charge d'affaires, the finance ministry said in a statement. But, in what would come as a surprise to many, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the front-runner for the coveted post of the foreign minister, did not take the oath on Tuesday, giving rise to speculation about his reluctance to join the government. Bilawal, 33, is chairman of the Peoples Party (PPP). The role went to Hina Rabbani Khar, also a member PPP . Khar held the portfolio briefly in 2011. The Cabinet includes 31 ministers and three ministers of the state. Sharifs PML-N got 13 ministries and Bhutto-Zardari's PPP got nine. Four ministries were over to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and two to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan. Other coalition partners including Balochistan Awami Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and Jamhori Watan Party got one ministry each.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
has denied reports that it unblurred satellite Maps imagery in to allegedly open access to Russia's military and strategic facilities for Ukrainians.

A Twitter account named @ArmedForcesUkr tweeted a set of images that appear to show military equipment belonging to .

"Now everyone can see a variety of Russian launchers, intercontinental ballistic missile mines, command posts and secret landfills with a resolution of about 0.5 meters per pixel," claimed the Twitter handle that has been cited several times by the official Ukrainian Ministry of Defence account.

According to The Verge, the Twitter post was cited by The Moscow Times, and an English translation of the tweet went viral on social media.

" Maps has stopped hiding Russia's secret military & strategic facilities. Allowing anyone in the public to view. Open sourcing all secret Russian installations: including ICBMs, command posts and more with a resolution of 0.5m per pixel," read the English translation of the tweet.

has refuted the allegations made in the tweet.

"We haven't made any blurring changes to our satellite imagery in Russia," a company spokesperson was quoted as saying.

While the circulating images are likely legitimate, "they were available on Google Maps long before the conflict in Ukraine," said the report.

With the Russian invasion of in February, Google had disabled its Maps' live traffic data in to protect users.

(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.)
Kristalina Georgieva, Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, on Monday (local time) appreciated India's help to in tackling its economic crises while assuring Finance Minister that the financial institution would continue to actively engage with the island nation.

Georgieva made these remarks during the Spring Meetings of IMF- (WB) in Washington DC with Sitharaman.

Discussing the recent geopolitical developments, Sitharaman and Georgieva raised concerns about its impact on the global economy and the challenges linked to the rising energy prices.

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, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.

The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Georgieva also congratulated on its successful vaccination programme to control the spread of COVID-19. She also appreciated for extending COVID-19 relief support to other vulnerable countries, according to the Ministry of Finance.

According to the Ministry, Georgieva highlighted India's well-targeted policy mix that has helped the Indian economy remain resilient.

During her conversation with Georgieva, Sitharaman stressed at India's commitment to supporting economic growth through Capital Expenditure. The Union Minister underlined that India's accommodative fiscal stance accompanied by major structural reforms and strong monetary policies have helped in India's post-pandemic economic recovery, the ministry said.

India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 186.49 crores on Saturday.

The Union Minister reached Washington on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG).

Apart from her official engagements with the World Bank, IMF, G20, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sitharaman on Monday also attended an event at the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington DC.

The visit will also include several bilateral interactions, including with Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as well as a high-level meeting with President David Malpass, a Ministry of Finance statement said.

Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for on April 27.

(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.)
Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Tanvir Ilyas has been elected unopposed as the 14th Prime Minister of Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The election on Monday follows the decision of Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi on Thursday to step down from the post.

After Niazi's resignation, a meeting was held to elect a new leader for the PM slot. Ilyas had submitted nomination papers on behalf of PTI which were declared valid by the secretary assembly.

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of PTI nominated Ilyas as the party's candidate for PoK PM position. On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) jointly fielded Chaudhry Yasin for the top post, reported The Express Tribune.

With no end to political turmoil in Pakistan's politics, the Monday session also saw a ruckus wherein the united opposition boycotted the session for the Prime Minister election for the PoK region. With no candidate in the race for election, Ilyas secured 33 votes in his favor.

The election of the PoK PM was out under Article 13 of the Constitution and Rule 15 of the legislative assembly. The PTI was leading in the House with 32 members and had the support of the Muslim Conference.

As per the sources, the move of Niazi 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.

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 had proposed the name of Sardar Tanveer Ilyas for the PM's slot.

The first prime minister of PoK, Khan Abdul Hameed Khan, was elected on July 5, 1975. PoK has had a parliamentary system since 1985. Sardar Sikandar Hayat, Sardar Atiq Ahmad Khan, and Raja Farooq Haider Khan had twice held the office of PoK PM, reported the media outlet.

(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.)
Shanti Sethi, a trail-blazing woman Navy veteran has been appointed defence advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Politico.

Politico said on Monday that Harris's Senior Advisor Herbie Ziskend confirmed the appointment of Sethi, who will also have the title of executive secretary.

Sethi, who retired with the rank of captain, was the senior military advisor to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.

During her 29-year Navy career, she had commanded the USS Decatur, a missile destroyer ship with a crew of 281, including 33 commissioned officers.

While heading the ship, she had taken it on a visit to Chennai in 2011.

She has also been the Commanding Officer of the Sixth Fleet's Task Force 64 and the action officer coordinating joint and policy for integrated air and missile defence across all military services, according to her LinkedIn profile which has been updated to confirm her new position with Harris.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)

--IANS

arul/shs

(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.)
Dozens of residents of the southern province of Kandahar staged protests in reaction to recent Pakistani attacks on Afghan territory, Tolo News reported.

On April 16, the Pakistani military carried out airstrikes on the Spiri area of Khost province and also targeted the Shiltan district of Kunar province with shelling.

"No one takes action. We call on the Islamic Emirate to give a strong response to Pakistan," a protestor said.

Previously residents of southeastern Khost and eastern Nangarhar provinces held rallies to protest the attacks.

Afghan diplomatic missions run by former government officials in a joint statement condemned Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan soil and asked the UN Security Council to take action against Pakistan, the report said.

"The airstrikes on are obvious acts of aggression and a crime against humanity -- in which civilians and innocent people were targeted. It underestimates the Taliban as well," said Noorullah Raghi, a former diplomat.

However, the Islamic Emirate said that the issue will be pursued through diplomatic channels.

"We will defend our soil and will not allow such actions to happen again, and we should find a diplomatic solution to this," said Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that territory is being attacked by "terrorists" harboured along the Durand Line.

But the Islamic emirate denied this and said that Afghan territory is not being used against any other 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.)
Sri Lankan police on Tuesday opened fire at anti-government protestors in southwestern region of Rambukkana  some 90 kilometers northeast of Colombo  killing at least one person and injuring 12 others, the first death during the ongoing protests over the worst-ever in the country's history.

The residents of Rambukkana were protesting at the latest fuel price hike when they clashed with the police.

Scores of protesters teemed the streets and public places of of the town on Monday. The demonstration went late into the night. On Tuesday, the protesters blocked the railway track. When they were asked to clear the rail line, they hurled stones at security personnel, police said.

Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said police issued warnings to the protestors to leave the area. However, the protestors attempted to set fire to a fuel bowser, as well as a three-wheeler causing damaging to property, Thalduwa was quoted as saying by News 1st channel. He said that the police had opened fire after initially using tear gas to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. One person was killed and 12 injured in the firing, police said.

Prez powers to be reduced

Meanwhile, Prime minister (PM) promised to reduce the sweeping powers of the president, his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It is the governments biggest concession yet to protesters as it seeks to stay in power amid a spiralling debt crisis.

The premier told parliament on Tuesday that he would reintroduce the 19th amendment to the constitution, with certain amendments, as a possible temporary solution. However, he didnt elaborate on the details of the changes.
Amidst the pioneering fintech revolution, the biggest risk of could be and its use for financing terror, said Union Minister of on Monday (local time).

In her address at a seminar during the ongoing spring meet of the Monetary Fund (IMF), Sitharaman said: "I think the biggest risk for all countries across the board will be the aspect and also the aspect of currency being used for financing terror."

"I think regulation using technology is the only answer. Regulation using technology will have to be so adept, that it has to be not behind the curve, but be sure that it is on the top of it. And that's not possible. If any one country thinks that it can handle it. It has to be across the board," the Minister said.

The Union Minister reached Washington today morning on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG).

During the first day of the visit, Minister participated in a high-level panel discussion on "Money at a Crossroad" hosted by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, .

"We are at the crossroads around how fast, how far, and in what proportion, but I see this as a one way street in which Digital Money is going to play a bigger role," the chief said in her opening remarks.

Sitharaman highlighted India's performance in the digital world and the government's efforts to build the digital infrastructure framework over the last decade, stressing the increase of the digital adoption rate in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If I use 2019 data, the digital adoption rate in India is about 85 per cent. But globally that same year it was only somewhere near 64 per cent. So the pandemic time actually helped us to test and prove for ourselves that it is simple to use, common people can use it, and adoption actually was proven," Sitharaman asserted.

Apart from her official engagements with the World Bank, IMF, G20, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sitharaman on Monday also attended an event at the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington DC.

The visit will also include several bilateral interactions, including with Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as well as a high-level meeting with World Bank President David Malpass, a Ministry of Finance statement said.

Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27.

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Prime Minister is set to unveil his on Tuesday, with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to administer the oath to new ministers after President excused himself from attending the ceremony, according to media reports.

The was scheduled to take oath tonight at 8:30 pm (local time) on Monday; however, when the prime minister's office contacted the president's office, Alvi refused to administer oaths, Geo TV reported.

Now, Senate Chairman Sanjrani will be summoned in his capacity as the acting president on Tuesday to administer the oath to the new Cabinet, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Last week, Sanjrani administered the oath of office to Prime Minister Sharif after President Alvi, a member of ousted premier Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party, went on 'sick' leave ahead of the Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader's inauguration.

A source in the government said President Alvi would not attend Tuesday's ceremony, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The source said President Alvi will again go on leave on Tuesday on the pretext of an illness so that Sanjrani could perform the duty, it said.

The federal government claimed to have addressed reservations of the allies in the ruling coalition after which the first phase of the long-awaited induction of a 34-member will take place, the paper said.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will take the ministries of information, finance, interior, planning and development, energy, trade, establishment, cabinet, national security, inter-provincial coordination, law and justice and parliamentary affairs, The Express Tribune said.

So far, three names of the PML-N ministers have come forth. They are: Miftah Ismail, the new finance minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, the new information minister and Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, who will be given the portfolio of the law ministry, it said.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a major ally of the government, will get the ministries of foreign affairs, water resources, health, human rights, education, climate change, communications, industries and production, besides the head of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The PPP members who would take oath as ministers are: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Hina Rabbani Khar, Naveed Qamar, Shazia Marri, Saleem Mandviwala, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Mahesh Malani, Syed Khursheed Shah, Qadir Patel, and Fazal Shah.

It is not yet clear if Bilawal Bhutto will be the new foriegn minister.

Among the other allies, Amir Haider from the Awami National Party (ANP) and Shazain Bugti of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), will be inducted into the Cabinet. It is also learnt that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will get the housing and works, and religious affairs ministries.

The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) will get the defence production ministry.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) will get two ministries of maritime affairs and information technology, while the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) will get one ministry. Shahida Akhtar of the JUI-F will be the deputy speaker of the National Assembly.

(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 has been warned by economists and industry experts that the country would face the worst shortage of diesel next month amid the harvesting season as its stocks are plummeting, Express Tribune reported.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the experts had urged Premier Shehbaz to increase oil prices in order to avoid the swelling price differential claims that accumulated to around Rs 60 billion in only one month of April 2022.

The prime minister was also informed that there would be no protests if the oil prices were increased. However, protests would start if diesel was not available in the market due to poor financial health of the oil industry on account of rising price differential claims. The interesting thing was that there was no approval from the government to clear the price differential claims of the oil industry.

Further, PM Shehbaz had refused to increase the oil prices despite the grave situation of the oil industry.

The sources said that diesel stocks were depleting fast as only 18-day supply remained in the country.

The State Oil (PSO) was the country's largest oil exporter. Earlier, it had made an attempt to import diesel by floating a tender but no trader participated.

Now, the PSO had arranged one diesel cargo at the highest premium rate of $13 due to non-availability of diesel in the global market following the Russia and Ukraine war.

--IANS

san/dpb

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's 34-member Cabinet - a mix of experience and fresh blood - was sworn in on Tuesday after several days of delay, with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administering the oath to new ministers after President Arif Alvi once again excused himself from the ceremony.

The ceremony was scheduled to be held on Monday, but President Alvi refused to administer the oath to the lawmakers, compelling the government to postpone it.

The Cabinet includes 31 ministers and three ministers of the state and its first meeting has been summoned in the evening by Prime Minister Sharif.

The new Cabinet is a mix of experience and fresh blood cobbled up together after stiff tradeoffs behind the closed-door meetings of the coalition partners of Sharif, also president of the Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N).

His PML-N got 13 ministries and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's Peoples Party (PPP) got nine. Four ministries were over to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and two to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

Other coalition partners including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Jamhori Watan Party (JWP) got one ministry each. Out of the three ministers of the state, two belong to PML-N and one to PPP.

Three special advisors with the status of a minister have also been nominated.

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Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will visit Ukraine's Lviv city on Tuesday, Michal Dworczyk, the head of his chancellery, said.

At the initiative of the Polish government, container towns for internal refugees are being created, the official said, adding that women and children fleeing from eastern will find refuge there.

"The first of them will be opened today by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Lviv," Dworczyk tweeted.

(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.)
Ukraine's President has said Russia has launched an assault to seize the eastern Donbas region, BBC reported.

Moscow bombarded cities with rocket and artillery fire on Monday and in a video address Zelensky said that the battle "for the Donbas has begun".

Ukraine's top security official, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Russia tried to break through Ukrainian front lines in the region.

The offensive has been long-expected after Russia failed to seize Kyiv.

Russia initially appeared to want to capture major Ukrainian cities and topple the government.

But after facing stiff resistance, Russian defence officials said that its main objectives in the "first stage of the operation" had been "generally accomplished" and its forces were moved from areas around the capital, BBC reported.

They announced plans to redirect the focus of the invasion towards the "liberation" of the Russian speaking Donbas region.

Russia's President Vladmir Putin has portrayed the invasion as an attempt to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine, something Ukraine and its allies dismiss as a ruse for an unprovoked attack.

Throughout Monday, Russia unleashed a barrage of rocket and artillery fire on a number of eastern areas, with eight civilians killed in the city of Kreminna in Luhansk and in the Donetsk area.

Seven people were killed and eleven more were injured in four Russian strikes in western Lviv, a city that has largely been spared the attacks seen elsewhere in Ukraine.

--IANS

san/dpb

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has claimed that it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery, and street battles have broken out as President Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, Daily Mail reported.

Russian troops managed to take control of the eastern city of Kreminna after hours of relentless bombing, as gunfights between Putin's men and battling Ukrainian forces continue.

"Control over the city of Kreminna is lost, street fights are taking place," Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said has begun the "battle for the Donbas".

Downing Street has been warned that the battle could take 'months', with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that Ukraine's situation is 'perilous' with Putin intent on victory "regardless of the human cost".

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that high-precision air-based missiles had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas region, including the city of Slavyansk, while airstrikes had hit 60 military targets.

Overall, claimed it has struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet has been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region, Daily Mail reported.

--IANS

san/arm

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Russian forces have begun the battle for the Donbas region, but will defend itself, Ukrainian President has said in a video address.

"Now we can say that Russian troops have started the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive," Zelensky was quoted as saying by the state-run Ukrinform news agency.

"No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight," he added.

In the east and south of Ukraine, Russian forces have recently been trying to attack a little more deliberately than before and looking for a weak spot in the country's defence to go there with the main forces, Zelensky was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

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state investment firm Temasek has backed an investigation into fashion technology startup Pte's accounting practices saying it supports the company board's move.

In a strongly-worded statement, Temasek said, "We expect our portfolio to abide by the sound corporate governance and codes of conduct and ethics. We are, therefore, in support of the board's investigation into the complaint as a part of good governance to safeguard the interests of the company."



However, it did not elaborate on the investigation.

This is the second investment firm that has spoken in the favour of strong governance framework days after Sequoia India, also an investor in Zilingo, spoke on the subject.

The statement comes after the board of put its founder Ankiti Bose on suspension on March 31 pending an investigation.

Sequoia Capital India's Shailendra Singh too has stepped down from the board of following questioning over accounting practices of the fashion technology startup, sources said.

Zilingo, a platform for fashion merchants backed by Singaporean state-owned investor Temasek Holdings, was co-founded in 2015 by CEO Ankiti Bose alongside Dhruv Kapoor, its chief technology and chief product officer.

Singh resigned as a director a few days back after the departure of Temasek Holding Pet's Xu Wei Yang and Burda Principal Investments Ltd's Albert Shyy, the sources said.

The investigation reportedly is into the way that Zilingo had accounted for transactions and revenue across a platform spanning thousands of small merchants.

Besides Temasek and venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, Zilingo also counts Burda Principal as well as Singapore's Economic Development Board's investment arm EDBI among its investors. It was not immediately clear how much share each investor holds in the company.

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By Paul Lienert and Nick Carey

(Reuters) - Buyers around the world are lining up to purchase this year even with sticker prices surging, flipping the script on a decade and a half of conventional auto industry wisdom that EV sales would break out only after battery costs dropped below a threshold that was always just over the horizon.

This year, EV demand has stayed strong even as the average cost of lithium-ion battery cells soared to an estimated $160 per kilowatt-hour in the first quarter from $105 last year. Costs rose due to supply chain disruptions, sanctions on Russian metals and investor speculation.

For a smaller vehicle like the Hongguang Mini, the best-selling EV in China, the higher battery costs added almost $1,500, equal to 30% of the sticker price.

But gasoline and diesel fuel costs for internal combustion vehicles have also skyrocketed since Russia invaded Ukraine, and experts noted that environmental concerns also are pushing more buyers to choose EVs despite the volatile economics.

Manufacturers from Tesla to SAIC-GM-Wuling, which makes the Hongguang Mini, have passed higher costs on to consumers with double-digit price increases for EVs.

More may be coming. Andy Palmer, chairman of Slovak EV battery maker InoBat, says margins in the battery industry are already wafer thin, so "rising costs will have to be passed onto carmakers."

Vehicle manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz will likely shift increases to customers if their raw material prices keep rising. "We need to keep margins," Chief Technology Officer Markus Schaefer told Reuters.

But EV shoppers have so far not been deterred. Global EV sales in the first quarter jumped nearly 120%, according to estimates by EV-volumes.com. China's Nio, Xpeng and Li Auto delivered record EV sales in March. Tesla delivered a record 310,000 EVs in the first quarter.

Here's a graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/3OjptBX

'DIFFERENT KIND OF TIPPING POINT'

"There is a different kind of tipping point that we seem to have hit - an emotional or psychological tipping point among consumers," said Venkat Srinivasan, director of the Center for Collaborative Energy Storage Science at the U.S. government's Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago. He said "more and more people" would buy EVs "notwithstanding the cost of the battery and the vehicle."

This spike in battery costs could be a blip in the long-term trend in which technology improvements and growing production pushed costs down for three straight decades. Industry data showed that the $105 per kilowatt hour average cost in 2021 was down nearly 99% from over $7,500 in 1991.

Here's a graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/3JTsiqN

Experts say battery costs could stay elevated for the next year or so, but then another big drop is probably in store as big-ticket investments by automakers and suppliers in mining, refining and battery cell production, and a move to diversify raw material sources, tip the balance from shortage to surplus.

"It's like a bubble -- and for that bubble to settle down, it's going to be at least the end of 2023," said consultant Prabhakar Patil, a former LG Chem executive.

British battery company Britishvolt is due to launch battery production at a 45-gigawatt-hour plant in northeast England in 2024. Chief strategy officer Isobel Sheldon said the advice the company is getting from raw materials suppliers is "don't fix your prices now, wait for the next 12 months and fix the prices then because everything will be on a more even keel."

"This over-securing of resources should be behind us by then," she said. DEMAND BEATS SUPPLY

The industry has long been awaiting the battery cell cost threshold of $100 per kilowatt-hour, as a signal EVs were reaching price parity with fossil-fuel equivalents. But with gasoline prices soaring and consumer preferences changing, that may no longer matter as much, analysts say.

EV demand in China and other markets "is going up faster than people thought -- faster than the supply of materials" for EV batteries, said Stan Whittingham, a co-inventor of lithium-ion batteries and a 2019 Nobel laureate.

Concern about the environment and the climate also has motivated buyers, especially younger ones, to choose EVs over those that burn fossil fuels, said Chris Burns, chief executive of Novonix, a Halifax-based battery materials supplier.

"Many younger people entering the market are making buying decisions beyond simple economics and are saying they will only drive an EV because they are better for the planet," Burns says. "They are making the plunge even though it would be cheaper" to drive a gas-powered car.

"I don't think we will stop seeing reports trying to show a trend in battery prices down towards $60 or $80 a kilowatt-hour as aspirational targets, but it is possible that those may never get met," he said. "However, it doesn't mean that EV adoption will not rise."

(Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit and Nick Carey in London; Editing by David Gregorio)

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Sri Lanka's president acknowledged Monday that he made mistakes that led to the country's worst in decades and pledged to correct them.

President Gotabaya made the admission while speaking to 17 new Cabinet ministers he appointed Monday as he and his powerful family seek to resolve a political crisis resulting from the country's dire economic state.

is on the brink of bankruptcy, with nearly USD 7 billion of its total USD 25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment this year. A severe shortage of foreign exchange means the country lacks money to buy imported goods.

People have endured months of shortages of essentials like food, cooking gas, fuel and medicine, lining up for hours to buy the very limited stocks available.

During the last two and a half years we have had vast challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the debt burden, and some mistakes on our part, said.

They need to be rectified. We have to correct them and move forward. We need to regain the trust of the people.

He said the government should have approached the Monetary Fund early on for help in facing the impending debt crisis and should not have banned chemical fertilizer in an attempt to make Sri Lankan agriculture fully organic. Critics say the ban on imported fertilizer was aimed at conserving the country's declining foreign exchange holdings and badly hurt farmers.

The government is also blamed for taking out large loans for infrastructure projects which have not brought in any money.

Today, people are under immense pressure due to this . I deeply regret this situation," said, adding that the pain, discomfort and anger displayed by people forced to wait in long lines to get essential items at high prices is justified.

The Cabinet appointments follow weeks of protests over shortages of fuel and food and demands that Rajapaksa, his politically powerful family and his government resign.

Much public anger has been directed at Rajapaksa and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. They head an influential clan that has held power for most of the past two decades.

Thousands of protesters occupied the entrance to the president's office for a 10th day on Monday.

The president and prime minister remain in office, but some other relatives lost their Cabinet seats in what was seen as an attempt to pacify the protesters without giving up the family's hold on power.

Many senior politicians and those facing corruption allegations were excluded from the new Cabinet in line with calls for a younger administration, though the finance and foreign affairs ministers retained their positions to assist with an economic recovery.

Most of the Cabinet resigned on April 3 after protests erupted across the country and demonstrators stormed and vandalized the homes of some Cabinet ministers.

Opposition parties rejected an offer by President Rajapaksa to form a unity government with him and his brother remaining in power. Opposition parties have failed, meanwhile, to gain a parliamentary majority.

Last week, the government said it was suspending repayment of foreign loans pending talks with the Monetary Fund. Finance Minister Ali Sabry and officials left for talks with the IMF on Sunday. The IMF and World Bank are holding annual meetings in Washington this week.

has also turned to China and India for emergency loans to buy food and fuel.

(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.)
member Suhail Shaheen has met with French envoy to Jean Marin Schuh and discussed several issues including the recent decree over the prevention of poppy cultivation and substitutes in .

"Today, in Doha, I met Mr Jean Marin Schuh, French envoy to currently based in Doha. We talked about a range of topics including education, the recent decree by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan about the prevention of poppy cultivation and substitutes, projects for farmers and bilateral relations," Suhail Shaheen said in a Tweet on Monday.

He further said that both Suhail Shaheen and Jean Marin Schuh expressed to remain engaged and continue communication.

On April 3, the announced a ban on the cultivation of poppy.

According to Tolo News, Taliban's supreme leader Hebatullah Akhundzada in a decree said the cultivation of poppy seeds as well as are banned in the country.

The decree, read by spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, said that there is a "strict ban" on the use and trafficking of "all types of illicit drugs" such as alcoholic beverages, heroin, "Tablet K", hashish and others, reported Tolo News.

The decree also puts a ban on the production of illicit .

"If anyone violates the decree and cultivates poppy, their crop will be destroyed and the violator will be punished based on the Sharia law," the decree said.

"The enforcement of this decree is mandatory. Violators will be prosecuted and punished by judiciaries," the decree read.

However, multiple reports indicate that poppy cultivation and provide a big income source for the Taliban, mainly in the southern and northern parts of the country. Most of the drug smuggling goes through Iran and the Taliban makes a big money from it.

Afghanistan has been among the world's top illicit drug-producing countries. There are scores of drug addicts currently on the streets.

Due to the re-rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the country is not only facing a political crisis but also uncertainty in business and unemployment.

Moreover, young girls and women of Afghanistan are deprived of their basic right to attend school and go to work. The Taliban earlier had issued a decree banning female students of grade 6 and above from attending classes in schools.

(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 Russian foreign minister says that Moscow's campaign in is entering a new stage.

said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now.

Lavrov's statement follows Ukrainian statements that Russia on Monday launched an offensive in the country's eastern industrial heartland, Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by .

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian operation is aimed at the full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
is trying to convince its EU partners to impose an embargo on oil supplies from Russia to undermine its ability to finance its special military operation in Ukraine despite the spike in energy and food prices worldwide, French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday.

Earlier in April, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the to restrict oil and coal supplies from Russia.

"In light of what is happening now in Donbas, the stoppage of oil supplies from Russia is necessary more than ever. This is what we are preparing. The French president has made it clear that we are trying to convince our European partners of this to cut off supplies of Russian oil, since the stoppage of oil supplies will undermine the financing of the war in Ukraine," Le Maire told French radio station Europe 1.

On February 24, Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. Western countries responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia, which has resulted in a spike in fuel and food prices around the world and disrupted supply chains.

The has also vowed to reduce its dependency on Russian energy. On April 8, 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.

(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.)
suspects that may have a plan-in-waiting to use to block American radars and jam sophisticated weapons systems if the need arises, according to recent reports.

Recently, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) of the US, has submitted an 80-page report for consideration by the Biden administration and action.

The report which is cited by The Singapore Post said that it gives credence to what was suspected by the community till now that has reached a stage of self-reliance in and acquired capabilities to "prevail in a major conflict with the and is aggressively launching, acquiring, and obtaining through espionage the counter-space capabilities necessary to do so."

"As China's and Russia's space and counterspace capabilities increase, both nations are integrating space scenarios into their military exercises," the report said, according to The Singapore Post.

However, the DIA focuses more on the activities of which if finds are "most worrisome to the United States, not only because of the country's rapid growth in space--doubling the number of ISR satellites it has in space to 250 since 2018--but also its rapid acquisition and pursuit of counter-space capabilities".

"The PLA probably sees counterspace operations as a means to deter and counter a U.S. intervention during a regional military conflict," the DIA wrote in the report.

Quoting an article by DefenseOne, the military analysis website, the DIA said: "China has claimed that 'destroying or capturing satellites and other sensors' would make it difficult for the US and allied militaries to use precision-guided weapons."

The DIA also found that China "probably is developing jammers dedicated to targeting SAR, including aboard military reconnaissance platforms," referring to the advanced synthetic aperture radar systems that allow clear imagery even at night or during bad weather, DefenseOne said.

Those jammers "would be key to preventing the US and US-affiliated commercial satellite firms from maintaining a clear picture over Taiwan, as they have in Ukraine".

Notably, the China National Space Administration is China's equivalent to . It is supervised by the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which handles defense-related science and technology, including China's state-owned defense conglomerates.

The infrastructure of the country's space program is similarly militarised. The PLA runs under its command the launch sites, control centers, and even satellites.

Most of the personnel, including the astronauts, working in the space program are military personnel, as per The Singapore Post.

The DIA report, analyses of DefenseOne, and western military experts, all say in one voice while there could be a tremendous potential of a Chinese and the Americans working together on space programs, China faces a trust deficit.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The on Monday held the first Egg Roll in two years, a longtime tradition interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"To all of you, have fun today and welcome to the White House," US President said from the Blue Room balcony to a crowd of children and their parents.

Biden was joined by his wife - - and two Bunnies on a rainy and chilly day, Xinhua news agency reported.

"My job is to keep it from raining for another two minutes," he joked.

The Bidens officiated one of the egg rolls, with the president blowing a whistle to start kids running down their lanes with a painted wooden spoon.

American television host and comedian Jimmy Fallon, whose daughter participated in the egg roll, was among the celebrities in attendance.

Around 30,000 guests were expected to show up on the South Lawn at Monday's event, according to the . But there were only a few individuals seen wearing a mask.

Covid-19 case numbers have begun to rise in the again, and nearly all of them were caused by the highly contagious Omicron subvariant BA.2.

Covid-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha on Sunday urged Americans to get vaccinated and receive boosters if eligible.

"The good news is our vaccines are holding up really well against BA.2, against all of the Omicron variants, especially if you've been boosted," Jha told a Fox News program.

"So the key here is you've got to have the initial two shots, and you've got to have a booster," he continued. "That's what's really protecting people at this moment."

A federal judge in Florida on Monday struck down the Biden administration's mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods.

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the order was unlawful because it exceeded the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC announced last week that it was extending the nationwide mask order for public transit for 15 days, as it monitors the uptick in Covid-19 cases.

--IANS

int/shs

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Treasury Secretary plans to meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during this week's big meetings of global economic leaders in Washington but she'll be trying to avoid most contact with Russian officials who plan to attend some portions of the event virtually.

The Russian invasion of and how world powers should manage the spillover effects on economies, including food insecurity will take center stage at the spring meetings of the Monetary Fund and World Bank.

On Tuesday, Yellen will convene a panel of finance ministers, the development banks and other institutions to talk about how they will use resources to address food insecurity.

This year's meetings run through Friday, and include a mix of virtual and in-person events.

Russian finance officials are expected to attend several events virtually, according to a senior Treasury official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview plans for the meetings.

Yellen will participate if a Russian minister is there for a session or two, but will not attend every session, the official said, adding that the presence of Russian officials should not stop the work the U.S. needs to do with members of the Group of 20 the world's largest economies.

There are some sessions the secretary will attend including the opening, which the Ukrainian finance minister also will attend. However, she won't be participating in a number of the sessions if the Russians are participants.

President has said should be removed from the .

Yellen is expected to use this week's meetings to work with allies on efforts to increase economic pressure on while mitigating spillover effects, to call for the implementation of a global minimum tax deal and to address food security issues.

In addition, Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control this week is expected to issue clarifying language to make clear that trade in agricultural products is not barred under existing sanctions, in response to the food security crisis that the Russian invasion of has caused.

Roughly 155 million people in 55 countries faced acute hunger in 2020, an increase of 20 million people from the year before, according to the World Food Program.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo is also set to meet with Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko this week.

During a discussion Monday at the Peterson Institute for Economics, Adeyemo reiterated the U.S. position that China has a chance to pressure to end its invasion of and would thereby avoid subjecting itself to secondary sanctions.

China has in the past, and we expect them to continue to follow, the sanctions regimes that have been introduced by us and the coalition" of sanctioning countries, Adeyemo said.

China's business with the rest of the world is greater than its business with Russia.

The U.S. and its allies have used sanctions to weaponize the global economy against Russia over its war in Ukraine. There aren't any countries yet subverting the sanctions, but there are fears among the allies that China, which has criticized the Western effort, could do so, Yellen said in a speech at the Atlantic Council last week.

Also of concern is India, which has taken a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and recently made a major purchase of Russian oil, a source of tension as the U.S.. tries to cut off Moscow's energy income.

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Shares of hit a record high of Rs 1,441, gaining 4 per cent on the BSE in Tuesdays intra-day in an otherwise subdued market after the private sector lender said the banks board will meet next week to consider bonus issue proposal. The stock surpassed its previous high of Rs 1,428 touched on April 13, 2022.

A meeting of the board of directors of the Bank will be held on Monday, 25 th April, 2022 and will continue on Tuesday, 26th April, 2022 to consider the proposal for issuance of bonus shares, subject to requisite approvals, said in an exchange filing.

The board will also consider the audited financial results of the Bank for the quarter and financial year ended on 31st March, 2022; and recommend dividend, if any, on equity shares for the financial year ended 31st March, 2022, the Bank said.

has outperformed the market by surging 24 per cent in the past one month, as compared to 1 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex.

Last week, the rating agency CARE Ratings assigned a rating of CARE AA; Stable (Double A; Outlook: Stable) to the long-term debt instruments (Tier-II Bonds) of the Bank. The rating on short-term instruments (Certificate of Deposits) of the Bank has been reaffirmed at CARE Al+ (A One Plus).

The ratings assigned to the debt instruments of AU Small Finance Bank Limited factor in the continued momentum of growth in business and size, post-conversion into a small finance bank (SFB) in April 2017, the establishment of deposit franchise along with a sizeable Current Account Savings Account (CASA) deposits, and a moderately-diversified advances portfolio with a largely secured lending portfolio, CARE Ratings said in rationale.

As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, AU Small Finance Bank will be eligible to apply to convert into a universal bank or after a review, RBI may increase its scope of activities after a satisfactory track record of five years of operating as a SFB.

However, the conversion would be subject to RBI approval. While the bank would benefit from conversion into a universal bank with the minimum threshold of lending to priority sector reducing from 75 per cent to 40 per cent, the banks asset strategy would largely continue in line with the current asset profile, and CARE Ratings does not expect the bank to have significant exposure to large-ticket corporate lending for the medium-term, even in case of conversion into a universal bank.

Tech view

Outlook: Cautiously optimistic

Resistance: Rs 1,463

Support: Rs 1,289

The stock of AU Small Finance Bank has been in an uptrend since March 31. So far during the month of April, the stock has zoomed around 11 per cent till Monday as against a 2.3 per cent decline in the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex.

However, after a one-way rally the stock is likely to take a breather around Rs 1,463 levels, which is the higher end of the Bollinger Band. If the stock breaches this level on the upside, it may hit Rs 1,535 levels as per Fibonnaci charts. It's immediate trendline support is placed at Rs 1,289 levels.

The price-to-movong averages suggest optimism in the stock as the 20-Day Moving Average (DMA), 50-DMA, and 100-DMA are showing positive crossovers.
The S&P BSE Energy index hit a record high of 8,667, up 3 per cent on the BSE in Tuesdays intra-day trade, on strong rally in state-owned companies Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL), Chennai Petroleum Corporation, GMDC, Coal India and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). These stocks gained between 5 per cent and 20 per cent intra-day, while private sector major Reliance Industries (RIL) added 4.5 per cent.

At 01:36 PM; the S&P BSE Energy index, the top gainer among sectoral indices, was up 3 per cent as compared to 0.31 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. The energy index surpassed its previous high of 8,595.93 which was touched in October 2021.

Among individual stocks, MRPL was locked in the 20 per cent upper circuit at Rs 63.45, also its 52-week high, on the back of over three-fold jump in trading volumes. A combined around 56 million equity shares had changed hands on the NSE and BSE till the time of writing of this report. In the past one month, the stock haa zoomed 53 per cent as compared to 1 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex.

In Q3FY22, MRPL had reported net profit of Rs 589 crore as against a net loss of Rs 214 crore in Q3FY21 supported mainly by higher crude throughput and better GRMs. MRPL took multiple initiatives to improve the revenue from marketing margins in domestic, exports and B2B (business to business) arrangements.

Analysts at Kotak Securities expect MRPL to report an EPS of Rs 6.8 in FY23E (unchanged) and Rs 8.3 in FY24E (earlier Rs 8). "With the commissioning of desalination plant, one of the major risks faced by the company with respect to water availability is reduced," the brokerage firm had said in its Q3 result update.

Meanwhile, the ongoing concerns over the supply of refined products and switch from costly gas to oil has led to a rise in SG complex GRM to $12/bbl in the past few days. International Energy Agency (IEA) expects the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to reduce refining throughput by ~1.1mnbopd.

"This will result in continued high refining margin till supply concerns abate. Standalone refiners like MRPL stand to benefit the most from rising GRMs. However, high debt and operational inefficiencies call for a leap of faith in the company," brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services had said in a March report.

Separately, Coal India surged 7 per cent to Rs 202.85 after the company said it supplies to power sector scaled up 14 per cent amid rising demand. The stock was close to its 52-week high level of Rs 203.85, touched on October 6, 2021.
Market regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday imposed a penalty of Rs 24 crore on nine entities including Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh for irregularities at .

The market regulator fined the Rs 5 crore each while their associate company RHC Holdings was fined Rs 2.5 crore. also banned Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh from accessing securities market for a period of three years.

The case pertains to misappropriation of funds by the erstwhile promoters and their related entities from .

It is found that Noticees no 2 (Malvinder) and 3 (Shivinder) deliberately failed to discharge their duties in a manner which was required in the best interest of the listed company and its shareholders, said Sebis in an order.

A penalty of Rs 1 crore has also been imposed on and Rs 50 lakh on Fortis Hospitals for failing to disclose the fraud to the stock exchange, which was a "material event".
The will continue to carefully monitor the level of support may show towards with respect to Ukraine, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday (local time).

"We're going to continue to keep a careful eye, a careful watch on the level of support the PRC (People's Republic of China) exhibits towards Russia," Price said during a press briefing.

Price added that there will be strong consequences for if it provides weapons or supplies to for its operation in Ukraine or if it helps evade Western sanctions.

Meanwhile, the US has sent four planes loaded with security assistance to Ukraine over the weekend and made one more delivery on Monday.

"There were four planes that arrived of military assistance over the course of the weekend, another one is supposed to arrive today if it hasn't already from the USD 800 million package the President announced," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said during a press briefing today.

Moreover, the US Department of Defense said that America wants to see Ukraine as a winner in a fight against Russia, and Pentagon is doing everything possible to do that.

"We want Ukraine to win this fight (with Russia) and we are doing everything we can here, at the Department of Defense, to make sure they have the capabilities to do that," US Department of Defense press secretary John Kirby told CNN, as per Sputnik.

On February 24, launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk requested help to defend them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops.

(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.)
Ajmera Realty & Infra India rose 1.69% to Rs 389.20 after the company said it targets sales value realization of Rs 5000 crore in the next three-five years.

Ajmera Realty & Infra India announced its plans to launch six projects during the FY 2023 & FY 2024 itself, which has a revenue potential of about Rs 4,000 crore. The developer will be launching 5 new projects in Mumbai and 1 new project in Pune.

The Mumbai-based listed realty developer has estimated to clock in sales worth about Rs 5,000 crore in the next 3-5 years from its future launches as well as its existing projects. The funding for all these new projects to launch will be via a mix of internal accruals, bank funding and sales advances.

Among the upcoming projects in Mumbai, 4 will be residential and 1 will be a mix use category. In Pune, it will be residential category. The projects will be developed on the land parcels owned by the company. The cumulative estimated saleable area of the upcoming projects will be around ~2.7 mn sq ft.

Mumbai projects will constitute around ~2.4 mn sq. ft. and the remaining saleable area will be from Pune's upcoming project.

The company plans to move towards inorganic growth, through low capex acquisition in the form of Joint Venture (JV) / Joint Development Agreement (JDA) / Development Agreement (DA) model in future.

Ajmera Realty & Infra India said it expect to accrue revenue of about Rs 1,000 crore from its existing projects in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Over Rs 144 crore is expected to be realized in the next 3 months from the advance stage projects. The mid-stage projects are estimated to constitute Rs 727 crore over the next 3 years. Estimated sale value of Rs 100+ crore from Nucleus Bangalore - commercial project of 1.28 lakh sq. ft, which is strategically moved from rental based cash flow model to an outright sale model.

Dhaval Ajmera, Director, Ajmera Realty & Infra India said, "As Indian economy emerge from the disruption caused by the pandemic, the consumption led economy will take center-stage in the country. The real estate sector has shown resilience that is evident from the monthly sales data of the key cities. The commissioning of the upcoming transit infrastructure across Mumbai and MMR provides new opportunities. The group will make efforts to achieve a sustained growth momentum with optimum operational efficiency."

Ajmera Realty & Infra India has a PAN India presence along with an international presence in locations viz. Bahrain and London. The company has a huge development potential available on its balance land parcel at Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.

On a consolidated basis, net profit of Ajmera Realty & Infra India rose 22.91% to Rs 9.71 crore on 42.78% decline in net sales to Rs 69.07 crore in Q3 December 2021 over Q3 December 2020.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ajmera Realty & Infra India announced its plans to launch six projects during the FY 2023 & FY 2024 itself, which has a revenue potential of ~Rs 4,000 crore.

The Mumbai-based listed realty developer has estimated to clock in sales worth ~Rs 5,000 crores in the next 3-5 years from its future launches as well as its existing projects.

The funding for all these new projects to launch will be via a mix of internal accruals, bank funding and sales advances.

The developer will be launching 5 new projects in Mumbai and 1 new project in Pune. Among the upcoming projects in Mumbai, 4 will be residential and 1 will be a mix use category. In Pune, it will be residential category.

The projects will be developed on the land parcels owned by the company, the cumulative estimated saleable area of the upcoming projects will be around ~2.7 mn sq ft. Mumbai projects will constitute around ~2.4 mn sq. ft. and the remaining saleable area will be from Pune's upcoming project.

ARIIL plans to move towards inorganic growth, through low capex acquisition in the form of JV / JDA / DA Model in future.

Ajmera Realty & Infra India expect to accrue revenue of ~Rs 1,000 crore from its existing projects in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Over Rs 144 crore is expected to be realized in the next 3 months from the advance stage projects. The mid-stage projects are estimated to constitute Rs 727 crore over the next 3 years. Estimated sale value of Rs 100 crore from Nucleus Bangalore- Commercial Project of 1.28 lakh sq. ft, which is strategically moved from rental based cash flow model to an outright sale model.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Mainland China share market closed session marginally lower on Tuesday, 19 April 2022, after fluctuating in and out of the boundary line, as moderating expectations for aggressive loosening by China's central bank.

At close of trade, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell marginal 0.05%, or 1.49 points, to 3,194.03. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, fell 0.11%, or 2.24 points, to 2,020.28. The blue-chip CSI300 index shed 0.76%, or 31.48 points, to 4,134.90.

Chinese authorities pledged to support for businesses hit by the worst COVID-19 outbreak. China will step up financial support for industries, companies and people affected by COVID-19 outbreaks, the central bank (PBOC) said on Monday.

This came after data showed China's economy slowed in March as consumption, real estate and exports were hit hard, taking the shine off faster-than-expected first-quarter growth numbers.

China's state planner called on Tuesday for the implementation of policies to support the country's catering and retail sectors, as well as spending on new energy vehicles.

CURRENCY NEWS: China's yuan weakenned against the U. S. dollar despite firmer mid-point fixing by the central bank. Prior to market opening, the People's Bank of China set the midpoint rate CNY=PBOC at 6.372 per dollar, 0.07% firmer than the previous fix at 6.3763. In the spot market, CNY=CFXS was changing hands at 6.3719 at midday, 0.08% softer from the previous late session close.

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Coal India (CIL) jumped 5.57% to Rs 199.95 after the company said that it has raised the supplies to thermal power stations by 14.2% during the first half of April 2022 as compared to same period last April.

CIL's supplies have hit 1.64 million tonnes (MTs) per day during this period against 1.43 MTs supplied in the similar period during April 2021.

The company had accelerated its production to 26.4 MTs during the first half of April 2022, registering 27% year-on-year growth. The company is heading for its highest April production ever. Output expansion in volume terms was 5.7 MTs.

To tide over the intense demand, CIL has made available additional 8.75 MTs of coal to State and Central generation companies (Gencos) for lifting through rail-cum-road (RCR) mode, till May 31. Of this, 3.25 MT is the unlifted quantity of the earlier round of RCR offer and 5.5 MTs is the new offer.

However, the escalating power demand, driven up by the post-pandemic economic buoyancy and hotter than normal summer, seems to dwarf the upsurge in supplies.

The country's total power generation was 9.5% higher, at an average of 4.53 billion units (BU), till 15 April 2022 over the same period last year. The increase was 400 million units per day against the average generation of 4.13 BU for the comparative period.

The international coal prices are on the boil for past many months showing no signs of cooling off. This turns the spotlight on domestic coal producers with CIL at the center of it.

CIL is coordinating with the ministries of coal, power, and railways to build up stocks at power plants in a synergic effort. The company's supplies are on the rise so far. The pressure would ease if the imported coal-based power plants meet their requisite imports set for the year.

Coal India is a coal mining company engaged in the production and sale of coal. As of 31 December 2021, the Government of India held a 66.13% stake while Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India held an 11.01% stake in the company.

On a consolidated basis, the PSU coal major's net profit jumped 47.7% to Rs 4,556.54 crore on a 19.7% increase in net sales to Rs 25,990.97 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

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Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said that the international arm of the water & effluent treatment business of L&T Construction has been awarded 'significant' contracts.

The contract has been awarded for the construction and the commissioning of water supply schemes for various towns in Tanzania.

The project is being funded by the EXIM Bank of India.

In addition, the business has also secured add-on domestic orders from the Uttar Pradesh State Water &. Sanitation Mission to implement various rural water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide functional house tap connections (FHTC) in the state.

As per L&T classification, the value of the 'significant' contract lies between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 2,500 crore.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC projects, hi-tech manufacturing and services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide.

The EPC major's consolidated net profit fell 16.70% to Rs 2,054.74 crore on 11.14% increase in net sales to Rs 39,562.92 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

The scrip fell 1.04% to currently trade at Rs 1719.80 on the BSE.

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Mindtree: The IT company reported 8.1% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 473.10 crore on 5.4% increase in revenue to Rs 2897.40 crore in Q4 March 2022 over Q3 December 2021. As compared to Q4 March 2021, the company's consolidated net profit and revenue increased by 49.1% and 37.4%, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mindtree clarified that reports of a merger between Mindtree and L&T Infotech are speculative in nature.

RVNL: RVNL has entered into an MoU with Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India, for entrusting project management consultancy for rail infrastructure works of MCL to RVNL from concept to commissioning.

INEOS Styrolution India: Promoter INEOS Styrolution APAC Pte has proposed to sell 25.32 lakh equity shares or 14.4% stake of the company through offer for sale. It has also kept an option open, to additionally sell 16.88 lakh equity shares or 9.6% stake vis OFS. The OFS will open on 19 April 2022 and close on 20 April 2022.

Asahi Songwon Colors: Asahi Songwon Colors announced the acquisition of a 78% in Atlas Life Sciences Private Limited (Atlas), a manufacturer of bulk pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), for an all-cash consideration of Rs 48 crore.

Salasar Techno Engineering: The company will on 30 April 2022 consider the proposal of sub-division of equity shares.

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The benchmark indices made small gains during mid-morning trade, buoyed by a decent demand in metal and oil & gas stocks. The Nifty re-claimed 17,200 mark. Meanwhile, in global markets, Brent crude for June 2022 settlement rose 8 cents or 0.07% at $113.24 a barrel, following outages in Libya deepened concern over tight global supply amid the Ukraine crisis.

At 11:30 IST, the barometer index, S&P BSE Sensex rose 52.79 points or 0.09% at 57,219.53. The Nifty 50 index gained 30.30 points or 0.18% at 17,203.95.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 1%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.88%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 2,158 shares rose while 1,093 shares fell. A total of 118 shares were unchanged.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 6,387.45 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 3,341.96 crore in the Indian equity market on 18 April 2022, provisional data showed.

COVID-19 Update:

India recorded 1,274 new COVID-19 cases and one death on Tuesday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The active cases currently stood at 11,860 and comprised 0.03% of the total infections. The recovery rate remained unchanged at 98.76% and 928 recoveries were reported on Monday. The daily positivity rate was at 0.31% while the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.34%.

Economy:

The debt piled on by the private sector during the COVID-19 pandemic could lower growth for emerging markets by 1.3% over three years, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. For developed nations, the hit to growth is seen marginally lower at 0.9% over the same period, the IMF said in a chapter of its World Economic Outlook report released on 18 April 2022.

"The surge in global private debt in 2020 - 13% of GDP - was widespread, faster than during the global financial crisis and almost as large as the rise in public debt," the IMF said in the report.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Oil & Gas rose 1.91% to 8,354.95. The index lost 1.66% in the past trading session.

Among the components of the Nifty Oil & Gas index, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (up 4.13%), Oil India (up 3.9%), Reliance Industries (up 3.01%), GAIL (India) (up 2.86%) and Gujarat State Petronet (up 2.21%) were the top gainers.

Among the other gainers were Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) (up 1.84%), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) (up 1.83%), Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) (up 1.37%), Mahanagar Gas (up 1.17%) and Petronet LNG (up 1.05%).

On the other hand, Adani Total Gas (down 0.24%), Gujarat Gas (down 0.67%) and Aegis Logistics (down 1.25%) declined.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Poonawalla Fincorp advanced 2.04%. The company said it has entered digital consumption loans space through a tie up with KrazyBee. Under this partnership, Poonawalla Fincorp will offer small ticket personal loans to individuals. The partnership provides complete end to end digital consumer loans across the country. The credit underwriting for these loans is done through a scorecard which enables right customer selection at scale, while the complete digital process helps democratize the process of taking loan. The company plans to cross Rs 1,000 crore of disbursement under this partnership in the current financial year.

Salasar Techno Engineering rallied 4.49%. The company announced that its board will consider a stock split proposal on 30 April 2022. The board will also discuss other incidental or ancillary matters in the meeting.

Global Markets:

Asian markets were trading mixed on Tuesday, as investors watched for market reaction to China's central bank announcing financial support for COVID-hit sectors. On Monday, the People's Bank of China announced it will increase financial support for industries, businesses and people affected by COVID-19.

Wall Street ended the day lower in a choppy trading day on Monday, while US Treasury yields jumped as investors juggled strong earnings with what Russia's invasion of Ukraine could mean for global growth.

The World Bank lowered its annual global growth forecast for 2022 on Monday by nearly a full percentage point, down from 4.1% to 3.2%, citing the impact that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is having on the world economy.

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West Bengal Chief Minister is best suited to lead the opposition front in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while a section of leaders is more interested in fighting among themselves instead of taking on the BJP, Trinamool leader claimed on Tuesday.

Bora, the former president of Congress' unit who joined the on Sunday, alleged that several leaders of the were working in connivance with the in the Northeastern state.

"The is a threat to Constitution, democracy, and moreover to our country's economy," he told PTI in an interview.

"The Congress being the grand old party, should have led the fight against the . But unfortunately, its leaders in various states are fighting against each other rather than fighting the BJP," he said.

Bora, who took over as the chief of the Congress in 2016, claimed that he was able to bring the party to a position where people expected it to form the government in the state in the 2021 assembly elections.

However, "people lost faith in us" due to infighting, he said.

"I was Congress president from 2016 to 2021. I tried my best to bring back the party to power. But a section of senior leaders was fighting in such a way among themselves that the people got demoralised. I tried my best by forming a grand alliance. Presently there is no opposition in Assam," he said.

Bora, a Congress member since his student days in 1976, said he joined the as it was ideologically the same as the Congress.

"The difference lies only in the approach of fighting the BJP," he said.

"The way the led by aggressively fought the BJP has been lauded across the country," he said.

Bora said he left the Congress as he did not want to waste his energy in the party.

"I no longer wanted to waste my energy in Congress which in Assam is least interested in fighting the BJP. I have joined the TMC to build a strong opposition against the BJP in Assam," he said, adding that he did not switch camps to get a Rajya Sabha berth.

Noting that he still has immense respect for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, Bora said that in the present political situation, is best suited to lead the opposition against the BJP.

"It is not that Rahul Gandhi did not fight against the BJP, he did fight, but it did not have the desired impact. Mamata Banerjee too fought and had a massive impact. I think more than Congress or Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee is most accepted and best suited to lead the opposition front against the BJP," he said.

He said that despite raising the issues of infighting in the Assam Congress with the central leadership, no action was taken.

Bora joined the TMC days after he lost the Rajya Sabha election in Assam amid cross-voting.

(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 chief minister on Tuesday said Prime Minister turned the ideology of the into reality, adding the PM always told leaders and workers that the party was not a machine to just win elections.

Speaking at a book release event here, the senior leader said winning polls was part of the party's functioning as it had adopted democracy.

"Modiji always tells us we (BJP) are not a machine to just win elections. Winning polls is part of our functioning as we have adopted democracy. In a democracy, to bring about change, we will have to win elections. The PM brought the same thought into reality and showed it can be done," Fadnavis said.

He said former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had formed a coalition government with 22 parties with a common minimum programme that did not have issues like revoking of Article 370, Ram Temple.

Vajpayee at the time had said the CMP was of a coalition and these issues would be there if it was a government of the BJP, Fadnavis said.

When Modi became PM, he made all these issues a reality, the former chief minister added.

"In true sense, PM Modi showed the ideology or thought of a party can be brought into reality by executing the change," Fadnavis claimed.

He added that India underwent a "decade of decay" between 2004 and 2014 under the Congress-led UPA government, while under the leadership of Modi, the country successfully fought the COVID-19 pandemic and administered vaccines to its 125 crore population and even exported it to 50 nations.

Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the External Affairs Minister told the world, and USA especially, that India was concerned about its interests first.

Even Russia believes PM Modi is best suited to mediate to stop the present war, he said.

He also released a book on the life of Prof Na Sa Pharande, late chairman of Legislative Council at another event.

"Samrasta or hamrony is our way of living but we politicians tend to opt for social engineering. However, I believe only the is using the path of samrasta. In other parties, leaders are brought forward in the name of social engineering while decisions are taken by someone sitting in Delhi," he claimed.

(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.)
Welcoming India's stance on the Ukranian crisis, a senior Russian diplomat on Tuesday said Moscow and New Delhi are attempting to find a solution on the payments front amid the sanctions imposed on Russia by western countries.

The "complicated situation" created by the sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where western countries and companies have ceased trade ties with Russia creates room for Indian exports, Aleksei Vladimirovich Surovtsev, the Consul General of Russia in Mumbai, said.

On payments for settling trade transactions, he said some solutions are in the works with Russian officials speaking to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government officials, he said while speaking on the sidelines of a seminar at the World Trade Centre here.

"Certainly, our appropriate ministers, our appropriate people just now are engaged in settling these problems in payments," Surovtsev told PTI.

"Yeah, yeah these negotiations are going on between and (our) central bank here (in Mumbai) and also in Delhi between our appropriate people and your government," he added.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the West has slapped a slew of sanctions on Russia and has also isolated the country from the payment systems, which puts question marks over settling of trades.

Surovtsev said that due to sanctions, Indian businesses can offer products and services which were being supplied by western companies till now and hence it is a big opportunity.

"Economic and financial sanctions forced on Russia present a special opportunity to boost our ties with friendly nations and India is a key partner in this task," he said.

Another Russian official handling trade ties said that only about 10 of the 500-odd Russian banks are facing sanctions and there are 490 other banks with whom transactions can be done.

The official declined to comment when asked specifically about talk of a rupee-rouble settlement mechanism being evolved, but maintained that the respective central banks does offer an exchange rate on currencies currently.

Surovtsev welcomed India's diplomatic response to the situation following the war in Ukraine.

It can be noted that so far, India has taken a neutral stance on the events at global forums like the UN, abstaining from motions sponsored by the West (to condemn Russian aggression) and by Russia.

Stating that Indo-Russian ties go back 75 years, the diplomat said that India was helped by the former USSR in 1971 war for the creation of Bangladesh by splitting Pakistan.

"It is a time tested conclusion that Russia can rely on India and India can rely on Russia. Our countries will be together in the future," Surovtsev said.

Russia seeks medical equipment from India

Russia is seeking more medical equipment from India after sanctions and logistical snarls following President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine have sharply reduced imports from Europe and China. Medical equipment companies from India and Russia will discuss ways to boost supplies during a virtual meeting on April 22. (Bloomberg)

(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 University Grant Commission or UGC has notified guidelines allowing undergraduates and postgraduates to pursue two degrees simultaneously, except for the PhD courses.

The students will now be allowed to take up specializations in two disciplines of their choice -- say, maths and history -- in either fully physical class mode, a hybrid of physical and online classes, or fully online mode.

And the step taken by the government seems progressive. Let us say you are a high-school student who is unsure of whether to pursue the sciences or humanities in higher . Then this policy should be of help to such students.

Till sometime back, graduates in conventional science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, were the main targets for recruitment, especially by tech and IT companies, which offer some of the most lucrative careers.

STEM, of course, has retained its importance. But, today, global IT giants have widened their recruitment focus to those with multi-disciplinary exposure.

Today, STEAM graduates, where the 'A' stands for Arts, are increasingly in demand in the worlds largest companies.



And, this demand will grow hand in hand with that for lateral thinking in a world where competition is cut-throat. In essence, future Indian students will see their employability rise thanks to interdisciplinary study.

This also gives students the opportunity to focus on one mainstream undergraduate degree, while enrolling in another one that has a vocational focus.

A student can only pursue two full-time academic programmes in the physical mode provided that the class timings for one programme do not overlap with those of the other.

This will also be only applicable to lecture-based courses, which include undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes. Meanwhile, PhD and MPhil programmes will not fall under the scheme.

But, what about exams and course loads? How will students manage that? Experts have told Business Standard that three broad challenges would arise.



First, how would the students manage their time tables. Secondly, universities will have to ensure that multiple simultaneous exams dont occur. And, third, having to quickly switch focus between diverse subjects would be a challenge in itself for some students.

However, universities, at their own end, should be able to address these issues.

Ahmedabad University Vice-Chancellor Pankaj Chandra told Business Standard that each institution would have to decide on how it would count courses for multiple degrees.

This would be critical in ensuring that students do not have to take double the time to complete two degrees, since that would defeat the purpose of the idea in the first place.

Chandra said that it was critical that the students striving to complete two degrees should not be overloaded with too many subjects at the same time, as that would seriously hamper their learning.

Meanwhile, highlighting the challenges of this move, a national daily has said that allowing students to pursue two full-time programmes in physical mode could prove to be problematic.

It argued that academically gifted students, or those with economic resources, could corner seats, which can be scarce to begin with, in two high demand courses. That is indeed a problem worth considering given India's poor college density.
A poison pill gives existing the right to purchase additional stock at a significant discount, thus diluting the holdings of a new, hostile investor. It is officially known as a shareholder rights plan. Twitters poison will stay in place for a limited duration of one year.

The shareholder who triggers the poison pill will be blocked from making these discounted stock purchases.

Twitters pill would be triggered if a shareholder acquires more than 15% of the company in a deal not approved by the board.

said the move aims to enable its investors to realize the full value of their investment by reducing the likelihood of any one person gaining control of the company without either paying an appropriate control premium or giving the board more time.

Twitters board is still assessing Musks offer. And it would only put it to the companys for a vote after approval.

Musk, on his part, had said that his current non-binding $43 billion buyout offer was partly contingent on completion of anticipated financing.

Musk currently owns 9.1% of . If he were to increase his holding to more than 15%, Twitters defence will flood the market with new shares that all shareholders except Musk can buy at a discounted price.

This would instantly dilute Musks stake, making the takeover way more expensive.

The also gives more time to evaluate Musks offer and can force him to directly negotiate with its board.

Twitter emphasised that its poison pill will not prevent the board from engaging with parties or accepting an acquisition proposal at a higher price.

Meanwhile, Musk tweeted that if the current Twitter board takes actions contrary to shareholder interests, they would be breaching their fiduciary duty.

Twitters action would not bar Musk from taking his offer directly to its shareholders by launching a tender offer.

The poison pill would prevent most Twitter shareholders from selling their shares to him but the tender offer would allow them to register their support or disapproval of Musks offer. Such a tender offer does not require board approval.

If Musk gets enough support for his tender offer, he could claim that Twitter is acting against the interest of its investors.



Poison pill strategy has been quite effective in checking hostile takeover attempts -- which have reduced considerably since the 1980s when most companies didnt have the provision in place.
Police named MP T. G. Venkatesh as accused number five (A5), while his brothers son, T. G. Vishwaprasad, was made A1, both of whom, according to the police, were absconding. (Representational Image: PTI)

Hyderabad: The Banjara Hills police on Monday booked a case against 69 people, including prime accused T. G. Vishwaprasad, son of the brother of T. G. Venkatesh, former state minister and Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha member from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, for an alleged attempt to grab a prime property adjacent to the Andhra Pradesh Gems and Jewellery Park, in upmarket Banjara Hills. The property, measuring about half an acre, is estimated to be worth over Rs 100 crore.

According to police, scores of people from Kurnool descended upon the land site, which is also being claimed by M/s. Ace Urban Developers Pvt. Ltd., founded by Chalamalasetti Anil, who is also the founder of renowned alternative energy giant, Greeco.

The 69 people attempted to grab the land and created ruckus, police said. Ace Urban became the owner of the AP Gems and Jewellery Park through a corporate insolvency process.

We received a complaint that over 60 persons, armed with hammers and other weapons, barged into a site in the premises of the AP Gems and Jewellery Park, Joel Davis, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), west zone, said.

The intruders were predominantly from Kurnool district, but a few locals were also involved, he said, adding, "We have arrested 69 persons and produced them before the III Additional Chief Metropilitian Megistrate at Nampally court."

Police named MP T. G. Venkatesh as accused number five (A5), while his brothers son, T. G. Vishwaprasad, was made A1, both of whom, according to the police, were absconding.

Refuting the charges, Mr Vishwaprasad, claiming to being currently present in the United States, released a video message, denying all charges of land grabbing.

Providing documentary evidence, including a report submitted by the Hyderabad district authorities in 2014, Vishwaprasad said that his company had entered into a joint development agreement with one V. V. S. Sarma, the original land owner, who had purchased the property in the 1980s.

According to police, Vishwaprasad, along with one Sandeep, and their henchmen, had threatened the Gems Park management on April 4.

On Sunday, people carrying sickles, hammers and sharp weapons, came in large numbers and gained forcible entry into the premises after breaking open the gate with an earth mover. The intruders injured the security personnel of Gems Park, police claimed.

The police also said there seems to be a proposal to build a road on the land for use of the park.

Vishwaprasad, however, accused the police of not acting on their previous complaints against the Gem Park management trying to encroach upon their land, which was not part of the park at all.

Ace Urban has been trying to take over the Gems Park site through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) resolution process. Now the company is also claiming ownership of an adjacent private land, he said.

Police did not act even after we submitted evidence, which included an injunction order issued by the city civil court, in my companys favour, he said.

He also said the police did not even acknowledge the receipt of our complaint but acted swiftly on a complaint of the rival claimant, he said.

Mr T. G. Venkatesh, the BJP MP from Kurnool in Rayalaseema, denied any involvement in the matter.

His nephew alleged that it was a clear ploy by some to project as if goons from Rayalaseema were trying to grab lands in Hyderabad. He appealed to the state government to not allow any attempt to incite regional tensions over a property dispute.
In January, CATL unveiled the Evogo service, which it said would allow EV drivers to swap out spent batteries in just one minute at its stations. Photo: CATL

Welcome to Caixins Tech Insider, your twice-weekly wrap on the movers, shakers and deal-makers in Chinas tech scene.

Ant to acquire Singaporean payments platform

Ant Group Co. Ltd. will acquire Singaporean payments platform 2C2P Pte. Ltd., according to a joint statement released on Monday, as the Chinese fintech giant looks to solidify its presence in the Southeast Asian market.
Dried-out sections of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal are being refilled, meaning the entire waterway is connected for the first time in a century. The Grand Canal, which is more than 1,700 kilometers long, runs through six provincial-level regions and serves as an important transportation artery. With a history of more than 2,500 years, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014

May 09, 2022 07:10 PM
New Delhi: Russia can give India any defence platform and weaponry it wants, the countrys foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

Speaking to an Indian TV channel, he also termed the transfer of defence technology to India as unprecedented among the foreign nations that India has ties with. Mr Lavrov also said that Moscow is in favour of the continuing direct negotiations between India and China to resolve their bilateral differences. He also hailed Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar as a great patriot for taking decisions solely on the basis of Indias own national interests, an obvious reference to New Delhis firm resolve to continue its close ties with Moscow despite pressure from the West.

It may be noted that Mr Lavrov had visited New Delhi earlier this month and held detailed discussions with Mr Jaishankar, besides calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The subject of Russias military offensive in Ukraine had been discussed in great detail then at the bilateral talks, besides the issue of maintaining bilateral defence and economic ties in the face of the crippling Western sanctions on Russia. India has so far refused to criticise Russia but has been constantly calling for immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. This also comes as the West has been mounting pressure on India to not buy Russian weaponry and oil.

India is acquiring the crucial S-400 missiles from Russia. India has had close strategic ties with Russia and its earlier avatar, the erstwhile Soviet Union, spanning decades ever since Indias independence in 1947.

On defence, we can give India anything it wants. The technology transfer (from Russia) is unprecedented among Indias outside partners, Mr Lavrov told the TV channel. Asked about the Sino-Indian border dispute, he said: We welcome the discussions between India and China, adding that Russia wanted to further strengthen the trilateral Russia-India-China (RIC) format that he said was envisaged by Moscow way back in 1996 and made a reality.

The Russian foreign minister also reiterated his countrys position on the Ukraine conflict and blamed Ukraines government for the situation.
HYDERABAD: Who can forget the signature tune of Doordarshan or the classic mile sur mera tumera  tho sur banne humara, national televisions theme song that reverberated in every living room in the country not so long ago?

The man who composed those soothing tunes, and many more, - the legendary musician Louis Banks - clearly remembers the days when he was an inseparable part of Indian cinema. Working along with great musicians of Bollywood like R.D. Burman, Bappi Lahiri and Shankar- Jaikishan, Banks contributions to many movies are significant. He was one of the key musicians who introduced jazz music to Indian cinema. The 81-year-old Banks contributed more than 10,000 jingles for television and radio.

Deccan Chronicle caught up with the man, also known as the Father of Indian Jazz.

Louis Banks says his life changed due to the electricity crisis in Calcutta. In 1977, when R.D. Burman came to our club and heard me, he gave me an offer to play piano for his movie, Mukti starring Shashi Kapoor for a song (Suhane Chandini Raaten). The number became a hit and soon after, Burman gave an offer to join his team, but I refused, as in Calcutta my band was doing well. After two years of that, in Calcutta there used to be four hours of electricity shutdown.

At the club, we were not able to perform. No show was offered. So, in 1979, I took a train and landed in Bombay, went straight to R.D. Burmans office and asked him if that offer was still open. The next day, I joined his team, he recollects. Louis Banks actual name is Dambar Bahadur Budaprithi. When my father Pushkar Bahadur Budaprithi joined a British band in Calcutta, his friends advised him to change his name, as his name was difficult to pronounce. Then he changed his name to George Banks, as well as mine, he explains.

I am a sixth generation musician. My father used to give me the piano classes, holding a stick in his hand. I practised for hours each day as my father used to sit beside me and demonstrated. At the age of 13, I joined my father and started performing with some great musicians, which gave me a lot of exposure to music, he says.

My advice to the present day bands is while performing popular numbers, also add your own compositions. You can make your mark only with your own compositions. Nothing can replace your practice with the right fundamentals. Music brings passion into ones life, it will change ones approach towards life, Banks advises aspiring musicians. Now, Banks has designed and curated a piano course for all music aspirants across the country to train future music stars.
Photo: The Canadian Press Members of law enforcement gather outside Columbiana Centre mall in Columbia, S.C., following a shooting, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Police in South Carolina have announced the arrest of a second person in a shootout inside a busy shopping mall in the state's capital, one of two mass shootings that rocked the state over the Easter holiday weekend.

Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook on Monday said police have arrested Marquise Love Robinson, 20. Authorities are also seeking a third suspect, Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith. Both men face charges of attempted murder and nine counts of aggravated assault and battery.

Nine people were shot and another six injured in the rush to exit Columbiana Centre in Columbia, authorities said, with no fatalities reported. Holbrook said one person remained in the intensive care unit Monday.

Police said they did not believe the shooting was a random attack and that the three identified suspects knew each other. Holbrook said the men brought guns into the mall, with police seizing two handguns believed to be used in the shootout.

Emotions took over, you had firearms that were introduced into the dispute, gunfire was exchanged and innocent people got injured in the crossfire, Holbrook said.

The first person arrested in the shooting, 22-year-old Jewayne M. Price, was one of three people initially detained by law enforcement as a person of interest. Prices attorney, Todd Rutherford, told news outlets Sunday that his client fired a gun at the mall, but in self-defense. Rutherford said Price faces a charge of unlawfully carrying a pistol because he legally owned his gun but did not have a permit to carry a weapon.

Price now also faces an attempted murder charge and nine counts of aggravated assault and battery, police said. He was in the Lexington County jail as of Monday.

Columbia police previously said on Twitter that a judge agreed Sunday to let Price leave jail on a $25,000 surety bond if he remained on house arrest with an ankle monitor.

Robinson is scheduled for a bond hearing Tuesday morning, according to police. Authorities have asked the public for help locating Smith, 21, of Columbia, who is also facing a charge of unlawfully carrying a pistol.

This is not an indictment on gun ownership, Holbrook said. This is an indictment on the availability of firearms on the street for people that have illegal intentions, nefarious intentions to use those firearms against others.

Three mass shootings in the U.S. over the Easter holiday weekend capped a monthlong spate of gun violence across the nation.

In South Carolina, at least nine people were shot early Sunday at Cara's Lounge in Hampton County, according to South Carolinas State Law Enforcement Division. No one was reported killed in the violence at the nightclub.
Photo: CTV Street racers, when caught, can have their vehicles impounded and towed away, such as this Mustang, which was clocked at more than 150 km/h in Surrey in 2017.

An incident that took place in Surrey last month was headlined as street racing, which brings to mind the following questions: How is "street racing" defined? How do the courts recognize street racing as opposed to, say, speeding? And why are the rules currently on the books for things like speeding, reckless driving and endangerment alone not harsh enough to apply to street racers?

Let's start with the definition of race in the Motor Vehicle Act.

According to the act, race" means "circumstances in which, taking into account the condition of the highway, traffic, visibility and weather, the driver or operator of a motor vehicle is driving or operating the motor vehicle without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may cause harm to an individual by doing any of the following:

(a) outdistancing or attempting to outdistance one or more other motor vehicles

(b) preventing or attempting to prevent one or more other motor vehicles from passing

(c) driving at excessive speed in order to arrive at or attempt to arrive at a given destination ahead of one or more other motor vehicles"

The afore-mentioned driver's actions did not meet the definition of racing, but certainly qualify as being dangerous.

The Criminal Code makes it an offence to drive dangerously.

Dangerous operation

320.13 (1) Everyone commits an offence who operates a conveyance in a manner that, having regard to all of the circumstances, is dangerous to the public.

In R v Beatty, the Supreme Court of Canada examined what constitutes dangerous driving under the Criminal Code.

If this driver had been taking part in a race, that fact could be considered an aggravating factor calling for a harsher punishment if he is convicted.

According to the news story, the driver was ticketed for excessive speeding which carries a penalty of $483 and three penalty points if convicted.

Excessive speeding

148 (1) A person who drives a motor vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than 40 km/h over the applicable speed limit set under the authority of an enactment commits an offence and is liable on conviction to not less than the aggregate of the fine amount and the applicable supplemental fine amount, if any, prescribed under section 148.1 for this offence and, subject to those amounts, section 4 of the Offence Act applies.

In such cases, the investigating officer may contact RoadSafetyBC from the roadside during the investigation and relate the circumstances of the race. If they meet the criteria, the Superintendent of Vehicles will issue a driving prohibition on the spot to the drivers involved.

Another penalty for racing is the impoundment of the vehicles involved. The impoundment may take place if the circumstances amount to a race and the officer intends to charge the driver(s) with a serious offence.

A serious offence includes:

 Any motor vehicle related Criminal Code driving offence

 Driving while prohibited

 Driving without due care or reasonable consideration for others

 Excessive speeding

If a collision were to occur as a consequence of the race, ICBC can deny the driver insurance coverage. The driver would be expected to pay for any damages her or she caused out of their own pocket. Typically, ICBC settles with the third party and recovers the money from the driver.

Should the offending driver not pay, ICBC can deny any driver or vehicle licence transactions.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
New Delhi: Gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress top brass, including interim president Sonia Gandhi, is holding another meeting with poll strategist Prashant Kishor here on Tuesday.

Sources said that Congress leaders, including Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, AK Antony, Ambika Soni and Randeep Surjewala, are also taking part in the meeting at Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence.

This is the third meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Prashant Kishor in the last four days amid speculation that the poll strategist may join the Congress. The first meeting took place on April 16 while the second was held on April 18.

According to the sources, two more such meetings are scheduled in the coming days.

Earlier, Venugopal had said that Kishor had given a detailed presentation with a road map for the 2024 General elections.

Answering queries, he said the role of Kishor in the Congress party will be known within a week.

Sources told ANI that Kishor, in his presentation, suggested that Congress should fight alone in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha, and it should form alliances in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra to which Rahul Gandhi has agreed.

Kishor is learnt to have said that Congress should focus on 370 Lok Sabha constituencies for the 2024 general elections.

These meetings are also taking place in the backdrop of Congress' poll preparations for Gujarat and Himachal Assembly elections this year.

After the recent poll debacle in five states, Congress is seeking to restart negotiations with Kishor. The results of five Assembly polls came as a shock to Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.
Photo: The Canadian Press Civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

An independent autopsy confirms that Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer while facedown on the ground, lawyers for Lyoya's family said Tuesday.

The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief. The official autopsy report hasnt been released to the public.

There's no question what killed this young man, said Dr. Werner Spitz, holding a skull at a news conference to show where the bullet entered the head.

Lyoya was killed after a traffic stop in western Michigan on April 4. He and the white officer physically struggled on the ground before the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was shot.

Lyoya wasnt armed, though the officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head, attorney Ben Crump said. That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution.

Crump, who has secured multimillion-dollar settlements for families of other Black men killed by police, said Lyoya could have lived until his early 80s  a long and fruitful life.

Lyoya's death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer.

The officer, whose name hasn't been released, is heard saying during a traffic stop that the license plate didn't match the car. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

State police will give their findings to the Kent County prosecutor for consideration of any charges.

Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.
Have you ever been near a school in the morning? You cant. The roads are plugged with parents in vehicles, idling and inching ever so slowly forward while dropping their kids off to school.

Think of all that wasted energygas and electric.

Most of the kids live nearby in the catchment area, so most could easily walk or bike there. But parents are worried their precious little things will be abducted on the way to or from schoolmaybe by UFOs.

Stop driving your kids to school and help save our planet. They can walk or bike there. They can create their own walking school bus systems to ward off abducting UFOs.

You can even walk with them and get some exercise, dread the thought.

But bring your cell phone along in case the UFOs attack. They may want a rare selfie with you.

A parent near a school thats not in a vehicle. That would be rare selfie indeed.

Steve Burke, West Kelowna
Photo: Chung Chow Dutch Love chief growth officer Harrison Stoker stands next to some edibles for sale at one of his eight B.C. stores

Cannabis retailers are readying for a bump in sales on April 20  the day each year known for festive outdoor events where consumers celebrate the mind-altering plant.

A scaled-down public event that is dubbed both a protest and a celebration is set for the public square north of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Black-market operators are set to be at the unsanctioned event selling products. Legal operators that have stores nearby are similarly readying for a boost in sales.

"At 4-20, there's usually a pretty decent bump in sales because, from a cultural perspective, it's a great opportunity to get out [and socialize,]" Dutch Love chief growth officer Harrison Stoker told BIV.

His Donnelly Group-owned company operates legal Vancouver cannabis stores on Robson Street, Hamilton Street, West Fourth Avenue, Main Street and south Granville Street. Three Okanagan stores round out the eight stores that Dutch Love operates in B.C. Eight is the maximum number of stores that the B.C. government allows any individual ownership group to run in the province.

Stoker said Dutch Love plans to run all-day promotions on merchandise that will involve various product discounts that are around 15 per cent.

B.C., he added, is the most profitable provincial jurisdiction in which his company operates because the total number of legal cannabis stores per capita is lower than that in Alberta and Ontario.

Legal cannabis sales in B.C. have steadily risen since Canada legalized adult use in October 2018.

B.C. consumers bought a record $52.36 million worth of legal cannabis in December, according to Statistics Canada.

Legal cannabis sales in the province dipped to $49.99 million in January, which is the most recent month for which the nation's number cruncher has data. January's sales, however, were up 23.8% compared to January 2021. Statistics Canada plans to announce cannabis sales data for February on April 22.

Part of what has kept legal cannabis sales from increasing even more is that those sellers must charge a range of taxes, including a 10-per-cent excise tax, leading some consumers to seek out black-market products  some of which have been shown to include pesticides.

To help level the playing field, the B.C. government last year started to allow legal cannabis retailers to deliver products  something previously banned. Victoria also stopped requiring that all staff in legal cannabis stores be screened by provincial officials, and have a criminal record check done by police. That process costed legal cannabis store owners $100 per employee, and originally took months.

Cannabis activist and Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary director Dana Larsen told BIV that he believes legal cannabis has taken some sales away from black-market operators. Still, he added, consumers who buy a lot of cannabis tend to stick with unlicensed suppliers because their products are less expensive.

"The occasional cannabis users  most people who use cannabis  will have a few puffs on the weekend and smoke a little weed once in a while," he said. "They're not daily users, and they are using a relatively small amount. Those are the people much more likely to go to legal shops."

While Larsen remains passionate about cannabis, he has shifted his focus in recent years toward magic mushrooms, which contain psilocybin.

Health Canada in January launched what it calls a special access program that allows physicians to request that the government grant patients access to psilocybin  a substance otherwise illegal to possess and produce. This has prompted biotechnology companies to increase research into the active ingredient, and seek less expensive ways to produce psilocybin.

Larsen operates the Medical Mushroom Dispensary at 651 East Hastings Street, and he said he believes that Canadian legalization of psilocybin will follow a similar path to that of cannabis, with court cases incrementally setting precedents to allow access on Constitutional grounds.

"There's probably going to be around 50 mushroom dispensaries in Vancouver by the end of the year," Larsen said. "There's at least six or seven right now. I mean, mine was the first one and there's gonna be a lot opening up. I'm seeing posters all the time. People are contacting me a lot. It's going to be very, very similar to the cannabis-dispensary boom."
Photo: pixabay

American authorities are alleging one of the largest and most complex stock manipulation schemes ever seen has roots in British Columbia, including possible connections to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Justice announced on April 14 that they charged Courtney Vasseur, 41, and five other Canadians, including one other B.C. resident, with multiple counts of criminal securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for their part in a set of alleged fraud schemes involving over US$1 billion in illegal trading.

Vasseur is a Burnaby resident and was previously reported to be a full-patch member of the Hells Angels, according to the provinces anti-gang agency Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

According to court filings, Vasseur resided on Government Road when his summons was issued. The U.S. Attorneys Office said Canadian police arrested Vasseur, and the United States intends to extradite him.

Also charged was B.C. resident Curtis William Lehner and former B.C. residents Ronald Bauer and Craig Auringer, both now residing in the United Kingdom, according to officials. Canadians Anthony Korculanic, Domenic Calabrigo and Julius Csurgo were also arrested. Only Auringer remains at large among the Canadian defendants.

Others from Turkey, Monaco, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Spain and the British Virgin Islands were also charged.

Officials note the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

As alleged, for years, the defendants, collectively, made over $100 million by orchestrating pump-and-dump stock manipulation schemes of publicly traded shares of U.S.-based issuers. These pernicious pump-and-dump schemes made the defendants rich while causing real harm to ordinary, retail investors who were left swallowing the losses, wrote U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also issued numerous civil fraud charges related to the alleged scheme on April 18. The director of enforcement Gurbir Grewal claimed the defendants orchestrated some of the most complex microcap stock fraud schemes ever charged by the SEC."

Among those facing civil but not criminal charges is Vancouver businessman David Sidoo. Those individuals allegedly generated $194 million in illicit proceeds.

A global scheme orchestrated from Vancouver, U.S. officials say

The alleged scheme used a global network of shell companies to conceal beneficial ownership of company shares and trades.

While on paper the defendants and their co-conspirators had no connection to these companies, in reality, they exercised substantial control, including installing management at the companies, financing the companies operations, and funding payments for attorneys in order to prepare public filings, noted the U.S. Attorneys Office.

To complete the alleged scheme, the defendants "pumped" the stock by conducting trades between entities to artificially increase shares' trading volume and price. They also reportedly conducted promotional campaigns that frequently contained false and misleading claims about the companies. They allegedly used "boiler rooms" or call centres to cold-call investors to generate more interest in the shoddy stocks.

Vancouver was at least one base for promotions, according to officials. Vancouver resident Christopher McKnight, who the SEC charged with securities fraud in January 2020, is alleged to have assisted in the promotions with Vasseur and Lehner.

By selling their shares while the share price was artificially inflated, the defendants and their co-conspirators were able to realize millions of dollars in illicit profits.

The defendants and their co-conspirators then laundered the proceeds of the schemes back to themselves in a manner designed to conceal the source of the funds and/or the identity of the recipients. Such laundering was frequently accomplished through the use of fabricated invoices, contracts and agreements, noted the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Vasseur, according to the civil SEC complaint in the Southern District of New York, is alleged to be part of a sub-network that conspired to manipulate nine U.S. companies that were thinly traded and typically traded at less than $2 per share, granted they had few, if any, actual assets and business operations.

Vasseur's network, including Lehner and Calabrigo, is alleged to have generated US$35 million in illicit proceeds alone.

Vasseur, dubbed "Arctic Shark" by associates, also allegedly worked with former Vancouver lawyer and offshore shell company facilitator Fred Sharp. Sharp also faces criminal fraud charges in a separate indictment.

Sharp has an outstanding default judgment against him with the SEC, but a judge has yet to rule on it. Sharp is implicated as the central figure in over US$1 billion worth of illegal trading alleged by the SEC last August. Sharp allegedly coordinated numerous sub-networks or control groups to manipulate stocks in hundreds of U.S. public companies. It's unclear how Sharp's alleged activity overlaps with these newly-revealed schemes.

Officials specifically allege Vasseur manipulated the stock of a Nevada shell company called Bing Nation Inc., which purported to be offering televised bingo games. And it was Sharp and Lehner who are said to have controlled the corporations used to conceal Vasseurs ownership of shares in Bing Nation.

Around the time the commission halted trading of Bing Nation, in April 2017, Vasseur was facing a charge of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. In September 2017, he was acquitted.

In May 2013, Vaasseurs car, driven by a friend, crashed into a bus in Vancouver. Police found the men unconscious with upwards of $28,000 worth of drugs in the vehicle. However, Justice Heather Holmes ruled there was reasonable doubt either man knew about the drugs.

Other possible Hells Angels links to defendants in court documents

This is not the first time U.S. officials have raised possible connections between Hells Angels and the alleged scheme in court filings.

In January, the commission revealed, in an amended complaint to the New York court, text communications between Sharp and associate Yvonne Gasarch, a Richmond resident, showing concerns about money laundering and keeping their operation concealed.

"On aug 12 u wrote a draft for grand yachts against cash. Cld u pls explain to me how this is legitimate payment? My concern is money laundering: hells angels gives us cash, we give them a draft to buy a boat. Later, boat is seized, polic investigate, find out charterhouse paid for it; visit us and ask why. What will u say?" Sharp tells Gasarch.

"Can we lend money to them? Thomas asks them sign loan agreement for us. Thomas will call me back," Gasarch replies.

Meanwhile, companies U.S. officials claim are controlled by Sharp also traded shares in a Canadian company called Emerald Health Therapeutics, once directed and controlled by Dr. Avtar Dhillon, who also faces criminal charges related to the scheme.

The company is not named in any SEC documents, as the B.C. Securities Commission regulates it. Its subsidiary (and controlling entity) was co-founded by Dhillon's nephew Maheep Dhillon and his cousin Yadvinder Kallu, who was sentenced to nine years in a New York federal prison in 1999 after being caught running drugs and cash in Los Angeles.

The directors initially sought a consulting agreement on behalf of the subsidiary to conduct cannabis research on a Richmond property, according to documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court.

That same property, owned by Kallu family members, would be raided by RCMP and Delta police in October 2020.

Police found 11,152 cannabis plants, plus illicit equipment, surveillance cameras, workers and a currency counting machine. In total, police say the operation was worth $18 million annually and was linked back to organized crime, specifically the Hells Angels and the UN Gang.

Delta Police have yet to lay charges from the investigation and multiple property raids dubbed "Operation Rolling Thunder" and "Project Big Smoke."

The U.S. Department of Justice has not been able to locate and serve Sharp. Meanwhile, Dhillon remains under house arrest in Long Beach, California.
Tajikistan to increase cement exports to 2Mt by 2024

ICR Newsroom By 19 April 2022

Tajikistan plans to increase cement exports to 2Mt by 2024, with an annual growth of 200,000t, according to the latest forecast of key macroeconomic indicators for the country.



Cement production is projected to increase to 7Mt by 2024, reports Trend. Currently cement capacity in Tajikistan reaches approximately 7.7Mta, according to The Global Cement Report, 14th Edition.

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The 29th presentation of the Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year Award will occur at the annual luncheon presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners at noon on Wednesday, May 18, during Small Business Month. The luncheon will be held at The Museum Center at 5ive Points and will feature special guest speaker former U.S. Senator, Bob Corker.The Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year Award luncheon honors an outstanding small businessperson in Cleveland and Bradley County for their success in six areas: staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and evidence of contributions to the community.The Chamber board of directors renamed the Small Businessperson of the Year Award to honor the memory of Mel Bedwell, who was known for his energy, determination, ingenuity, honesty, enthusiasm and loyaltyall traits necessary for a successful small business owner."Mr.Corker is a successful businessman, former United States Senator and was previously named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine," officials said. Mr. Corker represented Tennesseans in the Senate from 2007-2018, where he served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and became a national and global thought leader on fiscal, financial and foreign policy issues."He was Tennessees commissioner of finance and mayor of Chattanooga before being elected to the Senate. After an extensive public service career, in January of 2019, Mr. Corker returned to business. He currently serves as chairman of Rise Ventures, a joint venture between the Corker Group and Rise Partners and is a special advisor to Jefferies Financial Group, a global investment banking firm. He also serves as co-chair of One to One Health and is on the advisory boards for several philanthropic and policy-focused organizations. Mr. Corker and his wife, Elizabeth, call Chattanooga home.Register for the event by way of the Community Calendar on ClevelandChamber.com , or by calling the Chamber office. Chamber members who would like to use available admission credits should call the Chamber office at 423-472-6587 to register.For more information, contact Tasha Sullivan at Tsullivan@clevelandchamber.com or 423-472-6587.




The Dan Earl era has kicked off with a huge signing of highly touted graduate transfer Jake Stephens, an All-Southern Conference First Team selection from VMI in 2021-22, the Chattanooga men's basketball announced on Monday.Stephens was a four-year letter winner for the Keydets under coach Earl and was one of the most productive players in the SoCon over the past few seasons. Stephens was a highly sought-after recruit when he entered his name in the transfer portal a few weeks ago."We are extremely excited to welcome Jake Stephens to the Mocs family.He had an outstanding career for us at VMI and made himself one of the best players in the Southern Conference," head coach Earl stated."When he decided that he wanted to make a change, he was flooded with offers. We are thrilled to continue coaching Jake for his final season."The 6-11 versatile center finished the 2021-22 season averaging 19.6 points (2nd in SoCon), 9.0 rebounds (2nd in SoCon) and 3.3 assists (9th in SoCon) while shooting a league-best 49.0% from three. Stephens, a Musselman High School product out of West Virginia, appeared in 120 games for VMI and finished with 1,416 points, 730 rebounds, 284 assists and 153 blocks."Jake is a skilled and talented big who will impact our program at both ends of the court. We love his versatility, unselfishness, work ethic and his shooting ability," added Earl.The best part of landing the highly-talented Stephens? The impact off the court. According to the head ball coach, the Chattanooga community will become very familiar with his personality and who he is as a person, rather a ball player."The Mocs community and fans will love watching him on the court this season, but also getting to know the type of person he is off the court."Additional announcements of roster changes and staff hires ahead of the 2022-23 season will be available on GoMocs.com over the coming weeks.
HYDERABAD: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, and Lok Sabha MP A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said that the people of Telangana are in a mood to revolt against TRS party leaders even as the atrocities of the ruling party leaders and cadre are touching a peak level.

For last few days, I have been trying to bring to public notice and alerting people to be cautious over the atrocities of the TRS leaders. It was proved beyond doubt after the recent incidents in Kamareddy and Khammam districts, where innocent people ended their lives, unable to bear the atrocities of the TRS leaders, he said.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and his gang is targeting the people of the state, Revanth Reddy had tweeted earlier in the day.

The TPCC chief said that the ruling TRS leaders should be ready to face the ire of people soon. Revanth Reddy will visit Warangal on April 22 to review arrangements for the public meeting of the former AICC president Rahul Gandhi. AICC programme implementation committee chairman A.Maheshwer Reddy, MLA D. Sridhar Babu and other senior leaders went to undivided Khammam district on Tuesday to review arrangements.

Rahul Gandhi will participate in Rythu Sangharshana Sabha at the Arts College grounds on May 6. Mr Revanth Reddy, along with Congress star campaigner, Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and other senior leaders will visit the venue of the public meeting. Later, Revanth Reddy will review the arrangements of the meeting with undivided Warangal district leaders. Prior to this, TPCC chief will also interact with Khammam district party leaders.

Reddy will also participate in the preparatory meeting of office bearers of the Pradesh Congress Committee, political affairs committee, district Congress committees, frontal organisations, coordinators of Assembly and Parliament constituencies at 3 pm in Indira Bhavan on April 22.




Covenant men's track and field freshman Noah Norman and women's track and field freshman Jae Woods were both honored by the USA South with rookie athlete of the week honors, announced the league on Monday.Norman was the Rookie Track Athlete of the Week, while Woods earned Rookie Field Athlete of the Week. It is the second rookie of the week honors for both this season.A freshman from Lookout Mountain, Ga., Norman set a personal-record time in the 200-meter event at the Berry Field Day Invitational over the weekend with a time of 22.82.The time was the best of the season for a Covenant athlete in the 200-meter.Woods, a freshman from Lake Mary, Fla., competed in three events at the Berry Field Day Invitational. She set a program record in the javelin at 30.48 meters to place fourth overall in the event. Woods also had a top-10 finish in the discus as she came in seventh with a top distance of 32.64 meters.Covenant is back in action on Wednesday and Thursday at the USA South Conference meet in Berea, Ky.
Charlie Hobbs was re-elected Monday night as president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 203. The local chapter was founded over 35 years ago and has a membership of 900 plus, the second largest in the United States.

The chapter will participate in the annual Armed Forces Day Parade May 6th in Chattanooga. This is the 73rd annual parade and this years featured branch will be the Marine Corp. Although Armed Forces Day is the 3rd Saturday in May, Chattanooga honors the men and women who serve in the U.S. military the first Friday in the month so that area students can participate.

Chapter 203 members will be at the Valley Fest in Dunlap May 5, 6 and 7 displaying the Tennessee Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Vietnam Veterans Chapter 203 appreciation day will take place May 27 and 28 on the Highway 153 Walmart parking lot. Live music, refreshments and fun for the entire family. Veterans spouses will also be honored. Everyone is invited.

The chapter meets the third Monday of every month in the MAC building at 1304 McCallie Ave. Any Viet Nam or Viet Nam era veteran is eligible to join.

The chapter provides honor guards for veterans funerals. They also assist vets and their families with medical equipment. For information call 991-5858.
In a lengthy afternoon meeting on Monday, the Rhea County Commission heard from three of the four companies vying to get the county's business in an attempt to provide broadband access to every house in Rhea County.

But most conspicuous was the absence of County Executive George Thacker at the meeting. According to reports, he has not been According to reports, he has not been seen since the announcement of his intention to enter a guilty plea on charges of wire fraud in Federal Court.

Walter Hooper, owner of Spring City Cable, started out on the discussion presenting his firm's plan for a grant application.

We never know from week to week how this is going to work. We get to where we are close, the state of Tennesse moves the goal posts, he said.

Mr. Hooper laid out their plan of wanting to provide serves to the entire north half of the county from Clear Creek north to the county line. We are applying for $2.74 million through the state on a grant that would be 70 percent from the state, 10 percent from Rhea County and the remaining costs being paid for by Spring City Cable.

Mr. Hooper pointed out that the state is having to deal with the census blocks showing broadband service are well out of date.

The state is having to deal with these maps showing that even though a location is showing they have service or covered when they are not. These census blocks they are using are in some cases two years old, said Mr. Hooper.

Matt Boyington with Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative agreed about the inaccuracy of census blocks.

We just finished doing a project along the top of Dayton Mountain where it showed that Laurelbrook Nursing Home was serviced by EPB Fiber optics. It was showing this even when they were not being serviced because the EPB line terminates at the foot of the mountain and does not come up to Laurelbrook . , he said .

There are a couple blocks on Morgan Springs Road we had to skip because even though they were showing the were eligible , ATT came in and said they could provide the service."

Mr. Boyington said that to qualify for the grant areas have to show that they are in sections where download speeds are less that 10 mb per second and upload is 1 mb per second. He further said that they are in the process of changing this to 100 mb download and 20 mb upload to be the basic standard.

Both companies stated to the commissioners that they are applying for some of the $400 million of available state money.

Mr. Boyington added that they along with Volunteer Electric Cooperative (VEC) are seeing the challenges of climbing the mountain.

He concluded by saying that BTC Fiber was seeking $1.3 million to finish the rest of Walden's Ridge and run along the top of the mountain all the way to Shut-In Gap.

 This is just 188 houses spread out over 26.35 miles said Mr. Boyington.

Commission Chairman Jim Vincent said that he just wanted to see all of the citizens treated equally and fairly. He said he wanted to get broadband provided to all the citizens just like water and electricity.

Zachary Bates with Charter/Spectrum said that his company already has money through the federal government to do a lot of the work. He said, " We are investing hundreds of millions in private capita l in Tennessee , combined with more than $90 million awarded by the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), which will deliver broadband to approximately 70 ,000 locations in Tennessee , according to the FCC , including more than 3,000 homes and businesses." Mr. Bates added, These other companies are applying for grants that they may or may not get. We are ready to build now. We will have a 51/49 split with Rhea County to provide service to all of the county.

Earlier in the meeting during comments from the public, Ryan Davis told commissioners that he lives on Garrison Road and he has asked Charter/Spectrum about installing at his house, but they at first said it would run $25,000 to provide service and now they said they can't even entertain doing this. I have contacted Senator Yager's office and have all the emails and correspondence between myself and Charter. Mr. Davis said he was never able to talk directly with Charter/Spectrum , but only through Senator Yager's office.

Commissioner Bill Hollin said, "B efore we sign anything we need to make sure that everyone in the county will be able to get service."

Commissioner Leo Stephens echoed the same thoughts, adding that "we need make sure no one is left out."

After much discussion between the commissioners, the decision was made to wait on a map from the state showing the unserved areas of the county.

Even though it's not on the agenda for the meeting Tuesday night, Chairmen Vincent said some discussion could be entertained if needed.
Hamilton County School Board members met Monday evening to discuss their three-year financial plan that will not replace the annual budget. Board members gave revenue assumptions as the Tennessee Basic Education Program (BEP) is replaced with Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA).

I think with TISA coming up theres a lot of opportunity but we need to be strategic in how we are thinking about things, said Mary Ellen Heuton, chief financial officer. Theres all sorts of things we could spend it on, but it's about spending it on the right things to help our students thrive.

The TISA invests $9 billion in education funding for the state which includes state and local funds. If passed, TISA would include an additional recurring state investment of $1 billion. It already passed out of the Senate Education Committee but still needs review from other committees. TISA would begin in the 2023-24 school year.

The school board showed projections that claim a $46 million increase in base funding. They gave examples of where they think big buckets of this money will go. Those include investments in instructional materials and professional development, summer learning and tutoring supports, refresh and replacements of student technology and innovative middle and high school program design to support college and career readiness.

They also said funds will likely go towards maintaining competitive compensation for staff, funding differentiated compensation efforts, sustaining and expanding the Grow Your Own pipeline and maintaining employee benefits with no changes in cost sharing.

I dont know how in God's name people afford to live on $13 to $15 an hour, said Tiffanie Robinson. Everyone is in a really tough spot.

The proposed budget is set to be voted on Thursday night by the school board. At least three board members said they want to delay the vote until after the state decides on the TISA.

The board presents their proposal to the County Commission on May 10.
Thousands of years ago, Native Americans, wild animals and later,early white settlers traveled along the Natchez Trace, on what is now Vaughn Road in Williamson County.



Around the corner lies Sneed Road, where Native Americans once settled alongside the Harpeth River, building their villages and homes on higher planes to avoid flooding, and burying their dead in stone-lined graves among their towns.



Today, Sneed Road is home to mansions and a property belonging to the late Alice Hooker, a well known civic figure in the Nashville area.

Before she died in 2019, Hooker placed the property189 acres of tree-lined hillside along the Harpeth riverin a restrictive covenant to discourage high-density development.A year later, her children, including Lisa Hooker Campbell, removed the covenant and submitted an application to the Williamson County Planning Commission to develop the property into 128 residential lots. That decision has attracted controversy among conservation groups who criticize the family for reversing Hookers efforts to preserve the historical area.I thank Lisa Hooker Campbell for forcing me to find things that were going to help me push back on these one-acre monster mansions, in what I knew in my heart was Natchez Trace, said Laura Turner, a spokesperson for Citizens for Old Natchez Trace.Turner also accused the Hooker children of using the pandemic to covertly cover some nationally recognized historic land with intense residential density, in a letter to the editor for the Williamson Herald.But an attorney representing Campbell denied the accusations. James Weaver, an attorney with Waller Law, said Campbell was an executor of her mothers will and was obligated by law to generate the highest value for her mothers property for the beneficiaries: The Hooker children and grandchildren.And thats in the will of the nice lady that everyone says is spinning in her grave, said Weaver. It is mean, unfair and just plain common for people to accuse the executor of doing things that are against her mothers wishes. They simply dont know what theyre talking about and I hope that they never have to experience people saying that in the media about their relationship with their mother.In March 2020, the Williamson County Commission approved new zoning regulations in an effort to prevent high-density growth in parts of Williamson County that lack infrastructure to support a growing population.After the new zoning plan was adopted, the Hooker children moved to undo the restrictive covenant, which required all three children to sign.By July 2020, the restrictive covenant was removed, and Campbell then submitted a development proposal to the planning commission in August to build 128 residential lots on 189 acres of hillside and floodplain along the Harpeth River.Despite submitting the application months after the new zoning laws were adopted, Campbell requested that her proposal fall under the countys old zoning laws, which allowed for more residential development.After learning of the proposal, the Harpeth Conservancy Board President Dorie Bolze wrote a letter to the planning commission in December 2020 and urged the commission to deny the Hooker proposal, arguing that the developers failed to conduct sufficient studies on how development would affect the countys waterways and that the applications late submission made it ineligible under the new zoning laws.The applicant was fully aware the application was incomplete and chose to defer from the November (planning commission) meeting. The applicants inability to meet the known tight timeline to secure a complete application before the new zoning ordinance went into effect on November ninth is not something the planning commission needs to accommodate nor can it approve, wrote Bolze.The planning commission approved Campbells proposal for a smaller subdivision but denied the application for the much larger property on Sneed Road, leading Campbell to file a lawsuit challenging the commissions decision.According to the Williamson County planning director, Mike Matteson, the commission cannot comment on the pending litigation but has yet to receive another application from Campbell. If the Hooker property were to be offered again for development, the county would consider its historical and archeological features.Since then, conservationist groups have sought to have the land permanently preserved. In February 2022, Citizens for Old Natchez Trace received an environmental study of the land surrounding the Hooker property, finding that the land is home to archaeological remnants and wildlife supported by the Harpeth river, including a bald eagle.Archeologists have long known there were still indegenous artifacts in the area since 1878, when archeologists with Harvards Peabody Museum opened a total of 197 graves. Then in 1979, when homes were first being built, construction crews uncovered additional stone-box graves and were forced to stop construction until the state could investigate. In the following decades, development often led to crews disturbing human remains, and each time, property owners relocated the remains or paved over them, in accordance with state law.Today, million-dollar homes sit upon where these villages once stood, with no markers to indicate Native Americans were once there. Only the Harpeth River remains and a mound an ancient remnant of the village sits across the street, overlooking the homes along the river.The group, along with indegenous-rights group Justice for All Tribes, argue that development could endanger the wildlife living among the Harpeth river and destroy archaeological remnants of the Native Americans that once inhabited the area.The fact that the mother wanted to preserve this and the kids didnt is another part of this story, said Nick Fielder, former state archeologist. People like money better than scenic preservation.Although the Hooker property is not listed in state records, Fielder has reason to believe the area has undiscovered artifacts.According to Weaver, surveyors have searched the land and found no evidence of archeological artifacts.There are no prehistoric, cultural resources on the Hooker farm, according to our consultants, and the relevant regulatory agencies, he said.And opposing sides have argued about Hookers motive in placing the priceless land into a restrictive covenant.As a conservationist, Hooker received the Land Conservation award for Williamson County for her numerous contributions and spent much of her life contributing to some of Middle Tennessees most notable charitable organizations, including the Nashville Symphony, United Way, Cheekwood, the Iroquois Steeplechase and the Harpeth Conservancy.Campbell formerly served as a member of the Harpeth Conservancy before stepping down, and filed suit in 2007 alongside her mother against developers for alleged damages to the propertys waterways.But Hooker made no public comment about whether she wanted the property preserved, and her restrictive covenant conflicted with a deed naming her daughter the executor of the estate, a deed that Campbell is legally obligated to uphold, according to Weaver.Although he has no knowledge of the restrictive covenant, the land isnt in one now, he said.Turner argued that Hookers known record of conservatism proved that the land should remain free from development.Alice Hooker, who was very well known in the land-conservation circuit in Williamson County, when they bought this land decades ago . . . she obviously hoped her children wouldnt develop it, she said.And although no evidence of archeological artifacts exists, the surrounding neighbors who built their homes throughout the 1980s built their homes above known Native American villages. One neighbor was asked to move his planned development away from a mound complex. The neighbor agreed and moved several yards away, allowing the mound to serve as the only visible marker of an ancient civilization that built their homes above the floodplains of the Harpeth River.The only known inhabitant is a bald eagle that has been sighted somewhere among the plains of the Hooker farm.

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Dulce Torres Guzman

TennesseeLookout.com
I am pleased to have the opportunity to support Amanda Dunn for Division III Criminal Court judge here in Hamilton County. We have been ably served in this position by a fine man, Judge Don Poole who is retiring from the bench. While we will miss Judge Pooles leadership, I am certain that Amanda Dunn is ready and fully capable to provide outstanding service and leadership in this position.

As an attorney, I have observed that Amanda Dunn has the qualities that this position requires, those of judicial temperament, intelligence, humility, and wisdom. She also has extensive experience as an attorney practicing in the criminal justice system. I am confident she will serve our community well.

I am standing with Amanda Dunn in this important role for our community and recommend a vote for her in early voting and for the upcoming election on May 3.

J. Wayne Cropp








Congratulations are in order for the winners of Southern Lit Alliances Young Southern Student Writers contest. While there were 250 winners from local area schools, two outstanding entries by Hannah Joseph from Boyd Buchanan School and Ansley Waters from Hilger Higher Learning have won the overall Verbie and Hugh Prevost Award for Prose & Poetry.

Ansley and Hannah will each win a $250 cash prize for their achievement. The award ceremony will take place Tuesday at Abbas House at 5208 Hixson Pike.

The schedule for the program is as follows: Grades K-5  6 p.m. and Grades 6-12  7:30 p.m.

This years overall winners will be reading their entries or will have them presented. Medals will also be presented to each of the 250 other winners from area schools, which will also be printed in a booklet available for purchase.

The Young Southern Student Writers literary outreach program was established in partnership with UTC. It rewards, challenges, and nurtures Hamilton County public, private, and home school students writing and reading skills. The program also supports teachers and parents by encouraging their students/children with the fascination of reading and the importance of writing. Working with their language arts and creative writing teachers, students submit original works in either prose (fiction/nonfiction) or poetry. The students entries are evaluated on creativity, content and style.
I am writing to urge you to vote for Boyd Patterson for Criminal Court Judge. I have known Boyd for about eight years. He helped me shortly after I came to Chattanooga. As a retired, active-duty Judge Advocate, I wanted to help veterans in Hamilton County who were in trouble with the law.

My veterans have always received top-notch representation and zealous advocacy from Boyd. With his social work and counseling background, he is especially effective with veterans suffering from PTSD or substance abuse. He has an exceptional understanding of the psychology behind these conditions and worked tirelessly to allow these veterans to get a hold on their lives and to move past their legal troubles.

Boyd is also an outstanding lawyer and generous friend. He helped resolve several tricky legal issues for my veteran mentees and helped me understand the Tennessee legal system and how rehabilitation services work in Hamilton County.

A former prosecutor and a present public defender, he is a steady, disciplined, and seasoned attorney. His temperament and extensive trial background have prepared him for the position of Criminal Court judge.

Vote Boyd Patterson for Criminal Court judge. He has all the right stuff.

Christopher E. Dooley

Colonel, USAF (retired)






Tennessee Aquarium president and CEO Keith Sanford announced the addition of two new positions to the aquariums senior leadership team. Micheal Floyd was recently hired as the Aquariums Vice President of Guest Experience, and Melanie King was promoted to Vice President, Chief Development Officer.

Technically, Mr. Floyd is returning to the aquarium. Most of his career has been in service to guests under the iconic glass peaks of the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings. He was previously employed as the assistant manager within the admissions department and later served as manager of the aquarium's gift shops. Mr. Floyd served as the aquariums store director until the riverfront institution entered into a partnership with Event Network in January 2020.

"Micheal is passionate about the Tennessee Aquarium, its mission, and providing guest interactions that go above their expectations," Mr. Sanford said. "He has expressed excitement to work hand in hand with admissions and visitor services to ensure employees and guests have the most satisfying Aquarium experience moving forward."

Mr. Floyd holds a B.A.S. in technology management and an A.A.A. in business administration from Dalton State College and a computer support specialist diploma from Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Ms. King was hired as the aquarium's senior development officer in June 2017. A year later, she was promoted to director of development. In this role, Ms. King has been very successful in fundraising and building strong relationships with the Aquariums network of donors and community partners.

Melanie believes strongly in the Aquariums mission, especially regarding the conservation challenges we tackle every day, Mr. Sanford said. The success the development department has seen under her management speaks to the passion and commitment Melanie has demonstrated toward cultivating support for our animal care, freshwater science, and education programs. Her team helps ensure the aquarium will continue to have a profound impact on the broader community.

Prior to joining the aquarium, Ms. King served as vice president of business development at the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, where she worked for almost 12 years. Other previous roles include director of development positions with the National Wildlife Federation and the Georgia Conservancy.

Ms. King holds a B.A. in English Literature from Stony Brook University in New York.
On 90 Day Diaries, Natalie Mordovtseva gives fans an update on her familys situation during the Ukraine bombings. In the special episode, Natalie helps her mother to safety and talks to an immigration lawyer about getting her to the United States.

Natalie Mordovtseva, 90 Day Diaries Season 3 | TLC

When 90 Day Fiance star Natalie married Mike Youngquist, she left her mother and friends behind in Ukraine. Now that shes separated and in the process of divorcing, the 37-year-old is living by herself in Florida. She cannot leave the U.S. because her green card documentation has yet to be approved.

On the April 18 episode of 90 Day Diaries, Natalie documents her reaction to the bombings in Ukraine. She tells the cameras, I cant believe Russia could do this to us.

As for her family, Natalie is having difficulty knowing how to help her mother, Nelia, while being so far away. In the episode, Natalie tells her friend, Jolanta, about the situation with her family. She explained that her mother was in the middle of Kyiv while it was under attack.

Natalie helps her mother to safety

In the episode, Natalie tells her friend, Jolanta, about how she helped her mother to safety. She said, I heard there are trains that evacuation but there are no time, no ticket [sic]. You just have to be lucky to wait like forever.

Natalie explained, So I take a risk, and I remember I was on the phone with my mom constantly. And Im like, Mama, please believe me. Mama, please, you have to leave the house.'

She revealed that she had sent a taxi to come to pick up her mother. She said that she heard gunshots firing while she was on the phone with her mom.

Natalie said, So she managed to get to the trains station. Then Natalies mother revealed that she successfully crossed the Polish border to safety. Jolanta said, Im so glad you helped your mom, and she was able to escape.

Despite Natalies mom being safe at her friend Julias home in Poland, shes still concerned for her safety. She said, I have to get her here, whatever it takes.

Natalie goes to an immigration lawyer

Later in the episode, Natalie goes to an immigration lawyer to find the best way to bring her mother to the U.S. The lawyer tells Natalie that because shes a single child, it boosts her chances of getting her mother to the U.S.

Natalies lawyer explains, Theres an internal memo that [President Joe] Biden made public on Thursday so that Ukrainians can come to a legitimate port of entry such as San Ysidro.

Her lawyer tells her that if her mother presents a valid Ukrainian passport at the port in Tijuana, she can enter the US. After she is accepted into the U.S., she will be on humanitarian parole for a year, during which time she could apply for asylum.

However, Natalie wouldnt be able to meet her mother in Mexico, as she is not a green card holder. So, she cannot leave the country unless she applies for an expedited travel permit. Natalie is just happy to have a plan. She said, If I manage to get a travel permit, I will go to Mexico for sure. Its not gonna be easy, but it is what it takes.

With Natalies mom safe for the time being, its up to Natalie to figure out how to get her to the U.S. New episodes of 90 Day Diaries air Mondays on TLC and discovery+.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance Season 9 Premiere: Fans Call Bilals Prank on Shaeeda a Red Flag
Wuhu, Anhui province, locked down its main urban areas on Sunday  so-called static management  following a report of a COVID-19 infection, the local government said.

Prevention measures include curtailing traffic movement, except for vehicles with traffic permit certificates for epidemic control and prevention purposes, it said.

A hospital reported the infection of a patient on Saturday, according to the city's epidemic control and prevention headquarters in a statement released on Sunday.

Some areas have been strictly quarantined. Residents should not leave home except for a medical emergency, it said.

Mass testing has also been conducted in the city.

The city's three urban districts together reported six asymptomatic infections on Sunday, following the lockdown.

Dozens of infections have been reported since March 23, when a confirmed case from outside the province was found in the city's rural Fanchang district.

Huoqiu county in Lu'an city also imposed static management, starting on Saturday night. Three asymptomatic infections were reported earlier that day.

Regions across the country imposing static management recently include the cities of Kunshan, Zhangjiagang and Taicang in Jiangsu province; Xining, Qinghai province; and Fengdong New Area in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.




90 Day Fiance Season 9s premiere is coming up, featuring six new couples, one of which is Kara and Guillermo. Heres everything we know about the brand new couple and their season 9 journey.

Kara and Guillermo, 90 Day Fiance Season 9 | TLC

Who Are Kara and Guillermo?

29-year-old Kara caught 23-year-old Guillermos eye while on a work trip to the Dominican Republic. After returning home, the two kept in contact but didnt think they could maintain a long-distance relationship. But when Karas job relocated her to the Dominican Republic, everything changed for the couple.

Kara and Guillermo, 90 Day Fiance Season 9 | TLC

Kara moved in with Guillermo in the Dominican Republic, and soon they were engaged. However, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Kara had to move back home to Charlottesville, Va. Nine months later, Guillermos K-1 visa was finally approved. Now the young couple is ready to start their lives together in the United States.

Where to follow Guillermo and Kara on Instagram

Before the premiere, 90 Day Fiance fans can get to know the couple via their social media. Based on Karas Instagram, @karaleona, she enjoys singing. She shows off her vocal talents on her Instagram, singing both in English and Spanish. Her grid consists of her musical ventures, her travels, and many bikini pics on the beach. Check out Karas engagement post below:

Her fiance, Guillermo, is on Instagram as @guillermorojer. Based on his Instagram posts, he enjoys spending time on the beach in the Dominican Republic and his home country, Venezuela. Check out Guillermos post below:

What to expect based on the 90 Day Fiance Season 9 trailer

In the trailer for 90 Day Fiance Season 9, Guierromo is finally reunited with Kara, but hes nervous about starting his life in the US. He tells the cameras, I dont have butterflies. I have an octopus inside of me. Check out a preview clip the official 90 Day Fiance Instagram posted of the couple below:

Two days before their wedding, Guierromo questions Kara about her history of infidelity. He tells her, You have a past of cheating on people. She asks him, Do you even trust me? He replies, I mean, right now, I dont even know. Kara begins getting defensive and asks Guierromo if theyre even going to go through with the marriage.

Will Guillermo be able to trust Kara enough to get married before his K-1 visa expires? Fans will have to tune in and see what happens. 90 Day Fiance fans are eager to find out more about this couple.

90 Day Fiance Season 9 premieres Sunday, April 17, at 8 pm EST on TLC and is available to stream on discovery+.

RELATED: 90 Day Diaries: Ukraine Special To Feature Ukrainian Cast Members Perspectives on the War
Blue Moon of Kentucky is one of Elvis Presleys early classic songs. A famous record producer, Sam Phillips, decided Elvis should release the song as the B side to his first single. Subsequently, the producer was worried fans would get upset at the cover.

Elvis Presley | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Why a record producer decided Elvis Presley should cover Blue Moon of Kentucky

Phillips was the founder of Sun Records. He worked with artists such as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash during their early careers. Elvis released his first single, a cover of Arthur Crudups Thats All Right, on Sun Records. The B side of the record was a version of the bluegrass song Blue Moon of Kentucky.

During a 1986 interview with Rolling Stone, Phillips discussed why he paired Blue Moon of Kentucky with Thats All Right. This was before anybody thought of young people being interested in bluegrass, he recalled. But we did this thing, and it just had an intrigue. And thats the one where I thought maybe there was a good possibility of getting run out of town, cause hey, man, you didnt mess with bluegrass. Bluegrass is kind of sacred, you know.

RELATED: This Singer Said Elvis Presley Was a Good Person Because of 1 Thing He Did When He Recorded Songs

Sam Phillips recalled how audiences responded to Elvis Presleys 1st single

Phillips explained why he felt there was a fervor surrounding Thats All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky. Rock n roll probably put more money in the collection boxes of the churches across America than anything the preacher could have said, he said. I certainly know that to be a fact.

Phillips noted churchgoers were not the only listeners to embrace rock n roll. Disc jockeys broke the hell out of my records, Phillips remembered. Broke em on the air. Slam them over the damn microphone. Now if I hadnt affected people like that, I might have been in trouble.

RELATED: Elvis Presley Made 1 of His Girlfriends Promise to Sing Rock Songs and Now Shes in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The way Blue Moon of Kentucky performed on the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom

Blue Moon of Kentucky and Thats All Right never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as the chart didnt exist when Elvis first released the song. Blue Moon of Kentucky appeared on the compilation album The Sun Sessions. The album reached No. 76 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 11 weeks.

According to The Official Charts Company, Blue Moon of Kentucky did not chart in the United Kingdom either. Meanwhile, The Sun Sessions was an even bigger hit in the U.K. than it was in the U.S. In the U.K., the album peaked at No. 16 and stayed on the chart for 13 weeks.

Blue Moon of Kentucky created a positive fervor even though Phillips worried it would upset listeners.

RELATED: Elvis Presley Tried to Sleep With Karen Carpenter and Petula Clark at the Same Time, and It Didnt Go Well
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom gained a legendary status due to its level of violence, despite having an initial PG rating. Many parents were alarmed by certain scenes within this Steven Spielberg prequel. As it turns out, even some of the younger cast were prohibited from watching specific scenes as Ke Huy Quan says he wasnt allowed to watch Temple of Dooms notorious death scene.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom changed movie ratings forever

Ke Huy Quan | Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Temple of Doom is the follow-up to Raiders of the Lost Ark. Its a prequel movie that sees Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) traveling to India to solve a mysterious string of disappearances. Initially, Temple of Doom was rated PG. However, after many parents were shocked by the violent and disturbing imagery in this Spielberg film, the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) had to create a PG-13.

Its not like other PG movies didnt have violence at the time, especially Spielberg films. Jaws was rated PG when it came out in 1975 and that movie would be given a PG-13 rating now and possibly even an R-rating. Even Raiders had the sequence where the Nazis faces melt. However, Temple of Doom is the one that crossed the line and it may be due to one specific sequence.

Ke Huy Quan wasnt allowed to watch a death scene in Temple of Doom

Possibly the most famous scene in Temple of Doom is the one where we first see the villainous cult leader. In the scene, the leader pulls the still-beating heart out of a man before the man is burned to death. If you were a parent with a young child at the time, it makes sense that you may not want them to see this.

This happened to Quan who played Short Round in Temple of Doom, the kid who assists Indiana Jones throughout the movie. In an interview with Yahoo!, Quan said that he really loved working on this movie and wasnt scared by any of the creepy props or sets. However, the young actor was not allowed to watch this horrifying scene.

No, it didnt scare me  it was fun! Quan said. I saw a lot of the scary stuff, except for the scene where the guy gets his heart pulled out. I wasnt allowed to see that. But its all movie magic, so its really fun to be the presence of that stuff. The best part is when they put it all together and you watch it onscreen with sound effects and music. I remember watching Temple of Doom for the first time at Manns Chinese Theatre where we had the L.A. premiere. I was blown away by everything that was up on the screen, and thats where I fell in love with moviemaking and acting.

Ke Huy Quan is making a comeback in his acting career

Quan was only 12 in Temple of Doom and he later had another important role in another 1980s classic, The Goonies. Since then, he has had a few roles over the years, but took a break from acting after becoming frustrated with the lack of opportunities for Asian performers. Quan told Yahoo! that Crazy Rich Asians convinced him that times have changed and it was time to come back.

His most recent movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once, is a festival darling that is gaining recognition due to incredible word-of-mouth. If his role in this movie leads to more roles, then we could be looking at a possible Quanaissance.

Everything Everywhere All at Once is in theaters now.

RELATED: Michelle Yeoh Explains How the Pixar Reference Worked in Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Netflix documentary series Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes reveals further secrets behind one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. These horrific murders happened in Illinois. Heres a closer look at the real-life Gacy murder and victim grave locations.

John Wayne Gacy picked up his first victim, Timothy McCoy, from the Greyhound bus station

John Wayne Gacy | Bureau of Prisons/Getty Images

The Scott on Tape YouTube channel took viewers around the Gacy locations where heinous crimes took place. Scott first introduces the location of the first victim, 16-year-old Timothy McCoy.

The host points to a blue car parked by the curb at the corner of Clark and Randolph in downtown Chicago. He explains how that used to be the location for the Greyhound bus station. This is the location where Gacy picked up McCoy.

Gacy took McCoy to the location of his home, where they drank, engaged in sexual acts, and he proceeded to stab the teenager to death. Next, he buried him in the crawl space of his home.

The serial killer dumped the bodies of his victims under the Interstate

The next Gacy location is the Interstate 55 Bridge, which goes over the Des Plaines River. Its located right outside of Joliet, Illinois. This is the location where Gacy dumped five bodies into the river below.

Scott shows the Interstate along with the Des Plaines River. He plays some somber music over the imagery of the river, where Gacy dumped five lifeless bodies.

John Wayne Gacy was a maintenance man at a location in the area

6114 W. Miami Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois | John Smierciak/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

Scott takes viewers to the next Gacy location at the intersection of Elson and Miami. He explained that after the police discovered the bodies at the killers home, an officer remembered a specific detail. Gacy was a maintenance man at a building at this street intersection.

Gacy was once at the location seen digging in the middle of the night on the front lawn. The police officer asked what he was doing and he responded something along the lines of, You know, not enough hours in the day. Neighbors noted that they saw him digging trenches in the same area.

However, this information didnt come out until later. The police didnt initially want to re-open the case to examine the area, but they had no choice.

Scott explains that they didnt do a thorough search and nothing was found. However, locals believe that there are more victims possibly buried underneath that lawn.

Gacy also moved his own mother into an apartment building at the same location, as well. Scott shows the simple little building that clearly isnt new construction with a deteriorating fence.

John Wayne Gacy picked up his final victim, Robert Piest, at a pharmacy

Gacy's name is not connected to these disappearances until Robert Piest, an honor student and sophomore at Maine West, goes missing on his mother's birthday: pic.twitter.com/Pu3hRZ6zHw  Kori Rumore Finley (@rumormill) December 21, 2021

Scott appears particularly uncomfortable when taking viewers to the location where Gacy picked up his final victim, 15-year-old Robert Piest. The killer asked the teenager for help with construction work, which is one of the primary ways that he lured in his victims. He also dressed as a clown to bring in young boys.

Piest worked at the pharmacy. He told his mother that he was talking to Gacy about a construction job, who was waiting outside to pick him up. Unfortunately, Piest never returned.

Scott is standing across the street from the location that is no longer a pharmacy. However, hes keeping his distance because the Gacy-associated location is now a preschool and daycare. Scott initially thought it was a restaurant from his online research. Given the sensitive location, he filmed from a distance.

However, the liquor store next door also gives away the location. Next, the video displays a photograph of Piest and the inside of the pharmacy when it once existed.

The serial killer makes his first confession to his lawyer

Sam Amirante, once an assistant public defender representing John Wayne Gacy | Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/TNS

On December 20, 1978, Gacy made his first confession to his lawyer at the next location. It lasted for hours overnight. The building now has a sign in front of it that reads AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology).

The same somber music plays as he shows a few shots around the building, but he never goes inside.

The police kept the significant items from John Wayne Gacy and his victims

Detective Sgt. Jason Moran, of the Cook County Sheriffs Office | Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Scott next takes his viewers to a Gacy location that is particularly fascinating. It appears to be a simple, suburban street with houses and stores. However, he takes particular interest in a giant warehouse, which belongs to the Cook County Sheriffs Department.

Inside the building, theres an entire room dedicated to Gacy. They keep items of significance to the serial killer and his victims that they found at the scene of the crime. Next, Scott shows some of the items that are likely stored inside, including clothes, jewelry, and case files.

The haunting location of John Wayne Gacys house

John Wayne Gacys home | William Yates/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

The next segment doesnt need any introduction from Scott  the location of Gacys home. The house was torn down and replaced with another house. However, he displays photographs of the building both past and present. Scott includes pictures of the victims bodies getting carried out of the home.

Scott then puts in a sort of memorial, as he honors Gacys known victims with their photographs over music with a very different tone.

The victims graves

The grave of an unidentified victim of John Wayne Gacy | Keri Wiginton/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Scott explains how there were originally nine unidentified victims of the serial killer. However, that number went down to six over the years. They had a funeral for all nine in 1981 at the funeral home right nearby where he stood.

The remains of eight of the young men and boys were taken to various cemeteries across Illinois. However, Scott goes to one particular grave at Oak Ridge Cemetary. He chose this particular location because its the grave of an unknown victim, who he feels most people wont be thinking to visit.

Scott approaches a grave with the words We Remembered engraved on the stone with the date June 12, 1981. He left a stone in honor of the unidentified victim and dusted the grave marker off.

Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes hits Netflix on April 20.

RELATED: Hollywood Serial-Killer Movies That Are Actually Based on True Crimes
Mayans MC premiered four years after the end of Sons of Anarchy, and the tragic end of Jax Teller. However, Jaxs influence can be felt throughout the show. The timelines between the two shows can feel a little unclear, but its obvious that some of the Mayans knew and still remember Jax. EZ Reyes older brother Angel was a member of the Club long before EZ, so did he ever cross paths with Jax?

Clayton Cardenas and Charlie Hunnam | Robin L Marshall/WireImage; Earl Gibson III/WireImage

Mayans MC and Sons of Anarchy timeline

During a panel at the ATX Television Festival in 2018, Mayans MC co-creator Kurt Sutter stated that the show is in a post-Jax Teller world, IndieWire writes. If were playing real-time, its about three years ago [meaning the year 2015]. We talk a little bit about the ramifications of that final day of Jax. [] It changed Northern California and trickled down.

At the beginning of Mayans MC, EZ Reyes is just a prospect, which means he hasnt been involved with the group for long. His older brother Angel, however, is the secretary of the Santo Padre charter. Although the series doesnt reveal exactly how long Angel has been with the Mayans, its likely been at least a few years. This has led some fans to wonder if Angel knew Jax when he was president of the Sons of Anarchy.

Did Angel Reyes from Mayans MC know Jax Teller?

In 2020 a fan asked on Twitter, Was Angel part of the Mayans MC when Jax led the SOA? Im guess the timeline allows for them to have known each other. According to Popculture, Kurt Sutter responded, We played the idea that all the Mayans knew Jax. His bond with Alvarez in the later years of SOA was held in deep respect. Im sure there were opportunities for Angel and Jax to cross paths.

In the second part of this tweet, Sutter mentioned something even more interesting. Mayans MC reveals that EZ Reyes served eight years in prison for killing a cop. He is out of prison by the start of the spinoff series, but the series flashes back to his girlfriend visiting him. As she leaves Stockton Penitentiary, fans glimpsed none other than Gemma Teller.

Tuesday, Jax comes face-to-face with an ugly truth. #FinalRide pic.twitter.com/XrS2TuAtfj  Sons of Anarchy (@SonsofAnarchy) November 17, 2014

EZ may have been in prison at the same time as the Sons of Anarchy

Between season 4 and seasons 5 of Sons of Anarchy, Jax and five other club members serve 14 months in Stockton State Prison for federal weapons charges. This could have coincided with EZs time in prison, which might explain who Gemma was visiting in the Mayans MC flashback.

Kurt Sutter wrote on Twitter, When we brought Chibs into Season 2 of Mayans MC, we saw he had a relationship with Bishop and Taza. And I think the timing might sync up that when EZ was in Stockton, the Sons were serving their time. With this in mind, not only is it possible that Angel knew Jax, but EZ may have even run into him in prison.

Mayans MC season 4 premieres April 19 on FX.

RELATED: Mayans MC Season 4 Preview: Release Date, Cast, Where to Watch, and More
In 2019, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their first childa son named Archie Harrison. Although many people are now used to this name, Meghan reportedly shared with someone recently that Archie could have had another first name.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Archie | Reuters/Toby Melville/Pool

Some of Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys projects have names similar to Archie

The name Archie likely comes from the Greek word arche, which means source of action. And the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have used this name to inspire some of their career projects.

For example, Meghan and Harrys charity foundation is called Archewell, According to The Telegraph, the couple explained, Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon. We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.

More recently, it was also announced that Meghan is working on a podcast called Archetypes. According to a teaser, the show will dissect, explore, and subvert the labels that hold women back.

Meghan Markle revealed Archie could have had another first name

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Archie and baby Lilibet are the cutest family in 2021 holiday card https://t.co/ZoIY0vhdmT  TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 23, 2021

Meghan is currently in the Netherlands to promote the Invictus Games with Harry. There, she talked to Sherry McBain, a competitor representing the U.K. After McBain shared that her sons name is Harrison, Meghan had an interesting response.

She was like Harrison, thats Archies middle name, and [my wife] Mandy was like Yeah, I know, McBain recalled (via Daily Mail). They were just having a chat because Harry and Meghan couldnt decide between Archie and Harrison for the first name.

McBains son also got to participate in Meghans book reading event. Additionally, Meghan complimented little Harrison on a drawing he made.

Prince Harry shared Archies career aspirations

New pic of their little boy, Archie, revealed by Prince Harry and Meghan on their @instagram account in their review of 2019 #happynewyear2020 pic.twitter.com/eFwfuiSPaj  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) December 31, 2019

Archie is turning 3 this year, and it seems he is showing some signs of having career aspirations. Harry revealed some of Archies career goals in a speech during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.

When I talk to my son Archie about what he wants to be when he grows up, some days its an astronaut, other days its a pilot  a helicopter pilot obviously  or Kwazii from Octonauts, Harry said (via People). If youre laughing, then youve seen that.

He added, But what I remind him is that no matter what you want to be when you grow up, its your character that matters most, and nothing would make his mum and me prouder than to see him have the character of what we see before us today.

In an interview with Dutch childrens news channel Kindercorrespondent, Harry also shared that one of his wishes is to create a better world for his kids.

Its not going to be easy, but I will never, ever, ever rest until I as a parent have at least tried to make the world a better place for them, because it is our responsibility that the world is the way that it is now, Harry explained. I dont think we should be bringing children into the world unless we are going to make that commitment to make it better for them.

RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Want to Convince the Public They Are Still Very Important People, Commentator Says
For many home cooks tahini  the Middle Eastern condiment of ground sesame seeds  is what you put in hummus. And only hummus. For Food Network personality Molly Yeh, tahini is much more than that.

In Yehs recipes, its a nuanced layer of flavor that adds depth to so many recipes. Here are just a few of the chefs slightly unexpected, but supremely delicious, recipes in which tahini shines.

Molly Yeh | Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Discovery

The Food Network stars indulgent tahini fudge pie

As Yeh told Glamour, Its never been my goal to create something that is found on the internet elsewhere. I only want to create things that are new. I dont want to take up space with another avocado toast.

The culinary star certainly proves that here with her use of tahini, front and center, occupying the space normally taken by peanut butter.

Her Tahini Fudge Pie might get double takes for its unusual use of the paste in a dessert. But it is complemented by Yehs use of a sweet cookie crust, rich filling, and best of all, its layer of gooey fudge.

Alongside the ground sesame, Yehs recipe also calls for creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, instant espresso powder, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream.

Get the complete recipe, video, and reviews on Food Networks site.

Yehs turkey spinach meatballs with tahini and chimichurri sauce

Yehs meatball recipe features fresh spinach sauteed with fennel and fresh garlic, as well as breadcrumbs, spices, and of course, ground turkey.

The imagination in this dish of Yehs is its departure from serving the meatballs in a heated sauce. The warm meatballs are served in an uncooked tahini sauce of tahini paste, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper.

And theyre drizzled with a bright, also raw, chimichurri sauce of parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper.

Get this recipe on Molly Yehs website.

The culinary personalitys aromatic sesame coffee cake

Yeh told daytime show host Rachael Ray of her coffee cake, It has everything you want in a coffee cake. Its dense and its moist. It has loads of crumbly topping.

The Girl Meets Farm host noted in her conversation with Ray the boost tahini gives this dessert: For me, what makes it special is I like to add tahini to the cake batter. Im adding toasted sesame seeds to the crumbly topping.

The recipe also includes a Yemeni spice blend called hawaij that she says she thinks of as a pumpkin spice that is very heavy on the cardamom and ginger.

Find the complete recipe on Rachael Rays website.

Molly Yehs luscious tahini caramel rolls

Tahini and caramel. Thats it, nothing more needs to be said. Yehs breakfast (or anytime) goodies are topped off with a decadent tahini caramel sauce made by whisking brown sugar, milk, tahini, butter, and salt and cooking the ingredients into a rich sauce. The topping honestly sounds good enough to eat on its own.

One home cook wrote on Food Networks site of Yehs recipe: Holy cow these are so good! They are definitely worth the effort. The tahini caramel is such a lovely flavor combination  Thank you, Molly!

The dough and brown sugar filling in these rolls are infused with orange juice and zest, giving these treats, as another reviewer noted, a nice surprise of flavor.

Get the complete recipe and reviews on Food Networks site.

Think outside the tahini jar and give one of Molly Yehs creative recipes a try!

RELATED: Molly Yehs Top-Rated Food Network Recipe Has Lots of Fans  And Its Share of Critics
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently traveled to the Netherlands to attend the 2022 Invictus Games. On the way there, the couple stopped by England to visit Queen Elizabeth.

Some onlookers believe the meeting might have been a chance at reconciliation after Harry and Meghans explosive Oprah Winfrey interview last year. However, a royal commentator is not very optimistic about the meeting healing old wounds.

Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry in 2018 | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met with Queen Elizabeth recently

After Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in 2020, the couple has primarily stayed in the United States. Theyve made very few visits to the United Kingdom in that time. While Harry did go back to his home country twice in 2021, Meghan had not been back since moving to the U.S.

On April 14, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines when they visited Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle. Not much is known about what they discussed at the meeting. However, Harry later talked a bit about it in an interview with the BBC.

She had plenty of messages for Team UK which Ive already passed on to most of them, he said (via the Mirror). So, it was great to see her, and Im sure she would love to be here if she could.

Commentator says the Sussexes meeting with the queen was pointless

While some onlookers hope the Windsor meeting could be a sign of reconciliation between the Sussexes and other royals, commentator Peter Ford has expressed some skepticism. According to Ford, Harry is releasing a memoir later this year rumored to include damaging remarks about the royal family. The revelations in that book could lead to more hurt.

Whatever bridges were built, and if this was about smoking a peace pipe, its all fairly pointless, Ford said on the Australian show Sunrise. Because that book is coming out in a couple of months time, and that is going to once again reopen a lot of all wounds.

Prince Harry might have toned down negativity in his memoir, another expert speculates

Prince Harry Told the Palace About His Memoir  but Would Not Have Expected to Need Permission https://t.co/FZys16W9UT  People (@people) July 20, 2021

Recently, The Telegraph also reported the royal family invited Harry and Meghan to join them on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Queen Elizabeths Platinum Jubilee celebration in June. However, it is unclear whether the Sussexes will actually appear or not.

According to historian Christopher Joll, this could signify that Harry has toned down some negative content in his book.

He has promised a kiss and tell memoir which Penguin Random House paid him a multimillion-pound advance for, Joll said (via Express). Well if hes reconciled with the Royal Family to the point that hes able to appear on the balcony with them, surely he will have toned down the contents of his memoirs.

Joll added, If he tones down the contents of his memoirs, Random House wont be very happy about that. You cant be a commercial celebrity and a royal at the same time.

RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Want to Convince the Public They Are Still Very Important People, Commentator Says
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared a brief kiss during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, a PDA moment that was a break in royal tradition. A body language expert broke down the kiss and explained how Harry appeared to be emotional before delivering his speech.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

Meghan Markle gushed about her husband at the Invictus Games opening ceremony

Meghan introduced Prince Harry at the 2022 Invictus Games opening ceremony. It is my distinguished honor to introduce someone that I think youll all be very excited to hear from, Meghan said. He has also spent many late nights and early mornings planning these games to make them as perfect as possible for each of you.

She continued, I could not love and respect him more and I know that all of you feel the same, because he is your fellow veteran, having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and 10 years of military service.

The Duchess of Sussex added, Hes the founder of the Invictus Games and the father to our two little ones, Archie and Lili. Please welcome my incredible husband, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

Prince Harry shared a kiss with Meghan when he came onstage. He followed their PDA moment by saying, Thank you, my love.

Standing ovation for Prince Harry as he is introduced by Meghan on the stage at @InvictusGamesNL pic.twitter.com/QqbqNjK427  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) April 16, 2022

Body language expert analyzes the groundbreaking Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss

Body language expert Judi James shared her thoughts with the Mirror, pointing out how the kiss broke royal tradition. As Meghan and Harry do the hand-over of the mic they also perform a kiss that would have been a given in the political world but which is groundbreaking in royal terms, James explained. It is affectionate but swift, with both smiling proudly as they perform it.

Harry appeared to be very emotional following the kiss and took a moment to gather himself before delivering his speech.

The problem for Harry is that it appears to knock him sideways emotionally, the expert said of their kiss. Watching his wife exit from the stage he stands in overwhelmed-looking silence for 30 seconds as the crowd carries on their applause.

James added, The stunned silence is mutually beneficial as crowds only stop clapping when the mic is raised to the mouth and Harry appears too close to tears to do that for the length of the 30 seconds.

Expert calls Harrys behavior unusually emotional

James further pointed out how Prince Harrys initial emotional reaction wasnt typical. This is an unusually emotional display from Harry who has been seen striding out onto global stages with all the cheeky confidence of an MC at a rock conference, she explained.

Instead, he turns his reddened face to the side, wiping the side of his nose with his knuckles in what looks like a partial cut-off to shield his facial expression, James continued.

The body language expert noted how Harry also looked teary-eyed. His eyes have the saddest expression as his tongue pokes out from the corner of his mouth and he looks down to suggest tearfulness, she explained.

RELATED: Meghan Markles Cringe Gesture at Event With Prince Harry Exposed Her Insecurity, Body Language Expert Says
TL;DR:

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Queen Elizabeth II on their way to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games.

A spokesperson for the couple announced the visit after the fact.

According to a royal expert, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Queen Elizabeth II visit may not be a good thing.

Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry | Anwar Hussein/WireImage

A royal pit stop.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Queen Elizabeth II prior to the Invictus Games. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stopped by Windsor Castle to chat with the 95-year-old monarch before traveling to The Hague, Netherlands. So does this mean better relations with the British royal family? A royal expert says Harry and Meghans queen visit may not be a good thing but rather publicity-related.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the Invictus Games in April 2022

Harry and Meghan made a stop on their way to the Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands. On April 14, 2022, the two stopped by Windsor Castle to visit Harrys grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, a spokesperson confirmed.

A Sussex spokesperson confirms that, prior to arriving in The Hague for @InvictusGamesNL, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan stopped in the UK this morning to visit the Queen, royal commentator and Finding Freedom co-author Omid Scobie tweeted. It was a Windsor visit that their team recently revealed the duke hoped to do.

Harry and Meghans visit marked their first joint return to the U.K. since their last official engagements in 2020.

So what was discussed? Later, while in the Netherlands for the Invictus Games, Harry revealed hed discussed the competition with his grandmother. She had plenty of messages for Team U.K., which I have already passed on to most of them, he told BBC. So, it was great to see her. Im sure she would love to be here if she could.

Royal author says not to jump to conclusions about the visit

Harry and Meghans Queen Elizabeth visit may not be a sign of a forthcoming royal family reconciliation. Asked by Good Morning Britains Adil Ray if the visit was a good thing, royal author Angela Levin said she wasnt convinced. .Im not sure that it is, she said, per The Sun. I think you have to be very careful not to jump to conclusions.

The Harry: A Biography of a Prince author continued, suggesting publicity may have played a role. I think the queen and Prince Charles have missed them hugely, and therefore, they could wrap them around their little fingers and use them for commercial use as they have done before, she said.

Ultimately, Levin said in her opinion it comes down to a recent event. Specifically, the memorial service for Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeths husband and Harrys grandfather.

I think its something to do with not turning up at Prince Philips memorial service and finding out what the reaction to that was, she said. It was very bad, and they cant afford to lose that publicity.

Details of the Queen Elizabeth visit will likely stay private

Royal expert Katie Nicholl thinks not much about Harry and Meghans Queen Elizabeth visit will be made public.

For the meeting with the queen, it was just the queen, Meghan and Harry, and very few details of that meeting has been leaked, she told ET. I suspect its going stay quite watertight.

Nicholl continued, saying it comes down to trust. I think the Sussexes really have to prove that they can be trusted now, and that they are now back in touch with the family, she said, noting that Harry had a private meeting with his father, Prince Charles, Meghan, and the queen. The 37-year-old also saw his stepmother, Camilla Parker Bowles.

If the details of the meeting with Queen Elizabeth were to get, Nicholl said, Harry would be in a very, very difficult position.

They need to know that they can trust the Sussexes because the queen will be hoping that this will have been an ice breaker, she explained, calling it the first of more meetings and trips over to England to come in the future.

RELATED: Prince Harrys Simmering Unhappiness With Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles Obvious After Marrying Meghan Markle  Expert
Two Republicans have entered the 83rd House district race following the redrawing of the district to include part of Cheshire, more of Berlin and less of Meriden.

Both parties are interviewing candidates to present to electors before the General Assembly party conventions in May.

Republican Lou Arata, who made strong challenges against incumbent state Rep. Catherine Abercrombie, D-Meriden, is vying for the seat in November. Republican Joseph Vollano, who has also unsuccessfully run for state and local offices, is also seeking the party nomination. Both men are Meriden residents.

Meriden Republican Town Committee Chairwoman Elain Cariati said the RTC has not endorsed Arata or Vollano and recently completed choosing electors for the 83rd convention on May 17. The candidates will also meet with GOP town committees in Berlin and Cheshire, who could put up their own candidates.

Abercrombie is not seeking re-election after serving eight terms. A Democrat has yet to announce in the race.

Meriden Democratic Town Chair Millie Torres-Ferguson said city Democrats are interviewing candidates and having discussions with their counterparts in Cheshire and Berlin for the 83rd district and should have a candidate soon.

In addition to being the vice chairman of the Republican Town Committee, Arata is also the vice chairman of the Meriden Public Utilities Commission.

The decision to run again has been challenging as the seat is open with the retirement of the eight-term incumbent, Arata said in a press release. With that there will be many opportunists looking to flex their political muscle now that they see an open seat. I assure you that I take on the process with the highest degree of passion and integrity, as I have always done in the past. I care about Meriden and the direction of Connecticut and the direction of our country.

Arata believes the maps took too long to be redrawn and werent done in a bipartisan fashion. He recognized that while some Republicans made some gains, in the end the overall effort will likely favor Democrats, he said.

Having the minority voice in Connecticut politics often means their voices, ideas and recommendations get laughed at and dont get acted upon, and I dont think thats fair representation, Arata said. Ive wanted to see it fair for everyone since 2018.

Arata believes in smaller, less intrusive government, decreasing the tax burden on individuals, families and small business, and support for police and education.

Vollano owns a fuel and diesel delivery operation in the city and hosts the Straight Talk podcast that touches on state, local and national issues and politics. He has been a candidate for City Council and the state legislature and has served on several Republican campaigns. Abercrombies margin of victory in 2016 against Vollano, was just 168 votes: 5,273 to 5,105.

The timing is right, Vollano said. Business is taking off and it gives me more time to help the community. The podcast has been successful and a lot of people asked me to run.

Vollano, whose treasurer is Joshua Broekstra, said his priority is controlling taxes, including the gas and diesel tax. He opposes the police accountability bill signed into state law in 2020 and the recently-established Meriden Citizens Review Board.

Id like to make it more friendly so (police) are not afraid to do their jobs, Vollano said.

Vollano is familiar with the eastern part of Cheshire included in the newly redrawn district and believes the new map will help Republicans a little bit.

He looks forward to a spirited race.

I know Lou is running, he said. The more participants, the more information the public is going to get. I look forward to a great race.
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Jessica Zanotti served in FEMA Corps, a volunteer service program which provides young adults, 1824-year-olds, a variety of hands-on opportunities in the field of emergency management.

Over the course of 12 months, FEMA Corps selectees work around the country, helping communities prepare for and respond to disasters. The program is an excellent way to gain experience in emergency management and is one way that students can translate their community service in college into a career in emergency management. Many FEMA Corps alumni go on to become professionals at FEMA or other government agencies.

Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov or FEMA.gov. For questions, contact us.





Why did you choose FEMA Corps when you did?



As with most paths in life, it was a combination of luck and hard work. Since the country was still feeling the impacts of the 2008 recession, I could not find a job right out of college and started pursuing alternative ways of continuing to gain experience. During an internship in Montana, I had a friend who recommended looking into AmeriCorps/Peace Corps options. After looking at the University of Delawares job board, I came across a posting for AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps. I knew right away that was the opportunity I wanted to pursue. It was good timing too since the deadline to apply was a week away and if I missed that session, I would have been too old to participate in the program (the program is meant for those ages 1824).



Why did you choose FEMA instead of some other programlike the Peace Corps, for example?



You could say it was both a continuation of what I had always been passionate about and a family tradition of sorts. My mother, father, uncle and grandfather (before he passed) are involved in local emergency response/management, such as the fire department or ambulance corps. Growing up, I used to go with them to fires, car accidents, medical emergency calls and I observed and internalized a great deal of how emergency responses operate. As such, I already had a working knowledge of disaster preparedness and emergency response. I also had been a lifeguard and pool manager for years. Having responded to many incidents and often training others on how to respond in emergencies, FEMA Corps felt like a good way to branch out from the local level.

Of all the professional skills you honed in FEMA Corps, can you share a story of one specific growth moment?

One of the most valuable things I learned during FEMA Corps was how much words matter and managing expectations. Coming into FEMA Corps, I had a lot of preconceived notions about what FEMAs role was and what the agency did. Especially during my time in FEMA Headquarters, when I was put in charge of writing many products for an interagency training, I realized that just a simple word change or a different tone can deliver the message more clearly. In disasters, many survivors have heightened emotions as they are facing the worst days of their lives and it is critically important that FEMA clearly communicates both what we can do and where other partners, such as the state/tribal governments or non-profits like American Red Cross, are in a better position to provide relief faster. In addition, I was able to work with tribal members on my first deployment and learned that cultural sensitivities are extremely important when trying to communicate clearly how the federal government can help. How to communicate clearly what information and resources are available with empathy while also not overpromising that the federal government can restore them to a pre-disaster condition is imperative in disaster communications and a skill that I use to this day.



What opportunities/possibilities did FEMA Corps open up for you, and where are you now?



I wouldnt be where I am today without FEMA Corps. It provided me with the experience and connections, as well as the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to secure and have a fulfilling career at FEMA. Through FEMA Corps, I was also able to work in several disaster environments, and at regional and headquarters offices, which allowed me to understand the Agency from the various levels of operation. I met so many amazing people, both in FEMA and State and local emergency management partners, that were dedicated to helping disaster survivors and gained perspectives that I would not have had otherwise. Doing this program allowed me to continue to pursue my passion for emergency management and for helping people. I have now been with the Agency for eight years (including my year of FEMA Corps), working as a Congressional Affairs Specialist for the last three.

FEMA Corps is accepting applications for summer 2022 through April 30. To apply, visit the Americorps website

Jessica Zanotti has been assigned as a Congressional Affairs Specialist at FEMA Headquarters in Washington, DC since June 2018. During her time in Congressional Affairs, Jess has deployed and supported more than 100 disasters in over two dozen states, including Puerto Rico, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and most recently, Kentucky. She has also been part of the agencys nationwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020.

Before her Congressional Affairs assignment, Jess spent four years as a Strategy & Messaging Specialist at FEMA, deploying to several high-profile disasters, such as hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017 and 2016 Florida hurricanes Hermine and Matthew. She also served as an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) FEMA Corps member in 2014, travelling to 29 states in 10 months and supporting disasters at the field, regional and headquarters levels.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) warns of an imminent environmental disaster that threatens food security and a humanitarian catastrophe that would deprive nearly 2.5 million people of Euphrates River water in different areas in Al-Raqqah, Al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor and Kobani.

" Euphrates River water level has reached low levels after rising flow of water at good levels compared to previous periods nearly a month ago.

This development ignited peoples fears and concerns over environmental and service risks to the population and the significant damage to agricultural land if the Turkish government continues to cut Syrias share of Euphrates water", SOHR added.

"Turkish occupation state was using water as a weapon against NE sinceApril 2 by reducing the amount of Euphrates River water which enters NE, Syria's dams", Office of Energy and Communications in Al-Jazira region stated on April 4.

Environmental specialists had confirmed during the International Water Forum in North and East Syria, which was held in late September 2021, that the Turkish Gap project, which consists of 19 dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, most of which are located in the territory of Kurdistan, has eliminated job opportunities for what Approximately 5,000 Kurds, and it increased Turkeys colonial control over Kurdistan, that led to forcible emptying of 4,000 villages of their residents for colonial motives.

A.K

ANHA
On a gray and crisp Sunday afternoon last yearit happened to be HalloweenI found myself crammed in the back seat of a black-and-silver Mini Cooper, jolting over speed bumps on the narrow streets of an Edinburgh suburb.

I was returning from lunch with the pastor of a church in a gentrifying housing project, or scheme, southeast of Scotlands capital.

Suddenly my new friend Tasha, a 34-year-old native of the citys schemes, hit the brakes and rolled down her window.

Hey! she yelled, commanding the attention of a gaggle of middle schoolaged boys. What are you doing? They were, in fact, throwing rocks at some second-story tenement windows. Tasha spent a minute or two chastising them, and the boys sheepishly moved on.

I know them, she explained, but she didnt have to. I had already gathered that Tasha was well-known and respected in her community. Tasha, whose full name is Natasha Davidson, oversees womens ministry at the church I was visiting, Niddrie Community Church.

The congregation is part of a growing church planting network called 20schemes, whose leaders dream of starting or revitalizing 20 churches in 20 of Scotlands housing projects. They have six churches so far, with five more teams gearing up to plant. Schemes generally have a strong community identity and dont intersect with neighboring schemes. As a result, 20schemes has three churches within walking distance in three distinct communities.

Personally, I was drawn to 20schemes focus on women. Throughout my life, I have been immersed in complementarian circles that valued women but also a theology of male headship in the church and homefirst ...

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Televangelists organ restored

A pipe organ made famous on Robert H. Schullers Hour of Power television program has been restored for $3 million. Hazel, as the organ is called, was taken apart and sent to Italy for repairs in 2013. Since then, Schuller, who started a church at a drive-in movie theater in 1955 and paved the way for a generation of megachurch ministers, has died. Schullers drive-in and walk-in church, The Crystal Cathedral, has undergone a $72 million renovation and is now a Roman Catholic church. The reinstalled organ has 17,000 pipes and is the fifth largest in the world.

New Methodist church planned

The United Methodist Church has delayed for a third time a meeting to consider a proposed denominational divide, citing COVID-19. The move has prompted some conservatives to announce they will not wait any longer. A new denomination is launching in May. Organizers hope the Global Methodist Church will provide a home for those who maintain a traditional stance on LGBT issues. The topic of homosexuality has come up at every quadrennial conference since 1972, when the denomination decided LGBT people are individuals of sacred worth but Christians should not condone the practice of homosexuality. Some experts say about 2 million adherents will align with the new denomination in the US, more than 6 million in Africa, and around 150,000 from the rest of the world.

Guatemalan Congress defines marriage, family, and gender

A new law defining the meaning of marriage, family, and gender passed Congress with 101 yea votes, 8 nays, and 51 abstentions. The law, which was first considered in 2019, had the strong support of the Guatemalan Christian Ministerial ...

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Most Christians have a negative impression of the word secularism. Can it be rescued from its association with antireligious animus? Michael F. Bird, a theologian teaching at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, attempts this balancing act in Religious Freedom in a Secular Age: A Christian Case for Liberty, Equality, and Secular Government. Natasha Moore of the Centre for Public Christianity (also in Australia) spoke with Bird about the place of faith in pluralistic societies.

How has religious freedom become such a contested ideal?

In the West, weve long assumed that Christianity was the default setting and Christians were the chaplains for Christendom. But now, as we enter a more post-Christian era and even a time of radical de-Christianization, new fault lines are emerging. And thats going to affect the way we think about competing rights between different groups. Its going to call for some very, very interesting management of diversities in our multicultural democracies.

What do you wish Christiansand secularistsknew about secularism?

I wish Christians knew that secularism is not a bad thing. Its actually a good thing. Secularism is what stops a country from becoming a theocracy, where the government politicizes religion and religion becomes culturally shallow. Secularism is what protects you from government attempts to regulate, define, or interfere with your religion.

I wish secularists knew that secularism is a very broad term. There are different types of secularism that exist in France, Thailand, Japan, or Australia. And it doesnt mean deliberately marginalizing people or communities of faith. Secularism is about creating space for people of all faiths and none.

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Ukrainian Baptists were once practical pacifists.

Now locked in a vicious war of survival with invading Russian forces, many are on the front lines of battle. Leading voices call for NATO to enforce a no-fly zone. Pastors pray for soldiers; churches offer bread.

What happened?

It is not as straightforward as simple self-defense. But neither was their nonviolence, practiced by most Slavic evangelicals, a clear convictional principle. Forged in the fires of the Soviet Union, the then-second-largest Baptist community in the world developed along a very different path from their denominational brethren in the United States.

Just ask Roman Rakhuba, who was raised Baptist.

I never would have called myself a Mennonite, said the head of the Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches of Ukraine (AMBCU). Later I discovered I was following their principles all along.

Known as the Bible Belt of Eastern Europe, Ukraines evangelical faith was greatly influenced by the Anabaptist tradition. Rakhuba grew up in Zaporizhzhia, 350 miles southeast of Kyiv, near the old oak tree associated with the Chortitza colony of Mennonites, founded in 1789.

His grandfather was saved through one of their preachers.

But as a Baptist child, Rakhuba was raised without toy guns, instructed to never return evil with evil. Forbidden from playing war, his relatives refused to fight in the Soviet army. He remembers Mennonites hosted at his grandfathers home, learning of the 1763 decree by Catherine the Great to invite German settlers to develop the Russian hinterland.

They were joined by Lutherans and Catholics, dissidents and rebels, offered lands, self-governance, andvital for the pacifistsexemption from military service. Over the next century, Mennonite communities thrived in Ukraine, developing infrastructure for agriculture and industry. But increasing prosperity challenged their social and spiritual life, and drunkenness and dancing became common.

Then came pietism.

In the mid-19th century, German missionaries, such as the Lutheran Edward Wuest, found a reception with the Mennonites. Their emphasis on a regenerated Christian life through personal conversion, prayer, and Bible study appealed to colonists dissatisfied with the traditional church. The community ruptured, and in 1860 a parallel Mennonite Brethren denomination was born, sending missionaries as far as Siberia and India.

The still-German speakers lived largely separate lives from their Slavic neighbors, until two events intervened to spark an evangelical revival. In 1858, Emperor Alexander II authorized the translation and printing of the Bible in Russian. Three years later, he abolished serfdom.

For the first time, peasants were no longer tied to the land, said Mary Raber, a church history instructor at Odessa Theological Seminary. Where better to find a job than on the farm of a successful colony?

Slavs, now with a New Testament to read, started joining their Bible studies.

Mennonites were not the only revivalist movement in the Russian empire. German Baptists planted churches in the Caucasus Mountains. An English missionary won converts among the St. Petersburg elite. Neither of these groups adopted pacifism as a rule, and even some Mennonites organized self-defense units to ward off bandits in the chaos of World War I.

But none were prepared for the rise of the Bolsheviks, communist revolutionaries who solidified power in 1923.

Not counting converts, in 1911 there were over 100,000 German-speaking Mennonites in Ukraine. But their population had already taken a hit in the 1870s, when military exemption was revoked and belatedly replaced with alternative service. One-third left for the central plains of North America.

Civil war and famine ravaged the community after World War I, and the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), created in 1920 to assist brethren in Ukraine, provided relief. But though 25,000 daily meals saved manyan estimated 9,000 livesanother exodus led an additional 20,000 to join previous emigrants in Canada.

Soviet agricultural collectivization contributed to the Holodomor, a man-made famine a decade later, killing millions of Ukrainians. And like other Christians, Mennonites suffered arrest, execution, and exile to Siberia. World War II brought the deportation of thousands to Central Asia. Numbers continued to dwindle, and most of those remaining went west with the retreating German army.

When Joseph Stalin pandered to Western allies and created the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists in 1944 (later adding Pentecostals), Mennonites mostly just dissolved therein.

The persecution of Soviet Christians is a well-known story. Officially tolerated as international window dressing, they were marginalized in society with churches infiltrated by KGB agents. Evangelizing quietly at great risk, their biblical practice emphasized submission to authoritieseven autocratic onesin political affairs.

But like their Mennonite forerunners, they refused military service.

It wasnt exactly pacifism, it was nonparticipation, said Michael Cherenkov, now pastor of Revival Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington. Maybe it was wise, but it was not theologicalit was the experienced path of survival.

Cherenkov grew up in the underground churches of Soviet Ukraine, and in the 1960s his Russian-born father was jailed for pacifism. His family grew up praying not only for spiritual revival, but also for the collapse of the USSR. It was a theology of liberation, he said, and in some ways represented a seed for the eventual support of armed resistance to Russia today. (In the hospital near the eastern frontlines of the war, his mother recently asked prayer only for the Ukrainian army.)

The familys political prayers were answered in 1991 with Ukraines independence, and believers suddenly found themselves in a completely new reality. Christianity became an integral part of the new republic, Cherenkov said, and believers found freedom to shape public life and share the gospel.

But met with corruption, nominal faith, and lingering Soviet mentalities, they needed a new apologetic skill.

We felt responsibility for the transformation of society, he said. Over time, we learned to defend.

A second input to the process was the post-independence development of evangelical seminaries, largely funded and staffed from the West. Sergey Rakhuba, a non-Mennonite uncle of Roman and director of the pan-evangelical Mission Eurasia, said they were surprised to see the widespread pacifism of Ukrainian believers. Professors did not focus on it, he said, but new debates proliferated on all topics of theological dispute. Alongside Calvinism versus Arminianism and the Lordship of Christ, discussions emerged about the legitimacy of military service.

But doubts about nonviolence were already in bloom.

Valentin Siniy, president of the interdenominational Tavriski Christian Institute, downplays the role of seminaries in the development away from pacifism. He also believes the famous novelist Leo Tolstoy was more influential than the Anabaptists in its promotion.

But his own story illustrates the evangelical shift.

Experiencing a childhood similar to the Rakhuba and Cherenkov families, Siniys Baptist grandfather lost his job under Soviet persecution; his parents lost their home. Lessons were given about humility and nonresistance to evil. But in his young mind, it failed to compute.

God is on the side of the powerful, he concluded in resignation.

The seeming impotence of pacifism was driven home at age 14, when on his way home from church he witnessed a drunken man try to rape a young woman. Siniy was paralyzed, but the commotion stirred neighbors across the street and the assailant ran away.

Five years later, he joined in the defense of another would-be victim. Now a theologian amid a devastating war, he has discovered the power of biblical anathema: Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord. Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord  against the mighty (Judges 5:32).

Americans played a vital role, Siniy said, in setting fledgling Ukrainian efforts at evangelical theological education on a solid foundation. But the financial crisis of 200708 dried up much financial support, and local staff assumed positions of leadership. In the years since, foreign professors, far fewer in number, have been welcomed as partners.

Mennonite thought remained among older Ukrainians, Siniy said, as did the lingering Soviet conditioning away from political participation. But as younger seminarians challenged these notions theologically, tensions with Russia shook what had been a semi-deference to the big brother in evangelical relations. Their seminaries crafted joint programs to keep the peace between them, stimulated by stalwart Mennonite and Anabaptist-leaning leaders of the older generation.

And alongside these developments was a new commitment to social service.

Our role as Christians is not only to fulfill the mission of God through salvation of souls, said Siniy, but also to strive to actively return this world to the divine plan, to the extent that we can.

This includes participation in the armed defense of the nation, he said.

But applying differently a similar conviction, Mennonites also were serving society as foreign support contributed to the renewal of their theological heritage in Ukraine.

Emphasizing peacebuilding and development, MCC opened an office in Russia in 1992, and in cooperation with the Baptist Union of Ukraine relocated to historic Zaporizhzhia a few years later. Meanwhile, Multiply, the mission agency for the Mennonite Brethren, dedicated efforts to return to the lands from which they once fled famine.

John Wiens, 35 years a pastor in Canada, came to Ukraine in 2008. Building upon Mennonite work since the early 1990s, he planted new churches and social centers to unite a denominational family of faith. Serving especially the margins of society, his holistic ministry attracted new converts and other evangelicals, while memory of the Anabaptist tradition legitimized the movement locally.

We were taught to respond to people in pain, said Roman Rakhuba, who was elected conference moderator of the AMBCU in 2014. The church should be useful in society.

Almost all members in their two dozen churches are younger than 40 years old, or those who joined from other evangelical denominations. But the year 2014 marked a turning point for the Mennonite Brethrenand in fact, all of Ukraine.

Wiens succumbed to cancer in January. In February, the pro-Europe Revolution of Dignity removed a pro-Russian president and in return Russia occupied Crimea. And in March, Russia annexed the peninsula while Moscow-backed separatists seized control of the eastern Donbas region.

Ukraine was aflame, in hybridbut very realwar.

MCC, which in the early 2000s refocused its peacebuilding work to the Balkans, scrambled to renew it again in Ukraine.

The relief agency organized conferences for Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian experts to share insights on peace, justice, and reconciliation. They partnered with the Quaker Alternatives to Violence project to spark group reflection and personal transformation. And MCC supported a network of churches divided by the demarcation line in the Donbas, whose leadership expressed pacifism and a commitment to maintain unity.

The AMBCU didnt know what to do.

When we evangelize, the conviction of nonviolence is not our first priority, said Johann Matthies, Multiplys regional team leader for Europe and Central Asia. We invite people to follow Jesus, not Menno Simons, and the idea of costly discipleship comes later.

But despite bearing the classic Anabaptist name, some said that Mennonites were now virtually indistinguishable from Baptists in the question of armed defense. Wiens had died, two AMBCU members were drafted into the army, and Matthies stepped into the leadership void.

For their annual leadership conference in Dnipro, near Zaporizhzhia, he suggested consulting the Sermon on the Mount rather than recruiting some eloquent speaker. Participants read aloud the words of Jesus, each one sharing what the Holy Spirit brought to mind.

For the first time, it was not an academic question, Matthies said. The enemy was at the gate.

At a similar conference in Kyiv, Baptists were ready to fight. Three dozen pastors gathered in the capital to discuss events, and an elder leader stood up and said, We are pacifists, counseling that Ukraine could not stand up to such an evil superpower.

It did not go over well.

Where the older generation was still traumatized, young leaders wanted to proactively address this aggression, said Cherenkov, who spoke on behalf of an armed resistance. Within a few months, sentiment shifted entirely.

And without a context of oppression, said Sergey Rakhuba, there was little to reinforce a pulpit-driven message of nonviolence within the church. He draws the point of origin back to the 2004 Orange Revolution, when Ukrainians demonstrated in the thousands to protest a fraudulent election. And though this action divided evangelicalssubmit to the authorities, many saidthe plea to act as faithful citizens resonated among the youth.

But the Donbas made the difference.

In 2014 they said, If we dont defend our country, who will? said Rakhuba. Thats when pacifism began to crumble.

Eight years later, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the two southeastern breakaway republics. Three days later, he launched a war.

Oleg Magdich, a 44-year-old nondenominational pastor, leads morning prayer for a territorial defense team of 80 civiliansonly 10 of which have seen active combat. As Russian soldiers approached Kyiv, the Ukrainian volunteers spent their days building barricades of sand and cement blocks and attached explosives to the city bridges. They are now preparing to redeploy south.

Oleg Mironenko chose a different path, eventually. One of the two Mennonite Brethren conscripts in 2014, he first enrolled in the defense of the Donbas. The other requested alternative service. The church supported them both.

God spared him direct combat, as he was assigned as a driver for an artillery unit. Though traumatized from the war, he also witnessed how soldiers turned to Jesus and needed spiritual care.

He re-enlisted, as a chaplain. Another Mennonite Brethren believer has since joined him, and the denomination counts many veterans among its members.

Most people in our churches will not pick up a gun, but we will not condemn a soldier, said Maxym Oliferovski, an AMBCU pastor and director of the New Hope Center in Zaporizhzhia. I have read about pacifism, but this is probably not my conviction.

Since Day One of the war, like Baptists and many others, Oliferovski has been active in housing the displaced, providing relief, and facilitating evacuations. But near the frontlines of the Donbas conflict, his center also has experience with mental healthand Mennonite convictions.

Soon we will become a society full of angry, traumatized people, he said. As salt and light in the community, we have to help them forgive their enemies.

It is not an easy task; but if possible, evangelicals will be well placed. Churches across the country have won plaudits for staying behind and helping the vulnerable, including soldiers. And Sergey Rakhuba said Protestants probably have more chaplains in the Ukrainian military than all the Orthodox combined.

In some ways, it is a vestige of the Anabaptist heritage. Since independence, though decreasing since 2014, sources estimated more than 4 out of 5 Ukrainian evangelicals request alternative service or other exemptions at the time of obligatory military training. In this way, they contribute to their nation without weapons, even as it requires an extra year.

The percentage against national resistance altogether is miniscule. But as all adult males between 1860 years old were legally barred from evacuation abroad, sources estimated that the great majority of evangelicals are contributing through humanitarian help rather than armed combat.

Yet some sources said they would be ready, if necessary.

Early in the war, Metropolitan Epiphanius gave Orthodox license.

To defend and to kill the enemy is not a sin, stated the head of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The one who has come to our home with a sword will also die by that sword.

Protestants lack a central authority to issue a similar proclamation, but evangelical sources have not disputed the stance. However, international Mennonitesexpressing their outrage at warhave held to their Anabaptist convictions.

When Peter pulled out a sword, wrote the president of the Mennonite World Conference in an open letter to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Jesus told him to put it away.

But he also addressed both sides of this fratricidal confrontation.

Will we give allegiance to Gods kingdom, he asked, instead of bowing to the gods of nation, empire, and war?

MCC was more specific in its advocacy and wider in its address.

All of us are complicit in systems of violence and oppression, wrote the executive directors for the US and Canada. Nonviolent approaches [are] available to prevent war, and to work for peace during war.

Matthies agrees, but emphasizes that while followers of Jesus must not use weapons, this does not apply to governments. The church must preach nonviolence before war, and reconciliation always. But once begun, it would be naive to call for disarmament in the face of genocide, he said. Armed conflict represents the failure of the global church, and calls all believers to repentance for their share in failing to prevent it.

As for his denomination, it is still learning the Anabaptist way, with many members socialized in other churches.

The current Ukrainian Mennonite Brethren church may not yet be stewards of our historic treasure, Matthies said. But as they serve courageously and stand against evil, we are learning with them.

Similarly proud is Andrew Geddert, MCCs country representative in Ukraine from 20172020.

They may be less theologically mature in some ways but more mature in others, because they are working it out through lived experience, said Geddert, who began the rebuilding of peace work in 2015. It is much different than doing it in academic institutions.

And Mennonites, like Baptists, are firmly assisting the national cause.

State-run medical centers have requested their help in supplying food to patients. Funds are used to buy shoes, gloves, and protective gear for soldiers. And in the days to come, there will be an overwhelming need for psychological rehabilitation.

Their numbers may stay small. Evangelicals may have moved on from their early Anabaptist ethos. But in reviving their own Anabaptist heritage, Mennonites believe they are helping revive Ukraine.

We should do as we did in the beginning, said Roman Rakhuba. Plant farms, heal souls, and offer spiritual strength to the world.

[ This article is also available in Francais, , and . ]
Netflix documentary highlights fertility doctor who used own sperm to impregnate at least 50 women

A new Netflix documentary follows the story of an Indianapolis-based fertility doctor who secretly impregnated at least 50 women with his own sperm in the 1970s and 1980s.

The new documentary, "Our Father," expands on the investigation of Dr. Donald Cline, whose actions were also the subject of a 2019 article in The Atlantic.

The documentary features interviews with the genetic siblings the fertility doctor created by swapping their intended fathers sperm with his own. Dr. Cline was eventually exposed after these siblings found one another on websites like ancestry.com, a resource that helps people gain insights about their family through their DNA.

"Jacoba Ballard was conceived through a sperm donor using artificial insemination. Growing up as an only child, she dreamed of having siblings. After using an at-home DNA test, Ballard discovered that she had not one but seven half-siblings," the documentary's synopsis reads.

"Unfortunately, this isnt a story about one happy family reunion. As the group of siblings set out to learn more about their curious family tree, they uncovered a sickening truth: Their parents fertility doctor had been inseminating his patients with his own sperm  without their consent."

The documentary will be released on the streaming platform on May 11.

Jennifer Lahl, president of the Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, told The Chrisitan Post that cases like the one involving Dr. Cline are not uncommon within the fertility industry. Lahl is also the director and producer of the 2010 "Eggsploitation" documentary, which examined some of the industrys abusive practices.

Well, I think because I've been at this for so long, my gut reaction is that this is a Netflix movie based on the many stories of reality where this happens, she said. This isn't the first case where a doctor has been found out.

Lahl cited the case of Norman Barwin, a fertility doctor who allegedly used the wrong sperm and even his own in the conception of at least 100 children. According to the American Council On Science And Health, a class-action lawsuit against the doctor resulted in a $10 million settlement last July.

So, yeah, it's more common than we'd like to know, she said.

But sperm donation itself, Lahl noted, already forces children to contemplate how they were conceived and the existence of multiple genetic family members, which was the topic of Lahls 2011 documentary, Anonymous Fathers Day.

One of the gentlemen in my film  his name is Barry Stevens, and his sperm donor was a man, she said. And his wife was one of the biggest fertility doctors in the United Kingdom. So she routinely used her husband's sperm for three decades. And so, Barry Stevens estimates that he's got probably a thousand plus half-siblings because this man for three decades is donating his sperm to one of the busiest fertility doctors in the United Kingdom.

While Lahl would rather see the practice of sperm donation go away, she said stopping men from receiving money for donating sperm, removing anonymity and limiting how many times a person can donate could help regulate the practice.

When you think about it, that's trying to get at the best interests of the child, she said. So it's not to put the brakes on big fertility if you will. It really is trying to address what's in the best interests of the child, which I would still argue that's not the best interest of the child to be created by donor sperm.

According to the International Fertility Law Group, sperm donation in the United States is one of the "least regulated" reproductive technologies.

Almost all sperm donors receive compensation, and some donors potentially father "dozens or even hundreds of half-siblings." There is also reportedly no legal enforcement of The American Society of Reproductive Medicines guidelines, which call for limiting each donor to 25 live births.

The ASRM also recommends recording and preserving donor information, but this is not enforced by law either. The regulations surrounding sperm donation vary in each state.

Donors are typically young and in need of money, and the promise of anonymity and financial compensation often persuades them to donate their sperm. While some only receive $25 for a donation, parents who know the sperm donor's identity may agree to pay more for contributing to the conception of a child.

In comparison, Austria, the United Kingdom, Sweden and New Zealand require sperm donors to provide medical and identifying information and consent to a contract with their future offspring. As STAT reported, countries where anonymous sperm donation is no longer legal often experience supply shortages due to a decline in sperm donors.

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Law and the Biosciences reported about 29% of potential donors said they would refuse to donate if their names were recorded on a registry. The study suggested that a decline in sperm donations is linked to a lack of anonymity, but donors willing to be identified are likely to demand more compensation.
Pastor says 200K Easter egg drop is church following Pauls example by finding ways to share the Gospel

A multisite nondenominational church based in Kentucky held multiple Easter egg drops on Sunday, dropping approximately 200,000 Easter eggs for nearly 3,000 children to collect.

7 Hills Church, a congregation with locations in Florence, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, held multiple egg drops after services on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Kyle Waid, an associate pastor at 7 Hills Church, told The Christian Post that nearly 3,000 children took part in the egg drops, and more than 700 volunteers helped organize the events.

Every year, 7 Hills Church tries to make fun Easter memories for families. Over the years, weve dropped eggs out of hot air balloons, had professional sky divers, fireworks, and even shot people out of cannons, said Waid.

Many churches host Easter egg hunts, with some holding them off site and with tens of thousands of eggs being available for children to search for and gather into baskets.

In 2015, for example, the New Jersey-based Liquid Church held what was reportedly the largest Easter egg hunt in the state that year, with approximately 100,000 eggs being hidden for children to find.

Although technically a secular practice, Waid defended the idea of churches holding Easter egg hunts, quoting 1 Corinthians 9:22, in which St. Paul wrote, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

Our church carries that same mission. We have become all things to all people with the same goal as Paul: that someone would receive the message of Jesus, Waid said. The egg hunt is an afterthought. The goal is to reach people.

Following every Easter service, we hand out admission tickets to the egg hunt. Its our hope that through the 10 minutes of hunting eggs, families can create a fun memory together. Its our prayer that through the hour and 15-minute service, moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, sisters and brothers can find a forever friend in Jesus.

To add to his point, Waid explained that 7 Hills Church recorded almost 500 salvations during Easter weekend, while also noting that Lead Pastor Marcus Mecum has always invested heavily in the next generation, including making church for children fun and engaging.
The bigger issue behind the 'What is a woman?' question

The recent refusal of now-confirmed Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to answer the question, what is a woman? is just one symptom that is part of a much larger disease infecting our society. In the same way, I tell men who struggle with a porn addiction that porn isnt their true problem, the what is a woman/transgender debate is just one small manifestation of a bigger thing.

At its root, the foundational ailment producing our multiple higher-level maladies is a rejection of God and His true reality for one that is a self-created and false actuality.

The willful king of the bedroom

Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor describes our current situation as a battle between the mimesis and poiesis worldviews. The first sees reality as having a purposeful order and design (teleology), which provides meaning and thus sees humans as needing to discover that meaning and conform to it. The second sees the world as nothing more than undirected raw material out of which stabs at transient meaning are attempted by the individual.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out which worldview has society in its grip at the moment. The signs are unmistakable and include everything from the what-is-a-woman dispute to cancel culture.

For example, many pull their hair out as they see cancel culture claim victim after victim and wonder how it came to be so dominant in society. Tracing its birth up to our current end result isnt all that difficult.

Dismissing God and His design for humanity, millennials and others like them built their own poiesis realities from the comfort of their childhood bedroom. Using all their social media apps, they were able to remove any offending opinion with a click, block texts and news sources that challenge their position, instantly unfriend people, and build a safe space that professor Carl Trueman says, allows the individual simply to be himself, unhindered by outward pressure to conform to any greater realitythe individual is king. He can be whoever he wants to be.

Consequently, the willful king (cf. Dan. 11:36) of the bedroom had no problem crying out, Off with their heads! to silence anyone they didnt like. The problem is, once they left their bedrooms, they naturally wanted to continue their years-ingrained private filtering process and impose it publicly with like-minded mobs  First Amendment, free speech, and rights of other people be damned.

And, voila, cancel culture.

The poiesis worldview and privatized reality-creating that birthed cancel culture can also be blamed for the identity debates we see. It used to be firmly understood that a person could privately pretend to be whatever they wanted to be, however, the rest of us were under no obligation to publicly join them.

No more.

The devils original question

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn identified the cause of societys primary disease years ago in his speech that many called "The Great Forgetting": Todays world has reached a stage which, if it had been described to preceding centuries, would have called forth the cry: This is the Apocalypse! Yet we have grown used to this kind of world; we even feel at home in it Men have forgotten God; thats why all this has happened.

For those embracing the poiesis worldview, the practical process of forgetting God involves posing the devils original question, has God said?, responding with a definitive no, and proceeding to substitute their own subjective reality in place of Gods objective truth.

Has God really made humans only male and female (Gen. 1:27)? They respond no, with the end result being increasingly bizarre identities being proclaimed such as people who now identify as animals like a hippopotamus.

Has God said, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh (Gen. 2:24)? They say no, and so we see the strangest of unions being formed like that of an Australian woman who married a bridge.

Has God said that because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil (Ecc. 8:11)? They answer no, and so you end up with, as Ann Coulter so well describes, city after city being turned into feces-smeared murdertopias that make Charles Bronsons Death Wish look like The Sound of Music.

Puritan John Owen calls the process, a deifying of our own imaginations.

Along a similar line, Charles Taylor dubs thinking like the above, the social imaginary, which he defines as taking various practices and personal intuitions and making them not only possible but going so far as to bestow upon them a sense of societal legitimacy through political strong-arming.

Of course, anyone disagreeing with the subjective realities composed in the social imaginary is immediately and publicly attacked in ad hominem fashion with all the latest -phobia labels. The sad fact is, the torches and pitchforks crowd carrying out the assaults rarely ever consider the truth that such dissenters are not afraid of those with whom they disagree, but rather they are afraid for them.

So, take your pick of whatever debate is currently raging (e.g., what is a woman?) or the proclamations of the oddest identities. You can trace them all back to the rejection of God and His objective reality for a subjective one where people take His place, become self-creators, and substitute their social imaginary for His actual reality.
The myth of a balanced life: Retreating from or retreating to

In June and July of 2021, my wife and I experienced loss and grief, the kind that just rocks you to your core. We each responded in our own way, but for me, I did a lot of recoiling from things that had previously occupied my time.

As a part of that, I removed myself from the constant flow of news and social media. The social media part wasnt hard for me (I had an obligatory presence there), but withdrawing from the news was something like a survival mechanism. I was a news junkie, to be honest, but I knew on a deep level that the constant flow of information about the problems of the world was wearing on me, and I needed to shut that flow off for a moment.

I figured it would be a week, butits been seven months.

Plans have a way of changing me.

Anyway, my months away from the news have been good for me, and I have every intention of returning to the noise and burden of it all soon. First, though, I want to record here what the Lord has taught me.

You see, as believers, we are to be in the world, but not of it. That means we engage and are present, but we should clearly be apart in a way that is noticeable to others.

I want to share what Ive learned in the hopes that more believers will engage in a news-centric society in a way that makes the world look and be amazed.

Retreating from or retreating to

When I started fasting from the news, I was essentially just trying to catch my breath. I had my own grief and I didnt want to add anything else to my emotional plate.

Instead of the news, I listened to audiobooks, played chess on my phone, watched more TV, and played more with my kids. I just relaxed. My wife and I have been through a lot and I just wanted to rest.

Thats not wrongbut it wasnt helping.

Nearly a month after everything happened I went for a walk and turned on a political news podcast. It was time, I figured, to get back to normal life, and walking while listening to this podcast had been an old routine.

I listened to this podcast for maybe a minute past the opening commercial before I turned it off. I dont know how to explain it except that my ear literally hurtwhile it played. It was as if my body was rejecting the news by making it painful.

For me, it was sort of like that moment in Exodus when the people of Israel were thirsty and they found a spring of bitter water. Moses threw a log into the water and the Lord made the once bitter water sweet to their taste. It was like that, except it was reversed. It was as if the Lord had taken the log out of the water, and now what was once sweet (or at least tolerable) was bitter.

That experience, whatever caused it, was a wake-up moment for me.

In the Book of Matthew 11: 28-30, Jesus says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Note: Jesus doesnt say that those who are weary should just take a break. They should come to Him.

I wasnt doing that. Instead of going to Jesus, I was just backing away from life.

The lesson for me was this: When feeling the weight of the world, Im called to retreat back to Jesus and not just away from the problems of this life.

Now, on the outside, retreating from the world and retreating to Jesus may look a lot alike:

Listening to less news

Pulling away from social media

Avoiding conversations that can be high emotion

Having more time alone to think

Etc.

However, what is going on inside of us is more concerning and more to my point.

At first, I was just dodging stress and anxiety, choosing fun or relaxing activities instead of some of the more stressful ones. But the Lord began showing me that none of that was really working. I had already spent weeks away from the news, but I wasnt truly rested or strengthened.

I take long walks and Id love to say here I make them long prayer walks. I dont.

But I have become more sensitive to my emotions and spirit, and when I feel my heart grow heavy I either wait to put on the news podcast or skip it entirely, and instead I pray or worship.

I go to Jesus and you should, too.

God didnt design us to find ways to run away from the problems of this world, but instead, He gave us access to Him to find comfort and strength.

Balance isnt really the key

Ive heard so many people advise that we find balance in how much news we consume. Im not saying thats wrong, but I believe its off focus.

The Bible does not explicitly teach balance as a way of life. Instead of balance, the Bible exhorts us to acts of love and commitment that, to the outside world, would look radical.

A quick example would be the parable Jesus tells of the man who finds a treasure in a field. He sells literally everythingto go have that treasure.

Jesus gave everything to save us from our sins, and He didnt wait until we were sort of good enough for it. While we are sinners, Christdied for us.

Again, everything.

Let me explain why I bring this up in the context of being Christians wresting with a news-centric society.

When we strive for balance in our life, we are (generally) trying to take care of and provide for our own needs. However, as believers, we should be striving for ways to meet the needs of others.

When it comes to the news, we as believers shouldnt focus on the right balance since that puts us at the center of the equation. Instead, we should focus on having an awareness of the worlds pain and suffering that the Lord might use us as instruments of His love and mercy.

Focusing on balance says, How can I take care of me?

But, as believers, lets engage with the news and pray, God, how can I take care of others?

That shift in your heart and mind will probably lead you to a few things:

Listening to less news commentary

Paying attention to global and local/community news in addition to national news (since thats where youre likely to make a difference)

Crying out to God more often for the needs of others

And maybe just crying more in general (It takes a hard heart to watch the suffering of others and not weep.)

It may actually lead to listening or watching the news less and having what the world sees as balance, but the condition of our heart would be different and thats a big deal when serving the Lord who sees our heart.

Keep our judgment in check

At one point, when Paul was writing to the church at Corinth about a case of sexual immorality within the church, he writes, What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked person from among you (1 Corinthians 5: 12-13).

I can sort of remember the first time I read this verse. It was a lightbulb moment because, like most of us, Ive been in churches that do literally the opposite.

Sin inside the church is often overlooked while discussing the sins of the world is a rallying cry for many, almost as if were praying with the Pharisee, God thank you that Im not like them.

I bring this up because the moment we discuss the news many of us feel the need to rail against the media and its contribution to the corruption of our society. Im not indicating that news hasnt contributed to the corruption of our society, but I have to ask myself, Who am I to judge the media?

Paul the Apostle didnt see himself worthy of judging those outside the church process that. What arrogance would I have to have to think I can judge those that Paul the Apostle wouldnt judge?

Lord, please forgive me.

A few months away from the news I realize now my thoughts about other people havent been in alignment with the Lord. Im not just talking about my thoughts about certain news organizations now, but also my thoughts of people who watch those news outlets.

For me, individuals who watched a certain news outlet made me angry and frustrated, and sometimes my thoughts about them were not holy and loving.

You may relate, and if so join me in repenting. Lets ask the Lord to form us, to take away our harsh judgments of one another, and wait for Him to judge as He sees fit.

Fellow believers, we should approach the news as any other element of the world we live in. Its not our enemy or our friend.

Do you want to know who your enemy is? Ephesians 6:12 says, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Do you want to know who our friends are? Look to our brothers and sisters in Christ who Jesus prayed we would be one with (John 17).

Our brothers and sisters need us to turn our attention to lovingly correcting issues inside our churches (such as our lack of unity or our love for celebrity), and we need to submit to one another as we lovingly receive correction for our own errors.

The world doesnt need our judgment, they have a Judge and He will deliver justice when He sees fit.

Prayer has, more than anything, changed my heart here. Id encourage you to pray for blessings for others, specifically those people who watch that news outlet. If you cant do that, then you may need to repent and accept Jesus as Lord of your life. He commands us to bless others, even those who persecute us or we consider our enemy. To deny His commands means we dont love Him. Remember, Jesus says, If you love me, youll obey my commands.

Never forsake unity of the body

This point is like the last, in a way, but I want to take a special moment to talk about it.

During my news fast, a good friend from church came over to help me install a new door in my house. I know it may sound silly, but Ive had moments of mental struggle in the past with this man because he is such a kind soul, but... he voted for theotherguy. For me, those two things didnt mix, and I struggled.

Yet a few months into this accidental fast, Id been praying and worshipping the Lord a lot more, and suddenly there was no conflict in my mind. This guy was my brother, and political affiliation is irrelevant in light of that. Our time installing that door is actually one of my fonder memories of last year, and Im blessed he was there to support me.

Folks, there is nothing of man worth breaking up the Bride of Christ for, and yet many of us allowed thoughts of our brothers and sisters in Christ not to be governed by the Word of God but by people through social media, the news, and whatever else.

Now, its easy to say, Yeah, social media and news are the problem.

Nope, they arent.

You and I are the problems.

The world isnt going to stop being the world, but we are supposed to conform to Christ. True, removing myself from the news gave me clarity to see that, but I should never have allowed it to dictate my thoughts so deeply.

Let us not be like Adam who points to Eve when he sinned. Lets conform to Christ instead, and lets repent of our sins and then spend our time serving others even if they hate us, never despising them even if they despise us.

The world needs Christ

This is the crux of it all: the world needs Jesus and He chose to send us out into it to share the Good News.

We cant do that if were avoiding the news and putting our heads in the sand. If we do that, were putting our own comfort above all else.

We also cant choose sides, become judgmental, become angry, or do any of the things the world does in this news-driven era since that does not make us conformed to Christ but instead conformed to the world.

Conversely, we have to take a harder road and Id like you to walk it with me. Its a road in which we watch the news and hear the sorrows of the world, and we pray for what touches our hearts. Its a world in which we watch the news and see problems and we do what we can to help, whether thats giving money, time, or talents.

I dont know whats next for us, but I do know this: the world is weary and scared and angry. What if we werent? What if believers were calm, hopeful, and ready to serve?

In the coming months, there may be ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, another natural disaster, another surge in Coronavirus cases, or who knows what else.

Lets not run from it, but lets go forth in the strength of God to serve others and not ourselves.

The world needs Jesus and He is sending us.
4 interesting facts about Easter: Disputed origins, different dates, religious significance of the egg

Every year during the springtime, Christians worldwide celebrate Easter Sunday, the day commemorating when Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead.

The modern holiday has both religious and secular aspects, with some focusing on worship and the Gospel, while others focus on candy, retail sales and the Easter bunny.

Easter has often been thought of as having pagan origins, although the extent to which pagan influence actually enters the observance is a source of endless debate, online and offline.

Here are four interesting aspects about Easter. They include disputes over the origins of the holiday, the different dates that people celebrate it, how it's also a whole season, and how the Easter egg holds religious significance.

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Dennis Quaid's 'Blue Miracle' wins most inspiring film of 2021 at Movieguide awards show

The annual Movieguide Awards aired on the REELZ Channel Easter weekend, and the film Blue Miracle starring Dennis Quaid took home the big award of the night: Most Inspiring Movie of 2021.

Im so encouraged that movies infused with strong biblical content continue to make waves in theaters and on streaming, Movieguide founder and publisher Ted Baehr said in a statement.

The award show, "Movieguides Movies That Inspire," celebrates faith and family films in both the Christian and mainstream arenas.

Each of our nominations show that audiences rally around inspirational content that puts faith and family at the center of their story, Baehr continued.

The Netflix film Blue Miracle is the inspiring true story of Casa Hogar, the Mexican boys' home that entered the world's biggest fishing tournament to save their orphanage," the film's synopsis says.

Movieguide Awards selected the movie as the "Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie of 2021" because of its strong, faith-filled message.

One theme that always stood out the most to me was James 1:27 in Scripture about true religion ... those who take care of widows and orphans, Blue Miracle producer Trey Reynolds told Movieguide. [Blue Miracle] is kind of a modern-day story of how Gods heart is close to orphans and just the most vulnerable in our society.

Dune was awarded under the "Best Movie for Mature Audiences" category; The Boss Baby: Family Business snagged "Best Movie for All Audiences," and "The Grace Prize" went to Jennifer Hudson for her portrayal as Aretha Franklin in Respect.

Upon learning of the win, Blue Miracle co-writter Chris Dowling, who teamed up with Julio Quintana (The Vessel), celebrated on social media.

YO! A movie that I wrote on Blue Miracle, won MOST INSPIRING MOVIE right alongside Jennifer Hudson and Dune... but they gave us the big one! Lots of people I love worked on this one. Go team! Dowling wrote.

Quaids character in the film, Wade Malloy, helps the orphanage compete in a Bisbee's Black & Blue Fishing Tournament that transforms his character and changes the boys' lives.

When asked in a past interview to share his thoughts on a quote from the film that says, God hears me every time, I pray to God and He will help you listen, Quaid related the quote to his character.

"My character, he was a person who really had his focus on the wrong things and had forgotten, and had become a very jaded person, Quaid told CP. In the course of this movie, he was humbled.

By being humbled, that's when God's miracles are allowed to work. Once we get out of the way, he shared.

Quaids character, a "two-time champion of Bisbee's Black & Blue Tournament," teamed up with a local Mexican to qualify to compete in the tournament. He is introduced to the members of the orphanage, and though reluctant, he helps to lead them to victory.
The White House said US President Joe Biden would continue striving to ensure that the wealthiest Americans and companies do not pay a lower tax rate than middle-class families.

The White House said in a statement released on Monday to commemorate the deadline for Americans to file their income tax returns that the president will continue to encourage the US Congress to enact measures he has suggested that would see firms and the very rich pay a higher tax rate.

Joe Biden Supports Minimum Global Corporate Tax

The White House also reaffirmed President Joe Biden's support for a minimum global corporate tax rate of 15%, which was agreed upon last year as part of the OECD process. The Republic has signed the OECD agreement.

In its draft budget for 2023, the Biden administration proposes hiking corporation tax rates. However, in order to be enacted, the measures would need the consent of Congress, The Irish Times reported.

Biden also intended to remove a scenario in which the very rich paid lower taxes than regular employees, according to the White House. President Biden wants Congress to enact legislation mandating the wealthiest American households to spend at least 20% on all of their income, including deferred investment income that is now tax-free.

For decades, the belief that the rich do not pay their "fair share of taxes" has been a pillar of the left. President Joe Biden has suggested a "billionaire's tax" to deprive the wealthy of their wealth, which would impose a minimum tax rate of 20% on all income earned by households worth more than $100 million, as well as the same tax rate on "unrealized" investment gains - effectively a wealth tax.

A lot of difficult truths are overlooked in the proposed tax. First, according to the Tax Foundation, the wealthy pay not just their "fair share" of taxes but also far more. The wealthiest 1% of income earners paid an average tax rate of 25.6 percent, about seven times that of the bottom half. The richest half of taxpayers paid 97% of all income taxes, while the lower half paid the remaining 3%. The tax code in the United States is already the most progressive globally.

Second, as the National Taxpayers Union Foundation points out, an unapportioned direct tax on wealth is certainly unlawful. Finally, any attempt to rob the affluent of their wealth would undercut both the Biden administration's space and environmental aims.

Read Also: New Book: Jill Biden Screamed, Kicked Out Priest During President Joe Biden's Suffering From Brain Aneurysm

Tax in Wealthiest May Jeopardize Biden's Objectives

The wealth tax would also jeopardize the Biden administration's climate-change objectives. The dirty little secret is that private businesses invest in technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. When the Biden administration went into "soak-the-rich" area, it appears that it did not think things through, according to the Washington Examiner.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, and members of "the Squad," who have targeted wealthy, successful taxpayers as enemies of the people, would undoubtedly like the plan. However, the more money that billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates must pay the government, the less money they will spend on cutting-edge technology to address issues like space travel and climate change.

Meanwhile, the White House attacked Sen. Rick Scott's tax plan on Monday morning, accusing Republicans of planning a $1,500 tax rise on middle-class families. President Joe Biden is trying to decrease taxes for middle-class Americans, according to a fact sheet distributed on Tax Day. Republicans want to raise them. It also said that Biden's ideas would not affect anyone earning less than $400,000 per year.

In February, Scott, who leads the Senate Republicans' campaign arm, announced his policy plans. They include requiring all Americans to pay income tax - effectively a tax increase for some of the country's poorest citizens - and sunsetting all federal legislation after five years, which Democrats argue means dismantling programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Scott's party leadership has distanced itself from the ideas, claiming that they provide their opponents' fodder for attacks in the midterm elections, as per Daily Mail.

Related Article: White House Releases Joe Biden, Kamala Harris' Tax Returns, Reveals POTUS Earns More Than $600,000 While VP Rakes Over $1.6 Million

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Judge strikes down Bidens face mask mandate for airplanes, trains

A federal judge in Florida has blocked a face mask mandate for airlines and trains, prompting the Biden administration to stop enforcing the COVID-19 pandemic-related order.

Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, issued a ruling on Monday vacating the mandate and remanding it back to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

The Court concludes that the Mask Mandate exceeds the CDCs statutory authority and violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking under the [Administrative Procedure Act], wrote Mizelle, a Trump appointee.

The Health Freedom Defense Fund (HFDF), an organization that was one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, along with two Florida residents, celebrated the ruling against the face mask mandate.

Without any public comment, or serious scientific justification, CDC bureaucrats imposed a sweeping Travel Mask Mandate applying to every American over the age of 2, said HFDF President Leslie Manookian in a statement on Monday.

There are laws that set boundaries for federal agencies to protect individual freedom and the Court clearly found that CDC exceeded those limits. Unelected officials cannot do whatever they like to our personal freedoms just because they claim good motives and a desirable goal.

At the daily White House press briefing Monday, Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the ruling disappointing, as they had hoped to extend the mandate for at least the next two weeks.

The CDC recommended continuing the order for additional time  two weeks  to be able to assess the latest science in keeping with its responsibility to protect the American people, said Psaki.

So right now, the Department of Homeland Security, who would be implementing, and the CDC are reviewing the decision. And, of course, the Department of Justice would make any determinations about litigation.

After the Biden administration agreed to stop enforcing the mandate, major airline carriers and the national train line Amtrak announced that they, too, were relaxing their mask requirements, according to Reuters.

In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 13998, which required the wearing of face masks in accordance with CDC guidelines at various mass transportation entities, including airports, commercial planes, trains, city buses and maritime ferries.

Science-based public health measures are critical to preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by travelers within the United States and those who enter the country from abroad, stated the order.

Accordingly, to save lives and allow all Americans, including the millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel and work safely, it is the policy of my Administration to implement these public health measures consistent with CDC guidelines on public modes of transportation and at ports of entry to the United States.
Massachusetts city bans pro-life crisis pregnancy centers

A Massachusetts city passed an ordinance banning pro-life pregnancy centers because they allegedly deceive clients about abortion, a claim challenged by advocates who support the free resources pregnancy centers offer women seeking support raising their child.

Tufts Daily reports that the Somerville City Council passed the ordinance on March 24 banning limited services pregnancy centers that don't provide or refer clients for abortions or emergency contraception.

Somerville City Councilor-at-Large Kristen Strezo championed the measure, and it was sponsored by the entire city council.

The ban is reportedly the first of its kind in Massachusetts, but it is also proactive, as Somerville does not have any practices resembling a pregnancy center. Still, a failure to comply with the ordinance may result in a fine of $300.

Describing the reason for the ordinance, Strezo claimed pregnancy centers are "disingenuous" and accused them of withholding information about pregnancy and abortion from clients.

She also expressed relief that the measure will prevent Somerville residents from having to "deal with deceptive or misleading and manipulative language" that these pro-life centers supposedly share in their materials.

Laura Echevarria, director of communications and press secretary at National Right to Life, who previously worked at a pregnancy center in Virginia, disagrees with Strezo's assessment. She told The Christian Post that pro-life pregnancy centers offer a wide range of supportive services.

"The majority of pregnancy centers are known in the community. The one where I worked was supported by area churches and businesses, and so, people knew about the pregnancy center," Echevarria said. "The businesses knew about the pregnancy center. Everyone knew that it was, you know, a pro-life center. But everything was done for free."

Echevarria said these organizations are upfront "about what they do and what they don't do." She said the center she worked at never advertised itself as an abortion facility. However, the center offered ultrasounds and free resources for clients, something Echevarria said is how "the vast majority of pregnancy centers are set up."

The pro-life advocate contends that it's "disingenuous" to claim pregnancy centers mislead clients and criticized Somerville's ordinance for promoting inaccurate information.

"What is deceptive is the fact that the real intent behind this is to prevent women from having real choices and to prevent them from having the opportunity to see their baby, to have the opportunity to talk to someone about resources in the area that can help them," she said.

Echevarria asserted that it's "rare" for a woman to be "excited" about having an abortion and that most women who visit pregnancy centers do not want to have abortions.

"The average woman that goes to a pregnancy center, she wants help," the advocate said. "She wants someone to say, 'You know what? You can do this, and we can put you in contact with a place that can help you with housing. We can put you in contact with someone who can help you with transportation.'"

A 2020 report released by the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List and its research arm, the Charlotte Lozier Institute, found that 2,700 pregnancy centers nationwide provided almost 2 million people with free resources at an estimated value of nearly $270 million in 2019.

A 2017 CLI report estimates that the free resources pregnancy centers offered to clients saved communities nearly $161 million annually. A 2019 report found that Heartbeat International, which runs one of the largest networks of pregnancy centers worldwide, reported that "90% of their affiliates' funding comes from [non-governmental] donations from local communities."

In contrast, Planned Parenthood's 2018-2019 annual report suggests that the nation's largest abortion provider collected over $600 million in taxpayer dollars.

While the abortion provider and abortion advocacy groups have accused pregnancy centers of operating unlicensed medical facilities, Heartbeat International's "Pregnancy Center Truth" report highlights a distinction between medical and non-medical pregnancy centers.

The former adheres to all medical board requirements and state laws to administer medical care by a licensed professional at no cost to the client. A non-medical pregnancy center typically offers material resources, such as diapers and clothes, and parenting education classes during their clients' time of need.
Former Hillsong Boston Pastor Josh Kimes allegedly admitted to writing racist text to colleagues

Just months after taking the helm of Hillsong Boston in 2020, Pastor Josh Kimes, who recently resigned from the church with his wife, Leona, without stating a reason, admitted in a deposition summarized by lawyers hired by Hillsong Church that he once wrote a racist text to church colleagues but later apologized.

The revelation comes in a deposition by lawyers from the New York City law firm Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP, who were hired by Hillsong Church to investigate allegations of abuse at Hillsong NYC following the firing of former Hillsong NYC Lead Pastor Carl Lentz in November 2020 for sexual misconduct. The findings of their investigation were delivered to Hillsong Church officials in a report called Internal Investigation Report Regarding Carl Lentz and Other Matters in January 2021. A copy of the report was recently shared with The Christian Post.

In late 2020, multiple people had accused Kimes of numerous instances of race-related discrimination, according to a Business Insider report, but Kimes never publicly admitted to any wrongdoing.

Kimes response to the allegations at the time when questioned by Business Insider was: Our Hillsong Boston team has taken some intentional steps to improve racial diversity and equity at Hillsong Boston since we launched and were committed to make further strides as we continue to listen and learn.

When investigators from Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP, asked Kimes about the allegations, he said it was limited to a racist text.

Josh Kimes admitted that he once wrote a racist text. He explained that he apologized to each of the people who received the text. Outside of that, he stated the other allegations of racism were half-truths or lies, investigators wrote. Leona Kimes stated that if there was racism at Hillsong, it was Carl Lentzs fault. Leona stated that each time they wanted to have a meeting or organize an event related to racism Lentz would tell them that he would handle it and then never do anything.

The Internal Investigation Report Regarding Carl Lentz and Other Matters, highlights several allegations of racism from current and former staffers and volunteers.

One Asian member of the church described to investigators how she once attended a Connect Group leaders training meeting in 2012, and Kane Keatinge, one of the co-founders of Hillsong NYC, allegedly walked into the room and said, Im so glad there are more white people here today. In the last training, there were too many non-white people and it felt weird.

The church member said everyone kind of laughed nervously and Keatinge said, Its a joke  And you know, if you cant take the joke, there are many churches out there who will welcome you.

In an Instagram post that has since been restricted but cited by Religion News Service, Josh Kimes, who began leading Hillsong Boston with his wife in early 2020, announced on Monday that they had made the difficult decision to resign.

It was never our plan to ever leave Hillsong Church. Its been home for 22yrs of my life. Its where Ive pastored for the last 16yrs, Kimes wrote, according to RNS.

Kimes originally began working for Hillsong College in the U.S. after serving for five years as a youth pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney. He later joined the staff at Hillsong NYC which was once led by Lentz who resigned in 2020 over sexual misconduct.

The former Hillsong Boston leader stated, according to RNS, that many of his lifes milestones had occurred while he worked for Hillsong Church, including meeting and marrying Leona Kimes, having children and moving to the U.S.

Though he did not give a reason for his resignation, Kimes, whose wife alleges that she was sexually exploited by Lentz while serving as his nanny in a relationship that was kept secret for years, apologized for his role in perpetuating a culture that at times valued the building of the church at the expense of those building it.

Transparency, honesty, accountability & a culture that allows people to create healthy boundaries is so important & Im encouraged to see things starting to change, Kimes wrote in the post. Hillsong will always hold a special place in our hearts, even with the immense pain weve endured while building church here in the USA. Pastors are meant to be shepherds who protect the sheep, not wolves who prey on the sheep theyre entrusted to protect.
Pastor Stovall Weems steps down from Celebration Church after filing lawsuit

Nearly two months after filing a lawsuit over who controls the 12,000-member Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, founding pastor Stovall Weems announced Monday that he has resigned from every role he had with the church but will continue to pursue legal action against the churchs board of trustees and officers.

In a letter shared on Instagram with his nearly 14,000 followers, Weems, who founded the church in 1998, said he was resigning from his roles as senior pastor, president and CEO, chair and member of the board of trustees, as well as a registered agent of Celebration Church Jacksonville.

I have spent much time in prayer and received counsel from other pastors here in the city, the region, and around the world, Weems wrote. The Trustees actions leave me and my family with no choice but to legally separate from CCJ and continue our ministry elsewhere, placing ourselves under the proper accountability and oversight of a council of apostolic pastors and elders in our city, nation, and world that understand and model biblical governance.

In the Feb. 23 lawsuit filed by Stovall and Kerri Weems, the former pastor claims he was illegally ousted from his role as senior pastor by the churchs board of trustees earlier this year when he tried to address financial abuse involving one of the trustees.

The church, in turn, filed a motion to dismiss the Weems lawsuit on March 10. The church claims the lawsuit is the latest chapter in a campaign of deception, manipulation, distraction, and abuse of power by Stovall and Kerri Weems against Celebration.

Having founded Celebration, the Weemses over time came to act like they owned the church and could do with it what they wanted without the management and oversight required by Florida law and the churchs governing documents, the churchs filing said. When the current board of trustees discovered that the Weemses had engaged in a series of questionable financial transactions without board knowledge or authorization, they requested an investigation.

The churchs filing contends that trustees analyzed the churchs financial position in December 2021 and discovered that the Weemses made several large financial transactions earlier in 2021 without notice to or authorization from the board.

These transactions included multiple large transfers to new for-profit entities that the Weemses intended to manage going forward. The motion claims that the church had purchased a parsonage for $1.2 million that a company owned by Stovall Weems had purchased four months earlier for $855,000.

Additionally, the board took issue with the advancement of nine months salary to Kerri Weems and seven months salary to Stovall Weems" in violation of Florida statute and church policies despite neither Stovall nor Kerri Weems performing the duties of the offices that purportedly justified those salaries.

The couple was also accused of using $1 million worth of Paycheck Protection Program loan funds improperly to purchase a speculative digital currency known as TurnCoin.

In a statement to News4JAX, Sara Brady, a spokesperson for the Weemses, denied any wrongdoing.

No PPP funds were utilized in the Turn[C]oin investment. The Churchs 2020 audited financials certifies that the Church utilized the PPP funds in accordance with their legally allowed purposes. Administration of the Churchs PPP funds was controlled by the Churchs CFOs. The 2021 PPP funds were completely used up by the Churchs payroll, Brady said.

Neither the PPP funds nor the Turn[C]oin investment also had anything to do with Pastor Stovalls salary advance. Pastor Stovall invested approximately $100,000 in Turn[C]oin, an SEC approved investment, for the purpose of creating a retirement fund for long-time Celebration Church employees, she added.

Currently, that investment is worth more than $1.5 million. Pastors Stovall and Kerri never intended to receive any money from this investment. The restricted usage of these funds is documented with the Churchs Human Resources department.

In their farewell message to the church now led by Pastor Tim Timberlake, the Weemses expressed love for the members of the church they founded and said they plan to continue working in Jacksonville.

We look forward to seeing many of you since we will remain in Jacksonville where we will continue to pastor, preach and minister Gods Word. We are excited about all that is to come for THE CHURCH (Big C) in our city, region and around the world! they said. Keep watching this space because in the coming days we will begin announcing details about what the new looks like for us. We cant wait to see you and we look forward to continuing the work of the Kingdom alongside you!
Pastor tearfully recites Bible verse at sight of cross unscathed after tornado rips through church

After a tornado ripped through a Texas church last week, only leaving behind a cross that hung on a wall in the sanctuary, the pastor tearfully cited Romans 8:28, declaring that "all things work together for good."

First Cedar Valley Baptist Church in Salado was one of three churches, several homes and buildings destroyed by an EF-3 tornado that ransacked and leveled the area Tuesday with 165 miles per hour winds.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale, which assigns tornadoes ratings based on their wind speeds, defines an EF-3 tornado as a strong tornado with maximum sustained winds ranging from 136 to 165 miles per hour that inflicts severe damage. The maximum sustained winds for Tuesdays storm were just 1 mile per hour away from qualifying for the EF-4 category, a violent tornado with maximum sustained winds ranging from 166 to 200 miles per hour that inflicts devastating damage.

The tornado began in Williamson County, but the track in Bell County is estimated to be nearly 13 miles long with a duration of about 30 minutes, the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued disaster declarations for both Bell and Williamson Counties on Wednesday, one day after the tornado left a path of destruction in central Texas.

First Cedar Valley Baptist Church was nearly destroyed except for a few walls that barely remained standing amid the rubble and a wooden cross that remains standing at the site of the church that has since been leveled to its foundation. The churchs destruction five days before Easter Sunday did not stop Pastor Donnie Jackson from holding Easter services there.

Abbott joined the pastor and church members Saturday, where he also delivered a message of encouragement. A few days ago, a church was here, he said. The one thing remaining from the church is this cross.

Today in Salado, I met with the resilient Texans impacted by Tuesdays tornado & severe storms.



A church stood in this spot a few days ago.



The only thing standing today is the cross.



The church may physically be gone, but the community brought together by God still remains. pic.twitter.com/GckLg82bYE  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 16, 2022

The cross survived, Abbott added. The pastor of this church made clear that the church still survives because the church is far more than just a building. The church is the people who congregate in that building, the people who come together.

In a press conference Saturday, Jackson elaborated on what he viewed as a miracle from God: I want to make a point about something. We had a cross hanging on the wall as you entered. In the sanctuary between the doors, everything was destroyed, but that cross was never touched.

Abbott and the Texas officials gathered at the press conference applauded as Jackson proclaimed: Tomorrow morning, were going to have service on the slab.

That building is gone, but the church is stronger than ever, and I know that God will help us to build back even stronger than before, Jackson said. In the spirit of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, were going to celebrate the resurrection of the First Cedar Valley Baptist Church.

While much of the rubble that consisted of the churchs remains had been removed from the site by the time of Saturdays press conference and Sundays Easter services, ABC News affiliate WFAA broadcast what the church looked like shortly after the tornado ripped through the central Texas community. The news report showed that the cross that was perfectly intact amid the rubble and caved ceiling and exposed pink insulation that had fallen on top of a chandelier.

Its still anchored. Its not been damaged. Whats that tell you? Jackson asked.

Sometimes you want to question why things like this happen, and then one of the scriptures came to my mind that says: We know that all things work together for good to those that love God and are called to his purpose, Jackson said. I have no idea what Gods purpose is in allowing this to happen, but I know he has one.

In addition to the tornado that caused the destruction of First Cedar Valley Baptist Church, the storm that passed through Bell County last week produced a large amount of hail. One hailstone had a diameter measuring 5.676 inches at its maximum diameter, nearly breaking the record for the largest hailstone recorded in Texas, which had a diameter of 6.4 inches.

The damage caused by last weeks tornado extended far beyond First Cedar Valley Baptist Church. In the press conference, Abbott explained that while 70 homes and two additional churches had been destroyed due to the storm, no lives had been lost due to the severe weather.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bill banning abortions after 15 weeks

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks of gestation as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this year on the constitutionality of a similar law in Mississippi.

The Republican governor signed House Bill 5, also known as the Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act, into law Thursday.

The measure, which goes into effect July 1, will ban abortions after 15 weeks gestation unless two physicians certify in writing that, in reasonable medical judgment, the termination of the pregnancy is necessary to save the pregnant womans life or determine that the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality.

At a signing ceremony in Kissimmee, DeSantis said the bill seeks to "protect life" and "defend those who cant defend themselves."

In a statement, DeSantis said the bill protects babies in the womb who have beating hearts, who can move, who can taste, who can see, and who can feel pain. He described life as a "sacred gift worthy of our protection."

Our bill protects unborn babies from abortion after 15 weeks  these are babies with beating hearts, who can move, taste, see and feel pain.



Proud to defend life! pic.twitter.com/Xz6v4K4KGC  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 14, 2022

I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the states modern history," DeSantis said.

Kara Gross, the legislative director and senior policy counsel for the ACLU of Florida, criticized the legislation as shameful," stating that "[n]obody should be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will." The progressive legal organization vowed to take swift legal action to protect Floridians rights and defend against this cruel attack on our bodily autonomy.

"HB 5 ignores real-world situations  it is not always possible for people to obtain an abortion within the arbitrary timeframe provided in this bill, even if theyve been trying to get one for weeks," Gross said in a statement. "There are already so many barriers to abortion care, especially for young people, those with fewer resources, and those who live in rural areas."

President Lynda Bell of Florida Right to Life, a chapter of the pro-life lobbying group National Right to Life, was present with DeSantis at the signing ceremony. Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life, praised Florida Right to Life's work to get the bill passed.

We praise Governor Ron DeSantis, the pro-life members of the Florida state legislature and Florida Right to Life for all of the hard work that went into seeing this legislation become law, Tobias said in a statement. No unborn child should suffer and die from an abortion. Floridas law will protect unborn children and their mothers from the horrors of abortion.

The Republican-controlled Florida Senate passed the bill in a 23-15 vote on March 3, and the Florida House of Representatives approved the legislation in a 78-39 vote on Feb. 17.

Other pro-life leaders cited Florida's enactment of House Bill 5 as the latest example of the momentum at the state level ahead of a highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson's Women's Health.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national pro-life lobbying organization Susan B. Anthony List, believes the Florida bill "may save more than 3,300 lives a year by protecting unborn children, as well as their mothers, from cruel and dangerous late abortions.

Science tells us unborn children are human beings with a vibrant life in the womb, and by 15 weeks they can feel pain  yet under current Supreme Court precedents the United States allows abortion on demand right up to birth, Dannenfelser said in a statement. On abortion policy, we have more in common with China and North Korea than virtually the entire world.

As we await a decision in the Dobbs case, momentum is growing across America to modernize our extreme abortion laws," she added.

The Supreme Courts expected ruling in the Mississippi case could have significant implications for abortion law in the U.S.

A ruling in favor of the state of Mississippi, which is seeking to uphold its 15-week abortion ban, would pave the way for other states, such as Florida, to enact similar legislation. A decision in favor of Mississippi would depart from previous rulings upholding the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

Some pro-lifers have expressed optimism about the possible outcome of the Dobbs case as the nation's high court consists of six justices appointed by Republican presidents and three justices appointed by Democratic presidents.

Other states have passed similar laws, and some have even placed even stricter restrictions on abortion. Most notably, Texas passed a law last year that bans most abortions after six weeks of gestation  or once a baby can feel pain. Neighboring Oklahoma implemented a near-total ban on abortion just this week and the Kentucky legislature overrode the governor's veto this week to pass a 15-week abortion ban into law.

In other states, pro-abortion state lawmakers have codified the right to abortion into state law amid concerns about the Supreme Court potentially weakening the precedent set by Roe v. Wade or overturning the decision entirely.

Colorado passed a law declaring that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of this state. The law emphasizes that a pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue a pregnancy or give birth or to have an abortion and to make decisions about how to exercise that right.
University wont force Christian professor to use trans pronouns, pays $400K in settlement

A Christian professor who claims he was threatened with punishment by university officials in Ohio for refusing to use the preferred pronouns of a trans-identified student has secured the right to avoid using pronouns that conflict with his beliefs after years of litigation.

Shawnee State University philosophy professor Nick Meriwether reached a settlement with school officials Thursday in which the university agreed to pay $400,000 in damages and attorneys fees, according to his legal team at the Alliance Defending Freedom.

The settlement lifts any requirements for Meriwether to use preferred pronouns for students that may contradict their biological sex, according to ADF.

Additionally, the university has reportedly agreed to rescind a written warning issued to Meriwether in June 2018.

On Thursday, ADF attorneys filed a voluntary dismissal of the case.

Meriwether went out of his way to accommodate his students and treat them all with dignity and respect, yet his university punished him because he wouldnt endorse an ideology that he believes is false, ADF Senior Counsel Travis Barham said in a statement.

Were pleased to see the university recognize that the First Amendment guarantees Dr. Meriwether  and every other American  the right to speak and act in a manner consistent with ones faith and convictions.

The university denies that Meriwether was mistreated, describing the settlement as an economic decision.

We continue to stand behind a students right to a discrimination-free learning environment as well as the rights of faculty, visitors, students and employees to freely express their ideas and beliefs, the university said in a statement.

Over the course of this lawsuit, it became clear that the case was being used to advance divisive social and political agendas at a cost to the university and its students. That cost is better spent on fulfilling Shawnee States mission of service to our students, families and community.

In 2018, a biologically male trans-identified student filed a complaint against Meriwether when the professor referred to the student with masculine pronouns, even though the student identified as female.

The university concluded that Meriwether created a hostile class environment by refusing to use the student's preferred pronouns. School officials threatened the professor with punishment if he persisted.

Meriwether filed a lawsuit against the school in November 2018, arguing that his constitutionally-protected freedoms of speech and religion were being violated.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott, a Clinton appointee, dismissed the professor's case in February 2020 following the recommendation of Magistrate Judge Karen Litkovitz. Dlott concluded that his rights were not violated.

Plaintiff has not alleged that defendants forced him to espouse or express a view that plaintiff disagreed with or found objectionable. Plaintiff does not claim that defendants mandated that he use any particular terms of speech to refer to Doe, wrote Dlott.

To the contrary, plaintiff acknowledges that defendants gave him the option to stop using gender-based titles during class, but plaintiff rejected that option.

The judge wrote that the school's policies were interpreted as giving Shawnee State professors two choices on referring to students: "eliminate all sex-based titles and all pronouns when speaking to all students" or "use pronouns that refer to each student's gender identity."

Meriwether argued that the option to stop using all pronouns was "impossible, impractical, and unreasonable given the way professors speak, particularly in classes that feature significant and frequent class discussion."

In March 2021, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled in favor of Meriwether, reversing the earlier dismissal and remanding the case to the lower court.

Judge Amul Thapar, a Trump appointee, stated in the panel opinion that universities have prided themselves on being forums where controversial ideas are discussed and debated. And they have tried not to stifle debate by picking sides.

But Shawnee State chose a different route: It punished a professor for his speech on a hotly contested issue. And it did so despite the constitutional protections afforded by the First Amendment, wrote Thapar.

The district court dismissed the professors free-speech and free-exercise claims. We see things differently and reverse.
A zero star review for Yelps abortion activism

The numerous pro-life protections being enacted across the country and the U.S. Supreme Courts upcoming decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization are making the abortion industry increasingly desperate to maintain its place in American society. Recently, this mounting desperation has been seeping into the policies of some major corporations.

Yelp is the latest in a string of private companies (such as Citigroup) that have announced that they will cover travel expenses for employees who desire to obtain an abortion that would not be legal in the state where they live.

This type of company policy is in direct response to state-level pro-life protections such as Texas heartbeat law, which has successfully saved thousands of babies lives by protecting life in the womb after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. By implementing such policies, these corporations have actively decided against remaining neutral on the topic of abortion.

The recent uptick in companies publicly declaring a position on abortion shouldnt come as a surprise, considering how corporate America has similarly caved to shareholder pressures on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The activists behind progressive ESG investment organizations like As You Sow have consistently applied pressure to corporations, including Yelp.

In 2021, As You Sow published a report condemning Yelp for allowing Planned Parenthood sites to be dogged by ongoing posting of unsubstantiated and illegitimate reviews. The report concludes, It is recommended that Yelp seek to engage harmed businesses  such as Planned Parenthood  in meaningful discussions about their experiences and desired alternative approaches. Now, four months later, Yelp has chosen to enact a policy that will ensure that its employees continue contributing to the profits of the abortion industry by whatever means necessary.

Enabling female employees to obtain an out-of-state abortion instead of encouraging them to pursue motherhood is profitable  both for the abortion industry and the corporation that adopts such a policy. It minimizes the costs of providing maternity leave and keeps female employees actively engaged in the workplace for the obvious utilitarian purpose of maintaining productivity.

Representative Katie Porter (D-Calif.) summarized the motivation for corporations to encourage abortions during a 2020 House Financial Services Committee hearing. She said, In the span of four decades since the 1970s, 38 million women joined the workforce. Without those women, our economy would be 25% smaller. Her point is clear: ever since Roe v. Wade legalized abortion on demand throughout all nine months of pregnancy, companies have increasingly been able to profit from women employees  and they are not interested in going back.

Instead of liberating working women, Roe created a loophole for employers so they wouldnt have to adapt to suit the needs of working mothers. Instead of creating an environment that embraced women in their totality, corporations could simply expect women to reject motherhood.

Employing a working mother often requires additional consideration beyond allowing for a few weeks of maternity leave once the child is born. Because of Roe, workplaces like Yelp have been able to take the easy way out for decades. Now, with the Dobbs decision on the horizon, they are doing everything in their power to make sure that the abortion loophole remains available.

Miriam Warren, chief diversity officer at Yelp, stated, Weve long been a strong advocate for equality in the workplace, and believe that gender equality cannot be achieved if womens healthcare rights are restricted. Corporate America has come alongside the abortion industry in normalizing the sexist myth that motherhood and career success are mutually exclusive.

No one makes the claim that men cannot progress in their careers when they become fathers. Female workers do not need to suffer the mental and physical trauma of abortion in order to be equal with their male counterparts.

Yelp has caved to pressure from the abortion lobby and hidden its true utilitarian agenda behind a facade of female empowerment. Other cowardly corporations will likely follow suit. As companies increasingly reveal their true colors and lack of spine, Christians must carefully consider which ones receive their business.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
From Times 'Is God dead?' in 1966 to The New York Times call to 'Give Up God' today

On April 8, 1966, the pictureless front cover of TimeMagazineasked a bold and direct question: Is God Dead? This was just two days before Easter Sunday, and in the decades that followed, it became increasingly common for anti-God, anti-Jesus, anti-Bible essays to be featured in various secular publications at this time of year.

Now, in keeping with this anti-God attitude during this sacred season, an April 15 op-ed piece for TheNew York Times was headlined, In This Time of War, I Propose We Give Up God.

How deeply sensitive for the Times to post this anti-God essay on the day which is both Good Friday on the Christian calendar and the first day of Passover on the Jewish calendar! What a nice touch, editorial department! You have really outdone yourselves this year. (And a special shoutout to Liana Finck for her graphic, depicting God as an angry, Godzilla-like giant, marching through the city with terror on his mind.)

The author of this op-ed is Shalom Auslander, who was raised as an ultra-Orthodox Jew in Monsey, NY, before losing his faith. But even as an 8-year-old boy, he was troubled by aspects of the Passover narrative in which God poured out his plagues on the Egyptians.

Thats because it was not just Pharaoh and his soldiers that were afflicted. Instead, Egyptians young and old, innocent and guilty, suffered locusts and frogs, hail and darkness, beasts running wild and water becoming blood. Mothers nursing their babies, the rabbi explained, found their breast milk had turned to blood. (For the record, the Bible says nothing about milk turning into blood, let alone breast milk. But this is what Auslander remembers hearing as a boy from his rabbis.)

As for Pharaohs hardness of heart toward God and Israel, how was that his fault, since God was the one hardening him?

As for God smiting the firstborn sons of Egypt  meaning, the firstborn of people and of cattle  what could be more barbaric than that?

If he were mortal, Auslander opines, the God of Jews, Christians and Muslims would be dragged to The Hague. And yet we praise him. We emulate him. We implore our children to be like him.

Really now, what were we thinking?

He continues, Perhaps now, as missiles rain down and the dead are discovered in mass graves, is a good time to stop emulating this hateful God. Perhaps we can stop extolling his brutality. Perhaps now is a good time to teach our children to pass over God  to be as unlike him as possible.

And then, having kicked God out of our lives, we should throw our doors open  to strangers. To people who arent our own. To the terrifying them, to the evil others, those people who seem so different from us, those we think are our enemies or who think us theirs, but who, if they sat down around the table with us, wed no doubt find despise the pharaohs of this world as much as we do, and who dream of the same d----d thing as us all:

Peace.

Having followed the stories of former, ultra-Orthodox Jews, I do understand how they can be so resentful of their upbringing that they throw out the baby with the bathwater, unable to separate human traditions from the God of the Bible.

In this case, however, Auslander would counter that it is the God of the Bible whom he so opposes and rejects. We need to be liberated from Him!

But if there is no God and we are simply the products of an unguided evolutionary process (rather than being created by God in His image), there would be no such thing as justice. Or goodness. Or absolute morality.

As C.S. Lewis reflected on his mindset as an atheist, My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such violent reaction against it? 

He continued, Of course I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too  for the argument depended on saying that the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my private fancies. Thus, in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist  in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless  I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality  namely my idea of justice  was full of sense. Consequently, atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.

Auslanders moral outrage actually undercuts, rather than supports, his whole argument against God.

He also seems to ignore the massive revelation of Gods patience and kindness and longsuffering and compassion found throughout the Bible and how He sternly judges those who take advantage of the orphan, the widow, the needy, and the stranger. Is the Lord really that schizophrenic, slaughtering the innocent with glee one moment and then grieving over the suffering of orphans the next? The Scriptures even declare that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires rather that they repent and live (see Ezekiel 18).

Even apparent injustices like the hardening of Pharaohs heart disappear upon closer examination of the Hebrew text. (For my video on this, see here.)

And what of the Lords ongoing mercy and compassion towards us? Do any of us with a recognition of the failings of our own heart dare to rail against God? Would any of us dare to stand before Him on judgment day and say, Give me exactly what I deserve?

Not only so, but for the Christian, the fullest revelation of God is found in the cross, where His own Son voluntarily died a shameful, agonizing, death to spare us from final judgment. In the words of philosopher John Kreeft, We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.

It is my prayer for Mr. Auslander (and others who share his sentiments) that they will personally encounter the boundless love of the heavenly Father. Once we truly come to know Him in a personal and intimate way, even if we dont get answers to all our questions, we will get the thing Auslander is after: peace  peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with one another.

As for TimeMagazine, just 5 years after that infamous 1966 cover (with the lead article declaring that God was, in fact, dead), circumstances compelled Time to put out a very different cover story. So it was on June 21, 1971, that Times cover announced, The Jesus Revolution.

I came to faith that very year as a heroin-shooting, LSD-using, 16-year-old, Jewish, hippie rock drummer, one of the countless thousands like me around the world. God was anything but dead!

I sense that He is about to reveal Himself afresh today. The story might even make it to the front page of the New York Times! Be assured that He is not going away.

(If you are struggling with some of the questions raised by Auslander, I have written two books you might find helpful. See here and here.)
142 killed, 3,000 displaced in attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria

A group of armed men suspected to be radical Fulani herdsmen attacked several villages in Nigerias Plateau State, killing at least 142 people, abducting dozens, mostly women, and displacing more than 3,000 people, according to reports.

Men in large numbers riding motorcycles arrived in Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State in the early morning hours last Sunday when people were preparing their farmlands for the rainy season, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide said in a statement.

The assailants burned down at least 100 homes, destroyed farmlands, looted barns and stole livestock, and murdered villagers, it said, adding that at least 70 people, mostly women, were abducted.

The communities attacked were Dadda, Dadin Kowa, Dungur, Gyambawu, Gwammadaji, Kukawa, Kyaram, Shuwaka, Wanka and Yelwa.

CSW explained that rumors of an imminent terror attack on the states capital city of Jos led authorities to deploy security personnel in the city, leaving rural areas more vulnerable.

There were also reports of militia men having set up camps in forests in Wase and Kanam LGAs, but no proactive measures were initiated by security agencies to avert these ugly terror attacks, Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives, told The Cable, adding that at least 3,414 people had been displaced.

Kanam (LGA) is a mixed community where Christians and Muslims have been living together for hundreds of years, CSW quoted Benjamin Kwashi, Anglican Archbishop of Jos, as saying.

The two ruling houses, one Christian, one Muslim, have always interchanged. So this is not an issue between either of the communities because they are so mixed that separating them is difficult. This is definitely an unwarranted attack on a very peaceful community. My heart goes out to the families that are bereaved right now, to the wounded, he added.

There has been an increase in attacks by suspected Fulani radicals against farming communities in Nigerias Middle Belt states in recent years that have reportedly led to thousands of deaths.

Weapons are being made available to militants in Nigeria by way of war-torn Libya. And in the countrys Northeast region, the terrorist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have killed thousands and displaced millions in recent years.

In a report released last year, the Anambra-based International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) estimated that about 10 million people had been uprooted in northern Nigeria, where extremist violence was most severe, from July 2009 to July 2021.

During that time, the report stated, about 2,000 Christian schools were attacked.

The atrocities included massacres, killings, mutilations, torture, maiming, abductions, hostage-taking, rape, girl-child defilements, forced marriages, disappearances, extortions, forceful conversions and destruction or burning of homes and sacred worship and learning centers, Intersociety reported.

Intersociety said the mass violence had resulted from the propagation of radical Islamism.

The U.S.-based persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern warns that the Nigerian government continues to deny any religious motivation behind the attacks.

The Nigerian government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, who comes from a Fulani background, attributes the violence in the Middle Belt states to decades-old farmer-herder clashes. However, Christian human rights advocates have accused the government of overlooking religious elements and not doing enough to protect Nigerian citizens.

Last year, the U.S. State Department removed Nigeria from its list of countries of particular concern for tolerating or engaging in egregious violations of religious liberty after it was placed on the list in 2020 by the Trump administration. The removal of Nigeria from the list drew backlash from some human rights activists.

Many have raised concerns about what they perceive as the governments inaction in holding terrorists accountable for the rising number of murders and kidnappings, which some groups warn have reached the level of genocide.

ICC identified Nigeria as one of its 2021 Persecutors of the Year.

Nigeria is one of the deadliest places on Earth for Christians, as 50,000 to 70,000 have been killed since 2000, the ICC Persecutor of the Year report states.

Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, reported that at least 4,650 Christians were killed between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. That is an increase from 3,530 the previous year. Additionally, more than 2,500 Christians were kidnapped, up from 990 a year earlier.
The right-wing website InfoWars, which is owned by US radio host Alex Jones, has filed for bankruptcy. The action comes as he faces defamation lawsuits filed by the relatives of those slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012.

Jones has been forced to pay damages in the claims after falsely claiming the incident was a fabrication. His choice to file for bankruptcy protection from creditors will hamper such attempts.

Alex Jones' Infowars Files For Bankruptcy

In the United States, declaring bankruptcy allows businesses to continue operating while negotiating debt settlements with the help of the court. Other lawsuits are placed on hold.

The trouble for the radio presenter and conspiracy theorist stems from his incorrect assertions regarding the 2012 Connecticut school shooting, which was one of the deadliest in US history. He stated repeatedly that the tragedy, which killed twenty children and six adults, was staged by actors and the mainstream media to press for gun regulation, according to BBC.

In three different cases, relatives of those slain at Sandy Hook have claimed that his falsehoods profited his company, including InfoWars, while also causing them to be harassed by his supporters.

Last year, they won the cases after Jones refuted the allegations but failed to submit proof in court, such as financial documents. Juries were expected to begin assessing how much he owes the families this month.

He had offered $120,000 to each of the 13 persons included in the cases, but they turned him down last month.

Read Also: New Book: Jill Biden Screamed, Kicked Out Priest During President Joe Biden's Suffering From Brain Aneurysm

Lawyer: Alex Jones Will Still Likely to Pay Victims' Families

Jones was fined $75,000 for failing to attend for a deposition in a defamation case, but the money was returned to him last week after Jones showed up, as per ABC7 Chicago. Jones is accused of concealing millions of dollars in assets in a new lawsuit, but a counsel for Jones has dismissed the claim as "ridiculous."

Neil Heslin, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was killed in the Newtown school shooting, said he didn't know how Jones' bankruptcy would influence his defamation action against him in Texas, where a trial on how much money Jones should pay the families' damages is slated to begin next week.

According to Reuters, Jones filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on Sunday. In addition to InfoWars, two other Jones-related businesses, IWHealth and Prison Planet TV, have also declared bankruptcy. On Monday, Jones verified the news on his online show.

In 2018, the relatives of the victims began pursuing lawsuits against Jones, about the same time that his YouTube channel, which had over 2 million followers, was blocked. Last October, a Connecticut court ruled in favor of the family, as did a Texas judge in two additional lawsuits.

A lawsuit filed by one of the families earlier this month accused Jones of concealing assets by withdrawing $18 million from his company's accounts beginning in 2018, when he began dealing with legal matters. It also accused Jones of misrepresenting that his firm owed $54 million in debt to another company that is "directly or indirectly" owned by Jones, according to the lawsuit.

Related Article: Boris Johnson Is Set To Deny Breaking COVID-19 Lockdown Rules Despite Partygate Police Penalty

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Iranian Pastor temporarily released from Evin prison

Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, a convert from Islam to Christianity who is serving a six-year sentence for his Christian activities, has been granted a temporary furlough from the notorious Evin prison and is required to return to prison on Monday.

Nadarkhani was released Wednesday and is at home with his family, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide said.

Evin Prison is where many Christians and political opponents of the Iranian regime have been held, experiencing deplorable human rights abuses and lack of medical treatment.

CSW said it wasnt clear why Nadarkhani, who led a house church in the Gilan province, had been released.

We urge the Iranian authorities to go one step further and release this innocent man, so that he can enjoy his freedom without fear of harassment or re-arrest, CSWs founder and President Mervyn Thomas said. We also continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained on account of their religion or belief or in relation to the defense of human rights.

Nadarkhani, who is from the Church of Iran denomination, was acquitted of apostasy in 2012 after being sentenced to death by hanging. He has been arrested and released on a number of occasions.

In May 2016, he was arrested along with three other members of the Church of Iran during a series of raids by security agents on Christian homes in Rasht. While all of the men were released on bail in 2017, they were re-arrested in a series of raids in July 2018.

During that raid, Iranian security forces beat him in front of his family and tasered one of his sons.

Iran Human Rights Monitor reported at the time that the pastor was taken to Branch 2 of the Revolutionary court of Rasht, northern Iran, after the raid.

Plain cloth agents went to Mr. Nadarkhanis home and attempted to break down the door to enter the home. When Nadarkhanis son opened the door, the state forces threw him to the ground using an electric shocker. Then they beat Mr. Nadarkhani with the electric shocker and arrested him [in front of] his wife and child, said an unnamed source close to Nadarkhanis family.

Nadarkhani is serving a six-year sentence, reduced from 10 years, on charges of acting against national security by promoting Zionist Christianity.

The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called his continued detention arbitrary.

In October 2019, Nadarkhani went on a three-week hunger strike to protest the regimes prohibition on his childrens ability to complete their education because they refuse to study Islam.

The strike was to protest the regimes decision to withhold education certificates from his two sons, preventing them from moving on to the next grades because they would not study Islam or read the Quran in school.

The Islamic Republic is ranked as the ninth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs World Watch List.

Converts from Islam to Christianity are most at risk of persecution, especially by the government and to a lesser extent by society and their own families, it says.

The government sees the growth of the church in Iran as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran. House groups made up of converts from Muslim backgrounds are often raided, and both their leaders and members have been arrested, prosecuted and given long prison sentences for crimes against national security.
Push to make abortion a 'human right' in Ecuador defeated after veto

The Ecuadoran National Assembly failed to override a presidential veto of an abortion bill that critics feared would make abortion a human right and require healthcare workers in the country to participate in the practice against their will.

After President Guillermo Lasso partially vetoed an abortion bill passed by the majority-Catholic South American country's unicameral legislature, the National Assembly had until Friday to override the veto.

The motion to lift the presidential veto Thursday received just 17 votes, far short of the majority required for a veto override. National Assembly President Guadalupe Llori has adjourned the legislative session, so the presidents veto of the measure stands.

Valerie Huber, the CEO of the Institute for Womens Health who served as the U.S. special representative for Global Womens Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump administration, told The Christian Post in an email that the pro-life movement won the battle in Ecuador.

It was created supposedly to just create a very narrow exception for abortion in matters of rape but in reviewing the law, it was pages and pages and pages of things that had absolutely nothing to do with that narrow exception," Huber argued.



"More than 20 times, it asserted abortion as a human right. It removed all conscience protections for any kind of healthcare providers that would be called upon in that country to provide abortion against their consciences."

Ecuador's abortion laws are opposed by international abortion-rights groups such as Human Rights Watch, which contends that the country's criminalization of abortion "undermines the ability of women and girls to access essential reproductive health services."

Ecuador should remove all criminal penalties for consensual abortion," Ximena Casas, womens rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "At a minimum, it should guarantee effective access to abortion on all legal grounds and stop prosecuting women and girls seeking essential medical care.

Huber had voiced her concerns about Ecuador's abortion bill in an April 5 op-ed for National Review. She argued that the bill sets the stage for a whole upending of the countrys laws" and asserts "that abortion is a fundamental right."

#PlenoLegislativo| La mocion de allanamiento al veto presidencial presentada por @pierinaescorrea obtiene el respaldo de 17 votos afirmativos por lo que no es aprobada.



La presidenta @GuadalupeLlori suspende la sesion No. 771 pic.twitter.com/jlk4vt4zdr  Asamblea Nacional (@AsambleaEcuador) April 15, 2022

"There is definitely an ulterior motive here that has nothing to do with how it was being sold both to Congress and to the general public in Ecuador," Huber told CP.

She said that in Ecuador, the president is permitted to provide recommendations for different texts in [a] bill before it becomes law."

Huber praised Lasso for removing any assertion that there is an international right or that abortion is a human right, adding that he addressed virtually all of the concerns that we had in terms of how it would not only harm women, but it was unconstitutional because Ecuador has a very pro-life provision in their constitution.

Article 45 of the Ecuadoran Constitution proclaims that the government shall recognize and guarantee life, including care and protection from the time of conception.

Huber insisted that the Institute for Womens Health "is not a pro-life organization" but should be seen as "a pro-womens health organization.

We would like it if we never had to talk abortion," she stated. "Its really those who are elevating abortion over authentic womens health that are conflating the two.

But I will tell you that those who would insist that a woman cant have health without abortion are organized," she continued. "They have overtaken the narrative surrounding womens health. But its a disingenuous narrative that most Americans and most citizens around the world dont realize how harmful this really is to women."

Huber expressed concern about womens health being subjugated to an ideological agenda with little concern for women themselves. She also lamented the external interference of members of the U.S. Congress in the internal abortion decisions of other countries.

A letter written by Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., and 19 other congressional Democrats urging Lasso to support the legislation drew the ire of Huber. Human Rights Watch also expressed support for the legislation and the congressional Democrats letter.

Research by Ecuadorean and international human rights organizations shows that abortion restrictions do not stop abortions from happening, the lawmakers wrote in the letter. Instead, they force women and girls to seek abortions in clandestine settings where abortions are carried out unsafely and lead to health complications and even death. The World Health Organization has reported that the rate of unsafe abortions is four times higher in countries with restrictive abortion laws than in countries where abortion is legal.

The pressure campaigns from U.S. lawmakers and nongovernmental organizations constituted colonialism by another name," Huber contends.

She cited the efforts in support of the law as an example of how American abortion activists want to impose their extremism on other countries. The effort, she says, extends far beyond Ecuador and touches virtually any country that currently has laws protecting life during every stage of life.

The sad reality is that few Americans know what the United States is doing to devalue life abroad and to pressure countries to change their laws on areas that are fully within the sovereign right of those countries to decide and that the United States should not be interfering," she said.

Huber argues that some provisions in U.S. law prevent officials from "exporting an abortion agenda." She cited the Helms Amendment, which prohibits any tax dollars being used abroad for abortion or for its promotion. The 1981 Siljander Amendment states that the U.S. tax dollars may not be used to fund or lobby for abortion.

[The] United States is a major funder for foreign assistance, particularly foreign health assistance. So the threat of withholding foreign assistance unless governments change their policies or laws regarding certain issues is always of concern," Huber said. "And we have heard from a variety of countries how this continues to be a lever used by the U.S. government."

Were not talking about using these sorts of levers over what most Americans would believe to be legitimate reasons regarding authentic human rights violations or things such as this," she continued. "Were talking about foreign assistance being used as a lever for the promotion of ideological colonialism around these very sensitive topics, those topics where the U.S. had absolutely no business interfering in the internal affairs of that country.

She also said that if a country refuses to make amendments to specific laws, the U.S. may use the visa-granting process or trade incentives.

"Democracy is being  redefined to include these issues of ideological colonialism, she asserted.
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Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the countrys eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two. In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military was dropping heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscows forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages.

Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

___

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russian forces are attacking along broad east front, Ukraine says

 Displaced people from across Ukraine seek shelter in Lviv apartment building

 Yellen to see Ukraine PM, avoid Russians at global meetings

 Global finance meeting focuses on war-driven food insecurity

 UN chief urges 4-day Easter pause in fighting in Ukraine

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

___

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a four-day halt in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians Holy Week observances.

Noting that Orthodox Easter is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said Tuesday that the need for a humanitarian pause is all the more urgent.

Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya called on Russia to heed Guterres call.

But Russian deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Tuesday he was a bit skeptical about the idea.

Guterres said the goal is to allow for evacuating civilians from current or expected areas of confrontation and or getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.

The proposal comes after the U.N. recently helped to foster a two-month truce in Yemens civil war, halting fighting as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began.

__

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new security assistance package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said details of the latest package are being finalized.

Last week, in anticipation of Russias offensive in eastern Ukraine, Biden approved an $800 million package including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery. The U.S. has sent about $2.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian invaded.

Asked by reporters whether hed be sending more artillery, Biden said Yes.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said providing more ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine was discussed by Biden and other allied leaders during a video call on Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took part in the more than 80-minute call.

 Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

___

OTTAWA, Ontario  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will send heavy artillery to Ukraine.

Trudeau says hes been in close contact with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canada is very responsive to what Ukraine needs. He says there will be more details on the pledge in the days to come, and that Ukrainians have fought like heroes.

Canadas government has also hit 14 more Russians with sanctions for their close ties with President Vladimir Putin, including his two adult daughters.

___

BERLIN  The International Atomic Energy Agency says direct phone communications between the decommissioned Chernobyl power plant and Ukraines nuclear regulator have been restored.

Ukraine informed the Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog on March 10 that it had lost direct contact with the plant, the site of the 1986 disaster. Russian forces seized Chernobyl at the beginning of the invasion on Feb. 24 and withdrew on March 31.

The IAEAs director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said Tuesday that this was clearly not a sustainable situation, and it is very good news that the regulator can now contact the plant directly when it needs to.

Grossi plans to lead a mission of IAEA experts to Chernobyl to conduct nuclear safety and radiological assessments, deliver equipment and repair the agencys own remote monitoring systems there.

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WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged world finance leaders Tuesday to get concrete as they look for ways to combat a global crisis over food insecurity that's getting worse due to Russias war in Ukraine.

This threat touches the most vulnerable people the hardest  families that are already spending disproportionate amounts of their income on food, Yellen told fellow finance leaders during a food security meeting convened with members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. People on every continent are impacted.

Failure to feed the worlds population risks not only starvation, but also social unrest and cross-border political upheaval. Among the proposed solutions: reducing export restrictions, relieving price controls and subsidizing small farmers.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a carve-out to sanctions against Russia to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications.

Russia and Ukraine produce a third of the worlds wheat supply. The loss of commodities due to the war has resulted in soaring food prices and uncertainty about the future of food security globally, especially in impoverished countries. With fertilizer and natural gas costs exploding, leaders expressed concern that countries could turn inward and restrict trade to protect their populations, indirectly hurting more vulnerable countries that face even worse food problems.

David Malpass, president of the World Bank, said his organization will provide $17 billion per year to strengthen food security, and develop a 15-month crisis response package of $170 billion, that will address the pandemic, refugee resettlement and other issues alongside food supply.

___

KVIV, Ukraine  Russia is assaulting cities and towns across Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in a new phase of the war after losing about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine, according to Pentagon estimates.

Capturing the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas region would give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory, slicing Ukraine in two and depriving it of key industrial assets.

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said air-launched missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations while artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours. The claims could not be independently verified.

___

WASHINGTON  The U.S. militarys assessment of Russias renewed offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine is that it has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

When people say the offensive has begun, thats what theyre referring to, and were not pushing back on that notion, a senior U.S. defense official said.

The official said the Russians are taking actions to improve their ability to sustain combat operations in the Donbas and to prepare for what we believe will be larger offensives in the future.

The U.S. estimates that the Russian military has lost about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine at the start of the war, so theyre refitting ground combat units for insertion into Ukraine. The official said the Russians added two more battalion tactical groups in the past 24 hours, for a total of 78. Thats up from 65 last week.

 AP Military Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.

___

BERLIN  Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany will continue to enable weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with one possibility being systems from eastern European nations that would be easily and quickly usable.

Scholz has faced increasing pressure from within his own governing coalition and the main opposition party to deliver heavy weapons such as German Leopard tanks.

But Scholz said Germany and its partners in the Group of Seven industrial nations have concluded it makes more sense to send in systems already used in Ukraine, such as the Soviet-era weapons some NATO partners still have.

Western partners would help those countries with replacements.

After conferring with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders on Tuesday, Scholz said all of us will continue to support Ukraine, financially and also militarily.

___

The Kremlins diplomats are doing more online dirty work as governments and social media companies try to suppress Russias state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine.

Russian embassies and consulates are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine.

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russias diplomatic corps acts as a global propaganda network, tailoring claims for each nations audience.

Tech companies have responded by adding warning labels and removing Russias diplomatic accounts from its recommendations and search results. But they remain active, as their diplomatic status provides more protection from moderation.

Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week, said disinformation researcher Marcel Schliebs at the Oxford Internet Institute.

___

PRAGUE  Czech authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

Pragues High Public Prosecutors Office that oversees the investigation said Tuesday that the initial information from Ukraine shows signs of war crimes, according to international law.

The office said the purpose of the investigation is to secure evidence from witnesses and victims who have arrived to seek refuge in the Czech Republic. The Czechs coordinate their effort with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

The investigators are focusing on suspected use of banned and illegal means and methods of warfare.

___

KHARKIV, Ukraine  Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv say at least four people were killed and three others wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area.

The attack on Tuesday happened as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy in the eastern city, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

Kharkiv is near the front lines and has faced repeated shelling from the Russian forces. Earlier on Tuesday, a regional governor in Kharkiv said 5 civilians had been killed and 17 wounded in the past 24 hours.

Also on Tuesday, an explosion rocked the eastern city of Kramatorsk killing at least 1 person and injuring 3, according to AP journalists at the scene.

 By Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv; Yesica Fisch in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

___

MOSCOW  Russia said Tuesday it is expelling 15 diplomats from the Netherlands and an unspecified number of Belgian embassy staff in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by those countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has ordered 14 employees of the Dutch embassy in Moscow and one from the consulate in St. Petersburg to leave the country.

We expected Russia to take reciprocal measures. Nevertheless I regret this step. We are now going to see what the consequences are of the fact that so many colleagues have to leave Moscow and Petersburg, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

That follows the Netherlands expelling Russian diplomats last month. Dutch authorities said they expelled 17 and alleged they had been using diplomatic cover to work as spies. The Russian Foreign Ministry said a total 18 people with diplomatic status were expelled from its embassy in The Hague, a trade mission in Amsterdam and the Russian representation at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is based in the Netherlands.

The ministry added that the Belgian ambassador had been notified that embassy staff would have to leave by May 3, without saying how many people were affected. The ambassador of Luxembourg was summoned for an official protest after the small Western European nation expelled a single Russian diplomat this month.

___

LONDON  British officials say the next phase of the war in Ukraine is likely to be an attritional conflict that could last several months.

A senior U.K. national security official briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday, as Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said the official told ministers that Russias greater number of troops was unlikely to be decisive on its own against fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The official told Cabinet that there are signs Russia has not learned the lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, with evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion and some soldiers and units refusing to fight.

Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister had told Cabinet that Ukraines position remained perilous, with Russian President Vladimir Putin angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost.

___

MOSCOW  The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya says he is certain that the Russian forces will uproot the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the key port of Mariupol within hours.

Ramzan Kadyrov said on a messaging app channel that the Russian troops will finish off the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol on Tuesday and take full control of the giant Azovstal steel mill, the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city.

Ukrainian troops have defended the strategic port on the Sea of Azov for seven weeks despite the Russian blockade and relentless barrage that flattened most of the city.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles), offered Ukrainian defenders a strong fighting position thanks to its sprawling network of underground tunnels and depots.

Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, has repeatedly made blustery comments about the citys inevitable fall.

___

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says he plans to speak with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts as part of Turkeys efforts to halt the conflict.

Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey was also talking to P5 nations  the United States, China, France, Russia and the U.K.  and other countries about possible security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that Kyivs request for guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty hadn't found support, especially among Western countries.

If there can be no guarantees (similar to) NATOs Article 5, then what options are there? We are taking care of such these details, Cavusoglu said. We must be prepared for the possibility of a cease-fire.

He was speaking during a joint news conference with Hungarys foreign minister in Ankara.

NATO-member Turkey, which has maintained its close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has hosted a meeting between the two countries foreign ministers as well as talks between the two negotiating teams last month.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said he hopes to bring the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to the negotiating table.

___

MOSCOW  Russias defense minister has accused the U.S. and other Western nations of supplying Ukraine with weapons so that it continues fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with the top military brass that Washington and its allies are doing all they can to drag out Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that the growing supplies of foreign weapons clearly signal their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Shoigu said that the Russian military has consistently implemented the plan to fully liberate the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics.

Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region eastern industrial heartland, Donbas, that includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Russia.

___

SOFIA, Bulgaria  Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says security for his country also means security for Bulgaria and all other Black Sea countries.

We are fighting not only for our safety," Kuleba said after talks Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart, Teodora Genchovska. "We are fighting for you too, so that you never have to face the tragedy of Russias attempts to affect and damage your country.

Kuleba expressed understanding that many in Bulgaria have emotional and historic links to Russia.

But now its different  destroying, killing, torturing, raping," he said. "This is not a Russia that deserves sympathy and understanding. I want everyone to understand that.

No details of the talks have been disclosed, but media reports alleged that Kuleba may ask for a stronger engagement of Bulgaria in Ukraines defense from Russias aggression. Along with Hungary, Bulgaria is the only EU member that has so far been reluctant to send weapons to Kyiv.

During his unofficial visit to Sofia, Kuleba will also meet Bulgarias President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian foreign minister says that Moscows campaign in Ukraine is entering a new stage.

Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now.

Lavrovs statement follows Ukrainian statements that Russia on Monday launched an offensive in the countrys eastern industrial heartland, Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Moscow.

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian operation is aimed at the full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

___

AMSTERDAM  Automaker Stellantis says it is suspending production in Russia because of the impact of sanctions and logistical problems.

Stellantis was making vans in Russia under the Peugeot and Citroen brands at a factory in Kaluga which it shared with Mitsubishi. The Japanese manufacturer suspended its production there earlier this month.

Stellantis said Tuesday it wanted to ensure full compliance with international sanctions and protect its employees by suspending production. The company had previously warned the Kaluga factory was running low on parts. Many automakers with operations in Russia have struggled to import the components they need since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Based in the Netherlands, Stellantis is the worlds fourth-largest automaker with brands including Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat. It previously stopped vehicle shipments to and from Russia last month.

Russian authorities have criticized companies which shut down their operations, and warned they could take steps to put production facilities under state control.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian military has made a new demand to the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol to lay down their arms.

Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev gave the Ukrainian troops holed up at the giant Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol until midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday to surrender.

He said that those who surrender will keep their lives.

Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks have ignored such previous offers. The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov.

Earlier Tuesday, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region, said that assault groups had moved into Azovstal in a bid to uproot the Ukrainian troops following bombing and artillery barrage.
(Bloomberg) -- Passengers on airplanes, trains and other public transportation in the U.S. dont have to wear masks anymore, after a federal judge struck down the mandate.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said orders requiring masks on public transportation would no longer be enforced, although both agencies recommended their continued use.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, vacated the mask requirement nationwide Monday and directed the CDC to reverse the policy put in place in February 2021. The ruling was handed down in a lawsuit filed last year by the Health Freedom Defense Fund, a nonprofit group that says it focuses on bodily autonomy as a human right.

Todays court decision means CDCs public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time, an administration official said in a statement. Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time.

United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Alaska Air Group Inc. reacted swiftly to the TSA decision, dropping mask requirements for passengers on their flights shortly after the TSA announcement.

As of today, masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, Alaska Airlines said in a statement on its website.

Read: Most Major U.S. Airlines Drop Mask Mandates on Court Ruling

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the judges ruling a disappointing decision and said were continuing to recommend that people wear masks while the administration considers its legal options.

Prior to the TSA decision, some pilots said they were worried about the confusion being created by the judges ruling and CDC recommendations.

Were the kids looking at the two parents saying two different things, said Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines Group Inc. pilots. We know it makes it very difficult. Our passengers are probably as confused as we are.

Travelers on Monday said there were no apparent immediate changes. Everyone on board an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Miami still wore masks, although news of the judges ruling was being reported, Carolina Silva said. The pilot told passengers prior to takeoff that unlike what you may have heard, the mask mandate is still on, Silva said.

Everyone at Miami International Airport was also wearing masks after the plane from Dallas landed, according to Silva. A passenger who landed at LaGuardia Airport in New York Monday said everyone there wore a mask.

Its not clear what impact the judges ruling might have on state and local regulations that are based on CDC guidance.

Read More: Airline CEOs Urge Biden to Drop Mask, Foreign-Traveler Mandates

Airlines for America, the lobbying group for the biggest U.S. carriers, and the Justice Department didnt immediately comment on the ruling. The CDC said it doesnt comment on litigation.

Mizelle, an appointee of former president Donald Trump, ruled that the CDC had incorrectly described the mask mandate as a form of sanitation to justify its authority in the matter.

Wearing a mask cleans nothing, Mizelle wrote. At most, it traps virus droplets. But it neither sanitizes the person wearing the mask or sanitizes the conveyance.

Read More: U.S. Extends Covid Alert on Travel Masking, Emergency Decree

The judge also found that the CDC had gone too far by issuing a regulation that acts on individuals directly rather than just their property interests.

Since the mask mandate regulates an individuals behavior -- wearing a mask -- it imposes directly on liberty interests, she wrote.

Airlines Position

The ruling comes as states across the U.S. have eased restrictions following an overall drop in case numbers from a January peak caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Almost 1 million Americans have died of Covid in the past two years, and hundreds more continue to die every day.

I feel very strongly the mask mandate should be lifted and individuals, including our own employees, make their own decisions and take personal accountability for their health on board our planes, Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said in a CNBC interview April 13. Candidly, its time to let the masks go.

CEOs from the largest U.S. airlines said in a letter to President Joe Biden last month that it was past time to lift the mandate.

We are requesting this action not only for the benefit of the traveling public, but also for the thousands of airline employees charged with enforcing a patchwork of now-outdated regulations implemented in response to Covid-19, the group of 10 CEOs said in the March 23 letter.

Disruptive Passengers

The mask requirement has has been particularly contentious because it has been linked to a surge in the number of disruptive passengers on flights. At the same time, it has eased fears of infection and helped the airlines bounce back after travel was decimated in the early days of the pandemic.

The CDC announced last week that it would extend the mask mandate by two weeks, to May 3, as it weighs data on Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations driven by the BA.2 subvariant. The extension is shorter than previous ones, signaling that the agency was nearing a position to lift the mandate altogether.

Read More: Mask Mandate on Planes, Trains Draws Lawsuit From GOP States

Florida and other Republican-led states in March filed a similar lawsuit seeking to overturn the mask mandate, a fight that pits Biden against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a fierce critic of pandemic mandates. The states accused the administration of ignoring loss after loss in court and having outright disdain for the limits of its power.

The Health Freedom Defense Fund, which filed the suit in April 2021, was founded by former Wall Street banker Leslie Manookian, described on the groups website as a onetime Goldman Sachs Group Inc. employee who went on to become director of Alliance Capital in London.

Judges Qualifications

Mizelle, formerly an attorney with Jones Day, was the eighth federal judge confirmed during the Trump administration to be rated not qualified by the American Bar Association based on experience.

The ABA typically requires a minimum of 12 years of experience to rate a nominee qualified. Mizelle was admitted to the Florida bar in September 2012. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate 49-41 in November 2020.

Republicans have accused the ABA of being biased against conservatives.

The case is Health Freedom Defense Fund v. Joseph Biden, 21-cv-1693, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa).

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
vicky - Fotolia

The City of Houston will host its latest virtual job fair this weekend, promising more than 1,000 available full- and part-time positions.

The latest Turnaround Houston event runs online from Friday through Sunday, and will include jobs from more than 30 local employers from across economic sectors.
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Christianna McAfee never dreamt of being queen when she applied to join the 74th Neches River Festival this year. It was her first time participating, and her focus was on the scholarship opportunities offered.

Im going to UT Austin, and I need all the money I can raise to afford all four years, the Beaumont United senior said, adding Im also a big girly girl. I love dressing up, being a pretty princess. This was just a great opportunity to be myself and also make some money for college.

First, she had to face a panel of nearly a dozen judges and in two minutes impress them, explaining why she should be selected for a scholarship and a spot on the court.

A nearby clock ticked off the seconds as McAfee faced the panel who, referencing her lengthy resume, fired question after question.

They asked me things like how I manage my time, what are my inspirations, three words to describe myself, what are my biggest accomplishments, McAfee recounted.

I never did anything like that before, she added. Its my personality to go out and meet a lot of people. So, going into the interview, I literally was just myself. I talked to them like Ive been knowing them for years, and it worked out in my favor.

McAfee answered six questions before the timer buzzed, an impressive feat as most only make it through three or four questions, she said.

On April 9 McAfee stood on stage at the Julie Rogers Theatre with some 150 princesses, over 30 duchesses and their escorts for the 74th coronation ceremony.

You dont know anything until the night of the coronation, she said. You walk in and get presented by your escort, and if they tell you to stop, that means you won either Miss Congeniality or best escort or you get your scholarship, she said.

No one told McAfee to stop. She didnt get one of the half-dozen scholarships awarded this year.

I was pretty sad, she said, after regrouping with the princesses and duchesses backstage. I thought, Man, I thought I was gonna get a scholarship.

The group retook the stage for the court selection.

They called the name of the First Duchess, then the third lady in waiting, the second lady in waiting, then the first.

When they called the third lady, I got a little feeling. I was like, Wait, is something bad about to happen? What is going on? McAfee recollected.

Then, she heard her name called as the 74th Neches River Festival queen, a glittering tiara placed atop her head and red satin sash embroidered in gold placed across her shoulders by Ashley Messina.

When they called me, it was just shock, complete shock, she said. I didnt get a scholarship, but I did get something much better.

Being a queen opens up so many more opportunities. Ive met so many people already, contacts that I would not have imagined having, and I just know that theres more to come, she said.

Its a fairy tale ending McAfee never envisioned when she submitted her application.

Going into Neches, honestly when I say I was just looking for a scholarship, I wasnt thinking about court," she said. "I wasnt thinking about even getting up to that level ... Its a big family tradition. The past two queens were sisters. They were expecting their third sister to win this year. Its just a very generational thing.

I never expected to be the person to break something generational like that, McAfee said.

That wasnt the only barrier she broke.

McAfee is the first Black queen in the festivals 74-year history.

History made and writing her own story, grandmother Juanita McAfee posted to Facebook following the coronation.

McAfee wasnt thinking about making history as she processed to the Civic Center for the post-coronation ball with several litter girls in tow, all holding up the heavy robe trailing behind her on the trek.

The kids were so sweet, so amazing. I had my scepter and they said, can you do hup 2, 3, 4? as we march? We were pretty rowdy, she recalled.

The boisterous group arrived at the ball and immediately hushed per her request.

Just knowing that they just saw me as the queen, thats what really meant a lot to me. They werent looking at me like, Oh, shes the first Black queen. Im just the queen, and that was really inspirational, McAfee said.

Its inspiration she hopes to spread when she visits her moms elementary school classroom.

Its a school thats predominantly Hispanic, Asian and Black. And the little girls are like, they dont believe that Im real, and so I am going there to visit and prove to them, Yeah, Im from Beaumont, Im little old me and Im the queen. I got here. I got a crown. I got to be in this fairy tale and you can, too,' she said. Just showing them that Im achieving something great and knowing that Im doing this, you can do this. Thats my whole goal right now  just letting them know that they can do it.

McAfee will have plenty of opportunity to fulfill that goal. While she hasnt received her official duties yet, she knows it will include many appearances, especially with children.

Since its creation in 1949, the Neches River Festival has focused on celebrating our greatest natural resource, the Neches River, through a variety of riverfront activities, like boat races, ski shows, a regatta on the downtown Beaumont boat docks, a parade, royalty court and more, according to the NRF website.

The perhaps greatest area of emphasis for the past years has remained unchanged. The NRF celebrates our youth, the site says.

From here on, its all for the kids. Thats the core of this festival, for them to see tradition and feel at home in something, McAfee said.

It was part of the allure for her to join and has its own rewards.

My favorite thing about Neches is even if you dont win, you still get to be a princess, you still get to have that experience. You dont get excluded from anything, McAfee said.

But somebody has to be the new queen, and McAfee believes it was her resume that helped earn her the crown.

Her accolades include being the varsity cheer captain and making the All-American cheer team this year.

McAfee is also class president, a role I love most in my life, because I got to give my classmates everything I hoped for for my senior year and what they wanted for their senior year.

She was named Miss Beaumont United and most spirited at a recent senior banquet and before that was crowned homecoming queen, something she'd dreamed of since she was a kindergartner, when she would make drawings of herself wearing the crown.

McAfee also has held several jobs since she turned 16 and is a paid member of the Timberwolf Network  a student media organization that runs the jumbotron at Beaumont Memorial Stadium and other multimedia production for the Beaumont ISD.

Academically, she is a National Merit Scholar, a part of the Texas First Program at UT Austin and was one of 70 students across the state awarded a $48,000 impact scholarship to UT Austin.

And those are just the highlights of the resume that caught the NRF panels eyes.

I think that they just wanted to acknowledge that, acknowledge the growth that could come from me, and the potential that I have to grow, McAfee said.

Its the start of a resume that will only lengthen when she and classmates graduate this spring  the first class to attend Beaumont United as freshman and then graduate four years later  and McAfee enters UT Austin this fall.

Shell already have several college credits under her belt, having completed six dual-credit classes at Lamar University by the end of the semester.

That thirst for knowledge will serve her well when she heads to Austin pursuing a major in Communications and Leadership with a minor in business.

Im a talker, and I love to lead others by example. So, the Communication and Leadership program at UT is just the perfect fit for me. It will teach me how to talk to others properly and efficiently to get things done without being rude, to have a positive outlook and to talk to others how youd want to be talked to," she said. "Thats really the whole thing with communication leadership - how to be a better leader."

Eventually, she plans to attend law school and become a multi-disciplinary professor of law, business and communication while working her way up the post-secondary administration ladder.

McAfee wants to change the classroom and eventually the whole campus. I want students to see me and say, Hey, President Chrissy or Dean Chrissy knows me.

McAfee says she has even loftier goals in the educational field, but I dont want to say what they are, because I dont want to jinx it, she said with a smile.

For now, those goals are McAfee's personal stars, upon which she'll gaze and work to reach in good time.
GREENWICH  A Greenwich Democrat has filed with the state to challenge state Rep. Kimberly Fiorello for her seat in the 149th House District.

I believe that our state does better when all the people who live here have an equal opportunity to access everything Connecticut has to offer, Greenwich resident Rachel Khanna told Hearst Connecticut Media. That includes the right to vote, the right to health care, a womans right to control her reproductive health and the right to be protected from gun violence.

The 149th District represents North Greenwich and part of northern and western Stamford in the state legislature.

Previously, Khanna was a member of District 10 on the Representative Town Meeting in Greenwich for four years. She has now formed a campaign committee and sent a fundraising email to potential supporters announcing her intention to participate in the states Citizens Elections Program.

After announcing her candidacy last week, Khanna said she was approached by countless members of the community thanking her for entering the race because they were very uncomfortable with some of the extreme positions on many issues that weve been witnessing within our community and throughout the country.

I am not interested in perpetuating culture wars, Khanna said. Its a waste of time. I want to put my skills and energy to work on bringing good-paying jobs to Connecticut, making our state and towns more attractive to families and businesses, and ensuring that our public schools remain strong and provide all our children with an excellent education. I will use my background as an entrepreneur, small business owner and advocate to champion creative solutions to solving the problems that face our communities.

A 22-year town resident and mother of four, she has worked in marketing and also as a chef and cookbook author, with an Instagram page dedicated to it at www.instagram.com/liveeatcookhealthy.

Seeking reelection

She is challenging Fiorello, a Republican who is seeking a second term after succeeding longtime state Rep. Livvy Floren, who did not seek reelection in 2020.

A member of the legislatures Education, Judiciary and Planning and Development Committees, Fiorello has been outspoken in her opposition to proposed affordable housing mandates, which she claims would take away local authority from zoning commissions. She has also called for reforms in the 8-30g housing law, which mandates all municipalities in Connecticut have at least 10 percent of housing designated by deed as affordable.

My priorities for serving my friends and neighbors of District 149 are the same today as when I first ran for office, Fiorello told Hearst Connecticut Media. I am committed to our state government doing its proper role to protect individual rights, full stop.

She has also been criticized for holding Town Hall meetings on such cultural issues as opposition to critical race theory as well as on her stance on affordable housing. But she also has the strong backing of Greenwichs Republican Town Committee, with its new Chair Beth MacGillivray saying they were thrilled Fiorello was seeking reelection.

We are excited that Kimberly Fiorello, an incredible mom of four kids who won office, went up to Hartford and did what she said she was going to do, MacGillivray said. She has become a trusted voice for the people of Greenwich because she so obviously does her homework and defends our town against more state mandates and bad laws. Her expert Town Halls, weekly eblasts, and debates in committee and on the floor of the House are beyond informative. The woman is a tireless fighter for common sense.

Democratic support

It is not known whether any other Democrats will enter the race. But Khanna earned words of support from Greenwich Democratic Town Committee Chair Joseph Angland.

Rachel is a great candidate who would serve Greenwich well, Angland said. She knows the town, having served for four years on the RTM and being involved in several local charitable organizations. She reflects Democratic values on issues such as womens rights and voting rights. Rachel has advocated for sensible positions on economic and housing issues, and I am confident that she will do so if she serves in Hartford.

Stamford Democratic City Committee Chair Robin Druckman said that the citys Democrats were thrilled that Khanna had entered the race. Druckman criticized Fiorello for extremist and divisive views, which she said was sending voters to line up behind Khanna.

(Khanna) is a proven leader and a longstanding advocate for issues of great concern to our community, such as gun violence prevention, reproductive rights, strong public schools and creating economic opportunity for everyone, Druckman said. Her announcement has been met with resounding enthusiasm and applause, literally. When she joined a recent Zoom meeting with voters in the district, they spontaneously erupted into applause and cheers.

Greenwich resident Kathleen Stowe, who was the Democratic candidate for the seat in 2020, said she will not run again for the 149th District, which is considered a Republican-learning seat.

Stowe was elected chair of Greenwichs Board of Education last November and confirmed Monday she will not be running for state representative.

I am very focused on the Board of Education right now, Stowe said. We have a lot of important matters going on and I want to focus on those.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
FAIRFIELD  The police department has launched a partnership that officials say will make it easier for people to get access to mental health, substance abuse and quality of life services.

Police Capt. Edward Weihe said the Fairfield Police Department created the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network as an important component of its Crisis Intervention Program.

In 2011, we built our Crisis Intervention Team, which trains our patrol officers to recognize, respond to, and appropriately resolve mental health issues as they are occurring in the field, he said. However, there are gaps among the initial police encounters, transport to hospitals for evaluations and the affected individuals ultimate return to the population. This is one area where the FPBHN is key.

Weihe said the collaboration, which had its first meeting in March, is a network of local mental health agencies. Representatives from all of the organizations and departments gather quarterly to increase access and timeliness of access to a variety of mental health, substance use and quality of life services.

The new network includes the Fairfield Police Department, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, The Child and Family Guidance Center, the Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, Operation Hope and Fairfield Senior and Social Services.

He said the network is crucial to uncovering the reasons behind repeated police responses for a specific individual, and finding a wraparound approach to limit future occurrences.

By collaborating with this caliber of partners, we create opportunities for mutual learning, pooled resources, open communication, increased accessibility, etc, he said. With this team-based approach we aim to achieve a more thorough process and a more complete resolution to our mental health and substance use cases.

Weihe said there are other collateral positive effects to the network, including reducing the frequency and intensity of behavior that requires a police response. Theres also a positive shift from focusing on the punitive to the proactive for mental health-related calls for service, as well as less chance of injuries for officers or civilians.

The target population would be any person and, or their families or caretakers, whose quality of life is significantly impacted by mental health or substance use issues, he said.

There are numerous conditions that can lead to behaviors that get reported to the police, Weihe said.

Whether a person presents as a danger to themselves or others, or just has insurmountable behavioral roadblocks to a decent quality of life, these issues eventually get noticed and reported to police, he said. We have seen a sharp rise in all types of mental health related calls for service, which could be attributed to any number of life situations, ranging from the pandemic, to the economy, to sociopolitical issues.

Weihe said the creation of the network is a current best practice. He said comprehensive, wraparound approaches have been far more effective in these scenarios than the old police models of respond, resolve, move on to the next call.

There will be many forms of shared training experiences, both formal and informal. He said the department has recently trained six new CIT officers, and there are new employees in some of the agencies participating in the program.

We will start to pair our new CITs with the new employees from these agencies for occasional police ride-alongs, Weihe said.

The department, along with the southwest region of DMHAS, have also been accepted into a federal program that will allow for more training.

But the knowledge and training gleaned from the network and CIT will not just be for officers participating in them, Weihe said.

There are several ways in which the officers involved pass along new knowledge and information. When a CIT officer volunteers to assist on a mental health-related call for service, he said, it exposes other officers to the approaches used, resources accessed and subsequent documentation.

Often times, key information about particular homes or individuals gets recorded in our dispatch system for future reference, Weihe said. This way, any officers responding and engaging with the same individual in the future will have access to important information such as triggers, calming influences, officer safety issues, etc.

The network will also let officials in the network dissect their more difficult cases. He said they can problem solve issues for a better response in the future using a multi-discipline approach, adding what is learned from those sessions can be passed along to the department through a variety of ways.

Weihe said the department has always tried to maintain a progressive approach to all important trending issues, including its response to mental health and substance use. He said the inception of its CIT program in 2011 was the first step, but mental health issues are always evolving, and so the departments approach must be too in order to meet the growing and changing needs of the community.

The creation of the FPBHN is another step we have taken to stay progressive in our approach, and we look forward to engaging with our new partners in this very important endeavor, he said.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
Porter Crumpton designs fantasy train maps.

His personal interest in public transportation started very young  around the age of six  but hes only recently started to imagine rail lines that he feels should exist and actually build maps for them.

I've been making maps for potential ideas for about a year and some change now, he said by email. Some of my recent work includes subway systems for Las Vegas and Milwaukee, a light rail system for Columbus, Ohio, and a regional rail system for southeast Wisconsin.

Crumpton works for an urban transportation planning NGO in real life, and designs his maps with attention to detail. They look real and official.

Originally from Washington but currently living in Philadelphia post college, Crumpton recently designed a fantasy rail line that begins in Connecticut and heads north, stopping at points local.

There is local train service heading south from New London, all the way through to Wilmington, Del. but theres not much in the way of train lines heading north. Crumpton saw that as a problem, and solved it.

Right now, theres a gap in local train service between New London and Wickford Junction, he said. I wanted to create a service to bridge the gap, to give more communities access to areas further away from them. The idea was originally just New London to Providence, but then got expanded upon with a stop at Pawtucket, extension to Woonsocket and then to Worcester, then the connecting buses.

Yes, Amtrak is an option if you want to head north on a train, but there are issues with Amtrak.

Amtrak has a cost barrier, so this would be a cheaper, more frequent system, connecting close by communities and several mid-major and major cities that are otherwise inaccessible without a car, he said.

Starting at New London, the train would head to Poquonock Bridge, Noank-Groton, Mystic, Lords Point and Stonington, before crossing into Rhode Island. The imagined train would stop at several locations along the way toward Providence, including T.F. Green Airport, and then head north into Massachusetts after Woonsocket, finishing its run up in Worcester, with many local stops in between.

From there, a traveler could catch Amtrak to Chicago or Boston, or take the MBTA to Boston for local service.

Crumpton is aware that this line, and the others he designed, are not likely ever to become reality. He said physical implementation is not something he strives for, but it is nice to dream.

For that reason, his designs incorporate tracks that already exist. The tracks are there, which would mean an easier project, should his vision ever come to fruition. All thats needed is the trains themselves, plus a few odds and ends like stations: The infrastructure is all there as far as tracks go, all that would be needed is wires, trains and stations.

The line I created would use tracks that currently exist in real life, and a few of the stations as well, he said. In this instance, a big benefit is that unlike some of my other tracks, a majority of the line is already used for passenger service: The section from New London to Providence is served by Amtrak and additional service from Wickford Junction to Providence is provided by MBTA.

His reasoning for using existing infrastructure is logical. The alternative, he said, would be to design a line that needs new tracks, which, if this were to ever be real, could run into a whole bunch of eminent domain issues and other legal hurdles.

I just do my best to see what infrastructure is already there and what existing service is there, he said. It's easier for me to do projects where new right-of-way doesn't have to be created, since if any of my ideas ever became reality, that's one less obstacle.

See more of Crumptons work at transit2050.wordpress.com. Hes also on Twitter at @PYZC773.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Masks are now optional for domestic U.S. passengers and crew members aboard most major American air carriers, as well for those working or traveling through terminals and concourses at major airports in Texas and other states.

The revelation came in the form of a Monday night statement from President Joe Biden's administration, which said prevailing Centers For Disease Control and Prevention guidance would not be upheld by Transportation Security Administration personnel following a Monday injunction by a Florida federal judge. On Monday morning Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle issued a 59-page decision characterizing existing mask bans as federal overreach and voided the policy. According to CNN's Tierney Sneed, a federal official responded Monday night by saying the injunction will stand as the Biden administration and CDC considers its options.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues his takeover attempt of social media giant Twitter by arguing that if the board salary were made $0, it would save the company $3 million every year.

The billionaire's remarks come as a reply to a tweet by Gary Black that pointed out the average annual salary of Twitter board members ranging from $250,000 to $300,000 for what he called a "nice part-time job." If Musk does get ownership of the social media company and makes it private, it would remove the board members' jobs.

Board salary will be $0 if my bid succeeds, so thats ~$3M/year saved right there  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 18, 2022

Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover

The situation comes as Musk bought the largest single share of Twitter and drew ire from other shareholders, specifically the Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. The social media giant currently spends roughly $2.9 million in cash and stock awards to pay board members, as revealed by an SEC filing.

Musk also turned down an offer to become one of the board members of Twitter because it came with the stipulation that he would have to cap out his shareholding at 14.9%. The Tesla CEO offered to buy the entirety of the company for $43 billion instead and make it private, as per the Western Journal.

In response, Twitter's board members took a so-called "poison pill" that was designed to prevent the SpaceX CEO from completing his takeover of the company. The plan, known as a "limited duration shareholder rights plan," will allow current shareholders of the company to buy a stock at a discounted price if Musk completes his purchase of the platform.

Read Also: Will Smith Net Worth: How Did the 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' Make His Fortune?

The Tesla CEO did not take the plan of the board members well and responded on Monday by arguing that the interests of the board members did not align with the company's shareholders. He argued that there was a lack of insider ownership, saying he would be able to fix the issue if he acquired Twitter.

According to Yahoo Finance, in several recent tweets, Musk criticized the board's low level of ownership as his referendum on the company continues. "Objectively, their economic interests are simply not aligned with shareholders," he said Saturday.

The Company's Board

Furthermore, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has also expressed criticism of his former company's current board. Dorsey replied to another Twitter user who described the alleged situation of "plots and coups" by saying it has been the consistent dysfunction of the social media giant.

Dorsey earlier responded to another tweet in the same threat that quoted venture capitalist Fred Destin citing what he called a "Silicon Valley proverb." The former Twitter CEO said that good boards were not the reason for good companies but argued that a bad board would kill a company in the long term.

Despite Dorsey still being a member of Twitter's current board, he plans to leave and part ways with the company once his term expires at the 2022 meeting of shareholders scheduled for late May.

The current board said that despite the poison pill, it would not turn away from a deal that would be in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. However, they said that it would "reduce the likelihood that any entity, person, or group gains control of Twitter through open market accumulation without paying all shareholders an appropriate control premium or without providing the Board sufficient time to make informed judgments and take actions that are in the best interests of shareholders," CNBC reported.

Related Article: Elon Musk's Offer To Buy Twitter Gets Brutally Rejected, Tesla CEO Fires Back at Saudi Prince

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Two San Francisco police officers and a retired officer working part-time at the department have been charged in two separate cases with destroying evidence, stealing a machine gun and other charges, authorities announced Tuesday.

Officers Kevin Patrick Lyons and Kevin Sien were called to the Marriott Marquis Hotel on July 3, 2021, after employees found multiple credit cards, identification cards and suspected drugs in the luggage of a guest who had been locked out of his room for lack of payment.

But instead of collecting the items as evidence, Lyons and Sien shredded the credit cards and IDs and Lyons flushed the alleged drugs down a hotel toilet, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

They allegedly told hotel staff that cataloging the evidence would take too long, the office said.

Both officers, who turned themselves in to authorities Tuesday, have been charged with destroying evidence. Their attorneys didnt immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

San Francisco residents trust the police to conduct the investigative work so my office can bring cases that keep the city safe, District Attorney Chesa Boudin said. These officers undermined their own colleagues, my office, and our criminal justice system as a whole by destroying and concealing the evidence of a crime, simply because they didnt want to take the time to do their jobs.

The union representing both officers said the facts of the case will show the charges were not warranted.

We encourage everyone to remember that these individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt, Tracy McCray, acting president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association said in a statement.

In a separate case, retired San Francisco Police Officer Mark Williams was charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun, possession of a silencer, and embezzlement after he allegedly removed a submachine gun from the department's evidence room, where he was working part-time, the DA's office said.

In August, police department staffers were doing an inventory of the property control division when they found a firearm was missing. The department launched an investigation, found Williams was in possession of the missing weapon and officials immediately terminated him from his part-time job, the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.

Last week, a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. Williams, too, turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday, officials said.

His attorney, Anthony Brass, said Williams retired from the department in 2017 and admits taking the gun but that the gun was missing some parts and didn't work and he never tried to make it operational.

He simply took the weapon home for his own curiosity and he very much realizes that decision was a poor one and is appropriately remorseful for having created this situation, Brass said.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said the officers' actions violate the law and "fall far short of our departments shared values.

As sworn police officers, we have no higher obligation than to earn and maintain public trust, and we are disappointed that these incidents detract from the outstanding work done by our officers and non-sworn members every day," Scott said.
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The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

In a statement released a day after a Florida judge ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said officials believe that the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. He said it was an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.

Coley said the CDC had said it would continue to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determined a mandate was necessary for public health, the Justice Department would file an appeal.

As of Tuesday, the agency hadnt made a determination, officials said.

The federal judge's ruling did away with the last major vestige of federal pandemic rules and led to a mishmash of new locally created rules that reflected the nations ongoing divisions over how to battle the virus.

Major airlines and airports in places like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City quickly switched to a mask-optional policy. Los Angeles County dropped its mandate for mass transit and a train conductor in New Jersey told commuters of their masks Tuesday: Feel free to burn them at will."

New York City, Chicago and Connecticut, however, continued to require masks for travelers.

The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving.

Even Walt Disney World in Florida on Tuesday announced it was lifting its mask requirement for its monorail, buses and sky gondola.

For many, the news was welcome. A video showed some passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight cheering and applauding as they removed masks upon hearing the announcement they were now optional. One man happily twirled his mask on his finger.

However Brooke Tansley, a television producer and former Broadway performer, was incensed after boarding a flight with her 4-year-old and 8-month-old baby neither old enough to be vaccinated  only to learn the mask mandate had ended mid-flight.

Very very angry about this, she said in a tweet, noting her baby was too young to wear a mask.

President Joe Biden went all-in on flexibility Tuesday when asked if Americans should mask up on planes.

Thats up to them, Biden declared during a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the White House continues to require face coverings for those traveling with him on Air Force One, citing CDC guidance.

In Portland, Oregon, transit employees immediately began taking down mask required announcements and signs, but said it would likely take several days to remove everything.

The city joined Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and two of Alaska's largest cities, Anchorage and Juneau, in making masking optional on mass transit.

Some passengers at Chicagos Union Station said the rules were confusing. Amtrak dropped its requirement. The Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, the regional commuter rail service, kept the requirement at first but dropped it late Tuesday.

Its like this patchwork of different rules and enforcement of it, said Erik Abderhalden, who wore a mask as he waited for a Metra train to his home in suburban Naperville. I mean, its like Swiss cheese ... theres no uniformity and it seems pretty laissez-faire.

Subway rider Cooper Klinges was pleased that New York Citys public transit system wasnt following the trend and planned to keep its mask requirement in place. As he waited at a Brooklyn train station, he said he canceled a flight earlier this year over concerns about the virus.

I dont think we are out of the woods yet, said Klinges, a teacher, citing concerns about the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. It is still around. We have to still stick it out.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of U.S. cases. But the court ruling puts that decision on hold.

After a winter surge fueled by the omicron variant that prompted record hospitalizations, the U.S. has seen a significant drop in virus spread in recent months that led most states and cities to drop mask mandates.

But several Northeast cities have seen a rise in hospitalizations in recent weeks, leading Philadelphia to bring back its mask mandate.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas, and Crawford from Chicago. Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.
HAVANA (AP)  Two days before the opening of migration talks between Cuba and the United States, which have been paralyzed for four years, a high-ranking Cuban official lamented Washington's incoherent and differentiated migration policies, and exhorted Washington to comply with current agreements.

The migration meeting will take place amid a dramatic increase in arrivals of Cubans at the southern border of the United States.

We are noticing, and now much more these days, that there is a differentiated and incoherent approach by the United States toward the migratory issue, Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal told a small group of journalists on Tuesday.

The U.S. is financially helping "many countries in the region in order to reactivate their economies, to help them create jobs, including supporting health and education projects, said Vidal. Washington's policy is exactly the opposite with Cuba, where it is applying maximum pressure to the economic order and through coercive measures.

Cuba's Foreign Ministry said on Twitter that the meeting will be held in Washington Thursday and its delegation will be headed by deputy minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio.

The last of these meetings  which according to agreements between both countries must be held twice a year  took place in July 2018, under the administration of then President Donald Trump.

Trump ended the policy of rapprochement between both nations that his predecessor, Barack Obama, had begun.

Trump increased sanctions against the Caribbean island, from the cancellation of permits to send remittances or cruise ships, to penalties for companies from third countries that operate in Cuba, to limitation of flights and punishment of oil tankers bound for Cuba.

These measures and the pandemic contributed to an economic crisis in Cuba, with shortages of basic products, power outages and the respective queues and rationing.

Trump withdrew embassy staff in 2017. Thousands of people were left with incomplete family reunification processes or were prevented from traveling unless they carried out visa procedures through Guyana. U.S. President Joe Biden did not relax the tough measures, despite his campaign promises.

We do not see any justification for not giving all visas to Cuban emigrants in Havana and forcing the majority of Cubans to travel (to Guyana), with the costs that this implies, added Vidal, who was the head of negotiations for the historic rapprochement with the U.S. in 2014. The talks concluded with the reopening of diplomatic offices and Obamas trip to the island.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in the last six months Cubans were stopped 79,800 times at the southern U.S. border, a little more than double that number seen in the entire 2021 fiscal year and five times more than in 2020.

On Tuesday, Vidal presented a gloomy picture. Cuban authorities have said that in the last five years Washington has failed to comply with the part of a bilateral agreement that establishes the delivery of 20,000 visas per year.

Sea crossings have also increased, either in rustic boats or at the hands of traffickers. From October to date, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted 1,257 Cubans, compared with 838 in 2021.

As the figures stand, the number of departures is higher than during the so-called rafter crisis of 1994 when some 30,000 people arrived through the Straits of Florida and half of those who did so in the Mariel exodus in 1980, when some 124,000 Cubans left.

Vidal said there is a historical regularity with how these dramatic migratory peaks occur when the U.S. fails to comply with agreements, increases sanctions or puts obstacles to a more or less normal processing of visas.

Furthermore, the United States is exerting pressure on countries in the region to establish specific requirements for Cubans in transit, which creates additional obstacles, she said.

Vidal refused to reveal the agenda Cuba will bring to the talks, but indicated that this issue will be among those mentioned.

In recent months, Panama and Costa Rica announced that they would require transit visas from Cubans, a different position of Nicaragua -- an ally of Cuba -- which lifted this requirement and since November became the new point of departure of Cubans heading to the United States.

Cuba has held migratory talks with countries such as Canada, Belize, and less than a month ago with Mexico, which is seeing more Cubans at its borders.
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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  Cyprus will install an electronic surveillance system along the buffer zone that divides the island nation along ethnic lines, to stem a surge in illegal immigration through the breakaway north, the government said Tuesday.

Government spokesman Marios Pelekanos announced the plan following a meeting of police and defense officials, chaired by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, on dealing with migrant arrivals.

According to European Union statistics, the number of migrants crossing from the Turkish-Cypriot north to the internationally-recognized, Greek-Cypriot south through the buffer zone in January-April rose 184% over the same period last year.

Pelekanos said Cyprus expects the EU  of which the eastern Mediterranean island is a member  to follow through on a promise for financial and material help to cope with the arrivals. Cyprus and the EU signed a deal on the matter last month.

He didn't provide details on the surveillance system planned for later this year along the 180-kilometer (120-mile) buffer zone, which is patrolled by the United Nations. The majority of asylum-seekers travel to the breakaway north and then clandestinely cross to the south. Most come from Syria, India, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pelekanos said Cyprus is duty-bound to find solutions in coordination with the EU, even as the island has received thousands of Ukrainians fleeing invading Russian forces in their homeland. The EU has granted automatic temporary protection to refugees from Ukraine, who arrive through legal corridors.

He said a unit of trained personnel will also be set up to monitor the buffer zone, while police will step up patrols in areas where migrant concentrations are highest amid concerns of an observed increase in crime.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and only the south enjoys full EU membership benefits.

The government accuses Turkey and Turkish Cypriot authorities of instrumentalizing migrants for political gain, and of pushing them to seek asylum in the south.

Government officials say 5% of Cyprus current population are asylum-seekers  five times the EU average  while the country has the highest number of asylum applications per capita in the 27 country bloc.
As governments and social media companies have moved to suppress Russia's state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin's diplomats are stepping up to do the dirty work.

Russian embassies and consulates around the world are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine.

Tech companies have responded by adding more labels to Russia's diplomatic accounts and by removing the accounts from its recommendations and search results. But the accounts are still active and are disseminating disinformation and propaganda in nearly every nation, in part because their diplomatic status gives them an added layer of protection from moderation.

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russias diplomatic corps acts as a global network for propaganda, in which the same claims can be recycled and tweaked for different audiences in different nations. And, so far, steps to substantially curtail that effort have fallen short.

Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week," said Marcel Schliebs, a disinformation researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute at Oxford University. He has tracked more than 300 social media accounts linked to Russian embassies, consulates and diplomatic groups.

Some Russian embassies, like ones in the U.K. and Mexico, for example, are especially active, churning out pro-Russian propaganda and spreading falsehoods intended to support the invasion.

The Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian rail station that killed 50? Ukrainians were behind it, the Russian Embassy in the U.K. tweeted. Talk of Russian war crimes? It's a plot by Britain to make Russia look bad, the embassy claimed. Those Ukrainian soldiers fighting for their country? Theyre actually Nazis operating under U.S. orders, the embassy alleged.

The Russian Embassy in London tweeted out those and other conspiracy theories all on one day last week. Each post received hundreds or thousands of retweets, comments and likes, including dozens from other Twitter users pushing back on the propaganda.

They must know better, but thats what its like living in and working for a totalitarian regime, said Nicholas Cull, a University of Southern California professor who studies the intersection of diplomacy and propaganda. A totalitarian regime requires a media bubble. It requires censorship at home, and it requires your own messaging, both for a domestic and foreign audience. Thats what this is.

As representatives of their countries empowered to speak on their behalf, diplomats have always been known for pushing their nation's talking points. Russian diplomats in particular have long been known for spreading the Kremlin's disinformation. Russian diplomats used social media to spread disinformation about the invasion of Crimea in 2014 and about the poisoning of Russian dissidents.

Their status as representatives of a foreign government has often given them the freedom to speak.

Sometimes they even try to rewrite history, as they did in 2019, when Russian diplomatic accounts used the hashtag #TruthaboutWWII to distort the Soviet Union's initial non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany. That disinformation campaign was revealed by researchers at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, which determined that Russian diplomats play a pivotal role, along with state media and social media bots, in the country's sophisticated disinformation apparatus.

The Kremlin tends to employ a full spectrum model of propaganda," the Atlantic Council researchers concluded.

Since the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine, tech companies and even governments have taken other actions to stop the flow of disinformation coming from Russias state-controlled media. The European Union banned outlets like RT and Sputnik. Meta barred those outlets from platforms it owns, including Facebook and Instagram. Tech companies also cut off the outlets from ad revenue and expanded efforts to label their accounts.

A message seeking comment from the Russian Embassy in the U.S. was not immediately returned.

A noticeable increase in pro-Russian propaganda regarding Ukraine began in the weeks and months before the invasion even began in February.

The accounts were tweeting about 2,000 times per week immediately after the invasion, resulting in more than 1 million likes, retweets and comments, according to Schliebs' research.

That engagement fell after Twitter announced earlier this month that it would no longer promote more than 300 Russian accounts or include them in search results, a technical move known as demotion, designed to limit the accounts reach. Yet despite Twitters action, the accounts Schliebs monitored are still earning about half a million likes, retweets and comments per week.

Twitter and Facebook have added Russian government organization" labels to many of these accounts to ensure users know the source of the information. But Schliebs found many accounts still have no labels: Of the 300 or so accounts he's looked at, only about a third have a label.

A Twitter spokeswoman said the company has already labeled 260,000 Tweets from Russian accounts since Feb. 28 and is continuing to add labels to accounts on a rolling basis.

Schliebs compared the response by tech companies to Russia's invasion with their actions following the 2020 U.S. election, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the COVID-19 pandemic. Then-President Donald Trump was kicked off Twitter for inciting violence ahead of the Jan. 6 riot. But the Russian diplomats  they have spread wild conspiracy theories and blamed Ukrainians for Russian atrocities  stay on.

By no means am I defending him (Trump), but I fail to see the consistency in that policy, he said.

Meta has implemented similar changes designed to label Russian diplomatic accounts and reduce their reach on its platforms.

Last month, the company also removed a post spread by Russian diplomats that suggested its deadly air strike on a children's hospital in Mariupol was a hoax.

Schliebs said there is a danger in platforms like Facebook and Twitter coming down too hard on the diplomatic accounts. For one, it could worsen Russia's antagonism toward U.S.-based tech companies. (Facebook, for instance, has been labeled an extremist organization.) But it could also force Russia and its supporters onto less transparent platforms like Telegram, where researchers and regulators can't see what they're saying.

It's a shift that Russia's diplomats are preparing for, as the Russian Embassy in the U.K. tweeted last week.

Meet our DiploFamily on @telegram, it wrote.
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Once the envy of Central America for anticorruption efforts that took down a sitting president, Guatemalas attorney generals office in recent years has been accused of blocking corruption investigations, protecting powerful interests and even persecuting those who pursue the corrupt.

Consuelo Porras, who has led the office for the past four years, dismisses the accusations and dodges questions with legal jargon and recitations of the law. President Alejandro Giammattei defends her before Guatemalans, international organizations and the U.S. government, which suspended cooperation with her office last year and yanked her visa.

In the coming days, Giammattei must choose Guatemala's next attorney general, a closely watched decision that observers say gives him an opportunity to reanimate the country's stalled fight against corruption. But Porras, 68, is seeking a second term, one of 15 candidates for the post.

Her path to a second term is not completely clear despite her friendship with Giammattei. Among the other candidates is Guatemalas solicitor general Luis Donado, who is also close to Giammattei.

Porras' appointment in 2018 by then-President Jimmy Morales proved to be an inflection point in her countrys battle against corruption.

She had large shoes to fill. She followed Thelma Aldana, who had pressed a number of high-profile corruption investigations including ones against Morales while he was president and some of his relatives and associates.

Aldana had already made a name for herself by jailing former President Otto Perez Molina, his vice president and Cabinet members, after perhaps the most high-profile of dozens of probes. Aldana received asylum in the United States in 2020.

Aldanas success against Guatemalas systemic corruption had come in conjunction with the United Nations-backed anticorruption mission, known by its Spanish initials CICIG. Over 12 years, the mission supported the Special Prosecutors Office Against Impunity in dismantling dozens of criminal networks while at the same time building their capacity to handle complex corruption cases.

In August 2019, a bit more than a year after Porras appointment, Morales ended the CICIGs mission while he was under investigation. Porras, at least publicly, did not push back in defense of the mission.

Porras, who came to the office with a background in constitutional law and as an appellate judge, initially spoke glowingly of the accomplishments of her offices anticorruption work, but the people leading those efforts saw little interest on her part.

When she took office, Porras delayed meeting with Ivan Velasquez, a Colombian lawyer and the CICIGs last chief. She did anything to avoid a conversation, he said. That was already a very bad sign."

Her lack of experience in prosecuting corruption cases and apparent disinterest made her seem an odd fit, Velasquez said.

Not only for her personality, but rather for her inability, including to directly confront someone, he said. I believe that with Morales it was total submission.

As investigations began to near Giammattei and his associates, Porras moved from disinterest to obstruction. Prosecutors and others who had worked closely with the CICIG became targets themselves.

During her term, nearly 20 prosecutors, judges and magistrates have gone into exile, fearful they will be prosecuted in retaliation for their work on corruption cases.

Asked by a reporter this month if she is protecting the president from investigation, Porras said, we are all subjected to the knowledge of the law; I cant protect anyone.

Last year, she fired Juan Francisco Sandoval, who led the Special Prosecutors Office Against Impunity and who had been applauded for his work.

Sandoval fled Guatemala under cover of darkness to neighboring El Salvador just hours after his removal. Porras had vaguely accused him of abuses without giving details.

Sandoval said he was fired because of his investigations into top officials in Giammatteis administration.

The U.S. government protested publicly, labelled Porras an undemocratic actor undermining efforts against corruption and pulled her visa. A State Department official said at the time that Sandovals removal contributes to the perception that there is a systematic effort in Guatemala to weaken those who fight against corruption.

Giammattei defended Porras, saying the U.S. reaction showed a lack of respect."

Sandoval said she wanted him out of his office. When he used to meet with Porras in her office, she would take his cellphone to ensure that he didnt record whatever she asked him, he said.

Velasquez, the former CICIG chief, said, She distrusted prosecutor Sandoval, but even more she was jealous of (his offices) work because it stood out.

The U.S. has repeatedly made Giammatteis selection of her replacement an issue.

Mario Bucaro, Guatemalas foreign affairs minister, declined to speak about specific U.S. petitions, but confirmed that the issue of the new top prosecutor has come up in meetings with U.S. officials.

In February, during a meeting with evangelical pastors, Giammattei alluded to pressure coming from abroad ahead of his pick. While Im president this countrys sovereignty will be respected, Giammattei said.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement last week that Porras had undermined investigations into corruption and human rights abuses, and brought arbitrary criminal proceedings against journalists, judges, and prosecutors.

Consuelo Porras tenure as an attorney general has been a disgrace for the rule of law in Guatemala, said Tamara Taraciuk Broner, the organizations acting Americas director. Her successor could play a pivotal role in defending democratic institutions  or deliver the final blow that spells their demise.

Poor farmers, lawyers, Indigenous activists, pastors, human rights defenders and university students have marched demanding Porras' departure.

Last year, while Porras was teaching a virtual class in the economics department of a public university, a student questioned her offices performance. Then more students chime in and by the end there are shouts of corrupt! A video of it went viral and Porras stopped teaching.

A fervent Roman Catholic, Porras has a tiny crucifix dangling from a rosary around her wrist.

People who have worked with her say she is a technophobe. She had staff print out memes about her so she could see what was being said. Public criticism of her work bothers her immensely, especially when it comes from the Catholic Church, which has criticized her offices pursuit of prosecutors and judges involved in anticorruption efforts.

Porras touts the more than 60 accused drug traffickers extradited to the United States under her watch. She also cites the nearly 2 million cases resolved during her term, though most were simply closed.

Porras is very proud of her doctorate in law, so she was compelled to respond when academic Marco Fonseca said his analysis of her doctoral thesis showed that she had plagiarized part of it. Fonseca looked into it when he heard that she had completed her doctorate in only one year.

She had literally copied entire chapters from the thesis of Ramiro Choc, including part of the title, Fonseca said. Choc is deceased.

Porras has not denied plagiarizing Chocs work but has said the university reviewed her thesis and determined it "met all of the requirements.

While Porras interviewed with the committee that will give Giammattei a list of six recommended candidates to be Guatemalas next top prosecutor, the plagiarism issue resurfaced.

Porras sent a letter to the committee warning them that if they took up the accusation against her they would be stepping into an issue that corresponds to the university and if they do so they could face administrative and penal sanctions.

On Tuesday, the committee concluded its evaluations with Porras receiving the highest score of any of the 15 finalists.
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Heavy winds kicked up a towering wall of flames outside a northern Arizona tourist town Tuesday, ripping through two-dozen structures and sending residents of more than 700 homes scrambling to flee.

Flames as high as 100 feet (30 meters) raced through an area of scattered homes, dry grass and Ponderosa pine trees on the outskirts of Flagstaff as wind gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) pushed the blaze over a major highway.

Coconino County officials said during an evening news conference that 766 homes and 1,000 animals had been evacuated. About 250 structures remained threatened in the area popular with hikers and off-road vehicle users and where astronauts have trained amid volcanic cinder pits.

The county declared an emergency after the wildfire ballooned from 100 acres (40 hectares) Tuesday morning to over 9 square miles (23 square kilometers) by evening, and ash rained from the sky. The fire was moving northeast away from the more heavily populated areas of Flagstaff, home to Northern Arizona University, and toward Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, said Coconino National Forest spokesman Brady Smith.

Its good in that its not headed toward a very populated area, and its headed toward less fuel, Smith said. But depending on the intensity of the fire, fire can still move across cinders.

Authorities wont be able to determine whether anyone was injured in the wildfire until the flames subside. Firefighters and law enforcement officers went door to door telling people to evacuate but had to pull out to avoid getting boxed in, said Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll.

He said his office got a call about a man who was trapped inside his house, but firefighters couldnt get to him.

We dont know if he made it out or not, Driscoll said.

Various organizations worked to set up shelters for evacuees and animals, including goats and horses.

The scene was all too familiar for residents who recalled rushing to pack their bags and flee a dozen years ago when a much larger wildfire burned in the same area.

This time was different, right there in your backyard, said Kathy Vollmer, a resident.

She said she and her husband grabbed their three dogs but left a couple of cats behind as they faced what she described as a wall of fire.

We just hope they are going to be OK," she said.

Earlier in the day, the wildfire shut down U.S. 89, the main route between Flagstaff and far northern Arizona, and communities on the Navajo Nation. The high winds grounded aircraft that could drop water and fire retardant on the blaze.

Arizona Public Service Co., the state's largest utility, shut off power to about 625 customers to keep firefighters safe, a spokeswoman said.

About 200 firefighters were battling the flames, but more are expected as a top-level national management team takes over later this week.

The fire started Sunday afternoon 14 miles (22 kilometers) northeast of Flagstaff. Investigators dont know yet what caused it and have yet to corral any part of the blaze.

Ali Taranto rushed to Flagstaff from Winslow, where she works at a hospital, on Tuesday to check on a property she owns that was threatened by the wildfire. She also was getting messages to check on a neighbor who she found didnt have access to oxygen while the power was out and didnt have the strength to manually open her garage door to evacuate.

Taranto said the neighbor was disoriented and gasping for air when she reached her. Firefighters in the area helped get the garage door open and the neighbor to the hospital, she said. Taranto was looking for a shelter for the neighbors two dogs.

By the time Taranto left the area, the highway into Flagstaff was shut down and she had to drive an extra two hours back home. At least two other neighbors didnt evacuate, she said.

To see flames several yards away from your property line and to hear the propane tanks bursting in the background, it was very surreal, Taranto said. Ash falling down. It was crazy.

The wind is expected to be a challenge the rest of the week, along with warmer-than-average weather and low humidity, the National Weather Service said.

I dont see any significant decreases in wind, I dont see any big bump ups in humidity and, at this point, were not really expecting any precipitation either, said meteorologist Robert Rickey.

Red flag warnings blanketed much of Arizona and New Mexico on Tuesday, indicating conditions are ripe for wildfires. Residents in northern New Mexicos Mora and San Miguel counties were warned to be ready to evacuate as wildfires burned there amid dry, warm and windy conditions.

The National Interagency Fire Center reported Tuesday that nearly 2,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel were assigned to more than a dozen large wildfires in the Southwestern, Southern and Rocky Mountain areas. Scientists say climate change has made the U.S. West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Elsewhere in Arizona, firefighters battled a wildfire in a sparsely populated area of the Prescott National Forest about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Prescott.

Cory Carlson, the incident commander with the Prescott National Forest, said late Tuesday afternoon the high winds have been the biggest challenge, sending embers into the air that sparked new spot fires near State Route 261, along with the demand for crews at other fires.

We do have a lack of resources," he said. Theres a lot of fires in the region.

Some areas were evacuated, and a shelter was set up at Yavapai College. Carlson appealed to residents to abide by evacuation orders.

The cause of the 600-acre (2.4 square-kilometer) wildfire was under investigation.

In southern Arizona, a principal highway route between Bisbee and Sierra Vista reopened Tuesday after being closed for about eight hours due to a brush fire in the hills overlooking Bisbee.

___

Associated Press writer Paul Davenport in Phoenix, Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Dana Al-Hindi, University of California, Davis and Brenna Henn, University of California, Davis

(THE CONVERSATION) Scientists believe Africa is where modern humans first emerged. For the past decade, our team of geneticresearchers from the Henn Lab have worked among the Khoe-San and self-identified Coloured communities in South Africa, which comprise multiple ethnic groups in the region, requesting DNA and generating genetic data to help unravel the history and prehistory of southern Africans and their relationship to populations around the world.

While we have learned a great deal from these communities, we have been unable to fulfill a common request: providing them their individual genetic ancestry results. In our attempts to overcome the logistical challenges of providing this information, weve grappled with the common question of how to ensure an equitable balance of benefits between researchers and the community they study. What weve found is that there is no easy answer.

The history of the Khoe-San

Community member requests to see their genetic results came as no surprise. Many South African groups were stripped of their identities and collapsed into one overarching racial category known as Coloured during the early 1900s. Early European colonizers initially used this term to refer to indigenous Khoekhoe and San groups long before it was codified by the apartheid government in 1948. It persists today as an ethnic category, broadly encompassing Khoe-San groups, various East African, Indian and Southeast Asian populations brought by the slave trade, and people of mixed ancestry.

We and other research groups have shown that some Coloured communities are largely descendants of the Khoe and San peoples. Other ancestries present in Coloured communities are from Bantu-speaking populations that migrated into the region from western Africa around 1,500 years ago and from Europe a little under 400 years ago. Asian ancestry is also present as a result of the aforementioned slave trade.

The Khoe and San are considered the most genetically diverse human populations currently known, meaning they have a large amount of genetic differences within and between each community. Though they are distinct groups, they share genetic similarities with each other. As a result, geneticists collectively refer to them as Khoe-San, using a hyphen to acknowledge their cultural distinction.

Today, few people identify as Khoe or San in South Africa. Rather, many people call themselves Coloured, though they are deeply aware of the terms racist legacy.

Logistical challenges and potential risks

In our 12 years of fieldwork, we have returned to South Africa on a nearly annual basis to update community-level genetic results. At each visit, most of our participants ask about their personal genetic ancestry results.

But there are several hurdles we face in trying to fulfill their requests. For one, we need to be able to translate scientifically complex data into an accessible and digestible form, a skill that researchers are not always equipped with. Additionally, we must work within restrictions set by the local government, which is mediated by the Health Research Ethics Committee at our collaborators academic institution, as well as restrictions set by the South African San Council.

There are also potential risks to the participant. Group-level results provide a protective blanket from potential legal or social issues that can arise from individual ancestry results. For example, a participant may learn that their biological father is not who they believed they were, which could sow conflict in the family and unease for the participant. More generally, the participant faces the social risk of being included or excluded from different communities depending on the outcome of the results.

We discussed these potential problems with past participants and found that most community members care little about the risks. Our participants have consistently viewed the option to receive their personal ancestry results as a benefit of taking part in research. They simply want to know who their forefathers were.

Helicopter research and exploitation

To fulfill these requests, weve partnered with 23andMe Inc., a U.S.-based company that provides at-home genetic testing. One of us previously worked for 23andMe on its ancestry team and continues to maintain a relationship with scientists at the company. When 23andMe launched a program in 2018 to improve genetic data on underrepresented communities in biomedical and genetic research, we were excited to see an emphasis on local partnerships and community grants. We submitted a successful application, and 23andMe has provided us with funding to conduct this research.

As academic researchers, we dont always have the right expertise on how to best communicate personal results. Nor do we often have the funds to successfully execute this task. Research grants do not typically provide support for community development, and graduate and postdoctoral researchers lack protected time to do this on top of their other responsibilities. 23andMe, on the other hand, already has the resources and the experience to accessibly communicate personal genomic results to lay people, because thats its commercial product. Thus, collaborations with for-profit organizations is not uncommon. Along with 23andMe, academic researchers have also worked with genetic testing companies 54gene and Variant Bio.

With approval from the research ethics committee of the local university we work with, 23andMe will fund the expenses of our fieldwork and a community grant, in addition to processing our DNA samples in exchange for data access. They plan to use the data to improve African ancestry results for their customers and for their own research projects.

The company made over US$50 million in 2021, and its plans to use the genetic data it has accumulated from its customers to develop pharmaceuticals has not been without controversy in the U.S. The samples collected in our partnership with 23andMe, however, would not be used to develop new drugs. While our research focuses primarily on broadening scientific knowledge, and 23andMe does make an effort to follow an ethical framework for collaborations like these, our developing partnership has heightened our concerns about exploitation and whats known as helicopter research.

Scientists conduct helicopter research when they collect data from developing countries and marginalized communities with little to no involvement from local researchers and community members. Helicopter research also occurs when researchers take data out of the country they collected it from without either providing benefit to or sharing the results with the community.

San communities are no strangers to helicopter research. For example, hoodia is a cactus San communities use to suppress appetite during long hunts or famine. Pharmaceutical companies researched and patented this cultural knowledge in 1995 to develop and sell an anti-obesity pill, initially all without San recognition or involvement. If the San were acknowledged at all, they were referred to as a population that no longer existed. After several legal disputes, the San were promised benefits from any production that came out of the project. Though they received some compensation, it was a fraction of the value they funneled toward the research and nowhere near what was promised.

This has been a recurring issue for the Khoe and San communities, most recently involving the rooibos tea industry. Companies conducted over a century of commercial rooibos farming benefiting from Khoe and San cultural knowledge before finally agreeing to pay 1.5% of what farmers make for unprocessed rooibos to the communities. Because of this, gaining approval from the local universitys ethics committee for our project has been difficult, and understandably so.

To build a more active and transparent relationship with the local community, we are working closely with 23andMe to develop an advisory board of members from local communities. We have held town halls and conducted interviews with locals to ask if theyd still be interested in being a part of this research project if a company became involved. The majority expressed little concern about 23andMes involvement and potentially profiting from their genetic information. But history has shown that for study participants around the globe, informed consent has its limitations. It is still difficult to communicate and gauge whether participants, or the millions of Americans who have paid 23andMe for genetic testing, fully understand the full extent of the risks involved with giving away their genetic data, both to 23andMe and to us academic researchers.

The company has offered to provide small community grants to help meet local needs, and has also expanded our ability to capacity-build  that is, to make sure that the knowledge and skills we gain are shared with local institutions. But the question remains whether there is an equitable balance of benefits. Other companies have already promised long-term benefits by sharing equity and profit with participating communities. Are individual ancestry results and community grants a sufficient and fair exchange against the profits the company will gain from this collaboration?

Where does this leave us?

Academic researchers are faced with navigating the many trade-offs that come with industry collaborations. While 23andMes participation provides a means to return individual results to the community, it also raises questions about sufficiently equitable benefits. Our research team, local collaborators and 23andMe are all concerned about how to best address the risk of helicopter research, coercion and any unknown risks that may arise from disclosing personal ancestry results.

In an ideal world, researchers would be able to return benefits to the community without involving nonacademic external parties. Integrating practices like returning results to communities within research grant requirements is one way to ensure that participants are also benefiting from research. Nonprofit small grants dedicated to returning results and community benefit are another. Until then, researchers will continue to make do with the limited resources they have.

This article was updated to more accurately reflect how 23andMe will use the collected data.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/how-a-south-african-communitys-request-for-its-genetic-data-raises-questions-about-ethical-and-equitable-research-166940.
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TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  During its 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran embraced the protest cry of neither East nor West, rejecting both the U.S. and the Soviet Union, then locked in the Cold War. The phrase to this day hangs over the doors of Irans Foreign Ministry.

Russias war on Ukraine, however, has exposed just how much Tehran has tilted toward Moscow in recent years as the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers stoked decades-old, hard-line anger at America. Members of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard train on Russian surface-to-air missile systems and aircraft. Hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi visited Russian President Vladimir Putin on one of his first trips abroad.

The war also exposes deeper fault lines even within Irans domestic politics. Among ordinary Iranians, there is a great deal of sympathy for Ukraine, a nation that staged a pro-democracy Orange Revolution similar to the Green Revolution that shook Iran more than a decade ago but was forcefully put down.

Irans historic enmity with Russia has combined with a wider feeling among some that backing Moscow betrays the Islamic Republics often-stated message that it stands against the worlds major powers.

We have to help oppressed people of Ukraine as we do support people of Palestine and Yemen simply because they are targeted by powers, said Zohreh Ahmadi, a mother of two in downtown Tehrans Sarcheshmeh neighborhood. A bullying power is killing children and women in Ukraine.

Iran's state-controlled television network, whose English-language service Press TV describes itself as the voice of the voiceless," hews close to Russian talking points. It used Moscow's euphemistic term special operation to describe the war's early days. Stories referencing the killings of civilians in Bucha by Russian forces include headlines falsely describing it as a fake attack or provocation on Press TV's website.

Part of the Iranian government's anger at Ukraine likely stems from the aftermath of the Guard's 2020 shooting down of an Ukrainian airliner, which killed 176 people on board. Tehran denied for days it shot down the plane before saying troops made a mistake after Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in Iraq in response for the killing of a top general.

Ukraines criticism of Iran grew more direct as time went on. Thats something Tehrans Friday prayer leader, Kazem Sedighi, mentioned in a March sermon after Russia began its war on Ukraine.

In the case of the airplane, Ukraine misbehaved against us and misused it in support to the U.S., Sedighi said.

He also engaged in the whataboutism common in both Iranian and Russian state media  bringing up a separate topic to charge hypocrisy while deflecting the issue at hand.

Wars claim the lives of innocent people in Yemen and Syria but there is huge propaganda over Ukraine and this is racism, Sedighi said.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, said his nation opposed war and destruction while blaming America for the conflict. He also brought up a longtime suspicion that he shares with Putin  that the U.S., rather than ordinary citizens, fuels what he described as the color coups that back democracy.

For Khamenei, it is memory of the Green Movement protests that followed Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election that directly challenged the theocracy he leads. Iran's security services used violence and mass arrests to put down the demonstrations. But unrest has re-emerged in recent years over economic issues.

For Putin, it is Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution and its later Maidan protest movement that dislodged the Kremlin-leaning politician Viktor Yanukovych.

But others from within Irans Shiite theocracy have raised concerns about Tehrans stance on the war.

Mohsen Aminzadeh, a former deputy foreign minister under reformist President Mohammad Khatami who was later imprisoned after the disputed 2009 election, went as far as to call Irans position very bad in a recent interview.

It was possibly the worst, the most passive stance of Irans diplomacy since 1979, Aminzadeh recently told the monthly magazine Ayandeh Negar.

On the streets of Tehran recently, 17 people were willing to speak to an Associated Press journalist about the war, with others declining. Of them, 12 supported Ukraine, three reiterated Irans official stance and two supported Russia.

I support Ukraine, said Sajjad, a 26-year-old computer programmer. Like others, he spoke on condition he be identified only by his first name for fear of reprisals. Russians are killing innocent people for nothing. Why should we remain silent?

A retired Iranian captain, Mehrdad, called Russias reasons for the war ridiculous and similar to those used by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to launch a bloody eight-year war on Iran in the 1980s. Saddam at the time pointed to supporting Irans Arab minority in its oil-rich southwest as a justification for his invasion.

It is stealing Saddams reasons for attacking Iran; possible threats by revolutionary Iran and supporting an ethnic group, said Mehrdad, 75. By this excuse, every country can attack others  even Russia.

Ali Nemati, a 64-year-old retired teacher, praised Putin as very brave for challenging NATO, also a new preoccupation of Irans hard-line government under Raisi. However, Iran has been living quietly next to Turkey, which joined NATO in 1952.

Iran should support Russia since it is alone in its fight against imperialism, Nemati said.

However, in its imperial past, Russia fought multiple wars against Persia, which ceded territory to the czar. Russia invaded Iran alongside Britain in World War II to secure oil and trade routes in their war against Germany. After the war, Russia refused to leave, sparking the first global crisis of the newly formed United Nations.

That memory hasn't faded. Russia's brief use of an Iranian air base amid the war in Syria, in which both backed embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad, similarly sparked widespread anger.

Now, Iran may be feeling like a poker chip in a wider game rather than a player at the geopolitical table. A sudden demand by Russia for sanctions-relief guarantees threw negotiations in Vienna over Iran's tattered nuclear deal into disarray. Russia's demand seems to have eased, while now it appears American sanctions on the Guard remain the last hurdle.

Iranians have noticed Russia's gambit.

The point that Putin made a strategic mistake and sent forces to Ukraine and is now drowning in an Ukrainian quagmire cannot be a (logical) reason for Russia to take the deal as hostage," the conservative daily newspaper Jomhouri Eslami said in a March editorial.

Taxi driver Abbas Najafi suggested Iran stay out of it all together.

It is not our war. It is not our problem," he said. "We are under the U.S. sanctions now and we should not look for more headaches.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The local smoke shops of Edwardsville arent anticipating extra traffic on April 20, or 4/20.

Currently, no smoke shops in Edwardsville sell recreational marijuana and there are no dispensaries within city limits.

The closest marijuana dispensary is Ascend Cannabis Dispensary in Collinsville.

Just to start a dispensary, those interested first have to go through the licensing phase, which is based on a lottery system. At random, applicants are chosen for a specific area in the state, but cant choose the area they desire.

The $5,000 dispensary application fee is non-refundable, and there is a $60,000 licensing fee for a two-year license.

For example, the owners of 3D Vapor in Edwardsville were granted permission by the state to open a dispensary, but they were permitted to start the business in an area multiple hours north of Edwardsville. The owners asked not to be identified.

Having lived in Edwardsville their entire lives, the owners wanted to stay in the area, so their vape shop is just that: a vape shop.

The current Edwardsville regulations take in to account the distance from dwelling units. A commercial district facility cant be within 250 feet of a property line of a property zoned for residential use and cant be within 1,500 feet of an existing school.

However, the zoning regulations do permit a dispensary in business districts.

According to Edwardsville economic and community development director James Arnold, the city has received several calls since last summer, when the state did another license poll and awarded three licenses to this region of southern Illinois.

Since then, there hasnt been much movement on licenses, as they were held in litigation until this March, when Illinois won a court order to award 60 new cannabis growing licenses. Prior to this, there were 110 licenses in Illinois.

When Illinois became the 11th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana on Jan. 1, 2020, Governor J.B. Pritzker claimed that taxation of marijuana could generate nearly $1 billion a year in taxes.

After two years, Illinois seems to be on the right path for that figure.

In 2021, it was reported that Illinois recreational marijuana sales reached $1.38 billion, which doubled the total from 2020. The taxes collected from those 2021 sales totaled about $387 million, compared to $291 million in taxes from liquor sales.

Of those collected taxes, 35 percent gets put into the General Revenue Fund, 25 percent into the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew program, 20 percent goes into substance abuse and prevention efforts and mental health concerns, 10 percent into the Budget Stabilization Fund and eight percent into the Local Government Distributive Fund.

The General Revenue Fund mainly spends on education, healthcare, human services and public safety.

Restore, Reinvest and Renew, was a program that started alongside the marijuana legalization, and uses its spending on providing disadvantaged people with services, such as legal aid, youth development, community reentry and financial support.

Established in 1969, the Local Government Distributive Fund allots a percentage of the fund to the different municipalities in the state, based on a per capita basis. State income tax revenues are also included in this fund.
Israel authorities said they have intercepted rocket strikes launched by Palestinian militants in Gaza as tensions continue to rise over occupied East Jerusalem.

The attack is the first in months and was conducted on Monday as another escalation following clashes at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem. A series of deadly attacks were observed inside Israel and military raids were conducted across the occupied West Bank.

Gaza Rocket Strikes

After the announcement of the interception, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Currently, Israel is holding Gaza's militant Hamas rulers responsible for all such projectiles and said they usually launch airstrikes afterward. The recent attack follows the one that was reported on New Year's Eve.

Israeli fighter jets on Tuesday carried out a series of airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip where they targeted a "weapons manufacturing site." The region was under the control of Hamas, said the Israel military, adding that there were no reports of injuries.

Hours before the rocket strike, the leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group, which has access to an arsenal of rockets, issued a brief, cryptic warning where he condemned Israeli "violations" in Jerusalem, as per the Associated Press.

Hamas has warned that any incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound would be considered a "red line" after Israeli forces raided the site in East Jerusalem several times in the last few days. They arrested hundreds of Palestinians and left several dozens injured in the area.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: Expert Reveals 1 Reason That Will Trigger Vladimir Putin To Use Nuclear Weapons

On the other hand, Palestinians have accused Israel of crawling into Al-Aqsa during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. But Israeli officials said that Palestinian protesters sought to disrupt Muslim prayer for political ends and to prevent Jews from visiting the area despite celebrating Passover.

According to Aljazeera, both Jews and Muslims revere the site and find it holy ground as Israeli police said they were committed to ensuring that members of all faiths could celebrate the holidays safely. Before the rocket strike, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett claimed that Hamas was waging a "wild harassment campaign" against his nation.

Escalating Tensions

Ziad al-Nakhalah, who is based outside the Palestinian territories, said that threats to tighten an Israeli-Egyptian blockade on Gaza that was imposed after Hamas took control in 2007 would not be able to silence them from what was happening in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Over the weekend, Israeli and Palestinian police clashed in and around the area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The area is considered as the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest for Jews who refer to it as the Temple Mount. This is because the mosque stands on a hilltop where the Jewish temples were located in antiquity.

Last year, protests and clashes between the two factions were what eventually led to the horrific 11-day Gaza war. The situation has forced a number of U.S. officials to engage in phone calls with Israelis, Palestinians, and Arab representatives in the region over the weekend. They seek to de-escalate the situation in Jerusalem, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday, CBC reported.



Related Article: Pakistan Attack Death Toll: Afghanistan Suffers at Least 47 Casualties due to Military Air Raids

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ATLANTA (AP)  A federal judge on Monday ruled that a group of Georgia voters can proceed with legal efforts seeking to disqualify U.S Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene from running for reelection to Congress, citing her role in the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The challenge filed last month with the Georgia secretary of states office alleges that Greene, a Republican, helped facilitate the Jan. 6, 2021, riot that disrupted Congress from certifying Joe Bidens presidential election victory. That violates a rarely cited provision of the 14th Amendment and makes her ineligible to run for reelection, according to the challenge.

The amendment says no one can serve in Congress who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress . . . to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same. Ratified shortly after the Civil War, it was meant in part to keep representatives who had fought for the Confederacy from returning to Congress.

Greene, 47, filed a lawsuit earlier this month asking a judge to declare that the law that the voters are using to challenge her eligibility is itself unconstitutional and to prohibit state officials from enforcing it.

Judge Amy Totenberg, in a 73-page ruling, denied Greenes request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order.

Totenberg, who was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by President Barack Obama, wrote that Greene had failed to meet the burden of persuasion in her request for injunctive relief.

Georgia law says any voter who is eligible to vote for a candidate may challenge that candidates qualifications by filing a written complaint within two weeks after the deadline for qualifying. The secretary of state must then notify the candidate of the challenge and request a hearing before an administrative law judge. After holding a hearing, the administrative law judge presents findings to the secretary of state, who then must determine whether the candidate is qualified.

Free Speech for People, a national election and campaign finance reform group, filed the challenge March 24 on behalf of the group of voters.

Greene said in her lawsuit that she vigorously denies that she aided and engaged in insurrection to obstruct the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  A former director at a West Virginia hospital has filed a lawsuit alleging that he was fired after he raised concerns about the safety of patients who were on ventilators and receiving other respiratory care services during a surge of COVID-19 cases.

Mark Mustard was fired as director of cardiopulmonary and therapy services at Princeton Community Hospital in September 2021. His departure from the West Virginia University Medicine affiliate came amid the surging delta COVID-9 variant at a time when respiratory care was crucial to the community," according to a lawsuit filed last week in Mercer County Circuit Court.

Mustard, then 63, alleges he was terminated after he reported concerns about the quality of medical care being provided as the number of patients requiring respiratory care increased during the pandemic. Mustard was highly outspoken about the need for more staff in the respiratory services department "in order to provide an adequate level of care to its patients and the community, the lawsuit reads.

The suit states he was not warned that his job was in jeopardy or given a reason for the termination, which came less than one month after he received an exceptional performance review that included an incentive bonus of more than $6,000.

Angela Jones-Knopf, director of media relations and public affairs for West Virginia University Medicine, declined to comment Tuesday on the lawsuit.

We do not comment on pending litigation, she wrote in an email.

Mustard was employed at Princeton Community Hospital from August 2017 until his termination on Sept. 23, 2021, according to the lawsuit. He started at Princeton Community Hospital as the director of cardiopulmonary in 2017. In 2018, was promoted to director of cardiopulmonary and therapy services.

Under his new title, his job responsibilities expanded to include speech therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and occupational services, and physical therapy. Over the course of his time as director, Princeton Community Hospital continued to increase Mustard's job responsibilities, according to the lawsuit.

When Princeton Community Hospital acquired Bluefield Regional Medical Center, the lawsuit states that Mustard was charged with overseeing Bluefield Regional Medical Center's respiratory services department.

Throughout August and September 2021, while the COVID-19 delta variant was surging nationwide and the hospital's ICU pends were full, Mustard met with Princeton Community Hospital's executive team multiple times to voice his concerns. He said the night shift respiratory staff was exhausted and being overworked and that patients were not receiving the appropriate number of aerosol treatments.

In response, a hospital executive told him to be more positive," according to the lawsuit. He was later fired.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon is close to reaching an agreement with the World Bank in which the international agency would give the crisis-hit country a $150 million loan for food security and to stabilize bread prices for the next six months, the economy minister said Tuesday.

Amin Salam said talks with the International Monetary Fund were progressing in a positive way.

Work is ongoing and the train is moving. I am optimistic, Salam said in an interview with The Associated Press. He said the IMF is focusing on three sectors that are improving  electricity, transportation and high-speed internet  because they can help reactivate the whole economy.

Salam said the government does not have immediate plans to lift bread subsidies, especially for flour used in making flat Arabic bread, the main staple in Lebanon.

Lebanon is in the grip of a devastating economic crisis that has been described as one of the worst in modern history. It imports most of its wheat and has faced shortages over the past weeks as the war in Ukraine leads to increases in prices of oil and food products around the world.

There have also been concerns that the government might lift wheat subsidies as foreign currency reserves drop to critical levels at the central bank. Any lifting of subsidies would sharply increase the price of bread affecting the poor in the Mediterranean nation where more than three quarters of its 6 million people, including 1 million Syrian refugees, now live in poverty.

We are working with the World Bank to keep market stability for the next six months by getting $150 million, Salam said. He added that the deal with the World Bank will stabilize the price of bread and wheat until a ration card policy is in force so that people in need can benefit.

Salam added that subsidies cannot continue forever, especially for flour that is used for making pastries and sweets. He said that such policies were implemented in Egypt and other countries where subsidies were lifted for wheat used in some products and left for the bread.

Salam said meetings were scheduled with officials from the World Bank on Wednesday, after which Lebanon will propose final recommendations to the banks board. Salam said there is tentative approval from the Lebanese state and the World Bank, adding that it could be effective in three weeks to a month.

He said that the war in Ukraine is forcing Lebanon to find new sources of wheat that are far away and more expensive.

Earlier this month, Lebanon and the IMF reached a tentative agreement for comprehensive economic policies that could eventually pave the way for some relief for the country after Beirut implements wide-ranging reforms.

Salam, who is part of the Lebanese negotiating team with the IMF, said the government, parliament and all Lebanese officials are fully aware that if Lebanon does not fully abide by the IMF program, conditions will become very difficult because there is no alternative plan.

He said the banking sector has to be restructured because without a banking sector it is impossible to move forward with economic growth. Salam added that during the talks with the IMF the Lebanese side worked to make the banking sector carry some of the losses without destroying the banking sector.

He said whenever a final deal with the IMF is reached and there is political intention for success by authorities, Lebanon can start achieving tangible results in the next two to three years. And in five years Lebanon can be in a very good place.

The Lebanese pound, which has lost more than 90% of its value since the economic meltdown began in October 2019, can become more stable, he said.

The staff level agreement that Lebanon reached with the IMF on April 7 lists five "key pillars that should be implemented, including restructuring the financial sector, implementing fiscal reforms, and the proposed restructuring of external public debt, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts.

Salam said the countrys 14 largest banks will be held up as a standard to work on restructuring the sector since they control about 80% of the market. The smaller banks that have problems should be taken over by bigger lenders. He said most likely people with deposits of up to $100,000 will eventually get their money back while those with much bigger balances will end up either getting treasury bills or become shareholders in banks or state institutions.

The 100,000 figure will be a number that will be protected for everyone, he said.

Breaking with the position of the prime minister, he suggested that central bank Gov. Riad Salameh should go.

His situation has become tenuous, Salam said, saying it will be difficult for future governments in Lebanon to work with him.

Salameh, who has been in the job since 1993, is facing investigations in Lebanon and several European countries into possible cases of money laundering and embezzlement. The governor is protected by several top officials, including the prime minister and parliament speaker.

Im all for change, Salam said. No one is irreplaceable.
ELKHART, Ind. (AP)  A man died Monday after his SUV crashed into the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana, police said.

The crash occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. at McNaughton Park in Elkhart, police said.
WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP)  Two people have been charged in the shooting death of a man in northwest Missouri during the weekend.

Brandon Nodine, 28, of Warrensburg, and a 17-year-old suspect were arrested and charged after Clifford Heffele, 47, was found dead from several gunshot wounds on Sunday at a rural Warrensburg home, Johnson County Sheriff Scott Munsterman said in a Facebook post.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  Mask requirements on public transportation in two of Alaskas largest cities will no longer be required after a federal judge in Florida struck down the requirement, officials in Anchorage and Juneau said Tuesday.

Masks will no longer be required on any form of public transportation in Anchorage, Mayor Dave Bronson said. Riders may still choose to wear a mask if they like, his office said in a statement.
SEATTLE (AP)  Masks will continue to be required on buses and trains in the Seattle area, despite a ruling from a federal judge in Florida striking down the mandate on airlines and public transportation.

Washington State Ferries, however, announced late Monday that masks are no longer required on vessels or inside terminals, the Seattle Times reported.
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NEW YORK (AP)  Call it bel canto in the Rust Belt.

The Metropolitan Operas new production of Lucia di Lammermoor plucks the ill-fated heroine out of the Scottish hills where Sir Walter Scott placed her in his 1819 novel and where Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti kept her in his opera 16 years later.

Instead, director Simon Stone has transplanted her to a contemporary American town whose once-prosperous residents are suffering the effects of economic decline and where the pharmacy and pawnshop are among the only thriving businesses.

It can feel relaxing to escape and go to a Donizetti opera thats set in a previous era, Stone said in a panel discussion at the opera house during rehearsal. But I think its less of a transformative experience than if you can go, Wow, this is about me, my family, us.'

Stone said he looked for an American equivalent to the original setting and settled on the Rust Belt.

The novel and opera are about the end of the aristocracy in Scotland, and it became an incredibly poor country very quickly, he said in an interview. I wanted to find a place in America where theres that same sense that the glory days are over, and if you look at the former industrial towns, theres a lot of drug use, a lot of unemployment. So you have people who are not just desperate, but their pride is wounded.

Lucia is still lied to, emotionally manipulated and bullied by her desperate brother and his henchmen into giving up her sweetheart Edgardo and marrying a man for his money. But in Stones version shes also a recovering drug addict who relapses once her hopes for happiness are crushed.

For soprano Nadine Sierra, the updated setting helps her identify with her character.

Theres a portion of this Lucia I absolutely get, she said in an interview. Growing up in not the most glitzy neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she recalls being bullied in school and getting into a series of emotionally abusive relationships with men in her early 20s.

I feel as if Im playing myself, in this production, she said. How I would react to the way Lucia has to live her life.

Lucias reaction is, to be sure, extreme by any measure: She kills her new husband on their wedding night  in this production by striking him with a fire extinguisher in their cheap motel room. (She grabbed anything she could, Sierra said.)

That act leads to the famous mad scene, an extended showpiece for sopranos notable for the intricate vocal line and elaborate ornamentation that typified the bel canto style of early 19th century Italian opera.

But to Sierra, the term mad scene may be a misnomer.

I dont think Lucia is necessarily crazy at the end, she said. I think shes had enough. Shes so tired of her whole world collapsing on her.  She does murder her husband, but you know these things do happen.

When Peter Gelb, the Mets general manager, decided on a new production of Lucia, he said he thought of Stone because hed been impressed with his work on two theatrical classics, Federico Garcia Lorcas Yerma and Euripides Medea.

The way he approached the tortured female characters at the center of each of those plays, Gelb said, I thought Lucia would be an opera that would appeal to him.

Sierra said as soon as she found out who her director would be, she got in touch with soprano Pretty Yende, a good friend who had starred in Stones production of Verdis La Traviata in Paris.

Pretty told me it would be a bit more complex, more technological than what were used to in bel canto operas, Sierra said.

That may have been an understatement. As in his Traviata, Stone makes extensive use of video projections, some pre-recorded and some to be filmed live during performances. These include shots of Lucia painting a portrait in her room (a skill she may have picked up in rehab, Stone said) and dreaming about a life with Edgardo she never gets to enjoy.

Most of the filming is about trying to get into the inner life of this woman, Stone said. So much of this opera is about mens opinion of how women should behave, of what she should do.

If you dont get a chance to see her interior life then all you see is a trapped animal, he said. But she only becomes a trapped animal when shes around those guys. When shes on her own, shes totally autonomous and powerful.

Gelb is aware that any drastic reimagining of a beloved classic may meet resistance from some in the audience. But hes confident most people will judge this Lucia on its merits.

I believe the opera public at the Met is more sophisticated theatrically than when I started 16 years ago, Gelb said. And they are generally more open to new experiences, providing they make narrative sense and are stimulating both musically and theatrically.

Audiences worldwide will be able to judge for themselves when Lucia is broadcast to movie theaters live on May 21. The production, which opens April 23, also stars tenor Javier Camarena as Edgardo, and baritone Artur Rucinski as Lucias brother, Enrico, and will be conducted by Riccardo Frizza.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Attorneys for the Republican Party of New Mexico on Monday urged a state district court judge to throw out a congressional map that divvies up the conservative southeast of the state into three congressional districts.

The lawsuit by the GOP and seven allied plaintiffs holds implications for a congressional swing district in southern New Mexico where Republican Yvette Herrell ousted a first-term Democrat in the 2020 election.

GOP attorney Christopher Murray alleged that the congressional map approved in December by the Democratic-led Legislature and signed by the state's Democratic governor is blatantly partisan, dilutes the conservative vote and violates state constitutional rights to impartial government.

He urged the court to throw out the current voting map and implement one of two congressional map proposals endorsed last year by an advisory citizen redistricting committee. The committee's recommendations were not binding.

Attorneys for the Legislature and governor defended the state's new congressional map as properly vetted through the political process and warned the court against intervening and getting mired in a "thicket."

The political branches worked; they did their job and there is no reason for this court or any court to jump in the middle of it, Richard Olson said on behalf of the Legislature.

District Judge Fred Van Soelen oversaw the arguments by webcast from a courtroom in Clovis and vowed to rule on the case by Tuesday evening.

State election officials warned that swapping maps now could throw the state's June 7 primary into chaos as clerks this week confront a Saturday deadline to mail absentee ballots to military and overseas voters.

Holly Agajanian, representing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, said the Republican Party hasn't adequately explained why it would be more fair to implement a map that wasn't endorsed by the Legislature and governor.

The Republican Party is citing public comments by top Democratic legislators as evidence of partisan bias in decisions about boundaries of the 2nd District in southern New Mexico.

Democrats hold two of New Mexico's three congressional seats, command majorities in the state House and Senate and hold every statewide elected office.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  Days of violence in Jerusalem and an exchange of fire in Gaza overnight have raised the possibility that Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers will once again go to war, as they did less than a year ago under similar circumstances.

This time around, both Israel and Hamas have strong incentives to avoid all-out war. But neither wants to be seen as retreating from a Jerusalem holy site at the heart of the century-old Mideast conflict, so further violence cannot be ruled out.

At this stage its political theater in which everybody is playing his part, said Gideon Rahat, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, a local think tank. But sometimes the gun that appears in the first scene will shoot at the end.

For Hamas, another war would devastate Gaza, which has hardly begun to rebuild after the last one. And Israel would wield a potent new weapon  the ability to revoke thousands of work permits issued in recent months that provide an economic lifeline to Palestinians in the blockaded territory.

For Israel, war could set back efforts to sideline the conflict and damage burgeoning ties with Arab states. The broad-based governing coalition, which lost its majority this month, is at a small but growing risk of having a key Arab partner bolt, which would set the stage for new elections.

All of those factors help explain the relative restraint up until now: Israel intercepted the Gaza rocket, its airstrikes caused little damage, and no one was hurt. Neither Hamas nor any other group claimed the launch.

At the same time, neither Israel nor Hamas can be seen as backing down over a major holy site in east Jerusalem that is sacred to Jews and Muslims, where Palestinians and Israeli police clashed over the weekend.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. Palestinians view it as the one tiny part of their homeland that has yet to be taken over by Israel, which seized east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war.

Hamas' popularity skyrocketed last year when it was seen as defending the shrine  even at a devastating cost to Palestinians in Gaza. The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which cooperates with Israel on security, faced a massive backlash.

Hamas would like the pressure against Israel to continue from the West Bank, from east Jerusalem, without giving Israel an excuse to launch a major war against Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza," says Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Gazas Al-Azhar University.

The hilltop on which the mosque is built is the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount because it was the location of the Jewish temples in antiquity. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, large numbers of nationalist and religious Jews have regularly toured the site and discreetly prayed there under the protection of Israeli police.

The visits are seen as a provocation by both the Palestinians and neighboring Jordan, a close Western ally that serves as custodian of the site. But any effort to limit them would expose the government to severe criticism from Israel's dominant right-wing parties, which would portray it as a capitulation to the country's enemies.

Such a move would be even more fraught now, during the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover, which this year coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israeli authorities say they are committed to ensuring freedom for worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims, with Bennett blaming the recent violence on a Hamas-led incitement campaign.

Israel hopes to prevent a repeat of last year, when weeks of protests and clashes in and around Al-Aqsa helped trigger an 11-day Gaza war.

In recent months, Israel issued thousands of work permits to Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces 15 years ago. It also allows tens of thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to work in construction and other mostly menial jobs in Israel, where wages are far higher.

Israeli leaders portray the permits as a goodwill measure, but they also help Israel maintain its military rule over millions of Palestinians, which is now well into its sixth decade.

The permits can be canceled at any time, and Israel  citing security concerns  prohibits nearly all forms of Palestinian opposition to the occupation.

For Hamas, the suspension or cancelation of the permits would push tens of thousands of Gaza residents back into severe poverty and halt the flow of millions of dollars into the economy.

Abusada says that might deter Hamas, but not if they believe Israel is crossing a red line at Al-Aqsa. "Its a limited deterrence that cannot be taken for granted forever, he said.

Israel faces risks of its own.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's government has worked to improve ties with neighboring Jordan and Egypt, Arab states that made peace with Israel decades ago but support the Palestinian cause.

The Jewish visits to Al-Aqsa have infuriated Jordan, which accuses Israel of violating longstanding arrangements at the site and summoned an Israeli diplomat in protest this week. Jordan's Prime Minister Bishr al-Khasawneh went so far as to praise Palestinians who threw rocks in the face of the profane Zionists, protected by the occupation.

The United Arab Emirates, the first of four Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel through the so-called Abraham Accords in 2020, summoned a recently appointed Israeli ambassador on Tuesday over the events at Al-Aqsa.

The United States, Israel's closest ally, is calling on all sides to show restraint.

Within Israel, a small Arab party that made history last year by joining the governing coalition  giving it a razor-thin majority after four gridlocked elections  suspended its participation on Sunday over the rising tensions.

The move was largely symbolic, as parliament is currently in recess  one rival lawmaker compared it to dieting during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The tensions are unlikely to bring down the government because a majority of lawmakers would have to vote for early elections. That would likely require cooperation between the right-wing opposition, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Arab parties that despise him  an even heavier lift at a time of war.

If there will be a true conflict, I dont think in the short term it will threaten the current government," said Rahat, the Israeli political scientist. In the long run, it all depends on the framing or the interpretation of the result of such a conflict.
Hunter Biden, whose questionable overseas business connections are bringing him and his father, President Joe Biden, more attention, attended the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday with his wife and 2-year-old son.

During Monday afternoon's Easter celebration, the first son was seen carrying his own kid as wife Melissa Cohen looked on. This was the first Easter celebration at the White House since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as per NY Post.

Hunter Biden, Family Appear at White House Easter Egg Roll

Hunter Biden hadn't been seen since March 30, when the Washington Post confirmed the legitimacy of the emails from Biden's infamous laptop, which had been initially reported on by the New York Post a year and a half before. Just two weeks prior, the New York Times had also affirmed the validity of the emails. The ceremony, which drew hundreds of children and adults to the White House grounds on Monday, took place in drizzly weather and beneath overcast sky.

Ashley Biden, the president's daughter, and Natalie Biden, the daughter of Beau Biden, the president's son who died of brain cancer in 2015, were among those who attended the egg roll. Hunter Biden, who was working at the law firm Boise, Schiller, Flexner at the time, was appointed to the board of directors of Ukrainian gas business Burisma Holdings for a five-year tenure in 2014.

While he didn't have a lot of energy business knowledge, he had previous corporate board experience, and it's not uncommon for corporations to recruit board members who don't have a lot of industry experience. During his time, which ended in 2019, Hunter Biden was described as a "useful non-executive director with a prominent name" who "offered guidance on legal challenges, corporate finance, and strategy," as per The Independent.

While Hunter Biden was on the board of Burisma, the Obama administration was pressuring Ukraine's government, led by then-President Petro Poroshenko, to fire his top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin.

Joe Biden, as vice president, had been tasked with managing US-Ukraine relations as part of his extensive portfolio, and he told Poroshenko that Shokin would have to resign if Ukraine was to benefit from $1 billion in IMF loan guarantees, as directed by President Obama and with the support of the EU and other US allies. During a 2018 event hosted by the Council of Foreign Relations, he recalled his 2016 conversation with Poroshenko.

Read Also: New Book: Jill Biden Screamed, Kicked Out Priest During President Joe Biden's Suffering From Brain Aneurysm

Democrats Reject Attempts To Upload Hunter Biden's Laptop

Meanwhile, according to a new report, Democratic officials on the House Judiciary Committee are refusing to transfer the contents of Hunter Biden's seized laptop into the congressional record in a searchable manner. During a March 29 hearing, Representative Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) sought to enter the laptop, which the younger Biden reportedly left with a Delaware repair shop. Despite initially intending to object to the request, committee chairman Representative Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) agreed to allow the laptop to be placed into the record.

According to the Daily Caller, workers chosen by Nadler are now claiming that they are unable to transfer the laptop owing to technological restrictions. They claim Gaetz's office is required to print hard copies and PDF-format documents of pages to be put into the record, despite the fact that Gaetz's office volunteered to supply the necessary equipment for the digital transfer, according to a Republican worker.

The House rules compel committee employees to submit record entries, but the workers' failure to digitally transfer the contents of the laptop has forced Gaetz's office to create duplicates with its own resources.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Scandal: Whistleblower Expresses Willingness To Share 450Gb of Laptop's Deleted Material

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VINITA, Okla. (AP)  A Vinita police officer and a Craig County deputy fatally shot a man who was threatening them with a bow and arrow in northeastern Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Guy Walker was fatally shot Monday outside his home on the southern edge of Vinita, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) northeast of Tulsa, the OSBI said.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Legislation to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana was voted down 5-1 Tuesday in a state Senate committee.

Sen. Katrina Jackson sponsored the bill, which was rejected by the Senate Judiciary C Committee.

Jackson argued that the state shouldnt have the power to take a life. And she said there is no way of knowing how many innocent people have been executed.

We cannot, as a state, ever give someone their life back, said Jackson, backed by Catholic and Episcopal officials and prominent death penalty opponents including Sister Helen Prejean.

Bill Quigley, a Loyola law professor, said the various costs involved in maintaining the death penalty system in the state  including higher costs of keeping inmates on death row and the public cost for defense and prosecution over a series of trials and appeals  comes to more than $15 million annually.

Defenders of the death penalty said it is appropriate and just in some instances.

If you take that option away from our constituents, that's something I can't do, said Sen. Bodie White, a Republican from Central, who told Jackson he has seen horrific crime scenes. He expressed confidence that the state has taken steps to prevent unjust convictions.

John Sinquefield, a longtime prosecutor in Baton Rouge, said the death penalty is now used in Louisiana for the very worst of the worst.

The state hasn't carried out an execution since 2010, amid litigation and controversy over the availability of drugs used in lethal injection.
PITTSFIELD  The Pike County All Wars Museum is hosting author Barry Swanson next week. He will speak about his book "Still Points."

The book is the retelling of the life of Philip Zumwalt, who served in World War II. The story is loosely based on his diaries.
Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Marvin D. Gilmore, 29, of St. Louis was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:13 p.m. Sunday on charges of mob action and criminal sexual assault.

 Sarah R. Parker, 33, of 114 Hardin Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:51 a.m. Sunday on charges of aiding/abetting/possessing/selling a stolen vehicle, theft, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Kelsey J. Morris, 31, of 327 S. Diamond St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:45 p.m. Friday on charges of delivery of methamphetamine and manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance.

 Dylan E. Miller, 30, of 327 S. Diamond St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:13 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, delivery of methamphetamine, manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance, and resisting a peace officer.

 Tyler L. Kleidon, 30, of 589 Fulton St., White Hall, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:03 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 William J. McDade, 44, of 967 Huber St. was arrested at 2:16 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and driving while license is suspended, and cited on a charge of operating an uninsured vehicle.

 Jason C. Doyle, 28, homeless, was arrested at 9:53 a.m. Monday in the 800 block of West State Street on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Armandos R. Fisher, 49, of 1114 E. Morton Ave. was arrested at 1:28 a.m. Monday on a charge of retail theft with prior conviction.

 Shyann L. Peters, 20, of 31 Labor Drive was arrested at 11:50 p.m. Sunday on charges of battery and domestic battery after being accused of striking someone in the 800 block of South Main Street.

Brown County

Sheriff

ACCIDENTS

 A juvenile lost control of their vehicle about 2:29 p.m. Saturday and it overturned on U.S. 24 at County Road 1176 East. Both the driver and an unidentified passenger were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to a sheriff's department report.

Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jade A. Lindsay, 23, of Ashburn, Missouri, was booked into Pike County Jail at 11:12 a.m. Thursday on a petition to revoke.

 Shane M. Zobrist, 46, of Granite City, Missouri, was booked into Pike County Jail at 2:47 p.m. Thursday on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended.

 Franz Q. Dunsworth, 36, of Keokuk, Iowa, was booked into Pike County Jail at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday on charges of driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (AP)  A 49-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday after robbing a central Florida Hungry Howies pizza shop and holding an employee hostage for more than seven hours, police said.

The standoff began just before 5:30 p.m. Monday, Altamonte Springs police said in a social media post.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP)  A West Virginia healthcare system has partnered with a junior college on a program aimed at addressing the shortage of nurses in the state.

Mon Health System and West Virginia Junior College signed a letter of intent on Monday to launch a nursing education program that will put students at the school on an accelerated path to becoming nurses, officials said during a signing ceremony.
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LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered what he said was a wholehearted apology for attending an illegal party during lockdown  but insisted he didn't knowingly break rules or mislead Parliament, and brushed off calls to resign.

Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that it simply "did not occur to me that the birthday gathering, complete with a cake, was a party.

That excuse was greeted with derision by opposition politicians  and some among the governing Conservatives  who have called with increasing frustration for Johnson to quit since stories began to circulate late last year of parties in the prime minister's office and other government buildings in 2020 and 2021, when millions in the country were barred from meeting with friends and family or even attending funerals for their loved ones.

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer branded the apology half-hearted and a joke."

Last week, Johnson was fined 50 pounds ($66) for attending his own surprise birthday party in 10 Downing St. in June 2020, making him the first British prime minister ever found to have broken the law while in office.

Speaking as the House of Commons returned from an 11-day Easter break, Johnson acknowledged people's hurt and anger, but added that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room, just before a vital meeting on COVID strategy, could amount to a breach of the rules.

Starmer said that excuse would ring hollow with ordinary people who understand that the rules apply to all of us, and he challenged Conservatives to bring an end to this shameful chapter and jettison Johnson.

He knows hes dishonest and incapable of changing," Starmer said. "So he drags everybody else down with him."

Starmer was told off by House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for accusing another member of dishonesty  a breach of parliamentary rules. Minutes later, Labour lawmaker Karl Turner also was chastised by the Speaker after branding Johnson a liar.

I withdraw the word liar, Mr. Speaker," Turner said. But the electorate will already have decided.

Labour has not given up on trying to get lawmakers to censure Johnson over the partygate scandal. Speaker Hoyle said he would allow Labour to hold a Commons debate and vote Thursday on whether Johnson should be investigated for allegedly misleading Parliament. Ministers found to have done that knowingly are generally expected to resign.

Johnson is due to be out of the country Thursday on a visit to India, and the big Conservative majority in Parliament means the measure is unlikely to pass. But the vote will force Tory lawmakers uneasy with the prime minister to publicly back him or criticize him.

Johnson insisted Tuesday that he was contrite, but argued it would be wrong to change leaders while Britain faces crises including the war in Ukraine and a cost-of-living squeeze driven by surging energy and goods prices.

Johnsons grip on power had appeared to be on a knife-edge earlier this year amid police and civil service investigations into the parties, and the departure of several top aides.

Allies feared partygate could become a tipping point for a divisive but resilient leader who has weathered a series of other storms over his expenses and his moral judgment. Some Conservative lawmakers were openly calling for a no-confidence vote in Johnson.

But Johnson has hung on, partly because Russias invasion of Ukraine has seized public and political attention.

Johnsons international image, battered by Britains messy exit from the European Union under his leadership, has been revived by his firm military, political and moral support for Ukraine. Johnson traveled to Kyiv earlier this month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Johnson's troubles are not over and he could still face more fines. Londons Metropolitan Police force is investigating a dozen events, including bring your own booze office parties and wine time Fridays, and Johnson is reported to have attended several of them. So far at least 50 tickets have been handed out, including those to Johnson, his wife Carrie and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak.

If Johnson is sanctioned again, calls for a no-confidence vote could grow among Conservatives. For now, many are biding their time, and looking to see whether public anger translates into losses for the party at local elections across the country on May 5.

Conservative lawmaker Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said his colleagues were withholding their judgment and waiting to see what happens.

But fellow Conservative Mark Harper, a former government chief whip, said Johnson broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow and hasnt been straightforward about it.

Im very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds," Harper said.
VIRDEN  A Virden man has been charged with dissemination of child pornography after Macoupin County Sheriff's Department, Illinois Attorney General's Office and Virden Police investigators searched his residence.

Jacob R. Rogers, 34, of Virden was charged Thursday with three counts of dissemination of child pornography and six counts of possession of child pornography.
Development in Midlands northwest side is bringing the Mockingbird Heights and Green Tree developments closer together.

Planning and Zoning commissioners Monday approved three requests that will ultimately connect the northern end of Mockingbird Heights and Green Tree. Two were for lots for single family housing and one was for an office center, all carved out of a 331.25-acre tract at the east side of Midland Drive and south of Green Tree Boulevard.

Newton Engineering received unanimous approval for its request for a zone change from AE, Agricultural Estates District to SF3 Single Family Dwelling District on a 20.719 acre tract of land out of the 331 acres in order to build a single-family housing subdivision. The subdivision will have 73 residential lots and the property is in the process of re-platting.

Commissioners also unanimously approved a proposed preliminary plat of 26.46 acres of the tract that will create 74 residential lots. Finally, commissioners unanimously approved Newton Engineers request for a zone change from AE, Agricultural Estate District to O-1 Office District on a 5.720-acre tract in order to build an office center.

City staff told commissioners that while the request for the office center is not in compliance with the Tall City Tomorrow plan, it would be advantageous as the city continues to grow northward. It would be part of the commercial corridor developing along Midland Drive and serve as a buffer between the arterial road and residential communities, generating less traffic than single family developments and would provide services to the surrounding communities and future communities in the area.

Commissioners also helped Midland Habitat for Humanity move forward with its Benton Street project by approving a zone change from PD, Planned Development District for a Housing Development District to Amended PD on Lots 14-21, Block 7 and Lots 1-8 on Block 8 at the east and west side of south Benton Street and north of Orchard Lane. They also approved, with staffs recommended conditions, a proposed preliminary plat of the lots.

A proposed preliminary plat of a 4.570-acre tract at West Sunglo (West County Road 11) and South County Road 1205 into two lots  one one-acre lot and one 3.57-acre lot  drew opposition from a neighbor. He showed pictures of five semi-trucks he said are constantly parked and running on the property and even of workers in hazardous materials suits on the property, which he said had been recently purchased, although the land is zoned SF1, Single Family Dwelling District.

Commissioners were assured city staff is aware of the issue and told the neighbor City Council members will have the final say on the request.

In other action:
On March 8, a Twitter account called Libs of TikTok posted a video of a woman teaching sex education to children in Kentucky, calling the woman in the video a "predator." The next evening, the same clip was featured on Laura Ingraham's Fox News program, prompting the host to ask, "When did our public schools, any schools, become what are essentially grooming centers for gender identity radicals?"

Libs of TikTok reposts a steady stream of TikTok videos and social media posts, primarily from LGBTQ+ people, often including incendiary framing designed to generate outrage. Videos shared from the account quickly find their way to the most influential names in right-wing media. The account has emerged as a powerful force on the internet, shaping right-wing media, impacting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and influencing millions by posting viral videos aimed at inciting outrage among the right.

The anonymous account's impact is deep and far-reaching. Its content is amplified by high-profile media figures, politicians and right-wing influencers. Its tweets reach millions, with influence spreading far beyond its more than 648,000 Twitter followers. Libs of TikTok has become an agenda-setter in right-wing online discourse, and the content it surfaces shows a direct correlation with the recent push in legislation and rhetoric directly targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

"Libs of TikTok is basically acting as a wire service for the broader right-wing media ecosystem," said Ari Drennen, LGBTQ program director for Media Matters, the progressive media watchdog group. "It's been shaping public policy in a real way, and affecting teachers' ability to feel safe in their classrooms."

The account has been promoted by podcast host Joe Rogan, it's been featured in the New York Post, the Federalist, the Post Millennial and a slew of other right-wing news sites. Meghan McCain has retweeted it. The online influencer Glenn Greenwald has amplified it to his 1.8 million Twitter followers while calling himself the account's "Godfather." Last Thursday, the woman behind the account appeared anonymously on Tucker Carlson's show to complain about being temporarily suspended for violating Twitter's community guidelines. Fox News often creates news packages around the content that Libs of TikTok has surfaced.

"The role I've seen this account playing is finding new characters for right-wing propaganda," said Gillian Branstetter, a media strategist for the ACLU. "It's relying on the endless stream of content from TikTok and the internet to cast any individual trans person as a new villain in their story."

Throughout its increasingly popular posts and despite numerous media appearances, the account has remained anonymous. But the identity of the operator of Libs of TikTok is traceable through a complex online history and reveals someone who has been plugged into right-wing discourse for two years and is now helping to drive it.

- - -

Chaya Raichik had been working as a real estate salesperson in Brooklyn when, in early November 2020, she created the account that would eventually become Libs of TikTok.

Under her first handle @shaya69830552, she minimized covid, cast doubt on the election results and promoted a dubious story about a child sex trafficking ring. On Nov. 23, 2020, Raichik changed handles, this time going by @shaya_ray and identifying herself publicly as a real estate investor in Brooklyn. She began doubling down on election fraud conspiracies using QAnon-related language. Early that December, she joked about launching a clothing line titled "voter fraud is real."

In January 2021, Raichik started talking about traveling to D.C. to support Trump on Jan. 6 at the Stop the Steal rally. When violence broke out at the Capitol that day, she tweeted a play-by-play account claiming to be on the ground. "They were rubber bullets from law enforcement. 1 hit right next to me," she said. She posted videos from the crowd and spoke of tear gas being deployed nearby. After saying she left the riot, she used Twitter to downplay the event, claiming that it was peaceful compared to a "BLM protest."

Later that month, Raichik cycled through two more Twitter names, this time focusing on state politicians. First under the handle @ChayaRaichik and the display name "Chaya Raichik," and then under the new handle, @cuomomustgo, she railed against New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, calling for him to resign. She promoted the efforts to recall California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. She also began posting about Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, calling him "actually brilliant."

By early last March, she pivoted to a parody account titled @houseplantpotus, pretending to tweet as if she was a houseplant living with President Joe Biden. She revamped her avatar to look like a small shrub with Biden's face on the leaves. At that point in time she also claimed to be proudly Orthodox Jewish, live in Brooklyn and work in real estate in her Twitter bio.

But the house plant parody never took off. On April 19, 2021, she pivoted her account once again, this time to Libs of TikTok.

Just four months after getting started, Libs of TikTok got its big break: Joe Rogan started promoting the account to the millions of listeners of his hit podcast. He mentioned it several times on the show in August, then again in late September. "Libs of TikTok is one of the greatest f---ing accounts of all time," he said. With his seal of approval, Raichik's following skyrocketed.

Libs of TikTok gained more prominence throughout the end of last year, cementing its spot in the right-wing media outrage cycle. Its attacks on the LGBTQ+ community also escalated. By January, Raichik's page was leaning hard into "groomer" discourse, calling for any teacher who comes out as gay to their students to be "fired on the spot."

Her anti-trans tweets went especially viral. She called on her followers to contact schools that were allowing "boys in the girls bathrooms" and pushed the false conspiracy theory that schools were installing litter boxes in bathrooms for children who identify as cats. She also purported that adults who teach children about LGBTQ+ identities are "abusive," that being gender-nonconforming or an ally to the LGBTQ+ community is a "mental illness," and referred to schools as "government run indoctrination camps" for the LGBTQ+ community.

"Libs of TikTok is shaping our entire political conversation about the rights of LGBTQ people to participate in society," Drennen said. "It feels like they're single-handedly taking us back a decade in terms of the public discourse around LGBTQ rights. It's been like nothing we've ever really seen."

By March, Libs of TikTok was directly impacting legislation. DeSantis's press secretary Christina Pushaw credited the account with "opening her eyes" and informing her views on the state's restrictive legislation that bans discussion of sexuality or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, referred to by critics as the "don't say gay" bill. She and Libs of TikTok have interacted with each other at least 138 times publicly, according to a report by Media Matters. When asked by The Post about her relationship with the account, Pushaw wrote, "I follow, like and retweet libsoftiktok. My interactions with that account are public," and added that she's a strong supporter of its mission.

As the legislation progressed before eventually being signed into law on March 28, Libs of TikTok ramped up attacks, flooding its feed with accusations of "grooming." The right-wing media and influential conservative figureheads used anti-LGBTQ content from Libs of TikTok as fuel for their arguments.

Fox News hosts Jesse Watters and Tucker Carlson began featuring content straight from Libs of TikTok on air, with Carlson urging his viewers to follow it "before it's banned if you want to know what may be happening in your child's school." (Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.)

- - -

As the account has grown in prominence, Raichik has taken steps to obscure her identity. Though she has done numerous high-profile media appearances, she's appeared anonymously. However, when registering the domain LibsofTikTok.us last October, she used her full name and cellphone number linked to her real estate salesperson contact information.

On Saturday, software developer Travis Brown (who is working on a project with support from Prototype Fund, an organization that backs open-source projects) unearthed the account's Twitter history and posted a thread detailing information about its profile changes.

When a reporter called the phone number registered to Raichik's real estate profile and LibofTikTok.us, the woman who answered hung up after the reporter identified herself as calling from The Washington Post. A woman at the address listed to Raichik's name in Los Angeles declined to identify herself. On Monday night, a tweet from Glenn Greenwald confirmed the house that was visited belonged to Raichik's family.

Though Raichik has claimed to run the account alone, last August Grant Lally, a lawyer and Republican operative, filed a trademark for Libs of TikTok as a "news reporter service." Lally said he is "not at liberty" to comment when reached by The Post.

"I don't do this for money or fame," Raichik told the New York Post (which, like all other outlets interviewing her, allowed her to speak on the condition of anonymity) in February while comparing herself to Project Veritas. "I'm not some politician or blue-check journalist. I feel like there are so many small stories that are so important that aren't getting out - and that's what I'm here for." In other anonymous interviews she claims to have left New York for somewhere in California, recently turning the account into a full-time job. For a while she was soliciting donations through Venmo.

While Libs of TikTok briefly had a TikTok account of its own, it was suspended for violating community guidelines. Last week, the account was briefly suspended from Twitter for a second time for violating the platform's rules on targeted harassment.

But Libs of TikTok continues to amass followers across the internet. It has more than 65,000 followers on Instagram, nearly 10,000 on YouTube and a robust presence on right-wing YouTube competitor Rumble, along with other right-wing apps like Gab and GETTR. It's also building out an email database through newsletter platform Revue.

Raichik has said in interviews that she crowdsources the content for the feed from a flood of messages she receives every day. In that sense, Libs of TikTok is a collective, molded to the hive mind of the right-wing internet. She views her account as giving a voice and platform to concerned parents and ordinary citizens.

"I see a shared spirit in Libs of TikTok, and the appetite for it in right-wing media more broadly, which is turning neighbor against neighbor and turning any individual into an enforcer of this very strict gender regime," Branstetter said. "There's a deep sense of paranoia this rhetoric inspires and is extremely volatile, it's more than playing with fire. It inspires a vigilante spirit."

Raichik boasts that several teachers have been fired as a result of being featured on the account.

Tyler Wrynn, a former English teacher in Oklahoma, posted a video telling LGBTQ kids shunned by their parents that he was "proud of them" and loved them; it was featured on Libs of TikTok last week. Since being featured on the page Wrynn has been barraged with harassment and death threats.

"I've always seen myself as the type of teacher to stand up for marginalized voices," Wrynn said. "I see fellow teachers on TikTok speak out for our disenfranchised students and they're getting the same sort of harassment too."

The popularity of Libs of TikTok comes at a time when far-right communities across the internet have begun doxing school officials and calling for their execution. Parents of LGBTQ+ youth have been driven out of their towns. Local school board members have reported death threats.

On a recent podcast, Raichik said that as her following continues to grow, the fullest extent of her impact may not be realized until the elections this fall. She has encouraged her audience to overtake school boards and run in local elections. "These people," she said, referring to members of LGBTQ+ community, "some of them are literally evil and grooming kids, they should not be in schools, they should not be teachers."

Members of the LGBTQ+ community who still attempt to use platforms like TikTok to educate people on gay or trans issues are subject to intense online abuse, causing a chilling effect. "[Libs of TikTok] is playing on fears and misunderstandings of who trans people are, while amping up extreme rhetoric and normalizing portraying queer people as inherently dangerous to children," Branstetter said. "It's hard to stoke moral panic without main characters, and the role Libs of TikTok is playing is finding those characters."

- - -

The Washington Post's Alice Crites and Razzan Nakhlawi contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the surprising decision to honor the military unit responsible for the Bucha massacre in Ukraine, the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade, with the title of "guards" for actions that he said were to defend the "motherland and state interests."

The military squad is accused of war crimes for the alleged killings of hundreds of citizens in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. Putin's decree comes a week after the Russian president offered his first public remarks regarding the atrocities in the city.

Putin Honors Bucha Killers

Putin called the images that allegedly showed the vile acts done in the region "fake," accusing the Ukrainian government of forging the photos to lay blame on Russia. Last week, Kyiv's regional police chief said that there were more than 900 civilian bodies found in the suburb of Bucha.

The majority of the victims were discovered with gunshot wounds with the official saying that the death toll is expected to rise as police continue to find bodies buried under rubble and in mass graves. Ukraine has opted to deploy thousands of personnel to gather evidence of what many consider war crimes committed by Russian troops, as per Forbes.

In his statement, Putin congratulated the military brigade and said that it was a high honor and recognition of the unit's special merits, mass heroism, and courage. The official concluded that he was wishing for the good health and success of the unit.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine War: Expert Reveals 1 Reason That Will Trigger Vladimir Putin To Use Nuclear Weapons

The atrocities were discovered earlier this month when Russian military forces withdrew from the Kyiv region. Ukrainian authorities later discovered evidence of dead civilians in the areas that Moscow controlled for some time, with some victims having their hands tied behind their backs.

According to Axios, days after the discovery of the bodies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that more than 300 people were tortured and killed in Bucha and blamed the Russians. On Apr. 4, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense released a statement that explicitly named Moscow's 64th Motorized Infantry Brigade as being "directly involved" with the massacre in the region.

Russia-Ukraine War

The situation comes as Russia unleashes another offensive on Ukraine, ushering in a new phase of the war between the two European nations. Moscow's troops unleashed a massive artillery and rocket barrage along Ukraine's eastern front on Monday night.

Ukrainian officials said that the attack is the beginning of a new offensive that stretches from Kharkiv in the north part of the country to Mariupol in the southern part of the nation. Zelensky delivered a video message in the midst of the rocket artillery targeting Kharkiv and Mykolaiv saying that Russian military forces have "started the battle for the Donbas that they have been getting ready for a long time."

In a statement, the head of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov added that "an active phase of the Russian offensive set off almost along the entire front line." He said that this signaled what many expect to be a bloody new phase of the seven-week-old war that began on Feb. 24, Politico reported.



Related Article: Militant British National Captured in Mariupol Claims That Pro-Ukraine Soldiers Abandoned Civilian Welfare as the Russians Stormed the Port City

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Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz are finding themselves increasingly at odds as they try to shape the next Republican majority in the Texas House, splitting their endorsements in a host of primary runoffs in which candidates appear to differ on school choice.

In recent days, Cruz has endorsed five opponents to Abbott-backed candidates in primary runoffs for the state House, all within a couple weeks after the governor announced his endorsement in each race. Cruz had already endorsed a challenger to an Abbott-backed incumbent before the primary, tallying six total runoffs in which they are now on opposite sides.

The dueling endorsements are raising eyebrows since Abbott and Cruz tend to align politically. But both are ambitious Republicans  each has left the door open to running for president in 2024  and Cruz appears to be flexing his well-documented affinity for candidates who support school choice, a term Republicans have used for several years to describe programs that give parents state money to send their kids to schools outside of the states public education system.

Sen. Cruz believes that school choice is the most important domestic issue in the country, Cruz spokesperson Steve Guest said in a statement. He doesn't hesitate to endorse and support candidates in primaries that will fight for school choice across Texas.

Most notably, Abbott and Cruz are on opposite sides of two runoffs in which incumbents  state Reps. Kyle Kacal of College Station and Glenn Rogers of Graford  face challengers who would be reliable votes for school choice. Abbott has backed the incumbents while Cruz has endorsed Ben Bius, who is challenging Kacal, and Mike Olcott, who is running against Rogers.

In a sign of how important the runoffs are to school choice advocates, a national group called the School Freedom Fund is launching TV ads Wednesday against both Kacal and Rogers. The 30-second spots bash Kacal as the most liberal Republican in the Texas House and tell voters that Rogers is beholden to education union bosses working against you, referring to his support from groups like the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.

The School Freedom Fund  a super PAC affiliated with the Club for Growth, a national conservative group  said it is spending $220,000 in the Kacal-Bius runoff and $92,000 in the race between Rogers and Olcott. Its airing the ads on Fox News and radio stations.

Standing against school choice is standing on the wrong side of history, School Freedom Funds president, David McIntosh, said in a statement.

Also driving the tension is the fact that two of the runoff candidates that Abbott has backed  Justin Berry in House District 19 and Barron Casteel in House District 73  were endorsed in January by the Texas AFT, a union that school choice advocates see as an obstacle to their cause. Cruz has endorsed both of their opponents  Ellen Troxclair, who is running against Berry, and Carrie Isaac, who is running against Casteel.

Cruz has spoken openly about his thinking when it comes to endorsements. In January, he said that if someone voted against school choice, the chances of them getting his endorsement are essentially zero. And if someone supports school choice, Cruz added, he will consider engaging and engaging hard.

Abbotts runoff endorsement strategy is not as obvious and his picks have left some school choice activists frustrated. He has generally supported the concept and, earlier this year, he predicted that in the next legislative session Texans will see a stronger, swifter, more powerful movement advocating school choice than you've ever seen in the history of the state of Texas.

Abbotts picks in the runoff are largely seen as the more mainstream Republicans in each matchup. And they come after Abbott weathered more than a year of nagging criticism from his right  over his pandemic response and his legislative agenda  that ultimately culminated in a decisive March primary win.

Governor Abbott supports the best candidates for office who will fight for the people of Texas, defend our conservative values, and secure the future of our state for generations to come, Abbott campaign spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement for this story.

The broad concept of school choice is popular among Texas Republicans. In the March primary, 88% of voters approved of a ballot proposition that asked voters whether they agreed with the statement, Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.

But the issue divides Republican lawmakers when it comes to school voucher programs, which would let parents use public money for private school education. Rural Republicans are often the most outspoken opponents, voicing concerns that such initiatives would hurt the public schools that are the lifeblood of their tightly knit communities.

The Texas House has long been a firewall against voucher proposals. During the last regular legislative session, the chamber voted 115-29 on a budget amendment to ban school vouchers, with a majority of Republicans siding with Democrats.

Still, school choice advocates took encouragement during the last regular session from the passage of a bill that expanded grants allowing special-needs students whose schools closed due to the pandemic to seek support services elsewhere. And some believe Republicans growing focus on increasing parental involvement in the classroom  whether it be over determining COVID-19 policies or curriculum on race and gender  has also been helpful for the cause.

They may still not have the numbers in the House, but school choice groups like the American Federation for Children scored a victory last year when Brian Harrison, a former Trump administration official, defeated former state Rep. John Wray, a Republican of Waxahachie, in a special election for his old House seat in rural North Texas. Cruz had endorsed Harrison.

AFC also picked up another ally several weeks later when San Antonio Republican John Lujan won a special election runoff for a previously Democratic-held seat.

We do see that school choice and parental freedom and empowerment is a driving issue in these [runoffs], said Mandy Drogin, AFC director in Texas. We see that parents now more than ever are engaged across the spectrum.

The runoff debate over school choice was on full display during a forum Monday between Casteel and Isaac in the Hill Countrys House District 73. Abbott supports Casteel for the open seat, while Cruz has endorsed Isaac.

Minutes after the event started, Casteel got a question about the Texas AFT endorsement, and he promptly disavowed it. He said the local congressperson, Chip Roy, had brought the endorsement to his attention and he immediately went to their website, where it is clear that I cannot even remotely begin to agree with a number of the things they propose. Casteel said he contacted them and asked them to take back their endorsement.

Isaac and Casteel offered slightly different answers when asked about school choice. Isaac gave an answer broadly approving of education freedom, saying she supports the right for parents to choose the best education for their children. Casteels answer was more careful, focused on public charter schools as the main alternative for parents.

I think that we need to continue to allow for more options, more accountable options, and I will continue to work for that, he said.

While he repeatedly distanced himself from Texas AFT, Casteel boasted his Abbott endorsement, saying he was proud to have the support of the most conservative governor in the United States.

Abbott is not without high-powered allies in his runoff endorsements. House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, has also endorsed Casteel and Harris. As the leader of the chamber, Phelan can also be expected to defend incumbents Rogers and Kacal.

Phelan said in a statement he was supporting candidates who have proven records of championing conservative values and being trusted leaders in their communities.

The relationship between Abbott and Cruz spans at least two decades. As attorney general, Abbott gave Cruz a high-profile job in making him solicitor general in 2003. Cruz stood by Abbott through the intraparty heat he faced in his latest primary, saying he would be a "disloyal jackass" if he did not support his former boss.

This election cycle is not the first time the two have been on opposite sides of a state House primary runoff. Cruz also endorsed an opponent to Rogers in 2020, when he was running for an open seat with Abbott's support. Rogers defeated the opponent, Jon Francis, by a small margin.

Disclosure: Texas AFT has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

We cant wait to welcome you in person and online to the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news  all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol from Sept. 22-24. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/19/cruz-abbott-school-choice-republican-runoffs/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Gov. Greg Abbott has sent at least seven buses filled with undocumented migrants to Washington, D.C. in April in protest of the Biden administration ending Title 42 expulsions. However, the Republican leader indicated he has a different destination in mind for forthcoming buses.

Asked by Fox News host Sean Hannity if he plans to "send every illegal immigrant that he finds in the state of Texas to Washington, D.C.," Abbott responded "We're going to load them up and send them to Washington, D.C. If we run out of room there, Delaware looks like a great location."

Delaware is President Joe Biden's home state, which he represented for more than 35 years in the U.S. Senate. Abbott's comments echo statements made by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month vowing to fly out migrants arriving in his state to Delaware.

"If Biden is dumping people, which he has dumped people, they fly them in at two in the morning," DeSantis said during an April 6 news conference, per Fox News. "They haven't done it lately, but they did it many months ago. We now have money where we can reroute them to sanctuary states like Delaware  and we're gonna do that  to make sure we're keeping people safe here."

Abbott's bus initiative was previously dismissed by the White House as a "publicity stunt." Last week, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said "it's nice the state of Texas is helping them get to their final destination as they await the outcome of their immigration proceedings."

After being praised by Hannity for his bus initiative, Abbott said he keeps "coming up with new ideas to do the federal government's job." The Texas leader claims the Biden administration was dropping off migrants in small towns along the border, leaving local communities "overrun."

However, Abbott claims that as a result of his bus plan, border patrol agents will no longer be dropping people off in communities from where they have been busing migrants.

"It's an atrocity that we have a president of the United States that is not securing the border," Abbott. "What the president is doing is outrageous, and as a result, Texas is taking unprecedented action." Abbott proudly shared a clip of the interview on his personal Twitter feed Tuesday, writing

In the same interview, Abbott also threatened to reinstate his intensified inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico into Texas if President Lopez Obradorwho has called Abbott's inspection policy "despicable"doesn't do more to address illegal immigration into Texas. Abbott's policy was also met with criticism from truckers organizations and resulted in millions lost in produce for the Lone Star State.

"I have the capability at any time to turn those inspections back on that will backlog those trucks that are trying to come across the border that will cause havoc in Mexico," Abbott told Hannity. "Those local governors as well as Obrador, they will be the ones paying the political price for it."
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 19, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

North central Val Verde County in south central Texas...

* Until 1245 PM CDT.

* At 1207 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Pandale, or

22 miles west of Juno, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Juno, Pandale and Bakers Crossing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
ZZ Top pulled into the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Wednesday evening for a rocking performance. The band has been together for over five decades and sold over 30 million records across 15 studio albums. The loss of long-time bassist Dusty Hill in 2021 did not stop the band as his spot o
On Monday, former President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on New York Attorney General Letitia James, labeling her a "racist" and urging that she spend her office's resources to combat the city's growing crime rather than investigating the Trump Organization.

On Easter Sunday, the former president issued a series of remarks criticizing "radical left maniacs" who he claims are attempting to destroy the United States.

Trump Attacks "Racist" NY AG Letitia James

He was most likely referring to a mass shooting in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, which left ten people wounded by gunfire on a subway train car and more than a dozen more hurt in the turmoil that ensued.

Frank James, the suspect, was charged in federal court, which means his case is not under the authority of the state attorney genera, NY Post reported. Rather than focusing on crime in New York, Trump accused James of spending millions of dollars and a significant portion of her office in going after him and the Trump Organization.

Trump focused on James, who has been investigating the Trump Organization and in February issued subpoenas for testimony and records to the former president, his daughter Ivanka Trump, and son Donald Trump Jr.

James petitioned a judge earlier this month to hold Trump in contempt for refusing to give over records as part of her probe, and she sought for a $10,000 punishment for each day he refused to follow the judgment. 

After former Trump fixer Michael Cohen testified before Congress that the then-yearly president's financial statements overstated the worth of his assets so that he could receive better loan and insurance policy conditions, the attorney general launched a civil inquiry in 2019.

For months, crime has been on the rise in New York City, a concerning trend as city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, try to reintroduce residents and visitors to a regular way of life similar to pre-pandemic periods.

A large part of the blame has rested on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, with opponents arguing that his changes to city crime policy, such as shifting away from pursuing minor charges, have led to the increase in violent events.

According to the most recent available data from the New York Police Department, overall crime in New York City is up 44.26 percent from this time last year and 27 percent from this time in 2020.

Read Also: Brooklyn Subway Shooting Suspect Arrested After Frantic Manhunt: "There Was Nowhere Left For Him To Run"

Letitia James Says She Won't Be Bullied by Trump

From April 2020 to April 2021, the number of shooting victims increased by 9.3% and 70.4 percent, respectively. However, fewer murders have been reported so far this year, with 103 in 2022 compared to 116 in 2021, a decrease of 11.2%, according to Daily Mail.

The city severed long-standing connections with the Trump Organization last year, citing the former president's role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol disturbance. James, who has been looking into whether the Trump family's real estate empire lied in financial papers to get preferential loans and other business agreements, bowed out of the New York governor's campaign earlier this year.

Trump was referring to James' unsuccessful gubernatorial candidacy last year. Following the retirement of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, she planned to compete for the state's highest position, but she finally decided to run for attorney general again rather than oppose current Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.

James has used her position as attorney general to probe Trump's financial activities, subpoenaing him and two of his children earlier this year.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing, blasted her investigations, and accused her of "prosecutorial malfeasance." On Monday afternoon, James' office issued a statement saying she "will not be bullied or intimidated by the former president," as per Newsweek via MSN.

Related Article: Donald Trump Slams New York AG Letitia James After Threatening to Penalize Him $10,000 a Day for Failing to Turn Over Documents

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How to buy a car as an immigrant in Canada Are you looking to buy your first car in Canada? Here's a step-by-step guide!

How to buy a car as an immigrant in Canada Are you looking to buy your first car in Canada? Here's a step-by-step guide!

How to buy a car as an immigrant in Canada Are you looking to buy your first car in Canada? Here's a step-by-step guide! CanadaVisa Media Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Now that youve settled in Canada, you want to buy a car but dont know where to begin.

The car buying process may seem daunting at first. Where can I find a good car? How do I know it doesnt have any problems? Can I negotiate price? How do I transfer ownership to my name?

This article will simplify the process by walking you through all the steps. Hopefully youll realize by the end of this article the car-buying process is not so daunting after all! Remember that conducting research and shopping around will allow you to get a car that you are ultimately happy with.

Planning to buy a car? Complete CanadaVisas short survey so we can continue to help you settle in Canada!

Four steps to buying a car in Canada

There are four steps that you will need to follow in this order to complete the process of buying a car in Canada:

Step 1: Get a drivers licence

The first step to owning a car is ensuring you have a drivers licence issued by the government of the Canadian province or territory you are living in. You will be able to drive anywhere in Canada with this drivers licence.

If you hold a valid licence from another country, you will probably be able to use it to drive in Canada for a short period upon your arrival. Keep in mind that each province and territory sets their own rules so you will need to check their website to learn more. Depending on the province or territory, you may need to complete a written exam on the rules of the road (there are study guides available to help you prepare), and one or two driving tests.

Visit the website of your province or territorys transportation department to learn more about the specific steps you need to take to get a Canadian drivers licence:

More information is also available on the CanadaVisa Forum.

Step 2: Finding the car

The most exciting step of the car-buying process is conducting research, test driving cars, and finally purchasing the car that meets your needs.

Research

You will want to ask various questions during the research process, such as:

What is my budget?

In addition to the amount you are able to spend on the car, you will also want to have some extra money saved up for routine and unforeseen maintenance expenses, as well as other car costs such as gas. As another example, it is common to buy 4 winter tires that you install on the car between October and April to help you navigate the icy and snowy roads in Canada. You should also keep in mind that you will need to pay tax and potentially other fees when buying the car. Even if you purchase a used car from a private seller, you may need to pay sales tax when you register your ownership of the car with the government.

You should also keep in mind that monthly car insurance is legally required in Canada.

What do I need the car for?

If you only need the car to move yourself around, then you may feel buying a sedan is appropriate. However, if you have a family, you may decide to target a larger option such as an SUV or a van.

Do I want an automatic or manual car?

Automatic cars tend to be more common in Canada but you can also find manual cars if you prefer. Manual cars tend to be a bit less costly than their automatic equivalents.

Do I want a new or used car?

New cars provide you with the peace of mind and satisfaction that you are the first person to own the car. On the other hand, they tend to be more expensive and see their values depreciate more quickly than used cars. This is important to consider if you think you may resell the car in the future. There are many used cars available in Canada and you can also find used cars that are nearly brand new.

What car models are on my short-list?

It is easier to go and look for cars once youve identified a few models youre really interested in.

Planning to buy a car? Complete CanadaVisas short survey so we can continue to help you settle in Canada!

Where to find cars to buy in Canada

There are many websites available to locate cars you may wish to inspect in person and test drive.

Examples include:

Google: You can Google car dealers to see the closest ones near your address in Canada. It is also an opportunity for you to to read Google reviews from other buyers about their experiences at these dealers

Kijiji: Kijiji is owned by eBay and it is a marketplace featuring both car dealers and used cars from private sellers. One of the advantages of buying from a private seller is it can be less expensive to purchase from them since they do not have the same expenses as a car dealership (e.g., marketing, payroll, insurance, rent, etc). On the other hand, you need to be very careful about buying from private sellers since they may not disclose the full history of the car.

Facebook Marketplace: This is another common place to find used cars from private sellers.

There are many websites dedicated to listing cars for sale, including:

There are more companies that are now providing you with the opportunity to complete an entire car purchase online. This has increased in prevalence in recent years and is marketed as a hassle-free alternative to the traditional way of buying a car in person. Among the perks of buying online include having the car delivered to your door in as little as 24 hours and having the ability to return the car if you change your mind.

How can I inspect the car?

It is normal to test drive a car in Canada. Just be prepared to show your drivers licence before you are allowed to go behind the wheel. If the car is used you will want to observe whether there is anything irregular about how it looks, drives, sounds, and smells. It is also normal to bring family or a friend so they can also inspect the car with you.

Once you are set on purchasing a used car and have agreed to price and all other terms with the car dealership or seller, you may wish to ask if you can have an independent car mechanic inspect the car before you complete the purchase. It is up to the sellers discretion to accept this request. If the car dealership agrees to this, they may have one of their staff accompany you to the mechanic or drive the car there themselves. You will be responsible for choosing the mechanic, scheduling an appointment with them to complete the inspection, and paying the mechanic for their time.

In addition, there are a variety of resources out there for you to learn about a used cars history. Often, the car dealer will provide you with these documents and private sellers may have them as well. Nonetheless, you may wish to conduct additional due diligence of your own.

Each car comes with a unique Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN) that you can locate physically in several places in the car (such as where the windshield meets the dashboard and inside the drivers side door). You can then use this VIN to research this particular car.

Resources available include:

Third-party resources such as Carfax

Government documentation on a used vehicles history

You can pay a fee to websites such as Carfax to get a report on the vehicles history. You may learn things such as:

Whether the car has been in an accident

If the car has a safety recall (i.e., the manufacturer has recalled the car due to a safety issue it needs to fix)

Service history of the car

If the mileage of the car is consistent with what the seller is reporting to you

Whether the car has experienced damage (e.g., flooding)

Whether the car has any debt remaining (known as a lien)

In addition, depending on your province or territory, it may be mandatory to purchase a government document that discloses background information on the history of the used car (e.g., a Vehicle Information Report or Used Vehicle Information Package). If the seller does not provide this, the buyer can request the report from their provincial or territorial government.

It is very important to know if the car has a lien. You should ask the seller this question and verify this information by conducting your own background check on the car. This is important because if the car has debt owing, the debt will be transferred to you. This means you could lose the car if you do not pay off the debt. If the car has a lien, you have a right to ask the current owner to ensure the lien is removed before you complete the purchase. The Canadian governments website contains more information on how to protect yourself from buying a car with a lien.

Can I negotiate the price?

Yes, it is socially acceptable to negotiate the final price of a car, whether it is brand new or used. It is best to go into the negotiation prepared by conducting research online of the average current sale price for the car based on its model, age, and mileage. If you are buying from a car dealership, get a sense before the negotiation of what the dealers price is with tax and all other fees included. The dealer may be able to waive or reduce certain fees, but will be unable to remove other costs such as government sales tax.

Once you make your offer, provide the seller with evidence as to why you believe your suggested price is fair. This can be demonstrated by showing listings of the same car for sale in your city or being sold by a dealers competitor.

Generally speaking, dealers will be willing to negotiate but will have less flexibility on how much they can reduce the price due to all the overhead costs they need to account for. On the other hand, a private seller can choose to sell the car at any price they believe is reasonable. In order to improve your chances of getting the seller to accept your offer, it is important to negotiate in good faith and make a proposal that is close to or slightly below market value.

Low-balling the seller may result in the negotiation breaking down quickly. On the other hand, if you feel the price is too high for the particular car, you should walk away and keep in mind there will be many other cars out there that fit your needs and budget.

Planning to buy a car? Complete CanadaVisas short survey so we can continue to help you settle in Canada!

How do I pay for the car?

There are a variety of ways you can pay for the car including by paying the entire purchase price upfront or through financing or leasing.

If you are going to pay for the entire car upfront, you can bring cash, or ask the seller if they will accept another secure form of payment such as a bank draft. A bank draft is like cash and payment is guaranteed by the bank. The seller may also agree to go to a bank with you and have the payment transferred to their bank account with the two of you together.

You can also seek financing for the car. You may try to obtain financing from your bank or from another lender. Or, you may be able to obtain financing from the car dealer. This means you will be responsible for paying back the loan and interest and once you have paid these off in full, you will be the owner of the car.

A third option is to lease the car. This means you effectively pay to rent the car for a given period of time. After the lease period is over, you either return the car or pay the remaining amount to buy it.

If you are looking to finance or lease, it is important to conduct thorough research during this process. Always read the fine print and ask questions so you fully understand the terms and conditions of the transaction.

Step 3: Get car insurance

It is the law to own car insurance for your vehicle in Canada. Car insurance is mandatory so that all those involved in an accident are protected.

Getting caught without car insurance is a serious offense that can lead to large fines, the potential loss of your drivers license, and other potential consequences such as your car being temporarily seized, as well as higher car insurance rates.

You also need car insurance to be able to register your car with the government.

There are various types of car insurance plans, including coverage for yourself and your car and/or for others and their car if you are at fault in the accident.

Types of car insurance coverage in Canada includes:

Liability coverage: This is the minimum required insurance in Canada. It covers you if you injure someone or damage their car. The minimum coverage required depends on each province. Typically, Canadians choose coverage between $1-2 million. It is important to have sufficient coverage so you do not have to pay extra from your own pocket in case you get in an accident.

Collision coverage: This coverage is optional but is recommended since it covers costs to repair or replace your car if you are at fault for an accident. A deductible is required, which means that you will need to pay a certain amount before your insurer covers the rest of the costs. You can choose the deductible amount. Common deductible amounts include $500, $1,000, and $2,000. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly collision insurance premium tends to be, but this means you will need to pay more out of pocket in the event of an at-fault accident.

Comprehensive coverage: This protects your car when you are not driving it, such as if it is stolen or damaged while it is park (e.g., due to the weather). This coverage also requires a deductible, which again, you can choose yourself.

It is also important for you to research various car insurance rates and coverage types before choosing which insurance provider to go with. Car insurance rates vary significantly based on factors such as your car, age, gender, driving experience and record, residential neighbourhood in Canada, as well as the car insurance company. It is common to get quotes with wide ranges from various insurers. It is best you shop around and get as many quotes as possible so you are confident you are paying a fair rate and getting suitable coverage.

You may wish to reach out to an insurance broker for assistance. Insurance brokers have an obligation to look out for your best interests. You can search insurance brokers on Google or ask family and friends for referrals. You can also enter your information on the websites of various insurance aggregators as well as insurers themselves to get real-time estimated quotes. Ultimately, you will need to speak with an insurer over the phone to get a final quote.

Once you have secured the insurance, your insurer will send you evidence of your coverage via email and physically to your mail box. It will be important to bring this evidence with you to your provincial or territorial transportation ministry to complete the car registration process.

Step 4: Register the car

If you are buying from a dealer, they will usually complete the registration process with your provincial or territorial government.

If you are buying a car from a private seller, you will need to register the vehicle with the government yourself. You will need to bring the following with you:

Your drivers licence

Proof of valid car insurance

Vehicle permit and a signed transfer of ownership document

Each province and territory has its own rules on the steps you need to complete to register a privately-sold used car. Carfax provides an overview of rules across Canada.

If you do not have a license plate for the car you will be able to purchase one when registering it. Your province or territory will also calculate and charge you sales tax based on the purchase price or wholesale value of the car, although again, the rules vary by jurisdiction.

Enjoy the ride!

Congratulations! Youve completed your first car purchase in Canada and are now a proud car owner. See? It wasnt so difficult after all. With your new car, you are now able to create additional memories with family and friends as you get to enjoy more of what Canada has to offer. Enjoy the ride!

Planning to buy a car? Complete CanadaVisas short survey so we can continue to help you settle in Canada!

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
How to sponsor your spouse and children for Canadian immigration Information on sponsoring your family for Canadian permanent residence.

How to sponsor your spouse and children for Canadian immigration Information on sponsoring your family for Canadian permanent residence.

How to sponsor your spouse and children for Canadian immigration Information on sponsoring your family for Canadian permanent residence. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

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Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their immediate families for Canadian immigration.



As the sponsor, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria. For instance, you must be at least 18 years old; have Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or Indian status (under the Indian Act); prove that you are not receiving social assistance; and be able to financially support your family.

There are a couple other more specific criteria as well. If you are a citizen applying to sponsor your family from outside Canada, you must demonstrate that you intend to return once Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a decision on your file. Permanent residents must sponsor their spouses from inside Canada. There are also a number of circumstances that could make you ineligible for sponsorship, such as not being discharged for bankruptcy.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

As for who you can sponsor under this particular program, Canada recognizes three different types of partners: spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners. You can also sponsor your dependent children.

Spouses need to be married to their sponsor by an in-person ceremony. Virtual marriages are not recognized for the purposes of immigration.

Common-law partners need to demonstrate that they have lived together for at least 12 months.

Conjugal partners are living outside Canada and have been in a relationship for at least one year. They need to demonstrate that there are legal or social barriers preventing them from getting married or living together. You cannot sponsor a conjugal partner who is living in Canada.

In all cases, your partner must be over the age of 18. IRCC will check that your partner is admissible by running medical and background security checks. People with criminal convictions are oftentimes not allowed to come to Canada, but there may be options to overcome criminal inadmissibility.

The immigration officer handling your file will also want to see that you and your partner are in a genuine relationship. They want to admit people who are coming to Canada for family reunification, and not people who are just getting married for the sole purpose of Canadian immigration.

Dependent children

Children qualify as dependants if they are under age 22 and they do not have a spouse or common-law partner. If they are age 22 or older, they may qualify as dependants if they are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition and they have depended on their parents for financial support since before age 22.

Your child may still be dependent if they turn age 22 while their application is in processing. However, they must continue to meet all the other previously-mentioned requirements until IRCC finishes processing the application.

You can sponsor your own child or your partner and their child. If you are a Canadian citizen, your child may already be a citizen even if they werent born in Canada. In this case, you might need to apply for a Proof of Citizenship for your foreign-born child if you have not yet done so. You do not need to sponsor your own child if they are already a citizen.

If your own child does not qualify as a citizen, and you want to sponsor them without sponsoring your partner, you can name your child as the principal applicant in the application. Youll have to demonstrate that the other parent or legal guardian agrees to allow your child to immigrate to Canada.

For those who are sponsoring their spouse and their dependent child, you will name your partner as the principal applicant and the child as the dependant in the application.

If a dependent child also has a dependent child (your grandchild), they can also be included in the application.

The processes for sponsoring adopted children and orphaned family members is different from sponsoring your own child or your partners child.

Spousal, common-law, and dependant child immigration process

There are two applications required to sponsor your spouse, partner, or child: your application to become a sponsor, and your familys application for permanent residence. Both the sponsorship and permanent residence applications should be submitted together at the same time. If you live in Quebec, there is a different sponsorship process.

The first step is to get the application package. The government provides an application guide with specific and up-to-date information, as well as details on how to fill out forms in the complete guide. The documents required for foreign nationals will depend on residency status, where they are applying from, and maybe even travel history.

In addition to the application guides, IRCC offers a documents checklist, which shows you the forms and instructions you need for your application. This list also changes so it is important to double-check before submitting all the documents. Again, different countries will have different form requirements.

The processing begins once IRCC receives your complete application. If the officer finds that your application is incomplete, they will return it to you and you will have to submit again.

IRCC has a 12-month processing standard on spousal sponsorship applications, although it may take longer. Applications for children vary by country.

During the processing period, IRCC asks for biometrics and a medical exam from the foreign applicants. You will have 30 days to send them in. IRCC may also ask for more information or an in-person interview at any time.

You can track and update your application status online until IRCC makes a decision on your application. IRCC will send you instructions about the final steps the foreign spouse or common-law partner needs to take to become a permanent resident.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, over the suffering caused by a typhoon attack.

In his message, Xi said that he was shocked to learn the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which caused serious casualties and property losses, adding that he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, expresses his deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured people.

China, he said, stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity to the Philippines.

Xi said he believes that under the leadership of President Duterte and the Philippine government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.




Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic campaign arm of the US Senate, is challenging the Biden administration's decision to repeal Title 42, a contentious Trump-era immigration rule.

Peters joins a rising chorus of Democrats who are skeptical of eliminating Title 42, a Trump-era measure that limited immigration during the pandemic. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, Title 42 allows US Customs and Border Protection to turn away migrants at the border, as per Newsweek.

Looming End of Title 42 Pressures Democrats

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently stated that the rule would be suspended on May 23, a decision that the White House has acknowledged will likely result in an influx of individuals at the border. According to a recent poll, voters oppose President Joe Biden's decision to repeal the regulation. A majority of registered voters (56%) declared they were against the decision.

Lawmakers from both parties have suggested legislation to prevent the administration from changing Title 42 unless it provides a clear strategy for dealing with a potential immigration influx. Some Republican-led states have sued the government for stopping the policy. In reaction to the elimination of Title 42, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already delivered on his promise to bring buses of migrants to Washington, DC.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina says he's working with fellow Republicans to keep Title 42 in place after the Biden administration's May 23 deadline. Tillis noted that Biden's choice is out of line with voters' concerns in a joint press release with Senator Marco Rubio on April 7, as per WRAL.

Tillis' office used the Morning Consult survey, which was issued on April 6, to back up his allegation. Between April 1 and 4, a poll of 2,003 registered voters was conducted, with an unweighted margin of error of plus-minus two percentage points.

According to Morning Consult, a market research firm, 56 percent of respondents reject the Trump administration's plan to abolish border barriers. The firm has a "B" rating with FiveThirtyEight, a website that does opinion poll analysis and assesses political pollsters. A "B" grade suggests the company is typically dependable, but its polling process isn't as excellent as organizations with "A" ratings.

Read Also: Infowars Bankruptcy: Alex Jones Takes Drastic Move Amid Lawsuits Over Sandy Hook Shooting Claim

ICE to Release 600K Immigrants

Meanwhile, ICE is preparing to release up to 600,000 illegal immigrants into communities by the end of September, according to a federal court, providing an early estimate of the havoc the administration expects once the Title 42 catastrophic border shutdown ends.

In a court filing on how it expects to manage illegal immigrant children who arrive as part of the surge, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed the statistic. The Homeland Security Department expects a "record border surge, with forecasts forecasting to quadruple current arrivals," according to Deane Dougherty, ICE's juvenile coordinator, who said in the filing.

Although the border has been inundated with fresh entrants, it has consistently used less than 20,000 beds this year. ICE reported 18,708 beds in use on Sunday, despite the fact that the southern border had recently experienced the worst month of President Biden's tenure.

According to documents filed in a separate Texas court action, the Border Patrol caught 209,906 illegal aliens in March, while Customs and Border Protection personnel at ports of entry apprehended another 11,397.

Under the Title 42 policy, which is in effect until May 23, around half of the people were swiftly dismissed. CBP released almost 65,000 individuals on its own, returned around 12,000 people via non-Title 42 provisions of the statute, and held roughly 12,500 people in detention out of the more than 110,000 others, according to The Washington Times.

Related Article: Donald Trump Blasts Attorney General Letitia James for Spending Millions Probing Business Instead of Fighting Crimes in New York

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Jobs in technology are plentiful, as evidenced by the nearly 388,000 postings in February, according to a report from CompTIA.

Such figures fuel the fight for talent, says Vince Kellen, CIO of University of California San Diego, but he has a plan to compete in this job market.

Kellen is embracing temporary workers, seeing both contractors and freelancers as an integral part of his staffing strategy. The top tech talent, theyre not necessarily seeking permanence in work, Kellen says.

He has found that these workers are more interested in having engaging jobs and learning new skills to build their resumes than landing long-term positions. Kellen uses that to his advantage.

Vince Kellen, CIO, University of California, San Diego University of California, San Diego

Its a war for talent and we have to find rock stars before theyre rock stars. So Im not afraid to approach top talent to work for us for as long as I can get them, and when theyre ready to move on well help them to do that, he says.

He adds: We recognize that the workers coming into the industry have a different mindset about this than 10 years ago, and were positioning our units to take full advantage of that.

Freelance and contract work is not a new trend. But studies confirm that the number of these workers and their percentage of the tech workforce are on the rise.

Job platform company MBO Partners in its 11th Annual State of Independence in America report calculated a 34% increase in the number of individuals opting for independent work, with figures going from 38.2 million in 2020 to 51.1 million in 2021.

Meanwhile, the 2022 State of Enterprise Tech Employment report from Motion Recruitment found that 42% of the total workforce are 1099 workers, independent contractors, or freelancers and that 90% of companies are moving to a blend of full-time and freelance employees. The study further noted that 30% of digital leaders plan to increase the use of statement-of-work contracts, and 35% plan to increase the use of contractors in 2022.

Kellen, other executives, and labor market analysts all say they are seeing more individuals opt for that kind of work arrangement. As a result, they advise CIOs and other enterprise technology executives and managers to build a staffing strategy that accounts for this dynamic.

A large part of this is thinking about the types of roles and skills to buy, borrow, or build. With contract work, were talking about the borrow strategy. And you should think about your freelance/contractor strategy as part of a holistic talent strategy. Thats the route that I think CIOs need to take, says Will Markow, vice president of applied research for talent at EMSI Burning Glass, a labor market analytics firm.

Plugging the talent gap

Kellen has about 400 full-time staff positions, with a mix of full-time staff employees, contractors, and freelancers filling the roles. He also has about 100 students working part time in his IT department.

He says he follows the University of Californias terms for bringing on contract workers: Contract employees are salaried. They sign one-year contracts, which can be renewed twice for a total of three years of employment. The university extends employee benefits to contract workers.

Kellen also hires freelancers who work on an hourly basis; he says he typically hires them for short periods of time, perhaps months, although some work for the department for longer stretches.

The UC San Diego technology department already engaged contract and freelance workers when Kellen arrived in 2016, but Kellen says more recent employment trends convinced him that he had to build a staffing strategy that incorporated more temporary workers.

As part of that strategy, he and his managers conceptualize work as projects that pull together resources into teams for short durations. They also focus more on what skills are required rather than roles and titles.

I took the tools I had and built a deliberate strategy, he says.

Kellen says he plans on 25% to 30% turnover and figures hell likely have to go with short-term workers when hiring for the hottest skills. As a result, he works to sell his organization to the talent hes seeking, pitching how the university and the technology projects on deck can help them grow professionally. When people leave, he says, We celebrate that and wish them well.

Convergent trends

The rise of contract work within IT corresponds to other trends that are pushing CIOs to recalculate how temporary talent fits within their staffing strategies.

Tracy-Lynn Reid, research lead, CIO Advisory Practice, Info-Tech Research Group and SoftwareReviews Info-Tech Research Group and SoftwareReviews

Kellen points specifically to the increase in remote work, noting that it helps him compete for talent he might not otherwise be able to draw to his location. Remote work is a key part of our strategy as well, he says.

Outsourcing and offshoring also remain part of CIOs staffing strategies, says Tracy-Lynn Reid, research lead for the people and leadership team within the CIO Advisory Practice at Info-Tech Research Group and SoftwareReviews. She points to the firms 2022 IT Talent Trends survey that shows 37% of the responding IT departments outsource roles to fill internal skill shortages.

And CIOs still engage consultants, particularly to address emerging technologies and disruptive capabilities that can really make or break a business, EMSIs Markow says, noting that the big consulting firms tend to have a higher concentration in such experience, making them a popular go-to for such knowledge.

Despite such trends, Lily Mok, vice president and analyst with tech research firm Gartner, says some CIOs have been slow to adjust their staffing strategies. Theyre in a more reactive mode, using contract and freelance talent reluctantly as a stopgap measure and not strategically seeing how they can fit in with the workforce model theyre using.

Pros and cons of contract staffing

CIOs have reason to be cautious, Mok and others acknowledge, as staffing with contract, freelance, and gig workers has both pros and cons to consider.

Lily Mok, vice president, Gartner Gartner

On the positive side, CIOs can use temporary employees to gain flexibility and agility by bringing on needed skills for only the durations theyre required, Mok says. CIOs also often use those transient workers to train permanent employees on what theyll need to maintain systems, so its something of a double win here.

CIOs also typically find they can more easily get workers with high-demand skills on a temporary basis, Mok says. Markow agrees, adding: You can really bring in new skill sets and capabilities more quickly in some cases.

But CIOs must be careful not to misclassify workers as contract when they should be staff, a legal distinction that could run the company afoul of labor laws, Mok says.

In addition to potentially misclassifying these workers, Mok says CIOs who use contract and freelance workers too heavily or for extremely long stretches are often also operating on a more reactionary versus strategic basis, which can translate to missed opportunities, higher costs, and poor morale.

Using contract workers can be more cost effective when you have ad-hoc needs that need to be addressed, Markow adds. But that said, it can be more costly if those projects run far longer than anticipated or roll into other needs or if there are unintended requirements that come about and those workers need to stay on.

CIOs must also consider whether they want transient workers to handle ongoing core services and, if so, how theyll ensure that sudden departures wont be disruptive, experts say. They should also consider how these workers fit in with long-term staff employees and whether and when to readjust teams as individuals come and go.

There could be some culture-related cons there, Markow warns.

Will Markow, vice president of applied research for talent, EMSI Burning Glass EMSI Burning Glass

Indeed, that has created some criticism on the use of contingent workers in IT  criticism that echoes what some see as problems in the growing gig economy.

The TechEquity Collaborative, for example, issued its Contract Worker Disparity Project report that found that temporary, contract, and contingent workers are often doing the same work as their directly-employed peers while making less money, receiving fewer benefits, and experiencing career immobility.

Kellen, Mok, Markow, and others say those potential downsides should not stop CIOs from leveraging contingent workers. Rather, its another reason to be strategic, so CIOs can minimize the negatives and optimize the benefits.

Sharie LaMarche, vice president of SaaS platform operations at Workspot, is deliberate in her use, saying the company leverages contract and freelance talent for project and specialized skills.

When hiring on a contract/freelance basis, Im looking for highly skilled specialists that I dont necessarily need full-time, she says. Ill personally pay more for the right highly skilled resource that I know will elevate performance and expedite work for the team. This investment will ultimately improve productivity in a cost-efficient capacity.

LaMarche has ideas on how to keep teams running smoothly.

In managing teams with freelance or contract workers, ensure that everyone knows the role of the contract worker and what work should and should not be assigned. Its essential to communicate how many hours are allotted and monitor those hours closely, she adds.

Best practices

Given the benefits that the strategic use of contingent workers can bring, Mok says Gartner is seeing some CIOs adopt a gig-worker approach to their staff as a whole  including their staff employees. CIOs are deconstructing work into smaller components, advertising available jobs, and letting workers opt in to assignments. That model has its own challenges, but she says, It facilitates internal talent mobility and retention.

Sharie LaMarche, vice president of SaaS platform operations, Workspot Workspot

Its growing in popularity: In its January 2021 report Innovation Insight for Internal Talent Marketplaces, Gartner predicts that by 2025, 20% of large enterprises will have deployed internal talent marketplace to optimize the utilization and agility of talent.

To be strategic in using contingent workers, Mok advises CIOs to work with HR, rather than procurement teams, to hire. She also advises CIOs to be thoughtful and deliberate about what skills to hire on a contingent basis.

Markow says CIOs should also consider whether the skills are tied to specific projects or otherwise required for a finite time or have a more open-ended demand.

He advises CIOs to analyze the costs of contingent versus staff in those roles, so they have good insight on the financial pros and cons of their decisions. They should also factor in whether the needed skills are critical for IT or the organizations strategic goals and whether theres more or less of a risk going with contingent workers for those.

The gig economy can be a useful means of filling skill/functional gaps, but organizations should be taking a measured and evaluative approach to deciding when and how to pull the contractor/freelancer lever, Info-Techs Reid adds. IT departments often find themselves in firefighter mode, but anticipating and planning for talent demand should be a critical priority. In my opinion, it is logical to believe that those who already had a contingency plan in place for external staff augmentation are likely faring better in this tightening labor market than those who were a little too confident in the world returning to normal when the pandemic was over.
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Russia demanded that Ukrainian military and foreign fighters holed up at the Azovstal metallurgical complex in Mariupol, Ukraine's port city, lay down their guns by noon Moscow time (0900 GMT) on Tuesday if they wished to survive.

Since Russia dispatched soldiers into Ukraine on Feb. 24, Mariupol, which has been ringed by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the hardest combat and most complete devastation.

Russia Offers Ultimatum to Ukraine

On Monday, Ukrainian officials stated that 1,000 inhabitants were sheltering in subterranean bunkers beneath the massive Azovstal complex and that Russia was bombing the Ukrainian-controlled industry in the beleaguered city.

On Tuesday, Russia's defense ministry released a statement urging Ukrainian military and foreign fighters on the ground to surrender. It demanded that troops leave the steel factory with no exception, without weapons or ammo between 1400 and 1600 Moscow time, according to Reuters.

According to Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, chief of Russia's National Defense Control Center, Ukrainian forces holed up on the grounds of the Azovstal iron and steelworks complex in Mariupol have until then to cease all hostilities and lay down their guns. Mizintsev said in a statement Tuesday that Moscow suggested the idea considering the tragic situation in the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, as well as simply humanitarian grounds.

From 2 pm, all Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries will be permitted to depart the factory without weapons or ammo till 4 pm, the time in the area, according to Mizintsev. Each Ukrainian soldier who surrenders is assured that their lives will be spared and that their rights as prisoners of war will be honored by Moscow, as per WBAL.

Read Also: Militant British National Captured in Mariupol Claims That Pro-Ukraine Soldiers Abandoned Civilian Welfare as the Russians Stormed the Port City

'Battle for Donbas' Begins

Putin's commanders are refocusing their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as other regions of Ukraine's eastern flank, after their assaults on Kyiv were thwarted at every turn for weeks in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dubbed 'The Battle of the Donbas' yesterday.

A succession of explosions was recorded along the front line in the Donetsk area, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk throughout the evening, according to Ukrainian media sites and Telegram groups.

Explosions were also reported in Kharkiv, in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv, in the south, and Zaporizhzhia, in the southeast, in accordance with local officials and media. Russian bombardment killed five civilians and injured 17, according to Kharkiv area Governor Oleh Synyehubov.

The next conflict is seen as crucial in determining Ukraine's - and maybe Russia's - final fate. After failing to conquer Kyiv more than two weeks ago, Russia has spent the days since massing forces in the east in an attempt to relaunch its failed invasion and achieve its first significant combat success.

The majority of forces had collected at Izyum, a city on the Donets River some 70 miles south of Kharkiv, in preparation for a push south towards Mariupol. If Russian forces conquer Mariupol, which is predicted to happen in the following weeks, these troops would likely begin a pincer march north to join up with the Izyum army.

The goal is to encircle the Ukrainian military, who have been battling Russian-backed rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Moscow Reveals Actual Ukrainian Casualties in Its Military Service Since Hostilities Started on February 24

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This article was featured in the Tow Center for Digital Journalisms weekly newsletter. Subscribe here to stay up to date on our latest events and publications.

The debate around the influence of Google and Meta on the news industry was front and center at Europes major journalism conference earlier this month, with the involvement of technology platforms in everything from direct news media funding and online harassment through to the war in Ukraine dominating many discussions.

Hundreds of people from around the globe gathered in Perugia, Italy, on Wednesday, April 5, for the annual International Journalism Festival, which had been paused the past two years for covid-19. Wearing mandatory KN95 masks and lanyards adorned with both the festivals hashtag and the Google News Initiative logo, journalists, researchers, and other professionals roamed from panel to panel, set in mid-thirteenth-century churches and gothic public palaces, on topics ranging from AIs role in journalism to best practices on covering the climate crisis. One of the most notable themes for the Tow Center, though, was the lively conversations around platforms and publishers taking place at a journalism festival partially funded by the platforms themselves.

Emily Bell, the Tow Centers founder and director, spoke on a number of panels throughout the week. Bell, who has overseen half a decades worth of Tow research on the relationship between platforms and publishers, largely discussed issues like the implications of Meta (formerly Facebook) and Google being the largest global funders of journalism and whether media organizations should accept funding from platforms at all. She also joined Julie Posetti, director of research at the International Center for Journalists, to parse the results of a survey conducted with Tow on the pandemics continued global impact on journalism. (A second study is currently underway; media workers can take the survey online.)

Patricia Campos Mello, Tow fellow and reporter at large at the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, also sat on panels that week dedicated to online violence against women and, even more specifically, to being persistently targeted by President Jair Bolsonaros hate cabinet.

Google, Meta, and the Open Society Foundations were the main sponsors for the free, five-day festival, complete with a charitable donation from Craig Newmark Philanthropies (Tow receives funding from both OSF and Craig Newmark Philanthropies). Within the festivals de facto headquarters at the Hotel Brufani, in the hallway leading to the information desk, was a mirror-lined entrance to the Meta Journalism Projects exclusive bar, with at least one employee guarding the door at all times. (When I asked if I could go inside, I was told no, unless I was on the list, but I could take a picture with their logo outside and tag them on social media instead. I did not.)

Midday Thursday, journalists from France, Germany, the United States, and Switzerland convened to discuss the state of play on platforms and publishers. Ingo Dachwitz, Netzpolitik reporter and coauthor of Google, the media patron, began the panel by thanking both the IJF and its sponsorsnamely Google and Metafor making space to discuss this complex relationship that has prompted questions about the independence and autonomy of journalism in the digital age.

In the US, Bell described 2021 as a boom year for the big news publishers alongside a local news ecosystem that continues to struggle. (Tow research has shown that more than 6,150 news workers were laid off and at least 86 outlets permanently closed in the first eighteen months of the pandemic.) Yet the US journalism industry, particularly at the local level, has little appetite for adopting legislation resembling Australias News Media Bargaining Code, according to Bell, which would allow publishers to negotiate directly with the platforms for use of their content and has served as a template for countries like Canada.

Maybe the fact that local newsrooms are not particularly for legislative reform may be a reflection of American culture wanting to see fixes come from within the industry and the free market, Bell said. Or it could be thatif you cynically want to saythis is lobbying money, and it was lobbying money well spent. This absence of government policy has been filled by Google and Meta themselves, according to Bell, and their answer for newsrooms is to equip them with the capacity to raise their own money, primarily through subscriptions.

In Switzerland, major news companies have paused their cooperation with Google entirely, according to Adrienne Fichter, Republiks investigative tech reporter. This is a complete reversal from years prior, stretching back to 2018, when Swiss media were some of the largest recipients of support from Googles Digital News Initiative, which later became the Google News Initiative. It comes amid the push to pass an ancillary copyright law for the Swiss press that was first enacted by Germany and later adopted by the European Parliament, and in theory allows publishers to collect a fee from platforms each time they link to their digital content.

Relatedly in France, Gilles Bruno, editor of LObservatoire des Medias, says that the government has now fined Google half a billion euros for refusing to negotiate using fair terms with the alliance de la presse dinformation generale, or the general press, under the pan-EU ancillary copyright law.

And in Germany, Dachwitz says, the market authorities are now investigating Google News Showcase, an aggregation platform that, according to PressGazette, pays publishers to participate by maintaining short, low-maintenance newsfeeds, or panels, on the platform. The investigation came after they discovered a clause in Googles contracts with publishers that forbade them from taking money from any other licensing dealincluding fees collected through ancillary copyright.

Google hosted just a single panel on new tools and techniques for journalists, once in Italian and then again in English, whereas Meta sponsored at least five panels on topics ranging from storytelling tools and products for the Metaverse to fact-checking during challenging timeslike covid-19 or Russias invasion of Ukraine.

While Meta and Google continue to invest in fact-checking and content moderation on their platforms around the world, many panelists discussed the limitations, and subsequent real-life consequences, of what are often inadequate policies. In Covering Putins War, panelist Jane Lytvynenko, a senior research fellow at the Shorenstein Centers Technology and Social Change project, discussed the inequality ingrained in tech platforms moderation that disproportionately takes place in English-speaking, Western countries. The lack of language specialization, including languages currently being used in the war in Ukraine, Lytvynenko says, means propaganda works better in some parts of the world than others. In a separate panel later in the week, on journalists covering tech, Coda Story cofounder and editor in chief Natalia Antelava cited the deadly impact Meta policies have had in countries like the Philippines (Facebook-owned Instagram is the platform of choice for Tagalog-speaking human traffickers), Ethiopia (misinformation and hate speech circulated on Facebook inflamed ethnic violence amid a civil war), and Ukraine (Russia-backed disinformation networks have been pushing coordinated fake news on Facebook about Russias invasion of Ukraine), to name just a few examples.

How, if at all, platforms will approach their responsibility to the public and a free press during a full-scale war in Ukraine was also discussed. Peter Pomerantsev, research fellow at the Agora Institute, said in Covering Putins War that for him, this specific moment is when tech platforms need to take a stance and equip Ukrainians and the Russian people with the appropriate tools and services during wartime. Its not taking a geopolitical stance, its taking a stance around the things they claim to value, which is human rights, access to information, and connecting people, argued Pomerantsev. Bell, in the State of Play discussion, similarly argued that, if the platforms are really earnest in their endeavors, they now need to align their practices on the ground and their content moderation policies with supporting a free press, which at the moment they absolutely do not.

The formal platforms-and-publishers discussions in Perugia wound down with a conversation on whether newsrooms should accept funding from Google and Metaa topic dividing the industry globallymoderated by Mathew Ingram, the Columbia Journalism Reviews chief digital writer. Charlie Beckett, founding director of Polis at the London School of Economics, said their JournalismAI project has received a million euros over the past four years from Google. Beckett defended this partnership because the London School of Economics decided the funding would go to Polis, the independent think tank, rather than directly to his department, acting as a safeguard of sorts for the principles of academic freedom and integrity. The director of the European Journalism Centre, Lars Boering, said that his nonprofit also has a partnership with the GNI and has so far received $450,000 in funding for various initiatives, including a paid summer fellowship program for thirty students looking to drive innovation across the news industry.

Conversely, Bell said that the Tow Center has received zero funding from either tech platform, and shes not alone. During the other panel on covering the tech beat, Julia Angwin, cofounder and editor at large of The Markup, says that theyve neither received nor sought out money from Google or Facebook. Our motto is Big Tech is watching you, and were watching Big Tech, said Angwin. It just would destroy trust with our readers, I think, if we were like, Brought to you by Google News. And, in the same panel, Coda Storys Antelava said funding decisions are simple for them: We dont take money from governments, we dont take money from Big Tech, and we dont take money from oligarchs, which explains why we are so poor.

One notable point of agreement was that the people working for the Google News Initiative and Meta Journalism Project seem to genuinely care about journalism, and the funding often leads to innovative projects that otherwise wouldnt exist. In the end, though, that may not be enough if these news initiatives sit within the tech companies whose policies and actions often run counter to the principles of free speech and press freedom.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Gabby Miller is a Senior Reporting Fellow at the Tow Center studying newsroom cutbacks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Insurers created the appraisal process to provide an efficient way to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom using disinterested experts, but lately insurer skepticism about appraiser impartiality has become a new source of litigation.

Insurance defense attorneys are increasingly likely to challenge appraisal awards that they believe are tainted by appraisers who are not disinterested or impartial, as required by most insurance contracts.

If an unbiased panel tells our client it owes the claim, great. Our client will pay it, said Steve Badger, a partner with the Zelle law firm in Dallas who represented the insurer. But if a crooked panel tells our client that it owes $56 million on a claim truly worth a tenth of that, we are fighting back. And aggressively.

Badger represented Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. is a dispute with the First Baptist Church of Odessa, Texas over the value of claim resulting from a June 2017 hail storm. The insurer filed a counterclaim accusing the church of colluding with an appraiser and an umpire on the appraisal panel in an attempt to defraud it.

That was just the latest of several cases where insurers challenged repair estimates that they say were made by biased appraisers. Last month, a jury in Denver County, Colorado found that an appraiser had defrauded Travelers Indemnity Co. and awarded more than $500,000 in damages.

Badger said the appraisal process has no procedural rules or ethical guidelines.

As a result, a small group of fraudsters have realized they can manipulate the appraisal process for the financial gain of their clients and also for themselves, he said.

Untethered from reality

Brotherhood Mutual had accused appraiser Raymond Choate and umpire Mark Weeks of being among those fraudsters in the counterclaim the insurer filed last December, after the church filed a lawsuit to recover hail damages.

Proceedings in the case, which was removed to federal court, were stayed in 2020 for the appraisal process. Both the church and the insurer designated appraisers, who mutually agreed to an umpire to resolve any differences.

But the umpire selected by the appraisers withdrew because of his heavy workload. Brotherhood alleges that this is when the church and its appraisers conspired to defraud it.

On June 15, 2020, an attorney for the church, Christopher G. Lyster, asked Judge Michael Moore, of the 29th Judicial Circuit in Palo Pinto County to appoint a replacement umpire. Moore complied the next day, appointing Mark Weeks in Wichita Falls (300 miles from Odessa). Weeks returned the $56.6 million appraisal award that Brotherhood Mutual challenged in court.

Moores courthouse is 269 miles from the First Baptist Church in Odessa, according to Google.com/maps. Wells resides in Wichita Falls, about 300 miles away.

According to Brotherhood Mutuals pleadings, Choate and Weeks conspired to make misrepresentations and produce a damage estimate untethered to reality, knowing that the church would attempt to bind Brotherhood Mutual to it.

The insurers counterclaim states that the churchs own contractor submitted an estimate in 2018 that repairs of the hail damage would cost $10,660,764 and repairs to interior damage $40,708. The new $56.6 million appraisal included $38 million in interior damages, the suit says.

Brotherhood Mutual persuaded US District Court Judge David Counts to throw out the appraisal award, but not because of the fraud allegations. As it turned out, the churchs attorney had acted too soon. Judge Moore appointed a replacement umpire only 14 days after the previous umpire withdrew. Counts ruled that the policy required the church to wait 15 days before asking for a replacement umpire.

Counts granted the insurers motion to vacate the appraisal on Feb. 16. On Feb. 28, the parties submitted a notice of settlement for an undisclosed amount.

Badger is not allowed to discuss the settlement terms. But his point was clear.

The days of compromising outrageous appraisal awards just to be done with the matter are over, he said in an email.

The court never ruled on the merits of Brotherhood Mutuals fraud arguments, but the involvement of a Palo Pinto County judge in a far-away claims dispute raised eyebrows even among policyholder attorneys. Chip Merlin, a Florida lawyer who runs a national practice representing insurance claimants, wrote about the First Baptist Church appraisal in a blog post last April.

In some jurisdictions, writing a unilateral letter to a judge knowing that another party is represented I would suggest could be a major ethical issue, Merlin wrote.

Lyster, Moore and Choate did not respond to requests for comment. Weeks said Monday that he did nothing wrong. He said he agreed to the appraised amount only after the insurers appraiser stopped participating in the process, leaving only one damage estimate in play. He said he signed documents releasing him from liability for the claim.

Good faith

Bob Horst, managing partner of the Horst Krekstein + Runyon law firm in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, outlined the inherent flaws of the appraisal process from an insurers perspective during a presentation at the Property Liability Resource Bureau conference in San Antonio earlier this month. He questioned whether appraisers who are paid on a contingency basis can be truly disinterested, as required by insurance contracts.

Shawn D. Woodie, a claims examiner for Erie Insurance Group, said during the presentation that appraisals, instead of settlements, are being used to resolve claims more than ever before.

Horst said the appraisal process itself is also being litigated more frequently, with multiple decisions from different jurisdictions in the last several months alone.

Some examples: In January, a US District Court judge in Miami dismissed a lawsuit filed by a homeowner who attempted to cancel an appraisal that took longer to complete than she wished and did not include the full scope of damages. In February, a US District Court Judge in Chicago ordered AmGuard Insurance Co. to participate in the appraisal process despite the insurers concern that its dispute with the homeowner was over whether coverage existed, not the extent of damage. In March, a US District Court judge in Tennessee compelled State Farm to appoint an appraiser to resolve a claim by a policyholder who says her historic home was damaged by a tornado.

One issue generating attention is whether an appraiser  and/or an umpire, for that matter  is disinterested, Horst said in an email. Some policies and courts have also considered an appraisers impartiality as well. The existence of an appraisers contingency interest in a potential appraisal award (or loss payment) is likely one factor in an analysis of whether that appraiser is interested.

Public adjusters generally agree that the appraisal process is being used more often than it should, said Brian Goodman, counsel for the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. But Goodman said theres plenty of blame to go around.

Goodman said natural disasters are more frequent and insurers are responding by sending inexperienced out-of-state adjusters who dont always know how to value a claim. On top of that comes a general lack of civility in society that discourages a good faith effort among the parties involved to resolve claims.

Goodman said there are two requirements for an appraiser: They must be competent and disinterested.

If you look at the plethora of reported cases now, the notion of who/what is a disinterested appraiser is litigated all the time, he said in an email.

Bad faith

Many cases involving alleged bias by an appraiser cite a 2019 Colorado Supreme Court decision in a lawsuit brought against Owners Insurance Co. by the Dakota Station II Condominium Association. The insurer paid the claim after an appraisal, but later challenged that appraisal because the appraisers contract with the insured capped her fee as a percentage of the insurance payout, Also, the appraiser had testified that it is appropriate for an appraiser to act as an advocate for the insured.

The Supreme Court did not agree that the contingent fee agreement necessarily meant the appraiser was biased, but remanded the case with directions to the trial court to determine whether the appraisers statement about being an advocate for her client had disqualified her.

The Supreme Courts ruling states that appraisers must be unbiased, disinterested, without prejudice, and unswayed by personal interest, [and] must not favor one side more than another.

Travelers Insurance Co. banked on that Dakota Station language when it challenged an appraisal award that found $1.6 million in hail damage to policyholder GSL Groups property.

Travelers paid the appraisal award, but later learned that the policyholders appraiser, Juan Cartaya, had used a fraudulent invoice to support his estimate of the extent of damages.

The insurer said Cartaya had received $603,864 bid from a contractor to repair the metal roof over GSL Groups property, which included a $23,000 line-item estimate to repair beams, called purlins, that support the roof. But Cartaya included the entire $603,864 as the cost of purlin repairs alone and added additional line items that increased his appraisal to $1.6 million.

Travelers alleged that Cartaya had billed himself as an advocate for policyholders when advertising his business, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also received received numerous referrals from the Merlin Law Group  the very law firm mentioned earlier that is managed by policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. Whats more, attorneys for Merlins practice often provided free legal services to Cartayas clients.

One is reminded of the adage that there is no such thing as a free lunch,' US District Court Senior Judge Marcia S. Krieger said in a September 2021 ruling. Here, it is reasonable to believe that Mr. Cartaya would feel obligated to return that favor, such that he could be swayed in his appraisal activities in this case by that personal interest.

Krieger found that the evidence showed Cartaya has submitted a grossly overinflated estimate of the damage to the GSL Group property and that he was not impartial as required by the policy. She vacated the appraisal award, but also denied Travelers request to recoup $805,054 that the insurer said it had overpaid.

Travelers filed a separate lawsuit against Cartaya in Denver County Circuit Court. The case was tried and on March 29 a jury returned a civil verdict finding that Cartaya had committed fraud. The jury found that Travelers damages were $603,864, but 10% of that amount was the fault of the insurers appraiser, Trent Gillette.

Sadly, these abuses are ruining a process that was intended to help policyholders promptly resolve disputed claims without the need for litigation, Badger said. To the contrary, the current schemes are ensuring these disputes end up in years of litigation.
DETROIT (AP)  A group of Tesla shareholders suing CEO Elon Musk over some 2018 tweets about taking the company private is asking a federal judge to order Musk to stop commenting on the case.

Lawyers for stockholders of the Austin, Texas-based company also say in court documents that the judge in the case has ruled that Musks tweets about having funding secured to take Tesla private were false, and that his comments also violate a 2018 court settlement with U.S. securities regulators in which Musk and Tesla each agreed to pay $20 million fines.

Musk, during an interview Thursday at the TED 2022 conference, said he had the funding to take Tesla private in 2018. He called the Securities and Exchange Commission a profane name and said he only settled because bankers told him they would stop providing capital if he didnt, and Tesla would go bankrupt.

The interview and court action came just days after Musk, the worlds richest person, made a controversial offer to take over Twitter and turn it into a private company with a $43 billion offer that equals $54.20 per share. Twitters board on Friday adopted a poison pill strategy that would make it prohibitively expensive for Musk to buy the shares.

In court documents filed Friday, lawyers for the Tesla shareholders alleged that Musk is trying to influence potential jurors in the lawsuit. They contend that Musks 2018 tweets about having the money to take Tesla private at $420 per share were written to maniuplate the stock price, costing shareholders money.

Now, lawyers say Musk is campaigning to influence possible jurors as the case gets closer to trial.

Musks comments risk confusing potential jurors with the false narrative that he did not knowingly make misrepresentations with his Aug. 7, 2018 tweets, the lawyers wrote. His present statements on that issue, an unsubtle attempt to absolve himself in the court of public opinion, will only have a predjudicial influence on a jury.

The lawyers asked Judge Edward M. Chen in San Francisco to restrain Musk from making further public comments on the issue until after the trial. Chen gave Musks lawyers until Wednesday to respond.

Alex Spiro, a lawyer representing Musk, wrote in an email Sunday that the plaintiffs lawyers are seeking a big payout. Nothing will ever change the truth, which is that Elon Musk was considering taking Tesla private and could have, he wrote. All thats left some half-decade later is random plaintiffs lawyers trying to make a buck and others trying to block that truth from coming to light, all to the detriment of free speech.

But the shareholders lawyers wrote that Chen already ruled that Musks tweets were false and misleading, and that no reasonable juror could conclude otherwise.

Judge Chens order, issued April 1, was not in the public court file as of Sunday. Adam Apton, a lawyer for the shareholders, said it was sealed because it has evidence that Musk and Tesla say is confidential. It will stay sealed until the parties agree if anything should remain sealed, he wrote in an email. Our motion for TRO (temporary restraining order) accurately desribes the issues decided by the court, Apton wrote.

After Musks 2018 tweets, the SEC filed a complaint against him alleging securities law violations. Musk then agreed to the fine and signed the court agreement. Part of the agreement says that Musk will not take any action or make or permit to be made any public statement denying, directly or indirectly, any allegation in the complaint or creating the impression that the complaint is without factual basis.

If Musk violates the agreement, the SEC may ask the court to scrap it and restore the securities fraud complaint, the agreement says. A message was left Sunday seeking comment from the SEC.

Spiro, on behalf of Musk, already has asked a Manhattan federal court to throw out the agreement. He contends the SEC is using the pact and near limitless resources to chill Musks speech. Court documents filed by Spiro say Musk signed the agreement when Tesla was a less mature company and SEC action jeopardized its financing.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
According to his nurse, the tip of Johnny Depp's severed finger was discovered in an upside-down property in Australia, which he ruined during a feud with his now-ex-wife Amber Heard.

On Monday, jurors in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star's defamation trial against Heard heard pre-recorded testimony from Debbie Lloyd, Depp's former private nurse, who flew with the pair to Australia in March 2015 and was part of the team helping Depp recover from his opiate addiction.

Johnny Depp Cut His Finger Off During Argument With Amber Heard

While filming 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' Debbie Lloyd said she arrived at Depp's home to discover a smashed-up TV and graffiti on the walls, as well as Depp's hands caked in paint and dirt, according to her evidence in the March 8 deposition, which was heard in Virginia court on Monday.

According to Lloyd, the home management eventually located Depp's fingertip and took it to the hospital. She also remembered hearing various stories from people regarding what caused the horrific injuries. Heard denies throwing a vodka bottle at him, and the events of that night are still a point of contention between the two ex-wives.

The account was muddied by testimony given earlier on Monday by Depp's former private doctor, David Kipper. Kipper claimed he returned to the residence shortly after the finger incident and found shattered glass and blood on the floor, but no blood on the glass, in a deposition recorded on Feb. 22.

According to Kipper, Depp informed medics at an emergency facility in Australia that he wounded his finger with a knife. The doctor made no mention of a shattered bottle in his notes, New York Post reported.

Read Also: Oprah Winfrey: The Reason Why "The Queen of All Media" Never Had a Child

Johnny Depp to Testify in Defamation Case

The couple married in 2015 after meeting on the set of The Rum Diary in 2009. When Heard requested a domestic violence restraining order, alleging Depp of beating her, she filed for divorce the following year. The jury selection process began on April 11, with seven jurors and four alternates being chosen. The first witnesses testified in person or by video testimony on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, according to Independent.

In his court battle with his former wife Amber Heard, actor Johnny Depp is due to testify Tuesday. He accuses her of lying about him beating her during their brief marriage. Laurel Anderson, their former couple's therapist, said that the violence seemed to be reciprocal during their marriage. Depp allegedly told Anderson that Heard "gave as good as she got."

Anderson also testified that Heard claimed Depp beat her and showed her injuries in a session held apart from her spouse. In May 2016, Heard was given a protection order after claiming Depp had smacked her in the face with a telephone. She said he yanked her hair, shouted at her, and beat her repeatedly in court, presenting evidence in the form of a photo of a bruise on her face.

She also revealed that she was terrified of Depp, claiming that he had a quick temper and tormented her. Depp, who played Jack Sparrow in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films, denies ever physically abusing Heard. It is his second effort to sue over the claim; a libel action filed in the United Kingdom two years ago was unsuccessful, as per NBC News.

Related Article: Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Trial: Marriage Counselor Shares Heartbreaking 'Mutual Abuse' Between Ex-Couple

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A judge ordered Amazon to reinstate a former warehouse employee who got terminated during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as the company fired the worker "unlawfully."

The employee had led a protest calling for Amazon to further protect its employees against COVID-19 infections.

Administrative law judge Benjamin Green ruled on Monday that Amazon must reinstate Bryson's job, as well as compensate him for missed salary and benefits as a result of his "discriminatory" termination, CBS News reported.

Gerald Bryson, who worked at an Amazon warehouse in the Staten Island borough of New York City, has been involved in a labor dispute since June 2020, when he submitted an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that Amazon had retaliated towards him.

Bryson's complaint that Amazon illegally fired him for workplace organizing was upheld by the NLRB later that year. The federal board filed a formal complaint against Amazon after refusing to accept the results, beginning a lengthy administrative court process.

Amazon Will Appeal The Ruling

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said Monday that the company will appeal as it "strongly" disagrees with the ruling and got "surprised" that the NLRB "would want an employer to condone Mr. Bryson's behavior."

She said that Bryson was fired due to "bullying, cursing, and defaming" a female co-worker "over a bullhorn in front of the workplace," which Amazon does not tolerate, as reported by ABC News.

Bryson initially took part in a March 2020 demonstration over working conditions led by Chris Smalls, another Amazon warehouse employee who was terminated and now leads the Amazon Labor Union, a new organization that won a union election at the Amazon site where both men worked earlier this month.

After Smalls was fired, Bryson staged another protest in front of the warehouse in April 2020. Bryson got into an altercation with another worker while on the job during the demonstration. After breaking Amazon's vulgar-language policy, he was terminated.

Court filings give an account of the altercation between Bryson and a female employee. A recording of their dispute detailed by the NLRB showed both Bryson and the woman using profanities during a heated exchange that lasted several minutes, per US News report.

The agency's account shows the woman began the exchange and twice tried to provoke Bryson into a physical altercation with her, which he did not enter into. The woman was given a "first warning."

The judge said in his decision that Amazon rushed to judgment and pursued a "skewed investigation" into the argument designed to blame only Bryson for that incident, adding the company wanted to discharge Bryson for his "protected concerted activity instead of fairly evaluating" what happened.

The conflict between Bryson and a female employee is detailed in court documents. During a heated conversation that lasted many minutes, both Bryson and the woman used profanities, according to a tape provided by the NLRB.

According to the board's report, the woman initiated the argument and twice attempted to provoke Bryson into a physical conflict with her, which he resisted. A "first warning" was issued to the woman.

The court says Amazon rushed to judgment and conducted a "skewed" probe into the case to single out Bryson for blame. The company intended to fire Bryson for his "protected concerted activity" rather than properly examining the incident.

Read Also: Donald Trump Blasts Attorney General Letitia James for Spending Millions Probing Business Instead of Fighting Crimes in New York

Amazon Wants Labor Union Victory Quashed

In a separate case, the labor board sued Amazon in federal court last month, requesting that a judge force the corporation to reinstate Mr. Bryson because its "serious flouting" of the safeguards would "remain unchecked" otherwise. According to The New York Times, the case is still ongoing.

Amazon claimed the labor department was biased when it asked a federal judge to intervene before the JFK8 union election. The firm has referenced Mr. Bryson's case as the main cause why the union's victory should be quashed.

The Amazon Labor Union, which won the ballot at JFK8, will face a second vote at a nearby warehouse in late April.

The agency's five-member board will hear Amazon's appeal of Monday's order. If it loses there, it has the option of appealing the decision in federal court.

Related Article: Kentucky Employer Fined $450,000 Over Surprise Birthday Party That Triggered Worker's Anxiety Disorder

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a short time, Tevfik Arif's Bayrock Group went from working on small-sized projects to cooperating with big players like the Trump Organization.

Most Americans probably connect the name Tevfik Arif with the luxury real estate development firm Bayrock Group, but in Europe and Asia, he is known as a serial entrepreneur operating in multiple sectors.

Before he came to the United States in 2001 and founded Bayrock Group, he seized the new business opportunities that emerged in his native Kazakhstan in the wake of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Tevfik Arif was brought into the world in 1953 to parents of Turkish origin living in Soviet Kazakhstan. He grew up there with his family, which was made up of his mom, dad and three siblings.

As a kid, Tevfik Arif became interested in business and economics - subjects that would eventually follow him throughout his life.

As a young man, he followed his passion and enrolled at the Moscow Trade and Economics Institute, where he pursued a degree in International Relations.

After graduating, he landed a job at the Soviet Ministry of Commerce and Trade.

Tevfik Arif took pride in the job, as it was perceived as a prestigious job among young Soviets.

During the 17 years that he worked for the government, he was promoted multiple times and ended up as the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade's Hotel Management Department.

At the beginning of the 1990s, new business opportunities unfolded in Kazakhstan, as the Soviet Union collapsed.

That led to Kazakhstan becoming an independent republic and the private sector becoming more accessible to Kazakhstanis.

Tevfik Arif goes to America and dreams bigger

Tevfik Arif was among the young Kazakhstanis who wanted to try their luck in the unexplored world of private businesses.

Therefore, he quit his government job and established multiple firms in the sectors of luxury real estate development, food, imports and exports, minerals and natural resources, among other fields.

Tevfik Arif's many business endeavors in various sectors provided him with an extensive network of national and international partners.

The global associates motivated him to explore new paths abroad. In 1993, he moved to Turkey, where he became one of the pioneering forces behind the all-inclusive hotel concept.

He also opened the Labada Hotel in Antalya, Turkey, which still exists to this day.

Over the following years, Tevfik Arif entered the European market before he took the leap and moved to the United States in 2001.

The Kazakhstani businessman settled down in New York City, where he could be closer to the American part of his family.

At the same time, he could look into American business ventures. That resulted in the establishment of the luxury real estate development company Bayrock Group, which started handling small to medium-sized projects.

The firm was, for instance, tasked with the renovation of the Loehmann's Seaport Plaza shopping center in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

After several successfully completed projects of that caliber, Tevfik Arif began dreaming bigger.

He wanted to take on bigger projects and to accompany the new strategy, he relocated Bayrock Group's offices to the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.

Being located on one of the most famous streets in the world, Tevfik Arif also made some beneficial connections.

One of them was with the Trump Organization, which was also located in the Trump Tower.

How Bayrock Group leveraged the Trump Organization

At the time, Bayrock Group was working with the Sapir Organization on a real estate development project on Spring Street in New York City's SoHo area.

While Bayrock Group was still a fairly new player on the American real estate scene, the Trump Organization certainly was not.

The company, which was led by the former American president Donald Trump, was a household name, and Tevfik Arif eyed big opportunities in that.

To add brand recognition and prestige to the project in SoHo, the Bayrock Group founder suggested adding the Trump Organization to the plan.

Therefore, Tevfik Arif presented a plan that would give the Trump Organization 18% equity in the building in exchange for using the Trump brand in the name of the building.

All three involved parties signed the deal that marked the beginning of what would become Trump SoHo.

The first brick of the building was laid on Spring Street in 2006, and two years later, the 46-story building opened its doors to the public.

Tevfik Arif becomes hungry for more

All three companies aimed for perfection with Trump SoHo. For this reason, the building was equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, enabling residents to enjoy the New York City skyline from any angle of the construction.

Trump SoHo consisted of apartments, hotel rooms, an open-air pool, restaurants, bars, spa facilities as well as event and banquet halls.

Handel Architects was the designer of the building's structure, while Rockwell Group took care of the interior design of Trump SoHo.

Both companies have extensive portfolios that include world-renowned projects.

Handel Architects has, for instance, designed the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington D.C. and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

Rockwell Group is known for the composition of numerous luxurious restaurants, bars and casinos all over the world. Among its recent clients are the W Hotel in Nashville, the Freehold Bar in Miami and the Kimpton Shinjuku Hotel in Tokyo.

The cooperation with the Trump Organization turned out to be a success, which made Tevfik Arif hungry for more.

He and the Trump Organization looked into constructing similar buildings in Arizona and Florida under the same licensing terms, but their timing could have been better.

As the two companies were planning their next move, the American real estate market was shaken by the 2008 global financial crisis.

The crisis changed the American real estate market to such an extent that it prompted Tevfik Arif to leave the country and re-focus on Europe and Asia.

Today, Tevfik Arif has largely resigned from Bayrock Group, but he remains a valued advisor to the company.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Pixel 6's new Android bug automatically declines incoming phone calls without notifying its users.

Pixel 6's New Android Bug

The flagship smartphone models of Google, the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro, have both experienced a couple of issues and bugs since their debut last Oct. 2021.

Its owners have been complaining about the buggy issues on the Pixel 6 phones. Thus, Google has been consistently rolling out Android software updates for its flagship device to fix its bugs.

But this time around, the latest issue of the Pixel 6 is on a new level, preventing the device from performing what phones should primarily do even before it got "smart"  make and receive calls.

Pixel 6 Issue: Automatically Rejecting Calls

As per a news story by The Verge, some Pixel owners are complaining that their devices have been declining calls from their contacts on random instances.

So, if you have a friend who owns a Pixel 6 or a Pixel 6 Pro, chances are that they are not actually personally ignoring your calls. Instead, their smartphone failed to notify them about it and decided on its own to automatically reject it.

A Reddit post from a Pixel 6 Pro user further explained the software issue, saying that it declines calls without the knowledge of its user.

The user went on to add that the issue occurs randomly, roughly around four times a week. As such, the contacts of the Pixel 6 Pro owner have been telling him that they tried to call. But when the user checked his call logs, it clearly said it was outright declined.

The catch is that the Pixel 6 Pro owner says that the phone did not even ring at all in the first place. So, it appears that the Google flagship phone automatically declined the call.

Read Also: Where Is Magic Eraser in Pixel 6? Here's What to Do If You Can't Find New Google Tool

Meanwhile, according to a recent report by 9to5Google, the other end of the call, or folks attempting to contact a Pixel 6 owner, reported that they were asked to leave a voicemail.

On top of that, some Pixel 6 users also reported that the seemingly declined call did not even make it to their missed call notification.

It is worth noting that although most of the reports came from owners of the Pixel 6 phones, some complaints are from users of their predecessors, going back to the Pixel 2XL.

Pixel 6 Rejecting Calls Bug: How To Fix

As of writing, Google has yet to release any concrete fix for the issue, which appears to automatically decline calls.

The Verge noted in its report that current suggestions are general troubleshooting steps when encountering issues, such as restarting the device.

In the meantime, 9to5Google suggests users check their voicemail for any new messages.

Related Article: Google Pixel 6 Pro Camera Guide: 5 Easy Steps to Take 4K Resolution Selfie Video
The incoming administration's finance minister nominee, Choo Kyung-ho, heads to his temporary office in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap





By Anna J. Park







Concerns are growing among employees of state-owned companies about their job stability, as the incoming Yoon administration is expected to pursue major restructuring of public firms under the premise of increasing efficiency.







Such concerns are based on the fact that Choo Kyung-ho, the nominee for the positions of finance minister and deputy minister for economic affairs of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, has been calling for years to overhaul and restructure public firms. When he was serving as the first vice minister of the finance ministry in 2013 in the Park Geun-hye administration, he urged public companies to undergo restructuring to eliminate "lax management" and resolve those public institutions' deficits.







According to ALIO, an information portal on public institutions, the number of employees of the country's 36 state-led companies increased to 145,047 as of the end of last year, which is a 19.5 percent jump from 2016, a year prior to when the Moon administration took office in May 2017.







During the past five years, that number has been increasing continuously, as President Moon had vowed to convert temporary contract workers to regular workers with job security until retirement as much as possible, as one of his presidential campaign pledges. The government had also been increasing the number of public jobs in the past couple of years, as the domestic employment market had been hit hard by the pandemic.







Upon being nominated as the incoming administration's finance minister, Choo urged public firms to take more responsibility in stabilizing public utility fees. He also criticized the leadership of some public companies, as some managers receive high compensation while their companies suffer deficits.







"Such state-led firms cannot just simply say that they need to increase public utility fees, while they continue their lax management behaviors," Choo said during a press conference held earlier this month. "We will induce the directors of the institutions to lead by example."






U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, a Centennial Democrat, discusses a recent congressional delegation trip to Eastern Europe in a videoconference call with reporters on Monday, April 18, 2022. Crow and fellow members of the House Intelligence Committee visited Poland, Slovakia and Romania to get an up-close look at the war in Ukraine.
U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, left, speaks as South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Noh Kyu-duk looks on during a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' office in Seoul, April 18. AP-Yonhap





U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim is expected to hold a series of meetings with members of the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol government in Seoul this week, officials said Tuesday.







Kim has been in the country since Monday to coordinate the allies' North Korea policy amid concern Pyongyang could stage major provocations, such as a nuclear weapon or intercontinental ballistic missile test, ahead of Yoon's inauguration next month.







On Wednesday, Kim will meet with foreign minister nominee Park Jin, while he is expected to meet with unification minister nominee Kwon Young-se, Thursday, according to the officials.







During his five-day stay, Kim is also likely to meet with Kim Sung-han, a member of Yoon's transition committee and his likely pick for national security adviser, and Rep. Cho Tae-yong, a former vice foreign minister who recently traveled with Park to Washington as part of Yoon's policy consultation delegation.







"We'll talk about ways in which South Korea and the United States can closely cooperate against North Korea's threats," Park said of his planned meeting with Kim as he arrived at his temporary office Tuesday.







No meeting has yet been planned between Kim and Yoon.







On Monday, Kim met with his counterpart and Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Noh Kyu-duk, and promised to work closely to respond "responsibly and decisively" to North Korea's provocations. (Yonhap)






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This photo, released Sunday, by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, shows the test-firing of what it claims to have been a new tactical guided weapon. EPA-Yonhap



By Kang Seung-woo



There was no massive military parade nor a nuclear test when North Korea celebrated its late founder's birth anniversary, Saturday.



However, Pyongyang's military show of force remains a possibility as the country is set to mark 2022 as a "revolutionary year of celebrations," with its first step likely to be a demonstration of its military hardware later this month, according to diplomatic observers, Tuesday.



North Korea is set to celebrate multiple anniversaries this year. This year is the 10th anniversary of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's reign in power, while the reclusive nation will also be commemorating the 110th and 80th birthday anniversaries of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the current dictator's grandfather and father, respectively. In addition, the country is scheduled to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, the predecessor of the present Korean People's Army, on April 25.



Traditionally, North Korea has celebrated the anniversary with a large-scale military show of force in years ending with a five or zero.



Despite predictions that the Kim regime could have shown off its newly developed weapons and even conducted a seventh nuclear test on the occasion of Kim Il-sung's birthday, it instead marked the anniversary in a festive mood, featuring fireworks and a dance performance.



North Korea test-fired a new type of tactical guided weapon on the day, but it was regarded, by experts, as staging a relatively low-intensity provocation.



"On April 25, North Korea is highly expected to hold a large-scale military parade showing off its state-of-art equipment," said Cho Han-beom, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.



"However, the North may refrain from launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) anytime soon as its Tongchang-ri missile launch site does not seem fully prepared."



Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, presented a similar view.



"The North Korean regime is likely to stage a military parade on a large scale, featuring a range of weapons that it has unveiled so far," he said.



"After that, it may rev up its provocations following the South Korea-U.S. combined military drill, scheduled to end on April 28. One of its options could be a submarine-launched ballistic missile."



On Monday, Seoul and Washington kicked off their annual military exercise, which North Korea has denounced as a rehearsal for invasion.



Park also said North Korea may be cautious about testing an ICBM, or its newest Hwasong-17.



"In March, North Korea claimed it had successfully tested the Hwasong-17, but a relaunch of the missile would be self-contradictory," he said, adding that it may disguise the launch as a military reconnaissance satellite.



On Monday, Sung Kim, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, arrived in Seoul and met with his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu-duk. Following their meeting, the American envoy said they will strongly respond to North Korea's destabilizing behavior, including a possible nuclear test.



However, it remains to be seen if the North Korean leader pushes ahead with a seventh nuclear test.



"For North Korea, it is not urgent to carry out a nuclear test and the detonation of a nuclear bomb needs to remain a last resort," Cho said.



Park also said it could go either way as North Korea has self-proclaimed itself as a nuclear state.



"Experts are also mixed on whether North Korea needs another nuclear test. Its restoration work at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site means either it's a gesture to pressure South Korea and the U.S. for more concessions in nuclear talks or as part of efforts to miniaturize a nuclear warhead," he added.


Thank you for reading!

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The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form




The United States shifted its travel advisory on South Korea to the lowest tier of Level 1, Monday, a sharp change from the highest warning of Level 4 that was issued in February.





The announcement followed reports that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had lowered its own travel recommendation on South Korea by a notch from the "Do Not Travel" level. South Korea is reportedly among around 90 nations and other regions that dropped to "Level 3: High," indicating a reduced risk to U.S. visitors to the country from COVID-19.





The Department of State had maintained a Level 4 travel advisory on South Korea since Feb. 15.









Level 1 encourages U.S. visitors to exercise "normal precaution" while visiting their host nation. The department did not offer any specific reasons for the new travel advisory measure for South Korea in a notice posted on its website. (Yonhap)


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This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-04-18, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, over the suffering caused by a typhoon attack.

In his message, Xi said that he was shocked to learn the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which caused serious casualties and property losses, adding that he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, expresses his deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured people.

China, he said, stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity to the Philippines.

Xi said he believes that under the leadership of President Duterte and the Philippine government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.




The government vowed Tuesday to further beef up its early warning monitoring system on key industry items amid fears of supply chain disruptions due to China's lockdown of major cities over a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic.







Shanghai has remained closed for nearly three weeks, along with several other cities, as the Chinese government enforced its rigorous zero-COVID policy to curb the fast spread of the an Omicron sub-variant of the coronavirus.







The lockdown has seriously affected production and logistics in the region, a trade official at the Korean Consulate General in Shanghai said during a meeting of related trade and industry agencies.







Some manufacturers there have begun preparing to reopen factories, but it will take time for them to fully resume operations, given the city's quarantine and logistics circumstances, he added.







If China expands such antivirus restrictions, Korea would suffer a greater impact, as many major domestic firms' production facilities are located in the adjacent regions, a Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency official said.







In a move to minimize the impact, the industry ministry vowed to strengthen the monitoring of major industry items through its early warning system, which has been in place at dozens of overseas diplomatic missions since last year to check supply conditions on a real-time basis. Some 4,000 items are on the monitoring list.







"We will extend tailored support to companies in the affected regions, while swiftly sharing related information with them and seeking ways to enhance monitoring of major economic security items," Deputy Trade Minister Jeong Dae-jin said. (Yonhap)






What followed was possibly the most insane international manhunt in history, involving Swiss arms dealers, the Black Panther government-in-exile, an ill-advised publicity tour of Yasser Arafat's secret Jordanian training camp, and an attempt to bribe a US presidential candidate with the greatest Rolling Stones tour never staged. And just a ton of LSD, of course. It's hard to even know where to begin, so let's just start with the acid cult and work up to the disembodied voice of Charles Manson.

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The "acid cult" in question was the Brotherhood of Eternal Love, also widely known as "the hippie mafia," because literally every group in America gets their own mafia. The Brotherhood believed that LSD offered "a key to unlock the doors of perception" and that they had a calling from God to lead humanity into a new era by distributing it as widely as possible. To fund this, the ragtag collection of SoCal surfers and petty crooks transformed themselves into a massive international drug smuggling ring. It genuinely might be the most impressive thing a bunch of completely stoned people have managed to pull off, not counting that time Seth Rogen accidentally founded the Sinaloa Cartel.

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The Brotherhood had a particularly lucrative line smuggling Afghan hashish inside hollowed-out surfboards, musical instruments and even VW vans. Basically, if it looked like a background prop in a screwball comedy, the Brotherhood were moving hash in it, which worked in the glorious era when customs agents saw nothing odd about taking a quick surfing holiday in Afghanistan. They used the profits to fund their true goal of flooding America with LSD, producing vast quantities in California labs and shipping it out across the nation, basically for free. The high point was probably Christmas 1970, when they dumped 25,000 tabs of acid out of a plane onto a cheering crowd partying in Laguna Beach. The one-day concert in question ended up lasting three days, at which point the cops dragged everyone out, dumped all the debris in a giant hole, and then set it on fire.




Russian and Chinese military aircraft entered South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) without prior notice last month ahead of North Korea's long-range missile launch, a Seoul official said Tuesday.







Two Russian planes flew into the KADIZ, March 24, prompting South Korea's military to scramble fighters to prevent their approach into the country's airspace, according to the official.







The incident came just hours before Pyongyang test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea  a launch that ended its years-long moratorium on nuclear weapons and ICBM testing.







The Russian warplanes flew into the KADIZ northwest of South Korea's Ulleung Island in the East Sea at around 11 a.m. and left 30 minutes later.







A day earlier, a Chinese military plane also entered the KADIZ near Ieo Islet, a submerged rock south of South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju. The official said the area was where the air defense identification zones (ADIZ) of South Korea and China overlapped.







An ADIZ is not territorial airspace but is a zoned off area requiring foreign planes to identify themselves to prevent accidental clashes. (Yonhap)






The threat of litigation is enough to keep any business leader up at night, and the increasing prevalence of data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity legislation and regulation is piling on the pressure for CISOs.

According to Norton Rose Fulbrights latest Annual Litigation Trends Survey of more than 250 general counsel and in-house litigation practitioners, cybersecurity and data protection will be among the top drivers of new legal disputes for the next several years. Two-thirds of survey respondents said they felt more exposed to these types of disputes in 2021, up from less than half in 2020, while more sophisticated attacks, less oversight of employees/contractors in remote environments, and concerns about the amount of client data were all cited as mitigating factors.

Clearly, the risks of litigation are very real for CISOs and their organizations, but what are the greatest areas of concern and what can they do about it?

Data breaches draw lawsuits

In the last 18 months to two years, the chances of an organization facing litigation following a data breach have increased significantly, particularly when a company is perceived to have not handled a breach well, says lawyer and Cordery partner Jonathan Armstrong, who specializes in technology and compliance legal matters. With a big data breach now, litigation is a probability, not a possibility, he adds.

While propensity for legal action varies by geography, the continuing scale of cyberattacks has resulted in more explicit assertions from government, industry, and regulatory bodies on what constitutes poor security, opening the door to more legal action, Alex Jinivizian, vice president strategy and corporate development at eSentire, tells CSO. Some of the most high-profile data breachesEquifax, Marriott, Target, the U.S. Office of Personnel Managementresulted in significant lawsuits against those companies related to losses of confidential employee or customer data caused by poor standards around security hygiene, he says.

The implications can be considerable for businesses, Armstrong warns. Damages sought in different cases are high at the moment. As just one example, TikTok is facing an action in the Netherlands for 1.5bn, and there are similarly high value claims in other countries, too, including the UK and Germany. Data related litigation has been a feature of U.S. corporate life for many years as well.

CISOs under fire

The risk of litigation is not limited to corporations. CISOs themselves face being subject to legal action for breach of duty where insufficient steps were taken to prevent a breach, or the aftermath of the breach was handled badly, says Simon Fawell, partner at Signature Litigation LLP.

Jinivizian agrees: The role of the CISO has never been more critical for mid/large enterprises, and potentially more in the crosshairs and held accountable for security incidents and data breaches, as illustrated by the ongoing class action against SolarWinds CISO and other executives following the devastating supply chain attack in 2020, he states.

This is also evidenced by the charges against Ubers CSO for allegedly trying to cover up a ransomware payment relating to the 2016 attack that compromised data of millions of users and drivers, Armstrong adds.

If a CISO acts as a company director, then they could face shareholder actions for breach of duty following data and privacy breaches based on damage to company value, says Fawell. Shareholder actions against directors have been on the rise in the UK and, where a data breach has led to a drop in value for shareholders, claims against directors are increasingly being considered. This mirrors the trend in other jurisdictions such as the U.S. where CISOs have already been the subject of high-profile claims for breach of duty.

Loss of trade secrets and reputational damage

The potential fallout from data breach or privacy litigation includes significant fines, civil and criminal penalties, reputational damage, and adversely affected stock price. All can impact organizations and CISOs individually and in combination. Where important information is lost, the damage can be extremely high, adds Alasdair Marshall, associate at Signature Litigation LLP. For example, were an intermediary or agent to have a breach incident and lose trade secrets or information that is potentially very damaging to another companys reputation, that could lead to major litigation. In recent years, the Panama Papers and Credit Suisse incidents have highlighted a growing number of individuals seeking to obtain sensitive information and publish it to the market.

Whats more, defending litigation can be both costly and time-consuming, Marshall says. While the English system allows for the winning party to recover legal costs from the loser, it is rare that the amount spent on legal fees and ancillary costs are clawed back in full. Litigation also requires significant CISO and board level attention which would be more productively focused on growing and protecting the business for the future.

Litigation can have direct implications on cyber insurance matters, too, impacting things like coverage exceptions, renewals, and new business. The companies and CISOs that bounce back the fastest are those that put their customers first by being transparent, doing whatever it takes to help impacted customers minimize the impact, and sharing the steps they plan to take to ensure it doesnt happen again, says Russ Kirby, CISO at ForgeRock.

Regulations and requirements

Geographical factors are particularly important in relation to litigation risks CISOs and their organizations face, experts agree. For example, the threat of mass class actions for large scale breaches has diminished somewhat in the UK following the Supreme Court decision in Lloyd vs Google which halted an opt-out class action under the existing procedural frameworks and highlighted the difficulties in bringing mass data claims under the English rules, says Fawell. Whilst the decision hasnt completely blocked the possibility for class actions in data privacy cases and there remain a number of claims running through the English courts that are framed differently and could yet have success, it is a fairly major set-back for claimants, he adds.

That said, the pressure for individuals impacted by data breaches to be compensated is growing and it would not be surprising to see some form of opt-out class action regime being introduced for data privacy cases in the relatively near future, Fawell says. An opt-out regime has already been introduced in the UK for competition claims and data privacy would be the next logical area for a similar approach. Although the threat of mass class actions has diminished in the UK for the time being, the threat of individual litigation remains very apparent, particularly where high value corporate data is potentially compromised, he continues. The GDPR (and related UK legislation) has led to a much greater awareness of data privacy issues and increased focus on contractual clauses in commercial deals.

As for the U.S., things can get just as or even more convoluted, says former CISO Jack OMeara, who leads litigation support services at consultancy Guidehouse. For example, a CISO working at a U.S. Defense Industrial Base Contractor needs to comply with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) 252.204-7012 safeguarding covered defense information and cyber incident reporting, while a CISO working for a financial institution in New York needs to comply with New York State Department of Financial Services 23 NYCRR 500 cybersecurity requirements for financial services companies.

Meanwhile, a judge recently approved a $17.6 million class settlement brought on by plaintiffs of Kemper Insurance, who alleged violations of Californias Consumer Privacy Act, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed new mandatory cybersecurity disclosure rules for publicly traded firms, along with written cyber policies and procedures, enhanced reporting, and records management for private equity and investment firms.

Ultimately, U.S. CISOs need to have knowledge of specific cybersecurity requirements contained within the contracts their companies hold, OMeara adds. There are too many regulations and requirements to mention in this article, but a CISO needs to be knowledgeable of the ones applicable to their industry and geographic regions.

Mitigating the risks of litigation

To mitigate and reduce the risks of litigation, CISOs must first examine whether their security program is defensible under harsh scrutiny and able to change and adapt to new threats, Kirby says. For example, if it cant stand up to questions about whether your protocols follow local laws and industry standards, you need to act fast to address those gaps.

Fawell cites five questions that are useful in gauging the effectiveness of a breach response plan from a litigative perspective:

Who are the key service providers to call? What are the internal lines of communication? Who makes the call on instructing lawyers and other key advisors? Is it the CISO or does it require other approvals? If the system is down, how do key personnel handling the breach communicate securely? What type of breach is most likely to impact the company and who are the counterparties most likely to be affected? What do the data privacy clauses in contracts with counterparties require? Are there notification requirements in those contracts?

Planning can range from, at a minimum, ensuring the answers to the questions above and others have been considered and the answers are known to the key individuals who will be handling a breach, to having a full simulated breach to stress test processes, Fawell adds.

OMeara says CISO should be able to provide documented policies and procedures including artifacts of compliance, screenshots of security configuration settings, firewall logs, access audit logs, user computer system and application access request forms, and employee security training records, when requested.

Armstrong recommends that CISOs engage with lawyers who are used to handling these types of risks and litigation before an incident occurs. When you do have an incident, it is important not to try and deal with it as a lone cowboy, he says.

In the same vein, OMeara suggests U.S. firms partner with in-house counsel to understand litigation risks and the associated impacts and ramifications.

It is also essential that CISOs are familiar with the terms of a companys cyber insurance policieschiefly what is/is not covered and the notification requirements in the event of a breach, Fawell says. Insurers should generally be one of the first ports of call. Not only is it important to ensure that the cover bites, insurers are often also a good source of information and advice on how to handle certain aspects of a breach.

Furthermore, security leaders must be careful about what information is (and is not) recorded in the immediate aftermath of a breach, Fawell continues. It is important to keep a clear audit trail of the decisions taken and why. However, while dealing with an immediately challenging situation, it is not unusual for ill-judged comments (often from high level personnel) to be recorded in writing, which can be unhelpful in later legal proceedings. It is particularly important that everyone understands which communications are likely to have the protection of legal privilege in relevant jurisdictions and which will not.

Armstrong has seen this play out. Privilege is critical. Commonly, litigants are making very early requests to see internal memos, communications, and forensic reports. If you dont set up privilege properly, you are likely to have to disclose all materials.

It is sensible, where possible, to have an in-person meeting among key personnel to establish clear lines of communication and ensure that the audit trail accurately and clearly details the response process, Fawell advises.
While significant progress is being made by global organizations in relation to threat detection and response, adversaries continue to surface, innovate, and adapt to target environments with diverse cyberattacks including new extortion and ransomware tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). The data comes from Mandiants M-Trends 2022 report based on investigations of targeted attack activity conducted between October 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Among its various findings are insights into prevalent attack vectors, most targeted industries, and an increase in espionage activity linked to China.

Intrusion dwell times drop, internal vs. external detection significant

According to the research, global median dwell time, which is calculated as the median number of days an attacker is present in a targets environment before being detected, decreased from 24 days in 2020 to 21 days in 2021. However, it was discovered that exactly how an incident is detected significantly impacts dwell time figures. For example, the global median dwell time for incidents that were identified externally dropped from 73 to 28 days, but incidents that were identified internally saw a lengthening of global median dwell time from 12 to 18 days.

External entities detected and notified organizations 62% faster in 2021 compared to 2020, something Mandiant owed to improved external detection capabilities and more established communications and outreach programs. Interestingly, while median dwell time for internal detections was slower compared to 2020, internal detections were still 36% faster than external notifications, the report stated. In EMEA and APAC regions, most intrusions in 2021 were identified by external third parties, 62% and 76% respectively, whilst in the Americas, most intrusions were detected internally by organizations themselves (60%).

As for dwell time distribution, Mandiant found that things approved at both ends of the spectrum; 55% of investigations had dwell times of 30 days or fewer with 67% of these discovered in one week or less. An observed spike in dwell times between 90 and 300 days in 20% of investigations could indicate intrusions going undetected until more impactful actions occur following infection and reconnaissance phases of attack lifecycles, or disparity between organizational detection capabilities and the types of attacks they face, Mandiant said. However, fewer intrusions are going undetected for extensive periods of time, with only 8% having a dwell time of more than a year, it added.

New threat groups emerge, ransomware attackers evolve TTPs

Mandiant tracked more than 1,100 new threat groups during the reporting period, graduating two to named threat groups FIN12 and FIN13. FIN12 is a financially motivated threat group behind prolific Ryuk ransomware attacks dating back to at least October 2018, while FIN13 is a financially motivated threat group that targets organizations based in Mexico, the report stated.

Mandiant also began tracking 733 new malware families, of which 86% were not publicly available, continuing the trend of availability of new malware families being restricted or likely privately developed, according to the report. Of the newly tracked malware families, the top five categories were backdoors (31%), downloaders (13%), droppers (13%), ransomware (7%), launchers (5%) and credential stealers (5%). These remained consistent with previous years, Mandiant said. Generally, Beacon, Sunburst, Metasploit, SystemBC, Lockbit, and Ryuk.B were the malware families most frequently seen during intrusions across the reporting period.

Regarding ransomware, Mandiant observed attackers using new TTPs to deploy ransomware rapidly and efficiently throughout business environments, noting that the pervasive usage of virtualization infrastructure in corporate environments (such as vCenter Server) has made it a prime target for ransomware attackers. Throughout 2021, VMWare vSphere and ESXi platforms were targeted by multiple threat actors, including those associated with Hive, Conti, Blackcat, and DarkSide.

Attackers were detected turning on ESXi Shells and enabling direct access via SSH (TCP/22) to ESXi servers to ensure that ESXi host access remained available, creating new (local) accounts for use on ESXi servers, and changing root account passwords to ensure organizations could not easily regain control of their infrastructure. Once access to ESXi servers was obtained, threat actors used SSH access to upload their encryptor (binary) and any shell scripts that were required, Mandiant stated. They used shell scripts to discover where virtual machines were located on ESXi datastores, forcefully stop any running virtual machines, optionally delete snapshots and then iterate through datastores to encrypt all virtual machine disk and configuration files.

China reinvents cyber operations, ramps up espionage activity

Along with new and emerging threat groups and innovations in ransomware TTPs, Mandiant also discovered significant shifts in Chinas approach to cyber operations to align with the implementation of the nations 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021. The report warned that the national-level priorities included in the plan signal an upcoming increase in China-nexus actors conducting intrusion attempts against intellectual property or other strategically important economic concerns, as well as defense industry products and other dual-use technologies over the next few years. Mandiant noted multiple Chinese cyber espionage actor sets using the same malware families across the reporting period, suggesting the possibility of a Grand Quartermaster developer.

Government organizations were the most targeted sector across all industries globally, with seven of the active 36 Chinese APT and UNC groups collecting sensitive information from public entities, according to the report. Mandiant suggested that some of the identified Chinese cyber espionage activity in 2021 relates to existing APTs or other clusters of UNCs.

Exploits most common attack vector, business and financial services most targeted sectors

Exploits were the most frequently identified initial infection vector in 2021, with 37% of attacks beginning with an exploit, an 8% increase over 2020. Supply chain compromise was the second most prevalent initial infection vector, accounting for 17% of intrusions in 2021 compared to less than 1% in 2020. Of note, 86% of supply chain compromise intrusions in 2021 were related to the SolarWinds breach and Sunburst.

Interestingly, the research found that far fewer intrusions were initiated via phishing in 2021, comprising only 11% compared to 23% in 2020. Mandiant said this reflects organizations improving ability to detect and block phishing emails as well as enhanced security training of employees to recognize and report phishing attempts.

Financially motivated intrusions continued to be a mainstay in 2021, with attackers seeking monetary gain in 30% of intrusions through methods such as extortion, ransom, payment card theft, and illicit transfers. Actors also prioritized data theft as a primary mission objective, with Mandiant identifying the theft of data in 29% of intrusions.

As for industries most targeted by adversaries, business/professional and financial services topped the list across the globe, accounting for 14% of attacks, respectively. Healthcare (11%), retail and hospitality (10%), and tech and government (both at 9%) rounded out the top five.

Organizations must respond to cyber threats with resilience

This years M-Trends report reveals fresh insight into how threat actors are evolving and using new techniques to gain access into target environments, stated Jurgen Kutscher, executive vice president, service delivery, at Mandiant in a press release. In light of the continued increased use of exploits as an initial compromise vector, organizations need to maintain focus on executing on security fundamentals  such as asset, risk and patch management.

Multi-faceted extortion and ransomware continue to pose huge challenges for organizations of all sizes and across all industries, with a specific rise in attacks targeting virtualization infrastructure, he added. The key to building resilience lies in preparation. Developing a robust preparedness plan and well-documented and tested recovery process can help organizations successfully navigate an attack and quickly return to normal business operations.
Researchers at The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto revealed two significant findings that further highlight the widespread use of Israeli mercenary spyware apps. First, the group released fresh rounds of forensic results that uncovered Catalans' phones targeted in Spain. Secondly, they discovered that spyware infiltrated the Prime Minister and Foreign and Commonwealth offices in the UK.

These revelations also appeared in conjunction with a lengthy investigation by journalist Ronan Farrow appearing in the New Yorker. Farrow's research offers new details into the rise of the spyware industry, the troubles facing the spyware purveyors, the efforts by tech companies to circumscribe the highly sophisticated malware, and the Biden administration's planned actions regarding this trend.

Effort to plant spyware spans broad spectrum in Catalonia

In what it calls CatalanGate, the Citizen Lab, in collaboration with Catalan civil society groups, identified at least 65 individuals across a broad spectrum of society in Catalonia who were targeted or infected with mercenary spyware in "an extremely well-informed and widespread effort to monitor Catalan political processes." Sixty-three of these individuals were targeted or infected by NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, while four were targeted by spyware made by an NSO rival, Israel's Candiru. In addition, 51 victims were confirmed successfully infected with Pegasus via forensic tests on their phones.

Members of the European Parliament, Catalan presidents, legislators, jurists, members of civil society organizations, and some family members were targeted or infected with the spyware. Almost all the spyware incidents occurred between 2017 and 2020, although the Citizen Lab found an instance of targeting in 2015. Because Spain has a high prevalence of Android users over iOS, and the Citizen Lab's forensic tools are much more developed for iOS, the organization believes that its report heavily undercounts the number of individuals likely targeted and infected with Pegasus.

Every Catalan Member of the European Parliament (MEP) that supported independence was targeted directly with Pegasus or via suspected relational targeting. Three were directly infected, and two more had staff, family members, or close associates targeted with Pegasus.

Multiple Catalan civil society organizations that support Catalan political independence were targeted with Pegasus, including Omnium Cultural and Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC). Catalans working in the open-source and digital voting communities were also targeted. Moreover, lawyers representing prominent Catalans were targeted and infected with Pegasus, some extensively.

Techniques included a new zero-click exploit called Homage

The Catalan attackers infected Pegasus victims through at least two exploits: zero-click exploits and malicious SMS messages. Zero-click exploits are challenging to defend against, given that they do not require victims to engage in any activity.

The Citizen Lab discovered a new, not previously described exploit called Homage that appears to have been in use during the last months of 2019. Homage was fired on at least six dates in 2019 and 2020 and was not used against a device running a version of iOS greater than 13.1.3. The Citizen Lab reported the exploit to Apple and said it does not have evidence to suggest that Apple device users on up-to-date versions of iOS are at risk.

Another zero-click exploit deployed was KISMET, a zero-day used against iOS 13.5.1 and iOS 13.7 during the summer of 2020. Although the exploit was never captured and documented, it was seemingly fixed by changes introduced into iOS14, including the BlastDoor framework, a new security system that Apple adopted in January 2021.

Strong nexus to the Spanish government

The SMS attacks involved operators sending convincing text messages containing malicious links to trick targets into clicking. For example, Jordi Baylina, the technology lead at popular decentralized Ethereum scaling platform Polygon, received a text message masquerading as a boarding pass link for a Swiss International Air Lines flight he had purchased, suggesting the attackers had access to Baylina's passenger name record (PNR) or other information collected from the carrier.

The Citizen Lab's analysis of Candiru's spyware showed that Candiru was designed for extensive access to the victim device, such as extracting files and browser content and stealing messages saved in the encrypted Signal Messenger Desktop app. Three of the Candiru targets received a malicious phishing email in early February 2020 featuring the official emblem of the Government of Spain and reporting that the World Health Organization had declared COVID-19 to be a "public health emergency of international importance" in January. One of the Candiru targets received an email impersonating the Mobile World Congress (MWC) with a link to tickets.

Although the Citizen Lab is not conclusively attributing these hacking operations to a particular government, it says a range of circumstantial evidence points to a strong nexus with one or more entities within the Spanish government.

UAE, India, Cyprus and Jordan linked to the UK infections

Although the Citizen Lab primarily focuses on digital threats to civil society, it did find instances where governments use spyware to undertake international espionage against other governments. In 2020 and 2021, the organization observed and notified the government of the United Kingdom of multiple suspected instances of Pegasus spyware infections within official UK networks

The UK instances include several affecting the Prime Minister's Office (10 Downing Street) and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO, now the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, or FCDO). The Citizen Lab discovered that phones connected to the Foreign Office were hacked using Pegasus on at least five occasions from July 2020 through June 2021.

The suspected infection at the UK Prime Minister's Office was associated with a Pegasus operator linked to the UAE. The suspected infections relating to the FCO were associated with Pegasus operators that the Citizen Lab links to the UAE, India, Cyprus and Jordan.

In his report, Director of the Citizen Lab Ron Deibert said, "We believe that it is critically important that [UK government] efforts [related to cyber policy] are allowed to unfold free from the undue influence of spyware. Given that a UK-based lawyer involved in a lawsuit against NSO Group was hacked with Pegasus in 2019, we felt compelled to ensure that the UK Government was aware of the ongoing spyware threat, and took appropriate action to mitigate it."

Almost all European governments use NSO tools

In addition to revealing new details and offering further color on both the Catalan and UK government mercenary spyware infections, Farrow's New Yorker investigation offers other new nuggets related to the spyware industry. For example, Farrow began interviewing Shalev Hulio, NSO Group's CEO, in 2019 and, since then, has had access to NSO Group's staff, offices and technology.

The embattled spyware pioneer is countering numerous lawsuits, dealing with debt, fighting its corporate backers, and failing to sell its products to U.S. law enforcement. Last year, the U.S. Commerce Department added NSO Group and several other spyware makers to a list of entities blocked from purchasing technology from American companies without a license.

The company told Farrow that it had been "targeted by a number of politically motivated advocacy organizations, many with well-known anti-Israel biases," and added that, "We have repeatedly cooperated with governmental investigations, where credible allegations merit, and have learned from each of these findings and reports and improved the safeguards in our technologies."

The company also told Farrow regarding the UK infections, "Information raised in the inquiry indicates that these allegations are, yet again, false and could not be related to NSO products for technological and contractual reasons."

Hulio told Farrow, "Almost all governments in Europe are using our tools." A former senior Israeli intelligence official said that "NSO has a monopoly in Europe. German, Polish, and Hungarian authorities have admitted to using Pegasus. Belgian law enforcement uses it, too, though it won't admit it."

Biden administration is launching a review

Although the New York Times has already reported that the CIA paid for Djibouti to acquire Pegasus to fight terrorism, Farrow reveals a previously unreported investigation by WhatsApp that states the technology was also used against members of Djibouti's own government, including its Prime Minister, Abdoulkadar Kamil Mohamed, and its Minister of the Interior, Hassan Omar.

He also reveals that the Biden Administration is investigating additional targeting of U.S. officials. Last year, reports emerged that the iPhones of 11 people working for the U.S. government abroad, many of them at its embassy in Uganda, were hacked using Pegasus.

Furthermore, the administration has launched a review of the threats posed by foreign commercial hacking tools. In addition, the White House told Farrow that it is also looking into "a ban on U.S. government purchase or use of foreign commercial spyware that poses counterintelligence and security risks for the U.S. government or has been improperly used abroad."
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PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP)  The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Olin Corp. were monitoring the air Tuesday morning at and around a plant where a fire and leak sent a huge cloud of chlorine out of a chemical plant near Baton Rouge.

No injuries have been reported, said a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Tuesday for Olin Corp.

Monitoring indicates there is currently no risk of offsite exposure; however, we will continue to monitor the entire area out of an abundance of caution, the company said.

State regulators said a compressor caught fire and leaked liquid chlorine, The Advocate reported.

Olin would not comment on whether a compressor caught fire. Once all work is safely completed, we will conduct a thorough analysis to identify the cause of the event, its statement said.

Inspectors hadn't detected chlorine in the community since 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, department press secretary Greg Langley told the newspaper.

Residents in the Plaquemine area were ordered to shelter in place Monday night but got the all clear early Tuesday, news outlets reported. Residents had been told to stay inside, turn off air conditioners, and close their windows and doors.

Authorities said the fire and leak were in an Olin Chlor Alkali plant inside the larger Dow Chemical Co. complex. Olin officials said nobody was hurt, the newspaper reported.

Liquid chlorine leaked out and pooled on the ground, where it quickly turned into a gas, Department of Environmental Quality officials said. Chlorines boiling point is -29 degrees Fahrenheit -29

Langley said Tuesday that residual releases continued Tuesday from liquid chlorine still pooled on the ground, leading to residual fence line detections of low concentrations of chlorine.
The United Illuminating Co. is preparing for a multi-year, $300 million transmission line upgrade along a 9.5-mile stretch of the railroad corridor between Milford and New Haven, officials with the Orange-based electric utility said.

The project, which will begin in late 2023 and run until late 2028, will serve two purposes, company officials said in announcing the plan.

One is to rebuild 115-kilovolt lines to conform to current utility industry standards. The other is to separate those transmission lines from their current spot along railroad catenary structures which power electrified Metro North commuter trains.

Because UIs transmission lines are part of a regional network and the work is being done to improve reliability of the delivery of electricity, the project will be funded by ISO-New England, the operator of the grid, company spokesman Gage Frank said.

Frank Reynolds, UIs president and chief executive officer, said the so-called Milvon to West River Transmission Line Rebuild Project will improve the resiliency of our electric grid. The railroad line is controlled by the state Department of Transportation.

This project will also ensure we can provide safe and reliable power to help meet the growing energy demands of our customers, Reynolds said.

The project takes its name from electric substations that UI has in Milfords Devon section and New Havens West River neighborhood. Substations take the very high voltages at which electricity travels on transmission networks and convert it to a lower voltage for use by residential and business customers.

As part of the project, UIs rebuilt transmission lines be placed on their own dedicated, double-circuit monopole utility towers. The rebuilt transmission lines will be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as Category 3 hurricane winds, UI said.

Milford to New Haven project is part of a larger effort by UI to separate the companys transmission lines from the railroads electrification network, where some of towers and poles were installed over 100 years ago. The project is designed to have a service life of about 40 years.

During this project, UI will install approximately 160 galvanized steel transmission poles rising from a single footing. The poles will vary in height from 70 feet to 170 feet, depending on their location and the existing environment.

The typical span length between the poles ranges from approximately 300 to 400 feet. But UI officials said that in some locations, spans as long as 800 feet will be needed to minimize impacts to the environment as well because of nearby land uses like parking lots, roadways and railroad spurs.

The final segment is expected to be completed by the fall of 2028, but final restoration activities along the transmission line are expected to extend into 2029. UI customers should not experience any power outages as a result of this construction, Reynolds said

We are meeting the communitys growing energy demands while working closely with town officials, local tree wardens and with residents and customers, he said, to avoid or minimize disruptions to the environment or Metro-North rail service.

UI officials anticipate that the majority of construction will be scheduled for daytime hours. But in certain instances, nighttime work or around-the-clock construction may be necessary to accommodate the construction schedule and the needs of the railroad.

The project will require that UI acquire new permanent easements from adjacent landowners. Officials with the utility will also need new temporary easements during construction to install work pads and access roads that will be needed to safely remove the existing transmission network infrastructure replace it with newer equipment.

The Milvon to West River rebuild project is the second in a series of transmission line projects UI is announcing this year. The company announced an upgrade of transmission lines in Derby, Shelton and Ansonia in mid-March and a project in the city of Bridgeport will be announced later this year, according to Frank, the UI spokesman.

Residents and business owners seeking more information on the project should call (888) 848-3697 during regular business hours. The utility serves 341,000 customers in 17 communities in the New Haven and Bridgeport areas.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com

.
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90s hip-hop and rap legends Wu-Tang Clan and Nas are teaming up for a joint summer tour. The tour, entitled the NY State Of Mind Tour, will come to the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on Friday, Sept. 9.

This will be the Wu-Tang Clan's first show in Connecticut since 2019, according to setlist.fm. Previously, the group's headlining show set for Mohegan Sun Arena in 2021 was canceled. Nas performed last year in Connecticut at Foxwoods.




A local court issued arrest warrants Tuesday for a woman and her boyfriend who stand accused of causing the 2019 drowning death of the woman's husband for a hefty insurance payout.







Lee Eun-hae, 31, and her extramarital lover, Cho Hyun-soo, 30, were detained Saturday on charges of prodding Lee's then 39-year-old husband to jump into a valley river in Gapyeong, 60 kilometers east of Seoul, even though he was unable to swim, and letting him drown.







Investigators suspect they committed the crime for 800 million won ($650,000) in insurance money.







Lee and Cho were also accused of attempting to kill the husband that year by poisoning him with puffer fish toxin in February and trying to drown him at a fishing place in May, according to prosecutors.







Prosecutors at the Incheon District Prosecutors Office applied for court warrants to formally arrest the two suspects for further questioning on charges of murder by nonfeasance, attempted murder and attempted insurance fraud.







The two had been on the run since going into hiding in December ahead of prosecution questioning. In late March, police put them on their wanted listed, and made their identities and photos public. (Yonhap)






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DILI, East Timor (AP)  Voters in East Timor chose a president in a runoff Tuesday between former independence fighters whove blamed each other for years of political paralysis.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta had a commanding lead in the election's first round but failed to exceed 50% of the votes and avoid the runoff. Ramos-Horta received 46.6%, incumbent President Francisco Lu Olo Guterres won 22.1% and 14 other candidates split the rest of the votes in the March 19 election.

Ramos-Horta, 72, and Guterres, 67, were resistance figures during Indonesias occupation of East Timor. More than 76% of the votes last month went to resistance-era figures, showing how much they dominate politics after two decades despite younger voices emerging.

Polls closed at 3 p.m. and vote-counting began at 1,200 polling centers across the tiny country. Preliminary results may not be known until Wednesday.

The winner of the runoff takes office on May 20, the 20th anniversary of the restoration of East Timors independence.

I call on people to accept whatever the results of this election wisely," Guterres told reporters while voting in Dili, the capital.

Ramos-Horta, East Timors president from 2007 to 2012, and Guterres have blamed each other for years of political paralysis.

In 2018, Guterres refused to swear in nine Cabinet nominees from the National Congress of the Reconstruction of East Timor, known as CNRT, a party led by former prime minister and independence leader Xanana Gusmao, who backed Ramos-Hortas run for president.

Guterres is from the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, known by its local acronym Fretilin, which had led resistance to Indonesian rule.

Fretilin says Ramos-Horta is unfit for president, accusing him of causing a crisis as prime minister in 2006, when dozens were killed as political rivalries turned into open conflict on the streets of Dili.

The latest impasse led to the resignation of Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in February 2020. But he agreed to stay until a new government is formed and to oversee the response to the coronavirus pandemic. His government has operated without an annual budget and has relied on monthly injections from its sovereign fund savings, called the Petroleum Fund.

During his campaign, Ramos-Horta declared he would call an early parliamentary election if a new majority  based centrally on the CNRT  couldn't be negotiated among the parties in the current parliament. Many are concerned that calling an election early will inflame rather than calm inter-party tensions.

Ramos-Hortas commanding lead in the first round may yet weaken the current ruling alliance Fretilin, People's Liberation Party or PLP, and Khunto  in backing Guterres. Ruak's PLP party and the rural-based Khunto party, have publicly committed to continuing their alliance with Fretilin until the 2023 parliamentary elections are due.

Ramos-Horta, after casting his vote in Dili, said people are too tired of the political feud, which he said has led to ignoring social and economic problems as well as soaring food prices. People in East Timor want a new leader to solve the economic problems in this country, he said.

He pledged to reduce poverty, providing health services for mothers and children and create more jobs if he is elected, and vowed to build communication with the governing parties to restore the constitutional mandate and to prevent a more severe economic downturn.

He also said that he will push for East Timor to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the next two years. This is a very important matter for us and Ill maintain diplomatic contacts with ASEAN leaders to make it happen, he told reporters.

The former Portuguese colony was occupied by Indonesia for a quarter century and gained independence after a U.N.-sponsored referendum in 1999. Indonesias military responded with scorched-earth attacks that devastated the East Timorese half of the island of Timor.

The transition to a democracy has been rocky, with leaders battling massive poverty, unemployment and corruption. Its economy is reliant on dwindling offshore oil revenues.

Turnout in the March 19 election was 77.26%, or 6% higher than in 2017, the election commission said. Four women were among 16 candidates, the highest number of women taking part in the fifth election since independence.
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ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (AP)  A mother charged with conspiring to kill her children, her estranged husband and a lover's wife refused to enter a plea to murder and other charges on Tuesday, prompting an Idaho judge to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf.

Lori Vallow Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, were both at the courthouse in the eastern Idaho town of St. Anthony for separate court proceedings: Lori Daybell for an afternoon arraignment that was delayed for months while she underwent treatment at a mental health facility, and Chad Daybell for a morning hearing over the trial venue.

The couple face numerous charges in the bizarre case, including conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybells children, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybells first wife, Tammy Daybell. Lori Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of her now-deceased brother, Alex Cox.

Chad Daybell pleaded not guilty to the charges months ago and is being held in the Fremont County Jail. The case against Lori Daybell was stalled after a judge found her mentally incompetent to aid in her own defense and ordered her to undergo treatment at a mental health facility. Last week, the judge said Daybell had been made competent and the case could go forward, and she was transferred to the Madison County Jail.

Lori Daybell kept her head down as she entered the courtroom and spoke quietly during her arraignment on Tuesday. The courtroom was mostly full, with JJ Vallow's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, seated in one of the front rows. The Woodcocks wiped away tears as 7th District Judge Steven Boyce read the murder charge related to the young boy's death.

Lori Daybell, wearing a light blue blouse and glasses, opted to stand silent when she was asked to enter a plea to the charges. Boyce, who told her she could face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.

Investigators say Chad and Lori Daybell began espousing an unusual, doomsday-focused system of religious belief involving zombies, teleportation and communication with other spiritual realms starting in 2018, when both were still married to other people. The Idaho prosecutors say they used their religious beliefs to justify or encourage the murders.

Lori Daybells brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix, according to an indictment in Arizona. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, and wrote in court filings that his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the biblical apocalypse.

Cox told police the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. He later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

Shortly after Charles Vallows death, Lori Daybell  who then had the last name Vallow  and her children moved to the rural eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, near where Chad Daybell lived. At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell. She died in October 2019.

Though Tammy Daybell's obituary said her death was from natural causes, authorities grew suspicious when Chad and Lori Daybell married just two weeks later. Investigators had Tammy Daybell's body exhumed for an autopsy, though authorities have not formally released her cause of death.

Police began searching for Lori Daybells youngest two children a few weeks later in November 2019 after relatives raised concerns. The Daybells quickly left town, and they were found months later in Hawaii without the children.

The children's bodies were eventually found buried in Chad Daybell's yard back in Idaho.

During a news conference after the arraignment, Larry Woodcock said he was happy that the case is moving forward, saying Lori Daybell's day will come.

Shes going to have a miserable life, and thats all I ask for. I know that justice will be served, Larry Woodcock said.

The arraignment was held about an hour after a motion hearing where prosecutors and Chad Daybell's attorney, John Prior, argued over whether the entire trial should be moved to a more populated region or whether jurors from Ada County should be brought across the state to Fremont County for the trial, which is expected to last about 10 weeks.

The judge had originally ruled that the trial would be moved to Ada County, which includes the city of Boise, but Prosecutor Rachel Smith contended that would substantially raise trial-related costs for taxpayers and potentially witnesses.

Prior said ensuring a fair trial is more important than any financial burden faced by Fremont County. He also said sequestering a jury in Fremont County would essentially turn jurors into prisoners, with no phones, television or ability to move around town.

The judge said he would issue a written ruling on the matter.

The judge has previously ordered that Chad and Lori Daybell will be tried together. But though Chad Daybell has waived his right to a speedy trial  with the trial tentatively set for January 2023  Lori Daybell did not.

Her attorney, Jim Archibald, told the judge on Tuesday that Lori Daybell would not waive her right to a speedy trial, which means the case has to be tried within six months. Its not yet clear if that means the Daybells will be tried separately or if the date previously set for trial in Chad Daybells case will be moved up.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The warden who ran the federal jail where disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself was allowed to quietly retire from the Bureau of Prisons in February. His retirement came in the midst of an investigation examining how one of the governments highest profile inmates could take his own life in custody.

Lamine NDiaye retired from the Bureau of Prisons on Feb. 26, agency spokesperson Kristie Breshears told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He was most recently the warden at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in Burlington County, New Jersey.

He had been put in that position despite the ongoing federal probe and in direct contradiction of a public pronouncement from the Bureau of Prisons that it would delay NDiaye's transfer to run any prison until the inquiry by the Justice Departments inspector general was finished.

FCI Fort Dix, located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is the largest single federal prison by population, with just under 3,000 inmates. An adjacent prison camp has 231 minimum-security inmates.

Under NDiayes watch as warden, an inmate at Fort Dix was stabbed in the eyeball by a fellow prisoner, exemplifying the gruesome chronic violence that plagues the Bureau of Prisons and quickly added to calls from congressional lawmakers for the Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal to resign from his position. Carvajal announced in January he was resigning but has remained in place while the Justice Department searches for a replacement.

A handful of inmates  some of whom were believed to be friends and associates of the suspected attacker  have been held in segregated housing units for more than four months and some were threatened with transfers if they didnt cooperate with the investigation into the stabbing, two people familiar with the matter told The AP. The people could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

NDiaye was previously the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the now-closed federal lockup in Manhattan. He was removed from that position after Epstein killed himself at the jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Prosecutors say the guards who were supposed to be monitoring Epstein were instead sleeping and browsing the internet. The Bureau of Prisons closed the jail in October for much-needed repairs after years of decay, though it may never reopen.

The Bureau of Prisons named NDiaye as warden at Fort Dix in February 2021 despite an ongoing federal investigation into lapses that led to Epsteins death and in contradiction of its pronouncement that the agency would delay any move until the inquiry was finished.

The bureau attempted to place NDiaye in the Fort Dix job a year earlier, but the move was stopped by then-Attorney General William Barr after the AP reported the transfer.

The Justice Departments inspector general has yet to complete the investigation. A spokesperson for Inspector General Michael Horowitz said Tuesday that the probe was still ongoing.
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DETROIT (AP)  A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya after a traffic stop pressed the gun against his head when firing the fatal shot, an expert who performed an independent autopsy for the Black man's family said Tuesday.

Dr. Werner Spitz confirmed what was seen last week on video: Lyoya was shot in the back of the head while facedown on the ground during a vigorous struggle with a white Grand Rapids officer on April 4.

Spitz appeared at a news conference with lawyers for Lyoya's family, who said they believe video collected and released by police shows that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was resisting the officer, not fighting him.

You never see a fist, you never see a knife, no baseball bat, no gun, no nothin, Ven Johnson said. This was not a deadly force scenario. Never gave a warning: Halt or Im going to shoot you' or other words that we can all imagine.

Spitz said he believes the gun was pressed against Lyoyas head when the officer fired, based on the condition of a bone in the head.

Theres no question what killed this young man. ... It was a powerful bullet, said Spitz, holding a skull to show where the bullet entered the head.

Spitz performed the autopsy last weekend at a funeral home. The 95-year-old forensic pathologist participated in the assassination investigations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., among other high-profile cases.

We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head, attorney Ben Crump said. That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution.

The official autopsy report is part of the state police investigation and hasnt been released to the public.

Lyoyas death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer.

Crump said Lyoya could have lived until his early 80s  a long and fruitful life. A lawsuit hasnt been filed, though Johnson signaled that one was in the works.

Crump has been involved in multimillion-dollar settlements between U.S. cities and the families of Black men killed by police. His legal team has argued that the costly deals should inspire police departments to change practices and improve their accountability to the public.

Lyoya, who wasnt armed, was killed after a traffic stop in Grand Rapids in western Michigan. The officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

Earlier, the officer, is heard saying that the license plate didn't match the car Lyoya had been driving. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

Crump said it appeared to be a case of racial profiling  driving while Black. Video released by the Grand Rapids Police Department shows the officer's patrol car backing out of a driveway in a residential neighborhood to follow the car for a few blocks. In Michigan, license plates aren't on the front of vehicles.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Kalczuk declined to comment.

Johnson repeated his call for police to publicly release the officer's name, though he indicated that he knows the identity. Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he won't release the name unless charges are filed.

If our client shot this officer in the back of the head, you would know his name the same day, Johnson said.

State police will give their findings to Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker for consideration of any charges. He has told the public to not expect a quick decision.

Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.

___

Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The U.S. is sending two top officials to the Solomon Islands following a visit last week by an Australian senator over concerns that China could establish a military presence in the South Pacific island nation.

The White House said Monday that later this week, Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council Indo-Pacific coordinator, and Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, will lead a delegation of U.S. government officials to the Solomon Islands, and will also visit Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday said Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Solomon Islands counterpart, Jeremiah Manele, officially signed a security agreement the other day. No specific date was given.

A draft of the pact, which was leaked online, said Chinese warships could stop in the Solomon Islands and China could send police and armed forces there to assist in maintaining social order.

Wang told reporters at a daily briefing that the agreement covers maintaining social order, along with protecting lives and property, providing humanitarian assistance and responding to natural disasters.

We are committed to helping the Solomon Islands to strengthen its capacity building to maintain national security, Wang said. He said the agreement does not seek to supersede the South Pacific nation's security ties with other nations.

The Solomon Islands has sought to downplay the significance of the agreement and says it won't lead to China establishing a military base there, but many neighboring countries and Western nations remain worried.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agreement could destabilize the Solomon Islands and would set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific region.

Despite the Solomon Islands governments comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of P.R.C. (Peoples Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands, Price said.

The U.S. trip comes after a visit to the Solomon Islands last week by Australian Sen. Zed Seselja, the minister for international development and the Pacific.

The Australian government said it was deeply disappointed by the Chinese announcement that the deal was signed.

We are concerned about the lack of transparency with which this agreement has been developed, noting its potential to undermine stability in our region, Seselja and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a joint statement.

We continue to seek further clarity on the terms of the agreement, and its consequences for the Pacific region, the statement added.

Last week, Seselja said he met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and asked him to abandon the Chinese agreement.

We have asked Solomon Islands respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our regions security frameworks, Seselja said.

The Solomon Islands portrayed the meeting in a more positive light, saying Sogavare and Seselja held productive discussions regarding the security concerns of the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.

Last week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about Washingtons plan to reopen an embassy in the capital, Honiara.

The announcement of the reopening of the embassy, which has been closed since 1993, came in February before the security pact came to light, but amid already growing concerns about Chinese influence in the strategically important country.

___

Associated Press reporter Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.
NEW LONDON  A city man was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for a firearm offense, federal prosecutors said.

Judge Janet C. Hall sentenced 42-year-old Terrence Beddoe to 48 months in prison during an appearance in New Haven federal court. Beddoe will be on supervised release for three years following his prison sentence.

In the morning on Oct. 11, 2019, Beddoe had an argument with another individual at a Bank Street bar in New London and fired shots in the direction of the other individual as he was driving away from the bar, prosecutors said.

The individual fired upon was outside the bar with two other men at the the time. Prosecutors said a passerby saw the shots fired from the car Beddoe was driving. The victim identified Beddoe as the shooter, according to officials.

When investigators searched Beddoes car, they found spend shell casings similar t ones recovered from the crime scene, prosecutors said.

Beddoe was arrested on Dec. 16, 2019. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon on Dec. 16, 2021.

He was released on a $50,000 bond and was told to report to prison on May 13.

Beddoe has a criminal history that prosecutors said includes nine felony convictions. Among the convictions were offenses that prosecutors said were related to Beddoe stabbing an individual 12 times and an unrelated assault where two men were shot at a New London bar.

Federal law prohibits individuals previously committed of a felony offense from carrying a weapon or ammunition.
ESSEX  As we struggle every day with the complications and complexities of our lives, with everything from the pandemic to climate control to the unsettling war in Ukraine, it is comforting to look back to other eras fraught with change.

The Ivoryton Playhouse is offering such an opportunity with a world-premiere production of Star of Freedom, conceived and directed by the Playhouses own Artistic Director Jacqueline Hubbard, with music and lyrics by Jeff Blaney and book by Lawrence Thelen

It is being staged until May 1.

The tragedies of a lack of food and finances drive Irish immigrant Sean to our shores on the eve of the Civil War. His younger brother Luke, unfortunately, doesnt survive the terrible journey over, so Sean, a brave and adventurous Danny Adams, seeks a new life on his own.

He soon finds himself fighting for the Union cause until the killing becomes too much for him to bear. In deserting, he makes himself a target with a price on his head for anyone in search of a bounty.

Along his way, Sean has a lively and boisterous band of followers to share his joys and misadventures: Brian Russell Carey, Luke Darnell, Ben Hope and Richard E. Waits, who use guitars, banjos, fiddles, cello, mandolin, accordion and harmonica to mark his progress.

Songs such as I Love Beer, God Bless This Land and We Will Go Down to the River express the sentiments foremost in the pioneer spirit.

In the Virginia woods, Sean meets another stranger, Chloe, who is also running from her past. Ayla Stackhouses Chloe is a newly freed slave who yearns for a brand new start.

Using the North Star as their guide, they determine to go west together to the Colorado Territory to start a new life. They acknowledge that if there is no struggle, there is no progress.

Join Sean and Chloe as they trek westward with a wee bit of tender, poignant and charming love as their constant companion.

For tickets ($55 adults, $50 seniors and $25 students), call The Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton, at 860-767-7318 or go online at ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Please bring your vaccination card, photo ID or a recent negative COVID test and a mask.
City buses are parked at a transit center in Gangil-dong, Seoul's Gangdong District in this photo taken in October, 2021. Newsis



Seoul City claims it's working with residents



By Ko Dong-hwan



Citing potential safety risks, residents and employees of public transit bus operators are protesting against Seoul City Government's ongoing urban development project to build apartment buildings atop underground public facilities.



The project, called "Compact City," is in progress in five different locations in Seoul: two public bus transit centers in Gangdong District and Songpa District, a rain water pump station in Eunpyeong District, an empty city space next to an elevated expressway in Seodaemun District, and a section above a highway connecting the city's northern region in Jungnang District. Local protestors have in particular expressed concerns about the city government's push to move public bus transit centers in the Gangil-dong and Jangji-dong areas underground.



The projects at the Gangil-dong and Jangji-dong locations involve plans to move the existing bus transit centers  used by hundreds of buses  underground and build apartment buildings on top of the space. The apartment buildings at each location will house some 1,200 housing units.



The projects, however, have triggered concerns that moving the bus transit centers underground might increase the severity of possible explosions caused by the vehicles in the underground spaces, as many of them run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and electricity.



Outside an office building on the public bus transit center site in Gangil-dong, which is used by five bus companies, hangs a giant poster made by their employees, which reads, "An underground depot will kill us all with explosions."



The Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), which is run by the city, says it plans to start the Gangil underground depot project in December of this year.



Workers at the bus companies said that the new Gangil underground depot will be supported by "piloti" or stilts that lift a structure above the ground, which they claim will impede the buses from moving in the space freely and force them to have to drive between the pillars. (There are no piloti in the existing ground-level bus transit center.) They are also worried that the proposed enclosed space underground used by many buses will have poor air quality.



Local residents around the Gangil underground bus depot project are also wary, as they argue CNG and electricity charging stations in the new underground space will threaten the area's safety. There are large-scale apartment complexes right across the street from the existing bus transit center, and the residents worry any possible explosion or fire in the proposed new underground depot will affect their personal safety.





An aerial rendering of the new underground public bus transit center with apartment buildings on top of it in Gangil-dong / Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government



"In addition to the safety risks, the new apartment buildings to be built up to 20 stories high on top of the underground bus transit center will completely block other residents in the area from getting any sunlight," Han Jin-seop, who represents the residents of one of the two apartment complexes flanking the existing public bus transit center in Gangdong District, eastern Seoul, told The Korea Times. The existing apartment complexes are comprised of buildings no higher than 15 stories. "The new apartments will also block sunlight from reaching the solar panels we plan to install on top of our apartment buildings."



Han said the renovated public bus transit center and new apartment buildings will also significantly increase the volume of vehicles in the area and worsen traffic jams as the center has only one entrance. Han collected petitions against Compact City project in Gangil-dong from residents at the two apartment complexes and submitted them to the Seoul Metropolitan Council last year.



"SH, after the Gangil-dong residents petitioned to the city government, has employed two agencies to run tests on the existing Gangil public bus transit center to study how the renovated underground center should be designed for bus drivers to operate flawlessly as well as not be vulnerable to explosions or fires," Kim Jeong-sung, a senior official at the Gangil public bus transit center, said. "The tests began earlier this month and their results will come out in November."



However, Kim is worried that the tests might not be conducted fairly, as the city government is pushing aggressively ahead with the project and the agencies conducting them will be influenced by the city.



"SH hired the Seoul Institute (a research institute under the city government) to run the test to study how the new bus transit center should be designed for bus drivers. But I doubt the test will be fair because the institute operates under the city government and the test results will probably be predetermined in favor of the city."



Workers at the Jangji-dong public bus transit center were deeply concerned with the Compact City plan as well. More than 500 buses use the Jangji public bus transit center in Songpa District in southern Seoul. SH has launched feasibility tests to move the center underground there as well, the results of which will also come out in November.



"They say they will build apartments, parks and other convenience facilities on top of the new underground bus transit center, but they are essentially burying explosive elements underground and erecting apartments on top of them," Lee Hee-kyung, a senior maintenance officer at Seoul Bus, one of the three bus operators using the Jangji public bus transit center, said. He was particularly worried about how dangerous an electric bus explosion could be, describing it as 10 times more dangerous than buses running on other fuels. "Such an explosion, if it were to happen, would not only endanger the employees of the bus companies, but also the residents living above."





This section rendering of the proposed underground Gangil public bus transit center shows buses parked underneath a park and new apartment buildings. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Matthew Butler spent 27 years in the Army, but it took a day in jail to convince him his post-traumatic stress disorder was out of control.

The recently retired Green Beret had already tried antidepressants, therapy and a support dog. But his arrest for punching a hole in his father's wall after his family tried to stage an intervention in Utah made it clear none of it was working.

I had a nice house, I had a great job, whatever, but I was unable to sleep, had frequent nightmares, crippling anxiety, avoiding crowds," he said. My life was a wreck.

He eventually found psychedelic drugs, and he says they changed his life. I was able to finally step way back and go, Oh, I see whats going on here. I get it now, said Butler, now 52. Today his run-ins with police have ended, hes happily married and reconciled with his parents.

Butler, who lives in the Salt Lake City suburbs, is among military veterans in several U.S. states helping to persuade lawmakers to study psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic use.

Conservative Utah has become at least the fourth state over the last two years to approve studying the potential medical use of psychedelics, which are still federally illegal. A string of cities have also decriminalized so-called magic mushrooms and an explosion of investment money is flowing into the arena.

Experts say the research is promising for treating conditions ranging from PTSD to quitting smoking, but caution some serious risks remain, especially for those with certain mental health conditions.

Oregon is so far the only state to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the psychedelic active ingredient in certain mushrooms. But studying them for therapy has made inroads not only in blue states like Hawaii, Connecticut and Maryland, but also GOP-led Texas, Utah and Oklahoma, which passed a study bill through the state House this year.

The progress stands in contrast to medical marijuana, which Utah lawmakers refused to allow until a ballot measure helped push it through. However, the proposal to study a broad range of psychedelic drugs passed easily this year.

Texas has yet to legalize medical marijuana, but former Republican Gov. Rick Perry helped shepherd through a bill last year to use $1.4 million to fund a study of psilocybin for treating PTSD.

The stigma attached to psilocybin and most psychedelics dates back to the 60s and 70s. Its been very hard for them to overcome, said Democratic Rep. Alex Dominguez, who sponsored the bill. My approach was, Lets find the group that all sides claim that they are supportive of. And that would be veterans."

He also heard from conservatives like Perry who support the use of psilocybin to treat PTSD  and let advocates from that end of the political spectrum take the lead publicly.

Maryland also gave bipartisan approval to spending $1 million this year to fund alternative therapies for veterans, including psychedelics. Democratic sponsor Sen. Sarah Elfreth, whose district includes the U.S. Naval Academy, noted the spike in suicides among veterans.

I dont envision the VA acting anytime soon, she said. "Were at a true crisis level and its time for the states to step up.

Psilocybin has been decriminalized in nearby Washington, D.C., as well as Denver, which decriminalized it in 2019, followed by Oakland and Santa Cruz in California, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Theres also plenty of venture capital being invested from people who have had positive experiences and are highly motivated to invest in psychedelics as treatment, said John Krystal, the chair of psychiatry at Yale University.

Rhode Island lawmakers are weighing a proposal to decriminalize psilocybin this year, and in Colorado there's an effort to get statewide decriminalization on the ballot. But similar measures have stalled in Statehouses elsewhere, including California and Maine.

Studying psychedelics, though, has gained more traction. In Oklahoma, a bill from Republican Reps. Daniel Pae and Logan Phillips would legalize research on psilocybin.

I believe the research will show that there is a way to use this drug safely and responsibly, and it could save the lives of thousands of Oklahomans, Pae said in a statement. The bill passed the House last month and is now under consideration in the Senate.

It's a stunning turnaround for a field that captivated researchers in the 1950s and 1960s, before mushrooms and LSD became known as recreational drugs. They were federally outlawed during the Nixon administration, sending research to a screeching halt.

New studies, though, have indicated psilocybin could be useful in the treatment of everything from major depression to alcoholism, said Ben Lewis, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

People are referring to this current period of time as the psychedelic Renaissance, he said. Up to 30% of depression sufferers are considered resistant to current treatment, and there have been few recent leaps forward in drug innovation, he added.

The risk of addiction or overdose is considered low with psychedelics, especially under medical supervision, and while some cardiac conditions can present a physical risk, many people's physical reactions aren't dangerous.

But there are serious psychological risks, especially for people with certain forms of mental illness or a family history of conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Then theres a possibility that a high-dose psychedelic experience could sort of trigger that and lead to long-lasting mental health issues, said Albert Garcia-Romeu, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Classic psychedelics include LSD, mescaline, psilocybin and ayahuasca. Plant-based psychedelics have long been used in indigenous cultures around the world.

Today, their therapeutic use at Johns Hopkins is carefully monitored, Garcia-Romeu said. Patients are rigorously screened and typically have at least three appointments: one for preparation, a second to take the drugs and a third to work through the psychedelic experience.

For Butler, the 2018 arrest at his parents' home was a turning point. He started researching new ways to deal with the PTSD he has suffered since deploying six times to Iraq and Afghanistan and working in counterterrorism and hostage rescues in Somalia for the U.S. Special Forces before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2017.

Eventually he came across ayahuasca, long a part of traditional cultures in South America. Last summer, he took part in a ceremony involving the psychoactive brew, overseen by a woman knowledgeable about its effects. She talked to him as the experience took hold, including a feeling of euphoria, the sight of geometric shapes and a sense he was entering his subconscious.

She spoke to him about his childhood and how the military had shaped his life.

It really was as simple as having an experienced person who understood the medicine, who understood that subconscious space and understood PTSD. It was as simple as listening to her, he said.

He credits that single session with getting his PTSD about 80% under control, though he occasionally does another if he finds his symptoms returning.

About two-thirds to three-quarters of people in studies have experienced significant improvements in their symptoms, Garcia-Romeu said. Those are promising results, especially for quitting smoking, where current treatments only work for about one-third of people, he said.

The Food and Drug Administration designated psilocybin a breakthrough therapy in 2018, a label thats designed to speed the development and review of drugs to treat a serious condition. MDMA, often called ecstasy, also has that designation for treatment of PTSD.

How quickly states move from study to wider availability remains to be seen. Connecticut recommended legal medical use only after psilocybin is approved by the FDA, which may take until 2025 or later as the agency works through its process, including risk assessment.

Approval is important to safety as well as access, the Connecticut assessment said  without it, many insurance companies likely wouldnt cover the treatment, leaving it open only to the wealthy.

In Utah, the study team is expected to complete its work in the fall.

Well see what can and cant be done," said Republican Rep. Brady Brammer, who sponsored the bill. If if they feel like its safe, itll be an interesting ride.

__

Associated Press writers Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City; Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, and Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
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BRIDGEPORT  The City Council is forging ahead with a plan to hire a half-dozen aides that could eventually add over $500,000 to the municipal budget, but that proponents insist will improve members responsiveness to constituents.

Having staff to do whatever we need them to do, at a moments notice, is very important, freshman Councilman Tyler Mack said in an interview Tuesday following Monday nights 15-3 vote. Two members were absent.

Elected last November to the currently all-Democratic legislative body, Mack, who works for state Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, has helped champion the effort to give the council the power to fund its own support crew.

The amended version of an ordinance proposed last winter and approved Monday clears the way for the establishment of a six-person office of legislative services, with a special project coordinator  a catch-all title within Bridgeport municipal government applied to numerous positions in different departments  supervising five to-be-created aide positions.

In addition, the ordinance sets up a process for the council to also hire on an as-needed basis its own lawyer when a majority of members want a legal opinion independent of the municipal law department, whose head is appointed by the mayor.

According to a cost estimate submitted by Council President Aidee Nieves, just one aides salary and benefits would total $88,616 annually. Nieves said the council may start slow, hiring the supervisor, one-full time staffer and one part-timer instead of all six.

The council is in the middle of the spring budget process, reviewing Mayor Joe Ganims draft fiscal plan for 2022-23 ahead of an early May vote. The legislative budget only contains $90,000 for one position set aside last year but never filled.

It (the ordinance) says, Subject to the allocation of funds and availability of funding, Nieves said Tuesday. We can fund two. We can start with three. We can start with one.

But Councilwoman Maria Pereira, a critic of the plan who cast one of Mondays three no votes, noted Ganims budget is already balanced with millions worth of one-time revenues  $10 million in federal coronavirus pandemic relief; $4 million from the possible sale of Sikorsky Memorial Airport; and $2.1 million in hoped-for additional state aid.

Where, Pereira asked, will the council, in this and in coming fiscal years, find the additional hundreds of thousands of dollars for its own personnel on top of filling a future, $16.1 million budget hole?

Councilwoman AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia also voted no. She said Tuesday, I understand many of the council members need assistance with duties and that we all should have support. But, she said, the paperwork the council had to review was vague about positions, responsibilities, financials.

Vizzo-Paniccia also said that while the positions are supposed to go through a competitive personnel process, she is worried the aide openings would wind up being political patronage jobs rather than going to the most qualified applicants.

At one time the council did have a legislative liaison, but for the past decade has gotten administrative help from the City Clerks office, legal advice from the City Attorney, and relied on the mayors office and other departments to provide data and backup materials ahead of votes on matters like the budget, economic development projects and the passage of new local regulations.

The details of the ordinance passed Monday were modeled after the Connecticut General Assembly in Hartford and New Havens Board of Alders, whose members have personnel to assist with research, drafting bills, legal advice, constituent and media relations, and other duties.

Mack said his three-and-a-half year tenure assisting Looney in the state Senate, as well as his nearly five months on Bridgeports council, convinced him of the necessity of establishing a legislative services operation locally.

There are some (Bridgeport) issues that, because I work up here in Hartford, I cant get to right away, he said. Having someone be able to call a constituent  Yes, your case is being handled  right away makes a big impact. Constituents feel like they are being heard and getting their needs met.

Nieves and Councilman Ernest Newton were also vocal backers of the staffing concept. During last years campaigns Nieves and Mack were endorsed by the Bridgeport Generation Now Votes group after pledging to pursue reforms to empower the council and make it more independent of the mayor.

Nieves said while she has some flexibility in her job hours, that is not the case for all 20 council members, some of whom can only turn their attention to their elected responsibilities in the mornings, evenings or during lunch  times that are not necessarily compatible with those of municipal departments with which they interact on behalf of the voters.

With the internet and social media theres an expectation (by constituents) of a response in real, live time, Nieves said. With those expectations, its unrealistic (to expect) council people continue to work on their own. You have to do all of the following-up yourself.

We have the opportunity now (to) get a faster turnaround then when you call the council members, Newton, a budget committee chairman, said Tuesday. We need to do this. We should have done it 20 years ago.

And, Nieves said, some of the new hires can also help council members promote their work on social media or by producing newsletters for their particular neighborhoods.

Some of our council people want to do that but they dont have time or are limited in that technology, she said.

But the liaison office, while costing a small fraction of Bridgeport's roughly $600 million operating budget, is still potentially a big bump in terms of the councils current $343,946 budget. Five aides at $88,616 a piece would total $443,080 without the project manager who, as supervisor, would earn more, bringing that amount to over $500,000.

And that, Pereira noted, is before adding in the untallied costs of office equipment and supplies.

Meanwhile, as reported last week, the council, whose 20 members receive annual expense accounts of $9,000, is simultaneously considering setting aside an additional $40,000 for travel services.

Ive never had one constituent say, Maria, you know what we especially need? A staff for you and the council, Pereira said Tuesday. This is not a priority for the people of Bridgeport.

Pereira is one of the most active council members in terms of working with constituents and researching issues. Some of her colleagues like Newton argue she is able to dedicate more time to elected office because she is not currently employed.

Pereira acknowledged she does not have a job because for a few years she has been dealing with health issues. But, she added, Theres eight or nine other (council) people that dont have full time employment.

Nieves said complaints about the price tag are just an excuse, year and year again, to scare off the council from growing and professionalizing its office.
Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

FAIRFIELD  The towns emergency radio and telephone communications systems are now back online and fully functional, the police department said around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The towns emergency operations were experiencing technical difficulties around 4 p.m. Tuesday. By 6 p.m., police said they identified the issue and isolated it to an error in the states fiber network.
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LVIV, Ukraine (AP)  The Soviet-era apartment blocks at the end of a tram line in this western Ukrainian city show an indifferent face to the world, blank and gray. But behind every lighted window is a story.

There is the couple who lament that they may never live in the house being built for them in bloody Bucha. There is the family that spent hours in their basement shelter in Irpin, trapped between armies. There is the woman who fled Kharkiv, becoming displaced for the second time in a decade.

They all escaped to Lviv, along with some 500,000 others -- a small fraction of the 10 million Ukrainians who have been chased by war from their homes and resettled elsewhere in the country.

Many sleep on mats in cultural centers and schools, shelter in crowded rooms with relatives and friends. Some plan to move on, perhaps crossing the border to nearby Poland and beyond. Others have put down the first fragile roots. The rest have little idea what to do.

Most just want to go home, if home still stands.

As many as 50 have found shelter in a nine-story building on Trylovskoho Boulevard. It is quiet; they can look through their windows and see a school, a playground, not a tank or rocket fire. Its a world away from the danger that sent them running from their homes, though in recent days, Lviv too has been a target of Russian missiles.

The families live footsteps apart. They dont know each other, but they recognize displaced people like themselves on sight, without exchanging a word. Take the small, clanking elevator, walk down the dim corridors and visit with them in their temporary apartments, and youll find limbo.

Its not my flat. Its not my life, Marta Kopan says. But now Im here.

___

Marta is 40 weeks pregnant; the baby, a girl, kicks her vigorously as she goes through bags of childrens clothing in the fourth-floor apartment the family borrowed from a cousin. Her birth plan, like so much else, has been abandoned  the place where she had expected to give birth was bombed.

On the 24th of February, our happy life stopped, says Marta, 36. She remembers looking out the window of the familys Kyiv apartment and watching the lines of cars headed for safety. Within days, the Kopans  Marta, her husband and two sons  joined them.

Now, some 300 miles away, she sometimes feels nothing. Sometimes it is all too much.

I dont need to read the news, she says, and starts to weep. I just get the news from my friends. They tell her of homes destroyed and bodies found in pieces. One friend now works to deliver babies in an underground shelter. He sent her photos of nearly 200 pregnant women waiting to give birth.

Marta knows that could have been her.

Kyiv is not all the family left behind. A new home, designed by Martas mother, had been waiting for the family in Bucha, just outside the capital. There are woods nearby, with trails for hiking and chances for mushroom and berry picking. Now the Russian occupiers have pulled back, leaving some of the war's worst horrors in their wake, and the family doesnt know if their dream home was left intact.

They want to stay in Ukraine, but they have no long-term plan. Marta and her husband are doctors and want to stay and help. For now, they live day to day. The elder son, 6-year-old Nazar, continues his schooling online.

Though he knows better, sometimes he asks to return home to Kyiv. I want my normal life, he says.

Marta does, too. I want to have my children to have their own rooms with their Legos, with their different pencils, she says.

The boy curls up and kisses his mothers belly, a comfort for her and a greeting for his sister. I hope hell like her when shell be crying, Marta says.

Hours later, just after sunset, the air raid siren wails. The family, like many others here, doesnt go to the shelter. Marta sits in a puffy coat on the swings, alone in the dusk, while Nazar plays.

___

Iryna Sanina, 33, speaks in a stairwell on a concrete landing between floors. She leans on her husband, Volodymyr, and wears the only sweater she took with her when they fled Irpin. She has fuzzy slippers and her ankles are bare, even when she steps outside to smoke in the freezing weather.

Her eyes fill with tears as tells her story. She and her husband were trapped for days between Ukrainian and Russian forces, quickly learning to distinguish between incoming and outgoing fire. The bridge to safety was destroyed by the Ukrainian side to slow the Russian advance. Even though her husband insisted that she leave, she wanted to stay.

They hid in a basement shelter in the yard. Whenever the shelling eased, they climbed out to shout to their neighbors, checking to see whether they were alive.

Volodymyr stayed in Irpin longer than she did, helping with evacuations, but it was a struggle; tires were quickly shredded by shrapnel on the ground. With communications out, Iryna could reach him only by text message. I could see he received the messages, but he couldnt answer, she says. I didnt know for days about his fate, and it was terrifying.

Eventually, elderly neighbors persuaded him to leave for the sake of his 14-year-old son. The boy now shelters three hours away from Lviv with his grandmother, in a safer place with no air raid sirens at all.

Iryna and Volodymyr share their sixth-floor apartment with four other adults from Irpin, all of them colleagues at the drug company where the couple works. Its very difficult to live with others, Iryna says, but we know a lot of people lost everything.

The couple dont want to let others know they come from Irpin. They dont want to look like victims. They want to go home, no matter how devastated it is, and rebuild.

More than anything, says Iryna, I want to go back and wake up on Feb. 24, before it all began. She is in tears again.

___

The kitchen ceiling is peeling. The bed is an air mattress. The rooms are mostly bare. But Olya Shlapaks 8-year-old daughter Zlata is pirouetting in her bedroom with a new friend and telling her parents, Lets stay in Lviv.

Olya, 28, and her husband, Sasha, worry theres little to return to in Kharkiv, and the home they bought just six months ago. On the first day of Russias invasion, they left it to seek safety in the subway, along with hundreds of other residents.

Olya recalls the biggest fear of my life, awakening her daughter to tell her the war had started. Luckily, she says, Zlata didnt see much fighting, but when she hears loud noises, she tries to hide.

A week later, they drove to Lviv, thinking they would stay a day or two. They live with their cocker spaniel, Letti, in an eighth-floor apartment found by a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. Securing a place in crowded Lviv was hard; some landlords objected to the dog, or even to Sasha. Many people say the husband should be at the front, fighting, Olya says.

Sasha continues to work in information technology. Olya cant bring herself to look for a job. That would mean accepting they might be in Lviv forever. Im waiting, she says. This is not life for me now.

Years ago, Olya fled the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine amid the fighting there. That experience taught her not to panic. But she has been shaken by the effects of Russias war propaganda on the people she loves. She can barely speak with her parents in Donetsk, for years under Russian sway, about the war. It is difficult to convince them that Ukraine isnt attacking its own people.

Friends in Russia sent similar messages, or worse. You Ukrainians deserve to die, one wrote. Olya told her to lay off the drugs and alcohol. It seemed to be the best answer at the time.

For years, she had avoided watching the news. Now she watches it for hours on end. She cooks. She plays with her daughter. She volunteers, helping other displaced people.

To help fill the time, the family is putting together a jigsaw puzzle on the floor. But the dog has eaten a few of the pieces, and it might never be complete.

___

Olha Salivonchuk is not a displaced person, though she has long prepared to be one.

Unlike many Ukrainians, she took seriously the talk in the West about a Russian invasion and packed a go bag with clothes, medicine, food and documents in November. On Feb. 24, her husband awakened her: Its begun. Recalling that moment, she is in tears.

Head of the local association of apartment owners, Olha watched the building empty out at the wars start. People who lived here, especially with children, they just like disappeared in a moment, she says. It was like an empty building. No light in the evening. No cars in the parking. It was very scary.

But then, realizing that Lviv wasnt on the front line, people returned. And in the days and weeks that followed, Olha, 41, watched as Ukrainians arrived from places like Chernihiv and Kharkiv, squeezing into apartments with friends, family and co-workers.

Olha herself hosted a dear friend from Kyiv in her ninth-floor apartment for several days before helping her move on. On the eighth floor, a Kyiv family moved in and asked what they could do to help. They pitched in to make the camouflaging nets that cover checkpoints in the city, using spare fabric.

Olha has never considered leaving, even when a Russian airstrike made their building shake. Her family has lived in the city for generations, and she has been in the apartment for a dozen years.

Every time the air raid siren sounds, she and her husband and 13-year-old daughter Solomiya take their bags to their makeshift shelter in their hallway. She has placed tape on her windows after seeing people who had fled eastern Ukraine do it. Maybe they know something, she says.

Olha is aware of the tender nerves of the newly displaced people around her. I just say Youre new, she says. I dont want to ask questions. Im not sure theyre eager to talk about the war. But if they start this conversation, Im listening.

Little is needed to make a new home, she says: Tea, blankets, photos and conversation. The newcomers are learning that now.

They are the same now, they are Ukrainians, Olha says. They speak with longing about communities left behind, but they understand that here they have a home, too.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pennsylvania's acting health secretary is leaving the job and Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday his physician general will take over leadership of the department.

Wolf said Keara Klinepeter's last day is Friday. He plans to name Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson to succeed her as acting health secretary.
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BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  A U.S. Senate delegation on Tuesday urged Serbia to join the rest of Europe and impose sanctions against Russia for its bloody campaign in Ukraine.

We understand Serbia has a long cultural and economic history with Russia, said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) after the three-member bi-partisan delegation met Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic.

But this is a moment where there is great risk if we, as a democratic community, dont send a united message about the consequences of Russias behavior in Ukraine, he told reporters. And our hope is that we will be able to stand with Serbia in the coming weeks and months to send that clear message to Russia.

Although Serbia voted in favor of three United Nations resolutions condemning the Russian aggression against Ukraine, it has not joined international sanctions against Moscow.

Serbia, which is formally seeking European Union membership, depends almost entirely on Russian energy supplies. Vucic has said that imposing sanctions against traditional Slavic allies in Moscow would be disastrous for Serbia.

I think we made the case that as the president (Vucic) has said, the future of Serbia lies with the rest of Europe, lies in the West, and he has been moving in that direction, (with) trade ties, business investment. said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). And as we pointed out, if thats the intent, then certainly looking at the foreign policy thats currently in place by the EU is very important.

The senators also said that if Serbia really wants to join the EU, it should reconsider on rapidly arming itself with Russian and Chinese weapons.

In in the long run, I think every country needs to make a decision about whether their security interests are best aligned with China, Murphy said. If Serbia is intent on being a member of the European Union, then its probably not in their long-term interests to have a security relationship with China.

Serbias rapid military buildup in the region that was at war in the 1990s has worried its neighbors and raised fears in the West of new possible bloodshed in the Balkans.

Earlier this month, China delivered a sophisticated air defense system to Belgrade despite earlier U.S. warnings that if Serbia wants to join Western integrations it should align its military with Western standards.
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol and health minister nominee Chung Ho-young / Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



As health minister nominee Chung Ho-young becomes embroiled in numerous allegations in regards to himself and his children, it seems that President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is attempting to put distance between himself and the nominee.



During a press conference, Tuesday, Yoon's spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin denied the media reports that the president-elect and Chung have been friends for some 40 years.



"We've seen many media reports which described the two as old friends, but they are wrong," Bae said when asked if Yoon is trying to protect his old friend from the allegations that were raised.



"The two people each spent their school years in Seoul (Yoon) and Daegu (Chung), and established their careers as a prosecutor and a medical doctor, respectively."



Chung's relations with Yoon have been a subject of interest since the former was nominated as Minister of Health and Welfare on April 10.



Chung is a medical doctor who spent most of his days at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) raised suspicions that Chung got the plum job because of his reported friendship with the president-elect.





Health minister nominee Chung Ho-young reads a statement as he enters his office at National Pension Service North Seoul headquarters in Seodaemun District, Tuesday. Yonhap
ASUO confirmed the last of 24 new subcommittee officials on April 6, after two weeks of elections and months of preparation. Luda Isakharov of the Progress UO campaign was named next years ASUO president, with Kavi Shrestha appointed as her vice president.

ASUO released the results from its first round of elections on March 31. In situations where no candidate wins 50% or more of the vote, the two candidates with the most votes face off in a second round of elections called run-offs.

Slates are a group of candidates running for a variety of positions that share similar values and goals for their time in office, similar to a political party. This year Progress UO won a large number of the open seats.

Progress UO executive candidates Isakharov and Shrestha won their run-off early in the week after their opposition pulled out of the race. They will take office on May 25.

Leading up to the election, their opponent Claire OConnor faced claims of bribery, according to the ASUO elections board. This led to OConnors resignation from her role as the ASUO senate president and retirement from the race for ASUO president.

Isakharov and Shrestha are both sophomores at the University of Oregon. Isakharov currently serves as ASUO executive secretary of program administration, and Shrestha sits on the ASUO senate and serves as finance chair of the EMU Board.

As president, Isakharov will act as a spokesperson for the student body and an administrator for all ASUO programs, according to the ASUO Constitution. As vice president, Shrestha will serve as liaison between the diversity plan committee and the ASUO executive office. He will also be responsible for equipment funding relating to the ASUO executive branch.

Both Isakharov and Shrestha said their current ASUO experience, in addition to other past experiences, provided motivation to run for the executive positions and make needed changes to ASUO. Things needed to shift both within the organization and in terms of accessibility to the student body, Shrestha said.

According to the duo, this means listening to student voices. We want to create a new process for ASUO, Isakharov said. First and foremost we want to default to the people who know more than us and are connected with the students and coalitions and uplift them and their voices and provide the institutional knowledge to support them.

Sixteen new ASUO senators were also confirmed, leaving one position to be filled by appointment, and six subcommittee members were elected leaving five to be appointed.

Of the new senators elected, eight will also serve on one of the four sub committees: the Programs Finance Committee, the EMU Board, the Contracts Finance Committee and the Departments Finance Committee.

Sophomore Fisher Isenberg is one of those newly-elected senators. Occupying seat nine on the senate, Isenberg will serve a term of two years and will also be a member of DFC, which is tasked with funding for departments including the Mills International Center and Duck Rides.

Ill be able to make tangible change, which is really exciting, Isenberg said. I think its really important that our budget is allocated in a way that reflects the students perspective and needs.

Natalie Hawkins will serve on seat seven in the new ASUO senate. She will also be a member of the CFC, which manages contracts like the one that provides students with free rides with Lane Transit District.

A lot of students dont know about the budgeting process and how much power ASUO actually holds, Hawkins said. That really needs to change.

Hawkins said more public forums and student surveys could be an important step to getting the student body involved in the decisions made within ASUO.
Ali Harbi Ali understood exactly what to say and how to behave when dealing with representatives from Britain's flagship deradicalisation programme.

'I just knew to nod my head and say yes  and they would leave me alone afterwards,' he said with a shrug last week at his trial for the cold-blooded murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.

'They' were the staff of Prevent, Britain's most important counter-terrorism programme, established in 2006 to combat extremists and fanatics of all stripes: Islamist and far-Right as well as those with 'mixed, unstable or unclear' ideologies.

Last year, after a series of damning failures by Prevent, the Government commissioned a review into the body led by former Charity Commission chief William Shawcross. That is understood to be nearing completion.

Sir David's killer Ali Harbi Ali - who was sentenced to a whole life order - had been referred to the Prevent programme in 2014 but a year later it was concluded he no longer posed a threat

Threat

But the visceral horror provoked by Ali's case  coming as it does so soon after a litany of other atrocious errors by Prevent  seems to have spurred Home Secretary Priti Patel to overhaul the scheme whatever the review finds.

Yesterday, the Mail revealed new government plans to reform Prevent from top to bottom, with Patel saying: 'I can't prejudge [the Shawcross] review. But it is quite clear from my own observations that things need to change.'

Ali had been dismissed as a terrorist threat by Prevent just months before he bought a knife to hunt down MPs. But his is only the most recent such disaster.

Data this week showed that of 13 terror attacks in the past five years  which left 14 dead and 128 injured  no fewer than seven offenders (that is, more than half) were known to the Prevent scheme.

Among them was Ahmed Hassan, whose bomb partially exploded at London's Parsons Green Tube station in 2017, injuring 69, and Khairi Saadallah, who stabbed three men to death with a kitchen knife in Reading in 2020 while screaming 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is great').

The UK's flagship anti-terror strategy is being undermined by a politically correct emphasis on right-wing extremism over more dangerous Islamist radicalism, critics have said - as a review prepares to overhaul the 'broken' system

Worried sources had told Prevent that Saadallah could carry out an attack but the body's officials concluded he had 'no fixed ideology'.

Let us now be blunt about this: of those 13 most recent terror attacks, every one of the perpetrators had jihadist sympathies. Not a single one was far-Right.

Yet time and again, Prevent has focused its work away from Islamist extremism and to the far-Right instead.

In the year to March 2020, less than a quarter (24 per cent) of all Prevent referrals  and 30 per cent of 'Channel cases' taken on for further assessment or extra support  related to potential Islamist extremism.

By comparison, 43 per cent of Channel cases were for far-Right extremism, even though these comprised just 22 per cent of referrals.

The bias seems clear  and that year was not an isolated case.

Dr Alan Mendoza is executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, a think tank specialising in counter-extremism

The same trend continued the next year: in 2021, 46 per cent of Channel cases were for far-Right individuals, while 22 per cent were for potential Islamists, even though the referral numbers were 25 and 22 per cent respectively.

Now, at last, there is hope that the problem will finally be dealt with.

I take no satisfaction in outlining these problems. Last year, the think tank of which I am executive director published a detailed report explaining the issue.

Authored by the respected academic Rakib Ehsan, our report highlighted what it called a 'fundamental mismatch' between the threat posed by Islamist terrorism and the attention Prevent gave the problem.

As Dr Ehsan put it, there is an 'all-too-real prospect of Islamist extremists who present a significant security risk not being sufficiently monitored by the public authorities'.

He was absolutely right.

Of course, to say Islamist terrorism is the greater danger is not to deny the risk of other violent extremism.

This includes the danger of terrorism flaring up again in Northern Ireland and, indeed, of neo-Nazism.

Nonetheless, especially here in Britain, the facts have underlined time and again that it is jihadists who pose the greatest terror threat to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall QC, has concluded that 'Islamist terrorism remains the principal threat in Great Britain' and his words are backed up by some chilling statistics.

Some 90 per cent of the 43,000 people on MI5's 'watch' list are radicalised Muslims.

In 2019, a clear majority of terrorism convictions related to Islamism.

Wrong

And in 2021, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, MI5 director Ken McCallum revealed that his organisation had thwarted 31 'late-stage' plots to attack the UK during the previous four years  and that most of these, too, were Islamist.

So you would have thought that Prevent, while giving proper attention to the threat of far-Right and other would-be terrorists, would be devoting most of its resources to investigating Islamist terrorism.

Sadly not.

Why, then, does Prevent focus on the wrong problem?

Much of the reason, I believe, is down to the creeping influence of the liberal Left, which appears to have considerable sway in some of the panels that assess whether to offer counter-radicalisation support and monitoring.

Comprising a baffling array of organisations and individuals from council officials to social workers, they often seem ideologically predisposed to fixate on far-Right extremism at the expense of Islamic extremism.

Some, perhaps, are terrified of being branded 'Islamophobic'  an accusation that has repeatedly been flung at Prevent by the civil liberties brigade over the years, and indeed by some activists who appear sympathetic to extreme variants of Islam.

This jibe against Prevent is particularly absurd, given it has so often  and with fatal results  taken on good faith the protestations of its jihadist referrals, not least Ali Harbi Ali himself.

Of course, the fear of being tarred as a racist has afflicted swathes of the British Establishment in recent years.

Acknowledging the risk of Islamist extremism is not the same as being racist against Muslims. Thankfully, our Home Secretary (pictured) does not seem hampered by this delusion

Dogma

It needs to be pointed out, loudly and often, that acknowledging the risk of Islamist extremism is not the same as being racist against Muslims.

Thankfully, our Home Secretary does not seem hampered by this delusion, and I can only urge her to hasten plans for root-and-branch reform.

It is time to start drawing Prevent's decision-makers from our national security apparatus: experts with dispassionate views and experience rooted in reality, not dogma.

Even though these suggestions should be uncontentious, I expect the customary howls of outrage from sections of the Left and the usual band of bleeding-heart liberals, who will protest that the state is stigmatising minorities.

Let them howl. What matters is the evidence  and this should lead Prevent, or whatever succeeds it, to the source of the most urgent threat. The safety of our society depends on it.
If Britain is to bounce back fully from the pandemic, the entire workforce must pull in the same direction.

But while millions put the economy first by returning to offices, factories and shops, the Mail revealed on Saturday that Whitehall still resembles a ghost town.

Sir Humphrey is letting handsomely paid civil servants continue working from home. Today, we reveal the extent of this scandal.

While war rages in Ukraine, only one in three Foreign Office staff are back at their desks. The same goes for the Business Department, even as households and firms struggle with crippling energy bills. Most departments are not even half full.

So three cheers to Efficiency Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg for zapping this stifling indolence. He has told the Cabinet to make bone-idle bureaucrats change out of their jogging bottoms and return to work rapidly.

While millions put the economy first by returning to offices, factories and shops, the Mail revealed on Saturday that Whitehall still resembles a ghost town

Senior mandarins harrumph that staff can perform effectively from home. But anyone banging their head against a brick wall trying to renew a passport or driving licence knows that's hogwash.

The awkward pantomime of a video conference call is no substitute for the real thing. This can be bad for morale and career development, especially for the young, who are starved of the support of their peers and senior colleagues.

As well as fuelling creativity and productivity, office working throws a lifeline to small firms that rely on passing trade.

The civil service supposedly runs the country. What example does it set when staff won't drag themselves off their sofas?

Axe this party palaver

Proving those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, Nicola Sturgeon has been admonished by police for breaking her own lockdown rules.

The high priestess of Covid crackdowns admitted not wearing a mask while electioneering at a barber shop. Mistakes happen. Still, it is deeply humiliating.

The SNP leader has been chief tut-tutter at the public, shaming them to obey her overbearing restrictions  and just days ago hypocritically insisted that Boris Johnson resign for receiving a fine.

Let's hope the Metropolitan Police take note, quit dragging their feet over Partygate and ditch their overzealous enforcement.

As ill-advised as the soirees might have been, they involved people working closely together to tackle a once-in-a-century pandemic. With Parliament sitting again after Easter, Labour will grandstand by seeking to censure the Prime Minister over his fine, a vote it will undoubtedly lose.

After that, the Government needs to focus on the Ukraine war, rebuilding the Covid-ravaged economy and living costs. A line must be drawn under this sorry saga.

At last, clerical clarity

From the ill-informed virtue-signalling on migrants by Justin Welby to a cleric who does speak for the flock he represents.

The Bishop of Odessa has hailed Mail readers for helping fund life-saving food parcels for starving families in Ukraine.

Despite the cost of living squeeze, you have responded to our refugee campaign with unmatched benevolence. Those famished victims know they are not alone.

Meanwhile, thanks to flak jackets and helmets donated by this paper, Ukrainian journalists can keep exposing the atrocities committed by Putin's army  further damning the dictator in the world's eyes.
Boris Johnson pictured outside Downing Street today

It doesn't matter how tiny the indiscretion.

It makes no difference that Boris Johnson had no idea that his staff surprised him with a birthday cake, which never left its Tupperware container, and that he stayed in the room swapping pleasantries for less than ten minutes.

His government enacted the laws, so breaking them on even the smallest of technicalities is enough to destroy a career and plunge the country into political turmoil in the midst of a European war, unprecedented cost of living crisis and Covid pandemic recovery.

Who cares! The rules are the rules  the Prime Minister made them, so no excuse cuts the mustard.

Not my view, but that of the hysterical SNP and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who have spent the past few months hyperventilating about why democracy should be subverted and BoJo deposed from office as a consequence of what the media have branded Partygate.

In fact, Scheming Sturgeon said it would be 'basic decency' for Boris to quit, deserting his country in the middle of multiple colliding crises.

Like any leftie keyboard warrior, she took to Twitter within minutes of confirmation the PM had received a fixed penalty notice (the legal equivalent of a speeding ticket) to declare: 'Boris Johnson must resign. He broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it. The basic values of integrity and decency - essential to the proper working of any parliamentary democracy - demand that he go.'

Her coven of useful idiots joined in, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney insisting Boris 'must resign' for breaking the law 'he put in place'.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford declared the PM's position was 'untenable' because he had taken 'the public for fools', adding: 'There simply cannot be one rule for the Tories and another for the rest of us.'

Sturgeon and the SNP's position could not be any clearer: No matter how small the law break, if those in power do not follow to the letter every rule they have enforced on the public, they must resign in disgrace. There is no grey area.

On Saturday, the First Minister was filmed unmasked on a visit to a busy barber shop, Iconic Gents Hair, in East Kilbride

That was until Sturgeon got caught breaking her own Covid rules once again, of course.

On Saturday, the First Minister was filmed unmasked on a visit to a busy barber shop, Iconic Gents Hair, in East Kilbride.

Her own social media footage showed her in a tartan face covering, but then videos emerged of her with locals without one. She was also shown to be unbothered by citizens in the shop not following her mask mandate.

Her own Scottish government rules at the time stated that muzzles were mandatory in a hair salon or other close contact service.

The flagrant rule break was reported to Police Scotland, who confirmed they warned Sturgeon, but, in further proof that she is given kid glove treatment, unlike the Met and Boris, they failed to issue a fine.

In a statement they justified that decision by saying: 'Local officers have spoken to the First Minister to remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so. Given the circumstances of this incident, Police Scotland is satisfied that no further action is necessary.'

Hilariously, before her trip to the barbers, Sturgeon had issued a press release calling for Scots to vote for her 'if you are as outraged as I am about the Prime Minister's contempt for the law'.

But once her indiscretion was exposed, it was the First Minister and her officials showing contempt for the rules she'd introduced legally.

DAN WOOTTON: The party might think they're doing everything to protect Queen Nic, but the mask has now well and truly slipped on her breathtaking Covid hypocrisy

First, she insisted that the police had not treated her 'differently to any other citizen' and claimed in a statement: 'After a few seconds of being in the shop, I realised I had forgotten to put my face covering back on. I then immediately put it on.'

But surely the point is that Sturgeon has demanded Boris be treated differently to any other citizen, who would almost certainly not have been granted a fixed penalty notice by cops for receiving a birthday cake in a lockdown working bubble.

Her argument for months is that he MUST be treated differently because he was responsible for the laws.

If that were the case in Scotland, Sturgeon would have been issued a 60 fine for a breach of the mask rules that would have been reduced to 30 if she'd paid within 28 days.

Sturgeon, however, insisted her rule break was 'inadvertent', as if that should provide an excuse.

Problem is that's exactly what Boris has claimed too, making it clear he had no idea that receiving a surprise birthday cake with colleagues would be in breach.

Even more extraordinarily, Scotland's National Clinical Director  a civil servant who is meant to remain politically neutral  appeared to have blatantly misrepresented the mask rules during an interview with the BBC to try and protect the First Minister.

He argued: 'She realises the place is crowded, puts her face covering on. Which is actually what we're asking people to do.'

I'm getting strong North Korea vibes in Holyrood, as the entire machinery of state attempts to hoodwink the public into believing Sturgeon didn't just do exactly what she's accused Boris of being guilty of for months.

To compound matters, just like the situation with Boris and Number 10 Downing Street, this was not the first time Sturgeon had been caught breaking mask rules.

She was previously photographed without one at a wake in December 2020, another widely reported breach.

Now thankfully these ludicrous mask laws were lifted yesterday and replaced by guidance.

But Sturgeon has been exposed for the Covid hypocrite she is, insisting on keeping totally unnecessary lockdown rules in place in a bid to try and outdo the Westminster government, even though Scotland has actually had higher rates of the virus for months now.

It's hardly the first time the SNP and Scottish officials have been caught out for not following the inhumane and nonsensical rules they have inflicted on their people.

The country's Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood was forced to resign in disgrace in June 2020 after being caught travelling to her second home in breach of lockdown rules.

SNP Westminster MP Margaret Ferrier lost the party whip after travelling by train between Scotland and London in September 2020 having tested positive for Covid.

Ironically, Sturgeon said at the time: 'Trust me it's one of the easiest things in the world in politics to call for tough consequences when one of your opponents breaks the rules. That's not hard for any of us.

'The litmus test though is whether you're prepared to do the same when it's one of your own breaking the rules.

'And in these abnormal times, when everybody has been asked to do difficult things, I think that is more important than ever.'

Unless, it seems, when it's her facing the consequences.

Now I must stress here, I don't believe anyone should be shoulder tapped by coppers, fined thousands of pounds in the courts or lose their job for any minor Covid rule break.

As I've been saying consistently for the past two years, the lockdown rules and unprecedented controls on our lives are a total ass and should be banished from the public health playbook forever more.

All governments should have only ever issued its citizens with guidance, which they could weigh up based on their personal risk profile and individual circumstances. That's how free societies must operate.

Human beings are fallible; I broke lockdown rules at times I needed to for the sake of my family and friends, and I have zero regrets for doing so, especially seeing as I was speaking out against them at the time.

But it's the holier than thou attitude of Sturgeon and the SNP that makes me want to puke.

The fact Sturgeon has carried on with the farce of legally enforced cloth nappy use to keep her population muzzled when numerous studies say they do little to contain the spread of Covid-19 is a disgrace.

So now all I'm calling for is consistency from Sturgeon and the SNP.

They say there simply cannot be one rule for the Tories and another for the rest of the population.

But I would argue they're now advocating for one rule for Tory rulebreakers like Boris and another for Scotland's Dear Leader.

The party might think they're doing everything to protect Queen Nic, but the mask has now well and truly slipped on her breathtaking Covid hypocrisy.

Unless she is prepared to resign for her Covid law break, Scheming Sturgeon's demand for Boris to quit is nothing more than laughable political posturing and should be roundly ignored.
All morning Johnny Depp watched proceedings from his seat in court, sometimes smiling, sometimes frowning in concentration, always chewing gum.

His mad professor hair had been smoothed into a ponytail and he wore a dark three-piece suit, a black shirt and a patterned tie.

His earrings and the crust of chunky rings on the fingers of both hands were the only silvery hint of his picaresque life beyond the courtroom walls  but the message here was clear. Johnny was ready to testify.

Gum gone, he took the stand after lunch and at first faltered and seemed terribly disjointed, struggling to get his thoughts in order. It was painful to watch.

Johnny Depp testified at Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse today in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard

Depp told the jury that his only goal was the truth  'I am obsessed with the truth' and that he had waited for six years for this opportunity to clear his name.

'One day you are Cinderella and in zero point six seconds you are Quasimodo. I didn't deserve that and nor did my children,' he said.

Slowly he began to find a kind of hesitant rhythm, sketching out his difficult upbringing, one in which he was constantly demeaned and humiliated by his mother.

'You just had to take the pain.'

Depp was establishing a victim status of his own, a grown man reliving his childhood whippings and beatings, a hint of what we can expect during the long hours to come.

At one point he even stood up to act out his mother's collapse after she took an overdose.

Ms Heard, pictured here in the courtroom, had accused her ex-husband Depp of domestic abuse

'Do you mind?' he asked the court, before hammily staggering around for a bit.

But what did any of this have to do with his defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard?

On Court TV, an expert called Ted Golding explained that 'true life drama always has an impact on a jury, they are looking for the depth of how he felt.'

This is the beginning of the biggest part of the trial, the moment where Depp has to sell his story and make the jury believe his version of events  in essence that his ex-wife acted maliciously and it was she who was the manipulative abuser, not him.

If this were a movie, we would be arriving at the plot point which changes the course of the hero's life, for better or worse, forever  but this is not a Hollywood film, it is a Hollywood nightmare.

As NBC news reporter Steve Paterson put it: 'This has been a drama for years.'

Wearing a pussy bow blouse and with her cheekbones accented by make-up, Heard had shaken her head earlier at witness testimony which depicted her as spoilt, petulant and self-indulgent.

Now as her former husband stumbled through his words, sometimes in a dreary monotone, she regarded him with cool aloofness; as if watching a small, hapless turtle struggle towards the safety of the sea.

Sometimes she scribbled notes as Depp droned on, invoking everything from Wile E Coyote to Bugs Bunny, to how Amber seemed 'too good to be true' when they first met, to being a good father and an even better actor.

We are to be spared little detail over the coming hours and days.

Earlier on Tuesday, two prosecution witnesses had set the scene for Depp's big moment; testifying to the Johnny they knew, depicting him as a mild-mannered and loving man.

The court heard from prosecution witnesses who depicted Depp as a mild-mannered and loving man

Depp's head of security Sean Bett said that he never saw injuries on Heard, but saw them on Depp.

Sound engineer Keenan Wyatt is a friend of Depp's of 25 years who worked with him on 'dozens' of films, including five from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

He revealed that Depp's sense of humour could be rather dark, essentially British; 'There is a show in England called The Fast Show which he loved watching.'

As he said this, Depp smiled.

Wyatt also talked of seeing Depp with Vanessa Paradis, the mother of his two children, often when all of them were on holiday together.

'They were a loving couple, everything was fine. It was a family, a loving family, he was a very loving father.'

Depp listened carefully to this. The hollow darkness in his eyes was all too visible as he stared down, as if from the wrong end of a telescope, at his happy past.
Boris Johnson bundled into the Commons at 5.02pm, hair standing on end as per usual, face as flushed as a jar of pickled beetroot.

He was running late for his statement to the House. He did have an excuse  hed been tied up on a video call with presidents Biden and Macron. Probably not a brief chat given those gasbags.

Despite cheers from the backbenches, the Prime Minister knew he was in for a tough time.

He wore the expression of a man facing the prospect of having his appendix removed with a rusty grapefruit knife.

He wore the expression of a man facing the prospect of having his appendix removed with a rusty grapefruit knife

Slowly and methodically, he issued his umble apology for the fixed penalty notice he received last week from Scotland Yard.

Apparently, it hadnt occurred to him he might have been breaking the rules when he stumbled into that lame-sounding birthday do in the Cabinet Office.

As for the 50 fine, we were assured hed paid it immediately.

This provoked widespread sniggers, even from Tories. Boris has always had a reputation for being first out of the taxi and the last into the pub, if you get my drift.

Opposite him, Sir Keir Starmer looked like a prune-faced dowager.

What a joke! he honked with demonstrative disgust. He smeared on the pious lecturing with predictable relish.

He accused Boris of offering a mealy-mouthed apology from one side of his mouth and more deflections and distortions come from the other, before accusing the PM of being dishonest.

Opposite him, Sir Keir Starmer looked like a prune-faced dowager

Uh oh! You cant say that in Parliament. The Tory frontbench howled in protest at the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

We dont want to talk about breaking rules, do we? quipped Sir Lindsay. Touche.

Sir Keir also took a pop at the Chancellor whose career was now up in flames, he said. (Incidentally, I ran into Rishi and his flunkeys earlier. He certainly seems a much-reduced figure after that hurly-burly over his wifes finances).

Michelin-bellied Ian Blackford had clearly spent time in the green room getting into character.

The SNP leader summoned all those solemn tones in his rangy repertoire to demand the PM resign. I know, what a shock. Even the dogs in the street know he lied! Blackford thundered. A prize ham.

Some Tories were helpful. Steve Baker (Con, Wycombe) praised the PM for his heartfelt apology.

Some Tories were helpful. Steve Baker (Con, Wycombe) praised the PM for his heartfelt apology

Others were rather unhelpful. Former chief whip Mark Harper (Con, Forest of Dean) felt Boris was no longer worthy of holding office. Despite his best efforts, Harpers view came as no great shock to the House.

Hes been a hornet in the pants of the Government ever since the first lockdown. It was clear from the disappointment on his face when he sat down he hadnt caused the splash he hoped for.

Some Tories meant to be helpful, but werent. Sir William Cash (Con, Stone) explained at great length why fixed penalty notices really werent a big deal. Not for the first time, Sir Bills musings had visitors in the public gallery scampering for the exit.

Luckily for the PM, some of his most likely assassins were missing in action.

No Andrew Mitchell (Con, Sutton Coldfield). No David Davis (Con, Howden). Absent too was Theresa May whod earlier given Priti Patel an earwigging over her plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Even she may have regarded knifing two colleagues in one day a little de trop. But the Eagles, Angela and Maria, were circling. They had taken up their usual place at the rear of the chamber glaring at the PM menacingly.

When Perseus stumbled upon Medusas lair, she may well have favoured him with a more kindly eye.

Apparently, it hadnt occurred to him he might have been breaking the rules when he stumbled into that lame-sounding birthday do in the Cabinet Office

Angela asked the PM why he was adamant about staying in his job but had been so ready to accept the resignation of some of his staff caught up in this scandal? That one caused Boris to wince.

Yet the full scale Tory rebellion opposition Labour had hoped for never materialised.

At one point, Anna McMorrin (Lab, Cardiff N) gave a huffy speech in which she pointed out that yesterday marked the PMs one thousandth day in office.

Morrrre! came the Tory cry and it seems that they will get their wish.




Unification Minister Lee In-young met with the U.S. envoy for North Korea to seek ways to bring the reclusive regime back to the negotiating table, his office said Tuesday.







During the meeting, Lee and U.S. Special Representative Sung Kim discussed ways to "stably manage" the currently "grave" political situation on the Korean Peninsula, the ministry said in a press release.







Lee stressed the two sides must maintain close policy cooperation ahead of the incoming government of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, and work closely to prevent the North from escalating tensions and resume dialogue.







Kim said the U.S. remains open to diplomacy and engagement with Pyongyang but stressed it will respond to the North's provocations through close consultations with the South.







He also met Vice Unification Minister Choi Young-joon to discuss the latest political situation, including the North's reported test of a tactical guided missile over the weekend.







Kim's visit here comes amid concerns Pyongyang could stage major provocations, such as a nuclear or intercontinental ballistic missile test, ahead of Yoon's inauguration next month. (Yonhap)






When I read that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had gone to visit the Queen at Windsor, I admit I felt rather worried.

For why would Harry  who has shown no obvious regard for his grandmother's feelings of late, and didn't even show up for his grandfather's memorial  choose this moment to take time out from his busy Netflix schedule?

Yes, the Queen has mobility problems but is otherwise in good health. So it's not as if this was a last-chance-to-see-her visit.

I bet I'm not the only one who saw the unscheduled arrival of this terrible twosome as a harbinger of doom.

Wherever they appear, trouble is never very far behind for the Royal Family.

It's unlikely - though not impossible - that the Sussexes will appear on the Palace balcony at the occasion of Her Majesty's platinum jubilee. Some will be relieved if they don't. Photo from 2018

The truth is, I don't know what to believe any more when it comes to the Sussexes. I don't think anyone does.

The web of spin around them is so complex, their determination to bend the narrative to their advantage so intense, it's hard to tell fact from fiction.

This week, for example, it was suggested they might even appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with the rest of the Royal Family during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

That seems unlikely, however, which I imagine must have come as quite a relief in some quarters.

The drama of such a moment would have delighted Harry and Meghan's paymasters at Netflix, though.

Harry and Meghan - pictured at the Invictus Games on Sunday - are only thinking about Netflix

What could be better for business than the pair of them up there, grinning and waving next to the Queen?

Who knows, perhaps that is even where the rumour originated in the first place.

But it would have been a tough one for other royals to swallow. Having to share a stage with two people who have dumped a huge bucket of steaming vitriol over their heads would have meant concreting those stiff upper lips.

It would be particularly hard, I think, for the Duchess of Cambridge. No one has worked harder to take up the slack following the Sussexes' departure, or to broker peace between Harry and William.

But even someone as stoic as her might find it hard to be reunited for the first time in public  in full view of the world's cameras  with the simpering sister-in-law who accused her of making her cry, and repeated the claim in that Oprah interview.

That said, I am sure Kate would stomach it because, unlike Meghan, she understands that the role of royal consort is not all adoring crowds and tiaras  a trait she shared with the late Duke of Edinburgh. If the Queen deems it appropriate, then Kate can be relied upon to step up.

One thing is clear: despite everything, the Queen remains remarkably well-disposed towards her grandson and his wife.

Given the level of provocation over the past two years, not to mention Harry's intention to publish a 'tell-all' memoir in the autumn, she would be forgiven for revoking his passport and banning them from ever darkening her door again.

Given the level of their provocation, the Queen would be within rights to revoke Harry's passport (Harry and Meghan pictured with baby Lillibet in March 2021)

But the Queen always tries to bring everyone together, even at a cost to her own reputation.

Her decision to allow Prince Andrew to accompany her down the aisle at her husband's memorial was not universally well received.

Yet it sent a strong signal about how much she still loves her son despite his troubles, and how little she cares for public opinion in regard to the things that really matter to her  such as family.

Wherever Harry (right) and Meghan (left) appear, trouble for the Royal Family is not far behind. The couple are pictured with Invictus Games athletes in an Instagram post shared on Sunday

Such generosity of spirit can be mistaken for weakness or naivety. It is not. On the contrary, it takes strength and wisdom to see the bigger picture and behave magnanimously.

The olive branch has been extended; it would be nice if, for once, Harry and Meghan did not throw it back in her face.

Nice to know that while most of us wrestle with how to pay our gas bills, the Duchess of Sussex can afford 38,000 of new clothes, plus a lovely new 12,500 Cartier necklace, for her trip to The Hague. An inspiration to us all, don't you agree?

My take on Thandiwe

The actress Thandiwe Newton (she recently adopted the African spelling of her name) has been urged to seek help after she had a blazing row with her co-star Channing Tatum, walked off set and fired her UK agent of 30 years.

I'd say that, at 49, she's just menopausal

It has also been reported that her marriage has ended.

It is of course possible that she is experiencing some sort of breakdown; but judging by the description of her as 'very highly strung', I'd say that, at 49, she is possibly just menopausal.

If so, it comes to us all, Thandiwe.

Nothing that a bit of HRT and a lie down won't solve.

I'm Generation Johnny

I must confess I have become slightly obsessed by the seemingly never-ending battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, who are suing each other for tens of millions in the fallout from their brief but toxic marriage. My daughter and her friends are on Team Amber; I'm more Team Johnny. I think this has a lot to do with age.

Heard is 35, a classic millennial; Depp is 58, very early Gen X. Essentially, two different species, hence him complaining about her spouting the kind of 'hippy s**t' so familiar to her contemporaries.

We Gen X-ers are the sort of people who treat a severed finger (like Depp's) as no more than a broken nail; millennials are rather more highly strung.

Although neither, of course, are a match for the Baby Boomers, who think we are all just as hopeless as each other.

What do Heidi Klum, Katy Perry and Amanda Holden have in common? They all seem inexplicably fond of this hideous yellow dress style. Why, when you have their bodies and connections, would you insist on wearing something that makes you look like what you'd find in a cheap Kinder Surprise egg?

And the award for Snowflake of the Century goes to the man handed almost 345,000 in compensation after his company threw him a birthday party which resulted in him having a panic attack. Sorry, but what an utter wet lettuce.

Who says the culture wars have killed off comedy? A pair of busybody diversity campaigners in Phoenix, Arizona, denounced a school for hiring a white DJ who wore blackface  only to discover that said DJ was, in fact, black.

The gentleman in question, one Kim Koko Hunter, was understandably rather put out. 'Was I not black enough?' he wondered.

'How black do I got to be for people to know that I'm an actual black person?'

Quite.

An increasing number of young women are opting for double-barrelled surnames when they get married, in a bid to maintain their independence. Funny, isn't it? In my day, feminists just hung onto their own names. There's progress for you.

Keir's Calamity

The real problem with Partygate is not that minor infractions were committed, although that was irresponsible and beyond stupid.

Keir's mistake was fixating on a 50 fine in the middle of a war... (File image)

The problem was that the rules themselves were cruel, absurd, impractical and a fundamental affront to humanity.

So when Keir Starmer delivers his sanctimonious moral lectures at the despatch box, calling for the PM to resign over a 50 fine in the middle of a war, someone should remind him that his party was complicit in taking away the public's liberties during Covid.

Like granny, like daughter

Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Snowdon, looked ravishing at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on Easter Sunday in her mother Serena's paisley frock.

I always wished I could wear my mother's fabulous Italian wardrobe  but sadly I failed to inherit her willowy frame. Luckily, though, it has skipped a generation: when she came to visit this Easter, she brought with her a haul of vintage gems.

Now I just sit there like piggy in the middle while she and my daughter put on a fashion show.

Driving around South-West England over Easter, I noted two things dominating the views: rows and rows of giant windmills, and fields and fields of solar panels. What price saving Mother Nature if there's nothing left of her to enjoy?

President Macron's ratings have soared since he was pictured lounging open-shirted on a sofa, his luxuriant man-rug on display for all to see. Just goes to show, does it not, that in a world supposedly obsessed with non-binary gender fluidity, there are some aspects of biology that just can't be denied.
Phase Two of Russia's cruel war against Ukraine is now under way  and I fear it will be even more bloody and barbaric than Vladimir Putin's campaign so far.

Over the past 48 hours Putin has upped the tempo. Deeply humiliated by the failure of his intended blitzkrieg on the country in February, he is now doubling down to achieve victory by brute force.

And so from the frontlines in south-eastern Ukraine to the far west on the border with Poland, as many as 2,000 missile strikes and bombing raids have shattered any faint remaining hope that the Kremlin might still be open to peace talks.

The scale of artillery bombardments and the deployment of cruise missiles alongside its long-range bombers suggest a ruthless determination to crush Ukraine's dogged resistance once and for all.

The second phase of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine could be more bloody and barbaric than the first, fears Mark Almond

Putin claimed his invasion was to protect and liberate the Russian speakers of the disputed territory of the Donbas.

But in reality he wanted to destroy Ukraine as an independent country. If he cannot achieve that, then conquering the Donbas  regardless of the human cost  will at least let him declare a face-saving victory.

He is seeking to take control of what he calls 'New Russia'  that great swathe of southern Ukraine, from the Donbas across the Black Sea coast to the port of Odessa.

With the Crimean peninsula already in his grip, this territorial grab would strangle Ukraine's economy. For without access to ports, Ukraine would be unable to export either steel or wheat from its fertile plains.

But economic strangulation won't destroy Ukrainian resistance quickly enough for Putin.

Local resident Tamara, 71, cries in front of an apartment building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol. Mark Almond writes that Putin is now doubling down to achieve victory by brute force

So he is putting his faith in a new team of generals whom he hopes have learned from their predecessors' blunders at the start of the war.

Back then, Russia sent a long convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles into the forest north of Kyiv. Strung out along roads, they were sitting ducks for Ukrainian soldiers hiding in the trees with British anti-tanks missiles.

The Donbas is very different  classic tank country  where Hitler's Wehrmacht and Stalin's Red Army fought titanic battles between 1941 and 1943.

Soon enough we will find out whether Russia's revamped command and control have put right the poor battlefield tactics of Phase One of the war and solved their desperate communication problems which resulted in senior personnel deployed to the frontlines with subsequent high rate of loss.

What the Russians do have, in addition to greater troop numbers, are vast reserves of ammunition, artillery shells and bombs.

A local resident walks next to a tank of pro-Russian troops during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol. The Donbas region is 'classic tank country', writes Mark Almond

President Zelensky announced earlier this week that the 'Battle for the Donbas' had begun, marking a new phase of the war

By contrast, Ukraine has expended a lot of its ammunition already. American intelligence suggests it is using, in just three days, the ammo and weaponry it expected to last a week.

Without regular supplies of desperately needed sophisticated weaponry from the West, Ukraine could soon run out of firepower.

It is for this reason Russia is now focused on bombing Ukraine's own munitions factories and strafing its transport hubs as far west as Lviv in efforts to sabotage the West's supply lines. And there is a new worry for Nato leaders  member countries helping Ukraine are beginning to see their own stockpiles of vital weapons being whittled away.

At the same time, Russia will continue to make life hell for Ukrainian civilians; in cities such as Mykolaiv, the Russian air force has bombed the electricity supply and water works.

That is not to say all is lost. From the start, Putin underestimated the determination of the Ukrainian people to fight for their nation, and the ongoing dogged resistance in Mariupol shows how hard the country's soldiers will continue to fight to hold their territory.

Russian shells and mortars have destroyed buildings in towns and cities across Ukraine, including Zalisia near Kyiv, pictured here

At terrible human cost, every Ukrainian fighting to the bitter end absorbs Russian troops who could be advancing deeper into the country. This buys time to rearm, re-equip and for the West to provide aid.

I suspect Putin's hopes of celebrating a double parade on May 9  Russia's annual celebration of Stalin's defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945  and his own victory in the Donbas are probably fading.

But his escalation in military assaults and his ruthless use of all means at his disposal certainly suggest we cannot rule out the possibility of the tactical use of targeted nuclear weapons to ultimately break Ukrainian military resistance rather than accept stalemate.

To anyone who thinks that Putin wouldn't break the taboo against nuclear warfare, I would urge them to take note of foreign minister Sergei Lavrov's declaration yesterday that Russia has 'no intention' of using weapons of mass destruction.

Lavrov vowed his country had 'no intention' of invading Ukraine either  right until the very day it did. So his words are a threat, not reassurance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky seems to have abandoned hopes of ending the war by diplomatic means. Victory over the invader is now his brave aim. But his army can only survive if we do everything in our power to support Ukraine to the end.

Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford
Meghan Markle mixed high end designers with independent jewellers on her three-day trip to The Hague, wearing a 37,869 worth of new clothes for the Easter weekend trip.

The Duchess of Sussex, 40, cemented her sartorial prowess in seven trendy look, as well as showing off new jewellery including a 12,800 Cartier necklace and 911 collection of pinky rings.

She also sported off some of her go-to designers, starting the tour in a 3,200 Valentino suit as well as 329 Max Mara trousers and shoes from Manolo, Chanel and Aquazurra.

Her most expensive outfit was worn during her the Opening Ceremony where she sported a 620 body suit from US designer Khaite, with a pair of 595 Manolo and a dazzling new necklace from Cartier cost 12,800.

Meghan Markle mixed high end designers with independent jewellers on her three day trip to The Hague, wearing 37,869 worth of new clothes for the Easter weekend trip. She is pictured on Sunday in a 1,944 Brandon Maxwell coat and 455 Manolo Blahnik heels

The Duchess of Sussex, 40, cemented her sartorial prowess in seven trendy looks - as well as showing off new jewellery including a 12,800 Cartier necklace (left) and a 2,400 Celine jacket (right)

Even her casual looks were brimming with designer items. On Saturday, the Duchess sported a 2,400 jacket from Celine - with a 1,950 bag and 360 glasses also from the French ready-to-wear designer.

She also picked out favourite pieces from her jewellery box, including her 5,800 Cartier Love Bracelet and the Cartier watch that once belonged to Princess Diana.

While a working member of the royal family, the cost of Meghan's clothes for work engagements was covered by Prince Charles through the budget he gave the couple from the Duchy of Cornwall.

But after the couple said they wanted to be financially independent, it is not clear who is picking up the bill for Meghan's clothes, or whether the Duchess always pays full price for her clothing, or receives discounts or freebies from designers.

Meghan and Harry have struck many lucrative deals since quitting The Firm, including a 18million deal with Spotify and 100million deal with Netflix.
A comedian who used to steal his classmate's lunch in elementary school has made amends for his bullying more than 15 years later after TikTok helped him reconnect with his former friend.

Joe Erwin, 24, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, shared his story in a now-viral video last month, explaining how he used to take his pal Dylan's pizza when they were in the first grade together.

'What's a terrible thing you did as a child that you feel really bad about as an adult?' he asked viewers at the start of the clip, admitting: 'I used to steal a kid's lunch every day and eat it right in front of him.'

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Joe Erwin, 24, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, opened up about how he used to steal his friend Dylan's pizza when they were in the first grade in a now-viral TikTok video

Erwin (left) said they were friends and used to sit next to each other at lunch, but he assumed Dylan (right) didn't get hungry like he did because he was a 'little guy'

Erwin explained that he was friends with Dylan at the time and didn't realize his actions were hurtful. He just wanted his lunch.

'We both always got pizza, and we always sat next to each other. We actually played at recess together. We were friends,' he recalled. 'But he was a little guy and  surprise  I was a fat kid. So I just I thought, "Since he's such a little guy, he doesn't get hungry like I do."'

Erwin said he would trick Dylan into looking in the opposite direction, and once he turned his head, he would grab his pizza and put it on his own plate.

When Dylan told him that he didn't like it when he stole his lunch, he would say: 'Oh, I'm sorry, man. I'm just hungry. That's all.' But he never gave him his food back.

The comedian recalled how he'd trick Dylan into looking in the opposite direction, and once he turned his head, he would grab his pizza and put it on his own plate

Erwin ended the video by issuing a public apology to Dylan and offering to take him out to the 'most expensive pizza place' he could think of

'I'd absolutely house that pizza right in front of him, and he didn't get to eat lunch,' he said with remorse.

Erwin asked his viewers if any of them knew a guy named Dylan who went to Jenks West Elementary in Jenks, Oklahoma, and is now in his mid-20s.

'Dylan, if you're out there, I'm sorry man,' he added. 'I want to take you out to the most expensive pizza place that you could think of. I know it's not gonna completely make it right, but I at least want to say I'm sorry.'

Erwin's video has been viewed more than 9.4 million times since it was posted on March 15 and has received thousands of comments.

In a follow-up clip, Erwin revealed that he tracked down Dylan on Facebook after finding his last name in his friend's old yearbook

After Erwin messaged him to make amends, Dylan admitted he had 'no clue' he was the one who stole his pizza every day

The old friends have made plans to reconnect in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 14

'You didnt hear? Dylan starved to death, never saw the second grade,' one person joked, while another added: 'And Dylan grew up to become Papa John.'

'Sometimes bullies dont know theyre a bully,' someone else noted.

In a follow-up clip, Erwin revealed that he tracked down Dylan on Facebook after finding his last name in his friend's old yearbook. When he messaged him, he shared his video and explained he wanted to make amends.

'This is amazing! Haha. Of course, I remember you, and Ive seen your fantasy O-line TikToks,' Dylan replied. 'I remember this happening, but I had no clue it was you. Next time Im in Tulsa, pizzas on you, man!'

They made plans to reconnect sometime this spring, and in Erwin's most recent video, he shared that he is going to be driving four hours to meet up with Dylan in Kansas City, Kansas, on May 14.
A star of The Aprentice ruffled feathers on GMB this morning by admitting she lied on the application form to get her son into her preferred school.

Bushra Shaikh, 38, who lives in Surrey with her family, admitted she used an old address on her son's application so she could pretend she was still part of the right catchment area, during a debate on Good Morning Britain.

The businesswoman said she isn't sorry that she lied on the application, arguing parents' will always do what's best for their children.

Broadcaster Shay Kaur Grewal said she was 'sickened' by wealthy parents who 'price out' children from good schools with tactics such as renting a property nearby.

Meanwhile, while some viewers agreed catchment areas can be unfair, others said being dishonest on a school application teaches children to be liars.

Some people agreed with Bushra that parents have to find ways to get around the issue of tricky catchment areas when looking at school applications

Bushra said it is worth bending the rules for your children in similar situations.

'I definitely think it's worth taking a risk, within reason, and bending the rules because it's down to being the best parent for your child,' Bushra said.

She said her decision to give incorrect information on her child's application was down to her neighbourhood school's catchment area, which determines which school families can apply to depending on their location.

'We were in the process of moving home, the catchment area has just adjusted itself to that particular school. So we became on the borderline of it,' she explained.

Bushra Shaikh, 34, who lives in Surrey with her family, admitted she used an old address on her son's application so she could pretend she was still part of the right catchment area, during a debate on Good Morning Britain

Broadcaster Shay Kaur Grewal said she was 'sickened' by parents who use money to 'price out' children out of good schools

'I made a deal with the lady we sold our house to that my application would have our old address on it, so that remained on the application,' she revealed.

'Had I put the new one on at the time, they wouldn't have accepted it.'

While there are loopholes parents can take advantage off when it comes to education, broadcaster Shay Kaur Grewal said she doesn't approve of wealthy families holding on to property and addresses to get to better schools.

'I come from a strong working class background, and I was fortunate to be afforded a fantastic education which was fair for everyone,' she explained.

Bushra, right with Shay, said it is worth bending the rules for your children in certain situations as it makes you a better parent

Shay said she does not think cheated on application is fair, regardless of parents' wanting to get a better education for their children

'It sickens me that parents who have a little bit more money in the bank account can essentially rent a property closer to a school, which then prices out children who otherwise would have been able to go to that school. I think that's what's wrong with the system.'

'When you're the parent, your child has to be number one,' GMB host Kate Garraway interjected.

But Shay said she does not think cheating on applications is fair, regardless of parents wanting the best education for their children.

'What councils need to do is provide better education for all children,' she said.

'If you talk about fair game, what we're essentially saying is: "If you got a speed limit that is 30mph if you want to get to school you can do 40mph. It doesn't matter if you hit x, y and z as long as your child get to school",' she told Bushra.

Viewers were split on the issue, with some agreeing with Bushra and others calling her a liar and saying she was dishonest

The Apprentice star rebuffed her argument, saying: 'I'm not going to be putting anyone in danger.

'I'm saying at the end of the day, I have to put my child first. You think it's unfair. To me, that's my child,' Bushra added, reiterating that she thought she had been a good parent by lying on the application.

But Shay went on to suggest there need to be more penalties 'for parents like Bushra who think it's okay to hold on to a property or rent another property to ensure their child goes into school'.

She said that in her family, if others had leapfrogged over them for a school place, they wouldn't have had their first doctor or first person to get a degree.

The broadcaster went on to say that often, the school the eldest child goes to determines which school the younger children will attend as well.

She added that by using loopholes and lying about their postcodes, Bushra's family would take the place of three other children.

Bushra still did not agree and concluded: 'To me my child comes first and that's paramount.'

Viewers were split over the issue, with one sayying: 'Dont understand why Shay is getting so rattled. Every parent will try to get a first choice place for their children,' one said.

'100% yes to cheat school admissions because catchment areas are b******,' another agreed.

However, a critic wrote: 'Such parents raise liars! So dishonest.'

'If your kids that bright, you dont need to cheat,' another added.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco's children joined their aunt and cousins for a trip to the circus over Easter weekend, it has emerged.

Seven-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella were photographed with Albert's sister Princess Stephanie, 57, and her daughters Pauline Ducruet, 27, and Camille Gottlieb, 23, at a charity show performed by Ukrainian refugees on Saturday.

The following day they celebrated Easter with their parents. The Monaco royal palace released a family photograph for the occasion, marking the first time Charlene, 44, has been seen with her children since November.

Trip to the circus! Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco's children joined their aunt and cousins for a trip to the circus over Easter weekend

Family outing: Seven-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella were photographed with Albert's sister Princess Stephanie, 57, and her daughters Pauline Ducruet, 27, and Camille Gottlieb, 23, at a charity show performed by Ukrainian refugees on Saturday

Family photo: The following day they celebrated Easter with their parents. The Monaco royal palace released a family photograph for the occasion, marking the first time Charlene, 44, has been seen with her children since November

The princess spent several months in a treatment facility after being admitted following her return from a 10-month absence in South Africa.

Prince Jacques, who is heir to the Monaco throne, smiled widely as the family posed for photos at the Princess Grace Theatre in Monte Carlo.

The schoolboy prince wore a striped jumper, leather jacket and black ripped jeans for the outing. His sister Gabriella, who seemed more uncertain about the media appearance, wore a striped dress and fluffy star print jacket.

Princess Stephanie kept a protective hand on her niece and nephew, and was flanked by her daughters.

During Charlene's absence, Stephanie and her sister Caroline rallied around to provide support for Jacques and Gabriella.

They accompanied Albert and his children to a number of royal events and were a grounding force in their lives.

Glitz and glamour! The Monaco royals supported a performance by Ukrainian refugees

Uncertain: Prince Jacques, who is heir to the Monaco throne, pulled his mask down as the family posed for photos at the Princess Grace Theatre in Monte Carlo. His sister Gabriella, who seemed more uncertain about the media appearance, wore a striped dress and star jacket

Reassurance: Camille placed an arm around Jacques while Stephanie had her hands on Gabriella's shoulders. The twins were on their best behaviour with their hands folded

Close bond: Jacques and Gabriella stayed with each other as they joined their aunt and cousins at the performance at the Princess Grace Theatre in Monte Carlo

Camille, whose father is Stephanie's former bodyguard, placed a reassuring arm around Jacques.

The charity show was organised for the benefit of the Kyiv Circus School and performed by artists who have fled the war in Ukraine. Princess Stephanie is honorary president of the World Circus Federation.

The Easter Sunday portrait marks the first time the Monaco royals have been seen together as a family since Charlene returned to the principality following her treatment.

She faced a variety of health problems, including what the palace has previously referred to as a 'state of profound general fatigue'.

Cause close to her heart: The charity show was organised for the benefit of the Kyiv Circus School and performed by artists who have fled the war in Ukraine. Princess Stephanie is honorary president of the World Circus Federation

Guiding hand: Camille, whose father is Stephanie's former bodyguard, reached her hand out to Jacques. Gabriella held her aunt Stephanie's hand

Good spirits: Stephanie smiled as she posed for a photo with her daughters, niece and nephew

Take a bow! The princess posed for a photo with performers during their curtain call

The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality's ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess' long absence.

'She was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn't face official duties, life in general or even family life,' Albert told People magazine in November.

Zimbabwean-born Princess Charlene was hospitalised after collapsing in September in South Africa, where she had been living for several months.

She underwent surgery in October for an ear, nose and throat infection after checking in under a pseudonym in a Durban hospital, a palace source said at the time.

Friends previously told Page Six that the mother-of-two 'almost died' while she was in her home country, while her husband spoke out to say she is suffering from 'exhaustion, both emotional and physical'.

Charlene is now back in Monaco, although she has yet to return to royal engagements.
An American couple who flew to Kyiv to collect their daughter born to a Ukrainian surrogate days before war broke out have shared a touching family photograph after returning home.

Doctors Jessie and Jacob Boeckmann, from Orange County, California, flew to the Ukrainian capital ahead of their daughter Vivi's birth on February 22.

When Russia invaded two days later, the couple defied the advice of medical staff and immediately began the journey to the temporary US Embassy in the western city of Lviv, only to discover it had closed.

Their six-hour car ride turned into a 27-hour trip that involved walking for eight hours to the Polish border, with Jessie carrying her newborn daughter in her arms and Jacob pulling their luggage.

'I was so worried the baby would freeze or starve,' the mother-of-two shared in an Instagram post. 'She was only four days old'.

The couple are now safely back in California where they were reunited with their eldest daughter, Mary, who was also born through surrogacy.

Jessie and Jacob Boeckmann, from Orange County, California, flew to the Ukrainian capital ahead of their daughter Vivi's birth on February 22. They are now safe at home in California with daughter Mary (right) after making the arduous journey across the Polish border

Jessie, a cataract surgeon from Orange County, California, told how she walked eight miles to the Polish border with her four-day-old daughter strapped to her chest after she and her husband flew out to Ukraine to collect her days before war broke out

Jessie shared a photo of the family together on Easter, with Vivi in Jacob's arms.

Ukraine is an international surrogacy hub. Growing Families, a charity working with parents seeking surrogacy, estimates there are 800 Ukraine surrogates pregnant with children to foreigners, with an estimated 40 carrying babies for British parents.

Its popularity is down to a number of reasons including the availability of surrogates, the high standard of medical care and the cost.

The entire process costs the equivalent of 42,000, roughly a third of what it costs parents pursuing surrogacy in the US.

The legal situation is also different to Britain, where the surrogate mother is automatically given legal rights. In Ukraine the 'intended parents' are the only ones with any legal rights.

Growing Families has been contacted by more than 100 couples from 12 countries seeking assistance.

Baby Vivi, carried by a surrogate, was born in Kyiv on February 22, two days before Russia invaded Ukraine. When war broke out, they made the long journey to the Polish border, by car (pictured) and on foot

In the early hours of February 24, Jacob and Jessie woke to the sounds of explosions. Still in hospital with their baby, they made the brave decision to start making their way to Lviv

Harrowing photos show volunteer nurses caring for babies born to surrogates whose parents have been unable to fly in and collect them.

The Boeckmann family's ordeal started when they arrived in Ukraine amid the rumbles of a possible Russian invasion.

'Jacob and I had been in Kyiv a few days because of the uncertain geopolitical situation,' Jessie wrote in an Instagram post.

'Prior to her birth, the airport in Kyiv had closed. We knew getting out of the country would be challenging, but I had no idea what was in store.'

In the early hours of February 24, Jacob and Jessie woke to the sounds of explosions. Still in hospital with their baby, they made the brave decision to start making their way to Lviv.

With the airport closed, they had no choice but to book a private hire car to the city, which has become an international hub for aid agencies and refugees fleeing the war. Eventually they became stuck in deadlock traffic and had to reach the Polish border on foot, pictured

The couple thanked the 'angels' who helped them on their fraught journey to the Polish border, including their driver who took them out of Kyiv and strangers they met in line

Jessie and Jacob became separated while trying to cross the border into Poland. Jessie shared a video of the chaos (pictured) and revealed she was pushed through with her baby

With the airport closed, they had no choice but to book a private hire car to the city, which has become an international hub for aid agencies and refugees fleeing the war.

Jessie continued: 'What started off as a six hour car ride turned into a 27 hour trip. It took us four hours alone to get out of Kyiv because of the massive exodus of people.

'A few hours into our trip, we found out that the temporary US embassy had closed and that we would have to make the trip to Poland.

Low costs, willing women and favourable laws: Why Ukraine has become a global surrogacy hotspot for foreign parents Commercial surrogacy has been legal for married heterosexual couples in Ukraine since 2000. It is now the second most popular destination behind the US. Mr Everingham said that a shortage of surrogates in the UK drives couples to look oversees. While the US is popular, the relatively high costs exclude some parents. In Ukraine, the process costs around $55,000. Costs rise to around $60,000 if the couple is using a donor egg or sperm. In contrast the US surrogacy services can range from around $100,000 to $200,000. Surrogates in the UK cannot be paid. Intended parents can only pay for expenses the surrogate incurs. Ukraine's laws are another factor. The Family code of Ukraine law states that where embryos created by IVF by the intended parents are returned to the womb of another woman, the intended parents are the legal parents. The law in Ukraine specifically states that the baby belongs to the intended parents and the surrogate mother has no prenatal rights. Both intended parents names appear on the Ukrainian birth certificate. This might appeal to British couples concerned over the UK laws that automatically grant rights to a surrogate. Laws in the US vary state to state. Countries including Thailand, India and Nepal, which used to allow compensated surrogacy for foreigners, have banned the practice out of fear it led to the exploitation of women. However there are restrictions on how Ukraine surrogacies can operate. Unlike in the UK, surrogacies in Ukraine can only be 'gestational', meaning the woman cannot be biologically linked to the baby. Meanwhile at least one of the intended parents must be biological. Advertisement

'Our driver, Val, who only spoke Russian, agreed to take us. We had many angels who helped us during our journey, and our driver was our first one. He could have dropped us off on the side of the road, but he stuck with us despite the angry calls from his family and his uncertain return home.

'Once we approached the border, traffic came to a stand still. At this point it was 2am. We all slept in the car overnight for a few hours. The next morning, traffic started moving again, but at nine 9am it completely stopped again.'

Jessie and Jacob decided to brave the freezing temperatures and walk the remaining eight hours to the Polish border.

'I had to pray that this would be the best decision, but ultimately, we had to get to the border,' Jessie continued. 'Jacob pulled the bags, and I wore the baby.

'The walk was like walking through a parking lot, or the worst travel jam, seven-and-a-half miles long. No cars were moving for the entire three hours journey. We constantly stopped to make sure the baby was breathing and was warm.

'The smell of car exhaust was overwhelming. No cars moved the entire trip. We realized when we reached the end of the walk that the border had stopped letting cars pass, if we had stayed in the car, I think it would have taken us days or weeks to get across.'

Strangers stopped to help the couple by carrying their luggage, offering support, and helping to make bottles for their baby.

The whole time, Jessie was worried her baby would 'freeze or starve'.

The mother continued: 'She was only four days old. If we had to stay outside the gate overnight, I am not sure what would have happened.'

Jessie and Jacob became separated while trying to cross the border into Poland.

'It was complete chaos. We somehow made it into the front area of the "line" which I will refer to as the death pit,' she wrote.

'People were desperate to cross the border. Children were crying, women were screaming. There was no order or crowd control.

'After waiting for about two and a half hours, the crowd pushed me and the baby through, but the border control was preventing males from passing.

'Jacob was unable to pass through the gates with me. As the crowd was pushing me through, I had to keep my arms out and push people to prevent the baby from being crushed.

'I made it through the gates only to find another line waiting. I got in line because I did not know what else to do, but Jacob was carrying the babys food and my passport.

'I waited for about 30 minutes when I realized that he was not going to get through the gates. I asked the people behind me if they spoke English, and I met my second set of angels. They agreed to save my spot in line so I could go back to the gate.'

With the help of new friends, Jessie was able to get the crowd to pass her the baby's food, suitcase and passport from Jacob, who was stuck further down the crowd and unable to pass.

Ukraine is an international surrogacy hub. Growing Families, a charity working with parents seeking surrogacy, estimates there are 800 Ukraine surrogates pregnant with children to foreigners, with an estimated 40 carrying babies for British parents. These 21 babies were carried by Ukrainian surrogate mothers for overseas couples and are waiting for their parents

'Walking into Poland, was a complete opposite situation,' Jessie continued. 'The Polish government and Red Cross set-up food stations, currency exchanges, and transportation.'

However rules preventing men of fighting age from leaving Ukraine meant it was far difficult for Jacob to cross the border. He was physically assaulted and accused of having a fake American passport. Their luggage was lost at the border.

With the help of family, politicians and a travel agent at home in California, Jessie was able to book a hotel 90 minutes from the border. Jacob joined them in the early hours of the morning, by which point he hadn't eaten for 36 hours.

The couple made it to Warsaw and home to California.

Posting from the US, Jessie added: 'Since we have been home, our hearts are still heavy with the devastation taking place in Ukraine.

'It's hard to be completely happy as we see so many families torn apart by war and to see a country we have grown to love suffer such utter destruction.'
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's private photographer has offered a behind-the-scenes look at the couple's recent royal tour of the Caribbean.

Prince William, 39, and Kate Middleton, 40, paid to have photographer Matt Porteous join them in Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, inviting him to capture some of their most intimate moments, including their private scuba diving trip.

Matt, who has worked with the Cambridges for years and was Pippa Middleton's wedding photographer, said it was a 'true honour' to photograph the couple as he shared a selection of his favourite snaps on Instagram yesterday.

The private album includes previously unseen snaps of William and Kate disembarking their private jet and greeting well-wishers on walkabouts.

Unseen snaps: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's private photographer has offered a behind-the-scenes look at the recent royal tour of the Caribbean, including this unseen photo of the couple disembarking their plane in the Bahamas

Royal walkabout: This photograph, which has never been seen before, shows the Duchess of Cambridge holding hands with an elderly woman and a young girl in the Bahamas. It was taken by their private family photographer Matt Porteous

A kiss for the prince! In this playful snap taken in the Bahamas, a well-wisher leans in and kisses the Duke of Cambridge's hand. It is among the unseen photos that was shared by Matt Porteous on Instagram yesterday

Boarding their plane: Matt, who was given exclusive access to the couple, captured this atmospheric shot as they boarded their private jet in Belize. It is one of the never-before-seen photographs he shared with his Instagram followers yesterday

Matt wrote: 'It was a true honour to document The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their week-long tour of the Caribbean last month.

'Here are some highlights of the beautiful people, friendly smiles, breathtaking landscapes and pristine oceans we saw along the way.'

The photographer has worked with the Cambridges on a number of occasions.

He was invited to take photographs at Prince Louis' Christening in July 2018, as well as photographs released to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday.

Intimate look: Matt was also responsible for capturing the couple on their private diving trip off the coast of Belize, pictured

Environmental focus: Matt, who is founder of underwater community group Oceanculture.life, captured a film of the couple

One of his photographs was selected for the Cambridge Christmas card.

Matt joined the Caribbean tour in a private capacity, meaning the couple paid for his services out of their own accounts rather than the public purse.

He accompanied William and Kate as he carried out their engagements and was granted access not given to other press photographers on the tour.

Matt's photographs were shared on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Instagram page throughout the tour as a way to keep their 13.5million fans updated.

One striking unseen photograph shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge boarding their plane in Belize, taken from behind on the tarmac.

Movie star edge: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared Matt's photos throughout the tour to keep their 13.5million Instagram followers updated on every step of their journey. This photo showed them stepping off the plane in Belize

Black tie brilliance: Matt joined the couple at a glittering reception held by the Governor General of The Bahamas

In their natural element: Matt captured this sweet photograph of William and Kate at an education centre in Kingston, Jamaica

On the ground: Matt captured this photo of the couple at Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae music in the heart of Kingston

Relaxed: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are seen sharing a smile at an evening event in a photo taken by Matt Porteous

The Duchess is wearing her striking vintage blazer and white trousers, while William is dapper in a suit.

Another photograph, taken from inside the private royal jet, shows Kate and William disembarking in the Bahamas with the airport in the background.

There are also snaps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greeting well-wishers during an outing in the Bahamas.

In one photo, a woman is seen kissing Prince William's hand. In another, Kate, dressed in her pink Rixo frock, crouches down to hold hands with an elderly woman and a little girl who had waited to see her.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by Matt when they went swimming with sharks off the coast of Belize.

The pair were seen swimming alongside each other and giving the OK hand signal as they inspected the coral and marine life following a private invitation by the country's government to see conservation work.

Matt captured a candid clip of the outing which was later shared on the Kensington Palace Instagram account.

Key moments: Prince William and Kate Middleton shared this photo taken by Matt at the inaugural Commissioning Parade for the Initial Officer Training Programme at the Caribbean Military Academy in Kingston, Jamaica

Keeping followers updated: The couple also shared this snap of the Duchess of Cambridge, taken by Matt on tour

Vibrant: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge previously shared this photograph, taken by Matt, showing the warm welcom they were given to Kingston, Jamaica

And the family snaps you've seen before! How famed wedding photographer Matt Porteous has captured some of the Cambridges' most intimate moments - from Prince Louis' Christening to their family days in Norfolk

After starting out by taking photos underwater, environmentalist Matt Porteous has become one of the most sought after wedding photographers in the world, capturing brides and grooms in truly jaw-dropping locations.

Clients include Pippa Middleton and James Matthews, Ellie Goulding and Casper Jopling, and George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, who married his bride Camilla at Blenheim Palace.

For the last five years he has also served as the private photographer to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a role which allows him exclusive access to some of the family's most intimate moments.

Intimate moments: Matt Porteous took this photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children which was used for their 2020 Christmas card. The photograph was taken at the family's private home of Anmer Hall, in Norfolk

Birthday boy! Matt was also behind the lens for these photos taken to mark Prince George's third (left) and fifth birthdays

Mother and son: Matt Porteous also captured this adorable photograph of Prince Louis' Christening in 2018

His photos of William, 39, Kate, 40, and their children George, eight, Charlotte, six, and Louis, three, have been used as official birthday portraits and selected for the Cambridge Christmas cards.

He also documented Prince Louis' Christening in July 2018.

To capture these images, which are defined by their relaxed, candid feel, Matt has been invited to join the family at Anmer Hall, their private home in Norfolk.

Speaking on his process, Matt told Harper's Bazaar: 'I'm driven by a desire to document experiencesfrom the intimate to the adventurous.

'The passion I have for my craft is driven by my personal work, the places I have visited, and the people I've formed genuine connections with. My ability to distil the sheer joy of marriage into art stems from innate intuition and real care for my clients, formed during the planning process and on the day.'

Family moments: Matt also took this photograph of the Cambridges in Anmer Hall, which was used for their 2018 Christmas card

Capturing Kate: Matt took these photos of the Duchess of Cambridge, which were used to mark her Hold Still project (left) and mark her 38th birthday (right)

Playful: The photographer joined the family at the Duchess of Cambridge's garden at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show in 2019
Jill Duggar and her husband Derick Dillard are selling their $279,900 Arkansas home, as the couple reveals that they are moving for Derick's new job.

Earlier this month, news broke that University of Arkansas School of Law graduate Derick, 33, had passed the Arkansas bar exam  and now he has accepted his first official job as a lawyer.

The new job means relocation for the family-of-four  soon to be five  and both Jill, 30, and Derick announced on Instagram and their family blog today that they have put their house on the market.

According to a real estate listing, their home  located in Lowell about 12 miles away from Jill's parents in Springdale  has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and measures 1,486 square feet.

Jill Duggar, 30, and Derick Dillard, 33, announced today that they are selling their Lowell, Arkansas house to move for Derick's new job

According to a real estate listing, their home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and measures 1,486 square feet

It is located in Lowell about 12 miles away from Jill's parents in Springdale - though Jill hasn't been to their house in years

Earlier this month, news broke that University of Arkansas School of Law graduate Derick, 33, had passed the Arkansas bar exam - and now he has accepted his first official job as a lawyer

'We are joining the masses of people who are currently navigating this crazy real estate marketwe are moving!!' the couple wrote on their website today.

'We are sad to say goodbye to our very first home that we bought three years ago, but pray it brings much joy to the next family who will get to make memories here.'

'We are moving for a new job Derick recently accepted and are super excited for new adventures!' they concluded.

Though the Dillards didn't share more details about Derick's job, it is likely still located in the state of Arkansas, where Derick passed the bar. To practice in another state, he would need to take that state's bar exam as well.

And while Jill has admitted that she hasn't been to her parents' house in Springdale in years, they do see a bit of Derick's mother, Cathy, who also lives in Arkansas.

Though the Dillards didn't share more details about Derick's job, it is likely still located in the state of Arkansas, where Derick passed the bar

Jill and Derick bought their current house in 2019, prior to which they lived in a home owned by her father, Jim Bob

'We are sad to say goodbye to our very first home that we bought three years ago, but pray it brings much joy to the next family who will get to make memories here,' the couple said

The house is a short drive from the elementary school where the couple's oldest son, Israel, is enrolled in the first grade

Jill and Derick bought their current house in 2019, prior to which they lived in a home owned by her father, Jim Bob.

The bring house, which has a black front door and matching shutters, features a covered back patio, a fenced backyard, and plenty of plants  including an Arkansas black apple tree, a blackberry bush, strawberries, and sugar snap peas.

It's a short drive from the elementary school where the couple's oldest son, Israel, is enrolled in the first grade.

Jill had regularly shared photos and videos from inside her home, but new images from the real estate listing offer a comprehensive look at the interiors.

Their living room has gray carpeting, brown leather sofas, and a brown piano, topped with a trumpet. Other instruments, including a guitar and a violin, hang from the wall nearby.

Jill had regularly shared photos and videos from inside her home, but new images from the real estate listing offer a comprehensive look at the interiors

The living room is connected to an eat-in kitchen decorated with plants

There is a small separate laundry closet and an office

The backyard has an Arkansas black apple tree, a blackberry bush, strawberries, and sugar snap peas

While Derick's new job has no doubt inspired the move, the Dillards are also likely looking for a bigger space now that they have a third child on the way

There is also a chalk board on one wall, a shelf of children's books, and throw pillows  including one with the phrase 'be happy.'

The living room is connected to an eat-in kitchen decorated with plants. Another chalk board has been inscribed with the words 'He is able,' while a sign on the wall quotes Acts 2:46-47: 'They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.'

An office where Derick has been seen working has a bookshelf, desk, and a harp, while the master bedroom is filled with an antique-looking four-poster bed.

The children's room has bunk beds, with a dresser and chair.

While Derick's new job has no doubt inspired the move, the Dillards are also likely looking for a bigger space now that they have a third child on the way.

In February, they revealed that Jill is pregnant with baby number three, after previously sharing that she had suffered a miscarriage last fall.

In February, they revealed that Jill is pregnant with baby number three, after previously sharing that she had suffered a miscarriage last fall

In March, they added that six-year-old Israel and four-year-old Samuel are getting a baby brother in July

'We are thankful to have a healthy baby boy due in July! Your continued prayers are much appreciated,' she and her husband wrote on their website

In March, they added that six-year-old Israel and four-year-old Samuel are getting a baby brother in July.

'We had originally planned on finding out our babys gender earlier, a couple weeks ago, but Covid hit our family and we had to delay the exciting revelation,' they said.

'However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise because by the time we were able to reschedule, Israel was on spring break. This meant our whole family could be together for the appointment, as we all found out together that another little boy would be joining the Dillard tribe!

'We decided to make a special day of it by starting off by eating breakfast together at a local restaurant called the Buttered Biscuit. Then we did a little shopping before heading to our appointment to learn the exciting news.

'We are thankful to have a healthy baby boy due in July! Your continued prayers are much appreciated,' they concluded.
A house hunter has called out the 'blatant fake advertising' in a property listing for a 'two-bedroom' house.

Lisa Tran, who lives in Melbourne, was looking online at a property listed as a two-bedroom house however on closer inspection she noted buyers would have to convert the open living or dining rooms to get a second bedroom.

In a video posted to TikTok, the tutor went through the $895,000 home's floor plan and photos showing one established, private bedroom as well as a door-less living room and a dining room right at the entrance of the house.

Scroll down for video

Melbourne house hunter, Lisa Tran, has called out a real estate agent for advertising a property as two bedrooms when it seems to only have one

'Here we've got an Abbotsford house with two bedrooms, one bathroom or so we think and on first glance nothing looks suspicious at all,' she said in the now-viral clip.

Lisa goes through the narrow layout of the quaint house showing the small but stylish kitchen and the cosy, neat courtyard which she calls 'cute' but said things start to get 'suspicious'.

The first home buyer notes the front door opens to the dining room, the kitchen can only be accessed through the living room and both have open doorways making them unusable as a second bedroom in their current condition.

She was looking at a property listed as a two-bedroom house however on closer inspection noted buyers would have to convert the living or dining rooms to get a second bedroom

In a video posted to TikTok, Lisa went through the home's floor plan and photos showing one established bedroom as well as a door-less living room and a dining room at the entrance

'It's as though this dining room is a second bedroom but come on man everyone who's going to be walking in this house and visiting you is going to have to go through this second bedroom in order to get into the house,' she said.

'Got to give the agents some creativity points,' she concluded.

In the property listing on realestate.com.au, it states while the home is 'currently configured to include a separate lounge and dining room, the floorplan could be easily adapted to include two bedrooms if desired'.

The listing agents at Biggin and Scott Richmond told FEMAIL they are 'acting on the vendor's instructions'.

The listing agents at Biggin and Scott Richmond told FEMAIL they are 'acting on the vendor's instructions'

A disclaimer in the property description said 'the information about this property has been supplied to us by the property owner, while we have no cause to doubt its accuracy, we provide no guarantee'.

While many commenters on the clip noticed the TikToker got the living and dining room mixed up others responded noting the rooms were still unsuitable as bedrooms with no major adjustments.

'The first photo you showed for 'living room' is probably what's labelled dining room and so then photos for 'dining room' is the living room,' one viewer explained.

'Even then, people would still be walking through the second 'bedroom' to get to the kitchen,' a second responded.

While many commenters on the clip noticed the TikToker got the living and dining room mixed up others noted the rooms were still unsuitable as bedrooms with no major adjustments

'This reminds me of that Kath and Kim episode where theyre trying to sell their house and Kath chucks a bed in the garage to add on an extra bedroom,' a third joked.

A firth said: 'Becoming very common these days! More reason to learn as much as you can before you buy.'

Some viewers shared their similar frustrating experiences while looking to rent or buy a house.

'We saw a house like this for rent! The third bedroom was only accessible through someone elses room!,' one woman wrote.

'I see this all the time with studies that have no doors being called a bedroom,' said another.




A larger than previously planned number of people will be invited to attend President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inaugural ceremony slated for early next month amid eased virus restrictions, according to Yoon's transition team Tuesday.







Some 41,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony, including political leaders, citizens and bereaved families of sailors killed in North Korea's sinking of the Cheonan warship in 2010, the transition team said.







The transition team said more people than previously thought will be invited, as the country fully lifted COVID-19 restrictions, except the mask mandate Monday.







Yoon's inaugural ceremony committee had earlier planned to invite around 10,000 people in line with earlier COVID-19 guidelines.







The ceremony will take place at a plaza in front of the National Assembly on May 10 and is expected to cost around 3.3 billion won ($2.66 million), the largest-ever. (Yonhap)






An American businessman has sparked debate by saying Australia is very similar to the U.S. because it has the same fast-food and convenience store brands.

Harrison, who is originally from Los Angeles, California, was standing on Spencer St in Melbourne's CBD when he snapped footage of his surroundings and made the observation about Australia.

'This doesn't look that different from America. We've got 7/11, KFC... it's just that everything is nicer and everyone seems to have a home,' The founder of Daily High Club said in a TikTok video.

The comment from the CEO didn't sit well with his Australian followers who were eager to emphasise the differences between the two nations.

Harrison, who is originally from Los Angeles, California, was standing on Spencer St in Melbourne's CBD when he snapped footage of his surroundings and made questionable comments about the state of Australia

'Probably hard to tell but no one is carrying a gun around,' one man remarked.

'Check out a school and you'll see the difference then,' said another.

A third added: 'We have the same shops. That doesn't make us the same. How dare you.'

Others poked fun at the differences in medical care, safety and cleanliness, with Australia coming out on top.

'As someone who has lived in both countries it's VERY different,' one woman added.

'Yeah that's the plan dude, homes for everyone,' one man joked.

While some lamented that Australian cities do have a growing homeless population , they pointed out that Los Angeles is also suffering through a crisis of vagrancy.

Harrison also made the mistake of hashtagging Sydney alongside his video, despite being in the Victorian capital.

'At least he knows that Australia is in fact a real place... baby steps though don't tell him he's in Melbourne yet,' one woman commented.

Harrison also made the mistake of hashtagging Sydney alongside his video, despite being in a completely different capital city

'That is literally Melbourne and you've tagged Sydney. Why though?' Said another.

Harrison realised his mistake after reading through the thousands of comments, replying 'oh s*** you're right'.

In a separate video Harrison likened America's Grand Canyon with Sydney's Blue Mountains region, and even that caused a stir.

'My brother in Christ please refrain from comparing the US's sh***y desert crack to literally anything in Australia again,' one man said.
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A tiny hut nestled in the bush has been named one of the world's most wishlisted Airbnb stays - and it's not hard to see why.

Rocky Point Hut on Pepin Island, a 20 minute drive from Nelson on New Zealand's South Island, is a charming getaway with phenomenal views over Cable Bay.

The main attraction of the $173-a-night cabin however is the solar-powered outdoor bath perched on the clifftop with beautiful panoramic views over the Abel Tasman Sea and distant mountains.

Perfect for those looking for complete privacy and serenity, the home sits at the end of a 90 minute 'medium-hard' walk across the island; it's not suitable for children as the hills are steep and lined with dangerous cliffs.

A tiny hut nestled in the bush has been named one of the world's most wishlisted Airbnb stays - and it's not hard to see why

The main attraction of the $173-a-night cabin however is the hot solar-powered outdoor bath perched on the clifftop with beautiful panoramic views over the Abel Tasman Sea and distant mountains

Rocky Point Hut on Pepin Island, a 20 minute drive from Nelson on New Zealand's South Island, is a charming getaway with phenomenal views over Cable Bay

Guests are also asked to self-cater or send the hosts a detailed grocery list ahead of time for $40.

They also offer a cheese assortment platter for $60, a light breakfast of muesli and milk for $10 per person and Nelson-made Aroha truffles.

Travellers can also enjoy a farm tour package that includes a 4WD tour around the Island, a dog demonstration in mustering sheep, sheep shearing and morning tea.

The hut is one of three unique properties on the island so guests are asked not to explore more of the island than what is highlighted on the provided cabin map.

Perfect for those looking for complete privacy and serenity, the home sits at the end of a 90 minute 'medium-hard' walk across the island; as a result it's not suitable for children as the hills are steep and lined with dangerous cliffs

Once there, guests are asked to self-cater or send the hosts a detailed grocery list ahead of time for $40

At 1,316 ft high from sea level, and an area of 1,280 acres, the rocky hills roll down through paddocks, hidden pebbled beaches and native bush

The privately owned Pepin Island is one of New Zealand's most treasured hidden gems and is situated at the end of the naturally formed bolder bank that makes up Cable Bay.

The island is a working sheep station wintering over 2,000 sheep, and around 100 cattle. and is closed to travellers in September and October due to lambing season.

At 1,316 ft from sea level, and an area of 1,280 acres, the rocky hills roll down through paddocks, hidden pebbled beaches and native bush.

The privately owned Pepin Island is one of New Zealand's most beautiful hidden gems and is situated at the end of the naturally formed bolder bank that makes up Cable Bay

The island is a working sheep station wintering over 2,000 sheep and around 100 cattle and is closed to travellers in September and October due to lambing season

Rocky Point requires a two-night minimum stay year round and it's recommended couples have a decent level of fitness and bring plenty of warm clothing and appropriate footwear

Hundreds of rave reviews have flooded in on the quirky getaway, with many praising the picturesque landscape and solitude.

'Rocky Point Hut is the perfect place to spend a couple of days disconnecting from the world. The outdoor bath is such a unique touch and an amazing place to relax and watch the sunset over the ocean,' one guest wrote.

'The hut is amazing and as the pictures suggest, the bath tub is something else, truly perfect and spectacular! Danielle kindly did a shop for us beforehand so everything we needed was already at the cabin. As the description says, it is a hike to the hut, not overly difficult but be prepared however its absolutely worth it,' another added.

Rocky Point requires a two-night minimum stay year round and it's recommended couples have a decent level of fitness, bring plenty of warm clothing and appropriate footwear.
Too loud, too common, too posh, too mousey? Some of us may fret about what our voice says about us.

But soon it may be a life-saver, giving doctors vital clues as to whether we are at risk of Parkinsons, heart disease or even Alzheimers.

In the latest breakthrough, doctors have used short recordings of speech to assess if people are at risk of a heart attack caused by clogged arteries.

Cardiologists at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. told the American College of Cardiology conference last month how their study of more than 100 patients showed that an artificial-intelligence computer programme can accurately predict coronary artery disease  a build-up of plaque in the hearts arteries  by analysing three 30-second clips of patients voices.

Too loud, too common, too posh, too mousey? Some of us may fret about what our voice says about us. But soon it may be a life-saver, giving doctors vital clues as to whether we are at risk of Parkinsons, heart disease or even Alzheimers. A stock image is used above

The computer was fed 10,000 voice samples from patients with coronary artery disease. From these, it learnt to detect problems from 80 tell-tale features of the patients voices, such as changes in frequency, pitch, volume and phrasing that are so subtle they cant be picked up by the human ear.

The 108 patients in the study, all due to undergo a coronary angiogram (an X-ray that assesses the condition of the hearts arteries), were asked to record samples of themselves reading a prepared text.

Those which the computer algorithm scored as high risk for heart disease also had angiograms suggesting they were more than twice as likely to suffer heart problems than those scored as low risk.

Over the next two years, nearly 60 per cent of high-risk patients were admitted to hospital for chest pain or heart attacks, compared with 30 per cent of those with a low-risk speech.

Scientists arent sure why certain voice features may indicate heart disease. One theory is that its to do with the autonomic nervous system  the part that controls bodily processes we dont consciously think about, including heart rate and speech.

Since the same system controls both these functions, it is possible that problems with the heart somehow send subtly audible ripples through our speech.

Those which the computer algorithm scored as high risk for heart disease also had angiograms suggesting they were more than twice as likely to suffer heart problems than those scored as low risk

A similar system is being piloted in the Netherlands to detect early signs of dementia. The project, at the Alzheimer Centre Amsterdam, is asking older people to record their voices on smartphones and send them in for analysis by a computer algorithm.

The algorithm picks up subtle changes in pitch, clarity and linguistic habits, such as using only simple verbs and making slight mispronunciations, which can be some of the very early indicators of dementia.

Meanwhile, researchers in Italy are using voice algorithms to detect Parkinsons disease  already known to cause hypokinetic dysarthria, where speech is soft, monotone and lacks articulation.

In February, scientists in Rome reported in the journal Frontiers in Neurology how their study of more than 200 older people showed the computer algorithm could detect the disease even in people yet to show symptoms.

John Rubin, a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon and head of the voice disorders unit at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says voice research has great potential.

People have been interested in using the voice to make diagnoses for a long time, he says. Since the 1970s, research has identified that people can reasonably well identify how old someone is from hearing them speak. Its where this type of research started.

A 2016 study at Nottingham Trent University found that most people can decode clues about others health, height and age  all from listening to their voices. Researchers said voice analysis may be an evolutionary trait to help us choose a suitable mate.

The voice may even give clues to a womans fertility, according to a 2019 study at James Madison University in Virginia, published in Evolutionary Psychology.

It recorded women counting from one to ten once a week for four weeks, and played them to male volunteers. The voice of a woman at peak fertility was perceived to be so sexy that the sound of her merely counting out numbers caused male listeners testosterone levels to rise.

Dr Melanie Shoup-Knox, a psychologist who led the study, says there may be a physical explanation for subtle fertility-related changes in female speech.

The larynx is particularly sensitive to sex hormones, she says. These may promote or obstruct vocal clarity, depending on the level of hormones.

Speaking clearly may also make a woman more attractive, according to scientists from the University of California, Irvine and the University of Utah, who found that men rated womens voices as 73 per cent more attractive if they enunciated with a high degree of intelligibility.

But this only works with women, says Dr Daniel Stehr, a psychologist who co-authored the study. Men, he says, can get away with mumbling, and poor diction may even make them sound more attractively masculine.

And while a deep voice in a man might be perceived as sexually attractive, research suggests it bears little relation to fertility.

On the contrary, men whose voices were rated as more attractively low tended to have lower concentrations of sperm in their ejaculate, evolutionary biologists at the University of Western Australia warned in the journal PLoS One in 2011.

Regardless of whether youre a tenor or bass, articulate or mumbly, the past two years of pandemic lockdowns and social isolation have wreaked havoc with our voices, say researchers from Trinity College Dublin.

They surveyed 1,575 people on the number of times they had suffered from a hoarse voice or vocal tract discomfort since the first coronavirus lockdown.

Writing in the Journal of Voice at the end of 2020, they blamed a huge increase in the use of video calls on the fact that 85 per cent of respondents had complained of sore throats and hoarseness since the pandemic had begun.

As Mr Rubin explains: Since the start of the pandemic, many of us have come to rely on Zoom or suchlike to communicate. We are talking to each other from rooms with differing acoustics. This makes things sound different so we may strain our voices to talk louder.

Were also often sitting slumped and leaning towards the computer, which is not good posture and can have an impact on the health of our voices. If we want to look after our voices, the answer is to stay physically fit, by doing something such as taking a brisk walk three or four times a week.

What we eat and drink is important, too. Acid reflux can cause damage to your vocal cords, so if this is a problem, it is best not to eat spicy, fatty foods. And we need to keep ourselves hydrated, with two to three litres of liquid a day, consumed steadily over that time.
A Brazilian boy born with two penises ended up having his bigger one chopped off, medics have revealed.

His members were conjoined at the base because of his one-in-5million birth defect.

Doctors at the Federal University of Sao Paulo were originally planning on removing the two-year-old's right penis  which was smaller.

However, surgeons decided to lop off the other one after the boy's mother revealed he could only urinate from his right.

Brazilian medics were originally planning on amputating the smaller of the two penises, however scans revealed the larger genitalia did not allow the passage of urine

Examinations showed his left penis didn't function correctly because its urethra was too narrow for urine to pass through.

The boy, who wasn't identified, wasn't even left with a stump because surgeons were able to completely detach his extra penis.

Detailing the case in the Journal of Pediatric Urology, surgeons did not explain why the boy's issue was only fixed when he was two.

The authors also didn't say how much bigger his left penis was.

Marcela Leal da Cruz and colleagues said the defect  known as diphallia  has only ever been spotted 100 times in history, with the first known case in 1609.

Experts estimate the condition affects about one out of every five to six million baby boys.

How diphallia occurs is unclear with no known single risk factor  but it's thought to happen by chance when genitalia develops in the womb.

Patients can either have complete diphallia, when both penises are well developed, such as in the Brazilian boy's case, or partial diphallia, when one penis is smaller or deformed.

Earlier this month MailOnline reported a case of an Uzbekistani boy born with two completely functional penises.

The unidentified boy, from the country's capital, Tashkent, lived with the condition for seven years without physical discomfort.

Unlike the Brazilian boy, the Uzbekistani child was able to pass urine out of both of his penises, which were conjoined at the shaft.

The case comes after a world first last year where Iraqi medics reported a boy being born with three penises, a defect known as triphalia.
Experts have raised concerns about the relatively unknown practice of 'testicle tanning' after Fox News host Tucker Carlson promoted the treatment in a trailer for an upcoming documentary, saying that it does nothing to boost testosterone levels - as it advertises it can - and could even harm male fertility.

A trailer for the Tucker Carlson Originals season two episode 'The End of Men' aired Sunday, showing scenes of half-naked men shooting guns, milking cows, wrestling, chopping down trees and taking part in other manly activities.

Then, the camera cut to a man, fully naked, on a mountaintop, spread out in a star position with his testicles in-front of a device that appears to be shining a red light onto them.

Carlson and an expert he brings on then discuss how this process can help save masculinity by raising testosterone (T) levels. Experts tell DailyMail.com that there is no reason to believe this is true, and that 'testicle tanning' can hurt a man's fertility by harming their sperm.

A bizarre ad for an episode of Fox's 'Tucker Carlson Originals' aired this week, featuring a naked man standing on a mountain taking part in a practice called 'testicle tanning'

Carlson and an expert discussed on the show how testicle tanning could help save America from 'The End of Men' because it would raise T levels and help fertility

Dr Helen Bernie, a urologist who specializes in male sexual and reproductive health at Indiana University, told DailyMail.com that some people believe red light therapy works by boosting levels of a molecule called ATP that creates energy.

Red light therapy, which is what the testicle tanning shown by Carlson's show actually is, does stimulate ATP, and Bernie explains that this has led amateur biologists to believe that energizing cells around the testicles can boost T levels.

There is no data to support this, though, with only minimal studies carried out and none finding strong evidence that directly ties the light to higher T levels.

Other experts tell DailyMail.com the same. Dr Amin Herati, a professor of urology at Johns Hopkins University, said that the red light would not be strong enough to even affect the testicles, as it would have trouble penetrating the scrotum.

'I'm doubtful it could penetrate that many levels of tissue,' Herati said.

If anything, he believes it could actually harm the production of T, along sperm with sperm counts and sperm activity as the electro-magnetic frequency could neutralize some cells.

Dr Helen Bernie (left), of Indiana University, told DailyMail.com that there is no evidence to suggest testicle tanning can boost ATP levels in a way that helps T production. Dr Seth Cohen (middle), of NYU Langone Health, told DailyMail.com that the process may actually harm sperm and hurt fertility. Dr Amin Herati (right), of Johns Hopkins University, points to growing rates of obesity, diabetes and more as reason for falling sperm counts

Dr Seth Cohen, a male sexual and reproductive health expert at NYU Langone Health told DailyMail.com that he had 'never heard of it.'

He also, like Herati, noted that the process is actually doing little to your testicles since there are a few layers of skin protecting it.

It's important to remember, you're not tanning your testicles, [you] are tanning your skin, Cohen said.

Cohen often treats men having issues with male fertility, and heat therapy is often the opposite of what he would recommend for them.

You can actually be doing damage and harm to the testicles, he explained.

When men come see me about fertility problems and low sperm counts [I advise] behavioral practices... [I] dont recommend hot tubs and saunas. Heat will damage sperm, and prevent healthy sperm from being formed.

'[Testicle tanning is] probably a bad idea for multiple reasons.

All three experts note that the actual danger of the process is relatively low. While longtime exposure to the light on the testicles can cause a skin cancer like melanoma, there is also that risk with just exposure to sunlight,

The real risk comes as an opportunity cost, though. Herati notes that 'testosterone and fertility are barometers of our health,' so a man suffering from low T levels or from low sperm count does likely have something that needs to be fixed.

Declining testosterone levels across America are being blamed for 'The End of Men', but Herati says these are likely caused by increased levels of diabetes, obesity and other conditions that harm male fertility

Bernie warned not to take medical advice from TV personalities such as Tucker Carlson, but to instead consult a doctor about concerns a person may have about T levels and fertility

If a man is spending thousands of dollars of treatments like red light therapy instead of going to an actual doctor, their true issue will be missed, and could even exacerbate.

'They could be missing a bigger underlying condition,' he said.

Common causes of low T and other fertility issues are obesity, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, pollutants in the air, poor sleep habits, depression, anxiety and more.

These are all treatable, and a doctor could help a manage their condition in a way that boosts their fertility in the process.

Herati says that he has seen data pointing to T levels in American men falling in recent decades, but rather than pointing to a perceived 'crisis in masculinity', he instead points to growing levels of all the underlying conditions that cause low T.

Bernie and Cohen both say that they have seen data supporting the idea that T levels are falling in the U.S., but have also seen data that shows the opposite.

Bernie also notes that their may be a placebo affect at play here. Light therapy is known to treat depression, and treating the mental health condition properly will also lead to better fertility.

More than anything, though, she says that it is important for people to listen to trained doctors for their medical treatment, rather than the word of TV personalities who are trying to sell them something.

I would want to caution patients that are hearing these things, just because you are hearing it from a famous personality doesnt make it true go see a doctor who specializes in men's healthy,' she said.
Nurses and health care workers at two Bay Area health systems are striking this week amid complaints of staffing shortages, low pay and unsafe conditions.

Employees at Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in California will walk out at 7am on Monday.

Union bosses said the hospitals were 'still not listening' to employees, and they were left with little choice after more than three months of negotiations.

More than 8,000 employees at Sutter Health went on strike for eight hours on Monday, amid a growing movement among staff after two brutal years of Covid.

The strikes come after a survey revealed half of U.S. nurses are now facing more violence at work now than a year ago, with chronic understaffing and Covid misunderstandings the primary drivers of the uptick.

More than 8,000 nurses walked out of 15 hospitals run by Sutter Health yesterday, amid demands for more staff and better pay. Pictured above are some of the protesters

Pictured here are nurses who walked out of one of Sutter Health's hospitals yesterday. The hospital has said they cannot return for five days, as extra staff have been brought in

Nurses pictured striking outside the Sutter Health center in San Francisco, California

More than 5,000 nurses at two hospitals in Palo Alto run by Stanford Health Care are also preparing to walk out of wards. They are calling for better pay and staffing levels

The Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement (CRONA) called the strike at the Stanford hospital and Lucile Packard, in Palo Alto  just outside of San Francisco , after nine in ten of its members voted for the action.

The union  representing 5,000 nurses  was negotiating for more than 13 weeks over improving nurses pay, and a health and wellness offer and to tackle chronic staffing shortages.

HALF of nurses in the US say they have experienced a spike in workplace violence Half of nurses in the U.S. are now battling against violence on wards, one of the largest nursing unions in the country said today. In its bi-annual survey, National Nurses United found more than 48 per cent of nurses said they were facing a small or significant spike in violence at work. This was more than double the 21 per cent that said there were more assaults in their hospitals in March last year. Cases included patients spitting on nurses after being told they had tested positive for COVID-19, and scratching, hitting or even threatening healthcare workers with firearms. Hospitals have been facing surging rates of patients attacking staff in recent months, fueled by Covid misinformation and staffing shortages. Unions are calling for stronger protections for healthcare staff, warning the surge of attacks is leaving many 'distracted' and unable to do their jobs. Advertisement

Up to 40,000 nursing jobs are already vacant in California, estimates suggest, equivalent to one in ten positions.

Charon Brown, a nurse in the hospital's heart unit and CRONA member, said striking was a 'last resort' but that Stanford was 'refusing to take our wellbeing seriously'.

'Nurses are exhausted and we're burning out,' she said.

'We need contracts that give us time to rest and recover, mental health support, and wages and benefits that take care of us and our families.'

Stanford Health Care has told striking nurses that they will not receive pay for missed shifts.

Those who remain on picket lines at the start of May will also lose their health benefits.

But CRONA bosses have slammed this as 'cruel' and 'immoral', with president Colleen Borges saying: 'Health benefits should not be used against workers, especially against the very healthcare professionals who have made Stanford a world-class health system.'

Stanford says its hospitals will remain open throughout the strike, and that it has employed replacement nurses to ensure patient care is 'uninterrupted'.

Last year it was ranked as the fourth best hospital system in California, and the 12th best across the country.

The one-day strike by nurses at 15 Sutter Health hospitals was called by the California Nurses Association after talks over staffing shortages and health and safety provisions ended in deadlock.

The health system has now told nurses not to return until next Monday, because it has brought in travelling nurses to cover the shifts.

Hospitals involved in the strikes were in cities including San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Santa Cruz and Vallejo.

Yvette Neil, a nurse at Sutter for 18 years and union steward, told Lake County News: 'We're striking for patients' safety. Sutter is short staffing the nurses.'

She also warned that many nurses were exhausted from working 12-hour shifts at the hospital, and that morale on the wards was low.

Sutter Health also faced a strike in 2011

The U.S. is facing a growing nursing crisis amid mounting staffing shortages across its hospital and rising levels of violence faced by workers.

A national survey conducted by National Nurses United found 48 percent of nurses are facing more violence at work this year than they had previously.

More than seven in ten nurses added that their job was slightly or much worse than before the Covid pandemic, while 80 percent said it was more stressful.
Some experts are hopeful they have made a groundbreaking discovery in the race for an HIV cure using technology from the emerging world of gene editing.

Researchers at Northwestern University used CRISPR, a gene editing technology that is growing in both use and in opposition, to identify parts of the virus that are key to its ability to infect human blood cells and replicate.

While it is still a long way away, the researchers are hopeful that their discovery will open the door for further investigation that will eventually lead to the development of a cure, or vaccine, for the virus.

More than one million Americans are infected with HIV, according to stats from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and while the infection can be managed with therapeutics, there is still no cure.

A team at Northwestern University used CRISPR gene editing technology to identify over 80 genes that are involved in the process of HIV infecting cells and replicating in the person's body (file photo)

Dr Judd Hulquist led the research, which was published earlier this month in nature communications, where researchers worked to find what parts of the virus's genetic structure were responsible for its ability to infect and replicate.

Their goal was to help fill the currently existing gap in HIV treatment. Currently, a person infected with HIV has can use a 'cocktail', as it is often described, of antiretroviral drugs that help manage the virus are not permanent fixes.

How can we improve the current therapies were giving people to prevent transmissions and come up with a potential cure? was the question the research team was trying to answer, Holquist told DailyMail.com.

Dr Judd Holquist (pictured), lead researcher of the study, told DailyMail.com that there is currently a need to find a long-term cure for HIV

An HIV patient can take antiretroviral drugs in perpetuity, which will prevent the virus from forming in AIDS while also preventing them from passing on the infection to someone else.

If they were to stop taking these drugs, though, the infection will come back, potentially developing into AIDS and reopening the door for them to pass on the infection.

For wealthy people, or those in the developed world who have regular access to the medication, this can be sustainable for decades.

People in the developing world - or people in the U.S. who just can not afford the drugs for any reason - taking a cocktail of pills every day is not feasible.

'These drugs are far from perfect,' Holquist said.

'For some people [taking the cocktail every day] might be an achievable goal, but theres so many people, especially the most vulnerable who may not.

This makes the development of a cure for HIV crucial to truly eradicate the devastating disease.

Using CRISPR, researchers identified 86 genes that play a role in the virus's ability to cause disease - noting that at least 40 of them had never been investigated for their role within HIV before.

He described these newly discovered genes as new 'avenues' to look into, in a statement published by the university.

Holquist (pictured) said that more than 40 of the pathways his team discovered are newly associated with the virus, opening new potential avenues for developing a cure for the disease

The CRISPR gene editing technology used by the researchers has been deemed a potential world changer by some experts, but there are also concerns about using it as a therapeutic. Holquist said his team just used it for research, not to create a cure for HIV

This is just the start of what Holquist and his team hope will be a larger push to explore potential HIV cures.

The first step identified which genes are important, the next step is identifying why they are important. he said.

CRISPR is a budding yet controversial gene editing technology platform that gives scientists new ability to identify, and even edit genes.

While some have described the technology as being able to 'change the world', some have raised ethical concerns about CRISPR, and how it could be used to usher in a technologically advanced form of eugenics.

This research dodges many of the ethical concerns, though. While the technology was used to identify genes, Holquist's team does not plan on creating gene-editing therapeutics.

Now with the first step complete, the team at Northwestern, in Evanston, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, is hoping that the global scientific community can work together to find how to attack and close these genetic pathways the virus uses to infect people.

It will likely be a long while until any of this turns into a tangible medicine a person can use to cure the virus, though.

Were looking at decades of research just to understand one individual genes, and this research identified many of them, Holquist said.
Vivien Coker regularly calls BT to make sure shes getting the cheapest possible broadband, phone and television deal.

Over the years, she has usually managed to get a few pounds knocked off her monthly bill.

But in recent months, the 77-year-old widow from Devon has had no luck and is now struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.

Losing out: Around 4.2 million households are eligible for cheaper 'social tariffs'. Yet just 55,000 have so far signed up for these low-cost deals

She had all but given up when she read about a little-known discount for financially vulnerable customers in Money Mail last month.

After she called BT to ask about it, her bill was immediately slashed to 45, saving her more than 30 a month.

She told a friend in a similar position about the deal, who was also given a substantial bill reduction.

But why on earth werent they offered this cheaper price earlier?

Vivien estimates she could have saved more than 300 if she been told about the scheme when it launched last June.

It makes me really angry and I feel rather hard done by, she says. The firm knew from my phone calls that I was struggling, and not once did it mention this deal was available. Im sure its happening with lots of companies that could help vulnerable customers who have money problems but dont.

And Vivien is right. About 4.2 million households are eligible for cheaper social tariffs. Yet just 55,000 have so far signed up for these low-cost deals, according to watchdog Ofcom.

This is despite 1.1 million households in the UK struggling to afford their broadband bills, the regulators research shows.

Last month, Ofcom warned telecoms giants they must do more to raise awareness of the cheaper deals. It said they should promote discount deals and get in touch with customers through a range of different communication channels, to increase the chance of reaching those in need.

Yet when Money Mail scoured the major providers websites, we struggled to find any information about the deals.

On BTs website, social tariffs were not offered on the home page or when setting up a new broadband order, and details could only be found by searching for the term using Google. Skys deal was also nowhere to be seen on its main website.

Crunch time: Some 1.1 million households in the UK struggling to afford their broadband bills, the regulators research shows

With Virgin Media, it took three clicks on the website before the first mention of the scheme, which was at the bottom of the list of possible deals.

Also, instead of writing to or calling customers they think could be eligible, such as those who have missed payments or with mounting debts, major providers currently require customers to contact them to ask for the deals.

Broadband giants are already under fire for hiking up prices by as much as 10 per cent in the middle of a crippling cost-of-living crisis.

And because these mid-contract price hikes are written into the terms and conditions by big-name providers such as BT, EE, John Lewis Broadband, Plusnet, Shell Energy Broadband, TalkTalk and Vodafone, customers face eye-watering exit fees if they try to leave. This has left many people struggling to keep up payments.

Sue Davies, head of consumer rights at Which?, says: Social tariffs can make a real difference but woefully low levels of awareness and take-up are a reflection of how poorly broadband providers publicise these deals.

Companies must do much more to promote them and make it straightforward for customers to sign up.

Exactly who qualifies for the deals depends on the provider. But if you claim means-tested benefits such as pension credit and universal credit, you are usually eligible. More than three million households qualify for pension credit alone.

How much you can save also depends on the company, but a typical standard broadband package is about 27 a month and social tariffs cost as little as 15. This means millions of people could save an average of 144 on their bill each year. Those on more expensive deals could save even more.

Social tariffs are not advertised on comparison websites, so you must contact the provider direct to find out if it offers discounts. If not, it may well be worth switching to a firm that does.

BTs Home Essentials plan is available from 15 a month for people who receive benefits such as universal credit, pension credit and income support.

The person who receives the state benefit must be the account holder, and the plan only lasts for 12 months, after which time the customer must prove again that they are eligible.

Rising costs: Broadband giants are already under fire for hiking up prices by as much as 10 per cent in the middle of a crippling cost-of-living crisis

There are two broadband packages and one phone-line-only package available.

The essential tariff includes fibre broadband and 700 inclusive anytime minutes a month.

Customers can also get 67 megabyte (Mb) fibre broadband with unlimited calls for 20, or unlimited calls only for 10 each month.

A BT spokesperson said that the company are committed to supporting customers who are worried about their finances and who need extra help.

We proactively offer Home Essentials to customers who are struggling financially and we urge anyone who qualifies for our social tariff to get in touch, whether thats on the phone or in one of our stores, they said.

Virgin Media O2 also offers an Essential Broadband social tariff for people on universal credit at 15 a month.

It includes 15Mb fibre broadband, has no fixed-term contract length and is excluded from any price rises. The provider also offers a Talk Protected landline service

for people over 65 and those who have additional accessibility needs, which gives them unlimited free calls to UK landlines and mobiles.

Just last week, Sky launched Broadband Basics, which could save you 5 on monthly bills if you claim universal or pension credit.

The plan costs 20 a month for 18 months for fibre broadband, and there are no early exit fees. However, it is only available to customers who already have Sky Broadband. It also includes Sky Pay As You Talk, which means youll need to pay for any phone calls you make.

The same deal is available to existing customers of Now Broadband, which Sky owns, but you will be entering an ongoing monthly contract and will need to give 31 days notice if you want to cancel.

London-based providers Community Fibre and G.Network also offer cheap social tariffs; and KCOM, which provides services in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, has a special deal costing 19.99 a month.

TalkTalk does not offer a social tariff but partners with the Department for Work and Pensions to offer six months of free fibre broadband to certain jobseekers.

In contrast to other suppliers, Hyperoptics Fair Fibre Plan is featured prominently on its website. Customers who take its 50Mb broadband and phone package will pay 18 a month, a 7 saving, or they can get a 10 discount on its 150Mb broadband and phone deal and pay 28.

The deals are available to new and existing customers on benefits such as pension credit, income support, housing benefit and universal credit.

James Fredrickson, Director of Policy and Regulation at the company, says: We are very keen to offer these tariffs when we think someone might be helped by them. We will happily flag them when we think it might be appropriate.

The supplier has also partnered with more than 50 councils to roll out its network across their area and connect social housing properties.

t.armstrong@dailymail.co.uk
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Mercedes-Benz has proved that electric cars of the future should be able to cover significant distances on a single charge by driving its latest concept vehicle 626 miles across Europe without needing to plug it in.

The German manufacturer took its svelte Vision EQXX from Stuttgart to the picturesque Cote d'Azur via the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy in just 12 hours - and upon arrival it still had 15 per cent battery range remaining.

Bosses said the surplus charge would have provided enough power to cover an additional 87 miles, suggesting the car is capable of 713 miles on a full battery pack.

That's some 308 miles further than the longest-range Tesla can travel on a single charge and enough for the average Briton to drive for five weeks without needing to find a charging point.

Charging on: Mercedes has completed a 626-mile non-stop journey across Europe in its concept electric vehicle without having to pull over at a charging point

Departing from the German city of Sindelfingen at 7am, the Mercedes rolled into Cassis in the South of France at 7:02pm without once having to pull over to finding a charging device. The flap over the charging socket was even sealed for the duration.

The average speed on the journey was 54mph, with the trip including stop-start city traffic as well as 87mph blasts on the German Autobahn, with average electricity consumption of 8.7kWh per 100km.

The successful voyage means the EQXX has already delivered on a promise made by the luxury car brand during its unveiling earlier this year.

Mercedes said at its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January that the zero-emission concept would be able to cover over 1,000km (621 miles) on a fully-charged battery.

The recent achievement means the Mercedes has easily bettered the 405 miles of range offered by a single-charge Tesla - the range dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Model S - and gazumps everything else on the market to date.

Currently, the electric vehicle with the longest range sold in Britain is Mercedes' 100,000 EQS luxury saloon, which can go for 465 miles before the owner needs to plug it in, while the Lucid Air's 510-mile range is the longest officially registered by US regulators.

Still, the pair are 248 and 203 miles shy of the EQXX's 713-mile range respectively.

The German manufacturer took its svelte Vision EQXX from Stuttgart to the picturesque Cote d'Azur via the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy - and on arrival still had 15 per cent battery range remaining

The average speed on the entire journey was 54mph, with the trip including stop-start city traffic as well as 87mph blasts on the German Autobahn, with average electricity consumption of 8.7kWh per 100km

The journey took the Vision EQXX through the 10.4-mile Gotthard Tunnel in the Swiss Alps en route to the South of France

Departing from the German city of Sindelfingen at 7am, the Mercedes rolled into Cassis in the South of France at 7:02pm having driven for 12 hours without stopping for a charge. The flap over the charging socket was even sealed for the duration

On arrival in Cassis, Mercedes said the EQXX could have been driven for a further 87 miles before the battery was completely drained

With range being one of the biggest sticking points preventing consumers from making the switch to EVs, the EQXX suggests this could soon become a thing of the past for drivers in the UK.

A recent study found that the average Briton was driving 6,800 miles a year pre-pandemic (based 2019 figures). That works out at 142 miles a week.

If Mercedes was to bring the zero-emission car to market now, an average motorist would only need to charge it once every five weeks - or 11 times per annum.

'The Vision EQXX is the most efficient Mercedes ever built,' said Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board at Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

'The technology programme behind it marks a milestone in the development of electric vehicles.

'It underpins our strategic aim to 'Lead in Electric',' he added.

Mercedes EQXX's 626-mile journey on a single charge by numbers Journey start: Sindelfingen, Germany, 5 April 2022, 7:00am Journey end: Cassis, France, 5 April 2022, 7:02pm Travel route: Sindelfingen, Gotthard Tunnel, Milan, Cannes, Cassis Driving distance: 1,008 kilometres (626 miles) Total travel time: 12 hours and 2 minutes Total driving time: 11 hours and 32 minutes Average speed: 87.4 km/h (54.3mph) Maximum speed on motorway: 140 km/h (87mph) Average consumption: 8.7 kWh per 100km Battery charge level on arrival: 15% remaining range, approx 140km (87 miles)

The EQXX's range - which is more than double that of most electric models on sale at the moment - isn't achieved using a larger battery pack.

In fact, it uses a 100kWh battery, which is smaller than the unit fitted to some of its most expensive existing models.

However, the concept vehicle's battery pack is 50 per cent smaller and 30 per cent lighter than what's on the market at the moment, which means it can be used in more compact cars if necessary.

It has been developed with the help of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, with the brains behind Lewis Hamilton's recent Formula One success providing their expertise to develop the EQXX's electric drive system.

The journey was monitored and analysed from the Electric Software Hub at the Mercedes Technology Center back in Sindelfingen

The EQXX's range - which is more than double that of most electric models on sale at the moment - isn't achieved using a larger battery pack. In fact, it uses a 100kWh battery, which is smaller than the unit fitted to some of its existing models

Also boosting available energy are the 117 solar cells on the Mercedes' roof that feed into a 12-volt battery to power non-drivetrain electronics, such as the infotainment screen and interior lighting.

This saves the main battery's capacity exclusively for driving, with bosses claiming the solar panels add around 16 miles of range on a 621-mile trip.

As well as a lighter battery, the EQXX has a featherweight construction, which results in a total unladen weight of just 1,755kgs - that's barely much more than a Ford Focus family hatchback.

It's bullet-like profile means it's also super efficient at cutting through the air and specially-developed low-rolling-resistance Bridgestone tyres also reduces demand on the drivetrain and improves range.

The concept vehicle's battery pack is 50% smaller and 30% lighter than lithium-ion packs currently being used by EV makers, which means it can be used in smaller cars if necessary

It has been developed with the help of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, with the brains behind Lewis Hamilton's recent Formula One success providing their expertise to develop the EQXX's electric drive system

Also boosting available energy are the 117 solar cells on the Mercedes' roof that feed into a 12-volt battery that supplies power to non-drivetrain electronics. This saves the main battery for driving only and add around 16 miles of range on a 621-mile trip

While only a concept for now, tech used in the EQXX is likely to debut on Mercedes' forthcoming MMA platform, which will underpin all its new electric models when it arrives from 2024

Markus Schafer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz, said the concept will now provide a 'blueprint for the future of automotive engineering'.

He added: 'Many of the innovative developments are already being integrated into production, some of them in the next generation of modular architecture for compact and midsize MercedesBenz vehicles.

'And the journey continues. With the Vision EQXX, we will keep testing the limits of whats possible.'

While only a concept for now, tech used in the EQXX is likely to debut on Mercedes' forthcoming MMA platform, which will underpin all its new electric models introduced from 2024.

The battery, inverter and e-motor - which is claimed to be 44 per cent more efficient than current electric motors - will likely be carried over from the prototype car into series production models in the coming years.

The inside of EQXX has a giant 47.5-inch touchscreen that spans across the entire dashboard and is AI-powered to provide drivers with the best directions and suggestions while cruising down the road

The Vision EQXX is a proper family car, with the concept featuring a four-seat layout with two individual chairs in the back
Sound the alarm bells. Fire up the klaxon.

There is a new unregulated business in town. As we report, pre-paid probate plans promise families peace of mind.

The idea is that you pay several thousand pounds upfront to prevent your loved ones being hit with a big bill when you die, and protect against rising costs.

Wild west: The idea behind probate plans is that you pay several thousand pounds upfront to prevent your loved ones being hit with a big bill when you die, and protect against rising costs

It all sounds eerily familiar  and thats because it is. They sound just like funeral plans. The same funeral plans that after years of mis-selling are finally facing a clampdown.

For years at Money Mail we warned about unfair charges, high-pressure sales tactics and concerns around the financial soundness of some providers. And as we have seen following the collapse of Safe Hands last month, we were right to be concerned.

Around 47,000 customers now face losing thousands of pounds if another company does not step in to honour their funerals.

This is what happens when unregulated companies are allowed to pocket large sums of cash for future services without any consideration of where the money is held.

Im not suggesting that all pre-paid probate plans are bad.

But for many people, they will not be remotely suitable.

Probate is the legal authority needed to manage someones estate when they die. But the process varies depending on the value and complexity of the estate, and who it is left to.

Many people will not need it, and others can apply for the document themselves for a flat fee of 273.

So it is very worrying that no one is carefully monitoring how these plans are being sold or how many people have bought them  particularly when they are targeted at elderly customers who we know are susceptible to sales pitches about sparing loved ones a costly admin burden when they die.

Meanwhile, increasing numbers of providers are now popping up on Companies House.

Its got industry experts worried and we are too. Yet the City watchdog claims its hands are tied because probate plans do not fall under its remit. If thats so, ministers need to give the Financial Conduct Authority permission to oversee this growing industry before its too late.

Fuel for thought

The language used by the bosses of Britains biggest energy firms when questioned by MPs yesterday was chilling.

ScottishPowers chief executive Keith Anderson warned that October could be truly horrific without urgent intervention by the Chancellor. The size and scale of this is beyond what I can deal with, beyond what I think the industry can deal with, he said.

Chris OShea, head of Centrica, which owns British Gas, added that things will get worse . . . a lot worse without intervention.

Over to you Mr Sunak.

Brazen bank

My uncle is wrapping up his late mothers estate and has complained to her bank several times.

Yet rather than focusing on resolving the issue, the bank offered to pay him 80 if he withdrew his complaint and allowed his comments to be recorded as feedback.

Is this a brazen attempt to fiddle complaints figures? My uncle firmly rejected the offer.

But Id be interested to know what the City watchdog thinks about this type of bribery. If you have ever been offered a deal, write to me at the email address below.

Copycat scam

I was shocked to learn that my face was being used by pension scammers to target Zurich staff.

A woman, allegedly called Molly Johnston, had set up an account with networking website LinkedIn and uploaded a ten-year-old headshot of me as her picture.

She then contacted staff at the insurance firm claiming she could put them in touch with defined benefit pension transfer specialists.

Those targeted smelt a rat and raised the alarm with LinkedIn, which promptly suspended the account.

Ive been told the matter is under investigation. So for now, Im scouring the internet to check my obviously honest-looking face is not being misused elsewhere.

v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk
Samsung Electronics' Experience Store in Kyiv, Ukraine / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Baek Byung-yeul



Samsung Electronics is expanding its customer service in Ukraine, expressing its willingness to share in the difficulties faced by Ukrainian customers amid the Russian invasion, the company said, Tuesday.



The Korean tech giant's Ukraine branch said on April 16 that it will operate customer service remotely for customers who want to fix their Samsung mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs and smartwatches.



The company continues to operate its offline customer service centers in areas where business activities are available. And in other places where service centers cannot be operated, it will provide a free pick-up service for users of mobile and wearable devices who can send their devices to the service center or call a courier.



For the remote customer service, Samsung is cooperating with Ukrainian logistics company Nova Poshta. Samsung joined the Ukraine market back in 1996, selling its home appliances and mobile gadgets there.



"Despite all the challenges facing Ukraine today, the company remains with the Ukrainians, guaranteeing quality service to all who need it, and supporting the work of as many service centers as possible," Samsung's Ukraine branch announced, regarding why it decided to expand its customer service.



"Samsung Electronics is looking forward to the day when we will all be able to safely enjoy life again in every corner of Ukraine. Nowadays, when the most important thing is people's lives and health, the company provides service centers in those regions where it is possible."



In line with the customer service expansion, Samsung also removed the letter Z from its foldable phones  the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3  in some European countries such as Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as the letter Z is being used as a symbol of the Russian army.



As part of its humanitarian efforts for Ukrainian refugees, the company also donated $6 million to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in March.



Not only Samsung but other Korean companies are also actively supporting Ukraine despite the worsening conditions. LG Electronics is supporting Ukrainian refugees who fled to neighboring countries by providing home appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and microwave ovens through international aid organizations. Hyundai Motor Group also donated $1 million for emergency relief.


Vauxhall owner Stellantis became the latest firm to pull the plug on its operations in Russia.

The car maker, which is one of the largest in the world, suspended its vehicle production in the western city of Kaluga to comply with sanctions and protect its employees.

The firm, which owns Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Fiat, cited the rapid daily increase in cross sanctions and logistical difficulties for forcing its decision to halt operations.

Down tools: Vauxhall, which is one of the largest in the world, has suspended its vehicle production in the western city of Kaluga (pictured)

Stellantis said it condemns violence and supports all actions capable of restoring peace. Last month it donated 830,000 to Ukrainian refugees and civilians.

The company has since moved its production to western Europe after suspending all exports and imports of vehicles with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Further investment into Russia has been delayed, Stellantis added, and chief executive Carlos Tavares last month said they would have to close the Kaluga plant shortly as it was running out of parts.

Volkswagen and Ford have already suspended operations in Russia. Renault indicated it was prepared to end its investment in Avtovaz, Russias biggest car maker.
The London Metal Exchange has been blasted by a financial watchdog following last months nickel trading debacle.

The International Monetary Fund accused the LME of potentially harming free and fair markets when it cancelled a slew of trades as the price of nickel surged to record highs.

While this limited the losses faced by a Chinese nickel tycoon known as Big Shot, the IMF said in its report that the move led to widespread criticism from other investors such as banks, commodity traders and hedge funds who stood to benefit from the price rise but saw their profits wiped out.

Conflict of interests? The International Monetary Fund accused the London Metal Exchange (pictured) of potentially harming 'free and fair markets' when it cancelled a slew of trades

With critics claiming the LME favours its cronies, the watchdog warned exchange bosses about a conflict of interest.

The watchdog went on: Governance mechanisms for the LME need to be strengthened to address conflict of interest. Measures must be in place to ensure that the concentration of trading does not adversely impact free and fair markets.

The public chastisement, in the IMFs Global Financial Stability Report, will come as an embarrassment for the LME, which dates back to 1877 and has long prided itself on being one of the worlds top exchanges on which to trade commodities.

UK regulators at the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England have also launched an investigation but are yet to announce their conclusions.

The so-called nickel pickle began last month after Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted fears over the supply of the metal which is used in electric car batteries and steel production. Some investors were shorting nickel  meaning they were betting that its price would fall.

One of the largest shorters was Tsingshan Holding Group, a Chinese nickel producer run by tycoon Xiang Guangda, who is known as Big Shot.

As the price rose, Tsingshan had to close its short position and buy into nickel, pushing the price even higher.

The price more than doubled, climbing above $100,000 in a matter of hours, and the LME suspended trading.

The exchange then cancelled several trades which had been placed in the preceding hours  limiting the losses of both Tsingshan and Xiang.

But at the same time, investors who stood to benefit from the rise in the nickel price saw their winnings disappear.

Critics have noted the exchange is owned by a Hong Kong company backed by the Chinese state  and allege Beijing may have pressured the LME to protect Tsingshan.

The IMF said: While the stated objective of the cancellation of trades by the LME was to stabilise the nickel market, counterparties with long positions were put at a disadvantage.

Clifford Asness, founder and boss of US hedge fund AQR Capital Management, even accused the LME of being a criminal enterprise hiding behind manifest incompetence.

Nicolas Aguzin, boss of the LMEs owner HKEX, said he was sure the board of the LME will take the necessary steps to evaluate what are the lessons learned and how we can continue improving the market structure of the commodities market.
The Moscow Stock Exchange will lose its status as a recognised market as the Government moved to further isolate the Russian economy following the invasion of Ukraine.

The decision by HMRC means investors with shares in companies listed in Moscow will no longer be able to access certain tax benefits such as being able to include the stocks in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs).

As we continue to isolate Russia in response to their illegal war on Ukraine, revoking Moscow Stock Exchanges recognised status sends a clear message  there is no case for new investments in Russia, said Financial Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Frazer.

Frozen out: Shares in companies listed in Moscow will no longer be able to access certain tax benefits such as being able to include the stocks in Individual Savings Accounts

HMRC said the decision was made in response to a ban by Russias central bank on foreign investors selling shares in Russian companies, which meant the Moscow market was no longer operating in line with the normal commercial standards expected of a recognised exchange.

The Governments move came as Vladimir Putin signed legislation over the weekend that would compel Russian firms to delist from foreign stock exchanges.

The law could see major Russian firms such as Gazprom, Sberbank, Lukoil and Rosneft, forced to scrap their listings in London.

Russian aluminium giant EN+, which also has a secondary listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), said it was evaluating its options.

The LSE suspended trading last month in multiple Russia-based companies after their prices crashed to record lows following Putins decision to send tanks into Ukraine.

Under the new rules, Russian firms will have five days to delist from foreign exchanges once the law becomes effective on Tuesday next week.
Wharf Road in St Ives, Cornwall, is home to a host of colourful businesses. But today they have one thing in common: a 'staff wanted' sign taped to their windows.

Summer is approaching and the seaside town is bracing for an influx of tourists. Yet there aren't enough locals living in the area to staff the pubs, cafes and shops.

This is because St Ives has become a haven for second-home owners and Airbnb holiday lets, meaning few people stay all year round.

Hotspot: St Ives in Cornwall is one of the many UK holiday destinations where locals have been priced out of the market

Local councillor Andrew Mitchell is exasperated. 'During the council elections last May, I went out leaflet-dropping in the town and found I was knocking on houses with nobody inside,' he says.

'I had more than 1,000 leaflets left over in the end. Something needs to change.'

The situation in St Ives is replicated in holiday hotspots all over the country.

Last week, residents of the Yorkshire fishing village Robin Hood's Bay hit the headlines after complaining they have been driven out by incomers snapping up properties.

In the Cornish seaside village of St Agnes, a home was defaced with graffiti which read: 'Second-home owners, give something back: rent or sell your empty houses to local people at a fair price.'

The frustration is so great in Wales, its government has slapped second-home owners with a 300 per cent council tax hike from next year.

And 25 of Scotland's 32 councils have already removed a 10 per cent council tax discount on second homes.

Politicians and campaigners say the pandemic has brought the conflict to a head, with wealthy property investors vilified for fleeing to the countryside during lockdown.

Tempers flared again over the bank holiday weekend as residents in tourist meccas hit out at rich Londoners for flocking to their holiday homes and treating the towns like 'Chelsea-on-Sea'.

Here, Money Mail examines the row engulfing Britain's beauty spots...

I'm helping to bring the tourists in Investment: Vicky Borman is in the process of buying a second home in St Neots, Cambridgeshire Vicky Borman is in the process of buying a second home in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, to let out as an Airbnb. The 43-year-old defends holiday-let owners, insisting they bring tourism to the area. Mrs Borman is paying 165,000 and is due to exchange in the next few weeks. She estimates she can earn up to 2,800 a month from letting it out to tourists. She says: 'By setting up an Airbnb we're bringing in more tourists and I definitely intend to promote local businesses to them.' Mrs Borman lives in St Neots, so she already pays council tax on her first property. She believes it would be unfair if she had to pay even more on her second one. 'People think if you can afford a second home, you can afford higher taxes, but that's not necessarily true. My husband and I are self-employed, so this property is our pension.'

Priced out of my own home town Brendan Donnelly must commute to work as he is unable to find any affordable properties in his home town Brendan Donnelly was born and raised in Coniston, Cumbria, and runs his business there. But the 60-year-old must commute from Staffordshire, as he is unable to find any affordable properties in his home town. He believes higher taxes for second home-owners are needed. He says: 'You have to tax somebody to make it work. 'It's not just the prices. There are no houses available because rich buyers hire intermediaries who find them properties before they even make it onto the market.' Mr Donnelly wants to expand his slate business, Coniston Stonecraft, but says there are too few locals to make up his workforce. He says: 'There are none of the local skilled workers left in Coniston. If nothing is done soon, we are going to end up as a dead village.'

Priced out of hometowns

Restrictions on foreign travel over the past two years gave rise to the staycation boom, with more and more Britons holidaying at home.

This, in turn, prompted renewed interest in the holiday-let market, as second-home owners sought to cash in.

Furthermore, the recent property boom sparked by the stamp duty holiday and a nationwide 'race for space' has led to house prices in rural areas soaring.

Research by estate agent Hamptons in spring last year found that house prices in rural areas were growing nearly twice as fast as in cities. This has been devastating for locals, who are increasingly being priced out of their home towns and villages.

A report by the countryside charity CPRE found there had been an almost 1,000 per cent increase in properties being used as short-term holiday lets  forcing up prices and leaving locals in despair.

Campaigning body First Not Second Homes regularly stages demonstrations to voice their frustration. Locals turn up to events carrying placards that bear messages such as 'Evicted for Airbnb' and 'Seven years on the housing list'.

In Cornwall the average salary is 31,471, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

But figures from Rightmove show that the average price of a property in St Ives has reached 429,188  just under 14 times local incomes.

Last week, residents of the Yorkshire fishing village Robin Hood's Bay (pictured) hit the headlines after complaining they have been driven out by incomers snapping up properties

It is a similar story in Coniston, in the Lake District. House prices stand at an average 608,222, according to Rightmove, having risen by 62 per cent in the past decade.

But average annual workplace earnings across South Lakeland were 26,193 in the year to September 2021, ONS figures show.

Not only have locals been priced out of buying homes in the Cumbrian area but they struggle to rent, too.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, says the private rental market in his corner of the Lake District has been ruined by rich landlords snapping up properties for holiday lets.

This is because they can charge up to hundreds of pounds more per night than if they rented them to ordinary tenants, and there are fewer regulations.

Mr Farron says: 'We have seen a huge increase in people buying up properties to use as holiday lets.

'But it means that private tenants with good incomes are being evicted because landlords can make better money letting properties as Airbnbs.

'Recently I've seen a teaching assistant with a child get evicted and they can't find anywhere else to rent so they had to give up their job.'

The result is that towns and villages end up with a depleted workforce and a lack of community.

'Soon people will be holidaying in these beautiful parts of the country but they will struggle to get a bite to eat because there will be nobody to serve them,' says Mr Farron.

Ineffective clampdowns

Many attempts have been made to clamp down on second-home owners and those running holiday lets.

Second-home buyers already incur a surcharge of 3 per cent on top of the normal rate of stamp duty. In Scotland, buyers pay an extra 4 per cent on second homes.

But some parts of the country have gone further. St Ives became the first place to introduce a ban on new-build properties being sold as second homes in 2016. Similar moves have been mooted in areas including Norfolk and Brighton.

But the restrictions have failed to produce the desired results.

A 2019 study by the London School of Economics (LSE) found the ban in St Ives had backfired, as it intensified housing competition and pushed out local construction.

Booming market: Research by estate agent Hamptons in spring last year found that house prices in rural areas were growing nearly twice as fast as in cities

In the three years after it was introduced, prices for new-build homes fell by 13 per cent but those for existing properties increased by 7.7 per cent.

Locals were therefore priced out even further from older homes in their own neighbourhoods.

On top of that, the ban meant new homes were less lucrative for developers, prompting them to go elsewhere.

While there is no easy solution to the crisis, the general consensus is that greater taxation is needed.

Currently, a loophole exists which allows second-home owners to avoid paying council tax and gain access to small business rates relief by simply declaring an intention to let the property out to holidaymakers.

However, there are concerns that many never actually let their homes, leaving them empty while the owners unfairly benefit from the relief. In effect, they are able to enjoy local resources such as waste collection and police services without paying a penny for them.

Ministers have already announced plans to close this loophole. However, councillors in Cornwall say this is not enough.

They believe second-home owners should pay several times the amount of council tax paid by locals in the area.

Councillor Thalia Marrington, who looks after Mousehole, Newlyn and St Buryan, says: 'I think it is only fair that second-home owners pay around two or three times the normal rate of council tax.

'It is a complicated issue because obviously tourism is hugely important to Cornwall.

'But it is frustrating when people fill up towns in the summer months and don't treat them as home.'

All eyes, then, are on Wales to see how the 300 per cent council tax rise plays out for second-home owners.

In defence: Saving the 'ghost villages'

The holiday lettings industry has hit back at claims it is ruining Britain's beloved beauty spots. Martin Sach, chief executive of the Holiday Home Association, says: 'Nobody wants to see ghost villages, least of all the tourism industry.

But the boom in staycations created by the pandemic has been great news for the British economy.

'People must bear in mind that tourism is a force for good for local economies and brings lots of jobs.

'More regulation is of no benefit to anybody.'

He adds that holiday lets are very different from second homes which are only occupied for a few weeks of the year by their owners.

h.kelly@dailymail.co.uk
For years Money Mail fought for pre-paid funeral plans to be regulated to protect vulnerable customers from rip-off sales practices.

There was evidence of mis-selling, unfair charges and concerns around the financial soundness of some providers.

But as the industry at last faces a clampdown this summer, experts now warn that greedy salesmen have already shifted their attention to the next big thing: pre-paid probate plans.

Miss-selling threat: In the wake of the clampdown on funeral plans, experts warn that greedy salesmen have already shifted their attention to the next big thing: pre-paid probate plans

Probate is legal authority needed to manage someones estate when they die. In Scotland this is known as a grant of confirmation.

Not everyone will need this document.

Some banks will release up to 50,000 without it, and any assets held jointly by married couples pass automatically to the surviving spouse.

If you require probate and apply for it yourself, there is a fixed 273 fee for estates of more than 5,000. In Scotland, confirmation is free for estates under 36,000 and fees vary above this.

If you use a solicitor, the cost will depend on the firm, with bills sometimes charged as a percentage of the value of the estate.

Ordinarily, you pay what is owed after someone has died. But a new breed of probate plan providers claim families could benefit from peace of mind by paying upfront.

As with funeral plans, the idea is that by doing this you will be protected from rising costs in the future. Firms also claim to reduce the administrative burden on loved ones by handling most of the paperwork.

Yet experts warn that probate plans could well prove to be a waste of money and risk leaving families in limbo. Any delays in the process can mean bereaved relatives are unable to access funds to settle bills or sell property.

Customers will also have no protection if something goes wrong because the market is unregulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

This means they could lose thousands of pounds if companies cease trading and do not have enough money to refund people. Some organisations offering probate plans are also unclear on their websites about what extra fees and charges customers could face.

Solicitor Anna OMara, from law firm Sills & Betteridge, says: You do not know if probate is necessary until the person dies, so you could be paying upfront for a service you do not need.

With people living longer, many need to sell their homes and use their money to pay for care fees, diminishing their assets. Probate is not needed in a third of cases I see.

These plans are just exploiting older people who want to save their families any extra stress when they are gone.

2,000 for stress and confusion Family values: Margaret Gibbss wedding to her late husband, Alan It has been a year since Margaret Gibbs died aged 77, but her family are still battling to get probate. Margaret had purchased a 2,300 pre-paid plan with Philips Trust Corporation [PTC] in 2018. Her three sons, set to inherit her three-bedroom house and around 40,000, discovered the plan after her death. Margaret also used the same company to draw up her will. Staff informed youngest son David, 47, from Brigg, Lincolnshire, that their Lichfield office had closed and that they did not have a copy of her will. He was told to contact Deedbank, which said it did not have it either. He was pointed to other firms which could not help and Philips Trust Corporation then stopped responding to them. The firm was also appointed as executor of Margarets will and until it steps down no one can take control of the estate. David says: They took more than 2,000 and promised a seamless service that was never delivered. PTC did not wish to comment.

Simon Cox, of consultancy Funeral Solution Expert, adds: Pre-paid probate plans are not a regulated product. It really is the new Wild West. Any company with a call centre could start selling them. It is alarm bell time.

One firm, Probate Specialist, set up in 2020, claims on its website that planning your future has so many benefits and no disadvantages. It then lists examples of how much its plans cost.

A 55-year-old with a small 325,000 estate would pay 3,465, while policyholders aged 70 with large estates of 750,000 would pay 5,530, its website says.

The firm then compares this to an average solicitor fee of 2 per cent of the total estate, which it claims would be 7,800 and 22,500 respectively.

If the value of the estate rises before the customer dies, it says there will be no extra cost.

But there is a long list of services that are not included  such as the probate registry fee.

This means families would still have to pay the 273 fee to apply for probate after their loved ones death. The website also states customers who cancel after 14 days will receive a refund minus the management fee.

It did not say how much this would be on the website but when we asked via its live chat we were told it could be as much as 30 per cent of the cost of the plan.

Another pre-paid probate plan provider, Philips Trust Corporation, launched in 2017 and based in Salford, Greater Manchester, quotes 2,100 for a 70-year-old with a 350,000 estate. It compares this to a typical low-cost solicitors probate charge of 1.5 per cent fee plus VAT, which would be 6,300.

On its website it promises to provide you and your loved ones much-needed peace of mind.

Yet more than 90 per cent of customer reviews about the firm on Trustpilot are bad or poor.

Some firms, such as Probate Protect, state that customer money is ringfenced in an independent trust until it is needed. The funds are then released upon death to pay one of its approved partner solicitors to handle probate.

But because the industry is unregulated, there is no oversight of how these funds are run. Other firms do not include any information on their websites about where customer money is held but may provide this later in the sales process.

If you require probate and apply for it yourself, there is a 273 fee for estates of more than 5,000. In Scotland, confirmation is free for estates under 36,000 and fees vary above this

Money Mail has also discovered that some funeral plan providers are now branching out to sell probate plans. From July 29, all companies selling funeral plans must be regulated by the City watchdog or cease trading.

But there is no such requirement when offering probate plans.

One funeral plan provider Capital Life sent an email to businesses selling its products in February which said: The average cost of probate is between 2 per cent and 5 per cent of the value of the estate, which can equate to 15,000 on an estate worth 300,000.

The equivalent pre-paid probate plan costs just 3,495, saving the beneficiaries thousands. It really is a must for anyone planning for the future.

Having professionals look after the entire administration of the estate at the time of need gives much needed comfort to families that their wishes will be adhered to as quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively as possible.

The firm said it was looking for professional estate planners and accountants to offer its probate plans and that it offered excellent remuneration packages.

Disgraced funeral plan firm Safe Hands was also looking to move into the pre-paid probate market before its collapse in March.

Around 47,000 worried customers are currently waiting to find out if they have lost their money or if their plans will be honoured.

On Companies House, a firm called Safe Hands Probate Plans was registered in March 2019.

Safe Hands former chief executive, Thomas Gormanly, was named as a director  but has since stepped down.

But Mr Gormanly has been an active director of another firm called Prepaid Probate Plans since February.

He is also a former director of the Family Trust Corporation and The Will Writing Company, which were incorporated by the Philips Trust Corporation in 2018.

Claire Davies, director of Solicitors for the Elderly, says probate plans may not take into account the complexity of a persons estate.

She likens them to cheap wills that seem like a good idea at the time but can be overly simplistic and may end up costing more if issues arise and cause havoc for families at a time when they are at their most distressed and vulnerable.

Ms Davies adds: People need to understand the risks of taking unregulated advice from companies simply looking at their profit margins.

Its important to find a properly qualified professional to support you during a stressful and upsetting time. You wouldnt go to a heart surgeon for a broken leg or a hairdresser for a wedding dress.

Emily Deane, from member body STEP, which sets and upholds standards in estate planning, says: The best way to ensure that probate costs are kept to the minimum is to appoint trusted executors, lay or professional, when making your will.

This will provide you with the peace of mind that those nominated will retain some control over the probate process and the assurance that they will keep the costs and best interests of your loved ones in mind.

Clive Darlaston, from Capital Life, says he believes all their products offer significant savings and value for customers.

He adds: It has always been the strategy of Capital Life to move into this space as Capital Life Law, who are a fully regulated law firm, and we will look to administer the probate plans using our in-house solicitors.

Capital Life follow a strict code of conduct and customers are fully protected through professional indemnity insurance.

An FCA spokesman says: The Government has changed the law for us to take over regulation of pre-paid funeral plan providers on July 29 [of this year]. Pre-paid probate plans do not fall under our extended remit which is set by HM Treasury.

The Treasury declined to comment on whether it would be taking action.

a.murray@dailymail.co.uk
Dr Nick Coatsworth says he is 'absolutely' eyeing a political career after he gained public recognition for his leading role in Australia's response to Covid-19.

The one-time deputy chief medical officer and face of the vaccine rollout would consider seeking pre-selection for federal parliament in coming years.

The 43-year-old would not necessarily run as a Liberal, as most observers had presumed, but would be open to an approach by Labor, or to launching his own independent campaign.

Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth says he is 'absolutely' eyeing a political career after he gained public recognition for his leading role in Australia's response to Covid-19. He is pictured with wife Rebecca, a lung transplant physician

Dr Coatsworth had ruled out standing for the seat of Eden-Monaro in southern New South Wales for the Liberal Party before the upcoming federal election was called.

But he saw enough of how power was wielded during his time working alongside the nation's decision-makers to realise politics held personal appeal.

Asked if he might have a tilt at parliament in future, Dr Coatsworth told Daily Mail Australia: 'Yeah, absolutely'.

'Just because my eyes have been opened to how government works,' the infectious disease physician said.

'I would definitely say that you can't operate at that high level within government during a major crisis without having some eye towards maybe political office in the future.

'It just opens it up as an option when it's never been an option before. It was never going to be on the cards for this election.'

Dr Coatsworth saw enough of how power was wielded during his time working alongside the nation's decision makers to realise politics held personal appeal. Asked if he might run in future, Dr Coatsworth told Daily Mail Australia, 'Yeah, absolutely'

If he did seek a place in parliament the straight-talking Dr Coatsworth's ambitions would likely be helped by his polished media performances and boyish good looks.

He had no interest in commentary on his appearance - 'I ignored it' - and his wife Rebecca paid no attention to his supposed status as a sex symbol. 'I don't think she cared,' he said.

Dr Coatsworth was certain of one thing: Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton had him covered 'hands down' when it came to female attention.

'He's got two calendars and many, many women buying quilts with his face on it,' he said.

Dr Coatsworth was appointed as one of three new deputy chief medical officers under Brendan Murphy at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Dr Coatsworth has played down his boyish good looks and says Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton (above) has him covered. 'He's got two calendars and many, many women buying quilts with his face on it,' he says

Despite the mudslinging that was evident particularly between some states, his new role as an insider quickly gave the father-of-three a new respect for political leadership.

He had admired the work ethic of everyone from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt to state premiers and health ministers from both major parties.

'A whole host of other people, hundreds of people, have busted their guts during the pandemic and it doesn't matter which side of politics they were on in government,' Dr Coatsworth said.

'They've worked bloody hard and it was a pretty good thing to see.'

Dr Coatsworth joked about running against Western Australia's Labor Premier Mark McGowan, whose border restrictions he has railed against, at the next state election.

But in reality he would only be interested in a federal seat.

'I think so,' Dr Coatsworth said. 'If it were to be, yes it would have to be federal but a lot of things can change in one or two election cycles. I might find myself doing something completely different.'

Dr Coatsworth says his connections are in the Liberal Party. 'If you're in your early 40s and and have had a very broad-ranging career it's probably going to be the party where you've got the most immediate connections that you go into,' he says

Perhaps more surprisingly, Dr Coatsworth did not necessarily see himself as a potential Liberal candidate. 'It's just that I don't know anyone on the other side,' he said.

'I couldn't tell you any more than my connections are strongest within the Liberal Party. But does that necessarily mean that I would run Liberal, Labor or independent in the future? I couldn't really say.'

Dr Coatsworth spoke at a breakfast fundraiser for Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February - for no fee - but would be just as happy to address a Labor audience, if invited.

'This is the thing about politics,' he said. 'If you're in your early 40s and and have had a very broad-ranging career it's probably going to be the party where you've got the most immediate connections that you go into.

'Because you're not one of those people that's gone into the parliamentary offices in their 20s, handed out pamphlets and done the whole thing.'

As he helped shape the nation's response to Covid, Dr Coatsworth witnessed up close the damage done by 'unnecessary politicking'.

He praised two leaders for largely staying above the fray: South Australian Liberal premier Steven Marshall and Andrew Barr, the Labor Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory.

Dr Coatsworth singled out for praise then South Australian Liberal premier Steven Marshall (left) and Labor's Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr (right) for the way they handled Covid-19

'There were a couple that rarely threw mud at each other,' Dr Coatsworth said. 'Steven Marshall didn't do it that much, Andrew Barr hardly ever did it in the ACT.

'He maybe had one or two very subtle cracks at NSW - so subtle you almost had to be an insider to know that they were a crack. Whereas some of the other ones... '

Dr Coatsworth then named Victoria's Labor Premier Dan Andrews and Queensland's Labor Deputy Premier Steven Miles, who had repeatedly attacked the federal government and NSW.

'Why did we need Steven Miles going off? Why did we need the same stuff from Dan Andrews and Mark McGowan?' he said.

'If we want to manage it as a federation you've almost got to have this agreement that all that stuff goes out the window.

'I don't know how you do that practically but it just gave everybody the impression that things weren't going well because there was all this political mudslinging.

'When actually, on the ground, it was all pretty good. It wasn't perfect but the numbers put us in a pretty good position compared to the rest of the world.'

Dr Coatsworth said Australia's status as a federation of separate states had caused problems and real-time data about Covid infections was not shared as well as it could have been.

Of the states, Dr Coatsworth cited Victoria as the most recalcitrant.

'What I'd say there is there is clearly one state in the country that seems to hold onto their restrictions longer than others and that's Victoria and I don't agree with it,' he said

'Ultimately it's going to come down to the people in Victoria as to whether it's the right thing to do or not. I guess they'll make that decision at the next election.'

Dr Coatsworth said Australia's status as a federation of separate states had caused some difficulties and real-time data about Covid infections was not shared as well as it could have been.

'If you're a pandemic virus and you want to find a model of government that's going to be the easiest for you to come in and infect the nation and have a disjointed response, you'd pick a federation,' he said.

A possible solution was to pass legislation that ceded public health powers from the states to the federal government as soon as the chief medical officer declared a pandemic.

Dr Coatsworth said Queensland's Labor Deputy Premier Steven Miles (left) and Western Australia's Labor Premier Mark McGowan (right) engaged in too much politicking over federal advice on Covid vaccines and restrictions

'I think it should be considered,' Dr Coatsworth said. 'I think everything should be on the table and nothing should be prejudged.'

Dr Coatsworth said there were pros and cons to being a federation when handling a pandemic.

One major downside was that individual chief health officers had responsibility for their own state or territory.

'When it started to fracture and fragment people didn't understand why the rules with different in NSW to Queensland to Victoria to South Australia,' Dr Coatsworth said.

'The good side of it is that individual states who were early movers on coming out of it like NSW could show that you could lift restrictions and your whole society wasn't going to fall apart.

'That wasn't a Labor-Liberal thing at all, it was just a function of federation.'

Of the states, Dr Coatsworth cited Victoria under Premier Dan Andrews (above) as the most recalcitrant. 'Why did we need Steven Miles going off? Why did we need the same stuff from Dan Andrews and Mark McGowan?' he said

Dr Coatsworth noted it was South Australia's new Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas who had moved first in removing vaccination mandates for teachers.

'So that's where the federation is kind of useful because you can see what one state's doing and what's working and what's not,' he said.

'Whereas if you've only got one person, one government, making the decision, you kind of lose that.'

Dr Coatsworth said it was a problem with politics that potential candidates for office were not canvassed more broadly by the major parties.

'I think people in their 40s should be approached by different parties,' he said.

'What you want in parliament is a mixture, maybe even 50/50, of people who are career politicians and people who the parties have asked to come in because they've got a lot of experience and are philosophically aligned with them.

At the height of his public appearances it had been impossible to go shopping without being recognised but that had dropped off in the months since. 'It was fun whilst it lasted,' he said

'If both Labor and Liberal did that I reckon your average punter would be a lot happier with the situation. I certainly would be.'

Coatsworth returned to Canberra Hospital after leaving his government job and is now completing a Phd on health in foreign policy at Australian National University.

At the height of his public appearances it had been impossible to go shopping without being recognised but that had dropped off in the months since.

'It was fun whilst it lasted,' he said.

'Six months ago everybody would go, 'You're the guy from the Covid ads' and now people are just going, 'Didn't you come into my restaurant last week?'

'So they know the face but it just shows you it fades pretty quickly.'
A lucky Australian has snapped up a house in Italy for just $1.50, before buying a second dream Mediterranean bolthole for just $11,000.

Queenslander Danny McCubbin had seen the scheme advertised online, where foreigners are encouraged to bring money into small towns by being allowed to snap up bargain property.

SBS is featuring his story on its Dateline program on Tuesday night at 9.30.

Mr McCubbin, 57, is originally from the Gold Coast and worked in London from 1998 onwards, including 17 years with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Working with Oliver - who is famous for his use of Italian food and setting up social food programs in London - helped fire up Mr McCubbin's interest in Italy.

Danny McCubbin has set up The Good Kitchen in Mussomeli on the Italian island of Sicily

The kitchen (pictured) of the house Danny McCubbin bought for $1.50 on the Italian island of Sicily. He ditched plans to renovate the home after realising it had too many structural issues and bought another for 8,000 ($11,700), which he is now living in as it only needed minor renovations

When he heard about houses being sold in Italy for 1, he couldn't resist - and with the average Australian house price now $1.1million, it made a lot more sense than moving back home.

'I first saw on CNN the headline about buying a house in Italy for 1. Like many people I thought it was too good to be true.

After looking at a few towns selling 1 houses, Mr McCubbin settled on Mussomeli, a town that has housing for 40,000 people but a population of only 11,000, with many old homes having been left abandoned for years.

Many towns in Italy have these 1 schemes, but Mussomeli has been hailed a success thanks to clever marketing.

Instead of enticing young Italians here to repopulate, they're targeting foreigners with the dream of owning an Italian home.

A medieval street in the town of Mussomeli, Italy, where Australian ex-pat Danny McCubbin bought a house for 1

Australian man Danny McCubbin (pictured right) with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (left) who he worked with for 17 years before moving to Italy

Why are villages towns in Italy selling houses for 1 ($1.50)? Italy has suffered from rural depopulation for decades as people move to cities for work. Around 2,500 towns across Italy are on their way to becoming ghost towns. Offering houses for next to nothing is a way of trying to repopulate the towns with younger people, both from other parts of Italy and abroad. The 1 houses need to have a minimum of 20,000 of work done to them. But there are other, so called 'premium houses' available in Italy for about 8,000 ($11,700) which need far less work done before moving in. Advertisement

The town now gets around 1,000 emails a day asking about the 1 homes.

'I loved the fact that Mussomeli was very remote. It's in the centre of Sicily. I grew up in the country with farming and the land in my soul,' he said.

'There's a sense of kindness here. People talk to each other, they say hello.'

The pandemic may not have dampened his love for the idea, but it did cause delays and damage to the house he bought.

'The 1 house stood still during the pandemic for a year and the two houses either side caused a lot of damage into it.

'By the time I went to renovate it the cost had skyrocketed. Building costs had gone up in the town and then the house crumbled even further.'

McCubbin decided to give up on his plan to renovate the $1.50 house.

He was not deterred to give up on the dream altogether.

He found a more suitable house that only cost $11,700 - and just needed minor renovations.

'The real estate agents here now refer to them as "premium houses". Mine was 8,000 ($11,700), which is hilarious because it's less than the cost of my car that I bought here.'

He's now been living there for more than a year, and explained a lot of people are now buying the premium houses rather than the 1 ones.

'It's less of a risk. You aren't buying something that could cost a lot of money to renovate,' he said.

SBS's Dateline reporter Evan Williams (pictured right) has made a program about Italy's efforts to repopulate rural towns and villages. Pictured with him is Valeria Sorce, an Italian real estate agent selling houses for as little as 1

Australian Danny McCubbin (pictured left) has settled into life in the Italian town of Mussomeli. He is pictured with SBS's Dateline reporter Evan Williams (centre) and an SBS cameraman

Mr McCubbin knows he made the right choice.

'I don't have any building skills and I'm not a great handyman, but I could tell with this house that the foundations were pretty good and that it was in a pretty good state compared to many of them, some of which are just rubble.

'What's good about this place is that it's original. It's been abandoned for 15 years, so it's as if the person just got up and left.'

He has kept a lot of the previous owner's items 'because there's some good memories here and lovely objects'.

Among the things he kept are a wood fired stove in the kitchen, along with pots and some classic Italian coffee makers.

The locals 'were a bit dubious at first (but) they are welcoming if you have the right attitude,' he said.

Danny McCubbin is pictured outside the house in Italy he bought for $1.50 under a scheme to repopulate rural villages and towns

Danny McCubbin, who grew up in Queensland, bought this house (pictured) for $1.50 in Italy. The table, chairs and bottles were included

He arranged for local supermarkets and fruit and vegetable wholesalers to deliver food they would otherwise throw out, so he can use it help those in need.

Mr McCubbin and others prepare hot meals for vulnerable locals at The Good Kitchen - a community kitchen he set up as part of a charity in the town square.

The Good Kitchen delivers 100 meals a week to the needy.

With youth unemployment at 50 per cent in Sicily, he wants The Good Kitchen to becomes a social enterprise, employing young people in the town.

A young man called Salvatore is helping him on court ordered community service.

Danny McCubbin, bought another home (pictured) for $11,700, after realising the $1.50 home needed too many structural repairs

He's been living in the $11,700 home for months now, which features incredible views over the Italian countryside

'It's a way to help the community, to feel good about myself,' Salvatore said. 'I love it, it's an amazing environment. Danny is an amazing guy and I get along with him.'

Ten-year-old Davide also helps out and said 'When I'm older I want to run a restaurant with some friends.'

With young people being inspired like this, it's no wonder Danny McCubbin, who is learning Italian by using it every day, has become a valued member of the Mussomeli community.

'The 1 house was the hook, but it's a lifestyle for me.'

Danny McCubbin features on Dateline on Tuesday, April 19 at 9.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
A staffer who claims to have been fired by Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) claimed the young lawmaker did 'illegal' things to her and ripped him as a 'bad person' in leaked audio released on Monday.

Lisa Wiggins, who was a caseworker in Cawthorn's office, indicated she had filed an employment-related lawsuit against the Republican firebrand.

In a leaked 16-minute phone call published by a political fundraising operation nicknamed 'Fire Madison Cawthorn,' the former staffer describes jaw-dropping conditions in the lawmaker's one North Carolina office -- and claims he closed the rest after neglecting to hire enough caseworkers to run them.

Wiggins claimed she was not allowed to take leave from work when her husband suffered a heart attack and her uncle died in the span of a single week.

'What hes done to me was illegal, morally wrong, you name it, its been done,' Wiggins said.

Without invoking Cawthorn's name, she also said, 'As far as the candidate himself, I mean, hes just a bad person.

'Hes a habitual liar and hes going to say and do anything he can to your face but behind your back hes completely opposite,' Wiggins claimed.

Cawthorn's Hendersonville, North Carolina office allegedly has 'more liquor bottles than they do water bottles' and even had animals like puppies and kittens running around.

'Hes got a litter box in there, for Heaven's sakes,' Wiggins said.

'People need to know how this man really is. Hes still got a lot of people fooled, an ex-staffer of Madison Cawthorn's said in a leaked phone call

She also said of her ex-boss, 'People need to know how this man really is. Hes still got a lot of people fooled.

North Carolina law requires just one participating party's consent to record a telephone conversation. The contents of the explosive call were first reported by Smoky Mountain News.

Wiggins suggested on the call multiple times that she has 'a lot of good stories' about Cawthorn but was hesitant about providing them over the phone.

'Of course I've got a lot of information against the candidate himself only I would know these things and people would put it together that it was me,' she can be heard explaining.

Some of those involve his apparently hard-partying ways -- even as Cawthorn still deals with the fallout from claiming he was invited to a cocaine-fueled orgy by more senior members of Congress.

'A lot of its the partying and the drinking,' she said of the information she had. 'I mean drinking like crazy, partying.'

Her list of accusations against the 26-year-old pro-Trump member of Congress also extend to his constituents, claiming he 'doesn't care' about the people he was elected to serve.

The former staffer, Lisa Wiggins, said she had a lot of 'good stories' about the young congressman that involve his 'drinking like crazy, partying'

She also accused the Republican of only helping his constituents when he needs to gin up support back home in his district

Wiggins also said she had stories to share about Cawthorn's divorce from his wife of less than a year

For instance, she said he closed all of his district offices but one. And rather than informing constituents of the change, he allegedly uses call-forwarding to channel all calls to Hendersonville.

Wiggins said she knew that was true because she 'drove and closed them all.'

'He didnt have enough caseworkers to man them. He didnt care, he doesnt care about his constituents. He does not care,' she said.

Commenting on the physical size of Cawthorn's partially-rural district, she continued: 'If you come from Cherokee County youre driving five hours to see your congressman.'

'But you cant see your congressman anyway when you go to the office. Theres no way you can get a meeting with him unless hes trying to pull some votes and thats about the only way,' she said.

Cawthorn quickly made a national name for himself with bombastic, controversial statements and ironclad support for former President Trump

The former staffer also claimed that sexual assault allegations against the sitting lawmaker from before he came to Congress were at least partially true.

'I know all of thats not true, but I know some of it is,' she said of the allegations.

Multiple women have accused Cawthorn of taking them on what he called fun rides when he was a teen and during college.

A former college classmate told CNN, 'His MO was to take vulnerable women out on these rides with him in the car, and to make advances.

Another woman who went to Patrick Henry College with Cawthorn told Buzzfeed News that he had grabbed her thigh under her dress.

She claimed that he took her for a drive, then when she rejected his advances, he turned the car around and sped back at an alarming speed.

Former classmate Caitlin Coulter said one ride with Cawthorn made her feel 'so uncomfortable and nervous.'

Cawthorn said in a debate during his first House campaign, 'I have never done anything sexually inappropriate in my life.'

In her leaked phone call, Wiggins seemed to indicate that an account from Cawthorn's time from Patrick Henry is true.
An experienced female pilot was killed instantly after her plane crashed into a potato processing plant with a large chimney next to a rural airport in Idaho.

Brittney Infanger, 30, was flying UPS packages from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Burley, Idaho, when the tragedy took place last week.

Around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 90 minutes into her flight, Brittney's single-engine 208B plane crashed into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn, Idaho.

Brittney, described as a 'well-respected pilot beyond her years,' had more than 11 years of flying experience around Utah and Idaho.

Her distraught father, Jim Bob Infanger, has said Brittney knew the area well and flew to Burley International Airport all the time. He blamed a hazardous chimney on the Gem State Processing Plant for the deadly crash - and called for authorities to close the nearby landing strip.

'There's a 60-foot chimney sticking out of the of the food processing plant - no lights on it, dead center - straight across the runway. So whenever you come in, you have to fly over the top of this and drop down,' Jim Bob told local news outlet EastIdahonews.com.

'The airport needs to be closed, period,' Jim Bob said in the aftermath of the accident. 'I'm a pilot myself and...many pilots have told me how unsafe the Burley Airport is and how they've begged the county to relocate it.'

'They've allowed this potato plant to continue to expand and this chimney comes on and has a huge amount of steam. If the wind is blowing...you fly right into this wall of steam.'

The Burley Airport is on the bank of the Snake River. On the other side of the river is the Gem State Processing Plant. Jim Bob has said Brittney might have hit a bird in her way down when approaching the airport.

Brittney Infanger, 30, was flying UPS packages from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Burley, Idaho, when she crashed her single-engine 208B plane into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn, Idaho

Brittney, described as a 'well-respected pilot beyond her years,' had more than 11 years of flying experience around Utah and Idaho

Her distraught father, Jim Bob Infanger (right), has said Brittney knew the area well and flew to Burley International Airport all the time. He blamed a hazardous chimney on the Gem State Processing Plant for the deadly crash

Brittney's parents, Jim Bob (right) and Sharon Infanger (left) are now railing to get Burley International Airport closed

On April 13, Brittney took off from Salt Lake City International Airport around 7 a.m. before crashing into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn

Heyburn Police and Minidoka County Sheriff's Office said Brittney was flying too low while attempting to land.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the crash.

DailyMail.com has reached out for comment.

'We're just sad and horrified and heartbroken,' Jim Bob told FOX.

Brittney's parents have accused Cassia County officials of keeping the Burley Airport in operation despite reports of difficult landings from pilots.

Brittney worked for a company contracted by UPS. The experienced and highly regarded aviator was one of the main pilots chosen to fly the UPS routes.

On April 13, she took off from Salt Lake City International Airport around 7 a.m. before crashing into the Gem State Processing Plant in Heyburn.

First responders found Brittney's single-engine 208B plane upside down. She was the only victim and the structure of the plant suffered little damage, authorities said.

Brittney's parents told FOX she was a model daughter and pilot and had achieved so much in life.

Jim Bob (left) and his wife, Sharon Infanger (right), are now demanding Cassia County authorities close Burley International Airport, citing how dangerous landing is, even for experienced pilots

Heyburn Police and Minidoka County Sheriff's Office said Brittney was flying too low while attempting to land. The Burley Airport is on the bank of the Snake River. On the other side of the river is the Gem State Processing Plant

Brittney, the fifth of seven children, was an honor student and athlete in high school and college and at 30 had more than 11 years of flying experience

Brittney had followed in the footsteps of her pilot father and took her first solo flight when she was just 19. I'm just reflecting on the amazing life she had,' her mother said. 'She just lived her dream. She loved to fly. She was very adventurous.'

The fifth of seven children was an honor student and athlete in high school and college and at 30 had more than 11 years of flying experience.

She had followed in the footsteps of her pilot father and took her first solo flight when she was just 19. Brittney went to college in Arizona and started teaching aspiring pilots before moving to Idaho during the pandemic to continue teaching.

She had settled in Salmon, where her parents also reside.

'It's devastating that she's gone ... I'm just reflecting on the amazing life she had,' her mother told FOX.

'She just lived her dream. She loved to fly. She was very adventurous.'

Her parents are now railing to get Burley International Airport closed.

'On a typical flight in, you have to go over the top of these obstructions and then quickly drop down to get on the runway that's right at the edge of the river,' Jim Bob told FOX. 'So it's a very, very technical airport to come into.'

'Our mission is to get the Burley Airport closed,' he added. 'We don't think it's safe for pilots going in and out.'

Meanwhile, Brittney was remembered fondly by her sister, Erica Dawn Hill.

'Brittney was a light. She had a knack for making everyone she met feel important and loved. She was spontaneous, adventurous and driven,' Erica wrote on Instagram.

'She always loved flying, and now she has her wings.'

Brittney's funeral will be held on April 23.
New Zealand Police are on the hunt for two women who robbed a Kmart, with one alleged to have viciously stabbed two employees with a pair of kitchen tongs.

The women became embroiled in a fight with staff members at the Kmart store in Hamilton, south of Auckland, after allegedly trying to steal a trolley full of goods on Saturday at about 11.30pm.

A video on Facebook shows the women fighting with the staff as they try to escape the store.

Scroll down for the video.

Two women are alleged to have robbed and assaulted staff members at a Kmart store at Hamilton, New Zealand late on Saturday night

The video shows one of the women - wearing a black Adidas hoodie - arguing with two male staff members near the store's entrance.

The aggressive woman repeatedly swipes at one of the employees with a pair of steel kitchen tongs, stabbing him at least three times.

Meanwhile the other woman - also wearing a black hoodie - fights with a female staff worker and grabs hold of her hair.

The staff member attempts to push off the woman with the help of a member of the public but the woman fights back by kicking the worker in the stomach.

One of the women allegedly stabbed an employee with kitchen tongs before fleeing, while the other fought with a female Kmart employee

New Zealand Police said they are still searching for the women after both fled the store

The woman in the Adidas hoodie then approaches and appears to stab the female worker in the back with the tongs before bundling up clothing, a handbag, hair straightener and quilt before fleeing the store.

The female employee is eventually able to free herself from the other woman's grip. The second woman in black falls to the floor before getting up leaving the store.

New Zealand Police confirmed they received reports of the assault but had been unable to locate the women.

'Two people were injured but declined medical assistance. Enquiries are ongoing to locate those responsible,' a spokesperson said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kmart for comment.
Customers shop for summer clothes at a department store in Seoul on Tuesday, a day after the government decided to drop most COVID-19 restrictions in the country. Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



Supermarkets, department stores and other retailers are bracing for the post-pandemic era as the government lifts most social distancing measures, according to company officials, Tuesday. Additionally, they are hiring more workers and boosting marketing activities as more people return to the stores.



"The Korea Chainstores Association is currently in talks with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy about when and how they will ease COVID-19 measures at supermarkets. Once the details come out on the solution, our customers will be able to try free samples for new food items at E-mart," E-mart senior manager Lee Sang-min said.



E-mart, Lotte Mart and Homeplus are planning to bring back free-sample booths to their outlets on April 25. The government has been restricting the promotional events at supermarkets since last July to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Food accounts for more than 60 percent of sales at large retail stores and retailers expect the reintroduction of free samples to boost business.



"Food companies have been delaying the launch of their new products during the last two years of the pandemic. For them, free samples are an important tool as people mostly buy new items after trying them at supermarkets. We also expect more customers to visit our stores with more new products being introduced in the near future," a Lotte Mart official said.



Department stores are preparing for various marketing events to continue their sales boost in advance of the summer.



Early next month, Hyundai Department Store locations will hold the largest cosmetics event since before the pandemic. More than 40 percent of cosmetics brands that joined last year's "beauty fair" will sell their products at Hyundai Department Store locations this year.



Lotte Department Store is conducting a "wedding promotional event," aiming to target those getting married this year. The retailer will give discounts on home appliances for couples and offer gift cards to those purchasing luxury watches and jewelry costing over 2 million won ($1,617.30).



"Many couples have delayed their weddings during the pandemic. With the country returning to normal, we expect to see an increase in sales of household goods and wedding presents," a Lotte Department Store official said.


A man has suffered severe burns to his face and neck after a large chemical warehouse went up in flames in Sydney's west, spewing toxic smoke across the western Sydney skyline.

The Cleanaway Liquid Waste facility caught on fire at about 6:30am on Christie Street in St Mary's after aerosol cans and a liquid petroleum gas cylinder exploded.

More than 130 firefighters and 26 fire trucks rushed to the scene with paramedics treating a man in his 30's for serious burn to his body.

A man has suffered severe burns to his face and neck after a large chemical warehouse went up in flames in St Mary's in Sydney's west (pictured)

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has urged locals to stay indoors and shut their windows to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes.

As firefighters battled to control the blaze from spreading to neighboring sites, workers were told to evacuate immediately.

'Aerosol cans are exploding within the site where a liquid petroleum gas cylinder is also alight,' FRNSW said in a statement.

'The fire is producing a a large amount of fumes and FRNSW is advising residents to stay indoors and shut any windows.

'The public is also being urged to avoid the area if possible.'

NSW Ambulance Acting Inspector Gregory Marshall said a man in his 30s had received 'serious burns' in the fire.

'Paramedics were confronted with a major fire and found a male patient in his 30s with serious burns to multiple areas of his body,' Mr Marshall said.

'This is an ongoing incident and NSW Ambulance will remain on scene to provide medical support to NSW Fire and Rescue.'

More than 130 firefighters and 26 fire trucks rushed to the scene (pictured) with paramedics treating a man in his 30's for serious burn to his body

The man in his 30s was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition while another patient was assessed on the scene for minor injuries.

Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry told 2GB radio at about 8am the blaze was under control and said it was too early to say what had triggered it.

The fire is the second in three months that has broken out at depots of the Sydney waste giant, the other starting at the Glendenning facility on February 7.

The same location in Sydney's west was fined $15,000 in March, 2021 after chemicals and flammable liquids were incorrectly stored and exposed to sunlight.

The previous November, Cleanaway was handed a $31,500 fine by the Environmental Protection Agency for incorrectly storing waste at three NSW locations; Rutherford, Wetherill Park and Windsor.
A high school teacher in Texas has lost his job and faces jail time after he was caught watching a pornographic film when it showed up on a projector during class.

Kevin Welchel, who taught at Klein Collins High School in Houston, apparently was watching the inappropriate video on a laptop when it showed up on a big screen in the classroom.

'The individual was immediately removed and is no longer employed by the district,' district spokesperson Justin Elbert told the Houston Chronicle when asked about the story.

'The district does not tolerate such completely unacceptable conduct,' Elbert added.

The incident has not only lost Welchel his job but landed him in legal trouble that could end in a jail sentence.

Parents, strangely enough, were divided on the topic.

One mom told the Houston Chronicle that it was 'very inappropriate' and 'very, very unprofessional' but another said she was saddened at losing Welchel as an educator.

'He was an excellent teacher and our children loved him,' one of the moms said. 'It's really unfortunate that this happened.'

A high school teacher in Texas has lost his job and faces jail time after he was caught watching a pornographic film when it showed up on a projector during class

Kevin Welchel, who taught at Klein Collins High School in Houston, apparently was watching the inappropriate video on a laptop when it showed up on the big screen

'The individual was immediately removed and is no longer employed by the district,' district spokesperson Justin Elbert told the Houston Chronicle when asked about the story

Klein Collins High School - which has just under 3,500 students - and Klein ISD has promised that 'all appropriate legal action will be taken to the fullest extent of the law'

The district said that Welchel has been criminally charged with 'display of harmful material to a minor.' If found guilty, he faces up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Klein Collins High School - which has just under 3,500 students - and Klein ISD has promised that 'all appropriate legal action will be taken to the fullest extent of the law.'

Welchel has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Witnesses who filmed a 17-year-old boy being stabbed to death while working at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney still refuse to come forward a week later.

The attack against ride attendant Uati 'Pele' Faletolu, where he was knifed in the chest, was filmed by multiple onlookers who have not shared their videos.

Police told Daily Mail Australia they know there is mobile phone footage out there as there were a 'significant amount of juveniles' seen filming the event.

Mr Faletolu (pictured left with his girlfriend Taylor Piliae) was killed when gang members set upon in when he took his break while working at the Royal Easter Show last week.

Homicide squad boss Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said they may not be co-operating 'due to either misguided loyalties or fear of retribution'.

'Of the vision we have already reviewed, we know there was a significant amount of people filming the incident, many of whom have not yet supplied the vision to police,' he said.

'In our experience, it is likely that someone  or many people  has unknowingly captured a clear shot of something of relevance to the investigation.'

Police are confident the killer will be brought to justice after the deadly skirmish in front of families enjoying the Royal Show.

Homicide detectives were brought in to get to the bottom of what happened as they scan through grainy phone footage of the brawl.

Uati died on the way to hospital after he was set upon in the carnival area on April 11.

Police are searching through grainy footage of the stabbing (pictured) to find Mr Faletolu's killer, and are confident of bringing them to justice.

It has been revealed that Mr Faletolu (pictured with this girlfriend) belonged to a Doonside group that are connected to a complex web of gang-related violence in Western Sydney

Another boy, 16, was stabbed in the leg and received treatment for his wounds, while a 15-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly taking part in the scuffle.

Police are looking for two more boys they suspect were involved in the fight.

Members from two rival groups named 67 and 27, after Doonside and Mount Druitt, are thought to be to behind the skirmish as part of a 'postcode war'.

Uati belonged to the Doonside gang and in a video of the arrest, another teenager yelled 'six, seven, motherf**ker' as police officers secured his handcuffs.

The youth gangs are active in the inner west to various western Sydney suburbs including Blacktown, Merrylands, Guildford, Doonside and Mount Druitt.

Another deadly gang-related confrontation was videoed last August when teenager Jason Galleghan was bludgeoned to death in his Doonside home.

Since then, video has emerged with audio of his attackers calling on the young man to denounce his connections to a gang, and to apologise to the Mount Druitt faction.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to the $10,000 state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, a Trump-era tax law that hit the pocketbooks of wealthy people in blue states.

New York led a group of states including Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey in seeking to strike down the law that limits people to deducting $10,000 of state and local tax from their federal tax bill. The cap was enacted as part of the 2017 Trump tax bill as a way to offset other cuts.

The states had argued that the cap improperly encroached on their taxing ability.

'The long history of federal income taxation demonstrates that Congress and the States equally understood that a deduction for all or nearly all state and local property and income taxes was constitutionally required to preserve state sovereign taxing authority,' the states wrote in a March court filing.

In October of last year, a Second Circuit Court of Appeals had rejected the state's argument that the deduction was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court did not give a reason on why it declined to hear the case.

Congressional Democrats in blue states oppose the cap - the House-passed Build Back Better plan rose the cap to $80,000 until 2031, but that bill failed in the Senate.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to the $10,000 state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, a Trump-era tax law that hit the pocketbooks of wealthy people in blue states

The SALT cap lift was not in President Biden's original bill but was added on by a group of moderates from high-tax states like New York and New Jersey, Reps. Bill Pascrell, N.J., Tom Suozzi, N.Y., Josh Gottheimer, N.J., and Mikie Sherrill, N.Y.

The 'SALT Caucus' as they've called themselves even threatened to vote against a scaled-down version of the social and climate spending bill does not lift SALT caps.

Maine Rep. Jared Golden was the only Democrat to vote against the Build Back Better act due to the SALT cap lift, which was the most costly provision of the bill.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., led a group of coastal Democrats in threatening to tank the Build Back Better plan if it didn't include raising the SALT cap

Rep. Jared Golden, Maine, was left the lone Democratic defector on the bill

'The current House version of SALT gives millionaires thousands in cash, while people who make less than about $100,000 per year get less than $20 on average. his policy costs $286 billion. Why would we do that?' he tweeted.

Golden said that the bill made it seem like 'Republicans were in charge.'

'The fact that more people and orgs on the Democratic side aren't up in arms about this is wild,' he wrote.

Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders said of the SALT plan: 'It's bad policy, it's bad politics.'

'Democrats have campaigned on the understanding that amid massive income and wealth inequality, we've got to demand the wealthy start paying their fair share, not give them more breaks,' he said.

Sanders came out with a plan with New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez that instead of raising the cap exempts those making $400,000 or less from the existing $10,000 cap.
Troubled comedian Andy Dick was visited by cops in Las Vegas Saturday while staying with a Twitch streamer, who apparently pulled a gun on a third man during a chaotic scene caught on camera - the latest in a long string of bizarre behavior and run-ins with the law in recent years.

The comedian can also be heard pleading 'don't shoot the gun' in the background.

Video from the live stream shows Dick with a relatively unknown internet personality known online as Wappy Flanker, at whose apartment Dick has apparently been sleeping at recently.

In the shocking video, which was attempting to raise money to help the beleaguered comedian, a third man joins the pair at Flanker's place - where an argument quickly breaks out. Flanker then pulls out a gun and warns the man to leave.

'Don't shoot the gun,' Dick can be heard saying in the background.

TMZ reported that authorities were alerted to the situation after someone who was watching the live stream called for a welfare check.

Commenters online began to speculate that Dick is being held hostage at the meager apartment - though the 55-year-old reportedly told police that he wanted to remain at the home.

Dick has previously struggled with substance abuse, and has had multiple brushes with the law in recent years.

Scroll down for video

Andy Dick, center, speaks to cops after a gun was pulled during one of his live streams

TMZ reported that authorities were alerted to the situation after someone who was watching the live stream, pictured, called for a welfare check

Video from the live stream shows Dick, who was with the personality known as Wappy Flanker, as a third man joined them at Wappy's place where an argument broke out

The live stream is seeking donations for Dick, pictured towards the top, who appears to be sleeping on a cot in the living room

Pictured: a screenshot from Dick's live stream from Saturday, where a gun was pulled and cops were called

In 2019, he was sentenced to 14 days in jail for sexual battery after allegedly squeezing a woman's butt, but was released after just one night of serving time due to overcrowding.

In April 2018, he plead not guilty to one count of misdemeanor sexual battery for allegedly groped the crotch of his male Uber driver.

Police spoke to both men, and eventually left without citing or arresting anyone.

Just the day before the cops were called, Flanker can be seen in another video with a gun on his waistband while Dick yells at an unnamed third party offscreen.

In recent Twitch streams and videos posted online, Dick can be seen walking around an unfurnished apartment, where he appears to be sleeping on a cot in the living room.

Last year, the troubled comedian was also arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly attacking his lover with a metal chair in Los Angeles.

Andy Dick, pictured with friends on the comedian's Instagram story

Andy Dick was arrested last year for allegedly assaulting someone with a deadly weapon on Saturday in the Los Angeles, as confirmed by Page Six; seen in 2016

The troubled star's friend Elisa Jordana, 33, revealed the arrest on her YouTube show, Kermit and Friends in June 2021, while alleging Dick 'assaulted his lover Lucas.'

'He could have killed him,' she said of the victim, who was taken to Cedars-Sinai hospital to treat his injuries. 'I saw pictures, I saw video; it's not good.'

The LAPD later confirmed Dick had been arrested, Page Six reported.

Andy also has an adult son named Lucas but Jordana called the man Andy allegedly hit with the chair was his 'lover' - it is unclear who he is, as she did not give a last name.

Jordana (born Elisa Ann Schwartz), who stated Dick gets 'very aggressive' when drunk, said 'there were signs ' that 'something was going to happen.'
More than 1,000 migrants have come across the Channel since last weeks announcement of an asylum deal with Rwanda.

An estimated 90 people, mainly men, were picked up by a Border Force vessel and brought into Dover yesterday morning.

The Ministry of Defence, which has assumed command of operations in the Channel, confirmed there were 76 arrivals on Sunday.

It means that  not including yesterdays unconfirmed total  1,074 migrants have reached UK shores since details of the Rwanda agreement emerged on Thursday.

Dozens of migrants flocked to Britain yesterday as there were warnings attempts to deter illegal crossings could lead to a short-term surge

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Migrants picked up at sea while attempting to cross the English Channel, are pictured on a UK Border Force boat entering the marina in Dover, on April 18

Despite the intensity of the crisis, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams added his voice to criticisms of the Rwanda scheme yesterday.

Asked by Times Radio presenter John Pienaar whether the deal was sinful, Lord Williams said: In a word, yes. Without commenting on the motivation or moral standing of any individual, the policy itself seems to me to be not in accord with what I understand about God.

His intervention came a day after one by his successor. Justin Welby said in his Easter Sunday sermon that the measures would not stand up to the judgment of God and that there were serious ethical questions about sending asylum seekers overseas.

Home Secretary Priti Patel challenged critics of the deal to come up with alternative measures to solve the crisis.

A young child in a yellow animal onesie was among a group of migrants brought in to Dover, Kent, after a small boat incident

Under a scheme designed to crack down on migrants landing on British shores after crossing the Channel in small boats, the UK intends to provide those deemed to have arrived unlawfully with a one-way ticket to Rwanda

A group of migrants were saved from a small boat in the Channel today, given orange-red life jackets and brought to Dove

In a joint article for The Times with Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta, she wrote: We are taking bold and innovative steps and its surprising that those institutions that criticise the plan fail to offer their own solution.

Since the start of the year 6,342 Channel migrants have arrived in the UK  a level not reached last year until early July.

Under Miss Patels new policy, tens of thousands of migrants who arrive in Britain through irregular routes will be sent to Rwanda to claim asylum there.

Energy minister Greg Hands said it would be a significant deterrent against attempts to cross the Channel.

More than 6,000 migrants have been detained after making the dangerous journey across the Channel so far this year

A man gestures as migrants arrive at Dover Marina after being picked up by the border force in the Channel on April 18

The Government announced last week it plans to provide failed asylum seekers, including those crossing the Channel in small boats, with a one-way ticket to Rwanda

Two large dinghies were detected with around 90 people crammed on board and were brought into Dover Harbour on the Border Force vessel Hurricane

Each migrant was given a life jacket and taken to Dover, Kent, for processing. However, even migrants arriving today could face being sent to Rwanda

Migrants who are sent with a one-way ticket to Rwanda would face a flight more than 4,000 miles away to the African country

The UN has branded the proposed scheme as 'unacceptable' while the Archbishop of Canterbury said it was 'ungodly'

We think that it will work and we are confident that it will work, he told Times Radio.

We need to be sending that message now  that crossing the Channel illegally isnt necessarily going to lead to the person being located in the UK.

Other senior government figures say the Channel crisis is being driven by people-trafficking gangs.

They charge thousands of pounds for a seat in flimsy boats, leading to tragedies such as the drowning of 27 men, women and children last November.

In 2019, 39 trafficked Vietnamese migrants were found suffocated in the back of a refrigerated lorry in Purfleet, Essex.

A record 28,395 migrants reached the UK illegally last year by taking small boats across the Channel, a 200 per cent increase on 2020's tally

Migrants travelling to the UK on small boats will be put on jets and sent 4,000 miles away to Rwanda while their applications are processed. Pictured: A map detailing the plan proposed by the Prime Minister

A total of 28,526 migrants made the Channel crossing last year  three times the 2020 total  and Home Office officials have warned this years total could reach 65,000.

A Home Office spokesman said: The UK has a proud history of supporting those in need of protection and our resettlement programmes have provided safe and legal routes to better futures for hundreds of thousands of people.

However, the world is facing a migration crisis on an unprecedented scale and change is needed to prevent vile people smugglers putting peoples lives at risk and to fix the broken global asylum system.

Rwanda is a fundamentally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers. They will process claims in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention, national and international human rights laws.

A view of facilities at Hope House, a hostel in Nyabugogo, the Gasabo district of the capital city Kigali, in Rwanda - where migrants shipped from Britain will initially be taken
For the second time in her life, Angela Dzahnoian has been forced to flee the horrors of war.

The lawyer, 35, originally from Sukhumi in Georgia, still remembers at the age of six hearing 20 masked Russian-backed separatists ransack their house in 1994.

They jumped over a fence and stormed in, startling their parents and grandparents. They stole our food, our jewellery, even the carpets, Angela recalled. They beat up my parents and grandparents.

She and her sisters, Diana and Liana, now 30 and 33, were getting ready for bed on that night.

The lawyer, 35, originally from Sukhumi in Georgia, still remembers at the age of six hearing 20 masked Russian-backed separatists ransack their house in 1994

The incident haunts them and their mother Marina, 54, to this day. The next day, the family, which has Armenian roots, put their possessions into a car and drove to Ukraine.

Three decades later, the family saw history repeat itself as Angela and her daughter Amelie, seven, escaped from the Ukrainian town of Chaplynka, which has been under Russian occupation for much of the past seven weeks. She met her sister Diana at a drop-in centre for displaced Ukrainians in the southern city of Odessa which is safe for now.

Whenever we would go to buy food, the Russian soldiers would just steal it at checkpoints, she said. At the start, local farmers would help by giving out produce. But their resources are exhausted. It is very hard to buy bread. The Russians do not allow aid to go inside.

The single mother said she barely left her house because she was too scared of being shot.

She got out of Chaplynka on Saturday, with her sister Zhanna, 22, and her 10-month-old son Artem. It was frightening with all the shelling, she said.

Twelve hours later, the four sisters ate together at Dianas flat in Odessa. All of them are now naturalised Ukrainians and proud of their homeland.

Angela said: We do not want to be Russian. We do not want to live under their flag. If we leave Ukraine, we will do it as a family.
Ukrainian war reporters are being protected by kit bought with the help of a 20,000 donation from the Mail.

At least 21 journalists of all nationalities have been killed since Russia invaded on February 24, with vital body armour initially in short supply.

But the money from the Mail has now provided protective equipment to Ukrainian journalists bravely reporting from the front line, or exposing atrocities committed by Vladimir Putin's forces.

The cash comes from company funds and not from the generous donations from readers to the Mail Force Ukraine Appeal. Among those benefiting is renowned photojournalist Bohdan Bortakov, who received a helmet and vest.

Renowned photojournalist Bohdan Bortakov received a helmet and vest with the help of a 20,000 donation from the Mail

Another recipient, Andriy Kovalenko, has been working as a fixer for foreign journalists, helping them tell his country's stories to readers and viewers around the world.

Praising the donation, he said the equipment had enabled him to reveal the truth about 'war crimes, executions, mass graves and destroyed cities'.

The Daily Mail's contribution, which was paid via the European Federation of Journalists, is also being used to fund a network of 'solidarity centres' where journalists can work and recuperate while sharing knowledge with colleagues.

Sergiy Tomilenko, president of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, said: 'Journalists and the media are targeted by the Russian invaders as enemies for reporting the war crimes they have committed.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: 'I am very pleased that the Mail has donated support to Ukrainian journalists on the front line'

'So we are very grateful to the Daily Mail for helping to fund equipment to help them report safely from the front line. Your support is extremely important, and priceless.'

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries last night thanked 'all those working in Ukraine to report on the barbaric Russian invasion and Putin's despicable actions'.

She added: 'Every day journalists are risking their lives and it is absolutely right that we do all we can to support them.

'I am very pleased that the Mail has donated support to Ukrainian journalists on the front line.'
Victoria should break away from the rest of Australia because it is constantly short changed by federal government funding, Melbourne's deputy mayor claims.

Nicholas Reece, who was a senior advisor to former prime minister Julia Gilliard, said Victoria was 'ripped off' in this year's federal budget.

He said it was time for Victorians to consider separating from the rest of the country for 'our own best interests'.

Nicholas Reece, who was a senior advisor to former Prime Minister Julia Gilliard, said Victoria had been 'ripped off' in the most recent federal budget

The deputy mayor said there had never been a greater distribution of federal taxpayers' money away from the state (pictured, Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Perth on Tuesday)

'Desperate times call for desperate measures and Canberra needs to know Victorian's are sick of being screwed over,' he in a column for The Age,.

'Radical options are on the table, including a Vexit!'

Cr Reece outlined a series of reasons for the split, beginning with Victoria deserving a better share of the country's 'financial pie'.

He said despite being home to 26 per cent of the population, Victoria was allocated less than six per cent of new infrastructure funding worth $3.6 billion.

Why Victoria should threaten a VExit: 1. Victoria could demand a fairer share of funding in future budgets 2. State could pursue more progressive policy positions 3. Victoria could start playing 'hard ball' for more federal funding 4. Responsibilities of the states and the commonwealth could be clarified 5. State would be able to reform some of its own inefficient state taxes Advertisement

Cr Reece said new GST arrangements meant Victoria would lose $1.1 billion every year - money that could fund hundreds of teachers and frontline workers.

'There has never been a greater distribution of federal taxpayers' money away from Victoria, and it has never occurred in a more brazen manner,' he wrote.

He argued elections were won and lost in Victoria's border neighbors, Queensland and NSW, giving these states more sway in national politics.

Victorians on the whole were more inclined to show support for progressive policy positions on issues like energy, climate change and asylum seekers and push for funding for universities, industry and innovation policy, he claimed.

Mr Reece argued if the southern state unshackled from the rest of Australia, its policy on refugees could be more humanitarian like New Zealand.

New Zealand in March announced it would take 450 refugees from Australia's offshore detention facilities over three years, in a deal initially struck by former prime ministers Julia Gilliard and John Key in 2013.

The southern state, which split from NSW in 1851, makes up about 22 per cent of the national economy and is the headquarters of the retail industry

New Zealand Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said his country's offer to rehome asylum seekers was an example of its 'humanitarian international commitment'.

Cr Reece admitted in his piece that, in reality, the state wasn't going to leave the Commonwealth of Australia any time soon.

'But surely, it is time for Victoria to start playing hardball to ensure we get our fair share of the federal financial carve-up,' he wrote.

But he insisted if the federal government didn't engage with Victoria over the disproportionate allocation of funding, radical solutions would be debated.

'Victoria could demand control over a greater portion of Commonwealth revenue coupled with the state taking on a greater share of service delivery responsibilities,' he suggested.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews (pictured with his wife Catherine in March) has previously accused the federal government of playing favourites with states and territories

Cr Reece said this collaboration would mean Victoria could no longer blame the federal government for its 'financial woes' and kickstart vital tax reform.

'And Victorians, who rely on the vital services the state delivers, will know exactly who is accountable if service levels fall short,' he wrote.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews hit out at Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last September and accused the federal government of playing favourites, specifically when NSW received funding for its construction industry during lockdown.

'I want to say to Mr Frydenberg: Victorians are getting sick and tired of every time the Commonwealth Government spends $1 in Victoria, it's treated like it's foreign aid. Like we should bow our head and be grateful,' he told reporters.

'We're part of this country, we pay our taxes we pay more than our fair share of taxes it is offensive.'

The southern state, which split from NSW in 1851, makes up about 22 per cent of the national economy and is the headquarters of the retail industry.

NSW makes up about 32 per cent of the economy, while Queensland has 18 per cent, followed by Western Australia at 15 per cent.

The deputy mayor (pictured) said it was time for Victorians to consider separating from the rest of the country for 'own best interests'

A poll in in October 2020 found a quarter of Western Australians said they would like to separate from the rest of the country.

In a survey carried out by research group, Utting Research, 28 per cent of 3,500 Western Australians surveyed said they'd like to see WA become its own country.

Some 55 per cent wanted the state to remain in the Federation and 17 per cent didn't know with those who votes from five different state electorates.

About 35 per cent of men and 21 per cent of women wanted WA to secede Australia.

Those most supportive of WAxit were aged between 40 and 59 and were not voters of any of the major political parties.

This poll was conducted at the height of WA's isolation from the rest of Australia during the coronavirus pandemic after Premier Mark McGowan imposed a hard border.
Boris Johnson is expected to make a 'full-throated apology' to MPs today after he was fined by police for attending a birthday bash in breach of Covid rules.

But is it reported he will stop short of addressing allegations he instigated a separate lockdown leaving do, as he attempts to convince politicians there are bigger issues to focus on than the partygate saga.

It is thought he will zone in on the crisis in Ukraine, along with the Government's controversial new policy on sending 'illegal' migrants to Rwanda.

It comes as he faces a potential investigation into whether he misled Parliament when making earlier statements about parties in Downing Street and his involvement in them.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to announce today he will allow MPs to vote on whether to investigate if the Prime Minister misled Parliament when saying 'all guidance was followed completely' in Downing Street in December.

Boris Johnson is expected to make a 'full-throated apology' when he addresses MPs in the House of Commons today

Under the ministerial code, knowingly misleading parliament is an offence that should result in resignation.

Last week the PM was fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday bash thrown in his honour in the Cabinet room in June 2020, while coronavirus restrictions were in place.

He was then accused over the weekend of not only attending a leaving party for his former communications chief Lee Cain on November 13, 2020, but instigating the do.

Downing Street declined to comment on the claims.

Mr Johnson is widely expected to make a statement in the Commons today, as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter recess.

The Telegraph cited a Downing Street source as saying he will 'offer a full-throated apology and recognise the strength of feeling' among MPs on partygate, but is unlikely to go into too much detail on the matter.

The Prime Minister was fined 50 for attending a rule breaking birthday party in Downing Street in June 2020

'He will obviously give an update on the fine because there is a clear need to do that, but it is difficult to pre-empt the findings of an ongoing police investigation publicly,' the source reportedly said.

The newspaper said he will instead talk about Ukraine and the Rwanda deal, while The Times previously reported he will also touch on the cost-of-living crisis and a trip to India focusing on defence and trade.

As well as addressing MPs in the Chamber, Mr Johnson is expected to speak to a meeting of the entire Conservative parliamentary party on Tuesday evening.

According to The Telegraph, it is also thought Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, will announce today that he will allow a vote on an investigation into whether the PM misled Parliament with his partygate explanations.

The Times reports that while any vote to censure the Prime Minister is unlikely to pass, Labour hopes to use it to put pressure on Conservative MPs who have not yet back Mr Johnson, while also using it as ammunition in future elections if Tory MPs back him.

On Monday, a senior Tory suggested a 'war cabinet' could be established in place of a leadership contest to avoid detracting attention from the crisis in Ukraine if the PM steps down or is deposed.

Sir Roger Gale said the 'interim administration' could be led by the deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, who briefly took the reins in 2020 when Mr Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.

The veteran Conservative MP previously submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister, which remains 'on the table', but has since said it is not the right time for a leadership election given the situation in Ukraine.

He told the PA news agency he was now keen to establish if it may be possible to put a contest on hold if Mr Johnson resigns or is forced out of his job.

Meanwhile, former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said that without asking for repentance and forgiveness the Prime Minister's position was not sustainable.

His comments follow a thinly-veiled reference to standards in politics by one of the Church of England's most senior clergymen, the Archbishop of York.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to let MPs vote on whether to investigate Boris Johnson for potentially misleading Parliament

Using his Easter sermon on Sunday, Stephen Cottrell urged Britons to ask what sort of country they wanted to live in.

He said: 'Do we want to be known for the robustness of our democracy, where those in public life live to the highest standards, and where we can trust those who lead us to behave with integrity and honour?'

Speaking to Times Radio about the partygate saga on Monday, Dr Williams said: 'Because I don't believe that we should rule out the possibility of, to put it in religious terms, repentance and forgiveness, then it's perfectly possible for somebody to say, 'Yes, I got that badly wrong. I accept the consequence. I accept that this has damaged trust. I'm asking for another chance.'

'But otherwise, I don't see it's a sustainable position, myself.'

Asked if he would recommend the Prime Minister confess in church over the issue, he said: 'Yes, of course. Yes. A breach of the law, which has damaging consequences for society, which damages trust, which damages the integrity and credibility not only of an individual but of the Government, yes, it seems to be perfectly appropriate for the confessional.'




Hyudai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan. Korea Times file
She is the Ukrainian mother who scrawled family contact details on her daughters back in case bombing left the child motherless.

Sasha Makoviy, wrote the toddlers name, date of birth and family phone numbers on her skin as they fled Kyiv.

The heartbreaking image of the child, Vira, was shared online earlier this month and quickly became a symbol of the horrors faced by ordinary parents in the conflict.

But Miss Makoviy stayed with Vira and said they are now safe in the south of France. They are living with Miss Makoviys mother in a home in the quiet village of Lespignan near Beziers, thanks to a French family.

Sasha Makoviy, 33, wrote her contact details on her two-year-old daughter's back in case her family were killed by Russian soldiers

Speaking about her fears as she left Kyiv, Miss Makoviy, 33, said yesterday: I was really scared that Vira would never know who she was and never know her origins'

Speaking about her fears as she left Kyiv, Miss Makoviy, 33, said yesterday: I was really scared that Vira would never know who she was and never know her origins.

The art teacher told The Times: She was such a long-awaited child and I really wanted to bring her up with the outlook of our family, with love and books and art.

'I wasnt scared of dying but of being dead and the thought that nobody could bring up Vira as I would.

One of her fears was that Vira could be taken by Russians who have since been accused of transporting children to camps across the border.

Miss Makoviy said she had been more prepared for the invasion than many Ukrainians as she had started worrying about the Kremlins intentions after visiting Moscow a few years ago.

She recalled how her radar went off after hearing an announcement on the metro system telling travellers: You are in the best city in the best country in the world.

'My radar picked that up straight away,' she said. 'I thought: Oh, that sounds a little bit Nazi.

Miss Makoviy, who also worked as a gallery assistant in Kyiv, was also tuned into international press and took early reports warning of a Russian invasion seriously.

Her friends thought she was hysterical when she decided to heed advice and plan for the worst by packing important documents, water, medicine and other essential supplies.

Part of the information was that you need scissors to remove the clothes in case of injury. That made me think clothes could be removed and why I wrote on Viras back, she said.

Reflecting on the image, which went viral on social media, she said her handwriting was horrible and she had written one phone digit incorrectly as she was shaking so much.

Miss Makoviy set out with Vira to Vinnytsia, southwest of Kyiv, then across the border to Romania where they flew to Brussels and headed to France, where volunteers have found them a home

Miss Makoviy knew she had to leave her home when the capital began to resonate with powerful sounds, sounds that I had never heard before, sounds of bombing at the start of the invasion.

She said some of her friends who had talked of leaving Ukraine if it were invaded had been unable to move when the time came.

She recalled: They were frozen. My friends were saying: Its better to stay at home. Its safe here.

But thats because its scary to leave when you have nowhere to go. You have to be brave to do that.

She set out with Vira to Vinnytsia, southwest of Kyiv, then across the border to Romania where they flew to Brussels and headed to France, where volunteers have found them a home.

Miss Makoviys mother Anna Klymenko, 57, had initially insisted on staying in Kyiv but relatives were able to convince her to leave.

She fled to Poland before joining her daughter and granddaughter in France - a week later her street in the capital was hit.

In a social media post updating well-wishers of their situation, the mother uploaded photos of Vira playing in sand for the first time.

Alongside one Instagram picture, showing the girl with a bunch of yellow flowers, she said: Im moved to tears. I just want to let everyone know Vira and I are safe.
Boris Johnson is set to supply high-tech armoured vehicles with anti-aircraft missiles mounted on them to Ukraine to take down Vladimir Putin's jets and helicopters.

The Prime Minister is set to give the beleaguered country a number of Stormer HVMs to help try and clear the skies of Russian aircraft as the war rages on in eastern Europe.

The 13-ton vehicles, which only need three people to crew them - a driver, commander and gunner - could be loaded onto transport planes and sent to Ukraine within days.

A Stormer vehicle pictured firing a Starstreak High Velocity Missile. The Government is set to send these armoured vehicles to support Ukrainian troops

Boris Johnson could send the advanced anti-aircraft vehicles and they could arrive in the warzone within days

The lowdown on Ukraine's latest British-made weapon Name - Stormer HVM (Heavy Velocity Missile) Number of missiles - eight mounted on the turret, each of which breaks into three separate projectiles. Eight more inside the vehicle. Number of personnel needed - three Weight - 13.5 tons Length - 5.6 metres Width - 2.8 metres Height - 3.4 metres Max Speed - 50mph Advertisement

According to The Sun a Ukrainian delegation was shown the weapons in action at Salisbury Plain two weeks ago.

It added experts had hailed the addition of the Stormer to the war meant it was 'the best kit' sent by Ukrainian allies yet.

It comes after defence secretary Ben Wallace revealed last month the UK was going to send the Starstreak system to Ukraine.

These missiles, which can be shoulder mounted or put on the turret of the Stormer, break into three projectiles after being fired, allowing them to perform multiple strikes on targets.

They travel at more than three times the speed of sound and are well suited to taking down low-flying enemy jets.

Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of British troops in Afghanistan, told the Sun: 'The Stormer/Starstreak combination will be a huge boost to Ukraine's fighting capability.

'It is an extremely effective, highly mobile combat vehicle that will do severe damage to any attempts at low-level attack by Putin's air force.'

It comes as Russian troops began shelling cities in eastern Ukraine, with President Zelensky saying 'the battle for the Donbas' region of the country has now begun.

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk,

The Stormer vehicles are expected to be useful to Ukrainian troops as they can move quickly and on unstable ground to get into position

Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels reported a series of explosions along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk throughout Monday evening.

Local officials and media also said explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.

Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks since Russia withdrew many of its troops from areas around Kyiv, but the synchronised bombardment of several key eastern cities suggests the war has entered a new phase.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia's large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region had begun

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the Donbas region that pro-Moscow separatists have partly controlled since 2014

'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said in his daily presidential address last night.

'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.

'I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'
The U.S. government will no longer conduct anti-satellite missile tests, making it the first nation to enact such a ban, Vice President Harris announced Monday.

The Biden administration is setting the self-imposed ban as part of a goal to make it an 'international norm for responsible behavior in space,' Harris said.

The new declaration comes after Russia in November conducted an anti-satellite missile test to destroy its Cosmos-1408 satellite, a soviet-era spacecraft that's been in orbit since the 1980s.

The explosion generated a cloud of at least 1,500 pieces of trackable debris that threatened the International Space Station. China conducted a similar test in 2007, as did India in 2019. Such tests are highly controversial due to the dangerous debris they can cause - debris from an anti-satellite missile test can travel at thousands of miles and even a small fragment can damage surrounding space stations.

Harris, who chairs the National Space Council, made the announcement during a speech at the Vandenberg Space Force Base. While at the base, the vice president received a briefing on the Space Force and the U.S. Space Command.

The U.S. government will no longer conduct anti-satellite missile tests, making it the first nation to enact such a ban, Vice President Harris announced Monday

The Biden administration is setting the self-imposed ban as part of a goal to make it an 'international norm for responsible behavior in space,' Harris said

The Biden administration has continued two Trump-era space initiatives - the creation of the Space Force as the sixth branch of the military and the Artemis program, NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon.

'The destruction of space objects through direct-ascent ASAT missile testing is reckless and irresponsible,' the vice president's office stated in a release. 'The long-lived debris created by these tests now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations' security, economic, and scientific interests, and increases risk to astronauts in space. Overall, these tests jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of space by all nations.'

Harris visits the Command Space Operation Center at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California, on Monday, April 18

The above photo shows India's anti-satellite missile test conducted in March 2019

No country has yet used anti-satellite missile technology to take out another nation's spacecraft, but four nations have demonstrated the technology on their own satellites.

'Conflict or confrontation in outer space is not inevitable, and the United States seeks to ensure outer space remains free from conflict. The Biden-Harris Administration had made clear that the United States will engage the international community to uphold and strengthen a rules-based international order for space,' the vice president's office said.
A 36-year-old woman was taken to the hospital Monday after being stabbed in the thigh by an unknown assailant while she attempted to stop a robbery on the New York City subway.

The incident happened just after 6 p.m. in midtown Manhattan, at the 34th Street Herald Square station.

The woman intervened to help when a man attempted to steal another woman's purse, and was herself attacked, ABC7 reported.

She was later wheeled out of the station and taken to Bellevue hospital.

The suspect is described as being in his 20s, and wearing a jean jacket. No arrests have been made.

The attack comes amid heightened anxiety on the city's transport systems - just six days after a disturbed man opened fire in a Brooklyn train, shooting ten people and injuring a further 13.

A 36-year-old woman was taken to hospital on Monday evening after being stabbed in the thigh while awaiting a train in midtown Manhattan

The victim is seen being rushed out of the 34th Street Herald Square station

The victim was taken to Bellevue hospital in Manhattan following the attack

The woman was attacked in central Manhattan at rush hour on Monday evening

MYPD are pictured gathering at the subway station immediately after the attack

Following the shooting, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD immediately increased the police presence on the subways to reassure residents.

But the city has for many months been troubled by a rise in violent crime on the subway, with a spate of random attacks.

In an interview on Sunday, Adams said former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton was 'right' when he said last week that progressive policies have led to an increase in crime in Democrat-run cities.

Speaking to a Bloomberg podcast, Bratton said: 'The scales right now are tipped very heavily in favor of the reforms of the progressive left.'

Those policies, he noted, are 'well intended, some needed, but a bit too far, and what we have as a result is this growing fear of crime, this growing actual amount of crime in almost every American city.'

Adams told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that he agreed with Bratton's assessment, noting that the former commissioner 'understood what we had to go through from the mid-80s to the early 90s when we had to transform policing.'

Since then, the mayor said 'major mistakes' have been made 'that destroyed the trust that the police commissioner is talking about. We have to rebuild that trust.

'But we can't rebuild that trust by allowing those who are dangerous and that have a repeated history of violence to continue to be on our streets,' an apparent jab at the state's bail reform laws.

As he spoke, his police commissioner, Keechant Sewell nodded, adding later: 'We believe the system has to be fair and balanced, but when we lose sight of the victims of crime, we are not doing hat public safety is intended to do.'

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday said that he agreed that progressive policies have led to an increase in crime in Democrat-run cities

The mayor was responding to former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, who told the Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast that the 'reforms of the progressive left' have led to an increase in crime

Adams was elected last year after vowing to fight the Big Apple's growing crime problem.

He had vowed to reinstate the NYPD's controversial anti-crime unit, and has been pushing for state lawmakers to allow judges to consider the 'dangerousness' of defendants before deciding to release them under the state's woke bail reform laws.

Those have been blamed for repeatedly freeing serial criminals onto the street to commit further offenses - including multiple murders.

But state Democratic leadership has repeatedly resisted the mayor's request, and said they will not act on changing the law, according to the New York Post.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signaled plans to toughen up the act as part of her latest budget, although victims' advocates say she should go even further.

Adams has said he wants to see changes in bail reform laws and other criminal justice measures, claiming they will bring down crime rates in the city and reduce gun violence.

And since being elected, Adams has fulfilled his promise to reinstate the anti-crime unit, and has deployed 1,000 more officers to the subways.

But crime continues to rise throughout the Big Apple, with the New York Police Department reporting that the crime rate is nearly double what it was at the same time last year.

Rapes in the city are up 17.4 percent compared to the same time last year, and felony assaults are up 19.6 percent, according to NYPD data.

Burglaries and robberies are also up, 31.7 and 48.4 percent, respectively, while grand larcenies have doubled from April of last year and grand larcenies from automobiles are up a whopping 77.2 percent - from 175 reported at this time in 2021 to 248 reported so far in 2022.

Shooting incidents are also up 8.4 percent, with 9.3 percent more victims.

Frantic commuters were seen trying to run for the exits after a gunman opened fire at a Brooklyn subway station on Tuesday morning

One man was seen apparently injured in the shooting as officers and a Good Samaritan tried to help him

The city made national headlines when a gunman opened fire at a Brooklyn subway stop.

Prosecutors say Frank James, 62, staged a premeditated attack when he shot ten people and injured others on the northbound N train at around 8.25am on Tuesday during rush hour.

Videos from the scene showed hundreds of commuters frantically running for the exits as shots were fired.

What ensued was a nearly 24-hour long manhunt for James, who was ultimately arrested while strolling down the street on Wednesday.

In court documents the next day, prosecutors detailed how more ammunition was found in James' rented Philadelphia apartment, including an extended round magazine that was fit for a semi-automatic rifle. No such firearm has been found yet in connection with the suspect.

His 9mm handgun was found at the 36th Street subway station on Tuesday, after the attack, along with spent shell casings, fireworks, and a key to his U-Haul.

Police have also searched a storage unit in Philadelphia, where he was keeping more ammunition, a torch and a gun silencer.

There was a propane gas tank in the U-Haul when police swooped in on it on Tuesday afternoon.

James dumped the truck five miles from the 36th Street subway. He was filmed walking away.

James' motive remains unknown.

Subway shooting suspect Frank James, 62, was arrested on Wednesday after he was spotted walking down the street amid a citywide manhunt for him

James is being held without bail as investigators look into his hate-filled YouTube videos

James had a criminal history extending back to 1992, when he pleaded guilty to attempted petit larceny and was known to the FBI's Guardian Program, which tracks terror threats and suspects, over an incident in New Mexico in 2019. At the time, he was cleared of wrongdoing.

But in a YouTube video posted just one day before the attack, James said he wanted to harm people.

'I can say I wanted to kill people. I wanted to watch people die,' he said.

Other videos featured James ranting about discrimination and complaining about white people. They are now being closely examined by law enforcement as James is being held without bond.

Adams has suggested that it was the responsibility of YouTube to monitor the videos and report them - an idea he repeated in the interview on Sunday after Stephanopoulos asked if there needs to be a better way to track potential threats like James, who Stephanopoulos said was 'hiding in plain sight.'

'There's a corporate responsibility hen we are watching hate brew online,' Adams said.

'We can identify [hate] using artificial intelligence and other methods to identify those who are talking about violence.'

Sewell also noted that crime was down in the subways compared to pre-pandemic numbers, but added: 'We recognize that people need to see a visible presence of police in the subway, and we're endeavoring to make sure that happens.'
Composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle was hailed a 'true musical colossus' yesterday following his death at the age of 87.

Tributes poured in for the prolific musician who found international acclaim for his 1972 composition The Triumph of Time and his 2008 opera The Minotaur.

Born in Accrington, Lancashire, in 1934, Sir Harrison  whose works were often met with controversy  became musical director of the Royal National Theatre in London in 1975, a post he held until 1983.

The composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle (pictured in 2006) has died at age 87, his publisher has confirmed

Sir Birtwistle (pictured reiving an award from the Queen in 2001) is most famous for The Triumph Of Time, The Mask Of Orpheus and Gawain and The Minotaur

He received a knighthood in 1988 and was made a Companion of Honour in 2001.

His only film score was for the 1973 crime drama The Offence, starring Sean Connery.

In 2014, he won his fifth Royal Philharmonic Society music award, making him the most honoured musician in the history of the prize.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra said: 'We pay tribute to a true musical colossus. His music shook the Earth.'

Sir Harrison, who died yesterday at his home in Mere, Wiltshire, is survived by sons Adam, 63, and Silas, 59.

A statement posted on his publisher's website said: 'Boosey & Hawkes and Rayfield Allied announce with deep sadness the death of Sir Harrison Birtwistle CH on 18 April 2022 at his home in Mere, UK, at the age of 87.'

The music of Sir Harrison has attracted international conductors and been featured in major festivals and concert series in Europe, the USA and Japan.

The London Symphony Orchestra also paid their respects, saying: 'Sad news to hear today that one of the greatest British composers, Harrison Birtwistle, has died.

'Our thoughts to his family and friends, and all his musical family too.'
Ten Greek Orthodox churches across Melbourne were burgled within 24 hours over the Easter long weekend.

The Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia say the churches in Melbourne's western, northern and eastern suburbs were closed when they were targeted on Sunday.

Victoria Police are investigating reports of burglaries at 10 Greek Orthodox Churches across Melbourne.

'The local police authorities were immediately informed and are currently conducting investigations to locate and arrest the perpetrators,' the Church said in a statement on Monday.

Victoria Police say they are investigating a burglary that took place at a place of worship in Templestowe, in Melbourne's east, on Monday.

It's believed a man forced his way into the Porter Street building about 5.15am and stole cash.

'Detectives are working to determine if this incident is linked to reports of burglaries at places of worship in other areas over the long weekend,' the spokesperson told AAP in a statement.
California investigators have identified a victim of the Happy Face Killer using DNA nearly 30 years after her body was left near a California highway.

On Monday, the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office announced that the body found on the side of California State Route 152 in the San Francisco Bay Area on June 3, 1993 belonged to Patricia Skiple of Colton, Oregon.

Skiple, a mother known to friends and family as 'Patsy,' would have been about 45 years old when she was killed, the sheriff's office said.

For decades Skiple had been known to detectives only as 'Blue Pacheco' for the color of her clothing until genetic genealogy was used to identify her last week.

The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office announced that the body found on the side of California State Route 152 on June 3, 1993 belonged to Patricia Skiple (pictured)

For decades Skiple (pictured as a child) had been known to detectives only as 'Blue Pacheco' for the color of her clothing until genetic genealogy was used to identify her last week

Keith Hunter Jesperson, (pictured) who was arrested in 1995, was dubbed the Happy Face Killer because he drew smiley faces on letters he sent to the media and police

Authorities identified her with help from the DNA Doe Project, a non-profit group that uses volunteers to help identify people listed as 'Jane Does' or 'John Does' through DNA profiles of possible relatives.

In 2006, Keith Hunter Jesperson wrote to the county district attorney's office and said he had sexually assaulted and killed a woman near the highway.

A year later pled guilty to killing the woman, although her identity wasnt yet known at the time of his conviction.

Jesperson, 67, from British Columbia, was arrested in 1995 on suspicion of killing a woman in Washington state and was dubbed the Happy Face Killer because he drew smiley faces on letters he sent to the media and police, prosecutors said.

Jesperson would eventually confess to killing eight women between 1990 and 1995 in California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming and is currently serving four life sentences without possibility of parole in Oregon.

During his reign of terror as the Happy face Killer Jesperson usually targeted prostitutes and homeless women - raping them before strangling them with his bare hands.

In 2021, Jesperson detailed his horrific crimes in Oxygen's Snapped Notorious: The Happy Face Killer.

He claimed his first memories of violence were being beaten with a belt by his father, who seemed to take pleasure in the abuse. Despite his troubled upbringing, he found a partner and started his own family.

In 1975, the then 20-year-old married his wife, Rose Huck, and they went on to have three children. However, Huck later suspected he was being unfaithful, and their marriage became to crumble.

Jesperson would eventually confess to killing eight women between 1990 and 1995 in California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming

Other victims: Taunja Bennett, 23 (left), who was killed in January 1990, and Julia Ann Winningham, 41, who was Jesperson's long-term girlfriend when she was strangled

Huck shut him off sexually, according to Jesperson, who opened up to Phelps about how his marital troubles fueled his future murders.

'My wife used to say, "Go stick it in the keyhole. Just leave me alone,"' he recalled. 'It really kinda struck me, kinda like, you know, what the hell, I don't need this.'

The couple finalized their divorce in 1990 after 15 years of marriage, and he admitted to Phelps that he was 'really angry at women' at the time.

That same year, he was dumped by his new girlfriend, who left him for another trucker. To get over the breakup, he went barhopping at B & I Tavern in Portland, Oregon, in January 1990.

'That's when I met [Taunja] Bennett,' Jesperson said of his first known victim, who was 23 when he raped and killed her after convincing her to come home with him.

Jesperson murdered Bennett, 23, in January 1990, after meeting her at a bar near Portland, Oregon.

He invited her back to a house he was renting, where they had sex. Then he beat her and strangled her and went back out to a bar to have more drinks and provide himself with an alibi.

He later returned to the house, strapped Taunja's body into the front seat of his car and disposed of it before leaving town.

During his reign of terror as the Happy face Killer Jesperson (pictured) usually targeted prostitutes and homeless women - raping them before strangling them with his bare hands

In 1975, the then 20-year-old Jesperson married his wife, Rose Huck

Jesperson told filmmakers that his first memories of violence were being beaten with a belt by his father, who seemed to take pleasure in the abuse

Three months later, Jesperson met Daun Richert-Slagle, a 21-year-old mother of three who became the only known victim to survive an attack.

The truck driver waited for more than two years before he struck again in 1992 - raping and strangling a woman near Blythe, California. She has still not been identified but Jesperson said her name was Claudia.

His killing spree then escalated - a month later he raped and strangled a prostitute Cynthia Lyn Rose in Turlock, California.

The next month, he killed a fourth woman, also a prostitute, named Laurie Ann Pentland from Salem, Oregon. He claimed to have strangled her because she tried to double the amount of money she wanted for sex and had threatened to call the police.

His fifth victim, an unidentified 'Jane Doe' living on the streets in Santa Nella, California, was discovered in July of 1993. Police initially believed she had suffered a drug overdose.

Another Jane Doe death, attributed to Jesperson, was found in September 1994 in Crestview, Florida. He said her name was Susanne.

In January 1995, Jesperson picked up a 21-year-old hitchhiker, Angela Subrize, whom he offered to drive from Spokane, Washington, to meet her boyfriend in Indiana.

On the journey, he raped and strangled her, then strapped her body face-down to the undercarriage of his truck so her face and prints would be ground off by the road while he drove.

The killer was finally caught in March 1995 after strangling his long-time girlfriend Julia Ann Winningham, 41, who he claimed did not love him but only wanted his money. She was the only victim he could be connected to. The rest are believed to have been strangers.

Jesperson initially refused to talk to police and attempted suicide twice. He then turned himself in, hoping for leniency at his trial.

He confessed details of his murderous history while in custody but later recanted much of it. At one point he claimed to have had as many as 160 victims but so far only eight have been confirmed.
Babies and toddlers are at risk getting seriously ill with colds and the flu this winter as they are 'immune naive', doctors have warned.

Covid lockdowns kept children sheltered from common childhood infections that would normally strengthen their immune system.

Parents who avoided Covid for the past two years likely also kept their babies and toddlers from encountering the common cold or flu.

Experts are warning parents to brace for a horror flu that could potentially be worse than Covid for 'immune naive' babies and toddlers

Experts predicted a wave of common diseases may strike down children with suppressed immune systems in a way that is potentially worse than Covid.

Paediatric emergency physician Sandy Hooper said young children normally contracted nine to 13 viral infections a year but that dropped to less than five due to Covid lockdowns and precautions.

'The increase in numbers is already very noticeable and it is only April,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

'If there is a large winter epidemic, influenza will sweep through schools and the adult population, and in many children, this disease is more severe than Covid.

'These children have not had the opportunity to build up their immune system and are now very susceptible to catching bronchiolitis or influenza.'

Peadiatric emergency physician Sandy Hooper (pictured) is urging schools to implement infection control measures as lockdown has prevented children from building up their immune systems

Dr Hooper, Chief Medical Officer for KidsDocOnCall, urged schools to implement infection controls to reduce virus spread.

She said parents could protect their children from the flu and other serious viral infections with good nutrition and by having clean flowing air through their home.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends an annual flu shot for babies and children from the time they are six months old.

Children under five are at high risk of severe influenza infections that require hospitalisation.

An Australian review of the 2015 influenza season at two major hospitals found 7.3 per cent of children admitted with confirmed influenza needed intensive care.
The heartbroken granddad of a little boy killed in a housefire was seen in tears at the scene of the horrific blaze.

Max Chirila, six, was killed inside his family home in Clayfield, Brisbane, about 4am on Monday.

He died just two weeks shy of celebrating his seventh birthday.

His granddad Paul Chirila and another family member visited the charred remains of the home on Tuesday.

Max Chirila's heartbroken granddad Paul Chirila visited the scene of the house fire that killed his six-year-old grandson early Monday morning

Max (pictured with his father Ovidiu Chirila) was killed in a house fire at his Clayfield family home in Brisbane about 4am on Monday

Max's parents Karen and Ovidiu Chirila had managed to escape the fire with Max's four-year-old brother before realising they weren't able to get back inside the blazing home to save the young boy.

During his visit, granddad Paul told The Courier Mail the heartbroken family was feeling 'very, very bad'.

Mr Chirila said he was extremely grateful to the community for the outpouring of support for the mourning family but that 'it cannot recover the boy, a boy like ours'.

Max's teary granddad inspected the charred remains of the family home and thanked community members for supporting his mourning family

Neighbours said they woke to the sound of an explosion and 'deafening screams' on Monday morning when the home erupted into a fireball

Video of the tragic fire captured audio of the moment Mrs Chirila realised her son was trapped in the burning home.

'No! No!' she's heard screaming.

'He's gone! He's gone! He's gone!'

Max's granddad said the family was feeling 'very, very bad' following the six-year-old's tragic death

Another distressed family member at the scene collapsed to the ground and cried, 'Maxie, Maxie, my boy.'

Max's father was seen being comforted by firefighters as he sat in a wheelchair after he managed to escape the fire on a broken leg.

Neighbours said they were woken by the explosion of the fireball and the sound of 'deafening screams'.

The devastated parents also visited their former home on Tuesday morning to see the flowers and handwritten notes left by community members.

Max's heartbroken parents Karen and Ovidiu Chirila as well as their four-year-old son managed to escape the burning home before discovering they couldn't go back inside to rescue little Max

Max's body was found in a bedroom inside the family home just two weeks before he was due to celebrate his seventh birthday

Friends, family and community members have laid flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten tributes to little Max and his grieving family

Mr Chirila was seen sitting on the footpath outside the home sobbing.

He was holding an Ascot State School hat and a note one of Max's former classmates had left.

'Hope you sleep well in heaven Max,' it read.

His family has requested privacy while they mourn the tragic death.

Firefighters battled the blaze for 45 minutes before extinguishing the flames and discovering Max's body in a bedroom.

He will be remembered by his friends and family as a bright and lovely boy who loved Lego.

Mr Chirila was seen being comforted by firefighters as he sat in a wheelchair after he managed to escape the fire on a broken leg

Superintendent Durston said fire crews were 'distraught' after attending the fatal fire

Mr Chirila was seen sobbing outside the family home on Tuesday, holding an Ascot State School hat and a note one of Max's former classmates had left

Neighbour Jenn Davidson told Nine News Ms Chirila's devastated screams would stay with her forever.

'When she realised she couldn't go back in to save him, it's something that I'll never, ever forget,' she said.

Another neighbour told The Courier Mail the family had been well-loved in the community.

A community members cries on Tuesday while visiting the family home where Max was killed

Max's family and friends left tributes outside the remains of his family home following his death on Monday

Friends, family, and classmates visited the Clayfield family home on Tuesday to pay tribute to six-year-old Max

'They're a lovely local family,' they said.

'The flames were metres and metres in the air and then we heard screaming. It was a bit confronting. Really awful.'

'The fireball was metres, and metres, and metres in the air,' another neighbour said.

'We heard the screaming and it was a bit confronting, and really awful.'

A GoFundMe for the mourning family has raised over $30,000, smashing its target of $10,000.

Two young children looked at the flowers and tributes left for Max Chirila on Tuesday

The page has attracted 350 donors so far, with one person donating $1,000.

'Early this morning one of our local families lost their home to fire,' the page says.

'An unimaginable tragedy has occurred with the loss of young Max, 6 years old.

'Hoping to raise as much money as possible to assist the family and show that our community is with them at this terrible time.'

Firefighters are still trying to ascertain the cause of the blaze.

It's understood the fire may have been sparked by a possible electrical fault with charging batteries.

A makeshift memorial has been created by community members outside the Chirila family home including flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes

A woman left flowers at Max Chirila's makeshift memorial outside his burnt-out family home

'The crews did the best they could when they arrived, and we had 26 firefighters here who worked tirelessly to get it under control,' Superintendent Paul Durston said.

'The fire developed and gets very hot internally and then the windows fail and all the air comes in and the fire starts to enrage quite quickly.'

Superintendent Durston said fire crews were 'distraught'.

'They [the crews] made their way down the hallway to the back of the house where the fire is believed to have started, and then from there worked their way back extinguishing the fire,' he said.

Firefighters are still trying to ascertain the cause of the blaze however it's understood the fire may have been sparked by a possible electrical fault with charging batteries

The burnt-out Clayfield family home where six-year-old Max Chirila was killed early Monday morning

Max's mother and younger brother were treated for minor injuries and father for burns to his hands.

None of the family members required treatment at hospital.

Queensland Police launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

'At this stage due to the damage of the house, we haven't been able to ascertain any cause of the fire,' Superintendent Durston said.
Police in New York City have arrested a 21-year-old man and charged him with sex abuse and assault after he allegedly attacked a woman on the street, then rode his scooter into a nearby building to escape.

Omar Dasilva, 21, was arrested on Monday morning accused of sexual assault

Omar Dasilva of the Farragut housing project in Brooklyn was detained at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, NYPD said in a statement.

He has been charged with assault, forcible touching, sex assault and sexual misconduct.

Dasilva, an aspiring music promoter, is accused of driving his scooter past a 59-year-old Brooklyn woman walking along the street in the East Flatbush district at 2am on March 31, and slapping her in the face - causing her to fall to the ground.

As she lies on the ground, Dasilva circles back on his scooter, parks, and then dismounts to attack her.

The assault was caught on surveillance camera.

Dasilva is then filmed fleeing on his scooter, and riding the bike into a building in the East Flatbush district.

He rides the scooter down a hallway inside a building, and into an elevator.

Dasilva was arrested at 9am on Monday morning in the Farragut Houses project in Brooklyn

Dasilva is pictured being escorted out of the Special Victims' Unit in Brooklyn on Monday night

Dasilva has been charged with assault, sexual assault, forcible touching and sexual misconduct

Omar Dasilva has been arrested and accused of attacking a woman, sexually assaulting her, and then driving his scooter indoors to get away

The man clearly drives the scooter to an elevator, pushing the button to open it before getting in

The suspect was last seen in the elevator with his scooter. Dasilva was arrested on Monday

Once in the elevator, the man believed to be Dasilva dismounts from his scooter before pushing a button.

He takes time to take off his gloves, adjust his headgear and then stare into his phone.

It is unclear what happened after he entered the elevator.

The shocking original footage of the attack shows the man believed to be Dasilva knocking down the victim, who was walking along a Brooklyn street with a bag in hand.

As the battered woman struggles to stand up, the man on the scooter returns.

Within seconds, the suspect viciously grabs the woman, dragging her and slapping her repeatedly in the face and torso.

As she tries to fight back, the man rips the victim's pants and underwear off and sexually abuses her, according to the NYPD.

While the attack was unfolding, a few vehicles drove by, but it appeared that no one intervened.

Dasilva is pictured posing on a motorbike. He is accused of attacking the woman in Brooklyn and then fleeing on a scooter

Dasilva, 21, styled himself as a music promoter under the name DJ Munchee

The 21-year-old frequently posted photos of him and his friends hanging out in the Canarsie area of Brooklyn

Here is the chilling moments before the brutal attack when the man, believed to be Omar Dasilva, approached the woman, who was walking alone along Church Avenue in East Flatbush at 2am

The disturbing image shows the man sexually assaulting the 59-year-old woman in Brooklyn's East Flatbush neighborhood. The victims clothes and some of her personal belongings are seen scattered on the street as the suspects scooter stands idle

After the random attack, the woman is seen standing alone on the street holding her shopping bag.

She refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

NYPD Crime Stoppers offered a $3,500 reward for information leading to his arrest.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams has made fighting crime a priority since taking office on January 1, but NYC crime is up almost 50 percent compared to last year and shootings have risen 9.3 percent.

Surveillance video released from the NYPD shows the woman lying helplessly in the street as the suspect fled the scene

NYC crime is up almost 50 percent compared to last year and shooting victims have risen 9.3 percent

Transit crime has spiked 46 percent - with 224 more incidents - since last year as the city reopened.

In March alone, the number of crimes in subways jumped 55 percent, from the same period last year, according to the latest New York City Police Department statistics.

There were 180 crimes reported in March of this year compared to 118 crimes for 2021.

January saw the biggest increase, nearly doubling the year before, with 198 crimes reported compared to 113 in the first month last year.
BEIJING, April 19 -- Recently, the PLA Navys comprehensive supply ship Chaganhu (Hull 967), the guided-missile destroyer Changsha (Hull 173) and the amphibious dock landing ship Wuzhishan (Hull 987) have been holding full-elements comprehensive operational support drills in different sea waters for days.




A group of farmers and fishermen protest against the government's move to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) during a public hearing at the Sejong Government Complex, March 24. Korea Times file
Penny Wong says Labor will look to repair Australia's battered relationship with China if Labor is voted in next month after two years of hostilities, but experts fear little can be done to stop the communist superpower expanding across the Pacific.

The senator admits it's going to be 'difficult' to get back on Beijing's good side amid an ongoing trade spat, as well as a whirlwind of threats by diplomats and communist party-run newspapers.

But the shadow foreign affairs minister argues it is possible for the bitter feud to simmer down if the government of the day stops 'playing on domestic politics' with the external issue.

Leading political analyst Dr Byrce Wakefield told Daily Mail Australia that while he agrees there may be an 'opportunity to reset ties' with the nation's largest trading partner, a change of leadership may not make any difference as China looks become the dominant power in the Indo-Pacific.

Penny Wong says Labor will look to repair Australia's battered relationship with China if Labor is voted in next month

Ms Wong told the Guardian's Australian Politics Podcast that recent tactics by Scott Morrison to paint Labor as soft on China will only make the situation worse.

The Prime Minister in February branded Labor deputy leader Richard Marles a 'Manchurian candidate' after he called for closer defence ties with China on a trip to Beijing in 2019.

Ms Wong said the extraordinary attack to portray the Opposition as weak on national security and a puppet of an enemy power, was an act of 'desperation by the government'.

'It is also a trashing of Australia's national interests because one of the things that makes us strongest is our unity,' she said.

'What we won't do is play domestic politics with the China relationship.'

The once rosy political ties has spiralled downwards since April 2020.

China under Xi Jinping have become increasingly aggressive in the region. Pictured: Chinese special forces training in Guangxi

Beijing reacted furiously to Australian government calls for an international independent inquiry into the origins of the Covid pandemic by imposing a range of tariffs and arbitrary bans of billions of dollars worth of key exports including barley, wine, beef, seafood, coal, copper and timber.

Prior to that in 2018, the authoritarian superpower erupted when Australia moved to ban Huawei from participating in the nation's 5G rollout on the grounds of national security concerns.

Beijing's militarisation of the South China Sea, crackdowns on democratic freedoms in Hong Kong and horrific human rights abuses against minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, have also been sticking points for the two nations - as well as intelligence that China had tried to 'influence' Australia's political system through an thwarted espionage plot.

Ms Wong reiterated that Labor will not kowtow to China on any of these issues, adding that repairing the relationship is ultimately 'a question for China'.

The senator admits it's going to be 'difficult' to get back on Beijing's good side amid an ongoing trade spat as well as a whirlwind of threats by diplomats and communist party-run newspapers

'We can't control how they behave,' Ms Wong said. 'If China chooses to continue to impose what are clearly coercive economic measures on Australia, then that's going to have a consequence in terms of the relationship.'

'We won't be abandoning the positions that cause China concern  Australia's position on the South China Sea, Australia's right to determine who builds its 5G network and who is part of the NBN,' Ms Wong said.

'We're not going to abandon our position on the UN convention on the law of the sea or human rights or foreign interference.'

Dr Wakefield, who heads up the Australian Institute of International Affairs as the national executive director explained that Labor has tried very hard to burnish its credentials on foreign policy and rising tensions surrounding China.

'They want to create the impression there is no daylight between the two parties and that is very true,' he said.

Beijing reacted furiously to Australian government calls for an international independent inquiry into the origins of the Covid pandemic. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured)

What is a Wolf Warrior Diplomat? Chinese diplomats around the globe have made headlines in recent years by making aggressive public statements against democratic nations - often in to the contrary of all available evidence. Political observers say such statements are made to impress Communist Party bosses back home in Beijing so they get noticed. The term Wolf Warrior is actually a Chinese action film franchise launched in 2015. The plot of the 80s-style action films centre around a patriotic Chinese soldier who takes on enemies from all over the world and is fearless in the face of danger. Advertisement

'But Labor and the Liberals take a much different tone to the China issue and tone does matter when dealing with Beijing.

'So that could encourage a feeling of mutual respect creating an opportunity for the relationship to be repaired.'

But he also added that there is a tendency to believe Chinese pressure on Australia is 'all about Australia'.

'That's not always the case. In many ways it's about sending a message to other countries in the region not to speak out,' Dr Wakefield said.

'So tensions may continue no matter who is elected or what stance they take.'

But this tactic by Beijing is starting to wear thin.

'There is actually pressure on China from the international community and even domestically, to find some sort of off ramp for tensions with Canberra.

'Their trade measures against Australia haven't been particularly successful, nor has their wolf warrior diplomacy. It has received an international backlash.

'So, it may be looking for some sort of reset and an election may be reset even if Australian policy towards China doesn't actually change.'

Highlighting this point is that Foreign Minister Marise Payne met China's new ambassador, Xiao Qian, in Sydney on Wednesday in what was regarded as a major breakthrough in relations.

Chinese diplomats have not even returned the phone calls of Australian officials in almost two years.
A judge ruled in favor of reinstating a former Amazon employee who was fired after leading a protest over Covid safety concerns at a Staten Island warehouse during the beginning of the pandemic.

On Monday, administrative law judge Benjamin Green ordered that Amazon offer Gerald Bryson his job back, as well as lost wages and benefits following his 'discriminatory discharge.'

Byron, who worked at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, filed an unfair labor practice complaint with The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in June 2020 claiming Amazon retaliated against him and illegally fired him for workplace organizing.

Gerald Byron (pictured) who worked at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island claimed Amazon retaliated against him and illegally fired him for workplace organizing in 2020

'We strongly disagree with this ruling and are surprised the NLRB would want any employer to condone Mr. Brysons behavior,' Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement

Bryson first participated in a March 2020 protest over working conditions led by Chris Smalls, (pictured) another warehouse employee who was fired by the online retail giant

Months after the filing the NLRB said it found merit in Bryson's complaint but Amazon didn't accept the findings, and the federal board filed a formal complaint against the company, triggering a lengthy administrative court process.

Bryson first participated in a March 2020 protest over working conditions led by Chris Smalls, another warehouse employee who was fired by the online retail giant.

Smalls was a manager at the Staten Island fulfillment center known as JFK8 until he was fired in 2020 for breaking social distancing rules by attending a walkout he helped organize over unsafe working conditions at the height of the pandemic.

An estimated 50 to 60 employees joined the walkout at the Staten Island facility demanding that it be shut down and cleaned after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus.

Amazon said they fired Smalls due to his failure to comply with the company's request that he self-isolate after he came in contact with another employee who tested positive for COVID-19.

The company launched Smalls into the spotlight after its chief counsel accidentally sent an email to more than 1,000 people describing Smalls as 'not smart, or articulate,' and recommended making him 'the face' of efforts to organize workers.

Smalls then went on to lead the Amazon Labor Union which just this month won a union election that made the Staten Island center to become the first and only Amazon warehouse among the 110 in the states to unionize.

After Smalls was fired, Bryson led another protest in April 2020 in front of the warehouse and while off the clock during the protest, Bryson got into a dispute with another female worker and he was later fired for violating Amazon's vulgar-language policy.

Court filings included a recording of the dispute which showed both Bryson and the woman used profanities during a heated exchange that lasted several minutes.

NLRB's account shows the woman began the exchange, and twice tried to provoke Bryson into a physical altercation with her, which he did not do.

The woman also told Bryson, who is black, to 'go back to the Bronx,' which the judge said Bryson could construe as 'racial' since 'he is African-American and might question why, other than his race, someone would assume he is from the Bronx.'

Bryson testified that he mentioned the comment to an Amazon manager when speaking about the incident, but the manager had denied Bryson made a reference to a racial comment.

A judge ruled in favor of reinstating Byron (pictured) who was fired after leading a protest over Covid safety concerns at a Staten Island warehouse during the beginning of the pandemic

On April 1, employees at the fulfillment center known as JFK8 voted 2,654 to 2,131 in support of the Amazon Labor Union, according to a count by the National Labor Relations Board

In the end, Judge Green sided with Bryson's account, saying it was unlikely that he would 'fail to convey such a prominent remark to which he had a strong reaction.'

In his decision Green said Amazon rushed to judgment and pursued a 'skewed investigation' into the argument designed to blame only Bryson for that incident.

In its investigation into the altercation, Green said Amazon 'preferred not to obtain information from someone who was protesting with Bryson even though that person was likely in the best position to explain what happened.'

Instead, he said multiple witness accounts of the incident submitted by the company were coincidently 'one-sided,' adding he found it implausible the statements were made 'unless such accounts were solicited from them.'

The tech giant said it plans on appealing the ruling.

'We strongly disagree with this ruling and are surprised the NLRB would want any employer to condone Mr. Brysons behavior,' Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement. 'Mr. Bryson was fired for bullying, cursing at and defaming a female co-worker over a bullhorn in front of the workplace. We do not tolerate that type of conduct in our workplace and intend to file an appeal with the NLRB.'

The decision comes after Amazon, which employs roughly 1.3 million workers across the country and is on pace to surpass Walmart as the largest private employer in the U.S. within a year or two, has successfully rebuffed labor organizers since its founding in 1994.

That was until April 1, when employees at the Staten Island warehouse voted 2,654 to 2,131 in support of the Amazon Labor Union, according to a count by the National Labor Relations Board.

The number of employees eligible to participate in the vote was 8,325, the NLRB said at the conclusion of the count.

The vote was celebrated as a victory for organized labor at the second-largest U.S. private employer and a milestone for labor advocates, who for years have considered Amazon's labor practices a threat to workers.

Many doubted Smalls when he announced plans to unionize JFK8 last year, but he set up a tent outside the warehouse, while supporters in the building touted how a union could demand higher wages, safer conditions and job security.

Amazon, whose profits and revenues have skyrocketed during the pandemic, campaigned hard to convince workers that a union will only suck money from their paycheck with little benefit.
In January, Bradshaw stepped down voluntarily after a 'difficult period of self-reflection'

Bradshaw posted nude photos on Reddit of a woman he was once in a relationship with after the relationship had ended

The former mayor had initially faced 50 counts of distributing revenge porn, and a maximum of 100 year in prison and a $250,000 fine

ordered to pay $750 to the victim and to 100 hours of community service

Bradshaw was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $5,000. He was ordered to pay $750 to the victim and to 100 hours of community service

The disgraced politician will not have to spend time behind bars under a plea deal announced by the state prosecutor's office

Andrew Bradshaw, 32, who stepped down as mayor of Cambridge in January, was convicted on Monday of five counts of distributing revenge porn online

A former Maryland mayor who posted revenge porn of his ex in Reddit forums devoted to humiliation and racial degradation won't serve jail time after entering a plea deal with the prosecution.

Andrew Bradshaw, 32, who stepped down as mayor of Cambridge in January, was convicted on Monday of five counts of distributing revenge porn online.

The disgraced politician will not have to spend time behind bars under a plea deal announced by the state prosecutor's office.

Bradshaw was sentenced to three years of supervised probation and fined $5,000. He was also ordered to pay $750 in restitution to the victim and to perform 100 hours of community service.

The former mayor had initially faced 50 counts of distributing revenge porn, and a maximum of 100 year in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Bradshaw posted nude photos on Reddit of a woman he was once in a relationship with after the relationship had ended.

Between April 3 and May 20, 2021, he posted nude pictures of his ex-girlfriend on Reddit forums with incendiary captions like, 'The kind of body black men love,' and, 'I post my t****** on reddit to get attention and to get off.'

Bradshaw, a Republican, became the youngest mayor of Cambridge - about 2 hours east of Washington, DC - when he was elected back in January 2021.

Cambridge city commissioners had attempted to remove Bradshaw from office in the aftermath of his legal proceedings. In January, Bradshaw stepped down voluntarily after a 'difficult period of self-reflection.'

Commission President Lajan Cephas became the acting mayor of Cambridge. The city announced a special election will be held at an unspecified time this year.

Former Cambridge Mayor Andrew Bradshaw, 32, was convicted on Monday of five counts of distributing revenge porn online and sentenced to three years of supervised probation. He was fined $5,000 and $750 in restitution to the victim and to perform 100 hours of community service

Cambridge city commissioners had attempted to remove Bradshaw from office in the aftermath of his legal proceedings. In January, Bradshaw stepped down voluntarily after a 'difficult period of self-reflection'

Commission President Lajan Cephas became the acting mayor of Cambridge after Bradshaw stepped down. The city announced a special election will be held at an unspecified time this year

'Because of the legal matter in which I have been embroiled over the past several months, I no longer have the confidence of my colleagues on the City Council, nor have I been able to maintain the relationships with other local, state, and federal leaders necessary to move Cambridge forward at this time,' he said in a statement.

'Now, as we approach so many important crossroads for our city, I am unable to perform some of the tasks so important to ensure success for Cambridge.'

Bradshaw's conduct violated Maryland's Revenge Porn Statute, which prohibits 'the nonconsensual distribution of a private visual representation of another which exposes their intimate body parts or displays them engaged in sexual activity, with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the person depicted.'

The victim told authorities about the posts on May 14, 2021, saying they were posted without her consent and that Bradshaw was the only person she sent the photos to.

The posts were made on various subreddits, or dedicated forums, related to sex, humiliation, degradation and race. They came from accounts that contained the victim's name and birthday in the username, making it possible that someone could have identified her.

Prosecutors said the posts traced back to an IP address that services Bradshaw's home.

'Using someone's private images without their consent is a serious breach of trust and invasion of privacy, and the power and breadth of the internet makes such a violation even more egregious,' State Prosecutor Charlton Howard said last year.

'Our office is committed to protecting victims from those who abuse their positions of power and trust.'

Charging documents showed the language Bradshaw used in the racially-charged posts seen by investigators, which date to a period of just seven weeks between April 3 and May 20.

'Chubby white girl looking for a [redacted] daddy to message with,' one post read, along with a photo of the victim's 'intimate parts exposed.'

Between April 3 and May 20, 2021, he posted nude pictures of his ex-girlfriend on Reddit forums with incendiary captions like, 'The kind of body black men love,' and, 'I post my t****** on reddit to get attention and to get off'

Bradshaw is a lifelong resident of the Cambridge area and became the youngest mayor in the city's history back in January, 2021

'F***** a [redacted] for the 1st time last night- I'm still smiling this morning from the orgasms he gave me,' Bradshaw also wrote, according to prosecutors.

Another post read: 'I've been posting pics of my t***** on reddit to get used by guys as their personal online slut.'

Local news outlets previously reported that his office had been raided back in August, but it was not known why.

Bradshaw is a lifelong resident of the Cambridge area and became the youngest mayor in the city's history back in January, 2021.

He attended Pennsylvania State University, where he wrote for the local newspaper and interned at the legislative office of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.

After graduating, he worked at the family business, a body shop.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he won't allow a controversial Liberal candidate who campaigned against trans women in sport to be 'silenced' by moderate party members and a left-wing Twitter pile-on.

In his strongest comments on the matter yet, Mr Morrison on Tuesday said Warringah candidate Katherine Deves would be a 'great member of Parliament' and doubled down on his support for the embattled aspiring MP.

Some moderate Liberal members have called for Ms Deves to be disendorsed after she apologised for calling transgender children 'surgically mutilated and sterilised' in tweets last year.

But Mr Morrison today stood by his candidate, saying: 'I'm not going to allow her to be pushed aside as the pile on comes in to try and silence her.

'I will stand up with her, my team is standing up with her, and we will make sure that she won't be silenced.'

The Prime Minister said Warringah candidate Katherine Deves (pictured with her family) would be a 'great member of parliament' and declared: 'I'm not going to allow her to be silenced'

Ms Deves co-founded the group Save Women's Sport which aims to stop transgender women competing alongside biological women.

'She is standing up for women and girls and their access to fair sport in this country,' Mr Morrison said.

'I think she will make a great Member of Parliament, she has learned in her advocacy in her private life there are better ways to do things to take things forward as a Member of Parliament.

'I believe that is how she will approach the task if she is elected as the member for Warringah, and I don't think she should be silenced,' he said.

In the first week of the election campaign Ms Deves apologised for the wording of her old tweets about the issue.

In those tweets she described transgender children as 'surgically mutilated and sterilised', and likened her stance on the issue as being akin to the French Resistance fighters who resisted German occupation during World War II.

Ms Deves revealed she has been bombarded with death threats by left-wing activists on social media.

Mr Morrison (pictured on Tuesday) has again backed his captain's pick in his strongest comments so far on the issue

This is the tweet in which Ms Deves made her controversial comments about transgender teenagers. She shared a picture of a trans American teenager who had just had breasts removed and wrote: 'This photo just hit my feed. It is beyond heartbreaking.'

High profile Liberal moderates Trent Zimmerman and Matt Kean have publicly called on Mr Morrison to dis-endorse her over fears her views will haemorrhage support in inner-city seats.

'I don't think having candidates that want to spruik the politics of division is in the interests of the party or in the interests of those people candidates,' NSW Treasurer Mr Kean said.

But Ms Deves has support on the party's conservative wing with former Prime Ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott backing her stance.

On Monday, independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall told Sky News the topic of trans athletes competing in female sport was a 'distraction' from bigger issues.

'I feel there's a lot of lying going on about the actual status quo, we already have a law. The Sex Discrimination Act already deals with the situation, this is just not an issue,' Ms Steggall said.

'And saying that parents will be concerned is just repeating a transphobia line.'

Katherine Deves (pictured) is contesting the independent-held seat of Warringah

When she was asked to clarify why concerns about the issue should be deemed 'transphobic' she said 'because we are talking about a minority of the population that is already incredibly vulnerable.'

'All this policy approach opts to do is seek division.'

Warringah takes in part of Sydney's northern beaches and north shore. It was Tony Abbott's seat but was taken by Ms Steggall at the 2019 election.

She is favourite to hold on to the seat.
William Tyrrell's foster parents have been charged with stalking the same child who police allege they assaulted last year, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.

The foster father is accused of one count of stalking and intimidation intending fear of physical harm against a child.

The foster mother faces two charges of that same offence.

The identity of the child cannot be revealed for legal reasons.

The identities of the foster parents - well-educated professionals in their 50s who live in a comfortable suburb on Sydney's north shore - can also not be publicly revealed.

The new charges come as the NSW Police Force continues to focus on the couple as they pursue information about what happened to William, who vanished from his grandparent's home in Kendall, NSW, on 12 September 2014.

Since November, William's foster parents have been charged with assault and intimidation of a child and with lying to the NSW Crime Commission.

Three-year-old William Tyrrell (pictured) disappeared from the NSW Mid North Coast town of Kendall, in September 2014. No one has been charged over his apparent abduction

The stalking charges followed former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller naming the foster mother as a 'person of interest' in the toddler's disappearance.

Tyrrell's foster mother (above) and her husband have now been charged with stalking or intimidating a child they were accused of assaulting last year

The shift in the focus in trying to solve Australia's biggest unsolved murder mystery occurred after Strike Force Rosann head Gary Jubelin was replaced by Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw.

Although police did not formally interview the foster father until six days after William disappeared, Mr Jubelin did 'treat them like suspects' in separate, three-hour gruelling interviews in 2017., three years after the toddler vanished.

Mr Jubelin later said he had 'confidence' they were not involved.

in 2019, two years after those interviews, the foster parents testified before the NSW Coroner's inquest into the missing boy.

The focus of the inquiry was on a Kendall neighbour who has since been discounted as a person of interest and on convicted paedophiles of the NSW mid-north coast.

The foster mother gave evidence over two days, while the foster father gave shorter testimony of about an hour.

The foster mother's lawyer, high-profile Sydney solicitor Sharon Ramsden, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday her client would likely plead not guilty to the stalking charge.

Ms Ramsden said the woman would also plead not guilty to another charge of falsifying information to the NSW Crime Commission, just weeks after her husband was laid with the same charge.

The 57-year-old was issued with a court attendance notice by NSW Homicide detectives, and has been ordered to appear at the Downing Centre on May 24.

The charges of stalking and intimidation intending fear of physical or mental harm are domestic related, according to court documents.

William Tyrrell's foster father (above) has been hit with a single charge of stalk and intimidate and will face Hornsby Local Court later this month

While the investigation into the toddler's 2014 disappearance continues, the couple have held a fire sale of children's bikes, car seats, prams, furniture and industrial equipment with items ranging between $5 and several thousand.

Both defendants are due to face Hornsby Local Court on the stalking allegations later in April.

William's foster father, 55, and foster mother were charged in November 2021 in relation to the alleged assault of the child who is now the subject of their alleged stalking.

Both foster parents have pleaded not guilty, and have indicated they may apply to have the matter heard under the Mental Health Act.

The Sydney couple were foster parents to the three-year-old when he disappeared from the NSW Mid North Coast town of Kendall in September 2014.

It was only revealed last month that William's foster father had been charged in January with two counts of 'knowingly providing false and misleading evidence'.

The charges only came to light because of a revision of non-publication orders surrounding the case.

The foster father, who police claim 'lied about something we can prove', gave the allegedly false evidence to the NSW Crime Commission late last year, and it is understood the foster mother also testified around the same time.

William's foster father (pictured in December 2021) was charged in January this year with two counts of 'knowingly provide false and misleading evidence'

On the second day of the search for William's remains at a dig site in the NSW Mid North Coast town of Kendall, the boys foster mother was declared a person of interest in his disappearance

Details of the evidence provided to the NSW Crime Commission by the foster father which police claim is false and misleading are unavailable.

The foster father has entered pleas of not guilty to both charges.

He testified for up to two hours after being secretly summonsed to appear at the Crime Commission's Surry Hills headquarters on November 11.

This was four days before NSW Police launched a surprise 'high intensity' search of bushland around 800m from the house where William had been staying with his foster parents when he vanished seven years ago.

On the second day of the search for William's remains at a dig site in Kendall, the boys foster mother was declared a person of interest in his disappearance.

NSW Police launched a surprise 'high intensity' search of bushland around 800m from the house where William had been staying when he vanished seven years ago

Last month, William's foster mother was charged with another count of common assault of a child, which also does not relate to William, and her lawyer has indicated she will plead not guilty.

William had been placed with the couple in March 2012 as a foster child in the care of the then state minister for family and community services until he was 18 years old.

William was driven to the Kendall home of his foster grandmother on Friday, September 11, 2014 and was last seen playing on the verandah of the house on the Saturday morning.

A widespread search in the surrounding area failed to find any trace of him.

William was driven to the Kendall home of his foster grandmother on Friday, September 11, 2014 and was last seen playing on the verandah (pictured) on the Saturday morning

Last November, a new and extensive search for William's remains at Kendall began and continued for four weeks.

Police, SES and rural fire workers along with detectives from Strike Force Rosann spent four weeks late last year digging up a section of forest less than a kilometre from the house where William vanished.

Combing bushland and digging with excavators, police searched along Batar Creek Road, Kendall for William's remains and scraps from the SpiderMan suit he was last seen wearing.

The foster mother denied any involvement in William's disappearance and no charges have ever been laid against any person.

Police said William's foster mother was seen driving along the road on the morning the boy vanished.
A parent dressed in an Easter Bunny costume caused chaos at a Texas elementary school after handing out condoms inside plastic eggs to kids during school pick-up time - the result of an apparent Easter basket mix-up.

The prophylactics were apparently mixed among Easter eggs filled with candy.

'A parent showed up at my kids' elementary school dressed as an Easter Bunny during pickup. (They) handed out eggs, mostly filled with candy.'

'Some with unopened condoms,' parent Nathan Jensen said in an April 14 tweet.

'Not sure this is the Austin weird I signed up for.'

The incident, which occurred at Gullett Elementary School in Austin, was not planned or approved by school officials, according to KXAN.

Jensen followed up with another tweet the next day claiming the parent in question is a pharmacist who was taking part in a safe sex clinic while dressed in the bunny suit - and that her husband accidentally grabbed the wrong batch of Easter eggs when she asked him to bring more.

Scroll down for video

The parent was dressed in an Easter Bunny costume, like the one pictured above

The prophylactics were mixed among Easter eggs, similar to those pictured above, some of which were also filled with candy

The incident occurred at Gullett Elementary School in Austin, pictured above

The parent was asked to leave school premises, but then moved to a public sidewalk and continued to give away eggs, the school district said.

'We are working to review our safety protocols to ensure this does not happen again,' a district spokesperson told the outlet.

'It was an incredibly careless and inappropriate action of a parent.'

Meanwhile, the Austin ISD Police Department is investigating whether to press charges against the parent, who was not identified, KEYE reported.

A parent dressed in an Easter Bunny costume accidentally handed out condoms, like those pictured above, to kids during school pick-up time

The parent in question was apparently a pharmacist - who came straight to the school after participating in a safe sex clinic while dressed in the bunny suit.

Afterward, they went to pick up their second-grade student from the school and decided to hand out candy, while remaining in costume.

The parent dressed in the Easter bunny costume was 'mobbed by kids' after she initially handed out candy-filled eggs, which she quickly ran out of, according to Jensen's tweet.

The costumed parent then called her husband to bring more candy-filled eggs, his tweet went on to say.

Pictured: Gullett Elementary School in Austin, Texas, where a parent inadvertently handed out Easter eggs filled with condoms to young students

'Her husband brought the wrong eggs,' and 'chaos ensued,' Jensen added.

The youngest students in the Austin Independent School District do not learn anything related to 'human sexuality and responsibility,' the school district said in a statement.

KXAN also reported that the K-2 curriculum is on hold while the school district revises lessons according to recent legislation.

The district is currently overhauling its human sexuality and responsibility curriculum as well.

Instruction is given annually in November and December for middle and high school students.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) failed to kill a lawsuit looking to stop her from running for Congress again, with a federal judge ruling the legal challenge can proceed on Monday.

A group of Georgia voters is trying to block what would be Greene's first re-election bid over her 'support' for the January 6 Capitol riot.

In a legal challenge filed with the Georgia Secretary of State, voters claimed Greene violated a provision of the U.S. Constitution passed after the Civil War known as the 'Insurrectionist Disqualification Clause.'

The measure was passed to keep people who had fought with the Confederacy from holding federal office.

Plaintiffs claim Greene ran afoul of the law because she took part in trying to stop the peaceful transfer of power through her comments challenging and casting doubt on the 2020 election results.

Greene sought a temporary injunction against that lawsuit, arguing it was unlikely to be resolved before Georgia's primary elections on May 24.

Judge Amy Totenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia said her decision was based on whether the firebrand Republican could 'establish a strong likelihood of prevailing on the merits of her legal claims.'

But she failed 'to establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits,' Totenberg wrote in her 73-page decision.

The Georgia Republican's attorney called the decision 'fundamentally undemocratic.'

A group of Georgia voters are accusing Greene (pictured at a press conference in defense of January 6 rioters) of violating a Civil War-era constitutional clause aimed at preventing former members of the Confederacy from holding elected office in the newly-reformed Union

He said Greene 'publicly and vigorously condemned the attack on the Capitol,' according to the New York Times.

Greene has downplayed and justified the January 6, 2021, attack in the past, in which supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, battling with police to gain entry to the building.

They attempted to disrupt a Joint Session of Congress that was certifying President Joe Biden's presidential victory after a fiery speech by Trump near the White House, where he repeated false claims that his 2020 election defeat was the result of widespread fraud.

Last week Greene got into a heated back-and-forth with NBC journalist Scott Wong about January 6, which she defended because it only happened 'one time.'

'Do you think it was a mistake for [House GOP Leader] Kevin McCarthy to remove all of the Republicans on the January 6 committee once [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi took off [Indiana Representative] Jim Banks and [Ohio Representative] Jim Jordan?' Wong asked.

Greene can be heard replying, 'The American people are fed up with this over-dramatization of a riot that happened here at the Capitol one time.'

Greene's lawyer called the judge allowing the lawsuit to go ahead 'fundamentally undemocratic' and claimed the Georgia Republican 'publicly and vigorously condemned the attack on the Capitol'

She's also called people charged in connection to the riot 'political prisoners' and even visited the Washington, DC jail where many are being held.

Greene said on the radio in October, 'January 6 was just a riot at the Capitol and if you think about what our Declaration of Independence says, it says to overthrow tyrants.

She said in a statement earlier this year that she opposes all forms of political violence.

Voters suing to keep Greene off November's ballot are represented by the nonpartisan group Free Speech for People.

The legal advocacy nonprofit is also using the Civil War-era insurrectionist clause in a similar lawsuit against North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who like Greene is a fierce supporter of Trump's.

Cawthorn appeared on stage at Trump's Stop The Steal rally before the riot.

That lawsuit was allowed to continue last week after Free Speech for People filed an appeal of a lower court's order, which allowed Cawthorn to remain on the ballot for at least North Carolina's GOP primary.

Last week Greene's main GOP challenger, healthcare advisory firm executive Jennifer Strahan, accused the congresswoman of ignoring her constituents -- including military veterans -- in an interview with DailyMail.com.

Strahan said Greene had a 'pattern' of deflecting from constituents' needs, which Greene took as an insult to her staff.

'This no-name candidate is not insulting me, shes insulting my staff who are well known and loved by everyone all over our district. My staff have been serving people long before this clueless woman even moved to Georgia,' the representative told DailyMail.com.

'No one knows or cares who this naive candidate is but everyone knows and loves my staff. Im proud and truly grateful for all of the hard work my staff has accomplished and couldnt do it without them.'

Strahan also told DailyMail.com that she's had 'a lot of conversation' with representatives and senators on Capitol Hill who support her bid to unseat Greene, though she did not name any names or say whether any came from the Peach State.
Twin brothers have been found guilty of spying on three female tenants using hidden cameras in their bedrooms.

Australian Federal Police officer Joshua Rod Tiffen and electrician Kenan Lee Tiffen, 44, pleaded not guilty to a series of charges in the ACT Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston recently found the pair guilty of three counts of capturing visual data in an indecent invasion of privacy, The Canberra Times reported.

The court heard the pair sublet two rooms at their home to female tenants and placed hidden cameras in coat racks at TVs to spy on them between March and May 2019.

The prosecution presented evidence that police found hidden cameras behind the front plastic housing of television sets and behind small glass windows on timber coat rack fittings located within two bedrooms, and the associated wiring connecting the coat rack cameras to a power supply in the roof space.

An investigation led to the discovery on Joshua's Samsung phone and a HP laptop of 42 videos and a still image recorded by the devices.

A WhatsApp discussion between the twins also revealed their 'detailed' discussions on use of the cameras.

'That conversation was extensive and included discussions about existing and potential cameras, current and future tenants and the private activities of the women viewed by using the cameras,' the judgement read.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston recently found twins Joshua Rod Tiffen, and Australian Federal Police officer, and electrician Kenan Lee Tiffen, 44, guilty of three counts of capturing visual data in an indecent invasion of privacy

The court heard the twins had even discussed live-streaming the footage they captured from the cameras 'for a fee', joking that they needed '2000 idiots paying 25 bucks' to watch.

'The conversation indicated that the images from the cameras could be viewed remotely and played back after the event,' the magistrate's judgement stated.

In the case of one tenant, 13 video files found on the laptop showed the bedroom she used and included images of her moving about the room while naked, including 'getting dressed and inserting a tampon'.

The court heard the defendants referred to the tenant by name in the WhatsApp conversation, including discussing when she would be home.

The twins were acquitted of a number of other charges after an investigation the judge described as being 'plagued with a series of errors and mistakes'.

One charge of the joint commission of capturing visual data of the neighbour in an indecent invasion of privacy resulted in acquittal, with Justice Theakston not satisfied there was an agreement to commit the offence despite two pictures of a naked woman being found on Joshua's phone, and four videos of her in the nude on his laptop.

Joshua was also acquitted of two further charges.

Australian Federal Police officer Joshua Tiffen claimed he needed the micro-cameras as part of his role with the force, but a check with his superior exposed the claim as a lie

One related to seven video files found on a laptop in his room that appeared to show women, a girl and a man using a public toilet. The magistrate found there was no evidence to show Tiffen was responsible for putting the camera in the toilet, plus the ownership and use of the HP laptop was uncertain.

For the same reasons of uncertainty in relation to ownership of the laptop, a charge of possessing child exploitation material amounting to 2040 pictures and 860 videos found on the computer against Joshua was not found proved.

The court heard that when police asked Joshua Tiffen about the 'micro-cameras' during the investigation, he claimed they were for his work as an AFP officer.

Bu this claim was exposed as a lie when police checked with superior at the AFP.

The brothers remain on bail before sentencing. Joshua Tiffen was earlier suspended from duty once charged with the offences.
Former attorney-general Christian Porter has chosen a high-profile trial for his return to law after quitting politics from the May 21 election.

Mr Porter's political career nosedived after allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988 when he was 17, which he denies, emerged last year.

The outgoing Liberal MP for Pearce in WA was dumped from the front bench after suing the ABC for defamation for revealing the sexual assault claims.

He announced he would not seek re-election in 2022 after it was revealed he accepted donations to his civil case from anonymous sources.

Porter (pictured with former partner Jennifer) plans to return to the legal sector with his own practice and may possibly do some 'future writing ventures'.

Mr Porter decided start his own legal practice, along with considering 'possible future writing ventures'.

He will take on the defence of Ashley Kane Christensen, one of three men accused of a gun heist in November 2019.

Mr Christensen has been charged, along with two others, over the alleged robbery at Claremont Firearms in Yangebup, Perth.

Police allege robust cutting tools were used to bore through into the store's firearm vault from an adjoining shop.

More than 200 guns were lifted from the business, some of which were found by authorities in other states.

Claremont Firearms (pictured) in south Perth was the scene of a Hollywood-style firearm heist. Porter will defend one of the accused for the alleged crime next month.

Porter (pictured giving his valedictory speech in Canberra last month) after he resigned after the historical rape allegations were brought into the open last year.

State prosecutor Laura Christian said during a hearing this month that at least 100 witnesses were expected to give evidence.

The trial is expected to start on May 12 and to last for six weeks, yet Ms Christian has asserted it may take just four weeks - with Mr Porter given more then three weeks to prepare.

The historical rape claims against Mr Porter from an ex-associate have dogged the former prime ministerial hopeful, since they emerged last year.

The woman alleged the assault took place in 1988 in Sydney when she reported it to police in 2019.

But she had since died, which led police to close the matter due to 'insufficient admissible evidence'.
A brutal wife killer is due to be released from jail after nearly 30 years and three other infamous murderers could follow within months as their sentences expire and they apply for parole.

Mate Perich shot his wife Danica four times as she sat in her car in the northern Perth suburb of Dianella in 1995.

The banana farmer, who is now aged in his mid-70s, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years for the murder, which followed years of abuse.

Dante Arthurs (pictured) raped and killed eight-year-old Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu in Perth in June, 2006. He could also soon be released from prison

Mate Perich shot his wife Danica four times as she sat in her car in the northern Perth suburb of Dianella in 1995. (Pictured: Dianella Reserve in Dianella)

Perich used an unlicensed rifle he brought from his Carnarvon plantation, about a four-hour drive from where he ended the life of his longsuffering wife.

In March, the convicted killer was granted his freedom after being placed on a two-year parole, following 27 years in a cell, the West Australian reports.

Perich is due to be deported to his birth country of Croatia, at taxpayer expense, after spending time in immigration detention.

CONVICTED KILLERS GIVEN A SHOT AT FREEDOM: Mate Perich: Freed from jail after 27 years behind bars for shooting the mother of his children Danica four times in 1995. Dante Arthurs: Due for review in June after already being refused parole once. Arthur was given a non-parole period of 13 years after he raped and killed eight-year-old Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu in Perth in June, 2006. James Stapleton: Handed a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years for torturing and killing 14-year-old Cleon Jackman in May 1999. He will front the parole board in June. Douglas Crabbe: Killed five people and injured 16 when he drove his truck into a busy pub near Uluru in 1983. He was handed five life sentences with a minimum of 30 years. He will be reviewed by the parole board in August. Advertisement

The Department of Home Affairs revoked the banana farmers' Australian citizenship due to concerns about his character and found it would not cause him 'significant hardship or detriment'.

One of his three sons, Alen, said he did not think 'for one minute' his father had been rehabilitated during his nearly three decades behind bars.

He told the West Australian in 2019 his father had been making an income charging rent at two properties in Balcatta and Kewdale throughout his sentence.

Alen said the convicted killer would be able to access the money he passively earned from the properties, which were now worth $1million.

Perich will be forced to pay back a Commonwealth debt notice if he attempts to enter Australia, or applies for a visa.

His release comes as three other notorious killers will be considered for parole in just a few weeks time.

Dante Arthurs, who raped and killed eight-year-old Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu in Perth in June, 2006.

The little girl had gone to the toilet in a Canning Vale Shopping Centre as her uncle and brother waited nearby.

As she left the female toilets, she was grabbed from behind and dragged into the disabled cubicle where she was sexually assaulted, beaten, and suffocated.

Her brother found her body when he went to look for her as he was confused about why she was taking so long.

Arthurs' prisontime is due for review in June after already being refused parole once. He was given a non-parole period of 13 years after he raped and killed Shu

Arthurs was thrown behind bars for a non-parole period of 13 years, which caused outrage with many saying the sentence was disproportionate to the shocking violence of his crime.

Tougher homicide laws were introduced in WA after the case.

The Prisoners Review Board confirmed he is due for consideration in June. He has already been refused parole once before.

James Stapleton, who tortured and eventually killed 14-year-old Cleon Jackman in May, 1999, is similarly due to face the parole board next month.

The convicted killer, who is now in his mid-60s, tortured Cleon for up to five hours, beating him with a shovel before pushing toilet paper down his throat.

Stapleton then used a piece of wood to strangle the child before burying his body in bushland.

His two accomplices, Derrin Elizabeth Bardsley and Rebecca Tilaima Papalii, were sentenced to life in jail with 12-and-a-half and 12-year minimums respectively.

James Stapleton (pictured), who tortured and eventually killed 14-year-old Cleon Jackman in May, 1999, is similarly due to face the parole board next month

Douglas Crabbe, who killed five people and injured 16 when he deliberately slammed his truck into the Inland Hotel near Uluru in 1983, will be reviewed by the parole board in August

Douglas Crabbe, who killed five people and injured 16 when he deliberately slammed his truck into the Inland Hotel near Uluru in 1983, will be reviewed by the parole board in August.

'The truck went right through the wall, through the bar,' patron Bernadette Schiller, then 20, told the ABC in 2021.

'There was just people screaming everywhere. It was just dust, debris, blood.'

She described how she had just finished work at another bar and was drinking her first beer at the Inland about 1.30am when the truck hit.

'Somebody yelled something out, and I was at the jukebox, and I sort of glanced out the window expecting to see someone maybe peeing on the tree. And there was just a truck coming straight at us,' she said.

Crabbe was earlier kicked out of the pub for being too drunk.

The truck clean knocked out the wall, drove through the pub (pictured) and pushed the bar against the far wall pinning some of those inside behind the bar or under the truck. Five people were killed in the carnage

The truck clean knocked out the wall, drove through the pub and pushed the bar against the far wall pinning some of those inside behind the bar or under the truck.

Five people were killed in the carnage David Seng, 24, Adrian Durnin, 21, Helen Fuller, 22, Patricia Slinn, 45 and Leslie McKay-Ramsay, 35.

A spokesperson for Attorney-General John Quigley told the West Australian he could only consider a parole recommendation for a prisoner with a life sentence if it was recommended by the Prisoner Review Board.

'Parole is a privilege, not a right. In becoming eligible for parole, a prisoner is not automatically recommended for a parole order,' the spokesperson said.

'The board reviews each case on its merits.'


President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's policy shift spurs bold investments



By Baek Byung-yeul



Doosan Enerbility, SK Inc., Samsung Heavy Industries and other Korean companies are rushing to develop technologies for small modular reactors (SMRs), a type of next-generation nuclear reactor that are smaller and potentially safer than conventional nuclear reactors, according to industry officials, Tuesday.



This trend has been accelerating in recent months as President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged to revive nuclear power as an important energy source and pledged to make Korea a nuclear reactor powerhouse country again, a major shift from the Moon Jae-in administration's nuclear phase-out policy of the past five years.



Industry analysts and officials say that SMR technology, which is cheaper and potentially safer than existing large-sized nuclear power plants, will become the core of the next-generation nuclear power plant industry, adding that it is too early to draw conclusions because the incoming administration's energy plan is scheduled to come out later in 2022.



They presumed that if Korean companies apply the know-how they have accumulated in the construction, management and design of conventional nuclear power plants to SMRs, it will present new opportunities for the Korean nuclear power plant business.



"SMRs are not yet replacements for large nuclear power plants. They still have a long way to go. However, SMRs cost less than large-scale plant construction and have various uses, so demand will eventually soar after the 2030s, and that will be an opportunity for countries such as Korea, which have quality technology for nuclear power plants," Moon Joo-hyun, an energy engineering professor at Dankook University, said.



Moon said that several companies around the world, including U.S-based ones, are developing SMR technologies and he presumed that Korean companies will stand out in areas where they can produce high-quality small nuclear power plants in addition to technology development.



The U.K.'s National Nuclear Laboratory predicts that SMRs will lead the energy market in the long run, with about 650 to 850 units expected to be built by 2035, and the annual market size estimated at around 150 trillion won ($121.5 billion).



"The design and development of nuclear power plants are important, but it is also important to build them with high-quality equipment so that the power plants can survive for 50, 60 or 80 years in a harsh environment. As they have to function properly while enduring high radioactive materials and high pressure for a long time, there are only a few companies  including Korean companies  that can make such high-quality products. I think Korean companies are likely to be in charge of the joint development, production and management of SMRs," he added.



Among Korea's companies, Doosan Enerbility, formerly called Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, is considered the most visible company affiliated with the small nuclear reactor business, as it has worked with numerous SMR design firms.



The company, which graduated from state creditor management in February, changed its name to Enerbility in March. The company's new name shows its goal to focus on new energy technologies.



In 2019, Doosan Enerbility invested $44 million in U.S.-based SMR company, NuScale Power, along with domestic investors. The company injected an additional $60 million into the U.S. firm in July 2021 and signed with U.S. SMR firm X-energy to perform engineering services for its SMR, the Xe-100.



"Doosan is the only company that has its own technology, among the companies that make investments in nuclear power plants in Korea," an official in the local nuclear power industry said, requesting anonymity. "In particular, Doosan has a partnership with NuScale Power, which is said to be a leader in the SMR sector. Currently, NuScale is the only company that has passed several certification steps for SMRs with the U.S.' Nuclear Regulatory Commission."



"Doosan Enerbility is a global technology company in the field of large nuclear power plants, and based on this know-how, it is becoming a global operator in SMR technology development. The company is expected to expand its SMR manufacturing business by working with around 70 companies in the future," the official added.



In addition to Doosan, Samsung C&T and GS Energy also have invested in NuScale Power.



SK Group is also actively taking steps toward the SMR business, as SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won pledged in 2021 to cut carbon emissions 200 million metric tons by 2030. SK Group hopes to become carbon neutral by around 2035.



Recently, industry sources said SK Inc., the holding company of SK Group, is expected to invest in TerraPower, a U.S. SMR developer. TerraPower was founded in 2006 by Microsoft founder Bill Gates with a $35 million investment.



An SK Inc. official agreed that the group is greatly interested in the SMR business, but denied the link to TerraPower.



"To achieve the group's net zero goal, we have been considering investing in energy sources that can emit less carbon. In that context, the company is currently investing in the hydrogen economy. It is true that we are reviewing investing in SMR companies, but there is no official position yet on which company we will be with. It might be TerraPower or other companies," the SK Inc. spokesman said.



Samsung Heavy Industries is eyeing the floating SMR sector, given that the company is one of the leaders in the off-shore plant business. Early this month, the company signed an agreement with Seaborg, a Danish nuclear reactor developer, to develop floating nuclear power plant barges.



The floating nuclear power plant will be able to deliver up to 800 megawatts of electricity. In addition to the cooperation with Seaborg, Samsung is also considering placing a hydrogen and ammonia production plant next to the floating nuclear power plant for the production of hydrogen and ammonia.



Competition in SMR development is underway in nuclear power plant powerhouse nations such as the United States, the U.K. and Russia, to occupy shares in the global SMR market. An official of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Korea said, "Korea is also developing its own SMR that has improved economic aspects and safety. We aim to obtain licenses in 2028, and plan to enter the nuclear power plant export market in earnest."


The co-founder of Twitter launched a searing attack on the media on Monday night, taking a broad swipe at news networks and accusing them of 'sowing doubt to promote white supremacy and get engagement'.

The comments come just one day after condemning Twitter's board - of which he is a member - for being preoccupied with 'plots and coups' amid Elon Musk's attempt to takeover the company

Dorsey, who stepped down as CEO of Twitter in November, lashed out at CNN and then Fox.

The online rant began when CNN's media correspondent, Brian Stelter, tweeted a link to an op-ed accusing Fox's Tucker Carlson of 'selling doubt', Dorsey replied: 'And you all are selling hope?'

Newsmax's Alex Salvi then jumped in, saying that Dorsey was defending the controversial Fox anchor.

'Not defending a thing,' Dorsey replied. 'Holding up a mirror.'

Former CEO Jack Dorsey, pictured in June at a Bitcoin conference, on Monday night took aim at the media, criticizing CNN in particular

Ellen Pao, a venture capitalist, then chimed in, saying: 'I thought his point was that the press does the same thing, sowing doubt to promote white supremacy and get engagement, often amplifying bad takes, but now I'm not sure anymore.'

Dorsey replied: 'Yes.'

When someone pointed out that criticizing the media for amplifying extremist views was ironic coming from the Twitter founder, Dorsey seemed to accept his point.

'We certainly have seen what twitter does positive and negative,' the 45-year-old said.

'I think the common denominator is the current ad model for all media, not just social media.'

When one commentator noted that CNN 'sells false news', Dorsey agreed.

'I know this from being on the streets of Ferguson during the protests and watching them try to create conflict and film it causing the protestors to chant 'f*** CNN',' he said.

One man remarked: 'Every single broadcast news channel is selling the same thing, ad viewership.'

Dorsey replied: 'Yep.'

On Sunday, Dorsey strongly criticized the 11-person board of Twitter - of which he is one - as he weighed into the toxic fight over Musk's attempted hostile takeover for the first time.

The former CEO blasted the 'plots and coups' that were 'consistently the dysfunction of the company'.

In a series of bombshell tweets and replies, he endorsed one posting saying that 'a bad board will kill a company every time'.

His comments come as Musk tweeted 'Love Me Tender,' again teasing the possibility of a hostile takeover of Twitter.

The billionaire posted the Elvis Presley lyrics at the weekend in a potential bid to lure shareholders with a tender offer that could see him seize control.

A tender offer would see him bypass the board and go to shareholders with his offer of $54.20 a share - but he would need to show how he would finance his bid.

He also appeared to suggest he would strip board members of their salaries, saying they would get '$0 if my bid succeeds'.

Meanwhile the social media giant filed its 'poison pill' defense with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a bid to thwart the Tesla founder.

The plan is being seen as a last ditch attempt to prevent Musk from increasing his stake in the company further following his $43billion bid last week.

Musk, the world's richest man, currently owns a 9.2 per cent stake in the tech giant and is trying to take it private with an unsolicited bid of $54.20 per share.

Dorsey owns 2 per cent of the company.

Twitter's bosses have reportedly brought on Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase to advise it on how to respond to Musk's bid.

Elon Musk (pictured last week) has tweeted 'Love Me Tender' as he hinted at the possibility of a hostile takeover of Twitter

Elon Musk's attempted hostile takeover of Twitter timeline: January 31: Musk starts buying Twitter shares 'almost daily'

Musk starts buying Twitter shares 'almost daily' April 4: The billionaire reveals he has a nine per cent stake in the tech giant

The billionaire reveals he has a nine per cent stake in the tech giant April 5: Twitter offers him a seat on the board of directors - as long as he does not own more than 14.9 per cent. He initially accepts the offer

Twitter offers him a seat on the board of directors - as long as he does not own more than 14.9 per cent. He initially accepts the offer April 8: Vanguard Group reveals it has a larger, 10.3 per cent, stake in Twitter, meaning Musk is no longer largest shareholder

Vanguard Group reveals it has a larger, 10.3 per cent, stake in Twitter, meaning Musk is no longer largest shareholder April 9: Musk rejects seat on Twitter's board on the day he is meant to join

Musk rejects seat on Twitter's board on the day he is meant to join April 10: CEO Agrawal announces Musk declined to join the board in a statement

CEO Agrawal announces Musk declined to join the board in a statement April 12: Investor Marc Bain Rasella files lawsuit against Musk in NYC over 'failing to report his Twitter share purchases to the SEC' in time

Investor Marc Bain Rasella files lawsuit against Musk in NYC over 'failing to report his Twitter share purchases to the SEC' in time April 14: The Tesla founder offers to buy Twitter for $43billion

The Tesla founder offers to buy Twitter for $43billion April 14: Twitter stocks plummet after hostile takeover bid

Twitter stocks plummet after hostile takeover bid April 15: Twitter board mounts a 'poison pill' strategy against Musk

Twitter board mounts a 'poison pill' strategy against Musk April 16: Musk tweets 'Love Me Tender' as he again teased at the possibility of a hostile takeover of Twitter

April 17: Musk agreed with a tweet saying the 'game is rigged' if he can't buy Twitter

Musk agreed with a tweet saying the 'game is rigged' if he can't buy Twitter April 18: Jack Dorsey has slammed the board of Twitter for 'plots and coups' that were 'consistently the dysfunction of the company'

Jack Dorsey has slammed the board of Twitter for 'plots and coups' that were 'consistently the dysfunction of the company' April 18: The social media giant files its 'poison pill' defense with the Securities and Exchange Commission Advertisement

Dorsey has frequently shown support for Musk, and welcomed his initial plan to join Twitter's board.

Replying to one post on Saturday, Dorsey said: 'When I was fired in 2008 and made chair, the board took most of my shares away from me.

'I also gave 1 per cent of the company back to the employee pool in 2015. So, ended up with very little of company.'

He also replied to one comment mentioning 'plots and coups' in the Twitter board saying: 'it's consistently been the dysfunction of the company'.

Earlier in the thread, he replied to a post quoting a 'Silicon Valley proverb' by venture capitalist Fred Destin.

It said: 'Good boards don't create good companies, but a bad board will kill a company every time.'

Dorsey said: 'Big facts.'

The 45-year-old entrepreneur is still on the board but is expected to leave when his term comes to an end at the end of May.

Musk's Love Me Tender tweet on Saturday afternoon was his latest hint he will bypass Twitter's board and put his offer directly to shareholders.

On Thursday, following a TED talk appearance, he tweeted: 'It would be utterly indefensible not to put this offer to a shareholder vote.'

He later added that the board's 'economic interests are simply not aligned with shareholders'.

On Sunday, in a raft of tweets, Musk slammed Twitter's board, blasted those claiming his bid could not work and also praised an article in Bloomberg.

Gary Black, managing partner at The Future Fund, had tweeted: 'Let me point out something obvious.

'If @elonmusk takes $TWTR private, the TWTR board members don't have jobs any more, which pays them $250K-$300K per year for what is a nice part-time job.'

Musk replied: 'Board salary will be $0 if my bid succeeds, so that's ~$3M/year saved right there.'

Another post on the social media website hit out at an article by NYU's Professor Scott Galloway saying Musk could not afford to buy Twitter.

Twitter's share price remained below Musk's offer level of $54.20 last week, suggesting the market is uncertain whether his bid will be accepted by the board. But in the last few days it turned upwards

Musk offered to purchase Twitter for $54.20 per share. The company's stock was valued at the time of the offer at $45.85 per share

Elon Musk's 'Love Me Tender' tweet hints at a tender offer.. but what does it mean? Elon Musk's Love Me Tender tweet appeared to hint at a tender offer to shareholders. The 50-year-old simply tweeted on Saturday afternoon 'Love Me Tender' with musical notes around it. A tender offer, also known as a hostile bid, would see him bypass the board and go straight to the shareholders with his offer of $54.20 a share. But he would need to file a form with the SEC for this, meaning he would need to show how he would fund his bid. It could pose as a problem for the Tesla billionaire, with it still unclear how he would pay for any deal to buy Twitter.

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Musk replied: 'Since he is consistently wrong, it should be possible to do quite well simply by doing the opposite of what he recommends.'

Meanwhile he also praised a piece written by Matthew Winkler for Bloomberg titled: 'In Defense of Elon Musk's Managerial Excellence.'

Musk posted simply: 'Why, thank you, sir!'

The article said 'Tesla CEO's track record proves he's a pre-eminent builder of businesses'.

The article goes on to say that the billionaire has a history of maximizing shareholder value.

It says: 'Too often, Elon Musk makes the news for the wrong reasons, giving his detractors a steady stream of fodder to use against someone they say is little more than a self-absorbed corporate carnival barker.'

But it adds: 'Musk's success as a pre-eminent maximizer of shareholder value proves otherwise.'

Twitter on Monday filed its 'poison pill' plan with the SEC as it cemented its attempt to block Musk from executing the $43 billion hostile takeover.

The document says: 'In connection with the adoption of the Rights Agreement, on April 15, 2022 the Board approved a Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock (the ''Certificate of Designation'') setting forth the rights, powers and preferences of the Preferred Stock.

'The Certificate of Designation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 18, 2022.'

Poison pill plans use the threat of dilution to dissuade takeovers The Twitter board, meeting on Thursday afternoon, decided to combat Musk's takeover bid with a so-called 'poison pill' provision that would prevent the Tesla CEO from increasing his stake in Twitter. Also known as shareholder rights plans, poison pills typically trigger an automatic stock dilution through a flood of new shares if a corporate raider's ownership stake grows too large. For instance, if a single shareholder hits 15% ownership, a poison pill could be designed to allow every other shareholder to buy a new issue of shares at a discount. Knowing such a plan could be triggered, raising the cost of a takeover astronomically, the bidder would be disinclined to pursue a takeover without the board's approval. In Twitter's case, the idea of such a plan would be to prevent Musk from increasing his 9.1 percent stake in order to pressure the board to accept his deal. Advertisement

The strategy, announced on Friday, triggers a dilution of company shares if any shareholder builds up a 15 per cent stake without the board's approval.

But it does not prevent Twitter from accepting Musk's offer or entering negotiations with him or other potential buyers.

Yet it will stop the billionaire from putting pressure on the board by buying up ever more shares on the open market.

Twitter said its 'poison pill' plan is 'similar to other plans adopted by publicly held companies in comparable circumstances'.

It said: 'The Rights Plan will reduce the likelihood that any entity, person or group gains control of Twitter through open market accumulation without paying all shareholders an appropriate control premium.'

It means if Musk or any other person or group acquires at least 15 per cent of Twitter's stock, the 'poison' pill will be triggered.

Every other shareholder aside from Musk would be allowed to purchase new shares at half the market price.

The flood of half-price shares would effectively dilute his ownership stake, making it massively more expensive for him to build up a controlling position.

Twitter said its board had voted unanimously in favor of the plan, which will remain in effect until April 14, 2023.

Its board is led by chairman Bret Taylor.

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and co-founder Dorsey also hold board seats.

Rounding out the board are: MasterCard executive Mimi Alemayehou, private equity investor Egon Durban, karaoke tycoon Martha Lane Fox, former Google exec Omid Kordestani, Stanford professor Fei-Fei Li, venture capitalist Patrick Pichette, 1stDibs CEO David Rosenblatt, and former banker and diplomat Robert Zoellick.

Despite Twitter's latest move, Musk could still defy the board and take over in a proxy fight by voting out the current directors - though this strategy could take years.

Musk previously responded to reports the board was mulling a 'poison pill' plan by tweeting: 'If the current Twitter board takes actions contrary to shareholder interests, they would be breaching their fiduciary duty.

'The liability they would thereby assume would be titanic in scale,' he added, apparently referring to potential shareholder lawsuits.

Twitter's board is led by chairman Bret Taylor, who is also the co-CEO of business software giant Salesforce

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal (left) and co-founder Jack Dorsey (right) also hold board seats

If the board were to reject Musk's tender offer, he could then approach the shareholders, who may accept the offer. Musk could also employ a proxy fight in which opposing groups of stockholders attempt to persuade other stockholders to let them use their shares' proxy votes. Twitter's San Francisco headquarters is pictured in July 2021

A Stanford professor, a banker and tech giants ... who is on Twitter's board? Chairman Bret Taylor

CEO Parag Agrawal

Co-founder Jack Dorsey

MasterCard exec Mimi Alemayehou

Private equity investor Egon Durban

Karaoke tycoon Martha Lane Fox

Ex-Google exec Omid Kordestani

Stanford professor Fei-Fei Li

Venture capitalist Patrick Pichette

1stDibs CEO David Rosenblatt

Ex-banker Robert Zoellick Advertisement

Musk sent shockwaves through the tech world on Thursday with an unsolicited bid to buy the company.

He said the promotion of freedom of speech on Twitter as a key reason for what he called his 'best and final offer'.

The world's richest person offered $54.20 a share, which values the social media firm at some $43 billion, in a filing with the SEC on Thursday.

Musk said at a conference hours later he was 'not sure' he would succeed and acknowledged a 'plan B' but refused to elaborate.

But he hinted in a filing that a rejection would make him consider selling his shares.

Musk last week disclosed a purchase of 73.5million shares - or 9.2 percent - of Twitter's common stock, which sent its shares soaring more than 25 per cent.

The board's 'rights plan' kicks in if a buyer takes 15 per cent or more of Twitter's outstanding common stock in a transaction not approved by the board.

Musk said he 'could technically afford' the buyout while offering no information on financing.

But he would likely need to borrow money or part with some of his mountain of Tesla or SpaceX shares.

Despite saying he wanted to take the company private, he said the firm would keep up to 2,000 investors - the maximum allowed.

Some investors have already spoken against the proposal, including businessman and Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

Morningstar Research analysts echoed this, saying, 'While the board will take the Tesla CEO's offer into consideration, we believe the probability of Twitter accepting it is likely below 50 percent.'
A judge has once again denied a motion to reduce bonds for the jailed parents of a Michigan teenager who is charged in the deadly Oxford High School shooting last year, claiming they pose a flight risk.

Lawyers for James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley, had sought to get their bonds lowered from $500,000 to $100,000 each in a filing on April 12.

But Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews ruled on Tuesday that the bond rate was appropriately set - considering they led police on a day-long manhunt after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter in the November 30 school shooting in which four students were killed and seven others were injured.

They were ultimately found one day later, on December 4, apparently hiding out at a warehouse in Detroit after, prosecutors say, they tried to obscure their license plate as they ran.

Matthews said on Tuesday that those actions were 'premeditated to conceal their whereabouts.'

The Crumbleys are accused of failing to keep a gun secure at their home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress.

In fact, prosecutors say, the pair gave the gun to the 15-year-old for Christmas and allowed him to practice shooting regularly.

The couple are now facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, which they have pleaded not guilty to. If convicted, they could each face 15 years in prison.

Their 15-year-old son, meanwhile, is being charged as an adult with first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, terrorism and gun charges in the shooting at his school, about 30 miles north of Detroit.

In total, he is facing 24 felony charges, including terrorism and first-degree murder charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Crumbley is expected to make his next court appearance on Thursday.

A judge once again denied Jennifer and James Crumbley's attorney's request to have their bond reduced on Tuesday, citing the fact that they had fled after they were criminally charged. The couple are seen here in between Jennifer's lawyer in court on Tuesday

In her decision, Judge Cheryl Matthews (pictured) ruled that the Crumbleys' actions were 'premeditated to conceal their whereabouts

James and Jennifer Crumbley, seen in their mugshots, were ultimately found one day after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter apparently hiding out in a Detroit warehouse

Ethan Crumbley, 15, is being detained at the Oakland County Jail - the same facility his parents are being held at - as he faces trial on a total of 24 felony charges for shooting up Oxford High School on November 30 and killing four students. He is being charged as an adult

Timeline of the Crumbley's time on the run: Ethan Crumbley's parents drained his bank account NOVEMBER 30 12:51 pm: Ethan allegedly shoots and kills four students 1:22 pm: Jennifer texts Ethan 'don't do it.' The shooting had already taken place. 1:37 pm: James calls 911 to report the gun missing and said he thinks his son might have it. DECEMBER 1 Ethan is charged as an adult with two dozen crimes, including murder, attempted murder and terrorism. DECEMBER 3 McDonald announces that Jennifer and James are charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. 2-3 pm: The couple were last seen near Rochester Hills before leading authorities on a manhunt for several hours. They withdraw $4,000 from an ATM in the area before leaving the motel they had been staying at since Tuesday after the shooting. 4 pm: The couple were scheduled to be arraigned at 4pm but stopped communicating with their attorneys, prompting state and federal officials to launch a manhunt. Crumbleys' lawyers said their clients had left for their own safety and were not on the run. Later in the day: Oakland County sheriff complained after the charges were announced that he did not get an advance warning of the charges being filed against the pair and learned of them from media reports. Jennifer and James did not show up to court, but their lawyer said they 'are returning' and 'would be turning themselves in to be arraigned.' 10 pm: A tipster reports the Crumbleys' abandoned Kia in a neighborhood on the east side of Detroit. DECEMBER 4 A massive manhunt of the area leads to their capture in the basement of a nearby building - less than a mile from the Canadian border. 2:45 am: James and Jennifer are booked at the Oakland County Jail. 9:30 am: The Crumbleys appear for their video conference arraignment from separate rooms in the jail. They each pleaded not guilty to all four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Judge Julie Nicholson set each parent's bond at $500,000, which must be paid in full. They remain at Oakland County Jail after the virtual meeting, which is also where their son Ethan is being held. Advertisement

Attorneys for the Crumbleys had argued in court documents obtained by the Detroit Free Press that they should have their bond reduced because they have been unfairly portrayed as bad parents by the prosecution.

They claimed: 'No one expected that the shooter could be or would be homicidal.

'The media contains so much histrionic and emotional information that many of the facts of this case have been lost upon the public,' they wrote in the motion to reduce the bond.

'The real facts ... show that this case amounts to a completely devastating event where people want to find someone or something to assign responsibility to.'

But The Oakland County prosecutors office opposed a lower bond for the Crumbleys, noting that a similar request was denied by a judge in a lower court.

'The claim that they werent trying to flee is not credible,' Prosecutor Karen McDonald told reporters following Tuesday's hearing. 'Turning yourself in is always the best route. You can't try to run from being prosecuted and claim you were always going to return to a court date.'

Matthews seemed to agree with the prosecution in her decision, declaring the Crumbleys a flight risk.

'The defendants indicate they were devastated when they heard about the alleged actions of their son, felt unsafe in their home, felt hounded by the press and found it necessary to leave,' Matthews said in her decision. 'The chronology of events that occurred subsequent to the defendants leaving their home is not consistent with cooperation with law enforcement.'

'Upon a warrant being issued, law enforcement is not required to make an appointment with a defendant,' she continued. 'It is the job of the police to ensure a swift, safe and secure arrest.

'The defendants actions were premeditated to conceal their whereabouts,' Matthews concluded.

Lawyers for the Crumbleys now say they will appeal Matthews' ruling on the bond reduction and are expected to file 10 motions to the judge before the trial kicks off this fall.

Also on Tuesday, the Crumbleys agreed to joint representation, even after Matthews warned them of the potential risks - including limiting the presentation of evidence or witness examination to protect the other client.

Both James and Jennifer are being charged as individuals, and have retained lawyers from the same law firm, creating a potential conflict of interest.

The prosecution had initially raised concerns about them using lawyers from the same firm, arguing it could allow for an appeal attempt if they are convicted, and last month, Matthews appointed two separate lawyers for the defendants.

They will now, however, be represented by their own attorneys after agreeing to the joint representation, while they are being held at the Oakland County Jail - where their son is also being detained despite asking a judge to move to a juvenile facility.

The three have little to no contact with one another after the parents were ordered to stop communicating with one another in court.

Among those who died in the shooting were Justin Shilling, left, who succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital, and Tate Myre, who died at the school while trying to protect others

Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) also died in the shooting rampage at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit

A makeshift memorial was set up outside Oxford High School the day after the fatal shooting

Devastated students and parents are seen here walking away from the school that day

Ethan, who turns 16 next week, meanwhile, is scheduled to return to court on Thursday for a combined pretrial hearing and a 30-day status check under Michigan's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, which requires his placement in an adult facility to be reviewed every month.

In the meantime, he will stay at the county jail - where prosecutors argue he has boasted about his life in prison, despite claims that incarceration had driven the teen killer to the verge of suicide.

Prosecutors had previously argued that, due to the severity of his accused crimes, Crumbley does not belong in a juvenile setting, where he would be able to intermingle with others the same age as his victims.

They claimed he would be a 'menace' to the other juveniles at the Children's Village, pointing to a text between Crumbley and one of his friends in which he 'outlined a plan to stalk, rape, torture and ultimately kill a female classmate.

'He expressed delight in torturing a family of baby birds, and he wrote about the joy he received in listening to them squeal as he killed them,' assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said.

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame L. Rowe felt that Crumbley's current living situation - in solitary confinement at the adult prison, where he gets mail and has access to television - was appropriate for at least another month.

He explained in a 12-page decision that Crumbley has been receiving letters from supporters all over the world since his arrest, including one on January 16 when Crumbley said 'I got a cell to myself, three meals a day, a TV to watch and the guards are pretty nice,' according to the Detroit Free Press.

In another letter, Crumbley reportedly tells a supporter that their mail 'brightens' his day, and that the 'photos of New York are what he imagined.

'There is nothing in the email exchanges that causes this court concern regarding Ethan's current mental health,' Rowe wrote. 'He is eating, reading books, playing video games and talking to others.'

'He spoke of his admiration of Adolf Hitler and Jeffrey Dahmer specifically stating: "When you die you need to be remembered for a long time, doing something that will make people think of you until the time ends."'

'To place this defendant with other at-risk juveniles who are presumably the same age as his victim would be contradictory to the rehabilitation of those at Children's Village and pose a potential risk of harm to their safety,' he argued.

Inmate caseworker Christine Belling also testified that she visited Crumbley for five to 10 minutes a day to assess his mental health concerns, and found none.

She said she continues to see Crumbley twice a week, brought him Harry Potter books to read, and makes sure he has access to a psychiatrist, according to the Detroit News.

Ethan Crumbley appeared before a judge from the Oakland County Jail earlier this month, as his court-appointed guardian, Deborah McKelvy, brought up his education. He is now set to receive a laptop and Internet access to continue his schooling

The alleged school shooter is now also set to receive a laptop and internet access to continue his education online.

He was granted access to the device to take online college courses offered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic after he turns 16 at the end of the month.

Crumbley had missed the deadline to enroll in a high school course after being incarcerated in the wake of the November 2021 shooting at Oxford High School.

But his court-appointed legal guardian Deborah McKelvy claimed in court last month that prosecutors misstated the law regarding Crumbley's education when they asserted that his parents, who are behind bars themselves, were responsible for ensuring the teen's continued access to education.

Now, she said, that responsibility falls on the state.

'The child's parent, guardian or other person in this state having control and charge of the child' must provide for his education, she said - and as of now, '[that] has been Oakland County Jail.'

'Even at our last hearing, there was testimony that everybody believed that it's the parents' responsibility and it's no longer the parents' responsibility,' she added.

McKelvy said she'd received an 'extensive email' of Crumbley's potential online course offerings on Tuesday that 'will either give him a high school equivalency diploma or GED,' and that she had spoken to Crumbley about the prospect upon visiting him in jail.

'He is thinking about what path he wants to proceed with,' McKelvy said.

'Miss George indicated that she has talked with Captain Vita about being able to provide him [with] his own laptop.'

Because classes have already begun, Crumbley can't enter a certain high school equivalency program until September of this year. In the meantime, she said, he could take courses offered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which he can enroll in once he turns 16.

Crumbley may even have access to college-level courses, she said.

It remains unclear what kind of supervision he will have after he receives Internet access.

Steven St. Juliana filed a lawsuit against the Oxford Community School, student counselor Shawn Hopkins (pictured) and Dean of Student Nicholas Ejak for gross negligence for failing to prevent the mass shooting on November 30

(L-R): The former district Superintendent Timothy Throne, acting Superintendent Kenneth Weaver, and high school principal Steven Wolf were also named in the suit. The St. Juliana family demands Weaver retract statements that the district was free of wrongdoing

Meanwhile, the family of one of the victims killed in the mass shooting has filed a second lawsuit against the Oxford school district and administrators claiming they knew Crumbley was 'homicidal and suicidal.'

Steven St. Juliana filed the suit against the district on earlier this month over the death of his daughter, Hana, 14, who was one of the four victims gunned down on November 30 when Crumbley, 15, opened fire inside the school.

St. Juliana and his older daughter, Reina, 16, argued that student counselor Shawn Hopkins and Dean of Student Nicholas Ejak knew Crumbley had homicidal ideas. He was removed from class after teachers caught him drawing and writing disturbing messages hours before the shooting.

The family condemned the administrators, along with principal Steven Wolf, former Superintendent Timothy Throne and acting Superintendent Kenneth Weaver, for allowing Crumbley to go back to class without checking his bag, where he is accused of hiding the firearm.

'The truth is that school officials escalated the danger by releasing [Crumbley] from a safe zone with knowledge of [Crumbley]'s propensity to inflict harm upon himself or others,' the lawsuit states.

'Instead, Ejak and Hopkins used their authority to write a hall pass, give [Crumbley] his backpack (without searching it), and return him to his third hour class, alone.'

The family is now seeking unspecified damages under Michigan's wrongful death statute as it accuses the administrators of gross negligence and demands Weaver or the district retract all statements made that the district was innocent of wrongdoing.

According to the suit, the district has cited an 'adherence to policy' defense for why Crumbley was sent back to class as he could only be held for a 'disciplinary matter.'

The St. Juliana family claim the stance is a 'cover-up' for the district hide its actions on the day of the shooting.

'The 'adherence to policy' construct is a false narrative manufactured by school officials to avoid accountability for the death and destruction they caused by their deliberate indifference to [Crumbley's] status as a troubled youth who was suicidal and who had expressed homicidal ideation.'

Reina, a Oxford High student who was in a nearby hallway when her sister died, said in a statement on Friday: 'I am standing up for my sister.

'I will be Hana's voice for change. Until the District acknowledges what happened and what they did wrong, violence like this will happen again.

'These senseless killings were preventable and I will do anything I can to make sure this doesn't ever happen again.'

The lawsuit is the second of its kind as the family of shooting survivors Riley, 17, and Bella Franz, 14, had sued the school for $100 million, also alleging that administrators were negligent in preventing the tragedy.

Their attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, says that Riley was shot in the neck while she and Bella exited a restroom during the rampage.

School officials had asked Judge Mark Goldsmith to halt the lawsuit pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against Crumbley and his parents - however, Goldsmith said he was not aware of any risk that the civil suit would interfere with the criminal cases.
Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo penned an article Monday slamming current Gov. Kathy Hochul for her 'incompetence' and 'backdoor deals,' citing in part the recently announced $850 million Buffalo Bills' stadium deal that could directly benefit Hochul's husband's concession business.

Cuomo, who resigned in August after a sexual harassment scandal, weighed in on the current state of affairs in Albany in a New York Daily News column titled 'There's a better way forward for New York State.'

'The Albany culture now is 'see no evil' and 'go along to get along.' State government is back to parochial politics, fundraising and incompetence,' the embattled career politician wrote.

The hit piece comes on the heels of an especially chaotic week for Hochul.

Her handpicked Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation, just seven months after the pair vowed to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal.

Cuomo went on to criticize his former right-hand woman's response to a new spike in COVID cases in the Empire State following Hochul's remarks that she will not impose new lockdowns so as to not disturb the state's newly regained economical stability.

'COVID has changed the world. People [and] businesses can work from home. [It's] not that people are affirmatively choosing other states, but that they're being constructively evicted from NY,' Cuomo wrote in a tweet sharing the Daily News piece.

'We just paid the Bills $1 billion. What do we pay our citizens to stay?'

Hochul, who faces an election this fall, recently came under fire after Albany insiders pointed out that an $850 million, taxpayer-funded contract to build a $1.4 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills would potentially benefit her husband's major food concession business.

Cuomo, who resigned in August after a sexual harassment scandal, slammed Kathy Hochul in a New York Daily News column entitled 'There's a better way forward for New York State.' Above, Cuomo stands with Hochul during an an election night watch party hosted by the New York State Democratic Committee in 2018

Hochul, who faces an election this fall, recently came under fire after Albany insiders pointed out that an $850 million, taxpayer-funded contract to build a $1.4 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills would potentially benefit her husband's major food concessionaire

Cuomo went on to criticize his former right-hand woman's response to a new spike in COVID cases in the Empire State following Hochul's remarks that she will not impose new lockdowns so as to not disturb the state's newly regained economical stability

'There is no vision, planning, performance or accountability,' Cuomo wrote on Monday.

'The only act of national significance in the budget was the Bills stadium deal that a national expert called ''one of the worst deals for taxpayers I've ever seen'' and ''a return to the bad old days.'''

In late March, Hochul introduced a budget plan in which Empire State taxpayers would foot the majority of the $1.4 billion project to keep the Buffalo Bills in Western New York.

Much of the taxpayer-funded money for the Bill stadium will come from New York State and Erie County, which will contribute $850 million and $250 million, respectively, with the deal including a 30-year commitment from the team to stay in Buffalo.

The Governor's husband, Bill Hochul, is the senior vice president of a major food concessionaire at the Buffalo Bills' Highmark Stadium.

Delaware North could potentially benefit from another 30 years of work at the new stadium, The New York Post reported.

Speaking of the taxpayers' price tag in March, Hochul called it 'far less than anyone had anticipated,' while referring to speculation that taxpayers could have spent $1 billion or more.

Hochul added that the construction costs fall in line with other recent small-market stadium projects. Ongoing maintenance and capital costs will cost another $13 million a year.

'The project will create 10,000 union jobs and New Yorkers can rest assured that their investment will be recouped by the economic activity the team generates,' said Hochul, a Buffalo native and devoted Bills fan, in defense of the spending.

'The only act of national significance in the budget was the Bills stadium deal that a national expert called ''one of the worst deals for taxpayers I've ever seen'' and ''a return to the bad old days,''' Cuomo wrote. Above, a rendering of the future Bills Stadium

The Governor's husband, Bill Hochul, is the senior vice president of a major food concessionaire at the Buffalo Bills' Highmark Stadium. Delaware North could potentially benefit from another 30 years of work at the new stadium

On Monday, Cuomo also commented on Tuesday's indictment against recently resigned Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who was accused of using his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization.

'The lieutenant governor's indictment raises troubling questions. After many scandals, we had reformed the insidious pork-barrel member-item process,' Cuomo wrote.

He added: 'The attorney general's office had undertaken a comprehensive vetting process and required legal certifications that there was no conflict of interest or financial relationship between the legislator and the grantee ... In the Brian Benjamin case, the entire system failed.'

Hochul's previously smooth path to a Democratic primary win has hit a major bump in recent weeks.

Her leading opponents in both the primary and general election have pounced, saying Hochul's pick of Benjamin at a time when he was already under scrutiny showed poor judgment.

'Either she's consistently shamefully out of the loop, or shamefully enabling through her inaction, and either way, it's clear that unless we elect leadership outside of the old ways of Albany, these patterns of scandal and corruption will keep repeating,' said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is running against Hochul for the Democratic nomination.

U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat also trying to beat Hochul, piled on, saying her pick of Benjamin was part of a pattern of bad choices.

'Hochul has fostered a culture of continued corruption with months of fundraising from pay-to-play insiders and people doing business with the state, and secretive budget deals that resulted in the billion dollar Bills stadium and little else,' Suozzi tweeted.

Benjamin is free on $250,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty on April 12 following his arrest on multiple charges including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records.

Former New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin leaves a hearing in federal court on Monday, April. 18, 2022, in New York. Benjamin previously plead not guilty to corruption charges

The hit piece comes on the heels of an especially chaotic week for Hochul, after her handpicked Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation, just seven months after the pair vowed to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal (File photo)

Hochul, who had been lieutenant governor under Cuomo, became the Empire State's first female governor in August when Cuomo announced his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations he denies to this day

He made his first appearance Monday before Judge J. Paul Oetken, who will preside over a trial if it occurs.

News of Benjamin's arrest and resignation was nearly lost in the noise of a mass shooting on a subway train in New York City.

Hochul raced into town to attend a police news conference about the attack, where she ducked a question about Benjamin, then visited shooting victims in the hospital and rode the rails in a symbolic statement against fear.

Federal prosecutors say Benjamin accepted bribes, in the form of illegal campaign contributions, during a failed run for New York City comptroller.

Hochul used a public radio interview Wednesday to defend her selection of Benjamin, and said the vetting process didn't raise red flags.

'It was a surprise, it really was,' Hochul told WNYC host Brian Lehrer. 'I made the best decision I could with the information I had at that time.'

Hochul, who had been lieutenant governor under Cuomo, became the Empire State's first female governor in August when Cuomo announced his resignation amid sexual harassment allegations he denies to this day.
Authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order early Tuesday morning for residents of Plaquemine, Louisiana, following a fire and subsequent chlorine spill at a local Dow Chemical facility.

The fire was doused shortly after a leak erupted from a third-party tenant at the Dow facility, an official from the sheriff's office of Iberville parish said.

The spokesperson added that the number of casualties was not immediately known.

Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi said the fire broke out at the plant at around 8:40 p.m. Monday, spurring a shelter-in-place order for residents near the facility.

The order was lifted with an all-clear given just after midnight.

Almost simultaneously, a chlorine spill was reported. Stassi added that emergency sirens were sounded in the area to warn residents of the danger.

Authorities lifted an order early Tuesday morning that had told residents of Plaquemine in the U.S. state of Louisiana to shelter in place following a fire and chlorine spill at Olin Corp's plant located on the property of Dow Chemical

The fire was doused shortly after the leak from the Olin plant, a third-party tenant at the Dow facility, an official from the sheriff's office of Iberville parish said, adding that the number of casualties was not immediately known

Sheriff Stassi gives an update on the shelter in place due to chlorine spill. https://t.co/ahdmoFGNZv pic.twitter.com/aPxfcIx5ss  WAFB (@WAFB) April 19, 2022

IBERVILLE PARISH PRESIDENT J. MITCHELL OURSO UPDATE ON CHLORINE SPILL AT OLIN PLANT ON DOW SITE @WAFB https://t.co/BdL822IbFs pic.twitter.com/6Yc44rePH6  Lester Duhe (@LesterDuhe) April 19, 2022

'We continue to monitor the air quality of the area,' an official for the sheriff's office said by telephone.

Olin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Parish President Mitch Ourso said that the smell of chlorine was being noticed by residents in the air at least several miles from the facility.

State police have also closed Louisiana Highway 1 in both directions near the plant, the department said on Twitter.

An order to shelter in place, issued during a state of emergency, requires people to stay indoors and not leave unless necessary.

The Olin plant, located on the property of Dow Chemical in Plaquemine

Iberville Sheriff Brett Stassi

Posted by Rodney Waldroup on Monday, April 18, 2022

Stassi said that chlorine levels outside of the plant were not at a level that they would term dangerous, which is why no evacuations were being ordered.

Officials also shut down the local highway in both directions near the scene of the fire and spill.
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Friends of a teen who was kidnapped and murdered in 1966 have investigated the disappearance of Danny Goldman, pictured, who was 17 at the time

Five friends have revealed how they cracked the cold case of their friend's murder 56 years later - after discovering he was killed by a mobster and dumped in the ocean to punish his father.

The group pored over tens of thousands of pages of documents and never gave up on finding out the truth behind the brutal death of 17-year-old Danny Goldman in Miami, Florida, in 1966.

They told how they identified the thug responsible using a fragment of a rubber glove recovered from the scene, which was traced back to a clinic they used in Brooklyn.

The armed mobster had got into Goldman's family home in Surfside through an unlocked door before tying up his parents, grabbing him while he slept and demanding $10,000.

They said they did not have it so the intruders stormed away with their boy - who was tied up with rope and tape in the back of a car - and later held him for a $25,000 ransom.

The vehicle was found abandoned days later but Goldman was never seen again. But his five friends dug into the case and believe he was killed and dumped in the Atlantic Ocean near Miami within a day or two.

They linked his death to the mob who they said was furious with the boy's father Aaron who was probing possible illegal activity at the bank he worked at.

The case was finally wrapped up last year when Miami Police identified George Defeis as the thug responsible, but justice was never served because he died in a nursing home in 1980.

The childhood friends continued to think about Goldman's death decades after he was abducted from his home and murdered, People Magazine reported.

Over 10 years they pieced together enough evidence and background information to get Florida authorities to join the investigation.

They were encouraged by a letter from Goldman's mother Sally, which pleaded for her son to 'never be forgotten'.

Parents Aaron and Sally Goldman were told that the kidnapper wanted $25,000 in exchange for Danny, who he tied up with rope and tape and bundled him inside his car

Police are seen in March 1966 as they investigated the kidnapping of Danny Goldman

Neighborhood friends of kidnapped Daniel Goldman look at a newspaper with a detective in March 1966 in front of the house from where Goldman was kidnapped

Paul Novack, a lawyer and former mayor of Surfside, said: 'It says that she hopes that if people keep the memory alive, that hopefully one day somebody will hear something or see something and will have some answers.'

He added to the outlet: 'When you pick up this oily copy in her own handwriting, a public plea all those years ago, it hit home.'

The letter had been passed to one of Goldman's childhood friends Joe Graubart, who said: 'Danny was her only child, her true love. I don't think she was ever the same after he was gone.

'I feel sad that two lives were lost. Sally's life and Danny's. Danny was kidnapped and murdered, and Sally Goldman's life was kidnapped and somewhat murdered along with him.'

He was joined by four other friends as they delved into every aspect of Goldman's disappearance, with the letter seen to exonerate any notion Sally could have been involved.

Novack, Joe, his older brother David, and other friends Anthony Blate and Harvey Lisker trawled through tens of thousands of pages of documents as well as archives and interviewing relevant people.

Paul Novack looks through boxes of files he has compiled in researching the 47-year-old kidnapping case of Danny Goldman. He is pictured in 2013, towards the start of the deep dive

The group of five friends began a relentless search for answers along with the Miami-Dade Police Department's Cold Case Unit

'I was able to find out that this particular man who was the kidnapper lived in New York at the time and was a patient at these community clinics at the time. He had access to the one type of unique glove that was found on the floor in the Goldman house,' explained Paul Novack

Novack said: 'Basically, our decision was that it would be completely wrong for Danny to be forgotten. How does a 17-year-old get taken out of his family home at 5 in the morning, and then years later it's just almost like it didn't happen, and he didn't happen?'

He added: 'Danny didn't have brothers or sisters and his parents were gone. We decided it wasn't going to go down like that.'

After spending the best part of a decade following up leads, the group then brought their evidence to the Miami-Dade Police Cold Case Department.

Their findings suggested the killing was linked to the mob and he was kidnapped by George Defeis before being taken out on a boat with fellow mobster Joe 'Chicken' Cacciatore, where he was killed and thrown overboard.

Danny was kidnapped by George Defeis, pictured, before being taken out on a boat with fellow mobster Joe 'Chicken' Cacciatore where he was killed and thrown overboard into Atlantic Ocean

The mobsters allegedly went after Goldman in response to the actions of his father, Aaron, who worked at Miami's Five Points Bank.

Aaron had been following up with authorities about questionable loans and possible illegal activities at the bank just weeks before his son vanished, launching a federal investigation.

Aaron may not have even known that associates of union boss Jimmy Hoffa and notorious mobster Santo Trafficante had been using the bank to launder money.

Novack managed to draw a connection with Defeis, who was also known to be associated with the Trafficante organization, and in turn to the kidnapping.

Part of a rubber glove was left at the Goldman's home which was linked to a clinic in Brooklyn where Defeis was a patient. It was the only place in the country that used the same gloves which had been manufactured in Canada.

He said: 'I was able to find out that this particular man who was the kidnapper lived in New York at the time and was a patient at these community clinics at the time.'

He had access to the one type of unique glove that was found on the floor in the Goldman house,' explained Novack to NBC6.

Former friend David added: 'We did it for Danny, and I wish his mother would [have been] alive to know that we did it for him.'

Defeis dodged justice and died in a north Miami nursing home after problems associated with diabetes in 1980, Novack said.

The kidnapping was headline news, but eventually the case went cold
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An unruly mob of hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists including its radical founder Roger Hallam and his girlfriend shamelessly partied at an all-night rave on Easter Sunday to celebrate bringing travel chaos to millions of hardworking commuters.

In a post on Telegram giving details of the gig at Egg nightclub in King's Cross, North London seen by The Sun, organisers crowed: 'After a week of sitting down, it's time to shake those legs. We are inviting all rebels to an after-party full of energetic bands and DJs.'

Video shows the eco-fanatics dancing wildly to live music by rock band The Molotovs as they downed 6.50 cans of beer until the early hours of Monday morning.

Hallam, the mastermind of XR and its splinter group Insulate Britain who has called for those 'responsible' for climate change to face Nuremberg-style trials, and XR activist Larch Maxey, were both pictured entering the security-tight nightclub.

Other photos from the party show banners which yelled 'We are watching you' and 'War is ecocide, planet repairs now'.

A source told the newspaper: 'It was a full-on rave. Everyone was drunk and some of them looked high. They were dancing all night. When Roger came in it was a bit like he was a celeb. Everyone wanted a selfie with him.'

Last week the rabble-rousing eco-idiots blocked ten oil facilities and took over four of London's bridges as they launched a series of 'disruptions' on more than two weeks of protests.

An unruly mob of hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists partied at the Egg nightclub in London on Sunday

Other photos from the party show banners which yelled 'We are watching you' and 'War is ecocide, planet repairs now'

People queue to get in to the Egg London nightclub in the early hours of July 19, 2021

Roger Hallam, founder of Extinction Rebellion and its splinter group Insulate Britain

Extinction Rebellion activists block Marble Arch junction in London, April 16, 2022

Demonstrators take part in an Extinction Rebellion protest on Westminster Bridge in London, Friday April 15, 2022

Roger Hallam's past litany of dodgy remarks Undated handout photo of Roger Hallam Farmer Roger Hallam, who helped found Extinction Rebellion, before leaving to joining protest organiser Insulate Britain, wants to 'bring down all the regimes in the world', starting with Britain, and believes those running society 'should have a bullet through their heads'. There have been allegations of a 'cult-like' following for the Welshman who compares his tactics to those of heroic activists Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He is said to have been inspired to take up climate activism after his farm in Wales went bust due to bad weather. Ironically, Mr Hallam owns a farmhouse which was described as 'poorly insulated' in an official energy performance certificate. His 2,000 sq ft farmhouse in Carmarthen, South Wales, was given the lowest possible energy rating on the certificate. It is unclear if Mr Hallam has taken steps to improve the rating since it was issued six years ago. Asked about the certificate, a spokesman for the group said: 'This is the point - UK homes are the leakiest in Europe, with many millions of families being unable to afford the advice and help needed to insulate the building they live in.' Hallam has also compared the murder of six million Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis to other historical massacres and claimed that memory of the Holocaust was holding Germany back. He was quickly condemned by Extinction Rebellion groups in Germany after his comments with a newspaper in the country. In an English-language interview he told Die Zeit: 'The extremity of a trauma...can create a paralysis in actually learning the lessons from it. The fact of the matter is, millions of people have been killed in vicious circumstances on a regular basis throughout history.' He cited the Belgian colonialists who 'went to the Congo in the late 19th century and decimated it'. Hallam also wants those responsible for climate change to face Nuremberg-style trials. Asked how those responsible for climate change should be dealt with, he told The Times: 'The question will be who's culpable, in the same way [as] with the Nazis. 'Was it just the top Nazis or was it the small guys?' He added that 'maybe [we] should put a bullet in the head' as punishment. Advertisement

XR members convened in Hyde Park on Saturday before one group  which included two former Olympians  climbed onto a Shell oil tanker at nearby Bayswater, leading to several arrests.

But in their 'mass action' event of the day, they targeted the landmark near Speaker's Corner, lighting flares and playing bongos in the middle of the road as infamous activist Swampy was seen climbing the 45-foot-tall monument.

The group had prepared the disruption ahead of time, getting hold of a black limousine and parking it in the road of the road for activists to lock or glue their hands to.

Holly-Anna Petersen, a Christians of Extinction Rebellion activist, revealed: 'Blocking the road at Marble Arch, by people locking onto a limo. Massive well done to all those who made this possible.

'It's ridiculous that we're still having to do this. Arrests happening now. By the way  the people in the car are @XRebellionUK people too!'

The eco-mob group, who have pledged to bring chaos and huge disruption to London's street, unfurled banners reading 'End fossil fuels now'.

It comes after Extinction Rebellion protesters blocked four of London's busiest bridges on the first day of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists were on Waterloo, Blackfriars, Lambeth and Westminster bridges, calling for an end to new fossil fuel investments.

Demonstrators played bongos and waved banners reading 'end fossil fuels now' and 'love in action' in front of queues of traffic.

Some of their actions have proved questionable, after the bridge stunts affected several routes for London buses, which are either eco-friendly or emit zero exhaust emissions.

It a video clip seen on Sky News on Thursday, a interviewee claimed the group had mistakenly stopped a tanker that was carrying cooking oil, rather than fossil fuels.

Earlier, activists who have infiltrated an oil plant near Birmingham vowed 'we'll be here as long as we can' after climbing on top of the facility as part of a series of dawn protests.

Eco-zealots from Just Stop Oil have managed to climb on top of a loading bay at Kingsbury Terminal in Warwickshire after gaining access to the facility in the early hours of this morning.

Members of the group  who aim to put pressure on the Government to block new oil and gas projects in the UK  have also climbed on top of an oil tanker at Gray's Terminal in Essex and have targeted the nearby Navigator Terminal in Thurrock.

In a video, posted on the Just Stop Oil Twitter account, one activist said: 'In the early hours of this morning seven of us climbed up in amongst the pipes of the loading bay, blocking the terminal.

'We intend to stay here as long as we can, or until the Government decides to stop all new oil and gas projects.'

Tempers flared between lorry drivers and activists at one protest, with one haulier seen appearing to yank an activist off a tanker.

Several oil firms have now secured civil injunctions aimed at the stopping environmental protesters from targeting their fuel processing sites.

A number of key operators including Navigator Thames, ExxonMobil and Valero gained their injunctions in the last few days, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said.

It comes as dozens of climate activists were charged after arrests were made at protests at oil depots.

The Just Stop Oil activists say they arrived in the early hours of Friday at the Kingsbury terminal near Tamworth, Staffordshire, as well as the Navigator Oil terminal in Thurrock and Grays oil terminal, both in Essex.

The recently imposed injunctions aim to prevent protest activity at oil sites across the UK.

A mob of Extinction Rebellion protesters have swamped London's Marble Arch on Saturday

Police officers place a hard hat on Etienne Stott, former Olympian, as they attempt to remove him and an activist from an Extinction Rebellion protest in central London, April 16, 2022

Activists from Extinction Rebellion glue their hands to an oil tanker during a protest in London, April 16, 2022

Activists including Olympic gold medalist Etienne Stott stopped oil truck across Hyde Park, London, April 16, 2022

The group, along with Extinction Rebellion (XR), have targeted oil sites across the country across April

Energy Minister Greg Hands said: 'While we value the right to peaceful protest, it is crucial that these do not cause disruption to people's everyday lives.

'That's why I'm pleased to see oil companies taking action to secure injunctions at their sites, working with local police forces to arrest those who break the law and ensure deliveries of fuel can continue as normal.'

Valero Energy had obtained a High Court injunction against a number of environmental groups and 'persons unknown' following recent protests at the Kingsbury terminal.

It bans anyone from damaging any part of the land at each of the firm's sites, from 'affixing themselves to any other person or object' on the land or parts of access roads, and from building any structure.

Valero also owns and operates sites in Manchester, Cardiff, Plymouth and Avonmouth.
Melissa Caddick's husband has staked a claim on his late wife's $15million mansion and has demanded he be given her fine art collection, diamond jewellery and Gucci wedding dress.

Anthony Koletti - the last person to see Australia's most notorious fraudster alive - claimed a portion of the empire Caddick built on stolen wealth in a Federal Court filing on Tuesday afternoon.

Koletti claimed a stake in the sprawling Dover Heights home he shared with Caddick, his mother and father-in-law's high-rise apartment in the city's east as well as her $7million share portfolio.

It comes as receivers look to divvy up and sell Caddick's assets.

Caddick rorted up to $23million from her customers by posing as a financial adviser, before mysteriously vanishing - leaving wanting dozens of family and friends who invested in her.

In a court filing, Mr Koletti argued via his lawyer Judith Swan that he should also be given a list of items from Caddick's estate.

They included five John Olsen paintings, her Gucci wedding dress, several items of 18 carat gold jewellery (including his own wedding band), a Louis Vuitton digital watch valued at almost $5,000 and a diamond ring worth $33,960.

Melissa Caddick's husband has demanded for 'exclusive use' of her fine art collection, her diamond and white gold jewellery and his late wife's Gucci wedding dress in a claim on her estate

Anthony Koletti, who last saw Australia's most notorious fraudster when she vanished from their mansion in November 2020 lodged the claim with the Federal Court of Australia on Tuesday (pictured, Caddick with her son and Mr Koletti (at right)

That list of items alone could be worth up to $200,000, given Olsen is one of the country's most celebrated painters.

In the claim Ms Swan said that Mr Koletti had been unable to get fulltime work as a hairdresser since 2020 'due to the allegations' against Caddick and his grief at her apparent death.

All that has ever been found of the missing fraudster was her foot, which washed up on a beach on the NSW South Coast in February 2021, three months after she vanished from her home in the wake of a raid by the corporate regulator, ASIC.

The Federal Court has heard Caddick's remaining assets include two luxury properties - her residence and her parent's high-rise unit - high-fashion clothes, Stefano Canturi jewellery and fine art.

In February, Mr Koletti's blue convertible Audi R8 V10 was sold off at auction by court-appointed liquidators for $295,000. Caddick had bought it for him in 2016.

In February, her husband Anthony Koletti's blue convertible Audi R8 V10 was sold off at auction for $295,000. She bought it for him in 2016

While it is not known which John Olsen paintings Caddick owned, prices for the celebrated artist's completed works range between tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of collars.

The jewellery in Mr Koletti's claim is worth $96,000 and includes a Canturi diamond ring worth $33,960 and the return of his wedding band, worth $26,500.

Mr Koletti's lawyer said he has acted as the primary carer of her teenage son and has paid $500 a week towards his care and expenses.

Mr Koletti said his reasons for making the claim included the he entered their relationship with $100,000 'in cash and assets'.

The documents showed that was comprised of 'a car and $70,000 in cash.

The court documents also claimed he made 'financial and non-financial contributions, including as a parent and as a homemaker' to their home.

The Dover Heights home where Melissa Caddick was last seen on November 12, 2020 before she vanished

Koletti and Caddick married on New Year's Eve nine years ago.

After that, she embarked on a Ponzi scheme which would involve defrauding over 60 investors.

She ran it by collecting money from mainly family and friends, enticing them to make new deposits with claims she was achieving spectacular growth rates.

But in truth Caddick did not even have a financial advisor's license and used most of the money to fund her extravagant lifestyle.

The court case continues.

Caddick's disappearance has become a cult fascination, the subject of podcasts and a TV show, Underbelly: Vanishing Act.
Embattled Liberal Party candidate Katherine Deves has pulled the pin on a community Q+A amid public outcry surrounding a series of comments she's made against the transgender community.

The event at the Manly Community Forum was set to be an opportunity for residents on Sydney's Northern Beaches to discuss key local issues ahead of the upcoming federal election.

Independent MP for Warringah Zali Steggall and Scott Morrison's hand-picked choice as his party's candidate for the seat had confirmed their attendance for Tuesday night's event, but with pressure mounting Ms Deves' advisors warned her to withdraw.

The embarrassing retreat comes just hours after Scott Morrison threw his weight behind the besieged women's sport activist, vowing to stand up for her.

Manly Community Forum advertised the event on their website saying all major candidates would be on hand to answer tough questions.

Candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves has divided the Liberal Party over her controversial comments

'We will conduct a Federal Election Forum and Q&A with the major candidates for next month's federal election for the seat of Warringah,' the website said.

'That includes sitting MP independent Zali Steggal, Liberal candidate Katherine Deves and Greens candidate Kristyn Glanville.

'Labor and other candidates have also been invited. Each candidate will be allocated five minutes to introduce themselves, followed by questions from the floor.

'This will be an important meeting and we hope you can attend.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Deves and the NSW Liberal Party for comment.

The Prime Minister was adamant he won't allow his controversial Liberal candidate, who has campaigned against trans women in sport, to be 'silenced' by moderate party members and a left-wing Twitter pile-on.

In his strongest comments on the matter yet, Mr Morrison on Tuesday said Ms Deves would be a 'great member of Parliament' and doubled down on his support for the under-fire aspiring MP.

Some moderate Liberal members have called for Ms Deves to be disendorsed after she apologised for calling transgender children 'surgically mutilated and sterilised' in tweets last year.

But Mr Morrison today stood by his candidate, saying: 'I'm not going to allow her to be pushed aside as the pile on comes in to try and silence her.

'I will stand up with her, my team is standing up with her, and we will make sure that she won't be silenced.'

The Prime Minister said Warringah candidate Katherine Deves (pictured with her family) would be a 'great member of parliament' and declared: 'I'm not going to allow her to be silenced'

Ms Deves co-founded the group Save Women's Sport which aims to stop transgender women competing alongside biological women.

'She is standing up for women and girls and their access to fair sport in this country,' Mr Morrison said.

'I think she will make a great member of Parliament, she has learned in her advocacy in her private life there are better ways to do things to take things forward as a member of Parliament.

'I believe that is how she will approach the task if she is elected as the member for Warringah, and I don't think she should be silenced,' he said.

In the first week of the election campaign Ms Deves apologised for the wording of her old tweets about the issue.

In those tweets she described transgender children as 'surgically mutilated and sterilised', and likened her stance on the issue as being akin to the French Resistance fighters who resisted German occupation during World War II.

Ms Deves revealed she has been bombarded with death threats by left-wing activists on social media.

Mr Morrison (pictured) has again backed his captain's pick in Warringah in his strongest comments so far on the issue

This is the tweet in which Ms Deves made her controversial comments about transgender teenagers. She shared a picture of a trans American teenager who had just had breasts removed and wrote: 'This photo just hit my feed. It is beyond heartbreaking'

High-profile Liberal moderates Trent Zimmerman and Matt Kean have publicly called on Mr Morrison to disendorse her over fears her views will haemorrhage support in inner-city seats.

'I don't think having candidates that want to spruik the politics of division is in the interests of the party or in the interests of those people,' NSW Treasurer Mr Kean said.

But Ms Deves has support on the party's conservative wing with former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott backing her stance.

On Monday, independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall told Sky News the topic of trans athletes competing in female sport was a 'distraction' from bigger issues.

'I feel there's a lot of lying going on about the actual status quo, we already have a law. The Sex Discrimination Act already deals with the situation, this is just not an issue,' Ms Steggall said.

'And saying that parents will be concerned is just repeating a transphobia line.'

Katherine Deves (pictured) is contesting the seat of Warringah held by independent Zali Steggall

When she was asked to clarify why concerns about the issue should be deemed 'transphobic' she said, 'Because we are talking about a minority of the population that is already incredibly vulnerable.'

'All this policy approach opts to do is seek division.'

Warringah takes in part of Sydney's northern beaches and north shore. It was Tony Abbott's seat but was taken by Ms Steggall at the 2019 election.

She is favourite to hold on to the seat.
A distraught woman tried to proclaim her innocence and had to be forcibly removed from her car after she was allegedly caught behind the wheel more than five times over the legal limit.

Police released bodycam footage of the extraordinary encounter on the Gold Coast after the woman was charged with driving under the influence, as well as obstructing and assaulting an officer.

It will be alleged a member of the public found the woman asleep behind the wheel at Jacobs Well on Sunday night and allegedly drove away after being woken up.

The incident was reported to police, who pulled the woman a short time later.

In the bodycam footage, the woman denies having had any alcohol but officers are unconvinced.

Bodycam footage shows the woman protesting her innocence to police before she returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.262

'You're sort of wobbling all over the road,' an officer tells her.

'You look like affected by something.'

The woman undergoes a breath test and returns a blood alcohol reading 0.262, more than five times the legal limit.

She bursts into tears and appears reluctant to get out of her car.

'I'm sure you don't want to but you're going to have to,' the officer gently explains.

'We'll get this over and done with as quick as possible.'

The woman refuses to comply with repeated instructions to get out of the car, afraid about the possible consequences.

The woman issued a distraught plea to police before she was forcibly removed from the car

'I can't,' she cries.

'I can't. I can't not have a licence.

'Why can't you be f****** nice?'

Police give her one last chance to leave her car.

'As you're detained, you are required to accompany us to the police station,' an officer tells her

'Whatever,' the woman replied.

The officers asks :'Is there anything I can say to make you comply with a lawful direction?'

Police alleged the woman later scratched an officer's face while being taken to the station

The footage ends with several officers pulling the distraught woman from her car and escorting her to their vehicle.

Police alleged the woman later reached around a security screen to scratch an officer's face while being transported to the watch house.

The woman, 27, was charged with driving under the influence, obstructing and assaulting police.

She will appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on May 3.
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The streets of Bucha, which were littered with rubble and destroyed Russian tanks just weeks ago, are clear once again after an incredible cleaning effort by Ukrainian locals.

Volunteers have been working tirelessly to clean up the town's neighbourhoods, with images on Monday showing a place that is almost unrecognisable from the pictures that shocked the world earlier this month.

Atrocities carried out by Russian forces were uncovered after the town was liberated from its occupiers, resulting in international condemnation of Moscow's actions.

Despite this, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree recognising all members of the brigade - believed to have carried out the war crimes in the town - for their 'mass heroism' in defending 'state interests'.

Photographs from the suburban town near Kyiv showed workers shovelling gravel and sweeping the heavily-shelled roads which were turned into a war zone in the early days of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Gone are the burnt out wreckages of Russian military vehicles, much of the debris from destroyed Ukrainian homes, and the bodies of slain civilians that lined the streets after Kyiv's forces re-took the town after Russia's brutal month-long occupation. Now, the scenes of devastation have been replaced with signs of life returning.

In one image, two men in high-visibility jackets are shown working together to shovel debris into the bucket of an excavator. Another shows a team of locals working their way down the road, filling a skip with rubble.

Others are shown working next to a house - its roof caved in from shelling. It appears to be one of the few buildings on the street that remains at least partially in-tact. Piles of rubble, once the homes of Bucha's locals, line both sides of Vokzal'na street - the site of many killings and much of the fighting in the commuter town.

Pictured: Vokzal'na street in Bucha, the site of heavy fighting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, looks unrecognisable from the photographs of the town that shocked the world when they were released in early April. The burnt-out wreckages of Russian military vehicles that lined the street have been moved by workers who have been cleaning up the town

APRIL 6: A Ukrainian serviceman stands amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv. The town was the scene of heavy fighting in the early days of the war, and while Ukrainian forces destroyed several Russian tanks and other armoured vehicles, the town was overrun and occupied by Russian for around a month

APRIL 18: Ukrainian forces returned to Bucha earlier this month after Moscow's forces were fought back and retreated north in Belarus, reportedly to be redeployed elsewhere in Ukraine. Since then, workers have been striving to clean up the town

APRIL 4: Ukrainian soldiers examine destroyed Russian military vehicles following a battle in Bucha, close to Kyiv, Ukraine

APRIL 18: Workers in high-visibility jackets work next to a house next to a house - its roof caved in from shelling. It appears to be one of the few buildings on the street that remains at least partially in-tact. The rest have been reduced to rubble

APRIL 3: Soldiers walk amid destroyed Russian tanks and cars in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv

Graphic evidence of killings and torture in Bucha emerged earlier this month after Russian forces withdrew from the area, pulling back from Ukraine's northern regions to refocus their military efforts in the east.

As Ukraine's soldiers, journalists and locals who had fled moved back in to the town, the bodies of civilians - some with their hands tied - were found scattered in the streets. Ukrainian authorities also discovered a series of mass graves containing hundreds of corpses, with work still on-going to identify those who were killed.

Videos from Bucha as it was liberated showed locals in cars winding their way down the street to avoid bodies that littered their path. One video - captured by a drone as Russia's forces moved into Bucha in early March - showed a tank gunning down a civilian as she tried to reach her home on her bicycle.

That woman was later identified as 52-year-old Iryna Filkina - an aspiring artist who posted beauty tutorials to her social media pages. She was identified after a photograph of her hand and bold red and pink nail varnish was shared widely on social media, as the atrocities in the town came to light.

A majority of people in Bucha died from gunshot wounds, Ukrainian police said last week, declaring that more than 500 bodies have been found so far. Hundreds were found in a mass grave behind the Church of St Andrew and All Saints in the town, with pictures last week showing bodies being lifted from the ground for identification.

The town is now at the centre of a war crimes investigation by the the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in the Hague, with Russia facing accusations of carrying out the atrocities.

Last week the ICC called the town a 'crime scene' as chief prosecutor Karim Khan QC visited the mass grave.

Bucha has become synonymous with scores of atrocities alleged to have been committed by Russian troops across Ukraine, including civilians with bound hands shot in the head.

A report published last week by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said evidence pointed to 'a major war crime and a crime against humanity' by Russia.

APRIL 18: Ukrainian workers use an excavator to pule rubble and other debris into the back of a truck

Pictured: The scenes in the Railway Station Street in the Kyiv satellite town of Bucha earlier this month, where evidence of war crimes has been uncovered

APRIL 18: Men walk past burnt military APCs in a field where destroyed vehicles are being brought, as the clean-up of the town continues

APRIL 4: A photo shows massive destruction in the area of conflict at the Bucha town after it was liberated from Russian army

The atrocities have led US President Joe Biden to accuse Vladimir Putin of genocide - a term some other Western leaders have hesitated to use.

Moscow denies targeting civilians, and has called accusations its forces executed civilians in Bucha while occupying the town a 'monstrous forgery' aimed at denigrating the Russian army.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, insisted at a news conference earlier this month that during the time that Bucha was under Russian control 'not a single local person has suffered from any violent action'.

But the satellite imagery from commercial provider Maxar Technologies, first reported by The New York Times, proved the bodies had been there for weeks. Since then, hundreds more have been found, and eyewitness accounts have spoken of Russian soldiers carrying out brutal executions.

The clean-up of the town came as Putin on Monday bestowed an honorary title on a brigade widely thought to be responsible for war crimes and mass killings in the Ukrainian town.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence intelligence directorate (SBU) earlier this month identified the 64th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 35th All-Russian Army as the primary unit responsible for the horrific scenes.

The 'butchers of Bucha' left a trail of death and destruction in their wake, and Ukrainian authorities are still working with an international team of forensic experts to examine the bodies and gather evidence.

But a presidential decree signed on Monday by Putin has recognised all members of the brigade for their 'mass heroism' in defending 'state interests'.

Ukrainian civilians and soldiers who lost their lives due to the Russian attacks are being buried in the cemetery in Bucha, Ukraine, on April 18, 2022. Hundreds of bodies were found in a mass grave in the town, and work has been on-going to identify those who have been found since the town was liberated from Russia's soldiers

Andrii Holovine, priest of the church of St. Andrew Pervozvannoho All Saints, leads the funeral of three killed victims, at a cemetery in Bucha, on April 18, 2022

An aerial picture taken on April 18, 2022 shows coffins being buried during a funeral ceremony at a cemetery in Bucha

Family members grieve on the coffin of Ruslan Nechyporenko, 47, during his graveside funeral on April 18, 2022 in Bucha

'For mass heroism, valour, tenacity and courage shown by the personnel of the brigade in combat operations to protect the Motherland and state interests, I decree the title 'Guards' upon the brigade,' Putin's letter read.

The honours were bestowed despite Ukrainian intelligence suggesting the brigade has already redeployed to eastern Ukraine to the front lines of the conflict.

The SBU suspects Russian leaders sent the brigade to the hottest spots in the hope they would be killed and therefore unable to testify in any future war crime tribunals.

Putin's decree of honours for the brigade was made on the 54th day of Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, which has forced 12 million people to flee their homes or country and sparked Europe's biggest refugee crisis since World War II.

In early April, the Ukrainian defence ministry said the unit occupied the town of Bucha, which lies just outside the capital Kyiv, and committed heinous crimes against the civilian population before withdrawing to Belarus.

The brigade's commander is Lieutenant Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov, who has earned the nickname of the 'Butcher of Bucha' for the civilian massacre carried out by the men under his leadership.

The SBU has in recent weeks worked with cyber police and thousands of researchers to obtain the ranks and passports details of members of the brigade, in an attempt to bring them to justice.

But there are fears the men who committed the crimes will die on the frontlines before they can be arrested and brought to justice.

A report published on the Ukrainian MoD's website earlier this month said the brigade is being sent to the 'hottest spots', likely around Kharkiv, Izyum and the Donbas, in the hope that they will be killed before they are forced to testify in a war crime tribunal.

Burnt and heavily damaged cars are seen in a field where destroyed vehicles are being brought, on April 18, 2022 in Bucha

Galyna Bondar, mourns next to the grave of her son Oleksandr, 32, after burying him at the cemetery in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine on Saturday, April 16, 2022

Nadiya Trubchaninova, 70, cries next to the body of her son Vadym, 48, who was killed by a Russian Army gunshot last March 30, during his funeral in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine on Saturday, April 16, 2022

Putin's decree of honours for the brigade was made on the 54th day of Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, which has forced 12 million people to flee their homes or country and sparked Europe's biggest refugee crisis since World War II

Chief prosecutor Karim Khan QC, the first Briton to lead the International Criminal Court (pictured centre on April 13 visiting a mass grave in Bucha) in the Hague, has said there are 'reasonable grounds' to believe war crimes had been committed by Russian troops, who are accused of the mass slaughter and rape of hundreds of civilians

'Another goal of the rapid return of the 64th Brigade to Ukrainian territory is the quick 'disposal' of unnecessary witnesses,' the report read.

'That is, redeployment to a part of the war front where they will have no chance of surviving, thus making it impossible for them to testify in future courts.'

The honouring of the butchers of Bucha came just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for US President Joe Biden to visit his country and declared Ukrainian authorities have 'substantial evidence' that Russia's troops are committing genocide in Ukraine.

Zelensky was asked by CNN State of the Union host Jake Tapper about whether there are 'any plans' for Biden to come see the situation for himself.

'I think he will,' the Ukrainian president answered.

He quickly added: 'It's his decision of course, and about the safety situation.'

'But I think he's the leader of the United States, and that's why he should come here to see.'

Late last week Biden confirmed that his administration was discussing a possible Kyiv trip by a senior official and was 'making that decision now.' He told reporters that he wanted to go himself.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki backtracked on the president's comment just hours later during a taping of the Pod Save America Podcast.

Zelensky said he understood there are concerns about the 'safety situation' but claimed the president of the United States should see the conflict firsthand

Dead bodies litter the streets near Bucha, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, after Russian forces withdrew from the region - leaving evidence of 'war crimes' in their wake

Psaki said it's true Biden was 'ready to go.' But, she added, 'we are not sending the president to Ukraine' -- a policy line that senior administration officials have held consistently through Russia's war.

It comes after a slew of NATO leaders descended upon Kyiv in recent weeks, some even seeing the horrors found in the capital's suburbs after Kremlin troops' retreat firsthand.

Multiple American leaders, including Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, accused Putin and his soldiers of 'genocide.' British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it 'doesn't look far short' of the heinous crime.

'I have the same opinion as President Biden, and I immediately saw what was happening here. Especially what happened in Bucha and in the east of our country,' Zelensky said in his Sunday interview.

'I speak about this because Russia calls it a military operation, and not a war. But look what happened in Bucha. It's clear that is not even a war -- it's a genocide.'
A Ukranian serviceman walks toward a destroyed house in the village of Yatskivka, eastern Ukraine, April 16. Russia's military focus now seems to be on seizing the eastern Donbas region, where Russian-backed separatists control the Donetsk and Lugansk areas. AFP-Yonhap



Russian forces launched a new offensive push along most of Ukraine's eastern flank Monday and the "Battle of Donbas" has now begun, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy and senior officials said.



Ukraine's army has been bracing for a new Russian assault on its eastern flank since Moscow withdrew its forces from near Kyiv and from Ukraine's north late last month in order to focus on an assault in the Ukrainian region of Donbas.



"We can now say that Russian forces have started the battle of the Donbas, for which they have long prepared," Zelenskyy said in a video address.



Ukraine Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said in televised comments: "They (Russian forces) began their attempt to start the active phase this morning.



"This morning, along almost the entire front line of the (eastern) Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, the occupiers attempted to break through our defenses," he said.






Boris Johnson will speak with Joe Biden and other worlds leaders about the continuing war in Ukraine before addressing MPs over Partygate later as he seeks to use the conflict as leverage.

He will take part in a virtual meeting with leaders of G7 and other nations from Downing Street before heading to the Commons to face apoplectic opposition MPs and his own long-suffering backbenchers.

He will make a statement to MPs this afternoon, with expectations of a 'full-throated apology' for the fixed-penalty notice he received for breaking the lockdown laws.

It is reported he will attempt to convince politicians - and the wider public - there are bigger issues to focus on than the partygate saga.

It is thought he will zone in on the crisis in Ukraine, along with the Government's controversial new policy on sending 'illegal' migrants to Rwanda.

He gathered his ministers this morning for a Cabinet meeting dominated by Ukraine - a meeting that took place in the same room as the June 2020 party that led to his 50 police fine.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that he told the meeting that Ukraine's position remained 'perilous', with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost'.

But comments by his supporters playing down the importance of him being the first lawbreaking PM ever raise questions over how much he is planning to apologise for in the Commons.

One source told the Financial Times that 'It's not as if he walked into a rave in Ibiza', a reference to what No10 says is his brief appearance at his birthday party in June 2020 that resulted in the fine.

And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis this morning suggested the fine was akin to ministers have previously received parking tickets.

He told Sky News: 'You've asked me, can someone who sets the laws and the rules, can they also be someone who breaks the rules.

'That clearly has happened with a number of ministers over the years.'

Boris Johnson is expected to make a 'full-throated apology' when he addresses MPs in the House of Commons today

He gathered his ministers this morning for a Cabinet meeting dominated by Ukraine - a meeting that took place in the same room as the June 2020 party that led to his 50 police fine.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that he told the meeting that Ukraine's position remained 'perilous', with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost'.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis (left) this morning suggested the fine was akin to ministers have previously received parking tickets

One source told the Financial Times that 'It's not as if he walked into a rave in Ibiza', a reference to what No10 says is his brief appearance at his birthday party in June 2020 that resulted in the fine. Pictured is the former Space nightclub.

He added: 'I think we do see consistently, whether it is through parking fines or speeding fines, ministers of both parties over the years have been in that position.

'We've had prime ministers in the past who have received penalty notices, from what I can see, and also frontbench ministers.

'I saw there was a parking notice that Tony Blair had once. We've seen front bench Labour ministers and, let's be frank, government ministers as well.'

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer slammed the idea, which followed claims at the weekend that the fine was like a speeding ticket.

Sir Keir told ITV's Lorraine': 'I don't think you can say to people ''oh just move on'', I also don't accept this argument  that it is a bit like a speeding fine. It isn't like a speeding fine at all.

'In all of my days I have never had anybody break down in front of me because they couldn't drive at 35mph in a 30mph zone. I had no end of people in tears, in real bits, about complying with rules that really really hurt them.

'I don't think the public are going to accept this. I also think the pathetic displays of Tory MPs going out to defend the indefensible is something they should all be ashamed of.'

Asked if the PM agreed with Mr Lewis's analysis, his spokesman told reporters: 'On this issue the Prime Minister will be making a statement to the house and I think, as much as possible, its right that Parliament hear from him first rather than from me.

'Hes talked about understanding the strength of feeling about this issue, which is why he has apologised, and fully respects the outcome of the police investigation.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told ITV's Lorraine': 'I don't think you can say to people ''oh just move on'', I also don't accept this argument  that it is a bit like a speeding fine. It isn't like a speeding fine at all'

It comes as he faces a potential investigation into whether he misled Parliament when making earlier statements about parties in Downing Street and his involvement in them.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to announce today he will allow MPs to vote on whether to investigate if the Prime Minister misled Parliament when saying 'all guidance was followed completely' in Downing Street in December.

Under the ministerial code, knowingly misleading parliament is an offence that should result in resignation.

Former minister and current defence committee chairman Tobias Ellwood MP told BBC Breakfast that now was the time for a vote on Mr Johnson's future as Prime Minister.

'Unfortunately, many, many MPs continue to be very numbed by this, very, very concerned by where we're going,' he said.

'We have to defend this at the next general election. We've got some more fixed penalty notices likely to come forward, Sue Gray's report to conclude, and, of course, those important local elections on the fifth of May.

'If I was the Prime Minister, I would show leadership here, recognise this requires crisis management as such, and say that 'these are difficult times, I will give you the opportunity to support me through an actual vote of confidence'.'

He added that the vote could be held after the May local elections 'if they go badly'.

'Therefore, the party itself can recognise whether we all support the Prime Minister, or the Prime Minister has support and we march forward, or it is time for change,' he said.

Last week the PM was fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday bash thrown in his honour in the Cabinet room in June 2020, while coronavirus restrictions were in place.

He was then accused over the weekend of not only attending a leaving party for his former communications chief Lee Cain on November 13, 2020, but instigating the do. Downing Street declined to comment on the claims.

Mr Johnson is widely expected to make a statement in the Commons today, as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter recess.

The Telegraph cited a Downing Street source as saying he will 'offer a full-throated apology and recognise the strength of feeling' among MPs on partygate, but is unlikely to go into too much detail on the matter.

The Prime Minister was fined 50 for attending a rule breaking birthday party in Downing Street in June 2020

'He will obviously give an update on the fine because there is a clear need to do that, but it is difficult to pre-empt the findings of an ongoing police investigation publicly,' the source reportedly said.

The newspaper said he will instead talk about Ukraine and the Rwanda deal, while The Times previously reported he will also touch on the cost-of-living crisis and a trip to India focusing on defence and trade.

As well as addressing MPs in the Chamber, Mr Johnson is expected to speak to a meeting of the entire Conservative parliamentary party on Tuesday evening.

According to The Telegraph, it is also thought Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, will announce today that he will allow a vote on an investigation into whether the PM misled Parliament with his partygate explanations.

The Times reports that while any vote to censure the Prime Minister is unlikely to pass, Labour hopes to use it to put pressure on Conservative MPs who have not yet back Mr Johnson, while also using it as ammunition in future elections if Tory MPs back him.

On Monday, a senior Tory suggested a 'war cabinet' could be established in place of a leadership contest to avoid detracting attention from the crisis in Ukraine if the PM steps down or is deposed.

Sir Roger Gale said the 'interim administration' could be led by the deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, who briefly took the reins in 2020 when Mr Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.

The veteran Conservative MP previously submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister, which remains 'on the table', but has since said it is not the right time for a leadership election given the situation in Ukraine.

He told the PA news agency he was now keen to establish if it may be possible to put a contest on hold if Mr Johnson resigns or is forced out of his job.

Meanwhile, former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said that without asking for repentance and forgiveness the Prime Minister's position was not sustainable.

His comments follow a thinly-veiled reference to standards in politics by one of the Church of England's most senior clergymen, the Archbishop of York.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to let MPs vote on whether to investigate Boris Johnson for potentially misleading Parliament

Using his Easter sermon on Sunday, Stephen Cottrell urged Britons to ask what sort of country they wanted to live in.

He said: 'Do we want to be known for the robustness of our democracy, where those in public life live to the highest standards, and where we can trust those who lead us to behave with integrity and honour?'

Speaking to Times Radio about the partygate saga on Monday, Dr Williams said: 'Because I don't believe that we should rule out the possibility of, to put it in religious terms, repentance and forgiveness, then it's perfectly possible for somebody to say, 'Yes, I got that badly wrong. I accept the consequence. I accept that this has damaged trust. I'm asking for another chance.'

'But otherwise, I don't see it's a sustainable position, myself.'

Asked if he would recommend the Prime Minister confess in church over the issue, he said: 'Yes, of course. Yes. A breach of the law, which has damaging consequences for society, which damages trust, which damages the integrity and credibility not only of an individual but of the Government, yes, it seems to be perfectly appropriate for the confessional.'
A British fighter who was captured in Ukraine by Russian forces has been taunted over facing a possible death penalty on Kremlin-friendly media for being a 'mercenary'.

Aiden Aslin, 28, was taunted by British journalist Graham Phillips with the death penalty, the sentence handed to Russian prisoners found guilty of being a mercenary in the Donetsk region.

It comes as a senior minister today said the UK will not 'help Russia' with swapping a Kremlin crony for Britons Aslin and Shaun Pinner, 48, who were captured by Russian forces.

Aslin and Shaun Pinner were paraded on Russian state television on Monday where they asked UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and ensure they were exchanged for Vladimir Putin's ally Viktor Medvedchuk, who is being held by Ukrainian authorities.

Phillips, who formerly worked for Russian 'propaganda channel' RT and Defence Ministry television outlet Zvezda, taunted Aslin with the death penalty during an interview.

Phillips said: 'It is a death penalty [for being a mercenary]. Can you give me a reason as to why that shouldn't apply to you?'

Aslin responded: 'I can't think of any good logical reason other than to spare my life and exchange it for someone that's in Ukrainian captivity that could return to their family.

'I think that would be one of the good reasons to keep me and exchange me for someone such as Viktor Medvedchuk so he can return to his family.'

Russian state media also warned that Pinner and Aslin could face show trials and years-long prison sentences unless Mr Johnson brokers an exchange for Medvedchuk.



Shaun Pinner (left) and Aiden Aslin (right), who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines, were captured by Putin's troops in the city of Mariupol last week. The pair could now face years in a Russian prison

Pinner and Aslin were dragged on state TV to ask Boris Johnson to intervene with President Volodymyr Zelensky to ensure a prisoner swap for Kremlin ally Viktor Medvedchuk (pictured)

Medvedchuk - known both as the 'prince of darkness' and Putin's 'grey cardinal' - is one of Ukraine's richest men and the Russian strongman's closest political ally in the country, having helped exert Kremlin pressure in influential circles in Kyiv.

The tycoon - worth an estimated 480million - was re-arrested in Kyiv last week while allegedly trying to flee the country, having escaped from house arrest during the early days of the war.

Meanwhile, Britain's Northern Ireland said the UK would 'not help' Russia with a prisoner swap.

Asked on Sky News whether a possible swap was something the UK government would get involved with, Lewis said: 'We're actually going through the process of sanctioning people who are close to Putin regime, we're not going to be looking at how we can help Russia.'

Lewis said he did not want to comment on the specific situation of Pinner and Aslin, who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines before being captured by Putin's troops in the city of Mariupol last week.

'We always have responsibility for British citizens, which we take seriously. We've got to get the balance right in Ukraine and that's why I say to anybody: do not travel illegally to Ukraine,' Lewis said.

The UK's Foreign Enlistment Act blocks citizens from joining foreign militaries fighting countries at peace with Britain, and the government's foreign secretary and defence minister have warned against Britons fighting in Ukraine after the war began in late February.

Phillips taunted Aslin (pictured) during the interview with the death penalty, the sentence handed to prisoners found guilty of being a mercenary in the Donetsk region

In news bulletins, Russia's state channels made clear Aslin and Pinner were seen as 'mercenaries' and not as serving members of Ukraine's naval infantry.

'Aiden and Shaun are well aware of how uncertain their future is. Mercenaries may face trial. It is unknown when they will return to their homeland,' warned state broadcaster Rossiya 1.

Nikolai Starikov, a Russian writer and political activist, called for the British men to be brought to Moscow and put on trial. It would be inevitably seen as a show trial.

'As for the British prisoners of war, they should be put on trial,' he demanded on Rossiya 1.

'They should be tried in open court, maybe in Mariupol, maybe in Donetsk.

'Maybe in Kyiv, but to me Moscow is the right place for it now.

'So they should be tried openly, they should be tried in Moscow.

'Get the verdict, and only after that we start some dialogue about what their future fate will be.'

Channel 1 - the country's largest TV station - told viewers: 'The two British mercenaries, who surrendered in Mariupol along with hundreds of Ukrainian troops, called on their Prime Minister Boris Johnson to influence Volodymyr Zelensky to exchange them for opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk.'

The news bulletins emphasised the precarious position of the pair in captivity in Russia, even though it was claimed they were being well cared for and had 'even' been allowed to call home.

'Not a single army in the world takes mercenaries prisoner in battle. They are not covered by the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, so they can be said to be lucky,' reported Channel 1.

In news bulletins, Russia's state channels made clear Pinner (centre right) and Aslin (centre left) were seen as 'mercenaries' and not as serving members of Ukraine's naval infantry

Rossiya 1 said: 'Legally, they are not subject to the Geneva Convention rules on the treatment of prisoners of war, since they are mercenaries who signed a contract to fight for money.

'But both Britons admit they are being treated correctly and humanely.'

The men are being used to echo Russian playbook about the Nazis in Ukraine.

Both 'were shocked by the attitude of the Ukrainian military and the Nazis from the Azov [unit] to the civilian population', said Channel 1.

'Aiden Aslin is well aware that Kyiv has been violating peace agreements for eight years and killing Donbas civilians with impunity.'

Relatives of the men have called for them not to be classed as 'mercenaries'.

Pinner is a former Royal Anglian soldier and has made clear he considers Ukraine his second country, where he married.

A statement issued by Pinner's family said: 'Shaun was a well-respected soldier within the British Army serving in the Royal Anglian Regiment for many years. He served in many tours including Northern Ireland and with the United Nations in Bosnia.

'In 2018 Shaun decided to relocate to Ukraine to use his previous experience and training within the Ukraine military.

'Shaun enjoyed the Ukrainian way of life and considered Ukraine as his adopted country over the last four years. During this time, he met his Ukrainian wife, who is very focused on the humanitarian needs of the country.

'He progressed into the Ukrainian Marines as a proud member of his unit.'

The statement issued via the Foreign Office went on: 'We would like to make it clear he is not a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially serving with the Ukrainian Army in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.

'Our family is currently working with the Foreign Office along with the family of Aiden Aslin, who is also being held by the Russian Army to ensure their rights as prisoners of war are upheld according to the Geneva Convention.'
Police said a body has been found in the search for a missing Scottish teenager who vanished over Easter.

Portree High School pupil William Clarke, 16, was reported missing from Ardvasar, Skye on Sunday night.

His disappearance sparked a massive search, with helicopters from the police and Coastguard and mountain rescue teams and lifeboat crews all drafted in to try to the teenager.

Portree High School pupil William Clarke was reported missing on Sunday night

The 16-year-old, from Ardvasar, Skye, vanished at the weekend - sparking a frantic search

This map shows the location of Ardvasar on the Isle of Skye

Officers announced this morning that a body was found yesterday afternoon.

A formal identification is yet to take place, but William's family have been informed, Police Scotland said.

A force spokesman added that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Inspector Isla Campbell said: 'Our condolences are with William's family and friends. His family have requested that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

'I would like to thank all agencies and members of the public who assisted in the search for William.'
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Former Prime Minister Theresa May today lambasted the Government's plan to remove migrants to Rwanda as she questioned whether the 120m scheme was legal.

The ex-premier, who before entering Downing Street was the longest-serving home secretary of modern times, led a House of Commons backlash against the policy.

Taking her successor Priti Patel to task, Mrs May told MPs: 'From what I have heard and seen so far of this policy, I do not support the removal to Rwanda policy on the grounds of legality, practical and efficacy.'

The former Tory leader also expressed concern that the scheme would lead to a rise in people smugglers exploiting vulnerable migrants.

She asked Ms Patel: 'If it is the case that families will not be broken up... does she not believe, and where is her evidence, that this will not simply lead in an increase in the trafficking of women and children?'

In response, the Home Secretary stressed the Rwanda plan 'is legal' but declined to comment on who or who wouldn't be eligible for removal from the UK.

She said Mrs May 'would know very well that it's that type of criteria that is used by the smuggling gangs to then effectively exploit various loopholes'.

During her own time in charge of the Home Office, Mrs May was viewed as a hardliner on migration and pursued a 'hostile environment' approach to those illegally in the UK.

But this policy was blamed for immigration problems suffered by Caribbean migrants who did have a right to live in Britain, which became known as the Windrush scandal.

Mrs May's 'hostile environment' was subsequently ditched in favour of a 'compliant environment' policy.

Elsewhere during today's fiery Commons exchanges:

Other Tory former Cabinet ministers also questioned whether Ms Patel's scheme would work

It was claimed the Government would be hit with 'compensation claims' from asylum seekers sent to Africa

Labour's Yvette Cooper said the Rwanda scheme is 'unworkable, unethical and extortionate in the cost for the British taxpayer'

Ms Patel insisted that 'change is needed because people are dying' in their attempts to come to the UK across the Channel

The Home Secretary also won support from a number of Conservative backbenchers who described the plan as 'morally right' and claimed it's why voters backed Brexit in 2016

Ex-PM Theresa May told MPs she did not support the Rwanda plan 'on the grounds of legality, practical and efficacy'

Home Secretary Priti Patel told MPs that 'innnovative' action was needed due to the profiteering of 'evil' people traffickers operating in the Channel

Mrs May's fellow former Cabinet minister, Andrew Mitchell, also today questioned whether Ms Patel's plan would prove effective.

He said the Home Secretary deserved 'great personal credit' for seeking to tackle the migration crisis in the Channel.

But Mr Mitchell added: 'Will she accept that many of us have grave concerns that the policy she has announced simply will not work?'

A third Tory former Cabinet minister, David Davis, also told Ms Patel her plan was likely to suffer pitfalls.

He suggested 'compensation claims' from asylum seekers sent to Rwanda could leave taxpayers footing an even greater bill.

The former Brexit secretary said: 'The World Bank has said that Rwanda has one of the highest incidences of malaria in the world.

'Our own Government website warns travellers about hepatitis A and B, tetanus, typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis, not to mention rabies and dengue fever which can't be vaccinated against.

'So what is the Government going to do both from an ethical and moral point of view and to protect the British taxpayer against compensation claims to protect the asylum seekers who go to Rwanda?'

Ms Patel replied: 'The work that we've undertaken and the partnership with the Rwandan government is based upon support directly to them but also technical expertise in terms of resettlement, education, training but also... providing care in terms of the health and resettlement needs of those individuals.'

Sir Bob Neill, the Conservative chair of the Commons Justice Committee, suggested the 120m set aside for the Rwanda scheme would be better spent on recruiting more immigration tribunal judges and boosting Home Office resources in order to speed up the work of the UK's current immigration system.

However, despite the backlash from some on the Tory benches in the Commons, Ms Patel was also praised for the deal she signed with Rwandan ministers last week.

Veteran Conservative backbencher Peter Bone said Ms Patel was 'absolutely right' to target the business model of smuggling gangs operating in the Channel and said the Rwanda policy is 'morally right'.

Chris Clarkson, the Tory MP for Heywood and Middleton, claimed criticism of the Government's plan was 'leaning into some very lazy tropes about Africa and dripping in European exceptionalism'.

Ms Patel replied that some of the tone used to describe the UK's new partnership with Rwanda was 'quite xenophobic'.

Conservative former minister Sir Edward Leigh hit back at criticism of the scheme by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who described the Rwanda plan as 'ungodly' this weekend.

'Is not the "ungodly" thing to do, is to do nothing and have a mass drowning of children in the Channel this winter?,' Sir Edward said.

'And given that there is no end of people who want to cross the Channel, however many we let in legally, isn't it morally incumbent on those who oppose this policy to explain to the House now how they are going to break the business model that once you get here you are put in a hotel and you are never sent back.'

Andrea Leadsom, who has twice run for the Tory leadership, also fiercely rebuked the Archbishop over his intervention.

She said: 'What I do find absolutely abhorrent and inexplicable is the way that many on the opposition benches, and in fact in the top echelons of the Church of England and in other faiths, who seem to have completely forgotten the images of children lying drowned on our beaches - how can they not seek to try and remedy that appalling situation?'

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said the 'fantastic policy' being pursued by Ms Patel was one that 'people overwhelmingly supported when they voted for Brexit in 2016'.

The Home Secretary had earlier told MPs that 'innnovative' action was needed due to the profiteering of 'evil' people traffickers operating in the Channel.

'Access to the UK's asylum system should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers,' Ms Patel told the House of Commons in a statement.

'Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK on illegal and dangerous routes.'

Ms Patel dismissed claims that Home Office officials had failed to back her plans or ruled the scheme did not represent value for money.

She told MPs the Home Office's senior civil servant Matthew Rycroft 'did not oppose this agreement, nor assert that it is poor value for money'.

'Rather he stated in his role as accounting officer that the policy is regular, proper and feasible, but there is not currently sufficient evidence to demonstrate value for money,' Ms Patel added.

'It is the job of ministers to take decisions, and it's the job of ministers more often than not to take tough decisions in the interests of our country.'

Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused the Government of an 'unworkable, shameful and desperate attempt to distract' from the Partygate scandal that has rocked Boris Johnson.

'The policies that she has announced today are unworkable, unethical and extortionate in the cost for the British taxpayer,' Ms Cooper added.

'There is no information from the Home Secretary about the costs today. Will she admit the 120 million she has announced doesn't pay for a single person to be transferred.'

'She hasn't actually got an agreement on the price for each person. In fact, the 120 million is the eyewatering price the Home Office is paying just for a press release.'

Former Brexit minister David Davis attacked the 120m scheme to send those arriving illegally in Britain to the African nation, saying 'we are better than this'.

Writing in the Times today, Mr Davis, who has become a backbench critic of Mr Johnson, said: 'The plan is fraught with practical problems, beset by moral dilemmas and hamstrung by extortionate costs.

Unveiling the five-year agreement with Kigali last week, Mr Johnson invoked the referendum pledge of 'taking back control' of the UK's borders, saying it was an 'innovative approach made possible by Brexit freedoms'.

Migrants travelling to the UK on small boats will be put on jets and sent to Rwanda while their applications are processed. Pictured: A map detailing the plan proposed by the Prime Minister

The five-year programme to send thousands of illegal economic migrants who arrive in the UK to Rwanda was announced last week.

It has faced strong pushback from civil and religious leaders and, earlier today, Mr Johnson was castigated for using Brexit to justify it.

Unveiling the agreement with Kigali last week, Mr Johnson invoked the EU referendum pledge of 'taking back control' of the UK's borders, saying it was an 'innovative approach made possible by Brexit freedoms'.

But writing in the Times today, former Brexit secretary Mr Davis said 'we are better than this', adding: 'The plan is fraught with practical problems, beset by moral dilemmas and hamstrung by extortionate costs.

'And outsourcing our international obligations are certainly not the freedoms that Brexit was about winning.'

He said that while it was 'laudable' to try to cut down on cross-Channel migrants, 'there is little evidence that outsourcing our obligations under the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees is going to break the people smugglers' business model'.

It came as the Church of England opposition to the plan grew with Ms Patel's local bishop joining the chorus of disapproval.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said it was 'cruel and inhumane'.

Dr Francis-Dehqani, who arrived in the UK as a refugee from Iran in the 1970s, said: 'Those who find their way to this country, often through treacherous means, deserve to have their cases considered and processed here.'

Former immigration minister Brandon Lewis defended the Rwanda immigration plan as the 'humanitarian thing to do'.

The Northern Ireland Secretary told BBC Breakfast this morning: 'I've been immigration minister, this is a really difficult area.

'There are horrible scenes and stories of what these people smugglers put these people through.

'We've got to break this business model and doing something like this with Rwanda, which has such a strong track record, is right for the people of the UK, who can be rightly proud of our humanitarian support because this is a humanitarian thing to do.

'It is ensuring that we are deterring people from taking a treacherous as well as illegal journey to the UK.'

Asked about civil servants reportedly having raised objections to the scheme over its possible cost, Mr Lewis said: 'I do think it will work.'

Former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams yesterday became the latest high-profile ecclesiastical leader to attack the 120million programme that would see economic migrants arriving in the UK illegally sent to Africa.

He joined his successor and the incumbent Archbishop Justin Welby, and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell in questioning the morality of the plan, labelling it 'sinful'.

However ministers have hit back at the church leaders, accusing them of throwing criticism without suggesting a viable alternative to halt the small boats carrying thousands of people across the Straits of Dover.

Dr Williams was today asked about the scheme in a Times Radio interview. 'Is the policy sinful? I think, in a word, yes,' he told the broadcaster.

'I think that without commenting on the motivation, or moral standing, of any individual involved, the policy itself seems to me to be not in accord with, with what I understand about God.'

Archbishop Justin yesterday used his Easter Sunday sermon to launch a scathing criticism of Home Secretary Priti Patel's deal, signed in Kigali last week.

On Sunday morning, the Archbishop told his Canterbury congregation that the UK has a duty as a 'Christian country' to not 'sub-contract our responsibilities' after anyone who arrived in Britain illegally since January 1 could be relocated to Rwanda under a new deal.

But it sparked a hardline response from Ms Patel and other ministers, who invited him to come up with with a better idea or stop carping from the sidelines. Ms Patel resurrected the row on Easter Monday, using an opinion piece in the Times to attack her critics.

Dr Williams was today asked about the scheme in a Times Radio interview. 'Is the policy sinful? I think, in a word, yes,' he told the broadcaster.

The Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured today) blasted the government's Rwanda plan for asylum seekers as the 'opposite of the nature of God'

Without naming the head of the Church of England in a joint article with Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta, she wrote: 'We are taking bold and innovative steps and it's surprising that those institutions that criticise the plans fail to offer their own solutions.'

Minister Greg Hands was even more direct on a round of interviews today. Asked about Welby's intervention he told Sky News: ''I think what others, the critics of this plan, need to do is to show what their solution would be.'

The Government has said the 120million, five-year plan would help to break people-smuggling networks and stem the flow of migrants across the Channel, which has faced immediate and heavy criticism from politicians and charities.

It would see economic migrants who arrive in the Uk illegally handed a one-way ticket to Rwanda to start a new life there .

Mr Welby said the 'serious' ethical questions' over sending asylum seekers abroad cannot 'stand the judgment of god'.
This is the incredible moment a Ukrainian tank fired through a demolished building to take out a Russian armoured personnel carrier on the other side in a single shot.

The images show the Ukrainian tank moving up the street in the war-ravaged town of Rubizhne, 40 miles from Luhansk in the east of Ukraine.

It suddenly opened fire on a stationary Russian military vehicle, hitting it and destroying it in one shot.

The shell passed through the partially destroyed building that stood between the Ukrainian tank and the Russian military vehicle, reportedly an armoured personnel carrier.

A small cloud of dust could be seen being dislodged from the building as the ordnance fired by the Ukrainian military vehicle passed through it before hitting its target.

In this wide shot, the muzzle flash of the Ukrainian tank's cannon can clearly be seen near the bottom left, hitting its Russian target in the upper right of the shot with a direct hit that passes through the partially destroyed building just before it

A Ukrainian tank scores a direct hit against a Russian BMP armoured personnel carrier (right of shot) from several hundred metres, with the shot passing through the burnt out husk of a building (left of shot)

The Ukrainian tank (centre of shot) appears to be operating alone, advancing up a street in the burnt our battelscape. It fires a single shot from its main turret

Drone footage that captured the exchange shows the war-ravaged town of Rubizhne, 40 miles from Luhansk in the east of Ukraine

The regional governor of the eastern Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, claimed that The Armed Forces of Ukraine have repelled Russian troops' offensive in Rubizhne and Popasna.

Haidai said that they would attempt to evacuate civilians from neighbouring Kreminna, just a couple of miles from Rubizhne Luhansk region, today.

People who had not already fled were effectively hostages to the Russian forces, which had not stopped shelling and blocking civilian escape routes, Haidai added.

'Volunteers will help us in the evacuation today, the police will take elderly and less mobile people to the buses, as well as people from shelters.

'Therefore, when you see the patrol, do not delay - this is a chance to escape.

'Every day such opportunities decrease.'

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders have now refocused their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, along with other regions of Ukraine's eastern flank.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday dubbed this new assault 'The Battle of the Donbas'.

Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels reported a series of explosions along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk throughout the evening.

Local officials and media also said explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the Donbas region that pro-Moscow separatists have partly controlled since 2014

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia's large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region had begun

Smoke rises from the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol, as Ukrainian troops defending the city make their last stand against Russia

The Ukrainian flag flutters between buildings destroyed in bombardment, in the Ukrainian town of Borodianka, in the Kyiv region on April 17, 2022

A man walks near a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said in his daily presidential address last night.

'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'

The coming battle is viewed as pivotal to deciding the ultimate fate of Ukraine - and perhaps of Russia as well.

Russia retreated from Kyiv more than two weeks ago after failing to seize the capital, and has spent the days since massing forces in the east in an attempt to restart its failed invasion and score its first major battlefield victory.

Most troops are gathered at Izyum, a city spanning the Donets River some 70 miles to the south of Kharkiv, for an expected push south towards Mariupol.

Russian troops move into Mariupol as they continue to try and take the city from Ukraine to free up forces for attacks in the Donbas

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks. Above: Service members of pro-Russian troops drive an armoured vehicle during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime

Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak called Russia's fresh assault 'the second phase of the war' and assured Ukrainians that their forces could hold off the offensive.

'Believe in our army, it is very strong,' he said.

Shortly before Zelensky's address, governor Sergiy Gaiday also announced the beginning of Russia's much-anticipated attack.

'It's hell. The offensive has begun, the one we've been talking about for weeks. There's constant fighting in Rubizhne and Popasna, fighting in other peaceful cities,' he said on Facebook.

Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine on Monday, according to local authorities.

Gaiday said four people died as they tried to flee the city of Kreminna in Luhansk, which Russian forces captured on Monday.

In the neighbouring region of Donetsk, regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said four other civilians died after Russian bombardment, while a man and a woman were also killed in Kharkiv when shells hit a playground near a residential building.
Students at a 22,000-a-year private school have been told that modern feminism's main focus is the problems of straight, white, middle-class women.

North London's Highgate School - whose alumni include the poet T.S. Eliot and one of Boris Johnson's daughters - hosted an 'anti-sexism' forum organised by staff and pupils last month.

It came amid a drive to tackle sexist behaviour at the school, which was stung by the 'Everyone's Invited' scandal last year which saw students anonymously revealing claims of sexual abuse online.

Materials used during the forum reveal that a presentation titled 'how inclusive is feminism' states that modern feminism's 'primary focus' is 'cishet' (heterosexual, cisgender) middle-class white women, The Telegraph reports.

This creates a notion that only this group of women has to deal with sexism, the document claims, adding: 'There can't be justice in feminism without brown, black, gay, trans etc feminism'.

Another presentation called 'How to be an Ally' calls on pupils at the private school to consider how best to use their 'privilege' as a force for good.

But the school, which last year saw pupils walk out and hold a protest amid accusations of a 'rape culture', has now been blasted for 'virtue signalling'.

The school, which last year saw pupils walk out and hold a protest amid accusations of a 'rape culture', has now been blasted for 'virtue signalling' (Pictured: Pupils stage a protest against rape culture at Highgate School in London, March 25, 2021)

Tanya Carter, from the parent campaign group Safe Schools Alliance, said: 'The misinformation which is being spread about modern feminism is nothing short of irresponsible' (pictured: Pupils protesting in March 2021)

Tanya Carter, from the parent campaign group Safe Schools Alliance, said: 'The whole thing seems utterly bizarre.

'Why would a school at the centre of the ''Everyone's Invited'' scandal concentrate on virtue signalling, such as telling pupils to think about their privilege, rather than seeking to address a culture that has resulted in appalling experiences for their female students?

'And the misinformation which is being spread about modern feminism is nothing short of irresponsible.'

A spokesman for Highgate School said that 'these conversations are relevant for everyone', and it was essential that all 'survivors/victims of sexual violence continue to be listened to and cared for'.

A teacher from a neighbouring school, whose pupils went to the forum, said she was concerned that a school 'so widely criticised for the behaviour of some of the students in terms of sexual harassment and sexual assault should launch an anti-sexism forum that doesn't deal with those issues whatsoever'.

Last year thousands of accusations of sexual harassment and rape were posted on a campaign website, Everyone's Invited, with some allegations naming famous establishments such as Eton, Highgate School and Dulwich College.

A spokesman for Highgate School said that 'these conversations are relevant for everyone', and it was essential that all 'survivors/victims of sexual violence continue to be listened to and cared for'

Following the flood of claims, the Government advised school and college staff to assume that peer-on-peer abuse is happening even if no reports are made.

Safeguarding guidance from the Department for Education, revealed in July 2021, said staff should reassure victims that they will be taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe when they make a report of abuse.

The DfE updated its advice on how schools and colleges can support young victims of sexual abuse, violence and harassment, with guidance explaining the risks associated with peer-on-peer online abuse and warning that such abuse can happen outside the school or college and can be hidden.

In April 2021, the Government asked the schools watchdog to look at safeguarding policies and experiences in schools and colleges following the deluge of anonymous reports made to website Everyone's Invited, which was set up by Soma Sara in March that year.
A high school teacher has resigned from a Wisconsin school after receiving a backlash from parents when a clip of him dancing in drag for students went viral on social media.

French teacher Matt Kashdan of Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District in Wisconsin performed for students in drag as part of a 'Fine Arts Week', dancing in red-heeled boots and a sparkling blue dress.

The teacher danced to Ariana Grande and Lady Gagas song 'Rain on me' as part of the talent show, which had returned after a hiatus.

'People were calling me a groomer, people were calling me a pedophile, people are calling me a narcissist,' Kashdan said, branding the criticism 'homophobic'.

High school French teacher Matthew Kashdan performed to Ariana Grande and Lady Gagas song 'Rain on me', but resigned following a backlash from parents and social media users

The drag act prompted a wave of criticism from parents who said it was shameful and questioned why it would be part of a fine arts performance.

A clip of the performance went viral on social media, prompting at least one parent to complain, according to Fox News.

'This is shameful and just as bad as switch genders day for spirit week back when I went to school in the 80's', said one social media user on Twitter after watching the video.

Other online sleuths wrote upon seeing the video that the school was not an appropriate venue for the performance.

'Why aren't these parents pulling their kids and suing?!?! Kids are there to be EDUCATED and the state has a responsibility to do so,' said another.

The parent whose child attends the school wrote into a local conservative radio show t say: 'What kind of educators thought this was appropriate? Drag shows are "fine arts"? If a teacher is a pole dancer or stripper, can they also perform for my children?'

Kashdan said he has no regrets over the performance despite the criticisms, adding the experience has made him want to perform drag more often.

Kashdan said signs popped up all over the school to support him after the clip went viral

'The coolest thing was that when I went back to school after all of this media stuff had happened, all around the school there were these signs posted saying we support you, LGBTQ rights matter,' Kashdan told WKOW.

Teachers and students of the school were supportive, he said, with most people he talked to supporting the performance.

Although Kashdan said received an outpouring of support for his performance, the school said he had resigned from his position following the drag performance, but hastened to add the two incidents were not related, according to the Washington Examiner.

He has set his LinkedIn profile as 'open to work' after resigning.

Kashdan is already an intern at the study abroad office at the University of Illinois as well as a high-school French teacher

As well as his internship, Kashdan is also studying to receive a Masters of Education in Global Studies in Education

Teaching French to both middle and high school students over the past five years, Kashdan was previously a teaching assistant in Caen, France.

The French teacher is a fan of Pink, musicals such as Wicked and Rent, and the soundtrack Hairspray and Legally Blonde, according to his Facebook.

Kashdan is in his final semester at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, studying to receive his Masters of Education in Global Studies in Education.

He said on his LinkedIn he is looking to shift away from K-12 public education and into higher education study abroad programming and advising. He is already an intern at the study abroad office at the University of Illinois.

Kashdan adds to has a passion for sharing his love of the world and global perspectives with students, and hopes to inspire others to step outside of their comfort zones.

He is married to a teaching assistant at University of Wisconsin-Madison, with the couple tying the knot in 2018.

Neither Kashdan nor Middleton High School responded to request for comment before press time.
A 96-year-old Holocaust survivor who was at Auschwitz with Anne Frank has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'genocide' after she was forced to flee her home in Ukraine.

Anastasia Gulej, who fled to Germany after Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February, said after surviving dictators Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin she would survive 'this ar**hole Putin too'.

Gulej, who was speaking at a memorial service for Holocaust survivors, compared the Russians to the Nazis and said: 'I have no words for what the Hitler admirers from the Kremlin did in Bucha and Mariupol.'

Ukrainian holocaust survivor Anastasia Gulej, aged 96, pictured visiting the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany after she fled her home in Ukraine following Putin's invasion

Gulej was moved from Auschwitz to the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp (pictured) and was speaking at an event to mark the 77th anniversary of its liberation by British and Canadian troops

Anastasia Gulej, who has fled to Germany after Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February, said after surviving dictators Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin she would survive 'this ar**hole Putin too'

A 96-year-old Holocaust survivor who was at Auschwitz with Anne Frank has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'genocide' against Ukrainians after she was forced to flee her home in Ukraine

She spoke of a 'genocide against the Ukrainians', adding: 'I survived Hitler, survived Stalin and I will survive this ar**hole Putin too!'

Gulej was moved from Auschwitz to the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and was speaking at an event to mark the 77th anniversary of its liberation by British and Canadian troops.

The 96-year-old was sent by the Nazis to the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, in January 1945, at the age of 19.

Gulej was there at the same time as Anne Frank, who later died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the age of 15, in February 1945.

Gulej was taken to the Bergen-Belsen camp, where she remained until it was liberated four months later, on 15th April 1945. At the memorial service, she said: 'I can't forget a single minute that I spent here waiting for death.'

Speaking about the moment the camp was liberated, she said: 'I didn't even have enough strength to feel joy.'

Gulej said she had wanted to stay in her homeland after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, but because her house was next to an airport, a prime military target, she decided to flee with her son Wassyl and daughter Walentyna. Her German friends helped her to flee to Germany safely.

The 96-year-old was sent by the Nazis to the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, in January 1945, at the age of 19. Pictured: Guleg at an event marking the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald on April 10

Nazi concentration camp survivor Anastasia Gulej lays flowers during a wreath laying ceremony marking the liberation of the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp on April 10

A biography of Gulej was expected to be published last month, but it has now been supplemented with another chapter, one about her escape from Ukraine.

The Auschwitz concentration camp was made up of over 40 concentration and extermination camps, operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland from 1940 to 1945.

Bergen-Belsen was originally a prisoner-of-war camp and was partially converted into a concentration camp in 1943 in what is today Lower Saxony in northern Germany.

Alleged Russian war crimes committed in Ukrainian cities and towns such as Mariupol and Bucha are being investigated by the International Criminal Court.

After the departure of Russian troops, bodies of civilians, some with their hands tied, were found scattered in the streets in the Kyiv region, while Ukrainian authorities discovered a series of mass graves containing hundreds of corpses.

A majority of people in Bucha died from gunshot wounds, Ukrainian police said last week, declaring that more than 500 bodies have been found so far.

On Monday, Putin lauded the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade - which is accused of committing atrocities near Kyiv - bestowing battle honours on them for 'heroism and valour, tenacity and courage'.

Ukraine has alleged the brigade is guilty of war crimes while occupying the suburb of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv,

The European Union has condemned Russia's 'indiscriminate' bombing of Ukrainian civilians following the strikes on Lviv.

Its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed to 'particularly heavy attacks' in eastern and southern Ukraine and an offensive against second city Kharkiv, where officials said Russian shelling killed three people.

'Attacks on Lviv and other cities in western Ukraine show that no part of the country is spared from the Kremlin's senseless onslaught,' Borrell added.
An ex-Morgan Stanley adviser conned investors out of $4.8million in a 10-year Ponzi scheme to fund his lavish lifestyle and pay for his Tesla car, regulators have said.

Shawn E. Good from Wilmington, North Carolina, targeted 'novice investors' including retirees and a single mother with young children and little income in his craven scheme, the SEC said.

The alleged swindler convinced the clients to part with their money into his personal bank account to supposedly make low-risk investments in real-estate development projects from 2012 until February this year, it has been claimed.

An ex-Morgan Stanley adviser conned investors out of $4.8million in a 10-year Ponzi scheme to fund his lavish lifestyle and pay for his Tesla car, regulators have said

He is accused of using $13,000 of stolen money to make payments towards his $60,000 Tesla Model 3 (file image)

He is accused of using $13,000 of stolen money to make payments towards his $60,000 Tesla Model 3, $23,000 towards his $45,000 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and a staggering $800,000 towards his credit card bills.

Good sent $110,000 in Venmo payments with subjects lines including 'because youre sexy', 'Hotel for Destiny', 'Nailz' and 'shopping', the complaint said.

He was fired by Morgan Stanley in February after refusing to cooperate with an internal investigation, the SEC said in their action against the adviser.

They are seeking an injunction and the 'disgorgement of ill-gotten gains' against Good.

The filing stated: 'Good told clients that he would use these funds to invest in land development projects and tax-free North Carolina state or municipal bonds on their behalf.

'Good also told the clients that these investments were "low-risk" and would pay returns of between 6% and 10% over three-month or six-month terms, though Good never provided clients with prospectuses or written agreements to confirm these promised returns and other representations.'

Good is accused of using $23,000 of money obtained in the Ponzi scheme towards funding his Alfa Romeo Stelvio (file image)

One client known as Investor 5 was a divorced mother of two young children who had received $1.9million in her 2020 divorce settlement.

The complaint said: 'Investor 5 specifically told Good that her settlement was all the money that she had and would be her primary source of income with which to care for herself and her two young children.'

A spokesperson for Morgan Stanley confirmed he is no longer employed by the company.

They said: 'The conduct alleged in the complaint is plainly unacceptable,' the spokesperson said in a statement.

'We are currently reviewing the matter, which affects a small number of clients, and are cooperating with the SEC and other government authorities.'
A young mother is fighting for her life in hospital after being smashed off her scooter in a horror hit and run in Bali.

Peta Richards, her husband Matt and their boys Sonny, 4, and Alfie, 3, were holidaying in the tropical paradise on April 1 when the nurse decided she wanted to step out and buy her three-year-old 'one more birthday present'.

The next they heard of Peta she had been rushed to a local hospital after being thrown from her bike by another rider. She has since been flown back to a specialist unit in Melbourne but her future remains unclear.

'Never in a million years would you think that popping out on a 7-minute trip to buy your 3-year-old son 'one more birthday present' would completely change the entire course of your life,' best friend Rachel Berben said.

A young mother is fighting for her life in an induced coma after being the victim of a shocking hit and run involving a scooter in Bali

Peta Richards, her husband Matt and two young sons had been holidaying in the tropical paradise when tragedy struck

Peta and her family had been waiting more than two years to go on a trip away together with the beloved mother working on the frontline throughout the pandemic.

They had landed in Bali at the end of February and were five weeks into the trip before she decided she would head out on a short trip to get another present for Alfie, when the experienced motorcyclist became the victim of a hit and run.

She suffered severe head injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, requiring major surgery in Bali to remove part of her skull to reduce pressure on her brain.

Husband Matt has been by her side the entire time, ensuring Peta was safely moved among Balinese hospitals, arranging flights home all while looking after their young children.

'He is absolutely inhuman. What he's done is beyond the capacity of one person,' friend Rachel told Daily Mail Australia.

Peta had been working on the front line as a nurse during the pandemic and had been waiting two years to take a trip together

She required major surgery and had a piece of her skull removed to take pressure off her brain. Peta remains in an induced coma at The Alfred in Melbourne

Peta and her sons Sonny and Alfie in Canggu, Bali not long before her tragic accident

Peta was transferred to the International Hospital in Kuta to undergo the treatment, before being flown back to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where she remains in ICU, heavily sedated in an induced coma and on a ventilator.

Her husband Matt, mother and sister have been constantly at her side while sharing the responsibilities of looking after Sonny and Alfie.

'It's completely horrific that in that split section their life was flipped upside down,' Rachel said.

'Just knowing she's never going to have the life she's had before potentially, it's going to be a long road to get back to something like that with her boys.'

Doctors say it's hard to pinpoint any changes or recovery in Peta's condition at the moment, with family and friends taking it day by day.

Rachel said Sonny and Alfie aren't 'fully aware' of what is going on with their mum.

They came around for dinner a couple of nights after they get home, so it was nice to give them a hug,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

It's so hard to tell a three and four-year-old what's happened, they just think she's sick. It's just devastating.'

A GoFundMe account has been made to help pay for Peta's medical costs - which has seen more than 1,000 donations totalling $100,000 in less than 24 hours

Peta's husband, mother and sister have been splitting duties looking after the mother and also taking care of her two boys

Rachel has started a GoFundMe account to help financially support Peta and her family through her treatment, a page that has seen more than 1,000 donations totalling $100,000 in less than 24 hours.

They received one donation of $10,000 from a complete stranger.

'She now has every specialist team involved in her care and we know she is in the very best of hands. She will have an exceptionally long road to recovery with rehabilitation and at this stage we can only measure her progress on a day to day basis,' Rachel said.

The family were shocked by the outpouring of support she's received so quickly.

'They are completely overwhelmed and appreciative of everyone's supportive messages, outreach and donations, so thank you all so much,' Rachel posted to the page.
Smoke rises after military strikes by Russian forces in Lviv, Ukraine, April 18, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. Reuters-Yonhap





Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, Monday, killing at least seven people, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow's troops stepped up strikes on infrastructure in preparation for an all-out assault on the east.







Plumes of thick, black smoke rose over the city after a series of explosions shattered windows and started fires. Lviv and the rest of western Ukraine have seen only sporadic strikes during almost two months of war and have become a relative safe haven for people from parts of the country where fighting has been more intense.







Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, meanwhile, vowed to ''fight absolutely to the end'' in the strategically vital Mariupol, where the last known pocket of resistance in a seven-week siege was holed up in a sprawling steel plant laced with tunnels. Russia has repeatedly urged forces there to lay down their arms, but those remaining ignored a surrender-or-die ultimatum Sunday.







Seven people were killed and 11 wounded in overnight missile strikes, according to Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyy. The governor said the Russian strikes hit three military infrastructure facilities and an auto mechanic shop. He said the wounded included a child, and emergency teams were battling fires caused by the strikes







A hotel sheltering Ukrainians who had fled fighting farther east was among the buildings badly damaged in the attack, the mayor said.







''The nightmare of war has caught up with us even in Lviv,'' said Lyudmila Turchak, 47, who fled with two children from the eastern city Kharkiv. ''There is no longer anywhere in Ukraine where we can feel safe.''







Moshe Reuven Azman, Rabbi of Ukraine, prays during a funeral ceremony at the Jewish cemetery near Vasylkiv, Ukraine, April 15, for Zoreslav Zamoiskiy who was killed by Russian troops in the town of Bucha. AP-Yonhap





A powerful explosion also rocked Vasylkiv, a town south of the capital of Kyiv that is home to a military airbase, according to residents. Video posted on social media sites showed smoke in the area after the blast. It was not immediately clear what was hit, and there was no official confirmation from authorities.







Military analysts say Russia is increasing its strikes on weapons factories, railways and other infrastructure targets across Ukraine to wear down the country's ability to resist a major ground offensive in the Donbas, Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking eastern industrial heartland.







The Russian military said its missiles struck more than 20 military targets in eastern and central Ukraine in the past day  including ammunition depots, command headquarters and groups of troops and vehicles. Meanwhile, it said artillery hit another 315 Ukrainian targets, and warplanes conducted 108 strikes on Ukrainian troops and military equipment. The claims couldn't be independently verified.







Gen. Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, told Sky News the strikes were part of a ''softening-up'' campaign by Russia ahead of a planned ground offensive in the Donbas.







Ukraine's government halted civilian evacuations for a second day Monday, saying Russian forces were shelling and blocking humanitarian corridors.







Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Ukraine had been negotiating passage from cities and towns in eastern and southeastern Ukraine, including Mariupol and other areas in the Donbas. The government of the Luhansk region in the Donbas said four civilians trying to flee were shot dead by Russian forces.







Russia is bent on capturing Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists already control some territory, after its attempt to take the capital failed.






Terrifying footage has emerged of a young girl lying helplessly on the ground while being repeatedly punched and kicked in the head.

The shocking violence unfolded at Kippa-Ring Train Station in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane on Saturday and was described by the victim's mother as a premeditated attack.

Confronting footage posted online shows the girl fearing for her life, trying to shield herself on the ground as she's bashed and has her head stomped on and punched almost 20 times by two females.

A girl was repeatedly bashed and kicked in the head by two females as a boy watched on

A teenage boy is seen standing next to the attackers but doesn't step in to intervene.

Onlookers are heard calling for the attack to stop after a passing motorist pulled over.

The distraught victim is seen getting to her feet and fleeing the scene.

'Help me,' she screams.

The teen's mother said her daughter was lured to the scene by her attackers.

'It's difficult to put into words other than I was terrified that she would have sustained a very serious head injury as well as breaks and bruises,' she told the Courier Mail.

Police are now investigating the attack where a teen girl was punched and stomped on

'I was disgusted that nobody tried to intervene and get them off her.'

'I was grateful a stranger pulled up in a car and chased them off, as they could have killed her.'

The incident had not been reported to police.

'Officers are aware of the incident and are making inquiries,' a police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

'Police urge anyone with information to come forward.'
EastEnders actress Katie Jarvis today admitted yelling 'black lives don't matter' during an Essex seaside bust-up.

The 30-year-old, who played Hayley Slater in the BBC soap from 2018 to 2019, had been accused of shouting the shocking insult during an altercation in Southend-on-Sea, Essex in July 2020.

Jarvis, of Rainham, east London was set to go on trial at Basildon Crown Court, but instead pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated harassment against Michelle Antonio after a morning of legal discussions.

The mother-of-two also admitted a charge of common assault today after a court heard she spat towards a pub worker.

Wearing silver hoop earrings and a black and white rose patterned jacket, Jarvis stood behind reinforced glass in the dock and took deep breaths before she pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors did not go into any details, other than confirm the common assault related to a 'spitting incident'.

Katie Jarvis is pictured on the phone outside Basildon Crown Court today

Jarvis joined the EastEnders cast in 2018 as the cousin of Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace

Judge Samantha Leigh adjourned sentencing until tomorrow morning. She said there had been CCTV captured of the incident which had been 'unpleasant' but did not give Jarvis any indication of the sentence she would be passing. The former BBC actress was granted unconditional bail.

Patrick Heart, defending, said the sentencing hearing would hear statements from Jarvis's family members.

Jarvis joined the EastEnders cast in 2018 as the cousin of Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace.

The charges related to an incident in the seaside resort on July 31, 2020, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests.

Prosecutors previously alleged that Jarvis got into a row with four women outside Papillon's bar on the seafront.

Despite having no acting experience, Jarvis made her debut in 2009 starring in the lead role of Mia in the critically acclaimed film Fish Tank.

Jarvis is let into the building by a member of staff as she arrives at Basildon Crown Court

She joined the EastEnders cast in 2018 as the cousin of Kat Slater, played by Jessie Wallace.

One of her storylines saw her have an affair with Kat's husband Alfie Moon  actor Shane Richie's character  while they lived in Spain with Kat and their children.

Hayley then fell pregnant, giving birth to daughter Cherry.

Jarvis's character was last seen on screen in February 2019 when Stacey Fowler, played by Lacey Turner, went to hospital to collect her after treatment for her mental health.

Jarvis was charged with racially aggravated harassment, common assault and two counts of assault by beating.

No evidence was put before the court of the other two allegations, and sentencing will be based on just the two counts Jarvis pleaded to.
A mother-of-eight has shared horrifying pictures of how her two-year-old son's face was ripped to shreds after being attacked by the family's Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross who was his 'best friend'.

Photos show how Romy Griffiths was left with deep lacerations across his nose and face, a fractured jaw and even missing teeth from the attack in the West Midlands.

His mother Jodie Griffiths, 35, was at work on December 27 when she received the heart-stopping call from her partner that their son had been seriously bitten.

As the toddler and his siblings played in the living room with their new flying helicopters toys, the eight-year-old family dog Blizzard slept on the couch nearby.

Romy's father, Daniel Griffiths, 32, was looking away for a second when the boy screamed out in agony and turned back to find him covered in blood - after a single bite tore through his nose.

The parents say the dog, who was their son's 'best friend', had never been aggressive before, leaving them convinced he had been startled awake by the flying toy and lunged at the toddler's face in shock.

Police said the dog was seized under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dog Act, assessed for rehoming and humanely destroyed.

Distressing photos show how Romy Griffiths, pictured, two, was left with deep lacerations across his nose and face, a fractured jaw and even missing teeth from the attack in Wolverhampton

His mother Jodie Griffiths (pictured with Romy in hospital), 35, was at work on December 27 when she received the heart-stopping call from her partner that their son had been seriously bitten

The two-year-old and his siblings had been playing in the living room with their new flying helicopters toys while eight-year-old family dog Blizzard (pictured with Romy before the attack) slept on the couch nearby

What's the Dangerous Dogs Act? Which dogs are banned? And why is it controversial? WHAT IS THE DANGEROUS DOGS ACT? The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans or restricts certain types of dogs and makes it an offence to allow a dog of any breed to be dangerously out of control. It was introduced 30 years ago by Home Secretary Kenneth Baker 'to rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs' after a string of attacks. WHICH DOGS ARE BANNED IN THE UK? It is illegal to own four breeds of dogs without an exemption from a court. They are: American Pitbull Terriers;

Japanese tosas

Dogo Argentinos;

Fila Brazileiro The law also criminalises cross-breeds of the above four types of dog - meaning that whether a dog is prohibited will depend on a judgement about its physical characteristics, and whether they match the description of a prohibited 'type'. Staffordshire Bull Terriers look similar to Pitbull Terriers, but they're legal and common pets. WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE'S A DOG ATTACK? You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed. If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to five years or fined. If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 'malicious wounding'. And if you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine. WHY IS THE ACT CONTROVERSIAL? Both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the British Veterinary Association have protested against the ban, insisting there is no scientific evidence that all individuals of a breed are dangerous. However, Met Police data suggests that in incidents involving 'dangerously out of control dogs', banned breeds account for about a fifth of offences. Advertisement

Jodie, an ultrasound assistant from Walsall, has now shared shocking photos of her son's injuries to warn other parents about the risk of dog attacks, even with trusted family pets.

She said: 'The kids were playing in the front room with their flying helicopters and the dog was asleep on the chair.

'My partner had got up to go to the kitchen but didn't even get to the kitchen - he heard Romy scream and turned around and that was just how fast it happened.

'I think the dog was startled awake by one of the flying helicopters and Romy's face must just have been right there.

'I was at work and got a call from my partner saying the dog had bit the baby - I was very panicked and couldn't believe it. I still find it hard to get my head round it now.

'When I got home Romy was covered in blood and my partner was covered in his blood as well.

'He was screaming and then he started dozing off to sleep - the doctors said it was because of the shock. Then they gave him morphine until he went to theatre.

'We didn't quite realise how bad it was until after his surgery because he wouldn't let anyone look at his face.

'It fractured his jaw, ripped all of his nose, ripped out three teeth from the root - he had to have hundreds and hundreds of stitches, they lost count of how many.

'The damage was really bad on the inside of his nose and they said if the dog had bit down a little bit more his whole nose would have been bitten off.'

After the terrifying phone call, Jodie rushed home and the parents took Romy to New Croft Hospital in Wolverhampton.

From there, Romy was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital where he underwent surgery the following day to stitch his nose back together.

What was meant to be a two-hour operation ended up taking five hours due to the extensive damage to the tot's face, followed by two nights in hospital recovering.

Beloved Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross Blizzard had been part of the family for the majority of his eight-year life since being a puppy and had never shown any signs of aggression before.

Jodie said that police officers attended their home the same day and agreed that what happened was an 'accident', meaning Blizzard could stay with the family if they wished.

But the mother of eight admits she would never be able to trust the dog around her children again and so they decided to surrender him to the police to be rehomed.

Jodie said: 'Blizzard has always been a family dog who loved to play, loved a fuss and wanted to get involved with everything.

'He was a soft dog and the kids loved him to death. He was Romy's best friend.

'I don't think it was a planned attack. He's not continued the attack or ragged him about or anything, all that damage was just from one bite.

'At the end of the day I will always put my kids first and it was the best thing for the dog to go and hopefully be rehomed.

'I would never have trusted him around my kids again, I don't trust any dog anymore.

'One came up to Romy in the street when he was in the pram and I spun the pram round and started screaming hysterically to get it away from him.'

Romy's father, Daniel Griffiths, 32, had only looked away for a second before the tot screamed out in agony and he turned back to find him covered in blood after a single bite tore through his nose. Pictured: Daniel, Romy and Jodie

The beloved mutt Blizzard (pictured with Romy before the attack) had been part of the family for the majority of his eight-year life since being a puppy and had never shown any signs of aggression before. After the terrifying phone call, Jodie rushed home and the parents took the toddler to New Croft Hospital in Wolverhampton (Romy right after the attack)

The parents say the dog, who was their son's 'best friend', had never been aggressive before, leaving them convinced he had been startled awake by the flying toy and lunged at the toddler's face in shock. Pictured: Romy's injuries

Romy, who has been left with scarring on his face, has to have check-ups at the hospital as he grows due to concerns that the amount of stitching done to his nose will prevent it from growing with him.

Doctors have warned that he may need another operation by the time he is four and further surgery when he is a teenager to reshape his nose and nostrils to his growing face.

The mother now hopes to warn other parents about the risks of having a dog around children, after being forced to rehome the pet she thought she could trust with her children.

Jodie said: 'Even looking at him now I can't believe he's got to live with this scar but he is healing beautifully.

'I want to raise awareness and I wouldn't advise anyone with kids having a dog because even if it's an accident it can still happen.

'People love their dogs and say 'my dog would never do that' but we used to say the same.'

After surrendering Blizzard to the police to be rehomed, the dog was given a 'thorough assessment' and it was determined he could not be rehomed due to the nature of the incident, and was humanely destroyed.

Jodie said that police officers attended their home the same day and agreed that what happened was an 'accident', meaning Blizzard could stay with the family if they wished. But the mother of eight admits she would never be able to trust the dog around her children again and so they decided to surrender him to the police to be rehomed. Pictured: Romy, left, with less scarring and right with even less

Romy, pictured with only marks visible on his face, has to have check-ups at the hospital as he grows due to concerns that the amount of stitching done to his nose will prevent it from growing with him

Jodie, pictured with Romy, said: 'Even looking at him now I can't believe he's got to live with this scar but he is healing beautifully'

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: 'We were called to [an address] in Wolverhampton on 27 December 2021 to reports a child had been bitten by a dog.

'The two-year-old was taken to hospital and treated for serious injuries to his face.

'The dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross was seized under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dog Act.

'The ownership of the dog was transferred to police. Following a thorough assessment it was established the dog could never be rehomed due to the violent act and they were humanely destroyed.'
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Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery and street battles have broken out as Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

Russian troops managed to take control of the eastern city of Kreminna after hours of relentless bombing, as gunfights between Putin's men and battling Ukrainian forces continue.

'Control over the city of Kreminna is lost, street fights are taking place,' Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had begun 'the battle for the Donbas'.

Downing Street has been warned that the battle could take 'months', with Boris Johnson telling a Cabinet meeting today that Ukraine's situation is 'perilous' with Putin intent on victory 'regardless of the human cost.'

Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday 'high-precision air-based missiles' had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas region, including the city of Slavyansk, whilst airstrikes had hit 60 military targets.

Overall, Russia claimed it had struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet had been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region.

Russia on Tuesday issued a new ultimatum for Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters holed up in the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol to lay down their arms within two hours if they wanted to live.

The Russian defence ministry called on the troops to withdraw from the steel plant between 1400 and 1600 Moscow time (1100 and 1300 GMT) 'without exception, without any weapons and without ammunition'.

'All who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive,' the defence ministry added.

Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks have ignored such previous offers and Kyiv today said Russia's new offensive in eastern Ukraine will fail because Moscow's forces lack the strength to break through Ukrainian defences.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Sea of Azov.

Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the fiercest fighting and most comprehensive destruction since Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.

The aftermath of last night's Russian bombing of the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine on Tuesday

Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery and street battles have broken out as Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Pictured: The aftermath of Russian bombing in Mykolaiv on Tuesday

Russia today issued a new ultimatum for Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters holed up in the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol to lay down their arms within two hours if they wanted to live. Pictured: Smoke rises above the steelworks in Mariupol

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, at an unknown location in Eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Russia unleashed a barrage of artillery fire on eastern Ukraine overnight as its offensive in the east got underway, with troops seizing the village of Kreminna. But Ukraine has also launched counter-attacks east of Kharkiv and near Izyum to cut Russian supply lines

Ukrainian authorities said on Monday that no fewer than 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal plant, adding that Russia was dropping heavy bombs onto the Ukrainian-held factory in the besieged city.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's Chechnya region and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Russian forces would on Tuesday completely take over the Azovstal steel works.

'Today, with the help of the Almighty, we will... take over Azovstal completely', Kadyrov said in an audio message on his Telegram channel.

In the eastern city of Kreminna, the regional governor said Russian troops took control there after 'levelling everything to the ground'. He said Ukrainian troops had retreated to regroup and keep on fighting, as he warned the evacuation of civilians from the city is impossible.

'It simply makes no sense to stand in one place, to die for everyone, without causing significant damage to the enemy,' Governor Haidi said.

Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery in Ukraine. Pictured: Parts of Russian missiles have fallen on the zoo in Mykolaiv

Parts of Russian missiles have fallen on the zoo in Mykolaiv on Tuesday following Russian shelling

A Ukrainian serviceman walks along a road while his comrades sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Burned vehicles are seen at the destroyed part of the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol on Monday

The Ukrainian flag flutters between buildings destroyed in bombardment, in the Ukrainian town of Borodianka, in the Kyiv region on April 17, 2022

Meanwhile an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today said Russia's new offensive in eastern Ukraine is going 'very cautiously' and will fail because Moscow's forces lack the strength to break through Ukrainian defences.

Presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said Russian forces were trying to find 'sensitive spots' in Ukraine's defences but added: 'Their offensive will fail - I give you a 99% guarantee - they simply do not have enough strength.'

'The battle for Donbas, which was announced and apparently began yesterday, is under way and is going very cautiously. The battle will not go in Russia's favour,' he said on national television.

Russian forces have stepped up their all-out assault on the Donbas region, as cities and towns in eastern Ukraine were rocked by fresh explosions last night.

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, along with other regions of Ukraine's eastern flank, in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday dubbed 'The Battle of the Donbas'.

Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels reported a series of explosions along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk throughout the evening.

Local officials and media also said explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.

Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Tuesday that five civilians were killed and 17 wounded by Russian shelling.

'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said in his daily presidential address last night.

'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'

The coming battle is viewed as pivotal to deciding the ultimate fate of Ukraine - and perhaps of Russia as well.

Russia retreated from Kyiv more than two weeks ago after failing to seize the capital, and has spent the days since massing forces in the east in an attempt to restart its failed invasion and score its first major battlefield victory.

Most troops are gathered at Izyum, a city spanning the Donets River some 70 miles to the south of Kharkiv, for an expected push south towards Mariupol.

A Ukrainian serviceman rides atop an armoured fighting vehicle in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia's large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region had begun

A man walks near a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

If Mariupol falls to Russian forces - which is expected to take place in the coming weeks - these troops are likely to begin pushing north to join up with the Izyum force in a pincer movement.

The aim is to surround Ukrainian soldiers dug into trenches along the old Donbas frontline, where they have been fighting Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014.

If the Russians can pull off the manoeuvre, then those troops - known as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) and thought to comprise a large portion of the Ukrainian army - will be cut off from supplies and vulnerable to surrender.

Should Russia succeed in surrounding and forcing the surrender of JFO troops, then it would provide a huge propaganda boost to the Kremlin and one of its stated war aims - the 'liberation' of Donbas from Ukrainian control.

Depending on how many troops Russia loses in the process, the victory could also prompt Putin to reposition his forces for fresh attacks against Ukrainian cities to the west - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and possibly Odesa and Kyiv.

Such a move would drag the war out for many months - possibly years - and put the survival of Ukraine as a sovereign state under threat.

But if Ukraine emerges victorious, it would deal a hammer blow to Russia's invasion plans and deny Putin any conceivable path to victory.

As happened with the stalled offensive around Kyiv, defeat for Russia would leave its occupying forces vulnerable to Ukrainian counter-attacks and could prompt a retreat back into rebel-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, and into Crimea.

Depending on how many troops Ukraine has left after the battle, it could also open up the possibility of attacks into those previously-occupied regions with the aim of returning them to Ukrainian control - which Zelensky has stated as one of his aims.

Such a catastrophic loss would be difficult even for Putin's regime to explain to the Russian people, and it is open to debate whether he could survive the backlash.

Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak called Russia's fresh assault 'the second phase of the war' and assured Ukrainians that their forces could hold off the offensive.

'Believe in our army, it is very strong,' he said.

Shortly before Zelensky's address, the regional governor of the eastern Luhansk region Sergiy Gaiday also announced the beginning of Russia's much-anticipated attack.

'It's hell. The offensive has begun, the one we've been talking about for weeks. There's constant fighting in Rubizhne and Popasna, fighting in other peaceful cities,' he said on Facebook.

Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine on Monday, according to local authorities.

Gaiday said four people died as they tried to flee the city of Kreminna in Luhansk, which Russian forces captured on Monday.

In the neighbouring region of Donetsk, regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said four other civilians died after Russian bombardment, while a man and a woman were also killed in Kharkiv when shells hit a playground near a residential building.

An aerial view shows a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 18, 2022

Local residents walk in a courtyard near a block of flats heavily damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 18, 2022.

Ukraine estimates that 21,000 people have been killed in Mariupol (residents gather in a Mariupol courtyard, April 18)

A Ukrainian commander alleged that Russian 'bunker buster' bombs, designed to penetrate thick armour and kill targets underground, are dropping despite the presence of a large civilian population in the Avostal steel factory (pictured)

The latest Russian rockets tipped the amount of damage dealt to Ukrainian infrastructure beyond $85bn, according to the Russia Will Pay campaign - a project developed by Kyiv's School of Economics in conjunction with the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of the Economy.

'In 54 days of full-scale war, Russia has damaged Ukraine's infrastructure by $85 billion,' the statement read.

'Over the past week, the direct losses of Ukraine's economy due to the destruction and damage of civilian and military infrastructure increased by $4.45 billion,' the project declared.

Ukraine's top security official, Oleksy Danilov, said Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defences 'along almost the entire front line of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions' on Monday morning, but were pushed back.

Meanwhile in Mariupol, the commander of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard, Denys Prokopenko, alleged Russian planes had began to deploy 'bunker busters' to kill the last Ukrainian fighters and civilians sheltering in a steel plant - the scene of the city's last stand against the invaders' onslaught.

Prokopenko said in a video message that the bombs, designed to penetrate thick armour and kill targets underground, are dropping despite the presence of a large civilian population in the Azovstal steel factory.

'Russian occupational forces know about the civilians, and they keep willingly firing on the factory,' he said.

Major Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraine's 36th marine brigade in Mariupol, appealed for help in a letter to Pope Francis, saying women and children were trapped among fighters in the city's steel works.

'This is what hell looks like on earth... It's time (for) help not just by prayers. Save our lives from satanic hands,' the letter said, according to excerpts tweeted by Ukraine's Vatican ambassador.

At least 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal steel plant, the city council said.

Ukraine estimates that 21,000 people have been killed in Mariupol.

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime.

Putin recognised the independence of two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donetsk and Lugansk shortly before the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24.

Russian troops move into Mariupol as they continue to try and take the city from Ukraine to free up forces for attacks in the Donbas

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks (Service members of pro-Russian troops drive an armoured vehicle during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime

Colonel Ivan Grishin, Commander of the 49th anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Russian Army's tactical air defence unit, is reported to have been killed in Ukraine

His army's assault on the Donbas regions comes as Ukraine's armed forces declared more than 20,000 Russian troops have died since the start of the invasion.

According to the latest figures, a total of 20,600 Russian servicemen have been confirmed dead by the Ukrainian authorities, while even the most conservative Western estimates, given at the start of the month, put the Russian death toll between 7,000-15,000.

As the war entered its 54th day yesterday, Ukrainian authorities also announced that Colonel Ivan Grishin, commander of Russia's 49th anti-aircraft missile brigade, was killed amid fighting near Kharkiv.

His death pushed the number of Russia's high-ranking military commanders to have died on the frontlines to 35.

In light of Russia's startling losses and their new assault on the Donbas, the head of the infamous Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries is believed to have made the trip to Ukraine to oversee his men's deployment in the east.

Members of the mercenary group were thought to have arrived in Ukraine as early as late March, but now there are fears that around 1,000 Wagner group fighters could be stationed there.

The group, which has been used by the Kremlin as a proxy in various armed conflicts around the world, carries a reputation for brutality and human rights abuses and goes by the motto: 'Death is our business and business is good'.

Now the group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin - a man known as 'Putin's Chef' - is now believed to be on the ground in the Donbas to oversee operations, though the wealthy friend of Putin is not a military veteran.

'Prigozhin, who has no military experience and is the financier and organiser of Wagner Group rather than its military commander, is likely in Donbas to co-ordinate recruitment and financing of Wagner Group operations rather than to command combat operations,' said the Institute for War Studies, an American think tank.

Meanwhile, the United States military is set to begin training Ukrainians to operate howitzer artillery in the coming days, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.

In light of Russia's startling losses and their new assault on the Donbas, the head of the infamous Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries is believed to have made the trip to Ukraine to oversee his men's deployment in the east. There are fears that around 1,000 Wagner group fighters could be stationed there

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. will begin training Ukrainian troops in how to use howitzer artillery in the coming days

The U.S. is sending 18 howitzers to Ukraine in its latest aid package. British troops are seen here using 55mm self-propelled howitzers in Saudi Arabia in 1991

President Joe Biden last week announced another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, sending heavy artillery systems to Ukraine for the first time as Zelensky's military gears up to defend the Donbas.

Kirby said the training would happen outside of Ukraine.

'I'm going to refrain right now from talking about who's going to be doing the training and exactly on what timeline,' he told reporters during a briefing.

'I think as we get closer to things, we may be able to talk a little bit more about it.

'But there is a plan now that we are beginning to execute and we think that that training can happen in the next several days.'

He said the plan was to train personnel who would then be able to take their knowledge home to then train soldiers in Ukraine.

Back in Kyiv, Zelensky met with European officials yesterday as he handed over Ukraine's answers to a questionnaire which will form a starting point for the European Union to decide on membership for Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed the questionnaire to Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv on April 8, pledging a speedier start to Ukraine's bid to become a member of the EU following Russia's invasion of the country.

In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky poses for a photo with Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, after submitted the two-volume set of Ukraine's answers to the European Union questionnaire on Ukraine joining the EU, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, April 18, 2022

Zelensky poses for a photo with Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, after handing over the questionnaire

'Today, I can say that the document has been completed by the Ukrainian side,' Zhovkva told the Ukrainian public broadcaster Sunday evening.

Zelensky was pictured handing over the questionnaire and speaking with members of the EU delegation on Monday.

The European Commission will need to issue a recommendation on Ukraine's compliance with the necessary membership criteria, Zhovkva added.

'We expect the recommendation... to be positive, and then the ball will be on the side of the EU member states.'

Zhovkva added that Ukraine expects to acquire the status of a candidate country for EU accession in June during a scheduled meeting of the European Council meeting.

The European Council is to meet June 23-24, according to the Council's schedule on its website.

'Next, we will need to start accession talks. And once we hold those talks, we can already talk about Ukraine's full membership in the EU,' Zhovkva said.
A family has been left heartbroken after a father-of-two was killed in a motorbike crash.

Nectarios 'Necta' Papanicolaou, 34, lost control of his motorbike and crashed on Wardell Rd in Marrickville, Sydney on Saturday.

Paramedics treated him at the scene but were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead at 5pm.

Father-of-two Nectarios 'Necta' Papanicolaou (right) was killed in a motorbike crash over the weekend. He has been remembered as being warm, friendly and 'full of life'. (Pictured with his wife Krissy and daughter Paris)

Mr Papanicolaou was a beloved local from Dulwich Hill in Sydney's inner west, who worked as a butcher at his family's business, Dulwich HIll Gourmet Meats.

His parents George and Yiota released a statement on the Dulwich HIll Gourmet Meats Facebook page on Monday following Necta's tragic passing.

'We are extremely sorry to pass on the devastating news that our beloved Nectarios died suddenly over the weekend in a road accident,' they wrote.

'Necta was a friend to everybody. He lit up the room with his smile, his infectious laugh and his love of life.'

'He was a loving father to his daughter Paris and son George, and a devoted husband to his wife Krissy.'

They concluded the statement: 'Necta was loved by our customers and the wider Dulwich Hill community and we know that he will be sorely missed beyond his family and closest friends.'

The 34-year-old butcher died when he lost control of his motorbike (pictured) and crashed on Wardell Rd in Marrickville, Sydney on Saturday

Police established a crime scene after the motorbike accident on Saturday evening. Officers subsequently launched an investigation into the crash, which is ongoing

Friends, family and residents from Dulwich Hill shared their condolences in the comments section of the post and remembered the butcher's warmth and smile.

'Absolutely devastated by this news. My deepest sympathies and love to the family God bless you through this time. RIP Necta, that smile will be remembered by so many,' said one.

'I am so sorry to hear this. Sending you all love and strength. He waved at me through the window when I was across the street on Thursday. Beautiful soul taken too soon,' wrote another.

A third commented: 'Such a lovely guy. Beyond tragic. Deepest condolences to Nectas family. May he Rest in Peace.'

'When coming to the shop I always looked forward to seeing Necta and having a laugh. He will be definitely be missed and will be the brightest star in the sky! Love and light to you all,' a woman added.

Mr Papanicolaou was a beloved local from Dulwich Hill in Sydney's inner west who worked as a butcher at his family's business, Dulwich HIll Gourmet Meats. He is survived by his wife Krissy, daughter Paris and son George (all pictured)

Mr Papanicolaou was a skilful butcher who was chosen to be apart of the Australian team for the World Butchers Challenge in 2016.

He is survived by his wife Krissy, daughter Paris and son George.

Police established a crime scene after the motorbike accident on Saturday evening.

Officers subsequently launched an investigation into the crash, which is ongoing.
An ex-Ukrainian MP has urged Vladimir Putin to use weapons of mass destruction against his own country amid growing fears that Russia could resort to using nukes.

Ilya Kiva, an opposition politician banned from parliament for supporting Russia's invasion, posted the appeal to his Telegram channel on Sunday - just a day after Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin could go nuclear.

Underneath the image of a nuclear explosion, Kiva wrote: 'REMEMBER!!! - THEY ARE AFRAID AND RESPECT ONLY POWER!!!

'Zelensky, his entourage and Western curators, are most afraid of a [Russian] pre-emptive strike [with] weapons of mass destruction.

Ilya Kiva, an opposition politician banned from parliament for supporting Putin's invasion, has called on Russia to use weapons of mass destruction (above)

'This is what can put an end to today's confrontation, not only with the Ukrainian authorities, but with the entire West which actively and already openly takes part today in the military conflict in Ukraine...

'If anyone thinks that this is not according to the rules, remember: the West wrote these rules in its own interests and only in order to more effectively destroy you.'

He spoke out after President Zelensky sat down for an interview with CNN in which he warned that the West needs to prepare for the possibility that Putin will resort to using nuclear or chemical weapons against his country.

Kiva was charged with treason for supporting Putin, and is now thought to be in hiding in Russia (pictured)

Western officials fear the Russian strongman could resort to such desperate measures in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide of war in his favour after a series of embarrassing battlefield defeats.

'They could do it,' Zelensky said. 'For them the life of the people [means] nothing. That's why.

'We should not be afraid... but be ready. That is a question not only for Ukraine but for all the world, I think.'

His warning had been echoed days earlier by CIA director William Burns who said the threat of a Russian nuclear strike was not to be 'taken lightly'.

'Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks that they've faced so far, militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons,' he said.

'We're obviously very concerned. I know President Biden is deeply concerned about avoiding a third world war, about avoiding a threshold in which nuclear conflict becomes possible.'

Tactical nuclear weapons are nukes with smaller and less-powerful warheads that were originally designed to be used on friendly territory as part of defence against an invasion where the goal is not widespread destruction.

Russian troops are continuing to bombard Ukrainian cities (pictured, smoke rises over Mariupol today) in an effort to 'liberate' parts of the country

Armoured vehicles filled with Russian troops roll into the city of Mariupol, as a Russian offensive in the eastern Donbas region gets underway

They stand in contrast to strategic nuclear weapons which carry much more powerful warheads designed to wipe out entire cities and are used mostly for deterrence.

Kiva, from Poltava in central Ukraine, trained as a mechanic and psychologist before entering the civil service, and was working as a police major during Russia's last invasion - in 2014.

He led a far-right nationalist party in eastern Ukraine before getting a job in the Donetsk regional administration, then moved to the federal government and served as adviser to interior minister Arsen Avakov.

Kiva was elected to parliament himself in 2019 for a pro-Russia party founded by arrested oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, having run unsuccessfully for president.

Kiva was kicked out of parliament shortly after Russia invaded in February this year for repeating Kremlin propaganda that the country was overrun with Nazis, has no future and needs to be 'liberated' by Putin.

He has since been charged with treason and is now thought to be in hiding in Russia, claiming the Ukrainian government is trying to kill him.

Putin launched what he called a 'special military operation' against Ukraine on February 24 with attacks by air, land and sea with the aim of quickly toppling the government and installing a puppet regime.

Western officials fear that Putin (file image) could resort to using nuclear or chemical weapons as his invasion falters in order to avoid or mitigate a humiliating defeat

It is thought the Russian leader expected only token resistance from Ukraine's armed forces and a swift victory, with captured Russian troops saying they were told as they went into the country that the government had already capitulated.

What they found instead was a dogged Ukrainian defence that used western weapons and battlefield tactics to inflict a series of bloody defeats on Putin's men.

Kyiv estimates it has now killed more than 20,000 Russian soldiers, destroyed hundreds of tanks and thousands of vehicles, and has even managed to sink the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet despite not having a navy of its own.

That has forced Russian generals to abandon attacks on Kyiv - at least for now - and instead focus their efforts on capturing the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine.

Zelensky declared last night that an offensive which had been anticipated for weeks is now underway in the region with 'most' of Russia's army dedicated to the task.

Troops are also fighting to take control of Mariupol from Ukraine, which could fall within days having resisted the Russian assault for almost two months.

The coming battle is seen as pivotal to the war and Ukraine's prospects of survival - and perhaps those of Russia as well.
A cache of uncensored satellite images showing some of Russia's many military sites have been posted online by Ukraine.

Among the sites visible are Russia's sole decrepit aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, a nuclear weapons storage base in Murmansk, Russia's advanced Su-57 fighter jet and air bases in strategic regions in Kurss and Kamchatka.

They were posted by the Twitter account @ArmedForcesUkr which, while not verified, has been cited by the official Ukrainian Ministry of Defence account in the past.

The tweet claims that Google had dramatically uncensored the pictures so that they were no longer blurred in a move seen as the tech giant stepping into the war on the Ukrainian side. It claims all of Russia's military and strategic sites were now viewable on Google Maps at maximum resolution of about 0.5 metres per pixel.

But Google insists they were always freely available to the public and that the images do not mark a change in policy.

The sole Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in port, where it needs to undergo constant maintenance

The nuclear-powered missile cruiser Peter the Great seen at its home port in Murmansk alongside the slightly smaller Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov

Two Russian nuclear-powered submarines sit in port alongside two smaller submarines in the Murmansk region, home of the Russian Northern fleet

An airbase showing a number of parked jets in an airbase in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine

More jets are visible parked out in the open outside of their hangars at a Russian military airbase, thought to be the advanced Su-57 fighter jet

A Google spokesperson insisted that there has been no change in policy of blurring sensitive sites and that the images have always been available.

A Google spokesperson said: 'We haven't made any blurring changes to our satellite imagery in Russia.'

Sensitive military installations in the UK are also visible on Google Maps, including the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth in its home port of Portsmouth.

It should be noted that the images are not thought to be up-to-the-minute and sometimes satellite images are not updated for years, meaning that the configuration of Russian ships and hardware could be very different today.

A trio of Russian submarines docked at their home base in the Murmansk region of northern Russia

A large number of warships are seen docked in port in Yekaterininskaya at their home in Murmansk

The Tsentral'nyy aerodrome in the east of Russia on the border with China near Kamchatka shows aircraft parked in plain sight of Google's satellites

A Russian nuclear storage facility showing a number of missile silos in a rocky, mountainous region of Murmansk

The revelations of sensitive Russian military and strategic sites come as the country launches a renewed offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine as the war enters a new phase.

The regional governor of the eastern Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, claimed that The Armed Forces of Ukraine have repelled Russian troops' offensive in Rubizhne and Popasna.

Haidai said that they would attempt to evacuate civilians from neighbouring Kreminna, just a couple of miles from Rubizhne Luhansk region, today.

People who had not already fled were effectively hostages to the Russian forces, which had not stopped shelling and blocking civilian escape routes, Haidai added.

'Volunteers will help us in the evacuation today, the police will take elderly and less mobile people to the buses, as well as people from shelters.

'Therefore, when you see the patrol, do not delay - this is a chance to escape.

'Every day such opportunities decrease.'

A Ukrainian tank scores a direct hit against a Russian BMP armoured personnel carrier (right of shot) from several hundred metres, with the shot passing through the burnt out husk of a building (left of shot)

Russian troops move into Mariupol as they continue to try and take the city from Ukraine to free up forces for attacks in the Donbas

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks (Service members of pro-Russian troops drive an armoured vehicle during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders have now refocused their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, along with other regions of Ukraine's eastern flank.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday dubbed this new assault 'The Battle of the Donbas'.

Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels reported a series of explosions along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk throughout the evening.

Local officials and media also said explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.

'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said in his daily presidential address last night.

'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'

The coming battle is viewed as pivotal to deciding the ultimate fate of Ukraine - and perhaps of Russia as well.
Isolation requirements for household contacts of Covid-19 cases will be scrapped within days.

Both NSW and Victoria are expected to abolish one of the last remaining restrictions, with the Omicron wave now past its peak.

It means people who live with an infected case will no longer need to isolate at home for seven days.

Instead, they will be encouraged to use rapid antigen tests, wear masks and avoid high-risk settings, such as hospitals and aged care homes.

There has been mounting pressure for isolation restrictions to be eased amid a critical labour shortage across Australia.

Isolation rules for household contacts are already exempt for various industries due to staff shortages, including teachers, aviation and airport workers.

NSW and Victoria are expected to abolish isolation rules for household contacts within days (pictured, punters leaving Randwick Racecourse on Easter Saturday)

Those who test positive to Covid will still need to isolate for seven days, with health chiefs not recommending this key rule is scrapped too.

Senior members of NSW's COVID and Economic Recovery Committee met on Tuesday night to discuss a possible overhaul of restrictions.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirmed earlier in the day an overhaul of close contact isolation rules was being considered but need to be managed alongside 'community health outcomes in the ongoing pandemic'.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews are believed to be working in tandem to co-ordinate an announcement.

Mr Andrews also hinted on Tuesday that restrictions will end 'very, very soon' due to a welcome drop in daily cases.

'The seven-day average, very pleasingly, is coming down. So that says to me that the peak has come and gone,' he told reporters.

'I'm not the chief health officer but that says to me that the peak has come and gone.

'We just have to wait and see, though, that those few days of data turns into the trend that we hope it is.'

Those who test positive to the virus will still need to isolate for seven days (pictured, testing in Melbourne)

Government sources revealed Victorian health minister Martin Foley will announce changes to household contact rules and mask rules in the next two days which will come into effect by Saturday at the latest

The Victorian Chamber and Business NSW joined forces this week in a united call for household contact isolation rules to be overhauled to ease the burden on businesses.

'Access to staff continues to be a major issue for business and the current isolation requirements are making it difficult for them to provide service for customers and maximise their business opportunities,' Victorian Chamber chief executive Paul Guerra said.

'We are seeing other parts of the world moving ahead with revised requirements, and we can use that experience to our advantage.

Business NSW counterpart Daniel Hunter added: 'NSW and Victoria are Australia's biggest economies and the current isolation rules are providing a barrier to businesses as healthy people are forced to isolate unnecessarily.'

'With NSW airport workers currently having an exemption to the household contact rules, there is inconsistency and unfairness  this needs to be fixed so that all businesses can have fair access to workers in the current tight labour market and be open for business.

It comes after the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee on Friday last week called for an easing of isolation requirements.

The hospitality sectors was among among many industries calling for an overhaul of isolation rules for household contacts

Cases in NSW have plummeted from an average 20,000 daily infections to 14,000 in the past week.

The state recorded 10,856 new cases and eight deaths on Tuesday as hospitalisations climbed past 1,600.

NSW opposition leader Chris Minns has called for possible Covid rule overhaul to be endorsed by the state's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant.

'I recognise that this is a very difficult problem for the NSW government, if they're proposing to make changes for close contacts within a household due to the significant amount of labor shortages within the economy and the significant disruption for communities,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently said he was 'looking forward' to the close contact rule being abolished but said the decision ultimately lay with state and territory leaders.

'We don't make those decisions at the Commonwealth level,' he said.

'It is premiers who decide to shut cities down or open them up, not the Commonwealth government.
Unions reacted with fury today as ministers were ordered to end Whitehall's work from home culture - after official figures revealed just how few staff are back in the office.

Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA, accused Jacob Rees-Mogg of being 'vindictive' and obsessed with ending flexible working after the minister demanded mandarins return to Westminster.

Critics of home working claim it makes staff less productive and creative, damages career prospects and harms the economies of town centres.

Two years on from the start of the Covid pandemic, many government departments are not even at half their capacity.

Several key ministries  including the Foreign Office and Department for Education  had on average less than a third of staff in the office over the first week in April, data shows.

But Mr Penman today complained: 'There is no rationale for this. Ministers can't point to productivity losses, which is why it's always anonymous sources making the insulting accusations.

'Ministers' obsession with ending flexible working and micro-managing the civil service increasingly just looks vindictive.'

Boris Johnson today urged ministers to get their officials back behind their Whitehall desks.

Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA, accused Jacob Rees-Mogg of being 'vindictive' and obsessed with ending flexible working after the minister demanded mandarins return to Westminster.

Jacob Rees-Mogg has written a letter to the Secretaries of State saying that 'significant progress' is needed to get offices back to full capacity

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Clearly the Prime Minister feels that it is important that we make best use of taxpayer-funded departments which are not returning, currently, to the levels we saw before the pandemic.

'This is not simply just about value-for-money for taxpayer-funded buildings, but also it's a benefit to the staff - particularly junior staff who benefit from face-to-face working - and obviously we know there are benefits that can help, therefore, delivery for the public as well.

'So, it's right that we continue to push for a return to pre-pandemic levels.'

The spokesman acknowledged there was not enough desk space for all civil servants to be in the office permanently.

'We do want to see the buildings being used at full occupancy,' the spokesman said.

Mr Rees-Mogg was earlier backed by the Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis who said it was 'a very good thing' for people to be back in the workplace.

'There's something different about that face-to-face interaction,' he told Times Radio.

'I think anybody who's been missing that recognises that, but there's also the issue, particularly for new staff and younger staff, about being able to become part of a team and get to know their colleagues.

'Actually, that doesn't work in a virtual world.

'You need to be in an office to be able to learn from others to work with others and get to know each other, so I think people being back in the workplace is a very good thing.'

In a letter to the Secretaries of State, Mr Rees-Mogg, the minister for government efficiency, said 'significant progress' was needed to get offices back to full capacity.

While the number of staff at their desks in Whitehall has increased in recent weeks, it remains well below pre-pandemic levels despite the end of Covid curbs.

The Department for Education had just 25 per cent of staff in the office in the week beginning April 4  although officials said the school holidays meant it was not representative.

Despite multiple pressures on the Home Office, including migrant crossings and processing visas for Ukrainian refugees, on average only 42 per cent of staff were at their workplace.

The Foreign Office, a key department responding to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, saw just 31 per cent of staff in its King Charles Street building that week.

And despite the cost of living crisis, the Department for Work and Pensions had just 27 per cent of its civil servants at their desks.

Astonishingly, the figures could overestimate the numbers in the office as some departments recorded the figures by asking security staff to click people in  and then loosely adjusted the figures to account for lunch breaks.

Other departments used data from pass readers. The figures suggest that a plea issued by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay three months ago for departments to return to full occupancy fell on deaf ears.

In his letter to Cabinet ministers, Mr Rees-Mogg wrote: 'We must continue to accelerate the return of civil servants to office buildings to realise the benefits of face-to-face, collaborative working and the wider benefits for the economy.

'To deliver this, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and I urge you to issue a clear message to civil servants in your department to ensure a rapid return to the office.' He also said the figures 'show we have significant progress to make'.

Tory MPs urged Boris Johnson and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to 'bang the desk' to get civil servants back into Whitehall.

Staying put: Many are still avoiding the office in favour of their home working set-up

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, of the 1922 Committee, said: 'There are severe signs of the civil service not being as effective as it should be  and I think that's because for the bulk of the period they need to be back at work.'

But the FDA civil service union accused Mr Rees-Mogg of 'micro-managing'. It added: 'Ministers should be concerned with what is being delivered by civil servants, not where their desk is.'

A government spokesman said: 'Ministers have been clear that departments should make maximum use of office space and progress is being monitored.'

On Saturday, the Daily Mail revealed that departments allowed staff to work in the office for only two days a week.

When civil servants were sent home in the first lockdown, it led to 'backlog Britain' as motorists, travellers and new parents were left waiting months for vital documents that could not be processed remotely.

One mandarin, Sarah Healey, admitted she enjoyed being at home so she could ride her Peloton exercise bike.
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Shocking video shows the moment violent thugs threw petrol bombs at a police van in Londonderry following a string of republican Easter marches across Northern Ireland at the weekend  as officers in the British province arrested seven men under counter-terrorism laws.

Video filmed by Irish News journalist Connla Young shows a PSNI police van being petrol bombed at the City Cemetery on Lone Moor Road yesterday, before it then drove off. Other clips posted on Twitter on Monday showed the same scene from a different angle, with angry social media users branding the mob of jeering thugs 'scumbags'.

Police in Northern Ireland arrested six men aged between 29 and 54 under the Terrorism Act, and a seventh man on suspicion of disorderly behaviour. Officers also seized number of vehicles, paramilitary-style uniforms and petrol bombs.

Derry and Strabane District Commander, Chief Superintendent Ryan Henderson called the attack 'premeditated' and accused activists of 'using, encouraging and cheering along' the young thugs 'to attack the police'.

The shocking violence broke out following a republican parade to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising in Derry, which was connected to the anti-agreement party Saoradh  itself accused of having links with the extremist self-styled New IRA group.

Republican activists marched from Free Derry corner to the City Cemetery in Londonderry, before a masked man told the crowd: 'We are here to stay' to applause. The Irish national anthem was then played on the anniversary of the uprising. Later, a message was also read from republican prisoners at jails in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile in Belfast, huge crowds took part in Easter commemorations to mark 106 years since the 1916 Rising. In an address at the Milltown Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reiterated her calls for Irish unity, telling unionsts: 'British government after British government has disrespected and failed you, time and again.

'Walk this journey with us. This is the decade of opportunity where we have the freedom to determine our future. There is so much to gain.'

The large republican rallies also coincided as vigils were held in Belfast and Derry to mark the third anniversary of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who tragically died after being struck by a bullet during rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18, 2019. The New IRA later claimed responsibility for the killing.

Her family last night voiced their disgust that the parade had been allowed to go ahead, with Miss McKee's sister Nichola Corner questioning why the event could not have been held on a different day, pointing out the date of Easter changes every year.

Video filmed by Irish News journalist Connla Young shows petrol bombs being hurled at a PSNI police van at the City Cemetery on Lone Moor Road yesterday, before it then drove off

Other clips posted on Twitter showed the same scene from a different angle, with social media users branding the jeering thugs 'scumbags'

Shocking video shows the moment violent thugs threw a petrol bomb at a police van in Londonderry

Saoradh Colour Party marches from Free Derry corner to the City Cemetery in Londonderry, as part of an event to mark the 1916 Easter Rising, April 18, 2022

Fergal Melaugh (left), Dee Fennell (centre) and Thomas Ash Mellon join Saoradh Colour Party as they march from Free Derry corner to the City Cemetery in Londonderry, Monday April 18, 2022

Lyra McKee's sisters' Nichola Corner (left) and Joan Hunter (right) stand with Miss McKee's partner Sara Canning (centre) during a vigil attended by members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Guildhall in Derry, to mark the third anniversary of Lyra McKee's murder, Monday April 18, 2022

Republican activists marched from Free Derry corner to the City Cemetery in Londonderry. Video shows a PSNI police van then being petrol bombed by thugs on Lone Moor Road next to the City Cemetery

Lyra McKee's life and death three years on Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA at a riot in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019 Lyra McKee was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and part of the generation which reached adulthood during peace time. She wrote for publications including Private Eye and Buzzfeed. The 29-year-old journalist died after being struck by a bullet during rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on April 18, 2019. An extremist group styling itself the New IRA later claimed responsibility for the killing. Miss McKee's funeral was attended by then prime minister Theresa May, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians. Days later the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution. At a vigil in Derry on Monday, her sister Nichola Corner said that her family are still waiting for justice. 'Three years ago our sister Lyra McKee was murdered here in this city, and still three years on, we are waiting for justice for Lyra, the person who pulled the trigger of the gun that led to her death still walks these streets, and while they walk these streets, these streets will not be safe for the people of this city,' she said. 'We appeal to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for our sisters' death, we appeal to them to come forward. It's never too late. 'We want to thank all the people who have come to honour Lyra and to remember her as a journalist, as a human being and as a person who loved this city. We hope that you'll continue to keep Lyra in your hearts and in your minds in a very dignified way.' Advertisement

'When we objected to this parade taking place, it was on the grounds of the date alone, not on the grounds of marching,' she said.

'Had they marched on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, we wouldn't have cared. It is insulting to go forth on Lyra's anniversary, to do a parade of this nature honouring other dead. It's in really bad taste.'

Miss McKee's partner Sara Canning added: 'We're here to honour someone we loved, and they're there to honour people who died 106 years ago. That's my personal take on it and why I think it's in such bad taste.'

The Unfinished Revolution National Easter Commemoration parade ended at Derry City Cemetery where an address was heard.

Ch Sup Henderson said participants in the parade were assessed as having potentially committed criminal offences.

'Police monitored the event closely and, at what was considered to be an appropriate point, took action to secure evidence and make arrests,' he said. 'Whilst doing so, police officers came under attack from petrol bombs and masonry.

'Our officers showed tremendous courage and professionalism in what was still clearly a dangerous situation.

'Fortunately, none of our officers, or members of the public were injured as a result of this reckless and criminal behaviour. Our inquiries will continue over the coming days and weeks to bring offenders to justice.'

Today, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood blasted the scenes in Derry at an Easter rally as 'disgusting' and said the republican commemoration 'shouldn't have taken place'.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, the Foyle MP said the people of the city 'totally and utterly reject this stuff and the people carrying it out'.

'They have no support whatsoever. The idea these people thought this was a good idea on the third anniversary of Lyra McKee's murder is really revolting,' Mr Eastwood said.

'It just shows they don't care about anybody other than their own twisted ideology. It isn't surprising these people would do this, we know what they are like, we know who they are.

'I think there is always going to be a very small level of support for these people the way to beat them is to show politics and democracy works.

'It is longer, it is more difficult, but that is the job we have to do to turn around our society. There is absolutely no excuse for any of this.'

Yesterday vigils were held in memory of Miss McKee in Belfast and Londonderry, the third anniversary of her death.

Her friends and family visited the spot at Fanad Drive in Derry where she died after being struck by a bullet during rioting in the area three years ago. No one has yet been convicted of her murder.

Miss Corner told the vigil in Derry that her family are still waiting for justice.

'Three years ago our sister Lyra McKee was murdered here in this city, and still three years on, we are waiting for justice for Lyra, the person who pulled the trigger of the gun that led to her death still walks these streets, and while they walk these streets, these streets will not be safe for the people of this city,' she said.

'We appeal to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for our sisters' death, we appeal to them to come forward. It's never too late.

'We want to thank all the people who have come to honour Lyra and to remember her as a journalist, as a human being and as a person who loved this city. We hope that you'll continue to keep Lyra in your hearts and in your minds in a very dignified way.'

In Belfast, a new banner in memory of Miss McKee was unveiled on the steps of St Anne's Cathedral where then Prime Minister Theresa May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish president Michael D Higgins were among those who attended her funeral in 2019.

Police have also made a fresh appeal for information to bring those responsible for Miss McKee's murder to justice.

Detectives said they have made 30 arrests and nine people have been charged, three with murder and six with public order offences, in relation to the shooting of the author.

Youths pictured with petrol bombs in Creggan, Derry, following reports of petrol bombs being thrown at PSNI vehicles, after the 1916 Easter Rising commemoration, April 18, 2022

Saoradh Colour Party spokesperson Patrick Gallager (left) and Shannon Jordan (right) speaking at the City Cemetery in Londonderry, Monday April 18, 2022

Lyra McKee's sisters Joan Hunter (centre-right), Nichola Corner (right) and family embrace on Fanad Drive in Derry after Fr Joesph Gormley (not pictured) said prayers on Fanad Drive in Derry

Family and friends of murdered journalist Lyra McKee stand together after laying wreaths on Fanad Drive in Derry

Meanwhile across the border, the 1916 Rising  which prompted a series of events leading to the independence of Ireland  was marked in Dublin.

Irish President Michael D Higgins led the commemorations of the Easter Rising in a military ceremony outside the GPO on O'Connell Street in the capital, one of the main sites of the rebellion against British rule in 1916. It was the first public event to mark the uprising since the beginning of the pandemic.

Mr Higgins laid a wreath during the ceremony, which began at midday on Sunday.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney also attended the event as well as Defence Forces members, a brass band, and representatives of the Air Corps and the Naval Service.

The commemoration involved prayers of remembrance, and the Proclamation was read by Commandant Daire Roache, from Ballina, Co Mayo.

The Irish flag was lowered to half mast during the ceremony and Private Vincent Murray, of the 27th Infantry Battalion, played a lament outside the GPO. Relatives of former Irish presidents and family members of the 1916 signatories were also in attendance.

The planned flypast by the Irish Air Corps was cancelled due to the weather.

The southern 26 counties in Ireland went on to become independent of British rule in 1922, and later became a republic in 1949 while the northern six counties remain part of the United Kingdom.
A Ukrainian serviceman takes a position in a zone between the Luhansk and Donetsk areas of Ukraine, amid increasing Russian troops' activity, April 18. The United States military expects to start training Ukrainians on using howitzer artillery in the coming days, a senior U.S. defense official said on Monday. EPA-Yonhap





The United States military expects to start training Ukrainians on using howitzer artillery in the coming days, a senior U.S. defense official said Monday.







Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, expanding the aid to include heavy artillery ahead of a wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine.







So far, four flights of weapons have been sent by the United States as part of the new package.







The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the howitzer training would take place outside Ukraine.







The United States is planning on teaching Ukrainian trainers on how to use some of the new batch of weapons such as howitzers and radars and then for the trainers to instruct their colleagues inside Ukraine.







The United States has previously trained Ukrainian forces on Switchblade drones.






A private school teacher was sacked after she ordered a 15-year-old pupil out of her class for removing his Covid mask to have a drink of water just 38 seconds after the lesson began - and then forgetting about him for more than 20 minutes.

Suzanne Smith, a teacher at the 14,000-a-year St Clare's school in Porthcawl, South Wales, sent the child out as he didn't ask for permission to take the face covering off and claimed that his actions had 'presented a serious and imminent risk of danger'.

She then forgot about him and failed to check outside the classroom for almost half an hour during which time the teenager went to another part of the school, an employment tribunal heard.

Mrs Smith told a Cardiff tribunal hearing that her strictness when it came to Covid was due to her having a 'clinically vulnerable' son, but the tribunal rejected this claim after hearing she had taken her family - including her son - on holiday to Greece when he 'should have been shielding'.

Judge Angharad Lloyd-Lawrie rejected Mrs Smith's claims of unfair dismissal - adding she had tried to 'mislead' the school and the tribunal as to her level of fear of the pandemic.

Suzanne Smith told a Cardiff tribunal hearing that her strictness when it came to Covid was due to her having a 'clinically vulnerable' son, but the tribunal rejected this claim after hearing she had taken her family - including her son - on holiday to Greece when he 'should have been shielding' (pictured: Mrs Smith at Aeolos Beach Hotel, Greece, with husband Paul and children)

The tribunal heard Mrs Smith (pictured with husband Paul) joined the school in 2013 before being promoted to Head of Key Stage Four in 2015 and moving to Head of Key Stage Three two years later

St Clare's is one of 40 schools in the UK run by company Cognita Schools, and hosts a nursery, prep school and senior school with annual fees of up to 14,000 a year.

The tribunal heard Mrs Smith joined the school in 2013 before being promoted to Head of Key Stage Four in 2015 and moving to Head of Key Stage Three two years later.

The school shut in March of 2020 due to the pandemic, and Mrs Smith's son - who attended a different part of St Clare's - was advised to shield as a vulnerable person, having been previously treated for cancer.

Mrs Smith taught remotely and, when the school reopened at the end of June, continued delivering lessons from home.

However, the tribunal was told she and her family - including her vulnerable son - went on holiday to the Greek island of Kefalonia in August that year.

Mrs Smith and her two children all returned to St Clare's in September 2020 where her vulnerable son did not wear a mask, the tribunal was told.

St Clare's is one of 40 schools in the UK run by company Cognita Schools, and hosts a nursery, prep school and senior school with annual fees of up to 14,000 a year

In November, the Welsh Government announced all secondary school students in the country were to wear masks in outside and communal areas of schools.

On December 4, the tribunal heard one of Mrs Smith's pupils - named only as Pupil J - was told by his teacher to put on his mask when she spotted him not wearing one.

The panel was told Pupil J was a '15 year old vulnerable child who had well-documented additional learning and behavioural needs' and who sat at the nearest desk to Mrs Smith.

Upon arriving into class that day, Pupil J forgot to sanitise his hands and was instructed to do so by his teacher.

He did so, before sitting at his desk and removing his mask to 'have a drink'.

Mrs Smith 'immediately' sent the pupil, who had been in her class a mere 38 seconds, out of the room.

Having not been checked on for 20 minutes, Pupil J went to the English block, the hearing was told.

A teaching assistant who had previously disagreed with Mrs Smith's 'methods of teaching' including her 'excessively shouting' at pupils, raised concerns about her conduct.

The tribunal heard she had forgotten Pupil J was outside the room and only went to check on him after '24 minutes'.

She left her class to find Pupil J and returned with him to the class after 34 minutes.

The issue was escalated and a meeting was held in which Mrs Smith became 'aggressive' and called colleagues 'b****es'.

She was suspended and dismissed after a subsequent disciplinary meeting in which it was judged she had created a 'safeguarding and welfare issue' by sending the pupil out and not checking on him.

Judge Lloyd-Lawrie said: 'The reason Mrs Smith sent Pupil J out of the classroom was that he did not ask before he removed his mask to have a drink of water.

'She alleges it was that time, when his mask was removed to enable him to have a drink, that presented a serious and imminent risk of danger.

'With respect, I find that that was not her belief.

'Mrs Smith attempted to mislead [her school] and, indeed, the Tribunal, as to her level of fear of the pandemic.

'She in fact went with her family - including her clinically vulnerable son - to Kefalonia during the period he should have been shielding.'
Former Liberal spin doctor Grahame Morris has been mocked by hosts of The Project for suggesting China and Russia would use transgender atheletes to 'take down Australia'.

John Howard's former advisor appeared opposite Bruce Hawker on Tuesday's show, discussing a range of issues including comments from Warringah hopeful Katherine Reves, who described trans children as 'surgically mutilated and sterilised'.

Mr Morris was asked to comment on allowing trans children to play women's sport, before he suggested China and Russia would use the legislation to their advantage.

'Some of the things she said were beyond the pale and she has apologised but if you come back to what she's really on about, it is saving women's sport and that is really important,' he said.

'We have feeder clubs for Aussie Rules clubs in Sydney where you've got big, muscly, fast, strong women who used to be blokes up against 16-year-old girls - is that fair?

'And just imagine what the Russians or the Chinese will do if that little chink opens up.'

Former Liberal spin doctor Grahame Morris has been mocked by Waleed Aly for turning an local candidate's transphobic comments into a 'national security story'

Host Waleed Aly laughed at the suggestion a local politician's beliefs were a broader comment on international relations.

'Are you really running this argument on the basis of a comment that a candidate on Warringah is making? That if she doesn't run this, the Chinese and the Russians are coming for us and they're going to take our medals?' The Project anchor joked.

'Look at what they're doing now when there are different rules. We have seen what they will do,' Mr Morris replied.

'Do we really want to open up that little niche where we've got people against our swimming team, our women's swimming team, people against our Matildas at a time when we're all getting keen on women's sport?'

The co-hosts again laughed at the comment, with Aly mocking the former Liberal adviser's comments.

'Congratulations, Grahame, you have successfully made this a national security story and I didn't think that was possible, but you've carried it off very, very impressively,' he replied.

'Do we really want to open up that little niche where we've got people against our swimming team, our women's swimming team, people against our Matildas at a time when we're all getting keen on women's sport?' Mr Morris asked on Tuesday

Ms Deves' comments have been the topic of heated conversation as Labor and Liberal MPs alike call for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to disendorse the Warringah hopeful.

She has been forced to apologise over a series of comments that include calling Wear It Purple Day a 'grooming tactic' and that trans gender rights promoted 'extreme body modification'.

On Tuesday, Mr Morrison said he won't allow her to be 'silenced', drawing further criticism from even large sections of his own party.

'I'm not going to allow her to be silenced, I'm not going to allow her to be pushed aside as the pile-on comes in to try and silence her,' the PM said.

'I'll stand up with her. My team is standing up with her, and we will make sure that she won't be silenced. I know there are plenty of people who would like to do that.'

Mr Hawker, Kevin Rudd's political advisor, said Mr Morrison was harming both sides with his ongoing support.

Warringah hopeful Katherine Revesdescribed trans children as 'surgically mutilated and sterilised'

'The Liberal candidate in Warringah was a captain's pick by Scott Morrison and the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. They put her in there and immediately she's exposed for making terrible comments about transgender children and mutilation,' he told The Project.

'She hasn't just united the Labor Party around that issue, she has united half the Liberal Party.

'No wonder we have this problem, or the Liberals have this problem with these so-called teal candidates.'

Ms Deves was supposed to appear opposite current Warringah MP Zali Steggall at a community event on Tuesday night but withdrew.
Former ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi was killed in February in a US raid. In a recent speech, ISIS called on its jihadists to avenge his death

ISIS has declared a new 'global offensive' that aims to take advantage of the 'opportunity' of the west being distracted by the on-going war in Ukraine.

The terrorist group also told its supporters to avenge the death of its leader, who was killed earlier this year in a raid by US special forces in Syria, and to launch attacks against Europe and Israel while 'the crusaders are fighting each other'.

Islamic State's new spokesman Abu-Omar al-Muhajir said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has 'preoccupied' non-Muslim nations, and presents a chance to strike.

In a speech released online, delivered during the holy month of Ramadan, al-Muhajir urged ISIS jihadis to take revenge for the killing of Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi - also known as Hajji Abdullah - in February.

Al-Qurayshi, who led ISIS from 2019, himself replaced ISIS supremo Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed in an earlier US raid in October that year.

'We announce, relying on God, a blessed campaign to take revenge,' the spokesman said in an audio message heard by The Times. 'Fight them all and Allah will answer and punish them at your hands.'

He told his followers the 'opportunity is ripe' for them to strike, and called on them to arm themselves and to carry out attacks against western countries.

The message came amid rising tensions in Israel, where recent terrorist attacks have killed 14 people. In response, Israel has launched near-daily arrest raids and other military operations in the occupied West Bank - also resulting in deaths.

Two of the recent attackers came from in and around Jenin, which has long been a bastion of armed struggle against Israeli rule.

The latest tensions come during the rare confluence of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover.

Christians are also celebrating their holy week leading up to Easter. Tens of thousands of visitors have flocked to Jerusalem's Old City - home to major holy sites for all three faiths - for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his message, al-Muhajir said that Jerusalem could only be taken through an Islamic State 'caliphate', The Times reported. A Caliphate - or a political-religious state that unites the Muslim world - has long been an ambition of ISIS.

Islamic State's new spokesman Abu-Omar al-Muhajir said Russia's invasion of Ukraine has 'preoccupied' non-Muslim nations, and presents a chance to strike. Pictured: Tanks of pro-Russian troops drive along a road during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

ISIS' self-declared caliphate, established from 2014, once stretched across vast parts of Syria and Iraq and administered millions of inhabitants.

A long and deadly military fightback led by Kurdish-Syrian and Iraqi forces with backing from the United States and other powers eventually defeated the jihadist proto-state in March 2019.

The remnants of ISIS in Syria mostly went to their desert hideouts from which they continue to harass Kurdish-led forces and Syrian government troops.

A UN report last year estimated that around 10,000 IS fighters remained active across Iraq and Syria.

Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi's death in February came two weeks after ISIS launched an attack on a northeast Syria prison housing fellow jihadists. The jail break attempt from the sprawling Ghwayran complex in the northeastern city of Hasakeh triggered a week of clashes inside and around the facility, leaving hundreds dead.

But hundreds of IS prisoners, including senior leaders, are thought to have escaped, with some crossing to neighbouring Turkey or Turkish-held territory in Syria's north, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

ISIS also called on its fighters to carry out attacks on Israel, which has seen a flare-up of violence and terrorist attacks in recent weeks. Pictured: Israeli soldiers work near the scene of a fatal shooting attack near a bar in Tel Aviv, Israel April 7, 2022

ISIS has since announced its new leader - known as Abu Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. Little is known about him, but he is said to have been chosen by his predecessor before he was killed in the US special forces raid.

After a period of deadly activity which saw terrorist attacks carried out in several major European cities, ISIS has been less formidable in recent years - particularly since the group was largely defeated in Syria.

Some attacks - such as the stabbing of British MP David Amess last October - have been carried out, but large-scale atrocities have been rarer.

Speaking to the times, Olivier Guitta, managing director of GlobalStrat, an international security risk consultancy, said ISIS feels like it needs to restart its attacks in order to regain its credibility.

'The question is whether Isis has the logistical capacity to carry out a spectacular attack in Europe like in 2015 in Paris or 2016 in Brussels,' he told the newspaper.

Now, experts believe ISIS will look to exploit a period of instability in the West - caused by the implosion of relations between Europe and Russia (following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine) and growing violence in Israel - to carry out attacks.

Pictured: People check a destroyed house after an operation by the U.S. military in the Syrian village of Atmeh, in Idlib province, Syria, February. 3, 2022. U.S. special forces carried out what the Pentagon said was a successful, large-scale counterterrorism raid, killing ISIS' leader

Monday saw Palestinian militants fire a rocket into southern Israel for the first time in months, in another escalation after clashes at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem, a series of deadly attacks inside Israel and military raids across West Bank.

Israel said it intercepted the rocket, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Israel holds Gaza's militant Hamas rulers responsible for all such projectiles and usually launches airstrikes in their wake. It was the first such rocket fire since New Year's Eve.

Early Tuesday, Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of airstrikes in southern Gaza Strip, targeting a 'weapons manufacturing site' for Hamas, the Israeli military said. There were no reports of injuries.

Hours earlier, the leader of the Islamic Jihad militant group, which boasts an arsenal of rockets, had issued a brief, cryptic warning, condemning Israeli 'violations' in Jerusalem.
A Ukrainian soldier had a lucky escape after a phone he was carrying stopped a Russian bullet amidst heavy fighting in the country's east.

Video which appeared online Monday shows the grinning trooper - with blue tape wrapped around his arm marking him out as Ukrainian - pulling the damaged phone from his pocket and showing it to one of his comrades.

A bullet is clearly visible wedged through the screen, along with a sharp piece of metal which is thought to be part of a dog tag.

A Ukrainian soldier had a lucky escape from a Russian bullet when it lodged in a phone he was carrying in his pocket instead of hitting him (left and right)

It is not clear exactly when or where the footage - which could not be verified by MailOnline - was filmed.

Snow is falling, suggesting the video was not taken in recent days, as temperatures across much of eastern and southern Ukraine - where fighting has been taking place - have been mild.

According to translations of the video posted online, the soldier tells his comrade: 'The only thing that saved my life was a phone... and a dog tag I was given.'

Plucking at the shard of metal with his finger, the other soldier responds: 'This is a dog tag, f** it! A little bit [came] through.'

The pair then discuss the size of the bullet, which appears to be a heavier 7.62mm round compared to lighter 5.56mm ammunition that is now commonly used.

Modern Russian rifles - such as the AK-12 which appears to be the weapon of choice in Ukraine - also use 5.56, but older Soviet weapons such as the AK-47 use 7.62mm.

The soldier was filmed showing the phone to one of his fellow troops, saying it had 'saved my life'

Sniper rifles and some lighter machine-guns also use 7.62mm ammo.

Some observers were quick to point out that the shot may have been a ricochet as it is unlikely that a phone would have stopped a direct hit.

However, ricochet bullets can still cause damage and may prove fatal - depending where on the body they strike.

The video emerged amidst heavy fighting in Ukraine's east today, after President Volodymyr Zelensky said an anticipated assault on the Donbas region is underway.

Russian troops heavily shelled 300 miles of frontline in the region overnight in an apparent effort to soften up defences ahead of attacks expected in the coming days.

Putin's men retreated from Kyiv more than two weeks ago after failing to seize the capital, and has spent the days since massing forces in the east in an attempt to restart its failed invasion and score its first major battlefield victory.

Most troops are gathered at Izyum, a city spanning the Donets River some 70 miles to the south of Kharkiv, for an expected push south towards Mariupol.

If Mariupol falls to Russian forces - which is expected to take place in the coming weeks - these troops are likely to begin pushing north to join up with the Izyum force in a pincer movement.

The aim is to surround Ukrainian soldiers dug into trenches along the old Donbas frontline, where they have been fighting Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014.

Heavy fighting is currently underway in eastern Ukraine, with Russian forces heavily bombing the Azovstal steel works in the city of Mariupol

Russian artillery also pounded Ukrainian defences overnight (pictured), with strikes reported along a 300-mile stretch of the frontline in Donbas

If the Russians can pull off the manoeuvre, then those troops - known as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) and thought to comprise a large portion of the Ukrainian army - will be cut off from supplies and vulnerable to surrender.

Should Russia succeed in surrounding and forcing the surrender of JFO troops, then it would provide a huge propaganda boost to the Kremlin and one of its stated war aims - the 'liberation' of Donbas from Ukrainian control.

Depending on how many troops Russia loses in the process, the victory could also prompt Putin to reposition his forces for fresh attacks against Ukrainian cities to the west - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and possibly Odesa and Kyiv.

Such a move would drag the war out for many months - possibly years - and put the survival of Ukraine as a sovereign state under threat.

But if Ukraine emerges victorious, it would deal a hammer blow to Russia's invasion plans and deny Putin any conceivable path to victory.

As happened with the stalled offensive around Kyiv, defeat for Russia would leave its occupying forces vulnerable to Ukrainian counter-attacks and could prompt a retreat back into rebel-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, and into Crimea.

Depending on how many troops Ukraine has left after the battle, it could also open up the possibility of attacks into those previously-occupied regions with the aim of returning them to Ukrainian control - which Zelensky has stated as one of his aims.

Such a catastrophic loss would be difficult even for Putin's regime to explain to the Russian people, and it is open to debate whether he could survive the backlash.
Michelle Obama is kicking it back with Ellen DeGeneres for one of their final times together as the sensational talk show wraps up its final season with photos showing the former first lady enjoying a life-drawing class with the talk show host.

Joining Ellen on April 19 for her 11th appearance, Michelle Obama is joining Ellen on one of the final episodes of the program before reuniting with her former co-host a final time for the last episode in May.

Stills from the episode released ahead of its broadcasting showed the former First Lady smiling as Ellen spent time with one of the regulars those whove become her close friends on the show over the years.

The two catch up on what life has been like over the past year and give updates on the Barack Obama Presidential Center.

The former first lady enjoys a live-drawing class on the Ellen DeGeneres in its last season in stills from the episode released ahead of its broadcasting

Michelle is joining Ellen to talk about life over the past year and give updates on the Barack Obama Presidential Center

The photos, taken on March 7 filming for todays episode, show Ellen and Michelle hugging it out, wrapping up her 11th appearance on the talk show that first started broadcasting in 2003.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has aired more than 3,200 episodes over 19 seasons and amassed a stunning 64 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Ellen is leaving the talk show scene, with the shows final episode airing on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

'When youre a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged  and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, its just not a challenge anymore,' DeGeneres told The Hollywood Reporter.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has aired more than 3,200 episodes over 19 seasons and amassed a stunning 64 Daytime Emmy Awards

Stronger than ever: In her first appearance on the show in 2012, Michelle and Ellen had a push-up competition  with Ellen only reaching 20 while the former First Lady left her in the dust

Photos show Ellen promoting copies of Michelle's memoir 'Becoming' after it was first published in 2018

The comedienne is checking in with Michelle in their final one-on-one together, although the former First Lady is set to grace the screen for the final episode, along with many other returning guests. She will have been on the show a dozen times when it wraps up in May.

In her first appearance on the show in 2012, Michelle and Ellen had a push-up competition  with Ellen only reaching 20 while the former First Lady pushed ahead.

In 2015, Michelle and Ellen had a dance off, playing off against to Mark Ronsons Uptown Funk.

She then became Ellens first co-host a year later, running the show together for two episodes during season 14. Michelles presidential ride was towed after a mix-up with guest passes, according to Hola.

Michelle stopped by to celebrate Ellens 60th birthday in 2018 and joined again for seasons 18 and 19. After publishing her memoir Becoming in 2018, Ellen promoted the book on her show as Michelle hosted singings.

The show is ending after a controversy into workplace culture ending with the firing of three producers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The program, which ran for 19 years, was beset by accusations of a toxic work environment, which Ellen said she 'didn't understand', in an interview with Today.

'I still don't understand it. I thought something was going on that... because it was too orchestrated. It was too coordinated,' she said.

The producer, Warner Bros, found 'deficiencies related to the show's day-to-day management' in an internal investigation.

The last episode will air May 26 on NBC.

Michelle and Ellen relive a past appearance, seeming to re-enact the dance off they had in season 12
Thousands of customers have been left without birthday cards and gifts as Funky Pigeon has suspended all orders after being hit with a cyber attack - amid fears personal details may have been exposed.

The WH Smith-owned retailer has called in external IT specialists to probe whether any personal data such as names, addresses, e-mail addresses and personalised card and gift designs have been accessed in the attack.

It is also writing to 'all customers over the last 12 months' to inform them of the ongoing issues, a statement has said.

But confused customers have taken to social media to blast the retailer's 'diabolical' customer service after orders placed days earlier have now been cancelled without explanation.

One said: 'Why are you cancelling orders that were placed last Thursday with an email (which doesn't accept replies) sent out after the order was due to be delivered? Unacceptable!!!!'

Another posted: 'Seriously what is going on with the site for real?!! You go through the whole process to then pay for items to have some message saying you are currently experiencing payment issues! and to check back soon.'

A third said: 'When can we start ordering again? Ive been trying for days now! Why are there no answers or explanations to all these comments?'

Customers have also filled Trustpilot with poor reviews, blasting 'utterly appalling' and 'shockingly bad' experiences.

The full statement from Funky Pigeon following cyber attack Funky Pigeon regrets to inform customers that it has been subject to a cyber security incident. We have taken our systems offline as a precaution, and we are currently unable to fulfil orders while we work to restore our services. We are also writing to all customers over the last 12 months to inform them of these issues. As soon as we discovered the incident last Thursday, we launched a forensic investigation led by external experts to understand the incident and whether there has been any impact on customer data. No customer payment data, such as bank account or credit card details, has been placed at risk -all of this data is processed securely via accredited third-parties and is securely encrypted. We also do not believe any customer account passwords have been placed at risk. We are currently investigating the extent to which any personal data, specifically names, addresses, e-mail addresses and personalised card and gift designs has been accessed. We take the security of customer data extremely seriously and we have temporarily suspended any new orders via the website. We have also informed the relevant regulators and law enforcement authorities, and we will continue to review and update our protocols based on what we learn from this incident. We would like to sincerely apologise to our customers for any concern or disruption this may cause, and reassure them that our teams are working around the clock to investigate and resolve this incident. As our investigation progresses, we will provide further updates to customers and other affected parties as necessary. Advertisement

One review said: 'Ordered a product with a delivery date expected April 8, by April 14 this product had still not arrived. Contacted customer service and get a generic, awful response.

'I guess it's Moonpig next time! Utterly appalling customer service and meeting expectations.'

A second added: 'Terrible service. Had ordered a get well card for a friend who had just had surgery. 4 days later I received a no reply email to say that the order could not be fulfilled due to technical issues!!

'Hard to explain to someone who is at home recovering that I had indeed thought about them and sent a card but my order was cancelled. So annoyed!'

And a third review said: 'Ordered a card 4 days ago, only just been told that my order cant be fulfilled.. extremely disappointing.'

A red warning has now appeared at the top of the Funky Pigeon website.

It reads: 'Oops! We're experiencing some issues and we can't accept new orders at the moment. Please try again later!'

The incident has raised further concerns over whether appropriate defences are in places to protect against cyber attacks, particularly on western financial institutions, amid heightened geopolitical tensions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, the retailer has said no customer payment data, such as bank account or credit card details, have been hacked.

It also does not expect the incident to have a material impact on its financial positions.

A statement released today said: 'Funky Pigeon regrets to inform customers that it has been subject to a cyber security incident.

'We have taken our systems offline as a precaution, and we are currently unable to fulfil orders while we work to restore our services.

'We are also writing to all customers over the last 12 months to inform them of these issues.

'We take the security of customer data extremely seriously and we have temporarily suspended any new orders via the website.

'We have also informed the relevant regulators and law enforcement authorities, and we will continue to review and update our protocols based on what we learn from this incident.'

It comes after The Works had to close five of its 526 shops earlier this month after it was hit with ransomware - a type of computer virus that allows attackers to take control of a system and then demand money for its return.

Hackers are understood to have caused issues with the company's tills and disrupted its deliveries to its stores.

Businesses have been urged to double down on efforts to protect the storage of personal data of customers and employees as the number of Britons whose financial data was hacked last year rose by 1,800 per cent.

More than 42million people in the UK were affected by data breaches  up from 2.2m the previous year, according to figures by international law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.

Bill Conner, CEO at cybersecurity firm SonicWall, said today: 'The attack on Funky Pigeon is another example of how relentless cybercriminals are in their search for profit.

'Holding victim organizations business operations hostage uniquely impacts retailers and other organizations that provide daily, direct services to their customers. Such attacks directly affect the victims revenue generation and thus provide additional leverage to the attackers.'

'Hackers continue to mix-and-match malware ingredients deployed during the attack, as well as escalating their techniques from beyond phishing.

'Organizations need to protect their outward facing attack surface, but equally importantly, establish internal barriers (segmentation) to prevent lateral exploitation on which attackers rely to establish persistence and larger network access once they establish foothold on a single system.'

Mark Tibbs, cyber intelligence specialist at law firm Mishcon De Reya, added: 'Cyber attacks are now unfortunately a part of the modern business risk landscape.

'While we don't currently know the extent of the attack against Funkypigeon.com, businesses should consider the risks of cyber extortion, fraud and data breaches as part of their incident response planning.

'To minimise disruption to customers and losses to the business, teams should be prepared to tackle these incidents with both a well-drilled technical response to recover systems, but importantly also a response to pursue legal options such as recovery of lost funds.'
A former Kremlin official and Gazprombank vice-president has been found dead in his elite 2 million Moscow apartment by his 26-year-old daughter, police have said.

Alongside the body of multimillionaire Vladislav Avayev, 51, was his 'pregnant' wife Yelena, 47, and younger daughter Maria, 13.

The bodies - all with gunshot wounds - were found by the couple's distraught adult daughter Anastasia, when she opened the apartment after failing to reach her family.

Investigators said they are keeping an open mind on the 14th floor massacre, carried out 'with Avayev's pistol', and investigating any links to his work and personal life.

Anastasia told officers that the gun had been in her father's hand when she found his body, say reports.

Avayev previously worked as a high-flying executive at Gazprombank, a key part of Vladimir Putin's gas-for-roubles scheme to hit back at Western sanctions - in which Putin demanded foreign companies open an account with the bank.

The 51-year-old had left the privately run bank as vice-president, but it was unclear if he retained connections to it.

Former Kremlin official and Gazprombank vice-president - Vladislav Avayev (pictured) - has been found dead in his 2 million Moscow apartment by his 26-year-old daughter, police say

Alongside the body of multimillionaire Vladislav Avayev, 51, was his 'pregnant' wife Yelena (pictured), 47, and younger daughter Maria, 13

The bodies - all with gunshot wounds - were found by the couple's distraught adult daughter Anastasia (pictured), when she opened the apartment after failing to reach her family

Earlier he had been deputy head of a major department in Putin's Kremlin administration. He was wealthy from his construction company.

One theory is that there had been jealousy after Yelena was found to be five months pregnant by her husband's driver.

However, reports are ambiguous as to whether the dead woman was pregnant.

Other accounts suggest the wealthy ex-banker had discovered his wife was having an affair, and the driver had resigned.

Separately there were claims the couple had been involved in a court dispute regarding financial matters.

But investigation sources say they are probing a number of leads.

A total of 13 weapons were found in the luxury flat, which had been locked from the inside, according to Anastasia.

A neighbour called Kristina said: 'I heard three shots and shouting. A woman was screaming. Then two more shots were fired. No-one else was screaming.

Pictured: Still grabs from a video purportedly showing the crime scene inside Avayev's apartment

Pictured: A general view of Avayev's apartment building in Moscow

Pictured: Officials are seen outside Avayev's apartment building in Moscow

'I looked out the window - I thought it was fireworks... It turned out they weren't, my mother told me it was definitely gunshots.'

A female neighbour said: 'Perhaps this was because of the sanctions - everyone is depressed, some are willing to go to extreme measures.'

She said sanctions and the economic downturn may have hit his business.

'They possibly put him in debt and he decided to shoot himself,' she said.

Another female neighbour said: 'He was a smart man, almost the head of Gazprombank. I had seen him - he did not look like a maniac. He was a nerd.

'He had no reason to do that. He was rich, smart. There's no way a man like that could kill. Maybe Avayev and his family were killed.

'So what does that mean? A man with a gun broke into our house, and no one stopped him? How are we supposed to sleep now?'

Gazprombank is one of the main channels for payments for Russian oil and gas, and in March, Putin demanded that foreign countries must open accounts with the bank in order to pay for Russian gas - in retaliation against western sanctions.

Gazprombank would then convert euros or dollars into roubles.

Putin had initially said foreign countries must pay for Russian energy in Roubles in a bid to save the country's failing economy, a stance that he later softened on.

In March, Britain announced sanctions against Gazprombank - the third largest bank in Russia - as part of a crackdown by western countries on Moscow over its brutal on-going invasion of Ukraine.

Over the weekend, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told a German newspaper that the European Union's forthcoming sanctions will also target banks, in particular Sberbank, as well as oil.

Pictured: People visit a branch of Gazprombank in Moscow, Russia (file photo). Vladislav Avayev had recently left his role as a vice president in the bank - Russia's third largest

Bild am Sonntag, in an interview published on Sunday, asked her to name the key points of a planned sixth round of sanctions.

'We are looking further at the banking sector, especially Sberbank, which accounts for 37% of the Russian banking sector. And, of course, there are energy issues,' she said.

The EU has so far spared Russia's largest bank from previous sanctions rounds because it, along with Gazprombank, is one of the main channels for payments for Russian oil and gas, which EU countries have been buying despite the conflict in Ukraine.

She also said that the EU was working on 'clever mechanisms' so that oil could also be included in the next sanctions.

'What should not happen is that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin collects even higher prices on other markets for supplies that would otherwise go to the EU,' she was quoted as saying. 'The top priority is to shrink Putin's revenues,' she said.
Energy bosses today demanded Chancellor Rishi Sunak offer 'unprecedented' help for Britons as they warned of a 'truly horrific' situation this autumn - as one even suggested the poorest should get 1,000 slashed from their energy bills.

Households, who have already seen a huge rise in their bills this month, are braced for another massive hike in October due to the ongoing energy crisis.

Appearing before MPs today, the bosses of the UK's largest energy companies urged the government to prepare for yet another shock increase by offering further support to hard-pressed Britons.

They detailed 'a huge amount of anxiety' among their customers, warned more than one-third of Britons could be pushed into fuel poverty, and said the worst-hit could end up paying as much as 1 in every 6 on their energy bills.

MPs also heard how debt levels were already soaring, even ahead of October's expected next increase.

The energy bosses called on Mr Sunak and the Treasury to extend existing help for households, but also to go further by scrapping green levies on energy bills, cutting VAT on gas and electricity and also to consider a deficit fund to remove 1,000 from the bills of the most vulnerable.

The bosses of the UK's largest energy companies urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to offer further help for hard-pressed Britons ahead of another expected hike in bills

Mr Sunak was told that his current package of support 'isn't nearly enough to mitigate the full impact of this price increase'

Households are braced for another massive hike in six months' time due to the ongoing energy crisis

Cost of living crisis and war in Ukraine slams brakes on Britain's economic recovery as IMF slashes growth forecasts once again The cost of living crisis and war in Ukraine will slam the brakes on Britain's economic recovery from the pandemic in the years to come, the International Monetary Fund warned today. The body slashed its growth forecasts for Britain and the rest of the world as it cautioned that inflation is set to remain elevated 'for much longer' than previously expected, hampering consumer spending - the main driver of the economy. Britain's gross domestic product is now expected to grow by 3.7 per cent this year, down from the 4.7 per cent growth predicted by the IMF at the start of the year and a further downgrade from its 5 per cent October forecast. In its latest World Economic Outlook update, the IMF has also downgraded its expectations for next year to 1.2 per cent, from a 2.3 per cent estimate in January - the slowest rate for any 'advanced' economy. 'In the United Kingdom, consumption is projected to be weaker than expected as inflation erodes real disposable income, while tighter financial conditions are expected to cool investment,' the body said. It comes as Britain's economy was only starting to recover from the pandemic, having grown by 7.4 per cent last year after shrinking by 10 per cent in 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions brought many businesses to a halt. Advertisement

Due to massive pressure on suppliers and the impact of the Ukraine war, the UK's energy price cap rose on 1 April by just under 700.

Some have estimated the price cap could rise by a similar amount again on 1 October, as there is little sign of the current crisis abating.

Speaking to the House of Commons' Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, E.ON chief executive Michael Lewis described the 1 April rise as 'unprecedented'.

Mr Sunak has so far offered Britons a one-off 200 discount on energy bills in October - to be paid back over five years from 2023 - as well as a council tax rebate and an extension of the warm homes discount, worth 150, to one million more households.

But Mr Lewis said the help 'isn't nearly enough to mitigate the full impact of this price increase'.

'If nothing is done further by the government to mitigate this impact, we expect to see the outstanding debt increase by around 50 per cent on our books - that's what our modelling shows us - by the end of this year,' he told MPs.

He called on Mr Sunak to take much greater action ahead of October.

'In the short-term the government needs to do more,' he said.

'Removing environmental levies and putting them into general taxation is one thing they can do right now.

'Reducing VAT to zero and extending the warm home discount further - those are tangible things which can be done before the increase, again, in October.

'And an extension of the existing 200 rebate. I think that would help very significantly all customers.

'Bear in mind, we're looking at up to 30-40 per cent of people going into fuel poverty when the price goes up again in October.

'This is unprecedented, so it requires unprecedented action from government at this time.'

Simone Rossi, the chief executive of EDF energy, described how his company had recorded a 40 per cent increase in calls from customers concerned about their debt.

'I think we've seen data showing 10 per cent of the most vulnerable customers will go from spending 1 in 12 on energy bills, to spending 1 in 6,' he told the committee.

Chris O'Shea, the chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica, said about one in 10 of customers were currently late in paying their bills.

'So 716,000 customers are on average about 440 in debt,' he said.

'That's an increase of 125,000 versus this time last year and about 50million of extra debt.

'In total, there's about 315million in debt that's outstanding.'

Green levy that adds 153 to energy bills could be scrapped A green levy that adds 153 to the average energy bill could be scrapped as ministers look at ways to help Britons with the soaring cost of living, it has emerged. A Downing Street source told the Daily Telegraph that scrapping the controversial levies - which are used to fund renewable energy schemes - was an 'attractive option' ahead of the next expected huge rise in energy bills in October. 'We are a long way out from autumn and we wouldnt rule anything out,' the source said. They noted such a move would receive support among Tory backbenchers. Senior Conservative MP Robert Halfon told the newspaper that environmentalism could not be balanced 'on the backs of working people'. He described the green levy as a 'millstone around people's necks'. Advertisement

Mr O'Shea warned that those on pre-payment meters were set to be the worst hit by a further rise in bills later this year.

Keith Anderson, the boss of ScottishPower, told MPs he was 'massively concerned' about the impact of the energy crisis.

He described how his company had receieved 8,000 calls in a week to a new helpline from people concerned about their ability to pay.

Mr Anderson told MPs there was 'a massive concern from people, a huge amount of anxiety from people on the phones about what they're going to do and the concern they face'.

'A real, real worry from them - a lot of people for the first time facing this issue and they've never been in this position before,' he added.

He warned the situation for the most vulnerable and poorest - such as those on pre-payment meters - could get 'truly horrific' in October.

'It's got to the stage now where I honestly believe the size and scale of this is beyond what I can deal with, beyond what I think this industry can deal with,' he said.

'And I think it needs a massive shift, a significant shift in the government policy and approach towards this.'

Mr Anderson urged the Chancellor to set up a deficit fund for anybody that's deemed to be in fuel poverty or vulnerable.

This would take 1,000 off their bills and that debt put into a fund, to be repaid over the longer-term.

'That fund can then be repaid over a 10-year period - you can spread that across the whole consumer base, or government can partially fund it,' he said.

'I think the problem has got to the size and scale that it requires something significant of that nature.

'Where for those people who are deemed to be in fuel poverty or vulnerable need something of the size and scale that puts their bill back to where it used to be before the gas crisis.'
A baffled mother who has been completely powerless to move a mystery car left on her driveway by a holidaymaker for almost a week has revealed that her landlord registered the space via a parking app years ago - and had completely 'forgotten about it'.

Mother-of-two Debbie Flynn and her partner Leon had wanted to move the silver Vauxhall Mokka away from her garage in Garretts Green all last week, but officers from West Midlands Police said they can't move it for her.

Officers also warned her that if she tries to move the car, she would be committing a criminal offence by breaking into the vehicle.

Miss Flynn suspected that the driveway had been sold to a holidaymaker through a parking app by fraudsters taking advantage of the space's proximity to Birmingham International Airport.

But she has now revealed that her landlord has apologised to her, after telling her that he had completely forgotten that he had registered the driveway via a parking app years ago.

Mother-of-two Debbie Flynn and her partner Leon had wanted to move the silver Vauxhall Mokka away from her garage in Garretts Green all last week

'One of the first things I did when I found the car was to ask the landlord if he knew anything about it and he said he didn't,' she said.

'The landlord has since been in touch and said that years ago he opened a parking app for his drive.

'He has just checked his emails and a female driver has emailed him saying she has parked on his drive, gone on holiday and will be back next week. I can't believe it.'

John Charnock, of Stress Free Car Rental, said that someone parking on your drive technically counts as trespass, which is a civil offence and not crimina, because a driveway is part of a property.

If a car has up-to-date MOT, tax, insurance and is not in a position where it could cause danger to anyone around, the council is also powerless to move it, he added.

Miss Flynn previously ranted: 'It's like the car just dropped out of the sky. It's a complete mystery.

But she has now revealed that her landlord has apologised to her, after telling her that he had completely forgotten that he had registered the driveway via a parking app years ago

'We don't understand how or why this has happened but as the owner hasn't returned all week, we suspect it's due to someone selling a space on my drive close to the airport.

'We went to bed about 10.30pm on Tuesday night [April 12] and when my partner woke the next morning, it was parked on our drive,' Ms Flynn added.

'The cheeky gits opened my gate and parked it and shut the gates after leaving it on the grass. The police officer who came to see us said he had never seen anything like this in all his years.'

She added: 'It's totally legal so the police can't help. Yet if we try and move it and damage it, then we would have committed a criminal offence.

'The kids can't even play outside on the drive now, in case they kick a ball or something and accidentally damage it.'
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From the moment that 'Canoe Man' John Darwin disappeared from his home in County Durham in 2002, his two sons Mark and Anthony had believed the worst.

But five years later, a bedraggled Darwin turned up at a police station in London, claiming to have no memory of anything that had happened to him.

Very quickly, it emerged that the former prison officer had engaged in a web of deceit with his wife Anne to carry out a 680,000 fraud that ultimately saw the couple live together in Panama.

The couple had told no one of their plot and had even made their sons believe that the worst had happened.

In her 2016 memoir, penned after her release from prison, Anne recounted how, when she told them she was emigrating to the South American country and was selling the family homes, her two sons had selected possessions of their father's to keep in memory of him.

But the couple's plot was nearly exposed when Anthony chose a book that had been printed in 2003, the year after his father had supposedly died. Incredibly, Mrs Darwin said Anthony only noticed this fact later.

The Darwins' cruel collusion tore their sons' lives apart, with one of them branding their mother a 'hideous, lying b***h' and testifying against her in court at her trial.

John and Anne Darwin are seen in a family photograph with their sons Mark and Anthony. The couple deceived their sons when they colluded to gain life insurance and pensions payouts

When father-of-two John Darwin (pictured left in Panama with his wife Anne) went missing in his canoe in the sea outside his home in County Durham in 2002, his own sons believed he was dead. Five years later, a bedraggled Darwin turned up at a police station in London, claiming to have amnesia. Very quickly, it emerged that the he had carried out a 680,000 fraud with his wife Anne that ultimately saw the couple live together in Panama. Right: How Darwin looked after faking his death

The moment that the Darwins' sons selected possessions to keep was depicted in last night's episode of ITV Drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, which retells the saga. It stars Eddie Marsan as Darwin and Monica Dolan as his wife.

Dolan's character is seen telling her sons: 'Take whatever you want, or take nothing at all if it doesn't feel right. It is entirely up to you.'

The camera then shows a trove of possessions on the table, including three books, a tape recorder, a watch and Darwin's original passport.

Darwin told her sons she was moving to Panama after she had received thousands of pounds in life insurance and pension money.

It enabled her to pay off the debts that she and her husband had accrued. Whilst her sons believed she was going there alone, she had in fact already set up home with Darwin in a flat in Panama and had had a picture taken with him that would later expose the pair's giant fraud.

Writing of the moment that she told her sons she was emigrating to the country, Anne Darwin said in her book: 'Though shocked that I  supposedly a widow  was contemplating moving halfway across the world to a place in which I'd never expressed the slightest interest, Anthony and Mark both supported my decision.

'It was just another of the wicked lies I told them, which I will regret to my dying day.

'Before I left for good, I asked the boys if they would like a keepsake from their father's possessions.

'Mark chose a pair of black onyx cufflinks and his wristwatch, while Anthony opted for his pocket watch, wedding ring and passport.

'He also selected some books, one of which he later realised had been printed in 2003, long after his dad had supposedly 'died'.

'Another had an American sticker on it, and Anthony realised that it must have been bought while his supposedly deceased dad was on his travels.'

The scenes of them selecting possessions to keep were depicted in last night's episode of ITV Drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, which retells the saga. It stars Eddie Marsan as Darwin and Monica Dolan (pictured) as his wife. Above: Darwin showing her two boys into a room containing their father's possessions

The camera then shows a trove of possessions on the table, including three books, a tape recorder, a watch and Darwin's original passport

The two brothers are also seen smiling at they look at their father's original passport, totally unaware that he is still alive

An ITV drama about John and Anne Darwin's fraud, titled The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, airs in April. Pictured: Eddie Marsan as Darwin and Monica Dolan as his wife

For much of Darwin's missing five years, he had been living in secret in his own home (pictured), where he shared a bed with his wife. And when family and friends visited  and his sons returned from the inquest into his alleged death  Darwin hid in a bedsit next door that was accessed through a passageway hidden behind the door of a fake cupboard

John Darwin is seen pictured left shortly after he re-surfaced following his disappearance. Right: The now 71-year-old his seen with his second wife Mercy Mae Avila Darwin

Canoe fraudster John Darwin leaves Teesside Crown Court in 2014. A judge previously ordered he should repay 679,073

Mrs Darwin is pictured left in 2007, after she had been arrested following her return to Britain. Right: The mother-of-two is seen in March

Mrs Darwin said her sons were 'grief-stricken' at the time of the handover. She added that it was 'very emotional' for her to see the pair's reactions.

'I was happy that they had something of John's but I felt awful because I was, yet again, deceiving them,' she said.

The Darwins' plot was exposed after a photo emerged online of them in the office of an estate agent in Panama.

For much of Darwin's missing five years, he had been living in secret in his own home in the seaside resort of Seaton Carew, where he shared a bed with his wife.

And when family and friends visited  and his sons returned from the inquest into his alleged death  Darwin hid in a bedsit the couple owned next door that was accessed through a passageway that linked the two properties.

Darwin later admitted that he would carry out DIY on the front of his family home and even walked around his area disguised as an old man  even as his two now grown-up sons Anthony and Mark continued to grieve for him.

After they had served half of the six-year jail sentences they were handed for their crimes, the couple divorced - with Darwin remarrying and moving to the Philippines.

After her release from prison, Anne Darwin moved to a village near York and was able to get a new job with the RSPCA thanks to qualifications she gained in prison. She was also able to reconcile with her two sons.

She claimed in her memoir that, a week after her husband had 'disappeared' - in what was their first conversation since the plot was hatched - she pleaded with him to let her tell their sons that he was alive.

Darwin refused and instead callously told her: 'They'll get over it. The police will stop looking and everyone will go home and get back to normal. Trust me.'

Mrs Darwin also recounted in her book the moment that Mark and Anthony discovered their father was alive.

The fraudster opted to return to the UK from Panama when the South American country's government changed its visa rules, meaning that to get permanent residency he needed a letter from his local police force in Britain testifying to his 'good character'.

Mark Darwin arrives at Teesside Crown Court during his mother's fraud trial in 2008. Anne Darwin became alienated from her sons after her and her husband's fraud was exposed

In a statement in December 2007, after their parents' lies had been uncovered, Mark and Anthony Darwin said: 'How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much in alive?' Pictured: Anthony Darwin in 2007

Anthony (right) and Mark Darwin leave Teeside Crown court after their parents Anne and John Darwin were sentenced to over six years in prison each on July 23, 2008

Brothers Anthony Darwin (front right) and Mark Darwin (rear left) leave Teeside Crown Court after their mother Anne Darwin was jailed for six and a half years and their father John Darwin was jailed for six years and three months

This wouldn't be possible using his fake identity of John Jones, which he had stolen from a dead baby.

Darwin walked into a police station in December 2007 and said he thought he was a 'missing person' but said he could not remember anything that had happened in the past five years.

Mark received a call from Hartlepool police telling him that someone claiming to be their father had turned up and immediately began shaking.

'My whole world stopped,' he said later. 'My heart was pumping. I couldn't believe it. I was overjoyed.'

Anthony was told when he was at his home with his wife, Louise, in Hampshire.

'It was as though everything was stopped in the room,' said Mark.

'I remember us looking at each other as he walked in and I said: 'I didn't believe it was you.''

Anthony later told his mother of the moment he was reunited with his father: 'When I first saw him, he called my name and we hugged. I just sat and stared at him for about ten minutes and didn't say a word. I felt overwhelming joy that he was there.'

The Darwins also had to pretend to be astonished when they 'reunited' in front of their sons.

Mrs Darwin said that her husband told her: 'Hello Anne, is that really you, are you all right?'

The couple's fraud was exposed when the photo of them in Panama was found online and came to the attention of police.

In a statement in December 2007, after their parents' lies had been uncovered, Mark and Anthony Darwin said: 'How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much in alive?

'We have not spoken to either of our parents since our dads arrest and at this present time we want no further contact with them'.

Mrs Darwin said in a 2016 interview hat deceiving her sons was 'unforgiveable'.

'I was totally shocked by how dark and full of anger they were. To see that was absolutely horrendous. It jolted me. I could easily have buckled then and there,' she said.

However, she said she is now reconciled with both of her sons and has been on holidays with them and their families.

Asked if her sons were in touch with their father, she said 'that's a private matter for them'.

In March, Mrs Darwin was tracked down by MailOnline to a village near Middlesbrough, where she lives quietly.

The 70-year-old has reverted to her maiden name and lives where few of her neighbours are aware of her past.

Anne moved to the sheltered housing six months ago having previously lived in York where she had a part time 10 an hour job with the RSPCA.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during his nightly address, saying that the "Battle of Donbas" has begun, in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 18, 2022. Reuters-Yonhap



Moscow launched dozens of air strikes across eastern Ukraine overnight, its defense ministry said Tuesday, after Kyiv accused Russian forces of unleashing a major new offensive in the Donbas region.



Russia's defense ministry said that "high-precision air-based missiles" had hit 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas while other air strikes "hit 60 military assets", including in towns close to the eastern frontline.



Ukraine's armed forces also confirmed that fighting had increased throughout the east just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had kicked off the widely anticipated offensive in the Donbas region on Monday.



"The Russian occupiers' intensified offensive operations along the entire line of contact," the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces said in a report published early Tuesday.



Later Tuesday, Russia's defense chief stopped short of confirming any new offensive but said his forces were committed to capturing swathes of eastern Ukraine.



"We are gradually implementing our plan to liberate the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics," Sergei Shoigu said referring to eastern Ukraine's two rebel regions, which Moscow has recognized as independent states.



"We are taking measures to restore peaceful life," he said in a televised meeting with Russian military commanders.



Ahead of the advance, Ukrainian authorities had urged people in Donbas to flee west to escape, even as officials called off evacuations for a third straight day from frontline cities due to ongoing fighting.



"No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves," Zelensky said on Telegram late Monday.



In the Donbas town of Novodruzhesk, Nadya, 65, said "we are bombed everywhere".



"It's a miracle that we're still alive," she said, her voice trembling.



"We were lying on the ground and waiting. Since February 24 we've been sleeping in the cellar."



Control of Donbas would allow Moscow to create a southern corridor to the occupied Crimean peninsula.



However, Zelensky's advisor Oleksiy Arestovich offered an alternate view during an interview on Ukrainian television Tuesday, saying the offensive in the Donbas had been ongoing for 12 days.



"They advance by looking for weak points in our defenses. As soon as they find them, they infiltrate them," he added.



In the south, Russia continued its push to capture the besieged port city of Mariupol, as Moscow issued a fresh call for the city's defenders to surrender.



But despite the desperate situation in the city, a senior U.S. Defense Department official on Monday said Mariupol "is still contested."





A man carries a bicycle on his back as he climbs a wooden ladder off the wreckage of a bridge that was destroyed amid the ongoing Russian invasion, near Kyiv, Ukraine, April 19. EPA-Yonhap
The Liberals' hunt to find Victoria's worst road has already hit its first hurdle after a embarrassing blunder was spotted within hours of the launch.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy unveiled a new campaign on Tuesday urging motorists to name and shame unsafe and neglected roads across the state in need of repair.

Drivers logging onto the new website were shocked to discover the main image was actually from stock drone footage of a country road in regional Ukraine.

The footage of the damaged road was taken in 2019, long before Ukraine was invaded by Russia.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy (pictured with wife Renae) has been left red-faced after a blunder was spotted on a newly launched website to find the state's worst road

The photo has since been taken down and replaced with a photo of another damaged road the state Opposition insists is in Victoria.

Nine News also unearthed another photo on the website of a pothole believed to be of a stock found on a US news website.

The Opposition admitted in a statement that the stock footage from Ukraine was used for the website as a 'starting point.' and has since been taken down.

The state government was quick to slam the blunder as 'insensitive misrepresentation'.

The Opposition leader also copped online backlash.

'Has he not driven ANYWHERE in Victoria at the moment? Freakin' roadworks everywhere! Wrong thing to try and get people to respond to to get our details. He needs to keep trying,' one Victorian wrote.

The initial photo and footage used on the website was of a country road in Ukraine

The website had stock drone footage shot in Ukraine three years ago

Another shared a screenshot of the campaign launch on the Victorian Liberals website which originally had a photo of a pothole, which was also later replaced.

'That one they are using right now is a Shutterstock one from an Indonesian contributor so a fair chance that it isnt a Victorian road either,' they tweeted.

The aim of the Liberals' website is to compile a list of roads in desperate need of repair before Victorians go to the polls in November.

'Decades of neglect has left Victoria's roads rough and potholed, risking the lives of motorcyclists, car drivers and truckies every single day,' Mr Guy said.

'There have been 76 lives lost on Victorian roads already this year, but Labor is spending less on maintaining and repairing the state's roads network.

'Meanwhile, the Andrews Labor Government has found more than $24 billion to pour into plugging its cost overruns on poorly managed major projects.
Russia has suffered the loss of yet another senior officer after the captain of a large Black Sea landing ship was killed in the war in Ukraine.

Captain Alexander Chirva died from wounds sustained in a battle with Ukrainian defenders, said the Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev.

His death is just the latest in a string of high-profile deaths for the Russian military, coming on the heels of seven generals already killed in action since the war began. Ukraine claims a staggering 20,800 Russian troops have been lost overall.

Chirva was a 3rd rank captain from a naval family who leaves behind a wife and a son. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Chriva's funeral was held in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, where he was from.

He was commander of the large, 370 ft landing ship Caesar Kunikov, capable of carrying ten main battle tanks plus 340 troops part of the Black Sea Fleet.

It is thought that the Caesar Kunikov was damaged during a Ukrainian missile attack on landing ships unloading supplies at the strategic port of Berdyansk on March 24, but it is unclear if this was the incident which led to the captain's death.

Captain Alexander Chirva, of Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov, who's death was announced by the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev

The Caesar Kunikov landing ship, which was thought to be damaged in during a Ukrainian missile attack on landing ships in the port of Berdyansk on March 24

370 ft landing ship Caesar Kunikov, capable of carrying ten main battle tanks plus 340 troops part of the Black Sea Fleet

The Kunikov's sister landing ship the Orsk was hit and eventually sank while in port, having had its location advertised on Russian state propaganda.

It is thought that Chirva and his ship were involved in the rescue operation, with fire from the Orsk reportedly spreading to other vessels as well as an ammunition depot and a fuel terminal in the port.

'Today we said goodbye to Alexander Grigorievich Chirva,' said Razvozhayev without giving more detail of the circumstances of his death.

'His courage, professionalism and experience saved the lives of the crew members.'

He was born in Sevastopol, and graduated from the Naval Institute of Radio Electronics. In 2015 and 2016, he participated in Russias military operations in Syria.

The announcement follows the sinking of the Black Sea Fleet's flagship, Moskva, after it was hit by two Ukrainian Neptune missiles.

There is confusion over whether the Moskva's captain, Captain Anton Kuprin, died during the sinking or not, with Ukraine initially reporting his death but Russian state television subsequently released a video purporting to show the surviving crew including Kuprin.

Above: Chirva pictured with his wife and son. His death is just the latest in a string of high-profile deaths for the Russian military, coming on the heels of seven generals already killed in action since the war began and staggering losses overall

He was born in Sevastopol, and graduated from the Naval Institute of Radio Electronics. In 2015 and 2016, he participated in Russias military operations in Syria

Captain Alexander Chirva died from wounds sustained in a battle with Ukrainian defenders, said the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev

But the clip appears clumsily doctored, with the same sailors seeming to appear multiple times and the tree foliage suggesting the film was made at a different time of year. Yesterday, at the risk of being censured or even arrested, desperate parents of crew members broke their silence.

They fear the death toll from the Moskva is at least 40 and could be much higher. Western military sources have suggested it could be in the hundreds.

Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles fired by Ukraine struck the ships port side, targeting her engines and starting a propellant fuel fire.

In the wake of disastrous Moskva sinking, the head of the Black Sea Fleet Vice Admiral Igor Osipov, commander of the Black Sea Fleet, is believed to have been suspended or detained or both.

On March 20, it became known that Deputy Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Captain 1st Rank Andrei Paliy, 51, had died in Ukraine.

He was killed during the battles for Mariupol.

The first image of the guided missile cruiser Moskva of the Russian Navy that sank on April 15

The death toll for Russian personnel has breached 20,000, according to Ukraine, with thousands of vehicles and armoured personnel carriers making up eyewatering losses

A destroyed Russian tank on the main road outside Kyiv. Civilians stop to explore and take photographs. The latest losses of the Russian Armed Forces in the war in Ukraine puts the number of personnel killed at breaching 20,00, and mindboggling quantities of materiel

Residents look at destroyed Russian tanks outskirts of Buzova village, west of Kyiv. 802 tanks are claimed to have been destroyed, 169 aircraft, 150 helicopters, 158 UAVs, 386 artillery systems, and a mammoth 2063 armoured personnel vehicles

The latest losses of the Russian Armed Forces in the war in Ukraine puts the number of personnel killed at breaching 20,00, and mindboggling quantities of materiel.

Russian hardware has taken a pummeling from Western shoulder-mounted anti-tank weapons such as Javellin missiles and the British-made NLAW that have been pouring into the wartorn country to help Ukraine repel the Russian aggressors.

802 tanks are claimed to have been destroyed, 169 aircraft, 150 helicopters, 158 UAVs, 386 artillery systems, and a mammoth 2063 armoured personnel vehicles.

Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov claimed that Ukraine has lost 23,367 soldiers including mercenaries during the war.
China claim they have signed a historic security agreement with the Solomon Islands - sparking fears they could build a military base less than 2,000km from Australian shores.

A spokesman for the Communist country's foreign ministry said both nations have signed off on a framework for the deal, just two days before an American contingency arrive to warn the Solomons against signing the agreement.

'The purpose of China-Solomon security co-operation is to promote social stability and long-term peace and security in Solomon Islands, which is in line with the common interests of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific region,' foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday.

China's security agreement with the Solomon Islands could see military bases built by Beijing within 2,000kilometres of Australia

China have released no details about the agreement, nor when it was agreed, but a statement from the Solomon Islands confirmed the deal had been 'initialled' on March 31 and would be confirmed later.

Australia and the US fear China will attempt to build bases throughout the Pacific, with Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja urging Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare to abandon the deal last week.

Mr Sogavare instead described America's criticism of the agreement as 'insulting'.

China said the deal was 'public, transparent, open and inclusive, not directed at any third party, and is parallel to and complementary to the existing bilateral and multilateral security co-operation mechanisms in Solomon Islands' - but US officials believes it 'leaves the door open' for Chinese aggression in the Pacific.

Australia fear China will attempt to build bases throughout the Pacific, with Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja urging Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to abandon the deal last week

Liberal MP Michael Sukkar said the deal would have 'significant implications' for Australia while Labor Senator Penny Wong said 'our region is less secure' as a result of the contract.

Kurt Campbell, the US' National Security Council Indo-Pacific Co-ordinator and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink are visiting Fiji and Papua New Guinea before arriving in the Solomons on Friday

It's expected they will encourage them to strengthen relations with Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific friends rather than China.

A spokesman for the US State Department said the deal 'destabilises' the region and their presence was 'not about China' but helping them 'understand what the US brings to the table'.

China said the deal was 'public, transparent, open and inclusive, not directed at any third party' but Western officials believe the opposite

'Despite the Solomon Islands government's comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of (People's Republic of China) military forces to the Solomon Islands,' Ned Price said.

'We believe signing such an agreement could increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region.

'And we'll leave it to them to contrast what we offer from what other countries, including rather large countries in the region, might offer,' he said.

China's foreign ministry responded to the imminent arrival of the US by noting their embassy, which is to be re-opened, 'has been closed for 29 years'.

'After a lapse of many years, high-ranking US officials suddenly began to visit the Pacific island countries. Do they care about the island countries, or do they have other plans?' Mr Wang asked.
At least six people were killed and 24 wounded by two bomb blasts that struck a boys' school in a mostly Shiite neighbourhood of Afghanistan's capital, police said.

More casualties are feared after the blasts, which occurred in rapid succession in the densely populated Shiite Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood in Kabul, according to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran and the city's Emergency Hospital.

The explosions occurred at the Abdul Rahim Shaheed High School while a grenade was thrown at the nearby Mumtaz Education Centre.

Mr Zadran said the attack outside the school was caused by two improvised explosive devices, killing six people, and one person was wounded at the Mumtaz centre.

Two hospitals said they were treating 24 wounded patients.

Medical staff move a wounded youth on a stretcher inside a hospital in Kabul after two blasts at a school

Taliban fighters stand guard outside the school where police said more casualties are feared following the blasts

People look on from inside a building in the aftermath of multiple bomb blasts outside a school in a Shi'ite majority neighborhood in Kabul, Afghanistan

The families of the victims cried out as they scanned through pictures posted on nearby walls by medics

Taliban fighters stand guard at the site of the explosion which killed six people and injured 24

Guards in the narrow street leading to the two-storey high school said they saw 10 casualties.

Inside the school, an Associated Press video journalist saw walls splattered with blood, burned notebooks and children's shoes.

It appeared a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the sprawling compound, which can house up to 1,000 pupils, witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear how many children were in the school at the time of the explosion.

The school teaches pupils only until the sixth grade after Afghanistan's hardline Taliban rulers went back on a promise to allow all girls to attend school.

No one has claimed responsibility for the explosions.

'We were leaving school and had just stepped out from the rear gate when the explosion occurred,' Ali Jan, a student who was wounded in the first blast, told AFP at a hospital.

The second blast took place as rescuers arrived to ferry victims from the first explosion to hospitals.

'Some of our friends have lost hands, while some were covered in blood,' said Saeed Rahmatullah Haidari, a student at the school.

'There were pieces of broken glass and pools of blood... my whole body was shaking.'

Outside a hospital treating the wounded, Taliban fighters beat back the families of students who had gathered, slapping or pushing some of them as they searched for information.

Women cried out as they scanned through pictures of victims posted on nearby walls by medics.

Relatives of victims arrive to search for their loved ones outside a hospital in Kabul after the two bomb blasts

Outside a hospital treating the wounded, Taliban fighters beat back the families of students who had gathered, slapping or pushing some of them as they searched for information

A Taliban fighter stands guard in an area surrounding a school in the aftermath of multiple bomb blasts

The area has been targeted in the past by Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate, which reviles Shiite Muslims as heretics.

Save the Children in Afghanistan issued a statement 'strongly condemning ' the attack and saying 'no school should be deliberately targeted, and no child should fear physical harm at or on the way to school'.

The UN's high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, said he joined the world body's special representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, in offering condolences to families of the victims. He said the attack against the school was 'horrific and cowardly'.

The Islamic State affiliate known as IS in Khorasan Province, or IS-K, has previously targeted schools particularly in the Shiite dominated Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood.

In May last year, months before the Taliban took power in Kabul, more than 60 children, mostly girls, were killed when two bombs were detonated outside their school in Dasht-e-Barchi.

IS has presented the biggest security challenge to the country's Taliban rulers, who swept into Kabul last August as the US ended its 20-year war.
A California teenager, who vanished last summer, was found during a traffic stop in Nevada with her stepfather, who was arrested.

Katuana Nateya Whisenant, 14, of Crescent City, was found unharmed in Churchill County on Saturday inside a Toyota Corolla with her stepfather Santos Flores-Roman, 39, of Santa Rosa.

Roman was arrested on charges of keeping a child from their parents, which is 'like child abduction but different, because she voluntarily ran away,' Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin told Fox 2.

Whisenant ran away from home on July 23 and reportedly went to Santa Rosa, where Roman lived. Griffin said police had suspected Whisenant had gone there and had previously interviewed Roman and his relatives, the Press Democrat said.

'We just didnt have any other information to go on but we suspected she was down there with [Roman],' Griffin said. California Highway Patrol issued an emergency alert for the young girl on March 31 and obtained an arrest warrant for Roman on abduction charges on April 1.

Police had last located Roman's car in Chico, based on his license plate and believed they were heading north when they were found in Nevada. The San Francisco division of the FBI reported the pair left Santa Rose around March 30.

'Then, out of the blue we get this call that they found her. We had an arrest warrant out on him,' Griffin said.

Katuana Nateya Whisenant, 14, (pictured) of Crescent City, was found unharmed in Churchill County on Saturday inside a Toyota Corolla with her stepfather Santos Flores-Roman, 39, of Santa Rosa

She went missing last July and is believed to have ran away from home and had gone to Roman's home in Santa Rosa

Police arrested Roman (pictured) on charges of keeping a child from their parents. which is 'like child abduction but different, because she voluntarily ran away,' Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin said

Following Roman's arrest, the Bureau of Indian Affairs was contacted by local police. as Whisenant is a Yurok Indian. The Bureau contacted the FBI, which is now investigating.

Police released very little information regarding the case, due to its 'sensitive' nature, but said Whisenant's family has been notified.

'Since Im a parent myself, I could imagine what it would be like for my daughter to be gone that long. I was glad to be able to make that call to the parents. It was the best-case scenario,' Griffin told Fox 2.

It is estimated that 'thousands' of indigenous women and girls go missing every year, but there isn't a reliable count, as they are oftentimes mistaken as Hispanic or Asian, according to The New York Times in a 2019 article.

According to the Urban Indian Health Institute, only 116 cases were logged in the Department of Justice's data out of the almost 6,000 reported in 2016.

They were found inside a 1993 Toyota Corolla (pictured) in Churchill County

The highest number of missing Native Americans are reported in New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, Montana, and California, among others, with San Francisco being in the top 10 cities for missing Native American women and girls.

A California boy, who had been missing for three years, was also recently found.

Connerjack Oswalt, who is autistic, disappeared from Clearlake, California on September 28, 2019 at the age of 16 - but he was found earlier this month outside a gas stations store near Park City, Utah, more than 700 miles away from his old home.

He was identified by his stepfather in Utah after his mother told police he had a unique birthmark on his neck, which police found.
Three US Navy sailors have died on an aircraft carrier in less than a week, with officials saying the tragedies are all unrelated.

The deaths happened on the USS George Washington earlier this month, with two of the three victims so-far identified.

They are Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman, who died on April 10 and Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mika'il Rayshawn Sharp who passed away on April 9, both on separate undisclosed locations on the ship.

Both named sailors were 23. The third victim was found unresponsive on April 15. Their identity has yet to be released. All died on the USS George Washington while it was in dry dock in Newport News, Virginia, where it has been undergoing refurbishments since 2017.

No causes of death have been shared, although Navy officials say more information is forthcoming, and have deployed a rapid response psychiatric team on board the vessel to try and avoid further tragedies.

Mika'il Sharp's funeral is set to take place on Tuesday.

So far, Huffman is the only sailor to have been pictured, and there has been an outpouring of grief on social media by her distraught friends and family.

'Word of my daughter, Natasha Huffman's death has been spreading rapidly,' her mother, Kathleen Krull, posted on Facebook. 'She had a hear of gold and always stood up for the underdog. She was fiercely protective of people she loved. It still doesn't seem real to me that my baby girl is gone.'

Mikail Sharp has been named as one of three US Navy sailors to die while aboard the USS George Washington

Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman, who was assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, died on April 10 of unknown causes

Huffman, photographed here in civilian clothes, was a fierce defender of the people she loved, her mother said on Facebook. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into her death

Huffman, pictured in the center, was sworn into the Navy in Chicago

The heartbroken mom said that she is working with the Navy on funeral arrangements.

Her boyfriend, Will Maher, called Huffman 'my best friend and my soulmate' also posted a message thanking friends for their support.

'I don't think Tasha realized how many lives she'd touched. I know that she would have loved to see everyone's kind words,' Maher said.

He also asked for donations to support her funeral service.

Friends credited Maher with lifting her spirits.

'I remember how much happier she was after she met you, and how happy I was that she met someone she loved so much. Thank you so much for loving her,' Namomi SC posted.

A third sailor, who has not been named was found unresponsive on board the ship, on April 15.

The Navy has not provided the cause of death for any of the sailors.

'The sailor was treated by the medical team on board before being transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News where the service member passed away,' Naval Air Force Atlantic spokesman Michael Maus told the Navy Times.

'The incident is under investigation and the command continues to cooperate with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.'

Three sailors assigned to the USS George Washington, pictured here, have died in the first two weeks of April in what the Navy has said were unrelated incidents. An NCIS investigation is underway to determine what caused the fatalities

The Navy has not provided the cause of death for any of the sailors.

'While these incidents remain under investigation, there is no initial indication to suggest there is a correlation between these tragic events,' Navy spokeswoman Cmdr. Reann Mommsen, said. 'Our thoughts and condolences are with the family, friends, and shipmates of our sailors.'

The Navy sent a Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team to the ship to provide mental health therapy to sailors shaken by the deaths.

The USS George Washington, which First Lady Barbara Bush christened in 1990, was commissioned in 1992. The Nimitz-class ship was deployed in the first Gulf War and has seen duty in Japan, Korean, the Caribbean and South America.

In 2008, a fire broke out in her air-conditioning and refrigeration system while it was on tour in the Pacific, injuring 37 sailors. No one died in the blaze, but it took 12 hours to bring the flames under control.

The ship, which has an estimated 50-year service life, is currently undergoing a massive mid-career refit in Newport News. It was supposed to be completed, but as the Navy Times reported in March, work is behind schedule on the refurbishment. The work is expected to be complete in December of 2022.
The brother of former first lady Michelle Obama and his wife are suing their children's private school alleging that administrators expelled their two sons aged nine and 11 after they complained of racist bias during virtual lessons.

Craig and Kelly Robinson filed a lawsuit against the $24,000-a-year University School of Milwaukee Pre-K-12 school this week after alleging that the private institution used words like 'plantation' inappropriately during lessons.

They also claim that teachers were inconsiderate to a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds.

The complaint alleges that the school retaliated against their family after they submitted reports in January and March 2021 about concerns they had over racial and socio-economic bias they said they overheard during virtual learning last year.

Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson and his wife Kelly are suing the University School of Milwaukee for kicking their sons out after they alleged racist bias in virtual lessons

"We heard what was going on because of COVID. There were repeated use of racial and ethnic use of stereotypes that were in actual assignments"



Craig Robinson talks about his and his wife's lawsuit against children's former school. https://t.co/jFKtpRGqkD pic.twitter.com/dr8clDSO6U  Good Morning America (@GMA) April 19, 2022 Twitter Privacy Policy

According to a termination letter the school sent to the Robinsons, the reasoning for their sons' dismissal was because the Robinsons had 'not fulfilled the foregoing commitments as a partner to USM and its Middle School teachers and administrators.'

But in an interview with 'Good Morning America' on Tuesday, the Robinsons discussed the lawsuit in which they claim the dismissal was retaliation to the conversations they had with the school about racial bias in school assignments.

'We heard what was going on in the classroom because of COVID,' Craig Robins told GMA Tuesday. 'There were repeated use of racial and ethnic stereotypes that were in actual assignments. The use of the word plantation, and things of that nature.'

'In additionthere was an insensitivity to socio-economic status as well as a disregard for the children who weren't physically in the classroom.'

They did not share further details on exact instances of racial or socio-economic bias, or how the word 'plantation' was used.

The couple told GMA they also recall a time when their children were denied the chance to test out of a math class while students at the school - but white student were able to take the exam, the suit alleges.

Robinson, who is from Chicago, lives with his wife Kelly and two young sons in Milwaukee. He's been married previously and has four children.

The former star college basketball player spent several years as a men's basketball coach, two seasons at Brown and six at Oregon State. He later worked as the Knicks vice president of player and organizational development.

In July of 2020, Robinson was named the Executive Director of the The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Tuition for the Robinsons' sons at the private school was not cheap at $23,130 per year for their third grader and $24,640 per year for their other son, who is in fifth grade, according to the school's website.

Robinson and his wife Kelly (pictured with their sons and the Easter Bunny) filed a lawsuit alleging the school retaliated against their family after they submitted reports in January and March 2021 about concerns over racial and socio-economic bias

Over the course of the school year, the Robinsons expressed their concerns to the school and offered suggestions for improvement, but said the school 'summarily dismissed our young children, retaliating against them because of the issues we brought up.'

The school of 1,091 students, set up a bias incident reporting system at some point last year, but Kelly Robinson told GMA that when she tried to file a report, she was told the system was not working.

'The head of school told me that this was not a bias,' Kelly told GMA. 'Each other time following when any bias was reported, instead of acknowledging and working to make it better, they ended up dismissing our students.'

The suit filed by the Robinsons claims the school took no action to respond to the reports, but instead expelled the couple's sons by the end of the school year.

The Robinsons received a termination letter for their sons, despite the school referring to them in the letter as 'model students' and 'portraits of a graduate.'

Their fifth grader was dismissed in April 2021 and their third grader was dismissed in June 2021. They now attend a different school.

The Robinsons' lawsuit filed this week cites the termination letter, which alleges they 'repeatedly engaged in disrespectful and demanding communications with our teachers and administrators.'

The letter continues with, 'it has only become more evident that there has been a complete breakdown in your family's trust of and respect for USM.'

Craig and Kelly Robinson told GMA that they want to hold the school accountable for their experience, but add these issues are part of a larger pattern that has be happening over the years.

'Just as recently as 10 years ago, the University School of Milwaukee had in their fourth grade curriculum that students reenacted the "Underground Railroad," and students dressed up as slaves and ran through the school in the dark, and the teachers were actually the slave masters who captured these students,' Kelly Robinson pointed out during the interview.

She added that 'one of the other stories that we heard was about how the black students seem to get more harsh punishments than their white counterparts.'

The Robinsons expressed their concerns and offered suggestions for improvement, but said the school 'summarily dismissed our young children, retaliating against them because of the issues we brought up'

The Robinsons filed a lawsuit against the University School of Milwaukee, a Pre-K-12 school (pictured) alleging that the school used words like 'plantation' inappropriately during lessons

Robinson, the brother former first lady Michelle Obama (pictured), wants the school to be held accountable not just for their family, but for others

Kelly Robinson told GMA that she hopes that by 'hearing these stories and understanding the pain that other families have gone through are one of the reasons why we wanted to come forward with this story.'

In the lawsuit, the couple say they want to hold the school accountable not just for their family, but for others - and hopes the legal action puts pressure on the school to create a more inclusive learning environment.

'We want to hold the University School of Milwaukee accountable not just to our two children who they retaliated against, but more importantly, there's a whole community of people who are out there that we wouldn't feel right if this happened moving forward,' Craig Robinson said.

Notable alumni of the school include Oscar winning actor Mark Rylance, R.P. Eddy Eddy - former Director of Counterterrorism at the US National Security Council, and General Manager of the Florida Panthers Bill Zito.

A spokesperson for the University School of Milwaukee provided DailyMail.com a letter that was sent to all members of the USM community Tuesday afternoon from head of school, Steve Hancock, in response to the lawsuit.

But added that 'given the lawsuit filed against the school, we cannot comment on any specifics related to this matter.'
A black Tennessee mayor declared April Confederate History Month while surrounded by white members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which says it celebrates the history of the Confederacy while denouncing racism.

Livingston Mayor Curtis Hayes, who appears to be non-partisan with no record of a party affiliation, signed the proclamation last week with members of the SCV. It is a Tennessee-based group comprised of male descendants of Confederate soldiers, Overton County News reported.

The Confederate States of America succeeded from the U.S. in 1861 following the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, who southern states believed would free the slaves that ran their agricultural economy. The Confederacy ultimately lost the Civil War, the bloodiest in American history, in 1865 and was dissolved back into the U.S.

SCV members describe the Civil War as the 'Second American Revolution' meant to preserve 'liberty and freedom' and state that the group is 'benevolent, non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian.

'The Sons of Confederate Veterans neither embraces, nor espouses acts or ideologies of racial and religious bigotry, and further, condemns the misuse of its sacred symbols and flags in the conduct of same,' according to the group's website.

Livingston, Tennessee Mayor Robert Hayes (center) declared April Confederate History Month while surrounded by white members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. (L-R) Norman Osburn, Michael Boswell, Junior Matthews, Bill Speck, Bill Heard and Tommy Phillips

The SCV, based in Tennessee, describes the Civil War as the 'Second American Revolution' meant to preserve 'liberty and freedom' and states that the group is 'benevolent, non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian'

Hayes, who has served as mayor for more than 15 years, received the Cookeville NACCP's Diversity Award in 2021

THE CONFEDERACY SOUGHT TO CONTINUE SLAVERY The Confederate States of America was made of seven Southern states, later joined by four others, who succeeded from the union on February 8, 1861. It came weeks after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, who Southern leaders feared would free black slaves, threatening their agricultural economy. Many states, like Mississippi, listed slavery as 'the greatest material interest of the world' and the primary reason for leaving the U.S. Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens also described the Confederacy's ideology as that of white supremacy, claiming black slaves were not equal to white men. The Confederacy lost the Civil War in 1865, dissolving back into the union only once each state ratified the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which outlawed slavery. Advertisement

Despite the group's claims, it has repeatedly been criticized for allegedly trying to push the narrative that slavery wasn't at the forefront of the Civil War.

Hayes' office and the SCV did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Hayes, who has served as mayor for more than 15 years, has previously been recognized by the NAACP, receiving the group's Diversity Award at the Cookeville branch's Freedom Fund Award program last year.

The Livingston Mayor is not the first to recognize April as Confederate History Month, as a slew of municipalities across the South have celebrated it since 1994.

As of 2022, Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves commemorated the Confederacy this April despite retiring the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag in 2020.

Reeves had said he wanted to keep the tradition alive as the previous governors had done, but the proclamation failed to mention slavery, Mississippi's chief reason as to why it seceded from the U.S.

Mississippi's secession ordinance in 1861 read: 'Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery  the greatest material interest of the world.'

Reeves and Hayes' move to preserve the history of the Confederacy comes amid the movement to remove monuments of the Southern army across the U.S., which critics claim galvanizes those who fought to preserve slavery in America in a war that claimed more than 620,000 lives.

In 2020, then-Virginia Governor Ralph Northam made the decision to remove a 21-foot-tall bronze state of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee ten days after George Floyd's killing by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

The statue was erected in 1890, 25 years after the end of the Civil War, and 20 years after Lee's death.

It was funded by the Lee Monument Commission, founded in 1886, which was led by Lee's nephew, former Virginia Governor Fitzhugh Lee.

Along with the statue, a time capsule that was buried at the site was replaced with a 2021 capsule, filled with 39 'artifacts' that include an expired vial of a COVID vaccine, a Black Lives Matter sticker, a 'New Virginians booklet with portraits of 24 migrants and a 'Virginia is for Lovers' pride pin and sticker.

In a statement after it was removed, Northam said: 'This was a long time coming, part of the healing process so Virginia can move forward and be a welcoming state with inclusiveness and diversity'.

Last year, 73 Confederate monuments were removed or renamed, with 723 remaining in the U.S., according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

SPLC researcher Kimberly Probolus in a statement in February: 'Destroying these monuments and these memorials will not erase the legacy of slavery, but abolishing these memorials is a first and essential step in combating the white supremacist values of the Confederacy.'
The United States and its Western partners are intent on prolonging the fighting in Ukraine by funneling billions of dollars in weapons to the country, Russia's defense minister claimed on Tuesday.

Sergei Shoigu said the West was doing everything it could to extend Moscow's military operation by supplying arms.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced a new $800 billion package, which included for the first time howitzer artillery units, as well as more drones and other weapons.

And this week, U.S. officials said they were expanding their plans for training Ukrainian personnel.

'The United States and Western countries it controls are doing everything to drag out the special military operation as much as possible,' Shoigu said, using Moscow's euphemism for its invasion of Ukraine.

'The increasing volume of foreign arms supplies clearly demonstrates their intentions to provoke the Kyiv regime to fight to the last Ukrainian standing.'

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that he West was doing everything it could to extend Moscow's military operation by supplying arms.

A man walks near a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

Smoke rises from from the Azovstal steel plant during airstrikes on the besieged city of Mariupol, Ukraine. Russia has called on Ukrainian forces to end their resistance

Russian forces invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

But stiff resistance saw them driven back from a planned assault on the capital Kyiv in the north.

Since then Moscow has pulled back its forces for resupply, before sending them into the east for a ground offensive in two provinces known as the Donbas.

The coal- and steel-producing Donbas has been the focal point of Russia's campaign to destabilize Ukraine since 2014, when the Kremlin used proxies to set up separatist 'people's republics' in Luhansk and Donetsk.

On Monday, a U.S. defense official said Russia had dispatched 11 battalion tactical groups - each of about 900 fighting men - back into Ukraine.

'The plan to liberate the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics is being methodically carried out,' Shoigu was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying at a meeting of defense officials.

Shoigu, who is close to President Vladimir Putin, has been only rarely seen in public since Russia launched what it calls its 'special military operation' in Ukraine.

The Kremlin said last month that this was because he was preoccupied with his duties and had no time for media activity.

Russia unleashed a barrage of artillery fire on eastern Ukraine overnight as its offensive in the east got underway, with troops seizing the village of Kreminna. But Ukraine has also launched counter-attacks east of Kharkiv and near Izyum to cut Russian supply lines

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, at an unknown location in Eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Burned vehicles are seen at the destroyed part of the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol on Monday

Moscow said its operation is designed to demilitarize Ukraine and remove what it calls dangerous nationalists.

Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext for an unprovoked attack that has forced millions to flee abroad, killed or wounded thousands and left Russia increasingly isolated on the world stage.

'The actions of our forces and the quality of the weaponry being used demonstrate once again that the priority set by our military and political leadership of building up the Russian armed forces is correct,' Shoigu said.

Five planeloads of gear from the U.S. have already arrived in Europe from the latest tranche of supplies. It brings the U.S. contribution to more than $2.5 billion since the invasion began.

Other nations have played their part.

Britain is to send armored anti-aircraft vehicles equipped with missiles that destroy jets and helicopters, according to reports.

The Stormer vehicles look similar to tanks but instead of firing shells they carry 17 high-velocity Starstreak missiles.

The Ukrainian flag flutters between buildings destroyed in bombardment, in the Ukrainian town of Borodianka, in the Kyiv region on April 17, 2022

Other former Soviet-block nations have sent air defense systems.

On Monday, the Pentagon said it would begin training Ukrainians in the use of U.S. howitzer artillery within days.

'I'm going to refrain right now from talking about who's going to be doing the training and exactly on what timeline,' spokesman John Kirby told reporters during a briefing.

'I think as we get closer to things, we may be able to talk a little bit more about it.

'But there is a plan now that we are beginning to execute and we think that that training can happen in the next several days.'

He said the plan was to train personnel who would then be able to take their knowledge home to then train soldiers in Ukraine.

And he said the training would not take long.

'They understand how to use artillery, and ... we don't believe will take very long or require much detailed training to get them up to speed on American howitzers,' he said.

Details emerged as Russia launched its long-awaited all-out assault on east Ukraine on Tuesday, seizing its first town after unleashing thousands of troops in what Ukraine has described as the Battle of the Donbas, a campaign to take two provinces.

The U.S. is sending 18 howitzers to Ukraine in its latest aid package. British troops are seen here using 55mm self-propelled howitzers in Saudi Arabia in 1991

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. will begin training Ukrainian troops in how to use howitzer artillery in the coming days

Ukrainian officials insisted their troops would withstand the new assault, which they said began overnight with massive Russian artillery and rocket barrages and attempts to advance across almost the entire stretch of the eastern front.

In the first big reported success of Russia's new assault, Ukraine said the Russians had seized Kreminna, a frontline town of 18,000 people in Luhansk, one of the two Donbas provinces.

Russian forces were attacking 'on all sides', authorities were trying to evacuate civilians and it was impossible to tally the civilian dead, Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai said.

Moscow gave few details about its new campaign, but Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that 'another stage of this operation is beginning'.

The supply of weapons to Ukraine has long been a source of anger in Moscow.

The U.S. has trained Ukrainian troops in how to use the Switchblade drone, which crashes into targets with its explosive payload. Some versions can target tanks

This week, the Czech Republic became the first NATO member to supply tanks to Ukraine and now Britain is considering following suit. Pictured is a Mastiff 2 armoured vehicle

Russia accused the Biden administration of 'adding fuel' to the conflict in Ukraine and warned there could be 'unpredictable consequences' if it continued to supply the most sensitive weapons to the war-torn nation, according to details of a diplomatic message published on Friday.

A two-page diplomatic note or demarche, dated Tuesday, was sent to the State Department by the Russian Embassy in Washington.

It was titled, 'On Russia's concerns in the context of massive supplies of weapons and military equipment to the Kyiv regime,' according to the Washington Post which obtained a copy of the note in Russian.

It accused the U.S. and N.A.T.O. allies of trying to force Ukraine to 'abandon' negotiations with Russia 'in order to continue the bloodshed,' while pressuring other countries to end military and technical cooperation with Moscow.

'We call on the United States and its allies to stop the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine, which implies unpredictable consequences for regional and international security,' the note said.
President Joe Biden held a call with Western allies on Tuesday morning to discuss the situation in the Ukraine as Russia announced a new offensive in its war.

The president pledged to send more weapons to the Ukraine to help the beleagured population.

After he landed in New Hampshire to attend an infrastructure event, Biden was asked if the U.S. was sending more weapons to the Ukraine. He shouted back 'yes.'

The first shipments of the latest round of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, which includes heavier weapons systems, started arriving in the region over the weekend, according to the Pentagon.

The recently approved $800 million in security assistance includes Howitzer artillery systems, 40,000 artillery rounds, armored personnel vehicles and other weapons.

Meanwhile, leaders from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Japan, NATO and the European Commission joined the conversation that Biden hosted from the Situation Room in the White House.

The leaders discussed 'international support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, including the ongoing provision of security, economic, and humanitarian assistance,' according to a White House readout of the call.

They also discussed further 'severe' economic sanctions. 'There are some under consideration,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday when asked if further sanctions on Russia were coming this week.

The call last about an hour and 40 minutes, according to the White House.

President Joe Biden held a call with Western allies on Tuesday morning to discuss the situation in the Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron takes part in the call on Ukraine

Russia has stepped up its bombardment of Ukraine as it enters a new phase of war - above smoke rising from the Azovstal steel plant during airstrikes in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, at an unknown location in Eastern Ukraine

Leaders on call with President Biden Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada European Commission President von der Leyen European Council President Michel President Macron of France Chancellor Scholz of Germany Prime Minister Draghi of Italy Prime Minister Kishida of Japan NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg President Duda of Poland President Iohannis of Romania Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom Advertisement

The call comes as Russia escalated its missle and artillery strikes as part of its new phase of assault aimed at capturing all of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in the eastern Ukraine.

'Another phase of this operation is starting now,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

The Pentagon estimated that Moscow sent 11 more battalion tactical groups into Ukraine, additional forces likely to comprise 8,000 to 11,000 soldiers.

'A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech over Monday night. 'No matter how many Russian soldiers are driven there, we will fight.'

British officials are already warning this new phase could last 'several months.'

'The next phase of the war was likely to be an attritional conflict which could last several months. Russia would aim to exploit its troop number advantage but Ukraine had already shown that this was unlikely to be decisive on its own,' a British national security official told reporters in the UK.

'There were some signs that Russia had not learned lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, and there was evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion.'

Meanwhile, the U.S. government will no longer conduct anti-satellite missile tests, making it the first nation to enact such a ban, Vice President Kamala Harris announced Monday.

The Biden administration is setting the self-imposed ban as part of a goal to make it an 'international norm for responsible behavior in space,' Harris said.

The new declaration comes after Russia in November conducted an anti-satellite missile test to destroy its Cosmos-1408 satellite, a soviet-era spacecraft that's been in orbit since the 1980s.

The explosion generated a cloud of at least 1,500 pieces of trackable debris that threatened the International Space Station. China conducted a similar test in 2007, as did India in 2019. Such tests are highly controversial due to the dangerous debris they can cause - debris from an anti-satellite missile test can travel at thousands of miles and even a small fragment can damage surrounding space stations.

Harris, who chairs the National Space Council, made the announcement during a speech at the Vandenberg Space Force Base. While at the base, the vice president received a briefing on the Space Force and the U.S. Space Command.

The Biden administration has continued two Trump-era space initiatives - the creation of the Space Force as the sixth branch of the military and the Artemis program, NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon.

'The destruction of space objects through direct-ascent ASAT missile testing is reckless and irresponsible,' the vice president's office stated in a release. 'The long-lived debris created by these tests now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations' security, economic, and scientific interests, and increases risk to astronauts in space. Overall, these tests jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of space by all nations.'

Russia unleashed a barrage of artillery fire on eastern Ukraine overnight as its offensive in the east got underway, with troops seizing the village of Kreminna. But Ukraine has also launched counter-attacks east of Kharkiv and near Izyum to cut Russian supply lines

The U.S. government will no longer conduct anti-satellite missile tests, making it the first nation to enact such a ban, Vice President Harris announced Monday

Harris visits the Command Space Operation Center at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California, on Monday, April 18

The above photo shows India's anti-satellite missile test conducted in March 2019

No country has yet used anti-satellite missile technology to take out another nation's spacecraft, but four nations have demonstrated the technology on their own satellites.

As Russia kicks off its new phase of the war, Moscow claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery.

Overall, Russia claimed it had struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet had been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region.

Zelensky adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said Russian forces were trying to find 'sensitive spots' in Ukraine's defences but added: 'Their offensive will fail - I give you a 99% guarantee - they simply do not have enough strength.'

'The battle for Donbas, which was announced and apparently began yesterday, is under way and is going very cautiously. The battle will not go in Russia's favour,' he said on national television.
G.K Chaminda, 47, sails on his rowing boat along Negombo beach in Sri Lank, April 16, as fishermen and their families struggle due to a lack of diesel and a price hike over the last few months amid the country's economic crisis. Reuters-Yonhap



After three weeks at sea, Anton Fernando tallies his sales of tuna and other fish on a dock in Negombo, a fishing town in Sri Lanka, where the country's financial crisis darkens already murky waters.



The math does not look good for Fernando and his crew of four among the dozen gently bobbing trawlers. Each takes home 40,000 Sri Lankan rupees ($130) from their grueling expedition.



"This will not be enough to cover their household expenses," Fernando, 44, told Reuters, holding up a notebook scribbled with numbers. "Even before we go home, we know this isn't enough to cover electricity and water bills, tuition fees and food."



The island nation of 22 million people off the southern tip of India is battling its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948, as COVID-19, mismanaged government finances and ill-timed tax cuts sap dwindling foreign reserves.



Last week the central bank said it was suspending repayment on some of its foreign debt pending a restructuring.



In the commercial capital of Colombo, protesters crowd the streets demanding the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as people deal with skyrocketing prices, prolonged power cuts and shortages of medicine, fuel and other items.



In Negombo, the fisherman struggle to stay afloat.



Fishing makes up just 1.3 percent of the Southeast Asian nation's economy, but it employs one-tenth of its people and helps feed far more. The island exports tuna, swordfish, crabs, lobsters and prawns to a dozen countries including the United States, Britain, China and Japan, accounting for 8 percent of its agricultural exports.



Sri Lanka's fisheries and finance ministries did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment on measures taken to help the fishing industry.



Some fishermen say they have cut back on food, others have stopped repaying loans. All of those who spoke to Reuters say they constantly scrounge for fuel for their boats and their homes.











Fish are kept to dry on the sun at the fishing community along Negombo beach, Sri Lanka, April 16, as fishermen and their families struggle due to a lack of diesel and a price hike over the last few months amid the country's economic crisis. Reuters-Yonhap
A former fireman who was left struggling to walk after he caught a rare disease which attacked his nervous system following a trip to Cyprus has launched legal action against his travel operator.

Father-of-two Charles Jackson, 69, said that he suffered from diarrhoea and fatigue during the getaway with his wife Julie, 68, to the Mediterranean island, and believed he just had a '24-hour bug'.

But after he returned home in Middlesbrough, the ex-firefighter started feeling 'pins and needles' in his legs and feet before he later collapsed. He was subsequently hospitalised for 10 weeks.

Doctors initially told Mr Jackson he was suffering from both campylobacter and E.coli, which can cause stomach pain and vomiting.

However, they later confirmed he had Guillain-Barre syndrome, which causes the nerves in the arms and legs to stop working and is often triggered by a viral infections, such as food poisoning.

Mr Jackson has now launched legal action against travel firm RSD Travel Ltd, asking injury lawyers to look into his case after his concerns grew that his paralysis may become permanent.

Charles Jackson is pictured in hospital. He became ill after going on holiday to Cyprus

Mr Jackson is pictured on holiday before he became severely ill

Guillain-Barre syndrome Guillain-Barre syndrome is a very rare and serious condition that affects the nerves. It mainly affects the feet, hands and limbs, causing problems such as numbness, weakness and pain. It can be treated and most people will eventually make a full recovery, although it can occasionally be life-threatening and some people are left with long-term problems. Guillain-Barre syndrome affects people of all ages but it is more common in adults and males. Symptons include numbness, pins and needles, muscle weakness, pain, and problems with balance and co-ordination. Guillain-Barre syndrome is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system, the body's natural defence against illness and infection. Normally the immune system attacks any germs that get into the body. But in people with Guillain-Barre syndrome, something goes wrong and it mistakenly attacks and damages the nerves. Most people with Guillain-Barre syndrome are treated in hospital. Source: NHS England Advertisement

He said: 'It was such a shock to find out after I had collapsed that I had campylobacter and E.coli, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.

'I started to feel pins and needles in my feet and legs which worried me, and when I began to lose sensation completely I knew something was very wrong. It got to the point where my legs didn't even feel like a part of me anymore.

He added: 'Being told I had Guillain-Barre syndrome was a huge blow as it was something that I had never even heard of before then.

Mr and Mrs Jackson began their holiday on December 1, 2018, booking through tour operator RSD Travel Ltd, with plans to explore the cultural sights of Northern Cyprus.

They stayed at the Sea Life Hotel in Farmagusta before moving to the Bellapais Monastery Village.

But following the couple's return to the UK, Mr Jackson saw his GP and underwent tests, where he was found to be suffering from both campylobacter and E.coli.

Shortly afterwards, he began to lose the use of his legs and was admitted to James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough, where he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Mr Jackson still finds it hard to walk, even for a short distance, without help and is now much more reliant on his scooter. He also finds it hard to go the gym and visit his family.

Clare Pearson, the international serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell representing the couple, said Charles could face 'long term paralysis'.

She said: 'Guillain-Barre syndrome can emerge following a bacterial infection and can cause anything from numbness to muscle weakness. In very severe cases like this one, it can even cause long-term, or permanent, paralysis.

'The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Charles and Julie. What happened to them highlights the seriousness of gastric illness and why the effects should never be downplayed.

'Charles has faced the most challenging period of his life and understandably continues to have many questions regarding what he's been through.

'While Charles and Julie would rather not be in this position, they feel they've no option but to take legal action to help them obtain the answers they deserve, and to ensure Charles has access to any future treatment he needs to make the most of life.

'We call on RSD Travel Ltd to work with us to help resolve this case. In the meantime, we'll continue to support Charles and Julie however we can.'

Mr Jackson is pictured after becoming seriously ill following his holiday to Cyprus

Mr Jackson said he is still feeling the effects of the disease years after he was first diagnosed and admitted to the hospital.

He said: 'The whole experience has been a complete nightmare and, even more than three years on, what happened continues to have a huge impact on me.

'I've spent the last few years working hard to improve the movement in my legs, but there's a long way to go.

'We still don't have the answers as to how this happened to me, so we have now had to take legal action.

'This is a path we really didn't want to take, but we need to know how this terrible illness developed. We also hope that it might prevent others from suffering like I have.'

MailOnline has contacted RSD Travel for comment.

An estimated 1,300 people - one to two people per 100,000 - are affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome annually in the UK.

About 80 per cent will make a good recovery, but between 5-10% of people will not survive, and 10-15% may experience long term residual effects ranging from limited mobility or dexterity, to life-long dependency on a wheelchair.
A 15-year-old female student who was stabbed to death by a male intruder at a high school in California has been pictured.

Alicia Reynaga was allegedly attacked by 52-year-old Anthony Gray at Stagg High School in Stockton yesterday.

She was knifed multiple times around 11am before being rushed to hospital where she later passed away.

The school was plunged into lockdown and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken away by cops.

Alicia's heartbroken family held a vigil last night where her devastated cousin said: 'I don't understand... I really don't.'

Police said the attack appeared to be random and they recovered a weapon from the scene.

Alicia Reynaga (pictured) was allegedly attacked by 52-year-old Anthony Gray at Stagg High School in Stockton yesterday

Gray (pictured) allegedly knifed Reynaga multiple times before she was rushed to hospital where she later passed away

The school was plunged into lockdown and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken away by cops

Alicia's heartbroken family held a vigil last night where her devastated cousin said: 'I don't understand... I really don't.' Pictured: A general view of the school

Alicia, known as Lala, was allegedly stabbed multiple times by Gray after he drove up to Stagg High and trespassed on school grounds before targeting the student.

The suspect, whose motive is still being probed, was restrained by a school district police officer and booked into San Joaquin County jail on a murder charge.

The victim was remembered last night as a keen softball player at an emotional vigil organized by her family.

Her cousin Andrea told ABC10: 'I don't understand... I really don't. She didn't deserve this, she didn't.

'Whoever this person is, he has to answer to God now, this ain't fair. It ain't right. We've come together in unity.

'She's just so loving and kind, beautiful spirit and played softball and straight A student you know.'

Travel softball coach Vincent Enriquez told CBS Sacramento: 'Everybody here, we loved this girl more than anyone in the world. Who would want to do this to this kid?'

Lia Medrazo, the school's softball coach, said: 'I'll always have that empty space in my heart.

'The girls are going to miss her and I hope her sister comes back and wants to play for her.'

Stockton Angel Mothers, a nonprofit in the city for parents who have had to bury their children, added: 'Our Stockton Angel Mothers Community is deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place at Stagg High School in our hometown Stockton California.

'We send our deepest condolences and prayer to the family of Alicia Reynaga and all of the students, parents, and staff at Stagg High School.'

Stockton Unified School District said the motive for the stabbing was 'under investigation'.

It tweeted: 'Stagg High School is currently under lockdown for the safety of all staff and students. A trespasser approached the campus and stabbed a student.

'The suspect is in custody and the victim has been transported to the hospital. The motive for the attack is under investigation.'

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln said last night: 'My heart is shattered by the violence that ended the life of a young student today.'

He added: 'No child should ever have to experience or witness such senseless acts of violence.'

Stockton Police said: 'Detectives have arrested Anthony Gray, 52, in connection to the stabbing death of a 15-year-old female student. Gray was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail for murder.'

Superintendent John Ramirez Junior added: 'We want to offer from all of our Stockton Unified staff, prayer to the family. I can't even imagine that one.'

Stagg High School was set to open as normal on Tuesday morning but with an increased police presence.

Gray was being held in San Joaquin County jail on a murder charge - without bail - and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow afternoon.
The Ukrainian wife of British prisoner of war Aiden Aslin is moving to Britain to be with his family, MailOnline can reveal.

Diane Aslin, who is currently in Hungary and has been pictured for the first time here, is set to move close to her mother-in-law Angela Wood in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

Her move comes after Aiden was seen Monday in a Russian propaganda video making a desperate plea to be swapped for another prisoner so he can go home, after he was captured last week by Russian forces while defending Mariupol.

In the video, Mr Aslin, 28, was taunted by British journalist Graham Phillips with the death penalty - the sentence handed to Russian prisoners found guilty of being a mercenary in the Donetsk region.

The captured Briton says in the footage: 'Diane, my wife, I want you to know, I love you. I hope the British Government is able to push this prisoner exchange through so I can return to you and we can build our life in Britain.

Today Aslin's father, Andy Wood, said that Diane was hoping to travel to the East Midlands soon from Eastern Europe. He also revealed that the family had been in direct touch with relatives of Ukrainian pro-Russia politician Viktor Medvedchuk who they believe could be involved in a prisoner swap for the British PoWs.

Diane Aslin (pictured right with husband Aiden Aslin, who is being held as a prisoner of war by Russian forces) who is currently in Hungary and has been pictured for the first time here, is set to move in with her mother-in-law Angela Wood in Newark, Nottinghamshire

Mr Aslin, 28, was taunted by British journalist Graham Phillips with the death penalty - the sentence handed to Russian prisoners found guilty of being a mercenary in the Donetsk region - in a video released by Russia (pictured)

Talking about Diane, Mr Wood said: 'She is currently in Hungary, exactly whereabouts I don't know, but she fled Ukraine pretty much when the invasion happened.

'She is safe but the plan is now for her to fly to the UK soon and set up home here.

'I think a property is being made available for Diane while we await further news from Aiden. He has stated his wish on the video clip this morning for him and Diane to build a life in Britain.

'There's nothing I want more than to have him home,' he added.

Aslin has been linked to a prisoner swap involving Vladimir Putin's ally Viktor Medvedchuk - a pro-Russian Ukrainian business tycoon who is being held by the Kyiv regime. He was detained last week when trying to flee Ukraine across the border.

Mr Wood said he was contacted by Medvedchuk's son Bogdan Marchenko over the weekend asking him to help secure a prisoner swap.

In a WhatsApp message, Mr Marchenko forwarded him a link to a YouTube video in which his mother, Oksana Marchenko, appeals for the exchange to happen.

Mr Marchenko told Mr Wood: 'I am extremely sorry to hear about the situation concerning Aiden and I truly want the circumstances to resolve as effectively and quickly as possible. I hope a solution can be made. Stay strong.'

It is believed that Aslin was captured by Russian forces last week while defending the besieged port city of Mariupol, in the south of Ukraine, along with another British man - Shaun Pinner, 48.

Aslin moved to Ukraine after falling for Diane, who is originally from the city of Mykolaiv - found about 260 miles west of Mariupol, along the coast.

Aslin and Pinner were paraded on Russian state television on Monday, where they asked UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and ensure they were exchanged for Medvedchuk. Aslin was taunted by Graham Phillips with the death penalty.

Graham Phillips (pictured) formerly worked for Russian 'propaganda channel' RT and Defence Ministry television outlet Zvezda. In the video, Phillips taunted Mr Aslin: 'It is a death penalty [for being a mercenary]. Can you give me a reason as to why that shouldn't apply to you?'

Regarding the latest video released by Russia of his son, Mr Wood said: 'It looks to me that Aiden is being made to say things under duress. He's being used for propaganda. It's not how he normally speaks.

'How another 'Nottingham Lad' as this Graham Phillips likes to be known can do that is beyond me. I'd love to know a bit more about him.

'The only relief is that Aiden is alive and looks to be relatively clean and well-looked after. There's no more obvious signs of violence that I can see,' Mr Wood added.

Phillips formerly worked for Russian 'propaganda channel' RT and Defence Ministry television outlet Zvezda. In the video, Phillips said: 'It is a death penalty [for being a mercenary]. Can you give me a reason as to why that shouldn't apply to you?'

Aslin responded: 'I can't think of any good logical reason other than to spare my life and exchange it for someone that's in Ukrainian captivity that could return to their family. I think that would be one of the good reasons to keep me and exchange me for someone such as Viktor Medvedchuk so he can return to his family.'

Russian state media also warned that Pinner and Aslin could face show trials and years-long prison sentences unless Mr Johnson brokers an exchange for Medvedchuk.

However, release of the video came the day before a senior minister said the UK will not 'help Russia' with swapping a Kremlin crony for Britons Aslin and Pinner.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on Tuesday, with Kyiv receiving PoWs - 60 soldiers and 16 civilians - in the swap.

Ukraine's deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk confirmed the trade, saying that it included 10 Ukrainian offers. It was the fifth PoW exchange since Russia launched its invasion on February 24, she added.

Vereshchuk, who is in charge of negotiating prisoner swaps, said on April 11 that in total some 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians were being held in Russia and by pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.

Ukraine held around 600 Russian military prisoners of war and no civilians as of April 4, according to Vereshchuk.

Shaun Pinner (left) and Aiden Aslin (right), who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines, were captured by Putin's troops in the city of Mariupol last week. The pair could now face years in a Russian prison

Pinner and Aslin were dragged on state TV to ask Boris Johnson to intervene with President Volodymyr Zelensky to ensure a prisoner swap for Kremlin ally Viktor Medvedchuk (pictured)

Medvedchuk - known both as the 'prince of darkness' and Putin's 'grey cardinal' - is one of Ukraine's richest men and the Russian strongman's closest political ally in the country, having helped exert Kremlin pressure in influential circles in Kyiv.

The tycoon - worth an estimated 480million - was re-arrested in Kyiv last week while allegedly trying to flee the country, having escaped from house arrest during the early days of the war. He has previously been charged with high treason in Ukraine, accused of trying to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and hand Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.

Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said the UK would 'not help' Russia with a prisoner swap.

Asked on Sky News whether a possible swap was something the UK government would get involved with, Lewis said: 'We're actually going through the process of sanctioning people who are close to Putin regime, we're not going to be looking at how we can help Russia.'

Lewis said he did not want to comment on the specific situation of Pinner and Aslin, who had been serving in the Ukrainian marines before being captured by Putin's troops in the city of Mariupol last week.

'We always have responsibility for British citizens, which we take seriously. We've got to get the balance right in Ukraine and that's why I say to anybody: do not travel illegally to Ukraine,' Lewis said.

The UK's Foreign Enlistment Act blocks citizens from joining foreign militaries fighting countries at peace with Britain, and the government's foreign secretary and defence minister have warned against Britons fighting in Ukraine after the war began in late February.

An unidentified man showed Pinner a video of Viktor Medvedchuk's wife begging for his release, before Pinner appealed to Boris Johnson to facilitate the swap

Pinner and Aslin spoke on video after being prompted by an unidentified man who showed them the footage of Medvedchuk's wife - Oksana - begging for his freedom, and were almost certainly speaking under duress. Pictured: The footage the British prisoners were shown

In news bulletins, Russia's state channels made clear Aslin and Pinner were seen as 'mercenaries' and not as serving members of Ukraine's naval infantry.

'Aiden and Shaun are well aware of how uncertain their future is. Mercenaries may face trial. It is unknown when they will return to their homeland,' warned state broadcaster Rossiya 1.

Nikolai Starikov, a Russian writer and political activist, called for the British men to be brought to Moscow and put on trial. It would be inevitably seen as a show trial.

'As for the British prisoners of war, they should be put on trial,' he demanded on Rossiya 1.

'They should be tried in open court, maybe in Mariupol, maybe in Donetsk.

'Maybe in Kyiv, but to me Moscow is the right place for it now.

'So they should be tried openly, they should be tried in Moscow.

'Get the verdict, and only after that we start some dialogue about what their future fate will be.'

Channel 1 - the country's largest TV station - told viewers: 'The two British mercenaries, who surrendered in Mariupol along with hundreds of Ukrainian troops, called on their Prime Minister Boris Johnson to influence Volodymyr Zelensky to exchange them for opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk.'

The news bulletins emphasised the precarious position of the pair in captivity in Russia, even though it was claimed they were being well cared for and had 'even' been allowed to call home.

'Not a single army in the world takes mercenaries prisoner in battle. They are not covered by the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, so they can be said to be lucky,' reported Channel 1.

In news bulletins, Russia's state channels made clear Pinner (centre right) and Aslin (centre left) were seen as 'mercenaries' and not as serving members of Ukraine's naval infantry

Rossiya 1 said: 'Legally, they are not subject to the Geneva Convention rules on the treatment of prisoners of war, since they are mercenaries who signed a contract to fight for money.

'But both Britons admit they are being treated correctly and humanely.'

The men are being used to echo Russian playbook about the Nazis in Ukraine.

Both 'were shocked by the attitude of the Ukrainian military and the Nazis from the Azov [unit] to the civilian population', said Channel 1.

'Aiden Aslin is well aware that Kyiv has been violating peace agreements for eight years and killing Donbas civilians with impunity.'

Shaun Pinner Born: 1974, Bedfordshire Worked as: A British Army veteran, having served for years in the Royal Anglian regiment Combat experience: Fought 'many' tours including in northern Ireland, according to his family, who said he also served with United Nations missions in Bosnia Journey to Ukraine: Pinner moved to Ukraine in 2018 which he made his 'adopted home' and decided to put his military training to use fighting Russian-backed rebels in the country's eastern Donbas He became engaged to a Ukrainian woman and worked his way into the marines, where he had been serving for the last two years Pinner's three-year contract with the marines was due to end at the end of this year, his family said, when he wanted to become a humanitarian worker in the country Pinner was helping to defend the frontlines in Donbas when Putin's invasion began on February 24 His unit of marines ended up hooking up with the Azov Battalion - members of the national guard with links to neo-Nazis - who were defending the city of Mariupol from the Russians He was captured in Mariupol last week and paraded on state TV Advertisement

Aiden Aslin Born: 1994, Newark-on-Trent Worked as: Care worker Combat experience: Travelled to Syria in 2015 to fight for the Kurds in a western-backed alliance against ISIS He made headlines on his return to the UK in 2016 when he was arrested, charged with terrorism offences, and then kept on bail until all charges were dropped following protests Aslin then returned to Syria in 2017 to help in the fight to re-take the city of Raqqa, which had been the de-facto capital of ISIS's terror-state Journey to Ukraine: After being arrested in the UK a second time trying to return from Syria via Greece, Aslin moved to Ukraine after falling for a woman from the city of Mykolaiv Having heard about Ukraine's fight against Russia in Donbas from Ukrainian volunteers in Syria, he was persuaded to join the military and in 2018 signed up as a marine Aslin completed three tours of the frontline and was dug into trenches in the Donbas in late February when Putin's troops stormed across the border in a second invasion He ended up falling back to the nearby city of Mariupol where he fought for weeks under siege, before being captured last week after his unit ran out of ammunition Advertisement

Relatives of the men have called for them not to be classed as 'mercenaries'.

Pinner is a former Royal Anglian soldier and has made clear he considers Ukraine his second country, where he married.

A statement issued by Pinner's family said: 'Shaun was a well-respected soldier within the British Army serving in the Royal Anglian Regiment for many years. He served in many tours including Northern Ireland and with the United Nations in Bosnia.

'In 2018 Shaun decided to relocate to Ukraine to use his previous experience and training within the Ukraine military.

'Shaun enjoyed the Ukrainian way of life and considered Ukraine as his adopted country over the last four years. During this time, he met his Ukrainian wife, who is very focused on the humanitarian needs of the country.

'He progressed into the Ukrainian Marines as a proud member of his unit.'

The statement issued via the Foreign Office went on: 'We would like to make it clear he is not a volunteer nor a mercenary, but officially serving with the Ukrainian Army in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.

'Our family is currently working with the Foreign Office along with the family of Aiden Aslin, who is also being held by the Russian Army to ensure their rights as prisoners of war are upheld according to the Geneva Convention.'
A woman who insists she falsely pleaded guilty to killing her two-year-old daughter in 2007, made a last-ditch attempt to stop her April 27 Texas execution on Monday.

Lawyers from the Innocence Project representing Melissa Lucio, 53, filed a request for clemency with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, a move that Innocence Project attorney Vanessa Potkin characterized as Lucio's last legal option.

'This is it,' Potkin told the New York Post. 'If they don't [stop the execution] then it would really be in the hands of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.'

Monday's request comes after the submission of a writ of habeas corpus by the Innocence Project on Friday asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to postpone the execution and to review new evidence.

Meilissa Lucio, now 53, was convicted of killing her two-year-old daughter, Mariah, pictured here in her mother's arms. Lucio is scheduled to be executed for the killing on April 27

Lucio, who has been in custody since 2007, maintains that Mariah died from injuries sustained during a fall down a flight of stairs even though she confessed to hurting Mariah at the time

Lucio's lawyers claim that evidence shows she was coerced into making a confession during a grueling interrogation, and that her daughter's death was the result of an accidental fall down a flight of stairs as Lucio initially told authorities.

'This new evidence shows that Ms. Lucio was convicted of a crime that never occurred,' the 242-page writ of habeas corpus says.

'Ms. Lucio asserted her innocence more than 100 times, but police refused to accept any response that was not an admission of guilt - suggesting to Ms. Lucio that the interrogation would not stop unless she told them what they wanted to hear,' the filing reads.

The filings are the latest and likely the last efforts to stay Lucio's execution - if neither the Board of Paroles, the Court of Appeals or Texas Governor Greg Abbott intervene, Lucio will be put to death by lethal injection in just eight days.

The move to stop Lucio's execution has received widespread support and attention, as nearly 90 bi-partisan Texas lawmakers and even Kim Kardashian have made pleas on Lucio's behalf.

Lucio, a mother of 14 children, was first taken into custody in February 2007 when she called the police upon discovering her two-year-old daughter, Mariah, unresponsive at their apartment in Harlingen, Texas.

In addition to the blunt-force injury to her head that was determined to have killed her, Mariah's body was found to have bruises, scratches, and a bite mark on her back, leading investigators to believe that Mariah had been killed, and suspecting Lucio of the crime.

The Innocence Project filed a request for clemency for Lucio on Monday, just eight days before Lucio's execution. 'This is it,' lawyer Vanessa Potkin (pictured) told the New York Post

Lucio is the mother of 14 children. All family members who were present at the time of the accident maintain that Lucio is innocent

Three hours into a late-night interrogation Lucio confessed to police that she had spanked and bitten her daughter - an admission that became the backbone of the case against her

During a late-night interrogation Lucio initially maintained that Mariah had fallen down the stairs a few days before she became unresponsive, but after about three hours she admitted to spanking and biting Mariah.

'What do you want me to say? I'm responsible for it,' Lucio told Texas Rangers when they pressed her on the bite mark.

The statement became the backbone of the state's case against Mariah, with prosecutors using what they characterized as an admission of child abuse to connect Lucio directly to her daughters death.

Though Lucio never admitted to actually killing Maria or causing fatal-harm, the Cameron County jury found the abuse admissions adequate to find Lucio guilty and deserving of the death penalty.

But advocates of Lucio say that the confession was clearly made and coerced under duress, and that Lucio's longtime history as a victim of sexual and domestic abuse made her especially susceptible to confessing to things she never did - a point which was not made at Lucio's trial because the judge did not allow a psychologist to testify on the subject.

The Innocence Project say that Lucio's lifelong history as a victim of sexual and domestic abuse made her particularly susceptible to confessing to things she never did

During her 2007 trial, the judge did not allow a psychologist to testify about why Lucio's past might compel her to make false confessions

Lucio's case has received widespread attention, and in March nearly 90 bi-partisan Texas lawmakers voiced their support for a stay of Lucio's execution until evidence can be reviewed

'The techniques used to secure her statement have been shown to wear down suspects to false confessions,' said Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson while speaking about the prevalence of false confessions at a press conference in March.

His pleas come just days after Kim Kardashian also spoke out and urged Governor Abbot to spare Lucio's life

'Gripped by shock and grief, Ms. Lucio was interrogated for more than five hours, late into the night, by five law enforcement officers. They shouted at Ms. Lucio; berated her as a neglectful mother; repeatedly showed her photos of her dead child; and implied that if she wasnt at fault, one of her other children or her husband would have to be,' the Innocence Project's writ of habeas corpus reads.

The National Registry of Exonerations reports that 12% of all wrongful convictions can be traced back to false confessions.

After reading about Lucio's case, Kardashian tweeted: '[Lucio] has been on death row for over 14 years for her daughter's death that was a tragic accident.

'Her 2-year-old daughter Mariah fell down a flight of stairs and two days later passed away while taking a nap.

'After she called for help, she was taken into custody by the police. [Lucio] is a survivor of abuse and domestic violence herself and after being interrogated for hours and falsely pleaded guilty.

'She wanted the interrogation to be stopped, but police made her words out to be a confession.'

'She is scheduled to be executed on April 27 in Texas,' the reality star added, as she urged the public to sign a petition by the Innocent Project in an effort to press Governor Abbott to stop Lucio's execution.
Three Rottweiler dogs which were removed from a house after a toddler was mauled to death have been put down by police, it emerged today.

The toddler was savaged at his home in Egdon, Worcestershire, and taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital on March 28.

He was later transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital in a critical condition where he later died from his injuries two days later.

The toddler was savaged at his home in Egdon, Worcestershire, and taken to hospital on March 28. Pic: A file photo of a Rottweiler

The dogs - which locals had dubbed 'the beasts' - were being securely housed by West Mercia Police while investigations were ongoing.

Today it emerged the animals had now been put down, although no arrests have been made and the force said enquiries are continuing.

A police spokesman said: 'I can confirm that the three dogs which were seized as part of the investigation into the dog attack in Egdon have now been put to sleep.

'Other than that there are no updates at the moment. There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.'

Superintendent Rebecca Love, local policing commander for South Worcestershire, previously confirmed the boy's death at a media briefing.

She said: 'Officers responded to a report of a two-year-old child in cardiac arrest at approximately 11.20am on Monday 28 March.

'It was quickly established the child had suffered injuries as a result of being bitten by a dog at the address in Worcestershire.

'The child was transferred from Worcestershire Royal Hospital to Birmingham Children's Hospital, and despite medical treatment, he has died as a result of his injuries.

'This is a truly tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time.'

After being taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital (pic), the boy was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where he died of his injuries two days later

One local said previously: 'I've seen the owners of the white cottage before, they have rottweilers.

'You can hear them barking from the fields. I used to see them walking the dogs, one time they got out onto the main road.

'It's all secluded so you don't really see anyone, everyone is kind of hidden away.

'I walk my dog here a lot because of the route and you can hear the dogs barking, lots of barks.'

Another resident added: 'Everyone keeps themselves pretty private around here and no one asks many questions.

'I think people are a bit intimidated by the family with those dogs. We call them 'the beasts' because they are always making such a racket.

'My wife refuses to walk our dog anywhere near there in case they get out. Everyone is so sad for the little lad who died. It's an absolute tragedy.'
Prominent local newspaper businessman Sir Ray Tindle has died at the age of 95, it has been announced.

Sir Ray, a vocal champion of the local press and freedom of speech, was the chairman of Tindle Newspapers until 2017, when he stepped down at the age of 90.

He remained as his company's president and his son Owen took over from him. At the time, the firm owned more than 200 local titles and the businessman was said to be worth 110million.

An announcement on the company's website today described him as a 'newspaper man through and through' and hailed his 'life-long commitment to, and passion for, the newspaper industry'.

His firm's motto was the Churchillian mantra 'Never Surrender'.

Born in 1926 to John Robert and Maud Tindle, Sir Ray, who also had a passion for old cars, was evacuated from London during the Second World War and educated at Torquay Boys' Grammar School.

Upon leaving school he enlisted in the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, an infantry regiment in the British Army that has since disbanded.

He began his career in publishing by running a newspaper on the troop ship taking him to the Far East, where he served between 1944 and 1947 and rose to the rank of captain.

Prominent local newspaper businessman Sir Ray Tindle has died at the age of 95, it has been announced. Pictured: Sir Ray (second from left) meeting the Queen in 2002

Back in the UK, Sir Ray acquired his first newspaper title, the Tooting and Balham Gazette, with his 300 demob payment.

Hs would go on to launch and acquire local papers and radio stations covering Wales, Surrey, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Ireland, the Channel Isles, the Isle of Man and more.

He made the Surrey town of Farnham his home in the 1960s and made such an impact that he became known as 'Mr Farnham'.

Speaking to one of his company's own newspapers about his war experiences, Sir Ray said: 'Everyone was a soldier and everyone had a story.

'After a few days the troops grew to love the ship's paper. It was about themselves and things that they were or had been involved in. It was "local" to them, in a sense.

'That five weeks "crash course" in journalism decided my future.

Sir Ray, a vocal champion of the local press and freedom of speech, was the chairman of Tindle Newspapers until 2017, when he stepped down at the age of 90. Above: Sir Ray at his company's headquarters in 2005

Sir Ray acquired his first newspaper title, the Tooting and Balham Gazette, with his 300 demob payment after the Second World War. Pictured: The businessman opening the 71st London to Brighton vintage car run in 2004

'I've been full-time on locals ever since and I've loved every minute with my super staff in making local weekly newspapers strong and viable.'

Sir Ray was knighted in 1994 for services to the newspaper industry.

The businessman also held senior positions within the media industry, including president of the Newspaper Society.

In a move backed by the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Sir Ray also set up 10 centres aimed at reducing unemployment in the 1980s.

His close relationship with his staff meant that his traditional Christmas lunch with employees from each of his titles would take up several weeks either side of New Year.

Speaking of the success of his empire, he told BBC Radio 4 in 2013: 'It's magic. We run these papers individually, they really run themselves.

'My papers are local weeklies and we have lost some advertising, of course, but we have partly been able to make it up with displayed ads and we still have enough to make a profit and we're still surviving quite happily thank you.

Sir Ray was knighted in 1994 for services to the newspaper industry. The businessman also held senior positions within the media industry, including president of the Newspaper Society

Sir Ray (centre) is seen next to the Prince of Wales (left) and former Prime Minister Harold MacMillan in 1985

Sir Ray at his company's headquarters in 2005. The businessman also held senior positions within the media industry

'Although mine don't carry national news, I should say categorically and as strongly as I can that I am convinced that we should maintain the right to free speech and the right to have a free press.

'Free speech is non-negotiable.'

Sir Ray owned several classic cars and had a long-running association with the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

In 2013, he drove his single-cylinder Speedwell Dog cart, which dated from 1904, along the route.

Sir Ray served as a director on the main board of The Guardian and Manchester Evening News for 18 years.

Sir Ray owned several classic cars and had a long-running association with the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Pictured: Sir Ray driving his 1904 Speedwell Dogcart in 2002

Paying tribute to the businessman, media consultant Neil Benson, the former editorial director of Reach plc's regional titles, said: 'I met Sir Ray a number of times over the years, mostly at Newspaper Society events.

'He was a unique figure in the industry - a complete one-off, who was held in the highest regard by his peers.

'Sir Ray's passion for local newspapers was legendary, and the way he built his publishing empire from the ground up was quite remarkable.'

He is survived by his wife, Lady Tindle, his son Owen and granddaughter Maisy.

According to figures published last year, Tindle Newspapers publishes 79 local titles. It means it is the fourth largest local newspaper group by number of titles published.

They include the Cornish Times, the Farnham Herald and the Abergavenny Chronicle.

It also runs four local radio stations.
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More than 5,000 Ukrainian refugees were detained by U.S. officials while trying to cross the border to flee Russia's invasion of their homeland, new data show on Monday.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)'s recently released March numbers show 5,071 Ukrainians have tried to enter the U.S. illegally by land, air or sea.

Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has forced more than 10 million people to leave their homes, according to the United Nations, with over four million having left the country altogether.

And despite the well-documented flood of migrants coming to the southwest border from Central and South America, the latest figures show that people are attempting to illegally enter the U.S. from places as far as Turkey and China.

Nearly 90,000 of the 249,198 CBP encounters with migrants on either the northern or southern borders came from countries outside of the Northern Triangle of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

It comes as the Biden administration is facing growing opposition to lifting the migrant expulsion policy Title 42, which the federal government said would expire on May 23.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is behind the measure allowing border agents to turn asylum-seekers away on contact in the name of stopping the spread of COVID-19, said it was no longer necessary to public health.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading down to Panama on Tuesday, where he will discuss migration with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and officials from other nations in the Western hemisphere.

President Joe Biden has already announced measures to help Ukrainians fleeing Moscow's attack, including welcoming 100,000 refugees into the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is also extending temporary protected status for Ukrainians for 18 months, it announced on Monday, allowing those eligible to stay and work in the country.

Of those who were encountered by CBP in March, 3,274 attempted to cross the southwestern land border and 156 people through Canada in the north. Eight single Ukrainian adults were turned away last month under Title 42, though it's not clear why.

But lawmakers as well as local and state officials along the southwest border are bracing for thousands more migrants from other parts of the world to attempt to cross the border illegally this summer, after Biden officially lifts the pandemic-era expulsion policy.

Last month, before Title 42's end was announced, DHS said it was preparing for a possibility of as many as 18,000 people per day trying to cross the border after it was lifted.

Outside of the Northern Triangle, where the majority of asylum-seekers in the U.S. traditionally come from, 88,110 migrants were encountered at the southwestern border in March. Just over 36,000 were met at the northern border.

The number of people coming from Turkey last month nearly doubled from February, rising from 1,246 to 2,331.

More than 32,000 Cuban migrants were encountered in March, a sharp increase from 16,663 in February and less than 10,000 in January.

Additionally, 5,060 people came from India and 1,989 from China.

It comes as even members of Biden's own party voice opposition to lifting Title 42.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters on Monday joined a growing chorus of Democrats who are working to stop the Biden administration from ending the expulsion policy as migrant crossings have already soared to the highest in two decades.

The Michigan Democrat, who chairs both the Homeland Security committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told The Hill that he has privately raised concerns with Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas and other administration officials.

Customs and Border Protection reported that 5,071 Ukrainian refugees were apprehended trying to cross into the U.S. last month. Many seeking asylum here are forced to wait in Tijuana shelters run by the Mexican government

The U.S. previously said it would take in 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of their country

Peters told a group of reporters he wants to give the Biden administration time to detail a plan for handling the impending onslaught an end to Title 42 is expected to bring, but said they should rethink the decision to end the pandemic immigration restriction absent an adequate plan.

'Unless we have a well thought out plan, I think it is something that should be revisited and perhaps delayed. I'm going to defer judgment on that until I give the administration the opportunity to fully articulate what that plan is. But I share  concerns of some of my colleagues.'

Mayorkas put out a statement on April 1 saying that once Title 42 expires migrants will be processed under Title 8, and said DHS was pursuing a 'whole-of-government' approach to deal with a potential surge, including increasing resources and officers at the border.

Peters joins a number of Democratic senators who have gone up against their own party over Title 42, a Centers for Disease Control policy that border officials rely on to immediately expel migrants. It was first enacted by President Trump in March 2020.

Five Democrats - Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly of Arizona; Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire; Jon Tester of Montana; and Joe Manchin of West Virginia - co-sponsored a bill with Republicans earlier this month to temporarily block the Biden administration's plan to end Title 42. The amendment is expected to be tacked on to a new Covid-19 relief package.

In addition to those five, Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., who are all up for re-election in competitive races, have come out against ending Title 42.

Kelly and Hassan even traveled to the border last week, using public appearances at the U.S-Mexico line to question the Biden administration's plan.

'Right now this administration does not have a plan. And it's going to be, to be honest, it's going to be a crisis on top of a crisis,' Kelly told reporters.

Thousands of migrants are camped out in Mexico near the U.S. border waiting for Title 42 to end on May 23

Migrants of different nationalities walk peacefully through the main avenues, in the city of Tapachula in Chiapas, Mexico, 16 April

Department of Homeland Security officials are expecting up to 18,000 migrants per day once Title 42 is lifted

Hassan released a statement after the trip saying she would 'keep pressing the administration for a comprehensive plan to strengthen border security and deliver additional resources to the border, which is especially important given its recent announcement to end Title 42.'

Immigration is sure to be a front-and-center political cudgel in the upcoming midterm elections as Republicans look to take back control in Congress. At the same time Biden was under intense pressure from progressives to end the policy they see as inhumane.

Peters, who is in charge of strategizing ways for Democrats to maintain power, said he hoped to hear from the secretary on Title 42 'in the near future' and defended his liberal colleagues' right to 'raise questions' over the policy undoing.

'This is a very serious issue. They need to ask questions. I'm asking those questions as well and we'll look forward to hearing directly from the secretary in the near term,' he said.

A total of 21 states are suing the Biden administration over the planned rollback of Title 42.

The number of migrant crossings at the Mexican border surged to the highest number in over two decades last month, surpassing 200,000 for the third time of the Biden administration.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) submitted figures to a court revealing that 221,303 migrants attempted to enter the country unlawfully last month, before the expected onslaught triggered by the end of Title 42.

The newly revealed March figures show the highest number of crossings in a single month since President Biden took office. The last time border agents encountered more migrants was in February and March of 2000. In March 200, 220,063

There were nearly 60,000 more encounters in March than February, when 165,000 tried to cross.

The Biden administration announced that Title 42, the pandemic-era restriction under which most migrants are currently expelled. In March, about half, 109,549 migrant apprehensions, were expelled under Title 42.

About 111,000 migrants were allowed to request asylum under regular immigration procedures. Those who are not expelled are detained, deported under the expedited removal process or released with a notice to appear before a judge.

The figure does not represent the total number of migrants but rather the number of apprehensions. Many migrants try to cross again after they've been expelled. It also does not account for the number of people who evade detection and successfully cross into the U.S.

Migrant families traveling with minors are not usually processed under Title 42 and are generally released with court notices, and sometimes tracking devices. Recently it was revealed that the Biden administration was giving migrants smartphones with tracking software inside upon their release.

In March 65,771 were either released with a court date or granted humanitarian parole. Just over 24,000 migrants were sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, and roughly 9,000 remained in ICE detention as of April 3.
Boris Johnson won't 'lecture' India over the country's ties to Vladimir Putin's Russia - despite concerns among ministers that New Delhi has not been strong enough in condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister is due to travel to India this week and will meet with his counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Friday for talks.

At a Cabinet meeting today, Mr Johnson said he would use the trip to expand Britain's 'deep and long-lasting partnership' with India.

He also promised to continue his push for countries to cut their economic ties with Russia, as part of efforts to starve Mr Putin of cash to fund his war machine.

Concerns have been expressed that India's failure to wholeheartedly condemn Russia for the conflict in Ukraine are due to the country's economic, diplomatic and military links with Moscow.

Downing Street said the PM told Cabinet ministers this morning that the UK would 'continue to work with other countries to provide alternative options for defence procurement and energy for India to diversify supply chains away from Russia'.

However, Mr Johnson said Britain 'would not seek to lecture other democratically elected governments on what course of action was best for them'.

The PM's official spokesman also suggested Mr Johnson would use a carrot rather than a stick in his talks with Mr Modi.

The Prime Minister is due to travel to India this week and will meet with his counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Friday for talks

Mr Modi met with Vladimir Putin in December last year. Concerns have been expressed that India's failure to wholeheartedly condemn Russia for the conflict in Ukraine are due to the country's economic, diplomatic and military links with Moscow

'When it comes to India and other democratically elected countries we think the best approach is to engage with them constructively, to try to broaden the alliance of democratic states against Russia,' the spokesman said.

'We do not think that pointing fingers or shouting from the sidelines are effective ways of engaging with democratically elected countries.'

One of Mr Johnson's Cabinet ministers had earlier expressed frustration at India's stance over Russia's brutal military assault on its neighbour.

'India has not yet come out as strongly as some of us would like to see about Ukraine,' Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told the BBC.

India has repeatedly abstained in United Nations votes censuring Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

It also this month stopped short of blaming or naming Russia in its condemnation of atrocities carried out in Bucha, near Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

The US recently called on India scale down its dependence on Russian military equipment.

The PM's trip to India comes after his visit to Kyiv earlier this month to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Last month, Mr Johnson visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia to encourage them to ramp up their production of oil, as Western nations look to wean themselves off Russian energy supplies.
Russia is not considering using nuclear weapons 'at this stage' of its invasion of Ukraine, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has warned.

In an interview in which he parroted Vladimir Putin's propaganda over Moscow's brutal military actions, Lavrov blamed the US, the West and NATO expansion for his country's so-called 'special operation'.

When asked by India Today whether Russia had any intention of using nuclear weapons, Lavrov said: 'At this stage, we are considering the option of conventional weapons only,' according to Russia's RIA state news agency.

Lavrov, a long-time Kremlin mouthpiece and staunch ally of Putin, said in late January that Russia would not invade its neighbour. On February 24, less a month after his comments, Putin ordered Moscow's troops into Ukraine.

Days after, Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert, and threatened NATO allies with 'consequences greater than any you have faced in history' should they intervene in the Ukraine conflict.

This raised fears that the Russian leader would be prepared to use nuclear weapons in the conflict, something no country has done since the Second World War.

The foreign minister also confirmed today that Russia has launched a new stage of its invasion of Ukraine, in which it hopes to capture the eastern Donbas region.

Russian foreign minister Russia Sergei Lavrov (pictured speaking last week in Moscow) has warned his country is not considering using nuclear weapons 'at this stage' of its invasion

'The current events are rooted in the US and West's desire to rule the world,' Lavrov told the Indian English-language news publication on Tuesday.

'They wanted to show the world there would be no multipolarity, only unipolarity, and created a springboard [Ukraine] against us [Russia] at our borders. They pumped arms into Ukraine.

'The real reason [for the war] is the complacency of most countries after World War II,' he opined. 'They violated their promises to Russian leadership and started moving NATO eastward after the Soviet Union disappeared. They said it's a defensive alliance and not a threat to Russian security.'

Russia has given a variety of justifications for its invasion, such as NATO expansionism and claims that it is 'denazifying' the country - which has a Jewish president and where the far-right enjoy little to no public support in politics.

Lavrov also denied that Russian forces have committed war crimes, saying that Moscow's forces are only targeting military infrastructure - despite mounting evidence on the contrary.

'Our army has only been targeting military infrastructure and not civilians. The Ukrainian army has been using civilians as human shields.'

He added: 'The West is not paying attention to our facts. They are placing attention on false things like what they said about Bucha.

'They brought up Bucha three days after the Ukrainian mayor of Bucha proudly said the city was back under their control.'

An aerial picture taken on April 18, 2022 shows coffins being buried during a funeral ceremony at a cemetery in Bucha, Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion

APRIL 6: A Ukrainian serviceman stands amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv. The town was the scene of heavy fighting in the early days of the war, and while Ukrainian forces destroyed several Russian tanks and other armoured vehicles, the town was overrun and occupied by Russian for around a month

Pictured: A destroyed house is pictured in the village of Yatskivka, eastern Ukraine on April 16, 2022. Lavrov claimed Russian forces are not targeting civilians

Lavrov's claim, pushed several times by Kremlin officials since Ukrainian authorities liberated Bucha from Russia's forces, has been debunked.

Satellite imagery from commercial provider Maxar Technologies, first reported by The New York Times, proved the bodies had been there for weeks.

Since then, hundreds more have been found, and eyewitness accounts have spoken of Russian soldiers carrying out brutal rapes and executions. In some cases, civilians had their hands tied behind their backs by Russian soldiers before they were shot.

Bucha has become synonymous with scores of atrocities alleged to have been committed by Russian troops across Ukraine. The atrocities have led US President Joe Biden to accuse Vladimir Putin of genocide - a term some other Western leaders have hesitated to use.

Lavrov's comments on nuclear weapons came after Vladimir Putin sent up strategic nuclear-capable bombers into the skies over Western Russia on Monday, amid huge pressure on the Kremlin over the calamitous sinking of the Moskva flagship in the Black Sea last week.

Videos from Monday and Saturday caught four of the aircraft - used to carry nuclear bombs - over the Kaluga region, between Moscow and the Ukrainian border.

The planes were believed to be Russian Tu-95s, known as Bears, and appeared to be flying in striking distance of Ukraine. The Defence Ministry in Moscow had not immediately announced the purpose of the mission.

The Tu-95s have been used a number of times to strike targets in Ukraine with non-nuclear weapons, notably Kh-55 and Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles. The super-loud Tu-95 is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today, and the plane first flew 70 years ago.

Putin deployed the Tu-95s to buzz Britain at moments of high tension, for example in February this year when the Royal Air Force scrambled Typhoon fighters to escort two Bears off northern Scotland.

Vladimir Putin sent up his strategic bombers in the skies over Western Russia today amid huge pressure on the Kremlin over the sinking of the Moskva flagship in the Black Sea. The planes are believed to be Russian Tu-95s, known as Bears, and appeared to be flying in striking distance of Ukraine

Russia is one of nine countries in possession of nuclear warheads, in addition to the US, China, the UK, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.

With a believed 6,257 warheads, Russia has more nuclear warheads than any other nation. The US is the only country that comes close to Russia's numbers, with 5,550.

Yesterday, former Kremlin foreign affairs minister Andrei Kozyrev said that Putin could use nuclear weapons under 'very, very specific situations.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'If Russia or one of those countries really threatened in their hearts  existentially, that is  if NATO troops come to Moscow, then probably they will resort to nuclear weapons.'

This, he said, is currently a long way off. 'There is no existential threat to Russia under the present circumstances,' he added.

In contrast, an ex-Ukrainian MP urged Vladimir Putin to use weapons of mass destruction against his own country in a Telegram post on Sunday.

Ilya Kiva, an opposition politician banned from parliament for supporting Russia's invasion, posted the appeal to his Telegram - just a day after Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin could go nuclear.

Underneath the image of a nuclear explosion, Kiva wrote: 'REMEMBER!!! - THEY ARE AFRAID AND RESPECT ONLY POWER!!!

'Zelensky, his entourage and Western curators, are most afraid of a [Russian] pre-emptive strike [with] weapons of mass destruction.

'This is what can put an end to today's confrontation, not only with the Ukrainian authorities, but with the entire West which actively and already openly takes part today in the military conflict in Ukraine...

'If anyone thinks that this is not according to the rules, remember: the West wrote these rules in its own interests and only in order to more effectively destroy you.'

He spoke out after President Zelensky sat down for an interview with CNN in which he warned that the West needs to prepare for the possibility that Putin will resort to using nuclear or chemical weapons against his country.

Ilya Kiva, an opposition politician banned from parliament for supporting Putin's invasion, has called on Russia to use weapons of mass destruction (above)

Kiva was charged with treason for supporting Putin, and is now thought to be in hiding in Russia (pictured)

Western officials fear the Russian strongman could resort to such desperate measures in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide of war in his favour after a series of embarrassing battlefield defeats.

'They could do it,' Zelensky said. 'For them the life of the people [means] nothing. That's why.

'We should not be afraid... but be ready. That is a question not only for Ukraine but for all the world, I think.'

His warning had been echoed days earlier by CIA director William Burns who said the threat of a Russian nuclear strike was not to be 'taken lightly'.

'Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks that they've faced so far, militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons,' he said.

'We're obviously very concerned. I know President Biden is deeply concerned about avoiding a third world war, about avoiding a threshold in which nuclear conflict becomes possible.'

Tactical nuclear weapons are nukes with smaller and less-powerful warheads that were originally designed to be used on friendly territory as part of defence against an invasion where the goal is not widespread destruction.

Meanwhile, Russia launched its long-awaited all-out assault on east Ukraine on Tuesday, seizing its first town after unleashing thousands of troops in what Ukraine has described as the Battle of the Donbas, a campaign to take two provinces.

Ukrainian officials insisted their troops would withstand the new assault, which they said began overnight with massive Russian artillery and rocket barrages and attempts to advance across almost the entire stretch of the eastern front.

Western officials fear that Putin (file image) could resort to using nuclear or chemical weapons as his invasion falters in order to avoid or mitigate a humiliating defeat

In the first big reported success of Russia's new assault, Ukraine said the Russians had seized Kreminna, a frontline town of 18,000 people in Luhansk, one of the two Donbas provinces.

Russian forces were attacking 'on all sides', authorities were trying to evacuate civilians and it was impossible to tally the civilian dead, Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai said.

Moscow gave few details about its new campaign, but Lavrov confirmed that 'another stage of this operation is beginning'.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia was 'methodically' carrying out its plan to 'liberate' Donetsk and Luhansk, provinces which Moscow demands Kyiv cede fully to Russian-backed separatists.
Boris Johnson's hopes of dealing swiftly with the political fallout from Partygate were dealt a blow today after the Speaker approved a vote on whether he should be investigated for misleading the Commons.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved a Labour plan for a debate and vote on Thursday over the PM's claim from the despatch box last year that all lockdown rules were followed in Downing Street.

It comes in the wake of a swathe of dozens of 50 fines, including for the PM himself and for his wife Carrie, for breaking the Covid laws in 2020 and 2021.

MPs will get to vote on a motion to be tabled by Keir Starmer referring him to the Commons Privilege's Committee over whether he deliberately mislead MPs.

The committee has the power to summon reports and documents. It means that MPs could request to see the full version of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings and any potential photographic evidence that exists.

While the Conservatives' 80-strong majority means that the Government will almost certainly win the vote and block the investigation, it keeps the row in the headlines at a time when the PM wants it buried by other issues.

Labour will also hope it pushes reluctant Tories furious at the lawbreaking into the open by making them abstain.

A party source said: 'Any Conservative MP considering voting to block this investigation would be voting for a cover up. They should reflect on the mess they got themselves into over Owen Paterson before falling into line.'

Mr Johnson will make a statement to MPs this afternoon, with expectations of a 'full-throated apology' for the fixed-penalty notice he received for breaking the lockdown laws.

While the Conservatives' 80-strong majority means that the Government will almost certainly win the vote and block the investigation, it keeps the row in the headlines at a time when the PM wants it buried by other issues.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved a Labour plan for a debate and vote on Thursday over the PM's claim from the despatch box last year that all lockdown rules were followed in Downing Street.

Boris Johnson is expected to make a 'full-throated apology' when he addresses MPs in the House of Commons today

He gathered his ministers this morning for a Cabinet meeting dominated by Ukraine - a meeting that took place in the same room as the June 2020 party that led to his 50 police fine.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that he told the meeting that Ukraine's position remained 'perilous', with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost'.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis (left) this morning suggested the fine was akin to ministers have previously received parking tickets

What is the vote about? Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other senior MPs requested the Commons vote after the Prime Minister was fined for attending his own lockdown-busting birthday party in No 10 in June 2020. They argue that Mr Johnson's previous assertions that 'the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times' in Downing Street and that 'no Covid rules were broken' misled Parliament - although those remarks in the Commons were not specifically related to the birthday gathering. Ministers normally decide what is debated and when, but in this case Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle ruled that the issue should be given parliamentary time. He said it was not up to him to decide whether there had been a contempt of Parliament, but 'my role is to decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined'. Sir Keir will table a motion for the debate and vote on Thursday. He is expected to call for the Prime Minister's conduct to be examined by the Committee of Privileges, which considers issues relating to contempt of Parliament. Mr Johnson will miss the vote as he will be on a visit to India. The Prime Minister has a working majority of 75 and it would take a massive revolt of Tory MPs to agree to refer the matter to the committee. But by forcing Tory MPs to reject an investigation into whether the Prime Minister lied to Parliament the Opposition parties hope to gain a political weapon to use as voters head to the ballot boxes for local elections across the country in May. Advertisement

Sir Lindsay said he had received letters from a number of MPs on the issue. He said the procedure is set out in parliament's Erskine May procedural rule book, noting: 'It is not for me to police the ministerial code, I have no jurisdiction over the ministerial code even though a lot of people seem to think I have. It is not the case.

'Secondly, it is not for me to determine whether or not the Prime Minister has committed a contempt. My role is to decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined.

'Having considered the issue, having taken advice from the clerks of the House, I've decided that this is a matter that I should allow the precedence accorded to the issue of privilege. Therefore, (Sir Keir Starmer) may table a motion for debate on Thursday.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Tory MPs to 'do their patriotic duty' in Thursday's vote on the Prime Minister's conduct.

He said: 'The British public have declared Boris Johnson a liar. Now it's time for Parliament to do the same.

'The country cannot afford a Prime Minister who breaks the law and lies about it, especially when families are facing a cost-of-living crisis.

'Johnson has taken the British people for fools for far too long, and it's time for Conservative MPs to show where they stand. They must do their patriotic duty and kick Boris Johnson out of Downing Street once and for all.'

Mr Johnson will speak with Joe Biden and other worlds leaders about the continuing war in Ukraine before addressing MPs over Partygate later as he seeks to use the conflict as leverage.

He will take part in a virtual meeting with leaders of G7 and other nations from Downing Street before heading to the Commons to face apoplectic opposition MPs and his own long-suffering backbenchers.

It is reported he will attempt to convince politicians - and the wider public - there are bigger issues to focus on than the partygate saga.

It is thought he will zone in on the crisis in Ukraine, along with the Government's controversial new policy on sending 'illegal' migrants to Rwanda.

He gathered his ministers this morning for a Cabinet meeting dominated by Ukraine - a meeting that took place in the same room as the June 2020 party that led to his 50 police fine.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that he told the meeting that Ukraine's position remained 'perilous', with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost'.

But comments by his supporters playing down the importance of him being the first lawbreaking PM ever raise questions over how much he is planning to apologise for in the Commons.

One source told the Financial Times that 'It's not as if he walked into a rave in Ibiza', a reference to what No10 says is his brief appearance at his birthday party in June 2020 that resulted in the fine.

And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis this morning suggested the fine was akin to ministers have previously received parking tickets.

He told Sky News: 'You've asked me, can someone who sets the laws and the rules, can they also be someone who breaks the rules.

'That clearly has happened with a number of ministers over the years.'

One source told the Financial Times that 'It's not as if he walked into a rave in Ibiza', a reference to what No10 says is his brief appearance at his birthday party in June 2020 that resulted in the fine. Pictured is the former Space nightclub.

He added: 'I think we do see consistently, whether it is through parking fines or speeding fines, ministers of both parties over the years have been in that position.

'We've had prime ministers in the past who have received penalty notices, from what I can see, and also frontbench ministers.

'I saw there was a parking notice that Tony Blair had once. We've seen front bench Labour ministers and, let's be frank, government ministers as well.'

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer slammed the idea, which followed claims at the weekend that the fine was like a speeding ticket.

Sir Keir told ITV's Lorraine': 'I don't think you can say to people ''oh just move on'', I also don't accept this argument  that it is a bit like a speeding fine. It isn't like a speeding fine at all.

'In all of my days I have never had anybody break down in front of me because they couldn't drive at 35mph in a 30mph zone. I had no end of people in tears, in real bits, about complying with rules that really really hurt them.

'I don't think the public are going to accept this. I also think the pathetic displays of Tory MPs going out to defend the indefensible is something they should all be ashamed of.'

Asked if the PM agreed with Mr Lewis's analysis, his spokesman told reporters: 'On this issue the Prime Minister will be making a statement to the house and I think, as much as possible, it's right that Parliament hear from him first rather than from me.

'He's talked about understanding the strength of feeling about this issue, which is why he has apologised, and fully respects the outcome of the police investigation.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told ITV's Lorraine': 'I don't think you can say to people ''oh just move on'', I also don't accept this argument  that it is a bit like a speeding fine. It isn't like a speeding fine at all'

It comes as he faces a potential investigation into whether he misled Parliament when making earlier statements about parties in Downing Street and his involvement in them.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to announce today he will allow MPs to vote on whether to investigate if the Prime Minister misled Parliament when saying 'all guidance was followed completely' in Downing Street in December.

Under the ministerial code, knowingly misleading parliament is an offence that should result in resignation.

Former minister and current defence committee chairman Tobias Ellwood MP told BBC Breakfast that now was the time for a vote on Mr Johnson's future as Prime Minister.

'Unfortunately, many, many MPs continue to be very numbed by this, very, very concerned by where we're going,' he said.

'We have to defend this at the next general election. We've got some more fixed penalty notices likely to come forward, Sue Gray's report to conclude, and, of course, those important local elections on the fifth of May.

'If I was the Prime Minister, I would show leadership here, recognise this requires crisis management as such, and say that 'these are difficult times, I will give you the opportunity to support me through an actual vote of confidence'.'

He added that the vote could be held after the May local elections 'if they go badly'.

'Therefore, the party itself can recognise whether we all support the Prime Minister, or the Prime Minister has support and we march forward, or it is time for change,' he said.

Last week the PM was fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday bash thrown in his honour in the Cabinet room in June 2020, while coronavirus restrictions were in place.

He was then accused over the weekend of not only attending a leaving party for his former communications chief Lee Cain on November 13, 2020, but instigating the do. Downing Street declined to comment on the claims.

Mr Johnson is widely expected to make a statement in the Commons today, as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter recess.

The Telegraph cited a Downing Street source as saying he will 'offer a full-throated apology and recognise the strength of feeling' among MPs on partygate, but is unlikely to go into too much detail on the matter.

The Prime Minister was fined 50 for attending a rule breaking birthday party in Downing Street in June 2020

'He will obviously give an update on the fine because there is a clear need to do that, but it is difficult to pre-empt the findings of an ongoing police investigation publicly,' the source reportedly said.

The newspaper said he will instead talk about Ukraine and the Rwanda deal, while The Times previously reported he will also touch on the cost-of-living crisis and a trip to India focusing on defence and trade.

As well as addressing MPs in the Chamber, Mr Johnson is expected to speak to a meeting of the entire Conservative parliamentary party on Tuesday evening.

According to The Telegraph, it is also thought Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, will announce today that he will allow a vote on an investigation into whether the PM misled Parliament with his partygate explanations.

The Times reports that while any vote to censure the Prime Minister is unlikely to pass, Labour hopes to use it to put pressure on Conservative MPs who have not yet back Mr Johnson, while also using it as ammunition in future elections if Tory MPs back him.

On Monday, a senior Tory suggested a 'war cabinet' could be established in place of a leadership contest to avoid detracting attention from the crisis in Ukraine if the PM steps down or is deposed.

Sir Roger Gale said the 'interim administration' could be led by the deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, who briefly took the reins in 2020 when Mr Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.

The veteran Conservative MP previously submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister, which remains 'on the table', but has since said it is not the right time for a leadership election given the situation in Ukraine.

He told the PA news agency he was now keen to establish if it may be possible to put a contest on hold if Mr Johnson resigns or is forced out of his job.

Meanwhile, former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said that without asking for repentance and forgiveness the Prime Minister's position was not sustainable.

His comments follow a thinly-veiled reference to standards in politics by one of the Church of England's most senior clergymen, the Archbishop of York.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to let MPs vote on whether to investigate Boris Johnson for potentially misleading Parliament

Using his Easter sermon on Sunday, Stephen Cottrell urged Britons to ask what sort of country they wanted to live in.

He said: 'Do we want to be known for the robustness of our democracy, where those in public life live to the highest standards, and where we can trust those who lead us to behave with integrity and honour?'

Speaking to Times Radio about the partygate saga on Monday, Dr Williams said: 'Because I don't believe that we should rule out the possibility of, to put it in religious terms, repentance and forgiveness, then it's perfectly possible for somebody to say, 'Yes, I got that badly wrong. I accept the consequence. I accept that this has damaged trust. I'm asking for another chance.'

'But otherwise, I don't see it's a sustainable position, myself.'

Asked if he would recommend the Prime Minister confess in church over the issue, he said: 'Yes, of course. Yes. A breach of the law, which has damaging consequences for society, which damages trust, which damages the integrity and credibility not only of an individual but of the Government, yes, it seems to be perfectly appropriate for the confessional.'
Protesters shout slogans during ongoing anti-government demonstrations near the president's office in Colombo, April 16, demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation over the country's crippling economic crisis. AFP-Yonhap





Sri Lanka's president acknowledged Monday that he made mistakes that led to the country's worst economic crisis in decades and pledged to correct them.







President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made the admission while speaking to 17 new Cabinet ministers he appointed Monday as he and his powerful family seek to resolve a political crisis resulting from the country's dire economic state.







Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy, with nearly $7 billion of its total $25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment this year. A severe shortage of foreign exchange means the country lacks money to buy imported goods.







People have endured months of shortages of essentials such as food, cooking gas, fuel and medicine, lining up for hours to buy the very limited stocks available.







''During the last two-and-a-half years we have had vast challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the debt burden, and some mistakes on our part,'' Rajapaksa said.







''They need to be rectified. We have to correct them and move forward. We need to regain the trust of the people.''







He said the government should have approached the International Monetary Fund early on for help in facing the impending debt crisis and should not have banned chemical fertilizer in an attempt to make Sri Lankan agriculture fully organic. Critics say the ban on imported fertilizer was aimed at conserving the country's declining foreign exchange holdings and badly hurt farmers.







The government is also blamed for taking out large loans for infrastructure projects which have not brought in any money.






Harvard students have given classic musical The Mikado a woke makeover to remove racist references and turn it into a dystopian drama about goat-herding.

Students from the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert And Sullivan Players (HRGSP) reimagined the Gilbert and Sullivan drama in a renamed production called The Milk Made which was performed late last month.

The Harvard students chose to keep Arthur Sullivan's origin score but completely rewrote the play. Instead of a drama about the main character's search for love, they instead opted to tell the story about an Asian boat worker looking to herd goats in a futuristic Chinese-dominated London.

Keagan Yap, 25, the music director, said the changes were made to avoid the use of 'yellowface' and racism found in the original play in order to create a more woke experience.

Yellowface sees white actors don makeup and traditional clothing to make them appear Asian. It is similar to blackface, and is also now widely-regarded as offensive and racist.

'A number of our cast and crew members also have Asian heritage and belong to these cultures and to come onto this project  and imbue their identities and imbue their cultures and experiences into this work that has drawn music from centuries ago  I think was a very enlightening experience,' Yap told the Harvard Crimson.

Students from the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert And Sullivan Players (HRGSP) rewrote Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado into a musical about a goat herder in dystopian London (pictured)

The show removes Gilbert and Sullivan's stereotypical take on feudal Japan and avoid the use of 'yellowface,' where white actors portray Asian characters

The Harvard players said it was a chance for Asian actors to celebrate their own cultures correctly while paying tribute to Gilbert and Sullivan's original work

The Mikado was rewritten into the Milk Made, with the setting changed from Japan to London

ORIGINAL MUSICAL HAS SPARKED MULTIPLE CONTROVERSIES The Mikado, by legendary playwrights W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan premiered in London in 1885. The story centers on a poor minstrel named Nanki-Poo in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu who falls in love with a young girl named Yum-Yum. Through a series of comedic events, Nanki-Poo finds himself able to marry his beloved only if he accepts to be beheaded, but the town law dictates the widow be married to her late husband. The musical features Gilbert and Sullivan's trademark satire of the British government and society in the late 1800s, but it relies heavily on stereotypes and racist naming conventions for its characters. For more than 115 years, the show has been predominantly performed by white actors who dawn kimonos and Japanese accessories to play the Asian characters. Backlash against the 'yellowface' portrayals began in the 1990s but faded out until a 2014 production in Seattle, Washington reignited criticisms. The following year, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players cancelled their own production of the musical and apologized, triggering other shows in New York and San Francisco to call off their own performances. Since then, many play groups have rewritten the musical to remove the stereotypical references to Japan, opting to set the play in America or London, tying it closer to Gilbert and Sullivan's own culture. Advertisement

Yap said the changes were meant to ground the musical in the culture that inspired W.S. Gilbert and Sullivan, but one that the playwrights ultimately misrepresented.

The Mikado musical is set in Japan filled with Gilbert and Sullivan's satires of the British government in the late 1800s but also heavily features stereotypes of feudal Japan.

Yap said that the stereotypes served as a crutch for the playwrights, who he said showed a genuine interest in the Japanese culture but knew little about it.

'At the very core of all of this is just, there's this long-standing feeling that we want to just respect what for Gilbert and Sullivan was a foreign culture,' Yap told the Crimson.

Katherine Vandermel, 25, the lead for the play, said the push to make the play more inclusive was meaningful, along with the show's successful turn out.

'It was really heartwarming to see a lot of people come to see the show,' Vandermel told the Crimson.

'Especially people that were very surprised by this production and how it was able to really innovate traditional Gilbert and Sullivan music and turn it into something new that would reflect a more diverse and more culturally appropriate context.'

The Mikado has served as a classic musical since it premiered in 1885, but performances have predominately featured white actors as Japanese characters.

The show has received criticism over the 'yellowface' performances since the 1990s, with a 2014 production in Seattle, Washington reigniting a push against the musical in modern time.

In 2015, the #SayNoToMikado erupted online following news that the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) would put on the musical for the holidays.

Musical Blogger Leah Nanako Winkler and playwright Ming Peiffer condemned the production as an 'embarrassment' writing at the time that perpetuates Japanese stereotypes.

'Why must we once again go through the panoply of politically correct racial discourse to explain why [INSERT OUTDATED ASIAN MUSICAL HERE] is offensive,' Peiffer wrote in a blogpost.

NYGASP apologized for scheduling the production and replaced it with six performances of The Pirates of Penzance.

The classic Gilbert and Sullivan play has been predominantly performed by white actors dressed as the Japanese characters since it premiered in 1885

The 'yellowface' performances continued well into the 2000s, with American actors Michael Harris (left) and Laurelyn Watson starring as the leads in the NYGASP's performance in 2003. The NYGASP cancelled the production's run in 2015 following social media backlash

'NYGASP never intended to give offense and the company regrets the missed opportunity to responsively adapt,' NYGAP executive director David Wannen had said in a statement.

'We will now look to the future, focusing on how we can affect a production that is imaginative, smart, loyal to Gilbert and Sullivan's beautiful words, music, and story, and that eliminates elements of performance practice that are offensive.'

Following a wave of cancellations of the musical throughout the country, many, like the Harvard students, have attempted to rewrite the story to avoid the Japanese stereotypes and 'yellowface' performances.
The U.S. Coast Guard averted what may have been a disaster when it intercepted a Florida-bound sailboat packed with 132 Haitian migrants in the Bahamas.

The vessel was stopped some 95 miles southwest of the Andros Island on Sunday.

The group was turned over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Tuesday.

'We are urging families in the U.S. to tell their families in other countries not to make this illegal and dangerous journey through the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages,' the Coast Guard said in a statement Tuesday. 'Their vessels will be stopped and they will be sent home.'

The boat was the second that the Coast Guard encountered in less than a week with Haitian migrants fleeing the island nation that for decades has been stricken by poverty and lately engulfed by violence following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

U.S. Coast Guard rescued 132 migrants from Haiti after intercepting a Florida-bound vessel (pictured) on Sunday in the Bahamas. The maritime military branch has interdicted 3,412 migrants from the Caribbean island nation since October 1, 2021

At least 109 Haitians were removed from the vessel they were crammed into after it was intercepted 35 miles east of Punta Maisi, Cuba, on April 11.

The group was transferred from the unsafe boat to the Coast Guard Cutter Decisive and repatriated to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, on Friday.

The Coast Guard had also rescued 88 Haitian migrants from a sailing boat that was sinking about 18 miles off the coast of Sagua La Grande Cuba on April 5. All of the individuals were expelled to Haiti on April 10.

The U.S. Coast Guard has seen a dramatic spike in Haitian migrants attempting to reach the United States via the seas, reporting 3,412 migrants interdictions since October 1, 2021 - the beginning of fiscal year 2022. In comparison, 1,527 encounters were registered in fiscal year 2021

A U.S. Coast Guard boat approaches an overloaded vessel with 67 Haitian migrants near Anguilla Cay, Bahamas, on April 11

Data from the maritime military branch shows that Coast Guard crews have encountered 3,412 migrants from Haiti since October 1, 2021  the beginning of fiscal year 2022.

The totals eclipse the Coast Guard's 1,527 interdictions of Haitian migrants in fiscal year 2021 combined with 418 in fiscal year 2020 and 932 in fiscal year 2019.

'Taking to the seas is always risky,' Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer, Lt. Cmdr. Jason Neiman, recently said. 'There are inherent risks in attempting to make the voyage to the United States in these grossly overloaded vessels in treacherous waters.'
The boss of the collapsed energy firm Bulb is still being paid his 250,000 a year salary despite the company being bailed out by the government when it went bust.

Hayden Wood, who set up the company, was asked by administrators to stay on in his role as chief executive after it failed in November, and continues to receive nearly 21,000 a month.

Bulb was bailed out by the Government last year and ministers set aside 1.7 billion to cover the normal running of the firm until a buyer could be found. The government had hoped the business would have been purchased by the end of the tax year in April 2022.

When quizzed by MPs on the future of the company, Mr Wood refused to say whether a buyer was imminent. It is unlikely the firm will be purchased by a private buyer, meaning taxpayers will levy the bill over the next few years.

Speaking to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, Mr Wood said: 'I don't think it responsible for me to share details of an active sales process that is ongoing right now in a public forum.'

Mr Wood said he is still receiving his salary, but has never been able to get a bonus from Bulb and had put all his personal savings into the company. He told MPs he was 'very sorry' the company collapsed under rising wholesale gas prices.

Bulb, which promised to make 'energy simpler, cheaper, greener', had around 1.6 million customers on its books when it collapsed last year.

Hayden Wood, the chief executive of energy firm Bulb, is still being paid his 250,000 a year salary despite the company being bailed out by the government when it went bust

Mr Wood said: 'The energy crisis of last year was, I think everyone agrees, unprecedented and unfortunately led to the company failing.

'Up until the autumn of last year we had been running those models, we had not seen a significant risk.

'With the benefit of hindsight what we would have done is begin fundraising conversations sooner.' This would have let his company hedge for customer use.

He added: 'I am very sorry for the way things turned out with Bulb.

'I think I and we at Bulb should take responsibility for how the business failed.'

Mr Wood said he and the administrators were doing everything they could to complete the sale of the business to 'minimise the cost to taxpayers' who are paying his salary and also to 'minimise the disruption to consumers'.

In September, the chief executive tweeted his agreement with a statement that said while there were real issues in the energy industry, the idea of a 'crisis' was being pumped up by the former Big Six energy suppliers.

When Bulb collapsed it had around 1.6 million customers on its books, meaning it was too big for the Government to allow it to go through the normal process that suppliers enter when they fail.

Taxpayer cash has been used to prop-up the firm with the company continuing to supply its customers and protecting their credit balances.

When Bulb Energy (pictured) collapsed in November 2021 it had around 1.6 million customers on its books

Avro Energy, with 580,000 customers, was the largest supplier to fail which went through the normal process.

Its chief executive, Jake Brown, said the business paid a 250,000-a-month fee to a management company that he part-owns, and that was how Avro paid for his services and the work of six other senior managers.

However he admitted that he did not run Avro on a full-time basis, but worked for a number of firms through the management company.

When quizzed by MPs, Mr Brown repeatedly declined to name the other managers that worked for Avro, and gave little detail on their past experience before working for the company.

He eventually said that his father had been financial director, working for Avro through the management company that they owned together.

He said the business had not hedged as much as it could have because bosses believed the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia would come online and push down prices.

That would have left Avro with large costs if it had bought energy in advance.

The pipeline was completed in September last year, the same month that Avro collapsed, but has not yet come online due to the Russian war in Ukraine.
Fears continue to grow for a missing Mexican teenager snapped by the side of a deserted road moments before she vanished - as it was revealed a driver arrested in connection with the disappearance has been freed without charge.

Debanhi Escobar mysteriously disappeared after partying with two girl friends in the Nuevo Leon city of Escobedo on April 8.

She has not been seen or heard from since the early morning of April 9 when the driver, identified as 47-year-old Jesus, stopped his vehicle after she told him she wanted to get out following an alleged argument.

The Nuevo Leon State Office of the Attorney General confirmed to DailyMail.com that investigators didn't find any clues into the whereabouts of Escobar while canvassing the grounds at a truck yard she was seen close to, named Transportes Internacionales Alcosa.

Sniffer dogs have also failed to yield any leads.

'They have provided videos and testimonials from employees, who say they have not seen it,' a spokesperson said Tuesday. 'There is no video or testimonial evidence indicating that Debanhi entered the company, rather he passed through the exterior sidewalk on the public road.'

In addition, the Nuevo Leon State Office of the Attorney General spokesperson confirmed that a suspect named only as Jesus, who was taking into custody for drug possession last week, has been ruled out as a suspect into the teenager's disappearance.

Jesus is the man who took the photo of Escobar by the side of the road.

Debanhi Escobar was photographed by a ride share app driver identified as 47-year-old Jesus Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on April 9 after he abandoned her on the side of a road after an argument

Mexican authorities searched the premises of the trucking company on Monday. Debanhi Escobar was spotted by a camera standing near its entrance

Jesus, a 47-year-old ride share app driver in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, was taken into custody last Tuesday and questioned over the disappearance of Debanhi Escobar, an 18-year-old who he was driving home April 9 before he abandoned her on a road and took a photo of her that was sent to two of her friends, including one who had reached out to him so that he could drive her home. He has been ruled out as a suspects, according to Mexican authorities

Authorities in Mexico are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Debanhi Escobar's whereabouts

The missing girl's father, Mario Escobar, told Mexican news station Telediario Monterrey over the weekend that investigators with attorney general's office have recovered video footage from at least 15 cameras and that additional videos are still awaiting to be analyzed in hopes of tracking down her whereabouts.

'If you see this video, I want to tell you that we are not going to rest while coming for you,' he said. 'We will rescue you wherever you are.'

Debanhi Escobar attended a party at a local bar with her two friends - whose names have not been released - and had an argument with one of the girls.

One of them reached out to Jesus to drop off Escobar at her residence

During the course of the ride, a discussion ensued between Jesus, who was known and trusted by the girls, and Escobar.

Jesus, whose rideshare app was turned off during the trip, left Escobar stranded on the side of the highway that leads to the Tamaulipas border town of Nuevo Laredo and took a picture of her which he sent to her friends around 5am on April 9.

In the cryptic photo, Escobar is wearing a crop top and a pant, and has her back turned away from Jesus while looking down the road.

Debanhi Escobar went out to party with two girl friends April 8 in Escobedo, Mexico, before she was reported missing after failing to return home

Debanhi Escobar is said to have gotten into an argument with her two girl friends during a night of partying April 8 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. One of them contacted a ride share app driver identified as Jesus, who was off duty, to driver Escobar home. However, a heated discussion ensued during the ride to her home and she was abandoned on the side of a road. A security camera later captured the moment she entered a trucking company site, but she was never seen exiting it

Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia and state security chief Aldo Fasci told the distraught father that authorities in the states of Baja California, Durango, Coahuila and Tamaulipas have joined in on the search for his daughter.

Coahuila Governor Miguel Riquelme said Monday that investigators have not found any signs that would point to Escobar being in the neighboring state.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for information that will help authorities locate Debanhi Escobar.
More than 200 migrants are believed to have reached Britain by small boat today - meaning the total for April may have surpassed 2,000.

While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is yet to release the official figures for April 19, it is believed that at least 200 people battled windy conditions in the Channel to make the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Strait.

The first migrants arrived in the early hours of the morning - with around 30 people reaching the Dover Harbour, Kent, in a dinghy, around 4.30am.

A second dinghy carrying approximately 50 migrants - including several small children and babies - was intercepted by UK officials shortly before 9am.

Among them were at least three babies and a young child, who could be seen wrapped in warm coats and cradled by adults as they were brought to shore on board Border Force cutter Valiant.

More than 200 migrants are believed to have reached Britain by small boat today - meaning the total for April may have surpassed 2,000

A young child amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent today

Members of the Border Force escorted migrants back to Dover after they were picked up in the English Channel this morning

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel today

A record 28,395 migrants reached the UK illegally last year by taking small boats across the Channel, a 200 per cent increase on 2020's tally

Priti Patel defends plan to send thousands of migrants to Rwanda Priti Patel has faced down critics of the Government's Rwanda migrant removal scheme today as a backlash against the 120m scheme continued. The Home Secretary this afternoon told MPs that action was needed due to the exploitation of migrants by people smuggling gangs operating in the Channel. 'Access to the UK's asylum system should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers,' Ms Patel told the House of Commons in a statement. 'Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK on illegal and dangerous routes.' Ms Patel dismissed claims that Home Office officials had failed to back her plans or ruled the scheme did not represent value for money. She declared that ministers were required to take 'tough decisions in the interests of our country' and that the 'global migration crisis' required 'innovative and international solutions'. The 120million, five-year programme to send thousands of illegal economic migrants who arrive in the UK to the east African nation was announced last week. It has faced strong pushback from civil and religious leaders. Advertisement

Border Force vessel Typhoon escorted a third group to shore just after midday, while Navy ship HMS Tyne could be seen retrieving dinghies from the Channel around 2.30pm.

According to official data released by the Home Office and the MoD, 6,430 people have made the treacherous journey in 197 boats so far this year.

April alone has seen 1,880 migrants reach British soil by small boat.

Today's arrivals could push the total figure for the month to over 2,000.

This comes after the Easter bank holiday weekend saw more than 500 migrants arrive in the UK - despite Navy vessels patrolling the waters.

According to official figures released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), 181 people were intercepted on Good Friday, while 255 reached British soil in seven boats on Saturday.

Easter Sunday saw 76 people arrive at Dover Harbour, and on Monday 88 people were escorted to shore by UK officials.

A total of 28,526 migrants crossed the Channel in 2021 - significantly higher than the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

But migrant crossings are expected to dwindle this week as temperatures cool and wind speeds increase.

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, has said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough.

'Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we're cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'

While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is yet to release the official figures for April 19, it is believed that at least 200 people battled windy conditions in the Channel to make the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Strait

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Tyne with her support vessel on patrol in the Channel off the coast of Dover, Kent, today as small boat incidents involving people thought to be migrants continue

According to official data released by the Home Office and the MoD, 6,430 people have made the treacherous journey in 197 boats so far this year (pictured: Dover, Kent today)

Easter Sunday saw 76 people arrive at Dover Harbour, and on Monday 88 people were escorted to shore by UK officials (pictured: Dover today)

Border Force vessel Typhoon escorted a third group to shore just after midday, while Navy ship HMS Tyne could be seen retrieving dinghies from the Channel around 2.30pm

Theresa May and Tory backbenchers line up to savage Priti Patel's 120m scheme to send Channel migrants to Rwanda - as Home Secretary defends 'innovative' plan to break 'evil' people smuggling gangs

Former PM Theresa May questions whether the plan is legal or whether it will work

She suggests the 120m scheme will increase trafficking of women and children

But Home Secretary Priti Patel defends the 'innovative' plans in the Commons

She says action is needed to end the exploitation of migrants by smuggling gangs

ByDavid Wilcock, Deputy Political Editorand Greg Heffer, Political Correspondent For Mailonline

Former Prime Minister Theresa May today lambasted the Government's Rwanda migrant removal plans as she questioned whether the 120m scheme was legal.

The ex-premier, who before entering Downing Street was the longest-serving home secretary of modern times, led a House of Commons backlash against the policy.

Taking her successor Priti Patel to task, Mrs May told MPs: 'From what I have heard and seen so far of this policy, I do not support the removal to Rwanda policy on the grounds of legality, practical and efficacy.'

The former Tory leader also quizzed Ms Patel on whether only young men would be subject to removal from Britain to Rwanda.

She asked: 'I understand that those who will be removed will only be young men... but if it is the case that families will not be broken up... does she not believe, and where is her evidence, that this will not simply lead in an increase in the trafficking of women and children?'

In response, Ms Patel stressed the Rwanda plan 'is legal' but declined to comment on who or who wouldn't be eligible for removal from the UK.

She said Mrs May 'would know very well that it's that type of criteria that is used by the smuggling gangs to then effectively exploit various loopholes'.

Ex-PM Theresa May told MPs she did not support the Rwanda plan 'on the grounds of legality, practical and efficacy'

Home Secretary Priti Patel told MPs that 'innnovative' action was needed due to the profiteering of 'evil' people traffickers operating in the Channel

Mrs May's fellow former Cabinet minister, Andrew Mitchell, also questioned whether Ms Patel's plan would prove effective.

He said the Home Secretary deserved 'great personal credit' for seeking to tackle the migration crisis in the Channel.

But Mr Mitchell added: 'Will she accept that many of us have grave concerns that the policy she has announced simply will not work?'

The Home Secretary had earlier told MPs that 'innnovative' action was needed due to the profiteering of 'evil' people traffickers operating in the Channel.

'Access to the UK's asylum system should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers,' Ms Patel told the House of Commons in a statement.

'Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK on illegal and dangerous routes.'

Ms Patel dismissed claims that Home Office officials had failed to back her plans or ruled the scheme did not represent value for money.

She declared that ministers were required to take 'tough decisions in the interests of our country' and that the 'global migration crisis' required 'innovative and international solutions'.

The 120million, five-year programme to send thousands of illegal economic migrants who arrive in the UK to the east African nation was announced last week.

It has faced strong pushback from civil and religious leaders, and today Boris Johnson was castigated by a hardline Brexiteer today for using the EU split to justify it.

Unveiling the agreement with Kigali last week, Mr Johnson invoked the referendum pledge of 'taking back control' of the UK's borders, saying it was an 'innovative approach made possible by Brexit freedoms'.

But writing in the Times today, former Brexit minister David Davis said 'we are better than this', adding: 'The plan is fraught with practical problems, beset by moral dilemmas and hamstrung by extortionate costs.

'And outsourcing our international obligations are certainly not the freedoms that Brexit was about winning.'

He said that while it was 'laudable' to try to cut down on cross-Channel migrants, 'there is little evidence that outsourcing our obligations under the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees is going to break the people smugglers' business model'.

It came as the Church of England opposition to the plan grew with Priti Patel's local bishop joining the chorus of disapproval.

After church leaders including the Archbishops of Canterbury and York became embroiled in a row with ministers at the weekend, The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said it was 'cruel and inhumane'.

Dr Francis-Dehqani, who arrived in the UK as a refugee from Iran in the 1970s, said: 'Those who find their way to this country, often through treacherous means, deserve to have their cases considered and processed here.'

Former Brexit minister David Davis attacked the 120m scheme to send those arriving illegally in Britain to the African nation, saying 'we are better than this'.

Writing in the Times today, Mr David, who has become a backbench critic of Mr Johnson, said: 'The plan is fraught with practical problems, beset by moral dilemmas and hamstrung by extortionate costs.

Unveiling the five-year agreement with Kigali last week, Mr Johnson invoked the referendum pledge of 'taking back control' of the UK's borders, saying it was an 'innovative approach made possible by Brexit freedoms'.

Migrants travelling to the UK on small boats will be put on jets and sent to Rwanda while their applications are processed. Pictured: A map detailing the plan proposed by the Prime Minister

Former immigration minister Brandon Lewis defended the Rwanda immigration plan as the 'humanitarian thing to do'.

The Northern Ireland Secretary told BBC Breakfast this morning: 'I've been immigration minister, this is a really difficult area.

'There are horrible scenes and stories of what these people smugglers put these people through.

'We've got to break this business model and doing something like this with Rwanda, which has such a strong track record, is right for the people of the UK, who can be rightly proud of our humanitarian support because this is a humanitarian thing to do.

'It is ensuring that we are deterring people from taking a treacherous as well as illegal journey to the UK.'

Asked about civil servants reportedly having raised objections to the scheme over its possible cost, Mr Lewis said: 'I do think it will work.'

Former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams yesterday became the latest high-profile ecclesiastical leader to attack the 120million programme that would see economic migrants arriving in the Uk illegally sent to Africa.

He joined his successor and the incumbent Archbishop Justin Welby, and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell in questioning the morality of the plan, labelling it 'sinful'.

However ministers have hit back at the church leaders, accusing them of throwing criticism without suggesting a viable alternative to halt the small boats carrying thousands of people across the Straits of Dover.

Dr Williams was today asked about the scheme in a Times Radio interview. 'Is the policy sinful? I think, in a word, yes,' he told the broadcaster.

'I think that without commenting on the motivation, or moral standing, of any individual involved, the policy itself seems to me to be not in accord with, with what I understand about God.'

Archbishop Justin yesterday used his Easter Sunday sermon to launch a scathing criticism of Home Secretary Priti Patel's deal, signed in Kigali last week.

On Sunday morning, the Archbishop told his Canterbury congregation that the UK has a duty as a 'Christian country' to not 'sub-contract our responsibilities' after anyone who arrived in Britain illegally since January 1 could be relocated to Rwanda under a new deal.

But it sparked a hardline response from Ms Patel and other ministers, who invited him to come up with with a better idea or stop carping from the sidelines. Ms Patel resurrected the row on Easter Monday, using an opinion piece in the Times to attack her critics.

Dr Williams was today asked about the scheme in a Times Radio interview. 'Is the policy sinful? I think, in a word, yes,' he told the broadcaster.

The Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured today) blasted the government's Rwanda plan for asylum seekers as the 'opposite of the nature of God'

Without naming the head of the Church of England in a joint article with Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta, she wrote: 'We are taking bold and innovative steps and it's surprising that those institutions that criticise the plans fail to offer their own solutions.'

Minister Greg Hands was even more direct on a round of interviews today. Asked about Welby's intervention he told Sky News: ''I think what others, the critics of this plan, need to do is to show what their solution would be.'

The Government has said the 120million, five-year plan would help to break people-smuggling networks and stem the flow of migrants across the Channel, which has faced immediate and heavy criticism from politicians and charities.

It would see economic migrants who arrive in the Uk illegally handed a one-way ticket to Rwanda to start a new life there .

Mr Welby said the 'serious' ethical questions' over sending asylum seekers abroad cannot 'stand the judgment of god'.
Patients no longer have to socially distance when in hospitals, according to fresh guidance that scraps the virus-controlling measure in a bid to free up capacity to tackle the record waiting list.

NHS trusts across England have now been told to 'return to pre-pandemic physical distancing in all areas'.

The move means NHS medics, patients and visitors will no longer have to stay apart in GP surgeries, emergency departments and ambulances.

However, people should still wear face masks when in hospital settings and continue to practice good hand hygiene, according to the guidance. Health workers are still told to test themselves twice a week using lateral flow tests if they work in a patient-facing role.

The move takes into account the 'ongoing impact' social distancing is having on NHS capacity, bosses said.

The health service has admitted the measure gave it fewer beds to perform elective surgery, having a knock-on effect on its ability to sort the backlog, which has soared to a record 6.2million because of Covid.

But it has also warned that stepping down infection control measures risks infecting both patients and staff.

NHS trusts across England have been told to 'return to pre-pandemic physical distancing in all areas'. Pictured: NHS hospital ward

In a letter sent to trusts on Thursday, hospitals were told to return to 'pre-pandemic physical distancing in all areas', including GP surgeries, emergency departments and ambulances.

The guidance also told NHS leaders to return to normal cleaning protocols in Covid-free areas.

More thorough cleaning is only needed in areas housing patients with a suspected or confirmed infection.

Virus patients can be released from segregated wards after a week, if they produce two negative lateral flow tests on days six and seven.

However, if one or both are positive, they should not be re-tested and complete 10 days, the document sets out.

Meanwhile, any inpatient who comes into contact with an infected person no longer have to isolate if they have no symptoms.

The graph shows the NHS England waiting list for routine surgery, such as hip and knee operations (red line), hit a record high 6.18million in February. The figure is 46 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels and 1.3 per cent more than in January. Official figures also revealed that the number of patients forced to wait more than two years (yellow bars) stood at 23,281 in February, which is 497 patients (two per cent) less than one month earlier

Just 4,405 beds  or 4.8 per cent of England's entire capacity  were unoccupied as of April 12, according to NHS England data

NHS beds crisis as vacancy level hits LOWEST since Covid pandemic began NHS hospitals now have fewer spare beds than at any point of the Covid pandemic, according to an analysis. Just 4,405 beds  or 4.8 per cent of England's entire capacity  were unoccupied as of April 12. Experts today warned the 'unsustainable pressure' would have a knock-on effect on attempts to tackle the millions of patients waiting for care. Data shows 14,000 beds are occupied by Covid-infected patients, even though half aren't actually unwell with the virus itself and have incidentally tested positive while being treated for other reasons, such as a broken leg. Health chiefs have already called for the return of face masks and social distancing to relieve overwhelmed wards, who are also being hit by staff absences. Another 20,000 beds are being taken up by 'bed-blockers'  medically fit patients who have nowhere to be discharged to. Advertisement

NHS England chief operating officer Sir David Sloman, national medical director Professor Stephen Powis and deputy chief nursing officer Duncan Burton, who sent the letter, urged NHS leaders to implement these steps 'as soon as possible'.

The changes 'signal a transition back to pre-pandemic infection prevention and control measures', they said.

But they urged all patients, visitors and staff to keep wearing masks and practice 'good hand and respiratory hygiene'.

The guidance sets out a 'way forward on a number of areas where guidance has evolved throughout the pandemic' and adapts the way the NHS operates with Covid 'in general circulation and with the virus likely to remain endemic for some time to come'.

It takes into account the latest scientific evidence and feedback from local leaders on 'the ongoing impact on capacity the infection prevention measures are having'.

It comes as Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting today accused No10 of 'failing to fix social care' which is putting 'huge pressure on the NHS'.

Mr Streeting said: 'The fact is that the Government's failure to fix the social care crisis is causing huge pressures on the NHS.'

Health service bosses said last week that more than 20,000 patients who were fit to leave could not be discharged due to a lack of social care services.

Mr Streeting also blamed the Tories for 22,000 people in England waiting more than 12 hours in A&E in February and heart attack and stroke victims having to wait over an hour for an ambulance.

'We don't just have a winter crisis, we have a permanent crisis in the NHS,' he added.

However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said social care pressures are 'because of the pandemic'.

He also pointed to infection protection controls and staff absences for problems in social care but said the NHS is 'stepping forward to provide whatever support they can bring'.
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Ukrainian troops have filmed Call of Duty-style footage showing them blowing up a Russian armoured vehicle with an anti-tank guided missile in the besieged city of Mariupol after the soldiers refused Moscow's ultimatum to lay down their arms.

Video shows a Ukrainian soldier from the Azov Battalion firing the missile at the Russian military vehicle and landing a direct hit, sending a black plume of smoke into the air.

The soldier, whose comrade across the street can be seen holding a grenade launcher, quickly retreats inside a building in Mariupol and can be heard shouting 'yes' after the successful hit.

The Azov Battalion posted the footage after Russia told Ukrainian troops who have been holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to lay down their arms within two hours if they wanted to live.

The Russian defence ministry called on the troops to withdraw from the steel plant between 1400 and 1600 Moscow time (1100 and 1300 GMT) 'without exception, without any weapons and without ammunition'.

'All who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive,' the defence ministry added.

But the Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks defied Moscow's demands as the video showed their continued resistance.

Kyiv today said Russia's new offensive in eastern Ukraine will fail because Moscow's forces lack the strength to break through Ukrainian defences.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Sea of Azov.

Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the fiercest fighting and most comprehensive destruction since Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.

The defiant move by Ukrainian troops comes after Russia claimed it had hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery as Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian troops have filmed Call of Duty-style footage showing them blowing up a Russian armoured vehicle (centre) with an anti-tank guided missile in the besieged city of Mariupol after the soldiers refused Moscow's ultimatum to lay down their arms

Video shows a Ukrainian soldier from the Azov Battalion firing the missile at the Russian military vehicle and landing a direct hit, sending a black plume of smoke into the air

Russia today issued a new ultimatum for Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters holed up in the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol to lay down their arms within two hours if they wanted to live. Pictured: Smoke rises above the steelworks in Mariupol

Russia unleashed a barrage of artillery fire on eastern Ukraine overnight as its offensive in the east got underway, with troops seizing the village of Kreminna. But Ukraine has also launched counter-attacks east of Kharkiv and near Izyum to cut Russian supply lines

A damaged Russian tank is seen near a road in Zalisia village not far from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday after Russian troops retreated from the area

Ukrainian Interior ministry sappers collect explosives in a hole to detonate them near a mine field in the village of Moshchun, close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Russian troops managed to take control of the eastern city of Kreminna after hours of relentless bombing, as gunfights between Putin's men and battling Ukrainian forces continue.

'Control over the city of Kreminna is lost, street fights are taking place,' Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had begun 'the battle for the Donbas'.

Downing Street has been warned that the battle could take 'months', with Boris Johnson telling a Cabinet meeting today that Ukraine's situation is 'perilous' with Putin intent on victory 'regardless of the human cost.'

Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday 'high-precision air-based missiles' had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas region, including the city of Slavyansk, whilst airstrikes had hit 60 military targets.

Overall, Russia claimed it had struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet had been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region.

The aftermath of last night's Russian bombing of the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine on Tuesday

Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery and street battles have broken out as Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Pictured: The aftermath of Russian bombing in Mykolaiv on Tuesday

Pictured: A damaged kindergarten in Zalisia village not far from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, at an unknown location in Eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Interior ministry sappers defuse mines on a mine field after recent battles with Russian troops in Irpin on Tuesday

Gravediggers fill up the grave during a funeral a man, who died during the shelling by Russian troops, at a cemetery in Irpin on Tuesday

Ukrainian authorities said on Monday that no fewer than 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal plant in Mariupol, adding that Russia was dropping heavy bombs onto the Ukrainian-held factory in the besieged city.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's Chechnya region and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Russian forces would on Tuesday completely take over the Azovstal steel works.

'Today, with the help of the Almighty, we will... take over Azovstal completely', Kadyrov said in an audio message on his Telegram channel.

In the eastern city of Kreminna, the regional governor said Russian troops took control there after 'levelling everything to the ground'. He said Ukrainian troops had retreated to regroup and keep on fighting, as he warned the evacuation of civilians from the city is impossible.

'It simply makes no sense to stand in one place, to die for everyone, without causing significant damage to the enemy,' Governor Haidi said.

A part of damaged Russian tank lies on a road not far from the small city of Brovary near Kyiv on Tuesday

Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery in Ukraine. Pictured: Parts of Russian missiles have fallen on the zoo in Mykolaiv

Parts of Russian missiles have fallen on the zoo in Mykolaiv on Tuesday following Russian shelling

A Ukrainian serviceman walks along a road while his comrades sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Meanwhile an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today said Russia's new offensive in eastern Ukraine is going 'very cautiously' and will fail because Moscow's forces lack the strength to break through Ukrainian defences.

Presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said Russian forces were trying to find 'sensitive spots' in Ukraine's defences but added: 'Their offensive will fail - I give you a 99% guarantee - they simply do not have enough strength.'

'The battle for Donbas, which was announced and apparently began yesterday, is under way and is going very cautiously. The battle will not go in Russia's favour,' he said on national television.

Russian forces have stepped up their all-out assault on the Donbas region, as cities and towns in eastern Ukraine were rocked by fresh explosions last night.

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, along with other regions of Ukraine's eastern flank, in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday dubbed 'The Battle of the Donbas'.

Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels reported a series of explosions along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk throughout the evening.

Local officials and media also said explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.

Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Tuesday that five civilians were killed and 17 wounded by Russian shelling.

'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said in his daily presidential address last night.

'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'

The coming battle is viewed as pivotal to deciding the ultimate fate of Ukraine - and perhaps of Russia as well.

Russia retreated from Kyiv more than two weeks ago after failing to seize the capital, and has spent the days since massing forces in the east in an attempt to restart its failed invasion and score its first major battlefield victory.

Most troops are gathered at Izyum, a city spanning the Donets River some 70 miles to the south of Kharkiv, for an expected push south towards Mariupol.

If Mariupol falls to Russian forces - which is expected to take place in the coming weeks - these troops are likely to begin pushing north to join up with the Izyum force in a pincer movement.

The aim is to surround Ukrainian soldiers dug into trenches along the old Donbas frontline, where they have been fighting Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014.

If the Russians can pull off the manoeuvre, then those troops - known as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) and thought to comprise a large portion of the Ukrainian army - will be cut off from supplies and vulnerable to surrender.

Should Russia succeed in surrounding and forcing the surrender of JFO troops, then it would provide a huge propaganda boost to the Kremlin and one of its stated war aims - the 'liberation' of Donbas from Ukrainian control.

Depending on how many troops Russia loses in the process, the victory could also prompt Putin to reposition his forces for fresh attacks against Ukrainian cities to the west - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and possibly Odesa and Kyiv.

Such a move would drag the war out for many months - possibly years - and put the survival of Ukraine as a sovereign state under threat.

But if Ukraine emerges victorious, it would deal a hammer blow to Russia's invasion plans and deny Putin any conceivable path to victory.

A Ukrainian serviceman rides atop an armoured fighting vehicle in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Burned vehicles are seen at the destroyed part of the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol on Monday

An interior ministry sapper defuses a mine on a mine field after recent battles in Irpin close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

A man looks at cars destroyed amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, after they were collected from different places, in Irpin on Tuesday

A damaged Russian tank is seen near a road in Zalisia village not far from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Volunteers distribute humanitarian aid to locals in Zalisia village near Kyiv on Tuesday

A woman walks next to a damaged building after a Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

As happened with the stalled offensive around Kyiv, defeat for Russia would leave its occupying forces vulnerable to Ukrainian counter-attacks and could prompt a retreat back into rebel-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, and into Crimea.

Depending on how many troops Ukraine has left after the battle, it could also open up the possibility of attacks into those previously-occupied regions with the aim of returning them to Ukrainian control - which Zelensky has stated as one of his aims.

Such a catastrophic loss would be difficult even for Putin's regime to explain to the Russian people, and it is open to debate whether he could survive the backlash.

Meanwhile Ukraine's lead negotiator said it was hard to predict when peace talks might resume because of Russia's bombardment of Mariupol.

Kyiv and Moscow have not held face-to-face talks since March 29, and the atmosphere has soured over Ukrainian allegations that Russian troops carried out atrocities in Bucha, a town near Kyiv.

Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukraine's top negotiator, said the continuing siege of Mariupol and the repeated failure of attempts to arrange safe corridors for the evacuation of trapped Ukrainian civilians had also complicated matters.

'Obviously, against the backdrop of the Mariupol tragedy, the negotiation process has become even more complicated,' he said.

'Russia defiantly renounces any manifestations of humanity and humanism when it comes to certain humanitarian corridors. Especially when we talk about Mariupol.'

Each side blames the other for the breakdown of peace talks and the failure of negotiations on safe corridors for civilians.

Podolyak said some contacts were continuing online to 'clean up' agreements reached on future guarantees for the security of Ukraine, ensuring they were compliant with international law.

'It is difficult to say when the next face-to-face round of negotiations will be possible because the Russians are seriously betting on (making gains in) the so-called 'second stage of the special operation',' he said.

Local authorities say more than 20,000 people have been killed in the siege of Mariupol, and Russia have given the last Ukrainian defenders holed up in a steel works an ultimatum to surrender or die. Podolyak said Russia wanted to crush the last fighters in Mariupol for 'internal propaganda' purposes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia's large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region had begun

A man walks near a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak called Russia's fresh assault 'the second phase of the war' and assured Ukrainians that their forces could hold off the offensive.

'Believe in our army, it is very strong,' he said.

Shortly before Zelensky's address, the regional governor of the eastern Luhansk region Sergiy Gaiday also announced the beginning of Russia's much-anticipated attack.

'It's hell. The offensive has begun, the one we've been talking about for weeks. There's constant fighting in Rubizhne and Popasna, fighting in other peaceful cities,' he said on Facebook.

Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine on Monday, according to local authorities.

Gaiday said four people died as they tried to flee the city of Kreminna in Luhansk, which Russian forces captured on Monday.

In the neighbouring region of Donetsk, regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said four other civilians died after Russian bombardment, while a man and a woman were also killed in Kharkiv when shells hit a playground near a residential building.

An aerial view shows a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 18, 2022

Local residents walk in a courtyard near a block of flats heavily damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 18, 2022.

Ukraine estimates that 21,000 people have been killed in Mariupol (residents gather in a Mariupol courtyard, April 18)

A Ukrainian commander alleged that Russian 'bunker buster' bombs, designed to penetrate thick armour and kill targets underground, are dropping despite the presence of a large civilian population in the Avostal steel factory (pictured)

The latest Russian rockets tipped the amount of damage dealt to Ukrainian infrastructure beyond $85bn, according to the Russia Will Pay campaign - a project developed by Kyiv's School of Economics in conjunction with the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of the Economy.

'In 54 days of full-scale war, Russia has damaged Ukraine's infrastructure by $85 billion,' the statement read.

'Over the past week, the direct losses of Ukraine's economy due to the destruction and damage of civilian and military infrastructure increased by $4.45 billion,' the project declared.

Ukraine's top security official, Oleksy Danilov, said Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defences 'along almost the entire front line of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions' on Monday morning, but were pushed back.

Meanwhile in Mariupol, the commander of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard, Denys Prokopenko, alleged Russian planes had began to deploy 'bunker busters' to kill the last Ukrainian fighters and civilians sheltering in a steel plant - the scene of the city's last stand against the invaders' onslaught.

Prokopenko said in a video message that the bombs, designed to penetrate thick armour and kill targets underground, are dropping despite the presence of a large civilian population in the Azovstal steel factory.

'Russian occupational forces know about the civilians, and they keep willingly firing on the factory,' he said.

Major Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraine's 36th marine brigade in Mariupol, appealed for help in a letter to Pope Francis, saying women and children were trapped among fighters in the city's steel works.

'This is what hell looks like on earth... It's time (for) help not just by prayers. Save our lives from satanic hands,' the letter said, according to excerpts tweeted by Ukraine's Vatican ambassador.

At least 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal steel plant, the city council said.

Ukraine estimates that 21,000 people have been killed in Mariupol.

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime.

Putin recognised the independence of two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donetsk and Lugansk shortly before the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24.

Russian troops move into Mariupol as they continue to try and take the city from Ukraine to free up forces for attacks in the Donbas

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks (Service members of pro-Russian troops drive an armoured vehicle during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime

Colonel Ivan Grishin, Commander of the 49th anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Russian Army's tactical air defence unit, is reported to have been killed in Ukraine

His army's assault on the Donbas regions comes as Ukraine's armed forces declared more than 20,000 Russian troops have died since the start of the invasion.

According to the latest figures, a total of 20,600 Russian servicemen have been confirmed dead by the Ukrainian authorities, while even the most conservative Western estimates, given at the start of the month, put the Russian death toll between 7,000-15,000.

As the war entered its 54th day yesterday, Ukrainian authorities also announced that Colonel Ivan Grishin, commander of Russia's 49th anti-aircraft missile brigade, was killed amid fighting near Kharkiv.

His death pushed the number of Russia's high-ranking military commanders to have died on the frontlines to 35.

In light of Russia's startling losses and their new assault on the Donbas, the head of the infamous Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries is believed to have made the trip to Ukraine to oversee his men's deployment in the east.

Members of the mercenary group were thought to have arrived in Ukraine as early as late March, but now there are fears that around 1,000 Wagner group fighters could be stationed there.

The group, which has been used by the Kremlin as a proxy in various armed conflicts around the world, carries a reputation for brutality and human rights abuses and goes by the motto: 'Death is our business and business is good'.

Now the group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin - a man known as 'Putin's Chef' - is now believed to be on the ground in the Donbas to oversee operations, though the wealthy friend of Putin is not a military veteran.

'Prigozhin, who has no military experience and is the financier and organiser of Wagner Group rather than its military commander, is likely in Donbas to co-ordinate recruitment and financing of Wagner Group operations rather than to command combat operations,' said the Institute for War Studies, an American think tank.

Meanwhile, the United States military is set to begin training Ukrainians to operate howitzer artillery in the coming days, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.

In light of Russia's startling losses and their new assault on the Donbas, the head of the infamous Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries is believed to have made the trip to Ukraine to oversee his men's deployment in the east. There are fears that around 1,000 Wagner group fighters could be stationed there

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. will begin training Ukrainian troops in how to use howitzer artillery in the coming days

The U.S. is sending 18 howitzers to Ukraine in its latest aid package. British troops are seen here using 55mm self-propelled howitzers in Saudi Arabia in 1991

President Joe Biden last week announced another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, sending heavy artillery systems to Ukraine for the first time as Zelensky's military gears up to defend the Donbas.

Kirby said the training would happen outside of Ukraine.

'I'm going to refrain right now from talking about who's going to be doing the training and exactly on what timeline,' he told reporters during a briefing.

'I think as we get closer to things, we may be able to talk a little bit more about it.

'But there is a plan now that we are beginning to execute and we think that that training can happen in the next several days.'

He said the plan was to train personnel who would then be able to take their knowledge home to then train soldiers in Ukraine.

Back in Kyiv, Zelensky met with European officials yesterday as he handed over Ukraine's answers to a questionnaire which will form a starting point for the European Union to decide on membership for Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed the questionnaire to Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv on April 8, pledging a speedier start to Ukraine's bid to become a member of the EU following Russia's invasion of the country.

In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky poses for a photo with Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, after submitted the two-volume set of Ukraine's answers to the European Union questionnaire on Ukraine joining the EU, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, April 18, 2022

Zelensky poses for a photo with Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, after handing over the questionnaire

'Today, I can say that the document has been completed by the Ukrainian side,' Zhovkva told the Ukrainian public broadcaster Sunday evening.

Zelensky was pictured handing over the questionnaire and speaking with members of the EU delegation on Monday.

The European Commission will need to issue a recommendation on Ukraine's compliance with the necessary membership criteria, Zhovkva added.

'We expect the recommendation... to be positive, and then the ball will be on the side of the EU member states.'

Zhovkva added that Ukraine expects to acquire the status of a candidate country for EU accession in June during a scheduled meeting of the European Council meeting.

The European Council is to meet June 23-24, according to the Council's schedule on its website.

'Next, we will need to start accession talks. And once we hold those talks, we can already talk about Ukraine's full membership in the EU,' Zhovkva said.
Newly signed Carolina Panthers linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested in Frisco, Texas last week after his ex-girlfriend accused him of threatening her life with a tire iron, it's been revealed.

Frisco Police Sargent Stephen Byrom told the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday that the 28-year-old Wilson faces a charge of assault with bodily injury of a family member.

His ex-girlfriend, Ryan Sokolosky, told the Dallas Morning News that after she broke up with Wilson over his alleged infidelity, he arrived at her apartment threatening to kill her with a tire iron. Furthermore, she claims he wrapped her laptop in a blanket and broke it, telling Sokolosky that it was actually her cat.

No animals were hurt during the incident, which allegedly took place on Friday.

He then tried and failed to run her over with his car, said Sokolosky, who gave the Morning News permission to use her name.

Through his attorney, Wilson has denied the allegations.

'Damien Wilson did not commit any type of assault,' attorney Toby Shook told the Morning News. 'We look forward to all the facts coming out so his name can be cleared.'

Newly signed Panthers linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested in Frisco, Texas last week after his ex-girlfriend accused him of threatening her life with a tire iron, it was been revealed

The couple began dating in March of 2020, the Morning News is reporting. They eventually broke up but got back together in February, during which time she said he was affectionate and caring, often sending hand-written letters and flowers.

However, on Friday, she said she caught him cheating on her with another woman and went to his home to retrieve her belongings, she told the Morning News.

She later returned to her apartment with a female friend to find that Wilson was there and had damaged her patio. Sokolosky and her friend took her dogs and went back to her car, but Wilson soon emerged with a tire iron, threatening to kill her.

Sokolosky said Wilson chased her friend back into the apartment, where he began choking her.

He then emerged holding a blanket wrapped around something that he claimed to be her cat and began slamming it to the ground. The contents of the blanket turned out to actually be her laptop and not her cat.

Wilson was previously arrested in Frisco, Texas on assault charges in 2017 when he allegedly backed his pickup truck into a woman and threatened a man with a rifle. Wilson admitted to having 'road rage,' but a grand jury declined to indict him

'I was screaming like I'm being skinned alive,' Sokolosky told the morning news.

Wilson then tried to run her over in his car before speeding off, Sokolosky said.

She has since been granted a protective order against Wilson.

'He thinks all of it's a joke because he's rich and thinks he's going to get out of everything,' she told the Morning News.

Wilson has just over $12 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac.com.

It is not yet known if Wilson has been bonded out of jail. The team is aware of Wilson's arrest but did not offer further comment when contacted by the Morning News.

Wilson was drafted out of the University of Minnesota by the Cowboys in 2015 and played four seasons for the Cowboys before winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the 2019 season. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season before signing a deal with the Panthers last month.

He was previously arrested in Texas on assault charges in 2017 when he allegedly backed his pickup truck into a woman and threatened a man with a rifle. Wilson admitted to having 'road rage,' but a grand jury declined to indict him.
A Wagamama restaurant is under Environmental Health investigation after a 'disgusted' customer discovered ingredients and food stored in a toilet.

Extraordinary footage of her find was posted on social media and widely shared, showing crates of meat, fruit and vegetables in the loos in the Winchester branch.

Last night Wagamama's said it had launched an investigation over the video, shot on Friday.

And the short film is understood to have attracted the attention of Winchester City Council and Environmental Health which is probing what had happened.

Harriet Betts was enjoying a meal out at the Japanese restaurant chain when she went to use the facilities.

She was shocked when, as a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis, she entered the disabled toilet to find huge stacks of food had been left in there.

The food was found in the disabled toilets of the Winchester branch of Wagamama on Friday

The footage captured the journey to the toilet and the food left all along the way in the branch

Ms Betts captured her shocking revelation by filming it on her phone, as she squeezed past boxes of food to get inside the loo at the restaurant in Winchester, Hants.

She raised food hygiene concerns as well as the crates blocking the path to the disabled toilet for wheelchair users.

In a post on Facebook, the Whiteley, Hants, resident said: 'This is bloody disgusting.

'There is the issue with cutting out the disabled toilet access.

'I think Environmental Health might disagree [that there was no issue].

'The team never spoke to me at all until I went back in and asked the manager on his opinion.

'I am myself disabled - I have Multiple Sclerosis and had need to have access to a disabled toilet.

The Winchester branch of Wagamama says it was an isolated incident and launched a probe

'I also have a lot of friends that are also in similar situations with disabilities. If you don't know how it feels to be an adult and not make it to the toilet please have a think about how humiliating that is.

'I didn't speak [or] shout at any member of staff... I went back and had a quiet word with the manager.

'I asked him very nicely what his thoughts are.

'Obviously had his response been different I would not have made this public.

'Winchester Environmental Health have been in touch with me.'

A Wagamama's spokesman said: 'An investigation has been launched after a supplier delivered food products during a busy lunchtime service and incorrectly left them in an accessible toilet.

'This was soon discovered and all the food was immediately disposed of. There is no suggestion that this is anything other than a regrettable isolated incident of human error but nevertheless will be thoroughly reviewed to discover how this happened.

'Winchester Wagamama has a five star food rating and prides itself on exceptionally high standards, food storage and preparation and would like to apologise for this incident.'
The number of black Americans murdered in 2020 jumped by 32 percent - with an expert blaming BLM protests for the huge spike by scaring-off cops.

Killings across racial demographic have swelled by 30 percent between 2019 and 2020, the largest increase since 1905, but blacks have borne the larger impact of that deadly trend, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime report.

In 2020, 9,941 African Americans met their death at the hand of another human being, compared to 7,484 the year before, an increase of 2,457 murders.

Murders of whites jumped 21 percent from 2019 to 2020, from 5,787 to 7,043.

And Hannah Meyer, from think-tank the Manhattan Institute, says widespread 'defund the police messaging' further worsened the murder rate among black people.

She believes that the widespread ideology - combined with real cuts to multiple police departments - prompted cops to withdraw from policing areas with high crime, where lives could have potentially been saved.

Meyer also said that the COVID pandemic could not be blamed for the spike, and attributed it directly to the crime wave that followed in the wake of Floyd's death.

In the year that the pandemic began 7,043 white people were murdered, but black deaths still outpaced white deaths by nearly 3000 that year.

Considering whites make up 76 percent of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census bureau, compared to the 13 percent black population, the trend is even more troubling.

Broken down over the 50 states, the data shows that those areas with the lowest black populations, like Montana and South Dakota, saw the number of murders climb more than 80 percent, according to FBI stats.

Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and California murder rates all jumped at least 36 percent between 2019 and 2020. New York homicides jumped 47 percent.

This trend has been consistent over the years. In the 10-year period between 2010 and 2019, there were 5,954 whites killed each year on average, 16 percent fewer than the number of black victims.

There were an average of 6,927 black Americans were killed each year during that decade, roughly a thousand more blacks each year. In total, about 43 percent more blacks were killed than whites over that 10-year time span.

Protesters lit buildings on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin after the police involved shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020

George Floyd was seen in a video pleading that he couldn't breathe as white officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for nine and a half minutes

Hannah Meyer, the director of policing and public safety at the conservative Manhattan Institute, who worked in the NYPD's Intelligence Bureau for five years, believes that the bloody trend was spurred on by the Black Lives Matter protests that began after the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 and Freddy Grey in Baltimore, Maryland at the hands of police.

But the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Officer Derek Chauvin, accelerated the problem, she said.

'Certainly, the protests and riots mid-2020 followed a pattern of spiking violence that we've seen following past viral police incidents, such as the deaths of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray,' Meyer told Fox News. 'This pattern has been termed the 'Ferguson Effect': police pull back while violent crime spikes precipitously.'

The term 'Ferguson Effect' was coined by St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson and has come to refer to law enforcement taking a less aggressive approach to policing, especially in minority communities after police-involved fatalities.

A grand jury declined to charge Wilson after he shot Brown (pictured) on August 9, 2014. Civil rights leaders and Brown's mother had hoped that Bell, St Louis County's first black prosecutor, would reopen the case after he took office in January 2019

The shooting happened after Wilson (pictured) told Brown and a friend to get out of the street as they walked down the middle of Canfield Drive on a Sunday afternoon. A scuffle between Wilson and Brown ensued, ending with the fatal shot. Wilson said Brown came at him menacingly, forcing him to fire his gun in self-defense

Meyer also blamed criminal justice reforms, like the kind that have taken place in New York, Pennsylvania and California for the increase in violent deaths.

'In NY, statewide changes to the bail laws that went into effect in 2020 prevented judges from holding a huge range of defendants in jail pre-trial and effectively prevented judges from considering dangerousness in the decision to set bail. The rate of felony among defendants out of jail pre-trial who prior to 'bail reform' has been estimated at 43 percent. That is a significant number,' she told Fox News.

Meyer's Manhattan Institute colleague, Heather MacDonald, believes that the authority of the law has been undermined by the revelations of excessive force.

'George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police in late May was justly condemned,' MacDonald told Fox. 'But the event has now spurred an outpouring of contempt against the pillars of law and order that has no precedent in American history.'

Are alternative theories circulating around think tanks and in criminal justice research circles pins the blame for the increased violence on the pandemic and the economic imbalance in the US and the increase in gun sales.

Crime in Baltimore surged after Freddy Gray, pictured, died while in police custody in 2015. Six officers were charged, but later cleared, with their treatment sparking anger by anti-brutality campaigners and police unions

The FBI named Baltimore as one of the most dangerous cities in the country, with a murder rate of 58.3 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 5 murders per 100,000, according to the latest FBI data released in September 2020

'I'm not surprised at all that we had an increase in crime,' Georgia State University criminology professor Volkan Topalli told Politico last year. 'Criminologists and public health people were saying that that was going to be the case as soon as they heard about the pandemic.'

A University of California survey found that 110,000 state residents purchased guns in 2020, 95,000 more than the year before.

'These are particularly high-stress times,' Professor Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz, who lead the gun study, said. 'When you add a firearm into those situations it adds particularly fatal risk.'
A Russian banking millionaire under western sanctions has come out and criticised the war in Ukraine in an attack on Putin rarely seen in Russias financial circles.

Oleg Tinkov, 52, who owns a Russian bank along with the worlds first private ice-breaking super yacht, was sanctioned after Putin gave the order to invade Ukraine.

He took to Instagram on Tuesday to call the war crazy.

He wrote on his Instagram account in Russian that the generals in the Russian army are waking up with a hangover and releasing they had a sh*tty army.

And how will the army be good, if everything else in the country is sh*t and mired in nippotism [sic], servility and servility? he asked.

Kremlin officials will be shocked that their children will not be able to go to the Mediterranean this summer, said Tinkov, who called on the west to please give Mr. Putin a clear exit to save his face and stop this massacre.

Of course there are morons who draw Z, but morons in any country are 10%. 90% of Russians are AGAINST this war! he said.

Tinkov called on the west to please give Mr. Putin a clear exit to save his face and stop this massacre as he pondered how the 'sh*tty' Russian army had been ruined by nepotism

Tinkov owns his own bank but stepped down after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2020, saying the life-changing medical news gave him a new perspective of life

The son of a Siberian coal miner, Tinkov was selling beer and dumplings before he launched Tinkoff bank in 2006, but stepped down as chairman of the board after a 14-year run, announcing he had been diagnosed with acute leukemia.

Tinkoff shares fell more than 90% since the start of the war in Ukraine, losing Tinkov his billionaire status. Forbes estimates he is worth approximately $800million.

Tinkov has close connection with Putin, he admitted in an interview with the Financial Times. But after his diagnosis, he told Forbes he discovered how fragile life could be, prompting him to call for an end to the war.

The Russian banking billionaire owns the world's first private ice-breaking super yacht and was banned from travelling outside the M25 ahead of an extradition hearing.

Tinkov is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next month off the back of an extradition request made by US authorities who wish to question him over an alleged multi million-pound tax fraud.

Tinkov owns the world's first ice breaker private yacht, La Datcha, pictured

Tinkov, pictured, is not allowed on his private yacht at present as his bail conditions stipulate he must remain within the M25

According to authorities, if convicted he could face three years in prison for each count he faces

Tinkov, who relinquished his US citizenship in October 2013, was released on 20m bail while the extradition is decided.

According to the US Department of Justice, Tinkov allegedly filed paperwork claiming he was worth $300,000.

They began their investigation after discovering he owned a 2018 Dassault 8X private jet registered in the Isle of Man.

US authorities said: 'Oleg Tinkov was the indirect majority shareholder of a branchless online bank that provided its customers with financial and bank services.

'The indictment alleges as a result of an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange in 2013, Tinkov beneficially owned more than $1 billion worth of the banks shares.

Tinkov's jet, pictured, is registered in the Isle of Man

'The indictment further alleges that three days after the IPO, Tinkov renounced his US citizenship  a taxable event requiring Tinkov to report to the IRS the constructive sale of his worldwide assets, report the gain on the constructive sale of those assets to the IRS, and pay tax on such gain to the IRS.'

Federal authorities alleged Tinkov routed more than $1bn through the British Virgin Islands to avoid US tax.

According to the indictment, Tinkov said his income was less than $206,000 in 2013 while his net worth was $300,000.

According to the Feds: 'If convicted, Tinkov faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison on each count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.'

As well as his superyacht, Tinkov owns a Dassault 8x jet worth around 50 million.

According to an investigation by The Times, Tinkov is on the US government's 'Putin list'.
Ron DeSantis has ramped up his war with Disney as he said he will decide this week whether to terminate a law that allows the firm to effectively govern itself.

The Florida governor this morning said he will hold discussions in the coming days over abolishing The Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The move would mean ripping up the 55-year-old deal that allows the company to regulate land, enforce building codes and treat wastewater at the Orlando resort.

It is the latest escalation in the ongoing war between DeSantis and Disney, which started when its bosses opposed his so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

The firm has come out strongly against the document, which forbids discussing homosexuality or transgender issues for children from kindergarten to third grade.

Disney faced a backlash for initially failing to oppose the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill after donating money to all of its sponsors

Walt Disney's 'Magic Kingdom': How 1967 law allowed the company to govern its vast Florida domain The Reedy Creek Improvement District, a semi-private, special-purpose government, is controlled by Disney and spans 39 square miles. It was created in 1967 when then-Florida Gov. Claude Kirk, a Republican, signed into law the Reedy Creek Improvement Act authorizing it to regulate land use, enforce building codes, treat wastewater, control drainage, maintain utilities and provide fire protection at Disney World. The district is governed a Board of Supervisors that is selected by its 19 landowners, the biggest and most influential of them being Disney World. The district has the authority to tax the land, and use the revenue to provide essential public services and operate and maintain all public roads and bridges. Such private governments aren't uncommon in Florida, which has more than 600 community development districts that manage and pay for infrastructure in new communities. If the 1967 is repealed by GOP lawmakers, Disney World's property will fall under the control of Orange and Osceola counties. Advertisement

At a press conference in The Villages, DeSantis said: 'I am announcing today that we are expanding the call of what they are going to be considering this week.

'And so yes they will be considering the congressional map but they also will be considering the termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968. And that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District.'

He thanked House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson for 'stepping up and making sure that we make the sunset or the termination on those special districts happen, which I think is very important'.

DeSantis had only previously hinted he was 'receptive' to changing the district, making today's announcement a dramatic heating up in his war with Disney.

The governor had called the special session - due to finish on Friday - to look at a congressional map focusing on north Florida.

But his comments this morning will expand it to review the special districts made for private firms before a a 1968 constitutional amendment.

This does not include The Villages, a series of 17 districts that make up the Republican-dominated retirement community.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District, a semi-private, special-purpose government, is controlled by Disney and spans 39 square miles.

It was created in 1967 when the then-Florida Republican Governor Claude Kirk signed into law the Reedy Creek Improvement Act.

It allowed Disney to regulate land use, enforce building codes, treat wastewater, control drainage, maintain utilities and provide fire protection at the resort.

The district is governed a Board of Supervisors selected by its 19 landowners, the biggest and most influential of them being Disney World.

It also has the authority to tax the land and use the revenue to provide essential public services and operate and maintain all public roads and bridges.

Such private governments are common in Florida, which has more than 600 community development districts managing and infrastructure.

If the 1967 is repealed by GOP lawmakers, Disney World's property will fall under the control of Orange and Osceola counties.

The Florida governor this morning said he will hold discussions in the coming days over abolishing The Reedy Creek Improvement District

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, is pictured on March 28 signing the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill

What is the Parental Rights in Education bill? HB 1557 was introduced by two Republican members of the Florida Legislature - Representative Joe Harding and Senator Dennis Baxley. They say the bill's aim is to 'empower parents' in their children's education, and make teachers recognize the distinction between 'instruction' and 'discussion.' 'What we're prohibiting is instructing them in a specific direction,' Baxley said about how teachers lead students in a classroom. 'Students can talk about whatever they want to bring up, but sometimes the right answer is, ''You really ought to talk to your parents about that.''' The bill applies to children in kindergarten through third grade. It states that 'classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur.' It also requires districts to 'adopt procedures for notifying a student's parent if there is a change in the student's services or monitoring related to the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being,' something LGBTQ advocates argue could lead to students being outed to their parents without the student's knowledge or consent. It was passed on March 8 in a 22-17 vote. The state House had approved the bill late last month. DeSantis signed it into law on March 28 and it will come into effect on July 1. Advertisement

DeSantis's comments are the latest ramping up of the ongoing war between the governor and Disney.

It comes after it emerged The Walt Disney Company donated $190,000 to Florida's Republicans weeks before they began condemning the state's education bill.

At the beginning of this year, the company gave $125,000 to the Republican Party of Florida and $65,000 to a committee that helps elect Republican state senators.

One of the sponsors of the bill was so angered by Disney eventually speaking out against it that he returned their cash.

The donations, which were disclosed in new campaign filings last week, arrived as the state legislative session was getting underway in January.

On January 20, the bill - nicknamed by critics the Don't Say Gay bill - was given its first reading at a session of the education and employment committee.

It forbids discussion of homosexuality or transgender issues for children from kindergarten to third grade.

Disney gave a $100,000 check to the Republican Party of Florida on January 11 and $25,000 more on January 26. It also donated $25,000 to Democrat leadership fund.

The bill passed through the state legislature despite protests from the LGBTQ community and from some Disney employees.

It was signed into law by Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor, on March 28 and comes into effect on July 1.

In response to the bill, Disney announced it would pause making campaign donations in Florida.

The company also said it hoped that the law was repealed or struck down by the courts.

A federal lawsuit has already been filed by a group of LGBTQ advocates while President Joe Biden described the bill as 'hateful'.

DeSantis, angered by the response, suggested reviewing Disney's special status in the state that allowed it to be self-governing.

Several Republicans said they would return Disney's donations. Three of them have done so, Politico reported, returning $8,000 - among them Rep. Joe Harding.

Joe Harding, a sponsor of the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, was angered by Disney condemning the legislation, and handed the campaign donation back to the company

Employees of Disney in California are seen demonstrating against the bill on March 22

After DeSantis signed the bill into law, Disney said: 'Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts.'

DeSantis responded to the stance by accusing the company of being dishonest and hypocritical.

He told Fox: 'You've got to wonder why is the hill to die on to have transgenderism injected into kindergarten classrooms, or woke gender ideology injected into second grade classrooms. Why is that the hill to die on?

'Meanwhile, if we've done a bill that prohibited talking about the abuse of Uyghurs in China, Disney would've supported that legislation. They won't say a word about that.'

DeSantis pointed out Disney Cruises sail to the Dominican Republic, which has laws banning gay marriage and legalizing discrimination against gay people.

He said: 'So they're fine doing that and lining their pockets, they're fine lining their pockets from the CCP, and all the atrocities going on there.'

By there he was referring to the Chinese Communist Party, which the company thanked in the credits of its live-action Mulan reboot.

He added: 'But it's those kindergarteners in Florida that they really want to have transgenderism as part of their core curriculum in school.'
An Austrian artist who became known as the 'enfant terrible' of art for shows that featured dead animals and lashings of blood has died aged 83.

Hermann Nitsch died at a hospital in the Austrian town of Mistelbach on Monday after a serious illness, his wife said.

Nitsch, born in Vienna on Aug. 29, 1938, was versatile - with performance art, painting, sculpting and composing among his activities.

He was a co-founder of Viennese Actionism and best known for his Theater of Orgies and Mysteries, conceived as a visceral synthesis of the arts.

It peaked with a '6-day Play' in 1998, featuring more than 3,400 gallons of wine, hundreds of liters of blood, a kilogram of grapes and tomatoes, several animal carcasses and musical accompaniment.

Nitsch was part of the 'Actionists', a radical 1960s avant-garde movement known for skinning animal carcasses, tying up human bodies and using blood, mud and urine in their works.

His works and performances drew plenty of criticism.

In 1966, police in London were called to one of Nitsch's performances at a venue on Fleet Street after a dead lamb was disembowelled live on stage, prompting complaints from witnesses.

And in 2017, Nitsch held a controversial live art show in Hobart Tasmania which featured a dead bull and its bloody entrails, along with performers who had been made to look as though they had been crucified.

Austrian artist Hermann Nitsch, who became known as the 'enfant terrible' of art for shows that featured dead animals and lashings of blood, has died aged 83

Nitsch died at a hospital in the Austrian town of Mistelbach on Monday after a serious illness, his wife said. In 2017, Nitsch held a controversial live art show in Hobart Tasmania which featured a dead bull and its bloody entrails, along with performers who were made to look as though they had been crucified

After police were called to the event in London in 1966, Nitsch said in the Daily Mail: 'I am working with reality and not with illusions.

'There is no play, it is all really happening.

'The traumatic construction of the play is modelled on the laws of psychoanalysis.'

In his 2017 show in Tasmania, performers were seen hanging from crosses with blood dripping down their naked bodies.

One unimpressed witness said: 'Disgusting! Totally sick. It is a barbaric act, definitely not art.'

In 1966, police in London were called to one of Nitsch's performances at a venue on Fleet Street after a dead lamb was disembowelled live on stage, prompting complaints from witnesses. After police were called to the event in London in 1966, Nitsch said in the Daily Mail: 'I am working with reality and not with illusions'

Nitsch is seen using blood to compile one of his works of art. Nitsch was part of the 'Actionists', a radical 1960s avant-garde movement known for skinning animal carcasses, tying up human bodies and using blood, mud and urine in their works

Protesters had attempted to have the show cancelled before it began, claiming that the bull had been slaughtered specifically for the event.

In response to criticism that had dogged him throughout his career, Nitsch said in 2011: 'In my conceptions of being, there is everything, life, death, illness, pain, aggression... Through my work, I want to show all of this.'

He added after further protests in 2015 that 'the meat I use is not eaten but used for a theater performance, a higher purpose.'

He told German news agency dpa before his 80th birthday that 'overcoming the revulsion barrier is a task of art.'

Austrian painter and performance artist Hermann Nitsch talks to participants during a special guided tour of the exhibition 'Body, Psyche, and Taboo - Vienna Actionism and Early Vienna Modernism'

A visitor examines an artwork of Austrian avant-garde artist who works in experimental and multimedia modes, Hermann Nitsch

There are museums dedicated to Nitsch's work in Mistelbach in northeastern Austria and in Naples, Italy.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen tweeted that Nitsch 'redefined' the Austrian art world.

'Austria is mourning a fascinating painter and an impressive person,' he said. 'His work will live on; I am certain of that.'

The statement announcing his death read: 'Hermann Nitsch died peacefully at the age of 83 after a serious illness.'
A father and son who pinned a man down in a supermarket car park and drove over him four times in their BMW were today jailed for a total of 48 years for the 'barbaric' murder.

Gary Ternent, 59, and Bobby Ternent, 32, used the X6 car as a weapon to kill John Avers, 59, after they fell out with him.

They took him to an Iceland car park in Dagenham, Essex, and when he got out of the car Gary Ternent held him down as Bobby repeatedly drove over him.

The Ternents claimed Mr Avers was a 'big time villain' who had threatened their family in a row over 40,000 worth of 'stolen drug money' and they were so terrified that they acted in self defence.

Jurors were visibly shocked as they saw horrifying CCTV footage of the incident and heard the dying man's blood curdling screams.

Judge Anne Molyneux described Mr Avers as 'a much loved father of two daughters', adding.

'He was the main part of their lives. Their pain and that of their mother is lasting...he will not be forgotten.'

Father and son Gary Ternent, 59, and Bobby Ternent, 32, who pinned a man down in a supermarket car park and drove over him four times in their BMW, were today jailed for a total of 48 years for the 'barbaric' murder

She said of the victim: 'He was screaming and a neighbour heard him crying out: 'Help me! Help me!'

The judge said Mr Avers was already badly injured and described his 'unimaginable terror' as Bobby took the wheel and drove over him repeatedly.

'This was a ruthless execution without mercy of a helpless man.

'His pain and anguish are immeasurable.'

Bobby Ternent was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years while Gary must serve a life term and at least 23 years before he can be considered for parole.

Both were unanimously convicted of murder after their story about drug money was dismissed as a 'preposterous fairy tale.'

Mr Avers' family had wept in the public gallery as the verdicts were announced.

Jurors heard Bobby Ternent had set up the meeting with Mr Avers Wood Lane, Dagenham, on September 13, 2020.

John Avers, who was repeatedly run over

He picked up the victim and Gary Ternent was already in the car as they drove to the back of the Iceland store on Whalebone Lane South, also in Dagenham.

Mr Avers was allowed to get out - only for Bobby Ternent to deliberately run him over.

As he lay helpless and screaming in pain, Gary Ternent held Mr Avers down so his son could drive over him again and again.

'Bobby and Gary Ternent together murdered John Avers by deliberately driving that BMW straight at him, running him over,' said prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones.

'With Bobby Ternent at the wheel, and Gary Ternent holding John Avers down on the ground in front of the car, John Avers was run over once; then Bobby Ternent spun the car around and ran him over again.

'Gary Ternent then ran to join his son in the car...they then ran their victim over a third time, and then a fourth time.

'And only then, satisfied that they had done enough damage, they drove away, leaving John Avers dying, or more likely already dead from the catastrophic injuries that they had caused him.'

CCTV from a nearby house belonging to Harroon Ibrahim captured the horrifying attack.

Mr Ibrahim, who was at home that night, told police: 'I still can't believe that anyone would do that to someone.'

He ran out of his house after hearing screaming, said Mr Emlyn Jones.

'He saw a large car and he saw that there was one person in it and in front of it from his vantage point there was a person on the ground with someone else holding him down.

'He says that there was some movement between the two men in front of the car but he couldn't make out exactly what it was, whether it was punching or kicking.

'He realised that something was seriously wrong, so he ran to get his phone to call the police.'

Mr Ibrahim, having returned to his window, witnessed some shuffling between the two defendants before Bobby Ternent settled in the drivers' seat and began to move the car.

'He saw the large car reverse out of its space and he saw the BMW move towards the other two men.

'He thought, as perhaps you would, that the driver was just trying to scare the person on the ground.

The men used the X6 car (pictured) as a weapon to kill John Avers, 59, after they fell out with him. They took him to an Iceland car park in Dagenham, Essex, and when he got out of the car Gary Ternent held him down as Bobby repeatedly drove over him

'He assumed that the car was going to stop.

'As he told the police, "I couldn't believe what I saw next and I still can't believe that anyone would do that to someone."

'He watched in horror as the car ran deliberately over the man on the ground.

'He could tell that this was, obviously, a deliberate act because as he says, the headlights were shining directly onto the victim, there was no way the driver could not have seen him and there was plenty of room to drive round him and avoid him.

'He knew from what he saw that the driver had run the man on the ground over on purpose.

'Having turned around, the car then drove over the victim again, so fast that Mr Ibrahim could see that the back end of the car was lifted momentarily off the ground as a result of the impact with the body of the man that it collided with.

'He then saw the man who had been holding the victim down run to get into the car, and then watched as the car drove backwards over the victim for a third time.

'He did not see it happen for a fourth time, as we have seen it, because at that moment he ran out into the street to get into his own car to drive to the car park to see if he could help.

'When he got there he could see just how much blood there was, and he assumed, certainly correctly, the victim was already dead.'

Mr Ibrahim remained in his car and waited for police to arrive, after which he gave them an account of what he had seen as well as the recorded footage from his CCTV system.

The scene in Dagenham, east London, following the incident on September 13 2020

John Avers was pronounced dead at the scene, in an Iceland supermarket car park (pictured)

Only Bobby gave evidence and he claimed after arguing about the 40,000 he drove at Mr Avers because he had threatened his family.

He said he threw the money out of the window in a panic as he drove off, but police could find no trace of it.

Both Bobby, and Gary Ternent of Movers Lane, Barking, denied murder but were convicted by the jury in January.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, the senior investigating officer from the Specialist Crime Command, said: 'This was nothing short of a cold and calculated execution.

'What Bobby and Gary did to their supposed good friend was absolutely shocking and was extremely distressing for those who witnessed it and those who have had to watch the graphic CCTV.

'John was already lying defenceless on the floor, there is absolutely no excuse that can justify holding him down and then running him over not once, not twice, but four times. It is barbaric.

'I am pleased that the jury agreed with the overwhelming evidence we collected against Bobby and Gary and found them both guilty of murder.

'It has been a very difficult time for John's family and friends but I hope the fact that the Ternents now face a lengthy stint behind bars helps give them a small measure of comfort and closure.'
New York City Police are hunting a 22-year-old man who attacked two officers trying to arrest him in Manhattan after he allegedly raped four-year-old twins in Pennsylvania.

Isaiah John Metz, 22 - also known as Decklyn McBride - of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, allegedly raped two four-year-old twins in Goldsboro, Pennsylvania, while on parole for assaulting an officer.

Metz currently has 115 counts of sex-related charges against him in York County, including three counts of raping a child under 13, and 99 counts of sexual abuse involving picture and video, according to public records.

Isaiah John Metz, 22 - also known as Decklyn McBride - is being hunted by the NYPD after assaulting two officers in a homeless shelter on Tuesday around 4.30am

Police received a tip that Metz was staying at the Antonio Olivieri homeless shelter - located on W 30th Street near Eighth Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan. Officers and state troopers arrived at the shelter around 4.30am on Tuesday with a warrant when a fight broke out and Metz bite a trooper's arm and punched another officer before managing to get away.

Both officers were transported to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries and have since been released.

Metz was last seen running uptown and reportedly went into a subway station, according to Pix 11. Police dogs managed to track his scent to W 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue, according to the New York Daily News.

The man was reportedly watching one of the girls on July 24, 2021, while the other sister went to a doctor's appointment, according to an affidavit, viewed by Penn Live.

The family reported the daughter was more emotional when they returned home and allegedly told them during bath time that her vagina hurt, court documents said.

Police reportedly collected DNA samples from her underwear, as well as the recliner the assault happened on. Investigators were not able to rule out that the DNA belonged to Metz, Penn Live reported.

It was later discovered by the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children that Metz had posted 42 photos and eight videos of himself sexually abusing the girls, all of which were found on his phone in February, the affidavit said.

He is wanted in Pennsylvania for 115 sex-related crimes, including raping four-year-old twins and posting 42 photos and eight videos of the acts online. NYPD received a tip that he was at the Antonio Olivieri shelter, where he bit and punched the officers

Metz is currently on Pennsylvania's most wanted absconders list and was said to have been released around March 30. He has not appeared in court for the alleged crimes.

The criminal faces up to a 1,000 years in prison if convicted on all 115 counts, according to Local 12 News.

He was last seen with red hair, wearing red and black pajamas bottoms, and a black sweatshirt.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Newberry Township Police Department for comment.
Social media has flooded with rage-filled posts from liberals frustrated that a Donald Trump appointed judge rescinded the coronavirus era mandate requiring face masks be worn on public transit.

Doctors taking to Twitter in wake of the news slammed the move to lift the policy, with one vowing never to fly again and another arguing unmasked flights will kill children.

Boston-based emergency room physician Dr. Jeremy Faust, who was angered that United Airlines changed its mask policy in the middle of his vacation, said not waiting until kids under five could get vaccinated to lift the policy was the equivalent of airlines saying 'its cool if a few kids die so that you dont have to enforce this for another month or two.'

'The odd thing about my being disappointed in @United dropping its mask mandate is how many people who claim to love kids are totally cool with this meaning that a small number of babies will die of Covid, when were weeks away from a vaccinate for all ages over 6 months,' he wrote, airing his frustrations online.

Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, a Washington DC area epidemiologist and health economist, expressed similar concerns, comparing the mask-optional policy to that of now nonexistent smoking sections in public places. He also vowed to boycott airlines who lift their mask mandates.

'Smoking and nonsmoking parts of the plane? Peeing and nonpeeing parts of the swimming pool? Thats like the coronavirus on an airplane,' he wrote, adding: 'I will not be flying @AlaskaAir until they reinstate public safety measures against #COVID19. #BoycottAlaskaAir.'

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida struck down the mask mandate Monday, arguing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overstepped its authority in issuing the order and that its continued enforcement was illegal.

Emergency room physician Dr. Jeremy Faust (left) and epidemiologist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding (right) took to social media to slam airlines for rescinding mask mandates. The medical experts alleged removing mask mandates will result in the death of children and a COVID case spike

Social media has flooded with rage-filled posts from liberals frustrated that a federal judge rescinded the threw out the public transportation mask mandate. Both unmasked and masked passengers are pictured on an Atlanta-bound Delta flight Tuesday

The abrupt removal of the COVID-19 measure, which caused many airline passengers and crew to erupt with cheer, has left progressive Americans fearful about whether it's really safe to end one of the most visible vestiges of the pandemic.

Feigel-Ding, in his rage-fueled rant, argued that dropping mask mandates on planes would cause a spike in COVID positivity rates.

He pointed to a data from the UK alleging that within two weeks of the country dropping its face covering requirement many pilots and flight attendants contracted the virus and were unable to work, prompting the cancellation of 120 flights.

'Dont let what happened in the UK happen in the US,' the doctor urged. 'It was utter chaos at British airports the other week with pilots, flight crew, and airport workers sick and unable to serve flights. Dont say @AlaskaAir wasnt warned!'

He also argued the virus was continuing to kill mass amounts of people daily and seemingly blamed the airlines for contributing to these alleged fatalities.

'For those coming here to mock and laugh at scientists, 20 million people and 5.2 million orphaned kids arent laughing,' the epidemiologist wrote.

In a rage-fueled Twitter rant, Feigel-Ding detailed why he believed removing masks would not only be chaotic for airlines, but also a risk to public health

Faust, who like Feigel-Ding is outraged by the ruling, was incredibly disappointed in how quickly the airlines rescinded the policy, with some even doing so mid-flight.

He, along with several others, felt it was unprofessional of the airlines not to provide customers and employees ample time to prepare for mask changes.

'Hi @united. When I bought my tickets for me, my wife (who is pregnant), and our unvaccinated 4-year-old, I assumed you would continue to have a mask mandate,' he wrote. 'Now you cancel it and we will have to board our return flight under your new no mask required policy?! Thanks so much.'

He also addressed the footage circulating social media that showed airline passengers and staff sheering as they got the ok to throw away their masks.

'Imagine celebrating the deaths of a small number of kids so that you dont have to wear a mask on a plane. What happened to decency?' the physician questioned.

Faust's criticism of the speed of the mandate change was was echoed by Sara Nelson, the president of the flight attendants' union, who discussed the policy on Squawk Box Tuesday morning.

'It is not right that we would change in a moment's notice yesterday because there were people who got on the plane with a certain set of rules. They decided to buy a ticket with that certain set of rules and mid-flight or when they were landing those rules changed,' she said. 'They should have at least been a 24-hour period where we are giving notice. That would have been more orderly for the flight crews.'

Faust alleged the airlines were responsible for killing children by lifting mask mandates

Faust also criticized airline passengers and staff who cheered as they got the ok to throw away their masks. 'Imagine celebrating the deaths of a small number of kids so that you dont have to wear a mask on a plane. What happened to decency?' he said. A Los Angeles flight is pictured Monday after passengers learned they could remove their masks

ARE MASKS REQUIRED ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS? European airlines are weighing their mask mandates in wake of America's ruling against them. Many are split on whether face coverings will be required on international flights. Air France and Lufthansa have said masks are still required onboard their flights in accordance with French and German regulations. British Airways and Butch carrier KLM told the newspaper that mask requirements would be dependent on the restrictions in place at a passengers arrival destination. Despite that ruling, however, KLM said it was still telling travelers the carrier 'strongly advises all passengers' to wear masks while onboard. Virgin Atlantic has made masks optional for all routes between the US and UK. Scandinavian airline SAS has been texting travelers to remind them that masks mandates are no longer required on most flights. Mask mandates had already been lifted in most European countries with the UK being one of the first countries worldwide to drop all COVID travel restrictions. Passengers should still check with both their country of departure and arrival before traveling to ensure compliance with local regulations. Advertisement

Other travelers are pushing airlines to offer mask-only flights for crew and passengers who do not feel safe around unmasked individuals.

'I am literally begging companies to make all mask flights and cars, if they wont mandate a full masking policy,' tweeted New York-based journalist Rotem Rusak. 'Like a smoking room or car or something. You dont want to wear a mask great, you can be on the non masked flights.'

'Has anyone suggested to airlines that they offer some flights only for people who wish to retain mask use? Is this feasible?' questioned author and podcaster Mary O'Hara. 'If not, why not? What about on busy routes with multiple flights per day? I would actively look for and book those flights.'

Some passengers even suggested they would solely give their flight business to any airline that decided to keep its mask mandate in place despite Judge Mizelle's ruling.

'Honestly any airline CEO who came out right now and said "as a private business who sets our own policies on our planes we will continue to protect our most vulnerable travelers by requiring masks" at LEAST during boarding/takeoff and landing would have my business for life,' playwright Claire Willett wrote.

'Even if it was tied to the seatbelt light, like as soon as you're in the air you can take it off to eat and drink, because that's when the air filtration is at its best, and then you put it back on again for descent and to exit the plane, that would be a better option than this,' she added.

'If some airline continued to require masks I would only fly that airline. Its a good business opportunity and I hope one of them does it,' Twitter user @rzschinderman said.

'OK which airline is going to step up & be the masks one so we (with our unvaxxable 4yo) can give you all our business?' asked Partners for Justice Founder Emily Galvin-Almanza. 'I have to go to FL for work next month. No way am I sitting in a covid tube with unmaskers and bringing whatever home to kid.'

Several progressives took to Twitter airing out their frustrations with the ruling. Some voiced how they would continue to wear masks on flights while others called for mask-only routes

'I feel so disgusted and angry our society cant do the bare minimum of public safety. It was scary enough to fly last year when everyone was still required to wear masks,' wrote illustrator Bree Lundberg. 'But without mandates, no way I want to get on a plane. I just wish I could safely go see my family.'

Although Monday's ruling gave individual airlines and airports the option to keep their mask rules in place, in they see fit, so far all major US carriers have chosen to scrap the mandate.

The White House and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which manages passengers at airports, also said they won't challenge Mizelle's ruling, meaning the mask mandate has now officially ended.

However, the fact that mask policies are optional means directives that could vary from city to city.

For example, passengers traveling from Houston to Chicago could ditch their masks at their departing airport and on the plane, but have to put them back on once they land at O'Hare International, which has elected to keep its mask mandate in place.

Although Monday's ruling gave individual airlines and airports the option to keep their mask rules in place, in they see fit, so far all major US carriers have chosen to scrap the mandate. Travelers are pictured Tuesday in line at a security checkpoint at Logan International Airport in Boston

The White House and TSA, which manages passengers at airports, also said they won't challenge Mizelle's ruling, meaning the mask mandate has now officially ended. However, the fact that mask policies are optional means directives that could vary from city to city. Airline passengers are pictured at San Francisco International Airport on Tuesday

Additionally, the removal of the mask mandate does not force any traveler to fly without a face covering and, in fact, are encouraged to do so if they please.

'Sitting for several hours in a tight, enclosed space with 200 coughing, breathing, sneezing strangers?' writer Charlotte Clymer said. 'Yeah, I'm gonna keep wearing my mask on flights for the foreseeable future, and that's all I have to say about that.'

'We may want to be done with COVID, but forcing our way through it is myopic & frankly ridiculous. People are still getting sick, going to hospitals, & dying. We need primary prevention, like masks +vaccines,' said Dr. Saskia Popescu. 'Personally, Ill continue to wear a mask on airplanes & pubtranspo.'

'As someone who lives much of their life on an airplane, I want to assure anyone who comes in contact with me that I will continue to wear a mask in hopes of protecting myself and those around me. I believe that every little bit helps,' Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir tweeted. 'This thing is still real, & still killing.'
Sajid Javid today criticised NHS gender services for British children as 'bordering on ideological'.

The Health Secretary said treatment must not be a 'one-way street' as he waded into the ongoing debate about controversial gender dysphoria treatment for teenagers.

Gender dysphoria is used to describe a sense of unease a person may have because of a perceived 'mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity', according to the NHS.

In the UK, gender identity services for children and adolescents are managed by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

Today in the Commons, Tory MP James Sunderland referenced a recent review into the centre's gender dysphoria services.

Mr Sunderland said the review, for NHS England, found a 'profound lack of evidence on the best approach to treat gender dysphoria in children'.

He then asked if the Health Secretary shared his concern that, in spite of the review, the NHS still insisted on making a child's 'expressed' gender identity the start point of their treatment.

Sajid Javid said gender identity services for children and adolescents in the UK are 'bordering on ideological'

An interim review into gender dysphoria treatment for children in the UK, which is run managed by the controversial Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (pictured), found doctors felt under pressure to adopt an unquestioning approach to children seeking to change their sex

5,500 children are now on NHS waiting list for gender swap treatment after post-lockdown surge in demand The number of children lining up for gender-change treatment on the NHS has soared by more than a fifth since the Covid lockdowns, The Mail on Sunday revealed last month. According to new meeting minutes uncovered by this newspaper, there are about 5,500 children on the waiting list for treatment at the controversial Tavistock and Portman Trust's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) in London. Senior figures at the NHS trust have expressed fears 'the list had grown substantially during the lockdown' and admitted it was a huge 'preoccupation' for the Board of Trustees. Stephanie Davies-Arai founder of campaign group Transgender Trend said of the possible impact of lockdowns: 'Life stopped really, so adolescents at that stage in their lives, where they're really searching for their identity, turn online. 'They're bombarded with messages about being trans and that all of their problems and insecurities and anxieties are because they're trans.' Advertisement

The MP for Bracknell also questioned if Mr Javid 'shared his surprise' that the NHS has not tracked patient outcomes for those it treats for gender dysphoria, 'particularly for under-18s'.

Mr Javid replied that he did share Mr Sunderland's concerns on the findings of the review, by Hilary Cass, ex-President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

He said: 'Its already clear to me from her interim findings and from the other evidence that Ive seen that the NHS services in this area are too narrow, they are overly affirmative, and in fact theyre bordering on ideological.

'And that is why in this emerging area, of course, we need to be absolutely sensitive.

'But we need to make sure that there is holistic care thats provided, theres not a one-way street and that all medical interventions are based on the best clinical evidence.'

In her review, Dr Cass wrote that doctors at the centre felt under pressure to adopt an unquestioning approach to children seeking to change their sex.

She also found there was a lack of formal clinical guidance and stifled debate, which has left many medics 'nervous' about offering the 'more robust support' to patients they want to deliver.

It meant youngsters are being given the controversial puberty blockers or sex-swap hormones they ask for  when they may benefit more from waiting or other care.

The full review is due later this year and is expected to spell the end of Tavistock and Portman Trust's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) as the sole NHS treatment centre for gender issues in England.

Instead, regional NHS bodies will be told to establish their own clinics and services.

GIDS has seen a dramatic rise in its annual caseload over the last decade. Just 138 children were referred for treatment in 2010/11. That had grown to 2,383 in 2020/21, a 17-fold increase.

In recent weeks, Boris Johnson has defended the move not to include trans people in the Governments proposed ban on conversion therapy.

The Prime Minister argued there are 'complexities and sensitivities' which need to be worked through.

Mr Javid also said there was a need to 'be more careful' when considering conversion therapy for transgender people.

The Health Secretary, earlier this month, pointed to the interim report written by Dr Hilary Cass, saying: 'She talked about how children and young people when they say they have gender dysphoria, it is right for medical experts to be able to question that and to determine what the cause might be.

'Is it a genuine case of gender identity dysphoria or could it be that individual is suffering from child sex abuse, for example, or could it be linked to bullying?'
A wealthy Florida teenager, who boasted about speeding down highways on TikTok, was charged on Tuesday with six counts of vehicular manslaughter after police say he killed six friends when he crashed his BMW into their SUV at 151 mph.

The Palm Beach County Sherriff's Office (PBSO) said Noah Galle, 18, of Wellington, admitted to speeding 'above 120 mph' during the January 27 crash in Delray Beach that killed Mirlaine Julceus, 45, Filaine Dieu, 46, Vanice Percina, 29, Remize Michel, 53, and Marie Louis as they drove home from work at the Pero Family Farms.

The PBSO said a search warrant of Galle's social media accounts revealed videos and photos of the teen 'driving at extremely high rates of speed,' even asking followers to guess his speed to win $25, WPBF reported.

Those Instagram and TikTok profiles have since been taken down.

Deputies told the local station that one video on social media showed Galle speeding at 181 mph on the I-95. Galle had previously been stopped by police for driving 180 mph in Palm Beach County, according to court records.

Noah Galle, 18, of Wellington, Florida, was charged on Tuesday with six counts of vehicular manslaughter for a car crash that killed six friends on January 27. A judge set his bail to $300,000, with the teen, who posted videos of him speeding on TikTok, facing 15 years in prison for each count

Mirlaine Julceus (left) was driving five coworkers in her SUV, including grandmother Marie Louis (right)when Galle allegedly crashed into them at 150 mph

The impact sent the SUV rolling and ejected three of the victims out of the car. Five died at the scene while the sixth victim died at a nearby hospital. Pictured, part of the wreck hours later

Police said Galle was driving at 151 mph on January 27 when the then-17-year-old slammed his $100,000 BMW into the victims, causing the SUV to roll over and send three of the passengers flying from the car.

Five of the victims died at the scene, while the sixth died on the way to hospital. Galle sustained only minor injuries.

The teen was arrested on April 6 after months of investigation and returned to court on Tuesday, where he was charged with six counts of vehicular manslaughter, each carrying a 15 year prison sentence.

A judge set his bail to $300,000, which was $50,000 for each of the counts. Despite being held in a juvenile detention center, Galle will be tried in adult court.

State Attorney Dave Aronberg said in a statement: 'Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the six innocent victims in this tragedy.'

'We will seek justice by vigorously prosecuting this case.'

News coverage of the crash was only able to capture the aftermath the following morning

Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw did not say why the investigation had taken so long when police finally arrested Galle on earlier this month despite saying that the department had expedited the toxicology report because police believed the teen to have been intoxicated at the time of the crash.

'This process takes time and we can't go fast,' Bradshaw said. 'We've only got one opportunity here to get this right. If we make a mistake and these people walk, it's back on us and it's not what the family and the community expect.'

Marc Freeman, a spokesman for the State Attorney's Office, told the Sun Sentinel that it typically takes months to finalize crash reports, get toxicology reports and review the black boxes of both cars before any decision is made about specific charges and whether to charge a juvenile driver as an adult.

Galle's attorney, Liz Parker, has said the teen had been on psychiatric medication since he was 12, without specifying what he was treated for, and that the medication may have contributed to the accident.

In a bid to get him out of the juvenile detention center, Parker told the court that Galle has been having suicidal thoughts since the arrest and needed to be at home under supervision.

The judge denied the request and said the juvenile detention center was well-equipped to meet Galle's needs.

Lyndie Louis, Marie Louis' daughter, told the court on Tuesday that her family demands justice and that Galle remain in a juvenile detention center while awaiting trial

Clerna Marc, niece of Mirlaine Julceus, shared her own family's struggle following the accident in court on Tuesday. Julceus husband is suing Galle's parents over the incident

The arrest comes days after Julceus' husband, Robens innocent, filed a lawsuit against the teen's parents, Craig and Helena Galle, claiming they were responsible for their son's 'negligent acts.'

The lawsuit states that Julceus, who was driving the SUV, was the primary provider of her family, and that her ten-year-old daughter was 'wholly dependent upon [Julceus'] services and support' and has incurred 'mental pain and suffering' as a result of her death, the Sentinel reported.

It also states that Galle 'negligently operated his motor vehicle by failing to observe traffic conditions,' drove excessively fast and failed to yield the right of way, leading to the crash.

Julceus niece, Clerna Marc told the court on Tuesday that her family demands justice.

'This situation has essentially broken his family,' Marc said of her uncle, Robens. 'Mirlaine has left behind a 10-year-old daughter who has to be essentially raised without his mother. He just wants to have justice for this situation.'

Lyndie Louis, Marie Louis' daughter, also spoke to the court on Tuesday and echoed her own family's grief over the lost of the matriarch.

'This has been a very, very hard situation for my whole family, my sister and I and my daughter,' said Lyndie said. 'She's 8. Every time she comes home she's been asking, 'Why can't grandma come back, Mom?'

My mom was very loving and devoted woman. I think that the defendant should be in jail and not at home,' she added as she asked the judge to reject the defense motion that Galle be released.

'We can't see our families now and why should he? This was a very reckless crime and not just for my mom  everybody's lives. We need justice.'
Several P&O Ferries agency staff have been fired after testing positive for alcohol when they turned up for work - just a month after the shipping company made 800 of its seafarers redundant.

Seven of the new workers, who were employed to replace permanent staff dismissed by the firm last month, were relieved of their duties after breaching guidelines on alcohol consumption.

The agency staff returned to work on board a ferry over the limit, after leaving the ship for shore leave.

They were dismissed with immediate effect by P&O, which has a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol.

Seven of the new workers, who were employed to replace permanent staff dismissed by the firm last month, were relieved of their duties. Above, people protest in Dover today over the P&O Ferries staff redundancies last month

A protestor wears a face mask of P&O Ferries Chief Executive Peter Hebblethwaite in Dover today

This comes after P&O made 800 of its staff redundant on March 17 - claiming it was losing 100 million a year and at risk of collapse if it didn't make the move.

The crew were controversially replaced with cheaper agency workers, whose average hourly rate of pay is around 5.50 - significantly lower than the UK minimum wage, which stands at 8.91.

Because P&O operates internationally and its ships are registered overseas, the minimum hourly rate does not apply to its new staff.

Several unions questioned the legality of making so many staff redundant and raised fears over a lack of training of the new crew.

P&O has since confirmed that seven of its agency-employed seafarers have been dismissed with immediate effect after breaking alcohol consumption regulations.

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said they operate a zero tolerance policy towards drinking whilst on duty, and passenger and crew safety is a priority. Above, the Pride of Kent (front), Spirit of Britain (left), and Pride of Canterbury (back) docked at the Port of Dover on Friday

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said: 'We can confirm that seven agency-employed seafarers who returned from shore were found to be in breach of our strict guidelines on alcohol consumption and have been dismissed with immediate effect.

'The safety of our passengers and crew is our foremost priority and we continue to operate a zero tolerance policy towards drinking whilst on duty.'

Protesters continue to take to the streets of Dover, Kent to object the controversial redundancies.

Around 200 people attended a demonstration today - chanting slogans including 'sack the board' and 'they say low pay so we say no way' as they marched in solidarity with the former P&O staff.

But despite drafting in agency workers almost immediately after sacking its seafarers, the firm's ships still haven't moved from the port on the Kent coast.

The Spirit of Britain and Pride of Kent vessels remain under detention after failing safety inspections, causing a shortage of capacity on the Dover-Calais ferry route.

This has contributed to large queues of lorries on coastbound roads in Kent.
Four members of a Romanian crime family who made a fortune keeping at least 26 slave labourers in a terraced house have been jailed for a total of 22 years.

Their victims brought to the UK from Romania and were promised 50 a day to work in the construction industry with free food and accommodation.

But once they were crammed into the slums run by 62-year-old Vasile Dragoi - dubbed the big boss - and his family, their wages were withheld and they were presented with bogus bills.

Their identification documents were seized and workers who challenged the family were threatened by Dragoi and his sons, Ion Dragoi, 26, Marian Podianu, 44, and 34-year-old Florinel Dragoi.

Judge Michael Hopmeier jailed Vasile for six years; Marian and Florinel were both jailed for five years and three months while Ion received five years and seven months.

Ions wife Alexandra Ciocodan, 28, was spared jail in an act of mercy, receiving a prison sentence of two years suspended over 18 months.

Vasile Dragoi was jailed for six years for his role as head of the family, which lured victims to the UK with false promises of well-paid construction work before trapping them in 'modern slavery' conditions with no pay

Florinel Dragoi (left) and Marian Podiani (right) were both jailed for five years and three months

Ion Dragoi (left) was sentenced to five years and seven months in jail, while his wife Alexandra Ciocodan (right) avoided jail as an act of 'mercy' from the judge

As the four men left the dock for the cells, Vasile blew a kiss to weeping supporters in the public gallery, while Ion kissed his wife who was clutching his hand, sobbing.

Vasile was head of the family and ran the criminal enterprise as the big boss, the court heard.

Prosecutor Edward Franklin said: He was the recruiter.

It was to his house that some of the victims were initially brought before they were sent on to the other four properties.

It was the prosecutions case that it was at his house that Vasile Dragoi Snr allotted, effectively, the people that were brought over.

He was also the person to arrange the travel to the relevant airport in Romania and frequently to accompany victims over to this country.

And the fact that the victims had the impression that he was the boss is not irrelevant in our submission.

They would have lived for considerable periods of time in the property...more than anyone in this case being able to appreciate the true nature of the hierarchy.

It seems that his address was very much the hub and the spokes of the wheel were the four properties which were run by his sons.

So for those reasons we would say that he was...in a leading role.

Beds were squeezed into a room in Ladysmith Avenue, East Ham, east London - where the victims had to sleep

Bunk beds were squeezed into loft spaces to avoid the attention of the council during inspections. Pictured: A room at a property in Mitcham Road

The CPS says up to 26 slave labourers were held in one of the properties

The family ran a network of construction companies with one firm alone turning over 675,000 between 2016 and 2018.

You can see there is a huge spike of income at the time the Crown alleges that they were involved in criminality, the prosecutor said.

This was not ad hoc. There was systematic recruitment of workers in Romania, travel arranged, housing for victims.

The victims were housed in properties on Dickens Road, Forest Gate and on Ladysmith Avenue and Mitcham Road in East Ham.

Some of the workers were made to sleep in bunk beds installed in a loft, Southwark crown court heard.

Earlier the judge said: It is an aggravating feature in my view, its that they were doing it to their own countrymen.

Maybe that is because it is easier because they know the culture, they speak the same language. Plus they are in a position of advantage because they know how things work in England.

These were victims, people who were exploited for money. I saw them, heard them.

It was planned, it was executed and it would have continued had it not been disrupted.

Sheryl Nwosu, defending Dragoi senior, said: We reject the Crowns assertion that Mr Dragoi senior took on a leading role. We submit that his role can be defined as significant in that he was recruiting some of the individuals who then travelled to the UK.

Nevertheless that particular role does not mean he had overarching control over the conspiracy.

Vasile Dragoi, of Derbyshire; Podianu, of Upton Park Road, East Ham; Florinel Dragoi, also of East Ham; Ion Dragoi of East Ham, and his wife Ciocodan, of East Ham, were all convicted of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation between 1 January 2017 and 20 October 2017.

They were also convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017.

Paul Goddard, from the CPS, said: These individuals used their position to prey on and exploit many economically vulnerable workers who could not stand up to them.

They benefited from their victims hard work in the construction industry promising good rates of pay to entice them to the UK before reneging on those promises and keeping most of the wages for themselves.

The modern slavery exploitation of adults is abhorrent and the CPS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

The prosecution will now pursue confiscation orders against the defendants under the Proceeds of Crime Act as well as slavery and trafficking prevention orders under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
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The murder charges against Colorado father Barry Morphew for killing his wife Suzanne have been dropped - for the time being.

Suzanne vanished on Mother's Day 2020 after going on a bike ride. Barry was arrested but he has always denied having any role in her killing. He was due to stand trial for his wife's murder, without her body ever being found.

But on Tuesday, prosecutors announced that they believe they know where Suzanne's body is - buried beneath five feet of snow.

They cannot excavate the body quickly enough to perform the necessary tests before the April 28 trial start date, but also cannot push ahead with their prosecution since they have discovered where her body is located and the key evidence it may hold.

Murder charges against Colorado father Barry Morphew for killing his wife Suzanne have been dropped - for the time being. The District Attorney filed a motion in court to dismiss the case on Tuesday morning. Morphew is shown with his two daughters today

Barry and Suzanne Morphew are pictured with their two adult daughters. Suzanne vanished in May 2020

Investigators have long suspected the area of the Garfield Mine as a possible location for Suzanne's body, after Morphew admitted taking a detour there around the time of her disappearance

The former home of missing Suzanne Morphew and her husband Barry in Maysville, Colorado was located just around the bend from the area where they believe her body is buried beneath five feet of snow

The remote Garfield Mine where police believe the remains of Suzanne Morphew could be hidden. Chaffee County police say they have pinpointed a location in an area close to her former home in Maysville, Co, and are waiting for snowpack to melt before exhuming the body.

Barry Morphew, who was due to stand trial on her murder this month, has had the charges against him dropped while police search the mine. In police interviews, he admitted to making a 5am detour close to the mine on the day Suzanne was reported missing

Pictured: View of the remote Garfield Mine where Suzanne Morphews body could be hidden. The defunct lead mine sits more than 10,000ft above sea level in the Rocky Mountains

Because of that, they had no choice but to dismiss the case against Morphew.

Morphew - who has always denied having any role in his wife's disappearance - left court holding hands with his daughters.

Speaking afterwards, his attorney declared it a victory that came about because the prosecution knew they were going to lose the case.

Barry Morphew was arrested May 5, 2021

'Now they believe they need to find a body in order to proceed with any kind of charge. Today is the first day the prosecution has ever stated that that would be a consideration.

'Forever they have stated that they don't need a body, that a body is irrelevant. But you need to know in this case there has not been a single ounce of physical evidence connecting Mr. Morphew to this alleged crime.

'We were going to get him acquitted rightly, after a trial that we believed we were going to have. But all of a sudden now today, in the face of the fact that they have committed so much misconduct, they have decided to dismiss the case claiming that there is a body that they're close to finding up in the mountains that is snow covered, near where Mr. Morphew's house was

'Barry and his daughters are relieved but they want to know where Suzanne is.

'Barry Morphew loves Suzanne Morphew. He loves her and misses her and wants to know where she is,' attorney Iris Eytan said.

Prosecutors filed this motion on Tuesday saying they believe where Suzanne's body is and are 'close' to excavating it

She fumed that prosecutors had committed the worst misconduct she had seen in '30 years'.

In the motion, obtained by DailyMail.com, Chaffee County DA Linda Stanley said police would not be able to exhume the body in time for April 28.

She also noted that forensic evidence discovered on Suzannes remains could show that her killer was someone other than Morphew  or could incriminate him further.

Stanley also said that the remains, if they are discovered in the area police have pinpointed, will require testing to ensure they are those of Suzanne and not someone else.

Despite defense objections, Judge Ramsay Lama agreed to drop the case without prejudice  meaning the charges could be refiled against Morphew at a later date.

Suzanne, a mother-of-two, was reported missing when daughters Mallory and Macy were unable to get hold of her on Mothers Day 2020.

Although Morphew was arrested and charged with murder a year after she vanished, her body has never been found.

Police say they have now pinpointed a location in a remote, mountainous area not far from the former Morphew home in Maysville, Colorado.

Both Barry and his wife were having affairs. She had been seeing Jeff Libler while he was signed up to the dating website Ashley Madison

MORPHEWS LAWYERS SET TO SPEAK: #barrymorphew and his family are choosing not to speak, his lawyers are set to comment on the case. This is Barry and his lawyer hugging after the judge accepted the prosecutions motion to dismiss the murder case without prejudice. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/Epqil01osL  Carl Winder KOAA (@CWinderKOAA) April 19, 2022

Morphew with his daughters Macy, left, and Mallory, right, at a hearing last year

The spot could be close to the remote Garfield Mine which was mentioned in prosecution arguments during a pre-trial hearing in September 2021.

According to the prosecution, data from Morphews truck sho ws a 15-minute gap between the time he left home at 5am on the morning of May 10 and the vehicles appearance on a gas station camera in Poncha Springs at 5.14am.

Morphew has since moved on with girlfriend Shoshana Darke, shown in a mugshot for trespassing

The journey typically takes less than five minutes.

In a police interview, Morphew admitted that he had taken a detour close to the abandoned lead mine after allegedly seeing some elk.

But police say they believe he was doing something else at the remote site which sits among mountains 10,289ft above sea level.

Morphew is currently living in a home in the same area, renting a property just meters away from the house he shared with Suzanne.

During previous hearings, the court heard how the Morphews happy marriage was a sham, with Suzanne enjoying a two-year fling with married dad-of-six Jeff Libler while Barry was signed up to extramarital dating website Ashley Madison.

Suzannes passionate affair included overnight trips to Florida and New Orleans and she regularly sent the married dad racy photos  including her final photo which showed her posing in a bikini top the day before she was reported missing.

Prosecutors say that while Morphew was desperate to save his marriage, Suzanne was equally determined to leave  a motive, they claim, for murder.

Police said Morphew was seen with multiple cuts and scratches on his arms and hands in the days after Suzanne vanished, while an empty tranquilizer dart was found in the laundry room.

Last year, DailyMail.com revealed how Morphew had left a hotel room in Broomfield, Colorado, stinking of chlorine on the day Suzanne was reported missing.

Since being released from jail in September, Morphew has spent much of his time with new girlfriend Shoshona Darke, 51  and was pictured exclusively by DailyMail.com with the mom-of-one in October.

According to Morphews arrest affidavit, cops were first tipped off about his new squeeze in December 2020 but were unable to catch them together so mounted a camera on a telegraph pole outside her home.

In early February, DailyMail.com witnessed Morphew visit the property on consecutive nights  staying until the following morning  but was unable to verify the identity of the occupant or their relationship with Morphew.

Police were later able to obtain security footage from Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs taken on Valentines Day which showed the pair checking in together.

Darke has refused to speak about her relationship with Morphew, despite being repeatedly approached by DailyMail.com, and maintained a low profile during his stay in jail.

She also denied being in a relationship with him when confronted by the cops but later admitted to meeting him in October 2020.
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Boris Johnson offered MPs a brief apology for his Partygate lawbreaking today - before attempting to drag attention back to the war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister said sorry with 'full humility' over the 50 fixed-penalty notice he received from Scotland Yard last week, in his first Commons appearance since the Easter break.

But in the same breath he claimed ignorance of his own Covid rules, saying: 'It did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.'

The PM was branded a 'joke' by Labour leader Keir Starmer after he made the short admission of guilt before giving a more lengthy address on events in Ukraine, to show his involvement in world events.

He has used the war as a justification for not resigning after becoming the first serving prime minister to break the law while in office.

Before arriving in Parliament this afternoon he spoke to US president Joe Biden, and French and German counterpart Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz about the Russian invasion.

Mr Johnson's hopes of dealing swiftly with the political fallout from Partygate were dealt a blow today after the Speaker approved a vote on whether he should be investigated for misleading the Commons.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved a Labour plan for a debate and vote on Thursday over the PM's claim from the despatch box last year that all lockdown rules were followed in Downing Street.

It comes in the wake of a swathe of dozens of 50 fines, including for the PM himself and for his wife Carrie, for breaking the Covid laws in 2020 and 2021.

Other opposition MPs could be heard shouting 'criminal' as the PM made his statement. And it was not enough to prevent hostile Tories from demanding he quit.

Mark Harper, a former chief whip told him to his face: 'I strongly support the Government's actions in standing up to Putin's aggression and helping Ukraine defend itself and our values and it's exactly at times like this that our country needs a Prime Minister who exemplifies those values.

'I regret to say that we have a Prime Minister who broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow, hasn't been straightforward about it and is now going to ask the decent men and women on these benches to defend what I think is indefensible.

'I'm very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds.'

He also confirmed he has submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg tonight attempted to downplay the impact of Mr Harper's dramatic intervention.

'Mark has been gearing up for that for some time,' he told LBC radio. 'It was quite funny when he said how much it pained him when he was clearly enjoying the moment thoroughly.'

The PM was branded a 'joke' by Labour leader Keir Starmer after he made the short admission of guilt before giving a more lengthy address on events in Ukraine, to show his involvement in world events.

The Prime Minister said sorry with 'full humility' over the 50 fixed-penalty notice he received from Scotland Yard last week.

Mark Harper, a former chief whip told him to his face: 'I no longer think he is worthy of the great office he holds.'

He also confirmed he has submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Short and sweet: Boris Johnson's 250-word apology for Partygate 'Let me begin in all humility by saying that on the 12th of April I received a fixed penalty notice relating to an event in Downing Street on 19th of June 2020. 'I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity, on the first available sitting day, to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House. 'As soon as I received the notice, I acknowledged the hurt and the anger, and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister, and I repeat that again in the House now. 'Let me also say  not by way of mitigation or excuse but purely because it explains my previous words in this House  that it did not occur to me, then or subsequently, that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules. 'I repeat: that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly. 'I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still underway, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps, and as the House will know, I have already taken significant steps to change the way things work in No10. 'And it is precisely because I know that so many people are angry and disappointed, that I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people, and to respond in the best traditions of our country to Putins barbaric onslaught against Ukraine.' Advertisement

In his Commons statement today, Mr Johnson told MPs: 'As soon as I received the notice, I acknowledged the hurt and anger and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister - and I repeat that, Mr Speaker, again in the House now.

'Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.

'I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly. I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still under way, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps.'

Outlining actions taken over the Easter recess, he said on April 12 in a call to US President Joe Biden he 'proposed that our long-term goal must be to strengthen and fortify Ukraine to the point where Russia will never dare to invade again'.

Mr Johnson said: 'Just as our foreign policy must look to the long term, the same is true of this Government's domestic priorities. And as we face the economic aftershocks of Covid and the consequences of Russian aggression, that is above all in tackling the impact on British energy prices and on consumers and on family bills.'

He described the 9 billion commitment to help people with their bills, and said 'we're helping families to insulate their homes and reduce costs, and to end our dependence on Putin's oil and gas'.

Mr Johnson added: 'We will massively expand offshore wind, and in the country that split the atom we will build a new reactor not every decade, but every year.

'This Government is joining with our allies to face down Putin's aggression abroad while addressing the toughest problems at home. Helping millions of families with the cost of living, making our streets safer and funding the NHS to clear the Covid backlog.

'My job is to work every day to make the British people safer, more secure and more prosperous and that is what I will continue to do.'

Sir Keir demanded he resign following his 'half-hearted' apology.

'What a joke. Even now, as the latest mealy-mouthed apology stumbles out of one side of his mouth, a new set of deflections and distortions pour from the other, he said.

The Labour leader said he spoke to John Robinson, a constituent of Conservative Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant about how he and his family obeyed the rules and could not spend time with his wife before she died and had to limit numbers at the funeral.

While the Conservatives' 80-strong majority means that the Government will almost certainly win the vote and block the investigation, it keeps the row in the headlines at a time when the PM wants it buried by other issues.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved a Labour plan for a debate and vote on Thursday over the PM's claim from the despatch box last year that all lockdown rules were followed in Downing Street.

Boris Johnson is expected to make a 'full-throated apology' when he addresses MPs in the House of Commons today

What is the vote about? Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other senior MPs requested the Commons vote after the Prime Minister was fined for attending his own lockdown-busting birthday party in No 10 in June 2020. They argue that Mr Johnson's previous assertions that 'the guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times' in Downing Street and that 'no Covid rules were broken' misled Parliament - although those remarks in the Commons were not specifically related to the birthday gathering. Ministers normally decide what is debated and when, but in this case Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle ruled that the issue should be given parliamentary time. He said it was not up to him to decide whether there had been a contempt of Parliament, but 'my role is to decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined'. Sir Keir will table a motion for the debate and vote on Thursday. He is expected to call for the Prime Minister's conduct to be examined by the Committee of Privileges, which considers issues relating to contempt of Parliament. Mr Johnson will miss the vote as he will be on a visit to India. The Prime Minister has a working majority of 75 and it would take a massive revolt of Tory MPs to agree to refer the matter to the committee. But by forcing Tory MPs to reject an investigation into whether the Prime Minister lied to Parliament the Opposition parties hope to gain a political weapon to use as voters head to the ballot boxes for local elections across the country in May. Advertisement

Sir Keir said: 'Doesn't the Prime Minister realise that John would have given the world to hold his dying wife's hand even if it was just for nine minutes, but he didn't because he followed the Prime Minister's rules, rules we now know the Prime Minister blithely, repeatedly and deliberately ignored.

'After months of insulting excuses, today's half-hearted apology will never be enough for John Robinson.

'If the Prime Minister had any respect for John and the millions like him who sacrificed everything to follow the rules, he'd resign, but he won't because he doesn't respect John, he doesn't respect the sacrifice of the British public, he's a man without shame.'

MPs will get to vote on a motion to be tabled by Keir Starmer referring him to the Commons Privileges Committee over whether he deliberately misled MPs.

The committee has the power to summon reports and documents. It means that MPs could request to see the full version of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings and any potential photographic evidence that exists.

While the Conservatives' 80-strong majority means that the Government will almost certainly win the vote and block the investigation, it keeps the row in the headlines at a time when the PM wants it buried by other issues.

Labour will also hope it pushes reluctant Tories furious at the lawbreaking into the open by making them abstain.

A party source said: 'Any Conservative MP considering voting to block this investigation would be voting for a cover up. They should reflect on the mess they got themselves into over Owen Paterson before falling into line.'

Mr Johnson will make a statement to MPs this afternoon, with expectations of a 'full-throated apology' for the fixed-penalty notice he received for breaking the lockdown laws.

Sir Lindsay said he had received letters from a number of MPs on the issue. He said the procedure is set out in parliament's Erskine May procedural rule book, noting: 'It is not for me to police the ministerial code, I have no jurisdiction over the ministerial code even though a lot of people seem to think I have. It is not the case.

'Secondly, it is not for me to determine whether or not the Prime Minister has committed a contempt. My role is to decide whether there is an arguable case to be examined.

'Having considered the issue, having taken advice from the clerks of the House, I've decided that this is a matter that I should allow the precedence accorded to the issue of privilege. Therefore, (Sir Keir Starmer) may table a motion for debate on Thursday.'

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Tory MPs to 'do their patriotic duty' in Thursday's vote on the Prime Minister's conduct.

He said: 'The British public have declared Boris Johnson a liar. Now it's time for Parliament to do the same.

He gathered his ministers this morning for a Cabinet meeting dominated by Ukraine - a meeting that took place in the same room as the June 2020 party that led to his 50 police fine.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that he told the meeting that Ukraine's position remained 'perilous', with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost'.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis (left) this morning suggested the fine was akin to ministers have previously received parking tickets

'The country cannot afford a Prime Minister who breaks the law and lies about it, especially when families are facing a cost-of-living crisis.

'Johnson has taken the British people for fools for far too long, and it's time for Conservative MPs to show where they stand. They must do their patriotic duty and kick Boris Johnson out of Downing Street once and for all.'

Mr Johnson will speak with Joe Biden and other worlds leaders about the continuing war in Ukraine before addressing MPs over Partygate later as he seeks to use the conflict as leverage.

He will take part in a virtual meeting with leaders of G7 and other nations from Downing Street before heading to the Commons to face apoplectic opposition MPs and his own long-suffering backbenchers.

It is reported he will attempt to convince politicians - and the wider public - there are bigger issues to focus on than the partygate saga.

It is thought he will zone in on the crisis in Ukraine, along with the Government's controversial new policy on sending 'illegal' migrants to Rwanda.

He gathered his ministers this morning for a Cabinet meeting dominated by Ukraine - a meeting that took place in the same room as the June 2020 party that led to his 50 police fine.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said that he told the meeting that Ukraine's position remained 'perilous', with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost'.

But comments by his supporters playing down the importance of him being the first lawbreaking PM ever raise questions over how much he is planning to apologise for in the Commons.

One source told the Financial Times that 'It's not as if he walked into a rave in Ibiza', a reference to what No10 says is his brief appearance at his birthday party in June 2020 that resulted in the fine.

And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis this morning suggested the fine was akin to ministers have previously received parking tickets.

He told Sky News: 'You've asked me, can someone who sets the laws and the rules, can they also be someone who breaks the rules.

'That clearly has happened with a number of ministers over the years.'

One source told the Financial Times that 'It's not as if he walked into a rave in Ibiza', a reference to what No10 says is his brief appearance at his birthday party in June 2020 that resulted in the fine. Pictured is the former Space nightclub.

He added: 'I think we do see consistently, whether it is through parking fines or speeding fines, ministers of both parties over the years have been in that position.

'We've had prime ministers in the past who have received penalty notices, from what I can see, and also frontbench ministers.

'I saw there was a parking notice that Tony Blair had once. We've seen front bench Labour ministers and, let's be frank, government ministers as well.'

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer slammed the idea, which followed claims at the weekend that the fine was like a speeding ticket.

Sir Keir told ITV's Lorraine': 'I don't think you can say to people ''oh just move on'', I also don't accept this argument  that it is a bit like a speeding fine. It isn't like a speeding fine at all.

'In all of my days I have never had anybody break down in front of me because they couldn't drive at 35mph in a 30mph zone. I had no end of people in tears, in real bits, about complying with rules that really really hurt them.

'I don't think the public are going to accept this. I also think the pathetic displays of Tory MPs going out to defend the indefensible is something they should all be ashamed of.'

Asked if the PM agreed with Mr Lewis's analysis, his spokesman told reporters: 'On this issue the Prime Minister will be making a statement to the house and I think, as much as possible, it's right that Parliament hear from him first rather than from me.

'He's talked about understanding the strength of feeling about this issue, which is why he has apologised, and fully respects the outcome of the police investigation.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told ITV's Lorraine': 'I don't think you can say to people ''oh just move on'', I also don't accept this argument  that it is a bit like a speeding fine. It isn't like a speeding fine at all'

It comes as he faces a potential investigation into whether he misled Parliament when making earlier statements about parties in Downing Street and his involvement in them.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to announce today he will allow MPs to vote on whether to investigate if the Prime Minister misled Parliament when saying 'all guidance was followed completely' in Downing Street in December.

Under the ministerial code, knowingly misleading parliament is an offence that should result in resignation.

Former minister and current defence committee chairman Tobias Ellwood MP told BBC Breakfast that now was the time for a vote on Mr Johnson's future as Prime Minister.

'Unfortunately, many, many MPs continue to be very numbed by this, very, very concerned by where we're going,' he said.

'We have to defend this at the next general election. We've got some more fixed penalty notices likely to come forward, Sue Gray's report to conclude, and, of course, those important local elections on the fifth of May.

'If I was the Prime Minister, I would show leadership here, recognise this requires crisis management as such, and say that 'these are difficult times, I will give you the opportunity to support me through an actual vote of confidence'.'

He added that the vote could be held after the May local elections 'if they go badly'.

'Therefore, the party itself can recognise whether we all support the Prime Minister, or the Prime Minister has support and we march forward, or it is time for change,' he said.

Last week the PM was fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday bash thrown in his honour in the Cabinet room in June 2020, while coronavirus restrictions were in place.

He was then accused over the weekend of not only attending a leaving party for his former communications chief Lee Cain on November 13, 2020, but instigating the do. Downing Street declined to comment on the claims.

Mr Johnson is widely expected to make a statement in the Commons today, as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter recess.

The Telegraph cited a Downing Street source as saying he will 'offer a full-throated apology and recognise the strength of feeling' among MPs on partygate, but is unlikely to go into too much detail on the matter.

The Prime Minister was fined 50 for attending a rule breaking birthday party in Downing Street in June 2020

'He will obviously give an update on the fine because there is a clear need to do that, but it is difficult to pre-empt the findings of an ongoing police investigation publicly,' the source reportedly said.

The newspaper said he will instead talk about Ukraine and the Rwanda deal, while The Times previously reported he will also touch on the cost-of-living crisis and a trip to India focusing on defence and trade.

As well as addressing MPs in the Chamber, Mr Johnson is expected to speak to a meeting of the entire Conservative parliamentary party on Tuesday evening.

According to The Telegraph, it is also thought Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, will announce today that he will allow a vote on an investigation into whether the PM misled Parliament with his partygate explanations.

The Times reports that while any vote to censure the Prime Minister is unlikely to pass, Labour hopes to use it to put pressure on Conservative MPs who have not yet back Mr Johnson, while also using it as ammunition in future elections if Tory MPs back him.

On Monday, a senior Tory suggested a 'war cabinet' could be established in place of a leadership contest to avoid detracting attention from the crisis in Ukraine if the PM steps down or is deposed.

Sir Roger Gale said the 'interim administration' could be led by the deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, who briefly took the reins in 2020 when Mr Johnson was hospitalised with Covid-19.

The veteran Conservative MP previously submitted a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister, which remains 'on the table', but has since said it is not the right time for a leadership election given the situation in Ukraine.

He told the PA news agency he was now keen to establish if it may be possible to put a contest on hold if Mr Johnson resigns or is forced out of his job.

Meanwhile, former archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said that without asking for repentance and forgiveness the Prime Minister's position was not sustainable.

His comments follow a thinly-veiled reference to standards in politics by one of the Church of England's most senior clergymen, the Archbishop of York.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is expected to let MPs vote on whether to investigate Boris Johnson for potentially misleading Parliament

Using his Easter sermon on Sunday, Stephen Cottrell urged Britons to ask what sort of country they wanted to live in.

He said: 'Do we want to be known for the robustness of our democracy, where those in public life live to the highest standards, and where we can trust those who lead us to behave with integrity and honour?'

Speaking to Times Radio about the partygate saga on Monday, Dr Williams said: 'Because I don't believe that we should rule out the possibility of, to put it in religious terms, repentance and forgiveness, then it's perfectly possible for somebody to say, 'Yes, I got that badly wrong. I accept the consequence. I accept that this has damaged trust. I'm asking for another chance.'

'But otherwise, I don't see it's a sustainable position, myself.'

Asked if he would recommend the Prime Minister confess in church over the issue, he said: 'Yes, of course. Yes. A breach of the law, which has damaging consequences for society, which damages trust, which damages the integrity and credibility not only of an individual but of the Government, yes, it seems to be perfectly appropriate for the confessional.'
An anti-Semitic campaigner who once compared Auschwitz to a theme park is back behind bars for mocking the Jewish faith in an Oliver Twist song.

Alison Chabloz, 58, changed the lyrics youve got to pick a pocket or two, to youve got to shift a shekel or two in a video posted online on April, 18, 2020.

Chabloz denied the lyrics mocked Jewish people, and in particular the anti-Semitic activist Ambrosine Chetrit, claiming the song was written from the perspective of the English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson.

Alison Chabloz, 58, pictured outside Westminster Magistrates' Court was convicted of sending an offensive message by public communication

She posted the video while she was subject to a suspended sentence for a similar offence, which she received in 2019, Westminster Magistrates Court, pictured, heard

She posted the video while she was subject to a suspended sentence for a similar offence, which she received in 2019, Westminster Magistrates Court heard.

Adrian Davies, defending, said: The defendant has in effect been rendered unemployable by her past history.

'She has not been able to find reasonably paid work since then.

He said there was no evidence that the song was made in reference to Ms Chetrit.

The complainant was quite unaware of the song until someone called Enoch in Israel, who spends his time monitoring online for anti-Semitism, told her...

Jailing Chabloz for 22 weeks District Judge Nina Tempia told her: I do not accept your explanation to your words, youve got to pick a pocket or two, were for Tommy Robinson.

I do find that the offence is aggravated by hostility to a religious or group and I have to take into account your previous convictions for like offence and the fact that you were subject to a suspended sentence at the time this offence was committed.

My view is that you spent time making the words offensive.

Mr Davies said Chabloz intends to appeal her sentence and asked Judge Tempia for bail but it was refused.

She said: I have made my decision. It is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is warranted.

Chabloz was jailed for 18 weeks last April, later increased to 32 week, for saying on US podcasts Realist Radio and the Graham Hart Show that Hitler wanted the Jews out of Europe for behaving in a certain fashion as were seeing again today.

She also called the Holocaust an eternal cash cow and compared it to a theme park while asserting that the gas chambers were not homicidal, but used to save lives from typhus epidemics.

Chabloz also linked to the latter podcast on her account on Gab, a social media platform popular with extremists.

She was convicted of three charges for posting offensive songs about the Holocaust and handed a suspended jail sentence in May 2018.

In the songs, the music teacher who refers to herself a historical revisionist, sings: Did the Holocaust ever happen? Was it just a bunch of lies? Seems that some intend to pull the wool over our eyes.

She said Auschwitz is a theme park just for fools and the gassing zone, a proven hoax, indoctrination rules.

The holocaust denier had appealed against those convictions but a judge upheld them at Southwark Crown Court in February 2019.

She has since breached her suspended sentence by ranting anti-Semitic comments as she telephoned in twice as a guest to anti-Semitic far-right podcasts, Realist Report and The Graham Hart Show.

The musician claimed in the podcasts that Jewish parents are indoctrinating their children that their grandparents were gassed because they were Jews, turning the children into psychopathic maniacs, the court heard.

She also claimed the Auschwitz gas chambers were fake, and that Jews were promoting homosexuality, promiscuity, the same things they are promoting today.

Chabloz, from St Johns Wood, denied but was convicted of sending an offensive message by public communication.
Lawyer John Eastman, who spoke at the Jan. 6th 'Stop the Steal' rally and helped design Donald Trump's last-ditch election overturn effort is seeking to shield 37,000 pages of documents from Congress, a new court filing reveals.

He is asserting attorney-client privilege over his work with former President Donald Trump, as the House select committee on Jan. 6th continues its wide-ranging probe.

A federal judge overseeing the case has already ruled Eastman and Trump were 'more likely than not corruptly attempted to obstruct the Joint Session of Congress' that met on January 6th, in a ruling that drew headlines around the country last month.

He is among several people who have been resisting efforts by the House select Jan. 6th Committee to pry away documents. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows' trove of documents last week revealed early efforts by Utah Sen. Mike Lee to push forward legal strategies that Trump allies were pushing to overturn the election, before ultimately voting to count electoral votes certified by states.

The emails over which Eastman, a Chapman University law professor, is claiming privilege are drawn from an even larger cache of 90,000 emails that were uncovered in Eastman's possession, Politico reported based on the Monday filing.

Lawyer John Eastman is seeking to shield 37,000 pages of documents, according to a new filing by his lawyer

Eastman became a key figure in the last weeks of the Trump administration as Trump allies sought ways for states to send rival slates of electors or even sought to have Vice President Mike Pence refused to accept votes from states where Trump allies were alleging fraud.

Meadows' own text messages revealed last week that Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy was pitching Eastman to the White House following a bizarre press conference featuring Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

'Have you talked to John Eastman?' Roy wrote Meadows Nov. 22, days after the Nov. 19 Giuliani presser where hair dye could be seen running down Giuliani's face.

'Get Eastman to file in front of [Pennsylvania] board of elections... Get data in front of public domain.'

'Frigging rudy needs to hush,' he advised, in reference to Giuliani.

Eastman is suing the House Jan. 6th committee over its subpoena for records of his emails

Eastman is citing attorney-client privilege as he fights the subpoena for his emails

The House select Jan. 6th committee subpoenaed the email documents from Chapman University, where Eastman previously worked, setting off a legal fight involving Eastman and the committee. Eastman used his university email account to promote his theories that Trump allies could pursue to try to keep the president in office.

According to a filing drafted by Eastman's lawyer Charles Burnham, the more than 3,000 documents Eastman is claiming privilege over extend to more than 37,000 pages 'with respect to his representation of former President Trump and/or his campaign committee.'

The committee is not objecting to another 3,000 pages of documents where he is asserting privilege in other areas.

Judge David Carter's earlier ruling signals that Eastman could face challenges in his legal efforts.

'Dr. Eastman and President Trump launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an action unprecedented in American history. Their campaign was not confined to the ivory tower  it was a coup in search of a legal theory,' Carter wrote.

Under one scenario Eastman put forward in a memo, Pence could fail to accept votes certified by states by citing 'ongoing disputes in the 7 States' to claim that there are in fact 'no electors that can be deemed validly appointed in those States'  a move that could have thrown the election to the House.
A professional trophy hunter shot and killed the largest 'tusker' elephant in Botswana after paying $50,000 to join a hunt.

Botswanan hunter Leon Kachelhoffer claims he killed the big tusker, which was carrying 200lb (91kg) of ivory, on the country's northern border with Namibia.

The elephant was in its early-50s and killed with a single shot, a hunting industry spokesperson confirmed.

There are only 40 'hundred pounder' tusker elephants with at least one tusk weighing 100lb left roaming in Africa.

The hunted elephant (pictured by its hunters) was in its early-50s and killed with a single shot

Kachelhoffer reposted a Facebook story describing his controversial conquest and appeared on a podcast to explain the hunt.

He told Blood Origins host Robbie Kroger that he did not expect a controversy to arise.

Kachelhoffer laughed and said: 'That wasn't one of the things I was thinking about.'

He added: 'To be in a position to hunt a bull like that, it's an incredible privilege.

'When you take a bull like that, there's a lot of remorse, there's a lot of sadness, you think about the great life that this elephant has led.

'You know, there's more to it than shooting a bull, taking a photograph, becoming a hero and all this other nonsense.'

Leon Kachelhoffer reposted an article suggesting he had hunted the big tusker elephant

The hunt was slammed by ex-president Ian Khama, who outlawed trophy hunting in Botswana before successor Mokgweetsi Masisi reintroduced the practice in 2019.

He posted on Facebook next to an image of the slain elephant: 'This was one of the largest if not the largest tusker in the country. An elephant that tour operators constantly tried to show tourists as an iconic attraction. Now it is dead.

'How does it being dead benefit our declining tourism [industry]? Incompetence and poor leadership have almost wiped out the rhino population, and now this!'

Botswana still has 130,000 elephants, but only a small minority are the world-famous big tuskers like the one hunted by Kachelhoffer.

A second elephant weighing 90lb was also killed during a recent hunt.

Elephant hunts raised $2.7million for the country's economy last year.

Hunting industry spokeswoman Debbie Peake said: 'The income and meat from the hunt will make a huge difference to a community.'

The elephant already had a bullet wound, Peake said, which means 'the poachers had him in their sights.'

She added: 'If it had been killed by a poacher there would have been no benefit to the local community.'

Though the elephant was past breeding age and its killing will not affect the gene pool, studies have shown older male mentors are crucial for younger elephants to contain their aggression and avoid conflict with humans.

Kachelhoffer did not respond to MailOnline's request for a comment.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is demanding a 'detailed briefing' from Secretary of State Antony Blinken on negotiations to return to the Iran Nuclear Deal, the conservative Democrat said on Tuesday.

In a letter addressed to Blinken, the centrist expressed his concern that one of the measures being discussed was the lifting of sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which then-President Donald Trump blacklisted as a terrorist organization in 2019.

He also slammed ex-President Barack Obama's original 2015 deal as a 'mistake.'

'While I support President Bidens commitment to reengaging the Government of Iran in diplomacy, we should not reward Iran with sanctions relief before they demonstrate verifiable efforts towards curbing their malign influence holistically; including their nuclear ambitions, terrorism financing, and dual-use weapons development,' Manchin's letter began.

'I am particularly worried about reports that you might be considering removing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from the State Department's Foreign Terrorist Organization list in the hopes that trade relations can be reestablished with Iran to assist with our energy crisis.

'Let me be clear. the IRGC is a terrorist organization.'

The IRGC is a military outside of Iran's standard forces that has broad influence within Tehran's politics and economy.

Talks to re-enter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) gained fresh urgency in recent weeks, after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine that plunged the global energy supply chain into chaos.

The West Virginia Democratic Senator (left) asked Secretary of State Blinken (right) for a 'detailed briefing' about the status of the U.S.'s year-long talks in Vienna with Iran

Reports have suggested that the U.S. may look to Iran as one possible oil market, in order to offset a gap left by President Joe Biden's total ban on Russian energy imports in retaliation for Moscow's brutal attack.

But talks hit yet another impasse recently over the IRGC's status. The State Department signaled on Monday that a reversal of the elite military unit's terrorist label, one of Tehran's key demands, was off the table for U.S. negotiators in Vienna.

'If Iran wants sanctions lifting that goes beyond the JCPOA, they'll need to address concerns of ours that go beyond the JCPOA,' department spokesman Ned Price said.

Iran, however, blamed the American side for pervasive delays in the discussions.

Manchin warned on Tuesday: 'We must not be shortsighted in the use of sanctions relief to mitigate our present energy challenges.'

Iran and the U.S. have been negotiating through third parties for roughly a year to revive the Barack Obama-era deal, which Trump withdrew the country from in 2018.

An impasse in the current talks stems from the U.S.'s reluctance to lift its terrorist organization label off of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (pictured: IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami)

Manchin said he was 'very concerned' about the 'ongoing negotiations.'

The senator, who opposed the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal and praised Trump for exiting it, cautioned against lifting the myriad sanctions imposed by the ex-president just to get talks going again.

Instead of Iran, Manchin said, Biden should be looking to Congress for measures like his proposed tax credit for clean energy manufacturing, what the senator has called an 'all-of-the-above energy policy.'

'Sanctions are our primary leverage to facilitate agreements on halting malign Iranian actions and should not be used to achieve non-strategic objectives. Instead. we should continue to invest in an all-of-the-above domestic energy policy to bolster our national security and our ability to help our allies and partners abroad,' Manchin advised.

'Congress has the opportunity to pass additional bipartisan energy legislation to further expand our ability to deliver the energy our allies and partners need. We cannot and should not look to Iran to solve our energy problems.'

He accused the country's Islamic regime of 'destabilizing the Middle East and Africa through terrorism financing, which has resulted in thousands of deaths, including the deaths of U.S. servicemembers.'

'I agree we must halt the progress of Iran's nuclear weapons program,' the lawmaker said.

'However, we must continue to negotiate a halt to Iran's use of state-sponsored terrorism, advancement of its missile program, and the continued proliferation of dual-use technologies.'

In the letter Manchin also takes aim at the original nuclear deal signed by former President Barack Obama. Manchin called the 2015 agreement a 'mistake'

He closed out the letter by taking a swing at the Obama administration for how it negotiated the original JCPOA.

'I hope that Congress will be given the due process it deserves in weighing in on such an immense foreign policy decision,' Manchin said.

'I was disappointed in the outcome of the negotiations in 2015, and I will do everything in my power to ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.'

The West Virginia Democrat was one of only four members of his party to vote against it at the time.

When Trump pulled out of the agreement during his presidency, Manchin released a statement explaining he opposed the deal because it 'gave away too much upfront and got far too little in return.'

'That is why I support President Trumps decision to impose sanctions until the Iranians agree to permanently give up nuclear weapons and the missiles that deliver them, and end their support for terrorist organizations around the world,' Manchin said on May 10, 2018.

'I believe that to be a super power, you must possess super diplomatic skills, and I believe that we can use these skills to negotiate a better deal.'
Sir Keir Starmer today called on Boris Johnson to resign following his 'half-hearted' apology and read out a letter from 'widower John Robinson' who, despite his wife dying in hospital, 'obeyed the rules while the PM partied'.

The Labour leader said he spoke to Mr Robinson, a constituent of Conservative MP Michael Fabricant (Lichfield), about how he and his family could not spend time with his wife before she died and had to limit numbers at her funeral.

Mr Robinson previously called the Prime Minister a 'pathetic excuse for a man' and that he would 'never forgive' him for breaking his own rules.

Speaking in the Commons today, Sir Keir said: 'Doesn't the Prime Minister realise that John would have given the world to hold his dying wife's hand even if it was just for nine minutes, but he didn't because he followed the Prime Minister's rules, rules we now know the Prime Minister blithely, repeatedly and deliberately ignored.

'After months of insulting excuses, today's half-hearted apology will never be enough for John Robinson.

'If the Prime Minister had any respect for John and the millions like him who sacrificed everything to follow the rules, he'd resign, but he won't because he doesn't respect John, he doesn't respect the sacrifice of the British public, he's a man without shame.'

Sir Keir Starmer today called on Boris Johnson to resign following his 'half-hearted' apology and read out a letter from 'widower John Robinson' and 'obeyed the rules while the PM partied'

Boris Johnson offered MPs a brief apology for his Partygate lawbreaking - before attempting to drag attention back to the war in Ukraine

In a letter to the Guardian, submitted last week, Mr Robinson wrote that their two daughters and three grandchildren had to carry notes from the funeral director when they travelled 100 miles up the motorway 'in case they were questioned by the police'.

He also said their son in law had to remain at home for the funeral as only six mourners were allowed to gather.

'Johnson flouted his own laws and rules', he wrote. 'He partied his way through them.

'Am I angry? Anger doesnt even touch the sides of how I feel about this pathetic excuse for a man, and I suspect that the majority of us little people share my views, will never forget and will never forgive.'

Short and sweet: Boris Johnson's 250-word apology for Partygate 'Let me begin in all humility by saying that on the 12th of April I received a fixed penalty notice relating to an event in Downing Street on 19th of June 2020. 'I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity, on the first available sitting day, to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House. 'As soon as I received the notice, I acknowledged the hurt and the anger, and I said that people had a right to expect better of their Prime Minister, and I repeat that again in the House now. 'Let me also say  not by way of mitigation or excuse but purely because it explains my previous words in this House  that it did not occur to me, then or subsequently, that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules. 'I repeat: that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly. 'I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still underway, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps, and as the House will know, I have already taken significant steps to change the way things work in No10. 'And it is precisely because I know that so many people are angry and disappointed, that I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people, and to respond in the best traditions of our country to Putins barbaric onslaught against Ukraine.' Advertisement

Boris Johnson earlier offered MPs a brief apology for his Partygate lawbreaking - before attempting to drag attention back to the war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister said sorry with 'full humility' over the 50 fixed-penalty notice he received from Scotland Yard last week, but in the same breath he claimed ignorance of his own Covid rules, saying: 'It did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.'

Sir Keir told the Commons to look past Mr Fabricant - 'the member for Lichfield' - and 'the nodding dogs in the Cabinet', adding: 'There are many decent honourable members on the benches opposite who do respect John Robinson, who do respect the British public.

'They know the damage the Prime Minister is doing, they know things can't go on as they are, and they know it's their responsibility to bring an end to this shameful chapter.

'Today I urge them once again don't follow in the slipstream of an out-of-touch, out-of-control Prime Minister.

'Put their conscience first, put their country first, put John Robinson first and remove the Prime Minister from office.

'Bring decency, honesty, and integrity back into our politics and stop the denigration of everything that this country stands for.'

Boris Johnson, replying to Sir Keir Starmer, said: 'I apologise once again profusely to John Robinson, to all those who lost loved ones, particularly those who suffered during the pandemic.

'In my statement I've tried to explain why I spoke to the House as I did.

'[Sir Keir] has chosen to respond with a series of personal attacks on me and I understand why he does that, but I think it would have been a good thing in the course of remarks if he had addressed some of the issues that I mentioned, not least the crisis in Ukraine, with the impact that is having on the livelihoods of everybody in this country.'

Mr Johnson said the Government will 'get on with our job'.

He added: 'When he talks about nodding dogs, I'd remind the House there was a certain nodding dog who sat nodding in the previous Labour shadow cabinet that would have happily installed (Jeremy Corbyn), and made, I think, a disastrous mistake in the security of our country at a very difficult time.'

Also today, Sir Lindsay Hoyle approved a Labour plan for a debate and vote on Thursday over the PM's claim from the despatch box last year that all lockdown rules were followed in Downing Street.

MPs will get to vote on a motion to be tabled by Keir Starmer referring him to the Commons Privilege's Committee over whether he deliberately misled MPs.

The committee has the power to summon reports and documents. It means that MPs could request to see the full version of senior civil servant Sue Gray's inquiry into the Downing Street lockdown gatherings and any potential photographic evidence that exists.

While the Conservatives' 80-strong majority means that the Government will almost certainly win the vote and block the investigation, it keeps the row in the headlines at a time when the PM wants it buried by other issues.
The head of California-based digital advertising firm Trade Desk could be the highest paid CEO in the country, after receiving a compensation package valued at $828 million last year.

The majority of Trade Desk CEO Jeff Green's 2021 compensation is in stock awards that will only be exercisable if the company's share price hits certain performance benchmarks in the coming years.

The hefty award means that Green is highest paid CEO across the 358 firms in the S&P 500 that have declared their 2021 executive pay packages so far, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A Trade Desk spokesman told DailyMail.com that in order for Green to realize the full value of his incentive stock award, the company's share price would have to increase to roughly five times its present level, delivering 'significant value' to shareholders.

Green, 45, has a net worth estimated at around $3.8 billion, and his 2021 compensation package even surpassed the totals unveiled by big spending private-equity firm KKR & Co, talent agency Endeavor Group Holdings and gaming site Roblox Corp.

But Trade Desk said Green signed the Giving Pledge and wants to give away 90 per cent of his wealth before he dies.

It comes as CEO pay surges to potentially record levels as annual compensation spikes at around $14million as the pandemic recedes.

The 45-year-old businessman (pictured), who is worth around $3.8billion, reportedly raked in the majority of the funds after a stock award became available to cash in

Director of Research at VerityData Ben Silverman said Mr Green's huge pay 'certainly stands out'.

He told the Journal: 'This certainly stands out in terms of the magnitude of the potential dollar amount.'

He added the businessman's large personal investment in Trade Desk meant it was of interest to him to boost its share price, with investors left to decide on the rewards.

The cash can be broken down into his $965,000 salary, a $1million bonus, a $2.7million cash annual-incentive payment and $1.9million in tax costs.

But it could rocket into the billions if the firm's price rises due to the number of shares he owns.

Mr Green has 49 per cent of voting power at the multinational technology company as well as 1.1 per cent of Class A shares and 97.7 per cent of lucrative Class B shares.

Trade Desk's share price was on target or above $90 for 30 days until the middle of January, meeting the requirements for vesting.

But he may also now hold billions of dollars worth of additional shares following the payout last year

TRADE DESK SHARES OVER THE LAST DAY:

TRADE DESK SHARES OVER THE LAST MONTH:

TRADE DESK SHARES OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS:

TRADE DESK SHARES OVER IN THE YEAR TO DATE:

Divorced father of three who loves Mad Men and Captain Fantastic... who is Jeff Green? The billionaire businessman co-founded Trade Desk in October 2009 and has served as its CEO since. Two years earlier he had sold an early online advertising exchange he founded to Microsoft Corp. Mr Green started off at Brigham Young University in his native Utah which he left with a bachelor's in 2001. He went on to the University of Southern California where he gained a degree in marketing communications. After finishing his studies he joined 411 Web Interactive in Culver City, California, and served as director of operations. From here he went on to be VP of operations and marketing at eBound, where he stayed for three and a half years. He then set up King of Search.com, where he stayed for five years until January 2006, as well as being COO of AdECN. He sold this to Microsoft Corp in 2007 but stayed on as COO of Ad Exchange at the firm before creating Trade Desk. Mr Green lives in the exclusive Newbury Park in Thousand Oaks, California, which is north west from LA. The divorced father of three - two sons and a daughter - previously told how he would drive his Tesla Model S the half an hour to his office in Ventura. He revealed how he rarely stops, taking calls through journeys as well as in the shower or during morning walks across the beach near his home. He told the FT how he was a big fan of the Captain Fantastic movie as well as Mad Men and This is Us on NBC. He added to the London newspaper: 'I would like to open an office in Hawaii and skateboard to work every morning on a boardwalk along the beach in paradise.' Advertisement

The billionaire businessman co-founded Trade Desk in October 2009 and has served as its CEO since.

Two years earlier he had sold an early online advertising exchange he founded to Microsoft Corp.

Mr Green started off at Brigham Young University in his native Utah which he left with a bachelor's in 2001.

He went on to the University of Southern California where he gained a degree in marketing communications.

After finishing his studies he joined 411 Web Interactive in Culver City, California, and served as director of operations.

From here he went on to be VP of operations and marketing at eBound, where he stayed for three and a half years.

He then set up King of Search.com, where he stayed for five years until January 2006, as well as being COO of AdECN.

He sold this to Microsoft Corp in 2007 but stayed on as COO of Ad Exchange at the firm before creating Trade Desk.

Mr Green lives in the exclusive Newbury Park in Thousand Oaks, California, which is north west from LA.

The divorced father of three - two sons and a daughter - previously told how he would drive his Tesla Model S the half an hour to his office in Ventura.

He revealed how he rarely stops, taking calls through journeys as well as in the shower or during morning walks across the beach near his home.

He told the FT how he was a big fan of the Captain Fantastic movie as well as Mad Men and This is Us on NBC.

He added to the London newspaper: 'I would like to open an office in Hawaii and skateboard to work every morning on a boardwalk along the beach in paradise.'

Mr Green hit headlines last year when he formally denounced the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over its 'hinderance of civil rights'.

He also pledged to give away at least 90 percent of his nearly $5 billion advertising-technology wealth during the December revelations.

He sent a 900-word letter to Mormon church president Russell Nelson blasting the organization as a wealth-hoarder who causes harm to people worldwide.

He wrote: '[While most members] are good people trying to do right, I believe the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world.'

He continued: 'The church leadership is not honest about its history, its finances, and its advocacy.'

He added: 'I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women's rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.'

The businessman announced his family's foundation would be making its first major donation of $600,000 to Equality Utah, which helps the LGBTQ+ community.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Green said 'almost half of the funds will go to a new scholarship program to help LGBTQ+ students in Utah'.

Tech CEO Jeff T. Green (left) sent a 900-word letter to Mormon church president Russell Nelson (right) in December blasting the organization as a wealth-hoarder that causes harm to people worldwide

The billionaire accused the church of taking advantage of its members financially, who are often poor, to satisfy its own agendas (Pictured: The LDS Salt Lake Temple in Utah)

He claimed he informally left the Mormon church 'more than a decade ago' and his letter to Nelson, dated December 20, served as a formal separation notice.

He continued: 'Although I have deep love for many Mormons and gratitude for many things that have come into my life through Mormonism, I have not considered myself a member for many years, and I'd like to make clear to you and others that I am not a member.

'While I left the Mormon church more than a decade ago  not believing, attending, or practicing  I have not officially requested the removal of my records, until now.'

The billionaire also accused the church of taking advantage of its members, who are often poor, to satisfy its own agendas.

He said: 'I think the church has exploited its members and their need for hope to build temples, build shopping malls, and cattle ranches, fund Ensign Peak Advisors investment funds, and own mortgage-backed securities, rather than alleviating human suffering in or out of the church.

'This money comes from people, often poor, who wholeheartedly believe you represent the will of Jesus. They give, expecting the blessings of heaven.'

Mr Green's huge pay check comes as CEOs bring in huge sums - around $14.2million last year, up from $13.2million the year before - as the pandemic eases.

Most saw their packages boosted by around 11 per cent or more and nearly 30 per cent of them saw 25 per cent bumps.

A Trade Desk spokesman said: 'These are performance-based options, which vest at ambitious price targets.

'We have heard from our major investors that they are very supportive of this grant, as they stand to benefit significantly if these price thresholds are met.'

They added: 'Even if [Trade Desk] hits those very ambitious targets, it would be a very low-single-digit percentage for a founder and CEO who the board believes is integral to the company's success to date and future growth agenda.'
'Superfly' actor and rapper Kaalan Walker shouted 'I didn't rape anybody' as he was led away in handcuffs after he was found guilty of raping multiple women - some as young as 16 - in a series of attacks dating back to 2013.

Kaalan 'KR' Walker, 27, was convicted Monday on charges involving six woman, three of them 16-year-old aspiring models, and sexually assaulting a seventh woman. Walker faces up to 100 years to life when he is sentenced, but his lawyer, Andrew Flier has vowed to launch an appeal.

The rapper, who hung his head and sobbed as the verdict was read, had originally been facing more than a dozen counts involving 10 alleged victims, but a Los Angeles jury acquitted him of charges involving three other alleged victims.

'I didn't rape anybody, your honor,' Walker yelled out as he was led away in handcuffs after the verdict was read Monday. 'I did not rape anybody.'

During closing arguments last week, Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Wallace called Walker a 'serial rapist' who lied about knowing Drake and used the celeb's name and his own verified social media accounts to lure victims to remote locations, promising photo shoots and introductions that never happened.

Kaalan 'KR' Walker, 27, was convicted Monday of raping multiple women, some as young as 16, in a series of attacks dating back to 2013. He faces up to 100 years to life when he is sentenced

One of Walker's accusers, model Sydney Stanford, posted an emotional video to Instagram following the verdict, thanking those who testified at the trial

Stanford was 19 when she agreed to shoot with Walker in Los Angeles in 2017, but claims he raped her in a locked car on the first night they met, she previously told Rolling Stone

'This was very sophisticated,' Wallace told Rolling Stone. 'He picked these girls and he appealed to their dreams and hopes and name-dropped Drake and used his connection to Halle Berry to get these girls somewhere and gain their trust. Once they were there, it wasn't about doing photo shoots, it was about assaulting them.'

The 10 alleged victims were among the more than 30 woman who came forward with assault claims against Walker, prosecutors said.

Some of his accusers were allowed to testify even if their allegations did not result in the convictions. Others have since spoken out, although the women whose allegations resulted in the convictions have opted to remain anonymous.

Model Jada Everon, now 23, was only 16 years old when Walker reached out to her on Instagram with the promise of a photo shoot, she told jurors during the six-week trial. She was raped after traveling from Fresno to meet him, she testified.

'Honestly, I was shocked when I heard the guilty verdict,' Everon told Rolling Stone. 'There are so many rapists who get to walk free, and I was really afraid he would be one of them. But finally there's justice, finally we're heard. This was seven years ago for me. Seven years of seeing him on social media, seeing his fame rise, seeing him hurt more women. I just kind of gave up hope, so finally seeing this happening, it's tears of joy.'

Everon told Rolling Stone that Walker lured her into his world by name-dropping Drake and promises of making her rich and famous.

Model Jada Everon, now 23, was only 16 years old when Walker reached out to her on Instagram with the promise of a photo shoot, but then raped her, she told jurors

Everon told Rolling Stone that Walker lured her into his world by name-dropping Drake and promises of making her rich and famous

'He filled me up with a bunch of hopes and dreams,' she recalled. 'What he said was dramatic. He said, "I can make you famous overnight. You can have access to all the famous people I know." It was very dramatic.'

'At that age, I was so naive,' she said. 'I was believing everything he said. I thought everything he said was legit. The entire time the assault occurred, every time I said "Stop," or was crying, he would say, "You're so immature. I'm not going to help you anymore. I'm going to take it all away from you." He flipped a switch and became a complete predator.'

Another one of Walker's accusers, model Sydney Stanford, posted an emotional video to Instagram following the verdict, thanking those who testified at the trial.

Stanford was 19 when she agreed to shoot with Walker in Los Angeles in 2017, but claims he raped her in a locked car on the first night they met, she previously told Rolling Stone.

'I'm so grateful for everybody who testified on behalf of all of his victims because I know that not every single voice got the chance able to be heard,' Stanford said in the Instagram video.

Another accuser, Tiara Kelly listened to the verdict over a special web connection set up for Walker's victims.

'To actively hear the court say 'guilty' on multiple counts, I could feel my anxiety lessen,' she told Rolling Stone. 'I am elated to know justice has finally been served and we are protected.'

The model says Walker raped her after she agreed to meet him for a photo shoot in 2014.

Tiara Kelly and Sydney Stanford detailed their alleged experiences involving the rapper

Tiara Kelly says Walker raped her after she agreed to meet him for a photo shoot in 2014

Walker's charged victims, whose names were not released, testified at his trial how even if they resisted, he didn't take no for an answer.

One victim, who was only 16 years old at the time, told the jury that Walker manipulated her into an impromptu sex tape by promising to introduce her to Drake and fulfilling her dream of becoming a Victoria's Secret model.

'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,' Wallace said during her closing. 'He's a 22-year-old man telling a 16-year-old girl, 'We have to film a sex tape.'

Another woman testified that she was raped by Walker outside a Tyga show at the Belasco nightclub in Los Angeles in January 2014. She said she was raped by someone who had offered to help her. The woman did not know who her attacker was until she got a rape exam and the DNA matched Walker.

Walker's lawyer said he plans to file a motion for a new trial based on 'multiple decisions by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino that limited the information Walker could present about the victims in the case,' Rolling Stone reported.

'I don't think he got a fair trial, and the fact that he had three acquittals on three of the victims speaks volumes,' Flier said.

'I think it will make his appellate issues a lot more meritorious. But I'm disappointed about the verdicts. The defense was precluded from calling witnesses to show the same pattern but no rape. The judge did not allow us to call witnesses about that same issue, but on the reverse.'

In 2018, Walker (pictured at screening in 2018) was landing roles like the one in SuperFly and the film Kings, starring Daniel Craig and Halle Berry

The 23-year-old hip-hop artist-turned-actor (center) appeared in the 2017 drama Kings, starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig

Police say Walker would reach out to women seeking modeling work on social media under the guise of wanting to hire them, and then rape them

Walker had been rapping under the stage name 'KR' for several years and released his EP album titled 'The Intermission. He was also cast in the film Kings, starring Daniel Craig and Halle Berry.

Walker acted in two episodes of the BET legal drama In Contempt, and later played a hot-headed gang member named Juju in the remake of the 1970s cult classic Superfly.

During a wide-ranging interview with Billboard in 2018, Walker talked about being raised by a single mother and feeling like a 'loser' that nobody would talk to growing up, before falling in love with hip hop.

He also opened up about his struggles with depression and his career aspirations in the realms of music and acting.
Ohio Republican Senate hopeful J.D. Vance celebrated former President Donald Trump's endorsement of his campaign with a new ad this week - while a former roommate tried to get him in trouble with the ex-president.

Vance's ad, which was released online Monday, calls the Hillbilly Elegy author, 'President Trump's endorsed America First conservative,' while characterizing him as a fellow political outsider.

However, Democratic Georgia state Rep. Josh McLaurin, Vance's Yale Law School roommate, tweeted a message Monday Vance sent to him during the 2016 campaign in which he says he fears that Trump could turn out to be 'America's Hitler.'

Ohio Republican Senate hopeful J.D. Vance celebrated former President Donald Trump's endorsement of his campaign with a new ad this week - while a former roommate tried to get him in trouble with the ex-president

Vance's ad, which was released online Monday, calls the Hillbilly Elegy author, 'President Trump's endorsed America First conservative,' while characterizing him as a fellow political outsider

Democratic Georgia state Rep. Josh McLaurin, Vance's Yale Law School roommate, tweeted a message Vance sent to him during the 2016 campaign in which he says he fears that Trump could turn out to be 'America's Hitler'

'I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn't be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he's America's Hitler,' Vance said at the time. 'How's that for discouraging.'

Vance also told McLaurin that the Republican Party is the party of 'lower-income, lower-education white people,' which he suggested party leaders had ignored, leading them to be prayed on by a 'demagogue.'

'The screenshot below is J.D. Vance's unfiltered explanation from 2016 of the breakdown in Republican politics that he now personally is trying to exploit,' McLaurin said as he shared the message.

Trump announced Friday that he would be backing Vance in Ohio's upcoming May 3 Republican primary, much to the chagrin of several Republican rivals hoping to capture the MAGA vote.

The winner of the nomination will likely face face a stiff test in the form of Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan in the November election.

Josh Mandel, the state's former treasurer, had previously tried to take advantage of Vance's past positions, including sharing an edited clip that makes it sound like Vance said Trump's supporters are racists.

The clip cuts off before Vance then says that most of them are not.

'I always resist the idea that the real thing driving most Trump voters was racial anxiety or racial animus, partially because I didn't see it. I mean, the thing that really motivated people to vote for Trump first in the primary and then in the general election was three words: jobs, jobs, jobs,' Vance said at a University of Chicago Institute of Politics event in 2017.

While Trump considered endorsing Mandel, he was turned off when the former state treasurer and businessman Mike Gibbons nearly came to blows in a heated exchange about Chinese petroleum last month.

Trump thought they 'looked like clowns,' said a source familiar with the ex-president's thinking - which ended any chance Trump would back Mandel.

Additionally, Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Sen. Josh Hawley and Donald Trump Jr. all lobbied the president to back Vance, the source said.

Politico previously reported that Trump wouldn't back Jane Timken, a former Ohio GOP leader, due to the fact that she initially was supportive of Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, who voted in favor of Trump's second impeachment.

Timken later criticized Gonzalez and said he should step down, coming back in step with the ex-president.

Trump's first rally in 2021 was to Gonzalez's Congressional district outside of Cleveland, so he could endorse his former aide Max Miller, running to unseat him.

Since then, Gonzalez has said he's retiring from Congress.

In the statement announcing his endorsement Friday, Trump was upfront about the fact that Vance hadn't always been a fan.

In a statement on Friday, Trump said: 'MAGA patriots from across the nation are set to deliver an election landslide for Republicans that will serve as a devastating rebuke of the failures of Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats'

Senate hopefuls Mike Gibbons, 69, (left, standing) and Josh Mandel, 44, (right) came toe-to-toe at a primary debate last month after Mandel attacked the father-of-five's financial assets in China, claiming he 'made millions' there. The clash lost them the chance of Trump's endorsement according to a source familiar with the former president's thinking

Gibbons went on to say that former Marine 'didn't know squat' because he's never worked in private sector, to which Mandel replied that he had served two tours in Iraq and told the businessman: 'Don't tell me I haven't worked.' At one point someone had to tried to break the two men up as they argued about money and life experiences

'Like some others, J.D. Vance may have said some not so great things about me in the past, but he gets it now, and I have seen that in spades,' he said in a statement.

'He is our best chance for victory in what could be a very tough race,' the ex-president said.

Additionally, Vance's campaign laughed off McLaurin's tweet and the subsequent coverage of it.

'It's laughable that the media treats JD not liking Trump 6 years ago as some sort of breaking news, when they've already covered it to death since this race began,' Campaign Manager Jordan Wiggins told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'Clearly, President Trump trusts that JD is a genuine convert, as out of all the Republican candidates running, he endorsed JD and concluded that he is the strongest America First conservative in the race,' Wiggins said. 'Despite the leftwing media's obsession with this old news, JD is proud to have President Trump's support and will stand with him to fight back against the radical left and the establishment RINOs as Ohio's next Senator.'

Trump will travel to Ohio on Saturday for a rally with Vance as the top-billed speaker.
The White House announced on April 18 that the White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell and the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink are heading to the Solomon Islands later this week. State Department's spokesperson Ned Price confirmed that China would be on the agenda. The recent deal on security cooperation framework between China and the Solomon Islands, according to Price, "could increase destabilization within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent of the wider Pacific island region."

There had been buzz about China and Solomon Islands signing the security cooperation framework. A deal was signed on March 31, 2022. The Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands made clear that the deal is not directed at any third party and can complement regional structures and other countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin stressed that the Pacific Islands are "neither the backyard of any country nor an arena for great power games."

But by the U.S. officials' visit and these words, a regional center is becoming a global center for great-power competition.

The United States has been stepping up its game in the Solomon Islands after it deemed that China's influence expanded. For nearly 30 years, the country had clearly been on the fringe of U.S.' diplomacy. the U.S. Embassy at Honiara was closed on July 30, 1993. U.S. ambassador to the Solomon Islands remained the ambassador, but was also accredited to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, and began to reside in Papua New Guinea. According to the latest World Bank data, the top 5 export destination for the Solomon Islands were China, Italy, India, Switzerland and Thailand. The United States didn't make it into the top 10. It was only in February this year that the U.S. Secretary of State said that the U.S. will reopen its embassy in the country.

The move to reopen the embassy was reported by Reuters under the headline: "U.S. plans Solomon Islands embassy in push to counter China."

A plane carrying Chinese aid for fighting COVID-19 arrives in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, February 18. /Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At best, U.S.' warming towards the Solomon Islands could be described as utilitarian. At worst, America is simply preparing another chess piece to be used as a pawn in its grand strategy to contain China. The visit by two high-level officials is said to come with a "range of ways to offer assistance in the region" to change Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's mind on the security deal, according AXIOS's report, even after PM Sogavare made clear that Solomon Islands isn't allowing China building a military base and declared any suggestions that his country cannot manage sovereign affairs as "very insulting."

The security deal kicked U.S.' cold war routine into full gear. This one single deal, which PM Sogavare described as "diversifying" the country's security partnerships, is seen by U.S. politicians as tantamount to Solomon Islands turning to the enemy's side. And America's strategic objective is simple: To stop China from growing more influential, nurture U.S.' own influence and dislodge China from the region. David Mahon, the Executive Chairman of the Mahon China Investment Management, said in an interview that America has been the hegemonic power in the world since the collapse of the Soviet Union and that, as the world changes, there's gonna be a reaction to anything China does.

"It's seen in a context which doesn't have anything to do with the Solomons. It's simply the jostling of two powers now, which is America that doesn't want to lose something and China that America misunderstands as out there to take away what America has," Mahon said.

Like any other of its partners, China wants to build a relationship with the Solomon Islands that's beneficial to both countries' development. China and the Solomon Islands have only had a diplomatic relations for less than three years, and there are more opportunities ahead for both countries to cooperate on. It'd be sad and dangerous if the United States reacts to each of these with antagonism and a plan to counter it. Because the biggest casualty in America's game will be regional stability and the development of the Solomon Islands.
A man and a woman have been arrested after a one-year-old boy tragically died in Birmingham.

Emergency services were called to Laxey Road in leafy Edgbaston, Birmingham where the tot was found in cardiac arrest on Saturday night, April 16.

The youngster, who has not been named, was rushed from the terraced property to hospital but sadly passed away.

The baby was taken to hospital but sadly passed away following the incident on Saturday, April 16

Emergency services were called to a house in Laxey Road in leafy Edgbaston after a one-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest

Police have confirmed that two people - a 35-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman - were arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child.

They have since been bailed while officers investigate the circumstances of the boy's death.

Police have said a post-mortem is set to be carried out 'in due course' to determine the cause of death, Birmingham Live reports.

Photos from the scene show forensics officers walking in and out of a property in the road following the incident, while plain clothes detectives knocked on doors in the street.

Police have confirmed they arrested two people on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child

The 35-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have both since been released on bail while the investigation continues

Officers from West Midlands Police were seen going in and out of the property, as well as knocking on doors on the street on Sunday, April 17

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said, 'We were alerted to a one-year-old boy in cardiac arrest at an address in Laxey Road, Birmingham, on Saturday evening, April 16.

'The baby was taken to hospital but tragically passed away.

'A 25-year-old woman and 35-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and have been bailed while our enquiries continue.'
A Louisiana man tied a woman to a BMW's steering wheel then knifed her in the neck on a Facebook Live stream until she died, prosecutors allege.

Earl Lee Johnson Jr, 35, of Baton Rouge, has been charged with the first-degree murder of of 34-year-old Janice David, whose naked body was found by Baton Rouge police on in the partially-torched white BMW 5-Series on Monday night.

Someone who saw video of the attack on a Facebook Live feed notified Facebook, which in turn contacted authorities, according to the reports. The 15-minute video has also been described as 'gruesome,' and has been removed from social media.

During a news conference Tuesday to announce the arrest, police said Johnson and David had been on a dayslong 'drug binge' before he allegedly choked, beat and stabbed her.

A horrific clip showing part of the incident, which is too disturbing to reproduce, shows Johnson accuse his alleged victim of stealing drugs, while she mutters in agreement.

'Apparently they were involved in some drug usage together for a couple of days and the end result  as everyone has seen on Facebook Live  is a very gruesome, very evil act,' police spokesperson L'Jean McKneely said.

Autopsy results are pending on David, 34, who was a Domino's Pizza employee in Louisiana's capital.

This photo provided by Baton Rouge Police Department shows suspect Earl Lee Johnson, 35, who was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was initially charged with theft of a motor vehicle, and aggravated flight form an officer after a chase with police on Monday

A live streamed fatal stabbing of a 34-year-old woman, Janice David (pictured), on Facebook led police to her naked body in an office building parking lot in Baton Rouge, where she was found attached to a BMW's steering wheel with jumper cables

In a snippet of the gruesome video, shared by Unfiltered with Kiran, Johnson is seen sweating while being shirtless in the BMW's passenger seat, accusing David, who is heavily breathing besides him in the driver's seat, of 'stealing my s***, jump out of the car with drugs.'

The suspect continues to rant on before looking at the cellphone camera, saying: 'and guess what?' before stabbing David in the leg with a knife wrapped in an orange handkerchief.

Right before the video snippet ends, David can be heard panting heavily from the wound and repeatedly begging Johnson to stop, saying 'please' several times.

Johnson Jr recorded the murder on Facebook Live before it was taken down after someone saw the video on social media. In a snippet of the video, the suspect accuses David of stealing his belongings and wanting to flee from him

Baton Rouge police said Johnson and David had been on a dayslong 'drug binge' before he allegedly choked, beat and stabbed her in a BMW that he stole

Meanwhile, investigators added that Johnson tried to light the stolen car up on fire and that he was already in custody when David's body was found, leading to his confession of the gruesome murder.

'We launched our investigation had a recording of the video, already had him in custody, we interviewed him, he admitted to committing the killing,' said Sargeant L'Jean McKneely McKneely, of Baton Rouge Police.

Johnson, possibly David's boyfriend, was initially charged with theft of a motor vehicle, and aggravated flight form an officer after a chase with police on Monday.

He was taken to a local hospital before being incarcerated. If found guilty, Johnson could face anytime between 30 years to life imprisonment behind bars.

The suspect's criminal record further shows that he's already been in trouble with the law after committing several armed robbery arrests in 2005.

As of Tuesday evening, Johnson is booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison although no court date has been decided yet.
President Joe Biden laughed and chatted with Chris Sununu upon his arrival in New Hampshire on Tuesday just a few weeks after the Republican governor described Donald Trump as 'f***ing crazy.'

Biden touched down in Portsmouth to tout his infrastructure law. Sununu greeted him on the tarmac as he has on past presidential visits. The governor will not be attending Biden's speech.

But the two men appeared jovial in their greeting of one another: a long handshake, Biden patted the governor's arm, Sununu leaned over to whisper in the president's ear.

Biden made brief remarks at the airport as he was preparing to depart for the Portsmouth Port Authority.

Asked if the U.S. was sending more weapons to the Ukraine, the president shouted back 'yes.'

The first shipments of the latest round of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, which includes heavier weapons systems, started arriving in the region over the weekend, according to the Pentagon.

The recently approved $800 million in security assistance includes Howitzer artillery systems, 40,000 artillery rounds, armored personnel vehicles and other weapons.

President Joe Biden laughed and chatted with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu upon his arrival in New Hampshire

Gov. Sununu greeted President Biden at the airport but will not attend his event at the Portsmouth Port Authority

Sununu, meanwhile, garnered attention for his remarks at the white-tie Gridiron dinner in early April, where he slammed Trump.

'He's f***ing crazy,' the governor said. The dinner features a Republican and Democratic speaker and is known for its roasts.

'I don't think he's so crazy that you could put him in a mental institution,' Sununu added. 'But I think if he were in one, he ain't getting out.'

After the dinner, when some Trump supporters were upset at his remarks, Sununu said it was all a joke.

He stressed the satire nature of the dinner during an interview with Chris Ryan of NH Today Monday morning, saying he was kidding.

'It's all a joke. Look, I don't think he's crazy. It's all a joke,' Sununu said.

'It's all in fun, it's all a joke, and anyone who's trying to make this to be more than it is either seriously doesn't understand what the Gridiron dinner is all about, or just has to, you know, like I said, lighten up a little bit, get a sense of humor. And understand, we have serious jobs; I take my job incredibly seriously. I think we've done a great job in New Hampshire, but you can't take yourself too seriously,' he added.

Biden didn't attend the Gridiron dinner but sent a video message. In it, he thanked Sununu for helping Democrats keep the Senate.

Sununu, who was heavily courted by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to run for Senate, declined to challenge Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan. It was a tough loss for the GOP and a sigh of relief for Democrats.

Hassan still faces an uphill climb to another term despite Sununu's pass.

Gov. Sununu garnered attention earlier this month when he described Donald Trump as 'f***ing crazy' during a speech to Gridiron dinner

Also greeting Biden at the airport was Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, who faces a tough re-election campaign

The governor told the Washington Examiner earlier this year that he was 'pretty close to running' - and then he talked to Senate Republicans.

'They were all, for the most part, content with the speed at which they weren't doing anything. It was very clear that we just have to hold the line for two years. OK, so I'm just going to be a roadblock for two years. That's not what I do,' Sununu said.

Sununu opted to seek a fourth, two-year term in the governor's mansion. He is the son of John H. Sununu, a former New Hampshire governor and the former chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush.

Hassan also greeted Biden at the airport and will attend his remarks.
The grieving parents of a 17-year-old boy who killed himself while battling a social media addiction have filed a lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat that blames the firms for driving their son to his death.

Chris and Donna Dawley, of Salem, Wisconsin, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta, and Snapchat parent company, Snap, over their son, Christopher 'CJ' Dawley, who shot himself in the head in 2015.

The lawsuit was filed last week with the Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC), a legal organization that represents parents of teens suffering from depression, sexual exploitation and self harm as a result of social media addiction.

'For seven years, we were trying to figure out what happened,' Donna told CNN Business about her son's death, adding that she wanted to hold the social media companies accountable for how their products affect children.

'How dare you put a product out there knowing that it was going to be addictive Who would ever do that?'

Chris (right) and Donna Dawley, of Salem, Wisconsin, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat over their son's 2015 suicide

The Dawley's said Christopher 'CJ' Dawley, 17, (pictured) became dangerously addicted to the social media platform before he shot himself in the head while gripping his phone

The Dawleys said CJ would stay up until 3 a.m. on Instagram messaging people, swapping elicit photos. His mother said he became sleep deprived and obsessed with his body image

The lawsuit was filed against Facebook and Instagram's parent company, Meta (left) and Snapchat parent company Snap. The Dawley's filed the suit with the Social Media Victims Law Center, who is representing 20 other families in similar lawsuits against the social media firms

The Dawleys said CJ was only 14 when he first signed up for Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, growing more and more addicted to the platform as the years went by.

According to the suit, CJ would stay up until 3 a.m. on Instagram messaging people, and even swapping nude photos with one another. She said he became sleep-deprived and obsessed with his body image.

Then on January 4, 2015, as the Dawley's were removing the holiday decorations from their home, CJ went up to his room, messaged, 'God's speed' to a friend and posted 'Who turned out the light?' on Facebook before shooting himself with a 22-caliber rifle.

His suicide note was found inside the envelope of a college acceptance letter.

'When we found him, his phone was still on, still in his hand, with blood on it,' Donna said. 'He was so addicted to it that even his last moments of his life were about posting on social media.'

The Dawleys allege that the social media platforms 'are not reasonably safe because they affirmatively direct minor users to harmful and exploitative content while failing to deploy feasible safeguards to protect vulnerable teens from such harmful exposures.'

Snap and Meta declined to comment due to the pending litigation.

Snap said in a statement that it emphasizes with those who have lost loved ones due to suicide, but added that it's platform provides suicide prevention tools.

Its spokesperson also insisted the app was primarily designed to help people communicate with friends they already know.

'We intentionally built Snapchat differently than traditional social media platforms to be a place for people to connect with their real friends and offer in-app mental health resources, including on suicide prevention for Snapchatters in need,' Snap spokesperson Katie Derkits told CNN.

'Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community and we are constantly exploring additional ways we can support Snapchatters.'

CJ went up to his room, messaged, 'God's speed' to a friend and posted 'Who turned out the light?' on Facebook before shooting himself with a 22-caliber rifle.

The Dawley's said they want to hold the social media companies accountable for pushing their addictive platforms onto children

The Dawleys said their son was a regular teen until he became engrossed with social media, an addiction they said led to the mental health issues that caused his suicide in 2015

SMVLC attorney Matthew Bergman, who is representing the Dawleys along with 20 other families filing wrongful death lawsuits against social media companies, said the lawsuits are not about winning money, but about holding the tech giants responsible.

'The only way to force [social media companies] to change their dangerous but highly profitable algorithms is to change their economic calculus by making them pay the true costs that their dangerous products have inflicted on families such as the Dawleys,' Bergman told CNN.

'When faced with similar instances of outrageous misconduct by product manufacturers, juries have awarded tens of millions of dollars in compensatory damages and imposed billion-dollar punitive damage awards. I have every reason to anticipate a jury, after fairly evaluating all the evidence, could render a similar judgment in this case.'

Donna added: '[This lawsuit] is not about winning or losing. We're all losing right now. But if we can get them to change the algorithm for one child - if one child is saved - then it's been worth it.'

The Dawleys said they were inspired to file the lawsuit after Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's revealed hundreds of leaked documents and memos last year that showed the company was aware of Instagram's negative effect on teens' mental heath.

The files, which were published by the Wall Street Journal, revealed the company was aware of the problem since 2019, with Facebook's own research showing that young users were going through mental health declines using Instagram.

One message posted on an internal message board in March 2020 said the app revealed that 32 percent of girls said Instagram made them feel worse about their bodies if they were already having insecurities.

The families were motivated to file the suits following last year's leak by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who revealed Facebook was long-aware of Instagram's damaging effects on teens' mental health

Meta put a stop to its Instagram Kids app following reports that the social media platform was well aware of the harmful effects Instagram was having on teens

Nearly two dozen other families have filed lawsuits against social media companies over the alleged negative impacts their children have suffered from the platforms

Another slide, from a 2019 presentation, said: 'We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.

'Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression. This reaction was unprompted and consistent across all groups.'

Another presentation found that among teens who felt suicidal, 13 percent of British users and 6 percent of American users traced their suicidal feelings to Instagram.

The findings spurred parents who claimed their children have suffered due to the addictive nature of the social media platforms to sue the companies.

Brittney Doffing, of Oregon, filed a lawsuit with the SMVLC in January against Snap and Meta for allegedly turning her 14-year-old daughter into a violent cell phone addict who has developed an eating disorder and undergone multiple psychiatric admissions in the past couple of years.

Brittney Doffing says her daughter was a well-adjusted teenager until she caved and bought her a smartphone for her 14th birthday in March 2020. Doffing filed a lawsuit against Snap and Meta in January with the Social Media Victims Law Center

Brittney Doffing told KOIN her daughter was a well-adjusted teenager until she caved and bought her a smartphone for her 14th birthday in March 2020 so she could keep up with her friends during the pandemic.

'Anytime I try to take the phone, she would get very physical, violent, verbal with me, with her sisters. She would smash the phones so that I couldn't review the content.'

On the same day as Doffing's lawsuit, another mother filed a wrongful death suit against Snap and Meta, accusing them of leading to her daughter's suicide in July.

That lawsuit, also led by the SMVLC, alleges that 11-year-old Selena Rodriguez of Enfield, Connecticut was also addicted to social media and would run away from home to use it when her parents prevented her from accessing the sites, according to The Washington Post.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been quiet in the past about the issues the app is blamed for causing among young girls.

He told Congress in March 2021 that Instagram has 'positive mental-health benefits'.

Instagram has a 'parental guide' which teaches parents how to monitor their kids' accounts by enabling features like screen time limits and who can comment on posts, but there's no way to verify someone's age before they join the site.

Instagram claims it only accepts users aged 13 and over but says many lie about it when they join.
A mom has been charged with the murder of her five year-old son who was found dead in woods after she allegedly compared him to serial killer Ted Bundy.

Danielle Dauphinais, 35, was indicted Friday on one count of first-degree murder alleging she purposely caused the death of Elijah Lewis, one count of second-degree murder alleging she acted recklessly in causing his death, and three counts of witness tampering.

Child welfare officials notified police that the boy went missing on October 4 from the family's home in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Elijah's body was found in Ames Nowell State Park in Abington, Massachusetts - just 70 miles from Merrimack - on October 23 by a police dog, 10 days after a search was launched by investigators across five states.

Texts revealed that same month by The Boston Globe showed Dauphinais allegedly complaining about Elijah to a childhood friend in June and calling him 'the next Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer' while saying she 'wanted him gone.'

Notorious serial killer and rapist Ted Bundy kidnapped, raped, and murdered several women and underage girls during the 1970s and possibly earlier. He confessed to more than thirty murders he committed across seven states between 1974 and 1978.

Dauphinais also reportedly told her friend that she couldn't 'trust' her son 'anymore' as a result of Elijah urinating over his bedding and clothes and playing with his own feces.

She also wrote to her friend: 'I want him gone. I can't handle it anymore,' according to the Globe.

Danielle Dauphinais, 35, was charged with two murder charges on Friday after her five-year-old son was found dead two weeks after his disappearance in October 2021

Elijah Lewis, 5, death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy by the chief medical examiner in Massachusetts. He suffered 'violence and neglect,' and had fentanyl in his system according to an autopsy report

New Hampshire State Police said that investigators were contacted with 'credible' information that led them to search in Ames Nowell State Park

Elijah Lewis (pictured) was reported missing on October 14 by Department of Children, Youth and Families in Merrimack. Police said his body found 'buried in the ground' of a wooded area in Abington

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts determined the boy suffered 'violence and neglect,' as well as facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment and pressure ulcers.'

According to the indictments, Dauphinais is accused of killing her son sometime between September 27, 2020, and September 24, 2021. She also is accused of telling two people to lie and say the boy was with them in October and telling a third not to talk to investigators.

Dauphinais was arrested in New York City on October 16 - a week before her son's discovery. She and the man she was with, Joseph Stapf, 30, were then charged with witness tampering and child endangerment before being extradited back to New Hampshire.

Her attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. Stapf is also not the boy's father, who remains anonymous at this time. Dauphinais is next scheduled to appear in court on June 28th for disposition proceedings.

The search for 5-year-old Elijah Lewis led investigators to Ames Nowell State Park in Abington, where they found his remains on October 23 after a 10-day search across five states

A statement by the New Hampshire's attorney general, John M. Formella was shared shortly after the boy's left, revealing that he had also been malnourished and suffered facial and scalp injuries as well as pressure ulcers

Elijah's mother, Danielle Dauphinais, 35, and her boyfriend Joseph Stapf, 30, were arrested in New York City on October 16 in connection with the little boy's disappearance. Stapf is not Elijah's father, who remains anonymous and lives in Arizona

'I am sick to my stomach,' MJ Morrison, the aunt of one of Elijah's brothers, told the Globe in November. 'I didn't expect anything [like] this. I was hoping this was an accidental overdose and he got into something [and] they just panicked and didn't know what to do.'

New Hampshire State Police said that investigators were contacted with 'credible' information that led them to search the area and that Elijah's body was found 'buried in the ground.' Massachusetts State Police also assisted in the search.

Police in Merrimack had been searching the home where Dauphinais and Elijah lived since October 14 for evidence about his disappearance.

Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, is pictured in court before being extradited to New Hampshire in connection with the disappearance of her five-year-old son in October

New Hampshire authorities take Joseph Stapf, 30, (pictured in handcuffs) into custody following an extradition hearing at Bronx County Criminal Court on October 16

The Department of Children, Youth and Families in Merrimack had alerted police that Elijah had not been seen in months.

In the arrest warrant, the office alleges that 'they violated a duty of care, protection or support' for the five-year-old.

Dauphinais' childhood friend Erika Wolfe told the Globe that she had not spoken to Dauphinais in years, before she got in contact over Snapchat by responding to one of her posts on her story.

During their exchange, Wolfe mentioned her own challenges in dealing with her son's behavior, before Dauphinais mentioned that the New Hampshire child welfare agency were involved with her own situation.

Elijah had only recently started living with Danielle - who has six children - having been sent by his father to his mother in May 2020.

It is not currently known why Elijah was sent to his mother from his father, who lives in Arizona.

Knowing that Child Protective Services was searching for the boy, Dauphinais and Stapf allegedly instructed others to lie about his whereabouts, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General's office

New Hampshire State Police took several items from 4 Sunset Drive in Merrimack, Elijah Lewis's last known home on October 18
Angelina Jolie has sparked speculation that she is suing the FBI to find out why its agents declined to charge Brad Pitt over a 2016 private jet altercation he had with her eldest son Maddox.

The new lawsuit, filed by an anonymous Jane Doe, alleges the investigative bureau denied the plaintiff access to records pertaining to an investigation allegations that the woman's 'then-husband  physically and verbally assaulted' her and their children while traveling on a private plane 'several years ago.'

In 2016, soon after Jolie filed for divorce, it was revealed that Pitt was being investigated by the FBI and Los Angeles social services amid reports he got 'verbally abusive and physical with his children' on a private jet traveling from France to the USA.

Investigators cleared Pitt, 58, of the abuse allegations, stating he had not committed child abuse when he got into a fight with Jolie-Pitt, then 15, aboard the jet. It has now been speculated that Jolie may be the woman who is suing, although a source close to her and Pitt told TMZ were given the full FBI report during their divorce.

The suit alleges Jane Doe has filed numerous requests for a copy of the department's investigative file in hopes of 'better understanding the FBI's investigation and obtaining information necessary for her children to receive medical care and trauma counseling'.

High-profile attorney Amanda Kramer, who is representing the plaintiff, told Politico her client filed the suit anonymously to 'preserve the familys privacy.' Representatives for Jolie, 46, did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

In 2016, soon after Jolie filed for divorce, it was revealed that Pitt was being investigated by the FBI and Los Angeles social services amid reports he got 'verbally abusive and physical with his children' on a private jet. The child involved in the alleged altercation was said to be Maddox Jolie-Pitt, who is pictured alongside his parents in 2013

Angelina Jolie (pictured in March 2022) has sparked speculation that she is suing the FBI over its response to an altercation between her ex-husband, Brad Pitt, and eldest son, Maddox

The filing alleges the woman's children have 'experienced lasting physical and mental trauma' after being 'verbally and physically' assaulted by her then-husband while flying on a private plane.

The plaintiff claims the FBI launched an investigation into the incident and 'without advance notice' to her or her children, 'publicly announced it was closing its investigation of the incident without further action'.

The woman filed several FOIA requests with the bureau, hoping to better understand why they opted not to take action against her husband, according to the filing.

She has accused the agency of not only failing to provide her with the requested documents, but also claims the FBI's responses to her requests are 'legally insufficient'.

The woman, who does not appear to have filed a formal lawsuit yet, had requested that she be permitted to proceed with the case under a pseudonym and to have it sealed. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell reportedly signed off on the request this week.

The new lawsuit, filed by an anonymous Jane Doe, alleges the investigative bureau denied the plaintiff access to records pertaining to an investigation allegations that the woman's 'then-husband  physically and verbally assaulted' her and their children while traveling on a private plane 'several years ago'

'Our position is that victims and survivors should be able to access federal agency records of crimes they experienced or reported, as is common at the state level, so they can advocate for help and trauma care and legal protection for their children and themselves,' Kramer told the media outlet after declining to disclose the plaintiff's identity.

'Our client has been seeking such records for years and has been stonewalled and has had to resort to court action to receive those much-needed records. Legislative remedies are necessary.'

Speculation arose that Jolie may be Jane Doe due to the similarities between the filing and the accusations the actress had previously made against Pitt.

However, a source connected to the former couple told TMZ Tuesday that both Pitt and Jolie received a copy of the FBI's report following the initial investigation into the plane incident.

The source also claimed the information in the report was submitted during the couple's divorce case.

The FBI did not respond to DailyMail.com's inquiry about the suit.

Angelina Jolie is pictured with her children (left to right) Maddox, Vivienne, Knox, Shiloh and Zahara in October 2021

In September 2016, the actress alleged Pitt and and their son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, got into an argument on the family plane.

Witnesses, at the time, alleged the confrontation between the Hollywood star and his teenage son escalated to the point that Pitt struck the boy - 'intentionally or inadvertently'.

The bystanders claimed Pitt then drove around the tarmac in a fuel truck, but returned to the plane soon after and the group departed for Los Angeles.

Shortly after the alleged incident, an anonymous source called in an complaint to LA County Department of Children and Family Services, alleging that Pitt had demonstrated both physical and verbal abuse.

Social workers interviewed Pitt, Jolie, their children and witnesses on the plane before determining there was no case to answer and closing their investigation.

Days after the alleged plane incident, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt and asked for full custody of their kids.

Once DCFS cleared him of the abuse allegations, Pitt formally responded to his ex's petition stating his intent to seek joint custody of their brood.

In 2021, amid the couple's divorce and custody battle, a source close to the family said Jolie had 'm ade similar allegations in the past which were investigated by the authorities and not substantiated.'

The source called the accusation of abuse on the private jet her 'latest sad and desperate attempt to advance a false narrative at any cost.'

The powerhouse stars met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2005 and after dating for a decade they tied the knot in September 2014. Pitt and Jolie are pictured together in a scene from the blockbuster film

The couple's divorce was finalized in 2019. Maddox Jolie-Pitt allegedly testified against his father during the couple's contentious divorce and custody battle - offering a 'not very flattering' opinion about the actor. Jolie-Pitt is pictured with his mother in 2019

The powerhouse stars met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2005 and after dating for a decade they tied the knot in September 2014.

They have six children together: Maddox, 20, Pax, 18, Zahara, 17, Shiloh, 15, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 13.

Jolie adopted Maddox in 2002, then Zahara in 2005, a year after she'd met Pitt while the pair filmed Mr and Mrs Smith. He was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time.

They then adopted Pax together in 2007, and had biological kids Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne afterwards. Pitt adopted all of the kids before they got married in 2014.

Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, prompting a long legal battle.

Maddox Jolie-Pitt, then 19, testified against his father during the couple's contentious divorce and custody battle - offering a 'not very flattering' opinion about the actor.

A source also revealed during the proceeding that Jolie-Pitt wanted to legally remove 'Pitt' from his name, something his mother 'doesn't support.'
President Joe Biden's Education Department again moved to ease the burden of U.S. student loans on Tuesday, with the federal government claiming its latest reforms will wipe out debts for 40,000 such borrowers and bring 3.6 million Americans closer to ending their payments.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called the current system a 'life sentence' for millions of low-income borrowers and pledged to correct 'historical failures' that have plagued repayment schemes like the income-driven repayment program (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Borrowers working as public servants are eligible for forgiveness under PSLF once theyve made 10 years of qualifying payments.

'Student loans were never meant to be a life sentence, but its certainly felt that way for borrowers locked out of debt relief theyre eligible for,' Cardona said in a press release.

'Today, the Department of Education will begin to remedy years of administrative failures that effectively denied the promise of loan forgiveness to certain borrowers enrolled in IDR plans.

'These actions once again demonstrate the Biden-Harris administrations commitment to delivering meaningful debt relief and ensuring federal student loan programs are administered fairly and effectively.'

Roughly 41 million Americans collectively own about $1.6 trillion in student loan debt, larger than the total sum of the country's credit card and auto loan debt.

Progressive Democrats including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the so-called Squad have called for student debt to be completely eradicated and Biden has extended the freeze on payments throughout the pandemic.

The announcement on Tuesday moves towards the removing the financial concerns of millions of Americans that can last for decades.

PSLF allows people who have worked for the federal government while making qualified loan repayments over a 10-year span to be granted loan forgiveness.

However, the DoE revealed last year that 98 percent of borrowers were being rejected as recently as late in 2021 -- despite Biden campaigning on fixing the issue.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said that millions of low-income Americans feel like student loan debt is a 'life sentence' in a Tuesday statement announcing reforms to key repayment programs

Under Tuesday's reforms, 40,000 people enrolled in the program will qualify for immediate debt cancellation, the department said.

The 'longstanding problems' with parts of the student loan program PSLF allows people who have worked for the federal government while making qualified loan repayments over a 10-year span to be granted loan forgiveness. However, the DoE revealed last year that 98 percent of borrowers were being rejected as recently as late in 2021 -- despite Biden campaigning on fixing the issue. Under Tuesday's reforms, 40,000 people enrolled in the program will qualify for immediate debt cancellation, the department said. Additionally, 'several thousand borrowers' on in the government's IDR program will also have their student debt forgiven, and more than 3.6 million people are going to get at least three years of credit toward IDR forgiveness. One of the central foci of Tuesday's announcement was a crackdown on 'forbearance steering.' The DoE is accusing loan servicers of a predatory practice that involves pushing borrowers into forbearance rather than an income-driven repayment plan. A student loan's interest continues to accrue in forbearance, whereas under an IDR that unpaid interest could be covered by the government. IDRs allow borrowers to make payments as a percentage of their income and then have the rest forgiven after 20 or 25 years of making payments. Advertisement

Additionally, 'several thousand borrowers' on in the government's IDR program will also have their student debt forgiven, and more than 3.6 million people are going to get at least three years of credit toward IDR forgiveness.

One of the central foci of Tuesday's announcement was a crackdown on 'forbearance steering.' The DoE is accusing loan servicers of a predatory practice that involves pushing borrowers into forbearance rather than an income-driven repayment plan.

A student loan's interest continues to accrue in forbearance, whereas under an IDR that unpaid interest could be covered by the government.

IDRs allow borrowers to make payments as a percentage of their income and then have the rest forgiven after 20 or 25 years of making payments.

Months spent in forbearance do count toward loan forgiveness, but people in IDR programs could be eligible to spend $0 in a month and have it still count as fulfilling their required regular payments.

'Department regulations require that borrowers who are facing difficulty making their loan payments get clear and accurate information from servicers about their options for staying out of delinquency, including IDR plans, and the financial consequences of choosing short-term options like forbearance,' the DoE's press release read.

'However, FSA reviews suggest that loan servicers placed borrowers into forbearance in violation of Department rules, even when their monthly payment under an IDR plan could have been as low as zero dollars.'

To combat this, the department is granting borrowers who have been in forbearance for more than 12 consecutive months or 36 months in total a one-time adjustment toward qualifying payments for IDR.

The government is also moving to restrict loan servicers' ability to enter borrowers into forbearance through text or email and will review other ways it could offer more protection for those changing their loan status but may not fully know what their options or risks are.

The DoE also found 'significant flaws' in the IDR payment tracking system and said it was 'committed to fixing this problem swiftly and permanently.'

That includes updates to IDR tracking systems that will allow borrowers to view their progress through the federal government's student loan site StudentAid.gov.

It follows President Biden earlier this month extending the moratorium on federal student loan payments until at least August 31

It comes as Biden is under increasing pressure to use his executive actions to cancel federal student loan debt altogether -- something that moderate Democrats and nearly every Congressional Republican has opposed.

The White House has insisted that getting it done through legislation would be a more stable solution and is leaning on lawmakers to act.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who's become one of the leading voices in the cancel student debt movement, said in a video meeting with activists last week that Biden 'seems more open to it than ever before.'

He and progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren signed onto a letter along with nearly 100 other Democrat lawmakers urging Biden to cancel up to $50,000 in student debt.

Earlier this month Biden extended a moratorium on federal student loan repayments that has been in place since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, now through August 31.

Critics on the right called it an undue burden on U.S. taxpayers, while critics on the left blasted the extension as a temporary fix that just prolongs borrowers' uncertainty.

But the possibility of Biden taking executive action to cancel all or some student loan debt is 'still on the table, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on the 'Pod Save America' podcast late last week.

After the August 31 moratorium deadline, Psaki said 'we have to then decide whether it's extended.'

The pressure is mounting on Biden to take executive action to forgive at least part of the $1.6 trillion in student loan debt currently held by more than 40 million Americans
MSNBC's former foreign-policy analyst Malcolm Nance has joined the Ukrainian International Legion to help the war-torn country fight 'what essentially is a war of extermination.'

Nance, 61, who has 35 years of experience working in intelligence, announced on MSNBC's Reid Out that he joined the legion 'about a month ago' and was there to assist the Ukrainians against Russian aggression.

'There are thousands here to protect this country,' the 20-year Navy veteran said of the force. 'And we have to assist them in any way to stop this, so I decided that I came here to assist them with the skills I have myself.'

He said his 'friends in Donetsk' inspired him to join the force after writing to him to tell the analyst that they did think they would last the night and he decided it was time to do something.

'"We're not going to survive tonight, we've been hit 500 times,"' Nance, who spent a lot of time in the country 'pre-war,' recalled his friends telling him.

'You know, the more I saw of the war going on, the more I thought: "I'm done talking, all right? It's time to take action here."

'So, about a month ago, I joined the International Legion here in Ukraine and I am here to help this country fight, you know, what is essentially a war of extermination.'

'This is an existential war and Russia has brought it to these people and mass-murdering civilians and there are people here like me, who are here to do something about it.'

MSNBC's former foreign-policy analyst Malcolm Nance, 61, (pictured) has joined the Ukrainian International Legion 'about a month ago' to help fight against Russian aggression. He said: 'I am here to help this country fight what essentially is a war of extermination'

Nance (pictured on Reid Out on Tuesday) said he allowed his contract with MSNBC to expire before joining the force because he was 'through talking about it' and wanted to take action

The journalist, who allowed his contract to expire with MSBNC before joining the war because he was 'through with talking about it,' said he was 'touched' when he met his battle buddies for the first, because 'they were here for the right reasons.'

'They were not here just to get guns,' the American soldier told Daily Beast, explaing that that the force only takes combat veterans. 'If anybody gives me any f**king flak just tell them to shut the f**k up since theyre obviously p*ssies who have never been in combat.

'The international legion is one of the best-kept secrets in the country. Thats the story. They were higher-level people than I am.

'Most journalists have never seen an actual member or been following freelancers all over the battlefield. I really cant tell you how diverse a group it really is. It is literally a multinational force of men and women who are here to defend Ukraine.'

He also told Reid on her show when asked if there was a disadvantage for the international legion, he said there wasn't as they were all fighting for the same mission.

Nance's showed the inside his small living space in Ukraine that featured nothing bags on the floor and a small desk

'We are here for one purpose and one purpose only: And that is to protect the innocent people of Ukraine from this Russian aggression,' he told Reid on her show. 'It's not a conventional war, Joy. Even though you have two armed forces going head-to-head, here, what you have is another group - I won't even refer to the Russians as an army - just using mass heavy weapons that are used in combat against civilians.

'They are destroying infrastructure. And then you find that they go to the cities and they massacre men, women, and children - and that is the fundamental reason everyone is here.'

He also said soldiers weren't hunting down their nation's flag patches to sew onto their uniforms - which are traditionally worn on the right arm of uniform and serve as a form of identification - but rather were just people trying to push Russia back. The former journalist said he and his fellow soldiers weren't concerned about where they came from or what they are, but are rather united under one purpose.

'Look, they're not going around hunting for American flag patches, so see who's black, who's Asian, who's Latino. We are a part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We are brothers and sisters with the Ukrainian Army.

'And with that being said, side-by-side, elbow-to-elbow with them. The Russians, on the other hand, they barely - except for when they are doing these offenses and moving with armored forces down these highways - they're barely attacking the Ukrainians. They're maintaining a line, but their emphasis seems to be the mass murder of civilians, which is against all laws of war, these are war crimes.'

Nance has since asked President Joe Biden, 79, to send Ukraine 'heavy weapons' because 'Russia has one advantage on the battlefield and that is long-range artillery.'

Nance has since asked President Joe Biden, to send Ukraine 'heavy weapons' because 'Russia has one advantage on the battlefield and that is long-range artillery.'

'Let me say something to the president of the United States: Give [Ukraine] counter-battery long-range artillery, multiple rocket launch systems to out-range the artillery. If you do that, you stop the attacks on civilians because thats what theyre doing with the artillery.'

Nance (pictured with war journalist Terrell Starr, right) has 20 years experience in the Navy and 35 years in intelligence. He joined the Ukrainian International League because he was 'through talking about it' and wanted to take action

James Vasquez, 47, from Connecticut, who also joined the legion, also asked for more weapons, stating earlier this month: 'Give us some f**king weapons please. We will not win with trash weapons.

'We need m-16s, M-4s, ACOGs, red dots, ammunition, ammunition, ammunition, javelins, f**cking old AT-4s, I know are probably in some storage unit. Frag grenades, and if notmay as well bring body bags.

'They expect me to go into battle with just my drones, AK-47 and one grenade and nothing else,' the veteran, who served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, said.

Biden has recently announced he would be sending more weapons to Ukraine as the latest round of US weaponry started landing in the war-torn country last weekend.

The recently approved $800million in security assistance includes Howitzer artillery systems, 40,000 artillery rounds, armored personnel vehicles and other weapons.

Nance - who wrote a book about ISIS and speaks fluent Arabic - said he was happy to serve the people of Ukraine to fight against the Russians.

'[The Ukrainians] are grateful for the help, and I am grateful to be here. I'm glad I can help my friends and I don't have to listen to them talk about how many children were killed that day. We're going to try to put a stop to it.'

Around 20,000 people from 52 countries have already volunteered to fight in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, 44, in a video address last month. said Ukraine began welcoming foreign volunteers, with the arrival of the first 16,000 arriving to 'defend the liberty and life of us and of everyone.'
Police have issued an urgent appeal for the whereabouts of two teenage girls missing for six days.

Alliyah Montaque, 15, and 16-year-old Lina Bennacef were last seen in Walthamstow, north-east London at around 3.10pm on Wednesday, April 13.

The teenagers are thought to be together and may be with an older teen with links to south London, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Alliyah's older sister Destiny, 18, said it was extremely out of character for her not to make contact for this long.

Alliyah (left) and Lina (right) were last seen in Walthamstow around 3.10pm last Wednesday

She said Alliyah's phone was confiscated the night before her disappearance, so she has no way of reaching out.

Destiny told MyLondon: 'I havent seen my sister in days..

'Theyve gone off together, we dont know where they are at all.'

Alliyah is also thought to be without a change of clothes.

The 5'7 15-year-old was last seen 'wearing blue jeans, a cropped puffer jacket, and white [Nike] Air Forces', her sister added.

Alliyah (left) would not normally spend this long without calling home, said sister Destiny (right)

This my cousin and her name is Alliyah Kae-Johnae or KJ Montaque, she is 15 years old. She went missing yesterday (13/4/22) at 3pm with another young lady named Lina. She left her home in Leyton and was last seen in Walthamstow but not again since. pic.twitter.com/0VIWWMQ8qW  Nadine_CCN (@NadineD_G) April 14, 2022

Alliyah's cousin Nadine tweeted last Thursday that her relative 'left her home in Leyton' and hasn't been seen since.

Anyone who sees Alliyah or Lina should call 999 immediately. Those with information about where they are can contact police on 101, giving the reference 6276/13APR.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or to the Missing People charity on 116 000.

The Metropolitan Police added: 'Officers are also appealing to Alliyah and Lina directly to contact the police, or someone they trust, to let us know they are safe if they are able to do so.'
'Cult mom' Lori Vallow has pleaded not guilty to murdering her children as she appeared in court for the first time since a judge declared her fit to stand trial.

The 48-year-old was at Fremont County Courthouse in St Anthony, Idaho, following her husband Chad Daybell.

The alleged killer wore a blue sweater and green reading glasses as she entered the room this afternoon.

She remained silent as District Judge Steven Boyce summarized the six charges against her - with her attorney asking the court to enter a not guilty plea.

It comes after she spent the last 10 months in the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Last year a jury-ordered psychological assessment determined she was incompetent to move ahead with the trial.

But last week Fremont County District Judge Steven Boyce ordered court proceedings against Vallow to continue, saying she had restored competency.

Vallow and Daybell, 53, are charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder, among other crimes.

They are in relation to the deaths of Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, seven, Tylee Ryanm seven, and Daybell's first wife Tammy.

The children were found buried in his backyard in Idaho in 2020 after they were last seen in September 2019.

Tammy was killed in October 2019, two weeks before Vallow and Daybell married, authorities said.

'Cult mom' Lori Vallow (pictured today) has pleaded not guilty to murdering her children as she appeared in court for the first time since a judge declared her fit to stand trial

The 48-year-old was at Fremont County Courthouse in St Anthony, Idaho (pictured), following her husband Chad Daybell

Lori Vallow was chucked back in jail last week following a judge's decision she is fit to stand trial for the murders of two of her children

Vallow was taken to the Madison County Jail in Rexburg, Idaho, by Fremont County Sheriff officers

Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, left, and Tylee Ryan, right, were last seen in September 2019. Their bodies were eventually discovered buried on Chad Daybell's property after a nine-month search

Lori Vallow (left) and Chad Daybell (right) were said to have extreme religious beliefs. Detectives believe the couple's 'belief system, lust and greed' also led to the deaths of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell

JJ's grandfather Larry Woodcock last week accused Vallow of 'knowing how to play the system' and said he was thankful Judge Boyce had restored her competency.

He told KUTV: 'We're thankful that it has moved forward. I've said it since day one, she is not incompetent. She knows how to play the system.'

Vallow is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband Charles Vallow with the help of her now-deceased brother Alex Cox.

Their indictments allege the couple became convinced their victims were zombies who had been possessed by dark spirits and could only be released through death.

Vallow had been confined to a state psychiatric hospital since June 8, 2021, after she was found incompetent to stand trial after a psychological assessment.

Her stay at the psychiatric facility was extended several times before her competency was restored last week.

Vallow is accused of killing two of her children, JJ and Tylee, with the help of her husband Daybell.

JJ's grandfather said he would be in court for Vallow's arraignment and trial in January, hoping the system gets justice for his grandson.

He added: 'He was just a special little boy. I promise you. I will be sitting so close to them, I can iron their clothes from the back.'

JJ's grandfather Larry Woodcock last week accused Vallow of 'knowing how to play the system' and said he was thankful Judge Boyce had restored her competency

JJ and Tylee are seen smiling and hugging while standing on a boardwalk in front of a thermal feature at Yellowstone National Park in Idaho on September 8, 2019, with their uncle Alex Cox. It would be the last time that Tylee was seen alive

Tylee and JJ vanished in September 2019, leading to a nationwide hunt. Their bodies were not found until the following June.

The whole saga began in 2019, when Charles Vallow was killed by Lori's brother Alex Cox.

A police probe in Arizona found computer documents indicating he discovered his wife was having an affair with Chad Daybell just weeks before his death.

Charles confronted Lori in a text message and then reached out to Tammy to let her know their spouses were cheating.

The investigators did not determine if she ever read the email or deleted it without reading.

Eleven days after Charles sent the email, he was shot to death by Cox, who argued self-defense.

At the time, he was seeking a divorce, saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times.

Meanwhile Cox died in December 2019 of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

A police investigation in Arizona uncovered computer documents that indicated Charles Vallow discovered his wife was having an affair with Chad Daybell just weeks before his death (Lori and Charles are pictured at their wedding in 2006)

Before marrying Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell, who died in October 2019. Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori Vallow after just two weeks, and Tammy Daybell's body was exhumed. Although the autopsy results have never been publicly released, Tammy Daybell's son, Garth Daybell said last year authorities believe his mother died by asphyxiation

Tylee was last seen on September 8, 2019, while JJ was last seen with his uncle Alex Cox on September 22. Their bodies were found in Daybell's backyard in June 2020

Shortly after Charles's death, Lori and the children moved to Idaho, where Daybell lived.

He ran a publishing firm putting out fiction books he wrote on apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from 'beyond the veil'.

He was married to Tammy, who died in October 2019. Authorities grew suspicious when Daybell married Lori just two weeks later, and Tammy's body was exhumed.

The autopsy has never been released, but Tammy's son, Garth said last year they told him they believe his mother died by asphyxiation.

Then in November 2019, police began searching for Tylee and JJ in after relatives raised concerns.

Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about the children's whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later.

Tylee was last seen on September 8, 2019, when she went to Yellowstone National Park with her mother, her brother and Cox, court documents say.

In this June 9, 2020, aerial photo, investigators search for the human remains of JJ and Taylee at Chad Daybell's residence in the 200 block of 1900 east, in Salem, Idaho

It is not clear what happened to her, but police say the next day Cox's cellphone data shows he made a trip to Daybell's property and was near the children's bodies.

Also on September 9, 2021, investigators say Daybell texted Tammy, reportedly telling her he decided to burn some plants and also had shot a raccoon.

The detective said in the documents he was suspicious because raccoons are normally nocturnal and the text said the animal had been shot during the day.

Lori's best friend Melanie Gibb said she was told Tylee was attending school at a nearby college, though investigators found the teen had never been enrolled.

Gibb also said JJ's behavior appeared to be typical, despite his mother claiming he was acting strangely.

The last time Gibb saw JJ was September 22, 2019, at Lori's apartment. Cox left with his nephew for his place nearby, Gibb told police, and when they returned, JJ appeared to be asleep, with his head on Cox's shoulder.

The next morning, Gibb said JJ was gone and Lori said Cox had taken him for a while.

An analysis of Cox's cellphone records that day shows his phone pinged at locations on Daybell's property again.

It was those cellphone records that led police to the bodies of the children, officers said.

Daybell met Vallow in 2018 and the two quickly became close, according to investigators.

Within a short time, they were traveling to meet each other, and at one point Daybell wrote a story for her based on two characters who met at a religious conference.

By May of 2019, Lori was looking at gemstones online similar to the ones that would later be in their wedding rings.

Daybell and Vallow communicated with each other using code names or pet names like Lili, Bubby, Raphael and sometimes eschewed standard text messaging.

Instead they used 'burner' phones or messaging systems inside of a popular karaoke phone application, according to computer and phone files found by investigators.

As their relationship grew, so did their cult-like religious beliefs, according to investigators.

Several family members and friends interviewed by detectives described them as having a strange doomsday-focused belief system.

At times as many as 10 people were part of the loose religious group that met to pray, drive out evil spirits and seek revelations from 'beyond the spiritual veil'.

Though the beliefs Vallow's friends described to detectives were loosely based on theology from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were extreme.

Daybell sits in prison awaiting trial, currently scheduled for January 2023. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty.

They have cited the fact all his alleged crimes were committed for remuneration  life insurance and social security payments  as aggravating circumstances.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's leadership PAC announced a $7 million ad buy Monday on behalf of Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is fending off a primary challenge from the Trump-backed Kelly Tshibaka.

So far, that's the only Republican primary McConnell's Senate Leadership Fund is getting involved in - with most of the cash being directed to six general election battles starting in September.

'We don't seek out opportunities to be involved in primaries,' Senate Leadership Fund President Steven Law told Politico.

McConnell, however, has made it clear he's behind Murkowski - who's held her Alaska Senate seat for 20 years.

The investment is similar to how much she spent on her 2016 re-election campaign, CNN pointed out.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (left) leadership PAC announced a $7 million ad buy Monday on behalf of Alaska's Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (right)

Former President Donald Trump backed Murkowski's rival Kelly Tshibaka back in June. Tshibaka has led Alaska's Department of Administration since January 2019

She's been on former President Donald Trump's bad side since last February, when she was among the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump on the House's impeachment charges of inciting the January 6 insurrection.

Trump jumped in her Senate re-election race early by announcing his endorsement of Tshibaka back in June.

Tshibaka is an Alaska native and went to high school in the state before attending Texas A&M University and then Harvard Law School, according to the Anchorage Daily News, who shared a copy of her resume when she was appointed by Alaska's governor to lead the Department of Administration in January 2019.

She spent nearly 17 years in the Washington, D.C. working for the federal government under the Bush 43, Obama and Trump administrations.

Tshibaka worked for the office of inspector general for the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Trade Commission, the Director of National Intelligence and the Justice Department.

'Lisa Murkowski is bad for Alaska,' Trump said in a statement when he announced his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' of Tshibaka, adding that he planned to campaign for her in Alaska.

In November, Murkowski announced she would be running for re-election - setting up a Trump-McConnell proxy civil war.

McConnell and Trump had a falling out in the weeks following the 2020 election, after Trump refused to concede.

While McConnell wouldn't publicly criticize Trump pushing the so-called 'big lie' - the ex-president's false claims that he lost the election due to widespread voter fraud - the Kentucky Republican said that now President Joe Biden was the election winner in mid-December, once the Electoral College met in state capitals to cast their votes.

They haven't spoken since.

Trump has made a number of high-profile endorsements as of late - including of author J.D. Vance in Ohio and Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, but hasn't pushed a lot of his fundraising dollars candidates' way.

He did, however, give $500,000 to PACs trying to remove Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp from his position, Politico reported last week.

Kemp irritated Trump for his unwillingness to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in his state, which Biden won.
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Ukrainian forces managed to repel numerous attempted advances as Russian shelling and strikes increased on the Donbas line of control on Tuesday, a British military update said.

On one of the most dramatic days of the war, Moscow hit more than 1,200 targets as it launched its long-feared offensive in eastern Ukraine.

In what is likely to be the definitive battle for Ukraine, Russia tried to break through the 300-mile defensive front line of Kyiv's forces.

But it continued to be impacted by 'environmental, logistical and technical challenges', said the Ministry of Defence (MoD), adding that the country is still failing to 'achieve its aims as quickly as it would like'.

The UK Government department wrote: 'Russian shelling and strikes on the Donbas line of control continue to increase, with the Ukrainians repelling numerous attempted advances by Russian forces.

'Russia's ability to progress continues to be impacted by the environmental, logistical and technical challenges that have beset them so far, combined with the resilience of the highly-motivated Ukrainian armed forces.'

It continued: 'Russia's inability to stamp out resistance in Mariupol and their indiscriminate attacks, which have harmed the resident civilian populace, are indicative of their continued failure to achieve their aims as quickly as they would like.'

Briefing Cabinet ministers in the morning, Boris Johnson described Ukraine's predicament as 'perilous', with Vladimir Putin seemingly determined to claim victory 'regardless of the human cost'.

Ministers were briefed by a senior national security official who said the new phase of the war, focusing on the Donbas region, was likely to be 'an attritional conflict' which could last 'several months'.

Russia's aerial bombardment, which began in the early hours and continued throughout the day, focused on targets around Luhansk and Donetsk, the country's industrial area producing coal and steel.

Moscow's defence ministry said 'high-precision air-based missiles' had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in the Donbas, including the city of Slavyansk, where 60 Ukrainian military targets were apparently hit.

After a long and heavy bombardment, Putin's forces then captured the city of Kreminna, leaving  according to local officials  at least 200 civilians dead.

'In reality there are many more,' said Luhansk's regional governor, Serhiy Haidai.

Meanwhile in the besieged city of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops filmed Call of Duty-style footage showing them blowing up a Russian armoured vehicle with an anti-tank guided missile after the soldiers refused Moscow's ultimatum to lay down their arms.

Video shows a Ukrainian soldier from the Azov Battalion firing the missile at the Russian military vehicle and landing a direct hit, sending a black plume of smoke into the air.

The soldier, whose comrade across the street can be seen holding a grenade launcher, quickly retreats inside a building in Mariupol and can be heard shouting 'yes' after the successful hit.

The Azov Battalion posted the footage after Russia told Ukrainian troops who have been holed up in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to lay down their arms within two hours if they wanted to live.

The Russian defence ministry called on the troops to withdraw from the steel plant between 1400 and 1600 Moscow time (1100 and 1300 GMT) 'without exception, without any weapons and without ammunition'.

'All who lay down their arms are guaranteed to remain alive,' the defence ministry added.

But the Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks defied Moscow's demands as the video showed their continued resistance.

Ukrainian troops have filmed Call of Duty-style footage showing them blowing up a Russian armoured vehicle (centre) with an anti-tank guided missile in the besieged city of Mariupol after the soldiers refused Moscow's ultimatum to lay down their arms

Video shows a Ukrainian soldier from the Azov Battalion firing the missile at the Russian military vehicle and landing a direct hit, sending a black plume of smoke into the air

Russia today issued a new ultimatum for Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters holed up in the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol to lay down their arms within two hours if they wanted to live. Pictured: Smoke rises above the steelworks in Mariupol

Russia unleashed a barrage of artillery fire on eastern Ukraine overnight as its offensive in the east got underway, with troops seizing the village of Kreminna. But Ukraine has also launched counter-attacks east of Kharkiv and near Izyum to cut Russian supply lines

A damaged Russian tank is seen near a road in Zalisia village not far from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday after Russian troops retreated from the area

Ukrainian Interior ministry sappers collect explosives in a hole to detonate them near a mine field in the village of Moshchun, close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Kyiv on Tuesday said Russia's new offensive in eastern Ukraine will fail because Moscow's forces lack the strength to break through Ukrainian defences.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Sea of Azov.

Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the fiercest fighting and most comprehensive destruction since Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.

The defiant move by Ukrainian troops comes after Russia claimed it had hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery as Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

Russian troops managed to take control of the eastern city of Kreminna after hours of relentless bombing, as gunfights between Putin's men and battling Ukrainian forces continue.

'Control over the city of Kreminna is lost, street fights are taking place,' Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had begun 'the battle for the Donbas'.

Downing Street has been warned that the battle could take 'months', with Boris Johnson telling a Cabinet meeting today that Ukraine's situation is 'perilous' with Putin intent on victory 'regardless of the human cost.'

Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday 'high-precision air-based missiles' had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas region, including the city of Slavyansk, whilst airstrikes had hit 60 military targets.

Overall, Russia claimed it had struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet had been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region.

The aftermath of last night's Russian bombing of the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine on Tuesday

Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery and street battles have broken out as Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Pictured: The aftermath of Russian bombing in Mykolaiv on Tuesday

Pictured: A damaged kindergarten in Zalisia village not far from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, at an unknown location in Eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Interior ministry sappers defuse mines on a mine field after recent battles with Russian troops in Irpin on Tuesday

Gravediggers fill up the grave during a funeral a man, who died during the shelling by Russian troops, at a cemetery in Irpin on Tuesday

Ukrainian authorities said on Monday that no fewer than 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal plant in Mariupol, adding that Russia was dropping heavy bombs onto the Ukrainian-held factory in the besieged city.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's Chechnya region and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Russian forces would on Tuesday completely take over the Azovstal steel works.

'Today, with the help of the Almighty, we will... take over Azovstal completely', Kadyrov said in an audio message on his Telegram channel.

In the eastern city of Kreminna, the regional governor said Russian troops took control there after 'levelling everything to the ground'. He said Ukrainian troops had retreated to regroup and keep on fighting, as he warned the evacuation of civilians from the city is impossible.

'It simply makes no sense to stand in one place, to die for everyone, without causing significant damage to the enemy,' Governor Haidi said.

A part of damaged Russian tank lies on a road not far from the small city of Brovary near Kyiv on Tuesday

Russia has claimed it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery in Ukraine. Pictured: Parts of Russian missiles have fallen on the zoo in Mykolaiv

Parts of Russian missiles have fallen on the zoo in Mykolaiv on Tuesday following Russian shelling

A Ukrainian serviceman walks along a road while his comrades sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Meanwhile an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today said Russia's new offensive in eastern Ukraine is going 'very cautiously' and will fail because Moscow's forces lack the strength to break through Ukrainian defences.

Presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said Russian forces were trying to find 'sensitive spots' in Ukraine's defences but added: 'Their offensive will fail - I give you a 99% guarantee - they simply do not have enough strength.'

'The battle for Donbas, which was announced and apparently began yesterday, is under way and is going very cautiously. The battle will not go in Russia's favour,' he said on national television.

Russian forces have stepped up their all-out assault on the Donbas region, as cities and towns in eastern Ukraine were rocked by fresh explosions last night.

After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, along with other regions of Ukraine's eastern flank, in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday dubbed 'The Battle of the Donbas'.

Ukrainian media outlets and Telegram channels reported a series of explosions along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk throughout the evening.

Local officials and media also said explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.

Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Tuesday that five civilians were killed and 17 wounded by Russian shelling.

'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said in his daily presidential address last night.

'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'

The coming battle is viewed as pivotal to deciding the ultimate fate of Ukraine - and perhaps of Russia as well.

Russia retreated from Kyiv more than two weeks ago after failing to seize the capital, and has spent the days since massing forces in the east in an attempt to restart its failed invasion and score its first major battlefield victory.

Most troops are gathered at Izyum, a city spanning the Donets River some 70 miles to the south of Kharkiv, for an expected push south towards Mariupol.

If Mariupol falls to Russian forces - which is expected to take place in the coming weeks - these troops are likely to begin pushing north to join up with the Izyum force in a pincer movement.

The aim is to surround Ukrainian soldiers dug into trenches along the old Donbas frontline, where they have been fighting Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014.

If the Russians can pull off the manoeuvre, then those troops - known as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) and thought to comprise a large portion of the Ukrainian army - will be cut off from supplies and vulnerable to surrender.

Should Russia succeed in surrounding and forcing the surrender of JFO troops, then it would provide a huge propaganda boost to the Kremlin and one of its stated war aims - the 'liberation' of Donbas from Ukrainian control.

Depending on how many troops Russia loses in the process, the victory could also prompt Putin to reposition his forces for fresh attacks against Ukrainian cities to the west - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and possibly Odesa and Kyiv.

Such a move would drag the war out for many months - possibly years - and put the survival of Ukraine as a sovereign state under threat.

But if Ukraine emerges victorious, it would deal a hammer blow to Russia's invasion plans and deny Putin any conceivable path to victory.

A Ukrainian serviceman rides atop an armoured fighting vehicle in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday

Burned vehicles are seen at the destroyed part of the Illich Iron & Steel Works Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol on Monday

An interior ministry sapper defuses a mine on a mine field after recent battles in Irpin close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

A man looks at cars destroyed amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, after they were collected from different places, in Irpin on Tuesday

A damaged Russian tank is seen near a road in Zalisia village not far from Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

Volunteers distribute humanitarian aid to locals in Zalisia village near Kyiv on Tuesday

A woman walks next to a damaged building after a Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday

As happened with the stalled offensive around Kyiv, defeat for Russia would leave its occupying forces vulnerable to Ukrainian counter-attacks and could prompt a retreat back into rebel-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, and into Crimea.

Depending on how many troops Ukraine has left after the battle, it could also open up the possibility of attacks into those previously-occupied regions with the aim of returning them to Ukrainian control - which Zelensky has stated as one of his aims.

Such a catastrophic loss would be difficult even for Putin's regime to explain to the Russian people, and it is open to debate whether he could survive the backlash.

Meanwhile Ukraine's lead negotiator said it was hard to predict when peace talks might resume because of Russia's bombardment of Mariupol.

Kyiv and Moscow have not held face-to-face talks since March 29, and the atmosphere has soured over Ukrainian allegations that Russian troops carried out atrocities in Bucha, a town near Kyiv.

Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukraine's top negotiator, said the continuing siege of Mariupol and the repeated failure of attempts to arrange safe corridors for the evacuation of trapped Ukrainian civilians had also complicated matters.

'Obviously, against the backdrop of the Mariupol tragedy, the negotiation process has become even more complicated,' he said.

'Russia defiantly renounces any manifestations of humanity and humanism when it comes to certain humanitarian corridors. Especially when we talk about Mariupol.'

Each side blames the other for the breakdown of peace talks and the failure of negotiations on safe corridors for civilians.

Podolyak said some contacts were continuing online to 'clean up' agreements reached on future guarantees for the security of Ukraine, ensuring they were compliant with international law.

'It is difficult to say when the next face-to-face round of negotiations will be possible because the Russians are seriously betting on (making gains in) the so-called 'second stage of the special operation',' he said.

Local authorities say more than 20,000 people have been killed in the siege of Mariupol, and Russia have given the last Ukrainian defenders holed up in a steel works an ultimatum to surrender or die. Podolyak said Russia wanted to crush the last fighters in Mariupol for 'internal propaganda' purposes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia's large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region had begun

A man walks near a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022

Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak called Russia's fresh assault 'the second phase of the war' and assured Ukrainians that their forces could hold off the offensive.

'Believe in our army, it is very strong,' he said.

Shortly before Zelensky's address, the regional governor of the eastern Luhansk region Sergiy Gaiday also announced the beginning of Russia's much-anticipated attack.

'It's hell. The offensive has begun, the one we've been talking about for weeks. There's constant fighting in Rubizhne and Popasna, fighting in other peaceful cities,' he said on Facebook.

Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine on Monday, according to local authorities.

Gaiday said four people died as they tried to flee the city of Kreminna in Luhansk, which Russian forces captured on Monday.

In the neighbouring region of Donetsk, regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said four other civilians died after Russian bombardment, while a man and a woman were also killed in Kharkiv when shells hit a playground near a residential building.

An aerial view shows a residential building destroyed during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 18, 2022

Local residents walk in a courtyard near a block of flats heavily damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 18, 2022.

Ukraine estimates that 21,000 people have been killed in Mariupol (residents gather in a Mariupol courtyard, April 18)

A Ukrainian commander alleged that Russian 'bunker buster' bombs, designed to penetrate thick armour and kill targets underground, are dropping despite the presence of a large civilian population in the Avostal steel factory (pictured)

The latest Russian rockets tipped the amount of damage dealt to Ukrainian infrastructure beyond $85bn, according to the Russia Will Pay campaign - a project developed by Kyiv's School of Economics in conjunction with the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of the Economy.

'In 54 days of full-scale war, Russia has damaged Ukraine's infrastructure by $85 billion,' the statement read.

'Over the past week, the direct losses of Ukraine's economy due to the destruction and damage of civilian and military infrastructure increased by $4.45 billion,' the project declared.

Ukraine's top security official, Oleksy Danilov, said Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defences 'along almost the entire front line of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions' on Monday morning, but were pushed back.

Meanwhile in Mariupol, the commander of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard, Denys Prokopenko, alleged Russian planes had began to deploy 'bunker busters' to kill the last Ukrainian fighters and civilians sheltering in a steel plant - the scene of the city's last stand against the invaders' onslaught.

Prokopenko said in a video message that the bombs, designed to penetrate thick armour and kill targets underground, are dropping despite the presence of a large civilian population in the Azovstal steel factory.

'Russian occupational forces know about the civilians, and they keep willingly firing on the factory,' he said.

Major Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraine's 36th marine brigade in Mariupol, appealed for help in a letter to Pope Francis, saying women and children were trapped among fighters in the city's steel works.

'This is what hell looks like on earth... It's time (for) help not just by prayers. Save our lives from satanic hands,' the letter said, according to excerpts tweeted by Ukraine's Vatican ambassador.

At least 1,000 civilians were hiding in underground shelters beneath the vast Azovstal steel plant, the city council said.

Ukraine estimates that 21,000 people have been killed in Mariupol.

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime.

Putin recognised the independence of two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donetsk and Lugansk shortly before the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24.

Russian troops move into Mariupol as they continue to try and take the city from Ukraine to free up forces for attacks in the Donbas

A large Russian offensive in the Donbas region had been predicted by Ukraine's army for weeks (Service members of pro-Russian troops drive an armoured vehicle during Ukraine-Russia conflict near the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 17, 2022)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he launched the military operation to save the region's Russian-speaking population from a 'genocide' carried out by a 'neo-Nazi' Kyiv regime

Colonel Ivan Grishin, Commander of the 49th anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Russian Army's tactical air defence unit, is reported to have been killed in Ukraine

His army's assault on the Donbas regions comes as Ukraine's armed forces declared more than 20,000 Russian troops have died since the start of the invasion.

According to the latest figures, a total of 20,600 Russian servicemen have been confirmed dead by the Ukrainian authorities, while even the most conservative Western estimates, given at the start of the month, put the Russian death toll between 7,000-15,000.

As the war entered its 54th day yesterday, Ukrainian authorities also announced that Colonel Ivan Grishin, commander of Russia's 49th anti-aircraft missile brigade, was killed amid fighting near Kharkiv.

His death pushed the number of Russia's high-ranking military commanders to have died on the frontlines to 35.

In light of Russia's startling losses and their new assault on the Donbas, the head of the infamous Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries is believed to have made the trip to Ukraine to oversee his men's deployment in the east.

Members of the mercenary group were thought to have arrived in Ukraine as early as late March, but now there are fears that around 1,000 Wagner group fighters could be stationed there.

The group, which has been used by the Kremlin as a proxy in various armed conflicts around the world, carries a reputation for brutality and human rights abuses and goes by the motto: 'Death is our business and business is good'.

Now the group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin - a man known as 'Putin's Chef' - is now believed to be on the ground in the Donbas to oversee operations, though the wealthy friend of Putin is not a military veteran.

'Prigozhin, who has no military experience and is the financier and organiser of Wagner Group rather than its military commander, is likely in Donbas to co-ordinate recruitment and financing of Wagner Group operations rather than to command combat operations,' said the Institute for War Studies, an American think tank.

Meanwhile, the United States military is set to begin training Ukrainians to operate howitzer artillery in the coming days, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.

In light of Russia's startling losses and their new assault on the Donbas, the head of the infamous Wagner Group of Russian mercenaries is believed to have made the trip to Ukraine to oversee his men's deployment in the east. There are fears that around 1,000 Wagner group fighters could be stationed there

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. will begin training Ukrainian troops in how to use howitzer artillery in the coming days

The U.S. is sending 18 howitzers to Ukraine in its latest aid package. British troops are seen here using 55mm self-propelled howitzers in Saudi Arabia in 1991

President Joe Biden last week announced another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, sending heavy artillery systems to Ukraine for the first time as Zelensky's military gears up to defend the Donbas.

Kirby said the training would happen outside of Ukraine.

'I'm going to refrain right now from talking about who's going to be doing the training and exactly on what timeline,' he told reporters during a briefing.

'I think as we get closer to things, we may be able to talk a little bit more about it.

'But there is a plan now that we are beginning to execute and we think that that training can happen in the next several days.'

He said the plan was to train personnel who would then be able to take their knowledge home to then train soldiers in Ukraine.

Back in Kyiv, Zelensky met with European officials yesterday as he handed over Ukraine's answers to a questionnaire which will form a starting point for the European Union to decide on membership for Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed the questionnaire to Zelensky during her visit to Kyiv on April 8, pledging a speedier start to Ukraine's bid to become a member of the EU following Russia's invasion of the country.

In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky poses for a photo with Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, after submitted the two-volume set of Ukraine's answers to the European Union questionnaire on Ukraine joining the EU, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, April 18, 2022

Zelensky poses for a photo with Matti Maasikas, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, after handing over the questionnaire

'Today, I can say that the document has been completed by the Ukrainian side,' Zhovkva told the Ukrainian public broadcaster Sunday evening.

Zelensky was pictured handing over the questionnaire and speaking with members of the EU delegation on Monday.

The European Commission will need to issue a recommendation on Ukraine's compliance with the necessary membership criteria, Zhovkva added.

'We expect the recommendation... to be positive, and then the ball will be on the side of the EU member states.'

Zhovkva added that Ukraine expects to acquire the status of a candidate country for EU accession in June during a scheduled meeting of the European Council meeting.

The European Council is to meet June 23-24, according to the Council's schedule on its website.

'Next, we will need to start accession talks. And once we hold those talks, we can already talk about Ukraine's full membership in the EU,' Zhovkva said.
Jacob Rees-Mogg tonight told Andrew Marr that 'perspective' is needed when discussing the prime ministers breach of lockdown restrictions, against the backdrop of war in Ukraine.

The Conservative minister told Mr Marr, while on the the LBC show Tonight with Andrew Marr, that he does not regret calling Partygate 'fluff', after Boris Johnson was fined by police.

'What is happening now two years on against whats going on in Ukraine, what is going on with the cost of living crisis, one has to get a sense of perspective,' he said.

'What is going on in Ukraine is fundamental to the security of the Western world. And you are comparing this to a fine issued for something that happened two years ago.'

Mr Rees-Mogg said that people should look instead to the 'security of the Western world', and that the fine was not 'the most pressing political matter'.

'The Daily Mail headline said "dont forget theres a war on" and this is something we have to remember - we need a sense of perspective,' he added.

Mr Marr said that referring to the breaches as 'fluff' was offensive, and said that many people who lost loved ones during the pandemic would agree.

The presenter, whose father died during the pandemic and whose funeral was held the same week as one of the Partygate breaches, said he was 'intensely angry' that they were only allowed a small gathering to mark his father's life.

Mr Rees-Mogg said that people should look instead to the 'security of the Western world', and that the fine was not 'the most pressing political matter'

'He was an elder of the Church of Scotland - that church was locked and barred,' Mr Marr said.

'We had a small gathering, most of the family werent there. The other parishioners he would have loved to be there werent allowed to be there because we followed the rules.

'And I felt intensely angry about that - and I do not regard this as fluff.'

Mr Rees-Mogg said that closing churches during the pandemic was a 'great mistake' and that 'all deaths are sadnesses'.

Earlier today, Mr Johnson gave an 'unreserved apology' in the House of Commons, and denied misleading MPs when he previously said that 'all guidance was followed completely' in Downing Street.

Andrew Marr said that referring to the breaches as 'fluff' was offensive, and said that many people who lost loved ones during the pandemic would agree. Pictured in the studio last month

'Let me also say not by way of mitigation or excuse - but purely because it explains my previous words in this House - that it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules,' he told MPs.

He added: 'I feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people - and to respond in the best traditions of our country to Putins barbaric onslaught against Ukraine.'

The prime minister was called on to resign today by Conservative MP Mark Harper.

The Forest of Dean politician said in the Commons: 'I regret to say that we have a prime minister who broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow, hasnt been straightforward about it.

'And [he] is now going to ask the decent men and women on these benches to defend what I think is indefensible.

'I'm very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds.'
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is facing growing frustration from within his country as well as abroad over what critics say is his lack of leadership on Ukraine.

Germany has practically maxed-out the weapons it can deliver from its own stocks and is instead working with its armaments industry and other nations to send more to support the country militarily, Scholz said on Tuesday.

Speaking after a call with Western allies, including US President Joe Biden, Scholz said they were coordinating more weapons deliveries to Ukraine to ensure it could fend off Russia's invasion.

Asked however if Germany would send Leopard tanks, he said the Western allies agreed it made sense to send Ukraine arms it could immediately deploy.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the head of parliament's defence committee and a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), criticised Scholz for not delivering more concrete details.

'We are still lagging behind' on weapons deliveries, she wrote on Twitter.

And even members of the junior partners in his three-way coalition are openly accusing him of dithering on Ukrainian pleas to send it more heavy weapons.

It came as the leaders of the United States, Britain and Canada pledged on Tuesday to send more artillery weaponry to Ukraine in the face of an all-out Russian assault on that country's East.

Biden, Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau acted after they and other allied leaders took part in a video call as the Russian invasion reached a new phase.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured on Tuesday) is facing growing frustration from within his country as well as abroad over what critics say is his lack of leadership on Ukraine

It came as the leaders of the United States, Britain and Canada pledged on Tuesday to send more artillery weaponry to Ukraine in the face of an all-out Russian assault on that country's East. Pictured: Boris Johnson and Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 9

Berlin was liaising between German military equipment makers and Ukraine to deliver the country weapons like anti-tank and air defence weapons.

'We will provide the necessary money for the purchase,' said Scholz.

Scholz must balance pressure from the Greens and Free Democrats to step up arms supplies to Ukraine with some reticence among elements of his Social Democrats (SPD), which long advocated Western rapprochement with Russia prior to the war in Ukraine.

In a poll by Forsa published on Tuesday by broadcasters RTL and NTV, some 52 per cent were unsatisfied with Scholz's work compared to just 31 per cent and 34 per cent for Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, both from the Greens.

Meanwhile, Biden is expected to announce in coming days another military aid package for Ukraine about the same size as the $800 million one announced last week, multiple sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

If the aid package is as large as expected, it would bring total U.S. military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February to well over $3 billion.

Asked by reporters during a visit to New Hampshire if the United States would be sending more artillery to Ukraine, Biden replied yes.

In London, Johnson told lawmakers: 'This will become an artillery conflict, they need support with more artillery, that is what we will be giving them ... in addition to many other forms of support.'

Trudeau said Canada would be sending heavy artillery and promised to provide more details.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Air Force One the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing Ukraine security and economic and humanitarian assistance.

'We will continue to provide them more ammunition, as we will provide them more military assistance,' Psaki said. She said the United States was preparing another round of sanctions to impose on Moscow.

In their 90-minute video call, Biden and the allies discussed their diplomatic engagements and coordinated efforts to further impose 'severe economic costs to hold Russia accountable,' Psaki said.

Meanwhile, Biden is expected to announce in coming days another military aid package for Ukraine about the same size as the $800 million one announced last week, multiple sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday

They are to coordinate through the G7, the European Union and NATO, she said.

Russia seized its first town in eastern Ukraine as part of a fresh assault that Ukraine has described as the Battle of the Donbas aimed at taking two provinces.

The United States sees Russia carrying out a 'prelude' to larger offensive operations in the eastern part of its neighboring country, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

Others on the call included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Scholz and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as well as the leaders of Italy, Japan and Poland.

A French presidential adviser said the allies had discussed how to provide security guarantees to Ukraine after the war if it is not part of NATO and its automatic defense mechanism known as Article 5.

'Our country is ready to provide security guarantees,' the French official said. 'It would be military supplies so that it can deal with a new attack or, possibly, guarantees that would see us get involved if Ukraine is attacked in a way where we could assess how to assist it.'

These guarantees would look more like the defense clause the European Union currently has among its members, the French official said, rather than a defense mechanism similar to NATO's Article 5, which triggers automatic military support if a member is attacked.

Allies also discussed the need to persuade non-EU, non-G7 countries to treat the war in Ukraine as an issue that concerns world peace and not just Europe or the West, the French official said.
A wild video posted online over the weekend captured the moment a black police officer punched a Black Lives Matter protester at a rally in Pittsburgh.

Seth Taylor, a three year member of the Wilkinsburg Police Department, was snapped punching a protester identified as Vuestro Merced after they intervened while officers were trying to detain another protester, according to Pittsburgh City Paper.

Video published online shows officers trying to apprehend a woman who was backing away and shouting obscenities as Merced pushed toward them and grabbed at them.

Taylor then swung at Merced, forcing them to the ground as muzzled police dogs were kept away as they called the officer a 'f****** pig.'

Merced was then led into a police vehicle, stumbling as they walked, as one woman recording the incident could be heard screaming at the arresting officers - both of whom were black - 'this is what people do to fight for black people, and this is what these pigs do in the street.'

Merced was later released from police custody, another protester Tweeted later. It is unclear what, if anything, they are charged with.

Scroll down for video:

Seth Taylor, a three year member of the Wilkinsburg Police Department, was snapped punching a protester identified as Vuestro Merced after they intervened while officers were trying to detain another protester

The altercation came as a group of about 20 protesters demanded justice for Jim Rogers, a 56-year-old black man who died in the hospital in October hours after he was Tased multiple times by police officers.

The purpose of the march, organizer Eve Pfeiffer said in a statement was two-fold. 'On the one hand, we intend to march to honor Jim's life and who he was as a person.

'On the other, we march to demand that the city and county officials act immediately in charging and firing all of the officers and EMS officials who are culpable in this horrible act of brutality and injustice,' she said, according to Pittsburgh City Paper.

The group marched through the city and into Wilkinson on Saturday.

Video taken by Jared Wickerham, who followed the group on their trek, showed them walking in the middle of the streets as they screamed 'One solution: Revolution' and 'Pittsburgh police - enemies of the people.'

By the time they arrived at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Center Street in Wilkinsburg, where Rogers' niece, Diamond, was set to talk about her uncle, the group was confronted by a group of police officers who declared their protest an 'unlawful assembly.'

The altercation came as a group of about 20 protesters demanded justice for Jim Rogers, a 56-year-old black man who died in the hospital in October hours after he was Tased multiple times by police officers

Members of the protest tried to confront the officer, City Paper reports, apparently upset that they were interrupting Diamond's speech.

The officer then explained that they were not allowed in the intersection while demolition was going on nearby, to which the protesters could be heard in the video repeatedly yelling 'F*** you' as another woman claimed it was her First Amendment right to protest.

Once the officer who gave the orders for the group to disperse from the street came out of his vehicle, several other officers joined in the effort to get everyone onto the sidewalk, according to City Paper.

But some of the protesters continued to fight back, with one woman and her daughter pushing back against Taylor and another officer City Paper identified as Chris Duncan.

That is when Merced intervened, leading to the altercation.

'Next thing you know, there was a commotion in the street and one of the Wilkinsburg officers, he punched one of the protestors in the face,' Lanai Clark, who recorded the incident, told WTAE.

'You could hear it, it was really loud he punched her and she went down on the ground.'

Jim Rogers, 56, was fatally Tased by Pittsburgh police officers in October

The protesters, have since released a statement to WFAE saying: 'We are not interested in engaging with the police or various municipalities narratives of dividing so-called good protestors from so-called bad ones.

'Any one on the ground at the march today, who has to experience the police attack us, or are now viewing it through its being shared on the press or social media can see clearly that those who wield violence are the police.

'We stand in solidarity and send love to the people who were harmed and arrested, Jim Rogers family, and those who have had to bear witness to this horrible incident in our community.

'We will continue to care for one another and fight for Justice for Jim Rogers and for all victims of police brutality and anti-black violence.'

Five Pittsburgh officers have already been fired over Rogers' death, which a coroner classified as accidental and resulting from a lack of oxygen to the brain after he was shocked multiple times.

Three others who had been suspended following his death have since been able to return to their jobs.
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has been motoring across the nation's highways to get home to his congressional district in personal protest of mask mandates  but signaled he is willing to take to the skies after a federal judge's ruling.

'I havent been on an airplane since July of 2021,' Massie tweeted Monday night, hours after a federal judge stuck down a Centers for Disease Control mandate for planes, trains and buses.

'I have driven to DC every week we have been in session, because I refuse to be treated like livestock,' Massie continued. 'Biden lost in the courts. If the airlines come to their senses, I will fly again, but not until then.'

Massie also fired off congratulatory tweets for United Airlines, Delta, and Alaska after they issued policies making masks optional.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. said he hasn't been on an airplane since July 2021 and said he has driven to DC each week 'because I refuse to be treated like livestock'

It's a Breezewood! Massie says he has been driving back and forth to his district each week amid the federal mask mandate for travelers

American Airlines has also rescinded its mask mandate. American and Delta offer non-stop flights between DCA and Cincinnati, the most direct 451-mile route for Massie, who lives in an off-the-grid cattle ranch in northern Kentucky.

Massie also fired off a series of tweets blasting the mandates, including one saying the Centers for Disease Control 'NEVER had the legal authority to impose or authorize a mask mandate on airplanes and other modes of transportation. Glad to see the illogical, illegal, unscientific mask mandate come to an end!'

He called for CDC Director Rochelle Walensky's resignation.

He called the aftermath of the ruling, where videos showed some Americans celebrating the end of the mask mandate by ripping off their masks in flight after the ruling was announced, a 'wake-up call'

Pictured passenger a mask less Casey Phillips age 40 from Alexandria, VA is served a cup of champagne from a mask less Delta Flight attendant on a flight heading to Atlanta, Georgia from Reagan National Airport on April 19th, 2022. Massie said he refused to be 'treated like livestock'

Massie lives in an off-the-grid house in Northern Kentucky that the M.I.T. grad helped design

Massie blasted the CDC mask mandates in a tweet storm Monday and Tuesday

He called the aftermath of the ruling a 'wake-up call'

Massie called the government's COVID response 'soul crushing'

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) holds up an iPad with a video of January 6 playing as he questions U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at a House Judiciary Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on October 21, 2021 in Washington, DC

Travelers rejoiced after the administration lifted the mask mandate, despite the CDC seeking a 15-day extension to review an increase in coronavirus cases

Massie, a conservative Republican who associates with the Tea Party and is known for libertarian leanings and voting against legislation even when it is highly popular with almost all of is colleagues.

He infuriated many of them in March 2020 when he threatened a quorum call to require in-person voting for a COVID relief package. Former President Trump tweeted in response that Massie was a 'third rate Grandstander.'

Last month a judge tossed out Massie's lawsuit against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a House mask mandate after Massie and other lawmakers were fined $500 each for failure to comply.

The apparent end of Massie's boycott comes as as President Joe Biden on Tuesday said, 'That's up to them,' when asked if Americans should wear masks.
Former mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, who was forced to resign after he was investigated by police has been told by detectives he no longer faces prosecution.

Mr Anderson, who was mayor of Liverpool between 2012 and 2021 was interviewed under caution almost four years ago.

Today, Mr Anderson, and three other men in their 60s have been informed they are no longer under investigation.

Operation Sheridan was launched by Lancashire Police almost four years ago to investigate allegations of corruption in councils in Lancashire and Liverpool.

Former mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, pictured, is among four men who have been told by police that they face 'no further action' following the four-year probe into alleged corruption in Merseyside

Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson is no longer under investigation by Lancashire Police.

The force has confirmed that the former Mayor is one of four men who have been told they are no longer being investigated as part of Operation Sheridan. Mr Anderson, who was Mayor from 2012 to 2021, was interviewed under caution almost four years ago as part of the operation which was launched in 2013.

In a statement, Lancashire Police confirmed Mr Anderson and three other men were no longer being investigated. It said: 'Lancashire Constabulary have written to four men to tell them they are no longer under investigation as part of Operation Sheridan.

'The four, aged 64, 68, 66 and 62 were contacted last month and told they would face no further action. Operation Sheridan was launched in 2013 following allegations of financial irregularity made to the constabulary by Lancashire County Council.

'On completion of the investigation, we referred the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service who are currently considering potential offences in relation to four other individuals. We would like to remind all concerned that criminal proceedings in this matter remain active.

'It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice any future proceedings.'

A separate investigation into allegations of bribery and witness intimidation is continuing, led by officers of Merseyside Police.

Merseyside Police, who launched Operation Aloft to investigate the allegations, arrested Mr Anderson.

Operation Aloft concerned building deals in Liverpool. That investigation is still under investigation.
A brawl has erupted between two women inside a Perth shopping centre after a one of the nail salon customers allegedly refused to wear a mask.

Eyewitness video showed the two customers exit the nail salon and face each other as shocked shoppers watch on.

'You're so lucky I haven't touched you because I'd f***ing knock you out,' the older woman is heard saying. 'All I did was ask you to put a mask on'.

The younger woman then launched forwards and landed a swift punch to the mother's face, before grabbing her behind the neck and pushing her forward.

Jill Sheehan told 9NEWS she was repeatedly struck after she asked the woman to put on a mask, which are still mandatory at indoor public places in WA.

In footage of the wild brawl the younger woman is seen launching forward and landing a swift punch to the other's face (pictured)

WA Police said the altercation kicked off after the pair were seated beside each other in a nail salon in Perth's northern suburbs.

Ms Sheehan said she had asked the younger woman to put a mask on in the salon because she was immunocompromised.

The other woman allegedly told the mother-of-two that she would spit on her.

'I asked if she could put her mask on and she said 'who are you, I'll spit on you', I said 'you spit on me and I'll put you up for assault' and she just went for me,' she said.

'I'm immune compromised and I've got an immune compromised father with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.'

Ms Sheehan claimed the altercation that erupted at a Wanneroo shopping centre just past midday on Sunday left her concussed, bruised, and her teeth chipped.

Ms Sheehan (pictured) claimed the altercation that erupted at a Wanneroo shopping centre on Sunday left her concussed, bruised, and her teeth chipped

'The victim (a woman in her 50s) was assaulted by the woman after an altercation over the wearing of masks,' a police spokesperson said.

'The victim received bruising, cuts and swelling to her upper body and face.'

A 19-year-old woman has since been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

She will appear before the Joondalup Magistrates Court on May 9.

In WA, face coverings are still mandatory in all indoors spaces, apart from in the home, for people aged eight and over.
First, it's the tomato passata along with the can of hot dogs  the heavy stuff. Next, a can of tuna and a jumbo bag of porridge oats. Within a minute, this seven-kilo box is full of food  enough to feed an adult for a week  and it's transferred to the next available pallet here on a Leicestershire industrial estate.

As of this morning, this box will be somewhere in northern Europe. Tomorrow it will be in a depot in Poland.

And by the weekend, it will be in the hands of a grateful, if ravenous, civilian in a war-weary part of eastern Ukraine  and not a moment too soon.

Quite apart from pushing back the massed forces of a ruthless superpower, the government of this vast European nation is having to cope with the monumental task of keeping its population fed and watered when all forms of ordinary, civilian life are under attack. For millions, that includes a trip to the shops for the most basic human essentials.

Make no mistake. The military state of play may be dominating headlines. Lurking not far behind, however, is the prospect of a devastating humanitarian crisis if the so-called 'bread basket of Eastern Europe' finds itself barren  as it now does.

Supply lines which deliver 15,000 boxes of food from the UK to Ukraine a day are now fully up and running (pictured: Vitalina Polishenko who works on the packing line for the boxes in Leicester)

And so, it falls to the wider world to join the rescue effort. And that is where this extraordinary humanitarian operation kicks in, led by the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK and his embassy team, co-ordinated by the CBI and backed by tens of thousands of Mail readers who have contributed millions to the pot.

In a matter of days, a magnificent team effort has gone from the drawing board, to several trial runs, to the start line.

Yesterday, for the first time, it went fully operational  to the tune of 15,000 boxes a day (seven days a week). Each box amounts to 12,000 calories, spread across more than a dozen items, all selected on the advice of nutritionists in the Ukrainian ministry of food to provide optimum sustenance.

The cost of assembling, packing and delivering the first 500,000 boxes across a continent (at 14 a time) is being shared between the Ukrainian embassy in London (via the website, withukraine.org) and the Mail Force charity.

For all the logistical challenges here at the first phase of the endeavour, this is the least worrying part of a process which becomes progressively harder towards the end.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, said the food packages will 'literally save people's lives'

It is one thing raising funds, filling boxes in the East Midlands and delivering the results to the Ukrainian border. But on the other side, the heroic drivers and crews of trucks and trains taking this precious cargo on the final leg will be risking their lives to ensure every bag of Morrisons pasta and every tin of kidney beans ends up in the right place.

Nonetheless, each link in this great collaborative exercise should take a bow. That includes the pensioners forgoing their heating allowance and the children donating their pocket money to the Mail Force Ukraine Appeal so they can help someone they have never met.

It is important to stress that not one penny of your donations is wasted on administrative fees or overheads. Everything is being provided at cost with the grateful thanks of the Ukrainian embassy in London, the driving force behind this operation.

In the words of Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko: 'Russian forces have deliberately shelled farms, killed livestock, and laid landmines on agricultural land.

'Your amazing support will save people's lives. The 500,000 food boxes you have supplied will go to people most in need in the midst of the greatest European catastrophe in our living memory.'

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko said Russian forces deliberately targeted Ukraine's food production facilities, meaning the food packages are vital (pictured: residents in Mariupol)

It was just a month ago that Ambassador Prystaiko and his team were sitting around a table with Lord Bilimoria, the president of the Confederation of British Industry, and two dozen CBI members, all of whom had committed to help with essential supplies. There, they heard (via Zoom) a terrifying warning from a Ukrainian food minister that large parts of his country faced not just food shortages but possible starvation. And, thus, a plan was hatched.

The overarching challenge was not just to get this stuff to Ukraine  but in the most practical way possible. A lorry-load of tinned meat is of limited use if the distribution centre at the other end is a bomb site, along with many of the supermarkets which it once supplied. In simple terms, it is crucial for the shopping basket to be filled at this end.

Step forward Oakland International, the family-run supply chain specialists with a fleet of 80 trucks and a hyperactive chief executive. Dean Attwell's first response to the Ukrainian crisis was to source whatever food and supplies he could lay his hands on and load it all on to a fleet of Ukrainian trucks which had been stranded in Britain following the outbreak of war.

He gave their drivers all the fuel, money and paperwork they needed to get home and then set about exploring ways of repeating the exercise.

His efforts dovetailed with those at the embassy and the CBI, at which point the Mail Force charity joined the party, backed by this newspaper's formidably generous legion of readers.

And in an astonishingly short time, this great undertaking has achieved lift-off. As our sister paper The Mail on Sunday reported this weekend, when it launched the campaign, the machinery and supply lines have now been assembled.

Yesterday everything kicked off at top speed. Last night half a dozen trucks  each packed with nearly 2,500 boxes  set off for the Channel, with just one exception. One box was diverted to the Ukrainian embassy in London so Mr Prystaiko and his staff could see what they have achieved.

It's not often that a tin of beans and a packet of basmati rice bring a tear to the eye. Last night was the exception. Among the hundreds of new recruits on the packing line here at the vast Oakland depot in Coalville, I find one person for whom filling boxes is not just paying the bills but an act of national pride. 'It is so sad watching the news every night but I am so happy to be doing something for my country,' says Vitalina Polishenko, 25, from the Ukrainian town of Chernivtsi.

Now living in Coventry with her builder husband Nikolay, she is in daily contact with her mother back at home. Both are frantic with worry about Vitalina's father, Igor, 50, who has volunteered for the Ukrainian forces. 'It's scary for my mother being all alone. We don't know where my father is  he can't tell us  but we do try to speak to him every day,' says Vitalina during her half-hour break in between four-hour shifts. Today, she finds herself on the baked beans section at one of Oakland's four humanitarian production lines. She heard about this job through a local agency and signed up in an instant.

Here, too, I meet the project manager from global consultancy Accenture, which is focusing all its expertise on this endeavour free of charge. She has come to check that all the production lines are doing what they are supposed to do in the allotted time.

It's cold in here. Oakland specialises in delivering chilled foods to every retailer, and so the staff are all wrapped up, gloved and humming along to the radio blaring out above the hum of the chiller units.

In the adjacent warehouse area, the chief exec Dean shows me what the first 150,000 boxes of food look like before the packing stage: Multi-storey racks of shrink-wrapped cans and packets as far as the eye can see.

Most have come from big name retailers, notably Morrisons. There is a separate section of extra supplies donated by Dean's home town of Redditch, and sourced by his son, Samuel. These will simply be added into the boxes as a bonus to fill up any available extra space  a packet of biscuits here, a jar of pickles there. 'It all makes a difference,' says Dean cheerfully.

It is a reminder that, however helpless we may feel in the face of such ghastliness on the far side of the continent, there really is something we can do about it. It may not seem much. But when it ends up feeding half a million people  and that is just for starters  it is more than a gesture.

For these ostensibly unexceptional scenes on an East Midlands industrial estate genuinely represent a collective war effort which could help avert a humanitarian catastrophe in 21st century Europe.
Johnny Depp told a court of the moment his marriage to actress Amber Heard fell apart  because he took his own boots off when he got home.

Amber, he said, had a routine that she would get him a glass of wine and remove his footwear as soon as he got home.

But one day she was on the phone, so he took his own boots off rather than wait.

'I worked quite a lot and when I came home from work Id come in the house and shed sit me down and give me a glass of wine and take my boots off and set them to the side,' he told the court in Fairfax, Virginia.

'Ive never experienced anything like that in my life. I never experienced that and it became a regular thing, kind of routine.

Depp got emotional as he talked about how good his relationship with Amber Heard was at the beginning but how it fell apart after he took his own boots off

'No, no, no thats my job. You dont do that, I do that,' Amber allegedly told Johnny after he had removed his own footwear

Depp said under oath that his wife 'became another person, almost' within 18 months of the boots incident

'One night I came home and she was on the phone, I took my boots off, suddenly Miss Heard approached with this look on her face, she just said what did you just do? What did you do?'

He asked her what she meant and she replied: 'You took your boots off.'

'Yes I did, he said he told her. You were busy.'

But Amber told him: 'No, no, no thats my job. You dont do that, I do that.

'Then she said "Let me get you a glass of wine." I did take pause of course, the fact she was visibly shaken or upset that I had broken her rules of routine.

'Once you notice something like that you start to notice other tidbits that come out.

'Then within a year a year and a half she had become another person, almost.'

Depp, 58, was testifying in the trial in which he is suing Heard for libel over a 2018 op-ed that she wrote for the Washington Post in which she wrote about her alleged domestic abuse.

Heard, 35, is countersuing for $100 million, claiming that he smeared her when he accused her of lying.

He said in the beginning his relationship with Heard, who he met on the set of the 2011 movie The Rum Diary, was 'too good to be true'.

'She was attentive, she was loving, she was smart, she was funny, she was understanding. We had many things in common, certainly blues music, literature.

'For that year, or year and a half it was amazing.'

From the beginning of our relationship for a good year and a half she was wonderful and then things just started to change or things started to reveal themselves is a better way to put it.'

He said he called her Slim and she called him Steve after the Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart characters in the movie To Have and Have Not.

He explained that he was the craggy Bogart and she was 'this beautiful creature, this stunning creature,' the much-younger Bacall.

He said it was during a kissing scene in The Rum Diary that he realized he had feelings for Heard, saying he 'felt something he shouldn't be feeling.'

She later went to his trailer and they kissed again.

Judge Penney Azcarate who is presiding over the sensational trial in Fairfax, Virginia

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor told the court Tuesday that he started popping pills when he was just 11 and by the time he was 15 he had 'done all the drugs that I am aware of,' Tuesday.

He started on tablets his mother took for her nerves and progressed from there, he told the court.

Id bring my mum her nerve pill, Id take one myself to escape caring so much, feeling so much  to escape the chaotic nature of what we were living through.

'Cant say Im proud of admitting that.

He said after taking his mother's pills he moved on to marijuana and other drugs.

He said: Ive never taken any substance for a party. Ive taken these substances on and off to numb myself of the ghosts, the wraiths that were still with me from my youth.

'Essentially self medication, one of those get-me-out-of-here moments. You want to escape from your own brain, your own head.

Depp said that by 15 he had done all the drugs I was aware of but he didnt continue at such a rate.

He said there were many years' he didnt even have a drink and that he wasnt dropping acid every five minutes.

And he said that his ex-wife's claims about his drug abuse were exaggerated.

He said: The characterization of my substance abuse thats been delivered by Miss Heard is grossly embellished and Im sorry to say but a lot of it is just plainly false

It was an easy target for her to hit because once youve trusted somebody for a certain amount of years and youve told them all the secrets of your life that information can be used against you, especially if its taken to a point thats teetering on impossible, teetered over impossible at times.

Depp and Heard called each other Steve and Slim after the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall characters in the movie To Have and Have Not

Johnny Depp said ex-wfe Amber Heard always insisted she take his boots off and pour him a glass of wine when he got home

Heard and Depp in the movie The Rum Diary where they met. Johnny said he 'felt something he should not have felt' during a kissing scene in the movie

I am not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time.

'In fact before Australia Id been off of alcohol for about 18 months,' he added referring to the time when he lost part of a finger, when, he claimed, Heard threw a bottle at him.

But he admitted that he got hooked on the painkiller Roxycontin  which he called Roxies  after getting sciatica from throwing a chair through a window in Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

Its not like you take those pills to get high, youre taking those pills to get well or better because if youre without the pill your body will start to go into withdrawal,' he said.

Depp shook his head and smiled when asked if he had done opiates since detoxing, telling the jury: No I cant.

Once youve been bit youll be bit again.'

Depp apologized for sending his best friend vile texts about Heard saying he wanted to see her rotting corpse decomposing in the f***ing trunk of a Honda Civic.

Im ashamed of some of the references made. Im embarrassed that at the time the heat of the moment, the heat of the pain that I was feeling went to dark places.

He said: Sometimes pain has to be dealt with with humor and sometimes dark, very dark humor.

I grew up watching Monty Python so it can tend to get into dark humor. It can tend to get intowords are used for emphasis and words are used to express what youre feeling at the time. Its just like growing up, you learn from those mistakes, you learn from those things and you move forward.

Earlier, Depp had talked about his upbringing, saying he had been regularly abused by his mother Betty Sue Palmer, who died in 2016.

But he said he learned a lot from his parents, especially about bringing up children.

'I knew exactly how to raise children when my girl Vanessa (Paradis) got pregnant I knew exactly how to raise children which was to do the opposite of what they did.

Depp said he learned how to bring up children from his mother Betty Sue Palmer. 'Justdo the opposite of what she would do'

Depp and Heard met on the set of the 2011 movie The Rum Diary, turning up on the red carpet together for its London premiere

Depp with parents Betty Sue Palmer and John Christopher Depp and then-girlfriend Vanessa Paradis when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999

Never raise your voice in front of the children, never. Screaming out the word no to them. I never wanted to tell my kids no.

'I wanted to show them there are options  you dont have to stick the coat hanger in the electrical socket.

'Talk to them, if you understand the repercussions of something you wont go theregive this some thought. That could kill you so Id ease them away from things of that nature with more of a conversation as opposed to a flat out dont you ever do that again, and threats.

'I did not raise my children that way.'

He told of 'verbal abuse, name calling and bullying' by his mother, who he described as 'very unpredictable.'.

She took any 'opportunity to be as cruel as anyone could be,' he said.

Depp laughed nervously as he recalled an ashtray being flung at him that hit him in the head, being beaten with high heel shoes, telephones, 'whatever's handy.'

'In our house we were never exposed to any type of safety or security, the only thing to do was stay out of the line of fire,' he said, adding, 'When she was going to get riled up and somebody was going to get it and generally it was me.'

'Physical violence, physical abuse. That was a constant. We were all somewhat shell-shocked. Shed walked past, youd shield yourself because you didnt know what would happen,' Depp said.

He talked about how his mother gave him and his two siblings cruel names.

Johnny Depp gestures while giving testimony during the trial. He said he started popping his mother's nerve pills when he was 11 and by the time he was 15 had tried every drug he knows of

Amber Heard and her attorney Elaine Bredehoft during the trial on Tuesday. Heard is countersuing Depp for $100 million claiming he libeled her when he said she lied in a Washington Post op-ed

'My brother wore glasses so he was Four Eyes. His teeth were messed up in the front so he was Buck Tooth.'

He said his mother called his sister Violet although her real name is Christie.

'My mother despised my fathers parents. Grandmother's name was Violet.

'So my mother said, come here Violet, get in here Violet. Christie, my sister, knew very well that was a deep cut psychologically, emotionally, but you had to take it.

'You just had to take the pain.'

He said he had a lazy eye, and at one stage had to wear a patch over his good eye to try to strengthen the other.

''She would call me Cock eye or One Eye, anything she could get to demean, humiliate.

'The psychological abuse was almost worse than the beatings,' Depp added. 'They were just physical pain, and the physical pain, you learned to deal with it, accept it.

'But the psychological and emotional abuse thats what kind of tore us up.'

He said his father, John Christopher Depp was a kind stoic man who never lost his temper or attacked Betty Sue, until one day when Johnny was 15 he walked out and didn't return.

Attorneys for Heard have argued she told the truth and that her opinion was protected as free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment

Depp arrives at the courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, to give evidence in the trial

'When my father left I didnt realize,' Depp said. 'He left for work one morning, was packing his car and he left.

'Hours later my mom came home from work, about 3.30 in the afternoon. She walked in the door and stopped and walked around, she felt something. She said your daddys gone. Hes gone, hes gone.

'She ran into their bedroom and into their closet, she opened the door and there was his rack of clothing and all his belongings were gone. She was quite upset. I took her car and drove to my fathers work and sat down in front of him at 15.

Id bring my mum her nerve pill, Id take one myself to escape caring so much, feeling so much  to escape the chaotic nature of what we were living through Johnny Depp

'I said, Listen, seems somebody stole all of your clothes and he said yeah, Im done. I cant do it any more. I cant live it any more. Youre the man now..

'Those words didnt quite sit well with me. I didnt feel I was ready to hear those words.'

Depp said his mother 'went into a very deep, dark depression,' after his father John walked out.

'One afternoon I had fallen asleep and woke up and walked into the living room and saw my mother very feebly, almost a slow motion, crawl.'

'I knew something was dreadfully wrong. There was drool coming out of her mouth.'

'Front door busted open, my uncle and two paramedics came in and threw her on the gurney and whisked her out the house to get her out the hospital to pump her stomach.

'Shed swallowed a multitude of pills to try to commit suicide,' he said.

'She was a firecracker of a woman but when she got out of hospital the depression was so deep she lived on the couch and weighed about 70 pounds and all that imagery spun into my head. I thought that was a cowardly way for my father to have left.

'I was deeply upset by that.'
Nadine Dorries yesterday pledged to strengthen new online safety laws to ensure that Press freedoms are protected.

There had been concerns that the Government's Online Safety Bill would give tech firms too much power to take news websites' stories down.

Although the original proposals mean news stories could be put back up after an appeal, this could take so long that they may be out of date before being reinstated.

Vowing to defend free speech, the Culture Secretary last night told the Commons that she would change the law so the stories remain online until an appeal has been heard.

She said: 'We are doing further work to ensure that content remains up while appeals take place.'

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries pledged to strengthen new online safety laws to ensure that Press freedoms are protected

It is understood that ministers will bring forward a Government amendment at committee stage that would create a requirement on tech firms to notify news publishers and offer them a right of appeal before removing or moderating any content that is not illegal.

Unveiling the laws to MPs in the Commons yesterday, Mrs Dorries said tech firms' decisions were often 'arbitrary and inconsistent'.

She said: 'We're left with a situation where the president of the United States can be banned by Twitter, while the Taliban is not.

'Or where Talkradio can be blocked by YouTube for 12 hours, or Oxford academic Carl Heneghan banned by Twitter.

'Or a Mail on Sunday piece plastered with a 'fake news' label, all because they dared to challenge the West Coast consensus or express opinions Silicon Valley doesn't like.'

She added: 'And so it's vital that this Bill contains strong protections for free speech and for journalistic content.

'Under this legislation, for the first time, all users will have an official right to appeal if they feel they think their content has been unfairly removed.

The minister said: 'Platforms will have to explain themselves properly if they remove content.

'And they'll have special new duties to protect journalistic content and ''democratically important'' content.'
The Queen is to spend her 96th birthday tomorrow at her beloved late husbands home at Sandringham.

The monarch will travel to the Norfolk estate by helicopter today and stay at Wood Farm  the modest farmhouse that Prince Philip made his home following his retirement from public life  until early next week.

It is expected she will be visited by family and friends over the next few days to celebrate in a typically low-key way.

The monarch will travel to the Norfolk estate by helicopter today and stay at Wood Farm  the modest farmhouse that Prince Philip made his home following his retirement from public life

While in Norfolk, she is likely to spend time visiting her Royal Stud and being driven around her 20,000-acre estate, which was extensively modernised by Philip and more recently Prince Charles, who has taken over its running.

Buckingham Palace is not planning any kind of major public engagement to mark her birthday but there will be tributes from family members and the organisations she has been involved with.

Her short holiday will be taken as an encouraging sign given her recent health and mobility issues which have seen her forced to pull out of a string of engagements.

She has no major confirmed engagements in her diary and is not even sure what events to mark her Platinum Jubilee in June she will be in a position to commit to.

The Queen has strong emotional ties to Sandringham, which was adored by her late father George VI.

She would often join the Duke of Edinburgh, who lived at the farmhouse from 2017 after retiring, enjoying quiet time away from the spotlight as a relatively ordinary married couple.

The prince lived in the five-bedroom property, which he modernised and added a new kitchen to, from 2017 after retiring from public life.

Although the arrangement seemed strange to some, the Queen felt strongly that her husband had earned his freedom and privacy after decades of dutiful royal service.

And it made the time they spent there all the more precious.

The Queen is the longest reigning British monarch in history and the longest serving female monarch in the world.
Boris Johnson last night attacked the Archbishop of Canterbury for misconstruing Government plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The Prime Minister also claimed the BBC had misinterpreted Home Secretary Priti Patels policy.

Speaking to Tory MPs, he praised the scheme to send some asylum seekers 4,000 miles to the African nation.

He told them the policy had been misconstrued on the BBC and by certain members of the clergy. Referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putins decision to invade Ukraine, Mr Johnson suggested that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had been less vociferous on Easter Sunday against Putin.

The archbishop used his Easter sermon to claim the Rwanda plans were the opposite of the nature of God

He told worshippers in Canterbury Cathedral there were serious ethical questions about sending asylum seekers overseas

The archbishop used his Easter sermon to claim the Rwanda plans were the opposite of the nature of God.

He told worshippers in Canterbury Cathedral there were serious ethical questions about sending asylum seekers overseas.

He added: The details are for politics and politicians. The principle must stand the judgment of God, and it cannot... And it cannot carry the weight of our national responsibility as a country formed by Christian values  because sub-contracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of God, who himself took responsibility for our failures.

Mr Johnsons comments came after former Tory PM Theresa May was accused of being driven by bitterness after she questioned if the Rwanda scheme was legal or workable.

As Miss Patel answered questions in the Commons yesterday, Mrs May said: From what I have heard and seen so far of this policy, I do not support the removal to Rwanda policy on the grounds of legality, practicality and efficacy.

She also asked if the scheme would lead to an increase in the trafficking of women and children after it was reported that only single men would be sent to Rwanda.

The stance taken by Mrs May  who suffered a series of immigration disasters while Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016  was criticised by fellow Tory backbencher Peter Bone.

The ex-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on human trafficking said: I didnt follow the former Prime Ministers logic. I really thought she was off the mark on this one.

She didnt appreciate that unless you cut off the demand this evil trade will continue.

If we dont do something like the Rwanda plan then well get more and more people coming across the Channel and more and more people dying.

But part of it, I fear, is bitterness towards the current Prime Minister and Government.

Mr Johnsons comments came after former Tory PM Theresa May was accused of being driven by bitterness after she questioned if the Rwanda scheme was legal or workable

In the Commons, Miss Patel was asked how migrants would be selected for the new scheme but declined to go into detail

Another senior Tory compared her to former PM Ted Heath, who famously savaged Margaret Thatchers policies in the 1980s. They said: After a series of bitter criticisms of the Government by Theresa May, she is sounding more and more like Ted Heath.

In the Commons, Miss Patel was asked how migrants would be selected for the new scheme but declined to go into detail because that type of criteria is used by smuggling gangs to exploit various loopholes in our existing laws. She insisted that all migrants would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, apparently leaving the possibility open that families could be sent to Rwanda. When the scheme was launched last week officials would only say that lone children would be exempt.

Mr Johnson suggested that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had been less vociferous on Easter Sunday against Putin

The Home Secretary said: Serious organised criminals that profit from human misery do not care about people drowning in the Channel or suffocating in the back of containers. This agreement deals a major blow to people smugglers and their evil trade in human cargo. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper attacked the extortionate cost of sending migrants to Rwanda, but Miss Patel stressed: You cant put a price on saving human lives.

Each migrant sent to Rwanda is likely to cost the UK taxpayer an estimated 30,000, which Labour said is three times the price of processing them here.
Red tape has forced a ten-month-old Ukrainian refugee to wait to get into Britain with his mother  so that he can be security checked.

Misha Pryimak and his mother Tatyana, 27, are stuck in 'limbo' in Warsaw having made a treacherous 500-mile journey from their home in a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Under Home Office regulations, even children under five must undergo 'biometric tests', including having a digital photo taken of their face. Unlike older children and adults, they do not have to have fingerprints taken.

Misha's appointment took place last Thursday, but Mrs Pryimak has been told it could take up to three weeks for the baby boy's permission to travel to be granted.

Mrs Pryimak has already received her visa after a 17-day wait, but they cannot travel until Misha's application has been approved.

Ten-month-old baby refugee Misha Pryimak, who is fleeing his home in war torn Kyiv with mother Tatyana, 27, may have to wait three weeks to join Julie Lowe, 52, and husband David, 56, at their home in Rothbury, Northumberland

More than 2.5million refugees have crossed into Poland from Ukraine since the Russian invasion (pictured: refugees in Warsaw)

She said: 'I don't understand why Misha can't travel on my visa. He's just a little baby. Of what danger can he possibly be to the UK?

'I am feeling sad, alone, frustrated and overwhelmed.'

The pair are being offered a home by sponsors Julie Lowe, 52, an occupational therapist, and husband David, 56, a nurse, at their home in Rothbury, Northumberland. Mrs Lowe said yesterday: 'The message from the Home Office is that biometrics are needed to protect the security of the UK. But this is a baby.'

Mrs Pryimak, a part-time law student who also ran a leather goods business with her husband Leonid, 40, first applied for a visa on March 20.

Having left her husband behind to fight, she is now being supported financially in Poland by the Newcastle charity Make A Difference. She said: 'I am so grateful for all the help I have been given by my host family and the charity. I am also thankful to the people of the UK for opening their homes up to refugees like me.'

The Pryimaks lived just 12 miles from the battle-scarred town of Irpin, which has been devastated by Russian shelling. The family often had to shelter in a basement.

A Government spokesman said: 'In response to Putin's barbaric invasion we have launched one of the fastest and biggest visa schemes in UK history.'
Child killed after Egypt is hit by rocket fired from Gaza Strip but Hamas and Israel agree to extend ceasefire for another 72 hours



Sara Salama, 13, died in el-Mattallah, Egypt, after rocket landed on home



Her brother Khaled, 8, and sister Rahaf, 2, sustained serious injuries



Rocket impact is third to hit area in recent weeks, security sources say

Meanwhile Italian journalist Simone Camilli is killed alongside his translator

Palestinian bomb disposal experts also killed as they defused Israeli missile



Original 72-hour ceasefire between Israel & Hamas ended at 10pm BST



But negotiations to make it more permanent result in 72-hour extension



One child was killed and two others were wounded when a rocket landed on their home in an Egyptian town near the border with Gaza, security and medical sources said tonight.

Sara Salama, 13, died in el-Mattallah, south of Rafah, while her eight-year-old brother Khaled and two-year-old sister Rahaf sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital.

The rocket impact is the third to hit the area in recent weeks, security sources said, adding that Egyptian authorities were investigating the incident.

Also tonight, a Hamas official said the group had agreed to extend its temporary truce with Israel for another 72 hours.



A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas was set to expire at midnight (10pm BST). The sides have been negotiating a deal in Egypt to end the month-long war in Gaza.



Scroll down for video

In the sky: Light streaks and trails are seen following reports of rockets being launched from Gaza towards Israel before a 72-hour cease fire was due to expire today

Israeli reserve soldiers on a Merkava tank at a location near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip today

War-torn area: An Israeli tank patrols just outside the border with the northern Gaza Strip yesterday

Anger: A Palestinian hurls stones toward Israeli soldiers during a protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, at Qalandia checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah today

A Palestinian places a poster of late leader Yasser Arafat at a tent outside houses, which witnesses said were destroyed in an Israeli offensive, during a 72-hour truce in Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip

Meanwhile, Israeli police said a rocket fired from Gaza landed in Israel this evening. Gaza's ruling Hamas denied any had been fired from the territory.

Egyptian security forces have been struggling to quell an Islamist insurgency in Sinai that has killed scores of soldiers and policemen.

The violence surged after the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Mursi last year and the militants extended their reach to Egypt's mainland with a series of bombings, prompting the army to intensify its attacks on them in Sinai.

Egyptian mediators had been racing to pin down a long-term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to prevent more fighting in the Gaza war when the current truce expires at midnight.

The two sides considered an Egyptian proposal that partially addresses their demands, but deep differences had earlier kept the deal in doubt.

During the temporary truce, Israel halted military operations in the war-battered coastal territory and Gaza militants stopped firing rockets.



News of the rocket comes after it was revealed that an Italian journalist has been killed alongside his translator and three Palestinian bomb disposal experts as they attempted to defuse an unexploded Israeli missile in Gaza.

Journalist Simone Camilli pictured on Monday in Beit Lahiya in the Gaza Strip before he was killed Associated Press photographer Hatem Mousa is wheeled to an ambulance on his way to receive treatment in Israel AP photographer Hatem Mousa receiving treatment at al-Shifa hospital, Gaza, Palestinian Territories Video journalist Simone Camilli, who worked for the Associated Press and translator Ali Shehda Abu Afash died when ordnance left over from fighting between Israel and Hamas blew up as Gazan police engineers were working to neutralise it in the town of Beit Lahiya. Police said three police engineers were also killed, while four people, including AP photographer Hatem Moussa, were badly injured. Mr Camilli, a 35-year-old Italian national, had worked for the Associated Press since being hired as a freelancer in Rome in 2005. He relocated to Jerusalem in 2006, and often covered assignments in Gaza. He is the first foreign journalist killed in the Gaza and leaves behind his long-time partner and a three-year-old daughter. Mr Abu Afash, a 36-year-old Gaza resident, leaves behind a wife and two daughters, aged five and six. He often worked with the international media as a translator and news assistant. Najib Jobain, the AP's chief producer in Gaza, said Mr Camilli was a welcome face in Gaza who had recently turned down an assignment in Iraq to come to the strip. Mr Camilli, a 35-year-old Italian national, had worked for the Associated Press since being hired as a freelancer in Rome in 2005

Najib Jobain, the AP's chief producer in Gaza, said Mr Camilli was a welcome face in Gaza who had recently turned down an assignment in Iraq to come to the strip

Palestinian translator Ali Shehda Abu Afash, who also died when the missile exploded in Gaza

Associated Press photographer Hatem Moussa, who was seriously injured in the blast on Wednesday

People in Gaza have strewn graffiti on the walls of buildings expressing their views on the current conflict

The graffiti appeared during a 72-hour truce between Israel and Hamas, which comes to an end at midnight

An Israeli army reservist officer with his back to the camera, wears a T-shirt referring to the Israeli forces' operations in Gaza

'He was my brother. I have known him for almost 10 years. He was so happy to be with me working in Gaza,' Mr Jobain said. 'He was asked, "Do you want to go to Irbil or Gaza?" He said, "I'll go to Gaza".'

In a statement, the Gaza police force said it also mourned the deaths of three of its men, identifying them as the head of the local bomb squad, his deputy and another officer.



During a 72-hour ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which started on Monday, Palestinian bomb disposal experts have taken the opportunity to search for unexploded munitions.

Since the latest truce went into effect on Monday, Israel has halted military operations in the coastal territory and Gaza militants have stopped firing rockets.



The ceasefire was meant to give the two sides time to negotiate a more sustainable truce and a roadmap for the coastal territory.

Since the latest truce went into effect Sunday, Israel has halted military operations in the coastal territory and Gaza militants have stopped firing rockets

Two Palestinian brothers walk among the rubble of what was their home in Gaza as a 72-hour ceasefire comes to an end

Egyptian mediators have been ferrying between the Palestinians and their Israeli counterparts in an attempt overcome the differences between the sides.



The Egyptian proposal calls for easing parts of the Israeli blockade of Gaza, bringing some relief to the territory, according to Palestinian officials in the talks.



But it was leaving the key areas of disagreement, including Hamas' demand for a full lifting of the blockade and Israeli calls for Hamas to disarm, to later negotiations.



Earlier, the Palestinian negotiator said he had some reservations about the proposal and would try to improve it.



Locals put up a makeshift tent on houses that were destroyed in Gaza during the temporary ceasefire

A Palestinian boy carries a bullet belt around his body as he plays in the rubble in Gaza

A boy hides inside a hole created in the ground after his family's house was destroyed in Gaza

'We would like to see more cross-border freedom, and also to have the question of a Gaza seaport and airport discussed,' he said.



The Palestinian officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss negotiations with the media.



An Israeli government spokesman had no comment on the negotiations.



The talks come as pictures emerged of Palestinian men vying with each other and handing over their IDs so that they can receive food aid at a UN centre in Gaza City.

The UN have distributed food assistance to 1.1million Gazans even before the latest conflict.

Palestinian men wait for their names to be called so they can receive food aid rations at a UN compound in Gaza


Richard Pusey has appeared in court wearing pigtails as part of his process of transitioning into a woman, while comparing himself to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The disgraced Porsche driver fronted a Melbourne court on Tuesday after being charged with allegedly posting a picture of the body of a police officer killed in 2020's Eastern Freeway truck crash.

Pusey, who announced in February he was transitioning into a woman from behind bars, had hoped to be released on bail during a self-represented application that quickly went pear-shaped.

Richard Pusey wrapped his pigtails in canary yellow hair ties for his court appearance on Tuesday morning

Pusey walked free from jail in August donning a bizarre outfit (pictured) after serving 10 months for filming the dying police officers.

Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and and Constable Josh Prestney all died in the horror crash (pictured left to right)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's call for arms On March 30, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky demanded help from the country's partners.

'If we want to fight for freedom together, then we ask our partners,' he said via a video message. 'And if we really fight for freedom and the defense of democracy together, we have the right to demand help at this critical and difficult moment. 'Freedom must be armed no less than tyranny.' Advertisement

The 44-year-old has been behind bars since February 7 after his bail was revoked amid allegations he used a telecommunications device to menace.

Appearing in court via video link from the Metropolitan Remand Centre, Pusey claimed prosecutors had again failed to supply him with the necessary documentation to run his case.

Last month, Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg had ordered the prosecution write a letter to the jail and ask them to ensure Pusey be handed all of the legal documentation and sign a receipt for it.

Prosecutors allege Pusey refuses to collect the documents.

'To quote Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky: "freedom must be armed no worse than tyranny",' Pusey said on Tuesday.

'Now I'm not prepared to proceed unless I'm armed with the same as the prosecutor.'

In an effort to progress the hearing, magistrate Jennifer Grubissa asked Pusey if he would attend court in person to collect the documents.

Pusey refused.

Four officers were killed after they pulled over Mr Pusey Porsche (pictured) for allegedly speeding on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway

'Every time we attend court we need to go through 14 days quarantine,' he said.

Under Victorian law, inmates are discounted a day off their sentence for every day they are locked in their cells due to the pandemic.

'I don't see how that would assist the public if I was ever to receive a sentence, getting my sentence effectively served in half the time,' Pusey said.

Pusey was previously dubbed 'the most hated man in Australia' by a magistrate after he was convicted of filming four police officers after they were fatally struck by a truck.

The officers had just pulled Pusey over and were questioning him at roadside when the truck ploughed into them.

On Tuesday, Pusey continued to take pot shots at Victorian police officers, some of whom he claimed had been illegally accessing his criminal record.

During an extraordinary rant, Pusey further claimed prosecutors had attempted to 'assassinate his character' by referencing his prior criminal history in their case against him.

'(Prosecutors) were going back to things as a 14-year old child and doing such things that I would liken to some of the gentleman here (in prison) that use children.

'That's how I feel I've been made to feel with the way these prosecutors put things,' Pusey said.

A picture of Pusey's wrecked black 2016 Porsche 911 was posted online with the caption: 'You don't need one of these to bend a cop'. Pusey was reportedly trying to claim insurance over the crash

Bizarre social media posts began appearing on an account called 'the Richard Pusey show' shortly after he was released from jail (pictured)

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST PUSEY Last week prosecutors withdrew charges against Pusey over allegations he assaulted police officers and left cat poo around a mans home. Police had previously alleged Pusey threw canisters of nitrous oxide at officers and left cat litter and faeces around a persons home in 2020 and 2021. Pusey claimed police were lying about the case. 'Im not lying to you, the police are lying,' Pusey said last month. On Tuesday, Pusey asked why those charges had now been dropped. Prosecutor Jane Warren could not provide an answer. Advertisement

Police allege Pusey posted a Google review of the Porsche Centre Melbourne, which included one of the pictures he took at the scene of the April 2020 crash over which he was previously sentenced on charges of outraging public decency.

While several unrelated charges were dropped against Pusey last week, prosecutors are continuing to pursue allegations he posted the offensive images of the dead officers.

Pusey, who is contesting the remaining charges, interrupted the proceeding to ask prosecutor Jane Warren how long he needed to be kept behind bars.

'How long will I have to be in here until I get better?' he asked.

'Because this is a rehabilitation facility as I understand from what I've been told by everybody and I just wonder if Ms Warren can tell me how long she expects me to be here until I get better.'

Pusey was told such matters were not a consideration of the court under his application for bail.

Magistrate Grubissa was forced to adjourn Pusey's bail application until April 29 in the hope he finally receives the court files needed to run his case.

Until then, Pusey told the court he would return to his cell to continue watching his favourite television shows, which he said include 'Ryan's Mystery Playdate' and 'Seinfeld'.

Richard Pusey was defended by high-profile Melbourne barrister Dermot Dann, QC (far right) during his proceedings related to the Eastern crash. He represented himself in court on Tuesday

Richard Pusey pictured atop of his Fitzroy mansion after a protest against the way he has been treated

It remains unclear how far into the transitioning process Pusey has got while behind bars.

Last month he told the court he had almost missed his court hearing due to ongoing plans to transition.

'I've got discussions with some clinics in Melbourne in relation to my gender re-assignment surgery,' he said at the time.

'I was two seconds into being put onto a bus to spend the day running around to hospitals within Melbourne, but fortunately it was brought to their attention that I've actually had court today.'

Pusey had given some indication of his plans during another court appearance in February when he asked a magistrate to refer to him as 'them/they'.

'My pronouns are they/them,' he insisted from a prison phone after his matter was called.

Pusey in April 2020 after his arrest over his role in the Eastern Freeway crash, which claimed the lives of four officers

Richard Pusey's car is pictured after the deadly Eastern Freeway crash that claimed the lives of four police officers
The estranged husband of a woman who he is accused of killing and making her death look like a suicide had warned her a notorious Melbourne gang was out to get her, a jury has heard.

Samantha Fraser's estranged husband Adrian Basham allegedly told her the Apex gang would come for her after the pair split in 2017.

A Supreme Court of Victoria jury has heard that Basham claimed Ms Fraser was alive after he assaulted her on July 23, 2018 inside her Phillip Island home.

He had pleaded not guilty to her murder amid claims she hanged herself after his assault.

Ms Fraser's bloody and bruised body was found dead by police that afternoon with a rope tied around her neck and a step ladder kicked over beside her.

The jury will soon decide Basham's fate after retiring on Tuesday to deliberate its verdict after a whopping trial that saw 79 witnesses called.

Adrian Basham has pleaded not guilty to murdering his estranged wife

In closing the prosecution case last week, Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC told the jury Basham had warned his estranged ex about the risks of her dying in a home invasion.

'The accused had said she would never know when the Apex gang would come, which she Samantha Fraser took as a threat. She said these threats had prompted her to contact the police,' Ms Rogers said.

The Apex gang had been responsible for a series of car-jackings, home invasions and smash-and-grab burglaries across Melbourne in the years before Ms Fraser's alleged murder.

Although Basham had no real links to the crime gang, Ms Rogers claimed he had repeated similar threats to Ms Fraser leading up to her death.

The court heard Ms Fraser was so worried about Basham in the months before her death she had moved in with her parents at Seagrove Way on Phillip Island - south east of Melbourne.

She would die in their garage while they were away on a trip to the United States.

Ms Rogers told the jury there was 'no way on earth' the doting mother would commit suicide and abandon her young children.

'This was a staged suicide by the accused with the nice touch of the knocked over step ladder, very close to the hanging body,' she said.

'First and foremost is that she was a loving mother, loved and devoted to her children.'

Samantha Fraser told her new boyfriend in a text message the night before her death that she had been looking forward to her future

Adrian Basham is accused of killing Samantha Fraser (pictured) inside her Phillip Island home in 2018

The court heard Basham had been sighted on Phillip Island in the days leading up to the alleged murder.

The home where Ms Fraser resided has been described as a 'fortress', the jury heard.

The jury heard Basham had repeatedly threatened harm against his ex-wife, allegedly telling Ms Fraser 'If I can't have you no one will'.

'This house was fortified, for want of a better word,' Ms Rogers said.

'There was no means of access at all to the house by the would be burglar, fortified by the pieces of timber in the window tracks and door tracks.'

Ms Fraser was certain Basham had been tracking her phone.

Although Basham had an active intervention order out on him, she feared it would not stop him from doing her harm.

While Basham had been upset about pending court proceedings involving his ex-wife, the jury heard he had another motive to kill.

'There is a third and lesser motive that the Crown says, for why he killed Samantha Fraser, and it's jealousy,' Ms Rogers said.

The jury again heard harrowing evidence on the alleged final struggle of Ms Fraser's life.

Samantha Fraser had been expected to pick-up her children from school, but never arrived

The Cowes home where Samantha Fraser was allegedly murdered in 2018

Police allege Basham had snuck into the garage as Ms Fraser returned home after meeting with friends.

She had been due to pick-up her kids from school that afternoon but never turned up.

DNA evidence shows that Basham's biological material was found under both fingernails of Ms Fraser's hands, the jury heard.

'Which is indicative, we say, of her actively struggling with and defending herself against the accused,' Ms Rogers said.

The jury heard a forensic expert found deep bruising to the left and right fingers and hands of Ms Fraser, which suggested punches being thrown by her.

When done, prosecutors claimed Basham attempted to clean up the bloody crime scene.

'Adrian Basham also wet Samantha Fraser's hair ... he wet her hair to remove what he could of her blood. He may well have used her white top to do this, but her hair was wet, and it shouldn't have been,' Ms Rogers said.

The court heard Ms Fraser Samantha weighed just 57kgs and was considerably smaller in height than Basham.

'She fought desperately for her life. There was deep bruising to her hands and wrists, consistent with being restrained and she managed to scratch his nose and or arm,' Ms Rogers said.

'She suffered rotational force and velocity applied to her head when she was assaulted, and her head was spun round.'

Ms Rogers urged the jury to reject any notion Ms Fraser could have tied the complex knot used to hang her from the garage door, branding the defence 'absolute rubbish'.

'This was not a suicide. Samantha Fraser did not kill herself after being assaulted so extensively by the accused. It was a cold and brutal murder, and it was Adrian Basham who did it,' she said.

In closing the defence case, Basham's barrister Ashley Halphen told the jury they ought have a reasonable doubt in the case against him, because Ms Fraser may have killed herself.

'We submit Mr Basham left the garage at Seagrove Way when Samantha Fraser was still alive. Nothing has changed since this was raised when we first addressed you way back when,' he said.

'It is a possibility, that we submit is reasonable, and cannot be excluded on the evidence.

'The only possible explanation then for the death of Samantha Fraser is suicide.'

Adrian Basham is accused of bashing and murdering his wife before attempting to make it look like a suicide

Samantha Fraser had been happy and relaxed the very day before she supposedly hanged herself from a garage door

Mr Halphen admitted his client had caused his ex-wife some 'nasty injuries'.

'There is no doubting that Mr Basham conducted himself poorly from time to time and on a number of occasions,' he said.

'Take for instance the fact that by his very own admission, he assaulted Ms Fraser.'

Mr Halphen told the jury Basham was not to be judged on his alleged bad behaviour leading up to Ms Fraser's death.

'Members of the jury, you don't have to like Mr Basham. That is not what this case is about,' he said.

'You might think, Samantha Fraser was a very nice person, and that's understandable. But keep that thought (out) of the equation, you must judge with your heads and not your hearts.'

Mr Halphen said Ms Fraser had spoken to her new boyfriend about having suicidal thoughts back in 2017.

'The fact that she considered taking her own life in 2017 should not be lost in the overall equation or the possibility of suicide at another time, in this case one year later,' he said.

He dismissed Basham's various threats made after the breakdown of his marriage.

'We submit that his bark is without bite,' Mr Halphen said.

He told the jury there was no evidence indicating Basham made a threat to Ms Fraser in 2018.

'In the context of the intervention order proceedings, he has never admitted to behaving towards Samantha Fraser in any improper way and there has never been a court finding of wrongdoing,' Mr Halphen said.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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Antarctic sea ice is at a record low and has shrunk to below 772,000 square miles (2 million kilometres) since records began, a new study has warned.

While Arctic sea ice has been disappearing for years as a result of global warming, until recently, Antarctic sea ice was having the opposite experience.

Since the late 1970s, Antarctic sea ice has been enjoying a modest increase of around one per cent per decade.

However, measurements taken in February show that sea ice levels in the southern hemisphere are now at a record low.

Antarctic sea ice is at a record low and has shrunk to below 772,000 square miles (2 million kilometres) since records began, a new study has warned

On February 25, sea-ice levels in the Bellingshausen Sea, Amundsen Sea and the Weddell Sea hit record lows of around 30 per cent lower than the average from 1981-2010

What is sea ice? Sea ice is simply frozen ocean water. It forms, grows, and melts in the ocean. In contrast, icebergs, glaciers, ice sheets, and ice shelves all originate on land. Sea ice occurs in both the Arctic and Antarctic. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can currently exist as far south as Bohai Bay, China (approximately 38 degrees north latitude), which is actually about 700 kilometers (435 miles) closer to the Equator than it is to the North Pole. In the Southern Hemisphere, sea ice only develops around Antarctica, occurring as far north as 55 degrees south latitude. Advertisement

On February 25, sea-ice levels in the Bellingshausen Sea, Amundsen Sea and the Weddell Sea hit record lows of around 30 per cent lower than the average from 1981-2010.

Using data from the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, researchers from Sun Yat-sen University set out to understand why this was the case.

Their analysis revealed that in the summertime, thermodynamics dominate the processes that cause the sea ice to melt.

According to the team, this occurs through anomalies in the transport of heat towards the pole in the Bellingshausen/Amundsen Seas, the western Pacific Ocean, and the eastern Weddell Sea in particular.

Infrared radiation and visible light also increase in the summer, as a result of positive feedback of 'albedo'  the whiteness of the surface  and temperature.

The whiter the surface is, the greater the reflection of radiation, while the darker the surface, the greater the absorption.

'Sea ice is whiter than the dark unfrozen sea, thus there is less reflection of heat and more absorption, which in turn melts more sea ice, producing more absorption of heat, in a vicious cycle,' explained Qinghua Yang, co-author of the study.

However, by the spring, the dynamics of ice loss in the Amundsen Sea sees ice moved northwards towards the tropics, increasing melting.

Meanwhile, the new record low for sea ice was recorded around the same time as a combination of La Nina and a positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM).

SAM is a belt of strong westerly winds or low pressure that surrounds the continent, moving north or south, while La Nina is a weather pattern of powerful winds that blow warm ocean surface water from South America to Indonesia in the tropics.

Together, both SAM and La Nina deepen the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL)  a centre of low atmospheric pressure over the south of the Pacific ocean and off the coast of West Antarctica.

The Amundsen Sea is an arm of the Southern Ocean off Marie Byrd Land in western Antarctica. The sea is mostly ice-covered, and the Thwaites Ice Tongue protrudes into it

Analysis revealed that, in March, the amount of sea ice covering the Antarctic was 26 per cent below the 1991-2020 average, particularly in the Ross, Amundsen, and northern Weddell Seas, and the lowest in 44 years

Unfortunately, several questions remain about why these phenomena are causing such unprecedented sea ice melt.

'If tropical variability is having such an impact, it's that location that needs to be studied next,' added Jinfei Wang, one of the other authors of the paper.

The study comes shortly after research revealed that global sea levels could rise as much as 10ft (3 metres) if the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica collapses.

Sea level rises threaten cities from Shanghai to London, to low-lying swathes of Florida or Bangladesh, and to entire nations such as the Maldives.

In the UK, for instance, a rise of 6.7ft (2 metres) or more may cause areas such as Hull, Peterborough, Portsmouth and parts of east London and the Thames Estuary at risk of becoming submerged.

The collapse of the glacier, which could begin with decades, could also submerge major cities such as New York and Sydney.

Parts of New Orleans, Houston and Miami in the south on the US would also be particularly hard hit.
Downing Street computer systems are suspected to have been infected by powerful hacking spyware linked to spies in the United Arab Emirates.

It led to Boris Johnson's mobile phone being analysed by cybercrime investigators and, although the sweep of devices failed to identify the source, has thrust the software used into the spotlight.

So just what is Pegasus, how does it work and who can be targeted?

One expert warned that it effectively means 'every phone in every pocket is a spy', with the terrifying spyware able to film users through their device's camera, record conversations, listen to calls and even send messages.

Pegasus is sold by the Israeli-based NSO Group so governments can carry out surveillance by infecting phones with the military-grade software.

But ordinary members of the public may also be at risk, sometimes without so much as a click of a button.

Downing Street computer systems are suspected to have been infected by powerful hacking spyware linked to spies in the United Arab Emirates. So just what is Pegasus, how does it work and who can be targeted?

While its not entirely clear how Pegasus conducts its 'zero-click' attacks, experts believe functions including Photos, WhatsApp, iMessage and Apple Music are vulnerable and can give the program access to victims' location, videos and photos, messages, contact list and more

COULD YOU BE TARGETED BY PEGASUS? It is highly unlikely that anyone other than high-profile targets or individuals of interest to NSO will have been hacked by Pegasus. However, there are fears the now exposed vulnerability could be manipulated by less sophisticated hackers and may be used to target regular people. The military-grade software produced by NSO is only available to nations that have purchased the sophisticated and extremely powerful Pegasus technology. However, it has repeatedly been found deployed to hack journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders and dissidents. In the past it is believed to have been used to target a UK-based lawyer, a Saudi dissident, a citizen of Qatar and Mexican journalists and activists. The lawyer is believed to have been engaged in a lawsuit against NSO and became suspicious when receiving random WhatsApp calls from Sweden. Researchers at Citizen Lab, a research group at the University of Toronto, conducted extensive forensic examinations of the handset and found no trace of embedded malware. However, what they uncovered was a digital footprint similar to that which is known to have belonged to NSO technology in the past. WhatsApp engineers also identified the issue and worked extensively to fix the bug. The Financial Times identified the actor as Israel's NSO Group, previously referred to as a 'cyber arms dealer', and WhatsApp said it was 'not refuting any of the coverage you've seen'. The revelation added to the questions over the reach of the Israeli company's powerful spyware. Advertisement

How is Pegasus installed on smartphones?

Since 2019, hackers have been able to install the software on smartphones with a missed call on WhatsApp, and can even delete the record of the missed call, making it impossible for the phone's owner to know they have been targeted.

'Pegasus can be installed on phones via a simple text message or through exploiting vulnerabilities on devices that can even deploy without requiring the user to click anything,' cyber security expert Jake Moore from ESET told MailOnline.

'Once the software is placed on a device it can copy messages, view photos, record phone calls, and even secretly view the user via the phone's camera and both Android and Apple phones are vulnerable.

'This makes it extremely dangerous and powerful in surveillance attacks, leaving targeted victims in the dark.'

What can the spyware gain access to?

Pegasus can stealthily enter a smartphone and gain access to everything on it, including its camera and microphone.

It is designed to infiltrate devices running Android, Blackberry and iOS operating systems and turn them into surveillance devices.

NSO Group has always defended its use, saying it only sells Pegasus to governments for legitimate law enforcement and intelligence purposes, such as against criminals or terrorists.

But it has faced intense scrutiny over the claim.

Once installed, the spyware can theoretically harvest any data from the device and transmit it back to the attacker.

As well as stealing photos and videos, it can record a person's location, web searches, passwords and social media posts.

The software can even activate cameras and microphones for real-time surveillance without the permission or knowledge of the user.

Who is being targeted?

It is currently unclear who or what types of people are being targeted and why, although it tends to be high-profile figures.

'Governments often use spyware to carry out international espionage against other governments but like with any weapon art, it can also be lethal in the wrong hands,' Moore said.

'High profile people must be aware of the ease at which this can occur and must take precautions such as using a second device for official business and hold private meetings away from any device where possible.

'Other people could also potentially be targeted but it is less likely.'

He added: 'It is therefore vital everyone always continually updates their devices at the earliest opportunity to help best protect their personal information.'

What happened in No 10?

Canadian investigative group Citizen Lab said suspected Pegasus spyware was discovered on Downing Street and Foreign Office computer systems in 2020 and 2021.

The claims are linked to an investigation by the New Yorker magazine, which looked at the targeting of individuals campaigning for Catalan independence from Spain.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the New Yorker's investigative reporter Ronan Farrow said the belief is that data was exfiltrated from the computer network at No 10.

He added: 'They don't know whom the device in question belonged to but they do know that someone connected to that network through their phone was hacked.

'UK officials that I spoke to did confirm that the network was compromised  [but] they were not able to find a specifically-hacked phone.

'In the case of the Foreign Office hacks they did find evidence of that hacking.'

Discussing the Pegasus software, Farrow said: 'It cracks open phones, it gives access to all of the most intimate content on that phone, your text messages, your photos, anything that can be weaponised against you, or be of interest to someone looking to surveil you.

Powerful spyware known as Pegasus was used to infect a device connected to the network at 10 Downing Street, it has been claimed

'Or, in the most sophisticated cases of this technology, it turns on your microphone, it turns on your camera  it provides real time surveillance.

'So essentially this means every phone in every pocket is a spy, and as we're seeing with those uses, that can be something that is used by authoritarians seeking to crack down on dissent.'

Who else has fallen victim to Pegasus hacks?

It is not just the British government that has been targeted, however.

In September last year, traces of Pegasus spyware were found on the mobile phones of at least five current French cabinet ministers, according to the investigative website Mediapart.

The revelation came two months after it was claimed that rights activists, journalists and lawyers around the world had been targeted with the phone malware sold to authoritarian governments by NSO Group.

They were on a list of some 50,000 phone numbers of people, although it was not clear where the this came from or how many phones had actually been hacked.

Politicians and heads of state, business executives, activists, and several Arab royal family members were all on the list, along with more than 180 journalists from organisations including CNN, the New York Times and Al Jazeera.

Boris Johnson's mobile phone was analysed by cybercrime investigators following the breach

NSO denied any wrongdoing at the time.

Despite the company insisting that it only sells the software to selected governments, there are fears it could be manipulated by less sophisticated hackers and used to target regular people.

It has already been found deployed to hack journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders, among others.

Jakub Vavra, a mobile threat analyst at software security company Avast, said: 'Since 2016, we have tracked and blocked several attempts by Pegasus spyware to breach Android phones, most of them in 2019.

'Evidently it is used as a highly targeted tool, as unlike spyware which often is spread widely to harvest masses of user data, Pegasus is used only on a few individuals, apparently, for surveillance purposes.

'The minimal spread of the spyware doesn't make it less dangerous, for each individual being under surveillance the scope of privacy damage is certainly very high.'

What can you do to protect your smartphone?

Beware of spam text messages and don't click any links from an unknown source.

Cyber security expert Jake Moore said it was 'vital' that everyone also 'continually updates their devices at the earliest opportunity, to help best protect their personal information.'

It is also good practice to enlist two-factor authentication on your devices, because when an identity-specific action is required on top of entering your password and username, it becomes significantly harder for fraudsters to access your information.

Two-factor authentication provides a way of 'double checking' that you really are the person you are claiming to be when you're using online services, such as banking, email or social media.

The option to switch on two-factor authentication is usually found in the settings of your device, where it may also be called 2-step verification (2SV).

Last September Apple released an emergency software patch to fix a security vulnerability that researchers said could allow Pegasus hackers to directly infect iPhones and other Apple devices without any user action.

The flaw was identified by spyware researchers at Citizen Lab and reportedly affected all of Apple's operating systems.

It was the first time a so-called 'zero-click' exploit had been caught and analysed, said the researchers, who found the malicious code on September 7, 2021 and immediately alerted Apple.
It may sound more like a scene from Star Trek, but a NASA doctor and his team have become the first humans to be 'holoported' from Earth into space.

Flight surgeon Dr Josef Schmid suddenly found himself beamed to the middle of the International Space Station (ISS), where he was able to enjoy a two-way conversation and even share a handshake with French astronaut Thomas Pesquet.

Holoportation is a type of technology that allows high-quality 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed and transmitted live anywhere in real time, Dr Schmid said.

When combined with mixed reality displays such as Microsoft's HoloLens, it allows users to see, hear, and interact with remote participants in 3D as if they are actually present in the same physical space.

It may sound more like a scene from Star Trek, but NASA doctor Dr Josef Schmid (pictured) and his team have become the first humans to be 'holoported' from Earth into space

Dr Schmid suddenly found himself beamed to the middle of the International Space Station, where he was able to enjoy a two-way conversation and even share a handshake with astronaut Thomas Pesquet (pictured)

WHAT IS HOLOPORTATION? Holoportation has been in use since at least 2016 by Microsoft, but this is the first use in such an extreme and remote environment such as space. It is a new type of 3D capture technology that allows high-quality 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed and transmitted anywhere in the world in real time. When combined with mixed reality displays such as HoloLens, the technology allows users to see, hear, and interact with remote participants in 3D as if they are actually present in the same physical space. Microsoft, which has developed the technology to be used with its Hololens Kinect camera, said it would allow 'communicating and interacting with remote users' to become 'as natural as face-to-face communication'. Advertisement

Holoportation has been used by Microsoft since 2016, but this is the first time the technology has been deployed in such an extreme and remote environment as space.

'This is completely new manner of human communication across vast distances,' Dr Schmid said.

'Furthermore, it is a brand-new way of human exploration, where our human entity is able to travel off the planet. Our physical body is not there, but our human entity absolutely is there.

'It doesn't matter that the space station is traveling 17,500 mph and in constant motion in orbit 250 miles above Earth, the astronaut can come back three minutes or three weeks later and with the system running, we will be there in that spot, live on the space station.'

NASA said that during almost two years of the Covid pandemic, 'the growth of telemedicine and new ways of reaching people had changed and developed'.

It said Dr Schmid, industry partner AEXA Aerospace CEO Fernando De La Pena Llaca, and their teams were 'holoported' to the ISS in October last year.

Using Microsoft's Hololens Kinect camera and a computer with custom software from Aexa, European Space Agency astronaut Pesquet had a two-way conversation with live images of Dr Schmid and De La Pena placed in the middle of the ISS.

NASA said it was demonstrating this new form of communication as a precursor for more extensive use on future missions.

It plans to use it for more two-way communication, with people on Earth holoported to space and astronauts are placed back on earth.

'We'll use this for our private medical conferences, private psychiatric conferences, private family conferences and to bring VIPs onto the space station to visit with astronauts,' Dr Schmid said.

The next step after that is to combine holoportation with augmented reality, to truly enable Tele-mentoring.

NASA said Schmid, industry partner AEXA Aerospace CEO Fernando De La Pena Llaca, and their teams were 'holoported' to the ISS in October last year

Using the Microsoft Hololens Kinect camera and a computer with custom software from Aexa, European Space Agency astronaut Pesquet had a two-way conversation with live images of Dr Schmid and De La Pena placed in the middle of the ISS (pictured)

'Imagine you can bring the best instructor or the actual designer of a particularly complex technology right beside you wherever you might be working on it,' Dr Schmid said.

'Furthermore, we will combine augmented reality with haptics. You can work on the device together, much like two of the best surgeons working during an operation.

'This would put everyone at rest knowing the best team is working together on a critical piece of hardware.'

Holoportation and tools like it could be of great use for future deep space missions.

As plans shape up for missions to Mars, an obstacle to overcome will be the communication delays that are present during the travel to and from the Red Planet, NASA said.

A delay of up to 20 minutes each way will present a unique challenge to communication whether through simple radio transmissions, video streams or new methods such as Holoportation.

Communication is critical, whether for medical or mission support reasons, or staying in touch with family members.

The crew will need to be connected with Earth and Mission Control, no matter where humans explore.

There are also direct applications here on Earth, the US space agency said.

Whether in extreme environments such as Antarctica or offshore oil rigs, this type of technology may help people in such situations communicate, bringing people together no matter the distance or environmental challenges.
The second round of the French presidential elections will take place on 24 April. All the parties of the left and trade union leaders are pressuring their supporters to get behind a Republican Front to beat Marine Le Pen who they believe is a fascist  by voting for Macrons government of the rich. This rotten class collaboration is already being rejected by thousands of young people, who have occupied their universities and demonstrated with the slogan: neither Macron, nor Le Pen!

On Wednesday 13 April, hundreds of students occupied Sorbonne University in Paris, along with the Ecole Normale Superieure in the capital, as well as at the Nancy campus of political sciences institute Sciences Po. In Sorbonne, a historic staging ground for the revolutionary movement in May 68, students maintained their occupation for 30 hours before being brutally evicted by police. As one student told Reuters: We're tired of always having to vote for the less bad of the two, and that's what explains this revolt. There is a widespread rejection of the whole establishment by the youth, who are moving to the left.

In subsequent days, there were big demonstrations in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse and elsewhere. The largest was held by several organisations on Saturday 16 April. It was clear from the mood and slogans on the ground that the masses were directing their rage against both reactionary candidates in the second round. Around 20,000 people hit the streets in the Paris area, and thousands more around the country.

We are witnessing the germ of the future class struggles that will erupt in France, regardless of who ultimately wins the elections. The political field has been blocked for now for workers and youth (at least until the legislative elections), but in every other avenue it will massively intensify. The following article, by the editor of French Marxist website Revolution, attacks the class collaborationism of the left parties and trade union tops. It explains that progressive workers and youth must resist the pressure to back the lesser evil Macron, and instead maintain a clean, independent banner, and prepare themselves for battle.

Read the original in French here |

Since the first round of the presidential election, the leaders of most trade unions and left-wing parties have been calling for a barrage against the National Rally (RN) on 24 April. Some have explicitly called to vote for Macron. Others are calling to not vote for Le Pen. Lastly, some are calling to beat Le Pen.

From the point of view of medieval scholasticism, the difference between these three positions is certainly worthy of interest, as are the controversies over the sex of angels. But from the point of view of the class struggle, it is one and the same mistake: the Republican Front against the extreme right. This front with Macrons party, (La Republique En Marche) LREM  because that's what it is, concretely  is a policy of class collaboration. And the alternative to this mistaken policy is one of class struggle.

In the first round, Melenchon's candidacy represented the only chance of victory on the left. His elimination leaves us facing two implacable enemies of our class, two bourgeois politicians determined to make us pay for the crisis of their system: capitalism. As a consequence, the struggle against this system and against all the bourgeois politicians cannot proceed through the presidential elections. However, this struggle can be pursued  and even intensified  in all other fields: protests, strikes, unions, meetings, strengthening workers trade union organisations, etc. As for the electoral struggle, it will continue in the framework of the legislative elections, which will be held in two months' time; but the electoral struggle is over as far as the presidential elections are concerned.

The difference in nature

Students in several universities  notably in Paris  have set an example: they mobilised to protest against the result of the first round, that is, against Le Pen and Macron. At the Sorbonne and elsewhere, they were violently repressed by the police. At Sciences Po, they were attacked by far-right militants. We are used to such repression and aggression under Macron's government. His term in office has been distinguished by extreme police brutality, which reached its peak during the Yellow Vests movement. As for the violence of extreme right-wing groups, they have been allowed to act with impunity.

#BREAKING #FRANCE #PARIS



PARIS : #VIDEO FRENCH STUDENTS BLOCK SCHOOLS TO PROTEST CHOICE BETWEEN MACRON AND LE PEN!



Hundreds of French university students on Thursday blocked buildings at #Sorbonne & other schools to express their anger over Frances Presidential #Election. pic.twitter.com/QppmQbmre8  loveworld (@LoveWorld_Peopl) April 14, 2022

This should be stressed, because it is in the name of a difference in nature  between LREM and the RN  that the supporters of the Republican Front call for voting Macron (or not voting Le Pen", etc.). This is notably the case of Jean-Luc Melenchon. Here is how he explains precisely what this difference in nature consists of:

Marine Le Pen adds to the project of social abuse, which she shares with Emmanuel Macron, a dangerous ferment of ethnic and religious exclusion. A people can be destroyed by this type of division. (...) I admit that my assessment here is as much moral and philosophical as political. That is why I have said and I repeat that not one vote should go to the far-right candidate.

The problem is obvious: the facts contradict the claim of such a 'difference' between Le Pen and Macron. For five years, the Macron government has not stopped feeding a dangerous ferment of ethnic and religious exclusion. It has systematically resorted to racist propaganda and the stigmatisation of Muslims. In this area, as in that of police repression, it has gone even further than its predecessors. Has Melenchon forgotten the Macron government's crusade against Islamo-leftism"? Has he forgotten all the other crusades of the same kind? One assumes not. But such is the logic of the Republican Front": it implies ignoring concrete reality. Melenchon, moreover, recognises this indirectly: he drowns the political facts in the mist of a moral and philosophical assessment. Instead of clarifying the situation, this confuses people.

Roussel's pleas

Fabien Roussel is an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican Front. He therefore pushes its erroneous logic to an extreme. Here, for example, are excerpts from his statement following the results of the first round:

The extreme right reaches the second round, with a reserve of votes that poses a major threat to the future of the Republic. The president-candidate is the first person responsible for this situation. (...) A large part of France has just told him that it can no longer stand his contemptuous behaviour and his desire to enrich the richest. It is now up to Emmanuel Macron to say that he has heard the message. It is up to him to speak! He must say, today, clearly that he will renounce his senseless counter-reforms. (...) For my part, on Sunday 24 April, I will choose responsibility. (...) I call on you to defeat the extreme right, to defeat it by using the only ballot paper available.

Melenchon is silent about Macron's racist policies; Roussel is imploring Macron to spare us five more years of social regression. Instead of calling for class struggle against Le Pen and Macron, instead of explaining that only massive struggles will make it possible to bring the next government to its knees (whoever it may be), Roussel calls for a vote for Macron  and calls on Macron to renounce his programme, the programme of the bourgeoisie. There is no need to organise and prepare for big struggles: it's enough for Macron to renounce the senseless reforms he plans to inflict on us.

Alas! From the point of view of the bourgeoisie, the counter-reforms that Macron is preparing are not at all senseless; on the contrary, they are indispensable to the defence of its interests, i.e. its profits. And to defend our class interests, we can only count on our own forces and those of our own organisations, on mass mobilisations and the class struggle in general. But there is not a single mention of class struggle in the statement of the communist leader. In his own way, Fabien Roussel confirms the two options we are faced with: Republican Front or class struggle.

The misadventures of trade union independence

When it comes to the Republican Front", a special mention must be given to the CGT leadership[1]. Before the first round, when it was clear that Melenchon had a chance of qualifying for the second round, the CGT leaders did not lift a finger to try to contribute to it. They did not make even a single statement  in the name of the so-called trade union independence from political parties. Following this so-called principle", the CGT leadership refused to enlighten us on what it considered preferable, from the point of view of workers' interests, between Melenchon's candidature and those of the bourgeois parties. Of course, the bourgeoisie is full of praise for this principle.

However, once the first round was over, once Melenchon had been eliminated, the architects of the Republican Front shattered the principle. In its declaration of 12 April, the CGT confederal leadership explained:

The CGT does not own the votes of its members. Our organisation is independent but not neutral, it has a history and collective values opposed to those of the extreme right. Not one voice in the world of work for the far right, it must be fought everywhere.

It would be funny if it were not so serious. To hide the abandonment of trade union independence (for the benefit of Macron), a new concept is put forward: neutrality. The CGT is independent", but not neutral.

Let us admit for a moment that this distinction between independence and neutrality is not a miserable deception (which it is). The question remains as to why the CGT, which is not neutral", observed the most complete neutrality when it came to choosing between Melenchon and the candidates of the bourgeois parties. Was the choice not clear, from the point of view of the history and collective values of the CGT? Did the CGT leadership feel that, from the point of view of these values and history, the candidacies of Melenchon and Macron, for example, were indistinguishable? How does the CGT leadership manage to distinguish Macron and Le Pen, from the point of view of its values, but not Macron and Melenchon (or Le Pen and Melenchon, or Pecresse and Melenchon, etc.)?

This absurd story can be explained very simply: trade union independence is a lie, a pure hypocrisy, whose function is to mask the submission of the CGT leaders to the fundamental interests of the ruling class. It is a pretext for passivity, for moderation, for giving up on seriously fighting the bourgeoisie. And when this principle is no longer in line with the fundamental interests of the bourgeoisie, as is the case these days, the CGT leaders abandon it and give their support to the favourite candidate of the ruling class without a fight. In 2022, as in 2017, the CGT leaders will give a single voting instruction: vote Macron (sorry, do not vote Le Pen).

Thousands of CGT activists, no doubt, reject this erroneous position. They must make this known and demand that their leadership change course. At the same time, they must resolutely turn their backs on this policy of class collaboration  and prepare the workers for great struggles against the next government, whether it is led by Macron or Le Pen.

The strongest argument

As in 2002 and 2017, a key argument has been put forward in favour of the Republican Front": voting for Macron is to ward off the danger of fascism. Since Marine Le Pen has gone to great lengths over the last ten years to demonstrate that the RN is not a fascist party, the reconfigured argument now admits all sorts of variants, in which fascism is replaced by various no less frightening formulas. Roussel speaks of a democratic catastrophe, Melenchon of an irreparable situation, and so on.

The arguments of the leaders of the Republican Front neglects the real balance of power between the classes, which Marine Le Pen  like all other bourgeois politicians  would be obliged to take into account / Image: Revolution

As we explained in our last editorial, this argument is based  among other things  on a totally wrong analysis of the balance of power between the classes. In the short and medium term, France is not heading towards fascism, a military-police dictatorship or who knows what irreparable democratic catastrophe"; on the contrary, it is heading towards an intensification of the class struggle, under the impact of the organic crisis of capitalism. The Yellow Vests movement and the December 2019 strike were only a foretaste of what awaits the French bourgeoisie in the period to come. The latter is aware of this, by the way, and that is why most of the big French capitalists support Macron: they fear that a victory of Marine Le Pen would provoke explosive, uncontrollable mobilisations of youth and workers, exactly as most of the big American capitalists feared that a victory of Trump would aggravate social instability in the US.

Listening to the supporters of the Republican Front", one gets the impression that the fate of the French working class will be decided on 24 April: if Macron gathers 50.1 percent of the votes, we will (temporarily) escape the irreparable, the democratic catastrophe; but we will sink into hell if Macron gathers only 49.9 percent of the votes. This is what the wisdom of the leaders of the Republican Front can be reduced to. It totally neglects the real balance of power between the classes, which Marine Le Pen  like all other bourgeois politicians  would be obliged to take into account.

What is to be done?

We must not minimise the danger of the RN. Marine Le Pen and her party are implacable enemies of our class. But calling for a Macron vote does not weaken Le Pen. On the contrary, she takes advantage of this to say to her potential voters: Look! Once again, the political caste that has oppressed you for decades, right and left, is ganging up on me. I represent a real danger for this corrupt system", etc. Le Pen  and her father before her  have systematically used this argument, not without success. The current Republican Front offers a new opportunity for Marine Le Pen to use it.

The Republican Front confuses and demobilises our camp, even in the face of the danger represented by the RN. Let's take a concrete example. If Marine Le Pen wins on 24 April, far-right activists might be tempted to celebrate their victory by committing acts of violence against immigrants. In fact, they could also engage in violence if Marine Le Pen loses, out of spite. What to do in the face of this real risk? The leaders of the Republican Front do not even ask the question, because they are too busy beating Le Pen by calling for a Macron vote. Yet, there would be much better things to do. For example, the left and the trade union movement could call for vigilance rallies in the working class areas of our cities on the evening of 24 April. It is likely that many young people and workers would respond to this call. This would be much more effective in the fight against the RN and fascist groups than a thousand Republican Fronts.

Nous etions presents aux manifestations de ce week-end contre l'extreme-droite, a Paris, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon. Quelle que soit la composition du prochain gouvernement, de grandes luttes seront a lordre du jour. Organisons-nous pour les rendre victorieuses !#NiMacronNiLePen pic.twitter.com/8srLrhuQew  Revolution (@revolution_tmi) April 17, 2022

Let us conclude. Our criticism of the Republican Front is not aimed at the young people or the workers who, with a heavy heart, will go and vote Macron to keep Le Pen out next Sunday. Our critique is aimed solely at the leaders of the left and the trade union movement who defend the Republican Front and call for a vote for Macron, instead of calling for the class struggle, for organising to prepare the struggle against the next government, whoever the president may be. And the scope of our critique goes far beyond the question of the second round of the presidential election. The Republican Front is only one expression, among many others, of the limits of reformism, which constantly sinks into class collaboration.

The fate of the working class will not depend on the result of the second round of the presidential election. In the final analysis, the fate of the working class will depend on the construction of an alternative leadership to that of the reformists, a revolutionary leadership, capable of mobilising the youth and the workers to the end: until the overthrow of capitalism and the socialist transformation of society. To help us in this task, join the International Marxist Tendency!

Notes

[1] We choose to discuss the position of the CGT because it is the most powerful and militant trade union confederation. The position of the leaderships of the other trade union confederations is no better (in general, it is worse). Similarly, it is useless to comment on the participation of Jadot and Hidalgo in the republican front", because nobody expected anything else from them: if Macron wins, a certain number of green and socialist leaders will gleefully join LREM. As for the NPA, its rallying to the republican front is just a new illustration of the political bankruptcy of this organisation.
NASA's Artemis I mission to the moon and back is likely to face further delays, after a series of fueling errors hit the massive SLS megarocket, the agency confirmed.

Known as Space Launch System, the 322ft $23 billion rocket had been rolled out to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a 'wet dress rehearsal', a series of tests involving the full launch process, to see if it was ready to launch.

After failing to properly fill the fuel tanks multiple times, NASA decided to roll it back to the assembly building for repairs, pushing the earliest Artemis I launch several weeks, until late summer, according to NASA officials.

NASA had previously set the launch window for between late May and early July, depending on the outcome of the dress rehearsal.

Artemis I is the first launch in the new NASA moon program, that will see an uncrewed Orion spacecraft travel to the moon and back in an up to 42 day journey.

NASA's Artemis I mission to the moon and back is likely to face further delays, after a series of fueling errors hit the massive SLS megarocket, the agency confirmed

NASA engineers will work on detecting and repairing the faults that led to the fuelling problems over the coming weeks, repeating the rehearsal later this year.

Since April 1 the space agency has been unsuccessfully attempting the key test, which is called a wet dress rehearsal because it involves loading liquid propellant.

The procedure is meant as a run-through of launch operations, including a final countdown to within ten seconds before blast off, but without firing the engines.

NASA teams encountered several technical hitches, including a leak involving flammable liquid hydrogen, and a faulty valve in the upper stage.

Known as Space Launch System, the 322ft $23 billion rocket had been rolled out to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a 'wet dress rehearsal', a series of tests involving the full launch process, to see if it was ready to launch

The rocket, which is 322 feet (98 meters) tall with the Orion crew capsule fixed on top, will begin its slow journey back from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B to the vehicle assembly building on April 26, where it will be repaired.

Asked what this might mean for the earliest opportunity to launch the Artemis-1 test flight to the moon and back, senior official Tom Whitmeyer said: "I think the early June window would be challenging."

Nasa's Space Launch System: The largest rocket ever made Space Launch System, or SLS, is a launch vehicle that NASA hopes will take its astronauts back to the moon and beyond. The rocket will have an initial lift configuration, set to launch in the early-2020's, followed by an upgraded 'evolved lift capability' that can carry heavier payloads. Space Launch System Initial Lift Capability - Maiden flight: Mid-2020's - Height: 311 feet (98 metres) - Lift: 70 metric tons - Weight: 2.5 million kilograms (5.5 million lbs) Space Launch System Evolved Lift Capability - Maiden flight: Unknown - Height: 384 feet (117 metres) - Lift: 130 metric tons - Weight: 2.9 million kilograms (6.5 million lbs) Advertisement

NASA's latest attempt to fuel its huge moon rocket for a countdown test was thwarted by a hazardous hydrogen leak, the latest in a series of vexing problems.

The launch team had just begun loading fuel into the core stage of the rocket when the leak cropped up last week. 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 the week before. 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.

Earlier this year NASA confirmed the launch window would run into July, but at the time suggested June would be most likely - that is no longer the case.

This isn't the first delay to face the Artemis 1 launch, originally due to launch in February, then moved to May, and later to between late May and late June.

There are subsequent launch windows in July and in August, that are more likely.

These depend on factors like the relative positions of the Earth and Moon, as well as how long the rocket will have to fly in an eclipse, since it requires the Sun to keep it powered and thermally regulated.

A delay in Artemis-1 will have a cascading effect on subsequent missions, with three increasingly complex missions planned for the first Artemis run.

When it launches, Orion won't have any crew on board, despite being able to hold up to four astronauts. Instead, it will carry dummies to the moon and back.

After failing to properly fill the fuel tanks multiple times, NASA decided to roll it back to the assembly building for repairs, pushing the earliest Artemis I launch several weeks, until late summer, according to NASA officials

NASA had previously set the launch window for between late May and early July, depending on the outcome of the dress rehearsal

These are designed to replicate human weight and give scientists and engineers and insight into flight performance, without putting humans at risk.

The Artemis I mission will see the Orion spacecraft, the SLS and the ground systems at Kennedy combine to launch the Orion 280,000 miles past Earth around the moon over the course of a three-week mission.

If Artemis I is a success, then NASA will send Artemis II on a trip around the moon, this time with a human crew on board.

The Artemis II mission plans to send four astronauts in the first crewed Orion capsule into a lunar flyby for a maximum of 21 days.

Finally, Artemis III will see the first woman and first person of color land on the surface of the moon, coming down in the south polar region.

NASA wants to build a permanent presence on the moon and use it as a proving ground for technologies necessary for a Mars mission sometime in the 2030s.
Artificial vision could be closer to reality, after scientists develop a tiny electric eye designed for use by microbots, which could ultimately help blind people too.

Georgia State University researchers created the device using a new vertical stacking system, allowing it to be scaled down, and operate at micro-levels.

The goal of the team, led by assistant physic professor Sidong Lei, is to create a micro-scale camera that could operate as the eyes of tiny robots, able to access areas humans, and larger scale bots can't reach.

In the future, the team say the same technology could be adapted to bring vision to the blind, or improve color perception in the colorblind.

Artificial vision could be closer to reality, after scientists develop a tiny electric eye designed for use by microbots, that has depth of color recognition

The device makes use of synthetic methods to mimic the biochemical processes that allow humans to see, a step towards a micro-scale robot camera.

'We illustrate the fundamental principle and feasibility to construct this new type of image sensor with emphasis on miniaturization,' said Professor Lei.

It improves color recognition when compared to earlier generation devices of the same size, and this is the most critical vision function, he said.

Conventional color sensors typically adopt a lateral color sensing channel layout and consume a large amount of physical space and offer less accurate color detection.

'It is well-known that more than 80 per cent of the information is captured by vision in research, industry, medication, and our daily life,' said prof Lei.

'The ultimate purpose of our research is to develop a micro-scale camera for microrobots that can enter narrow spaces that are intangible by current means, and open up new horizons in medical diagnosis, environmental study, manufacturing, archaeology, and many more.'

Lei and his team say the vertical color sensing structure offers precise color recognition capability which can simplify the design of the optical lens system.

Ningxin Li, a graduate student who was part of the research team, says recent advancements in technology make the new design possible.

The goal of the team, led by assistant physic professor Sidong Lei, is to create a micro-scale camera that could operate as the eyes of tiny robots, able to access areas humans, and larger scale bots can't reach

'The new functionality achieved in our image sensor architecture all depends on the rapid progress of van der Waals semiconductors during recent years,' says Li.

'Compared with conventional semiconductors, such as silicon, we can precisely control the van der Waals material band structure, thickness, and other critical parameters to sense the red, green, and blue colors.'

ARTIFICIAL VISION: IMPROVING COLOR CORRECTION Biomimetic artificial vision is receiving significant attention nowadays, particularly for the development of neuromorphic electronic devices, artificial intelligence, and microrobotics. Nevertheless, color recognition, the most critical vision function, is missed in the current research due to the difficulty of downscaling of the prevailing color sensing devices. Conventional color sensors typically adopt a lateral color sensing channel layout and consume a large amount of physical space, whereas compact designs suffer from an unsatisfactory color detection accuracy. In a new study, a team from Georgia State University created a van der Waals semiconductor-empowered vertical color sensing structure with the emphasis on compact device profile and precise color recognition capability. Advertisement

Known as a van der Waals semiconductors empowered vertical color sensor (vdW-Ss), it represent a newly-emerged class of materials, in which individual atomic layers are bonded by weak van der Waals forces.

In molecular physics, the van der Waals force is a distance-dependent interaction between atoms or molecules.

The new materials constitute one of the most prominent platforms for discovering new physics and designing next-generation devices.

'The ultra-thinness, mechanical flexibility, and chemical stability of these new semiconductor materials allow us to stack them in arbitrary orders,' said Li.

'So, we are actually introducing a three-dimensional integration strategy in contrast to the current planar micro-electronics layout.'

'The higher integration density is the main reason why our device architecture can accelerate the downscaling of cameras,' Li added.

The technology currently is patent pending with Georgia State's Office of Technology Transfer & Commercialization (OTTC), which says a number of industry partners are likely to be interested in using the technology.

'This technology has the potential to overcome some of the key drawbacks seen with current sensors, says OTTC's Director, Cliff Michaels.

'As nanotechnology advances and devices become more compact, these smaller, highly sensitive color sensors will be incredibly useful.'

Researchers believe the discovery could even spawn advancements to help the vision-impaired one day.

'This technology is crucial for the development of biomimetic electronic eyes and also other neuromorphic prosthetic devices,' says Li.

'High-quality color sensing and image recognition function may bring new possibilities of colorful item perception for the visually impaired in the future.'

The findings have been published in the journal ACS Nano.
The hottest rock ever recorded on Earth has been confirmed to have originated from a huge meteorite impact some 36 million years ago.

Scientists say the fist-sized piece of black glass was formed in temperatures that reached 4,298F (2,370C), hotter than much of our planet's mantle.

It was first discovered in 2011 in what today is Labrador, Canada, before being described by scientists in 2017 as having been heated to the hottest temperature ever known for a rock on the surface of the Earth.

This claim has since been confirmed after experts carried out new analysis of more minerals from the same site.

The hottest rock on Earth has been confirmed to have originated from a huge meteorite impact some 36 million years ago. Experts say the fist-sized piece of black glass (shown) was formed in temperatures that reached 4,298F (2,370C), hotter than much of our planet's mantle

In the new study, researchers at Western University in Canada analysed four more zircons in samples from the crater

The record temperatures was caused by an asteroid impact which led to the formation of the 17-mile-wide Mistastin crater in Canada (pictured)

The impact formed the 17-mile-wide (28km) Mistastin crater, where Michael Zanetti, then a doctoral student at Washington University St. Louis, picked up the glassy rock during a separate Canadian Space Agency-funded study.

It was a chance find that turned out to be an important one, after analysis of the rock revealed that it contained zircons, extremely durable minerals that crystallise under high heat.

The structure of zircons can show how hot it was when they formed. However, to confirm the initial findings, researchers needed to date more than one zircon.

In the new study, researchers at Western University in Canada analysed four more zircons in samples from the crater.

These came from different types of rocks in different locations, giving a more comprehensive view of how the impact heated the ground.

One was from a glassy rock formed in the impact, two others from rocks that melted and resolidified, and one from a sedimentary rock that held fragments of glass formed in the impact.

The results showed that the impact-glass zircons were formed in at least 4,298F (2,370C) heat, just as the 2017 research had suggested.

In addition, the glass-bearing sedimentary rock had been heated to 3,043F (1,673C).

Lead author Gavin Tolometti said this broad range would help researchers narrow down places to look for the most super-heated rocks in other craters.

'We're starting to realise 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.

The researchers also found a mineral called reidite within zircon grains from the crater.

The researchers identified a collection of zircon grains and baddeleyite crystals in four impact samples from the Mistastin crater in Canada

One sample analysed was from a glassy rock formed in the impact, two others from rocks that melted and resolidified, and one from a sedimentary rock that held fragments of glass formed in the impact

The Earth's record high temperature of 2,370C (4,298F) was caused by an asteroid impact

Reidites form when zircons undergo high temperatures and pressures, and their presence allows experts to calculate the pressures experienced by the rocks in the impact.

The Western University team found that the impact introduced pressures of between 30 and 40 gigapascals, equivalent to 300,000 to 400,000 bar.

This would have been the pressure at the edges of the impact, the researchers said, meaning that where the meteorite hit the crust directly the rocks would have not just melted, but vaporised.

The scientists involved in the study hope to use similar methods to study rocks brought back from impact craters on the moon during the Apollo missions.

'It can be a step forward to try and understand how rocks have been modified by impact cratering across the entire Solar System,' Tolometti said.

The research has been published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Manchester City's pursuit of Erling Haaland has taken a significant step forward, with the club agreeing terms with the player's representatives.

Sportsmail understands that a suitable financial package - which would make Haaland the Premier League's highest-paid player on more than 500,000 a week - has been given the nod.

City are now expected to trigger the 21-year-old striker's 63million release clause at Borussia Dortmund and, if all goes according to plan, what is likely to be a five-year deal should be sealed in the next week or so.

Manchester City have agreed terms with the representatives of striker Erling Haaland

Haaland, pictured as a child in a Man City shirt, is set to join the club for 63million

Haaland (right) would become the Premier League's highest-paid player if he joins

Last week, Dortmund insisted that nothing had been agreed and added that they were seeking a conclusion with others, including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, in the hunt.

There was a hope the player would extend his contract for a year. But City have remained quietly confident throughout the process and are now closing in on the prolific forward manager Pep Guardiola craves.

The Spaniard missed out on bringing Harry Kane to the club last summer, and despite topping the Premier League, City have at-times looked short up front.

Leeds-born Haaland, who has also played for Red Bull Salzburg and Molde, scored twice in Dortmund's 6-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg on Saturday to make it 33 goals in 31 appearances for club and country this season.

His father, Alf-Inge, played for City and has been heavily involved in the negotiations.

In March, this newspaper revealed that City were in the box seat for Haaland, who is viewed as Europe's hottest property, and that personal terms have been discussed.

Pep Guardiola missed out on Harry Kane but could be about to land a top striker this year

Haaland's father Alf-Inge (left) played for Manchester City from 2000 to 2003

A salary in excess of 500,000-a-week would propel him beyond the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, who pockets around 385,000.

Should the deal go through, Haaland could make his bow in City colours in the United States, with the club looking at crossing the Atlantic to play two friendlies in July.

However, his native Norway are in Nations League action four times in June, with their last match against rivals Sweden, taking place on June 12.
Brutal Borussia Dortmund fans insist star striker Erling Haaland will be 'a bigger flop' than 100million summer signing Jack Grealish at Manchester City.

City's pursuit of striker Haaland has taken a significant step forward, with the club agreeing terms with the player's representatives.

Sportsmail understands that a suitable financial package - which would make Haaland the Premier League's highest-paid player on more than 500,000 a week - has been given the nod.

Brutal Borussia Dortmund fans insist star striker Erling Haaland (left) will be a bigger flop than 100million signing Jack Grealish (right) at Manchester City

City are now expected to trigger the 21-year-old striker's 63million release clause at Bundesliga side Dortmund and, if all goes according to plan, what is likely to be a five-year deal should be sealed in the next week or so.

Last week, Dortmund insisted that nothing had been agreed and added that they were seeking a conclusion with others, including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, in the hunt.

But now it appears as though Pep Guardiola is edging closer to signing his main target.

Dortmund fans, however, believe the Norwegian talisman will be a massive flop at the Etihad, one even saying he will be a bigger flop than last summer's 100million signing Jack Grealish.

Manchester City have agreed terms with the representatives of striker Erling Haaland

Former Aston Villa star Grealish has very much found himself a back-up option under Pep Guardiola at City after finding the net just five times so far this campaign in all competitions since his big-money move.

Haaland's track record would suggest that he should thrive at City, having scored 56 league goals in 54 starts since he joined Dortmund from Salzburg in 2020.

But fans believe his injuries will not make it money well spent for the Citizens.

Borussia Dortmund fans believe the Norwegian talisman will be a massive flop at the Etihad

Many fans believe his injuries will not make it money well spent for Pep Guardiola's Citizens

One fan simply stated all that money for Norwegian striker Haaland to flop

One fan said: 'Oh dear he will become a bigger flop than Grealish, since his injury he hasnt been the same, maybe he will be for man city but I doubt that.

Another stated: 'Enjoy Mr. Injury @ManCity.

A third tweeted: 'All of that for him to flop lol.'

One fan lauded Haaland's talent, but fears his injury record will prove costly for City

Another stated the most money in the Premier League for only 15 games a season

More fans tweeted concern of his injuries: 'Tears in my eyes most money in the Prem for 15 games a season.

Another added: 'All jokes aside hes an insane talent but 500k a week for him esp. considering his injury record is insane.

Another fan agreed, by tweeting: '30m per year for ghosting and being injured while 'team Haaland' is talking s**t the whole time.'
AJ Odudu has revealed the challenges of remaining true to yourself in an influential world and has opened up on her struggle to be successful as a black woman in the public eye.

The Strictly Come Dancing star admitted that it's 'brave to be yourself' in her line of work but feels 'confident' with herself and her career.

AJ, 34, unveiled her incredibly toned physique in a pink swimsuit on the cover of Women's Health UK.

Brave: AJ Odudu has revealed the challenges of remaining true to yourself in an influential world and has opened up on her self-confidence

In an interview with the publication, she said: 'Luckily, I feel confident in many spaces, but when I'm not, I do have to remind myself that it's quite a brave thing to be yourself  which sounds ridiculous!

'But in a world where we've got so many references of how to be, what to look like, where to travel  when you are yourself amid all of that, it's quite like, 'Oh my gosh, I've waded through it. And I'm still me.'

AJ went on to discuss her image and how she enjoys changing up her style but feels disappointed when people no longer recognise her.

She said: 'Throughout my career, I feel like hair  my hair  has been a real topic of contention, on a personal level.'

Opening up: The Strictly Come Dancing star admitted that it's 'brave to be yourself' in her line of work but feels 'confident' with herself and her career

The beauty continued: 'I want people to recognise me for me and not as soon as I change my hairstyle, then all of a sudden be like, who's that?

'Because that has happened and it's frustrating. I'm now in a place where I feel like I can be experimental with my style and appearance, and also open with my opinions.

'And really just be confident in knowing that no one can actually contend with my truth. It's my story. It's my journey, it's my experiences.'

In an interview with Women's Health UK, AJ said: 'Luckily, I feel confident in many spaces, but when I'm not, I do have to remind myself that it's quite a brave thing to be yourself  which sounds ridiculous!'

Speaking on having to work harder than her white peers, AJ said: 'Even if you don't get told [that you need to work harder to get half as far as white peers], you feel it.

'The opportunities you get and the things that you do, you know in your heart of hearts that you've had to jump through many more hoops than your counterparts.'

'I don't take anything for granted, and when things go right and I get certain opportunities, I properly bask in it.

Setbacks in my earlier career have meant that when you do come back, you really appreciate those moments and that, essentially, is what keeps me happy  as opposed to just being busy.'

Speaking on her career opportunities, she said: 'I don't take anything for granted, and when things go right and I get certain opportunities, I properly bask in it.'

The presenter was devastated after a foot injury ruled her out of competing in the Strictly grand final alongside professional dance partner Kai Widdrington in December.

Her Strictly Come Dancing adventure ended in heartbreak, but AJ is one of its biggest winners after being offered four high-profile TV jobs following her appearance on the show.

She has previously featured on Love Island: Aftersun, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Cooking With The Stars and The Chase.

Star: Her Strictly Come Dancing adventure ended in heartbreak, but AJ is one of its biggest winners after being offered four high-profile TV jobs following her appearance on the show

Discussing the night of her accident, she said: 'That whole evening was like a sweet dream and a beautiful nightmare. It was absolutely amazing.

'I got to wear the dress I was going to wear for my show dance; I wanted to get to the final and I got to the final. But it was also that realisation of, 'Oh my gosh, I cannot believe that I'm not on that stage because I've got this injury!

'I kind of feel guilty that I was so hard on myself initially. I thought, 'How were you so angry at your body, which has done so much. Like, at least 10 hours a day for 13 weeks'.

'Yes I have this body that let me down, but, actually, it carried me to the final; it did what it needed to do.'

Popular: Weekly appearances on the long-running talent show has helped win AJ a broader fan-base and the opportunity to feature on a wider range of forthcoming projects

On how her injury is feeling now, she said: 'I'm just allowing myself to be a bit more flexible; to exercise when I feel alert and good and then my body will respond to that. And just when my body is telling me to.

'Because if there's one thing that I've learned over the past few months, it's that you really should listen to your body. It's one thing I've struggled with.

On SAS: Who Dares Wins I climbed a mountain, collapsed and then carried on, and then [in Strictly] I danced so hard I tore a ligament.

Gutted: The presenter was devastated after a foot injury ruled her out of competing in the Strictly grand final in December

She continued: 'This is someone who hasn't quite figured out how to not burn out. So that's what I'm going to focus on...that's the lesson for me.'

The star dreams of moving to America and pursuing her career goals over there: 'I'd love to do my own prime-time, shiny-floor show with a live studio audience.

'I'd love to work in America one day. But I hope that whatever I do and wherever I go, I remain connected to my roots, my friends and family and my sense of self.'

Read the full AJ Odudu interview in the May issue of Women's Health UK, on sale now.
James Corden had some warm words of wisdom for Khloe Kardashian when he found out that she was nervous ahead of appearing on The Late Late Show as he advised her to ignore trolls and negativity online.

In an exclusive clip from an upcoming episode of Hulu's The Kardashians, Khloe, 37, admits that James, 43, almost moves her to tears when he makes her feel at ease before their interview, which was recorded in September last year.

'What somebody thinks of you is none of your business,' the British TV host tells the reality star regarding Twitter trolls, after telling him she gets worried about the negative reaction online whenever she talks about her personal life.

'I'm going to start crying!' Khloe is consoled by James Corden as he tells her to ignore vile Twitter abuse in The Kardashians sneak peek

An emotional Khloe tells him: 'I'm going to start crying!'

The episode was filmed just a few months before it was revealed that Khloe's serial cheater ex, Tristan Thompson, came clean about fathering a child behind her back.

The clip starts with James coming into Khloe's dressing room where momager Kris Jenner is waiting to greet him, and she tells him her daughter is feeling nervous.

Words of wisdom: James encourages Khloe to pay the haters no mind as they talk in her dressing room ahead of her appearance on his late night talk show

Just ignore it: The British TV host says he blocks out any negativity online and advises Khloe to do the same

Backstage nerves: Khloe confessed that she gets anxious before going on talk shows, because of facing the 'aftermath' online

'Khloe is gonna be great but she's a little nervous,' Kris, 66, informs James.

'You've got nothing to be anxious about,' James assures Khloe, who explains that it is 'always the aftermath, like Twitter and all that s**t' that gets her upset.

'Oh f**k that! Why are you even looking at it?' James asks her, before adding, 'All you have to remember is none of these things are about you.

'These words only exist if I give them any power,' James says.

A friendly face: James comes to reassure Khloe that she has got nothing to be nervous about

Easier said than done: Khloe says that despite not looking at Twitter, the negative comments always find a way of getting back to her

He then reveals how he blocks out the nasty comments on social media, explaining: 'They only exist to me, if I allow them to penetrate my core.'

'You're right,' Khloe responds, taking on his advice.

James then makes them all laugh as he says: 'Look, you're drinking champagne at 4pm on Monday and you're at work, we've won!'

Momager: Kris Jenner greets James as he comes to check in on Khloe and find out how she's doing

Cute: Kris made a fuss of James as he spoke to Khloe and made sure his suit was on right

Advice: James told Khloe how he deals with haters online, revealing that he doesn't let it 'penetrate' him

Khloe needn't have worried, as the pair ended up having a light-hearted chat on the CBS talk show.

'Since 2007, we haven't gone six weeks without filming. So, this six months without filming is the longest I've ever had,' Khloe told James, referring to the break before their new show for Disney started.

'Even though we live next to each other and we're all weirdly obsessed with one another, there's nothing like being paid to be with one another,' Khloe added laughing.

'Shout out to Kris Jenner,' she said, as she pointed to her momager who was watching from the audience.

Kris then chimed in joking: 'I said [to the family] ''We have to start filming. It's an emergency.'' And they said, ''What's the emergency?'' And I said, ''I don't know, but I'll think of something."

Just let it go: James and Khloe talk about the trolls
Julia Roberts brought some sunshine to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday.

The actress, 54, stepped out in New York City in a light yellow blazer with a matching button-down shirt.

She decided on a monochrome aesthetic that extended all the way down to her ankle-length baggy trousers.

Brightening things up: Julia Roberts brought some sunshine to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday

However, she opted for shiny black high heel dress shoes rather than some sort of light yellow footwear.

The Erin Brockovich star's reddish-brown hair was straightened with a middle part. It fell past her shoulders.

She flashed her trademark winning smile when she stepped out of her gray car and waved at the people collected on the sidewalk.

Monochrome look: The actress, 54, stepped out in New York City in a light yellow blazer with a matching button-down shirt

Loose-fitting pants: She decided on a monochrome aesthetic that extended all the way down to her ankle-length baggy trousers

Shiny shoes: However, she opted for shiny black high heel dress shoes rather than some sort of light yellow footwear

While her interview won't air for a few more hours, the Academy Award winner will have a bevy of conversation topics available to her.

On the professional side, she has a number of projects on the way. Her movie Ticket to Paradise, set for release in October, is currently in post-production and co-stars George Clooney.

She will play a major role in the television series Gaslit, due out April 24 on Starz, about the Watergate scandal and Martha Mitchell's role in it at the time.

Two looks: After the show, Roberts changed into a light grey blazer and plaid shorts

Busy schedule: The Pretty Woman star was heading to the premiere of her upcoming TV series Gaslit with Sean Penn

Turning heads: For the screening of her latest project, tackling the Watergate scandal, mother-of-three completed her ensemble with a baby blue button-down, black high heels, and her long chestnut brown tresses in loose curls

Martha was kidnapped by men under President Nixon's orders in an attempt to keep her from blowing the whistle his organization, the Committee to Re-elect the President or CRP.

She was the wife of Nixon's Attorney General John Mitchell from 1957 to 1973.

Gaslit premieres April 24 only on Stan in Australia.

Always friendly: She flashed her trademark winning smile when she stepped out of her gray car and waved at the people collected on the sidewalk

New series coming soon: She will play a major role in the television series Gaslit, due out April 24 on Starz, about the Watergate scandal and Martha Mitchell's role in it at the time

Leaving home: On the personal front, Roberts may talk about her two oldest children, both 17 years old, leaving home for college

Big happy family: She has three children  Hazel, 17, Finn, also 17, and Henry Daniel, 14, all pictured here in a throwback photo

On the personal front, Roberts may talk about her two oldest children, both 17 years old, leaving home for college.

Last week, the three-time Golden Globe Award winner talked to Extra about her mini-me Hazel and her son Finn going off to school in the fall.

''I mean, it makes me a little lightheaded. You say that, I mean, I'm completely excited for them. It's really thrilling and I wasn't lucky enough to have a college experience,' said the Pretty Woman actress.

She shares both of those children, as well as her 14-year-old Henry Daniel with her husband of nearly 20 years, cinematographer Daniel Moder.
Candice Swanepoel was seen in new images for Kim Kardashian's lingerie line SKIMS.

The 33-year-old blonde bombshell from South Africa was wearing a black semi sheer one piece bodysuit with her hair down.

The looker was in a white studio in Los Angeles as she posed away for the top-selling brand which is worth $3.2billion.

Posed up: Candice Swanepoel was seen in new images for Kim Kardashian's lingerie line SKIMS

The SKIMS line has become so powerful that the Keeping Up With The Kardashians vet has been able to hire some of the most famous models in the supermodel game.

Last month the ex of Kanye West presented the new faces for the lingerie brand: Heidi Klum, 48, Alessandra Ambrosio, 40, Candice, 33, and Tyra Banks, 48, all made the cut.

Three of these models have already been working for over 20 years.

'It doesn't get more iconic than this,' the copy on the social media photos read.

Top star: The SKIMS line has become so powerful that the Keeping Up With The Kardashians vet has been able to hire some of the most famous models in the supermodel game

Kim selected all four household names to star in the campaign showcasing the models strength, energy, and everlasting allure with imagery that reflects the groups enduring legacies, it was shared in a press release.

After the first batch of photos were shared, more were seen with Kim included.

The TV siren was in a nude bra and panties as she was placed between the catwalk legends.

'OK so I wasnt supposed to be in this @SKIMS campaign but I stopped by and jumped in because it was too iconic. Introducing Tyra, Heidi, Alessandra and Candice wearing our signature SKIMS Fits Everybody collection,' wrote Kim in her Instagram caption.

Looking fine: Kim selected all four household names to star in the campaign showcasing the models strength, energy, and everlasting allure with imagery that reflects the groups enduring legacies, it was shared in a press release

She knows how to work with the camera: Candice showed off how limber she is as she leaned down while in Perspex heels

All the ladies together: 'OK so I wasnt supposed to be in this @SKIMS campaign but I stopped by and jumped in because it was too iconic. Introducing Tyra, Heidi, Alessandra and Candice wearing our signature SKIMS Fits Everybody collection,' wrote Kim in her Instagram caption

They all were seen in nude colors as they posed in a group with a white background and some wore black and deep brown as well.

Other top models who have worked for SKIMS include Kate Moss, who was one of the most famous faces of the 1990s thanks to her work with Calvin Klein.

SKIMS has become a blockbuster since its inception. In April 2021, Skims was already valued at a whopping $1.6 billion.

But now the Kim's company has a valuation of $3.2billion after raising $240million in its latest round of funding in January, according to Forbes.

Money time: SKIMS has become a blockbuster since its inception. In April 2021, Skims was already valued at a whopping $1.6 billion
Fredrik Eklund had plenty to be grateful about after announcing that he was 18 months sober on Monday.

The 44-year-old former Million Dollar Listing star shared his good new in an Instagram post featuring a loving photo of himself and his husband Derek Kaplan.

In his lengthy caption, the real estate agent listed the numerous improvements he had felt in his quality of life since he quit drinking back in 2020.

Feeling great: Fredrik Eklund, 44, celebrated the milestone of 18 months of sobriety in a joyous Instagram post on Monday

In his post, Fredrik shared a sweet photo of himself in a red shirt as he nuzzled his head against Derek's cheek.

The two stood on an expansive lawn in front of a lovely pink sunset as a rainbow burst into the sky behind them.

'18 months without alcohol today,' he began. 'Some ways Ive changed: feeling good early in the morning, full use of my intelligence, joy in my work, the love and trust of my children, lack of remorse, the confidence of my friends, the respect of my family, the trust in a happy future, the appreciation of the beauties of nature, knowing what it is all about.'

The reality star was also 'dreaming more,' and he was energized to begin 'new project everywhere,' and even travel was more fulfilling.

Looking up: He listed all the physical and mental improvements he had felt in the past 18 months, and noted that he had 'doubled' his real estate business; still from Million Dollar Listing New York

Supportive pals: Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause, his former costar Tyler Whitman, Rosie O'Donnell and Kelly Bensimon were among the celebrities who cheered him on in the comments

'Ive doubled my real estate business in just this fairly short time. Im present and more efficient, yet go slower through each day,' he continued.

Fredrik felt as if he was finally his true self now that he wasn't clouded by alcohol.

'In many ways Ive become more myself, by peeling back the unnecessary and quieting the noise. I often think of how Ive reconnected with the boy I was a long time ago,' he said. 'I cant explain it any other way but its the best feeling and Im eternally grateful for the help Ive received to get here because I would not have been able to do it by myself .'

His hopeful post received a bevy of congratulatory comments from friends and colleagues.

Chrishell Stause of Selling Sunset fame posted hearts and a lovestruck emoji, while Tyler Whitman of Million Dollar Listing New York commented: 'So proud of you and happy to be on this sober journey together, one day at a time.'

Rosie O'Donnell wrote, 'beautiful- im so happy for u ,' while Kelly Bensimon posted, 'Love love.'

Family man: In May 2021, Fredrik celebrated 200 days sober and told Us Weekly that being sober made it easier to be present with his twins Milla and Fredrik Jr., four; seen in August in NYC

Back in May 2021, Fredrik had celebrated an earlier milestone: 200 days of sobriety.

He spoke to Us Weekly at the time about how his drinking had started to chip away at his business instincts over time.

'If you look at me for the last 10 years, I probably from the outside, I look[ed] like Im in control, like a businessman, but I didnt really trust myself towards the end. [Now,] I feel like I look younger, I feel younger,' he said.

His sobriety also strengthened his relationship with his twins Milla and Fredrik Jr., four.

'With fatherhood, [Im] just not missing one beat. They have a lot of energy, the twins, the twin-sanity. I dont have as much energy as they do cause theyre 3, but almost,' he said. 'I can really be there with them. I feel really, really proud of myself. And I dont say that lightly.'

However, he also noted that it was sometimes pressure to have a drink with clients, particularly in urban centers like New York City and Los Angeles.

Fredrik first revealed that he had given up drink back in January 2021.
This article was produced several months ago by our Italian comrades of Sinistra, Classe, Rivoluzione in response to a polemic by Francesco Ricci concerning the counter-revolutionary demonstration in Cuba last year, which he supported. Riccis organisation (the PDAC) inherits the tradition of Nahuel Moreno, a leader of the Argentine Trotskyist movement who historically swung back and forth between ultra leftism and opportunism.

Read the Italian original here |

A few weeks ago, PDAC, the Italian section of the International Workers League - Fourth International (IWL-FI), wrote a polemic against the position we took for the defence of the Cuban Revolution and in opposition to the reactionary and pro-imperialist 15N movement in Cuba (which favours capitalist restoration on the Caribbean island). This is not the first time that PDAC comrade, Francesco Ricci, has paid so much attention to us. He has now invited us to take part in a debate of ideas. We will take note of this. In the past, the same Ricci used to begin political debates by mocking the size of the groups against which he was debating (either their real size, or the one guessed by him). For example, there was an occasion when he called us a tiny group that publishes a small magazine.

For our part, we will not limit ourselves to replying to his analysis of the situation in Cuba and the tasks faced by Marxists there. We will also attempt to trace back the theoretical roots of the very serious opportunist deviation of PDAC and the IWL-FI  that is, the tendency of Morenism. It is this deviation that has led them into siding with the Archipelago coalition  a group that is spearheading the pro-imperialist front fighting for a complete restoration of capitalism in Cuba.

In fact, only an in-depth analysis can possibly explain the theoretical zigzags and u-turns of a tendency that: liquidated itself in the ranks of Peronism in the 1950s; equated Fidel Castro with Lenin and Trotsky in the 1960s; proposed a united anti-imperialist front with the Argentine military junta during the Malvinas/Falklands war in 1982; criticised Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution in the 1960s, and again in the 1980s; considered the counter-revolutions that restored capitalism in the USSR and in the East European countries in 1989-1991 to be democratic revolutions; identified themselves as close to the Free Syrian Army  a pro-imperialist militia controlled by Erdogan during the Syrian civil war; applauded the fascists gangs of the Maidan movement in Ukraine as the vanguard of the world revolution[1]; and considered the Taliban in Afghanistan to be an anti-imperialist movement.

A problem of method and of the ABCs of Marxism

As is well known, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Despite his declared commitment to debate without distorting his opponents ideas, Riccis article is full of short, often extremely short, quotes taken out of context. In the last few years, this scrapbook of quotes has served him well. At almost regular intervals, he has reproduced the same collage of an article attacking our alleged vices (that we are Castroist-Chavistas, strategic entryists, etc.).

In the heat of the debate, the number of inaccuracies has grown. Before addressing the Cuban question, we will touch on one of his most significant inaccuracies. Let us give the floor to Ricci himself:

SCR [Sinistra, Classes, Rivolutzione  Italian section of the IMT] and the IMT take up the old anti-Marxist theory of governments that can be conditioned by the masses. That is, while opposing ordinary bourgeois governments, they support the possibility that, under the pressure of the masses, left bourgeois governments (i.e., composed of reformist parties, or parties that they consider to be reformist in any case) can evolve toward a progressive direction. Only in the light of this theory can it be explained why the British section of the IMT fought until recently for a Labour Party government (at the time headed by Corbyn) on a socialist programme.

What a lot of confusion! Here, Ricci is suggesting that Sinistra Classe Rivoluzione (SCR) thinks that the pressure of the masses on a reformist government can lead to socialism. The only argument brought to bear on his thesis is the slogan that our British comrades of Socialist Appeal used during the 2017 election campaign: Labour to power on a socialist programme. Given the objective fact that revolutionaries are a small minority in the workers movement, this slogan served to assist the still predominantly reformist mass of workers in acquiring political experience, by explaining what the Labour Party should do if elected to power to advance the interests of the working class. This has nothing to do with the actual behaviour of the reformist leaders  in this case, of Jeremy Corbyn. This slogan was part and parcel of the tactical heritage of the Trotskyist movement since the 1930s and the days of the Fourth International (FI), from its foundation in 1938 up until 1947. It was a tactic applied by most of the main sections of the FI in specific concrete situations, particularly where they found themselves working in the presence of mass social-democratic or Stalinist organisations (e.g. Great Britain, Belgium, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, etc.)[2]

In reality, Ricci is also arguing against Lenin, who, criticising the English Communist Sylvia Pankhurst in 1920, wrote:

On the contrary, the fact that most British workers still follow the lead of the British Kerenskys or Scheidemanns and have not yet had experience of a government composed of these people  an experience which was necessary in Russia and Germany so as to secure the mass transition of the workers to communism  undoubtedly indicates that the British Communists should participate in parliamentary action, that they should, from within parliament, help the masses of the workers see the results of a Henderson and Snowden government in practice, and that they should help the Hendersons and Snowdens defeat the united forces of Lloyd George and Churchill. To act otherwise would mean hampering the cause of the revolution, since revolution is impossible without a change in the views of the majority of the working class, a change brought about by the political experience of the masses, never by propaganda alone.

The correctness of the tactics followed by our International has also recently received striking confirmation from one bitter class enemy: the British Secret Service. Some recently declassified files of the MI5 attest to the fact that in the 1970s, the growth of the Militant (the forefather of Socialist Appeal) within the Labour Party alarmed Her Majestys secret services. They saw a real danger in the developing connections between the revolutionary ideas of Marxism and the mass of workers adhering to the Labour Party. The question of revolutionary tactics, however, would appear to be a sealed book for the leadership of PDAC. They should at least have the consistency of accusing Lenin and Trotsky of revisionism too. On the contrary, instead of analysing his position in depth and in the light of the classics of Marxism, Ricci proceeds with his usual indictment:

This revisionist position on the state is combined in the IMT-SCR with a rejection of the vanguard party as understood by Marx and Lenin. We have already dealt with this issue in an article a few years ago, to which we refer: Le nostre differenze con Scr (e le differenze di Scr col marxismo) [Our differences with SCR (and the differences between SCR and Marxism)]. It suffices to say here that the IMT and SCR see in the Trotskyists only a spur for the development of the allegedly progressive leaderships in the reformist parties. These, in turn, are seen as the natural organisations of the class  and hence, their habit of building through permanent entryism in these organisations (even when they have already been transformed for decades into purely liberal parties, as it is the case with Labour Party in Britain  which is now expelling them). The only exception allowed to this rule, is when (as it is the case in Italy) there is no party in which to enter. Thus, they proceed with the external building of their organisation, while waiting for the emergence of a party in which to enter (until a few years ago SCR was waiting for the building of a party of labour by  Landini [Maurizio Landini  General Secretary of the CGIL, the Italian General Confederation of Labour]).

With an excessive attachment to his own criticism of permanent entryism, Ricci dispenses with reality. Rather, he slanderously accuses us of having rejected the notion of the vanguard party. He then fabricates arguments in favour of his thesis, and claims that we are passively waiting for the building of a party of labour by  Landini. However, the facts speak for themselves. As Lenin used to say, facts are stubborn things. So, what are the facts?

In 2006, Ricci and his comrades split away from the Partito di Rifondazione Comunista (PRC) to found the PDAC. It is not clear on what principle it was acceptable to participate in a reformist party such as the PRC for approximately 15 years (even occupying leadership positions), while after that date, such participation constituted rejection of the vanguard party. In any case, that was the beginning of PDAC. But there is a great distance that needs to be covered between proclaiming oneself to be a party and actually being one.

In the 15 years since the split, the PDAC comrades have often argued against our organisation on this point. They accuse us of having given up on the task of building a revolutionary party. But the facts speak for themselves. The forces initially organised by the PDAC have only reduced in numbers, partly because of a series of internal splits and conflicts. To proclaim oneself a party or to call for the formation of fronts of struggle  which then completely slip past the attention of the working class  is a self-referential, self-consoling practice. It is not Leninism.

As for the work carried out in recent years by our organisation to spread Marxist ideas  building among young people, in the workplace, in the trade union movement, in the environmentalist movement, in the womens movement, etc.  anyone who judges objectively cannot fail to see that this work ranks above that carried out by any other organisation in terms of both quantity and in quality. We have the impression that this is not the last of the reasons why comrade Ricci regularly feels the urge to attack us with articles akin to the one we are dealing with here.

Before dealing specifically with our position on Cuba, and the criticism of the IWL-FI, we must draw our readers attention to other inaccuracies in the collage of quotations constructed by Ricci.

He writes that one of our articles (The 8th congress of the PCC and the challenges facing the Cuban revolution, 7 June 2021 by Jorge Martin) is all a praise of Raul Castro And, in an impulse of imagination, Raul Castro is compared to Lenin who during the debate on NEP defended the importance of the monopoly on foreign trade.

Cunningly, Ricci extrapolates quotations taken from our article with the sole purpose of giving the impression that SCR and the IMT support the prospect of a reform of the Cuban bureaucracy. In reality, in Jorge Martin's article, there is a whole paragraph entitled Differences with the NEP. But there is no trace of this in Riccis cut and paste collection of quotations. Here is what we actually wrote:

Clearly Raul Castro's speech at the VIII Congress was directed against those who wanted rapid advances towards the restoration of capitalism, something that we cannot but applaud. However, the problem is that the economic reforms applied so far are going precisely in that direction, although perhaps not as quickly as some would like. As we have previously explained, the measures adopted under the name of the Ordering Task head in the direction of increasing market mechanisms within the Cuban economy, applying them to the evaluation of the efficiency of state sector companies, prioritising material incentives and competition between companies, the elimination of the principle of universality of social policies, etc. [] In reality, despite the words Raul Castro used in his report, the course of economic policy in Cuba is clear. The measures approved ten years ago, and above all the turn of the Ordering Task, represent a set of reforms that have their own dynamic: the strengthening of the market to the detriment of planning, and the strengthening of private accumulation to the detriment of the state sector. This dynamic is independent of the subjective will of those who apply the reforms.

We will leave it to our readers to judge for themselves the slander spread by PDAC.

Revolution and counter-revolution in Cuba

On 14 November 2021, The IWL-FI published a declaration titled, Cuba. Full support and solidarity with the 15N mobilisations! No to imperialist interference! In the article, we read the following:

The protest, called by the Archipelago group and dozens of activists who took part in the July 11 protests, essentially calls for the release of political prisoners, and, in general terms, the guarantee of fundamental democratic rights in the country, such as freedom of expression, of assembly and of organisation. It is not a spontaneous political action like that of 11 July, but its axis of demands is progressive.

In order to appear that they are not fully capitulating to pro-imperialist forces, the IWL-FI hastened to give the organisers of the protest scheduled for the following day their advice:

On the one hand, Archipelago and the main organisers of tomorrows march must safeguard the strictest political independence from imperialism and its agents, and in this sense, must promote the self-organisation and free democratic participation of broad dissatisfied sections of the working class.

So who are the organisers behind Archipelago, and what do they want? On this question, our comrade, Jorge Martin, has provided an excellent analysis:

The main promoter of the Archipelago platform is the playwright Yunior Garcia Aguilera. He was recently incorporated into the deliberative council of Cuba Proxima, one of many organisations dedicated to promoting capitalist restoration (the rule of law) in Cuba. To give you an idea of the character of this coterie, Esperanza Aguirre, reactionary Spanish politician of the PP, tainted by several corruption scandals, is part of its international advisory committee. But that is not the worst of it. Among other gems in the deliberative council of Cuba Proxima includes Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, leader of the so-called Cuban Democratic Directorate and the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance: both reactionary exile organisations in Miami that receive millions of dollars from different US government agencies (NED, USAID, IRI). On 12 July of this year, Gutierrez-Boronat roared from Miami demanding a military intervention in Cuba, something that he had already called for in December 2020.

For the benefit of those still in doubt about the character of Archipelago, in the above article Jorge Martin quotes some fundamental points from the groups programme:

For the avoidance of doubt, the programme of 50 measures announced by the Council is quite explicit: The ultimate goal must be to turn Cuba into a market economy in which the private sector, privately owned companies, are the axis of the economy, which would be achieved through a process of open and transparent privatisation of state companies, agencies and assets, including productive land. To this package of restorationist and monetarist measures they add a special plan to compensate for the expropriations of the revolutionary period that would allow the improvement of relations with the United States (read: servile subordination).

To offer full support to Archipelagos platform, from any angle, ultimately means placing oneself in the camp of the counter-revolution, independently of ones intentions / Image: public domain

To offer full support to Archipelagos platform, from any angle, ultimately means placing oneself in the camp of the counter-revolution, independently of ones intentions. After his arrival in Spain, Yunior Garcia  the leader of the Archipelago platform whom the IWL-FI describe as progressive and to whom they address themselves  met with the representatives of the right-wing PP, and with the Venezuelan coup leader, Leopoldo Lopez.

In fact, the PDAC position represents a systematic tendency to support any movement that opposes what PDAC calls Castroism-Chavism. They cunningly guard their consciences in the case of a victory of the reactionary forces, by claiming that from the beginning they have stood for independence from bourgeois interference and against imperialism. We would stress, however, that irreconcilable struggle against openly pro-imperialist factions of Cuban emigres is insufficient:

Today, the revolution is not only threatened by the CIA and by the Cuban bourgeoisie in Miami, but also by a more insidious danger: the threat of capitalist restoration on the model of China, or Vietnam, as it is commonly referred to in Cuba. New rounds of liberalisation have been announced in recent months. Private employment is now permitted for over 2,000 jobs (up from 127), in companies employing up to 100 workers. Today, the private sector employs over 600,000 people, that is 13% of Cuban workers. 40% of those are employed in tourism and transport industries. This is the material basis for the increase in social inequality in Cuba, a cancer that will destroy the planned economy from within. This is the greatest threat to the future of the revolution.

In our opinion, the key points in defending the achievements of the Cuban revolution are the struggle for workers democracy and proletarian internationalism. We are confident that, with such a line, we will have no problem entering into dialogue with those movements, such as the panuelos rojos (Red Bandana) which, although heterogeneous and in a minority at the moment, express the revolutionary tendencies with the most vitality emerging from the communist youth of Cuba.

Furthermore, it is not merely a question of calling for more socialism, as Jorge Martin explained in a discussion with the young Cuban communist, Aybar:

We would say that it is not about adding control from below, nor about giving greater power, but that genuine workers' democracy is based precisely on the principle of the democratic and binding participation of the working class in decision making, and in the management of all common affairs. All power must be in the hands of the working class.

In conclusion, the tasks for the new generation of Cuban revolutionaries can be summarised as follows:

These debates that are taking place among Cuban communists need to be deepened. The hour is grave. The Cuban Revolution is at a decisive crossroads. To defend it, it is necessary to open the discussion and ideologically rearm the vanguard, particularly the youth. We must demand that all revolutionary currents of opinion are given full access to the state media. To fight the counterrevolution, it is essential to fight the bureaucracy with confrontational methods and public agitation. It is time to pass from words to deeds. There is no time to lose.

What remains of Riccis slander about us praising Raul Castro, or that we are for the reform of the bureaucracy? The position of PDAC and the IWL-FI is based on the incorrect assumption that capitalism has been restored in Cuba for some decades now. This leads them directly into the arms of pro-imperialist reaction (indeed, we note that Ricci largely overlooks the economic side of the question).

The origins of Morenoism (1944-1960): Peron or not Peron?

The political career of the founder of the IWL-FI [the international tendency to which PDAC is affiliated], Hugo Miguel Bressano (1924-1987), also known as Nahuel Moreno, began in the early 1940s. As a young student, he joined the Partido Obrero de la Revolucion Socialista (PORS), which at the time was regarded by the leadership of the Fourth International as a tentative attempt at unifying the forces of Trotskyism in Argentina. Moreno was expelled from the PORS in 1942. Following his expulsion, he joined the Liga Obrera Revolucionaria (LOR) of Liborios Justo (alias Quebracho), from which he was also expelled after just a few weeks. When the PORS disintegrated into about ten competing groups, Moreno founded the Grupo Obrero Marxist (GOM) in 1944, which began publishing a periodical, Frente Proletario, in November 1946. At the time, the main debate on the left focused around the question of the nature of the nascent Peronist movement.

The Second World War was a turning point in the history of Argentina, and it laid the basis for Peronism. As a large part of European and North American industry had been converted for the purposes of war production, Argentina was given an opportunity to develop its exports. It thus accumulated large sums of money that could be put to use in financing development plans. From the mid-1930s to 1943, the number of workers employed in industry increased from 600,000 to one million. For the first time in the history of Argentina, industrial output overtook agricultural output.

The Second World War was a turning point in the history of Argentina, and it laid the basis for Peronism / Image: Presidencia de la Nacion Argentina, Wikimedia Commons

These objective conditions gave a new lease of life to the idea that Argentina could proceed along a path of independent capitalist development. Yet, for various reasons, no traditional political force (neither the conservatives, nor the Union Civica Radical) built a mass movement on the basis of such a strategy. The political vacuum was therefore filled by soldiers organised in the United Officers Group (GOU), who overthrew the government of General Castillo.

The coup of 4 June 1943 was therefore extremely peculiar. Its aim was to prevent political power remaining in the hands of the section of the Argentinian oligarchy which wanted to completely subordinate the country to imperialism. With this forceful move, the national bourgeoisie, of which Colonel Domingo Peron was a representative [Peron was charged with running the Secretaria de Trabajo y Prevision until 1943, a sort of Ministry of Labour], took up opposition against those economic sectors prone to Yankee colonisation. Although in the course of the war, the GOU sympathised with the Axis powers, it kept Argentina neutral until 28 March 1945, when it joined the now-victorious Allied front.

The slogans, declarations and uniforms of a regime or a political movement are an insufficient basis upon which to characterise it. Perons policy was based on involving the working class in the management of capitalism, in a firmly subordinate role. On the basis of Argentinas most important social reforms throughout the 20th century (such as wage increases, pension rights, paid holidays, the peasant statute, etc.), Perons popularity grew enormously among the workers  especially among the most recently proletarianised strata of the population. Along with his own popularity, that of his ministry, the Secretaria de Trabajo y de Prevision, also grew, and it was involved in building the Confederacion General del Trabajo (the CGT, a trade union that in 1945 had more than half a million members).

Trotsky had already given a scientific explanation of this process by 1938. He applied the theory of the permanent revolution in a non-schematic way to explain how certain representatives of the bourgeoisie came to oppose imperialism, as was the case with Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico:

In the industrially backward countries foreign capital plays a decisive role. Hence the relative weakness of the national bourgeoisie in relation to the national proletariat. This creates special conditions of state power. The government veers between foreign and domestic capital, between the weak national bourgeoisie and the relatively powerful proletariat. This gives the government a Bonapartist character of a distinctive character. It raises itself, so to speak, above classes. Actually, it can govern either by making itself the instrument of foreign capitalism and holding the proletariat in the chains of a police dictatorship, or by manoeuvring with the proletariat and even going so far as to make concessions to it, thus gaining the possibility of a certain freedom from the foreign capitalists. The present policy of Cardenas is in the second stage; its greatest conquests are the expropriations of the railroads and the oil industries. These measures are entirely within the domain of state capitalism. However, in a semicolonial country, state capitalism finds itself under the heavy pressure of private foreign capital and of its governments, and cannot maintain itself without the active support of the workers. That is why it tries, without letting the real power escape from its hands, to place on the workers organisations a considerable part of the responsibility for the march of production in the nationalised branches of industry.

These remarks could describe all the regimes, commonly referred to as populist, that weve seen across Latin America, and which share the same features as the Cardenas regime: Vargas in Brazil, Arbenz in Guatemala, the APRA in Peru and Peron in Argentina. Although the national bourgeoisie cannot be consistently revolutionary in these countries, it can still enter into conflict with foreign capitalism and with imperialism.

This is the origin of the permanent contradictions in the regime that came into existence in 1943. The polarisation of society into two camps split both the ruling class and the organisations of the working class. The Socialist Party (PS) and the Argentinian Communist Party (PCA) became part of the conservative and liberal opposition, Union Democratica, which in actual fact was led by the US ambassador in Buenos Aires, Braden.

Among the myriad of groups formed after the failure of the PORS, Morenos GOM was the one that kept itself at the greatest distance from the wave of workers struggles in 1945-1947, out of which Peronism emerged as a leading force in the working class. However, Morenos criticism of the movement followed the same lines as those of the democratic bourgeois tendencies, which were subservient to imperialism. According to Moreno, this was a fictitious movement encouraged and supported by state officials and by the police[3]. Moreno was quick to reduce the complex relationship between the Peronist government and the workers union to some high-sounding but completely impressionistic formula (the officialist unions are fascists or semi-fascists[4])

At the same time, the GOM offered its advice to the trade unions headed by the PS and the PCA. Its visceral sectarianism led the GOM along the path of deserting those workers mobilisations led by the Peronist movement altogether, and to downplaying the significance of US imperialisms support for the Union Democratica. While the situation was certainly complex, a Marxist organisation should have taken part in the Peronist workers mobilisations, while maintaining a completely independent class outlook, and clearly distancing itself from the Union Democratica.

When imperialist pressure led to Perons arrest, it was the intervention of the working class  culminating in the general strike called by the CGT on 18 October 1945  that freed him. Four months later, Peron went on to win the presidential election.

The GOM became the Partido Obrero Revolucionario (POR) in 1948, but its position did not change. In 1949, Moreno was still referring to the strike of 18 October 1945 as a mobilisation fabricated by the police, the military and nothing else[5]. Between 1945 and 1953, the slogan of the Morenoist group was for a united front against the CGT! Their neutrality on the question of imperialist interference in the countrys political life led the POR to accuse the bourgeois parties of not fighting sufficiently against Peronism. In reality, they were fighting Peronism, but they had no need for Morenos advice.

The POR even remained passive during the attempted coup of 1951, when Frente Proletario published a headline worthy of Pontius Pilate himself: Against Peronism, the coup and the bourgeois opposition[6]. In reality, the POR was leaning towards the liberal bourgeois opposition, as evidenced by their campaign in favour of returning the pro-imperialist periodical La Prensa back to its original owners (the newspaper had been closed by Peron after it called for the overthrow of the government in February 1951). The POR was mixing the democratic demand for defence of the workers press (Frente Proletario and Voz Proletaria had also been closed) with the struggle by that section of the bourgeoisie linked to North American imperialism for its own freedom of expression. In addition, the POR continued its electoral support for the Communist Party, which they defined (one would assume with a straight face) as a party whose programme included main formulations [which] coincide with those of the POR.[7]

To protect himself from the left, Colonel Peron obtained support from a splinter group, which split off from the Socialist Party in 1953: the Partido Socialista de la Revolucion Nacional (PSRN). In a U-turn typical of Moreno, the following year saw the POR merge into this left-wing Peronist group. Moreno justified his turn retrospectively, claiming that it was only by this point that the strength of the US plan to dominate Argentina had become clear to him. He even added that the PCA  which he himself electorally supported  had been the transmission belt in the workers movement of these colonisation plans over the course of years.

The goal now switched to building a centrist party of the legal left. During the 1955 coup, the Buenos federation of the PSRN  headed by what was the POR, and the paper of which was La Verdad  failed to raise the call for workers to mobilise independently against the coup. Instead, they limited themselves to supporting an institutional solution based on the election of a Peronist senator from the CGT as vice-president of the Senate, should Peron resign.[8]

After the coup of 1955, Moreno formed the Movimiento de Agrupaciones Obreras (MAO), publishing Unidad Socialista. This was followed by Palabra Obrera (1957), which represented the turning point towards its political liquidation within Peronism (a move already theorised in the pages of Estrategia by Milciades Pena in 1956). Palabra Obrera was subtitled, organo del Peronismo obrero revolucionario [Organ of revolutionary, working-class Peronism], and later, bajo la disciplina del Gral. Peron y del Consejo Superior Justicialista [under the discipline of General Peron and the Higher Judicial Council]. To be sure, this was not just a question of outward appearance. The 27 March 1958 issue of Palabra Obrera invited readers to follow Perons instruction to vote for the bourgeois candidate, Arturo Frondizi, in the presidential election. It even argued against those groups on the Peronist left who were opposed to reconciliation with the regime, and which supported returning a spoilt ballot at the election. The leadership of Palabra Obrera began defining Peronism, as a whole, as revolutionary. [] With this, Palabra Obrera was liquidated as a Trotskyist organisation. The publication of the periodical was stopped. [] For a few months, the militants of Palabra Obrera even went on to distribute the bourgeois newspaper Democracia.[9]

In 1958, Palabra Obrera published Los vendepatria di Peron, which grotesquely attributed Perons fall in 1955 to a plot carried out by international communism. Curiously, in that same year, Palabra Obrera welcomed the defeat of the guerrilla Fidel Castro in the general strike in Cuba[10]. The following year, it even went so far as to claim that Castro was supported by US companies that were in friction with Batista. The latter, with a not insubstantial leap of the imagination, was even portrayed as a kind of Cuban Peron.

It is little wonder that, from the end of the 1950s onward, the number of trade unionist cadres involved in Palabra Obrera was severely depleted as they drifted towards the official Peronist organisations. This pro-Peronist intoxication may well have led to new twists after Peron returned to Argentina in the early 1970s, when the bourgeoisie relied upon him to channel and repress the revolutionary rising of the working class, triggered by the struggles of 1969. However, from 1960 onwards, the impact of events in Cuba introduced a new deviation to Morenos political trajectory  this time in a completely uncritical pro-Castroist direction.

Cuba and the focoist deviation: Moreno against Trotsky

A lack of attention to Marxist theory led to Palabra Obrera falling fully into line behind Castro and the leadership of the Cuban Revolution of 1959-1962. This also meant conceding to Castros theory of guerrilla warfare being the fundamentally correct strategy for achieving the socialist revolution. At the time, this was a very fashionable idea in Latin America and beyond. In 1962, Morenos revisionism was completely unbridled: Life has highlighted the gaps, omissions and errors of the programme of the Permanent Revolution, he said. He criticised the latter particularly because it does not mention guerrilla warfare and only in passing talks about slogans for the agricultural world. With the most flagrant eclecticism on display, Moreno's concrete points of reference became Fidel Castro and Mao Tse-tung:

The Cuban and Chinese revolutions began in circumstances that classical Marxists define as objectively unfavourable. Although there were no great social struggles, a handful of men began the armed struggle. This group, however, transformed conditions by making them favourable. The classic concept of an objectively revolutionary situation must be broadened: it is sufficient that there be a series of unbearable social conditions and social groups willing to fight them by relying on the suffering masses.

In such a way, political thought was dragged back almost to the time of Mazzini and the Risorgimento in the 19th century, when the idea of a coup de main carried out by a handful of rebels was in vogue. With these formulations, Moreno triggered another haemorrhage of members, this time in the direction of guerrilla focoism (implying that guerilla warfare can become a focal point for the discontented masses and lead to revolution). Angel Bengochea, a prominent leader of Palabra Obrera, returned from Cuba convinced of the need to turn to guerrilla warfare. Other Argentinian militants, led by Daniel Pereyra,[11] supported the attempt of Hugo Blanco to launch a guerrilla struggle in Peru.

Uncritical support for Castro turned into fully-fledged flattery:

Our admiration, respect, recognition of them as leaders of the Latin American revolutionary process has no limits. In the case of Fidel Castro, we have no doubts in considering him, together with Lenin and Trotsky, one of the greatest revolutionary geniuses of this century.

The following year, in agreement over their focoist line, Morenos group began merging with the Indo-American Popular Revolutionary Front (FRIP)  a group operating from Tucuman province in Argentina, led by Mario Roberto Santucho. The merger between the two politically irreconcilable groups resulted in the Partido Revolucionario de Trabajadores (PRT). Instead of clarifying their differences, Moreno and Santucho both tried to exploit the merger for prestige  the opposite of a party modelled on the Bolsheviks! After a decade-long interlude, in 1963, Morenos group re-entered the United Secretariat of the Fourth International (USFI), which was led by Ernest Mandel, Pierre Frank and Livio Maitan. They too were completely uncritical of Castroism, which was then in an ascent, and of the armed struggles inspired by it in Latin America.

The move of large parts of the PRT towards the disastrous shortcut of guerrilla struggle began in 1966-1967. Only by the beginning of 1968 did Moreno pull back from this line, opening up a rift with Santucho. But in Bolivia, he continued to advance the slogan, all power to the ELN! (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional)[12]. The ninth congress of USFI supported Santuchos group, declaring Morenos faction (PRT-La Verdad) a sympathiser group. It would be another three years before the Morenoists and the US SWP built an internal tendency within the USFI based on opposition to the focoist line  that is, of course, whilst at all times hiding the very fact that they had shared this line since 1963!

The united front with the military dictatorship!

The belated criticism of focoism by the Morenoists was coupled with their turn to the electoral front in Argentina. As part of this turn, the PRT-La Verdad merged with a section of the social democracy: the PSA of Juan Carlos Coral. In the 1973 presidential elections, the candidates for the PSAs ticket (later the Partido Socialista de Trabajadores, PST) were not workers leaders who had emerged from the struggles beginning with the Cordobazo in 1969. Rather, they were grey exponents of social democracy like Coral himself.

Moreno went as far as proposing "a 'United Anti-Imperialist Front' (FUA) with the Galtieri dictatorship" / Image: public domain

This merger led Morenism to position itself in the left wing of the Peronist camp. The latter in turn was fully swinging to the right under the pressure of the bourgeoisie. In 1974, Coral even participated with seven other parties in a meeting with Peron, which drafted a document centred around the defence of the state institutions.

Unable to see that a coup was being prepared, the PST newspaper, Avanzada Socialista, wrote: Now the battle against the government and against the various bosses alternatives, is moving to the electoral ground. We must actively prepare for the battle on this ground.[13] Persisting with this erroneous perspective, the PST tried to put into circulation a legal magazine just over a month after the coup of March 1976. This magazine stated: in general, workers' delegates have been respected. Some arrests, some layoffs, certain threats and the presence of ultra-right terrorism - whose activity exists but is not stabilising - leave open, however, the possibility for a generalised persecution against workers activism.[14] In reality, repression by the military dictatorship hit the workers' movement with extreme ferocity. The PST too suffered a terrible repression, with hundreds of martyrs  to whom we pay our respects. The PST was officially dissolved by the dictatorship, but its theoretical output surprisingly continued in adapting to the new situation:

Still today, and with good reason, the military say they did not want a coup. They were forced to do so. () The bosses and the armed forces opposed Lopez Rega. They did not trust him and did not think that his methods were the best for dealing with the labour movement. However, it was the working class - including the trade union bureaucracy - together with the popular layers that obtained the semi-defeat of Lopezreguism.[15]

But the most organic form of adaptation to the military dictatorship had yet to manifest itself. For this, we would have had to wait until April 1982, when the shaky military junta ruling Argentina militarily occupied the Malvinas/Falklands islands, thus beginning a military conflict with Great Britain.[16] As our comrades Michel Goulart Da Silva and Serge Goulart recall, in that context Moreno: thought that the time had come for a 'United Anti-Imperialist Front' (FUA) with the Galtieri dictatorship against the imperialist government of Her Majesty. Developing his schematic thinking, which was full of slippery formulas, Moreno was so satisfied with the making of the FUA (which was supposed to conclude, of course, with a revolution led by himself), that he did not realise that it had been the military dictatorship, with its hands stained with the blood of 30,000 murdered dead, that attacked the British Empire. Moreno did not understand that Galtieri was relying on Argentine nationalism to try to save the dictatorship that had destroyed trade unions, parties and democratic freedoms.

The PST issued a manifesto stating: As socialists, as anti-imperialists and as Argentines we reiterate our decision to take part with all our strengths and with the utmost energy in the struggle that the Argentine people must support to repel imperialist aggression, whatever the government and without considering the risks that such a struggle entails. This position is maintained and will remain despite the irreconcilable differences that our tendency has with the Military Government (Partido Socialista de los Trabajadores, El Mandate de la hora: derrotar al invader, 1982).

The initiative of the PST was fully supported by the IWL-FI, founded in 1981. Ricardo Napuri, at the time a Peruvian senator for the POMR and member of Morenos faction at the international level, recently recalled his commitment to gaining Peru's support for the war by the Galtieri dictatorship. Napuri even promoted the trip of an international delegation to Argentina, where he was received by members of the government. The planned aerial excursion of the Malvinas/Falklands with the Argentine Air Force did not take place, only because of the military defeat of the dictatorship.[17]

The Escuela de cuadros [1984]: a new revisionism of Trotskyism

After the fall of the military dictatorship, with yet another sudden veer, Moreno and the PST (now operating legally again), heralded the transition to the civilian government as a triumphant democratic revolution. They explicitly opened up to a theory of revolution divided in two separate and distinct stages, typical of Menshevism. Their political line sank into electoralism. This provided the basis for a crisis that shattered the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS, the new name of the Moranist tendency) into dozens of rival organisations. This revisionist approach was theoretically justified in a lengthy speech by Moreno delivered at a PST cadre school held in 1984.

To a theory of stages, Moreno added the abandonment of the Marxist perspectives on the leading role of the working class and of the construction of the international revolutionary party:

We have to theorise that it is not necessary that the working class and a revolutionary Marxist party with mass influence will be the ones who direct the process of the democratic revolution towards the socialist revolution. It is not necessary that that would be the case. On the contrary: democratic revolutions have taken place, and it is not excluded that they will continue to take place, which in the economic field are transformed into socialist ones. In other words, revolutions that expropriate the bourgeoisie without relying on the working class as an essential component, or keeping it as an important participant, and not led by revolutionary Marxist parties but by petty-bourgeois parties.

Moreno had, at least according to himself, put the democratic revolution back on the agenda both in the advanced capitalist countries and in the colonial or semi-colonial countries dominated by imperialism. Moreno unleashed accusations of maximalism against anyone who did not agree with this theory that turned the clock back to the 19th century. This strategic change predisposed (as it still predisposes today) Morenism to enter into agreements with bourgeois tendencies opposed to dictatorial regimes. Any semblance of class differentiation has been abandoned. Moreover, Moreno explained that: As a step towards the socialist revolution, we are in favour of a bourgeois regime completely distinct from the counter-revolutionary regime. With this strategy, a Marxist group ends up joining the liberal bourgeoisie and the reformists in any post-dictatorial transition, where the ruling class tries to return to ruling through bourgeois-democratic forms.

This point of view was further expanded in 1986 in an open polemic against Trotsky:

What Trotsky failed to put forward, even though he made the parallel between Stalinism and fascism, was that even in the capitalist countries a political revolution was necessary: to destroy fascism and in order to conquer the freedoms typical of bourgeois democracy, even if it were on grounds of bourgeois political and bourgeois state regimes. In concrete terms, he did not understand the need for a democratic revolution that would liquidate the fascist totalitarian regime as part or first step towards the socialist revolution. He left this serious theoretical problem unresolved.[18]

In reality, whatever Moreno's personal appraisal, Trotsky did not leave anything unresolved. Indeed, he provided an answer diametrically opposed to that of the Argentine leader. This can be seen in the correspondence that Trotsky had in 1930 with Pietro Tresso, Alfonso Leonetti and Paolo Ravazzoli (members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Italy, at the time just expelled from the party for Trotskyism, who would later become leaders of the New Italian Opposition). There, after having premised that the nature of the coming revolution would be working-class and socialist, not popular and democratic, the founder of the Red Army also said the following, given the political perspective that would open up in Italy at the fall of the fascist regime:

Does this mean that Italy might not again turn for a certain time into a parliamentary state or become a democratic republic? I consider  apparently in complete agreement with you  that such a perspective is not excluded. But it can manifest itself, not as the product of a bourgeois revolution, but as the abortion of the proletarian revolution, which had not fully matured and which had not been brought to its conclusion. In the event of a profound revolutionary crisis and mass battles, in the course of which, however, the proletarian vanguard proves as yet incapable of coming to power, the bourgeoisie might restore its rule on democratic foundations. Is it permissible to say, for instance, that the existing German Republic is the conquest of a bourgeois revolution? Such a characterisation would be absurd. What took place in Germany in 1918-19 was a proletarian revolution which for lack of leadership was deceived, betrayed and crushed. The bourgeois counter-revolution, however, was forced to adapt itself to the situation created by the crushing of the proletarian revolution and to assume the forms of a parliamentary democratic republic. Is something similar (within certain limits, of course) excluded for Italy? No, it is not. [...] The fascists can be overthrown only by a new proletarian revolution. Should this again not be carried to its conclusion (owing to the weakness of the Communist Party, the manoeuvres and betrayals of the Social-Democrats, the FreeMasons, the Catholics), then the transitional state which the counter-revolutionary bourgeoisie would be compelled to create after the foundering of the fascist form of its rule could not be anything else but a parliamentary and democratic state.[19]

The key to understanding, even today, how the different social classes and their parties struggle during the many so-called democratic transitions can be found in these powerful lines written by Trotsky. Moreno turns upside down the method of analysis used by Trotsky. A proletarian revolution which had not fully matured magically becomes a triumphant democratic revolution. A lack of understanding of how the bourgeoisie uses democratic means of domination can only generate political disasters.

After Moreno: the myth of the democratic revolution and the permanent confusion (Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Afghanistan, etc.)

Inevitably, wrong theories lead to wrong political actions. This law applied to Morenism also after Moreno's death, which occurred in January 1987.

Faced with the counter-revolutions of 1989-1991 that paved the way for the restoration of capitalism in the Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe, the IWL-FI celebrated democratic revolutions", in an analysis devoid of any class content. Shamelessly, Mazowiecki's pro-capitalist government[20] in Poland was defined as a workers' government within the framework of a non-bureaucratic dictatorship of the proletariat[21]. It is such obvious nonsense that it becomes even difficult to comment on it. Even today, however, the IWL-FI defends that analysis, and characterises the breakup of the Soviet Union as a triumph of Trotskyism[22] and a worldwide victory for the workers.

In 2014 the IWL-FI described the fascists gangs of the Maidan movement in Ukraine as playing a vanguard role in the revolution / Image:  , Wikimedia Commons

Even if we look at more recent international political events closer, the song is still the same. As we see in the case of the pro-imperialist Cuba mobilisations, the IWL-FI has a tendency to confuse revolution and counter-revolution.

In Syria, for example, after the mass popular movement against the Assad regime was crushed by civil war and the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism, the IWL-FI continued to relentlessly talk about an ongoing revolution. It took an openly opportunistic position towards that section of the Syrian opposition led by the Free Syrian Army (FSA), a reactionary force that has for some years now been under Turkish influence.

Scandalously embellishing these so-called Syrian rebels, Daniel Sugasti, a leader of the IWL-FI, acknowledged that those militias, considered as progressive by his tendency basically are composed of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Islamic Front  the main rebel force on the ground with about 45,000 soldiers  and an extensive network of local committees which, in some cases, administrate cities that were taken from the dictatorship. At most, the leadership of the FSA is criticised for its inability to carry the fight against Assad to the end. For the Islamic Front in Aleppo, the IWL-FI had the audacity to write that despite its Islamic programme [it] is fighting the dictatorship alongside the rebels. It is worth remembering that the Islamic Front is a Salafist organisation, financed by Saudi Arabia, that explicitly rejects any form of representative democracy", and whose final goal is to establish a caliphate. Interesting allies to support from the point of view of the democratic revolution."

Concretely, the IWL-FI proposed nothing less than a campaign of unconditional solidarity, full support for the military victory of the Syrian people, which is expressed in the FSA, rebel militias, the Islamic Front, local committees, local councils, and a wide range of sectors, secular or not, comparing Syria in the mid 2010s with revolutionary Spain...

Moving on to the European region, with a surprising blindness to the analysis of mass dynamics, in 2014 the IWL-FI described the Ukrainian movement of Maidan Square as revolutionary  though in reality it was pro-EU and marked by a significant neo-Nazi component. They even came to praise a situation that, according to them, would be characterised by a 'dual power' between the self-proclaimed 'new government' and the power of Maidan Square, with its commissions and militias, despite the fact that in these [militia] operate far-right layers, which may even have played a vanguard role in clashes with the police, but continue to be only part of a much larger popular movement.

Recently, the Russian section of the IWL-FI analytically mixed movements of a very different nature when writing that: The Ukrainian revolution was the culmination of the great rise of social polarisation in the Old Continent, which began with the Portuguese 'Lost Generation', the Spanish 'Indignados' and which continues, at the time of writing this article, with the struggle of the 'yellow vests' in France.

Given all of this, IWL-FI's repeated calls to take part (needless to say, with its own programme!) in the mobilisations called by the right against the Maduros regime in Venezuela are hardly surprising. This happened both in 2017, with the protest called by the Mesa por la Union Democratica (MUS) and in 2019 at the beginning of Juan Guaidos attempted pro-imperialist coup.[23]

Let us now make a final remark. The unbounded impressionism of the IWL-FI struck us particularly on the occasion of US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. We stress that the International Marxist Tendency (IMT) has opposed the imperialist occupation of Afghanistan since day one. This, however, has never led us to attribute anti-imperialist credentials to the Taliban - one of the most reactionary movements in the world, founded and nurtured in the 1990s under the protection and financing of the powerful Pakistani army secret services, the ISI. This is not the case for the IWL-FI, which credits the Taliban with at least a partially progressive function.[24]

The history of Morenism is a history of zigzags and u-turns. Moreno had a certain eloquence and charisma, but his main limitation was a remarkable impressionism and a tendency towards improvisation. Political errors are an inevitable result of this method. It is not a question of simple tactical errors, which are possible in any revolutionary organisation, but a fundamental problem of principle. In 1970 the British Marxist Ted Grant, founder of our international, criticising the opportunism of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International (US-FI) towards the Chinese and Yugoslavian Stalinist regimes, characterised the leaders of this tendency in the following way:

Thus they reinforced the errors of their previous position by violating some of the fundamental ideas of Marxism, but now at the opposite pole. They repeated this process like the Stalinists before them: at every great turn of events, zig-zagging from one position to another, and never using the Marxist method of analysing events from their original standpoint, correcting the errors and preparing the way for a higher level of thought on this basis. Each change in line, each change in tactic, abruptly brought forward like tablets from on high, to be given in resounding speeches and documents to the faithful. It is this, among other factors, which was one of the main causes of the complete incapacity to orient correctly to the development of events. Such an honesty of purpose can be obtained only by those confident of themselves, of their ideas, and of their political authority. Only by such means can cadres of the revolutionary movement be educated, built and steeled for the great task which impends before mankind.

These lines well describe the trajectory of the groups led by Moreno: a perpetual journey from opportunism to ultra leftism, and from ultra leftism back to opportunism. Morenist organisations have thus been condemned to repeatedly pass from the camp of revolution to that of counter-revolution. As the recent positions taken by the IWL-FI in Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Cuba show. This is, in the final analysis, Moreno's school. Those who have passed through that school today pretend to give us lessons in revolutionary Marxism. They are free to do so, of course. The comrades of the PDAC are certainly not the only ones trying to do this.

We don't usually respond to these kinds of public polemics. In this case, we have decided to make an exception. The reason is simple. We have come to the conclusion that the recent polemics that the PDAC comrades have addressed to us is the result of a frustration and disorientation dictated by the crisis of their International (with the serious and heavy split of the Brazilian section) and by a climate of self-criticism that was generated in the 2018 IWL-FI World Congress.

In their internal bulletins, the IWL comrades speak about the low political level of their cadres, the lack of unity in the national and international leadership and the obvious opportunism of some of their leaders on the electoral and trade union fields. It seems to us that this examination aims at looking for a possible way out. We are following their debates with respect. But for this very reason we have decided to intervene and express our point of view, which might be heeded or not, but is inspired by sincere motivations.

Our point of view is that, while the Morenist movement came from a Trotskyist tradition, it was unable to resist the pressures to which revolutionaries were subjected after the Second World War. It offered neither a barrier nor an alternative to the degeneration of the Fourth International. To prove this, it suffices to examine the world congresses of the Fourth International and the wavering role played by Moreno in them. If there is a main feature in Morenism, it is precisely that of navigating by instinct.

In conclusion, it is difficult to imagine how from this political legacy can be expected to lay down the theoretical, programmatic, strategic and tactical foundations for the building a Marxist and revolutionary international, which is a more urgent task now than ever, in order to save humanity from the crisis of capitalism. In reality, Morenism itself does not have a stable theoretical basis. It is the result of a series of adaptations and concessions to current political frameworks, amplified by theoretical justifications of Moreno's political manoeuvres. We invite the honest activists of the PDAC to engage in a serious re-examination of the theoretical bases and traditions of their organisation. This is the only possible remedy for the impasse in which their movement has now been trapped for more than half a century.

Notes

[1] The revolutionary process in Ukraine is one of the most advanced in the world in R. Leon, Ucraina: un'analisi di classe e internazionalista dei fatti contro le false letture della stampa borghese e di gran parte della sinistra, 5-3-2014  our translation.

[2] The Socialist Workers Party (SWP)  USA section of the Fourth International  did not implement this slogan, but neither provided any theoretical criticism of it. The French section, the Parti Communiste Internationaliste (PCI), was the first group to break from the entryist tactic. This happened during its fourth congress in November 1947, when the left faction led by Pierre Frank won the majority of the organisation by a small margin. The PCI was at the time convinced that the strike of that autumn signalled that the workers were breaking away from Stalinism, and began to use the slogan of a workers and peasants government as a synonym for the dictatorship of the proletariat. The British Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) of Ted Grant and Jock Haston already at the time warned them about the risks of underestimating the influence of reformism, especially of the Stalinist variant, among the workers. See RCP, Sur la construction du parti et nos taches", in R. Prager (ed.), Les congres de la Quatrieme Internationale, vol. II, La Breche, Paris 1981, pp. 452-453.

[3] Frente Proletario, number 7, August 1947  our translation.

[4] Ibid.

[5] N. Moreno, Movilizacion antimperialista o movilizacion clasista, Revolucion Permanente, number 1, 21 July 1949  our translation.

[6] Frente Proletario, number 66, 8-10-1951  our translation.

[7] Frente Proletario, number 67, 15-10-1951  our translation.

[8] On this occasion, the general secretary of the CGT offered the military support of their members to Peron. A workers' militia could have been formed, but Peron refused to arm the working class. The September 1955 coup was then carried out by the reaction without encountering any resistance. Peron preferred to voluntarily resign and retire to a comfortable exile.

[9] E. Gonzalez, El trotskismo obrero e internacionalista en la Argentina, Antidoto, Buenos Aires 1996, tomo 2, p. 279  our translation.

[10] Palabra Obrera, 17-4-1958  our translation.

[11] Not too keen on aligning his actions with his words, a month after his militants were arrested, Moreno stated to the Lima La Prensa newspaper: Pereyra is crazy and an adventurist [...] It was Pereyra who coordinated the attack and the revolutionary plans (La Prensa, 29-5-1962).

[12] Estrategia, number 7, September 1968.

[13] Avanzada Socialista, number 245, 5-12-1975.

[14] Cambio, number 1, 1/15-5-1976.

[15] Boletin mensuel, PST, January 1977, page 1, reprinted in France.

[16] The Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas) are an archipelago in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, composed of 778 islands. The archipelago has been variously dominated by British, Spanish and French forces. In 1832, it fell stably under British domination. It was integrated in the United Kingdom and colonised by a mostly Welsh and Scottish population. Argentine governments, since Juan Manuel de Rosas, have argued for the return of the archipelago to Argentina. For more than a century, the Falkland Islands Company (FIC) has dominated the economic life of the islands, developing in particular sheep farming and wool production for the British market.

[17] Napuri remembers the events as follows: I was received by the Argentine vice-chancellor, since Costa Mendez was not there at that time. As I was a former aviator and journalist, they proposed that I travel to the Malvinas, but as the war took a negative turn, I could not make it happen.

[18] N. Moreno, Revoluciones del Siglo XX, Cuaderno de Formacion number 3, Editorial Antidoto, Buenos Aires, 1986, page 53.

[19] L. Trotsky, Chers camarades, 14-5-1930, in L. Trotsky, Scritti sull'Italia, controcorrente, II edizione rivista e ampliata, Roma 1990, pages 187 and 188.

[20] [43] Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1927-2013) was a Christian-democratic politician, prime minister of Poland between August 1989 and January 1991, who led the first phase of the restoration of capitalism together with Lech Waesa, president of Poland between 1990 and 1995.

[21] Correo Internacional, number 44, January 1990.

[22] Martin Hernandez, Correo Internacional, number 17, May 2017, pages 44-47.

[23] See for example the Declaration of the IWL-FI Out with Imperialism from Venezuela! Out with Maduro! Neither Maduro nor Guaido!: In this context, we stand in favour of participating in demonstrations against Maduro, for Out with Maduro and against imperialist intervention! e contro lintervento imperialista.

[24] This organisation became the political-military leadership of the national resistance against imperialism, and thus is the architect of the imperialist defeat. This was a progressive struggle of the Afghan masses against imperialism and we supported this fight. However, we must not forget that the Talibans bourgeois character means that they will not complete the struggle against imperialism. From Afghanistan: The final chapter of an imperialist failure, International Secretariat of the IWL-FI.
Sophie Monk has finally responded to reports that she and new husband Joshua Gross chose to marry without guests due to a 'family rift'.

On Friday, a report by The Daily Telegraph claimed that Sophie's parents, mother Sandi and father Andrew, along with her sister Lucy, didn't attend her wedding due to 'tensions' between them.

The paper claimed Sophie's parents had even moved out of the Coomera River home she shared with them due to the so-called rift.

'There is no truth to that story': Sophie Monk, 42, (right) has denied reports she and new husband Joshua Gross, 41, (left) 'ditched guests at their secret wedding due to family rift'

The Bachelorette star, 42, was quick to shoot down these claims during an interview with KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O Show on Tuesday.

'Yeah, everything's good with my family', Sophie defiantly replied when quizzed by co-host Kyle Sandilands on whether she and her family are on 'talking terms'.

'I don't actually don't even know where [The Daily Telegraph] got that from. We always planned on doing it [getting married] by ourselves.

Claims: The television host's parents, mother Sandi (far left) and father Andrew (far right) and her sister Lucy (second, right) didn't attend the wedding due to tensions between them, The Daily Telegraph claimed on Friday

'I don't think you're going to change your wedding plans for anyone, are you? So there is no truth to that story,' she added.

It's not the first time Sophie has been forced to address rumours of a 'rift' within the Monk family.

Back in 2020, Sophie's fans became concerned after noticing she'd blocked her mother and sister on Instagram.

Fake news: The Bachelorette star was however quick to shoot down these claims during a live interview with KIIS FM's Kyle And Jackie O Show on Tuesday. We always planned on doing it [getting married] by ourselves,' she said

At the time, a source alleged to The Daily Telegraph that Sophie's family heartbreak was a result of her whirlwind relationship with Joshua Gross - who she moved in with shortly after they met in 2018.

'He has become a very big presence in Sophie's life, and I think there was some concern that things all happened a bit too fast,' the source said.

Sophie gave a cryptic response when approached for comment by the publication, saying: 'Like all families there are disagreements.'

Blocked: Back in 2020, Sophie's fans became concerned after noticing she'd blocked her mother and sister on Instagram

Hmm: Sophie gave a cryptic response when approached for comment by the publication, saying: 'Like all families there are disagreements'

'I love my family more than anything. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them. I'm sure everything will work out in time.'

The publication also alleged that Sophie had admitted to her close friends that she was working on becoming financially independent from her family.

Sophie and her neurosurgical robotics consultant beau, 41, exchanged vows without any guests at their Central Coast home in March.

Quiet: Sophie and her neurosurgical robotics consultant beau exchanged vows without any guests at their Central Coast home in March

Speaking to Stellar Magazine, Sophie described her small wedding as 'beautiful and relaxed.'

Sophie said she chose to have a wedding at home to keep things 'stress-free' while Joshua called their private home 'our sanctuary' and was glad to make wedding memories that will last a lifetime there.

Another reason they chose to have a wedding on their own - Sophie was happy to keep the guest list to a bare minimum.

Wedding day: Speaking to Stellar Magazine , Sophie described her small wedding as 'beautiful and relaxed.' They appear on the cover of Stellar Magazine

'We figured, if you don't invite one person, then no-one could get upset,' she told Stellar.

She designed her own dress, and gave J'Aton Couture just two weeks to create it based off her own sketches.

Joshua proposed on Christmas Day last year, a spokesperson for Sophie later confirmed, but they waited until January to announce their happy news.

The couple met on a flight from Europe to Australia in August 2018, and shared a kiss after enjoying 'three champagnes' in business class.
Gwyneth Paltrow revealed that her children did not approve of her phone's lock screen, featuring a shirtless photo of their stepfather Brad Falchuk.

After discovering the wallpaper on their mother's cell, the 49-year-old star's kids Apple, 17, and 16-year-old Moses, who she shares with ex Chris Martin, hilariously swapped out the image to a selfie of themselves.

'My lock screen was a picture of Brad without his shirt on. And my kids were so traumatized that they picked up the phone and took this selfie,' she wrote in her company Goop's latest newsletter.

Funny: Gwyneth Paltrow revealed that her children did not approve of her phone's lock screen, featuring a shirtless photo of their stepfather Brad Falchuk

While Paltrow admitted her teens don't find her 'cool' in past social media posts, she revealed hr youngest was proud of her for selling a line of vibrators through her lifestyle brand during an interview on The Ellen Show.

Back in October, the Oscar winner said she was shocked by the admission as she joked that he gets uncomfortable just from seeing her bra strap.

Ellen kicked off the discussion by first letting Gwyneth plug her new female sexual supplement DTF, which stands for 'Down to f***,' but she then pulled out a long box containing one of her guest's new blue-and-white sex toys.

Not impressed: After discovering the wallpaper on their mother's cell, the 49-year-old star's kids Apple, 17, and 16-year-old Moses, who she shares with ex Chris Martin, hilariously swapped out the image to a selfie of themselves; Falchuk pictured on a shirtless run in 2020

'My lock screen was a picture of Brad without his shirt on. And my kids were so traumatized that they picked up the phone and took this selfie,' she wrote in her company Goop's latest newsletter

'Can you show that on TV?' the actress said between giggles, before Ellen quickly lifted it out of the box for a split second.

'So Moses doesn't like to see a bra strap  how does he feel about things like this?' the comedian asked her guest.

'Can I tell you the sweetest thing?' Gwyneth prefaced her story. 'A few months ago he said, "You know, mom"  out of nowhere  "I was really embarrassed for a minute that Goop sold vibrators."

Supportive: While Paltrow admitted her teens don't find her 'cool' in past social media posts, she previously revealed hr youngest was proud of her for selling a line of vibrators through her lifestyle brand

'"And then I realized, no, this is great. You're making people feel not embarrassed to buy something, and that's great. You're a feminist,"' he continued, which seemed to have warmed Gwyneth's heart.

Ellen called it 'really sweet,' while her guest clarified that Moses was probably still embarrassed.

The two got on the subject of Moses after Ellen brought up a nude photo that Gwyneth posted last year to Instagram and took by herself.

Going strong: Paltrow and Falchuk have been happily married since 2018 after tying the knot in the Hamptons in front of a group of 70 close family and friends; seen in 2019

After the comedian asked why she couldn't have someone else shoot it, the Avengers actress said her spouse wasn't around, and her kids would never want to see her nude.

The photo was an ordeal, as she had to lean her phone against a fence in her back yard before running to get into position before the self-timer went off.

She also admitted that she was nervous about taking it in the first place, as she doesn't share many racy photos, but her Goop compatriots talked her into the photo to help promote one of the brand's products.
Tan France has revealed his guilt at bleaching his skin when he was younger, adding that his East Asian 'elders' encouraged him to 'be as white as possible'.

The Queer Eye star, 38, who was born and raised in South Yorkshire, admitted he felt 'embarrassed' about the practice up until now and ensured to 'hide the ways' he was becoming 'as light-skinned as possible'.

He told Radio Times: 'Elders encourage you to try and find a way to be as white as possible by staying out of the sun and  this is going to sound ridiculous  avoiding dark foods that might encourage the skin to darken.

Candid: Tan France has revealed his guilt at bleaching his skin when he was younger, adding that his East Asian 'elders' encouraged him to 'be as white as possible'

'But I didn't tell anyone about bleaching because I felt embarrassed.

'You learn pretty early on to hide the ways in which you are trying to become as light-skinned as possible.'

The stylist previously confessed in his book Naturally Tan: A Memoir, that he wanted to be white aged just five.

By age 10, he was stealing bleaching cream from his cousin and using it at night before going to sleep, which he described as his 'dirty little secret'.

Open: The Queer Eye star, 38, who was born and raised in South Yorkshire, admitted he felt 'embarrassed' about the practice up until now and ensured to 'hide the ways' he was becoming 'as light-skinned as possible'

Last year, Tan welcomed his first son, Ismail, with husband Rob with the help of a 'wonderful' surrogate.

He took to Instagram in August to share the happy news with his 3.8 million followers and revealed they welcomed their newborn last month but he had to spend three weeks in NICU after being born premaurely.

The new parents looked glowing in the precious snaps, as Tan cradled his newborn baby son.

What?! The stylist previously confessed in his book Naturally Tan: A Memoir, that he wanted to be white aged just five

The fashion designer gushed: 'Give our son a warm welcome. Ismail France, born July 10th. He came 7 weeks early, so hes been in the NICU for the past 3 weeks. But, today, we finally got to bring him home.

'We love him so, so much. Like, fully obsessed. Our Surrogate is doing so great, post labor, and we couldnt be more grateful for the greatest gift in our lives.'.

A slew of names have congratulated the new parents, with Great British Bake Off finalist Steven Carter-Bailey leaving a heartfelt message: 'Ah wonderful news. Welcome baby France such a lucky baby with those papas xxx'.

Doting dad: Last year, Tan welcomed his first son, Ismail, with husband Rob with the help of a 'wonderful' surrogate

Tan first announced he was expecting his first child back in April - thanks to 'the greatest gift/help of the most wonderful surrogate.'

He made the joyous announcement via Instagram, which featured a playful snap of the television personality holding a sonogram over his chiseled stomach.

'So happy to finally share that WE'RE HAVING A BABY!! No, I'm not pregnant, despite this VERY realistic pic,' captioned Tan, noting that the baby would be arriving sometime 'this Summer.'

Parenthood: Tan and Rob welcomed a child into the world thanks to 'the greatest gift/help of the most wonderful surrogate' (the pair pictured above)

'Rob and I are lucky enough to be on our way to being parents, this Summer. Something we've wanted for SOooo many years.

'Our hearts are so full right now. I cannot wait to hold this baby, and to show him so much love,' concluded Tan, who boasts nearly 4million followers on the platform.

Along with his shirtless sonogram snap, Tan included a sweet image of himself and his husband of nearly 14 years posing before snow covered mountains.

Rob, a professional illustrator, also used his Instagram to unveil the couple's pregnancy to the world.

'We have a beautiful little angel on the way and I didn't think it was humanly possible to feel like this,' captioned the artist, who doubles as a paediatric nurse.

The couple, who are currently residing in Salt Lake City, Utah, wed back in 2007.
Expectant mother Rihanna dropped in on Instagram on Monday to share a self-care selfie.

The Bajan billionaire, 34, donned a clay face mask as she held a jar of Fenty Skin's latest product.

She wrote in the caption, '#cookiesNclean,' as she posed with a pair of black designer sunglasses.

New post: Expectant mother Rihanna dropped in on Instagram on Monday to share a self-care selfie

She rocked her hair in multiple long braids and and wore a white crewneck waffle shirt with a red and blue graphic print.

The mom-to-be, who's in her third trimester of pregnancy, wore two statement necklaces and a gold cross stud earring.

She held up the lavender jar with medium-length square-shaped nails that were painted nude.

The whipped mask made with charcoal and other ingredients had begun to dry on her face, turning a grey color.

Cookies n clean: The Bajan billionaire, 34, donned a clay face mask as she held a jar of Fenty Skin's latest product

The post garnered over two million likes from the pop star's 127 million followers in just four hours.

Rihanna tagged Fenty Skin, leading viewers to the official Instagram page, which also shared a post announcing the new creamy mask.

'Tired of feelin' stripped or dry from masks?' the caption asked. 'Indulge in #COOKIESNCLEANour delicious whipped clay detox face mask that deeply cleans pores + fights shine thanks to kaolin clay, charcoal, salicylic acid (BHA), and rhubarb + ginger extracts!'

The new skincare commodity will be available on April 22.

New! Rihanna tagged Fenty Skin, leading viewers to the official Instagram page, which also shared a post announcing the new creamy mask

False rumor: The posts come after influencer Louis Pisano apologized for spreading a rumor that Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky broke up due to infidelity

The posts come after influencer Louis Pisano apologized for spreading a rumor that Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky broke up due to infidelity.

The social media star took to Twitter to apologize for tweeting out the unfounded claim.

They posted an image of a long message typed with white font against a black background, calling the drama-starting tweet a 'dumb decision.'

'Hi all, so I'd like to address the situation,' they said. 'Last night I made a dumb decision to tweet some information I had received. Im not going to talk about sources, blame others for a discussion that was started, etc because at the end of the day I made the decision to draft that tweet, press send and put that out with my name on it.'

The narrative began when Pisano tweeted out, 'Rihanna broke up with [ASAP] after she caught him cheating with shoe designer Amina Muaddi.' The tweet has since been deleted.

Way back when: A$AP and Amina have been friends for years and collaborated on a shoe collection in 2020 (pictured in 2020)

Rihanna and A$AP have since been seen together on vacation in Barbados. The two are expecting their first child after dating since 2020.

The mogul recently sat down for an interview with Vogue in which she spoke extensively about pregnancy and her relationship.

'There's no pretentious my-brand-your-brand b******t, it's just us living. I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side,' she gushed about her beau.

Apology: Influencer Louis Pisano formally apologized for spreading a rumor that Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky broke up due to infidelity
Tammy Hembrow is enjoying the last moments of her pregnancy in paradise after flying to the Maldives for a lavish babymoon.

The influencer, 27, jetted to the holiday hotspot over the weekend with her son Wolf, six, daughter Saskia, five, and fiance Matt Poole, 32, and has since been posting endless photos on Instagram of the family settling into their luxury waterfront villa.

On Monday, Tammy gave her 14.5 million followers a guided tour of her lodgings, which included a private jetty, panoramic views of the ocean, an infinity pool, a freestanding bathtub and chic furnishings.

Babymoon in paradise: Tammy Hembrow, 27, is enjoying a lavish babymoon in the Maldives with her son Wolf, six, daughter Saskia, five, and fiance Matt Poole, 32,

She also posted a clip of Saskia and Wolf jumping off the jetty, as Matt attempted to catch them from the water below.

'I'm just making a bath... and look these three,' she wrote, filming her children as they frolicked in the water with their stepfather.

Tammy also shared several photos of herself swanning around in a $1,400 knitted dress by Roberta Einer, and a pair of blue heels.

What a view! The fitness influencer jetted to the holiday hotspot over the weekend and has been posting endless photos on Instagram of the family relaxing at a private waterfront villa

No expense spared! On Monday, Tammy gave her followers a guided tour of her lodgings

Yummy mummy! Tammy also shared several photos of herself swanning around in a $1,400 knitted dress by Roberta Einer, and a pair of blue heels

Stunning: Tammy's videos showed panoramic views of the ocean, an infinity pool, a freestanding bathtub and chic furnishings

Matt also documented the family getaway on Instagram, uploading a video of himself and Tammy sipping drinks by the water.

Tammy and Matt later documented their visit to a local fine-dining restaurant.

The genetically blessed couple shared steak, caviar and lamb chops for dinner, while the kids ate cheeseburgers and chips.

Cheers! Matt also documented the family getaway on Instagram, uploading a video of himself and Tammy sipping drinks by the water

Family dinner: Tammy and Matt later documented their visit to a fine-dining restaurant

Digging in: The genetically blessed couple shared steak, caviar and lamb chops for dinner, while the kids ate cheeseburgers and chips

Tammy revealed her pregnancy back in December, just two weeks after she and Matt announced their engagement.

'Our hearts are so full,' she wrote on Instagram at the time.

In a video thanking fans for their well-wishes in February, Tammy confessed it was 'so weird being pregnant again after so long'.

Family getaway! Earlier on Monday, Tammy shared photos to Instagram of herself relaxing in business class with her family as they jetted to the Maldives

Coming soon: Tammy revealed her pregnancy back in December, just two weeks after she and Matt announced their engagement

She has since kept fans updated on her pregnancy on Instagram, regularly showing off her burgeoning baby bump in belly-baring photos.

Tammy shares Saskia and Wolf with her ex-fiance Reece Hawkins.

Reece currently lives in the U.S. with his new wife London Goheen and their baby son Stone.
Charlotte Dawson has spoken out on Monday as she was flooded with heartwarming messages after revealing she suffered a miscarriage.

The reality star, 29, recently took a break from social media as she found out she had lost her second child, after discovering she was pregnant on Mother's Day.

But the influencer returned to Instagram to thank fans for their support and heartwarming messages during a 'tough week'.

Feeling the love: Charlotte Dawson has spoken out on Monday as she was flooded with heartwarming messages after revealing she suffered a miscarriage

Charlotte shared a collage of photos of 14 month old son Noah dressed up as a bunny for Easter and wrote on the snaps: 'Thank you so much for all your love and messages.

'MY DMs are flooded with love, I promise to get back to you all soon. But please know your messages are everything. So grateful for every single one of you. Love you all xxx'

She then went on to share an adorable video of Noah giving her kisses and cuddles to cheer her up after a draining week.

Charlotte welcomed her first child Noah in January 2021 with fiance Matt Sarsfield - who hasn't yet commented on the heartbreaking announcement.

Tragic: The reality star, 29, recently took a break from social media as she found out she had lost her second child, after discovering she was pregnant on Mother's Day

Alongside the video, The Ex On The Beach star wrote: 'Thankgod I have you my Noah, my bestest friend, my little shadow, my sidekick my beautiful baby boyo, my sunshine always..

She continued: Thank you for giving me the best job in the world being your mama, id be lost without you, you've picked me up so much when I've felt at rock bottom this week.. (he must of known I needed kisses)

'Thank you for all your messages they are not going unnoticed, they are everything.. I feel so lucky & grateful for every single one of you I promise I'll try get through as many as I can this week  love you all so much xxx'

Heartwarming: Charlotte shared a collage of photos of 14 month old son Noah dressed up for Easter and thanked fans for their kind words

Her message came hours after she made the devastating announcement that she had lost the baby she was carrying.

She took to Instagram to pen a heartbreaking post, admitting she and her fiance Matt Sarsfield were 'over the moon' to be expecting again, and despite the loss they hope that 'one day they will have their own rainbow baby.'

Charlotte shared a snap of her son Noah holding her positive pregnancy test, alongside a lengthy post detailing her sad loss.

In the post's caption Charlotte wrote: 'Hi my darlings, I finally feel ready to post this.. I mean I don't know when there is a good time to post this.

The influencer wrote: 'Thankgod I have you my Noah, my bestest friend, my little shadow, my sidekick my beautiful baby boyo, my sunshine always..

Candid: In the post's caption Charlotte said she had shared her pregnancy with loved ones after discovering the news on Mother's Day

'It's been an extremely tough week mentally but also obviously physically I am heartbroken beyond words.. and I know I'm never quiet on here, & always so open and honest with you guys so it's been a shock to you all..

'I keep getting lots & lots of messages worrying about us all, asking why I'm being quiet & if Noah is ok.. Noah is absolutely fine.. he's amazing.

'I'm the one that's not OK... unfortunately I've suffered with a miscarriage. Obviously our families & close friends have known about me being pregnant, but didn't announce anything until I got further down the line.. I was so excited to share our happy news with you all.

'Noah's little brother or little sister, as you can imagine Matthew & I were absolutely over the moon our little family was going to be growing.

'I also found out on mother's day which was just so special. But sometimes it's just not meant to be, I really thought it was but it just wasn't this time. Miscarriages are so common & not spoke about enough.

'We are so heartbroken right now have no words and just don't feel up to posting being my happy silly self right now... also please can people stop sending Matthew & I nasty messages about our parenting skills.

'I clearly show and say far too much, we are bloody good parents and Noah is so loved and is our life.

Tragic: The reality star took to Instagram to pen a heartbreaking post, admitting she and her fiance Matt Sarsfield were 'over the moon' to be expecting again

'And these horrible forums talking about us, these trolls are just awful but they won't win.. any nasty vile comments I get on here about this you will be getting blocked and reported.

'Thank you for all your love & support always, I don't ever want to let go of Noah.. I feel so lucky to have Noah, one day we will get our rainbow baby'

Alongside the post, Charlotte also shared a video of the moment she told her son Noah he was going to have a sibling, beaming as she held the positive pregnancy test in the clip.

If you have been affected by this story, you can seek advice at www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk or by calling 01924 200 799.
Married At First Sight is arguably the most explosive show on Australian television, delivering catfights, cheating scandals and dinner party bust-ups year after year.

But there was one raunchy storyline involving breakout star Domenica Calarco and another bride's husband that never aired on TV.

One of the show's participants, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Daily Mail Australia that Domenica, 29, had a secret crush on Andrew Davis.

Raunchy: Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco (pictured) had a secret crush on Andrew Davis despite being paired with 'husband' Jack Millar, an on-set source told Daily Mail Australia

Andrew, a personal trainer from Texas, was paired with Holly Greenstein on this year's season, but rejected her because their sex life wasn't up to his standards.

According to the insider, Domenica revealed her attraction to Andrew at a party held at Olivia Frazer and Jackson Lonie's apartment during a break from filming.

She apparently told several other brides she thought Andrew was good-looking, but this potentially salacious storyline never made it to screens.

Attraction: According to the insider, Domenica revealed her attraction to Andrew (pictured) at a party held at Olivia Frazer and Jackson Lonie's apartment during a break from filming

Unsatisfied: Andrew, a personal trainer from Texas, was paired with Holly Greenstein (left) on this year's season, but rejected her because their sex life wasn't up to his standards

According to several cast members, Olivia mentioned Domenica's comments about Andrew on camera but these moments were edited out.

It follows reports Domenica's wildest moments were left on the cutting room floor.

Multiple production sources have claimed producers were working overtime to soften her behaviour 'so she didn't look half as nasty'.

Rumour: Domenica apparently told several other brides she thought Andrew was good-looking, but this potentially salacious storyline never made it to screens. (Pictured: the MAFS cast partying on the night Domenica allegedly revealed her attraction to Andrew)

Chatter: According to several cast members, Olivia Frazer (pictured) mentioned Domenica's comments about Andrew on camera but these moments were edited out

Husband: Domenica was 'married' to Jack Millar (pictured) at the time she told her co-stars she had a crush on Andrew. She and Jack made it to the end of the experiment before splitting up

According to the insider, footage of 'confrontations, including countless verbal exchanges, were axed'.

Channel Nine once teased a heated confrontation between Domenica, Olivia and Carolina Santos at a dinner party, but it was never shown.

'It was all over ads. Dom just screaming that she didn't like either of them. She got real nasty that night and had a serious agenda,' the source said.

Claims: Meanwhile, multiple production sources have claimed producers were working overtime to soften Domenica's behaviour 'so she didn't look half as nasty'

Missing moment: Channel Nine once teased a heated confrontation between Domenica, Olivia and Carolina Santos at a dinner party, but it was never shown

The promo in question saw Domenica pointing at her two co-stars and yelling: 'Let me say it to your face: I don't like you and I don't like you.'

'She was a big bully and thrived on belittling her co-stars,' said the on-set spy.

Domenica also reportedly clashed with intruder Jessica Seracino while filming the reunion episode.

According to one bride, Domenica asked Jessica if she wanted 'to go out and fight' before allegedly making nasty comments about Carolina.
Former Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen has established herself as one of Australia's most popular OnlyFans performers in recent months.

But despite her success on the X-rated platform, the 51-year-old grandmother says younger models in the industry have ostracised her due to her age.

Appearing on Spencer Pratt's Looped series Judge Me, the mother of two said 'insecure' twentysomethings are threatened by the confidence of mature models.

Shunned: Former Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen, 51, claims she has been ostracised by younger models in the porn industry due to her age

'On shoot days where you go with lots of other creators, there's the young girls that are quite insecure,' she said.

'They don't like us older, mature, curvy girls.

'They don't want to shoot with us because they think, "You had your time. Go away. You're too old. No one wants you here."'

She added: 'They feel very insecure with the MILFs or the GILFs because we're very confident. I can take my top off and I don't care!

'We've got a droopy set of boobs and they've got perky boobs, but they don't feel confident doing that.'

'They don't like us older, mature, curvy girls': Mishel opened up about her predicament during an appearance on Spencer Pratt's (left) web series Judge Me with her daughter Eva

As a result of being shunned by younger models, Mishel has started collaborating with other OnlyFans performers in her own age bracket.

When Mishel first joined OnlyFans, she earned just $500 in her first month by posting bikini photos.

'The first month I made almost $500 and I thought, "Wow, this is awesome!" I'm a single mum and $500 for me was groceries, I could pay a bit of the bills,' she said.

Confident: 'They feel very insecure with the MILFs or the GILFs because we're very confident. I can take my top off and I don't care!' she declared

Mishel's content eventually started becoming raunchier, and reached the point where she ended up doing hardcore pornography.

She now earns up to $30,000 a month doing everything from lesbian threesomes and oral sex to selling her used panties to fans.

The former reality star was forced to turn to the platform to provide for herself and her family after being suspended without pay from her job for refusing to comply with Covid vaccine mandates.

Fine wine: As a result of being shunned by younger models, Mishel has started collaborating with other OnlyFans performers in her own age bracket (pictured with Kylie Wyote)

At 51, Mishel is older than most of her contemporaries and is known for performing hardcore acts other reality stars and celebrities on the platform don't tend to do.

'The content that really excites my followers is videos with other participants, especially where there are sexual interactions,' she previously told The Sun.

'My most requested content is oral sex.'

Mishel defended herself against critics and sex-shamers in an impassioned Instagram post last year.

Extreme: Mishel is older than most of her contemporaries and is also known for performing hardcore acts other reality stars and celebrities on the platform don't tend to do

Lucrative: Mishel now earns up to $30,000 a month doing everything from lesbian threesomes and oral sex to selling her used panties to fans

'I'm proud of my body,' she said. 'I'm really happy with my body. I'm happy with my own sexuality.

'If someone thinks that it is a disgrace or embarrassing to show your body, then that's their own problem.'

Mishel recently became a grandmother after her son Sam welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend.

Family first: Mishel, who used to work as a policy trainer in the police force, recently became a grandmother after her son Sam welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend

Her other child, daughter Eva, recently said she wants her mum to quit OnlyFans.

'It's a little bit embarrassing when my friends find out that my mum's doing this,' Eva said on Judge Me.

'I'd prefer if she didn't do it but then again, I don't really have a say in what she does.'

'You can't control her. She's got her own mind made up,' Eva added.
Katie Price reportedly faces an Instagram ban for allegedly levelling a Jimmy Savile slur at her ex-husband Kieran Hayler.

The former glamour model, 43, is accused of breaching the sites bullying and harassment guidelines by making the swipe.

Katie said on her verified Instagram page she was watching the Netflix documentary on the disgraced Jim'll Fix It presenter Jimmy Savile, and told her 2.7million followers it had 'brought back memories' before adding a picture of an article on Kieran, 35.

Oh dear: Katie Price reportedly faces an Instagram ban for allegedly levelling a Jimmy Savile slur at her ex-husband Kieran Hayler (pictured in September)

A source told The Sun: 'Meta is trying to contact reps for Katie to discuss the complaints with them.

'She may well be kicked off Instagram, even temporarily.'

MailOnline has contacted reps for Katie for comment.

It comes after Kieran's fiancee Michelle Penticost shared a thinly-veiled post on her Instagram Story which read: 'It's time to move on my dear'.

Happier times: The couple (pictured together in 2017) were married from 2013 to 2018

Katie was arrested on January 21 over claims she sent an abusive text to Michelle.

She spent the night in a cell after being quizzed by officers at Worthing Police station who had earlier picked Katie up from her home in Horsham after a report was made.

Katie allegedly branded flight attendant Michelle a 'c***ing w***e piece of s***' and a 'gutter s**g.

MailOnline understands that the mother-of-five may have breached the order a second time when she sent an anonymous letter attacking Michelle to a relative just before flying out to Thailand.

Defence: Kieran's fiancee Michelle Penticost shared a thinly-veiled post on her Instagram Story on Wednesday night which read: 'It's time to move on my dear'. Katie was arrested on January 21 over claims she sent an abusive text to Michelle

In latest proceedings, TV personality Katie was accused of 'psychological warfare' after she compared Kieran to Jimmy Savile and asked 'who's going to fix this?'.

The article she shared on her Instagram Story told how he could be quizzed over three historical rape allegations relating to a woman - now known to be a minor under the age of 16.

Katie added to her post 'The underage girl in this situation needs justice too'.

Hayler has previously said the claims were 'false' and 'fabricated' by a third party.

Social media: Katie posted on Instagram on Tuesday about Savile then allegations her ex Kieran is facing

Sussex Police, who was investigating, said it was probing a report that in 2016 a girl was raped by an adult male known to her at a location in West Sussex. No arrests had been made.

Mr Hayler launched legal action over his ex-wife's social media postings yesterday.

A spokesperson said: 'Miss Price's most recent outburst directed at her ex husband, Kieran Hayler on her social media serves no other purpose than to expose her own bitterness in driving unsolicited propaganda that is wholly made up of false allegations, this psychological warfare will not be tolerated.

'Kieran has assisted the police in fully co-operating to ensure he is soon vindicated.

'Mr Hayler is keen not to get into a public dispute and will not engage with Miss Price otherwise than in the best interest of their children who remain in his stable care.

'She's taken it too far - Kieran is furious and has told her to stop right away - or face the consequences.

'The posts will be coming down soon.'

A source close to Mr Hayler added: 'Police have been in touch with Kieran regarding an allegation from 2016, which is believed to have been made by Katie. It relates to someone they knew while they were married.

'Kieran is co-operating and insists he has done nothing wrong  but he's happy to speak to the cops about it. He just wants to move on from his marriage to Katie.'

Loved-up: Michelle and Kieran first got together in July 2018, with their sons attending the same primary school together

The former stripper denies what he describes as 'false allegations' and insists he will cooperate with police inquiries to clear his name.

The couple had two children together in that time - eight-year-old Jett and seven-year-old Bunny.

A spokesman for Mr Hayler told the Sun: 'Kieran is very saddened by these false allegations, and is happy to fully assist the police and co-operate fully to ensure he is quickly vindicated.

'But he is keen not to get into a public dispute and would prefer to rectify this matter with the police as quickly and calmly as possible, and continue to focus on his own life and future.'

Michelle has grown close to Katie's two children with Kieran. She also has her own child with the ex-stripper, seven-month-old son Apollo, and a ten-year old son Valentino from a previous relationship.

The couple first got together in July 2018, with their sons attending the same primary school together.
This isn't an easy piece to write, for reasons that will shortly become clear, but I know it's time to explain myself on an issue surrounded by toxicity. I write this without any desire to add to that toxicity.

For people who don't know: last December I tweeted my support for Maya Forstater, a tax specialist who'd lost her job for what were deemed 'transphobic' tweets. She took her case to an employment tribunal, asking the judge to rule on whether a philosophical belief that sex is determined by biology is protected in law. Judge Tayler ruled that it wasn't.

My interest in trans issues pre-dated Maya's case by almost two years, during which I followed the debate around the concept of gender identity closely. I've met trans people, and read sundry books, blogs and articles by trans people, gender specialists, intersex people, psychologists, safeguarding experts, social workers and doctors, and followed the discourse online and in traditional media. On one level, my interest in this issue has been professional, because I'm writing a crime series, set in the present day, and my fictional female detective is of an age to be interested in, and affected by, these issues herself, but on another, it's intensely personal, as I'm about to explain.

All the time I've been researching and learning, accusations and threats from trans activists have been bubbling in my Twitter timeline. This was initially triggered by a 'like'. When I started taking an interest in gender identity and transgender matters, I began screenshotting comments that interested me, as a way of reminding myself what I might want to research later. On one occasion, I absent-mindedly 'liked' instead of screenshotting. That single 'like' was deemed evidence of wrongthink, and a persistent low level of harassment began.

Months later, I compounded my accidental 'like' crime by following Magdalen Burns on Twitter. Magdalen was an immensely brave young feminist and lesbian who was dying of an aggressive brain tumour. I followed her because I wanted to contact her directly, which I succeeded in doing. However, as Magdalen was a great believer in the importance of biological sex, and didn't believe lesbians should be called bigots for not dating trans women with penises, dots were joined in the heads of twitter trans activists, and the level of social media abuse increased.

I mention all this only to explain that I knew perfectly well what was going to happen when I supported Maya. I must have been on my fourth or fifth cancellation by then. I expected the threats of violence, to be told I was literally killing trans people with my hate, to be called cunt and bitch and, of course, for my books to be burned, although one particularly abusive man told me he'd composted them.

What I didn't expect in the aftermath of my cancellation was the avalanche of emails and letters that came showering down upon me, the overwhelming majority of which were positive, grateful and supportive. They came from a cross-section of kind, empathetic and intelligent people, some of them working in fields dealing with gender dysphoria and trans people, who're all deeply concerned about the way a socio-political concept is influencing politics, medical practice and safeguarding. They're worried about the dangers to young people, gay people and about the erosion of women's and girl's rights. Above all, they're worried about a climate of fear that serves nobody  least of all trans youth  well.

I'd stepped back from Twitter for many months both before and after tweeting support for Maya, because I knew it was doing nothing good for my mental health. I only returned because I wanted to share a free children's book during the pandemic. Immediately, activists who clearly believe themselves to be good, kind and progressive people swarmed back into my timeline, assuming a right to police my speech, accuse me of hatred, call me misogynistic slurs and, above all  as every woman involved in this debate will know  TERF.

If you didn't already know  and why should you?  'TERF' is an acronym coined by trans activists, which stands for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist. In practice, a huge and diverse cross-section of women are currently being called TERFs and the vast majority have never been radical feminists. Examples of so-called TERFs range from the mother of a gay child who was afraid their child wanted to transition to escape homophobic bullying, to a hitherto totally unfeminist older lady who's vowed never to visit Marks & Spencer again because they're allowing any man who says they identify as a woman into the women's changing rooms. Ironically, radical feminists aren't even trans-exclusionary  they include trans men in their feminism, because they were born women.

But accusations of TERFery have been sufficient to intimidate many people, institutions and organisations I once admired, who're cowering before the tactics of the playground. 'They'll call us transphobic!' 'They'll say I hate trans people!' What next, they'll say you've got fleas? Speaking as a biological woman, a lot of people in positions of power really need to grow a pair (which is doubtless literally possible, according to the kind of people who argue that clownfish prove humans aren't a dimorphic species).

So why am I doing this? Why speak up? Why not quietly do my research and keep my head down?

Well, I've got five reasons for being worried about the new trans activism, and deciding I need to speak up.

Firstly, I have a charitable trust that focuses on alleviating social deprivation in Scotland, with a particular emphasis on women and children. Among other things, my trust supports projects for female prisoners and for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. I also fund medical research into MS, a disease that behaves very differently in men and women. It's been clear to me for a while that the new trans activism is having (or is likely to have, if all its demands are met) a significant impact on many of the causes I support, because it's pushing to erode the legal definition of sex and replace it with gender.

The second reason is that I'm an ex-teacher and the founder of a children's charity, which gives me an interest in both education and safeguarding. Like many others, I have deep concerns about the effect the trans rights movement is having on both.

The third is that, as a much-banned author, I'm interested in freedom of speech and have publicly defended it, even unto Donald Trump.

The fourth is where things start to get truly personal. I'm concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning (returning to their original sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies irrevocably, and taken away their fertility. Some say they decided to transition after realising they were same-sex attracted, and that transitioning was partly driven by homophobia, either in society or in their families.

Most people probably aren't aware  I certainly wasn't, until I started researching this issue properly  that ten years ago, the majority of people wanting to transition to the opposite sex were male. That ratio has now reversed. The UK has experienced a 4400% increase in girls being referred for transitioning treatment. Autistic girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers.

The same phenomenon has been seen in the US. In 2018, American physician and researcher Lisa Littman set out to explore it. In an interview, she said:

'Parents online were describing a very unusual pattern of transgender-identification where multiple friends and even entire friend groups became transgender-identified at the same time. I would have been remiss had I not considered social contagion and peer influences as potential factors.'

Littman mentioned Tumblr, Reddit, Instagram and YouTube as contributing factors to Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria, where she believes that in the realm of transgender identification 'youth have created particularly insular echo chambers.'

Her paper caused a furore. She was accused of bias and of spreading misinformation about transgender people, subjected to a tsunami of abuse and a concerted campaign to discredit both her and her work. The journal took the paper offline and re-reviewed it before republishing it. However, her career took a similar hit to that suffered by Maya Forstater. Lisa Littman had dared challenge one of the central tenets of trans activism, which is that a person's gender identity is innate, like sexual orientation. Nobody, the activists insisted, could ever be persuaded into being trans.

The argument of many current trans activists is that if you don't let a gender dysphoric teenager transition, they will kill themselves. In an article explaining why he resigned from the Tavistock (an NHS gender clinic in England) psychiatrist Marcus Evans stated that claims that children will kill themselves if not permitted to transition do not 'align substantially with any robust data or studies in this area. Nor do they align with the cases I have encountered over decades as a psychotherapist.'

The writings of young trans men reveal a group of notably sensitive and clever people. The more of their accounts of gender dysphoria I've read, with their insightful descriptions of anxiety, dissociation, eating disorders, self-harm and self-hatred, the more I've wondered whether, if I'd been born 30 years later, I too might have tried to transition. The allure of escaping womanhood would have been huge. I struggled with severe OCD as a teenager. If I'd found community and sympathy online that I couldn't find in my immediate environment, I believe I could have been persuaded to turn myself into the son my father had openly said he'd have preferred.

When I read about the theory of gender identity, I remember how mentally sexless I felt in youth. I remember Colette's description of herself as a 'mental hermaphrodite' and Simone de Beauvoir's words: 'It is perfectly natural for the future woman to feel indignant at the limitations posed upon her by her sex. The real question is not why she should reject them: the problem is rather to understand why she accepts them.'

As I didn't have a realistic possibility of becoming a man back in the 1980s, it had to be books and music that got me through both my mental health issues and the sexualised scrutiny and judgement that sets so many girls to war against their bodies in their teens. Fortunately for me, I found my own sense of otherness, and my ambivalence about being a woman, reflected in the work of female writers and musicians who reassured me that, in spite of everything a sexist world tries to throw at the female-bodied, it's fine not to feel pink, frilly and compliant inside your own head; it's OK to feel confused, dark, both sexual and non-sexual, unsure of what or who you are.

I want to be very clear here: I know transition will be a solution for some gender dysphoric people, although I'm also aware through extensive research that studies have consistently shown that between 60-90% of gender dysphoric teens will grow out of their dysphoria. Again and again I've been told to 'just meet some trans people.' I have: in addition to a few younger people, who were all adorable, I happen to know a self-described transsexual woman who's older than I am and wonderful. Although she's open about her past as a gay man, I've always found it hard to think of her as anything other than a woman, and I believe (and certainly hope) she's completely happy to have transitioned. Being older, though, she went through a long and rigorous process of evaluation, psychotherapy and staged transformation. The current explosion of trans activism is urging a removal of almost all the robust systems through which candidates for sex reassignment were once required to pass. A man who intends to have no surgery and take no hormones may now secure himself a Gender Recognition Certificate and be a woman in the sight of the law. Many people aren't aware of this.

We're living through the most misogynistic period I've experienced. Back in the 80s, I imagined that my future daughters, should I have any, would have it far better than I ever did, but between the backlash against feminism and a porn-saturated online culture, I believe things have got significantly worse for girls. Never have I seen women denigrated and dehumanised to the extent they are now. From the leader of the free world's long history of sexual assault accusations and his proud boast of 'grabbing them by the pussy', to the incel ('involuntarily celibate') movement that rages against women who won't give them sex, to the trans activists who declare that TERFs need punching and re-educating, men across the political spectrum seem to agree: women are asking for trouble. Everywhere, women are being told to shut up and sit down, or else.

I've read all the arguments about femaleness not residing in the sexed body, and the assertions that biological women don't have common experiences, and I find them, too, deeply misogynistic and regressive. It's also clear that one of the objectives of denying the importance of sex is to erode what some seem to see as the cruelly segregationist idea of women having their own biological realities or  just as threatening  unifying realities that make them a cohesive political class. The hundreds of emails I've received in the last few days prove this erosion concerns many others just as much. It isn't enough for women to be trans allies. Women must accept and admit that there is no material difference between trans women and themselves.

But, as many women have said before me, 'woman' is not a costume. 'Woman' is not an idea in a man's head. 'Woman' is not a pink brain, a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive. Moreover, the 'inclusive' language that calls female people 'menstruators' and 'people with vulvas' strikes many women as dehumanising and demeaning. I understand why trans activists consider this language to be appropriate and kind, but for those of us who've had degrading slurs spat at us by violent men, it's not neutral, it's hostile and alienating.

Which brings me to the fifth reason I'm deeply concerned about the consequences of the current trans activism.

I've been in the public eye now for over twenty years and have never talked publicly about being a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor. This isn't because I'm ashamed those things happened to me, but because they're traumatic to revisit and remember. I also feel protective of my daughter from my first marriage. I didn't want to claim sole ownership of a story that belongs to her, too. However, a short while ago, I asked her how she'd feel if I were publicly honest about that part of my life, and she encouraged me to go ahead.

I'm mentioning these things now not in an attempt to garner sympathy, but out of solidarity with the huge numbers of women who have histories like mine, who've been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces.

I managed to escape my first violent marriage with some difficulty, but I'm now married to a truly good and principled man, safe and secure in ways I never in a million years expected to be. However, the scars left by violence and sexual assault don't disappear, no matter how loved you are, and no matter how much money you've made. My perennial jumpiness is a family joke  and even I know it's funny  but I pray my daughters never have the same reasons I do for hating sudden loud noises, or finding people behind me when I haven't heard them approaching.

If you could come inside my head and understand what I feel when I read about a trans woman dying at the hands of a violent man, you'd find solidarity and kinship. I have a visceral sense of the terror in which those trans women will have spent their last seconds on earth, because I too have known moments of blind fear when I realised that the only thing keeping me alive was the shaky self-restraint of my attacker.

I believe the majority of trans-identified people not only pose zero threat to others, but are vulnerable for all the reasons I've outlined. Trans people need and deserve protection. Like women, they're most likely to be killed by sexual partners. Trans women who work in the sex industry, particularly trans women of colour, are at particular risk. Like every other domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor I know, I feel nothing but empathy and solidarity with trans women who've been abused by men.

So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe. When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman  and, as I've said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones  then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth.

On Saturday morning, I read that the Scottish government is proceeding with its controversial gender recognition plans, which will in effect mean that all a man needs to 'become a woman' is to say he's one. To use a very contemporary word, I was 'triggered'. Ground down by the relentless attacks from trans activists on social media, when I was only there to give children feedback about pictures they'd drawn for my book under lockdown, I spent much of Saturday in a very dark place inside my head, as memories of a serious sexual assault I suffered in my twenties recurred on a loop. That assault happened at a time and in a space where I was vulnerable, and a man capitalised on an opportunity. I couldn't shut out those memories and I was finding it hard to contain my anger and disappointment about the way I believe my government is playing fast and loose with womens and girls' safety.

Late on Saturday evening, scrolling through children's pictures before I went to bed, I forgot the first rule of Twitter  never, ever expect a nuanced conversation  and reacted to what I felt was degrading language about women. I spoke up about the importance of sex and have been paying the price ever since. I was transphobic, I was a cunt, a bitch, a TERF, I deserved cancelling, punching and death. You are Voldemort said one person, clearly feeling this was the only language I'd understand.

It would be so much easier to tweet the approved hashtags  because of course trans rights are human rights and of course trans lives matter  scoop up the woke cookies and bask in a virtue-signalling afterglow. There's joy, relief and safety in conformity. As Simone de Beauvoir also wrote, ' without a doubt it is more comfortable to endure blind bondage than to work for one's liberation; the dead, too, are better suited to the earth than the living.'

Huge numbers of women are justifiably terrified by the trans activists; I know this because so many have got in touch with me to tell their stories. They're afraid of doxxing, of losing their jobs or their livelihoods, and of violence.

But endlessly unpleasant as its constant targeting of me has been, I refuse to bow down to a movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode 'woman' as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it. I stand alongside the brave women and men, gay, straight and trans, who're standing up for freedom of speech and thought, and for the rights and safety of some of the most vulnerable in our society: young gay kids, fragile teenagers, and women who're reliant on and wish to retain their single sex spaces. Polls show those women are in the vast majority, and exclude only those privileged or lucky enough never to have come up against male violence or sexual assault, and who've never troubled to educate themselves on how prevalent it is.

The one thing that gives me hope is that the women who can protest and organise, are doing so, and they have some truly decent men and trans people alongside them. Political parties seeking to appease the loudest voices in this debate are ignoring women's concerns at their peril. In the UK, women are reaching out to each other across party lines, concerned about the erosion of their hard-won rights and widespread intimidation. None of the gender critical women I've talked to hates trans people; on the contrary. Many of them became interested in this issue in the first place out of concern for trans youth, and they're hugely sympathetic towards trans adults who simply want to live their lives, but who're facing a backlash for a brand of activism they don't endorse. The supreme irony is that the attempt to silence women with the word 'TERF' may have pushed more young women towards radical feminism than the movement's seen in decades.

The last thing I want to say is this. I haven't written this essay in the hope that anybody will get out a violin for me, not even a teeny-weeny one. I'm extraordinarily fortunate; I'm a survivor, certainly not a victim. I've only mentioned my past because, like every other human being on this planet, I have a complex backstory, which shapes my fears, my interests and my opinions. I never forget that inner complexity when I'm creating a fictional character and I certainly never forget it when it comes to trans people.

All I'm asking  all I want  is for similar empathy, similar understanding, to be extended to the many millions of women whose sole crime is wanting their concerns to be heard without receiving threats and abuse.
Travis Barker shared a snap to his Instagram account on Monday to celebrate Kourtney Kardashian's 43rd birthday.

The 46-year-old drummer was seen placing his arms around the reality television personality as they posed for the loved-up and black-and-white snap.

The musician also made a point of referring to the influencer as 'my best friend, my lover, my everything' in his post's caption.

Barker remained shirtless and showed off his impressive array of upper-body tattoos while posing for the snap.

Kardashian kept it relatively casual while rocking a sleeveless lace top as she spent time with her fiance.

The social media powerhouse's gorgeous brunette locks were tied back during the photoshoot.

The Blink-182 member also added an infinity symbol to the end of his message.

Sharing their thoughts: Kardashian pointed out that her relationship with Barker was 'all I could ever dream of and more' in the post's comments section

Kardashian pointed out that her relationship with Barker was 'all I could ever dream of and more' in the post's comments section.

The influencer's younger sister Khloe also left several heart emojis to show her support for the couple.

The drummer recently spoke about his relationship with his fiancee during an interview with Billboard, where he spoke about various aspects of their romance.

The performer also pointed out that his much-publicized impromptu wedding ceremony with the influencer was only an instance where they 'practiced' for their forthcoming ceremony.

Opening up: The drummer recently spoke about his relationship with his fiancee during an interview with Billboard, where he spoke about various aspects of their romance

He notably stated that his life had changed dramatically over the past few decades and noted that his engagement had improved it greatly.

'I was [once] a trash man there playing in a punk-rock band called Feeble, so to go back in 2022 with my fianceeI can't say how amazing it is,' he said.

Barker then spoke about how his personality was similar to Kardashian's, about which he was particularly pleased.

The hitmaker noted that he and his fiancee were 'very similar, with our backs to the wall.'

Two of a kind: Barker then spoke about how his personality was similar to Kardashian's, about which he was particularly pleased

The musician added that 'we have no quit, and I need someone like that in my life.'

Barker and Kardashian were first linked in early 2021 when the drummer left several flirty comments on a set of his now-fiancee's Instagram posts.

The performer was previously married to Melissa Kennedy and Shanna Moakler, and he shares two children with the latter.

The social media personality was also in a long-term relationship with Scott Disick, and they welcomed two sons and a daughter during their time together.

Good match: The musician added that 'we have no quit, and I need someone like that in my life'; they are seen in March

Barker and Kardashian went Instagram official just after Valentine's Day of last year, and they were often spotted in each other's company during subsequent public outings.

The happy couple later became engaged during a trip to Montecito, California, that took place last October.

The pair shocked many when they held what appeared to be a marriage ceremony last month, although they clarified that the event was a practice run for their forthcoming wedding.

Neither Barker nor Kardashian have publicly revealed when they are planning to officially tie the knot.
Julia Roberts was once the queen of the romantic comedy, though she hasn't made one in more than 20 years... until her new project Ticket to Paradise.

The 54-year-old actress was promoting her new Starz TV series Gaslit, which debuts Sunday, April 24, in a new interview with The New York Times.

She seemed quite surprised that it had been so long since she starred in a romantic comedy, before her Ticket to Paradise movie due out in October, starring alongside her old friend George Clooney, but revealed there's a very good reason why it's been so long: 'I consider myself a homemaker.'

Romcom queen: Julia Roberts was once the queen of the romantic comedy, though she hasn't made one in more than 20 years... until her new project Ticket to Paradise

Good reason: She seemed quite surprised that it had been so long since she starred in a romantic comedy (seen above in 1999's Runaway Bride), before her Ticket to Paradise movie due out in October, starring alongside her old friend George Clooney, but revealed there's a very good reason why it's been so long

'It can't be 20 years, can it? Here's the thing: If I'd thought something was good enough, I would have done it,' Roberts admitted.

'But I also had three kids in the last 18 years. That raises the bar even more because then it's not only "Is this material good?" It's also the math equation of my husband's work schedule and the kids' school schedule and summer vacation. It's not just, "Oh, I think I want to do this,"' she admitted.

Roberts will celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary with cinematographer Daniel Moder in July, and they share 17-year-old fraternal twins Phinnaeus and Hazel and 14-year-old son Henry.

Married with children: Roberts will celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary with cinematographer Daniel Moder in July, and they share 17-year-old fraternal twins Phinnaeus and Hazel and 14-year-old son Henry

She added that her not doing romantic comedies, 'wasnt by design, so much as not finding something that I was interested in. I was surprised how quickly the years seemed to go by.'

'People sometimes misconstrue the amount of time thats gone by that I havent done a romantic comedy as my not wanting to do one,' Roberts clarified.

'If I had read something that I thought was that Notting Hill level of writing or My Best Friends Wedding level of madcap fun, I would do it,' she added.

Not by design: She added that her not doing romantic comedies, 'wasnt by design, so much as not finding something that I was interested in. I was surprised how quickly the years seemed to go by'

'They didn't exist until this movie that I just did that Ol Parker wrote and directed,' she said, referring to Ticket to Paradise, which follows her and Clooney as a divorced couple who head to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they made 25 years ago.

She added that when she read the script by director Ol Parker and Daniel Pipski, she thought, 'This only works if it's George Clooney,' and apparently he felt the same.

She added she is 'living my acting dreams' going from playing Martha Mitchell - the woman who ignited the Watergate scandal - with Sean Penn in Gaslit to then, 'run around Australia with George playing these very funny scenes.'

Acting dreams: She added she is 'living my acting dreams' going from playing Martha Mitchell - the woman who ignited the Watergate scandal - with Sean Penn in Gaslit to then, 'run around Australia with George playing these very funny scenes'

New trailer: The Watergate scandal gets a whole new perspective in the first trailer for the upcoming Starz series Gaslit, starring Julia as Martha Mitchell (pictured right)

Sean as John: Sean Penn plays Richard Nixon's attorney general John Mitchell (pictured right)

Roberts also admitted she hasn't worked as much in recent years because she takes, 'great pride' at being home and raising her family.

However, now that they're older, with the twins heading to college in the fall, she admitted she has, 'a sense of responsibility for showing my children that I can be creative and that its meaningful to meso meaningful that for periods of time I will choose to focus on that almost more than my family, which has been hard for me to come to terms with.'

'The good news is yes. I love to laugh and be funny. You get into that mode of those endorphins going off when you're clever and people going, "Oh!" Then that becomes this automatic thing where you're always thinking in terms of creating fun. It's a joy to play in that sandbox. It has been a long time,' she said.

Betty: Betty Gilpin also stars as John Dean's wife Mo Dean pictured right at the start of Watergate Hearings.

Another familiar face: British actor Dan Stevens plays John Dean, who served as White House Counsel for US President Nixon (pictured right)

Whigham: Shea Whigham plays Liddy, the chief operative of Nixon's White House Plumbers spy unit

The Watergate scandal gets a whole new perspective in Gaslit.

Roberts plays Martha Mitchell, the wife of Richard Nixon's attorney general John Mitchell (Sean Penn), who was the first person to, 'publicly sound the alarm on Nixon's involvement' in the Watergate scandal.

The show is said to be, 'a modern take on Watergate that focuses on the untold stories and forgotten characters of the scandal.'

Gaslit premieres April 24 only on Stan in Australia.
Angie Kent has revealed she spent her entire Easter long weekend in hospital after suffering painful endometriosis symptoms.

The former Bachelorette, 32, shared a video to Instagram on Tuesday of herself with an IV drip in her arm as she explained her symptoms in the caption.

'Happy Easter long weekend to me. Flare-ups, throwing up, dehydrations and anxiety attacks from pain,' she wrote.

Hospitalised: Angie Kent has revealed she spent her entire Easter long weekend in hospital after suffering painful endometriosis symptoms

'Too sensitive still for back-to-back family and friend activities. My body fully shuts down,' she added.

'Sometimes we just don't know when it's going to creep up on us endo/interstitial cystitis (IC) warriors!'

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that covers the inside of the uterus, the endometrium, appears in other parts of the body and causes chronic inflammation, scarring and pelvic pain.

The endometriosis tissue outside the uterus will bleed just as it would as the lining of the uterus.

Symptoms: The former Bachelorette, 32, shared a video to Instagram on Tuesday of herself with an IV drip in her arm as she explained her symptoms in the caption

According to womenshealth.gov, 'this can cause swelling and pain because the tissue grows and bleeds in an area where it cannot easily get out of your body'.

Angie has spoken openly about her struggle with endometriosis in the past, telling TV Week magazine in 2020 she was 'relieved' by the diagnosis.

'I finally had answers as to why I'd been in such pain for such a long time,' she said.

She was first diagnosed with the condition in 2016. Since then, she has undergone several procedures to remove abnormal tissue that has grown outside her uterus.

Angie also spoke about her daily battle with endo in March this year, telling 7Life she 'grieves' the woman she used to be before her diagnosis.

'I finally had answers': Angie has spoken openly about her struggle with endometriosis and related issues in the past, telling TV Week in 2020 she was 'relieved' by the diagnosis

She described the condition, which affects one in nine women in Australia, as 'debilitating' and said that in addition to the painful symptoms, she feels 'anxious about what the future may hold'.

'People with endometriosis are fighting a battle with their body, healthcare system, and people who don't hold space for it due to lack of education for the female anatomy as a whole,' she said. 'This needs to change.'

Angie also revealed the worst thing about her various conditions is the stigma surrounding illnesses that are not visible to others.

'If we could wear it on the outside for a day, I am more than sure people would start to take this more seriously,' she said.
24-time Grammy winner Kanye 'Ye' West's girlfriend Chaney Jones appeared to copy his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, yet again, in a new shoot she posted on Monday.

The Delaware-based 24-year-old donned elf ear prosthetics for the slideshow, which she shared without a caption for the viewing pleasure of her 573K Instagram followers.

Chaney showcased her curvaceous figure in a nude latex halter leotard that resembled something the 41-year-old reality star would sell through her shapewear brand, SKIMS.

Double take! 24-time Grammy winner Kanye 'Ye' West's girlfriend Chaney Jones (L) appeared to copy his estranged wife Kim Kardashian (R), yet again, in a new shoot she posted on Monday

Jones revealed a black rose tattoo inked on the left side of her pelvis for the first time.

The brunette beauty also posed nude and barefoot for the shoot, revealing text tattooed all the way down her right hip.

Chaney also has writing on her collarbone and two feather tattoos - one inked beneath her right breast and the other on her left rib cage.

Jones - who wears invisible bead hair extensions daily - appeared to be rocking the same exact floor-length extensions she donned in a February 28 post.

Tolkien fan? The Delaware-based 24-year-old donned elf ear prosthetics for the slideshow, which she shared without a caption for the viewing pleasure of her 573K Instagram followers

Nude look: Chaney showcased her curvaceous figure in a latex halter leotard that resembled something the 41-year-old reality star would sell through her shapewear brand, SKIMS

New tatt? Jones revealed a black rose tattoo inked on the left side of her pelvis for the first time

That's nothing to Kim, who paid $10K for the 75in faux-ny ponytail to go with her black BDSM-inspired Balenciaga ensemble at the American-themed Met Gala in Manhattan on September 13.

When TMZ asked the University of Delaware grad on March 18 if she thought she looked like Kardashian, she replied 'no not really' adding that she and the 44-year-old rapper-designer 'don't speak about her.'

And when podcaster Amanda Hirsch asked The Kardashians producer-star last Tuesday if Chaney's 'lookalike vibe' made her feel 'weird,' she said 'no.'

'I just want him to be happy and she seems like the sweetest,' Kim said on Not Skinny Not Fat.

Scrawled: The brunette beauty also posed nude and barefoot for the shoot, revealing text tattooed all the way down her right hip

Hairy: Chaney - who wears invisible bead hair extensions daily - appeared to be rocking the same exact floor-length extensions she donned in a February 28 post

'Whatever makes you happy, I don't care what it is. I think that it'll reflect in your life and your work, everything, and how you are a parent, so I just... as long as he's happy, I genuinely just want that, truly.'

Ye was first pictured canoodling with Jones at Soho House in Malibu on February 1 - two weeks before he ended his six-week fling with Uncut Gems actress Julia Fox.

West and his latest muse were last believed to be taking a 'baecation' together at Utah's five-star Amangiri resort in Canyon Point where Kardashian celebrated her 37th birthday in 2017.

Long hair, don't care! That's nothing to Kim, who paid $10K for the 75in faux-ny ponytail to go with her black BDSM-inspired Balenciaga ensemble at the American-themed Met Gala in Manhattan on September 13

Say what? When TMZ asked Jones (R, pictured March 3) on March 18 if she thought she looked like Kardashian, she replied 'no not really' adding that she and the 44-year-old rapper-designer (L) 'don't speak about her'

Unbothered: And when podcaster Amanda Hirsch (R) asked The Kardashians producer-star (L) last Tuesday if Chaney's 'lookalike vibe' made her feel 'weird,' she said 'no'

Kim said on Not Skinny Not Fat: 'I just want him to be happy and she seems like the sweetest. Whatever makes you happy, I don't care what it is. I think that it'll reflect in your life and your work, everything, and how you are a parent, so I just... as long as he's happy, I genuinely just want that, truly'

The remote and luxurious hideaway - 'where no request is too great and no detail too small' - has also attracted the likes of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Drew Barrymore, and Gordon Ramsey.

'They're not exclusive,' an insider told Us Weekly earlier this month. 'She's his muse and hangs out with his posse.'

The Atlanta-born hip-hop star - who's also dated Irina Shayk and Vinetria since the end of his six-year marriage - has lavished Chaney with gifts like a $275K silver Hermes 'Birkin' bag.

Flavor of the month? Ye (R, pictured March 12) was first pictured canoodling with the University of Delaware grad (L) at Soho House in Malibu on February 1 - two weeks before he ended his six-week fling with Uncut Gems actress Julia Fox

Desert getaway: Chaney and West were last believed to be taking a 'baecation' together at Utah's five-star Amangiri resort in Canyon Point where Kardashian celebrated her 37th birthday in 2017 (pictured Saturday)

'Thanks bb!' The Atlanta-born hip-hop star - who's also dated Irina Shayk and Vinetria since the end of his six-year marriage - has lavished Chaney with gifts like a $275K silver Hermes 'Birkin' bag (pictured April 3)

Ye - who suffers from bipolar disorder - has been searching for the right luxury facility to receive treatment 'to help him be a better human and a better dad' after his latest public meltdown, according to Page Six.

West and the Calabasas socialite - who share four children under age 8 - were declared legally single on March 2, and their next status conference divorce hearing is scheduled for August 5.

As for Jones' career, she's currently working on her master's degree in counseling at Wilmington University and she's employed as COO of First State Behavioral Health.

'They're not exclusive': Ye - who suffers from bipolar disorder - has been searching for the right luxury facility to receive treatment 'to help him be a better human and a better dad' after his latest public meltdown (pictured March 3)

2020 family portrait: West and the Calabasas socialite - who share four children under age 8 - were declared legally single on March 2, and their next status conference divorce hearing is scheduled for August 5
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All eyes were on Julia Roberts and Gaslit co-star Sean Penn as they attended the premiere of their upcoming TV series based on the first season of the podcast Slow Burn by Leon Neyfakh in New York City on Monday evening.

While the 61-year-old Mystic River opted to wear a classic black black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and tie, the Pretty Woman star, 54, arrived to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a structured grey blazer and a pair of plaid shorts, which showcased her toned legs.

For the screening of her latest project, tackling the Watergate scandal, mother-of-three completed her ensemble with a baby blue button-down, black high heels, and her long chestnut brown tresses in loose curls.

Dynamic duo: All eyes were on Julia Roberts and Gaslit co-star Sean Penn as they attended the premiere of their upcoming TV series based on the first season of the podcast Slow Burn by Leon Neyfakh in New York City on Monday evening

As she posed for pictures with Penn, the Erin Brockovich actress flashed her flashed her famous smile before mingling with Dan Stevens and Betty Gilpin, who star as the infamous couple Mo and John Dean in their new show.

Stevens looked every inch the film star in a black, orange and copper three-piece suit and green-tinted sunglasses.

Gilpin, who is best known for her role as Debbie on Netflix's female-wrestling comedy Glow, turned heads in a plunging black gown with a cutout on the midriff.

Suited up: While the 61-year-old Mystic River opted to wear a classic black black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and tie, the Pretty Woman star, 54, attended the star-studded screening in a structured grey blazer and a pair of plaid shorts, which showcased her toned legs

Leggy display: Roberts flaunted her tan and toned legs at the event

Trendy: Roberts completed her eye-catching ensemble with a baby blue button-down, black high heels, and her long chestnut brown tresses in loose curls

All together: The duo also posed for pictures with Dan Stevens and Betty Gilpin

The three-time Emmy nominee wore her dark brown hair in a sleek updo, no jewelry and a radiant makeup look, consisting of a nude lipstick, blush and a sweeping of bronzer.

In their new film, Roberts plays Watergate whistleblower Martha Mitchell and Penn plays her husband Attorney General John Mitchell.

Martha was the first person who told the public about Watergate. But people turned on her, saying she was crazy.

Group photo: The mother-of-three and two-time Oscar winner smiled as they stood next to Gilpin and Stevens, who star as the infamous couple Mo and John Dean in Starz's Watergate drama Gaslit

Exciting: While Penn and Roberts have been friends for years, this is their first project together

Happy: As she posed for pictures with Penn, the Erin Brockovich actress flashed her flashed her famous smile

Busy night: The duo were seen posing for photos on the red carpet and doing interviews together

Sparkly: Roberts added a touch of glamour to her outfit with a diamond butterfly broach

Pals: After the premiere, the actress was seen linking arms with Penn

The show is said to be, 'a modern take on Watergate that focuses on the untold stories and forgotten characters of the scandal.'

The trailer begins with Mitchell being introduced as cameras are flashed, while a man says, 'You are the first person to publicly accuse the President for the Watergate break-in. Are you crazy?'

She responds, 'I'm a Southern woman. We speak our minds, we talk. I never stop talking,' when the interviewer says, 'I bet your husband loves that,' and she says, without missing a beat, 'He takes it in stride.'

Coming soon: Stevens and Gilpin, who star as the infamous couple Mo and John Dean in their new show

Fabulous: Gilpin, who is best known for her role as Debbie on Netflix's female-wrestling comedy Glow, turned heads in a plunging black gown with a cutout on the midriff

Beautiful: The three-time Emmy nominee wore her dark brown hair in a sleek updo, no jewelry and a radiant makeup look, consisting of a nude lipstick, blush and a sweeping of bronzer

Cool guy: Stevens looked every inch the film star in a black, orange and copper three-piece suit and green-tinted sunglasses

The trailer, released in February, features more shots of both Margaret and John, with a graphic that reads, 'Based on the insane but shockingly true story.

She responds, 'I'm a Southern woman. We speak our minds, we talk. I never stop talking,' when the interviewer says, 'I bet your husband loves that,' and she says, without missing a beat, 'He takes it in stride.'

The trailer features more shots of both Margaret and John, with a graphic that reads, 'Based on the insane but shockingly true story.

Figure-hugging frock: Boardwalk Empire's Christiane Seidel commanded attention in a hot pink gown with cutouts on the midriff Mobile caption 2

Daring: Fashion model Pritka Swarup stunned in a black gown with a low-neckline, slit up the front and sequined bodice

Thriving: Canadian-South African model Maye Musk radiated beauty in a colbat blue jumpsuit with a white belt around her trim frame

Edgy: British actress Emma Laird, best known for the film From Life and In Conversation With a Goddess, flaunted her toned midriff in a tweed crop top

Out and about: Comedian Patton Oswalt wore a grey suit and striped tie to the star-studded event

Date night: He attended with his wife Meredith Salenger, who rocked a black long sleeve gown with a slit

Playful: The actor was seen posing on his back at the event while laying down on a massive fake phone

Looking good! The Resident's Patrick Walker wore a hot pink suit, gold necklace and black loafers

Color coordinating: Cobra Kai's Ralph Macchio and longtime spouse Phyllis Fierro matched in all black

Leading man: Macchio is best known for playing Daniel LaRusso in three Karate Kid films

G. Gordon Liddy (Shea Whigham) says, 'That loudmouth wife of his is becoming too much of a liability,' as John tells Martha, 'Do you want to know the truth? There is no conspiracy hiding in the shadows.'

While he says that, we see someone putting a bug in Martha's phone and a man literally stepping out of the shadows to confront Martha while she's on the phone.

Another man tells her that, 'a lot of women your age suffer from paranoid episodes' while she's seen struggling with two other men who are trying to inject her with something and ultimately throw her through a glass table.

Classic: Amelia Gray wore all-black and a delicate silver necklace

Handsome: Mr. Robot producer Chad Hamilton looked timeless in a black suit and white dress shirt

Fun time: Nat Faxon wore a blue suit, red tie and brown leather loafers

Premiere: Big Sky's John Carroll Lynch wore a black blazer, red striped tie, and khaki pants

Mixing it up: Celia Weston added a colorful scarf too her otherwise all-black outfit

The trailer winds down with shots of the other cast members such as Stevens as White House Counsel John Dean, Gilpin as his wife Mo Dean and Whigham as Liddy, the chief operative of Nixon's White House Plumbers spy unit.

A number of other dramatic shots are shown before John Mitchell tells Margaret, 'nobody gives a damn what you think.'

The final shot of the trailer shows Margaret in front of some sort of panel where a man asks her, 'Why risk your husband's position?'

'Because it's the truth,' she says, as the trailer comes to an end.

Actress Amy Landecker and Lulu Whitford posed for a picture together

Rising star Big Little Lies' Darby Camp, 14, wore a black and white tie-dye romper

Activist: Marin Ireland wore a black sequined jacket and 'Protect Trans Kids' t-shirt on the red carpet

Writer and director Robbie Pickering, known for Natural Selection, wore a navy blue pinstripe suit and purple tie

Show time: Ghost Whisperer's Camryn Manheim wore a black studded blouse, pendant necklace and a pair of sparkly earrings

The ensemble cast also includes Patton Oswalt as Chuck Colson, who served as Special Counsel to Nixon and Reed Diamond as Mark Felt, the FBI agent who revealed in 2005 that he was the controversial anonymous source known as Deep Throat.

Gaslit, created by Robbie Pickering, will debut April 24 on Starz.

Watch the brand new series Gaslit on April 24, only on Stan in Australia.

Transformation: Penn spent hours in the make-up chair to transform into character

A look back: The Watergate scandal gets a whole new perspective in the first trailer for the upcoming Starz series Gaslit, starring Julia Roberts

Betty: Betty Gilpin also stars as John Dean's wife Mo Dean pictured right at the start of Watergate Hearings

Another familiar face: British actor Dan Stevens plays John Dean, who served as White House Counsel for US President Nixon (pictured right)

Whigham: Shea Whigham plays Liddy, the chief operative of Nixon's White House Plumbers spy unit
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Nicolas Cage kicked off his week at a special screening for his new film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent with his pregnant wife Riko Shibata.

The 57-year-old Cage was all smiles while hitting the red carpet with his 27-year-old pregnant wife, who he married in 2021.

He also posed with co-star Pedro Pascal at the special screening in Los Angeles, just days before the film opens in theaters April 22.

Nic and Riko: Nicolas Cage kicked off his week at a special screening for his new film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent with his pregnant wife Riko Shibata

Cage stepped out wearing a classic black suit with a white dress shirt with the top button unbottoned and no tie.

He also donned a black suit coat, black pants and black shoes for the red carpet event.

His wife Shibata, who it was revealed in January is expecting the couple's first child, stepped out with a full-length black dress and black pumps.

Nic and Riko: His wife Shibata, who it was revealed in January is expecting the couple's first child, stepped out with a full-length black dress and black pumps

The actor was also joined by his oldest son Weston Cage Coppola, 31, from his relationship in the late 1980s with actress Christina Fulton.

Weston, a musician, producer and actor himself, stepped out with a charcoal grey suit as he posed alongside his famous father.

Unlike his clean-shaven father, Weston stepped out with a full beard and long flowing auburn hair.

Son and father: Weston, a musician, producer and actor himself, stepped out with a charcoal grey suit as he posed alongside his famous father

Weston's look: Unlike his clean-shaven father, Weston stepped out with a full beard and long flowing auburn hair

Cage also posed with Pedro Pascal, who plays Javi Gutierrez, a billionaire superfan of Cage, who is playing a heightened version of himself in the film.

Pascal mimicked Cage's tie-less look with his top dress shirt button unbuttoned, though he opted for a dark blue pinstriped suit.

The Mandalorian star completed his look, like Cage, with shiny black dress shoes.

Nic and Pedro: Cage also posed with Pedro Pascal, who plays Javi Gutierrez, a billionaire superfan of Cage, who is playing a heightened version of himself in the film

Pedro's look: Pascal mimicked Cage's tie-less look with his top dress shirt button unbuttoned, though he opted for a dark blue pinstriped suit

It was revealed in January that Cage and Shibata were expecting their third child, and Cage's third, after Weston and his 16-year-old son Kal-El from his third marriage with Alice Kim.

The couple had met in Shiga, Japan, through mutual friends, while Cage was on location filming Prisoners of the Ghostland.

Cage has previously been married to Patricia Arquette (1995-2001), Lisa Marie Presley (2002-2004), Alice Kim (2004-2016) and Erica Koike (2019).
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Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban looked every inch the happy couple while holding hands at the premiere of her historical action drama film The Northman at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Monday night.

In addition to posing for a number of photos with their arms wrapped around each other, the Big Little Lies actress and country star, both 54, exchanged loving glances while he placed a tender kiss on her cheek.

While her man rocked a classic all-black suit and tie, the Oscar winner rocked a figure-hugging, lime green gown adorned sparkles and pink feathers on the shoulders from Prada and Orlov jewelry.

Date night: Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban look every inch the happy couple while holding hands at the premiere of her historical action drama film The Northman at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Monday night

Kidman accessorized her bold frock with a silver clutch and her auburn hair tied up into an elegant style, with a few curly strands left down to softly frame her flawless features.

Her glamorous makeup look consisted of a gorgeous healthy-looking glow, nude lipstick, black eyeliner and two massive diamond rings.

As the couple, who wed in 2006, enjoyed a rare date night away from their two daughters, Sunday Rose, 13, and Faith Margaret, 11, the lovebirds shared a sweet kiss in front of photographers.

Affectionate: The hitmaker notably planted a kiss on his wife's cheek during the star-studded premiere

Beautiful: Kidman accessorized her bold frock with a silver clutch and her auburn hair tied up into an elegant style, with a few curly strands left down to softly frame her flawless features

Radiant: Her glamorous makeup look consisted of a gorgeous healthy-looking glow, nude lipstick, black eyeliner and two massive diamond rings

Locking lips: As they enjoyed a rare date night away from their two daughters, Sunday Rose, 13, and Faith Margaret, 11, the lovebirds shared a sweet kiss in front of photographers

On her Instagram, the mother-of-four gushed that she was 'excited to reunite with' her fellow cast and crew 'at the premiere of TheNorthman tonight.'

Kidman stars in the film, about a Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgard) seeking vengeance, will hit theaters nationwide on April 22.

The duo are joined by a diverse all-star cast including Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Bjork and Willem Dafoe.

Glowing: On her Instagram, the mother-of-four gushed that she was 'excited to reunite with' her fellow cast and crew 'at the premiere of TheNorthman tonight'

Coming soon: Kidman stars in the film, about a Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgard) seeking vengeance, which will hit theaters nationwide on April 22

In good company: The duo are joined by a diverse all-star cast including Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Bjork, and Willem Dafoe

Earlier this week, Skarsgard spoken about his enduring working relationship with Kidman.

In an interview with the Herald Sun on Tuesday, the 45-year-old actor joked that they 'sure can pick 'em' after they teamed up for yet another violence-filled project.

He added that their next project should probably be a 'sweet romantic comedy', and insisted there was no better screen partner than her.

Longtime love: Kidman's husband showed his support by sticking by her side

Prominent PDA: The happy couple also got very close to one another while speaking on the premiere's red carpet

Color coordination: The bright tones of the actress' outfit contrasted perfectly with her husband's jet-black clothing

Staying close: The pair also held hands while spending time at the star-studded event

'It's another very dark, twisted, dysfunctional relationship. But that's kind of where you wanna go with someone like Nicole, because she's so tremendous to work with,' he said of their latest project.

'That relationship on Big Little Lies demanded complete trust between us, 'cos it was so tough to shoot those scenes. I can't imagine a better partner on that journey, and again on The Northman.'

Alexander previously spoke about his friendship with Nicole and the high level of trust between them in an interview with Vanity Fair in March 2017.

History repeats: In an interview with the Herald Sun on Tuesday, the 45-year-old actor joked that they 'sure can pick 'em' after they teamed up for yet another violence-filled project. Pictured with Nicole Kidman at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in September 2017

The Swedish actor discussed playing Nicole's abusive husband in the TV series Big Little Lies, and said they'd 'spent time' together 'working on our relationship'.

'It was all about building that trust, finding your connection, jumping off the ledge, and seeing where it takes you,' he explained.

Alexander added that it was 'definitely tough shaking that off', and said they'd always make a point of 'checking in with each other' after a difficult scene.

Ready for a change: He added that their next project should probably be a 'sweet romantic comedy', and insisted there was no better screen partner than Nicole. Pictured together in Big Little Lies

'It was very important to reconnect after shooting those scenes. We made a point of checking in with each other, giving each other a hug,' he said.

'Nicole is an incredible partner because she is so generous and so open and it makes it easier as an actor when you have a partner like that.'

Meanwhile, Nicole also spoke about filming volatile scenes with Alexander in an interview with W Magazine in January 2018.

Kiss and tell: Nicole previously addressed their controversial kiss on the lips at the Emmys (pictured) in September 2017 after Alexander won the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in Big Little Lies

'There were times on that set when it was intense. But he and I communicated. There had to be such safety and such honesty and such raw vulnerability there that we have a different connection,' she said.

She also addressed their controversial kiss on the lips at the Emmys in September 2017 after Alexander won the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in Big Little Lies.

'I'd kissed him many, many times on the set. Much more than that. So that was just my way of going, in the moment - we were both shocked and we were like, "Oh, my gosh, I'm so glad you won." Because I know what he put into that role,' she said.
He's the former Bachelor star who never misses an opportunity to take his top off.

And Tim Robards flaunted his Adonis-like physique once again on Tuesday as he went for a shirtless stroll through Sydney with his one-year-old daughter Elle.

The barefoot chiropractor, 39, flaunted his bulging biceps and washboard abs in a pair of navy shorts as the father-daughter duo enjoyed the autumn sunshine.

Crikey! Former Bachelor star Tim Robards showed off his Adonis-like physique on Tuesday as he took a stroll through Sydney with his one-year-old daughter Elle

He teamed his look with a pair of sunglasses and a wristwatch.

Meanwhile, little Elle looked cute in a white ensemble with a matching sun hat.

Tim shares Elle with his wife Anna Heinrich, 35.

Daddy daycare: The barefoot chiropractor, 39, flaunted his bulging biceps and washboard abs in a pair of navy shorts as the father-daughter duo enjoyed the autumn sunshine

Keeping it casual: Tim teamed his look with a pair of sunglasses and a wristwatch

Adorable: Meanwhile, little Elle looked cute in a white ensemble with a matching sun hat

The couple fell in love on The Bachelor Australia in 2013 and married in Italy in 2018.

Anna told Stellar magazine last month the couple are hoping to fall pregnant with their second child later this year.

Anna told the publication there's a good chance her next pregnancy will involve two babies, as twins run in her family.

Romance: Tim shares Elle with his wife Anna Heinrich (right). The couple fell in love on The Bachelor Australia in 2013 and married in Italy in 2018

Anna also shared the secret to her happy nine-year relationship, revealing she and Tim's 'shared values' have been a key part of their bond.

'We went in thinking we're going to try to make this work and if it doesn't work then it doesn't work,' she said.

'But it did work. And the best thing about us is that we kept it real. We have arguments, we have fights. We're like any other couple out there; we have ups and downs, especially when you have a kid.'
Zoe Foster Blake has jacked up the prices of some of the most popular products from her Go-To skincare brand.

The journalist-turned-businesswoman, 41, announced the price hike in a statement on the company's Instagram account on Tuesday.

In a lengthy 'note from Zoe', the Go-To founder said the prices were going up due to rising manufacturing costs and freight charges.

However, children's bathing and skincare products from the 'Gro-To' range will actually be slightly cheaper going forward.

Price change: Zoe Foster Blake has jacked up the prices of some of the most popular products from her Go-To skincare range, citing rising manufacturing costs and freight charges

Foster Blake explained the price changes will come into effect from May 1.

The Properly Clean cleanser will increase from $31 a bottle to $33, and the Very Useful Face Cream (100ml) goes up from $72 to $78.

Her six-pack Transformazing masks will increase in price from $45 to $55.

Price hike: The Properly Clean cleanser will increase from $31 a bottle to $33, and the Very Useful Face Cream (100ml) goes up from $72 to $78. (All price increases are listed here)

Foster Blake said that when she first started Go-To from her living room in 2012 she wanted to deliver quality skincare products with 'world-class customer service'.

'These principles still guide Go-To, but as we've grown and evolved, things like sustainability and global markets have nudged their way up in priorities too,' she added.

'But in the past year things like freight, raw ingredient price changes, supply chain challenges and packaging costs have gone haywire.

'These third party changes mean that some of our prices will be going up; you will have noticed this happening with a lot of your favourite brands. (BP and Ampol are your favourite brands, right?)'

That's a plus: On a positive note, children's bathing and skincare products from the 'Gro-To' range will actually be slightly cheaper going forward

Foster Blake assured Go-To customers that price increases had been kept to a minimum, adding: 'We're not monsters! But these changes will allow us to maintain the products you know and love, with the quality you expect and we demand.'

She concluded: 'We understand the effect even small price increases have on your day-to-day life, especially when it all happens at once, from every angle.

'We value you and your support.'

Transparent: In a lengthy 'note from Zoe' posted to the company's Instagram account on Tuesday, the Go-To founder said the price changes will come into effect from May 1

It comes after Foster Blake sold off a 50.1 per cent controlling stake of Go-To skincare to beauty giant BWX for $89million in August last year.

The ASX-listed company is also behind Aussie skincare brand Sukin, and has a lucrative five-year supplier deal with Chemist Warehouse.

BWX praised Go-To for providing its consumers with 'simple, trusted and effective skincare products for the masstige market'.

Beauty entrepreneur: Foster Blake sold off a 50.1 per cent controlling stake of Go-To skincare to beauty giant BWX for $89million in August last year

The term 'masstige' refers to mass-produced, inexpensive goods that are marketed as luxurious.

Go-To was established by the former magazine journalist in 2012, and generated $36.8million in revenue in 2020 alone.

That same year, Foster Blake's net worth was estimated to be about $36million, earning her a spot on the AFR's Young Rich List.
Grace Warrior, the daughter of conservationists Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell, met her late grandfather Steve Irwin's favourite bird at Australia Zoo on Tuesday.

Steve, known to millions around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', had rescued the white cockatoo named Occa more than 20 years ago.

While Steve tragically died filming a wildlife documentary in 2006, Occa is still alive and well today, and is already forming a bond with his one-year-old granddaughter.

Family bond: This is the touching moment Grace Warrior met her grandfather Steve Irwin's pet cockatoo at Australia Zoo, after the late Crocodile Hunter rescued the bird 20 years ago

Proud mum Bindi, 23, shared a photo to Instagram of Grace meeting Occa at the zoo, telling her followers: 'Every time he talks to her, she beams with happiness.'

The picture showed a smiling Grace, joined by her grandmother Terri Irwin, chatting to Occa as the majestic bird rested on Bindi's arm.

Bindi, who lives with her family on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, then shared a photo of a young Occa with her late father Steve.

The conservationist also posted another throwback of herself as a little girl holding Occa with a protective sleeve on her arm.

Animal magnetism: Steve, known to millions around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', had rescued the white cockatoo named Occa more than 20 years ago

Rescued: Bindi Irwin also posted this throwback photo on Instagram of herself as a little girl holding Occa with a protective sleeve on her arm

'These photographs brought me to tears,' Bindi wrote in the caption. 'Grace spending time with sweet Occa who we rescued over 20 years ago.'

'What a beautiful love and legacy with Occa,' one friend commented below the post.

'Oh my goodness, this is everything,' another added.

Steve died in September 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

Baby joy: Bindi and husband Chandler Powell, a former pro wakeboarder, welcomed their daughter on March 25, 2021, which coincidentally was their one-year wedding anniversary

Bindi and Chandler, a former professional wakeboarder, welcomed their daughter on March 25, 2021, which coincidentally was their one-year wedding anniversary.

Last month, Bindi revealed how her American husband encourages her to 'enjoy every moment' with their little girl.

Bindi stars alongside her 18-year-old brother Robert and their mother Terri in the hit Animal Planet series Crikey! It's the Irwins.
Like many Aussies, Georgia Love spent the long weekend indulging in chocolate Easter treats.

And The Bachelorette star, 33, has revealed she paid the price for her decadent antics, discovering a series of pimples across her face on Tuesday.

Posting to Instagram Stories, Georgia uploaded a short close-up video of herself walking down the street, along with a caption that revealed her skin woes.

'While we're at it, let's have a moment for Easter chocolate pimples [smiley face emoji, clapping emoji],' she wrote, zooming the camera towards her blemishes.

At the end of the clip, Georgia scrunched up her nose and smiled.

Later on Tuesday, the brunette poked fun at herself for eating too many Easter chocolates yet again, this time by sharing an Instagram photo of herself at a local F45 gym.

Oh dear: The Bachelorette's Georgia Love, 33, (pictured) revealed that she paid the price for indulging in Easter chocolates over the long weekend, after discovering a series of pimples across her face on Tuesday

'While we're at it, let's have a moment for Easter chocolate pimples': Posting to Instagram Stories, Georgia uploaded a short close-up video of herself walking down the street, along with a caption that revealed her skin woes

In the image, Georgia was pictured groaning as she struggled to lift a heavy kettlebell with one arm.

A second image showed a screen shot taken an episode of The Simpsons in which Uter Zorker shouts the famous line: 'Don't make me run! I'm full of chocolate!'

'Currently accepting offers for fitness influencing opportunities,' she joked in the caption.

'Currently accepting offers for fitness influencing opportunities': Later on Tuesday, the brunette poked fun at herself for eating too many Easter chocolates yet again, this time by sharing an Instagram photo of herself at a local F45 gym

Celebration: Georgia celebrated Easter with her husband Lee Elliott, 40, (second, left) and friends in Victoria (pictured over the weekend)

Georgia celebrated Easter with her husband Lee Elliott, 40, and friends in Victoria.

Weeks earlier, the pair had enjoyed a romantic getaway to Tasmania, staying at an $1,000-a-night getaway at Pumphouse Point.

The Tasmania trip was certainly a safer choice for Georgia and Lee compared to their recent holiday in Saudi Arabia, which saw them heavily criticised.

The couple surprised fans last month by flying to Saudi Arabia and encouraging their Instagram followers to visit the Middle Eastern kingdom.

Idyllic: Weeks earlier, the pair had enjoyed a romantic getaway to Tasmania, staying at an $1,000-a-night getaway at Pumphouse Point

PR nightmare: The Tasmania trip was certainly a safer choice for Georgia and Lee compared to their recent holiday in Saudi Arabia, which saw them heavily criticised

Controversy: Their holiday attracted plenty of controversy, with many fans flagging the Middle Eastern country's horrific human rights record

A number of fans took exception to the promotion given the country's horrific human rights record and treatment of LGBT+ citizens.

The couple quickly deleted all traces of the trip from their Instagram accounts, then issued a joint statement.

They said they did not in any way endorse 'behaviours of the past or human rights violations that have occurred in this country'.

'We strongly believe by Saudi opening up to the rest of the world and by tourists being here it has to be more accountable,' Lee explained.
Lily Mo Sheen looked dazzling on the red carpet in Los Angeles.

The 5'4" beauty strolled along the red carpet in the form fitting belted black jacket with a plunging V-neckline and ankle pants with silver high heel sandals.

The 23-year-old stepped out to attend a special screening of her new project, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Wow: Lily Mo Sheen looked dazzling in a classic black suit with a plunging neckline in Los Angeles. The 5'4" beauty donned a form fitting belted black jacket and ankle pants with silver high heel sandals

The alluring starlet, who is the daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen, kept her jewelry simple wearing a pair of diamond earrings.

The blonde ingenue styled her hair in loose layers, while her makeup played up her flawless complexion and dark brown eyes.

Lily has decided to follow in her parents' showbusiness footsteps as she was cast as Nicolas Cage's daughter in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Movie business: The 23-year-old stepped out to attend a special screening of her new project, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Blossoming career: The actress has been working since 2006, sharing screen time with her mother Kate Beckinsale. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is her first film role as an adult

In the story, Oscar winner Nicolas plays a fictionalized version of himself who is paid to make an appearance for a superfan, who, unbeknownst to him, also happens to be a drug kingpin.

The party takes a 'wildly dangerous turn' as Cage is forced to channel his most iconic big-screen roles to save himself and his loved ones.

As his career has seemingly built up to this very moment, Cage must play the role he was born to play: himself.

Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal tackled the role of the billionaire crime lord.

Co-workers: The burgeoning star posed with co-stars Ike Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish, Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal at a special screening in Los Angeles

Career: Lily has decided to follow in her parents' showbusiness footsteps as she was cast as Nicolas Cage's daughter in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Comedy: In the story, Nicolas plays a fictionalized version of himself who is paid to make an appearance for a superfan (Pedro Pascal), who also happens to be a drug kingpin

Tiffany Haddish took on the part of a CIA agent who recruited the fictional Cage to go undercover and spy on the crime boss in the action comedy.

Lily has been acting since 2006, sharing screen time with her mother in Underworld: Evolution and Click. The mother and daughter team worked together again in 2009 in the drama Everybody's Fine.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is her first film role as an adult.

Sheen is the only child of Kate and Michael, who were involved in an eight-year romantic relationship between 1995 and 2003.
Fans of the Real Housewives franchise could be getting a brand new instalment soon.

According to a post that was shared by Celeb Spellcheck, the streaming platform is planning to launch The Real Housewives of the Gold Coast soon.

It's not the only original reality series that hayu is launching, with the streamer also planning a Sydney instalment of the popular Million Dollar Listing franchise.

Surprise! Rumours are swirling that The Real Housewives of the Gold Coast will premiere on hayu soon. (Pictured: Janet Roach)

While hayu hasn't confirmed the news yet, fans are already going wild over the idea of a new Housewives spin-off.

'Oh, I am so here for this!' gushed former Married At First Sight star Clare Verrall, while Abbie Chatfield wrote: 'OMFG yes!'

Gold Coast influencer Kurt Coleman, DJ Brooke Evers, and Bachelor in Paradise star Alisha Aitken-Radburn all commented on the post too.

The Real Housewives of Melbourne wrapped up its fifth season in December, after more than three years off the air.

Popular: The last Australian Housewives series to air was the fifth season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. (Pictured: Gamble Breaux, Jackie Gillies, and Janet Roach)

The last new entry into the Australian franchise was The Real Housewives of Sydney, which premiered in 2017.

Unfortunately, the controversial series was axed after just one season.

Many viewers branded it the 'nastiest' Housewives series in the history of the global franchise.

Disaster: The last new entry into the Australian franchise was The Real Housewives of Sydney, which premiered in 2017, which was cancelled. (Pictured: Melissa Tkautz)

Foxtel's executive director of television Brian Walsh agreed, saying in 2019 that the show had gone 'too far'.

'A lot of the women in this show were nasty for nasty's sake and have no redeeming features,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

American network Bravo, which has aired several seasons of the Real Housewives of Melbourne, also reportedly refused to pick up the Sydney version because of its 'extreme' nature.
She never fails to turn heads with her bold sense of style.

And on Monday, Florence Pugh looked edgy in a plunging cut-out mini dress and calf-high boots at the premiere of The Northman,held at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

The actress, 26, oozed sex appeal in her thigh-scraping black frock, which boasted long sleeves and a choker, with sparkling silver edges around three cut-out sections.

Wow! On Monday, Florence Pugh, 26, looked edgy in a plunging cut-out mini dress and calf-high boots at the premiere of The Northman,held at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles

Florence showcased her slim frame in the form fitting mini dress, while boosting her height with a pair of stiletto boots.

The British actress styled her brunette tresses into effortless waves, with the majority tied up at the back of her head.

Adding a pop of colour to her look, Florence opted for a Barbie pink manicure, while choosing a range of dazzling rings and statement earrings to add extra sparkle.

The outing comes after Florence made sure to celebrate her boyfriend, Zach Braff, on his 47th birthday with a sweet tribute shared to Instagram earlier this month.

Gorgeous: The actress oozed sex appeal in her thigh-scraping black frock, which boasted long sleeves and a choker, with sparkling silver edges around three cut-out sections

The actress posted a trio of photos to her stories featuring the Scrubs star and their pet pooch Billie, with 'Happy Birthday Zachary' written across the images.

Florence and Zach have been an item since 2019 after first working together on the short film In the Time It Takes to Get There.

The pair have been working together on his upcoming drama A Good Person, where he recently said she was 'one of the best actresses working' right now.

Lucky in love: Florence and boyfriend Zach Braff have been working together on his upcoming drama A Good Person, where he recently said she was 'one of the best actresses working'

'Florence Pugh's performance in the movie, I know I'm biased, but it's the most miraculous thing you will ever see,' he told Collider.

In the film, Pugh plays the lead role of Allison, a young woman who years after a fatal accident, strikes up an unlikely relationship with her would-be father-in-law.

'It's her going toe-to-toe with Morgan Freeman. You haven't seen Morgan like this in years,' Braff said of the 'dramedy.'

'I know that anything Florence does is incredible,' he said, before adding, 'People say she's maybe the best actress of her generation. I think she's one of the best actresses working.'
Actor Eddie Marsan took to Twitter on Monday to playfully announce that he has been asked to play the next James Bond as he shared a snap of himself in a wetsuit while in character as fraudster John Darwin.

The 53-year-old has been praised for his latest role in the ITV series The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, which is based on a real life story.

While episode two was aired last night the actor, who plays conman John, who is in desperate need of financial help and resorts to faking his death so he and his family can claim life insurance money, took to Twitter to jokingly share the news.

Iconic: Eddie Marsan took to Twitter on Monday to playfully announce that he has been asked to play the next James Bond as he posed in a wetsuit while in character as canoe man John Darwin

The actor shared a snap of himself posing in character in a wetsuit from the ITV drama showcasing his physique while pitching himself as the new 007.

Following Danial Craig hanging up his 'license to kill' Eddie said is ready to step in and fill the iconic role.

He joked: Ive been keeping this quiet for some time but, Im now so relieved to finally announce that Ive been a asked [sic] to be the new Bond.

Spot the difference! Fans compared the actor to former Bond icon Sean Connery (right)

Big boots to fill: Eddie shared a snap of himself posing in character in a wetsuit from the ITV drama showcasing his physique while pitching himself as the new 007

Fans were quick to reply and go along with the banter, with several commenting: 'Basildon Bond?' and others joking: 'You were always the bookies favourite! Welcome, the new 007.5!

Others seemed overjoyed: 'Yes I knew it, now to collect my winnings from the bookies!'

One fan even compared Eddie to Sean Connery in a wetsuit telling the star they were clearly 'separated at birth...'

New role: Fans were quick to reply and go along with the banter, with several commenting: 'Basildon Bond?'

This sparked others to add: 'That's uncanny, if Connery wasn't wearing a chest wig you'd never tell them apart.'

In the past, Daniel Craig who is passing the torch on, revealed his blunt advice for whomever is given the role: 'Don't be s**t!' he told Radio 1's Becoming Bond: A Daniel Craig Special.

No pressure for Eddie if he does get the opportunity to step up and fill the iconic role.

Real life: Eddie plays John in the new series, who along with wife Anne tried to convinced the world that John had gone missing whilst canoeing but were rumbled by a snap of them in a Panama estate agent in July 2006 (pictured right))

The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe is based on a real life story following the lives of John, played by Eddie, and Anne Darwin, played by Monica Dolan, who found themselves in serious debt in the 2000's.

John worked as a prison officer and decided to pretend he had disappeared at sea so he and his wife could claim his life insurance money.

Anne was forced to convince her sons that their father had actually gone missing and the scam seemed to work for several years, until the pair got discovered on the internet after a picture was taken of them four years after John's supposed death.

Time to move on: Daniel Craig, who is passing the Bond torch on, revealed his blunt advice for whomever is given the role: 'Don't be s**t!' he said (pictured in 2012 movie, Skyfall)
Thandiwe Newton's husband Ol Parker appeared publicly for the first time without his wedding ring on Tuesday, shortly after the beleaguered actress broke her silence.

The director and producer, 52, looked tired and unshaven as he greeted onlookers outside the London home he shares with his wife and two children amid claims their marriage is over and she is entering rehab.

Ol's wedding ring was notably absent as he unlocked his car, adding credence to their reported separation after 24-years of marriage.

The previous day she shared a cryptic message about 'hating women' as she took to her Instagram Stories to post a picture of vintage lingerie.

Ringless: Thandiwe Newton's husband Ol Parker has been spotted for the first time without his wedding ring, following reports they have split after 24 years of marriage and hours after she broke her silence on social media

The Hollywood star, who has reportedly been urged to seek mental health support following the break-up, posted the snap of the Zoe Buckman item which was embroidered with the words: 'Do we hate our women'.

The lyrics were taken from the late Tupac Shakur's song Keep Ya Head Up (1993) and also featured the words: 'I wonder why we take from our women. Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?'

The lingerie Thandiwe shared was taken from Zoe's Every Curve exhibit (2014) - which explores the contradictory and complementary influences of Feminism and Hip-Hop she recalls from her upbringing.

Speaking out: It comes as Thandiwe, 49, broke her social media silence following reports of their split (pictured together at the Emmy Awards in 2018)

Out: The director and producer, 52, was pictured opening his car door near his London home on Tuesday, wearing a half-zipped hoodie, khaki tee and black jeans

Keeping busy: Ol, who had a padded navy coat strewn over his arm, carried a protected iPad and stopped to glance at his phone

Thandiwe's now-deleted post comes shortly after it was alleged she has separated from her husband and is likely headed to rehab, according to a new report.

The report came four days after Thandiwe denied claims she was sacked from her leading role in Magic Mike 3 over a heated argument with co-star Channing Tatum. She has since been replaced in the role by Salma Hayek.

According to a new report in Page Six, staffers on the movie became worried about her health during filming in London, with her agent flying in from Los Angeles to try and 'smooth things over'.

The publication reports that Thandiwe has been suffering with emotional and family problems after separating from her husband Ol, 52, with whom she shares children Ripley, 21, Nico, 17, and Booker, eight.

'Do we hate our women?' The actress shared a cryptic message about 'hating women', as she took to Instagram to post a picture of vintage lingerie on Monday

Ol is a British filmmaker who previously wrote and directed the 2018 musical film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

WHO IS DESIGNER ZOE BUCKMAN? Zoe is an artist based in Hackney, Brooklyn. She describes herself as a intersectional feminist and non-practicing Jew. The vintage lingerie Thandiwe shared was taken from Zoe's Every Curve exhibit (2014). Every Curve, explores the contradictory and complementary influences of Feminism and Hip-Hop she recalls from her upbringing. Advertisement

A source said: 'Thandiwe had been acting strange on set, she has been very highly strung. Her apparent breakdown caused so much disruption, it became clear she couldn't play the role.

'There is a lot going on in her personal life, she and her husband have separated. She seemed so stressed she even brought her two pet rabbits to her hotel for emotional support.'

A Warner Bros. Pictures spokesperson previously said of her departure from the movie: '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.'

The insider added that Thandiwe fired her UK agent of three decades as her US agent Gaby Morgerman flew in to try to help.

Gaby is considered one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, representing stars including Matthew McConaughey and Minnie Driver over her thirty year career at powerhouse agency William Morris.

Thandiwe has reportedly fired her UK team at London based agency Independent Talent Group in recent weeks.

The insider said of her next steps: 'Thandiwe's team wants her to go to rehab for mental health support.

She was supposed to leave immediately for a facility, they tried for a Malibu rehab, but they couldn't take her. Arrangements are now being made to go to a facility in Arizona, if she agrees to go.'

Stepping out: Channing Tatum was seen for the first time since his Magic Mike 3 co-star Thandiwe Newton exited the film following claims of an 'on-set bust-up'

Quit: The actress recently denied claims she was sacked from her leading role in Magic Mike 3 over a heated argument with co-star Channing Tatum

Family: The couple share three children Ripley, 21, Nico, 17, and Booker, eight (pictured with her husband and daughters in 2019)

MailOnline contacted representatives of Thandiwe Newton for comment.

Thandiwe exited Magic Mike's Last Dance after 11 days of filming with Channing due to a 'family matter'.

Last week The Sun reported the alleged argument between Thandiwe and Channing, which was said to be 'unimaginably vicious', was over Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.

A Warner Bros. Pictures spokesperson said: '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.'

The statement comes after insiders told The Sun that Thandiwe is planning on suing studio chiefs at Warner Bros over the incident.

The argument reportedly took place on location in Paddington and culminated with Channing driving off set in his car.

A source said: '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.

'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.

'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.'

The source added that all scenes filmed with Thandiwe will now have to be reshot with Salma while the film's director Steven Soderbergh reportedly didn't take a side in the argument.

A spokesperson for Thandiwe told MailOnline: 'This report is completely inaccurate.'

The original Magic Mike movie premiered in 2012 and was loosely based on Channing's experience working as a stripper in Tampa, Florida. A sequel followed in 2015.

Channing confirmed that he would reprise his role for Magic Mike's Last Dance in November on 2021.

The film is set to premiere exclusively on HBO Max. The release date has yet to be announced.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE he spoke about the importance on the movie having a lead female character.

'I want to have an equal, if not even more centralized female character for Mike to really play off of and almost to... I don't want to say, [to have her] take the baton, but really let the movie be about a female's experience and not Mike's experience, because it has been so much about Mike and the guys' experiences.

'These movies are very, very female-forward. At least that is our intention.'

Report: It was claimed the alleged argument between Thandiwe and Channing was 'unimaginably vicious' (Channing pictured centre in Magic Mike, 2012)

Born in London, Newton grew up in Penzance, Cornwall, where her parents  her dad is white British, her mother black, from Zimbabwe  sent her to a Catholic school. She said of her school years: 'I was aware that I didn't fit. I was the black, atheist kid in the all-white, Catholic school run by nuns'.

She went on to study at Cambridge University, where she read anthropology.

She has said she fell in love with her husband Ol at first sight, dumping her boyfriend at the time to be with him when they met in 1997. At the time Ol was a screenwriter and had penned In Your Dreams, which featured the actress.

'It's very unusual to have writers around on set because directors don't want them there. But they love having Ol around. He was on set every day and I fell madly in love with him,' she told InStyle Magazine.

'I'd never experienced that before. Up until then, my relationships had always been more based on people wanting to be with me. When I met Ol, I was dating a really sweet, lovely man and I had to leave him straight away, even though I wasn't even going out with Ol'.

'But as soon as I met Ol, it kind of cut off any other blood vessels to anywhere else. We got married about two years later.'

She went on to marry Ol in 1998, with the actress gushing in a 2016 interview about their home life with their three children that the director is 'Soooo calm.'

Recast: Thandiwe's role in the film will now reportedly be played by Salma Hayek (pictured in February)

'And we laugh, because I take the p**s out of him,' she added at the time. 'You know: shoulder-shrugging: 'It's OK, babe.' And he takes the p**s out of my  What would you describe it as? Highly emotional. As I'm thinking, the words will come. I don't stop and think.'

In a 2019 interview Thandiwe revealed she lost acting roles because she spoke out about sexual abuse in the past.

When she was 16 she was groomed by director John Duigan, who was 39 years old at the time.

The violations by Duigan lasted five years, two of those years were termed a 'relationship' after he sought Newton's parents' blessing for her to be his girlfriend when she was 18, while asking her to hide their previous intimacy which began when she was just 16.

Two years after meeting Duigan, at the age of 18, another director told the actress to intimately touch herself during an audition. Newton obliged, as there was also a female casting director present.

Love: The actress has said she fell in love with her husband Ol at first sight, dumping her boyfriend at the time to be with him when they met in 1997(pictured in 2019)

But years later, she discovered the unnamed man had kept her tape and was playing it at poker games for other Hollywood elite.

Following the violating discovery, Thandiwe began to fight the abuse and call it out - an act that cost the actress many jobs.

'I was very aware of the climate of sexual abuse that was going on around me, so I became the person you didn't want to hire because I would call it out,' she told Marie Claire in 2019.

'In retrospect, I can see many instances where not only would I not be employed, but other actors and actresses would not necessarily want to be associated with me.'

'Probably the worst thing about having your innocence rocked is what stays with you. The sense of worthlessness, shamethese things are very hard to move on from. But you can,' she told the outlet.

The star said she terminated a contract with a publicist who begged her to stop talking about being sexually abused because it was 'not good for your reputation'.

In 1996 Thandiwe sought help after suffering from an eating disorder, which she explained stemmed from her previous sexual abuse.

'I was lying in bed, so thin, and my heart was beating against my ribcage so hard that I could see it, and my friend Jessica called. I said 'Jessica, I'm worried I'm going to die.' And that was it. I suddenly realised there was something very, very dangerous and dark within. She said, 'You've got to go and talk to somebody'' she told Vogue in 2021.

Family: She went on to marry Ol in 1998, with the actress gushing in a 2016 interview about their homelife with their three children that the director is 'Soooo calm' (pictured with two of their children Ripley and Nico in 2016)

The star has previously been open about subscribing to the The Hoffman Process, a form of therapy also embraced by the likes of Katy Perry and Sienna Miller. Retreats and courses help attendees 'unlearn' negative behaviors and thereby begin a journey of 'self-understanding'.

Justin Bieber described his experience of The Hoffman Process in a 2019 Vogue interview, explaining: 'You sit on a mat, you put a pillow down, and you beat your past out of it. I beat the fact that my mom was depressed a lot of my life and my dad has anger issues. Stuff that they passed on that I'm kind of mad they gave me'.

In a revealing interview in 2021, Thandiwe revealed that she was becoming disillusioned with acting, telling Vogue UK: 'I find that acting takes more and more away from me, because I'm more connected to myself than I've ever been, whereas before I was delighted to get an excuse to go off to another personality.'

'I couldn't wait to get away from myself, truly, I had such low self-esteem. Acting was where I felt whole.'

The actress was previously credited as Thandie Newton before she reverted to the original spelling of her name three decades after it was misspelled in her first film.

She revealed that Thandie was a careless misspelling in the credits of her first movie  the 1991 Australian film Flirting, co-starring Nicole Kidman and Noah Taylor  and it has stuck ever since.

'That's my name. It's always been my name. I'm taking back what's mine,' she told British Vogue in April 2021.
She has been keeping busy promoting her latest project The Northman.

And Anya Taylor-Joy once again stepped out at the afterparty for the Hollywood premiere of The Northman at Mother Wolf in Los Angeles on Monday night.

The actress, 26, was the picture of elegance in a white Dior gown and an intricate gold collar as she reunited with her co-star Willem DaFoe.

Busy: Anya Taylor-Joy and Willem DaFoe stepped out at the afterparty for the Hollywood premiere of The Northman at Mother Wolf in Los Angeles on Monday night

Earlier in the night, she attended the star-studded red carpet for the premiere of the Viking movie, looking gorgeous in the same sophisticated ensemble.

Anya, who plays Olga, is a global ambassador to Dior and Tiffany & Co., so it's not surprising she went with a Dior gown, a Tiffany collar and jewelry styled by Ryan Hastings for the occasion.

Her golden hair extensions were effortlessly swept up into a Viking-style braid by hairstylist Gregory Russell.

While make-up artist Georgie Eisdell brought out the Miami-born, Argentine and English beauty's distinctive wide-set brown eyes with a light dusting of make-up.

Stunning: The actress, 26, was the picture of elegance in a white Dior gown and an intricate gold collar, which she also wore earlier that same evening at the Hollywood premiere

Nail artist Kim Truong painted Anya's manicure for the glitzy premiere and afterparty, where she was seen posing for snaps with her co-star Willem, who plays Heimir the Fool.

The Spiderman actor, 66, looked dapper in an all-black suit and dress shoes as he clutched a glass of wine at the afterparty at the lavish Italian restaurant.

The duo were also joined by their co-star Alexander Skarsgard and The Northman director Robert Eggers, who were both seen kicking back at the afterparty.

Swedish actor Alexander, 45, cut a smart figure in a black suit and tie as he wrapped his arm around his pal Anya to pose for snaps.

Co-stars: Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard, 45, cut a smart figure in a black suit and tie as he wrapped his arm around his pal Anya to pose for snaps

All smiles: They were also joined by director Robert Eggers (left and right) and his wife Alexandra Shaker as they all appeared to be in excellent spirits

He was also seen kissing writer Robert, 38, who looked dapper in a smart suit, on the head as they celebrated at the fun-filled afterparty.

Robert's wife Alexandra Shaker appeared to be in good spirits as she smiled for snaps, while chairman of Focus Features Peter Kujawski was also in attendance.

Anya, whose filmography and television credits include The Queen's Gambit, Peaky Blinders and Last Night In Soho, recently joked that she was 'very annoying' on The Northman set.

Anya, who plays Olga in the Viking feature, told Ranvir Singh on Lorraine: 'I actually had the time of my life. I was very annoying on set! I am a lover of nature, so I was flitting around like a fairy.'

Smart: Robert looked dapper in a smart suit and tie, while he sported his signature facial hair as he posed with Spiderman actor Willem

Pals: Alexander mingled with everyone at the afterparty as he was seen posing with writer Robert (left) and chairman of Focus Features Peter Kujawski

Inspired: Earlier in the night, Anya was the picture of elegance as she stepped out on the red carpet of the Hollywood premiere in the same gorgeous gown

Glam: Anya is a global ambassador to Dior and Tiffany & Co., so it's not surprising she went with a white Dior halter gown and a Tiffany collar and jewelry styled by Ryan Hastings

In the violent Viking epic - hitting US theaters this Friday - Nicole Kidman portrays Queen Gudrunthe, the mother of prince-turned-slave-turned-warrior Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard).

And Anya portrays Amleth's girlfriend, a slave-turned-sorceress called Olga of the Birch Forest in the revenge thriller.

Alexander's character is out to avenge the murder of his father King Aurvandill War-Raven's (Ethan Hawke) by his uncle Fjolnir (Claes Bang), who then kidnaps his mother.

Alexander helped convince two-time Emmy winner Nicole to join The Northman after playing her abusive husband in the hit HBO series Big Little Lies from 2017-2019.

Alexander told GQ Hype last Wednesday: 'Nicole was probably expecting me to suggest a rom-com. And instead I'm, like, "Hey! Do you wanna play my incestuous mom?"'

Pretty as a petal: Nail artist Kim Truong painted Anya's manicure for the film festivities

Chatting away: The Peaky Blinders actress and Skarsgard were seen catching up while posing in front of a wooden backdrop with prop weapons and a shield on display

Hey girl hey! Nicole Kidman (right) reunited with her co-star Anya Taylor-Joy (left) at the Hollywood premiere of The Northman on Monday night

The Northman currently holds a 'certified fresh' 88% critic approval rating (out of 110 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Icelandic folklore, adapted by Eggers and Sjon, reportedly served as the inspiration behind William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

'The quote about it being "this generation's Gladiator," Rob and I just had a conversation about that,' Skarsgard told GQ.

'We both felt that my moral journey in The Northman is, uh, pretty different from Russell Crowe's in Gladiator. But then we agreed, it's really not a bad way to sell a movie. It's a f***ing cool quote. So why fight it?'

Maestro and his muses: The talented twosome made sure to pose with their director Robert Eggers (M) and castmates Alexander Skarsgard (L) and Willem Dafoe (2-R)
Cyrell Paule has revealed she has no plans to marry the father of her child, Eden Dally.

The former Married At First Sight bride told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday that she and her Love Island Australia star beau, 29, have other priorities.

'I don't think that is going to happen,' the 32-year-old told the publication.

Wedding plans: Cyrell Paule has revealed she has no plans to marry the father of her child, Eden Dally. Both pictured

'Our goal is to build a home together. Realistically, we think it is too much with the cost of a wedding, it is just too much of a hassle, we would rather have a house.

'A piece of paper doesn't need to tell us we are married. We have a kid together already as it is so what is a piece of paper?'

It comes after the couple sparked engagement rumours when Cyrell shared photos of a lavish proposal set-up in front of Sydney Harbour to her Instagram page, from a friend's engagement.

'I don't think that is going to happen. Our goal is to build a home together. Realistically, we think it is too much with the cost of a wedding, it is just too much of a hassle, we would rather have a house' she said

'A piece of paper doesn't need to tell us we are married. We have a kid together already as it is so what is a piece of paper?' she added. Pictured with their son, Boston

Fans of Cyrell were quick to comment, with one writing: 'I so thought this was a post for you and Eden!'

Cyrell addressed the confusion, writing: 'No it's not us that got engaged!!! All dreams of getting married died out, since my first fake marriage,' alongside a series of laughing face emojis.

She also posted to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she and Eden are 'very happy'.

Not us: It comes after the couple sparked engagement rumours when Cyrell shared photos of a lavish proposal set-up in front of Sydney Harbour to her Instagram page, from a friend's engagement - but Cyrell made it clear they don't plan to marry

Reality TV debut: Cyrell and Eden met in March 2019 after Cyrell's 'marriage' to Nic Jovanovic (pictured) on MAFS ended when they decided they were better off as just friends

Cyrell and Eden welcomed their first child, son Boston, in February 2020.

The couple met in March 2019 after Cyrell's 'marriage' to Nic Jovanovic on Married At First Sight ended when they decided they were better off as friends.

Cyrell and Eden began dating officially within a matter of weeks, and she later moved into his Sydney home.

They announced they were expecting their first child together in August 2019.
Amanda Redman has been flooded with support after her north London home was burgled six weeks after she moved in.

The Absolute Radio producer announced the unfortunate news on Twitter on Monday night and revealed sentimental jewellery was among the goods stolen, including a necklace gifted by her father the year before he passed.

The 'heartbroken' broadcaster also shared a photo of a brooch belonging to her great-grandmother in a bid to retrieve it.

Upsetting: Absolute Radio producer Amanda Redman has been inundated with support after her North London home was burgled

Her tweet read: 'I've been burgled and this broach belonging to my great grandmother was stolen. It's unlikely I'll ever get it back, but worth a shot. North London'.

Immediately, she was inundated with comments, with one of her friends quote tweeting to raise awareness.

'My brilliant friend @amandaredman has been burgled - please keep your eyes peeled if you see this broach'. [sic]

Update: The Absolute Radio producer announced the unfortunate news on Twitter on Monday night and revealed sentimental jewellery was among the goods stolen

Sad: The broadcaster was also robbed of a necklace gifted by her father the year before he passed

Supportive: Immediately, she was bombarded with comments, with one of her friends quote tweeting to raise awareness

Meanwhile. another replied: 'I don't know you but I wanted to say the same thing happened to me - lost several small bits of costume jewellery belonging to both grandmothers. It's such a horrible thing to happen, my sympathies.'

Showing her gratitude, Amanda replied: 'Thats awful, so sorry to hear that. Thank you so much for reaching out x'.

An additional user offered their advice: 'Oh this is awful, I am so sorry that happened! I hope it turns up on a selling site or something (then you also manage to catch the b******s as you'll have their address too!)'.

'My sympathies': Amanda showed her gratitude by responding to a slew of tweets

A devastated Amanda tweeted back: 'Thanks love - all my jewellery was taken, lost so many sentimental items, heartbroken x'.

As the conversation continued, Amanda added: 'Its so violating isnt it? Ive only been in this place 6 weeks and it was the first time Id been away. X'.

The radio producer admitted she is 'not sure' whether she feels okay living there - and thinks she was just 'really unlucky.'
Kim Kardashian fans went wild when they discovered the reality star had posted lyrics written about her boyfriend Pete Davidson back in 2018.

The Kardashians star, 41, shared a picture of the back of her skintight PVC dress four years ago, alongside the lyrics 'the universe has my back [star emoji]'.

The words were originally penned by Pete's ex-fiancee Ariana Grande, 28, in her track which is named after the Saturday Night Live star, also 28, who she was engaged to for five months between May and October 2018.

'Universe must have my back!' Kim Kardashian fans went wild when they discovered the reality star had posted lyrics written about her boyfriend Pete Davidson back in 2018

Underneath Kim's old post, Ariana even responded at the time by sharing the next line in the song 'fell from the sky right into my lap' in the post, which was shared while she was briefly engaged to the comedian.

The awkward exchange was picked up by Instagram account comments by celebs and shared on Monday evening, alongside the caption: 'From the 2018 archives.'

The Betchelor Bachelor recap podcast host Kay York spotted the post and wrote 'chaotic', while another person said: 'This aged beautifully'.

Another commenter joked 'this is a collab I was not expecting', while one other wrote: '**spits my coffee out**'.

Former flame: The words were originally penned by Pete's ex-fiancee Ariana Grande, 28, in her track which is named after the Saturday Night Live star, also 28, who she was engaged to for five months between May and October 2018 (pictured in June 2018)

From the archives! The awkward exchange was picked up by Instagram account comments by celebs and shared on Monday evening, alongside the caption: 'From the 2018 archives'

One other said: 'I am GAGGING!!! This is perfect!'

A different person said: 'I thought this was recent and I nearly had a heart attack.'

Others took to Kim's original post to joke over the coincidence that Kim had shared lyrics relating to her now boyfriend, who she has been dating since November.

One person wrote: 'I love how we're all here years after [laughing face emoji].'

Another said: 'Who's here now Kim is with Pete.'

So good! Others took to Kim's original post to joke over the coincidence that Kim had shared lyrics relating to her now boyfriend, who she has been dating since November

One other said: 'Lmao is she is actually dating him dang'

A third said: 'Does the Regina George scream*'.

One other said: 'Lmao is she is actually dating him dang.'

Ariana, who is now married to real estate broker Dalton Gomez, 26, was first linked to Pete in May 2018 and were rumoured to be engaged just a month later.

The former couple's intense romance saw them get matching tattoos just weeks into their relationship as well as confirming their engagement with snaps of her ring.

At the time, Ariana dedicated a song to her then-fiance on her album Sweetner, with the lyrics: 'I thought you into my life, look at my mind / No better place or a time, look how they align / Universe must have my back, fell from the sky into my lap /

He put a ring on it: Ariana, who is now married to real estate broker Dalton Gomez, 26, was first linked to Pete in May 2018 and were rumoured to be engaged just a month later

'And I know you know that you're my soulmate and all that.'

The song was reportedly written just a week after Ariana began dating Pete.

Their relationship lasted just five months and they confirmed their split later that year in October, citing that their romance happened 'too quickly'.

After parting ways, Ariana moved on with Mikey Foster before she was linked to her now-husband Dalton in February 2020 - they tied the knot in May 2021.

Elsewhere, Pete had brief romances with actresses Kate Beckinsale and Phoebe Dynevor, which were both publicised.

Loved-up: The former couple's intense romance saw them get matching tattoos just weeks into their relationship as well as confirming their engagement with snaps of her ring

Since then he has begun dating Kim and the pair appear totally smitten after they were first rumoured to be hanging out following her SNL hosting stint.

They confirmed their blossoming relationship the same month when they were pictured holding hands while out and about in Palm Springs.

Things are reportedly 'getting serious' between the pair and the TV star has recently met Kim's four children North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, two, who she shares with her ex Kanye West.

Kim was declared 'legally single' in March after splitting from Kanye last year.
Tara Jayne McConachy has been nicknamed the 'human Barbie doll'.

And the 33-year-old nurse certainly ensured all eyes were on her when she headed out for lunch with celebrity agent, Max Markson.

Tara, a plastic surgery enthusiast who previously appeared on E!'s Botched, flaunted her busty figure in a leopard print jumpsuit.

Wild thing! Tara Jayne, 33, (pictured) flaunted her busty figure in a raunchy leopard print jumpsuit and thigh-high tan boots on Tuesday during a lunch date with Max Markson

The statuesque star paired the figure-hugging suit with a pair of tan thigh-high boots and a playful beret.

She carried her belongings in a designer canary yellow handbag which she wore over her slender shoulder.

Tara opted for black mascara, glossy foundation and a nude lipstick.

Tight fit: Tara, a plastic surgery enthusiast who previously appeared on E!'s Botched, flaunted her busty figure in a leopard print jumpsuit

Glam: The statuesque star paired the figure-hugging suit with a pair of tan thigh-high boots and a playful beret during the lunch date

Eye catching: Tara opted for black mascara, glossy foundation and a nude lipstick. The star appeared unbothered by the city's rain

Tara was later seen dining with celebrity agent Max, with the pair grazing on a seafood platter at Waterfront restaurant.

The pair looked to be in an animated conversation with each other at the table, only to be interrupted by a waiter.

Tara Jayne could be returning to our screens soon as one of the country's newest reality television stars.

Return to TV: The human Barbie doll, who has spent a whopping $200,000 transforming her entire face and body, is eyeing a role on one of the many reality shows

The human Barbie doll, who has spent a whopping $200,000 transforming her entire face and body, is eyeing a role on one of the many reality shows.

In an exclusive interview this week, Tara Jayne revealed while she was 'open to offers' she thought Channel 9's The Celebrity Apprentice might be a good fit for her.

The Celebrity Apprentice, which has been a ratings juggernaut for Channel 9, brings together some of the country's biggest stars to compete in challenges that test various aspects of business with all proceeds going to charity.

Ladies first: Tara was later seen dining with celebrity agent Max Markson (both pictured), with the pair grazing on a seafood platter at Waterfront restaurant

'I love the concept of the show and I think I'd be a good fit. Raising money for charity using my business nous would be a wonderful challenge,' she said.

'It's a great show. I think I could do well if I got a chance.'

This isn't the first time a reality show has gone after the Melbourne-based cosmetic nurse.

Meeting: The pair looked to be in an animated conversation with each other at the table, only to be interrupted by a waiter

Tara Jayne - who has had five breast augmentations as well as regular rounds of Botox and filler - said over the years she had entertained a raft of offers.

She added she received an offer from reality show producers last year to appear on hit, Below Deck.

In August last year, she appeared on Todd Sampson's headline-making documentary series Mirror Mirror, which chronicled the journey of cosmetic surgery addicted Australians.

Journey: Tara Jayne - who has had five breast augmentations as well as regular rounds of Botox and filler - said over the years she had entertained a raft of offers from reality TV

Tara Jayne has also previously featured on E! reality show Botched where she tried to convince Drs Paul Nassif and Terry Dubrow to give her larger breast implants.

She said if she was approached again to appear on a reality show like Celebrity Apprentice she would have to seriously entertain the offer.

'It would really depend on what else was going on in my life at the time. But if I could give back in some way I'd love the opportunity,' she said.
Kate Ferdinand has revealed her son Cree has begun having 'head-swinging tantrums' as she detailed the struggles of being a 'strict' parent to her stepchildren with husband Rio.

The former TOWIE star discussed the daily perils of raising her blended family on the Parenting Hell podcast, while detailing the changing dynamic with Rio's three children Lorenz, 15, Tate, 13, and Tia, 10, as they reach their teen years.

Kate, who has openly discussed the perils of being in a blended family, explained that as her stepchildren get older she's started to 'moan at them constantly' about chores, drawing up a responsibilities chart to keep them in line.

Proud mum: Kate Ferdinand has revealed her son Cree has begun having 'head-swinging tantrums' as she detailed the struggles of being a 'strict' parent to her stepchildren

She said: 'Cree is at nursery now because I have started working sooner than expected. He rules the roost in this house. He has started with the head swings and tantrums. He bashes his heads on everything

'He is so loud. He is full of life. Everyone in this house fights for attention. He is loudest out the lot. Which is saying a lot as it is a loud house.'

Kate revealed that since Cree has started nursery, Rio's older children have begun taking a school bus after she struggled with juggling the multiple journeys.

'When we are both here we share the role. It is quite equal, he is really good. Really really good with the kids,' she said.

Open: The former TOWIE star discussed the daily perils of raising her blended family and Rio's three children Lorenz, 15, Tate, 13, and Tia, 10, as they reach their teen years

Kate also admitted that having such a large age gap between Rio's eldest son Lorenz and Cree can prove challenging, saying: 'It is impossible but we all stay together and at one stage some of you are going to be bored

'It is impossible.. the big kids we can entertain Cree for an hour and then we can get on with what the big kids want to do

'Or I try and do stuff with him in my days off in the week. And then do things with the big kids.

'But he gets bored and they can bored. What can you do? You've just got to get on with it.'

Detailing the perils of raising teenagers, Kate admits she and Rio agreed she would carry on the 'strict' mentality introduced by his late wife Rebecca Ellison.

Open: She said: 'He is so loud. He is full of life. Everyone in this house fights for attention. He is loudest out the lot. Which is saying a lot as it is a loud house'

She said: 'From the beginning Rio said their mum was strict and you can do the same. I have been firm but fair. I moan at them constantly

'As you see a mum would that is what I do. I cook for them. Hug them. Love them. I am strict. I drive them mental. They leave their stuff everywhere and all I do is moan. It is being a normal parent.

'We have a chart on the wall. It gets very political at times. They have to do washing up, surfaces and clearing the table and make their beds

'They share clearing up and clearing the table. If you have seen the amount kids eat. They eat double the amount of a man. The amount of food I have to cook is crazy.

'They probably can't stand me. They wipe the surfaces, but they don't do it properly. I say we are going to keep coming back to this.'

Difficult: Kate also admitted that having such a large age gap between Rio's eldest son Lorenz and Cree can prove challenging

Kate added: 'Where they are getting older, it is a really deep relationship. We talk about in depth things... we have our deep night chats. Every night they come in my room. They are 13 and 15, they think they are 20 and really grown up. It is funny.

'They do confide in me on a lot of things. I have never thought about if it is because I am Kate and not their mum. I am really open. We share everything with each other. We have created that space for communication.'

She continued: 'It is hard to keep the kids grounded. They do have jobs. They have to clear up after themselves

'We don't give them everything they want. We try and keep them grounded in that sense.

'They are so well mannered and they are so polite. But this is the life they have lived in they don't know any different.

Pains: Rio lost his wife and the kids lost their mother Rebecca Ellison in 2015, two years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer

'But we need to teach them how to live without us. They've got social media but private accounts. As a generation we are obsessed with socials. You just end up going on it all the time. They are on it all the time.'

Kate added that Rio's children are asked to leave their phones outside their bedrooms on a charging point to prevent them from staying on them 'all night.'

Asked whether she's ever looked at their devices, the star added: 'They know I do. I will tell them. I say I looked at your phone and saw this

'You have to keep an eye on them. You don't know who they are talking to or with socials what is going on.'

Kate was a guest on Parenting Hell to discuss her own podcast Blended, which sees her interview guests about their own experiences.

Love: Detailing the perils of raising teenagers, Kate admits she and Rio agreed she would carry on the 'strict' mentality introduced by his late wife

This comes after the star recently launched her own support platform for families meshed together by fostering, adopting, loss or other circumstances, following her own experiences as a step-parent.

Taking to Instagram to announce the launch of the platform, which she also named Blended, sharing an image of the logo along with a heartfelt caption.

She wrote: 'As you all know we are a blended family, I am a step mum to my 3 beautiful big kids Lorenz, Tate & Tia who unfortunately lost their mum at a very young age, & now a biological mum to our beautiful blessing Cree...

'The icing on the cake to our extra special family. Being a step mum to 3 children who have been through so much & a husband who's wife passed away brings a unique set of challenges...

'There have been many times I have been left feeling lost, confused and not sure where to turn. When I first became a stepparent I felt very isolated & alone, I just didn't know who to talk to...

'As my journey continues I've realised there is a real need for a place to connect & get advice from people going through similar experiences. I am definitely not a guru, this is as much for me and it is for you guys...

'So here we have it @blended a safe space for us to all share our blended family experiences and support each other along this journey...

'I'm hoping to share some personal experiences along the way as well as help and advice from professionals. There will also also be lots of discussions, general chit chat & quotes to make us feel better. Lots of love Kate'.

Beneath the post, Rio penned: 'So Proud of my Lady. Warms my heart seeing you so passionate about this. You are a blessing.'
Gemma Oaten has revealed she's been diagnosed with milk-alkali syndrome after being rushed to hospital with kidney 'distress'.

Milk-alkali Syndrome can be caused by the excessive intake of calcium or the supplement calcium carbonate, which causes heightened levels in the patient's blood, making its balance become more alkaline.

Taking to Instagram to pen a lengthy post on Tuesday, the Emmerdale star, 37, admitted it had been 'a horrible time' for her loved ones after she suffered a 'severe' case of the disease which could be fatal, just days after testing positive for Covid.

Gemma, who has previously detailed her battles with anorexia, also hit back at trolls who criticised her for sharing posts from her hospital bed, insisting that when she read the vile messages it was feared she 'wouldn't make the night.'

Scary: Gemma Oaten has revealed she's been diagnosed with milk-alkali syndrome after being rushed to hospital with kidney 'distress' on Monday

Posting a gallery of snaps, Gemma shared a stricken selfie from her hospital bed along with a selection of snaps showing the magazines and puzzles she'd been sent by friends to pass the time.

Explaining her health scare in a lengthy caption, she said: 'Hi everyone. I'm so sorry I've been quiet. I've been inundated with messages and tried to keep up, as have my parents, but we've hit a brick wall.

'I just thought it best to do an update for all you lovely people so our phones can cool down and we can get some rest at what's been a really horrible time for us all and my close family and friends.

Worrying: Taking to Instagram to pen a lengthy post, the Emmerdale star admitted it had been 'a horrible time' for her loved ones after she suffered a 'severe' case of the disease

Close call: In her post Gemma revealed she was hospitalised with 'excruciating' pain just days after testing positive for Covid

Horrific: Gemma then furiously hit back at trolls who had been criticising her for sharing images taken in hospital, alongside screenshots of some vile messages she'd received

'So... I've been in hospital since Saturday and things quickly took a turn for the worse. As many know I tested positive for covid last Tuesday but woke early hours Saturday morning with excruciating chest, stomach and back pains.

'I called 111 for advice and they sent an ambulance and its all been a blur and very surreal, but too real as well if that makes sense?

What is Milk-Alkali Syndrome? Milk-alkali Syndrome can be caused by the excessive intake of calcium or the supplement calcium carbonate, which causes heightened levels in the patient's blood, making its balance become more alkaline. It is typically diagnosed by doctors through a blood test, with symptoms including excessive urination, fatigue, dry mouth and vomiting. If left untreated, milk-alkali syndrome can cause calcium deposits in the kidneys, which may lead to kidney failure and in severe cases, death. It is typically treated through a patient reducing the amount of calcium they are concerning, though if kidney failure has occurred, a more significant treatment method may be needed. Advertisement

'Long story short and I'll explain more when I am ready and fully fit, but I was diagnosed with milk alkali syndrome which in rare and severe cases (like mine) leads to kidney failure or worse, death.

'Yep. All a bit much. Thank you to @henriettamac for making me seek help and pushing me to put me first and for all her care and @joffpowell for bringing me clean knickers and all the magazines and puzzles a girl could dream of and for being my rock as always. Both of you. You're amazing.'

Milk-alkali Syndrome can be caused by the excessive intake of calcium or the supplement calcium carbonate, which causes heightened levels in the patient's blood, making its balance become more alkaline.

It is typically diagnosed by doctors through a blood test, but additional tests may be ordered to check whether it has severely affected the patient's kidneys.

Too much calcium can lead to structural and functional damage in your kidneys, with symptoms including excessive urination, fatigue, dry mouth and vomiting.

If left untreated, milk-alkali syndrome can cause calcium deposits in the kidneys, which may lead to kidney failure and in severe cases, death.

It is typically treated through a patient reducing the amount of calcium they are concerning, though if kidney failure has occurred, a more significant treatment method may be needed.

Gemma then furiously hit back at trolls who had been criticising her for sharing images taken in hospital, alongside screenshots of some vile messages she'd received.

'And to the trolls (swipe through) for your messages... I don't normally call out keyboard warriors but a lesson needs to be learned,' she said.

'I read these whilst wondering if I would make the night. Think before you type. Kindness means everything.'

Getting there: Posting a gallery of snaps, Gemma shared a stricken selfie from her hospital bed along with a selection of snaps showing the magazines and puzzles she'd been sent by friends

Worrying: In her post the star admitted her priority now was to 'rest and self care' and her diagnosis was 'a wake up call she needed time to process'

Cute: Alluding to a cute throwback snap in her post (pictured), the actress added: 'On a lighter note. Thank you @ollielockeworld for sending this photo and making me laugh'

Alluding to a cute throwback snap in her post, the actress added: 'On a lighter note. Thank you @ollielockeworld for sending this photo and making me laugh, insta filter dream.

'For now self care and rest for me, so please bear with. This has been a wake up call and I need time to process it all too.

Stay well lovelies, thanks to all the amazing people in my life for the support. Especially mummy and daddy O and my family and real friends   love you.

'PS Big shout out to the A&E staff at charing Cross hospital, Marjory Warren ward. You are absolutely incredible. Thank you for looking after me and for your tireless work. *God that took me an hour to type. Tata!*'

Hospital dash: On Monday Gemma first revealed she was rushed hospital, as she shared a snap from her bed while revealing she'd experienced a 'scary day' but was now in 'safe hands'

On Monday Gemma first revealed she was rushed hospital, as she shared a snap from her bed while revealing she'd experienced a 'scary day' but was now in 'safe hands'.

Alongside the snap, she wrote: 'In hospital and in safe hands. Scary day. Signing off for sleep after more tests. Much love.'

Her fans and friends flooded her with support and well wishes, while she explained her admission was caused by her kidneys, not Covid.

Gemma thanked everyone for their kind messages and shouted out the NHS staff, while vowing she would 'fight back'.

She added: 'Hopefully Ill be able to go home in a few days. I have Covid but this is actually to do with my kidneys being in distress.

'Really scary but the NHS services have been a lifeline for me today. So poorly and stress hasnt helped but will fight back.'

Her hospital dash comes after Gemma revealed she thought about taking her own life as she battled anorexia like her late pal Nikki Grahame.

Get better soon: Her fans and friends flooded her with support and well wishes, while she explained her admission was caused by her kidneys, not Covid

Former Big Brother star Nikki died in April last year at the age of 38 after she relapsed with her anorexia, which she had suffered with from since the age of 18.

Speaking to Fabulous magazine last week, Gemma said her battle with anorexia started when she was 10 years old, which led to bulimia in her teens'.

She admitted: 'It could so easily have been me... an eating disorder doesnt care whats right or wrong. When it gets hold of a person, it will do everything it can to destroy them.'

Gemma continued: 'People go to the extreme lengths of taking their own lives, because not being here is easier than being here.

'I know that because Ive had that in my own life. At one point, I planned to take my own life, but my dad called out my name as I was about to do it and pulled me back from the brink.'

Last month Gemma spoke to MailOnline, where she said she is concerned mental health services are unable to cope with the amount of people who need help, adding it's 'nonsensical' to let people suffer.

She explained: 'Look at Nikki Grahame. We are nearly up to the anniversary of her passing. It is such a postcode lottery.

'There are some areas in the UK that are spot on. And some parts of the country that are absolutely shocking. There are far too many areas where CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) cant cope.

'Even adult mental health services cant cope. It is like the blind leading the blind and that is what happened with Nikki.

'She was left to get to a point where there was a point of no return. Even when she was on deaths door she was still fighting.

'Her family and friends were still fighting for her to get treatment. And to me I look at the situation about the system and I am appalled. I worry things havent changed.

'It was such a difficult situation because we were in the heart of lockdown. I cant speak for Nikki or the family but from my understanding that really didnt help.'

For support with an eating disorder contact SEED on hello@seed.charity, 01482 718 130 or visit https://seed.charity/.
Kara Del Toro looked sensational as she attended a special screening for the forthcoming comedy feature The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent in Los Angeles on Monday.

The model cut a busty figure in an olive coloured gown by designer Maria Lucia Hohan - with an underlying sheer corset detail and a thigh grazing slit up the left.

The 28-year-old showed off her toned legs through the slit, pairing the look with open-toed black stiletto heels.

Gorgeous: Kara Del Toro, 28, looked sensational in a busty corset gown with a thigh-grazing slit at a screening for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent on Monday

Gown: The olive coloured gown was by designer Maria Lucia Hohan - with an underlying sheer corset detail and a thigh grazing slit up the left

Kara showed off her sun-kissed complexion with a glowing makeup look, with a fluffy brow and peach lipstick.

Her dark blonde tresses fell past her chest in a sleek wave, with soft highlights framing her face.

The star added gorgeous jewellery from brand Djula - including a wrap around diamante ring and a studded bangle.

Toned: She showed off her toned legs through the slit, pairing the look with open-toed black stiletto heels

Smiles: She was in high spirits for the event, striking a range of poses on the blue carpet as she beamed

Dewy: The model showed off her sun-kissed complexion with a glowing makeup look, with a fluffy brow and peach lipstick

She was in high spirits for the event, striking a range of poses on the blue carpet as she beamed.

After the screening, Kara headed to celeb-hotspot Craig's in West Hollywood to grab some dinner with a friend.

The pair walked in to the restaurant hand-in-hand, with Kara's friend sporting a more casual ensemble in grey jeans and a white bodysuit.

Beachy waves: Her dark blonde tresses fell past her chest in a sleek wave, with soft highlights framing her face

Diamonds: The star added gorgeous jewellery from brand Djula - including a wrap around diamante ring and a studded bangle

Star: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is set to be released later this week, starring Nicolas Cage

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is set to be released later this week, starring Nicolas Cage.

The movie is centred on a fictional version of Nicolas, who begrudgingly takes a lucrative offer to attend a billionaire fan's birthday party in order to make some cash.

The actor is then forced to tap into his years of action-flick knowledge when his wife and daughter are captured by an arms dealer during the event.

Actors such as Pedro Pascal and Lily Mo Sheen also star alongside the Face/Off actor.

Post-event: After the screening, Kara headed to celeb-hotspot Craig's in West Hollywood to grab some dinner with a friend

Friends: The pair walked in to the restaurant hand-in-hand, with Kara's friend sporting a more casual ensemble in grey jeans and a white bodysuit
Tilda Swinton enjoyed a stroll around Venice with her beau Sandro Kopp as the pair arrived for an Italian getaway on Tuesday.

The actress, 60, looked typically chic as she walked alongside Sandro, who is 17 years her junior.

The star was masked for the outing, donning a pair of wide-leg blue jeans with an oversized cream and blue shirt - layering with a longline furry coat.

Sleek: Masked Tilda Swinton, 61, exuded chic in a taupe coat as she arrived in Venice for an Italian getaway on Tuesday

Tilda added a pair of comfortable black shoes as she arrived at Venice Marco Polo airport.

She carried a large cream handbag with her, with her black glasses placed over the mask.

The award winning star had her cropped blonde locks flowing freely in a blow-dried style, while she appeared to be makeup free.

Romantic: She arrived for the getaway with boyfriend Sandro Kopp, 44 - who sported a colourful ensemble

Her German boyfriend Sandro sported a more colourful ensemble in a pair of tie-dye blue and orange joggers - tucked into a pair of brown ankle boots.

The visual artist added a navy blue, grey and orange sweater with the look, layering with a denim shacket and neck scarf.

Sandro was also masked as he donned a pair of black sunglasses, with his salt and pepper locks in a tousled style.

Pictures: Later in the day, the couple were spotted on a taxi boat ride in the Italian city of water, as Tilda raised her phone to take a picture of the gorgeous scenery

Later in the day, the couple were spotted on a taxi boat ride in the Italian city of water, as Tilda raised her phone to take a picture of the gorgeous scenery.

They removed their masks for the boat ride, seeming relaxed as they took in the sights.

The pair often enjoy trips to the European country, as they were spotted on a boat ride during a visit to Rome last summer.

Tilda is a mother-of-two as she shares twins Honor Swinton Byrne and Xavier Swinton Byrne with ex partner John Byrne.

Long term: Tilda and Sandro have been together for over 15 years, with the relationship overlapping into a 3-way-couple with her ex John Byrne (L-R Francesco Bergamo Rossi, Tilda Swinton, Peter Marino, Sandro Kopp in 2020)

She and Sandro met in 2004, and filmed The Chronicles Of Narnia together- where Tilda played the White Witch and Sandro played a nameless centaur.

There was a long overlap between John and Sandro, with both men being together with Tilda as the three all lived together at one point.

While the trio no longer live together, it is thought that they are still on amicable terms.
MTV has announced that it is producing a Geordie Shore reunion series.

OG cast members including Charlotte Crosby, 31, Holly Hagan, 29, and Sophie Kasaei, 32, will be returning to screens together, 11 years after the reality show first aired in 2011.

Original Geordie Shore paved the way for the success of its American equivalent, Jersey Shore, and follows a group of young adults from Newcastle as they move into a house together.

The upcoming reunion series will include a group holiday, a long-awaited wedding and a party in the Geordie Shore house.

'Bring it on!' MTV has announced that it is producing a Geordie Shore reunion series with OG cast members including Charlotte Crosby, 31, Holly Hagan, 29, and Sophie Kasaei, 32 (pictured in 2018)

The new series is set to be the 'ultimate Geordie throwback' as original cast members as well as Marnie Simpson, 30 - who joined the show in 2013 - make it their mission to organise the reunion.

Charlotte said of the news: 'I always said I would be up for taking part in a reunion show and made no secret that Geordie Shore holds a special place in my heart.

I'm very excited to reconnect and reminisce with my favourite people and life-long friends.'

The reality star, who recently announced she is pregnant with her first child, originally left the show in 2016 after announcing her departure on Twitter.

Throwback Original Geordie Shore follows a group of young adults from Newcastle as they move into a house together (Pictured in 2011: front row L-R Charlotte, Vicky Pattison, Holly and Sophie; back row L-R Jay Gardner, Gaz Beadle and James Tindle)

They're back! The original cast members and Marnie Simpson, 30 - who joined the show in 2013 - will reunite with a group holiday, a wedding and a party in the Geordie Shore house (Pictured in 2019)

Special! Charlotte said of the news: 'I always said I would be up for taking part in a reunion show and made no secret that Geordie Shore holds a special place in my heart

Throwback: I'm very excited to reconnect and reminisce with my favourite people and life-long friends!' gushed Charlotte (picked during series one)

Holly initially left the show in 2016 but later returned as a part-time cast member.

Ahead of the reunion series, the reality star gushed: 'I'm super-excited to be back filming with everyone from over the years. It's going to be something really special to have everyone in the same room together!'

Sophie has left and returned to the show a number of times since joining as part of the original cast in 2011.

'Seeing all the friends that turned into family and had such a big impact on my 20s is going to be emotional but also like nothing has changed, apart from our age and families. It's a moment I've been waiting for,' she said.

Excited! 'I'm super-excited to be back filming with everyone from over the years. It's going to be something really special to have everyone in the same room together!' gushed Holly

Throwback: Holly initially left the show in 2016 but later returned as a part-time cast member (pictured during season one)

Emotional! 'Seeing all the friends that turned into family and had such a big impact on my 20s is going to be emotional but also like nothing has changed' said Sophie

Throwback: It's a moment I've been waiting for,' said Sophie (pictured during season one)

Marnie, 30 - who appeared on reality shows Ex On The Beach and Celebrity Big Brother following her Geordie Shore stint - will share the arrival of her second child in the upcoming Geordie Shore reunion series.

She announced in February that she is expecting a boy.

Marnie said: 'I'm so excited for this reunion - it's something me and so many of the other cast members have been waiting for.

'I'm so intrigued to watch it all play out. I have no idea how it's going to go or what's going to happen but I'm so ready for it. Bring it on!'

The new series will air on MTV and streaming service Paramount+ later this year.
Blac Chyna had a big smile on her face just hours after a court appearance in her $108million lawsuit against the Kardashians where potential jurors had aired their disdain to the faces of the famous reality TV family.

The 33-year-old former fiancee of Rob Kardashian beamed as she headed to dinner at JOEY Woodland Hills in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills after seeing Kylie Jenner, Kim and Khloe Kardashian along with mother Kris Jenner lambasted by private citizens during jury selection.

Chyna - born Angela Renee White -looked relaxed as she sported a yellow tie-dyed Market sweat suit along with matching low-top sneakers.

All good: Blac Chyna beamed as she headed to dinner at JOEY Woodland Hills in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills hours after her court appearance

Uh oh: She had just been in court in Downtown Los Angeles to see Kylie Jenner, Kim and Khloe Kardashian along with mother Kris Jenner lambasted by private citizens during jury selection

This came hours after potential jurors trash talked the Kardashian-Jenners to their faces in a Downtown Los Angeles court room.

Kim Kardashian, her mother Kris Jenner and her sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner all sat in the front row of a Los Angeles courtroom as prospective jurors aired their feelings about the famous family and the four women, all defendants in a lawsuit brought by Chyna.

'Anything that has to do with their names is just a big no for me,' one man said. 'I don't think reality TV is good for society.'

Chyna is suing the Kardashians, alleging they destroyed her television career, and during jury selection her attorney Lynne Ciani asked dozens of candidates their feelings about the plaintiff and defendants, and the reality shows the case stems from.

Vibes: The 33-year-old influencer - born Angela Renee White -looked relaxed as she sported a yellow tie-dyed Market sweat suit along with matching low-top sneakers

Another said, 'I sincerely hope none of these people get any wealthier because of this.'

One woman said her teenage daughter tried to watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians when it first came on, but she put a stop to it.

'I don't think they were the best role models,' she said. 'I wouldnt let her watch anything involving them.'

One panel member couldn't even wait to be asked. Told to give his name, occupation, marital status and hometown shortly after sitting down, he answered then added, 'and I just want to say I have a very negative perception of the parties and I'm not sure I could be unbiased.'

'I don't think reality TV is good for society': Kim Kardashian, her mother Kris Jenner and her sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner all sat in the front row of a Los Angeles courtroom as prospective jurors aired their feelings about the famous family and the four women, all defendants in a lawsuit brought by Chyna, the famous family are seen September 2015

The defendants didn't seem defensive about the disrespect. They chatted with each other and smiled during breaks.

Judge Gregory W. Alarcon wasn't entirely pleased by the tone, however.

'I appreciate your honesty. Youre certainly not shy,' he told the panel. 'But this is the type of case like all cases where everybody is entitled to a fair trial. Theres a jury instruction that says the wealth of a party or the poverty of the party doesnt matter.'

Jury selection is expected to continue Tuesday, with opening statements to follow. The Kardashian women are all expected to testify during the trial, and had been expected to attend at least parts of it, but their appearance for jury selection was something of a surprise.

Wearing loose-fitting business suits, the mother in white, her daughters in blacks and grays, they were ushered in by security at the last moment before the jury panel was brought in.

Interesting: Chyna is suing the Kardashians, alleging they destroyed her television career, and during jury selection her attorney Lynne Ciani asked dozens of candidates their feelings about the plaintiff and defendants, and the reality shows the case stems from (pictured left to right in Las Vegas October 2013: Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Blac Chyna, Robin Antin and Khloe Kardashian)

Former flame: Chyna began dating the lone Kardashian brother, Rob, in January 2016, and by the time the year was over they were engaged, had a daughter together and were starring in their own Keeping Up With The Kardashians spinoff called Rob & Chyna, on the E! network, the former couple are seen in March 2016

One prospective juror, who has served on other cases, said he didn't like the pampered treatment he felt the defendants were getting.

Michael G. Rhodes, the Kardashians' attorney, explained that courthouse security drove them in and escorted them into the courtroom for a reason.

'Do you understand that there is a dark side to celebrity,' Rhodes said, 'and that people that are famous sometimes need extra security?'

'Does that mean that they need Fiji water hand-delivered to them as they sit in court?' the man responded.

The family did have supporters in the room too.

Not done: Chyna is also suing Rob Kardashian, but the differences in her allegations against him prompted the judge to sever that part of the case into a separate trial that will follow this one, they are seen April 2016 in New York City

'I am a pretty big fan of the Kardashians so I dont think I would be able to make an unbiased judgment,' one young woman said.

'I also am a big fan of the Kardashians,' a young man said. 'Ive been watching it since I was little, so I dont think I could be very fair.'

The Kardashian fans said they knew who Blac Chyna was, but hadn't developed strong feelings about her.

One woman who said she didn't care for the Kardashians said she liked Chyna because the two went to the same nail salon and she was 'always nice to me.'

Chyna, a model and influencer, began dating the lone Kardashian brother, Rob, in January 2016, and by the time the year was over they were engaged, had a daughter together and were starring in their own Keeping Up With The Kardashians spinoff called Rob & Chyna, on the E! network.

Making their name: The family gained fame through 20 seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which ran from 2007 to 2021 on E! and made them social media superstars and prized product pitchers

A second season was being shot when the two broke up, and the show was scrapped.

In 2017, Chyna sued the family for $100 million, saying they had defamed her and illegally interfered with her contracts and business dealings, using their power with producers and executives to drive her out of reality television.

The Kardashians denied any wrongdoing and said in court filings that they had legitimate concerns about Chyna and fears for the safety of their son and brother given the 'violence and toxicity' of the relationship.

Chyna is also suing Rob Kardashian, but the differences in her allegations against him prompted the judge to sever that part of the case into a separate trial that will follow this one.

The family gained fame through 20 seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which ran from 2007 to 2021 on E! and made them social media superstars and prized product pitchers.

A sequel series on Hulu, The Kardashians, premiered Thursday.
They wed last year and are expecting their first child together.

And Nicolas Cage's pregnant wife Riko Shibata, 27, proved she was his number one fan on Monday night as she proudly held a cushion baring his face at the screening afterparty of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent in Los Angeles.

The actor, 58, portrays a fictionalised version of himself in the upcoming comedy-drama, which is scheduled for theatrical release on April 22.

Proud: Nicolas Cage's pregnant wife Riko Shibata, 27, proved to be his biggest fan on Monday night as she held a cushion baring his face at The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent screening afterparty in LA

The film star stepped out wearing a classic black suit with a white dress shirt, with the top unbuttoned and no tie.

He also donned a black suit coat, black trousers and black shoes for the event.

Riko, who it was revealed in January is expecting the couple's first child, looked sensational in a full-length black dress and suede heels.

Star-studded: The actor, 58, portrays a fictionalised version of himself in the upcoming comedy-drama, which is scheduled for theatrical release on April 22

Family affair: The actor was also joined by his oldest son Weston Cage Coppola, 31, as Riko was captured gazing adoringly at the cushion

Happy: It was revealed in January that Riko is expecting the couple's first child

The actor was also joined by his oldest son Weston Cage Coppola, 31, from his relationship in the late 1980s with actress Christina Fulton.

Weston, a musician, producer and actor himself, stepped out with a charcoal grey suit as he posed alongside his famous father.

Unlike his clean-shaven father, Weston stepped out with a full beard and long flowing auburn hair.

Nic and Riko: The film star stepped out wearing a classic black suit with a white dress shirt, with the top unbuttoned and no tie

Cosy: Riko looked sensational in a full-length black dress and suede heels

Son and father: Weston, a musician, producer and actor himself, stepped out with a charcoal grey suit as he posed alongside his famous father

Weston's look: Unlike his clean-shaven father, Weston stepped out with a full beard and long flowing auburn hair

Nicolas also posed with Pedro Pascal, who plays Javi Gutierrez, a billionaire superfan of the Hollywood icon.

Pedro mimicked Nicolas' tie-less look with his top dress shirt button unbuttoned, though he opted for a dark blue pinstriped suit.

The Mandalorian star completed his look, like Nicolas, with shiny black dress shoes.

Event: Nicolas also posed with Pedro Pascal, who plays Javi Gutierrez, a billionaire superfan of the Hollywood icon, who is playing a heightened version of himself in the film

Pedro's look: Pedro mimicked Nicolas' tie-less look with his top dress shirt button unbuttoned, though he opted for a dark blue pinstriped suit

Third child: It was revealed in January that Nicolas and Shibata were expecting their third child, and Cage's third, after Weston and his 16-year-old son Kal-El from his third marriage with Alice Kim

It was revealed in January that Nicolas and Shibata were expecting their third child, and Nicolas' third, after Weston and his 16-year-old son Kal-El from his third marriage with Alice Kim.

The couple had met in Shiga, Japan, through mutual friends, while the actor was on location filming Prisoners of the Ghostland.

Nicolas has previously been married to Patricia Arquette (1995-2001), Lisa Marie Presley (2002-2004), Alice Kim (2004-2016) and Erica Koike (2019).
Nick Knowles enjoyed a steamy kiss with his girlfriend Katie Dadzie as they enjoyed a romantic dinner date in Mayfair on Tuesday.

The DIY SOS presenter, 59, packed on the PDA with the mother-of-two, 31, as they enjoyed a cigarette break outside their chosen eatery before heading home in a taxi.

Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with girlfriend Katie in September 2021, after ending his romance with PR guru Emily Hallinan, 27, in February 2020.

Loved-up: Nick Knowles, 59, enjoyed a steamy kiss with his girlfriend Katie Dadzie, 31, as they enjoyed a romantic dinner date in Mayfair on Tuesday

Nick cut a dapper figure in a smart navy blue blazer and jeans as he left the restaurant with girlfriend Katie on his arm.

The pair were seen leaning in for a kiss as they took a cigarette break before jumping into a waiting car.

Katie, who reportedly met Nick at a playgroup, put on a leggy display in a sparkly pale pink mini dress as she joined the broadcaster for a dinner date.

Cosy: The DIY SOS presenter packed on the PDA with the mother-of-two as they enjoyed a cigarette break outside their chosen eatery before heading home in a taxi

They're dating? Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with girlfriend Katie in September 2021

Suave: He cut a dapper figure in a smart navy blue blazer and jeans as he left the restaurant with girlfriend Katie on his arm

It comes after Nick revealed in February 2020 that he was single again after splitting from his girlfriend, PR guru Emily Hallinan, 27, insisting at the time it 'wasn't the end of the world' and announcing the news on Valentine's Day.

Having made something of a reputation for himself with his love of younger ladies, Nick was also romantically involved with TOWIE star and stuntwoman Pascal Craymer, 34, back in 2017.

According to The Sun, Nick and Katie made their public debut as a couple at a restaurant in Bath last year, after being friends for several years.

Puffing away: The couple paused for a cigarette break outside the swanky restaurant on their date night

Dazzling: Katie, who reportedly met Nick at a playgroup, put on a leggy display in a sparkly pale pink mini dress as she joined the broadcaster for a dinner date

The presenter allegedly met his new girlfriend at a playgroup attended by his youngest son Eddie, seven. A source said: 'Nick and Katie have known each other for a couple of years, but it's always been platonic.

'They actually met through their youngest offspring and went on a few playdates as pals, before romance blossomed. Katie is a beautiful woman, fiercely independent and just Nick's type.

'They've met one another's friends and, although it's early days, everyone is hopeful this might be for keeps.'

MailOnline contacted representatives for Nick Knowles for comment at the time.

Old flame: It comes after Nick revealed that he was single again after splitting from his girlfriend, PR guru Emily Hallinan, 27, insisting at the time it 'wasn't the end of the world (Nick and Emily pictured in 2019)

Not-so single now! He wrote on Instagram at the time: 'Happy Valentine's. And if you're single like me don't worry, we don't have to join in everything every year'

They're together! According to The Sun, Nick and Katie made their public debut as a couple at a restaurant in Bath last year, after being friends for several years

In February 2020 Nick confirmed that he was single again following his split from girlfriend Emily.

He wrote on Instagram: 'Happy Valentine's. And if you're single like me don't worry, we don't have to join in everything every year. I missed national prune day too. Because it's not the end of the world to be single for a while.'

The pair reportedly began dating in 2019, after exchanging a series of messages about a work opportunity on Twitter, with Nick telling Emily to get in touch.

They had been spotted together several times since, once in London's West End where they went to see musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, days after Nick was pictured kissing a mystery blonde in the back of a black cab.

New love: The presenter allegedly met his new girlfriend at a playgroup attended by his youngest son Eddie, seven

Rumours: A source said: 'Nick and Katie have known each other for a couple of years, but it's always been platonic'

Love is in the air: 'They actually met through their youngest offspring and went on a few playdates as pals, before romance blossomed,' the source added

A source told The Sun at the time that the pair looked cosy during the West End show, saying: 'They arrived pretty incognito but were definitely on a date inside.

'She was cosying up to him during the show and they shared a couple of tender moments during the emotional parts.' The source added: 'It didn't appear to be a serious relationship but it's clear that they were into each other.'

Prior to his romance with Emily, he was reported to have dated Pascal.

Things turned sour however, when model Pascal claimed she blocked Nick after he reportedly bragged about his 'revolving' bed' and 'dating younger women'.

She alleged that the twice-married DIY SOS host was 'desperate to get his leg over' when they went on a few of lavish dates in 2017.

The One? The source continued: 'They've met one another's friends and, although it's early days, everyone is hopeful this might be for keeps'

Shock: Prior to his romance with Emily, he was reported to have dated Pascal (pictured in 2017)

Claims: Things turned sour however, when model Pascal claimed she blocked Nick (pictured) after he reportedly bragged about his 'revolving' bed' and 'dating younger women'

Dramatic: She alleged that the twice-married DIY SOS host (pictured) was 'desperate to get his leg over' when they went on a few of lavish dates in 2017

He tried to kiss her before the starters during a 600 meal and embarrassed her with his 'dad dancing' in a nightclub.

Nick later hit back - branding the one-time TOWIE star a 'sad fame-hungry nobody', with his pals issuing a scathing statement about the brunette beauty, who later hit back.

Pascal strongly denied the claims, saying: 'I dont take too kindly being referred to as a sad fame-hungry nobody.' She insisted the allegations were incorrect.

Prior to his Pascal fling, Nick and Jessica's romance and marriage was also widely publicised, with emphasis on their age gap.

Rage: Nick later hit back - branding the one-time TOWIE star a 'sad fame-hungry nobody', with his pals issuing a scathing statement about the brunette beauty, who later hit back

Ex: Nick began dating now ex-wife Jessica in 2009 before they tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed their son Eddie in 2014 (Nick and Jessica, pictured in 2016)

Drama: Prior to his Pascal fling, Nick and Jessica's romance and marriage was also widely publicised, with emphasis on their age gap (the presenter is pictured with girlfriend Katie)

Nick began dating Jessica in 2009 before they tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed their son Eddie in 2014. They split in 2016 - initially amicably, as he supported her through her battle with cervical cancer.

Despite a bitter divorce battle surrounding the custody of their then three-year-old son Eddie, the pair are now back on good terms with one another, with Nick recently admitting he still cared about his former wife.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2018 Nick said: 'It took me a while to figure stuff out. I'm really proud of the fact that Jess and I are really good.

'She's a great mother. Coming out of a marriage is hard, so I just want to make sure it stays respectful. I really care about my ex. She's got a new chap and I'm really pleased. They seem really happy.'

Friendly: Despite a bitter divorce battle surrounding the custody of their then three-year-old son Eddie, the pair are now back on good terms with one another

It was revealed at the time that Jessica asked for 48,000 a year from him in light of their bitter divorce battle.

According to The Sun, Jessica who was receiving 4,000 a month as part of their settlement, is demanding an extra 2,000 a month in order to fund their three-year-old son Eddie's education.

'Nick is distraught that Jessica has made these claims. She already gets 4,000 a month from him and hes funded her life for years,' a source told the publication.

It came after Jessica posted an 'open letter about my divorce' in which she alleged 'years of emotional cruelty, physical abuse' by her husband as well as reportedly withdrawing their son Eddie from private education.

However, sources close to the DIY SOS presenter denied the allegations - saying he 'only wants the best for his son'.

Beaming: Nick and Katie were seen enjoying a cigarette break together after their dinner date

In a statement on the micro-blogging site, she denounced his denials of 'cruelty' and continued to suggest that he has withdrawn his financial support for their son.

In the equally emotional letter captioned: 'In response', Jessica responded to Nick's apparent shock at the 'horrendous' allegations made, saying:

'Nick may be intelligent but he is not smart. He is now denying that he withdrew his promise to send Eddie to private school but it was sent by his solicitor to mine.

'He as also denied years of cruelty but I do have diaries and photographic proof'.

Jessica then alleged that the presenter 'abandoned' her with young son Eddie in Spain for a 'string of girlfriends', and that she wants Nick to 'keep his promises' or she may publish 'witness statements' that could confirm her allegations.
Julia Roberts says constant 'kissing' is the secret to a long and happy marriage.

The 54-year-old Pretty Woman star believes the key to her more than two decades of marriage to 53-year-old cinematographer Daniel Moder is not forgetting to have a smooch.

The star also said they show each other affection as she appeared on the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday.

Pucker up: Julia Roberts said while on the Stephen Colbert show on Monday that constant 'kissing' is the secret to a long and happy marriage

The proof is in the picture: Stephen held up an image of the actress kissing her husband, Danny Moder

Roberts was plugging her series Gaslit when the topic turned to marriage.

After being asked by host Stephen Colbert - who has been married to his wife Evelyn McGee-Colbert for 28 years with whom he kids Madeline, 27, Peter, 22, and 20-year-old John - to reveal her tricks on the count to three.

The 54-year-old actress said immediately: 'Kissing'.

The 57-year-old talk show host said the key was taking the time to 'apologize' and immediately wanted to take it back.

The beginning: The stars hold each other during their wedding in 2002

She is sweet on her husband: The siren kisses Modern on the cheek in this Instagram photo

Happy family: Moder and Roberts with Kelly Slater and their kids Phinnaeus, Henry Daniel and Hazel in 2015 in Malibu

Stephen quipped: 'Well, I would like to apologize to my wife for not saying kissing.'

Roberts and her spouse have a rare Hollywood love story that has lasted.

Julia wed Danny in 2002 after they met on the set of the Brad Pitt movie The Mexican in 2000.

He was working as a camera man on the film and she was the star.

Go! After being asked by host Stephen Colbert - who has been married to his wife Evelyn McGee-Colbert for 28 years with whom he kids Madeline, 27, Peter, 22, and 20-year-old John - to reveal her tricks on the count to three. She said kissing

It was love: Roberts and her spouse have a rare Hollywood love story that has lasted. Julia wed Danny in 2002 after they met on the set of the Brad Pitt movie The Mexican in 2000

She got her man on a movie set: He was working as a camera man on the film and she was the star

They went on to have three children: 17-year-old fraternal twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and 14-year old son Daniel.

The couple moved to San Francisco last year to have a more quiet life away from Southern California after living in Malibu for many years.

She said of Danny in 2003: 'He makes me feel my most comfortable self. I don't alter myself in any way.'

Julia has also been married to Lyle Lovett from 1993 until 1995, and was engaged to Kiefer Sutherland.

She lives in the City By The Bay: The couple moved to San Francisco last year to have a more quiet life away from Southern California after living in Malibu for many years

On the show, Roberts wore a blue suit with red heart shaped buttons and an Ace card on her back. The looker added black stiletto heels.

She said she was 'nervous' to be on the show.

Elsewhere, Julia spoke about her new miniseries Gaslit.

The Oscar winner couldn't help but gush over her co-star Sean Penn.

He plays her character Martha Mitchell's husband US Attorney General John N. Mitchell on the Starz show about the Watergate scandal, which was adapted from the Slow Burn podcast by journalist Leon Neyfakh.

Co-stars: Elsewhere, Julia spoke about her new miniseries Gaslit. The Oscar winner couldn't help but gush over her co-star Sean Penn. He plays her character Martha Mitchell's husband US Attorney General John N. Mitchell on the Starz show about the Watergate scandal, which was adapted from the Slow Burn podcast by journalist Leon Neyfakh. seen on Monday

She said: 'He doesn't want anyone to know how nice and sweet he is because it would destroy his reputation that he's worked so hard on. He had so much patience getting all of this makeup done.

'He just was rock steady. All his stuff on, he would just sit there.'

Julia also enthused about working with George Clooney for the fifth time on their new rom-com Ticket To Paradise while 'heavily bubbled' due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Julia said: 'We were heavily, heavily bubbled,' before saying of George that 'everything you think he is, he is more than that.'
He is the star of the hotly-anticipated Viking drama The Northman.

And while doing some research into the film, one Alexander Skarsgard fan made a hilarious discovery while looking up the new movie on IMDb.

Sharing her findings on Twitter, one social media revealed that Alexander, 45, is trouserless in the profile picture which is attached to his career history.

Ha! An Alexander Skarsgard fan made a hilarious discovery while looking up the new movie on IMDb - that he is wearing no trousers in his profile picture

Alexander can be seen wearing a tuxedo and bow tie with a pair of knee-high socks, however he is notably missing a pair of trousers in the snap.

The image was taken at the MTV Movie Awards in 2016, when he appeared without his pants and joked that he did it because 'Zac Efron had already appeared shirtless'.

Alongside the screengrab from IMDb, the fan wrote: 'Look up the cast of The Northman on IMDb and that is quite the profile picture for Alexander Skarsgard.'

Ha! The image was taken at the MTV Movie Awards in 2016, when he appeared without his pants and joked that he did it because 'Zac Efron had already appeared shirtless'

On-screen! Alexander is the star of the Viking drama The Northman (pictured)

Delighted fans reacted to the find in the comments section, with one admitting the picture was 'very on brand' for the Northman film, suggesting there nude scenes.

Another fan revealed they were 'howling with glee', while another simply wrote 'gosh'.

One other said it was 'marvelous' than Alexander had likely added the image himself or asked someone to do it for him.

Reaction: Delighted fans reacted to the find in the comments section, with one admitting the picture was 'very on brand' for the Northman film, suggesting there nude scenes

Talking to IMDb about the motivation behind his unconventional picture, Alexander admitted it was prompted by Zac Efron's decision to go shirtless at an awards show.

He explained: 'A couple years ago when we were promoting Tarzan. Samuel Jackson and I went to the MTV Movie Awards. The year before Zac Efron had taken his shirt off he is so sexy.

'I decided to also show a little bit of skin. I couldnt take my shirt off because Zac had already done that, so I thought well Ill take my pants off, because its equally sexy

Coming soon! Focus Features recently dropped the second action-packed trailer for The Northman, which will be released in UK theaters this Friday and US theaters on April 22

Focus Features recently dropped the second action-packed trailer for The Northman, which will be released in US theaters on April 22.

The preview capitalises on early reviews from Epic Film Guys, Time Out, Feeling Seen Podcast, and Slash Film which helped the $90M-budget 12th century-set epic score 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

In it, Emmy winner Alexander is out for revenge as Viking Prince-turned-warrior Amleth, who declares: 'Fate has no mercy. I cannot escape my fate.'

As a boy, Amleth witnessed his father King Aurvandill War-Raven (four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke) get beheaded by his uncle Fjolnir (Claes Bang).

Many years later, Amleth seeks justice by having his men swarm, pillage and burn a village connected to Fjolnir in a bloody massacre.

There are two glimpses of Emmy nominee Anya Taylor-Joy as sorceress Olga of the Birch Forest.

In it, Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgard is out for revenge as Viking Prince-turned-warrior Amleth, who declares: 'Fate has no mercy. I cannot escape my fate'

There's a blink-and-you-missed-it flash of four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe as Heimir the Fool.

And there are two shots of 15-time Grammy nominee Bjork as the eerie Seeress, a sort of 'Slav witch.'

It was Alexander who helped convince Oscar winner Nicole Kidman to join The Northman after playing her abusive husband in the hit HBO series Big Little Lies from 2017-2019.

Boo! There's a blink-and-you-missed-it flash of four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe as Heimir the Fool

She has Viking blood: And there are two shots of 15-time Grammy nominee Bjork as the eerie Seeress, a sort of 'Slav witch'

The Swedish star told GQ Hype: 'Nicole was probably expecting me to suggest a rom-com. And instead I'm, like, "Hey! Do you wanna play my incestuous mom?"

In the new trailer, the Australian 54-year-old could be seen in only one shot as Queen Gudrun, the mother of Amleth.

The Northman is the third feature film from director Robert Eggers, who previously helmed The Lighthouse in 2019 and The Witch in 2015.
He could have been part of two of the most successful film franchises of the late 90s early 2000s.

But family came first for Nicolas Cage.

The 58-year-old actor revealed that he had passed up major roles in both The Matrix and Lord Of The Rings franchises in order to be home with his son.

Sacrifices: Nicolas Cage (seen on Monday) revealed that he had passed up major roles in both The Matrix and Lord Of The Rings franchises in order to be home with his son

Bond: The 58-year-old actor has a 31-year-old son named Weston Cage and 16-year-old son named Kal-El Cage

He told People magazine on Tuesday: 'First and foremost... there's no version of Nic Cage in reality that doesn't want to spend time with his children.

'There's no version of Nic Cage that didn't put family first over career. I turned down Lord of the Rings and I turned down Matrix because I didn't want to go to New Zealand for three years or Australia for three years because I needed to be home with my son Weston, that's a fact.'

Cage had been famously pegged for the role as Neo, which Keanu Reeves went on to play, and was rumored to be considered for the role of Aragorn in The Lord Of The Rings who was eventually played by Viggo Mortensen.

He has a 31-year-old son named Weston Cage and 16-year-old son named Kal-El Cage.

The one: Cage had been famously pegged for the role as Neo, which Keanu Reeves went on to play

Going for the gold: He was rumored to be considered for the role of Aragorn in The Lord Of The Rings who was eventually played by Viggo Mortensen

In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Nicolas plays a fictionalized version of himself who is trying to revamp his career and as a result is not the most attentive father to his 16-year-old daughter played by Lily Sheen.

He made clear that his character on the big screen is not the person he is as he told the publication: 'So there is a huge disparity between that Nick Cage in Massive Talent and the Nic Cage sitting in front of you right now.'

No doubt family will be even more important for Nicolas coming up as his 26-year-old wife Riko Shibata is pregnant.

The happy news came months after the two, who have a nearly 32-year age gap, wed at the Wynn Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas last year.

He told People: 'There's no version of Nic Cage that didn't put family first over career. I turned down Lord of the Rings and I turned down Matrix because I didn't want to go to New Zealand for three years or Australia for three years because I needed to be home with my son Weston, that's a fact,' he is shown with son Weston on Monday

He (pictured with son Kal-El in September 2015) made clear that his character on the big screen is not the person he is as he told the publication: 'So there is a huge disparity between that Nick Cage in Massive Talent and the Nic Cage sitting in front of you right now'

In January, their rep told People the pair are 'elated' about their little one on the way.

They recently revealed they've already picked out his or her's name; Akira Francesco, if it's a girl, and Lennon Augie, for a boy, the April issue of GQ.

'Augie was my father's nickname. And my uncle [Francis Ford Coppola] has decided to change his name to Francesco,' he told the outlet.

'I think it's so sweet. It's like a little edamame. A little bean,' he said of his baby-to-be, while looking at a two-month ultrasound on his phone.

Family first: Nicolas and Weston are seen in Los Angeles in September 2019

The couple had met in Shiga, Japan, through mutual friends, while Cage was on location filming Prisoners of the Ghostland.

Cage has previously been married to Patricia Arquette (1995-2001), Lisa Marie Presley (2002-2004), Alice Kim (2004-2016) and Erica Koike (2019).

The veteran actor can soon be seen on the big screen again as his latest project The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is set to hit theaters this Friday, April 22.

Growing family: No doubt family will be even more important for Nicolas coming up as his 26-year-old wife Riko Shibata is pregnant, they are seen on Monday

It centers on Nicolas playing a version of himself, who has come upon financial troubles.

He agrees to appear at the birthday party of a billionaire superfan for $1million, but he's really there as a CIA informant since the superfan (Pedro Pascal) is a drug kingpin.

The film already has rave reviews as it currently has a 96% on film aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes with 51 reviews at time of publication.

In the swing of things: The veteran actor can soon be seen on the big screen again as his latest project The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is set to hit theaters this Friday, April 22

Nic as Nic: The film is slated to open in theaters April 22, centering on Cage playing a version of himself, who has come upon financial troubles

Variety's Owen Gleiberman calls the concept of Cage playing Cage, 'a conceit we get used to in seconds' and calls it 'a gift that keeps on giving.'

Prior to the release of his latest film, Cage displayed plenty of heart in Pig, which was released in July, and also received a Rotten Tomatoes high score of 97 per cent.

He stars in the independent drama as a former world-class chef Robin Feld, who has retreated from society and lives in a shack in the woods outside Portland, Oregon, after suffering a personal tragedy years earlier.

Cage lives off the land and provides pricy truffles to local restaurants, which he's able to obtain thanks to a truffle pig that he's tightly bonded to.

It's a hit: The film already has rave reviews as it currently has a 96% on film aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes with 51 reviews at time of publication
They went public with the romance in 2018, after starring together in Bohemian Rhapsody.

And Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton's relationship seems to be going from strength to strength as they stepped out in New York City on Monday for a dinner date.

The actor, 40, and actress, 28, were joined by some pals, including their Bohemian Rhapsody co-star Joseph Mazzello.

Romance: Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton's relationship seems to be going from strength to strength as they stepped out in New York City on Monday for a dinner date

Lucy looked radiant in an eye-catching red blouse, her bright blonde tresses swept back in an elegant updo.

Meanwhile Rami cut a handsome figure in a tailored black jacket and dark wash jeans.

Carrying a book under his arm, he put his safety first by donning a black face mask over his nose and mouth.

Date night: The actor, 40, and actress, 28, were joined by some pals, including their Bohemian Rhapsody co-star Joseph Mazzello

Their outing comes after Lucy recently spoke out against sexism in the film industry, explaining that it's 'frustrating' for female actors.

The star opened up about the inequality she feels in a chat with Stephanie Takyi for The Daily Mail's Eden Confidential column last week.

She said that sexism means women have to 'over-prepare' for roles in the film industry.

Fashion forward: Lucy looked radiant in an eye-catching red blouse, her bright blonde tresses swept back in an elegant updo

She explained: 'A man walks into a room and you take him as he is, but as a woman there are so many factors that people will base their judgments on'

Lucy also shared that she felt there was double standards in the film industry, adding: 'You can't present as angry because people switch off and don't listen to the angry woman.

'It fills me with anger and frustration.'
She's filming her new movie The Bricklayer in Greece.

But Nina Dobrev enjoyed a brief respite from shooting scenes on Tuesday.

The actress, 33, was spotted picking up food from the burger joint Brothers In Law and a coffee from Starbucks with her boyfriend Shaun White, 35, in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Fueling up! Nina Dobrev was spotted picking up food from the burger joint Brothers In Law and a coffee from Starbucks with her boyfriend Shaun White, 35, in Thessaloniki on Tuesday

Nina commanded attention for their casual food run in her neon pink leggings which clung to her physique.

She went incognito, however, with a black and white hat over her dark tresses, a pair of sunglasses shielding her eyes, and a blue mask completely concealing her face.

The former Vampire Diaries actress topped off the look with a black Nike sweatshirt and sneakers.

She successfully juggled their food from Brothers In Law, a warm cup of coffee, and her cell phone as she strode outside.

Hat's off to her! The actress removed her cap as her boyfriend took charge of their dog

Shaun followed his girlfriend close behind with a cup of Joe in hand.

The athlete was the height of style wearing a brown suede jacket, white T-shirt, cropped trousers, and a pair of sunglasses tucked into his neckline.

He also took charge of their dog, who obediently stayed close to the couple.

The couple have been in Greece as of late, where Nina has been spotted filming the thriller The Bricklayer in Thessaloniki.

No missing her! Nina commanded attention for their casual food run in her neon pink leggings which clung to her physique

The couple were first linked in the latter part of 2019, when they met during an event that was organized by Tony Robbins in Florida.

The snowboarder was previously in a long-term relationship with Phantogram band member Sarah Barthel that lasted from 2013 until 2019.

The actress was also linked to her Vampire Diaries costar Ian Somerhalder from 2010 until 2013.

The pair later went on a safari trip in South Africa in February of 2020, and their respective Instagram followers noticed that they had been sharing photos from the same location.

The two eventually spent much of their period of quarantine in each other's company and were occasionally pictured in each other's company.

The athlete and the actress eventually went Instagram official with their relationship in April of 2020 with a video that was shared to the latter's account.
Rachel Zegler has spoken out against people who tried to make her answer for allegations of sexual assault leveled against her West Side Story costar Ansel Elgort.

In a profile for ELLE that was published on Tuesday, the 20-year-old actress said it was 'hurtful' for people to ask her about the subject, particularly since the alleged assault would have happened before she even filmed West Side Story.

The allegations date from June 2020, when a Twitter user identifying themself as Gabby claimed that she was sexually assaulted by the Tokyo Vice star, 28, when were only 17, though he denied the allegations.

Speaking out: Rachel Zegler, 20, said it was 'hurtful' and 'wildly disappointing' that she was repeatedly asked to speak about sexual assault allegations against her West Side Story costar Ansel Elgort in a new ELLE profile; seen March 27

Representatives for Elgort didn't immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Zegler said that repeatedly being asked about Elgort reminded her of when she was in a more negative mental state at the height of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, when the accusations were first reported.

'I reverted back to this brain space I was in [back in] June of 2020, when the accusation surfaced,' she said.

'We were in the middle of the first wave of lockdown, and there was nothing to do but doom-scroll. Those days were some of the worst mental health days I've ever had,' she continued.

'I was sitting there having just turned 19, on the precipice of what was promised to be the biggest moment in my life, and was being held accountable [by the public] for accusations that not only had nothing to do with me but were made about a situation that was said to have occurred [five] years prior to when I had met and worked with this person.'

She added that some people piled on her despite her being a minor throughout much of the production, and as young as the person who had accused Elgort.

Bad place: Zegler said the questions reminded her of her negative mental state when the new first broke at the height of the pandemic. She also complained that she was only 17  like the alleged victim  when she shot the film; still from West Side Story

Calling him out: A Twitter user calling herself Gabby claimed in June 2020 that Elgort had sexually assaulted her when she was only 17; seen in December in LA

'With no thought to the fact that I was also 17 when I met this person, 17 when I worked with them, 17 and 18 when I had to do love scenes,' she said.

'I really don't have anything to do with this conversation, and I'm looking forward to moving past it.'

The actress, who will next be seen in Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, said it was 'wildly disappointing' and 'hurtful' that people thought she should be held responsible for Elgort's alleged crimes.

'[There is] inherent discomfort that comes with that realization that there are tons of people who think that you have to answer for the actions of an adult male who can speak for himself. It is so wildly disappointing at every turn, no matter how you slice it,' she said. 'No matter how many times I've tried to justify people's concern when it comes to me in my brain, but then realizing that it comes from a place of me having to answer for that, and not them actually caring about whether or not I was okay, was really hurtful.'

Zegler also highlighted how other actresses in West Side Story were asked to comment on the allegations against Elgort without any concern for their own history with sexual violence.

Not involved: Zegler said she had 'nothing to do' with Elgort's alleged crimes, and she blasted inquisitors for ignoring her costars' own experiences with sexual assault; seen April 3 in Las Vegas

'And also paying no mind when it came to the conversation between myself and these other incredible women in my cast, without any thought process to our experiences as women in the industry who constantly find ourselves in close encounters with men in power, and a very iconic woman in Hollywood who has spoken about her experience with sexual assault,' she continued, seemingly referring to Rita Moreno.

The legendary screen star  who won an Oscar for the 1961 adaptation of West Side Story and also appeared in Spielberg's version  had previously claimed she was raped by her agent when she was only 16 or 17.

Speaking of the person who accused Elgort, Zegler said she could never know what she 'had to go through.'

'In the grand scheme of things with this woman who has come forward with these allegations, I cannot imagine what she had to go through. If I'm sitting here thinking that those days were traumatizing for me, I don't pretend to know. I could never know.'

Accusations: Gabby claimed that Elgort refused to stop having sex with her when she was in pain and allegedly said 'We need to break you in'; seen with Zegler in December in LA

In June of 2020, the twitter user @Itsgabby shared her 'story of Ansel Elgort,' claiming she was 'sexually assaulted a couple days after I turned 17.'

She wrote that she had DMed the rising Hollywood star when she was 'just a kid and was a fan of him,' though she didn't expect a reply.

The user claimed that Elgort had had sex with her when she was a minor and hadn't stopped after she was clearly in pain.

'So when it happened instead of asking me if I wanted to stop having sex knowing it was my first time and I was sobbing in pain and I didnt want to do it the only words that came out of his mouth were "we need to break you in,"' she wrote. 'I WASNT there in that moment mentally. I disassociated myself and just felt like my mind was gone I was in shock.'

She also posted DMs that appeared to be from the actor that were dated to 2014, as well as a photo that was purportedly of her with Elgort, though her face was partially blocked out by her hand.

Evidence: Gabby also posted DMs that appeared to be from the actor that were dated to 2014, as well as a photo that was purportedly of her with Elgort; still from West Side Story

The user added that she was too small to have fought Elgort off.

'He made me think this is how sex was supposed to be. I WAS SO YOUNG AND HE KNEW THAT,' she continued. 'He as well said stuff like "youre going to be such a beautiful young lady when youre older." I was f***ing 17.'

Later in the thread, she claimed that the Carrie actor had asked her for nude photos and had even suggested a threesome with one of her friends.

Gabby, who claimed to suffer from PTSD following the alleged assault, said that Elgort told her not to speak of their relationship because it could 'ruin his career.'

He denied the accusations in an Instagram post shared days after the accusations, though he later deleted it and all other posts from his account.

'I cannot claim to understand Gabbys feelings but her description of events is simply not what happened,' he wrote, before alleging that 'Gabby and I had a brief, legal and entirely consensual relationship.'

However, he apologized for the manner in which he broke up with Gabby.

'As I look back at my attitude, I am disgusted and deeply ashamed of the way I acted,' he wrote.

Elgort has recently been featured on the small screen, as he stars in the HBO Max crime thriller Tokyo Vice.
Fans were excited that a reconciliation may have occurred when it was announced he would be featured on a song with Kanye West on the soon-to-be released Pusha T album.

But Kid Cudi has clarified that he and longtime friend and collaborator Ye, 44, still have yet to make up.

The 38-year-old Cleveland native - who had a falling out with Kim Kardashian's estranged husband over his friendship with Pete Davidson - took to Twitter on Tuesday to say that this will be the last song he will be on with Ye.

Scroll down for video

Tough times: Kid Cudi clarified that he and Kanye West are still not friends and their soon-to-be released song will be their last together, they are seen in July 2012

Tense: The two rappers had a falling out with Kim Kardashian's estranged husband over his friendship with Pete Davidson (The new couple are seen earlier this month)

Cudi - real name Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, - wrote: 'Hey! So I know some of you heard about the song I got w Pusha.

'I did this song a year ago when I was still cool w Kanye. I am not cool w that man. He's not my friend and I only cleared the song for Pusha cuz thats my guy. This is the last song u will hear me on w Kanye -Scott'

The drama continued when the track list for Pusha T's upcoming album, It's Almost Dry, was released on Tuesday as it included a song named Rock N Roll featuring Cudi and Ye.

Highly anticipated: The drama continued when the track list for Pusha T's upcoming album, It's Almost Dry, was released on Tuesday as it included a song named Rock N Roll featuring Cudi and Ye

'I am not cool w that man. He's not my friend': The 38-year-old Cleveland native took to Twitter on Tuesday to say that this will be the last song he will be on with Ye

'I only cleared the song for Pusha cuz thats my guy': Cudi clarified, as he is seen with Pusha T in Paris

Cudi has been friends with SNL funnyman and Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend Pete Davidson, 28, for years but things with Ye soured in February.

Ye took to Instagram at the time to state that Cudi 'will not be on Donda because he's friends with 'you know who,' in reference to Davidson as he began a romance with Kardashian late last year.

Cudi - who collaborated with Ye on 2018 album Kids See Ghosts - clapped back, leaving a comment that said: 'Too bad I don't wanna be on ur album.'

He then called the Yeezy founder a 'f***ing dinosaur' before adding 'everyone knows I've been the best thing about your albums since I met you.'

The Pursuit of Happiness artist then said, 'I'ma pray for you brother,' with a peace sign.

The lyricist also took to Twitter to air out his feelings about the situation. In one tweet he wrote: 'We talked weeks ago about this. Youre whack for flipping the script and posting this lie just for a look on the internet.'

He ended the tweet with, 'You aint no friend. BYE.'

Friend: Cudi has been friends with SNL funnyman and Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend Pete Davidson, 28, (pictured in November) for years but things with Ye soured in February

Minutes later Cudi  real name Scott Mescudi  followed it up with another note, writing, 'God opens the door so the wrong people can exit ur life.'

Ye responded days later by posting a throwback image of him with Cudi and Davidson at Cudi's 35th birthday in 2019.

'I JUST WANTED MY FRIEND TO HAVE MY BACK THE KNIFE JUST GOES IN DEEPER,' he captioned a black and white throwback from a dinner at Nobu Malibu as Davidson's face was crossed out in red.

The sushi-filled night out in the photograph took place back in 2019, and also included Kim Kardashian and Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet.

Note: Ye took to Instagram at the time to state that Cudi 'will not be on Donda because he's friends with 'you know who,' in reference to Davidson as he began a romance with Kardashian late last year

Cudi - who collaborated with Ye on 2018 album Kids See Ghosts - clapped back, leaving a comment that said: 'Too bad I don't wanna be on ur album'

The lyricist also took to Twitter to air out his feelings about the situation. In one tweet he wrote: 'We talked weeks ago about this. Youre whack for flipping the script and posting this lie just for a look on the internet'

Sentiment: In a subtweet Kid Cudi wrote 'God opens the door so the wrong people can exit ur life'

Over the years, Davidson has joked about getting stuck with the bill at that extravagant dinner on Cudi's 35th birthday.

During an interview with Vanity Fair at the time, the actor revealed: '[Kanye] kept ordering the whole entire time and I didn't know he was coming and I already put my card down to pay because I thought it would be just me and Cudi.'

When asked what Kanye ordered, he replied with a puzzled 'a bunch of rich people stuff' adding the rapper's attitude was 'order the f***ing everything because I can and then we all have one bite, maybe... because f***k you... guy.'

Pusha T's fourth studio album, It's Almost Dry, is set for release this Friday, April 22.

Ye responded days later by posting a throwback image of him with Cudi and Davidson (with his face crossed out in red) at Cudi's 35th birthday in 2019. 'I JUST WANTED MY FRIEND TO HAVE MY BACK THE KNIFE JUST GOES IN DEEPER'

Guys night out: The sushi-filled night out in the photograph took place back in 2019, and also included Kim Kardashian and Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet
Ewan McGregor is preparing to marry his girlfriend Mary Elizabeth Winstead later this week at a Los Angeles ceremony, according to a new report.

Not having announced an engagement, the actor, 51, will allegedly exchange vows with his Fargo co-star, 37, on Friday, after they played a couple in the FX show's 2016 series.

A source told Page Six, 'They are more in love than ever  and having their first child together last year just strengthened their bond.'

Exciting: Ewan McGregor is preparing to marry his girlfriend Mary Elizabeth Winstead later this week at a Los Angeles ceremony, according to a new report (pictured in March 2022)

Representatives for Ewan and Mary have been contacted for comment by MailOnline.

He shares daughters Clara, 26, Esther, 21, and Anouk, 11, with ex-wife Eve. They split in 2017 after 22 years of marriage and their divorce was finalised in August 2020.

The couple, who met on the set of the TV crime drama Kavanagh QC, first confirmed their split in 2017 amid claims Ewan had been seen kissing Mary in a London restaurant.

Loved up: Not having announced an engagement, the actor, 51, will allegedly exchange vows with his Fargo co-star, 37, on Friday

Eve was pictured without her wedding ring at around the same time.

The Star Wars actor  who blamed 'irreconcilable differences' for the split  then began dating Mary. The couple welcomed Laurie into the world in June.

The couple, who never revealed they were expecting, had their baby news announced by Ewan's daughter Clara on Instagram.

Talented: They played a couple in the FX show's 2016 series (both pictured in-character)

Clara, whose mother is Eve, shared a heartwarming snap of herself cradling her brother in her arms as she congratulated her father and Mary Elizabeth.

She wrote: 'Welcome to the world little brother  congratulations to my Dad & Mary - this is the greatest gift'.

Esther also shared pictures cradling the newborn as she gushed: 'Met my little brother looking like a pirate. I recommend! Welcome to the family little Laurie'.
Tammy Hembrow has been forced to defend herself after she was criticised for jetting off to the Maldives for a 'babymoon' holiday while 32 weeks pregnant.

The influencer, 27, flew business class with Singapore Airlines over the weekend, joined by her son Wolf, six, daughter Saskia, five, and fiance Matt Poole, 32.

And while the airline permits women with an 'uncomplicated single pregnancy' to fly at 32 weeks with a medical certificate, some of Tammy's Instagram followers were quick to criticise her decision in the comments section of her holiday album.

Criticism: Tammy Hembrow has defended herself after she was criticised for jetting off to the Maldives with her family while 32 weeks pregnant. (Pictured on the flight over the weekend)

'Wow, you're game to fly that pregnant... there was no way I would risk having a baby overseas or on a plane,' one follower wrote.

Tammy responded, 'I'm only 32 weeks haha not about to have this baby on a plane,' to which the fan replied: 'Problem is, it's not always planned.

'Mine came at 33 weeks without warning. It's so unpredictable with birth and we don't know how good the healthcare is overseas... your life your choice though, I'm more of a worry wort than most.'

'Flying this pregnant,' another critic wrote, adding: 'She could develop a blood clot, go into labour mid-flight, have labour complications and not have proper medical treatment, etc. There are tons of reasons not to fly in your third trimester.'

Not long now! Tammy showed off her huge baby bump while on holiday on Tuesday evening

Critique: While the airline permits women with an 'uncomplicated single pregnancy' to fly at 32 weeks with a medical certificate, some of Tammy's Instagram followers were quick to criticise her decision in the comments section of her holiday album

Tammy responded: 'Midwife said it's perfectly fine. Fit and healthy and so is bub.'

One follower commented: 'I personally wouldn't fly anywhere after 20 weeks into pregnancy because no one knows when the baby will be born.

'And if you're overseas and your baby is born prematurely, you'll need a lot of money and not sure if travel insurance would cover things like that.'

'Travelling in third trimester is very risky,' another agreed.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Tammy Hembrow for further comment.

Air travel is permitted on Singapore Airlines until 36 weeks for an uncomplicated single pregnancy, and until 32 weeks for an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy.

Babymoon in paradise: Tammy is enjoying a lavish babymoon in the Maldives with her son Wolf, six, daughter Saskia, five, and fiance Matt Poole, 32,

No medical certificate is required for women who are in their 28th week of pregnancy or earlier.

For between 29 and 36 weeks, a medical certificate is required stating the woman is fit to travel, as well as the estimated date of delivery and number of weeks of pregnancy.

The 'certificate must be dated within ten days of the first flight after 28 weeks of pregnancy', the Singapore Airlines website states.

No expense spared! On Monday, Tammy gave her followers a guided tour of her lodgings

An average flight time from Tammy's home in the Gold Coast to the Maldives is approximately 17 hours.

On Monday, Tammy gave her 14.5 million followers a guided tour of her lodgings, which included a private jetty, panoramic views of the ocean, an infinity pool, a freestanding bathtub and chic furnishings.

She also posted a clip of Saskia and Wolf jumping off the jetty, as Matt attempted to catch them from the water below.

Yummy mummy! Tammy also shared several photos of herself swanning around in a $1,400 knitted dress by Roberta Einer, and a pair of blue heels

Stunning: Tammy's videos showed panoramic views of the ocean, an infinity pool, a freestanding bathtub and chic furnishings

'I'm just making a bath... and look these three,' she wrote, filming her children as they frolicked in the water with their stepfather.

Tammy revealed her pregnancy back in December, just two weeks after she and Matt announced their engagement.

'Our hearts are so full,' she wrote on Instagram at the time.

Cheers! Matt also documented the family getaway on Instagram, uploading a video of himself and Tammy sipping drinks by the water

Family dinner: Tammy and Matt later documented their visit to a fine-dining restaurant

In a video thanking fans for their well-wishes in February, Tammy confessed it was 'so weird being pregnant again after so long'.

She has since kept fans updated on her pregnancy on Instagram, regularly showing off her burgeoning baby bump in belly-baring photos.

Tammy shares Saskia and Wolf with her ex-fiance Reece Hawkins.

Reece currently lives in the U.S. with his new wife London Goheen and their baby son Stone.
The Project host Carrie Bickmore recently spent time in Switzerland and Austria before her family's big move to the UK.

And the 41-year-old shared a gallery of holiday snaps to Instagram on Tuesday as she prepared for the next stage of her sabbatical.

She showed off her toned physique in a leopard-print swimsuit as she posed on the edge of an infinity pool at her luxury resort on Lake Lucerne in the Swiss Alps.

Living it up! The Project host Carrie Bickmore, 41, showed off her age-defying figure in a leopard-print swimsuit while on holiday in the Swiss Alps this week

Carrie captioned her gallery of photos: 'Insta Vs reality'.

In the 'reality' shots, she struggled to move to the edge of the pool, but she looked far more poised in the 'Insta' pictures.

'Both are very appealing from my POV,' fellow TV host Kate Langbroek commented.

Having a laugh: The 41-year-old shared a gallery of holiday snaps to Instagram on Tuesday

On Sunday, Carrie shared a picture of herself, her partner Chris and their children loaded up at Melbourne Airport, ready to fly out for their international adventure.

It appeared to be an throwback picture as Carrie said they'd been travelling recently.

'Our adventure is well underway can't wait to share what we've been up to over the past few weeks travelling,' the caption began.

Praise: 'Both are very appealing from my POV,' Kate Langbroek commented

'Our adventure is underway': On Sunday, Carrie shared a picture of herself, her partner Chris and their children at Melbourne Airport, ready to fly out for their international adventure. It appeared to be an throwback picture as Carrie said they'd been travelling recently

'We've packed it in [visiting France, Switzerland and Austria] (perhaps too many stops for our little people!) and we've seen the most incredible places,' Carrie added.

Settling in to the UK now,' she concluded, before dubbing the trip '#britmorefamilyadventure or the Chriswolds's family adventure as Chris calls it'.

Carrie first revealed her plans for a European sabbatical last month.

'In April I'm going to be taking a few months off The Project desk. Chris and I and the kids are heading off on a family adventure together,' she said on air.

'I'm taking a few months off The Project desk': Carrie first revealed her plans for a European sabbatical last month

'We've been wanting to do it for a while but for lots of reasons the timing hasn't been right, but we figure it's never going to be the perfect time to go.

'It's something we really want to do before my son starts his final years at school so we're doing term two in the UK. So I will be off for a couple of months.'

Carrie also said she had been inspired by The Project panellist Kate Langbroek, 56, who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family.
She recently returned to her hometown of Sydney.

And Australian actress Rose Byrne visited one of her old favourite haunts on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old US-based star showed off her slender figure in a chic retro bikini as she braved the cold water at Bondi Icebergs pool for a swim.

Wild thing! Rose Byrne showed off her slender physique in a chic retro bikini as she braved the cold water at Bondi Icebergs pool on Tuesday

The mother-of-two flaunted her long slender legs in a pair of high-waisted black bikini bottoms teamed with a leopard print top.

Makeup free the brunette beauty was glowing, and she tied her highlighted glossy brown locks back into a no-fuss ponytail.

Rose was seen wincing as she slowly climbed into the chilly water to cool off in the warm Autumn weather.

Hot mama! The mother-of-two flaunted her long slender legs in a pair of high-waisted black bikini bottoms teamed with a leopard print top

Rose was seen wincing as she slowly climbed into the chilly water to cool off in the warm Autumn weather

Natura beauty: Makeup free, Rose was glowing and she wasn't afraid to get her hair wet

Rose later slipped on a pair of retro denim shorts and a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to lap up the sun on a nearby grassy knoll.

While sitting on the grass, she caught up with her ex-boyfriend Brendan Cowell and her Seriously Red co-star, Krew Boylan.

Brendan and Rose dated for six years and lived together in New York before splitting in 2010.

Solo: Rose went swimming on her own before catching up with some friends

The sighting comes after Rose and her partner Bobby Cannavale, 51, attended the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas last month.

The pair, who have been together for 10 years and share two young sons, put on an affectionate display on the red carpet for the premiere of musical comedy film Seriously Red, in which they both star.

Seriously Red is based on Red (Krew Boylan), a spirited redhead who says goodbye to her real estate career and becomes a full-time Dolly Parton impersonator.

Happy to be home! The 42-year-old US-based star recently returned to her hometown of Sydney

Barefaced beauty: The Two Hands beauty looked half her age as she enjoyed her swim

Rose plays an Elvis impersonator, while Bobby takes on the role of a Kenny Rogers impersonator who falls in love with Red.

In an interview with Variety in February, Rose said of Dolly's incredible career: 'It's really extraordinary. Her legacy as a songwriter is unparalleled and the narrative she brought to music from the female perspective is truly amazing.'

Rose and Bobby have kept notoriously private about their relationship over the years.

Lapping up the sun! She later slipped on a pair of denim retro shorts and a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to lap up the sun on a nearby grassy knoll

Accessories: The star wore a pair of white Birkenstocks on her feet and toted a calico bag

Fancy seeing you here! While sitting on the grass, she caught up with her ex-boyfriend Brendan Cowell

However, Rose revealed to Good Weekend in July last year their plans to wed, after 10 years together.

She explained that they initially had plans to tie the knot, but becoming parents to their sons - Rocco, six, and Rafa, four - was their first priority.

'I guess for us it's just been, we didn't do it, we'll do it, then  no! Pandemic,' she said, noting Covid as their hurdle.

Long history: The couple dated for six years and lived together in New York before splitting in 2010

Crew: The pair were joined by other friends, including Rose's Seriously Red co-star Krew Boylan

Chic: Before heading home Rose slipped on a pretty boho-style blouse

FaceTime time! The beauty was beaming as she FaceTimed someone on her iPhone
The Bachelor alum Stephanie Boulton has announced her engagement to boyfriend Brett Moore, four years after going public with their romance.

The 28-year-old, who competed for Matty Johnson's heart on season five in 2017, shared the happy news on Instagram on Tuesday.

Stephanie posted a gallery of photos of the special moment and wrote in the caption: 'A weekend to remember.'

Wedding bells: The Bachelor alum Stephanie Boulton (right) has announced her engagement to boyfriend Brett Moore (left), four years after going public with their romance

She also shared a photo of her stunning, teardrop-shaped diamond ring.

The couple's relationship was made public in March 2018, while Brett was starring on spin-off series Bachelor in Paradise.

He was sent packing from the Channel 10 dating show after his 'secret' relationship with Steph was exposed by producers.

It's official! The 28-year-old, who competed for Matty Johnson's heart on season five in 2017, shared the happy news on Instagram on Tuesday. Stephanie posted a gallery of photos of the special moment and wrote in the caption: 'A weekend to remember'

Brett, from Sophie Monk's season of The Bachelorette, addressed the scandal on Instagram shortly after being booted off Paradise.

In a lengthy post, he blamed the producers for making him look like a 's**t bloke' and insisted the original plan was for Stephanie to join him in Fiji.

Brett explained that he and Stephanie were both approached to appear on Bachelor in Paradise in the 'early days' of their relationship.

Sparkler: She also shared a photo of her stunning, teardrop-shaped diamond ring

The idea was that they would film the series and allow their romance - which had already started back in Australia - to 'blossom' in front of the cameras.

But things went pear-shaped when Brett 'arrived on the island first' and Stephanie's contract was 'ripped up' - making it look like he 'went on a dating show without her'.

The ensuing controversy over Brett's 'secret girlfriend' and what he was doing on a dating show for singletons was one of the main storylines in the first two episodes.
By Zhang Jiahui

Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton recently announced that the country would spend AUD 3.5 billion upgrading equipment for the Australian Defense Force (ADF), including accelerating the procurement of new-type weapons and building military industrial companies, The Australian reported. He also said in an interview that the nuclear powered submarine purchased from the US and the UK according to their AUKUS agreement  the security pact among the three countries  is likely to arrive in Australia earlier than expected, and the first one is anticipated to enter the water at the end of 2030s. Some experts called Australias current military move excessive expansion, which may trigger an arms race and aggravate regional tension.

Frequent military enhancements

Australia has been upgrading its military equipment for quite some time on the excuse of threats from major countries. According to an overview of foreign media reports, on March 7, Australian Prime Minister Morrison announced an investment of at least AUD 10 billion to build a base for the nuclear submarines bought from Washington and London; on March 10, the ADF launched an AUD 38 billion reinforcement plan that will swell its ranks by 30% to about 80,000 troops by 2040, the most drastic military expansion for the country in nearly 40 years; on March 22, the Australian Defense Space Command officially came online, which Dutton said was a necessary endeavor with a view to protecting our national interests and our need for a Space Force in the future .

ABC News also reported that the US, UK and Australia issued a joint statement on April 5 claiming to work collaboratively on hypersonic, counter-hypersonic and electronic warfare capabilities, expand information sharing, and deepen the cooperation on defense innovations.

Aiming at multiple purposes

Guo Chunmei, associate researcher and the assistant to the director of the Institute of Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, analyzed that moves of the AUKUS parties to expand the military and develop military industrial enterprises indicate that the US and the UK will lead the way in Australias military upgrade.

On the one hand, Canberra will hold a federal election in May. The Morrison administrations constant moves on the defense field at such a moment are intended to win votes by hyping up the topic of national security and diverting domestic attention from the economic and social woes at home.

On the other hand, as one of Americas staunch allies, Australia is serving the US agenda by spending a staggering amount of money buying weapons and equipment from Washington, so as to share the cost of Americas military expansion and assist in its Indo-Pacific strategic deployments.

Exacerbating regional tension

According to media reports, Australias defense expenditure now accounts for more than 2% of its GDP, which meets what America asks of NATO members. In the meantime, Indonesia, which is at odds with Australia, has bought A400M strategic transport planes and Rafale fighter jets successively.

According to Guo Chunmei, Australia's picking sides so quickly has eroded the impression it leaves with the surrounding countries and laid waste to its efforts in previous decades to merge with Asia. Meanwhile, its growing military strike capabilities have also disgruntled Southeast Asia countries and even America's other allies in the Indo-Pacific region, not only exerting adverse effects on regional tension and further fomenting the arms race, but will also escalate hostility and anxiety. In a nutshell, Canberra has deviated from its duty of preserving national and regional peace and stability.

"Underlying Australia's wielding of the ideological banner is the Cold War mentality. The country has become a cat's paw in Americas containment of China," said Guo, "the current deadlock in China-Australia relations should be completely attributed to the Australian side. How its economic and trade cooperation with China has suffered provides a bad example for other countries  any country that ruins the relationship with another country for political gains will only end up harming its own long-term development."

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.
This page may be updated if the event is repeated

Past Event - Friday, April 22, 2022 This page may be updated if the event is repeated

Dayton Art Institute Offers Free Admission on Friday, April 2

Free Friday includes access to Van Gogh & European Landscapes and Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms, as well as a panel discussion and presentations by African American Visual Artists Guild

The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) will welcome the community to the museum with a special Free Friday, this Friday, April 22, 11 a.m.5 p.m.

The museum will offer free admission to its collection galleries and the exhibitions Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms, Van Gogh & European Landscapes, Fired Imagination: Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Nancy and Ed Rosenthal Family Collection and The Flower Prints of Katsuhira Tokushi.

In addition, the African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) will present the program Harlem Renaissance to Now: Relevance of African American Art in the museums Mimi and Stuart Rose Auditorium from 1 to 4 p.m. It includes presentations by Siera Leone, award-winning writer and poet, Karen D. Brame, the founder of BlackListed Culture, and Andrew Scott, artist and professor, as well as a panel discussion and live painting demonstration by Erin Smith-Glenn, Associate Professor of Art at Central State University. AAVAG collaborated with the DAI to present the exhibition Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms.

We greatly appreciate the communitys support through these past two years, especially as we begin to finally emerge from the pandemic and return to regular operations, said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. As a way of saying thank you, were offering the opportunity to experience the museum and its current exhibitions, as well as an uplifting presentation by the African American Visual Artists Guild, for free.

Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms, on view through May 22, is a juried exhibition featuring more than 80 works by 44 nationally recognized and emerging African American artists from across the United States. The exhibition reflects the diverse backgrounds and different interests of the artists and includes art in a variety of styles and media.

Van Gogh & European Landscapes, on view through September 4, offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a remarkable pair of Van Gogh paintings, on loan to the museum from Switzerland, made during the final month of Van Goghs life. This intimate Focus Exhibition also includes works by Charles-Francois Daubigny, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Constable and others.

Fired Imagination: Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Nancy and Ed Rosenthal Family Collection, on view through July 24, presents a private collection of ceramics, ranging from figures to vessels and spanning more than 3,000 years of Chinese history.

The Flower Prints of Katsuhira Tokushi, on view through September 18, introduces the work of Japanese artist Katsuhira Tokushi through a complete set of his series Twelve Works on Flower Selling Customs (19591961).
El Meson is excited to once again host a Cinco De Mayo celebration this year on May 5. The parking lot will become a street party with festive live music, margaritas, and traditional eating.

Cinco Happy Hour: Come early because from 4pm to 5:30 we'll have $3 tacos and $6 Margaritas! : Come early because from 4pm to 5:30 we'll have $3 tacos and $6 Margaritas!

Live Music: We're hosting an evening with Velvet Crush! Velvet Crush Unplugged will play from 6 - 7:30pm and then the full band will join them for the rest of the evening!

Food Trucks: We'll have our full fleet of food trucks on site serving up all of your favorite street food dishes from Mexico and beyond! As well, you can get margaritas and other cocktails from the trucks outside!

VIP Experience: Enjoy dedicated seating, servers, a personal bar, and a great view of the music from our beautiful outdoor patio! Tickets: $35

General Admission: Tickets are available now for $7 in advance. Tickets at the door will be $10.

Standard dining: our dining rooms, bar, bar and indoor patio will be open with our standard offerings the whole night!

We can't wait to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with all of our amazing customers, friends, and family!
HYDERABAD: K.T. Rama Rao, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) working president and municipal administration and urban development minister on Tuesday said the government would act sternly if anybody attempted to disturb the communal harmony in the state.

He made this comment while participating in the foundation stone laying ceremony at Sardar Mahal in the Old City of Hyderabad. The minister inaugurated Bahadurpura flyover apart from taking part in several developmental works worth Rs 500 cr in the Old City.

Stating that TRS never indulged in politics in the name of religion, Rama Rao said, "Some forces are trying to divide people in the name of religion or caste for their political gains. It is the responsibility of all people to reject such forces. We believe in the politics of progress. We believe in the politics of construction and not destruction. He said development projects worth nearly Rs 500 crore launched in a single day showed the commitment of K. Chandrasekhar Rao led government for the development of the Old City.

The minister inaugurated the new flyover at Bahadurpura junction. The 690-metre-long flyover from Bahadurpura police station to the Jawaharlal Nehru Zoological Park was constructed at a cost of Rs 190 crore as part of the Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP). The six-lane bi-directional flyover is expected to ease the traffic congestion in Bahadurpura.

The minister accepted a request made by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi to name the flyover after Jamia Nizamia founder Fazeelath Jung Hafiz Mohammed Anwarullah Farooqui. One of the oldest Islamic seminaries of India, Jamia Nizamia is located in the old city of Hyderabad. It was established in 1876.

The flyover was built by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. To build the flyover, 45 properties were acquired and the office of the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution had to be shifted.

This flyover would bring much-needed relief to commuters moving in different directions via the busy Bahadurpura Junction and to people visiting the Nehru Zoological Park, officials said.

"To preserve the citys old world charm and heritage, Rs 21.09 crore and Rs 30 crore will be spent to restore Mir Alam Mandi and the 121-year-old Sardar Mahal respectively. Another historic structure that will be restored is the Murgi Chowk, popular as Mahbub Chowk Market and works will be executed here at an estimated cost of Rs 36 crore," he said while laying the foundation stone.
Khammam: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday assured the family of S. Sai Ganesh, the BJP activist who died by suicide, that there would be complete justice after a proper investigation into the death.

Sending a powerful signal that the national Bharatiya Janata Party leadership had the backs of BJP workers in Telangana, Amit Shah, during a phone call with Sai Ganeshs grandmother Savithri, and sister Kaveri, asked what the family wanted.

In response, the grandmother told Amit Shah that they did not have any faith in the state police investigation into her grandsons death and they wanted justice. Mr Shah was requested to order for a proper investigation.

A CBI inquiry into the death alone can ensure truth comes out and justice can be delivered, the family said, to which Mr Shah responded with a firm assurance of jaroor karenge (will certainly do so).

It may be recalled that Sai Ganesh, a BJP activist from Khammam, died by suicide after alleging harassment by the Telangana state police, and had named Ajay Kumar, senior Telangana Rasthra Samithi (TRS) leader and state transport minister, as the person responsible for getting a slew of false cases filed against him by the Khammam police.

His death has become a flashpoint in the district, with the BJP demanding a CBI probe, and declaring that it would not rest until everyone who drove the young party worker to death, was caught and punished. The family told Mr Amit Shah that Sai Ganesh was disturbed by the cases filed by police against him.

Sai Ganesh used to always think about the BJP and participated in party programmes with fullest commitment, the family told Mr Shah.

The BJPs Tamil Nadu in-charge Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, who facilitated the call, was accompanied to Sai Ganeshs residence by BJP Khammam district president Galla Satyanarayana.

Meanwhile, members of the BJPs legal cell visited Khammam on a fact-finding mission into Sai Ganeshs death. The legal cell members, including Rama Rao, member of the Telangana Bar Council, high court advocates, Anthony Reddy, Ravinder Viswanath, Sridevi and Lalitha, spoke with several people and made notes about the case.

High Court advocate Antony Reddy said on Tuesday that police were trying to water down the case by not filing a case under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code that relates to abetment of suicide.

If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term, which may extend to 10 years, under IPC 306. Section 309 of attempt to commit suicide will cease after the death of the victim, he said.

Reddy said that they would file a writ petition in the Telangana High Court and seek an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation if the police do not investigate the case properly.
Vijayawada: Five ministers who assumed charge in their respective chambers amidst chanting of vedas by the priests at the AP Secretariat here on Monday expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for giving them an opportunity to serve the people of the state.

Those who took charge include Merugu Nagarjuna (minister for social welfare), K. Narayana Swamy (deputy CM for excise), Kottu Satyanarayana (deputy CM for endowments), Taneti Vanitha (minister for home and disaster management) and Vidadala Rajini (minister for health, family welfare and medical education).

Nagarjuna assured that all efforts will be made to ensure welfare schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries especially those who belonged to Dalit community. He signed on the file pertaining to the posting of an official on deputation in the department while his second file dealt with the removal a new deputy director in social welfare department in West Godavari.

Narayana Swamy vowed to curb illicitly distilled liquor in the state as its brewing and sale were becoming rampant. He appended his first signature on the file pertaining to providing medical reimbursement to the two employees who died due to ill-health while working in the department.

Satyanarayana vowed to protect properties of the temples in the state and signed on a project worth of Rs 3,000 crore to be taken up by the TTD.

Vanitha assured efforts to ensure accountability, transparency, quick response and friendly policing in the police department in the state and called for support from the people to maintain law and order properly.

Rajani vowed to get works started for construction of 16 government medical colleges in the state by end of April and said that she would make all efforts to help the poor patients get quality health care in the state.

Meanwhile, BC welfare and information and public relation minister Ch. Srinivasa Venu Gopal Krishna said that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has given more responsibility to him by giving cabinet berth to him for the second time. He took up thanks giving to Mr Jagan rally from Penuguduru village in Kakinada Rural Mandal.

Many of the Ruling YSRC workers participated in the rally. He said that the voters of Ramachandrapuram Assembly Constituency blessed him by winning as MLA and Jagan Mohan Reddy had been given ministers post. He said that YSR had given him the Zilla Parishad Chairman Post. He said that he would take the government schemes to the people and he would work with commitment and dedication.

Kakinada MLA Kurasala Kannababu, Kakinada Lok Sabha Member Vanga Gita, Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy and others greeted Venu.
Hyderabad: L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited has approached the Telangana High Court against the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) and power distribution companies (discoms) challenging the hike in the tariffs.

It complained that it is contrary and violative of the detailed project report of Hyderabad Metro Rail project of June 2003 and the Concession Agreement of 2016. Justice Annireddy Abhishek Reddy directed discoms Counsel to obtain instructions and posted the matter to Tuesday.

L&T Metro Rail Counsel Vikram Poserla on Monday submitted to the court that his client addressed a representation in 2016 to the Telangana Energy Department requesting for fixing of tariff on a cost to serve basis for the HMR as per clause 6.4 of the Concession Agreement.

Explaining the background, Counsel Vikram Poserla submitted to the court that HMR is already going through financial difficulties and has been incurring huge losses since 2018. If it is burdened with the increase in tariff or the HMR is treated like any other industry and is imposed a high tariff, then it will incur high costs in servicing the project which will have a direct impact on the passengers.

As the change of tariff came into effect from April 1, 2022, Counsel requested the court to suspend the implementation of the changed tariff to the extent of the HMR.
The daily new Covid-19 cases in India are showing an upward trend, driven by a rise in select areas like the Delhi-NCR region and Haryana. For a day, the trend became very steep because of the backlog of cases reported by Kerala.

Alongside, there have been a few reports of Covid-19 cases in school children. These developments have raised some concerns and face masks have once again been made mandatory in some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, as well as Chandigarh. Is this increase in cases a reason for worry and the start of the fourth wave of the pandemic in India? Are children at risk of Covid-19 and should the schools again be moved back to a hybrid mode? Should masks be made mandatory again? Lets discuss what is at stake here.

The current rise in Covid-19 cases is largely localised to New Delhi, the NCR region and Haryana. This can largely be attributed to the removal of Covid-related restrictions, resulting in an increased social mobility and travel. Most of those being tested positive are asymptomatic or mild symptomatic and had got themselves tested voluntarily, for travel or other reasons. There is very marginal or no increase in hospitalisation or the need for ICU beds. The remaining Indian states continue to report single- or double-digit cases and there is no upward trend.

At present, the Omicron and its sub-lineage BA.1, BA.2 and recombinant XE (mix of BA.1 and BA.2) are the circulating SARS CoV2 variants in India. A few confirmed cases due to XE are not a cause of worry as it is not a new variant, and just a subtype of Omicron. Considering Indias third wave in January-February that was caused by Omicron, there is no scientific reason to believe that XE, BA.2 or another Omicron sub-lineage will cause fresh waves in the country. In short, there is no reason to worry about the increase in Covid-19 cases. This state-specific rise is not the start of the fourth wave in India.

The current Omicron wave in China and the stringent restrictions there are also being interpreted with fear and apprehension. However, the situation in China is different from India. China had not faced a second wave for the past two years and the population with natural immunity is low. The vaccines used in China also had the lowest efficacy amongst all the Covid-19 vaccines. India has already faced three Covid-19 waves (and thus has high natural infection) and high adult immunisation coverage with better efficacy vaccines. This puts India in a situation of hybrid immunity and thus better protected from Covid-19 risks.

It is widely accepted now that SARS COV2 will stay with humanity for long, possibly forever. In the months ahead, the rise and fall in Covid-19 cases at regular intervals is going to be a normal phenomenon. However, scientific and epidemiological evidence points that in any future rise, because of hybrid population immunity, the severity of infection would remain low.

It is time to review the response strategies as well. The masks are proven tools in reducing Covid-19 transmission. However, in the early part of the pandemic, when the entire population was susceptible and vaccinations had not started, the universal masking had clear-cut benefits. The Omicron and its sub-variants have indicated that cloth masks have limited role in prevention of SARS CoV2 transmission. The population risk has also come down. Therefore, the way we do not boil the entire overhead water tank in our house to prepare two cups of tea, making face masks mandatory for everyone when the risk is differential is not the right approach any longer. The approach for the time ahead has to be protect the vulnerable and the face masks and other Covid appropriate behaviour (CAB) should only be voluntary.

Then, the government policy decisions should not be knee jerk and rather be determined by a calm assessment of the situation and informed by emerging evidence. The current localised upward trend in Covid-19 cases is not a justification to rush to make face masks mandatory again. The epidemiological evidence points that a differential and voluntary approach for all CAB, including face masks, should be followed. The fully vaccinated adults and all healthy children can live a normal life with minimal restrictions. The elderly and other high-risk adults need to follow face mask wearing a little more diligently, especially in indoor and crowded spaces and when meeting non-family members. This behaviour needs to be suitably adjusted for local transmission dynamics but still remain voluntary.

More specifically, the children reported to have tested positive are all asymptomatic or mild symptomatic. There is no evidence that these children had got infection at the schools. Rather, more likely from other family members. Then, the successive sero-surveys have pointed out that nearly 70-90 per cent of all children in India have got the infection (thus protected), when the schools were closed. Studies have noted children do get the infection at the same rate as adults; but the probability of adverse outcomes of moderate to severe Covid-19 disease in children is very low. In this backdrop, children being tested positive is not a reason to worry too much or to close the schools. This risk has not altered with the emergence of the new variants. In Indian states, including in Delhi and Haryana, the schools should be open at full capacity for offline classes  the only exception being that parents should be informed if a child has tested positive in their childs class/section. The other measure should be that children who are not feeling well or have fever, cough or cold should not attend school.

At this stage of the pandemic, daily new Covid-19 cases are not the right way to track it. Therefore, policy decisions should be made based upon trends in clinically confirmed cases, hospitalisations and ICU admission. There is an urgent need to increase public communications for voluntary adherence to mask wearing, specially by vulnerable populations. At an individual level, people need to do a self-assessment of risk and follow Covid appropriate behaviour accordingly. All those eligible should also get a Covid-19 booster shot.

There is no reason to worry unduly and get concerned about the rise in Covid-19 cases in some parts of India. The trend is not nationwide. This is not the start of the fourth wave. All pandemic-related measures should be voluntary and all economic, social and educational activities should continue without any restrictions, but with individual precautions. Most important, the schools should continue to open with full capacity for offline classes.
For Vipluv, 24, a job offer from the leading edtech company BYJU's was like a dream come true. He, along with four-five of his friends, joined BYJU's as Business Development Trainee-Sales in February this year for a monthly stipend of about Rs 15,000.

After a six-week training, he was promised Rs 45,000 as salary at a location of his choice -- which was Agra or Noida in his case, as he had relatives there to support him on his first stint out of his home-town.

To his shock, after the training period was over, he was asked by the HR team to join Lucknow as his next location, on a salary of just Rs 25,000.

"I decided to quit as it was impossible for me to survive in Lucknow at Rs 25,000. Neither the location or the salary that was promised to me were agreed to. All of my friends resigned as none wanted to go to the locations where they had to struggle to survive," Vipluv told IANS.

As India reopens amid 'hybrid normal' and schools and colleges return to normal, edtech platforms see a significant dip in the demand for online learning and some of such firms have either shut shops or fired employees in recent days.

BYJU's is also facing the heat to keep up with the changing times.

Reliable industry sources told IANS that its global expansion plans have not yet reached the scale it had planned.

Most notable startup under its umbrella that is facing trouble is online coding platform WhiteHat Jr, bought in July 2020 for $300 million.

With WhiteHat Jr, BYJU's aimed to take coding to the world from India, hiring teachers on contractual-basis.

The fact is that the platform earned just Rs 12.34 crore and Rs 11.07 crore from its Australia and UK markets, respectively.

WhiteHat Jr posted a massive Rs 1,690 crore loss in the financial year 2021, while generating an operating revenue of Rs 484 crore in the same period.

The platform's losses skyrocketed in FY21 and its expenses reached Rs 2,175 crore -- compared to Rs 69.7 crore in FY20.

Sources close to the company told IANS that WhiteHat Jr has asked its nearly 3,000 sales and support employees to report to either Mumbai or Gurugram (out of its 5,000-strong workforce that includes teachers which are on contractual-basis hence not full-time employees), from April 18.

It has also shut its schools division that last year targeted to take its flagship coding curriculum to 10 lakh school students by the next academic year.

WhiteHat Jr's also forayed into teaching music online, offering Guitar and Piano. It later launched a specially-curated course to offer immersive learning opportunities for music aspirants across all age groups.

However, this move has also yielded no fruitful results to date, said sources.

In a statement, a WhiteHat Jr spokesperson told IANS that as part of its back-to work drive, "most of our Sales and Support employees have been asked to report to Gurugram and Mumbai offices from April 18."

"Our teachers will continue to work from home. We understand that some of our employees may voluntarily choose not to return to work, in Gurugram and Mumbai. In such cases, the employees are advised to get in touch with HR for next steps," the company added.

Sensing the changing education landscape, BYJU'S recently launched 80 physical tuition centres and plans to increase it to 500 in 200 cities by 2022, providing employment to around 10,000 people, including teachers.

BYJU's has always been on an acquisition spree. It has acquired several heavyweights, like Aakash Educational Services Ltd and Great Learning.

In July 2021, it acquired Epic! for $500 million; US-based Osmo for $120 million in January 2019 and in July 2017, it acquired TutorVista, Edurite from Pearson.

Last month, it announced a new partnership with QIA, the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, to launch a new edtech business and state-of-the-art research centre in Doha.

According to the company, the future of education will bring the best of the online and offline world together.

"Learning eventually will combine asynchronous online elements with synchronous elements. For us, India will continue to be a major focal point, as we go deeper into the country to create value in our learners' lives," a company's spokesperson told IANS.

"We have and will continue to grow through both organic and inorganic routes. Overall, our products are global, localised to every country and personalised to every learner," the spokesperson noted.

However, the winds of change in the edtech space are set to affect the edtech giant too.

Byju Raveendran, founder and CEO, has reportedly financed his recent $400 million investment in the company through a debt he raised from multiple international banks, as the edtech giant plans for an IPO.

It is a rare gesture to see a founder invest in a startup that is about to file for an IPO.

The stark truth is that the lay-off season has begun in the Indian startup ecosystem.

Edtech platform Unacademy recently laid off nearly 600 employees, contractual workers and educators -- about 10 per cent of its 6,000-strong workforce across the group.

In a nightmare for nearly 1,000 employees, homegrown edtech startup Lido Learning which is backed by top entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala, apparently shut operations in February, forcing its workforce to seek help via social media platforms.

How far can BYJU's avoid a strong headwind in the online education space? Time will tell us shortly.

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has handed over a questionnaire aimed at achieving his country's candidate status for the European Union (EU) membership to the EU Ambassador Matti Maasikas, the presidential press service said.

"Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the EU, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for," Zelenskyy said at the handover ceremony in Kyiv.

The people of Ukraine are united by the goal to become a part of the EU, Zelensky stressed, noting that the prompt work on providing a questionnaire to Ukraine is an important signal for Kyiv, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession," Zelenskyy said.

For his part, Maasikas said that Ukraine's answers to the questionnaire will be analysed "very quickly".

Earlier in the day, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that Kyiv has sent the first part of a questionnaire, which covers political and economic spheres, to the European Commission.

The other part, which assesses the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with the EU laws, will be sent to the European Commission soon, Stefanishyna said.

On February 28, Zelenskyy signed an official appeal to the EU asking for the accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed over a questionnaire to Zelenskyy during her visit to Kyiv on April 8.
The launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir valley are abuzz with activities with around 60 to 80 terrorists, believed to be Afghan returnee mercenaries, receiving training with a possible push expected during summer months, officials here said.

The officials, however, feel that Pakistan will have to think several times before pushing them into the Indian side as Islamabad continues to be in the "grey list" of the Financial Action Task Force, and its sincerity could be gauged if it dismantles the terror infrastructure.

The officials said that after the 2019 pounding by the Indian army, the Pakistani side steered clear of the launch pads till early months of last year when they briefly emerged for some weeks and later disappeared again.

Also Read | Paramilitary forces return to Jammu and Kashmir after poll duty

However, from August last year, around 60-80 terrorists are present at these re-activated launch pads across the border and according to intelligence inputs and monitoring by the field units, the terrorists seem to be Afghan war returnees who are mostly Pakistani mercenaries.

The LoC has been witnessing ceasefire since last February and officials said that the Pakistani army, after facing severe reverses in 2019, has used this time for fortification of its positions along the border with around 8,000 tonnes of defence material.

The Pakistani army has also moved in around 60 heavy caliber guns besides strengthening its air defence system, artillery and mortars while taking advantage of the ceasefire which has been holding good since last year, the officials said.

They said that while the Indian Army maintains strategic advantage along the LoC, the time has also been used for further strengthening its position to ensure that designs of Pakistani army to push in terrorists during approaching summer is foiled.

The officials said that the anti-infiltration grid and surveillance along the LoC has been further beefed up to meet all kinds of challenges.

Following talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan over hotline, a joint statement was issued on February 25, 2021 in which the two countries agreed to the strict observance of all agreements, understandings and ceasefire along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from the February 24-25 midnight 2021.

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Union minister Giriraj Singh has alleged that the recent attacks on Ram Navami processions at a number of places across the country flew in the face of the "claims of Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb" (composite culture of India).

The firebrand BJP leader said the country did not object to the construction of new mosques post-Independence and "multifold rise in the population of Muslims" in the country despite large-scale demolition of temples in Pakistan where Hindus faced near-extinction, and warned that "now, patience is running out".

Singh made the provocative remarks while talking to reporters in this north Bihar district late Monday night. He was venting his spleen over remarks of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and "secular politicians with Jinnah's DNA" that Hindus should avoid venturing into Muslim-dominated localities to avoid communal flare-ups while taking out religious processions.

Read | Ram Navami riots: Procession, galvanisation, instigation

"Where will Ram Navami processions taken out if not in this country? In Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan? Had processions of any other faith been attacked leaders like Rahul Gandhi and the ailing (RJD president) Lalu Prasad would have hit the streets for their political tourism," said the Union minister who remains in news for his acerbic utterances.

Singh, the MP from Bihars Begusarai, expressed outrage over incidents like attacks on police officials at Hubballi in Karnataka and at Jahangirpuri in Delhi which have witnessed communal violence recently.

He said he was aghast at the incident in Gorakhpur where an IIT graduate charged into the Gorakhdham peeth, a religious institution headed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and attacked security personnel before getting arrested and booked under the UAPA.

"The country was partitioned in 1947. We must not commit the same mistake again by talking in terms of Hindu-dominated or Muslim-dominated areas. Dont Hindus heartily take part in Tazia processions during Muharram," Singh asked.

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How much divisiveness is too much? Are we nearing its endgame in India or has it become a self-fulfilling enterprise, a gift that keeps on giving, and the only possible way ahead is to crank up the hate even more so the haters can gorge on its poisoned fruit and glory in the chaos it has let loose?

The last few days have been a testament to this bitter harvest of hate. They have been a testament to the fact that the process of tearing apart Indias social fabric has acquired a terrifying momentum. On April 10, violent clashes broke out between Hindus and Muslims in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and West Bengal during Ram Navami celebrations. On April 16, there were more communal clashes, this time in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti festivities. The same day, violence erupted in Hubli, in Karnataka, when one community, furious over a social media post showing a morphed picture of a saffron flag atop a revered place of worship, turned up at a police station and started throwing stones, injuring several policemen.

Also read | No religious procession can be taken out in Uttar Pradesh sans permission: Yogi Adityanath

On both Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, violence and arson took place when celebrants, high on their aggressive religiosity, marched past mosques shouting slogans, and in some cases, blaring songs targeting the minority community. Needless to say, each group blames the other for drawing first blood. And needless to say, whoever was responsible for the violence  Hindus, Muslims, or a bunch of thugs who simply wanted to foment unrest  must be brought to book.

However, the point is not which group was directly responsible for igniting this flurry of communal clashes around the country, or that the Hindu celebrants were provocatively armed with swords and lathis, or that the first stones may have been thrown from a mosque. The point is that after decades of living side by side in relative harmony, where communities observed their own festivals and often participated in those of others, the atmosphere is so vitiated now that Hindu festivals seem to have become occasions to bait Muslims, and Hindu religious processions seem to evoke insecurity and animosity amongst some members of the minority community.

But should we be surprised by this significant uptick in communal tensions? Havent we been hurtling towards just such an outcome for the last few years? The BJP, the ruling party at the Centre, has looked on mutely as its satraps in the states, together with shrill right-wing Hindu fundamentalist groups, have gone on a concerted drive to demonise, marginalise and terrorise Muslims. The lynchings over alleged cow slaughter and consumption of beef in the early years of this government were an indication of the shape of things to come. Today, Indias principal minority community, some 200 million Muslims, is under sustained and systematic attack in almost every sphere of their lives. Is it any wonder then that we find ourselves in a tinderbox where the slightest spark can set off a conflagration?

Also Read | Delhi police link VHP, Bajrang Dal to Jahangirpuri violence, soon retract statement

Karnataka, where the BJP is in power, has been particularly active in keeping Muslims  and also Christians  under pressure. In the last few months, there has been a ban on Muslim girls wearing the hijab in the classroom, a move to prevent Muslim vendors from setting up stalls at village temple fairs, protests against the use of loudspeakers during azaan, and even a cry for the boycott of halal meat. In other words, there has been an effort to restrict the communitys choice of attire, their freedom to practise their religion and, more devastatingly, constrict their right to livelihood. Karnatakas capital may be Bengaluru, a hub of cutting-edge technology, modernity and inclusion, but its discourse is dominated by such things as hijab and halal, and the compelling necessity of keeping a minority community out of village temple fairs.

Many of these moves are legally contentious, and, arguably, in breach of the constitutional right to equality, the right to life and livelihood, and so on. But the powers-that-be display a brazen disregard for such concerns. There are always exceptions to be cited, excuses to be made, vague justifications to be invoked, and, on occasion, majoritarian muscle power to be used as a wrecking ball.

After the Ram Navami clashes in Khargone in Madhya Pradesh, the homes of the alleged rioters were bulldozed in complete violation of the rule of law and the judicial process. It was as if the courts and the criminal justice system had ceased to exist in this country, and the state had arrogated unto itself the right to deliver summary justice on those suspected of wrongdoing. Narottam Mishra, the home minister of the BJP-ruled state, declared that whoever had thrown stones would have their homes reduced to rubble. And on cue, scores of houses and shops belonging to Muslims were razed to the ground.

The Madhya Pradesh administration claimed that it was demolishing illegal structures that had encroached on public land. Thats not even a fig leaf. Besides, that exercise, too, has a due process under the law. But the state government, which has been keen on replicating Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths policy of bulldozing the homes of alleged wrongdoers, knows full well that it enjoys impunity, and perhaps endorsement, for taking such actions.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the Hindu right-wing outfit Vishva Hindu Parishad has threatened to launch a battle against the Delhi Police if it moves against those who took out a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri without obtaining the necessary permits. Clearly, the message from the Hindutvawadis is that majoritarian might can and must prevail over the laws of the land.

Today, every move against Muslims, every attempt to restrict their religious, cultural and social space, is fuelling an increasingly hostile and adversarial atmosphere between the two principal communities. No good can come of this. The rise in the incidence of communal clashes is an augury that the government would do well to heed. India cannot hope to achieve progress when its social equilibrium has been blasted, when its people are so sharply divided and preoccupied with sectarian concerns. The time to alter course is now.

(Shuma Raha is a journalist and author)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the authors own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said that Congress leaders were indirectly encouraging violent incidents in Karnataka by asking the police not to arrest innocent Muslims. "Everybody knows that Muslim community leader Altaf Hallur is the man behind the Hubballi violence reported on April 17 night," he said. "So who are the innocent people?"

Yediyurappa said Tuesday that thousands of Muslims had hurled stones at the police station in Hubballi and injured more than 12 police personnel, including inspector Kadadevaramath. "They vandalised the police station and damaged public and police vehicles," he said. "Can we call them innocents? It is unbecoming of Assembly Opposition Leader Siddaramaiah to make such statements. It seems they are indirectly encouraging such people to indulge in violence. There is no point in making statements from Bengaluru. Let them visit the spot and know the ground reality. Instead of condemning violence, they are asking the police not to arrest those disturbing the peace."

Also Read | It's clash of seers over 'commission for government grants' allegations in Karnataka

When asked about the Dingaleshwar seer's claim that mutts paid 30 per cent commission to get government grants, he said, "let the seer produce evidence to support his claims so that the government can take action against those who demanded commission. It is unbecoming of a religious head to make such statements in a public forum." Yediyurappa made clear that if there was any truth to the matter, the government would take action against those responsible.

He said that the BJP would shortly start a statewide tour to ensure that the party would win 150 seats in the next Assembly polls. "If the BJP forms the government on its own, it will weaken the Congress in Karnataka," he said.

When asked about BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's remark that the home minister was weak, he said that Aaraga Jnanendra had been discharging his duties effectively. "Within an hour, police nabbed Abhishekh Hiremath who had uploaded an offensive post on WhatsApp and action was taken against those who indulged in violence," Yediyurappa said. "When such incidents happen in the state, the chief minister or home minister can't be made liable. But they must take action to restore peace. So, there is no need to change the home minister in Karnataka."

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Karnataka is exploring tie-up opportunities between the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and Estonian universities to improve medical education in the state.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Estonian Ambassador Katrin Kivi here recently, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said they have discussed exchange programmes.

Though Estonia is a small country, it has the highest number of start-ups and good medical technology. We are trying to use them to bring reforms in medical education, he added.

Dr Sudhakar also mentioned the health registry developed by Estonia for its population. They have developed very good genomic sequencing labs which could help detect diseases, like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Schizophrenia etc he added.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
Dingaleshwar seer of Shirahatti Fakeereshwara Mutt came under attack from Public Works Minister CC Patil on Tuesday over the former's allegations that even mutts were forced to pay 30% commission to get grants sanctioned by the government.

"The seer has made these allegations while attending a programme by a former legislator in a bid to praise him," Patil said, launching an attack on the seer at a media briefing.

The seers' remarks have pushed the state government on the defensive as several ministers and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa have slammed the pontiff. "CM Basavaraj Bommai has assured action if documents are submitted... If he shares information, we will demand an impartial probe," Patil said.

The minister also lashed out at the seer for his remarks against Bommai's decision to celebrate the birthday of Thontada Siddalinga Mahaswamiji of Thontadarya mutt as Social Harmony Day.

Dingaleshwar seer has said that the announcement had dealt a death blow to Fakeereshwar mutt. "Such remarks by the seer have damaged the honor and dignity of his mutt...Should we treat this seer with respect (after such statements)? I strongly condemn this," Patil said.

Must read | It's clash of seers over 'commission for government grants' allegations in Karnataka
Aontu Foyle candidate, Emmet Doyle, has slammed both the SDLP and Sinn Fein for seeking to employ a whitewash election strategy ahead of next month's Assembly election.

Cllr Doyle, who is currently represents the Ballyarnett, accused the pair of seeking to deny their failures during two decades in Stormont and that activism outside of election time was something that both parties had forgotten about.

He also accused the parties of shutting down debate citing a viral video clip from an online hustings debate where SDLP candidate, Sinead McLaughlin, was critical of those she encountered whilst canvassing who had pro-life issues as their main priority ahead of the cost of living crisis and also comments from pro-life supporters in response to a social media post from Sinn Fein's Padraig Delargy being deleted.

So desperate are the SDLP and Sinn Fein to hold onto their seats in Foyle, said Cllr Doyle, that they are openly seeking to brainwash the electorate into thinking they havent been in the failing Stormont Executive for nearly twenty years.

Their well fix everything on May 6 message to voters is not working as the reception theyve received at hustings has shown, and when they preach change they do so only to highlight that a change means leaving them behind.

Between candidates telling voters to stop questioning them at doors and get a life or censoring opposition views on their Facebook pages, these two parties that have promised the moon and stars to people for their votes at this election dont seem to have grasped that change is coming and more people are looking to Aontu as an alternative voice for Derry.

I have shown the lengths I am willing to go to at Council and in the community to serve our people.

Activism outside of election time is something these parties have long forgotten about. On May 5 I believe people will make a definitive change of direction and opt to have someone in their corner unravelling the spin and the coverup of failure from parties that have run out of steam.

In response, SDLP Foyle Assembly candidate Mark H Durkan hit back accusing Cllr Doyle of spending most of his time attacking the SDLP.

He said: The SDLP have always worked to deliver for the people of Derry and we are proud of our record.

While other Executive parties have put their own interests ahead of those of local people we have always worked constructively to tackle the issues impacting on peoples lives. We are frustrated at the lack of progress on a number of key issues, but the way to address this is by returning more SDLP MLAs.

One only has to look at everything achieved by SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon during the last mandate to see what we can deliver when we work to build a better future for everyone here.

As a direct result of her work Derry will be one of the first cities in these islands to have its own zero emission bus fleet, we are close to seeing the A6 road project completed and she has brought renewed energy to the Derry-Coleraine rail upgrade.

For all his claims about wanting to help people, Councillor Doyle bizarrely seems to spend most of his time attacking the SDLP instead of the two parties that have been leading the Executive for the past 15 years. During my time as an MLA my constituency office and those of my colleagues have worked tirelessly to help local people in any way we can and our door is always open.

People in Derry know where to go when they need help and support, they know who is working on the issues that matter to them, the SDLP put people first, we always have and always will.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson added: From day one after this election, Sinn Fein will be ready to go back to the Executive and work with others to continue supporting workers and families struggling with the global cost-of-living crisis.

And to deliver 1 billion of extra funding for the health service to recruit more doctors and nurses, tackle waiting lists and fund mental health and cancer services.

This election is about the future and offering people a positive vision of parties working together to get things done.

It seems Councillor Doyles party are more focused on negativity which has been evident from the fact they were forced to apologise for a scathing attack on Irish Medium schools in the city in party election literature.
As recently happened  more than once  in Nigeria, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has extended SIM card registration in the country beyond last week's deadline.

Kenyans now have another six months to meet registraton requirements  until 15 October in fact.

According to the Capital News website, this extension follows a meeting between CA director-general Ezra Chiloba and CEOs of mobile operators. This resulted in an agreement to extend the exercise to allow for 100 percent compliance, although this time the CA plans undertake monthly reviews to assess progress. This will be followed by a compliance audit on each of the operators after six months.

Any case of non-compliance with the SIM Card Registration Regulations 2015 by either the operators or subscribers will attract legal penalties.

Currently, according to CA, Safaricom has reported 67 per cent compliance and Airtel Kenya 55 per cent. Telkom Kenya is only at 33 per cent.

The extension will come as a relief to many Kenyans who had been rushing to registration areas to beat the deadline which, until now, was last Friday.

After what appears to have been a long delay, Safaricom on Friday rolled out an online self-registration platform to allow its subscribers to validate their details, something Airtel and Telkom have apparently already done.

There has been a lot of pressure on the Communication Authority to extend the registration exercise, including, reportedly, a request from deputy president William Ruto.
Batelco and Ericsson have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on next-generation 5G technologies.

The MoU will cover collaboration on Voice over New Radio (NR) and advanced Charging System that will enhance Batelcos real-time convergent charging as well as enable the introduction of new smart and innovative Internet of Things (IoT) products. It will also include cloud-native 5G Core and 5G Standalone (SA) solutions that helped Batelco and Ericsson successfully complete the first 5G SA data call in the Kingdom.

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) will also be a key area of focus for Batelco and Ericsson as they enable extended coverage and longer battery lives for ultra-low complexity devices. Batelcos and Ericssons exploration of NB-IoT will propel smart city visions with features such as smart metering, air quality monitoring, and building management seen having a significant impact on smart city development.

Mikkel Vinter, Chief Executive Officer of Batelco said: In addition to the strong coverage that 5G from Ericsson provides, this MoU aims to explore ways to implement 5G technologies and reap the advanced benefits for different industries in Bahrain, through providing examples of innovative use cases. By providing technical support to major industries in the Kingdom, we look forward to contributing to the further prosperity of these industries.

Through this collaboration, Batelco can strengthen its enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) capabilities and meet the rapid growth in data traffic that comes with automation and emerging Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) applications in the country. It will also aid Batelco in offering immersive media and cloud gaming experiences. The MoU is also set to lay the foundation for 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) introduction which offers great potential for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), gaming, and industry applications through its higher bandwidth, higher data rates and extended range capabilities.

Ericsson partnered with Batelco in deploying the commercial non-standalone 5G network across Bahrain in 2019 and has since worked together to enhance 5G services in the country. The collaboration will also work towards reducing network power consumption and develop solutions for smart and sustainable 5G networks.

The vendors CEO Borje Ekholm stated that it had registered another solid quarter despite profit falling % year-on-year to SEK2.9 billion ($307.2 million). Revenue was up 11% to SEK55.1 billion, with strong 5G momentum. Ekholm conceded that Ericsson would likely face monetary and other measures from the US Department of Justice (DoJ) over recent revelations around its activities in Iraq, but noted that the magnitude of these at this time cannot be reliably estimated.

Additionally, Ericsson has suspended all business in Russia, requiring a provision of SEK900 million.
Digital infrastructure services provider Summit Digitel has announced that it has signed an agreement with Indian operator Bharti Airtel to provide its tower infrastructure for Airtels wireless network rollouts.

Quoted in Indias Economic Times news service, Bharti Airtel chief technology officer Randeep Sekhon said: We are pleased to partner with Summit Digitel and leverage their passive infrastructure as we expand our high-speed networks across the country. We look forward to a longstanding partnership with Summit Digitel.

Summit Digitel is one of Indias largest telecom infrastructure providers, with over 151,000 operational sites. Its sites are designed and built to accommodate 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies. Summit Digitel adds that these sites also support IoT, massive MIMO, outdoor small cells, and the AI-related infrastructure requirements of mobile network operators.

The site infrastructure is scalable and can be customised to mobile network operator requirements and for future technologies as well as providing seamless voice and data services in both urban and remote rural areas.

The company adds that it strives to minimise the environmental impact of its operations and improve the efficient use of resources through sustainability and renewable energy solutions.

This is another important alliance for Airtel as it gears up for 5G spectrum auctions, and follows the announcement in March that Airtel and multinational information technology services and consulting company Tech Mahindra plan to co-develop and market 5G use cases in India.
Statement by Minister Coveney on violence in Jerusalem

Statement

I am deeply concerned by the violence in Jerusalem in recent days, particularly at the Al Aqsa compound. I strongly support the efforts of UN Special Coordinator Wennesland and echo his call for provocations to cease immediately. Further casualties must be prevented.

I would like to acknowledge Jordans important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem. The status quo at these sites must be respected and freedom of worship guaranteed.

Israel, as the occupying power, must ensure that its security forces exercise the utmost care to preserve civilian life. I call on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and continue to engage in de-escalatory efforts.

I condemn all acts of terrorism, including the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel.

The deteriorating security situation highlights once again the need to restore a political horizon for a credible peace process.

ENDS

|
Realme has confirmed Narzo 50A Prime will not have a charger in the box.

Realme Narzo 50A Prime gets listed on Amazon India ahead of its rumoured launch on April 30. Realme has already revealed the Narzo smartphone wont be coming with a bundled charger. Like many of its upstate peers, the Narzo 50A Prime also skips a wall adapter for ecological reasons. Rest, it's touted to bring a Massive Power. Mighty Performance. The teaser images shared on the eCommerce website welcome you for an immersive viewing experience as well. Lets see what these could mean in terms of on-paper hardware.

Realme Narzo 50A Prime Specs and Features (Expected)

Before we proceed, note that the Narzo smartphone is already available in the Indonesian market and based on that, here are the Realme Narzo 50A specifications:

Realme Narzo 50A could present a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with FHD+ resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, a 180Hz touch sampling rate, and 600 nits of peak brightness.

Underneath this display lies a Unisoc T612 processor, up to 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 5000mAh battery with 18W charging support, and Android 11 based Realme UI 2.0 software. Now, that charger will have to be bought separately.

Rest, Realme has also included a 50+2+2MP triple camera setup on the back, an 8MP selfie camera on the front, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi ac, USB-C 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Realme Narzo 50A Prime Price and Availability (Expected)

Realme has priced the 4GB+64GB variant of Narzo 50A Prime for IDR 1,999,000 (~10,600) and the 4GB+128GB variant for IDR 2,199,000 (~11,700).

The device is likely to retail in Blue and Black shades.

As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in
SECI issues tender for 500 MW/1000 MWh standalone battery storage systems

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a tender for setting up 500 MW/1000 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in India. The first such project in the country, the power storage system will provide Discoms with storage facilities to be used on an on-demand basis.

The tender was issued under the Standard Bidding Guidelines of the ministry of power in March. The total capacity to be set up under the RfS is 1,000 MWh (500 MW x 2hrs), which will constitute two projects of 500 MWh (250 MW x 2 hrs) capacity each. The systems will be installed in the vicinity of the Fatehgarh-III Grid-Substation of the ISTS network, in Rajasthan.

The buying entities will be offered the storage capacity to charge and discharge the same daily through RE power, as per their energy shifting requirements.

The projects will be set up on a `Build-Own-Operate basis, with the connectivity and necessary permissions being under the scope of the project developer. Land for the projects will be provided by the CTU to the developers on a right-to-use basis. SECI is the implementing agency of this tender and will be procuring capacity on behalf of the buying entities, charging a facilitation fee in the form of a trading margin.

A unique feature of this tender is the composition of capacity offtake. Out of the total capacity being installed under the tender, SECI will lift 60 per cent of the capacity on behalf of the buying entities, and the offtake of 40 per cnt of capacity will be the responsibility of the developers, through third-party or market sale.

Through this tender, the government provides substantial support for market development in the energy storage domain. Out of the 60 per cent capacity offtake by SECI, 30 per cent will be earmarked to be used by NLDC, POSOCO for Grid Ancillary Services.

The developer shall make the BESS available for 2 operational cycles per day, ie, 2 complete charge-discharge cycles per day. The projects are required to demonstrate minimum availability of 95 per cent on an annual basis, a minimum Round-Trip Efficiency of 85 per cent monthly, and suitable liquidated damages stipulated in case of shortfall in meeting the above criteria. The term of the projects will be 12 years, with the scheduled commissioning date being 18 months from the date of signing of the Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA). Financial closure is to be achieved within 12 months of the signing of BESPA.

The tender marks the first tranche of the governments immediate target of setting up 4,000 MWh of Battery Storage Capacity as part of achieving increased penetration of RE in the national grid. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)/MoP has prepared a Report on Optimal Generation Capacity Mix for 2029-30. As per the report, a Battery Energy Storage capacity of 27,000 MW/108,000 MWh (4-hour storage) is projected to be part of the installed capacity in 2029-30.
PLI Scheme for textiles attract 61 investors, including 7 foreign companies

The commerce ministry has approved a total of 61 applications, with expected total investment of Rs19,077 crore, under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme For Textiles. The projected turnover is Rs184,917 crore with expected employment generation of 240,134.

The 51 applicants included 13 listed companies and seven foreign companies, including a Sri Lankan firm with proposed total investment of Rs 3,559 crore, signalling wider interest in Indias government approved PLI programme.

The PLI Scheme for Textiles aims at enhancing Indias manufacturing capabilities and enhancing exports with an approved financial outlay of Rs10,683 crore over a five-year period.

A selection committee chaired by secretary, ministry of textiles, UP Singh has selected 61 applicants under the PLI Scheme for textiles. A total of 67 applications were received for the PLI scheme out of which 15 applications are under Part-1 and 52 applications are under Part-2.

The scheme has two parts, Part 1 where minimum investment is Rs300 crore and minimum turnover required to be achieved for incentive is Rs600 crore; and Part-2, where minimum investment is of Rs100 crore and minimum turnover required to be achieved for incentive is Rs200 crore.

Government approved PLI Scheme aims at enhancing Indias manufacturing capabilities and enhancing exports of textile products, namely MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles, with an approved financial outlay of Rs10,683 crore over a five-year period.

To further boost the growth of the sector, the centre also removed the import duty on cotton.

The notification for the scheme was issued on 24 September 2021. Operational Guidelines for Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme were issued on 28 December 2021. Applications under PLI Scheme for Textiles were received through web portal from 1 January 2022 to 28 February 2022.

The 61 applicants selected under the scheme are:

Part-1

Avgol India Private Limited

Cubatics Industries Private Limited

Goa Glass Fibre Ltd. (GGFL)

H P Cotton Textile Mills Limited

Himatsingka Seide Limited

Kimberly Clark India Private Limited (subject to formation of a new company for investment and production under the Scheme as per existing guidelines)

Madura Industrial Textiles Limited

MCPI Private Limited

Paragon Apparel Private Limited

Pratibha Syntex Limited

Shahi Exports Private Limited

Shree Durga Syntex Pvt. Ltd.

Trident Limited

Part-2

AYM Syntex Limited

Kennigton Industries Pvt Ltd

MI Industries India Pvt Ltd.

Silkon Synthetics & Cotton Dyeing Pvt.Ltd.

Youngman Woolen Mills Private Limited

Autoliv India Pvt. Ltd.

Donear Industries Ltd.

Endurafab Pvt. Ltd. (EPL)

Fibrevault Nonwovens Private Limited

Mohini Health & Hygiene Ltd. (MHHL)

Niine Private Limited

Nobel Hygiene Private Limited

Obeetee Private Limited

Pan Tex Nonwoven Private

Rad Global Private Limited

Shruthi Financial Services Private Limited

Swara Baby Products Private Limited

Candex Filament Private Limited

Gainup Industries India Private Limited

Gokaldas Exports Limited

Indian Designs Export Private Limited

Infiiloom India Private Limited

Pearl Global Industries Limited

Sangam (India) Limited

Texport Industries Private Limited

Toray International India Private Limited

Teejay India Private Limited

SKAPS Industries India Private Limited

Artex Overseas Private Limited

Best Corporation Private Limited

Evertop Textile & Apparel Complex Private Limited

Ginza Industries Limited

Jalan Jee Polytex Limited

Kanodia Global Private Limited

Lotus Hometextiles Limited

N Z Seasonal Wear Private Limited

Microtex Processors Private Limited

Monte Carlo Fashions Limited

Rane TRW Steering Systems Private Limited

Shree Tirupati Balajee Agro Trading Company Private

Arvind Limited

Ginni Filaments Limited

Grand Handloom Private Limited

K G Denim Limited

Suchi Industries Limited

SVG Fashions Private Limited (subject to formation of a new company for investment and production under the Scheme as per existing guidelines)

SVP Global Textiles Limited

Techno Sportswear Private Limited

Although India is the largest producer of cotton, UP Singh said, it is necessary to make our mark in manmade fibres as well if we are to achieve the textile export target of $100 billion by 2030.

Elaborating on the immense scope and 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.
Twenty million euro has been announced for the provision of books, audio books and other media for school libraries.

The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, announced news of the funding on Sunday (April 17) and said the initiative will ensure schools and students have access to "the highest quality" books and materials to support literacy.

She said, "A love of reading is one the greatest gifts we can give a child. It is of utmost importance that we provide access to the highest quality books in all our schools. They enable our students to go on magical journeys, experience new ideas and open their minds to infinite possibilities. In doing so reading assists in the development of language and literacy skills.

"It is said that books are uniquely portable magic and I firmly believe that reading opens up a world of imagination and endless possibilities; taking the reader to places they have never been, provoking curiosity, wonder and discussion.

"As a teacher, I know well the value to our students of reading widely, and I have been determined that we invest in our school literacy resources."

The School Library Book Grant - which schools will receive based on pupil numbers - will be paid to schools in the coming weeks and is additional to funding from the School Books Rental Scheme.

20 million for schools in library book grants. This investment in literary resources will ensure our school communities have access to the highest quality books and materials to support literacy. With thanks to @KennedyLucy and these wonderful young readers for taking part. pic.twitter.com/7bcjKoOBoh  Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) April 17, 2022

Public libraries will support the roll-out by hosting webinars to representatives of primary and post-primary schools, and by communicating library supports available to schools.

Chair of the LGMA Libraries Development Committee, Colette Byrne, said, "The grant funding from the Department of Education will provide access to more and better reading opportunities for children and young adults, across all school-going ages and reading abilities."

She continued: "Public libraries have a long tradition of providing a wide range of resources, activities and expertise which strongly support primary and post primary schools in developing children's literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills.

"In order to ensure that this grant funding delivers the best possible reading and personal development outcomes for the students, the public library service is now making additional, specifically tailored support measures and resources available to schools.

CEO of Childrens Books Ireland, Elaina Ryan, said, "Childrens Books Ireland is ready to support schools as they build up their libraries with books that are contemporary, engaging and representative of their students. Working closely with public libraries, we hope that our downloadable purchasing lists, webinars and resource packs will ensure that all schools are well informed and get the best books for their students with this grant.
There are around 600 people on waiting lists for organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas at any one time, as the number of transplants reduce due to challenges presented by Covid-19.

This fall has been seen over the past two years across all the national transplant programmes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, 206 transplant operations were carried out in Ireland in 2021 (16 more transplants than in 2020).

This activity in very challenging times could not have taken place but for the generosity of 65 deceased donors and 35 living kidney donors, the Irish Kidney Association said.

Organ donor families and grateful transplant recipients from around the country are backing the Organ Donor Awareness Week 2022 campaign which will take place from 23-30 April and is organised by the Irish Kidney Association in association with the HSEs Organ Donation Transplant Ireland.

Featuring on the campaign poster are photos of 32 people from all walks of life and of all ages, who between them are enjoying over 410 years of extra life which is thanks to the families of deceased organ donors who gifted them organs including hearts, lungs, livers, kidneys, and pancreas.

This years awareness campaign is built around the theme Share your Wishes about organ donation #ShareYourWishes. The key message is that members of the public can play their part in supporting organ donation for transplantation by ensuring that their families know their wishes. i.e., they have the conversation.

Sharing your wishes when you are in good health makes it a less stressful decision for your family in the event of them being approached about you being a potential organ donor.

Ms. Carol Moore, Chief Executive, Irish Kidney Association said: "Two years ago, the 2020 Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign was postponed and ultimately cancelled at short notice when Covid-19 reached our shores. Last year the pandemic was still with us.

"This impacted on the Irish Kidney Associations ability to promote organ donor awareness on the ground and the overall annual Awareness Week campaign. With Covid-19 still lingering, we have had to adapt awareness campaigns and while government restrictions have lifted, many people at high-risk of infection, including immune suppressed transplant recipients and vulnerable patients in organ failure, continue to observe caution and double down on their safety measures," Ms Moore said.

"We greatly value the role of pharmacists in helping to spread the message about the importance of organ donation by displaying the campaign poster and carrying stocks of organ donor cards. Patients on transplant waiting lists live in hope that organs will become available to them and a strong public show of support by requesting organ donor cards builds that hope.

"The uncertainty associated with waiting for an organ transplant is difficult as the future is unknown and there is the knowledge that in order to be given the Gift of Life another family will be grieving the loss of a loved one," she said.

Individuals who wish to support organ donation are encouraged to keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting Code 115 to be included on their drivers licence or having the digital organ donor card App on their smartphone.

Organ Donor Cards can be requested by visiting the website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or to your phone, phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050
Dundalk Tidy Towns are inviting all residents to join their Spring Clean on the last weekend in April.

2022 is a very important year for Dundalk.

As a result of the success of Dundalk in the Supervalu Tidy Towns competition, Dundalk has been nominated to compete in Irelands Best Kept Town Competition.

This all-island competition sees towns from North and South compete for the title of the best kept town in Ireland.

The adjudicators visit at an unknown time in May and Tidy Towns are working hard to ensure Dundalk is looking its best.

The town will be judged on a number of categories including streets and public areas, residential areas, tidiness, business buildings and green spaces.

As part of preparation, they are holding three events during the Spring Clean Weekend.

The weekend kicks off at 7.00pm on Friday 29th April meeting at Lidl, Avenue Road.

The following day at 10.00am they will meet at St Helenas Park and the weekend will conclude on Sunday 1st May at 10.00am at Lennons, Castletown Road. Bags, litter picks and gloves will be provided. Events will be 90 minutes in duration.

The group are encouraging all of their Adopt a Patch volunteers to carry out a litter pick in their area over the weekend.

The group say:

"We invite all residents associations in Dundalk to consider a clean up of their area over the weekend.

"For those who cannot participate, perhaps consider a 2 Minute Street Clean at their own house, perhaps removing a few weeds along a curb or flower bed or picking up a few pieces of litter.

"Lets together make this the year Dundalk becomes Irelands Best Kept Town."

For more details check out Dundalk Tidy Towns on Facebook or Instagram or email dundalktidytowns@gmail.com
Permanent TSB has launched its 2022 public vote to share 300,000 among 6 community-based and national charities to be chosen by customers and the wider community.

Cu Chulainn Blood Bikes and Rape Crisis North East are among 15 Irish community organisations on the final shortlist to receive funding.

Also included in the regional shortlist are Down Syndrome Ireland, Clionas Foundation and West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation.

The shortlisted charities were nominated by colleagues throughout the Permanent TSB network. The national vote to select the 6 winning charities, which can receive up to 50,000 from the Community Fund, is now live.

Permanent TSB customers can vote for their preferred charity or community group through the Permanent TSB mobile app or through its website: https://www.permanenttsb.ie/responsible-business/community-fund/

The vote is also open to the wider community who can vote through the Permanent TSB website.

The 15 shortlisted charities have been placed into groups of 5 according to the Banks 3 operational regions  the North and West region; the South and East region; and the Dublin region. Each region will pick 2 of the 6 winners.

Voting closes at 6pm on Thursday, April 21st.

Courtnee Kyle, Permanent TSB Senior Manager Sustainability and Sponsorships, said:

As a community-based bank, we have a deep and rich connection with villages, towns and cities across Ireland. Enhancing our social impact and connecting with local communities is a key area of focus for the Bank under our recently announced Sustainability Strategy.

"The Community Fund endeavours to do just that by providing funding to community organisations on the ground that are working hard to make a difference.

We urge everyone to engage and take the time to vote through our app and website to support these organisations in continuing their important work. We are excited to find out who our new partners will be and look forward to helping them elevate their impact.

Established in 2019, the Permanent TSB Community Fund was established to support communities by providing funding to organisations that are making a positive and meaningful impact on the ground. Since it started, the fund has contributed more than 1.5 million to organisations throughout Ireland.

Beneficiaries of the Permanent TSB Community Fund in 2021 included: Womens Aid, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Solas Cancer Support (South Eastern Cancer Foundation), Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind, Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit and Breast Cancer Ireland.

More than 150,000 votes were cast by the Irish public through Permanent TSBs website and mobile App last year.
The Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) say they are delighted to be returning to live music on Sunday May 8 at 3 p.m at Carlingford Heritage Centre. Tickets will be available at the Carlingford Heritage Centre or online here.

For this special occasion LCMS has secured the Irish premiere of a major work by the American composer Michael Pisaro-Liu: his ninety-minute voyage into sound and silence asleep, wind, voice, poe. Live music, though? You might think that these days, with Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud and the rest, you can find any music you want online. Isnt that right?

Not exactly. Sometimes you just have to be there. In the sound. In the space the sound is creating around you  you and others you didnt know before you came. All of you brought together by the sound.

Pisaro-Liu has been creating music of this kind throughout the last three decades, an expert in judging how much sound  how little sound  is needed to nudge the silence into colour. A piano tone here. A percussion chime there. A chanted syllable, from a text that has been, as it were, dissolved in water. You have to be there. The sound is not a message but an environment, and it includes recordings made in and around the place where the performance is to take place. The lap of the tide. The low hum of an ancient church ringing in the wind.

Taking part also will be finely tuned musicians, members of the London group Apartment House appearing in Ireland for the first time.On this occassion Apartment House will be joined by David Bremner and David Stalling. The distinguished Irish actress Olwen Fouere will voice the dissociated words and syllables of thoughts on solitude by Edgar Allan Poe and the Belgian writer Raoul Vaneigem.

Sometimes you just have to be there.

Funded by the Arts Council and financially supported by Create Louth.
The Cabinet's new work-life balance laws will introduce unpaid leave for up to five days for any employee who needs it to care for a sick relative.

It follows the introduction of the European Unions Work Life Balance Directive, which outlines that working parents of children up to eight years old should be entitled to seek flexible working arrangements.

However, Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman is seeking to increase this to children under 12 as part of his legislation.

Under the Cabinet's proposed legislation, employees must give their employer six months notice if they need more flexible working arrangements to take care of a child or relative.

In addition, any parent of a child under 12, or a person caring for a relative, will have the right to request reduced or flexible working hours under the proposed new legislation.

According to the Irish Independent, Minister Gorman is bringing a memo to Cabinet this week outlining the new workers rights which will give employees more options.

The new legislation will also allow an employer will be able to request evidence of the medical need for the leave: this could involve employees providing their employers with the medical details of a family member.

An employee will be entitled to return to the role they were in prior to taking the leave.

However, the leave cannot be taken in periods of less than one day.

Other provisions of the legislation under Minister O' Gorman include allowing for women who transition into males, but subsequently give birth to a child, to be entitled to the same time off to breastfeed.

This will apply to transgender males who have obtained a gender recognition certificate under the Gender Recognition Act 2015.

The bill will also provide for leave from work for people who are victims of domestic abuse.
People laid off during the pandemic to protect public health will receive a special payment from the government to bridge the gap in their redundancy entitlements.

That's according to Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, who today (Tuesday April 19) announced the commencement of the Redundancy Payments (Amendment) Act 2022, which provides a payment of up to 2,268 tax-free to applicable people.

Speaking about the Redundancy Payments (Amendment) Act 2022, Varadkar said, "We want to make sure workers dont lose out on payments and on the other hand, business owners arent faced with a flood of additional redundancy costs, just when theyre trying to get back on their feet. This Act provides the best outcome for both employers and employees.

"Redundancy rights for people who were placed on lay-off during the pandemic is one of the five new worker rights I committed to introducing this year. The commencement of this Act fulfils this promise.

The scheme - which will run alongside existing Redundancy and Insolvency schemes from the Department of Social Protection - is now open for applications.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, called the new system "employer-led".

She said, "This means that, for the majority of eligible employees, their employer, liquidator or relevant officer will apply for this payment on their behalf. Applications can be made online via the Welfare Partners website."

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, said, "Many sectors are rebounding since the lifting of Covid restrictions which is a real tribute to the resilience of Irish businesses and their workers. While we have good reason to be optimistic, a uniform and smooth recovery is not guaranteed and, regrettably, some redundancies will arise.

This new payment will be made by the State and is in addition to normal statutory redundancy. The payment ensures employees who were placed on temporary lay-off over the last two years due to essential Covid-related restrictions and who are made redundant are not disadvantaged."

The payment covers all lay-offs caused by State restrictions to protect public health from March 13 2020 to January 31 2022.
THE national 2022 population and housing census which begins tomorrow faces a rocky start after reports emerged that the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) failed to pay allowances to enumerators following a two-week training programme.

A total of 40 000 enumerators and 7 000 supervisors underwent training over the past fortnight for the exercise which will run until April 30.

Frustrated enumerators yesterday told NewsDay that they have not been paid the allowances, adding that many of them did not have money to travel to their bases.

They also said they used their own money during training with the hope that they would be paid soon after.

We finished training two weeks ago and they promised to deposit the money within three days. They have not been forthcoming, an enumerator said.

The allowances were pegged in United States dollars, but will be paid in local currency at the current auction rate.

ZimStats spokesperson Mercy Chidemo yesterday confirmed that the enumerators had not yet received their allowances but blamed the delay on the Easter holiday.

The money was transferred, but there were delays in payments because the banks were closed during the holidays. If they check their accounts by the end of today, the money should be reflecting, Chidemo said.

Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Tapedza Zhou accused ZimStats of dishonesty, saying the payments should have been made a week ago.

ZimStats cannot blame Easter holidays for delays in paying its enumerators because those holidays did not suddenly appear last week. It is either poor planning on the part of ZimStats or it is taking a lackadaisical approach to the agreed terms of the contract between itself and its workforce, mostly dominated by teachers. We demand that ZimStats immediately adhere to agreed terms of contract because these enumerators should have been paid long before the same holidays, Zhou said.

Educationist Tafadzwa Munodawafa said: For a long time now, the government has been fostering a system where civil servants are expected to perform national duties for free and no one wants to take responsibility and show seriousness in matters of such national processes with such big

impact.

He said ZimStats should not put an important process like the national census in jeopardy by abusing teachers and other civil servants seconded to perform its duties.

We implore ZimStats to act sincerely and responsibly on behalf of the nation of Zimbabwe.

Preparations for the 2022 national census have been riddled with several other problems.

A total of 221 enumerators were forced to travel an estimated 380km in search of accommodation for training after failing to secure accommodation in Karoi district.

Some trainees from Kariba rural under Chiefs Mola, Negande and Musambakaruma, among others, had to travel to Chinhoyi for boarding facilities for the training  a distance of about 380km.

Zanu PF youths have also allegedly been hired as enumerators for the census, raising fears that the party may tamper with figures ahead of the delimitation exercise as the country heads to the 2023 polls.

Government recently announced that 20% of the enumerators will be youths while 80% will be civil servants, including members of the police force and army. Newsday
CORK CITYs Lord Mayor has written to the Health Minister to request funding for a supervised injection centre in the city.

Fianna Fail councillor Colm Kelleher told The Echo he has contacted Health Minister Stephen Donnelly seeking funding to begin the process of establishing a supervised injection centre in Cork, something he believed would help save lives.

Mr Kelleher had previously stated that it was his intention to push for such a centre in the city as part of an effort to address the heroin problem.

Its something I would be 100% behind, he said. I know the chief executive of Cork City Council is on the same page, and I know a number of members of council are as well.

Mr Kelleher said he had raised the issue at a previous Joint Policing Committee meeting and had received cross-party support from a number of TDs who had agreed to lobby the Health Minister for funding.

He predicted that there would be objections to an injection centre no matter where in the city it goes, but he said Cork needs to have an adult conversation around the issue of addiction.

'OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND APPROACH DOESN'T WORK'

I know of people who have died down the back of alleys from dirty needles, or got severe infections from dirty needles, and this whole mantra of out of sight, out of mind hasnt worked and nor, in my mind, will it work; we need a different approach to addiction completely, he said.

Mr Kelleher said he was speaking from personal experience, and had spoken several times in the past regarding his own brothers experiences as a recovering heroin addict.

Ive seen it first-hand, and Ive seen what addiction can do to a family, and not only that, but to a society, he stated, adding that his brother is very, very good, thank God.

Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher

He said a supervised injection centre would require a staff of between 20 and 25 people, something he said would present significant funding challenges, but he believed it was something Cork needed, and something that would help save lives.

Independent councillor Kenneth OFlynn said he supports the opening of an injection centre somewhere in the city, saying it was a conversation the city needed to have, and he felt such a centre was a necessity.

Its something that has to happen, he said.

I dont think anybody approves of it, or wants it, but its one of those necessary evils of modern society.

The problem with injection centres is that nobody wants them, nobody wants the potential of anti-social behaviour.

Mr OFlynn said open and transparent communication would have to occur with communities, and any potential injection centre would have to be properly policed to ensure anti-social behaviour did not occur in the vicinity.
Seventy people were arrested in London on Saturday as climate activists continue to engage in acts of civil disobedience in the UK.

Among the 70 arrested Saturday were six people who climbed and glued themselves to an oil tanker near Hyde Park, BBC News reported. Two of the tanker scalers were former Olympic athletes Etienne Stott and Laura Baldwin. Stott won a gold medal in canoeing, while Baldwin participated as a sailor.

I am acting to try to disrupt the toxic fossil fuel industry that is destroying everything we hold dear, Stott said in a press release emailed to EcoWatch. I am hoping we can slow it down long enough to create a moment where everyone can stop and think where we are going and change course. We need our government to rein in these companies and stop investing in fossil fuels now, rather than allowing oil companies to continue their stranglehold on our lives and our future.

Saturdays demonstration capped ten days of Extinction Rebellion protests in the UK capital calling for an end to all new fossil-fuel investments. Greenpeace, Green New Deal Rising and Just Stop Oil also support the demand.

The protests come as the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warned that carbon dioxide emissions must fall by 43 percent by 2030 if global warming is to be halted at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which scientists say is essential for preventing the worst impacts of the climate crisis. In response to the report, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said investing in new fossil fuel projects was moral and economic madness.

I feel desperate for our government to act on the climate crisis, Baldwin said in the press release. But it is doing what the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, says is moral and economic madness by expanding fossil fuel extraction. Ive been moved to take action having witnessed scientists and doctors risking their liberty to tell us that we will lose everything we love unless aggressive cuts to emissions are made immediately, and by people losing their lives and livelihoods right now around the world. This is the most critical time in the history of humanity and I feel I must do all that I can to raise the alarm.

Baldwin, Stott and four other activists scaled the tanker with a banner reading, End Fossil Filth. Other demonstrators surrounded them with signs reading, End Fossil Fuels Now.

Elsewhere in London on Saturday, dozens of people were arrested at the Marble Arch when they climbed it to drop a banner also reading, End Fossil Fuels Now, as BBC News reported. Eight activists also blocked the road by locking themselves to a car, while two others glued themselves to the roof.

Extinction Rebellion

Saturdays protests followed demonstrations Friday that blocked four busy London bridges, though no arrests were made, The Guardian reported.

All told, more than 600 people have been arrested at environmental protests in the UK over the last two weeks, AP News reported. In addition to the Extinction Rebellion protests in London, the group Just Stop Oil has been targeting oil tankers, terminals and depots around the country.

The direct-action tactics of the protests have earned some criticism, including from government authorities.

[W]hile we value the right to peaceful protest, it is crucial that these do not cause disruption to peoples everyday lives, Energy Minister Greg Hands said, as AP News reported.

However, Stott argued that the disruption was necessary.

I am aware that my actions will cause anger to many people and I am prepared to be held accountable, he said in the press release. But our government should also be held to account for its decisions which are destroying our planets ability to support human civilisation.
Water is the lifeblood of existence and rivers are the veins that carry it, connecting organisms, minerals and species across the globe. Rivers provide habitat, help drain rainwater, replenish groundwater, instill in us a feeling of ancient connectedness to our planet and are the source of drinking water for two-thirds of U.S. residents.

American Rivers, a nonprofit conservation organization, has put together a list of the top rivers it considers the most endangered in the U.S., and the Colorado River  called the Grand River until 1921 and responsible for carving out the Grand Canyon  was named the most endangered. The Colorado River provides irrigation for five million acres of land used for farming and ranching, and drinking water to more than 40 million inhabitants in seven Southwestern States and northern parts of Mexico.

Water management of the Colorado River is outdated, and the historic overallocation of the amount of water the river has to offer, coupled with increasing temperatures and drought due to the climate crisis, has made the situation worse.

This is a river in crisis because of climate change, director of the American Rivers Colorado Basin programs Matt Rice said, as CNN reported. This is not the same river it was two years ago, three years ago or five years ago. We need to learn to live with the river that we have, and we need to implement solutions to allow us to do so.

A water shortage on the Colorado River was declared by the federal government last year, which caused mandatory water use reductions.

[O]verestimations of the rivers bounty when the Colorado River Water Compact was ratified back in 1922 established a bank account destined to be permanently overdrawn. Following decades of wasteful water management policies and practices, demand on the rivers water now exceeds its supply, and storage levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead are critically low, the American Rivers website states.

Lake Powell on March 28, 2022 in Page, Arizona, as water levels dropped to their lowest levels since the lake was created by damming the Colorado River in 1963. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

According to the American Rivers report, the flow of the Colorado River will be reduced by an additional ten to 30 percent by 2050 due to the climate crisis, CNN reported. If it were a country, the Colorado River basin would be the worlds seventh largest economy, the report said.

The report noted that, despite the water rights that many Tribal Nations hold to water in the Colorado River, their water infrastructure is still lacking, reported The Hill.

The seven basin states and the Biden administration must work with Tribal Nations and Mexico to act urgently, said Rice, as The Hill reported. Failure is simply not an option, given all that depends on a healthy Colorado River.

Other rivers on the top ten list include Idahos Snake River, which originates in Wyoming and runs along the Oregon-Idaho border into Washington State; the mighty Mississippi, the second-longest river in the U.S. after the Missouri River; and the Los Angeles River, which is threatened by development and pollution, reported CNN.

The climate crisis is really a water crisis, and ground zero for that crisis is the Colorado River Basin, Rice said to CNN. We are being pushed in realtime to live with the river we have, to adapt to a hotter, drier reality in the Colorado River.
Taylor Swift has a long list of pop music accolades. Now, one scientist has added to the Blank Space on her resume with a newly discovered millipede species named after her.

Entomologist Derek Hennen, along with fellow scientists Jackson Means and Paul Marek of Virginia Tech, discovered the millipede, named Nannaria swiftae, along with 16 other millipede species and shared the findings in a new study.

The specific name is a noun in the genitive case derived as a matronym, and is named in honor of the artist Taylor Swift, in recognition of her talent as a songwriter and performer and in appreciation of the enjoyment her music has brought DAH, the study explained.

Nannaria swiftae, or more commonly known as the Swift Twisted-Claw Millipede, is an orange and brown millipede that the scientists discovered in forests in Cumberland, Monroe, and Van Buren counties in Tennessee.

Im a big fan of Taylors music, and I listened to her music a lot during graduate school, Hennen told HuffPost. It brought me joy and helped me through some difficult times, so I wanted to show my appreciation. Since this new species is from Tennessee and she lived in Tennessee for a while, I thought it was a nice fit.

Hennen also tweeted his findings, tagging Swift and noting this achievement as A high honor!

The millipedes lifestyle as a forest-dwelling critter among what the study describes as mesic forests with hemlock, maple, oak, tuliptree, witch hazel, and pine is perfectly in line with the cottagecore aesthetic set by Swifts recent albums, Evermore and Folklore.

Swift has not yet responded to the study, but Hennen hopes she appreciates the sentiment.

I know not everyone likes bugs quite as much as I do, but I hope she thinks its a nice gesture, Hennen said. For us scientists, we consider it a huge honor to have a species named after you, and I hope she feels the same way.

As Hennen shared with HuffPost, the Nannaria swiftae millipede was found in a state park, among other sites, which is great for its conservation. Hennen has spent 5 years researching millipedes in Appalachia. Of the 17 species, one he named for Taylor Swift, and another he named for his wife.

With all those new species come new names! I had fun figuring out names for these species; heres one that I named after my wife: Nannaria marianae! A small thank-you for all her patience when were taking a nature hike and I stop to look for millipedes, Hennen tweeted.
By Stephen Garnett, Les Christidis, Les Christidis and Scott Thomson

Taxonomy, or the naming of species, is the foundation of modern biology. It might sound like a fairly straightforward exercise, but in fact its complicated and often controversial. Why? Because theres no one agreed list of all the worlds species. Competing lists exist for organisms such as mammals and birds, while other less well-known groups have none. And there are more than 30 definitions of what constitutes a species. This can make life difficult for biodiversity researchers and those working in areas such as conservation, biosecurity and regulation of the wildlife trade.

Scientists worked out a few differences over how to name species. Laurent Gillieron / EPA

How It All Began In May 2017 two of the authors, Stephen Garnett and Les Christidis, published an article in Nature. They argued taxonomy needed rules around what should be called a species, because currently there are none. They wrote: for a discipline aiming to impose order on the natural world, taxonomy (the classification of complex organisms) is remarkably anarchic [] There is reasonable agreement among taxonomists that a species should represent a distinct evolutionary lineage. But there is none about how a lineage should be defined.

Species are often created or dismissed arbitrarily, according to the individual taxonomists adherence to one of at least 30 definitions. Crucially, there is no global oversight of taxonomic decisions  researchers can split or lump species with no consideration of the consequences. Garnett and Christidis proposed that any changes to the taxonomy of complex organisms be overseen by the highest body in the global governance of biology, the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), which would restrict [] freedom of taxonomic action.

An Animated Response Garnett and Christidis article raised hackles in some corners of the taxonomy world  including coauthors of this article. These critics rejected the description of taxonomy as anarchic. In fact, they argued there are detailed rules around the naming of species administered by groups such as the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature and the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. For 125 years, the codes have been almost universally adopted by scientists. So in March 2018, 183 researchers  led by Scott Thomson and Richard Pyle  wrote an animated response to the Nature article, published in PLoS Biology. They wrote that Garnett and Christidis IUBS proposal was flawed in terms of scientific integrity [] but is also untenable in practice. They argued: Through taxonomic research, our understanding of biodiversity and classifications of living organisms will continue to progress. Any system that restricts such progress runs counter to basic scientific principles, which rely on peer review and subsequent acceptance or rejection by the community, rather than third-party regulation. In a separate paper, another group of taxonomists accused Garnett and Christidis of trying to suppress freedom of scientific thought, likening them to Stalins science advisor Trofim Lysenko.

Taxonomy can influence how conservation funding is allocated. Queensland Museum

Finding Common Ground This might have been the end of it. But the editor at PLoS Biology, Roli Roberts, wanted to turn consternation into constructive debate, and invited a response from Garnett and Christidis. In the to and fro of articles, we all found common ground. We recognised the powerful need for a global list of species  representing a consensus view of the worlds taxonomists at a particular time.

Such lists do exist. The Catalogue of Life, for example, has done a remarkable job in assembling lists of almost all the worlds species. But there are no rules on how to choose between competing lists of validly named species. What was needed, we agreed, was principles governing what can be included on lists. As it stands now, anyone can name a species, or decide which to recognise as valid and which not. This creates chaos. It means international agreements on biodiversity conservation, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), take different taxonomic approaches to species they aim to protect. We decided to work together. With funding from the IUBS, we held a workshop in February this year at Charles Darwin University to determine principles for devising a single, agreed global list of species.

Participants came from around the world. They included taxonomists, science governance experts, science philosophers, administrators of the nomenclatural (naming) codes, and taxonomic users such as the creators of national species lists. The result is a draft set of ten principles that to us, represent the ideals of global science governance. They include that: the species list be based on science and free from non-taxonomic interference

all decisions about composition of the list be transparent

governance of the list aim for community support and use

the listing process encompasses global diversity while accommodating local knowledge. The principles will now be discussed at international workshops of taxonomists and the users of taxonomy. Weve also formed a working group to discuss how a global list might come together and the type of institution needed to look after it. We hope by 2030, a scientific debate that began with claims of anarchy might lead to a clear governance system  and finally, the worlds first endorsed global list of species.

The following people provided editorial comment for this article: Aaron M Lien, Frank Zachos, John Buckeridge, Kevin Thiele, Svetlana Nikolaeva, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Donald Hobern, Olaf Banki, Peter Paul van Dijk, Saroj Kanta Barik and Stijn Conix.

Stephen Garnett is a Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods at Charles Darwin University. Les Christidis is a Professor at Southern Cross University. Richard L. Pyle is a Associate lecturer at the University of Hawaii. Scott Thomson is a Research associate at the Universidade de Sao Paulo. Disclosure statement: Stephen Garnett receives funding from International Union for Biological Sciences, the Australian Research Council and the National Environment Science Program Les Christidis receives funding from the International Union for Biological Sciences. Richard L. Pyle receives funding from U.S National Science Foundation, NOAA (U.S.), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Scott Thomson is affiliated with the Chelonian Research Institute and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. The first is a not for profit organisation, Reposted with permission from The Conversation.
By John Letzing and Andrew Berkley

Water scarcity will be the biggest climate-related threat to corporate assets like factories within the next few decades, according to a recent report  but it seems to have barely registered on investors radar.

Of course, the human cost of worsening scarcity is already fully apparent; about one out of every four people in world dont have access to safely managed drinking water at home, and in just a few years about two-thirds of the global population could face water shortages.

A lack of water is triggering violent conflict in places like Indias Northern Plains, and creating new migrants and refugees who may contribute to further shortages wherever they resettle. Sydney will endure shortfalls within 20 years if the city continues growing at its current rate, according to a recent estimate, while residents of San Jose, California, (the Capital of Silicon Valley) are being threatened with penalties if they dont cut their water use by 15%. Kenyas drought has been declared a national disaster.

The climate crisis is often cited for these deficits, which are aggravated by demand that grows in tandem with an expanding global population. Water scarcity may therefore be a lively topic of discussion at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) slated to begin later this month.

The World Economic Forum has created a visualization of some of the most glaring instances of disappearing surface water around the world. The following are four excerpts.

Water Scarcity: Lake Mead

This U.S. reservoir supplies 90% of the water for an area of Nevada thats home to rapidly expanding Las Vegas. According to a recent government projection, theres a 66% chance it will hit a critically low elevation by 2025. In this and other excerpts, a satellite view from 1984 to 2019 is on the left, while an augmented view on the right features a red color representing surface water loss as of 2018.

Water Scarcity: The Aral Sea

Wedged between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, this was once the worlds fourth-largest inland lake. But the rivers that traditionally fed it were diverted for irrigation, and climate change has intensified local water scarcity.

Water Scarcity: Lake Poopo

Once Bolivias second-largest lake, it has now almost entirely disappeared. Excessive use of its water sources for irrigation is largely to blame, and a warming climate threatens to undermine its recovery. However, experts believe it can still be saved.

Water Scarcity: Lake Urmia

The water level of this lake in Iran has declined dramatically in the past couple of decades, and one study suggested that about three-fifths of its loss of inflows between 1960 and 2010 resulted from climate change (efforts like reworking irrigation systems are now underway to help restore what was once a popular tourist destination).

Of course, the changing climate can also trigger unwelcome surpluses. In the U.S., Lake Michigans abnormally high level recently threatened to inundate Chicago with wastewater, for example.

While their impacts may vary, the focus on adapting to increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns must be singular  by shoring up the ways water systems are managed, for example, and by deploying new means of harvesting water and irrigating crops.

More Reading on Water Scarcity

For more context, here are links to further reading from the World Economic Forums Strategic Intelligence platform:

Nuclear power, trapping carbon emissions, and even simply growing trees can have serious water implications, according to this piece  which argues that related risks should be taken into account by negotiators at COP26. (Circle of Blue)

The burn scars left behind by increasingly-prevalent wildfires in the western U.S. have forced small towns to choose between spending millions of dollars on filtering water, or simply shutting off their intake and risking shortages, according to this report. (Kaiser Health News)

The addition of 25 million people in 10 years, climate change, and now this  Egypts water issues have become more severe in light of a planned Ethiopian dam, and its formulated a response that could cost as much as $100 billion, according to this report. (Al-Monitor)

The water positive pledges made recently by Google and Facebook  Google says it will replenish 120% of the average water consumption at its facilities and data centers, for example  are a wake-up call for the tech sector, according to this analysis. (GreenBiz)

India extracts more groundwater than the U.S. and China combined, resulting in debilitating water-scarcity issues, according to this report  which argues that related problems can be tackled through scientific research and greater community participation. (India Development Review)

On the Strategic Intelligence platform, you can find feeds of expert analysis related to Water, Climate Change, and hundreds of additional topics. Youll need to register to view.

World Economic Forum

Reposted with permission from World Economic Forum.




DairyNZ backs permitting more international workers into New Zealand's dairy sector

Allowing an additional 500 international workers is a step in the right direction for New Zealand's dairy sector, DairyNZ stated.

Sustained advocacy from the domestic dairy sector has helped secure more international workers to help on dairy farms. However, the government's border class exceptions still fall short of the sector's 4,000 worker shortage, DairyNZ said in a news release. This is even though the organisation is relieved that the government is permitting more international dairy workers into the country through a border class exception. As a result of that decision, 800 international staff will be able to enter New Zealand to work on dairy farms.

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said DairyNZ has been working hard to make sure the government understands the huge pressure farmers are under due to workforce shortages.

The organisation has pushed for 1,500 international dairy workers into the country in time for the 2022 dairy season on June 1.

"We made it clear to the government that the 300 dairy border class exception workers previously approved was nowhere near enough to meet the demands on-farm and reduce the current high levels of farmer stress," said Mackle.

"The government's decision to increase the number of international workers by 500 is a step in the right direction to reduce the pressure on farm teams," he added. "We will continue to advocate for more to be allowed into New Zealand, to help address the significant staff shortage."

The dairy sector is estimated to have a shortage of 4,000 workers. Record low unemployment, combined with a prolonged border closure, have contributed to the shortage of workers.

DairyNZ also launched a "Join Us" campaign aiming to connect dairy farmers and New Zealanders and inviting locals to join a dairy job.

"We continue to encourage Kiwis to join our sector and farmers have been taking a range of steps to make dairy farming more attractive to staff; however, in such a tight labour market, the contribution international staff make to keep farms running is critical," said Mackle.

"From here, we strongly encourage farmers who want international workers on board for calving to apply through the border exception process.

"It's now simpler for farmers to use the class exception process, so we hope to see farmers take up the opportunity. People no longer need to stay in MIQ or isolate. There is also no limit on the number of farm assistants who can apply."

Workers on a class exception visa need to be paid at least $28 per hour.



- The Cattle Site




AVAC Vietnam to launch first African Swine Fever vaccine

AVAC Vietnam Company Limited is set to launch the first African Swine Fever vaccine later this month, with Vietnam's government to review the final stages of development before officially introducing the vaccine to the market, Nongnghiep Vietnam reported.

The government ministries involved include the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Departments of Legal Affairs, International Cooperation, and Science, Technology, and Environment, and the Department of Animal Health.

ASF outbreaks were detected in Vietnam in 2019, and spread across 63 provinces and cities within seven months. The estimated losses were about VND 30,000 billion (~US$1.3 million; VND 10,000 = US$0.44), with 6 million swine culled and prices for pork rising about VND 100,000 (~US$4.36) per kg.

This led three firms to develop an ASF vaccine - AVAC Vietnam Company Limited, NAVETCO Central Veterinary Medicine Joint Stock Company, and Dabaco Vietnam Group. There is no ASF vaccine available in the world.

AVAC Vietnam owns the first veterinary manufacturing facility built under the GMP-WHO standard, specialising in researching vaccines against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, hog cholera, and foot and mouth disease. The company worked closely with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in researching the ASF vaccine.

In developing the ASF vaccine, AVAC Vietnam imported vaccine strains from the US and worked towards creating macrophage-derived cells that are compatible with the ASF virus.

A trial run was conducted on two farms with hundreds of swine. Results were positive. Another test has been proposed to be conducted on four farms with 300 swine each, with the results to be reported to the Department of Animal Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said AVAC Vietnam needs to consider and research ASF vaccine production in many aspects, including intellectual property issues and deploying the vaccines in practice.

- Nongnghiep Vietnam
IMF/WB

The Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, civil society, media and academics to discuss issues around the global economy and international development in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the shadow of the war in Ukraine.

The EIB delegation, led by President Werner Hoyer and Vice-Presidents Ambroise Fayolle and Thomas Ostros, met key actors in the global development and investment arena, to foster cooperation and contribute to the collective efforts in tackling planetary challenges such as the climate emergency, COVID-19 pandemic or food security.

Read more about EIB's stance on multilateralism, partnerships and the world's fight against such challenges in the blog article by President Hoyer.
Amazon is facing legal consequences for its history of firing protest participants. The New York Times reports that judge Benjamin Green has ordered Amazon to reinstate warehouse worker Gerald Bryson, who was fired from his role at Staten Island's JFK8 facility (the one that just voted to unionize) after allegedly violating language policies during a COVID-19 safety protest on April 6th, 2020. Green sided with a National Labor Relations Board argument that Amazon retaliated against Bryson for protesting, and reportedly used a "skewed" investigation to find pretexts for firing the employee.

Bryson (pictured above) had been protesting outside JFK8 and called for Amazon to shut down the warehouse for safety reasons. He got into a row with a female employee who said she was grateful for the work. Only Bryson was fired despite the two trading insults  the woman received a written warning. The people Amazon interviewed for its investigation provided "one-sided, exaggerated" versions of events, according to Green, including claims of racial slur use that weren't supported by video evidence. Amazon didn't interview the person who recorded the video.

The judge also found that Amazon had previously issued lighter punishments for more serious infractions (such as the use of violence). The company also didn't provide all the documents requested in a subpoena.

In a statement to The Times, Amazon said it "strongly disagree[s]" with Green's decision and claimed the NLRB wanted the company to "condone" Bryson's behavior. The tech giant planned to appeal the decision with the NLRB.

Amazon has been repeatedly accused of retaliating against staff who challenge its policies. Safety protest leader Chris Smalls accused the company of firing him for highlighting poor safeguards against COVID-19. Maren Costa and Emily Cunningham, meanwhile, were supposedly fired for being vocal critics of Amazon's climate and labor practices. Amazon said these workers were dropped for violating policy, but opponents rejected those assertions.

Bryson's win comes as Amazon faces a growing backlash from workers. On top of the successful unionization vote at JFK8, the company is grappling with a close rerun election for unionization at an Alabama warehouse as well as a looming vote at a second Staten Island facility. Employees are increasingly demanding better treatment, and the company's attempts to quash dissent aren't always proving successful.
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That tiny webcam on your laptop has probably gotten more use in the last few years than it ever has before. Even if youre back to taking some of your meetings in the office, chances are that back-to-back Zoom calls are now a permanent part of your professional life. Once an afterthought, your computers webcam has become one of its most important components  and the fact remains that most built-in cameras are not able to provide consistent, high-quality video chat experiences.

This is where external webcams come in. They can do wonders for those with lackluster built-in webcams, people who spend most of their working hours on video conferences, and those who picked up a new hobby of streaming on Twitch or YouTube over the past couple of years. But as with most PC accessories, it can be tough to sort through the sea of options out there. We tested out a bunch of the latest webcams to see which are worth your money and which you can safely skip.

What to look for in a webcam

Resolution and field of view

While some newer machines have 1080p webcams, most built-in cameras have a resolution of 720p, so youll want to look for an external one thats better than that. FHD webcams will give you a noticeable bump in video quality; ideally, youre looking for something that can handle 1080p at 60fps or 30fps. If youre considering a cheap 720p webcam, make sure to get one that supports at least 30fps (most will) or, even better, 60fps. However, if your primary concern is looking better during video calls, 1080p is the way to go.

Some webcams can shoot in 4K, but thats overkill for most people. Not to mention most video conferencing services like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype dont even support 4K video. When it comes to streaming, Twitch maxes out at 1080p video, but YouTube added 4K live streaming back in 2016. Ultimately, with 4K webcam shots having such limited use, most people can get by with a solid 1080p camera.

Field of view controls how much can fit in the frame when youre recording. Most webcams I tested had a default field of view of around 78 degrees, which was enough to capture me and enough of my background to show that I really need to organize my home office. On cheaper webcams youll usually see narrower fields of view (around 60 degrees), and those arent necessarily bad. They wont show as much of your background, but that also means you wont be able to squeeze as many friends or family members into frame when youre having Zoom birthday parties. On the flip side, more expensive webcams may let you adjust the field of view to be even wider than average.

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Autofocus and other auto features

Webcams with autofocus will keep you looking sharp without much work on your part. You should be able to move around, step back and forth, and remain in focus the whole time. Some models let you manually adjust focus, too, if you have specific needs. Devices with fixed focus are less convenient, but they tend to be more affordable.

In the same vein is auto framing, a feature that some high-end webcams now offer. Similarly to Apples Center Stage feature, the camera automatically adjusts to keep you in the center of the frame even as you move around. But youll pay a premium for it: The only two webcams I tested that had auto framing were the $200 Dell UltraSharp webcam and the $220 Anker Video Bar, and while that helped those models stand out from the pack, neither were great enough to earn a spot in our best picks list.

Youll also see other auto features listed in webcam specs, most notably auto light correction. This will adjust the cameras settings to make up for a dimly lit room. If you dont have a well-lit setup for your video calls, or often take calls in different places where you cant control the lighting, this feature will be valuable.

Microphones

Most webcams have built-in microphones that, depending on your setup, might end up being closer to you than your computers own mics. Check to see if the model youre considering has mono or stereo mics, as the latter is better. Some even use noise-reduction technology to keep your voice loud and clear. While audiophiles and streamers will want to invest in a standalone microphone, most others can get by using a webcams built-in mic.

Design

There arent a ton of fascinating breakthroughs when it comes to webcam design. Most are round or rectangular devices that clip onto a monitor or your laptop screen. Some have the ability to screw onto a tripod stand and others can simply sit on your desk beside your computer. But unless you really like having people stare up your nose, the latter isnt ideal. We recommend clipping your webcam to your monitor and ensuring that its at or slightly above eye level.

A few webcams go above and beyond by adding hardware extras like built-in lights and lens covers, too. The former can help you stand out in a dark room, while the latter makes it so hackers cant view you through your webcam without your knowledge.

Price

Most external webcams that are just good enough to be a step up from your computers built-in camera cost between $60 and $150. If the webcam has the same resolution as the internal one on your laptop, you should look out for other specs like auto light correction, a wider field of view or an extra-long connecting cable that can provide a step-up in quality or ease of use.

Spending $150 or more means you might get advanced features like 4K resolution, vertical and horizontal recording options, stereo mics, customizable video settings and more. But unless youre spending hours on video calls each day or streaming multiple times each week, you can safely skip most of those high-end options.

Engadget picks

Best overall: Logitech C920s Pro HD

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

The Logitech C920s Pro HD webcam seems like a great value on paper, and it proves that to be true, too, once you take it out of the box. For around $60, youre getting an FHD webcam that can shoot in up to 1080p/30fps, has a 78-degree field-of-view, dual microphones and auto light correction. Its a fairly average-looking webcam measuring 3.7 inches at its widest point, with the lens in the middle and its two microphones on either side.

The adjustable base is quite sturdy and, while I kept it hooked to my external monitor most of the time, you could easily attach it to your laptops screen or sit it on your desk and angle the camera upward. Theres also a hole on the underside if you wish to connect it to a tripod. Theres an optional lens cover in the box that provides protection when you transport the webcam, but also gives you extra privacy.

I immediately saw an improvement in video quality when I took conference calls using the C920s Pro HD. Im lucky enough to have one lamp and one large window in my small home office, so Im usually not fighting for good light. But even on cloudy days, the cameras 1080p video was sharp and produced fairly accurate colors. While cheaper cameras struggled on rainy days with the lamp off, the C920s Pro HD illuminated my whole face and had minimal shadows.

All Logitech webcams can use the companys Camera Settings app to adjust things like field of view, brightness, color intensity and autofocus, but I kept the default settings on this one. The C920s Pro HD does have autofocus and it was so good that I barely noticed it. I was always in focus during my video chats and I never saw the camera struggling to regain focus even if I moved around.

Runner Up: Anker PowerConf C200

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Ankers cube-like PowerConf C200 webcam has a lot of the same perks as Logitechs C920s Pro HD, along with a few extras and a price tag thats $10 more. Setup is equally as easy as with the Logitech cam  just plug it into your computer or docking station and start using it. You can download the AnkerWork software to edit things like brightness, sharpness and contrast ratio and, as with Logitechs, I kept all of those settings at their defaults.

But youre also able to control the cameras resolution and field of view with this software, too. The C200 webcam defaults to a 2K resolution, but you can bring it down to 1080p, 720p or even 360p if you wish. Same goes for field of view: The default is 95 degrees, but I bumped mine down to 78 degrees to spare my colleagues a wider view of my messy home office.

I was immediately impressed with the C200s video quality: 2K is likely more than most people need (1080p should do just fine), but the extra sharpness and clarity is a nice touch. The webcams autofocus is quite fast, and its larger f/2.0 aperture captures more light so you stay illuminated even in darker settings.

In addition to a built-in lens cover that you can slide closed for privacy, the C200 has dual stereo mics that actually do a good job of capturing your voice loud and clear. You can also choose directional or omnidirectional vocal pickup in the AnkerWork settings, with the latter being better if you have multiple people speaking on your end.

My biggest complaints about the C200 webcam are that its a bit cumbersome to adjust its angle when its perched on your monitor or screen. Unlike most other webcams, Ankers doesnt have a short neck of sorts that connects the camera to its adjustable base  its just one, chunky piece of plastic that I had to use both hands to adjust when necessary. Also, the C200 comes with a USB cable thats much shorter than others. This wont be a problem if youre connecting the webcam directly to your laptop, but its not as flexible if you have a standing desk converter or a more complicated setup that requires long cables.

Best for streaming: Logitech Streamcam

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Of all the webcams I tested, I had the most fun using Logitechs Streamcam. While its a bit weird to say I had fun with such an innocuous piece of tech, I found the Streamcam to be remarkable in many ways. First and foremost, the video quality is excellent: It shoots in 1080p/60fps and its video is slightly sharper than that of the Logitech C920s Pro HD. Details in my clothing came through much better and, whether I liked it or not, so did some of the texture on my skin. The Streamcam was also one of the best devices when it came to color reproduction.

All of those perks remain the same even when youre shooting in low-light conditions. The Streamcams auto-exposure feature made up for the darkness in my office on gloomy days. And it has the best kind of autofocus  the kind that you never notice in action.

The dual omnidirectional mics inside the Streamcam delivered my voice loud and clear during video calls. If you stream often and find yourself without an external mic, its nice to know that you could get by with the Streamcams built-in ones in a pinch. The microphones also have noise reduction to keep your voice font and center.

As far as design goes, the Streamcam is a bit larger than most. Its a chunky almost-square that can easily be positioned on a monitor or on a tripod, and a unique feature of its design is its ability to shoot either vertically or horizontally. I kept mine in the standard 16:9 format, but some streamers who post to social media often will like the 9:16 format thats best for Instagram and TikTok. Logitech also made sure the Streamcam was optimized for Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), XSplit and Streamlabs, so you can use it directly out of the box for your next live session.

The Streamcam is the best all-purpose webcam on our list; if you want one device that can do it all, from video conferences to Twitch streams to family video chats, the Streamcam is the best option. However, not everyone will want to drop the $170 on one. Its higher price keeps it from our top spot because those who just want to look better on Zoom calls dont need to drop $170 to do that.

Best premium: Logitech Brio

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

If youre willing to spare no expense on a webcam, Logitechs $200 Brio is the one to get. It has a lot of things going for it, but the best and most important feature is its 4K recording. Its capable of shooting in 4K/30fps in addition to 1080p and 720p in either 60fps or 30fps. I kept it set at 4K and I never looked better on a video call. My feed was sharp and clear, and the only negative thing about it was the slightly inaccurate colors (they came off more saturated than normal).

Low-light performance was stellar as well. The Brios light correcting technology with HDR made up for the cave-like environment in which I was sometimes forced to record. As far as sound goes, the dual microphones inside the Brio were some of the loudest and clearest of any webcam I tested. They also use noise-canceling technology to capture audio from up to one meter away while blocking out background noise.

The Brio also had the most customizable settings of the Logitech cameras I tried. In addition to brightness, contrast, color intensity, white balance and autofocus, youre able to adjust HDR, field of view and image ratio in the Camera Settings app. While I kept most of the default settings, I changed my field of view from 65 degrees to 78 degrees (the third option of 90 degrees was too wide for my taste), and it captured just enough of my background but still kept me as the focal point.

I also opted to turn off autofocus because I found it to be finicky. Issues with the Brios autofocus have been documented online and Ive reached out to Logitech for troubleshooting tips. An Engadget colleague who uses the Brio as his daily webcam hasnt experienced the autofocus issues, so there just might not be enough contrast between myself and the background. Since I take most video calls from my home office desk, adjusting the focus manually to fit that environment worked well for me.

Its hard to get excited about webcam design, but Logitech tried to make the Brio as sleek looking as possible. Instead of a mere rectangle, the Brio is an elongated oval with rounded edges and a standard base that clips securely onto a screen. The front is a glossy black, punctuated only by the camera lens, two tiny slits for the microphones and the IR sensors. The latter makes the Brio compatible with Windows Hello, so you can unlock your system using facial recognition. And when you want more privacy, you can use the included lens shade to cover the camera.
Netflix may have benefitted from the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's not blaming its latest troubles on people leaving their homes. The company has revealed that it lost about 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022, a sharp contrast from the millions of additions per quarter over the past year. However, the streaming giant said that the pandemic only "obscured the picture"  there were multiple problems hiding under the surface.

The company pointed to stiffer competition from online services like Disney+ and Prime Video. While Netflix has still been gaining share at a modest rate, it wants to grow "faster." The firm also blamed limited room to expand in many countries due to both technology factors outside of its control (such as smart TV adoption and data prices) and the abundance of account sharing. There are more than 222 million paying households, Netflix said, but another 100 million-plus sharing those accounts.

The decision to halt service in Russia also helped swing Netflix from growth to a loss. It would have added 500,000 customers, but ultimately lost 700,000 after dropping its Russian base in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Growth was still "soft" across all regions, however.

Netflix outlined multiple efforts to turn things around. It hoped to improve the quality of its shows, profit from sharing (such as an option for paid sharing in Latin America) and produce more content to suit audiences outside the US, where growth was stronger.

These results might not pay off in the short term. Netflix still expects either mild growth (no more than 1.5 million new members) or a loss (up to 2 million) in the ongoing second quarter. With that said, Netflix is clearly under no illusion that mobile games and minor feature additions will be enough to spark renewed interest by themselves  its fundamentals need to improve if it's going to fend off rivals.
You no longer need to wear a mask to ride with Uber or Lyft n the US. Uber has dropped mask requirements for US drivers and passengers as of today (April 19th). Lyft, meanwhile, announced that mask wearing is now optional in the country. Both ridesharing firms now let you sit in the front passenger seat, although Uber said this should only be done if a party is too large to fit exclusively in the back.

Uber stressed that the CDC still recommends masks for people who either have some "risk factors" for COVID-19 or live in areas where there are high virus transmission levels. Lyft also noted that some local governments might still require masks, but it no longer accepts health safety as a reason for cancelling a trip.

The decisions aren't voluntary. A federal judge in Florida overturned a federal mandate for masks aboard public transportation on Monday, leading major airlines and Amtrak to drop their requirements. Some public transit systems (such as those in New Jersey and Washington, DC) have also lifted their demands. Uber and Lyft are just following suit, in other words. It's not yet clear if the federal government will challenge the ruling.

The move won't be welcome by everyone. The pandemic is still ongoing, and people who are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk may be particularly reluctant to avoid cars with maskless drivers. These travellers now have fewer options for getting around, and may have to rely on friends or family to minimize the chances of an infection.
Procter & Gamble has announced that LV Vaidyanathan will take over as the Chief Executive Officer for its operations in India from July 1, 2022.

Vaidyanathan is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad who started his journey with P&G in 1995 as an intern and joined the India Sales team straight from campus in 1996. He has more than 26 years of experience across diverse geographies and cultures like India and ASEAN countries including Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. He is currently leading the P&G business in Indonesia as CEO where he has been responsible for industry-leading growth and value creation for the company.

Under his leadership, the Indonesian business has transformed to become value accretive for the parent company and has overtaken a formidable competitor in the market by turning around the share gap in the last 4 years. Vaidyanathan is a passionate advocate for Equality and Inclusion, and under his leadership, P&G has achieved the milestone of having 50% women representation in their leadership team. He has also stepped up the companys focus on environment sustainability in Indonesia where all of the companys manufacturing sites have become Zero Manufacturing Waste to Landfill, and the company is working with external stakeholders to innovate and develop technology that can accelerate efforts to advance the circular economy. Vaidyanathan has also served as the Chairman of Indonesia Chapter of US ASEAN Business Council.

LV Vaidyanathan will take over from Madhusudan Gopalan, who is going to take on an important leadership role within P&G as Senior Vice President  Grooming & Oral Care, P&G Japan & Korea. During his four-year tenure at the helm of P&G India, Madhusudan led the transformation of the business and find its winning formula to consistently deliver sustainable top and bottom-line growth.

On the appointment, Magesvaran Suranjan, P&G President, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa , I want to thank Madhusudan for his outstanding leadership of the India organization over the last four years and the transformation of the business to delivering consistent balanced growth and value creation. Not only has his leadership been exemplary to guide the company through the pandemic, but he is also leaving the business well-positioned to win in India for years to come. I am thrilled with LV Vaidyanathans appointment as the India CEO, who has been an integral part of the P&G growth story for well over two decades. He is an outstanding leader, and the India business will immensely benefit from his leadership and skills which have led to the strong growth of the different businesses that he has led across Southeast Asia. The moves for both Madhusudan and LV are testament to the strength of Indian talent and Indias importance as a talent factory for P&G globally.

Madhusudan Gopalan added, It has been a great honour to lead the P&G business in India, my home country where I started my P&G career. The four-year journey has been an enriching and rewarding one and Im proud of what we have achieved together as the India team. The business is in great shape and we have found our winning formula where our strategy is delivering consistent top and bottom-line growth and our people are growing and thriving. I am delighted with the appointment of LV Vaidyanathan as my successor, one of Indias home-grown talents who I firmly believe has the right expertise to lead the growth of our business in India in the years to come. I am confident that he will continue to lead the P&G India business to greater heights and in turn, incrementally contribute to the overall growth for the parent company.

LV Vaidyanathan said, It is a moment of great pride for me to come back to India and spearhead the P&G business. I am looking forward to being back in the market, learning more about the Indian consumers and serving their needs. For us, going forward, it will be important to continue the focus on our strategy which is delivering consistent results. We will raise the bar on all aspects of our superiority strategy product, package, brand communication, retail execution, and value. We will continue to drive productivity improvements to fund investments in innovation and help drive balanced top-and bottom-line growth. As a focused and agile and accountable organization operating at the speed of the market, we will also aim to lead constructive disruption across the value chain in the industry. I cant wait to get started and I am looking forward to working with our incredibly talented team in India.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
The Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate is facing headwinds today as the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is set to address the recent developments with regards to the Partygate scandal.

At the time of writing, the GBP/EUR exchange rate is trading at approximately 1.2039, roughly down 0.2% from todays opening levels.

Pound (GBP) Exchange Rates Face Headwinds as Partygate Scandal Returns to Spotlight

The Pound (GBP) is stumbling against the Euro (EUR) as GBP investors look towards Boris Johnsons address regarding the Partygate scandal this afternoon.

The Partygate scandal came to light at the end of December 2021 following publication of a video revealing lockdown rules were seemingly breached by government officials in 2020.

Despite repeatedly stating no Covid rules were broken before apologising on 12 January for attending the events, Johnson is now expected to apologise further having been fined for breaking the law.

Johnson has promised to set the record straight this afternoon.

Despite this, there have been calls from the opposition for an investigation into whether Johnson misled parliament and additional calls for Johnson to resign as Prime Minister.

Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, believes Johnson will try an apology and [] will immediately then go into excuses.

It has been confirmed Starmer will be able to table a motion for debate regarding Johnson and parties held in Downing Street during lockdown.

In turn, GBP investors are wary of Sterling today as the UKs political landscape is put in jeopardy. The potential political instability could be bad for the UK economy, particularly amid the Ukraine war and the UKs cost-of-living crisis.

Euro (EUR) Exchnage Rates Climb as Ukraine Remains Hopeful

The Euro (EUR) is rising against the Pound (GBP) today as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy remains optimistic that Ukraine will win against Russias invasion.

Zelenskiy said: No matter how many Russian troops they send there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.

However, with Russia likely to intensify its attacks in eastern Ukraine, this optimism may be short-lived.

The Euro could also be catching tailwinds from recent polls showing that French President Emmanuel Macron is consolidating his lead against far-right rival Marine Le Pen as Frances presidential election enters its final week.

As the current French President, and a pro-EU politician, Macron represents political stability. Therefore, his increased lead in the polls has cheered EUR investors, who favour certainty and stability.

GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: Will the Ukraine Crisis Continue to Drive Volatility in GBP/EUR?

Looking ahead, Russias invasion of Ukraine is likely to continue influencing the Pound Euro exchange rate.

Should negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials remain incapable of reaching a diplomatic solution, it may limit demand for both GBP and EUR.

At the end of the week, a speech from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey is scheduled: if Bailey reiterates a dovish perspective it may weigh on Sterling.

On the data front, the UKs retail sales report for March is expected to print at -0.3%. If market forecasts are reached, it may place pressure on GBP.

On the other hand, the single currency may be influenced by the Eurozones consumer confidence indicator for April. Consumer confidence across the bloc is predicted to have slipped: if this prints true, it may hamper EURs appeal.
The Pound US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate traded in a narrow range on Tuesday, as the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, was scrutinised regarding the Partygate scandal.

At the time of writing, the GBP/USD exchange rate traded at approximately $1.30, with minimal movement from the days opening levels.

Pound (GBP) Exchange Rates Muted as Partygate Scandal Revisited

The Pound (GBP) is initially rose against the US Dollar (USD) this morning. However, GBP/USD then turned south as the Partygate scandal returns to the limelight.

At the beginning of 2022, it was revealed Boris Johnson attended several parties held in Downing Street during the 2020 lockdown.

This was in breach of the laws set due to the pandemic. As a result, Johnson has been fined by the police and is currently under fire from the opposition.

It has been confirmed that a motion will be held on Thursday as to whether Johnson should be referred to the Privileges Committee to investigate if he intentionally misled parliament during recent months.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: The British public know Boris Johnson [is] a liar. Now its time for Parliament to recognise that. The country cannot afford a prime minister who breaks the law and lies about it.

In turn, the uncertainty surrounding the UKs political landscape is weighing on the Pounds appeal. Investors dislike uncertainty, particularly as the country is already struggling with the Ukraine and cost-of-living crises.

Furthermore, the risk-sensitive Sterling is further being limited by Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The conflict has been amplified in recent days as the Russian military advances into the east of Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that another stage of this operation is beginning.

Thus far, shelling has occurred in Marinka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, and explosions have been heard in Donetsk region.

Despite this, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, remains optimistic that the Ukrainian people will continue to fight for their home country.

In an overnight address, Zelenskiy commented: No matter how many Russian troops they send there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.

US Dollar (USD) Exchange Rates Face some Sell-Off Pressure

The US Dollar is mixed against the Pound today as a shifting market mood causes the safe-haven USD to wobble.

The Greenback initially slipped amid a slightly more upbeat sentiment among investors, as evident in the equity markets. However, the mood quickly soured and USD regained its losses. Risk appetite then ticked slightly higher again, and so USD has wavered in somewhat of a narrow range overall.

However, hawkish expectations from the Federal Reserve continue to underpin the US Dollar and prevent any significant losses.

GBP/USD Exchange Rate Forecast: Will the Ukraine Crisis Hinder GBP?

Looking ahead, Russias invasion of Ukraine is likely to continue driving volatility in GBP exchange rates and weigh on GBP/USD for the near-term.

Furthermore, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey is set to deliver a speech later this week. Should Bailey strike a dovish tone, echoing the central banks recent position, it may hinder Sterlings appeal.

Similarly, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is set to deliver two speeches on Thursday. If Powell reiterates the Feds hawkish stance, it may bolster demand for the Greenback.
Palo Alto, CAJotham Stein, author of Negotiate Like a CEO: How to Get Ahead with Lesson Learned from Top Entrepreneurs and Executives, was interviewed by Jim Beach on School for Start Ups Radio Show.

What does it mean to negotiate like a CEO? How important are employment agreements? How can you learn to protect yourself and your family if the worst does happen? These are all questions that Jotham S. Stein addresses in his book Negotiate Like a CEO, with the goal of equipping individuals with the tools they need to safeguard themselves in business and employment.

A lively, engaging read, Negotiate Like a CEO outlines how employees, executives, and entrepreneurs have protected themselves in the past, and gives readers eye-opening advice on how to make sure they won't get taken advantage of. The book describes best practices, common pitfalls, and sky's-the-limit possibilities at any career stage, whether you're just out of college or you're gunning for that C-suite job.

A graduate of Stanford Law School and Princeton University, Stein has more than two decades of experience in executive law, representing individuals from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and less senior employees of all size companies. In his career he has negotiated robust employment agreements, separation agreements, M & A agreements, change in control agreements, stock option agreements, restricted stock agreements, management carve out agreements, non-compete agreements, and much more.

Listen to the entire interview of Jotham Stein on School on Start Ups Radio Show at https://soundcloud.com/expertclickradio/jotham-stein-author-of-negotiate-like-a-ceo-interviewed-on-school-for-start-ups-radio-show



Expert Click Radio  Jotham Stein, Author of 'Negotiate Like a CEO,' Interviewed on School for Start Ups Radio Show

"It's the concept to protect yourself, to read everything or get a good adviser to read everything, to negotiate with leverage, just like a CEO would negotiate with leverage. I wrote this book to help the people out there who have no idea how to help themselves in their employment relationships," says Stein. "Too many just don't know how or are too afraid to ask."  Jotham Stein

"As a hi-tech Silicon Valley attorney Stein is brutally honest in assessing a situation and advising his clients. In Negotiate Like a CEO you'll learn to be aware, to recognize potential employment pitfalls, and how to protect yourself. You'll also learn that you may have more leverage than you might think, either now or as you advance in your career." Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer

"As a CEO and multi-time Silicon Valley executive, I was very fortunate to learn from Jotham early in my career the great importance of the protective employment offer letter. Employment law is very complex and with this book you can learn from the best." Bonnie Crater, co-founder and CEO, Full Circle Insights; former SVP salesforce.com; former SVP Genesys; former VP Oracle; former VP Netscape

Watch the book trailer here: https://bit.ly/NegotiateLikeaCEOtrailer





About: Jotham S. Stein is the principal of the Law Offices of Jotham S. Stein P.C. He has more than two decades of experience representing entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives, board members, venture capitalists, private equity principals, and investment bankers as well as less senior employees of all size companies.

Stein is a graduate of Stanford Law School and Princeton University. He is admitted to practice in California, Illinois, New York, Colorado, and the District of Columbia as well as the United States Supreme Court, and several United States Courts of Appeals and United States District Courts. He is also a member of multiple bar associations, including the American Bar Association.

Stein is the author of Executive Employment Law: Protecting Executives, Entrepreneurs and Employees, a how-to guide for practitioners.

Stein's new book, Negotiate Like a CEO, is an enthralling look at how top entrepreneurs and executives protect themselves and how you can too. You can find out more about Jotham Stein at NegotiateLikeaCEO.net

Negotiate Like a CEO, ASIN: B09TG125BQ, Published by Political Animal Press, Feb. 24, 2022, 294 pages, available on Kindle and paperback on Amazon.

Media Contact: For a review copy of Negotiate Like a CEO or to arrange an interview with Jotham S. Stein, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 248-705-2214. Reach Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist
Dr. Rajeev Suri, seated in front of a desktop computer, searched for signs of lung cancer on a digital X-ray emblazoned with red, orange and yellow clusters.

The colors werent highlighting cancerous masses, however. They were marking where on the image Suri was looking, as gauged by artificial intelligence software. It uses infrared light and sensors to monitor his eye movements and pupil dilation.

Suri, 54, a professor of radiology at UT Health San Antonios Long School of Medicine, is participating in a study launched this month to collect data from 60 radiologists as they read X-rays at University Hospital.

By feeding large amounts of data into the AI system, researchers hope to train the software to mimic human reading patterns to provide a machine version of a second opinion.

The radiologists at the testing site  backed by engineers at the Southwest Research Institute and a team from the University of Texas at San Antonios engineering and psychology departments  are laying the groundwork for the growing use of AI in San Antonios biotechnology industry.

San Antonio has become a hub for biotech, and AI is the new kid on the block, said Suri, whos also chief of staff of University Hospitals radiology department. It makes sense for this to align.

Among computer scientists and engineers, the term AI broadly refers to software that can adapt and learn how to perform tasks like humans. AI is what you rely on when youre using the map app on your phone to find the fastest route to your destination. Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, use it to fill your feeds with posts and news links youre likely to be interested in.

Douglas Brooks, manager at SwRIs Applied Sensing Department, focuses on the most popular AI subfield  machine learning, which allows computer algorithms to take in data and train itself to find patterns. It fuels Netflix movie recommendations, language translation apps, Facebook Messenger and online chatbots.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Deep learning is a more complex form of machine learning, one that relies less on humans to improve its performance. Algorithms use artificial neural networks that mirror human brains to learn connections in large data sets. They can be trained to identify faces in photographs, predict cancer risk from mammograms and teach autonomous vehicles to avoid crashing into people crossing a street.

In machine learning, a human plays a major role in creating algorithms and updating it and making mathematical modifications so the machine can do its job, said Brooks, 40. In deep learning, we give it data and labels, and it figures out the thing on its own.

One of Brooks SwRI colleagues, principal engineer David Chambers, helped develop the deep-learning algorithm for the radiology study.

SwRI can use the data to train a machine-learning model that performs some of the visual tasks of a radiologist, said Chambers, 35. This capability could be used to train and improve other physicians by giving them a second opinion that factors in how the radiologist scanned the image.

San Antonio is an ideal AI testing ground, the engineers say, because its home to a large health care industry, with a web of clinics and civilian and military hospitals with connections throughout Texas.

AI in medical is a huge deal here, Brooks said. Imagine more accurately diagnosing patients and being able to save lives.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Money for AI research

Researchers are also finding financial support in San Antonio.

The San Antonio Medical Foundation, the nonprofit that helped bring a University of Texas medical school to San Antonio and launch the South Texas Medical Center, donated $187,000 for the radiology study, which runs through August.

Researchers are looking to reduce the number of false-positive readings. Every time a problem is found on an image, theres a 33 percent chance the radiologist made an error. Most mistakes are minor and can be corrected quickly. But in some cases, mistakes can mean missing early indications of cancer or other diseases.

Dr. Kal Clark, vice chairman of radiology informatics at UT Health, who is overseeing the X-ray readings for the study, said radiologists and AI can work better together than either software or humans alone.

To err is human, said Clark, 36. Were better at interacting with people than we are at being a detector. Were going to use AI to augment our abilities to detect so we could do more of the art of medicine.

Jim Reed, president of the medical foundation, also believes the study will demonstrate that radiologists can partner with AI systems to avoid errors.

The artificial intelligence would improve the radiologists identifying cancers by 16 to 20 percent, based on the database they would gain through the artificial intelligence, he said, citing the proposal for the study.

The medical foundation has previously backed AI research in biotech.

Last year, it gave a $200,000 grant to SwRI, UT Health and University Health to develop AI algorithms for cancer detection.

Also in 2021, the nonprofit awarded $200,000 to a team from SwRI, UT Health, UTSA and Texas Biomedical Research Institute to develop AI software to identify molecules that could block the coronavirus from infiltrating human cells.

Reed said his organization plans to fund more AI studies.

AI is a growing thing, he said. I think well see more grant applications with the artificial intelligence, particularly as everybody is moving in that direction.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Fewer radiologists?

Radiology is one of the hotbeds for AI research. And as deep-learning algorithms improve, demand for radiologists could decline.

In 2016, Geoffrey Hinton, a computer science professor at the University of Toronto known as the Godfather of AI told an AI conference that people should stop training radiologists because they would become obsolete within five years as a result of advances in deep learning.

SwRIs Chambers rejects dire predictions like Hintons. I think hes wrong, he said. Certainly, the space is changing  but slowly.

At University Hospital, Suri said he wasnt afraid of radiologists losing their jobs to AI.

No, were helping develop it, he said, laughing.

Still, future reductions in hiring are likely.

I would be scared if I wasnt embracing technology, UT Healths Clark said. If AI can help us, we only need to hire eight radiologists instead of 10 radiologists. Now, the patients are taken care of just the same, maybe even better, with eight radiologists with AI than 10 radiologists without AI.

Researchers say AI could take over time-consuming tasks, such as data analysis, to support a radiologists findings. But radiologists will remain important because AI cant yet be trusted to make a diagnosis alone.

AI can be wrong, too, Chambers said. That certainly is scary. That keeps me up.

eric.killelea@express-news.net
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

If you didn't get to take that spring break vacation you wanted, there are affordable trips in May out of San Antonio International Airport.

You can fly to Minneapolis, New York or San Francisco for under $100. The cheapest option is a $49 flight to Mexico City on May 12.
Face masks, symbols of the COVID era that comforted some Americans, antagonized others and became a political flashpoint, are no longer required in airports, on planes or other forms of public transportation.

San Antonio International Airport joined others across the country Tuesday in dropping its mask requirement after a federal judge in Florida ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had overstepped its authority in imposing the mandate.

Within hours of the ruling, the nations 10 largest airlines had dropped mask requirements for domestic travel. So did Amtrak, Uber and Lyft, as well as VIA Metropolitan Transit and scores of bus systems throughout the country.

The reprieve was not absolute. Some private businesses may still require masks, said University Health, Bexar Countys public hospital system, continues to require masks in all clinical areas for the safety of patients, staff and visitors, spokeswoman Elizabeth Allen said.

The court ruling was issued Monday, and within hours the Transportation Security Administration had rescinded its mask requirement. At 10:56 p.m. Monday, San Antonio International Airport declared on Twitter that masks are no longer required.

Travelers arriving at the airport Tuesday alternately expressed relief, hearty approval, dismay and indifference.

I think its long overdue, Ohio businessman Nick Kormos, 43, said as he waited for his Uber to pull up outside Terminal A. I will never wear a mask again if Im not required to by law.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio mother sues Wells Fargo, Northeast Baptist Hospital over sons death from COVID-19

"The threat is so low"

Kormos, a sales manager and trainer from the Cleveland area, heard the news on his car radio Tuesday morning and said he started screaming with joy.

The masking has been nothing short of ridiculous, because it doesnt do anything, and it does a lot of harm not being able to interact with peoples faces, not being able to breathe. Its just silly, to me, he said. With vaccinations and boosters and everything else  and natural immunity  the threat is so low.

Diamond Hargrove, 22, who had flown in from Chicago, said she felt very neutral about the change and planned to continue masking up in enclosed facilities such as airports.

Cases are still increasing, so I just feel more safe myself because I put my mask on, said Hargrove, speaking through a blue cloth mask and wheeling a suitcase behind her. But I feel like its just a preference.

Do I think its the smartest idea? she said of dropping the mask requirement. Probably not. But, you know, it is what it is.

Patrick and Michele Cain, who flew in on Southwest Airlines from Grand Rapids, Michigan, are both fully vaccinated and double-boosted, but said most of their children oppose such protective measures. Perhaps for that reason, Michele, 70, was philosophical about the lifting of the mask mandate.

Youre not going to be able to force people, she said. Theyre going to do what they choose to do.

Cain said she would continue to wear a mask depending on the circumstances, such as the COVID infection rate at the time and how crowded the plane was.

I do it to protect myself, she said. I wear masks for my own safety.

VIA Metropolitan Transit began requiring passengers and drivers to wear masks in April 2020. The agency also provided masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes for drivers and maintenance staff, and it reduced the number of passengers allowed on buses.

In June 2021, VIA restored buses to full capacity. Now, the last of the COVID requirements  for face masks  has fallen by the wayside, though masks remain optional for both riders and employees.

Curbing "breathtaking" power

The ruling that struck down the CDCs mask requirement was issued by a U.S. District Court judge in Tampa. Just days earlier, the agency had extended the mandate through May 3 so it could assess the state of the pandemic.

The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the Health Freedom Defense Fund, a nonprofit that has sued cities, school districts and other entities to overturn vaccination mandates.

In a 59-page decision, Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump in 2020, said the CDC had exceeded its legal authority under the Public Health Services Act of 1944.

That law says the agency may take such measures as it deems necessary and provides a list of examples, including sanitation. The judge wrote that this power was limited to such things as cleaning property and did not extend to requiring people to take hygienic steps.

If Congress intended this definition, the power bestowed on the C.D.C. would be breathtaking, Mizelle wrote. And it certainly would not be limited to modest measures of sanitation like masks.

If the governments broader interpretation of the agencys powers were accurate, she added, the CDC could require businesses to install air filtration systems, mandate that people take vaccines or even require coughing into elbows and daily multivitamins.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Americans should decide for themselves whether to wear masks. The decision is up to them, Biden told reporters during a trip to New Hampshire.

Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the administrations coronavirus response coordinator, said he was disappointed in the ruling and would still wear masks on planes.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the decision whether to eliminate the mask requirement should have been left to the CDC. Public health decisions shouldnt be made by the courts, she said.

Some airline passengers heard the news in airports or in flight, sharing celebratory photos and videos on social media. For many flight attendants, the lifting of the mandate brought relief. Flight crews have faced a surge in threats and violence from passengers, in many cases sparked by resistance to the mask requirement.

San Antonio airport officials said they dont expect the end of the mandate to affect operations. Enforcing mask-wearing wasnt a challenge at San Antonio International, spokeswoman Tonya Hope said.

Passengers were generally non-confrontational, she said. Airlines are filling 97 percent of seats, so officials dont expect the end of the mask rule to prompt an increase in travel.

Express-News staff writer Diego Mendoza-Moyers contributed. This article also includes information from the New York Times.
Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Community Labs said in a news release on Tuesday that it will permanently close two COVID-19 testing sites in San Antonio because of a dwindling demand.

The nonprofit said the last day of operation for its mass testing sites at the Alamo Colleges District Office on North Alamo and the Wonderland Mall of the Americas will be April 29. Both sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until then.
A migrant from Mexico who had been deported from the U.S. more than 15 times was arrested Friday for allegedly prostituting and sexually assaulting a teenage girl in San Antonio.

Juan Carlos Diaz-De la Cruz, 29, was charged with sexual assault of a child, trafficking of a child and prostitution. He is being held on $750,000 bail.

State police said Diaz-De la Cruz, who is known as Karlos, housed the girl and allowed men to have sex with her for $150, according to an affidavit supporting his arrest. In exchange, Diaz-De la Cruz would provide the girl with money, food and shelter.

Police were tipped off to Diaz-De la Cruz during an investigation into a missing 17-year-old girl believed to be the victim of sex trafficking, according to the affidavit, which was sworn to by a Texas Ranger. In July 2021, investigators pinged the girls phone and found her in an West Side apartment with a man named Gerardo Morales-Hernandez.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio man sentenced to 30 years for producing child pornography with female family member

Morales-Hernandez told police that he met the girl at a nearby house on Monterey Street, where he paid $50 to have sex with the teenager, according to the affidavit. Morales-Hernandez, who was involved in a human smuggling operation, said the home on Monterey was a stash house that housed undocumented migrants.

Through the investigation, officials encountered a man named Trevino Cartel, who told investigators that Diaz-De la Cruz was also involved in the human smuggling operation and had ties to a Mexican cartel.

Morales-Hernandez and Cartel, who also said that he had sex with the teen, were arrested on sexual assault and child prostitution charges.

Before investigators could apprehend Diaz-De la Cruz, he was deported to Mexico by the U.S. Border Patrol. Investigators learned that Diaz-De la Cruz had been banned from entering the United States and had been arrested by Border Patrol agents more than 15 times, the affidavit said.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas man who agreed to torture sex trafficking victim sentenced

On April 15, 2022, investigators were told by Homeland Security Investigations that Diaz-De la Cruz had been arrested on a South Texas ranch with a large group of migrants, the affidavit said.

When questioned by police, Diaz-De la Cruz admitted to prostituting the teenage girl and having sex with her multiple times, the affidavit said.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
Major leaders of the Communist Party of China in a group photo from Nov 7, 1931, when the CPC convened for the opening of the First Soviet Congress in Ruijin, Jiangxi province. CHINA DAILY

The Central Revolutionary Base, which is centered around Ruijin county in Jiangxi province, mostly covers areas in present-day southern Jiangxi, western Fujian and northeastern Guangdong provinces.

Dubbed the "Cradle of the People's Republic", the base was created by Communist Party of China figures who would become the founding fathers of the People's Republic of China, among them Mao Zedong (1893-1976), Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) and Zhu De (1886-1976).

On Aug 1, 1927, the CPC led the Nanchang Uprising, its first military resistance against the reactionaries of the Kuomintang Party, who purged CPC members during their alliance. The troops, led by Zhu, eventually joined forces with troops led by Mao in Jinggangshan, western Jiangxi, in April 1928, forming the Fourth Red Army, the core force of the CPC-led military power.

Mao and Zhu led the army through southern Jiangxi and western Fujian in early 1929, recruiting soldiers from various CPC-led uprisings along the way. After two years of battle in Jiangxi, Fujian and Hunan provinces, the West Fujian and South Jiangxi revolutionary bases were established as the Central Revolutionary Base began to take shape.

After smashing encircling and suppressing military operations by the KMT three times in 1930 and 1931 and linking revolutionary bases in southern, southwestern Jiangxi and western Fujian, the CPC convened the First Soviet Congress in Ruijin from Nov 7 to 20 in 1931.

It led to the declaration of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, a milestone that signified the official establishment of the Central Revolutionary Base.

The outline for a constitution was drafted, and laws and policies on land, labor and economics were promulgated. Mao was elected chairman of the central executive committee, and Zhu was named chairman of the central revolutionary military commission.

The base experienced its heyday after military victories in 1932 and early 1933, when the KMT's fourth attempt to encircle and suppress was thwarted.

Including about a dozen smaller revolutionary bases controlled by the CPC, at its peak, the CSR covered some 400,000 square kilometers and was home to about 30 million people, with the Central Revolutionary Base accounting for about one-fifth of the territory and one-seventh of the population, according to the Ruijin Central Revolutionary Base Memorial.

The CPC carried out explorations in governance, including land redistribution, government and military structure, agricultural production and finance, and achieved initial success.

However, as dogmatic "Leftist" leaders pursued an offensive policy and handed over command of the Red Army to Communist International military adviser Otto Braun (1900-74), known as Li De in Chinese, who had little practical understanding of China, the CPC failed to stop the KMT's fifth encirclement campaign, which began in September 1933.

As the situation worsened in 1934, the leaders of the Red Army decided to make a strategic shift. In October 1934, the central government of the CSR, along with core forces from the Red Army, began what was later known as the Long March, which ended successfully in Northwest China in 1936.

A small fraction of CPC-led forces stayed at the Central Revolutionary Base and began a three-year guerrilla war. Supported by local people, they survived extreme conditions and kept the resistance against KMT troops going.

In December 1936, as KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) repeatedly refused to stop attempts to eliminate CPC forces despite an increasingly aggressive Japanese invasion, KMT generals Yang Hucheng (1893-1949) and Zhang Xueliang (1901-2001) took Chiang hostage to force him to work with the CPC and fight the invaders. The CPC played an important role in settling the incident peacefully, and the formation of a second KMT-CPC alliance became irresistible.

After agreements were signed by the CPC and the KMT, the CSR was formally reorganized as a special administrative area of the Republic of China in September 1937. In October, CPC-led guerrilla forces in southern China, including those in the former Central Revolutionary Base, emerged from their hill hideouts and were reorganized as the New Fourth Army. China eventually won the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in 1945.

With the help of the people, the CPC-led People's Liberation Army successfully beat the KMT in the War of Liberation (1946-49). Ruijin, once capital of the CSR, was liberated on Aug 23, 1949.
A San Antonio man was charged Monday with child pornography  accused of showing sexually explicit photos of children while having sex with two other people, court documents said.

Dustin Cody McCall, 42, was charged with four counts of possession of pornography and delivering drugs to a minor. He is being held on $180,000 bail for all five charges.

On Nov. 3, a tipster told a Texas Attorney Generals Office investigator that McCall told the tipster he had sex with a minor, an affidavit supporting McCalls arrest said.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio man sentenced to 30 years for producing child pornography with female family member

The tipster said he met McCall on a social media site and that they agreed to meet. The two men and a woman were sharing drugs and having sex when McCall told them about sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, the affidavit said.

McCall allegedly told the tipster that he met the girl and her friend at an H-E-B and sexually assaulted the girl while her friend watched, according to the arrest affidavit. He allegedly told the tipster that he injected the teen with drugs so that she would be more compliant.

The tipster told investigators that McCall then showed a video on his cellphone of him sexually assaulting the girl before showing other sexually explicit photos of younger children.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio man accused of uploading child pornography to social media app

In January, investigators obtained a search warrant for McCalls residence and cellphone. McCall was arrested in January for a felony probation violation.

Over the next several months, investigators located and manually extracted multiple images of child pornography downloaded and stored on the phone, the affidavit said. Some of the images depicted children as young as 3 years old.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
A San Antonio man was arrested after posting threats online against government employees and suggesting that he intended to bomb a public place.

William Edward Bender, 57, was charged with making terroristic threats against the public and is being held on $15,000 bail.

Officials with the Southwest Texas Fusion Center had been aware of Bender for two years, an affidavit supporting his arrest said.

On ExpressNews.com: Alamo Heights High School evacuated after bomb threat

On April 14, an investigator spoke with Bender via phone, during which Bender made several statements of concern that were perceived as threats, according to the affidavit by a Bexar County deputy. He told the investigators that in a worse-case scenario, he would have to go out in a blaze of glory if confronted by police.

He also said that he could see himself committing an act like the one by Timothy McVeigh  the man responsible for the 1995 bombing that killed 168 people at a federal building in downtown Oklahoma City.

After his phone call with the investigator, Bender said in an online post that the reason we need guns is so we can kill government employees.

On ExpressNews.com: Comal ISD high school student facing terroristic threat charges

As officials were gathering for a threat assessment meeting at the Fusion Center on Monday, they learned that Benders GPS placed him at the Bexar County Courthouse. The courthouse was placed on high alert as the next day was the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Bender was contacted at the courthouse without incident, and Bexar County deputies drove him home.

Based on Benders communications with police, online posts and visit to the courthouse on the anniversary of a deadly bombing, police concluded that they had sufficient evidence to charge Bender, the affidavit said.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
There are two separate Election Days in May, and Bexar County officials are concerned voters might be confused when its time to cast a ballot.

The county called a joint amendment, general, special, charter and bond election for May 7. Early voting in the joint election runs from April 25 to May 3.

Several school districts and area cities have elections scheduled for the May 7 election. It also includes a $1.2 billion city of San Antonio bond issue, which will be split into six propositions.

Two constitutional amendments are on the ballot as well. The first proposition would reduce the amount of property taxes paid by elderly and disabled homeowners to school districts. The second proposition increases the states homestead exemption for school districts to $40,000  up from $25,000.

A few weeks later, on May 24, is the Republican and Democratic primary runoff election. For the runoff, early voting is set for May 16-20.

Elections Administrator Jacque Callanan is worried that voters will assume the runoff races  including a pivotal Democratic contest for county judge between former District Judge Peter Sakai and State Rep. Ina Minjarez  will be listed on the May 7 ballot.

Its going to be confusing for the voters, she said.

Eligible voters wanting to file mail ballots outside Bexar County in both elections will have to file separate applications. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the May 7 election is Tuesday, April 26; the last day to apply for the May 24 ballot is May 13.

On ExpressNews.com: Gonzalez endorses Sakai for county judge; Clay-Flores backs Minjarez

Also, to prevent confusion over mail ballots after nearly 4,000 were rejected in the March 1 primary, the Bexar County Elections Department provides specific instructions on its website, bexar.org/elections, and through mail inserts regarding new identification requirements under state law.

Larry Roberson, civil section chief of the district attorneys office, said the problem affected voters age 65 and older and those with disabilities who are eligible to vote by mail  both Republicans and Democrats.

The District Attorneys Office is working on a plan to educate voters on the election process and enable them to update their registration information without running afoul of the new law. The county hopes to have the registration updates and voter-education initiative in place before the Nov. 8 general election.
DeLorean Motor Co. now has $1 million of incentives from Bexar County and San Antonio to build a headquarters on the Southwest Side  where it plans to develop the electric cars of the future.

Bexar County commissioners Tuesday awarded the car manufacturer $513,000 in tax incentives over the next 10 years in exchange for the promise of well-paying engineering and science jobs. Last week, the city granted a performance-based incentives deal for DeLorean worth $562,500 to create 450 jobs and invest $18.5 million at its planned headquarters by the end of 2026.

The average annual salary at the facility is expected to be $145,000, with a minimum of $50,000 for maintenance employees.

Dean Hull, the companys chief financial officer, said the new global headquarters at Port San Antonio will work to fill 80 percent of its proposed 450 jobs locally. The remaining management positions will be transferred from outside Texas, including Detroit and California.

The company plans to unveil a new electric version of its iconic gull-winged coupe  famously featured in the 1980s film Back to the Future  Aug. 18 at the Concours dElegance auto show in Pebble Beach, California.

Hull said hes anxious to see the newly revived company play our role in moving San Antonio into a high-tech sort of services-driven innovation economy as opposed to just a manufacturing one.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio awards $562,500 in incentives to DeLorean

Were really excited to be part of the community, Hull said.

The company also plans to partner with colleges and school districts while leveraging collaborations with contractors in Austin and Monterrey, Mexico, as part of a regional, cross-border EV hotbed, he said.

DeLorean representatives have said they plan to start low-volume production of the coupe, which likely will be assembled in Ontario, Canada, in 2024. Then, DeLorean expects to branch out into an SUV model. It hopes to develop use of hydrogen fuel cells for its luxury vehicles to keep them charged, Hull told commissioners.

David Marquez, the countys economic and community development director, said the DeLorean headquarters project marks a real leap forward in our automotive strategy that began with Toyota more than 15 years ago and gained momentum with truck-maker Navistar opening its plant here last month.

DeLorean CEO Joost de Vries said the company was attracted to San Antonio because of the citys workforce and cluster of other automakers already in the region, including Toyota and Tesla. He expects the company to begin taking orders from customers this summer.

Since the county doesnt collect real property tax at the port, which uses that revenue for operations and maintenance at the former airbase, the incentives affect DeLoreans personal property investment.

City Council also agreed to designate the company as a Texas Enterprise Zone Project. That makes DeLorean eligible for refunds on state sales and use taxes, a subsidy worth $1.25 million over five years. The state administers that program.

In discussions last week, some San Antonio council members voiced some skepticism about the deal with the company, which has withheld information about its operations, investors and finances. It comes as the field of automakers building electric vehicles is increasingly crowded and well-funded, as giants such as Ford and General Motors pour billions of dollars into EV production.

We understand that with an innovative technology and an emerging industry, with such brand lore, would come with a healthy degree of skepticism, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said at the city meeting. The incentive grant agreement is fully dependent upon DeLorean delivering the actual jobs to our community.

But Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff is hopeful the carmaker, with flexibility in contracting and the prospect of electric vehicles for the future of the auto industry, will prove successful.

The incentives we give  are based on the investment and the jobs created, Wolff said.

Diego Mendoza-Moyers contributed to this article.

shuddleston@express-news.net
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Continuing the biopic trend, producers Ronnie Screvwala, Nitesh, and Ashwini Iyer Tiwari have cast actor Huma Qureshi to play popular chef Tarla Dalal's life story on the big screen. According to reports, the upcoming biopic will be directed by Piyush Gupta. The film is based on the life of Tarla Dalal, a cookbook author best known for her first book, The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking, which was published in 1974. She has written over 100 books and sold over 10 million copies since then.

Dalal, who is best known for Gujarati cuisine, has also hosted shows on a variety of other Indian cuisines. In 2007, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India, making her the only Indian to receive such an honor in the field of cooking.

In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, Huma revealed why she is excited to play this role, Tarla Dalal reminds me of my childhood. I clearly remember how my mom used to try her recipes when we were kids. Looking forward to this very special character.

According to sources close to the project, Huma has long wanted to do a biopic on Dalal because she was instrumental in revolutionizing Indian cooking, particularly vegetarian cooking. Huma Qureshi comes from a hospitality and business background, as her father owns one of Delhi's most popular eateries. Industry insiders and experts believe Huma is the ideal candidate for this role. She has already begun preparing for the role by reading and watching materials about Dalal's life. She is also working on her mannerisms and diction in order to make the character convincing.

Meanwhile, Huma recently wrapped production on the second season of the web series Maharani, as well as an overseas and Indian schedule for the film Double XL, in which she co-stars with Sonakshi Sinha.




ADELAIDE, AUS, Apr 19, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Avance Clinical, the largest premium Australian Contract Research Organisation (CRO) for international biotechs, has been selected as a finalist for the Best Contract Research Organization in APAC by Informa Pharma Intelligence.Avance Clinical has undergone significant expansion in recent years, including new offices in Sydney and Melbourne to accommodate the growing clinical team in Australia.The award winner will be announced on 1 September 2022. The finalists are:- Avance Clinical- Calyx- CMIC Group- EPS- ICON- Parexel- Syneos HealthAvance Clinical's CEO Yvonne Lungershausen said:"Avance Clinical is extremely pleased to be selected as a finalist for this prestigious award. It is a credit to our amazing customer-focused team for delivering the CRO excellence that has been recognized by the Informa Pharma Intelligence award judges."Avance Clinical has a global reputation for agile clinical solutions to support accelerated clinical development for our international biotech clients. We are very proud of our growth and success in APAC in recent years."According to Informa Pharma Intelligence:This Award is to recognize CROs that provide full or specialist services to their clients and which have an office in either in Japan or the Asia region including Australia.Judging considers the quality of services and relationships built with clients and pays particular attention to the innovative patient recruitment strategies the CRO has brought to the table.The award is based on achievements in the 2021 calendar year.Core areas judged include:- The particular capabilities and strengths the CRO offers- How the company has delivered results that exceed sponsor expectations- Innovations in patient recruitment strategy has the CRO brought to its partner- How it has improved its performance, for example, in its quality of data, timelines and transparency- The steps the company is taking towards streamlining data collection and reportingTo find out more please visit: https://pharmaintelligence.informa.com/events/awards/japan-awards-2022/shortlist-2022Avance Clinical recently secured a significant investment from global private equity firm, The Riverside Company (Riverside), to support further regional and global expansion. The investment values the company in excess of $200m."With the support of Riverside and its powerful global footprint and deep healthcare experience, Avance Clinical will execute on its regional and international expansion plans organically and via acquisitions," said Lungershausen.Avance Clinical is the Australian-owned CRO that provides global regulatory standard clinical research services across all phases to the local and international biopharma industry.The company is also accredited as a gene technology CRO under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) which has allowed it to expand into clinical trials for vaccines and GMO therapies."We have shown, with our high growth and industry-leading repeat business rates that our focus on gold standard technology paired with solution-orientated clinical experts is the mix our biopharma clients require in this fast-moving, competitive and high-stakes sector," said Lungershausen.Avance Clinical has been recognised for the past two consecutive years with the prestigious Frost & Sullivan CRO Best Practices Award.Find out more:- Learn about the Australian Advantage here https://www.avancecro.com/the-australian-advantage/- Read more about Avance Clinical's cell and gene therapy capabilities here www.avancecro.com/avance-clinical-featured-in-endpoints-news-on-cell-gene-therapy-capabilities/- For more information about the benefits of running your next study with Avance Clinical contact us: enquiries@avancecro.comAbout Avance ClinicalAvance Clinical is the largest premium full-service Australian CRO delivering quality clinical trials, with globally accepted data, in Australia and New Zealand for international biotechs. The company's clients are biotechs in their early phases of drug development that need fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services.Frost & Sullivan AwardsAvance Clinical, a Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award recipient for the past two years, has been providing CRO services in the region for 24 years.Pre-clinical through to Phase 1 and 2Avance Clinical offers pre-clinical services with their experienced ClinicReady team right through to Phase 1 and 2 clinical services leveraging significant Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes.With experience across more than 105 indications, the CRO can deliver world-class results and high-quality internationally accepted data for FDA and EMA review.TechnologyAvance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technology and gold standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, and Medrio are just some of the technology partners.Media Contacts:Avance ClinicalChris Thompsonmedia@avancecro.comSource: Avance ClinicalCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Abu Dabi, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - April 18, 2022) - Nestle's very first NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) have dropped on Opensea.io, commemorating the launch of the TRIX Breakfast Cereal brand in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). The TRIX Globe is an exclusive limited series of only two NFTs available for bidding from March 18-May 13, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity. More information can be found at Opensea.io/NESTLEBreakfastCerealsarabia.





Nestle Introduces Its Very First NFTs

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"In line with our promise for 'Better Lives,' we are proud to launch the first blockchain based initiative in the region aimed towards a humanitarian cause with full proceeds of the TRIX NFTs auction going to the Emirates Red Crescent," said Emilien Mesquida, Business Executive Officer, Cereal Partners Worldwide, Middle East & North Africa.

"We are excited to announce that TRIX is the first and only breakfast cereal brand in the world to have launched its own NFT series - showcasing how daring and adaptable our brands are," said Bahaa Boulmona, Brand Manager Cereal Partners Worldwide, Middle East & North Africa.

An NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items, and videos. NFTs are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.

TRIX is a fruity flavoured breakfast cereal offering that is iconic for its six fruity shapes. It's made with wholegrain and is a source of calcium, zinc, and B vitamins. TRIX is a heritage breakfast cereal brand that aims to 'Put the fun back into breakfast.' The brand's mascot, 'The TRIX Rabbit,' is an icon in the breakfast cereal world, dating back to the 1950s.

Link to the NFT collection: https://opensea.io/NESTLEBreakfastCerealsarabia

Nestle's official Twitter account post: https://twitter.com/nestleme/status/1504733665582014508

Nestle's official Instagram account post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbU2DViMdo8

CONTACTS

Esports Lead & Project Manager

Edvard Kondrat

info@empiremena.com

Disclaimer: There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this PR should be construed as any recommendation. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.

Company: Nestle

City: ABU DABI, UAE

Phone: info@empiremena.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120834
Vietnam's leading Digital Transformation services provider FPT Software has recently unveiled its partnership with SCSK Europe, a subsidiary of the Japan-based system integrator SCSK Corporation. The collaboration affirms FPT Software's robotic process automation (RPA) expertise and further expands its foothold in the European market.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220418005262/en/

FPT Software announces partnership with SCSK Europe Ltd. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Applying "Fast Automation" framework, FPT Software has successfully helped SCSK Europe streamline six internal processes by deploying its award-winning RPA platform akaBot in four weeks. The offshore team then provided a comprehensive understanding of RPA's benefits and armed SCSK employees with the necessary skills and mentality for the upcoming changes with the emergence of digital transformation. Following their internal success, SCSK Europe introduced FPT Software's akaBot to their clients in the Chemical and Agriculture industriesto help replace 100 percent human effort in their data extraction and loan credits approval processes.

"RPA is a powerful tool to resolve the bottleneck in business processes, delivering a much streamlined and efficient workflow. We believe that we can always extend the automation horizons even more by integrating RPA robots with other intelligent technologies," said Masatoshi Chiba General Manager, SCSK EU.

"With that expectation in mind, we decided to partner with akaBot, one of the leading vendors in developing hyper-automation solutions from FPT. Since 2018, we have established MOU for the comprehensive partnership to seek to supply a wider range of services and solutions and to expand our operations in the global through this partnership with FPT," Masatoshi Chiba further shared.

According to FPT Software Chief Operating Officer Tran Dang Hoa, the collaboration "paved the way for FPT Software's expansion in robotic automation and digital transformation in the EU and on a global scale."

"Like SCSK, more and more firms worldwide are adopting RPA and hyper-automation to enhance operations," Tran Dang Hoa said. "As a global top 30 RPA solution provider, we aspire to accompany businesses to overcome pressing challenges, boost their productivity and save costs," he added.

FPT Software and SCSK's partnership dates back to 2018 when the two cooperated in supporting the overseas expansion of Japanese companies, especially in financial and automotive systems development. Both sides joined forces in providing IT Services and business development through the Asia Pacific operations of major SCSK's shareholder Sumitomo Corporation.

First entering the European market in 2008, FPT Software has established seven offices and development centers, and is determined to penetrate further with digital transformation as the key driving force. The global IT firm targeted this strategic area as its first port for capital commitment in the value of 100 million dollars in the upcoming years, with the UK and Germany as two major geographies.

About FPT Software

FPT Software is a global technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam, with USD 632.5 million in revenue and 22,500 employees in 26 countries. As a pioneer in digital transformation, the company delivers world-class services in Smart factories, Digital platforms, RPA, AI, IoT, Cloud, AR/VR, BPO, and more. It has served 700+ customers worldwide, a hundred of which are Fortune Global 500 companies in the industries of Automotive, Banking and Finance, Logistics Transportation, Utilities, and more. For further information, please visit http://www.fpt-software.com.

About SCSK EU

SCSK Europe Ltd. was established in London in 1990 as a fully-owned subsidiary of SCSK Corporation, one of Japan's leading IT service companies with more than 14,000 employees. We are One Stop IT Service Provider and a proven strategic business partner to Japanese-related corporations operating in EMEA/CIS providing various IT Solutions including RPA. For further information, please visit SCSK Europe Ltd.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220418005262/en/

Contacts:

Media

Mai Duong (Ms.)

FPT Software

PR Manager

Email: MCP.PR@fsoft.com.vn

Website: https://www.fpt-software.com/newsroom/
TOKYO, Apr 19, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - ENEOS Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation have agreed to undertake a joint feasibility study aimed at commercializing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other next-generation fuels in Japan.This study aims to build a supply chain for SAF, which requires cross-industrial collaboration, by leveraging both companies' respective strengths. These include ENEOS' manufacturing technologies and distribution networks, together with MC's global expertise in raw material sourcing and marketing capabilities.After formulating a basic strategy that takes into account the maturity of various SAF manufacturing technologies and the necessary time for commercialization, ENEOS and MC will proceed with the study based on the following three approaches:(1) Developing sustainable feedstock derived from bio-based raw materials(2) Producing SAF with newly emerging techniques(3) Building a supply chain for next generation fuels, with a focus on SAFIn the aviation industry, there is growing momentum towards the adoption of SAF in Europe and North America in order to align with CORSIA*, Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation that will commence in 2027. This would drive the growth of the SAF market on a global scale going forward.In addition, the Japanese government has proposed a target to replace 10 percent of the jet fuels consumed by Japanese airlines with SAF by 2030. This makes establishing a SAF supply chain in Japan an urgent issue.ENEOS and MC put a high priority on addressing climate change issues, and both companies are actively promoting initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions with the aim of helping to achieve a decarbonized, circular society.By proceeding with this study as part of the above efforts, ENEOS and MC will be steadily contributing toward the early establishment of a supply chain for next-generation fuels.*An environmental measure in the aviation industry: In 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted at its annual meeting the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) aiming to achieve international aviation growth without increasing CO2 emissions from 2021.Inquiry Recipient:Mitsubishi CorporationTelephone:+81-3-3210-2171Facsimile:+81-3-5252-7705Source: Mitsubishi CorporationCopyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CompTIA, the leading voice and certification provider for the $5 trillion global IT ecosystem, has partnered with Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, a subsidiary of the Institute of Applied Technology, in support of its mission to strengthen the workforce through the delivery of education programs in high-demand and high-growth career areas.

The partnership is part of a larger push in the UAE to upskill Emirati Nationals working in government and higher education to meet national strategic business objectives in IT.

Dr. Ahmed Abdel Manan Al Awar, Director General of the Institute of Applied Technology at the Abu Dhabi Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, witnessed the signing of a new partnership agreement in the information technology sector, between Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, Director of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic of the Institute of Applied Technology, and Eng.Yasir El Kabbany, Senior Regional Director, Middle East & Africa of CompTIA, the world's leading provider of vendor neutral certifications to the global IT ecosystem.

Through this multi-faceted partnership, CompTIA will support Abu Dhabi Polytechnic in mapping industry-recognised IT certifications to their curriculum, while supporting current and prospective students in their pursuit of those certifications. In addition, CompTIA will provide professional development, training materials and exam vouchers for Abu Dhabi Polytechnic trainers. A skills assessment tool will be available to both staff and students.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Manan Al-Awar said, "This partnership is of great importance as it gives the graduates of the 'Bachelor of Information Technology Systems' from Abu Dhabi Polytechnic the opportunity to gain internationally recognised industry certifications, which makes them ready for their future IT role. The chance to obtain internationally recognized certificates in the field of information technology will encourage national students to join this important specialization at Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and once graduated, form a place in building a more specialized and highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the requirements of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and the country's strategic plans."

Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi explained that under this agreement, CompTIA will provide full sponsorship for one new student of people of determination to study information technology at Abu Dhabi Polytechnic for a period of one year for the first time. This gives the student the opportunity to obtain the CompTIA certifications, in addition to providing new mechanisms for professional development, training materials and examination models, which reflects the close compatibility between industry and education. This will lead to high performance in the main roles and tasks of information technology and improve alignment with accelerating global technological skills.

The intended outcome of the partnership is to enable students not only graduate with an academic degree, but also achieve gold standard industry certifications that are in high demand in the workforce. This closer industry-education alignment is reflective of a broader trend and newfound urgency everywhere around getting highly qualified talent into key IT roles to mitigate the global technology skills gap.

"This partnership will be the start of a new and unique way of preparing the Emirati students for the workforce market in the UAE by equipping them with International Industry recognized certifications, which will support the UAE vision," said Yasir El Kabbany, Senior Regional Director-Middle East and Africa, CompTIA. "We are proud to sponsor an Emarati candidate (people of determination) to study IT at the Abu Dhabi Polytechnic for the first time ever. This is an important initiative to encourage the people of determination to enter the IT field."

About Abu Dhabi Polytechnic

Abu Dhabi Polytechnic is a governmental entity managed by the Institute of Applied Technology. ADPoly is an exciting new venture that is bringing the internationally recognized Applied Bachelor / Higher Diplomas of advanced careers and majors in collaboration with various partners and a talented team of administrators and instructors. https://www.adpoly.ac.ae/En

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit https://www.comptia.org/ .

Media Contact

Steven Ostrowski

CompTIA

sostrowski@comptia.org

+1 630-678-8468

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/320820/comptia_logo.jpg
This announcement comes following the company's previous appointment of former Bio Gen Managing Director as President of Brains Bio

VANCOUVER, BC and UNITED KINGDOM, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Purves, an accomplished pharmaceutical executive with unquestionable business acumen and creative foresight, has joined Brains Bioceutical as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Purves' impressive history of positioning organizations for success, building strong networks and spurring multi-million dollar sales growth will help take Brains Bioceutical straight to the top.

As CCO of Brains Bioceutical, a global manufacturer of naturally-sourced active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), Purves is at the forefront of a new frontier in the research and development of cannabinoids for health and wellness sectors. Responsible for the company's global sales and marketing operations, Purves is poised to diversify the company's unique product offerings while playing a pivotal role in the evolution of cannabinoid science.

"After many years in the pharmaceutical industry, combined with time spent working in the cannabis industry, I have the utmost confidence in what we're doing at Brains Bioceutical," says Bill Purves, Chief Commercial Officer of Brains Bioceutical. "I'm excited to see the potential of cannabinoid pharmaceuticals come to life and the positive impacts this will have in pharmacological advancements. We are looking at the future of disease treatment and prevention here at Brains Bioceutical."

A veteran in both the pharmaceutical and phytocannabinoid industries, Purves is ideally suited to lead Brains Bioceutical's business development strategy, explore new revenue streams and solidify relationships with existing and prospective customers. He started his pharmaceutical career with GlaxoSmithKline in 1994 (known as GlaxoWellcome at the time) as senior financial analyst, before moving into the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company's business operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Five years later, Purves was promoted to executive director of GlaxoSmithKline's international business development, providing strategic planning and market development support across the company's international business unit.

His entrepreneurial ventures began with Iroko Pharmaceuticals in 2007, where Purves was responsible for establishing the company's global sales and distribution networks for branded generic and specialty prescription products. He then co-founded and acted as managing member of Windhoek Healthcare, a U.S.-based healthcare investment firm, which launched three specialty pharmaceutical companies. Purves entered the medical cannabis space in 2018 when he was hired by Jacana, a Jamaican medical cannabis company, as its CCO and CFO. In these roles, Purves helped transform the start-up into a fully, vertically integrated medical cannabis company with business arms that included research and development, cultivation, production and extraction.

In his current role with Brains Bioceutical, Purves is able to combine his passion and experience in the pharmaceutical industry with his background in working with a medical cannabis start-up. Acknowledging the significant gaps in pharmacological research, Purves is committed to advancing cannabinoid science, generating intellectual property, and spurring investment and innovation in this emerging industry.

"Brains is in a unique position to rapidly capitalize on our industry leading Cannabinoids API via the pharmaceutical industry, and now with Novel Foods Validation in both the EU and UK, Brains will emerge as the industry leader in nutraceuticals. Bill Purves, in his role as Chief Commercial Officer of Brains Bio, is ideally positioned to lead these categories, within an emerging global leader," says Ricky Brar, CEO of Brains Bioceutical. "His experience will be an asset as we continue to innovate and lead in the cannabinoid space."

With ambitious plans for research and development, product expansion, and solidifying global partnerships, Purves is eager to lead Brains Bioceuticals into a new frontier in medicinal and wellness solutions.

For more information on Brains Bio, please visit www.brainsbioceutical.com .

ABOUT BRAINS BIOCEUTICAL CORP

Brains Bio is the leader in evidence-based cannabinoid and phytochemical active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to enhance life and treatment options for consumers and patients. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with operations in the United Kingdom, Brains Bio is one of the only producers of natural hemp-based cannabinoid APIs in the world. Combined with the company's unparalleled expertise and institutional knowledge in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and cannabinoid-based product development, Brains Bio is strategically positioned to be a trailblazer in healthcare innovation across the world.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

This news release contains forward looking statements or forward-looking information ("forward-looking statements") within the meaning of securities laws. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking statements could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.

Website: www.brainsbio.com

For media inquiries please contact: Telephone: 1-888-321-8003, Email: media@brainsbio.com; For investor relations please contact: Email: ir@brainsbio.com
Pixium Vision announces its cash position at 31 March 2022 and provides an update on its activities and financial outlook until the end of 2022

Paris, France, April19, 2022 - 07:00 CET- Pixium Vision SA (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0011950641), a bioelectronics company that develops innovative bionic vision systems to enable patients who have lost their sight to live more independently, announces a cash position of 10.4 million at 31 March 2022 and reports on its key developments.

In total, at 31 March 2022, Pixium Vision's cash position amounted to 10.4 million, compared to 14.5 million on 1 January 2022. Given its current cash position, the Company's financial runway extends until the end of this year.

Pixium Vision is continuing to explore various avenues that will enable it to secure the cash flow necessary to pursue its development. In particular, the Company is considering several financing offers it received and, at the appropriate time, will disclose to the market the main terms of any offer it accepts and will submit them for the approval of the shareholders at the next general meeting if the timing for convening the meeting allows.

Key developments in the first quarter of 2022

Highlights of the first quarter of 2022 included the announcement of the publication of peer-reviewed clinical data in Nature Communications as well as the FDA approval to add Stanford Medicine as a clinical site to the US feasibility study .

In January, Pixium Vision announced the publication of peer-reviewed clinical data in Nature Communications demonstrating the clinical benefit of the Prima System* in Dry AMD patients. Some of the key takeaways amongst others were that the Prima System* implant was generally well tolerated over the 18-24 months period, and that the synchronous perception of natural and prosthetic vision has been demonstrated.

Furthermore, in March, Pixium Vision announced the FDA approval of clinical trial expansion of Prima System* US feasibility study to the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford Medicine. This new clinical site for the study joins the original two locations at the UPMC Eye Center in Pittsburgh and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami.

About Pixium Vision

Pixium Vision is creating a world of bionic vision for those who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain visual perception and greater autonomy. Pixium Vision's bionic vision systems are associated with a surgical intervention and a rehabilitation period. Prima System* sub-retinal miniature photovoltaic wireless implant is in clinical testing for patients who have lost their sight due to outer retinal degeneration, initially for atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Pixium Vision collaborates closely with academic and research partners, including some of the most prestigious vision research institutions in the world, such as Institut de la Vision in Paris, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) in Barcelona, University hospital in Bonn, and UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. The company is EN ISO 13485 certified and qualifies as "Entreprise Innovante" by Bpifrance.

Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors ("Facteurs de Risques") section of the Company's 2021 Half-Year Financial Report and other documents the Company files with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website (www.amf- france.org) or on the Company's website.

For more information: http://www.pixium-vision.com/fr

Follow us on @PixiumVision ; www.facebook.com/pixiumvision

www.linkedin.com/company/pixium-vision

Contacts

Pixium Vision

Offer Nonhoff

Chief Financial Officer

investors@pixium-vision.com (mailto:investors@pixium-vision.com)

+33 1 76 21 47 68 Media Relations



LifeSci Advisors

Sophie Baumont

sophie@lifesciadvisors.com

+33 6 27 74 74 49 Investor Relations

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com

+41 76 735 01 31

* CAUTION - Investigational device. Limited by United States law to investigational use.




Prominent industry leader strengthens company's leadership in plant science and technology

Ghent, BELGIUM and Durham, NC, USA, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Press release





Biotalys:BTLS), an Agricultural Technology (AgTech) company protecting crops and food with protein-based biocontrol solutions, today announced the appointment of Dr. Michiel van Lookeren Campagne to its Board of Directors, following its annual shareholders meeting last week.

"We are delighted to welcome Michiel to the board of Biotalys," commented Simon Moroney, Chairman of Biotalys. "With decades of experience driving scientific advances for the agricultural industry in leadership positions around the globe, Michiel will bring valuable perspectives to the Board in support of the company's efforts to make protein-based biocontrols a standard part of the crop and food protection toolkit in the years ahead."

As a pivotal player in innovations in biotechnology, Dr. van Lookeren Campagne held a variety of leadership roles at Syngenta and Bayer. At Syngenta, he was Head of Seeds Research based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and at Bayer CropScience, he headed the research for its BioScience business. Prior to that, he held scientific research roles at Wageningen University & Research Centre (WUR). He currently serves as the Director Agriculture & Food for CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. He will be relocating back to Europe this summer.

"Biotalys is quickly becoming an important force in the rise of new biological solutions aiming to protect produce from farm to plate and sustainably feed our growing population," noted Dr.Michielvan Lookeren Campagne. "I look forward to working with the Board and the Biotalys executive team to broaden the impact of its portfolio and ensure that the company earns the global market traction it deserves."

Michiel van Lookeren Campagne earned his M.S. and PhD in Developmental Biology from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Early in his career, he also served as an Assistant Professor and Associate Research Scientist at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.

The annual shareholders meeting appointed Dr. van Lookeren Campagne as independent director of Biotalys with effect on 1 June 2022 for a period ending immediately after the ordinary general meeting in 2026.

About Biotalys

Biotalys is an Agricultural Technology.

For further information, please contact:

Toon Musschoot, Head of IR & Communication

T: +32 (0)9 274 54 00

E: Toon.Musschoot@biotalys.com

Important Notice

This announcement contains statements which are "forward-looking statements" or could be considered as such. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words 'aim', 'believe', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'continue', 'ongoing', 'possible', 'predict', 'plans', 'target', 'seek', 'would' or 'should', and contain statements made by the company regarding the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are warned that none of these forward-looking statements offers any guarantee of future performance. The Biotalys actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Biotalys makes no undertaking whatsoever to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by law.

Attachments
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Anglo Pacific Group PLC (the "Group" or "Anglo Pacific") (LSE:APF) (TSX:APY) is pleased to announce a favourable judgment with respect to its legal dispute with Quasar Resources Pty Ltd ("Quasar"), the owner and operator of the Four Mile uranium mine ("Mine") over which the Group has a 1% net smelter return royalty.

Anglo Pacific and Quasar have been engaged in a legal dispute since 2016 over the level of allocable charges being applied to calculate net smelter return revenue subject to the Group's royalty entitlement. On 13 April 2022, the Supreme Court of Western Australia ruled in favour of the Group's position that none of the costs incurred at the Mine or at the Beverley plant, where the mineral products are processed into a concentrate, should be applied as permitted allocable charges.

The parties must now finalise orders to be submitted to the judge by 22 April 2022. The Group will make a further announcement after such date detailing amounts owed to the Group from Quasar and the future application of the royalty. Quasar have 21 days from the date the final orders are made by the judge to appeal the decision.

For further information:

Anglo Pacific Group PLC +44 (0) 20 3435 7400 Marc Lafleche - Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Flynn - Chief Financial Officer

Website: www.anglopacificgroup.com Berenberg +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Matthew Armitt / Jennifer Lee / Detlir Elezi





Peel Hunt LLP +44 (0) 20 7418 8900 Ross Allister / Alexander Allen / David McKeown





RBC Capital Markets +44 (0) 20 7653 4000 Farid Dadashev / Marcus Jackson / Jamil Miah





Capital Market Communications Limited (Camarco) +44 (0)20 3757 4997 Gordon Poole / Owen Roberts / Charlotte Hollinshead



Notes to Editors

About the Group

Anglo Pacific Group PLC is a global natural resources royalty and streaming company. The Group's strategy is to become a leading natural resources company through investing in high quality projects in preferred jurisdictions with trusted counterparties, underpinned by strong ESG principles. It is a continuing policy of the Group to pay a substantial portion of these royalties and streams to shareholders as dividends.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Anglo Pacific Group PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697910/Anglo-Pacific-Group-PLC-Announces-Favourable-Four-Mile-Legal-Dispute-Ruling
EcoFlow will plant a tree for free in the name of every customer who participates in 'Make the Change'

BERLIN, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EcoFlow, a portable power and renewable energy solutions company, kickstarts its partnership with Vermont-based reforestation non-profit One Tree Planted to 'Make the Change' amid rapid climate change. Beginning April 18, EcoFlow will donate one euro to One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every customer who registers for the 'Make the Change' program. EcoFlow will also plant a tree for every purchase made during Earth Day celebrations.

"We appreciate the support of EcoFlow and all the great work we will be able to do as a result of this partnership. Through their Make a Change initiative we will be able to plant trees in areas where they are needed most and further our goal of global reforestation," said Ashley Lamontagne, Campaign Manager at One Tree Planted.

Founded in 2014, One Tree Planted plants one tree for every euro donated. With a mission to make it simple for everyone to help the environment, One Tree Planted has planted over 40 million trees since its inception. By joining forces with One Tree Planted, EcoFlow is joining the call for individuals to lead a sustainable lifestyle by switching from fuel and gas to clean energy.

"We are glad to have found a partner in One Tree Planted who shares the same mission and goal as EcoFlow," said Jenny Zhang, Marketing Director at EcoFlow. "Whether it is by planting trees or offering sustainable energy solutions, we both envision an eco-friendly future owned by every individual but we need everyone to take action, starting from Earth Day 2022."

Through its commitment towards developing innovative renewable energy ecosystems, EcoFlow has become an important participant in the world's mission to achieve carbon neutrality. The carbon-neutral lifestyle it champions is an achievable goal for every individual and household.

Earlier this month in the U.S., EcoFlow launched the Smart Home Panel, a home-integrated battery system that with the DELTA Pro Ecosystem, provides uninterrupted backup power for essential home appliances and smart energy management for households. With the release of the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel, EcoFlow aims to ease the way for individuals to embrace renewable power sources and reduce their reliance on the grid.

About EcoFlow

EcoFlow is a portable power and renewable energy solutions company. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow has provided peace-of-mind power to customers in over 100 markets through its DELTA and RIVER product lines of portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories. EcoFlow's mission is to reinvent the way the world accesses energy by innovating lighter-weight and longer-lasting clean, quiet and renewable power storage solutions. EcoFlow's products are now available in 40 countries and regions across Europe, supported by a network of over 400 local retailers.

For more information, please visit EcoFlow's website.

Media Contact:

EcoFlow Europe PR

donna.ding@ecoflow.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1795294/EcoFlow_Partners_One_Tree_Planted_Restore_Forests_Celebration_Earth_Day.jpg
Highlands Ranch, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd. (CSE: FAT) (OTCQB: FRRSF) (FSE: F0R0) (WKN: A3DCC8) ("Foremost" or the "Company") (www.foremostlithium.com), is pleased to announce final interpreted results from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, ("UAV") magnetic survey over the Jean Lake property first disclosed on March 1st, 2022 (see press release of same date). Jean Lake is Foremost's 100% owned 1,002-hectare (2,476-acre) property situated in Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada. The North-East sector of Foremost' s Jean Lake property (claim JOL 9419) directly abuts with Snow Lake Lithium's Sherritt Gordon ("SG") and Grass River ("GRP") pegmatites exposed on Snow Lake Lithium's ADD3203 claim.

Final images from EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc. ("EarthEx") magnetic data identified fourteen (14) high priority structural targets for further exploration work in the northern portion of the Jean Lake property. Fourteen sets of independently colored lines are final interpretations of the magnetic low lineaments from a Centre for Exploration Targeting ("CET") analysis and overlay the magnetic "low" picks layer. The coincidence of the magnetic lows with the Beryl Pegmatites and their extension along a trend recognized for its association with Snow Lake Lithium's high-grade SG and GRP spodumene pegmatites is highly encouraging. Of particular importance, Target 11 (BLUE) and Target 10 (GREEN) directly match the previously identified Beryl Pegmatite dykes (B-1 and B-2) which assayed between 3.89% and 5.17% Li2O, respectively. The locations of the B-1 and B-2 Beryl Pegmatite dykes are annotated with the magnetic data in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Magnetic image covering the Jean Lake property. The gap in the image is due to the location of Hydroelectric power lines crossing the property. Location B-1 assayed 3.89% Li2O connects with target 11; and Location B2 (red circle) assayed 5.17% Li2O and connects with target 10.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4689/120836_foremostfigure1.jpg

Figure 2 builds upon Figure 1 now showing Snow Lake Lithium's SG and GRP spodumene pegmatites as per their disclosed interim drilling results from March 10th, 2022[1]. There are multiple features which appear to connect the known pegmatite dykes and interpreted lineaments on both properties.





Figure 2 - Foremost Lithium's Jean Lake magnetic survey results with overlays of Snow Lake Lithium's SG and GRC pegmatites.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4689/120836_foremostfigure2.jpg

Lindsay Bottomer, Co-founder, and Geoscience Advisor of Foremost states: "The Jean Lake results are very encouraging with regards to the clarity and abundance of the trends of magnetic lows identified from the EarthEx magnetic data. Targets 10 and 11 correspond with the locations of the B-1 and B-2 Beryl Pegmatites on Jean Lake and Targets 5, 6, and 7 are on trend with the SG and GRP on Snow Lake Lithium's ground. On March 10th, 2022, Snow Lake Lithium announced results from exploration hole GRP-001, an exploration hole previously undrilled, returned 2 pegmatite intercepts grading 30% spodumene from 34.8 m to 40.48 m, and 41.86 m to 44.22 m for a total intersection of 8.04 m[1]. It is noteworthy that Snow Lake Lithium's GRP structure appears to directly connect to one of the imaged magnetic low features present on Jean Lake. We have prioritized the top 10 drill targets for an immediate drill program based upon all available data."

Scott Taylor, President and CEO of Foremost Lithium states: "The final magnetic data interpretation, together with the 3.89% Li2O assayed on the B-1 Beryl pegmatite outcrop and the 5.17% Li2O on the B-2 Beryl pegmatite outcrop, and the March 10th disclosure of Snow Lake Lithium's interim drilling results hitting intercepts of 30% spodumene on GRP-001 have imparted a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to extend and expedite our exploration work and drilling campaign throughout the spring and summer on Jean Lake."

Scott Taylor continues: "In recent news, Canada's mining sector is set to receive an unprecedented tranche of Federal incentives to accelerate and scale up production of raw materials used in EV batteries[2]. One example is the new Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (CMETC) which specifically incentivizes capital deployed to support hard rock Canadian lithium exploration and development activities. Stellantis and LG Energy Solution recently announced a new $4.9 Billion-dollar Ontario based Gigafactory scheduled to come online in 2024. American automakers General Motors & Ford Motor Co. have both announced plans to make electric vehicles at Ontario based factories. These long-term macroeconomic catalysts all support the Company's strategic focus and enhance the value of our Snow Lake lithium assets which are situated nearby these massive long-term Canadian EV investments."

Technical information contained in the press release has been approved by the Company's Co-Founder and Geoscience Advisor, Lindsay Bottomer, P. Geo, who is a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc.

EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc is a Manitoba company, founded in 2014 in Selkirk, Manitoba. The President and Chief Geophysicist, Daniel Card, P. Geo, RPGeo, holds a BSc. Hons degree from the University of Manitoba (2007). EarthEx is highly specialized in geophysical prospecting for hard rock minerals and works with cutting edge technologies and data analysis methodology. Since its inception in 2014, EarthEx has quickly become a household name in the Canadian mineral exploration industry, with rapid and continued growth expected in the coming years.

About Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.

Foremost Lithium is an energy technology company focused and committed to become one of the first North American Companies to produce high quality battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Lithium hydroxide is a strategic battery mineral mainly consumed in the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Lithium based batteries power the daily use of consumer electronics, enable electrification of the transportation sector, and provide stationary grid storage, critical to developing a clean-energy economy. The Company is prudently and systematically exploring and building tonnage on its four lithium properties, Jean Lake, Grass River, and Zoro located in Snow Lake, Manitoba, and Hidden Lake in the Northwest Territories. Foremost Lithium also holds assets in precious commodities with its Winston Gold/Silver Project in New Mexico, USA.

For further information please contact:

Scott Taylor

President and CEO

Foremost Lithium Resource &Technology Ltd.

Email: scott.taylor@foremostlithium.com

Phone: +1 (604) 330-8067

Twitter: @lithiumlane

Follow us and contact us on social media:

Twitter: @foremostlithium

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foremost-lithium-resource-technology/mycompany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForemostLithium

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Foremost within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Foremost provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to market conditions, exploration findings, results, and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Foremost' s public filings under Foremost' s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Foremost has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Foremost disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as lithium as result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

[1] SNOW LAKE ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS UPDATE FOR WINTER DRILLING CAMPAIGN, March 10, 2022. Snow Lake Announces Significant Progress Update for Winter Drilling Campaign:: Snow Lake Resources Ltd. (LITM) (snowlakelithium.com)

[2] https://budget.gc.ca/2022/report-rapport/chap2-en.html

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120836
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global healthcare management solutions market size is expected to increase from an estimated $31,621.0 million in 2021 to $98,795.5 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 13.5% during 2021-2030. According to the market research report published by P&S Intelligence. The advancing demand for patient information management, hospital stock keeping, appointment scheduling, clinical error minimization, medical equipment handling, revenue cycle management, and various services that can streamline the workflow of the hospital, as well as the growing adoption of cloud computing, is accountable for the burgeoning adoption of these solutions.

Major players in the market are Care Logistics LLC, ACG Infotech Ltd., McKesson Corporation, CareCloud Inc., AMI Expeditionary Healthcare LLC, ABOUT Healthcare Inc., vCerner Corporation, Stanley Black & Decker Inc., Infosys Limited, General Electric Company, Allscripts Healthcare LLC, and Adroit Infosystems Inc.

Get the sample pages of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/healthcare-management-market/report-sample

Key Findings of Healthcare Management Solutions Market Report

In 2021, the largest healthcare management solutions market share, of over 20%, was accounted for by clinical practice management applications. The procedure assists healthcare institutions in enhancing their operational, administrative, billing, and financial, activities.

Within healthcare organizations, such as hospitals and medical clinics, patient management solutions are useful in tracking patient data, prescriptions, diagnoses, and interactions; therefore, they also accounted for a considerable revenue share.

The web & cloud-based category is expected to advance at the higher CAGR, of over 13%, during the forecast period, and it dominated the delivery mode segment in the past. Web and cloud-based software hosts data on the cloud, which users can access via any device with internet; therefore, it is easy to use and install.

North America dominates the market globally, with approximately 40% share in 2021. The rising disposable income, increasing cases of chronic diseases, expanding elderly population, and surging adoption of technologically developed products in North America have contributed to its market dominance.

dominates the market globally, with approximately 40% share in 2021. The rising disposable income, increasing cases of chronic diseases, expanding elderly population, and surging adoption of technologically developed products in have contributed to its market dominance. Alcidion UK Limited declared that it has purchased a U.K.-based software company specializing in solutions that assist medical facilities in making informed decisions, based on the real-time visibility of patient flow. The April 2021 acquisition of ExtraMed Limited will particularly support the former company in the U.K. market.

acquisition of ExtraMed Limited will particularly support the former company in the U.K. market. The adoption of real-time location systems (RLTSs) and cloud monitoring, development of smart hospitals, rising demand to efficiently sustain a high volume of healthcare data, and growing significance of AI in system management and patient flow optimization are also pushing the healthcare management solutions market growth.

The pandemic outbreak has emphasized the necessity for better hospital management and the availability of real-time data on beds. During COVID-19, hospitals dealt with patient surges, compounded by natural disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes, which set a strong responsibility on ERs and ICUs globally. As this pandemic has shown, healthcare systems have to be flexible and ready to deliver appropriate care in resource-constrained circumstances, which necessitates situational awareness and constant information.

Browse detailed report on Healthcare Management Solutions Market Trends and Demand Forecast Through 2030

Furthermore, the Health Ministry of Italy reported that during the first week of the epidemic, 20-30% of the population with COVID-19 was hospitalized in Europe, with an even higher rate of hospitalization among individuals with comorbidities and those over 60 years of age, 4% of whom were critically ill due to COVID-19. These factors emphasized the requirement for better hospital management systems (HMS), thus resulting in substantial healthcare management solutions market expansion.

Healthcare Management Solutions Market Segmentation Analysis

By Application

Clinical Practice Management

Laboratory Management

Pharmacy Management

Hospital Inventory Management

Revenue Cycle Management

Patient Management

By Delivery Mode

Web & Cloud-Based

On-Premises

By Type

Integrated

Standalone

By End User

Hospitals

Clinics

By Region

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



U.K.



Italy



France



Spain

Asia-Pacific

China



Japan



India



South Korea

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico

Middle East and Africa

and Saudi Arabia



South Africa

Browse Other Report Published by P&S Intelligence

Global Laboratory Information System Market Size and Future Analysis

Global Electronic Health Record Market Size and Future Analysis

Global Ambulatory EHR Market Size and Future Analysis

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness.

Contact:

Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

Phone: +1-347-960-6455

Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.com

Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com

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LONDON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanduay products will soon be available in the United Kingdom, after the iconic Filipino rum brand inked a partnership deal with Emporia Brands.

"We are establishing our foothold in Europe, and the U.K. is one of the most exciting markets that Tanduay will be in starting this year. We are fortunate to have found in Emporia Brands a like-minded company to help us in furthering our international business," said Tanduay Executive Vice President Kyle Tan, who heads the company's international expansion.

Emporia Brands is an award-winning premium spirits importer, distributor, and innovator. The family-owned business has won the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) "Spirits Importer of the Year" three times.

"We're very excited to welcome Tanduay into our portfolio of premium spirits and to share with our customers for the first time the liquids coming from the number one rum producer globally," said Jack Rackham, Managing Director of Emporia Brands.

He noted that there is a clear market trend in "drinking less but better quality spirits" as consumers are becoming more aware and engaged in the origin and production of the brands they choose to drink.

"If you have a well-made spirit with a genuine story, it will always be well received," Rackham said. "To be able to bring a spiced rum to the market using such a high quality base rum expertly married with local spices is very exciting."

Tanduay uses sugarcane sourced from the Philippines' in Bacolod to manufacture its award-winning rums. The brand has its own distilleries, and has been known for its barrel-aging expertise.

"Consumers and trade are searching for brands with provenance, transparency, green credentials and a genuine point of difference, especially in the rum industry, and with Tanduay owning the whole production process from sugar cane estate, to mills, to distillery, to warehouses, to bottling hall, they have these credentials in bucket loads," said Donald McLellan, Sales Director and Business Development Manager of Tanduay in Europe.

Tanduay has created a range of Silver, Gold and Double Rum in bespoke Asian-inspired bottle packaging to celebrate the rich diversity, passion and beauty of its roots.

"With its uniquely Asian look and feel, Tanduay takes the consumer on a ride into the Orient opening a world of spices, richness, and warmth," McLellan said.

Asked about its potential in the U.K. market, Rackham said that Tanduay has house pour opportunities throughout on-trade and becoming a "bartender's brand." It will also help educate and define what Asian rum is for U.K. customers, and introduce innovation in cocktails such as the tropical tiki.

Emporia Brands will make Tanduay available all throughout the U.K., through its online, on-trade, off-trade, and cash and carry channels. It will be initially launched in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh through a key activation event.

Contact:

Donald McLelan

Sales Director and Business Development Manager

Tanduay Europe

+44-7490-499892

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799500/Asian_Rum___Double_Rum__1.jpg
The acquisition expands the company's growing presence in Australia and helps position it exceptionally well for future expansion across the region.

BALTIMORE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Jensen Hughes , the global leader in engineering, consulting and technology that make the world safe, secure and resilient, announced that it has acquired Morris Goding Access Consulting (MGAC), the preeminent pure-play accessibility code consulting firm in Australia. Five months after the company acquired Australia-based BCA Logic, this strategic acquisition expands the rapidly growing global enterprise's presence in Australia and helps position the company exceptionally well for future expansion across Australia and New Zealand as well as globally.

Co-founded in 2000 by two of Australia's most prominent universal design and accessibility code consulting experts, Nick Morris and David Goding, the award-winning MGAC brings to Jensen Hughes a powerful new springboard for capitalizing on the Australian market as well as opportunities around the world. Over the last 20+ years, MGAC has served as a critical contributor to international events and projects in countries such as Dubai, India, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Qatar, France, Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan.

Both MGAC and BCA Logic will continue to partner with commercial certification providers to provide building code and fire safety engineering services. BCA Logic discontinued its commercial certification services 10+ years ago to concentrate on code consulting and fire safety engineering. This partnering approach ensures that MGAC can continue to deliver independent insights and expertise to consulting firms across Australia.

"This new partnership increases opportunities here in our home market to provide a range of services through one world-class organisation while - at the same time - we continue to deliver the consistently high levels of personal and customized service that our clients have learned to expect from us," Morris says. "Every one of our employees - 100% - are joining the new partnership. We'll continue to support our clients exactly how we have in the past - albeit with far greater global depth in resources, competencies and experience." Goding agrees. "We'll also be leveraging Jensen Hughes's offices and people across Australia and the region," he says, "with many more opportunities to advance our client service, uncover new opportunities and cross-sell internally."

"This is a win-win for Jensen Hughes and for our new colleagues coming from MGAC," says Raj Arora, CEO of Jensen Hughes. "Both firms share a similar purpose, emphasizing the value of people, clients, industry and performance with an unwavering commitment to technical excellence and exceptional client service.

Pankaj Duggal, President and COO of Jensen Hughes, concurs. "Accessibility consulting is integral to our core service mix," he says. "Many of our clients already recognise the importance of accessibility and universal design as both a compliance requirement and a critical pillar of their culture - and providing an inclusive, respectful and enabling environment for every employee. On behalf of our worldwide team, I'm delighted to welcome our new MGAC colleagues to Jensen Hughes and our growing global family!"

For more information, visit jensenhughes.com

About Jensen Hughes

Jensen Hughes is the global leader in engineering, consulting and technology that make our world safe, secure and resilient. Worldwide, we are recognized most widely for our leadership in fire protection engineering - a legacy of responsibility we have advanced with honor and pride since 1939. Our commitment to safety, security and resilience extends to other critical competencies core to our purpose, strategic capabilities we have been expanding for years. These include accessibility consulting, risk and hazard analysis, process safety, forensic investigations, security risk, and emergency management as well as digital innovation across many of our services. Today, our 1,500+ engineers, consultants, analysts and strategists work from 90+ offices supporting clients in 100+ countries across all markets - from Government, Healthcare, Science, and Technology to Energy, Mission Critical and Transportation. For more information, visit www.jensenhughes.com .

About Gryphon Investors

Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. The firm has managed over $8.3 billion of equity investments and capital since 1997. Gryphon targets making equity investments of $50 million to $300 million in portfolio companies with enterprise values ranging from approximately $100 million to $600 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon's capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.

Contact: Ariane Wolff, ariane@warnerpr.com, 978-729-3542

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1623494/Jensen_Hughes_Portrait_Main_CMYK_Logo.jpg
Infrastructure, energy, new technology, tourism, and health initiatives are part of the portfolio Colombia will present to European investors.

The 5th edition of the Colombia Investment Roadshow, a business platform to connect foreign companies with investment opportunities in Colombia, will be held on May 4 and 5.

MADRID, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 500 companies and capital funds from markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are expected to participate. They will learn about Colombia's economic recovery and growth, as well as investment opportunities in infrastructure, technology, energy, tourism, and health, among other sectors, in Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Bolivar, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Norte de Santander, Santander, Magdalena, Caldas, Narino, and Quindio.

The event, led by ProColombia, the Colombian government agency in charge of promoting foreign investments in the country, will be held in Madrid both in person and online.

Various government representatives will participate in the event, such as the President of the Republic, Ivan Duque; the Vice President and Foreign Minister, Marta Lucia Ramirez; the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Maria Ximena Lombana; the Minister of Transportation, Angela Maria Orozco; the Minister of Mines and Energy, Diego Mesa; and ProColombia President, Flavia Santoro, among others.

It is also supported and co-organized by the Spanish Confederation of Employers and Industries, as well as the World Tourism Organization, Fundacion Consejo Espana Colombia, Business Europe, among other organizations, and BBVA Bank as the main sponsor.

"We are very pleased to hold this new edition of the Colombia Investment Roadshow in person and online as part of ProColombia's 30th anniversary celebrations. We hope to attract new investments for important projects and other initiatives that have transformed and are transforming Colombia," said ProColombia President Flavia Santoro.

In addition to the possibility of scheduling one-on-one meetings with Colombian projects, the agenda in Madrid includes panels and discussions on topics such as: energy transition, investment opportunities for capital funds, infrastructure, technology, tourism, and health as key sectors to invest in Colombia that are within global value chains.

According to the Central Bank, in 2021, foreign direct investment flows from Europe to Colombia were US $4.876 billion, with US $1.442 billion coming from Spain.

As a region, Europe is the world's largest investor in Colombia, and Spain is the second largest global market investing in the country, according to the Issuer's Balance of Payments.

https://www.colombiainvestmentroadshow.co/EN
The "Global Premium Cosmetics Market 2022-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The publisher has been monitoring the premium cosmetics market and it is poised to grow by $51.75 billion during 2022-2026 progressing at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period.

The report on the premium cosmetics market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the increased demand for premium skincare products, rise in sales of premium cosmetics through e-commerce, and innovation and portfolio extension leading to product premiumization.

The premium cosmetics market analysis includes product and distribution channel segments and geographic landscape. This study identifies multichannel marketing as one of the prime reasons driving the premium cosmetics market growth during the next few years. Also, the introduction of multifunctional cosmetics and the rise in demand for natural and organic beauty products will lead to sizable demand in the market.

The report on premium cosmetics market covers the following areas:

Premium cosmetics market sizing

Premium cosmetics market forecast

Premium cosmetics market industry analysis

The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors.

The publisher presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research both primary and secondary. The market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast the accurate market growth.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2. Market Landscape

3. Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

4. Five Forces Analysis

5. Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

5.2 Comparison by Product

5.3 Skincare products Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.4 Fragrances Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.5 Color cosmetics Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.6 Hair care products Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.7 Others Market size and forecast 2021-2026

5.8 Market opportunity by Product

6. Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

6.3 Offline distribution channel Market size and forecast 2021-2026

6.4 Online distribution channel Market size and forecast 2021-2026

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

7. Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

8. Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

8.2 Geographic comparison

8.3 APAC Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.4 Europe Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.5 North America Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.6 South America Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.7 Middle East and Africa Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.8 US Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.9 China Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.10 Germany Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.11 Japan Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.12 UK Market size and forecast 2021-2026

8.13 Market opportunity By Geographical Landscape

9. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

9.4 Market trends

10. Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

10.3 Landscape disruption

10.4 Industry risks

11. Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

11.3 Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft

11.4 CHANEL Ltd.

11.5 Coty Inc.

11.6 Dambiro de

11.7 L'Oreal SA

11.8 LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

11.9 Oriflame Holding AG

11.10 Revlon Inc.

11.11 Shiseido Co. Ltd.

11.12 The Estee Lauder Co. Inc.

12. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rz4vqk

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005599/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Kingfisher Metals Corp. (TSXV:KFR)(FSE:970)(OTCQB:KGFMF) ("Kingfisher" or the "Company") announces results from its 100% owned Goldrange Project. Goldrange is located approximately 25 km south of the town of Tatla Lake in the Chilcotin region of Southwest British Columbia.

Highlights

Fieldwork outlined two areas (Lotus and Lost Fiddle) with bonanza gold grades in outcrop. Mineralization at both projects under forest and till cover and is open laterally and at depth.

Rock chip sampling at Lotus returned four samples greater than one ounce per ton gold with up to 113.9 g/t Au and backpack drill results include up to 13.4 g/t Au over 0.43 m.

At the Lost Fiddle Prospect, which is only 2 km north of the Cloud Drifter Trend, backpack drilling of historical blast trenches returned up to 17.1 g/t Au, 431 g/t Ag, and 4.12% Cu over 0.45 m.

Dustin Perry, CEO states "Regional sampling in 2021 highlights the high-grade discovery potential at the district-scale Goldrange Project. The Lotus and Lost Fiddle prospects are particularly attractive as there are no limitations on dimensions. Outcrop exposures at both locations contain bonanza grades that disappear under forest or till cover leaving excellent upside for future discoveries."

The Lost Fiddle Prospect is located 2 km north of the Cloud Drifter Trend, the most advanced target within the district (Figure 1). Kingfisher geologists located historical blast trenches for the first time since the 1960s. The only available information on the Lost Fiddle Prospect was from government records, which provided an approximate location but no assay results. The blast trenches were located by Kingfisher some 325 m northwest of where records indicated.

Figure 1. Target areas in the southern Goldrange Project

During the 2021 field program, nine short backpack drill holes totalling 16.07 m, 198 soil samples and 27 grab and rock chip samples were collected at Lost Fiddle (Figure 2; Tables 1 and 2). The backpack drill and rock chip samples were focused around three historical blast trenches and mineralized exposures. Soils were collected on a 25 m grid. Rock samples returned several high-grade gold results including the previously reported (Sept 28, 2021) 42.80 g/t Au, 1097.0 g/t Ag, and 1.27% Cu (Figure 2; Table 1). Anomalous soils were located proximal to the historical blast trenches with grades up to 1402 ppb Au (1.4 g/t), 49,718 ppb Ag (49.7 g/t) and 2062.8 ppm Cu (0.21%; Figure 2, Table 2). The soil grid was covered in a thick layer of till, which may account for a lower soil response outboard of the outcrop area. Backpack drilling was focused around the western blast trench. Hole BP-LF-21-05 graded 17.1 g/t Au, 431 g/t Ag, and 4.12% Cu over 0.45 m hosted in a strongly oxidized quartz vein with vuggy boxwork. Hole BP-LF-21-09 intersected 50 cm of massive pyrite-pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-arsenopyrite sulfide (true thickness unknown) from 2.4 to 2.9 m grading 13.4 g/t Au, 251 g/t Ag, and 5.24% Cu hosted in volcaniclastic conglomerate. Kingfisher's sampling at Lost Fiddle delineated a mineralized footprint measuring at least 200 x 200 m.

Figure 2. Lost Fiddle Prospect sampling and backpack drill results

Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Min. Value 0.01 0.1 0.01 Max. Value 42.80 1097.0 1.27 Ave. Value 3.83 131.4 0.39 Median Value 1.10 37.2 0.23 90th Percentile 8.11 429.2 1.16

Table 1: 2021 Lost Fiddle rock sample statistics (n = 27)

Au (ppb) Ag (ppb) Cu (ppm) Min. Value 0.1 24 6.1 Max. Value 1402.0 49718 2062.8 Ave. Value 18.7 582 54.9 Median Value 2.3 113 23.6 90th Percentile 16.7 688 88.1

Table 2: 2021 Lost Fiddle soil sample statistics (n = 198)

The Lotus Prospect was discovered in the 1990s in a gully exposure within broad forest and till cover. Lotus hosts a northwesterly-striking, moderately west-dipping shear banded quartz vein and reverse brittle fault zone with a minimum 3 m width. The true thickness of the zone is unknown due to forest cover on both west and east continuations. Veins of quartz, carbonate, pyrite and arsenopyrite cut volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The target lies on trend with a district-scale thrust fault and is proximal to a regional-scale contact with Bendor plutonic rocks, known as an important focus for mineralization at the Goldrange Project.

In 2021, Kingfisher geologists completed a program of hand trenching, backpack drilling and rock chip sampling. Five shallow backpack holes totalling 11.85 m and an additional 10 rock chip samples were collected (Figure 3, Table 3). Rock chips collected from the vein exposure returned four samples more than one ounce per ton gold with grades up to 113.9 g/t Au (Table 3). Backpack drill highlights include hole BP-LT-21-01, which graded 13.4 g/t Au over 0.43 m. Backpack drilling was plagued with poor recovery with a considerable amount of sulfide material washed out of the drill hole in a slurry. Mineralization within the gully projects laterally uphill beneath till cover, laterally and downhill beneath forest cover and has never been tested with a diamond drill. The width extent of the vein is masked by the presence of a post-mineral, tabular felsic dike following the western margin of the gully exposure

Figure 3. Lotus Prospect sampling and backpack drill results

Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Te (ppm) Min. Value 0.00 0.1 0.00 0.3 Max. Value 113.90 205.0 0.44 217.7 Ave. Value 15.88 25.1 0.04 31.4 Median Value 0.71 2.5 0.01 3.6 90th Percentile 69.17 104.5 0.20 133.6

Table 3: 2020 and 2021 Lotus rock sample statistics (n = 16)

Future Plans

The Company intends to file an amendment to its current 5-year area-based permit to incorporate the Lost Fiddle and Lotus prospects so that permitted work including IP geophysics and drilling can be completed.

Sampling Protocol

Backpack drillholes at the Goldrange Project are BQ sized (36.4 mm diameter). A continuous series of one half to one-metre-long full core samples was taken down the entire length of each backpack drill hole. Unlabeled certified reference materials (CRM) were inserted systematically throughout the backpack drillhole sample sequence along with blanks. The total number of blanks, and CRM samples equals approximately 5% of the total samples taken.

Grab and chip rock samples are selective by nature and values reported may not be representative of mineralized zones. Rock and backpack drill core samples were submitted to Acme Analytical Laboratories Inc., a division of Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd., located in Vancouver, British Columbia, an ISO9001:2008 accredited laboratory. The samples were prepared using the PRP70-250 method by crushing 1.0 kg of rock to =>70% passing through a 2 mm sieve. A sample of 250 grams was then pulverized so that greater than or equal to 85% passes through a less than 75 m sieve. A 0.25 g split was then subjected to a 4 acid near total digest where the split is heated in a HNO3, HClO4 and HF solution to fuming, dried and then dissolved in HCL. The resulting solution was then analyzed for 45 major and trace elements using ICP-ES/MS (method code MA200). A 30 g split was analyzed for gold using a lead collection fire assay fusion that was then digested and analyzed using AAS (method code FA430).

A 30 g split of samples that assayed >10 ppm gold and/or >200 ppm Ag were analyzed using a lead collection fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish (method code FA530). Samples that assayed for >200 ppm W; > 4000 ppm Bi, Mo, or Sb; >10000 ppm Cu, Pb or Zn were digested using a HNO3, HClO4 and HF solution to fuming, dried and then dissolved in HCL. The resulting solution was then analyzed using ICP-ES (method code MA370). Samples that assayed > 10000 ppm As were digested using a modified aqua regia digestion (1:1:1 HNO3:HCl:H2O) and analyzed using ICP-ES (method code MA370).

Soil samples weighing approximately 250 grams per sample were delivered by company personnel to Acme Laboratories Inc.. The soil samples were prepared using the SS80 method by drying them at 60C and sieving to less than 180 m (80 mesh). A 30 gram split of the sieved soil sample was then subjected to a modified aqua regia digestion (1:1:1 HNO3:HCl:H2O) and analyzed for 37 major and trace elements using ICP-ES/MS (method code AQ252). Field duplicates were collected and submitted every 40 samples.

Qualified Person

Dustin Perry, P.Geo., Kingfisher's CEO, is the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has prepared the technical information presented in this release.

About Kingfisher Metals Corp.

Kingfisher Metals Corp. (https://kingfishermetals.com/) is a Canadian based exploration company focused on underexplored district-scale projects in British Columbia. Kingfisher has three 100% owned district-scale projects that offer potential exposure to high-grade gold, copper, silver, and zinc. The Company currently has 85,173,300 shares outstanding.

For further information, please contact:

Dustin Perry, P.Geo.

CEO and Director

Phone: +1 236 358 0054

E-Mail: info@kingfishermetals.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: formulation of plans for drill testing; and the success related to any future exploration or development programs.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include; success of the Company's projects; prices for gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour- related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; fluctuations in gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; title matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE: Kingfisher Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697875/Kingfisher-Reports-Remaining-Regional-Surface-Results-Including-up-to-1139-gt-gold-Goldrange-Project
The annual general meeting of Equinor ASA (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) will be held on 11 May 2022 at 16:00 CEST.

The annual general meeting will be held in Equinor Business Center, Forusbeen 50, 4035 Stavanger for those attending in person and via Lumi AGM for those attending digitally.

Voting will be carried out electronically via Lumi AGM both for shareholders attending in person and attending digitally. It is also possible to vote in advance or give proxy.

Please see detailed information under "Participation" in the notice of the annual general meeting, which is attached hereto. Further information is also to be found on www.equinor.com/agm.

Investor contact: Erik Gonder, + 47 99562611 or ergon@equinor.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

Attachment
ZeroFox's comprehensive set of intelligence feeds is now available to enhance alert context and prioritize remediation efforts for fraud, identity, network and dark web underground intelligence

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2022, a leading external cybersecurity provider, today announced the general availability of a comprehensive set of intelligence feeds. Organizations are facing a significant rise in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, with 63% of organizations breached in the last year . Access to relevant and timely threat intelligence data is critical to strengthen protection, visibility and situational awareness. According to the 2022 CTI survey report by SANS Institute , security teams are looking for relevant and actionable intelligence around vulnerabilities, threat actors, as well as for tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and trends in the criminal underground. ZeroFox is now making its threat intelligence data more accessible than ever by offering customers multiple ways to operationalize the intelligence to defend against ransomware, phishing, fraud, credential theft and vulnerabilities.



Recognized as "best in class for brand threat intelligence use cases and takedown service," in The Forrester Wave: External Threat Intelligence Services, Q1 2021, ZeroFox now offers a comprehensive threat intelligence solution to customers where, when, and how they need it:

Finished intelligence such as reports and advisories curated using extensive intelligence tradecraft by a global team of intelligence analysts, empowering security leaders to stay ahead of trends and make critical strategic decisions





such as reports and advisories curated using extensive intelligence tradecraft by a global team of intelligence analysts, empowering security leaders to stay ahead of trends and make critical strategic decisions Relevant, timely alerts based on AI and human intelligence analysis of global intelligence collection that are focused on customers' priority intelligence requirements around brands, domains, executives, locations and attack surface systems





based on AI and human intelligence analysis of global intelligence collection that are focused on customers' priority intelligence requirements around brands, domains, executives, locations and attack surface systems Intelligence search in the ZeroFox platform to enable extensive research and correlation of potential and ongoing threats in the intelligence data lake





in the ZeroFox platform to enable extensive research and correlation of potential and ongoing threats in the intelligence data lake Intelligence feeds that provide API access to enrich the SOC security stack for deeper context and automated, more accurate response to threats

Today's announcement follows a series of intelligence investments, including the acquisition of Cyveillance and Vigilante. It is also in conjunction with the company's plans to acquire IDX and become a publicly-traded company via a merger with L&F Acquisition Corp) under the ticker symbol ZFOX.

"It is critical for security teams to not only take steps to continuously monitor and identify threats across their organizations' digital attack surface but also to use real-time contextual analysis and automation to recognize, disrupt, and remediate threats," said AJ Nash, Vice President of Intelligence, ZeroFox. "Our 2022 Threat Intelligence Forecast predicts that organizations across sectors will remain at heightened risk of attacks further into the year. As such, the introduction of our expanded capabilities, including Intelligence Search and Threat Intelligence Feeds allows organizations of all sizes to protect their data, facilities, people, and customers."

ZeroFox combines all facets of threat research - raw data, curated information from world-class analysts and finished intelligence - to provide insight that prevents and speeds response to emerging attacks. With global intelligence collection across external data sources, a rich history in digital risk protection, and a multi-lingual team of experienced research analysts exclusively focused on the Dark Web, ZeroFox delivers intelligence value and an unrivaled understanding of the threat landscape. This external intelligence enriches threat correlation with other sources for more accurate prioritization and automation of mitigation. It results in intelligence that is easier to consume and understand so that security teams can quickly take meaningful action.

ZeroFox's broad range of Threat Intelligence Feeds keep threat alerts relevant and remediation efforts prioritized and coordinated across all cybersecurity functions. In addition to our exclusive disruption feed which provides access to documented domain, mobile app store, digital platform and social media account impersonations which have been requested for takedown, our feeds deliver expansive intelligence from millions of surface, deep and dark web sources such as difficult-to-obtain compromised credentials, malware, ransomware, exploits, vulnerabilities, C2 domains, and dark web artifacts, and discord, IRC and Telegram chatter. The new intelligence feed bundles are purpose-made to solve specific categories of real-world problems. Areas of focus include:

Identity and Fraud Intelligence feeds that integrate with access management and account database tools to prevent fraud and secure identities, logins, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII)





feeds that integrate with access management and account database tools to prevent fraud and secure identities, logins, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Network and Vulnerability Intelligence feeds work with firewalls, XDR and SOAR platforms to inform incident response, prioritize vulnerabilities, and improve network security





feeds work with firewalls, XDR and SOAR platforms to inform incident response, prioritize vulnerabilities, and improve network security Covert Communications Intelligence feeds are accessed through Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs), SIEMs and Threat News Feeds to provide insights and early warnings into chatter related to malicious activity and data breach packages on the deep and dark web



ZeroFox's threat intelligence solutions provide security teams with timely, relevant and action-oriented intelligence to understand the external attack surface and disrupt adversaries. The addition of Threat Intelligence Feeds extends that unique external threat intelligence to the broader security tech stack.

For more information about ZeroFox's complete threat intelligence solution, visit: https://www.zerofox.com/threat-intelligence/feeds/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this report, words such as "may", "should", "expect", "intend", "will", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "predict", "potential" or "continue", or variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the inability of the parties to complete the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreement relating to the business combination and other transactions that will result in ZeroFox, Inc. ("ZeroFox") becoming a publicly traded company as ZeroFox Holdings, Inc. (the "Business Combination"); the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against L&F Acquisition Corp. ("LNFA"), the combined company or others following the announcement of the Business Combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of LNFA, to obtain financing to complete the Business Combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing; changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the Business Combination; the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of LNFA, ZeroFox, ID Experts Holdings, Inc. ("IDX") or the combined company as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; costs related to the Business Combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that LNFA, ZeroFox, IDX or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; LNFA's, ZeroFox's or IDX's estimates of expenses and profitability; expectations with respect to future operating and financial performance and growth, including the timing of the completion of the proposed Business Combination; ZeroFox's and IDX's ability to execute on their business plans and strategy; the ability to meet the listing standards of the listing exchange on which the combined company will be listed following the consummation of the transactions completed by the Business Combination; and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of LNFA's registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-262570) and amendments thereto filed in connection with the Business Combination, and other documents filed by LNFA from time to time with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made. LNFA, ZeroFox and IDX expressly disclaim any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of LNFA, ZeroFox or IDX with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Additional Information about the Business Combination and Where to Find It

LNFA has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented through the date hereof, the "Registration Statement"), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of LNFA, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of LNFA's ordinary shares in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the vote by LNFA's shareholders with respect to the proposed Business Combination and related matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer and sale of the securities to be issued in the Business Combination. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, LNFA will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents to its shareholders. LNFA's shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and amendments thereto, and definitive proxy statement/prospectus in connection with LNFA's solicitation of proxies for its shareholders' meeting to be held to approve the Business Combination and related matters, because the proxy statement/prospectus will contain important information about LNFA, ZeroFox and IDX and the proposed Business Combination.

The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of LNFA as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed Business Combination and related matters. Shareholders may obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus, when available, without charge, at the SEC's website at sec.report or by directing a request to: L&F Acquisition Corp., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Suite 5200, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Participants in Solicitation

This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any investor or securityholder. However, LNFA, ZeroFox, IDX, JAR Sponsor, LLC and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from LNFA's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding LNFA directors and executive officers and such other persons may be found in the Registration Statement, including amendments thereto, and other reports which are filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

About ZeroFox

ZeroFox, a leader in external cybersecurity, provides enterprises external threat intelligence and protection to disrupt threats to brands, people, assets and data across the public attack surface in one platform. With global coverage across the surface, deep and dark web and an artificial intelligence-based analysis engine, the ZeroFox Platform identifies and remediates targeted phishing attacks, credential compromise, data exfiltration, brand hijacking, executive and location threats and more. The patented ZeroFox Platform technology processes and protects millions of posts, messages and accounts daily across the social and digital landscape, spanning LinkedIn, Facebook, Slack, Instagram, Pastebin, YouTube, mobile app stores, domains, cloud-based email and more. ZeroFox and the ZeroFox logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZeroFox, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Visit www.zerofox.com for more information.

About IDX

IDX is a proven partner in digital privacy protection. Thousands of organizations and over 40 million individuals trust IDX to protect sensitive personal information from the growing threat of cybercrime. As a leading provider of data breach response services, IDX serves both public and private sector clients as an unparalleled strategic partner in data protection. Visit www.idx.us for more information.

About L&F Acquisition Corp.

L&F Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a combination with one or more businesses, with the intent to concentrate on identifying technology and services businesses in the Governance, Risk, Compliance and Legal ("GRCL") sector. L&F Acquisition Corp. is sponsored by JAR Sponsor, LLC, a newly organized special purpose vehicle under the common control of entities affiliated with Chairman Jeffrey C. Hammes, CEO Adam Gerchen, and Victory Park Capital. Visit www.lfacquisitioncorp.com for more information.

Contacts:

ZeroFox

Media Inquiries:

Malory Van Guilder

zerofox@skyya.com

Investor Relations

Marc P. Griffin, ICR

Marc.Griffin@icrinc.com

IDX

Media Inquiries

Alisha Sheth, Pinkston Group

alisha.sheth@pinkston.co

Investor Relations

Marc P. Griffin, ICR

Marc.Griffin@icrinc.com

L&F Acquisition Corp.

Media Inquiries

Julia Fisher, Edelman

julia.fisher@edelman.com

Investor Relations

info@lfacquisitioncorp.com
Click Fraud Prevention Firm Polygraph Uses Insider Knowledge To Tackle New Fake Clicks Scam Targeting Online Advertisers

BERLIN, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A growing trend where online fraudsters monetise popular advertising keywords, using real clicks by unsuspecting website visitors, can now be tackled by insider knowledge sourced directly from those involved with the cyber fraud.



While ' click fraud (https://polygraph.net/articles/what-is-click-fraud.html)' is a relatively new type of crime, it is fast establishing itself as the premier method criminal gangs are using to make millions of pounds illegally.

English teachers working overseas have been recruited to create a respectable face for the operations, and often do not realise they are involved in fraud, as they are tricked into believing it is a legitimate business. One teacher who has spoken out about the scam said he was able to earn tens of thousands of pounds before cutting ties with the criminals once he realised it was fraud.

Polygraph (https://polygraph.net/) has developed techniques for monitoring the activities of cyber criminals involved in click fraud, establishing methods for detecting and eliminating the fake clicks they use to profit from online ads. By using their own playbook, built using inside information on the techniques the fraudsters have developed, Polygraph's teams are able to protect advertising budgets, and eliminate further attacks.

Cyber criminals who use click fraud the most are targeting the three sectors which work closely together in online marketing; the advertiser, the publisher, and the advertising network.

With the advertiser paying for the 'ad clicks' and wanting to attract visitors to their website, they are at risk from click fraud which is committed by fraudsters posing as legitimate publishers.

The click fraud is committed by displaying adverts which use high value keywords - those in demand by advertisers -- and uses technology and trickery to force large numbers of web traffic to click on the ads.

The publisher receives money every time an ad is clicked, with the advertiser's fee split around 60/40 between the publisher and the advertising network.

By creating their own publisher accounts -- websites which display adverts -- the click fraud gangs are able to choose which ads are displayed and how many times they are clicked.

One industry targeted by the click fraud gangs is the 'pay day loans' sector due to its high paying ad keywords. Cyber criminals are displaying ads based on over 1,000 pay day loan related keywords, resulting in huge losses for advertisers.

According to Trey Vanes, Chief Marketing Officer at Polygraph, this new scam often stays under the radar due to its use of real web traffic.

"In the past the cyber criminals used bot traffic - software pretending to be normal website visitors - to click on the ads. But due to the recent rise in bot detection software, the criminals now frequently buy real website traffic and use trickery to force the visitors to click on the ads. This helps the fraud remain undetected, as it comes across as legitimate ad clicks by people.

"Each click only makes a small profit for the fraudsters, but multiply that by millions of clicks per day, and dozens of publisher websites, and the profits are massive."

By utilising the insider knowledge it has gathered, Polygraph can detect this fraud and help advertisers:

tell which of their ad keywords are being targeted

see which ad networks are sending the most fraud

provide details of every fake click so they can get refunds from the ad networks

block bots from seeing their Google ads

For more information, please visit https://polygraph.net (https://polygraph.net)

About Polygraph

Established in Berlin, Germany in 2021, Polygraph monitors the activities of click fraud gangs, including how they operate, who they target, the techniques they use, and how to detect their fraud. We go far beyond bot detection to ensure your ad budget is not stolen by cyber-criminals.

Contact Details:

114A Friedrichstrasse Berlin, 10117 Germany

Trey Vanes, Polygraph

+49 (030) 2204 4851
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Atomic Minerals Corporation ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") (TSXV:ATOM) is pleased to announce the commencement a high-resolution Airborne Magnetic Survey ("Airborne Survey") at its 6,556 Ha Lloyd Lake uranium project ("Lloyd Lake Project"), located in the prolific Athabasca Basin, near the village of La Loche, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Clive Massey Atomic Minerals CEO and President commented "We are pleased to have commenced the airborne survey over Lloyd Lake, following up on a complex array of subsurface conductors coincident with surface radiometric anomalies uncovered during historic exploration programs. We anticipate the magnetics will assist in refining drill targets within the conductors for an initial drilling program later this summer."

KBM Resources Group ("KBM") of Thunder Bay, Ontario has been engaged to fly a 684-line km fixed wing magnetic survey over the Lloyd Lake Project. The Company anticipates the airborne magnetics will assist in identifying faults and folds assumed to be associated with other significant markers for uranium mineralization, including subsurface conductors and radiometric anomalies.

About the Lloyd Lake Project

The Lloyd Lake Project lies immediately south of the western Athabasca basin approximately 90 km SE of Fission Uranium's Patterson Lake project. Lloyd Lake was extensively explored by Western Athabasca Syndicate in 2013 as part of the Preston property, generating a significant dataset, which includes: airborne EM-magnetic and radiometric surveys, follow-up prospecting, systematic lake-bottom sediment sampling and lake-bottom water sampling for radon gas analysis, and broad soil, biogeochemical and radon-in-soil surveys, generally at 100 m to 200 m sample spacing and 200 m to 400 m line spacing. Radon gas is a decay product of uranium with anomalous concentrations indicative of potential uranium occurrences. Subsequent exploration concentrated on anomalous areas identified by the earlier surveys, and included phases of mapping and prospecting, a versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM plus) and aeromagnetic survey and an airborne radiometric-VLF-EM and magnetic survey. Atomics' technical team is in the process of compiling and reviewing the various datasets to generate targets for upcoming exploration.

About the Company

Atomic Minerals is a Vancouver based publicly listed uranium exploration company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is led by a highly skilled management and technical team with numerous previous successes in the junior mining sector.

For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.atomicminerals.ca

Qualified Persons

Mr. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is responsible for the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Clive Massey"

Clive H. Massey

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

(604) 644-6794; Office (604) 341-6870

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Atomic Minerals Corporation believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697888/Atomic-Minerals-Corp-Announces-Airborne-Magnetic-Survey-at-Lloyd-Lake
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Inomin Mines Inc. (TSXV: MINE), ("Inomin", "MINE" or the "Company") reports completion of a ground magnetics survey on the Lynx property, generating numerous drill targets. Approximately 171 line-kilometres (kms) of magnetic readings were taken across two grids encompassing the Bear and a portion of the Skulow zones, two large 2 x 3 km nickel targets (Figure 1).

As at Inomin's Beaver property, where the Company reported on March 29, 2022 a significant discovery of critical minerals including magnesium, nickel, and cobalt, ground magnetics have delineated multiple linear features extending up to 1.5 kms in length. These strong magnetic structures - typically associated with mineralization - will be used for drill targeting. Given the geologic and mineral similarities, the Company anticipates Lynx hosting potentially comparable nickel and magnesium grades as at Beaver.

The ground magnetics surveys completed at Lynx and Beaver were effective at both sharpening the confines of strong magnetic relief, interpreted as the near surface expression of nickel-magnesium mineralization hosted by magnetic serpentinite bodies, as well as indications of the orientation of the mineralization.

The strong magnetic bodies delineated by the 2022 survey form both linear as well as broad circular anomalous areas. The linear features are likely indicative of thrust planes created during the subduction of the lower crust forming wedges near the mantle. Broad circular features, typically 3 - 6 km2, likely signify hot spots or mud volcanoes formed by the crust's proximity to the mantle.

John Gomez, President of MINE, states, "Air and ground mag surveys have been highly effective exploration targeting tools to finding significant magnesium and nickel rich mineralization. Given the number of targets the surveys are generating, it's exciting to appreciate the size potential of mineralization at Lynx and Beaver. We look forward to drill testing the Lynx area in 2022, as well as continuing with ground surveys to cover other strong magnetic targets already identified by airborne magnetics."

Magnetic Surveys and Stream Sediment Data Define Large Mineral Targets

Air and ground magnetics surveys at the Beaver property, located 11 km north of Lynx (Figure 2), have proven very effective at delineating magnetite-serpentinite rocks hosting magnesium-nickel mineralization, and other critical minerals including cobalt and chromium. At Beaver, magnetic surveys have identified five magnetite-serpentinite zones with a cumulative strike length of approximately 10 kilometres.

The Lynx area is geologically similar to Beaver with even larger prospective targets areas. Regional stream sediment sampling (RGS) data collected by the Province of British Columbia illustrates the existence of a large 10 x 5 kilometre nickel anomaly at Lynx, the largest in the region. An airborne magnetics survey delineated an 8-kilometre-wide ring-like magnetic anomaly and several strong magnetic anomalous trends - all greater than 2 kilometres in length.

Given the positive drill results related to areas of significant magnetite-rich serpentinite rocks at the Beaver property, Lynx displays potential to host multiple large zones of nickel and other critical minerals.





Figure 1: Total Field ground-magnetic survey results (Airborne TF magnetics background) over the Bear and Skulow zones, two of five main mineral exploration targets on the Lynx property. The survey grids, completed in February by Scott Geophysics Ltd., were chosen due to their proximity to the paved Likely Road allowing access to most of the grid area during the winter. The project was halted prematurely while surveying the Skulow grid due to unsafe spring thaw conditions; as such, a large portion of the Skulow grid remains unsurveyed.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3069/120804_9540e638d4beba61_001full.jpg

Beaver-Lynx Critical Minerals Project

Inomin's 100% owned Beaver-Lynx magnesium-nickel project, approximately 20,000 hectares in size, is located 15 - 25 kilometres east and southeast of Taseko Mines Ltd.'s Gibraltar Mine in British Columbia's Cariboo Mining Region. The topography of the properties is relatively flat and easily accessible via all-season roads as well as a network of forestry roads providing access to most portions of the properties. Other important nearby infrastructure includes electricity (hydro) and railroad. Skilled workers, contractors, and suppliers are available locally from the city of Williams Lake situated about 20 kilometres south of Lynx (Figure 2).





Figure 2: The Beaver-Lynx magnesium-nickel project is a large 20,000-hectare property located in the mineral and infrastructure-rich Cariboo Mining Region of south-central British Columbia.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3069/120804_9540e638d4beba61_003afull.jpg

About Inomin Mines

Inomin Mines is focused on the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties with strong potential to host significant resources, especially gold, silver, and critical minerals. Inomin holds the La Gitana and Pena Blanca gold-silver properties in Mexico. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Beaver-Lynx magnesium-nickel project in south-central British Columbia, and the Fleetwood zinc-copper-gold-silver VMS project in south-west British Columbia. Inomin also holds a royalty on the King's Point gold-copper-zinc project in Newfoundland owned by Maritime Resources Corp. Inomin trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MINE. For more information, visit www.inominmines.com and follow us on Twitter @InominMines.

Inomin Mines Director, L. John Peters P.Geo, a qualified person as defined by NI43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

On behalf of the board of Inomin Mines:

Inomin Mines Inc.

Per: "John Gomez"

President and CEO

For more information please contact:

John Gomez

Tel. 604.566.8703

info@inominmines.com

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120804
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSX:FURY)(NYSE American:FURY) ("Fury" or the "Company") announces that the Company has closed the private placement announced on April 12, 2022 (the "Private Placement").

The Company issued 13.75 million common shares of the Company at a price of $0.80 for proceeds of C$11.0 million. Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to fund continued exploration at the Company's Eau Claire project in Quebec and for general working capital.

"We are thrilled to achieve the support from two highly regarded shareholders," commented Tim Clark, CEO of Fury. "The Company is well-financed, currently drilling, and our management team is very excited about several of our robust exploration targets that we will be testing within the next 12 months."

All Common Shares issued are subject to a hold period expiring four months from the closing date of the Private Placement in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Common Shares have not and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and will not be offered or sold in the United States other than pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. Any securities sold to investors in the United States will be "restricted securities" and subject to restrictions on resale under the U.S. Securities Act. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities.

About Fury Gold Mines Limited

Fury Gold Mines Limited is a Canadian-focused exploration company positioned in two prolific mining regions across the country. Led by a management team and board of directors with proven success in financing and advancing exploration assets, Fury intends to grow its multi-million-ounce gold platform through rigorous project evaluation and exploration excellence. Fury is committed to upholding the highest industry standards for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustainable mining. For more information on Fury Gold Mines, visit www.furygoldmines.com.

For further information on Fury Gold Mines Limited, please contact:

Margaux Villalpando

Tel: (778) 729-0600

Email: info@furygoldmines.com

Website: www.furygoldmines.com

No regulatory organization has approved the contents hereof.

SOURCE: Fury Gold Mines

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697918/Fury-Completes-C11000000-Private-Placement
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / AZARGA METALS CORP. ("Azarga Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AZR) is pleased to announce that it has executed a binding letter of intent (the "Binding LOI") with Baker Steel Resources Trust Limited ("BSRT") agreeing the terms and conditions whereby BSRT will exercise its right to convert the US$3.5 million loan (the "Loan") made under the secured convertible loan facility (the "Loan Agreement") between Azarga Metals and BSRT. The Loan will be converted at a fixed Canadian dollar equivalent value of C$4.7 million, with a conversion price of C$0.10 per share for a total issue of 46,925,500 common shares of the Company (the "Shares").

In exchange for BSRT converting the Loan prior to the maturity date of December 31, 2022, Azarga Metals has agreed to grant BSRT the option to acquire the Unkur project (the "Unkur Option"), until December 31, 2023, after which the Unkur Option will automatically expire (the "Option Period").

Gordon Tainton, President and CEO of the Company commented "the co-operation from BSRT to convert the Loan into shares will remove US$3.5 million of debt that would have otherwise been due in cash on December 31, 2022. This debt reduction provides the Company with the ability to further focus its attention on advancing the exploration of its 100% owned copper-rich VMS Marg project located near Keno City, Yukon. We look forward to commencing our planned exploration program at Marg this summer."

Binding LOI summary of terms:

BSRT agrees to exercise the conversion option under the Loan Agreement to convert the Loan into 46,925,500 common shares of the Company upon which the Loan will be paid and the Loan Agreement will be automatically terminated, and each party will be mutually released from all obligations under the Loan Agreement. BSRT shall be under no obligation to exercise the option to convert under the Loan Agreement unless and until BSRT has been granted the Unkur Option and all regulatory approvals required to exercise such option (including, if necessary, shareholder approval) have been obtained.

In consideration of US$1.00 and BSRT waiving all accrued interest otherwise due under the Loan Agreement to the date of conversion, the Company agrees to grant BSRT the option to acquire the Unkur project, located in Russia, on the following terms:

The Unkur Option will be exercisable from the date of termination of the Loan Agreement until December 31, 2023, after which, if not previously exercised by BSRT, the Unkur Option will automatically expire.

The Company will use its best efforts (while recognizing that sanctions and other force majeure circumstances may prevent these efforts), to maintain the corporate existence of its subsidiaries and its licences, including the Unkur project, on a care and maintenance basis during the Option Period.

If the Unkur Option is exercised by BSRT and Unkur is subsequently sold to an arms length third party within 2 years of the date of the exercise of the Unkur Option by BSRT, proceeds from the sale of the Unkur project will be shared between the Company and BSRT based on an agreed upon formula. During the Option Period the Company will grant BSRT a ROFR (right of first refusal) to match any third party offer received by the Company for the Unkur project. The parties agree to use reasonable efforts to work together during the Option Period to find potential buyers for the Unkur project.

The Company will move immediately to the preparation of adefinitive agreement and related documents in consultation with BSRT and its counsel and move to obtain receipt of regulatory approvals as required. Such definitive documentation will reflect the terms and conditions described in the Binding LOI.

Contingent Liability

In addition to the BSRT debt conversion, the rights to a US$6,200,000 milestone payment held by the original vendors of the Unkur project, has been cancelled. This milestone payment would have been owed if a mineral resource (adding measured, indicated and inferred resources of all deposits within the Unkur Project area) containing copper and silver to the equivalent of two million tonnes or more of copper where measured plus indicated resources comprise at least 70% of that estimate, taking the value of silver as copper equivalent had been estimated. This milestone payment was part of the terms of the acquisition of the Unkur Project in March 2016.

Marg Project

The Company owns 100% of the high-grade copper-rich VMS Marg project within the Keno Hill Silver District of the Yukon Territory. As previously announced, the Company is reviewing and re-interpreting the historic VTEM database of the airborne geophysical program to be used to refine the drill targets for the Company's planned 2022 exploration program. Drilling is expected to focus on the Marg deposit extensions and the highly prospective Jane Zone, which has the potential for another Marg-style deposit. Mineralization at the Marg project remains open along strike, down-dip and down plunge and drilling will be aimed at defining 14 to 15 million tonnes of mineralized material.

Planning for the 2022 exploration program has commenced. The program will begin with rebuilding the exploration camp and mobilizing equipment in June, drilling from July to September and disseminating drill results as available from September to November. An experienced geologist in VMS deposits and a full-service contractor has been engaged to execute and oversee this plan.

BSRT Early Warning Disclosure

BSRT currently owns 11,601,786 Shares, representing 8.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Azarga Metals. Upon conversion of the Loan, BSRT will acquire an additional 46,925,500 Shares, representing 36.0% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Azarga Metals (pre-conversion), to own an aggregate of 58,527,286 Shares, representing 33.0% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Azarga Metals and an increase of 24.1% of the enlarged share capital from the percentage of the Shares BSRT currently owns, pre-conversion.

BSRT also currently owns 20,440,914 warrants of the Company, each exercisable at a price of C$0.10 per warrant until December 31, 2022. Following conversion of the Loan and assuming exercise by BSRT of these warrants, BSRT would own 67,366,414 Shares of the Company, representing an aggregate ownership interest of approximately 34.0% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Azarga Metals (post-conversion and post-issuance of the warrants).

BSRT, Arnold House, St Julians Avenue, Guernsey, GY1 1WA holds the common shares for investment purposes. Depending on market conditions and other factors, BSRT may from time to time acquire and/or dispose of securities of Azarga or continue to hold its current position.

A copy of the early warning report required to be filed with the applicable Canadian securities commissions in connection the transaction will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and can be obtained by contacting Tino Isnardi at +44 (0) 20 7389 0009.

AZARGA METALS CORP.

"Gordon Tainton"

Gordon Tainton,

President and CEO

For further information please contact: Doris Meyer, at +1 604 536-2711 ext. 3 or visit www.azargametals.com. The address of the head office of Azarga Metals is Unit 1 - 15782 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC V4B 1E6, British Columbia, Canada.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "ambition", "estimate", "concluded", "offers", "objective", "may", "will", "should", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this news release contains forward looking statements concerning the: conversion of the Loan Agreement into common shares of the Company, execution of a definitive agreement memorializing the terms of the Unkur Option, receipt of any required regulatory approvals of the Unkur Option and the planned 2022 exploration program for the Marg project. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with the completion of other conditions precedent to the Loan Conversion and the Unkur Option, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, the state of equity financing markets, and results of future exploration activities by the Company, including the planned 2022 exploration program at the Marg project. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this news release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

SOURCE: Azarga Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697878/Baker-Steel-Resources-Trust-Agrees-To-Convert-Loan
WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / TDG Gold Corp - (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to report a 21.6 metre ("m") drill intercept of 1.93 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") and 138 g/t silver ("Ag") [3.66 g/t AuEq*] from 19.5 m depth in hole SH21-039 (Figure 1) located across the Creek to JM Zones, contained within a broader interval of 35.1 m of 1.29 g/t Au and 90 g/t Ag [2.41 g/t AuEq*] from 6.0 m depth.

DDH SH21-039 intersected: 35.1 m of 1.29 g/t Au and 90 g/t Ag [2.41 g/t AuEq* from 6.0 m depth;

Including, 21.6 m of 1.93 g/t Au and 138 g/t Ag [3.66 g/t AuEq*] from 19.5 m depth.

Figure 1. Schematic Cross-Section of Drillhole SH21-039.

*Gold equivalent (AuEq) is used for illustrative purposes, to express the combined value of Au and Ag as a percentage of Au. Calculations are uncut and no allowances have been made to accommodate potential recovery losses that would occur in a mining scenario. AuEq is calculated using 80:1 silver to gold ratio. Composite results were built using a 0.1 g/t AuEq cut-off, although there are intervals within the composites below 0.1 g/t AuEq.

Preliminary results from SH21-039 are presented in this news release along with preliminary results from four other drillholes drilled within the JM to Creek Zones at TDG's former producing Shasta project in the Toodoggone District, B.C. (Figure 2). A complete assay table of results for drillhole SH21-039 can also be viewed on the TDG Gold Corp. website (link).

Steven Kramar, TDG's Senior Geologist and B.C. Program Lead, commented: "With the geological modelling underway, we are starting to delineate the Shasta Fault and JM Zones into discrete higher-grade areas, and continue to demonstrate broad continuous halo-style mineralization between these two structures in addition to outside their periphery."

Figure 2. Plan View of Drillholes SH21-036, SH21-038, SH21-039, SH21-042 and SH21-047 in the JM to Creek Zones, Shasta Project, Toodoggone District, B.C.

Key intercepts for diamond drillholes SH21-036, SH21-038, SH21-039, SH21-042 and SH21-047 are presented in Table 1 and shown in cross-sections (Figures 2-4). Drill results for the remaining 2021 drillholes are pending analytical results.

Table 1. Results from the 2021 Drilling within the JM to Creek Zones.

Drillhole From To Length Au Ag AuEq* (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) SH21-036 38.0 73.7 35.7 0.49 26 0.81 incl 41.0 53.0 12.0 0.95 58 1.68 and 84.4 121.1 36.7 0.31 6 0.39 SH21-038 5.1 26.7 21.6 0.35 12 0.50 and 43.2 48.9 5.7 0.46 17 0.68 and 75.4 92.0 16.6 0.37 14 0.54 and 117.6 131.1 13.5 0.45 9 0.56 SH21-039 6.0 41.1 35.1 1.29 90 2.41 incl 6.0 19.5 13.5 0.26 13 0.42 incl 19.5 41.1 21.6 1.93 138 3.66 and 41.1 53.1 12.0 0.04 1 0.05 and 53.1 140.0 86.9 0.36 8 0.45 incl 53.1 65.0 11.9 0.79 20 1.04 incl 65.0 84.5 19.5 0.07 5 0.13 incl 84.5 107.0 22.5 0.72 11 0.87 incl 107.0 140.0 33.0 0.11 2 0.14 SH21-042 38.0 98.5 60.5 0.57 16 0.76 incl 61.0 79.0 18.0 1.01 37 1.47 SH21-047 61.0 127.0 66.0 0.46 18 0.69 *Gold equivalent (AuEq) is used for illustrative purposes, to express the combined value of Au and Ag as a percentage of Au. Calculations are uncut and no allowances have been made to accommodate potential recovery losses that would occur in a mining scenario. AuEq is calculated using 80:1 silver to gold ratio. Composite results were built using a 0.1 g/t AuEq cut-off, although there are intervals within the composites below 0.1 g/t AuEq. ** Intervals are core-length weighted. True width is estimated between 75 to 95 % of core length, and core recovery is estimated to be > 90 %. ***Calculated composites are truncated to significant 2 digits for Au/AuEq and the nearest whole number for Ag.

Photo 1 presents an example of near-surface vein-style mineralization. In this case, higher concentrations of precious metals correlate to intensity of alteration and/or hydrothermal brecciation (from 25.4 m to 26.7 m; 1.70 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag; 2.90 g/t AuEq*).

Photo 1. Mineralization encountered in drillhole SH21-039 from 24.5 - 27.8 m; preliminary assay results for 25.4 m to 26.7 m: 1.70 g/t Au and 96 g/t Ag [2.90 g/t AuEq*].

Drillhole SH21-039 was designed to target the Shasta Fault to test near-surface mineralization stepping closer to the Shasta Fault and following up on drillhole SH21-025 (see TDG News Release March 09, 2022). SH21-039 intersected near-surface mineralization (starting at 6.0 m) and appreciable grade in proximity to the Shasta Fault (21.6 m of 3.66 g/t AuEq*; 1.93 g/t Au, 138 g/t Ag) to a depth of 41.1 m, illustrating high-grade volcaniclastic rocks at near-surface depths, proximal to the small-scale historical workings (Figures 1 & 3).

SH21-036, 042 and 047 had the objective of targeting material underneath the historical mine workings (Figures 4 & 5). This concept was described in TDG's April 12, 2022, March 29, 2022 and January 04, 2022 news releases. Photo 2 presents an example of the mineralization (intense composite, cross-cutting quartz-carbonate veining +/- hydrothermal brecciation containing pyrite and acanthite sulphides) and alteration (intense potassic with pervasive silicification overprint, +/- chloritic alteration in the quartz-carbonate vein matrix) in the volcaniclastic rocks encountered below, and in proximity to the historical mine workings of the material still in-situ.

Drillhole SH21-038 was a preliminary test of the central area, and infill ?- between the Shasta Fault and the JM Structure ?- in an area with little to no drill data. SH21-038 collared into mineralized volcaniclastic rocks (26.7 m of 0.50 g/t AuEq*; 0.35 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag) from 5.1 m depth, interpreted to be just west of the JM higher-grade central core (Figure 4). The drillhole ended in increasing precious metal concentrations (13.5 m of 0.56 g/t AuEq*; 0.45 g/t Au, 9 g/t Ag) at 117.6-131.06 m depth; with the end of hole ("EOH") interpreted to be indicative of the persistence and continuity of the 'halo' of lower-grade mineralization adjacent to the Shasta Fault, on the footwall side. This is important as it demonstrates an opportunity to continue to drill this hole (or holes similar in concept) in 2022 to find the terminating depth of the 'halo,' and expand the mineralized footprint at depth.

Photo 2. Mineralization encountered in drillhole SH21-042 from 64.0 - 70.3 m; preliminary assay results for 65.5 m to 67.0 m: 1.42 g/t Au and 67 g/t Ag [2.25 g/t AuEq*].

All 2021 drillholes are HQ sized drill core, while historical core are NQ/BQ core size. Particulars for 2021 drillholes (location, depth, etc.) are presented in Table 2. Assay results were received from SGS Labs Canada ("SGS"). Internal QA/QC review by TDG, working with Moose Mountain Technical Services ("MMTS"), is ongoing and therefore results are still considered preliminary.

Table 2. 2021 Drillhole Particulars.

HOLE UTME (NAD83) UTMN (NAD83) Azimuth() Dip() Final Depth (m) SH21-036 621,041 6,347,474 240 -80 153 SH21-038 621,052 6,347,406 240 -53 131 SH21-039 620,935 6,347,495 90 -65 140 SH21-042 621,084 6,347,464 240 -55 146 SH21-047 621,116 6,347,416 240 -50 153

QA/QC

Samples for the Shasta 2021 drill program followed chain of custody between collection, processing and delivery to an SGS laboratory in Burnaby, B.C. The drill core was delivered to the core shack at TDG's Baker Mine site, and processed by geologists who inserted certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates (pulp and coarse) into the sampling sequence. The 2021 drill core was cut in half (1/2 HQ core) and placed in zip-tied polyurethane bags, then in security-sealed rice bags before being delivered directly from the Baker Mine site, to Bandstra Transportation Systems in Prince George, B.C., and ultimately to the SGS laboratory in Burnaby, B.C. Samples were prepared and analyzed following procedures summarized in Table 3, where information about methodology can be found on the SGS Canada Website, in the analytical guide (here).

Table 3. Au and Ag Analytical Methods.

Drillhole Prep Method Au Method Ag Method Au-Overlimit Method Ag-Overlimit SH21-036 PRP89 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A N/A SH21-038 PRP89 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A N/A SH21-039 PRP89 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A GO_FAG37V SH21-042 PRP89 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A N/A SH21-047 PRP89 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A GO_FAG37V

Quality assurance and control ("QAQC") is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates. An additional QAQC program was administered by TDG Gold through the use of certified reference materials ("CRMs"), duplicate samples and blank samples that were blindly inserted into the sample batch. If a QAQC sample returns an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QAQC sample are re-tested. For the purposes of this press release, results are 'preliminary' and thus have not undergone TDG's comprehensive QAQC investigations.

Figure 3. Cross-Section of Drillhole SH21-039.

Figure 4. Cross-Section of Drillholes SH21-038 and SH21-047.

Figure 5. Cross-Section of Drillholes SH21-036 and SH21-042.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

This news release includes historical drilling information that has been reviewed by the Company's geological team. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this news release; however, the Company cannot directly verify the accuracy of the historical data, including the procedures used for sample collection and analysis. Therefore, the Company encourages investors to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these results. Further data review is underway, in order to verify the validity of the data for the anticipated NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral claim holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or earn-in agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high grade gold-silver Shasta, Baker and Mets mines, which are all road accessible, produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. In 2021, TDG advanced the projects through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and, for Shasta, drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their extensions. TDG currently has 96,343,142 common shares issued and outstanding.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

TDG Gold Corp.,

Telephone: +1.604.536.2711

Email: info@tdggold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697883/TDG-Gold-Corp-Intersects-216-metres-of-366-gt-gold-Equivalent-from-Near-Surface-in-the-Creek-to-JM-Zones-Shasta-Project-Toodoggone-District-BC
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Usha Resources Ltd. ("USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV:USHA) (OTCQB:USHAF), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of drill-ready battery and precious metal projects, is pleased to announce that it has retained Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud" or "RCSI") to provide market-making services while adding TMM Capital Advisory to spearhead investor relations.

"USHA's expanding portfolio of lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt and gold projects have quickly emerged as a compelling investor story, while still remaining relatively quiet," said Deepak Varshney, CEO of Usha Resources. "We're heading into a pivotal development stage across all operations, and securing top-notch professional talent to help manage shareholder interests and communicate our vision to a wider audience is both a timely move and an investment in USHA's growth future. 2022 is poised to be a break-out year and an early mover opportunity."

Market-Making Services Engagement

RCSI will assist USHA, helping to ensure a fair, tight and liquid public trading market is always maintained. Red Cloud's experienced team of professional traders will work actively and regularly with USHA management offering trading advice, reporting, and tracking of their stock. Having professionals overseeing the day-to-day trading and activity of USHA stock will help create a strong level of comfort and assurances the markets are being maintained every day.

RCSI's engagement is for a one-year period, effective April 15, 2022, for a monthly fee of $12,000.00. Red Cloud will not receive any Common Shares or options as compensation. The agreement is principally for the purposes of maintaining market stability and liquidity for the Company's common shares and is not a formal market-making agreement.The engagement of Red Cloud remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Investor Relations Agreement

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Tyler Muir of TMM Capital Advisory for investor relations and communications services. Mr. Muir has been deeply involved with the capital markets since 2015. Having developed an extensive retail and institutional network, Mr. Muir is known for his intuitive business ideas and for keeping investors informed and educated with open and continuous engagement.

The initial agreement is for a six-month term, with monthly fees of $3,500.00. The Company also announces a grant of 50,000 stock options to Mr. Muir at an exercise price of $0.30. The stock options will be in effect for two years and will vest in accordance with the policies of, and are subject to approval by, the TSX Venture Exchange. The Agreement may be extended with the prior written consent of both parties or terminated at any time with 30-day notice.

Mr. Muir stated, "I am very excited to join the USHA team at such a pivotal time in their growth. The acquisition of Jackpot Lake positions USHA firmly in the battery metals space and I look forward to interacting with the investment community and communicating with new and existing shareholders."

About Usha Resources Ltd.

Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality battery and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and consist of Jackpot Lake, a lithium project in Nevada; Nicobat, a nickel-copper-cobalt project in Ontario; and Lost Basin, a gold-copper project in Arizona. Usha trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol USHA and the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol USHAF.

USHA RESOURCES LTD.

"Deepak Varshney" CEO and Director

For more information, please phone Tyler Muir, Investor Relations at 1 (888) 772-2452, email tmuir@usharesources.com, or visit www.usharesources.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Usha Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697827/Usha-Resources-Retains-Red-Cloud-Securities-for-Market-Making-Services-Engages-TMM-Capital-Advisory-for-Investor-Relations
In partnership with Two-a-Day Group; the system is capable of scanning over 4800 apples or pears within 30 seconds with a 98% accuracy

KINGSTON, ON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of developing a brand new solution and thoroughly beta-testing the product for a year, Croptracker is ready to announce the release of their Overhead Bin Scanning system for Harvest Quality Vision (HQV). Built concurrently with their recently released HQV 3.0, their overhead bin system allows packers to know what is coming into the pack shed before the fruit even comes off the truck. While fruit is in the queue, plans can be made to get it on the packing line, rather than trying to figure out what is coming down the line at high speeds. Large growers can also use this system to know what exactly has left the farm.

The overhead scanning system can handle the rigors of a transportation corridor and function at peak efficiency day in and day out. This system is capable of scanning over 4800 apples or pears within 30 seconds with a 98% accuracy. This first build also incorporates automatic detection of trucks entering the scanning corridor without any human input. It is also flexible enough to be built upon one worker activating the start and stop of a scan at a lower price point.

This entire system was designed, developed and built by Croptracker in partnership with the Two-a-Day Group in the Elgin district, Western Cape, South Africa. Minimizing labor and skill requirements, HQV overhead scanning allows packers to overcome logistical challenges and to continue producing at high efficiencies. The Two-a-Day Group is well informed about the fruits they receive before it is time to make important logistical decisions about storage and sales. They are also able to inform the growers of what they, the packer, received at the front gates and provide detailed imagery back to their suppliers.

Chris Petzer from the Two-a-Day Group says, "Croptracker's Harvest Quality Vision has given Two-a-Day a whole new dynamic in doing business, adding product predictability and insight into making critical business decisions proactively, instead of a reactive response. We like to call it our 'virtual pre-sorter'. Our partnership with the Croptracker team has been a fantastic experience during this pioneering project. They are professional, innovative and committed to any resolve, always staying positive during any challenge. I am looking forward to our ongoing partnership."

Croptracker believes this scanning platform can be used to improve efficiency, increase productivity and knowledge for packing houses that receive large quantities of fruit in short periods of time.

Matt Deir, Founder and CEO of Croptracker says, "Our new Overhead Scanning technology shows how we are innovating in the agrotech industry for our clients' needs. We have created a technologically advanced system, while keeping it cost effective. We are very happy that our system is allowing Two-a-Day to make proactive decisions before their fruit even gets off their trucks."

If you are interested in using Croptracker's handheld HQV 3.0 as a first step to implementing an overhead bin scanning system at your facilities, feel free to book a demo .

Croptracker develops agtech solutions for industry leaders. Located in Eastern Ontario, Canada, their mission is to make crop production safer, more efficient, and more profitable. Designed in partnership with fresh market producers and distributors, every tool we create is based on direct industry feedback. Croptracker's award-winning farm software optimizes recordkeeping, labor tracking, production and cost management. Their integrative Harvest Quality Vision technology offers instant empirical analysis of crop samples exactly when you need it. Optimize your harvest season with Croptracker's customizable solutions. Visit Croptracker.com to learn more about their products and to contact them about app based solutions.

Jeff Chemeres, jeff@croptracker.com, (416) 908-8672

Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796764/Croptracker_Croptracker_releases_Harvest_Quality_Vision_Overhead.jpg
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - (Adds Outlook) Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) on Tuesday reiterated its full-year service revenue growth between 5% and 7%. The company also affirmed its annual OEBITDA between $400 million and $410 million, higher than $378.2 million last year. Below are the earnings highlights for Iridium Communications for the first quarter. *Earnings: $2.82 million in Q1 vs. -$5.18 million in the same period last year. *EPS: $0.02 in Q1 vs. -$0.04 in the same period last year. Analysts projected $0.00 per share *Revenue: $168.22 million in Q1 vs. $146.54 million in the same period last year. -Guidance : Full year revenue guidance: $492 Mln Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act]

Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement in relation to the Briefing on the Annual Results of 2021



19.04.2022 / 13:49

Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG

Announcement in relation to the Briefing on the Annual Results of 2021

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 19 April 2022 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published a mandatory announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to the briefing on the annual results of 2021.

The announcement is fully available at:

https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020220419691002086870.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20in%20relation%20to%20Briefing%20on%20the%20Annual%20Results%20of%202021

IR Contact:

Haier Smart Home Hong Kong

T: +852 2169 0000

Email: ir@haier.hk

Press Contact:

CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH

Sara Pinto

Sven Pauly

pi@crossalliance.de

T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35

About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.:

Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience.

19.04.2022 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / 01 Communique Laboratory Inc. (TSXV:ONE) (OTCQB:OONEF) (the "Company") announced today that in light of the continued concern over the spreading of the Covid virus, the Company's Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on April 27, 2022 at 4:15 p.m. (Toronto time) at the Company's offices will have attendance restricted. Shareholders are encouraged to vote by proxy in advance of the meeting in the event that their in-person attendance is not able to be accommodated. Given the limited ability to attend the meeting in person the Company will provide access to the meeting via the below Zoom access code/numbers. Shareholders will be able to listen to the proceedings at the meeting but will not be able to vote through the Zoom link or conference numbers.

Following the formal portion of the meeting, Andrew Cheung, the Company's President and CEO, will report on the growth attained in 2021 as well as the plans for continued growth in 2022 and beyond.

We invite you to join at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89726877389?pwd=djc2cDBZZE11OXA3ZEFFSTR6anhPUT09

Password: 2022AGM

Phone only:

US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782

Canada: +1 438 809 7799 or +1 587 328 1099 or +1 647 374 4685 or +1 778 907 2071

Webinar ID: 897 2687 7389

Passcode: 5331363

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kembrghklV

The Company encourages any shareholders who have not yet voted to do so by using the form of proxy or voting instruction form sent to shareholders in connection with the meeting. Proxies must be received by close of business on April 25, 2022 to be included in the results. Shareholders have been asked to fix the number of directors at four, elect directors, appoint the auditors and authorize the board to fix the auditors' remuneration and ratify the Company's stock option plan. The materials for the meeting were previously mailed to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2022 and are available for review under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. We hope that taking this action will help us keep our shareholders, employees and the public safe during this challenging time. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you again in person at our 2023 Annual Meeting.

About 01 Communique

Established in 1992, 01 Communique (TSXV:ONE) (OTCQB:OONEF) has always been at the forefront of technology. The Company's cyber security business unit focuses on post-quantum cybersecurity with the development of its IronCAP technology. IronCAP's cryptographic system is an advanced Goppa code-based post-quantum cryptographic technology that can be implemented on classical computer systems as we know them today while at the same time can also safeguard against attacks in the future post-quantum world of computing. The Company's IronCAP technology is protected in the U.S.A. by its patent #11,271,715. The Company's remote access business unit provides its customers with a suite of secure remote access services and products under its I'm InTouch and I'm OnCall product offerings. The remote access offerings are protected in the U.S.A. by its patents #6,928,479 / #6,938,076 / #8,234,701; in Canada by its patents #2,309,398 / #2,524,039 and in Japan by its patent #4,875,094. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.ironcap.ca and www.01com.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Brian Stringer

Chief Financial Officer

01 Communique

(905) 795-2888 x204

Brian.stringer@01com.com

SOURCE: 01 Communique Laboratory, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697908/01-Communique-Provides-an-Update-on-the-Upcoming-Annual-and-Special-Meeting-of-Shareholders
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - SoLVBL Solutions Inc. (CSE: SOLV) (OTCQB: SOLBF) ("SoLVBL" or the "Company"), an innovative cybersecurity company that provides proprietary data authentication using advanced cryptography on a SaaS based model, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a mutual referral agreement with Jet Digital Inc. ("Jet Digital"), a Vancouver, British Columbia company.

Through this agreement SoLVBL commits to refer clients to Jet Digital for the sale of their JetStream data transfer software. Jet Digital commits to refer clients to SoLVBL for the sale and license their Q by SoLVBLTM data validation and cybersecurity products.

SoLVBL plans to rapidly role out new cybersecurity and data authentication products in 2022, and SoLVBL's collaboration with Jet Digital ensures that all its new cybersecurity products are able to reach a wider customer-base in North America and Europe. Jet Digital plans to aggressively market its JetStream proprietary data transfer software in North America, Europe and Asia, and its collaboration with SoLVBL will allow JetStream to reach a much wider audience in North America.

"SoLVBL constantly strives to be a market-leader, developing and integrating the latest features and advancements in cybersecurity and data authentication for its clients in the financial services, digital payments, digital evidence management system for law enforcement and the health care sector for their digital medical records systems," stated Kaiser Akbar, President & CEO of SoLVBL. "Through our partnership with Jet Digital, we are excited to now offer our cybersecurity and data authentication platform to JetStream's clients and partners, increasing our market opportunities."

"We are thrilled to be partnering with a market-leader like SoLVBL. Through this partnership, we will be able to sell our state-of-the-art data transfer software, JetStream to SoLVBL's partners and clients," stated Mike Devine, President of Jet Digital. "The partnership will allow us to drive reciprocal revenue through the sale of both companies' cutting-edge technologies."

You can authenticate your data before use by Q by SoLVBLTM. Q by SoLVBLTM allows you to create Trust, Fast.

If you have data worth forging, it's worth protecting with Q by SoLVBLTM.

About Jet Digital Inc.

Jet Digital is a Vancouver-based technology company. Jet Digital provides a better way to move files fast. Learning from experience in converting Hollywood blockbusters to 3D, Jet Digital understands the importance of moving data quickly and securely to collaborators around the world. Jet Digital developed JetStream when other products couldn't meet its needs for a simplified yet powerful high-speed file transfer solution.

SoLVBL Solutions Inc.

SoLVBL is an innovative cybersecurity and data authentication company. The Company's mission is to empower, better, faster decisions by developing a universal standard for establishing digital record authenticity. Q by SoLVBL, is a proprietary technology platform of the Company, designed to be easy to use and adopt, economically priced and provide digital record authentication at very high speed. Q by SoLVBL allows organizations to establish trust in their data. The Company is currently pursuing the following verticals: chain of custody for digital evidence; including, NG-911, data used in the financial sector, medical applications and critical IoT infrastructures.

For Further Information, Contact:

SoLVBL Solutions Inc.

Kaiser Akbar, President & CEO

100 King Street West, Suite 5700

Toronto, ON, M5X 1C7

E: kaiser.akbar@SoLVBL.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives, including, the implementation and success of Q by SoLVBLTM, and expectations for other economic, business and/or competitive, factors. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, SoLVBL assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the "United States", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120866
MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - Russian forces have launched an all out attack on Ukrainian positions along the 480 kilometer front line in the eastern Donbas region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a video address on Monday that the battle for Donbas has already begun. Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said intense shelling is going on in Donbas. Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have struck 1,260 targets overnight, but Ukrainian forces are making some successful counter-attacks south of Kharkiv, according to military analysts. Moscow says it downed a Ukrainian MiG-29 jet in the Donetsk region. Russia launched the latest round of offensive after its troops completed the regrouping, according to Ukraine's defense ministry. Civilians in Luhansk have been urged to evacuate after the town of Kreminna fell to Russian forces during heavy fighting. The United Nations said nearly 5 million people have fled Ukraine after Russia invaded the country on February 24. New Zealand has imposed new sanctions targeting 18 financial organizations that allegedly finance Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They make up about 80 percent of Russia's total banking assets, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced in a statement Tuesday. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
ST PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Energy and Water Development Corp. (OTCQB:EAWD) (the "Company"), an engineering company focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy, today announced financial and operational results for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Key Financial Highlights for Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Prior Year Period

Revenue increased to $550,000, from $0

Gross profit increase to $200,000, from $0

Gross margin of 36%

Operating loss decreased 87% to $937,795

Cash balance of $589,668

Business Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2021

Recognized first revenues in company history with deployment of energy and water system in Mexico

Moved forward with its expansion in Europe by joining a pioneering project in Grunheide that stands for sustainable development

Established German subsidiary signaling commitment to local markets

Received global trademark protection for name and logo

Received global patent protection for energy-free water generation technology

Subsequent Events

Uplisted to the OTCQB

Established common stock equity agreement of up to $5 million to support growth, along with $300,000 fixed price equity investment

Eliminated all variable convertible debt

Engaged ClearThink to lead expanded investor relations program

Management Commentary

Ralph Hofmeier, Chief Executive Officer of Energy and Water Development Corp., commented, "2021 was a very successful year for our Company and sets us up to accelerate the number of active projects and revenue in 2022. We are ready to enter the next growth phase of our business, as we focus on revenue-producing innovative water and energy generation system projects starts with our first project in Germany in the city of Grunheide (Mark), just 20 miles east of Berlin's city center."

Hoffmeier, continued, "As the global water crisis intensifies, communities around the world are desperately searching for alternatives to groundwater for their residential and industrial water needs. This is especially relevant with Tesla's nearby European Gigafactory in Germany. We are ready to meet and satisfy these water shortage challenges with our patent filled eAWGs (energy-supplied Atmosphere Water Generators) that utilize solar glass panels to power ultra-efficient refrigeration technology that turns moisture in the air into water. We have a robust pipeline of project opportunities, mainly in Europe and Mexico. Our technology will become more prevalent as climate change continues to put pressure on water resources around the world."

Financial Results for Year Ended December 31, 2021

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased to $550,00, compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased to $200,00, compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The resulting gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 36%.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $6,075,793, or 85%, to $1,083,951, compared to $7,159,744 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $6,221,949, or 87%, to $937,795, compared to $7,159,744 for the same period in 2020.

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $4,555,318, or 60%, to $3,037,466, compared to $7,592,784 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The corresponding EPS loss for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was ($0.02) per share, compared with an EPS loss of ($0.07) per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $589,668 at December 31, 2021, an increase of $577,621 compared to $12,047 at December 31, 2020.

Energy and Water Development Corp.

Energy and Water Development Corp. (OTCQB:EAWD) is an engineering solutions company focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy. EAWD builds its systems out of proven technologies, using their technical know-how to customize solutions to their clients' needs. The Company offers design, construction, maintenance and specialty consulting services to private companies, government entities and non-government organizations (NGOs).

For additional information, please visit: https://energy-water.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance, and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. When used herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "upcoming," "plan," "target," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Energy and Water Development Corp., its subsidiaries, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.

Corporate:

investor.relations@energy-water.com

eawdteam@eawctechnologies.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Brian Loper

ClearThink

bloper@clearthink.capital

p347-413-4234

SOURCE: Energy and Water Development Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697863/Energy-and-Water-Development-Corp-Reports-Full-Year-2021-Financial-Results-with-550000-in-Revenue
Reseller Has Long-Term Relationships in Multiple States

TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, is pleased to announce it has signed a new reseller partnership with InCareK12, a nationally recognized instructional technology company. InCareK12 provides equipment to transform classrooms and meeting spaces and connecting learners across the district, across the state and across the world.

Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "InCareK12 has been in business for over 20 years and over 3,000 schools have chosen InCareK12 to design and implement distance learning systems, instructional technology, or fully integrated security systems throughout their schools. InCareK12 has been successful in the automation of classrooms and providing physical security by helping schools deploy cameras, access control systems, alerting etc. A partnership between InCareK12 and Galaxy offers an exciting opportunity to expand the security line of products in an innovative and affordable way."

About InCareK12

InCareK12 is a nationally recognized instructional technology company providing equipment to transform classrooms and meeting spaces and connecting learners across the district, across the state and across the world. We specialize in distance learning, security solutions, and school-based healthcare. We help districts implement large-scale projects, often using grant funding. We're headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and serve school districts and their partners throughout the Southeastern United States.

For additional information on InCareK12, please visit: https://incare-k12.com.

About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales.

For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors Contact:

IR@GalaxyNext.us

p888-859-1274

SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697920/Galaxy-Next-Generation-Lands-Partnership-with-InCareK12
BURLINGTON, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Murchison Minerals Ltd. ("Murchison" or the "Company") (TSXV:MUR)(OTCQB:MURMF) is pleased to report that 10,657,500 warrants were converted by warrant holders during the Early Warrant Incentive Program (the "Program") announced on March 17, 2022, for gross proceeds of $1,278,906. The Program ended April15, 2022.

The Program was designed to encourage the early exercise of up to 27,118,788 outstanding warrants (the "Warrants") all exercisable at $0.12 for common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"). A total of 2,005,000 from the 5,000,000 Warrants expiring on September 5, 2022, and 8,652,550 from the 22,118,788 Warrants expiring on October 21, 2022, were exercised.

As part of the Program, Murchison issued 5,328,775 incentive warrants entitling the holders to purchase one additional Common Share until April 15, 2023, at a price of $0.18. The incentive warrants are subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance ranging from July 24, 2022, to August 15, 2022.

Insiders Participation:

Mr. Donald K Johnson, Director and largest shareholder of Murchison, Mr. Troy Boisjoli, President and CEO and Jean-Charles Potvin, Executive Chairman participate in the Program and exercised an aggregate 9,436,550 warrants for gross proceeds of $1,132,386

The exercise of warrants by Mr. Johnson, Mr. Boisjoli and Mr. Potvin constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as insiders of the Company acquired an aggregate 9,436,550 common shares following the exercise of warrants and acquire 4,718,275 new warrants in the process. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the Program by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company will file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction following the exercise of warrants under the Program.

About Murchison Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:MUR)(OTCQB:MURMF)

Murchison is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on nickel-copper-cobalt exploration at the 100% - owned HPM Project in Quebec and the exploration and development of the 100% - owned Brabant Lake zinc-copper-silver project in north-central Saskatchewan. The Company also holds an option to earn 100% interest in the Barraute VMS exploration project also located in Quebec, north of Val d'Or. Murchison currently has 170.5 million shares issued and outstanding.

Additional information about Murchison and its exploration projects can be found on the Company's website at www.murchisonminerals.ca . For further information, please contact:

Troy Boisjoli, President and CEO or

Erik H Martin, CFO

Tel: (416) 350-3776

info@murchisonminerals.com

CHF Capital Markets

Thomas Do, IR Manager

Tel: (416) 868-1079 x 232

thomas@chfir.com

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking information that involves substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals.

FLI herein includes, but is not limited to: future drill results; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used with respect to the assay results; the prospects, if any, of the deposits; future prospects at the deposits; and the significance of exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand management's current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this press release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Unless otherwise noted, this press release has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI or information contained herein. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to obtain the assay results; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental expectations; community and nongovernmental actions; and any impacts of COVID-19 on the deposits, the Company's financial position, the Company's ability to secure required funding, or operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Murchison Minerals Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697914/Murchison-Minerals-Closes-Early-Warrant-Incentive-Program
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed drilling eight holes for 2,062 metres on its 100% owned Wollaston Uranium Project, located 10km southeast of Cameco's Rabbit Lake mill and 30km southeast of Orano/Denison's McClean Lake mill (Figure 1).

HIGHLIGHTS

Anomalous radioactivity in four holes on one of three targets drilled.

Weak uranium mineralization was seen in core with associated bleaching, secondary hematite and minor uranium oxides in 4 holes.

Follow-up drilling and further gravity surveys strongly recommended.

Ken Wheatley, Vice President, Exploration, stated "This is a tremendous start on this project in an area of the Athabasca Basin that is prolific with several uranium deposits in close proximity to two uranium mills. To intersect uranium mineralization in an area of very strong alteration in the first pass drill program confirms that this property has much potential for a near surface, basement hosted unconformity deposit with rich grades of uranium."

First Target - Gizmo

The drill program tested 3 zones of gravity lows, two of them in combination with EM conductors. The first gravity low (Gizmo) measuring 300 metres long and 200 metres wide was tested by 5 holes and returned very strong alteration of the rocks immediately beneath the overburden at 40m and continuing to about 150m depth (Figure 2). Weak uranium mineralization was seen in core with associated bleaching, secondary hematite and minor uranium oxides in several of the holes (Figure 3). A downhole radiometric probe* detected anomalous radioactivity in 4 out of the 5 holes:

1,540 counts per second (cps) at 187.8 metres (m) in DDH WO-1

1,752 cps at 128.1m in DDH WO-2

4,620 cps at 161.2m in DDH WO-2

2,002 cps at 105.3m in DDH WO-3

3,320 cps at 111.2m in DDH WO-4

* a Mount Sopris down-hole logging system (5MXA-1000 matrix, 4MXA-1000 winch and 2PGA-1000 gamma probe) was used for the radiometric probing.

Further drilling is recommended on this target in areas that could not be reached this winter, testing an EM conductor that crosses the northwest part of the gravity low (see Figure 2).

Second and Third Targets - Mugger and Stripe

The sixth hole tested a weak gravity anomaly (Mugger) that returned relatively fresh calc-silicates and has been eliminated. The final two holes tested a third gravity anomaly (Stripe), also with an associated EM conductor that intersected a series of faulted units with associated gouges and local alteration. These holes have been heavily sampled and sent for assay.

Future Plans

Forum sent 393 samples of the drill core to the Saskatchewan Research Council for geochemical analysis and results are expected in a month. The Company is reviewing its plans for further exploration of the property, including drilling of the Gizmo target. Figure 4 illustrates areas that have had gravity surveys completed this past year. Excellent targets remain on the west side close to the highway, which will be investigated first before moving to the eastern targets. Further airborne and ground geophysical surveys are being considered to fully test the regional potential of the property.





Figure 1: Location of Forum's Wollaston Uranium Project. The project is located on Highway 905, 10km south of Cameco's Rabbit Lake Uranium Mill and 30km south of Orano/Denison's McClean Lake Uranium Mill (yellow squares). Uranium mineral deposits are outlined in red.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/120820_a45a3b16d414a97a_003full.jpg







Figure 2: Drill Hole Locations on Gravity Background. The dashed lines are the traces of the EM conductors. Further drilling will investigate this area.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/120820_a45a3b16d414a97a_004full.jpg







Figure 3: Uranium mineralization on core returned from WO-2 and WO-4. A total of 393 core samples have been sent to the Saskatchewan Research Council geochemical laboratories for analysis. Uranium can be seen as yellow oxides or as black spots with white reaction rims.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/120820_a45a3b16d414a97a_005full.jpg









Figure 4: Gravity surveys completed over structural zones and EM conductors. Of the three target areas circled in red above, only the northern circle was investigated by the 2022 drill program.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/120820_a45a3b16d414a97a_006full.jpg

Ken Wheatley, P.Geo., Forum's Vice President of Exploration and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About Forum Energy Metals

Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is a diversified energy metal company with uranium, copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Canada's Number One Rated mining province and Number Two in the world for exploration and development, a strategic uranium land position in Nunavut and a strategic cobalt land position in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. For further information: www.forumenergymetals.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Forum's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the historical data, the work expenditure commitments; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund future exploration or development programs; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; changes commodity prices, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or an inability to obtain permits required in connection with maintaining or advancing its exploration projects.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo.

President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact:

Rick Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO

mazur@forumenergymetals.com

Tel: 604-630-1585

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120820
JUSTGO SMOOTHIE brings new production machinery online to meet increased demand and achieve growth targets

New Form, Fill & Seal machine increases JUSTGO production capacity by 10X

Large scale production capacity advances timeline for USA Launch, increases efficiency and reduces cost of goods substantially

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) -Rritual Superfoods Inc. (CSE: RSF) (FSE: 0RW) (OTCQB: RRSFF) ("Rritual" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's newly acquired Justgo Smoothie is ramping up production, with the addition of a new form, fill and seal machine to meet increasing demand.

"JustGo has tremendous upside and we have moved rapidly to put the infrastructure in place to expand into new markets and meet growing demand," said Mr. Warren Spence, Rritual Director & CEO. "The new machinery allows JustGo to be highly responsive to sales production, increases efficiency and will reduce cost of goods within the range of 30-40%, significantly improving profit margins."

JustGo Smoothies Large Scale Production Run Highlights:

Form, Fill and Seal machine increases production capacity by 10X to meet expansion plans

By bringing increased production capacity online JustGo advances its USA expansion timelines

Increased efficiency will reduce cost of goods by 30-40%, boosting profit margins

About JustGo Smoothie

Justgo Smoothie is a Consumer-Packaged Goods health and wellness business based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Justgo provides 'grab n go' plant based nutrient dense meal replacement food and beverage products. Our formulations focus on real whole food ingredients providing complete essential proteins, slow digesting carbohydrates high in fiber and healthy fats. Ultimate nutrition and convenience using all natural whole foods blended and then fresh frozen into a convenient pouch. Keep Frozen - Add a liquid of choice blend and go!

Our mission is simple - to make 100% plant-based products that help you look and feel amazing without harming animals or costing the planet. Learn more at: https://justgosmoothie.com/

About Rritual

Rritual Superfoods is the first award winning, premium brand in the emerging functional mushroom & adaptogenic superfood market. More than a functional mushroom company, Rritual is a Superfood Platform. At the forefront of innovation in the space, we have entered the market with plant-based elixirs, and continue to consistently expand our offering to meet and exceed our customer's needs. As a company, we believe in the power of plant-based nourishment and the vital life force that adaptogens, superfoods, and mushrooms can offer our bodies. Our products are made with mindfully-selected, organic functional mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs, traditionally consumed for their ability to support a healthy response to stress and help optimize mental, cognitive, digestive, and immune health. Rritual's superfood elixirs can be found online at www.rritual.com.

Follow Rritual on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

For further information please contact:

Warren Spence - Chief Executive Officer and Director

Investor Relations:

E-mail: investors@wearerritual.com

Telephone: (844) 809-5709

Functional Foods Market

According to Grandview Research*, it is estimated that the global functional food market is projected to reach $275 billion by 2025, growing at 7.9% each year with consumers putting more emphasis on health and wellness.

*https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-functional-foods-market

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements ") that relate to Rritual's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company's plans to leverage third party manufacturing and logistics, the Company's broader retail distribution plans and the Company's other plans, focus and objectives.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rritual's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the final long form prospectus of the Company dated February 26, 2021 and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Rritual undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Rritual to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120821
DUBAI, UAE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Tek Travels DMCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of TBO Tek Limited ("TBO") announced today that it has acquired 51% shareholding of BookaBed AG ("BookaBed"). TBO, one of the leading global travel distribution platforms, connects over 100,000 travel buyers across more than 110 countries with millions of travel suppliers, as 2021.

Investment in BookaBed will enable TBO to scale up its business's services and offerings. BookaBed AG, based in Switzerland, is also a B2B accommodation provider to the Irish and UK travel industries. BookaBed intends to increase its market share in Ireland and the UK by leveraging TBO's global API business, and TBO Academy that trains and educates travel agents and travel trade partners.

Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director of TBO, said: "We are excited to welcome everyone at BookaBed to the TBO family. BookaBed allows TBO's entry into the Irish market and strengthens our UK presence. Both TBO and BookaBed have a significant opportunity to leverage each other's strengths and further expand our presence in current and future markets. What really makes this truly promising is our shared core values. There are synergies in our business models and vision, but the core values we share are vital when building for the long term. Under Karl's continued leadership, we look forward to strengthening BookaBed's business."

Karl Tyrrell, CEO of BookaBed, added: "We are very excited to partner with TBO and delighted to join the TBO family. As the world returns to travel, BookaBed looks forward to leveraging TBO's technology and content. This combined with BookaBed's deep distribution reach and market position in Ireland and the UK creates an even more compelling value for BookaBed customer partners."

"We will continue to service our customers as we currently do and promote and operate the BookaBed brand that is so well known in these markets. There will be no change to our management, sales or support teams."

TBO won several accolades over the years and consistently winning the prestigious World Travel Awards as India's leading B2B travel portal since 2019. Its TBO+ proposition is a comprehensive rewards program designed exclusively for buyers where they can earn reward points. TBO has a dedicated corporate travel booking platform, Paxes, and their first B2C business, Zamzam.com, focused on religious tourism, making TBO a truly simplified travel ecosystem.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799676/TBO_Bookabed.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1772428/TBO_Logo.jpg
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - iMining Technologies Inc. (TSXV: IMIN) (FSE: P1A0) (the "Company" or "iMining"), a publicly listed, Web3.0 company is pleased to announce that it has supported the first of its kind grant funding proposal made on behalf of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation ("Glenrose Foundation") to the Decentraland DAO ("DCL").

Metaverse Advisory Group Inc. ("MAG"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of iMining, is a company which invests, develops and maintains virtual properties in various metaverses. Furthermore, MAG advises large corporations and brands on developing a metaverse strategy.

MAG has been retained by the Glenrose Foundation to develop and execute the Glenrose Foundation's metaverse strategy. As part of this mandate and to further engage with the DCL community, Glenrose Foundation has launched its proposal to the DCL to secure a grant funding which will assist Glenrose in execution of its metaverse strategy.

The Glenrose Foundation seeks to enter the metaverse to create an additional source of donations in partnership with MAG, and the Decentraland Manhattan-based members of the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO).

The Glenrose Foundation aims to raise funding so the Hospital can continue to develop innovative, technology-based solutions which provide individuals with disabilities live better and more fulfilled live.

Currently, the Hospital, among other initiatives, is working on developing a revolutionary technology, the Brain Computer Interface ("BCI"). This cutting-edge technology harnesses the power of imagination, allowing people with mobility and communication challenges a new way to interact with their environments.

Glenrose Foundation's proposal has been well received by the entire DCL community. The funding proposal prepared by MAG on behalf of the Glenrose Foundation requires two (2) million votes by the community to secure the funding. Within the first week, the proposal has already received more than two (2) million votes and more than 50 unique community members have participated in the voting process. The voting on Glenrose Foundation's grant proposal ends on April 25th, 2022.

"The Decentraland DAO is considered one of the biggest metaverse DAOs with more than a $100 million dollars in their purse. Its an honour that the community supported the proposal." said Khurram Shroff, the Chairman and the CEO of iMining Technologies. "This is the first time a hospital foundation of this stature has been granted funds by a DAO."

For healthcare and hospital foundation wanting to explore the metaverse please contact info@metaverseadvisory.io

About Metaverse Advisory Group Inc.

Metaverse Advisory Group is a virtual NFT based real estate company that develops and manages a portfolio of Virtual properties in major blockchain-based Metaverses including Decentraland and The Sandbox. It operates unique services including virtual property development, property management, and assisting companies with future of work, virtual events and meetings, marketing and advertising in the Metaverse.

About iMining Technologies Inc.

iMining is a publicly listed Web3.0 technology company developing technology for Crypto Mining, Decentralized Finance ("DeFi") and Non-Fungible Tokens ("NFT"). iMining also owns BitBit Financial Inc., an ATM Network and crypto OTC Trading Platform for individual and institutions.

iMining investments are directly linked to the Bitcoin Mining, Crypto Trading, Decentralized Finance ("DeFI") and Metaverse Non-Fungible Tokens ("NFTs"). With diverse blockchain investment and infrastructure solutions, iMining looks to be a leader in accelerating the growth of Web3.0 for the enterprise market. The Company's operations include secure and sustainable cryptocurrency payments, staking, mining and digital asset investment designed for the scale and compliance requirements of institutional clients. iMining is committed to building strong global blockchain ecosystems and supporting inclusive access to digital tools and technologies.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Khurram Shroff"

Khurram Shroff, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact:

iMining Corporate Offices:

Saleem Moosa, Director

Email: investor@imining.com

Telephone: +1 (844) IMININC (464-6462)

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance, and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions, and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of activities, future cryptocurrency prices, operating risks, and other risks in the cryptocurrency industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120818
AMSTERDAM and LONDON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today announced the planned launch of new equity index futures and options products for trading on Cboe Europe Derivatives (CEDX), its Amsterdam-based equity derivatives exchange.

Futures and options will be launched on four additional Cboe Europe single country index benchmarks: the Cboe Italy 40, Cboe Norway 25, Cboe Spain 35 and Cboe Sweden 30. These eight new products are planned to be made available for trading on CEDX starting Wednesday, 27 April, with clearing provided by EuroCCP, Cboe's pan-European clearing house.

The addition of these products brings the total number of products available for trading on CEDX to 20, adding to the 12 products made available at launch last September, comprising futures and options on six Cboe Europe indices: the Cboe Eurozone 50, Cboe France 40, Cboe Germany 40, Cboe Netherlands 25, Cboe Switzerland 20 and Cboe UK 100. Full contract specifications can be found at http://www.cboe.com/europe/derivatives/products.

Ade Cordell, President of Cboe Netherlands, said: "We have been extremely pleased with the progress made by CEDX since its launch, with strong levels of customer participation and a solid increase in volumes month-over-month. The launch of this second phase of products broadens our equity index product suite to cover additional key European markets providing customers with a tool to efficiently manage their European index exposures via a single marketplace. We are excited to continue working with our customers to build this market and add further products over time."

Cecile Nagel, President of EuroCCP, said: "We are delighted to be supporting CEDX's expansion by providing clearing services for these new products. We believe customers are already seeing the benefits offered by this pan-European equity index marketplace through the ability to trade and clear products from across Europe via a single exchange and clearing house. We look forward to further supporting CEDX as it continues to grow."

About CEDX

CEDX is a new pan-European derivatives marketplace which enables participants to access a vibrant equity derivatives market through a single access point, creating efficiencies in trading and clearing. CEDX offers trading in futures and options based on key Cboe Europe indices. These indices, which are all calculated using Cboe market data, are transparently designed and managed under the same set of rules and perform closely in line with comparable benchmarks. CEDX forms part of Cboe Netherlands, Cboe's Amsterdam-based exchange (Cboe Europe B.V.), with clearing provided by EuroCCP, Cboe's pan-European clearing house.

Additional information about CEDX is available on the Cboe website.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

Media Contacts

Analyst Contact







Tim Cave Angela Tu

Kenneth Hill, CFA +44-7593 506719 +1-646-856-8734

+1-312-786-7559 tcave@cboe.com atu@cboe.com

khill@cboe.com









CBOE-EE

CBOE-C

Cboe, Cboe Volatility Index, VIX and Cboe Global Markets are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. References to Cboe Europe are references to Cboe Europe Limited unless otherwise stated. References to Cboe NL are references to Cboe Europe B.V.

This information is not being provided as part of an offer or sale of any futures or options products to any persons located within the United States.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any derivatives, securities, futures or investments, or third-party products or services. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their derivatives, securities, futures and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein. Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any derivatives, securities or futures in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of indices to track the performance of their respective strategies.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes or changes in tax regimes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security risks, cybersecurity risks, insider threats and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; fluctuations to currency exchange rates; factors that impact the quality and integrity of our indices; the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, including changes to trading behavior broadly in the market; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit and default risks, associated with operating a European clearinghouse; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing potential conflicts between our regulatory responsibilities and our for-profit status; our ability to maintain BIDS Trading as an independently managed and operated trading venue, separate from and not integrated with our registered national securities exchanges; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; our ability to manage our growth and strategic acquisitions or alliances effectively; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; the accuracy of our estimates and expectations; litigation risks and other liabilities; and if the acquisition of ErisX is consummated, operating a digital asset business. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/622233/Cboe_Logo.jpg
SHERMAN OAKS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Petroteq Energy Inc. ("Petroteq" or the "Company") (TSXV:PQE)(OTC PINK:PQEFF)(FSE:PQCF), an oil company focused on the development and implementation of its proprietary oil-extraction and remediation technologies, provides a corporate update and continuously emphasizes the importance of developing and extraction of US oil sands reserves.

The global need for energy continues to grow and has shown no signs of slowing down. The need for more oil, especially heavy oil, is required for more than just transportation fuel (vehicular demand and air travel requirements) as oil is the primary building block for plastics of all kinds, for the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pesticides, fertilizers, and paint, to name a few. This is of particular importance to the US, as the need for energy independence has become more evident from the geopolitical disputes now facing the global market. The significant U.S. oil reserves with low sulfur content, which have not yet been untapped, are located in Utah, where Petroteq has accumulated significant oil reserves available for development.

Petroteq has developed a proprietary technology to extract oil from its reserves in Utah, and has demonstrated in pilot projects the viability of its patented process to produce at an attractive economic level, comparable to conventional oil reservoir production, and to deliver a high quality product. The Company's facility has been designed to operate at 500 barrels per day and the Company has designed the next generation oil sands plant with 5,000 barrels capacity. All engineering aspects of the proposed 5,000 barrels plant have been confirmed by an independent third party as commercially viable and technically sufficient to achieve the desired plant performance within a budget. Petroteq management believes this design is solely unique to the patented Petroteq process, to achieve oil extraction from sands in an eco-friendly method, and can be seen as a true green energy technology.

The Petroteq technology is unique because it uses no water, produces no emissions, and uses a facility that has a small land footprint. Its patented solvent washes the sand of oil and is almost 100% recycled for continued use with no negative environmental impact. The cleaned sand can be utilized economically for the broad range in residential and commercial use.

Petroteq's CEO and CTO, Vladimir Podlipsky, PhD, commented, "Our management team is pleased that Petroteq has unlocked an economically feasible process that is eco-friendly, which I believe positions our company to contribute to solving the global energy crisis. Our intentions are to continue evolving toward future expansion and revenue growth, regardless of the on-going takeover-bid from Viston United Swiss AG. Management of Petroteq continues to manage the business of Petroteq, while making utmost effort to maximize shareholder value."

About Petroteq Energy Inc.

Petroteq is a clean technology company focused on the development, implementation and licensing of a patented, environmentally safe and sustainable technology for the extraction and reclamation of heavy oil and bitumen from oil sands and mineable oil deposits. The versatile technology can be applied to both water-wet deposits and oil-wet deposits - outputting high-quality oil and clean sand.

Petroteq believes that its technology can produce a relatively sweet heavy crude oil from deposits of oil sands at Asphalt Ridge without requiring the use of water, and therefore without generating wastewater which would otherwise require the use of other treatment or disposal facilities which could be harmful to the environment. Petroteq's process is intended to be a more environmentally friendly extraction technology that leaves clean residual sand that can be sold or returned to the environment, without the use of tailings ponds or further remediation.

For more information, visit www.Petroteq.energy.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "potential," "will," "seek," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, including: a 5,000 bpd extraction plant sands processing facility, and the Company believing it can contribute to solving the global energy crisis; are intended to identify forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to extract oil or sand from the identified reserves. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions with respect to future events, based on information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation: the technology performing as expected; availability of labor and parts; adequate capital raising efforts; and Petroteq's ability to execute on its operational plans. Material factors or assumptions were applied in providing forward-looking information. While forward-looking statements are based on data, assumptions and analyses that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results, performance or developments will meet the Company's expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition of the Company to differ materially from its expectations. Certain of the "risk factors" that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation: that full scale commercial production may engender public opposition; changes in laws or regulations; the ability to implement business strategies or to pursue business opportunities, whether for economic or other reasons; status of the world oil markets, oil prices and price volatility; oil pricing; litigation; the nature of oil and gas production and oil sands mining, extraction and production; uncertainties in exploration and drilling for oil, gas and other hydrocarbon-bearing substances; unanticipated costs and expenses; loss of life and environmental damage; risks associated with compliance with environmental protection laws and regulations; and directors; risks related to COVID-19 including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, economic activity, financing, supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession; and other general economic, market and business conditions and factors, including the risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents, filed with United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov (including, without limitation, its most recent annual report on Form 10-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), and with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com.

Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward- looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Petroteq Energy Inc.

Vladimir Podlipsky

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (800) 979-1897

SOURCE: Petroteq Energy Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697930/Petroteq-Energy-Emphasizes-the-Importance-of-Developing-Domestic-Oil-Sands-Reserves
Oxylabs employs AI to detect harmful images

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / A unique AI-driven web scraping tool created by Oxylabs helps the Communications Regulatory Authority of Lithuania (RRT) detect illegal content related to child sexual abuse material or pornography online. During the first months of its use, 19 websites were identified as violators of national or EU laws, 11 complaints to the Inspector of Journalist ethics were registered, 8 police reports were filed, 2 pre-trial investigations were started.

Oxylabs , a leading provider of public web data gathering solutions, created a tool for the Lithuanian institution pro bono to support their mission of making the internet cleaner and safer. A dedicated tool automatically scans Lithuanian's IP address space in search for potentially harmful images. The suspicious content units are then forwarded to the hotline for RRT specialists to review.

"While it's physically impossible to monitor the whole country's web space manually, web scraping technology makes it easy. The RRT specialists can then move straight to the analysis part and take prompt actions against violators. This is a perfect illustration of how web scraping, mostly used by businesses, can also benefit the public sector in their wider societal goals", - says Juras Jursenas, COO at Oxylabs.

In the first two months of its use, the AI-driven web scraping tool scanned around 288 000+ Lithuanian websites. After careful investigation of reported images, 19 websites were identified as violators of national or EU laws, and specific punitive measures were taken.

Communications Regulatory Authority of Lithuania (RRT) is a national institution regulating the electronic communications, postal, rail markets under the European Union directives and the laws of the Republic of Lithuania. One of the RRT missions is safeguarding the internet from illegal or harmful content. To detect violators, RRT has long relied on a special internet hotline " Clean internet" , where regular internet users would voluntarily report the illicit content they stumbled upon while browsing.

The Oxylabs-created tool reports the detected harmful images to the same hotline, but it allows RRT for more proactivity in the process. The tool monitors the web in the background and thus the reports are constant and do not depend that much on the changing habits of volunteers.

"Voluntary reports through the hotline is the most common way worldwide to collect complaints. This measure is extremely valuable for us too. However, we do not have to depend on such reports fully anymore and can take the front seat in the process. We do hope that AI-based image recognition system, used together with hash comparison method, will help identify illegal content easier, especially in cases when illegal images are not yet included into known illegal content hash databases", - RRT representative Vaidotas Ramonas, Director of digital services department, says.

While first tested in Lithuania, the AI-based tool could easily be replicated in other countries. RRT plans to share the experience of using it with their partner institutions in other countries.

Oxylabs came into a pro bono partnership with RRT after winning a govtech hackathon, where RRT challenged the participants to create an automated tool to help them in their mission. The tool was developed in several weeks and then vigorously tested, trained, and constantly improved. As of 2022, RRT has fully employed the tool in its daily operations.

Oxylabs sees employing web scraping technology for the better good as part of their mission. The company has previously partnered with numerous universities on pandemic research. For information on pro bono partnership opportunities, please contact partnerships@oxylabs.io .

About Oxylabs

Established in 2015, Oxylabs is a premium proxy and public web data acquisition solution provider, enabling companies of all sizes to utilize the power of big data. Constant innovation, a large patent portfolio, and a focus on ethics have allowed Oxylabs to become a global leader in the web data acquisition industry and forge close ties with dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies. In 2022, Oxylabs was named the fastest-growing public data gathering solutions company in Europe in the Financial Times' FT 1000 list.

About RRT

Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT) is a national institution regulating the electronic communications, postal, rail markets under the European Union directives and the laws of the Republic of Lithuania. RRT mission - to ensure effective competition, investment, innovation and a variety of consumer-friendly services in the areas of electronic communications, postal services, rail transport and trust services.

SOURCE: Oxylabs

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697942/AI-Driven-Tool-Fights-Child-Sexual-Abuse-Cases-Online
Banks Plus Bitcoin presentation highlights regulatory considerations for Bitcoin, other digital asset offerings

Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions regulatory compliance expert Thomas Grundy, Senior Director, CMS and Regulatory Consulting for Wolters Kluwer U.S. Advisory Services, will present a workshop discussion, "Banks Plus Bitcoin: A Look at Essential Regulatory Considerations in Adopting Cryptocurrency Capabilities" to explore the rapidly growing adoption of bitcoin and the digital revolution transforming financial services. The session is part of the Western Bankers' 2022 Annual Conference for Bank Presidents, CEO's and Directors, April 22-26 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort Spa, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Grundy's presentation takes place 10-11 a.m. HST Tuesday, April 26.

The session will focus on some of the basic considerations for banks looking to or starting to provide Bitcoin or other digital asset offerings to their customers, particularly around key regulatory issues and concerns for banks looking to incorporate Bitcoin offerings into their portfolio.

In recent months, federal regulators have sent clear signals that U.S. financial institutions must identify and control for inherent risks related to the facilitation or participation in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency related activities. Federal regulators have indicated that financial institutions conducting such activities must address a number of risks including compliance risks relating to consumer financial protection, investor protection, and anti-money laundering/terrorism finance laws.

"Regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency transactions is still in the early stages, but it is evolving quickly," said Steve Meirink, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions. "Recent regulator calls for innovation in this space are encouraging, as is the growing recognition that such activities should be grounded in the principles of safety, soundness and transparency in ways that will benefit all participants. This workshop promises to be a fascinating session for institutions considering their options for Bitcoin-related transactions."

Wolters Kluwer is an endorsed partner of Western Bankers, a program the identifies the vendor with the highest quality products and services in a service category. Partners are selected based on their ability to meet WB's high expectations for product and service quality.

Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions is a market leader and trusted provider of risk management and regulatory compliance solutions and services to U.S. insurers, banks and credit unions, and securities firms. The business, which sits within Wolters Kluwer's Governance, Risk Compliance (GRC) division, helps these financial institutions efficiently manage risk and regulatory compliance obligations, and gain the insights needed to focus on better serving their customers and growing their business.

Wolters Kluwer's GRC division provides an array of expert solutions to help financial institutions manage regulatory and risk obligations. Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions' eOriginal suite of purpose-built, digital lending solutions, for example, helps lenders digitize their transactions and features electronic signatures, collateral authentication and an electronic vault. Compliance Solutions' OneSumX for Regulatory Change Management tracks regulatory changes and organizes them to create structured, value-added content through a single data feed that is paired with an easy-to-use software solution. Wolters Kluwer Finance, Risk Regulatory Reporting (FRR), meanwhile, is a global market leader in the provision of integrated regulatory compliance and reporting solutions. The division's legal solutions businesses are Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation and Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk Compliance

Governance, Risk Compliance is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to help ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance.

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2021 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005241/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts for Wolters Kluwer GRC

(Including Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions; Wolters Kluwer Finance, Risk Regulatory Reporting; Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions, and Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation)

Paul Lyon

Global Corporate Communications Director

Governance, Risk Compliance Division

Wolters Kluwer

Office +44 20 3197 6586

Paul.Lyon@wolterskluwer.com

David Feider

Corporate Communications Manager, Banking Regulatory Compliance

Governance, Risk Compliance Division

Wolters Kluwer

Tel: +1 612-852-7966

David.Feider@wolterskluwer.com
Firm Commits to Net Zero, Expands Stewardship Resources in 2021

Martin Currie, the active equity specialist and steward of 20.0 billion (US$26.3 billion) in assets under management as of 31 March 2022, released its annual stewardship report detailing its environmental, social and governance (ESG) and stewardship accomplishments in 2021. Martin Currie is a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton.

"Investing to create long-term, sustainable value has been at the heart of Martin Currie's business for more than 140 years. We strongly believe that we can provide world class investment solutions and better financial outcomes for our clients while also contributing to a more sustainable economy, society and environment," said Martin Currie CEO Julian Ide. "In 2021, our team demonstrated that our stewardship and active ownership approach to ESG delivers for our clients, as 93% of our assets under management and 83% of our funds outperformed their relative benchmarks over a 10-year period."

"At Martin Currie, our purpose of Investing to Improve Lives guides our partnerships with other investors as well as our business practices. We understand that our investments and the returns we deliver have more than just a financial impact for our clients," said David Sheasby, Head of Stewardship ESG for Martin Currie. "Our engagements, proxy voting, reporting and enhanced resources dedicated to ESG demonstrate our commitment to responding and addressing systemic risks in our investments, including climate change, human rights and sustainable development."

Martin Currie's 2021 stewardship and ESG activities included:

Proxy Voting and Engagement

The firm voted on 4,727 resolutions across 496 shareholder meetings and 42 markets. Martin Currie used proxy voting as a tool to escalate engagement on important issues and voted on 422 resolutions against management at 180 meetings.

The firm recorded 668 total engagements with 227 companies in 32 different markets, demonstrating its commitment to investing that considers ESG factors alongside financial statements.

Martin Currie continued to be active in collaborative engagement efforts with other like-minded investors. As part of Climate Action 100+, Martin Currie is leading the engagement with an India-based cement company.

Commitment to Net Zero

In July 2021, the firm became a signatory to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI), an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner, with 236 signatories with $57.5 trillion in assets under management.

All of the firm's European Union-based funds were categorized as Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Article 8 funds, meaning that they promote environmental or social characteristics.

Additional Resources Dedicated to Stewardship and ESG

Martin Currie expanded its ESG team and created a new Stewardship and ESG Council, which is responsible for overseeing the firm's corporate approach to sustainability and steering the firm's ESG principles, long-term goals and execution.

Improved Diversity

Martin Currie set ambitious diversity targets across its business and implemented improvements in its internal recruitment strategy to address gender balance.

In 2021, 60% of new hires in were female, and gender diversity rose from 16% to 21% on the investment team with increased female representation in distribution and on the executive committee.

Martin Currie's 2022 stewardship and ESG priorities include:

Martin Currie will focus on supporting the ambitions of the NZAMI, including setting interim targets for 2030 for the assets managed in line with the goal of net zero and implementing a stewardship and engagement strategy with a clear escalation and voting policy. It will also prioritize the achievement of real economy emissions reductions through engagement with companies.

The firm is working closely with clients to identify the extent to which clients want their assets to be committed to the NZAMI.

The firm will broaden its client reporting to include the contributions made to the United Nations-supported Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a portfolio level as well as engagement activity at a fund level; it will also provide greater detail to clients around climate risk.

Martin Currie will support clients in meeting their requirements under the Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures while the firm meets its own obligations.

The entire annual stewardship report can be found here.

About Martin Currie

Martin Currie is a global active equity specialist with leading credentials in sustainable investing, crafting high-conviction portfolios for client-focused solutions. Investment excellence is at the heart of its business. Central to its philosophy is a stock-driven approach, based on in-depth fundamental research, active ownership and engagement and skilled portfolio construction. Martin Currie is rated A+ in all three categories under the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) 2020. As a Specialist Investment Manager of Franklin Resources Inc., it also has the backing of one of the world's largest asset management firms.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 155 countries. Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers boutique specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, multi-asset solutions and alternatives. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2022. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Important information

This information is issued and approved by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited ('MCIM'). It does not constitute investment advice. The information has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy. But no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Martin Currie has procured any research or analysis contained for its own use. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.

Market and currency movements may cause the capital value of shares, and the income from them, to fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.

The information contained in this document has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Franklin Templeton and Martin Currie have procured any research or analysis contained in this document for its own use. It is provided to you only incidentally and any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.

This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security, or fund, or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. The views expressed are those of the author and the comments, opinions and analysis are rendered as at publication date and may change without notice.

The information provided in this material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region or market. The analysis of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors forms an important part of the investment process and helps inform investment decisions. The strategies do not necessarily target particular sustainability outcomes.

Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC066107) Martin Currie Inc, incorporated in New York and having a UK branch registered in Scotland (no SF000300), Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2ES Tel: (44) 131 229 5252 Fax: (44) 131 222 2532 www.martincurrie.com. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Martin Currie Inc, 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor New York, NY 10018. Please note that calls to the above numbers may be recorded.

2022 Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC. Franklin Distributors, LLC, Martin Currie Investment Management Limited and Martin Currie Inc are subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc."

In the UK, this financial promotion is issued by Legg Mason Investments (Europe) Limited, registered office 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AB. Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 1732037. Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Legg Mason Investments (Europe) Limited collects, processes and stores your personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy Attendance list will be shared with our event partners for future direct marketing.

In Europe (excluding UK and Switzerland), this financial promotion is issued by Legg Mason Investments (Ireland) Limited, registered office Floor 6, Building Three, Number One, Ballsbridge, 126 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. D04 EP27, Ireland. Registered in Ireland, Company No. 271887. Authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

In Switzerland, this financial promotion is issued by Legg Mason Investments (Switzerland) GmbH, authorised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.

In the U.S., this material is provided by Franklin Distributors, LLC, a U.S. registered Broker-Dealer. Franklin Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and all entities mentioned are subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc.".

Issued by Franklin Templeton International Services S.a r.l. Supervised by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier 8A, rue Albert Borschette, L-1246 Luxembourg Tel: +352 46 66 67-1 Fax: +352 46 66 76.

TN22-21

Copyright 2022 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005284/en/

Contacts:

Lisa Tibbitts, Franklin Templeton: Lisa.Tibbitts@FranklinTempleton.com +1 917-674-8060

Rachel Cashmore, Franklin Templeton: rachel.cashmore@franklintempleton.co.uk +447754968037

Visit Martin Currie's media centre at www.martincurrie.com/media_centre
Kroll, the leading provider of data, technology and insights related to risk, governance and growth, today announced that Joshua Tucker has joined Kroll as a Senior Advisor and Kroll Institute Fellow. Through thought leadership and research, the Kroll Institute provides clarity on the most complex economic, policy, risk, compliance, public health and cyber issues organizations are facing today. Tucker will serve as a senior consultant on geopolitical issues impacting businesses and the global economy.

"We're excited to have Joshua join the Kroll Institute. His extensive experience analyzing some of the world's most consequential geopolitical issues will be an invaluable asset to our teams and clients amidst an era of increasing uncertainty," said Jake Silverman, Chief Executive Officer at Kroll.

Tucker brings over 20 years of experience in comparative politics with a focus on mass politics, elections and voting, the development of partisan attachment, public opinion formation and political protest, and with a regional specialization across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Concurrent with his role with the Kroll Institute, Tucker continues to serve as Professor of Politics at New York University with affiliated appointments in the department of Russian and Slavic studies and the Center for Data Science. He is also the Director of the Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia and Co-Director of the Center for Social Media and Politics at NYU.

Previously, he served as co-author and co-editor of "The Monkey Cage," a Washington Post politics and policy blog, to which he contributed for over a decade.

In recent years, his research has focused on examining the relationship between social media and politics, and the ways in which social media data can be used to further analyze political trends. Tucker's latest research encompasses partisan echo chambers, disinformation and false news, hate speech and propaganda, algorithms and political polarization, online networks and protest, how authoritarian regimes respond to online opposition and more.

About Kroll

Kroll provides proprietary data, technology and insights to help our clients stay ahead of complex demands related to risk, governance and growth. Our solutions deliver a powerful competitive advantage, enabling faster, smarter and more sustainable decisions. With 5,000 experts around the world, we create value and impact for our clients and communities. To learn more, visit www.kroll.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005538/en/

Contacts:

Devonne Cusi, Kroll

devonne.cusi@Kroll.com

Shaina Tavares, Dukas Linden PR

Shaina@DLPR.com
Rise in use of glycerin as a substitute for alcohol in herbal and botanical tincture preparation drives the growth of the pharmaceutical glycerine market

PORTLAND, Ore., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Pharmaceutical Glycerine Market by Application (Excipient, Glycerin As Care Product): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030." According to the report, the global pharmaceutical glycerine industry was estimated at $89.89 million in 2020, and is anticipated to hit $246.48 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 11.0% from 2021 to 2030.

For Right Perspective, Download Sample PDF at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4320

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities-

Rise in use of glycerin as a substitute for alcohol in herbal and botanical tincture preparation drives the growth of the pharmaceutical glycerine market. In addition, increase in adoption of glycerin in the pharmaceutical industry, owing to its low cost and various medical benefits has supplemented the market growth yet more. On the other hand, adverse effects of pharmaceutical glycerin such as diarrhea, polyuria, nausea, dry mouth, and others restrain growth to some extent. However, ongoing R&D activities related to pharmaceutical glycerin are expected to pave the way for lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Covid-19 Scenario-

The fact that glycerine is extensively used in the manufacturing of soaps, handwashes, and sanitizers has increased the demand for pharmaceutical glycerine ever since the pandemic has broken out. This, in turn, has impacted the global pharmaceutical glycerine market positively.

This trend is quite likely to continue post pandemic as well.

The excipient segment to lead the trail-

By application, the excipient segment accounted for the highest market share in 2020, generating nearly two-thirds of the global pharmaceutical glycerine market. The same segment is also anticipated to cite the fastest CAGR of 11.2% from 2021 to 2030. The fact that glycerin is a predominant excipient for pharmaceutical products drives the segment growth.

Specific Requirement on COVID-19? Ask to Our Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4320

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, to dominate by 2030-

By region, Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, contributed to the major market share in terms of revenue 2020, holding nearly half of the global pharmaceutical glycerine market. The same region is also projected to cite the fastest CAGR of 11.9% from 2021 to 2030. This is owing to the presence of top glycerin-producing countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Japan.

Prominent market players-

Cargill

Universal Preserv A Chem Inc.

Godrej Group

Reagents Company

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

TCC Glycerin

Procter and Gamble Co

Emery Oleochemicals Group

DuPont

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed ArcPacific Resources Corp. (TSXV: ACP) ("the Company"), a Canadian based exploration company. CEO of the Company, Adrian Smith, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly.

Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "We have been putting together some copper and gold focused projects in Canada," shared Smith. "Currently, our flagship project that we are exploring is in southern British Columbia, which is our LMSL project," he continued, noting that the project is located next to the largest copper mine in Canada. "It is quite a good area, it's our main focus, and we have some secondary gold assets that we're also looking into in Canada."

Jolly then commented on the Company's investment potential in the growing mining space. "We're looking for that major discovery," said Smith, adding that the Company's valuation is currently significantly low. "I've been doing this for many years, and I know the steps that we need to go through in order to achieve results that will drive the interest and excitement that gives that significant reward that investors are looking for."

"Do you have any thoughts on the pricing points of gold, silver, or copper?", asked Jolly. "Copper is one of those stable commodities that has the well-sustained supply and demand factor, and is part of the driver towards a greener future," said Smith, adding that the demand and incentives for copper exploration will help the Company secure financing. "It will help reduce the amount of dilution in the company, and serves as a good indication for the long-term outlook of copper."

"In what kind of capacity will GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. be working with the company?", asked Jolly. "GoldSpot has put together a team of technical experts that represent a large amount of experience in the mining industry," said Smith, adding that GoldSpot is currently utilizing reviewing historical data to help drive discoveries at the Company's LMSL project.

"Where are we at with the potential to make new discoveries?", asked Jolly. "Our main focus this year is going to be on the LMSL target," said Smith. "We were recently able to add an additional land package to make our LMSL project bigger," he shared. "We're looking to drive the discovery of global resources up to 300 to 500 million tonnes of copper in the ground," explained Smith. "By acquiring this one resource, we are already progressing towards where we want to be."

"Our Blackdome project can be seen as a very green project; it is at a very early discovery stage," continued Smith. "It has never been drilled," he added. "We have been very pleased with the initial results. Every sample came back with elevated gold," said Smith. "In my mind, setting up a drilling campaign there could lead to a new discovery."

To close the interview, Smith encouraged listeners and shareholders to keep up-to-date on the Company's announcements as they continue to grow and advance their projects.

To hear Adrian Smith's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8069154-arcpacific-resources-corp-ceo-adrian-smith-is-featured-on-the-stock-day-podcast.

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/.

About ArcPacific Resources Corp.

ArcPacific Resources Corp. (TSXV: ACP) is a Canadian based exploration company. ArcPacific owns 100% interest in the LMSL Copper Gold & Silver Project in British Columbia, Canada, in the prolific Quesnel Terrane which is world renowned for its copper and gold endowment. The Company also holds other highly prospective exploration projects in Canada including its Blackdome gold project where it discovered continuous gold mineralization in the first ever trenching at the project. The Company is focused on creating shareholder value through new discoveries and strategic development of its mineral properties and is exploring additional business opportunities. For further information, please visit http://www.arcpacific.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

/S "Adrian Smith"

CEO and Director

Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements, including without limitation, the Warrant Amendments, the Incentive Program, statements regarding exploration plans, the use of proceeds, and other future plans and objectives, and statements pertaining to receipt of TSXV approval. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Company's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should conditions or our estimates change, other than as required by law. Readers are further advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact us at info@arcpacific.ca or 1.778.331.3816.

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America.

SOURCE:

Stock Day Media

(602) 821-1102

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120874
The incubation programme, created with support from Google.org, aims to support 130 entrepreneurs in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq. Ten semi-finalist startups will win a trip to pitch in Amsterdam for $10,000 in cash prizes.

Startups Without Borders is partnering with SPARK to launch Startups On The Move Incubation programme, with support from Google.org. The programme entails a 5-month incubation and mentorship programme to equip 130 entrepreneurs in Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine, with the tools to succeed, and prepare them for the final pitching competition in Amsterdam.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005703/en/

SPARK and Startups Without Borders launch an Incubation Programme with $10k in Cash Prizes and a Final Pitch in Amsterdam (Graphic: Business Wire)

The incubation programme aims to strengthen the skills of young aspiring entrepreneurs of both refugee and local background, providing training on fundamental business skills, including business planning, financial planning, business modeling, and investor pitching.

The programme will also focus on providing digital skills training, leveraging on Google's array of digital solutions, as well as mentorship, and support to register their businesses through a series of seminars focused on incorporation across different markets, including US, UK, EU and the Middle East.

After the incubation, startups will pitch their businesses at the semi-final online, and 10 finalists will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip to Amsterdam to pitch on the global stage during SPARK's annual IGNITE Conference 2022.The winning startups will battle it out for cash prizes of $10,000 (first place) and $5,000 (second place).

"We are thrilled to partner with SPARK and Google.org to support entrepreneurs to launch successful tech startups in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq. For the past years, we've been working to build a startup ecosystem where entrepreneurs are not limited by their passports, and this programme is a crucial step towards fostering innovation where it is most needed," said Valentina Primo, founder and CEO of Startups Without Borders.

Startups On The Move is calling on students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs in Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, who have business ideas to transform them into startups ready to take on the world. Startups in the idea and early-stage are eligible to apply, no matter the industry. Refugee founders are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates can apply before April 20th through this link: https://www.subscribepage.com/startupsonthemove

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005703/en/

Contacts:

Nader Aljorf Startups Without Borders

Mobile: +972 59-898-1777

Email: nader@startupswb.com
VANCOUVER, BC, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global orthopedics diagnostic devices market size reached USD 11,024.00 Million in 2021 and is expected to register a significantly rapid revenue CAGR during the forecast period, according to latest analysis by Emergen Research. Increase in the number of old and obese people is expected to increase the adoption rate of orthopedics diagnostic devices and thereby drive market revenue growth during the forecast period.

Drivers:

Increase in the number of old and obese people across the world is expected to increase the adoption rate of orthopedic diagnostic devices during the forecast period. According to the US Department of Health and Human Service projections, the country's geriatric population would increase to 72.1 million by 2030, more than doubling from 2000. On the other hand, prevalence of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, juvenile arthritis, and other orthopedic disorders is increasing as a result of aging population, obesity, and changes in lifestyles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there will be 78.4 million adults in the United States aged 18 and older with doctor-diagnosed arthritis by 2040, up from 54.4 million persons in 2013-2015. Rising incidence of arthritis is expected to increase demand for orthopedics diagnostic devices and thus, drive revenue growth of the market.

Request Free Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/1005

Restraints:

Extensive growth in medical diagnosis has enabled healthcare providers to assist patients through novel treatment approaches. However, there is observed reluctance among patients in adopting new technologies. For instance, there is a misconception among patients regarding the use and harmful effect of many diagnostic technologies. Moreover, according to a new World Bank (WB) and World Health Organization (WHO) research, at least half of the world population lacks access to basic health services. At present, about 800 million people spend at least 10% of their household budgets on health expenses, and these expenses are high enough for about 100 million people to push them into extreme poverty, forcing them to live on USD 1.90 or less a day.

Growth Projections:

The global orthopedics diagnostic devices market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period, and revenue is expected to increase from USD 11,024.00 Million in 2021 to USD 15,615.15 Million in 2030. Rising demand for 3D medical imaging equipment is driving revenue growth of the market.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic disruptions in the global orthopedics diagnostic devices market. Most orthopedic procedures are deemed to be more selective in nature than other surgeries, and can be deferred without raising the risk of mortality. This has led to cancellation and postponement of operations at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, slow recovery of the global orthopedics diagnostic devices market was observed in 2021.

Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + Infographics@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/orthopedics-diagnostic-devices-market

Current Trends and Innovations:

Currently, a variety of medical imaging techniques allow for Three-Dimensional (3D) vision and quick diagnosis. Computer-assisted Detection (CAD) and image analysis applications have also developed as a result of advances in 3D imaging, which is increasing demand for nearly every modality, particularly tomographic imaging techniques. Furthermore, surgeons are increasingly adopting 3D imaging to plan procedures, resulting in rise in use of these systems. The use of 3D imaging for breast cancer screening is on the rise, as it provides a better picture of tissues than traditional mammography.

Geographical Outlook:

North America orthopedics diagnostic devices market revenue is expected to register a significantly robust CAGR over the forecast period, due to the direct presence of key players in the region, a strong distribution network, and well-established healthcare infrastructure. Increasing cases of accidents and amputations in the United States is also expected to drive market revenue growth in North America.

Strategic Initiatives:

Major companies profiled in the market report include GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd, Esaote S.p.A., Hologic, Inc., Planmed Oy, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, and Stryker.

In March 2021 , GE Healthcare announced 510(k) clearance from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for OEC 3D, a new surgical imaging system capable of 3D and 2D imaging. OEC 3D set a standard for interoperative 3D imaging with precise volumetric images for spine and orthopedic procedures.

Emergen Research is Offering Limited Time Discount (Grab a Copy at Discounted Price Now) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-discount/1005

Emergen Research has segmented the global orthopedics diagnostic devices market on the basis of product, type, age group, application, end user, and region:

Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

X-ray Systems



Fluoroscopy



Doppler Ultrasound



Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

Quantitative Computed Tomography High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) Weight Bearing CT (WBCT)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Weight Bearing MRI Other Devices

Other Diagnostic devices

Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

Standalone



Point of Care

Age Group Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

Pediatrics



Adults

Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

Osteoarthritis



Osteoporosis



Prolapsed Disc



Bone Tumors



Acute Injuries



Trauma



Other Applications

End User Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

Hospitals



Radiology Centers



Ambulatory Surgical Centers



Other End-users

Custom Requirements can be requested for this Report [Customization Available] @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-for-customization/1005

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





France





U.K.





Italy





Spain





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





South Korea





Australia





Rest of Asia Pacific



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Rest of Latin America



Middle East & Africa

&

Saudi Arabia





UAE





Africa





Rest of Middle East & Africa

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About Emergen Research

Emergen Research is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target, and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries, and help clients make smarter business decisions. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across multiple industries, including Healthcare, Touch Points, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware of the latest trend's existent in the market. Emergen Research has a strong base of experienced analysts from varied areas of expertise. Our industry experience and ability to develop a concrete solution to any research problems provides our clients with the ability to secure an edge over their respective competitors.

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Press Release Available @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/press-release/global-orthopedics-diagnostic-devices-market

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Investment to fuel further growth of one of South Africa's leading raisin processors and more than double its number of jobs

One Thousand and One Voices ("1K1V"), a private equity fund the limited partners of which are comprised exclusively of industry-leading families,announced today that Norfund, the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries, has invested $8 million (R120 million) in South Africa-based raisin processor and distributor Redsun Dried Fruit and Nuts ("Redsun"). Redsun, located along the banks of the Orange River, is expanding its operations with two new state-of-the-art facilities, that will help it to grow its market share in the $33 billion (R490 billion) healthy snacks market.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005694/en/

Redsun Factory (Photo: Business Wire)

Redsun is majority-owned by Denver and Stellenbosch-based private equity fund One Thousand One Voices. 1K1V's portfolio companies, including Redsun, have exported over $60 million worth of products from Africa to over 35 countries. This economic activity has created thousands of jobs, reducing the poverty gap for tens of thousands of Africans. 1K1V invested growth capital in Redsun in 2015, enabling Redsun to expand its operations and increase its production by over 160%, supported by sourcing product from 270 farmers in Southern Africa annually. Since the 1K1V investment, Redsun's revenue has almost tripled, and its market share has nearly doubled. Today, Redsun is one of the leading raisin producers in Africa, exporting 95% of its produce to Europe, the Americas and Asia.

South Africa has an optimal climate for high-quality natural raisin production due to its hot and dry conditions. Hendrik Jordaan, President and CEO of 1K1V, said: "Demand for South African raisins has risen after water shortages and rising labour costs in the USA impacted production levels, providing Redsun with a significant opportunity to gain global market share. Norfund's investment in a company committed to sharing high-quality products with the rest of the world is just one of the ways to increase economic activity and reduce poverty levels in Southern Africa."

The growth investment by Norfund will enable Redsun to double its current capacity by building the sole raisin processing facility in Vredendal, the fastest-growing frontier for raisin production in South Africa. Vredendal provides diversification and logistical benefits due to it being based in a different intake region with a unique climate that is close to Cape Town, one of Africa's main ports. Redsun is also diversifying its dried fruit and nut offering by building a pecan nut facility adjacent to its Keimoes raisin facility as it entrenches itself in the fastest growing crop along the Orange River. These growth projects are expected to more than double Redsun's current employees from 163 to 390 (59 when 1K1V initially invested in 2015).

Peter Kuilman, CEO of Redsun, says: "Redsun is part of the dynamic, growing dried fruit and nut industry in South Africa. The Norfund investment in Redsun will enable us to expand our capacity in terms of product and volume, to supply our customers around the globe with high quality, healthy raisins and pecans."

Andre Kemp, Investment Manager at Norfund says: "Norfund sees a strategic opportunity to be a part of Redsun's next growth phase as it diversifies the business into further dried fruit and nut categories and expands raisin processing capacity in the growing Vredendal region while creating good jobs in rural South Africa. We are impressed with the impact 1K1V's involvement has had on the company and region and look forward to exploring additional collaborations with them in the future."

About 1K1V

1K1V is a private equity capital fund designed to enhance the best of what private equity investment has to offer with the Intellectual Capital, Relational Capital and Financial Capital-or Three-Dimensional Capital-of industry-leading families. For more information, please visit 1k1v.com.

About Redsun

Redsun is a processor of high-quality dried fruit and nuts which are produced along the banks of the Orange River, in the Northern Cape Province, of South Africa. For more information, please visit redsun.co.za.

About Norfund

Norfund is the Norwegian Investment Fund for developing countries with NOK28.4 billion in total commitments. For more information, please visit norfund.no.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005694/en/

Contacts:

USA

Keating co

Rick Keating

+1.917.767.2400

rjk@keatingco.com

South Africa

Loudhailer

Ammaarah Daniels

021 203 3939

ammaarah@theloudhailer.org
Menlo Park, California and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) ("Intellabridge") today announced that its Head of Strategy, Ronald Angsiy, will present at Wharton's Mack Institute for Innovation Management Spring Conference 2022 on Thursday, May 5, 2022. The event will feature live presentations from CEOs and executives from a wide range of industry verticals partnered with the Wharton School.

Ronald will present "Sustainability In Blockchain" on how recent generation blockchain systems present an environmentally sustainable solution to several real-world use cases today, along with an economic exploration of cost structures comparing legacy systems to blockchain-based systems. This talk is part of a larger conference theme on corporations moving beyond profit: investments and innovations related to environment, sustainability and governance (ESG).

"Intellabridge leverages the Stanford engineering-created Terra Blockchain, which uses less electricity in an entire year than either the Ethereum or Bitcoin networks consume in a single day. This $30+ billion USD ecosystem presents an alternative to the current financial system with lending, borrowing, corporate ownership, indexes, and bond products all issued through an underlying stablecoin pegged to the US Dollar."

About Intellabridge Technology Corporation

Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH.F) is a digital banking solution based on blockchain technologies that provides retail and institutional investors with access to decentralised financial applications with additional layers of cybersecurity and customer service. Intellabridge offers depositors self-custody services to empower them with complete transparency and control over their accounts through its institutional-grade platform. The Kash product features DeFi interest-bearing savings accounts, stablecoin checking, fiat-crypto on-ramps, synthetic stock, ETF and commodity investing for international customers, and other DeFi banking services, with plans to offer debit cards, virtual cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay in a growing number of markets globally.

The Kash platform is available on web and mobile at www.kash.io. For more information on Intellabridge, visit www.intellabridge.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS

INTELLABRIDGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

"Maria Eagleton"

Maria Eagleton, COO

To contact Intellabridge:

Website: intellabridge.com

Phone: +1-303-800-5333

Email: maria@intellabridge.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of any of the word "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120875
MUMBAI, India, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Larsen & Toubro Infotech (BSE code: 540005) (NSE: LTI), a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, announced its Q4 FY22 and full year FY22 results today.

Q4 FY22

In US Dollars:

Revenue at USD 570.4 million ; growth of 3.1% QoQ and 27.5% YoY

; growth of Constant Currency Revenue growth of 3.6% QoQ and29.0% YoY

In Indian Rupees:

Revenue at INR 43,016 million ; growth at 4.0% QoQ and 31.6% YoY

; growth at Net Income at INR 6,375 million; growth of 4.1% QoQ and16.8% YoY

Full year FY22

In US Dollars:

Revenue at USD 2,102.5 million ; growth of 25.9% YoY

; growth of Constant Currency Revenue growth of 25.8% YoY

In Indian Rupees:

Revenue at INR 156,687 million ; growth at 26.7% YoY

; growth at Net Income at INR 22,985 million; Net Income growth at 18.6% YoY

Capital Return

Final Dividend of INR 30 per share ; Dividend pay-out ratio of 41.9% for the year

; Dividend pay-out ratio of for the year ROE of 28.5% for the year

"We are delighted to cross the USD 2 billion revenue milestone with record growth of 26% in FY22, our strongest since listing. Our growth has been broad-based across verticals, service lines, client buckets and geographies. The year has seen the highest new client openings and net headcount additions.

In Q4 FY22, we won 4 large deals with net new TCV of over USD 80 million. Our deal pipeline continues to be robust, and we remain confident of maintaining industry leading growth in the coming year as well."

- Sanjay Jalona, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Recent Deal Wins

- Selected by a Global Fortune 500 financial services company for an end-to-end managed services engagement involving transformation, governance and support for middleware and data as part of their global technology function

- A Global Fortune 500 corporation, a leading provider of ratings, benchmarks, analytics and financial data, has selected LTI as its primary partner for an engagement involving data and digital services to integrate its data platforms with its recent acquisition

- Selected by a Global Fortune 500 consumer goods company as their strategic partner for data and analytics work to transform and gain insights across their most critical business functions of manufacturing, supply chain, marketing and creation of a metadata hub

- Engaged by a key government body in the public healthcare space to develop an eco-system and technology infrastructure providing, storing and improving access to relevant public data and supporting public health insurance programs

- Selected by a large metals and mining company for an ERP managed services engagement involving key business modules like transportation management, technology, customer and supplier engagement across its legal entities and over 40 operating units

- Selected by a property and casualty insurance provider based in North America to integrate core systems and financial data for multiple lines of business across numerous subsidiaries into a centralized enterprise data warehouse

- A top healthcare provider in the Middle East has selected LTI, through its strategic partnership with a regional leader, for support on its security and network operation center

- A large bank has selected LTI to revamp its website to cover all aspects of a digital experience, hosting in cloud and maintenance

- A global financial services company in Europe has selected LTI to outsource its client servicing desk and build a digital workspace for its employees

- Selected by a Global Fortune 500 corporation engaged in the supply of IT infrastructure products and services to upgrade its SAP S/4HANA ERP platform

- Selected by a global security services firm to set up a digital command center to monitor Infrastructure and network, and ensure minimal disruption

- Selected by a North American utility company to manage core applications and operations' systems to ensure streamlining of SLAs and adherence to business KPIs, reduction of costs and efficiency in operations

Awards and Recognitions

- LTI Recognized as Leader Across all Six Quadrants in the ISG Provider Lens AWS Ecosystem Partners Report USA 2021

- LTI Positioned as a Leader and Star Performer in Everest Group's Duck Creek IT Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

- LTI in ITS Top 10 list in Everest Group's PEAK Matrix IT Service Provider of the Year 2022

- LTI Ranked 1 in Top ITS Challengers list in Everest Group's PEAK Matrix IT Service Provider of the Year 2022

- LTI's Fosfor Optic recognized in The Forrester Now Tech: Enterprise Data Fabric, Q1 2022 report

- LTI's Fosfor Refract recognized in The Forrester Now Tech: AI/ML Platforms, Q1 2022 report

Other Business Highlights

- The Board of Directors at its meeting held on April 19th, 2022 have recommended a final dividend of INR 30 per equity share (Face value of INR 1) for the financial year 2021-22. Total dividend for FY22 is INR 55 per equity share, including the interim dividend of INR 15 and special dividend of INR 10 per equity share declared in October 2021 and July 2021 respectively

- LTI has been ranked 22 among the top 25 most valuable IT services brands in the Brand Finance IT Services 25 2022 ranking

- LTI CEO, Sanjay Jalona adjudged the Best CEO 2022 in the IT/ITES category, by Business Today

- LTI received Gold recognition from EcoVadis for ESG practices including environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement

- Optic by Fosfor Named "Data Catalog Solution of the Year" in 2022 Data Breakthrough Awards

-LTI Expands its Presence in the USA with a New Engagement Center in Hartford, CT

About LTI

LTI (NSE: LTI) is a global technology consulting and digital solutions Company helping more than 485 clients succeed in a converging world. With operations in 33 countries, we go the extra mile for our clients and accelerate their digital transformation with LTI's Mosaic platform enabling their mobile, social, analytics, IoT and cloud journeys. Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited, our unique heritage gives us unrivalled real-world expertise to solve the most complex challenges of enterprises across all industries. Each day, our team of more than 45,000 LTItes enable our clients to improve the effectiveness of their business and technology operations and deliver value to their customers, employees and shareholders. Find more at http://www.Lntinfotech.com or follow us at @LTI_Global.

Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast

Apr 19th, 2022 (08:00 PM IST)

Please dial the below number at least 5-10 minutes prior to the conference schedule to ensure that you are connected to your call in time.

Universal Access Number +91 22 6280 1107 +91 22 7115 8008 International Toll Number USA: 13233868721 UK : 442034785524 Singapore :6531575746 Hong Kong :85230186877 Replay of Conference Call Available after 1 hour from the call end time until April 26th, 2022 Playback Code: 52245 Dial-in Number: India +91 22 7194 5757

+91 22 6663 5757 USA Toll Free 18332898317 UK Toll Free 8007563427 Singapore Toll Free 8001012510 Hong Kong Toll Free 800965553 Audio Webcast The audio from the conference call will be available online through a webcast and can be accessed at the following link: https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=LTI20220419 Click here for your DiamondPass DiamondPass is a Premium Service that enables you to connect to your conference call without having to wait for an operator. If you have a DiamondPass, click the above link to associate your pin and receive the access details for this conference. If you do not have a DiamondPass, please register through the link and you will receive your DiamondPass for this conference.

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SAN JOSE, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of the digital transformation wave, web application program interfaces (APIs) have experienced exponential growth as the rise of integrated web and mobile-based offerings requires significantly more data sharing across products. As dependency on APIs increases, so do its related security challenges like broken authentication, authorisation, and accidental disclosure or breach of data. With concerns continuing to mount, 451 Research has released the 2022 API Security Trends Report sponsored by API security company, Noname Security, covering the key characteristics and security risks present in API usage today and how a holistic approach to API security provides a gateway to a frictionless user experience.

Conducted in January 2022 and featuring results from IT experts representing over 350 global companies in diverse industries with 3,000+ full-time employees, the 2022 API Security Trends Report captures the main pain points associated with API security today, the effectiveness of other enterprise-grade security solutions, and characteristics of effective API security solutions such as maintaining accurate API inventories and requiring user authentication.

Key findings from the report include the following:

APIs are heavily leveraged, with an average of 15,564 APIs in use among survey respondent organisations, and a growth rate of 201% over the past 12 months.

Forty-one percent (41%) of the organisations represented by survey respondents had an API security incident in the last 12 months; 63% of those noted that the incident involved a data breach or data loss.

An overwhelming majority (90%) of respondents noted that their organisations have API authentication policies in place, but 31% expressed shaky confidence that those policies ensured adequate levels of authentication.

Just over a third (35%) of survey respondents said projects were specifically delayed due to API security concerns; 87% of those believe more effective integration of API security testing (AST) into developer pipeline activities could have prevented those delays.

Only 51% of respondents have full confidence in their API inventories; 26% reported that their inventory update processes are manual.

"With API usage continuing to grow, this extreme level of use and dependency has enabled many vulnerabilities to rise to the surface, making securing these APIs across sectors more paramount than ever," said Daniel Kennedy, Principal Research Analyst for Information Security for the Voice of the Enterprise (VotE) quantitative research product at 451 Research. "This report should help enterprises of all sizes across various sectors make the informed decisions they need when developing their API security strategy."

"As Noname Security continues our mission of enabling enterprises everywhere to mitigate the risk of deploying APIs, the findings in this report confirm how imperative these actions are within the enterprise," said Oz Golan, Co-Founder and CEO at Noname Security. "We thank 451 Research for educating the public on these issues as we work to secure our customers' APIs around the world."

You can view the report in full here. For more information, please visit www.nonamesecurity.com.

About Noname Security

Noname Security is the only company taking a complete, proactive approach to API Security. Noname works with 20% of the Fortune 500 and covers the entire API security scope across three pillars - Posture Management, Runtime Security, and API Security Testing. Noname Security is privately held, remote-first with headquarters in Palo Alto, California, and offices in Tel Aviv and Amsterdam.

UK Media Contact

C8 Consulting for Noname Security

NonameSecurity@c8consulting.co.uk
Covington, Kentucky--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the research service provider CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services (CTI) today announced the selection of both a name and a managing director for their new joint venture, which will focus on providing cell and gene therapy manufacturing services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Named Current Biologics, as a nod to both the cutting-edge technologies it will help develop and the Ohio River that connects Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, the company will be led by Robert Preti, PhD.

"Dr. Preti has more than 30 years of experience in the regenerative medicine space, including time spent as chairman of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine," said Tim Schroeder, who is chairman and CEO of CTI as well as chairman of Current Biologics. "He has been involved in the development of Current Biologics since the initial discussions, during which he provided invaluable guidance. His leadership will be crucial in these formative years."

Preti will lead the growth of Current Biologics - overseeing the design and construction of a multimillion-dollar facility, recruiting top talent for a team of more than 150 employees, and initiating business development opportunities.

"I've been working in the world of cell and gene therapy for decades, and I'm looking forward to bringing the lessons I've learned from previous experiences to this joint venture," Preti said. "The teams from CTI and Cincinnati Children's, who have been spearheading efforts up to this point, have been great to work with - and I'm looking forward to continuing to collaborate as we establish Current Biologics as the go-to resource for emerging companies in the cell and gene therapy space."

Steve Davis, MD, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children's, said the joint venture will enable the medical center to expand on the work of its existing Translational Core Laboratory, which manufactures and tests services for cell and gene therapy clinical trials.

"The formation of Current Biologics will help ensure that our patients - and others around the world - have ready access to the most innovative and effective therapies," Davis said. "It also will support Cincinnati Children's efforts as one of the leading medical centers committed to scientific research, training and education."

CTI and Cincinnati Children's agreed in December 2021 to form the joint venture, noting that medicine is rapidly evolving toward cell- and gene-based therapies.

Cell-based therapies involve the administration of live cells to a patient to treat or cure a disease by replenishing or replacing damaged/dysfunctional cells. Gene therapy involves the introduction, replacement, removal, or change in the content of an individual's genetic code to treat or cure a disease.

"The announcement of Dr. Preti as Current Biologics' first employee is a major step and sets the tone for the new company," said Thomas Finn, vice chair of the Cincinnati Children's board and president of the Current Biologics board of managers. "We see a significant need in the market for cell and gene therapy manufacturing services, and his direct expertise will be instrumental in guiding the company to both short-term and long-term success."

The joint venture will include a new state-of-the-art clinical Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility capable of producing multiple vectors for cell and gene therapy research, which will be able to support dozens of clients focusing on early-stage development and have built-in flexibility for future needs in the fast-changing industry. The specific location has yet to be determined, but the facility will be in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. The opening date is expected to be 2023.

Robert Preti, PhD, Managing Director of Current Biologics



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About Robert "Bob" Preti, PhDDr. Robert "Bob" Preti is a forerunner in the Cell & Gene space, with extensive experience in advancing these therapies. He was recently honored by the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) with their 2022 Career Achievement Award, the organization's highest honor. He was co-founder for Progenitor Cell Therapy (PCT, later known as HCATS and now Minaris), a contract development and manufacturing firm specializing in the production of cell and gene therapy products. Before Preti founded PCT, he held several leadership positions in the cell therapy and blood banking fields. Some of his positions included chairman, CEO, president, chief strategy officer, and director. Additionally, Preti spent six years as vice chairman, member of the board and Executive Committee, and then chairman of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine. And he was a founding member of the International Society of Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering, which is now known as the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT).

About Cincinnati Children's

Cincinnati Children's ranks among the top five in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-22 listing of Best Children's Hospitals. A nonprofit, academic medical center established in 1883, Cincinnati Children's is one of the top three recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The medical center is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education, and innovation. Additional information about technologies developed at Cincinnati Children's may be found at Innovation.CincinnatiChildrens.org

About CTI

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services is a privately held, full-service contract research organization, delivering a complete spectrum of clinical trial and consulting services throughout the lifecycle of development, from concept to commercialization. CTI's focused therapeutic approach provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device firms with clinical and disease area expertise in rare diseases, regenerative medicine/gene therapy, immunology, transplantation, nephrology, hematology/oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, hepatology, cardiopulmonary, and pediatric populations. CTI also offers a fully integrated multi-specialty clinical research site, as well as complete global laboratory services. Now in its third decade, CTI is one of the 20 largest CROs in the world, with associates in more than 60 countries across six continents. CTI is headquartered in the Greater Cincinnati area, with operations across North America, Europe, Latin America, MEA and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.ctifacts.com

Contacts

Cincinnati Children's: Barrett J. Brunsman | Barrett.Brunsman@cchmc.org

CTI: Caitrin Cardosi | ccardosi@ctifacts.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120869
Former Vice Dean at East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine brings scientific and strategic expertise to lead the federally funded clinical research enterprise of this international CRO.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Rho, a global full-service contract research organization (CRO) with a proven track record of drug development success, has appointed Peter Schmidt, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President, Government Partnerships of Rho's Federal Systems Division. For over 30 years, Rho has worked closely with NIH/NIAID and other federal departments on groundbreaking clinical trial and epidemiologic studies, including the LEAP peanut allergy study.

"I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Schmidt to Rho," said Dr. Laura Helms Reece, CEO, Rho. "He is a preeminent neuroscientist and recognized leader across federal, commercial and academic arenas. His expertise in clinical research is remarkable, and his command of central nervous system, infectious disease, and other indications is a great fit with Rho's focus in those areas. I am eager to work with Dr. Schmidt as he brings exciting strategic and scientific leadership to our federal business. His experience and judgment will be great additions to our Executive Committee."

"I am honored to work with this incredibly accomplished team and to build upon Rho's decades-long legacy in federal research," said Dr. Schmidt. "Healthcare continues to evolve, and I look forward to helping our customers navigate those changes by using science to empower advances in clinical medicine."

Prior to joining Rho, Dr. Schmidt oversaw basic, translational, and clinical research in his role as Vice Dean at East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine. As a biomedical researcher, he has contributed as an inventor, principal investigator, and statistician across diverse domains. During his long tenure at the National Parkinson Foundation, Dr. Schmidt designed and led the largest clinical study of Parkinson's disease ever conducted. He has served on scientific and regulatory committees for federal programs, with recent research focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and healthcare.

With a bachelor's degree from Harvard University, Dr. Schmidt has an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Cornell University's Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering, where he studied gait and balance and total joint replacement. He completed a fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, holds two patents, and is the author of many peer-reviewed journals.

About Rho's Federal Systems Division

For more than 35 years, Rho has supported federally funded programs that seek new treatments and standards of care for diseases across a variety of indications. Our scientists and research teams have supported pioneering research for interventions to reduce the devasting effects of food allergies and asthma on children, autoimmune diseases, organ and stem cell transplantation, and dental and craniofacial pain. Through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), we aid the search for safer and more effective medical countermeasures, including pandemic influenza vaccinations for adults and anthrax vaccinations for our most vulnerable populations. Our researchers have been published in peer-reviewed journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Nature, Science, and others .

About Rho

Rho is a global, privately held contract research organization (CRO) headquartered in Research Triangle Park, a biotech hub in North Carolina, US. Rho provides a full range of drug development services, from program strategy through to clinical trials and marketing applications. For more than 36 years, Rho has been a trusted partner to some of the most innovative pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies as well as academic and government organizations. Dedicated to service excellence and cross-functional collaboration, Rho's therapeutic expertise, employee focus and commitment to strong site relationships change what it means to work with a CRO - accelerating time to market, maximizing ROI, and delivering consistent, smarter and more efficient programs. Experience Rho by following the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelly Maicon (on behalf of Rho)

LARGEMOUTH COMMUNICATIONS

m: +1.919.741.9784

kmaicon@largemouthpr.com

SOURCE: Rho

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697968/Rho-Appoints-Peter-Schmidt-PhD-as-SVP-Government-Partnerships-Executive-Committee-Member
CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / GoSun ( https://gosun.co ) creator of solar appliances that help people live with more independence and resilience, today announces its financial report for its 2021 fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

Sales of GoSun's innovative solar appliances and accessories, including ovens, coolers, and power generators, reached all-time highs as the company posted a revenue record of $5.87 million in 2021, up 50 percent year over year. The company posted a net loss of $31,000 due to increases in R & D compared to last year's net gain of $2,783. The comprehensive GoSun Annual Report is available here .

"Our revenues continue to grow across all segments," said GoSun CEO, Patrick Sherwin. "People are looking for energy smart solutions for the outdoors and at home, and we will continue to invest and innovate in the recreation and emergency preparedness spaces. Over the past several years, so many people have discovered or rediscovered the great outdoors, and our products make any outdoor experience more enjoyable."

Beyond recreation, GoSun products are popular for emergency preparedness: with solar, there is no need for fuel, creating potentially critical alternatives to cook, purify water, and more during power outages and other emergencies.

"We've seen more and more people contacting us and buying our products for the purpose of resilience and improving their personal or household energy independence. Our vision as a company is being further validated as we witness the whole world moving away from fossil fuels," added Sherwin.

In 2022, GoSun is focused on continuing to build a brighter, more sustainable future, with specific goals of becoming carbon neutral through efficiency measures, electric vehicles, and solar power. Additionally, GoSun is directly supporting non-profit organizations like Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) on disaster relief and humanitarian work helping Ukrainian refugees.

Further boosting the company's growth, GoSun has raised over $1.6 million through an equity crowdfunding campaign, which allows anyone to invest in the company for as little as $250. More information is available at: StartEngine.com/gosun .

On April 20, 2022, GoSun will hold its annual meeting where the new GoSun Grid will also be announced. Those interested in attending can register here - GoSun Annual Meeting.

About GoSun Founded in 2016, GoSun has become the first consumer solar appliance manufacturer to break into mainstream markets centered around enjoying power, food, and drink while outdoors, and is becoming one of the most recognized brands in the solar appliance industry. GoSun's breakthrough solar-powered technologies can cook, cool, light, power your electronics, purify and deliver water, and more. GoSun's products are portable, efficient, and free of harmful carbon emissions, and are designed for the outdoors and as solutions to increase resilience and independence. Headquartered in Cincinnati, GoSun has established partnerships with companies and organizations including REI, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, the United Nations, and global NGOs. Learn more at https://gosun.co .

Media Contact:

MacKenzie St. Peter

ECHOS Communications

mackenzie@echoscomm.com

SOURCE: GoSun Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697599/Solar-Energy-Company-GoSun-Releases-2021-Annual-Report-Revenue-up-50-Since-2020-Setting-New-Company-Record
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Warsaw, Poland--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - InfraSonic, a fund management and development team with years of experience in the industry has announced the release of version 3.2 of its proprietary A.I. Trading system.

InfraSonic collaborates with Infratrader, an international brokerage house to offer their exclusive fund management services to Infratrader investors. Headed by a team of experienced traders and developers, InfraSonic applies an investment approach which is designed to achieve aggressive returns while building upon a foundation of rigorous risk management and capital preservation.





Figure 1



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Infratrader and InfraSonic's multiple years of partnership has been a fruitful synergy and exchange of intellectual and technological advancements. Infratrader is a regulated broker and has a large group of investors and traders while InfraSonic's team has many years of experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning and neural networks. Utilising Infratrader's Metatrader trading platform and investor portal, InfraSonic provides unprecedented fund management services to Infratrader's investors.

InfraSonic is the pioneer of machine learning and neural network in the financial industry. Its proprietary A.I trading system, namely InfraSonic is a Machine Learning With Neural Network Trading Analytical Artificial Intelligence trading program. It boasts the ability to pull from enterprise data sources, receiving 85k lines of tick data per day per currency pair, 35 years of historical data, the received data endpoints include Live Rates, Tick Historical Rates, Minute Historical Rates, Daily Historical Rates, Time-series, Pandas and Convert.

Equipped with these data, it uses proprietary predictive and analytical models and machine learning algorithm with unsupervised learning and reinforcement learning to extrapolate application, identify patterns and forecast trends in the market.

By simulating multitudes of trades across hundreds of currency pairs using historical and present data, the neural constantly improves on its predictive model.

With the release of version 3.2, InfraSonic has greatly enhanced the program's ability to process the multitude of data presented and increased the speed of analysis and prediction of successful trades.

About Infratrader



In 2014, when Infratrader started as a little broker based in South America it also had intentions to serve worldwide. By 2020, Infratrader had already expanded to the Southeast Asia region and obtained the Canada Fintrac License. With an experience of challenging the dips and rises in the financial trading industry, Infratrader learned and adapted along the way appearing sturdy, dependable, and sound. Joining the global market, dominant, Infratrader invested in AI trading and the MT5 platform integration. Infratrader is the outcome of foresight, hard work, and strict business values.

Media Contact

Company: Infratrader

Contact: Damon Phillips

Email: contact@infratrader.com

Website: https://www.infratrader.com

City: Warsaw

Country: Poland

PR Contact

King Newswire

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120870
PUBLICATION OF THE PREPARATORY DOCUMENTATION

Regulatory News:

Groupe SEB (Paris:SK) informs its shareholders that the Combined General Meeting (Ordinary and Extraordinary) will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at the Pavillon Vendome 7 place Vendome 75001 PARIS.

The SEB S.A. 2022 Annual General Meeting will be broadcast live in video format on the Company's website, www.groupeseb.com, unless technical reasons make it impossible or seriously disrupt the broadcast. The replay will be available on the Company's website by the end of the fifth business day after May 19, 2022.

In view of the uncertainties resulting from the current context relating to COVID, the Company may be obliged to modify, subject to legal provisions, the procedures for the holding of, participation in and voting at the 2022 Combined Shareholders' Meeting of SEB S.A. In any event, the Company invites its shareholders to consult the Company's website www.groupeseb.com to keep abreast of the latest news and final procedures relating to the 2022 Combined Shareholders' Meeting of SEB S.A.

Shareholders are also encouraged to give preference to the transmission of all requests for documents and/or questions by electronic means.

Shareholders may vote in person on the day of the Meeting, but may also vote by mail or by proxy without attending the Meeting in person, as follows:

by mail using the voting form; or

- by Internet on the secure voting platform Votaccess; or

- by giving proxy to the Chairman of the Shareholders' Meeting or to any other individual or legal entity.

Shareholders are also reminded that they can also address their questions by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to the following address: SEB S.A, Shareholder Service, 112 Chemin du Moulin Carron, 69130 Ecully; by email to the following address: actionnaires@groupeseb.com. Questions must be received by SEB S.A. no later than the fourth working day preceding the date of the General Meeting, i.e. no later than Friday, May 13, 2022. These questions must be accompanied, for holders of bearer shares, by a certificate of registration in the shareholder's account dated at the earliest from the day of sending the written question.

The notice of meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (BALO) n37 of March 28, 2022. It contains the agenda and draft resolutions as approved by the Governing Council.

The convening brochure specifying the modalities of participation and voting at this Meeting, the agenda and the draft resolutions will be sent to the registered shareholders from 27 April 2022.

The above documents are available in the Shareholder Area of the Group's website: (https://www.groupeseb.com/en/finance/annual-general-meeting). We will regularly update this page with the information required.

The information referred to in Article R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code is included in the 2021 Universal Registration Document, also available on Group's website at the following address: https://www.groupeseb.com/en/finance-news-and-publications.



Upcoming events 2022 April 28 after market close Q1 2022 sales and financial data May 19 3:00 p.m. Annual General Meeting July 21 before market opens H1 2022 sales and results October 24 after market closes 9-month 2022 sales and financial data

Find us on www.groupeseb.com

World reference in small domestic equipment, Groupe SEB operates with a unique portfolio of 30 top brands including Tefal, Seb, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Lagostina, All-Clad, WMF, Emsa, Supor, marketed through multi-format retailing. Selling more than 360 million products a year, it deploys a long-term strategy focused on innovation, international development, competitiveness, and client service. Present in over 150 countries, Groupe SEB generated sales of 8 billion in 2021 and has more than 34,000 employees worldwide.

SEB SA

No. RCS 300 349 636 RCS LYON with a share capital of 55,337,770 Intracommunity VAT: FR 12300349636

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005763/en/

Contacts:

Investor/Analyst Relations

Groupe SEB

Financial Communication and IR Dept

Isabelle Posth

Raphael Hoffstetter

comfin@groupeseb.com

Tel.: +33 (0) 4 72 18 16 04

Media Relations

Groupe SEB

Corporate Communication Dept

Cathy Pianon

Anissa Djaadi

com@groupeseb.com

Tel. 33 (0) 6 33 13 02 00

Tel. 33 (0) 6 88 20 90 88

Image Sept

Caroline Simon

Claire Doligez

Isabelle Dunoyer de Segonzac

caroline.simon@image7.fr

cdoligez@image7.fr

isegonzac@image7.fr

Tel.: +33 (0) 1 53 70 74 70
Intelligent, Secure & Efficient Digital Finances

SHANGHAI, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinix today launched the Infinix Wallet, a digital wallet app co-developed with mobile financial services platform PalmPay, with the aim of building a multi-dimensional digital life ecology for Infinix smartphone users that integrates financial services and various payment scenarios into a simple and secure ecosystem. Infinix aims for mobile phone users to have the ability to easily complete credit and balance account applications, mobile phone top-ups, daily shopping, money transfers, and more with simple operations on their mobile phones making their digital finances simple and secure.

PalmPay is a leading pan-African fintech organization that provides diverse and localized digital financial services to tens of millions of consumers through its innovative technology and service capabilities. Infinix has partnered with PalmPay to create a digital wallet that meets the needs of consumers by combining their resources in financial technology, customers, and expertise in the industry.

"We have benefited from the incredible developments of the digital economy and are fortunate to take a key role in building this digital ecosystem. PalmPay delivers its innovative financial technology and extensive service experience. Together, Infinix and PalmPay will provide consumers with an unparalleled digital financial service experience. In the future, Infinix will work with more partners to extend the scope of Infinix Wallet services to cover more application scenarios to simplify digital finances for end-users." Skye Chen, Head of Global Public Relations of Infinix.

"Infinix is a leading enterprise in terms of market power and brand influence among African consumers. The partnership between Infinix and PalmPay will accelerate the rapid adoption of digital wallets, and connect valuable and high-quality services to end-users in more countries and regions. Additionally, it will also drive the rapid development of the digitization of financial services." Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer of PalmPay.

Infinix Digital Credit Account: Instant Credit

Instant Credit is a featured digital credit account for Infinix mobile users that offers a minimalist and convenient experience for users. Without the complicated application process of a traditional credit card, users can quickly open an Instant Credit account with third-party financial institutions and use credit to pay as they go, allowing for a quick turnaround of small payments.

Instant Credit helps users to build their personal credit profiles with the Infinix Wallet by providing a high initial credit limit, which allows users to increase their credit line over time building up a credit history by making payments on time. Instant Credit also provides Infinix users with customized benefits such as zero processing fees, zero account management fees, zero annual fees and free interest of up to 16 days.

Load Bank Cards & Manage Funds

Infinix Wallet enables full online management of all users' bank cards, providing a digital, visual and card-less fund management experience. By adding a third-party bank card to Infinix Wallet, a user can check balances, transfer funds, pay for goods, make repayments and classify spending statistics. This combined provides an intelligent, convenient and clear view of personal wealth management, income and expenses.

Simple Digital Finances

With services being offered constantly expanding, the Infinix Wallet is set to become the one-stop shop for digital finances in emerging markets where Infinix products are popular by integrating daily user spending including topping up talk time, data and utility bill payments so that users can tap & pay and get on with their day.

In addition, Infinix Wallet has also connected with local merchants offering users a wealth of rebate benefits such as cashback on payments, discounts, loyalty rewards, membership points and more allowing users to spend less and save more.

Safe & Secure

The Infinix Wallet features a multi-layered security system to safeguard user privacy and payments ensuring customers can tap & pay with peace of mind. Being user-centric by design, the Infinix Wallet protects user data by making sure the user fully owns their own data and has knowledge over any collection, usage, processing, retention or deletion if applicable. The Infinix Wallet is also fully compliant with GDPR and international information security standards including PCI DSS and ISO27001. Additionally, Infinix Wallet works with third-party licensed financial institutions besides PalmPay that provide payment and other financial services in various countries to continuously protect user funds and payments through various technological means such as security information comparison, dynamic password verification, risk monitoring system protection and more.

Looking to expand the user experience beyond value and price, the Infinix Wallet aims to provide a seamless digital financial experience to users across emerging markets economies. Beginning with the current alpha test release, the Infinix Wallet will launch in markets starting in May with Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana. Launch will commence in Tanzania during July and Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal during September. Future releases will be announced on Infinix social media channels.

About Infinix:

Infinix Mobile is an emerging smartphone brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile devices worldwide under the Infinix brand which was founded in 2013. Targeting Generation Z, Infinix focuses on developing cutting-edge technology embodied in meticulously designed mobile devices that offer refined style, power and performance. Infinix devices are trendy, energetic, attainable & progressive with the end-user at the forefront of every step forward.

With "THE FUTURE IS NOW" as its brand essence, Infinix aims to empower today's youth to stand out from the crowd and show the world who they are & what they stand for.

The company's portfolio of products is sold in more than 40 countries around the world, covering Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Expanding at a phenomenal rate, Infinix grew an unprecedented 157% during 2019-2021 and has huge plans to continue creating premium designed flagship-level devices offering striking designs and strong value propositions.

For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799797/infinix_image1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799798/infinix_Image2.jpg
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) (OTCQB: PUCCF) ("Pancon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche of its previously announced "best efforts" brokered private placement (the "Offering") with Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Paradigm Capital Inc. (the "Agents") acting as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners. Under the first tranche of the Offering, 15,565,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") were sold at a price of C$0.08 per Unit (the "Unit Price") for gross proceeds to the Company of C$1,245,200.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Unit Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.14 per Warrant Share at any time on or before the date which is 24 months after the date of issuance. In the event that the daily volume weighted average price (or closing bid price on days when there are no trades) of the common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") is at least C$0.25 per common share for a minimum of twenty (20) consecutive trading days, the Company may provide written notice to holders of the Warrants requiring the holder of the Warrants to exercise the Warrants within twenty (20) days following the date of delivery of such written notice.

The net proceeds raised under the Offering will be used for the exploration and advancement of the Company's Brewer Gold & Copper Project and Jefferson Project in South Carolina, U.S. and for general working capital purposes.

In connection with the closing of the first tranche of the Offering, the Company paid the Agents a cash commission totaling C$53,466 and have issued the Agents 661,950 non-transferrable compensation warrants (each, a "Broker Warrant"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the Agents to purchase one Unit at a price of C$0.08 at any time for a term of 24 months following the date of issuance.

The closing of the second and final tranche of the Offering is scheduled for the first week of May 2022 or such other date as may be mutually agreed upon between the Company and Red Cloud. The completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the listing of the Unit Shares, Warrant Shares and the common shares of the Company issuable upon the exercise of the Broker Warrants on the TSXV. Resale of the securities of the Company distributed under the Offering will be restricted, including a statutory hold period in Canada of four months and one day following the date of issuance.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Brewer Option Agreement:

Pancon's exclusive 56-month option to explore and purchase the 1,000-acre Brewer property began on April 1, 2020. Since then, the Company has conducted: historic data review; mapping; geophysical surveys; rotary air blast (RAB), sonic, and core drilling; assay, multielement geochemical, spectral, and petrographic analyses; preliminary metallurgical testing; data compilation; and modeling. This work included drilling and reporting lab results for more than 9,000 meters (m) of drill samples: core (5,000 m), RAB (3,900 m), and sonic (350 m).

As a result of work to date, Pancon has updated its data driven Discovery Model that identifies the most prospective parts of the Brewer gold-copper system. Next steps include induced polarization (IP) surveys in 4 target areas, followed by drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Patrick Quigley, MSc, CPG-12116, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About Pancon

Pancontinental Resources Corp. (TSXV: PUC) (OTCQB: PUCCF), or Pancon, is a Canadian junior mining company exploring the rich, underexplored Carolina Slate Belt in the southeastern USA. In January 2020, Pancon won the exclusive right to explore and purchase the former Brewer Gold Mine property, with an option period through October 2023. Between 1987-1995, Brewer produced 178,000 ounces of oxide gold from open pits that extended to 65-meter depths, where gold (Au) and copper (Cu) sulphides were exposed but could not be processed by the oxide heap leach operation. Pancon's 100%-owned, 1,960-acre Jefferson Gold Project nearly completely surrounds the 1,000-acre Brewer property. The Brewer-Jefferson area of interest, in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, is 12 kilometers along trend from the producing Haile Gold Mine, which produced 190,000 ounces of gold in 2021 (www.oceanagold.com). Brewer is a large, epithermal, high sulphidation gold-copper system driven by a sub-volcanic intrusive, possibly connected to a large copper-gold porphyry system at depth.

For further information, please contact:

Jeanny So, External Relations Manager

E: info@panconresources.com

T: +1.647.202.0994

For additional information please visit our new website at http://www.panconresources.com/ and our Twitter feed: @PanconResources.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected, the Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering as intended and the second tranche of the Offering will close during the first week of May 2022. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Not for Dissemination in the United States or through U.S. Newswire Services

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120878
TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Toyota said, advancing its commitment to vehicle electrification, it will invest $383 million in four of its U.S. manufacturing plants that build the heart of new Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The new investment supports the production of four-cylinder engines, including options for hybrid electric vehicles, at its Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee plants. The company will invest about $222 million in its Alabama plant. The plant will create a new four-cylinder production line with the capacity to produce engines for both combustion and hybrid electric powertrains. Additionally, the facility will expand its footprint by 114,000 square feet. The company will invest $16 million in its Kentucky plant. The plant is expanding flexibility of the four-cylinder engine line announced last fall, which will better position the plant to meet customer demand. The plant's powertrain facility can produce up to 600,000 units annually. Toyota Missouri's $109 million investment provides new equipment to build four-cylinder engine heads on three production lines. The plant has the capacity to build more than 3 million cylinder heads annually and represents a $564 million investment. Toyota will invest $36 million in its Tennessee plant. Toyota Tennessee will update equipment to build new four-cylinder engine blocks. The plant has the capacity to produce more than 2 million engine blocks annually. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Hoshine plans to expand PV glass production, while Tongwei is raising PV cell prices, with a particular focus on monocrystalline cells. Maxwell Technology has secured a 4.8 GW production line order from India's Reliance Industries, while JA Solar has reported a net profit increase of 35% for 2021.Hoshine Silicon, China's largest silicon metal supplier, has announced plans to expand its PV glass manufacturing business. A new document from the provincial office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that the company plans to build a new factory in an industrial park in the ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Post-hoc analysis indicates significant reductions in urgency episodes and micturitions in patients treated with GEMTESA vs. placebo in both types of overactive bladder (OAB)

Article appears in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Clinical Practice

Findings are consistent with overall data from the EMPOWUR study, showing favorable efficacy in patients with OAB, and published previously in the Journal of Urology1

Urovant Sciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd., today announced the publication of a new, post-hoc analysis of data from the Phase 3 EMPOWUR trial of GEMTESA (vibegron) 75 mg in the International Journal of Clinical Practice. The peer-reviewed paper is entitled, "Vibegron for the Treatment of Patients with Dry and Wet Overactive Bladder: A Subgroup Analysis from the EMPOWUR Trial." The article is available online and will be published in an upcoming print issue of the journal.

OAB is characterized by urgency and frequency with (OAB wet) or without (OAB dry) urge urinary incontinence (UUI). Although OAB dry affects a larger proportion of the OAB population, studies of pharmacologic treatment typically report results in the overall OAB population or in patients with OAB wet. They also commonly focus on UUI as the most bothersome symptom of OAB. As a result, treatment guidelines do not differentiate between these patients and often neglect to address the need to manage the disruptive and core symptom of urgency associated with OAB. The post-hoc analysis was developed to compare efficacy of vibegron vs. placebo in OAB wet and dry populations.

"In this subgroup analysis of data from the EMPOWUR trial, vibegron was associated with significant reductions in urgency episodes and micturitions (urination) compared with placebo in both the OAB dry and wet populations," said lead author Jeffrey Frankel, MD, Medical Director, Seattle Urology Research Center. "This indicates that vibegron may be similarly efficacious in improving these endpoints in patients with and without urge urinary incontinence."

These findings are consistent with overall EMPOWUR data showing favorable long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy in patients with overactive bladder; these were published in the Journal of Urology in May 2021.1

In the EMPOWUR study, patients were randomly assigned 5:5:4 to receive once-daily vibegron 75 mg, placebo, or tolterodine 4 mg extended release, respectively, for 12 weeks. Serious adverse events associated with vibegron occurred at rates comparable with placebo (1.5 vs 1.1 percent for vibegron vs. placebo, respectively) in EMPOWUR; the most frequently occurring treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) with incidence greater for vibegron than placebo were headache and nasopharyngitis. Hypertension incidence was similar between vibegron and placebo treatment groups.

"This latest publication further confirms GEMTESA's role as a helpful treatment option for both OAB-dry and OAB-wet patient types, making it an important option for people living with OAB," said Salim Mujais, Senior Vice President Clinical Development, Urovant Sciences. "This condition affects an estimated 30 million Americans and can have an impact on activities of daily living. Clinically meaningful decreases in urinary urgency may address an unmet need in these patients."

About the EMPOWUR Trial

The EMPOWUR trial was an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo and active comparator-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational vibegron in men and women with symptoms of overactive bladder, including frequent urination, sudden urge to urinate, and urge incontinence or leakage. A total of 1,518 patients were randomized across 215 study sites into one of three groups for a 12-week treatment period with a four-week safety follow-up period: vibegron 75 mg administered orally once daily; placebo administered orally once daily; or tolterodine ER 4 mg administered orally once daily.

About Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical condition that occurs when the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily. Symptoms may include urinary urgency (the sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control), urgency incontinence (unintentional loss of urine immediately after an urgent need to urinate), frequent urination (usually eight or more times in 24 hours), and nocturia (waking up more than two times in the night to urinate).1

Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from bothersome symptoms of OAB, which can have a significant impairment on a patient's day-to-day activities.1,2

About GEMTESA

GEMTESA is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:

urge urinary incontinence: a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents

urgency: the need to urinate right away

frequency: urinating often

It is not known if GEMTESA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take GEMTESA if you are allergic to vibegron or any of the ingredients in GEMTESA.

Before you take GEMTESA, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have liver problems; have kidney problems; have trouble emptying your bladder or you have a weak urine stream; take medicines that contain digoxin; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if GEMTESA will harm your unborn baby; talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant); are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if GEMTESA passes into your breast milk; talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take GEMTESA).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of GEMTESA?

GEMTESA may cause serious side effects, including the inability to empty your bladder (urinary retention). GEMTESA may increase your chances of not being able to empty your bladder, especially if you have bladder outlet obstruction or take other medicines for treatment of overactive bladder. Tell your doctor right away if you are unable to empty your bladder.

The most common side effects of GEMTESA include headache, urinary tract infection, nasal congestion, sore throat or runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. These are not all the possible side effects of GEMTESA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for full Product Information for GEMTESA.

About Urovant Sciences

Urovant Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for areas of unmet need, with a dedicated focus in Urology. The Company's lead product, GEMTESA(vibegron), is an oral, once-daily (75 mg) small molecule beta-3 agonist for the treatment of adult patients with overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. GEMTESA was approved by the U.S. FDA in December 2020 and launched in the U.S. in April 2021. GEMTESA is also being evaluated for the treatment of OAB in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Company's second product candidate, URO-902, is a novel gene therapy being developed for patients with OAB who have failed oral pharmacologic therapy. Urovant Sciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd., intends to bring innovation to patients in need in urology and other areas of unmet need. Learn more about us at www.urovant.com or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

About Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd.

Sumitovant is a global biopharmaceutical company leveraging data-driven insights to rapidly accelerate development of new potential therapies for unmet patient conditions. Through our unique portfolio of wholly-owned "Vant" subsidiaries-Urovant, Enzyvant, Spirovant, Altavant-and use of embedded computational technology platforms to generate business and scientific insights, Sumitovant has supported the development of FDA-approved products and advanced a promising pipeline of early-through late-stage investigational assets for other serious conditions. Sumitovant, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Pharma, is also the majority-shareholder of Myovant (NYSE: MYOV). For more information, please visit our website at www.sumitovant.com.

About Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Pharma is among the top-ten listed pharmaceutical companies in Japan, operating globally in major pharmaceutical markets, including Japan, the U.S., China, and other Asian countries with more than 7,000 employees worldwide. Sumitomo Pharma defines its corporate mission as "To broadly contribute to society through value creation based on innovative research and development activities for the betterment of healthcare and fuller lives of people worldwide." Additional information about Sumitomo Pharma is available through its corporate website at https://www.sumitomo-pharma.com.

UROVANT, UROVANT SCIENCES, the UROVANT SCIENCES logo, GEMTESA, and the GEMTESA logo are trademarks of Urovant Sciences GmbH, registered in the U.S. and in other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2022 Urovant Sciences. All rights reserved.

1 https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/JU.0000000000001574

2 https://media.urovant.com/news-releases/news-release-details/urovant-sciences-announces-publication-positive-long-term.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005750/en/

Contacts:

Urovant Sciences

Alana Darden Powell

Vice President, Corporate Communications

949-436-3116

alana.darden@Urovant.com

media@urovant.com

Sumitovant Biopharma

Maya Frutiger

Head of Corporate Communications

media@sumitovant.com
Following 12 years of pioneering research activities, Oncomatryx is embarking on a new phase in the development of its tumor microenvironment targeted ADCs.

OMTX705, the Crown Jewel, has already proven high antitumor efficacy and unbeatable ADC safety in murine and non-human primate models. Phase I clinical trials in patients suffering metastatic solid tumors will be launched in Europe and USA in Q2 2022.

In order to fund OMTX705 Phase I clinical trials, Oncomatryx has raised 15 million euros. The capital increase was funded by current shareholders and by national and international family offices. These funds, together with Oncomatryx recurring revenues from its licensing agreements with international biopharmaceutical companies, will be used for the clinical development of additional ADCs of Oncomatryx tumour-microenvironment pipeline. The total investment for the three-year period 2022-2024 will be 50 million Euros.

In addition, Dr. Ignacio Garcia-Ribas has been appointed as Medical Director of Oncomatryx. Dr. Garcia-Ribas will lead the clinical development of OMTX705 and oversee the transition of molecules in the Oncomatryx pipeline from preclinical to clinical studies.

Dr. Garcia-Ribas is a medical oncologist with 17 years of experience in early-stage oncology drug development. Most recently he was Chief Medical Officer of the Swedish company Cantargia where he created and implemented the initial development plan for Nadunolimab in both Europe and USA. He previously worked at Takeda as global clinical lead on several Phase 1/2 programmes with a specific focus on immuno-oncology, and before that he was Senior Medical Director and a member of the Early Development Group of Sanofi's Oncology Division where he was involved in the clinical development of small molecules and ADCs. Prior to that, he was part of the Early Development Unit at Eli Lilly, where he contributed to the development of several small molecules and antisense oligonucleotides. Dr. Garcia Ribas received his PhD in Medicine from the Richard Dimbleby Cancer Research Department/ICRF Unit at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, which focused on cancer gene therapy.

About Oncomatryx

Oncomatryx's ground-breaking work focuses on the development of precision biopharmaceuticals that target the microenvironment of metastatic solid tumors.

Based in the Bizkaia Technology Park, Oncomatryx has discovered new mechanisms and proteins in the peritumoral stroma that surrounds the tumour and enables it to become invasive, immunosuppressive, resistant to treatment and metastatic.

Oncomatryx has embarked on the development of pioneering drugs against the peritumoral stromal proteins, in collaboration with prestigious universities, hospitals and research centres in the USA and Europe.

www.oncomatryx.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005642/en/

Contacts:

Pedro Esnaola

pesnaola@oncomatryx.com

+34 946 087 037
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) ("AJN") is pleased to announce an update, further to AJN's February 8, 2022 announcement of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (the "MoU") with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the "DRC" or the "State"), on the proposed acquisition by AJN of a number of exploration permits in the highly prospective Kilo-Moto Gold Belt in North-East DRC (the "Transaction"). The Government of DRC, having requested and subsequently having been provided with additional information relating to the management and structure of AJN, and the structure and merits, to the DRC, of the Transaction, the Government of DRC has now approved the relationship between the State and AJN Resources.

The State has assessed a number of exploration areas of merit, which have been held through a variety of joint ventures with various companies, but which have never been advanced or explored over the past 75 years. The assets under review include several highly prospective gold projects in the Kilo-Moto Belt, which hosts Barrick's Kibali Gold Mine, and a number of licences which are prospective for lithium in the Manono area. According to the MoU, those selected assets will be made available to the newly created, State wholly owned subsidiary, "Congo Ressources SAU".

Over the coming weeks the State and AJN will work on transferring the selected licences, which have been returned to the public domain, to Congo Ressources SAU.

Upon the successful closing of the proposed Transaction, AJN will hold a 100% indirect interest in the secured licences through Congo Ressources SAU, and the State shall have been issued that number of common shares in the capital of AJN equal to sixty percent (60%) of the fully diluted issued and outstanding common shares of AJN at closing. On closing, the board of AJN will consist of a total of five directors, two of whom will be State-appointed directors. Closing of the Transaction will be subject to certain conditions precedent including the completion of satisfactory due diligence by AJN and AJN having obtained all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals and confirmation from all relevant government agencies that all outstanding legal charges, royalties, and taxes have been paid.

AJN's executive management team, Klaus Eckhof and Mark Gasson, have individually or jointly had several exploration successes in the DRC which included: the discoveries of Kibali Gold Mine ("Kibali"); the highest-grade tin deposit at Bisie ("Bisie"); and one of the world's largest lithium deposits at Manono ("Manono"). Kibali and Bisie are presently successful mining operations, and Manono is awaiting the approval of its mining licence. The team was also able to successfully secure all funding to advance these projects throughout the exploration phase.

Mr. Klaus Eckhof, CEO and President of AJN commented, "We are extremely pleased at receiving the final endorsement of the transaction between AJN and the Government of DRC which confirms support from the top Ministerial and Governmental structures in the DRC. All Governmental officials are now fully aware of the potential benefit that the transaction with AJN will bring to the State and regions which host the permits and in particular the ability of AJN's highly successful management team to raise finances and develop new projects which will be transferred to Congo Ressources at a later stage. The Company is confident that the selected licences will include a number of quality gold and lithium projects with excellent potential for the discovery of new mineral resources. We look forward to receiving formal notification of the final projects which have been selected for the inclusion in the transaction between AJN and the State through Congo Ressources."

About AJN Resources Inc.

AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 75 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For further information, please contact Investor Relations:

Sheena Eckhof

Director, Investor Relations

sheena@eckhofconsulting.com

Visit us at www.ajnresources.com

Tel: +44 7496 291547

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Klaus Eckhof

CEO and President

klauseckhof@monaco.mc

QP Statement

Dr Deon Vermaak is a Consultant of AJN Resources Inc. and qualified geologist, and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Geological Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP Reg. No. 400020/00) and a member of the Geological Society of South Africa. Dr Vermaak is a qualified person (QP) under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120888
Regulatory News:

Valbiotis (FR0013254851 ALVAL, PEA PME eligible) (Paris:ALVAL), a Research and Development company committed to scientific innovation for prevention and combating metabolic diseases, announces its Combined Shareholders Meeting will be held on May 5, 2022 and releases the procedures for making available and consulting preparatory documents.

The Shareholders' Meeting will be held at:

Espace ENCAN -Quai Louis Prunier -17000 La Rochelle

May 5, 2022, at 5.00 pm

The Shareholders who wish to attend the Shareholders' Meeting must hold an admission card and an identity document.

The means of taking part in the Shareholders' Meeting and the draft proposed resolutions were published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) on March 28, 2022, in Issue No. 37 (https://www.journal-officiel.gouv.fr).

The convening notice, including the agenda and the final resolutions projects, as well as the modalities of participation and vote at the General Meeting, was published on the Company website and in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) on April 15, 2022, in Issue No. 45 (https://www.journal-officiel.gouv.fr).

All the documents related to the May 5, 2022 Combined General Meeting, in accordance with Article R.22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code, can be accessed on the Valbiotis website at the following section: https://www.valbiotis.com/en/general-assemblies/). They will also be available at the Company headquarters or by mail at: contact@valbiotis.com.

The documents and information concerning the Shareholders' Meeting will be made available to shareholders as provided by applicable regulations.

In the evolving context of the COVID-19 epidemic and the fight against its spread, the procedures for holding and participating in this Assembly may have to evolve according to health, regulatory and legal imperatives. Shareholders are invited to regularly consult the section dedicated to the 2022 General Meeting on the company's website: https://www.valbiotis.com/en/general-assemblies/, which could be updated to specify the definitive modalities of participation in the Meeting, according to the aforementioned imperatives.

About Valbiotis

Valbiotis is a Research Development company committed to scientific innovation for preventing and combating metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in response to unmet medical needs.

Valbiotis has adopted an innovative approach, aiming to revolutionize healthcare by developing a new class of health nutrition products designed to reduce the risk of major metabolic diseases, relying on a multi-target strategy enabled by the use of plant-based terrestrial and marine resources.

Its products are intended to be licensed to players in the health sector.

Created at the beginning of 2014 in La Rochelle, the Company has forged numerous partnerships with leading academic centers. The Company has established three sites in France Perigny, La Rochelle (17) and Riom (63) and a subsidiary in Quebec City (Canada).

Valbiotis is a member of the "BPI Excellence" network and has been recognized as an "Innovative Company" by the BPI label. Valbiotis has also been awarded "Young Innovative Company" status and has received major financial support from the European Union for its research programs via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Valbiotis is a PEA-SME eligible company.

For more information about Valbiotis, please visit: www.valbiotis.com

Name: Valbiotis

ISIN code: FR0013254851

Mnemonic code: ALVAL

EnterNext PEA-PME 150

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Valbiotis' objectives. Valbiotis considers that these projections are based on rational hypotheses and the information available to Valbiotis at the present time. However, in no way does this constitute a guarantee of future performance, and these projections may be affected by changes in economic conditions and financial markets, as well as certain risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Valbiotis Universal Registration Document approved by the French Financial Markets Regulator (AMF) on July 27, 2021 (application number R 21-039). This document is available on the Company's website (www.valbiotis.com). This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or a solicitation to purchase or subscribe to Valbiotis' shares or financial securities in any country.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005603/en/

Contacts:

Corporate communication Valbiotis

Carole ROCHER Marc DELAUNAY

+33 5 46 28 62 58

media@valbiotis.com

Financial communiation Actifin

Stephane RUIZ

+33 1 56 88 11 14

sruiz@actifin.fr
Regulatory News:

Verallia (Paris:VRLA):

The Shareholders' General Meeting of the Company will be held on 11 May 2022, at 2 p.m., Paris time, on first notice, at the registered office of the Company: Tour Carpe Diem, 31 Place des Corolles, Esplanade Nord, 92400 Courbevoie, France.

The terms of participation in the Shareholders' General Meeting are set out in the convening brochure. The meeting notice detailing the agenda and draft resolutions was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires on 4 April 2022, under issue number 40. The convening notice will be published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires and in the journal of legal notices La Loi on 22 April 2022. Given the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Company may be required to amend the terms of participation in the Shareholders' General Meeting. Therefore shareholders are invited to consult the Company's website on a regular basis in order to have access to all the up-to-date information regarding the Shareholders' General Meeting.

Information and documents relating to the Shareholders' General Meeting have been made available to shareholders in accordance with the conditions set out by applicable laws and regulations. In particular, pursuant to article R.22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code, shareholders may review preparatory information ahead of the Shareholders' General Meeting on the Company's website (https://www.verallia.com/en/investors/regulated-information/, sub-section 2022 Shareholders General Meeting).

About Verallia- At Verallia, our purpose is to re-imagine glass for a sustainable future. We want to redefine how glass is produced, reused and recycled, to make it the world's most sustainable packaging material. We are joining forces with our customers, suppliers and other partners across the value chain to develop beneficial and sustainable new solutions for all.

With around 10,000 employees and 32 glass production facilities in 11 countries, we are the European leader and the world's third-largest producer of glass packaging for beverages and food products. We offer innovative, customised and environmentally friendly solutions to over 10,000 businesses worldwide.

In 2021, Verallia produced more than 16 billion glass bottles and jars and posted revenue of 2.7 billion. Verallia is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: VRLA ISIN: FR0013447729) and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and CAC All-Tradable.

For more information, visit www.verallia.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005719/en/

Contacts:

Verallia Investor Relations contact

Alexandra Baubigeat Boucheron - alexandra.baubigeat-boucheron@verallia.com

Press contacts

Verallia Julie Bastien -julie.bastien@verallia.com

Brunswick Benoit Grange, Hugues Boeton, Tristan Roquet Montegon -verallia@brunswickgroup.com+33 1 53 96 83 83
19 April 2022

Rightmove plc

Share buy-back programme

Rightmove plc - Transaction in own shares

Rightmove plc ('Rightmove') announces that today it purchased 190,000 of its 0.1p ordinary shares at a volume weighted average price paid per share of 622.966p. The highest price paid per share was 635.800p and the lowest price paid per share was 618.600p. Rightmove purchased these shares through UBS AG London Branch.

The number of shares purchased represented 0.0226% of the voting rights attributable to the total ordinary shares in issue prior to such purchase. The purchased shares will be cancelled.

Since announcing a share buy-back programme on 28 December 2007, Rightmove has purchased in aggregate 464,488,729 ordinary shares.

The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury shares) following this announcement is 842,098,177. Rightmove holds 12,467,174 shares in treasury.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the "UK MAR"), the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by UBS AG London Branch on behalf of the Company as part of the buyback programme.

Contact Sandra Odell, Company Secretary CompanySecretary@rightmove.co.uk

Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions
HBM Healthcare Investments AG / Key word(s): Monthly Figures

Key Figures 15.04.2022



19.04.2022 / 17:46



in CHF Performance in % 15.04.2022 MTD FYTD CYTD NAV 286.73 0.4 0.4 -14.7 Share Price 263.00 -4.7 -4.7 -22.4 Total Net Assets (in million) 1'995 HBM Healthcare Investments AG Bundesplatz 1 CH-6300 Zug - Switzerland Tel. +41 41 710 75 77 Fax +41 41 710 75 78 E-Mail: hbm@hbmhealthcare.com Web: www.hbmhealthcare.com Wenn Sie keine Mitteilungen von HBM Healthcare Investments mehr wunschen, konnen Sie diese hier abbestellen. Should you wish to unsubscribe from all HBM Healthcare Investments news, please unsubscribe here. Disclaimer: This message may contain confidential or privileged Information and is intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are hereby notified that you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or information herein. If you have received this message by error, please advise the sender immediately and delete this message. The publication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or subscribe for securities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator or guarantee of future results, prices of shares and the income from them may fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. The investor must be aware of the investment risk and personal risk ability. Some information quoted was obtained from external sources HBM considers to be reliable. HBM cannot guarantee the adequacy, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of or be held responsible or liable for errors of fact regarding such data and information obtained from third parties, and this data may change with market conditions. If the email looks unformatted, please use this alternative link.

End of Media Release


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - INCA ONE GOLD CORP. (TSXV: INCA) (OTCQB: INCAF) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") a gold producer operating two mineral processing facilities in Peru, reports (unaudited) consolidated gold and silver sales for the three months of January, February and March 2022 ("Q1 2022" or "the Quarter"). All comparative year-over-year ("YoY") sales and production numbers represent consolidated operations from both Chala One and Kori One facilities, collectively the ("Plants").

Inca One recorded its most productive first quarter on record with quarterly gold and silver sales reaching approximately US$14.5 million, a 75% increase YoY as compared to Q1 2021 sales of US$8.3 million.

Gold production in the quarter also increased YoY by 59%. The growth in production and sale of gold dore from both plants was driven by the rapid and effective deployment of the Company's available working capital towards the purchase of mineral throughout the Quarter.

Consolidated Operations Q1 2022 Q1 2021 YoY change Deliveries (tonnes) 19,052 7,208 164% Milling (tonnes) 18,464 8,303 122% Gold Production (ounces) 6,788 4,259 59% Sales (US$) $14.5 M $8.3 M 75%



The Company reports YoY increases in ore purchases of 164% to 19,052 tonnes and as a result, milling activity increased by 122% as the Company processed 18,464 tonnes of material. Demand for milling services continues to remain strong with month over month increases throughout this Quarter.

The Company milled an average of 204 tonnes per day ("TPD"), a new throughput record for the first Quarter.

About Inca One

Inca One Gold Corp is an established gold producer operating two fully permitted, gold mineral processing facilities in Peru. The Company possesses a combined 450 TPD permitted operating capacity at its two fully integrated plants, Chala One and Kori One and has produced more than 116,000 ounces of gold, generating over US$165 million in sales from its processing operations. Inca One is led by an experienced and capable management team that has established the Company as a trusted leader in servicing permitted, small-scale and artisanal miners (ASM) in Peru. Peru is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and its ASM sector is estimated by government officials to be valued in the billions of dollars annually. To learn more, visit www.incaone.com.

Figure 1. Inca One's gold processing facilities in Peru (left: Chala One facility; right: Kori One facility)



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2645/120891_124f123d045b3a66_001full.jpg

On behalf of the Board,

Edward Kelly

President and CEO

Inca One Gold Corp.

For More Information Contact:

Konstantine Tsakumis

ktsakumis@incaone.com

604-568-4877

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Statements regarding the Company which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties by their very nature. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements due to factors such as: (i) fluctuation of mineral prices; (ii) a change in market conditions; and (iii) the fact that future operating results may not be accurately predicted based on this limited information to date. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update any changes to such statements. Inca One believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120891
A cash position of 15.2 million euros on December 31, 2021, strengthened to 28 million euros on March 28, 2022

Major technical advances in 2021:

- The approval to enter Phase 3 in China for BioChaperone(BC) Lispro, granted by the Chinese regulatory authorities (CDE) to our partner Tonghua Dongbao

- The start of two clinical studies on M1Pram and BC LisPram

- 3 patents on two new platforms: an immunoprotective hydrogel matrix for cell therapy (AdoShell) and an oral peptide delivery technology (AdOral

Promising perspectives for 2022:

- Start of BC Lispro Phase 3 in China

- Completion of clinical studies to support BC Combo's Phase 3 dossier in China

- Publication of M1Pram (Phase 2) and BC LisPram (Phase 1) clinical studies results

- Phase 1 studies preparation on our new projects

Regulatory News:

Adocia (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC) (Paris:ADOC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of innovative therapeutic solutions for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases, announced today its full year 2021 financial results as of December 31, 2021. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors set on April 14, 2022 and will be submitted for shareholder approval at the next General Shareholders' Meeting on June 28, 2022.

"We are very pleased with the advancement of our two projects, BC Lispro and BC Combo, in Asia by our partner Tonghua Dongbao with the enhanced prospect of receiving up to $85 million in milestone payments over the coming years", said Gerard Soula, Chairman and CEO of Adocia. "The preclinical results obtained in cell therapy and oral delivery of peptides provide us with new partnership opportunities in addition to those underway for BC Lispro, BC Combo and multi-hormonal combinations."

Financial highlights

The following table summarizes the financial statements under IFRS for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

In () thousands, Consolidated financial statements, IAS/IFRS FY2021

(12 months) FY 2020

(12 months) Revenue 1 444 841 Grants, Research tax credit, others 4 611 5 992 Operating revenue 6 055 6833 Research and development expenses (20 016) (22 547) General and administrative expenses (5 404) (5 434) Operating expenses (25 421) (27 981) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (19 366) (21 148) FINANCIAL INCOME (LOSS) (3 388) (2 147) Tax (29) NET INCOME (LOSS) (22 754) (23 324)

Company's results for the year 2021 are characterized:

Net loss of 22.8 million in 2021, compared to a loss of 23.3 million in 2020, mainly consisted of:

Revenue of 1.4 million in 2021 (compared to 0.8 million in 2020) coming essentially from the two-licensing contract signed with Tonghua Dongbao. In 2021, additional services have been performed by Adocia for a total amount of 1 million income at the request of our Chinese partner for the preparation of 3 clinical trials conducted in Europe on BC Combo;

Other operating income of 4.6 million, resulting mainly from the research tax credit (CIR) generated on 2021 expenses;

Total operating expenses of 25.4 million, a 2.5 million decrease compared to last year;

Financial loss of 3.4 million reflecting the financial interests paid on the 15 million IPF partner loan contracted in 2019. The increase of 1.1 million 2021 is mainly explained by the IFRS impact (non-cash) of the revaluation at fair value through income of the convertible bond contracted in October 2021.

A cash position of 15.2 million as of December 31, 2021 (compared to 28.1 million as of December 31, 2020).

The cash consumption over the full year 2021 was 19.9 million, in a decrease compared to 2020 (which was 22.5 million), on a comparable basis (excluding financing operations).

Net financial debts (excluding the impact of derivative instruments) amounted to 33.3 million the end of December 2021, compared to 27.3 million twelve months earlier. The increase of 6 million is mainly due to the convertible bond financing completed in October 2021, which resulted in a net cash in-flow of 6 million. A portion of the bonds was converted at the end of December, the balance being recorded as debt under IFRS 9 and IAS 32.

In addition, in March 2022 the company has sold its headquarter offices for a net amount of 19 million. Taking this into account and the consumption of cash during the first quarter of 2022, the company's cash position amounted to 28 million on March 28, 2022, the day of the sale signature.

"We are pleased to have been able to complete the sale of our building, which has significantly strengthened our cash position without dilution for our shareholders and no impact on operations. Our cash position at the end of March provides us with sufficient financial resources to execute the announced news flow," said Valerie Danaguezian, Chief Financial Officer of Adocia.

Key events in 2021

2021 was marked by major advances in our insulin portfolio and by the achievement of important proofs of concept on new technological platforms in cell therapy and oral delivery of peptides. In addition, the financial operation carried out in the last quarter strengthened the financial resources available to support the Company's growth.

Significant progress made on mature projects in our pipeline:

BioChaperone Lispro: approved to enter Phase 3 in China

In October 2021, Tonghua Dongbao received approval from the CDE (Center for Drug Evaluation) to start the Phase 3 program of BC Lispro ultra-rapid insulin for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in China. The operational start of Phase 3 in China should trigger a milestone payment to Adocia, expected in the second quarter of 2022. In parallel, the preparatory work for the Phase 3 studies in the United States and Europe has successfully been completed. Our commercial activities are aimed at finding a partner capable of financing the pivotal program until marketing authorization is obtained in these regions.

M1Pram and BioChaperone LisPram: intensified clinical development efforts

Adocia has intensified the clinical development of its two product candidates, M1Pram and BC LisPram, positioned respectively for the auto-injector pen and pump markets. These fixed combinations of insulin and amylin analogs are expected to provide improved medical benefits through weight loss in obese or overweight people with diabetes, as compared to rapid insulins administered alone. Rapid insulins are essential to the survival of many patients. They generate more than $9 billion in revenue each year. In the United States, 65% of type 1 diabetic patients and 85% of type 2 diabetic patients are overweight or obese1,2

A Phase 2 study (CT041) was initiated in March 2021 with M1Pram in an auto-injector pen. This comes after the establishment of proof of concept in humans in a study from 2020 that demonstrated improved glycemic control and very significant weight loss, as compared to the reference rapid insulin aspart, in only 3 weeks of treatment. The CT041 study, which aims to confirm these results over a 4-month period in people with type 1 diabetes, has been designed to define all the parameters of a future Phase 3 program. The results will be communicated in the second quarter of 2022.

Concurrently, a proof-of-concept study in humans has been initiated with BC LisPram. This combination has been specifically designed for automated pump administration using an algorithm. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ahmad Haidar of McGill University (Canada) and results are expected in Q3 2022.

New proprietary technology platforms in new growth markets

Revolutionizing islet transplantation (AdoShell technology)

In January 2021, Adocia announced the filing of patents on a hydrogel matrix designed to improve islet transplantation cell therapy treatments. The function of this matrix is to maintain transplanted cells' secretory activity, while protecting them from the immune system. Adocia's objective is to create an organoid capable of secreting insulin in response to glycemic variations, thus avoiding the use of immunosuppressive drugs. An academic collaboration has been established with several teams, including Inserm with Professor Francois Pattou, a world specialist in islet transplantation. Animal trials are underway, prior to human implantation trials.

Combining hormones to treat obesity

In 2021, Adocia also initiated new projects in the field of obesity. Patient management is undergoing major changes, due, on the one hand, to gradual recognition of obesity as a pandemic requiring drug treatment, and, on the other hand, to the discovery of the efficacy of certain hormones which are also involved in diabetes in controlling weight. These treatments make it possible to avoid recourse to bariatric surgery. These products are intended to be administered in pump so that the patient can set up, with the support of a doctor, a personalized treatment adapted to lifestyle. Patents have been filed by Adocia on these pump-administered hormone combinations. The objective is to prepare a proof-of-concept study in humans by 2022/2023. These hormonal combinations could also be developed in other medical indications such as NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) and type 2 diabetes.

Delivering peptides in oral form that were previously administered by injection (AdOral technology)

Adocia has developed a technology that can enable oral delivery of peptides by limiting their natural degradation in the digestive tract before reaching the bloodstream. Initial results obtained in preclinical studies have shown an increase in the absorption efficiency of peptides by the gastrointestinal tract, which would allow for a switch from injectable to oral forms.

This new technological platform opens up numerous applications for oral forms of therapeutic peptides used in metabolic disorders.

"Promising results obtained on our two platforms, AdoShell for cell therapy and AdOral for the delivery of oral peptides, position us well amongst competition on these subjects which represent major therapeutic challenges", commented Olivier Soula, Adocia's Deputy CEO and Director of R&D.

The company's cash position was strengthened in October 2021 by a financing operation and in March 2022 by a real estate transaction:

The financing operation achieved in October was for 7 million

In October 2021, the Company carried out a financing transaction through (i) the issue of 6,568,422 bonds convertible into shares with a par value of one euro each for a total amount of 6 million net subscribed by Vester Finance and two other European investors and (ii) a capital increase of 1 million, the subscription of which was reserved for the benefit of Gerard Soula, the Company's Chairman and CEO and a shareholder, by way of the issue of new ordinary shares.

Governance reinforcement

In June 2021, Adocia strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of three new independent members: Dr. Claudia Mitchell, Senior Vice President in charge of Portfolio Strategy at Astellas Pharma; Dr. Katherine Bowdish, President and CEO of PIC Therapeutics; and Stephane Boissel, CEO of SparingVision.

Post-period events

In March 2022, the Company completed a sale and leaseback transaction resulting in the sale of its building, acquired in 2016, and the signature of a 12-year renewable lease. This transaction resulted in a net cash inflow of 19 million. As of March 28, 2022, the Company's cash position thus amounted to 28 million.

In April 2022, the Company announced the start of the BC Combo clinical program in Europe following the approval of the Chinese and German health authorities. BC Combo has been licensed to Tonghua Dongbao, which has given the conduct of these clinical studies to Adocia due to its expertise and the experience in clinical studies management. These studies, financed by Tonghua Dongbao, aim at qualifying the formulation necessary for the Phase 3 dossier.

Outlook for 2022

With the enrollment of the first patients in Phase 3 of BC Lispro in China, Adocia will be eligible for a milestone payment under the agreement with Tonghua Dongbao (agreement providing up to $35 million in development milestone payments until the product registration). The commercialization of BC Lispro in China and other Asian countries (excluding Japan) will result in the payment of royalties on sales.

Phase 2 clinical data for M1Pram, a rapid-acting insulin for auto-injector pen for type 1 diabetes patients, will be reported in the second quarter of 2022.

Phase 1 clinical results for BC LisPram, for automated pump administration, are expected in the third quarter of 2022.

Pre-clinical results for multi-hormone obesity therapies (PramExe and BC GluExe), the hydrogel matrix for cell therapy and the oral delivery technology are expected to enable first-in-man studies in 2022-2023.

About Adocia

Adocia is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of therapeutic solutions in the field of metabolic diseases, primarily diabetes and obesity. The company has a broad portfolio of drug candidates based on three proprietary technology platforms:

1) The BioChaperone technology for the development of new generation insulins and products combining insulins with other classes of hormones; 2) AdOral, an oral peptide delivery technology; 3) AdoShellan immunoprotective biomaterial for cell transplantation with a first application in pancreatic cells transplantation for patients with "brittle" diabetes.

Adocia holds more than 25 patent families and was ranked 4th and 7th in the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) ranking of SMEs on the number of patents filed, in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Based in Lyon, the company has approximately 115 employees. Adocia is listed on the EuronextTM Paris market (Euronext: ADOC; ISIN: FR0011184241).

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers as being reasonable. However, there can be no guarantee that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved, as such estimates are subject to numerous risks including those which are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the universal registration document that was filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 20, 2021 (a copy of which is available at www.adocia.com), in particular uncertainties that are linked to research and development, future clinical data, analyses, and the evolution of the economic context, the financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not considered as material by Adocia as of this day. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause that actual results, financial conditions, performances, or achievements of Adocia be materially different from those mentioned in the forward-looking statements.

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy Adocia's shares in any jurisdiction.

1 Conway et al, Diabetes Med 2010 April; 27(4):398-404. BMI>25, Data for 2004-2007 period

2 Epidemiology of Obesity and Diabetes and Their Cardiovascular Complications

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005778/en/

Contacts:

Adocia

Gerard Soula

CEO

contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com

Tel: +33 4 72 610 610

www.adocia.com

Ulysse Communication

Adocia Press and Investors Relations



Pierre-Louis Germain

plgermain@ulysse-communication.com + 33 (0)6 64 79 97 51

Margaux Puech Pays d'Alissac

mpuech@ulysse-communication.com +33 (0)7 86 16 01 09

Bruno Arabian

barabian@ulysse-communication.com +33 (0)6 87 88 47 26
Q1 2022 revenue doubles to 2.02 million (vs. Q1 2021), driven by the organic growth of its JAZZ activity and the strategic acquisition of OSD

Acceleration in activity in France (x2.7) and the rest of the world (x2.6) compared with Q1 2021

Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans) (Paris:ALIMP), a medical technology company specializing in vertebral implants, today announced its revenue for the first quarter of 2022.

Ludovic Lastennet, IMPLANET's CEO, commented: "The beginning of 2022 has confirmed the merits of the strategic repositioning implemented in 2021. Our decision to refocus on the spine is showing its relevance, with a very good first-quarter performance. In France, activity more than doubled compared with the first quarter of last year, driven by the JAZZ activity's organic growth but also by the OSD range that has now been incorporated within our sales offer. In the rest of the world, sales have followed the same positive trend as in France, with revenue multiplied by 2.6. The slight fall in revenue in the United States was a result of the still considerable number of surgical operations being postponed due to COVID early in the quarter. Despite the context associated with the pandemic and the lack of hospital personnel, which are still major obstacles to the return to normal activity, our solid sales momentum makes us confident that our growth will continue over the coming quarters

Revenue (in thousands IFRS*) Q1 2022 Q1 2021 Change Spine France 953 354 +169% United States 372 416 -10% Rest of the world 677 256 +164% Total Spine revenue 2,002 1,026 +95% Services 14 1 Total consolidated revenue, IFRS 2,016 1,026 +96%

*Unaudited data

Reminder: As per IFRS 5, revenue generated by Madison activity up to October 29, 2021 is classified as divested business under the net profit/loss from continuing business.

In the first quarter of 2022, Spine revenue doubled from 1.03 million to 2.02 million, thanks to the organic growth generated by JAZZ activity (+20%) and the strategic acquisition of OSD (which contributed 0.77 million in revenue).

In France, activity was multiplied by 2.7, increasing from 0.35 million to 0.95 million, despite the still significant impact of COVID-19 and hospitals' lack of resources in the first two months of the quarter. However, the trend observed in March is encouraging.

In the United States, revenue totaled 0.37 million, compared with 0.42 million in the first quarter of 2021. The first surgeries with the OSD cervical plate were performed in the United States their contribution to associated revenue will be visible in the second quarter of 2022.

In the rest of the world, revenue grew from 0.26 million in the first quarter of 2021 to 0.68 million (multiplied by 2.6) in the first quarter of 2022, notably driven by Latin America.

Lastly, within the framework of the divestment of the MADISONTM knee prosthesis business to SERF, and to ensure the continuity of regulatory obligations, Implanet signed a manufacturing contract. These services were billed 14 thousand in the first quarter of 2022.

Key events of Q1 2022

First surgical procedures in the United States with JAZZ PF, innovative solution from the JAZZ range

First surgical operations in the United States with the ORIGIN cervical plate, marking the first successes of the synergies with OSD products

2022 strategy and outlook

Finalize the globalization of our product offer for Spine surgery: Sustain the product synergies initiated in 2021 on our priority direct sales markets; Address group purchasing organizations, both in the public sector and in private facility groups.



Revitalize our presence in the United States: Add to the existing commercial team; Strengthen our direct approach by expanding our opinion leader scientific team; Launch, in 2022, two more product ranges resulting from the acquisition of OSD: SWINGO and ORIGIN.



Seek strategic partnerships to allow Implanet to enter a new phase and achieve revenue leading to financial equilibrium in the short medium term.

Upcoming financial events

Annual General Meeting, May 17, 2022 at 2.00 pm (CEST) at the Company's headquarters

H1 2021 revenue, July 11, 2022 after market

About IMPLANET

Founded in 2007, IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery. Its activity revolves around a comprehensive innovative solution for improving the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ) complemented by the product range offered by Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD), acquired in May 2021 (thoraco-lumbar screws, cages and cervical plates). Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark in Europe and ANVISA approval in Brazil. IMPLANET employs 39 staff and recorded a consolidated revenue of 6.1 million in 2021. Based near Bordeaux in France, IMPLANET opened a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For further information, please visit www.implanet.com.

The Company would like to remind readers that the table for monitoring the equity line (OCA, BSA) and the number of shares outstanding is available on its website: http://www.implanet-invest.com/suivi-des-actions-80

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005800/en/

Contacts:

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David Dieumegard, CFO

Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55

investors@Implanet.com

NewCap

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin

Nicolas Fossiez

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

implanet@newcap.eu

NewCap

Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

implanet@newcap.eu
Maha Energy AB (publ) ("Maha" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that drilling of the Tie-5 production well has now entered the horizontal phase. Seven-inch (7") production casing was successfully set and cemented at 2,277 m Measured Depth (MD) and at an angle of 80. The Company produced an average of 4,580 BOEPD1 during the first quarter of the year, which is the highest quarterly production rate in the Company's short history.

Drilling of the Tie-5 horizontal production well is currently entering the 6" horizontal section of the Agua Grande (AG) reservoir. 9-5/8" casing was set at 1,987 m (MD) and the 8-1/2" hole penetrated the AG as predicted at 2,265 m (MD). The 7" production casing is now firmly cemented in place at 2,277 m (MD). An 80 m. tangent was drilled in anticipation of completing the well with an Electrical Submersible Pump.

Jonas Lindvall, CEO of Maha Energy said: "We are very pleased that our drilling team have successfully managed to drill and case the challenging Lower Candeias shales. We are now set to drill the ~600 m. horizontal using a 6" bit, which should prove less challenging than the overlying shales. We look forward to completing this first horizontal well in the Tie field."

Illinois Basin

In Illinois Basin, Glaze 11-5 was drilled and completed in record time and is now contributing oil to the Company's daily production volumes.

Quarter One Production

The Company's average production volume for the first quarter was 4,580 BOEPD1. The average Brent oil price for the quarter was US $100.87 per barrel.

The annual average production guidance for 2022 remains at 4,000 - 5,000 BOEPD1.

1 BOEPD: Barrels of oil equivalent per day. Any gas produced is converted at 1 bbl = 6,000 scf of gas.

Miscellaneous

The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, 18:00 CET on 19 April, 2022.

For more information, please contact:

Jonas Lindvall



Victoria Berg



About Maha

Maha Energy AB). 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
Paris, April,19th, 2022

AgroGeneration, a Ukraine based grain and oilseed producer, provides an update on the current company's performance and gives an overview of the impacts of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine launched on 24 February 2022.

Fixed assets and stocks

The Kharkiv region, where all the land assets managed by the Group are located, is among those territories where active military conflict is underway. Following these events, as of the date of this press-release, 10% of the lands managed by the Group are currently located in territories not controlled by Ukraine. Limited access to some of the assets located on the temporarily occupied area raises concerns about the future condition of those assets and the security of the inventory stored there. To date, approximately 3.4 tons of commodity stocks (with an estimated value of around 1.3M USD), stored in the region partially controlled by Russia, were destroyed or stolen. In addition, on 50% of the farmlands of the Group, operations are limited or temporarily suspended for safety reasons. On 40% of the farmlands, managed by the Group, all operations are continued according to plan. To date, none of the Group's critical facilities or infrastructure, located in areas controlled by Ukraine, has suffered any significant damage.

Operations

The Group is ready to start the spring sowing campaign in the regions controlled by Ukraine and not affected by military activity. AgroGeneration continues to undertake all steps necessary to ensure a full scope of operations, which can be resumed once the situation stabilizes or improves. In addition, the condition of winter wheat, sown in autumn 2021, in the area controlled by Ukraine is good.

Sales of the Group have been almost suspended since the beginning of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine due to closed seaports, minimal railroad capacity and destroyed infrastructure (incl. roads, bridges, railroads) all over Ukraine followed by the absence of demand and oversupply in the country.

Employees & Humanitarian aid

The business processes have been reorganised to adjust to the existing challenges and to provide continuity to the Group's activities. The Group's key personnel and top managers continue working but remotely. The Group's key priority is the safety and security of its employees and their families. AgroGeneration paid two-month salaries to all employees of the Group located in Ukraine in advance at the beginning of March 2022. In addition, the Group contributes to support Ukrainian armed forces and civilians via the financing of charity funds and direct support to villages where the Group operates.

Financing

AgroGeneration has fully secured the necessary funds for the spring sowing campaign. All major inputs for the sowing campaign have been supplied already, including fuel, seeds, and chemicals required for the area of the land bank of the Group that is expected to be sown.

Reporting

Taking into account the continued Russian military invasion of Ukraine, AgroGeneration will not be able to meet the forecasted deadline for the Group's 2021 financial accounts publication (30 April 2022). A new date will be determined in due course followed by further announcement. The convening of the shareholders general meeting to review and approve such financial statements will also be postponed.

About AGROGENERATION

Founded in 2007, AgroGeneration is a large-scale producer of grain and oilseed. Following its merger with Harmelia, AgroGeneration today is ranked amongst some of the largest agricultural firms in Ukraine. The company's core business is grains and oil commodity crop farming, operating near 60,000 hectares of high quality agricultural lands in the East of Ukraine.

All information on AgroGeneration's website: www.AgroGeneration.com

Receive all AgroGeneration's financial information by e-mail for free by registering at: www.actusnews.com





AgroGeneration

+33 1 55 27 38 40

investisseurs@AgroGeneration.com

www.AgroGeneration.com



Actus Finance

Anne-Pauline Petureaux, Investor Relations

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 72

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Protecting Jobsites and Facilities with Less Worker Downtime

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / ActivePure, the global leader in surface and air purification, today announced a partnership with Compass Datacenters. Compass will work in conjunction with ActivePure authorized distributor Workplace Elemental Technologies (WET) to implement advanced air purification measures at their jobsites and select facilities. The installation of ActivePure Technology sets a new precedent for those in the data center industry. Devices powered by ActivePure Technology are to be installed in common indoor facilities, Compass corporate offices, construction sites and office areas in company-maintained facilities. Compass will also make ActivePure Technology available for customers to use in their commissioned data center facilities to reduce airborne and surface pathogens in their operations and maintenance spaces.

With origins in the space exploration program, ActivePure has successfully adapted naturally occurring outdoors processes for indoor environments. ActivePure Technology is an Advanced Photocatalysis technology which mimics the organic process of photolysis - in this process, the air is cleansed when sunlight interacts with moisture and creates oxidative molecules. ActivePure brings this atmospheric cleansing phenomenon indoors, allowing the oxidizing particles to neutralize viruses, mold and bacteria in the air and on surfaces. This unique technology is a game-changer as it actively neutralizes surface and airborne pathogens (including SARS-CoV-2) without chemicals, ozone or the need to trap and filter contaminants.

"Everyone who has worked in construction knows that aside from terrible weather, nothing has a more negative scheduling impact than communicable airborne illnesses among construction crews. With ActivePure Technology, we can now proactively protect our teams to ensure we honor the commitments we make to our customers," said Nancy Novak, chief innovation officer at Compass Datacenters. "It helps make our worksites far healthier, which has a huge impact on delivering facilities on time and budget. This technology also helps protect our employees who work in office environments, allowing everyone to feel safer working and collaborating in person. ActivePure has become a vital part of Compass' comprehensive approach to health and safety across our organization."

Since the inception of the initiative, Compass Datacenters, has successfully installed units powered by ActivePure Technology in construction sites and data centers throughout their United States and Canada properties. The devices installed include the Beyond Guardian Air, Mid-Range Blaster, Pure Cloud, and AP500.

"This collaboration with Compass has been a very successful one, and it demonstrates how important indoor air quality is for the data center and construction industries," said Jim Levin, founder of Workplace Elemental Technologies. "Construction sites, corporate offices and operational data centers are all environments where many people are working in close proximity. By using ActivePure, Compass is providing a critical layer of protection in their data center construction and operations environments. This is a model for how the data center industry can provide peace of mind and greater productivity in the workplace."

For more information on how ActivePure provides a trusted air and surface purification solution, visit ActivePure.com or call 888-217-4316.

About ActivePure

Privately held ActivePure has been the global leader in active, continuous surface and air disinfection systems for healthcare and educational institutions, commercial and public facilities, hospitality and residential applications since 1924. Patented ActivePure Technology has been proven in independent university and laboratory testing to effectively control and neutralize indoor contaminants. It is the only product in its class recognized by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology and inducted into the Space Foundation Hall of Fame. ActivePure was developed for use in space exploration and has since evolved for use in commercial and consumer products used to reduce exposure to pathogens, including RNA and DNA viruses, bacteria and molds, by up to 99.9% in the air and on surfaces. ActivePure has been committed to providing quality products and technologies to create safe and clean indoor environments worldwide since 1924. ActivePure Technologies' six brands include Aerus, Aerus Enterprise Solutions, ActivePure, Allergy Buyers Club, The Pure Company and Vollara. For more information, please visit ActivePure.com or call 888-217-4316.

About Compass Datacenters

Compass makes lives better by providing the world's technology leaders a secure place to plug in wherever they grow. We provide custom, move-in ready data centers from edge deployments to core facilities serving hyperscale, cloud and enterprise customers. Since our inception, we have embraced sustainability with the efficient use of land, green energy, water free cooling and building materials. Our campus approach empowers customers with easily scalable capacity, high levels of control and ultimate flexibility with the long-term perspective and financial strength of private investors, RedBird Capital Partners, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and the Azrieli Group. For more information, visit www.compassdatacenters.com.

About Workplace Elemental Technologies

Workplace Elemental Technologies was founded in 2020 by Jim Levin, a veteran technology executive with a 25-year history of bringing sustainable and efficient technology solutions to business customers. With the unprecedented workplace challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Jim decided to focus his efforts on helping to create safer workplaces for employees, customers, patients and shareholders through the identification and distribution of a portfolio of innovative technologies addressing air and water challenges. For more information, visit www.go4wettech.com

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jo Trizila, TrizCom PR on behalf of ActivePure

Email: Jo@TrizCom.com

Office: 972-247-1369

Cell/Text: 214-232-0078

Kyra Castillo, TrizCom PR on behalf of ActivePure

Email: Kyra@TrizCom.com

Office: 972-247-1369

Cell/Text: 214-695-7080

SOURCE: ActivePure Technology

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697996/Compass-Datacenters-Selects-ActivePure-For-New-Workplace-Health-Initiative
Regulatory News:

SFL (Paris:FLY):

Rental income: 46.4 million (up 5.0%)

Consolidated revenue by business segment (000's) Q1 22 Q1 21 Rental income 46,364 44,172 o/w Paris Central Business District 37,985 36,159 Paris Other 7,780 7,479 Western Crescent 599 534 Other revenue 0 0 Total consolidated revenue 46,364 44,172

First-quarter 2022 consolidated rental income amounted to 46.4 million, up by 2.2 million or 5.0% from the 44.2 million reported for the same period in 2021:

On a like-for-like basis (excluding all changes in the portfolio affecting period-on-period comparisons), rental income was 0.2 million higher, an increase of 0.5%,

Rental income from spaces being redeveloped was up by 2.5 million, positively impacted in particularly by delivery of the 83 Marceau building in the second half of 2021, after two years of redevelopment,

The early-2021 sale of the 112 Wagram and 9 Percier buildings led to a 0.5 million contraction in rental income.

The overall rent recovery rate for the first quarter of 2022 stands at 99%.

Business review

In the first quarter of 2022, letting activity in the greater Paris rental market once again signaled a return to normal levels, with transaction volumes in line with historic averages and rents for prime properties in Paris' CBD remaining at record highs.

Against this backdrop, the SFL Group signed leases on around 7,000 sq.m. of mainly office space on very good terms in first-quarter 2022. The new leases were signed at an average nominal rent of 761 per sq.m., corresponding to an effective rent of 654 per sq.m.

The physical occupancy rate for buildings in use reached a historic high, at 98.6% as of 31 March 2022 (versus 98.0% as of 31 December 2021), while the EPRA vacancy rate was 1.1%.

No properties were purchased or sold during the first quarter of 2022. However, in February, SFL signed an agreement to acquire the Pasteur building (91-93 boulevard Pasteur in Paris), a nearly 40,000-sq.m. property that is fully occupied by Amundi (see press release of 28 February 2022).

Contracts are expected to be exchanged by the end of April 2022.

Financing

SFL's consolidated net debt at 31 March 2022 amounted to 1,819 million, compared with 1,792 million at 31 December 2021, representing a loan-to-value ratio of 22.3% based on the portfolio's appraisal value at 31 December 2021. The average cost of debt after hedging was 1.1% and the average maturity was 4.5 years. At end-March 2022, the interest coverage ratio stood at 6.0x.

The Company's liquidity position at 31 March 2022 was excellent, with 1,240 million in undrawn confirmed lines of credit.

About SFL

Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 7.6 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.), and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies in the consulting, media, digital, luxury, finance and insurance sectors. As France's oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties.

Stock market: Euronext Paris Compartment A Euronext Paris ISIN FR0000033409 Bloomberg: FLY FP Reuters: FLYP PA

S&P rating: BBB+ stable outlook

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005893/en/

Contacts:

SFL Thomas Fareng Phone +33 (0)1 42 97 27 00 t.fareng@fonciere-lyonnaise.com

www.fonciere-lyonnaise.com
For its 4th edition, the conference will bring together major players, startups and academics to focus on the latest innovation in the strengths of the cluster: deep tech, energy transition, mobility, foodtech, healthtech and their many applications for the future of each industry - or the planet.

NEW YORK and PARIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Paris-Saclay SPRING returns on May 12 & 13, 2022, in a hybrid format: both online and at the Ecole Polytechnique on the Paris-Saclay Campus. Paris-Saclay SPRING will bring together the best of French innovation in five strategic sectors: FoodTech, Mobility, Digital Technologies, GreenTech, and Health-Biotech.

Over the past 4 years, Paris-Saclay SPRING has become one of the leading industrial and sustainable innovation events in Europe. Over two days, it provides direct access to 15% of French research, as well as researchers from Paris-Saclay University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and renowned schools. It also allows connections with R&D and industrial leaders from 150 international groups and 500 French Tech startup members.

Philippe Van de Maele, CEO Paris-Saclay development authority: "Within the past few years, both SPRING and Paris-Saclay itself have grown beyond our greatest expectations: IBM set up their AI research center on our campus at the end of last year, and Intel just announced that they would also open their own research center. They will join French startups that already have a foot in the US: Ivalua and WinMs who both already opened their American subsidiaries, and Ynsect, made famous by Robert Downey Jr last year, and who just acquired US-based Jord"

In a nutshell, Paris-Saclay SPRING is:

7 hours of debates and live conferences

50 startups selected in the SPRING 50 contest

100 exhibitors

Innovation tours in laboratories and private R&D centers open on this unique occasion.

Complete program and registration available online.

Follow the event live online or with replays, available May 16 on the event website.

Press contacts:

EPA Paris-Saclay / Gaelle Coutant

gaelle.coutant@oin-paris-saclay.fr - +33 1 64 5436 67

About Paris-Saclay

Paris-Saclay comprises 40% of Paris Region public research and 40% of industrial high-tech R&D*. Major groups including Danone, Thales, EDF, Safran, PSA, Renault, Airbus Group, Air Liquide, GE and Nokia are collaborating and cross-fertilizing with a large number of innovative SMEs and start-ups in the area, making the cluster uniquely equipped to adapt to the innovation models of the 21st century.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799949/Paris_Saclay_SPRING_Logo.jpg
Ad hoc Announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

- Talenthouse revenues grew by 32% like-for-like in 2021

- Adjusted EBITDA was ($5m) vs ($11.2m) in 2020

- Talenthouse completed two successful acquisitions, Jovoto and EyeEm, adding nearly $10m to revenue and trebling the size of its creative community

- Talenthouse also started billing revenue on two of its new products in the year, contributing $1.4m in revenues

- Nearly 10m members to the Talenthouse community added in 2021. It now stands at 14.7m members.

BAAR, Switzerland, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Talenthouse (SIX: THAG), one of the leading technology platforms connecting creatives and brands globally, today announces its non-audited combined financial results of the calendar year 2021. The results show strong growth in revenues and a reduction in adjusted operating losses. Revenues, excluding the impact from acquisitions, are up by 32% and up by 374% including acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA shows a loss of $(5.0)m against a loss of $(11.2)m in the prior year, as Talenthouse continues investing heavily in future growth.

Commenting on the results, Clare McKeeve, CEO, says: "We are very pleased with the 2021 performance. Organic growth was up over 30% thanks to increases in sales coverage, strong repeat customers and the contribution from Reality House and Untitled, two new products we launched in 2021. We also completed two successful acquisitions, Jovoto and EyeEm, which transformed the scale of our business and broadened our value proposition to include stock photography and innovation. With the intended completion of the acquisition of Coolabi (where we currently own 33%) later this quarter, we are break-even for 2021 based on pro forma unaudited numbers with combined revenues of $25.7m.

In 2022, our focus will be on growth, including contributions from our platforms, launched at the end of 2021, ElloU, ElloWorks and Media Foundry, focusing on community empowerment. We are confident our operating initiatives and continued strong execution will help us achieve our goals for the financial calendar year 2022."

Chairman Roman Scharf, adds: "2021 was a transformational year for the Talenthouse business. Two significant acquisitions helped transform the business into a leading platform for the creator economy. Talenthouse now has the critical mass, in terms of sales, production capabilities, people, community and breadth of offering, to capitalize on the structural change in the way creative content is produced and sourced and capture its share of an addressable market that is worth more than $700bn."

The results presentation can be accessed here:

About Talenthouse AG

Talenthouse AG is a technology platform company, working with the world's largest creative community of over 14m members, to produce the highest quality digital content for many of the largest companies globally, including Netflix and Snap. Talenthouse AG, which unites the creative platforms of Talenthouse, EyeEm, Ello, Zooppa and Jovoto, is leading a structural shift in the way that creative content is produced, employing a platform business model to source content at the scale and quality required to keep pace with consumer demand in the digital age. In doing so, it is also opening up opportunities for a much larger pool of creative talent. The company is registered in Switzerland and operationally headquartered in London with offices in LA, NYC, Berlin, Venice and Philadelphia.

For more information visit: www.business.talenthouse.com

Stock exchange listing: SIX Swiss Exchange (www.six-swiss-exchange.com)

Ticker symbol: THAG (CH)

Security number: 1 081986

ISIN: CH0010819867

Contact: Talenthouse AG, Zugerstrasse 8a, CH-6340 Baar, Switzerland

IR and media contacts:

Investor Relations: Scott Lanphere invest@talenthouse.com

Media Relations: Brigitte Kaps

Phone +41 43 344 38 38 or Mob +41 79 289 2042 Brigitte@talenthouse.com

Disclaimer

This media release serves informational purposes and constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation or an advertisement to buy any shares of Talenthouse AG in any jurisdiction. This media release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Article 35 et seqq. of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services. Such prospectus was published exclusively for the purposes of the listing of shares of Talenthouse AG on SIX Swiss Exchange. Such prospectus was not published for the purposes of a share offering. It can be downloaded on invest.talenthouse.com or is available free of charge at Talenthouse AG, Zugerstrasse 8a, 6340 Baar, Switzerland (e-mail: invest@talenthouse.com; phone: +41 43 344 38 38).

This media release and the information contained therein are not being issued in the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, or the European Economic Area and must not be distributed within or to such countries or via publications with a general circulation in such countries.

In the United Kingdom, this media release is only directed (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"), or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order.

This media release contains forward-looking statements such as projections, forecasts, and estimates. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those anticipated in this media release. The forward-looking statements contained in this media release are based on the views and assumptions of Talenthouse AG as of this date and Talenthouse AG does not assume any obligation to update or revise this media release.
Bombardier designates Wichita site as its new U.S. Headquarters

Bombardier Defense launched as evolution of Specialized Aircraft division

Additional firm orders confirmed for Global 6000 jets as part of the United States Air Force (USAF) Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program

U.S. Headquarters in Wichita includes growing service centre and expert flight test centre

Bombardier is engaged in active recruitment with a strong commitment to further job creation and diversification in Wichita



WICHITA, Kan., April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier announced today that its Wichita facility is designated as its new U.S. Headquarters, underscoring the site's growth and multi-disciplinary expertise. The company said the decision to locate its U.S. Headquarters in Wichita was a logical choice given the site's deep-rooted history in aviation, the tremendous opportunities for growth in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and defense sectors, and its strong and talented workforce. The new U.S. Headquarters is a key pillar in Bombardier's long-term strategy for its presence and growth in the U.S.

Bombardier's footprint in Wichita includes an expanding service centre that supports Bombardier's entire family of Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets. The site also continues to operate one of the world's leading flight test centres that performs testing and certification of aircraft upgrades on all new Bombardier aircraft programs, including the ongoing certification campaign for the Challenger 3500 jet.

Wichita is also home to the newly renamed Bombardier Defense, reflecting the company's strategic expansion of its existing Specialized Aircraft division. The expanding defense market is a key area of growth for the company. With the reinvented Bombardier Defense, led by Steve Patrick - Vice President Bombardier Defense, the company will leverage Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) design, manufacturing and certification expertise to provide agile, innovative solutions hosted on Bombardier's class leading aircraft platforms. This centre of excellence for defense applications, technology and innovation fully leverages the Wichita workforce and local industry.

Bombardier Defense today also confirmed additional firm orders for modified versions of its Global 6000 aircraft, as part of a potential $465 million USD order from the United States Air Force (USAF) in support of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program. Last year, Bombardier was awarded the sole-source engineering and modification Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the USAF to modify up to six Global 6000 business jets to become E11-A BACN platforms. Bombardier Defense will continue to leverage Wichita's highly reputed expertise to provide in-service support and upgrades to the USAF's expanding BACN fleet, underscoring Bombardier's status as a key U.S. aerospace employer.

"Wichita was the obvious choice as the home of Bombardier's new U.S. Headquarters and Bombardier Defense," said Eric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier. "For more than 60 years, the established skills and expertise from the Air Capital of the World is second to none, and this latest confirmation from the United States Air Force is a testament to the confidence they have in our aircraft and importantly, in the strength of our people in Wichita."

With the announcement of Wichita as the company's U.S. Headquarters, Bombardier also announced today that Tonya Sudduth, former Vice President of Operations, Wichita site, has accepted the newly created role of Head of U.S. Strategy. Based in Wichita, Tonya Sudduth will lead Bombardier's U.S. strategy, leveraging her extensive knowledge and rich aerospace experience to build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the community, government and industry to further strengthen and grow Bombardier's presence across all its sites in the U.S.

Bombardier continues to grow its footprint in the U.S. and in Wichita. The company has harnessed the high-level know-how of the teams in Wichita and doubled the size of its service center workforce to meet existing and anticipated demand. From three hangars just four years ago, Bombardier's Wichita service centre has expanded to include seven hangars today, offering Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft operators exceptional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) value and customer experience. Bombardier Defense also benefits from dedicated hangars to meet growing demand.

Between Bombardier's service centre, flight test center and Bombardier Defense, the company is actively recruiting to immediately fill more than 180 jobs in Wichita and close to 500 jobs across the U.S. To that end, Bombardier's U.S Headquarters will host an open house on April 23, 2022 for employees and invited guests to showcase the site's expansive facilities and for job applicants to meet with recruiters.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardier's Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in special-mission roles.

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Bombardier operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The company's robust customer support network includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China and an Australian facility opening in 2022.

For corporate news and information, including Bombardier's Environmental, Social and Governance report, visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardier's industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.



Bombardier, Challenger, Challenger 3500, Learjet, Global, and Global 6000 are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

For Information

Anna Cristofaro

Communications

+1-514-855-8678
Scott Klarquist Strongly Urges Shareholders to Oppose Genworth's Compensation Committee Directors on May 19th by Voting on the BLUE Proxy Card

Genworth's Owners Also Strongly Urged to Vote Against Approval of Genworth's Executive Compensation

In Mr Klarquist's View, Genworth's Compensation Committee Directors Have Failed Shareholders and Need to be Removed

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Activist Investor Scott Klarquist today filed his definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of Genworth Financial, Inc. (GNW, Genworth or the Company), to be held on May 19th. The full proxy statement can be found on the SEC's EDGAR website at the following link:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1276520/000176902222000039/gnwfinalproxy4192022.pdf

As someone who has purchased more shares of GNW stock over the past 13 months than all of our Company's "independent" directors collectively have purchased during the past five years, Mr Klarquist sought to engage with the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") to improve the corporate governance at Genworth by submitting his nomination as a director candidate for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Unfortunately, the Company declined to nominate Mr Klarquist without having even a single member of Genworth's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee contact him (let alone interview him, even via a simple 5-minute phone call or Zoom meeting). Therefore, Mr Klarquist decided to initiate a "Vote No" proxy solicitation and is urging shareholders to vote on the BLUE proxy card to (A) WITHHOLD their votes with respect to the election of each of Karen E. Dyson, Jill R. Goodman, Melina E. Higgins and Robert P. Restrepo Jr. (collectively, the Compensation Committee Directors) to our Board at the Annual Meeting [Proposal 1] and (B) vote AGAINST approval of the advisory vote on Genworth's executive compensation [Proposal 2]. Mr Klarquist urges you to disregard any materials, and not to sign, return or vote on any proxy card that may be sent to you by or on behalf of Genworth. If you have already voted on a proxy card sent to you by Genworth, you can revoke it by subsequently granting a proxy by telephone or Internet, by returning a later-dated proxy card, by sending your notice of revocation to Mr Klarquist, or by attending the 2022 Annual Meeting and voting electronically. Only your latest dated proxy will count, and any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr Klarquist is not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by or relating to Genworth contained in any proxy solicitation materials filed or disseminated by, or on behalf of, the Company.

Why a "Vote No" campaign against Genworth's Compensation Committee Directors? Incentives determine outcomes. As Charlie Munger has said, "Never, ever, think about something else when you should be thinking about the power of incentives." By far the most important incentives for any corporate executive are the terms of such executive's short and long-term compensation. Unfortunately, Genworth's senior executive compensation appears deeply flawed and does not, in Mr Klarquist's opinion, properly align the financial incentives of Genworth's senior executives with those of the true owners of the company, its shareholders. To take just one obvious data point, consider that Genworth's CEO James McInerney has been awarded $70 million in total compensation by our Board since he took office on January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2021 (including $30 million in total cash compensation), while during that period shareholders have suffered a total loss of 50% on their investment in Genworth stock (including receiving zero dividends). All during a raging bull market, with the S&P 500 up over 210% (plus dividends)!

This largesse to the CEO appears all the more insulting to Genworth shareholders in light of his backing no less than 17 extensions of the doomed China Oceanwide merger without any ticking or termination fee (note that Directors Higgins and Restrepo were both on our Board throughout the entirety of this fiasco), resulting in the waste, in Mr Klarquist's estimation, of untold millions of shareholder funds and thousands of Genworth employee man-hours. While CEO McInerney likely enjoys receiving millions in cash compensation per year courtesy of the shareholders regardless of whether the shareholders win or lose (what CEO wouldn't?), he apparently is not willing to bet on himself via our stock, as he has been dumping GNW shares in recent months at a staggering pace. Per his SEC Form 4 filings, he sold 150,000 shares on the open market last November 15th and jettisoned another 150,000 shares on the open market on February 22nd, in addition to selling an additional 1,005,609 shares on March 1st as part of a PSU vesting, in each case at a small fraction of Genworth's reported book value. Clearly something seems amiss here.

To take a few other pertinent data points, consider the following (as revealed in Genworth's public filings):

In 2011, the top five Genworth executives received a total of $11.5 million in compensation, while last year Genworth's five most senior executives received $30 million in total, or 2.6X 2011's total compensation. This represents an annual increase of over 10% during the 2011-2021 period, despite (A) the consumer price index (or CPI) increasing under 2% per year during the same time frame and (B) GNW's total shareholder return (TSR) trailing the S&P 500's TSR during the decade by approximately 300%.

During the past five years, despite Genworth's stock price remaining basically stagnant and the company paying zero dividends, GNW's 5 most-highly compensated NEOs received in excess of 120% of their targeted annual cash bonus amounts in 25 out of 25 instances (i.e., 100% "above target" awards).

Over the past 5 years, none of the short-term compensation for GNW's NEOs has been tied to any TSR metric or hurdle and, prior to 2021, none of GNW's long-term NEO compensation was tied to GNW's TSR.

In 2021, GNW belatedly instituted a TSR component for long-term NEO incentive compensation, but this applies to just 20% of such compensation (80% of the 2021-2023 LTI compensation remains untethered to GNW's TSR versus any relevant benchmark).

Genworth's executive compensation system is only as good as the decisions collectively made by the Compensation Committee Directors. In other words, "garbage in, garbage out." Since almost every public company (including Genworth) benchmarks its compensation practices against those of a self-selected peer group, it is instructive to analyze Genworth's peer group, which includes the following 14 companies (see page 47 of Genworth's 2022 proxy statement): Aflac, Inc.; American Financial Group, Inc.; Assurant, Inc.; CNA Financial Corporation; CNO Financial Group, Inc.; Fidelity National Financial; First American Financial Corporation; Hanover Insurance Group; Lincoln National Corporation; MGIC Investment Corporation; Principal Financial Group, Inc.; Radian Group; Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.; and Unum Group (collectively, the "Genworth Peer Group"). Unfortunately, the Genworth Peer Group bears no resemblance to the Company as regards market capitalization, which is usually (in Mr Klarquist's experience reviewing proxy statements) a key determinant in identifying peer groups (in addition to type of business):

Current Genworth market cap: $1.9B, versus current Genworth Peer Group Average Market Cap: $11.3B (smallest, Radian: $3.8B; largest, Aflac: $41B)

The average market cap of the Genworth Peer Group is over 5X that of our company (indeed, the smallest market cap in the Genworth Peer Group is over double that of Genworth)! In determining executive compensation, Genworth has no business comparing itself to competitors with market caps that are 2X to 20X higher; rather, Genworth should compare itself to similar companies in the $1 billion to $3 billion market cap range, such as mortgage insurer NMI Holdings Inc, or "NMIH" (market cap: $1.7B), whose C-suite executives make about half of the compensation of Genworth's:

GNW C-suite Top 5 Total GNW 2021 Compensation NMIH C-suite Top 5 Total NMIH 2021 Compensation McInerney 8,499,379 Merkle 4,970,949 Sheehan 5,579,800 Shuster 2,824,871 Gupta 11,006,561 Pollitzer 2,822,604 Haendiges 2,682,654 Leatherberry 2,436,972 Bobitz 2,229,729 Mathis 2,338,198 Total 29,998,123 Total 15,393,594

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a company that appears to prioritize its shareholders by properly reining in corporate expenses, in 2021 the ratio of the total compensation of NMIH's CEO to its average employee was a respectable 28:1, whereas the same ratio for Genworth's CEO was 81:1 (no, not a typo), or 3X that of NMIH. (See page 78 of Genworth's 2022 Proxy Statement.) Double or triple (depending on the metric used) the compensation for a vastly inferior long-term total shareholder return (during the past five years, NMIH's stock has outperformed Genworth's by approximately 7,000 basis points) is not something to write home about-and the buck stops with the enablers of this, Genworth's Compensation Committee Directors.

Strangely, per page 35 of Genworth's 2022 Proxy Statement, our Compensation Committee has retained a compensation consultant (Steven Hall & Partners, LLC) that has just two employees (per its website) and appears, based on a full-text search on EDGAR, to have represented just a handful other public companies over the past year, one of which (Kohl's) is currently embroiled in a proxy war. The challenger in the Kohl's contest (Macellum Advisors) said this in its March 18, 2022 proxy statement: "We believe that [Kohl's] Board has approved a poorly designed executive compensation program that insufficiently ties rewards to performance". Why haven't the Compensation Committee Directors hired a more reputable firm for compensation advice, such as Semler Brossy or F.W. Cook? Is it because a tiny firm such as Steven Hall & Partners, lacking the scale to offset overhead costs enjoyed by larger compensation consultancies, might just be a bit more desperate for fee income and therefore more willing to rubber-stamp whatever compensation scheme our Board comes up with (no matter how illogical)?

In light of the foregoing, rational Genworth shareholders should ask themselves: Who are the Compensation Committee Directors serving on behalf of, the shareholders (the true owners of the Company) or the members of Genworth's C-suite? We might conceivably take solace that the answer is the former if any of the Compensation Committee Directors had demonstrated a firm commitment to align their financial interests with those of the shareholders in the past, but this sadly has not been the case. None of Compensation Committee Directors Higgins, Dyson or Goodman has ever purchased a single share of Genworth stock on the open market, and, while Director Restrepo recently bought 50,000 shares, his purchase came two days after Mr Klarquist submitted his director nomination (since withdrawn) and a proxy contest was therefore suddenly in prospect. A coincidence? Or was Director Restrepo's purchase defensive and reactionary? Prior to the submission of Mr Klarquist's director nomination, Mr Restrepo had never purchased open market shares of Genworth stock since joining our Board in late 2016.

In addition, each of the Compensation Committee Directors serves on the boards of various other public and non-public companies, calling into question their willingness to challenge entrenched management. Compensation Committee Director Restrepo, for example, also serves on the boards of RLI Corp (where he made $175,000 in director fees for 2021) and Enact Holdings (thereby earning double director fees courtesy of Genworth shareholders, since we own 82% of Enact). Compensation Committee Director Dyson (the committee chair), on the other hand, serves on the boards of USAA Federal Savings Bank (since October 2017); CALIBRE Systems, Inc. (since October 2018); and the Army Emergency Relief Organization (since 2020). Why rock the boat as a director, if one can instead rubber-stamp the CEO's lucrative compensation package and empire-building plans and thereby collect director fees well into the six figures, while working just a few weeks a year? Each of Genworth's Compensation Committee Directors, for example, stands to make a *minimum* of $270,000 in director fees annually for serving on our Board (versus $242,000 in 2020), plus additional fees for serving as a committee chair or board chair-that is, so long as they don't get ejected from the director suite for being obstreperous (the Nomination Committee can simply decline to renominate any such director at the next annual meeting, perhaps following a not-so-subtle hint from the CEO).

Simply put, Mr Klarquist contends that Genworth's compensation committee members are not, and have not been, doing their jobs, the most important of which is to properly align the financial incentives of Genworth's senior executive officers with those of GNW's shareholders. He therefore strongly urges all Genworth shareholders to vote on the BLUE proxy card to (A) WITHHOLD your vote on the re-election of the Compensation Committee Directors as directors at the Annual Meeting [Proposal 1] and (B) vote AGAINST the Company's advisory vote on executive compensation [Proposal 2].

Contact: Scott Klarquist

85 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10005

Email: info@sevencornerscapital.com

Website: www.sevencornerscapital.com

SOURCE: Scott Klarquist

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/698018/Activist-Investor-Files-Proxy-Statement-in-Vote-No-Campaign-Against-Genworth-Financial
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Higher Yields Consulting, the leading international cannabusiness consulting firm, today announced that it will be a sponsor at the Benzinga Cannabis Conference, the leading cannabis investment conference in North America in Miami on April 20-21, 2022. The company provides professional business development services to cannabis startups, existing operators and local, state and federal governments - both domestically and internationally.

"We're proud to sponsor one of the industry's most prestigious events that brings together cannabis entrepreneurs, investors and market leaders," stated Cory Waggoner, founder and CEO of Higher Yields. "We look forward to meeting with industry leading executives and investors to discuss the state of the industry and identify growth opportunities in cannabis and psychedelics."

High Yields' clients span from conceptual startups to publicly traded Multi-State Operators to federal governments. The team determines and advises the feasibility of its client's potential endeavors and expansions of operators - from the onset working with federal and state governments, supporting them with regulatory structure and program development to create vertically integrated supply chains around the world.

The Higher Yields consulting team will be located at booth S38 and will be meeting with Multi-State Operators, investors, product manufacturers and vendors while at the conference. Representing the Higher Yields Consulting team at the conference will be Cory Waggoner, founder and chief executive officer, Anthony Adkins, chief revenue officer, Shannon Bustos, director of growth services, and Jesse Larson, director of design build and system limitation.

To set up a meeting with the Higher Yields Consulting team to discuss licensing, real estate, cultivation management, financial plans, facility design-build services, branding, marketing, compliance, banking access, etc. at the Benzinga Cannabis Conference, please send an email to book.

About Higher Yields Consulting

Higher Yields Consulting (Higher Yields) is a Denver-based, international cannabusiness consulting firm whose founding members have been successfully providing professional consulting services to the commercial cannabis and hemp industries since 2008. From licensing, real estate, cultivation management, financial plans, facility design-build services, Human Resource Services, branding, marketing, compliance, banking access and more, Higher Yields has decades of combined experience working closely with clients across the booming cannabis industry. The company has helped build more than four million square feet of cannabis facilities alone and offers an in-house marketing and branding team. Learn more and chat with us at higheryieldsconsulting.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120919
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - TrustBIX Inc. (TSXV: TBIX) (OTCQB: TBIXF) ("TrustBIX" or the "Company") announces that effective April 7, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Kenway Mack Slusarchuk Stewart LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of TrustBIX as a result of the resignation of its previous auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PWC"). With regard to this change of auditor, there have been no reservations in the auditor's reports of the former auditor or reportable events of disagreements, consultations or unresolved issues, as defined in the regulatory policy.

In compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, the appointment of the Company's new auditor will be brought before the next annual general meeting of shareholders.

About TrustBIX (TSXV: TBIX) (OTCQB: TBIXF)

As an innovative leader, TrustBIX provides agri-food traceability and chain of custody value solutions. The Company's goal is to create a world where we trust more, waste less and reward sustainable behaviour by addressing consumer and agri-food business demands. The proprietary platform, BIX (Business InfoXchange system), is designed to create trust without compromising privacy through innovative, blockchain-derived use of technology and data. By leveraging BIX and its unique use of incentive solutions, TrustBIX delivers independent validation of food provenance and sustainable production practices within the supply chain - Gate to Plate.

ViewTrak Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, provides a suite of hardware and software solutions to the livestock industry in Canada, United States, Mexico and China, such as Auction Master Pro, Market Master, Feedlot Solutions and pork grading probes.

The Company's Insight technology offers an edge-to-enterprise supply chain solution that brings asset situational awareness to dealers, equipment fleets, and civil construction managers. The platform allows for the tracking, protection, and identification of movement of assets using self-powered and self-reporting cellular tags and cloud-based suite of tools.

For more information, visit www.trustbix.com, or follow TrustBIX on Twitter @BIXSCdn, LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/bixsco-inc-/ and Facebook at www.facebook.com/BIXSco.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and reflects the Company's present assumptions regarding future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance, and/or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "propose", "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions used by any of the Company's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's internal projections, expectations, future growth, performance and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to the Company. Since they relate to the Company's current views with respect to future events, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments except as required by applicable securities legislation, regulations or policies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Hubert Lau

President and CEO

Telephone: (780) 456-2207

Email: info@trustbix.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120879
Cian PLC (NYSE: CIAN, MOEX: CIAN) ("Cian" or the "Company"), a leading online real estate classifieds platform in Russia, today announced that Mr. Gilles Blanchard has tendered his resignation as a member of the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), effective as of 00:00 Eastern time on April 12, 2022 (the "Effective Time"). Mr. Blanchard served as a member of each of the Audit Committee of the Board (the "Audit Committee") and the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board (the "Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee").

On April 14, 2022, upon recommendation of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board appointed Mikhail Zhukov as a director of the Company. Mr. Zhukov has served as chief executive officer of HeadHunter Group PLC (an associate of Elbrus Capital, one of the Company's significant shareholders) since February 2008 and as a member of its board of directors since May 2019. Prior to joining HeadHunter Group PLC, Mr. Zhukov worked for a variety of different Russian IT companies. Mr. Zhukov launched the insource IT company (IT-SK) at Sibur in 2007 and launched the Network Integration Division at IBS (a major Russian systems integrator) in 1994. He holds a Masters in Engineering from Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) and a diploma in Economics from Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics. Mr. Zhukov also holds a certificate for the Program for Executive Development from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On April 19, 2022, upon recommendation of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board appointed Dmitriy Antipov to the Audit Committee, with effect immediately following the Effective Time. The Board has also determined that, based on his education and experience, Mr. Antipov is financially literate in accordance with the requirements of the NYSE. The Board intends to rely upon the phase-in exemptions from the independence requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act) in respect of Mr. Antipov's appointment to the Audit Committee. Following Mr. Antipov's appointment, the Audit Committee consists of Douglas Gardner, Simon Baker and Dmitriy Antipov, with Mr. Gardner serving as Chairperson.

On April 19, 2022, upon recommendation of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board appointed Mikhail Zhukov to the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee, with effect immediately following the Effective Time of his appointment as the director. Following Mr. Zhukovs's appointment, the Compensation, Governance and Nominating consists of Mikhail Zhukov, Dmitriy Antipov and Maksim Melnikov, with Mr. Antipov serving as Chairperson.

The Company has previously disclosed in its registration statement on Form F-1, declared effective by the SEC on November 4, 2021, that it follows the corporate governance practices of its home country, Cyprus, in lieu of certain of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE. In addition, as discussed above, the Board intends to rely upon the phase-in exemptions from the independence requirements of the Exchange Act in respect of its Audit Committee.

About Cian

Cian is a leading online real estate classifieds platform in the large, underpenetrated and growing Russian real estate classifieds market, with a strong presence across Russia and leading positions in the country's key metropolitan areas. The Company ranks among the top ten most popular online real estate classifieds globally in terms of traffic (based on SimilarWeb traffic data for other online real estate classifieds and Google Analytics data for Cian for September 2021). Cian's networked real estate platform connects millions of real estate buyers and renters to millions of high-quality real estate listings of all types residential and commercial, primary and secondary, urban and suburban. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company had over 1.8 million listings available through its platform and an average UMV of over 18.5 million. Through its technology-driven platform and deep insights into the Russian real estate market the Company provides an end-to-end experience for its customers and users and helps them address multiple pain points on their journey to a new home or place to work.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our financial outlook for 2021 and long-term growth strategy, as well as statements that include the words "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend, intend," may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: our ability to maintain our leading market positions, particularly in Moscow, St. Petersburg and certain other regions, and our ability to achieve and maintain leading market position in certain other regions; our ability to compete effectively with existing and new industry players in the Russian real estate classifieds market; our heavy dependence on our brands and reputation; any potential failure to adapt to any substantial shift in real estate transactions from, or demand for services in, certain Russian geographic markets; any downturns in the Russian real estate market and general economic conditions in Russia; any effect on our operations due to cancellation of, or any changes to, the Russian mortgage subsidy program or other government support programs; further widespread impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other public health crises, natural disasters or other catastrophic events which may limit our ability to conduct business as normal; our ability to establish and maintain important relationships with our customers and certain other parties; any failure to establish and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting; any failure to remediate existing deficiencies we have identified in our internal controls over financial reporting, including our information technology general controls; any new or existing government regulation in the area of data privacy, data protection or other areas and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" (in particular, "Risks Relating to the Russian Federation" thereunder) in Cian's prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 4, 2021, and our other filings with the SEC as such factors may be updated from time to time.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419006104/en/

Contacts:

Investors:

Varvara Kiseleva

Head of Capital Markets and IR

ir@cian.ru



Media:

Olga Podoliaka

po@cian.ru
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2022 / Tarku Resources Ltd (TSX-V:TKU)(FRA:7TK)(OTCQB:TRKUF) (the "Company" or "Tarku") is pleased to announce that at its Annual General and Special Meeting held on April 7, 2022, Tarku Shareholders have re-elected as directors: Bernard Lapointe, Julien Davy, Jeff Sheppard, Kyle Appleby and David Watkinson.

The shareholders have also approved to maintain the stock option plan as described in the Information Circular and to continue with Davidson & Company LLP. as the independent auditor of the Corporation.

Following the annual meeting, the Board of Directors appointed the following persons as officers of the Corporation: Bernard Lapointe, Chairman of the Board, Julien Davy, President and Chief Executive Officer and Kyle Appleby, Chief Financial Officer.

About Tarku Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:TKU)(FRA:7TK)(OTCQB:TRKUF)

Tarku is an exploration company focused on new discoveries in favourable mining jurisdictions such as Quebec and Arizona. In Arizona, in the famous Tombstone District, Tarku owns 100% of 29 km2 of the Silver Strike Project, which has been interpreted by management as similar to what is found at the Hermosa Project, located 80km west in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, which South32 acquired for USD 1.8 billion in 2018. In Quebec, Tarku owns 100% of the "Three A's" exploration projects, (Apollo, Admiral and Atlas Projects), in the Matagami Greenstone Belt, which has been interpreted by management as the eastern extension of the Detour Belt, and which has seen recent exploration successes by Midland Exploration Inc., Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd., Probe Metals Inc.

On behalf of Tarku Resources Ltd

Julien Davy,

President and CEO

Tarku Contact Information:

Email: investors@tarkuresources.com

Website: www.tarkuresources.com

Please follow @TarkuResources on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and activities to vary materially from targeted results and planning. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Tarku's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Tarku from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

SOURCE: Tarku Resources Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/698043/Tarku-Announces-Results-From-Its-Annual-General-and-Special-Meeting
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

A delegation of US officials, including White House National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell, will visit the Solomon Islands this week, the White House said in a statement Monday. Some voices suggest Washington intends to urge Honiara to give up its security agreement with Beijing.

According to Chinese foreign ministry, China and the Solomon Islands have formally signed the security cooperation framework agreement, ahead of Campbell's scheduled visit.

Last week, Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja, already paid a two-day visit to the Solomon Islands to discuss the matter.

Apparently, both the US and Australia don't want to see that once the China-Solomon Islands pact becomes reality, more regional countries may choose to cooperate with China in terms of security - meaning the decline of Canberra and Washington's regional influence.

The US and Australia may still try to disrupt the security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands, analysts believed.

For example, the US can use Australia to threaten the Solomon Islands, as Honiara is in great need of Canberra in many aspects. In addition, the US always tries to exploit every conceivable means to achieve its goals. "This may include launching a public opinion warfare and aiding opposition forces to provoke conflicts in the Solomon Islands," according to Zhou Fangyin, a research fellow at the Guangdong Institute for International Strategies.

The US may also try to use potential aid as lever as officials from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will reportedly visit the Solomon Islands with Campbell.

But is the US really so generous to help the development of another country?

For example, isn't the objective of USAID to "advance US national security and economic prosperity?" Judging from that, even if the "carrot" in Washington's carrot and stick policy works somehow, the US will put its own interests first and other countries at risk.

Before China strengthens its cooperation with regional countries, including the Solomon Islands, the US has paid little attention to the South Pacific, leaving the region mainly to its deputy sheriff Australia.

The assistance of the US to the Solomon Islands has been quite limited for nearly 30 years after the US embassy in the Solomon Islands was closed in 1993, but it was announced in February the reopening of the embassy. The reason for the reopening is obvious: The US now desperately needs the Pacific Island country to stop China's presence in the country and the region.

Washington's current interests in the South Pacific region are heavily military-focused. The US military plans to expand military bases in the region, and even deploy intermediate-range missiles in countries like Palau. This is undoubtedly dragging the South Pacific region into the geopolitical game of the great powers, threatening regional security and peace.

But Washington may find it not so easy to disrupt the China-Solomon Islands security cooperation. First, the Solomon Islands knows the security pact is in its interest. The cooperation with China, particularly in police affairs and law enforcement, can ensure the stability and development of the Pacific nation.

Moreover, the Solomon Islands should realize it is under the special attention of Washington because the US wants to use it as a pawn to contain China. That is why the US is offering some "carrots" to the Pacific nation.

However, history shows that such benefits are often lip service or extremely costly. And once the Solomon Islands is seen as strategically not so useful in the eyes of Washington, perhaps not even a bit of "carrot" will be promised to the Pacific Island nation.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan will on Wednesday release March figures for imports, exports and trade balance, headlining a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Imports are expected to surged 28.9 percent on year, slowing from 34.0 percent in February. Exports are called higher by an annual 17.5 percent, easing from 19.1 percent in the previous month. The trade deficit if pegged at 100.8 billion yen following the 668.3 billion yen shortfall a month earlier. Japan also will see February results for its tertiary industry index; in January, the index slipped 0.7 percent on month. Australia will see March results for the leading economic index from Westpac Bank; in February, the index eased 0.2 percent on month. Taiwan will provide March numbers for export orders; in February, export orders jumped 21.1 percent on year. China will see updated data for its one-year and five-year loan prime rates; previously, they were 3.7 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. Indonesia will release March figures for loan growth; in February, loans increased 6.33 percent on year. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Aura Network, a Hanoi, Vietnam-based provider of a NFT (non-fungible token) dedicated layer-1 blockchain based on Cosmos ecosystem, raised USD2.5M in Seed funding.

Backers included Coin98 Ventures, GBV Capital, Impossible Finance, Kucoin Labs, Kyber Ventures, GUILDFI, Avalanche, MEXC Pioneer, TPX Ventures, Redline Dao, OIG, Vanda Capital, Deo Network, Ahamove, Ecomobi and Pencil Group.



The company intends to use the funds to expand its development efforts.

Led by Tran Hoang Giang, Tran Dang Hoa and Steve Nguyen. Aura Network is a Layer-1 NFT-centric blockchain, built to accelerate global NFTs adoption by the Internet of Blockchain. Aura Network provides an open system, and infrastructure layer integrating NFTs into the Metaverse.

The company will release its Testnet at the end of Quarter 2 of 2022. Aura Networks Mainnet will be launched in Quarter 3 of 2022.

FinSMEs

19/04/2022
Managing Partners: Maor Amar & Christian Lassonde (CNW Group/Impression Ventures)

Impression Ventures, a Toronto and Montreal, Canada-based venture capital firm, raised $64m for its fourth Fintech fund.

Impression Ventures IV LP was supported by both Bank of Montreal and CIBC, which both returned as Limited Partners. This latest close brings the funds committed capital near its $70 million maximum size.

Impression IV will invest in Seed stage firms in the US and Canada that are leveraging technology to disrupt and enhance the delivery of financial products and services. Impressions Fintech investments span all sectors of financial services including wealth management, credit & lending, retail banking, capital markets, insurance, regulatory technology and payments.

Fund IV builds on the deep fintech experience, hands-on problem solving, and founder focus approach that is core to Impression Ventures culture. The firms dedicated team includes deep technology, entrepreneurial and financial services expertise, which uniquely positions Impression Ventures to support its fintech focused portfolio companies in their growth and development.

Co-managed by entrepreneurs and Managing Partners Christian Lassonde and Maor Amar, Impression Ventures has invested in fintech startups such as Wealthsimple, Symend, Owl, Fraction, Brim Financial, FlexPay, Safekeep, Afficiency and others.

FinSMEs

19/04/2022
Laiye, a Beijing, China-based intelligent automation company, closed its $160m Series C funding round with the latest tranche at $70m.

The round was led by HOPU Magnolia, with participation from VMS Group and Youshan Capital, as well as existing investors such as Lightspeed China Partners and US-based Lightspeed Venture Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate international expansion in APAC, the Americas and EMEA and grow its team.

Led by Guanchun Wang, Chairman and CEO, Laiye focuses on enterprise customers in the insurance, communications, electric power, finance, retail, and healthcare industries to build end-to-end Intelligent Automation solutions. Global customers include Porsche, LVMH, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson Medical, and Roche Pharmaceuticals. Already a market leader in China, the company provides Intelligent Automation solutions to Chinese companies such as China Southern Power Grid, PetroChina, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom.

This funding round follows Laiyes recent acquisition of Paris-based Mindsay, a European enterprise conversation AI firm, and the establishment of a new R&D hub in Paris.

Over the past 12 months, Laiye more than doubled its team outside China to 100+ employees, about 15% of the total workforce, grew its partner network to 600+ strong and fostered its intelligent automation developer community of more than 600,000 registered users globally.

FinSMEs

19/04/2022
Nord Security, a Vilnius, Lithuania-based provider of internet privacy and security solutions, raised USD100M in funding at $1.6 billion valuation.

The round was led by Novator Ventures, with participation from Burda Principal Investments and General Catalyst. Founders and angel investors including Ilkka Paananen (CEO, Supercell), Miki Kuusi (CEO, Wolt) and Matt Mullenweg (CEO, Automattic) also joined the round.



The company intends to use the funds to expand its product suite and enterprise presence, while accelerating the growth of consumer cybersecurity company Surfshark, which Nord Security joined forces with in early 2022.



Founded in 2012 by Tom Okman and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, Nord Security is a global leader in internet privacy and security solutions to enable both consumers and companies to secure online networks, information and accounts. Along with NordVPN, a virtual private network that protects an internet connection and privacy online, the companys internet security and privacy product suite includes NordPass (password manager), NordLocker (encrypted cloud storage), NordLayer (network access security), and Atlas VPN (freemium VPN service).

FinSMEs

19/04/2022
Tessera Therapeutics, a Somerville, MA-based biotechnology company, raised over $300M in Series C funding.

Investors included Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, Altitude Life Science Ventures, ARTIS Ventures, Cormorant Asset Management, Flagship Pioneering, Hanwha Impact Partners, Longevity Vision Fund, March Capital, SALT Fund, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and T. Rowe Price Associates.



The company intends to use the funds to expand its development efforts.



Led by Geoffrey von Maltzahn, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Director, Tessera Therapeutics provides gene writing technology, which consists of multiple technology platforms designed to offer scientists and clinicians the ability to write therapeutic messages into the human genome, thereby curing diseases at their source. The platform allows the correction of single nucleotides, the deletion or insertion of short sequences of DNA, and the writing of entire genes into the genome, offering the potential for a new category of genetic medicines with broad applications both in vivo and ex vivo.

Tesseras gene writer tools are based on natures genome architects, Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs)the most abundant class of genes across the tree of life, representing approximately half of the human genome. The company has evaluated tens of thousands of natural and synthetic MGEs to create candidates with the ability to write therapeutic messages into the human genome. Its research engine further optimizes the discovered candidates for efficiency, specificity, and fidelityessentially compressing eons of evolution into a few months.

Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., is Co-Founder and Chairman of Tessera Therapeutics and Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering.



FinSMEs

19/04/2022
TUESDAY

Academy for Lifelong Learning, 9:30 a.m., online. Hilary Boudet, associate director of graduate programs at the School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, will present "Personal Experience with Extreme Weather and Views on Climate Change." Extreme weather events are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, yet it is unclear what role personal experience with such events plays in shaping public policy. Based on both surveys and interviews in impacted communities, results indicate that extreme weather events can promote action, but not always. Climate policy change is often limited post-event because rescue and recovery processes can be overwhelming. Boudet teaches courses on energy, climate and society. ALL invites nonmembers to attend one or two classes at no charge to see if they are interested in becoming a member. Email admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org if you are interested.

"Illuminating... Advance Care Planning," noon, online. The first in a three-part series, "Illuminating Series about Advance Care Planning." Workshops can be taken individually or consecutively. Learn how to start the conversation with loved ones about your end-of-life wishes, which forms are necessary and right for you, and what do to with your estate and financial situation. No cost. Registration: 541-757-9616 or outreach@luminahospice.org.

Academy for Lifelong Learning, 1:30 p.m., online. Kimberly Halsey, associate professor of microbiology at Oregon State University, will present "Scaling from a Single Cell to the Globe." The ocean's food web is fueled by a diversity of single-celled plants called phytoplankton. Researchers study how different groups of phytoplankton respond to the environment. Understanding these behaviors allows quantitation of phytoplankton growth at regional and global scales. Researchers find a large group of phytoplankton growing much faster than previously thought by scavenging fuel from surprising sources. Information about group-specific behaviors reveals how phytoplankton distributions are shifting in response to climate change. ALL invites nonmembers to attend one or two classes at no charge to see if they are interested in becoming a member. Email admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org if you are interested.

WEDNESDAY

Meet-up with Helen Higgins, Benton County Commissioner Democratic primary candidate, 4:30 to 6 p.m., outside, Woodstock's Pizza Parlor, 1045 NW Kings Blvd., Corvallis. Drop by and meet Helen, share your questions, learn what a county commissioner does, and hear why she is stepping forward to serve Benton County in the county commissioner role. Beverages available at Woodstocks. Information: votehelenhiggins@gmail.com.

FRIDAY

Music a la Carte: "Double-Reed Divas with Molly Myers," noon, lounge, Memorial Union, 2501 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis. The Double Reed Divas from Vancouver, Washington are a chamber ensemble of the Oregon Chamber Players. Performers are Victoria Racz, oboe/oboe d'amore/English horn; Ann van Bever, oboe/oboe damore/English horn; and Dagny Rask-Regan, oboe/English horn/bassoon/piano. This concert will include music ofFrancois Gossec, Amy Beach, Elizabeth Aitkens, Timoteus Racz and others. Joining the Divas for this performance will be Oregon State University music senior Molly Myers, playing a double-reed arrangement of Gustav Holsts Second Suite in F. Information: erin.sneller@oregonstate.edu.

SATURDAY

Wedding and Event Showcase, 1 to 4 p.m., Greater Jefferson Community Center, 107 N. Main St., Jefferson. Come get information on places to hold an event or a small wedding. Local vendors will be on hand, including photographers and wedding designers. Participants can also visit two sites: the 1854 Jacob Conser House and the historic Jefferson United Methodist Church. Information: 541-979-3652 or amybailey.jeffersonmuseum@gmail.com.

Items for this calendar are pulled from the user-generated calendar that runs on our websites. For further information, write to jane.stoltz@lee.net.

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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
New York, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PHI Group, Inc. (www.phiglobal.com, PHIL), a diversified holding company currently engaged in PHILUX Global Funds (a group of Luxembourg bank funds) ), the Asia Diamond Exchange project (ADE) in Vietnam, mergers and acquisitions and investing in special situations (www.CO2-1-0.io), is pleased to announce that CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP., a subsidiary of the Company, has signed a Listing Agreement with DigiFinex, the Top 10 Volume Crypto Centralized Exchange in the world.



According to the Agreement, CARBON token (symbol: CO2) will be listed in DigiFinex exchange and available for trading on April 22nd 2022. CO2 will be traded together with other 425 listed coins including Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc. Currently, CO2 will be paired with USDT.

Apparently, the listing day of April 22nd is the same day as the Earth Day 2022, where Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, which the main aim is to raise awareness about the growing concerns of overpopulation, loss of biodiversity, and depleting quality of the environment. The theme for Earth Day 2022 is Invest In Our Planet which expect people to act in a bold way, innovate in a broad way, and implement in an equitable manner. Having CO2 listed in DigiFinex, gives everyone equal opportunity to invest in our planet, with transparent procedures, fast, and hassle free.

Mr. Oscar Or, Chief Commercial Officer of DigiFinex, Ltd, stated: We are very proud and excited to announce the listing of the CARBON (CO2) project, founded by CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP and PHI Group, Inc., which are the global key leaders in the Carbon Credit transition solutions and leveraging with latest blockchain technology and cryptocurrency concepts.

ESG and Climate change are the most important topics in recent days. We are looking forward to the success of the Carbon team in bringing more innovative solutions to improve the health of the Earth and become the most impactful leaders in the industry.

Mr. Choky YF Simanjuntak, CEO and Founder of CARBON, added: We are very happy and enthusiastic to be listed in DigiFinex which is the top 10 volume crypto exchange in the world. With a proven exchange systems and strong investor communities (visit by 2.4 million users/ week), we believe it can attract many green investors to the market and participate healing the earth.

Our website https://co2-1-0.io has provided 2 unique modules, i.e. Project Owner module for carbon credits origination, and Carbon Offset module for company/ corporation and individual who wants to offset their carbon footprint. With the CO2 token listed in the DigiFinex will accelerate combating climate change. In general, now we have more effective and efficient way to reach net zero carbon target accordingly.

About CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP.

CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP. (www.CO2-1-0.io) aims to provide a solution in disruptive new carbon market (voluntary and compliancy market) using blockchain-crypto technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and Six Sigma (6) methodology, which will empower the real environmentally sustainable projects (renewable energy, energy savings, heat recovery, industrial waste, agriculture, forestry, and many other new technologies), which projects have started in the USA, Vietnam, Indonesia, other ASEAN countries, and worldwide. It has a clear and systematic product development roadmap, and the ultimate milestones of the products. The solution, methodology, and improved TACCC (transparent, accurate, consistent, complete, and comparable) business process originally introduced by CO2-1-0 (CARBON) will bring full impact to better environment and life of millions.

CARBON (CO2) is the most environmentally sustainable crypto on earth, developed under BEP-20 (BSC Mainnet) and has passed CertiK audit, which is #1 security audits for blockchain protocols, wallets, DApps, and smart contracts. CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP. based in Wyoming, USA, with a fast-growing community named Carbonian" all over the world.

About DigiFinex Ltd.

Digifinex is a global top 15 Exchange (Ranked by Coingecko) founded in 2017, with Headquarter located in Singapore. DigiFinex is providing more than 400 digital currency trading pairs, credit card to crypto channels and crypto-related products such spot trading, margin trading, crypto fund and loans. With in-house developed security system and multiple fail-safe layers design, DigiFinex is giving customers a bank-graded protection and become the best option for one-stop digital management platform in Global.

About PHI Group

PHI Group (www.phiglobal.com, PHIL) primarily focuses on advancing PHILUX Global Funds, a group of Luxembourg bank funds organized as Reserved Alternative Investment Fund (RAIF) (www.philux.eu), and building the Asia Diamond Exchange (ADE) in Vietnam. The Company also engages in mergers and acquisitions and invests in select industries and special situations that may substantially enhance shareholder value.

Safe Harbor Act and Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as may, future, plan or planned, will or should, expected, anticipates, draft, eventually or projected, which are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Contact:

CO2-1-0 (CARBON) CORP.

Email: contact@CO2-1-0.io

Phone: +1-714-642-0571

DIGIFINEX LTD

Email: cooperation@digifinex.com

PHI Group, Inc.

Email: info@phiglobal.com

Phone: +1-714-793-2977

Attachment
Newark, April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global warehouse management system market is expected to grow from USD 2.74 Billion in 2020 to USD 11.08 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 15% during the forecast period 2021-2030.

Warehouses are at the center of manufacturing and supply chain activities because they hold everything from raw materials to finished items. A warehouse management system (WMS) is designed to help ensure that goods and materials are moved through warehouses in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.



Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/12650



A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software application that helps in the control and management of warehouse operations. WMS software guides inventory receiving and storage, optimises order picking and delivery, and recommends inventory replenishment. A warehouse management system can be used independently or as part of a larger Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. WMS systems are specifically designed to meet the needs of a global supply chain, including distribution, manufacturing, asset-intensive, and service industries.



The rise in the e-commerce business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, globalisation of supply chain networks, emerging multichannel distribution channels, greater usage of cloud WMS solutions, and the rising requirement for efficient forecasting models are all factors contributing to the market's growth.



For more information about this report visit: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/warehouse-management-system-market-12650



Key players operating in the global warehouse management system market are Manhattan Associates, Inc., Blue Yonder Group, Inc., HighJump (Korber), Oracle Corporation, IBM and SAP among others. To enhance their market position in the global Warehouse Management System market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint venture, collaborations, and partnership.



 Blujay Solutions Ltd. acquired Expedient Software, a customs software solution supplier in the logistics sector, mainly in New Zealand and Australia, on March 3, 2020. In Asia Pacific, the acquisition helped the company in expanding its functional and regional capabilities.

 JDA Software released JDA Luminate in May 2018. JDA Luminate is designed on an open, connected, and cognitive platform that leverages digital edge technology including SaaS, AI, and advanced analytics.

 Epicor Software acquired Majure Data, a warehouse management solution company, on July 3, 2019. The company assisted the corporation in expanding its portfolio in the market for lumber and building materials.



The services segment is expected to grow at a faster rate over the forecast period.



The component segment is divided into services and software. During the forecast period, services are expected to grow at a faster rate. The primary factors linked to the segment's growth include a significant increase in third-party inventory management services because of enterprises' insufficient warehouse capacity. Furthermore, these services strive to circulate demand from a variety of small and medium-sized businesses.

The cloud segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

The deployment segment is divided into cloud and on-premise. The cloud segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. In comparison to cloud-based technologies, the upfront expenditures and ownership of operating an on-premise server are extremely high. Furthermore, as compared to cloud-based solutions, on-premise solutions have a complex and time-consuming deployment process.



The systems integration & maintenance segment dominated the market, accounting for around 30% of global revenue with a market value of around 0.82 billion.



The function segment is divided into analytics & optimization, labor management system, billing & yard management, consulting services, systems integration & maintenance. In 2020, the systems integration & maintenance segment dominated the market, accounting for around 30% of global revenue with a market value of around 0.82 billion. WMS performs functions such as inventory receiving and holding, order picking and delivery optimization, and inventory replenishment guidance.



The manufacturing segment had the highest revenue share of almost 26% in 2020.



The application segment is divided into retail, manufacturing, healthcare, food & beverage, transportation & logistics others. In 2020, the manufacturing segment had the highest revenue share of almost 26%. Initially, industrial organisations integrated their ERP and WMS systems. To achieve full control of the supply chain, they are also integrating their logistics and transport management systems. In addition, cloud-based technology is improving supply chain management efficiency and performance in the manufacturing sector.



Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/12650



Regional Segment Analysis of the Warehouse Management System Market



 North America (U.S. Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of the Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and Rest of South America)

 Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



The Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The rapid rise in the e-commerce, manufacturing, and retail sectors, particularly in developing countries like India, China, and Indonesia, is attributed with the region's expansion. In the retail and e-commerce industries, China is a big revenue generator. Furthermore, the country has a large manufacturing industry, as well as a growing preference for domestic manufacture. As a result of the aforementioned factors, the warehouse management systems trend in Asia Pacific is rapidly growing.



About the report:



The global Warehouse Management System market is analysed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analysed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porters five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution and marketing channels analysis.



Purchase this report (Price 4700 USD for a single-user license) at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/buy-now/12650/single



About The Brainy Insights:



The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirement whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



Contact Us



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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- South Star Battery Metals Corp. (South Star or the Company) (TSXV: STS) (OTCQB: STSBF), is announcing the retirement of Dave McMillan as Chairman and member of the Board effective April 15th, 2022. Marc P. Leduc, a board member since 2019, has been named the new Chairman effective April 15th, 2022.



Richard Pearce, President & CEO commented, We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dave for his hard work, dedication and distinguished service over the years and wish him all the success and happiness in his retirement. He has been a staunch supporter of South Star since its inception and our success today is largely dependent on his tireless efforts.

Richard Pearce continued, We are pleased to announce that Marc is assuming the role of Chairman of the Board and his wealth of project development, construction and operational experience is going to be an important resource in assisting the Company in moving Santa Cruz into production and scaling operations as well as advancing the Alabama project through the development phases to a capital allocation decision. He will be a big help to the team and a real positive for the Company.

Mr. Leduc is a mining engineer and geologist with over 30 years of experience involving all aspects of the development, operations, planning and evaluation of mining projects including over 20 years in Latin America. Marc served as the President and CEO of Luna Gold Corp., operator of the Aurizona mine in Brazil, from 2015 to 2016. He also led the team restarting the Castle Mountain mine in the southwest US and served as COO and interim CEO of NewCastle Gold Ltd. Both companies were merged in 2017 to form Equinox Gold Corp. where he served as the Executive Vice President of US Operations after the merger. He is currently COO of Kore Mining Ltd. Throughout his career, Marc has demonstrated a proven ability of unlocking the maximum value in mining assets through his experience in the design and construction of large mines, heap leach and tailings facilities. He has global experience in the areas of complex metallurgy, site water management, heap leach planning and the use of innovative solutions to solve environmental concerns. Previously, Mr. Leduc was Chief Operating Officer at Lydian International Limited and President and COO of Bear Creek Mining Corporation. He holds a B.Sc. (Honors) in Mining Engineering from Queens University and a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Ottawa.

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE IN RESPECT OF THE STREAMING TRANSACTION

The Company also wishes to provide the following disclosure with respect to the security package surrounding the binding streaming agreement (Agreement) with Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (B) Corp. (Sprott) for the Santa Cruz Graphite Project in Brazil (the Project), to supplement the disclosure in its press release dated April 5, 2022 (the Press Release). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined below shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Press Release.

The obligations of the Companys affiliate, South Star Graphite Canada Corp. (SSGCC), under the Promissory Note, the Agreement and related documents have been guaranteed by the Company pursuant to a limited recourse guarantee, pursuant to which recourse against the Company is limited to certain collateral subject to the Initial Share Pledges (as defined below). The Companys (and its affiliates) obligations under the Promissory Note, the Agreement and related documents are secured by a pledge by the Company of the shares of its direct wholly-owned subsidiaries, SSGCC and Brasil Graphite Corp. (BGC), in favour of Sprott (collectively, the Initial Share Pledges). The obligations under the Agreement will be further guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee from each of Brazil Grafite Mineracao Ltda. (BGM), the indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that holds the Project, and BGC, and further secured by a pledge of the shares of BGM and certain assets of BGM (including real property) relating to the Project.

ABOUT SOUTH STAR BATTERY METALS CORP

South Star Battery Metals Corp. is a Canadian battery metals project developer focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in the Americas. South Stars Santa Cruz Graphite Project, located in Southern Bahia, Brazil is the first of a series of industrial and battery metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. Santa Cruz has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot-plant testing (>30t) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of Cg concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95%-99% Cg. With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star is carrying its development plan towards Phase 1 production projected in Q2 2023.

South Stars next project in the pipeline is a development project in Alabama located in the middle of a developing electric vehicle, aerospace and defence hub in the southeastern United States. The Project is a historic mine active during World Wars I & II. Trenching, sampling, analysis and preliminary metallurgic testing has been completed. The testing indicated a traditional crush/grind/flotation concentration circuit achieved grades of approximately 96-97% with approximately 86% recoveries. and South Star is executing on its plan to create a multi-asset, diversified battery metals company with near-term operations in strategic jurisdictions. South Star trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STS, and on the OTCQB under the symbol STSBF.

South Star is committed to a corporate culture, project execution plan and safe operations that embrace the highest standards of ESG principles based on transparency, stakeholder engagement, ongoing education and stewardship. To learn more, please visit the Company website at http://www.southstarbatterymetals.com .

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, P.E., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Battery Metals Corp.

On behalf of the Board,

Mr. Richard Pearce

Chief Executive Officer

For additional information, please contact:

South Star Investor Relations (Canada IR)

Email: invest@southstarbatterymetals.com

RBMG  RB Milestone Group LLC (IR US)

Trevor Brucato, Managing Director

Email: southstar@rbmilestone.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarbm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarbatterymetals

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southstarbatterymetals/

YouTube: South Star Battery Metals - YouTube

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release and the Updated Technical Report contain references to inferred resources. The Report is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: moving Santa Cruz into production and scaling operations as well as advancing the Alabama project; how the obligations under the Agreement will be further guaranteed and secured; and the Companys plans and expectations.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.
MELBOURNE, Fla. and MIAMI, April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apis Cor , the company that prints buildings, and SMASH , a community land trust for housing justice, today announced their partnership to 3D-print affordable homes in Miami-Dade county. As partners, Apis Cor and SMASH will define the unique needs and specific technical objectives of their first building project and work with officials in Miami-Dade to demonstrate the viability of 3D-printing homes in South Florida.



In a market where land is prohibitively expensive like Miami, and where there are limited funds for housing production, 3D-printing technology offers the kind of market disruption that could finally provide conscious builders with the means to meet the extraordinary demand for affordable housing in the county, said Adrian Alberto Madriz, Executive Director, SMASH-Miami.

Partnering with SMASH gives us the opportunity to push our technology and materials in new ways, said Anna Cheniuntai, CEO and Co-Founder of Apis Cor. Because Miami is in a high-velocity hurricane corridor we are exploring how 3D-printing technology can be adapted to meet specific building, design and cost requirements.

The Apis Cor system cuts shipping costs, installation time, and improves printing speed. Apis Cors construction method can save up to 30% on the cost of a traditional finished home in the United States.

Madriz added, As a worker-owned cooperative non-profit, we will be able to employ organized labor in the production of cutting edge, resilient and quality housing at a much lower cost than conventional methods.

Before we 3D-print the first home with SMASH in 2023, we will have planned out every detail, achieved the desired price for each build, and secured approvals from the county, commented Cheniuntai.

Apis Cor Affordable Housing Cooperative Housing Program

Apis Cor launched the industrys first Affordable Housing Cooperative Program (AHCP) to work with nonprofits and affordable housing companies to develop and build 3D printed homes. Apis Cor and its AHCP Partners design spec houses that fit the organizations distinct requirements of price, sq. footage, floor plan, finishes and other factors. Once construction costs are validated and a long-term plan to replicate and scale the solutions is created, onsite 3D-printing will begin.

About SMASH-Miami

Struggle for Miami's Affordable and Sustainable Housing (SMASH) is a community land trust building power for housing justice to make housing a human right in Miami. Their leadership led to the Miami Housing Justice Agenda, a platform of values and policy proposals that, if adopted, would fulfill SMASH's vision for a Miami where housing is a human right and everyone has a home. The agenda's values and policies are the product of four years of community engagement, research and best practices and is the product of a coalition of different community organizations and policy experts including Miami Homes for All, The Greater Miami Housing Alliance, Florida International University Metropolitan Center, University of Florida Shimberg Center, City of Miami Connect Capital Initiative, Homes for All National, Grassroots Global Justice, Climate Justice Alliance, Indigenous Environmental Network and Gulf South Green New Deal. SMASHs goal is to get 1.5 Million Miami-Dade residents (half the county population) to pledge their support to the Miami Housing Justice Agenda by the year 2030. https://smash.miami/

About Apis Cor

Founded in 2016 by Nikita and Anna Cheniuntai, Apis Cor is an American technology corporation headquartered in Melbourne, Florida that develops advanced technologies and materials for construction 3D-printing. The company holds the Guinness Book World Record for the Largest 3D-Printed Building on Earth and is proud to be a resident of the Autodesk Technology Centers Outsight Network. A successful participant in NASA's "3D Printed Habitat Challenge"  Apis Cor was awarded top honors in several categories. Apis Cor is backed by Alchemist Accelerator, the premier accelerator for Enterprise startups, and At One Ventures, a VC and private equity firm which supports deep tech ventures that are a net positive to nature and the planet. Learn more about 3D-printing construction technology at: www.Apis-Cor.com .

Media Contact:

Heidi Groshelle

Groshelle Communications

heidi@groshelle.com
English French

Pixium Vision announces its cash position at 31 March 2022 and provides an update on its activities and financial outlook until the end of 2022

Paris, France, April 19, 2022  07:00 CET Pixium Vision SA (Euronext Growth Paris - FR0011950641), a bioelectronics company that develops innovative bionic vision systems to enable patients who have lost their sight to live more independently, announces a cash position of 10.4 million at 31 March 2022 and reports on its key developments.

In total, at 31 March 2022, Pixium Visions cash position amounted to 10.4 million, compared to 14.5 million on 1 January 2022. Given its current cash position, the Companys financial runway extends until the end of this year.

Pixium Vision is continuing to explore various avenues that will enable it to secure the cash flow necessary to pursue its development. In particular, the Company is considering several financing offers it received and, at the appropriate time, will disclose to the market the main terms of any offer it accepts and will submit them for the approval of the shareholders at the next general meeting if the timing for convening the meeting allows.

Key developments in the first quarter of 2022

Highlights of the first quarter of 2022 included the announcement of the publication of peer-reviewed clinical data in Nature Communications as well as the FDA approval to add Stanford Medicine as a clinical site to the US feasibility study .

In January, Pixium Vision announced the publication of peer-reviewed clinical data in Nature Communications demonstrating the clinical benefit of the Prima System* in Dry AMD patients. Some of the key takeaways amongst others were that the Prima System* implant was generally well tolerated over the 18-24 months period, and that the synchronous perception of natural and prosthetic vision has been demonstrated.

Furthermore, in March, Pixium Vision announced the FDA approval of clinical trial expansion of Prima System* US feasibility study to the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford Medicine. This new clinical site for the study joins the original two locations at the UPMC Eye Center in Pittsburgh and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami.

About Pixium Vision

Pixium Vision is creating a world of bionic vision for those who have lost their sight, enabling them to regain visual perception and greater autonomy. Pixium Visions bionic vision systems are associated with a surgical intervention and a rehabilitation period. Prima System* sub-retinal miniature photovoltaic wireless implant is in clinical testing for patients who have lost their sight due to outer retinal degeneration, initially for atrophic dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). Pixium Vision collaborates closely with academic and research partners, including some of the most prestigious vision research institutions in the world, such as Institut de la Vision in Paris, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) in Barcelona, University hospital in Bonn, and UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. The company is EN ISO 13485 certified and qualifies as Entreprise Innovante by Bpifrance.

Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors (Facteurs de Risques) section of the Companys 2021 Half-Year Financial Report and other documents the Company files with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website (www.amf- france.org) or on the Companys website.

For more information: http://www.pixium-vision.com/fr

Follow us on @PixiumVision ; www.facebook.com/pixiumvision

www.linkedin.com/company/pixium-vision

Contacts

Pixium Vision

Offer Nonhoff

Chief Financial Officer

investors@pixium-vision.com

+33 1 76 21 47 68 Media Relations



LifeSci Advisors

Sophie Baumont

sophie@lifesciadvisors.com

+33 6 27 74 74 49 Investor Relations

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com

+41 76 735 01 31

* CAUTION - Investigational device. Limited by United States law to investigational use.




Pune, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Contact Center Market Analysis and Insights: The global Contact Center market size is projected to reach USD 41790 million by 2027, from USD 32190 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.7% during 2021-2027.

Global " Contact Center Market " Research Report gives an important analysis of available states with the best statistical data points, certified emotions, definition, meaning, SWOT analysis, and the most recent advancements globally. Estimates are also provided based on an appropriate set of assumptions and practices. The study considers the income created by this report's sales as well as the advancements achieved by distinct application areas. The evaluation report investigates and gives data based on advertise segments such as geologies, applications, and industries. The study gives a dashboard overview of major organizations like Teleperformance, Alorica, Convergys, Atento S.A and others, covering their effective marketing methods, market participation, and recent breakthroughs in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Get a Sample PDF of report @ https://www.industryresearch.biz/enquiry/request-sample/19859164

About Contact Center Market:

A contact center (also referred to as a customer interaction center or e-contact center) is a central point in an enterprise from which all customer contacts are managed. The contact center typically includes one or more online call centers but may include other types of customer contact as well, including e-mail newsletters, postal mail catalogs, Web site inquiries and chats, and the collection of information from customers during in-store purchasing. A contact center is generally part of an enterprise's overall customer relationship management (CRM).

The market for Contact Center is fragmented with players such as Teleperformance, Alorica, Convergys, Atento S.A, Sykes Enterprises, Arvato, Serco Group, Acticall (Sitel), Transcom, TeleTech, Concentrix (SYNNEX), HKT Teleservices and Comdata Group, etc.



Target Audience of Contact Center Market:

- Manufacturer / Potential Investors

- Traders, Distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers, Importers, and Exporters.

- Association and government bodies.

List of Key Players in Contact Center Market Report are:

Teleperformance

Alorica

Convergys

Atento S.A

Sykes Enterprises

Arvato

Serco Group

Acticall (Sitel)

Transcom

TeleTech

Concentrix (SYNNEX)

HKT Teleservices

Comdata Group

TO UNDERSTAND HOW COVID-19 IMPACT IS COVERED IN THIS REPORT

A recent study by Contact Center Market provides an overview of market segmentation by product, application, and geography. The study also contains an in-depth examination of the industry's growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, BPS analysis, and Porter's five force model. The study then investigates the market's development state and prospective Contact Center Market design all over the world. Similarly, it categorizes the Contact Center market by type and application in order to completely and comprehensively investigate and uncover market features and opportunities.

On the basis of Product Type, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share, and growth rate of Contact Center Market types split into:

On-premise Type

Cloud-based Type

On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share, and Contact Center market growth rate with applications, including:

Telecommunication

Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)

Government and Public Sector

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Retail and Consumer Goods

Others

The evaluation also focuses on worldwide corporate executives in the Contact Center global market, covering firm history, product photographs, and descriptions, licensing, production, price, pricing, pricing, and contact information. The structure, volume, and value of the Contact Center market are examined at the global, regional, and company levels in this report. This research analyses historical data and future prospects to summarize Contact Center worldwide worth.

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Reasons to Purchase:

Get useful marketing research and an entire understanding of the worldwide market and business environment.

Abatement by assessing production processes, key problems and solutions.

Acknowledge the driving and restraining forces of the market and their impact on the worldwide market.

Study the market strategies employed by large companies.

Understand future prospects and market prospects.

Additionally, to plain structured reports, we offer inquiries tailored to your specific needs.

Key inclusions of the Contact Center market report:

COVID-19 effects on growth figures.

Statistical analysis pertaining to market size, sales volume, and overall industry revenue.

Organized mentions of major market trends.

Growth opportunities.

Figures showcasing market growth rate.

Advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect sales channels.

Insights regarding traders, distributors, and dealers present in the industry.

Purchase this report (Price 3900 USD for a single-user license) - https://www.industryresearch.biz/purchase/19859164

What Report Exactly Offers to the Buyers?

To gain insightful analyses of the Contact Center Industry and have a comprehensive understanding of the global market and its commercial landscape.

Market methodologies that are being involved by driving particular organizations

Get a detailed representation of the Contact Center Market.

The assessed growth rate, together with Contact Center Industry size and share over the forecast period 2022-2027.

Major Points from TOC:

1 Report Overview

2 Global Growth Trends

3 Competition Landscape by Key Players

4 Contact Center Breakdown Data by Type

5 Contact Center Breakdown Data by Application

6 North America

7 Europe

8 Asia-Pacific

9 Latin America

10 Middle East & Africa

11 Key Players Profiles

12 Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions

13 Appendix



Detailed TOC of Global Contact Center Market @ https://www.industryresearch.biz/TOC/19859164

Study II:

Global Contact Center Consulting Service Market Analysis and Insights: The global Contact Center Consulting Service market size is projected to reach USD 512.6 million by 2027, from USD 331.5 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 6.2% during 2021-2027.

Global " Contact Center Consulting Service Market " Research Report provides vital evaluation accessible status of the Contact Center Consulting Service with finest statistical data points, qualified feelings, definition, meaning, SWOT examination, and the most recent developments worldwide. It also includes estimates based on an acceptable set of expectations and processes. The research takes into account the revenue generated by This Report's sales as well as improvements made by various application segments. The assessment report examines and provides information based on advertise segments such as geologies, applications, and industries.

Contact center consulting service is responsible for providing great customer experience by delivering excellent customer service and quality service standard. Customer Service Consultants interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders and provide information about a company's products and services. Generally, they provide these services by phone but may also interact with customers face-to-face or via email or chat.

The Contact Center Consulting Service industry can be broken down into several segments, Online Service, Offline Service, etc. Across the world, the major players cover Taylor Reach Group, Inflow Communications, etc.

Global Contact Center Consulting Service key players include Inflow Communications, ConvergeOne, ICMI, Waterfield Technologies, McIntosh & Associates, etc. Global top five providers hold a share over 20%.

Get a sample PDF of the report at - https://www.industryresearch.biz/enquiry/request-sample/19858073

Scope of the Contact Center Consulting Service Market Report:

North America is the largest market, with a share over 65%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, both have a share over 15 percent.

In terms of product, Online Service is the largest segment, with a share over 95%. And in terms of application, the largest application is SMEs, followed by Large Enterprises.

The report goes on to examine the market's development status and potential Contact Center Consulting Service Market design throughout the world. Similarly, it divides the Contact Center Consulting Service market by kind and by application in order to thoroughly and substantially explore and uncover market characteristics and prospects.

List of Key Players in Contact Center Consulting Service Market Report Are:

Taylor Reach Group

Inflow Communications

Avtex

CH Consulting

TheConnection

COPC

Strategic Contact

ConvergeOne

Flatworld Solutions

ICMI

Outsource Consultants

The Northridge Group

DATAMARK

Waterfield Technologies

McIntosh & Associates

Five Star Call Centers

COVID-19 sickness began to spread all over the world at the beginning of 2021, infecting countless individuals in general, and important governments all over the world imposed foot restrictions and work stoppage orders. Aside from the clinical supplies and life support items organizations, most endeavors have been significantly impacted, and Contact Center Consulting Service adventures have been severely impacted.

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Type Coverage (Market Size and Forecast, Major Company of Product Type, etc.):

Online Service

Offline Service

Application Coverage (Market Size and Forecast, Different Demand Market by Region, Main Consumer Profile):

Large Enterprises

SMEs

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Industry's major components and factors such as drivers, constraints, historical and present trends, supervisory scenarios, and technological progress. Details include the firm description, key business, total revenue and sales for the company, revenue produced in the Contact Center Consulting Service business, the date to join the Contact Center Consulting Service market, Contact Center Consulting Service product launch, current advancements, and so on.

A detailed review of the report's restraints depicts the contrast to drivers and allows for strategic planning. Factors that overshadow market growth are critical, as they may be used to design diverse strategies for seizing the rich chances that exist in the ever-growing market. In addition, insights of market experts' viewpoints have been used to better comprehend the industry.

Enquire before purchasing this report - https://www.industryresearch.biz/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/19858073

Global Contact Center Consulting Service Market Forecast provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance, direction for businesses and people interested in the market.

Major Highlights of TOC:

1 Report Overview

2 Global Growth Trends

3 Competition Landscape by Key Players

4 Contact Center Consulting Service Breakdown Data by Type

5 Contact Center Consulting Service Breakdown Data by End User

6 North America

7 Europe

8 Asia-Pacific

9 Latin America

10 Middle East & Africa

.............

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About Us:

Market is changing rapidly with the ongoing expansion of the industry. Advancement in technology has provided todays businesses with multifaceted advantages resulting in daily economic shifts. Thus, it is very important for a company to comprehend the patterns of market movements in order to strategize better. An efficient strategy offers the companies a head start in planning and an edge over the competitors. Industry Research is a credible source for gaining the market reports that will provide you with the lead your business needs.
CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bango (AIM:BGO, OTCQX: BGOPF), the data-driven commerce company, today announces a new agreement to support T-Mobile US third-party services and offers for customers with the Bango Platform. Bango enables T-Mobile to rapidly and cost effectively scale-up value-added-service offerings, giving customers choice and value across a growing range of subscription products and services. With this new agreement, a majority of US telco customers will now be served through Bango technology.



By standardizing on the Bango Platform, telcos are able to offer a wide variety of digital products and services to their customers. Customers benefit from a choice of products that can be easily selected, managed and enjoyed through their wireless provider. Bango technology provides fast time-to-market, higher conversion of promotional offers, and powerful merchandizing tools that attract new customers and keep existing subscribers happy and engaged.

T-Mobile changed the wireless industry by putting customers first, and we are delighted to partner with a true innovator in the telecoms world to help them deliver even more customer benefit, said Paul Larbey, Bango CEO. By providing a powerful platform for offers and bundles, Bango enables telcos to build strong merchant relationships that increase customer engagement.

Guillermo Escofet, principal analyst at global media research company Omdia, said, Telcos want to deliver go-to platforms for all things digital for their customers. Bundling compelling third-party digital media and lifestyle services with their customers subscription plans is an effective way of differentiating. For telcos wanting to smoothly partner with a wide array of digital media brands - and for digital media brands wanting to partner with different telcos across different territories - it has become essential to use the services of platforms like Bango.

Contact Details:

Bango PLC

Tel. +44 1223 617387

E. investors@bango.com

Anil Malhotra, CMO

Rebecca Jamieson, IR

About Bango

The world's largest online merchants, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft, use Bango technology to acquire more paying users.

Bango has developed unique purchase behavior technology that enables millions more users to buy the products and services they want, using innovative methods of payment including carrier billing, digital wallets and subscription bundling. Bango harnesses this purchase activity into valuable marketing segments, called Bango Audiences. Merchants use these audiences to target their marketing at paying customers based on their purchase behavior. Better targeting increases spend through the Bango payments business, in turn generating more data insights, creating a powerful virtuous circle that drives continuous growth. Everyone connected to the Bango Platform thrives as the virtuous circle grows.
Not for release to US wire services or distribution in the United States



TORONTO, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX: XAM, TSX:XAM) (Xanadu or the Company) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership (Agreement) with Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd (Zijin) to progress the Companys flagship Kharmagtai Copper-Gold Project (Kharmagtai) through its next phase of project evaluation and decision on future development.

Under the Agreement, Zijin will invest in both the Xanadu corporate level and the Kharmagtai project level through a series of transactions commencing with the subscription of 139 million fully paid ordinary shares in Xanadu (New Shares) to provide Zijin with a 9.9% shareholding in the Company (Phase 1 Placement). The Phase 1 Placement will be conducted at an issue price of A$0.04 per share, representing approximately a 38% premium to Xanadus last traded price of A$0.029, and will raise approximately A$5.56 million.

Two subsequent phases are then proposed (subject to formal documentation) including a second placement of ordinary shares at A$0.04 per share to increase Zijins total shareholding in the Company to 19.99% (Phase 2 Placement) and the creation of a 50/50 Joint Venture in Khuiten Metals Pte. Ltd., the entity currently 100% owned by Xanadu that holds a 76.5% effective interest in Kharmagtai (Phase 3 JV)1, for a cash payment of US$35 million.

Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Colin Moorhead, said, We are delighted to have attracted Zijin, a global top 10 copper producer and highly capable mine developer as our partner, and we look forward to finalising negotiations to move Kharmagtai forward and realise its potential on an accelerated path. This partnership is a good outcome for our shareholders, for Mongolia and for a world looking to fill a global copper supply gap.

Highlights

Partnership with Zijin Mining Group, a global mining company and top 10 copper producer.

Staged investment by Zijin to inject up to approximately A$11 million 1 into Xanadu and up to a further US$35 million 1 , 2 into the Kharmagtai project.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 Placements to be priced at A$0.04 per share, approximately a 38% premium to Xanadus last traded share price of A$0.029.

Phase 1 Placement expected to settle by no later than Wednesday, 27 April 2022 with a four-month exclusivity period to negotiate and finalise terms for the two remaining phases, subject to Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval, Peoples Republic of China (PRC) regulatory approvals, Xanadu shareholder and other regulatory approvals.

Following completion of all phases1, Kharmagtai will be well funded for its next phase of development, leading to a decision to construct.



About Zijin Mining Group

Zijin is a multinational mining group dedicated to exploration and development of gold, copper, zinc and other mineral resources globally, as well as associated refining, processing, trading and other businesses. Its operations include projects and operations in 14 provinces in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as well as 13 overseas countries across Europe, Central Asia, Africa, Oceania and South America. It is one of the largest Chinese mining companies distinguished by its significant domestic and international copper and gold resource, reserves and production.

Figure 1: Zijins Mining Operations in China is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5f0e1346-8b2d-4c25-84b1-8d83c38a0b84

Figure 2: Zijins Offshore Mining Operations is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21a0b730-9a09-4d33-8643-789940296078

Phase 1 Placement Details

New Shares issued to Zijin (by way of Jinping (Singapore) Mining Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Zijin) under the Phase 1 Placement will be issued pursuant to the Companys existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and will rank pari-passu with the existing fully paid ordinary shares currently on issue. Zijin will subscribe for a total of 139 million fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of A$0.04 per New Share.

The issue price of A$0.04 per share represents:

a 37.9% premium to Xanadus last close on 14 April 2022 of A$0.029 per share.

a 37.9% premium to the 7-day VWAP of A$0.029 per share; and

a premium of 33.3% to the 30-day VWAP of A$0.030 per share.



The proceeds of the Phase 1 Placement, together with the Companys existing cash resources, will be applied towards working capital during the exclusive negotiation period prior to commencement of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) at the Kharmagtai copper-gold project. Remaining cash at that point will be used to fund Xanadus share of the Kharmagtai PFS.

The Placement is scheduled to settle on Wednesday, 27 April 2022 with trading to occur on Thursday, 28 April 2022.

Following completion of the Phase 1 Placement, the Company has granted Zijin the right to a reasonable opportunity to participate in future capital raisings of the Company, subject to a number of limitations and conditions (Limited and Conditional Participation Right).3 Under the Limited and Conditional Participation Right, the Company will notify Zijin on a strictly confidential basis of its intention to undertake a capital raising and Zijin will then have a very short period in which to indicate whether it wishes to participate in that capital raising (subject to receipt of any relevant FIRB, PRC or other required regulatory approvals). The Limited and Conditional Participation Right is subject to compliance with the ASX Listing Rules and ceases where Zijin disposes of its interests in the Company to a position below 5% and remains below that threshold for a period of more than 20 consecutive trading days.

Xanadu and Zijin have also entered into a four-month period of exclusivity to negotiate the second and third phases of the strategic partnership. The relevant exclusivity deed contains terms and conditions considered standard for an arrangement of this nature, including no-talk, no due diligence and notification provisions (each of which is subject to a fiduciary carve-out), together with a break fee A$340,000 that may be payable to Zijin in the event of the completion of a competing proposal or where Xanadu commits a material breach of the exclusivity deed.

Phase 2 Placement and Phase 3 JV

The Phase 2 Placement will involve Zijin subscribing for an additional tranche of ordinary shares in Xanadu to increase its total shareholding in Xanadu to approx. 19.99%. The Phase 2 Placement will also be made at an issue price of A$0.04 per share and will be accompanied with a right for Zijin to appoint one Director to the Board of Xanadu Mines Ltd (subject to Zijin maintaining at least 10% of Xanadu (other than a result of the dilution of Zijin by Xanadu)). The Phase 2 Placement will be subject to FIRB approval, PRC regulatory approval, Xanadu shareholder approval as well as other required regulatory approvals.

The third and final stage of the partnership (Phase 3 JV) will involve Zijin and Xanadu establishing a 50-50 JV in Khuiten Metals Pte. Ltd. (Khuiten), the entity which effectively owns 76.5% of the Kharmagtai project, along with 13.5% minority holder Ganbayar Lkhagvasuren (an Executive Director at Xanadu), and 10.0% minority holder QGX Ltd. Under the non-binding terms agreed with Zijin, Zijin will subscribe for shares equal to 50% of Khuiten by way of share placement for a cash payment of US$35 million, with Xanadu remaining the operator of the JV until a decision to construct is made. At the point of a future construction decision, Zijin will then become the operator of the Khuiten JV and take leadership of the development of the mine.

The Phase 1 Placement Agreement provides that the parties will negotiate in good faith formal documentation for the Phase 2 Placement and Phase 3 JV. These further transactions are subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and the parties agreeing formal documentation. Xanadu cautions investors to not place undue reliance upon the successful completion of Phase 2 and Phase 3, as there can be no guarantee that formal transaction documents will be agreed or ultimately consummated.

Xanadu has appointed Jefferies as its financial adviser and HopgoodGanim as its legal adviser for this process.

Further updates on the finalisation of the Phase 2 Placement and Phase 3 JV transactions will be announced over coming periods in accordance with the Companys continuous disclosure obligations.

Update on Kharmagtai Copper-Gold Project

Kharmagtai is Xanadus flagship project, located in the South Gobi region of Mongolia and has a Mineral Resource Estimate4 of 1.1 billion tonnes, containing 3 million tonnes of copper and 8 million ounces of gold. Xanadu recently released its Kharmagtai Scoping Study5, using a conventional and low risk open pit mine and sulphide process plant, which demonstrated a US$630 million net present value (NPV), 20% investment rate of return (IRR) project, with a 4-year payback, operating as a first quartile costs producer for its first five years of operation. Multiple upside opportunities were reported for evaluation during Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). Gating to PFS stage was approved by the Board pending funding.

The next step of development at Kharmagtai will complete a PFS and a JORC Compliant Ore Reserve, which is anticipated to require 18 months and cost US$20 million to complete.

Once the second and third stages of investment by Zijin are agreed and committed, Xanadu will be well funded for its share of the Kharmagtai PFS. Xanadu will also be funded to progress exploration at its second project, Red Mountain, also located in the South Gobi Desert of Mongolia.



Figure 3: Xanadu Project Locations is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/464dea9b-b2d5-4007-a5d9-bbac01f3bd27

For further information, please contact:

Colin Moorhead Spencer Cole Executive Chairman & Managing Director Chief Financial Officer & Chief Development Officer E: colin.moorhead@xanadumines.com E: spencer.cole@xanadumines.com P: +61 2 8280 7497 W: www.xanadumines.com

This Announcement was authorised for release by Xanadus Board of Directors.

All dollar amounts are in Australian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Not an offer in the United States

This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration of the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 The Phase 1 Placement Agreement provides that the parties will negotiate in good faith formal documentation for the Phase 2 Placement and Phase 3 JV. These further transactions are subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and the parties agreeing formal documentation.

2 Assuming AUD/USD exchange rate of $0.74.

3 The Limited and Conditional Participation Right only applies where ASX Listing Rule 10.11 does not apply (or ceases to apply) to the issue of securities to Zijin or the Company is required to seek shareholder approval in respect of the relevant capital raising (in which case, the participation by Zijin will also be put to shareholders for consideration).

4 ASX/TSX Announcement Kharmagtai Resource Grows to 1.1 billion Tonnes - 8 December 2021. Xanadu is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the relevant market announcement and, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates continue to apply and have not materially changed.

5 ASX/TSX Announcement Scoping Study Kharmagtai Copper-Gold Project - 6 April 2022. Xanadu is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the relevant market announcement and, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates continue to apply and have not materially changed.




Hole K-22-157 intersected 3.53 g/t Au over 6 metres from 37 metres including 5.71 g/t Au over 3 metres in altered and sulphidised gabbro.

The mineralization was intersected in just the third diamond drill hole at the Midway target.

Midway lies between the Appleton Fault Zone and the Dog Bay Line, approximately 2.7km North of Big Vein and 1.4km southwest of the Cracker gold occurrence.

The new discovery at Midway, along strike from the Cracker gold occurrence, opens up a potential second gold mineralized system subparallel to the Appleton Fault Zone.

TORONTO, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX.V:LAB | OTCQX:NKOSF | FNR: 2N6) (LabGold or the Company) is pleased to announce a new discovery of near surface gold mineralization from diamond drilling at the Midway target at its 100% controlled Kingsway project near Gander, Newfoundland. This hole was drilled as part of the Companys ongoing 100,000 metre drill program and represents a new target for gold at Kingsway.

Hole K-22-157 was drilled to test anomalous gold values at the Midway target and intersected 3.53 g/t Au over 6 metres from 37 metres including 5.71 g/t Au over 3 metres. Midway lies between the Appleton Fault Zone and the Dog Bay Line, two major structures in the region, approximately 2.7km north of Big Vein and represents a different mineralized system. The gold mineralization was intersected in just the third diamond drill hole at Midway. The mineralization is hosted by a strongly altered and sulphidised gabbro that intruded the siltstone and sandstone. Higher gold grades are associated with increased pyrite and arsenopyrite abundance and strong potassic feldspar, carbonate and silica alteration.

The gold mineralization intersected at Midway represents a different style of mineralization than what we see at Big Vein. It is similar to that found at the Cracker gold occurrence approximately 1.4 kilometres northeast of Midway, said Roger Moss, President and CEO of the Company. This new discovery at Midway, in addition to the gold mineralization at Cracker, opens up a potential second mineralized system at Kingsway. We know that gabbroic intrusions occur intermittently along strike to the northeast and southwest of Cracker and Midway and believe that these intrusions have come up along a structure subparallel to the Dog Bay Line and the Appleton Fault Zone. While our main focus remains generating and drilling targets along the Appleton Fault Zone, we will continue to investigate the potential of the gabbro hosted gold mineralization on the property.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) K-22-157 37 43 6 3.53 including 40 43 3 5.71

Table 1. Summary of Assay Results

All intersections are downhole length as there is insufficient Information to calculate true width.

Figure 1. Midway plan map

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71f5168c-2c1a-4823-80ca-80f5f207de79

Figure 2. Location map showing Midway and other gold occurrences at Kingsway.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4809990f-9bfe-4064-8fc6-2c84e89c1109

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) K-22-157 661375 5437835 75.4 300 65 86

Table 2. Drill hole collar details

Midway and Cracker gold occurrences

Gold mineralization at both Midway and Cracker is hosted by altered gabbro. Quartz-carbonate alteration is present in both cases, with K-feldspar alteration also prominent at Midway. Disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite are also associated with the gold mineralization. Historical grab samples from the Cracker occurrence include assays of 61.73 g/t, 33.87 g/t and 16.4 g/t Au. It is believed that these gold occurrences represent the presence of a fertile structure developed by the rheological contrast between the gabbro and the sediments forming the country rock. (Note that grab samples are select samples and are not necessarily representative of gold mineralization found on the property).

Gabbroic intrusions are known to occur along strike to the northeast and southwest of the Cracker and Midway occurrences and extend intermittently across the entire property, a distance of approximately 21 kilometres. Samples from some of these gabbros have returned anomalous gold mineralization suggesting the potential for an extensive mineralized system subparallel to the Appleton Fault Zone and the Dog Bay Line.

QA/QC

True widths of the reported intersections have yet to be calculated. Assays are uncut. Samples of HQ split core are securely stored prior to shipping to Eastern Analytical Laboratory in Springdale, Newfoundland for assay. Eastern Analytical is an ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory. Samples are routinely analyzed for gold by standard 30g fire assay with atomic absorption finish as well as by ICP-OES for an additional 34 elements. Samples containing visible gold are assayed by metallic screen/fire assay, as are any samples with fire assay results greater than 1g/t Au. The company submits blanks and certified reference standards at a rate of approximately 5% of the total samples in each batch.

Qualified Person

Roger Moss, PhD., P.Geo., President and CEO of LabGold, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this release.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program for its financial support for exploration of the Kingsway property.

About Labrador Gold

Labrador Gold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective gold projects in Eastern Canada.

In early 2020, Labrador Gold acquired the option to earn a 100% interest in the Kingsway project in the Gander area of Newfoundland. The three licenses comprising the Kingsway project cover approximately 12km of the Appleton Fault Zone which is associated with gold occurrences in the region, including those of New Found Gold immediately to the south of Kingsway. Infrastructure in the area is excellent located just 18km from the town of Gander with road access to the project, nearby electricity and abundant local water. LabGold is drilling a projected 50,000 metres targeting high-grade epizonal gold mineralization along the Appleton Fault Zone following encouraging early results. The Company has approximately $28 million in working capital and is well funded to carry out the planned program.

The Hopedale property covers much of the Florence Lake greenstone belts that stretches over 60 km. The belt is typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison. Work to date by Labrador Gold show gold anomalies in rocks, soils and lake sediments over a 3 kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt in the vicinity of the known Thurber Dog gold showing where grab samples assayed up to 7.8g/t gold. In addition, anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples occur over approximately 40 km along the southern section of the greenstone belt (see news release dated January 25th 2018 for more details). Labrador Gold now controls approximately 40km strike length of the Florence Lake Greenstone Belt.

The Company has 155,589,526 common shares issued and outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LAB.

For more information please contact:

Roger Moss, President and CEO Tel: 416-704-8291

Or visit our website at: www.labradorgold.com

Twitter: @LabGoldCorp

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such as actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Northampton Police and Fire Departments are joining forces during ALS Awareness Month to raise awareness and funds for the incurable neurodegenerative disease. The two teams are hosting an Ice Bucket Challenge on Sunday, May 1, at Miss Florence Diner (99 Main Street in Florence), and the public is welcome to watch as the first responders get soaked for a good cause. The free event begins at noon and serves as a kick-off fundraiser for The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter Western Massachusetts Walk to Defeat ALS on September 11. All proceeds provide vital no-cost care services for families across Massachusetts battling ALS, including access to physical and mental health resources, technology equipment, and more.



Onsite, the public can purchase a bucket of water for $10 to dump over the local first responder team of their choice. Smith College Campus Safety will also be on hand to maximize efforts by selling buckets to soak their administration or purchase a $10 bucket to soak a friend. If youre unable to attend the event, go online to support the team of your choice: Northampton Police, Northampton Fire Department, Smith College Campus Safety, and donate a bucket in someones honor!

Its great to see the legacy of the Ice Bucket Challenge event continue to attract new advocates who want to make a difference, said John Hedstrom, JD, territory director of The ALS Association. Were grateful to the Northampton Police, Northampton Fire Department, and Smith College for taking the time to plan this fantastic community-based fundraiser and help us raise awareness for this terrible disease.

For more information about the 2022 Western Massachusetts Walk to Defeat ALS, follow The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter on social media: Facebook @ALSMASS, Instagram @alsa_ma, and Twitter @ALSAMA.

About The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter

The Massachusetts Chapter of the ALS Association was founded on January 27, 1990 to build and empower the community through continuous engagement with family, friends and neighbors. We are the only ALS organization with central focuses on all three major pillars of care services, research and advocacy for local families living with ALS, which aligns with our local chapter slogan: "Providing care today. Supporting hope for tomorrow." Learn more at als-ma.org

Media Contact: Christina Teves, Say Sorbet

Phone: (508) 726-6183

Email: christina@saysorbet.com
English French

MONTREAL and TORONTO, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stingray (TSX: RAY. A; RAY.B), a leading music, media, and technology company, today announced that Walmart Canada has joined the Stingray Retail Media Network. Under the agreement, Stingray will be responsible for exclusive sales representation, in partnership with the Walmart Connect sales team, of all in-store digital audio advertising within the national Walmart Canada retail footprint.

Retail-based digital audio advertising enables brands to connect and remain top of mind with highly qualified consumers during their in-store shopping journey. The addition of Walmart Canada further extends the scale of Stingrays Retail Media Network by enabling brands to reach Walmart Canada customers through contextually relevant audio messages that are digitally ad-served (directly or programmatically) via Stingrays proprietary streaming media technology.



Any advertiser looking to access high-intent shoppers within a brick and mortar retail environment, and generate truly meaningful impressions, is a great fit for retail-based digital audio advertising, said Ryan Fuss, Senior Vice President, Stingray Advertising. As a household name in the retail space, Walmart Canada is an ideal partner to be joining our growing retail media network. Were proud and excited about this partnership and look forward to helping brands reach and connect with physical Walmart Canada shoppers nationwide.



We are incredibly excited to offer our advertisers the ability to extend their reach in Canada by adding Stingrays digital audio advertising as a new offering within our omnichannel suite of solutions. The Stingray team have built a powerful new model in the programmatic audio space and their solution, combined with a focus on closed loop measurement, aligns well with our goal of providing advertisers with innovative solutions that connect brands with customers in moments that matter, said Dana Toering, Vice President, Walmart Connect Canada. These highly customizable audio ads are the perfect complement to our existing in-store and online offerings, providing something new to brands that are looking to boost their influence with the 1.5 million shoppers who visit Walmart stores daily across Canada.



The Stingray Retail Media Network will launch in 200 Walmart stores nationwide this April. The remaining stores will launch by the end of the second quarter of 2022.

About Stingray

Montreal-based Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B) is a leading global music, media, and technology company with over 1,000 employees worldwide. Stingray is a premium provider of curated direct-to-consumer and B2B services, including audio television channels, over 100 radio stations, SVOD content, 4K UHD television channels, FAST channels, karaoke products, digital signage, in-store music, and music apps, which have been downloaded over 160 million times. Stingray reaches 400 million subscribers (or users) in 160 countries. For more information: www.stingray.com

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a chain of more than 400 stores nationwide serving 1.5 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, Walmart.ca, is visited by more than 1.5 million customers daily. With more than 100,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada was recently recognized as a LinkedIn Top Company of 2021 and was also named one of Canadas most popular brands (based on Google searches). Walmart Canada has made a commitment to regeneration  focusing on equitable opportunity, sustainability, community, ethics and integrity. Since 1994, Walmart Canada has raised over $500 million to support communities across Canada. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca and on Walmart Canadas social media pages  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Walmart Connect Canada

Walmart Connect Canada (WMC) is the retail media business unit within Walmart Canada that sits at the intersection of shopping and advertising. It offers brands sophisticated advertising solutions across a network of nearly 2 million in-store and online shoppers per day, with the goal of helping customers discover the brands and products available at Walmart that are right for them. More information can be found at walmartconnect.ca and on Walmart Connect Canadas LinkedIn page.





For more information, please contact:

Mathieu Peloquin

Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Communications

Stingray

mpeloquin@stingray.com

1 514 664-1244, ext 2362
Dublin, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Hospital Facilities Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Patient Service (Inpatient, Outpatient), by Service Type (Acute Care, Cardiovascular), by Facility Type, and Segment Forecasts, 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. hospital facilities market size is expected to reach USD 2,540.4 billion by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.62%

According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), there were more than 36.2 million patients admitted to U.S. hospitals, in 2021.

Hospital services include a broad range of medical offerings, ranging from essential health care to training & research for major medical school centers to services developed by an industry-owned network of institutions, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).



Hospitals provide treatment for a variety of indications, including neurology, cardiology, infectious disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and psychiatric disorders. The rising prevalence of these illnesses is contributing to the high frequency of visits. Moreover, as the elderly population frequently requires emergency care, the growing geriatric population in the U.S. is contributing to a rise in the number of medical visits, thereby driving the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted the U.S. healthcare system. Healthcare facilities across the U.S. were facing both financial and organizational difficulties. One of the major steps taken by the hospitals at the start of the pandemic was to delay the elective procedures that culminated in the hospital's monumental monetary losses.



According to the AHA, COVID-19 Financial Impact Report Estimates, due to canceled services during the pandemic, non-federal hospitals lost around USD 161.4 billion in income during the four-month period from March 2020 to June 2020. Furthermore, for COVID-19 hospitalizations, between March 2020 and June 2020, the country's hospitals and health systems collectively lost around USD 36.6 billion, including payments for COVID-19 patients. The aforementioned factors negatively impacted the market. The cardiovascular service type segment dominated the market in 2021 due to changing & sedentary lifestyles and the increased geriatric & obese population.



According to HCUP, heart failure is the second leading cause of hospital admission, with around 4.1% of the total inpatient stays in 2018. The acute care segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. A high number of inpatient admissions during flu season in the U.S. is likely to fuel the segment growth.

For instance, according to HCUP, nearly 1.5 million influenza-related inpatient stays were recorded during flu season in 2016. As per the CDC, during the 2019 flu season, there were a total of 16.1 million medical visits. Mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships are some of the key strategies undertaken by market players. For instance, in February 2021, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital partnered with Lurie Children's for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine telemedicine program.



U.S. Hospital Facilities Market Report Highlights

The public/community hospitals segment led for the market in 2021. According to the AHA, the number of non-government not-for-profit community hospitals increased from 2,937 in 2020 to 2,946 in 2021

A rise in the number of patient admissions and funding received from business groups are factors projected to fuel the segment growth

The outpatient services segment led the market in 2021 due to increased efforts to shift care to outpatient settings with minimally invasive procedures and diagnostics

The adoption of AI by healthcare facilities to improve care is expected to create new growth opportunities

For instance, in January 2017, Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine collaborated with Tempus, a startup focusing on the development of personalized cancer care by using a machine learning platform

Market Dynamics

Market Driver Analysis

Increasing number of surgical procedures

High number of hospital visits

Increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases

Market Restraint Analysis

Concerns regarding hospital-acquired infections

High cost of innovative technology & medical equipment upgradation

Business Environment Analysis Tools

PESTEL Analysis

Porter's Five Forces Analysis

Regulatory Framework & Reimbursement Scenario

Competitive Analysis

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

Cedars Sinai

Massachusetts General Hospital

UCSF HEALTH

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Brigham And Women's Hospital

Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1ggqtq

Attachment
Los Angeles, CA, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Etrnl Cosmetics, a division of Active Health Foods, Inc. (OTC: AHFD), announced today that it has signed National Positions, the award-winning digital marketer, to lead its launch including crucial eCommerce efforts. Both companies are based in Los Angeles.

National Positions team of experts provide SEO, PPC, social media advertising, email marketing, eCommerce marketing and CRO strategies to businesses online around the world. The company has been a recognized by Forbes, Bloomberg, the Inc. 500 list, the L.A. Business Journal and is a multiple winner of the Communicator Awards. Clients include Alfa Romeo, Redbull, Prudential Overall Supply, AMA Waterways, Brixton and Fontana Forni.

Were confident that Bernard May and his team at National Positions will help make Etrnl Cosmetics a success, said CEO and Chairman of Active Health Foods, Inc. and Etrnl Cosmetics Joe Wallace. The message that we are innovating with the purest form of an ancient resourceusing sustainable and fair practicesis in good hands.

Etrnl Cosmetics launched in April 2022 and it was new CEO and Chairman Joe Wallaces first announcement. Etrnl will focus on Chaga mushroom based skin and hair products  utilizing the incredibly rare fungis antioxidant properties in innovative ways. Chaga has been used as a folk remedy by people living in northern latitudes to treat various ailments and numerous peer reviewed scientific studies well document its antioxidant properties. Under Wallace, AHFD plans to use the unique properties of Chaga to create a new class of cosmetics, zinc-free skin tone specific sunscreens, acne treatments, and hair care products.

Etrnl Cosmetics experts on sustainable Chaga procurement are Tulsy and Prema Ball of Chagit Products Inc. The brothers are also noted television producers of the Bering Sea Gold shows on Discovery.

For more information contact: owen@thoughtgangmedia.com

More information on National Poistions at nationalpositions.com

About Active Health Foods & Etrnl Cosmetics

Active Health Foods, recently experienced a change of control with Los Angeles-based Entrepreneur Joe Wallace becoming CEO and Chairman. Previously, the Company acquired CoinChamp, Inc. CoinChamp is developing a platform for the plug-and-play creation of non-fungible tokens.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could", "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report.


SEOUL, South Korea, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LG Magna e-Powertrain, a joint venture (JV) between LG Electronics (LG) and Magna International Inc. (Magna), celebrated the groundbreaking of its new plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Scheduled for completion in 2023, the new facility will produce inverters, motors, and on-board chargers to support General Motors electric vehicle (EV) production. The 260,000 square foot plant will be LG Magna e-Powertrains first production base in North America and is expected to create around 400 new jobs.



Strengthening our JVs ability to develop and produce advanced EV sub-assemblies, the Ramos site represents one of the key pillars of LGs long-term strategy to become the auto industrys go-to innovation partner, said Eun Seok-hyun, president of the LG Vehicle component Solutions Company.

This new facility demonstrates the continuing growth of LG Magna e-Powertrain, said Cheong Won-suk, chief executive officer of LG Magna e-Powertrain. The JVs ongoing success will enable us to better support our customers with best-in-class components for the next generation of electric vehicles, and help us to expand our presence in the fast-growing global EV market.

The groundbreaking event, which took place on April 19, was attended by executives from LG Magna e-Powertrain, LG Electronics, Magna, General Motors and local government officials.

In the space of just over one year, weve added an expansion agreement, identified a strategic location to support our customer, and are now in the process of realizing our plans, said Tom Rucker, president of Magna Powertrain. The building of a new facility is a true testament to the strength of this collaboration and commitment in delivering innovative solutions to customers to meet their challenges. It also reinforces our active participation in the electrification transformation whether by eDrive sub systems or full systems.

General Motors is the foundational customer for the new facility, and it will play a key role in GMs journey to build a strong, scalable, sustainable and North America-focused EV supply chain.

First announced in late 2020, LG Magna e-Powertrain combines LGs expertise in developing components for motors, inverters, and on-board chargers with Magnas prowess in electric powertrain systems and automotive manufacturing. The joint venture is expected to fuel both companies growth in the highly competitive EV industry.

ABOUT LG MAGNA E-POWERTRAIN

LG Magna e-Powertrain launched in July 2021 as a joint venture between LG Electronics and Magna International. We are driven by the strong synergy created by combining LGs capability in EV component and Magnas experience in traditional automotive business. Based on the technologies and manufacturing competitiveness on key components of EV powertrainmotors, inverters, converters, IPGM, and morewe are growing into a No. 1 e-mobility solutions partner leading the rapidly changing EV component market. More than 1,300 LG Magna employees in Korea, North America, Europe, South America, and Asia are working organically throughout technology innovation, marketing, R&D, purchasing, and manufacturing.

For more information, please visit www.lgmagna.com and follow us on LinkedIn LG Magna e-Powertrain



Media Contacts:



LG Electronics, Inc. Magna International Inc. Lea Lee Tracy Fuerst +82 2 3777 3981 248-761-7004 lea.lee@lge.com Tracy.fuerst@magna.com www.LGnewsroom.com www.magna.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37eb6b96-2a61-4971-903b-d5e27acad208
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold Bull Resources Corp. (TSX-V: GBRC) (Gold Bull or the Company) is pleased to report significant drill intersection of 51.8m (170 ft) at 1.12 g/t Au from 22.9m (72 ft) from its 100% owned Sandman Project (Sandman or the Project) located in Humboldt County, Nevada, USA. The mineralization demonstrates the quality of width and grade at Sandman and has provided further encouragement to extend the drill program from 4,000m to 5,000m while the drill rig is onsite. The Company is fully funded to complete the extended drill program at Sandman.



HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATE:

Results from Silica Ridge SA-0045 include



51.8m (170 ft) at 1.12 g/t Au from 22.9m (75 ft) including 18.3m (60 ft) at 1.98 g/t Au from 38.1m (125 ft) including 1.5m (5 ft) at 13.13 g/t Au from 41.1m (135 ft)



Follow-up deeper drill hole to test the depth extent of the above high grade gold structure/feeder is underway

2022 Phase 1 drill program is progressing well with 15.5 holes completed for 3,038m (10,189 ft) and 5.5 holes remaining for 1,962m (6,211 ft)

Two different gold deposit styles occur at Sandman, the Company is targeting both:



Broad near surface low grade oxide gold (circa 0.5-1g/t Au) Narrow high-grade gold feeder mineralization (circa 5-15 g/t Au)

Final drill results will feed into a Scoping Study to investigate economics of known gold resources

Gold Bull CEO, Cherie Leeden commented:

The significant drill intersection of 52m of 1.12 g/t oxidized ore from 23m below the surface further enhances our confidence in the open pit resource potential at Silica Ridge. The down dip structures being targeted, including the spectacular high-grade interval of 13 grams per ton of gold, over a 1.5 meter mineralized structure, provides confidence in our geological understanding to progress additional targets. The rig is currently drilling a hole testing the depth extent of the high-grade intersection of 13g/t Au.

Background

The 2022 Phase 1 drill program is targeting structures exploring for high-grade gold, beneath existing resources close the basement contact, which has not previously been explored. Preliminary targets have been tested at North Hill, Silica Ridge and Abel Knoll with additional scout holes planned to test new discoveries west of North Hill, at Windmill and between South East Pediment and Abel Knoll.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e69cc51-0384-4a77-ae4c-f4f4acc5d1e5

Figure 1. Location map showing 2022 Phase 1 drill holes and Sandman deposits North Hill, Silica Ridge, South East Pediment and Abel Knoll and exploration targets Sandbowl, Midway, Windmill, Silica Valley and Ten Mile. Map insert refers location of figure 2 plan.

Silica Ridge drill hole SA-0045

Drill holes at Silica Ridge are targeting structures striking east-west and north south and have been modelled using higher grade ore shoots within the existing grade model and projected to depth towards basement rocks. The east-west fault is further defined by a dyke which extends eastward to the Windmill target area.

Figure 2 is a surface map corresponding to the cross section provided in Figure 3.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46c50a33-37a0-4437-94e6-af6679c4e9e6

Figure 2. Silica Ridge map showing Mineral Resource outline, surface geology and Phase 1 drill holes SA-0043 and SA-0045 and SA-0052 currently in progress.

Drill hole SA-0045 returned the most consistent mineralized intersection, with 51.8m (170 ft) at 1.12 g/t Au from 22.9m (75 ft) including a high-grade intersection of 1.5m (5 ft) at 13.13 g/t Au from 41.1m (135 ft). The hole intersected silicified tuff and quartz-adularia altered iron oxidized sandstone, conglomerate, and tuff. The gold mineralization is associated with the targeted structures.

51.8m (170 ft) at 1.12 g/t Au from 22.9m (75 ft) (5 of 34 samples <0.2 g/t included) including 6.1m (20 ft) at 1.41 g/t Au from 22.9m (75 ft) including 3m (10 ft) at 2.28 g/t Au from 25.9m (85 ft)

18.3m (60 ft) at 1.98 g/t Au from 38.1m (125 ft) including 1.5m (5 ft) at 13.13 g/t Au from 41.1m (135 ft)



1.5m (5 ft) at 1.78 g/t Au from 57.9m (190 ft)

13.7m (45 ft) at 0.86 g/t Au from 61m (200 ft) including 7.6m (25 ft) at 1.25 g/t Au from 65.5m (73.2 ft)



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f811652-4b7a-455b-a332-498f4b408617

Figure 3. Silica Ridge cross section showing holes SA-0043, SA-0045 and SA-0052 currently in progress.

Hole SA-0043 targeted the same structure as SA-0045, however the hole encountered difficult drilling conditions and drooped beneath its planned trajectory. Hole SA-0045 tested the structure, but the intersection point was well above the Tertiary unconformity targeted. The presence of gold mineralization within the target structure at higher elevations is encouraging. Hole SA-0052 will continue with a new drill rig in the next few days, which we intend to push to the planned target depth of 250m (820 ft). Despite appearing very close together in Figure 2, the current hole is located approximately 60-70m from hole SA-0045.

North Hill

Preliminary results have been received for some of the North Hill holes drilled recently and further analysis is underway. Intervals of pervasive mineralization have been intersected and will be modeled in 3D to be used as vectors in additional drilling.

Drill hole SA-0035 at North Hill was planned to intersect an interpreted mineralizing fluid feeder structure close to the Tertiary unconformity. The presence of such a structure was predicted from the Mineral Resource Estimate 3D gold grade model, which contains several linear high-grade zones interpreted to arise from intersections of high-angle faults carrying mineralizing fluids with favorable host units. The interpreted structure was projected down to the Tertiary unconformity using an assumed angle of dip. Drill hole SA-0035 intersected a zone returning 32 m (105 ft) at 0.16 g/t Au from 129.5 m (425 ft) (using 0.1 g/t Au external cut-off and no internal cut-off), spanning the unconformity between the basal Tertiary fluvial sequence and the underlying Triassic phyllite. Although this zone is not the bonanza grade vein originally targeted, it possibly represents lateral migration of mineralizing fluids within the porous Tertiary conglomerate from a nearby feeder structure cutting the unconformity  i.e., a near-miss of the target. The mineralized zone is unusual; the basal conglomerate is mineralized in only a few instances at Sandman.

Drill hole SA-0035 also intersected 13.7 m (45 ft) at 0.98 g/t Au from 42.7 m (140 ft) (with 10 ft of internal waste <0.2 g/t Au), including 1.5 m (5 ft) at 5.1 g/t Au from 50.3 m (165 ft) within the North Hill Mineral Resource estimate. Several narrow (1.5 to 3 m wide) zones of mineralization were also intersected.

Abel Knoll

Step out drilling at Abel Knoll intersected mineralization in SA-0050 along the targeted northeastern structure giving indication the resource extends eastward, broad anomalous gold was returned. Mineralization remains open to the east, north and below the existing mineral resource at Abel Knoll and further studies are required to understand the potential total tonnage and grade that could be yielded from this deposit.

Drill Summary Tables

Tables 1 to 4, provided in the Appendix are summaries of the drilling completed in 2022. Table 1 provides summary of the drill holes planned, drilled and those remaining. Table 2 provides tracking summary of those holes drilled, their depth and assay tracking. Table 3 provides summary of the drill hole collar information for those holes drilled. Table 4 provides summary of mineralized intersections for analyses received to date for the drill program.

Next Steps

Drilling is ongoing with 5.5 holes left in the current drill program. Upon completion of drilling and receipt of outstanding laboratory analysis, further interpretations and evaluation will be conducted for the 2022 Phase 1 program.

The Company will consider commissioning a revised resource estimation post the drill program which would feed into a scoping study to investigate the economics of developing the project.

About Sandman

In December 2020, Gold Bull purchased the Sandman Project from Newmont. Gold mineralization was first discovered at Sandman in 1987 by Kennecott and the project has been intermittently explored since then. There are four known pit constrained gold resources located within the Sandman Project, consisting of 21.8Mt at 0.7g/t gold for 494,000 ounces of gold; comprising of an Indicated Resource of 18,550kt at 0.73g/t gold for 433kozs of gold plus an Inferred Resource of 3,246kt at 0.58g/t gold for 61kozs of gold. Several of the resources remain open in multiple directions and the bulk of the historical drilling has been conducted to a depth of less than 100m. Sandman is conveniently located circa 25-30 km northwest of the mining town of Winnemucca, Nevada.

Qualified Person

Cherie Leeden, B.Sc Applied Geology (Honours), MAIG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has read and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release. Ms. Leeden is the Companys Chief Executive Officer. Cherie Leeden relied on resource information contained within the Technical Report on the Sandman Gold Project, prepared by Steven Olsen, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, who is a Qualified Persons as defined by the National Instrument NI 43-101. Mr Olsen is an independent consultant and has no affiliations with Gold Bull except that of an independent consultant/client relationship. Mr Olsen is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Quality Assurance  Quality Control

Samples are submitted to American Assay Laboratories analytical facility in Sparks, Nevada for preparation and analysis. The AAL facility is ISO-17025 accredited by IAS. The entire sample is dried, weighed and crushed, with 70% passing -10 mesh, then riffle split to 250 g aliquots, which are fine pulverized with 90% passing -150mesh. Analysis for gold is by 30 g fire assay lead collection with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) finish with a lower limit of 0.003 ppm. Samples were also analyzed using a 36 multi-element geochemical package by 5-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the 36 elements.

About Gold Bull Resources Corp.

Gold Bulls mission is to grow into a US focused mid-tier gold development Company via rapidly discovering and acquiring additional ounces. The companys exploration hub is based in Nevada, USA, a top-tier mineral district that contains significant historical production, existing mining infrastructure and an established mining culture. Gold Bull is led by a Board and Management team with a track record of exploration and acquisition success.

Gold Bulls core asset is the Sandman Project, located in Nevada which has a 494,000 oz gold resource as per 2021 43-101 Resource Estimate. Sandman is located 23 km south of the Sleeper Mine and boasts excellent large-scale exploration potential. Drilling at Sandman is currently underway.

Gold Bull is driven by its core values and purpose which includes a commitment to safety, communication & transparency, environmental responsibility, community, and integrity.

Cherie Leeden

President and CEO, Gold Bull Resources Corp.

For further information regarding Gold Bull Resources Corp., please visit our website at www.goldbull.ca or email adminatgoldbull.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential, indicates, opportunity, possible and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Although Gold Bull believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Companys ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop its projects, to repay its debt and for general working capital purposes; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of copper and other metals, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Companys plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Companys operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

APPENDIX - Drill hole summary 2022 Phase 1

The table below provides a summary of drill hole progress for the 2022 Phase 1 program with holes planned, drilled, and remaining with their corresponding meters and feet.

Reverse Circulation

Drill Holes Number Total Meters Feet Holes planned

21 5,000 16,400 Holes drilled 15.5 3,038 10.189 Hole remaining 5.5 1.962 6,211

Table 1. Summary table of 2022 Phase 1 drill program with holes planned, drilled, and remaining.

The below table is a summary of progress for holes that have been drilled using reverse circulation drilling technique. The table provides summary of drilled holes per Prospect, hole type, hole depths, total assays submitted to laboratory with those assays which have been received and those which are pending. The summary does not include the 5.5 holes which are yet to be drilled.

Prospect



Type Hole ID Depth RC

(m) Depth RC

(ft) # Assays

submitted # Assays

received # Assays

pending West North Hill Scout SA-0034 207 680 136 136 North Hill Deep Deposit SA-0035 180 590 118 118 North Hill Deep Deposit SA-0036 171 560 111 111 North Hill Deep Deposit SA-0037 232 760 152 152 North Hill Deep Deposit SA-0038 201 660 132 132 North Hill Deposit SA-0039 201 660 132 132 Midway Scout SA-0040 113 370 74 74 Midway Scout SA-0041 74 243 48 48 Silica Ridge Deposit SA-0042 140 460 92 92 Silica Ridge Deposit SA-0043 244 800 160 160 Silica Ridge Deep Deposit SA-0045 207 680 136 136 Silica Ridge Scout SA-0046 189 620 124 124 Abel Knoll Deposit SA-0049 250 820 164 164 Abel Knoll Deposit SA-0050 250 820 164 164 Abel Knoll Deposit SA-0051 250 820 164 164 Silica Ridge Deep Deposit SA-0052 129.2 646 129 129 TOTAL 3,038 10,189 2,036 1,115 921

Table 2. Reverse circulation drill holes drilled as part of 2022 Phase 1 drill program. Table includes prospect, hole type/ID/depth and assays submitted, received and those which remain pending.

Drill holes completed for 2022 Phase 1 are summarised in the table below including depth, co-ordinates, elevation and collar dip and azimuth. Co-ordinate system NAD83 UTM Zone 11N.

Hole ID



Total

depth (m) Total

depth (ft) Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth

collar Dip

collar SA-0034 207 680 414705 4548352 1353.4 270 -60 SA-0035 180 590 415011 4548590 1372.1 280 -60 SA-0036 171 560 415043 4548591 1371.8 67 -60 SA-0037 232 760 415068 4548580 1372.3 160 -60 SA-0038 201 660 415042 4548527 1372.8 290 -60 SA-0039 201 660 415354 4548430 1377.7 200 -60 SA-0040 113 370 415055 4547299 1367.2 275 -55 SA-0041 74 243 415310 4547091 1372.3 275 -60 SA-0042 140 460 415799 4546057 1379.9 190 -60 SA-0043 244 800 415893 4546030 1377 107 -60 SA-0045 207 680 416071 4546016 1400 245 -55 SA-0046 189 620 416662 4545890 1348 030 -55 SA-0049 250 820 420622 4537596 1373 000 -60 SA-0050 250 820 420674 4537642 1386 000 -60 SA-0051 250 820 420621 4537744 1378 000 -60 SA-0052 250 820 ongoing 416068 4546010 1415 220 -55

Table 3. Drill hole summary table for 2022 Phase 1 drilling. Co-ordinate system NAD83 UTM Zone 11N.

Mineralized intersections for the 2022 Phase 1 drill program are provided in Table 4. These drill intersections have been applied using the same cut-off grade as the 2021 Mineral Resource classification of >0.2g/t.

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) From

(ft) To

(ft) Width

(ft) Gold grade

g/t SA-0036 33.5 42.6 9.1 110 140 30 0.84 SA-0036 44.2 53.3 9.1 145 175 30 0.69 SA-0036 64 65.5 1.5 210 215 5 0.33 SA-0036 68.6 70.1 1.5 225 230 5 0.81 SA-0042 53.3 54.8 1.5 175 180 5 0.21 SA-0043 27.4 29 1.5 90 95 5 0.25 SA-0043 36.6 39.6 3 120 130 10 0.51 SA-0043 44.2 53.3 9.1 145 175 30 0.47 SA-0043 158.5 160 1.5 520 525 5 0.20 SA-0045 0 10.7 10.7 0 35 35 0.82 including 0 3 3.0 0 10 10 1.55 SA-0045 16.8 19.8 3.0 55 65 10 0.39 SA-0045* 22.9 74.7 51.8 75 245 170 1.12 including 22.9 29 6.1 75 95 20 1.41 including 25.9 28.9 3.0 85 95 10 2.28 SA-0045 38.1 56.4 18.3 125 185 60 1.98 including 41.1 42.6 1.5 135 140 5 13.13 SA-0045 57.9 59.4 1.5 190 195 5 1.78 SA-0045 61 74.7 13.7 200 245 45 0.86 including 65.5 73.1 7.6 215 240 25 1.25 SA-0045 79.2 80.7 1.5 260 265 5 0.28 SA-0045 155.4 166.1 10.7 510 545 35 0.27 SA-0050 33.5 38.1 4.6 110 125 15 0.30 SA-0050 48.7 53.3 4.6 160 175 15 0.36 SA-0050 59.4 68.5 9.1 195 225 30 0.33 including 59.4 64 4.6 195 210 15 0.38 and 65.5 68.5 3.0 215 225 10 0.33 SA-0050 94.5 96.0 1.5 310 315 5 0.38 SA-0050 109.7 111.2 1.5 360 365 5 0.37

Table 4. Mineralized drill hole intersections for 2022 Phase 1 drill holes. Drill intersection cut off grade of >0.2g/t Au has been applied. SA-0045 * interception includes 5 of 34 samples <0.2 g/t gold.
DETROIT, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trinity Health and CommonSpirit Health announced today they have signed an agreement for Trinity Health to acquire all facilities and assets of MercyOne, a regional health system based in Iowa. Since 1998, MercyOne has operated under a joint operating agreement between not-for-profit Catholic health care organizations Trinity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, which is now CommonSpirit.

MercyOne is a leading health system in Iowa and serves more than 3.3 million patients each year. The system includes 16 medical centers, 27 affiliate organizations and more than 420 care sites offering a range of health and wellness services, including provider services and urgent care, and more than 20,000 colleagues including 2,000 of the state's most talented doctors and providers.

"True to our shared Catholic mission, our goal is to provide high-quality, compassionate care with the best patient/member experience possible. We will accomplish that goal through a holistic approach, with a range of health services and technologies that are fully connected and coordinated," said Mike Slubowski, president and chief executive officer at Trinity Health. "This agreement creates a fully integrated MercyOne to care for more people in a unified way."

After months of analysis and due diligence, Trinity Health and CommonSpirit determined a sole parent is the best path forward for MercyOne and for the communities it serves. Trinity Health, a national health system spanning 25 states, will bring unified strategies and operations to MercyOne's care sites, including one set of system services.

As an example, MercyOne will transition to Trinity Health's common platforms, including a single electronic health record (EHR), ultimately allowing patients to easily manage their care across all MercyOne services and facilities. The result is a more convenient and consistent care experience for MercyOne's communities.

"After two decades of successful collaboration, we are immensely proud of our partnership with Trinity Health and our efforts to advance health care statewide," said Marvin O'Quinn, president and chief operating officer at CommonSpirit Health. "While the current structure has been instrumental in growing our health care services in Iowa, we believe this decision is ultimately what is best for our patients, colleagues, and our communities."

"We strongly believe this transition to become a full member of the Trinity Health family will result in a stronger, more cohesive health system better able to offer a convenient and personalized circle of care for all we serve," said Bob Ritz, president and chief executive officer at MercyOne. "We are delighted to have the agreement in place as we plan for the future of our mission. We are grateful to CommonSpirit for more than 20 years of partnership."

Trinity Health and CommonSpirit will now plan for integration, complete regulatory filings, and take other steps necessary to finalize the transaction, which is expected to be completed summer 2022. This process will be seamless for the communities MercyOne serves, and patients can continue to expect the same compassionate care they have always received.

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 25 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, Trinity Health's network of care includes 88 hospitals, 131 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 125 urgent care locations, and many other health and well-being services. Based in Livonia, Michigan, its annual operating revenue is $20.2 billion with $1.2 billion returned to its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. With its national office in Chicago and a team of over 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2021, CommonSpirit had revenues of $33.3 billion and provided $5.1 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unreimbursed government programs. Learn more at www.commonspirit.org.

About MercyOne

MercyOne is a connected system of health care facilities and services dedicated to helping people and communities live their best life. MercyOne's care providers and staff make health the highest priority. The system's clinics, medical centers, hospitals and affiliates are located throughout the state of Iowa and beyond. Headquartered in central Iowa, MercyOne was founded in 1998 through a collaboration between Catholic Health Initiatives, now CommonSpirit Health, and Trinity Health - two of the country's foremost, not-for-profit Catholic health organizations.

Contact:

Rhyn McDevitt

Director, Communications

Email: rhyn.mcdevitt@trinityhealth.org

Phone: 864.973.1157

Contact:

Chad Burns

External Communications Manager

Email: chad.burns@commonspirit.org

Phone: 415.544.2364

Contact:

Adam Amdor

Public Relations and Content Manager

Email: adam.amdor@mercyhealth.com

Phone: 319.272.7368

Related Images











Image 1: Trinity Health





Trinity Health Logo









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
New York, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market Research Report by Traffic Type, Module, Airport Class, Investment, End User, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262141/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market size was estimated at USD 9,451.12 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 10,575.04 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 12.06% to reach USD 18,723.85 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 Air Traffic Flow Management Software to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Traffic Type, the market was studied across Domestic Airflow Management and International Airflow Management.



Based on Module, the market was studied across Advanced ATFCM/ATC procedures, Dynamic-Airspace Management, Extended ATC Planner, and Flight Management Position.



Based on Airport Class, the market was studied across Class A, Class B, and Class C.



Based on Investment, the market was studied across Brownfield and Greenfield.



Based on End User, the market was studied across Civil & Commercial and Military & Defense.



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 Traffic Flow Management Software 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 Traffic Flow Management Software 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 Traffic Flow Management Software Market, including Adacel Technologies Ltd, BAE Systems PLC, Harris Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Indra Sistemas S.A., Leidos Holdings Inc, Lockheed Martin Corporation., Metron Aviation, Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Company, Saab AB, Searidge Technologies, SITA, Thales Group, and Transoft Solutions.



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 Traffic Flow Management Software Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Air Traffic Flow Management Software Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262141/?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.



__________________________
New York, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Airborne Optronics Market Research Report by System, Technology, Aircraft Type, Application, End Use, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262189/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Airborne Optronics Market size was estimated at USD 1,561.58 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 1,767.23 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 13.34% to reach USD 3,311.42 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 Airborne Optronics to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on System, the market was studied across Countermeasure System, Navigation and Guidance System, Reconnaissance System, Search and Track System, Special Mission System, Surveillance System, Targeting System, and Warning/Detection System.



Based on Technology, the market was studied across Hyperspectral and Multispectral.



Based on Aircraft Type, the market was studied across Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Urban Air Mobility.



Based on Application, the market was studied across Commercial, Military, and Space.



Based on End Use, the market was studied across Aftermarket and Original Equipment Manufacturer.



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 Airborne Optronics 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 Airborne Optronics 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 Airborne Optronics Market, including Aselsan, Bae Systems plc, Collins Aerospace, Cubert GmbH, Elbit Systems Ltd., Excelitas Technologies Corporation, Flir Systems, Inc., Headwall Photonics, Inc., Hensoldt Ag, Ii-Vi, Inc., Intevac, Inc., Israel Aerospace Industries, Kappa Optronics GmbH, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leidos Holdings, Inc., Leonardo Spa, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Osi Optoelectronics, Inc., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Resonon Inc., Safran, Stark Aerospace, Inc., Thales Sa, and Ximea GmbH.



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 Airborne Optronics Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Airborne Optronics Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Airborne Optronics Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Airborne Optronics Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Airborne Optronics Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Airborne Optronics Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Airborne Optronics Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262189/?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.



__________________________
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Companies Mentioned in the Report: Rio Tinto, American Borate Co., 5E Advanced Materials Inc., Quiborax S.A., Inkabor, Bacanora Minerals Ltd., Borax Argentina, Orocobre Ltd., Etimaden, Erin Ventures Inc., Searles Valley Minerals, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp, High Tech Material Solutions, Economy Polymers & Chemicals, Aldon Corporation, Mid South Chemical Co., BariteWorld, Etimine USA, Boric Acid & Borax, Rose Mill



IndexBox has just published a new report: 'U.S.  Borates - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights' . Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

U.S. Borates Market Statistics

Imports $155.0 Million USD Exports $514.9 Million USD Top Foreign Suppliers Turkey, Bolivia, Argentina Top Export Destinations China, South Korea, Canada

The U.S. borates market expanded rapidly to $264M in 2021, picking up by 9.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, and intermediaries' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). . REQUEST FREE DATA

U.S. Borates Production

Borates production in the United States was estimated at 1.2M tonnes in 2021, flattening at 2020. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 7% y-o-y. Borates production peaked at 1.2M tonnes in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. REQUEST FREE DATA

In value terms, borates production shrank slightly to $620M in 2021. Borates production peaked at $798M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain the momentum. REQUEST FREE DATA

U.S. Borates Exports

In 2021, overseas shipments of borates were finally on the rise to reach 918K tonnes for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, total exports indicated slight growth from 2007 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last fourteen years.

In value terms, borates exports expanded notably to $515M in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2007 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

Exports by Country

China (405K tonnes) was the main destination for borates exports from the United States, accounting for a 44% share of total supplies. Moreover, borates exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (64K tonnes), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by India (60K tonnes), with a 6.5% share.

In value terms, China ($194M) remains the key foreign market for borates exports from the United States, comprising 38% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by South Korea ($41M), with an 8% share of total exports. It was followed by Canada, with a 7.4% share.

From 2007 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China totaled +9.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+5.0% per year) and Canada (+4.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average borates export price stood at $561 per tonne in 2021, picking up by 3.5% against the previous year. There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Canada ($765 per tonne), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($434 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. From 2007 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Borates Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, purchases abroad of borates increased by 25% to 356K tonnes for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports enjoyed a buoyant expansion during 2007-2021.

In value terms, borates imports surged to $155M in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a strong increase.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Turkey (311K tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of borates to the United States, with an 87% share of total imports. Moreover, borates imports from Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Bolivia (22K tonnes), more than tenfold.

In value terms, Turkey ($116M) constituted the largest supplier of borates to the United States, comprising 75% of total imports. From 2007 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Turkey amounted to +11.7%. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Bolivia ($11M), with a 6.9% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

The average borates import price stood at $435 per tonne in 2021, increasing by 4.8% against the previous year. Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Bolivia ($486 per tonne), while the price for Turkey amounted to $373 per tonne. From 2007 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bolivia.

About IndexBox

IndexBox is a market research firm developing an AI-driven market intelligence platform that helps business analysts find actionable insights and make data-driven decisions. The platform provides data on consumption, production, trade, and prices for more than 10K+ different products across 200 countries.

For more information, please visit

Website https://www.indexbox.io

Twitter https://twitter.com/indexbox

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/IndexBox

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/indexbox-marketing/

Product Coverage

Natural borates and concentrates thereof, containing more than 85% of H 3 BO 3 calculated on the dry weight; peroxoborates (perborates), oxides of boron, boric acids.

Related Links

Borates Market

Calcium Carbonate Market

Bauxite Market

Iron Ore Market

Manganese Ore Market
DALLAS, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chargeback Gurus, a global leader in chargeback prevention and recovery services, has announced the release of a free e-guide on the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) industry.

Growth in the BNPL industry has been incredibly rapid over the past several years, but many people don't have much information about these services. Without an understanding of how BNPL works and what risks are involved, it can be difficult for businesses to decide whether to enter into a relationship with a BNPL provider. Chargeback Gurus created this new e-guide to provide information such as:

An analysis of the current BNPL customer base.

The risk of fraud in BNPL.

The most common reasons customers dispute BNPL payments.

How to fight BNPL disputes.

The future of the BNPL industry.

With this e-guide, merchants will be able to make more informed decisions on the use of BNPL. In addition, both merchants and BNPL providers will be better equipped to prevent and fight chargebacks.

"We want even merchants who don't work with us to have every opportunity to be successful," said Suresh Dakshina, president of Chargeback Gurus. "That's why we try to provide the best information available through our e-guides and blog articles."

Download the BNPL e-guide for key statistics and expert analysis on the present and future of the BNPL industry.

Press Contact:

Tyler DeLarm

Chargeback Gurus

win@chargebackgurus.com

(866) 999-3758

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With three dropouts in three races, Red Bull Racing has work to do. According to Craig Scarborough, the problem is not only with Red Bull, but the cooperation with Honda and Esso / ExxonMobil is also important.

Breakdown for Verstappen

After a double retirement for Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen in Bahrain, the reigning world champion crashed out again in Australia with a fuel-related problem. This seems to put the Dutchman in trouble to defend his title and this while the RB18 itself is not a bad car.

Read more Sprint in Imola: these are the new rules for the sprint races in 2022

"The car has got pace, there is no question about that. The question now is unlocking that. The car is also heavy. Red Bull are trying to find the sweet spot of that package. I have no doubt that in time they will be competing for wins and titles, but what we've so far is the car is less consistent," says Scarborough in The video from Windsor.

Read more Good news for Verstappen: Honda has solved problems before Imola

Role of ExxonMobil

"The question is how they are working with their fuel supplier because this is now three DNF that are fuel related," Scarborough expressed his concerns. Helmut Marko informed that Honda could assure that the problem will not occur again, but the technical expert also points to the cooperation with the fuel supplier ExxonMobil

"There is a relationship between the three parties, engine, chassis and fuel and that needs to be resolved. Because they cannot afford any more DNFs," the technical expert concludes.
The first sprint race of 2022 is just around the corner. Formula 1 will host another sprint race at Imola after the first race in 2021, this time with a number of rule changes. Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner is looking forward to the weekend in Italy.

First sprint race of 2022

The first free practice session will be very important in Imola, as the session on Friday afternoon is the qualifying session. Therefore, the teams have only one hour to find the right setup. Steiner thinks this will be even more difficult in 2022 than it already was in 2021.

"For sure it will be challenging because weve only got one free practice session to find a good set-up. With the difficulties of these cars and the inexperience we have got with it, it wont be easy but its the same for everybody," said the Italian in a preview of the American team. Steiner is convinced that sprint races are good for Formula 1 and is looking forward to the first one in 2022.

Strong start from Haas

Haas is off to a good start in 2022. After failing to score a single point in 2021, Kevin Magnussen surprised friend and foe by crossing the finish line fifth in Bahrain. In Saudi Arabia, the Dane managed to score points again. Mick Schumacher is still waiting for his first point finish in Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc was robbed of his very expensive Richard Mille watch in Viareggio. It happened while he was being accosted in the presence of friends and personal trainer Andrea Ferrari by "fans" who wanted a selfie with the Monegasque.

Around 10 p.m. Monday night, the group found themselves in the unlit street Via Salvatori, where the Ferrari driver was recognized by fans asking for photos and autographs. This attracted more and more fans, but also a bunch of criminals who saw their chance.

Read more Why did Red Bull have such a difficult weekend in Australia?

Leclerc robbed of very expensive watch by 'fans'

While Leclerc was taking time out for his fans, someone grabbed his watch from his wrist and made off before the driver realized it. Leclerc reported the theft. The watch is said to have a value of several hundred thousand euros, reports Luccaindiretta.it.

The news became known through an Instagram post by Leclerc's trainer Ferrari, who is from Viareggio. He is complaining about the unlit street, which has been reported by locals for months. "Last night we were robbed in Via Salvatori. Are you going to fix the lighting now? I'm asking for a friend," reads Ferrari's message to the municipality.

Read more Horner wants quality over quantity on crowded F1 calendar
The Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)is moving ahead with its plans to develop and commercialize nuclear microreactorsreactors small enough to be delivered on trucksby the end of the next decade. At 3 meters tall and 4 meters wide, the microreactors will weigh less than 40 tons. The reactor and power generating equipment will fit inside a standard 40' cargo container.





From an MHI presentation at a 2021 IAEA technical meeting.

The microreactors will have a maximum electrical output of 500kW. Multiple microreactor units could be combined to provide larger total power output. Mitsubishi plans to commercialize the technology in the 2030s at the soonest, once it receives approval from Japan and other governments.

Based on an all-solid-state core concept, the microreactor uses a highly thermal conductive graphite-based material that removes heat from core without liquid coolant.The nuclear reactor core and all other equipment will be contained in capsule containers that are tightly sealed.

MHI is planning mock-up tests from 2023 to 2025 to verify the cooling functioni.e., the passive core cooling by natural heat transfer without power source, water source, and operator action. The tests will not use nuclear fuels.

After those tests, prototype testing is planned to be performed from 2026 to 2030 to verify various features of the microreactor such as long-term operation, start-up/shutdown, and safety system functions, including passive shutdown and containment.

Highly enriched uranium will be used as fuel and will not require replacement during its entire duration of operations of approximately 25 years. Once the fuel is spent, the entire microreactor can be recovered.

Since the reactors will require minimal maintenance, they can be installed underground to reduce risk from natural disasters and terrorism.

Each microreactor is projected to cost tens of millions of dollars.
InfoWars, the company run by Alex Jones, has filed for bankruptcy as Jones faces mounting legal pressure in a suit brought by the families of victims in the Sandy Hook school shooting.

The victims families have sued Jones over his claims that the shooting, which left twenty children and six educators dead, was a hoax. The bankruptcy filing now means that civil litigation will be put on hold while the business reorganizes, the Associated Press reported.

Several of the families already won judgments against Jones in Connecticut and Texas state courts last year. A new lawsuit filed earlier this month by some of the families who had won a judgement against Jones alleged the host of the InfoWars program had transferred millions of dollars in his fortune to shield his assets from the families.

Federal court filings show Jones company InfoW, Inc., which operates under various names including InfoWars, has all filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

The list of creditors owed money by the businesses includes the parents of children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, as well as family members of educators who were killed.

The filings show InfoWars was estimated to have between one and 49 creditors and estimated liabilities between $1 million and $10 million.

A defamation suit against Jones filed by some of the families in state court is ongoing after a judge found Jones liable for damages. A trial on specific damages is scheduled in August.

Last week, a judge in the case ruled that $75,000 in fines Jones had paid after he initially failed to appear for a deposition should be returned to him, because he eventually did show up for a deposition in the case.
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TULSA, Okla. (AP)  An Oklahoma man who shot two Tulsa police officers, killing one and seriously wounding the other, was in fear for his life after the officers beat, kicked, pepper sprayed and shot him with a stun gun after a traffic stop, his attorney told jurors during opening statements Monday.

David Anthony Ware, 34, faces a possible death sentence for killing Sgt. Craig Johnson. He's also charged with wounding a second officer, Aurash Zarkeshan, following a traffic stop on June 29, 2020, along with drug and other charges.

The truth is that when David Ware shot Officer Zarkeshan and Sgt. Johnson, he was in fear for his life," Ware's attorney Kevin Adams said. Sgt. Johnson and Officer Zarkeshan beat David Ware, they kicked David Ware, they tased David Ware, they maced David Ware as he pleaded and begged for somebody to help him.

And when it got to the point that he felt that he was about to lose his life, he shot Officer Zarkashan and he shot Sgt. Craig Johnson."

Prosecutors say Ware, who is white, escalated the situation following the traffic stop by refusing to obey the commands of officers as they sought to get him out of the vehicle.

(Zarkeshan) asked him to step out of the car. This is where things start to get ugly," said Assistant District Attorney Kevin Gray. The traffic stop started out OK. It went really bad."

Gray said Zarkeshan pulled Ware over about 3 a.m. after he saw him run a stop sign and then take a wide turn into another lane of traffic. Ware failed to produce a driver's license or proof of insurance when Zarkeshan asked him to provide those documents.

A nine-man, three-woman jury, along with several alternate jurors, were selected last week.

Co-defendant Matthew Hall, who authorities said drove Ware from the scene after the shooting, is serving a 24-year prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of being an accessory to a felony in the case.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Eric Greitens stepped aside as Missouri's governor in 2018 amid a scandal involving accusations of blackmail, bondage and sexual assault. As he attempts a political comeback this year with a U.S. Senate bid, his ex-wife has said Greitens physically abused her and one of their children.

It once took far less to end a political career. But at a recent meeting of the St. Charles County Pachyderm Club in a largely Republican area of suburban St. Louis, GOP voters engaged in genuine debate over whether they'd support Greitens in the August primary.

Bob Sullentrup, the club's 70-year-old president, dismissed Greitens as damaged goods."

Hes going to get creamed, he said. That baggage will follow him.

Others, including several women, weren't so sure. Sharon Kumnick of Weldon Springs said she'd vote for Greitens if he's the GOP nominee, noting everybody's divorce, when they want more than is offered, is contentious."

Tina Maloney, a real estate investor from St. Charles, said Greitens should stay in the race.

I dont think just because youre accused of something in this day and age that you should drop out, Maloney said. This is what they always do, she said, citing the sexual assault allegations that emerged against Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court nomination hearing.

It shows character to fight, Maloney added.

That sentiment is reinforcing Greitens' refusal to leave the race, posing the latest test of the GOP's openness to men accused of physical or sexual abuse. Greitens is convinced that by casting himself as a conservative fighter in the mold of former President Donald Trump, he can win the Republican nomination for Missouri's open U.S. Senate seat even though many of his political benefactors abandoned him and the party's establishment wishes he would just go away.

I am going to win, Greitens said in an email, calling his ex-wife's accusations false and a political hit job.

Indeed, Trump is perhaps the GOP's best example that candidates can power through abuse allegations. He won the 2016 campaign despite accusations of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women. In this year's midterms, Herschel Walker is poised to become the GOP's nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia despite making repeated threats on his ex-wife's life. A Republican candidate for governor in Nebraska, Charles W. Herbster, was accused last week of groping several women.

Sean Parnell, a Republican who sought a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania, is the rare example of a candidate who ended his campaign after allegations of abuse. He only did so after losing a court fight over custody of his three children.

The string of allegations concern some Republicans who worry that the party will rally behind candidates who will be unable to win the general election, when moderate voters often play a more decisive role. With the Senate evenly divided, the GOP cant afford to lose what would otherwise be a safe seat.

That anxiety has deepened in Missouri after Trudy Busch Valentine, an heiress to the Anheuser-Busch fortune whose family history is deeply intertwined with the state, entered the Senate race last month as a Democrat. Many in the party have unified behind Valentine as the best chance to flip the seat.

In her personal capacity, Pat Thomas, the state GOP's treasurer, has called on Greitens to leave the race. She said Valentine's entrance makes it even more urgent for someone other than Greitens to emerge as the nominee.

I am certainly concerned that (she) could be a problem, Thomas said.

Greitens, a former Navy SEAL and Rhodes Scholar, was considered an early front-runner in the crowded Republican primary to replace retiring GOP Sen. Roy Blunt. But his campaign was rocked last month when his ex-wife, Sheena Greitens, filed a sworn affidavit as part of a child custody case that accused Eric Greitens of displaying such unstable and coercive behavior in 2018 that others took steps to limit his access to firearms.

In the affidavit, Sheena Greitens said he once knocked her down, took her wallet, keys and phone, and prevented her from leaving their home with their two children. She also accused Eric Greitens of striking their eldest son and pulling him around by his hair, among other claims.

Eric Greitens says that's all false. And he, his allies and his attorneys have used hardball tactics to try to discredit her.

In statements, interviews, a press conference and on social media, theyve portrayed Sheena Greitens as a liar with a documented history of mental illness. They've also accused her of working in conspiracy with a web of Republican figures to take down Eric Greitens' candidacy, among them Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., longtime Republican operative Karl Rove and Greitens' former 2016 campaign manager Austin Chambers, who has staunchly defended Sheena Greitens.

Everyone smelled right away that this was a political hit job, Eric Greitens said.

His attorneys have filed subpoena requests seeking phone records from Sheena Greitens, her sister, as well as Rove and Chambers, whose attorneys derided the effort an abuse of judicial process by a floundering campaign.

But Eric Greitens says that if the allegations against him were true, there is no way his ex-wife would have agreed two years ago to a court-approved parenting plan. An affidavit she filed at the time stated that it was in the best interest of the children for the parents to share joint custody, a discrepancy that he argues amounts to perjury in light of her most recent statements accusing him of abuse.

Sheena Greitens says she told multiple lawyers, therapists, and our mediator, in 2018 and afterward about the abuse allegations. She also says she will provide evidence in court, including pictures and documentation of their communications. The parenting agreement came at the time she was moving to Texas for her job.

I had to make concessions that I did not want to make," she said in a court filing.

Ultimately, she says that her ex-husband's current behavior feels like a repeat of 2018, when he resigned rather than go under oath to respond to allegations made by his former hairdresser, who testified that he blindfolded and restrained her in his basement, assaulted her and appeared to take a compromising photo to pressure her to keep quiet about an affair. He has acknowledged the affair, but has denied taking pictures.

When his political future is at risk, he becomes erratic, unhinged, coercive and threatening, Sheena Greitens stated in a recent court filing. He accuses me of things that are untrue and generates conspiracy theories about me collaborating with his enemies when I have done no such thing.

For now, the political fallout from the episode is uncertain.

There are signs the dispute could galvanize the pro-Trump base. Many online conservative outlets have sided with Greitens while criticizing his ex-wife, a college professor at the University of Texas who specializes in Asian affairs. And Greitens' campaign says they saw a dramatic uptick in donations since the allegations were made public, taking in over $100,000 in 14 days.

But he's also drawn harsh condemnation from many leading Republicans in Missouri. Sen. Josh Hawley, who served as Missouris attorney general when Greitens was governor, said in a statement that if you hit a woman or child, you belong in handcuffs, not the United States Senate. Its time for Eric Greitens to leave this race.

Greitens leading opponents had stern words, too, calling on him to to be jailed, drop out or seek help. But not everyone was quick to fully condemn.

Gov. Mike Parson said he believed Sheena Greitens, but stopped short of urging Eric Greitens to end his candidacy. The Missouri Republican Party also hasnt taken a stand on Greitens future.

Thomas, the state partys treasurer, said the best thing he can do is suspend his campaign.

She also noted that while Greitens accused the woman he had an affair with as well as his ex-wife of lying, theyve both made their statements under oath  which Eric Greitens has not done.

Why hasnt he gone under oath? Thomas asked. If he had nothing to hide and wanted to put this all to bed, why doesnt he do that for his supporters?

___

Slodysko reported from Washington.
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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  A Louisiana House panel advanced a proposed state operating budget Monday that includes $148 million for pay raises for teachers and school support staff and $104 million for increases for higher education, but strips a proposed $100-per-month increase in state supplemental pay for local police and firefighters.

Still up in the air as the $38 billion state operating budget and related budget bills left the House Appropriations Committee on Monday was the future of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' proposal to allocate $500 million in one-time revenue toward a new Mississippi River bridge at Baton Rouge, a project one administration official said could eventually cost roughly $2.5 billion.

The initial bridge funding, the school pay raises and $100 million in higher education funding  including more than $31 million for faculty pay increases  were among priorities Edwards laid out in his annual budget proposal earlier this year.

The proposals were made as lawmakers, after facing years of tight budgets, prepared to debate how best to spend higher tax revenues and an influx of more than $2.8 billion in one-time revenue  $1.4 billion from federal pandemic aid, $700 million of surplus from the 2021 fiscal year and $853 million higher-than-planned revenue for the current year.

As the committee prepared to move the budget legislation to the full House for a planned Thursday debate, chairman Jerome Zeringue, a Houma Republican, touted the education raises along with increased funding for early childhood education initiatives, clean water programs, and a $500 million allocation to refurbish the state unemployment trust fund. That allocation, backers said, will prevent Louisiana businesses from facing a jump in unemployment insurance costs to replenish a fund that was drained when the coronavirus pandemic led to major job losses.

But the committee approved an amendment stripping the increase in supplemental pay for parish and municipal police and firefighters. Rep. Jack McFarland, a Jonesboro Republican, said the proposed increase, along with other legislation that could add more local level emergency workers to those already getting supplemental pay, could eventually put financial strains on the state.

Granted theyre worth more than what were providing," said Zeringue. "But this is a recurring expense and we need to look at trying to engage and involve local governments as well to support their local fire and police.

Rep. Dustin Miller, a Democrat from Opelousas, expressed hope that the supplemental pay increase might be restored to the budget after a state panel, the Revenue Estimating Conference, meets to make its official revenue projection, which could mean more money coming in.

As for the bridge, Republican legislative leaders have been slow to back Edwards' proposal, saying the money could sit for years without being used while plans for the bridge take shape. Zeringue said Monday that House and Senate leaders are discussing the issue. Meanwhile, among the legislation the panel advanced Monday was a proposal to create a Revitalizing and Developing Infrastructure in All of Louisiana fund. Zeringue described the RADIAL fund as a place to park the non-recurring revenue Edwards wants to use for the bridge while discussions are underway.

Edwards' top financial official, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, repeated the administration's contention that the money needs to be dedicated to the bridge now. He said site recommendations for the bridge are expected in the coming months. He said committing $500 million to the project would help the state seek competitive grants.

I like the concept of the RADIAL fund, I just hope that the Mississippi River bridge is not a spare tire, said Dardenne.
Appetizers moving through the dining room of Michaels in southern Brooklyn. Photo: Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

On a frigid Friday evening in early March, Mayor Eric Adams trekked to southern Brooklyn to join a birthday celebration that was already well underway. At the time, Adams was in the midst of touting an end to the citys pandemic restrictions with a tour of several East Village restaurants  in addition to promoting the citys still-struggling restaurants and clubs by patronizing Manhattan power-dining spots like Osteria La Baia, Raos, Fresco by Scotto, Le Pavillon, as well as the members-only social club Zero Bond. This is a city of nightlife, Adams told Stephen Colbert last fall. I must test the product  I have to be out.

But this dinner was not on Adamss official schedule. The party was at Michaels, an unassuming Italian restaurant on the corner of Nostrand and Avenue R on the border of Madison and Marine Park, which has long been a gathering place for Adamss inner circle and Brooklyns Democratic Party bigwigs looking to celebrate an anniversary or seal an endorsement over a two-hour meal. The restaurant was already buzzing when Adams arrived. He ordered eggplant, artichoke and fennel salad, and portobello mushrooms with fava beans; he stayed for about 30 minutes according to Michael Cacace, who co-owns the restaurant with his father, Fred. The crowd was very excited to see the mayor, Cacace says, noting the mayor has come a few other times already this year. He doesnt really eat that long. He has a little something: a salad, an appetizer. He comes in and he leaves.

For the celebration, Adamss chief of staff, Frank Carone, had commandeered table 65 in the restaurants rear alcove, where he sat with a dozen other guests. Among them was Frank Seddio  a former state assemblyman and surrogate judge who led the Brooklyn Democratic Party for eight years and had started a law firm with Carone in 2007. Seddio still serves in the partys leadership and often suggests that candidates and clients meet at Michaels, which he claims makes the best red sauce in the entire city. I dont look like this by accident, he says. A lot of macaroni has gone through this body.

Michael Cacace, an owner of Michaels, on a recent Friday night. Photo: Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

Seddio has been eating at Michaels for more than two decades; he has taken nearly every major figure in the states Democratic Party there to partake in pasta diplomacy. Before Kathy Hochul was governor, she dined with Seddio and Carone (Were waiting now to set up another thing with her for dinner, Seddio says). Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have all noshed at Seddios invitation. So did the previous attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, before his career ended in disgrace. He had his security detail come in and check the place out, and not one person had any clue who he was, Seddio recalls.

Bill de Blasio, on the other hand, never had trouble being recognized when he visited Michaels while serving as mayor. He favored pizza and pasta dishes with the restaurants signature tomato sauce. Every person in the restaurant came over, shook hands, took pictures with him  the whole bit, Seddio says.

In a city of nearly 24,000 restaurants, only a handful become habitats for local power brokers; fewer are able to maintain that vaunted status. Langans, a Theater District Irish pub, attracted reporters and media figures from News Corps headquarters until it closed in 2018. Queen, a lunchtime haven for Brooklyns legal elite, couldnt survive the absence of court proceedings and office traffic during the pandemic and shut down in 2020. And Forlinis, one of Manhattans oldest red-sauce restaurants, drew federal prosecutors and judges who designated their preferred tables by having their names etched on plaques attached to its leather-upholstered booths before it shuttered last month.

Yet the mystique of Michaels has endured. There are three main reasons politicians like Michaels, explains Democratic operative and Michaels regular Michael Tobman. One, its a warm, inviting environment, conducive to intimate conversations. Two, the food is really good. And three, its still there. He adds, I dont know that I could overstate the comfort and sense of being in the thick of things that comes from being in a restaurant like Michaels  talking politics with people who do politics for a living. You really feel like youre a part of something.

In many ways, Michaels offers a timeless red-sauce restaurant experience. The restaurant got its start as a pizzeria in 1964 before expanding. Many of the menus staples remain unchanged. Cacace checking in with a diner. Photographs by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

Italian American restaurants such as Michaels seem like theyve always dazzled city elites and, to some extent, thats because they have. Politicians began courting Italian American voters in the 1920s and 1930s by canvasing street festivals and visiting community leaders at neighborhood restaurants. (At the time, the citys Italian population was growing to the point that it began to matter to elected officials  and it helped that Italian-restaurant owners sold liquor during Prohibition while the citys French restaurants refused.) Restaurants became a natural meeting place of Italian Americans  much more so than any other kind of business, says Ian MacAllen, author of Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American. It was a casual setting that expressed the needs of the community and could turn out votes in a way that didnt come across as under the table  even if it was literally under the table.

Italian Americans  like Mayors Fiorello La Guardia and Vincent Impellitteri  had reached the upper echelon of city politics by the time Michaels opened in 1964. The first iteration of the restaurant was a small pizzeria with four tables, a counter, and a gas oven that came with the place. The neighborhood had a few other Italian restaurants, and customers were largely families who had immigrated from Bari  the port capital of Italys Puglia region. A political hangout this was not.

Four years later, Michaels expanded  adding bluestone to the facade and heavy wooden double doors to resemble a Tuscan castle  while offering a three-page menu of traditional red-sauce cuisine. As years went on, word about the quality of the food spread, but the stock-market crash in the 1980s and the recession of the 1990s hammered the restaurants profits. Tastes began to change, too, as discriminating diners drifted away from richer southern Italian specialties toward lighter northern Italian dishes and Mediterranean-style entrees.

From left: John Cacace, Michael Cacace, and Fred Cacace. Photo: Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

Brooklyns political and judicial class continued to patronize red-sauce restaurants despite the shifting trends. Democratic bosses like Meade Esposito (who ran the Brooklyn Democratic Party before he was convicted of making improper payments to Bronx Representative Mario Biaggi in 1987) held court at Abbracciamentos on the Canarsie Pier, Queen and Foffe in Brooklyn Heights, and Gargiulios in Coney Island. Espositos successor, Howard Golden, also loved Foffe, and he ordered broiled chicken and vegetables at Gargiulios so often that waiters shouted his order to him as soon as he walked in the door.

Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who led the Brooklyn Democratic Party in the early 2000s, had his own rotating circuit of restaurants suited to specific needs. When he wanted to regale political hopefuls seeking his much-coveted endorsement, he took them to Conos in Williamsburg. He hosted annual fundraisers for the county party at Giando on the Water on Kent Avenue. Staff meals and receptions supporting his assembly campaigns occurred at Ninas  a homey restaurant under the BQE.

When Lopez resigned as party chairman in 2012, Frank Seddio emerged as his successor. Presented with the opportunity to entertain more people in his corner of the world, Seddio went to Michaels, one of the few Old World Italian places left, where he had become a regular. As power shifted to southern Brooklyn, the restaurant became the New York City political worlds center of gravity almost by default. And who would refuse? Setting a dinner at Michaels could define the magnitude of the meeting itself.

Everybody who has come into power understands that Michaels is the place to go to cut deals, says Andrew Holt, former publisher of City & State and a spokesperson for the political action committee A Better New York for All. For every meeting of significance, the suggestion is always Michaels and nobody ever says no. You have to say yes. Holt explains that theres a hierarchy of restaurant dealmaking with Michaels situated firmly at the top: Michaels is the place where the deal is happening, where all parties are present.

The most storied political sit-down happened in late 2005, when about 30 Brooklyn Democratic leaders and operatives turned the Michaels wine cellar into their personal war room to plot who would become the next City Council speaker and how they could secure committee chairs for their members. After shared plates of baked clams, calamari, antipasti, and salad and several bottles of wine, they discussed what rewards they would get for backing Christine Quinn, who became the Councils first female speaker, and how they might stiff one particular Park Slope councilman who also wanted the job. Bill de Blasio was not talked about warmly at this meeting, one attendee recalls. He was not one of the candidates we discussed or supported.

The tradition of horse-trading at Michaels might have ended two years ago  when Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn succeeded Seddio to become the current Brooklyn Democratic Party leader. Or the era of Michaels may have drawn to a close when its dining room temporarily shuttered and the restaurant had to rely on takeout orders, sauce sales, and a tented outdoor dining structure to keep it afloat through the pandemic. But Bichotte Hermelyn continues to hold meetings with candidates and other Democratic leaders at Michaels, and she has eaten there so frequently that the waiters know her favorites: lentil soup with pasta, lamb chops, steak, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, or spaghetti and meatballs  and a glass of Chianti to wash it all down.

The people who work there know how to treat politicians. They know how to serve us. They know our world, and they take care of us, Bichotte Hermelyn tells me. Outside of the food, theres a level of comfort and privacy. They respect the fact that people come in to talk about business and enjoy a four-course meal.

A platter of roasted peppers, tomatoes, and mozzarella. Photo: Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

Even if Michaels remains a distant world for most Brooklynites north of Church Avenue, regulars say theyve noticed more 20- and 30-somethings making date-night reservations  a phenomenon that could be attributed to the red-sauce renaissance that has taken hold across the five boroughs. The pandemic may have accelerated this sense of nostalgia, and were living in a time when nostalgia is comforting, MacAllen, the author of Red Sauce, theorizes. Theres no better way to eat our feelings than a big fat lasagna or a nice veal parm oozing with mozzarella cheese on top.

It doesnt hurt that the food at Michaels is, by all accounts, objectively good. The restaurants fabled red sauce is a simple recipe of Italian plum tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and garlic thats been tested and passed down among family members over half a century. John Cacace, current head chef at Michaels, has worked in the restaurants kitchen since he was 10 years old, and he says he is one of only four living people who have made the sauce. The worst mistake I ever made was staying in the kitchen  not going to school, not becoming a lawyer, he jokes. (One of the better ideas, though, was to begin jarring the sauce in 2006. The small operation grew, and Michaels now produces 6,000 jars a day; it uses 300-gallon kettles that can fill 40 jars a minute and distributes the sauce nationwide and in seven countries in Central and South America.)

For first-timers, a trip to Michaels is a way to experience an era of Brooklyn that never stopped existing. Before the pandemic, Holt (from City & State) owned an Italian restaurant in Gowanus called Mamma Rosa. One day, he took his Rome-born chef to Michaels for lunch. They had Italian wedding soup, shared a plate of pasta, and downed a couple of glasses of wine. On their way out, they picked up a pastry from the bakery that Michaels operates across the street. One of the wait staff wearing a white tuxedo was jogging across the street with a tiered white cake from the bakery to the restaurant, Holt remembers. My chef could not believe that this restaurant existed in real life  this type of Italian American mentality. He said, Its unreal. I had to call my brother and explain this to him. My God, its amazing! Its a movie! Its a film!

The scene inside Michaels. Photo: Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet
Motorola took a very long time to start its Android 12 update rollouts, only outing the first one in February, many months after Google initially released the new OS. However, since then the company has kept a steady (if slow) pace of release, and now it's allowing another phone to run the latest software.

We're talking about the Motorola Edge 20 Pro, a high-end smartphone launched in August last year. The device is currently receiving the finalized, stable update to Android 12 in Brazil, one of Motorola's most important markets in terms of sales and brand recognition.

The update is rolling out over-the-air in the country, and as always this means it could take a few days (or even weeks) until it reaches all units out there in the wild. After installing it, your Motorola Edge 20 Pro will run build S1RA32.41-20-16, which includes the March 1, 2022 security patch level - and that, as you may have noticed, is already outdated. But hey, at least you finally get Android 12. The rollout is happening for the Edge 20 Pro with the model number XT2153-1-DS, by the way.

Hopefully everything goes well in Brazil and then Motorola decides to unleash this update upon all the other markets where it sold the Edge 20 Pro. And very soon. People have been waiting long enough already.

Source (in Portuguese) | Via
Samsung launched the Galaxy A53 smartphone in March, and it is now getting its first monthly update. In addition to the April 2022 security patch, the new firmware brings also takes care of issues with camera stability.

The package is named A536BXXU1AVCC and is already being seeded in a bunch of EU countries - Austria, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. More regions should be getting the update soon, with South Korea and India already looking forward to the next package.

If you didn't get the notification already you can head to the Settings menu under Software Update and perform a manual check. The Samsung Galaxy A53 ships with Android 12 and OneUI 4.1 on top, and the maker promised four major Android OS updates, so the April 2022 update is just the first of many to come.

Via
Do you have a thing for limited edition phones and are a die-hard Pokemon fan? Well, Samsung will certainly catch your interest with its upcoming Pokemon Edition Galaxy Z Flip3 set to release in South Korea. The new Pokemon Edition Galaxy Z Flip3 is releasing on April 24 and those interested in snagging one can register their interest via the source link below. The limited edition bundle will be sold in limited quantities exclusively via Samsung Koreas online store. Pricing info is not mentioned.

Samsung is touting this as the greatest collaboration ever and is paying special attention to the packaging. The whole ordeal comes in a large red box which encompasses a smaller Poke ball-themed box for the foldable phone. The image shows a black Galaxy Z Flip3 meaning the phone wont get a special paint job.

The rest of the box contents include a special Pokemon pouch, a clear case with Pikachu stickers, extra Pokemon stickers, a Pokeball pop socket and a Pikachu key chain.

Source (in Korean)
One of Guams biggest music celebrations, Electric Island Festival, will be returning this year after being canceled for the last two years due to the pandemic.

The event, which takes place Aug. 13 at the Guam International Raceway, has drawn large crowds in prior years, and organizers say they are prepared to meet health and safety concerns.

We are aware of the magnitude of an EIF event bringing nearly 2,000 to 3,000 people together. Each event can feel staggering with so many people, but if we follow all guidelines well be able to ensure that safety standards are met, festival CEO Jia Wang said in a press release.

According to the release, all staff will be required to wear masks and will be encouraged to be vaccinated.

Before the 2020 and 2021 festivals were canceled, the annual event had been growing over the prior seven years.

Past performers at the festival have come from all over the world, including the mainland US, Hawaii, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, the UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Italy.

This years lineup will be announced soon, according to the press release.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to identify and protect critical habitat for 23 endangered and threatened species in Micronesia within the next three years, following a successful legal challenge by the Center for Biological Diversity and Blue Ocean Law.

The groups sued the agency in 2021 after the agency failed to designate critical habitat for them as required under the Endangered Species Act, according to a press release from the center.

Under Mondays settlement, the agency must act on critical habitat for the nine rare animals and 14 plants by June 26, 2025.

The agency has until that date to submit the details of its critical habitat designations for the 23 species, Maxx Phillips, Hawaii director and a staff attorney at the center, said in a phone interview.

Once they publish it, there will be an opportunity for the public and for the science community to comment on that proposed designation, Phillips said. And then the service will move forward with it becoming a proposed rule and then finalization.

The center will be monitoring the agencys efforts to ensure a critical scientific eye is attributed towards it and then also from the legal side, making sure that the service is meeting those deadlines, Phillips said.

The unique species, including tiny sac-winged bats, bright orange and yellow tree snails, and eight-spot butterflies, are found on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Without critical habitat designations, native species like the Mariana eight-spot butterfly, which exists only in the Marianas Islands, would be lost, and along with them irretrievable aspects of our Indigenous ecosystem and culture, attorney Julian Aguon of Blue Ocean Law said in the press release.

They are threatened by numerous factors, including habitat loss due to agricultural and urban sprawl, invasive species, small population sizes, limited range, and climate change.

Military expansion related to the relocation of 5,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa also threatens several of the species on Guam and the other Marianas islands, according to the release.

Designating critical habitat for endangered or threatened species helps prevent federal actions that destroy or harm areas critical to the survival of the species.

With everything going on right now with the military buildup, we are in danger of losing important parts of our culture. We are the people of the land and so when our native plants and animals thrive, we thrive, Frances Meno, a local yoamte, said in the release. There is no future without them.

Protected species

According to the press release, some of the threatened animals and plants include:

Pacific sheath-tailed bat: This tiny insectivorous, sac-winged bat has already been wiped out on Guam and the island of Vanuatu. Across its remaining range, the bat is threatened by habitat destruction from nonnative species, development, military training, urbanization, typhoons and climate change.

Slevins skink: Also known as the Mariana skink, this social creature has already been eliminated from Guam. The rest of the skinks range is also threatened by habitat destruction from nonnative species, development, military training, urbanization, typhoons and climate change. Military training puts the skink at risk of direct harm from live-fire training exercises.

Mariana eight-spot butterfly: Native to Guam and Saipan, the butterfly is no longer found on Saipan. It is reliant on two host plant species, one of which is used as a native medicinal plant to treat various ailments. In addition to being threatened by parasitic wasps, the butterflys habitat is similarly threatened by nonnative species, development, military training, urbanization, typhoons and climate change.

Guam tree snail: Found only in Guam, this once-common, air-breathing snail is now endangered. In addition to the common habitat threats listed above, the Guam tree snail is threatened by fire and overcollection for commercial and recreational purposes.

Bulbophyllum guamense: Part of the Guam Plant Extinction Prevention Program, this orchid has a greenish-yellow flower that smells faintly of carrion. In the past the plant occurred in common large mat-like formations on trees. However, in addition to habitat-based threats, the orchid is being hurt by predation from non-native slugs.
In this file photo, flies fill the air above the trash at Ordot dump before it was closed. Ordot-Chalan Pago is investing money it receives as a host site for the dump into building a gym and multipurpose center.




Haiti - NOTICE : The Academy of Women Entrepreneurs is recruiting, applications open





The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) recruits women entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs. AWE gives women entrepreneurs the knowledge, networks and access they need to start and grow successful businesses.



Over three months, participants will learn basic business skills, then meet in class to discuss material with experienced performers, local mentors and American exchange alumni. Partnerships with local NGOs, universities and chambers of commerce will provide them with the opportunity to amplify their newly acquired business skills and network with other businesswomen and men through quick mentoring, pitch competitions and entrepreneurship fairs.



The AWE program offers young women aged 21 to 35 with business ideas or who already have a start-up in operation the opportunity to participate in a series of entrepreneurship training courses accompanied by appropriate support, while offering a environment that will facilitate their networking. The main objective of this program is the economic empowerment of women.



Selection Criteria :



Woman aged 21 to 35:



Living in Port-au-Prince;



Owning a business or having a business idea;



Intermediate level in English;



Interested in developing/strengthening her entrepreneurial skills;



Benefits :



3 months of training in entrepreneurship;



Networking opportunities;



Developing your corporate brand;



Funding for the top 10 ideas/businesses.



Apply online: https://bit.ly/3rcM8Gb



Deadline : April 30, 2022



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Inevitable fuel price increase

Michel Patrick Boisvert, the Minister of Finance, affirms that because of the War in Ukraine which is driving up the price of a barrel of crude oil to peaks, for fear of new sanctions against Russia aimed at the export of black gold , an increase in the price of petroleum products at the pump is inevitable. He indicates that the Government can no longer provide the subsidy due to the new cost increases, and that it is awaiting the agreement of the players in the oil sector to set the date for the new increases...



A police officer kills 3 members of his family and commits suicide

On Monday Bathole alley, in Gonaives, Policeman Blemur Accile shot and killed his sister Wisline Accile, his niece Rooseline Ceide and his brother-in-law Yfradieu Ceide, before committing suicide by hanging.



Shipwreck in Haiti, 1 dead

Monday morning, early in the morning, a boat carrying about fifteen passengers and 2 crew members from Miragoane bound for Pointe-a-Raquette (Island of Gonave) was shipwrecked. One person perished in the sinking but several of the survivors are receiving care in a health center in Pointe-a-Raquette. According to testimonies, the victim who drowned refused to wear a life jacket.



The OPC calls on the USA to return the archives seized in 1994

The Office for the Protection of Citizens (OPC), an independent national institution for the promotion and protection of human rights, formally requests the US Government to return the archives of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H) and the paramilitary group Revolutionary Front Armed for the Progress of Haiti (FRAPH) seized in 1994 during the landing of American soldiers in Haiti.



Ex-investigating judge Garry Orelien laid off

The investigating judge, Garry Orelien, who investigated the assassination of President Jovenel Moise for 7 months, has been placed on leave by the Superior Council of Power. He is suspected of https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35770-haiti-justice-accused-of-corruption-judge-orelien-gives-notice-to-pierre-esperance-to-prove-his-accusations.html



Nurses : Advanced training

In order to strengthen the capacity to respond to medical emergencies in Haiti, the National Ambulance Center (CAN) in partnership with the Embassy of Taiwan (Republic of China) is organizing training aimed at enabling participating nurses to acquire advanced knowledge in pre-hospital care.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2022/04/18 | Source

Kim Dong-wook continues to renew his life character.

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Actor Kim Dong-wook, who plays Hwang Kyeong-min, the perpetrator of a serial murder from a school violence victim in the original TVING series "The King of Pigs", is receiving favorable reviews for his character, despite the fact that they are unjustifiable characters. Therefore, based on his solid acting skills, we take a look at his past works, which freely cross genres and characters.

"The Guest - Drama", Korean-style real exorcism as Yoon Hwa-pyeong

In the 2018 OCN drama "The Guest - Drama" which was well-received for opening a new chapter in Korean-style real exorcism with its original worldview, Kim Dong-wook played the role of a psychic called Yoon Hwa-pyeong, who recognizes evil spirits. Yoon Hwa-pyeong is a sly taxi driver, but he desperately chases the mysterious hand that drives his family to tragedy.

Despite the unique genre and character, Kim Dong-wook received praise for his amazing acting and excellent character interpretation. In particular, the part where he acts possessed in the second half of the drama has been talked about for a long time, giving viewers the greatest thrill ever. In addition, 2018 was enough to re-inscribe the actor Kim Dong-wook to the public with his performance across the screen and TV from Soo-hong to Yoon Hwa-pyeong in the 10 million movie "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days".

"Special Labor Inspector, Mr. Jo", a satirical comedy with a lot of excitement as Jo Jin-gap

The following year, the 2019 MBC drama "Special Labor Inspector, Mr. Jo" is a drama that gave Kim Dong-wook the honor of winning the grand prize. This work depicts the story of an aggressive judo teacher who cannot tolerate injustice, who is appointed as the labor supervisor of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and then starts to punish selfish business owners.

Kim Dong-wook not only portrayed Jo Jin-gap's character in real life, including his judo physique, walking, way of talking, and old fashion, but also added fun with action, comedy, drama, romance and rhetoric by properly bringing out various genre elements. In particular, his detailed acting that changes along with the tone of the lines, eyes, and facial expressions depending on which opponent he meets, doubled the charm of the character by 200%.

"You Are My Spring", from healing romance to thriller as Joo Yeong-do

Kim Dong-wook's transformation continued in his most recent work, tvN's "You Are My Spring" in 2021. Joo Yeong-do is a psychiatrist whose survival method is by saving someone else. He became the key to 'healing' by taking care of the pain and wounds of many people.

The melodrama with Kang Da-jeong (Seo Hyun-jin), the main narrator of the drama, succeeded in capturing women's hearts with a warm and sweet romance that is different from the 2020 MBC drama "Find Me in Your Memory". He added excitement and laughter with his unpretentious performance, which showed the unexpected charm of a clumsy and comical beginner who is different from the appearance of a smart and sharp psychiatrist. In addition, the thriller element added to the play showed a wide range of acting skills that deepened with detailed acting skills and genre-agnostic expression, proving that he is an actor worth watching.
Published on 2022/04/18 | Source

Actor Yoon Kye-sang is having his year-late wedding.

Advertisement

His agency announced that he will be having his wedding on the 9th of June at the Seoul Shilla Hotel with just close family and friends, in private.

Yoon Kye-sang married a businesswoman five years younger than him last year. They didn't have a wedding due to COVID-19 but they registered themselves married. They also had their honeymoon in Hawaii this February.

Yoon Kye-sang's wife is Cha Hye-young, the CEO of beauty brand NONFICTION. They met through a friend in 2020 and developed into lovers.

Meanwhile, Yoon Kye-sang will appear in the Disney+ new drama "Kiss Sixth Sense".
RTHK: Police shoot protester dead in crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan police fired live ammunition to scatter protesters on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring a dozen more, as the country sought rapid financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ease a worsening economic crisis.

Demonstrations have raged across the South Asian country of 22 million people for weeks, voicing anger against the government's mishandling of the economy that has led to shortages of essentials and prolonged power cuts.

Mihiri Priyangani, director of the Kegalle Teaching Hospital, said at least one protester was killed and 12 injured had been admitted to hospital, including two in critical condition, after clashes broke out between demonstrators and police in the central town of Rambukkana.

The deceased person had likely been shot, Priyangani said. "We are suspecting gunshot injuries but need a post-mortem to confirm the exact cause of death."

Disturbances erupted after police asked protesters to move away from a key railway line which they had blocked for hours, police spokesman Nalin Thalduwa said.

"To control the situation police fired at the protesters, which injured several protesters," Thalduwa said.

"Several injured policemen have also been hospitalised," he said, adding live ammunition and tear gas had been used to repel a crowd pelting stones and other objects. "Police are still in the area and attempting to restore calm."

Analysts have flagged political instability as a serious risk as Sri Lanka looks to negotiate a loan programme from the IMF, with a delegation headed by Finance Minister Ali Sabry kicking off formal talks in Washington on Monday.

The government is looking for assistance to help top up its reserves and attract bridge financing to pay for essential imports of fuel, food and medicines. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2022-04-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Westin Houston Medical Center adds a sustainability fee onto guest bills. Youre supposed to accept a hidden add-on, that turns out to be a charge for building maintenance, because its impolite to question anything framed as for the environment.

One hotel employee described it as being equivalent to a resort fee.'

The hotels General Manager, though, says its really an extra charge for the hotels maintenance.

The hotels historic 1954 structure is over 80 years old and was not designed with modern systems and materials.

The Environmental Fee is used for expenses that increase the overall efficiency of the building, including items such as electricity and water usage management systems to limit wasted resources. The fee also applies to costs such as installation and replacement of energy efficient window systems. Separate from the building maintenance, the fee is also used towards utilizing local suppliers.

The hotel adds this fee because its an old building. The money theyre charging you is so they can replace the windows and buy systems to limit your use of water and electricity.

Systems that save them water and electricity are cost-saving devices which mean they spend less money, yet somehow are an excuse to charge you more.

which mean they spend less money, yet somehow are an excuse to charge you more. And old buildings, actively trying to spend less per guest, would usually charge lower rates not impose hidden extra charges on top of the published room rate.

But dont you care about the planet? Yes, and cynical ploys to charge guests more for a product in the name of the environment worry me because they minimize real risk to the planet and dull us all to the risks that we actually should be paying attention to. Charging bonus sustainability fees is bad for the environment for the little boy who cried wolf reasoning we all learned as children.

Read the full article at viewfromthewing.com
Ira Vouk (author of "Hospitality 2.0", industry consultant, and tech innovator) and Carl Winston (founding Director of the Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at SDSU) discuss the challenge that everyone is aware of but nobody talks about.

There is currently a big gap between hospitality academia and the industry. On one hand, there is a lot of great research done by professors at various universities worldwide, and there are many great discoveries, however, those findings are rarely communicated to the industry (and if they are - the language is very hard to digest as those are purely scientific publications). At the same time, hospitality companies hardly ever reach out to the academic circles with information about what research is relevant and what problems need to be solved. As a result, professors continue to generate papers that are not necessarily always related to what the industry really needs. At the same time, they often continue teaching their students the same old concepts that are no longer applicable.

During their discussion, Ira and Carl will attempt to answer the questions about why we"re facing this problem where the two worlds are drastically out of sync, and what we can do to start solving it.

Timeline
The Jurys name  synonymous with the Irish hotel sector for more than 150 years  will disappear as part of a major rebrand by the Fattal Hotel Group, owner of Irelands best known hotel chain.

All 35 Jurys Inn hotels across Ireland and the UK are to become Leonardo hotels this autumn as part of a wider growth strategy that could also see new hotels built in Dublin, Galway and Cork.

The entire Jurys Inn portfolio was acquired by the group  owned by Israeli billionaire David Fattal  in 2017 and the Jurys brand has since operated in Ireland and the UK under the Fattal umbrella, along with its Leonardo, Royal and Nyx properties.

At the time, Fattal already had seven Leonardo hotels in the UK. That has since grown to 15 properties with much of the marketing, procurement and other back-office responsibilities handled by Jurys Inn in Dublin.

Ever since we became part of the Fattal group there has always been an intention to bring the two groups of hotels together, Jurys Inn managing director Jason Carruthers told the Sunday Independent.

The Jurys name goes all the way back to 1839 when William Jury opened a guesthouse in College Green in Dublin, with the first Jurys Inn opened in Galway in 1993.

There are a lot of similarities between the Jurys brand and the Leonardo brand. We will have the benefit of being part of an international brand, part of a group of 145 Leonardo properties, with the benefits that go with that, from a larger loyalty programme to a single website for bookings across the whole business.

Carruthers said that a huge amount of thought and planning had gone into the rebrand.

Read more...
LOS ANGELES - The official association for the worlds verified boutique hotels has launched a central list of boutique hotel owners and founders in the hopes to create continued clarity and community within the independent and boutique hotel space. This falls under BLLAs pillar of education for executives, professionals, and students who continually disrupt the hospitality industry through their fearless approach to being a part of the village that creates hotel experiences.

The association will continue to act as the central hub for the niche and this evergreen list of owners and founders will help give credibility to hoteliers who go against the grain and stand for individuality. It is important to show the industry how you can be successful and independent. The association wants to ensure that the industry knows the various paths one can go down to create a hotel and how BLLA supports its efforts with resources, contacts, and timely information.

BLLAs Board of Advisors and Education Committee will expand on this initiative with more tools to help the independent side of the industry thrive. From identifying the right tech stack to labor success practices, to sourcing products, the association is continually at the forefront of important initiatives and best practices for owners.

You will be able to interact one-on-one with many of these owners at the associations upcoming conferences:

Boutique Hotel Investment Conference, June 8 in New York City

Women in Travel & Hospitality Conference, July 11-12 in Los Angeles

Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, October 24-25 in Los Angeles

In BLLA fashion, we invite the larger community to continue celebrating those who dare to be different.

About the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA)

Founded in 2009, the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) is the official association for the world's top visionaries in the boutique lifestyle industry. Membership with the BLLA includes not just a strengthened sense of communityit offers all the resources necessary for small and independent businesses to thrive in this growing sector, including access to distribution channels, marketing tools, webinars, white papers, reports about the evolving boutique landscape, and more. The organization promotes connection, education, and advocacy. As a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement, the BLLA's network has grown beyond its hotel foundation to welcome more passionate entrepreneurs, businesses, and purveyors that amplify the boutique lifestyle. BLLA is a catalyst for trends and the future of boutique. blla.org

Press Office

BLLA

+1-818-883-4363

BLLA

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Since the renewal of the EB-5 program this year, there has been a lot of talk about what this means for developers interested in taking on new projects. Our recent article in Westlaw Today sums up the latest information about the program. Part one is below; part two will be published next week.

After being sidelined for the last few years by circumstances culminating with the pandemic and the lapse of the Regional Center Program in June of 2021, the EB-5 foreign investment program looks like it has returned as a viable option for developers seeking low-cost funding for new construction projects.

On March 15, President Biden signed the Omnibus Spending Bill, which included the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, sponsored by Senators Pat Leahy (D-VT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). This bipartisan bill restores viability to EB-5 by reauthorizing the lapsed Regional Center Program, a component essential to the success of EB-5.

What is EB-5?

EB-5 refers to a program that is authorized by Section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. EB-5 is the fifth Employment-Based immigration program set forth in Section 203 and provides expedited visa processing for foreign investors making a minimum required investment in a project that directly creates at least 10 new jobs in the United States.

In short, it is both an immigration program for foreign investor immigrants, and a program that requires substantial capital investment in new business enterprises creating jobs in the United States.

The character of available financing and the projects most desirable for EB-5 investment are directly influenced by program requirements that must be met to qualify investors for a green card. For example, lower program investment minimums ($800,000 vs. $1,050,000) make projects more desirable in targeted areas of high unemployment and rural areas.

In addition, there is expedited visa processing for investments in rural areas. Immigrant investors want to invest the minimum amount of money and be approved for their visas as quickly as possible, encouraging investors to prioritize infrastructure or projects in rural areas or areas with high unemployment.

Ten thousand visas per fiscal year are set aside for applicants to the EB-5 program, and the new law sets aside or reserves 20 percent of those visas for projects in rural areas, 10 percent for targeted areas of high unemployment, and 2 percent for infrastructure projects.

Recent history of EB-5 investment

Although the EB-5 immigrant visa program has been active since 1990, the current trend of using it as a source of financing real estate development and construction started 20 years later  around 2010. The popularity of the program exceeded all expectations for several years in the 2010s, particularly with Chinese applicants, until a marked slowdown near the end of 2017.

Partisan politics during the Trump administration, strained U.S.-Chinese relationships, and the Chinese governments strict new limits on exporting capital from China, combined with the economic panic and lockdowns of the pandemic, stopped virtually all new EB-5 investments from Chinese residents.

The Regional Center (RC) program, which allows investors to pool their money to finance new ventures, was added to the EB-5 program in 1993 and extended repeatedly until June 2021, when it was allowed to lapse. RCs are formally designated by the U.S. Immigration service and have different job creation requirements; rather than counting only the jobs directly created by a project, indirect and induced jobs tallied by approve economic methodologies also qualify.

Regional Centers offer benefits both to investors and to developers seeking funding: when more jobs qualify under immigration rules, more investors can get visas. With more available visas, more money can be raised. It is also easier to use EB-5 when there is a substantial margin of safety in the job count in case anything goes wrong. As a practical matter, regional centers have historically offered immigrant investors a buffer of 20 to 30 percent more jobs than the law requires, to protect against contingencies.

The EB-5 Reform Act reauthorizes the Regional Center program, which has proven to be essential to the viability of EB-5 overall. The demand generated by the revitalized RC program is expected to bring the EB-5 program out of its long hibernation.

Whats different about EB-5 this time around?

While the basics of the program remain the same, some aspects of the Regional Center program have changed.

The EB-5 Reform Act raises the minimum investment in qualified projects to $1,050,000 from $1 million, except in federally-designated Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) where the investment minimum was raised to $800,000 from $500,000. The new minimum investment requirement will hold for the next five years, assuring the availability of this type of financing through September 2027.

The bill also puts a premium on investment in rural areas by expediting visa applications for investors involved in those projects; thirty percent of EB-5 visas are set aside for these investors. Infrastructure projects or those in high unemployment areas are also subject to lower minimum investment requirements, but do not qualify for expedited visa processing.

The Regional Center program offers a regulated structure industry of approved RCs, who are now subject to greatly increased regulatory scrutiny, oversight and audits as outlined in the EB-5 Reform Act. RCs are also now the only way for investors to pool their resources, and existing centers will need to refile to comply with new requirements. Experts suggest that these changes will greatly reduce the number of regional centers to those who truly intend to be active in the program.

Now that the EB-5 Reform Act has been signed, prior Regional Center law has been repealed. No new RC filings can be filed until 60 days after enactment, so applications cannot be submitted until May 14, 2022. Its not yet clear, but its possible that every RC must start over with a new application, or at least an amendment to confirm the identity of all persons involved with the RC and to provide policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the new integrity rules.

See how JMBMs Global Hospitality Group can help you.

Click here for the latest articles on EB-5 Financing.

This article was originally published on Westlaw Today on April 14, 2022.

Jim Butler

+1 310 201 3526

JMBM

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Did OTA penetration fall drastically during COVID-19? I am not sure where this notion comes from, since PhocusWright reported that 50% of U.S. gross online hotel bookings in 2021 came from OTAs vs 49% in 2019. In Europe the OTA contribution is even higher, due to the lower market share of branded properties, known to enjoy much lower OTA exposure.

I believe the notion that the OTAs have lost or are losing market share is simply wishful thinking and here is why.

The OTAs amassed huge loyalty programs

Booking and Expedia used the pandemic to overhaul their loyalty programs by investing heavily in technology, talent and sales efforts. Expedia consolidated its three loyalty programs (Expedia, Hotels..com, Orbitz) into one single program and technology program, and now boasts over 155 million members. Booking..com's Genius loyalty program has similar membership count. Member discounts are available to all Genius members at over 390,000 participating properties around the world. Genius Level 1 members enjoy discounts up to 10%, Level 2 - up to 15% and Level 3 - up to 20%.

Who provides these discounts? Hoteliers, of course, all 390,000 of them, discounts which are in addition to the OTA commission they pay Booking..com.

Why is all this important? A loyalty or guest appreciation program means repeat business! Most importantly, do you see any of these 300 million+ members of the OTA loyalty programs to book directly with a hotel? I don't.

How many independent hotels have a CRM technology and any loyalty or guest recognition program in place? Less than 10%! This explains why, on any given night, only 10%-15% of roomnights at independents are from repeat guests. In the post-pandemic, repeat business will make or break a hotel. Repeat guests already know the property location, the hotel product and value proposition and are 5-15 times cheaper to acquire compared to new guests.

You cannot increase your repeat business without CRM technology and program in place. Only a meaningful CRM technology application - as part of your hotel tech stack - can ensure deep engagement with your past and future guests. CRM tech not only provides automated pre-, during- and post-stay communications, guest satisfaction surveys, guest retention marketing automation and drip marketing campaigns, but takes it a step further via guest recognition program management and loyalty marketing. All of these fully automated CRM initiatives keep the conversation going with your upcoming and past guests, keep them engaged and steer them in the right direction: to book your hotel when it's time for them to visit your destination again. In addition, you can use your CRM first party data about your best guests to launch similar audiences marketing on Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to target potential customers with similar characteristics as your best guests.

In my view, post-crisis developers, owners and managers will flock in droves to the major chains, attracted by their deep pockets, ability to implement safety and cleanliness protocols, huge loyalty programs able to generate 58%-62% of room nights, dominance in the corporate travel and group markets, comprehensive technology stack, expertise in maintaining and increasing occupancy and RevPARs in post-crisis, unparalleled direct channel distribution, 2x lower OTA commissions and 3x-4x lower dependency on the OTAs.

The OTAs never stopped investing in marketing

In 2021, a full pandemic year, Expedia spent nearly 45.8% of net revenues on marketing, resulting in marketing spend of $3.9 billion in marketing presence. Booking Group reported it spent $3.8 billion on marketing in 2021, out of revenue of $11 billion i.e. 35%.

How about hoteliers? In normal years like 2019, hotels spend on marketing less than 2.5% of net room revenue. STR/CoStar recently released some troubling data, clearly showing that marketing spending in U.S. hospitality during the pandemic shrank significantly compared to 2019, dropping to as low as 50% in 2020 and rebounding slightly to 54% in 2021 of the pre-pandemic level. In other words, hoteliers spent on marketing 1.35% of net room revenue (54% of 2,5%).

Similar is the situation in technology investments. STR/CoStar data clearly shows that IT spending in U.S. hospitality has declined significantly throughout the pandemic to an average 50% level, compared to before the crisis.

Hoteliers' marketing and technology spending in Europe and APAC is even worse than in North America.

Already OTA vs Direct online distribution ratio at independent hotels is negative 3:1 to 4:1. Compare this to chain hotels' positive 1:2 to 1:3 ratio. Plus independents pay 2x to 3x higher OTA commissions + loyalty members discounts vs branded hotels.

Independents are already falling behind in the adoption of best practices in revenue management, CRM, digital and brand marketing and technology applications, crucial to service the tech-savvy and digitally-obsessed travel consumers: next gen technology applications like AI-powered RMS, CRM, chatbots, IoT devices, guest-facing applications such as guest messaging, issue resolution, virtual concierge, mobile check-in and self-serving kiosks, etc.

With all the lingering repercussions in hospitality from the pandemic, I do not expect hoteliers, all of a sudden, to double their marketing and technology spend in 2022.

The OTAs are benefiting from the accelerated digital transformation

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation by 10 years (McKinsey & Company) and today's travel consumers have become even more digitally-savvy than ever. Because of the shelter-at-home mandates around the world, the vast majority of the population - even late adopters - were forced to use online services to communicate and work or study remotely, search for news or information, purchase goods and services, order food, communicate with friends and family, watch streaming services and entertain themselves.

This online planning and purchasing education has created millions of converts and believers in online travel planning and booking, which will benefit the OTAs immensely, since they are investing billions in marketing to reach and engage these new audiences.

How about hoteliers taking advantage of this new crop of digital converts? Unfortunately, our industry is vastly unprepared for this new digital reality. Most hotels are desperately lagging behind as far as digital marketing and technology are concerned: knowledge, investments and talent. A huge gap exists today between hospitality industry's digital and technology preparedness and customer's expectations, due to systemic underinvestment in technology and digitization in our industry.

Many hospitality owners and managers are lacking the education in or knowledge of hospitality technology and digital marketing, and even the motivation and will to learn about the latest innovations, trends and best practices.

Conclusion

Unless hoteliers somehow overcome their systemic underinvestment in technology and marketing, I am afraid the OTAs will continue to gain market share in the post-pandemic era. Contrary to some hoteliers' wishful thinking, I believe the OTAs will (once again!) emerge stronger after two years of pandemic, similar to all of the previous crisis and calamities: 9/11, SARS, MERS, the recession, ZIKA, H1N1, etc.
As CenterPoint customers face rate hikes, CEO David Lesar's compensation more than tripled from 2020 to 2021, far outpacing executive compensations of other utility providers, according to a report from the Energy and Policy Institute.

In SEC filings, CenterPoint revealed that Lesar received $37.8 million in 2021, which the institute found is double, and in some cases triple, what other CEOs at similar companies earned that year. A year earlier, in 2020, Lesar's compensation totaled almost $12 million, according to a CenterPoint proxy statement.

Most of Lesars compensation last year, or about $33.4 million, was tied to stock awards that the report said rocketed his pay well beyond his peers. He received a $1.4 million base salary, plus more than $3 million in other incentives.

At the same time, CenterPoint has asked the state if it can raise fees that natural gas customers pay by about 7 percent, an increase to $19.74 from about $18.38 per month for a residential customer. CenterPoint officials said in March that the increase would raise $19.3 million for costs incurred in 2021, including replacement of 276 miles of natural gas pipelines, the installation of new meters that automatically shut off if excessive gas flows are detected, and two facilities that can provide additional natural gas when demand soars. It also raised its fee last year for delivering electricity by about one cent per kilowatt hour.

CenterPoint, regulated by the state's Public Utility Commission, distributes power and natural gas to almost every home and business in the Houston area. It employs about 5,000 in the region.

In a statement, CenterPoint officials said Lesar received a one-time retention award last year, which was awarded in stock. They said since becoming CEO, Lesar has helped transform our company by establishing its long-term growth strategy, refocusing its core business and investing in reliability. They said one of Lesars top priorities is to reduce CenterPoints expenses by 1 to 2 percent on average annually through 2030, which will benefit customers.

"In todays economic environment, we recognize the importance of utility costs for our customers," officials said in a statement. "Through Daves leadership and commitment to developing a strong succession plan, we remain focused on growing our utilities and enhancing the performance and value of the company for our customers, shareholders and communities."

Shareholders on Friday will provide an advisory vote on Lesar's executive compensation, but it's "a largely symbolic move," Karlee Weinmann wrote in the report for the institute, a San Francisco-based watchdog organization.

Lesar's compensation, however, is likely unrelated to the rate hikes, said Steve Werner, chair of the Management and Leadership Department of the University of Houston's C.T. Bauer College of Business. He said companies that tie much of CEO's compensation to stock options do so to give leaders a financial incentive to work in the best interest of shareholders and the company's stock price. And if customers are unhappy, he said, that hurts the price of the stock and the company's bottom line.

"You could argue its the market. Increased rates are needed, and that they do have costs and so on," Werner said. "You could argue these shareholders' stocks going up doesnt hurt customers -- it's not money out of customers' pockets, but it dilutes the shares a little. Shareholders may not get as much because (Lesar) has a lot."

Even so, Weinmann said, Lesar's compensation is far out of line with other CEOs. Of the 15 other companies the report studied, the average annual compensation including stock awards was a little less than $11.9 million.

BACKGROUND AT HALLIBURTON

Lesar came to CenterPoint in mid-2020 after serving as CEO of Halliburton from 2000 to 2017. While he helped Halliburton become one of the leaders in the North American hydraulic fracturing market, he also spearheaded an ill-fated merger attempt with Baker Hughes -- a $35 billion deal that fell apart two years later after oil prices plunged and regulators objected. Ultimately, Halliburton paid a $3.5 billion break-up fee to Baker Hughes.

The report said that when Lesar relocated to Houston, CenterPoint purchased him a home. It also said he is allowed "a company-funded car and driver and security personnel to join him on business travel." The report's author added that Lesar also occasionally used CenterPoints company plane for personal travel, and at times when the plane was unavailable, the company spent $132,217 in 2021 to charter Lesar on a separate plane.

RISING COSTS: CenterPoint ratepayers could see bills increase, regardless of how much natural gas they use

CenterPoint struggled when Lesar joined in 2020, largely because of a decrease in demand caused by COVID-19 related closures. Company profits surged, however, in 2021.

In the third quarter of 2021, company earnings rose 80 percent to $218 million from $121 million in the third quarter of 2020 while profits allocated to common shareholders nearly tripled to $195 million from $69 million. At the same time, revenue climbed 8 percent to $1.7 billion from $1.6 billion during the same period a year earlier.

Since the end of 2020, CenterPoint's stock has appreciated 54.1 percent compared to 25.4 percent for the S&P 500 Utility Sector Total Return Index.

The utility company's board also voted to oust its executive chairman in November and eliminated the position entirely, opting to implement independent board leadership and governance. The board also signed a "multi-year retention grant arrangement" with Lesar to keep him on board. That incentive would award Lesar, who took over CenterPoint a year ago, 1 million shares of common stock, distributed over the next few years.

Werner said Lesar's base was well in line with CEOs of similarly sized companies. The other perks, he said, could prove to be money well spent depending on CenterPoint's performance with Lesar at the helm.

"Thats all calculated as 'Is this the right person do the job right?' If he's a good leader, it's worth it," he said. "Companies are pretty reasonable, they tend not to do stupid things."

'ENTIRELY LEGAL'

Alison Silverstein, an Austin-based energy consultant who worked for the PUC from 1995 to 2001 and with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 2001 to 2004, said having stock-based compensation is a risk, and that CenterPoint's profits after the February freeze surprised most. She said that although Lesar's compensation package is "entirely legal," the aesthetic is problematic.

"Im guessing that rise in stock is due almost entirely to their ability to recover the extraordinary excess cost from electricity and gas from (the February 2021 freeze), and their ability to recover that is from it customers not only in ERCOT but across the Midwest," she said.

In the Houston region, the utility increased its fees for delivering electricity to customers in 2021, upping it by a penny to about 4.6 cents per kilowatt hour. That's the second-highest rate among transmission and distribution utilities in Texas. The increase came after the Texas Legislature allowed utilities to charge ratepayers more to cover costs associated with the February 2021 winter freeze.

Among the new fee increases allowed by the Legislature were $7 billion in ratepayer-backed bonds to help utilities statewide. Combined with other changes, CenterPoint said the bills enacted after the freeze could result in revenue and savings totaling $1 billion.

CenterPoint still faces several wrongful death suits connected to the freeze and its inability to rotate power outages, leaving some customers without power for days while others never had their lights turned off.

Costs rose more in Indiana, where CenterPoint is the sole electricity and natural gas utility provider for much of the southwestern portion of the state. Bryce Gustafson, a program organizer for the Citizens Action Coalition that lobbies in Indiana on behalf of ratepayers, said that state's utilities regulator allowed the company to increase a portion of distribution charges more than threefold.

Some customers took to social media to complain about utility bills that topped $1,000 a month.

In the wake of the rate hike some customers formed Direct Action Against Centerpoint Energy, a grassroots group that emailed Indiana lawmakers and packed city council meetings in Evansville, the largest city within CenterPoint's Indiana coverage area. The city announced Monday it would form a task force to investigate utility affordability, Gustafson said.
Halliburton said Tuesday its revenues and its margins are rising as the worlds oil companies ramp up drilling and demand for oilfield services grows.

The Houston-based oilfield services company reported a $263 million profit in the first three months of the year, up 55 percent from $170 million profit during the same period last year. Revenues jumped 23 percent to $4.3 billion from $3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2021.

RELATED: Halliburton stops new business in Russia and commits to wind-down

The earnings announcement follows the companys announcement last month that it would wind down its operations in Russia.

We remain active in that process, CEO Jeff Miller said during a call with investors, noting the companys operations in Russia account for around 2 percent of the companys overall business. The situation is far too early and evolving to say more.

The tight oil market, pushed higher as Russian supply falls from the market, is driving up drilling activity and demand for equipment along with it, the company said, noting an almost sold-out equipment market. Halliburton's drilling margins exceeded 15 percent during the quarter for the first time since 2010, it said.

Miller said he expected very busy years ahead for Halliburton. Equipment is sold out, orders are full in the second half of the year and the company is looking forward to "a strong pipeline of projects in the months to come. Halliburtons sold-out hydraulic fracturing fleet is in particularly high demand, Halliburton said. We expect activity to gain momentum.

Industry-wide underinvestment has made the production ramp-up challenging, Miller said, noting Halliburton's need to address an aging fleet of equipment. Production is also constrained by supply chain issues affecting producers and their ability to find workers after they laid them off when oil prices plummeted in the early months of the pandemic.

Sand needed at drill sites, for example, was in short supply earlier this year as producers were working to increase production  described by Miller as an example of the consequences of underinvestment in the supply chain. Supply bottlenecks are easing with time, he said, though the larger issue of deferred investment in equipment wont soon subside.

Thats not something thats overcome in a day or a year," he said. "That just takes time to get momentum."

Oil and gas producers are shying away from long-term investments in production, turning instead to ways to produce oil without as much upfront investment, such as shale rather than deep water drilling, he said.

Painting with a broad brush, he said, I believe most investments will be directed primarily to short cycle investments in the near and medium term.

Producers will turn instead to manners of production that allow them to respond nimbly to an ever-changing market, Miller said. While longer-term production styles tend to drive overproduction, shorter-term production ensures a thin balance between supply and demand. That suggests high margins will continue, he said.

I think this pivot to short cycle barrels is great for Halliburton, he said.

amanda.drane@chron.com
Asked for an update on her work, Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi quickly rattles off numbers and names of nations. India is the source of most of the numbers. Thats where her Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out for children ages 12 to 14. Vaccinations began March 17, so children in India are now getting their second dose.

Progress is also being made in Indonesia and Botswana, she said.

Bottazzi is associate dean at the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine and co-director at Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. She collaborated with Dr. Peter Hotez to lead the team that developed Corbevax. Having spent their careers studying neglected tropical diseases, the two knew too well that a domestic vaccine in the United States was just one small part of combating the virus, as variants have continued to emerge abroad.

As their protein-based vaccine begins to circulate, Bottazzi and Hotez continue to take calls in hopes of getting the vaccine to Central and South America, while also considering its potential uses in the U.S., where the vaccinated are beginning to consider the value of a fourth dose of the prevalent mRNA vaccines.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Why this Houston-made COVID shot is a major win for vaccine equity

Bottazzi discussed the applications of vaccines, at home and abroad.

Q: Were seeing millions of vaccine Corbevax doses finding their way to children 12 to 14 in India each day. It appears a similar rollout is targeted for Indonesia next, correct?

A: Yes, weve been talking to them. Theyre already in clinical development. The way theyre working is they mature the manufacturing parallel to advancing the clinical development. The traditional way of doing things, thered be a Phase 1, then a Phase 2, but until you see a hint of efficacy, you dont invest a cent into manufacturing and scaling. Theyre maturing scaling and production while still in the clinical stages.  Theyre doing production parallel to evaluation  instead of waiting for the evaluation to invest in production.

Q: You spent some time studying business, so I imagine this is a particularly interesting process for you.

A: Yes, it is. And, honestly, it is risky. Vaccine development is a risk business. It requires a lot of funding to be able to do these things in parallel. But its the urgency right now. There are ways to reduce time frames by not doing things sequentially. You can get a little leeway. Thats what weve been trying to do, to help build that capacity to mature the process while doing the evaluations so you dont have to start from scratch once you know a product works.

Maybe in the future it wont be as long a process. Instead of 10 or 15 years, a process can come down to a five-year time frame. And the good news for us is, because were enticing people with this recombinant protein technology, we hope they want to replicate the model, which could lead them to adopt our other neglected disease vaccines. Theyll have the know-how because weve piloted it a little with COVID.

Q: What does that entail?

A: We have to keep what we call a warm base in manufacturing factories. The training has to be constant. You cant say, Well do this work and then go home until the next one shows up. You have to keep constantly trained and intellectually stimulated. In a noncrisis mode, you still have to keep the training and building capacity, potentially with our other neglected disease vaccines. That keeps their skills strong, it keeps them learning.

I just had a call with the regulatory industry in Indonesia about training to get ahead of understanding the technology. They need to be constantly trained, so were setting up a training program where we show them how we work in the lab; how we do document control; how we qualify assets; how we process the documentation. When they receive documentation, they need people trained in biochemistry and in analytics. The people who receive the regulatory dossiers have to be scientists, right? They have to be able to read the science. So were trying to do that, too. Thats part of the work.

Q: Dr. Hotez said there has been great progress in Botswana. Could you elaborate?

A: Botswana is a very interesting model. The way we work with Botswana is three-way. We are working with a group, a U.S.-based (biotech) company called ImmunityBio with (South African-American transplant surgeon and billionaire businessman) Patrick Soon-Shiong. We just gave our technology to (Soon-Shiong) because he has a lot of money and interest in building brick-and-mortar infrastructure in Africa. Hes building a factory in Botswana where our technology will be used as a pilot for them to learn how to develop protein-based vaccines.

COVID 2022: Hotez: What hybrid COVID variants like XE mean and whats ahead this summer

We at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens are training the workforce that will go into that plant, and ImmunityBio will flow through our technology. That will take time  three years, five years. But theyre also working with a giant industrial producer to brand our technology as a Botswana Corbevax. Theyre calling it Pula Corbevax. So they receive bulk or vials and relabel it because its now authorized.

Botswana is a small country, but they acquired 100 million doses. What they want to do is help the other African countries. Theres regulatory framework in Africa, so if one agency reviewed and granted approval, as happened in Botswana, it allows approval in other countries to use Pula Corbevax. So Botswana can ship it to other countries. Its an innovative model where Botswana serves as a conduit that opens the door for access to other countries in Africa.

Q: Quite a few people are asking me about a vaccine for children under 5 years old. Any thoughts?

A: I know that Texas Childrens, because its a pediatric hospital, is very interested in that information. We want to protect pregnant mothers. We want to protect infants and children in the early years of life. There have been some clinical studies that Texas Childrens is doing, especially with Pfizer and Moderna, for children below the age of 5. But I understand the cautiousness. Theres push and pull because its a new technology, and there have been a few red flags from adults. So the studies have to be very well designed and really look closely at the safety of the technology.

Its a little bit of an unfortunate situation the U.S. is in because we put all our eggs in the mRNA basket. Therefore, the U.S. population doesnt have another option. Maybe, eventually, Novavax will be authorized in the U.S. We may see advance with protein-based vaccines. We have hopes for finding a partner to help us bring our protein-based vaccine here. But it doesnt look promising in the short term. Maybe long term that will change, but its unfortunate.

I have a feeling many of us will come to a point where we dont want to get more boosters. But we need the data to show the results if you continue boosting with the RNA. With protein-based vaccines, you had more historical evidence that boosting a protein vaccine could be more durable. People will wonder how often they need to boost themselves. Instead of every six months, maybe once a year or every two to three years. Were in a little bit of a Catch-22. We have some good vaccines. But you also have to wonder what we can afford. Once they come out from the subsidies from the government, were going to get hit on the insurance side. Who knows what happens? Some will be immediately detracted if they have to pay for it. But right now we dont offer an alternative.

Q: I believe Dr. Hotez suggested Corbevax would have value as a booster. That its being used as a booster for adults in India.

A: That is another study. Besides getting their age 5-11 approval, theyre also doing studies on those under 5 and also getting booster data. Now theres a limitation: You can only do a booster study with the vaccine in India because they dont have mRNA in India. Thats another reason we want to have a partner here. We can study whether the protein-based vaccine could be a good booster for mRNA, or other things.

Could it be mixed with the flu vaccine? Mixing it with another vaccine could ease deployment. Can you, for example, add it alongside human papillomavirus?  In the U.S., we are the ones who dont have as many options. The moment you can show the protein-based vaccine is a good booster for the adenovirus vaccines or the inactivated virus vaccines, you can vaccinate many countries around the world. But we dont have any evidence of mRNA boosted with protein-based virus at the clinical level.

Q: Do you think through experience were better prepared to handle something like this years from now?

A: Well, yes and no. Yes, because right now our memory is fresh. There are papers and reports highlighting lessons learned and what we should be doing. Ultimately, I dont think you can ever be 100 percent prepared. Every emergency has its own issues. There are different scenarios  if it looks like this, you address it this way. Youd need to be a crystal ball reader for that. But yes, because we have all this information. But no, because we humans are good at forgetting.

We have to change the business paradigm. At the end of the day, you can do great things with the science and find great collaborators, but you need money to sustain it. Thats the reality. Money linked withpolicies. We need to change and make more flexible very stale and static policies. It takes such a long time to change them, so when we have emergencies, were not quick enough.

The worst is what were doing now, which is changing policies in the middle of a pandemic. We need something structured, but with the flexibility to modify and adapt. Scientists are good at that. They love stressful and adaptive environments. Those who work in government structures and policy-makers are stuck in their ways. We need more flexibility there.

andrew.dansby@chron.com |

Twitter: @andrewdansby
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Lauren Anderson has a lot to celebrate in 2022. This year marks five decades with Houston Ballet.

At age 7, the native Houstonian began training exclusively at Houston Ballet Academy. Her professional career with the dance company launched in 1983; then in 1990, she became Houston Ballets first Black principal dancer. The title has been extended to few African American artists at major ballet companies in the U.S.

In honor of Andersons achievement, and to create opportunities for ballet professionals of color, Houston Ballet recently established the Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship Fund. The annual award will support up to four underrepresented artists with promising physical and artistic abilities.

The Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship Fund covers full, annual tuition costs and is the dance companys inaugural, endowed scholarship of its kind to be named for a dancer.

Fifty years ago, I started at the Houston Ballet Academy on scholarship, which gave me the opportunity to begin my journey toward becoming a professional dancer, said Anderson in a statement. I never dreamt that I would reach the rank of principal and wouldnt have made it that far without that initial scholarship assistance.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

A dollar-for-dollar challenge grant by Deborah and Edward Koehler makes the Anderson fund possible. This is Houston Ballet Academys ninth endowed scholarship. In total, more than $500,000 worth of scholarships are awarded annually through the Houston Ballet Foundation.

Following a 23-year dancing career with Houston Ballet, Anderson now serves as associate director of education and community engagement.

In 2021, she was one of more than 20 speakers who spoke in opposition of House Bill 434, which would remove the one fine arts credit currently required for high school graduation.

HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Fine arts could become optional for Texas high school students under proposed bill

In February, Anderson celebrated her birthday at Houston Ballets Jewels-themed ball, which raised $1.4 million. Those nonrestricted funds benefit key programming, including presenting new works onstage; fueling community impact that reaches 75,000 area youth annually; and Ballet Academy scholarships.

For scholarship information or to support the Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship Fund visit give.houstonballet.org/lauren.

amber.elliott@chron.com
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Two stunning additions to the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault arrived at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this month. A pectoral cross and ring worn by Pope Paul VI, Pope John XXIII and Pope Pius XII share a glass case.

Blink, and youll miss them. Joel Bartsch, president, curator of gems and minerals at the museum says visitors often do.

To be clear, the cross and ring are head-turners. Like any kind of performative jewelry meant to be worn in a public setting has to be exaggerated and over-sized. Things that could be seen from 50 rows back at high Mass, he says.

But the papal jewelry, meaning pieces worn by more than one pope, tend to fade into the glamour and glitz that is the Gem Vault, he explains.

When you see visitors looking at the pieces  and usually, theyre older  people are like, This used to belong to the pope! Bartsch shares. Thats when crowds gather.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The pectoral cross (c. 1920) is set with 12 large diamonds, 281 old-mine and rose-cut diamonds and 145 Colombian emeralds. Its total weight is approximately 60 carats. Designs on the back feature Pope Paul VIs papal seal, traditional crossed keys and a tiara above his coat of arms. To symbolize the Holy Trinity, there are also three fleur-de-lis and six mountains to represent the family name of Pope Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini.

On the platinum ring (c. 1920), a 12.75-carat central diamond is surrounded by 14 old-mine diamonds weighing approximate 5.75 carats. The shank is set with 20 rubies that form two crosses on beds of 96 old-mine diamonds. There are cherubim and doves of peace holding olive branches on the rings rear.

Though Bartsch suggests a little blue pamphlet that accompanied the jewelry is most valuable of all.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

It has pictures of popes wearing it and a letter from the Vatican saying these pieces were donated, so theres no question about the authenticity, he says. The copy of that little blue pamphlet is the key to the whole story. This isnt some pawn shop guy. Or a great grandmother who says, I got this from the Pope.

The pectoral cross and ring are the only known pieces of papal jewelry currently on public display. To have such pieces in museum possession is rare.

When popes died, they would smash their signet rings, Bartsch explains. So you couldnt copy the insignia, because every pope had their personal seal.

The pieces were designed by Vatican ateliers. Experts speculate gemstones were used from the Vaticans own collection.

In 1965, Pope Paul VI presented the cross and ring to the United Nations during an unprecedented visit of a reigning pontiff to the U.S. Under his instruction, the jewelry was auctioned off in 1967 by Parke-Benet Galleries; proceeds were designated to help alleviate human suffering.

Now theyre on public display for the first time. Though Bartsch isnt sure how long the exhibit will run. It could be six months or one year  thats up to the anonymous lender.

For a museum director, its a dream come true, he says.

amber.elliott@chron.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  An Alabama judge has dismissed a capital murder charge, ruling that a man acted under the state's Stand Your Ground law, which allows people to use deadly force in self-defense.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Alaric May issued an order Saturday tossing the charge against Samuel Bernard Smith, 23, of Birmingham, AL.com reported Monday.

Kirby Kermit Davis, 32, was shot to death Dec. 20, 2018, at a Birmingham apartment complex where Smith was living. Smith was arrested in early 2019 and has been out of jail since last year.

May ruled that Smith had the right to defend himself because he was robbed and kidnapped by four men, including the one he killed.

Under Alabama law, a person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and is in any place where he or she has the right to be, has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground, the judge wrote.

Prosecutors argued Smith was not eligible for a Stand Your Ground defense because he was engaged in an unlawful activity by selling marijuana at the time of the shooting. They said he did not have the legal right to secure the premises with a loaded gun. The law specifies a person may not use deadly force while engaged in criminal activity.

During a Stand Your Ground hearing, Smith testified that he was home when he received a random call from a childhood friend about buying marijuana. He said he told the friend he did not have marijuana to sell. He testified that he hesitantly agreed to sell some marijuana after the friend and other people showed up at his apartment later.

The judge wrote that according to testimony, Smith took a pistol and a sample of marijuana to see a person he was told was waiting with money in the parking lot. Smith testified that all four men brandished weapons and the driver said Smith was being robbed.

Smith testified that at least two men went through his pockets, taking the marijuana and his gun. The judge wrote that the men discussed taking Smith back to his apartment to rob him of the remaining marijuana. Once at the apartment, three men pushed Smith down and ran downstairs to the waiting vehicle.

Smith said he grabbed a gun from someone else in his apartment and went outside to make sure the assailants were gone. He said they were getting into the vehicle and began shooting in his direction. Smith said he returned fire. The shootout continued until the vehicle slowed down, struck an object and stopped. Three men ran away. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.

May wrote that Smith had the right to defend himself but the question regarding this issue hinges on whether the defendant had a legal duty to retreat.

May said it could be argued that Smith's intent to sell the marijuana was under duress. Because Smith was robbed at gunpoint and the marijuana forcibly removed from his pockets, the judge ruled Smith was not engaged in an unlawful activity.
NEW YORK (AP)  When Christo Grozev, executive director of the investigative collective Bellingcat, recently re-watched the new documentary Navalny, about the imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, he was struck by how much the film affected him differently since Vladimir Putin launched Russia's war in Ukraine.

Navalny," directed by Daniel Roher, is a gripping portrait of the Russian dissident beginning with the 2020 poisoning that nearly killed him, and which Grozev traced directly to the Kremlin. Grozev uncovered that Navalny had been attacked with the nerve agent Novichok and that the alleged assassination attempt was the work of a Kremlin spy unit. (The Kremlin has denied it.) At the time, Grozev wondered if it would seem too far fetched that Putin would go to such Bond villain extremes.

When we did the investigation in 2020, I struggled with: How am I going to convince Russian audiences and the world that what Im saying is true  that the president of a large country that wants to be a moral leader in the world has been assassinating people?" Grozev said in a recent interview. Now, it doesnt seem like its such a big leap of faith.

The war in Ukraine has rapidly recast Navalny, which premieres 9 p.m. Sunday on CNN and CNN+ after a brief few days in theaters. Since Roher's film premiered in January at a virtual Sundance Film Festival  where it won both the documentary audience award and the festival favorite award  the geopolitics that Navalny documents bracingly in real time have exploded in the open. The Ukraine war, which U.S. President Joe Biden has said constitutes genocide, exposed the grim horror of Putin's politics to much of the world.

Navalny now plays like a prequel to Maria Pevchikh, head of the investigative unit for Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation and an executive producer on the film. It gives so much context to whats happening now in Ukraine.

The world could have and should have understood earlier. Putin could have been stopped in many points in history: after Crimea, after using chemical weapons, after running this assassination squad, she said. There have been so many awfully wrong things that we didnt react strongly enough to.

Navalny, which will stream on HBO Max at a later date, was intimately filmed with the Russian opposition leader as he recuperated from the Novichok attack in Germany with his family, and resolved to return to Moscow despite the clear risks. In between, Navalny makes his case for an alternative to Putin while often comically sifting through the details of his near death. In one unbelievable scene  perhaps the first to ever fuse John le Carre and the Jerky Boys  Navalny calls Kremlin agents behind the attack while posing as a Russian bureaucrat filing a report, getting one to divulge plenty of details. With Roher's fly-on-the-wall cameras, a real-life political thriller unspools starring a very charismatic Putin foe.

Getting this film out in the world will help the world understand that Vladimir Putin is not Russia and Russia is not Vladimir Putin, says Roher, the Canadian filmmaker of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band." What Alexei Navalny is an alternate vision of what the country could be.

When Navalny landed in Moscow in early 2021, he was greeted by throngs of supporters  and quickly detained. After a year in jail, he was sentenced last month to nine more years for fraud in a case that the State Department condemned as a sham ruling. On Twitter, Navalny was characteristically undeterred.

9 years. Well, as the characters of my favorite TV series The Wire used to say: You only do two days. Thats the day you go in and the day you come out.'"

As the war in Ukraine has dragged on and war crimes have been widely alleged against Russia, Navalny has spoken bluntly against the assault. On Tuesday, he claimed a distant relative of his, Ilya Ivanovich Navalny, had been killed in a Ukrainian village. Navalny suggested he had been targeted for his last name by Russia forces.

It is now everyones duty to make at least some, even the smallest contribution to stop this war and remove Putin from power, said Navalny on Twitter. Protest wherever and however you can. Agitate however you can and whomever you can. Inaction is the worst possible thing. And now its consequence is death.

With such stakes, the role of Navalny has only intensified, the filmmakers say.

People are fighting. Navalny is fighting, says Pevchikh. We are convinced that its never too late to try to stop Putin. To stop him today would be better than stopping him tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

In a crackdown on opposition activists and independent journalists, Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation was last year labeled an extremist organization by the Kremlin. Now operating outside Russia, the group has continued running investigations into government corruption, even with its leader behind bars. (In March, its researchers linked a superyacht docked in Italy to Putin.)

Pevchikh hasn't seen Navalny, himself, in more than a year. At every festival premiere and screening event, she happily stays to watch the documentary again.

Its nice to see Alexei out of prison, looking and behaving like he usually does," says Pevchikh. "Its always nice to spend an hour and half with your friend, even if its just in a movie."

To help avoid potential sabotage from Russian operatives, the companies behind Navalny have kept release plans quiet until the last minute. The film was added to Sundance days before the festival began; its CNN broadcast was announced about a week beforehand. After the film first began screening Roher says he's been depicted as CIA in Russian state media. He calls getting the film seen in Russia his number one prerogative.

I wouldnt want Russians to go on bit torrent sites and try to find it and download it and share it with their friends and families, and maybe set up screenings in their communities and their homes, says Roher. I would never suggest that.

But as much has changed in the three months since Navalny first premiered, Roher says that Navalny's unflinching confidence remains undimmed.

When you work with Alexei and you spend enough time with the man, you cant help but be optimistic, says Roher. This war that Putin is waging, the war crimes hes committing, are perhaps the greatest political blunder ever. I would look to history. I would remind readers how quickly the Soviet Union fell. Things change overnight.

___

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Country music legend Kenny Rogers was 11 years old in 1950 when a census taker came to his family's home in Houston's Fourth Ward. Rogers lived at the San Felipe Court Apartments in unit 1037 with his father Edward, a food salesman, his mother Lucille, and his three siblings: Barbara 13, Billy 6, and Roy 3.

This record is one of millions from the 1950 census. In April of that year, nearly a thousand census takers fanned out across the city on a mission to count Harris County's nearly 600,000 residents. By the end of the month, these so-called enumerators interviewed people in 1,097 enumeration districts and produced tabulation sheets with information on street addresses, neighbors' names, job titles and education levels.

72 years later, those unredacted and personally-identifiable Census responses are available for all to see and search through. On April 1, the National Archives made digital images of every response from the 1950 Census available on their website, more than 165 terabytes of data.

Unlike other Census data products, the 72-year releases provide a more personal look at the American people and life in the post-war era. They aren't statistical summaries or demographic analyses, but details about individual lives that can now serve as an entry points into research on family histories and social inequalities.

And unlike other 72-year releases, this one is notable for the speed with which many of the records were indexed, or made searchable by computers. Using techniques such as optical character recognition, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), the National Archives were able to turn millions of handwritten responses into searchable text by the day the records were released.

For past releases, this kind of text processing took months of work, financial and technological investments from private companies like Ancestry, and the cooperative efforts of thousands of volunteers.

This new technological approach by the National Archives, the legal custodian of the records, will speed up the research process and make records more widely accessible to the public than at any time in the past. But the technology isn't perfect. Sloppy handwriting, spelling errors, and obscured letters make it difficult for the AI to produce accurate results for all entries.

Until a full name index can be completed sometime this summer, finding the right record will still require some amateur detective work.

Step-by-step instructions

Finding a specific person in the 1950 Census is slightly more complicated than doing a simple Google search. To assist readers in their searches for family (or the famous), weve created this step-by-step visual guide to help you find the right name.



To begin, go to https://1950census.archives.gov/ and click "Begin Search."

National Archive

Select the state and the city and/or county youre searching in and then type in a name. The website will search for the names independently, so if you look for "John Smith" it will return listings for both "John" and "Smith." Unique names will be easier to find than common ones, although misspellings and sloppy handwriting that make the form difficult to read will present problems for the machine transcribing the written form into searchable text.

National Archive

In either case, the more information you have, the better. And the most reliable piece of information you can have is a street address. But the website doesnt have an address search feature. For that, youll need to know the enumeration district that contains your address.

An enumeration district was an area an enumerator could completely cover within a set period of time: two weeks in cities and four weeks in rural areas. They were created using any existing map that provided block by block detail such as postal route maps, soil survey maps, maps produced by government offices or commercial printers maps.

Census officials then drew the enumeration district boundaries and numbers on these base maps in orange crayon. Scans of these maps are available by clicking on the ED Maps link on the website.

National Archive

From this button you'll get a window with the maps of the selected city and county. Choose one and zoom in to find the approximate location of the subject address.

National Archive

National Archive

If you don't have an address for your relative or ancestor, fear not! Identifying characteristics such as the names of other people in the household could aid in finding the right entry. But patience is necessary when it comes to sorting through scans of schedules. This is not an exact science.

Family research

Sue Kaufman, senior manager of the Houston Public Library's Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, said the first step in finding someone is knowing their 1950 street address.

Knowing where they lived is important because the name search for the current census is incomplete, and looking for the name using the name search will be hit or miss, Kaufman said. Researchers might refer to the 1940 census to find an address.

As more records make their way onto the internet, interest in genealogy has increased. Websites like Ancestry and FamilySearch make searching for family history as easy as getting online. Kaufman said that interest began in earnest with the release of the 1940 Census in 2012.

That was a huge thing, because that was the first census that was released online only. You didn't have to come to a library to use the old microfilm. She said the ability to search showed people what was possible. I call them digitally born, meaning that they came to research through that event, through the digitization.

But not every record is online. The challenge is getting people to understand that there's more out there that's not digitized, Kaufman said. Getting a fuller picture of the past will require more than a few minutes and a broadband connection.

The Clayton Library is home to one of the largest genealogical research collections in the United States. Kaufman said she and her staff will work individually with everyone to help them find a personal past. a sense of self and a sense of place.

We would love it if everybody were banging down the doors and wanted to find all the documents that they could about their family. But the most important thing is the stories because that's what keeps the family alive.

Social research

In addition to providing residents with new ways to find people both familiar and famous, the 72-year Census data provides scientists and researchers with opportunities to understand communities in a detailed way that few other datasets provide.

Cathy Fitch, Associate Director of the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota, said the big benefit is that these data are a total count of everyone, not just an estimate based on a sample of the population. With the full enumeration, new ways of looking at neighborhoods and places become possible and enable a deep dive analysis of small-scale geographies that a one-percent sample of the population doesnt allow.

Fitch says that having names related to addresses will allow researchers to focus in on location-based health outcomes. "I think people will start to look at air pollution and proximity to roads and freeways and things like that."

Lead levels in drinking water and the effects that can have on the residents of a neighborhood will be another important subject researchers may start digging into..

"Looking at the pH level in water reserves, assuming all pipes are lead, you can guess places that would have had more or less lead leaching into the water. Fitch said these data allow researchers to investigate the connections between exposure to lead and later life outcomes such as educational attainment and income.

Past 72-year Census releases have been used by researchers to study topics such as racial segregation in residential neighborhoods and infant mortality in immigrant populations.
Months after a Houston 9-year-old was shot in the head during a road rage incident, Ashanti Grant is now out of the ICU, her family told local news outlets.

Grant's family told ABC 13 that she is able to hear and understand what people tell her, but cannot communicate back yet. The next step in her recovery is entering a rehab program.

To date, the shooter, who was allegedly racing another driver, has not been arrested. Houston Crime Stoppers still has a $30,000 anonymous reward for information on the suspects.

"Give justice to Ashanti," one of Grant's family member said in February. "She deserves it."

The shooting happened February 8 on the Southwest Freeway feeder road toward Fondren, police said, while the family was on their way to the grocery store. Police believe the shooting to be related to road rage.

Grant was sitting in the backseat watching cartoons when a bullet tore through the vehicle and struck her in the head, critically injuring her.

The suspect's vehicle is believed to be a white GMC Denali that had arrows in the blinkers with a man in his 20s or 30s driving. A female passenger was also seen in the car.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Police Chief Troy Finner, and other city leaders held a press conference about the shooting in February.

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"One of those individuals in the race decided to go after our complainants," HPD Lt. Ronnie Wilkens said. "They started shooting into the Tahoe and sadly enough a little 9-year-old girl was shot in the head."

Grant's father told ABC13 that their family won't be at peace until the shooter responsible is brought to justice.

Anyone with information should contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477,
An unlicensed teenage driver struck and killed a woman trying to cross a street in Chinatown, police said.

The 15-year-old driver was making a left turn onto Sovereign Drive from United Drive around 12:23 p.m. Monday when she hit the 69-year-old woman, who was attempting to cross the street, police said. The woman died at the scene.

The teen's mother was with her in their gray Ford F-150 pickup truck when the incident occurred, HPD Asst. Chief Thomas Hardin added. They pulled over and contacted authorities immediately.

More on HoustonChronicle.com: Houston ISD is investigating reported beating, bullying at Bellaire High School

The teen told investigators she stopped at the stop sign before entering the intersection, according to an HPD press release.

"I will tell you that the damage to the striking vehicle is not consistent with a high rate of speed," Hardin said during a news briefing at the site of the crash on Monday. "It will be part of the investigation to what the actual cause of death is."

The identity of the woman is pending an autopsy by the Harris County medical examiner, according to HPD.

More from Joel Umanzor: Body discovered while extinguishing fire in vacant home near Heights, Houston Fire Department says

The teen did not have a driver's permit or license, authorities added, and the Harris County District Attorney's Office vehicular crimes division will evaluate if charges will be filed in the case. She was released pending further investigation.

No other information is available at this time.

Joel.Umanzor@chron.com
GALVESTON  Federal engineers envisioned a massive version of the Ike Dike plan to protect the region from hurricane storm surge. Its currently sitting with lawmakers, who have to decide whether to pay their share of the $29 billion proposal and move the years-long project ahead.

Those weighing these ideas must consider a granular level of detail, block-by-block, as a recent bus tour of the concept with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made clear. Every component of the new infrastructure stands to change the landscape for people, wildlife and businesses. Each small choice for the huge project matters, such as which homes get left unprotected and what color sand is used to build dunes.

On HoustonChronicle.com: The final Ike Dike plan wont protect against every storm  especially with climate change

Three main components make up the bulk of the planned work around Galveston Island, where the Gulf Coast Protection District members made a series of stops, each with unique concerns. A series of towering gates will cross the mouth of Galveston Bay. Two lines of dunes will span the islands west end. Whats known as a ring barrier will encircle the most concentrated part of the city.

Advocates have criticized the plans myriad possible environmental impacts, including turtles potentially being crushed by the gates and restricted water flow into and out of the bay. Theyve called for more nature-based solutions and emphasized that no silver bullet will protect people from every storm.

But political support appears to be building for the project, as each hurricane season brings fear of significant damage to the energy capital of the world. The state legislature created the protection district to begin preparing for the project. Members of this group rode the bus last Wednesday with Corps outreach specialist Kelly Burks-Copes.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Already, the Corps has an idea of where the ring barrier will go, and its taken some compromise. They moved it back from the shoreline to accommodate for loading cargo in and out of cruise ships, for example. They snaked it around the University of Texas Medical Branch helicopter pads to protect them but got far away enough from a big magnet the institution uses so as not to disrupt it.

The barrier is designed to stop surge from the coast and the bay and also to pump out the rainfall that could pool inside when its sealed. Cars and boats have to be able to get in and out when its open, so the Corps will put gates across roads and on Offatts Bayou, but the bayou gates cant block too much light or the marine life will be disrupted. There will be gates, too, for Galveston Bay Foundation staff to access preserved wetlands that will remain outside the barrier.

Everybodys got to live with this, Burks-Copes said to the group as everyone got off the bus and peered across the waterfront toward the bayou.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Good deal, said one tour-goer aloud. The little logistical stuff.

The Corps is clear that its decisions have consequences. Places such as the Channelview neighborhood will be left outside the barrier; the three rows of modest houses turned out not to be cost-effective to protect, Burks-Copes said. That means that, when this is built, water could surge over residents homes, hit the barrier and bounce back.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Members of the Gulf Coast Protection District Board take a tour of one of the proposed sites in the Channelview community for the Galveston Ring Barrier System in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer) Members of the Gulf Coast Protection District Board take a tour of one of the proposed sites in the Channelview community for the Galveston Ring Barrier System in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Members of the Gulf Coast Protection District Board take a tour of one of the proposed sites in the Channelview community for the Galveston Ring Barrier System in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer) Members of the Gulf Coast Protection District Board take a tour of one of the proposed sites in the Channelview community for the Galveston Ring Barrier System in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)

By contrast, there is the nearby community around Teichman Road, where the homes are expensive and the homeowners politically connected, Burks-Copes said. The Corps analysis worked out in their favor. The plan is to build a flood wall in the water in front of their homes, which will protect a bird island too.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Pelicans hang out on a dock in front of Teichman Road area of Galveston, near one of the proposed sites for the Galveston Ring Barrier System in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer) Pelicans hang out on a dock in front of Teichman Road area of Galveston, near one of the proposed sites for the Galveston Ring Barrier System in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)

Burks-Copes clarified that an entire decision-making process goes into this, including also environmental impacts, design feasibility and whether the community likes the specific details that will affect them.

Theres trade-offs that have to be made, Burks-Copes said, standing in the wind by a bait shop, where a live shrimp flag flapped in the wind.

The west end of the island will get two rows of dunes. Burks-Copes described them as somewhat sacrificial, meaning they will erode away with time and will need to be built back. There will be drive-overs and walk-overs so people can still access the beach. People swam in the ocean as the tour group disembarked. A bird stuck its beak in the sand.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Swimmers enjoy the waves near the West End Seawall in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer) Swimmers enjoy the waves near the West End Seawall in Galveston on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)

Building back the dunes isnt as simple as it sounds. The color of the sand dictates temperature, which in turn influences the gender of newborn turtles, Burks-Copes said, so engineers plan to carefully match the natural hues. The previously-built dunes that day at the end of the seawall were so small that the walkover to get over them basically rose high over flat sand.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The concept has been years in the works  arguably from the time Hurricane Ike struck with devastating force in 2008. That theyve reached this level of detail, for some following the topic, is already a victory. If it were easy, it would be done, Corps spokesperson Lynda Yezzi said as the bus cruised next down the seawall, which will also be made bigger.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

On the islands east end, the group gathered on some rocks, looking out through the gray cloudy horizon to the lighthouse in the distance, imagining the massive gates that will stretch out from where they stood. The ships anchored ahead would need a new parking location, either farther out in the waves or farther in at a spot that will need constant dredging. Tug boats will guide ships through the gates at first. One day they might automatically be steered through.

Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

For the time being, the ships sat in the water and birds sailed by in the breeze.

emily.foxhall@chron.com | Twitter: @emfoxhall
Some Houston hospitals are relaxing mask rules as new COVID-19 admissions sink to the lowest point since the pandemic began, according to Texas Medical Center data released Monday.

The data shows that medical center institutions last week admitted an average of 42 patients per day  a dramatic drop from the high of 497 daily new admissions in mid-January. The previous low was in late June 2021, just before the delta variant hit Houston, when hospitals reported 48 new patients per day.

The Medical Center released the numbers days after the Harris Health System announced that Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital discharged its only COVID patient, leaving the safety net hospital without any COVID admissions for the first time in two years.

Q&A WITH DR. BOTTAZI: When will there be a COVID vaccine for kids?

Everybody is very optimistic, said Dr. Luis Ostrosky, chief of infectious diseases with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann. Theyre going back to their normal business  surgeries and research and enjoying more time with things like in-person meetings and in-person education events. But everybody is preparing in case we have another surge.

Taking the lull into account, Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist recently announced that masks will be optional in public areas but still required in places with a high concentration of patients.

Firas Zabaneh, head of infection control at Houston Methodist, said the hospital system analyzed several factors when making the decision, including the rate of hospitalization and positive COVID cases in the hospital and in the community. He also assessed the level of interaction in public areas and hospital corridors.

The relaxed rules do not extend to patient waiting rooms in Methodist clinics  only larger public areas with good ventilation, he said.

PETER HOTEZ: What hybrid COVID variants like XE mean for Houston and what's ahead this summer

And keep in mind, nationwide there has been staff burnout, Zibaneh said. The staff is really hungry for some semblance of normal.

Memorial Hermann also loosened rules at its inpatient facilities.

Masks will be required only in patient care areas, and health screenings will not be required to enter the facilities. Only certain patients will be required to submit a COVID test before a procedure. And asymptomatic patients will be exempt from pre-procedure testing if they can provide an up-to-date proof of vaccination, the hospital system said.

The rules vary depending on the type of facility. For example, masks are still required in Memorial Hermann rehabilitation centers and Memorial Hermann Medical Group clinics.

THE LATEST COVID VARIANT: What to know about omicron XE

Methodist and Memorial Hermann said their guidance could change depending on COVID trends. Both hospital systems analyzed metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which earlier this year changed the way it measures community spread. Now, the agency is taking hospitalizations into account when determining whether a community is experiencing low, medium or high transmission rates.

Based on CDC calculations, the vast majority of Americans, including Harris County residents, live in areas where people can safely remove masks indoors. Cases have remained consistently low in Houston, despite the sharp rise of the highly contagious omicron subvariant BA.2.

Right now, infectious disease experts are keeping an eye on two new versions of BA.2, which health officials say have contributed to a COVID uptick in New York. The United States has seen a nearly 30 percent increase in new cases over the last two weeks, according to the New York Times virus tracker.

Ostrosky attributes the low COVID numbers in Houston to a high rate of immunity from the omicron surge, which sickened a record number of people in late December and in January. The wave caused people to seek out booster shots  nearly 65 percent of Texans age 5 and older are now fully vaccinated  and left some with temporary natural immunity.

But it could be a matter of time before we lose this immunity, he said.

julian.gill@chron.com
Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Houston residents will have a chance to preview potential changes to Houstons 11 City Council districts at a series of public town hall meetings in April and May.

Each district will host at least one meeting to gather public input as officials redraw the City Council district map ahead of the 2023 elections. Western districts, including Montrose, the Heights and River Oaks, likely will be reduced, while majority-Hispanic districts on the Near Northside, East End and in southwest Houston likely will be enlarged.
Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The Houston Independent School District on Tuesday confirmed it is investigating reported bullying and an altercation at Bellaire High School.

The mother of a ninth-grader at the school told KPRC Monday that he was beaten by a group of students on campus on April 1, causing a broken nose and multiple bruises on his head and face. The mother said the same students previously had bullied her son, who is new to the school.
Jay Jordan

A woman who was found dead Sunday along Cypress Creek has been identified as Phalyssia Sanders, a 28-year-old who had been missing since April 9 and whose death was linked to another recent killing, said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Sanders' body was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 18400 block of Mossforest, and her death ruled a homicide. Investigators determined that her death was connected to the April 15 killing of Saymo Pieternelle in the 16300 block of Ella Blvd, about three miles away from where deputies found Sanders.
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A 17-year-old boy accused of killing a girl he previously dated is back in jail after violating the conditions of his bond for about two minutes, court records show.

Pretrial services marked Frank DeLeon Jr. as having left his southwest Houston home in March from around 5:10 p.m. to 5:12 p.m., when the judge ordered that he remain under 24-hours confinement while free on a murder charge, according to GPS monitoring records.

Police arrested DeLeon in January in the death of Madison High School student Diamond Alvarez after family members found her fatally shot near her home. She had been walking the family dog.

Investigators believe DeLeon had been dating Alvarez for several months while in a long-term relationship with another person, according to court records. Alvarez found out about his relationship and planned to meet him at a nearby park.

She brought the dog and he shot her nearly two dozen times, police said.

After his arrest, DeLeon posted a $250,000 surety bond on the murder charge and was ordered to obtain a GPS ankle monitor and stay at his parents home  and away from the Alvarez family, who live nearby.

The bond condition violation report filed April 14  two weeks after the unapproved leave  states that DeLeon violated the curfew requirements. A warrant was issued for DeLeon on Monday and he was taken into custody that morning.

DeLeon's attorney, Joaquin Jimenez, said Tuesday his client did not leave his home and contends that security cameras will back that up. Jimenez said DeLeon has had issues with his GPS monitoring device in the past.

We believe the GPS monitor had a glitch, Jimenez said, adding that his client was accused of going to a church across the street from his parents home during those two minutes.

The issuing of a warrant following the alleged bond violation in an indicator that the courts leash on him is very short, he continued.

Alvarezs family gathered outside the Harris County Jail with members of the FIEL immigrant advocacy group on Tuesday to urge that DeLeon remain held without bail. The family has advocated in support of policies requiring bail bondsmen to take in a 10 percent minimum bail fee from defendants charged with violent offenses to secure their release from jail.

He is expected on April 28 to return to the 174th District Court for a bond revocation hearing. Prosecutors have filed subpoenas ahead of the revocation hearing for representatives from Harris County Pre-Trial Services Defendant Monitoring Division and the GPS monitoring company Sentinel Advantage to appear. He is being held without bail until then.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
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Holly Ferguson and her friends chatted near the baggage claim terminal at William P. Hobby Airport on Tuesday afternoon, ready to head toward their cruise vacation with matching pink tote bags and face masks.

For now, though, the masks  embroidered with Will remove for wine  remained stuffed away in their luggage.

We brought them just in case, Ferguson said. Weve all had our shots, weve all had our boosters, and we were also just tested yesterday, so you feel safer doing that.

Face masks are no longer required at Hobby or George Bush Intercontinental Airport after a federal judge on Monday struck down a national mandate that previously required travelers to wear masks in airports, on airplanes and on public transit to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

MORE: Houston Metro removes all requirements related to masks on buses, trains

The ruling was met with mixed emotions from people traveling through Houston on Tuesday. Some people strutted through security with bare faces while other passengers maneuvered the airport with a snug cloth hugging their face. Others deliberated between the two options, saying they would mask up on the plane but not in the terminal, while some passengers wore masks that dangled in vain below their chin.

For the first time since the mandate was implemented more than a year ago, airport travelers were faced with a choice: To mask or not to mask?

No more overhead announcements reminded passengers to comply with the federal mask mandate, though on Tuesday, some signs remained unchanged. NOTICE: Mandatory face covering order now in effect, a screen, now outdated, said.

Although the order is no longer in effect, the CDC recommends people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

RELATED: Houston hospitals relax mask rules as daily COVID admissions hit new low, Texas Medical Center says

Brian Zink and his family opted to keep the masks while traveling.

Its a habit at this point, he said.

Zink was flying home to Baltimore with his wife and two vaccinated children on Tuesday after visiting family in Houston for Easter.

They did not wear masks during their holiday celebration with family, he said, but planes are different because they are full of germs.

I know every time I got on a plane before...I would come back with a cold or something, he said. After doing this, I havent been sick in a couple years.

In light of the lifted mandate, Zink said he was mostly concerned about getting comments from people who may have decided that if theyre not wearing a mask, then nobody should.

At the car rental return, for example, Zink said his wife started digging through her purse for masks.

Immediately, the guy in the front of the bus was like, You dont need them anymore! he said. Well, were still gonna wear them.

Some travelers expressed surprise and hesitation over the lifted mandate, and said they were keeping the masks for their own health and safety.

Its a little bit too early, said Chris Dennis, 24, who was headed to Seattle. We dont know where everyone is coming from. It would be better to just guarantee that everyone can be as safe as possible.

PANDEMIC: When will there be a COVID vaccine for kids? Dr. Bottazzi talks progress in U.S., globally

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Masks have been a flashpoint in the national debate surrounding the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering fights on planes and disagreements among family, neighbors and government agencies.

Im so curious to walk through and see if somebodys gonna give me grief about it, said Liz King, who was flying home to San Francisco with her son and daughter. None of them wore masks. Were going to try the whole time without them.

The family said they thought it was a hassle to remember to put on the mask while carrying bags through the airport; to pull the mask up and down on the plane in order to take a bite; or to try to watch a movie wearing glasses.

VACCINES: Texas Republicans target Houston ISD over 'vaccine passport' for COVID sick leave

Others felt similar relief and jubilation.

Were glad, said Susan Deniakos, 67, who was visiting Houston from Florida with her husband. Its nice to see peoples faces. Its nice to feel normal.

Ferguson and her friends said they chose to ditch the masks on their flight from Oklahoma City to Houston. It felt awesome, they said  and weird.

Even the stewardess said, Oh, to see a face! Ferguson said. Of course, we have to wear lipstick now.

anna.bauman@chron.com
The director of a multiseries show about Christ apologized Wednesday for a marketing ploy that involved intentionally defacing billboards across the country that were used to promote the show.

But in the process of doing that, we made a big mistake, said Dallas Jenkins, the director of The Chosen, in a Facebook video.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Christian show The Chosen faces backlash for billboard marketing ploy

Jenkins said that the show was attempting to reach a billion people through satire and should have clued fans in sooner.

Most of the show's billboards, which encouraged people to binge Jesus, were intentionally defaced by the show. The one near downtown San Antonio encouraged people not to watch the show and pointed people to a mysterious website.

That website played a parody video of the Devil and demons trying to come up with a clever strategy to get people to stop watching The Chosen.

Monte Bach / Express-News

The show posted photos of several of the vandalized billboards on its Facebook page, which left a mixed bag of social media outrage. Some blamed everyone from Starbucks to Democratic Satanists for defacing them. Others felt that advertisers had gone too far.

Jenkins said that fans took the vandalism seriously and felt passionate to protect the show.

HOW WE GOT HERE: 'Manipulative': San Antonio 'The Chosen' billboard defaced for apparent marketing ploy

I screwed up and theres no excuse for it, Jenkins said. I want to give you my heart on the matter with a sincere apology.

Jenkins said the campaign was meant to be a sort of reverse psychology akin to the Chick-Fil-A billboards of cows attempting to encourage people to eat more chicken.

We should have told you from the beginning of what we were planning to do, and that the billboards being defaced were ours, Jenkins said. So that period of time where you were confused, surprised, shocked, or upset, that didn't end up making you feel like we were trying to trick you.

He added: We were not trying to play with your emotions or anything. This was solely directed towards a new audience that hadn't seen the show yet. In doing that, we overlooked you, our most important partner.

timothy.fanning@express-news.net
Regarding Texas homeowners are shocked as appraised home values soar. But experts say dont panic just yet., (April 18): I write in opposition to the two proposed amendments that are up for voters approval or rejection. Both amendments appeal to our feelings that property taxes are too high and are a burden to our elderly and disabled citizens. I agree completely that property taxes are too high but I also believe that our tax system is the real culprit. To take money away from education, which is already underfunded, is just wrongheaded. Instead of sending the Texas National Guard to the border and chartering buses and planes to send immigrants to Washington, why not spend our tax dollars in sensible ways to reduce crime and to invest in education? Education should not be looked at as an expense; it is an investment in the future of Texas and the future of America.

It isnt just that property taxes are too high  they are, but that is because the Texas Legislature sticks their heads in the sand when it comes to a state income tax. A system that exempted all homestead-qualifying property from property taxes up to $1,000,000 combined with a responsible and moderate income tax system would reduce our overall tax burden. That kind of exemption wouldnt help renters but thats a whole other ball of wax.

Lets solve the property tax problem but lets not reduce our undernourished education system in the process.

Bill Turney, Houston

Regarding Everythings bigger in Texas  including taxes, (April 16): The problem with Mr. Taylor's view on implementing a state income tax, and other proponents of the idea, is that they assume property taxes would be lowered. Politicians want to hold onto their revenue streams like grim death; they will not lower property taxes to offset the added expense of a state income tax. Property taxes are assessed, collected and spent by local leaders, not the state. Also, since property taxes are based on appraised value, there is an incentive to continue raising those values to increase revenue. This makes it almost impossible for middle-income citizens to own a home, let alone low-income people. Add a state income tax on top of that? Not a good idea.

Chris Greene, Houston

Regarding Reality check as Texas, U.S. tweak taxes on wealth, (April 9): Taylors article is one of the best examples of journalistic integrity Ive read in a long time. To even suggest in journalism today that there are two sides to a controversial issue is like taking a pin to a media bubble that often contains only one-sided views. The article is so well-written that its even difficult to agree or disagree with the proposal to tax wealth, because of both the good and not-so-good reasons for the federal and state governments to impose such a tax. He suggests reasons such as social justice, legality and economic integrity that should be included in the decision-making process. Hats off to you, Mr. Taylor, for writing an article of such brilliant content.

John H. Reed, Jr., Houston

Michael Taylor presented a clear, fair point of view about taxes and the new bills. I agree that the very wealthy have so much money that paying additional money for taxes would not harm their lifestyles at all, and in fact, they likely wouldn't even notice that the money was gone. Heck, I don't have anywhere near 100 million, but after various large expenditures, I don't always notice a big dip in my lifestyle either. Even still, I know plenty of people who say that the rich shouldn't pay more in taxes, that they deserve to keep all of their money because they worked hard for it. That viewpoint has always struck me as odd. First, the rich don't need to be protected by not-rich folks. The super wealthy are doing just fine without any protection. Second, that working hard point is ridiculous. Many rich people dont work hard at all, and plenty of not-rich people work extremely hard. It just boils down to the fact that people think very differently about taxes and protecting the rich, and it is very hard to change their minds, no matter how logical the arguments that try to convince them otherwise.

Nancy Rilling, Houston
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Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas:
Pittsfield's Lodowski Heading to Elmira College to Play Softball

NEW LEBANON, N.Y. -- Pittsfield's Madison Lodowski Monday signed a celebratory letter to attend Elmira College, where she plans to play softball for the Division III Soaring Eagles.

Lodowski, a senior at the Darrow School, plans to major in pre-medicine in the college's joint medical program with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Lodowski played travel softball with the Berkshire Force and the Pittsfield Stars.
Adams Police Arrest Man Twice After String Of Robberies

ADAMS, Mass.  Adams Police officers arrested a man on two separate occasions after two separate robberies over the weekend.

On Friday, April 15, at approximately 3:30 pm Adams Police Officers reported to the area of North Summer Street and Lime Street after reports of a man breaking into a residence.

The homeowner chased after the man. Officers arrived on scene, conducted an area search and apprehended the suspect a short time later without incident.

This man was released on personal recognizance.

On Saturday, April 16, at approximately 10:43 pm Adams Police Officers were detailed to the Mobile Gas Station on Howland Avenue for a reported unarmed robbery. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen by a mane who fled the scene and was believed to be on foot.

Adams Police, North Adams Police and Massachusetts State Police responded to the scene.

Adams police department's K9 Kumar tracked the suspect to a nearby area where officers quickly apprehended the man without incident.

This was the same man from the previous days breaking and entering.

Currently, this suspect remains in custody and is set to appear in Northern Berkshire District Court for arraignment on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
Violinist Francesca Anderegg To Play at South Berkshire Concert Series at Simon's Rock

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  On Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 pm, Francesca Anderegg will return to the Berkshires and Simon's Rock for a recital of music for violin and piano by women composers in the McConnell Auditorium of the Daniel Arts Center.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Reservations are recommended: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-berkshire-concert-francesca-anderegg-tickets-301498107957 and vaccination certificates and masks are required.

Anderegg, who grew up in the Berkshires and has performed here frequently, will be accompanied by pianist Matthew McCright. Their program will include works by Clara Schumann, Gra`zyna Bacewicz, Hannah Lash, Jessie Montgomery, and also will include the Violin Sonata of Amy Beach. For further information, call 413-528-7212.

Anderegg grew up in the Berkshires, hailing from a musical family. She earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard University and masters' and doctoral degrees from The Juilliard School, where her teachers included Robert Mann, Ronald Copes, and Naoko Tanaka.

She is a laureate of the Corpus Christi Competition and winner of fellowships from both the McKnight Foundation and the Leonore Annenberg Fund. Her festival appearances include the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Music Festival, Music in the Vineyards, and Yellow Barn. An enthusiastic educator and mentor of young musicians, Anderegg is Associate Professor of Violin at St. Olaf College and has taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She has been an invited guest teacher at universities throughout the country and abroad.

Anderegg has a national and international reputation as a violinist with a special focus on Latin American repertoire and contemporary music. As a soloist, Ms. Anderegg has toured throughout Argentina and Brazil, performing a wide variety of contemporary and standard violin concerti with orchestras in the United States and South America. Since her Carnegie Hall debut performance in 2008, Ms. Anderegg has given solo recitals in national and international venues, including Brooklyn's National Sawdust, The Arts Club of Washington, the National Museum of Colombia in Bogota, and many others across the world.

Her three solo albums have been featured on radio programs throughout the country

Ms. Anderegg's appearances include concerts at Chicago's Symphony Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with Itzhak Perlman and members of the Perlman Music Program.

American pianist Matthew McCright has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific as piano soloist and chamber musician.

A native of Pennsylvania, McCright now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a member of the piano faculty of Carleton College. An accomplished recording artist, McCright has released six solo recordings; his most recent What is Left Behind on the Proper Canary label, as well as three albums on innova Records (Second Childhood, A Waltz through the Vapor, and Blender), the piano works of Gene Gutche on Centaur Records, and the release on Albany Records of the piano music of Olivier Messiaen. His solo touring shows include Evening Preludes, The People's Music, Contemplations: The Music of Olivier Messiaen, Connecting Flights, There and Back Again, and Endurance.

McCright's festival participation includes Bang on a Can at MassMOCA, Printing House Festival of New Music (Dublin), Late Music Festival (UK), SEAMUS, Hampden-Sydney Chamber Music Festival, Engelbach-Hart, Kodaly Institute, Perilous Night, Fringe, Bridge, Spark Festival of Electronic Music, SPLICE, Festival of Lakes, Rayuela, Oh My Ears, Source Song, Seward Arts, Zeitgeist Early Music, Duquesne University's Summer Music, Music 2000, CCM Village Opening, and Minnesota Composers Alliance, as well as programs for the American Composers Forum across the country. McCright completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Minnesota, Master of Music Degree in Piano from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance, Magna Cum Laude, from Westminster College. His past teachers include Lydia Artymiw, Lisa Moore, Nancy Zipay DeSalvo, and Richard Morris.
Community Health Programs Names New Board Members

Arlene D. Schiff and Katherine Westgate

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  The Community Health Programs board of trustees has named two new members: Arlene D. Schiff and Katherine Westgate.

A resident of Lenox, Schiff is the national director of LIFE & LEGACY a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, which assists organizations in building their endowment. For 12 years, Schiff was the executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, and she previously worked as an administrator with the former Berkshire Children and Families (now 18 Degrees). She also led the North Adams Office of Community Development for seven years.

Schiff earned a master's degree from Harvard University and completed her undergraduate education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, grant writing, program management, board development and other leadership skills to the CHP board.

Katherine Westgate is the global head of mobile commerce for Google Play Partnerships. She has broad digital industry expertise, reflected in a series of leadership roles she has held at Google and Microsoft, at the travel technology company Amadeus, and with the global consultancy Mitchell Madison Group.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University, and she divides her time between New York and Stockbridge, where her family has a long history.
Berkshire Hills Development, the parent company of Porches, filed an application with the North Adams Planning Board to remove a current building and parking lot to build a new restaurant.

Restaurant Planned Next to Porches Hotel in North Adams



The new eatery would take up the block from Crossey Place to Veazie Street. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The Porches inn owners are planning to tear down the former Harvest Christian Ministries building on River Street to build a new restaurant that will take up the block between Crossey Place and Veazie Street.

The new dining establishment has been rumored for some time as a complementary addition to the 20-year-old hotel across from Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

"The project constitutes a significant improvement over the vacant lots and existing building, while making efficient use of the site and is an overall improvement on the current conditions," according to the plans submitted for the Planning Board's May meeting.

Parent company Berkshire Hills Development Co. LLC will use the lots it owns on the west side of Veazie Street and plans to purchase an adjacent lot on Veazie. Parking will be on Veazie and the lots to the west, with the restaurant near the corner of Veazie and River.

The two-story brick building housed a soup kitchen that operated for more than 20 years until the Bennington, Vt., ministry sold it to Berkshire Hills in 2018 for $235,000. The two lots adjoining it on River Street are a parking lot and the fourth has a two-story apartment house on just over half an acre owned by David Carver.

Preliminary plans show a long modern structure of about 3,900 square feet along River Street that is screened from the street by trees and plantings, with an outdoor patio and parking in the rear. It will include a partial basement for storage.

"The Restaurant will add jobs and continue to add vibrancy and promote further economic development in the neighborhood and the City as a whole," according to the application, which also states the eatery will be open five days a week from 5 to 9 and lunch during the busy season from noon to 3, with hours subject to seasonal variation.

The lots are in a business 2 zone in which restaurants are permitted by rate. The applicant also will appear before the Conservation Commission (because of the proximity of the Hoosic River) and the Zoning Board of Adjustment before returning to the Planning Board with final plans.




iciHaiti - PNH : 2 new members of the 5 Secondes Gang arrested





On Sunday April 17, 2022, a patrol from the Tabarre police station arrested two members of the "5 Secondes" gang aboard a motorcycle at Carrefour Ritha.



The two individuals, identified as Romeilus Markendy (31 years old) and Isaac Roberto (30), actively sought, suspected of attempted assassination, on December 26, 2020 in Tabarre 23, with the commencement of execution on the person of the Commissioner of Police Patrick Belizaire who had received several projectiles.



They are currently in police custody, charged with criminal association and attempted murder.



Remember that the "5 Secondes" Gang evolves in Galette Gouraud, Ste Philomene area, and is led by John Cenat Mondesir.



Read also about the actions of the PNH :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36446-icihaiti-pnh-in-action-2-members-of-the-5-seconds-gang-killed-several-others-injured.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36442-icihaiti-security-2-other-bandits-fall-under-the-bullets-of-the-pnh.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36416-icihaiti-pnh-a-terrifying-bandit-and-one-of-the-trusted-men-of-gang-leader-zian-killed.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36389-haiti-pnh-10-bandits-killed-a-policewoman-injured.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36380-haiti-security-the-pnh-scores-points-against-bandits-and-gangs.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36372-ici-haiti-pnh-kidnapping-defeated-a-kidnapper-killed.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36276-icihaiti-insecurity-panic-at-saint-boniface-hospital.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36264-icihaiti-pnh-kidnapping-attempt-foiled.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36256-icihaiti-pnh-arrest-of-2-members-of-the-400-mawozo-gang.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36219-haiti-flash-the-police-in-action.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36216-icihaiti-security-positive-results-for-the-pnh.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36201-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36195-icihaiti-cap-haitien-7-arrests-seizure-of-weapons-and-ammunition.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36110-icihaiti-turgeau-6-individuals-arrested-8-weapons-seized.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36098-icihaiti-center-department-4-bandits-arrested-in-24-hours.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35987-icihaiti-justice-2-haitians-arrested-for-drug-trafficking.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35651-icihaiti-security-seizure-of-more-than-10kg-of-marijuana-2-haitians-and-a-jamaican-arrested.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35637-icihaiti-security-the-border-police-increase-its-staff.html



IH/ iciHaiti


















This is a contributed article by Will North, Chief Information Security Officer, MHR International.

The days when security was only important to financial services and defence organisations are long gone. With the substantial increase in data breach fines introduced by the European GDPR and the devastating operational impacts of ransomware on organisations - from local councils and retailers to oil pipelines - information security is now a major concern for organisations across all industry segments and sizes. The cost of failure can be substantial. The influential IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021 put the global average cost of a ransomware breach at $4.62m, which excludes the ransom.

The war in Ukraine has intensified threat levels significantly, with governments around the world warning of an increased risk of cyber-attacks from Russia. Boards are asking more questions than ever about security and want answers in a language they can understand  profit and loss.

Many years ago, the IT Director had to add security to their responsibilities, with specialist cyber-knowledge residing with a relatively junior member of the team. This meant information security focused primarily on technical IT solutions. There were often insufficient resources to fully understand the security posture of the organisation and how to improve it. Nobody senior had the job of driving the security agenda against the operational objectives of the wider business. This legacy operating model often failed to pacify the concerns of the board.

Birth of the modern CISO

This gave birth to the modern CISO with completely different responsibilities. Steve Katz, generally regarded as the worlds first CISO, was appointed by Citicorp in the US in the mid-1990s, following a serious hack. He defined the role, believing he must understand the business and the risk it faces so he can put its requirements first.

As the CISOs role has evolved, their key responsibility has become to articulate the security risks across the business in financial terms and demonstrate the value of improving security against competing operational demands. For example, why is a 50k piece of security software better value than recruiting another member of staff? A CISO has to make the case and be prepared to stand by their judgment.

As well as improving security, the much harder task for a CISO is to understand when and where it is acceptable to reduce security to increase business efficiency. Security is easy if you want to stop an organisation operating, but balancing security, cost and operational efficiency is a fine art that takes skill and experience.

The CISOs role is often multi-faceted now. The explosion of investment in cyber-security technology means CISOs must keep up to date with new propositions from vendors, while at the same time supporting their own organisations sales function. With security a key factor when choosing a supplier, the CISO must demonstrate to prospects that their organisation is the right choice to protect business-critical services and data.

The CISO must have soft skills and business acumen

These responsibilities mean that a completely different skillset is required. The CISO needs great interpersonal skills to understand, engage and persuade other people within the business. They need effective communication skills to make their case to the board, who may have little security or IT knowledge. In addition, todays CISO needs experience of building and retaining high-performing teams, allied to a solid understanding of finance to appreciate the value versus cost of security.

Business acumen is becoming as important, if not more important, for a CISO, as knowledge of security itself. To what degree largely depends on the size of the business. For larger organisations, it is the role or the security team to understand where the gaps are and what they need to do to address them. The CISOs job is to explain to the board why they should release the funds so the team can implement the right solution.

In this approach, the CISO does not need to display extensive technical knowledge. It is their softer skills that are likely to provide more value to the security of the business.

For smaller to medium-sized organisations with small security teams, or even a lone CISO, technical skills will be more important. The CISO in an SME needs to have technical conversations with teams, identifying weaknesses and helping to design secure processes. They also need the same soft communication skills so they can inculcate cyber-security culture and best practice effectively across the business and to lay out their agenda to the board. This makes recruiting for a CISO at a mid-sized organisation difficult, especially now when vacancies requiring cyber-expertise are difficult to fill. Two-thirds of organisations responding to the (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 2021, for example, said their cyber-security staffing shortage put their organisations at risk. For smaller organisations, choosing the right suppliers and technology partners can substantially alleviate the burdens of security.

Yet whatever the size of the organisation, CISOs must now possess a good measure of business acumen. Organisations looking to recruit must accept this is no longer a nice-to-have but a mandatory requirement for the role. Once they are supported by the right team, security skills and experience can be an optional extra, however. The evolving role of the CISO means they must focus on shaping their organisations security posture to suit the needs of the business and the need to grow and expand revenues despite all the threats.

Will North is Chief Information Security Officer at MHR International. As a certified information security professional within the cyber security industry, North helps organisations to identify critical information security gaps and implement pragmatic solutions to mitigate information security risks to an acceptable level. He has a wealth of experience working within organisations of all sizes across all industry segments, with particular knowledge within the financial services sector having worked for a number of retail, private and investment banks.
Since late March, spontaneous street protests have been held across Sri Lanka, calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his brother and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and several others from the Rajapaksa family who held Ministerial positions before resigning in the wake of protests. Triggered by massive price hikes and shortages of gas, fuel, electricity, food, medicine, and fertilizer, among others, social media has also been an important battle ground for protestors.

Journalists injured, obstructed, threatened, and penalised for joining protests

On the night of March 31 and in the early hours of April 1, many protesters and bystanders were beaten and arrested as they marched to the Presidents residence in Colombo. At least nine journalists were injured, with several being hospitalised and at least one undergoing surgery. Some journalists were beaten despite identifying themselves. One was denied medical assistance at the police station. Cameras were also damaged. When a well-known journalist returned to the site the next day for additional reporting, he was threatened by individuals who claimed to be from the Presidents Media division and was compelled to leave the area.

The arrests and attacks on both protesters and journalists led to widespread condemnation and hundreds of lawyers came to the police and courts to defend the detained free of charge. Journalists from the Mulaitheevu Press Club in the North were among those who condemned and protests the attacks against journalists in Colombo.

In the aftermath, journalists revealed that on April 1 the Police chief had ordered an investigation into a major private television channel, News First, in an effort to blame the channels live broadcast of the previous nights protests for the unrest that occurred. In another effort to crackdown on free expression, the District Secretary of Kandy district, the districts most senior government official, warned a junior government official not to criticise the government or government policies through social media and threatened to take action against her. An employee attached to a leading state media institution was suspended from service for participating in a protest after his work hours and journalists from a major private media institution reported that staff leave was withdrawn to prevent them from joining protests. Last month, as protests were spreading, a female TV presenter was suspended by a state media institution for a private social media post critical of the President.

Repressive laws and the arrest of a social media activist

As a major protest was being planned in Colombo on April 3, a state of emergency was declared on April 1, empowering the president to issue emergency regulations that can be used to curtail protests and freedom of expression. This was followed by the declaration of a countrywide curfew from 6 pm on April 2 until 6 am on April 4, effectively stopping the massive protest planned for April 3. But many citizens defied the curfew and held protests in their neighbourhoods, with numbers increasing from approximately 10,000 to 15,000 within only a few hours. During the curfew, several social media applications were blocked, including Facebook and WhatsApp, which were widely used in protesting against the government and the organisation of street protests. The blocks were lifted the same afternoon. The curfew was not extended, and the state of emergency was revoked on April 5.

In the early hours of April 1, a young social media activist who had supported the protests was abducted from his house. Police initially denied knowledge of his whereabouts. However, after a series of interventions by the Young Journalists Association, lawyers and the Human Rights Commission, police acknowledged his arrest and detention and he was produced before a Magistrate just under the stipulated 24 hours and released on bail. Another activist was summoned for questioning by the police on April 4 in relation to a slogan he had displayed in his car.

Intensification of protests and evolving demands

Despite these repressive actions, protests continued across the country. A continuous day and night protest, which began on April 9 at the Galle Face Green just outside the Presidential Secretariat in the heart of Colombo, was the largest and most diverse peoples protest I had joined in Sri Lanka and brought back memories of People Power 2 (EDSA 2) in the Philippines that I joined about 20 years ago. Braving scorching sun and heavy rains, protesters have occupied the area and named it Gota Go Village, with tents, mobile toilets, medical facilities, a phone charging facility, and cultural activities.

Some journalists have been at the site day and night, providing constant updates, diverse perspectives, and remonstrating against the jamming of the sites internet connection.

Amongst those who joined and covered the protests was Kumanan (@kumanan93), a young Tamil journalist from the North. According to him, media has responsibility to amplify struggles for social justice, and journalists are activists who should proactively cover these movements and record developments as news or statements. He also stated that as a journalist from the North [a war-affected and highly militarised region] media has been able to strengthen local movements and take people's voices far and wide.

An International Media Centre has been established at Gota Go Village, holding press conferences in support of the protest by medical specialists, engineers, lawyers and trade unionists. Academics, human rights defenders, and representatives from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka have been using the centre to interact with the media. However, journalists have reported that many intelligence personnel have been loitering around. A journalists laptop and the media centres banner went missing on the nights of April 16 and 17 respectively, despite police stating to courts that they are engaged in close observation of the protest site and the activities of protesters.

Initial demands of "Go Home" are now evolving to "Go to Jail" and "Return Stolen Money" with some demanding legal, institutional, and other structural and systemic changes. Slogans  have also emerged regarding alleged war crimes and the need for global action such as an international tribunal, asset freezes and travel bans.

On April 11, the third continuous day of protests at the Galle Face, I saw a protester holding a sign demanding justice for murdered journalist and editor Lasantha Wickramatunge. Another protestor held a sign with the phrase,Satakayo Gathakayo, which implies that those who wear shawls, like most in the Rajapaksa family, are killers. This is the first time I have seen this slogan since the funeral of Lasantha more than 13 years ago. On that night, huge placards of murdered, tortured, and disappeared journalists were placed on the fence of the Presidential Secretariat. Sandya Ekneligoda, a prominent rights advocate and the wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, was also present at the Galle Face protest site. On April 18, a group of journalists held a protest at the site, with a larger march planned for April 20.

There is fear and uncertainty about what may happen next, including the potential of a military crackdown, discrediting of the protests and protester fatigue. There are also concerns about a lack of political alternatives and challenges addressing long-term issues, such as the causes and consequences of ethnic conflict, rights of numerical minorities, rights of other marginalised and vulnerable groups, militarisation, privatisation, and impunity for crimes against journalists.

But the protests have been inspiring, heartening, and hopeful. To see so many people, especially youth, including journalists and social media activists, standing up courageously and creatively for rights, justice, and democracy is a moment of political awakening for many Sri Lankans.

In significant political moments such as these, freedom of expression and the role of journalists become even more important, but also more difficult and dangerous. Journalists have already paid a price for the repression they have faced, but there is also growing public appreciation of the roles played by independent journalists. Several protesters told me that the presence of journalists serves as a measure of security and support. Many journalists are already making use of the space to push for democracy, freedom of expression and accountability for past crimes. The Young Journalists Association re-launched a social media campaign encouraging protests and initiated a hotline for any detained persons or those facing imminent detention to call and seek assistance.

The role of journalists will be crucial as protests continue amidst Sri Lankas political uncertainty and they must be supported as they rise to meet these new challenges.

Ruki Fernando is a Sri Lankan human rights activist and writer. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Free Media Movement (FMM). His writings are available at www.rukiiiii.wordpress.com.
Judge Kathryn Kimble Mizelle, the U.S. District Court Judge for the middle district of Florida, said that the Centers for Disease Control had exceeded its authority in implementing the mask mandate. That left a degree of confusion as travelers, airlines, airports, and government agencies tried to figure out what it meant for them.

What will the airlines do? If I'm traveling later this week, do I need to wear a mask? Confusion is a problem for every business, and the way you respond says a lot about you and your company. There's a lot to unpack here, making this an interesting case study on how to communicate with your customers and stakeholders.

Late Monday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rescinded its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment and said the mandate would no longer be enforced. Of course, just because you lift a contentious mandate doesn't mean things automatically get less contentious.

In a note to its employees, which the company shared on its blog, Delta addressed that reality and encouraged all of us to "remember to show understanding and patience with others." When you consider everything that we've all been through over the past two years, that's a pretty powerful lesson.

Here's more of what the company said:

Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees -- such as TSA -- may be receiving this information at different times. You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated -- remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required. Communications to customers and in-airport signage and announcements will be updated to share that masking is now optional -- this may take a short period of time.

First, I think it was important that Delta pointed out that this was completely unexpected. That means a lot of people aren't prepared for a sudden change. Many of those people work at or travel through airports.

As a result, I think we can all agree it's likely people will "experience inconsistent enforcement" as "news is more broadly communicated." It seems overwhelmingly certain that when people show up at the airport tomorrow, there's going to be a little confusion.

There will be TSA agents or airline employees who have spent a long time reminding travelers that masks are required. It's as much a part of the job as reminding people to remove "large electronic items and place them in a bin." It's a habit at this point.

There's a pretty good chance that if you show up at the airport tomorrow, many of the people you encounter won't have heard the news -- even people who work there. There will be passengers who aren't aware that wearing a mask is no longer required, increasing the chance of confrontation when they see people not wearing one.

Travel is already stressful enough for a lot of people. It's been even more so as travelers had to worry not just about whether they'd arrive on time or whether their bags would arrive at all, but also whether travel was safe as COVID-19 surged across the country at various times.

Then, there are airline employees who were unwittingly deputized as the, "Sir, that mask has to be covering your nose" police. As a result, they've spent months having to deal with upset passengers, some of whom behaved poorly, to say the least. Imagine how old it gets reminding adults to behave like adults.

Add to that, the fact that not everyone is paying attention to what a judge in Florida is ordering on any given day. Even in an always-connected world where we get the majority of our news on social media, it still takes time for information to get to the people who need it to do their jobs.

That's why those eight words are such a powerful lesson for all of us. How much different would almost every contentious situation be if we "remembered to show understanding and patience with others."

Certainly, travel during a pandemic would be less stressful if everyone showed a little understanding and patience. Meetings at work would probably be more productive. Even bedtime with our four young children would go more smoothly if I could be better at understanding and demonstrating patience.

Think about how many problems you could diffuse with some understanding and patience. Imagine how many upset customers you could win over by trying to really understand their issue, and by being patient -- even when they respond angrily or inappropriately.
The Solvent Extractors Association of India has compiled the export data for export of oilmeals for the month of March, 2022 provisionally reported at 242,043 tons compared to 322,850 tons in March 2021 i.e. down by 25% mainly due to decline in export of soybean meal. The overall export of oilmeals during Apr.21  Mar.22 decreased and reported at 2,373,744 tons compared to 3,689,483 tons during the same period of previous year i.e. down by 36%. In term of value, in-spite of increased in unit realization price, sharp drop in earning due to lower export tonnage mainly in soybean meal down by 76% and rapeseed meal down by 22% and provisionally reported earning of Rs.5,600 crores in 2021-22 compared to Rs.8,866 crores in previous year, down by nearly 37%.

In current year financial year 2021-22, export of oilmeals during Apr.21-Mar.22 is down by 36% mainly due to lesser export of soybean meal. Soybean crush margins in India are currently squeezed by pressure on meal prices and relatively high price expectation of farmers for soybean seed which is currently quoted over Rs.7,600 per quintal. Currently India is outpriced for soybean meal export as Ex. Kandla quoted at US$ 840 against Brazil origin US$ 574 & Argentina US$ 586 ex. Rotterdam per ton. India is unlikely to be competitive for export in near future due to high price of domestic soybean seed. Crushing of soybean is low as farmers are holding stock in anticipation of higher prices as seen by them in last year. This is also pushing higher import of crude soybean oil in to India.

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Procter & Gamble announced today that Mr LV Vaidyanathan will take over as the Chief Executive Officer for its operations in India from July 1, 2022. Mr Vaidyanathan is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad who started his journey with P&G in 1995 as an intern and joined the India Sales team straight from campus in 1996.



He has more than 26 years of experience across diverse geographies and cultures like India and ASEAN countries including Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. He is currently leading the P&G business in Indonesia as CEO where he has been responsible for industry-leading growth and value creation for the company. Under his leadership, the Indonesian business has transformed to become value accretive for the parent company and has overtaken a formidable competitor in the market by turning around the share gap in the last 4 years.



Mr Vaidyanathan is a passionate advocate for Equality and Inclusion, and under his leadership, P&G has achieved the milestone of having 50% women representation in their leadership team. He has also stepped up the companys focus on environment sustainability in Indonesia where all of the companys manufacturing sites have become Zero Manufacturing Waste to Landfill, and the company is working with external stakeholders to innovate and develop technology that can accelerate efforts to advance the circular economy.



Mr. Vaidyanathan has also served as the Chairman of Indonesia Chapter of US ASEAN Business Council.



Mr. LV Vaidyanathan will take over from Mr. Madhusudan Gopalan, who is going to take on an important leadership role within P&G as Senior Vice President  Grooming & Oral Care, P&G Japan & Korea. During his four-year tenure at the helm of P&G India, Madhusudan led the transformation of the business and find its winning formula to consistently deliver sustainable top and bottom-line growth. P&G continues to be the market leader in most of the segments it operates in like baby diapers, blades & razors, feminine care, shave prep, health care, anti-ageing skincare, and is number 2 in shampoos and toothbrushes. He has been instrumental in guiding the company through the challenges of the pandemic, delivering strong balanced growth while prioritizing the health and well-being of P&G people. Madhusudan has been heavily invested in developing young Indian talent and grooming Indian talent for international roles within the company. As a result, Indian talent growth has accelerated over the last 4 years with a strong pipeline of diverse, highly capable, and agile leaders for India and the globe. Madhusudan is also known for his passion to elevate the companys focus to be a force for good across areas of community impact, equality & inclusion and environmental sustainability. Under his leadership, the company launched its P&G Suraksha India program towards COVID relief where it contributed towards vaccine doses, oxygen concentrators, masks, and sanitizers for the protection of frontline workers and underprivileged communities. He has been instrumental in sharpening the companys focus on environmental sustainability and P&G recently became one of the first FMCG companies in the country to achieve plastic packaging waste neutrality.



Quote from Mr. Magesvaran Suranjan, P&G President, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa:



I want to thank Madhusudan for his outstanding leadership of the India organization over the last four years and the transformation of the business to delivering consistent balanced growth and value creation. Not only has his leadership been exemplary to guide the company through the pandemic, but he is also leaving the business well-positioned to win in India for years to come. I am thrilled with LV Vaidyanathans appointment as the India CEO, who has been an integral part of the P&G growth story for well over two decades. He is an outstanding leader, and the India business will immensely benefit from his leadership and skills which have led to the strong growth of the different businesses that he has led across Southeast Asia. The moves for both Madhusudan and LV are testament to the strength of Indian talent and Indias importance as a talent factory for P&G globally.





Madhusudan Gopalan said, It has been a great honour to lead the P&G business in India, my home country where I started my P&G career. The four-year journey has been an enriching and rewarding one and Im proud of what we have achieved together as the India team. The business is in great shape and we have found our winning formula where our strategy is delivering consistent top and bottom-line growth and our people are growing and thriving. I am delighted with the appointment of LV Vaidyanathan as my successor, one of Indias home-grown talents who I firmly believe has the right expertise to lead the growth of our business in India in the years to come. I am confident that he will continue to lead the P&G India business to greater heights and in turn, incrementally contribute to the overall growth for the parent company.



LV Vaidyanathan said It is a moment of great pride for me to come back to India and spearhead the P&G business. I am looking forward to being back in the market, learning more about the Indian consumers and serving their needs. For us, going forward, it will be important to continue the focus on our strategy which is delivering consistent results. We will raise the bar on all aspects of our superiority strategy product, package, brand communication, retail execution, and value. We will continue to drive productivity improvements to fund investments in innovation and help drive balanced top-and bottom-line growth. As a focused and agile and accountable organization operating at the speed of the market, we will also aim to lead constructive disruption across the value chain in the industry. I cant wait to get started and I am looking forward to working with our incredibly talented team in India.
Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors.

KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.

No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.
The Yamuna river is the longest tributary (a river that flows into another larger river) in India. Yamuna is the sub-basin of the Ganga basin.

It is a large basin that is spread across seven states namely Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR.

The water from the river is used for a range of activities like irrigation, drinking, industries, bathing, laundry etc. It is also considered one of the sacred rivers of India where people throw the cremated ashes of their loved ones, and devotees worship and immerse idols of their god(s).



The river Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers of India.

What are the sources of pollution?

AFP

Domestic wastewater, industrial effluents, idol immersion, pesticide residue, untreated sewage are some of the sources of pollution of river Yamuna.

Most of the pollution occurs in the NCR stretch than in other places where the river flows. Only 2% of the river length flows through Delhi yet the city is responsible for about 76% of the total pollution load in the river.

How does Delhi contribute to pollution?

Around 90% of wastewater from households pours into the river untreated. This wastewater comprises laundry detergents and other chemicals increasing the phosphate content in the water leading to the formation of froth.

The same goes for industrial effluents and sewage that are discharged into the river without being treated. Only 35% out of total estimated sewage discharge undergoes treatment. Other factors like idol immersion also contribute to pollution. The lead, plaster of paris (POP) and chrome paints used in making the idols also pollute the water after they are immersed. Not only this, but all the overlooked things like polythene bags, decoration items, metal polishes etc. are also a contributing factor.

Delhis dependence on Yamuna

BCCL

The Delhi stretch of the Yamuna river is about 22 km starting from Wazirabad barrage to Okhla barrage (Sharma and Kansal). This stretch alone is responsible for 76% of the rivers pollution but this stretch is also the main source of raw water for the capital. This roughly accounts for 70% of Delhis water supply which roughly translates to 57 million people.

The role of ammonia

Recently, ammonia levels in Yamuna have risen. Over the past weekend, the ammonia levels have been fluctuating reaching upto five times above the treatable limit of 0.9ppm.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) which is the governing body responsible for water supply in the capital has issued an SOS.

Ammonia levels in water are harmful for the aquatic life as well. It changes the pH of water making it more alkaline. The mysterious death of fishes can also be linked to ammonia toxicity.

The Yamuna Action Plan

File Photo

The Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) is a river restoration project introduced in 1993. It is a bilateral project between the government of India and Japan where Japan offered loan assistance for implementation of YAP.

Subsequently, two phases YAP II and YAP III were initiated in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Unfortunately, the mission to clean Ganga and Yamuna which includes YAP has failed according to the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Forests.

References:

Basin Details : Yamuna Basin Organisation | Yamuna Basin Organisation. Central Water Commission, 13 December 2019. Accessed 19 April 2022.

'Clean Ganga and Yamuna mission a failure.' Down To Earth, 18 May 2012. Accessed 19 April 2022.

Pollution in the River Yamuna  Rejuvenation of The River Yamuna. Rejuvenation of The River Yamuna. Accessed 19 April 2022.

Sharma, Deepshika, and Arun Kansal. Current condition of the Yamuna River - an overview of flow, pollution load and human use.

Sharma, Deepshika, and Arun Kansal. The status and effects of the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP).

Singh, Paras. Yamuna pollution levels bounce past limit again | Latest News Delhi. Hindustan Times, 17 April 2022, Accessed 19 April 2022.

Tewary, P. Yamuna River Pollution and Sustainable Solutions for the Future. Earth5R, 22 July 2020, Accessed 19 April 2022.

Tewary, P. Yamuna River Pollution and Sustainable Solutions for the Future. Earth5R, 22 July 2020, Accessed 19 April 2022.
Drone footage taken on Monday, April 18 showed dozens of new graves for those who died during Russias invasion of the northern Ukrainian town of Irpin. Reuters reports the presence of at least three new rows of graves, most of which had markings labelled with a date of death after February 24  the day when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Ukrainian investigators have also examined 269 dead bodies in Irpin, near Kyiv, since the town was taken back from Russian forces in late March, a police official said on Monday, as workers dug fresh graves on its outskirts.





At least three new rows of graves

Russia called its action a special military operation to demilitarise Ukraine and eradicate what it calls dangerous nationalists. The West and Kyiv accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of unprovoked aggression.



A family that came to bury a loved one on Monday said that their relative was killed by Russian forces during their occupation of Irpin. Four more freshly-dug graves, among the six or so rows of those added to a cemetery in Irpin, Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, on Saturday on April 16, 2022.

REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

War continues

Since Russian troops withdrew from towns and villages around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Ukrainian troops have been showing journalists corpses of what they say are civilians killed by Russian forces, destroyed houses and burnt-out cars.

Residents have been streaming back into Ukraine's capital since Russian forces retreated from the area, but window-rattling blasts in Kyiv on Saturday were a stark reminder that the war continues.



AP

Current situation

Russian forces have seized the city of Kreminna in eastern Ukraine and Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the city, the regional governor said on Tuesday. Kreminna, a city of more than 18,000 people about 100 km (62 miles) southeast of the capital Kyiv, appears to be the first city captured in a new Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.



For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


The climate crisis is a pervasive issue and action to combat climate change touches basically every single part of our lives, from what we eat, to how we dress, to how and where we go on holiday.

Its well known that one of the biggest culprits of carbon emission from human activities is the aviation sector. In fact, data from 2019, showed that taking a long-haul flight generates more carbon emissions than the average person in dozens of countries produces in a whole year.

Many of us trying to reduce our carbon footprints have, alongside other steps like going meat and dairy-free or ditching fast fashion, been cutting down the number of flights we take too.

Unsplash/Representational image

What are ghost flights?

Ghost flights are defined as those with no passengers, or less than 10% of passenger capacity. The data from the Civil Aviation Authority includes only international flights leaving the UK and not arrivals, or any domestic flights.

Why is it problematic?

Flying is one of the most carbon-polluting activities people can undertake, and ghost flights have angered those campaigning for action on the climate crisis. Almost 15,000 ghost flights left the UK between the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 and September 2021, the Guardian revealed in February. The German airline Lufthansa said in January it would have to fly 18,000 unnecessary flights by March.

AP

The information, obtained through a freedom of information request by the Guardian, shows Heathrow, Aberdeen, Manchester, Stansted and Norwich were the top five airports for such flights during the period.

Why are these still operated?

So why on Earth are these still ongoing -- and what are aviation's stakeholders doing to disentangle themselves from the red tape that has ensnared the airlines into this climate-damaging mess?

The reason airlines continue to operate these expensive flights is because the industry is engaged in a slots game more high stakes and lucrative than anything you'll find in Las Vegas.

Even when passengers are staying away, airlines still need to protect their slots: their scheduled time on valuable routes. Slots are extremely precious assets for airlines. With more than 200 of the planet's busiest hubs operating at full capacity, demand for flights exceeds the availability of runways and space inside the terminals.

Getty

To manage this, capacity at congested airports is segmented into slots. These are the facility to land, disembark passengers, refuel, take on a new cohort of passengers and then take off again -- all within a specified and regulated time frame.

Carriers then plan their schedules based on slot availability at both ends of the route. To maximize revenue, the schedules have to align with demand -- early morning slots for business travelers traveling short-haul, same-day-return trips are highly prized.



Such flights have been blamed on the system at busy airports whereby airlines must normally run 80% of their flights, empty or not, to retain their landing slots. The rule was suspended during the pandemic and reintroduced at 50% in October 2021, but that did not appear to have significantly changed the number of monthly ghost flights.

What effects will it have?

But, as highlighted by Greenpeace, this could amount to the additional release of up to 2.1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere  or the same as 1.4 million diesel cars emit in a year.



Unsplash/Representational image

Their UK Policy Director, Doug Parr, said: We know that the airline industry puts profit ahead of people and the planet but the absurdity of ghost flights takes its recklessness to new heights.
Earth's coral reefs will completely die off in the next 30 years if humans fail to take adequate action to reduce emissions. If climate change isn't slowed down, we may lose coral reefs forever.

Scientists also warn that even with radical measures now, it may be too late to salvage coral reefs.

Wondering what this means for humans? Quite simply, a lot of people globally who are dependent on coasts for their livelihoods may experience loss.

Unsplash

Coral reefs as warning systems

"Coral reefs are the canaries in the coal mine when it comes to sensing ecosystems under stress from ocean warming due to climate change," Jens Zinke, a professor of paleobiology at the University of Leicester in PLACE said in the press release.

According to Zinke, corals are able to sense when ocean temperatures reach dangerous levels, acting as a warning system of sorts.

netflix

Also read: Climate Change Heating 'Invisible Ecosystems' And Transporting Pathogens To New Areas

Findings were shared in The Vibrant Oceans Initiative's white paper that addressed the future of "delicate habitats" that are under the threat of climate change. The white paper describes the problem in detail while adding recommendations for a potential solution.

Unsplash

Even if humanity were somehow able to keep up with goals of the Paris Agreement that aims to keep emissions to within 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels, up to 90% of all coral reefs in the world may still be considerably destroyed over the next 30 years.

Also read: Earth's Ecosystems Are Reaching A Point Of No Recovery From Climate Change



The white paper's suggestions include the identification of a portfolio of reefs around the world that may be able to survive climate change. Scientists urge action to protect their habitats through conservation efforts.

Uncredited

The report also alludes to "three types of climate change sanctuaries: avoidance, resistance, and recovery refugee," - building on the initial suggestions of the 50 Reefs initiative.

What do you think - are we doing enough to protect coral reefs on Earth? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Jones, A. M. (2022, April 18). Climate change could wipe out coral reefs in 30 years: report. CTVNews.




April 19, 2022

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Original news Political tensions in Libya disrupt production of oil and gas

Ceased production at the oil fields of Al-Sharara and Al-Feel and stop the activity at the oil port of Zueitina

Political tensions in Libya are having an impact devastating on national oil and gas production, with the National Oil Corporation (NOC) that this weekend has declared the state of force majeure for the forced cessation production at the Al-Sharara and Al-Feel oil fields, and the stop of production at the port gasification plant of Zueitina as well as of the activity in the same port Zueitina oil. Announcing the termination of these activity, the Libyan oil company specified that they are no longer able to meet their obligations contracts relating to oil deliveries and warned that this will have negative effects on the oil sector and energy and the Libyan economy in general.

The National Oil Corporation announced that on Saturday evening a group of individuals entered the field of Al-Feel, a field which is 33.3% owned by the Italian Eni, preventing workers from continuing production, which sunday is completely ceased making it impossible for the NOC to comply with the its contractual obligations. On Sunday, in addition, the company oil announced the closure of crude oil production and of gas in several fields, specified that "the National Oil Corporation - explained the president of the NOC, Mustafa Sanalla - is obliged to declare, until further notice, a state of force majeure in the oil port of Zueitina, including all deposits and production stations associated with this port and maritime structures'. Sanalla highlighted the need to avoid that the political conflicts taking place in the country have a impact on the oil sector, so as to ensure the flow of oil to world markets taking advantage of the current boom of prices, "this - he specified - with the aim of to promote the country and to repair what has been destroyed by wars".

Appeal that at the moment has fallen on deaf ears since just a few hours later the NOC was forced to close gradually also the production at the oil field of Al-Sharara, also declaring in this case the state of force greater, as - the Libyan company announced - a group of individuals put pressure on workers to production should be stopped.



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ClojureDart, a port of the Clojure language that compiles to the Google-developed Dart language, has been published by Clojure consulting firm Tensegritics, with the goal of extending Clojure to mobile and desktop apps.

The primary goal of ClojureDart is to leverage Dart and Googles Flutter development toolkit, for building multi-platform applications from a single codebase. The Clojure port, though, remains a work in progress and is not yet feature-complete. Some features may be outright missing or partially implemented or even bugged. In any case, get in touch with us or open an issue, the Tensegritics developers wrote on their GitHub repo. They added that they believed the current port was good enough for use by the bravest Clojurists.

Code for ClojureDart is available on GitHub, Tensegritics revealed on April 15. Lacking at this point are a REPL and multi-method and sorted-collection capabilities. Instructions are featured on quickly starting out with ClojureDart and Dart or Flutter.

Once positioned as a rival to JavaScript, type-safe Dart has been repositioned as a language for developing fast apps on any platform, including mobile and web apps. Dart has its own VM and developers can compile Dart to machine code or JavaScript.

Clojure is a language for the JVM and Microsofts Common Langue Runtime, serving as a dialect of Lisp with a code-as-data philosophy.
This post is part of a series sponsored by Old Republic Surety.

Its fortunately rare, but when bond fraud happens, it can be devastating. As a bond producer developing a book of surety business, you must be vigilant in vetting the surety companies you work with. Heres advice from Old Republic Surety and the National Association of Bond Producers.

A recent article in Business Insurance magazine, Surety bond scammers sentenced to prison time, reminds us that surety fraud is a serious crime that can have dire economic consequences for sureties, principals, obligees and the public.

In this case, the victims were three contractors who were bilked out of $1.2 million by criminals who sold them phony bonds to guarantee work in several states.

A high-profile case in Minnesota a few years ago involved a contractor who forged bonds to win contracts with state and municipal agencies. Other schemes have surfaced involving scam artists purporting to represent some of the most trusted names in our business.

Thankfully, bond fraud doesnt happen very often. When it does, though, it can harm the smallest to the largest of contractors, suppliers and owners. A worthless bond leaves victims without financial recourse. And fraud damages the good reputation of our industry, which weve all worked hard to maintain.

Old Republic Suretys Todd Taylor wrote a blog, How to Prequalify a Surety  and Why Its So Important, on the ways you can protect yourself and reduce the risk of fraud. Two of the most important things you can do, which bear repeating, are:

Check the authority of a surety to issue a bond. Verify that the surety has actually issued the bond.

The National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) has a one-page summary that describes this two-step verification process in detail. If youre an agent, we highly recommend you provide this to your contractor clients.

Among the safeguards you should take, according to NASBP:

Contact your state insurance department to see if the surety has been admitted to do business in your jurisdiction . With few exceptions, sureties must possess a certificate of authority from the insurance commissioner in each state in which they conduct surety business. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides links to all state insurance departments

. With few exceptions, sureties must possess a certificate of authority from the insurance commissioner in each state in which they conduct surety business. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners provides links to all state insurance departments Check the U.S. Department of Treasurys listing of approved sureties . A listing of certified surety companies approved to provide bonds on federal contracts, known as Department Circular 570 (or the T-List), is updated twice per year and is posted by the Department of Treasury Department Circular 570 includes the business address and phone number of each listed surety and each state in which the surety is licensed to operate.

. A listing of certified surety companies approved to provide bonds on federal contracts, known as Department Circular 570 (or the T-List), is updated twice per year and is posted by the Department of Treasury Department Circular 570 includes the business address and phone number of each listed surety and each state in which the surety is licensed to operate. Contact a surety directly to make sure a bond has been authorized. All sureties listed on Circular 570 identify a specific contact phone number. In addition, the Surety & Fidelity Association of America administers a program in which surety companies voluntarily agree to receive inquiries for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of surety bonds. Surety contact information is contained in the SFAA Bond Obligees Guide

Two other precautions, as noted by Taylor, include:

Inspect the powers of attorney. The owner or obligee should check to make sure the powers of attorney are current, dated concurrently and match the name on the attached bonds. Check one of the well-known rating agencies. Its always a good idea to look up a company on AM Best to see if its listed, and to find out its financial strength and rating. Other good sites to check are Standard & Poors and Moodys. (Note: Find Old Republic Surety under our parent company, Old Republic International)

Bond principals face many uncertainties in the operation of their business, most of which are known and they can plan for. But bond fraud is one of those risks that can catch you off guard. Always verify credentials, ask questions and do your due diligence. Dont ignore red flags. If it seems too good to be true, chances are it is.

Staying vigilant and verifying a surety is something everyone should get in the habit of doing. Lets work together to make sure contractors and their obligees dont get duped by fraudsters.

Should you have questions or need advice, reach out to the Old Republic Surety branch nearest you.

Topics Fraud
Insurance companies can conduct remote rather than on-site reviews of their managing general agents in Maryland beginning in October.

Gov. Larry Hogan has signed legislation recommended by the states insurance regulator and passed by lawmakers. The law repeals the requirement that an insurer at least twice-a-year review the underwriting and claims processing operations of its managing general agents on-site and in-person at the MGAs principal place of business.

According to the Maryland Insurance Administration, the on-site, in-person requirement is outdated and is not necessary to assure thorough, complete, compliant reviews. The requirement was established at a time when records were maintained in paper form at corporate offices.

In fact, MIA told lawmakers in testimony during hearings, it believes that virtual and remote reviews are superior to on-site reviews, which themselves necessarily include virtual and remote aspects.

What is important for the review to be complete and thorough is access to systems and information. This access is not achieved by visiting a particular physical space, but requires access to electronically stored data and individuals who are typically in more than one location, MIA testified.

The state regulator said its support for the change is based on the success of suspending the on-site rule for insurers during the pandemic.

The MIA also said the remote approach improves logistics, reduces waste, protects public health via social distancing, and eliminates unnecessary travel requirements.

The new law goes into effect Oct. 1, 2022.

Topics Insurance Wholesale Training Development Maryland
Recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey for those 21 and older will begin April 21, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

This is a historic step in our work to create a new cannabis industry, said Murphy, who made the announcement via Twitter.

The news comes just three days after state regulators greenlighted permits for seven facilities, which already sell medical cannabis, to begin retailing recreational marijuana. Its also about a year after the states regulatory commission started operating, and a year and a half after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question to allow recreational marijuana for people 21 and older.

New Jersey and 17 others states, along with the District of Columbia, have legalized recreational marijuana. Thirty-seven states, including New Jersey, have legalized medical marijuana.

New Jerseys recreational sales are slated to begin ahead of New York, where sales are not expected to start until the end of the year, state officials have said.

Neighboring Pennsylvania has medical cannabis but not recreational. Some cities, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have passed ordinances to decriminalize marijuana or make it a low law enforcement priority. Legislation to permit recreational marijuana in Delaware was defeated last month in the Legislature.

Three of the seven New Jersey facilities, known as alternative treatment centers, are in the northern part of the state. Three are in the south, and one is in its central.

To get approval, the centers agreed that the coming influx of recreational buyers wont interrupt access for patients. The facilities said they would reserve parking spaces for patients as well as keep hours specifically for patients only.

There are about 130,000 medical marijuana patients in the state, with an estimated roughly 800,000 potential recreational consumers, and fewer than 800,000 estimated tourism consumers, according to the commission.

Ben Kovler, the CEO of Green Thumb Industries, which operates dispensaries in several states, is preparing for the start of recreational sales at facilities in Paterson and Bloomfield. Kovler said he expects a tidal wave of demand.

We are witnessing the end of prohibition 2.0, he said in an emailed statement.

The alternative treatment centers that already had medical cannabis retail sales are getting a head start in the recreational market, but regulators have attached strings to their advantage. The centers have to meet social equity standards, such as providing technical knowledge to new marijuana businesses, especially social equity applicants _ those located in economically struggling parts of the state or people who have had cannabis-related offenses.

We remain committed to social equity, Cannabis Regulatory Commission Chair Dianna Houenou said in a statement. We promised to build this market on the pillars of social equity and safety. Ultimately, we hope to see businesses and a workforce that reflect the diversity of the state.

How much tax revenue New Jersey gets from recreational marijuana isnt clear. Murphys fiscal year 2023 budget, which is pending before the Democrat-led Legislature, estimates revenues of just $19 million in a nearly $49 billion budget. In 2019, as legalization of recreational marijuana was still just pending before voters, he had estimated about $60 million in revenue.

Legislation governing the recreational market calls for the 6.625% sales tax to apply, with 70% of the proceeds going to areas disproportionately affected by marijuana-related arrests. Black residents were likelier _ up to three times as much _ to face marijuana charges than white residents. Towns can also levy a tax of up to 2%.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cannabis New Jersey
Swiss Re has secured US$1.15 billion in stop-loss cover that protects the entire group for severe underwriting-related losses over a five-year period.

Swiss Re said the transaction supports its growth opportunities in an attractive reinsurance market.

Developed in partnership with J.P. Morgan and institutional investors, the hybrid transaction is the first of its kind to combine bank financing and insurance linked securities (ILS), said Swiss Re.

With this deal, Swiss Re has protection from severe underwriting losses for the financial years 20222026, thereby supporting growth opportunities in an attractive reinsurance market. Further, the transaction is expected to have a positive benefit for Swiss Res ratings and regulatory capital requirements.

The innovative partnership is a great example of how the group considers all sources of capital holistically and aims to further enhance its flexible capital structure, commented Swiss Res Group Chief Financial Officer John Dacey, in a statement. With this transaction, the Alternative Capital Partners division delivers another material contribution to Swiss Res efficient capital management.

The transaction utilizes a newly established segregated account of the existing Matterhorn Re Ltd., a special purpose insurer. J.P. Morgan provides US$1 billion financing via a senior loan, while various institutional investors will participate via a US$150 million investment in junior insurance-linked notes issued by the segregated account.

The transaction is fully collateralized, with the proceeds to be held in notes issued by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which has Aaa/AAA/AAA (Moodys/S&P/Fitch) ratings.

Through Alternative Capital Partners expertise and strong relationships, we have been able to structure this first-of-its-kind hybrid transaction, bringing together bank financing and insurance-linked securities markets, said Philipp Ruede, head of Swiss Re Alternative Capital Partners.

In doing so, we have leveraged the complementary nature of the two sources of capital in a landmark transaction within the reinsurance and ILS markets, he added.

Alternative Capital Partners was launched in 2019 by combining Swiss Res Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) and Retro & Syndication teams. By leveraging the combined strength of both teams and building a unified center of expertise, Swiss Re said, it has become a key division supporting Swiss Res strategy and franchise.

Source: Swiss Re Group

Topics Trends Profit Loss Reinsurance Swiss Re
RMS, the Newark, Calif.-based risk modeling company, announced that Michael Steel has been appointed to its top leadership position of general manager. Steel succeeds Karen White, who has recently stepped down following the completion of the Moodys acquisition.

With more than 30 years of experience in the risk and capital management gained in the insurance industry, Steel most recently served as global head of Business Development at RMS and has been at the company since 2016. Steel will work directly with Steve Tulenko, president of Moodys Analytics, along with the Moodys and RMS senior management teams to ensure RMS continues its mission and vision.

Prior to RMS, Steel served as the group chief risk officer at AXIS Capital, following a career in reinsurance broking, including 12 years at Benfield (later Aon Benfield and now Aon Reinsurance Solutions). In addition to his role with RMS, he serves as an independent non-executive director on the board of Allianz Re Dublin dac.

Previously, Steel served as an independent non-executive director on the board of Berkshire Hathaways international business, as an appointed director on the Casualty Actuarial Society, and as chairman of the Geneva Associations CRO Network. He holds a bachelors degree with honors in statistics and mathematics from Brunel University.

Im honored to have this opportunity at RMS, and excited to achieve our vision to make every risk known to help our customers make better decisions and be more resilient, said Steel.

Together with Moodys, our focus is to deliver Moodys broader set of data and analytics to the insurance sector, expand our core offerings beyond the insurance sector, and accelerate the development of global integrated risk capabilities to address the next generation of risk assessment, he added.

Source: RMS
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Hinsdale, Illinois-based G.A. Mavon & Co. and its Mavco Insurance Agency, Inc. subsidiary. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1916, G.A. Mavon & Co. is a fourth-generation, family-run, standard and specialty lines wholesale broker. Mavco Insurance Agency, founded in 1972, is its retail insurance agency subsidiary. Both firms serve the insurance needs of high-net-worth personal lines clients, as well as commercial business owners, with a focus on professional lines.

Phil Mavon and his associates will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Matt Lynch, VP-Central Binding Region for Risk Placement Services, Inc., Gallaghers US wholesale brokerage, binding authority and programs division, and Jeff Saunders, President of Personal Lines for Gallaghers US retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Source: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Illinois A.J. Gallagher
A subsidiary of American Family Insurance now faces a federal class-action lawsuit in Florida, alleging it regularly charged auto policyholders a cancellation fee that was never mentioned in the policy.

The size of the class will be at least 100 people and will include everyone who was insured under Permanent General Assurances non-standard auto coverage from 2015 to 2020, when the initial complaint was filed, U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas, of Miami, said in his order last week certifying the class.

The plaintiffs, represented by the Zebersky, Payne, Shaw, Lewenz firm in Fort Lauderdale, and others, charge that the policy promised to refund 90% of the pro-rata unearned premium if the motorist cancels the policy. Instead, Permanent General charged a short rate cancellation premium based on the amount of premiums that were never paid by the insureds, the amended complaint reads.

The suit gave this example: Plaintiff Dorine Conner renewed her policy in 2019 and timely paid her $259 monthly premiums. When she canceled, she expected a refund of $240 in unearned premium, minus the 10% as stated in the policy. Instead, she was charged an $89 penalty and received only $153 from the insurer.

For another driver, Permanent General assessed a penalty of $620  higher than the policyholders monthly premium, the suit alleges. The complaint alleges breach of contract, unjust enrichment by the insurer, and unfair business practices.

The judge found that the plaintiffs motion to certify the case met all the case law requirements for a class.

The Court rejects Defendants argument that class certification is inappropriate because not all Plaintiffs have a common contract,' the judge noted. First, the suggestion that the insurance application, not the policy, is the contract is a distinction without a difference. It is the insurance application and the insurance policy which together constitute the contract.

Non-standard auto policies are short-term policies often purchased by people who have difficulty affording coverage through standard carriers, and cancellations are common, the court said.

Permanent General has denied the allegations. The carriers attorneys also argued that Conner could not represent the class because she was convicted of kidnapping in 2001 and served 12 years in prison.

Based on her serving significant time in prison, Connor does not possess the personal characteristics and integrity to fulfill the fiduciary role of class representative, the company argued.

The judge said that argument is wholly without merit, and that a criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify a class representative.

This is not the first time that an American Family Mutual Insurance unit has been accused of underpaying.

In February, attorneys in Illinois proposed a class action against American Family for allegedly using a typical negotiation method of determining the value of totaled vehicles. The plaintiffs said the method was unlawful and significantly undervalued their payments in claims.

That suit was voluntarily dismissed, without prejudice, in early April, court records show. No explanation was given.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Auto
Floridas governor has yet to set a date for a special legislative session aimed at the property insurance crisis in the state, but some in the industry, while welcoming the gathering, said it may come too late for struggling insurers facing a June 1 reinsurance renewal deadline.

Thats the question, even if they do something and make the changes needed, will it be in time? said William Stander, director of the Florida Property and Casualty Association.

Others said that any reform effort is welcomed in the wake of six carrier insolvencies in the last three years, spiking homeowner premiums, and a continuing rise in claims litigation.

I applaud Gov. DeSantis for calling a special session to address problems in Floridas property insurance market, said well-known insurance defense and regulatory attorney Fred Karlinsky, of Fort Lauderdale. Reform is necessary to curb the growth of fraudulent insurance claims and frivolous lawsuits, stem insurers financial losses, and provide relief to policyholders, who currently face higher rates and few insurance choices.

He added: The consequences of doing nothing would be far-reaching for the economy and for homeowners.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. president and executive director, Barry Gilway, said changes are needed.

Were looking forward to working with Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature to come up with meaningful reforms to address this critical issue, Gilway said.

DeSantis said Monday that he would call the session for some time in May, and would provide more details in coming days. The governors comments came the same day that the Florida Department of State announced that a poll of legislators failed to show enough support for a session called by lawmakers. State law allows that if a supermajority of both chambers agree, a special session can be convened.

The timing and substance of the May session will be critical, as reinsurance costs are expected to increase significantly for most carriers.

A recent report by investment analysts with JMP Securities warned that the June 1 Florida reinsurance renewal is likely to be one of the toughest in recent memory, with reinsurance prices that will be out of reach for some under-capitalized companies.

The issue lies in the very structure of the Florida market, the report noted. Many primary insurers rely on the availability and affordability of low layers of reinsurance protection  the very layers that have been destroyed by the recent elevated frequency of loss events, which has led to reinsurers running away from these layers as quickly as possible.

Upcoming price increases will be something a number of property insurers simply cant afford, the report said.

To help insurers avoid the high cost of reinsurance, many industry advocates have urged lawmakers to lower the retention level for the states $11 billion hurricane catastrophe fund. With a lower retention or deductible and lower premiums paid to the cat fund, carriers would be able to access the lower-cost fund sooner and buy less reinsurance.

State Sen. Jeff Brandes said earlier this year that lowering the retention could save homeowners as much as $1 billion a year or roughly $150 per year per policy.

At that legislative committee meeting in January, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Funds chief operating officer, along with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, pushed back on rapid changes to the funds retention requirements.

Stander and others in the industry said that talk among lawmakers is that the cat fund retention change will be very much on the table for a special session next month. But to save some companies, the changes may need to be retroactive to cover the current contract year. Some insurers will have to sign reinsurance policy contracts in May, although some payments are not due until August.

The special session is also expected to examine other changes that insurers have asked for, including roof-only deductibles, allowing HO policies to pay actual cash value for damaged roofs, instead of full replacement as is now required for many homes. Other ideas include revisiting ways to limit solicitation by roofers and further limiting attorneys fees and litigation.

A report this week from CaseGlide, a litigation management software firm, shows that the number of new litigated claims rose again in March. The lawsuits climbed 12% over Februarys numbers for the largest property insurers in Florida, and notices of intent to sue climbed 24%.

The trend line for combined new litigation and NOIs has been on an upward trajectory since December, said Wesley Todd, CEO of CaseGlide. Add to that the increase in percentage of AOB (assignment-of-benefits claims litigation), the highest weve recorded since mid-2019, and we continue to see cause for concern for the industry in Florida. Were also monitoring closely the call for a proposed property insurance special session in the Florida legislature and will comment on that as the situation progresses.

When lawmakers do convene for a special session in May, adoption of significant insurance reforms is far from certain, industry advocates pointed out. The same House of Representative leaders who were not enthusiastic about reforms during the regular session will be back in the Capitol for the special gathering.

And after a Congressional redistricting and so-called Disney punishment special session that began this week, some lawmakers may have little appetite for more heavy lifting and more controversial changes in the heat of summer in Tallahassee.

We should have addressed the property insurance market crisis when we had the chance during the Regular Legislative Session, state Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, told Florida Politics news site. Every day the Governor failed to take action was an additional day that Floridians had to shoulder the burden of out-of-control property insurance rates while also trying to make ends meet in light of Floridas skyrocketing cost of living.

Topics Florida
Kin Insurance, a direct-to-consumer, technology-based platform, announced it had closed a $175 million private placement catastrophe bond transaction with a newly established reinsurer.

The multi-year arrangement with Hestia Re Ltd. will back the Kin Interinsurance Network for hurricanes and other storms that may hit Florida, the company said in a news release Monday.

Our first catastrophe bond will be an integral part of Kins broader reinsurance program which protects our company, said Angel Conlin, chief insurance officer at Kin.

The transaction started with a goal of $100 million but was expanded after positive response from investors. Swiss Re Capital Markets and TigerRisk Capital Markets acted as structuring agents on the transaction.

The move comes on the heels of Kins announcement in March that it had raised $82 million from investors, which followed $133 million in equity funding. Kins book of business numbers were not available, but the company has said it operates in the catastrophe-prone states of Florida, Louisiana and California. The company offers homeowners, landlord, condo, and mobile home insurance through its Kin Interinsurance Network, a reciprocal exchange owned by customers who share in the underwriting profit, Kin explained.

Privately placed cat bonds, which pay out only in cases of catastrophic storms, were first offered about 10 years ago and have grown significantly since then, according to industry news reports.

Topics Catastrophe
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Monday issued a new report and webpage detailing insurer investments in fossil fuels.

The report is a study of fossil fuel investments by insurers, identifying insurance company holdings in green bonds that support clean energy investments and other environmental projects.

We need more climate-focused investments to solve our climate crisis, including from insurance companies that must do more to protect consumers and the environment, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement.

Visitors to the California Department of Insurance website can type in the name of their insurance company to find out what percentage of their premiums are invested in fossil fuels.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association, reached out to for comment, noted that insurers doubled their investments in green bonds in just one year, and that insurers have a unique role in fostering development of more green technologies and tools by making capital and protection available to industries as they transition to a lower carbon future.

Denni Ritter, assistant vice president for state government relations for APCIA, in an emailed response said the new CDI report provides useful data but that is shouldnt be used exclusively in evaluating the climate-related investment or commitments of any particular company, nor should the report be taken as a companys current investment strategy given the lag in reporting time cycles.

The strength of the insurance industry and its ability to fulfill the commitments to its policyholders relies on a robust and resilient investment strategy. Each insurer incorporates its own strategy in managing their investment portfolio, the statement continue. This diversity of investment strategies is reflected in insurers governance practices, investments and underwriting decision-making process, resulting in insurers taking very different approaches to their investments and business practices. This diversity brings strength and stability to the industry overall by avoiding concentration of investment risks.

Lara is working with other states to beef up climate disclosures at the national level. He led a bipartisan effort by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to adopt a new global standard for reporting insurance company climate risks on April 8 in alignment with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, or TCFD. Insurance regulators from France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom currently require TCFD-aligned reports.

U.S. financial regulators such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are also taking steps toward requiring TCFD-aligned disclosures for other financial institutions.

The CDIs new website and report are part of a Sustainable Insurance Roadmap that Lara is finalizing with the United Nations that includes increasing green investments, sustainable insurance products, and nature-based solutions as the core of the strategy.

Related:

Topics Carriers California Energy Oil Gas Training Development
The online marketplace Letgo is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after the parents of five children were fatally shot and robbed while using the app to try to buy a used SUV in suburban Denver in 2020.

The lawsuit filed in federal court last week on behalf of the victims family claims Letgo, which has been acquired by OfferUp, was negligent because it allowed the alleged shooter to become a verified seller using a fake name and despite his criminal history.

The lawsuit, which also names OfferUp as a defendant, argues that while Letgo advertises working with law enforcement agencies to keep its tens of millions of users safe, the only requirement to become a verified seller is a working email address.

The Letgo App provides an illusion that these alleged `verified accounts can and should be trusted above their online marketplace competition, according to the lawsuit. However, it has become increasingly clear that Letgo falsely advertises itself as a safe online marketplace for verified sellers without having any sort of legitimate verification process.

A spokesman for OfferUp, based in Bellevue, Washington, said Thursday he was looking into the lawsuit but declined further comment.

The Letgo app was incorporated into a similar OfferUp app shortly after the Colorado shooting but still exists independently outside the U.S.

In August 2020, Joseph Roland was looking for a vehicle for his teenage daughter and found a Toyota RAV4 advertised by a verified seller on Letgo named James Worthy, who was really an 18-year-old named Kyree Brown. Roland agreed to meet Brown in a parking lot near a mall in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

What was supposed to be a brief and safe transaction through Letgo  turned into a tragic nightmare, according to the lawsuit, which comes as law enforcement agencies across the country are encouraging buyers and sellers to meet in safer locations like police station parking lots.

When Roland and his wife, Jossline, arrived, Brown told them he had accidentally brought the wrong vehicle title and asked the couple to meet him elsewhere, according to the lawsuit.

They agreed and followed the man to the address, unsuspecting of any danger, since James Worthy was a Letgo verified seller,' the lawsuit said.

Brown is accused of pulling a handgun and shooting the couple to death after Joseph Roland tried to wrestle the weapon away. Investigators say the teen then fled with the $3,000 in cash the Rolands had brought with them to pay for the SUV, which had been reported stolen a few days before the Aug. 14, 2020, encounter.

Brown was arrested about two weeks after the shooting and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

It is outrageous conduct that Letgo led customers to believe the App had any legitimate verification process when, any user, (let alone Mr. Brown  who had a criminal record), could use fictitious names and sell stolen vehicles as verified by simply providing an e-mail address, the lawsuit says.

It also contends that had Letgo implemented stricter verification policies, it would not have taken police two weeks to track down the suspect.

In the Terms of Service section on OfferUps website, the company encourages third-party meetup spots like police stations to be placed in well-lit, busy areas with surveillance cameras, but says users acknowledge there are risks when buying and selling on an internet-based marketplace.

It is possible that other users may attempt to physically harm or defraud you or obtain information from you for fraudulent purposes, according to the terms, which also note that OfferUp does not investigate or verify any users criminal background.

In addition to negligence, Thursdays lawsuit accuses Letgo and OfferUp of fraud, misrepresentation and deceptive and unfair trade practices. It is seeking damages to be determined by a jury.

Jossline Roland used to work for the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya in Denver. That office filed the lawsuit along with Geragos & Geragos, another firm based in Los Angeles.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Colorado
The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld a jurys findings that illusionist David Copperfield and the MGM Grand hotel-casino were not financially responsible for a British tourists injuries during a signature vanishing act at a Las Vegas Strip show in 2013.

Gavin Cox and his wife, Minh-Hahn Cox, alleged that the multimillionaire magician, the hotel, two Copperfield business entities and a construction firm that was renovating the hotel caused permanent brain injuries for Cox when he fell while taking part in the trick as a randomly picked audience member.

In a complex verdict reached in May 2018 after several weeks of testimony, the jury found Copperfield, the hotel and Copperfields company, Backstage Disappearing Inc., negligent but not civilly liable for Coxs fall.

Cox had sought hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs and damages, but jurors found him responsible for his own injuries and he received no money.

Brian Harris, attorney for the couple, noted Friday that the court split 5-2 on its ruling, issued Thursday.

Had the dissenting opinion been shared by the majority, our clients would be looking at a new trial, Harris said. We are disappointed we wont have that opportunity.

Five justices rejected Harris argument that the trial judge should not have allowed attorneys for the hotel to show jurors surveillance videos of Cox walking with apparent ease to court with his dog on a leash.

In the courtroom, jurors saw Cox helped to the witness stand by his attorney or court officers. He testified that he needed assistance when not in court.

Copperfields illusion, dubbed the runaround by stagehands, appeared to make as many as 13 audience volunteers disappear onstage and reappear moments later in the back of the theater.

The jury heard that in less than 90 seconds, stagehands with flashlights ushered the audience members offstage through dark curtains, down passageways, outdoors and then indoors through a kitchen to re-enter the theater for the shows finale.

At trial, Coxs lawyer told the jury that hotel renovation work had left construction dust coating an alley that the group ran through.

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Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
A Northern California judge ruled that five Oakland police officers who fatally shot a homeless man in 2018 were unjustly fired and should have kept their jobs.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch said in his ruling issued last week that Oakland city employees improperly manipulated an outside investigators report that initially concluded the officers were unjustly fired and should have kept their jobs, the East Bay Times reported Thursday.

The officers fatally shot Joshua Pawlik, 31, in North Oakland on March 11, 2018. Pawlik was armed and asleep in a small space between two homes. Officers rustled him from his sleep and said they fired at him because he would not put down the gun.

Four of the officers, William Berger, Brandon Hraiz, Craig Tanaka and Sgt. Francisco Negrete, fired guns and Officer Josef Philips shot a bean bag.

Karen Boyd, Oaklands communications director, said in a statement that city officials adhered to the letter and spirit of the labor agreement, and believe the Court erred in finding otherwise.

We remain committed to ensuring our employees are afforded due process in all disciplinary processes, she added. She did not say whether the city would appeal the decision.

Michael Rains, an attorney who represented the officers, said the judges decision clears the path to allow them to either return to work for the Oakland Police Department or get retroactive pay. Its not clear what the officers will do, Rains said, adding that most of them are now working for other law enforcement agencies.

In 2020, the Oakland City Council agreed to pay $1.4 million to Pawliks mother to settle a wrongful death lawsuit.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Legislation
Environmental cleanup is underway following a fire at a gas station in Medford, Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality said that over 12,000 gallons of various petroleum products, mostly lube oil, were released into nearby Bear Creek and surrounding areas during the incident.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and NEXGEN Logistics, LLC are working on the cleanup, which also involves smaller amounts of diesel, gasoline, and kerosene. Absorbent booms have been placed in the creek to help absorb the oil.

Above-ground tanks at the fuel business were being emptied. DEQ said the containers appeared to have remained mostly intact.

Officials also said Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists have captured and cleaned several oiled waterfowl that remain under observation.

EPA set up community air quality monitors and said the air has remained at safe levels.

On Friday, the city of Medford identified seven businesses impacted by the fire, the Mail Tribune reported.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Energy Oil Gas Oregon
Atlanta, Ga., April 19, 2022  Breckenridge Insurance welcomes Wendy Sanderson, CIC as a broker/assistant vice president with more than 25 years of industry experience. She is primarily focused on workers compensation and casualty risks, with additional experience in commercial auto. Sanderson previously held a property and casualty broker business development position with oversight of several carrier partnerships and portals serving retail insurance agents throughout the southeast.

Wendy has a strong following with both carriers and clients. This coupled with her drive for success is a clear asset to our organization, stated Trevor Pierce, president of the brokerage and binding team. We are excited Wendy is here and we are confident she will help us to increase our presence in the southeast, added Teri Colburn, regional vice president and managing broker.

Sanderson is based in the Pensacola, Florida area and can be reached at wsanderson@breckis.com or 727-922-6251.

About Breckenridge Insurance:

BRECKENRIDGE INSURANCE is a wholesale brokerage, binding and programs insurance provider

delivering competitive commercial coverage solutions to independent agents and brokers nationally. With problem-solving specialists spanning a variety of industries and insurance lines, the team provides expertise and access to top-rated markets to help clients win business with underwriting integrity. As part of Breckenridge Group, access to additional specialty programs and a commitment to significant compliance and technology investments support the companys growth. For more information, please visit WWW.BRECKIS.COM or call 855.728.8822. CA Insurance License #0G13592

About Breckenridge Group:

Headquartered in Atlanta, Breckenridge Group is the parent company of several best-in-class brands that provide insurance and risk management solutions and services to diverse audiences across three practice areas: insurance, financial and member services. For more than a decade, the company has built a reputation for strategic growth by empowering expert talent who achieve inspiring results. More than 400 employees work across its six divisions including Breckenridge Insurance, Breckenridge General Agency, OSC Insurance Services, Southeastern Underwriters, Target Markets Program Administrators Association and Insurance Networks Alliance. For more information, please visit WWW.BRECKGRP.COM

Topics Agencies
News

Global Aluminum boride AlB2 powder market trend 2023-2030 Aluminum boride AlB2 powder is an ionic compound with a hexagonal crystal structure by Newsintegra927

Wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and the UK have risen 20 percent recently amid concerns about Russian supplies.

The EU plans to cut its dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and stop importing Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Russia exported about 155 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU in 2021.

The US recently said it would try to supply 15bn cubic meters of LNG to the EU this year. U.S. LNG plants are running at full capacity, and analysts say much of the extra gas the U.S. sends to Europe comes from what should have been exported elsewhere.

The German government called Russia "an unreliable energy supplier". Even though the German government claimed that they have been preparing for the situation for a long time that Russia may stop sending gas one day, experts say it is hard for the EU to replace all of Russia's gas exports any time soon.

The supply and prices of many Aluminum boride AlB2 powder will continue to be influenced by international situations.





Overview of aluminum boride AlB2 powder

Aluminum diboride AlB2 powder is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula AlB2. It is a binary compound formed from aluminum and boron. It is a red solid under normal temperature and pressure, insoluble in water.

Aluminum boride (AlB2) is a binary compound formed from aluminum and boron. It is a red solid under normal temperature and pressure. Heat will lose surface luster. Stable in cold dilute acid, decomposed in hot hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. It is obtained by mixing and heating fine powders of aluminum and boron.

Structurally, B atoms form graphite-like flakes with Al atoms, very similar to the structure of magnesium diboride. AlB2 single crystals exhibit metallic conductivity in axes parallel to the hexagonal plane of the substrate.

Aluminum boride is one of two compounds of aluminum and boron, the other is AlB12, commonly known as aluminum boride. AlB12 is a black glossy monoclinic crystal with a specific gravity of 2.55 (18C). Insoluble in water, acid and alkali. It decomposes in hot nitric acid and is obtained by fusing together boron trioxide, sulfur and aluminum. Single crystals of AlB2 are parallel to the hexagons of the matrix.

Aluminum boride AlB2 powder is considered a hazardous substance because it reacts with acids and hydrogen to produce toxic gases. For example, it reacts with hydrochloric acid to liberate borane and aluminum chloride.

The structure of aluminum diboride (AlB2) is similar to that of graphite flakes. There is an Al atom between the B atom and the B atom, which is very similar to the structure of magnesium diboride. The AlB2 single crystal exhibits metallic conductivity along an axis parallel to the hexagonal plane of the substrate.

The crystal structure of AlB2 is often used to describe the prototype structure of intermetallic compounds. There are various structural types in the AlB2 structural family.

Aluminum boride AlB2 powder is an ionic compound with a hexagonal crystal structure. Aluminum boride at an absolute temperature of 40K (equivalent to -233C) will transform into a superconductor. Its actual working temperature is 20~30K. To reach this temperature, we can use liquid neon, liquid or closed loop refrigerators to accomplish cooling. These methods are simpler and more economical than the current industry using liquid helium to cool niobium alloys (4K). Once carbon or other impurities, magnesium diboride, or electrification are added to a magnetic field, they retain as much superconductivity as niobium alloys, if not better.

Application of aluminum boride AlB2 powder

Aluminum boride AlB2 powder is a random (or rhombus) white or light yellow powder. Can be used as: non-toxic flame retardants, plastics, rubber, textiles, coatings, superconducting magnets, transmission lines, sensitive magnetic field detectors.

Aluminum boride AlB2 powder price

The price ofaluminum diboride AlB2 powder varies randomly due to factors such as production cost, transportation cost, international conditions, exchange rate, and market supply and demand of aluminum diboride AlB2 powder. Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. aims to help industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality, low-cost nanomaterials and chemicals by providing a full range of customized services. If you are looking for aluminum diboride AlB2 powder, please feel free to contact us for the latest price of aluminum diboride AlB2 powder.

Supplier of aluminum boride AlB2 powder

As a global aluminum diboride AlB2 powder supplier, Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd. has extensive experience in advanced engineering material properties, applications and cost-effective manufacturing. The company has successfully developed a series of boride powder materials (including aluminum diboride AlB2 powder, molybdenum boride, tungsten boride, etc.), high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services.

Aluminum Diboride AlB2 Powder Properties Other Names aluminium boride, aluminum diboride, AIB2 CAS No. 12041-50-8 Compound Formula AlB2 Molecular Weight 48.604 g/mol Appearance Copper-red solid Melting Point >920 C (decomposes) Solubility in water Insolutable Density 3.19 g/cm3 Purity >98.5% Particle Size 5-10um Poisson's Ratio N/A Specific Heat N/A Thermal Conductivity N/A Thermal Expansion N/A Young's Modulus N/A Exact Mass 49.000149 Monoisotopic Mass 49.000149





Gas supplies have been in short supply because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Combined with the situation that other renewable sources cannot produce enough electricity, electricity prices have soared in many parts all over the world. For this reason, I assume the supply and prices of the Aluminum boride AlB2 powder would keep being influenced by the high energy prices.



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Products

Global Lithium Batteries market trend 2023-2028 What is the history of lithium batteries? by Newsintegra927

US President recently decided to invoke a Cold War-era defense law to encourage domestic Lithium Batteries.

Early R&D of Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries were first used in pacemakers. Lithium-ion batteries have the advantages of extremely low self-discharge rate and flat discharge voltage, so that the pacemaker implanted in the human body can operate for a long time without recharging. Lithium batteries generally have a nominal voltage higher than 3.0 volts and are more suitable for integrated circuit power supplies. Manganese dioxide batteries are widely used in calculators, digital cameras, and watches.

In order to develop varieties with better performance, various materials have been researched, resulting in unprecedented products.

In 1992, Sony successfully developed lithium-ion batteries. Its practical application greatly reduces the weight and volume of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebooks, and calculators.

What is the development process of lithium batteries?

In 1970, M.S. Whittingham of Exxon used titanium sulfide as the positive electrode material and metal lithium as the negative electrode material to make the first lithium battery.

In 1980, J. Goodenough discovered that lithium cobalt oxide can be used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

In 1982, R.R. Agarwal and J.R. Selman of the Illinois Institute of Technology discovered that lithium ions have the property of intercalating graphite, a process that is fast and reversible. At the same time, the safety hazards of lithium batteries made of metal lithium have attracted much attention. Therefore, people have tried to use the characteristics of lithium ions embedded in graphite to make rechargeable batteries. The first usable lithium-ion graphite electrode was successfully trial-produced at Bell Laboratories.

In 1983, M. Thackeray, J. Goodenough and others found that manganese spinel is an excellent cathode material with low price, stability and excellent conductivity and lithium conductivity. Its decomposition temperature is high, and its oxidizing property is much lower than that of lithium cobalt oxide. Even if there is a short circuit or overcharge, it can avoid the danger of burning and explosion.

In 1989, A.Manthiram and J.Goodenough found that a positive electrode with a polymeric anion would produce a higher voltage.

In 1991, Sony Corporation released the first commercial lithium-ion battery. Subsequently, lithium-ion batteries revolutionized the face of consumer electronics.

In 1996, Padhi and Goodenough found that phosphates with an olivine structure, such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), are more superior than traditional cathode materials, so they have become the current mainstream cathode materials.

With the widespread use of digital products such as mobile phones and notebook computers, lithium-ion batteries are widely used in such products with excellent performance, and are gradually developing into other product application fields.

In 1998, Tianjin Power Research Institute began commercial production of lithium-ion batteries.

On July 15, 2018, it was learned from Keda Coal Chemistry Research Institute that a special carbon anode material for high-capacity and high-density lithium batteries with pure carbon as the main component came out in the institute. The cruising range of the car can exceed 600 kilometers.

In October 2018, the research group of Professor Liang Jiajie and Chen Yongsheng of Nankai University and the research group of Lai Chao of Jiangsu Normal University successfully prepared a silver nanowire-graphene three-dimensional porous carrier with a multi-level structure, and supported metal lithium as a composite anode material. This carrier can inhibit the formation of lithium dendrites, thereby enabling ultra-high-speed charging of batteries, which is expected to significantly extend the "lifetime" of lithium batteries.

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The World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) said in a statement that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine poses risks to global food supplies, and called on the international community to increase support for vulnerable countries and jointly address food security challenges.

A few days ago, the Executive director of the World Food Program, the European Commission's commissioner in charge of crisis management, the French Foreign Minister of the ROTATING EU presidency, and other officials held a meeting in Rome, Italy, to discuss how to deal with the negative impact of the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine on global food security.

One of the officials told a news conference after the meeting that the world was facing a food supply challenge that would "last for many years" as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine pushed up global food prices and disrupted the Lithium Batteries will continue.

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Global market trend 2022-2028 The continuous fluctuation of steel futures prices also affects the price of the nsk 6001z bearing by Newsintegra927

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The price of nsk 6001z bearing continues to be affected by factors such as market decline momentum, various opportunities and challenges. However, during the forecast period from 2022 to 2025, the global nsk 6001z bearing sales market is expected to continue to be above average. The growth rate will continue to increase. It is expected that In the second half of this year, the price of nsk 6001z bearing will increase to a certain extent. If you are looking for nsk 6001z bearing or get more information about nsk 6001z bearing, please send an email to sales@ericbearing.com .

The continuous fluctuation of steel futures prices also affects the price of nsk 6001z bearing

Since March, the factory price of coke after 5 rounds of price rises, up to 1000 yuan/ton, directly pushed up the steel production cost of 380 yuan/ton. Iron ore prices rose to 1,000 yuan per ton from 700 yuan at the beginning of the year, pushing up steel production costs by 190 yuan per ton. According to estimates, the production cost of billet this week has reached 4740 yuan/ton, rebar 4890 yuan/ton, hot coil 5040 yuan/ton, thick plate 5140 yuan/ton, cold rolled plate 5690 yuan/ton.

At present, the gross profit of rebar, hot coil and medium thick plate is maintained at about 150 yuan/ton, while the gross profit of cold rolled plate and galvanized plate is close to the edge of loss. Since the beginning of the year, a sharp rise in industrial raw materials, including energy and steel, has severely compressed the profit margins of downstream manufacturers. According to statistics, as of April 15, the price of energy rose by 30%, the price of non-ferrous metals by 35%, the price of chemical raw materials by 24%, and the price of building materials by 7%. Steel prices rose 5% in the same period last year, the increase seems small, in fact, last April to May is a period of domestic steel prices rose significantly, this year in the environment of a significant reduction in demand is still maintained at last year's high, steel prices can not be said not high.

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The global bearing market value in 2020 is 123.34 billion U.S. dollars and is expected to reach 153.62 billion U.S. dollars by 2027, and the compound annual growth rate will also increase steadily.

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Humanitarian and housing costs of caring for 5.5m Ukrainian refugees will amount to 50bn to 60bn, necessitating more EU funds, a ratings firm has estimated.

DBRS Morningstar said Ukraine's immediate neighbours, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania will bear significant costs and that while there is money available in existing budgets, it predicts "the need for future new funding at the EU level".
During the research for my biography of the American guitarist Bill Frisell I put in a request for an interview with Paul Simon, who was coming to Dublin to play a concert. Frisell and Simon had a loose connection  the guitarist had guested on a track on the legendary singer-songwriters 2006 album Surprise, and I had heard Simon was a great admirer of Frisells work.

The Sony Music press officer in Dublin told me, however, that there was absolutely no way Paul Simon was going to talk to me: he didnt have an album to promote; the absolute worst time to approach him was during a long and arduous global arena tour; and in all the previous times he had been in the country, Simon had never, ever granted an interview via his record company in Ireland.

I tried to explain that my request was a little different, that I wanted to play Paul Simon some of Bill Frisells music, and the PR person did at least promise to pass on my email to Simons management in the US. A few days later he called me back. Well, I cannot quite believe it, he began, because hes actually said yes. Now tell me again  just who is this guy Bill Frisell?

Its a fair enough question. Though the answer is not always so straightforward  not least because, over a period of 45 years, 41 albums as leader, appearances on more than 300 recordings, and innumerable tours and live performances  Frisell is back in Ireland at the end of this month playing the Bray Jazz Festival  the guitarist has established himself as one of the most diverse and panoramic musicians at work today.

On one level, 71-year-old Frisell is a consummate and celebrated jazz player, composer and improviser. He has been called the musing poet of the jazz guitar and lauded in the New York Times as the most significant and widely imitated guitarist to emerge in jazz since the beginning of the 1980s. Frisell has topped jazz charts and polls, and worked with many jazz greats.

Bill Frisell and Philip Watson at a book signing in London.

Im fine with being described as a jazz guitarist, and I respect that, and theres certainly plenty to do within that form, Frisell told me. Its just that when I think about some of the people whove inspired me  Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis  for me, jazz is not so much a style as a way of thinking, a process of transforming whats around you. What bothers me is when the word is used to describe some music that excludes something else; its like there are these rules that keep people apart. Im just trying not to shut anything out.

On another level, therefore, he is so much more than a jazz elder or master, and his open and adventurous approach to music is a major part of his wider appeal. Frisells reach and dedicated following stretch far beyond the freeform yet sometimes introspective borders of jazz into a musical world shaped and inspired by a vast range of forms  from bluegrass to pop, Americana to avant-garde, blues to West African, folk to film music, ambient to alt-rock, country to classical.

By bringing in and blending all these styles into his playing and seamlessly synthesising them into one highly individual sound, modest, mild-mannered Frisell has become the most unlikely of guitar heroes, a gentle agent of change who has inspired others to expand their view of what jazz and music can be.

Add a spare yet evocative technique that values space, shape and structure; a very musical approach to the infinite opportunities afforded by an array of guitar pedals and effects; and Frisells enthusiasm for exploring the interplay between music and the visual arts (on stage at the Cork Opera House, for example, for a gala screening of Bill Morrisons film The Great Flood at the 2012 Cork Film Festival)  and the layers of meaning and potential in Frisells music become even greater. For me, music has always been this world where anything is possible, he once said.

It was largely for this reason that I decided to write a book on Bill Frisell, to tell his personal and creative story for the first time. After we initially discussed the idea, however, at the Kilkenny Arts Festival in 2014, where he was playing a series of concerts as one of its artists-in-residence, Frisell said no. He was cautious and reluctant, maybe understandably, and he couldnt imagine what I would write about or that I would have enough material.

The following year though  after we had agreed on such matters as the amount of access I was looking for ( lots) and that the book was to be entirely independent of him editorially and financially  Frisell finally said yes.

The research and writing took a good amount of time. Frisell has been described as the favourite guitarist of many people who agree on little else in music, a much sought-after player who has worked with a great many musicians, both in his own groups and on more than 300 recordings.

My list of interviewees, both in Europe and the US, was vast and various  as well as Paul Simon, it included Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams and Marianne Faithfull, and such jazz luminaries as Pat Metheny, Jan Garbarek and Jason Moran.

Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer.

Early on in the process I also hit upon the idea of an unusual three-fold structure: the book alternates between chapters that are narrative, thematic and Counterpoints  listening sessions in which I play tracks from various Frisell albums to, as well as Paul Simon, contributors such as Gus Van Sant, Rhiannon Giddens, Gavin Bryars, Sam Amidon and Justin Vernon/Bon Iver. I conducted one such session with fiddler Martin Hayes and guitarist Dennis Cahill in the living room of my house in Cork.

It turned out Frisell was wrong about the lack of things to write about in his deep and prolific career  451 pages wrong. Because seven years later, in March of this year, Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist Who Changed the Sound of American Music was published in fine style by Faber. Frisell even flew in from New York to mark the occasion by playing a special solo concert in London.

Yes, seven years  although, admittedly, I wasnt working on the book full-time and the pandemic put back publication by twelve months. Seven years is also a modest amount of time compared to, say, American critic and biographer Stanley Crouch, who spent longer on his two-volume life of Charlie Parker than the 34 years Bird actually lived  and died before he could complete it.

Even though there were times when I became disheartened and overwhelmed, it was worth every one of those more than 2,500 days.

It stretched me infinitely more as a writer than anything I had worked on before, and I learned an enormous amount about such things as patience and perseverance, honesty and good humour. I also learned something about story-telling, about playing and appreciating the long game  about the journey being the thing.

What music has shown me is that its not about a goal or anything, Frisell told me, in response to a question about the most important lesson that life has taught him. You have to feel good about being in the process rather than expecting some ultimate reward. Just to be in it, and enjoy being in it, and doing the best you can: thats the whole idea.

Philip Watson will discuss his biography of Bill Frisell with guitarist Johnny Scott at Triskel, Cork on Thursday, April 21, at 7pm (triskelartscentre.ie), as part of the Cork World Book Fest, which runs April 19-24. Admission is free; to register go to corkworldbookfest.com

Bill Frisell plays the Bray Jazz Festival on April 29 (brayjazz.com)

My five favourite Frisells

Have a Little Faith (1993): Frisells musical equivalent of the Great American Novel, an absorbing adventure that spans 125 years and embraces such singular if disparate spirits as Bob Dylan, Aaron Copland, Muddy Waters, John Hiatt, Sonny Rollins and Madonna.

Good Dog, Happy Man (1999): A revelatory album that is 30 per cent jazz, 50 per cent Americana/roots/country and 70 per cent Bill Frisell  a deceptively simple and quietly timeless masterpiece that is bigger than maths, categories or genre.

The Intercontinentals (2003): The Frisell world music album I played to Paul Simon. Something like a contemporary quilt: multilayered, collaborative, rooted in various historical traditions and sewn together into one artistic and harmonious whole.

East/West (2005): A thrilling double live album of Frisell exploring and expanding the art of the guitar trio, via a fascinating collection of originals, standards, traditional tunes and popular songs. Frisell at his most expressive, joyous, inventive and unpredictable.

Music IS (2018): Pure, unadulterated Frisell in a studio, solo, with a bunch of great-sounding guitars and a selection of his own wonderfully elusive compositions. A model of Frisells advanced art and appeal  melodic beauty, harmonic depth, sensitivity of touch and the suggestion of myriad musical selves.
Despite being holed up in her apartment for most of 2020, Dua Lipa cemented herself as one of the biggest pop stars in the world with the release of her second album, the irresistible Future Nostalgia. After a couple of cancellations and rescheduling, she finally brings her tour to Ireland for a date at Dublins 3Arena on Wednesday. Duas also just wrapped her first season as a podcast host with At Your Service.

Its pretty standard interview fare but when youve got a contacts list like Dua, you can call on some pretty big guests. The list includes Three Women author Lisa Taddeo, Elton John, and Megan Thee Stallion, who discusses their just released collaboration, The Sweetest Pie. But the first episode, with Olivier Rousteing, creative director of French fashion house Balmain, is the best of the bunch. Dua offers empathy as Rousteing discusses the search for his birth parents and coming to terms with the burn injuries he sustained in a fireplace explosion in 2020. We could have taken a series of interviews just between those two.
Ireland's voice will be used to demand "accountability" for Russian war crimes in Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has pledged.

Mr Coveney will on Tuesday address the UN Security Council, of which Ireland is a member, on the Russian invasion of its neighbour, saying he will push for Russia to answer for atrocities carried out in the war since February 24.

He said he will use his speech to demand Russia be held responsible for atrocities in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian people need and deserve full accountability for the atrocities that continue to be uncovered daily," he said. "I will be using Irelands voice at the Security Council to emphasise this. I will also be raising our grave concerns that we are facing into renewed Russian attacks in the east of Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands of lives at stake.

The humanitarian toll on civilians of this war is unconscionable. Two-thirds of Ukraines children are now displaced from their homes.

"This madness can stop today if Russia agrees to an immediate ceasefire, a withdrawal to pre-24th February positions, and a commitment to a dialogue. I commend Turkeys efforts in hosting talks between the parties in Istanbul and urge all UN member states to support diplomatic efforts."

Last Thursday, Mr Coveney became the first foreign minister from a state on the Security Council to visit Kyiv since the start of the war. He is also the first foreign minister to visit the besieged suburb of Bucha and to observe first-hand the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the mass graves that have been uncovered.

Speaking ahead of his address, Mr Coveney said: In my meetings with Minister Kuleba and Minister Reznikov in Kyiv, I gave Irelands commitment to continue to use our voice at the highest level in the EU and at the UN Security Council to call for an immediate halt to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and for a genuine commitment to a negotiated solution. I am using the earliest opportunity at the Security Council to do this."

'Fight to the end'

Meanwhile, Ukrainian leaders have pledged to fight absolutely to the end in Mariupol where the ports last-known pocket of resistance is holed up in a sprawling steel plant laced with tunnels.

Prime minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukrainians would keep fighting in the ruined city, as Russian missiles and rockets also battered other parts of the country.

Monday also saw at least six people killed in multiple explosions apparently caused by missiles which struck the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
A ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will take place in Cork city later this month.

The ceremony, organised by the Greater Chernobyl Cause, will take place at 12 noon at Bishop Lucey Park on April 26, to commemorate the disaster which took place on April 26, 1986.

Fiona Corcoran of the Greater Chernobyl Cause said: During a test at 1:21am in the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, the No 4 reactor exploded and released 30 to 40 times the radioactivity of both atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No one can predict what will finally be the exact number of human victims of the Chernobyl disaster.

She pointed out that this years commemoration will take place against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, following the Russian invasion in February.

She said the war was causing enormous suffering.

As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine deteriorates, we are desperately trying to get aid to those who need it most. We have worked in Ukraine for more than 25 years, assisting the poor, ill and desperate, funding the construction of orphanages, care centres and hospices for those abandoned and forgotten.

Many of those we help have now had to flee from the Russian onslaught. We do not know if they have survived.

She said Ukrainian people would be honoured at the commemoration event through music, poetry and prayer.

Children from Goggins Hill National School will sing the Ukrainian national anthem, in solidarity with those Ukrainian children, who up until seven weeks ago, had homes, security and normal lives, Ms Corcoran said.

She added the empathy and love of the Irish will be evident as we stand with Ukraine in their time of need.

She said everyone was welcome at the event to show their support to the people of Ukraine.
It's very clear that there are no levels of depravity to which Vladimir Putin will not sink. He is waging not just a war, but a war of terror against the Ukrainian people. There are no targets not considered legitimate, no sections of the population regarded as off-limits. Babies and children, it is clear, are just as likely to be murdered on his orders as soldiers are. He will go down in history as a war criminal.

When it comes to political depravity, however, youd really begin to wonder what depths Boris Johnson wont plumb in order to distract attention from his own disgusting carry-on. He has one thing and one thing only on his mind. To persuade his increasingly hapless and supine party that they should keep him as prime minister until he can find a way to wriggle free from the scandals he has created.

Thats why he went to Ukraine, to parade alongside Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the hope that some of the glow of a genuine hero would brush off on him. I can only imagine the lengths the Ukrainians had to go to to keep him safe on their territory, when a phone call would have sufficed. And they must know how awful the British government response has been to the plight of Ukrainian refugees.

But Johnson probably knew the fines were about to be issued for the partygate affair, and he was so desperate to look good that everyone had to be put at risk.

But theres even worse. I dont believe I have ever come across a more shocking and ugly idea than Boris Johnsons latest effort to distract.

I didnt think it was possible for a democratically elected leader to come up with something so tawdry. But hes done it.

From now on, anyone hoping to seek asylum in Britain, picked up from a boat in the British channel, will immediately be put on a plane and flown to Rwanda. No legal rights, no due process, no appeal, no enquiry about the legitimacy of individual claims. Rwanda will be paid by the British government to process these claims. They can accept them or reject them, and if they reject them, Britain will presumably pay Rwanda to send these people back to wherever they came from.

People fleeing from torture, people in fear of their lives, or simply people hoping to make a better life for themselves  there will be no distinction. All will go immediately to Rwanda.

Rwanda is roughly the size of Munster, with a population more than twice that of Ireland. Its already among the most densely populated countries in the world. An article in the Guardian newspaper by Joshua Surtees, who used to work for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, described the plan as a decision by one of the 10 richest countries in the world to deport people to one of the 25 poorest countries in the world.

Obviously, Rwanda must need the money and, obviously, it doesnt cost Boris Johnson a thought to take advantage of that. And he has the gall to cloak it in language like our compassion may be infinite but our capacity to help people is not.

Its the same language used by the more odious proponents of Brexit to foster the impression that Britain was in danger of being overrun by dangerous foreigners.

As Surtees says in his piece, Johnsons disreputable government is trying to win kudos by positioning Britain as a country closed to the world, and especially to those who need its sanctuary the most.

Theyre trying to pretend that this Rwanda plan is all about combatting the traffickers who exploit desperate people. Theyve done nothing concrete about that for years, of course, and its just another bit of the hypocrisy around this disgusting scheme.

Alf Dubs came to Britain as a child refugee from Czechoslovakia at the start of the Second World War and had a distinguished career as a Labour MP. Hes now a member of the House of Lords and has vowed to fight the Rwanda plan tooth and nail. When the point about trafficking was put to him, he was scornful. This, he said, is state-sponsored people trafficking. Its early to say if they will get away with it. There is opposition already, some of it coming from unlikely places. The British Home Office, itself no bastion of liberalism, has gone on record expressing serious doubts that the plan can work and has challenged its odious boss Priti Patel, herself the daughter of Indian and Ugandan parents, to issue specific instructions in the matter. Senior church leaders are speaking out in pretty trenchant language. There will certainly be legal challenges.

But the charlatan who currently inhabits 10 Downing Street appears determined to press on.

Of course, this is exactly the sort of cheap populist gesture he has learned from the Trump playbook. Like Trumps border wall, its the sort of thing that appeals to the meaner and baser instincts. And, of course, it has the potential to be polarising, cementing whats left of his base and creating enemies of the other.

Perhaps hes doing it because he believes this is where the British people are at. They voted for Brexit, after all. They wanted to take back control of their borders because Johnson and others manipulated the truth to persuade them their borders were in danger.

But thats not the Britain I recognise. Our neighbouring country is at heart a place of decent traditions, and its a place where honour matters. This is utterly dishonourable.

But maybe Johnson actually knows where Britain and its people are really at right now. This is not about fear of refugees. Instead, it is yet another desperate attempt to save him from the reckoning that is surely coming.

There was a letter from an ordinary man called John Robinson from Staffordshire in some UK papers last week, and I think it reflects the real truth of peoples feelings. He describes his wifes death from Covid early in the pandemic, the pain of her loss and the unbearable pain of being unable to mourn her the way she deserved. Her son-in-law had to stay away from the churchyard, as he would have been the forbidden seventh mourner.

And then he talks about Johnsons partying, in breach of all the rules he had imposed on others. And he says, Anger doesnt even touch the sides of how I feel about this pathetic excuse for a man, and I suspect that the majority of us little people share my views, will never forget and will never forgive. I dont think I could have expressed it better. Johnsons hypocrisy has been revealed to everyone in full technicolour. And his Rwanda plan is the ultimate expression of a truly pathetic excuse for a leader. I dont know how much longer its going to take for his party to decide they cant stomach him anymore. I do know that he will go down in history as simply the worst British prime minister in history, and it cant happen soon enough.
Bank Holiday weekend joy for a GAA club in Galway quickly turned into despair when a young camogie player tragically lost her life following an accident in a match.

Celebrations were just beginning to start in Athenry after the clubs U-15 hurling and camogie teams completed a unique double at the weekend by winning the Feile na nGael county titles when the terrible news emerged of the incident in a senior league game in Ardrahan.

Kate Moran, whose dad Cathal, a former Galway hurler who was a mainstay of the Athenry team which won the All-Ireland club title in 1997, 2000 and 2001, had been seriously injured in an accidental collision in their game against Ardrahan.

Medical crews from three ambulances treated her at the south Co Galway venue before she was rushed to University College Hospital. Gardai also attended the scene.

Prayers were offered at a special Mass in Athenry on Tuesday morning after news of the incident spread. The local community's worst fears were realised when 20-year old Kate, a Commerce student at NUIG, was pronounced dead.

The former pupil at Presentation College in Athenry was an accomplished camogie player who won All-Ireland underage medals with Galway in addition to numerous titles with her club and colleges.

The family run a successful auctioneering business and are well-known and well-regarded throughout mid Co Galway.

Kate was the eldest of four children and is survived by her parents Mary and Cathal, brother Thady and sisters Leah and Saoirse.

Tributes have been pouring in since news of the tragedy emerged.

This is a terrible tragedy for her family, our club and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events, said a statement from Athenry Camogie Club.

Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Moran family and friends. Kate will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Kate began playing with Athenry Camogie Club at underage level and quickly progressed to senior A level with great distinction. She holds a Feile, county minor and other titles. She played in a club All-Ireland intermediate final.

She won two All-Irelands at U16 level with Galway, both titles she was incredibly proud of. She was a tremendous role model for our many underage players and a wonderful leader both on and off the field of play. Her bubbly personality will be remembered for eternity.

We have been in contact with Kates parents and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time."

The club said offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated.

The club is open to members, to support them and to offer them advice and guidance. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time, said the statement from Athenry Camogie Club.

RTE sports commentator Marty Morrissey told RTE radio that the people of Galway are united in grief at the loss of Kate.

"Our deepest sympathies goes to the family of Kate Moran. Mary and Cathall are steeped in hurling. Cathal was part of the Athenry team that won the All Ireland club in '97, 2000, 2001. Kate was a brilliant, brilliant camogie player.

"She won two All-Ireland U16 medals. Our deepest sympathies to her brother Thady and her sisters Leah and Saoirse following this accidental collision. Our hearts go out to everybody in Athenry because they will be heartbroken over this very unfortunate accident. And we pass on our sympathies to the Moran family."

'A role model and leader'

Fianna Fail Councillor Albert Dolan of Monivea, who went to primary school with the Camogie player described her as a bubbly young woman who was talented at anything in life she chose to pursue.

"She was a model student. Growing up she used to Irish dance in Monivea and she was very talented in that as well. There is no doubt that anything she did she was very talented at," said the councillor, who added: "The public outpour shows the impact that her life had on the community and on everyone she knew. She was very popular. She was very well-liked."

Mr Dolan said told RTE radio that the incident is a "shocking" thing to have happened.

"A young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Just thinking of the Easter weekend there so many young people were out. They were enjoying themselves. They had a great time.

"Poor Kate was out playing the sport that she loved and this happened. It is just so, so sad. Cathal and Mary [Kate's parents] would have spent the last two years diligently fundraising for Athenry camogie to develop their new facility and to think that Kate will not get to experience those fantastic facilities that are going to be provided. It is so sad."

Galway Camogie also issued a statement expressing condolences on the death of the young player.

Our heartfelt and deepest condolences to the Moran family, Kates friends and all the members of Athenry Camogie Club.

She was a member of Galway Camogie underage panels and won two U16 All Ireland medals with Galway. She was a role model and leader both on and off the field.

A garda investigation has been launched into the death.
Russia appears to have begun its new offensive in the east of Ukraine, Ukraine's top security official has said.

"This morning, along almost the entire front line of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, the occupiers attempted to break through our defences," Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said in comments broadcast on Ukrainian television this evening.

"They began their attempt to start the active phase this morning," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a significant part of the Russian army is now focused on taking control of eastern Ukraine.

In a video address, he said Russian troops had begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time.

Graphic: PA

Mr Zelenskyy vowed that Ukrainian forces would continue the fight despite the escalation.

No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight he said. We will defend ourselves. We will do it every day.

The Donbas is Ukraines mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland in the east. It is the region where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for the past eight years and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Russia - Donetsk and Luhansk.

In recent weeks, Kremlin declared the capture of the Donbas its main goal of the war after its attempt to storm Kyiv faltered.

Ukrainian servicemen walk among debris of damaged buildings after a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Picture: AP Photo/Felipe Dana

The announcement came as Russia bombarded the western city of Lviv and numerous other targets across Ukraine in what appeared to be an intensified bid to grind down the countrys defences.

At the same time, the Kremlin continued building up its forces in the east.

At least seven people were reported killed in the missile strikes on Lviv, a city close to the Polish border that has seen only sporadic attacks during almost two months of war and has become a haven for civilians fleeing the fighting elsewhere.
ALGIERS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, held a phone conversation on Monday, exchanging views over bilateral cooperation as well as a series of regional issues.

According to a statement from the Algerian Presidency, Tebboune and Putin discussed the forthcoming bilateral economic cooperation and pledged to further exchange high-level visits.

The two presidents also talked about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the escalating tensions between Palestine and Israel.

In a Kremlin's press release, Putin and Tebboune agreed to continue coordination within the format of the OPEC+, a loosely-affiliated entity consisting of the 13 OPEC members and 10 world's major non-OPEC oil-exporting nations, to ensure stability of global energy markets.

They "agreed to maintain contacts at various levels," it added. 
Burma Almost 2,000 People Displaced by Junta Raids in Western Myanmar

Junta convoy travelling on the Mindat-Matupi Road. / CDF

Nearly 2,000 villagers in western Myanmars Chin State have been displaced by fighting between junta troops and local resistance group Chinland Defense Force-Matupi (CDF-Matupi) that erupted during the Thingyan Water Festival.

Military regime forces raided villages along the Matupi-Paletwa Road between April 10 and 16 after CDF-Matupi ambushed junta reinforcements traveling the road. The regime reinforcements reportedly consisted of approximately 300 soldiers in seven trucks who were traveling to Paletwa from Matupi, according to a leader of CDF-Matupi.

We intercepted the junta reinforcements heading to Paletwa. After we withdrew, they raided villages and looted domestic animals as well as rice. In Wa Lan Pi Village, they torched all the silos in the village, he told The Irrawaddy.

The two sides exchanged fire three times following ambushes and mine attacks on the junta reinforcements, said CDF-Matupi. The resistance group said ten regime soldiers were killed and five others injured during the clashes, which also left a resistance fighter wounded.

Residents from villages along the Matupi-Paletwa Road have fled into the hills for fear of retaliation and are in need of humanitarian supplies. But local aid groups are struggling to assist them, as regime forces are blocking the routes into the hills.

One member of a civil society organization based in Matupi Town said: Villagers from six villages along the Matupi-Paletwa Road have fled. As [the regime] has cut off communication services, we cant contact them. We want to help them, but it is difficult just to go outside Matupi Town due to safety concerns.

The junta convoy has been delayed by the attacks from resistance fighters and has yet to reach Paletwa, which borders Rakhine State. Regime soldiers reportedly also looted trucks and motorbikes from Wa Lan Thae Village in Matupi.

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Guest Column In Myanmar, Dont Mention the Coup

An anti-coup rally in front of the UN office in Yangon in February 2021. / The Irrawaddy

A recent job posting for the international non-profit organization Search for Common Ground sought a proactive, dynamic and experienced person to work in their Yangon office on Youth, Peace and Security. The posting failed to mention the February 1 2021 military coup, but did proclaim that Search Myanmar is at an exciting stage and has been trying to reach a new level of growth, scaling upto support its strategy in-country to support Myanmar in its priorities of peace, development and democratic change. Im not sure exciting stage is the apt characterization for contemporary Myanmar. Search is also looking for a Conflict Analyst, a Project Director, a Gender and Diversity Consultant and several other positions.

There has been a flurry of new job postings in the international development space in Myanmar, many of which avoid mentioning the coup. When the issue does arise, it is referred to as a military takeover, likely because the Ministry of Information under the juntas State Administration Council (SAC) banned the use of the term coup, as well as the terms junta and regime. It all contributes to a strained return to normalcy, as the United Nations (UN), international organizations, and Western embassies all contrive to rationalize the relentless bad news from around the country.

Filling jobs is prosaic way to keep busy. Nor does aid money spend itself. Although it would be a demonstration of common decency if job postings didnt talk about exciting opportunities when so many potential applicants have been killed in street protests, are in prison, have gone underground to continue civil disobedience, have been exiled, or have chosen to take up arms against a brutal and illegal military system. That rather limits the pool of applicants, something which they could have acknowledged in their search for common ground.

In the aftermath of the first anniversary of Myanmars putsch, there was the inevitable slew of morosely serious webinars, which blend into a distant droning sound of helplessness until one discerns the rising signals of reengagement amongst many international donors and diplomats. There are signs big and small, from the woeful visit of outgoing Australian Ambassador Andrea Faulkner to SAC head Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw in early April, obviously on instructions from the Australian government, obtuse statements from diplomats in Yangon, to continued recruitment of multiple positions that scream business as usual and the continued operations of programs that a coup would normally halt.

The UNs most superfluous agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has also advertised for a new Myanmar country director. Yet the UNODC Asia Pacific Regional Director, the studiously self-promoting Jeremy Douglas with his steely Elliot Ness-like intensity, has been spouting alarmist nonsense about a post-coup explosion of crystal methamphetamine production and the perfect conditions for criminal enterprises, given that the Myanmar Police Force (MPF) is otherwise occupied suppressing dissent. The rise of meth production in northern Shan State preceded the coup by years, the MPF only arrest low-level traffickers and users, not major players protected by the military, and the UNODC hasnt had much success in drug eradication in Myanmar in several decades.

Also, the UNs common position doesnt permit any interaction with the Myanmar military or police, so what exactly would the successful applicant be doing? The job posting states; Keep abreast with the latest developments and trends in Myanmar regarding all areas under UNODC mandates and advise on possible policy and operational responses; Represent UNODCs position and interests in Myanmar and liaise with Governments institutions [in line with the common UN position], civil society, regional and international aid agencies and financial institutions, and the media. So really not much of any use. Or is it the thin edge of a wedge of reengagement? UNODC permitted the attendance of an SAC official at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs several weeks after the coup, and it worked closely with the MPF on drafting the 2014 Anti-Terrorism Law, so its new country head should be watched closely.

The World Food Programme (WFP), arguably one of the the most important agencies operating given the scale of food insecurity and conflict-induced displacement, recently released its 2021 Highlights, not exactly a very conflict-sensitive title. It referred not to a coup detat or widespread atrocities, but to a Political CrisisMyanmar military stages a takeover prompting near paralysis of economy and public services, while the number of people receiving assistance increased by one million. An overall tepid description of what the WFP continues to call a crisis.

UN Secretary General Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzers efforts have also dissolved into bland formula, especially after she was pilloried for her remarks (or misstatement) on power sharing in late January. Her April 1 visit to Cambodia resulted in a limp concoction of generalities as she pledged to: continue to amplify the voices of the people of Myanmar and encourage international action based on an accurate assessment of the situationcontinue to engage with all key stakeholders, focusing on helping articulate the bottom-lines and conditions needed for momentum towards any talks about talks in the greater interest of peace, stability and democracy. Its as if the coup didnt happen, the SAC doesnt exist, or that the military regime isnt the primary perpetrator of the violence she hopes to quell. Stringing inoffensive words together sends clear signals for the UN inside Myanmar and others to get back to work.

The UN Office Coordinating Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has also distributed a clear set of Joint Operating Standards (JOS) that are a model of rectitude and humanitarian impartiality. However, when one sees this contained in the JOS, this engagement must be principled and should never be considered political legitimization, recognition of  or support to  a party of conflict, the question is how much legitimization the UN as a whole is bestowing on the SAC as a matter of course? The appointment of the American humanitarian expert Liam Mahony to be an advisor to the UN Humanitarian Country Team in Yangon may provide answers to this. Mahony produced a number of excoriating reports on the UN and international NGOs failures in Rakhine State, A Slippery Slope and in 2018 Time to Break Old Habits, about the massive failures of the international community to prevent the atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.

The promise of peace has been exhumed in other ways than just Search Myanmar. The 11-donor Joint Peace Fund (JPF), a US$100 million Ponzi scheme of Western donor avarice and incompetence, has staged a Lazarus-like rebirth with a new strategy: Following the military takeoverthe JPF conducted a major restructuring of its operations to support national stakeholders seeking to resolved the decades-old conflict(a)n interim strategy was developed as a basis for JPF support to peace process stakeholders during a transition period from January to December 2022that strengthens local conflict management mechanisms  enabling actors to mitigate the impact of violent conflict on civilians  and retains the foundations for actors to communicate and negotiate to end conflict and violence.

In other words, we utterly failed at supporting peace between 2016 to 2021, so give us more money and during a multisided civil war sparked by a military coup we can resolve it. There is an astonishingly misplaced optimism in this interim strategy. The JPF is recruiting a Senior Conflict Analyst (meaning foreigner), National Conflict Analyst (meaning someone from Myanmar), Senior Gender Advisor, and two other National Gender Advisors. The Roles and Responsibilities of all these positions are highly unlikely to be achieved in any meaningful way, and will contribute little beyond having lunch at the Alamanda Inns French restaurant in Yangons Golden Valley Green Zone

The central normalizer must be the European Union (EU), maintaining its massive My Justice program (justice in Myanmar?) implemented by the British Council, the Oxfam-directed Durable Peace Program, and the unfortunately mistimed Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM), a US$50 million fund to to implement innovative, flexible, and rights-based activities at the nexus of the humanitarian, development, and peace sectors(the) objective is to contribute to long-term peace and national reconciliation, security, stability and sustainable development by reducing the vulnerability, building the resilience, and protecting the rights of conflict and disaster affected communities across Myanmar, which sounds like a planning document from 2016, not the Myanmar of 2022. To be continuing a project with the Orwellian title of Durable Peace in the current carnage is surreal, if not sick. This from a donor who instituted the much derided MyPol police reform scheme, and injected 175 million euros directly into the National League for Democracys (NLD) education budget [out of a total grant of 221 million euros], and was a major donor to the JPF.

Compounding the EUs post-coup cognitive dissonance, EU Ambassador Ranieri Sabatuccis slew of snarky tweets are enraging many inside Myanmar and he seems determined to pick fights with anyone but the SAC. One of his most recent tweets stated that #Myanmar social media is full of trollers, located abroad (sic). They judge/speculate without knowledge of the facts. Their insults and aggression discourage healthy pluralistic debates. The result, could be shrinking of democratic space on social media. They should not succeed. If only Ambassador Sabatucci put as much effort into ensuring the SAC wont succeed.

The EU exemplifies the two-step strategy of normalization. Back home in Brussels, impose sanctions, make strong speeches and resolutions from the EU Parliament, but in the halls of the European External Action Service (EEAS) seek ways to recover the relationship. Throwing money doesnt work, but it makes the EU feel useful, and important.

Much of this post-coup normalization is being orchestrated by the all-enveloping efforts of the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), a benign-sounding behemoth of a project-implementing bureaucracy that has been criticized for its slow pace of adaptation to the post-coup reality, and being predisposed to accommodating authority regardless of its credentials. If the James Bond franchise ever had an UN agency as an evil nemesis, it would be UNOPS, where donors send so much bulk funding to be dispersed with the tenderness of a wood chipper.

Arrayed on the other side of this normalizing pathology is a mirror image complex of advisors and consultants to the parallel National Unity Government, and various anti-SAC forces. They operate in twilight and obscurity far more than the worker drones of the UN, equally unaccountable and their utility rarely questioned. Who are they and what are they up to? What role did they play in supporting the military or the NLD over the past several years?

They will likely have their complicity in the deficiencies of the NLD expunged as unfortunate association. Yet in light of the recent US government designation of the Rohingya genocide, it would behoove Western donors to ensure they are not paying engorged salaries to anyone in Daw Aung San Suu Kyis former inner circle who cooperated in the attempted cover-up of major atrocities. In fact, any of the opportunists who were orbiting Naypyitaw under the NLD government should automatically be highly suspect. If for no other reason than their obscene salaries.

As feeding frenzies go, its perhaps not as fulsome as the early years of the transition or the boom years of the post-2015 election when massive development funds were creating major opportunities for the moneyed classes of the international development set. Think of todays repurposing of so much money that cannot legally be implemented inside Myanmar as a decent interval before the West eventually downscales from the country to a pre-Cyclone Nargis mentality and funding mechanisms. This would return the country to a site of sanctions and condemnation, and funneling the bulk of aid to warehoused Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, cross-border assistance to the unremitting attrition warfare of eastern Myanmar, occasional food deliveries to the rural resistance zones of Sagaing and Magwe regions, and undulating optimism at the prospect of durable solutions to resolve ten years of protracted displacement of 100,000 people in Kachin and northern Shan states, and the potential funding windfall it may bring to international agencies to assist.

But then anything connected to governance, peace, human rights, or the scams of social cohesion, have a markedly limited role in the current conflict. It is open to question how much genuine utility they had even before 2020, when the peace process was clearly dead and projects of governance were circumscribed by an autarkic and incompetent ruling party.

So why do so many of these actors remain engaged? Pay checks and lifestyles, is a simple explanation. By at least mid-2021 there was already an exodus of foreign technical experts to other countries, much the same as the stampede of people from Afghanistan and Cambodia into Yangon in 2014.

It is now clear that Ukraine has almost permanently distracted media and diplomatic attention away from not just Myanmar, but Yemen, Ethiopia and the Congo. Many Western donors have already calculated their post-pandemic and post-takeover priorities to resume trade with Southeast Asia, which compels the charade of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) centrality in resolving the Myanmar crisis. As the one-year anniversary of agreeing the Five Point Consensus approaches later this month, any optimism that there will be progress any time soon is clearly strained or delusional, yet it hasnt prohibited a movement towards living with the SAC.

It is as if an orchestra of connivance is tuning its instruments, readying itself to build to a crescendo of credible normalization that doesnt look like the betrayal of Myanmar it really is. But every job advertisement, qualified statement, self-lobotomized tweet, call for ASEAN to take the lead, or addition to the bonfire of pointless knowledge, is actively assisting the SAC in solidifying its rule. On behalf of the people of Myanmar, who are not drowning, but waving, its craven cynicism should be challenged at every turn.

David Scott Mathieson is an independent analyst working on conflict, peace, human rights and humanitarian issues on Myanmar

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Burma Resistance Groups Reports Over 30 Myanmar Junta Deaths

Resistance fighters in Pale Township, Sagaing Region.

More than 30 Myanmar junta soldiers were killed in two ambushes in Pale Township, Sagaing Region, on Monday, a resistance group claimed.

The Myanmar Royal Dragon Army (MRDA) said it twice ambushed around 100 regime soldiers approaching a village in Pale.

At least three junta soldiers were killed in the first ambush and around 30 in the second, according to the group. It said two resistance fighters were injured.

MRDA leader Bo Nagar told The Irrawaddy that the estimate of junta deaths was based on the accounts of resistance fighters.

He said junta soldiers burned their comrades corpses and torched civilian houses when they left the village.

Fighting continued on Tuesday morning and junta aircraft were reported in the area.

Bo Nagar used to be the leader of the Pale Peoples Defense Force, has inflicted casualties on the regime troops in the area since last year. He became the commander of the MRDA since its formation early this year to accelerate attacks on regime targets.

Since seizing power on Feb. 1 last year, the junta has killed at least 1,769 people, including more than 100 children and arrested more than 13,000 people.

The regime has burned down at least 9,187 civilian homes, with the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region suffering the heaviest damage, according to the independent research group Data for Myanmar.

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Burma Two Myanmar Junta Loyalists Defend Military Dictator

U Thein Nyunt (left) and U Khin Maung Swe.

U Thein Nyunt and U Khin Maung Swe, who are on the military regimes governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), have reaffirmed their allegiance to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing with their new years greetings.

In his message on Sunday, U Thein Nyunt called the parallel National Unity Government (NUG), its legislative body, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), and its armed wing, the peoples defense forces (PDFs), traitors, terrorists and puppets of the US and other western countries. Western financial and military support must be cut off, he wrote.

[Western countries] must definitely fail and Myanmar will definitely win. Because nationalist forces today stand firmly under the leadership of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said his message marking Myanmars new year.

U Thein Nyunt earlier wished death and destruction upon the NUG, CRPH and PDFs in his Jan. 1 message.

Among the SACs 20 members, only Min Aung Hlaing, U Thein Nyunt and U Khin Maung Swe wrote new years messages in junta-controlled newspapers. As usual, Min Aung Hlaing blamed the National League for Democracy (NLD) for breaching democracy. U Thein Nyunt as usual echoed Min Aung Hlaing as he tried to curry favor with the junta leader.

U Khin Maung Swe called for collaborative efforts to uproot dangers posed to the country.

Public opinion is firmly against the junta leader and his accomplices who are seen as the dangers to the country, and not the PDF or western countries.

U Thein Nyunt has been critical of the NLD, his former party, since 2015 and increasingly so since he was appointed to the SAC following last years coup.

The 77-year-old was previously a member of the NLDs Central Executive Committee. When the NLD boycotted the 2010 general election, he left the party and co-founded the National Democratic Force (NDF) together with U Khin Maung Swe, who is also on the SAC.

U Thein Nyunt later founded the New National Democracy Party and allied himself with the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) after being crushed by the NLD in the 2015 general election and he repeatedly criticized the NLD government. In the run-up to the 2020 general election, he encouraged a military coup.

In his foreword to the book, The Second Democratic Government and Myanmar, U Thein Nyunt argued in favour of a coup. The book, which was critical of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD, was written by U Soe Thane, the Presidents Office minister in U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government.

NDF chairman U Khin Maung Swe regularly writes pro-junta pieces in the regimes newspapers. He often warns about growing foreign interference and attempts to break up the nation by driving a wedge between the people and military, which the 79-year-old calls the protector of Myanmar.

He told the BBC in April last year  by which time the military regime had gunned down more than 700 peaceful protesters  that it had not been Min Aung Hlaings intention to go that far and he might have been sorry about their deaths. He claimed that Ming Aung Hlaing would not be happy about civilian deaths.

Both U Thein Nyunt and U Khin Maung Swe were both defeated in the 2020 election. They have both faced European Union sanctions for their cooperation with the regime.
As predicted the ACCC's consultation and the outcome of the NBN Co SAU variation has been dragged out until after the election.

The ACCCs formal consultation on NBN Cos proposed variation to its Special Access Undertaking has been delayed to provide NBN Co time to address practical issues with the release of information it claims is commercially sensitive.

The proposed variation to the undertaking follows a series of industry working group meetings run by the ACCC in the second half of 2021 that identified a range of issues with the regulation under the current undertaking, and discussed alternative proposals, the ACCC advised.

NBN Co provided the ACCC with its proposed variation to the undertaking on 29 March 2022. The proposed variation to the undertaking is a key part of the future regulation of the NBN. It sets the terms and conditions for internet providers to access the NBN until 2040, including arrangements for setting maximum prices.

NBN Co submitted a version of the proposed variation for publication in which information it considers to be commercially sensitive was redacted. However, it is essential for there to be a fully transparent and effective public consultation process, and this requires release of the proposed variation in full.

The ACCC is required by legislation to publish and consult on the variation to the undertaking in full, and proposes to do so as soon as is practical to allow third parties to fully engage in a meaningful consultation process, said ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey.

The ACCC says it will publish the full variation, without redactions, no later than 23 May 2022.

I suspect that the redated parts of the NBN Co's latest variation relate to some financial disclosures eloborating on how NBN Co needs to be able to increase price to ensure a positive return on investment for the Coalition MTM.

As predicted the SAU outcome won't be known until after the Federal Election. A finding that limits NBN's ability to increase prices above the CPI, year on year, would create fall-out for the Coalition Government. Such a finding may jeopardise NBN's ability to continue to forecast adequate revenue to ensure a return on the billions spent on implementing the Coalition's Multi-Technology Mix (MTM) plan.

As reported the previous ACCC chair Rod Sims is quoted as saying, "Obviously the NBN was built by the government, and now that its built, I think its appropriate to treat its costs as sunk, what matters for Australia is getting the best use out of the NBN. It is not known if the new ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb shares these views.
Jitterbit says that in his new role Lillywhite will be responsible for leading the companys go-to-market strategy and operations in the region.

Lillywhite succeeds Andrew Henderson, who has been appointed as an advisor.

Lillywhite will report to George Gallegos, CEO of Jitterbit

The rise in adoption of cloud solutions combined with the need to digitally transform is creating an increased demand for integration platforms in APAC. We see the region as a major play for Jitterbit, said Gallegos.

Colin has the experience needed to ensure we capitalise on the market opportunity and deliver for our customers and partners.

Lillywhite brings 25 years of senior management experience working in countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Prior to Jitterbit Lillywhite served as the executive director of Conquest Software, an IT Services and IT consulting business in Australia and New Zealand. He also has held senior leadership roles at several software companies, including Civica Group PLC, a public organisation in the U.K., where he successfully led and strategically developed the APAC business to achieve a market-leading position.

Im thrilled to be joining Jitterbit at a time where rapid growth is happening on both a regional and global scale, said Lillywhite.

I look forward to working closely with customers and partners to bring them innovative solutions that accelerate their digital transformations and make their businesses run better.
Google's bid to position itself as some kind of competitor to Microsoft based on its security credentials has been dealt a bad blow, with the company reporting the third zero-day in its browser Chrome just before the long Easter weekend.

The company said it had issued updates for the stable branch of Chrome for the Windows, Mac and Linux ports. But, as usual, it did not provide details about CVE-2022-1364.

The frequent security issues are bound to have a negative effect on Google as it tries to paint Microsoft as a more of a problem in the security space than its own products.

On 1 April, Jeanette Manfra Google's senior director, Global Risk and Compliance, issued a blog post claiming that about a third of surveyed government employees in the [Washington] DC metro area said they have experienced a disruption at work because of a cyber attack.

This was sheeted home to Microsoft as government offices generally use the Windows operating system and Microsoft applications.

Manfra wrote: "According to survey respondents, 84% of DC metro government employees primarily use Microsoft products at work, including Word, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. This is confirmed by another recent study by Omdia that found 85% of government employees use Microsoft productivity software, far and away the largest IT productivity vendor by market share."

But if Google wants to prove it is in any better, it must improve its own security. The flaw announced last week is the third zero-day for the year even though this is only April.

Security through obscurity simply will not cut it anymore. Companies need to be upfront about the issues in their products and merely patching will not work.

Google has one advantage over Microsoft, in that it has a mobile operating system out there that dominates the mobile market. Android is used by practically every phone other than those manufactured by Apple, though there are a small number that run other Linux-based systems.

Microsoft dropped its plans to stay in the mobile market a long time back. Probably the thought of having a monthly patch update day for its mobile operating system (Patch Friday?) was sufficient to drop the Windows Mobile.

The company's experiment with Android proved to be another disaster, with the foldable device it manufactured proving to be a dud.

On the cloud front, Microsoft has the advantage over Google; Azure is better known and has far more usage than Google Cloud.

But on the lobbying front, Microsoft is streets ahead of Google. It was the only company allowed to continue selling software to Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies after the US started imposing restrictions on the latter.

Google also applied for an exemption, to sell the proprietary version of Android, to Huawei but never heard back.

Microsoft works well with both the Republicans and Democrats; Google does very well with the latter, but is hated by the right-wing crowd.

The spats between the two billion-dollar companies is interesting if only because they yield some copy. Long may they continue.
Mental health service Bethesda Health Care has announced its new mental health clinic in the Perth suburb of Cockburn, Western Australia, will be the first medical facility in Australia to install Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare as its Patient Administration System (PAS), with Velrada  Microsofts growth partner of the year  as its implementation partner.

Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare harnesses the power of the Microsoft cloud by bringing together capabilities from Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft 365 to transform the healthcare journey through a more secure and connected patient experience.

Microsoft says Bethesda can leverage the features and functionality of these platforms to explore new care models through innovation and digitisation, where the consumer is in control of their care and, with consent, provide clinical staff a full history of the care and support given and proposed.

According to Bethesda Chief Executive Officer Dr Neale Fong, adopting Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare comes at a critical time for West Australians, with demand for mental health support rising across the state.

Having the cloud-based system allows an incredible amount of important data to be exchanged from multiple operational and clinical sources, creating more connected consumer experiences, where the consumer is in control of what is shared and who it is shared with, Dr Fong said.Bethesdas new-generation PAS will greatly enhance how consumers access and receive state-of-the-art mental health support, and how they, their families and support networks interact with doctors, nurses and other parties. That means more valuable time can be spent with people needing care and not on manual administration.

The PAS will bring together protected health information from disparate systems into a solution that is based on industry standards to help create a longitudinal record of the patient. This data is then able to support improved consumer care and clinical insights, data analytics, machine learning and potential for artificial intelligence.



The three companies say this puts Velrada, Bethesda and Microsoft at the forefront of pioneering emerging medical and healthcare technology in Australia.

Velrada Director Jennifer Evans said the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare platform delivers better health outcomes by making patient data truly accessible.

Velrada is delighted to be part of this Australian-first project, which we hope will be a model for others around Australia and beyond that are looking for new ways to improve the delivery of mental health services, Evans said.

Velrada is able to take advantage of our industry knowledge and expertise, and work very closely with Microsoft and the Bethesda team to design and implement an exciting solution that will change the way mental health services are delivered where the consumer and health practitioners can work together for better health outcomes.

By using Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Bethesda can now offer customers and their medical practitioners direct access to their patient history. Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare keeps a record of a consumers episode of care that allows more personalised and tailored care plans based on their needs. It can track a consumers care plan both as an inpatient and out-patient as part of Bethesdas wellness centre, keeping the customer informed and ensuring the highest level of care.

A key focus and unique aspect of this approach delivered by Velrada, Bethesda and Microsoft is enabling transitions from the community to inpatient and back into community care as smooth as possible for consumers, patients and their loved ones, said Dr Nic Woods, Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft Australia.

There has never been such a need as now to provide new and connected services for people affected by mental health issues. This is a huge step in supporting care across often very complex needs and one that Microsoft is very proud to be taking with Bethesda and Velrada. By harnessing the power of cloud technology, Bethesda will be able to evolve how it engages consumers and patients in their care, to significantly improve outcomes for both patients and staff.



Bethesdas purpose-built, state-of-the-art mental health facility in Cockburn, Western Australia will have a wellbeing centre, consultation rooms and 45 overnight beds that will be expanded to 75 beds in 2023.

It will provide much needed amenity for Perths southern suburbs, in line with Bethesdas existing high-quality services. The clinic will take an innovative, patient-centred approach, delivering an upmarket facility which responds to Bethesdas vision to deliver high-quality healthcare, in line with the values of excellence, respect and compassion.



Velrada is a multi-award-winning technology company and Microsoft Gold Partner, which works with Microsoft products to help organisations find technical solutions that improve their efficiency and productivity.
Chinese smartphone brands OnePlus and Xiaomi have both been cited as wanting to aspire to the heights that Apple and Samsung have reached in the US, though the arguments mounted appear to be more in hope than anything else.

Xiaomi's aspirations were detailed in the Financial Times, quoting the founder of the company as saying a few months back, "[Its] a war of life and death.

The claims by OnePlus to match Apple and Samsung were touted by Maurice Klaehne, a research analyst with the technology analyst firm Counterpoint Research, based on his review of the latest OnePlus device, the OnePlus Pro 10.

However, Ron Amadeo, the mobile specialist at Ars Technica, and arguably the best reviewer of mobile devices, said the OnePlus Pro 10 had fallen behind the standards it had set with its previous model.

The OnePlus Pro 10 was launched in China in January, but the global launch took place only on 31 March. It was put on sale in the US on 14 April, with T-Mobile, Amazon and Best Buy, apart from the smartphone vendor's own website, selling the model.

OnePlus is a brand owned by B.B.K. Electronics which also owns OPPO, vivo, realme and iQoo.

The FT report cited former and current employees and analysts as diagnosing Xiaomi's problem in overtaking Apple and Samsung as being centred on convincing customers of its high-end pedigree.

According to statistics cited by the FT, China's top five smartphone vendors are vivo, OPPO, Xiaomi, Apple and Honor, in that order. Honor is the former budget brand belonging to Huawei which was sold in 2020 to a consortium of 30 agents and dealers.

Amadeo's review of the OnePlus Pro 9 outlined the issues that the company was facing as it first tried to align development of its operating system  an Android fork known as OxygenOS  with OPPO's ColorOS  again an Android mix  and then deciding against going down this path in March.

He claimed this would create confusion in the minds of regular users. "No one knows what the Android 13 update plan for this phone will look like, but you will get three years of major software updates," Amadeo wrote.

"Blowing up your software division and then trying to reconstruct it a month before a device's launch is disruptive, and I can't say I'm expecting major updates to go smoothly while OnePlus figures out what it wants its software to be."

Klaehne was inclined to the view that OnePlus would not have a big impact on the premium space, generally defined as smartphones that cost in excess of US$400 (A$544). "It was a good move on OnePlus part to go with an even more streamlined premium option for its 2022 flagship strategy," he wrote.

"There is no 'base' version like in the OnePlus 9 or a T version like it had with the OnePlus 8T. This makes it less confusing for consumers who dont know the brand well yet.

"T-Mobile continues to be a strong partner for OnePlus given the (un)carriers history of being more less dominated by Apple and presenting consumers with more Android smartphone SKUs.

"However, the device will unlikely make a big impact on the premium space, especially since Samsung launched its S21 FE and S22 devices earlier this year.

"OnePlus may also lose out on some of its core customers due to the limited SKUs and OxygenOS 12. But for new potential customers, the strategy makes sense for the long run."

None of these writers took into account the fact that the hopes of competing in the US market could be dashed altogether if Washington suddenly decided that either OnePlus or Xiaomi was a security threat to the US.

Huawei suffered this fate a few years ago, with no security threats having been proven as yet. In February 2019, the US said German automobiles posed a security threat to the country.
COMPANY NEWS: Gigamon , the leading deep observability company, today announced the appointment of Shane Buckley as president and CEO, effective immediately.

Buckley replaces Paul Hooper who, after 10 years, is stepping down from the CEO role, but Gigamon says he will remain an active member of the Gigamon Board of Directors.

Gigamon says that under Hoopers leadership, Gigamon became the trusted market leader in network visibility and security solutions.

Serving the worlds most demanding enterprises, Gigamon provides the tools and expertise required in todays evolving threat landscape to help optimise and secure over 80 percent of Fortune 100 enterprises, 9 of the 10 largest mobile network providers, hundreds of government agencies and educational organisations, as well as over 4,000 marquee enterprise customers worldwide including Lockheed Martin, AWS, Clemson University, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Under Armour and the U.S. Department of Defense.

A new frontier: deep observability

Buckley will lead the next evolution of Gigamon as the company invests in and seeks to lead the emerging deep observability market. Gigamon offers a deep observability pipeline that harnesses actionable network-level intelligence to amplify the power of cloud, security, and observability tools.

This powerful combination enables enterprises to assure security and compliance governance, speed root-cause analysis of performance bottlenecks, and lower operational overhead associated with managing modern hybrid and multi-cloud IT infrastructures. The result, enterprises realise the full transformational promise of the cloud.

As president and chief operating officer, Shane demonstrated his abilities as a world-class executive by co-leading the company through both highly successful quarters in parallel with navigating the challenges of the global pandemic, said Paul Hooper, outgoing CEO at Gigamon.

I am confident in passing the torch to Shane as I believe this marks an appropriate time for a transition in leadership as the company embarks on its next growth phase. I am leaving the company in good hands with a trusted, proven leader and friend.

Buckley has served as the president and COO at Gigamon for four years and has expanded the companys business and markets worldwide. Buckleys experience in creating new market categories, such as the creation of the wide-area network (WAN) optimisation category, is invaluable as Gigamon expands its deep observability offerings.

Enterprises are quickly shifting towards hybrid and multi-cloud deployments to accelerate digital transformation initiatives but, unfortunately, they must contend with an ever-more dangerous threat landscape, said Buckley.

I look forward to entering this new phase of growth focused on addressing the evolving requirements of our customers by investing in the deep observability solutions required to achieve the full agility of a resilient digital infrastructure without risk.

Prior to joining Gigamon in 2018, Buckley served as the CEO at Xirrus and president and CEO of Rohati Systems bringing over 20 years of executive management experience to Gigamon.

To learn more about Gigamon, visit: https://www.gigamon.com/company/company-information.html

About Gigamon

Gigamon offers a deep observability pipeline that harnesses actionable network-level intelligence to amplify the power of observability tools. This powerful combination enables IT organizations to assure security and compliance governance, speed root-cause analysis of performance bottlenecks, and lower operational overhead associated with managing hybrid and multi-cloud IT infrastructures. The result: modern enterprises realize the full transformational promise of the cloud. Gigamon serves more than 4,000 customers worldwide, including over 80% of Fortune 100 enterprises, 9 of the 10 largest mobile network providers, and hundreds of governments and educational organizations worldwide. To learn more, please visit gigamon.com.
GUEST INTERVIEW: Bonitasoft was founded in 2009 with the goal of democratising the use of business process management technology. iTWire spoke to co-founder Miguel Valdes Faura.

Bonitasoft was founded in 2009 by Faura, Charles Souillard and Rodrigue Le Gall to continue the development and promotion of the Bonita open source business process management (BPM) project that was created eight years earlier by Faura and a team of researchers led by Francois Charoy at INRIA, France's National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation.

The founders made a conscious decision to make open source values  transparency, excellence, meritocracy and collaboration  part of the new company's DNA, and to ensure that an open source version of the software would available to anyone to download and use in production.

That way, anyone, anywhere would be able to take advantage of a BPM solution.

But as a private company, Bonitasoft needed a revenue source to sustain itself for the benefit of employees, community users, customers, partners and shareholders, Faura explained.

So the team created Bonita Enterprise  a commercial edition of the software, sold as a subscription that includes a wide range of professional services (including support SLAs and personalised follow-up) and additional product capabilities  for companies with demanding production requirements and the need for a strong partner to guarantee the success of their deployments.

Those additional capabilities include clustering, high availability and monitoring for companies with demanding production requirements. And Bonita Enterprise is available on a PaaS basis (as Bonita Cloud) as an alternative to running it on-premises.

But the free Bonita Community edition  which includes all capabilities required to develop and deploy process automation projects  has not been left to stagnate. Over the last 13 years, it has has been a source of pride for Bonitasoft as it has been downloaded millions of times and it is used in production by thousands of organisations around the world.

It also serves as the starting point of Bonitasoft sales cycle, Faura said. Customers often start their evaluation of the Bonita technology by downloading the Bonita Community edition and evaluating it at their own pace, using the documentation, discussing with other members of the community, and developing a first project.

Bonitasoft maintains that open source, as a business model, is fair and sustainable. The entire Bonita company has made a commitment to the community and customers to work to make both the open source and the commercial editions better every day.

Today, Bonitasoft is surrounded by an ecosystem of more than 240,000 members and customers in 75+ countries, and Bonita is the most widely used open source platform for digital process automation.

Those users include the University of Queensland, which started using the Bonita digital process automation platform in 2016 and is now running some 70 processes on the platform, supporting students and staff.

These processes sit on top of the university's legacy systems, and present clean, modern interfaces as expected by the digital native student (and increasingly staff) population. Bonita is being used with university systems including:

 Student systems: registrations, grades, records

 HR system for staff and employees

 Finance

 Reporting

 Record keeping

 Identity

 Organisational structure

Other industries where Bonitasoft has had particular success include the banking, insurance, and finance sector. "Stringent international and national finance regulations require good governance and process-based applications can provide both solid guide rails and flexible modern financial services apps," said Faura.

Bonita is also widely used in the public sector for citizen and other governmental services, and in healthcare, but there are also Bonita processes running in retail, manufacturing, energy, public and private education, and telecommunications services, he added.

So what sets Bonita apart from competing systems?

"The Bonita digital process automation platform is fully open source, and specifically aimed to give multidisciplinary technical teams the widest possible set of tools to create process-based applications and automation projects," said Faura.

"Extension points throughout the platform allow developers to connect to nearly any external information system, from legacy systems to modern API-exposing apps and platforms. This means that the technical team can fully integrate business applications with their company's unique enterprise information systems stack."

Bonita's extensibility means developers can carry out some parts of a project using the tools they prefer, rather than being locked into a specific toolset. This provides them with valuable freedom when implementing Bonita-based applications.

And at the same time, Bonita makes provision for non-technical members of the project team to play an active part in aspects such as business data management, user interfaces/customer journey, and reporting. This is achieved with Bonita Studio, which provides a variety of native low-code features. Where additional capabilities are required, extensions are available from Bonitasoft and other developers, and may also be created in-house.

Another distinction is that Bonita's most recent release (2022.1) includes the most integrable Docker image on the market for an orchestrated platform deployment, Faura said.

Each Bonita release contains features that deliver more value along specific axes for both business and technical users, though the amount delivered may vary from release to release. The most recent release of Bonita 2022.1 is tilted towards developers, but the previous release (Bonita 2021.2) did a lot for business-minded citizen developers on automation project teams.

For example, Bonita 2021.2's project composition feature simplifies Bonita Studio for non-technical users, as well as allowing developers to create extensions. Business users now can easily manage these extensions, adding new ones through the Bonita Marketplace, from public and private repositories or from files. Citizen developers on a Bonita automation project can easily integrate extensions without technical knowledge as project developers can share these through repositories.

"These business users can upgrade extensions in a few clicks as the changes are automatically done by Bonita Studio," he said.

"And the project overview feature helps business users quickly find where connectors are used in their projects to see and understand the interactions of their processes with third party systems."

It also makes it easier for any type of user to understand the different elements of a Bonita automation project: how to create them, what their goal or purpose is.

"The Bonita 2022.2 release will be coming later this year, and there will be additional features and value aimed for business users in this next version, now in development," Faura concluded.
Today

Sunny skies. Becoming windy late. High 87F. W winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 58F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tomorrow

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High around 85F. WNW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph.
Chancellor Flora W. Tydings of the Tennessee Board of Regents (center) spoke to the Carter County Commission on Monday night to get the needed property transfer of the Workforce Development Complex from county ownership to state ownership. She is flanked by President Dean Blevins of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton and by Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby.
Staff Writer

Jonathan Roberts is a reporter and photographer for the Johnson City Press covering Jonesborough, healthcare and higher education. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and has been with the Press since 2019.
Moscow launched dozens of air strikes across eastern Ukraine overnight, its defence ministry said Tuesday, after Kyiv accused Russian forces of unleashing a major new offensive in the Donbas region.

Russias defence ministry said that high-precision air-based missiles had hit 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas while other air strikes hit 60 military assets, including in towns close to the eastern frontline.

Ukraines armed forces also confirmed that fighting had increased throughout the east just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had kicked off the widely anticipated offensive in the Donbas region on Monday.

The Russian occupiers intensified offensive operations along the entire line of contact, the general staff of Ukraines armed forces said in a report published early Tuesday.

Later Tuesday, Russias defence chief stopped short of confirming any new offensive but said his forces were committed to capturing swathes of eastern Ukraine.

We are gradually implementing our plan to liberate the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics, Sergei Shoigu said referring to eastern Ukraines two rebel regions, which Moscow has recognised as independent states.

We are taking measures to restore peaceful life, he said in a televised meeting with Russian military commanders.

Ahead of the advance, Ukrainian authorities had urged people in Donbas to flee west to escape, even as officials called off evacuations for a third straight day from frontline cities due to ongoing fighting.

No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves, Zelensky said on Telegram late Monday.

In the Donbas town of Novodruzhesk, Nadya, 65, said we are bombed everywhere.

Its a miracle that were still alive, she said, her voice trembling.

We were lying on the ground and waiting. Since February 24 weve been sleeping in the cellar.

Control of Donbas would allow Moscow to create a southern corridor to the occupied Crimean peninsula.

However, Zelenskys advisor Oleksiy Arestovich offered an alternate view during an interview on Ukrainian television Tuesday, saying the offensive in the Donbas had been ongoing for 12 days.

They advance by looking for weak points in our defences. As soon as they find them, they infiltrate them, he added.

In the south, Russia continued its push to capture the besieged port city of Mariupol, as Moscow issued a fresh call for the citys defenders to surrender.

But despite the desperate situation in the city, a senior US Defence Department official on Monday said Mariupol is still contested.

 $800 million boost 

The first shipments of a new $800-million (740 million euros) US military aid package had begun to arrive at Ukraines borders this week, for use against Russian forces.

Washington was due to hold a video meeting with allies Tuesday to discuss the conflict in Ukraine, even as it increasingly provoked the ire of Moscow.

The United States and Western states under its control are doing everything to drag out the military operation for as long as possible, said Russias defence chief Shoigu on Tuesday.

The growing volume of foreign weapons supplies graphically demonstrate their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to fight to the last Ukrainian.

His comments came as government sources in Spain said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was planning to travel to Kyiv soon but did not confirm when for security reasons.

While much of the focus has remained in Ukraines east, Moscow has also targeted the countrys west with air strikes, killing at least seven people in the city of Lviv near the Polish border on Monday.

Lviv has largely been spared bombardment since Russia invaded on February 24, and the city and its surroundings had become a haven for those seeking safety from the war zone.

But even as strikes continued to hit targets across the country, the east appeared to be Russias primary focus.

The regional governor of the eastern Lugansk region Sergiy Gaiday said Ukrainian forces continued to hold their ground amid heavy fighting.

We have positional battles in the cities of Rubizhne and Popasna. The enemy cannot do anything though. They are losing people and equipment there, Gaiday said.

Our guys are shooting down drones there. Shooting down planes on the border of the Lugansk and Kharkiv regions, so they are holding on, he added.

 Heavy attacks 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he launched the so-called military operation on February 24 to save Russian speakers in Ukraine from a genocide carried out by a neo-Nazi regime.

On Monday, Putin lauded the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade  which is accused of committing atrocities near Kyiv  bestowing battle honours on them for heroism and valour, tenacity and courage.

Ukraine has alleged the brigade committed war crimes while occupying the suburb of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, where residents were shot dead, some with their hands bound.

The European Union condemned Russias indiscriminate bombing of Ukrainian civilians.

Its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed to particularly heavy attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine and an offensive against second city Kharkiv, where officials said Russian shelling killed three people.

Seeking to strengthen ties and accelerate its admission to the 27-nation bloc, Zelensky said that Ukraine hoped to receive EU candidate country status within weeks.

burs-ds/gw
When we published an article last year with sociolegal scholar Lorena Vega, an editor drew our attention to the truly shocking number that 80,000 forced disappearances is applied only to Colombia. His disbelief was such that he asked me to clarify this number in a separate e-mail.

Numbers are often thought to hide the horror of armed conflicts by dehumanizing the victims. Given the nature and magnitude of the crime of forced disappearance, civil society initiatives attempt to give victims their individuality back and families a means to memorialize them through embroidery, installations, documentaries, or transmedia projects. Other work like the one carried out by Equitas in Colombia or Menos Dias Aqui in Mexico reflect citizens counter-forensic power in the face of state incapacity or willful denial of this crime.

At the same time, our understanding of both large-scale human rights violations and the transitional justice measures adopted to deal with them has been constructed through victims registers. This is one reason why the numbers of forced disappearance in the Colombian armed conflict matter.

By comparison to Peru or Guatemala, the Colombian registers of conflict-related harms present two particularities. First, despite the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), hostilities between the government and a number of non-state armed groups, including FARC dissidents, continue, and new victimizing acts are still being recorded in nearly all categories of existing registers. Second, there is still widespread disagreement about the start date of the countrys armed conflict. This explains how, although they are both institutions in the transitional justice system stemming from the same peace deal, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) uses the year 1958 and the Unit for the Search of Persons Deemed Missing (UBPD) mainly uses 1948.

Civil Society Records: Night and Fog

The first known Colombian register of human rights violations that included forced disappearance originates in the work of civil society. Father Javier Giraldo, a Jesuit priest and key figure in the human rights movement who helped found the first organization for relatives of victims of forced disappearance, also created the Data Bank of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Political Violence together with Father Alejandro Angulo. When they started their data collection, which consisted primarily of newspaper clippings and testimonies, in the late 1980s, they modelled it on similar efforts in the Southern Cone, primarily Argentina and Chile, during the military regimes there. By mid-1990, they released a magazine named Night and Fog  in honour of Alain Resnaiss famous documentary on the Holocaust  to give the database a public medium. The first issue contained data on extrajudicial killings, torture, kidnapping, and forced disappearances by both state and non-state actors as well as unidentified perpetrators that took place between July and August of 1996. The same year, another civil society organization, the Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES), created and released its database tracking forced displacement with estimates going back to 1985. Since forced disappearance has often been used by right-wing paramilitary actors and drug traffickers as a terror tactic to induce forced displacement and facilitate land accumulation, the combination of these two databases gave Colombians insight into the true magnitude of conflict-related harms for the first time.

The first state-sanctioned register

Largely owing to the social and legal mobilization of ASFADDES, the relatives organization established with the help of Father Giraldo, the crime of forced disappearance was typified through a law in 2000 following the ban introduced in Colombias 1991 Constitution. While the Attorney Generals Office certainly was aware of cases of forced disappearances in the interim, this legislation created the first nationwide and state-sanctioned Registro Nacional de Desaparecidos (RND, or National Registry of Disappeared Persons) and tasked the National Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences with coordinating it. According to a 2005 decree, the main purpose of this register is to assist the identification of the human remains, direct the search for those reported missing and facilitate the follow-up of the cases. It should be noted that while the 2000 law does speak about armed actors and the security forces as possible perpetrators, this register is not strictly speaking circumscribed to the armed conflict. Since the government of Colombia only recognized the existence of the armed conflict a decade later, this register continues to function today as general missing persons register.

Since 2004, the RND also includes findings under the ordinary criminal justice system as well as the special transitional justice proceedings under a 2005 law that demobilized the pro-state paramilitary groups. It refers upwards of 33,000 victims of alleged forced disappearance and little over 134,000 persons classified with no information since 1930. Simultaneously the ordinary criminal justice system registers around 102,000 victims between 1968 and 2021. Given the different start dates, the dubious classification of such a high number of victims and the lack of a direct link with the armed conflict, civil society organizations do not regard these as trustworthy records of victims of forced disappearance.

Reparations Registers

Victims of forced disappearance entered the field of vision of the state again for the purposes of redress. Since the drawn-out prosecution of paramilitaries demobilizing under 2005 legislation was delaying the reparation, the state established its first conflict-related administrative reparations programme. A 2008 decree created a registration procedure for beneficiaries that included victims of forced disappearance. This register, however, left out the victims of armed actors not undergoing demobilizations, such as state agents and Leftist insurgent groups, by design due to the demobilization nature of the law preceding it.

The current Single Registry of Victims (RUV, Registro Unico de Victimas) emerging out of a 2011 law known as the Victims and Land Restitution Bill registers all victims of forced disappearance, regardless of whether or not their perpetrator is identified, undergoing demobilization, or their trial has finished. The limitation that it imposes with respect to receiving compensation is that the violation should have taken place after 1 January 1985. Given that the purpose of the 2008 and 2011 registers is specifically reparations, they bring a different focus on the problem. The RUV currently contains little over 50,500 direct victims and 138,000 indirect victims. The former number refers to individuals who fulfil the conditions of the 2000 law for forced disappearance and are recognized as conflict-related victims by the relevant state agency, and the latter number to their surviving relatives who are due reparations.

Two more registers

The Observatory of Memory and Conflict is the broadest information source on the internal armed conflict to date. Its advantage is that it integrates both state-sanctioned sources and civil society ones, including testimonies, and it goes back to 1958. It is part of the National Centre for History Memory, a government institution created in 2011, but unlike the Single Registry (RUV) set up by the same legislation, it does not have a restorative purpose. Rather, it seeks historic clarification and recognition. Launched in 2018, this Register speaks of roughly 80,000 direct victims of forced disappearance between 1958 and 2022.

According to a 2017 decree, the work of the Unit for the Search of Persons Deemed Missing (UBPD) is focused on people presumed missing in the context and on account of the armed conflict. Following the peace agreement with the FARC, this includes civilians as well as (presumed) former combatants reported missing as the result of kidnapping, forced disappearance, forced recruitment or in hostilities that took place before 1 December 2016. The UBPD is an extra-judicial and humanitarian body. Since its work is not limited to the criminal typology of forced disappearance, its register builds on as well as feeds into the RND without fully overlapping. While data from the register of the UBPD shows it goes back to 1921 and currently contains upwards of 99,000 victims, the UBPD director Luz Marina Monzon has referred to 120,000 disappeared and 1948 as the start date for the conflict.

Trust and transparency

Forced disappearance is a state crime par excellence. While state agents may not have been directly involved, as in the false positives (extrajudicial executions) case currently before the transitional justice tribunal known as JEP, it is ultimately state agents that are responsible for the location, identification and return of the remains of the victims to their families as well as any legal action necessary.

When I first started to research forced disappearance in Colombia, the relatives of the victims told me that when they first approached the Latin-American Federation of Associations of Relatives of Disappeared-Detainees (FEDEFAM) in the mid-1980s, the organization had difficulty to understand the crime outside of the context of the Southern Cone military regimes. It was simply unimaginable to them that this would be happening in one of the purportedly most stable democracies of Latin America, as Colombia was referred to despite the decades long armed conflict.

These registers, as confusing as they may appear, give an impression of the magnitude of the problem. Their discrepancies in terms of numbers, that recently caused alarm with the UN Committee on Forced Disappearance, is also an issue of the characterization of victims and rights enforcement. Relatives, who carried the burden of fighting against impunity from the moment of documentation, have persistently mobilized legally and socially to change social and political imaginaries on this crime. Where some states have taken to distorting numbers as a means to deny this violation, inducing a second disappearance, public clarification of both registers and numbers in Colombia, as asked by the UN Committee on Forced Disappearance, would reduce historic mistrust in the state by increasing transparency.

Recommended reading Kidnappings in Colombia: the reckoning
Armed groups affiliated with eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar are detaining at least nine peaceful protesters, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

They were among about 30 people who protested last month in Sirte, the hometown of deposed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Amnesty said the demonstrators called on international and local authorities to compensate victims of NATO air strikes during the 2011 revolt that overthrew Kadhafi.

Detention of several of the protesters, as well as a Libyan TV reporter who covered their rally, reflects how rights have been brutally crushed in areas under the control of Haftar-affiliated forces, an Amnesty press release said.

Sirte, in the centre of Libyas Mediterranean coast, has been controlled by pro-Haftar forces since 2020.

The arbitrary detention of these peaceful protesters for demanding justice and reparation in connection to the 2011 armed conflict shows just how intolerant LAAF and affiliated armed groups are of any independent activism, even if not critical of their rule, Diana Eltahawy, Amnestys deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in the press release.

LAAF is an acronym for Haftars self-proclaimed Libyan Arab Armed Forces.

Suspected opponents and critics have either been gunned down in the street, forcibly disappeared or are languishing in jail, Eltahawy said.

Last month United Nations investigators said serious rights violations including possible crimes against humanity were continuing with impunity across much of Libya, blocking the countrys transition to peace and democracy.

Since early March Libya has found itself with two governments after the eastern-based House of Representatives appointed ex-interior minister Fathi Bashagha in a challenge to the Tripoli-based prime minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibah.

Bashagha is allied with Haftar, whose external backers include Russia. Dbeibah, installed last year as part of a UN-led peace process, has insisted he will only cede power to an elected administration.

Presidential and parliamentary elections set for last December were indefinitely postponed.
A long-awaited court set up to prosecute suspected war criminals in the Central African Republic postponed the start of its first trial on Tuesday as defence attorneys failed to show up, an AFP reporter saw.

The Special Criminal Court, a hybrid body of local and foreign magistrates set up in 2015 with UN backing, has been struggling for years to get going in the face of logistical hurdles, lack of money and hostility.

Its task is to try individuals suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity since 2003, the start of a period of turmoil that persists to this day.

But its maiden session in the capital Bangui on Tuesday was postponed until next Monday in the absence of defence lawyers, presiding judge Aime-Pascal Delimo announced.

We are suspending proceedings until April 25, he said.

The opening trial concerns three members of a powerful armed group called 3R  Issa Sallet Adoum, Ousman Yaouba and Tahir Mahamat  who are accused of the massacre of 46 villagers in northwestern CAR in May 2019.

Justice Minister Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene had proclaimed the trial as proof that the court has finally entered its operational phase, signalling the end of impunity.

But Enrica Picco of the Internationational Crisis Group (ICC) think tank said the delay demonstrates that the (courts) operational challenges are tough, despite the support from international donors.

Euphrasie Nanette Yanduka, who heads a victims association, said, Unfortunately, the lawyers for the butchers did not come we are leaving (the courtroom) on the opening day today with tears in our eyes.

One of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world, the CAR plunged into civil war in 2013 largely along sectarian lines.

Violence fell back in intensity in 2018 but as recently as early 2021, two-thirds of the country lay in the hands of armed groups spawned in the conflict.

President Faustin Archange Touadera is accused by France and its allies of turning to Moscow and the Russian private security company Wagner to shore up his position in exchange for a share of the CARs mineral wealth.
Almost 100 years after Argentine police and settlers mowed down hundreds of indigenous people protesting living and working conditions on cotton plantations, a landmark trial opened Tuesday to finally secure some form of accountability.

With all the killers long dead, guilt has never been officially assigned for the 1924 massacre of members of the Qom and Moqoit communities on land settled by immigrant farmers from Europe, mainly Italy.

Now, finally, we will demonstrate who participated and who was responsible for this genocide, federal prosecutor Federico Garniel said as the trial opened in the city of Resistencia in Argentinas northeast.

It is the first court case to delve into the persecution of indigenous peoples in Argentina.

On July 19, 1924, some 130 police and ranchers with guns descended on protesting residents of the so-called Napalpi indigenous reservation where Qom and Moqoit people lived in conditions of semi-slavery, forced to work on the cotton fields.

Between 300 and 500 were killed, including children and old people, their bodies mutilated and buried in mass graves, according to survivor accounts.

The event has been ruled a crime against humanity by a federal judge, but no classical trial has been held given the lack of defendants.

Instead, victims are now getting a truth trial, the government said, in a process that may also lead to reparations being paid.

 They killed my dad 

Due to run until May 19, the trial does not seek to apportion criminal liability, said presiding judge Zunilda Niremperger.

Rather, its purpose is knowing the truth to heal wounds but also to generate an awareness so that these violations of human rights are never repeated, she said.

Jorge Capitanich, governor of the Chaco province acting as the plaintiff in the case, said that even though they are no longer alive, the perpetrators must and deserve to be convicted in the collective memory of the original peoples.

In 2008, Capitanich had apologized on behalf of the government to the Napalpi victims.

Some 40 people will testify at the trial, according to the Napalpi Foundation, including survivors Rosa Grilo, 114, and Pedro Valquinta, 110.

In evidence provided in 2018, Grilo told prosecutors: For me its sad, they killed my dad. I almost dont want to remember. Sad things. Many people killed.

Only about a million of Argentinas 45 million inhabitants today are members or descendents of the original 39 indigenous groups, according to census data.

Historians say the settlement of Argentina by immigrants left its indigenous peoples on the verge of extermination.

One of the most brutal episodes, known as The Desert Campaign, saw at least 14,000 indigenous people killed between 1878 and 1885 in the effort to incorporate Patagonia into the rest of Argentina.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for war crimes in Ukraine that have already left thousands of civilians dead, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday.

Russias invasion of Ukraine remains a blatant breach of international law, Scholz told reporters following virtual talks with Western leaders on the conflict.

The killing of thousands of civilians as we have seen is a war crime for which the Russian president bears responsibility, he said.

We feel immense grief for the victims and also, it must be said, great anger towards the Russian president and this senseless war.

Scholz, who is facing growing pressure at home to authorise sending heavy weapons to Ukraine, said a new phase had begun in the conflict with Russias fresh offensive in eastern Ukraine.

But despite being repeatedly pressed by reporters on the question of sending tanks, fighter jets or other heavy weapons, Scholz remained vague.

The Social Democrat reiterated that NATO would not get involved in the conflict, but said Western allies were united in their resolve to support Ukraine.

Germany has already shipped anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles, ammunition and other defensive weapons to Ukraine.

Scholzs government has also pledged more than a billion euros in financial aid for Ukraine so that the government in Kyiv can buy the weapons it needs to fight back.

But Scholz said Germany would not go it alone on weapons, and that any decisions would be made in close cooperation with friends and allies.

He raised the possibility of eastern European partners sending older, Russia-made weapons systems to Ukraine, because these would be familiar to Ukrainian troops and could be used immediately.

He also said Ukraine had been asked to draw up a list of weapons it needs that could possibly be bought from the defence industry directly.

Scholz and his centre-left SPD party have for weeks argued that sending heavy weapons would risk a spiral of escalation that could see other countries attacked.

But mounting reports of atrocities committed against civilians in Ukraine have fuelled calls for Scholz to take a tougher stance, even among his two coalition partners.

MP Anton Hofreiter from the Green party accused the chancellor of failing to show enough leadership.

Lawmaker Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, of the liberal FDP, said Germany should not be guided by fear of escalation, because Putin is unpredictable anyway.
The president of the International Criminal Court said Tuesday that he had urged Guinea-Bissau to become a member as proof of the unstable West African nations commitment to peace.

ICC President Piotr Hofmanski told reporters during a visit that he had come to request it to sign the Rome Statute, the courts founding treaty.

According to our conviction, joining the International Criminal Court system shows a countrys commitment to the rule of law, to peace and security, he said, in the capital Bissau.

Guinea-Bissaus President Umaro Sissoco Embalo promised to consider the request, according to Hofmanski.

The former Portuguese colony of around two million people is notoriously unstable and has suffered four military coups since 1974, its most recent in 2012.

A failed coup attempt in February left 11 people dead.
West Virginia will receive $99 million in a settlement with Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals on Monday. Drugmakers role in perpetuating opioid crisis In states that have long been responsible for drug overdose deaths nationwide.

State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said in a news conference that he believes West Virginias per capita settlement is the largest in the nation, Janssen, the company that faces opioids in dozens of communities across the country. litigation

The attorney general said the number reflects the severity of the opioid crisis in West Virginia.

We think this represents an important step forward to begin raising funds to help West Virginians devastated by the opioid epidemic, Morrissey said in his state Capitol office.

Settlement announced At the start of the third week of testimony In the states case against Janssen, Teva Pharmaceuticals Inc., AbbVie Inc.s Allergan and their family companies. The companies are accused of downplaying or failing to mention the addiction risks associated with opioid use in West Virginia, while exaggerating the benefits of prescription drugs.

Spokespeople for Johnson & Johnson and Janssen said in a statement on Monday that the settlement was not an admission of responsibility or wrongdoing by the companies.

The companys conduct in the marketing and promotion of important opioid prescription drugs is appropriate and responsible, the release reads. According to the press release, the company no longer sells prescription opioids in the United States.

Morrissey said cities and counties in West Virginia could start receiving settlements within 45 days. The money will be used to help communities deal with the opioid crisis. Meanwhile, he said the trials against Teva and Allergan are proceeding as scheduled.

We will hold Teva and Allergan accountable without delay, and we will now be back in court, he said.

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The states lawsuit, filed in 2019, accuses the companies of creating a nuisance and violating the states Consumer Credit and Protection Act.

Lawyers for the companies said in their opening statements earlier this month that their individual products, which have a market share of well below 1 percent in West Virginia, are medically necessary prescriptions that are unlikely to contribute to the states opioid problem. .

But pharmaceutical marketing expert Matthew Perri testify He painfully reviewed thousands of pages of marketing material from the company. He described a paradigm shift from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, in which companies moved from selling opioids as drugs designed for patients with advanced cancer to those designed to treat long-term pain.

Marketing materials used by sales reps described the drug as safe and effective in managing patient pain and improving function and quality of life, Perri testified.

It removes barriers there, effectively lowering the threshold for opioid prescribing, he said. Opioids can be prescribed faster during treatment, no worries.
Korean stars are not just investing their time working on various projects. They are also making profits by engaging in different types of businesses. Like actor Lee Byung Hun, who was able to earn this big amount of money from the real estate business.

Lee Byung Hun's Invests in Real Estate Made Him Big Time

In a report stated by a media outlet, the real estate industry confirmed on April 18 that Lee Byung Hun made a profit of 10.6 billion krw in three years from the sale of the Yeongdeungpo building, in which the "Squid Game" star invested in through a private corporation.

According to the statement, the building in Yangpyeong-dong 4-ga, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul costs 36.8 billion won in July 2021. Real estate rental and advisory firm Project Bee was established in September 2017, with Lee Byung Hun having 100 percent of the shares.

As of March 2018, the property already costs 26 billion krw, which has a site area of 1470.79 m2, has a total floor area of 7931.75 m2, and has two basement floors and 10 floors above the ground. It has been said that the award-winning actor personally lent 17 billion won to the corporation to purchase the building.

In addition, the male star has earned a stable income of 1.2 billion won through building rental every year. The project cost raised 10.6 billion krw in profit in about three years and four months to be exact.

Lee Byung Hun To Team Up with Shin Min Ah in tvN's 'Our Blues'

On the other hand, the "Mr.Sunshine" actor is making his long-awaited small-screen comeback with tvN's "Our Blues." He will work with "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" actress Shin Min Ah and will play the role of Lee Dong Seok, a sophisticated man who will be entangled with Min Seon Ah.

"Our Blues" marks his first drama this 2022, following the record-breaking series "Squid Game" in 2021. Furthermore, Lee Byung Hun also has two upcoming films; "Concrete Utopia" where he will share a screen with Park Seo Joon and Park Bo Young and "Emergency Declaration" which was invited to the Cannes Film Festival ahead of its worldwide release.

Joining him in the film are Song Kang Ho, Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Nam Gil, Im Siwan, Kim So Jin, Park Hae Joon, Seo Suk Kyu, and Jeon Se Young.

Lee Byung Hun is also confirmed to return to Netflix's original series "Squid Game 2," which is slated to premiere in 2024.

Got any comments? Share them with us!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
As Park Shin Hye nears her stage of pregnancy, media outlets cited that she and her husband Choi Tae Joon are already choosing the location to give birth.

While the celebrity couple is tight-lipped about the coming of their little one, fans and the media are eager to get updates regarding the actress' pregnancy.

Park Shin Hye to Give Birth at Seoul National University Hospital?

According to an online outlet, Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon reportedly went to Seoul National University Hospital to check the facility because she is near her due date.

The actress, who might be in the last months of her pregnancy, ensures to deliver their firstborn child in the safest way possible by choosing top tier hospitals in Seoul, one of which is the SNU Hospital.

According to Newsweek.com, the said facility made it in 2019's Top 10 Best Hospitals in South Korea.

At the time, Seoul National University Hospital ranked third, garnering a score of 92.4 points.

Landing second is Samsung Medical Center, with a total of 92.8 points, while leading Korea's list of best hospitals is Asan Medical Center, with an overall score of 93.1

Newlyweds Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon Expecting a Baby Boy

The pregnancy update comes months after the couple is said to be expecting a baby boy.

Park Shin Hye's celebrity friend Uhm Ji Won shared a tidbit about the actress' gender reveal party.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Park Shin Hye Unveils Never-Before-Seen Wedding Photos With Husband Choi Tae Joon

Over her YouTube channel, the Hallyu actress was surrounded by massive congratulatory balloons, one of which reads, "Hello baby boy!"

As seen in the video, the soon-to-be mom is excited about the coming of her firstborn child.

Highlights During Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon Wedding

The "Sisyphus: The Myth" star and the South Korean heartthrob are among the celebrity couple who announced their wedding this 2022.

After the pair's four-year relationship, Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon officially tied the knot on January 22.

Aside from their family and relatives, the wedding became a star-studded event as the couple invited a slew of celebrities.

The guests included "Reply 1988" star Lee Dong Hwi, IU, Lee Hong Ki, AOA's Seolhyun, Lee Sun Bin, and Park Shin Hye's "The Heirs" co-star Lee Min Ho.

Aside from the star-studded guest, the actress walked down the aisle wearing a stunning ball gown from Oscar de la Renta. Park Shin Hye's husband looked dapper in a three-piece black suit featuring a waistcoat from the same designer.

From Wife to First Time Mom

Interestingly, the pair's wedding was not just the only highlight when they announced their engagement.

In November 2021, various media outlets noted that Park Shin Hye announced surprising news on her fan cafe, revealing that she is set to marry her longtime boyfriend.

In addition, the "Memories of the Alhambra" star also confirmed that she is also "blessed with a baby."

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Multiple K-media outlets reported on April 19 that Seo Ji Hye and Yoon Kye Sang's first drama collaboration, "Kiss Sixth Sense" released new updates regarding its upcoming release.

'Kiss Sixth Sense' Update: Drama Drops Seo Ji Hye and Yoon Kye Sang's Mysterious Poster

Disney+ Korea released a teaser poster of the original K-drama "Kiss Sixth Sense." It contains the romantic yet mysterious atmosphere of the main cast Yoon Kye Sang and Seo Ji Hye. They are about to kiss each other.

There is also a caption written on the poster that reads "I saw a thrilling future the moment our lips touched."

"Kiss Sixth Sense" follows the romance story of Hong Ye Sool, whose five senses are developed and have the power to see someone else's future through her sixth sense. It is based on a Naver web novel of the same name and received great reviews and is loved by readers for its strong and witty narrative.

Yoon Kye Sang is Cha Min Ho, a team leader in Jegi Planning Team, and is the best creative professional who received the Korea Advertising Awards. But there's something different from him, his sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch are more sensitive than the others.

"Crash Landing on You" actress Seo Ji Hye takes the role of Hong Ye Sool, a workaholic assistant executive of Hong Art. She sees the future when her lips touch someone's lips. Although she is set to get promoted to a higher position for her inborn talent in planning, stress is reaching her after she met Min Ho.

She has the ability to see a person's future unconditionally when her lips touch another person's body.

With each other's secret abilities and bickering moments, romance will blossom as they continue to work with each other. In addition to the chemistry between Seo Ji Hye and Yoon Kye Sang, expectations are high for the drama's storyline.

'Kiss Sixth Sense' To Premiere in May

A representative from the drama's production team said, "Please look forward to Disney+'s special love story, which saves the dull five senses and satisfies the sixth sense."

Meanwhile, aside from the poster, the production also confirmed that "Kiss Sixth Sense" is slated to meet the viewers in May on Disney+Korea.

Seo Ji Hye also has another drama to work with this year. She will share frame with award-winning actor Jisung in the mystery series "Adams."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Confirmed! Ji Sung to Play Another Challenging Role in tvN's Mystery Drama 'Adamas'

What are your thoughts about Seo Ji Hye and Yoon Kye Sang's upcoming drama? Share your comments with us!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
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Cape Town, South Africa (PANA)  Following an emergency meeting on Sunday, the South African Cabinet has announced that a National State of Disaster must be implemented with immediate effect to address the flooding crisis that has left more than 440 people dead
Dunkitt Church, Clomantagh Church and Grangefertagh Church & Graveyard have been awarded funding of 196,200 between them under the national 2022 Community Monuments Fund.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, announced the Kilkenny funding recipients earlier today, see below:

Dunkitt Church, South Kilkenny - 85,000.00

Clomantagh Church, west of Freshford - 85,000.00

Grangefertagh Church & Graveyard, north-east of Johnstown - 26,200.00

The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.

It contains a number of different measures aimed at enabling conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support, encouraging access to archaeological monuments and improving their presentation and also building resilience in archaeological monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

Speaking today, Minister Noonan said: These awards help us to deliver on various commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030. It will provide further supports for communities and custodians and the heritage sector, for archaeologists, conservation architects, stone masons, and other professional trades. These projects will also help build resilience against extreme weather and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Minister Noonan added: I want to commend our National Monuments Service for their huge effort in managing the scheme and the local authorities for their incredible support in administering applications.

Concerns about the the structural integrity of Clomantagh Church and Grangefertagh Church had been raised last year by North Kilkenny councillors, with Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh stating at the time that they were facing the risk of 'imminent collapse'.
Aerial photo taken on April 16, 2022 shows a kiwi fruit orchard in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Tourists visit a scenic spot in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 16, 2022. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A crested ibis (R) is seen in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 16, 2022. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Aerial photo taken on April 16, 2022 shows Longting township in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Aerial photo taken on April 18, 2022 shows Huayang township in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Crested ibises are seen in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 16, 2022. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A woman works at a wine factory in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 16, 2022. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Crested ibises are seen in Yangxian County of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 16, 2022. Yangxian County, dubbed the "hometown of the crested ibis", has boosted its green economy to create a good habitat for crested ibis while developing the economy. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
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Demand for agri-lending from Credit Unions has continued to grow over the past 12 months.

Having joined the 'Cultivate' group of credit unions, St. Canice's Credit Union is now actively supporting farmers needs in this market. The first three months of 2022 have seen a sizable jump in Cultivate loans issued and in enquiries from farmers around the country.

Some are seeking to fund long term capital projects with many farms also availing of short term working capital expenses such as meal and fertiliser due to the unprecedented increase in prices recently.

There are numerous reasons why the Cultivate product is attractive but the local and personal touch are definitely foremost in farmer's thoughts while quick turnaround times are also given as a reason for choosing St. Canice's.

There is no requirement to have an existing account, this can all be done as part of the loan application with the entire process generally completed within a couple of days.

With loan amounts up to 75,000 and terms up to 7 years the Cultivate product is simple and flexible with no hidden fees or charges.

Any farmer interested in discussing their plans can call into any one of the nine St. Canice's branches, call the Member Service Centre on 056-7722042 or call the Business Development Officer Tom McWey on 086-4400582 to arrange a farm visit or make your application by phone.

For further info click here.

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Prosecutor-General Kim Oh-soo delivers his opinion against the Democratic Party of Korea's push to pass a prosecutorial reform bill to separate the prosecution's investigative and prosecutorial powers, during a meeting of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, at the Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps



Yoon Suk-yeol's transition committee condemns ruling party for attempting 'legislative coup'



By Jung Da-min



Prosecutor-General Kim Oh-soo has proposed an alternative bill designed to ensure the political neutrality of the prosecution, to prevent the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) from pushing its own reform bill aimed at separating the prosecution's powers to lead investigations and indict suspects.



"Other than completely stripping the prosecution of its investigative authority, there is another way that can ensure the fairness of the prosecution when carrying out investigations and we can consider establishing a special law at the National Assembly," Kim told reporters at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul's Seocho District, Tuesday.



Kim said the National Assembly could obligate the prosecutor general, senior prosecutors leading the high prosecutors' offices as well as district and branch prosecutors' offices to attend closed-door meetings of the Assembly when there are issues related to the prosecution's fairness during its investigation of crime cases. Kim also said the National Assembly already has the right to impeach senior prosecutors, which could be used to prevent potential abuses of power by prosecutors.



Back in 2019 when he was involved in the prosecutorial reform plan, Kim said he and other members had to find ways to strike a balance while performing the prosecution's roles of leading and overseeing investigations conducted by other law enforcement agencies.



"A key issue when reforming the prosecution in 2019 was how to balance the authority to command investigations with the right to investigate," he said. "If it is necessary, we can discuss the possibility of the prosecution maintaining the right to investigate and removing its authority to command investigations."



But the Supreme Prosecutors' Office issued a separate statement saying it is not reviewing such an option of readjusting the prosecution's right to oversee investigations and it investigative rights.



Later on Tuesday, Kim attended a meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, to deliver his opinion against the DPK's push to pass a reform bill aimed at separating the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers.



"It would only cause wounds to fester if the prosecution's investigative authority is completely abolished when it has only been about a year since the prosecution's investigative and prosecutorial powers have been redistributed to the prosecution and the police," Kim said during the Assembly's judiciary committee meeting. "It is time for all the relevant organizations, including the court, the prosecution, the police and the legal circle to work together to make all-out efforts to stabilize the current system, even though our ultimate plan is to carry out the reform of the prosecution."



Kim was referring to last year's introduction of a new investigation system, under which the prosecution and the police have the right to investigate different cases, as well as the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIOHO), which is in charge of conducting probes into allegations involving high-ranking officials and their family members.



In the current system, the prosecution has the power to investigate crimes in six categories  corruption, the economy, public officials, elections, defense industry projects and major catastrophes  while the police are in charge of investigating other crimes.





The Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul's Seocho District, Monday. Yonhap
This photo shows a greenhouse owned by Koo Jin taek, a farmer in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. He would normally be harvesting the lettuce during the spring season, but this year, he had to destroy the crops due to the shortage of farm workers. Courtesy of Koo Jin-taek



Since start of pandemic, only one-tenth of foreign national workers have entered Korea



By Lee Hyo-jin



Koo Jin-taek, a vegetable farm owner in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, would normally be harvesting thousands of heads of lettuce during the spring season, but instead, he had to destroy his crops, as there was simply no one to harvest the perfectly tradable vegetables.



"It is literally heartbreaking to have to destroy them. But I have no choice. With only five workers on the farm, it is impossible to harvest the crops," the 55-year-old farmer told The Korea Times.



Koo  who currently owns 45 greenhouses producing lettuce, chicory and other leafy green vegetables  initially had nine workers from Cambodia before the COVID-19 pandemic started. But the number has been cut down to three since then. And only recently was he lucky enough to be able to hire two more workers.



"Some workers left because their visas expired, while others moved to other farms where they were offered higher salaries. I've asked the local authorities multiple times to match me with new workers, but they couldn't. And things have only gotten worse over the last three years," said Koo.



Although labor shortages are not a new phenomenon in Korea's agricultural industry, farms across the nation are struggling with the worst labor shortage in recent memory due to a plunge in entrants of foreign nationality amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



According to data from the Ministry of Labor and Employment, only about 6,600 and 5,100 foreign national workers entered the country in 2020 and 2021, respectively, a dramatic decline compared to pre-pandemic levels, when over 50,000 workers were deployed every year.



Against this backdrop, in December of last year, the labor ministry decided to grant one-year extensions to foreign national workers holding E-9 and H-2 visas, whose stays were to end between Jan. 1 and April 12, 2022.





Workers of foreign nationality harvest plants on a farm in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times file
By Bernard Rowan





Sadly, the evil and tyrannical foolishness of Putin and the Russian leadership has reached a new low with the war in Ukraine. War crimes occur on the backs of conscripts. Civilian targets suffer indiscriminately. Far from "Making Russia Great Again," Putin has sealed his fate as the 21st century's worst international leader, with damning parallels to Hitler. Nevertheless, Ukraine will not lose this conflict. This moment marks an unraveling in autocracy's recent melodrama of injustice. Russia's pullback to consolidate something less than the original delusion unfolds. In its wake, the world realizes a new bipolarity.



The war in Ukraine reveals a bipolarity forming in global relations. The Alliance of Freedom and the Axis of Autocracy exist today, including with what qualifies as a proxy war in Ukraine. The United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia form one pole. China, the silent "non-condemning" leader of the Axis, forms an alternate pole with team members Russia (pretenses aside), Iran, North Korea and other states. The Axis of Autocracy stands against the status quo of liberal internationalism, democracy and capitalism. The conflict in Ukraine amounts to a war between a declining power, Russia, which also is China's proxy, and a resilient Ukraine, the Alliance's proxy. There also are important fence-sitters like India and Turkey. Other participants in the forming bipolarity are the weakly aligned and unaligned states.



Realists analyze the Ukraine War as a waste of time and blame the Alliance of Freedom for intruding on Russia's border and boundaries. Their analyses have the credibility of received opinion but fail to consider the broader reality. The power relations for freedom and democracy want attention to realist analysis but also something more than simple acceptance of its conclusions. The horizon of global democracies remains a project, just as does the Axis of Autocracies. These rival visions and investments vector the respective poles of the international order in societies, cultures and their power.



The Ukraine War will teach lessons. I speak to one chapter of them, the need to support and uphold democracies. This includes nascent or partial versions of democracies. Global stability depends on it. Foreign policy toward Ukraine and the other former Soviet republics, now free states, long has needed something more than rhetoric by NATO, the EU and the United States. The same holds true for Africa, India and Southeast Asia. Real investment to encourage democracies is better than supplying weaponry after a war begins.



China is busily at work, investing billions and trillions of dollars to shore up new autocracies and fledgling partners. The Belt and Road and blue water navy projects unfold with a host of only seemingly unsuspecting clients. Axis political clients will align with China, or risk stasis following Chinese investments, influence and control. The Alliance for Freedom should learn again how shortchanging investments in others threatens the national interest and endangers global order. Formerly unheard-of partners, say the Solomon Islands, now openly turn to join the Axis of Autocracy. This will need more investments in deterrence. Investment isn't an idea confined to personal moneymaking.



The forming bipolarity has greater breadth. Global development continues across both poles and the straddlers and unaligned. Multiple states have nuclear weapons, and more want them. The Alliance for Freedom must increase its security investments, focusing on military realities, soft power and development of democratic potential. More states demand attention. Sadly, this realist logic continues to unfold, multiplying the potential for global conflict.



In all of this, I think it's both sad and important that whatever North Korea pretends to is of less importance than what China does about security relations. This doesn't mean South Korea need not continue to develop her powers and advanced economy as a leader in the Alliance for Freedom  quite the contrary. The Japan-Russia World War II peace negotiations take a back seat. Hopes for unification and the end of North Korea will too. The real problem is a forming bipolar competition between the Axis of Autocracy and the Alliance for Freedom. It isn't enough to summarize that as China versus the United States anymore.





Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is the associate provost for contract administration and a professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and a former visiting professor at Hanyang University.




By Martin Schram





Day and night, images that are unwatchable yet unforgettable pour out of the great news funnels all around the planet.







The images bring a flood of anguish into the lives of people who cannot bear looking at the horrific slaughter and inhumane cruelty that a superpower is inflicting upon its much smaller neighbor.







But these same people also cannot bear looking away. So they watch the blatant and undeniable war crimes that Russia's military is inflicting upon Ukrainian innocents. They witness the Nazi-like cruelty of Vladimir Putin's forces as they targeted and destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, fleeing families in train stations and fearful families in shelters that are now rubble.







And as they watch, viewers everywhere are thinking just what you are thinking: Why can't our leaders do more to make them stop?







But very few around our planet (and probably not even you!) are thinking about the one organization that was created 76 years ago to mobilize a world of leaders to try to resolve, or at least reduce, this kind of crisis.







Were you really thinking about the United Nations? (Or do you think of the U.N. as an outmoded relic?) Were you really about to ask if the leader of the United Nations can do something to maybe give peace a chance in shattered Ukraine?







Probably not. You probably can't remember the name of the United Nations' secretary general. Not your fault; he's not been in the news much. Google reports his name was in a New York Times article just once this month, twice last month, three times in February, zero in January. At the start of this 21st century, you'd have known well the name of the U.N.'s activist Secretary General Kofi Annan. In the Eisenhower Era, you'd have known all about Dag Hammarskjold.







But read on. There is something innovative the United Nations can and should be doing to inject a jolt of innovative geo-persuasion into our era of stagnant old-school diplomacy. The U.N. can spotlight how Putin has used his own Big Lie to con fellow Russians into accepting his Hitlerian compulsion to crush Ukraine. Starting with his whopper that Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government is a bunch of neo-Nazis. (And yes, Putin learned his Big Lie move from watching how Donald Trump shamelessly deceived his voter base with his firehose of big lies that he really won reelection.)







Putin's state media won't show Russians the abhorrent reality of images all the world has been watching since he said he wouldn't invade Ukraine and then invaded Ukraine. Putin's polls are soaring. Moscow's Levada Center, an independent public opinion organization, shows Putin's approval rating climbed from 67 percent last October to 83 percent on March 20.







But wait! Polls in a dictatorship may not provide a paint-by-the-numbers picture of what people really think. Levada's methodology, according to its website, was to interview 1,626 Russians in person, in their homes. Hmmm. Imagine you are an ordinary Russian in Putin's dictatorship where journalists can be jailed for calling Putin's Ukraine war a war. A stranger at the door is asking if you approve of Putin's policies and writing down your answers. Your responses may merely reflect your desire to remain free.







This is where we now need the help of an activist U.N. secretary general. He is in a perfect position to mobilize a virtual video initiative featuring a cross-section of world leaders, appearing in person or virtually, in a special General Assembly session, reading a few sentences to narrate a diplomatically unique video.







"A WORLD OF TRUTH: Global Leaders Reach Out to Russia's Families" can spotlight for ordinary Russians the images of the war crime horrors all the world has been watching for the past 50 days of Putin's invasion and shattering of Ukraine. Those images have become the world's window into the shame that is Putin's Russia today.







In addition to famous presidents and prime ministers, the U.N. secretary general may also want to recruit some of the world's religious leaders  the pope, of course. But he can also invite the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. The video can end with the world's leaders telling Russians that the world needs Russia to return to the moral values we all always shared, as allies when we defeated the actual Nazis.







Finally, the U.N. secretary general needs to mount a massive media effort to give Russians every chance to see this event somewhere, in which the world is speaking to them. Keep the video streaming, via YouTube, social media and all other resources of the global internet.







And if our innovative persuasion project is accomplished, you will never forget the name of our next Nobel Peace Prize laureate, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, of Portugal.









Martin Schram (





martin.schram@gmail.com ), an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service, is a veteran Washington journalist, author and TV documentary executive. This article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
By Ahn Ho-young





The past several months have been a particularly frustrating time for a large number of North Korea watchers. North Korea began the year with the repeated testing of missiles of various ranges and capabilities, many of them capable of evading interception by missile defense systems deployed in the South. After the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, North Korea tested intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as well.



On April 1, Defense Minister Suh Wook attended a ceremony to inaugurate the upgraded Strategic Missile Command. He took advantage of the opportunity to respond to North Korean provocations: at the clear and imminent sign of missile attacks by North Korea, South Korea will respond with preemptive strikes on North Korea.



Minister Suh was simply reiterating South Korea's defense policy dating back to previous governments. However, North Korea, used to a more conciliatory and accommodating policy of the South during the past five years, responded with vehement verbal threats on April 2. Two days later, it issued another statement, which threatened the South with what I would call a North Korean version of a nuclear doctrine.



The statement read that the primary mission of North Korean nuclear forces is to deter attacks on itself. However, once a war breaks out, its mission will change to annihilating the military capability of the "other party" at an early time.



North Korea has long threatened South Korea with total devastation, often threatening to turn the South into a "sea of fire." North Korea has also declared its intention to use nuclear forces to unify Korea under its own terms. However, April 4 was the very first time that North Korea disclosed a clear plan of using nuclear weapons against the "other party," implying South Korea and the U.S. I wish to share several important takeaways from this unprecedented declaration by North Korea.



First of all, North Korea declared in unmistakable terms why it is developing nuclear weapons. The April 4 statement repeatedly reminded South Korea that it is not a nuclear power. North Korea is thus already using its nuclear power as a means of intimidating South Korea. However, North Korea's purpose is not only for bluff, intimidation or deterrence. North Korea declared that it is ready to use its nuclear weapons at the start of a war.



Second, the recklessness underlying the April 4 statement concerns me in the most serious manner. The proliferation of nuclear weapons made many defense thinkers to move away from planning all-out war to self-restraint and limited war for fear of what they called nuclear Armageddon. One typical example of such efforts was the escalation ladder of 44 rungs conceived by Herman Kahn. These efforts resulted in President John F. Kennedy adopting a "flexible response" as the basis of the U.S. nuclear doctrine.



I do not read such self-restraint and fear for the consequence of its actions in the North Korean version of nuclear doctrine. The start of war will trigger North Korea to massively employ nuclear weapons at the very start in order to "prevail in the battlefield, annihilate the military capability of the other party at an early time and obliterate the other party's will to fight."



Third, given North Korea's unprecedented declaration of the purpose and the modality of using nuclear weapons, the question we have to face more seriously than ever is how to defend the life and safety of our own citizens in the South.



We have been pursuing the three pillars of "diplomacy, sanction and deterrence." We will have to keep the door open for diplomacy. But no one has high hopes for the path for the time being. We talk about further strengthening sanctions against North Korea. But we know that the prospect is very dim, particularly in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and deepening divide among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.



That leads us to the importance of significantly strengthening deterrence against North Korea. We have to start with upgrading our missile strike and defense capability. Even belatedly, the Moon Jae-in government seems to have found that it can no longer put off the efforts. I am confident that these efforts will continue under the new Yoon Suk-yeol government.



These are quintessential efforts, but not sufficient in my view to meet the growing threats from North Korea. Many ideas have already been put on the table  South Korea's deployment of nuclear-powered submarines, deeper integration of missile defense systems with the U.S., redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons in the South, NATO-style nuclear sharing, even a South Korean nuclear program.



They are not easy options. But we have to wake up to the seriousness of the situation, review the merits and costs of each of these options against the unprecedented threats posed by North Korea and make fresh efforts to significantly strengthen our deterrence capability. Business as usual will not do.





Ahn Ho-young (hyahn78@mofa.or.kr) is president of the University of North Korean Studies. He served as Korean ambassador to the United States and first vice foreign minister.




By Arthur I. Cyr





"America and Britain play cold-war games with Russia in the Arctic." That headline sums up a situation growing steadily more ominous.







The message is not current, but rather from two years ago in the influential British weekly "The Economist." Since then, Russia has been continuing its massive infrastructure and military buildup in the Arctic.







Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the continuing bloody war, underscore the importance of the Arctic rivalry. The headline reflects British fondness for irony, but Arctic developments are no game.







Big money and big militaries are involved. Today, Russia gives disciplined, long-term priority to the Arctic.







Currently, the melting ice encourages both commercial investment and military activity. Other major powers have devoted relatively little attention to the changing geopolitical dimensions of northern latitudes.







Neither the Obama nor Trump administration gave the Arctic priority, but we no longer can afford that complacency. Both China and Russia are extremely assertive there, as elsewhere.







Russia President Vladimir Putin relentlessly pursues power and influence in this part of the world, as in others. Operations of surface ships go beyond the customary presence of submarines.







Early this year, analysts interpreted Barents Sea operations as preparations for invading Ukraine. Russia publicly denied any such intent.







Russia's deployments comprise components of a wider disciplined, comprehensive strategy. That nation spearheads organizing a region of tremendous economic potential. In April 2019, Russia hosted leaders from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in an Arctic Forum held in St. Petersburg.







In 2021, Russia succeeded Iceland in chairing the Arctic Council, which also includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United States.







President Barack Obama did visit Alaska in 2016, but the trip was largely symbolic and rhetorical. This is unfortunate since the U.S. also chaired the Arctic Council at the time.







There has been some Atlantic area assertiveness. In 2018, NATO held the Trident Juncture military maneuvers anchored in Norway. This large operation was unusual since the end of the Cold War.







A U.S. aircraft carrier entered the Arctic Circle for the first time since the Cold War. Also notable, Finland and Sweden participated along with NATO nations.



Historically Britain has led in polar matters, joined in the 19th century by the United States. Germany also emerged as a leader, until disastrously sidetracked by militarism.







Traditional, serious territorial conflicts continue, and Russia's aggressive actions exacerbate them. Current disputes align Russia against Canada and Denmark regarding control of the Lomonosov Ridge, most of which is in international waters. Other involved nations include Finland, Iceland, Sweden and the U.S.







Longer term history is encouraging regarding international Arctic cooperation. International Polar Years occurred in 1882-1883, 1932-1933 and 2007-2009. The first two inspired the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-1958, during the height of the Cold War.







The discovery of the Van Allen Radiation Belts was among the important IGY scientific discoveries. American scientific and government leadership was instrumental in launching and completing this comprehensive global enterprise.







President Dwight D. Eisenhower also initiated the demilitarization of Antarctica. This was the first major arms control agreement of the Cold War, and laid the foundation for others.







Eisenhower combined scientific cooperation with attention to national defense. In August 1958, the new nuclear submarine Nautilus made the first undersea voyage to the North Pole. In 2007, two mini-submarines planted Russia's flag on the North Pole seabed, far below the surface.







Putin's Ukraine invasion is one brutal component of a comprehensive strategy. A newly energized NATO must plan, and act, accordingly. Complacency no longer is an option.









Arthur I. Cyr (

.) is author of "After the Cold War" (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan).


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BLACKPINK Rose showed off her alluring figure for Harper's Bazaar's May 2022 issue. The magazine shared snippets of her shoot on April 18.

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RACINE  In Wisconsin, pest control typically is regarded as an issue of comfort and convenience. In other parts of the world, it can be a matter of life or death.

That is why Racine-based SC Johnson  maker of OFF! insect repellent and similar products  is helping leaders in Africa and other vulnerable regions to combat the mosquito-borne disease malaria.

On Tuesday morning, Samia Suluhu Hassan, president of the United Republic of Tanzania, visited SCJ to examine research facilities where the consumer goods giant has created its successful tools for pest control.

SC Johnson officials said they were honored to host President Hassan and to showcase the companys Center for Insect Science and Family Health. Located at 101 Four Mile Road, Wind Point, the center is one of the largest privately owned research facilities of its kind in the world.

Fisk Johnson, SCJ Chairman and CEO, said in a prepared statement that malaria kills one child every minute, on average, mostly in African countries.

At SC Johnson, we are committed to sharing our expertise in insect science to help eradicate this tragic, yet preventable, disease, Johnson said.

The Tanzanian presidents visit to Racine followed Johnsons visit with her two weeks ago in Tanzania.

Hassan toured the companys world headquarters in Racine, then visited the Center for Insect Science in Wind Point.

SC Johnson opened its first insect research center in 1957 to develop products that consumers could use to protect their families and homes from pests, and to avoid diseases carried by mosquitoes.

Employees at the Wind Point research facility study insect biology, physiology, behavior and toxicology, as well as infestation management and disease prevention. The center houses about 20 species of insects, including mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants and moths.

The company also manages a field-collection program to capture and study seasonal pests.

Its a controlled, carefully monitored environment where researchers study all aspects of insect behavior, development and methods of insect control, the company said.

The research has led SC Johnson to develop such products as OFF! repellent, Raid insecticide, and Baygon spray.

Malaria, a deadly disease spread to humans through mosquito bites, has been largely eradicated in most parts of the world. But Africa remains home to 95% of all cases worldwide. Children under age five account for 80% of all malaria deaths in Africa.

In a statement Tuesday stemming from the Tanzania presidents visit, SC Johnson said the company is testing low-cost repellents that can be used by people who lack access to other prevention tools in vulnerable regions. Clinical trials have taken place in Indonesia and Peru, and are underway in Kenya.

These repellents are easy to use, do not require electricity or flame, and work continuously for up to 10 months, the company said.

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Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk is the latest celebrity to be honoured with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. He got his name set in stone on Monday, The Hollywood Reporter informed. Bob's star was placed next to the one belonging to his 'Breaking Bad' co-star Bryan Cranston. Better Call Saul Season 6 Premiere Review: Fans Rave About the Return of Bob Odenkirks Breaking Bad Spinoff!

His co-stars Jonathan Banks, Patrick Fabian, Tony Dalton, Giancarlo Esposito, Rhea Seehorn, Giancarlo Esposito, Patrick Fabian, and Michael Mando marked their presence at Bob's felicitation ceremony. Better Call Saul Season 6 Trailer: Bob Odenkirk Returns For the Final Outing of His Breaking Bad Spinoff in This New Promo! (Watch Video).

Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan and writer Peter Gould also attended the ceremony. A few months ago, Bob was in the headlines after suffering a heart attack and collapsing while shooting for Better Call Saul.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) The BJP-ruled NDMC has scheduled an anti-encroachment drive on Wednesday and Thursday in Jahangirpuri, where clashes broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, and has asked the Delhi Police to provide at least 400 personnel to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta on Tuesday wrote to the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) mayor to identify the illegal constructions of "rioters" in Jahangirpuri and demolish it using bulldozers.

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The copy of the letter was also sent to commissioner of the municipal body.

Clashes broke out between two communities during the procession at Jahangirpuri on Saturday, leaving eight police personnel and a local resident injured. There was also stone-pelting and arson during the clashes and some vehicles were also torched.

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The north civic body in a letter to the Northwest deputy commissioner of police (DCP) said that a special joint encroachment removal action programme, comprising the public works department, police, works department, health and sanitation department, veterinary department and enforcement cell of the NDMC has been scheduled in Jahangirpuri.

You (police) are therefore requested to provide at least 400 police personnel including lady police/outer force for maintaining law and order during the encroachment removal action on April 20 or April 21 (9.30 am onwards) as per your convenience for three days, the assistant commissioner, NDMC civil lines zone, said in the letter to the DCP.

Delhi BJP president Gupta, said that a Hanuman Jayanti procession passing through Jahangirpuri was pelted with stones by anti-social elements and rioters on April 16

These anti-social elements have protection of the local MLA and councillor as a result of which they have made large numbers of encroachments and illegal constructions, he alleged.

"The illegal constructions and encroachments by these rioters should be identified and demolished with bulldozers and strict action should be taken against them at the earliest," Delhi BJP president wrote to Mayor Raja Iqbal.

The ruling AAP and the BJP have been engaged in blame game over the violence and arson in Jahangirpuri. While the AAP has been alleging that main accused in the clashes belonged to the BJP, the saffron party claims they belong to the AAP.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By SA Commercial Prop News

PV installation at Kolonnade Retail Park - Pretoria, financed though Nedbank CIB.



Vukile Property Fund (JSE: VKE), has concluded a five-year R200m use-of-proceeds Green Loan with Nedbank CIB, which will fund 19 solar energy projects and energy-efficiency initiatives across South Africa.

The loan will fund seven recently installed solar energy projects of R60m. In addition, it will be used for eight solar farm installations underway or soon to commence at Vukiles retail properties, together with four future solar projects, all scheduled for completion in the next 36 months at a combined R140m.



Laurence Rapp, CEO of Vukile Property Fund, says, We are pleased to extend our relationship with Nedbank CIB through our first Green Loan, which marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. It is a testament to the positive environmental action and impact embedded in Vukiles business operations and planning.

This funding will be dedicated to new on-site solar farms at retail property assets, supporting their energy-efficient and cost-efficient operations, and helping to meet the needs of our retailer tenants and shopping centres customers, while reducing climate impact.



Arvana Singh, Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Nedbank CIB, comments, We are proud to partner with Vukile Property Fund to structure its first Green Loan to fund solar projects and energy efficiency initiatives. Through our property finance and sustainable finance expertise we are creating innovative solutions for our clients to tap into and progress on their sustainability journeys.



Singh adds, More than just a means of funding property projects, Vukiles new Green Loan underscores the green built environment ethos that Vukile and Nedbank share.



To date, Vukile has installed 14.2 MWp in solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems through 21 different projects, providing 10% of electricity consumed across Vukiles portfolio through sustainable energy and decreasing Vukiles carbon footprint by about 20,500 tons of CO2.



Vukile plans to install another 7.4 MWp of solar by end-March 2023, creating an additional 5% of the portfolios electricity consumption through sustainable energy and further reducing its environmental impact.

Rapp adds Vukile is committed to environmentally responsible investing and doubling its electricity consumption from sustainable energy projects over the next three years.
Chandigarh, Apr 19 (PTI) Haryana Police on Tuesday claimed to have unearthed a spurious fuel manufacturing unit in Sirsa district.

Police seized around 75,500 litres of spurious diesel. Two accused have also been arrested in this connection, a Haryana police spokesperson said here.

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Acting on a tip-off, the police team raided the spot and recoveries included one tanker-truck having a capacity of 25,000 litres, two storage tankers with the capacity of 27,000 to 35000 litres, motors for shifting diesel in another tank, besides Rs 6,11,360 in cash. The seized oil was stored across trucks, drums, and tankers having a huge capacity, he said.

The arrested accused have been identified as Deepak, a resident of Adampur, and Ramesh who is a native of Rajasthan.

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On the modus operandi of the arrested persons, the spokesperson said they used to prepare spurious diesel by mixing base oil, paraffin, and mineral turpentine oil in their godown.

A preliminary probe has also revealed the involvement of two more persons.

A case against the accused has been registered and further investigation is underway, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 19 (ANI): Amid the ongoing loudspeaker row in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray will hold a meeting with the party's top leaders at his residence on Tuesday, said party sources.

According to sources, in today's meeting, a strategy will be prepared on the issues of the May 3 ultimatum to remove loudspeakers from mosques, a party meeting scheduled to be held on May 1 in Aurangabad and his upcoming Ayodhya visit in June.

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After the MNS chief reiterated his warning to take down loudspeakers from the mosques by May 3, the state Home Department on Monday stated that the use of loudspeakers at the religious sites will only be allowed with due permission.

In wake of the ongoing loudspeaker row in the state, Thackeray had on Sunday said that the Muslims in the country should understand that "religion is not above law and country" while also asking them to take down loudspeakers from mosques.

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"We don't want riots in Maharashtra. No one has opposed the offering of prayers. We want the loudspeakers that are put up in the mosques and are illegal in the entire country should be taken down. If you do it on loudspeaker, then we will also use loudspeakers for it. Muslims should understand that religion isn't bigger than the law. After May 3, I will see what to do," Thackeray said.

The MNS chief asked the Hindus to "wait till May 3" and play Hanuman Chalisa thereafter in front of the mosques that "don't take down the loudspeakers".

"I only have to say to the Hindus across India to wait till May 3. And after that, play Hanuman Chalisa in front of all such mosques that don't take down the loudspeakers," he said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 19 (ANI): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi on Monday evening.

Mufti had an hour-long meeting with Gandhi and refused to speak with the media thereafter.

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According to sources, it was a private meeting during which the two leaders discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the country.

Considering the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, there is speculation about whether Congress will forge an alliance with the PDP instead of the National Conference this time.

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Even though not much is being shared about Mufti's meeting, the visit suggests the possibility of PDP coming closer to Congress in the upcoming days. Sources have claimed that some major activities can be expected in this regard soon.

Meanwhile, Gandhi also met election strategist Prashant Kishor today.

This was their second meeting in the last three days and comes amid speculation that Kishor may join the Congress.

Kishor is learnt to have said that Congress should focus on 370 Lok Sabha constituencies for the 2024 general elections. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has met Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamad Solih, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi in Male with a focus on further expanding bilateral defence cooperation.

Admiral Kumar is on a three-day visit to the Maldives from April 18 to 20. It is his first overseas trip after becoming the Chief of the Naval Staff in November last.

Also Read | Assam: Two Cattle Smugglers Killed, 4 Cops Injured During 'Militant Ambush in Kokrajhar.

In Male, he also held talks with Major General Abdulla Shamaal, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDF) of the Maldives, officials said.

Admiral Kumar hosted a reception onboard Indian Naval Ship Sutlej on Monday in honour of the Maldivian defence minister and the leadership of Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF), they said.

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INS Sutlej, is currently deployed to the Maldives for undertaking a joint hydrographic survey under the provisions of an agreement on hydrographic cooperation.

Admiral Kumar also unveiled the first navigation chart jointly produced by India and Maldives and handed over hydrography equipment to consolidate the organic capabilities of the MNDF, the officials said.

He also presented a consignment of engineering equipment for further sustenance of MNDF ships, thereby reaffirming India's commitment to the capacity building efforts of the Maldivian defence forces.

India and Maldives share common perspectives on maritime security issues in the Indian Ocean and have been working together closely.

"This visit further consolidates the strong and long-standing bilateral relations between two close maritime neighbours and also identified new avenues of expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation in defence and maritime domain," an Indian Navy official said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kokrajhar, April 19: Two alleged cattle smugglers were killed early on Tuesday and four police personnel injured in an "ambush by militants" in Assam's Kokrajhar district, a police officer said.

According to the officer, the attack happened around 1.30 am when the smugglers were being taken to Jomduar area of the district by police personnel for identification of smuggling routes along Sankosh river.

The officer claimed that the police vehicle carrying the duo came under firing from militants, following which the personnel jumped out of the car to take cover in nearby spots. He also said that roads were blocked with felled trees at the site of the incident. The police personnel, after taking cover, retaliated, following which gun fire exchanges continued between the two sides for 10-12 minutes, the officer stated. Two Cattle Smugglers Were Killed and Four Police Personnel Injured.

"The two cattle smugglers were hit by bullets during the militant ambush. They were declared dead on being taken to Saraibeel Primary Health Centre in another vehicle," he explained. Four police personnel, who suffered injuries, were undergoing treatment at local hospitals.

One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition and 28 rounds of empty bullet shells were recovered from the site. The deceased, identified as Akbar Banjara and Salman Banjara, are residents of Uttar Pradesh. They were arrested from Meerut for their alleged involvement in cattle smuggling, the officer said.

"During interrogation, they had revealed that cattle from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal and Assam were being smuggled to Bangladesh via Meghalaya. "The duo divulged that fundamentalist militant organisations based in Bangladesh were involved in this racket and the money from this trade was being used for anti-India activities. Some of the money, they said, also found its way to militant outfits of Assam and Meghalaya," the officer added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, April 19: Amidst the pioneering fintech revolution, the biggest risk of cryptocurrency could be money laundering and its use for financing terror, said Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday (local time). In her address at a seminar during the ongoing spring meet of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sitharaman said: "I think the biggest risk for all countries across the board will be the money laundering aspect and also the aspect of currency being used for financing terror."

"I think regulation using technology is the only answer. Regulation using technology will have to be so adept, that it has to be not behind the curve, but be sure that it is on the top of it. And that's not possible. If any one country thinks that it can handle it. It has to be across the board," the Minister said. The Union Minister reached Washington today morning on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG). Cryptocurrency Tax in India: Lok Sabha Approves 'Crypto Tax' Amendments.

During the first day of the visit, Finance Minister participated in a high-level panel discussion on "Money at a Crossroad" hosted by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF. "We are at the crossroads around how fast, how far, and in what proportion, but I see this as a one way street in which Digital Money is going to play a bigger role," the IMF chief said in her opening remarks.

Sitharaman highlighted India's performance in the digital world and the government's efforts to build the digital infrastructure framework over the last decade, stressing the increase of the digital adoption rate in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If I use 2019 data, the digital adoption rate in India is about 85 per cent. But globally that same year it was only somewhere near 64 per cent. So the pandemic time actually helped us to test and prove for ourselves that it is simple to use, common people can use it, and adoption actually was proven," Sitharaman asserted. Union Budget 2022 Highlights: All Announcements Made by FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Her Budget Speech in Parliament.

Apart from her official engagements with the World Bank, IMF, G20, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sitharaman on Monday also attended an event at the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington DC.

The visit will also include several bilateral interactions, including with Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as well as a high-level meeting with World Bank President David Malpass, a Ministry of Finance statement said.

Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, Apr 19 (AP) A Ukranian journalist imprisoned in Crimea will be honoured next month at the PEN America gala. Vladyslav Yesypenko, arrested last year and sentenced recently to six years in a Russian labor camp for alleged possession and transport of explosives, is this year's recipient of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.

Yesypenko, 53, is a freelance correspondent for Krym.Realii Project, a Crimean radio program and news source run by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He has denied the allegations and has said he confessed after being tortured and threatened with death. He was arrested in March 2021 by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

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At the time, he had been working on a video report about how life has changed in Crimea since it was annexed by Russia eight years ago.

Since February, the horrors of Russia's war on Ukraine have been laid bare for all the world to see. But Russia's campaign to suffocate Ukraine dates back much further, and intensified in 2014 with the illegal occupation of the Crimean peninsula," Suzanne Nossel, CEO of the literary and human rights organization, said in a statement Tuesday.

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Indomitable reporters like Vladyslav Yesypenko have provided a portal to enable the world to see Russian occupation for what it is, an exercise of force aimed to stifle the will of free people."

While in detention, Yesypenko wrote a letter, published by Krym.Realii, in which he contended that Nothing shows the ugly nature of the occupying power as the constant filling of the cells with new people who were detained on fabricated evidence." Referring to his treatment by the FSB, he added: "It didn't break me, but my hair seemed to turn gray.

His wife, Kateryna Yesypenko, will accept the award on his behalf during the May 23 gala at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Other honorees will include author Zadie Smith and Audible founder Donald Katz.

The PEN award, called the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award when established in 1987, is given to writers and artists imprisoned for their work. Over the years, numerous honorees have since been freed, including the 2017 recipient, Ukranian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. He was released from a Russian prison two years later. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jerusalem, Apr 19 (AP) Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops clashed in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday as thousands of Israelis marched to the site of a demolished settlement and called on the government to rebuild it.

Palestinian paramedics said they treated at least eight people who were struck by rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank village of Burqa.

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Several dozen residents were protesting the closure of roads by the army to allow the march led by hard-line Israeli settlers to take place. Palestinian youths burned tires and hurled stones at the soldiers.

Tuesday's march came during a period of surging tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. Palestinian militants fired a rocket from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel for the first time in months after days of clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem.

Also Read | Hina Rabbani Khar Among Shehbaz Sharifs Council of Ministers in Pakistan; Check List of Ministers.

Similar circumstances last year erupted into an 11-day war between Israel and the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The shrine, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and to Jews as the Temple Mount, where two temples stood in antiquity, is the emotional epicenter of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In recent weeks, Palestinians have killed 14 people in attacks inside Israel. The Israeli military has launched raids across the West Bank that is says are aimed at arresting suspected accomplices and preventing further attacks.

At least 26 Palestinians  including the five who carried out the deadly attacks and others engaging in clashes with soldiers  have been killed in recent weeks, An unarmed woman and a lawyer who appears to have been a bystander were also among those killed.

An 18-year-old woman died late Monday of wounds sustained during earlier clashes near the West Bank city of Jenin.

Several thousand Israelis, including young children, took part in the roughly two-kilometer (one mile) march to the demolished outpost of Homesh, where organizers staged festivities attended by religious nationalist politicians and rabbis.

The Israeli military didn't formally authorize the march, but soldiers closed roads and prevented Palestinians from reaching the area.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and in the decades since has built dozens of settlements that are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis living alongside nearly 3 million Palestinians. The Palestinians seek the territory as the heartland of a future independent state.

The settlement of Homesh was built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and was dismantled in 2005. In the years since, Israeli settlers have staged several marches, rallies and attempts to rebuild it in violation of Israeli law and military orders.

The area has been the scene of frequent violence by settlers and Palestinians in recent months. In December, Palestinian militants killed a Jewish settler near the site of the former settlement, and a month earlier six farmers were hospitalized after settlers attacked them with metal batons and stones. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], April 19 (ANI): Six people were killed and dozens injured as a result of two explosions on the territory of schools in western Kabul, a local source told Sputnik on Tuesday.

The first blast occurred on the territory of the Mumtaz school in western Kabul. According to an eyewitness, several people were injured in the explosion. The second blast hit near another school in the capital's Dasht-e-Barchi district.

Also Read | UAE Announces New Visa and Residence Scheme To Attract Global Talent.

"Six people were killed and dozens were injured," the source said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo [Sri Lanka], April 19 (ANI): One person died and over 10 people were injured from the gunshot after the protesters and police clashed in Rambukkana town of Sri Lanka on Tuesday afternoon.

The protesters were agitating in Rambukkana against the decision of increasing the fuel prices again, Daily Mirror reported.

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According to the publication, in the videos, the protestors were seen carrying the wounded people and rushing them to the hospital.

A protestor, in a video, also blamed the police for this incident. They have surrounded the Rambukkana Police Station and are hurling stones at the building, as reported by Daily mirror.

Also Read | UAE Announces New Visa and Residence Scheme To Attract Global Talent.

Earlier, Sri Lankan police had shot tear gas at the protesters to disperse them after the 15-hour protest against the fuel price hike, the report added.

On Monday, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPP) decided to increase fuel prices. A litre of petrol 92 octane has been increased by Rs 84 while a litre of petrol 95 octane by Rs 90, a litre of Auto Diesel by Rs 113 and a litre of super diesel has been increased by Rs 75. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Photo taken on Jan. 8, 2021 shows freight trains at Erenhot Port in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo by Guo Pengjie/Xinhua)

HOHHOT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Erenhot, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border, has seen robust growth in China-Europe freight trains in the first quarter of this year, according to the local railway authorities.

From January to March, the port handled a total of 734 China-Europe freight trains, up 25.7 percent year on year.

As of April 17, the port had handled 863 such trains and 89,536 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers, with imported and exported freight weighing more than 3.1 million tonnes.

The port in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region now serves 57 China-Europe freight-train routes, connecting over 60 overseas destinations across more than 10 countries. 
Actress Kajal Aggarwal and her husband Gautam Kitchlu have been blessed with a baby boy on Tuesday morning.

Well connected sources in the industry told IANS that both the mother and the baby were fine.

"The baby was born on Tuesday morning in a private hospital in Mumbai. Both the mother and the child are doing fine," the source said.

Kajal Aggarwal and Gautam Kitchlu got married on October 30, 2020 in a small private ceremony that was attended by only their immediate families.

The couple, who seem to be made for each other, have won the hearts of crores of fans of the actress.

Only recently, Kajal had penned a long post on Instagram, thanking her husband for the wonderful person he was.
Washington [US], April 19 (ANI): US State Department officials are looking at designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during an interview with CNN.

"We're taking a close look at the facts. We're taking a close look at the law," Price said on Monday in response to a question about potentially designating Russia. "Whether it is this authority, whether it's any other authority available to us under the law, we will apply it if it's effective and appropriate."

Also Read | Indian Parliamentary Delegation Led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Visit Vietnam, Cambodia from April 19 to 25.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged US President Joe Biden to impose the designation on Russia that would impose some of the most significant sanctions at the Biden administration's disposal, Sputnik News Agency said citing media reports.

Notably, US President Joe Biden has no plans to visit Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as per White House.

Also Read | Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Says His Speedy Work Will Frighten Imran Khan.

"There are no plans for the President to go," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said regarding the Biden administration's plans to send a high-level US official to Kiev soon.

The US earlier had 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.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden will hold a video call with US allies and partners on Tuesday to discuss providing support for Ukraine and restrictions on Russia, as per White House.

"The President convenes a secure video call with allies and partners to discuss our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable as part of our close coordination," the White House said in a press release.

Earlier in the day, the US Treasury Department said the next phase of US sanctions would target Russia's military-industrial complex, according to reports. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Santa Fe (US), Apr 19 (AP) New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is getting married, and Vice President Kamala Harris has been picked to officiate.

The first-term Democratic governor made the announcement through her personal spokesman Tuesday, saying a small ceremony will be held May 21 in Washington, D.C. No other details about the upcoming ceremony were released.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: One Dead, 12 Injured After Police Open Fire At Anti-Govt Protesters in Rambukkana.

Lujan Grisham, who is running for reelection, will be tying the knot with her fiance Manny Cordova. The couple has been together about 10 years, and Cordova was at her side during an inaugural Mass in Santa Fe before her public swearing in ceremony on Jan. 1, 2019.

We're delighted to celebrate our wedding in front of family and close friends, Lujan Grisham and Cordova said in a joint statement. Like so many New Mexicans, we've postponed family celebrations over the past two years during this pandemic. We feel fortunate to be with our loved ones in celebration of our marriage.

Also Read | IMF Projects India's Growth Forecast to 8.2% in Financial Year 2022-23.

The couple was initially planning to get married in 2021 but had not set a date, said Jared Leopold, a spokesman for Lujan Grisham.

Both Lujan Grisham and Cordova were previously married and have adult children and grandchildren. Lujan Grisham was married to her first husband, Gregory Grisham, for more than 20 years until his death in 2004.

The son of ranchers, Cordova grew up in a rural community south of Albuquerque. He owns an auto repair shop in Santa Fe.

Leopold said Lujan Grisham and Cordova also plan to celebrate their marriage in an event for family and friends in northern New Mexico in late May. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
President Joe Biden was once again slammed on Monday over the ending of Title 42 Expulsion on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) former Chief Ron Vitello claimed that the end of the mandate will be an aid to smugglers and illegal migrants who wish to enter the United States, according to Fox News.

Vitello claimed that the Biden administration emboldened the smugglers and migrants by not only lifting the order but also announcing it to the public.

"[Biden] gave all of the smugglers a six-week head start saying they're not going to do it anymore... Any chance that they get to make a statement as it relates to policy on the southwest border or immigration enforcement, they step back. And this is no different," the former ICE chief noted.

Vitello also commented on the U.S. Mexico border's situation in the southwestern region, claiming that he has never seen the kind of chaos on the border during his career with the agency.

"It's never been as busy at the border as it is right now. Thousands of agents that, instead of patrolling the border, are doing the care and comfort mission. You have thousands of people coming in every 24 hours," Vitello stressed.

The former ICE chief then highlighted that the system at the border is currently overwhelmed and that the Biden administration failed to protect the Americans. Vitello then claimed that more chaos at the border places the United States in more threat.

READ NEXT: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Might Be Eyeing a 2024 Presidential Election Run After Sending Illegal Immigrants to D.C. - Analysts

Concerns on Biden Administration's Ending of Title 42 Expulsion

Vitello's claims on Monday echoed the concerns of Republicans and some Democrats when the Title 42 expulsion loses its effect on the border.

It can be recalled that Republican-led states, Arizona, Louisiana, and Missouri filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its plan to rescind the said program.

The lawsuit argued that the termination of the Title 42 expulsion will induce a significant increase in illegal immigration into the United States.

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin also called the decision of the Biden administration a "frightening decision." Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly also called the decision wrong.

The Centers for Disease and Control Preventions (CDC) announced that the Title 42 expulsion will end on May 23.

The agency pointed out that the move was made after considering the current public health conditions and an increase in the availability of tools to fight COVID-19.

U.S.-Mexico Border: Over 221K Migrants Detained in Southern Border on March

The former ICE chief made his comments after Department of Homeland and Security (DHS) officials reported that 221,303 migrants were detained at the U.S. southern border for the month of March, according to The Hill.

According to the court documents, the said number included statistics from the Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations. The said office deals with noncitizens seeking to enter the ports of entry.

The recent number of migrants detentions in March was the highest recorded arrests in two decades.

In the same period, reports noted that at least 123,304 migrants were expelled under the Title 42 expulsion.

READ NEXT: Probe on Border Patrol Agents Accused of Using Whips Among Migrants Prompts a 500 Page Report - Union

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Record Number Of Immigrants Arriving At U.S. Southern Border - From MSNBC
The TSA or Transportation Security Administration has decided to stop implementing the federal mask mandate on public transit, which was enforced by U.S. President Joe Biden's administration.

The decision came after a Florida federal judge struck down the mask mandate on planes, trains, and other modes of public transportation, according to an Axios News report.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has exceeded its "statutory authority," as well as having failed to "properly justify its decision."

The lawsuit was filed last July by the Health Freedom Defense Fund and two other individuals.

The Health Freedom Defense Fund is "a non-profit organization that opposes laws and regulations that force individuals" to go under the administration of medical products, procedures, and devices against their will.

READ NEXT: CDC New COVID-19 Guidance Drops Mask Recommendation for More Than 90 Percent of American Population

TSA Dropping Federal Mask Mandate

A Biden administration official said that the agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing possible next steps, adding that in the meantime, the court's decision will mean CDC's public transportation mask mandate is not in effect, according to an NPR News report.

The official added that the TSA will not impose its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment, which requires mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time.

Mizelle argues in a 59-page ruling that the mask mandate violates the Administrative Procedure Act, with the agency's failure to prove its decision on implementing the mandate.

Meanwhile, the White House called the federal judge's decision against the mask mandate for public transit "disappointing."

However, it said that the administration's response was still under review.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters during a press conference that the judge's ruling was "obviously a disappointing decision."

Psaki said that the Department of Justice would make any determination about litigation.

The press secretary added that Homeland Security will be implementing the court's decision while the CDC will review the ruling.

Governors from 21 states had filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration to end the federal public transportation mandate last month.

TSA Federal Mask Mandate

In March, TSA announced that it will be extending the executive directive for mask use in public transportation and transportation hubs for one more month at CDC's recommendation, according to its released statement.

The agency added that it will communicate any updates publicly if and when they change.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement that the agency is collaborating with industry and federal partners, describing it as "instrumental through the pandemic," according to an NBC News report.

Pekoske said that they are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel with the rapid recovery of the travel industry.

They announced a change in COVID-19 guidance in February. However, the mask mandate has remained in place.

The CDC said at the time that most Americas were safe without a mask in indoor settings.

Any amendments applied to the mask guidance were heavily based on the number of COVID-19 cases as a key measure.

READ MORE: CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation Period for Health Care Workers Amid Omicron Variant

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: TSA will not impose mask mandate after judge's ruling - from CNBC Television






Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, also known as AMLO, on Monday hit back on the legislators whodid not support the electricity reforms on Sunday.

According to Al Jazeera, the said bill was the center of the country's diplomatic tensions with the United States.

"I believe that yesterday was an act of treason against Mexico committed by a group of legislators who, instead of defending the interests of the people ... became outright defenders of foreign companies," AMLO underscored on Monday.

Lopez Obrador also claimed that foreign firms bought the legislators who voted against the electricity reform bill, per Associated Press.

Ana Vanessa Cardenas Zanatta, political science from the Monterrey Technological and Anahuac Universities, told AP on Monday that the electricity reform's loss in Congress was the first legislative setback Lopez Obrador experienced since he was mounted as Mexico's president in late 2018,

"Today he couldn't hide the fact that he was very angry," Cardenas Zanatta said.

The political science professor also said that the Mexican president has pushed the projects despite warnings from the U.S.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Under Fire Over Title 42 Expulsion, After Ex-ICE Claims End of the Mandate Gives Smugglers, Migrants a 'Head Start'

Mexico Electricity Reform Fails in Congress

BBC shared that the 12-hour session was filled with opponents and supporters of the bill trading insults, and tempers were running high.

AP noted that the lower house of Congress voted 275 to 233 in favor of the measure.

However, the vote count fell short of 322 votes needed for constitutional changes. Reports noted that the threshold placed for the bill to move on from Congress is at least two-thirds of the majority.

If Mexico's electricity reform was passed, the state-owned Federal Electricity Commission would have at least 54 percent of the electricity market. Meanwhile, private and foreign companies that built wind and gas-fired generating plants will be allowed to keep up to 46 percent, per AP.

The government claimed that the said move is needed to address the soaring power prices.

Lopez Obrador lobbied hard for the electricity reform, per BBC.

The president argued that the liberalization of the electricity sector carried out by Mexico's previous government should be reversed because it increased the share of the country's energy produced by private companies. BBC shared that Lopez Obrador sees that as a "dangerous" dependency on private and foreign companies.

Critics of Mexico's Electricity Reform

The United States and Canada were alarmed by the electricity reform pushed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, claiming that the measure would put Mexico in danger of violating its trade commitments by favoring state-run entities that are reliant on fossil fuels, Al Jazeera reported.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai previously claimed that the energy policies of Mexico will damage the environment, as well as U.S. business and investor interests in multiple sectors. Tai added that the measure would also hamper the joint efforts in mitigating climate change.

Critics also claimed that the electricity reform would also hurt investors and their confidence in Mexico.

READ NEXT: Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Returning After Massive Change.org Petition: Here's When It's Coming Back

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Mexico's Chamber of Deputies Rejects Electricity Reform - From TeleSUR English
The Florida amusement park ride accident that caused the death of a 14-year-old after falling from his seat has taken a new discovery, with officials suspecting that operator error was the main cause of the disaster.

Florida commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, Nicole "Nikki" Fried, announced the findings of a forensic engineer's field investigation report on the Florida amusement park ride incident, according to an ABC News Go report.

The incident killed 14-year-old boy Tyre Sampson of St. Louis, Missouri. It took place at Orlando's ICON Park.

Fried noted that the report showed the operator of the park's FreeFall ride, "made manual adjustments to the ride," which resulted in it being unsafe.

The Quest Engineering & Failure Analysis, Inc.'s report said that the manual manipulations were made to the seat Sampson was sitting in to allow the harness restraint opening to be loosened.

It was made to accommodate the more than 300-pound teenager.

The commissioner added that the restraint opening was "almost double that of a normal restraint opening range."

Fried said that the adjustment made by the operator enabled FreeFall's sensor lights to illuminate, which enabled the ride to operate despite Sampson not being properly secured in his seat.

READ NEXT: Florida Amusement Park Accident: Jacksonville Offers To Pay for Funeral of Missouri Boy Who Fell to Death

Florida Amusement Park Rider Operator Error

Fried said that identifying whether the operator error was a factor is only the initial stage of the investigation of the incident, according to an NBC News report. She noted that there are many other factors that may have possibly contributed, with the investigation remaining to be ongoing.

ICON Park said in a statement that it is "deeply troubled" by the findings that the ride's sensor had been "mis-adjusted after the sensor was originally secured in place." The statement added that they will continue to support the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with their ongoing investigation.

The report noted that Sampson slipped through a gap between the seat and an over-the-shoulder harness that lowers over riders' torsos.

Officials called the FreeFall ride an "immediate serious danger to public health," as stated in an order released to the public earlier this month.

Sampson was over six and half feet tall and was not fully buckled into the ride as photos and videos posted online showed. One video had a voice in the background asking, "why doesn't this have the little clicky click to it, like the seat belt?"

Florida Amusement Park Ride Incident

The FreeFall ride takes riders up and then drops them around 400 feet at speeds that reach more than 75 miles per hour, according to a CNN News report.

A report earlier filed by the operator noted that the harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped.

The FreeFall ride was closed while the accident is being investigated. Slingshot Group earlier noted that it had suspended another of its rides, which is the SlingShot.

The group previously said in a statement that they are "heartbroken by the loss" of Sampson, adding that they are "devastated" for the 14-year-old's family and loved ones.

READ MORE: Missouri Teen Dies After Falling From Florida Amusement Park Ride That's Taller Than Statue of Liberty

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Was 14-Year-Old Who Died at Orlando Amusement Park Too Heavy for Ride? - from Inside Edition


Russian fertilizer orders are being fulfilled, and vessels are heading for Brazil amid concerns that sanctions against Russia would cause a shortfall of fertilizers for the country's grain planting season, according to preliminary shipping data.

Agrinvest Commodities' compiled preliminary shipping data showed that at least 24 vessels carrying almost 678,000 tons of Russian fertilizers from ports in the country are expected to arrive in Brazil in the next few weeks, according to Reuters.

The data showed that 11 of the 24 vessels left ports, including Saint Petersburg and Murmansk, after February 24, when the war started. Most of the ships carry potassium chloride used in soy and corn fields.

A 35-ton potassium chloride load was the latest to leave Russia on April 4 to travel to Vitoria port in Brazil's Southeast.

READ NEXT: Brazil Pres. Jair Bolsonaro Continues Russia Trip Despite U.S. Objections, Ukraine Crisis

Brazil Fertilizer Shortages

Farmers in Brazil were already facing a fertilizer shortfall, which has put more pressure on them to find suppliers with Russia's invasion of Ukraine to avoid a shortage this year, according to Quartz. Brazil is considered the largest importer of fertilizer globally, with its top supplier being Russia.

Russia provides 22 percent of Brazil's imports. Brazilian officials were in Russia trying to negotiate a deal right before the invasion as smaller export supply led to higher prices. Brazil's buyers may need to look elsewhere with the war and sanctions imposed against Russia.

Brazilian farmers depend on potassium fertilizer to prevent diseases in their fields. It is also used to grow soybean and coffee, among other crops.

Soybeans are the biggest money-maker for Brazil, with most of it going to China. China relies on Brazil for 63 percent of its soybean imports. In addition, China also relies on Brazil for 70 percent of its cane sugar imports.

According to U.S. News, a fertilizer trader noted that deals were still possible as foreign units of Russian farms continue to fill orders while banks untouched by Western sanctions process the payments.

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a "significant part" of the Russian army was now focused on taking control of eastern Ukraine.

In a video address, Zelenskyy said they could already state that the Russian troops have started "the battle for Donbas," adding that the Russian forces have been preparing for it for a long time, according to The Guardian.

Meanwhile, Russia is alleging Ukrainian forces attacked a village in the province of Belgorod near Russia's border with Ukraine. It was reported that the attack had wounded one resident.

Authorities in Kyiv noted that Russia had launched a major offensive into eastern Ukraine, which opened a new phase of its invasion after Russia's efforts were thwarted in their attempt to capture the capital.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said humanitarian ceasefires between Ukrainian and Russian forces in Ukraine are not on the horizon right now. However, the humanitarian chief noted that it might be possible in a couple of weeks.

READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: WHO Advises Ukraine to Destroy Health Lab Pathogens to Curb Spread of Disease

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Russia-Ukraine Conflict Impacts Agriculture in Brazil - From CGTN America




Two bodies of men were found hanging on a freeway bridge south of Empalme in Mexico's state of Sonora on Easter Sunday. The State Attorney General's Office identified one of the victims as Jose de Jesus "El Pelon" Luna, who was allegedly a member of Los Salazar.

The prosecutors' office said members of the state security discovered the two lifeless bodies at around 12:25 a.m. "on April 17 in complete suspension" along Federal Highway 15 Bridge in Empalme.

Los cuerpos de dos hombres fueron colgados en el puente libramiento carretero al sur de Empalme, #Sonora, cerca de las playas de San Carlos, Nuevo Guaymas. #AbreLosOjos #ImagenNoticias con @franciscozea @MendivilCrystal @ImagenZea pic.twitter.com/Vi1TBGoO1A  Imagen Television (@ImagenTVMex) April 18, 2022

Authorities also found cardboard with a letter addressed to a criminal group. So far, Borderland Beat reported that no suspects related to this crime had been arrested. But the state prosecutors' office said a dispute between criminal groups is now being investigated.

Authorities said El Pelon had a criminal record for robbery with violence against people, injuries, and domestic violence. In September 2019, he was reportedly chased by several members of a criminal group who had set fire to his house when he tried to take refuge in his home in the Libertad de Empalme neighborhood.

At the time, El Pelon managed to escape. However, his eight-year-old son Dayron Jesus, his partner Perla Veronica, 31, and his brother Christian Abel Luna died. Five-year-old Keyli Cristal was seriously injured but survived after medical treatment.

READ NEXT: El Chapo Sons' Hitman Shot Dead by Rival Gang of Sinaloa Cartel While Eating His Last Taco in Mexico

The Los Salazar and Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico

The Los Salazar has been leading the drug trafficking operations in Mexico's Sonora state since the 1990s. According to Borderland Beat, the criminal group originated from Chinipas, Chihuahua. Mexican and U.S. authorities recognize the Los Salazar as the leading operator of the Sinaloa Cartel in Sonora.

The group operates in the strip of borders of Sonora and Chihuahua states and the international border of Sonora with the U.S. Its best-known homes bases of operations are in Navojoa, Sonora, and Chinipas, Chihuahua.

Don Adan Salazar Zamorano was the founder and leader of Los Salazar. After the escape of Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera in 2001, Don Adan had an alliance with the Beltran Leyva brothers who were El Chapo's associates.

They played a significant role in the restructure generated by the war after the split of the Sinaloa Cartel with the Beltran Leyva brothers. The Los Salazar took El Chapo's side.

The Los Salazar has aligned themselves as the armed wing of the Sinaloa Cartel and became part of the group Gente Nueva founded in Chihuahua by El Chapo's lieutenant named El Flaco Salgueiro.

The Los Salazar is still operating in Sonora in alliance with the Sinaloa Cartel led by El Chapo's four sons, known as "Los Chapitos." The battles for the plazas in the name of Los Chapitos make the Los Salazar a fearsome and powerful group in Sonora.

Armed Attacks in Mexico's Sonora State on Easter Sunday

Apart from the two bodies found on a bridge in Sonora, a series of armed attacks also happened on Easter Sunday.

According to El Universal, armed men put an end to a party in a home in the Villas del Campestre neighborhood of Ciudad Obregon at around 2:30 a.m. The State Prosecutor's Office said a dispute between rival criminal groups left seven people injured.

The victims, aged 18 to 31 years old, reportedly have criminal records. All of them received medical attention, and only one was reported serious. Authorities said the victims were in a "meeting" when the armed men arrived in a vehicle and sprayed the house with bullets.

The second shooting incident happened at around 5 a.m., when a group of armed men raided a home in Esperanza town and took a man's life.

READ MORE: Mexico: 90,000 People Have Disappeared Without a Trace Amid Drug War

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Los Salazar Y El Cartel De Sinaloa, Ligados Al Asesinato De Miroslava Breach Y Los Lebaron - From Ruido en La Red
A Georgia teen is facing felony charges after authorities say he intentionally set his home on fire on Easter Sunday, killing his 10-year-old sister.

According to Crime Online, the 15-year-old unnamed boy was charged with malice murder and felony murder on Monday, and arson charges are also likely, pending the fire department's investigation.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Gwinnett County police are investigating the girl's death as a homicide. The Georgia teen was reportedly taken into custody Sunday afternoon after hours of looking for him as the firefighters and family believed he was still inside the burning home on Beaver Road in Loganville.

READ NEXT: Mexico: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Slams Opposition Legislators After Electricity Reform Fails to Pass in Congress

10-Year-Old Girl Dead After Georgia Teen Set His Home on Fire on Easter Sunday

According to The Daily Mail, the tragedy resulted in the death of the 10-year-old girl, Zoe McCue, who was trapped inside her upstairs bedroom and died.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the mother-of-five and two of her children were able to get out of the burning house before the Gwinnett firefighters arrived at around 5 a.m. However, the two missing children were believed to still be inside the house.

Fire spokesperson Lt. Justin Wilson said that "multiple "aggressive search attempts" were executed to find the missing children. Wilson added that when the officials controlled the fire, they found the girl inside a room used as a bedroom but without window access.

The Daily Mail reported that firefighters continued to sift through the rubble of the house to locate the Georgia teen. He was found safe at around 9 a.m. in another location, and he appeared to have no injuries.

"At this time, it has been determined the fire was set intentionally by a sibling of the deceased victim," a police spokesperson said in a statement.

So far, the motive behind the fire is still unknown. The victim's father and another sibling were reportedly not at home when the fire broke out.

Father of Georgia Girl Who Died Says 10-Year-Old Was a 'Leader'

In an interview with Fox 5 on Monday, the 10-year-old girl's father, William McCue, said his daughter was a young leader.

"She kind of like takes the lead and be in charge... She's a handful of a 10-year-old and wants to be the boss of everybody. That's little Zoe," McCue noted.

The father of the Georgia teen also said he learned about the fire while he was working at a local waffle house with his teenage daughter. His coworker reportedly broke the news to him.

When he arrived at their home, McCue noted that he saw the devastation. Their house was burned throughout its front half and the attic.

A GoFundMe page was set up for the family to rebuild their home and pay for their daughter's funeral. As of this writing, the page has already garnered more than $1,000. The family is also receiving help from Gwinnett County police chaplains and the American Red Cross.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Under Fire Over Title 42 Expulsion, After Ex-ICE Claims End of the Mandate Gives Smugglers, Migrants a 'Head Start'

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Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Sibling Intentionally Sets Gwinnett House Fire That Kills 10-Year-Old Girl, Police Say - From 11Alive
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has said that by cancelling the bail of the main accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri murder case, Ashish Mishra alias Monu, the Supreme Court has restored hope in the justice system.

Earlier in the day, the apex court had cancelled the bail of Mishra in connection with the October 2021 incident at Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh wherein a vehicle allegedly belonging to him had mowed down several people including protesting farmers.

The Allahabad High Court had granted bail to the accused on February 10.

"After this order of the Supreme Court, (Union Minister for Home) Ajay Mishra Teni - Ashish's father - should be immediately sacked from the post of minister," the SKM demanded.

"If this does not happen, then in the first week of May, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will hold a national meeting and announce a nationwide protest programme," it added.

"Justice should be given to the farmers implicated in the Lakhimpur Kheri case and its eyewitnesses should be given protection," said the consortium of farmers that had carried out more than a year long agitation to protest the now-repealed three farm laws.

"Efforts were on to save the criminals from the very beginning in this heinous murder that took place on October 3, and justice has been achieved only after repeated intervention of the Supreme Court. After this order, there is no justification left for Teni to continue in the Union Cabinet," the farmers said.

"Before this massacre, on September 26, Minister Ajay Mishra Teni had openly threatened the farmers, but till date no action has been taken on him," the SKM claimed.
The multicultural communities in a Laois secondary school were celebrated with a special Diversity Day recently.

Mountrath Community School at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains, has 17 different nationalities in its 760 student community.

They celebrated that variety on April 8 before the Easter break.

Classes took part in a quiz before the Easter Holidays on the flags of those seventeen countries.

All correct entries were placed in a draw for an Easter Egg, won by Daniel Podmisanins from 5th Year.

The students also prepared a collage of their countries flags which will is now on display in the school.

Kamil Kempski is one of the many students originally from Poland.

"I am aware of many fellow Polish students, but it was great to acknowledge countries like Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Italy, Spain, South Africa, the Cameroon, Australia, Nigeria, the UK and especially the Ukraine. We are all students in Mountrath Community school," he said.

Karlijm is from The Cameroon.

"I adore living in Mountrath. And the international students in the school is actually like a global village . It's a wonderful atmosphere of inclusion and friendship," Karlijm said.

Kathryn O'Brien is Principal.

"It's so important to celebrate our international community in the school. We love to see the students sharing their culture, language, cuisine and friendship," she said.

The chaplain is Anne Moore.

"It was such an exciting and meaningful way to come together and deepen our awareness of the many nationalities in the school. At least 17 countries were represented in a wonderful celebration of diversity in Mountrath Community school," she said.
Almost 400,000 is in the pot to develop the Sleive Bloom Mountains as an amenity for local people and tourists by Laois County Council in 2022.

Under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme the biggest allocation is going to new signs. A total of 270,000 is set aside for the Slieve Bloom Mountains Wayfinding and interpretative Signage Scheme.

The council has already invited companies to deliver a "bespoke high quality signage strategy" which it says will enhance the visitor experience and improve wayfinding and interpretive signage around the Mountains in Laois and Offaly.

The council says the focus area for this project will be within the confines of the M7, N80, N52 & N62 & to include the main surrounding towns including Portlaoise, Tullamore, Birr and Roscrea also limited to the county boundaries of Laois and Offaly.

Another area for investment is the new car park at the Glenbarrow waterfall. The council has set aside 112,518 for this project which apart from benefiting visitors has been demanded by residents and emergency services due to bad parking issues at the beauty spot.

Laois County Council is required to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the carpark project before proceeding.

The spending was revealed in the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District Schedule of Works for 2022.

It also revealed that 20,000 is to be spent on the Whitehorse River Trail while a further 20,000 is earmarked for the Castletown River Walkway.

Both are also being funded out of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which aims develop natural amenities such as our mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, walkways, greenways and blueways around Ireland.

The projects that will be supported are designed to benefit the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they are located as well as supporting the growth in both local and international outdoor adventure tourism.
Auto and taxi drivers' unions in Delhi on Tuesday are set to continue their strike against the rising fuel prices for the second day. Commuters were in for a rough day on Monday as taxi drivers stayed off the roads and ride-hailing apps showed no available cabs messages. There are over 90,000 autos and more than 80,000 registered taxis complementing the public transport system in the national capital, according to news agency PTI.

Some also complained that they had to wait for long hours as Ola and Uber cabs were available at "inflated rates" due to surge pricing. While most unions said they will be on a one-day strike, similar hardships are expected on Tuesday as well.

"We cannot keep plying our autos and cabs bearing losses everyday as the CNG prices are galloping. This is a symbolic protest to oppose the price hike," Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh general secretary Rajesh Soni was quoted as saying by PTI.

Auto and taxi associations have asked the government to provide a subsidy of 35 per kg on CNG prices and increase fares to offset the impact of rising fuel prices. They demanded the government to hold a meeting with them, refusing to call their strike off despite the Delhi government's announcement to form a committee to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner.
Contractors have to wait for up to three months to be paid for their work by Kildare County Council.

Small and medium employers make up to 90% of businesses in Ireland and this sector only does about one third of public contracts, according to Cllr Veralouise Behan.

She was referring to the renovation of properties and called for a review so that the process can be streamlined and turnaround times improved.

There is a delay between jobs being finalised and payments being made. If they have to wait for that long they cannot do it and they wont want to be involved in county council work, said the councillor at a March 28 KCC meeting.

Read more Kildare news

Cllr Suzanne Doyle said that KCC should explore the idea of having more crews employed by itself as well as granting rent rebates to council tenants who do certain works on their properties.

Cllr Michael Coleman said the delay is very long for small builders who have to support families.

He pointed out that they have to be paid anyway, so the process should be speeded up.

KCC official Annette Aspell said she was unaware of any complaints but would follow up on specific queries.

She said there is a problem with the availability of tradespeople and materials.

Our turnaround times are pretty consistent, said Ms Aspell.

In a report Ms Aspell said there are 10 -12 contractors currently engaged on our quick turnaround framework and mini tender frameworks - and the use of these frameworks is dependent on the scale of works required in refurbishing specific properties.

All contractors have already been considered through the public procurement process and are pre-approved in respect of pricing, health and safety and relevant experience in carrying out the works required to return vacant properties to a suitable and habitable standard.

The presence of these frameworks ensures that KCC can appoint contractors to carry out works in an efficient manner.

The availability of supplies is resulting in delayed turnaround times, an example is the increase in the delivery period for windows increasing from 28 days to between 10-15 weeks. Such a delay adds a significant period to the turnaround time.
A man who locked himself into a room at a residential setting in Naas appeared before the local District Court on March 23.

Keith Riggs, 38, of no fixed abode and with an address at De Paul House, Little Britain Street, Dublin, is being prosecuted for trespass and threatening to cause damage at Kerdiffstown House, Johnstown, which is run by the Peter McVerry Trust on March 22.

Garda Conor Branigan told of arresting the defendant on the afternoon of March 22 and he made no reply when charged.

The garda said he had no objection to bail provided that the defendant stated out of County Kildare except for court attendances.

Read more Kildare news

The court heard that the defendant entered the building - where had resided previously.

Gda Branigan added that the defendant went into a room and would not come out.

He added the defendant was no longer welcome at Kerdiffstown House and had been asked to leave.

The court also heard that alternative accommodation is available to the defendant.

Judge Desmond Zaidan granted bail of 100 to the defendant and adjourned the matter to July 27.

The court heard the defendant is likely to stay with his 73 year old mother.
Fifteen million euro in capital funding has been announced for the upgrade and refurbishment of community centres across Ireland.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, made the announcement this week (Friday April 15) and is encouraging all community groups to consider applying.

She said, "Community Centres are at the heart of every community in Ireland, rural and urban. We need places for people to meet up, to play sport and engage in all sorts of activities whether it is meals for the elderly, indoor soccer or basketball, or providing a space for the local dramatic society to perform.

"This new fund is about supporting them to carry out vital upgrade works as well as enhancing the services and amenities they can provide to persons of all ages in their community.

"I am encouraging all community groups to look at this fund and think about how they can use it to improve their own local parish hall or community centre. Do you need new windows or doors? Does the stage or sound system need to be upgraded? Could you look at developing space for a Youth Hub or Community Cinema? Community Centres are all about bringing people together in a locality."

According to the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Community Centres Investment Fund will provide grants for works such as energy retrofitting, disability access, and communal facilities such as toilet improvements.

Funding will be available under three Categories with grants of between 10,000 and 300,000 available.

Small scale projects and improvements can access between 10,000 and 25,000 (category 1) with 25,001 and 100,000 for larger projects (category 2) and 100,001 to 300,000 for major projects (category 3).

Applications for category two and three options must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants' own funds.

More information on the fund is available here.
An appeal has been made for volunteer teachers to help teach English online to Ukrainian adults in Ireland.

The call has been made by eTeachers Global, an international online English teaching business for adult students based in County Roscommon.

Usually, the company stipulates that all teachers on the platform are qualified primary/secondary teachers, are registered with the Teaching Council and hold English Language Education qualifications. Teachers are individually verified and vetted by the eTeachers global recruitment team.

Horrified by the unfolding events in Ukraine, company CEO Joan Gilligan discussed with her team what eTeachers Global could do to help Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.

Stuart McNamara, the company's chief Technology officer and a military veteran, has spent many years of service on humanitarian and peacekeeping duties in areas of conflict all around the world. This wealth of experience led eTeachers Global to recognise that their platform technology could effectively be used to support teachers and students from Ukraine.

"Working with our developers, we have made our platform freely available to teachers who wish to help, and freely available to Ukrainian adults to use," Joan Gilligan said.

"The aim is to help Ukrainians adapt to life in Ireland and support them as they learn English for work and for day-to-day living here," she added.

Joan has worked in the education sector for many years and has confidence there are many teachers who will offer their skills and time free of charge.

Teachers must hold registration with the Teaching Council and preferably have a qualification in teaching English as an additional language. This additional ELE qualification is not essential for volunteer teachers.

Teachers can teach on a one-to-one or small group basis. They can cater for individual needs which may not always be possible in a large group setting e.g., someone may need help with the English needed for taking up a catering or healthcare job.

During lockdown, many teachers quickly adapted to teaching online and now have the skills to do so effectively. For any teachers who may need help setting up, eTeachers Global IT team are on hand to help.

"Covid has negatively impacted on schools with both pupil and staff absences so understandably not everyone is in a position to help. It may suit teachers who are job-sharing, on career break or retired and who can commit to as little as an hour a week. The booking calendar on the platform is easily adjusted by teachers themselves to reflect their availability," said Joan.

As part of the initiative, eTeachers Global is wavering all fees for teachers who wish to voluntarily teach English online to adult refugees from Ukraine living in Ireland.

"Usually, a small commission fee and an annual token subscription fee is charged on each class taught but these fees are waivered as part of our efforts to support the Ukrainian community," Joan said.

Anyone willing to support or help with this project please contact Joan directly by email at joan@eteachersglobal.com
The twelve defendants will appear before the president of the Brussels court of first instance on Tuesday, April 19. Ten of them are suspected of having participated, directly or indirectly, in the Paris attacks of November 13, 2015, by providing assistance to the perpetrators or their main accomplices; the other two are being prosecuted for having provided them with weapons or false documents. Two higher-ranking defendants will also be tried, but in absentia: Sammy Djedou and Youssef Bazarouji, reputedly close associates of Oussama Atar, one of the alleged "masterminds" of the attacks, are presumed dead in Syria.

The so-called "Paris bis" trial, the Belgian part of the investigation into the November 13 attacks, will soon begin. The individuals are accused of crimes of a lesser severity than those currently being tried by the special criminal court in Paris that began in September 2021 and is due to end in May or than those set to be tried in the fall for the Brussels attacks of March 22, 2016.

"The defendants are all suspected of having a link with the perpetrators of the attacks. Most are suspected of having participated in the activities of the terrorist group, having provided them with assistance before or after the attacks. Was this assistance knowingly provided?" summarized tribunal judge Olivier Mallinus. The trial will address the issue: Were the defendants aware that their entourage had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group (IS)? Did they know that these people were planning attacks?

They would have been involved to varying degrees in the activities of the terrorist cell behind the November 13 attacks. Some sublet housing to group members or found a safe house, others facilitated communications or travel. "The justice system intends to cast a wide net," Olivier Mallinus added. "Some are being prosecuted for helping members of the terrorist group travel to Syria." Trips are considered as important links among many within this terrorist mesh that led to the commission of attacks.

More on this topic Subscribers only 'I want to be forgotten forever': At the November 13 trial, the apologies and ambivalence of Salah Abdeslam

Overlapping loyalties

The conclusions of the federal prosecutor's office, dated October 14, 2021, which Le Monde has been able to read, mention, for example, Youssef El Ajmi, who, in addition to having met the perpetrators of the attacks in a safe house, an apartment in the Rue des Casernes, in Etterbeek (Brussels), is accused of having helped Ibrahim El Bakraoui, a member of the November 13 attack cell who died in the suicide bombing at the Brussels airport on March 22, 2016, organize "conspiracy trips" to Turkey or Greece.

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While Mariupol is being destroyed by bombs, a major battle is brewing in the Donbas. Russian forces are simultaneously maintaining pressure on the port of Odessa, under a naval blockade, and on Ukraine's South, which is partially conquered. In view of this geopolitical drama, the hope of diplomatic talks, whose objective is to negotiate a neutral status for Ukraine instead of NATO membership, leaves one wondering.

The supporters of "Finlandization," a term that was in vogue until recently, have made it a martingale. But what would be the reality of a "neutrality" imposed by Russian bombs, in the name of Slavic-Orthodox brotherhood, after the Ukrainian state has been carved up and demilitarized?

What guarantees are there for a neutral status if Ukraine cannot even maintain a stable national army, supported by military-industrial relations with Turkey and the Western countries, on a bilateral level and within the framework of the NATO-Ukraine partnership? Under those terms, neutrality would be decidedly conditional; a prerequisite for subjecting Ukraine to the Kremlin's will.

More on this topic Subscribers only Finland takes its first step toward NATO membership

Admittedly, the Ukrainians are already asking a number of countries to provide security guarantees that would be equivalent to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to support this status of neutrality. But isn't that what was provided for in the Budapest Memorandum, signed on December 5, 1994? Ukraine abandoned their nuclear arsenal and undertook to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In return, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom have guaranteed the security and territorial integrity of the country.

We know what happened next, with Russia attacking Ukraine as early as February 2014, to forcibly annex Crimea and then unleash a "hybrid war" in the Donbas. Eight years later, this same revisionist power is waging a high-intensity war against Ukraine, not "at the gates of Europe," but in the middle of the continent.

Remember that at the time of the coup de force on Crimea, Kyiv had lifted its application to NATO for several years, presenting itself as a "non-aligned state" (2010). Evidently, this did not prevent the Kremlin from attacking the country. The mere prospect of a free trade agreement with the European Union aroused the ire of Putin. So let us not confuse cause and consequence: Russian aggression explains Ukraine's application to join NATO, not the other way around.

More on this topic Subscribers only 'The Russian war in Ukraine has entered a new military, ideological and geopolitical phase'

Putting aside the subtle distinctions between "neutral" and "non-aligned", what would be the added value of a neutral status for Ukraine, compared to what was provided for by the Budapest Memorandum? Sollicited by Kyiv, would France and Germany, among other states, be ready to guarantee this neutrality, any more promptly and effectively than the United States and the United Kingdom ensured Ukraine's security and territorial integrity under the Budapest Memorandum?

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A COUNTY Limerick man will be sentenced next month after he admitted trying to cash a stolen cheque made out for thousands of euro.

When arraigned at Limerick Circuit Court, Patrick O'Brien, aged 39, of Hillview Drive, Abbeyfeale pleaded guilty to a single charge under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

During the procedural hearing, Judge Patrick Meghen was told the defendant presented the cheque - made out for 7,500 - at the (now closed) Bank of Ireland branch in Abbeyfeale on April 24, 2019.

The stolen cheque was associated with the account of an elderly woman who lives in Mullingar, County Westmeath.

The defendant appeared before the court via video-link from Cork Prison and no evidence was heard during the procedural hearing.

After barrister Kenny Kerins, instructed by solicitor Michael O'Donnell, sought an early sentencing date, Judge Meghen adjourned the matter to the end of May.

Mr O'Brien was remanded in custody as he is currently serving a sentence in relation to separate matters.
A SERIES of public consultations have been organised to discuss the proposed Shannon Greenway.

Waterways Ireland are hosting the consultations which will take place in a number of locations in April and May.

The proposed greenway will be a cycle and walkway route connecting Limerick City to Tumgraney/Scarriff in Clare.

A working group comprising of representatives from Waterways Ireland, Clare County Council, Limerick City and County Council and others have progressed the proposal through a number of stages and they now want to seek feedback from the public.

In 2021, Waterways Ireland received 140,000 in government funding to evaluate the possibility of a new greenway linking the Black Bridge at the University of Limerick to Scarriff Town Square in Co Clare.

The 43km route has been described as both a blueway and a greenway, since it will run alongside the River Shannon.

The public, interested parties, land owners and stakeholders to attend public consultations to view and discuss the report.

The consultations will take place at the following locations:

*Scarriff Waterways Ireland Office, Scarriff Harbour, Ballyminoge, Tuesday, April 26, 5pm to 8pm

*Killaloe Hotel and Spa, Wednesday, April 27, 5pm to 8pm.

*Ogonnelloe Community Centre, Thursday, April 28, 5pm to 8pm.

*Clonlara Community Centre, Wednesday, May 4, 5pm to 8pm.

*Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Castletroy, Thursday May 5, 5pm to 8pm.

For more information visit shannonGreenway.org
LIMERICK schoolchildren are learning to have fun with technology, coding and robots through a new initiative provided by tech giant Microsoft.

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) has teamed up with digital skills specialists from Microsoft Dream Space to empower early year educators.

Teachers are learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) skills to inspire and engage children with robots and learning in a fun and interactive way.

This important education collaboration was established under the Creative Arts and Future Technology (CRAFT) Maker Space with MICs Department of Enterprise & Community Engagement.

The sessions saw students from MICs BA in Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) programme engage with experienced Microsoft Dream Space educators over two weeks to celebrate Tech Week 2022.

Dr Maeve Liston, who helped co-design the lessons, stressed that the training will help foster the values of STEAM education among MICs future early year educators for years to come.

Vice President of Microsoft International Operations, James OConnor informed that since its launch in 2018, over 80,000 students and 3,000 teachers have engaged in the Dream Space programme, and we are delighted to see the positive impact it is bringing to schools in Ireland.

By working together with Mary Immaculate College, we want to continue to empower students and teachers with the endless possibilities of digital skills and technology.

James O'Reilly, BA in ECCE lecturer thanked the Microsoft Dream Space team for their fascinating and insightful contributions to the module. 

He said that the content covered in the interactive and engaging sessions will remain with students well into the future.

It will inspire them to integrate similarly innovative and relevant technologies into the settings they teach in throughout their careers, he concluded.
An international team of scientists led by Trinity College Dublin tagged and released a record-breaking 2.8m porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus, off the coast of Donegal last week.

The huge female specimen, estimated to weigh 400-500 lb, is the largest ever recorded in Irish waters and likely to be 25-30 years old.

Local anglers (Sid, Terry, and Peter from Counties Cork, Down and Antrim, respectively) worked together to catch the giant porgie and transfer it to the scientists vessel so the team could quickly measure it, attach two different types of satellite tag, and take samples to examine reproductive status.

Nick Payne, shark biologist and Assistant Professor in Trinitys School of Natural Sciences, said this was a significant moment:

It is exciting to see such huge porbeagles in Irish waters. The conservation status of porbeagles has been really concerning in this part of the world, with the European population considered critically endangered. Theres evidence that the Donegal coast may act as a globally important reproductive area for this species, with lots of very large female sharks appearing here for a short period in Spring.

Last week was the first trip in a new research collaboration between Trinity, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), and local shark anglers, together with leading scientists from James Cook University (Australia), University of Miami, and US non-profit Beneath the Waves.

Dr Payne added: This was an incredible start to an important new project, where we will work with the local shark angling community to learn as much as we can about porbeagle movements and their reproductive dynamics in Irish waters. If this is an important breeding location then we need to know about it, so we can monitor and conserve the animals as best we can when they visit our shores.

Jenny Bortoluzzi, PhD candidate in Trinitys School of Natural Sciences, took blood samples from the shark. She said: This highlights once again both the importance of collaboration between scientists and anglers in a citizen science context, and Irelands potential key role in conservation as a marine biodiversity hotspot.

Overfishing saw severe declines in porbeagle stocks since the 1930s, and commercial fishing by EU vessels has been prohibited under EU regulations since 2010. The International Council for Exploration of the Sea considers there to be just a single stock in the Northeast Atlantic, with tagging data showing individual porbeagle sharks can migrate long distances throughout the region.

If we are to see recovery of the European porbeagle population it is especially important to monitor reproductive areas. If Ireland is a key breeding site then we really have a global responsibility to protect porbeagles using this area, Dr Payne said.

Willie Roche, IFI Senior Scientist, echoed those thoughts. He said: Understanding the movements and migrations of porbeagles, especially large females which we are targeting for tagging, will contribute immensely to identifying potential challenges to their continued survival, as well as piecing together their seasonal patterns.

The satellite tagging data is complemented by IFIs long-running Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme, which uses conventional tags to tag mainly elasmobranchs. The role of anglers in both these tagging initiatives highlights the importance of their contribution to targeted tagging studies and, as active marine environment observers, to ongoing monitoring of elasmobranch species generally.

The shark, which the team have nicknamed Danu, was handled and tagged safely and released in a healthy condition. One of her satellite tags will transmit a wealth of information to satellite on her migration history and ocean conditions encountered, before detaching in several months.

A second SPOT tag provides near real-time data on her location whenever her fin breaks the water surface  a trait of porbeagles.

Dr Payne said that Danu had already covered a lot of ground and was almost at the Hebrides in Scotland 48 hours after her release. A second large female porbeagle (around 2.4 m in length, nicknamed Sorcha) was also tagged and released, but she was spending more time cruising around the same region in which she was captured.

The research team plans to tag more porbeagles in the near future. Analysis of the blood samples collected last week will begin almost immediately.

To learn more about shark research at Trinity College Dublin visit www.thepaynelab.com

Information on IFIs sportsfish tagging programme can be found HERE.
A Delhi court on Tuesday sent Imam alias Sonu alias Yunus, who allegedly fired shots during the communal clashes in north-west Delhi's Jahangirpuri on April 16, to four-day police custody.

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police had moved a remand application seeking his custody to unearth a 'larger conspiracy'.

Imam is one of the prime accused in the case, who allegedly provoked the mob to pelt stones on a procession taken out in the area on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on April 16.

The police said that he will be interrogated to find out if he had backing of some organisation or political party.

Imam was arrested by the Special Staff of the north-west district police on Monday. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had fired through his pistol near Kushal Chowk during the clashes.

A video of Imam wearing a blue kurta opening fire during the riots went viral on social media.

For clarifications/queries, please contact IANS NEWS DESK a
The Jaipur-based AU Small Finance Bank has informed BSE that the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be held on Monday, 25th April 2022 and will continue on Tuesday, 26th April 2022 at Jaipur.

The following business items shall be taken up for consideration on Tuesday, 25th April 2022:

a) The Audited Financial Results of the Bank for the Quarter and Financial Year ended on 31st March, 2022;

b) To consider the proposal for issuance of Bonus Shares subject to requisite approvals; and

c) To consider and recommend a Dividend on equity shares for the financial year ended 31st March 2022

AU Small Finance Bank's share price touched a 52-week high of 1,442.70, as the company considers a bonus issue. At 10.17 am, its shares were trading at 1434.50 on BSE.

AU Bank is the largest small finance bank with 880 touchpoints serving 23.7 lakh customers in 15 states and two Union territories. It has an employee base of over 25,500.
Russia said on Tuesday it was expelling 36 diplomats from two European countries in retaliation for similar measures taken against Moscow's foreign envoys over the Kremlin's military operation in Ukraine.

The Russian foreign ministry said it had declared 21 diplomats from Belgium and 15 from the Netherlands "persona non grata", giving them two weeks to leave.

Moscow also summoned Luxembourg's envoy, warning him that Russia may decide to take reciprocal measures for the tiny European state's expulsion of Moscow's ambassador.

The expulsions are the latest in a series taken between Moscow and Western countries in the wake of President Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a military operation in Ukraine on February 24.

The offensive has thrown Russia into international isolation and broken many of its economic ties with the West.

The Russian foreign ministry called a decision by the Netherlands to expel 18 Moscow envoys on March 29 "groundless".

It called a similar step taken by Belgium "provocative", and the decision by Luxembourg "an unmotivated and unfriendly step".
SLOVYANSK (UKRAINE) : Ukrainian authorities are scrambling to evacuate the remaining civilians from the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions as Russia begins its new military offensive here and pitched battles get closer to the areas main population centers.

The main cities in the Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, such as Kramatorsk, Slovyansk and Severodonetsk, have already turned into ghost towns, with almost all stores and businesses closed, streets emptied and only a handful of apartments in each housing block still inhabited.

As the massing Russian forces attempt to push through Ukrainian defenses under the cover of long-range artillery and aircraft, Ukrainian officials have warned that any civilians staying behind could be trappedas happened in February in the city of Mariupol, where Kyiv says more than 10,000 people have died in weeks of bloody urban fighting.

On Monday, two Russian battalion tactical groups with some 60 tanks managed to break through Ukrainian lines after a three-day battle and take the town of Kreminna in Luhansk region, Ukrainian officials said. From Kreminna, the Russian forces are attempting to push through forested areas in the direction of Slovyansk.

There is no more time for thinking. Leave! Thousands of residents of Kreminna didnt get out in time and have now become hostages of the Russians," Serhiy Haidai, the governor of Luhansk region, said Tuesday. Save your lives so as not to become cheap labor for the Russians or not to be mobilized into occupation forces."

Russian President Vladimir Putin in February recognized the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics, the pro-Russian statelets created in 2014, whose borders include two-thirds of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that Kyiv controlled at the time. Mr. Putin proclaimed the liberation" of Donbas, as this area is collectively known, as the wars key goal, especially after an initial push to seize Kyiv failed because of Ukrainian resistance.

The Donetsk and Luhansk republics" have rounded up and drafted men up to the age of 65, sending them with little training and World War II-vintage weapons to the front lines against Ukrainian forces. That is one reason why civilian men, in particular, should leave the areas targeted by the Russian offensive as soon as possible, Ukrainian officials say. The evacuation isnt mandatory, however. It is an evacuation, not a deportation," said Mr. Haidai.

On Tuesday, columns of Ukrainian reinforcements were heading toward Donbas from central Ukraine, with troops, ammunition and artillery pieces on the roads. In Slovyansk, men in uniform began to outnumber civilians on once-busy streets, many of them stocking up on dwindling supplies in the few remaining supermarkets before heading back to the front. Fuel stations were already closed. In Luhansk, electricity was down in most towns after Russian shelling disrupted the main power line.

Slovyansk holds high symbolic importance for both sides. The Donbas conflict began here in 2014, when Russian military veterans led by a former FSB intelligence service colonel seized the local administration. A Ukrainian military offensive retook Slovyansk and nearby Kramatorsk weeks later, but failed to seize the regions main cities, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Russian troops now are pushing from several directions. The biggest effort is coming from the direction of the town of Izyum, north of Slovyansk, using as many as 50 battalion tactical groups, said Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the civil-military administration of the Donetsk region.

We have no choice but to fight and to hold on to our territory. If there will be no fierce resistance, and if we dont achieve a victory here, Putin will not stop at us and will keep going further, toward Kyiv, and onwards to threaten the countries of the European Union," Mr. Kyrylenko said.

Police Capt. Ihor Trebach, the head of criminal investigations in Kramatorsk district, which includes Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, said his officers were going house to house this week, trying to convince residents that it was time to go.

What we have seen so far is whenever the Ukrainian Armed Forces are successful in the battlefield and push back the Russian forces, the Russians retaliate by simply shelling the civilian cities nearby. This has become the pattern throughout this war," he said.

His officers implorations were having mixed effect, Capt. Trebach said. Some residents, exposed to Russian propaganda on social media, still dont believe that Russian forces would shell civilians, and attribute the destruction of cities like Mariupol to alleged neo-Nazis, he said. Others are afraid that their apartments will be looted if they escape. Many more, however, realize the danger but dont want to abandon relatives who cant or wont leave their hometowns.

A 27-year-old woman said her mother, 56, was bedridden after a stroke and her brother was serving locally with the Ukrainian military. If there were a way to go with my mom, we would. We understand everything," she said. For now, we have prepared a cellar, its deep and strong, lets hope we can survive in it."

Only the fools arent afraid," added a teacher in Slovyansk who was also remaining behind to stay with a sick relative.

While Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, some 20 to 30 miles from the front lines, havent been shelled with artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems so far, they are within range. Russia has already fired several cruise missiles at the area, including one that hit a crowd of civilians awaiting an evacuation train at the Kramatorsk train station, killing 57 people, earlier this month. The train station is now closed and evacuations are conducted by bus or car.

Another cruise missile hit an empty field off Kramatorsks Heroes of Ukraine street on Monday morning, leaving a large crater and shattering windows across several city blocks.

An 82-year-old woman said she still didnt want to leave even though she no longer had windows in her apartment. It will all be all right in the endand where can we go anyway?" she said. After the death of her son last year, she is taking care of her 15-year-old grandson. Who wants us?" she said as she surveyed the damage. And how can we afford to go?"

A bakery worker was leaving Slovyansk on Tuesday for the western Ukrainian city of Rivne. We had kept hoping this would bypass it, that somehow we would manage to stay on," she said. Now, its clear its time to go."

Her partner, who walked her through Slovyansks empty main square, said he also realized the urgency to escape but didnt want to abandon his 13-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Her mother still hopes things will turn out well and doesnt want to leave town or give her to me," he shook his head. I am trying to convince her and call her every day, but so far without result."
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The Kardashians appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday for Blac Chynas long-awaited trial against the famous family, which continues to set off fireworks with day two of jury selection, even before opening arguments have began.

Blac Chyna, a model and influencer whose real name is Angela White, was previously engaged to Rob Kardashian with whom she shares a 5-year-old daughter. The pair starred in their own E! reality show together, Rob & Chyna, which aired for one season in 2016. The second season was being shot when the two broke up, but was scrapped and never made it to air.

Chyna is suing the family for $100 million, claiming that they ruined her reality TV career.

The case revolves around Chynas 2017 lawsuit, which alleges that her ex-fiance, Rob, was abusive and that the Kardashian-Jenners were responsible for the cancellation of the former couples short-lived show. Chyna sued the entire family  Rob Kardashian, his mother Kris Jenner and his sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner  over claims of defamation, assault, battery, domestic violence and interference with prospective economic relations. That same year, the family responded to the claims with their own lawsuit, alleging that Chyna had attacked Rob.

Kris, Kim, Khloe and Kylie, all defendants in the case, were seated together on Monday when the trial began at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse, though Rob was not present for the first day of jury selection. Kris, Kim, Khloe and Kylie are expected to testify, but their appearance at jury selection came as a surprise. Chyna was accompanied by her mother Tokyo Toni and attorney Lynne Ciani, who has said her client will be present for the entire trial, which is expected to last about 10 days.

During jury selection, the panels were questioned about their awareness of the star defendants and plaintiff, in order to weed out any biased individuals from the pool. A courtroom source says that out more than 70 jurors, five individuals made negative comments about the Kardashian-Jenner family, and many more made negative statements about Chyna.

When asked about the Kardashians, one man responded, Anything that has to do with their names is just a big no for me, according to USA Today, which also reported on the familys supporters in the courtroom with one young woman saying, I am a pretty big fan of the Kardashians, so I dont think I would be able to make an unbiased judgment.

Another prospective juror, per TMZ, suggested they could not be impartial, stating in court, Ive seen the Kardashian sex tape.

Aside from the Kardashians and Jenners who are expected to take the stand, Ryan Seacrest  who was an executive producer on Rob & Chyna  is also on the witness list, but might testify by video deposition since he is now a New York state resident.

Chyna is seeking more than $40 million for loss of earning damages and more than $60 million in loss of future earning capacity damages, according to court filings. Earlier this month, the Kardashian-Jenners defense attorney, Michael G. Rhodes, told the judge that Chyna rejected a settlement offer.

Ahead of the trial, Chynas attorney said in a statement that her client is thankful to be able to prove to a jury that all four defendants abused their power to cancel her show. Chyna went from being the star on E!s number-one hit show at $92,500 per episode to being off the airwaves entirely, the attorney added. The defendants illegal conduct not only cost Chyna millions and millions of dollars, their conduct was emotionally devastating to her. Kris Jenner was like a second mother to Chyna and Kim had been her BFF for years. The extreme betrayal and humiliation felt by Chyna after discovering the truth about what the defendants did to her lingers to this day.

Variety has reached out to attorneys on both sides for additional comment.

In her 2017 lawsuit, Chyna said her reality show with her ex was already underway on a second season, but claimed the family intentionally put an axe to the series to spite her. Rob Kardashian is an abuser intent on destroying Angela White, the mother of his baby, who left him in 2016, the suit states. In revenge, the Kardashian-Jenner family became media predators, slut-shaming her on social media and killing her hit television show, which had already begun filming a second season.

In 2016, in the midst of the couples revenge porn feud where Robs social media accounts were shut down when he posted pornographic images that had been exchanged between him and Chyna, E! told Variety that their series, Rob & Chyna, had been taken off the networks schedule prior to the real-life romantic falling out that played out in the tabloid media.

While filming on Keeping Up with the Kardashians has been ongoing, spin-off Rob & Chyna has not been in production for several months and the series is not currently on the E! schedule, a spokesperson for E! exclusively told Variety at the time. As always, we follow the familys lead regarding their lives and relationships, and viewers saw firsthand as the family discussed putting Rob & Chyna on hold in an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians this spring. Keeping Up With the Kardashians is not filming right now.

(E! is no longer in business with the Kardashian-Jenner family, which now has a deal at Disney. Last week, the family premiered their new show, The Kardashians, on Hulu.)

Following the first day of the trial, Chynas mother, Tokyo Toni, took to her Instagram to go on a profanity-laden rant about the Kardashians, while she appeared to be rolling a blunt. This shit gonna get crazy. I dont give a fuck, Chynas mother said in the social media video, criticizing all of the Kardashian women, but specifically calling out Kylie by name and saying Kris looked decrepit in the courtroom. On Tuesday morning in court, the Kardashians attorney brought the video to the judges attention, stating that Chynas mother had made threatening comments, according to TMZ, which reported that the judge banned her from coming back into the courtroom for the duration of the trial.

Chynas revenge porn claim against Rob Kardashian will be tried after the ongoing defamation trial.

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This Machine, the production company founded by veteran documentary director and producer R.J. Cutler, has bolstered its development and production team with four new hires.

Cutler, the Emmy Award-winning director behind docus including The September Issue, Belushi and most recently with Billie Eilish: The Worlds a Little Blurry, launched This Machine in 2020 with an investment from Los Angeles-based Industrial Media.

Cutler has named Sally Rosen Phillips as vice president, creative; Qadriyyah Shamsid-Deen as director, creative; Jim Czarnecki, senior vice president, production, and Ian Egos, vice president. The four new hires bring This Machines employee headcount to 20. Rosen Phillips, Shamsid-Deen, Czarnecki and Egos join senior executives Elise Pearlstein, Trevor Smith, Margaret Yen and Katie Doering.

Im thrilled to welcome Sally, Qadriyyah, Jim and Ian  four truly creative and passionate individuals  to our rapidly growing team at This Machine, says Cutler, who served as a producer on Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebakers seminal 1993 documentary The War Room. Their talent, skills and interests perfectly complement our mission to tell compelling non-fiction stories that explore the times in which we live.

Rosen Phillips, an Emmy-Award winning news journalist, began working in non-scripted programming and development in 2016 at MG Original Content, where she helped produce and create distribution strategies around its podcast division and helped to develop The Innocence Files for Netflix. In 2018, she joined Endeavor Contents nonfiction studio, where she helped oversee the development and production of the slate and developed two projects for Netflix  Giving Voice and HBOs Siempre, Luis. Most recently, Rosen Phillips worked as a senior producer and executive for Peter Bergs non-scripted production company Film45, where she served as a producer on Netflixs Naomi Osaka series, an executive producer on Amazons Chivas: El Rebano Segrado and as a producer on an upcoming documentary directed by Rick Rubin.

Shamsid-Deen previously served as an executive at Higher Ground Productions, former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obamas production company for Netflix, where she produced the hybrid childrens food and travel show Waffles and Mochi. She also produced the Home docuseries for Apple TV Plus. Shamsid-Deen also previously served as the program director at Ryan Murphys Televisions Half Initiative, where she worked to make Hollywood more inclusive by creating equal opportunities for women and minorities behind the camera.

Both Rosen Phillips and Shamsid-Deen will report to executive VP Elise Pearlstein.

Czarnecki, an Emmy-Award winning producer, previously served as executive producer and head of production at Vice Media for six years, working on Vice.com, the creation of Vice News and Vice On HBO. At Vice Studios, his projects included Jonas Akerlunds Lords of Chaos, Harmony Korines The Beach Bum and Rick Alversons The Mountain. Czarnecki was also an executive producer on Chris Smiths documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond.

Egos is a post-production specialist, project manager, and events producer who has delivered more than 500 hours of programming for distributors including Netflix, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. Egos previously served as the senior director of post-production at Matador Content, where she post-produced projects including Cutlers Dear docuseries for Apple TV Plus and Billie Eilish: The Worlds a Little Blurry.

Both Czarnecki and Egos will report to Trevor Smith, Cutlers longtime producing partner and This Machine executive VP.

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Latin-music pianist and bandleader Eddie Palmieri recorded his two-volume album set "Live at Sing Sing" in the early winter of 1972 - 50 years ago this year. Before an enthusiastic audience of mostly Black and Latino inmates, the event's emcee, radio DJ and native Puerto Rican Francisco "Paquito" Navarro, spoke to the politics of their performance in the sequestered confines of the New York State Department of Correction.

"For all mankind!" he shouted over the courtyard loudspeaker, saying there should be "no walls," "no fears" and "only one thing in life: liberty in the coming years." Palmieri's show at Sing Sing reflected a moment when popular discourse around systemic oppression had reached peak levels in the cultural mainstream, just as many Americans were first encountering an exciting, aggressive and youth-driven Latin music genre - salsa. Socially conscious musicians of that era, in expressing prisoner solidarity - or simply acknowledging prisoners as human beings worthy of love, empathy and entertainment - raised public awareness about prison conditions and critiqued mass incarceration as an unconscionable stain on U.S. society. This work continues today.

Not by coincidence, Palmieri's performance at Sing Sing, upstate New York's notorious maximum-security men's correctional facility, emerged on the heels of the Attica prison riot of September 1971, also in upstate New York - an event became a flash point in modern U.S. history. More than 1,200 inmates seized control of the prison in a four-day standoff. In a manifesto, the prisoners called on the state to recognize their most basic human rights, including legal representation and adequate medical attention. Republican Gov. Nelson Rockefeller refused their demands and ordered the state police to "retake" the prison. The resulting assault left 10 hostages and 33 prisoners dead and more than 100 wounded.

The resounding political and cultural aftershocks of the massacre at Attica, a galvanizing moment for New Left activism, signified a turning point in the prisoners rights movement, a struggle coinciding with the steady rise of incarceration. The successful Nixon-age moral crusade for drug prohibition and the onset of New York's Rockefeller drug laws in 1973 - harsh, mandatory-minimum sentencing guidelines for nonviolent drug offenses - presaged a new dawn of mass incarceration and the devastation of America's communities of color caught in its crosshairs.

Palmieri, a Bronx-born Nuyorican already immersed in the politics of social and racial justice, was expanding his activist focus to the plight of the incarcerated. Bemoaning the "barren creativity" of contemporary Latin musicians, Palmieri told Billboard magazine in May 1973 that he was conscientiously bound to continue performing free prison concerts, insisting that the imprisoned should be "given a chance to grow" and "not just stagnate in their cells." Palmieri also played gigs at Rikers Island and Attica (twice) and continued playing prisons throughout the decade.

For the performance at Sing Sing, Palmieri's label, Tico Records - Roulette Records' Latin jazz subsidiary run by notorious New York mob associate and music mogul Morris Levy - sent a team of engineers from Manhattan's Variety Recording Studio upriver to capture the magic on tape.

Palmieri's sense of the political possibilities of his music fit with the spirit in which salsa music was coming of age. Racial pride and liberation movements were coalescing into formative challenges against the prevailing status quo surrounding race, class, gender, sexuality and social citizenship. While celebrated in popular histories as the spirit of Latino pride in 1970s New York, salsa music - a newly established "dance genre" of astounding transatlantic cultural hybridity - was genetically, and historically, the fruit of Black liberationism from its Caribbean origins. An outgrowth of Black Cuban music, salsa was rooted in the forced migration of enslaved West African people who altered, or otherwise masqueraded, native religious dance practices into creolized Spanish-Cuban conventions. Evolving on the island, from guaracha to guaguanco to the son montuno, Indigenous Afro-Cuban musical styles were born of the constellation of West African percussion and the Yoruba religious practices accompanying these rhythms.

Afro-Cubans thus shaped Latin America's most powerful musical-cultural force in the 20th century. Yet Black Latinos and Latinas tended to be overlooked as pathbreaking salsa artists, along with the radical politics of the era's most powerful performances.

But the early '70s provided a moment when salsa-in-the-making realized its Black liberationist roots, connecting the pulses of Spanish colonial-era slavery resistance to its abolitionist spirit for the 20th century.

For example, one of Colombia's most acclaimed salsa orchestras, Fruko y sus Tesos, recorded the Andean nation's most successful salsa hit, "El Preso" ("The Prisoner"), in 1975 - a "lament" narrating the true story of an Afro-Colombian man jailed in North America and caught in the web of the U.S. war on drugs. In the United States, Afro-Puerto Rican salsero and Fania All-Star Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez recorded songs of freedom throughout salsa's biggest decade, including "La Abolicion"("The Abolition") in 1976, invoking the systemic conditions of Black oppression in the aftermath of emancipation in the Caribbean and Latin America.

At the Sing Sing performance in 1972, Palmieri's opening act, Felipe Luciano, the Afro-Puerto Rican poet and activist member of the Young Lords Party, affirmed the importance of Black and Puerto Rican unity in light of the powerful social forces driving them apart, especially jail cells: "We know as a people, Blacks and Puerto Ricans have their destinies out before them. We're going to keep on moving and build a nation, for all of our people."

Moments later, as the crowd erupted in cheers, prisoners' fists suspended in the air, the curtains opened on Palmieri and his Harlem River Drive orchestra as they launched into a scorching, 10-minute descarga, or jam, "Pa La Ocha Tambo," a new composition celebrating the resilient power of Afro-Caribbean percussion. New York's greatest living innovators of Latin music filled Sing Sing with the uplifting sounds of live concert music. Amplified brass, organ, wah-wah guitar, bass, drums, clave and timbales ricocheted through the man-made labyrinth of impermeable stone and reinforced steel.

Recalling the evening in an essay for the New York Times, Luciano captured the electricity coursing through the air. "They were going to blow Sing Sing into oblivion; they were going to turn the prison right side up," he wrote.

Falling short of obliviating Sing Sing with the sheer power of rock 'n' roll, as Luciano prophesied, Palmieri and his orchestra did succeed in channeling their revolutionary sounds into a performance brimming with the possibilities for self-liberation. Though hardly noticed in the press, Black New York's largest newspaper, New York Amsterdam News, took note of Palmieri's "prison soul show" with its "large numbers of Black and Puerto Rican inmates." Later that spring, the live album made its way to record stores.

Fifty years later, listening to "Eddie Palmieri Recorded Live at Sing Sing" reminds us of the power of politicized music amid ongoing struggles against the injustices of mass incarceration and racial disparities in the justice system. Further, "Live at Sing Sing" feels particularly prescient as the historic impact of bipartisan "tough on crime" laws for nonviolent offenders has been scrutinized and condemned in the political mainstream. But it is also a remarkable moment in the pop tradition of live albums - a watershed Latin musical tour de force at the nexus of Afro-Caribbean musical hybridity, jazz improvisational workouts, and early-'70s psychedelic experimentations led by a multiracial band of New York barrio musicians and professional studio talent.

As Latin music has moved into the mainstream, becoming part of a global popular culture - thanks in part to hip-hop, another fruit of the Black Caribbean diaspora - we might pause to remember Navarro's hopeful aspiration for "liberty in the coming years" and the possibilities of a world with fewer walls and more pathways to freedom.

- - -

Alex La Rotta is a professor of history at Houston Community College, specializing in U.S. Latino, social and music history.
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Billionaire Trump donor Nelson Peltz held a fundraiser for Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in Florida last month, CNBC reported on Monday. The $5,000-per-plate event attracted at least 50 executives, many of them notable Republican donors, as well as Manchin himself, who said he plans on running for reelection in 2024, according to one attendee.

A spokesperson for Peltz confirmed the fundraiser at the former Wall Street executives $95 million Palm Beach, Florida, estate. Mr. Peltz supports Mr. Manchin, Anne Tarbell told CNBC in an email. He believes Mr. Manchin is a rare elected politician from both sides of the aisle who puts country before party, something which Mr. Peltz believes is much needed in our country today.

Peltzs love for Manchin isnt new. He told CNBC last year that he calls the senator regularly. Joe is the most important guy in D.C. Maybe the most important guy in America today, Peltz said as Manchin was stonewalling President Bidens social spending bill. I call him every week and say, Joe, youre doing great. Stay tough. Stay tough, buddy. Hes phenomenal.

Peltz, who hosted fundraisers for Trump in which couples paid out as much as as $580,000, also commended Manchin for keeping our elected officials somewhere in the middle and not pushing us to the extremes  where its uncomfortable. Once again, Peltz is a big Trump supporter.

The fundraiser at Peltzs estate last month drew notable donors like Home Depot billionaire co-founders Bernard Marcus and Ken Langone. Langone was a prominent Trump supporter before vowing to support Biden following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. He donated to Manchin last year, and has also ferried money toward fellow centrist Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who along with Manchin has a knack for opening up wealthy conservative checkbooks.

Some donors at Peltzs fundraiser also see in Manchin someone who could switch parties and beat Biden in 2024, according to one attendee. Machin has disagreed with the president not only over social spending, but also voting rights, taxing the rich, and the environment. Rolling Stone has reported extensively on Manchins coal corruption.

Regardless of whether Machin decides to mount an intra-party challenge to Biden in a few years, he seems hell at least be making a bid to remain in Congress. If he does, hell be well positioned to do so thanks to his conservative friends. Manchin has more than $7 million on hand as of the end of March, according to the Federal Election Commission.
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Johnny Depp took the stand on Tuesday afternoon in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, saying he was focused on clearing the record regarding allegations that he engaged in domestic violence.

Truth is the only thing Im interested in. Lies will get you nowhere, but lies build upon lies and build upon lies, Depp said. Im obsessed with the truth.

Under questioning from his own lawyer, Depp denied that he had ever been violent with Heard, or with any other woman.

Heard has accused Depp of striking her, choking her and kicking her on several occasions over the course of their relationship. She has also alleged that Depp once sexually assaulted her during a fight in Australia in 2015. Depp and Heard divorced in 2016.

In December 2018, Heard published an opinion piece in the Washington Post in which she alluded to her prior allegations, though she did not identify Depp by name. Depp sued her for $50 million.

I felt it my responsibility to stand up not only for myself in that instance, but stand up for my children, Depp testified, speaking very deliberately on the witness stand. I thought it was diabolical that my children would have to go to school and have their friends or people in the school approach them with the infamous People magazine cover with Ms. Heard with a dark bruise on her face.

Depp said the allegations against him were quite heinous and disturbing, and not based in any species of truth.

Its very strange when one day, youre Cinderella and in 0.6 seconds youre Quasimodo, he said.

Depp also testified about physical abuse he endured at the hands of his mother when he was growing up in Kentucky, saying she would throw things at him and beat him with a high-heeled shoe.

He also spoke about the beginning of his relationship with Heard, saying it was as if she was too good to be true.

She was attentive. She was loving. She was smart. She was kind. She was funny. She was understanding, he said. He added that they shared a common interest in blues music and that Heard would often take his boots off when he returned home.

But within a year and a half, he said, it was as if she had become another person almost.

Depp also spoke about his acting career, and about how he developed the character of Captain Jack Sparrow for the first Pirates of the Caribbean film. He said he drew inspiration from Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote cartoons, saying he felt that cartoon characters could push boundaries while appealing to all ages.

Its like making a soup, yknow, he said. Its just ingredients. Theres some Pepe Le Pew in there. Theres some Keith Richards in there.

After the success of the film, he said his fame became more intense. Fans would try to enter his property dressed as Jack Sparrow, and he felt the need to hire more security to deal with paparazzi.

Depp also address text messages that have been introduced in the trial, in which he spoke in violent and vulgar language about Heard, referring to her as a c and discussing her rotting corpse. He noted that he had been influenced by Hunter S. Thompson and Monty Python, and that he was prone to dark humor.

I am ashamed of some of the references made, he said. I am embarrassed that at the time  the heat of the moment, the heat of pain  what I was feeling went to dark places.

He was asked to address his drug use, which has also come up repeatedly during the trial. He said he did not take drugs to party, but rather to escape.

Ive taken these substances on and off to numb myself  to numb myself of the ghosts, the wraiths that were still with me from my youth, he said. It was essentially self-medication, one of those get me out of here moments, where what you want to escape from is your own brain, your own head.

But he recoiled at Heards depiction of my quote unquote substance abuse, saying that her account is grossly embellished, and a lot of it is false.

I am not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time, he said.

Depp did acknowledge that he became dependent on Roxicodone  a prescription pain killer  after injuring himself while throwing a chair on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment in the franchise. He described the addiction as a monkey on your back, and said he was on the pills for four to five years, or more.

Depp and Thompson had become friends in the years preceding Thompsons suicide in 2005. Depp spoke of first meeting Heard during casting of Rum Diary, the 2011 film that Depp produced that was based on Thompsons novel.

I thought yep, thats the Chenault that Hunter wants, Depp testified, referring to his characters love interest in the film. Thats the one. She could definitely kill me.

When they became a couple, Depp said that they likened themselves to Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, a celebrity couple that also had a wide age gap. They called each other Steve and Slim, after Bogart and Bacalls characters in the film To Have and Have Not.

I acknowledged the fact I was the old craggy, Bogey and she was this beautiful creature  this stunning creature, he said.

In discussing their relationship, he said that it was good at first, but that after a while, things started to reveal themselves. He said that Heard would react badly if he wanted to stay up to watch TV and she wanted to go to bed.

I didnt understand why I as a 50-something-year-old man was not allowed to go to sleep when I wanted to, as opposed to when she wanted to, Depp said.

Depps testimony will continue on Wednesday.

The trial is set to run through the end of May, and Heard will also have an opportunity to testify in her defense.

Depp also testified at length in his libel trial against The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom in July 2020. Depp sued the publication after it described him as a wife beater. The judge ruled against Depp in that case, finding that Heards allegations were substantially true.

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Netflix, after years of insisting it would stick solely to subscription-only plans, is finally open to offering lower-cost, ad-supported packages, co-CEO Reed Hastings said on the companys Q1 earnings interview.

The company expects to nail down its ad-supported streaming strategy over the next year or two, Hastings said, but think of us as quite open to us offering even lower prices with advertising as a consumer choice.

Hastings comments about Netflix planning to intro an ad-supported plan come as the companys subscriber growth has hit a wall  in fact, Netflix lost 200,000 subs in the first three months of 2022 and expects to drop 2 million in Q2. Adding ad-supported options could give it a new pathway to growth; in addition, to boost the top line, Netflix is looking at ways to collect money from the estimated 100 million-plus households that currently use a shared password to stream without paying for it.

Those that have followed Netflix know that Ive been against the complexity of advertising and a big fan of the simplicity of subscription, Hastings said. But as much as Im a fan of that, Im a bigger fan of consumer choice. And allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price and are advertising-tolerant get what they want, makes a lot of sense.

Hastings didnt provide details on what Netflixs ad-supported plans might cost. The streamers standard two-stream HD plan costs $15.49 per month in the U.S.

Several of Netflixs biggest competitors offer cheaper, ad-supported plans, including Hulu, HBO Max and Paramount+. Last month Disney announced plans to launch an ad-supported Disney+ plan starting late in 2022 in the U.S.

I dont think we have a lot of doubt that [the ad model] works, Hastings said, citing Hulu and HBO Max as well as the upcoming plans from Disney+. Im sure well just get in and figure it out  as opposed to test it and maybe do it or not do it.

With its advertising play, Netflix can avoid wading into data-privacy pitfalls that have become problematic for some internet companies by using third-party technologies that match ads with viewers without needing access to personally identifiable information, Hastings said.

Last month, Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann signaled the streamers willingness to consider adopting an ad-supported tier. Its not like we have religion against advertising, to be clear, Neumann said at a Morgan Stanley investment conference. While thats not something thats in our plans right now, he said, never say never.

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Russian troops destroyed a depot of weapons supplied by Western countries near west Ukraine's Lviv on Monday morning, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. The Russian Aerospace Forces used high-precision airborne missiles to hit a logistics centre of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Lviv, destroying large consignments of weapons arrived from the US and European countries over the past six days, Konashenkov was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. At least seven people were killed and 11 others wounded on Monday morning in missile strikes on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, said Maksym Kozytsky, head of the Lviv regional military-civilian administration.




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Simon Crowes SC Films International has boarded Filipino superhero adventure, Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs. the Amazonistas of Planet X, a buoyant animated feature produced by Franck Priot at Paris Ghosts City Films and director Avid Liongoren of Manila-based Rocketsheep Studio.

The acquisition looks set to push Filipino animation into a more global spotlight, pairing this trailblazing project with a highly respected, long-standing animation sales company.

SC Films has already been linked to high-profile French production companies on animated features such as Folivaris Pachamama and TeamTOs Yellowbird.

Zsazsa continues SC Films interest in the wonderful world of animation. Basically, we just loved the unique pitch and believe its not only a fun story but an important one too. Avid is a real talent, related Crowe.

The film follows Ada, a meek and lovelorn salon owner who pines for his attractive neighbor Dodong while confiding in co-worker Didi.

When a mysterious comet falls to earth, Adas coerced into swallowing it whole and, once ingested, turns into voluptuous and headstrong superhero Zsazsa, now in charge of taking on a group of interplanetary Amazonistas tasked with eradicating men from earth.

Based on the Philippine LGBTQ graphic novel written by Carlo Vergara that reached cult status, the tales brought to life via exuberant 2D animation by Liongoren, who showcased his captivating work on Annecy selected Netflix acquisition, You Animal.

While my main goal is to tell a funny and entertaining story, my advocacy is also to showcase Filipino animation talent to the world. The Philippines is a go-to nation for animation service work but, sadly, we are not known for ideating and producing animated films, Liongoren said.

He added: Thereve been less than 10 animated feature films in the entire 100 year history of Philippine cinema. My team and I hope to continue adding to our nations feature animation filmography and establishing Filipino animators as not just service providers, but creators.

Redefining stale superhero tropes and taking advantage of its campy, relatable edge, the film centers an Asian LGBTQ hero in a valiant push toward inclusivity and representation.

Zsazsa has a unique freshness that will differentiate itself, as there never was such an irreverent LGBTQ animated feature, Priot said.

The film received support from the ICOF Fund, targeting co-productions and backed by Filipino state agency FDCP.

Headed by Priot, who boasts 30 years in the film industry and a prior role as COO of Film France the nationwide French film commission  Ghosts City Films produces groundbreaking French and Chinese cinema, with a focus on new filmmakers that nudge boundaries.

Zsazsa looks towards a 2024 Cannes or Toronto release with SC Films touting two animated Cannes debuts this year, powerful Holocaust trauma survival tale My Fathers Secrets, and work in progress Headspace, a topsy-turvy space story that centers on an unlikely 16-year old hero saddled with saving the earth after a freak accident.

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One local student made sure his notes were heard around the nation as he just missed being recognized as a top placer at a national classical guitar competition.

Salvador Munoz IV, a junior in high school, took fifth at the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition.

Following Munoz's accomplishment, his teacher and mentor spoke to LMT about his student and the challenges of this competition in particular.

A total of 18 competitors from across the nation competed at this years competition, and Salvador advanced all the way to the finals which puts him in the top five of the competitors, said Carlos A. Morales Jr., owner and guitar instructor of Morales Fine & Performing Arts.

Munoz passed both the preliminary and semifinal rounds satisfactorily but just missed out on a top-three finish. Nevertheless, Morales said his student's high placement shows how his skills have developed over time thanks to his continual hard work.

He has been studying guitar for several years, Morales said. He began studying classical guitar with me six years ago when Salvador was a sixth grader in middle school. Sal has been able to achieve his current level of playing by being a dedicated student that practices daily and is always willing to take on challenging guitar music.

Morales said the competition is one of the biggest in the country and was done fully virtually this year because of the continued pandemic.

The Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition is part of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Festival. It has two divisions: adult and junior. The Junior Division is open to students 18 and under residing in the United States.

Morales said that the competitors must perform two pieces of music with a time restraint of 10 minutes.

According to Morales, the musical pieces Munoz performed were Rondo, from Gran Sonata; Op. 22, by Fernando Sor; and Prelude from Suite BWV 997, by Johann Sebastian Bach.

These are very difficult pieces that are usually learned at the college (or) university level, and Sal is performing them as a junior in high school, Morales said.

Aside from the pieces being difficult, Morales said the competition is done in three rounds.

The first round sees the jury review unmarked and anonymous audio recordings and select up to 12 advancing competitors.

During the semifinal round, the 12 students who advanced from the previous round submit a video of themselves performing their selected pieces. The jury then reviews the submitted video recordings and selects the performers that will advance to the final round.

In the final round, only five students are selected to advance. The same video recording submitted for the semifinals is used for the finals. The video recording is broadcast live online during the 2022 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Festival with winners being announced shortly after.

Morales says more students like Munoz should engage in extracurricular activities like music as it allows a student to not just have fun but also to learn a discipline and potential career fields.

He adds the study of music in general promotes many positive things such as discipline and problem-solving skills, and it helps create structured and positive habits that translate well into other areas of life such as school and work. It also serves as an artistic outlet to release stress and frustration.

Although in Laredo there may be untapped talent ready for the musical world, Morales says there are many limitations in the city prohibiting these students from finding a way to venture into the art. He says having performance opportunities for classical musicians and students would be a great help, however, classical musicians unfortunately do not have a venue to perform at frequently.

Financial support for those that are asked to perform at events is also necessary, Morales said. So many times musicians are asked to perform at events for free because they will receive exposure, but unfortunately exposure doesnt pay the bills.

Lastly, he believes perception is another issue affecting young musicians from reaching greater strides locally.

We need to encourage our youth into a musical profession, if that is what they want, Morales said. So many times people will discourage a musician because the artist isnt working toward a standard career in sales, accounting, etc.
A man said he was offered $25,000 to transport 51 migrants to San Antonio, according to an arrest affidavit.

A white tractor hauling a white trailer arrived at about 10:30 p.m. at the Freer Checkpoint on U.S. 59 on April 11. The driver was identified as Gregory Scott Freeman during an immigration inspection. Asked if there was anyone else in the cab, Freeman stated he was alone and going to Allentown, Pennsylvania.
DALLAS (AP)  A ruling by a federal judge has ended  at least for now  the requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation, and there is plenty of confusion about the new, post-mask world of travel.

The Justice Department left the door open Tuesday to a possible appeal of the ruling, but only if the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention thinks the mandate is necessary. An appeal could be a politically risky move for the Biden administration.

The decision by a lone judge in Florida toppled 14 months of government insistence that travelers wear masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19. Within hours, all major U.S. airlines and many airports announced  sometimes to passengers in the middle of flights  that travelers could take off their masks.

-

WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE RULING?

In a 59-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order that the Transportation Security Administration used to impose the mask mandate. She said the CDC didnt follow proper rulemaking procedures.

___

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks. United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and other airlines all made masks voluntary.

On the ground, however, requirements could vary from place to place. New York Citys public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in effect. In San Francisco, the regional commuter rail system known as BART made masks voluntary, but the city transit authority did not.

The transit agency serving Philadelphia and its suburbs said masks will no longer be required on subways, buses and trains or in stations, even though the city has a mask mandate.

Uber and Lyft said they wont require passengers to wear masks.

___

HOW SAFE IS IT TO TRAVEL NOW?

Air filtration on planes is generally excellent, but boarding and exiting a plane can put people close together in spaces with poor ventilation, said Dr. Babak Javid, a physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco. The risk on other forms of transportation varies.

Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said planes can carry the virus from place to place, but that we should be focusing more on big indoor events such as concerts and sporting events  even large weddings  where people get together and talk, shout and sing.

___

SHOULD I STILL WEAR A MASK ON PLANES?

The CDC continues to recommend that people mask up indoors while traveling.

___

DO MASKS WORK IF NOBODY ELSE WEARS ONE?

Yes, masks still give some protection from COVID-19, but they work better if others wear them too.

High-quality masks work in two ways, said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases: They protect the wearer by limiting the number of infectious particles inhaled, and they protect others by limiting particles exhaled if the wearer is infected.

___

WILL I STAND OUT?

Probably not. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, who favored dropping the rule, said before the judge's order that he expected to see a surprising number of passengers and airline employees wear masks even after the mandate expired.

I may choose to wear a mask once in a while, he said.

Still, tension among passengers over mask-wearing could continue, said Eileen Ogintz, who writes about family travel and advises parents of small children who can't be vaccinated to keep masking up.

I wouldn't be surprised if you got some dirty looks or nasty comments from unmasked passengers, she said. That's a conversation to have with the kids ahead of time  why you're wearing masks."

___

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I DON'T WANT TO FLY NOW?

No, unless the airline cancels your flight.

However, if you call the airline and explain why you're not comfortable traveling without a mask mandate, most will let you change the flight for free or give you a credit that you can use later, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott's Cheap Flights travel site.

___

WILL THE LIFTING OF THE BAN AFFECT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS?

When flying between two countries, expect your airline to follow the rules in whichever country is more restrictive. Passengers flying to Canada, for example, will have to don masks at some point during the flight, but it's not clear exactly whether that means when crossing into Canadian airspace or some other point.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst for Atmosphere Research Group, said there might be international airlines that will still require masks even on flights to and from the United States.

___

WILL THIS MAKE MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FLY?

Industry officials don't expect that. They say that there could be a small number of people who will start flying now because they don't have to wear a mask, but that will be offset by a few people deciding not to fly if others are unmasked.

Although the airline industry lobbied to kill the mandate  after supporting it originally  airlines don't expect the rule's demise to affect revenue. They are far more interested in seeing the United States repeal another pandemic-era rule: The requirement that people test clear of the virus within a day of flying to the U.S.

A Biden administration official said Tuesday that there were no changes expected to the pre-departure testing requirement.

___

WHEN DID THE U.S. REQUIRE MASKS?

The mask mandate for transportation began in February 2021, shortly after President Joe Biden took office, and was extended several times. Last week, the CDC extended it again until May 3. The CDC said the extra time was needed to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

___

HOW CAN A SINGLE JUDGE HAVE SO MUCH POWER?

Usually, decisions by a federal judge affect only the people involved in one case, or a limited geographic area. But judges can also issue so-called nationwide or universal injunctions that apply across the country, and it is happening more often  a practice that has drawn criticism from conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

___

WHO IS JUDGE KATHRYN KIMBALL MIZELLE?

Mizelle was nominated in 2020 by former President Donald Trump and confirmed in a party-line vote in the Senate, which was then controlled by Republicans, after Trump had lost his bid for re-election. At 33 when confirmed, she was the youngest Trump appointee on the federal bench, and the American Bar Association had rated her not qualified in part because she had been practicing law for only eight years.

___

WILL THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RESPOND?

The Justice Department said Tuesday it won't appeal Mizelle's ruling unless the CDC believes that the mask requirement is still necessary. The announcement doesn't mean that an appeal is certain, but it signals that one could be filed if the CDC decides later that the mandate should be revived.

While the mask ban was popular in the beginning, support has waned over time, according to public-opinion polls. As state and local mask rules were scrapped, and Americans grew accustomed to going bare-faced, the mandate for transportation drew fire from Republican politicians and several Senate Democrats who face tough re-election fights in November.

___

IS THE TIMING OF THIS RIGHT?

New reported U.S. cases of COVID-19 are relatively low compared with the past two years, but they have increased lately and are likely an undercount. Hospitalizations are nearly flat and deaths are still declining.

Dowdy, the Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, said it's reasonable to consider removing the mask mandate on travel given the lull in severe disease.

It would just be nice to do it when cases are falling rather than rising," he said, and for the decision to be made by people trained in public health rather than law and politics.

___

WHAT IF COVID CASES INCREASE?

A new surge in cases might not be enough to revive the mask rule, but it could roil travel in other ways. U.S. airlines canceled thousands of flights in late December and early January, largely because so many employees were out sick with omicron.

Imagine what would happen if a critical mass of Southwest Airlines pilots are sick and cant fly this summer? said Harteveldt, the travel analyst. "Whether its Southwest or any airline, it could be highly disruptive to summer travel.

___

Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson in Washington state and Jessica Gresko and Zeke Miller in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
A recent raid in south Laredo resulted in the apprehension of a migrant and seizure of two firearms, according to authorities.

On April 11, Homeland Security Investigations special agents encountered Manuel Chavez-Rivera, a Mexican citizen, at 2815 Jengibre Drive in south Laredo. Special agents said they recovered an AK-47 and one .45 caliber handgun along with ammunition.
A woman accused of operating a stash house has been arrested.

Elena Gomez de Luna, 31, was charged with operation of a stash house.

Laredo police officers responded to a welfare check at about 9:13 p.m. April 12 in the 700 block of East San Jose Street. Police had received information about a woman who had illegal migrants at her home along with her 14-year-old daughter.

First officers at the home encountered the teen. Authorities also found six people inside a locked bedroom. All were determined to be Mexican citizens who had crossed the border illegally. U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to take custody of the migrants.

The teen told police she was afraid of what the migrants could do to her and her siblings, according to the affidavit. Authorities then spoke to Gomez de Luna.

She assumed responsibility of the stash house and added that her ex-husband had dropped the migrants off at her home earlier to await transport, according to court documents.
Jennifer B. Lowery has taken the oath of office to remain as chief federal law enforcement officer for the Southern District of Texas.

I am extremely grateful to the district judges for allowing me to continue to serve the Southern District of Texas and our community, said Lowery. It is an honor and a privilege to be the U.S. Attorney. I take pride in our office and the work it does in support of our law enforcement partners, our mutual mission to protect our citizens and hold accountable those who commit federal crimes. Likewise, I am blessed to work alongside the dedicated employees in this district who are devoted to public service and to our offices core values of professionalism, ethics and civility.

Lowery was first appointed Acting U.S. Attorney on Feb. 22, 2021, upon the resignation of former U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Attorney General Merrick Garland then appointed Lowery to be the interim on Dec. 26 and was to serve in that role for 120 days. The district judges in the U.S. District court for the Southern District of Texas then voted to appoint Lowery as U.S. Attorney until the appointment and qualification of a successor to the SDTX as provided by law.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal administered the oath of office on April 7.

Lowery joined the district in 2008, but has been with the Department of Justice since 2000. She first served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and then an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas. During this time, she was detailed to Washington D.C. and New York, New York, as a hearing officer for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. She later worked in Washington D.C. in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and Executive Office for US Attorneys, in both their Counsel to Directors Office and General Counsels Office.

While with the SDTX, Lowery has served as AUSA in the Major Offenders, Fraud and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Sections. She has also held the titles of First Assistant USA, Executive AUSA, criminal chief, deputy criminal chief of the Program Fraud Section, acting deputy criminal chief of the Major Fraud Section, senior litigation counsel and ethics advisor.

Prior to her federal service, Lowery was an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office for eight years where she prosecuted hundreds of cases, including four capital murders. She served as a grand jury attorney, drug intake lawyer, drug diversion lawyer, misdemeanor chief and attorney and felony attorney.

Lowery holds a B.A. from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) and a J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston.

Lowery was honored to have her mother, niece, mentor, members of the judiciary and bar and various employees of the SDTX in attendance as she took the oath of office.

Pursuant to Vacancy Reform Act, the second in the chain of command, generally the First USA, automatically begins serving as Acting USA upon exit of a presidentially-appointed USA and serves for up to 300 days. If a new USA is not in place by that time, the Attorney General has the authority to name an interim USA to serve for up to 120 days. At that time, if no one has been presidentially-appointed to that position, the district judges vote to name someone as USA until the appointment and qualification of a successor as provided by law.

The SDTX is among the busiest in the nation. With more than 200 attorneys, the office serves more than nine million people in 43 counties from Houston to the Mexican border and prosecutes more federal criminal cases than most other districts. The SDTX currently comprises seven divisions with federal district courts in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo.
A woman attempted to smuggle a child via a Laredo international bridge, according to an arrest affidavit.

Cynthia Reyna was arrested and charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport the migrant child.

Reyna and a female minor arrived at 9:41 p.m. April 15 at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in a privately-owned vehicle. She presented a U.S. passport card bearing her name and photo. For the child, she presented a City of Laredo birth certificate.

Reyna told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that the child was her U.S. citizen daughter. CBP officers referred them to secondary inspection to verify the childs citizenship. Reyna then claimed that she was the mother of the girl. Asked if Reyna was her mother, the child allegedly shook her head no. Reyna would then admit that the child was not her daughter.

Defendant stated she picked the minor up in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico from a man and was to cross the minor into the (United States). Once she crossed the bridge, she was going to call the man to get instructions on where to take the minor, states the affidavit.

Reyna tried using her daughters documents to smuggle the migrant child, authorities said.
Former Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis, best known for her 13-hour filibuster of a 2013 abortion bill, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Texas recent abortion law. The suit claims the law is blatantly unconstitutional and written to make a mockery of the federal courts.

The law, which went into effect in September and empowers private citizens to bring civil lawsuits against anyone who aids or abets in an abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected, has led abortion clinics to stop providing the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Meanwhile, abortion funds  nonprofit advocacy groups that help pay for abortions and related expenses  have seen increased demand from pregnant Texans seeking care outside the state. This financial support has put these funds in the crosshairs of abortion opponents, who have claimed on social media and in legal filings that abortion fund donors, employees and volunteers are susceptible to lawsuits and criminal charges.

Davis, who was the Democratic nominee for Texas governor in 2014 and unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020, donates to and works with the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity, an Austin-based abortion fund, according to the lawsuit. She claims in the suit that these threats against donors and volunteers "have had a chilling effect" and stop her from associating with "like-minded people to express her views and achieve her advocacy goals."

Accordingly, she intends not to make any additional donations to Texas abortion funds until the Court provides clarity on this issue, the lawsuit said.

She is joined in the suit by the Stigma Relief Fund, an abortion fund associated with abortion provider Whole Womans Health, and Marva Sadler and Sean Mehl, who both work for Whole Woman's Health and serve on the board of the Stigma Relief Fund. Sadler and Mehl say in the suit that they have stopped donating to abortion funds "until the Court clarifies whether and to what extent [they] can face liability for doing so."

They are suing state Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, and three private citizens who have made efforts to bring lawsuits against abortion funds. Cain recently sent cease-and-desist letters to all the Texas abortion funds, accusing them of criminal conduct.

The lawsuit claims that the law violates the plaintiffs rights to due process and free speech and asks the court to declare both this law and Texas older abortion law unenforceable.

We are asking the courts today to stop the unconstitutional harassment of abortion funds by confirming S.B.8 cannot be used to silence donors with bogus threats, Davis said in a statement. More than that, we are asking the courts to stop the nightmare S.B.8 has created for Texans if they need abortion services."

Legal background

In recent months, abortion opponents have accused abortion funds of both civil and criminal impropriety, and the abortion funds have brought their own legal challenges to block the law.

The chief architects of Texas new abortion law have asked a state district judge to allow them to depose the leaders of two abortion funds, seeking to better evaluate the prospects for legal success in potential lawsuits over illegal abortions.

Anti-abortion advocacy groups including the Thomas More Society have also tweeted at different abortion funds, claiming their donors could face lawsuits. The law specifies that paying for a prohibited abortion constitutes aiding and abetting, and someone can be sued regardless of whether the person knew or should have known that the abortion would be performed or induced in violation of the law.

Last month, two abortion funds filed federal lawsuits against the anti-abortion advocacy groups that had threatened to bring lawsuits against them.

Recently, Cain claimed that the abortion funds could also face criminal charges under a Texas abortion statute that was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973. Cain claimed in his cease-and-desist letter that the law, which was never repealed by lawmakers, was recently reaffirmed when the state passed the new abortion law.

Davis lawsuit asks the judge to affirm that the old criminal statute is unenforceable and that the newer law is unconstitutional.

The current law seeks not only to strip Texans of their fundamental right to make decisions about their pregnancies based on their individual circumstances and religious beliefs, but also to make a mockery of the federal courts, the lawsuit said.

In December, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out most of the arguments brought by abortion providers to challenge the law, and though a state judge found the law to be unconstitutional, he allowed it to remain in effect.

We cant wait to welcome you in person and online to the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news  all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol from Sept. 22-24. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Russian forces have begun the battle for the Donbas region, but Ukraine will defend itself, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in a video address.

"Now we can say that Russian troops have started the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive," Zelensky was quoted as saying by the state-run Ukrinform news agency.

"No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight," he added.

In the east and south of Ukraine, Russian forces have recently been trying to attack a little more deliberately than before and looking for a weak spot in the country's defence to go there with the main forces, Zelensky was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option.
A sampler module for Irish primary school children to experience other languages will be extended from six to eight weeks.

The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, announced news of the extension to the 'Say Yes to Languages' initiative yesterday (Monday April 18), and stated she hopes "even more schools" will participate in 2022.

She said, "It has been warmly and positively welcomed by over 500 schools. Over 40,000 pupils have had the opportunity to learn and have fun through a range of languages, opening doors for them to the languages used by their classmates."

The grant to schools participating will be increased to 400 per class up to a maximum of 1,600, which will allow for the payment of tutors or resources.

Alternatively, the module can be delivered by the class teacher or a member of the community fluent in the chosen language, such as a parent.

The module - which allows schools to select a language depending on its demographic - is aimed at pupils in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class.

Languages selected in 2021/222 include French, Spanish, ISL, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Romanian, Arabic, Tamil and Portuguese.

The minister continued: "Being able to speak a foreign language, and learning about other cultures is an enormous advantage to our children and young people. This programme gives them a unique opportunity to be exposed to foreign language learning at a young age."

Sampling of the Ukrainian language has been suggested for the 2022/2023 period as a way to support the integration of newly arrived students from Ukraine.

Minister Foley concluded: "The module is an important aspect of our foreign languages strategy which aims to increase the number of students studying foreign languages at all levels. We want to equip our students with the skills that they will need to live in our globalised world, and foreign languages provide our students not only with a skill but with a broader access to and appreciation of a wide range of culture.

Applications will be accepted by the Department up until 5pm on May 11.
Russia has claimed that it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery, and street battles have broken out as President Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, Daily Mail reported.

Russian troops managed to take control of the eastern city of Kreminna after hours of relentless bombing, as gunfights between Putin's men and battling Ukrainian forces continue.

"Control over the city of Kreminna is lost, street fights are taking place," Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said, as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has begun the "battle for the Donbas".

Downing Street has been warned that the battle could take 'months', with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that Ukraine's situation is 'perilous' with Putin intent on victory "regardless of the human cost".

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that high-precision air-based missiles had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas region, including the city of Slavyansk, while airstrikes had hit 60 military targets.

Overall, Russia claimed it has struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet has been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region, Daily Mail reported.
(Sharecast News) - Altus Strategies said on Tuesday that Mali's Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water has issued a small-scale gold mining licence for its wholly-owned 83.1 square kilometre Korali Sud licence, containing the Diba gold project, in the west of the country.

The AIM-traded firm said Diba hosts the Diba Deposit, Diba NW and Diba Far East prospects, and is located about five kilometres west of its 100%-owned, 24 square kilometre Lakanfla gold exploration licence.

It said it had commissioned independent consulting firm Mining Plus UK of Bristol to update the mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment for the combined Diba and Lakanfla project.

The current mineral resource estimate for the Diba deposit comprised 4,834,000 tonnes at 1.39 grams of gold per tonne for 217,000 ounces in the indicated category, and 5,479,000 tonnes at 1.06 grams per tonne for 187,000 ounces of gold in the inferred category.

It said the mining licence was granted for an initial four-year period, renewable until the deposit was depleted, and was transferable to third parties with approval from the ministry.

Altus said Diba is "strategically located" in a "world-famous" gold belt, which hosts numerous open-pit mines.

"We are delighted to have been granted a Mining Licence at our Diba gold project in western Mali," said chief executive officer Steven Poulton.

"This endorses our royalty generation strategy of adding value to our project portfolio through de-risking and technical validation before transacting with third party developers."

Poulton said that, with the expiry of the current exploration licence, the new mining licence would provide the company with long-term security of tenure for the project.

"This is especially important as an updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment for the combined Diba and Lakanfla project is underway, and is due to be published in the next three months."

At 0902 BST, shares in Altus Strategies were down 1.64% at 57.05p.
Baron Oil PLC - oil and gas exploration company with assets in the UK, Peru and Timor-Leste - Says it has requested the relinquishment of its legacy Block XXI license in Peru through its subsidiary Gold Oil Peru SAC. Explains that it has become "frustrated" in its attempts to access the area to carry out operations. To ask Perupetro SA, the Peruvian national oil & gas agency and licensing authority, to release the licensee's bank guarantee, which stands at USD160,000. Plans to establish and file an abandonment plan for approval by the relevant authorities thereafter.

"Over the last year or more we have worked hard to pivot the company towards assets where we have significant interests in meaningful and active opportunities," Chief Executive Andy Yeo comments.

"Peru Block XXI has a materially smaller prospective resource with no certainty around pathways or timelines to drilling, hence the company's decision to relinquish the licence and ultimately withdraw from the country."

Current stock price: 0.075 pence, down 6.7% on Tuesday

12-month change: up 7.1%

By Abby Amoakuh; abbyamoakuh@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Crest Nicholson PLC - Surrey-based housebuilder - Confirms cost estimate of building safety pledge. As the company announced on April 5, the exceptional charge is estimated to be between GBP80 million and GBP120 million.

The firm has signed the pledge without requiring further regulatory approval, it says. Crest had a balance sheet with net cash of GBP252.8 million at October-end.

The group says it will provide an update on progress against its strategy at the half year results announcement on June 14.

The Building Safety pledge was established following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 to ensure the safety of highrise buildings, by removing combustible materials such as cladding. Housebuilders who sign are committed to following new guidelines for work on potentially dangerous cladding on high-rise buildings between 36 feet and 59 feet.

Several UK housebuilders other than Crest Nicholson have signed the UK government pledge, such as Bellway PLC, Vistry PLC, Barratt Developments PLC, Redrow PLC, MJ Gleeson PLC and Persimmon PLC.

Current stock price: 268.20 pence, unchanged on Tuesday

12-month change: down 36%

By Tom Budszus; tombudszus@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - JTC PLC on Tuesday lifted its dividend, encouraged by annual revenue and profit growth, with acquisitions helping to boost its performance.

The Jersey-based fund manager recorded a jump in pretax profit to GBP27.8 million in 2021 from GBP11.2 million in 2020.

This was on revenue growth of 28% to GBP147.5 million from GBP115.1 million.

JTC attributed this to "strong" net organic growth of 9.6%, supported by new business wins that totalled GBP20.9 million in 2021. This reflects a 17% increase from GBP17.9 million in 2020.

Growth also was supported by inorganic growth of 19% through mergers and acquisitions, JTC added.

As a result, JTC lifted its dividend for the year by 14% to 7.67 pence per share from 6.75p for 2020.

The company said that it has made a "positive" start to 2022 and remains "well-invested" to deliver continued growth and operational improvements.

It maintained its medium-term guidance of net organic revenue growth of 8% to 10% per year and an underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation margin of 33% to 38%.

JTC also noted that its mergers and acquisitions pipeline is "healthy" and said a "disciplined approach" will continue with a particular focus on the US, UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

"2021 saw JTC execute on its inorganic growth strategy with seven high-quality acquisitions completed in the year - the most we have ever achieved in a single calendar year," Chief Executive Nigel Le Quesne said.

"Looking ahead, while much of the focus will be on improving and integrating what we have, we also remain of the view that the sector is primed for consolidation and that our proven approach to identifying, securing and integrating high-quality acquisitions is a key part of creating long-term value for JTC and our stakeholders."

JTC shares were trading 4.0% lower at 779.00 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.

By Abby Amoakuh; abbyamoakuh@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Marine biologists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) have described an unusually large and distinctive deep-sea crown jelly with coiled tentacles in Atollidae, a monogeneric family with 10 presently accepted species in the genus Atolla.

Members of the genus Atolla are found worldwide and can be abundant in deep water.

Atolla chuni, Atolla gigantea, and Atolla vanhoeffeni are the most recognizable.

Each of these have morphological characteristics that make them relatively easy to identify and are unique.

But others, even the common and widespread Atolla wyvillei, can be rather difficult to identify. Some characteristics thought to be species-specific have turned out to be less than helpful in separating out the species.

One feature researchers often use to identify Atolla is the single elongate, or hypertrophied, tentacle. One tentacle can stretch up to six times the diameter of the bell.

Observations from researchers in Japan suggest the single trailing tentacle helps a hungry Atolla snag siphonophores.

Over the past 15 years, MBARI researchers have observed and collected numerous specimens of three types of Atolla-like jellies that lack the typical trailing tentacle.

Now, they have collected sufficient details about morphological and molecular features to describe one of these three unique jellies: Atolla reynoldsi.

We named this stunning new species in honor of Jeff Reynolds in recognition of the 4.3 million hours of service that he and other volunteers have contributed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium over the past 38 years, said Dr. George Matsumoto, senior education and research specialist at MBARI.

They have graciously given their time to educate the public about the wonders of the ocean.

Aquarium volunteers have been instrumental in raising awareness about the fragility of the ocean and inspiring the public to care about the health of the ocean.

Atolla reynoldsi is relatively large compared to other Atolla species.

The largest specimen collected by the team was 13 cm (5.1 inches) in diameter, making this newly discovered species one of the largest in the genus.

Like other deep-sea crown jellies, Atolla reynoldsi has a furrowed bell.

A deep groove runs around the bell, separating the domed bell from the wide margin with thick segments, known as pedalia, containing finger-like lappets.

The edge of the bell resembles a crown, earning this group of jellies its regal name. The crown has warty papillae and spiked ridges.

The new species also has a distinct gut that is shaped like a Greek cross.

Despite the lack of an adequate key, it is clear that that Atolla reynoldsi is molecularly distinct from the Atolla species that we have been able to collect and that it is morphologically distinct from all ten described Atolla species, Dr. Matsumoto and colleagues said.

The two additional types  Atolla species A and Atolla species B  may likewise be new species but we do not have enough samples at this time to make that claim.

All three types  Atolla reynoldsi, Atolla species A, and Atolla species B  may need to be placed into a new genus due to their distinct stomach morphology and the lack of a trailing tentacle, but until further work is completed, we recommend that they remain within the genus Atolla and that the family description be modified to include 16-62 rhopalia rather than 16-32 rhopalia.

The discovery is reported in a paper in the journal Animals.

_____

George I. Matsumoto et al. 2022. Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A New Species of Coronate Scyphozoan Found in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Animals 12 (6): 742; doi: 10.3390/ani12060742
(Alliance News) - Southern Energy Corp said on Tuesday it more than doubled its petroleum and gas sales in the final quarter of 2021 and swung to a profit in the year as a whole.

The oil and gas company focussed on the US state of Mississippi reported petroleum and natural gas sales of USD7.2 million in the final quarter of 2021, up significantly from USD3.5 million a year before.

For all of 2021, sales totalled USD19.9 million, nearly doubled from USD10.4 million in 2020. This was thanks to higher oil prices and despite average production decreasing 2% year-on-year to 2,099 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The Calgary, Canada-based company also swung to a profit of USD10.1 million in the year from a loss of USD7.8 million.

Looking forward, Southern Energy said it will evaluate continual drilling at the Gwinville Field in Mississippi, pending successful drilling results.

Southern Energy added that it has entered into fixed price and costless collar hedges to mitigate the effects of oil and gas market volatility.

Chief Executive Ian Atkinson said: "We are pleased to be reporting our Q4 and full-year results for 2021, which are demonstrative of the significant progress achieved this year and of the quality of our asset base and strategy.

"In particular, we are pleased to report substantially increased earnings of USD10.1 million in a year which saw Southern Energy Corp's shares admitted to trading on AIM and the raising of additional equity funding from both Canada and the UK to support our ongoing drilling campaign at Gwinville."

Shares in Southern Energy were up 7.1% at 43.90 pence on Tuesday morning in London.

By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Toyota Motor Corp said it will invest USD383 million in four of its manufacturing plants in the US that build the heart of new Toyota and Lexus vehicles, advancing its commitment to vehicle electrification.

The new investment supports the production of four-cylinder engines, including options for hybrid electric vehicles, at its Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee plants.

The company will invest about USD222 million in its Alabama plant, where it will create a new four-cylinder production line with the capacity to produce engines for both combustion and hybrid electric powertrains.

Additionally, the facility will expand its footprint by 114,000 square feet.

The Kentucky plant will receive USD16 million, and is expanding flexibility of the four-cylinder engine line announced last fall, which will better position the plant to meet customer demand.

The plant's powertrain facility can produce up to 600,000 units annually.

Toyota Missouri's USD109 million investment provides new equipment to build four-cylinder engine heads on three production lines. The plant has the capacity to build more than 3 million cylinder heads annually and represents a USD564 million investment.

The Tennessee plant, meanwhile, will receive USD36 million to update equipment to build new four-cylinder engine blocks. The plant has the capacity to produce more than 2 million engine blocks annually.

source: dpa

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

----------

Cerillion PLC - London-based billing and customer relations management software - Says trading in six months March 31 "vert strong". Expects revenue ro rise 26% annually to GBP16.1 million. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to jump 48% to GBP7.1 million. "Cerillion's sales pipeline remains strong and this, together with the record performance in the first half of the year, underpins the board's confidence that trading for the full year will be in line with its expectations," Cerillion says. "The excellent performance in the first half reflects on-going work on new customer implementation projects and strong demand from existing customers, against a wider back-drop of continuing strength in demand for telecoms services and substantial ongoing investment in 5G and fibre rollout."

----------

Iofina PLC - London-based iodine and chemical product manufacturer - Says "experiencing robust demand for iodine and iodine derivatives". Says iodine spot prices reach USD60 a kilogramme, rising 20% since start of year. Produces 103.8 metric tonnes of crystalline iodine from Oklahoma, US plants in first quarter. On track for annual target of 225 to 240 metric tonnes.

----------

Canadian Overseas Petroleum Ltd - Calgary, Canada-based oil and gas company - Says affiliate COPL America Inc signs deal to buy assets from Cuda Energy LLC. Canadian Overseas signs USD20.0 million bridge loan to finance deal. In addition, it plans USD10.0 million placing and subscription. Cuda has interests in Wyoming, US.

----------

Anglo Pacific Group PLC - natural resources royalty and streaming - Receives favourable judgement in dispute with Quasar Resources Pty Ltd, operator of Four Mile uranium mine. Anglo Pacific has 1% net smelter return royalty at asset. Dispute, which dates back to 2016, related to level of charges being applied to calculate net smelter return revenue. Supreme Court of Western Australia rules in Anglo Pacific's favour and decides any costs at asset, and also Beverley processing plant, should be applied as permitted allocable charges. Company adds: "The parties must now finalise orders to be submitted to the judge by 22 April 2022. The group will make a further announcement after such date detailing amounts owed to the group from Quasar and the future application of the royalty. Quasar have 21 days from the date the final orders are made by the judge to appeal the decision."

----------

Altus Strategies PLC - Oxfordshire, England-based mining royalty company - Granted gold mining licence for Korali Sud licence in Mali, which includes Diba project. Calls on Bristol, UK-based Mining Plus UK Ltd to conduct mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment.

----------

Invinity Energy Systems PLC - London-based energy storage company - Secures trio of International Organization for Standardization certifications for quality management, environmental management and health & safety management. "The individual standards to which Invinity is now certified are core to the company's business," Invinity adds.

----------

Velocys PLC - Oxford-based sustainable fuel technology company - Agrees with British Airways to extend Altalto project and option agreement for another year to March 31, 2023. BA has option to acquire 50% of Altalto Ltd, which turns household and commercial waste into clean-burning fuels. In addition, company draws back to its recent announcement in relation to securing a deal with a European renewable fuels developer. As part of this pact, Velocys will offer initial engineering services to a project." While revenue for deal will be small, Velocys says pact "broadens" its customer base.

----------

Tintra PLC - Windsor, Berkshire-based firm building banking and infrastructure technology systems - Granted payment services approval in Mauiritius. Company says this allows Mauritius arm to provide payment services and merchant online services for accepting electronic payments. "Mauritius has become an important financial services hub for Africa and South Asia," Tintra says.

----------

Bango PLC - Cambridge-based data-driven commerce company - Signs deal to support

T-Mobile US Inc's third-party products offering within Bango Platform. "Bango enables T-Mobile to rapidly and cost effectively scale-up value-added-service offerings, giving customers choice and value across a growing range of subscription products and services. With this new agreement, a majority of US telco customers will now be served through Bango technology," Bango explains.

----------

SysGroup PLC - Liverpool-based IT services and cloud-hosting provider - Expects to report adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of GBP2.8 million for year ended March 31, down from GBP2.9 million in prior year but largely in line with figure for financial 2020. SysGroup says this is despite "external challenges faced throughout our industry over the last 2 years". Revenue for year expected to decline as customers defer IT spend. SysGroup adds: "Encouragingly, during the latter part of H2 FY22, we have started to see enhanced trading conditions with both new and existing clients. Whilst not yet at pre-pandemic levels, customers are once again starting to feel confident to commit to spending on enhancements to their essential IT services."

----------

Venture Life Group PLC - Berkshire, England-based self-care product manufacturer and distributor - Reiterates 2021 guidance. Expects to post revenue rise of 8.3% to GBP32.6 million from GBP30.1 million. Revenue in second half alone rises 35% year-on-year to GBP18.7 million. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to be in line with market expectations. On ongoing audit, Venture Life says its auditors "continue to experience resourcing issues". Additional time is needed to complete audit procedures and 2021 results expected to be announced in "early May".

----------

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted he did not know he was breaking his own coronavirus rules, as he offered MPs a "wholehearted apology" after being fined by police.

The prime minister repeated his apology in the Commons on Tuesday, after Speaker Lindsay Hoyle approved a vote on whether Johnson lied to MPs with his earlier denials.

Johnson is expected to be on a Government visit to India when the vote takes place on Thursday.

After the House returned from its Easter recess, Johnson said he was speaking in "all humility" by acknowledging the fine police issued, over the gathering in No 10 for his birthday in June 2020.

"I paid the fine immediately and I offered the British people a full apology, and I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House," he said, as he faced shouts of "resign".

"Let me also say, not by way of mitigation or excuse, but purely because it explains my previous words in this House, that it did not occur to me then or subsequently, that a gathering in the Cabinet Room just before a vital meeting on Covid strategy could amount to a breach of the rules.

"I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.

"I respect the outcome of the police investigation, which is still under way, and I can only say that I will respect their decision-making and always take the appropriate steps."

Johnson said he has taken "significant steps" to change No 10.

By Sam Blewett and Patrick Daly, PA Political Staff

source: PA

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Immediate Release

KIPCO appoints Sunny Bhatia as Group CFO

Kuwait City, 19 April 2022: KIPCO - Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) - has announced the appointment of Mr Sunny Bhatia as Group Chief Financial Officer. With more than 30 years of experience spanning across multiple financial services' sectors, Mr Bhatia will play a vital role in KIPCO's long-term growth plans.

Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, KIPCO's Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

"We are pleased that Sunny is joining KIPCO as the Group CFO. Sunny has a proven track record of leading high-performing finance teams. His well-rounded and business-oriented profile, together with his extensive regional and multinational experience, will add a lot of value to the company."

On his part, Mr Bhatia said:

"I am delighted to be joining KIPCO at this exciting time. I look forward to working with Sheikha Dana and her team to accomplish the Board of Director's vision for the company."

Prior to joining KIPCO, Mr Bhatia was the CFO of NBK Capital. He also held leadership positions in Global Investment House and the National Bank of Bahrain. He worked with KPMG, Siemens and PricewaterhouseCoopers in various capacities. Mr Bhatia holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and is both a Chartered Accountant and Cost and Management Accountant.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) - KIPCO - is a holding company that focuses on investments in the Middle East and North Africa. Its strategy of acquiring, building, scaling and selling companies in the MENA region has worked successfully for over 30 years.

KIPCO's main business sectors are financial services, media, real estate and industry. KIPCO's financial service interests include holdings in commercial banks, insurance companies, asset management and investment banking.

Further information:

Eman Al Awadhi Group Senior Vice President

Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

T: +965 2294 3416

M: +965 6033 6399

Eman.Alawadhi@kipco.com
One of the three drug dealers responsible for Mac Miller's accidental overdose has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison.

In 2018, Miller sadly passed away from an accidental overdose after taking fentanyl laced pills.

This week, Ryan Michael Reavis has been sentenced to 131 months, nearly 11 years, in prison after pleading guilty to supplying the drugs.
A research team led by University of California, Los Angeles scientists has created a single-cell transcriptome map of human hematopoietic tissues from the first trimester to birth.

Blood stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells, have the ability to make unlimited copies of themselves and to differentiate into every type of blood cell in the human body.

For decades, doctors have used blood stem cells from the bone marrow of donors and the umbilical cords of newborns in life-saving transplant treatments for blood and immune diseases.

However, these treatments are limited by a shortage of matched donors and hampered by the low number of stem cells in cord blood.

Scientists have sought to overcome these limitations by attempting to create blood stem cells in the lab from human pluripotent stem cells, which can potentially give rise to any cell type in the body.

But success has been elusive, in part because scientists have lacked the instructions to make lab-grown cells differentiate into self-renewing blood stem cells rather than short-lived blood progenitor cells, which can only produce limited blood cell types.

Previous efforts to make functional blood stem cells in the lab have not been successful as we did not know enough about how these cells develop, said Dr. Vincenzo Calvanese, a researcher in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology at University College London.

Our new roadmap will help other scientists to understand fundamental differences between blood stem cells and short-lived progenitor cells.

We now have a manual of how hematopoietic stem cells are made in the embryo and how they acquire the unique properties that make them useful for patients.

Dr. Calvanese and his colleagues created the resource using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, new technologies that enable scientists to identify the unique genetic networks and functions of thousands of individual cells and to reveal the location of these cells in the embryo.

The de-identified data are available to the public on the website The Atlas of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development.

The data make it possible to follow blood stem cells as they emerge from the hemogenic endothelium and migrate through various locations during their development, starting from the aorta and ultimately arriving in the bone marrow.

Importantly, the map unveils specific milestones in their maturation process, including their arrival in the liver, where they acquire the special abilities of blood stem cells.

The researchers also pinpointed the exact precursor in the blood vessel wall that gives rise to blood stem cells.

This discovery clarifies a longstanding controversy about the stem cells cellular origin and the environment that is needed to make a blood stem cell rather than a blood progenitor cell.

Now that the authors have identified specific molecular signatures associated with the different phases of human blood stem cell development, scientists can use this resource to see how close they are to making a transplantable blood stem cell in the lab.

Previously, if we tried to create a blood stem cell from a pluripotent cell and it didnt transplant, we wouldnt know where in the process we failed, said Professor Hanna Mikkola, a researcher in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Now, we can place the cells in our roadmap to see where were succeeding, where were falling short and fine-tune the differentiation process according to the instructions from the embryo.

In addition, the map can help scientists understand how blood-forming cells that develop in the embryo contribute to human disease.

For example, it provides the foundation for studying why some blood cancers that begin in utero are more aggressive than those that occur after birth.

Now that weve created an online resource that scientists around the world can use to guide their research, the real work is starting, Professor Mikkola said.

Its a really exciting time to be in the field because were finally going to be seeing the fruits of our labor.

The research is described in a paper in the journal Nature.

_____

V. Calvanese et al. Mapping human haematopoietic stem cells from haemogenic endothelium to birth. Nature, published online April 13, 2022; doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-04571-x
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's divorce has long been a soap opera with horrific and weird scenes. From the leaked audios in which the actress admitted to hitting the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, to Depp's disturbing comments about "burning" his future ex-wife.

Johnny Depp shows video of Amber Heard cheating with Elon Musk and James Franco

Well, it has come to light in some legal documents, as part of a defamation action filed by Johnny Depp against Heard, that the latter's infatuation with Elon Musk... and something else. According to the Daily Mail, Josh Drew, the ex-husband of Heard's best friend Raquel Pennington, has divulged some highly personal details.

Musk had a brief connection with Amber Heard when he broke up with Depp, according to the tabloids at the time. Drew has now disclosed that Cara Delevingne, Musk, and Heard had a threesome in 2016, which took place in Johnny Depp's attic in Los Angeles. Even if the actions by Hollywood couples are no longer surprising, the celebrities were nonetheless wedded.

Other evidence found in these documents indicates that Heard and Delevingne had a relationship, and Depp will be able to call the model to testify based on all of this.

Elon Musk denies these claims

Musk, who welcomed his sixth child in May, has categorically denied that the threesome ever met: "Cara and I are friends, but We've never done intimate things, she'll confirm."

"I want to confirm again that Amber and I only started dating about a month after filing for divorce. I was never close to her during her marriage," Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, said of his connection with Heard.

He claims he also tried to counsel the two bickering actors in addition to putting an end to rumors about his love life. "Regarding this lawsuit, I would recommend that everyone involved bury the hatchet and move on," he added. "Life is too short for such extended negativity. Nobody is going to say, after it's all over, that they wished the court battle had lasted longer!"

Johnny Depp trial update

The fifth day of the trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard saw the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star explain just why he is seeking 50 million dollars in damages from his ex-wife.

"My goal is the truth," said Depp. "One day you're Cinderella and then in zero point six seconds you're Quasimodo. I didn't deserve that and neither did my children.

"Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.

"She was attentive, she was loving, she was smart, she was kind, she was funny, she was understanding... we had many things in common, certain blues music, music, literature.

"For that year, year and a half, it was amazing. She seemed to be the perfect partner in a sense, in my head."

Heard, meanwhile, has countersued Depp for 100 million dollars.
Auckland, NZ. TradeWindow (NZX: TWL ), a leading Australasian trade tech company headquartered in Takapuna Auckland has, following a review process, announced the reorganisation of its Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as it ramps up its strategy for global growth.

The company is very pleased to announce that Dr Guy Kloss, the founding Chief Information Officer of TradeWindow will assume the responsibilities and job title of Chief Technology Officer, from Brendan McEnroe who has recently resigned.

Andrew Balgarnie will move from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Revenue Officer, a new role focused on the commercialisation of products and offshore expansion. Gavin De Steur will move from Chief Customer Officer to Chief Operations Officer.

Adrian Collier will move from Chief Supply Chain Officer to take on a new role as Chief Product Officer. Prior to joining TradeWindow in October last year, Adrian was New Zealands Trade Commissioner stationed in Taiwan.

The reorganisation will see the disestablishment of three leadership team roles. These include:

 Chief Sales Officer (this vacant role has been incorporated into the role of Chief Revenue Officer in line with current best international practice)

 Chief Customer Officer (to be vacated by Gavin de Steur as he becomes Chief Operations Officer); and

 Chief Information Officer (to be vacated by Dr Guy Kloss as he assumes the new role of CTO.)

Any residual duties will be re-assigned across the leadership team.

AJ Smith CEO of TradeWindow said the re-alignment, which is effective immediately, would equip the business for the next phase of commercial scaling.

The new responsibilities reflect the experience and strengths of the respective individuals, and will ensure an efficient structure to drive continuing growth.

ENDS

TWL - Media Release

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Johnny Depp has testified in his $50 million defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, claiming that he is telling the "truth" for the sake of his children and family.

The lawsuit stems from an opinion piece written by Heard for the Washington Post in which she describes herself as a victim of domestic violence. He denies any wrongdoing. Heard has responded with a counterclaim.

The civil trial in Virginia, which is being closely watched, is now in its second week. The jury heard testimony from the celebrity ex-former couple's therapist, who described how Depp and Heard engaged in "mutual abuse," as well as medical personnel who treated the actor while he was detoxing from opiates.

Johnny Depp told the jury on Tuesday that the truth is all that matters now, and that Amber Heard's allegations of abuse ruined long-standing relationships he had in Hollywood.

Johnny Depp denies ever hitting Amber Heard

"I never struck Ms Heard in that way, nor have I struck any woman in my life," he testified, adding that "her accusations sorta permeated the industry".

I never struck Ms Heard in that way, nor have I struck any woman in my life Johnny Depp

So far, the trial has concentrated on Depp's demeanor and whether he was ever verbally or physically abusive to Amber Heard. Johnny Depp's lawyers have accused his ex-wife, who is also an actor, of putting on the "performance of her life" in her descriptions of alleged abuse.

The actor began his testimony by saying that Heard's claims are "not founded on any kind of truth."

His lawyer then asked him to describe his childhood in Kentucky and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother. "I could see when she [his mother] was about to head into a situation where she was going to get riled up and someone was going to get it. And generally it was me," he said.

The trial is expected to last at least six weeks, and jurors have already heard contradictory accounts of Mr. Depp and Ms. Heard's relationship. So far, Johnny Depp has been portrayed by Amber Heard's team as an abusive partner who is prone to drug and alcohol binges.

Depp's team has characterized Heard's allegations of domestic violence as a "hoax" and a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation.
Russian banker Oleg Tinkov has launched what is so far the harshest attack by a major businessman on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a post on Instagram, Tinkov condemned what he calls Vladimir Putin's "crazy war", referring to the invasion of Ukraine, and calls on Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine and to put an end to the war.

"I don't see a single beneficiary of this crazy war," Tinkov, founder of Tinkoff Bank, Russia's second largest credit card issuer, said. "Innocent people and soldiers are dying.

"Of course there are morons who draw 'Z' [one of the symbols of the invading army], but 10 percent of any country are morons. 90 percent of Russians are AGAINST this war!"

Oleg Tinkov hits out against Putin and Russia's war

Tinkov then went on to criticise the general state of Russia, starting with its leadership.

"Kremlin officials are surprised that neither they nor their children can go to the Mediterranean this summer," Tinkov said. "Businessmen are trying to save the rest of their property.

"The generals, waking up with a hangover, realised they had a s****y army. Remember that Russia has had to abandon the offensive in Northern Ukraine, in the direction of Kiev, after stalling and suffering heavy losses. In addition, evidence of war crimes against civilians has been found in the area.

"And how could the army be good if everything else in the country is s*** and mired in nepotism, sycophancy and servility. Dear West, please give Mr Putin a way out to save his face and stop the massacre. Please be rational and humanitarian."

It is not known whether or not Tinkov is currently in Russia.
RABAT, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Jordan said on Monday Israeli police's raids on the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem are "likely to foment feelings of rancour, hatred and extremism."

The raids would destroy the chance of reviving the peace process in the region, Morocco's royal cabinet said in a statement, quoting the phone conversation between Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Jordanian King Abdullah II.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem. At least 200 Palestinians were injured during clashes with Israeli police.

Meanwhile, more than 10 Israelis were killed in a string of shooting, stabbing, and car-ramming attacks in the last few weeks, some of which were carried out by Arab citizens of Israel. 
Rua Bioscience (NZX: RUA ), has today launched its first medicine, marking a significant milestone for New Zealand patients, prescribers and the medicinal cannabis industry.

Available on prescription in New Zealand, GPs and specialists who are registered medical practitioners will now be able to include Rua's medicine in patient treatment plans.

Manufactured in Ruas purpose-built facility in Gisborne, and distributed nationally via CDC Pharmaceuticals, sales from the product will be the first revenue for the business, which listed on the NZX in 2020.

Rua Bioscience CEO Rob Mitchell says the medicines launch, complemented by New Zealands first compassionate access programme for medicinal cannabis, is an important moment for the company and the community it was created for.

I am proud that we have been able to work through the medical regulatory system and establish the capability we need to manufacture medicine to world-class GMP standards, all from Te Tairawhiti. It doesnt just put us on the ladder, it puts us on the map.

Its a credit to the vision of our co-founders, Manu Caddie and Panapa Ehau, and to our community who have been dreaming of this moment since the very early days of the companys inception, he says.

Rua is one of just two companies in New Zealand manufacturing medicinal cannabis that has met the minimum quality standards as set out by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency. Rua stands alone as the only manufacturer with an explicit social mission to benefit its founding community.

Dr Andi Grant, Chief Commercial Officer, says this is the news Rua shareholders have been waiting for, many of whom have been steadfast in their support throughout the companys journey towards commercialisation.

Rua is committed to creating a range of quality medicines with significant health benefits. We have a full product pipeline, destined for local and global markets. This has come with significant investment. Were delighted to now play our part in expanding patient choice here in Aotearoa and deliver some return on that investment for our shareholders.

Dr Grant acknowledges that cost remains a barrier for those looking to add medicinal cannabis to their treatment plans, particularly as they need to pay for their medicines privately.

The company continues to work towards equitable access to medicines and is leading by example, launching New Zealands first compassionate access programme for medicinal cannabis products.

Through the programme, in the first instance, Rua will make its medicines available at no cost for a limited group of qualifying people in Te Tairawhiti, dependent on clinical need and circumstance.

We view this as a meaningful and commercially sustainable way to help some of those most in need access the medicine, says Grant.

Data released by the Ministry of Health under the Official Information Act shows that the number of packs of medicinal cannabis prescribed and supplied in New Zealand is growing at an average rate of 250 per cent annually. The number of packs supplied in New Zealand in the year to 30 June 2021 was over 31,000; compared to just 2,000 in 2018.

According to a study published in the British Journal of General Practice, cannabinoid medicines are commonly prescribed in New Zealand for pain, epilepsy and anxiety1.

For more information about the medicine, please read the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet, available at www.ruabio.com/cmi

ENDS

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We are overwhelmed these days with certainties that seem less and less real. As Russias war in Ukraine continues, there is a baffling view that negotiations are futile.

by Roger McKenzie and Vijay Prashad

War is an ugly part of the human experience. Everything about it is hideous. War is most obviously the act of invasion and the brutality that goes along with its operations. No war is precise; every war hurts civilians. Each act of bombardment sends a neurological shudder through a society.

World War II demonstrated this ugliness in the Holocaust and in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From Hiroshima and the Holocaust rose two mighty movements, one for peace and against the perils of further nuclear attacks, and the other for an end to the divisions of humanity and for a nonalignment from these divisions. The Stockholm Appeal of 1950, signed by 300 million people, called for an absolute ban on nuclear weapons. Five years later, 29 countries from Africa and Asia, representing 54 percent of the worlds population, gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, to sign a 10-point pledge against war and for the promotion of mutual interests and cooperation. The Bandung Spirit was for peace and for nonalignment, for the peoples of the world to put their efforts into building a process to eradicate historys burdens (illiteracy, ill health, hunger) by using their social wealth. Why spend money on nuclear weapons when money should be spent on classrooms and hospitals?

Despite the major gains of many of the new nations that had emerged out of colonialism, the overwhelming force of the older colonial powers prevented the Bandung Spirit from defining human history. Instead, the civilization of war prevailed. This civilization of war is revealed in the massive waste of human wealth in the production of armed forcessufficient to destroy hundreds of planetsand the use of these armed forces as the first instinct to settle disputes. Since the 1950s, the battlefield of these ambitions has not been in Europe or in North America, but rather it has been in Africa, Asia, and Latin Americaareas of the world where old colonial sensibilities believe that human life is less important. This international division of humanitywhich says that a war in Yemen is normal, whereas a war in Ukraine is horrificdefines our time. There are 40 wars taking place across the globe; there needs to be political will to fight to end each of these, not just those that are taking place within Europe. The Ukrainian flag is ubiquitous in the West; what are the colors of the Yemeni flag, of the Sahrawi flag, and of the Somali flag?

Return to Peace, Return to Nonalignment

We are overwhelmed these days with certainties that seem less and less real. As Russias war in Ukraine continues, there is a baffling view that negotiations are futile. This view circulates even when reasonable people agree that all wars must end in negotiations. If that is the case, then why not call for an immediate ceasefire and build the trust necessary for negotiations? Negotiations are only feasible if there is respect on all sides, and if there is an attempt to understand that all sides in a military conflict have reasonable demands. To wit, to paint this war as the whims of Russian President Vladimir Putin is part of the exercise of permanent war. Security guarantees for Ukraine are necessary; but so are security guarantees for Russia, which would include a return to a serious international arms control regime.

Peace does not come merely because we wish for it. It requires a fight in the trenches of ideas and institutions. The political forces in power profit from war, and so they clothe themselves in machismo to better represent the arms dealers who want more war, not less. These people in the blue suits of bureaucracy are not to be trusted with the worlds future. They fail us when it comes to the climate catastrophe; they fail us when it comes to the pandemic; they fail us when it comes to peacemaking. We need to summon up the old spirits of peace and nonalignment and bring these to life inside mass movements that are the only hope of this planet.

It is not merely sentimental to reach back to the past to breathe life into the Non-Aligned Movement of today. Already the contradictions of the present have raised the specter of nonalignment in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Most of these countries voted against the condemnation of Russia not because they support Russias war in Ukraine, but rather because they recognize that polarization is a fatal error. What is needed is an alternative to the two-camp world of the Cold War. That is the reason why many of the leaders of these countriesfrom Chinas Xi Jinping to Indias Narendra Modi to South Africas Cyril Ramaphosahave called, despite their very different political orientations, for a departure from the Cold War mentality. They are already walking toward a new nonaligned platform. It is this actual movement of history that provokes us to reflect on a return to the concepts of nonalignment and peace.

Nobody wants to imagine the full implications of the encirclement of China and Russia by the United States and its allies. Even countries that are closely allied with the United Statessuch as Germany and Japanrecognize that if a new iron curtain descends around China and Russia, it would be fatal for their own countries. Already, the war and sanctions have created serious political crises in Honduras, Pakistan, Peru, and Sri Lanka, with others to follow as food and fuel prices rise astronomically. War is too expensive for the poorer nations. Spending for war is eating into the human spirit, and warfare itself increases peoples general sense of despair.

The warmakers are idealists. Their wars do not settle the major dilemmas of humanity. The ideas of nonalignment and peace, on the other hand, are realistic; their framework has answers to the children who want to eat and to learn, to play and to dream.

This article was produced by the Morning Star and Globetrotter.

Roger McKenzie is a reporter for the Morning Star. He is the general secretary of Liberation, one of the oldest UK human rights organizations.

Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma.
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Huron County Corn Growers had its annual meeting and awarded $2,000 in scholarships to area students.

The HCCG held its meeting in late March at the Franklin Inn with 112 members and guests in attendance.

The HCCG awarded four $500 scholarships. These students excelled in leadership, citizenship as well as scholastics.

Scott Krohn/Courtesy Photo

During the meeting, Emily Smith Laker FFA gave the speech she presented at state convention about pigs being used for organ transplants and other medical procedures. President Ziel also gave a heartfelt Thanks to all the agronomy retailers who supported the plot. Without their support, the scholarships wouldnt be possible. Amy Craig and Katie Volmering gave members an update on MAEAP and other Soil Conservation District programs. Board elections were held and Jim Zook from Michigan Corn Growers Association spoke about a variety of topics from market challenges to political issues.
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OPELOUSAS, La. (AP)  Three years after an arsonist torched three small Black Baptist churches in rural Louisiana, rebuilding is well under way.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas is months from reopening, with visible progress at St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre and Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas, The Daily World reported.

We began in a dark moment, but its getting brighter and brighter every day, said the Rev. Gerald Toussaint of Mount Pleasant. Now its a bright day as were looking forward to being back together in the church.

A would-be black metal musician pleaded guilty in 2020, saying he set fire to the churches in late March and early April 2019 to promote himself in the heavy metal subgenre. Holden Matthews is serving simultaneous 25-year federal and state sentences in federal prison.

The first fire occurred March 26, 2019, at St. Mary. Greater Union burned down four days later, with Mount Pleasant set ablaze two days after that.

Toussaint holds fellowship, prayer and Bible study via conference call and preaches live on Facebook, as he has since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, the congregation gathered in the Equine Center in Opelousas.

The church's new sanctuary and fellowship hall are a few deliveries and final inspections short of finished, he said.

Its been challenging, but weve been getting through it simply because we stuck together, he said. We realize none of us could have done this without faith. Its only by faith in God weve been able to even start the process of building.

At St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church, there are holes where large front doors will stand and windows are not yet glazed. Inside, walls have been framed and a staircase rises. The new church will be larger than the old one.

The slab had been poured for a fellowship hall before the arsonist struck.

We built it out as quick as we could to have a place to worship, the Rev. Kyle Terrell Sylvester Sr. said. After a year in a rented building, the fellowship hall was ready.

Theres also a new parking lot. During the pandemic, the church met outdoors for parking lot services as the weather allowed, and then Sylvester preached via livestream.

In-person services began in mid 2021, first with spaced out seating. Now more than 80 people fill the fellowship hall every week.

Were at a real good place right now, Sylvester said.

Completion will depend on supplies, he said.

We are at the mercy of the market, he said. We may be waiting a little while.

Greater Union's lot was vacant for a long time, but today passersby can see a large metal church building taking shape.

The church was established about 130 years ago and has more than 100 members, Deacon Ronald Milburn said a year after the fire.

Its always been a very committed congregation, he said.
Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

CADILLAC  The Clean Slate Expungement Fair that is heading to Cadillac this week aims to help people through the criminal record expungement process.

The expungement fair is a collaboration between Northwest Michigan Works!, Michigan Indian Legal Services, and Safe and Just Michigan.
PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP)  Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Arizona residents near Mount Union, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Prescott, officials said.

The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office issued the order Monday after a wildfire began at about 10 a.m. It said on Facebook that an evacuation center has been set up at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
Extended hours for National Voice of America Museum during 2022 Hamvention

The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in conjunction with the West Chester Amateur Radio Association announce expanded hours for the museum during the 2022 Dayton Hamvention.

The Museum will be open for the following; Thursday May 19th from 1:00 to 9:00PM, Friday May 20th from 1:00 to 9:00 PM, Saturday May 21st from 1:00 to 9:00 PM and Sunday May 22nd from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Admission is $10.00 at the door. The WC8VOA Amateur Radio station will be available to operate during these times. The Museum is a short drive from Hamvention down either Interstate 75 or Route 42 from Xenia. GPS use Crosley Blvd.



Exhibits include the Robert Drake collection of radios and the recently restored WLWO (W8XAL) transmitter. This transmitter was used to provide the very first broadcast of the Voice of America into occupied Europe on February 1st, 1942. A completed diorama showing antenna configurations of the original operation which occupied nearly one square mile is also on display. Docents and ARS operators will be available to enhance your visit to the museum.



For further information you can visit us at voamuseum.org or wc8voa.org on the web. You can also find us on Facebook at National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting. The Museums regular hours are Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 until 4:00 PM. The Museum is located at 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069.

Phone at 513-777-0027.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  A Florida man pleaded guilty Tuesday to threatening U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar nearly three years ago.

David Hannon, 67, of Sarasota, pleaded guilty in Tampa federal court to one count of threatening a federal official, according to court records. The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. A sentencing date wasn't immediately set.

No one should fear violence because of who they are or what they believe, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger Handberg said in a statement. Unlawful threats against our elected officials are an assault against our democracy, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to seek justice in these cases.

According to prosecutors, Hannon sent an email to Omar threatening to kill her in July 2019 following a televised news conference held by the Minnesota representative and three other congresswomen.

In an email with the subject line (Youre) dead, you radical Muslim, Hannon referred to Omar and the other congresswomen of color as radical rats and asked Omar if she was prepared to die for Islam. Investigators said the email further stated that Hannon was going to shoot Omar in the head.

Omar is one of only a handful of Muslim members of Congress.
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A large crowd gathered Tuesday at Midland Center for the Arts to pay their respects to Diane Postler-Slattery and Don Slattery.

Diane and Don died in a plane crash on March 8 in northwest Florida. Diane was the president and CEO of MyMichigan Health. She was active in several local organizations including Midland Center for the Arts, Midland Business Alliance, Alma College and Midland 100 Club, among others. Don was a family man, a pilot with the local EAA chapter and was Dianes main supporter, appearing by her side for fundraisers and charitable causes.

More than 100 people lined up in front of the Center for the Arts shortly before 4 p.m. The polite chatter among colleagues and friends stopped as a procession of cars and emergency vehicles  including an ambulance carrying the cremains of Don and Diane  pulled into the parking lot.

As bagpipes played Amazing Grace, an honor walk took place, with family members carrying the two wooden urns.

Members of Don and Dianes family were in attendance on Tuesday, including their siblings; three children, Michael Fredericks, Michelle Grutzik and Melissa Swihart; and grandkids.

Swihart explained that while Midland is a close-knit community, it welcomed her parents with open arms when they moved here in 2013. She expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of love and support Midlanders have shown the family in the past month. Swihart said that as the family grieves, they are also working to remember and honor the happy memories of Don and Diane.

The celebration of life in Midland will help create those memories.

Were honored the Midland community wants to honor our parents in this way, Swihart said. Even though its been difficult for us, weve been focusing on what our parents have taught us and carrying on their legacy of faith, love, generosity and kindness. Weve found that Midland also embodies that legacy.

The community has been really amazing, Grutzik added. Were just so grateful.

Inside the Center for the Arts, guests filed into the auditorium to greet the family. The urns were placed in front of the stage, surrounded by flowers and pictures of Don and Diane. Small groups congregated in the lobby from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., where there were refreshments, including Don's and Dianes favorite snacks, Snickers bars and M&Ms, respectively.

Renee Doherty, of MyMichigan Medical Center Clare, described Diane as a welcoming and warm person as well as a go-getter who went after her dreams. One of her favorite memories of the couple was when she met with them at a fly-in at the Clare Municipal Airport. At that time, Doherty had just met Diane, but Diane recognized her and called her by name. Doherty, however, mistakenly introduced Diane to her mom by a different name.

(Diane) laughed and she never let me forget it. But she made me feel so comfortable after I did that because I was mortified, Doherty said. She was very down to earth and made me feel comfortable with my own mistake.

Dana Thering of MyMichigan Health explained that Diane had high expectations for herself and her staff but helped the healthcare system because of her drive. However, she knew how to balance her personal and professional lives.

In her last conversation with Diane, Thering was feeling guilty for taking two vacations. Diane eased her worry. She told Thering that while their work in healthcare was important, it wasnt more important than family.

It has helped me very much over the past month, Thering said. Every day, she lived that message. I never met her family, but I felt like I knew them because she talked about them so often.

Diane brought fun into the workplace. A group from the finance department  which worked in the Gerstacker Building, where Dianes office was  shared how Diane changed the culture of MyMichigan Health, making it a positive environment. A regular tradition was Friday Fun, where she would schedule a fun activity for the staff. Events included laughing yoga, derby races, wrapping employees in toilet paper and listing favorite books or vacation destinations on office doors. One time, Diane dressed up as a police officer, handing out $1 fines for messy workspaces.

It was hilarious to see her come around the corner in a different costume, said Julie Skutt.

It can get a little stressful at work sometimes, said Kim Frye. Youre always working and have a lot to do, so she really tried to make sure that we had a break.

She always checked in to see how you were doing, see how your kids were doing, said Jeramie Soderberg She took the time to try to get to know everyone. She was always there for us.

Colleagues and friends of Don and Diane presented remarks during a celebration of life service that began at 6 p.m.

Following Tuesdays service, the couples cremains will return to Wisconsin with the family.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged world finance leaders Tuesday to get concrete as they look for ways to combat a looming crisis over food insecurity around the globe that Russia's war in Ukraine has made even worse.

This threat touches the most vulnerable people the hardest  families that are already spending disproportionate amounts of their income on food, Yellen told fellow finance leaders during a food security meeting convened with members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Moreover, the interconnectedness of the global food system means that people on every continent are impacted.

Among the proposed solutions under discussion: reducing export restrictions, relieving price controls across countries and subsidizing small farmers globally. Failure to feed the world's population risks not only starvation, but also social unrest and cross-border political upheaval.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Treasury Department issued a carve-out to the sanctions that have already been imposed to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications.

Russia and Ukraine produce a third of the world's wheat supply and the loss of commodities due to the war has resulted in soaring food prices and uncertainty about the future of food security globally, especially in impoverished countries.

The costs of fertilizer and natural gas have exploded and leaders expressed concern that countries could turn inward and restrict trade to protect their populations, indirectly hurting more vulnerable countries that face even worse food problems.

We know that we must avoid export restrictions that could further increase prices, Yellen said. We must quickly support the most vulnerable populations with social safety nets and targeted support for smallholder farmers so they can continue to produce.

David Malpass, president of the World Bank, said his organization will provide $17 billion per year to strengthen food security. We think food insecurity is rising fastest in middle-income countries and responding appropriately is mission critical, he said. The organization is also developing a 15-month crisis response package of $170 billion, that will address the pandemic, refugee resettlement and other issues alongside food supply.

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization Food Price Index has made its biggest jump since its inception in 1990, reflecting an all-time high in the cost of vegetable oils, cereals and meat, according to the organization.

A late March report from the organization stated that the global number of undernourished people could increase by 8 million to 13 million people into 2023, with the most pronounced increases taking place in Asia-Pacific, followed by sub-Saharan Africa, and the Near East and North Africa. If the war lasts, impacts will go well beyond 2022/23."

Gilbert Houngbo, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, said international banks should look not just at food production but also providing food on the table, it's a matter of ensuring minimum social protection for the most vulnerable communities."

Those small-scale producers should have their fair share in what they produce, he said.

Yellen said international financial institutions need to work with affected countries to develop solutions.

"They can help mitigate the global fertilizer shortage and smooth supply chain disruptions for food and critical supplies, she said, adding that they also can offer targeted assistance and strengthen social safety nets to protect vulnerable people in the short term and build their resilience over the longer term.

Anna Nagurney, a crisis management specialist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said Tuesday's meeting of global leaders was significant and speaks to the growing fear and the increasing understanding that the world may be on the verge of a hunger catastrophe.

Nagurney predicted that countries that have not yet provided clear support for Ukraine  such as China and India  will come to realize that the food insecurity from a prolonged war in Ukraine will affect their own national stability and the welfare of their citizens.

This may help to further isolate Russia both morally and economically, she said.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said Monday that the international coalition of countries imposing sanctions on Russia and its allies takes the food security threat seriously.

One of the things we have to do is take practical steps to demonstrate that this system is helping the people who need it the most," he said, which includes a focus on those countries that are struggling to pay for things like bread for their people in light of the increase in commodities prices.
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NEW YORK (AP)  Democrats have spent years pledging to address the gun violence that plagues communities across the U.S. But a surge of mass shootings over the weekend that left dozens wounded and two dead served as a reminder of how little they have accomplished since taking control of Washington 15 months ago.

The struggle for the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress to enact any meaningful legislation to enhance gun safety reflects how the partys ambitious agenda has been frustratingly stunted by internal squabbling, the persistence of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The almost complete Republican opposition to Democratic priorities, including gun rules, has hobbled a party with razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate.

But thats little solace to gun safety advocates and tens of thousands of shooting victims who were told Democrats would reduce gun violence if given the chance to govern. In an already difficult election year, the inaction threatens to further undermine the coalition of young people, women, voters of color and independents who helped deliver Joe Biden the presidency in 2020 and will be needed again if Democrats are to hold control of Congress.

Im just angry, said David Hogg, a gun safety activist who survived the 2018 shooting that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We took the House and then we took the Senate and now we have the White House, too, and still, nothing is changing.

Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., whose son was shot to death nearly a decade ago, encouraged those frustrated with the pace of progress to be patient. She likened the fight to reduce gun violence to her parents' fight for civil rights a generation earlier.

Change doesnt come as quickly as we ever want it to happen. Because understand, this is a culture that were having to change, McBath said in an interview. I know that were making real progress on this issue. The fact that I am actually in Washington, and I was elected in Georgia with a gun violence policy agenda ... tells you there is progress.

Yet McBath's return to Congress next year is far from assured. She's locked in a competitive primary against Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux in a redrawn district in Atlanta's northeast suburbs.

Meanwhile, White House aides insist that Biden is doing all he can to keep the issue of gun violence front and center.

Just last week, the Democratic president signed an executive order to crack down on untraceable ghost guns. He also devoted part of his first State of the Union speech to gun violence and called for major increases in police funding in his 2023 budget proposal.

But some of those same progressives who cheered the presidents efforts insist he and his party are not doing enough.

Its appalling, its horrifying, its so very sad and embarrassing that this is just continuing and getting worse, said Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son, Daniel, was among 26 students and educators killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Barden now serves as co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, one of the gun violence prevention groups that emerged over the last decade to help counter the gun lobby's influence on policy and politics.

Congress needs to step up and get to work, Barden said, noting that this December marks the 10th anniversary of his first-grade sons murder.

Democrats frustration around gun violence prevention is not new.

After the Sandy Hook shooting, President Barack Obama tried and failed to convince Congress to enact popular gun safety measures like universal background checks and an assault weapon ban.

Theres little sign now that the Democrats who control Congress will send gun safety measures to Biden's desk anytime soon.

The House passed legislation last year to expand background checks to include private and online sales, including at gun shows. But Senate Democratic leaders havent yet scheduled their version of the legislation for a vote. And facing near-unanimous GOP opposition, Democrats would need support from at least 10 Republicans in a 50-50 Senate to overcome any filibuster.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tried to bring the background check bill up for a Senate vote in December, but that effort failed when Republicans objected. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia also opposes the House bill.

Asked whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would bring gun safety legislation up for a vote, an aide pointed to comments the New York Democrat made in February.

Sen. Murphy had been trying to work with Republicans to get 60 votes. He hasnt given up on those efforts, although theyve not gotten that far. But were going to keep pursuing background checks. I believe in that very, very strongly, Schumer said at the time.

In the meantime, more Americans are dying from gun-related injuries than ever before.

In 2020, the most recent year for which federal data is available, 19,384 people were killed in gun homicides  a 35% increase from the previous year and the largest one-year increase in gun homicides on record.

Republicans have overwhelmingly opposed gun control measures, casting any tightening of current law as a threat to the constitutionally protected right to bear arms. The GOP has instead called for stronger policing and more gun ownership to combat the crime surge.

At the same time, Republicans have seized on the spike in violent crime under the broad umbrella of public safety as a wedge issue to reshape how voters view gun violence. Republicans did well across Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in last fall's off-year elections with public safety as one of their primary talking points.

And the gun lobby is convinced that public safety concerns will help its Republican allies retake the House, if not the Senate, this fall.

We see a lot of opportunity heading into the midterms, said National Rifle Association spokesperson Andrew Arulanandam. Whether the gun control lobby realizes it or not, theres an increased appreciation and realization in this country that gun control does not make people safer.

The NRA has already celebrated sweeping successes at the state level in its push to allow people to carry concealed weapons without a license. Republican lawmakers in nine states enacted such laws since Democrats came to power in Washington in 2021. Overall, 25 states no longer require gun owners to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public.

Guns remain an incredibly divisive issue in American politics, though polling suggests the issue has been overshadowed over the last year by other events.

In an AP-NORC poll last December, 24% named gun laws in an open-ended question as one of five top issues for the government to work on in 2022. That ranked below other issues, like the economy, COVID-19 and even immigration, but the percentage prioritizing gun laws for 2022 grew from 5% for 2021 and 12% for 2020. The poll was conducted the weekend after a shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan killed four and injured seven.

Forty-one percent of Democrats named gun laws as a government priority in 2022, compared to just 6% of Republicans.

Meanwhile, gun safety groups like March For Our Lives are ratcheting up pressure on Democrats to take action. The group for the first time is backing primary challenges this spring and summer to Democratic incumbents who haven't prioritized the issue.

On Tuesday, Hogg and other young activists with March For Our Lives dropped body bags outside Schumer's New York office to protest his unwillingness to bring gun safety legislation to the Senate floor for a vote.

Democrats suck at fulfilling these promises," Hogg said.

___

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.
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MANISTEE  This week, some cannabis businesses in Manistee are celebrating the 420 holiday with discounts, games and food trucks.

Here is what to expect at several local businesses.

Authentic 231

William McKenzie, chief executive officer for Left Coast Holdings said Authentic 231 plans to have discounts from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Games like cornhole, gift certificates and a Pizza Parliament food truck starting at 11 a.m. are also planned at Authentic 231.

We really tried to turn it into an event where people can come and hang out, enjoy the shop, not have it be a day where youre (in a hurry), he said.

This is a contrast to the typical shopping habits of patrons who are often in and out of the business within 4 minutes.

The business is also having a raffle prize for several customized Authentic 231 styled Nintendo Switches.

Were just trying to make it a fun day for people to come in and maybe spend a little bit more time at the shop, McKenzie said. (Its to) really celebrate our customers.

The WellFlower

This year is Evan Carvers first 420 celebrating as the The WellFlowers general manager. It is also The WellFlower of Manistees first 420 event.

Ive always wanted to do something. You see other big dispensaries putting on stuff around the state as far as cool deals offering to their consumers, special events going on at their shops, he said. We just have a really beautiful shop, we have a really nice parking lot and we have the opportunity to do these kind of fun things for the community.

He said the business hopes to do similar events more often in the future.

Carver said 420 brings a chance to come together as a cannabis community.

Its really just what this culture is based on, he said. 420 just marks a day that no matter why somebody uses cannabis, we can all come together and celebrate together.

Carver said The WellFlower started the five days leading up to April 20 with special discounts.

On Wednesday, the business plans to have The Thai Mango food truck as well as games in the parking lot and live music.

The business also plans to celebrate 420 with raffles and live giveaways.

Dunegrass

Rebecca Herd, marketing coordinator for Dunegrass Co., said 420 brings a chance for people to be social with like-minded people who also havent had much of a chance to gather during the pandemic.

A lot of times for some sort of social gathering, a lot of people use something to enjoy their time whether it is something like cannabis or perhaps a drink. For some people it is purely the rush of being in a social gathering now because we havent in so long, Herd said.

This year brings added excitement, Herd said.

I think with this year in particular, Dunegrass as a whole, were just excited to be able to help not only celebrate the holiday and what the normal excitement brings  but to be able to help celebrate the fact that we can enjoy the outdoors more, we can get outside and start having more conversations, start getting out in the community.

On Wednesday, the dispensary plans to have door prizes, swag and raffle prize events.

Herd said the business also hopes to have a food truck or two on Wednesday but they have not yet been confirmed.

Great Lakes Natural Remedies and Meds Cafe did not respond to News Advocate requests for an interview and information on potential 420 events.
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MECOSTA COUNTY  The Mecosta County Development Corporation, in partnership with the Right Place has hired Kelly Wawsczyk as the executive director for the Mecosta County area, according to a news release.

Wawsczyk will lead community and economic development efforts in Mecosta County, meeting with business owners and local government officials throughout the county, focusing on removing barriers to growth and providing a gateway to resources for expansion, retention and attraction of old and new businesses, the news release said.

We are thrilled to have Kelly join our team and are looking forward to growing the MCDCs relation with The Right Place, MCDC board chair Michele Graham said.

Former MCDC director Jim Sandy retired in May 2021, and after several weeks of interviews to find a new director, the board decided to go with an outside vendor.

Graham, who headed to search committee for the new director said at the time, said the decision resulted from being unable to find the right person to fill the position.

MCDC interviewed several individuals and could not find the right fit, she said. After some time, we decided to contact The Right Place, and we believe they are a good fit for the MCDC. One person can not provide all the services that The Right Place offers.

The Right Place, Inc. is "a regional economic development organization funded through investments from the private and public sectors, which drives regional economic development initiatives to stimulate economic growth, wealth creation and operational excellence by focusing on productivity, innovation, and the retention, expansion and creation of quality employment and companies," the companys website states.

Wawsczyk previously served Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agencys Headway Coalition collaborating with community sectors to provide services to promote a healthier community.

"It is an honor and privilege to be a part of The Right Place team. Great things are happening in the state of Michigan, and this is an exciting time for Mecosta Countys growth. she said. In today's economic hard times, we need to meet employers where they are at. By listening to local business leaders and collaborating with state and community resources, I hope to bring solutions and opportunities to Mecosta County, building upon the success of the Mecosta County Development Corporations history.
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Midland County commissioners decided Tuesday they were not yet prepared to vote on a resolution which would call on the State Legislature to consider reforming the Michigan Auto Insurance Act.

Chair Mark Bone explained the agenda item, which was scheduled for action on Tuesday, was being sent back to a committee. It's rare for most business items to be sent back to the committee, Bone said, which recommended it for a Tuesday vote.
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Midland Public Schools will purchase 4,400 HP Chromebook computers to replace devices for students in grades kindergarten through seventh grade.

Administrators received approval from the board of education on Monday to make a total purchase of about $1.4 million in technology from Sehi Computer Products, Inc., of Rochester Hills. This item was voted on during a regular board meeting following a budget workshop Monday at the MPS Administration Center.

The cost of the replacement devices is scheduled to come from the Bond Series II funds. The cost includes the devices, management license, and enrollment and asset tagging. MPS administrators estimate the devices could be received by June.

The school board also voted to award a summer asbestos project to Quality Environment Services, Inc. The planned sites include Midland High, Northeast Middle and Jefferson Middle schools in the amount of $105,200, for which the administration plans to use Bond Series II funds.

In other business, the following staff announced their resignations:

Janet Matcheck, paraprofessional at Adams Elementary, effective May 27

Psychologist Alia Aglan of Special Services, effective April 8

The Dow High Music Booster Club donated $5,000 for a drum major platform, music folders, senior awards and other purposes. The district received around 30 other gifts, totaling just over $26,000. For more information, visit bit.ly/3JXWmAw.

One month following the release of the equity audit of MPS by Insight Education Group of Encino, California, Midland resident Taylor Smith spoke before the board during the public comment portion of the regular meeting. She told the board that she was grateful for their efforts in the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) "space," and thanked a member of the audience who made public comment prior to her three-minute message.

"That little boy right there, it (the DEI effort) means more to him than you'll ever know," Smith said on Monday of her son, age 11, who is a student in the district.

She continued her comments, addressing some of the audience who had given prior comment in disagreement with the district's recent DEI efforts.

"To the people who come up here and talk about this indoctrination and these agendas, I would love for you to look that little 11-year-old in the face and tell him that kids learning about racism isn't important, because he has to deal with it every day. Even if your kids don't, he does," said Smith.

There were several other comments surrounding the recently released equity audit of Midland Public Schools. To view the findings, visit https://bit.ly/394FBHl.
BIG RAPIDS  Officers with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety responded to the following calls. All calls may not be reported. All suspects are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 Officer responded to assist staff and parents with a reportedly disorderly juvenile in the 400 block of South Third. Officer spoke with mom and son about his behavior and going to school.

 Officers responded to a property damage accident near West Grand Traverse and Finley Avenue.

 A 16-year-old complainant reported being harassed by ex-boyfriends parents.

 A suspicious situation was reported near Linden Street and Winter Avenue. A staff worker reported what she thought to be a gunshot sound. The area was checked. No other person in the area reported hearing the noise.

 A civil issue was reported in the 1100 block of Fuller Avenue. Two children were roughhousing. No visible injuries.

 A civil issue was reported in the 300 block of South Third Avenue. Complainant told officers that a woman was kicked out of the shelter yesterday and has been camping on the property. Officers spoke with the female, and she said she was getting a ride lined up that afternoon.

 A civil issue was reported in the 600 block of Rust. Complainant got into an argument with another person on Facebook and threats allegedly were exchanged between them.

 A traffic stop near Darwin and Henderson led to male being cited for improper plate. Police reported finding narcotics during inventory of the vehicle. Upon investigation, police report discovering the male had provided a fake name. He was arrested for violation of controlled substance act. The male also had numerous warrants. BR Tow impounded vehicle.

Tuesday, April 12

 A report of tampering was made in the 200 block of South Stewart. Caller reported her uncle had attempted to get into her vehicle about 15 minutes prior to calling. She confronted him and he advised her who he was and left without incident.

 A property damage accident was reported in the 1000 block of Perry Avenue.

 A report of larceny was made in the 800 block of Water Tower Road. Officers were dispatched for one larceny complaint in which the alleged stolen property was found in the callers room. Then he stated that his wallet had money in it and that was now stolen. This turned into another female reporting jewelry stolen from her room; she had a warrant from Osceola County.

 A property damage accident was reported near South State Street and Woodward Avenue.

 Officers responded to a wellbeing check of a male about his mental health. He was transported to Community Mental Health and was evaluated.

 A noise complaint was made in the 1100 block of Fuller Avenue. A noise warning was issued.

Wednesday, April 13

 An alarm in the 800 block of Clark turned out to be false, employee error.

 A set of Ram truck keys were found in the 200 block of Maple. The keys appeared to have been outside for quite some time.

 A traffic stop near State and Rust led to driver being cited for no drivers license, improper plate and no insurance.

 Officers performed a wellbeing check in the 1100 block of Fuller. A male made suicidal statements to a friend online. He stated he was not suicidal and initially agreed to go to hospital for a voluntary evaluation. Shortly after arriving at hospital, he decided he did not wish to speak with anyone.

 A property damage accident was reported near Oak and Warren.

 A credit card fraud was reported in the 400 block of South Third.

 An assault was reported in the 500 block of South Michigan. An unknown female with blonde hair came over from a neighboring residence and allegedly punched the complainant in the face. Contact was made with witness who refused to identify the female and only identified her by her first name. Case is pending further investigation.

Thursday, April 14

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 700 block of Novak Lane. Neighbors found front door to residence open. Residence searched appeared to be secure. Owners who were out of state were contacted and advised. Officers assisted in securing front door for homeowners.

 Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of South State for a juvenile who said her mother was drinking and using narcotics in front of her and her sister. Officers spoke with juveniles and mother. The mother denied having drugs in the residence and allowed a consent search where nothing was found. Both juveniles said they want to go live with dad. Mother said she did not want them there anymore and had called dad to come pick them up.

 A domestic assault was reported in the 1100 block of Catherine. Caller said a male and female had been living with him and he observed them punch each other while the female was holding their newborn son. Male then allegedly threatened the female for calling the police, but he and the female left prior to the police's arrival. Officers were unable to contact either one of them as they do not have working phones. Children's Protective Services was notified and report will be forwarded for review.

 Officers assisted fire department with a call in the 500 block of South State Street. Clothes had been set on fire and put out as fire personnel arrived on scene. A female said her children had set the fire; both children said they had been outside when fire started. Children were turned over to father who arrived on scene, and matter remains under investigation.

 Officers assisted Children's Protective Services with interview of child.

 A warrant arrest was executed in the 400 block of South Third Avenue. Male was arrested on a Friend of the Court warrant out of Barry County.

 An open door was reported in the 500 block of North State. Contact was made with an employee who stated that they had issues with the door.

 A driver waiting in a drive-thru in the 600 block of South State drove his truck between the building and outdoor dining and turfed the grass. The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office contacted the driver at his house who admitted to driving on the lawn but had a different version of events. Follow-up was conducted at the store which no longer wanted to pursue charges.

Friday, April 15

 A report of malicious destruction of property was made in the 300 block of South Warren. A witness described an older Jeep Cherokee type vehicle with silver top, black bottom and multiple stickers on the back and side windows was seen driving toward several parked vehicles before leaving east on Maple. Damage was found to mirrors of two cars that were parked on east side of the road. Police was unable to locate suspect vehicle. The area was canvassed for cameras none located.

 A property damage accident was reported near State and Bellevue.

 A failure to pay reported in the 600 block of Maple, turned into a civil matter as the driver was located and contacted the store to pay for fuel.

 A traffic stop was made near Milton and Loudon. An appearance ticket was issued to driver for operating without a license. Vehicle was turned over to the passenger.

 Civil custody dispute that occurred in the county was reported in the 300 block of South Michigan. A father came into a residence and allegedly took his 10-month-old child from mother. The male is on the birth certificate, and no custody order is in place. Advised to file for custody at the courthouse.

 Staff called and wanted a report filed after two residents allegedly started yelling at each other in the 700 block Fuller Avenue. Management wanted a report for the state.

 Police report a male was intoxicated and argumentative with officers over the phone after he wanted to file kidnapping charges on his children's mother after she didn't give him his parenting time. The male allegedly refused to meet her at BRDPS as required by court order for the custody exchange and wanted to set his own venue.

Saturday, April 16

 A property damage accident was reported near South State and Maple streets.

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 200 block of North Warren Avenue. Caller reported that her daughter had dropped her kids off at a babysitter a few days ago and had not been in contact with the family. She was contacted by family and returned home on her own.

 An incident in the 1100 block Fuller Avenue was initially reported as a domestic assault with a TV. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that female was in crisis and was transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation. No assault, only arguing between parties.

 A child custody issue was reported in the 1100 block of Catherine.

 Officers provided assistance in the 1000 block of Maple. Initially called for subject refusing to leave, police made contact with the male who already left. He said he placed a log on the fire and another male allegedly grabbed him by the arm and took issue with it. He didn't know the male was an employee.

Sunday, April 17

 A property damage accident reported in the 600 block of Novak Lane turned into an arrest for operating while intoxicate, fleeing and resisting. According to police, a male driver went off the road at the end of Novak Lane and struck a tree. Two of the occupants allegedly got out and ran. As officer arrived on scene and activated the overhead lights, the driver got back into the vehicle and allegedly backed toward the patrol car until he got back onto the road. Police say the driver attempted to take off but was mostly spinning the wheels due to the tires being flat. He stopped and got out but did not try to run. Police said he appeared intoxicated. He was taken to the jail where he allegedly resisted corrections deputies as they were taking him into the jail.

 A report of larceny was made in the 700 block of Water Tower Road. The complainant reported that her previous boyfriend/friend had stolen her gun in March 2021. The previous boyfriend was contacted and denied stealing her gun. Under investigation.

 A property damage accident reported on Fuller Avenue near Division Street.

 A civil situation involving threats was reported in the 700 block of Clark Street. Caller reporting getting into a text argument with former roommate who had left her cats there. Another female texted and allegedly told the caller she was coming over and to "come get smacked."
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today in Parliament called on the House to engage the youth protesting on the streets and invite them to discuss the current crisis and possible solutions.

He also tabled a set of proposals for discussion which would see Parliament extend their control over public finances. These included further empowering committees such as COPE and COPA and Committe on Public Finance to extend oversight over the accounts and expenditure. He also urged that capital expenditure be halted, and divestment of state assets be halted until Parliamentary approval is provided.

The former PM, while extending his full support to re-implementation of the 19th Amendment, called for the complete removal of the 20th Amendment. He further criticised the recent Cabinet appointments, stating that not even 4 Ministers had attended Parliament today.

A copy of the proposals for discussions tabled in Parliament is below along with a copy of the speech.

Whereas the unsustainable external debt, the collapse of the currency and serious shortfall in government revenue amongst others have resulted in a declaration of bankruptcy by those in Government; and

AND Whereas Article 148 of the Constitution vests full control of Public Finance in Parliament  which principle has been reinforced by the Supreme Court time and time again, including in the recent Supreme Court determination SCSD1-9 of 2022; and

AND Whereas anything done in contravention of Article 148, including any decision or measure taken, without Parliaments approval and/or authority, is invalid and/or void;

AND Whereas Article 43 of the Constitution subjects the Cabinet of Ministers to the oversight and direction of Parliament, and, similarly, Article 42 provides that the President shall be responsible to Parliament;

AND Whereas the current circumstances require Parliament inter alia to ensure good governance and for that purpose to exercise its powers under the Constitution including Articles 43 and 148.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, it is hereby resolved that the following immediate measures be taken:

1. The Parliament shall in the exercise of its powers, empower

(i) The Committee on Public Finance to inquire and report on the state of public finance including amending the Appropriation Act 2022 to ensure

financial provisions for the protection of vulnerable groups;

(ii) The Committee on Public Enterprises to inquire and report on the financial position of the state owned enterprises

(iii) Temporarily suspend all capital expenditure on new projects including expansion projects of state-owned enterprises;

(iv) Suspend all alienations, including sales and/or leases, of State controlled and/or owned assets or enterprises. Any decision by Government to dispose above mentioned assets/enterprises must first be informed to Parliament.

2. Call upon the Prime Minister to submit a statement on the position regarding the supply of food, medicine, fertiliser and fuel until August 2022;

3. To establish the oversight committees of Parliament under Standing Order III.

4. To appoint the following committees of Parliament:

(i) Ways and Means Committee to report on the measures necessary to mobilise additional revenue for the Government;

(ii) A Banks and Financial Services Committee to report on the financial position of Banks and Financial Service enterprises and the measures needed to ensure the stability and continuance of the financial sector including a safety net; and

(iii) An Economic Stabilisation Committee to report amongst other matters on the measures taken by the Government to restore macro-economic credibility.

5. Ensure that the Monetary Board conforms to its objectives stated in Section 5 of the Monetary Law and that the Central Bank refrains from deficit financing without the approval of Parliament;

6. Establish a Parliamentary Budget Office;

7. Appoint a Select Committee

(a) To examine and report on the persons responsible for

(i) Floating the currency

(ii) Denying the unsustainability of the external debt, thereby causing bankruptcy, and

(b) To re-examine the State Accounts for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

8. Appoint a Select Committee to examine and Report on measures need to strengthen the Parliaments control on Public Finance including new Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act. The Committee shall take into consideration the following:

(i) Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011(UK)

(ii) Public Finance Act (New Zealand)

(iii) Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act (New Zealand)

(iv) Financial Administration Act (Canada)

(v) Public Finance Management Act (South Africa)

(vi) Public Financial Management and Central Law (Turkey)

(vii) The UK Practices and Procedures for the Control of Public Finance

including the Code of Fiscal Responsibility, Public Expenditure Plan,

Spending Review and Clear line of Sight Reforms

9. The honourable Speaker be empowered to take all measures necessary to implement this resolution.
GLASTONBURY  A local resident who ran a Hartford-area law firm for years was convicted of federal tax offenses this week, according to prosecutors.

Judge Victor A. Bolden on Monday found Deron D. Freeman, 47, of Glastonbury, guilty of making and subscribing a false tax return and four counts of failure to pay income tax, officials said.

He is free on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing. Freeman faces a maximum term of 13 years in prison at sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Prosecutors said during a bench trial in October and November 2021 that Freeman is an attorney who has owned and operated the Law Office of Deron Freeman in Hartford. He has practiced personal injury and criminal law.

From 2006 through 2010, prosecutors said, Freeman fell severely behind on his federal tax payments and failed to pay his overdue tax balance. Prosecutors said Freeman received multiple notices of delinquent taxes. In 2010, the IRS launched a collection action against Freeman for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 tax years, prosecutors said.

Soon after Freeman entered into a payment plan with the IRS, in 2011 he started using a bank account in the name of another individual to hold hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect the funds from IRS scrutiny, prosecutors said.

By June 2012, Freeman mad payments so the IRS removed a lien against Freeman for the 2008 tax year. Soon after, Freeman transferred more than $248,000 from the third-party account to his personal money market account, prosecutors said.

During the 2011, 2012 and 2013 tax years, prosecutors said, Freeman filed false returns and failed to pay taxes on about $950,000 in income. Prosecutors said he also failed to pay significant taxes owed for the 2014 and 2015 tax years.

The evidence presented at trial indicated that Freeman spent lavishly on cars and watercrafts, prosecutors said. Between 2012 and 2016, prosecutors said Freeman spent about $1.5 million building a new home.
Artists for World Peace / Contributed photo

MIDDLETOWN  Artists For World Peace will be hosting an online Peace Prints auction, Focus on Sight, which celebrates Mothers Day and spotlights the talents of Molly Salafia of Middletown, Claudia Paul of New York City; and founder Wendy Black-Nasta of Middletown.

The show will feature donated fine art photography by local and international artists. Proceeds from purchased photographs will go to Artists For World Peaces free Native Eyes clinic, taking place this summer for Rosebud Reservation tribal members in South Dakota, according to a press release.
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MIDDLETOWN  While theres tension between city government and the school district over the Board of Educations proposed $5.5 million budget increase, Mayor Ben Florsheim says his comments about the spending plan were not intended as a gotcha, or way to embarrass the board and top leadership.

He devoted nearly five pages of his 10-page March 31 budget address questioning the necessity of the boards $97.6 million spending package, which represents a 6 percent increase over last fiscal year.

Florsheim said his queries were not intended as criticism. In his address, he listed a number of major concerns he has, especially since the school districts budget accounts for nearly one-half of the overall budget.

I dont want to ascribe motivations to a lack of communication or transparency. I always want to assume the best interests, but given the circumstances, I hope we see stronger communication proactively in the future, and not just find out and have questions, Florsheim said.

Among them are unusual cuts and underinvestments, such as an 18 percent reduction in substitute salaries, and a big salary jump of $420,000 for employee stipends and payments to non-contracted employees, which Florsheim said represents a hefty 74 percent increase over last year.

Another issue is that the administration has said that salaries for newly created administrative positions partially are being paid for with one-time grants, Florsheim said. He said there was a fairly substantial increase of $834,000, or 19 percent, for classroom paraprofessional salaries. Strangely, this follows a $530,000 decrease in the same salary line in last years budget.

The school board released an eight-page letter Monday, responding to 19 points the mayor made in his budget address on the bodys financial practices, comments Acting Superintendent of Schools Alberto Vazquez Matos called inaccurate, unfounded and especially curious.

The acting superintendent took issue with the mayors statement about budgetary costs needing to be justified.

More than $3 million of the budget increase is due to contractual salary and wage increases, in addition to associated employee benefit costs for existing staff, Vazquez Matos wrote, which, he added, allows the school district to maintain its current staffing.

Vazquez Matos also said that the $3.3 million rise in salaries, wages and benefits is needed to stay competitive when retaining current employees, as well as recruiting new personnel.

To Florsheims statement that the boards budget makes virtually no new investment in existing school staff, and in some cases, it actually makes cuts, Vazquez Matos said, This statement is patently false.

Every component of the boards proposed budget invests in our employees and our community. Using our strategic operating plan as our guide, we strive to deliver an exceptional educational experience for our students on a daily basis, Vazquez Matos added.

The budget for full-time teacher salaries, Florsheim said in his address, is reduced for six out of eight elementary schools, with a 3 percent increase at Macdonough and less than 1 percent increase at Wesley. At the middle and high schools, teacher salaries are slightly up in some departments and slightly down in others, he said.

If teacher salaries are truly a problem for retention in Middletown, this budget does nothing to solve that problem, Florsheim added.

Vazquez Matos said the mayors comments are misleading.

The board is not proposing to reduce teachers salaries, the acting superintendent said. When a teacher retires or resigns, it is rare to replace the teacher with another who has an equal number of years of experience and/or credentials, Vazquez Matos pointed out. Rather, in practice, a newer teacher is often hired for the position, which more often than not equates to a lower salary step.

Every single one of our returning teachers is getting a salary increase, he said, adding that, overall, salaries for certified staff will rise by 2.9 percent.

The board is not proposing to reduce teachers salaries, Vazquez Matos said. When a teacher retires or resigns, it is rare to replace the teacher with another who has an equal number of years of experience and/or credentials. Rather, in practice, a newer teacher is often hired for the position, which more often than not equates to a lower salary step. Overall, salaries for certified staff will increase by 2.9 percent.

That salary jump raises the most serious questions, Florsheim said. The schools administration has indicated that salaries for newly-created administrative positions are being partially paid for with grants, he added.

The budget proposed by the board relies heavily on one-time state and federal grants to paper over the fact that the administration has created and hired for multiple new salaried positions, several earning six figures, without budgeting for them and without a plan to do so, the mayor said.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called on states, districts and higher education institutions March 28 to use their American Rescue Act funds for salaries, Vazquez Matos said. Prior to this statement, the U.S. Department of Education made it abundantly clear that ARP funds may be used for salaries.

These positions will continue to be partially grant funded through the 2023-24 school year. In preparation for the sunsetting of the grant, the district will begin shifting these positions through an incremental percentage transfer to the BOE budget in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Vazquez Matos wrote.

Florsheim said he doesnt believe the boards intentions are fraudulent, untoward or nefarious. He has asked that the boards proposal be reworked. Until that happens, I cannot and will not support an increase to the Board of Education budget beyond the statutorily required level established in the current years budget, he wrote in his address.

Unless critical questions about the long-term sustainability of the boards approach to hiring are answered, and affirmative steps to identify and correct issues in the budget process are taken, the true cost of the boards proposal cannot be known: this budget is an unfinished product, an inkblot on the citys balance sheet, Florsheim said.

The Common Council has until May 15 to approve the entire budget.

To read the full letter from Vazquez Matos, go to bit.ly/3uSS2P1. The mayors budget address and proposed 2022-23 fiscal plan can be viewed at middletownct.gov.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misattributed quotes from Mayor Ben Florsheims budget address. Florsheim talked about costs needing to be justified, said the school board plans to make no new investments and that some fulll-time teacher salaries were reduced. Dr. Vazquez Matos said many of the mayors comments are misleading, that the budget increase is due to salary increases and benefits, that all aspects of the proposed budget invests in employees and the community and that the board is not proposing reducing teacher salaries.
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KABUL, Afghanstan (AP)  Explosions targeting educational institutions killed at least six people, including students, and wounded 17 Tuesday in a mostly Shiite neighborhood of Afghanistan's capital city, police said.

The blasts, which happened in rapid succession, were being investigated and more casualties were feared, according to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran and the city's Emergency Hospital. Several of the wounded were in serious condition and some had been treated and released.

The explosions occurred inside the Abdul Rahim Shaheed High School and near the Mumtaz Education Center several kilometers (miles) away, both in the predominately Shiite Muslim neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. There were no immediate reports of casualties at the education center.

Guards in the narrow street leading to the two-story high school said they saw 10 casualties. Inside the school, an Associated Press video journalist saw walls splattered with blood, burned notebooks and children's shoes.

The AP spoke to several private guards in the area but they refused to give their names, fearing repercussions from the Taliban security force cordoning off the area.

It appeared a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the sprawling compound, which can house up to 1,000 students, witnesses said. It wasn't immediately clear how many children were in the school at the time of the explosion.

The school is teaching students only until grade 6 after Afghanistan's hard-line Taliban rulers went back on a promise to allow all girls to attend school.

No one immediately claimed responsibility. The area has been targeted in the past by Afghanistans deadly Islamic State affiliate, which reviles Shiite Muslims as heretics.

Save the Children in Afghanistan issued a statement "strongly condemning  the attack and saying no school should be deliberately targeted, and no child should fear physical harm at or on the way to school."

The U.N.'s high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, said on Twitter he joined the world body's special representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, in offering condolences to families of the victims. He said the attack against the school was horrific and cowardly.

The Islamic State affiliate known as IS in Khorasan Province, or IS-K, has previously targeted schools, particularly in the Shiite dominated Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood. In May last year, months before the Taliban took power in Kabul, more than 60 children, mostly girls, were killed when two bombs were detonated outside their school, also in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood.

IS has presented the biggest security challenge to the country's Taliban rulers, who swept into Kabul last August as the United States ended its 20-year war.

___

Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez and Tameem Akhgar in Islamabad and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
NEWTOWN  A Texas judge has ordered Alex Jones and his companies to pay $1 million in legal fees to the parents of two slain Sandy Hook children and a Norwalk native falsely accused of being the shooter in a Florida high school massacre.

The order is from the same Texas judge who is overseeing two upcoming trials to determine damages from defamation lawsuits Jones lost to Sandy Hook parents, and comes one day after three Jones-controlled businesses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

According to the order by Travis County District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Jones and his businesses have 30 days to pay the attorney fees and expenses for Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of slain Sandy Hook first-grader Jesse Lewis; for Lenny Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, the parents of slain first-grader Noah Pozner; and for Marcel Fontaine, a Norwalk native who was falsely accused on Jones InfoWars site as the perpetrator behind the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla., in 2018.

Meanwhile Guerra Gamble had scheduled a conference on Wednesday to discuss whether the first trial to award defamation damages will begin as scheduled on April 25. The question is complicated even though a bankruptcy filing automatically delays a civil proceeding, because neither Jones himself nor his Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy protection. Both Jones and Free Speech Systems are defendants in the lost defamation suits. On Wednesday, Guerra Gamble postponed that trial.

In Connecticut, where Jones lost a third defamation lawsuit to an FBI agent and eight families whose loved ones were slain in the Sandy Hook massacre, Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis called off a conference planned for Wednesday after learning Jones had filed a separate motion in bankruptcy court which appears to remove the entire case, including the plaintiffs' claims against the other defendants.

Therefore, this court will take no further action unless and until all or part of this matter is remanded back by the bankruptcy court, Bellis wrote.

The first hearing in Texas Western Bankruptcy Court is on Friday.

If it seems like Jones has been in the news a lot recently, he has.

Jones made national headlines when he refused to attend court-ordered pretrial depositions and was sanctioned in Connecticut with heavy escalating daily fines, only to fly into the state the following week for two days of testimony in Bridgeport, where Jones spoke out both days against the system.

Jones, who called the massacre of 26 first-graders and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors, has been saying publicly for the last several years that he now believes the massacre happened and that he has a right to be wrong under the First Amendment.

Jones also made headlines recently when he offered the 19 people involved in the three defamation cases he lost in Texas and Connecticut $120,000 each to settle, and they refused.

At the same time, Jones was the subject of a new lawsuit brought by the parents in the two Texas defamation cases that accused him of transferring millions of dollars from his fortune to shield assets from them at the damages trials.

On Sunday, Jones made national news again when three entities he controls  InfoWars, IWHealth, and Prison Planet TV  sought Chapter 11 protection in federal bankruptcy court, which automatically stayed the lawsuits where those entities are defendants.

The same tactic was used by Remington in 2020 after eight families that filed a wrongful death lawsuit won a string of pretrial victories against the former gunmaking giant. Remington was eventually sold off, and its insurance carriers settled with the Sandy Hook families for $73 million.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
The Department of Veterans Affairs wants to make it easier for some veterans to get fertility services, as well as drop birth control prescription copayments, beginning next fiscal year as part of its 2023 budget plan.

The VA's proposed budget requests legislation that would allow the department to expand a program that provides advanced fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to seriously injured veterans by including those who are single or in a same-sex relationship.

The department also has asked that it be allowed to cover treatment for seriously injured veterans who need donor sperm or eggs or require a surrogate to have children. And it is seeking the ability to reimburse adoption-related expenses for eligible veterans.

Read Next: McConville, the Army's Top General, Tests Positive for COVID-19

VA officials said the legislation and related $10.5 million request for funding in for 2023 would "fill the gap created by the legal requirements, exclusions and limitations in VA's current program," according to the proposal.

The VA has covered the cost of in vitro fertilization and other infertility treatments since 2016 for veterans whose infertility resulted from a service-related injury or illness. But the benefit is restricted to married couples who are able to provide their own eggs and sperm.

Funding for the program must be reauthorized each year.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who championed that initial benefit, has fought for years to make the program permanent and expand it. She has introduced additional measures during every Congress since that would loosen what she calls the "unnecessarily restrictive" eligibility requirements of the current benefit.

"It's very hard to help our veterans plan for the families that they deserve. They served our country. They were injured, which made limited opportunities for them to have children -- a dream people ought to have, including our veterans," Murray said in a June 23, 2021, hearing on her bill, the Veteran Families Health Services Act.

Conservative groups have fought the proposals because IVF can result in the creation of multiple embryos, which may be destroyed if a veteran no longer needs or wants them. Organizations such as the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group, advocate funding for IVF only if embryos are not destroyed.

No Republicans have supported Murray's legislation or a similar bill introduced in the House by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.

The VA fertility benefits program differs from the Department of Defense's program, which offers fertility resources such as hormone treatments, diagnostic services, corrective surgery for infertility related to a physical condition and erectile dysfunction care, but pays for IVF only under certain circumstances, providing it to service members who have experienced a urogenital trauma or had cancer treatments that can cause infertility, to include cryopreservation and storage until procedures can be undertaken.

IVF is available at six military treatment facilities at a cost per cycle for service members and their families whose infertility is not directly related to a combat injury.

The VA's budget also calls for dropping copayments for veterans for birth control prescriptions -- a less controversial measure that would bring the department's pharmacy benefit program in line with the Affordable Care Act.

Under the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as "Obamacare," major insurers other than religious employers or nonprofit religious organizations are required to cover contraception and counseling without charging a copayment or coinsurance.

Federal health providers were exempt from the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In a call with reporters March 28 on the VA budget, officials said the move would recognize contraception as "more of a general health provision as opposed to a special prescription."

It would affect veterans who currently must make copayments for any prescription as part of their eligibility criteria.

"Because we are [the] government, because our copayment requirements are set by statute, we need legislative authority to exempt a particular subset of pharmaceuticals this way," said Laura Duke, chief financial officer for the Veterans Health Administration.

According to the budget, the proposal would cost the VA $24 million the first year and $328 million over 10 years.

Also in the VA budget proposal regarding veterans' health, the department has asked for legislation that would allow it to provide physical and mental health care related to military sexual trauma to former members of the National Guard or Reserve who have never served on active duty and therefore are currently ineligible for medical care from the VA.

The legislation, which the VA anticpates would cost nearly $30 million in the first five years, would provide sex assault-related care for former Guard and Reserve members discharged under any conditions, except those who received a dishonorable discharge or were dismissed from the service as the result of court-martial.

The VA has requested a record-high $301 billion for its budget, second only to the Department of Defense among federal agencies in discretionary funding. The administration's proposal is now under review in the House and Senate authorization and appropriations subcommittees responsible for setting policy and funding the VA. Each will craft legislation that ultimately will determine the outcomes of the measures contained in President Joe Biden's fiscal 2023 budget plan.

In one of the first hearings on the proposed budget, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pushed VA Secretary Denis McDonough to justify the expense, with the Democrat chairwoman and ranking Republican on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the VA raising concerns over funding patterns.

"What's the long-term plan here? Clearly, we must provide for our veterans' health care, and we all are passionate about that.  But if we're going to keep seeing these exponential increases year after year, we need to build a consensus on an allocation adjustment so that other discretionary priorities are not affected, including the non-health care priorities within VA," said Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.

"When we met last April to discuss the VA's fiscal 2022 budget request," said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, to McDonough, "I remarked that its 82% increase was not the largest I had seen, but still quite large. This year, a 99.7% increase for discretionary programs, along with the $7.5 billion for the second bite, is another eye-popping request. Year after year, you've given increases that may have been substantial; We need to look at the big picture."

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Wounded Troops Should Get More Fertility Benefits Through the VA, Lawmakers Say
MIAMI  A U.S. Coast Guard crew transferred 82 Haitians and Cubans  including babies  to Bahamian authorities late last week after they were stopped in the countrys waters, the military branch said Sunday.

The Florida Keys-based crew handed over 67 Haitians and 15 Cubans to the Royal Bahamian Defence Force on Friday after they were detained near Anguilla Cay  over 100 miles southwest of Key West  in two separate stops, the Coast Guard told the Herald in a news release.

Migrants are taken to the Bahamas when they are found in Bahamian waters.

Only hours before the transfer, the crew spotted an overloaded chug, or small boat, on Friday, taking 15 Cuban men aboard for safety of life at sea concerns, according to the Coast Guard. On April 11, another crew found an overloaded sail freighter, bringing 51 men, 10 women and six children  all Haitians  aboard due to safety concerns.

These types of voyages are extremely dangerous, said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Neiman, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer. If our cutters were not patrolling the waters, who knows what would have happened to these people.



2022 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Land navigation is making a comeback as part of the Army's Basic Leader Course, or BLC, with a pilot program starting in the coming months and full return to active-duty schools planned for next year.

"Oh, it's coming. Soldiers need to know how to read a map," Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston told Military.com.

BLC is a 22-day school for the Army's junior leaders and required to rise to the rank of sergeant. It mostly teaches soldiers about the service's policies, including sexual assault prevention, noncommissioned officers' legal authorities and how to submit soldiers for awards.

Read Next: Breakdowns, Ripped Clothing and Dying Batteries: Army Commits to Arctic But Still Figuring Out What Soldiers Need

Land navigation was removed in 2018 to make room for more classroom instruction, with the idea being that the soldier's unit should be validating basic combat skills. While units will still train land navigation on their own, Army leaders hope that having it once again count as a graded event at a must-pass school will put a greater emphasis on navigation training. It's unclear what will be removed or scaled down from the curriculum.

"There was a significant shift from training to education; this is putting a premium back on a skill that's needed in various environments, including [those in] which GPS devices are jammed and soldiers have to rely on a compass to get around," Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt, the commandant of the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence and the Sergeants Major Academy, told Military.com.

The force in recent years has put a greater emphasis on combat tasks as it reorientates from the post-9/11 wars to conventional warfighting. Gen. David Thompson, Space Force's space operations vice chief, told NBC News last week that Russians are jamming GPS satellites in Ukraine -- something that can make the electronic navigation devices troops became accustomed to in Iraq and Afghanistan useless.

Schmidt said he hopes to get a pilot program, which will include day and nighttime land navigation, into at least four BLC schools by the end of the summer. Those schools are at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Stewart, Georgia; and one of the Army's training areas in Hawaii. There also might be a trial at one of the National Guard's schools, but those details haven't been finalized.

After that trial, Schmidt aims to fully implement land navigation into all 33 BLC schools next year. But it may take longer for the Reserve and National Guard courses to get the new curriculum.

Land navigation is a staple for virtually all of the Army's elite schools, such as Ranger and Special Forces Assessment and Selection, as well as qualifications for prestigious awards such as the expert soldier, infantry and medic badges -- and is one of the common reasons for a soldier to fail those tests.

Even without the threat of a future adversary jamming GPS signals, navigation errors have proven fatal.

The 507th Maintenance Company was part of the rapid advancement toward Baghdad during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and was last in a column of 600 vehicles.

Over the course of roughly three days, the unit slowly became separated from the main force after encountering troubles with its heavy vehicles maneuvering on top of soft sand and numerous breakdowns on the cross-country route through Iraq's blistering heat.

With little rest after days of driving, fatigue set in, leading to a single navigation error of missing a turn in the complex urban jungle of the Iraq town An Nasiriyah, according to a Defense Department report of the ensuing ambush.

Of the 33 soldiers in the convoy, 11 were killed during fierce attacks from Iraqi troops and insurgents; seven were captured, including Pfc. Jessica Lynch.

"This isn't a combat-arms task; it's important for all [soldiers] to understand it," Schmidt said. "When you look at what the future battlefields may hold, there may not be [forward operating bases] and walls protecting them. Everyone might need to navigate. It's a skill all individual soldiers should have a baseline understanding of."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: The First Shots in a Ukraine Conflict May Be in Space
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of Ukraines eastern industrial heartland Tuesday, assaulting cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long in what both sides described as a new phase of the war.

After a Russian push to overrun the capital failed, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the mostly Russian-speaking eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years.

If successful, that offensive would give President Vladimir Putin a vital piece of Ukraine and a badly needed victory in the now 7-week-old war that he could present to the Russian people amid mounting casualties and economic hardship caused by the Wests sanctions.

Origin APNews

It would also effectively slice Ukraine in two and deprive it of the main industrial assets concentrated in the east, including coal mines, metals plants and machine-building factories.

Ukraines military said early Tuesday that a new phase of war began a day earlier when the occupiers made an attempt to break through our defenses along nearly the entire front line. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that another phase of this operation is starting now.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that massive numbers of Russian troops were committed to the campaign, though some observers noted that an escalation has been underway there for some time and questioned whether this was truly the start of new offensive.

Justin Crump, a former British tank commander now with the strategic advisory company Sibylline, said the Ukrainian comments could, in part, be an attempt to persuade allies to send more weapons.

What theyre trying to do by positioning this, I think, is ... focus peoples minds and effort by saying, Look, the conflict has begun in the Donbas, Crump said. That partly puts pressure on NATO and EU suppliers to say, Guys, were starting to fight now. We need this now.

European and American arms have been key to bolstering Ukraine's defense, helping the under-gunned country to hold off the Russians. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Zelenskyy on Tuesday that the Netherlands would send heavier material," including armored vehicles.

In what appeared to be an intensification of attacks, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that air-launched missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations, while the air force struck 60 other Ukrainian military facilities, including missile warhead storage depots.

Russian artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours, Konashenkov said Tuesday. The claims could not be independently verified.

The assaults began Monday along a front that stretches more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the country's southeast.

Russia said it struck several areas with missiles, including the northeastern city of Kharkiv as well as as areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro west of the Donbas.

Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv said at least four people were killed and three wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area of the city, which is near the front lines and has faced repeated shelling. The attack occurred as residents attempted Tuesday to maintain a sense of normalcy, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

An explosion also rocked the eastern city of Kramatorsk on Tuesday, killing at least one person and wounding three, according to AP journalists at the scene.

Eyewitness accounts and reports from officials have given a broad picture of the extent of the Russian advance. But independent reporting in the parts of the Donbas held by Russian forces and separatists is severely limited, making it difficult to know what is happening in many places on the ground.

Moscow's troops seized control of one town in the Donbas on Monday, according to Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines national security council, said that the defensive line had held elsewhere.

The breakthrough in Kreminna takes the Russians one small step closer to their apparent goal of encircling Ukrainian troops in the region.

Retired British Gen. Richard Barrons told the BBC that "in this particular battle the Russians will be approaching the Ukrainians from the east, but also from the north and the south to try and get behind them, and so this is a more complex military problem for the Ukrainians.

Key to the campaign to take the east is the capture of Mariupol, the port city in the Donbas that the Russians have besieged since the early days of the war and where shelling continued.

A few thousand Ukrainian troops, by the Russians estimate, were holed up in a sprawling steel plant, representing what was believed to be the last major pocket of resistance in the shattered city.

On Tuesday, Russia issued a new ultimatum to the Ukrainian defenders to surrender, saying those who come out will keep their lives," and said a cease-fire was being declared in the area so the combatants could leave the plant. The Ukrainians have ignored previous such offers, and there was no immediate confirmation a cease-fire occurred.

The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, said on a messaging app that Russian forces would root out the Ukrainian resistance within hours and take full control of the steel mill on Tuesday. Kadyrov is known for his bluster and has repeatedly predicted the citys fall in the past.

Securing Mariupol would free Russian troops up to move elsewhere in the Donbas, deprive Ukraine of a vital port, and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine from 2014.

___

Associated Press journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Felipe Dana in Kharkiv, Ukraine; Danica Kirka in London; and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report, as did other AP staff members around the world.
In the late 1960s, the Soviet Union jumped ahead of the United States' first strike capability in a big way. The latest version of the R-36 intercontinental ballistic missile (called SS-18 by NATO) could hit anywhere in the U.S. with at least 10 18-25 megaton nuclear warheads.

The new missile could destroy the Americans' LGM-30 Minuteman III missiles before they ever left their silos. As time went on, more advanced designs only increased its nuclear payload. Eventually, it carried more power than anything in the U.S. arsenal. From the moment its existence was uncovered, NATO forces nicknamed the weapon the "Satan" missile.

The R-36 is a family of missiles. The original, designated SS-9 by NATO, was the USSR's second intercontinental ballistic missile. Its 1966 design allowed it to be shot into space and stay in orbit around the Earth for an indefinite period of time. This development led to Article IV of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits nuclear missiles and other weapons of mass destruction from remaining in Earth's orbit.

Although the Outer Space Treaty's stipulations calmed some of the panic around the R-36 missile, the USSR's second version of the weapon wasn't going to make anyone feel better for long. The first model featured only one 20-megaton warhead. The second version, the R-36M, featured multiple reentry vehicles (the actual nuclear warheads), which could hit more than one target with one missile launch.

Like a giant revolver pointed at the entire planet. (The Kremlin)

By the mid-1970s, Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles, or MIRV, became the standard for ICBMs. MIRV systems could not only hit multiple targets, but required the defender to fire three to 10 defensive missiles in response. On top of overwhelming missile defenses, it provided greater first strike firepower.

This was the age of mutually assured destruction, the military doctrine that both sides of a nuclear war would be destroyed in a nuclear exchange. If a nuclear war broke out, both sides would fire all their missiles. MIRV technology allowed for more targets and increased the odds of a first strike effectively wiping out the other side before it could retaliate.

The United States first developed MIRV-based missiles with the three-warhead Minuteman III in 1968, but the SS-18 "Satan" could carry eight to 10 more powerful warheads, with the explosive power to destroy American missiles inside protected silos. When the "Satan" system became fully operational in 1975, the U.S. worried it would no longer survive a Soviet first strike and began working on missiles with more and more warheads.

Inside the USSR, Soviet engineers and scientists kept making modifications for future iterations of the "Satan" ICBM. By the time the Soviet Union fell, it had gone through six different versions, each more powerful than the last. The sixth version of the SS-18 missile would be the most powerful nuclear weapon ever fielded by the Soviet Union.

By the time the USSR fell in 1991, Soviet-built SS-18 missiles could strike anywhere in the world.

It wasn't until the development of ballistic missile submarines that the United States could reasonably guarantee it would be able to retaliate in the event of a Soviet first strike. This third part of the nuclear triad -- the others are land-based ICBMs and nuclear-equipped bomber aircraft -- continues today. American ballistic missile submarines can carry up to 24 Trident II missiles, each with 14 reentry vehicles.

Land-based MIRV missiles like the Satan missile were banned by the 1993 United States-Russia START II agreement, but Russia withdrew from that accord in 2002 after President George W. Bush's administration withdrew the U.S. from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which limited the number of defensive missiles each country could maintain.

As of March 2022, Russia still fields 46 SS-18 missiles, each with 10 warheads, on top of its other deployed ICBMs, an estimated 320 in all, according to the Arms Control Association. While it plans to dismantle its Satan missile stockpile under the terms of the 2012 New START agreement, it is still building new ICBM technology.

A Satan missile silo, housing missiles allegedly capable of piercing any missile defense. (TASS)

Russia's newest weapon is the RS-28 Sarmat "Satan-2" missile, with 10 heavy reentry vehicles, each with enough payload to wipe out an area the size of Texas or France. It also features hypersonic glide vehicles to make it less detectable by U.S. or space-based sensor systems and could be immune to American missile defense systems.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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Frontrunner Vaccine Will Affact the Price of Potassium pentachlororhodate(III) (K2RhCl5)-Powder - Market Trend

CEO of Pfizer partner BioNTech says coming winter will be hard but by April, 300 million immunization units should be ready, which will have an impact on the global pandemic.

If coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out widely, life could return to normal by next winter, one of the scientists behind the front-running coronavirus vaccine told British television on Sunday.

Ugur Sahin, the Turkish co-founder of the German firm BioNTech, told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show that this winter will be hard, without any major impact from vaccinations.

Together with US giant Pfizer, BioNTech is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine. Israel has ordered millions of units of the vaccine, hoping that the first deliveries will arrive in the country by January.

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Kenyan authorities have banned Blakk Rastas Museveni song from gaining airplay following the visit of the Ugandan president to the country.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni traveled to Kenya for the East African Community (EAC) treaty of accession on April 8, 2022.

The event was centered on the signing ceremony of the treaty of Accession by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the East Africa Community.

President Museveni's long term presidency has been met with several dictatorial claims by some political analysts and journalists.

At the welcome ceremony at the airport, the song which was themed on the dictatorship ruling of President Museveni was played on Kenyas biggest roots radio station, Vybez Radio.

Management of the station deleted the song from its collection of songs and banned it permanently.

The song Bloody Museveni was released late last year by the Ghanaian roots reggae star and Ugandas musician turned political activist, Bobi Wine.

Earlier on, Blakk Rastas Thief President which was reviewed on Ceaze and Sikkle on Vybez Radio about a month ago, was been targeted for cyber-attack and subsequently pulled down from YouTube.

The Cuchoko star believes he is a messenger of God and is ready to speak the truth no matter the circumstance.

Blakk Rasta for a greater chunk of his songs has suffered no airplay on some TV and Radio stations in Ghana as most of them find his lyrics politically uncomfortable.
Market women at Juansa in Asante Akyem of the Ashanti region have applauded the Chief Executive Officer of the Middle Belt Development Authority.

The Market women furthermore commended the President Akufo-Addo led government for bringing up the 1million dollars per constituency initiative.

One of the market women speaking to the press after the commissioning of an ultra-modern market on behalf of the market women expressed her profound gratitude to Akufo-Addo's government.

"We are very grateful to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia for this great initiative. Without this initiative, Juansa would have never had an ultra-modern market like this. May God bless them both physically and spiritually. The people of Juansa in the Asante Akyem North District are grateful to them," she stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Middle Belt Development Authority Joe Danquah in his address hinted that the Authority covers 109 constituencies with 47 in the Ashanti Region.

"We are in 109 constituencies which includes 47 in the Ashanti region and the authority is vigorously working within all the constituencies to ensure they witness the developments initiated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. As at now a lot of works are currently going on in all the 109 constituencies".

The cost of the project is Gh 923,000.00.

A total of 13 projects worth Gh4.32 Million are currently underway in the Akim North Constituency with about 87 per cent completed.

Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Eastern and Ashanti Regions are beneficiaries of the 1million Dollar per Constituency initiative.
As part of activities to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, the Member of Parliament for Daboya-Mankarigu constituency of the Savannah Region doubling as the Deputy Minister for Health, Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini donated bags of rice to the Christian community in the Daboya-Mankarigu constituency.

The gesture was done on behalf of the lawmaker by the constituency Executives of his party on Saturday, 16 April, 2022 at Daboya in the North Gonja District.

Presenting the items, the constituency Secretary of the ruling party (NPP), Mr. Charles Mensah Akwasi Mustapha assured the MP will continue to extend a hand of support to them.

According to him, the MP deems it prudent to support them observe this year's Easter which is celebrated globally among the Christian faith to mark the resurrection of Christ.

He encouraged them to be steadfast in the Lord and emulate the life of Jesus Christ for the younger generation to follow.

Pastor Dawuni who received the items on behalf of the chairman of the Christian community in the Daboya-Mankarigu constituency, expressed gratitude to the MP for the gesture and prayed to God to replenish the gesture.
The family of kidnapped French journalist Olivier Dubois were on Monday waiting for French authorities to respond to their request for a top level judge to oversee what steps are being taken to secure his release.

Dubois, who has lived and worked in Mali since 2015, was seized on 8 April 2021.

The 47-year-old freelancer announced his kidnapping in Gao, northern Mali, in a video placed on social networks on 5 May 2021.

In the post he said he had been taken by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel, linked to al-Qaeda.

After his abduction the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) launched an inquiry.

Last week, a Pnat team searched the home of the parents of one of the journalist's friends, said Laurent Bayon, a lawyer acting for Dubois' companion and son.

Official silence

Bayon told RFI: "I think things like the house search are worrying and I do not see what point they serve in the inquiry which is supposed to be bringing about the release of Olivier Dubois and finding out who took him.

"Only the opening of a judicial investigation, with the appointment of an investigating judge, will allow access to the procedure and, thus, understand the reasons that justify such acts," said Bayon.

Dubois' family has been critical of the official silence since Dubois' kidnapping.

On 8 April, a year after Dubois' seizure, the French president Emmanuel Macron said authorities were working to obtain the 47-year-old's release.

France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian said he understood the family's impatience but insisted silence was needed when dealing with the situation.
As the NDC internal elections approach, H.E Alhaji Said Sinare, the National Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, has urged delegates to choose competence, experience and commitment over money and material rewards.

He said demanding money and other resources from hopefuls will boost corruption which will not help to establish a loyal and formidable army to unseat the ruling New Patriotic Party in the 2024 election.

The NDC's Zongo President and the former Ayawaso MP said in a short statement on his Facebook that the monetization of politics had become a very concerning trend, warning that if it continued, the party's democratic ideals would suffer a serious setback.

He maintained that requesting and accepting monies and material rewards from aspirants, particularly during electioneering days, will only encourage them to adopt dubious tactics to recoup the money they spent to get elected, which will not assist the party (NDC) build a strong force for the next crucial general elections.

In a statement issued today, the immediate past Ghana Ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the former John Dramani Mahama-led administration wishes all Christians in the country and around the world a happy Easter.

He stated that the Christian faith's in the resurrection of Jesus Christ represents the beginning of the path to victory for his party, the National Democratic Congress.

The founder of Zongo for NDC, noted that the 2024 general election would be for competent and experienced political mafias noting that delegates should be equipped against choosing money over-committed and loyal party faithfuls.

Read full statement below:

Happy Resurrection Sunday to all my hard-working Christian comrades in the 16 regions in Ghana and around the globe.

It is now evident that this is just the beginning of the path to the 2024 victory!!

Rejoice because he has risen in our favor!!
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tamale North Constituency Honourable Alhaji Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini has donated a brand new pickup vehicle to the Youth and Women's wing of Tamale North constituency to foster the re-organizational processes of the party in the Constituency.

in a statement signed by the constituency's communications officer, the NDC MP made the donation to the party through the constituency Chairman of the area.

On behalf of the team, the youth organiser thanked the MP and the entire constituency executives for the support.

He also asked for more support to be able to maintain and keep the car in good condition.

The entire constituency executives committee were present to witness the occasion.

Read full statement below:

HON. SUHUYINI HANDED OVER A BRAND NEW PICKUP TO YOUTH AND WOMEN'S WING TODAY, 17TH APRIL, 2022.

The indefatigable member of parliament for Tamale North Constituency *Honourable Alhaji Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini* has earlier today released a brand new blue/black MITSUBISHI PICKUP with registration number GS- 362-22 to the Youth and women's organisers wing of the Constituency executives.

The constituency Chairman on behalf of the Honourable Mp handed it over to the constituency youth organiser Mohammed Alidu "Alidu Gbremah" who is going to take custody of the car on behalf of these two vital departments in the constituency. The leadership of these two departments include Mohammed Alidu (youth organiser), Mahama Iddrisu Van Ideey (deputy youth organiser), Madam Bawa Juliana Akkamieng (women's organiser) and Hajia Ayishetu Abdulai Yahaya (deputy women's organiser).

On behalf of the team, the youth organiser thanked the MP and the entire constituency executives for this great favor. He also asked for more prayers for them to be able to maintain and keep the car in good condition, then again put it in good use as well. The entire constituency executives committee were present to witness this joyous occasion. Alhamdulillah!

Long live Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini!

Long live Tamale North Constituency!

Long live NDC!

Thank you!

Signed

..........

Abdallah Abu-Safianu

Communications officer

Tamale North Constituency.
The Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations Originating from the Lighthouse Group of Churches (UD-OLGC), Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has expressed deep pains over the sudden demise of his eldest son, David Heward-Mills.

He said he hopes to see his son again.

Speaking to his congregants, he indicated that his son was going to be made alive again.

Referencing 1 Corinthians 15:22, he noted that "for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Finding consolation in the scripture, he added, "so all brethren who have gone, we are going to see them again and I believe Im going to see my son again. He is going to be made alive one day.

Dr David Heward-Mills, the first son of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, died in the United States after a short illness during the Easter holidays.

He was a Research Physician at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston.

David Heward-Mills was 31.
19.04.2022 LISTEN

Six suspected robbers reportedly connected to series of robberies in the Greater Accra and Central Regions have been arrested by the Police in an intelligence-led operation.

The arrest has been confirmed in a press release issued on Monday, April 18, 2022 and signed by Supt. Alexander Kwaku Obeng.

The Police, through a targeted intelligence-led operation between the period of April 15 and April 17, 2022, have arrested six armed robbery suspects in connection with a series of robberies including carjacking in Greater Accra and Central Regions.

The six suspects, Jibrila Musa alias Danturi, Hussain Sampa, Daniel Acquah, Anthony Sackey, Michael Ojo, and Ade Banjor, were arrested at various locations across the two regions, parts of the Police press release notes.

According to the Police, some of the items retrieved from the suspects include one (1) locally manufactured gun, one (1) foreign pistol, a cache of ammunition, two iPhones, and four (4) wristwatches.

Meanwhile, one stolen vehicle has also been retrieved.

The suspects per the Police release have admitted during interrogations to their involvement in robberies over the years and are helping the Police in investigations.

Find more in the Police press release below:
The Ghana Police Service has issued a warning to criminals and their accomplices in the country.

The Police say although they can run they can never hide.

This is contained in a press release signed by Supt. Alexander Kwaku Obeng to confirm the arrest of six suspected armed robbers in the Greater Accra and Central Regions.

All criminals and their cohorts must advise themselves and know that they can run but they can never hide. The Police will do whatever it takes to come after them and bring them to justice, parts of the Police release dated Monday, April 18, 2022, have cautioned.

The six robbery suspects arrested in the Greater Accra and Central Regions include Jibrila Musa alias Danturi, Hussain Sampa, Daniel Acquah, Anthony Sackey, Michael Ojo, and Ade Banjor.

They were arrested through a targeted intelligence-led operation between the period of April 15 and April 17, 2022, in connection with a series of robberies including carjacking.

According to the Police, some of the items retrieved from the suspects include one (1) locally manufactured gun, one (1) foreign pistol, a cache of ammunition, two iPhones, and four (4) wristwatches.

Meanwhile, one stolen vehicle has also been retrieved.

The suspects per the Police release have admitted during interrogations to their involvement in robberies over the years and are helping the Police in investigations.

Find more in the Police press release below:
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has called for a review of portions of the law to exclude the 1.5% charge on payment of salaries made via mobile money.

According to the chamber, per the current law, salaries that are paid via mobile money would attract the 1.5% charge, whereas salaries paid through banks will not attract any E-levy.

Ahead of the highly anticipated implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) from May 2022, the Telecommunications Chamber described such move as discriminatory.

The levy is a 1.5% tax on electronic transfers that include but is not limited to, mobile money transfers done between accounts on the same network, mobile money transfers from an account on one network to a recipient on another network, transfers from bank accounts to mobile money accounts, and transfers from mobile money accounts to bank accounts.

The charge will apply to electronic transfers that are more than GH100 on a daily basis.

Speaking to Citi Business News on preparation towards the levy's implementation, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey said it is important that all key challenges are looked at.

Some of the challenges we have seen with the law, as has been passed, which we hope to take up, are a few discriminatory elements within what's happening. For example, if your salary is paid from a bank account, it won't attract the E-Levy, but if you are paid with mobile money, then it will attract the E-Levy. That definitely is not equitable and is discriminatory.

We hope that going forward, such issues will be addressed. We know that one of the elements of a good tax is that it should not be discriminatory, especially due to the channels that one uses. All of these are things we will be working on with government to ensure that the unintended consequences do not come and derail government's own digitalization agenda that it's put up, he added.

---citinewsroom
19.04.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) says a centre would be established at Kwahu to train pilots locally who would be flying the paragliding on the Odweanoma Mountains.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Akwasi Agyeman, who made the revelations on 3FM's Sunrise on Tuesday, explained that for the past fifteen years, pilots who normally come for the paragliding exercise are from other parts of the world and that has been the reasons why it is done on Easter festivities.

We need pilots locally. There are some who have qualified to fly but they have to practice for a number of months so in the next few months we will have a centre there for people to be trained, Mr. Agyeman told Sunrise host, Alfred Ocansey.

Mr. Agyeman said we have engaged the pilot on that so that is what we are aiming at.

Going forward, we will try and see if we can do it monthly or otherwise because for now, the pilots have been doing it for free for the past fifteen years, but we have to look at how to remunerate them. It's more like voluntary activities for now.

Turnout

The GTA CEO explained that the target was 300 flyers but the unfavorable weather conditions hampered the target.

We had a target for general attendance, security, road safety, small business operators, among others.

Mr. Agyeman said the turnout was massive.

The police did a wonderful job. The IGP himself was here in Kwahu. For the paragliding, the target was 300 and we had planned it from the Eastern Friday, Saturday and Monday, but we had a little over 200 because the rains did not help.

He explained that it was not up the numbers we targeted. The research teams are coming to do the analysis.

They did the calculation on hotel accommodationthe booking levels. And in the next few weeks, we will put out the results.

On traffic management, Mr. Agyeman said when you come to Kwahu around this period, people complain of traffic but this time it was orderly.

---3news.com
19.04.2022 LISTEN

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has predicted that the National Democratic Congress will win the 2024 polls but says it expects the biggest opposition party to revitalise its prospects with a fresh face on the ballot box rather than former President John Mahama.

The next parliamentary and presidential elections are due in 2024. Under constitutionally mandated term limits, the incumbent president, Mr Akufo-Addo, cannot run for a third term.

The former president, John Mahama, is reportedly considering running again, but we expect the opposition NDC to try to revitalise its prospects with a fresh candidate, the report said.

The report noted: Our baseline forecast is that ongoing public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of improvements in governancesuch as infrastructure development, job creation and easing of corruptionwill trigger anti-incumbency factors and push the electorate to seek a change.

The NDC, therefore, stands a reasonable chance of winning the 2024 elections.

Apart from Mr Mahama who is rumoured to be considering a comeback, a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, who also served as Finance Minister under President John Mills, has publicly expressed interest in becoming the flagbearer of the NDC ahead of the 2024 elections.

Source: Classfmonline.com
19.04.2022 LISTEN

This month, the government of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined an ignominious collective in announcing a refugee deal with Rwanda, seedily entitled the UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership. The fact that such terms are used  a partnership or deal connotes contract and transaction  suggests how inhumane policies towards those seeking sanctuary and a better life have become.

In no small measure, the agreement between London and Kigali emulates the Pacific Solution, a venal response formulated by the Australian government to deter asylum seekers arriving by boat and create a two-tiered approach to assessing asylum claims. The centrepiece of the 2001 policy was the transfer of such arrivals to Pacific outposts in Papua New Guineas Manus Island and Nauru, where they would have no guarantee of being settled in Australia. Despite being scrapped by the Labor Rudd government at the end of 2007, the policy was reinstated by a politically panicked Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2012 under what was billed the Pacific Solution Mark II.

The victory of the conservative Liberal-National Party coalition in the 2013 elections led to its most cruel manifestation. Operation Sovereign Borders, as the policy came to be known, cast a shroud of military secrecy over intercepting boats and initiating towaways. The crude, if simple slogan popularised by the Abbott government, was Stop the Boats. Such sadistic policies were justified as honourable ones: preventing drownings at sea; disrupting the people smuggler model. In truth, the approach merely redirected the pathways of arrival while doing little by way of discouraging the smugglers.

More measures followed: the creation of a specifically dedicated border force kitted out for violence; the passage of legislation criminalising whistleblowers for revealing squalid, torturous camp conditions featuring self-harm, suicide and sexual abuse.

Inspired by such a punitive example despite its gross failings and astronomical cost (the Australian policy saw a single asylum seekers detention bill come to $AU3.4 million) , the Johnson government has been parroting the same themes in what the UK Home Office called, misleadingly, a world first partnership to combat the global migration crisis. The partnership sought to address the shared international challenge of illegal migration and break the business model of smuggling gangs. Not once did it refer to the right to asylum which exists irrespective of the mode of travel or arrival.

Johnson also reiterated the theme of targeting those vile people smugglers who have turned the ocean into a watery graveyard, failing to mention that such individuals serve to also advance the right of seeking asylum. More on point was his remark that compassion might be infinite but our capacity to help people is not.

If one is to believe the Home Office, sending individuals to Rwanda or, as it puts it, migrants who make dangerous or illegal journeys is a measure of some generosity. Successful applicants will then be supported to build a new and prosperous life in one of the fastest-growing economies, recognised globally for its record on welcoming and integrating migrants.

Rwanda is certainly going to benefit with a generous bribe of 120 million, slated for economic development and growth, while it will also receive funding for asylum operations, accommodation and integration similar to the costs incurred in the UK for these services.

The country will also take some pride in sidestepping its own less than savoury human rights records, which boasts a resume of extrajudicial killings, torture, unlawful or arbitrary detention, suspicious deaths in custody and an aggressive approach to dissidents. In 2018, Rwanda security forces were responsible for killing at least 12 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They had been protesting a cut to their food rations. Various survivors were then arrested and prosecuted for charges ranging from rebellion to spreading false information with intent to create a hostile international opinion against the Rwandan state.

The UK-Rwandan partnership also perpetuates old libels in discrediting cross-Channel crossers as purely economic migrants who somehow forfeit their right to fair assessment. Emilie McDonnell of Human Rights Watch UK dispels this myth, noting Home Office data and information gathered via freedom of information laws that 61% of migrants who travel by boat are likely to remain in the UK after claiming asylum. The Refugee Council, in an analysis of Channel crossings and asylum outcomes between January 2020 and June 2021, noted that 91% of those making the journey came from 10 countries where human rights abuses are acknowledged as extensive.

Refugees and asylum seekers are the stuff of political value, rising and falling like stocks depending on the government of the day. For Johnson, the agreement with Rwanda was also a chance to preoccupy the newspaper columns and an irate blogosphere with another talking point. Sending refugees to Rwanda, claimed The Mirror, is the political equivalent of a distraction burglary, only less subtle and infinitely more criminal.

The event in question supposedly warranting that hideous distraction was serious enough. Johnson, along with his wife Carrie and UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, were all found to have breached government COVID-19 emergency laws and fined by the police. In the history books, this is already being written up as the partygate affair, which featured a number of socialising events conducted by staff as the rest of the country endured severe lockdown restrictions. Those same history books will also note that the prime minister and chancellor are both pioneers in facing police-mandated penalties.

Johnsons own blotting took place on June 19, 2020, when he held a birthday gathering in the Cabinet Room of 10 Downing Street. In all frankness, at that time, he reasoned, it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules. With such a perspective on legality and breaches, the Rwanda deal seems a logical fit, heedless of human rights, a violation of dignity, a potential risk to life and a violation of international refugee law.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He currently lectures at RMIT University. Email: [email protected]
A year ago, the West African state of Chad was stunned when its 30-year leader, Idriss Deby Itno died from wounds after leading an operation against rebels.

But for many Chadians, the big worry today seems less the country's political future under Deby's 38-year-old son, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, than how they can meet day-to-day needs.

Alain, 18, spends his day in the fierce sun, selling sachets of water near the Ardebdjoumal market in the Chadian capital N'Djamena.

At the end of the day, he makes barely 2,000 CFA francs -- $3.25, or around three euros.

"This year is particularly difficult -- I can't sell my goods," he admitted, asking not to be fully named.

"Deby senior ran things better than his son," Alain said, lowering his voice to a whisper.

The younger Deby was proclaimed head of a military junta and transitional president on April 20, 2021, the same day that the 68-year-old president's dramatic death was announced.

Chad is the world's third poorest country, according to the benchmark of the UN's Human Development Index. The United Nations says 5.5 million Chadians need "emergency humanitarian aid".

Chad. By AFP

The World Bank says 42 percent of the 16 million population live in poverty.

And now they are facing record prices for staples such as oil and bread, with the war in Ukraine adding to the pain.

The roads need repair, power keeps failing and crude oil production, a mainstay of the country's economy, is falling.

The International Crisis Group think tank reported last year that Chad spends 30-40 percent of its national budget on defence, a figure that the authorities denied.

The UN's cultural body UNESCO says education accounted for 2.37 percent of Chad's GDP in 2019.

Soaring prices

Moussa Nouerma, a 29-year-old cigarette seller from southern Chad, worked his way through the market with a tray of wares on his head, sweat beading on his face.

"I don't make any money, but I have to do it to survive," he shrugged.

Nouerma said his big concern was frequent power cuts and the rising cost of food.

"A year ago, a plate (of plain rice) cost 250 francs -- today it's 300 francs," he said.

"We are feeling the cost of living more under Deby junior."

On the dusty, windswept streets of the capital, little seems to have changed over the year.

Campaign posters for the late president, who died nine days after elections, are still stuck on the walls. Children beg for money at traffic lights.

The rising cost of rice and other grains worries many Chadians. By MARCO LONGARI AFPFile

Along the aisles of N'Djamena's main market in the Ambassatna area, beggars line up holding out their bowls.

Lea, 30, halted at a stall to buy vegetables but was taken aback by the prices.

"We can't even fill our baskets this year -- prices at the market have tripled," she said. "The state should intervene to regulate."

A man on a moped who gave his first name as Patrick agreed.

"Prices have soared during Ramadan -- everything is expensive," he said.

Demonstrations have been organised over recent months in the capital to protest against the increasing cost of living.

"Social issues are a problem for the authorities," said political science researcher Kelma Manatouma. "They can cause trouble."
Russian government says it cannot accept the blame for the current challenges bringing the global food value chain to its knees.

In a statement posted as a thread on its Embassy in Ghanas Twitter handle, the Russian Government argued that the current situation in the agricultural space is not a result of happenings within the last two months, but due to a steady trend of happenings on the global stage in the last two years.

Food prices started rising in mid-2020 and reached an all-time high in February 2022. This is a real market shock caused by high demand and rising prices on food, raw materials and transportation services, including freight, in the post-COVID recovery period.

According to Russia, the issues in recent times, especially within the agricultural space, are associated with: first of all, miscalculations and systematic mistakes in the macroeconomic [strategy] (including financial trade) energy (including climate) and food policies of developed countries. COVID-19 followed by the breach of supply and distribution chains as well as [a] spike in freight and insurance rates.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 following the former Soviet Union leaders disagreement with NATO's eastward expansion.

Reports indicate that about 10,000 people have lost their lives following the Russia-Ukraine war.

Several sanctions have been imposed on Russia by developed countries.

Most countries, including Ghana, say the Russia-Ukraine war is directly affecting their economies and agricultural value chain.

Data shows that Russia and Ukraine together account for nearly 30 percent of the global wheat trade.

Economists had said Russia's invasion of Ukraine could spark a global food crisis if nothing is done to reverse the current trend.

The conflict has already reduced Russian and Ukrainian exports of crucial commodities such as wheat, sunflower oil, and corn. It has also affected cost of fuel, prices of fertilizer and other key agricultural inputs.

But the Russian government is not taking responsibility for such challenges.

Read the full statement below:

By Citi Newsroom
After what the police say was an 'illegal demolition' of eleven houses at Pampaso No. 1, a community near Teacher Mante on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, the Eastern Regional Police Command is yet to find out the whereabouts of the bulldozer which was used for the demolition.

The Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, says he is yet to be briefed on whether there were such machines at the scene or not.

Police in the Eastern Region are on a manhunt for one Kofi Acquah, who is alleged to have led the illegal demolition exercise which led to the destruction of about 11 houses.

This infuriated community members spontaneously moved to block the main Accra-Kumasi Highway to express their outrage.

Reacting to the issue on 3FM's Sunrise on Tuesday hosted by Alfred Ocansey, DSP Tetteh revealed that an accomplice whose name has been given as Famous has been arrested.

The accomplice who was part of the team was pinpointed to the police at the scene and he was quickly whisked away but Kofi Acquah and the rest ran away and we will definitely arrest them, he said.

DSP Tetteh explained that until we get Kofi Acquah we cannot conclude on the investigations. If we conclude our investigations, they are likely to be prosecuted because we have established that the demolitions were illegal because we are not in a lawless state.

Asked whether police saw any bulldozer at the scene after the suspects had fled, DSP Tetteh said my briefing did not say so.

They did not say they saw any bulldozer at the scene. My briefing did not say so and I am waiting for them on that.

---3news.com
Two Indian nationals have died while seven others sustained various degrees of injury in a motor accident over the weekend.

The motor accident occurred at Gomoa Mampong near Winneba in the Central Region, where the deceased identified as Rujuta Ferrao, 46 years, and Rosa Ferrao 72, crashed to death.

The Indians were pronounced dead on arrival at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba.

The other Indians are Noel Ferrao, 47, an employee of Olam Ghana Limited, and Naomi Ferrao, 15.

The injured are on admission responding to treatment at the same facility.

An officer of the Effutu Municipal Police Division of the Motor Traffic Transport Department, Sergeant Maxwell Yeboah who explained the incident said a Mitsubishi Pajero Station Wagon, with registration Number GE 6723-17, belonging to Olam Company Limited and driven by Jacob Abusah Ahideke, aged 40, was from Accra to Apam Junction, with four Indian nationals on board.

According to him, last Saturday, around 3pm, the driver of the Mitsubishi Wagon, on reaching a section of the road at Gomoa Mampong near Winneba, lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle veered into the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming KIA Truck.

He said the Kia Rhino truck, with registration number GR 9705-17, driven by Ebenezer Offei, 27, was loaded with bags of sachet water from Agona Swedru to Accra, with three persons on board.

He said all the occupants of both vehicles sustained various degrees of injury and were rushed to the Trauma and Specialist Hospital at Winneba for treatment but Rujuta Ferrao and Rosa Ferrao were pronounced dead on arrival.

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Hospital's mortuary for preservation.

---DGN online
The announcement by the government that it is getting rid of the diplomatic corps in France as part of its public sector overhaul has sparked concern from diplomats and politicians, especially in light of the Ukraine crisis.

Diplomats will no longer be sourced from the French ministry for Foreign Affairs as is currently the case. Instead they will be hired from different backgrounds in both the public and private sectors.

The official announcement to do away with the diplomatic corps was published in the government's Official Journal dating 17 April.

The wide-reaching reform of the public sector began with the replacement of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (National School of Administration) by the Institut National as of 1 January 2022.

The ENA founded by Charles de Gaulle at the end of World War II was set up to train presidents and senior civil servants in the art of governance.

Believed by many to be a symbol of elitism, the president, Emmanuel Macron, promised to close it in the wake of the Yellow Vest crisis, but later settled for a reform and a change of name.

From 2023, diplomats will find themselves working side by side with police chiefs, finance inspectors and other high-level public servants under the banner "state administrative corps".

The government has defended its reform, saying it would make the public service about "employment" rather that "status" and therefore more operational.

The announcement has riled several politicians and those in diplomatic circles.

France's former ambassador to the United States, Gerard Araud said he regrets the fact that France will become "the only Western country without professional diplomats", while former foreign affairs minister Michel Barnier described the overhaul as "an error".

Fear of cronyism

"Emmanuel Macron wants to replace impartial state workers with cronyism," Marine Le Pen, the far right candidate running the second round of presidential elections on Sunday, said.

Far-left leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, who came third in first round voting for the presidency, also expressed his concern over the "destruction of a diplomatic network" that "dated back several centuries".

Former presidential candidate Segolene Royal also wondered how "such a decision of this kind could be possible without a vote in parliament, in between two election rounds".

According to France Info reporters who spoke to people at the diplomatic headquarters at Quai d'Orsay in Paris, the changes to the system are seen as a form of "demotion".

Some diplomats see it as a form of "punishment", perhaps in connection to remarks made by president Emmanuel Macron in 2019 when he accused diplomats of inhibiting his rapprochement with Russia.

Others consider it very bad timing in light of the Ukraine crisis and could weaken France's elbow room in external affairs.

Diplomats have also expressed their concern that field intelligence will be lost and the nominations for top jobs will become politicised, as is often the case in the United States.

In May last year, over 50 diplomats and civil servants from the ministry of foreign affairs signed an opinion piece in Le Monde newspaper criticising Macron's reform, calling it "dangerous".

"It will lead to favoritism, and will take away the neutrality necessary for these agents, whose expertise will be undervalued and seen simply as a commercial transaction : who wants an ambassador with a political label?" the statement asked.
President of the Ghana School of Law Students Representative Council (SRC), Wonder Victor Kutor, has denied claims of interdiction.

He describes the move by the Executive council as laughable and unlawful.

Mr Kutor has been interdicted over allegations of financial malfeasance.

A statement signed by the Secretary of the students council, the interdiction is grounded on, among others, a prima facie case established upon the probing of Wonder Kutor before the Executive Council on April 7, 2022.

Following the interdiction, the Council has subsequently appointed Yoofi Impraim, Vice President of the Greenhill campus, as interim President until the findings of the Investigation Committee are ready.

However, in response to the claims of interdiction, the embattled SRC President said the move is not only unlawful but also laughable.

He added that he will continue to hold himself as president of the council and perform his duties.

Speaking on the Class Morning Show on Monday, 19 April 2022, he said Management has released a notice that there are interested in the matter, as I talk theres no adverse findings and you say because theres an allegation against the SRC president [he has been interdicted]

Once I was in the US, they issued a notice that I should step aside, yesterday they released another notice that I have been interdicted, SRC goes beyond issuing notices. I was elected by the entire student body, I was properly sworn in, the procedure for removing the SRC president is in the constitution, its only the court and even that it has to be on stated grounds, it is unfortunate weve gotten to this level...

Source: Classfmonline.com
The Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building is calling on the Government of Ghana to take steps to address issues of marginalisation of Fulanis in the country.

In a press release signed by Executive Director Adib Saani, it stresses that marginalising the minority group in the country is a threat to national security that needs to be critically looked at and solved.

Not all Fulanis are foreigners. We appeal to the government to do more to curb impunity and safeguard the rights of minorities in Ghana.

Government should foster deeper collaboration with the Fulani community in Ghana so that together, we can be partners for peaceful co-existence and development, parts of the press release from the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building has said.

The concern raised comes on the back of the recent brutalities suffered by Fulanis in the country.

Just a week ago, a mob, numbering about 100, attacked and killed 9 Fulanis at Zakoli, a suburb of Yendi in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Some of the victims were shot at close range and others were burnt alive.

Below is the press release from Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building:

SEEMING MARGINALISATION OF FULANIS IN GHANA; A SERIOUS THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY

Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building has noted with grave concern the unending cycle of violence against Fulani communities in Ghana and the seeming police inaction in arresting perpetrators.

About a week ago, a mob, numbering about 100, attacked and killed 9 Fulanis at Zakoli, a suburb of Yendi.

Some of the victims were shot at close range and others burnt alive.

We are shocked by the inability of the Ghana Police Service to arrest a single suspect days after the incident.

Not even a statement has been issued by the police in respect of the crime. Jatikay Centre has had the opportunity to interview some leaders of the Fulani Community in Ghana and they appear to be having a hectic job appealing to their fellows to remain calm.

According to them, their peace advocacy in the face of the attacks is proving ineffective because of the inaction of the police in arresting the culprits. This obviously poses a major threat to the security of the state in a sense that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has resulted in many of the residents of the communities in that area being armed to the teeth.

When Fulanis stage revenge attacks, it could start a full-blown conflict. Already, there are many human insecurities that have pushed a lot of young people in the area into uncertainty.

Any trigger can cause these young people to explode into open belligerence as they already do not have much to live for. Fulanis are regularly "victims" of ethnically-based stereotypes, prejudices, violence and discrimination within Ghanaian society.

In Gushegu in 2014, 14 Fulanis were killed and their houses burned. In Gulumpe and Babato, 25 Fulanis were also killed.

In 2019, in Bagurugu in the Northern Region, 68 homes belonging to Fulanis were destroyed. In 2021 alone, Fulanis in Chamba in the Nanumba North District were attacked and their cows, numbering about 500, were killed, among several other incidents.

To date, families of victims are still anticipating justice, with some having completely lost hope of that ever happening. There are also reports of some Fulanis being denied services such as Ghana Card registration, healthcare delivery, and passport acquisition. Fulanis in areas such as Sampa and Zabzugu have allegedly had their Ghanaian passports seized by immigration officials under the pretext that they cant be Ghanaian.

Marginalisation is a major cause of insurgency, as characterised in Burkina Faso and Mali.

When a minority group feels let down by the state and their fundamental rights are thrown to the dogs, they fight back eventually.

The struggle of the Azawads in Mali stems from long-lasting grievances of marginalization. Jatikay Centre believes that Ghanaian authorities need to do more to protect minorities in the country so they dont become vulnerable to terrorists.

The media also needs to be circumspect in their reporting as that influences negative stereotypes.

It is certainly unfair to paint all Fulanis with a single stroke of brush because of the actions of a negligible few.

A lot of Ghanaians need education on the history of Fulanis in Ghana. Everybody comes from somewhere. The first census, held in 1891, in Ghana reported Fulani communities.

Most Fulanis seen today are 3rd or 4th generation Fulanis whose forefathers lived in Ghana way before independence, like the 2nd lady of the Republic, Hajia Samira Bawumia.

Not all Fulanis are foreigners. We appeal to the government to do more to curb impunity and safeguard the rights of minorities in Ghana.

Government should foster deeper collaboration with the Fulani community in Ghana so that together, we can be partners for peaceful co-existence and development.

signed

ADIB SAANI

Executive Director/Security Analyst, Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building
The Minority in Parliament has confirmed that it has taken an interest in the allegations being made by Madam Evelyn Serwaa Broni against the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Serwaa Broni in the last few months has become topical on social media after claiming that she has had an affair with the President.

Among other things, she has posted pictures with the President and screenshots of chats she claims to be between her and the president.

Following her recent engagement with Kevin Taylor where she continued to drag the name of the President and made further damning allegations, the Minority in Parliament has now decided to look into the claims.

The NDC Caucus in Parliament has become aware of very scandalous allegations contained in an interview granted Mr. Ekow Kevin Taylor by Madam Evelyn Serwaa Broni on Easter Sunday the 17th of April, 2022. These allegations, if proven to be true, raise grave charges of abuse of office, human right violations and conduct which bring the high office of President of Ghana into disrepute, a statement from the Minority signed by its leader Haruna Iddrisu has said.

According to the Minority, they are studying the allegations and will soon inform Ghanaians of a decision it intends to take on the matter.

The NDC Caucus has consequently requested and obtained a copy of the full interview in issue for further study, transcription and legal analysis. The caucus will very soon convey to Ghanaians the actions to be taken on the basis of the outcome of the ongoing legal analysis of the matter, the statement adds.
19.04.2022 LISTEN

It has been eight years since the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) ophthalmology team started performing a minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in Ghana, under the leadership of Dr Alfred Osafo-Kwaako, the head of ophthalmology at UHAS.

With the MIGS, glaucoma patients no longer require the daily use of glaucoma eye drops.

As part of the celebration of 8 years of MIGS in Ghana, eye surgeons across Ghana have started a 3-year hybrid training program on the UHAS glaucoma operation. This capacity-building program is under the supervision of the school of medicine of UHAS, with Dr. Osafo-Kwaako as the technical instructor of the training program.

Dr Osafo-Kwaako carried out major modifications to the MIGS operation for better results in black African populations around the world. After the Ghana training program, the UHAS plans to organize similar training programs in other African countries and the diaspora of Africans around the world.

In Ghana, eye surgeons participating in the training program were admitted from Korle bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast University Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Greater Accra Ridge Hospital, Emmanuel Eye Center, Tema Christian Eye Center, Trust Hospital, Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, Asamang SDA Hospital.

In Ghana, it is estimated that about 700,000 people are living with glaucoma and 60,000 have already gone permanently blind due to lack of awareness, poor access to glaucoma eye drops, and poor access to modern surgical interventions. Sadly, these patients have had to depend- all their lives,  on expensive eye drop therapy to manage glaucoma. Fortunately, the everyday eye drops treatment for life was reversed 8 years ago when the UHAS eye department started delivering an affordable, painless, ten-minute surgical treatment to patients suffering from glaucoma.

In MIGS, the surgeon creates a tiny channel in the eye to relieve the pressure in the eye. This makes the use of pressure-reducing eye drops unnecessary. It takes only about 10 minutes to complete the procedure. Unlike traditional glaucoma operations that have painful eye injections, MIGS does not require any eye injections.

Since 2014, Dr Osafo-Kwaako has been the only eye surgeon performing this modified, painless, 10-minute operation in Africa, until April 2022, when four trainees from Korle bu Hospital, Tamale teaching hospital, Manhyia hospital, and Asamang hospital performed their first successful operations in this UHAS training program.

On the issue of capacity building for the UHAS glaucoma operation in Ghana, Dr Osafo-Kwaako was optimistic that the training of eye surgeons will progress at a steady pace so that by the year 2030, all eye hospitals across the country will offer this service.

He was speaking at the 2018 glaucoma update conference organised by the ophthalmological society of Ghana and held at the Korle bu teaching hospital.

Previous attempts to train eye surgeons in Ghana for the UHAS glaucoma operation ran into difficult logistic problems and the problem of the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Osafo-Kwaako encouraged the trainees to start delivering this service to glaucoma patients in their various hospitals.

The trainees were very grateful for the training program. Dr Gifty Adom of the Asamang SDA hospital was impressed with the dedication of the technical instructor, Dr Osafo-Kwaako.

She added that her new skills will help improve glaucoma care in Ghana, as most of her patients are unable to afford the high cost of glaucoma drugs.

Dr Gilbert Bonsana of the Tamale Teaching Hospital also added that the UHAS glaucoma procedure will help speed up his glaucoma surgeries and improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

At present, this new treatment is available at the Ho Teaching Hospital by Dr Osafo-Kwaako. It is also available at the Dr Rose Mompi Eye Hospital in Ve Kolenu, near Hohoe (0248576144), and their outreach camps in Kpando (0599908834), Dzodze (0209217020), Accra (0206430755), Agona Swedru (0240901249), Breman Asikuma (0546603230).

Dr Osafo-Kwaako expressed special thanks to the vice-chancellor of UHAS, Prof John Gyapong, the pro-vice-chancellor, Prof Harry Tagbor, and the dean of the school of medicine, Prof Frank Edwin, for their support for the countrywide training program on the UHAS glaucoma operation.

We also appreciate the material and logistic support of the proprietor of the Save the Nation Sight Eye Clinic, Dr Thomas Tontie Baah, as well as the encouraging support for the nationwide training program by Dr Michael Gyasi, the immediate past president of the ophthalmological society of Ghana. I wish to thank all ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and ophthalmologists who have participated in the delivery of MIGS to patients in Ghana over the past 8 years. Dr Osafo-Kwaako added.

Source: Dept of Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat School of Medicine, UHAS
Sarah Adwoa Safo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya in Accra has maintained a deafening silence having been bombarded with series of allegations by her colleagues even before her referral to the Privileges Committee of Parliament.

However, her decision not to speak on the numerous issues, appears to have come to end as a result of comment and a video she posted on Facebook to send seasonal greetings to Ghanaians especially her constituents.

For reason best known to her, on Monday April 18, 2022 she posted the video in which she was in a car together with her daughter, Danielle wishing Ghanaians the best of Easter holidays.

Couple of days ago, Adwoa Safo was said to have spoken to issues related to her continuous absent from Parliament after a Facebook user with the name 'Domprehba Kwame' implicitly accused her of behaving as if she is 'bigger than the New Patriotic Party' (NPP).

The comment follows the said Facebook user comment under a post by the MP in which she sent seasonal greetings to Ghanaians, specifically her constituents.

Domprehba's comment reads You can stay in the USA forever. The NPP is bigger than any individual.

Of the gust of comments under her Easter post, Adwoa Safo singled out Domprehba's comment for reaction, commending him for his activism for the NPP.

Adwoa Safo also subscribed to Domprehba's post that the NPP is indeed 'bigger than any individual' but urged him to hasten slowly in his judgement.

Adwoa Safo explained that she has a 'social contract' with the people of Dome Kwabenya and will in due time return to serve their interest in Parliament.

She said I truly admire your zeal for our dear party. Been following your exploits on Facebook. Keep up the good work.

Indeed the NPP is bigger than any individual but again, it is these individuals who make up the party. Let us learn to know before we pass judgement.

I won't stay in the USA forever. I have a social contract with the good people of Dome-Kwabenya which I consider sacrosanct. In good time, I will be back to continue the good work we have done in the constituency and ably represent their interest and aspiration in the august House of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Adwoa Safo and two other MP on the Majority side have been referred to the Privileges Committee for missing fifteen sitting days of Parliament.

On April 5, 2022, Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, ordered the committee to probe the alleged absenteeism of Adwoa Safo, Kennedy Agyapong of Assin Central, and Henry Quartey of Ayawaso Central.

The Speaker's directive has however been challenged by the Muntaka Mubarak who is the Chief Whip of the Minority caucus.

---Daily Guide
The north has produced more presidents than the south, but if one goes to the north and sees the poor embarrassing level of human and structural development in that region, the troubles they birthed, nursed to maturity and the dangers still incubating presently  in Amajiris and the number of children out of school and those who are not even in school  under the watchful command of these very few clique of so-called leaders, one will sincerely understand that the problem of Nigeria is not where the president comes from but insincerity, parochialism, incompetence, corruption, absence of political will, hypocrisy and lack of qualitative leadership etc.

When one painstakingly looks at the pitiful conditions of Nigerians, an objective mind will agree that ordinary northerners like in other regions are victims and equally in pain and agonies. They equivalently need help to be rescued from the hands of their merciless political leaders who think only about themselves, their immediate families, relatives and their cronies while using religion and tribe to divide all and protect their evil. Ordinary northerners whether Fulani or Hausa are not really the problem, they are just victims of brainwashing and mental cruelties - badly used and abused for too long and schooled wrongly by their leaders. The longevity effect of their neglect by their successive leaders have narrowed their thinking into believing that it is normal that a male teenager who is supposed to be in school and still under parental care should be given cows by their leaders and sent into bushes to rear. And he is schooled to believe that he could destroy peoples crops with his cows, kill and rape women etc. in bushes without any consequences because he would be protected. Meanwhile the same leader who sent him into the bush sent his own biological children to high quality standard private schools  since public schools have been overlooked and abandoned to deteriorate by government officials. Mothers have also been conditioned to accept it as a normal thing that their minor females are mature enough for marriages. To put this one mildly here, the northern politicians shamelessly considered it very wise to make an embarrassing and absurd educational policy that lowered the standard of education for the northern children to gain admission into Nigerian universities. While the average JAMB mark for the southern children to gain admission into any Nigerian university is 200, the scores for some states in their northern counterparts are as low as 40 and 50 marks etc. for them to gain admission into the same university a southern person will not be admitted with 150 marks. Why this high level of insult on northern children? Are the northern children inferior to their southern folk? Consequently, an ordinary northern child is a victim of longevity of mental cruelty who deserves not only pity but also our collective help and not vindictiveness.

Unless one is a sycophant, otherwise it is obviously clear that the past and present leaders of this country failed the people of Nigeria woefully. How else can one sum up the irony that Nigeria has no steady electricity supply, has no reasonable structures like industries that employ people. Former governor of Lagos State, Chief Ahmed Tinubu recently attacked Buhari while addressing some Nigerian youths in Lagos in view of him becoming the president of Nigeria in 2023. He accused the president of failing to provide electricity for Nigerians and as such cannot call Nigeria youths a lazy people. But he forgot that he was part of the problem and one of those that promised to give us electricity in six months under APC.

The leaders of this country did not fail us, but they are very cruel. They siphoned the Nigerian airways monies, destroyed post, killed railways, mismanaged Ajaokuta Steel Mill etc. and kept air and sea ports in sorry states. There is virtually no government owned company or structure in Nigeria that is still working properly or that government officials have competently handled and cared for appropriately. The only industries they have been able to sustain perfectly well are fraud, corruption and embezzlement. Many of the newly built roads they constructed for our use are all death traps. Government owned schools and tertiary institutions are at the lowest ebb as teachers and lectures are not paid well, even sometimes they are owed months of salaries. We produce oil, yet we have no fuel. We have refineries and yet we import refined oil because we are too corrupt and cannot manage and fix our refineries as we prefer to import refined oil from smaller neighboring countries and give fraudulent subsidies. What kind of country is this? If there should be any government company still functioning properly in Nigeria it simply means that they are still stealing from such like the way invisible ships come to steal our crude oil on a daily basis without notice by any of our security agencies. Unfortunately this is our story, and that is where we are today.

The narrative above that described the high level of injustice, moral decay, cruelty and corruption in Nigeria today and without any sign of ending does not give joy, and it is very sad. Therefore, let me unambiguously and ardently too state that the erroneous statement that Nigeria is a non-negotiable entity is a fallacy that the incompetence of President Buhari, his nepotism and the disaster of APC as a national ruling party have nakedly unmasked and exposed beyond comprehension and cover. Make no pretense about this; the people of Nigeria are in excruciating sufferings and intense pains under Buhari and APCs led government. The situation of Nigeria from all perspectives has never been so bad and catastrophic like it is currently. While it is true that every problem of Nigeria today cannot be solely traced or blamed on Buhari and his government alone, far from it, but the ugly truth is that the current disjointed and discontent voices of separation currently on the lips of many people from different ethnic groups are in response to the nepotistic, brutal and unfriendly policies and the general failure of governance under his command.

To be continued.

Uzoma Ahamefule, a refined African traditionalist and a patriotic citizen, writes from Vienna, Austria.

Mail: [email protected]

Mobile +436607369050 (Please, SMS  WhatsApp  messages only)
The 2022 Chocolate Scorecard has shed light on the chocolate industrys good producers and rotten eggs after its latest survey.

Researchers have rated the social and environmental impact of the companies that control global cocoa production.

The annual Chocolate Scorecard study surveyed 38 of the worlds largest chocolate companies, including chocolate traders, processors, and manufacturers.

These account for 80-90% of global chocolate products, Easter eggs among them and giants such as Mars, Lindt, Nestle, Mondelez (Cadbury), Ferrero, and Hersheys.

Ranking highly in ethical terms were US-based Alter Eco, Beyond Good, New Zealand-based Whittakers, and Tonys Chocolonely from the Netherlands.

Only three businesses  Starbucks, General Mills, and Storck, manufacturer of Werthers Original  chose not to take part in the study, eschewing transparency and opting instead to conceal their practices.

The 38 companies were rated on the six most pressing sustainability issues facing the chocolate industry: traceability and transparency; living income policies; child labour; deforestation and climate; agroforestry; and agrichemical management.

Child Labour Issues:

While there had been improvements in many areas since last years survey, the researchers said there was still a long way to go in addressing the issue of approximately 1.56 million children caught up in child labour.

This is in spite of repeated calls to address the issue and following a major academic study in 2020 revealing the scope of the problem.

Just this week footage emerged of children working with machetes on a cocoa farm that supplies Mondelez, owner of Cadbury.

We are not at all surprised that a journalist found child labourers on farms allegedly supplying to Mondelez. Our concern is that we are not finding more of these children, says Fuzz Kitto of Be Slavery Free, the Australia-based charity which coordinated the Chocolate Scorecard.

Much of the child labour found in West Africa is the hazardous form of child labour, where a child is in danger through such things as carrying heavy loads, using dangerous equipment, such as machetes, or being exposed to chemicals.

Every year the chocolate industrys big players assure us that theyll do something about child labour and the huge numbers of children being exposed to chemicals that burn their skin and affect their breathing. We say that progress is too slow and they have to stop poisoning children to produce chocolate.

If companies started paying farmers properly, so they can get a living income, there would be fewer children forced to work in cocoa production and fewer farmers cutting corners with dangerous pesticides.

The Chocolate Scorecard focuses on the production and supply chains that start in West Africa, where around 75% of the worlds cocoa is produced.

Were often asked what chocolate is the most ethical to eat, so we always set out to name and fame rather than just name and shame. That way consumers get to see what better looks like, says Fuzz Kitto.

Good Eggs and Rotten Eggs:

This year Ferrero joins the list of companies, including Hersheys, Fazer, and Ritter, whose cocoa is close to 100% certified by the Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade.

While certification is not perfect, says Fuzz Kitto, it is often a positive first step in a companys sustainability journey.

Storck, Starbucks, and General Mills were awarded the researchers broken egg for their continuing refusal to cooperate with The Chocolate Scorecard. Storck was given the worst rating overall and awarded this years rotten egg for a lack of transparency about its policies and practices in their cocoa supply chain, and in light of civil society complaints about the company.

If they are making progress on increasing the sustainability of their chocolate supply chains then we and their customers and investors would like to hear about it, says Kitto.

A positive the researchers found this year is the massive increase in commitment to cocoa production as part of an agroforestry system, whereby cocoa and other trees are grown together. This system has many benefits, maintaining cocoa yields while helping farmers diversify  and restoring and improving local biodiversity at the same time.

Nestle is notable for not only their 2021 distribution of over 1 million shade trees and a pledge for another million shade trees in 2022 in Cote dIvoire and Ghana but also a reforestation program to plant 20 million trees every year for the next 10 years in the area where it sources ingredients.

The annual survey and its dissemination is a collaboration between 29 organisations from around the world, including Australias Macquarie University and University of Wollongong, and the Open University (UK) as research partners, and not-for-profit groups.

Says Andrew Wallis OBE, CEO of Unseen: When faced with the issues surrounding child labour, individuals often feel overwhelmed by the problem and ask, What can I realistically do? The Chocolate Scorecard is a brilliant way to help consumers choose wisely and eat chocolate this Easter with a clearer conscience.

Click HERE for the 2022 Chocolate Scorecard.
19.04.2022 LISTEN

He had a mind of switching political affiliation at will anytime without anyone questioning it. It was a private conviction, premised on individual strategic calculations. When he shifted from Uganda Peoples Congress, UPC, he needed no consultations. It was a focus on where he wished to beparliament and there he arrived, thanks to an NRM passage. From MP he successfully eyed and achieved Deputy Speakership, then Speakership and then???

Buoyed by two, No2 critical positions, despite them being less cash-oiled offices, (Deputy Speaker and Vice Chairman NRM, Northern Region), Oulanyah during the 2021 elections, maximised his mobilization prowess throughout the entire greater northern region that mesmerized everyone- comrade and foe. He alone became the sole reason that the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) lost its status of being leader of opposition in parliament and local governments. For the first time in so many elections, the ruling NRM swept the entire Northern region and had it been the other way around in favour of new entrants; the National Unity Platform (NUP), perhapsperhaps, the political story scripts would read differently.

But politics is a ceaseless process. Before his death, Oulanyah had transcended beyond No2 to No1 in one of the critical offices. What was his exact mind about the remaining No1 office???

Nobert Mao, leader of the Democratic Party says, Oulanyah wished the presidency for him (Mao). Really??? Well, this suggests he didnt mind the political affiliation of one occupying the No1 office in the land as long as it rhymed with his vision. But if Mao perceived himself as fitting the bidding, how about Oulanyah himself?

In the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections of 2021, Oulanyah had demonstrated superior voter approvals than Mao. This was watched by everyone, including NRMs Tactical and Strategic Centre based in northern Uganda. So, for Oulanyah or Mao to tilt the country-wide voter scales in their favour, they couldnt solely rely on the Northern region bloc alone. It is very insignificant. They, especially Oulanyah, had to consider, once again, to switch political loyalty at no prior consultations over the decision. The danger with consultations is that they often turn into back stabbers and at worst killers. Maybe, out of excitement as new Speaker he violated his own principle and consulted about the next critical office too early.

In order to scoop that remaining No1 office, Oulanyah had to be somewhat temporarily friends with NUP. The National Unity Platform routed NRM from Buganda and wrote a record for history. Oulanyah swept FDC from the Luo land and wrote another record. If these two forces allied what would it be politically?

History explains it. Going by majority of its leaders, at MP level, NUP is deeply grounded in the Central region, also called Buganda. Buganda and Luo land, (Lango, Acholi and West Nile) have a very long history of successful alliances. The very first traceable one was in 14th century when they combined to dislodge the Chwezi dynasty that had reigned for centuries in the southern region. After the task the Luo returned north but left behind some print marks that are transcribed upon Buganda cultural institutions such as wankachithe gate way inside the Buganda Kings palace. The second most pronounced alliance came in the 20th century (1962) between the leader of UPC Dr Apollo Milton Obote, a Luo-Langi and the Kabaka of Buganda, Sir Edward Mutesa II. This culminated into the historical first independence governmentone in which Uganda had no foreign debt, needed no foreign aid and had surplus national reserves lasting beyond 12 months. It was the golden period in Ugandas history!

So, when Hon Nobert Mao launches a one-mans war against NUP, he doesnt seem conscious that his tongue-missiles are oiled to shoot in the very direction of his best political prospects or which would be of his best friend, the late Jacob LOkori Oulanyah.

Such was the late Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda, politically.

By Daniel Latigo

Gulu City
Lawrence Freeman giving a presentation on applying the economic principles of Alexander Hamilton and the American System to the development of African nations.

19.04.2022 LISTEN

This presentation by physical economist and Africa analyst, Lawrence Freeman, was part of an international conference entitled `Solutions for African Economic Development` hosted by Christophe Ndayiragije and PD Lawton. You can find more from Lawrence Freeman at his website: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. You can watch the video at the end of the transcript.

Now people don`t understand that the purpose of an economy for society is the development of human beings. There is no contradiction between the development of human beings and the development of the physical Universe. Human beings are governed by a creative mental process and the Universe is governed by a creative process. And therefore the Universe is there to be intervened upon by the human mind for the advanced propagation of the human race, itself.

I call myself a physical economist because I am trying to change the conception that people have of an economy in their minds. One of the biggest problems we face in the world , in the West, as well as in Africa, is that people have a very poor, if totally erroneous conception of what wealth is.

People think wealth is money, making money on Wall Street, derivatives, stock trading, day trading, and this really is not wealth at all, from my standpoint. A financial system is not wealth. A financial system is necessary, although I would term it more appropriately, a credit system. But the system itself which is necessary to facilitate aspects of the physical economy, is not the economy.

What is the economy?

Well, most people say it is to do with free trade, buying low, selling dear, all beginning with Adam Smith. In fact the original conception that Smith has comes from Bernard Mandeville, who wrote a poem about bees. And basically his theory was that the interaction of all these bees , which are equated to human beings, desiring pleasure and avoiding pain, by all their individual pain and pleasure reactions, they serve the greater good. And this supposedly is the Invisible Hand. Of course the Invisible Hand is always there to steal your money. But idea is that the Invisible Hand is somehow the interaction of various human beings in seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, is how an economy operates. And of course there is no truth in that whatsoever.

An economy is actually the self organization, determined by human beings to organize their society in such a way that it continues to perpetuate itself. And it will perpetuate itself if it is a successful economy. The criteria is that you will produce an increase in the standard of living for your population and you will increase the number of people. So you have two criteria which are connected, the increase in total wealth and the increase in total population, and this is what a productive economy should be able to do. And we are talking about tangible wealth, physical wealth in terms of what has just been presented [previous presentation by Knox Msebenzi], in energy, railroads, agriculture and physical, tangible products that society needs.

Now the production of wealth is done by a productive labour force, that is within the entire workforce of an economy, there is a section of that workforce that actually performs what we would call productive labour. There are many other occupations which are necessary, complimentary and essential like education, scientific development, classical education development. But the actual labour force is involved in acting on the physical Universe, to transform the physical Universe in to producing the existence for Humankind.

And that, therefore, what we are primary concerned with in physical economy is how do we make improvements to raise the productivity of the productive labour force. This is our main concern that we are involved in, is acting on the physical Universe to produce more wealth from one production cycle to the next production cycle.

Now how do you produce more wealth from one period to another?

And this brings in the essential questions of science and technology. Each economic mode of production, for each production cycle, is governed in a sense by the level of education and scientific knowledge and technology available for that production cycle. If we change the dynamics of that production cycle then we can change the outcome.

How do we change the dynamics?

It is through science and technology. The human mind, is the only force we know in the Universe that can actually discover new physical principles embedded in the Universe. And as we discover those physical principles, the results are seen to us in new technologies. We bring in a new technology into a current mode of production, current economic system, and we find that we can produce more wealth with the same or less effort. For example what the previous speaker brought out.

If the African continent, the nations, would begin to proliferate nuclear energy in their economies, which is something Cheik anta Diop discussed 60 years ago! But if the African nations were to do that, we would not only see an increase in energy production, but we would see an increase in the entire physical economy. And we would see an increase in the level of education, skill labour, science centres, because you would be mastering a new technology, that is not new to the world but is not being applied in Africa. This would be an upgrade or an upshift of the entire economy.

Now how does this work?

The human mind makes a discovery in the physical Universe which is then transformed by other humans into a technology. How does that technology then change the economy? For example: machine tools. Machine tools produce all other machines. If you change the technology of machine tool design, you change all other forms of production in your economy because you would be producing those new machines based on a new design of machine tools which are the essence of an industrialized economy. How many machine tool plants do we have in Africa today? Just like how many nuclear energy plants, we know we have one in South Africa.

The other area where we change the economy, improve the economy is through infrastructure. Again as you bring in a new technology, again such as fission or lets say, more advanced, such as fusion, that new technology embedded in your infrastructure platform changes the total productivity of every member of your society.

Every farmer becomes more productive when he is surrounded by density of energy, by a density of clean water for society, by a density of railroads. So the density of infrastructure and the technological level of the platform of infrastructure are fundamental ways you actually change the economy. You bring in something new that has been discovered by man for the economy.

Now people don`t understand that the purpose of an economy for society is the development of human beings. There is no contradiction between the development of human beings and the development of the physical Universe. Human beings are governed by a creative mental process and the Universe is governed by a creative process. And therefore the Universe is there to be intervened upon by the human mind for the advanced propogation of the human race, itself.

And therefore in changing and improving the physical economy we are not only increasing the physical output of goods but we are actually increasing the power of each individual member of that society. Even if the majority members of society do not partake in the productive process, they participate in an economy of a rising standard of living and of an improved technology and scientific capability.

Now this also begs another question that is involved in physical economy; which is your scientific, cultural educational level. Is a society producing the scientific level that is necessary for new discoveries? Is the educational level of the population sufficient for the members of the population to assimilate that new technology, that new scientific level, and are they able to transmit that?

So by looking at the physical economy from the standpoint of the mind of man, you see that the entire society should be organized to promote this quality of development, of the human being, which leads, and is completely connected to the quality of development of human life itself.

Now many people think Africa is overpopulated, I had this problem with many of my friends who are somewhat ignorant on the issue, over the last 30 years I have been travelling to Africa. Africa is not over populated, there are not too many people. There is not enough people. There`s entire parts of Africa that are completely underdeveloped. There`s entire parts of Africa where agriculture is completely underdeveloped. So it is not a question of population. It is a question of development.

And what we need to do is we need to have African leaders begin implementing, as was discussed earlier with the question of Ghana and other nations, have to begin understanding the coherence of one concept of a physical economy in a society and promoting those policies that will actually raise the level, qualitatively and quantitatively. Now this also has a very serious implications for education. This has very serious implications for security. Because we are approaching the security question. in many cases, all wrong.

So therefore, what I think about and what I suggest what other leaders think about is what inputs do we make in the long-term which then reflect in to what we have to do in the short term that actually change, improve, advance the physical economy as part of the entire development of society.

Source: Africa Rising Soon TV
A long-awaited court set up to prosecute suspected war criminals in the Central African Republic postponed the start of its first trial on Tuesday as defence attorneys failed to show up, an AFP reporter saw.

The Special Criminal Court, a hybrid body of local and foreign magistrates set up in 2015 with UN backing, has been struggling for years to get going in the face of logistical hurdles, lack of money and hostility.

Its task is to try individuals suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity since 2003, the start of a period of turmoil that persists to this day.

But its maiden session in the capital Bangui on Tuesday was postponed until next Monday in "the absence" of defence lawyers, presiding judge Aime-Pascal Delimo announced.

"We are suspending proceedings until April 25," he said.

The opening trial concerns three members of a powerful armed group called 3R -- Issa Sallet Adoum, Ousman Yaouba and Tahir Mahamat -- who are accused of the massacre of 46 villagers in northwestern CAR in May 2019.

Justice Minister Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene had proclaimed the trial as proof that the court "has finally entered its operational phase, signalling the end of impunity."

But Enrica Picco of the Internationational Crisis Group (ICC) think tank said the delay "demonstrates that the (court's) operational challenges are tough, despite the support from international donors."

Central African Republic. By AFP

Euphrasie Nanette Yanduka, who heads a victims' association, said, "Unfortunately, the lawyers for the butchers did not come... we are leaving (the courtroom) on the opening day today with tears in our eyes."

One of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world, the CAR plunged into civil war in 2013 largely along sectarian lines.

Violence fell back in intensity in 2018 but as recently as early 2021, two-thirds of the country lay in the hands of armed groups spawned in the conflict.

President Faustin Archange Touadera is accused by France and its allies of turning to Moscow and the Russian private security company Wagner to shore up his position in exchange for a share of the CAR's mineral wealth.
South Africa's government Tuesday sought to reassure a worried public about efforts to help the east coast, where millions remained without water more than a week after deadly storms pounded the region.

Following up a declaration of a national state of disaster, President Cyril Ramaphosa dispatched top ministers to the city of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, where at least 448 people have now died and 40,000 are homeless.

"These floods are the worst floods that we have ever seen in living memory," Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the minister in charge of disaster management, told a news conference.

"The impact of these floods are well beyond the province," she said.

A senior local government official said five more bodies were recovered on Tuesday.

More than 600 schools were damaged by the floods, with 101 rendered inaccessible.

"The preliminary figure is 442 million rand ($30 million), and that only relates to infrastructure. So many things are damaged in schools," said Education Minister Angie Motshekga after inspecting damage at some schools in Durban.

"Literally, the only thing you can find is teachers and pupils. Material is completely gone; we are quantifying those damages now."

Health Minister Joe Phaahla visited the Prince Mshiyeni regional hospital, where for the past week, patients have used buckets to bathe and flush toilets.

"The main challenge there is water," he told AFP.

Normally the hospital sees 2,000 patients a day. The minister said workers were repairing cisterns to store water delivered by tankers.

Map of South Africa, showing areas that had the most rainfall between April 1-10.. By Elonore HUGHES AFP

About 100 residents of the devastated Umlazi neighbourhood waited outside the hospital, fearful that their medical records had been lost in the storm.

Several hospitals reported that files had been lost or damaged, raising fears among patients with chronic conditions.

Pravin Gordhan, the minister for public enterprises, said the Durban shipping terminal, the second-largest container port in Africa, was fully functional on Tuesday.

During the height of the floods last week, containers were tossed about like building blocks.

The 8,000 to 9,000 shipping containers that had been backlogged because of a damaged access road, would be cleared within a week, he said.

As the waters subsided, key roads connecting the port to the rest of the country sustained heavy damage.

The damage has created bottlenecks for around 13,000 truckers who daily have to get goods to and from the port, which serves a vast stretch of Africa as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Graft fears

Helicopters flew low across the city, searching for dozens of people still missing.

A flooded railway yard in Durban, pictured in a satellite photo released by Planet Labs PBC. By - Planet Labs PBCAFP

Along roadsides, residents dragged mattresses and other possessions into a welcome day of sunshine, trying to dry out whatever possessions they could salvage.

Some 10,000 troops were being deployed to assist, both with air support for search efforts and relief operations, but also with engineering, plumbing and electrical support to try to get basic services running.

"We have managed to get into KZN with search and rescue, and helicopters that have hoist facilities," Defence Minister Thandi Modise said on television.

They "also sent aircrafts which will be able to take food to the various inaccessible places. Yesterday we sent in teams to start putting up water tankers and water bunkers. We are also putting in teams to purify water," she added.

However, many in South African are wary of the government efforts, recalling the recent experience of emergency funds that were looted or misspent at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Experience has clearly shown the vulnerability of our procurement systems to corruption in times of crisis, if one considers the rampant corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic," said Karam Singh, head of the non-profit Corruption Watch.

"There must be absolute transparency and full disclosure of how these funds are being distributed, ensuring that they reach the communities for whom they are intended," he added.

Seeking to pre-empt such concerns, Ramaphosa announced a new oversight body comprising the auditor-general, business and religious leaders, as well as professional groups of engineers and accountants.
The SIC Insurance Company PLC has rolled out an innovative fire insurance package that gives the insured the requisite financial protection against assets acquired so that in the event of any misfortune the insured would be put in the same financial position enjoyed just before the loss.

Mrs. Cynthia Kwarteng Tufuor, SIC Tema Area Manager stated that given recent and past fires, the SIC has developed a fire policy for the individual and

the entity organization to ensure that in case of any misfortune.

The Individuals need Fire Insurance as protection against property including buildings, household goods, and personal effects, and the Organization including Commercial and Industrial entity could insure its buildings, plant, machinery and equipment, stock of raw materials, finished goods and profits, she said.

Mrs. Tufuor who has oversight duties over parts of Volta and Eastern Regions stated at the: End of Month Stakeholder Engagement, seminar organized by the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office which is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues as monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at Tema.

The event also served as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters toward national development in general and the growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub.

Speaking on the topic: Fire and Homeplus Mrs. Tufuor said SIC has innovative policies including a domestic fire policy for private premises which is a standard Fire Policy that pays for loss of or damage to insured items as a result of Fire, Lightning, and Limited explosion as well as explosions from boilers used for domestic purposes.

She said the Commercial Insurance Fire covers the buildings, plant, machinery and equipment, stock of raw materials, finished goods, and profits; Business Interruption or loss of profits insurance focuses on huge Industrial and Commercial concerns which can be extended to cover consequential loss or Loss of Profits upon request.

She said the home package policy for house owners is a specially packaged policy that combines both Fire and Allied Perils and Burglary Insurance for House Owners who live in their own houses at a very moderate price.

She noted that with recent fire outbreaks there is the need to intensify public education on fire policies to ensure that people are protected.

.

Mr Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager explained that stakeholder engagement is an effort to expand the frontier of journalism.

He said the GNA-Tema Regional Office has now adopted the tenets of advocacy journalism hence the need to collaborate and partner with state and non-state institutions through our weekly and monthly events to ensure that we serve the state better.

We also use the platform to deepen the working relations with the stakeholders to ensure that both the media and the corporate world work together towards national development.

Mr. Ameyibor said the event also serves as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters to the professional growth and promotion of Tema GNA as the industrial news hub while contributing to national development in general.

Other speakers include Mr. Irwin Cofie, SIC Insurance Deputy Head of Marketing; Ms. Cunthia Twumasi, Deputy Area Manager; Mr. Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, Secretary of the Ghana Tuna Association; Mrs. Doris Gorman, Tema Municipal Director of Information Service Department and Mr. Gilbert Sam, Administrator of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association.
19.04.2022 LISTEN

The Russian Embassy in Ghana has through a post on Twitter rubbished allegations that the conflict with Ukraine is the cause of the high cost of food in Ghana.

Government officials including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on different platforms have consistently cited the Russia-Ukraine conflict as one of the reasons for the current hardships in the country.

After following the various conversations, the Russian Embassy in Ghana has today has set the records straight.

In several posts on the Twitter page of the Embassy, it has stressed that the accusations are untrue.

The Russian Embassy notes that food prices were already rising in 2020 even before the conflicts between the two European countries went south.

The Embassy took notice of the increased number of news articles somehow or other accusing Russia of all negative trends in agricultural markets, gloomy prospects in terms of access of food, and huge losses of farmers.

However the truth is different. The Embassy wishes to shed some light on the roots and drivers of this crisis and provide a comprehensive and objective analysis without emotions and political prejudice.

Food prices started rising in mid-2020 and reached an all-time high in February 2022, parts of the post on the Russian Embassy in Ghanas Twitter reads.

It adds, This is a real market shock caused by high demand and rising prices on food, raw materials and transportation services, including freight in the post-COVID recovery period.

Find more from the post below:
The Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) has urged the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and other stakeholders to ensure that fishermen aged below 15-years are enrolled in school.

Mr. Richster Nii Armarh Amarfio, GTA Secretary who is also a Fisheries Advocate said there was the need to put such children engaged in fishing activities back to school to acquire some basic education to enable those of them with an interest in fishing to take up the profession with the needed skills and knowledge.

He added that it would also serve as a management tool that would reduce the huge numbers of artisanal fishers in the industry who were chasing the fewer fish in the countrys waters.

Mr. Amarfio was speaking at the Ghana News Agency-Tema Regional Offices monthly stakeholder seminar as monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.

Put the young people into the classroom, teach them Arithmetics, English and Environmental studies, and let them understand the environment, after that those who want can be moved out and those who want fishing, understand that what they are doing can be managed.

He said in addition to that, some form of insurance could be put in place using part of the premix fuel subsidies to create some retirement package for the elderly fishermen.

Mr. Amarfio said this would provide some livelihood for them and serve as an incentive to get them to embark on voluntary retirements after turning 50 years instead of being inactive fishing till their death.

He added this with these two groups of people taken care of through schooling and retirement packages, the numbers of fishers would reduce drastically leaving more fish to be caught by the active ones.

He disclosed that the current issue of having over 14,000 canoes as against the needed 5,000 chasing the depleting fish stock was part of the reasons why fisher-folks were among the poor population of Ghana.

He said everyone was running into the fishing industry which was free for all as there were no alternatives for their livelihood and therefore called for a resilient and sustainable management system for the fishing and maritime industry.

Touching on the training of professionals to take up crew positions for vessels, the Fisheries Advocate said the Regional Maritime University (RMU) had stopped training such professionals leaving the country without skilled seamen, and therefore vessel owners had to depend on foreigners to operate.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, GNA Tema Regional Manager on his part explained that the engagement is a progressive media caucus platform created to allow both state and non-state stakeholders to interact with journalists and address national issues.

He said modern journalism practices demand a comprehensive dynamic approach to issues that affects society, through which the media must provide a platform for proactive engagement and exchange of ideas towards shaping national development.

Mr. Ameyibor noted in that respect the GNA-Tema operations now hinge more on partnership and advocacy journalism which focuses on providing a platform for citizens to share key information needed to make the best possible decisions about national issues, and community development, protection of society and enhance governance.

We have progressed from docile journalistic practices where media practitioners depend solely on projecting agenda set by others. Journalists cannot claim to be agenda setters when they are only mirroring what someone wants them to project, he said.

Mr. Ameyibor noted; We cannot deny the fact that the old analogue way of news gathering has long passed; news gathering and dissemination cannot wait for two seconds, we are in the fast lane, traditional media practitioners must catch up with the fast-moving new media news train to remain relevant.

Other speakers include Mr. Irwin Cofie, SIC Insurance Deputy Head of Marketing; Mrs. Cunthia Kwarten Tufuor SIC Tema Area Manager; Ms. Cunthia Twumasi, Deputy Area Manager; Mrs. Doris Gorman, Tema Municipal Director of Information Service Department and Mr. Gilbert Sam, Administrator of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association.
The Deputy Managing Director of the Agriculture Development Bank, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu Tali also known as Nawanaa has supported water projects in the Tali and Kpanbon- Naa Yilli communities in the Tolon constituency of the Northern Region.

The support which consisted of Ghc10,000 to the Chiefs and people of Tali and Ghc5000.000 to Kpanbon- Naa Yili followed an appeal the chiefs and people of those communities made to him recently.

Residents of those communities have been facing water crises and recently decided to dredge their dams to ensure adequate water for use.

The donation of the Deputy DMD was aimed at supporting the project which the people expressed their deep appreciation.

Speaking to the Voiceless media after the donation, Alhaji Tali explained that the donation was in line with his promise to support the MP of the area, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu to make more impact in terms of the development and well being of the Tolon constituency.

According to him, he has no parliamentary ambition in the Tolon constituency but only determined and committed to helping the NPP win more votes in the constituency in 2024 and retain the Tolon seat with an even wider margin.

When the Voiceless Media visited those communities, they were full of praises for Alhaji Yakubu Alhassan Tali for his kind support to them and called on other sons and daughters of the area to help too.
Programme Manager for Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Ms. Esther Ahulu has said some Ghanaians are resorting to curses due to a lack of trust and confidence in the nation's justice delivery system.

She noted that people are beginning to prefer cursing offenders rather than seek justice in the courts.

She said CHRI discovered this after a survey was conducted on the justice delivery system in the country.

Ms. Ahulu said the survey revealed that the lack of confidence was a result of challenges with the justice delivery system.

Some of these challenges, she said, include delays in administering justice caused by missing dockets, and the slow processing of documentation, leading to high caseloads in court among others.

Ms. Ahulu, speaking in an interview with Class News Elisha Adarkwah on the sidelines of a town hall meeting organized by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in Asokwa today, Tuesday, 19 April 2022 said Case Tracking System (CTS) is one of the initiatives implemented to improve justice delivery to resolve some of the challenges in the justice delivery system.

She, therefore, called for the need to strengthen and support the CTS to be functional and effective to address some of the challenges in justice delivery.

The town hall meeting was organized on citizens' role in the Ghana Case Tracking System (CTS) and the relevance of using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve cases.

Source: Classfmonline.com
19.04.2022 LISTEN

An Obuasi-based non-governmental organisation, Mama Love Foundation is advocating for the provision of facilities to promote conjugal visits in the nations prisons.

The President of the Foundation, Rev. Dr. Love Konadu, made the call when she led her organisation and London-based Obuasi Sikakrom Association to donate food items, cooked food, soft drinks, and bottled water to inmates of the Obuasi Prisons.

Mama Love Foundation also partnered with Achievers Medical Services to conduct health screening exercises for more than 100 inmates.

In Ghana, prison rules abhor all forms of sexual acts whiles prison regulations make no provision for conjugal visits which permit spouses of incarcerated persons to spend intimate moments with their partners. Some prisoners, in their quest to satisfy their sexual cravings, resort to same-sex relationships.

Dr. Love Konadu however mentioned that NGOs like hers are prepared to partner government in setting up facilities to accommodate spouses for such periodic visits.

Though the country has taken steps to alleviate the plight of inmates, we are ready to partner with the government to put up facilities in our countrys prisons to allow inmates to satisfy their sexual drives. We believe this will put an end to all forms of homosexuality as reported in our prisons.

On the healthcare needs of convicts, Rev. Dr. Konadu again called on the government to set up proper clinics at the prisons, and improve the conditions of existing ones to take care of the health needs of the prisoners.

Commenting on the rationale behind the donation and the health screening exercise, the leader of the Foundation said, it is a follow-up to their previous donation to the Obuasi Prisons after they provided standing fans, water closet facilities, and decent bathrooms for the inmates.

She said the gesture is intended to bring joy to the prisoners this Easter. She again revealed that the group together with market women in Obuasi has also planned to donate food items to the prisoners in the latter part of this year.

Receiving the items on behalf of the inmates, Chief Supt. Diabor Adam Mahama thanked the NGO for their benevolence, saying the food items will supplement what they have in stock.

On issues of allowing conjugal visits, the second in command of the Obuasi Prisons said though the idea is laudable, the Prisons do not have facilities for such visits.

He promised that the Obuasi Prison is committed to fulfilling its mandate of keeping inmates in safe custody, upholding their welfare, and reforming and rehabilitating them to be acceptable in society.

About Conjugal visits

A conjugal visit is a scheduled period in which an inmate of a prison or jail is permitted to spend several hours or days in private with a visitor. The visitor is usually their legal spouse, and the visits purpose is usually sexual activity.

The generally recognized basis for permitting such visits in modern times is to preserve family bonds and increase the chances of success for a prisoners eventual return to ordinary life after release from prison. They also provide an incentive to inmates to comply with the various day-to-day rules and regulations of the prison.

Conjugal visits usually take place in designated rooms or a structure provided for that purpose, such as a trailer or a small cabin. Supplies such as soap, condoms, lubricant, bed linens, and towels may be provided.

Countries allowing conjugal visits Conjugal visiting is permitted in 10 of the 23 European countries surveyed. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have very liberal policies for all prisoners. The Netherlands, Switzerland, West Germany, and Yugoslavia permit visits for selected groups, usually inmates who have served much of their sentences.
The Police say they did not record any violent crimes during the Easter celebrations.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, Divisional Commanders of the Police Service, attributed the development to proactive leadership, increased police visibility within crime hotspots, frequent targeted swoops, and cooperation from citizens.

Chief Superintendent Martin Appiah, Tesano Divisional Commander, said his Division increased personnel at patrol bases, which improved police response to distress calls.

He said increased police visibility deterred criminals from carrying out their operations, thereby reducing criminal activities.

The Divisional Commander said personnel were also deployed to various crime prone areas to carry out frequent targeted swoops.

The frequent targeted swoops made life uncomfortable for them. The more their activities were thwarted, the more we cleaned the communities from evil doers, he stated.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Faakye Kumi, Divisional Commander, Kaneshie, said personnel were made to patrol various churches to protect lives and property.

He said the personnel were also tasked to ensure the free flow of traffic at these church gatherings.

ACP Kumi lauded citizens for their continuous cooperation and assistance towards combatting crime in communities.

He urged them to be always alert and report any suspicious activities to the Police and assured the public that Police would deepen crime check.

The Divisional Commander encouraged citizens to make good use of the Police emergency lines 191 and 18555 to lodge complaints on any criminal activities they noticed.

Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. It is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die, and rise on the third day, according to Isaiah 53.

Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion.

The 40-day period was established by Pope Gregory 1 using the 40-day pattern of Israel, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus' time in the wilderness.

The week leading up to Easter is called The Holy Week, or "Passion Week", and includes Palm Sunday (the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was celebrated), Maundy Thursday (the "Last Supper" where Jesus met with his disciples to observe Passover), and Good Friday (when Jesus would be crucified on the cross).

GNA
Nabegmado Inampi, a Togolese man, who abducted his three-year-old baby girl has been arrested with his accomplice.

Nabegmado and accomplice abducted the baby from Dambai in the Krachi East Municipality and were arrested at Kanyinta, a farming community in the Nkwanta South Municipality, all in the Oti region, enroute to Togo.

Mr Emmanuel Donkor and other residents of Kanyinta suspected the movements of the two and subjected them to questioning and found their answers to be unsatisfactory and subsequently handed them over to the Police.

They told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, at about 1200 hours, they received a call from the victim's mother to be on the lookout for suspected kidnappers who abducted her baby girl from her room on Saturday.

He said their vigilance led to the arrest of the two.

Madam Alice Koryaja, mother of the victim had identified one of the suspects to be the biological father of the baby, who always threatened to take the baby from her.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Alhassan Abdul-Razak, Krachi East Divisional Crime Officer, who confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said the two were in custody but one of the suspects was on admission for ill health.

He said the Police have commenced investigations into the matter while awaiting the suspect's discharge from the hospital.

GNA
The Dean of Business School at the University of Cape Coast, Prof. John Gatsi says he is not sure the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) can achieve its 'break the eight' agenda.

With President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo finishing his second term on January 7, 2025, the NPP has set sight on breaking the eight-year electoral cycle in government to hold on to power.

But reacting to the five-year forecast of the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) where the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been tipped to win the 2024 elections, Prof. Gatsi says it is highly likely to happen.

According to him, judging from the performance of the NPP since 2016, it is likely Ghanaians will resort to changing the current government.

Im not sure about that, the Dean of UCC Business School said when asked whether it is possible for NPP to 'break the eight' in an interview with Citi News.

Prof. Gatsi explained, I think the eight years cycle is it just an event that takes place. Its based on the cumulative effect of all that you have been doing from your first term to your second term and at the end of the second term, the people say enough is enough. So its a verdict.

If a government is able to do very well from the beginning to the end I do not think that Ghanaians will say they will not maintain that government in power. So I think political parties should just note that its a clear verdict. Its not just that Ghanaians have agreed that every eight years we should change. It is because every eight years Ghanaians realize that their well-being is nothing to write home about.

Despite backing the NDC to win the 2024 general elections, the EIU forecast adds that the opposition party will have a better chance if it presents any other person than former President John Dramani Mahama as its flagbearer.
DM Philanthropist Organization, a not-for-profit organization, has installed a GH51,000.00 bread making machine for the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind.

The intervention will significantly ease the feeding, transporting and financial challenges that distressed the school in providing food to pupils.

The bread making equipment consists of a mixture and roller used for making bread from flour.

It was constructed from a high grade steel material with the roller powered by two 10HP electric motors.

Last year, the organization officially launched its philanthropic activities and donated some medical consumables, educational materials among others to the school.

Prior to that, similar donations were made to the Akropong School for the Blind in the Eastern Region and Dzorwulu Special school in the Greater Accra Region.

At a ceremony to inaugurate the facility, Mr Douglas Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer for the organization said they were inspired by their commitment to assist in alleviating the suffering of the masses and improve the well-being of all.

"In doing, the organization will continue to provide essential financial and material assistance, particularly in educational scholarships to the needy but brilliant students, shelter and healthcare, to orphans and vulnerable children across Ghana," he stated.

Mr. Mensah indicated that the organization was guided by its commitment to high integrity  transparent and ethical in their operations, adding that "as Christians, it is our duty to support the poor and impoverished as a demonstration of Gods unconditional love for all people."

He emphasised, "As stewards, we recon we are accountable first to God and then to mankind and therefore careful in how we manage our affairs. As Christ brought hope to the world, so do we expect to be relevant in society."

Mr. Mensah urged the public to stop using derogatory remarks and discriminatory attitudes toward Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Persons With Mental Health Conditions (PWMHCs).

"This would help create an all-inclusive society that overrides human differences and ensures equality of opportunities as well as values and acceptance and appreciates PWDs and PWMHCs.

"The stigma starts from the families and we believe if families embrace and see them as their equals, they would grow knowing that they are worth it and equally important as we all.

Take them to school, let them learn a trade, this way others would also learn to respect and appreciate them. Let us give them the social and financial support they need, we are diverse people and not all can withstand one's disability, he added.

Mr. Abraham Annang Yemoson, the Headteacher for the school commended the organization for the kind gesture.

He assured of good maintenance culture and prayed for other organizations to support them.

According to him, the school which started in 1970 with a students population of 495 and 80 staff, currently lacks basic infrastructure to aid teaching and learning, particularly a blind pavilion and a dining hall.
April 19, 2022

Russia Has Launched Phase Two Of Its Operation In Ukraine

The neo-conservative 'Institute for the Study of War' (ISW) releases daily 'Russian offensive campaign assessments'. A lot of people in Washington DC seem to read them.

They are of course pure propaganda only slightly aligned with the actual tactical situation in the Ukraine. I confess that I read them once a while purely for my amusement.

Their main source seems to be the Ukrainian defense ministry which is of course lying left and right about the state of the war.

This for example is from their assessment from Sunday, April 17:

Russian forces continued to amass on the Izyum axis and in eastern Ukraine, increasingly including low-quality proxy conscripts, in parallel with continuous  and unsuccessful  small-scale attacks. Russian forces did not take any territory on the Izyum axis or in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in the past 24 hours. Russian forces deploying to eastern Ukraine reportedly continue to face significant morale and supply issues and appear unlikely to intend, or be able to, conduct a major offensive surge in the coming days. Deputy Ukrainian Minister of Defense Anna Malyar stated on April 17 that the Russian military is in no hurry to launch an offensive in eastern Ukraine, having learned from their experience from Kyiv  but Russian forces continue localized attacks and are likely unable to amass the cohesive combat power necessary for a major breakthrough.

I have no idea how anyone could have come to those conclusions.

"appear unlikely to intend, or be able to, conduct a major offensive surge in the coming days"

and

"the Russian military is in no hurry to launch an offensive in eastern Ukraine"

and

likely unable to amass the cohesive combat power necessary for a major breakthrough

What are these guys smoking?

Yesterday evening heavy artillery attacks on Ukrainian frontline positions announced the launch of the expected offensive.

Belatedly ISW took note of that:

ISW @TheStudyofWar - 23:40 UTC  Apr 18, 2022

#Donetsk and #Luhansk Oblasts Update:

#Russian forces likely began large-scale offensive operations in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts on April 18. These offensive operations are unlikely to be dramatically more successful than failed operations around #Kyiv.

Today the start of phase two of the Russian operation was officially announced:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow was starting a new stage of what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine which he predicted would be a significant development. "Another stage of this operation (in eastern Ukraine) is beginning and I am sure this will be a very important moment of this entire special operation", Lavrov said in an interview with the India Today TV channel.

After the heavy artillery preparations last night several offensives were launched into multiple directions.

A major one is from Izyum (in the upper left on the map) towards Slovyansk. The distance between the two cities is 27 miles (47km).

Several villages on that route have already been taken. The "low quality proxy conscript" who "continue to face significant morale and supply issues", as ISW claims, might have something to do with that.

Phase two will include the liberation of all of Donetzk and Luhansk as demarcated on the above map by the dashed red lines.

I expect the whole phase two operation to take four to six weeks with maybe some extra time necessary to clean up the well defended cities Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.

Questions remain. Will there be a third phase? What will it include?

Posted by b on April 19, 2022 at 17:49 UTC | Permalink

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Texas dominates the nation in drilling activity and the number of drilling permits issued by the Railroad Commission indicates that dominance will not only continue but increase.

But a review of the rising number of drilling permits held a few surprises.

(As) I focused on the map, I said the concentration in the Midland and Delaware basins and Eagle Ford made sense, Steve Hendrickson, president of Ralph E. Davis, told the Reporter-Telegram by telephone. What I didnt expect was so many permits in parts of the state that havent had much activity.

In the Permian region, he sees activity in the Central Basin Platform, where about 300 permits have so far been approved. Blackbeard Operating dominates, but operators large and small are also active, from Occidental Petroleums wells in legacy CO2 floods like the Seminole San Andres and Denver Unit to companies drilling horizontal San Andres wells. On the Eastern Shelf, 68 permits have been approved, primarily in the Clearfork, Strawn and Canyon formations. Big players like Occidental in its Salt Creek play and Kinder Morgan at SACROC have been joined by smaller operators. Permits are mostly for vertical wells, but Peregrine Petroleum, Cholla Petroleum and Browning have filed for Strawn and Wolfcamp horizontals.

Outside the Permian, Hendrickson sees more activity in the Anadarko, where more than half of the 41 permits issued so far this year have been filed by Scout Energy Partners. In East Texas, 140 permits have been approved, about half for horizontal wells targeting the Haynesville shale. The remainder target horizontal Cotton Valley and vertical Travis Peak.



Permitting activity in the Fort Worth Basin has recovered to levels last seen in 2018 and permits cover the entire basin. Hendrickson said the number of permits in the Barnett Shale are of note  almost exclusively horizontal and target dry and wet portions of the play, including some urban locations.

In the Gulf Coast Central and Kerr Basin, he said most of the activity targets the Austin Chalk and northern part of the Eagle Ford but there are also permits in the legacy conventional fields targeting a range of formations, from the Edwards to the Frio, the Vicksburg to the Wilcox, the Woodbine and Yegua.

Studying the nearly 3,000 permits approved so far this year, Hendrickson said he was struck not only by the geographic breadth of activity but the range of companies filing the permits. He estimated 410 different companies filed permits, from small independents to large corporations.

Not only did he not expect so many permits in areas that hadnt seen much activity but it was who was drilling outside those core areas  smaller independents showing signs of life. These are small players, not big companies.

Hendrickson said these companies tend to be more nimble and, with high commodity prices, have the cash flow to fund a small drilling program or access to investors they can convince to take a shot at a few wells. They dont have to allocate $500 million on a horizontal well, they can spend $5 million on shallower wells.

While no one can predict oil prices, he said they have reached a level that has operators more confidence prices will stay high enough long enough to justify more drilling.

Though he sees the rising drilling permit count as a positive sign of the financial health of the industry, Hendrickson isnt willing to bet on a significant increase in the rig count to put those permits to work,

Oil prices may be $90 or $100, but its a different situation if costs are also higher, he said. That changes the economics of a well.

Issues in finding crews for drilling rigs as well as the materials needed, whether its the rigs themselves or tubing, have certainly slowed activity growth, he said.
Children fish at a beach in central Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, on Sept. 14, 2012.
Mount Carmel School student Richard Jesus Mafnas Villagomez was recently recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program and was awarded the Indigenous Recognition Award and the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award based on his exemplary examination scores for the PSAT and Advanced Placement courses.
A pedestrian walks by the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2022.
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HONOLULU (AP)  Ezra Miller was arrested on suspicion of assault early Tuesday, the second time the actor known for playing the Flash in Justice League films has been arrested in Hawaii in recent weeks.

Miller became irate after being asked to leave a get-together at a Big Island home and threw a chair, hitting a woman in the forehead, according to a news release from the Hawaii Police Department.

The woman refused treatment for a half-inch (1.3-centimeter) cut on her forehead, police said.

Miller, described by police as a 29-year-old visitor from Vermont, was arrested during a traffic stop and released pending further investigation.

About twelve hours after Miller's arrest, the actor appeared via Zoom for a court hearing for an arrest last month at a Big Island karaoke bar.

Miller pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and stay away from Margarita Village in Hilo.

Miller was also charged with harassment after police said the actor grabbed a mic from a singing woman and lunged at a man playing darts.

Miller was aggravated by a rendition of the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper ballad Shallow, Hawaii Police Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho said.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the harassment charge, along with an unrelated traffic charge.

Miller received a traffic citation after police were called to a dispute in downtown Hilo last month where Miller was uncooperative, refused to leave the area and obstructed a sidewalk, Quiocho said.

Millers Hawaii attorney didnt immediately return a message seeking comment on the latest arrest. Another lawyer and a Miller representative also didnt immediately respond to messages requesting comment.

There was no mention of the latest arrest during the court hearing.

Big Island attorney Francis Alcain had requested Tuesdays court hearing, previously scheduled for next week, be moved up. Alcain said in a court filing his client has various time sensitive work obligations in California and/or New York, and needs an earlier hearing to resolve this matter.

The day after Miller was released on $500 bail for the karaoke bar arrest, a Big Island couple filed a petition for a temporary restraining order, claiming the actor burst into their bedroom and threatened them. A judge dismissed the case last week after an attorney for the couple requested it.

William Dean, an attorney for the couple, declined to say why his clients no longer wanted to pursue a restraining order against Miller.

Judge M. Kanani Laubach applied Miller's bail to the $500 fine, leaving a $30 fee to pay.

Miller also has a key role in the third installment of the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the injured woman refused treatment for a cut.
A cancer diagnosis is scary. Some doctors say its time to rename low-grade prostate cancer to eliminate the alarming C-word.

Cancer cells develop in nearly all prostates as men age, and most prostate cancers are harmless. About 34,000 Americans die from prostate cancer annually, but treating the disease can lead to sexual dysfunction and incontinence.

Changing the name could lead more low-risk patients to skip unnecessary surgery and radiation.

This is the least aggressive, wimpiest form of prostate cancer that is literally incapable of causing symptoms or spreading to other parts of the body, said University of Chicago Medicines Dr. Scott Eggener, who is reviving a debate about how to explain the threat to worried patients.

The words You have cancer have a profound effect on patients, Eggener wrote Monday in Journal of Clinical Oncology. He and his co-authors say fear of the disease can cause some patients to overreact and opt for unneeded surgery or radiation.

Others agree. If you reduce anxiety, youll reduce overtreatment, said Dr. David Penson of Vanderbilt University. The word cancer, it puts an idea in their head: I have to have this treated.

Diagnosis sometimes starts with a PSA blood test, which looks for high levels of a protein that may mean cancer but can also be caused by less serious prostate problems or even vigorous exercise.

When a patient has a suspicious test result, a doctor might recommend a biopsy, which involves taking samples of tissue from the prostate gland. Next, a pathologist looks under a microscope and scores the samples for how abnormal the cells look.

Often, doctors offer patients with the lowest score  Gleason 6  a way to avoid surgery and radiation: active surveillance, which involves close monitoring but no immediate treatment.

In the U.S., about 60% of low-risk patients choose active surveillance. But they might still worry.

I would be over the moon if people came up with a new name for Gleason 6 disease, Penson said. It will allow a lot of men to sleep better at night.

But Dr. Joel Nelson of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said dropping the word cancer would misinform patients by telling them theres nothing wrong. Theres nothing wrong today, but that doesnt mean we dont have to keep track of what weve discovered.

Name changes have happened previously in low-risk cancers of the bladder, cervix and thyroid. In breast cancer, theres an ongoing debate about dropping carcinoma from DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ.

In prostate cancer, the 1960s-era Gleason ranking system has evolved, which is how 6 became the lowest score. Patients may assume its a medium score on a scale of 1 to 10. In fact, it's the lowest on a scale of 6 to 10.

What to call it instead of cancer? Proposals include IDLE for indolent lesion of epithelial origin, or INERRT for indolent neoplasm rarely requiring treatment.

I dont really give a hoot what its called as long as its not called cancer, Eggener said.

Steve Rienks, a 72-year-old civil engineer in Naperville, Illinois, was diagnosed with Gleason 6 prostate cancer in 2014. He chose active surveillance, and follow-up biopsies in 2017 and 2021 found no evidence of cancer.

Calling it something else would help patients make informed choices, Rienks said, but thats not enough: Patients need to ask questions until they feel confident.

Its about understanding risk, Rienks said. I would encourage my fellow males to educate themselves and get additional medical opinions.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
CHICAGO (AP)  Federal authorities on Monday said they will not criminally charge Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer convicted of murder in the 2014 shooting death of Black teenager Laquan McDonald.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago said in a news release that the decision was made after consulting with the McDonald family and that the family was in agreement not to pursue a second prosecution.

According to the release, prosecuting Van Dyke on federal charges would have been much more difficult than it was to prosecute him in state court because the burden of proof is far higher.

Federal prosecutors would have to prove not only that Mr. Van Dyke acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids, but also that his actions were not the result of mistake, fear, negligence, or bad judgment, the office explained in the release. It requires federal prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt what Mr. Van Dyke was thinking when he used deadly force, and that he knew such force was excessive. 

Van Dyke, who was captured on video shooting the teenager 16 times, was convicted in Chicago in 2018 of second-degree murder and aggravated battery and sentenced to 81 months in state prison. The former officer served less than half that sentence before he was released from prison in February.

Civil rights leaders, community activists, and others who were angry about what they saw as a lenient sentence had called for federal prosecutors to charge Van Dyke again.

None of McDonalds relatives were immediately available to comment Monday, but shortly after the news broke that Van Dyke was going to be released in February, some of them had demanded a federal investigation and the pursuit of federal charges.

But McDonalds great-uncle, the Rev. Marvin Hunter, said that while he thought Van Dyke should have received a much longer sentence, he did not want to see Van Dyke charged in federal court.

If you set this precedent of reconvicting people because you dont think he got enough time, then hundreds of thousands of Black men in Illinois alone could be harmed, Hunter said at the time. They will use this case as a way to keep them incarcerated. This is a back door to perpetuate slavery. We should be very careful of this kind of precedent.

The U.S. Attorneys Office statement Monday suggested another prosecution would not satisfy critics and that even if Van Dyke were convicted again, a federal judge would consider factors such as the time he has already served and his good conduct behind bars that led to his early release.

Given these factors, there is a significant prospect that a second prosecution would diminish the important results already achieved," it reads.

The office of U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. also pointed out that not only will Van Dyke never be a police officer again, his arrest and conviction  he was the first Chicago police officer in half a century to be convicted for an on-duty shooting  led to a host of reforms.

Today, for example, video of police shootings must be released within 60 days; Chicago fought for months to prevent the release of police video showing McDonald's killing before a judge ordered the city to make it publicly available.

Also, Van Dyke's name was not made public until he was charged in McDonald's death more than a year after the shooting. Today, while police still do not release an officers name who hasn't been charged, the agency that reviews those shooting does.

___

For more of the APs coverage of the Laquan McDonald case: https://apnews.com/hub/laquan-mcdonald
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FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  Actor Johnny Depp told jurors Tuesday that he felt compelled to sue his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel out of an obsession for the truth after she accused him of domestic violence.

My goal is the truth because it killed me that all these people I had met over the years ... that these people would think that I was a fraud, he said.

Depp flatly denied ever hitting Heard, calling the physical and sexual assault allegations against him disturbing, heinous and not based in any species of truth.

Nothing of the kind ever happened, Depp said in court.

Alluding to the fall his career has taken since Heard levied abuse allegations against him, the former Pirates of the Caribbean star said, its been six years of trying times. Its very strange when one day youre Cinderella, so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds youre Quasimodo.

For the first hour-plus of testimony Tuesday, Depp gave long, stream-of-consciousness answers to questions about his childhood and his early movie career, speaking in his signature deep baritone. After one long answer, he admitted: I forgot what the original question was.

Indeed, he acknowledged his meandering style, particularly as it relates to his writing style. He mentioned his long friendship and collaborations with the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, and said he sought to emulate a style that often incorporated brash language and embellishing thoughts.

He said that led him at times to write text messages that he now finds embarrassing, and he apologized to the jury for the vulgar language he used in text messages introduced as evidence to describe Heard.

In the heat of the moment, in the heat of the pain I was feeling, I went to dark places, he said.

But he said he'd been waiting for six years to tell his side of the story after Heard filed for divorce against him in 2016 and sought a restraining order against him.

The trial began more than a week ago, but, prior to Tuesday, jurors had only seen the Hollywood star sitting silently with his team of lawyers as each side has tried to embarrass the other in a trial that Heard's lawyers accurately predicted would turn into a mudslinging soap opera.

After denying Heard's abuse allegations, Depp spoke at length about a childhood in which physical abuse from his mother was constant. When he became a father, Depp said, he made sure his children didnt experience that kind of upbringing.

Depp will continue his testimony Wednesday. In Tuesday's session, he testified primarily about the early years of his relationship with Heard, saying she seemed too good to be true at first.

She was attentive, Depp said of the woman he married in 2015. She was loving. She was smart. She was kind. She was funny. She was understanding  We had many things in common, certain blues music  literature.

He said there were little things, though, that gave him indications of a rocky relationship ahead. She became upset, he said, when he broke an established routine in which she took off his boots for him when he came home. And he said she was angry when he wouldn't go to bed when she was ready.

I didn't understand why, as a 50-some-year-old man, I couldn't go to sleep when I wanted to. he said.

Depp, 58, said he was cognizant of the age difference between him and Heard, 35.

I acknowledge the fact I was the old, craggy fogey and she was this beautiful, creature, he said.

But Depp said that within a year and a half, it was as if Heard had become another person.

So far, Depp's friends, family and employees have testified that Heard was the aggressor in the relationship, physically attacking him on multiple occasions. Heard's former personal assistant testified that Heard spit in her face in a fit of rage.

Heard's lawyers have said Depp physically and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, often in situations where he drank so much he later blacked out.

Depp said Heards allegations of his substance abuse have been grossly embellished and that there have been no moments where hes been out of control.

Im not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time, Depp said, though he admitted to doing a line or two of cocaine with Heard's sister, Whitney.

The actor said he was addicted to pain medication, which stemmed from an injury on the set of the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. He also said he took his mothers nerve pills when he was a kid.

But Depp said he detoxed from the pain medication and has experienced long periods of sobriety over the years.

The characterization of my substance abuse thats been delivered by Ms. Heard is grossly embellished, Depp said. And Im sorry to say, but a lot of it is just plainly false. I think that it was an easy target for her to hit."

The lawsuit itself is supposed to be over whether Heard libeled Depp when she wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post about domestic violence. In the article, Heard referred to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

She never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp and his lawyers said it was a clear reference to accusations Heard made in 2016 when the couple divorced and she sought a restraining order against him.

Heard's lawyers, who have filed their own countersuit against Depp, said nothing in the article libels him. They say the abuse allegations are true, and that the damage to Depp's reputation  which he says got him booted from the lucrative Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise  came from his own bad behavior.

___

Associated Press writer Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed to this report.
CAIRO (AP)  Rival Libyan officials wrapped up weeklong talks in the Egyptian capital without an agreement on constitutional arrangements for elections, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Twelve lawmakers from Libyas east-based parliament and 12 from the High Council of State, an advisory body in the capital of Tripoli in western Libya, took part in the U.N.-brokered talks that concluded Monday in Cairo.

The U.N. special adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said the officials agreed to reconvene next month after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Williams said the U.N. was working to build on a consensus reached earlier this year by the two chambers with the aim of reaching an agreement on a constitutional and legislative framework for parliamentary and presidential elections.

The talks came as Libya has been pulled apart with rival governments claiming power after tentative steps toward unity in the past year that followed a decade of civil war.

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 after the election failed to take place as planned in December.

Dbeibah, however, stood defiant against efforts to replace his government. He said he will hand over power only to an elected government.

With the two leaders sticking to their positions, turmoil soared, and heavily armed militias mobilized in the western region, including the capital, where they occasionally blocked roads.

Tribal leaders and protesters in the southern region also shut down oil facilities including Libyas largest oil field, demanding Dbeibah step down. The region is controlled by forces of east-based commander Khalifa Hifter.

The developments have raised fears that fighting could return to Libya after a period of relative calm since warring parties signed a U.N.-brokered cease-fire late in 2020.

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 spent much of the past decade split between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by different militias and foreign governments.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International called for Hifters forces to immediately release at least 10 people and a local journalist who were detained last month in the city of Sirte after a protest. The protesters were calling for compensation for victims of NATO airstrikes during the 2011 civil war, the London-based group said.

A spokesman for Hifters forces was not immediately available for comment.

Gadhafis regime violently cracked down on antigovernment protesters. NATO, with U.N.-backing, then conducted a campaign of airstrikes against the regime between March and October of 2011. NATO warplanes conducted more than 9,600 strike missions. Estimates for how many civilians were killed during the NATO campaign range from under 100 to just over 400.

Those detained were taken to an undisclosed location. They were from the Gadhadfa tribe, from which Gadhafi hailed, Amnesty International said. Ali al-Refawi, a reporter with the Libyan 218 TV channel, was also arrested on March 26 after he covered the protest, the rights group said.

Hifters forces have tightened their grip over territory under their control. In the past few years, suspected opponents and critics have either been gunned down in the street, forcibly disappeared or are languishing in jail, said Diana Eltahawy, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Migrants attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border at the highest level in two decades as the U.S. prepares for even larger numbers with the expected lifting of a pandemic-era order that turned away asylum seekers.

Immigration authorities stopped migrants 221,303 times along the Southwest border in March, a 33% increase from a month earlier, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data released Monday.

The new figures were disclosed as the Biden administration comes under increasing pressure over the looming expiration of a public health order that enabled U.S. authorities to turn back most migrants, including people seeking asylum from persecution.

The number of migrant encounters has gone up nearly every month since President Joe Biden took office, becoming fodder for political opponents who point to the increase as evidence that this administration is weaker on border security than its predecessor.

A backlog of people waiting outside the country to seek asylum, as well as dire economic and political conditions in much of Latin America and the Caribbean, is partially responsible for the increase in migrants. Administration critics blame Biden, arguing his administration's moves to roll back Trump-era policies has encouraged people to come.

The number of illegal crossings, or those outside official ports of entry, totaled 209,906 in March, surpassing the previous high of Bidens presidency of 200,658 set in July, and the highest level since March 2000, when it reached 220,063.

Former President Donald Trump also faced a sharp increase in migrant border crossings but the number plummeted with the start of the pandemic. In March 2020, the previous administration invoked Title 42, a little-used public health authority to quickly expel nearly anyone encountered along the Southwest border.

U.S. authorities have expelled migrants more than 1.7 million times under Title 42 authority, named for a 1944 public health law, using the threat of COVID-19 to deny migrants a chance to seek asylum as required under U.S. law and international treaty.

With COVID-19 cases in decline, the Biden administration has said it intends to end the use of Title 42 at the border on May 23.

Several moderate Democrats have joined Republican leaders to call for an extension of Title 42 authority. Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat up for election this year, toured the border last week and warned that the Biden administration is unprepared for asylum restrictions to be lifted.

Human rights groups and other migrant advocates say the U.S. has a legal obligation to permit people to seek asylum and have called for the lifting of the public health order. The United States can and must welcome people seeking asylum because it is the law, because it is right, and because we can," the Catholic Legal Immigration Network said in a statement Monday to mark Holy Week.

The rapid expulsions under Title 42 are a significant component of the recent increases. Migrants are turned back without any legal consequences, and many simply try to cross again and are therefore counted more than once in the total.

CBP said the number of unique individuals encountered nationwide in March came to 159,900, a 37% increase from the prior month.

More than half of the total 221,303 stopped were quickly turned away, without being given a chance to apply for asylum, either to Mexico or their homelands, according to data supplied to a federal court in Texas as part of that state's challenge of Biden administration immigration policies.

CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said in a statement that the agency planned to send additional staff to the Southwest border to handle the likely increase expected when Title 42 is lifted.

Most of the rest were processed under immigration authority, known as Title 8, and their ultimate fate varies. About 34,000 were allowed to remain in the U.S. under parole, which will allow them to pursue asylum or legal residency through other avenues. If they are unsuccessful, they could face deportation.

Mexicans made up the largest group by nationality of those encountered at the border, followed by Cubans. The number of Ukrainians, who are generally being allowed into the country on humanitarian parole, increased to over 200 in March from just 5 in November.

___

Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
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BURQA, West Bank (AP)  Thousands of Israelis marched to a dismantled settlement deep in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday and called for it to be rebuilt in a show of strength amid a wave of Israeli-Palestinian unrest and fears of further escalation.

The army blocked roads to facilitate the march led by hard-line Jewish settlers and prevent Palestinians from reaching the area. Dozens of Palestinian residents protested the closures. Clashes broke out, with Israeli soldiers firing rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinian youths hurling stones and burning tires.

Palestinian medics said they treated at least eight Palestinians who were struck by rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by Israeli troops in the adjacent West Bank village of Burqa.

Israelis have repeatedly returned to Homesh, a hilltop settlement that emerged as a symbol of settler defiance after the government dismantled it in 2005.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have surged in recent weeks after a series of deadly attacks inside Israel and and military operations in the West Bank. Palestinian militants fired a rocket from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel for the first time in months, and Israel carried out airstrikes, after days of clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem.

The unrest has raised fears of a repeat of last year, when protests and clashes in Jerusalem helped ignite an 11-day Gaza war.

The shrine, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the emotional epicenter of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel said its security forces entered the site in response to Palestinian rock-throwing and that it is committed to ensuring that Jews, Christians and Muslims can worship freely in the Holy Land. The Palestinians view the presence of Israeli security forces at Al-Aqsa and visits by nationalist and religious Jews as a provocation.

Israel has faced intense criticism from Jordan, which serves as custodian of the site, as well as Egypt  Arab states that made peace with Israel decades ago. The United Arab Emirates, which led the way in normalizing relations with Israel as part of the so-called Abraham Accords in 2020, summoned the recently appointed Israeli ambassador on Tuesday.

The UAE said Israel needs to fully protect worshippers, to respect the rights of Palestinians to practice their religious rites and to stop any practices that violate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque," according to a statement carried by the state-run WAM news agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he discussed the violence in a telephone call with Israel's largely ceremonial President Isaac Herzog.

During this sensitive period, I would like to emphasize, once again, the need not to allow provocations and threats against the status and spirituality of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Erdogan said.

It was an unusually muted statement for Erdogan, who has been an outspoken critic of Israels policies toward the Palestinians in the past. Turkey, whose economy is in crisis, has been trying to normalize its frayed ties with Israel and other regional countries.

Herzog visited Turkey last month, becoming the first Israeli leader to visit in 14 years.

The U.N. Security Council emerged from a closed-door session Tuesday with no unanimous message on the tensions, though envoys from Ireland, France, Estonia, Norway and Albania stood together to express concern. They called for respecting arrangements at holy sites and for restraint from both sides, while condemning rocket fire from Gaza and all acts of terrorism.

The United States, Israel's closest ally, has also called on all sides to exercise restraint.

At the march in the occupied West Bank, several thousand Israelis, including young children, walked roughly two kilometers (one mile) to Homesh, where organizers staged festivities attended by religious nationalist politicians and rabbis.

The Israeli military didn't formally authorize the march but closed roads to separate the settlers and Palestinians, allowing it to be held.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and in the decades since has built dozens of settlements that are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis. The Palestinians seek the territory, which is home to nearly 3 million Palestinians, as the main part of a future independent state.

Most of the international community considers the settlements to be illegal. Israel views the West Bank as the historical and biblical heartland of the Jewish people. The peace process ground to a halt more than a decade ago.

The settlement of Homesh was built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and was dismantled in 2005. In the years since, Israeli settlers have staged several marches, rallies and attempts to rebuild it in violation of Israeli law and military orders.

In December, Palestinian militants killed a Jewish settler near the site of the former settlement. A month earlier, six Palestinian farmers were hospitalized after settlers attacked them with metal batons and stones.

___

Ben Zion reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Provided

PITTSFIELD  The Pike County All Wars Museum is hosting author Barry Swanson next week. He will speak about his book "Still Points."

The book is the retelling of the life of Philip Zumwalt, who served in World War II. The story is loosely based on his diaries.
NoahBryant/Getty Images/iStockphoto

VIRDEN  A Virden man has been charged with dissemination of child pornography after Macoupin County Sheriff's Department, Illinois Attorney General's Office and Virden Police investigators searched his residence.

Jacob R. Rogers, 34, of Virden was charged Thursday with three counts of dissemination of child pornography and six counts of possession of child pornography.
For the millions of lactose-intolerant people out there, ice cream is a vice that can sometimes feel on par with a Schedule 1 substance sans all the violence and oppression. As a dessert lover whose stomach gets shredded from the slightest glance in the direction of cheese, finding the right dairy-free ice cream is a painful process of trial and error.

I went on a journey to find some of the best lactose-free, plant-based, vegan, all-around delicious dairy-free ice creams out there.

Beckon Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Beckon Ice Cream Beckon Shop Now

I put aside my normal wariness for dairy alternatives in order to try Beckon, and found myself rewarded for my stability. Beckon, to me, tastes a tad sweeter than lactose-heavy ice cream, almost having more of a frozen milkshake quality to it which is the precise reason I settled on chocolate chip cookie dough as my favorite flavor. The cookie dough chunks add a perfect amount of body and sweetness that makes Beckon live up to its name.

Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Mint Chocolate Chance Frozen Dessert

Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Mint Chocolate Chance Frozen Dessert Ben & Jerry's Shop Now

Ben & Jerrys has been on the forefront of the ice-cream-as-activism scene since their founding in 1978. This 100% vegan certified non-dairy ice cream comes to us as a collab with Chance the Rapper, whose favorite flavor just so happens to be mint. You can always trust Ben & Jerry to deliver on flavors that pack a punch, and Mint Chocolate Chance doesnt disappoint with bold mint and chocolate chips that melt in your mouth.

Klimon Cherry Bomb

Klimon Cherry Bomb Shop Now

A newcomer to the ice cream scene, Klimon makes almond-based, dairy-free frozen desserts that promise mouth-watering flavors based on the promise of no dairy, no difference. I picked up their Cherry Bomb at a random Walmart after catching a glimpse of their decidedly-punk packaging. Cherry Bomb blew me away with its rich, decadent flavor and cherry-packed pint that is somehow only 670 calories?!

Van Leeuwen Sicilian Pistachio Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Vegan Sicilian Pistachio vanleeuwenicecream.com $12.00 Shop Now

From the people who brought us such flavors as Kraft Mac & Cheese ice cream, Van Leeuwen has cracked the code on blending together flavors that make real ice cream taste like cow poop. This is, hands down, my favorite ice cream in any category and I dont care how much each pint drains my bank account. Made with special pistachios purportedly only found on a mountain in Bronte, Italy, this cashew milk and coconut cream-based dessert is as smooth as it is luscious  and borderline impossible to put down.

N!CKS Peanot Butter Fudge

Peanot Butter Fudge nicks.com $9.99 Shop Now

Whats better than erroneous exclamation points and umlauts? Vegan ice cream that manages to taste like ice cream! Lactose-free, Keto-friendly, and vegan with only 290 calories per pint, N!CKS is technically lactose-free but contains animal-free dairy protein  so anyone allergic to actual milk, as opposed to lactose, can take a hike. Im a sucker for peanut butter, so Peanot Butter Fudge sent my tastebuds soaring with a flavor that just about reads like ice cream. Texture-wise, its quite light  but you cant keep an entire pint under 290 calories without making a few sacrifices.

NadaMoo Banana Caramel Crunch

Banana Caramel Crunch nadamoo.com $14.00 Shop Now

Like the big boys at Ben & Jerrys, NadaMoo has cracked the code on delivering full milk flavor without the sh*t-your-pants qualities of lactose.

Wildgood Mango ice cream

Made with borderline-intimidating ingredients like chicory root fiber, pea protein, carob bean gum, and *check notes* extra virgin olive oil, Wildgoods mango ice cream lives up to its name with a *checks notes again* wildly good taste you could swear was dairy-based. The not-so-secret secret ingredient is a flavor made with alphonso mango; a prized Indian mango known for its taste, smell, and vibrant color. Creamy, tangy, and shipped in recyclable eco-friendly coolers, Wildgood makes for a refreshing springtime dessert.

Haagen-Dazs Non-Dairy Coconut Caramel

Non-Dairy Coconut Caramel icecream icecream.com $4.60 Shop Now

Like my gluten-free brethren overjoyed by the influx of gluten-free snacks desserts, I was one of the brave lactose-intolerant people whose addiction to ice cream really gained traction after Haagen-Dazs' contribution to the dairy-free game. Made with naturally dairy-free ingredients like coconut cream, brown sugar, and molasses, coconut caramel is one of the brands two vegan flavors in their non-dairy line, and a total marvel at what the brand can do with coconut and caramel. Smooth, creamy, and freaking luscious, animal creams got nothing on coconut cream.

HONORABLE MENTION: Sticky Sweet

THE BEST PLANT-BASED ICE CREAM YOUVE EVER TASTED Sticky Sweet Shop Now

Despite the fact you can only get this plant-based vegan ice cream in Maine, Sticky Sweet is absolutely worth the honorable mention. I bought their Sea Salt Maple flavor on a whim and ate it all within three days. My wife didnt even know I had bought it  how f***ed up is that?
Actor Ezra Miller arrested again on Hawaiis Big Island View Photo

HONOLULU (AP)  Ezra Miller was arrested on suspicion of assault early Tuesday, the second time the actor known for playing the Flash in Justice League films has been arrested in Hawaii in recent weeks.

Miller became irate after being asked to leave a get-together at a Big Island home and threw a chair, hitting a woman in the forehead, according to a news release from the Hawaii Police Department.

The woman refused treatment for a half-inch (1.3-centimeter) cut on her forehead, police said.

Miller, described by police as a 29-year-old visitor from Vermont, was arrested during a traffic stop and released pending further investigation.

About twelve hours after Millers arrest, the actor appeared via Zoom for a court hearing for an arrest last month at a Big Island karaoke bar.

Miller pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and stay away from Margarita Village in Hilo.

Miller was also charged with harassment after police said the actor grabbed a mic from a singing woman and lunged at a man playing darts.

Miller was aggravated by a rendition of the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper ballad Shallow, Hawaii Police Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho said.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the harassment charge, along with an unrelated traffic charge.

Miller received a traffic citation after police were called to a dispute in downtown Hilo last month where Miller was uncooperative, refused to leave the area and obstructed a sidewalk, Quiocho said.

Millers Hawaii attorney didnt immediately return a message seeking comment on the latest arrest. Another lawyer and a Miller representative also didnt immediately respond to messages requesting comment.

There was no mention of the latest arrest during the court hearing.

Big Island attorney Francis Alcain had requested Tuesdays court hearing, previously scheduled for next week, be moved up. Alcain said in a court filing his client has various time sensitive work obligations in California and/or New York, and needs an earlier hearing to resolve this matter.

The day after Miller was released on $500 bail for the karaoke bar arrest, a Big Island couple filed a petition for a temporary restraining order, claiming the actor burst into their bedroom and threatened them. A judge dismissed the case last week after an attorney for the couple requested it.

William Dean, an attorney for the couple, declined to say why his clients no longer wanted to pursue a restraining order against Miller.

Judge M. Kanani Laubach applied Millers bail to the $500 fine, leaving a $30 fee to pay.

Miller also has a key role in the third installment of the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the injured woman refused treatment for a cut.

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER

Associated Press
South Africa launches relief for Durban flooding; 448 dead View Photo

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Declaring a national state of disaster, South Africa has allocated $67 million to help those hit by floods that have killed at least 448 people in the eastern city of Durban and the surrounding KwaZulu-Natal province.

Nearly 4,000 homes have been destroyed and more than 40,000 people displaced by the floods and mudslides caused by prolonged heavy rains, provincial officials said Tuesday. More than 40 people remain missing and about 600 schools have been hit with damages estimated at about $28 million, according to officials.

South Africas military has deployed 10,000 troops in Operation Chariot to help with continuing search and rescue efforts, deliver food, water, and clothing to flood victims, and rebuild collapsed roads and bridges. Water tankers have been sent to areas where access to clean water has been disrupted and teams are working to restore electricity to large areas.

Students shoveled mud out of some schools that had been flooded.

Visiting some of the flooded areas last week, South African President Cyril Ramophosa blamed climate change for the unprecedented rains, the heaviest in at least 60 years. Announcing the state of disaster in a televised address Monday night, Ramaphosa pledged that government funds for the flood victims will not be lost to corruption.

There can be no room for corruption, mismanagement or fraud of any sort, said Ramaphosa.

Learning from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are drawing together various stakeholders to be part of an oversight structure to ensure all funds disbursed to respond to this disaster are properly accounted for and that the state receives value for money, he said.

Ramaphosas remarks come after widespread graft was uncovered by the states Special Investigating Unit in state funds that were supposed to help the nation respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize resigned after the investigation found that businesses linked to his family benefited from inflated COVID-19 contracts from his department.

Despite Ramaphosas pledge, many South Africans are skeptical that government funds for flood relief will not be diverted by corruption. Several businesses, prominent South Africans and charities have pledged money to private organizations.

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe, Ramaphosas brother-in-law, has made one of the biggest donations pledging about $2 million to Gift of the Givers, a South African-based disaster relief organization. The University of Johannesburg said it will also donate funds directly to Gift of the Givers.

South African-born Hollywood actress Charlize Theron has also appealed for funds for flood relief through her Africa Outreach Project.

South Africa had been in a national state of disaster over COVID-19 since March 2020 until it was lifted two weeks ago, but it has now been reinstated in response to the Durban floods.

___

This story was corrected to show that more than 40 people are missing and the KwaZulu-Natal is the correct spelling.

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

Associated Press
Sri Lanka police open fire at protesters; 1 dead, 13 injured View Photo

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Sri Lankan police opened fire Tuesday at people protesting new fuel price increases, killing one and injuring 13 others, in the first shooting by security forces during weeks of demonstrations over the countrys worst economic crisis in decades.

Fifteen police personnel were also admitted to a hospital with minor injuries after clashes with protesters.

Police confirmed they shot at the protesters in Rambukkana, 90 kilometers (55 miles) northeast of Colombo, the capital, and they declared a local curfew afterward. Police spokesman Nihal Talduwa said the demonstrators were blocking railway tracks and roads and had ignored police warnings to disperse. He said protesters also threw rocks at police.

Dr. Mihiri Priyangani of the government hospital in Kegalle said 14 people were brought there with suspected gunshot wounds and one had died. Three others had undergone surgeries and were being monitored. The police in the hospital had minor injuries, possibly from being hit by stones, she said.

Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy, with nearly $7 billion of its total $25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment this year. A severe shortage of foreign exchange means the country lacks money to buy imported goods.

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung and U.N. Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy urged restraint from all sides and called on the authorities to ensure the peoples right to peaceful protest.

Chung called for an independent investigation into the shooting.

Sri Lankans have endured months of shortages of essentials such as food, cooking gas, fuel and medicine, lining up for hours to buy the very limited stocks available.

Fuel prices have risen several times in recent months, resulting in sharp increases in transport costs and prices of other essentials. There was another round of increases at midnight Monday.

Thousands of protesters continued to occupy the entrance to the presidents office for an 11th day Tuesday, blaming him for the economic crisis. At night, the crowd outside his office in Colombo held up their phones as illumination during a vigil condemning the shooting in Rambukkana.

Sri Lankas prime minister said Tuesday that the constitution will be changed to clip presidential powers and empower Parliament, as protesters continued to demand that the president and his powerful family quit.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament that the power shift is a quick step that can be taken to politically stabilize the country and help talks with the International Monetary Fund over an economic recovery plan.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the prime ministers brother, concentrated power in the presidency after being elected in 2019.

While looking for solutions to the economic problems, it is important that we have political and social stability in the country, Prime Minister Rajapaksa said, adding that restoring more power to Parliament will be a start to the reforms.

The Rajapaksa brothers are likely to retain their grip on power even if the constitution is amended, since they hold both offices.

President Rajapaksa acknowledged on Monday that he made mistakes which had led to the crisis, such as delaying an appeal to the IMF for help and banning agrochemicals with the aim of making Sri Lankan agriculture fully organic. Critics say the ban on imported fertilizer was aimed at conserving the countrys declining foreign exchange holdings and badly hurt farmers.

Both the president and prime minister have refused to step down, resulting in a political impasse. Opposition parties have rejected the presidents proposal of a unity government, but have been unable to put together a majority in Parliament and form a new government.

In a Cabinet reshuffle Monday, the president appointed many new faces and left out four family members who had held Cabinet and non-Cabinet posts, in an apparent attempt to please the protesters without giving up his familys grip on power.

Finance Minister Ali Sabry met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington and requested a rapid financing facility for countries facing urgent balance of payment crises, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday.

It said Georgieva told Sabry that India had also backed Sri Lankas request for the facility.

Later, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Sabry and assured him of Indias support for Sri Lankas economic recovery, the ministry said.

Sri Lanka has also turned to China and India for emergency loans to buy food and fuel.

By KRISHAN FRANCIS and BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI

Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP)  A Ukrainian journalist imprisoned in Crimea will be honored next month at the PEN America gala. Vladyslav Yesypenko, arrested last year and sentenced recently to six years in a Russian labor camp for alleged possession and transport of explosives, is this years recipient of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.

Yesypenko, 53, is a freelance correspondent for Krym.Realii Project, a Crimean radio program and news source run by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He has denied the allegations and has said he confessed after being tortured and threatened with death. He was arrested in March 2021 by Russias Federal Security Service (FSB).

At the time, he had been working on a video report about how life has changed in Crimea since it was annexed by Russia eight years ago.

Since February, the horrors of Russias war on Ukraine have been laid bare for all the world to see. But Russias campaign to suffocate Ukraine dates back much further, and intensified in 2014 with the illegal occupation of the Crimean peninsula, Suzanne Nossel, CEO of the literary and human rights organization, said in a statement Tuesday.

Indomitable reporters like Vladyslav Yesypenko have provided a portal to enable the world to see Russian occupation for what it is, an exercise of force aimed to stifle the will of free people.

While in detention, Yesypenko wrote a letter, published by Krym.Realii, in which he contended that Nothing shows the ugly nature of the occupying power as the constant filling of the cells with new people who were detained on fabricated evidence. Referring to his treatment by the FSB, he added: It didnt break me, but my hair seemed to turn gray.

His wife, Kateryna Yesypenko, will accept the award on his behalf during the May 23 gala at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Other honorees will include author Zadie Smith and Audible founder Donald Katz.

The PEN award, called the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award when established in 1987, is given to writers and artists imprisoned for their work. Over the years, numerous honorees have since been freed, including the 2017 recipient, Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. He was released from a Russian prison two years later.

By HILLEL ITALIE

AP National Writer
Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Sign View Photo

Sonora, CA The Tuolumne Board of Supervisors will be meeting on the morning of April 19th to discuss honoring a local group that is celebrating 100 years. The Sonora Lions Club has been serving the community since its initial charter date of April 24th, 1922. Over the past 100 years, members of that group have dedicated approximately 110,000-125,000 hours of community service and donated over $900,000 to various community groups and events. The Supervisors will discuss approving a Certificate of Recognition in honor of this legacy of community service.

In addition, a resolution will be discussed that will recognize and commend Dr. Sergienko as the Tuolumne County interim Health Officer. A position that has been vacant since early 2020, Dr. Sergienko is being praised for providing guidance and direction during the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as non COVID issues.

A Certificate of Recognition is going to be considered for Lynn McCormick who is retiring from the Tuolumne County Public Library, a career that started as a relief Library Assistant II and ended as Librarian II. Some of the many programs she assisted with or created include the Born to Read Program and Summer Reading Program. Most notably was the creation of the Childrens Story time Program which was a passion project that has become quite popular in the community.

American Rescue Plan funds will also be discussed, in March 2021 President Biden signed that plan into law which allocated a total of $10,581,713 to be made in two equal payments. The first arrived in May 2021 and the second will arrive in May 2022. The board will be providing direction on the process and use of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The full meeting agenda can be found here.

Tuesdays meeting starts at 9am in the board meeting room at the government center in downtown Sonora.
Israeli settlers march in West Bank amid wave of unrest View Photo

BURQA, West Bank (AP)  Thousands of Israelis marched to a dismantled settlement deep in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday and called for it to be rebuilt in a show of strength amid a wave of Israeli-Palestinian unrest and fears of further escalation.

The army blocked roads to facilitate the march led by hard-line Jewish settlers and prevent Palestinians from reaching the area. Dozens of Palestinian residents protested the closures. Clashes broke out, with Israeli soldiers firing rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinian youths hurling stones and burning tires.

Palestinian medics said they treated at least eight Palestinians who were struck by rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by Israeli troops in the adjacent West Bank village of Burqa.

Israelis have repeatedly returned to Homesh, a hilltop settlement that emerged as a symbol of settler defiance after the government dismantled it in 2005.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have surged in recent weeks after a series of deadly attacks inside Israel and and military operations in the West Bank. Palestinian militants fired a rocket from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel for the first time in months, and Israel carried out airstrikes, after days of clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem.

The unrest has raised fears of a repeat of last year, when protests and clashes in Jerusalem helped ignite an 11-day Gaza war.

The shrine, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the emotional epicenter of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel said its security forces entered the site in response to Palestinian rock-throwing and that it is committed to ensuring that Jews, Christians and Muslims can worship freely in the Holy Land. The Palestinians view the presence of Israeli security forces at Al-Aqsa and visits by nationalist and religious Jews as a provocation.

Israel has faced intense criticism from Jordan, which serves as custodian of the site, as well as Egypt  Arab states that made peace with Israel decades ago. The United Arab Emirates, which led the way in normalizing relations with Israel as part of the so-called Abraham Accords in 2020, summoned the recently appointed Israeli ambassador on Tuesday.

The UAE said Israel needs to fully protect worshippers, to respect the rights of Palestinians to practice their religious rites and to stop any practices that violate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to a statement carried by the state-run WAM news agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he discussed the violence in a telephone call with Israels largely ceremonial President Isaac Herzog.

During this sensitive period, I would like to emphasize, once again, the need not to allow provocations and threats against the status and spirituality of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Erdogan said.

It was an unusually muted statement for Erdogan, who has been an outspoken critic of Israels policies toward the Palestinians in the past. Turkey, whose economy is in crisis, has been trying to normalize its frayed ties with Israel and other regional countries.

Herzog visited Turkey last month, becoming the first Israeli leader to visit in 14 years.

The U.N. Security Council emerged from a closed-door session Tuesday with no unanimous message on the tensions, though envoys from Ireland, France, Estonia, Norway and Albania stood together to express concern. They called for respecting arrangements at holy sites and for restraint from both sides, while condemning rocket fire from Gaza and all acts of terrorism.

The United States, Israels closest ally, has also called on all sides to exercise restraint.

At the march in the occupied West Bank, several thousand Israelis, including young children, walked roughly two kilometers (one mile) to Homesh, where organizers staged festivities attended by religious nationalist politicians and rabbis.

The Israeli military didnt formally authorize the march but closed roads to separate the settlers and Palestinians, allowing it to be held.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and in the decades since has built dozens of settlements that are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis. The Palestinians seek the territory, which is home to nearly 3 million Palestinians, as the main part of a future independent state.

Most of the international community considers the settlements to be illegal. Israel views the West Bank as the historical and biblical heartland of the Jewish people. The peace process ground to a halt more than a decade ago.

The settlement of Homesh was built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and was dismantled in 2005. In the years since, Israeli settlers have staged several marches, rallies and attempts to rebuild it in violation of Israeli law and military orders.

In December, Palestinian militants killed a Jewish settler near the site of the former settlement. A month earlier, six Palestinian farmers were hospitalized after settlers attacked them with metal batons and stones.

___

Ben Zion reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations contributed to this report.

By NASSER NASSER and ILAN BEN ZION

Associated Press
Charges dropped against husband in missing woman case View Photo

DENVER (AP)  Prosecutors on Tuesday dropped criminal charges against a Colorado man who was about to go on trial in the presumed death of his missing wife, but they left the door open to bringing new charges against him later.

The move follows Judge Ramsey Lamas decision last month to bar prosecutors from presenting most of their key witnesses during Barry Morphews scheduled trial for repeatedly failing to follow rules for turning over evidence in his favor. The evidence included DNA from an unknown male linked to sexual assault cases in other states, which was found in Suzanne Morphews SUV, raising the possibility of another suspect being involved.

In a court filing, District Attorney Linda Stanley said the exclusion of the prosecutions witnesses was one reason she asked Lama to allow prosecutors to drop the charges. But she emphasized that investigators need more time to find the body of Suzanne Morphew before Barry Morphew goes on trial, saying for the first time that investigators believe her body is located in an area covered deep in snow near their former home in the southern Colorado mountains. Prosecutors and law enforcement believe they are close to finding her, she said.

The People were hopeful that the search for, and the discovery of, the victims body would be concluded well before trial, but weather has complicated the efforts, Stanley wrote in the motion, which Lama later approved.

Suzanne Morphews siblings agree with the prosecutions request to drop the charges, she said.

Barry Morphew pleaded for help finding Suzanne Morphew after she disappeared and was reported missing on Mothers Day in 2020 but he was arrested and charged with murder and other crimes last year. He had pleaded not guilty and his trial had been set to begin April 28.

These charges were false from the beginning, one of Barry Morphews lawyers, Iris Eytan, said after a court hearing in the case Tuesday.

Eytan said there was no physical evidence linking Barry Morphew to the case and noted that prosecutors have never before said they needed to find Suzanne Morphews body in order to prosecute.

David Beller, an attorney with Recht Kornfeld PC, a Denver law firm, and a former president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, said the prosecutors request showed they feared a jury could have acquitted Barry Morphew and was a last minute attempt by to save their case.

A not guilty verdict would have prevented the government from ever prosecuting him again since the Constitution bars people from being prosecuted for the same crime twice.

Even though prosecutors have the ability to file charges against Barry Morphew later, Beller did not think it was likely unless Suzanne Morphews body was found with some kind of evidence linking Barry Morphew to her death. He said other evidence supports his innocence.

This is a relatively inexperienced prosecution team who brought charges in part based on community and political pressure, he said.

_____

This story has been corrected to say that the judge barred the prosecution witnesses last month, not earlier this month.

By COLLEEN SLEVIN

Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A $1.8 billion facility intended to connect Metro light-rail lines under downtown Los Angeles is 90% complete and test runs of trains are underway, officials said Monday.

The Regional Connector Project was designed to save commuters time by eliminating transfers between trains, allowing one-seat rides across Los Angeles County.

The trackwork, the rail guideways, the platform areas are now complete, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told a press conference. Weve been waiting for like 10 years.

County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, board chair of the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority, said the connector will open later this year.

The overall project is a 1.9-mile (3.06-kilometer) underground light-rail extension connecting the A, E and L lines and three new stations, including the Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station about 100 feet beneath ground level.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A California man who spent more than three decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit was exonerated of the crime Monday, clearing the way for his release from prison, officials said.

Joaquin Ciria, who is now 61, was arrested in 1990 and convicted of a shooting death in San Francisco based on false witness testimony and police misconduct, said San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who dismissed the case against Ciria on Monday after a judge overturned his conviction.

Cirias case marked the first exoneration prompted by the District Attorneys Innocence Commission, which was established by Boudin in 2020 to review potential wrongful conviction cases.

Thirty-two years ago, you were taken away from your wife and your baby, and that is because the system failed you catastrophically, Lara Bazelon, chair of the commission, said during a news conference alongside Boudin and members of Cirias family. Now at long last, you have a chance to take back your life.

Ciria was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of Felix Bastarrica, who was shot in the head after an argument in a San Francisco alley.

An 18-month investigation by the commission located new witnesses and evidence and found a cascade of errors in how the case was handled, including police coercion of the key witness, who was a teenager at the time, said Bazelon, a professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law.

There was no DNA, no fingerprints, no murder weapon was ever recovered, she said, adding that Ciria had always maintained his innocence and had two alibi witnesses who said he was home at the time of the murder but were never called by the defense, possibly because they only spoke Spanish. Had a jury heard this case today there would not have been a conviction.

The timing of Cirias release was not immediately known, Boudins office said.

Mr. Ciria has been in prison for more than 30 years for a crime he did not commit, Boudin said. Today we celebrate long overdue justice, but we cannot stop working to undo other wrongful convictions.
A judge denied a motion Tuesday to reduce bonds for the jailed parents of a Michigan teenager who is charged in a shooting at Oxford High School that left four of his fellow students dead.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews said that James and Jennifer Crumbleys actions before their Dec. 4 arrests in a commercial building in Detroit were meant to conceal their whereabouts.

The defendants indicate they were devastated when they heard about the alleged actions of their son, felt unsafe in their home, felt hounded by the press and found it necessary to leave, Matthews said. The chronology of events that occurred subsequent to the defendants leaving their home is not consistent with cooperation with law enforcement.

The Crumbleys had disappeared the day before  after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The parents are accused of failing to keep a gun secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress. They have pleaded not guilty.

Upon a warrant being issued, law enforcement is not required to make an appointment with a defendant, Matthews said. It is the job of the police to ensure a swift, safe and secure arrest. The defendants actions were premeditated to conceal their whereabouts.

The Crumbleys' attorneys had requested that their bonds be lowered from $500,000 each to $100,000 each. They indicated they would appeal Matthews ruling on bond and would seek a change of venue as the case heads to trial, which is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 24.

The Crumbleys were absolutely shocked parents who had no reason to foresee what would happen, defense attorneys Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman wrote earlier.

The Oakland County prosecutors office opposed a lower bond for the Crumbleys, noting that a similar request was denied by a judge in a lower court.

The claim that they werent trying to flee is not credible, Prosecutor Karen McDonald told reporters following Tuesday's hearing. Turning yourself in is always the best route. You can't try to run from being prosecuted and claim you were always going to return to a court date.

Ethan Crumbley, who turns 16 next week, is charged with murder and other crimes. Four students were killed and more were injured in the Nov. 30 shooting.

McDonald said Tuesday that her office has been spent the past several weeks meeting with parents of the Oxford High students who died and those whose children were wounded. They've also met with students who survived the attack.

The one thing they really want is certainty and they want to know that the Crumbleys will be held accountable for their actions, McDonald told reporters. There is a lot that that community is dealing with, and having your child be shot at school is something that I don't think were really wired to understand.

None of that should impact the couple's right to a fair trial, she added.

___

Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan.

___

For more of the APs coverage of the Michigan school shooting: https://apnews.com/hub/oxford-high-school-shooting
Bexar County approved a tax abatement deal worth over half-a-million dollars on Tuesday, April 19, for DeLorean, now calling itself DeLorean Motors Reimagined. Commissioners approved a 100% tax abatement for DeLorean for the next 10 years, amounting to an estimated value of $512,828.

The deal comes after San Antonio City Council approved a 10-year, $562,500 incentive package on Thursday, April 14. The city's deal is contingent upon reaching a final job milestone of 450 jobs.

In total, the deals amount to over $1 million for DeLorean to establish its headquarters at Port San Antonio and  as the company's CFO Dean Hall says  "resuscitate the brand." That brand died in the late 80s amid scandal, only to be revived as a smaller version of itself in Humble servicing the remaining original DMC coupes.

DeLorean, announcing its big return under CEO Joost de Vries, plans to revive its brand with a series of new electric vehicles, including a reimagining of its old coupe that was made famous by the iconic film Back to the Future. Those vehicles, however, will not be manufactured in San Antonio. Instead, the work will be handled by third party companies in in Ontario and South Carolina.

"I'm really excited to sort of play our role in, you know, moving San Antonio into a high-tech sort of services-driven innovation economy, as opposed to just a manufacturing one," Hall said at the commissioners court meeting.

The 450 jobs DeLorean promised to create will be in corporate and engineering testing.

Here's what DeLorean is bringing to the table.

Courtesy of DeLorean Motor Company

DeLorean's contribution
Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com

San Antonio-based Bill Miller Bar-B-Q started the week by releasing a new, limited-time snack. Monday, April 18 marked the roughly month-long availability of a mac and cheese topped with brisket. Though a procrastinator in most situations, I wasted no time getting in to a Bill Miller location to try the new side.

It seems like no one else did, either. The online reaction of more than a thousand shares, comments, and likes matched the in-person excitement. In the hour I spent at the Bill Miller location at the De Zavala Road dining room around 5 p.m., I heard the kitchen staff call out for about five orders of the new cheesy, meaty treat.
Courtesy, Family & Friends Of Olivarez

Its been almost seven months since the murder of a former News 4 San Antonio employee. Now, San Antonio Crime Stoppers is increasing its reward in hopes of finding out who is responsible for the death of 40-year-old Christopher Roel Olivarez. The organization is offering $17,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Olivarez was found dead in his front yard from multiple stab wounds on September 25, 2021 in the 300 block of Kirk Place. San Antonio police believe Olivarez brought the suspect home with him, and that the suspect was seen leaving the home in Olivarezs car after the murder, according to Fox San Antonio. Detectives say that vehicle was later recovered on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, outside the city limits.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A federal judge in Florida has voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials in the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, also said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention improperly failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking.

In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle said the only remedy was to vacate the rule entirely across the country because it would be impossible to end it for the limited group of people who objected in the lawsuit.

The judge said a limited remedy would be no remedy at all and that the courts have full authority to make a decision such as this  even if the goals of the CDC in fighting the virus are laudable.

Because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends, the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate, she wrote.

The Justice Department declined to comment Monday when asked if the government planned to appeal the ruling.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was not directly involved in the case but has battled against many government coronavirus requirements, praised the ruling in statement on Twitter.

Great to see a federal judge in Florida follow the law and reject the Biden transportation mask mandate. Both airline employees and passengers deserve to have this misery end, DeSantis tweeted.

The CDC recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

The mask requirement for travelers was the target of months of lobbying from the airlines, which sought to kill it. The carriers argued that effective air filters on modern planes make transmission of the virus during a flight highly unlikely. Republicans in Congress also fought to kill the mandate.

Critics have seized on the fact that states have rolled back rules requiring masks in restaurants, stores and other indoor settings, and yet COVID-19 cases have fallen sharply since the omicron variant peaked in mid-January.

There have been a series of violent incidents on aircraft that have mainly been attributed to disputes over the mask-wearing requirements.

The lawsuit was filed in July 2021 by two plaintiffs and the Health Freedom Defense Fund, described in the judge's order as a nonprofit group that opposes laws and regulations that force individuals to submit to the administration of medical products, procedures and devices against their will.

___

Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo contributed to this story from Washington.
My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011.

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(Natural News) Apple CEO Tim Cook and other corporate leaders should be required to register as foreign agents because of their ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to expert testimony received by an influential congressional advisory body.

(Article by Andrew Thornebrooke republished from TheEpochTimes.com)

When Tim Cook comes to testify before Congress, he testifies as the head of an American multinational, said Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Washington-based Economic Strategy Institute. No. He should be compelled to testify as a foreign agent. He is much more an agent of Beijing than he is of Washington.

I could say that of the head of the Chamber of Commerce. I could say that of the head of the U.S.China Commission here in Washington. They are all tools of China, not of the United States.

American CEOs On Their Knees in China

Prestowitz delivered the testimony during a seven-hour hearing of the U.S.China Economic and Security Commission on April 14, which sought to understand threats posed by Chinas anti-competitive and coercive trade practices.

He said key leaders across major U.S. corporations and the finance sector are increasingly beholden to the CCP and that their capture presented an immense threat to national stability that needed to be responded to by the whole of society.

What we have to understand is that our corporations, our major business leaders, the Ray Dalios of the world, and the Tim Cooks of the world, they are powerful here in Washington. You know the money they spend, the entreat they have here in Washington, Prestowitz said. In Beijing, theyre on their knees. They kowtow.

Prestowitz particularly singled out Cook for his personal efforts to ingratiate himself with Chinese communist leaders in order to secure better business deals in China.

Cook toured China in 2016 and personally lobbied CCP officials in order to secure a secretive $275 billion deal with the regime that involved greater investment in China from Apple, in exchange for less regulatory oversight.

The deal also allegedly included promises from Cook to source more of Apples supplies from Chinese suppliers, to expand collaboration with Chinese universities for research and development, and to increase direct investments in Chinese tech companies.

Prestowitz highlighted the discrepancy in Apples behavior in the United States versus in China.

He noted that in 2015, Apple refused FBI requests to unlock the phone of a terrorist who carried out a deadly mass shooting and an attempted bombing in California, eventually leaving the government no other option but to hire hackers to try and crack the phone.

In 2019, however, Apple rushed to remove a real-time mapping app from its store after attracting the ire of the CCP over its use by pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

Within two days, the app was out of the app store, Prestowitz said.

Apple, at the time, said it removed the app because it caused serious harm to law enforcement and local residents.

When CEOs and investors act for the benefit of the communist regime, it isnt usually done out of malicious intent, but fear, according to Prestowitz.

Tim Cook knows, Ray Dalio knows, that if they get a little bit out of line with what Beijing wants, the electricity could go off or the water could turn off, he said.

Prestowitz also noted that Chinese laws require foreign companies operating in China to maintain CCP organizations within their companies to ensure that they operate within the confines of communist dictates and that these party cells actively work to stop companies from acting against the wishes of the CCP.

To that end, Prestowitz described U.S. corporate leaders as hostages of Beijing and said the situation wouldnt change until the U.S. government took firm action against the CCP to curb its coercive practices and set clear consequences for those corporate leaders who represented CCP interests over those of the United States.

One of the things that I think is very important is for the U.S. government to put the CEOs of global corporations on notice that theyre not going to be able to operate in this sort of two-sided, unbalanced world, Prestowitz said.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Apple for comment.

Democratic Nations Require E-NATO to Combat CCP

Prestowitz said democratic nations with market economies throughout the world are facing a similar threat from the CCP and that a unified response among like-minded nations that can agree on adhering to a rules-based order is necessary to eradicate the creeping dependency of the United States on China.

China doesnt accept our concept of free trade, Prestowitz said. It doesnt accept our concept of rule of law. So we have to respond to China in a full-court, full-strategy way, in order to deal with all the issues it raises.

To that end, he called for a new E-NATO of democratic countries with market economies to craft an alliance that would increase trade between nations that played by the rules and respond against efforts by regimes such as the CCP to undermine or exploit their markets.

Prestowitz said such an alliance is necessary because the CCP doesnt accept the separation of markets, trade, and defense into separate spheres, but seals them together as a unified weapon for national benefit, which he described as a complete strategy. Thus, the CCP doesnt represent a mere threat to trade, but also to research, development, technology, and security.

The Chinese Communist Party is aiming to requite what it calls 150 years of humiliation, he said. Its aiming to displace the United States as the worlds leading power, and to do so not only in terms of political or military power, but particularly in terms of economic and technological power.

But that effort still requires U.S. business leaders such as Tim Cook to toe the Party line in a way that disproportionately harms U.S. taxpayers, and its that relationship that needs to be severed, according to Prestowitz.

Everything that Apple sells at some point came out of U.S.-funded government research, came out of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, he said. Everything that Apple sells had a high degree of U.S. taxpayer-funded money behind it in the beginning.

[Yet] Everything that Apple makes is made in China.

China Inc.

Nazak Nikakhtar, a former assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis, agreed with Prestowitz that multinational corporate leaders who act in tandem with the CCP should be registered as foreign agents because of their involvement with Chinese government companies.

Their actions are harming U.S. interests with impunity and expanding the CCPs malign efforts to exploit the open borders of the U.S. economy, according to Nikakhtar.

Our companies are forging joint ventures in China, developing technologies there, and by virtue of developing technologies there, its outside U.S. export control jurisdiction, she said. Why arent we investing that in the U.S. economy and the economies of our allies?

Nikakhtar said that since 1992, the United States has pumped more than $2.3 trillion in direct investments into China. The trade deficit with China in 2020 was $366 billion. The CCP has used that money to create international dependencies so that nations such as the United States wont break away for fear of economic fallout.

The Chinese governments endgame is to render the rest of the world dependent on it, and today, this plan is succeeding, she said. The greater our dependence grows, the more vulnerable and fragile we become. This is not a sound strategy.

The CCPs strategy is to essentially vassalize other nations through economic coercion by creating supply chain weaknesses and economic dependencies, she said. To this end, she considers China under the yoke of the CCP to be a foreign adversary and introduced what she believes could be the answer to effectively leveraging the U.S. market against it: China Inc.

China Inc. is a concept in trade jurisprudence with decades of precedent and one that has been recognized by the Supreme Court, according to Nikakhtar.

It recognizes, in essence, that every entity in China is affiliated with the central government unless you prove otherwise, she said.

Thus, if the concept of China Inc. was expanded from trade law to other realms of law and policy across the government, the United States would be able to effectively combat creeping CCP control.

This is because it would allow the government to effectively cut off any company leader deemed to have lost autonomy over their business due to social or economic debts incurred with the CCP.

The rest of the government doesnt have this legal framework, Nikakhtar said. So you have a whole bunch of federal agencies who have really exquisite legal authority to do things, but they just cant act on it because theyre missing this link.

As such, she urged the commission to recommend that the government expand the China Inc. policy to all government agencies in a final bid to slay the dragon.

Lets just do things right for a change, Nikakhtar said. We may not get a redo.

Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com
(Natural News) Compelling and factually sourced testimony in Pennsylvania from investigative reporter Todd Shepherd on April 5 in front of the Pennsylvania State Government Affairs Committee seems to have provided the state legislature with the evidence needed to pass two important election integrity bills, one concerning allegedly politically biased private grants to fund election administration and the other to prevent drop boxes from being used in future elections in the state. Shepherd reports for Broad + Liberty and has won numerous awards for his journalism. His full presentation is captured below:

(Article by Wendi Strauch Mahoney republished from UncoverDC.com)

Shepherd Investigation: Web of Activists Influenced the PA Election

Shepherds investigation reveals that the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) grants and the Center for Secure and Modern Elections (CSME) played a significant role in the states elections at the county level. While he refrained from declaring that the election was somehow stolen from Donald Trump, he made it crystal clear that the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) effort in the election did not serve all Pennsylvania counties and/or voters equally, a violation of equal protection clause. Instead, the GOTV efforts seem to have consistently served select county election offices, a pattern of behavior that has now been proven in multiple states. His reporting was informed by on-the-record responses from elected officialsabout a dozen right-to-know law requests and emails.

Shepherds opening statement summarizes the scheme well.

Get out the vote efforts are as old as American elections and are a natural part of our political DNA, said Shepherd. However, what were examining today is if these election grants were really running a GOTV effort by coordinating with select county election offices, running GOTV efforts by using private money given to some election offices but not all  and thats a completely different animal. The grants awarded were heavily biased towards Democratic-voting counties; that agents of the Governors office and Secretary of States office appeared to have had a hand in creating that imbalance; that paid political consultants with partisan interests became involved, raising considerable ethical questions; and that some government actors involved with these grants knew about some of the political bias involved, but did not care, or  in one instance I will show you  told the public something very different than what they were saying behind closed doors. But another player, the Center for Secure and Modern Elections, plays a significant role.

With PowerPoint slides, Shepherds 26-minute presentation demonstrates what is now becoming widely known in many states, not just Pennsylvania. In the case of Pennsylvania, as per Shepherd, left-leaning organizations coordinated with local election officials and Democrat Gov. Tom Wolfs office to lobby five blue counties to apply for these private grants, as was also reported by The Federalist journalist Margot Cleveland.

Shepherd says he found a tremendous amount of circumstantial evidence to indicate that grants went overwhelmingly to blue counties. Not only that, CTCL and CSME relied on other actorssuch as paid political consultants and nonprofits to do their dirty work. He discusses numerous organizations, consultants, and strategists who worked to help win this swing state, quoting Kevin Mack, Lead Strategist for The Voter Project.

Shepherds in-depth presentation discusses the broad web of actors and politically biased organizations, which were in some cases funded by unions in the state and, he explains, had the net effect of decreasing transparency [and] accountability. For example, the screencap below shows one of several slides indicating union donations to the Keystone Research Center, a left-of-center thinktank that The Voter Project sponsored and funded.

CSME, said Shepherd, used consultant Marc Solomon to target select counties. Shepherd explains:

Solomon is a principal with Civitas Public Affairs in New York City, and generally speaking, his clients are less partisan than Deliver Strategies, but I think its very fair to still characterize his work as left-of-center. But Solomon and his firm also represent the Center for Secure and Modern Elections, and in emails I obtained, Mr. Solomon identifies himself as working on behalf of CSME. Whats important to know about CSME is that it is not a 501-c-3, but rather it is a fiscally sponsored project of the New Venture Fund. And on the screen you see a job posting by the CSME in which it identifies itself as a project of the New Venture Fund. This is important because the New Venture Fund is managed by Arabella Advisors. These groups  the parent group Arabella, New Venture Fund  are part of what the Atlantic Magazine identified as The Massive Progressive Dark-Money Group Youve Never Heard Of Why is the CSME more involved in the grant management process than CTCL? The public was sold grants by the CTCL, NOT work by the CSME.

Although brief in length, Shepherds presentation is densely packed with evidence of multiple activist actors from the private sector and the government who coordinated on multiple fronts with blue counties to deliver votes, frankly, his presentation is a must-watch, and this brief summary fails to do it justice.

Highlights include his discussion of activists pushing to traffic ballots using drop boxes, with assistance from Jennifer Walls-Lavelle, who worked in Gov. Tom Wolfs office, who was treasurer for Project Keystone, per its 2018 IRS 990 form. Cleveland reported, All five counties lobbied by the left-wing activists broke heavily for Joe Biden. Equal protection laws were broken, and mass mail-in voting made the election ripe for corruption and fraud.

As an example of issues with the equal protection clause, in Delaware County alone, a county that garnered great interest from Marc Solomon in terms of grant money, Democrats who had taken a roughly 18-thousand voter registration advantage in 2016turned it into a 47-thousand voter registration advantage in 2020 in part because of the injection of drop boxes. Cleveland reports that the County had ten times the number of drop boxes planned over the even larger Montgomery County.

And, stunningly, Solomon, who doesnt even work for the grant-giving entity (CTCL), proposed he write the press release begging for grant money. Solomon works for an Arabella-managed dark money agency, the CSME, and hes proposing to draft the whole press release on behalf of Delaware County and the Center for Tech and Civic Life, declares Shepherd. Even worse, Shepherd explains, is Solomons wording. Solomon states in an email to Delaware County councilwoman Reuther that he and the county ought to work together to frame the award smartly around Covid, etc.

New Election Integrity Bills Delivered

Shepherds testimony was what Pennsylvania Senate Republicans needed to pass the two important election integrity bills. Senator Mastriano, in an April 13 press release, states:

Mark Zuckerberg and his liberal front groups claimed their grants were awarded equally for the safe administration of elections during COVID. But most of those funds went to things like drop boxes and satellite offices, not PPE. When adjusted for population, Democrat counties received more grant money from Zuckerberg to influence voter turnout than Republican counties received in the 2020 election. There are no public records showing the amounts that all counties requested and any conditions that Zuckerbergs groups placed on the grants. Its also important to note that the use of private funds for elections was never approved by the General Assembly. When it comes to drop boxes, there is now documented evidence that ballot harvesting occurred at drop box locations in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Lehigh, Luzerne, and Lackawanna counties. Like private funds, drop boxes were never approved by the General Assembly in the first place. They were unconstitutionally created by the State Supreme Court.

SB1200 bans drop boxes and clarifies that ballots may only be dropped off to an employee at a county board of elections office. Collecting and dropping off ballots on behalf of others is illegal in Pennsylvania. This violation, known as ballot harvesting, was proven to be prevalent in the 2020 and 2021 general elections.

With respect to the prevention of private grant funding, Rep Eric Nelson was the primary sponsor on the House side with House Bill 2044. Senate Bill 982 was sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker on the Senate side. It passed on a bipartisan basis with a 37 to 12 vote.

By a bipartisan vote of 37 to 12, the Senate passed legislation which would ban outside groups from paying for the administration of elections in Pennsylvania: https://t.co/W5OtzhkDEb  Senator David Argall (@SenatorArgall) April 14, 2022

Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) stated in his April 13 press release that he is committed to restor[ing] integrity in Pennsylvanias elections.

We cannot claim to have free and fair elections when we know a large number of ballots are being cast illegally with the financial backing of partisan interests. Lawmakers have a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and ensure fair and equal representation for our citizens. Although we still have work to do to reach this goal, these bills bring us closer to making this mission a reality. People who are falsely claiming these bills somehow infringe on the rights of Pennsylvanians are dead wrong. Preventing the use of unsecured drop boxes  which the Legislature never authorized in the first place  does not diminish opportunities for Pennsylvanians to participate in our elections whatsoever. The testimony and evidence we have gathered during our election investigation played a key role in the passage of this legislation, including earning bipartisan support for the elimination of private funding for our elections. These measures clearly validate the careful and thoughtful approach we have taken to restoring election integrity. This is what meaningful action on election integrity should look like  real results, not grandstanding and empty rhetoric. Nothing is more important than upholding our election system, so I hope these bills will earn bipartisan support. However, if Governor Wolf threatens a veto of either of these bills, rest assured that I will do everything in my power under the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution to provide this necessary level of security in our election process.

Notably, Republican Sen. Mastriano has also introduced a comprehensive package of election integrity bills this session. This package includes bills that would eliminate mass mail-in voting (SB 884), mandate voter ID for all forms of voting (SB 735), and expand and empower poll watchers (SB 573).

Read more at: UncoverDC.com
(Natural News) A recent article by pro-life activist Jonathon Van Maren described a childrens storybook that glorifies abortion as shocking  even for some of the procedures most ardent supporters. Van Maren was referring to the book titled Whats An Abortion, Anyway? that contains pro-abortion propaganda.

Whats An Abortion, Anyway? became viral thanks to a Twitter exchange between abortion activist Renee Bracey Sherman and Christina Pushaw, press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Two queer abortion doulas from New York state were responsible for the book. Author Carly Manes, who describes herself as white and queer, provided the text. Meanwhile, a brown genderqueer cultural worker named Mar provided the illustrations under the Emulsify alias.

They refuse to refer to the baby in any way, shape or form throughout [the book, which] is intended to introduce the subject of abortion to children. [It also tosses] in some LGBT talking points for good measure: People of all gender identities get pregnant, children are told at one point, Van Maren wrote.

Van Maren had also been critical of the book by Manes and Mar in a June 2021 piece for LifeSiteNews.

Not surprisingly, the book is rife with disinformation from the get-go. They describe a miscarriage not as the loss of a child, but as a process where a pregnancy isnt healthy enough to keep growing. This will be understandably confusing to children who know instinctively that it is a baby, not a pregnancy, that is growing. They use the same sleight of hand to describe killing a baby in the womb: An abortion is when someone decides to stop growing their pregnancy.'

They then explain that there are many ways of removing pregnancy  with pills, through a doctor-administered surgical procedure  and state that abortion is safe because millions of people have them. (Related: Pro-abortion feminist ADMITS abortion ends a human life, but says its justifiable.)

Van Maren added: They also indicate that women  have abortions for different reasons. Some because they like their family exactly as it is, some because they cant take care of a new baby right now. Of course, the rest of the book refers not to babies but to pregnancies to ensure that children arent too traumatized by what abortion actually is.

Pro-life activists react to the book going viral

The book has gone viral after Pushaw cited a May 2021 tweet by Sherman, which lauded the book for its super cute and thoughtful way of explaining pregnancy and abortion. I love talking to kiddos about [reproduction] stuff, including abortion, but I know not everyone has words for it, tweeted Sherman, who dubs herself as the Beyonce of abortion storytelling.

I love talking to kiddos about abortion, tweeted DeSantis press secretary, complete with an emoticon of a woman doing the facepalm gesture.

Sherman responded to Pushaws post with a picture of herself holding up a book with two of her nieces sleeping. The picture had a caption with a quote allegedly told by one of her nieces: Can I read [my younger sister] her bedtime story? Because I know what abortion is, but she doesnt and she probably should.

Wait till she finds out this has been our familys bedtime story on our vacation this week, as my niece loves this book and reads it to her little sister every night. Our family was created by abortion, adoption and parenting decisions. I love our family, Sherman captioned her picture.

Pro-life activist and Live Action founder Lila Rose then replied to Sherman: We took your little sibling and killed her. Youre lucky we didnt kill you. Now celebrate and affirm the death of your sibling with me. No words to describe how violent, cruel and abusive this is. The Daily Wires Ben Shapiro also condemned the abortion activist, tweeting: Our family was created by abortion is a pretty grim argument.

Van Maren concluded his piece by saying that both Shermans tweet and the book by Manes and Mar are simply part of a growing trend where abortion is embraced as an objective good rather than a necessary evil.

Scores of other people pointed out that a family cannot be created by abortion, because abortion kills a child. A family can only be damaged by these acts of violence against its weakest and most vulnerable members, not created.'

Visit Abortions.news for more stories about how abortion is framed as good and necessary.

Watch Kaitlin Bennett of Liberty Hangout below reporting for InfoWars about abortion.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Planned Parenthood president admits their core mission is abortion, not health care.

Abortion propagandists to release CHILDRENS book that promotes children being killed before theyre born.

SICK feminists celebrate abortion with LOVE symbols while glossing over the gruesome details of murdering an unborn baby.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com 1

LifeSiteNews.com 2

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

Twitter.com 3

Twitter.com 4

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Newly uncovered documents proved that the Canadian government have used the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as leverage to bring the country more in line with the desires of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The documents were obtained by Canadian independent media outlet Rebel News through Access to Information Act filings. They are high-level briefing notes made to the then-Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of Global Affairs Canada Chrystia Freeland. (Related: Canadas Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelands grandfather was a Nazi and she admires George Soros. Its no surprise shes labeling freedom-loving Canadians terrorists.)

The briefing notes were made in preparation for the Great Reset meeting with the WEF that took place on December 8, 2020.

Other documents show that Freeland was a co-chair of one of the WEF meetings, along with government officials from Japan, the Netherlands and South Africa. Kent Walker, senior vice president of global affairs at Google, and Dina Powell McCormick, a partner at Goldman Sachs, were also co-chairs of other meetings.

Freeland being made a co-chair for many WEF meetings strongly suggests that Canada has either already embraced many of the WEFs goals or is on the way to fully implementing them.

Freeland and WEF wanted to use COVID-19 to fundamentally restructure Canadian society

One of the main goals of the WEF in its Great Reset meeting was supposedly to create global partnerships with governments and multinational corporations to facilitate an immediate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The world leaders in the WEF meeting had seven primary goals coming into it: strengthen global cooperation; re-globalize equitably; rebuild sustainably; deepen public-private partnerships; increase global resilience; promote peace and security; and promote gender equality.

Freeland was tasked with co-chairing the meeting to discuss how to strengthen global cooperation. In her notes, one of Freelands objectives for the meeting was to reiterate Canadas commitment to effective and accountable multilateralism, including as a core element of our collective efforts to combat COVID-19.

This meant she wanted to create global partnerships to pursue a common goal. Supposedly, this means dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. But as Freeland makes known, the only way Canada will do that is by adopting WEF principles, including the 2030 Agenda.

Canada views the 2030 Agenda as a comprehensive framework for responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable societies that can help to prevent and better withstand future crises and shocks, wrote Freeland.

The 2030 Agenda is the United Nations sustainable development plan. This involves achieving at least 17 overarching Sustainable Development Goals as well as 169 other sub-targets by 2030. This agenda has been fully embraced by the WEF as a part of its plans for a Great Reset.

If the 2030 Agenda goals are reached, it would fundamentally restructure Canadian society to be fully in line with the WEFs goals.

Learn more about the World Economic Forum and its global influence at Globalism.news.

Watch this episode of Candid Puppet News from The Other 24 Report as the team delves into the controversies surrounding Chrystia Freeland.

This video is from the channel The Other 24 on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Canadas govt is run by modern-day fascists creating corporate communism  Here are the facts.

Infections, hospitalizations, deaths increase in Canada for the doubly and triply vaccinated, as antibody-dependent enhancement takes hold.

Dr. Robert Malone says its time to start calling out all the members of the World Economic Forum.

Its not over: Globalists still using COVID-19 to MIND CONTROL people into submission.

World Economic Forum wants everyone who resists Great Reset to be forced into China-style reeducation camps.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

RebelNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Trump Organization Executive Vice President (EVP) Eric Trump said the Left has weaponized every single American institution.

I think the reality is people actually need to take back this country. The Left, the far Left, has weaponized every single institution that this country has. It has weaponized education; it has weaponized the military; it has weaponized the DOJ [Department of Justice]; it has weaponized the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation]; it has weaponized the media, Trump told host Doug Billings during the April 12 episode of The Right Side on Brighteon.TV

Look at social media right now. You put out an article that somebody in Silicon Valley disagrees with and they censor you. And you can state something thats totally fact and theyll say an independent third party fact-checker has verified this to be untrue. And youre sitting there saying, This is 100 percent true. Its 100 percent fact, and theyll turn that off and theyll mute you. (Related: Leftists demand big tech preemptively censor Trumps Truth Social)

The second son of former President Donald Trump added that every single person on their side has been censored, ostracized and their businesses attacked. He added that people are really naive if anybody doesnt think that this was planned and intentional.

Trump said the American people are willing to fight and talk about the topics that everyone knows are happening.

Weve got to rebuild not from the top down. Its one thing to win the presidency and work from the top down and you can effectuate massive change. And I think my father proved that you could do that. At the same time, you have to work from the bottom up. From every single school board so our children arent indoctrinated. We need to take this back and the Left has spent the last 20 years with this power grab. And weve got to stop that from happening, Trump said.

According to Trump, the mission of Americans right now is to bring back family, bring back religion, honest elections and the Constitution, and that they should be willing and ready to fight for it from the grassroots level.

Billings repeated General Michael Flynns words that local action has a national impact and that conservatives must be involved in the local system. He also mentioned that Americans went out in massive numbers to elect Donald Trump to a second term only to have it stolen.

The younger Trump said he doesnt believe that Joe Biden got 13 million more votes than Barack Obama to get into the White House. He also talked about the incident at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, where he was not allowed to get in because he was part of the Republican campaign and the questionable numerous military ballots that came overseas.

The fourth-generation businessman and former reality television personality also brought up the issue of people voting multiple times from various different addresses.

Biden administration lacks gravitas and energy

Trump slammed the Biden administration for its lack of gravitas and energy citing bad policy decisions, border issues and the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

These people have no work ethic, theyve got no gravitas. Theyve got no strength and their policies are crap, Trump said.

The Trump Organization EVP noted that under his fathers administration America was doing much better compared to the current administration.

We were rocking in every metric, lowest unemployment, lowest African American unemployment, the fastest median, wage growth, lowest oil and gas prices, said Trump while stating that there was peace in the Middle East with ISIS and Al-Qaeda gone.

He also mentioned the biggest tax cuts in the history of the American nation during the Trump administration.

Billings said one of the former presidents most significant contributions was uncovering the Deep State and revealing to the country its breadth and depth.

Trump pointed out that his father will go down in history as the guy who educated America about how the country was being ripped off by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, how people werent paying their fair share, how manufacturing was being stolen, how free trade really wasnt free and what was behind the Deep States curtain.

He also said his father is the only one that gave back tremendous amounts of his wealth just to go off and do something noble to save the country.

Follow DeepState.news to know more about the Deep State-Leftist connection.

Watch the full April 12 episode of The Right Side below. The The Right Side with Doug Billings airs every Tuesday at 7-8 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related articles:

Why are universities filled with left-wing communists and America haters? Because China has INFILTRATED hundreds of them with social engineers.

We agree with POTUS: Its time to investigate Leftist media controlled by anti-American communists seeking to overthrow the rule of law.

Trump slaps Hillary Clinton with lawsuit, alleges she maliciously conspired to create bogus Russian collusion narrative.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

WealthySpy.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) On April 13, the Truth for Health Foundation introduced its all-new Citizens Vaccine Injury Reporting System (CVIRS), which it says is the most accurate, accessible and complete vaccine injury reporting system in the world.

According to the Foundation, the public will now for the first time be able to easily and confidentially report their injuries and side effects without fear of reprisal as well as receive resources for developing a treatment plan to recover health.

Those familiar with vaccine adverse event reporting know that the United States government maintains the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which functions similarly. The difference is that VAERS only captures maybe 1 percent of all jab injuries and deaths due to the way it is run and manipulated.

The public will be able to, for the first time, easily and confidentially report their injuries and side effects without fear of reprisal as well as receive resources for developing a treatment plan to recover health, the Foundation says.

Between Dec. 14, 2020, and April 1, 2022, VAERS contained some 1,217,333 reports of injuries associated with Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines, 217,301 of which were reported as serious injuries. Included in this were 26,699 deaths during that same time period.

Historically, VAERS has been shown to report only 1 percent of actual vaccine adverse events, says Childrens Health Defense (CHD).

CVIRS will be more accurate and easy to use than VAERS

The purpose of CVIRS is to be a reliable alternative to VAERS, which is known to extremely underreport harms of the experimental COVID shots, says the Foundation.

Another problem with VAERS is that it is difficult to use, takes too long to complete, and is not easily accessible to the public.

(The) CDC has not been timely in recording data and reporting to the public, the Foundation added in a statement.

During the livestream event announcing the release of CVIRS, the Foundation provided first-hand testimony from people who are vaccine injured as well as data from insurance companies showing an exponentially higher number of death claims ever since Fauci Flu shots were introduced.

The Foundation also presented information about how to test and successfully treat adverse events and injuries caused by covid injections.

Our findings on vaccine safety will be reported to the public in contrast to what the CDC should be, but isnt doing, says independent physician Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D., president and CEO of the Foundation, which is registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

We do not receive any funding from the government, big pharma, big insurance, or healthcare systems which, frankly, have agendas tied to their funding, Vliet added. We answer to no one but the public, whose broad-based donations support our work. Our physicians and scientists are volunteering their time.

The Foundations Advisory Council will track and analyze the data contributed to CVIRS. The Council is made up of epidemiologists, physicians and scientists who will address every organ system in the body when assessing the data.

The Foundations chief medical advisor is none other than world-renowned cardiologist, epidemiologist and professor of medicine Dr. Peter A. McCullough. Vliet says that McCullough helped uncover how our public health reporting systems have failed because theyve done nothing with the information they receive.

Help us build the case about vaccine safety, McCullough said in reference to CVIRS.

In contrast to VAERS, CVIRS is extremely user-friendly, allowing individuals to complete a vaccine injury report on their mobile phone in under 20 minutes. After the report is complete, the user can then go to the Foundation website to access resources for treatment and a long-term health recovery plan.

More related news coverage about Fauci Flu shot damage can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) This costly medication is actually increasing hospital days after the manufacturer said its price was determined based on reducing lengths of stays. Consider these strategies so you may not need it.

(Article by Joseph Mercola republished from TheEpochTimes.com)

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

One study showed remdesivir lowered hospital days by 30%, yet doctors in Florida are finding that people who take the drug are staying longer than those who dont

The company priced the drug based on how much it could save in hospital costs. The cost to produce, package and ship one vial is $10, while the commercial price is $520 per vial

Big Pharma is poised to make large profits from drugs and vaccines that the U.S. government subsidized during the COVID-19 pandemic

I believe it is crucial that you proactively support your immune system and not wait for a drug or vaccine with unknown, potentially long-term side effects. Optimizing your vitamin D is likely the easiest, least expensive and most beneficial strategy

In early 2020, a global pandemic spurred the world into action, especially in the science community. Researchers began seeking to discover how the COVID-19 virus worked and to uncover the best methods for testing, treating and vaccinating. One of the interventions that the biomedical community has been pursuing is the use of antivirals, including remdesivir.

The drug was initially analyzed during the Ebola outbreak several years ago but never approved. Its development was the result of a collaboration involving Gilead Sciences, the CDC and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Testing was also done on SARS and MERS, which are both zoonotic coronaviruses, as well as two types of common human coronavirus which trigger the common cold. The medication was developed with a $99 million grant from the American government.[1] A 2017 report noted that the Department of Defense  is cost-sharing with Gilead biosciences for continued development of this product.[2]

At the time it was labeled GS-5734.[3] The initial studies that Gilead used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the drug had problems with the way they were designed, and changes made during the study would have negated the results.

Del Bigtree from Highwire, who serves as CEO of the Informed Consent Action Network, described the issues with the studies in detail. However, as just one of many technology platforms censoring or eliminating accounts that do not share the corporate view, YouTube terminated Bigtrees entire account.

This severing of information from public view has earned YouTube the title of ministry of information by some, because it infers that only YouTube/Google know whats right and wrong, according to user posts.[4]

Remdesivir Lengthens Hospital Stays for Some

As described in one study published in The Lancet, scientists conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation at 10 hospitals in China[5] from February 6, 2020, to March 12, 2020.

Two-hundred thirty-seven people were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a placebo group. The results showed that remdesivir was not associated with statistically significant clinical benefits, and had to be stopped early because it was believed to have caused adverse events.

Despite a lack of strong evidence that the drug is beneficial, it is being used globally. In a highly quoted study about the drug, it was purported that it may have shortened hospital stays by 31%, from 15 days to 11.[6]

Dr. George Ralls with Orlando Health reports they are seeing positive benefits with remdesivir.[7] However, he is also attributing a lengthier hospital stay to the time needed to complete a course of remdesivir. Interestingly, he also said the drug is keeping people in longer than if they werent taking the drug:

Once they start on this medication  they need it for five days, so they are in the hospital longer than they would have normally been. So that could be a reason why our inpatient numbers have ticked up a little.

It does not appear, then, that the drug is shortening hospital stays.

Alternatives Are Available, but Ignored

In a paper from Dr. Harvey Risch of the Yale School of Public Health, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the use of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was cited as necessary to helping halt the pandemic.

The combination of inexpensive medications is highly effective during the first phase of the infection, before hospitalization. This does not compete with the intravenous drug remdesivir, used only after a person is hospitalized. Risch noted:[8]

Remdesivir has shown mild effectiveness in hospitalized inpatients, but no trials have been registered in outpatients. Hydroxychloroquine+azithromycin has been widely misrepresented in both clinical reports and public media, and outpatient trials results are not expected until September. Early outpatient illness is very different than later hospitalized florid disease and the treatments differ. Five studies, including two controlled clinical trials, have demonstrated significant major outpatient treatment efficacy. Hydroxychloroquine+azithromycin has been used as standard-of-care in more than 300,000 older adults with multicomorbidities  These medications need to be widely available and promoted immediately for physicians to prescribe.

According to Global Research, the same protocol is showing significant success in China, India, Senegal and Brazil.[9]

As I have also written, French microbiologist and infectious disease expert Didier Raoult, director of a research unit at Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire in France, has reported that using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, administered immediately upon diagnosis in 1,061 people, led to recovery and virological cure in 91.7% of patients.[10]

It is also important to note that unlike remdesivir  which has had side effects severe enough to stop clinical trials  the hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combination showed no cardiac toxicity, rhythmic cardiac events or sudden death in patient data.

$3,120 Five-Day Remdesivir: A Spectacularly Good Value

The long-awaited price for remdesivir was announced June 29, 2020, by Gilead Sciences. As reported in NPR, there was months of speculation as the company tried to figure out how to balance profit and public health needs in the middle of a pandemic.[11] Daniel ODay, chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences, published an open letter in which he said:[12]

Remdesivir, our investigational treatment, is the first antiviral to have demonstrated patient improvement in clinical trials for COVID-19 and there is no playbook for how to price a new medicine in a pandemic.

While the drug has demonstrated only questionable benefits, ODay is correct in saying there are no guidelines on pricing a new medicine in a pandemic. Yet, he believes Gilead balanced corporate profits and public health when they settled on $520 per vial, which equates to $3,120 for the recommended five-day course of treatment (on the first day, a double dose is given).

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) released the calculated total cost of production, packaging and a small profit margin May 1, 2020. The cost was rounded to $10 per vial.[13]

The same group noted that the company could charge a much higher rate depending on its effectiveness, with Dave Whitrap from ICER qualifying that statement by saying, If the drug doesnt impact mortality and only shortens recovery time, we figure a course of treatment is worth about $310.[14] Gilead is currently charging $2,810 more for a drug that has already proven it doesnt reduce mortality.[15]

ODay wrote that under normal circumstances a medication would be priced according to the value it provides.[16] In this case they estimated that early discharge from the hospital would save approximately $12,000 per patient.

They believe the $3,120 price tag does not hinder anyone from receiving treatment, while it balances their responsibilities to continue work on remdesivir and research on antivirals.

High Level Coronavirus Profiteering

When the price for the drug was announced, an analyst for SVB Leerink, which is an investment bank, described the price as a spectacularly good value. The analyst, Geoffrey Porges, added that it is unprecedented to price the drug below the medical costs that its saving. He believes remdesivir has the potential to save $40,000 per patient by preventing someone from entering the ICU.

He also believes theres more value that Gilead has not built into their price. In other words, a drug that taxpayers poured $99 million into the development of, and for which Gilead pays $10 per vial ($60 per course of treatment) to produce, is somehow underpriced at $3,120 for a single course of treatment.[17]

This is not the first time Gilead has leveraged exorbitant markups on their products. Sovaldi was billed as a groundbreaking drug to treat hepatitis C, for which Gilead charges $84,000 for each course of treatment.[18] While some see the price for remdesivir as reasonable, its important to remember that drug production is nearly riskless for Big Pharma as they are often subsidized by the government.[19]

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, has been outspoken about the profits the pharmaceutical industry and others are making off the pandemic, saying, The power of the industry combined with fear is driving extraordinary spending. It all suggests rosy times ahead for the pharmaceutical industry.[20]

Big Pharma Poised to Make Big Profits

The profiteering has started for Gilead, which has a market capitalization of $90 billion[21] and developed their antiviral drug with the help of your tax dollars. The day after the price was announced, the U.S. government bought 500,000 doses. Then, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said this was so patients would not be charged the real cost of the drug.

On the surface, this means individuals will not be charged, yet all Americans are paying with their tax dollars. Emergency vaccine spending bills were recently passed, allocating $6 billion for manufacturing and distribution and $20 billion for development.

As Doggett points out, The public will pay for much research and manufacturing. Only the profits will be privatized. Were in the extraordinary position of spending billions on vaccines before we know if they work.[22]

Rolling Stone reports that some large pharmaceutical companies have made pledges regarding the cost of future vaccines, including Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. Astra Zeneca CEO Pascal Soriot announced, Well do it at no profit.[23]

Yet, when Doggett and his staff contacted the drug companies for clarification about what their statements meant, they did not get an answer, nor was there definition of cost included. Gestures like this may look good in the news but only time will tell if they keep their promises.

Without announcing an end date and knowing that many public health experts will be pushing a vaccine for many years, its highly unlikely that any pharmaceutical company will provide a drug at cost for more than a short time to meet the initial need.

Healthy Choices That Make a Difference

I recommend that you take a proactive approach in supporting your immune system. It has become more apparent with every passing week that optimizing your vitamin D level is likely the easiest, least expensive and most beneficial strategy you can use to minimize your risk.

The best time to start addressing your vitamin D level is right now, before you feel ill. Youll find more information about the importance of vitamin D and how the body uses it to combat coronavirus and other infectious diseases in a journal article I co-wrote, Evidence Regarding Vitamin D and Risk of COVID-19 and Its Severity.

It is my hope you use this resource to spread the word about the significance of vitamin D to your friends and family.

Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com
(Natural News) Videos are making the rounds on social media showing residents of Shanghai complaining about the lack of food and medical care amidst the citywide Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. Restricted from leaving their houses, the people took to their balconies to scream, sing and voice out their anger, fears and suffering.

A video showing people shouting from their apartments quickly reached five million on Twitter. Troubled screams of people confined in their homes for days were also heard from tall buildings with blinking lights.

With Shanghai residents yelling out their frustrations, the Chinese governments purportedly employed drones to broadcast this message: Control the souls desire for freedom and do not open the window to sing. This behavior has the risk of spreading the epidemic.

The phrase control the souls desire for freedom was a reference to a controversial remark made by a Chinese legislator during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the government enforced rigid lockdown measures in Wuhan, the ground zero of the coronavirus outbreak.

Riots break out in some areas of Shanghai

In some areas of Shanghai, the stressful situation went out of control. Videos have shown a huge group of people lifting slogans and cornering officials wearing Hazmat suits before breaking into a supermarket. (Related: Shanghais latest COVID lockdown has left the city in shambles: pushed to the brink of collapse)

The videos serve as an exceptional collage of public anger and pushback against the totalitarian governments rigid anti-COVID measures.

Shanghai has been totally locked down since April 1 with the eastern third of the city being locked down since March 28. The national government has sent in 2,000 military medics and 10,000 medical workers from other provinces to aid in the fight against the COVID wave driven by the omicron variant.

The struggle of testing and treatment has also taken its toll on health care professionals. A video of a doctor being rushed out of an isolation facility after he collapsed while doing his duties was shared and shown on Twitter.

Under Chinas zero-COVID policy, all 26 million people of Shanghai had to go through mass testing. An infected person is taken from home and quarantined while all close contacts of the infected person are also taken away and isolated. The rest of the people have been restricted from leaving their homes or apartment buildings.

Four-day closures of districts had implemented as part of the plan while mass testing was done on all residents. However, that changed to an indefinite citywide lockdown after a surge in case numbers. Many Shanghai residents have struggled to order for food deliveries during the lockdown.

The Shanghai population was infuriated by the abrupt closure of most businesses and orders to remain at home amidst the lack of food and medicine. Children, including infants and toddlers, have been taken from their parents to be quarantined separately.

Meanwhile, China has advised the United States to cease from criticizing Beijings anti-COVID policies. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated in a press conference that Beijing is definitely against the United States politicizing the issue.

Follow Outbreak.news to know more about the citywide lockdown in Shanghai.

Watch the video below showing people screaming out of their windows after a week of total lockdown in Shanghai.

This video is from the Kim Osbl  Copenhagen Denmark channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Shanghai extends covid lockdown indefinitely, sparking rebellion.

Shanghai covid lockdown to exacerbate supply chain crisis, making shipping containers nearly impossible to source.

Forced covid lockdowns in China are starving people to death.

China stocks on a DOWNHILL trend as COVID cases rise.

Authorities in Chinese city round up and KILL pets of COVID patients.

Sources include:

IndiaToday.in

MoneyControl.com

RepublicWorld.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) It is not often that two contrasting mainstream media events reveal so completely the nature of the deep dysfunction of modern culture. Yet that is precisely what happened last month.

(Article by Bill Hurrell republished from AMGreatness.com)

Those two events are as follows: First, contrarian Substack writer and known anti-woke crusader Andrew Sullivan appeared on Jon Stewarts new show, The Problem With Jon Stewart. I do not think I am being uncharitable when I call the appearance a disaster. Which, to be fair, is not entirely Sullivans fault, seeing as he was thrust into what was effectively a three-on-one fight (more like a dozens-on-one fight, if you include the studio audience). He was the lone dissenter against a pack of braying fanatics, egged on by a motley trio consisting of a grifter and two useful idiots, one of whom is the most famed enforcer of liberal dogma from decades past.

Yet even facing those difficult odds and taking charitable account of them, Sullivan did poorly. He failed to anticipate the most obvious answers to his objections, ignored the fact that Stewart handed him a softball question at the start which could have easily set up his wider critique, and overall came off looking like a scared old man who resented the very idea of discussing real issues purely because they caused him discomfort. His subsequent Substack piece, had it been reflected in his appearance, was far better on the merits, but reads like sour grapes when you know what came before.

The second event was the appearance of former New York Times tech journalist Taylor Lorenz on MSNBC, where she broke down in tears describing the alleged online harassment she has received for (as she tells it) just doing her job, and how it has given her PTSD. The interviewer was infinitely more charitable, as were Lorenzs fellow guests. Yet in spite of every attempt to make Lorenz look like a wounded victim, her appearance still prompted memes and derision, as well as some very well-deserved criticism from one of her alleged harassers.

Lorenzs tears were almost certainly effective with people who already agreed with her, but as a persuasive gesture to those who didnt, it seems very clear that they failed miserably. That is, assuming they were intended to be persuasive to anyone who disagreed. More likely, Lorenz knew her tears would only persuade the deep blue audience she was speaking to (as well as other members of the liberal intelligentsia) and spared not a single thought to how they would look outside that bubble. Therefore, if we are to score both moments as an attempt to persuade the sorts of people who watch MSNBC and Jon Stewart, Lorenzs venture was a fantastic success, while Sullivans was a dismal failure.

I think, if we are to understand the Left, it behooves us to ask why these two events should be scored this way. The easy answer would be that Lorenz confirmed leftist prejudices, while Sullivan tried unsuccessfully to combat them and ended up reinforcing them by mistake. And while this explanation no doubt has merit, it misses a fundamental difference between Lorenz and Sullivan that almost certainly played a role in why Lorenz knew how to play her emotional reaction so perfectly for a liberal audience, while Sullivan did not. That difference can be summed up in a single word: age.

The Role of Tumblr In Advancing Wokeness

Andrew Sullivan is 58. Just one year younger than Jon Stewart, and therefore in the same part-Boomer, part-Gen X no-mans-land that comprises their generational psyche. Sullivan is also a former president of the Oxford Union, a former editor of The New Republic, author of six books, and now a highly paid Substack writer. He has spent decades persuading people and, based on his resume, is clearly highly talented at it, particularly among the blue-state set, given his past academic and publication laurels. Whats more, he has described the likes of Lorenz with cutting precision in his description of Rhodes Scholars:

The sad truth is that as a rule, [Rhodes Scholars] possess none of the charms of the aristocracy and all of the debilities: fecklessness, excessive concern that peasants be aware of their achievement, and a certain hemophilia of character.

For anyone who has familiarized himself with Lorenzs journalistic accomplishments, this description (particularly excessive concern that peasants be aware of their achievement, and hemophilia of character) rings like the deepest note from the largest gong. Yet Sullivan cannot understand how to talk to the increasingly young left-liberals who now make up his intellectual peers, not merely on Stewarts show, but at his former employers, whereas Lorenz has an avid following among them.

There is a very simple reason for this: Andrew Sullivan never had a Tumblr account. Taylor Lorenz does, and according to her, it was at least partially responsible for her choice to enter journalism as a profession. As someone who has written about Tumblr at length, especially (and infamously) the Glee fandom, this is the equivalent of the Bat-Signal, given my belief that Tumblr is responsible not just for wokeness, but for its entire melodramatic, maudlin, adolescent girl aesthetic and style of communication.

In this case, however, I do not want to rely on my own writing as evidence. Rather, I want to rely on the work of a young writer named Helena Kerschner who has explained Tumblr from firsthand knowledge in a way that I despair of equaling:

Tumblr, though, wasnt only a place to post art and make friends. Being such a secluded platform with a fairly homogenous user base not only demographically (mostly teenage girls, many of whom white and middle to upper middle class), but especially in terms of personality type, it developed its own culture, distinct from the youth culture of the general population. Because many of its users were like me, using Tumblr as an all-day alternate reality escape from the real world, this culture should be understood in the most literal sense of the word. One should think of Tumblr, especially from 2009-2016, as a secluded island nation whose people rarely interact with the outside world, and thus have language, customs, hierarchy, and history that is entirely unique and at first incomprehensible to people from other nations visiting the island. Theres something about it that almost selects for a particular type of person, and Ive heard so many times from normal people (for lack of a better word) that they tried Tumblr, but couldnt figure it out . . . A major aspect of Tumblr culture has always been social justice ideology. Things that are now being played out and witnessed by the general public on platforms like Twitter and TikTok, like dissociative identity disorder LARPers, demisexuals, neopronouns, otherkin, and everything you see on @LibsOfTikTok, have long existed in an uncannily identical form on tumblr.com. The oppression hierarchy of racial and gender identities now being written into law in many of our once serious nations was the state religion of the Peoples Republic of Tumblr long before your political junkie uncle knew the term CRT. As cultish religions tend to operate, open devotion to the religion is mandatory. Perhaps the outsiders most likely to understand the way social dynamics worked on that website would be survivors of Scientology or the Jehovahs Witnesses. On Tumblr, the situation was such that any claim to being oppressed would accumulate social credibility, while any unfortunate privileged status was justification for verbal abuse. As a privileged person, you were expected to constantly grovel and apologize, you had no right to speak on any issue involving the group you were oppressing, and you could not object in any way to any mistreatment hurled against you because of your race, gender, or sexuality. I found myself in a bit of a double bind. On one hand, I had found what felt like the perfect group of friends who understood me on an intuitive level, who I was able to talk to openly about the things I liked and made me weird in real life, but on the other hand I was a cishet white girl in an environment where that was one of the worst things to be. Since Tumblr users are mostly biological females, the cishet white girl holds the position of most privileged and therefore most inherently bad group. In this climate, you are made to feel guilty and responsible for all the horrors and atrocities in the world. No hardship you could possibly go through could ever be as bad as the prejudice and genocide POC and LGBT people face every. Single. Day. Insert clap emoji. LGBT people and POC cant even walk out of their houses without being murdered by cishet white people just like you!

The reader should direct his attention to something crucial in Kerschners quote: the hierarchy of oppression. The reason a cishet white girl would automatically have her suffering dismissed on Tumblr if she was born with the wrong skin color and wrong gender identity and sexual orientation, is because on a female-dominated website there were no cishet white men to persecute, so cishet white women became the most powerful group. This shows very well how easily the Left will turn on itself when the bogeyman of the straight white male ceases to exist. This is why they have such a fervent desire to keep up the scapegoating of that one group. It is all that protects their other constituents from having empathy for them cut off.

But more than that, consider the options this hierarchy of oppression presented for young Helena. She could either accept her place as a cishet white girl, and gain approval by spending her entire life trying to make other peoples lives better, explicitly at the expense of her own mental well-being, or she could adopt a trans identity. That she chose the latter speaks to the sheer unreasonableness of the demands wokeness makes on its adherents.

But, you may ask, why does Taylor Lorenz get away with crying, then, seeing as she is (to all appearances) a cishet white girl with no particular inner-conflict about her sexual orientation or gender identity? Well, because Lorenzs antagonists are (or are presumed to be) white males, the only group higher on the food chain than she is, and therefore, her trauma can be validated without risking the oppression hierarchy.

Andrew Sullivan, on the other hand, may be a gay white man, but his feelings of anger and indignation at critical race theory are direct attacks on the Tumblr religion, so they are dismissed, reviled, and then ignored. In other words, when speaking to an audience of Tumblr-fied leftists, Sullivan should have adhered to the dictum that people dont care what you know until they know you care. And, given he was on a panel with a grifter who uses black suffering as a means to extort wealthy white women, he could have very easily won the caring Olympics if he had tried.

But something else needs explaining, as well, which persistent Lorenz antagonists Glenn Greenwald and Tucker Carlson have both asked incredulously: Even arrayed against white male antagonists, how can anyone believe someone not merely white, but also straight, rich, and objectively privileged as Taylor Lorenz, could be a vulnerable victim in any way? Surely that must cause some cognitive dissonance for the Tumblr Left . . . right?

Wrong. In fact, these people fail to understand the extent to which Tumblrs notion of who is vulnerable and who isnt depends not on objective circumstance, but on something that explicitly favors the most objectively powerful: namely, Tumblr does not care about who is physically or financially vulnerable except as a proxy for what it really cares about.

And what is that?

Look back at Kerschners quote. What she describes is not simply a hierarchy of oppression, but also a rationing system for empathy. If you were a cishet white girl, not only did your suffering not matter and have no claim on anyones empathy, but you were actually expected to allow other people to cause you trauma as reparations for what people like you had done to people like them. Tumblr is the logical conclusion of what the philosopher Richard Rorty described as the Freudian Left, i.e., a version of leftist care for the vulnerable that cares only about those who are psychologically vulnerable, rather than physically or financially vulnerable. In other words, if it bleeds it leads is the literal Mandate from Heaven as far as Tumblr leftism is concerned.

The Scarcity of Empathy

So, we must ask ourselves, who is often the most psychologically vulnerable? Obviously, the mentally ill is one answer, hence why Tumblr leftism elevates transgenderism (i.e., gender dysphoria) over even race as the civil rights issue of our time. But notice what their remedy is for gender dysphoria: not therapy (conversion therapy! the leftists shriek), but rather hormones, surgery, and changing the structure of society to make the dysphoria no longer false. Similarly, Tumblrs solution to trauma around rape, sexual assault, or any number of other disturbing topics is not therapy to make the trauma less, but rather to slap trigger warnings on everything so that the traumatized never have to move past their pain. In short, Tumblrs solution to mental illness is affirmation of the mental illnesss truth. In other words, if youve been hurt, dont adapt, make reality adapt so that your hurt can never happen again, and you never need to be reminded of it again. The ambition would be impressive, if the reason for it werent so pitiable.

But mere mental illness is not the only factor that determines a persons vulnerability in the minds of the Tumblr Left. Something else matters, too. I will once more let Helena Kerschner explain using her profile concerning which children are most at risk of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)the sorts of people who turn trans on Tumblr due to social pressure:

The most fundamental personality trait that I have observed among ROGD-susceptible people is greater emotional intensity and sensitivity. Some may even call it hypersensitivity. Emotional sensitivity occurs on a spectrum, with some people having very low sensitivity to emotions, some experiencing their emotions very intensely, and most falling somewhere in between.[ . . .] As children, emotionally sensitive people may be much more needy than others. They may have a greater amount of separation anxiety and have a harder time starting school, going to a daycare, being watched by a new babysitter, or even being set down instead of constantly held as infants. They may need extra reassurance and a lot of time being comforted and encouraged to do new things, take risks, or recover from perceived hurts and setbacks. They form strong attachments and feel compassion very strongly, which can lead to becoming upset easily if they feel something is unfair, hurtful, or a rejection. They careso muchabout everything. From a young age, they have a strong sense of what they think is right and wrong. They have an incredible tenderness and consideration for how other people and animals are feeling. They may more easily believe a person or an animal is suffering or being unfairly treated and become severely distressed. They may be exceptionally clever and witty themselves yet struggle with accepting even light jokes or teasing from others.

In other words, yes, the mentally ill are the most vulnerable in one respect, but the truly vulnerable people, according to Tumblr, are not merely the people most at risk of experiencing emotional pain, but also those who will feel it the most deeply when it strikes. The sensitive are the oppressed, and the cruel or even just the resilient are the oppressors. If Jesus Christ were to speak to his disciples in terms Tumblr could understand, he might have said, It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a psychologically resilient man to enter the Kingdom of God.

Now, one might object at this point that sensitivity is hardly a trait confined to the Left. In fact, judging by how they treat conservatives, the Left is very obviously willing to be nakedly cruel and to laugh at sensitivity when it comes from their opponents. How to square this? Well, let us return again to the hierarchy of oppression for a moment. Recall that according to Kerschner, Tumblr was made up mostly of girls who had trouble fitting in. In a very real sense, all of them felt oppressed, alienated, and wounded, and most likely they felt it more deeply than other girls, given their proclivity for ROGD, and given that (according to another Tumblr user), they did not experience events on television shows like Glee as if they were happening to a fictional character like them, but rather as if they happened to them. In such an environment, where everyone is hurt, every single user wouldve been swamped with demands for empathy.

The human mind is not capable of infinite empathy. Rather, a concept amusingly called the monkeysphere explains that humans are only capable of seeing about 150 other individuals as even human at all, at most. Tumblr had hundreds of millions of users. You have 150 empathy slots to give away. How do you decide who gets to count as human?

You could do it individually, but that obviously leads to turf wars between different monkeyspheres and doesnt really say what criteria you, individually, should apply. So, how would you set up a standard that a website full of wounded people would have to abide by in order to have an orderly distribution of empathy? Answer: Youd do what most humans do when faced with abstract strangers. Youd choose to care about the person who needed it most and who posed the least threat to you and the rest of your monkeysphere.

In other words, youd come up with something like critical theory, which assigns people oppression based on immutable characteristics and makes the process of deciding whose pain to care about infinitely simpler, because its just a matter of narrowing down the categories of oppression the person belongs to until you can be sure theyre at the absolute bottom of the social hierarchy and therefore need your precious empathy more than anyone else. And as a highly sensitive person, who feels pain (both yours and others) more deeply than others, youd want to be sure you only gave your empathy to the most deserving person, because otherwise, youd be wounding someone who needed you unintentionally by caring about someone who didnt need your help as much as them. Thats why the hierarchy of oppression exists. Because its meant to ration empathy among people who are all emotionally sensitive. In other words, emotional sensitivity is a necessary, but not sufficient condition to getting empathy on Tumblr. Without being seen to be emotionally sensitive/empathetic, nothing else you experience matters, no matter how awful it is, but just being emotionally sensitive and empathetic alone isnt enough to matter when there are millions more like you clamoring for the same emotional support.

Who is Tumblrs Enemy?

But still, this doesnt tell us why Taylor Lorenz, a wealthy, straight, white female, would be able to get empathy for her tears from a group brainwashed into this doctrine. To explain that, we first need to return to the criteria I laid out above: if you had to offer empathy to one random stranger, youd want it to be the person who needs it most, and who poses the least threat to the rest of your monkeysphere. This is where Tumblr goes from empathetic smol bean cinnamon rolls to being closet Carl Schmitt devotees. What their philosophy basically instructs them to do is offer empathy to anyone who a) needs it most, and b) is not an enemy. So who, then, is Tumblrs enemy?

We dont have to guess at the answer. We know it from seeing it happen. Tumblrs enemy is 4chan, and the entire ethos of toxic straight, white, male deliberate callousness and sadism that it represents. Whereas straight, white, males are only theoretically harmful, 4chan loudly and proudly trumpets how much it loves doing harm for the lulz. In other words, when you strip the social media trappings away, sadism is the enemy. Abusers are the enemy. Toxic people are the enemy. People who cause pain and enjoy it are the enemy. Which means that, theoretically, if you wanted to get empathy from the Tumblr Left, you could do it by being a particularly effective ally, i.e., a protector against the sadistic.

Taylor Lorenz has made it her mission to be a Woke Grand Inquisitor sniffing out the indiscretions of online influencers (someone who can prevent people from offering a spot in their monkeysphere to unworthy candidates). She is thus one of the most formidable allies Tumblr leftism has. So on one level, of course she gets empathy. She has PTSD and has subjected herself to trauma in order to protect others from those who inflict it. Taylor Lorenz is a human trigger warning, a shield against being wounded by closet sadists. The least Tumblr leftism could offer her is empathy, given shes doing all this for them, or at least, so she says.

But thats not all, because this is presuming a world where everyone is trying to decide where to offer their empathy among identical faceless strangers. In practice, that is not the world any human being faces. There is one key ingredient that surpasses even need and loyalty in deciding who to allow into ones monkeysphere, and that is familiarity. This is why I said that Taylor Lorenz was a monkeysphere policewoman: because the people she targets are famous. Famous. Literally a word for familiar.

Lorenz exposes the most familiar people for failing the test of needing empathy, or of deserving loyalty, from the Tumblr Left. As a result, she herself becomes very familiar indeed. And because she is familiar, she automatically leaps the queue when it comes to deciding who gets empathy for their suffering. In other words, at bottom, the byzantine empathy rationing system of critical theory-inflected Tumblrism can be hacked using two simple things: fame and popularity.

This is why I said that all of wokeness was really a scheme to return us to the power dynamics of high school. Because in high school, being popular is the only real power source that students can amass, and they can do this most easily by conforming to what other popular people do. So in effect, all of the talk about making people more empathetic that the Left spews out really amounts to just demanding that people have more empathy for the popular, agreeable conformists, and less for the unpopular, disagreeable nonconformists. Ignore the nerds; they arent people.

This is yet one more reason Andrew Sullivan ran into so much trouble. An Oxford and Harvard-educated contrarian political philosopher is everything high school popularity contests least value.

It should be obvious at this point why this philosophy is actually deeply regressive, seeing as it privileges the famous (and therefore, those with the resources to take the risks required to become famous) over others. But there is another reason for its regressive character, and it is this: the people most sensitive to pain are often the people who have the least experience of it. And who has the least experience of pain in modern American society? Those who are born rich and cosseted in helicopter-parented households.

In short, we are talking about the very people who most often end up learning to sublimate their ambition into shows of faux altruism through the college admissions process, and end up with degrees from tony private schools and elite universities as a reward for their diligenceuniversities whose student bodies, these days, are trending closer to being exclusively female, just like the user base of Tumblr. Indeed, we are at the point now where one can almost tell a persons class origins the same way people once did: by looking at whether a person has soft or callused hands. Only today, the question is whether they have soft or callused minds.

This is why Taylor Lorenz feels she deserves empathy and to be shielded from criticism: because she feels it more deeply than others, because she isnt used to it the way others are, and to be fair to her, why would she be, given her upbringing? Moreover, this is why Taylor Lorenz, who is 36 years-old, tries to cast herself as perpetually young and powerless: because there is one group less used to pain than the privileged, and that is infants. Experience of trauma is the sinful touch of the sadistic Patriarchy in the leftist worldview, and so the only way to be pure is to regress mentally to infancy again, before trauma, experience, and the fallen world touched you. Therefore, infantilizing someone is purifying them. This is not merely a financially regressive politics, it is literally a psychologically regressive politics.

In any case, Lorenzs tears are an appeal to the easily emotionally damaged, mostly privileged, mostly educated, mostly female, universally infantile constituency whose adolescent empathy rationing system increasingly comprises the central political philosophy of the Democratic Party.

That rationing systems criteria are cruel and elegant in their simplicity: If you are emotionally sensitive and empathetic, you may count as human. If you are emotional, sensitive, empathetic, and belong to the least powerful group in society, you are definitely human. If you are sadistic, then unless you are sadistic from a place of being hurt by sadists more powerful than you, then you are not human. You are the enemy. If you choose to live by a different moral code than this, then you choose sadism the same way a Christian believes that a sinner chooses Hell, and have just as little room to complain when people are sadistic towards you. Theyre not really being sadistic, after all, theyre just defending the people who are human against you, and no amount of sadism is too drastic to aid in the service of that protection. After all, by choosing to be conservative (read: sadistic), you are asking for it.

One of the more cringe tweets to be discussed recently came (unsurprisingly) from one of Taylor Lorenzs colleagues now that she has joined the Washington Post. Melissa Chan, described foreign policy realist scholar John Mearsheimers argument as basically the she wore a short skirt justification [for rape]. This tweet was tailor-made for the Tumblr Left, seeing as it framed all of Ukraine implicitly as emotionally sensitive smol beans being terrorized and raped by the sadistic straight, white male Vladimir Putin. Yet one has to pause to savor the irony that a philosophy, so dedicated to mocking the wounds of conservatives, cishet white women, and anyone else they decide is too powerful for their trauma to matter, is now complaining about telling people they were asking to be hurt.

So they would say of Taylor Lorenzs many victims: They were problematic. They were asking for it. So they would say of dissident intellectuals like Andrew Sullivan losing their jobs and reputations: He was a sadist. He was asking for it. So they would say of every American who voted for Trump to improve their lot in a country where upward mobility is vanishing everywhere except among the already-privileged and neurotic Tumblr set: They were white/straight/male/not famous enough. They were asking for it. You dont have to take my word for it. Say anything against cancel culture when it strikes on Twitter, and youll hear a mocking retort from the Left: Oh no if it isnt the consequences of my actions. Translation: They were asking for it.

Its about time America stopped letting these toxic mental deficients put their hands up its undercarriage, and started wielding an electoral can of mace to show them that just because they think we were asking for it, it doesnt mean we have to take it.

Read more at: AMGreatness.com
(Natural News) Take it from someone who was there and saw them all. The biolabs in Ukraine have been there for a long time. And theyre everywhere, mostly underground.

Well, Ive known since the mid-90s about the DOD [Department of Defense] and the pharmaceutical companies collecting Russian blood. And clearly, their intent was some kind of genocide, Dr. Juliette Engel told host Dan Happel during the April 12 edition of Connecting the Dots on Brighteon.TV. (Related: EXPOSED: Pentagon planning to use Ukraine biolabs to attack Russia.)

Its interesting there. Putin had multiple reasons for coming into Ukraine. And I think part of why he delayed in helping the Donbas [region] was to gather information on the biolabs, because a lot of them are underground, said Engel, who moved to Moscow in 1990 and founded the Angel Coalition to combat human trafficking, mostly among children.

Theyre understructures, mostly underground, and it went down like several stories. And you dont just blow that up, its full of potential nuclear explosions and contamination. So they could have set off quite a cloud of radioactive material, added Engel, who was born into a family of intelligence operatives and was sold by her father into the secret Monarch program of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

That could only mean one thing, according to Engel.

They didnt [blow them up], and thats only because they knew exactly how to get in, exactly how to get the material out. So each one of these labs is different. And there are 30 that the Russians are reporting on, said Engel, a former assistant professor in radiology at the University of Washington.

And some of them were under schools. One was hidden in the parking garage and a shopping center. So theyre all hidden, each one was different.

Genetically-directed material near the Russian borders

These biolabs are all designed to create genetically-directed material near the Russian borders.

Engel, who has a network of friends in both Russia and Ukraine, also believes the Russians have captured or killed American personnel in their cleanup operations after the airstrikes.

And each one that theyve gone into, theyve captured American personnel. And I think they did actually kill quite a few American personnel because theyre now kind of gathered in this long steel-reinforced building, where they have moved all of the biological or the active materials, and its now under siege by Russia. And they know theres a lot of American personnel in there.

Thats why, Engel said, the Russian military made a tactical change in the course of their attacks.

At first, the Russians were shooting down the helicopters sent by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States to get the American and European personnel out of Ukraine. And then they changed strategy: The Russians waited for the helicopters to be filled up before shooting them down for good.

Engel had gathered info that the Russians have found high-level American military personnel in the wreckage.

According to Engel, who was trained in the arts of seduction, physics, Ariosophy, cybernetics and genocide at the Stanford Research Institute when she was a teenager, said such incidents are all coming off the Russian blogs and theres probably quite a lot of truth in it. But I cant say with absolute certainty.

Russian bloggers, Engel said, are also mentioning that the American personnel are holed up in this one extremely well-enforced bunker.

Unless the Russians declare it, Engel said we just have to wait and see. Well probably never know who they actually find. But theyre there every day. Theyre documenting. Theyre releasing more and more materials. And anybody can go on to Russian news sites and hit translate and read them.

To find out the truth about whats really happening in Ukraine, Engel is advising the people to stop watching the mainstream media, since theyre almost always wrong, and go to the Russian news sites instead. Read what they have to say because they make sense  particularly about the Ukraine biolabs.

Watch the April 12 episode of Connecting the Dots with Dan Happel. Catch new episodes of the program every Tuesday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

US scrambles to cover up bioweapons labs in Ukraine.

Ukrainian biolabs linked to EcoHealth Alliance, which helped create and unleash COVID-19.

Mainstream media still refusing to cover Hunter Bidens connection to Ukraine biolabs.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

WIONews.com
Cllr. Musa Dean

Minister/Attorney General

Ministry of Justice

Republic of Liberia April 14, 2022



My mother, Eunice Dogba Sackor, 92, died in her daughters home in Chicken Soup Factory, Gardnersville, on Tuesday, April 4th. Her funeral will take place on April 23rd, 2022. Ill also be joining the family in Monrovia for the funeral.

In light of the foregoing, I would like to officially notify the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice of my arrival in the country and to request security protection from the Ministry.

It is sad that a Liberian citizen who should be free to return to his homeland must seek additional security protection while in his own country. However, such a situation, such a time.

You may recall that in late 2019, as deputy director-general for audit at the Internal Audit Agency, I flagged a series of corruption at the IAA, where I served as deputy director-general for audit, as well as at some government ministries and agencies. I eventually became the accuseds target after sounding the alarm. At one time, when I went to eat at a nearby restaurant, my vehicle was being filmed on Broad Street by unknown persons riding in a black jeep. On another occasion, six men on two speeding motorcycles pursued my vehicle. My house was also the target of an arson attack on another occasion. These situations were reported to the police inspector, who and I discussed them. He even gave me his email address and asked that I communicate with him in writing. Regrettably, no action was taken after I did as he had requested.

When some of the accused realized that illegally locking my office, freezing my salary, and transferring my staff against my will would not deter me from raising the corruption issues that I was raising, they resorted to requesting a writ of arrest from the solicitor general, Cllr. Syrenious Cephus. Cllr. Cephus, who had tried unsuccessfully to have me come to his private office on a Saturday, later sent police officers to my house to arrest me. But I had already left the country before that.

The arrest warrant issued against me at the time was an outright mockery of our democracy and freedom of speech, as well as a violation of Section 9.3 of the Internal Auditing Act, which grants internal auditors immunity from prosecution, reprimand, or penalty for opinions, recommendations, and other acts performed in the course of their official duties.

The solicitor generals falsified arrest warrant against me was an attempt not only to silence auditors of integrity in the performance of their duties, but also to undermine the fight against corruption and offer an incentive for corruption in Liberia. And I recognized it was inspired and orchestrated by some of the defendants, my colleagues at the Internal Audit Agency, and NPP Chairman and Maryland County Senator James Biney.

I hope that the foregoing disclosure has provided you with a thorough understanding of why I am requesting security protection and requesting that the Government of Liberia be notified of my brief return to the country.

According to my itinerary, I will enter the country on April 20th. I will be staying at my home in the Kebbah Community, Barnersville township. My specific movement will be between my home and my sisters house, where my mother passed away. On April 23rd, I will spend the day at the New Jerusalem A. G. Church, which is directly across the street from the NTA office, where the interment service will be held, and then proceed to the burial site. Ill return home after the post burial meal. A week later, Ill travel to Maryland County, my home county, specifically Pleebo and Wetchoken, to see other family and friends. Following that, I will return to Monrovia, bringing my stay in Liberia to a close.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. For now, the best ways to contact me is either by phone on +1 240 487 8648 or via email at robertf.neal1@gmail.com.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Filmore Neal II

Cc:

Office of the President, Republic of Liberia

Office of the Minister of State

US Ambassador to Liberia

EU Mission in Liberia

Office of ECOWAS Special Representative to Liberia

Liberia Human Rights Commission

Office of the Inspector General,

Liberia National Police
(Natural News) Eighteen more states have joined the lawsuit against President Joe Bidens administration to stop it from lifting the Title 42 health order for the southern border. Originally filed by the states of Arizona, Louisiana and Missouri, the case has now been amended to add the other states, bringing the total to 21.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement that ending Title 42 would be a disaster and would further the chaos at the southwest border, making it easier for drug cartels and human smugglers to advance their illicit activities in the United States.

She also said it would be reckless for the Biden administration to lift the order.

Title 42 is a controversial policy that allows Customs and Border Protection to turn migrants away without allowing them to file for asylum. It was set to end on May 23, but a bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill on April 14 that would block its lifting.

Senators from both Democrat and Republican parties have expressed their concerns about ending the policy before the Department of Homeland Security is ready to deal with the expected surge of migrants that will follow.

Republicans are strongly opposed to the lifting, saying that the move is irresponsible. Others also said it will turn what is already a crisis on the border into a catastrophe.

Title 42 is a public health law that allows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop people and property from entering the U.S. in the interest of public health, especially when there is an existence of any communicable disease in a foreign country and there is a danger of the introduction of such disease into the United States. While it is regularly discussed in the context of COVID-19, it has also been on the books for decades.

Currently, the government is using Title 42 on the U.S.-Mexico border to turn migrants away without allowing them to apply for asylum, regardless of their country of origin or their reason for traveling. In February, 55 percent of over 164,000 migrants at the border were expelled under the order. (Related: Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion now showing up at U.S. border as Biden ending Title 42.)

Republicans, Democrats oppose lifting of Title 42

Some Democrats are also opposed to the lifting of Title 42. Senator Krysten Sinema of Arizona has led a bipartisan group in proposing legislation to prevent the title from being lifted without a plan in place to stop an expected surge of migrants at the border, calling for the administration to extend the order.

The administrations extension of public health emergency authorities proves the need to delay lifting Title 42 to protect the health and safety of Arizona communities and migrants. Ill keep pushing for transparency and accountability from the administration to help secure the border, keep Arizona communities safe and ensure migrants are treated fairly and humanely, she said.

Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire visited the border to see the situation for herself and promptly called for the administration to extend the order.

She said that her trip reinforced her concerns about the administration preemptively ending the title, adding that border agents were very clear with me that the end of Title 42 will lead to a steep increase of attempted crossings that they will not be able to effectively handle because they dont have enough resources. (Related: Illegal immigration skyrockets under Biden to third-highest level in 97 years.)

The issue with Title 42 also caused Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) funding delays when Republican senators demanded to hold a vote on an amendment that would keep Title 42 restrictions in place as part of a $10 billion funding bill that Biden wanted to pass.

Republicans prevented the measure from moving forward in the legislative process with every GOP senator voting against it in early April.

Therell have to be an amendment on Title 42 in order to move the bill. Well need to enter into some kind of agreement to process these amendments in order to go forward with the bill, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said.

The White House, however, slammed the Republicans for stopping the legislation. It is disappointing that Senate Republicans voted down consideration of a much-needed bill to purchase vaccines, boosters, and life-saving treatments for the American people, said Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a statement.

Follow OpenBorders.news for more news related to illegal immigration in the United States.

Watch the video below to know more about what is going to happen if Title 42 is lifted.

Watch this video and more on the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Abbott deploys Operation Lone Star at Texas-Mexico border to fight illegal immigration.

Ex-DHS head warns of immigration and border security crisis following Bidens executive orders.

WEAPONIZED IMMIGRATION: Biden Regime using biological warfare yet again in West Texas as revenge for Keystone pipeline.

Arizona AG uses Democrats favorite trick against them, reveals Bidens immigration EOs violated environmental laws.

First busload of ILLEGAL ALIENS from Texas arrives in DC, passengers dropped off near Capitol.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Deseret.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines contain a snake venom substrate, according to Perfect Society channel host Olaf Kaufman.

Kaufman showed articles about the study that found a link between COVID-19 deaths and snake venom in August and September 2021. The vaccination started in December 2020.

He referred to an article about a University of Arizona study that said researchers have identified the key molecular mechanism responsible for COVID-19 mortality, which was an enzyme related to neurotoxins found in rattlesnake venom. Kaufman also mentioned the race specificity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus based on several studies that prove beyond doubt that the bioweapon virus cannot be of natural origin. (Related: Dr. David Martin: COVID vaccines are bioweapons designed for genocide.)

The host mentioned distearoylphosphatidylcholine or DSPC. It is a phosphatidylcholine, a kind of phospholipid that can be used to prepare lipid nanoparticles. For the uninitiated, lipid nanoparticles are used in mRNA vaccines and forms part of the drug delivery system for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.

He also mentioned glycerophospholipids, which like DSPC are substrates for phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) that play a pivotal role in proinflammatory mediator or eicosanoids release through the arachidonic acid (AA).

The cytosolic PLA2s may cause anaphylaxis and lysosomal PLA2s complement activation. PLA2s may participate in intracellular signaling that leads to allergen-induced production of inflammatory cytokines, especially in asthmatic patients. The ionizable lipids that are used in both vaccines are novel amino lipids and their allergenic potential is not known.

COVID mRNA vaccines are causing severe allergic reactions

Published results on allergic reactions after the first dose of the two mRNA vaccines in the U.S. have estimated rates of 4.7 and 2.5 anaphylaxis cases per million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered using Pfizers and Modernas, respectively.

PLA2s enzymes are commonly found in mammalian tissues as well as arachnid, insect and snake venom.

In December 2020, 1,893,360 initial doses of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine that were given resulted in 175 cases of severe allergic reaction of which 21 were anaphylaxis. It happened at the onset of the vaccine rollout, long before claims about the snake venom enzyme PLA2 was present in COVID-19 vaccines.

Kaufman said people must press charges and an investigation must be initiated about the issue. The podcaster pointed out that all the measures being enforced by the government are genocidal and that the whole pandemic is really about pushing the genocidal agenda of the globalists.

He stated that the main goal of the globalists is the genocide of seven billion people and being able to control and enslave the rest of humanity with their synthetic telepathy machine. Kaufman said the global elites want to remotely control peoples electromagnetic brainwaves and take away their free will. He said this is possible with artificial intelligence or AI controlling electromagnetic brainwaves.

The podcaster stressed that people must prevent the slow kill inoculation or genocide vaccine, which has no therapeutic value at all. He also emphasized that it is not found among the known definitions of a vaccine because this is the first time the Food and Drug Administration has approved a synthetic mRNA vaccine and that it is only for emergency use authorization.

Follow VaccineInjurynews.com to know more about the COVID vaccine-related injuries.

Watch the video below to know more about the snake venom substrate content of COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from the Perfect Society channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Covid vaccines are like deadly snake VENOM and the CDC functions as the ultimate snake oil salesman.

Illnesses intensified, compounded and exacerbated by COVID vaccines.

Millions of people fully vaccinated for COVID are now suffering from excruciating illnesses.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

ScienceDaily.com
(Natural News) Controversial whistleblower Dr. Bryan Ardis told Stew Peters that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is not a respiratory virus but rather snake venom poisoning.

I am convinced that COVID-19 is not a respiratory virus of any kind. It is actually venom poisoning. And they are using I believe synthesized peptides and proteins from venoms of snakes. And they are targeting certain people. Now the amazing thing about these 19 toxins found in cobra venom, they are specifically sequenced to target specific organs, like the pancreas of a diabetic, like the heart of a heart disease patient, like the liver of a hepatitis patient, Ardis said in the April 11 episode of The Stew Peters Show. (Related: Dr. Bryan Ardis releases huge allegations: The covid-19 virus, vaccines and some treatments are all derived from SNAKE VENOM.)

Ardis said that snake venom is the most original of all bioweapons  and the most obvious bioweapon ever. He pointed out that people know how poisonous snakes are and that the greatest symbol of evil in all of Christendom and Christianity is the serpent.

Can you think of anything more evil than envenomating the entire world with snake venom? And then injecting snake venom into your veins and then using mRNA technology that theyve been isolating from snake venom for years that they know are unusually stable, more stable than any other mRNA theyve isolated from other natural organisms for decades, Ardis said.

Big Pharma takes mRNA from cobra and krait venom, wraps it in a nanoparticle hydrogel

The host of The Dr. Ardis Show on Brighteon.TV said Big Pharma companies have taken mRNA from cobra and krait venom and wrapped it in a nanoparticle hydrogel.

Ardis related that the idea that COVID-19 is venom poisoning came to him after a medical doctor that he admired sent him a text message about being bitten by a rattlesnake and going to a hospital to get anti-venom. The CEO of ArdisLabs said he did research about anti-venoms and found that they are monoclonal antibodies or polyclonal antibodies.

Interestingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are not recommending monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 and are even bad mouthing monoclonal antibodies.

And then January 21st of this year, they totally stripped out monoclonal antibodies. They do not want you touching monoclonal antibodies. They also didnt want you from the beginning to touch hydroxychloroquine. They also dont want you touching ivermectin. They also dont want you touching NAC or acetylcysteine. So the things they tell you to avoid, we know they are telling you to avoid because they work, Ardis said.

Ardis also alleged that the CDC, which is conducting water testing with contracting companies, is using water systems to target specific demographics. He added that the mRNA vaccines can specifically target organs like the spleen, pancreas, brain tissue, liver tissue, lung tissue and heart tissue.

One thing that is very unique to COVID-19 patients is losing the sense of taste and smell for months. Ardis noted that this is very similar to people who experienced a loss of taste and smell for up to 18 months after sucking the venom of a cobra into their mouth and then spitting it out.

Follow Vaccines.news to know more about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch the April 11 edition of The Stew Peters Show to know why Dr. Bryan Ardis thinks COVID-19 is actually snake venom poisoning.

This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Covid vaccines are like deadly snake VENOM and the CDC functions as the ultimate snake oil salesman.

Big Pharma uses snake venom to develop drugs and vaccines: heres the proof.

The very enzyme that is associated with increased covid-19 mortality is blocked by an ANTI-VENOM compound.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

TheDrArdisShow.com
(Natural News) White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci admitted that Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns are just one aspect of a strategy to coerce people to get vaccinated.

The top infectious disease expert made the admission during an April 13 appearance on MSNBC. You use lockdowns to get people vaccinated so that when you open up, you wont have a surge of infections. [Youre] dealing with an immunologically naive population of the virus, because [they have] not been exposed because of the lockdown, he told the networks Andrea Mitchell.

Faucis admission came in response to Mitchells questions about the concerning draconian COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, China. We see the lockdown in Shanghai and [the] State Department now ordering families out, all non-essential workers out of [there], remarked the MSNBC host.

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) lauded China for its exercise of totalitarian power under the guise of curbing COVID-19 cases.

The complete lockdown which was their approach [is the] strictest lockdown youd never be able to implement in the United States. Although that prevents the spread of infection, I remember early on they were saying, and I think accurately, they were doing better than anyone else. (Related: Fauci says the purpose of lockdowns is to get people vaccinated.)

In line with his ever-changing stance on pandemic-related issues, Faucis April 13 remarks appeared to be a complete 180 from his remarks in the BBC program Sunday Morning. He told the British state broadcaster in March 2022 that the full extent of damage caused by lockdowns may never be determined.

I dont think were ever going to be able to determine what the right balance is, he said, acknowledging that lockdowns have unintended negative consequences such as children being unable to attend in-person classes.

Faucis admission tantamount to extortion on behalf of Big Pharma

Canadian lawyer and YouTuber David Freiheit said Faucis statement was an admission to the crime of extortion on behalf of Big Pharma companies. Extortion is defined as the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats. So Freiheit has a point there: Big Pharma has benefited from the fears created by lockdowns.

Meanwhile, Fauci claimed that the COVID-19 vaccines used in China are not nearly as effective as their Western counterparts.

The problem is that the vaccines [China has] been using are not nearly as effective as the vaccines used in the U.S., U.K., Europe and other places. So they dont have the degree of protection thats optimal, said Fauci.

Also, they have a lot of their older population, which are the most vulnerable among us. Theres a double negative there. [First], they dont have people who are protected. [Second], the people who need [the shots] most are not getting the vaccination. Thats the source of the problem in China.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker, Beijing has approved six vaccine candidates for use in the population. Four of the six candidates  including two from state-owned Sinopharm  make use of inactivated viruses to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The vaccine candidate from CanSino Biologics uses a non-replicating viral vector, while the candidate from Anhui Zhifei Longcom uses a protein subunit.

The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is the only Western vaccine candidate permitted to conduct clinical trials in the country. Pfizers German partner BioNTech is responsible for the vaccines distribution in China through an exclusive agreement with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical.

FauciTruth.com has more stories about the infectious disease expert advocating for medical martial law.

Watch InfoWars founder Alex Jones reporting about Faucis new lockdown plan below.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

COVID-19 lockdowns failed: Fauci and whole lockdown crew blame public for not following rules sufficiently.

Fauci claims mandatory Wuhan coronavirus quarantines are justified  but not those for Ebola.

Shanghai descends into hellscape as COVID lockdown triggers martial law, arrests and suicides.

Fauci colluded with communist China to lie about coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

NewsPunch.com

Breitbart.com

FoxNews.com

COVID19.TrackVaccines.org

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A government watchdog group has learned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spent $17 million in American tax money last year on hotel rooms for migrants who never actually checked in.

ICE signed an $87 million contract with the nonprofit company Endeavors, which was supposed to provide services for the surge of invaders at Americas southern border, revealed the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) Inspector General in a new report.

Instead of signing on with Endeavors as the sole source for migrant services, ICE was supposed to seek multiple bids for the work. The result of this failure was more than 1,200 hotel rooms being blocked off that were never actually used.

ICE still had to pay Endeavors the $17 million, even though the rooms rented remained mostly empty between April and June of last year, according to the report. ICEs sole source contract with Endeavors resulted in millions of dollars being spent on unused hotel space, the report stated.

Endeavors senior director worked for Biden regime transition team

Officials further said that Endeavors put migrant families and the outside population at risk of contracting COVID-19 by not following testing procedures before transporting migrants into the United States.

The Texas-based company also failed to provide snacks and storage areas for migrant families, which are required by ICE guidelines and by the contract that was signed.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) said that spotty surveillance and document security at migrant facilities run by Endeavors is another concern.

All of this occurred at the same time that Endeavors entered into another more lucrative no-bid contract with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This contract was forged right after the organization hired Biden regime transition team member Andrew Lorenzen-Strait as its senior director for migrant services and federal affairs.

In response to the allegations, ICE denied that it did anything wrong, claiming that the reason it hastily entered a no-bid contract was because of the unusual and compelling urgency of the migrant border crisis.

ICE is committed to ensuring that non-citizens in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments, and under appropriate conditions of confinement, an agency executive wrote in a March letter to DHS.

Endeavors also issued its own statement to Fox News, claiming that it followed appropriate protocols and met the standard of care for migrant families in this contract.

These people are not migrants; they are invaders and illegal aliens and occupiers, and should be described as such, wrote someone in the comments of a story about the ICE scandal.

Wonder if the big guy got his 10 percent, joked another person referring to Joe Biden (or perhaps Barack Hussein Obama?).

Meanwhile, veterans are living on the streets, said someone else, pointing out how heinous it is that the American government is using American tax dollars to pay for hotels for illegal aliens while letting actual Americans suffer.

Another commenter speculated that the $70 million that was supposedly spent on illegal alien housing at hotels actually went to housing them quietly and unsafely around the country. The other $17 million? That was spent screwing it up, this person added.

Endeavors is apparently a disabled veteran-owned business, which another commenter joked means that they can do whatever they want; rules do not apply!

See? There IS a downside to selective discrimination! this person added.

Nobody, of course, wrote that ICE should be allowed to get away with this gross mismanagement of taxpayer funds.

You will find more stories like this one at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

AmGreatness.com
(Natural News) U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa has voided the Biden regimes national mask mandate covering airplanes and other forms of public transportation.

According to Mizelles ruling, United States health officials exceeded their authority in issuing the mandates. The appointee of President Donald Trump also said that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention improperly failed to justify the mandate, and did not following proper rulemaking procedures in issuing it.

In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle explained that the only remedy is to vacate the entire rule across the country because ending it specifically and only for the group of people that filed the lawsuit is impossible.

A limited remedy would be no remedy at all, the judge said, adding that the courts have full authority to make a decision like this against the wishes of the CDC and other public health institutions.

Because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends, the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate, Mizelle further wrote.

Mizelles ruling follows that of a judge in Germany that last summer ruled mask mandates to be both illegal and harmful.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) declined to comment when asked if the government is planning to appeal the ruling.

Southwest Airlines CEO says masks dont add much, if anything

In a statement on Twitter, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the ruling and celebrated its implications for reinstating the freedom to travel without having to wear an oppressive and useless muzzle.

Great to see a federal judge in Florida follow the law and reject the Biden transportation mask mandate, DeSantis wrote. Both airline employees and passengers deserve to have this misery end.

The CDCs mask mandate was set to expire on the same day as Mizelles ruling, however the agency once again extended it, this time blaming the new BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron (Moronic) variant of the Fauci Flu, which does not actually exist.

For many months now, Americans and even large corporations such as Southwest have been calling for the mask mandates to end. Wearing a face covering, or covid veil, does absolutely nothing to promote health, it turns out, and even Southwest Airlines CEO Robert E. Jordan agrees.

Masks dont add much, if anything, Jordan stated back in December during a hearing on the matter (watch below):

Southwest Airlines CEO on masks: Masks dont add much, if anything. pic.twitter.com/WeTkYGlRS3  The First (@TheFirstonTV) December 16, 2021

The lawsuit that Mizelles ruled on was filed last July by two plaintiffs and the Health Freedom Defense Fund, which is described in the judges order as a nonprofit organization that opposes laws and regulations that force individuals to submit to the administration of medical products, procedures and devices against their will.

A judge that follows the law and not make it up for those that hate our country is very refreshing, wrote a commenter in response to a new piece about the ruling. Im sure the psychos will be going after her.

You can bet the Biden clown posse is judge shopping as we speak, wrote another. But lets hope it holds.

And how many patriots got kicked off planes, abused or beaten because they didnt wear the illegal and useless Covid costume the exact way they were told to? asked someone else.

Another commenter wrote that now is the time for a federal judge to send Tony Fauci and his fellow co-conspirators of the plandemic straight to jail, where they should be forced to do hard labor until their deaths.

More related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

APNews.com

NaturalNews.com

CitizenFreePress.com
(Natural News) The parents of two students enrolled at Ludlow Public Schools in Massachusetts are suing the district for conspiring to groom their children into becoming genderqueer and trans without their knowledge.

The parents of both the 11-year-old genderqueer girl and the transgender boy said that school employees brainwashed their children into becoming LGBTQs while forming some kind of pact with them to keep it all a secret.

School employees deliberately concealed what they had done from the parents, which is a violation of parental rights. The childrens parents had no idea that teachers at Ludlow Public Schools had assigned them new gender identities and gender pronouns.

The lawsuit states that Ludlow Public School violated parental rights, due process, and religious liberty by injecting gender identity policies into the curriculum. Meanwhile, Alabama just banned student grooming to prevent this same type of scenario from happening there.

They say that their sincerely held religious beliefs require truthfulness, obedience to parents, and that they believe children are created as either male or female, reported the Daily Mail (U.K.) about the suit.

Former district superintendent Todd Gazda says childrens real home is public school, not where their parents live

Totaling 58 pages in length, the suit focuses mostly on the female child, who is identified only as B.F. It claims that this 11-year-old sixth grader was given an assignment with others in her class back in September 2019 to film a video describing their gender identity and preferred pronouns.

The videos of their children were created without the parents knowledge or consent and it remains unknown how these videos were used or who was allowed to view them, the suit states.

The filming of children without consent, especially when that filming involves sex-related topics and content, is pedophilic behavior that sadly is becoming all-too-common in American public schools.

It remains unknown what was done with the video footage, in this case, and some parents are worried that a pervert teacher or group of teachers conducted this assignment for personal fetish reasons.

Based on the grooming she was exposed to throughout the assignment, the 11-year-old girl eventually came to the conclusion that she is a genderqueer. She also came up with a variety of fake pronouns to describe herself, including ze/zir and fae/faerae.

The boy, who now identifies as a girl, also decided to come out as a transgender after being exposed to the material.

The suit specifically calls out former district superintendent Todd Gazda, who insulted the parents during a school committee meeting by claiming that their concerns about student grooming amount to intolerance of LGBTQ people thinly veiled behind a camouflage of parental rights.

Gazda slammed the parents for daring to question anything that is taught at Ludlow Public Schools, arguing that schools, not homes, are the true safe space where children can be themselves, find their true identities, and feel comfortable with caring adults.

In other words, Gazda believes that children are better off when removed from the care of their parents and placed into the care of public school groomers. One wonders: Did Gazda have those student videos made for himself?

Why is talking sexually in the workplace considered sexual harassment to adults, but talking about sexuality to children K-3 at school is considered essential? asked someone in the comment section at 100percentfedup.com.

Shut down all public schools, wrote another. Its not just happening in one or two schools. Children are being brainwashed all over this country. This is absolutely shameful what they are doing to children.

More related news about American public schools can be found at Evil.news.

Sources include:

100percentfedup.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) As if the horrors in Shanghai during the latest forced Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown were not already bad enough, we are now receiving word that the government there has set up large quarantine centers that are reminiscent of concentration camps.

According to reports, Shanghais mass quarantine center at the citys exposition center keeps the lights on 24/7. It also has no showers, even though captives are expected to stay there for about a month.

A 30-year-old Ukrainian by the name of Jane Polubotko who tested positive for the latest strain (BA.2) of the Omicron (Moronic) variant of the Fauci Flu was forced to stay here, and she says she never saw darkness the entire time.

She and thousands of strangers were confined to the large room, which is set up in an office cubicle format with clusters of mattresses for captives to sleep. The environment made Polubotko feel like a COVID criminal, she told The Wall Street Journal.

In total, Polubotko spent 18 days in a row unshowered due to the confinement. The first thing she did when she got home, needless to say, was take a long, hot shower  as well as turn off the lights in order to sleep.

Hearing nothing but silence and being able to adjust my own lighting, Polubotko said about her experience returning home. I wont take these things for granted again.

Is China planning to once again export this new round of tyranny to the West?

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is calling this quarantine facility and others like it a fangcang, or square cabin. It is a makeshift hospital, of sorts, that supposedly handles cases in order to prevent more transmission.

Keep in mind that like the vast majority of other people who test positive for the Wuhan Disease, Polubotko never actually got sick. Even so, she was forced to remain inside the facility for nearly three weeks against her will.

While the CCP does not publicly reveal this type of data, it is estimated that some 270,000 others like Polubotko are currently under medical observation throughout China.

Shanghai has built more than 100 makeshift hospitals with a total capacity of more than 160,000 beds for COVID-positive individuals with mild or no symptoms, according to state media, reported the Journal.

The city had 7,776 people hospitalized and more than 220,000 under medical observation, China Daily reported Thursday.

In the West right now, COVID is pretty much over  and it has been for the past several months (or some would argue the past two years). This is one of the reasons why the situation in Shanghai is so anomalous and disturbing.

Recalling back to early 2020, much of the mayhem during the first round of the plandemic began in China, only to eventually trickle its way West. If history is any indicator, this could be the plan once again  but will Westerners stand for it?

In the United States, anyway, it is hard to imagine, despite how crazy things have become, that the average American would tolerate these large forced quarantine centers based on everything that has been revealed about the scamdemic since the time of the first lockdowns.

It is important to keep a close eye on things, though. Americans cannot let the government impose another lockdown under any circumstances, even if there are promises that it will only last 14 days to flatten the curve. We already heard that line and it proved to be a lie.

So what IS the government good for?? asked a reader at Natural News, making a very good point that is worth pondering.

The latest Fauci Flu news can be found at Fascism.news.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

WSJ.com
(Natural News) The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Joe Biden has claimed that vaccines are killing people with dark skin at a much higher rate than people with light skin.

Speaking at a digital White House Convening on Equity seminar on April 14, Xavier Becerra casually blurted out that he thinks non-whites are suffering from more deadly vaccine side effects than white people.

By the way, we know that vaccines are killing people of color  blacks, Latinos, indigenous people  at about two times the rate of white Americans, Becerra said.

He then went on to talk about how the government needs to work much harder to get more people injected, even though the numbers are way up compared to last year.

So, on vaccines last year, we saw that about two-thirds of white American adults had received at least one shot of vaccine, Becerra continued. That was just barely over 50 percent for black Americans and Latinos at that particular time. So, again, weve got to work.

Today, a year later, over 80 percent of white American adults have received at least one shot. Over 80% of black American adults have received at least one shot. Over 80 percent of Latino Americans have received at least one vaccine shot.

You can watch a clip of the White House Convening on Equity seminar below:

Remember when Dr. William Thompson exposed MMR for causing autism in babies?

As you may recall from our earlier coverage, there have been concerns for many years now about how vaccines affect people differently based on their ethnicity.

While Becerras recent talk referred specifically to Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, there are disparities in side effects from other vaccines as well, including the MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella.

Based on the data, black babies suffer much worse outcomes, on average, after getting jabbed with MMR  though, just to be clear, all children are harmed by these and other injections.

A whistleblower from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) blew the lid on MMR back in 2015, drawing much ire from the government and the press over this anti-vax claim.

Dr. William Thompson, who used to work as a top-level scientist at the CDC, revealed that the United States government also covered up data showing that MMR is, in fact, linked to autism.

This largely vindicated the science put together by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a world-renowned gastroenterologist who observed gut problems forming in children following injection with MMR.

The fake news media misconstrued Wakefields findings, as you may recall, saying that he falsely linked the shots to autism when all he really did was point out what he was observing in his practice among children who had received the injections.

Like mRNA (messenger RNA) Wuhan Flu shots, the MMR vaccine comes in a series of two injections, and even a third booster. MMR has long been on the health communitys radar for causing serious health problems in children, just like covid injections now are.

Vaccines are comprehensive fraud, wrote a reader at Natural News.

Our masters hate blacks, whites, yellow, brown, mixed and little green people, wrote another. The one percent only feel love for their own inbred sociopathic kind.

On June 4th, 2015, Reuters accurately reported Merck drug company criminally colluded with the U.S. FDA to stop all competitors; MMR vaccines from being approved and also Merck criminally colluded with the US CDV to hide that the Merck MMR Vaccine causes Autism in infants and children at least 314 percent more since early 2003, said another.

The latest news about Fauci Flu shots can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com
India's forest officials have arrested four men accused of sexually assaulting and killing the reptilian species known as the 'Bengal monitor lizard' or the 'Indian monitor lizard' in one of the country's most protect forest reserves.

The slain reptile is purportedly the only monitor lizard in the park.

A Strange Case

Vishal Mali, a division forest officer, stated they have never seen such a crime before which was carried out by individuals in their 20s and 30s, with no "religious" or "black magic agenda" involved, as cited by Vice World News.

Although the act is said to be unnatural and poses health risks due to the risk of zoonotic, animal-to-human disease transmission, local authorities claim the assailants only assaulted the reptile "out of fun".

The incident occurred at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in India's western state of Maharashtra on March 29. The perpetrators were caught between April 1 and April 5 after trespassing through the Chandoli National Park, containing camera traps that were meant to track tigers.

When the forest officials arrested the intruders, they found photos and videos on their phones which recorded the said barbaric act.

The four suspects named Akshay Kamtekar, Mangesh Kamtekar, Ramesh Ghag, and Sandeep Pawar were charged under India's animal rights and welfare law. However, a local court reportedly granted them bail after being detained.

Also Read: Arizona Man Accused of Freezing Almost 200 Animals Inside a Garage Freezer

Animal Protection Law

India's 'Wildlife Protection Act of 1972' or 'Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972' aims at protecting species of wild animals, including amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles.

These also include the animals' eggs.

The said Indian law generally prohibits any acts, including assault, killing, and capturing of animals, as per the Government of India's Ministry of Law and Justice - Legislative Department.

In the case of national parks or other animal enclosures, whether they are sanctuaries or not, animals must be protected at all costs.

However, the said law excludes vermins and insects.

The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, which covers approximately 1,166 square kilometers, and the Chandoli National Park which spreads over 300 square kilometers, covering the vast wildlife reserve have been a challenge for the forest guards.

As a result, additional security forces are planning to be deployed to protect the premises more efficiently.

Animal Abuse: Related Cases

A total of 500,000 cases of animal-related crime were reported in India between 2010 and 2020.

Amongst these cases, 82 cases fell under sexual abuse, according to a report by wildlife advocacy groups, as cited by the local news outlet India Today.

More recent cases involved the sexual assault and killing of a pregnant goat in southern India and a related case of a 60-year-old man attacking a female stray dog in 2021, as per Vice World News.

Monitor Lizard

The large and long-necked monitor lizards are prevalent in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.

However, excessive hunting, killing, and poaching over the years have led to a relative population decline of the reptilian species.

This has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reportedly classify the monitor lizard species as 'least concern' on its Red List of threatened species.

Related Article: Lollypop Farm Seizes 800 Animals From Property, a Local Animal Exhibitor Is Arrested
Nacogdoches, TX (75962)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Near record high temperatures. High 92F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Wildfires pose a threat once again to the Southwest US as weather authorities issued a new fire weather warning in the Rockies and its surrounding areas.

In Texas, three separate wildfires have erupted over recent days, which highlights the risk of similar natural events in other areas across the region.

Fire Weather Warning

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a fire weather warning for some portions of the Southwest US, including the central-southern Rockies, and the High Plains.

This is due to increased surface winds combined with dry fuels that enhance fire weather conditions.

However, the intensity such as low, moderate, and critical will depend on other various factors such as humidity, soil moisture, and precipitation.

Under the warning, critical fire weather conditions will affect the area from eastern Wyoming, to western Nebraska, and southwestern South Dakota on Tuesday, April 19.

The said geo-climatic conditions that promote the growth and spread of wildfires will continue until Wednesday, April 20.

This came after the NOAA - SPC found that there is a lack of precipitation in the region over the past week, leaving only intensified dry weather and windy conditions.

The US agency added that over 20 miles per hour (mph) of winds and grass-based fuels may aggravate wildfire until Tuesday morning or afternoon.

The areas between southern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Nevada are also critical highlights for the risk of wildfires.

Also Read: Critical Fire Weather Conditions Expected in the Southern Plains: Weather Forecast

Texas Wildfires

A total of three wildfires broke out in the Haskell, Nolan, and Taylor counties of the Abilene area of Texas on Easter Sunday, April 17.

The separate fires engulfed a combined land area of 2,000 acres, according to a spokesman of the Texas A&M Forest Service, as cited by the Abilene Reporter News.

The latest reports as of the morning of Monday, April 18, suggest there were no immediate indications of casualties or infrastructural damage.

Below are the following name and locations of each wildfire in the state:

Easter Blues Fire - this wildfire in Abilene near FM 89 road and a few miles west of Highway 277 had a containment rate of 0% and covered an area of 200 acres, prompting ground fire crews to douse the blaze.

Nina Lucia Fire - the Forest Service on Monday evening responded with aircraft and ground equipment to tackle this 200-acre to 500-acre fire with 25% containment west of FM 1170 road in the southwest portion of Nolan County.

Stag Fire - emergency responders were also occupied extinguishing this wildfire in southern Haskell County, located west of FM 600 road and south of Lake Stamford.

Increasing Wildfire Risks

According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), the increased coverage and intensified strength of wildfires in the Western United States are significantly caused by climate change.

Since climate change in contemporary times has contributed to the rising global temperatures, a chain-effect of geological and climatic conditions, including dry and hot weather, has elevated not only the frequency of forest fires or bush fires but also natural hazards such as drought and extreme weather.

Between 1984 and 2015, the number of large fires in the said US region have doubled, says the C2ES.

Related Article: US Wildfires are Becoming Larger and More Frequent Since 2000: New Study
      DPort Services      
Benefit, the kingdoms leading regional player in electronic financial transactions, has signed an agreement with Beyon Connect, a subsidiary of Bahrain's top telecom company Batelco, to provide Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) services in Bahrain via the OneID digital ID and OneBox digital postbox solutions.

It offers trusted and innovative financial and information solutions that are designed to make life easier, smarter, and more efficient for businesses and consumers.

By combining the trusted solutions and capabilities of both organizations, the way the residents of Bahrain will sign documents will be transformed, not only ensuring compliance, but also providing a seamless digital user experience through the use of cutting edge OneID and OneBox technologies, said the statement from Benefit.

OneBox will enable secure communication, transmission, and storage of the signed documents in one safe, convenient, and trusted digital space. Customers will have access to the new digital services around the clock reducing the need to visit physical locations in person.

OneID, which is available as a mobile application for both iOS and Android, enables individuals to register a unique and highly secure digital identity, to interact securely with digital services. It allows onboarding through a simple and secure e-KYC process supporting passport and national ID cards with facial recognition and liveness check.

As per the deal, Benefit will extend its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to integrate into the innovative OneID digital identity and OneBox digital postbox solutions and services delivered by Beyon Connect to reduce the need for manual signing of documents, applications, and official paperwork. PKI enables a user to electronically sign a document and prove its from a legitimate source.

Both companies are committed to offer cutting edge, highly secure, and simplified digital experiences to businesses, organizations and individuals within Bahrain which can be applied across multiple industries and sectors.

The focus on digital-first solutions is the product of a shared ambition to deliver trusted technology that simplifies the electronic signing and payment processes, increasing efficiencies through automation and lowering operating costs.

Benefit CEO Abdulwahed AlJanahi said: "We are pleased to join hands with Beyon Connect to offer our customers new innovative services by integrating Benefits trusted certificates into OneID and OneBox solutions. Trusted digital signing will support the changing needs of businesses, institutions and individuals in the evolving digital economy."

"We are committed to support the Central Bank of Bahrains ongoing initiatives in driving safe and compliant financial digital transformation within the kingdom," stated AlJanahi.

"Furthermore, Beyon Connect and Benefits collective vision is to turn complexities into intuitive solutions that are both powerful and secure, serving individuals and organizations alike," he added.

Beyon Connect CEO Christian Rasmussen said: "We are proud to collaborate with Benefit, a trusted and respected Bahrain finance and technology partner, to deliver additional value and powerful extended use cases to OneID and OneBox."

"Our highly secure digital ID and communication platform is built on transparency, privacy, and trust, so we see real synergy with the value and technologies Benefit brings to the table," stated Rasmussen.

"It is important to note that both organizations have a clear focus on sustainability, with care for the environment being high on the agenda, in line with the UN sustainability goals. The sustainability enabling technologies that we are implementing will contribute to these goals through reducing paper usage significantly," he said.

By introducing OneID and OneBox to the Bahrain market, Beyon Connect paves the way for a movement towards a secure, modern, digitally connected and trusted Mena region.

Together with its pioneering partners, Beyon Connect will play an important part in laying the cornerstones for a data driven, sustainable and paperless future. Furthermore, the delivery of this new digital solution will help to support the Kingdom's position as the region's leading hub in the ICT and data economy, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Windy with a mix of clouds and sun. High 77F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Bahrains Labour Fund Tamkeen has received the 2021 Customer Service Excellence Award within The National Suggestion and Complaint system Tawasul.

Over the past two years, Tamkeen was able to reach a service rate of 100% responding to all 1,150 inquiries, suggestions and complaints received through Tawasul in 2021.

At an awards ceremony held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, government agencies that exhibited distinguished performance through Tawasul over the past year were honoured. The agencies were able to meet the approved evaluation criteria, which focused on speed and efficiency of responses to the complaints and suggestions received through the system.

Quality of services

Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tamkeen praised the efforts by the government to continuously develop government systems across all levels and channels, ensuring best-practices based on community partnership in order to strengthen communication with citizens and improve the overall quality of services provided by the government.

He said: "We have constantly worked for achieving our main objectives, and we are committed to continuing our support in order to make Bahrainis the employees of choice and the private sector the engine of growth in the national economy, in line with the kingdoms national priorities and the National Economic Recovery Plan. Tamkeens programmes were designed to stimulate growth and boost productivity, thus creating sustainable impact in the kingdom.

We commend the government's efforts to continuously develop its services, and we will continue our approach of ensuring both our individual and enterprise customers remain at the core of our priorities. Being recognised for this award demonstrates the commitment and positive spirit within Team Tamkeen. As part of the wider Team Bahrain ecosystem, we are very proud to see how organisations across government have improved the overall customer experience and we welcome the various national initiatives that help enhance services.

Improving channels of communication

Husain Mohamed Rajab, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, highlighted that the award is a result of Tamkeens efforts and achievements over the past fifteen years and it demonstrates Tamkeens commitment to providing customers with the highest standard of service, adding: We will continue to provide exceptional services to all our customers, having already worked to improve our channels of communication to address their feedback with speed and efficiency. Weve diversified our service centres by offering a virtual service centre, alongside our branches, and the results of our efforts are demonstrated through this award.

Tawasul is an essential eChannel which enables citizens and residents to directly share their feedback with various government entities within Bahrain through a dedicated team and according to pre-set performance indicators and timeframes. This ensures that customer concerns are addressed in a timely manner and helps improve the overall services provided to customers.

Tamkeen will continue to build on its strategic direction through the previously announced comprehensive transformation plan by including several initiatives aimed at improving customer satisfaction.

Local and international awards

Tamkeen has received a number of local and international awards in various areas related to customer service. Tamkeen was awarded the Golden Trophy for two years in a row by the Government Service Centre Evaluation Committee (Taqyeem) and has won first place in the Communication Center Award in the Middle East for two consecutive years.

Tamkeen continues to develop its programmes and services according to its current strategic direction which focuses on driving high impact for the national economy and which include the launch of 16 programmes which target individuals and enterprises, as well as the introduction of a new online portal.-- TradeArabia News Service
In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers compare the efficacy of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 third- and fourth-dose vaccinations in Israel.

Study: Fourth Dose of BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Setting. Image Credit: WESTOCK PRODUCTIONS / Shutterstock.com

Background

On January 3, 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Health began national SARS-CoV-2 fourth-dose vaccination services for at-risk populations including people over the age of 60 and immunocompromised individuals around four months following receipt of their third vaccine dose. Other nations that have initiated the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fourth-dose vaccination campaigns included the United States and the United Kingdom.

The SARS-CoV-2 fourth-dose vaccine rollout was initiated in response to persistent waves of COVID-19 cases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, combined with waning protection after the third boosting dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. The effects of the Omicron-driven wave were even observed in nations with successful COVID-19 mass-vaccination initiatives.

A recent report offered real-time proof of the efficacy of a fourth dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine and indicated that this additional booster is more efficient in preventing COVID-19 and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection than three doses alone. Nevertheless, the trial did not provide information on the efficacy of a fourth dose in preventing additional COVID-19 outcomes, such as hospitalization and mortality rates. Furthermore, several potentially relevant confounders, such as the presence of comorbidities, were not addressed.

About the study

In the present study, the scientists evaluated the early efficacy of a fourth dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in preventing a range of COVID-19-associated outcomes in high-risk populations by analyzing data retrieved from the largest Israelian healthcare facility between January 3 and February 18, 2022, while controlling for possible confounders.

The authors assessed five SARS-CoV-2-related outcomes, of which included: polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19, symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-associated hospitalization, severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19-associated death.

Further, the confounding factors controlled in this research were age, gender, residency location, population sector, the calendar month of third-dose receipt, number of chronic preexisting comorbidities characterized as severe COVID-19 risk factors by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and number of hospitalizations in the last three years.

The scientists examined the relative efficacy of a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as compared to a third dose administered nearly four months prior in individuals aged 60 years or above at the personal level. In addition, both cohorts were matched by various clinical and sociodemographic variables. A total of 182,122 matched pairs were included in the primary analysis.

Study findings

The comparative vaccine efficacy in one week to one month following the fourth BNT162b2 vaccine dose was approximated to be 45% against PCR-confirmed COVID-19, 55% against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 68% against COVID-19-linked hospitalization, 62% against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 74% against COVID-19-associated mortality. The corresponding estimates in two weeks to one-month post-fourth dose were 52%, 61%, 72%, 64%, and 76%, respectively.

In one week to a month following the fourth dose, the variation in the absolute risk between three and four doses was 180.1 cases/100,000 individuals for COVID-19-linked hospitalization and 68.8 cases/100,000 people for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, estimates of relative vaccine efficacy against reported SARS-CoV-2 infection in sensitivity analyses were comparable to values in the primary evaluations.

Individuals in the fourth-dose group have a low risk of confirmed COVID-19 during the initial days of follow-up shortly after their vaccination. Further, vaccinated people underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing less frequently in the initial few days following immunization, which was likely because they associated any symptoms with the vaccine's adverse effects. Nevertheless, this bias was a temporary event, evidenced by almost equal risks in the three and four-dose vaccine groups on days five and six.

Following this, the fourth dose of the vaccine began to act around week one, with efficacy progressively increasing to a steady level around week two. Given the notably modest variation between the two groups on days five and six, the majority of the ensuing difference might be attributed to the efficacy of a fourth vaccine dose.

Conclusions

The findings of the current real-world study demonstrated that a fourth dose of the COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine was effective against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, at least initially. The study showed that the BNT162b2 vaccine fourth-dose enhances protection against PCR-confirmed COVID-19, symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-linked hospitalization, severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19-associated mortality when compared to a third booster dose given at least four months prior among individuals over the age of 60 years.

Extended follow-up will provide a more in-depth evaluation of the fourth dose's long-term protection. Although these data help assuage certain concerns, the authors state that more research is needed to establish whether vaccinating less often or delivering a mix of multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is a better long-term policy to curb the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Taken together, the present work depicted that a fourth BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine dose was beneficial in minimizing the short-term risk of SARS-CoV-2-associated outcomes in at-risk individuals who had previously received a third vaccine dose.
In a recent study published on the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers describe a 16-month-old case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in an immunocompromised individual.

Following unsuccessful therapy with monoclonal antibody (mAb) bamlanivimab, the individual was found to be infected with a SARS-CoV-2 strain that harbored a unique and previously undetected spike (S) mutation E484T. The viral strain was highly resistant to bamlanivimab but remained susceptible to three other mAbs.

Study: Evolution of a globally unique SARS-CoV-2 Spike E484T monoclonal antibody escape mutation in a persistently infected, immunocompromised individual. Image Credit: Jorieri / Shutterstock.com

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 S residue E484 is nested inside the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is the target for approximately 90% of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), particularly Class 2 nAbs. Studies have identified the E484K mutation in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) including the Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Omicron sub-variants B.1.617.1 and P.2, all of which were circulating in 2020.

The widespread prevalence of this mutation led the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bamlanivumab in 2021. Studies have comprehensively investigated S E484K mutation and found that it reduced susceptibility to bamlanivimab by more than 2,360-fold.

Typically, the host immune system clears SARS-CoV-2 infection within 15 to 25 days; however, this infection is often prolonged in immunocompromised individuals. Studies have reported such cases, with one previously documented case of prolonged infection lasting 333 days.

It is noteworthy that in cases with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus adapts within the host and gives rise to variants with remarkable antibody resistance and the ability to evade immunity.

The clinical condition of the patient

In the present study, researchers describe the case of an immunocompromised patient in his 50s who first contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection in spring 2020. The patient was admitted to a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) about four months post-diagnosis and received two courses of remdesivir, convalescent plasma, and steroid treatment and yet continued to test positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.

A) RT-qPCR cycle threshold values for patient nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected over almost 16 months of follow-up. The red line marks when the patient received the Bamlanivumab intravenous monoclonal antibody treatment (700mg). The dotted line in month 14 indicates a positive PCR test but no available Ct value. Note that Ct values are inverted to correspond with the inverse relationship between PCR Ct threshold value and and nasal RNA copy number. B) Timeline of clinically relevant information for the patients chronic infection, including symptoms, therapeutics, and hospitalizations.

About six months after his initial diagnosis, the patient received 700 mg of intravenous bamlanivumab monotherapy. A month later, the patient reported worsening symptoms, including difficulty breathing and fever, with chest CT scans showing organizing pneumonia. At this time, the patient yet again tested positive for COVID-19.

Despite receiving the best care, the patient tested PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2 up to 16 months post-diagnosis. The patient subsequently received another five-day course of remdesivir and another three infusions of VaxPlasma. Moreover, his cycle threshold (C t ) values remained below 27 in most PCR tests, which indicated active SARS-CoV-2 replication and high viral loads.

It remained unclear whether the patient was experiencing symptoms from persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection or was suffering from post-COVID lung damage due to continuous viral excretion in the respiratory tract.

Study findings

SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the patient's nasopharyngeal specimens were sequenced at 12-time points, beginning at around four months post-diagnosis.

From a specimen taken about four months-post diagnoses, 24 mutations were detected in the patients virus that was distinct from the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain (Wuhan-1). One of the mutations, Envelope T30I, is commonly found in immunocompromised individuals, though this mutation was lost approximately five months post-diagnosis. The number of mutations gradually increased to 40 by the final sequencing timepoint.

A point mutation in S codon 484, persisted in the virus consensus sequence for eight months after diagnosis.

However, after the patient received the bamlanivumab monotherapy, SARS-CoV-2 was not sequenced for more than three months. When the virus was again sequenced, the researchers cultured in vitro infectious viruses from a nasopharyngeal swab and observed 37 consensus mutations from the Wuhan-1 sequence, eleven of which rose together from sub-consensus variants detected at previous time points.

One of the eleven mutations that arose together was an additional and novel point mutation in the S codon 484, which changed the amino acid residue to threonine (T). This substitution remained in sequencing timepoints 11 months post-diagnosis.

In the next two months, the frequency of E484T and 10 other concomitant mutations fell far below consensus. Finally, after 13 months post-diagnosis, S codon 484 reverted to E484A.

The E484T variant remained unique to the individual described in the study and did not transmit further. Fortunately, public health officials were able to successfully contain its spread by quarantining this individual for almost 16-months at home.

Despite limited data from the county where this individual lived, surveillance sequencing suggested the possibility that the mutations that arose and disappeared had an associated fitness cost. Therefore, the authors recommended continuing surveillance programs to identify prolonged infections and characterize such viral adaptations to gain in-depth insights into the future SARS-CoV-2 evolution.

Conclusions

The current study describes the first case of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 E484T variant, thereby highlighting the potential role of immunocompromised individuals in providing an environment conducive to the generation and propagation of novel variants.

In fact, as of February 2022, S E484T had not been documented in any other SARS-CoV-2 samples. Thus, the current study highlights the need for frequent RT-PCR testing, SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing, and proactive treatment for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infections occurring in immunocompromised individuals.

The E484T variant arose after bamlanivumab monotherapy; however, due to the lack of sequence data from the patients earlier infection, the researchers could not conclusively determine whether the E484A variant arose de novo in this individual or they were infected with a lineage harboring E484A. Thus, this case also highlights the potential value of archiving test-positive specimens from immunocompromised individuals.

The authors emphasize the need for a national-level or worldwide registry to help researchers examine cases of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in higher numbers at one clinical site. Additionally, they recommended that the United States government should offer support to millions of immunocompromised individuals who are unable to continue work or afford healthcare.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A person's risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes or breast cancer may be influenced by thousands of genetic differences. Looking at a single DNA difference that has a small effect on risk may not be clinically useful, but when hundreds or thousands of these small risks are added up into a single score, often called a polygenic risk score (PRS), they might offer clinically meaningful information about a person's disease risk. In a new paper published in Nature Medicine, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, and Harvard Medical School developed and validated polygenic risk scores for six common diseases. The team also developed informational resources for each disease to help physicians and patients discuss how to incorporate PRS when making medical decisions about screening and prevention.

As a primary care physician myself, I knew that busy physicians were not going to have time to take an entire course on polygenic risk scores. Instead, we wanted to design a lab report and informational resources that succinctly told the doctor and patient what they need to know to make a decision about using a polygenic risk score result in their health care." Jason Vassy, MD, MPH, corresponding author, Brigham's Division of General Internal Medicine & Primary Care, the Brigham's Precision Population Health at Ariadne Labs and VA Boston

Vassy and colleagues developed the risk scores as part of the Genomic Medicine at VA (GenoVA) Study, a randomized clinical trial of PRS testing among generally healthy adults. The study team developed and validated a laboratory test at the Mass General Brigham Laboratory for Molecular Medicine (LMM) for polygenic risk scores for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.

The GenoVA Study is currently enrolling patients at the VA Boston Healthcare System, and the investigators reported the results from the first 227 patients, among whom 11 percent were found to have a high polygenic risk score for atrial fibrillation, 7 percent for coronary artery disease, 8 percent for type 2 diabetes, and 6 percent for colorectal cancer. Among men, 15 percent had a high score for prostate cancer, while 13 percent of women had a high score for breast cancer. The GenoVA Study will ultimately enroll more than 1,000 patients and follow them for two years to observe how they and their primary care providers use the polygenic risk scores in clinical care. For example, high-risk patients might choose to undergo screening tests more frequently or take preventive medications that can lower their risk.

The researchers had to address many challenges in implementing a clinical laboratory PRS test. Most importantly, their own observations confirmed a problem that was already known about these scores: they are less accurate in individuals of non-European descent. Most genomic research to date has been conducted in European populations, thus the scores resulting from this research have a weaker ability to predict disease risk among non-European populations. Implementing a polygenic risk score into clinical care that is only accurate for people of European descent would exacerbate existing health disparities. To address this important limitation, the researchers applied additional statistical methods to enable PRS calculation across multiple racial groups.

"Researchers must continue working to increase the diversity of patients participating in genomics research," said Matthew Lebo, PhD, Chief Laboratory Director at the LMM. "In the meantime, we were heartened to see that we could generate and implement valid genetic scores for patients of diverse backgrounds."

To date, 52 percent of GenoVA Study enrollees report non-white race and/or Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity.

Another key challenge in bringing polygenic risk score to clinical medicine is that physicians and patients will need support to understand them and use them to make medical decisions. Clinical guidelines do not yet exist to help a physician know whether and how they should treat a patient with a high-risk score differently than an average-risk patient, but the study provides physician- and patient-oriented educational materials to help them incorporate the results. In addition, patients and primary care physicians can seek support from a genetic counselor in the study.

The researchers hope that this first report from the GenoVA Study will be a useful guide for other laboratories and health care systems looking to implement polygenic risk score testing in patient care. "It's still very early days for precision prevention," says Vassy, "but we have shown it is feasible to overcome some of the first barriers to bringing polygenic risk scores into the clinic."
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified key signaling pathways that when blocked by existing drug candidates limit reproduction of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. The findings, published in the journal eLife, offer hope for patients affected by this potentially deadly disease.

The spread of the CCHF virus poses an increased threat to public health due to its high mortality rate in humans, which varies between 3 to as much as 40 per cent in some regions. Unfortunately, there are currently no vaccines or effective treatments available, which is why it is of utmost urgency to identify promising drug candidates that could lead to better treatments and reduce the high mortality rate." Ali Mirazimi, study's senior author, adjunct professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet

The CCHF virus is primarily transmitted to people from tick bites or through contact with infected animals, although human-to-human transmission can also occur. The virus causes the disease Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, which typically manifests itself with symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, joint pain, vomiting and bleeding, and can progress to organ failure and death.

The disease is endemic with fairly stable infection levels in 30 countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, southeast Europe and parts of Africa. However, with global warming, the ticks carrying the virus are spreading to other parts of the world, with more cases seen in other parts of Europe in recent years. The disease is classified as hazardous to society according to the Communicable Diseases Act.

Pathways identified

All viruses are parasites that are completely dependent on their hosts for reproduction. A virus that infects a cell reprograms the cell to create more virus. The cells' energy supply and functions are controlled via signaling pathways, and viruses take advantage of these pathways to spread within the body.

In the study, the research group investigated how the CCHF virus infects cells and what types of changes take place. Using blood samples from patients with both acute infection and one year after recovery and cell culture experiments, the researchers found that the CCHF virus prefers pathways involving energy metabolism to reproduce.

Drug candidates reduce viral spread

By blocking two key metabolic pathways, glycolysis and glutaminolysis, with previously identified drug candidates, the researchers were able to significantly reduce viral reproduction in a laboratory setting. The findings build on earlier research from the same research groups at Karolinska Institutet, including a study that found similar mechanisms involved in the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19.

"We hope that our findings can lead to new antiviral treatments against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever," says the study's first author Ujjwal Neogi, researcher at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. "Based on our discovery, we will soon begin in vivo studies in animals and hopefully translate these findings into clinical trials in the near future."

The study was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council, the Public Health England Grant In Aid, Karolinska Institutet and the European Union Horizon 2020 CCHF Vaccine Grant.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Norwegian Constitution and Norway's Child Welfare Act all state that children have the right to participate in all matters that concern them. Child welfare workers are also duty-bound to work with children and parents and assist them as much as possible.

Nevertheless, research indicates that young children in the CWS do not have the opportunity to participate enough in their own cases, and that the CWS does not provide satisfactory arrangements for the youngest children to partner in decisions for their lives.

Although child welfare staff are aware of the problem, knowledge about tools and methods that exist for good communication and cooperation with the youngest children are lacking.

This means that too many children are excluded from their own case decisions, without understanding the reasoning behind them.

Now a European development project has been tasked with sharing experiences across national borders and coming up with solutions to enable the CWS to meet and include the youngest children in better ways.

Participation is a right

Norway's Child Welfare Act states that all children who are able to form their own views have the right to participate in all matters concerning them. The child shall receive sufficient and adapted information and has the right to freely express his or her views.

The requirement that children must be listened to and that due weight must be given to their views in accordance with their age and development, is in line with both Article 104 of the Norwegian Constitution and Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Neither the constitutional provision nor the UN article operates with a fixed age limit for the child's right to participate.

Participation must be ensured in all phases of the processing and follow-up of the child's case, and the CWS must ensure that the child's participation takes place in a safe environment.

Despite these provisions, the available research on children's participation suggests that there is still a way to go - especially when it comes to the youngest children in the CWS.

The child welfare service needs greater knowledge about how interacting and communicating with young children can happen in a way that ensures their perspectives are seen and heard.

The challenge is the same in other countries.

Need to communicate differently

We can't expect a two-year-old or a five-year-old to sit down at a table with an unfamiliar caseworker who pays a home visit. We need to find child-friendly approaches. The responsible adult has to communicate with the child in an understandable way." Inger Sofie Dahl Husby, associate professor, NTNU's Department of Social Work

"Play, body language, drawing and other types of tools - along with time - need to be used when communicating with young children. In order for children to participate, the caseworkers and other adults have to get to know the child and make it easy for him or her to convey how they're doing and what their needs are. This needs to happen in frameworks and settings that children perceive as safe," says Randi Juul, an associate professor in the same department.

Husby and Juul are both working on the Norwegian part of the development project PANDA, which has received funding through Erasmus+, the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport.

The collaborative project includes participants from four European countries and aims to find solutions that can ensure that children under the age of 12 are able to participate in their CWS cases.

The Norwegian part of the project also involves Trondheim municipality and the child welfare services in the municipalities of Alesund and Fjord. Also participating is Forandringsfabrikken - The Change Factory - which collects and disseminates knowledge from children and young people on how they experience the support services, with the goal of improving the systems.

Learning from others

"This project will enable us to find tools and approaches that make it easier for the child welfare services to interact with children," says Husby.

She points out that good examples for involving and working with young children can be found in kindergartens. Training social workers and others who meet the children in the CWS is an important aspect of the project.

The different countries will also exchange their experiences through the project. The Norwegian project participants have already presented Trondheim municipality's recent Stein, Saks, Papir (rock, paper, scissors) childrearing strategy to the participants from Belgium, Northern Ireland and Spain.

The PANDA project started in the autumn of 2020 and continues for three years.
Routine healthcare services suffered severe setbacks in most parts of the world with the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This was largely due to the measures put in place in healthcare facilities to prevent the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the pandemic.

A new preprint posted to the medRxiv* server shows how this situation could be avoided in maternal and neonatal care following childbirth.

Introduction

The physical and emotional impact of pregnancy is enormous for the typical woman and her family. In fact, the experiences of this period often continue to affect their lives long afterward.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, restrictions on the number of individuals allowed into physicians offices at one time, visiting restrictions, and limits on the presence of doulas, partners and others during the childbirth itself, were some of the sudden changes that significantly affected womens lives during pregnancy and post-partum.

Earlier studies from several countries showed that many women reported increased apprehension and sadness due to the lack of their preferred birth companions, the fear that the infection would be transmitted to their babies during the birth, and having to give up the option of water birth, in some cases, due to the perceived risk of viral transmission.

Of course, other reports show no difference in the level of satisfaction experienced before and during the pandemic when it came to giving birth.

The current preprint describes both the kind of perceptions women had about their pandemic pregnancies and childbirth experiences, compared to pre-pandemic studies, as well as the reasons for such perceptions. The raw data came from the responses to the international Babies Born Better survey version 3 (B3-survey). This was analyzed as part of the ASPIRE-COVID-19 study.

Findings

There were over 2,200 surveys in the analysis, with about 60% being from the UK and the rest from the Netherlands. About a third of these came from women who had given birth during the pandemic, namely, about 40% of those from the UK and a quarter of those from the Netherlands. The median age was in the early thirties for both cohorts.

When childbirth experiences were examined, more women in the Netherlands reported a vaginal birth independent of the time period. In the UK, more women had an in-hospital birth during the pandemic than pre-pandemic. Overall, about 45% of women in the Netherlands cohort delivered at home but this was less than a fifth for the UK cohort.

Interestingly, two out of three women in the Netherlands cohort were very satisfied with their birth experience, compared to half of the UK cohort, without respect to the time period. In the former, women with a higher standard of life were more likely to have a better birth experience, but not in the latter.

The reasons for dissatisfaction with the birth experience could be summed up by two themes: either the woman felt unsupported or felt deprived of her freedom to choose the circumstances surrounding childbirth.

In addition, women who did not expect as good care as before due to the pandemic situation were often pleasantly surprised, while the efforts made by the medical and supporting staff to provide the care appropriate for each patient helped mitigate the negative effects of other restrictions in force.

These factors were found to be a more influential theme during the pandemic than before it.

The lack of support was due to the inadequate number of staff, because of quarantine or illness, because of the enforcement of social distancing, or both. Preferred partners were also often barred from being present at birth or visiting afterward due to COVID-19 restrictions, causing significant stress on the new mother.

The closure of some home birth services in the UK during the pandemic restricted the freedom of some, but by no means all, women during childbirth, while this was not a factor in the Netherlands cohort. The availability of home birth was related to their positive evaluation of the childbirth experience in the latter.

On the other hand, some bending of the rules by the attending staff was viewed positively by the patients as an effort to improve the quality of their care and was reported as having made the experience a good one. This was also the case when women apparently expected a lower standard of care than would be normal pre-pandemic, and thus appreciated even the basic care that they ultimately did receive.

Implications

This study used data from two different countries encompassing two time periods to evaluate the standard of pregnancy and post-partum care during COVID-19, in terms of the patient experience. The results show that familiarity, empathy, and competence on the part of the healthcare providers was highly appreciated by the patients during this challenging period while they were experiencing childbirth.

The Netherlands cohort was mostly complimentary about their experiences compared to the UK cohort, with the standard of living and the birth setting playing major roles in shaping these perceptions. Interestingly, this was not related to the pandemic. In fact, women in the Netherlands who had a better standard of living seemed even more positive about their childbirth experiences during the pandemic than before it, even though they had less support, less freedom to choose the setting, and less control over their childbirth process than before.

The reasons for this appear to be that many women did not expect care to reach the pre-pandemic levels and were thus appreciative when it did. Secondly, they admired the efforts made by healthcare providers to compensate for the difficulties faced by their patients due to COVID-19 restrictions or other rules, to the extent of being more flexible than expected for the benefit of their patients.

The findings of this study bear out similar results from other studies that underline the importance of giving laboring women more control and support during childbirth. In addition, the results show that when healthcare staff went the extra mile for their patients, the overall experience belied the negativity of the pandemic situation and restrictions.

The researchers also noted that,

There is growing evidence of moral distress and compassion fatigue among staff who are trying to maintain services by continuously having to go above and beyond their shift times, or by the stress of breaking rules that they feel are damaging to women, birthing people and families.

This unsustainable expenditure must be stopped by putting more realistic and humane rules into play.

Moreover, the association of positive childbirth experiences with a higher standard of living points to a basic inequity of services, especially during a time of crisis. Whether this is because women with higher socioeconomic status are better equipped to ask for and get what they need at such times, or because they are less stressed, overall, remains to be determined. However, according to the authors,

personalization should continue to be an important part of general policy in maternity care, including guidelines and staffing resources, to enable staff to benefit all service users equitably.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a low-cost national airline of the UAE, has announced a promotion with 20 percent off selected flights from and to Abu Dhabi until the end of August for bookings made untill tonight (April 19).



The airline aims to capitalise on the increasing demand for travel during Eid and providing its customers with exciting travel opportunities and experiences over the summer period and beyond.



Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have recently added some marvellous destinations to its ever-growing network by launching its new routes to Salalah (Oman), Mattala (Sri Lanka), Amman (Jordan) and Aqaba (Jordan) bringing in a new frontier of air travel. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airlines mobile app, available in the Arabic language, with fares starting as low as AED39 ($10.6).



Michael Berlouis, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: We welcome the Eid holiday with an exciting 20 percent off on our ultra-low fares. Travellers can plan their summer holiday and make this Eid memorable by treating themselves to a well-deserved vacation to one of our attractive destinations.



Wizz Air network provides incredible leisure, historic and cultural experiences with safe and efficient travel awaiting all our customers. With an ever-expanding network, we are committed to providing travel options that are more convenient and affordable for everyone. We look forward to seeing you onboard our aircraft soon.



The removal of PCR test requirements for vaccinated travellers in Abu Dhabi has made travel simpler again with the easing of restrictions allowing for more spontaneous travel opportunities.



Wizz Air Abu Dhabi network provides ultra-low fare, hassle-free and efficient travel options to Alexandria (Egypt), Amman (Jordan), Aqaba (Jordan), Athens (Greece), Baku (Azerbaijan), Belgrade (Serbia), Kutaisi (Georgia), Manama (Bahrain), Mattala (Sri Lanka), Muscat (Oman), Salalah (Oman) Sarajevo (Bosnia), Sohag (Egypt), Tirana (Albania) and Yerevan (Armenia) among others.



The airline has a young fleet composed of four brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has the lowest environmental footprint among its competitors in the region, supporting the airlines long-term commitment to sustainability.

Passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can cancel their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit.  TradeArabia News Service
By analyzing samples from patients who have been treated for malaria in Sweden, researchers at Karolinska Institutet can now describe how the immune system acts to protect the body after a malaria infection. The results, published in the journal Cell Reports, provide knowledge that can aid in the development of more effective vaccines against the disease.

Our results contribute to a better understanding of how humans fight this serious disease and may help in the development of better vaccines. This sheds new light on the question of how the body's immune system deals with malaria." Christopher Sundling, principal researcher, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, and last author of the study

Malaria is caused by parasites that are spread to humans by mosquitoes. The disease caused more than 600,000 deaths in 2020, mainly among young children in sub-Saharan Africa.

People who contract malaria repeatedly may gradually become immune to the disease. But even before that, the body can build up a so-called tolerance, which provides protection against severe disease.

To find out more about how disease tolerance develops, KI researchers have investigated immune cells and proteins in blood samples from patients who have been treated for acute malaria infection at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, Sweden and have recovered.

This patient group was monitored by being tested on six occasions during one year following the onset of the disease. A total of 53 patients were included, 17 of whom had contracted malaria for the first time, while 36 had grown up in malaria-endemic areas, had had malaria many times before and now contracted the disease again after travel.

"Since we have followed the patients here in Sweden, we can study the natural course of the immune response after a malaria infection, without the risk of a new infection interfering with the results. This cohort has proved to be very valuable for studying the immunology of malaria," says Anna Farnert, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Senior infectious diseases physician at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden in whose research group the study was conducted.

Within this cohort, the researchers recently described the kinetics of antibody responses after infection.

In the case of malaria, the disease itself is partly a result of the inflammation created in the body by the immune system's reaction to the infection. In their comparisons, the researchers noted a strong inflammatory response from the so-called innate immune system in people who were infected for the first time. In contrast, the people who were re-infected had an ability to suppress the inflammation, Christopher Sundling explains.

"In those who have had malaria before, we saw that the early presence of parasite-specific antibodies interrupt the first stages of the inflammation and prevent a certain type of inflammatory T-cell from expanding," Sundling continues.

In October 2021, the World Health Organization recommended the use of the world's first, and so far, only vaccine against malaria, Mosquirix. However, Mosquirix targets only one form of the malaria parasite - the form the parasite has when it first moves from the mosquito into the liver. Once it enters the bloodstream and gives symptoms, the pathogen is at a different stage against which the vaccine does not work.

"This is a weakness of the current vaccine. Understanding how tolerance develops and what happens in the blood stage can help us develop other types of vaccines, which may not fully protect against infection but will lessen the chances of becoming seriously ill. If such a vaccine can enable people to survive the first infections that kill so many, we could save many lives," says Sundling.

Over the last decades, the incidence of malaria decreased globally. Efforts to distribute mosquito nets, spray insecticides indoors, as well as diagnostics and new treatments are believed to have contributed to the positive trend, Anna Farnert notes. But in recent years, the rate of decline has leveled off and in 2020 the covid pandemic contributed to increased mortality.

"We now need to continue to ensure that people are protected from being bitten by infected mosquitoes and have access to rapid and effective treatment. But to further reduce the burden of disease and eventually eradicate malaria, new tools are required. An effective vaccine is really needed; that is how we have been able to manage other infections, also in poor countries," says Anna Farnert.

The research has been funded by the Swedish Research Council, Magnus Bergvall Foundation, the Ake Wiberg Foundation, Region Stockholm, and the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, as well as doctoral grants from Karolinska Institutet. The researchers declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Zika virus has gained increased media attention over the last decade. Although it is mostly found in South and Mid-America, cases have also been found in the U.S.A.

The virus is carried by mosquitos and is most dangerous to pregnant women as the disease can spread to the fetus. The disease is very similar to the dengue virus, and in the past catching and surviving either virus often led to a level of immunity against the other.

However, in recent years this immunity appears to be waning, and, in a new study published in Cell Reports, researchers have been investigating why this is occurring.

The Study

Two new Zika virus (ZIKV) strains were created through alternate passaging of a wild-type strain between cultured C6/36 mosquito cells and either naive or dengue virus (DENV)2-immune mice. The same two groups of mice were then infected through intravenous injection of wild-type ZIKV, and then bled three days after infection. The sera were added to the C6/36 cells for another seven to ten days before re-injection into new groups of mice, with this cycle repeating ten times. The resultant strains were named ZN-p10 and ZDI-p10. To test if this passaging affected virulence, both naive and DENV2-immune mice were infected with wild-type ZIKV, ZN-p10 and ZDI-p10.

The immune mice were protected against infection with the wild-type strain, but both the passaged strains were able to cause severe disease at four days post-infection and were lethal in every case by nine days. Mortality in DENV2-immune mice was also accelerated by a significant decree.

Following this, the infectious viral particles in the serum, spleen, rain and eyes of infected mice were harvested and measured at three days post-infection using focus-forming assays. Both passaged virus strains showed higher viral loads compared to the wild-type strain, even in the DENV2-immune mice. The kinetics and magnitude of the infection in cell culture, including both C6/36 and Vero cells did not differ significantly, suggesting that the different phenotypes might be cell-type dependent.

Sequencing of the strains revealed two mutations in ZN-p10, C1742U in the E protein, and A4338G in NS2B, resulting in an I39V mutation. Strangely, both mutations were also present in ZDI-p10, alongside an addition C23386U mutation in the E protein, resulting in a T470M substitution. As the NS2B-I39V mutation was the most likely candidate for increased pathogenicity, engineered strains were created expressing either this mutation, E-T470M, or both.

While the strain with both mutations was slightly better than the singular NS2B-139V mutation, this was not significant, and it seems likely that this mutation allowed ZIKV to evade protection. ET470M had little to no effect.

As much of the worry over ZIKV is due to its ability to transmit to a fetus in the womb, the next experiments examined placental transmission in DENV2-immune mice. These mice were mated with allogeneic sires and then infected halfway through the seventh day after conception. On day 14.5, the fetuses, placenta, decidue and maternal serum, spleen and brain were harvested.

Most fetuses from immune mothers were viable if infected with wild-type, but those infected with the strains harboring NS2B-I39V showed resorption rates of up to 90%. A fetus infected with ZIKV often develops microcephaly caused by infection of fetal neural progenitor cells  and unfortunately, this mutation was also proved to infect human neural progenitor cells at a significantly higher rate.

To determine the likelihood of this mutation arising in nature, the sequences of NS2B for 1058 isolates were examined, revealing two that harbored an I39 mutation  I39T. This was significantly less pathogenic than I39V in immune mice, but still showed an increase in weight loss and more severe disease than the wild-type.

Conclusions

The authors successfully created new strains of the Zika virus and proved that the process of passaging through mice resulted in significantly increased virulence. They also determined which mutation in the new strains was causing the increased pathogenicity and proved that this mutation could result in increased placental transmission in otherwise-immune mice models and human cellular models.

Finally, they delivered evidence that similar mutations have arisen under natural circumstances. Professor Sujan Shresta, PhD has argued that, the world should monitor the emergence of this Zika virus variant, and as the previous immunity derived from Dengue virus infection is no longer as effective as previously, this seems like wise advice.
In March 2020, Dr. Joseph Vinetz left the contemplative world of his Yale University infectious-disease laboratory and plunged into the covid ward at Yale New Haven Hospital, joining an army of health care workers who struggled to treat the deadly viral disease.

There were no drugs against covid-19, and no way to predict which infected patients would develop pneumonia or fall into an inflammatory tailspin leading to severe illness or death. In desperation, Vinetz and countless other doctor-scientists trawled the literature for existing medicines that might help.

"We were in the hospital. We had nothing," Vinetz said. "I was one of tens of thousands of doctors around the world who said, 'We gotta figure out what to do.'"

On April 16, 2020, Vinetz saw an article in the journal Cell about a drug called camostat, licensed in Japan in 1985 to treat inflammation of the pancreas. Research during the first SARS epidemic, in 2004, had shown the drug had a plausible biochemical mechanism for slowing coronavirus infections, so Vinetz and his colleagues quickly organized a small clinical trial on outpatients with mild to moderate symptoms.

In those days, before covid vaccines and covid-specific treatments appeared on the market, Vinetz's experiment was one of thousands conducted by doctors who hoped older vaccines and drugs, usually cheap and off-patent, might provide them with options.

Mostly, the drugs were too toxic or had no clear effect. Of the more than 1,500 trials for potential covid drugs listed on the website of the National Institutes of Health  including antivirals, anti-inflammatories, and drugs used for cancer, asthma, heart disease, and dozens of other conditions  few have produced helpful medicines.

In fact, only one older drug is routinely used to fight covid. That's the steroid dexamethasone, proven by British scientists to help keep hospitalized patients from requiring supplemental oxygen or intubation.

Drugs like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin showed hints of value initially but failed in clinical trials  only to remain in circulation, at least partly because their use symbolized affinity in the culture war for some of President Donald Trump's followers.

A few old drugs still show promise, but they've had trouble getting traction. The ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine fiascoes soured doctors on repurposed medications, and the pharmaceutical industry has shown little interest in testing them, especially when it can earn billions from even mediocre new ones, scientists tracking the field say.

American and European scientists have confirmed the theoretical basis for camostat's impact on covid. But evidence for its effects is weak; last year the drug was dropped from a big NIH trial comparing various treatments.

A more promising story emerged with fluvoxamine, licensed under the brand name Luvox in 1994 to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. The drug is in the same class as common antidepressants such as Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft.

A child psychiatrist noticed fluvoxamine might be good for covid. In March 2020, while recovering from a bout of covid, Dr. Angela Reiersen of Washington University in St. Louis saw a 2019 study in mice that showed how fluvoxamine could activate a protein similar to one missing in patients with Wolfram syndrome, a genetic disease that causes diabetes, neurological issues, and, eventually, death.

Reiersen and her colleague Dr. Eric Lenze, a geriatric psychiatrist, began a clinical trial of the drug in people with symptoms of covid. Of the 80 in the fluvoxamine group, none suffered a serious decline, while six of 72 patients given sugar pills got pneumonia, and four were hospitalized.

In a follow-up 1,500-patient trial in Brazil, people who took at least 80% of their fluvoxamine pills were 66% less likely to require emergency care or hospitalization than those who got sugar pills. Only one died, compared with 11 in the placebo group.

Since October, when the Brazilian study was published, fluvoxamine's future has dimmed. Neither the NIH nor the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends fluvoxamine to prevent respiratory distress. The NIH panelists noted that the better outcomes in the Brazilian trial were only statistically significant among those who remained in the trial. (Because of nausea and other side effects, only 74% of trial participants in the fluvoxamine wing took all their pills, compared with 82% in the placebo wing.)

The NIH panel also was put off by the fact that the Brazilian trial counted hospitalizations as well as people put under a doctor's care for six hours or more  not a standard measure. Trial organizers said that was necessary because Brazilian hospitals were so packed with covid patients that many people got their care in makeshift outdoor shelters.

Regulators and experts are awaiting results from two other big trials, one organized by a consortium of universities and hospitals, the other by the NIH. But both studies are using doses of 100 milligrams of fluvoxamine a day, compared with 200 or 300 milligrams in the successful trials.

"I have concerns that they are not using a high-enough dose," Reiersen said, given that fluvoxamine operates on a different biochemical pathway to fight covid than the one involved in psychiatric treatment.

The concern is shared by Craig Rayner, a former drug company scientist who worked on the Brazilian trial and other big tests of repurposed drugs. "You can do the largest, most well-funded study in the world," he said, "but if you choose the wrong dose, it's rubbish in, rubbish out."

The team overseeing NIH's trial opted for a lower dose because higher doses had already been used in the earlier trials  and often caused side effects, said Sarah Dunsmore, a program director at NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

On Dec. 21, David Boulware, a University of Minnesota infectious-disease expert, petitioned the FDA to approve a change in fluvoxamine's label stating it can be used to prevent respiratory distress in at-risk patients with mild to moderate covid. He hasn't received a response yet.

It's a different story for big drug companies. Two days after Boulware's submission, FDA authorized Merck to market its drug molnupiravir, which in its clinical trial showed about as much effectiveness as fluvoxamine, and also had side effects like nausea and dizziness. Fluvoxamine also can cause insomnia and anxiety; molnupiravir is not recommended for pregnant women or anyone, male or female, having unprotected sex, because it caused genetic and fetal damage in test animals.

Still, federal guidelines recommend molnupiravir in certain settings, and the government has bought more than 3 million doses for about $2.2 billion, or $733 per dose. Fluvoxamine, a generic, goes for less than $5 a pill.

"You hate to say that Big Pharma has a lot of influence, but clearly they do," Boulware said. "The molnupiravir data was not that great, but we're spending billions on the drug and it got fast-track emergency use authorization" while fluvoxamine remains in a gray area.

With the arrival of effective vaccines and the trickle of antiviral treatments, the urgency of rehabilitating old drugs for U.S. patients has ebbed. But the need remains high in lower- and middle-income countries where vaccines and new covid treatments remain unavailable.

It's not rare for a pharmaceutical company to synthesize or study a drug for one purpose, only to discover it works better for something else. The classic instance is sildenafil, or Viagra, which was being developed as a drug for hypertension when scientists noticed a remarkable side effect. Remdesivir, now a front-line drug against covid, was aimed at treating Ebola.

Its less common for a drug marketed for one use to acquire an entirely different purpose, but the pandemic drove scientists to try. They tested thousands of compounds in petri dishes for their virus-killing power, but the journey from test tube to human remedy is long, said Rayner, who is also a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

If fluvoxamine were a new drug, the company sponsoring it would have spent the money needed to get the drug approved and to show the FDA it has the means to monitor the drug's safety and efficacy. Since it's an old drug, it will be up to independent scientists, or perhaps a reluctant generics manufacturer, to sponsor safety monitoring should the FDA provide an emergency use authorization, Rayner said.

An EUA or approval "comes with strings. You have to continue to monitor the safety, to make sure no signals pop up when you move it from thousands to millions of patients," he said. "That's very expensive."

U.S. physicians can prescribe drugs off label, but most are leery of doing so until a drug has won approval for the new use. That's especially true now.

Definitive answers on some repurposed drugs were slow in coming because there were too many small, poorly designed studies by "every man and his dog," Rayner said. He calculates up to $5.6 billion has been wasted on hydroxychloroquine clinical trials alone.

A recent World Health Organization resolution called for better coordination and information-sharing among those organizing trials so that definitive answers can be obtained quickly with big pots of data.

As for camostat, Vinetz said those who took the drug felt better than those who got a placebo. "It basically prevented loss of smell and taste, which people really bitterly care about," he said. "That means there's a real biological effect. That merits further exploration."

But will that happen? Vinetz's team has sought publication of their research for five months with no success. He'd like to see whether camostat can prevent long covid, but such investigations cost millions. Camostat's Japanese manufacturer apparently lost interest in it as a covid drug after its own small, unsuccessful trial.

"When there's no profit motive, it's tough," Vinetz said. Meanwhile, he's resumed his research into controlling a neglected tropical disease: leptospirosis.
(Newser)  A cruel scam left children in central Florida thinking the Easter Bunny had skipped their home, parents say. The scammed parents say somebody calling themselves "Sarah Honey" advertised an "Egg My Yard" deal on social media, promising to scatter eggs filled with candy or toys in yards, along with a note from the Easter Bunny, WESH reports. Parents who paid fees ranging from $20 to $75 in advance on Cash App, Zelle, or Venmo say they were devastated on Easter morning when there were no eggs in their yard, and the Facebook accounts connected to the scam had disappeared. Parents say the scam has been reported to police.

On social media, dozens of people said they had been scammed, leaving them with no eggs and no Plan B. Community members stepped up to help and delivered donations to affected families. "We received messages from people saying, 'Hey, I want to help. Hey, our church has extra eggs,'" Eileen Scates, whose sister was scammed, tells WESH. Many of the victims, she says, "are working moms, single moms, and they were working Easter so this [delivery] was going to be the highlight of their day." Scates adds: "Even though this thing happened that was terrible it was kind of nice to see the community come together."

In Canada, a police department did get an Easter delivery, but it definitely wasn't for kids. CTV reports that the Vancouver Police Department says the Easter Bunny left plastic eggs for a dog named Cash to find as part of a training exerciseand Cash got extra treats when he detected the one filled with heroin.

In Texas, the Austin Independent School District is reevaluating safety protocols after some children received eggs containing condoms, the Houston Chronicle reports. Parents say a mother who works at a pharmacy had dressed as the Easter Bunny for a safe-sex presentation. When she was "mobbed" by kids after going to pick up her second-grader while still in costume, she handed out eggs filled with candy, parents say. But when she asked her husband to bring more supplies, he grabbed the wrong eggs.

(Read more Easter stories.)
(Newser)  A judge in Santa Barbara last week sentenced murderer Pierre Haobsh to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. Haobsh was found guilty in November of carrying out the brutal 2016 murders of Dr. Henry Lana well-known Chinese herbalisthis wife, Jennie Yu, and their 5-year-old daughter, Emily. Per SF Gate, the victims' bodies were found wrapped in plastic with multiple gunshot wounds. The clues all led straight to Haobsh, who was apparently trying to enter a business arrangement with Lan; regardless, prosecutors said his motive was greed, and evidence showed that Haobsh stole Lans account and Social Security numbers and then transferred $100,000 to his own account after the murders.

According to the Santa Barbara News-Press, the case marked the first time District Attorney Joyce Dudleys office has sought the death penalty. However, prosecutors backed off after a deal with the defense, in which Haobsh waived his right to a jury trial. In a bench trial last fall, the judges verdict included three first-degree murder convictions with special circumstances: that the murders were committed for financial gain and that multiple victims were involved," per KSBY News. Haobsh continued to deny responsibility during the sentencing.

SF Gate reports that Haobsh was a "bizarre figure in the Hans' orbit." His father "was a Jordanian-born US citizen hired by the CIA in the late 1980s ... to meet with Saddam Husseins weapons-procurement officers, according to reporting by the Santa Barbara Independent in 2017. Around the same time, his sister, Nadine Jolie Courtney, "a beauty blogger and author," condemned the killings and said she was praying for the family, per the AP. Supervising DA Ben Ladinig told KEYT News that Haobsh has no possibility of ever being released. He will literally die in prison." (Read more life sentence stories.)
Turkish Airlines, a global aviation giant with almost 90 years in operation, and GOL Linhas Aereas, a leading company in Brazil, have announced a codeshare and frequent flyer partnership (FFP) agreement.



The codeshare agreement provides that Turkish Airlines passengers from Africa, Asia, Far East and Middle East, can acquire connections with the entire network operated by GOL in the Brazilian territory and to Asuncion, Santiago, Montevideo, Lima destinations in the region.



Currently, Turkish Airlines operates 7 daily flights to GRU Airport, Sao Paulo's international airport in Guarulhos (GRU).



With the codeshare agreement, passengers of Turkish Airlines will be able to purchase directly through the airline's sales channels, tickets for flights operated by GOL in Brazil.



Besides this codeshare, Turkish Airlines and GOL have reached consensus on launching FFP cooperation as well. TKs Miles&Smiles and GOLs SMILES members will gain access to accrual and redemption benefits on both airlines. FFP partnership will initially start with redemption soon, and accrual benefits will be provided afterward.



Bilal Eksi, Turkish Airlines CEO said; As Turkish Airlines, we are pleased to launch codeshare and FFP cooperation with GOL in Sao Paulo that will allow passengers unique travel alternatives via Istanbul to Brazilian domestic routes. They will enjoy FFP benefits with the new flight options along with a more convenient travel experience. By this opportunity, we also hope to make contribution to the commercial relations between our respective countries.



As two of the main airlines in Brazil and Turkey, GOL and Turkish Airlines offer the best experience to their passengers. Enabling Turkish Airlines passengers to reach the largest number of flights and destinations in Brazil with this agreement is a pleasure for us, said Paulo Kakinoff, President from GOL. This will be another opportunity for the world to get to know the beauties of Brazil through the various Turkish Airlines' connections to the GOL flights across the country. added the CEO.



The codeshare agreement between the airlines will allow passengers to enjoy GOL's 60 domestic destinations from Sao Paulo (GRU). In the future, the companies will work to expand the agreement to other international destinations operated by GOL. For Brazilians, the company will offer connections with Turkish Airlines in Istanbul and many other airports around the world.



Soon, the segments will also be able to be computed for accumulation and discharge in Smiles, GOL's loyalty program. Once the system integration is completed, the FFP agreement will bring accrual and redemption advantages to Miles&Smiles and Smiles members.  TradeArabia News Service
(Newser)  A California man was killed when he became pinned by machinery at an automatic car wash, police said. After driving into the wash late Friday night, the 56-year-old man apparently tried to get out of his vehicle, Escondido police said. It rolled forward, pinning the man, KNSD reports. That triggered an alarm, which summoned a person nearby who found him and called police.

When police officers arrived, they lifted the vehicle and freed the man. He was given CPR and taken to a hospital, where he died. Investigators are looking at video to try to understand why the man got out of his vehicle in the wash, which was not running at the time. His name hasn't been released, per KFMB. (Read more car wash stories.)
(Newser)  The problem with Jon Stewart's The Problem With Jon Stewart is, apparently, a lack of viewers. A new Bloomberg report refers to it as the latest in a long line of "streaming talk show flops," noting that while 180,000 households watched the premiere episode within a week of its September debut on Apple TV+, the fifth episode, which aired in March, was viewed in just 40,000 homes. Chelsea Handler, Michelle Wolf, Norm Macdonald, Joel McHale, and Sarah Silverman all had similar struggles when they tried to bring a traditional talk show format to various streaming services, and Bloomberg hypothesizes the issue could be that people are used to watching streaming shows long after they debut, meaning the current-event jokes often used on talk shows don't work as well on a streaming platform.

Bloomberg also points out the sporadic nature of Stewart's show could be an issue; while issues were initially released every two weeks, Stewart then took a four-month hiatus before returning in March with a new show each week. And there are multiple other issues, from the need for a streaming show to appeal to a global audience, to the fact that streaming services can't build programming that naturally leads people to stay on and watch the late-night talk show, to the limited number of Apple TV+ subscribers. (Talk shows on broadcast or cable networks do much better; witness John Oliver's HBO talk show, a March episode of which was seen in 844,000 US homes.) The streaming service, however, doesn't seem disappointed; a rep says it is "thrilled" to host Stewart's show (which sources say is the service's top unscripted series) "for season two and beyond."

The Bloomberg report, not surprisingly, led to gleeful reactions from some on the right; the Fox News headline refers to the show as a "super-woke" "flop." Among those on Twitter ribbing the show was Andrew Sullivan, who was a guest last month and sparred with Stewart over race issues. As Mediaite explains, the writer accused Stewart of "anti-white extremism," and the feud spilled over onto social media. Stewart also had a bit of a disagreement when Cory Booker was a guest; the senator corrected Stewart when the host blamed "white resentment" for getting legislation aimed at helping Black farmers blocked. "No, no," Booker responded, per Fox News. "When you say white farmers, if I'm a white farmer listening to this in Iowa I'm thinking to myself, 'Jon Stewart's calling meJon Stewart's blaming me for stopping Booker's legislation.' That's not true." (Read more Jon Stewart stories.)
(Newser)  A decision by a federal judge in Florida to throw out a national mask mandate for public transportation across the US created a confusing patchwork of rules for passengers as they navigate airports and transit systems, the AP reports. The ruling gives airports, mass transit systems, airlines, and ride-hailing services the option to keep mask rules or ditch them entirely, resulting in rules that vary by city and mode of transportation. Passengers on an United Airlines flight from Houston to Kennedy Airport, for instance, could ditch their masks at their departing airport and on the plane, but have to put them back on once they land in New York or take a subway.

Many airlines and airports swiftly began repealing their requirements that passengers wear face coverings, the AP reports. Sleepy passengers on a Delta flight between Atlanta and Barcelona, Spain, cheered when a flight attendant announced the news mid-flight. No ones any happier than we are, the attendant says in a video posted by Dillon Thomas, a CBS Denver reporter, who was on the flight. The attendant said people who wanted to keep on their masks were encouraged to do so. But were ready to give em up, she added. So thank you and happy unmasking day! The White House said the mask order is not in effect at this time and called the court decision disappointing. The Justice Department declined to comment on whether it would try to block the judge's order.

Here's a look at how US transportation centers and providers are responding:

Airlines: United, Southwest, American, Alaska, Delta and JetBlue announced that, effective immediately, masks would no longer be required on domestic flights.

United, Southwest, American, Alaska, Delta and JetBlue announced that, effective immediately, masks would no longer be required on domestic flights. Airports: Airports weren't as fast as airlines to do away with masks, with several expressing uncertainty about the ruling and taking a wait-and-see approach. Phoenix Sky Harbor also eliminated its mask requirement, while San Francisco International Airport said it was waiting for further guidance from TSA and the New York City airports appeared to keep the mandate intact.

Airports weren't as fast as airlines to do away with masks, with several expressing uncertainty about the ruling and taking a wait-and-see approach. Phoenix Sky Harbor also eliminated its mask requirement, while San Francisco International Airport said it was waiting for further guidance from TSA and the New York City airports appeared to keep the mandate intact. Trains and buses: The rules vary by city and transit agency. In New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority communications director Tim Minton said the system was keeping the mask mandate, meaning face coverings are still required on the subway, buses and commuter rail lines, as they have since early in the pandemic. But the regional train system serving the Washington, DC, area said Monday that masks will be now optional for its customers and employees going forward. Amtrak also said it was making masks optional.

The rules vary by city and transit agency. In New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority communications director Tim Minton said the system was keeping the mask mandate, meaning face coverings are still required on the subway, buses and commuter rail lines, as they have since early in the pandemic. But the regional train system serving the Washington, DC, area said Monday that masks will be now optional for its customers and employees going forward. Amtrak also said it was making masks optional. Ride sharing: The websites of ride sharing companies Lyft and Uber as of Monday evening still said masks were required.

(Read more mask mandates stories.)
(Newser)  Update: Suicide is to blame in the deaths of at least two of the three sailors from the dry-docked USS George Washington aircraft carrier who died within a week of one another. Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mikail Rayshawn Sharp, 23, who died off-base in Portsmouth on April 9, and Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman, 23, who died off-base in Hampton the following day, both died by suicide, NBC News reports. The third sailor was found dead onboard the aircraft carrier April 15; their identity and cause of death have not yet been revealed. Officials say the deaths, which remain under investigation, are "unrelated," WBZ News Radio reports.

Three sailors from the USS George Washington aircraft carrier have died within a week, prompting a special investigation, according to Navy officials. Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mikail Sharp was found dead at an off-base location on April 9, CNN reports. A day later, Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman was found dead, also at an off-base location. Then on Friday, an unnamed sailor was found unresponsive on the aircraft carrier itself.

"The Sailor was treated by the medical team on board" before being moved to a hospital, where they died, a rep for the Naval Air Force Atlantic told the Navy Times. The Navy did not provide many details, including a cause of death, though a spokesperson told CNN that "there is no initial indication to suggest there is a correlation between these tragic events." The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating alongside authorities in Newport News, Va., where the nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier has been undergoing "mid-life refueling" since August 2017, per Defense News.

The outlet reports the typically four-year process is "now delayed by more than a year, due to new work that emerged during the repair and pandemic-related labor challenges." Newport News Shipbuilding now expects the refueling and complex overhaul to be complete in December, more than five years after the start date. A Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team is now on site to provide mental health support to sailors, per CNN. (Read more Navy stories.)
(Newser)  A student cinematographer at Chapman University was killed Friday while riding sand dunes with film students from the University of Southern California, which has only added to concerns about a lack of safety protocols on film sets. The 29-year-old was acting as cinematographer on a USC production, though it's unclear if he or others were capturing footage at the time, the Los Angeles Times reports. CBS News reports students from Loyola Marymount University and the New York Film Academy were also on scene when an off-road vehicle rolled while climbing a large sand dune in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area just before 1pm Friday.

The three other riders from USC, including the driver, survived. They were wearing safety harnesses, but the Chapman student, who was partially ejected, was not, says a California Highway Patrol rep. Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, identified the deceased as Peng Wang, a third-year graduate student from China who worked on Daemon, a drama short that received an honorable mention at the 2020 Los Angeles Film Awards. He was "very close to" and "loved" by "all our cinematography faculty," he told CBS. "I cannot imagine anything worse than a terrifically talented, brilliant young cinematographer dying on a production," Galloway continued in a statement, per the Times.

He said he was "outraged that safety measures were not in place on this" as they are for Chapman-related productions. "In this case, we had a student who volunteered on an independent project and we have no control over those," he added. In a later statement, Elizabeth Daley, dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, said the film school has "very strict safety policies that all students are trained in and expected to follow at all times" and "does not tolerate violations." She did not specify why the students were on the sand dune, noting "we are still gathering information about how this tragic accident occurred." Peng would've graduated at the end of this semester, per CBS. (Read more Chapman University stories.)
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(Newser)  Days of violence in Jerusalem and an exchange of fire in Gaza overnight have raised the possibility that Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers will once again go to war, as they did less than a year ago under similar circumstances, per the AP. This time around, both Israel and Hamas have strong incentives to avoid all-out war. But neither wants to be seen as retreating from a Jerusalem holy site at the heart of the century-old Mideast conflict, so further violence cannot be ruled out. "At this stage its political theater in which everybody is playing his part," said Gideon Rahat, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, a local think tank. "But sometimes the gun that appears in the first scene will shoot at the end."

For Hamas, another war would devastate Gaza, which has hardly begun to rebuild after the last one. And Israel would wield a potent new weaponthe ability to revoke thousands of work permits issued in recent months that provide an economic lifeline to Palestinians in the blockaded territory. For Israel, war could set back efforts to sideline the conflict and damage burgeoning ties with Arab states. The broad-based governing coalition, which lost its majority this month, is at a small but growing risk of having a key Arab partner bolt, which would set the stage for new elections.

All of those factors help explain the relative restraint up until now: Israel intercepted the Gaza rocket, its airstrikes caused little damage, and no one was hurt. Neither Hamas nor any other group claimed the launch. At the same time, neither Israel nor Hamas can be seen as backing down over a major holy site in east Jerusalem that is sacred to Jews and Muslims, where Palestinians and Israeli police clashed over the weekend. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. Palestinians view it as the one tiny part of their homeland that has yet to be taken over by Israel, which seized east Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war.

(Read more Israel stories.)
(Newser)  The family of a Michigan Black man who was shot dead by police on April 4 says an independent autopsy confirms a bullet to the back of the head killed Patrick Lyoya. The AP reports that syncs with the footage released by the police chief of Grand Rapids, where the 26-year-old died. The autopsy was conducted by Dr. Werner Spitz, a 95-year-old with a legendary resume: He's been involved in the aftermaths of President John F. Kennedy's and Martin Luther King Jr.'s deaths, reports the Detroit Free Press, and in the OJ Simpson, Casey Anthony, and Jon Benet Ramsey cases. Spitz was unequivocal in a Tuesday news conference: "There's no question what killed this young man. ... It was a powerful bullet."

Spitz says he believes the unnamed officer's gun was pushing against Lyoya's skull when the bullet was fired. Per Spitz's report, Lyoya "was conscious and aware of the fact that a gun was being held to the back of his head. Death was instantaneous when the gun was fired," reports CNN. The Guardian reports that Spitz demonstrated how the bullet entered the rear of the head and traveled to the right temple. "There was no complete exit, only an exit from the skull, not from the head," he said. Lyoya was killed after a traffic stop during which an officer is heard saying the car's license plate isn't associated with that particular vehicle.

At that point, Lyoya fails to reenter the vehicle when told to do so. After a short foot chase, the officer ends up on top of Lyoya. He tells Lyoya to take his hand off the police Taser, per the video, then shoots him. Attorney Ben Crump had this to add: "That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution." The official autopsy report has yet to be released. (Read more Patrick Lyoya stories.)
(Newser)  Shawnee State University has reached a settlement with philosophy professor Nicholas Meriwether: hell get $400,000, plus he will not be required to use gender pronouns that offend his religious beliefs. In a statement, the Ohio school said it was "an economic decision," per CNN: "Though we have decided to settle, we adamantly deny that anyone at Shawnee State deprived Dr. Meriwether of his [First Amendment rights]." In essence, the settlement means the school can avoid an expensive and divisive lawsuit that could have had major implications for other education institutions.

The dispute stems from a 2018 incident when a transgender student raised her hand in class. Meriwether replied to her with a "yes, sir," which offended the student. Per the Daily Mail, the student approached after class and asked the professor to use her preferred pronouns, but he refused, citing his religious beliefs. The student complained to administrators, who in turn placed a formal warning in the professors file and threatened "further corrective actions" if he did not comply with the stated policy. Meriwether filed a federal suit in 2018, which was dismissed, but he appealed. In 2021, a three-judge panel with the US 6th Circuit reversed the ruling, with Trump appointee Amul Thapar writing, "First Amendment interests are especially strong  because Meriwether's speech also relates to his core religious and philosophical beliefs."

The Columbus Dispatch says LGBTQ advocates were worried about the lawsuits potential precedent-setting nature. "If this case were to come out poorly, the implications [would be] devastating, honestly, for young people on college campuses," a director with Equality Ohio told the paper at the time. The settlement averts that outcome, but those on Meriwethers side are still pleased, including Tyson Langhofer, counsel for the Alliance for Defending Freedom, who says (also per the Dispatch): "We believe this not only protects the rights of Dr. Meriwether, it protects the rights of all professors to not be punished for simply declining to express an ideological belief that they disagree with." (Read more pronouns stories.)


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(Newser)  The case of a California 16-year-old who vanished after going out for a run in 1998 is back in the spotlight thanks to Dateline, which has delved into the case of Tera Smith. NBC News reports mother Marilyn told Dateline her recollection of August 22, 1998: The two had run errands together and then Marilyn dropped Tera at home in Redding before heading to Oasis Fun Center, which the family owned. Tera was supposed to follow about an hour later to work her shift. Tera decided to go for a run, despite younger sister Sierra reminding her they weren't supposed to leave the house in the early evening alone, reports SF Gate. Sierra says Tera told her she'd be back in 20 minutes. It was the last time anyone in her family saw her.

NBC News says Tera's parents were quickly alerted by a friend that Tera was possibly having a relationship with Troy Zink, her married 29-year-old Taekwondo instructor. Zink has maintained that he met Tera that night at the end of her driveway at her request, that he refused to give her the $2,000 she requested, that he did give her a ride to Old Oregon Trail to jog, and that he then went and prayed on Hang Glider Hill for five hours. Her parents say they subsequently found a letter in Tera's room she had written that indicated she planned to end her relationship with Zink.

Zink was interviewed initially, but the Record Searchlight reports he has refused to sit for subsequent interviews and has not been considered a person of interest in the case; the family has long thought he knows more than he's saying. SF Gate points out one "eyebrow-raising connection" in this story and that of Sherri Papini, who recently pleaded guilty to staging her own abduction. The girls were in back-to-back classes at Central Valley High School, and Papini was thought to have been kidnapped during a jog on Old Oregon Trail. She actually spent several weeks with an ex-boyfriend before returning home and lying to government agents about what had transpired. (Read more cold cases stories.)
(Newser)  Update: Florida's full legislature has now passed a bill to repeal a law granting Walt Disney World's properties self-governing status. The move could have huge tax implications for Disney, per the AP. The vote escalates the clash between Disney and Republican Gov. Ron De Santis over what critics call the "Don't Say Gay" law, the New York Times reports. GOP Rep. Randy Fine said the bill was to remind Disney that it is a "guest in Florida," reports the Tallahassee Democrat. He said the bill wouldn't take effect until June 2023, giving Disney time to rethink its criticism of state laws. The House passed the measure Thursday, following the state Senate's lead. Our story from Tuesday follows:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in an apparent effort to punish Disney for opposing a controversial new state law, is seeking to strip Walt Disney World of its self-governing status. The Republican governor said Tuesday that a special legislative session already in progress will address a bill that would eliminate Disney's self-governing district in central Florida, Politico reports. Walt Disney himself pushed for the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District in the 1960s as Disney bought land for what would become Walt Disney World.

Lawmakers will be "considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968," DeSantis said Tuesday, per the Orlando Sentinel. "And that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District." Any changes would not take effect until next year. The governor has been feuding with Disney since the company announced its opposition to a law that bans instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, the AP reports. Disney has suspended political donations in Florida over what critics call the "Don't Say Gay" law.

The self-governing status allows Disney to provide government services including zoning, utilities, and emergency services in around 25,000 acres in Orange and Osceola counties. Politico reports that DeSantis' decision to target Disney was slammed by Democratic state Rep. Anna V. Eskami, who tweeted: "Welcome to Floridas petty & punitive state government." She added: "so basically Republicans are punishing Disney right now but this can be 'reconsidered' next year if Disney is on their best behavior w/DeSantis. This is some authoritarian trash." (Read more Florida stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain and snow showers this evening transitioning to snow showers overnight. Low 31F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

Social media users have urged Bahrain authorities to carry out a probe into certain listings on job portals that publish vacancies with an intent to plant seeds of hatred among residents.

The plea arose after an allegedly fake advertisement began surfacing on many job portals, including prominent ones, seeking prospective employees only belonging to a particular religion.

The religion clause sparked an uproar across all social media platforms with the majority of social media users criticising the company for posting such a prerequisite before shortlisting ideal candidates.

None of the companies under whose names the job advertisements are posted has come out with a response on the matter after sparking the controversy. The Daily Tribune is absolutely unclear over whether these entities exist in reality.

This is unacceptable and unethical. The authorities should immediately probe into the matter to bring the truth to light. If it is a genuine advertisement strict action must be taken against the company otherwise those behind this fake advertisement must be punished, a social media user said. Another social media user said an urgent probe can only reveal the truth.

Such tendencies should be arrested immediately. I urge the authorities to take appropriate steps to identify the culprits. Meanwhile, many other social media users urged strict action against the job portals for posting such advertisements.

Either way, I think action should be first taken against these job portals. They cant do something that would create intolerance within any society by sowing seeds of hatred and distrust. A third group of social media users urged not to share these advertisements.

This is the Holy Month of Ramadan and lets not share hatred. Committing another mistake wouldnt be a solution to one mistake. We shouldnt interfere in this matter. Let the authorities probe and find out as to who are the culprits.

The Daily Tribune contacted one of the manpower recruitment agencies in Mumbai, India, which is accused of posting jobs carrying the religion clause. A senior executive of the agency said they dont know anything about this advertisement and no clients ever asked them to post such a job advertisement.

We never entertain such requests. Of course, some clients request us to recruit men and women from specific ethnicities like Punjabi, Gujarati or Malayalaee. And this is for more effective communication as the language factor could play an important role in the functioning of small enterprises.

But we have never posted a job advertisement seeking men and women belonging to a specific religion. We wouldnt do that either as such acts could lead to the cancellation of liacenses. Any attempt to sow seeds of hatred within the society amounts to a criminal offence in the Kingdom.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Top Professors Alexandra Butler and Shahryar Khattak are collaborating on their ongoing research to explore the use of stem cells to find a feasible cure for diabetes.

Butler, Senior Research Fellow and Lead of Diabetes and Islet Cell Biology research, and Khattak, Senior Research Scientist and Lead of Stem Cell and Genome Engineering research, from the Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandMedical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), are keen on addressing the prevalence of diabetes in Bahrain and the region.

Professor Stephen Atkin, Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, who also oversees the RCSI Bahrain Clinical and Biomolecular Research Centre and all research initiatives, said: The collaborative research being undertaken by Professor Alexandra Butler and Professor Shahryar Khattak in developing a cure for diabetes is a research priority at the Research Centre, where contributing to the development of a cure will be a major step in the lives of diabetic patients and advancing their quality of life.

Patients who suffer from diabetes have low numbers of beta cells (the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, a hormone that controls the blood glucose level) and therefore these patients have high levels of glucose in the blood.

Treating these patients with insulin is essential for those with Type 1 diabetes and, together with other therapies, necessary for some patients with Type 2 diabetes; however, administration of insulin requires careful management and can have negative long-term effects on a patients health.

To date, transplantation of either the entire pancreas or islets isolated from a pancreas, represent the only available cure option; such transplantation procedures have had varying degrees of success and still present multiple challenges, such as a lack of available donors and the need for life-long immunosuppression to avoid the immune system attacking and destroying the transplanted beta cells.

The goal of the ongoing research led by the RCSI Bahrain research team is to find an alternative cure for diabetes that is more feasible in terms of the ease of the surgical procedure, compatibility with the patients health conditions, scalability to a larger number of patients and cost-effectiveness.
Mazda Motor is planning to revive its iconic rotary engine in a plug-in hybrid car by the end of this year as it attempts to simultaneously please fans and cope with tougher environmental rules in its main markets, such as Europe.

This time, the rotary engine itself will not actually propel the car. Instead, it will generate electricity to power the electric motor and other systems in the car. Mazda aims to make all of its cars electric by 2030.

Conventional engines rely on the up-and-down motion of pistons. Mazda's rotary engine, by contrast, uses triangular rotors that spin, making the structure as a whole more compact. It also boasts high output and low vibration.

Mazda ceased producing cars with rotary engines in 2012 because of the difficulties in meeting environmental regulations. Ever since, the carmaker has been looking for a way to revitalize the iconic design.

Plans to bring back the rotary engine have been dropped or postponed several times over the past few years. Now the company says it is finally ready to release a rotary engine-equipped car in the latter half of this year -- the MX-30 SUV, sold mainly in Europe and Japan.
CT State Police / Contributed

MERIDEN  A New Milford man and a Cromwell man suffered serious injuries in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 691 in Meriden early Tuesday, according to police.

The 24-year-old Mockingbird Lane resident was driving on the highways eastbound lanes near Exit 5 when a 34-year-old Cromwell man, driving the wrong way, collided with the New Milford man shortly after midnight, Connecticut State Police said.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Hollywood actor and Transformers star Josh Duhamel will continue to promote his home state of North Dakota.

North Dakotas tourism agency confirmed Tuesday to The Associated Press that the star of several Transformers movies will be paid $75,000 to be the face of the states tourism campaign for the next two years.
DALHOUSIE, NB, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - As we recover from the pandemic and build a better future for everyone, we must address the existing challenges in our health care system that were laid bare by the pandemic, including for seniors and people living in rural and remote communities. By working with the provinces and territories and investing in our publicly funded health care system that Canadians are so proud of, we will provide Canadians with the quality health care they deserve, no matter where they live.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and New Brunswick's Minister of Social Development, Bruce Fitch, today announced the signing of a bilateral agreement to improve care for residents of the province's long-term care homes through the Safe Long-Term Care Fund (SLTCF).

The COVID-19 pandemic was devastating for Canada's seniors, particularly those living in long-term care homes. Through this agreement, the federal government will provide more than $22 million to support New Brunswick's long-term care homes and assisted retirement facilities throughout the province. This funding will help them retain and hire staff, implement infection prevention and control measures, and renovate or upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

The Prime Minister also highlighted some of the key measures proposed in the federal government's Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable and other recently announced investments to support health care workers and improve access to quality health care for Canadians, in particular seniors and people in rural and remote communities.

These measures include:

Reducing surgery and procedure backlogs by proposing to provide provinces and territories with an additional $2 billion through a one-time Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up to ensure nurses and hospital staff have the resources necessary to repair the damage caused to our health care system by the pandemic.

by proposing to provide provinces and territories with an additional $2 billion through a one-time Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up to ensure nurses and hospital staff have the resources necessary to repair the damage caused to our health care system by the pandemic. Bringing more health care workers to the communities that need them most by increasing Canada Student Loans forgiveness by 50 per cent for doctors and nurses working in underserved rural or remote communities and expanding the list of eligible professionals under the program.

by increasing Canada Student Loans forgiveness by 50 per cent for doctors and nurses working in underserved rural or remote communities and expanding the list of eligible professionals under the program. Helping improve quality of life for Canada's aging population by investing in innovations in brain health and aging through the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation; and ramping up efforts to learn more about dementia and brain health, improve treatment and outcomes for persons living with dementia, and evaluate and address mental health impacts on caregivers and models of care by supporting the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

by investing in innovations in brain health and aging through the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation; and ramping up efforts to learn more about dementia and brain health, improve treatment and outcomes for persons living with dementia, and evaluate and address mental health impacts on caregivers and models of care by supporting the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Supporting the mental health and well-being of Canadians by providing $140 million over two years for the Wellness Together Canada portal so it can continue to provide Canadians with tools and services to support their mental health and well-being.

by providing $140 million over two years for the Wellness Together Canada portal so it can continue to provide Canadians with tools and services to support their mental health and well-being. Researching the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians and our health care system by providing $20 million over five years to support additional research efforts.

Building on historic investments in our health care system throughout the pandemic, Budget 2022 proposes new measures to ensure our system can continue to deliver the care Canadians deserve, no matter who they are or where they live. The Government of Canada will continue to work with provinces and territories to support Canadians as they age, invest in our health care workers and make our health care system more accessible, particularly in rural and remote communities. This is a key part of our plan to make life more affordable, create jobs and prosperity today, grow the middle class, and build a stronger economic future for everyone.

Quotes

"All Canadians should have access to the safe, quality health care they need and deserve. Today's agreement is good news for people in New Brunswick, and we will continue to work with all provinces and territories to help ensure everyone no matter where they live in Canada, has access to the health care they deserve, including safe long-term care."

 The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Canadians are proud of our publicly funded health care system, and justifiably so. The past two years have reinforced the importance of continuing to invest in health care, and from helping tackle backlogs in surgeries and procedures to making it easier for Canadians to see a doctor or a dentist, Budget 2022 makes important investments that will help ensure people in New Brunswick  and across Canada  can receive the care they need and deserve."

 The Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

"New Brunswick's network of long-term care facilities plays a key role in providing quality care for the province's aging population. For the past two years, long-term care workers have been dedicated in keeping residents in our nursing homes and special care homes safe from COVID-19. In partnership with the federal government, we plan to continue improving the quality of care in New Brunswick's nursing homes."

 The Hon. Bruce Fitch, New Brunswick's Minister of Social Development

Quick Facts

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has invested more than $69 billion to protect the health and safety of Canadians, including:

has invested more than to protect the health and safety of Canadians, including: $6 .5 billion in top-ups to the CHT for provinces and territories to support their pandemic responses;

.5 billion in top-ups to the CHT for provinces and territories to support their pandemic responses;

$1 .2 billion to provinces and territories through the Safe Restart Agreement to bolster health care capacity and support people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges; and

.2 billion to provinces and territories through the Safe Restart Agreement to bolster health care capacity and support people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges; and

More than $600 million for innovative mental health care for Canadians, including support for the Wellness Together Canada Portal.

for innovative mental health care for Canadians, including support for the Wellness Together Canada Portal. To help keep seniors safe in long-term care, the federal government is providing up to $4 billion for provinces and territories, including $1 billion for the Safe Long-Term Care Fund to support provinces and territories to protect those living and working in long-term care settings, as well as improve infection prevention and control measures.

for provinces and territories, including for the Safe Long-Term Care Fund to support provinces and territories to protect those living and working in long-term care settings, as well as improve infection prevention and control measures. On March 25, 2022 , the federal government announced its intention to provide provinces and territories with an additional $2 billion through a top-up to the CHT to address surgery and procedure backlogs caused by the pandemic. This includes more than $41 million for New Brunswick .

, the federal government announced its intention to provide provinces and territories with an additional through a top-up to the CHT to address surgery and procedure backlogs caused by the pandemic. This includes more than for . New Brunswick has developed an action plan on the implementation of today's bilateral agreement, which shows how federal investments are being used to improve infection prevention and control in long-term care homes.

has developed an action plan on the implementation of today's bilateral agreement, which shows how federal investments are being used to improve infection prevention and control in long-term care homes. The federal government is committed to working with provinces and territories in 2022-23 to renew bilateral agreements on home and community care and mental health and addiction services to deliver the $11 billion , 10-year investment outlined in Budget 2017.

Related Product

Associated Links

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

For further information: PMO Media Relations: [email protected]
The project will use artificial intelligence (A.I.), wearable technologies and electronic health record systems to identify patients who may have type 2 diabetes in Montreal, Quebec

MONTREAL, April 19, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation with Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., HOP Tech, and MEDTEQ+ are proud to announce a new, three-year partnership to research and develop artificial intelligence (A.I.)-based technology to better screen for and identify type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in people 35 and up with cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

One in three Canadians has diabetes or prediabetes,1 with T2DM accounting for up to 95 per cent of all diagnoses.2 Unfortunately, many Canadians are often screened for T2DM when they show T2DM-related health issues, such as heart disease and kidney damage.3,4 Using A.I.-based technologies to enhance screening measures, we can help reduce T2DM-related healthcare system burdens.

"Diabetes is a complex disease where Canadians often do not get diagnosed until they experience a significant health event. Therefore, we need to continue working collaboratively to find innovative ways to prevent and address diabetes diagnoses and ensure that everyone has timely access to the care they need," says Andrea Sambati, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. "With this partnership, we aim to make a positive impact for those living with type two diabetes."

The DECIDE-CV program is one of the first of its kind in Canada, and one of the first multi-disciplinary collaborations aimed at using A.I.-based technologies to improve health outcomes for those with T2DM. Individuals in the program will use wearable devices to monitor T2DM-specific indicators and send that data to their healthcare team through electronic health records.

"Many people have developed T2DM and don't know it until a major cardiovascular event occurs. In addition, there needs to be continual screening for T2DM among patients with cardiovascular risk factors,"5 says Dr. Abhinav Sharma, Chief of the DECIDE-CV clinic at McGill University Health Centre and a member of the Canadian Cardiovascular Guideline committee focused on diabetes and heart failure. "We are excited to join our partners in developing the DECIDE-CV program. With increased monitoring, doctors can quickly tailor their approach in caring for each patient based on their needs and the information collected  ultimately, improving population-level screening for T2DM in Canada."

"Projects like DECIDE-CV signal a paradigm shift in healthcare. We are transitioning from treating health issues when they arise to preventive care that keeps individuals from getting sick in the first place. Philanthropy plays an important role in this shiftgovernment funding alone cannot facilitate such a fundamental change in our health system. The MUHC Foundation is proud to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim and Dr. Sharma to help Canadians stay healthier and live longer," says Julie Quenneville, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

The program will start their trials in Spring 2022. To learn more about T2DM and the DECIDE-CV program, visit www.decidecv.ca.

About Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. More than 52,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca.

About the Research Institute of the MUHC

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and healthcare research centre. The Institute, which is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)  an academic health centre located in Montreal, Canada, that has a mandate to focus on complex care within its community. The RI-MUHC supports over 420 researchers and close to 1,200 research trainees devoted to a broad spectrum of fundamental, clinical and health outcomes research at the Glen and the Montreal General Hospital sites of the MUHC. Its research facilities offer a dynamic multidisciplinary environment that fosters collaboration and leverages discovery aimed at improving the health of individual patients across their lifespan. The RI-MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de recherche du Quebec  Sante (FRQS). www.rimuhc.ca

About HOP Tech

HOP Tech digital human phenotyping platform integrates proprietry wearable technology, mobile apps, and a vast library of machine learning algorithms that foster breakthrough discovery of digital biomarkers. With business verticals in sensor technology, clinical research and remote patient monitoring, the company provides patient identification and stratification solutions for health payers and providers as well as public health systems and services. HOP Tech has established joint ventures with renowned university hospitals and key market leaders who seek efficient and low cost deployment of preventive approaches and patient centric treatment for the clinical areas of respiratory infections (including COVID-19); type 2 diabetes; heart failure and neuroscience. HOP Tech is a women-led corporation with in-depth ESG commitments towards diversity and inclusion, low carbon emission footprint and impact investments. https://hoptech.ca

About MEDTEQ+

The mission of the Pan-Canadian Consortium for Industrial Research and Innovation in Medical Technologies (MEDTEQ+) is to accelerate the development of innovative technological solutions to improve the health status and quality of life of patients. MEDTEQ+ supports the validation of these technologies, their integration into the healthcare network, and their local and international outreach by bringing together the complementary skills of industrial and institutional partners and healthcare providers. MEDTEQ+ relies on the financial support of the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada (through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program), the private sector, and complementary partners to foster research-industry relationships. https://www.medteq.ca/

About the MUHC Foundation

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanity's deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killersovarian and endometrial cancersearly; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the world's most complex health care challenges.

1 Diabetes Canada. (2019). One in three Canadians is living with diabetes or prediabetes, yet knowledge of risk and

complications of disease remains low. Diabetes Canada website. Retrieved 9 February 2022, from

https://www.diabetes.ca/media-room/press-releases/one-in-three-canadians-is-living-with-diabetes-or-prediabetes,-

yet-knowledge-of-risk-and-complicatio. 2 Diabetes Canada. Type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/type-2 3 Diabetes in Canada: Backgrounder. Ottawa: Diabetes Canada; 2020. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Advocacy-and-

Policy/Backgrounder/2020_Backgrounder_Canada_English_FINAL.pdf 4 Rawshani, A., Rawshani, A., Franzen, S., Sattar, N., Eliasson, B., & Svensson, A. et al. (2018). Risk Factors,

Mortality, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal Of Medicine, 379(7),

633-644. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1800256 5 Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice

Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1):S1-S325. https://guidelines.diabetes.ca/cpg/chapter4

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

For further information: Anne Coffey, Specialist, Brand Communications, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd, [email protected], 416-526-5388
TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - Nubian Resources Ltd. (TSXV: NBR) (OTCQB: NBRFF) ("Nubian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Park as Project Manager for South America and Walter Cuba as Senior Geologist. The Company has also retained the services of two independent geological consulting groups, Atticus Geoscience Consulting S.A.C. and Caracle Creek Chile SpA for mineral resource modelling and to work with the new geological team to evaluate silver and zinc resources at Nubian's 100% owned Esquilache Silver Project ("Esquilache" or the "Project") located in southern Peru.

Steven Park is a professional exploration geologist and Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), with over 35 years of mineral exploration experience focused on greenfield and brownfield precious metals exploration in South America, primarily in Peru. Mr. Cuba has substantial geological field experience in Peru and brings a wealth of knowledge and continuity to the Project having previously served as Project Manager on Esquilache when it was under development by Vena Resources Inc. ("Vena") in 2013.

Esquilache last saw production in 1962, when Peruvian silver producer Hochschilds Mining plc reported mining and processing 1,000,000 tonnes of ore at 116.57 g/t Ag, 3.2% Pb, 4.8% Zn, 0.3% Cu over a 12-year period from 1950 to 1962. The new geological team will review previously compiled Esquilache Ag-Zn resource estimations with the aim to support a small (up to 500 tonnes per day) mining operation from both surface and underground workings. Esquilache has been on hold since 2020, due primarily to low commodity prices and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Nubian now aims to take advantage of favourable silver and base metal prices by moving the project towards a feasibility evaluation, following resource modelling, metallurgical data review, and updates to the Project's past engineering plans and environmental studies.

Esquilache covers the mineralized core of a large caldera structure that hosts a system of polymetallic, low- to intermediate-sulphidation, epithermal to mesothermal veins containing silver, lead, zinc, copper and significant gold grades. An initial NI 43-101 technical report was prepared for Vena in 2011 by Coffey Mining Consultants based on data from trenching and two core drilling programs that identified more than 200 mineralized veins and breccia showings across the Esquilache concession holdings of 1,600 hectares. A more recent NI 43-101 technical report titled "Esquilache Silver-Lead-Zinc Project, Puno State, Peru" prepared by author Neal Reynolds, PhD of CSA Global Canada Geosciences Ltd. dated effective April 1, 2018 (the "2018 Technical Report") was prepared following a diamond drilling campaign and surface sampling from trenches. The 2018 Technical Report (filed on the Company's SEDAR profile) recommended that the Company move forward with the Project's exploration and development.

Esquilache is located in the Cordillera Occidental of southern Peru and Bolivia, on trend with major silver, gold, and copper projects including Las Bambas, Tintaya, San Gabriel in Peru and Eloro's Potosi silver deposit in Bolivia. Esquilache is located only 32 km (20 miles) east of Buenaventura's San Gabriel Mine project that recently announced the receipt of all required permits to begin mine construction, with projected production of between 120K to 150K ounces of gold per year over a 10+ year mine life.

Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's Property.

The Company also announces the grant of a combined 300,000 options to purchase the Company's common shares at 15 cents to Mr. Park and Mr. Cuba.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical information contained in this news release relating to Esquilache has been approved by Steven Park, Project Manager for Nubian, who is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Steven Park earned his MSc. from the Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada  Reno and is a Certified Professional Geologist and member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.

ABOUT NUBIAN

Nubian Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded precious and base metals exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is managed by a team of experienced mining and geological professionals. Nubian's projects are focused in key mining jurisdictions in central Victoria and Tasmania, Australia and Peru.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Nubian's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Nubian's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in parameters of the Projects as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and current global financial conditions, increased competition, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, regulatory risks, including risks relating to licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks and title and environmental risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Nubian is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE Nubian Resources Ltd.

For further information: Martin Walter, Chief Executive Officer, Nubian Resources Ltd., at +1-416-389-5692 or [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the Toyota Canada Foundation announced continued support of Actua through an additional $1 million dollar investment over four years.

Toyota Canada Foundation's donation will support the engagement of youth from underserved communities across Canada and the launch of Actua's new National Black Youth in STEM program.

"Toyota Canada Foundation is thrilled to announce an additional investment of $1 million dollars to support Actua programs engaging more girls and young women, Indigenous and Black youth, and youth living with disabilities in STEM," says Leslie Miller, Treasurer, Toyota Canada Foundation. "Since 2017, we've been proud to help Actua reach segments of the Canadian population underrepresented in STEM, and we're looking forward to extending our funding to support their important work over the next several years."

"We are incredibly grateful for Toyota Canada Foundation's significant re-investment," says Jennifer Flanagan, CEO, Actua. "The pandemic has exposed and amplified a magnitude of pre-existing inequalities preventing youth from accessing and pursuing STEM education and skill-development opportunities here in Canada. Toyota Canada Foundation's four-year investment will help Actua make substantive progress towards addressing these inequalities and raising the bar on equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM."

Toyota Canada Foundation's continued support contributes to the long-term sustainability of Actua's national STEM outreach programs, which engage thousands of youth each year, including 35,000 Indigenous youth, 15,000 girls and young women and 35,000 at-risk youth. These programs create safe and inclusive learning environments that ensure all youth can benefit from and feel a sense of belonging in STEM regardless of their race, ethnicity, sex, gender, ability, geography, and socioeconomic status. The funding will also support Actua's programs focused on inclusion and access for youth living with disabilities and the development of a new program designed to pave the way for Black youth in STEM. These initiatives will create relevant and engaging learning spaces that reflect youths' lived experiences and connect them with role models and peers.

About Actua: Actua is Canada's largest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing over 40 university and college based members . Each year, Actua's growing network of member organizations reach over 350,000 young Canadians in 500 communities nationwide. Actua focuses on engaging underrepresented youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Actua's major funding partners include: Government of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, RBC Foundation, Suncor Energy Foundation, Protein Industries Canada, TD Bank Group, Microsoft Canada, Finning Canada, Toyota Canada Foundation, Enbridge, NCR Foundation, Cargill, Imperial and Lockheed Martin Canada. For more information about Actua, visit actua.ca .

About Toyota Canada Foundation: The Toyota Canada Foundation is a private charitable foundation focused on supporting registered charitable organizations dedicated to national science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education outreach programs, and is focused on encouraging more youth from segments of the population currently underrepresented in STEM to pursue an education and career in this area.

SOURCE Toyota Canada Inc.

For further information: Katrina King, Director of Communications, Actua 111 Murray Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5M5, Tel: (613) 234 4137 Fax: 613 234 4779, Email: [email protected], Web: www.actua.ca; Nirali Raval, Toyota Canada Foundation, Email: [email protected]
Apart from section 447 (fraud) of the Companies Act, FIRs have also been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

Mumbai Police has booked 40 Chinese nationals for allegedly violating provisions of the Companies Act and fraudulently becoming the directors of Indian companies, as per a report by PTI. According to the report, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has registered 34 FIRs against 150 individuals, including 40 Chinese nationals and 20 persons of other nationalities. Apart from section 447 (fraud) of the Companies Act, FIRs have also been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

As per the PTI report, the complaint in the matter was filed by the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The complaints were registered at the Marine Drive police station. A preliminary probe has revealed that the accused had given false statements to the ROC, said an official cited in the news report.

Media reports also suggest that more than 30 Chartered Accountants (CA), 30 Company Secretaries (CS) and directors of companies have been named in the FIRs.
A case under section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered against the accused, Sonu alias Imam alias Yunus.

Delhi police Police on Monday recovered a sophisticated pistol from the 28-year-old accused arrested for opening fire during the communal clashes in Jahangirpuri on Hanuman Jayanti. A case under section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered against the accused, Sonu alias Imam alias Yunus.

One sophisticated pistol was recovered from Sonu alias Imam alias Yunuss possession in connection with Jahangirpuri violence case. A case under section 25 Arms Act has been registered, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North-West, Usha Rangnani told the media.

As per the DCP, the accused has confessed that he had fired from his pistol near Kushal Chowk during the incident. A video that the police said is circulating on social media, showed Sonu in a blue kurta opening fire during the incident. Rangnani stated, A video was being circulated on April 17 on social media showing a man (in blue kurta) opening fire during the violence in Jahangirpuri area on April 16. A police team had gone to his house in CD Park road in his search and for examination of his family members.
Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by CNN, "Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas for which they've been preparing for a long time."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in a video address that Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas region. He added that Kyiv will defend itself. Russian forces have started the battle for Donbas for which theyve been preparing for a long time and a considerable amount of the Russian forces are concentrated and focused on that offensive, Zelensky said, as reported by CNN.

According to Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, Russian forces had launched an effort to break through Ukrainian front lines in three regions. Danilov was quoted as saying by CNN, Today, almost along the entire front line of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv regions, the occupiers tried to break through our defenses.

He informed that Russian troops succeeded in breaking the Ukrainian defense line in a few places. Danilov stated, Fortunately, our military is holding on, and only in two cities they (the Russians) have passed: Kreminna and another small town. But the fighting continues, we are not surrendering our territories and the attempt to start an active phase has begun this morning.


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged US President Joe Biden to impose the designation on Russia that would impose some of the most significant sanctions at the Biden administration's disposal.

The US is mulling over designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during an interview with CNN. Were taking a close look at the facts. Were taking a close look at the law, said Price when asked about Russia being considered to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism.

Price underscored that the US will designate Russia if provisions of the law will prove effective and appropriate. Whether it is this authority, whether its any other authority available to us under the law, we will apply it if its effective and appropriate, stated the US State Department spokesperson.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged US President Joe Biden to impose the designation on Russia that would impose some of the most significant sanctions at the Biden administrations disposal, Sputnik News Agency said citing media reports.


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Olmo Bagelry in New Haven is getting in on the 4/20 spirit, as the Whitney Avenue shop will give away 420 bagels "with schmear" on April 20.

The promotion begins at noon Wednesday and runs through 4:20 p.m., or once 420 bagels are distributed, whichever comes first. Ordering is available through the Snackpass app for pickup, or in person at Olmo's digital kiosks.

"It's just a good promotional holiday," said Olmo owner Craig Hutchinson. He noted that no purchase is necessary for the free bagel and spread.

That number of bagels "isn't that much for us," Hutchinson said, in terms of production. On an average day, Olmo will sell about 1,000, and the number grows to 2,200 to 3,000 on weekends. The restaurant sells "upwards of 1,000" bagel sandwiches on a Saturday, he said.

Olmo originally opened in December 2018, as a full-service restaurant in the former Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro space. The menu featured fresh pastas, small plates and shareable dishes like whole rotisserie chicken and an oversized pork cutlet, and its two-level space featured a daytime bagel shop with other specialty goods and provisions for sale.

But as COVID-19 hit, Hutchinson and his team pivoted to transform the restaurant into its current format, a fast-casual breakfast and lunch spot with its housemade bagels, bagel sandwiches, coffee and matzo ball soup.

"We had to continue to adapt," Hutchinson said of the pandemic challenges. "And I fully accept that my creative farm food is now in the form of a delicious bagel."

Olmo's bagels are available in classic onion, sesame, poppy and everything varieties, along with a cacio e pepe flavor and its signature "everything everything," which uses a blend of onion, garlic, sesame, black sesame, sea salt, poppy, black pepper, Korean chili flake, cheddar, seaweed, vinegar and tofu bacon.

The most popular topping is the scallion "schmear," Hutchinson said, but guests also love to build their own bagel sandwiches on the Snackpass app with custom toppings. Olmo offers fried eggs, a variety of cheeses, vegetables, meats like bacon, sausage, ham, and house-roasted pastrami and turkey; lox and whitefish salad.

Other Connecticut restaurants are celebrating 4/20, a significant occasion for cannabis users. At Zephyr's Street Pizza in West Hartford, owner Dante Cistulli has lined up a "chefs' potluck" party he's calling Hot Dog Heroes. He's invited 10 Connecticut chefs to cook their own hot dog recipes at the restaurant that night, and guests will choose a winner.

At Bear's Smokehouse BBQ in New Haven, the restaurant is teaming up with The Vulgar Chef for a "Fast Food 'Meats' BBQ" dinner at 6 p.m., and at Black Rock Social House in Bridgeport, the restaurant hosts a dinner with CBD-infused courses. The menu, which spotlights Ukrainian dishes, is available on April 20 and 27.

The date and number have been associated with enthusiasts since the 1970s, when a group of California high school students inherited a map that allegedly led to a crop of abandoned cannabis plants near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station, Rolling Stone reported in 2018. The students gathered at 4:20 p.m. for weeks to drive out and hunt for the plants, smoking joints along the way.

They never found the plants, "yet the term '420' became embedded in their dialogue, referring to their favorite plant while teachers and parents were conveniently left in the dark," reporter Zoe Wilder wrote.
PLAINVILLE  Police said more than a dozen catalytic converters were stolen from school buses Monday night, causing minor delays picking up students the following morning.

Sometime overnight, a thief or thieves broke into the Dattco school bus propety on South Canal Street by cutting a hole in the property fence, Plainville police said in a statement.

Once inside, 18 catalytic converters were stolen from gas-powered school buses, police said. The theft was only discovered by Dattco employees around 5 a.m. in the morning.

This caused some minor delays with student bus pick up this morning, the statement from police said. Plainvilles superintendent of schools notified the parents of the affected students that there would be delays while Dattco procured [buses] from other locations.

Police said they are investigating the thefts, and have asked anyone in the public with information to speak with investigators.

The thefts of the emmissions control devices, which form part of a vehicles tail pipe, has become increasingly commonplace in Connecticut and throughout the nation. Because the converters are plumbed into the vehicles exhaust, owners often dont notice theyve been stolen until they go to start their car and are met with a loud rumble from the exhaust.

Last month, police in Norwalk arrested two men from New Britain they allege had stolen catayltic converters from more than a dozen vehicles overnight. The two were apprehended after a pursuit where they allegedly rammed a police vehicle.

In another case, police said catalytic converters were stolen from students cars at Middletown High School in January. A mother of one of the students told Hearst Connecticut Media that her daughter only learned of the theft when she went to start the car and heard a ridiculously loud sound from the engine.

The devices contain precious metals that make them valuable to thieves. State lawmakers have looked at ways of curbing the thefts, proposing a bill this year that would prohibit motor vehicle recyclers from buying catalytic converters that arent still attached to a vehicle. The cars Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, would also have to be etched into the devices if sold by a recycler.
HAMDEN  A police commissioner seeking the release of Police Department records has filed a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission over the towns delay in disclosing documents he requested in February.

The move comes as the police commission grapples with the its role in overseeing the department  board member Daniel Dunn filed the complaint one day after a public meeting at which he and colleagues expressed frustration with their inability to access civilian complaints and internal affairs documents.

Chief of Police John Sullivan said during the meeting that a lack of staff has made it difficult to fulfill the request.

Were working on that right now, he said. Unfortunately were extremely busy. Were short-staffed.

Dunn feels the hold-up is an unwillingness to be transparent. He requested a large batch of civilian complaints a month-and-a-half ago, he said, and has yet to review a single one.

Other commissioners, including Elaine Dove and Chairwoman Rhonda Caldwell, have voiced similar frustrations. But Frank LaDore, who was not able to attend last weeks meeting but spoke with a reporter Friday, has a different view.

I dont believe that theyre not being transparent. I do believe that theyre in the weeds, he said, noting the agency is down about 15 officers.

LaDore said he finds Sullivan forthcoming.

I can call up Chief Sullivan right now, and hell answer his phone and hell answer any questions that I have, LaDore said.

The request

Dunn has criticized the departments failure to release any complaints in the nearly two months since he submitted a request.

On Feb. 25, Dunn cited FOI law to request civilian complaints submitted between 2016 and 2022, according to correspondence between Dunn and town officials. He also requested use-of-force reports from the same time period.

About two weeks later, Town Attorney Sue Gruen provided Dunn with a copy of the civilian complaint log, the correspondence shows. Dunn replied by indicating that he wanted to see the actual complaints.

These are public record, right, so this commission and myself in my capacity as a commissioner and through FOIA request a month and a half ago requested civilian complaints for review, Dunn said during a police commission meeting last Wednesday, a recording of which is available on the town website.

This is a complete farce that ... not a single sitting commissioner has reviewed a civilian complaint, he said. That is outrageous.

Dunn filed a complaint with the Connecticut FOI Commission Thursday. He shared a copy of it with the New Haven Register.

Also on Thursday, Sullivan assigned a police captain to gather copies of the civilian complaints and share them with Gruen for review, according to an email obtained by the Register.

The commissioners are asking for a lot of documents, both as private citizens and as police commissioners. We have produced a lot of information that theyve asked for, Sullivan said Monday.

He said some of the records need to be reviewed and redacted by the town attorney. If they can be disclosed, Sullivan said, the town will release them.

What is public?

Can the department disclose civilian complaints related to pending investigations? That question came up during Wednesdays police commission meeting, when Sullivan expressed a willingness to hand over records for adjudicated cases but hesitated about releasing the departments most recent complaints.

He deferred to Chuck Tiernan, an attorney who represents the police commission, on the question of whether the agency should release records related to pending cases.

The open cases are not supposed to be disclosed until resolved, depending on how theyre resolved, Tiernan told commissioners.

Valicia Harmon, a staff attorney for Connecticuts FOI Commission, said she believes civilian complaints should be disclosed regardless of the status of related investigations.

The Supreme Court has said that complaints have to be disclosed even if theyre unsubstantiated, she said, adding that the practice allows the public to assess the quality of internal affairs investigations.

Because the complaint is going to have to be disclosed anyway, Harmon said, an ongoing investigation should not affect its release.

But internal affairs investigations reports for pending cases are another matter. When asked to release such records, agencies might cite a FOI exemption that prevents agencies from having to release documents that are in draft form, Harmon said.

Tiernan later said he believed the civilian complaints should be released but was unsure about reports related to pending internal investigations.

Its more an issue of manpower than it is reluctance to release (civilian complaints), he said. Its just a question of having (enough) individuals to collect what needs to be collected so (the records) can be distributed.

The commissions role

While Dunns FOI appeal only concerns civilian complaints and use-of-force reports, Dunn said he has requested documents both as a private citizen and as a commissioner.

During a February meeting, he and Caldwell requested various department records, including personnel files for all of the agencys officers and internal affairs reports, according to the meeting minutes.

The question of what is releasable under FOI law is a separate matter from what police commissions have the power to review. The FOI Commission cannot adjudicate cases in which individuals claim a right to access documents because of special positions, according to Harmon.

Under Hamdens charter, the town police commission shall hear complaints from civilians and department personnel upon written request.

It also has the sole power to appoint, promote and remove personnel and the authority to exercise the powers and duties contained in this Charter and Ordinances pertaining to the oversight of the general management (including operations) of the Police Department.

But the Police Departments collective bargaining agreement gives the police chief the power to adjudicate internal affairs cases when the disciplinary measure does not exceed a five-day suspension, Sullivan told the commission last week. If he recommends more severe consequences, the commission must approve them.

Caldwell believes reviewing complaints is vital to the commissions oversight role.

This is totally frustrating, she said of the delay in receiving records. Were not really doing anything. Were not executing any of our duties as commissioners.

We need to ensure that complaints are taken seriously, that state law is being followed and that internal affairs is taking their job seriously and investigating every complaint that comes across their desk, said Dunn.

But not everyone sees it that way. LaDore, the commissioner who attributed the delay in releasing documents to staffing issues, believes the commission should prioritize hiring police officers.

While the commission should have access to the complaints, he said, he worries the issue is distracting from the boards duty to hire officers.

We are in desperate need to hire officers and thats our job as a commission, he said. Right now our main focus should be hiring.  We need to get boots on the ground, and thats the most important thing right now.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
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NEW HAVEN  Dr. Amy Chai will run against longtime U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, on the Independent Party line  also with the Libertarian Partys endorsement  in what is shaping up to be among the busiest elections DeLauro has seen since first taking office in 1991.

I will be on the Independent ticket because Im not running to represent a party. Im running to represent you, Chai said at a campaign announcement at mActivity on Nicholl Street in the citys East Rock section. I am running to represent the 50 percent of American voters who do not feel comfortable with either major party.

We are the majority. We are the people, she said after being introduced by Independent Party State Chairman Mike Telesca, and it is time to take our power back from big money and corrupt, partisan politics.

Chai, whose website is at www.docchai2022.com, said she would be honored if youd give me the opportunity to work for you.

The congressional 3rd District includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Derby, Durham, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, part of Middletown, Milford, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, part of Shelton, Stratofrd, Wallingford, part of Waterbury, West Haven and Woodbridge.

Chai, a registered Libertarian who took time off from her medical career to homeschool her two children through middle school and high school  and consequently won a U.S. Presidential Teacher award from the Obama administration in 2011  said maintaining the status quo is not good enough.

If America were my patient, I would be very concerned, because our nation is not well, she said. We have an epidemic of mental health problems, the opioid crisis, children in failing schools, violence, crime, social unrest and an economy that is spiraling out of control.

Meanwhile, the two major parties have no real solutions to offer, Chai said. All they ever seem to do is demonize the other side. That, my friends, is not a solution. That is part of the problem. We are blindly following last centurys political dinosaurs all the way to our own extinction. But its not too late to turn around.

The solution begins when we stop listening to the hate industrial complex and start putting the united back into the United States, she said. We need to build community with each other again. ... Our republic, if we can keep it, is having a crisis of trust. In order to rebuild that trust, we need real leadership.

The entry of Chai, 58, a medical doctor who specializes in addiction medicine and is a married mother of two who lives in North Haven, into the race brings the total number of candidates vying to represent the district to at least four.

Republican former college professor Lesley DeNardis of Hamden  daughter of the late congressman and University of New Haven President Lawrence DeNardis, who held the 3rd District seat from 1981-83  also is running, as is Green Party candidate Justin Paglino of Guilford.

Paglino, also an M.D., ran against DeLauro in 2020.

Chai earned her bachelors degree in biology at Johns Hopkins University, her M.D. at Indiana University, did her residency in Internal Medicine at University of Michigan and did a fellowship in the care of complex patients at University of Virginia, where she also earned a masters degree in epidemiology.

She is married to Toby C. Chai, chief of urology at Boston Medical Center, who previously was professor of urology and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale University School of Medicine. They have a son, 28, who also is on his way to becoming a doctor, and a daughter, Hannah, 25, who was present at the announcement.

Chai has hired former state Rep. Jason Bartlett, a Democrat who represented the 2nd District from 2007-11 and later served as New Havens youth director during the administration of former Mayor Toni Harp, to serve as her chief political strategist. Bartlett said later that he still is registered as a Democrat.

Chai offered five main concepts in which she believes: freedom, unity, tolerance, excellence in science education, and sustainability.

She said the American health care system is broken. You cant have a healthy body without a healthy mind and patients are not widgets, Chai said. Its for reform.

Chai was supported at the annoucement announcement by Cynthia Jennings, the Independent Party candidate for Secretary of the State, who endorsed Chai.

Amy is a very, very special candidate, Jennings said. We really dont get candidates like this all the time. I absolutely endorse Amy, 100 percent. ... We need to put this individual into office.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
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NEW HAVEN  The city needs to do more to challenge, engage and support its youth, including by increasing access to and availability of trade schools and providing more education and recreation programs and opportunities, the chairman of the Board of Alders Black & Hispanic Caucus said at the caucus annual State of the City address.

Our youth are the future, so we must look to invest in them, Fair Haven Alder Ernest Santiago, D-15, said.
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NEW HAVEN  The city opened a temporary Mexican consulate at the Free Public Library on Elm Street Tuesday, as officials welcomed the governor of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala and celebrated the link between the two communities.

Before issuing a proclamation designating April 19 as Tlaxcala Friendship Day, Mayor Justin Elicker said the move spoke to the welcoming nature of New Haven, a virtue thrown into sharp relief as the war in Ukraine continues.

We need to be doing much more to see each other as humans, to see each other as brothers and sisters, no matter what we look like, where we come from, what our document status is, what our economic backgrounds are, said Elicker.

Tlaxcala Gov. Lorena Cuellar Cisneros said the endeavor would allow the world to see the partnership between the two communities and consider the richness of the people of Tlaxcala and their culture.

There are approximately 7,000 New Haven residents hailing from Tlaxcala, according to Marco Castillo, an adviser to Cisneros and co-executive director of Global Exchange, an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world.

New Haven counts San Francisco Tetlanohcan, a city within Tlaxcala, among its sister communities, Castillo and Elicker noted.

Whats happening here is just taking that relationship to the next level, said Castillo.

We already have that foundation, said Elicker. This helps formalize it a little bit more, and make sure that people that are living in New Haven that have a background or heritage that is Tlaxcalan (have) access to resources.

The consulate will be open this Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Elicker said. Among other services, the consulate offers Mexican residents access to passport, IDs, notary and birth certificate-related services.

Luis Chavez-Brumell, deputy director of the New Haven Free Public Library, said the effort is in keeping with its mission. Among other services, the library also offers Spanish-language storytime and a series of publications in Spanish for patrons, he said.

We are open for everyone, as we are a free public library, for the community, for everyone, said Chavez-Brumell.

The consulate is planned to close at the end of the week, but officials hope it will pop up once a month in the future, Castillo said.

Elicker thanked John Lugo, executive director of Unidad Latina En Accion, for his assistance in setting up the opportunity.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  While investigating a reported burglary last week, police found a handgun near some garbage cans where a city man was hiding, the New Haven Police Department announced Tuesday.

Police responded to Wooster Street around 11:55 p.m. on April 11 and found Stanley Rudolph, 29, hiding behind garbage cans, according to the New Haven Police Department.
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JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Declaring a national state of disaster, South Africa has allocated $67 million to help those hit by floods that have killed at least 448 people in the eastern city of Durban and the surrounding KwaZulu-Natal province.

Nearly 4,000 homes have been destroyed and more than 40,000 people displaced by the floods and mudslides caused by prolonged heavy rains, provincial officials said Tuesday. More than 40 people remain missing and about 600 schools have been hit with damages estimated at about $28 million, according to officials.

South Africa's military has deployed 10,000 troops in Operation Chariot to help with continuing search and rescue efforts, deliver food, water, and clothing to flood victims, and rebuild collapsed roads and bridges. Water tankers have been sent to areas where access to clean water has been disrupted and teams are working to restore electricity to large areas.

Students shoveled mud out of some schools that had been flooded.

Visiting some of the flooded areas last week, South African President Cyril Ramophosa blamed climate change for the unprecedented rains, the heaviest in at least 60 years. Announcing the state of disaster in a televised address Monday night, Ramaphosa pledged that government funds for the flood victims will not be lost to corruption.

There can be no room for corruption, mismanagement or fraud of any sort," said Ramaphosa.

Learning from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are drawing together various stakeholders to be part of an oversight structure to ensure all funds disbursed to respond to this disaster are properly accounted for and that the state receives value for money, he said.

Ramaphosa's remarks come after widespread graft was uncovered by the states Special Investigating Unit in state funds that were supposed to help the nation respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize resigned after the investigation found that businesses linked to his family benefited from inflated COVID-19 contracts from his department.

Despite Ramaphosa's pledge, many South Africans are skeptical that government funds for flood relief will not be diverted by corruption. Several businesses, prominent South Africans and charities have pledged money to private organizations.

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe, Ramaphosa's brother-in-law, has made one of the biggest donations pledging about $2 million to Gift of the Givers, a South African-based disaster relief organization. The University of Johannesburg said it will also donate funds directly to Gift of the Givers.

South African-born Hollywood actress Charlize Theron has also appealed for funds for flood relief through her Africa Outreach Project.

South Africa had been in a national state of disaster over COVID-19 since March 2020 until it was lifted two weeks ago, but it has now been reinstated in response to the Durban floods.

___

This story was corrected to show that more than 40 people are missing and the KwaZulu-Natal is the correct spelling.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration says it is barring anti-satellite missile testing by the United States, a move that White House officials say is meant to underscore its hopes of establishing new norms for military action in space.

The U.S. has sharply criticized Russia and China for conducting anti-satellite missile tests, although it also used an interceptor missile fired from a U.S. Navy warship more than 14 years ago to destroy a malfunctioning spy satellite.

The issue is one thats taken on greater urgency after Russia in November launched a missile to destroy a defunct Soviet-era satellite.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in a speech Monday at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the central coast of California to highlight the administration's move, criticized the Russian action as reckless and irresponsible.

The strike created more than 1,500 pieces of space debris that increased risk to U.S. and Russian astronauts aboard the International Space Station and Chinas Tiangong space station, according to U.S. Space Command.

"Simply put, these tests are dangerous," Harris said. And we will not conduct them.

The Russian test occurred as it was massing troops ahead of its latest invasion of Ukraine. The more than seven-week-old war has left thousands dead and has caused to U.S. and its allies to hit Russia with massive economic sanctions.

A similar weapons test by China in 2007 also resulted in widespread debris.

Harris stressed that the debris created by the missile tests threatens not only astronauts and U.S. military interests but also could impact commercial satellites that the world relies on for weather forecasts, GPS systems that help drivers navigate streets, television broadcasts and critical infrastructure.

"A piece of space debris the size of a basketball, which travels at thousands of miles per hour, would destroy a satellite. Even a piece of debris as small as a grain of sand could cause serious damage," Harris said.

The announcement of the anti-satellite missile testing ban comes months after Harris announced at a meeting in December that White House National Security Council officials would work with officials at the Pentagon, State Department, and other U.S. national security agencies to develop proposals for national security space norms.

The U.S. is the first country to announce such a ban. Harris said she hoped other nations would quickly follow.

The kind of direct-ascent weapon that the Biden administration is committing not to fire relies on interceptor missiles that travel from the Earths surface to strike a satellite target hundreds of miles into space.

Since the 1960s, the United States, China, India and Russia have conducted more than a dozen anti-satellite tests in space that destroyed satellites and created more than 6,300 pieces of orbital debris, according to the Secure World Foundation, a nongovernmental group that advocates for sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space.

At least 4,300 pieces of that debris are still in orbit today and pose long-term threats to human spaceflight, science and national security missions, and the future economic development of space, according to the foundation.

Anti-satellite missile tests by the U.S. in 2008 as well as one by India in 2019 targeted satellites at much lower altitudes, well below the space station at about 260 miles (420 kilometers).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the destruction of a satellite in low-earth orbit by missile was meant to demonstrate Indias capacity as a space power alongside the U.S., Russia and China. He ordered the launch weeks before national elections.

The defunct Russian satellite Cosmos 1408 was orbiting about 40 miles (65 kilometers) higher when it was destroyed in November by a missile fired from northern Russia.

Brian Weeden, director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation, called the Biden administration's move a significant one that puts pressure on China and Russia to take similar action.

They have made a lot of diplomatic noise the last decade about preventing a space arms race, while also testing their own (anti-satellite) weapons and creating orbital debris, Weeden said of Russia and China.
Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has advised the President Muhammadu Buhari...

Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has advised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government on a step to take towards his client.

Ejimakor said the Buhari-led Federal Government should dialogue and abandon the trial of Kanu.

The Special Counsel informed the Federal Government that dialogue is amicable.

Ejimakor made the remark while quoting a section of the Federal High Court Act.

In a tweet, he wrote: Sec. 17 of Federal High Court Act (Reconciliation in civil & CRIMINAL cases) says: In any proceedings in the Court, the Court may promote RECONCILIATION among the parties thereto & encourage & facilitate the AMICABLE settlement thereof. Dialogue is amicable. Trial is not. #MNK.

The Nigerian Government has a seven-count charge against the IPOB leader before Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court.

The charges, which were initially 15 counts, had eight struck out by Justice Nyako.

The judge struck out counts six, seven, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Controversial media personality, Daddy Freeze has revealed who to blame for the disturbing video of a 10-year-old female Chrisland student w...





Controversial media personality, Daddy Freeze has revealed who to blame for the disturbing video of a 10-year-old female Chrisland student who was allegedly gang-raped and abused by some students.





The footage shows the pupils in a s3..xual act which the mother of the female student says was done under the influence.





However, Freeze opined that the parents of the children involved in the s3..x video and the school should be blamed, adding that they failed thoroughly.





According to him, he was not even sure if the young girls mother even watched the video before claiming her child was raped.





Im not sure the mother saw that video before making that claim. It was, in my humble opinion, consenting. The school failed thoroughly and so did the parents of the children involved, Freeze wrote on Instagram on Monday.





After closing the school, the parents should also be sanctioned. This is my humble opinion.





He added in another post, Im beginning to conclude that this is more of a parental failure than a school failure in my humble opinion.





Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has shut the school over the alleged s3..xual violence case involving its students, which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that Aisha Buhari, the wife of the Muhammadu Buhari, also agrees w...

The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that Aisha Buhari, the wife of the Muhammadu Buhari, also agrees with what he said about her husband.

Kukah made this known in an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday morning monitored by our correspondent.

The Bishop while echoing his points said that he has nothing personal against the president but he his policies which Aisha also disagrees with.

Kukah said, All those saying I attacked the president, I have never attacked his person. All I have spoken about is his inability to manage diversities effectively and efficiently. I have studied diversity as a subject and I know what I am talking about.

Those who think these things are personal would see that I have never talked about his person or character; I believe he is a gentleman but as far as being the president is concerned, he has done a bad job, even his wife has also disagreed with his policies.

So, those guys should not sit in their air-conditioned office drinking coffee and think everything is honky-donkey. Let them disagree with the text of my message.

According to him, he has great respect for the president and his person who he considers a gentleman but when he accesses him as a president, he has failed woefully in the delivery of his job.

He said, Let me set the record straight, I delivered my sermon to my congregation and the message. The bearers of the message are directed primarily to the good people of Sokoto dioceses.

The president knows that I have great respect for him and he is a gentleman, but he has done a terribly bad job as the president of Nigeria.

There is nothing I am saying that is new, all the pastors who preached yesterday during the Easter service said the same thing. Tell me one thing about the message that I preached that you disagree with and lets discuss.

Kukah who affirmed that he speaks directly with the president said that his criticism of the government is nothing personal but the zeal to see things get better in the country.

He added, For a Muslim (Garba Shehu) to sit down and tell me what an Easter message should contain is something.

Buhari himself knows that there is nothing personal in what I say. One thing the president has said that humbled me is that he told me Bishop Kukah, I know where you stand on any issue that has to do with Nigeria.

What connected me with Buhari and a lot of Muslims is not the Catholic Church, it is my public position on a lot of things. And I am not saying it so that you must agree with me. But Nigerians have been extraordinarily magnanimous because I have not had many people saying we disagree with you and I have not spoken because I know the issue. The primary beneficiary of what I say is me and I speak for myself. If you have any issues with me, lets clarify the issue.
Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are feared to have been killed in a plane crash that occurred on Tuesday in Kaduna state. D...

Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are feared to have been killed in a plane crash that occurred on Tuesday in Kaduna state.

Details of the incident are still sketchy.

However, it is understood that the incident involved a training aircraft which had two pilots on board.

The development comes 11 months after a NAF aircraft crashed in Kaduna.

The incident, which occurred in May 2021, involved a Beechcraft 350, and the aircraft crashed around the Kaduna international airport.

Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff, and 10 other military officers who were on board when the plane crashed, were killed.

Attahiru was said to be on his way to Kaduna to attend a passing-out parade for army recruits.

Following the incident, members of the minority caucus in the house of representatives had asked the federal government to ensure that a system-wide investigation is conducted into such incidents involving military aircraft in the country.
The presidency has tackled Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, over the clerics recent criticism of the Buhari administrati...

The presidency has tackled Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, over the clerics recent criticism of the Buhari administration.

On Sunday, Kukah, in his Easter message, said the Buhari administration is in hibernation mode while the country is broken and divided.

The bishop said the only thing thriving in the country is corruption, warning that Nigeria must be reclaimed from its impending slide to anarchy.

Responding to Kukahs sermon, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, accused the bishop of always spreading hate against the Buhari-led administration.

The presidential spokesperson asked Kukah to remove his clerical garb and join partisan politics to see how far he can go, adding that the bishop purposefully uses his sermon to create dissensions.

For a man who has been spreading hate for decades, nothing new in the homily, except for the fact that while millions of Christians were remembering the Lords crucifixion on Friday, His descent on Saturday, His resurrection on Sunday, and subsequent appearance to his disciples, Bishop Matthew Kukah was playing politics, the statement reads.

From his pulpit he devoted his Easter message not to Christs death and rebirth so Man might be saved  but to damning the government in the most un-Christian terms.

Bishop Kukah neglects the Bibles teachings in James 1:26: If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless.

Easter should be a time for renewal, and for hope. For those in authority  both temporal and spiritual  to come together in word and deed so those who look to them for example can be inspired by their grace.

Yet Bishop Kukah used his sermon purposefully to make dissensions and quarrels about the law. His accusatory list against the government revealed only his hatred for them.

Still, when he accused them of division, he gave no examples: merely assertions emanating from his own mouth. His allegation of ethnic and regional divide was innuendo without proof, and he gave none.

We respectfully ask Bishop Kukah to leave government to the voters and the politicians they elect, while he concentrates on his job.

As it is expressed in James 1:27: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Or else, he should put away his clerical garb, join partisan politics and see how far he can go.




In this file photo, Infowars host Alex Jones arrives at the Texas State Capital building on April 18, 2020 in Austin, Texas. Sergio Flores/Getty Images/TNS
Only 5% to 6% of the 46 million tons of plastic waste generated annually in the U.S. gets recycled, a big dip from the last estimate of nearly 9% just a few years ago, according to a new study by Beyond Plastics and the Last Beach Cleanup, two environmental groups.

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An attorney who was handcuffed in an Orleans Parish courtroom, held in contempt and brought to the New Orleans jail without a formal hearing has won relief from an appeals court, which ruled this week that the lower court erred when it failed to allow the attorney to defend herself.

Court documents show that Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Jennifer Medley found attorney Connie Trieu in contempt of court last week, after Trieu argued for the ability to proffer evidence  or offer evidence for review to a higher court  in a case involving a Carrollton Avenue property dispute.

Medley held Trieu in contempt for conduct that was disruptive to the court [and] disruptive to the proceedings before the court, she wrote in a per curiam, a document explaining her decision, filed with the appeals court. Trieu was warned before her arrest, Medley also wrote.

Medley sentenced Trieu to 36 hours in the Orleans Justice Center.

But in a court document filed on behalf of Trieu with an appeals court, Justin Zitler, an attorney representing Trieu, wrote that Trieu was not warned that she would be held in contempt if she continued to argue. It was only after Medley summoned a deputy to the courtroom and placed Trieu in handcuffs that she said Trieu had continuously been in contempt, Zitler wrote.

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After reviewing both sides documents, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal reversed Trieus guilt and vacated her 36-hour jail sentence.

Trieu was released from jail last week after an emergency stay was granted by the same court; she spent about eight hours in the jail, according to Zitler.

In its decision this week, the appeals court said that Medley found Trieu guilty ahead of a formal hearing, in violation of Louisiana law.

I further find from the record before us that [Trieus] conduct was insufficient to constitute direct contempt of court, 4th Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Joy Cossich Lobrano wrote in a document concurring with the appeals courts decision.

Medley, through a spokesperson, declined to comment because the case involving the property dispute is ongoing. Attempts to reach Trieu were unsuccessful.
Twenty-six years after she was robbed, kidnapped and raped, a survivor faced her attacker in court.

Thankfully justice does not have an expiration date, the woman said on Monday, moments before her assailant was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the 1996 assault.

Roland Butler, 48, pleaded guilty earlier this month to armed robbery and simple kidnapping, in a deal that dropped a first-degree rape charge and the life sentence that a conviction would have carried. Honoring that deal, Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Nandi Campbell sentenced Butler on Monday to 20 years, with credit for time served since his arrest.

Before he was sentenced, defense attorney Sierra Thompson spoke on behalf of her client, saying Butler takes responsibility for his actions and hes sorry for the pain he has caused.

New Orleans police arrested Butler in 2018, after his DNA, collected in connection with another crime, matched a stored sample that had been taken as part of a rape kit from the 1996 attack.

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On Monday, the survivor recalled her April 5, 1996, attack as part of a victim impact statement she delivered ahead of Butlers sentencing: Her assailant held her at gunpoint in the Irish Channel, taking her keys and purse before saying, Get on your knees if you want to live, she said.

She obeyed, feeling terrified and powerless, like she was outside of her body. No means no doesnt apply when there is a gun pointed at your head, the survivor explained in court.

The man forced her to perform oral sex, then pushed her into a car, where he demanded she do it again and, later, raped her, she said. Afterward, the attacker ordered her out of the car.

Other details remain crystal clear despite the years that have passed, she said: The blood stains on her skirt, for example, and the blanket in which emergency medical workers enveloped her after she called for help. Time has not erased the memory of her rape, the survivor said.
Lawnmowers hummed and neighbors smiled on a sunny afternoon in the Lower 9th Ward. The corner of Florida Avenue and Tennessee Street was finally getting its grass cut, thanks to a partnership between a non-profit and a city agency aimed at tackling gun violence.

Since 2019, the non-profit CEO Works has used funding from the city and grants to deploy people recently released from prison to clean up blight. Employees work four days a week and learn workplace skills on the fifth until they find permanent jobs.

On paper, its the type of policing alternative that draws broad support in New Orleans. In practice, Mayor LaToya Cantrells Office of Gun Violence Prevention is in the City Council's crosshairs.

That office, and another with programs for at-risk youth, hope to help cut crime without putting people in prison. But some council members accuse them of spending taxpayer money to dubious effect and crowding out funding for worthy non-profits.

Their budgets are a rounding error compared to the $218 million dedicated to the New Orleans Police Department, which is facing a critical staffing shortage and remains at the center of the conversation about reducing crime. But a debate currently taking place about the future of these other crime-prevention programs could shape how New Orleans addresses a two-year spike in shootings.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which was proposed in 2019 and officially opened two years later, has only recently begun to formally evaluate whether its programs work.

Josh Cox, the mayors director of strategic initiatives, says critics would warm up to its projects if they saw them up close.

Learn whats happening on the ground, first, Cox said in a recent interview. Because this problem is so big, its been happening for so long, that trying to score points on a problem thats so difficult  its going to leave us in the exact same place we are now, 10 years from now.

Generations of violence

New Orleans saw murders fall to the lowest number in 48 years in 2019. Yet since the pandemic, the brutal tally of those killed in the city has returned to the sorry state of a decade ago. In 2011, the city notched 200 homicides. Soon after, former Mayor Mitch Landrieu launched a program called NOLA for Life, which was aimed at tamping down violence with a mix of police and social services.

The non-police part of the programs budget was roughly $5 million a year, drawn from city and grant funds. The program doled out money to non-profits  sometimes drawing complaints about a lack of transparency. It also deployed street outreach workers in Central City, under the CeaseFire model pioneered in Chicago, and hauled at-risk men in for group call-ins.

Landrieu portrayed the program as a success, noting as he left office that there were 140 fewer murders during the program's 5 years than the same period before its creation.

Yet Cantrells transition team honed in on another key stat and recommended ditching the program. They noted that after an initial dip, the number of all shootings climbed above a 2010-2012 baseline.

In lieu of NOLA for Life, Cantrell promised a more realistic, generational gun violence reduction strategy that would steadily reduce killings over 50 years.

Programs like CEO Works were funded before the pandemic, when gun crime was dropping. Yet the agency at the center of Cantrells effort, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, was not formally created until April 2021  early in a bloody year that ended with 218 murders.

Another year passed before the office hired a director for its policy lab, a key suggestion in a 2019 report from a task force convened by Cantrell.

Cox said that all of the offices programs were already in operation when the office launched a year ago.

A profusion of programs

The office has three components: its interventions, a policy lab and an effort to find sustainable, long-term funding in lieu of the current patchwork.

The offices four current projects are:

The partnership with a non-profit called CEO Works, which began in 2019. It was initially supported with a mix of grant and city money, but is now funded with $1 million in city funding from the Wisner Donation, a land trust controlled in part by the mayor. Workers earn $13.25 an hour. The program served 174 people from 2020 to 2021, placing half of them in full-time jobs. A national non-profit, CEO Works local director is former District D City Council candidate Troy Glover.

The Jumpstart program, which pays at-risk young people ages 16 to 24 to complete an eight-week job training course. Twenty of the 60 who have applied had completed the program as of January. It is supported by a two-year, $250,000 grant from the Hilton Foundation.

The Community Crisis Intervention Team, the latest iteration of a program formerly known as Cure Violence and CeaseFire that began under Landrieu. The program previously employed violence interrupters, including those with criminal histories, who were tasked with squashing beefs. The latest version of the program has switched mostly to employing people with professional training like social work degrees and has 16 full-time employees.

The Barbers and Beauticians Collective, which aims to enlist hair professionals in the fight against crime. Its trained 13 people in its first cohort in conflict resolution. The collective, and the crisis intervention team, are supported with $516,000 in Wisner dollars, Cox said.

Separately, two of Cantrells programs aimed at helping kids stay out of trouble are housed under the Office of Youth and Families, which is helmed by Cantrell lieutenant Emily Wolff:

Pathways, a year-round internship program for youths whove had run-ins with the juvenile justice system. The program has enrolled 45 youths and graduated 30 of them.

Summer Success, a shorter program focused on career development where at-risk youths ages 14 to 17 are paid to develop skills like resume-writing. Its served about 200 kids in the 2019 and 2021 summers, taking the first year of the pandemic off.

Wolff said four of her small offices five staffers have some role in overseeing the two projects. In total, her office was allocated $3.7 million in the 2022 budget, of which $3.3 million was doled out in contracts with community organizations.

A heated debate

The gun violence and youth offices worked in relative obscurity until a rash of carjackings and steady drumbeat of shootings around the start of the year overlapped with the inauguration of a new City Council.

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Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson came in for criticism at a January hearing. Days later, Cox faced off with Council Vice President JP Morrell, whos emerged as a frequent critic of the Cantrell administration, to talk about the gun violence office, which spends $216,000 in city funds to run its programs.

The mens voices rose. Morrell called the policy lab a think tank and accused Cox of trying to evade accountability by failing to supply a single, signal metric to judge the offices success.

I didnt come here to get into an argument for political grandstanding, Cox shot back. Were truly busting our tails doing everything we can.

Really, you're busting your tails? Give me something youve accomplished in the year youve been around, Morrell replied.

In a recent interview, Morrell said Cantrells gun violence and youth offices are a symptom of a larger problem where new administrations stand up shiny new offices while letting effective older ones languish.

Morrell said he was partial to CeaseFire, the violence interruption program that has a new name and a new model of employing trained social workers.

Hard numbers

Jennifer Doleac, an associate professor of economics at Texas A&M University who studies alternatives to policing, says there's limited evidence for the effectiveness of the old CeaseFire model. Cities around the country have piloted various programs to stop shootings on a small budget, but they haven't found a silver bullet yet, she said.

Early on during the Cantrell administration, Doleac proposed setting up a rigorous research program to randomly assign at-risk residents to control or treatment groups for new programs, similar to the design of medical studies.

Those proposals didn't bear fruit, but Doleac says it is critical to measure programs in order see whether they actually work. She pointed to summer jobs programs, where there's promising evidence that they can reduce arrests and deaths. Many other ideas haven't been tested.

The reality is that we dont know if its going to work, and it could actually make things worse, and thats why we need to randomize it. And thats something a politician is unlikely to say out loud, she said.

Morrell has another fear. He worries that the city is capturing grant money that would otherwise go to deserving non-profits.

The criticisms frustrate Cox and Wolff, who say they are securing what is essentially free money.

We answer whatever question is asked of us," Wolff said. "There is no alternate agenda here, it is really about getting results for our kids, Wolff said.

District E Council member Oliver Thomas, who chairs the criminal justice committee, said he sees a role for the offices in a larger, "holistic" effort against crime.

"I think the concepts and the mission of the offices are on point," Thomas said. "I think its incumbent on them to show impact. Impact and best practices, I think thats what is important."

The policy lab

Cox says the policy lab is designed to track whether its projects work.

A 'think tank' in my mind implies that people are sitting around pontificating. Nothing could be further from the truth, Cox said on a Lower 9th Ward street corner, as CEO Works employees trimmed grass nearby.

The policy labs director will be employed by Tulane University, which Cox says will eliminate the possibility for bias in favor of the citys programs. If the lab shows that projects arent working, Cox hopes to quickly pivot to new ones. We dont want to keep throwing good money after bad, he said.

So far, none of the citys programs have been paired with the type of academic research that could produce conclusive results. Instead, the city points to simpler raw numbers, such as participants in youth-focused programs having a 15% recidivism rate during their time in the programs, according to Wolff.

There is also the simple common sense that providing people with a financial life line keeps them out of trouble, according to Glover, the local CEO Works leader.

Grand plans

Cox and Wolff have more big plans. Cox hopes to expand the gun violence prevention offices footprint by convincing socially minded investors to fork over millions that would eventually be repaid by health insurers who have to pay for fewer treatments for wounded victims. Wolff would like to expand her office's programs for at-risk youth.

Yet City Halls grand visions have been operating under a cloud in recent weeks. On March 8, Morrell, the council vice president, sent letters to the mayor demanding to know under what authority Cox and Wolffs offices were created. And he's threatened that they could lose their funding if their chiefs can't defend the results.

They will not have infinite time to respond to this. We are beginning the budget committee early this year, in May, to try to figure out how were going to develop a council-driven budget, he said last month. It may affect whether they continue to exist in the current budget.
A Covington man who died after he was struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run Monday evening has been identified by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office as 40-year-old Murphy Majoria.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in finding a vehicle that hit the man on Helenbirg Road Monday evening.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in locating a white Toyota Tundra that it described as a "vehicle of interest."

Majoria was found lying in the roadway near Joyce Court near Covington. He was treated on the scene but died from his injuries after he was taken to a local hospital.

Based on video footage from the area, deputies are searching for what appeared to be an early 2000s model Tundra with a single cab.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the STPSO Traffic Division at (985) 276-1310.

Editor's note: An initial post incorrectly spelled Muprhy Majoria's name, based on information from the Coroner's Office. The coroner later corrected the spelling.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Smith announced the latest round of Community Crossings road projects grants Tuesday at an event in Muncie.

A total of 224 Indiana cities, towns and counties are slated to receive a combined $107.8 million in state matching funds for local road projects in this first of two 2022 rounds of grants.

"Continuing to modernize and enhance our transportation infrastructure is critical to the economic success in and around our incredible communities and ultimately Hoosiers prosperity itself," Holcomb said in a statement accompanying the grant announcement. "Community Crossings makes immediate impacts on improving local roads and bridges across Indiana. Those improvements translate to a safe, reliable, robust transportation infrastructure that benefits residents and business in every corner of our state and every place in between."

Region communities will see just over $11 million in matching grants. Seven were awarded the annual maximum of $1 million, including St. John, which is planning projects impacting 19 roads in a project costing $2.2 million.

The Community Crossings initiative has provided more than $1 billion in state matching funds for local construction projects since 2016. Communities submitted applications for funding during a competitive call for projects in January. Applications were evaluated based on need and current conditions and impacts to safety and economic development. Funding for Community Crossings comes from the states local road and bridge matching grant fund.

Community Crossings improves safety and reliability of local roads as well as enhances connectivity in all 92 Indiana counties, INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said. INDOT is excited to join with our local partners to deliver on these high-priority projects and I look forward to the transformative effect of this work in our communities in the months ahead.

To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds of 50% for larger communities or 25% for smaller communities and have an asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. State law requires annually that 50% of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.

State lawmakers identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April 2017.

The list of all communities receiving matching funds in the 2022 winter/spring call for projects is online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings. The next call for projects will open in July 2022.

Beverly Shores: $32,951.25

Cedar Lake: $123,300

Dyer: $1,000,000

East Chicago: $1,000,000

Gary: $767,598.97

Hebron: $443,454.38

Highland: $705,950.45

Munster: $374,652.48

Portage: $1,000,000

Porter County: $1,000,000

Schererville: $1,000,000

St. John: $1,000,000

Valparaiso: $1,000,000

Wanatah: $118,380

Westville: $89,999.99

Whiting: $427,500

Winfield: $944,423.25

Total: $11,028,210.77

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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.
Here's some trending news from today, April 18.

Tax day

April 18 is Tax Day this year  the federal deadline for individual tax filing and payments  and the IRS expects to receive tens of millions of last-minute filings electronically and through paper forms.

As of April 8, the IRS had received more than 103 million returns for this tax season, and it had issued more than 63 million refunds worth more than $204 billion.

For comparison, last year more than 169 million people completed an income tax return by the end of the year. That probably leaves nearly 40% of this year's taxpayers still unaccounted for, with many scrambling to submit their documents by Monday. Read more here:

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo took to social media on Monday to say one of his newborn twins has died.

"It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away," the Manchester United striker wrote in a post also signed by his partner, Georgina Rodriguez.

"It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel." Read more about what he said here:

Mexican Pizza

Taco Bell is bringing back the Mexican Pizza after a roughly two-year hiatus.

The beloved menu item will permanently reappear on menus beginning May 19, the chain confirmed Monday. Taco Bell eliminated the pizza in November 2020 as part of a broader culling of its menus during the height of the pandemic that helped fast food chains shed complexities and costs.

The Mexican Pizza consists of a tortilla shell filled with either beans or ground beef, a pizza sauce and is topped with another tortilla shell that's smothered with more sauce, cheese and chopped tomatoes. Taco Bell introduced the item in 1985 and originally called it the "Pizzazz Pizza." You already know what time it is:

Taco Bell is bringing back a fan-favorite menu item Taco Bell is bringing back the Mexican Pizza after a roughly two-year hiatus.

***

Check out more trending topics here:

Thor

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar reveals highly anticipated new album will drop in May Rapper Kendrick Lamar has announced his return, revealing the date of his long-awaited fifth album.

DJ Kay Slay

DJ Kay Slay, maven of New York hip-hop, dies from Covid-19 complications DJ Kay Slay, an influential member of the New York hip-hop scene whose raucous mixtapes became legendary, has died from Covid-19 complications.

South Carolina Mall Shooting

Second arrest made in South Carolina mall shooting Police say they have have identified two more suspects in a Saturday shootout inside a crowded South Carolina mall in which nine people were shot. Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook on Monday announced the arrest of 20-year-old Marquise Love Robinson and said police are seeking a third suspect named Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith. In addition to the nine people who were shot, six others were injured while fleeing Columbiana Centre on Saturday afternoon. A 22-year-old man is already facing charges in connection with the shooting. State police are also investigating another weekend shooting in Hampton County that injured at least nine.

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CROWN POINT  Lake County residents planning to cast their primary election ballot Saturday at the early voting site inside the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point are being redirected to a different, nearby building.

The Lake County Election Board has agreed to relocate early voting for Saturday only, and only in Crown Point, to the Purdue Extension building in the northeast corner of the Lake County Government Center campus, 2293 N. Main St., because the main county government building is scheduled to be without power while a nearby electrical substation is upgraded.

The Purdue Extension building is serviced by a separate power line, so election officials decided simply to move early voting on that day across the parking lot.

Multiple signs will be in place Saturday directing early voters to the Purdue Extension building. Early voting ahead of the May 3 election will resume Monday inside the Lake County Government Center.

Altogether, Lake County registered voters can cast an early ballot Mondays through Saturdays at any of the 11 early voting sites in the county.

Early voting in Crown Point is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays through April 29; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 8:30 a.m. to noon May 2.

All other sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Apr. 30; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon May 2.

Here are the locations for early voting in Lake County:

Crown Point: Lake County Election Board, Government Center Administration Building, 2293 N. Main St.

East Chicago: County Courthouse, 3711 Main St.

Gary: Public Library, 220 W. 5th Ave.

Hammond: County Courthouse, 232 Russell St.

Highland: Wicker Park Social Center, 8854 Indianapolis Blvd.

Hobart: Police Communications Center, 705 E. Fourth St.

Lowell: Town Hall, 501 E. Main St.

Munster: Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road

Schererville: Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St.

St. John: Township Assessor, 9157 Wicker Ave.

Winfield: Town Hall, 10771 Randolph St.

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VALPARAISO  All water customers located along and south of Evans Avenue in Valparaiso, including all of U.S. 30 and areas south of U.S. 30, are urged to boil their drinking and cooking water before using it through at least Wednesday.

The precautionary boil advisory is due to a 12-inch water main break at State Road 2 and Horse Prairie Avenue that already may have reduced customer water pressure or interrupted water service.

Valparaiso City Utilities field service crews are working to repair the main. But Utilities Director Steve Poulos said that due to the size of the broken water line, and reports of water interruption, all water customers in the south zone of the city should boil their water.

To do so, all cooking and drinking water should be heated and allowed to boil for at least five minutes and then cooled before use.

Valparaiso residents and businesses in the affected area should continue to boil their water until a subsequent announcement that boiling no longer is recommended.

According to Poulos, a water microbiology laboratory will test the city's water to ensure it meets the required bacteria standard before the boil advisory is lifted.

He said the boil advisory will be in effect for at least 48 hours from Monday night, and the advisory may be extended if additional testing is required.

More information about complying with the boil advisory is available by calling Valparaiso Utilities customer service at 219-462-6174 or visiting the frequently asked questions section of the valparaisoutilities.org website.

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VALPARAISO  Lysol wipes, masks and strict distancing guidelines are again a reality for the Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, only this time it is to quell the spread of a much different virus.

As the avian flu outbreak creeps closer to Porter County, the center, whose population is about half birds, is on high alert.

I am essentially back to social distancing, not necessarily for my sake, but for the birds' sake, said Wildlife Center Director Nicole Harmon, who has been monitoring the highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, outbreak since January.

Every year the wildlife center receives thousands of injured, abandoned or diseased animals. Two older houses sit on the Valparaiso property: one for animal rehabilitation and the other for educational programs.

Armed with a staff of three, a team of volunteers and about 20 summer interns, the center works tirelessly to heal the many foxes, turkey vultures, squirrels, turtles and other wild animals in their care. If rehabilitation is successful, the critters are returned to the wild. Right now, the center is gearing up for the busy spring season, readying cages and prepping for interns.

"There are times when this building is humming with 800 animals all at once," CEO Brian Fitzpatrick said as he gestured to the small rehabilitation building.

While watching the spread of avian flu, Harmon quickly realized the center would have to make some adjustments.

In February, staff cleaned out an old storage area at the front of the education center. Separate from the rest of the building, the space will be used to house all waterfowl. Harmon explained that waterfowl can serve as "reservoirs" for avian flu, not displaying symptoms but still spreading the disease to poultry and birds of prey. Fitzpatrick estimates the center receives about 800 waterfowl a year, 25% of its total intake.

If the waterfowl spread the disease it would be "disastrous," as HPAI is 90% fatal in birds of prey, Harmon said. The center is also concerned about infecting the 12 ambassador birds that are used in educational programming and as surrogate parents for other birds.

If avian flu reaches the area, the center would have to shut down operations for three weeks. If a bird on the property tests positive, there is a chance all of the center's birds would have to be euthanized.

"If something tests positive here, there are more animals that I can't help because we are quarantined," Harmon said, explaining that they may have to start turning away birds who appear to have lead toxicity or West Nile virus, as the symptoms are similar. "You have to ask yourself, are you really willing to take that risk?"

HPAI was detected in North America in December 2021. The H5N1 subtype, not known to cause human illness, was found at an exhibition farm on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. By January 2022, multiple wild bird species in the U.S. had also tested positive for the strain.

The outbreak reached Indiana on Feb. 9, first confirmed at a commercial turkey farm in Dubois County. Since then, avian flu has spread to six commercial turkey operations, in Dubois and Greene counties. According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, a total of 171,224 commercial turkeys have tested positive. All of the affected commercial turkey populations have been depopulated and the control areas for Dubois and Greene counties have been lifted.

Then, on April 8, the highly contagious illness was found in a flock of 4,679 commercial ducks in Elkhart County. As of April 16, a second commercial duck flock of about 6,000 had tested "presumptive-positive," meaning the initially positive tests are still being verified at the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.

"It is right around migratory season, so we are worried about some of those waterfowl that are passing through that area coming up here. You have waterfowl that could be in Elkhart County this afternoon and get here by tomorrow morning," Harmon said, adding that the outbreak of wild birds by the Illinois-Wisconsin border is also a concern, as the area is in Porter County's flight path, meaning migrating birds from Wisconsin will likely stop in nearby ponds and fields.

Avian flu has been detected in over 600 wild birds in the U.S., though out of the over 200 wild birds tested in Indiana, only one redhead duck has been deemed presumptive positive. Because commercial birds are often kept in confinement, the disease is spreading faster among poultry. Over 27,000,000 have been affected in the U.S. However, it is harder to test, track and control the spread in wild birds.

"The difference between something like avian influenza and COVID is that COVID does not do really well on surfaces and avian influenza does amazingly well on surfaces," Harmon explained. "It will live on the surface of the grass for up to 30 days."

Birds shed the virus through their droppings and nasal discharge, meaning wild birds can carry the virus almost anywhere.

Harmon looked at the farm fields surrounding the wildlife center on all sides, pointing out the many neighbors that raise chickens. If a wild bird flies over a poultry cage and defecates, the entire flock could be infected.

The wildlife center is already "planning for the worst" Harmon said. All educational programs will be conducted indoors; interns and staff will wear gloves, medical gowns, booties and masks; shoes will be changed frequently; and there will be footbaths at every door.

No cases of human infections have been reported, and there is no food safety risk associated with the outbreak. Humans can still carry the virus on their shoes and clothes, Harmon said, encouraging increased disinfecting.

Standing before an enclosure housing Arlene, an eastern screech owl that lost her vision after being hit by a car and is now a center ambassador, Fitzpatrick said, "We just cannot risk having our ambassadors decimated because of this."

With a stack of cleaning supplies, signs that read "no waterfowl beyond this point" and an isolation area at the ready, all the center can do now is watch the spread.

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A federal judge has given final approval to a $34 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against a plastics company over toxic chemical contamination of soil and groundwater in a southern Vermont community.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation will pay $26.2 million into a fund to compensate Bennington area property owners for alleged damages and $6 million for a program to monitor the health of those exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, under the settlement approved Monday. VTDigger first reported on the final approval.

The settlement agreement provides significant monetary compensation to the owners of approximately 2,365 residential properties in Bennington and North Bennington contaminated with PFOA by the plants, according to Emily Joselson, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

It also, for the first time in Vermont, establishes a 15-year medical monitoring program that will allow more than 500 class members who unknowingly drank PFOA-contaminated water and have above background-levels of PFOA in their blood to be monitored yearly for the earliest signs or symptoms of medical conditions associated with PFOA, Joselson said by email.

I think this is going to be very significant for the community," David Silver, another attorney for the plaintiffs, said Tuesday. It also gives the community a sense of closure and the ability to go on but also very important is the remedy of medical monitoring, which was really groundbreaking,

PFOA was traced to exhaust emissions from two former ChemFab Corp. factories, which had been bought by Saint-Gobain, the Bennington Banner has reported. The state and the public learned of the contamination in 2016 and the lawsuit was filed in May of that year. Saint-Gobain later paid more than $40 million to comply with state consent orders to extend municipal water lines and provide clean drinking water to homes with contaminated wells, Joselson said by email. The settlement resolves all plaintiffs' claims alleged against Saint-Gobain.

Saint-Gobain said in a statement the company is pleased Judge Geoffrey Crawford granted final approval of our settlement in Vermont and that this case has been resolved.

Bill Knight, whose well was contaminated, said he will seek property damages and medical monitoring after an earlier blood test showed he had elevated levels of PFOA. He said lawyers worked tirelessly for a good settlement and he was very pleased it.

We are encouraging people to file a claim, Knight said. Claims can be filed through Aug. 22.

The Vermont Legislature has passed a bill that codifies that in Vermont people exposed to toxic chemicals can sue the polluter for medical monitoring. Gov. Phil Scott is expected to sign the legislation into law, after vetoing two other previous medical monitoring bills.

PFOA is one of a group of contaminants often called forever chemicals because they last so long in the environment. PFOA is known to cause kidney, testicular, and other cancers and diseases.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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A poll released this week by Russias most respected independent pollster, Levada, showed Putins approval rating hitting 83 percent, up from 69 percent in January. A whopping 81 percent said they supported the war.

Critics have argued that polls in wartime have limited significance, with many Russians fearful of voicing dissent to a stranger when new censorship laws are punishing any deviation from the Kremlin narrative. But even accounting for that effect, Levadas director said the surveys showed that many Russians had adopted the belief that a besieged Russia had to rally around its leader.

Thats partly because of Russian media, where all of the news coverage is aligned with the Kremlins message. The wars opponents are becoming targets of propaganda that depicts them as the enemy.

In the last two weeks, a dozen activists, journalists and opposition figures in Russia have arrived home to find the letter Z (signifying support for the war) or the words traitor or collaborator on their doors.

Mikhail, 35, from the Siberian city of Ulan-Ude, has criticized the government in the past. But now, he says, it is time to put disagreements aside: While people are frowning at us everywhere outside our borders, at least for this period of time, we have to stick together.
A federal judge struck down the national mask mandate on airplanes and other public transportation.

California delayed its vaccine requirement for K-12 schoolchildren to July 2023 at the earliest, a year later than planned.

The White House recommended that Americans over 60 get a second coronavirus vaccine booster shot. (Anyone 50 or older is eligible.)

Find the latest updates here, as well as maps and a vaccine tracker.

Masks back up in Philadelphia

Philadelphias newly reinstated mask mandate went into effect on Monday for all indoor public places.

In so doing, Pennsylvanias largest city became the first major American metropolis to tell residents to cover their noses and mouths again this spring, though businesses there can choose to require proof of vaccination instead.

The masking rule is a response to sharply rising numbers of new coronavirus cases. It kicked in automatically, based on Philadelphias own guidelines, because the average number of new cases reported in the city had risen above 100 a day, and more significantly, had increased by more than 50 percent in 10 days.

The thing is, I could be wrong  people two weeks from now could be laughing at me, Cheryl Bettigole, the citys health commissioner, told The New York Times. But if I manage to save lives because Im right, thats worth the risk.

The move has implications for other locales: The Omicron subvariant BA.2 has reversed the decline in new-case counts throughout the Northeast. After months of off-and-on mask guidance, Philadelphia will be a case study: Can a city get people to start wearing masks again?
After a federal judge struck down a nationwide mask requirement for airplanes, trains, buses and other public transportation on Monday, the countrys largest airlines said they would stop requiring masks on flights, ending a practice that most carriers followed for nearly two years.

The airlines acted after a Biden administration official said the Transportation Security Administration would no longer enforce the mask requirement while the White House reviewed the judges decision and determined whether to appeal.

Here is what some of the biggest U.S. airlines had to say.

American Airlines

In a statement, American said customers and employees could wear masks at their own discretion but would no longer be required to do so on flights within the United States. We are deeply grateful to our team members for their enforcement of the mandate, and will share more information about this transition in the coming days, American said.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest said in a statement that employees and customers would be free to make the best decision to support their personal well-being, and took note of the high-end air filtration systems installed on planes that it and other carriers use.
Amazon has said Mr. Bryson was fired for violating its policy against vulgar and harassing language. It has defended its actions by pointing to an internal investigation it conducted and arguing that the punishment was consistent with how other workers were treated.

We strongly disagree with this ruling and are surprised the N.L.R.B. would want any employer to condone Mr. Brysons behavior, Kelly Nantel, a company spokeswoman, said in a statement. Mr. Bryson was fired for bullying, cursing at and defaming a female co-worker over a bullhorn in front of the workplace.

She added, We do not tolerate that type of conduct in our workplace and intend to file an appeal with the N.L.R.B.

Mr. Green, the judge, knocked Amazons key justifications for the dismissal. He said Amazons investigation had been skewed and designed to find reasons to fire Mr. Bryson for his protest. Noting that Amazon did not interview a protester who had recorded the argument, the judge wrote that Amazon preferred not to obtain information from someone who was protesting with Bryson even though that person was likely in the best position to explain what happened.

He also doubted the statements of the managers and other employees whom Amazon did interview. Amazon, for example, documented that the woman, who is white, and a manager had said Mr. Bryson called her a racial slur during the altercation. But a video of the encounter showed that never happened. The woman told Mr. Bryson, who is Black, to go back to the Bronx, which the judge said Mr. Bryson could reasonably construe as being racial.
Theres just no possibility, no rational way this could happen, he said.

Elisabeth Bik, a leading expert in image manipulation, became aware of the company last summer after short sellers filed the F.D.A. petition. In a series of twitter posts, posts on her blog and on the website PubPeer, Dr. Bik has pointed to signs that she said show some results had been copied and pasted from other experiments.

Those were of severe concern, she said in an interview. Based on the pattern of irregularities in images in multiple papers, she believes it is highly likely that there was some manipulation going on.

Charles Spruck, a cancer researcher at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in San Diego, who has more than 25 years of experience with the Western blot method, said he believed the anomalies in those images could be the result of simple mistakes or vagaries of the technique.

Irregularities or errors in one or two images could be due to chance, but when you see it again and again, it makes it unlikely that you could do it accidentally, said Dr. David Vaux, deputy director of scientific integrity and ethics at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia.

Mr. Barbier dismissed the criticisms, saying that the irregularities did not impact the companys research findings. These background pixels have no impact on the data or its interpretation, he said, adding We stand by Professor Wang 100 percent.

Dr. Vaux and others bemoaned the limitations of peer review in identifying mistakes or manipulation, and said many scientific journals are reluctant to retract papers because of their fear of being sued, or damage to their own reputations.

Its time for regulatory bodies to step in, as it seems that the peer review process has taken it as far as it can, Dr. Hu said. If the tide has shifted such that the science seems to not be there, I just dont see how the clinical trials can proceed.
In the first year of the pandemic, at least four people in Michigan were infected with a version of the coronavirus observed mostly in mink, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Monday.

The cluster, which previously included just three cases, represents the first known instance of possible animal-to-human transmission of the virus in the United States.

Two of the infected were employees of a Michigan mink farm that experienced a coronavirus outbreak in October 2020. The other two had no known links to the farm, suggesting that the mink variant may have been circulating more widely among area residents at the time.

Samples of the virus collected from all four people contained two mutations that scientists have hypothesized may be signs of adaptation to mink, Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, who directs the C.D.C.s One Health Office, said in an email on Monday.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a bid by New York and three other states to overturn a $10,000 cap on federal tax deductions for state and local taxes that Congress imposed as part of the Trump administrations sweeping tax overhaul in 2017.

The courts decision not to consider the matter, one of dozens of cases the justices said they would not hear, left intact a lower courts ruling. That ruling rejected the states argument that, as Democratic bastions, they had been targeted by Republican lawmakers and that the deduction cap was an unconstitutional infringement on their sovereignty.

In affirming that ruling in October, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit found that it was within Congresss broad authority over tax policy to impose the so-called SALT cap. The cap limits to $10,000 the amount of state and local taxes people may deduct on their federal income tax return. The appeals court ruled that the SALT cap was like other laws that have different effects from place to place.

It is obviously true that members of Congress were aware that the SALT deduction cap would adversely affect some states more than others, the Second Circuit wrote. But the SALT deduction cap is not unlike the countless federal laws whose benefits and burdens are unevenly distributed across the country.
How many Russian military officers watching that humiliation were ready to tell Putin the truth about Ukraine once the war started going badly? When the Russian military was up against foes in Georgia, Syria, Crimea and Chechnya, Russia could just indiscriminately bomb its way out of any problem. But now that Putins military has found itself in a war with Ukraines highly motivated army and its homegrown weapons industry, backed with some of NATOs best precision weapons and training, the rot has really started to show. Russias tank and logistic forces were mauled into multiple junkyards of burning hulks in western Ukraine.

And it is impossible to exaggerate how incompetent the Russian Navy had to be to allow the command warship of Russias Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva missile cruiser, to be so badly damaged, reportedly by two Ukrainian-made anti-ship cruise missiles, called Neptunes, that the Moskva sank into the sea off Ukraine last week  the biggest loss of a naval ship in battle in 40 years.

For the Russian flagship in charge of coordinating all of the air defenses for the flotilla, and itself carrying 64 S-300F Rif air defense missiles, to be taken out by enemy anti-ship missiles had to have been the result of a cascade of systems failures in detection and response to an attack.

Moreover, Neptune missiles are not necessarily ship killers. They were more likely designed to be mission killers  to disable the radar and electronics of sophisticated destroyers like the Moskva  not specifically sink them.

So I pity the commander who had to tell Putin that Russias meanest, monstrous warship in the Black Sea, rumored to have been his favorite, had been sunk by a Ukrainian missile fired in war for the first time.

China is a much more serious country than Russia: It is not built on oil, lies and corruption (though it has plenty of the latter), but on the hard work and manufacturing talents of its people, directed by a top-down, iron-fisted but eager-to-learn-from-abroad Chinese Communist Party. At least, eager in the past to learn, but less so lately.

Chinas economic success, and the sense of pride it has generated, seems to have lulled its leadership into thinking it could basically go it alone against a pandemic. By producing its own vaccines, rather than importing better ones from the West, and by repurposing its highly efficient system of authoritarian surveillance and control to curb travel, do mass testing and quarantine any individuals or neighborhoods where Covid-19 appeared, China bet on a zero Covid policy. If it could get through the pandemic with fewer deaths and a more open economy, it would be another signal to the world  a big signal  that Chinese communism was superior to American democracy.
So Donald Trump has endorsed J.D. Vance in the race for Ohios Republican Senate nomination. Will Trumps nod tip the balance? I have no idea, and frankly I dont care.

Ohios G.O.P. primary has, after all, been a race to the bottom, with candidates seemingly competing to see who can be crasser, who can do the most to dumb down the debate. Vance insists that whats happening in Ukraine has nothing to do with our national security and that we should focus instead on the threat from immigrants crossing our southern border. Josh Mandel, who has been leading in the polls, says that Ohio should be a pro-God, pro-family, pro-Bitcoin state. And so on. Any of these candidates would be a terrible senator, and its anyones guess whod be worst.

But the thing about Vance is that while these days he gives cynical opportunism a bad name, he didnt always seem that way. In fact, not that long ago he seemed to offer some intellectual and maybe even moral heft. His 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, drew widespread and respectful attention, because it offered a personal take on a real and important problem: the unraveling of society in Appalachia and more broadly for a significant segment of the white working class.

Yet neither Vance nor, as far as I can tell, any other notable figure in the Republican Party is advocating any real policies to address this problem. Theyre happy to exploit white working-class resentment, but when it comes to doing anything to improve their supporters lives, their implicit slogan is, Let them eat hate.
The Lingerie Addict, a blog where for more than 14 years unmentionables were not only mentioned, but also the subject of thoughtful consideration, announced on Sunday that it was ending publication.

Cora Harrington, the blogs founder and editor in chief, wrote in a post that the blog, which has been dedicated exclusively to intimate apparel since its creation, would be closing down operations at the end of the month.

In her post, Ms. Harrington cited a changing online landscape as one reason for closing up shop.

Many people dont necessarily find information from blogs anymore, she wrote, adding that the internet  particularly social platforms  are becoming more hostile to my topic.

Its a constant uphill battle, Ms. Harrington said, and one Im increasingly tired of fighting.

In an interview on Monday, Ms. Harrington said that her content had lately gotten more engagement on platforms beyond the blog, which she says has recently averaged 75,000 to 80,000 visitors a month, compared with the hundreds of thousands of monthly readers the blog attracted in years past.
Federal prosecutors said on Monday that they would not bring criminal charges against a former Chicago police officer who served about three years in state prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald, a Black teenager.

In a statement on Monday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Illinois said that, after consulting with Mr. McDonalds family, it decided not to charge the former officer, Jason Van Dyke, in the killing of the 17-year-old boy, whose murder put a spotlight on police brutality, prompted changes in police procedure and had political ramifications.

The prosecutors said that the bar to convict Mr. Van Dyke on federal charges would have been much higher than the one for state charges. They would have to prove that he knew deadly force was excessive and that his actions were not the result of mistake, fear, negligence, or bad judgment, the statement said.

They added that a second round of charges against Mr. Van Dyke would diminish the important results already achieved. They noted that a federal judge would have to consider Mr. Van Dykes previous sentence and his good conduct in prison.
Millions of coronavirus vaccine doses that the United States has already purchased and could send abroad could soon expire because of the impasse in Congress over additional pandemic aid, Senator Chris Coons has warned.

Senators failed to pass the stalled $10 billion package before leaving for a two-week recess earlier this month, despite increasing pressure from the White House to approve emergency aid for new vaccines, therapeutics and research.

Mr. Coons, a Democrat from Delaware who has been one of the negotiators of the package in the Senate, framed global aid as a critical national security matter on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, saying that expanding international access to vaccines was the best way to protect the American people from the next variant.

Public health experts have repeatedly stressed that vaccine inequity allows new and potentially more dangerous variants to emerge. Only 16 percent of populations in low-income countries have received at least one dose of a vaccine, according to data compiled by the Our World in Data project at the University of Oxford, compared to 80 percent in high- and upper-middle-income countries.
As a young congressional aide, David Price witnessed the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from the Senate gallery. He remembers the dramatic moment when Senator Clair Engle of California, dying of a brain tumor and left unable to speak, was wheeled in to cast a decisive vote.

Price watched the South drift away from Democrats in the years afterward, and he has stuck around long enough to see his party win slices of it back as the regions demographics have shifted.

He spent much of that time as a professor of political science at Duke University, and then as an improbable member of the very institution he studied  even writing a book on The Congressional Experience.

Now 81 and in the twilight of his career, Price is retiring from Congress after more than 30 years representing his North Carolina district, which includes the Research Triangle. He is one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Washington and an especially keen observer of how the place has changed.
In her request for an injunction, Ms. Greene argued that it would be impossible to fully resolve the case before Georgia holds its primary elections on May 24. Absentee ballots will start to be mailed on April 25, Ms. Greenes motion said.

In the ruling, Judge Totenberg determined that Ms. Greene had failed to prove that there was a strong likelihood that she would prevail on the merits of her legal claims. A state administrative judge is scheduled to hear the case on Friday.

The decision by Judge Totenberg stood in stark contrast with a recent ruling in a similar case involving Representative Madison Cawthorn in North Carolina. In blocking that disqualification effort, U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II, an appointee of Mr. Trump, ruled that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution narrowly applied to members of the Confederacy after the Civil War.

Ms. Greenes critics have said that she frequently referred to efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results as our 1776 moment in public comments that led up to the riot at the Capitol. They contend that the phrase was a code used to incite violence, and point to the third section of the 14th Amendment in their argument to drop her from the ballot.

That section says that no person shall be a member of Congress or hold civil office if they had engaged in insurrection or rebellion after having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State.

The constitutional challenge to Ms. Greenes candidacy, filed last month with Georgias secretary of state, argued that Ms. Greene had helped to plan the attack on the Capitol or knew that a demonstration organized by Mr. Trump and his supporters on the National Mall would escalate into violence.

The group pursuing the case is represented by Free Speech for People, a nonpartisan, nonprofit legal advocacy organization with constitutional law expertise, which was also involved in the case involving Mr. Cawthorn.
It was the first time this neighborhood was hit, said Lubov Ustymenko, 72, who wore a winter coat and stood a few yards from a discarded umbrella and a puddle filled with a mix of blood and the mornings light rain. Our life is decided in one second  you go outside, and then youre gone.

Russias ground onslaught  a push to seize more of the Donbas  got underway after weeks of setbacks, including Russias retreat from areas surrounding the capital, Kyiv, and the sinking of a major Russian warship in the Black Sea.

Having failed in the early weeks of the war to destroy the Ukrainian militarys network of fuel and ammunition depots  perhaps under the erroneous assumption that Ukrainian forces would surrender wholesale  Russia has intensified its attacks against those facilities, as well as against transportation infrastructure.

But Russias puzzling failure to do so earlier has left its forces with costly unfinished business, and given Ukrainian troops an unexpected advantage. Pavel Luzin, a Russian military analyst, said that while Russia has hit railway facilities, so far it has avoided aiming missiles at bridges over big rivers.

If Russia plans to expand its presence on Ukraines territory  and the end goal since 2014 has been the destruction of Ukrainian statehood as such  it would need the railway too, Mr. Luzin said.
Now, much of this historical trove has been turned over to the Alaskan Native Heritage Center, a museum that focuses on Indigenous culture and is operated by Alaska Natives. The donation by Wells Fargo of more than 1,700 objects nearly doubled the centers collection and enabled the museum, which opened in 1999 as the only statewide center dedicated to celebrating all Alaska Native cultures, to overhaul its programming.

These items will help us share our cultures with people around the world, but they will also help us work directly with our community, Emily Edenshaw, the heritage centers president and chief executive, said in an interview.

Edenshaw joined the heritage center in 2019, motivated by her own experience being raised thousands of miles away from her Yupik and Inupiaq heritage. Her mother was part of a 1956 forced adoption program and was raised in Texas, but Edenshaw returned to Alaska for college and eventually took the Yupik name Keneggnarkayaaggaq, meaning a person with a beautiful persona, spirit, aura and friend.

For a long time, I carried shame about not knowing my own culture, she said. So much of my journey is grounded in reconnecting with who I am.
MEXICO CITY  If one work were to sum up Mexicos exhibition at the 2022 Venice Biennale, it would be Naomi Rincon Gallardos dark allegory Vermin Sonnet. The 20-minute video features a bat, a snake, a scorpion and a choir of frogs desperately making their way in a futuristic world ravaged by environmental ruin and social disorder.

Rejected and isolated, these outcasts manage to communicate via radio signals and establish their own alternative community  until a crocodile eats them all.

In an interview, Ms. Rincon Gallardo described her project as a manifesto for unwanted species and said she hoped viewers in Italy would catch on to its queer, transgressive, subversive messages.

With works like Vermin Sonnet setting the tone, the Mexico pavilion is likely to be colorful this year, though not exactly cheerful. Four artists will present objects that, in one way or another, explore how the Spanish conquest of Latin America disrupted the region and established repressive social systems that continue to affect the country. Rampant violence, racial discrimination and exploitation of land and people in the name of progress  these are not the themes that Mexicos tourism bureau might have included in a display meant to represent the nation.
LONDON  When the Venice Art Biennale opens its doors to the public this weekend, France will be represented for the first time by an artist of Algerian descent.

Zineb Sedira is that artist, and her appointment is historic in several ways. Only a handful of female artists have been showcased by the French Pavilion since it was inaugurated in 1912. More unusually, Ms. Sedira is a child of working-class immigrants who settled in France in the early 1960s, right around the time that Algeria put an end to about 130 years of French colonial rule. Her community has suffered decades of racism and discrimination.

How does it feel to represent France in such a context?

Its a great opportunity to pave the way for other artists like me, Ms. Sedira said in an interview at her studio in south London, which overlooks a busy road and is full of visual throwbacks to post-independence Algeria. Better now than never.

She attributed her selection to the fact that for the first time, the French Pavilion selection committee was gender-balanced and diverse. But that doesnt mean that Im not going to be attacked, criticized by a certain group of people, she said. Its going to be painful.
The actor Johnny Depp took the stand on Tuesday in the defamation case he brought against the actress Amber Heard, his former wife, seeking to clear his name from domestic abuse allegations that he said were not based in any species of truth.

Ms. Heard has accused Mr. Depp in court papers of abusing her repeatedly throughout their relationship, including by slapping her, kicking her, headbutting her and dragging her by her hair.

But Mr. Depp told a seven-person jury sitting in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia that it came as a complete shock when she lodged those accusations publicly.

Never did I myself reach the point of striking Ms. Heard in any way, the actor testified, nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.
Some of the music has proved enduringly popular in the concert hall. The Polka, a tune-within-the-tale that gives the character of Schwanda a hit with his royal audience (and subsequently, in its fugal adaptation, a bop well-suited to hell) was a midcentury staple conducted by Herbert von Karajan and Dimitri Mitropoulos.

Yet Schwanda is a rarity onstage  especially in the United States, despite the works well-received Metropolitan Opera debut in 1931. Reviewing that premiere in The New York Times, Olin Downes cited Smetana, Puccini, Rimsky-Korsakov and Strauss in assessing the score, which he deemed to be written with much swing and esprit and brilliant technique  even if it wasnt quite a work of the first order.

At the Komische Oper, a haven for long-lost theater treasures, Homokis staging makes a compelling case for the works return to the repertory. (If I could snap my fingers and bring it to New York, like the companys production of The Magic Flute at the Mostly Mozart Festival in 2019, I wouldnt hesitate.) The first act flies by in an 80-minute rush, during which Schwanda, a locally renowned bagpiper, is tempted by Babinsky  a self-styled Robin Hood but more of a scamplike thief  to seek fame in a neighboring kingdom and receives a little more attention than he expected.

Schwandas new admirer is the Queen (a role once sung by the great mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig), who is otherwise under the spell of the Magician. But his music seems to set her free, and the public is glad to have an artist as a potential king. What, though, about his wife, Dorotka? When she shows up, Schwanda swears on his eternal soul that nothing untoward has taken place  and promptly drops into hell. Spoiler alert: He makes it back alive, unharmed.
HAPPY FOR YOU

By Claire Stanford

If a simple algorithm could tell you how happy you were  objectively how happy  wouldnt you want to know? a character asks early in Happy for You, Claire Stanfords engrossing and clever first novel. Evelyn Kominsky Kumamoto, the books deeply ambivalent narrator, isnt so sure. Her voice carries us through questions about happiness, technologys role in our lives, the importance of the body and how one might find a sense of contentment and belonging in the world.

We meet Evelyn as she takes a leave of absence from her philosophy Ph.D. program, where she was struggling to finish a dissertation on the mind-body problem. She arrives in the shiny land of tech at what is humorously referred to as the third-most-popular internet company. Its Evelyns new boss, Dr. Luce, who poses the above rhetorical question during a pump-up speech to launch the companys happiness project. The goal for Evelyn and the small research team shes joining is to quantify this emotion, and deliver it to consumers in the form of an easy-to-use app.

The project does not, however, help to alleviate Evelyns own equivocation about her personal satisfaction and direction in life. If anything, as she becomes financially dependent on the company (which pays several factors more than grad school), she finds herself further disconnected from and increasingly skeptical of the outward optimism of those around her. This includes her white boyfriend, Jamie, a happy-go-lucky government employee whose marriage proposal Evelyn can only respond to in the moment with, I dont know. Her own racial identity adds to this sense of disconnection; her father is Japanese and her mother, who died when Evelyn was a teenager, was white. She relates less to other people than she does to the unusual and overlooked animals in the nature documentary she binge-watches, called Misfits!: the bigheaded mole rat, the minute leaf chameleon, the kakapo.

Image

Stanford captures the allure, absurdity and menace of corporate spaces with wit and levity. I was proud that the third-most-popular internet company wanted me, Evelyn thinks; I was excited to feel useful. As part of her new job, she attends the Fifth Annual Global Happiness Summit, seemingly based on a real event called the World Happiness Summit. She goes to a creepy laughing seminar, experiences sensory deprivation without revelation, sits on a panel during which men talk over her, and meets her peers in the market to sell happiness. One describes an energy bar as 380 calories, 12 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein and unlimited possibility.
THE RIGHT

The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism

By Matthew Continetti



MAGA preceded Donald Trump. It created him at least as much as the other way around. My own first glimpse of it came at a Tea Party convention in downtown Phoenix in February 2011.

The Tea Party, in its early days, was anything but MAGA-like. Dominated by white, college-educated professionals and small-business owners who were fed up with politicians broken promises to shrink government, it was the first grass-roots movement to take reducing federal spending seriously. In Phoenix, at what they billed as their first national policy conference, Tea Partiers gathered for seminars on topics like the Constitutions Ninth Amendment and the gold standard. Sure, some of their ideas were screwy, but they were striving earnestly to restore what they thought was the vision of the founders.

Another faction, however, was vying for control. It was interested in cutting immigration, not the budget. It was more focused on Americas complexion than its Constitution. At a plenary session in an acre-wide convention hall, I watched as the Republican president of the Arizona State Senate, a demagogue named Russell Pearce, galvanized the crowd with a lacerating attack on the illegal migrants who, he said, were breaking into our country and stealing it.

Pearce, who would go on to support the sterilization of Medicaid recipients, lost his seat later that year in a recall election. But he was an augury, not an outlier. Though his rhetoric shocked me at the time, it was mild compared with rapists and criminals, calves like cantaloupes, Muslim bans and more that followed. His faction swamped and then subsumed first the Tea Party, then the Republican Party and at last the conservative movement. A decade after Pearces stemwinder, as Matthew Continetti writes in The Right, his superb new history of modern American conservatism, President Trump would leave the White House with the Republican Party out of power, conservatism in disarray and the right in the same hole it had dug with Charles Lindbergh, Joe McCarthy, the John Birch Society, George Wallace and Pat Buchanan. Not only was the right unable to get out of the hole, it did not want to.
Those paltry acts are the only way the powerless can rebalance the world for themselves. In the third novella, Moses on the Plain, a tutor invokes the reprisals of Exodus to comfort her student: As long as whats in your heart is genuine and sincere, the mountains and oceans will part for you, and the people coming after you, the ones who didnt make space for you, will all get punished. These words take on greater significance by the end of the story, after the student becomes a person of interest in a serial-murder case. Shuang once said that he tore a clump of hair off a girls scalp in a childhood fight, and that the 10-year-old retaliated by dismantling his familys front door overnight, in the dead of winter. Youre never too young or old to fight for whats yours, his stories remind us. Rouge Street offers modest hope and a fleeting sense of restored harmony, while avoiding any moral high ground or grand narrative. Instead of taking a birds-eye view, Shuang places his gaze at the level of his characters.

Chinas Rust Belt is a distant reality even for most Chinese. With his candid but intriguing portrayals of the northeast, the 38-year-old Shuang belongs to a small cohort of writers in the region who emerged from decades of breathless growth feeling more force-fed than nourished. His work has captivated readers for this reason, not to mention the distinctive use of a northeastern dialect and its colloquialisms (not easy to capture in translation); the oil reek of factory floors and chimney stacks maintained by workers who built Maos China; the unrelenting, icy winters in which tales of vengeance and murder abound; the less-than-nostalgic recall of the Sino-Soviet friendship in the 1950s; and the eclipse of that past as China pushed for market reforms in the 1990s and 2000s.

Shuang explores these elements in stories of outcasts, killers and everyday people who still want meaning  and sometimes religious salvation  despite it all. From start to finish, his scope is close to the ground, his language sparingly emotive and unobtrusive. He never flinches. As a result, we dont look away either.
Ukrainian and U.S. officials say Russias new campaign in the Donbas will be much more methodical than its previous operation, which involved tanks making rapid advances and helicopter assaults deep inside Ukraine. That approach resulted in heavy Russian casualties.

Over recent days, Russia has increased artillery barrages and sent small detachments of troops to probe Ukrainian lines. These smaller attacks, known as shaping operations in military circles, are often precursors to larger troop movements or can serve as distractions from other fronts.

Ukraine said that it had repulsed seven different Russian thrusts, destroying 10 tanks and 18 armored units in the battles. The claims could not be independently verified.

In the past several days, Russia has sent 11 more battalion tactical groups into the Donbas, bringing the number there to around 75, according to Pentagon officials. Each group has roughly 1,000 troops. It also has tens of thousands more in reserve north of Ukraine that are being resupplied and readied to join the fight.

Compared to the first few weeks of the war, this next offensive is a lot less decisive than it may seem, said Michael Kofman, the director of Russian studies at CNA, a research institute in Arlington, Virginia. No matter what happens in the Donbas, the costs are likely to be so high that the Russian military will be a spent force.
Russia strikes eastern Ukraine

Russian forces launched a ground assault along a nearly 300-mile front in eastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, after hitting the country with one of the most intense missile barrages in weeks. Follow the latest updates.

At least seven people were killed in Lviv, a western city that had been a refuge for fleeing civilians, barely 50 miles from Poland. Russia also claimed to have carried out 300 other missile and artillery strikes, mainly in the east, in what appeared to be a campaign to terrorize the population and intimidate Ukraines military before a new ground offensive in the Donbas region.

In the coastal city of Mariupol, Russian forces also appeared to be finally seizing the entire port, where outnumbered Ukrainian fighters defied demands to lay down their weapons at a vast steel plant that has become a kind of industrial Alamo. The city is the last obstacle to Russias drive to secure a land bridge to the peninsula of Crimea.

Effects: The intensified attacks came amid signs that international sanctions were beginning to choke Russias economy. Moscows mayor warned that 200,000 people risked losing their jobs in the capital alone, while the head of the central bank warned that the effects of Russias isolation were just starting to be felt.
Russia scales up its eastern attack

Moscow declared that its offensive for control over Ukraines east was underway as it bombarded hundreds of targets overnight across the countrys industrial heartland.

Ukraine said it was resisting Russias initial thrust, but its contested region is bracing for a full-force attack. Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped there. Heres the latest.

The Pentagon estimated that Russia had already moved 8,000 to 11,000 more soldiers into the east and had tens of thousands more in reserve. The sprawling offensive could reshape the conflict.

Analysis: Russias military campaign appears much more methodical than those it pursued in the wars first days. Ukrainian and Pentagon officials said Russian forces appeared to be engaged in shaping operations, which are smaller attacks that are often precursors to larger troop movements or distractions from other fronts.
Efforts to capture some of that science and turn it into actionable data are growing. Over the past few years, for-profit services like Moodys ESG Solutions and Archipelago and nonprofit research groups like First Street Foundation and Rhodium have evolved to quantify the physical risk of an asset. For projects in the United States, they can often provide granular, property-level data; for example, a project on high ground will be rated as lower risk, even if theres a stream on the property.

But the field lacks established standards. The data analytics firms use different maps, scenarios and methodologies; some take into account building types and infrastructure, while others are more basic, making assessments difficult to compare.

And thats just physical risk. Investors are also mindful of transition risk, which includes changes to the policy and regulatory environment. For example, if Charlestons leaders amend the zoning code to ban building at the lowest elevations, land values in the city could radically shift. Similarly, a sea wall would be paid for in part by increased property taxes. Both options could affect the citys attractiveness to investors. But most of the existing climate models do not comprehensively address potential changes like these.

Wary investors are also peppering developers with questions about resilience strategies. We ask, Have you mitigated this risk? said Helen Gurfel, head of global sustainability and innovation at CBRE Investment Management. We look at every single detail.

Some developers have capitalized on that growing interest. In Charleston, for instance, Adam Monroe said his company, Middle Street Partners, had focused on flood mitigation in the past few years. The group is working on two developments in the region, and both include important features to manage storm water and ensure that operations can continue in case of flooding.

Michael Maher, chief executive of the WestEdge Foundation, which is behind a redevelopment project in one of the most vulnerable parts of Charlestons peninsula, is also taking mitigation seriously. The complex, which abuts the Ashley River, has been built with a robust drainage system and roads that are elevated several feet above grade, allowing them to act like protective embankments.

Investors combine the mitigation information from developers with data from climate modeling software to create a comprehensive sense of a projects risk, and then decide whether to move forward. But some struggle to align competing results from different assessments.
Brenda Mallory, chairwoman of the council, described the regulation as restoring basic community safeguards that the Trump administration had eliminated.

Patching these holes in the environmental review process will help projects get built faster, be more resilient, and provide greater benefits to people who live nearby, she said in a statement.

The move comes as President Bidens climate agenda faces headwinds from Congress and the courts. The president also is under pressure to boost oil production as a way to temper high gas prices across the United States. Last week the Interior Department said it would begin offering oil and gas drilling leases on public lands and waters, despite Mr. Bidens campaign promise that he would end new leases. Senior administration officials this week maintained the leasing decision was necessary because of a court ruling, and said that it had also raised federal royalties that companies must pay to drill.

On Friday, which is Earth Day, Mr. Biden will be in Seattle, where aides said he is expected to give a speech highlighting efforts to expand solar energy and offshore wind farms as well as clean energy initiatives that Congress authorized last year as part of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.

Administration officials said the new rule would not have major immediate impacts since the Biden administration had already been weighing the climate change impacts of proposed projects. But it would force future administrations to abide by the process or undertake a lengthy regulatory process and possibly legal challenges to again undo it.
What happens in China doesnt stay in China. Certainly not when it comes to global warming.

China produces the largest share of greenhouse gases warming the planet right now, and in the coming decades, it could catch up to the United States unenviable record as the largest emitter in history. So Chinas economic choices, and the fuels it chooses to power its growth, have profound implications for the climate crisis.

Heres what you need to know about whats happening with the Chinese economy and how it impacts our collective ability to rein in global temperature rise.

1. China is in the throes of a building boom to jump start its economy.

Start by reading my colleague Keith Bradshers story from Beijing. As he wrote last week, the government of President Xi Jinping has scrambled in recent months to try to reverse a slowdown in economic growth caused by many things, including rising oil and gas prices brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lots of construction is underway, Keith told me, including infrastructure projects like high-speed rail lines. That has already affected global emissions: According to the International Energy Agency, China accounted for the largest share of the surge in carbon dioxide emissions in 2021. And that surge exceeded the decline in emissions in 2020, during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is not a complaint anyone will make about most of Rolos cooking, which tends toward bright, punchy flavors. The dry-style Sichuan cabbage  fried, grilled and showered with powdered Sichuan peppercorns and other spices  is compelling in exactly the way I imagine the mala-flavored Doritos sold in Asia must be. Grilled chicken stacked over garlic bread gets an appealingly sweet layer of heat from a pepper relish made with Fresno chiles.

The most interesting thing to come out of the kitchen, weirdly enough, may be a side dish of potatoes. The starting point is the Dutch treatment of French fries called patatje oorlog, which translates as war fries. Rolos uses fried, skin-on potato wedges instead of ordinary fries, and while they are very crisp and very good on their own, you might not remember them if they were not buried under raw onions, fiery Indonesian peanut sauce and a quantity of mayonnaise that is rarely seen outside a jar.

By day, Rolos pastry chef and head baker, Kelly Mencin, turns out sticky and lightly caramelized Zeeuwse bolussen, the Dutch cinnamon buns, and other sweets, along with the focaccias that helped get Rolos through the pandemic. By night, her desserts are simple, sensible and meticulous: a tart with a brown-butter crust and a filling of sour cherries, or a cross between a sundae and a Pavlova that serves as showcase for winter citrus.

Certain first impressions I drew from the Slovakian riesling that Rolos delivered were unwarranted. The list is not an ode to the Danube, and nothing on it is still as cheap as $17. (About half of the 100 or so bottles cost between $50 and $70.) I wasnt wrong, though, to think that somebody with an eye for value and out-of-the-way regions was in charge. Ben Howell, the general manager, gathered all the cool appellations, and a few that are waiting to be let into the club, before turning the keys to the cellar over to Harrison Weiss.
It matters that we know not only how many people died, but who they were, and when they died, said Stephen MacFeely, director of data and analytics for the World Health Organization. As we come out of the eye of the storm, this is when you talk about learning lessons.

There is, for example, fierce debate among epidemiologists about whether Africans are dying of Covid-19 at the same rate as people elsewhere in the world, and, if they are not, about what might be protecting them.

When countries dont know who has died or how, it complicates efforts to reduce preventable deaths. The government of Sierra Leone allocates its budget, as many developing countries do, based in part on models provided by UNICEF, the W.H.O., the World Bank and other multilateral agencies that project the number of people who will be killed there each year by malaria, typhoid, car accidents, cancer, AIDS and childbirth. These models are built on global estimates, and draw on dozens of studies and individual research projects, which can do a reasonably good job of estimating the larger picture but are sometimes far less accurate at the national level. As Dr. Jha explains it, malaria data that came from Tanzania or Malawi isnt necessarily going to be accurate for Sierra Leone, even though all three countries are in Africa.
In a springy sign of optimism  illusionary or otherwise!  this years New Directors/New Films is returning to theaters full throttle. New Yorks Covid numbers are creeping up again, but the festival, a joint venture of Film at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art, has ditched the virtual for the physical. So, if you would like to check out the selections at the 51st edition, which runs through May 1, you will need to do so in person. And while masks are not required, they are recommended by the organizers.

From its inception, New Directors has focused on younger or at least less-established filmmakers, many grappling with social and political issues. In a bad year, that means the event is little more than a grab bag of nice tries and misses. In a good year, though  and this is one  the event can feel like the unrulier, at times more adventurous younger sibling of the New York Film Festival. The strength of this years lineup is heralded by the strong opening-night selection, Audrey Diwans Happening, a gutsy, smart, involving French drama about a college students agonizing effort to secure an abortion in 1963, when the procedure was illegal. Ill have more to say about the movie when it opens May 6.

As usual, most of the slate has been culled from other festivals, including a half-dozen standouts from Sundance. Among these is Nikyatu Jusus Nanny, about a young Senegalese woman working for a white Manhattan family with an adorable daughter and the kind of nice, agonizingly polite, broadly smiling parents who, if they were any weirder, could have featured roles in a sequel to Get Out. With firm directorial control, an expressionistic palette and a transfixing lead turn from Anna Diop, Nanny shrewdly draws from African folklore and old-school Hollywood horror freak-outs to tell an emotionally engaging, up-to-the-second story of class, gender and race  which means its also about power.
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Their plans were bold, with no room for devastation.

They would leave their hometown and journey 6,500 miles to New York City together and take jobs, any kind, that allowed them to send money back to family. Eventually, they would return to enjoy grandchildren whose college funds they had helped provide, whose futures would burn bright.

GuiYing Ma and her husband, Zhanxin Gao, had ventured out of their city of Fushun, in northeastern China, only a handful of times.

They were both 56 years old, childhood schoolmates whose lives had been entwined for longer than their nearly four decades of marriage. Much of their existence had been one of frugality and labor  working at a steel factory, selling vegetables at a market. Neither had learned any English.
Mr. Adams filed for an extension on filing his taxes after testing positive for the coronavirus on April 10, Mr. Levy said. The mayor paid his estimated taxes on Monday, Mr. Levy said; the extension would give Mr. Adams until Oct. 15 to file.

Mr. Adams, a former Brooklyn borough president and state senator, released amended tax returns during the mayoral campaign last year after it became clear that he had failed to report rental income on his initial return.

He blamed some of the issues with his taxes on his accountant, Clarence Harley, who Mr. Adams said had lost his home and was living in a shelter. Mr. Adams told The City last year that he took responsibility for keeping him as his accountant.

I was not going to throw him away when he was down on his luck, Mr. Adams said.

Mr. Adams has a new accountant, Edgar James, whose office is listed at an address on Court Street near Brooklyn Borough Hall, Mr. Levy said.

Mr. James confirmed in a phone interview that he was the mayors accountant and that he had previously worked as a revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service.
In the streets of New York, a ritual is set to clockwork: At an appointed hour, an untold number of New Yorkers descend from their homes to do what they must to avoid a parking ticket for disregarding street-cleaning rules.

But with the pandemic forcing many conventions of the city to be scaled back, what had been a twice-weekly dance became a once-a-week ritual in 2020. Motorists saw it as a welcome reprieve; those who favor cleaner streets over polluting cars saw it quite differently.

Now, as New York slowly returns to normal, the city is bringing back the twice-a-week requirement.

The announcement, made on Monday by Mayor Eric Adams, may seem modest in nature. But it still provoked intense reactions  a nod to the deeply conflicted relationship New Yorkers have with cars, parking and their sometimes latent recognition that cars conflict with their environmental principles.

It went on for far too long and it largely sidelined the best cleanup tool in our arsenal, which is the mechanical broom, Jessica Tisch, the citys new sanitation commissioner, said in an interview on Monday. And I think that has made a meaningful difference in the cleanliness of every neighborhood in this city.
The citys Taxi & Limousine Commission, which oversees taxis and for-hire vehicles, including Ubers and Lyfts, said on Tuesday that drivers and riders in those vehicles would continue to be required to wear masks as well.

Uber had said on Tuesday that it would stop requiring masks in the United States. Lyft followed with a similar announcement, but both companies said local regulations would supersede their own rules.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the three major airports in the New York metropolitan area as well as interstate buses and bus terminals, said it would follow the local guidance in each state. Mask mandates remain in effect on the interstate PATH system and in two of the areas three airports, Kennedy International Airport and La Guardia, which are both in New York City.

But in neighboring New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy ended the mask mandate for New Jersey Transit and facilities operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority, including the Atlantic City International Airport. Masks will also no longer be required at Newark Liberty International Airport, the third major airport operated by the Port Authority, or at airports in Connecticut.

Several health experts urged caution about rolling back mask mandates on public transport. Dr. Linsey Marr, an expert on airborne disease transmission, said although the citys subway system has good air filtration and ventilation systems, those tools are no match for crowded buses or trains packed shoulder-to-shoulder with riders.

When its standing room only, and people are really in each others faces, it is not enough, Dr. Marr said. Its a lot of people sharing the air together.

She also said that she believed transit leaders nationwide should have waited for health trends to improve further before doing away with mask requirements.
The U.S. attorney in Manhattan raised the prospect on Tuesday of placing Rikers Island under a federal courts control, an extraordinary step that would amount to a no-confidence vote in New York Citys ability to reverse the crisis that has intensified at the jail complex over the past 18 months.

In a letter filed in federal court, the U.S. attorney, Damian Williams, wrote that the city had failed to say how it would remedy the chaos and added that if it did not make dramatic systemic reforms and bring in outside experts, his office would be left with no other option but to seek more aggressive relief.

That could include seeking the appointment of an outside official to run the jail, the letter said.

The letter was filed with a federal judge, Laura Taylor Swain, who has presided over the long-running case that led to the appointment of a monitor who oversees reforms at the complex. The citys jail system now has about 7,700 uniformed staff with a majority on Rikers Island, a complex with eight separate jails that hold about 5,500 people.

A receiver  whom the court would appoint to run the complex directly  could face fewer obstacles in improving conditions at Rikers. The daily absenteeism of more than a third of the correction officers has led to inhumane conditions for detainees and staff alike. Sixteen people held in city jails died last year, the most since 2013, and three more have already died this year.
The backbone of Germanys economy today is the car industry. Its not just that it accounts for about 10 percent of G.D.P.; brands like Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen are recognized around the world as symbols of German industrial ingenuity and excellence. These companies spend millions on branding and advertising to ensure they are thought of this way. They spend less money and energy on discussing their roots. These corporations can trace their success directly back to Nazis: Ferdinand Porsche persuaded Hitler to put Volkswagen into production. His son, Ferry Porsche, who built up the company, was a voluntary SS officer. Herbert Quandt, who built BMW into what it is today, committed war crimes. So did Friedrich Flick, who came to control Daimler-Benz. Unlike Mr. Quandt, Mr. Flick was convicted at Nuremberg.

This isnt exactly a secret in modern Germany, but it is happily ignored. These titans of industry, the men who played a central role in building the countrys postwar economic miracle, are still widely championed and celebrated for their business acumen, if not their wartime deeds. Their names adorn buildings, foundations and prizes. In a country that is so often praised for its culture of remembrance and contrition, an honest, transparent acknowledgment of the wartime activities of some of Germanys richest families remains, at best, an afterthought. But until these companies  and Germany  are more open about the Nazi history of their patriarchs, reckoning will remain incomplete.

Ive been reporting on these families for a decade, first as a reporter for Bloomberg News, then while writing a book about German business dynasties and their Third Reich histories. Ive pored over hundreds of historical documents and academic studies, as well as many memoirs. Ive spoken to historians and visited archives across Germany and beyond. And Ive been shocked by what I learned.

Take the Quandts. Today, two of the familys heirs have a net worth of roughly $38 billion, control BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, and have significant holdings in the chemical and technology industries. The familys patriarchs, Gunther Quandt and his son Herbert Quandt, were members of the Nazi Party who subjected as many as 57,500 people to forced or slave labor in their factories, producing weapons and batteries for the German war effort. Gunther Quandt acquired companies from Jews who were forced to sell their businesses at below market value and from others who had their property seized after Germany occupied their countries. Herbert Quandt helped with at least two such dubious acquisitions and also oversaw the planning, building and dismantling of an uncompleted concentration subcamp in Poland.
Growing up in the 1970s, one got a good snootful of what today might be wrongly described as critical race theory: The film Sounder, in the wake of a prominent novel, offered a searing depiction of sharecropping. The made-for-TV epic The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, also based on a novel, took us through a sweep of history from slavery to segregation. The Roots mini-series, watched by millions (all at the same time, in a way thats probably hard to imagine for those too young to remember life before D.V.R.s), portrayed the trans-Atlantic slave trade and plantation barbarity in a way American audiences hadnt seen. As Charlayne Hunter-Gault reported for The Times in 1977, a Black economist in Philadelphia said, It has made the brutality of slavery more vivid for me than anything Ive seen or read. To refresh a sense of what an event Roots was at the time, recall that the cast included some of the biggest names of the day, including John Amos, Lloyd Bridges and Sandy Duncan. Cicely Tyson, who passed away last year, starred in Sounder, Miss Jane Pittman and Roots.

Meanwhile, the novelist Judy Blume pushed the envelope with coming-of-age stories  what we might now call Y.A. fiction  including 1970s Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret. and an even more envelope-pushing one, 1975s Forever  that depicted teenagers embarking on a sexual relationship. I recall Forever , especially, getting around as a kind of contraband among curious adolescents, with its unblushingly frank descriptions. And it was part of a general trope of the time: For example, in 1978, the network TV series James at 16 (previously titled James at 15) depicted a young man losing his virginity.

No doubt, these offerings gave a broader audience a different awareness of racism and sexuality. It was a new American popular culture, and one felt enlightened to be a part of it. Did Roots cause some Black people (and maybe some white people) to doubt or even denounce the American experiment? Maybe. At the time, reportedly, Ronald Reagan said, I thought the bias of all the good people being one color and all the bad people being another was rather destructive. Towering figure though he was, that seems like the wrong takeaway from the mini-series. And I doubt anyone today traces any kind of woke oppositional sentiment to that show or others of the time. Did Forever  encourage some teenagers to try what its characters did? Maybe. And clearly some take issue with that  its on one of the American Library Associations lists of most frequently challenged books. But surely it was more that Forever  reflected what people were already doing (The Pill, anyone?) than that the book suddenly transformed the culture.

So we should consider whether Roots and Forever  were really dangerous when assessing todays penchant for book-banning on the political right. Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story, a childrens book recounting the authors experiences as a 6-year-old desegregating a school in New Orleans, was characterized as anti-white by a Tennessee Moms for Liberty chapter trying to prevent it from being taught in schools. But consider that Roots negatively portrayed white people who were either enslavers or who tolerated slavery, and Im not aware of any effort now to ban it. There was even a 2016 Roots reboot on the History channel.
Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah are two of the most prominent constitutional conservatives in the Senate. They built their political careers on their supposed fidelity to the Constitution and the original intent of the founding fathers. Cruz made his constitutional conservatism the centerpiece of his 2016 campaign for president, while Lee has written three books on the founding era and presents himself, to the public, as a constitutional scholar rather than a mere politician.

It is interesting, then, that Lee and Cruz were among the Republican senators most involved in Donald Trumps attempt to subvert the Constitution and install himself in office against the will of the voters.

As The Washington Post reported last month, Cruz worked directly with Trump to concoct a plan that came closer than widely realized to keeping him in power. According to this plan, Cruz would object to and delay the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6 in favor of a 10-day election audit that would give Trump-friendly state legislatures time to overturn the result and send new electors to Congress.

And as CNN reported last week, Lee was in close contact with Mark Meadows, then the White House chief of staff, in the months, weeks and days before the Jan. 6 attack. Lee supported and encouraged the presidents effort to overturn the election, with both ideas and political assistance. I have an additional idea for the campaign, he wrote to Meadows on Nov. 23, 2020. Something is not right in a few states. I think it could be proven or disproven easily with an audit (a physical counting of all ballots cast) in PA, WI, GA, and MI.
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In May 2020, Omar Ruiz found himself with a broken heart. My wife told me she was no longer in love with me, and shortly thereafter, the couple, who had been married 11 years, separated.

Not only was he crushed, he said, but as a marriage and family therapist, this entire process challenged my professional identity, said Mr. Ruiz, who is 36 and lives in Boston. How could I help couples when my own marriage is falling apart?

And so he determined that he needed to fall out of love.

People say heartbreak is normal, so we shouldnt try to fix it, said Sandra Langeslag, an associate professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who has studied the effects of breakups on the brain. But she points out there are plenty of common, and even serious, diseases that we try to cure, so why shouldnt we try to help people with heartbreak and try to move on?
U.S. and European officials talk incessantly about making more of the worlds advanced computer chips anywhere other than Taiwan, which they consider vulnerable to Chinese invasion or influence. Theyre on a mission to make more chips in the U.S. and Europe and want to spend taxpayer dollars to do so.

Apple doesnt seem so worried. For years to come, Apple has planned for devices rolling off assembly lines to continue relying on chips made largely in Taiwan.

Apple has a track record of bending global technology manufacturing to its will, and the company has lobbied for more computer chips to be made in America. But Apple and other big buyers of chips do not seem to have made it a priority and are not seriously using their influence over suppliers to speed up the building of chip factories in the U.S., Japan or Europe.

The industry is not raising this as something that they need to see some action on immediately, said Brett Simpson, a computer chip specialist and partner at the investment firm Arete Research.
Elon Musk is racing to secure funding for his $43 billion bid to buy Twitter.

Morgan Stanley, the investment bank working with Mr. Musk on the potential deal, has been calling banks and other potential investors to shore up financing for the offer, four people with knowledge of the situation said. Mr. Musk is first focused on raising debt and has not yet begun to seek equity financing for his bid, one of the people said.

Mr. Musk is evaluating various packages of debt, including more senior debt known as preferred debt and a loan against his shares of Tesla, the electric carmaker that he runs, two of the people said. Apollo Global Management, an alternative asset manager, is among the parties considering offering debt financing in a bid for Twitter. The equity he needs is likely to be sizable.

Mr. Musk is aiming to pull together a fully funded offer as soon as this week, one of the people said, though that timeline is far from certain. The people with knowledge of the discussions were not authorized to speak publicly because the details are confidential and in flux.

It is unclear if Mr. Musks efforts will be successful, but they go toward addressing a key question about his Twitter bid. Last week, Mr. Musk, the worlds wealthiest man, made an unsolicited offer for the social media company, saying that he wanted to take it private and that he wanted people to be able to speak more freely on the service. But his offer was regarded skeptically by Wall Street because he did not include details about how he would come up with the money for the deal.
A construction worker was tearing out a wall inside a century-old Beaux-Arts convention center in Oakland, Calif., on March 9 when he made a gruesome discovery: a mummified body, believed to be that of a man in the late stages of decay, a police spokeswoman said.

Who he was and how he got there were a mystery, but it was immediately clear that he had been there for a long time, possibly years, the authorities said. What was remarkable, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office said, was that his remains were better preserved in the wall than if they would have been out in the elements.

In effect, they became mummified, the spokesman, Lt. Ray Kelly, said.

The discovery came as the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center was undergoing a $64.5 million renovation that the Oakland City Council approved in 2019. The 215,000-square-foot hall, which opened near the southern shore of Lake Merritt in 1914 as the Oakland Civic Auditorium, hosted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and concerts by Elvis Presley, James Brown, Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead, among many others, according to the East Bay Times. It closed in 2005.

A decade ago, the center was the site of a violent confrontation between the police and members of the Occupy movement in which three officers were injured and about 200 demonstrators were arrested.
The man who fatally shot Jacqueline Avant, a philanthropist and the wife of the music producer Clarence Avant, during a burglary at their home in Beverly Hills, Calif., in December was sentenced on Tuesday to 190 years in prison, the authorities said.

The man, Aariel Maynor, 30, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court last month to first-degree murder, attempted murder, firearm possession and residential burglary for killing Ms. Avant, 81, and trying to kill her security guard, according to a sentencing memorandum.

Mr. Maynor broke into the Avants home in Beverly Hills early on Dec. 1 and shot Ms. Avant in the back with a rifle, according to the memorandum. She had been at home with her husband, whom police officers found cradling her head on the floor after she was shot. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

As he fled the Avants home, Mr. Maynor fired between four and eight shots at a security guard outside but missed, the memorandum said. It is unclear if he took anything from the home.
As major U.S. airlines dropped their mask mandates in response to a federal judges ruling, public transit systems across the country scrambled to adapt on Tuesday. New York, San Francisco and Milwaukee kept requirements in place, while systems in Atlanta, Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia allowed riders to drop their masks, as did the nationwide Amtrak rail system.

In Philadelphia, the decision led to an odd juxtaposition: The city last week reinstated its mask mandate for indoor public spaces, becoming the first major U.S. city to do so this spring. But a statement late Monday announced an end to the requirement on city trains and buses, and in stations and concourses.

Officials with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, wrestled with a response to the judges ruling. It was a bit of a scramble, said Andrew Busch, the Philadelphia agencys spokesman. The overriding concern was that keeping the mask requirement would create challenges for employees charged with enforcing it, who have already faced pushback and harassment.

We wanted to try to reassure our employees that they wouldnt be in a difficult position of trying to figure out how to tell people that this was required, when the mechanism for requiring it was no longer in place, Mr. Busch said.
Lawyers for the family of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man shot dead by a white police officer in Grand Rapids, Mich., said on Tuesday that a private autopsy showed he was fatally shot in the back of the head by the officer after a struggle during a traffic stop.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Werner Spitz, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, said that the bullet went through Mr. Lyoyas skull when he was shot on April 4, and that it was lodged under the skin.

Theres no question what killed this young man, Dr. Spitz said. The pathologist, whose experience includes high-profile investigations such as the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said the only injury on Mr. Lyoyas body was the bullet wound.

Reading the autopsy, Ben Crump, a lawyer for the family, said that Mr. Lyoya, 26, was conscious and aware that a gun was being held to his head. The fragmentation at the entrance wound on Mr. Lyoyas skull suggested that the firing of the gun was a contact shot, Mr. Crump said, meaning the gun was pressed to his head.
Gary Chambers Jr. burst onto the national scene in 2020 with a viral video of him castigating the racism of the East Baton Rouge school district. Now, he has captured the hearts and wallets of young liberals with a video for his improbable Senate campaign that shows him smoking a large joint and calling for the legalization of marijuana.

He has almost no paths to victory over a sitting Republican senator in a red state like Louisiana. But he has raised $1.2 million.

The same most likely goes for the Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, a gay minister who has raised $1.4 million to oust Representative Madison Cawthorn, the far-right Republican, from his North Carolina seat. And for Marcus Flowers, a cowboy-hat-wearing veteran in Georgia who raised $2.4 million just in the first three months of the year to try to dislodge Marjorie Taylor Greene from a heavily Republican district.

Every election year in recent cycles, celebrity Democratic candidates have emerged  either on the strength of their personalities, the notoriety of their Republican opponents or both  to rake in campaign cash, then lose impossible elections. Some Democrats say such races are draining money from more winnable campaigns, but the candidates insist that even in losing, they are helping the party by pulling voters in for statewide races, bolstering the Democratic brand and broadening the partys appeal.
U.S. authorities have not released figures on how many Ukrainian children have been separated from caregivers, but volunteers working with the refugees said they have counted at least 50. Up to 20 children have lately been arriving daily in Tijuana with someone other than a parent, they said. Often these children have a father who could not leave the country because men must support the war effort and a mother who could not travel. Their parents entrusted someone else to ferry them to the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the anti-trafficking law defines any child who is not with a parent or legal guardian as unaccompanied, and requires that the child be transferred to a government shelter for care and custody, and be screened for signs of human trafficking.

Any potential guardian must, by law, be vetted prior to reunification to protect against trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.

Migrant advocates concede there is a risk of children becoming vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation amid the chaos of war, but say U.S. authorities are enforcing the law inconsistently, sowing confusion and heartache. Sometimes a child traveling with an adult sibling has been removed to a shelter, but not always. Many children have been separated from aunts, grandparents or friends; others have been released to continue on with them.

Last month, Molly Surazhsky of Brooklyn, the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, escorted Liza Krasulia, 17, whose mother is a close family friend, from where she had escaped the war in Poland to the southern border.

Ms. Surazhsky said she had consulted an immigration lawyer in New York who had said that she did not foresee any problems. They carried a notarized letter from the parent giving Ms. Surazhsky authority to care for Liza.

But on March 30 at the border, officials told them that they would have to hold the girl for up to two days. They said, She will be treated better than we are, Ms. Surazhksy recalled.
Your Office Is More Annoying Than You Remembered. Heres How to Handle It.

The gossip, the loud talker and the nosy colleague are all manageable with the right mind-set.

Illustrations by Albert Tercero

After two years of working from home during the pandemic, and plenty of false starts, employees are officially heading back to work as the R.T.O., or return to office, is in full swing.

Roughly 60 percent of U.S. workers who could work from home were still signing in remotely as of January, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center, as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus set back R.T.O. plans. But now companies like Google are insisting that their workers return to the office on hybrid work schedules.

For many workers, the commuter train has already left the station. And after controlling our own environment at home, returning to work means well be faced with annoying behaviors among our colleagues again: loud talkers, nosy cubicle mates, the olfactory emanations of the shared microwave.

How do we confront these people  and how do we check our emotions, which may be in overdrive after working in relative isolation, to keep ourselves from snapping?

Consider this a fresh start for everybody, said Darian Lewis, who, with his wife, Monica, founded the Monica Lewis School of Etiquette in Houston. You know all those things you wanted to change in your workplace prior to the pandemic, but you just couldnt figure out how to do it? he said. Well, seize the opportunity right now.

Lindsey Pollak, a workplace expert and the author of Recalculating: Navigate Your Career Through the Changing World of Work, said there are three things to keep in mind when youre getting back in the groove. Acknowledge that we are out of shape dealing with other people, she said. Lower your expectations and assume that youre going to have some annoyances. And really give thought to the new habits that you want to create from Day 1, and be deliberate about making changes now.

And before you fume that, once again, Bob is leaving his unwashed mug in the break room sink for someone else to deal with, check yourself, said Sozan Miglioli, a Zen Buddhist priest and president of the San Francisco Zen Center.

Theres actually a big difference between responding and reaction, Mr. Miglioli said. What I do is pause, breathe and connect with the present moment.

That pause will give you a chance to choose your battles, said Dr. Jody J. Foster, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of The Schmuck in My Office: How to Deal Effectively With Difficult People at Work.

Ask yourself, Is this a battle I need to have because its truly getting in the way of my work, or am I just being crispy because Im so used to being alone during the pandemic and having everything the exact way I wanted it? she said.

Heres how to deal quickly and effectively with some of the most irritating workplace habits.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Several explosions outside an education center and a public high school in Afghanistans capital on Tuesday killed at least six people and wounded at least a dozen more, many of them students, including one as young as 7.

The attacks, whose final casualty figures could be much higher based on reports from the area hospitals treating the victims, were a gruesome reminder of the dangers that persist in Afghanistan despite the Talibans promise to establish security across the country after 20 years of war.

Both the education center and the school targeted on Tuesday are in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of the capital, Kabul, an area dominated by Shiites that was frequently targeted by both the Taliban insurgency and other militant groups under the previous Western-backed government. In a particularly devastating attack last year, bombs were set off outside a girls school in the neighborhood, killing at least 90 people, many of them teenage girls leaving class.

The explosions on Tuesday stoked deep-seated fears among the Shiite community that they remain greatly at risk despite pledges by the Taliban, a movement of mostly hard-line Sunni Muslims, to end decades of bloodshed against them. Scores of Afghan Shiites were killed under the Talibans first period of rule in the 1990s.
HONG KONG  On a damp Monday morning in Hong Kong, Freeman Ng looked out from the upper deck of the Star Ferry as it approached land. A sailor tossed a heavy rope to a colleague on the pier, who looped it around a bollard as the swoosh of the waves crashed against the green and white vessel pulling in from Victoria Harbor.

Mr. Ng, 43, commutes from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island on the ferry most weekdays. The subway would be much faster, but Mr. Ng prefers to cross the harbor by boat. The feeling is better on the ferry, he said, taking in the salt air.

Hong Kong has had many casualties over the last three years. Mass social unrest in 2019 scared off tourists and hit restaurateurs and hoteliers. Coronavirus restrictions wiped out thousands of mom-and-pop shops. But the prospect of losing the Star Ferry  a 142-year-old institution  has resonated differently.
The surgeon was in the middle of operating on a patient when the squad of soldiers entered the hospital looking for doctors to arrest. A receptionist alerted the surgeon, Dr. Kyaw Swar, but it was too late for him to stop the procedure.

Hoping to avoid attention, he ran out into the hallway and collected the shoes that he and his colleagues had left outside the operating room door  a telltale sign that surgery was underway. Moments later, the soldiers walked noisily past the operating theater.

If they had found us, they would have arrested us, Dr. Kyaw Swar said. But I will not run away while I am operating on a patient. It is not a crime for a doctor to treat patients.

Dr. Kyaw Swars close call last month came as Myanmars security forces intensify their crackdown on doctors who oppose the military junta that seized power 14 months ago. Doctors have been at the forefront of a nationwide civil disobedience movement that has crippled the economy, and the regime has targeted health care workers from the start.
All it took was one confirmed Covid case among the 2.4 million residents of Wuhu, a city in the farmland of eastern China, for the government there to lock down residents without warning.

After watching Shanghai  Chinas richest, most sophisticated metropolis  humbled and traumatized by the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and a resulting weekslong shutdown, officials across the country have every incentive to jump early, even if residents have no time to prepare.

Inhabitants of the urban districts of Wuhu in Anhui Province awoke on Sunday morning to official orders to stay at home and get tested  daily  until the government decides that it has stamped out cases of the Omicron variant, which is straining Chinas zero Covid policy to its limits.

The Wuhu government said it took the drastic step after one school student tested positive. Despite the stay-at-home command, many in Wuhu rushed out to stock up on food before the restrictions took full force, videos and pictures online show.
Ministers caught lying to Parliament are expected to resign under rules written in what is known as the ministerial code. As recently as 2018, a Conservative lawmaker, Amber Rudd, quit as home secretary after admitting that she had inadvertently misled lawmakers over government targets for removing illegal immigrants.

The ministerial code is quite clear: deliberately misleading Parliament is a resigning offense since it prevents Parliament doing its job of scrutiny, said Vernon Bogdanor, an expert on constitutional issues and professor of government at Kings College London. The trouble is that there is no means of enforcing this principle against a prime minister if his party continues to support him.

Indeed, the ultimate arbiter of the ministerial code is the prime minister himself. Mr. Johnson has disregarded this system of checks and balances before, in 2020, when they involved a member of his government.

That was when Mr. Johnsons independent ethics adviser, Alex Allan, concluded that the home secretary, Priti Patel, had breached the ministerial code in her treatment of members of her staff, even if she was not aware she was bullying them. Despite that finding, Mr. Johnson decided that Ms. Patel had not breached the code and should not resign, and it was ultimately Mr. Allan who quit.

Now Mr. Johnson is in the odd position of being a prime minister who is accused of breaking the code, making him effectively the judge and jury in his own case. He has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down, declaring that the best way to come back from this scandal is to deliver on behalf of the British people.

Its something the people who drew up the ministerial code didnt really anticipate happening, said Hannah White, deputy director of the Institute for Government, a London-based think tank. Under what she called the good chap theory of government, the prime minister would typically have resigned before getting to this point.

The lack of any mechanism to punish a prime minister who is found to have misled Parliament, Ms. White said, exposed a flaw in Britains unwritten constitution and political arrangements.
KHARKIV, Ukraine  Russias initial invasion of Ukraine in February relied on a rapid advance of tanks and helicopter assaults deep into the country  two strategies that ultimately failed and cost Moscow a significant number of casualties.

Now, Russia has launched a new campaign with a narrower goal focused primarily on capturing Ukraines east, and it promises to be much more methodical, according to Ukrainian and U.S. officials.

Instead of lightning attacks from the Russian front lines, Moscows forces  arrayed in a semicircle that stretches west to east from the city of Izium to Sieverodonetsk  have increased their artillery barrages and sent small detachments of troops to probe Ukrainian lines. Many of the Ukrainian troops that are in this region, known as the Donbas, are entrenched in earthworks that have been there for the better part of a decade.

Known as shaping operations in military circles, these smaller Russian attacks are often precursors to larger troop movements, or serve as a distraction from other fronts. In the past several days the Russians have sent around 11 more battalion tactical groups into the Donbas, bringing the number there to around 75, according to Pentagon officials. Each group has roughly a thousand troops.
BRUSSELS  The race is on.

As columns of Russian troops began pouring into Ukraine nearly two months ago, the United States and its allies started supplying Kyiv with weapons and equipment for what many expected to be a short war: sniper rifles, helmets, medical kits, encrypted communications, lots of bullets and the portable, shoulder-held Stinger and Javelin missiles that quickly became icons of the conflict.

Defying the odds, Ukraine held on to its capital and pushed Russia from the north. Now, as the Kremlin switches gears and begins a concerted effort to capture eastern Ukraine, Washington and its allies are pivoting as well, scrambling to supply Ukraine with bigger and more advanced weapons to defend itself in a grinding war.

The West is focused on sending longer-range weapons like howitzers, antiaircraft systems, anti-ship missiles, armed drones, armored trucks, personnel carriers and even tanks  the type of arms that President Biden said were tailored to stop the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine.
LVIV, Ukraine  Christian Borys was at home in Toronto in February trying to find a way to help Ukrainians threatened by war when he decided to print some stickers from an internet meme: the Virgin Mary hoisting an antitank missile.

Mr. Borys, who had worked for the e-commerce platform Shopify before turning to journalism, said he created a website in half an hour, hoping to raise money to send to a charity for Ukrainian orphans. That night, he made 88 Canadian dollars in sales. By the time he added T-shirts at the end of February, the threat of war had turned into a full-scale invasion, and he said sales grew to 170,000 Canadian dollars a day  most coming from the United States.

The internet speaks in memes and it just became this crazy, viral sensation, he said. I think its because people were looking for a symbol of support, a way to support Ukraine, because they saw the whole injustice of everything.
The director general of the World Health Organization arrived in India on Monday for a visit that comes amid a dispute over Indias Covid-19 death count.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is on a three-day trip to India, where he is scheduled to take part in events with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat, the Indian leaders home state.

The New York Times reported last week that Indian officials were delaying the public release of a report by the W.H.O. that found the global death toll of Covid-19 was about 15 million by the end of 2021, more than double the official total of six million reported by countries individually. More than a third of the additional nine million deaths are estimated to have occurred in India, where the government stood by its own count of about 520,000.

The Indian government said in a statement over the weekend in response to the article that it had concerns it has shared with the W.H.O. in formal letters and meetings about the organizations methodology. Indias basic objection has not been with the result (whatever they might have been) but rather the methodology adopted for the same, the federal health ministry said.
Martin Griffiths, the top humanitarian chief at the United Nations, said he tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday as he was visiting the U.N. headquarters in New York from a recent trip to Afghanistan, Russia and Ukraine.

Mr. Griffiths met on Monday with the U.N.s secretary general, Antonio Guterres, but everyone in the room was wearing masks and social distancing was observed, according to Stephane Dujarric, the secretary generals spokesman.

Mr. Dujarric said all meetings with Mr. Guterres, who is 72, follow strict masking and distancing protocols, and members of his staff are routinely tested. However, the U.N. headquarters no longer enforces masking and testing to enter the building, Mr. Dujarric said.

Mr. Griffiths appeared unmasked at a briefing with reporters on Monday and several reporters in attendance were also not masked. Journalists at the U.N.s daily briefings are often asked to take off their masks when asking questions, a request that can potentially expose them to the virus if anyone in the room happens to have the virus but is asymptomatic.
A Kentucky man won $450,000 in a lawsuit against his former employer who allegedly fired him for having a panic attack and leaving his own surprise birthday party.

Kevin Berling suffers from an anxiety disorder that causes him to suffer panic attacks whenever he is the center of attention in a large group of people. It was for this specific reason that he asked his bosses at Gravity Diagnostics in Covington, a Kentucky medical lab, not to throw him a surprise birthday party, in 2019. However, a manager at the company claims he forgot about Berlings request, so they threw a birthday party for him anyway. That caused Kevin to have a panic attack and storm out of his own celebration, which later caused him to lose his job.

Photo: Al Elmes/Unsplash

According to Kenton County court filings, Kevin Berlings surprise birthday party took place on August 7, 2019. It didnt go as well as his bosses and colleagues had planned, as the birthday boy himself suffered a panic attack and ran out of the office to his car.

Berlings reaction didnt sit too well with Gravity Diagnostics bosses, who later confronted Berling about his unusual reaction, accusing him of depriving his colleagues of the joy of celebrating his birthday, which only caused the man to have another panic attack.

They started giving him a pretty hard time for his response to the birthday celebration, actually accusing him of stealing his co-workers joy, Berlings lawyer, Tony Bucher, said. Being the center of attention is a source of great stress.

Photo: qimono/Pixabay

This time, Kevins reaction made Gravity Diagnostics management think that he could get angry and potentially violent, so a few days later, he was fired because of the events of the previous week. Berling then sued Gravity Diagnostics for disability discrimination and retaliation, claiming that he has suffered and is continuing to suffer from a loss of income and benefits and emotional distress and mental anxiety.

A court recently awarded Berling $450,000 as compensation, but his former employer still has the chance to appeal the judges decision. And to think it all started because they decided to throw a birthday party for the guy against his will
Javier Trevino

Javier Trevino, CEO of Mexicos Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (Business Coordinating Council), has signed on as a senior advisor at the Latin American practice of FTI Consultings strategic communications unit.

Prior to his appointment to the CCE, he was a member of Mexicos Congress. He also served as the countrys deputy foreign minister, deputy education minister, deputy finance minister for administration and spokesperson at the US embassy.

"Over the last three years, Javier has had a front-row seat to all the major unfolding policy, political and regulatory issues that materially impact the business sector in the country, said Pablo Zarate, a senior managing director in FTIs stratcomm segment.

Before his government work, Trevino was senior VP for corporate communications and PA at CEMEX, a building materials giant that has operations in more than 50 countries.
Next PR is providing pro bono PR services for Brewability, an Englewood, CO-based restaurant that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to brew and serve craft beer and pizza. Next PR will help generate awareness around Brewabilitys mission and upcoming announcements. The restaurant is Next PR's eighth client partner for its Conscious Capitalism program, which works with nonprofits and startups in need of pro bono PR services. Brewability currently employs 22 team members with disabilities, highlighting their skills by teaching them how to make beer, bartend and cook. I see the impact that Brewability makes on our employees and customers and am looking forward to more people in the Colorado area becoming familiar with what we do here, said Brewability founder and owner Tiffany Fixter.

Walt & Company is named agency of record for e-commerce platform and marketplace provider Promenade Group. The agency will operate as an extension of the Promenade marketing team, developing and implementing strategic communications to support new service launches, share Promenade news, and drive Promenade brand recognition, thought leadership and customer success. Promenade says its offerings level the playing field for neighborhood businesses, allowing them to reach and retain new customers, grow online revenue and effectively manage both online and in-store orders. We added Walt & Company to our lineup based on its creative and strategic public relations capabilities," said Promenade Group founder and CEO Farbod Shoraka.

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry has expanded its contract with digital identity company Imprivata to include the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). The agency has developed and implement PR strategies for the company in the US. The DACH campaign, will be managed from RLYLs Berlin office, will leverage the agencys healthcare experience to promote Imprivatas solutions for hospitals, patients, healthcare provider and mission-critical organizations. Because the Lorries have already demonstrated their healthcare and cybersecurity expertise working for us in the US, we know first-hand how their strong commitment to developing and executing successful PR campaigns helps us to reach the relevant players in the healthcare industry, says Imprivata VP of brand, digital and communications Leslie Keil.
An Offaly GAA Club has named its ground in memory of an iconic local family.

Durrow GAA Club's playing grounds have been named in memory of the McDermott's.

The grounds will be known as Pairc MacDiarmada for five years after the family secured naming rights for the ground.

The McDermott family got together to purchase the naming rights to honour the memory of five brothers, who graced the fields for the club in the 1940s and 1950s: Mick, who died young after an accident, Jim, Patsy, Brendan and John McDermott.

Durrow and Offaly GAA president, Brendan Ward talked about the contribution and talent of the five brothers, a couple who went to America  he noted that there was another McDermott family nearby but most of them emigrated young.

The wider McDermott family have been synonymous with Durrow GAA for decades. A second generation were long serving players and officers and a son of Mick, Tom McDermott is now the club chairman. A third generation are now flying the flag on the playing fields.

Members of the McDermott family travelled from the USA, England and throughout Ireland on Monday for a ceremony where the official naming took place.

Club chairman Tom McDermott welcomed all to the function while Charlie Kelleher spoke about the role the McDermott's have played in local community and GAA life.

Padraig McDermott spoke on behalf of the McDermott family and welcomed home all relatives from abroad. He stressed that the naming of the pitch was not designed to elevate the McDermott's above any other family. Instead, it was purely to remember the exploits of their uncles and parents as well as honouring the contribution of all other great former players and familes. He praised the current club and young players for the strides forward they are making.

Chairman of the Offaly GAA County Board Michael Duignan stated that it was a great way of remembering the past and former players. He congratulated the McDermott family and the club on the initiative.

A poem written by a famous local character, the late Tom Minnock about a 1954 junior success was read by his grandson TJ Minnock while Bernadette McDermott, home from the USA, read out the names of players who played in the 1940s and '50s.

Donal Conway, known nationally as a former president of the FAI, concluded the formal part of the day by accepting a 1954 junior medal on behalf of his father Dan, who was unable to attend.
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The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has announced the award of grants for a wide range of archaeological heritage projects under the Departments 2022 Community Monuments Fund.

Building on the impact of the scheme last year under which 139 awards were granted to an amount of just under 4.2 million, this year 128 projects are being supported with an overall investment of 6 million.

Offaly projects have been awarded 333,970 under the Community Monuments Fund.

The core objective of the Community Monuments Fund is to support the conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of local monuments and historic sites.

It contains a number of different measures aimed at enabling conservation works to be carried out on archaeological monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support, encouraging access to archaeological monuments and improving their presentation and also building resilience in archaeological monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change.

Under three Streams the Community Monuments Fund supports a broad range of measures aimed at protecting and promoting archaeological monuments, including emergency conservation repair works at monuments, masonry repair, the development of Conservation Management Plans, access infrastructure and installation of interpretation signage, and social media projects aimed at disseminating knowledge of Irelands archaeological heritage.

Speaking today, Minister Noonan said: I am delighted to announce the Community Monuments Fund awards for 2022. The increased funding we are announcing today of 6 million to 128 projects will help protect our wonderful archaeological heritage and make it more accessible to the many who cherish it.

These awards help us to deliver on various commitments under Heritage Ireland 2030, the new national heritage plan launched earlier this year. It will provide further supports for communities and custodians and the heritage sector, for archaeologists, conservation architects, stone masons, and other professional trades.

These projects will also help build resilience against extreme weather and mitigate the impacts of climate change, a priority action embedded in our Climate Adaptation Plan.

Minister Noonan added: I want to commend our National Monuments Service for their huge effort in managing the scheme and the Local Authorities for their incredible support in administering applications. I am particularly happy that we are helping to meet the ambition of local communities across Ireland in protecting their archaeological heritage.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien, TD, said: "Our archaeological monuments provide a sense of place to rural communities, villages, towns and cities across the country. With my colleague, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, TD, we have grown this Fund yet again from last year to have a real impact on communities and the monuments. The wide range of projects which have been included are testament to the rich history which surrounds us all.

Minister of State for Local Government Peter Burke also welcomed the announcement, stating: "The remarkable impact and success of the Community Monuments Fund is a result of the close working relationship between our Departments National Monuments Service and Local Authorities- the Archaeologists, Conservation Officers, Heritage Officers and planning and administrative staff and partnership with communities- showcasing their valuable role in protecting and promoting Irelands heritage. On foot of this weeks celebration of heritage through the International Day for Monuments and Sites, otherwise known as World Heritage Day, it is really fitting that such support is shown for our archaeological heritage.
Three sisters from County Offaly with a hereditary kidney condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) are enjoying the benefit of successful transplantation thanks to the gift of organ donation.

One of the three sisters has undergone two kidney transplants. Two of their cousins are also enjoying renewed health as a result of their successful transplants.

The families acknowledge that this would not be possible but for the selfless decision of six families who, at a time of grief, donated their loved ones organs.

Phil Molloy, from Kinnitty, said she was given a lifeline in August 2020, during Covid-19, when she received a call from Beaumont Hospital in the middle of the night to undergo a kidney transplant following three and half years of dialysis treatment.

Exactly a year to the day later, there was cause for more celebration for Phil and her husband Jerome when they became grandparents for the first time to baby Saoirse Cordial.

Phil managed to stave off dialysis treatment until five years ago. It was not long after her sister, Josie McGill (who lives in Laois) came off dialysis at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore after being called for a successful transplant, that Phil commenced her dialysis treatment there.

Their sister Brigid Flaherty has undergone two transplants, one which lasted ten years and the second eleven years ago which is still going strong. Sadly, in December 2020, Phils other sister Mary Murphy passed away just over two years after her other sister Veronica Harrington passed away. They were predeceased by their sister Madge who was a dialysis patient and passed away ten years ago.

Phil, a native of Clareen, was born into a family of 12 children, including five boys and seven girls. She explained six of the siblings, the girls only, were blighted with the hereditary kidney condition, polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Phils youngest sister Bernie Carroll (from Kinnitty) was fortunate not to have PKD which is a disease which causes numerous cysts to grow on the kidneys causing damage to kidney function which can lead to kidney failure.

Phil described how when her brothers and sisters were children, the hereditary condition wasnt known. Her father John Murphy passed away at the young age of 43, following years of suffering with kidney failure. Phils parents had her christened Philomena, after the name of the hospital ward, St. Philomenas, where her father spent a lot of time as a patient.

Phils cousins, Michael Coughlan, who is a neighbour of Phils (in Kinnitty), and his brother Christy Coughlan who lives in Clareen, are enjoying good health following their kidney transplants.

Phil described the transformational effects of her transplant and counts her blessings. She said, Just before my transplant I really believed I was at deaths door. I had no energy left in me and I felt unwell all the time. The tiredness was crippling. My kidney donor has given me a lifeline and I cant begin to explain the difference to how I feel now compared to when I was on dialysis waiting for a transplant.

The staff at Tullamore hospital were great. I received great care from the nursing and medical staff including my consultant nephrologist Dr Eoin Bergin who helped me manage my condition and slow down the progression of my kidney failure for as long as possible.

The transplant has changed me for the better in so many ways, both in my physical health and mentally. I now embrace my new lease of life and because of it, I can play an active part in my granddaughter Saoirses life.

While many of my extended family have been blighted with PKD I thank my blessings that both of my daughters, Pamela and Mary, do not have the disease.

Sadly, some members of our family have passed away due to complications around the disease while others have lost their battles to cancer. However, our whole extended family will always be grateful to the organ donors who have given so many of us a second chance to enjoy extended life through kidney transplantation.

The family is sharing its story in support of Organ Donor Awareness Week (23-30 April) which is organised by the Irish Kidney Association in association with Organ Donation Transplant Ireland.
A Senator has expressed his disgust at a group of four drunk men, at least one of whom is alleged to have groped a woman on a flight from Krakow in Poland to Dublin last week.

Fianna Fail Senator Timmy Dooley has called for stricter airline rules after witnessing the incident on the Ryanair flight.

He explained that antisocial or disruptive passengers should potentially face a lifetime ban from flying.

While speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Senator Dooley referred to the behaviour of the men as 'outrageous'.

The Mountshannon native elaborated: "The flight got delayed for various reasons for about an hour, so we were sitting on the ground for longer than expected: it seemed to have encouraged a number of passengers to partake in whatever duty free or whatever purchases they had made at the airport.

"They got quite drunk and quite disorderly as the flight eventually took off, (and) for those passengers with young children or who were seated close to them, they really were very disruptive.

"A number of passengers were crying. One, in particular, was groped as she passed by one of the individuals. They wouldn't wear masks. They started walking around against the direction and advice of the stewards.

"There was four of them in different parts of the aircraft and that made it very difficult for the flight attendants."

He also commended the cabin crew for the way in which its members handled the matter.

Senator Dooley said that it his belief that 'European level efforts should be made to ensure that disruptive individuals don't get to travel again.

"I would be in favour of a lifetime ban... as a deterrent there should be a headline penalty of a lifetime ban. That's something that needs to be done, it can't be just done at Irish level.

"It would benefit all those that travel on aircraft," he added.
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Midland-based Dow announced that its board of directors has approved the repurchase of up to an additional $3 billion of the company's common stock.

An April 13 news release explained that the new repurchase program does not have an expiration date and is in addition to the current program announced in April 2019, when Dow was spun off from DuPont.
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LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP)  Sprawled like a gigantic swimming pool atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is an asphalt-and-clay pond holding enough water to produce electricity for 1.6 million households.

It's part of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, which uses simple technology: Water is piped from a lower reservoir  the lake, in this case  to an upper one, then released downhill through supersized turbines.

Supporters call these systems the world's largest batteries" because they hold vast amounts of potential energy for use when needed for the power grid.

The hydropower industry considers pumped storage the best answer to a question hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy to address climate change: where to get power when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.

I wish we could build 10 more of these. I love 'em," Eric Gustad, community affairs manager for Consumers Energy, said during a tour of the Ludington facility.

But the utility based in Jackson, Michigan, has no such plans. Environmental and logistical challenges and potential costs in the billions led Consumers to sell another would-be site near the lake years ago. It's now upgrading the existing plant with co-owner DTE Energy.

Constructing a new one doesn't make financial sense," Gustad said. Unless we get some help from the state or federal government, I don't see it happening any time soon."

STUCK IN NEUTRAL

The company's decision illustrates the challenges facing pumped storage in the U.S., where these systems account for about 93% of utility-scale energy in reserve. While analysts foresee soaring demand for power storage, the industry's growth has lagged.

The nation has 43 pumped storage facilities with a combined capacity of 22 gigawatts, the output of that many nuclear plants. Yet just one small operation has been added since 1995  and it's unknown how many of more than 90 planned can overcome economic, regulatory and logistical barriers that force long delays.

Three projects have obtained licenses from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, but none are being built. Developers of a long-planned Oregon facility expect work to begin in 2023. A Montana company that got a license five years ago needs a utility to operate the plant and buy its storage capacity before construction starts.

By contrast, more than 60 are being built worldwide, mostly in Europe, India, China and Japan.

The permitting process is crazy, Malcolm Woolf, president of the National Hydropower Association, complained during a January hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, saying it involves too many agencies.

Although FERC permits new facilities and relicenses existing ones, other federal, state and tribal offices have roles, spokesperson Celeste Miller said. Every project is unique. All have various case-specific issues, she said.

The industry is lobbying for an investment tax credit similar to what solar and wind get. President Joe Bidens Build Back Better plan includes the tax break but is stuck in Congress.

Pumped storage dates from the early 1930s. But most systems were built decades later to warehouse excess electricity from nuclear plants and release it when needed.

The storage facilities also serve as a safety net in sudden power interruptions. When a New England nuclear unit tripped offline in 2020, Woolf said, the lights in Boston didn't flicker because two pumped storage stations provided backup power.

While nuclear, coal and natural gas plants can operate continuously, wind and solar can't  so the market for reserve power likely will grow. National Renewable Energy Laboratory models show U.S. storage capacity may rise fivefold by 2050.

Were going to bring hundreds of gigawatts of clean energy onto the grid over the next few years and we need to be able to use that energy wherever and whenever its needed, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last year.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Using computer mapping, Australian National University engineers identified more than 600,000 potentially feasible pumped storage sites worldwide  including 32,000 in the U.S.  that could store 100 times the energy needed to support a global renewable electricity network.

But the study didn't examine whether sites would meet environmental or cultural protection standards or be commercially viable. Its website acknowledged, Many or even most ... may prove to be unsuitable."

Environmentalists are cool toward pumped storage because reservoirs typically are formed by hydropower dams, which block fish pathways, damage water quality and emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Also, most plants continuously draw water from rivers.

But recent designs envision closed-loop systems that tap a surface or underground supply, then repeatedly cycle that water between reservoirs. Water would be added only to make up for evaporation or leaks.

The Hydropower Reform Coalition, representing conservation groups, says it might support such projects under very limited circumstances.

Yet some are drawing resistance, including the Goldendale Energy Storage Project in Washington state. It would pipe water between two 60-acre (24.3-hectare) reservoirs on opposite sides of a hill.

The facility could power nearly 500,000 homes for up to 12 hours, according to Rye Development, spearheading the project. It's seeking FERC licensing and is scheduled to go online in 2028 but still needs a state water quality permit.

Environmental groups fear harm to wetlands and wildlife habitat, while tribes say the project would encroach on a sacred site.

What are we willing to sacrifice to get this technology online?" said Bridget Moran, an associate director of American Rivers.

Developers say the project would include cleanup of the polluted lower reservoir area.

The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a web-based tool to help developers find the best locations.

A recent Michigan Technological University study identified hundreds of abandoned U.S. mines that could host pumped storage, with upper reservoirs at or near the surface and lower ones below ground.

They are close enough to transmission and distribution infrastructure and to solar and wind generating facilities, the report says.

All these holes in the ground are ready to go," said study co-leader Roman Sidortsov, an energy policy associate professor.

But while some decommissioned mines might be better for the environment, a project in New York's Essex County stalled over water pollution concerns.

COMPETITIVE FUTURE

As the market for stored energy grows, new technologies are emerging.

Texas-based Quidnet Energy has developed a pumped storage offshoot that forces water underground, holds it amid rock layers and releases it to power turbines. The company announced a project in March with San Antonio's municipal utility.

Energy Vault, a Swiss startup, devised a crane powered by renewable energy to lift and stack 35-ton bricks. When energy is needed, the bricks are lowered by cables that spin a generator.

For now, batteries are the leading competitor to pumped storage plants, which can generate power for eight to 16 hours. Lithium-ion batteries typically last up to four hours but longer-duration ones are in the works.

Are we going to get to the point where an eight-hour battery is cheaper than a pumped storage plant? Thats the billion-dollar question, said Paul Denholm, an analyst with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

A 2016 Energy Department report said the U.S. network has a potential for 36 gigawatts of new pumped storage capacity.

We dont think pumped storage is the be-all, end-all but its a vital part of our storage future, said Cameron Schilling, vice president of markets for the hydropower association. You cant decarbonize the system without it.

___

Follow John Flesher on Twitter: @JohnFlesher
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit Monday, and airlines and airports swiftly began repealing their requirements that passengers wear face coverings.

The judge's decision freed airlines, airports and mass transit systems to make their own decisions about mask requirements, resulting in a mix of responses.

The major airlines switched to a mask optional policy, with some eliciting cheers from passengers when the changes were announced over loudspeakers. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday night that it would it will no longer enforce the mask requirement, and airports in Houston and Dallas almost immediately did away with their mandates after the TSA announcement.

Los Angeles International Airport, the world's fifth-largest by passenger volume, also dropped its mandate but the Centers for Disease Control continued to recommend masking on transportation and I think that's good advice," LAX spokesman Heath Montgomery said.

Sleepy passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight between Atlanta and Barcelona, Spain, cheered and applauded when a flight attendant announced the news mid-flight over the ocean.

No ones any happier than we are," the attendant says in a video posted by Dillon Thomas, a CBS Denver reporter, who was on the flight. She added that people who wanted to keep on their masks were encouraged to do so.

But were ready to give em up," she added. So thank you and happy unmasking day!

New York Citys public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in place. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it would make masks optional for riders on its buses and trains.

The Association of Flight Attendants, the nations largest union of cabin crews, has recently taken a neutral position on the mask rule because its members are divided about the issue. On Monday, the unions president appealed for calm on planes and in airports.

The last thing we need for workers on the frontlines or passengers traveling today is confusion and chaos, union leader Sara Nelson said.

Nelson said it takes airlines 24 to 48 hours to put new procedures in place and tell employees about them. She said passengers should check with airlines for updates about travel requirements.

The mask requirement covered airlines, airports, mass transit and taxis, and was the biggest vestige of pandemic restrictions that were once the norm across the country.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, also said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures that left it fatally flawed.

In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle said the only remedy was to vacate the rule entirely across the country because it would be impossible to end it for the limited group of people who objected in the lawsuit.

The judge said a limited remedy would be no remedy at all and courts have full authority to make a decision such as this  even if the CDC's goals in fighting the virus are laudable.

The Justice Department declined to comment when asked if it would seek an emergency stay to block the judges order. The CDC also declined to comment.

The White House said the court ruling means that for now the mask order is not in effect at this time.

This is obviously a disappointing decision, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. The CDC is recommending wearing a mask on public transit.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

In New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority communications director Tim Minton said the system was "continuing to follow CDC guidelines and will review the Florida court order.

The MTA operates New York City buses and subway trains as well as two commuter rail lines. Face coverings have been mandatory on all trains and buses since early in the pandemic.

United Airlines said in a statement that, effective immediately, masks would no longer be required on domestic flights or certain international flights.

"While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask  and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public  they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit," United said.

Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines also made similar announcements.

The federal mask requirement for travelers was the target of months of lobbying from the airlines, which sought to kill it. The carriers argued that effective air filters on modern planes make transmission of the virus during a flight highly unlikely. Republicans in Congress also fought to kill the mandate.

Critics have seized on the fact that states have rolled back rules requiring masks in restaurants, stores and other indoor settings, and yet COVID-19 cases have fallen sharply since the omicron variant peaked in mid-January.

There have been a series of violent incidents on aircraft that have mainly been attributed to disputes over the mask-wearing requirements.

The lawsuit was filed in July 2021 by two plaintiffs and the Health Freedom Defense Fund, described in the judge's order as a nonprofit group that opposes laws and regulations that force individuals to submit to the administration of medical products, procedures and devices against their will.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was not directly involved in the case but has battled against many government coronavirus requirements, praised the ruling in a statement on Twitter.

Great to see a federal judge in Florida follow the law and reject the Biden transportation mask mandate. Both airline employees and passengers deserve to have this misery end, DeSantis tweeted.

___

Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington, and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this story.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined an appeal by the Penobscot Indian Nation in its fight with Maine over ownership and regulation of the tribes namesake river.

It was a bitter defeat for the tribe that sued a decade ago, claiming the Penobscot River is part of its reservation.

Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis said it was a disappointing outcome in a legal case that goes to the core identity of the Penobscot Nation.

We see this as a modern day territorial removal by the state by trying to separate us from our ancestral ties to our namesake river, Francis told The Associated Press.

A federal judge previously ruled that the reservation includes islands of the river's main stem, but not the waters. There were appeals to a panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of appeals, and then to the full appeals court.

On Monday, the nation's top court without comment declined to hear the tribe's appeals over river regulation.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills had no immediate comment on Monday.

The ruling came as the Maine Legislature was considering several measures that relate to tribal sovereignty.

The most far-reaching legislative proposal would restore sovereignty rights forfeited by tribes under the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980. The House enacted the bill Monday, but it was pending in the Senate. It faces a possible veto by the governor.

The Penobscots, whose reservation is on an island in the river, sued in 2012 after then-Attorney General William Schneider issued an opinion that the tribes territory was limited to islands.

The tribe said the lawsuit was necessary to protect tribal authority over its ancestral river and ensure sustenance rights. But state regulators argued that a win by the tribe would create a two-tiered system on the Penobscot that would be a detriment to the general public.

Francis said the Supreme Court's action was probably the end of the road for the appeal but he said the tribe wouldn't give up.

Well continue to see every avenue to remedy this, he said.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Burkinabe minister in charge of reconciliation, Yero Boly, indicated at a press conference on Tuesday that the government was encouraging the return of young Burkinabe who joined armed terrorist groups
Washington, DC, US (PANA)  Human Rights Watch on Tuesday asked the Moroccan authorities to drop charges against a social media commentator who risks up to four years in prison on a charge of disrespecting the king
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Chief of General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces, Major General Oumar Diarra, on Monday took delivery of the second batch of Russian military equipment consisting of two combat helicopters and 4th generation surveillance radars, an official source told PANA
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Internal Security Agency (ISA), a collection of powerful armed groups operating in areas under the control of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) led by Khalifa Haftar, is arbitrarily detaining at least nine peaceful protesters and a journalist incommunicado after they participated in a demonstration in Sirte, Amnesty International said on Tuesday
Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, has expanded its direct flight network at its Aeropolis eWTP Hub, situated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Malaysia.

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The first phase will see the launch of the new three times a week direct flight to connect Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to London, UK, with a cargo capacity up to 300kg per trip, and five times per week direct flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Hangzhou, China, with a cargo capacity of 23,000kg per trip.

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There are subsequent plans to expand this network of direct flights from Malaysia to markets such as Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, and other key ASEAN and European markets.

The launch of the direct flights for export goods from Malaysia to the UK will reduce air freight time by approximately 30%, from 19.5 hours to 13.5 hours, and reduce logistics cost by 10%. Flights from the e-fulfilment hub in KLIA will service both B2B and B2C businesses on eBay.

The direct flights from Malaysia to Mainland China will increase air freight stability and decrease overall logistics cost by 6-10%, and help B2B export merchants outside the Alibaba ecosystem to gain access to the Chinese market.

Export merchants outside of Malaysia can also ship their goods to the hub for transit before exporting them overseas, reducing clearance time by up to 97%, from 24-48 hours to 1.5 hours, using digital customs clearance systems.

Au Yeong Shong Kwong, general manager for Cainiao eHub Malaysia, said, The expansion of the hubs direct air freight network will play a pivotal role in supporting the increase in trade flow from Malaysia to key global markets. By tapping on our global logistics network to reinforce air freight stability, we aim to provide a more stable, efficient and cost-effective cross-border logistics solution to help SMEs to reach a wider overseas market and increase their resilience. KLIAs position as one of the leading distribution gateways in ASEAN, coupled with the hubs smart logistics capabilities, will be instrumental in facilitating cross-border trade and serve as a regional center for SMEs to scale globally.

Spanning 1,100,000ft2 of warehouse space, the hub contains facilities for cargo terminal operation (CTO), warehousing, sorting, and a dedicated digital customs clearance.

The Cainiao Aeropolis eWTP Hub is a joint venture between Malaysia Airports and Cainiao, under the electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) partnership between the Malaysian government and Alibaba Group.
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

A mother shares her harrowing experience of how her 12-year-old daughter, Harri, was left fighting for life after doctors dismissed her symptoms as common cold before she was diagnosed with meningitis.

According to the mother, Toni Tuson, her daughter had a running nose and headache for a week before her temperature spiked, prompting her mom to take her to the hospital. The girl was sent home, with doctors ruling it a common cold. However, Tuson had to rush her daughter later that night after the child suffered a seizure. The scans later revealed that she had bacterial meningitis and deadly inflammation in her brain, as per Mirror.

Mistaken as a common cold

Harri Tuson had a fever, runny nose, and headache for a week. When the mom took her to the hospital, the medical personnel told her that it was a common cold, despite a blood test indicating that the girl had markers suggesting an infection. Toni said she even had to push for a blood test.

The mom said that when the doctors discharged her daughter, she had a feeling that the doctors were wrong. According to Tori, in hindsight, she should not have left with the benefit of all the research she has done. However, she had already spent eight hours in the emergency room, and she was made to feel that she was a "neurotic parent" as there was nothing wrong. Hence, she had to trust the doctor's advice and head home, as per Davenport Journal .

However, things turned for worse that night. Tori said that her daughter was staring right through her, and she looked brain damaged. She noticed that one pupil was bigger than the other. She later found out that her daughter was having a seizure.

Harri was brought to King's College in London for an MRI scan. She was later diagnosed with meningitis.

Doctors also discovered that the young girl had encephalitis, inflammation, and fluid collection of the brain. Doctors advised that they would have to do surgery to release the pressure from her brain.

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Meningitis

According to WebMD, meningitis is a rare infection that affects the delicate membrane, the meninges, covering the brain and the spinal cord. There are several types of meningitis, but bacterial meningitis is an "extremely serious illness" as it can be life-threatening or lead to brain damage if not given immediate intervention.

Its symptoms include confusion, fever, headache, numbness in the face, upset stomach or vomiting, sensitivity to light, seizures, lack of appetite, lack of thirst, and skin rash.

Doctors said she started with a cold in Harri's case, but her sinus infection moved towards her brain and irritated her sinuses.

Harri spent one week in an induced coma and was put on antibiotics. On the 6th day, Harri woke up. Her mom said she tried to scream, but no words would come out. She had no emotions and was unable to finish a sentence. Every day, however, they would see signs of improvement like the movement of her lips. Harri spent three weeks in the hospital and eight weeks learning to walk again.

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Photo: (Photo : Siegfried Modola/Getty Images)

Around 94 people who studied or worked at Colonia High School in the Woodbridge Township School District in New Jersey have been diagnosed with rare brain cancer for the past 30 years, and some of the survivors want answers to this mystery.

Al Lupiano, now 50 years old, told the New York Post that he was diagnosed with a type of glioblastoma sometime in the 1990s. Then his wife and his sister were found to have the same rare brain cancer. His sister recently succumbed to the disease at 44 years old.

The father said he initiated a Facebook group to find other people in their community who could have the same disease. His group expanded within six weeks of creation, and he was able to gather information about rare brain cancer cases from his former school, Colonia High School.

Lupiano, an environmental scientist, reported what he knew to the school that told city officials. He believes that there could be an ionizing radioactive substance within the school as it's "truly only one environmental link to primary brain tumors."

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Investigations and Tests Underway at Colonia High School

Mayor John E. McCormac has ordered a $221,350 emergency radiological assessment at Colonia High School. Per My Central New Jersey, initial samplings using radon canisters have been placed around the school in early April and will remain there for at least two weeks.

The mayor said they expected the results after a month, but he hoped the canisters would register "absolutely nothing" to appease their fears and concerns. T&M Associates, the radiological and environmental remediation firm doing the assessments, has also started site research on the school's construction in the 1960s. The school sits on a 28-acre property, a former vacant land.

McCormac said that they found no other records of the land 55 years ago since it was the high school that was the only thing built on the site. If there were any radioactive contaminations, they likely came from the soil fill brought in during the school's construction. Some 12 miles across Colonia High School is the Middlesex Sampling Plant, which used to be under the operation of the Manhattan Project. This facility stored, packed, and shipped uranium ore during the development of the atomic bomb decades ago.

The township has also met with members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the federal and state Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the state's Department of Health.

Worries for the Cancer Cluster

Today, at least 1,300 students attend Colonia High School, and they are very anxious and concerned about the test results. Many residents, including the mayor, who lives just a few blocks away from Colonia High School, are also concerned for the health and safety of their families.

According to Daily Mail, glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is a very aggressive cancer and could lead to death within six months if the patient does not seek intervention. The initial symptoms of this rare brain cancer include persistent headaches, double vision, loss of appetite, vomiting, changes in mood, seizures, and the gradual onset of problems with speech.

About 15,000 adult Americans are diagnosed with rare brain cancer every year. Glioblastoma stage IV, which was what Lupiano's sister had, is the most aggressive form.

Related Article: Rare Cancer in Kids Remains Serious Concern in California Community After a 1959 Nuclear Accident
Photo: (Photo : J.D. Pooley/Getty Images)

Brandon Tamayo used to work as a store greeter for Walmart and has witnessed many mothers stealing expensive milk or diapers during his short stint at work. He revealed that he never attempted to stop these customers, given the cost of childcare products.

In a TikTok video, the former Walmart staff said that the employees don't exactly get rewards for catching shoppers stealing expensive milk or diapers. He also admitted that he did not care for Walmart's losses from shoplifters because he got paid just $11.50 an hour at that time.

Tamayo recounted that one of his jobs is to check receipts at the door, and he has seen mothers with no Pampers or baby formula in their receipts, but they have those items in their cart. He believes that the moms simply provide for their babies as raising children can get quite expensive.

Read Also: Baby Poop Contains More Microplastics Than Adult Feces, Study Reveals

Debate Over Stealing Out of Necessity

Tamayo's revelation has gotten over 1.5 million views on TikTok and has drawn out reactions from both sides of a longstanding debate regarding stealing out of necessity. Some commenters praised Tamayo for being a hero for struggling parents and said that Walmart is a billion-dollar company that would hardly be affected by moms stealing expensive milk or diapers. Per Macrotrends, Walmart's profits increased by 7.33 percent in 2020 and 3.54 percent in 2021 to reach over $143 billion.

However, some of the commenters also did not agree with letting shoplifters go as stealing, regardless of a person's financial struggles, is still a crime. The commenters also said that plenty of government programs could help parents receive subsidies for those who cannot afford childcare products instead of stealing.

Tamayo argued in another TikTok post that it could be hard for parents to qualify for government programs in his state. He said that the food stamps program in Indiana does not provide enough for parents to afford a regular supply of baby products, given the cost of such products.

Mom Emily Castanon wrote in the comments that businesses like Walmart will always find a way to recoup their losses, such as raising the price of milk and diapers. As it stands, formula milk at Walmart now costs $44 for the big cans, while families spend around $70 to $80 a month for the diapers.

Although he has gotten some negative comments in his post, Tamayo said that at least it started a conversation regarding the cost of having a family in the U.S. Speaking exclusively with Daily Dot, Tamayo said that the public should vote for officials who will advocate for the American families.

Dad Wanted by Police for Stealing Expensive Milk or Diapers

In 2021, the Winter Haven Police Department in Florida faced backlash from its social media followers after posting a video of a father who stole milk, diapers, and baby wipes at Walmart. He attempted to pay with at least three declined credit cards but dashed off with the items when his transactions failed to push through.

Netizens criticized the police department for posting the video and tagging the father as a wanted man. Several commenters also offered to pay for the cost of what the dad stole and even said they would buy a year's worth of childcare products for his family.

But other netizens didn't agree with what the father did, according to Newsweek. One commenter said that he needs gas to get to work to buy food for his family, but he will not be OK with stealing "necessary" items.

Nonetheless, the police and Walmart did not pursue charges against the father who took the goods.

Related Article: Parents Sue Guida's Dairy Over Contaminated Milk With Sanitizer in Camden Preschools
Photo: (Photo : BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Some Florida parents lost their hard-earned money in a widespread "Egg My Yard" scam that failed to deliver what the sellers promised on Easter Sunday, April 17.

The parents from Clermont and Minneola in Central Florida were expecting their front yards to be filled with toys and Easter treats, including a letter from the Easter Bunny to surprise their kids. However, despite closing the deal on social media, they all woke up to find nothing on their lawn.

Mom Mitzi Cohen told WESH that she found out about the Egg My Yard offer from advertisements going around local Facebook groups. The person behind the scam used the profile of "Sarah Honey."

She advertised that the service price ranged from $20 to $75, depending on what the parents wanted in their yards. The seller also asked for upfront payment using Venmo and other online cash apps.

Cohen and her fellow Florida parents said they didn't have a backup plan for Easter Sunday as they thought this was a good deal.

Read Also: Parents Warned 'Sextortion' Threats Among Teens Are on the Rise

Community Came to the Rescue

Grandmother Gigi Capria said that she sent a message to Honey and even tried to call, but her attempts to contact them were left unanswered. She said that the person behind the account still read her last message where she was asking about the promised deliveries.

After Capria posted a warning in social media groups, she realized that she was not the only victim. According to WFLA, dozens of parents fell for the scam, and many of them are working moms who did not have any more time to prepare to give their children a treat for Easter.

The other parents also tried to look for Honey's Venmo transactions and realized that the account had disappeared. They also found out that at least six Facebook pages offered the Egg My Yard service.

Fortunately, other locals from Clermont and Minneola came to the rescue and offered batches of their extra Easter eggs and treats to the parents who didn't have a Plan B. Mom Eileen Scates couldn't be more thankful for the community's generosity, despite the last-minute preparations and said this was the spirit of Easter at work.

"Even though this thing happened that was terrible, it was kind of nice to see the community come together," Scrates said.

Egg My Yard Scam in Ohio

The police have been informed of the scam in Florida, but in 2021, some parents from northeast Ohio were also ripped-off by Egg My Yard scammers. WKYC reported that the parents found the service in Facebook groups. One parent even said that the supplier had good reviews.

But as with the scam in Florida, the parents in Ohio woke up with no eggs in their yards that Easter Sunday despite paying for the service. The seller also blocked them if they attempted to contact or ask for a refund.

However, the scammers were educators of the Parma City School District. The victims were able to file a case against her and her partner after the district officials offered to help with the investigations. It's unclear, however, if the Egg My Yard scam in Ohio has ties to the Florida scam.

Related Article: 'Grandparent Scam' Popping up in Maryland; Police Issues Warning to Residents
Photo: (Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

On Monday, the police scene outside of Orsolya Gaal's home in Queens was still active, two days after her body was found in a duffle bag about a half-mile away. The New York Daily News reported that Gaal's property on Juno Street in Forest Hills remained taped off with police monitoring the residence 24-7 as they try to piece together the horrific crime and determine who was behind it.

New details emerged with police sources stating that the suspect allegedly sent a haunting message to Gaal's husband, Howard Klein, after her death. The person who killed the 51-year-old woman told Klein, "Your whole family is next."

Gaal, a mother of two teenage boys, was stuffed in a duffle bag and was discovered near Metropolitan Avenue and Jackie Robinson Parkway, about half a mile from her home. The city medical examiner will soon determine Gaal's cause of death.

Suspect threatens Orsolya Gaal's husband with haunting message

Police sources told PIX11 News that the suspect messaged Gaal's husband, accusing the victim of sending him to jail years ago. The suspect then threatened to kill Klein's entire family if he called the police. Police sources said that the murder transpired while Klein and their eldest son were away on a trip.

Sources said they believed Gaal told her youngest son that she was going out to see a show on Friday night. They added that a man who New York police believed Gaal was familiar with met up with her at some point. That man is believed to have murdered the mom of two in her basement.

According to the police, the suspect then dragged Gaal's body out of her home in a duffle bag. He later dumped the body near Metropolitan Avenue and Jackie Robinson Parkway. A man who was walking his dog on Saturday morning discovered the bag and called the police.

Surveillance video captured someone appearing to drag a duffle bag on the street hours before the body was found. According to police officials, a trail of blood led them to Gaal's home on Juno Street. Police said that Gaal's younger son was brought in for questioning and has since been released. Police have not made any arrests yet as of Monday, with a motive behind Gaal's murder remaining unclear.

Read Also: Starr County Officials in Texas Drop Murder Charge Against Lizelle Herrera Over Self-induced Abortion

Orsolya Gaal stabbed nearly 60 times

According to the New York Post, the way Gaal was murdered was brutal. Law enforcement sources said that Gaal's autopsy revealed she was brutally stabbed nearly 60 times with sharp force injuries found in her neck, torso, and left arm.

The sources also said that puncture wounds were discovered on Gaal's carotid artery and trachea and knife wounds inside her fingers and the palms of her hands. Sources added that it did not immediately appear that the victim suffered any sexual trauma.

Related Article: Education Cannot Wait For Millions of Ukrainian Children Who Are Still in School Despite Russian Invasion
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Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure supplier ABB will provide energy group EWII with 1,350 chargers for installation at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), making it Denmarks largest site for EV charging.

The first 180 AC chargers and 15 DC fast chargers will be installed in 2022 and will ultimately contribute toward the airports ambitions of achieving carbon-neutrality in operations by 2030.

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Frank Muehlon, CEO of ABB E-mobility, said, We are pleased to support CPH in its sustainable transition with our broad portfolio of quality and professional charging solutions. We are convinced that it will not only serve as inspiration for other airports in Denmark but also in other countries and that it will again demonstrate the possibilities and benefits of clean, quiet and flexible electric mobility.

CPH was looking for a holistic EV charging solution for its more than 80,000 daily travelers and employees parking on site. The solution also needed to serve vehicles in need of faster charging including taxis dropping off travelers and businesses operating inside the airport handling transportation, luggage and catering.

To meet this demand EWII teamed up with several partners, including ABB, to supply the 1,350 charging points. The charging infrastructure will consist of chargers from ABBs entire portfolio, from the 22kW Terra AC wallbox to the recently launched Terra 360, which can deliver 100km of range in less than three minutes and has been designed to charge up to four vehicles at once.

Jesper Nicolaisen, head of wholesale at EWII, said, With ABB as our e-mobility partner, we are assured access to a wide range of solutions that can charge everything from cars to buses and trucks. Additionally, it was crucial for us and the airport that the charging stations be both reliable and of the highest quality. As an experienced global partner, which helps to drive innovation in EV charging infrastructure, ABB performs on all parameters.
A new report this morning confirms that the worlds biggest iPhone assembly campus, on the outskirts of the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou, is operating normally despite lockdowns and mass Covid-19 testing in the area that began last week, the official Henan Daily reported.

A surge in COVID infections in Shanghai led to extensive disruptions there, and Zhengzhous decision late Friday to implement a quarantine raised concerns that Foxconn Technology Groups facility may have to limit operations. The sprawling assembly sites importance to Apple Inc.s smartphone supply chain has earned the locality the nickname of iPhone City. Local authorities on Monday morning ordered a fresh round of mass testing.

Production at the Foxconn campus is proceeding well with some 200,000 workers, the newspaper said, citing Foxconn managers within the compound. The Taiwanese company is cooperating with local government and putting measures in place to ensure worker safety. The supply lines havent been affected by COVID.

Many factories across Chinas electronics manufacturing hubs of Shanghai, Kunshan and Suzhou have either halted operations completely or are only able to maintain partial production due to stringent restrictions on personnel movement and logistics. For more on this, read the Bloomberg report.

In related news, it's being reported that Hon Hai's Apple iPhone foundry will almost double its manpower in order to make up for production losses at the Shanghai, Suzhou and other iPhone plants.

The Economic Times in India reports that Foxconn Hon Hai, the Taiwanese contract phone maker for Apple, plans to nearly double the headcount at its Chennai plant amid higher orders from the iPhone maker that is expected to post record numbers in 2022, people familiar of the development said. The final touches are now being made on worker hostels to accommodate the increase of workers at the plant.

Apple has got the governments clearance for denotifying 40 acres inside Foxconn plant premises near Chennai, which would allow the company to ramp up production for the domestic market. For more, read the full Economic Times report.

The United Daily News in Taiwan added that "The Hon Hai India factory is located in a special economic zone in India, mainly for the export market. In that light, the increase in production at the Indian plant may be used to make up for any loss of production in Chinese factories.
Absa Bank Ghana has made several community interventions in the first quarter of 2022, in line with its social mandate in the country. With a strategy that is firmly anchored on being relevant in Ghanaian society, the CSR wing of the bank continues to deliver a lot of initiatives to empower the youth whilst creating value consistently and helping the disadvantaged.



Between January and March this year, the banks staff, through a colleague volunteerism initiative, supported a lot of people in different circumstances to better their lives and put smiles on their faces.



Staff volunteers led by a group in the banks retail banking unit, for example, donated significant items to patients and workers of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in the Eastern region. The items included four tabletop fridges, four microwave ovens, tv sets, plastic chairs, bedroom items and wheelchairs.

The activity was in response to a request made by the hospital to Absa Bank for emergency support.

The team also paid the hospital bills for 10 patients on admission at the hospital. These patients were unable to go home despite being discharged, due to their inability to pay the hospital fees.



Listowell Agbeli Mensah, Accra-North Regional Branch Manager at the bank said We take such initiatives seriously because we recognize that our role goes beyond the profession we are in. It is part of our ethos to identify areas in our society where help can be delivered so we can find unique ways to make that happen.



The Womens Network Forum (WNF) of the bank also donated GHS5,000 to the Ark Foundation in commemoration of Womens Day last month. The amount was to support the well-being of the women and children under the care of the foundation. The WNF is a group within the bank, committed to empowering the female population and creating mentorship and leadership opportunities as well. The group also identifies institutions and organisations that require the support of all kinds in order to offer help.



Chairperson of the Forum, Audrey Abakah said As a group committed to the welfare of various women groups, we are proud of what the Ark Foundation has done throughout the years for women and children. Our gesture today aligns with our overall focus to support, empower and transform the lives of women in our country.



Absa Bank in the last quarter also extended its flagship Education & Skills Development initiative, ReadytoWork to a number of tertiary institutions in the country. A total of 300 students of the All-Nations University benefited from trainings related to work, people and money skills by the staff of the banks Koforidua branch.



The ready to work initiative focuses on knowledge and skills transfer through an online portal, physical engagements, and virtual webinar sessions. Its main aim is to get these students ready for the future workplace. An additional 300 students also benefited from the ReadytoWork modules through face-to-face interactions at the University of Ghana Career center and the Africa University College in Accra between January and March this year.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Education Service (GES) has begun processes to operationalise, this academic year, the Aflao Community Day Senior High Technical School, an eight-million Ghana cedis Ketu South E-block project.



Already, the GES had posted a headmaster, Shadrach Kwame Abiwu, to the school on March 21, this year, to see to its smooth operations.



From Tuesday, April 19, it will begin the admission processes to enrol successful junior high school graduates as the first batch of students to undertake all seven senior high school programmes, except General Science.



Mr Michael Yao Tsuiatorfe, the Municipal Director of Education, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the necessary preparations for the academic year were in earnest and that the Directorate had started receiving applications from prospective teachers for consideration and postage to the school.



He said his outfit, in collaboration with the Headmaster, had visited Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, the Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area, and the Municipal Assembly for re-inspection of the school after an earlier one on March 24.



Mr Tsuiatorfe said the Directorate had written to the appropriate authorities about the need for some finishing works to be done and to provide logistics for a conducive environment of study.



The Ketu South E-Block project, awarded by the Mahama Administration in 2015 to be executed within 18 months, is over 95 per cent complete with some minor works like plastering of beams, painting and weeding to be done.



Mr Maxwell Lugudor, the Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly would do all within its power to ensure the smooth operationalisation of the school this academic year.



Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament for the area, welcomed the news by the Government to ensure the school operates and said she would pay a visit soon to see the extent of work to ensure students enrollment.



She said it was great that the project was being completed and operationalised to ease the pressure on the few schools in the municipality.



Mr David Agbeli, the contractor, told the Ghana News Agency that there had been no engagement with him regarding the project, adding that the government still owed him, hence the delay in completing and handing over the school to the GES.







Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Society for Family Health International Ghana (SFHIG) is set to launch its operations and products in the Ghanaian market to ensure improved health services and access to reproductive health services for Ghanaians.



The organization- which forms part of the emerging Pan African Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), SFH International -looks to use its core programme approaches in Social Marketing, Behaviour Change Communication, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation to implement health programmes across Ghana.



Country Manager at SFH International Ghana, Mrs. Theresa Maame Ekua Galley, speaking ahead of the launch explained, the organizations focus is to expand access to information, care, services and products on Family Planning and Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management, Malaria prevention and treatment and Non-Communicable Diseases (Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer) prevention and management and Safe Water Systems."



We aim at using innovation, strategic partnership and linked policy engagement to support the development of stronger health and community systems, she added.



According to Mrs. Galley, SFHIG will collaborate with the government, public and private health sector to improve the quality of health service and expand the frontier of Universal Health Coverage for all Ghanaians.



Globally, SFH International has reached an average of 28 million people annually (60million in 2018 alone) with its demand creation, services provision and health education activities. Among other things, the Organization delivered more than 2.8billion male condoms, 106million cycles of OCP (Oral Contraceptive Pills) and ECPs (Emergency Contraceptive Pills) and 15million Injectable contraceptives as well as 72million Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) for Malaria and 30million Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) for Malaria; thus, improving the lives of more than 50 million people.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The eight Fulani herdsmen killed at Zakoli, a community in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region, has been buried in Tamale.



The bodies of the deceased were removed from the Tamale Teaching Hospital Mortuary where Islamic prayers were said after which they were transported to the cemetery for burial on Sunday.



The deceased were identified as Malam Osman, Alhaji Baako, Yahaya Jallo, Kadiru Jallo, Umar Jallo, Haruna Jallo, Saibu Wubi, and an unknown person.



Last Wednesday, April 13, some unknown persons besieged Zakoli, a nomadic settler community, and killed eight persons.



Four other people sustained gunshot injuries and have been receiving treatment at the Yendi Government Hospital.



Thatch-roofed houses, food crops and motorbikes were also destroyed.



It is not clear what triggered the attacks, but the Ghana News Agency gathered that it may be a possible retaliation to an earlier robbery attack, during which a teacher at Zagbang on the Yendi - Zabzugu Road, was killed.



Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has presented GHc60,000 to the bereaved families and the injured.



The Vice President made the presentation when he visited the community on Sunday to commiserate with the victims and the bereaved families.



Out of the GHc60,000 families of the eight deceased persons would each receive GHc5,000 for the burial rites while the four injured persons would also receive GHc5,000 each for their medical bills and upkeep.



Dr Bawumia gave the assurance that the Government would dispatch relief items within the week to the community to support the victims.



Naa Abukari Andani, the Chief of Zakoli, received the money for onward disbursement to the affected families the victims.



He demanded swift investigations into the attack to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators to ensure justice was served.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Professor of Public Relations and Development Communication, Isaac Abeku Blankson, who is also President of the African University College of Communications, has observed that the public controversy that has greeted the introduction of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) would not have been necessary if the government had paid adequate attention to the delivery of the message.



Delivering a public lecture last week on Civic Engagement and Communicating Public Policy: Lessons for the Electronic Transfer Levy organized by the Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra, Prof Blankson said that engagement is an integral part of developing the understanding of civil society and public on intended policies that affect them.



As a nation (we need) to take a good look at how sensitive policies are made, from inception of the policy, to its passage into law, to its implementation, and their enforcement, Prof Blankson said.



The Electronic Transfer Levy Bill 2021, which was passed into law on March 29, 2022 is a tax of 1.5 percent on digital transactions such as mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances. It was first proposed to be 1.75 percent on electronic transactions above GH100.



The proposed levy was first announced in the 2022 Budget Statement presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta on November 17, 2021. The E-Levy would be borne by the sender, except inward remittances which will be borne by the recipient.



The government considers the tax on electronic transactions as one of the major ways to generate revenue for national development.



According to Prof Blankson, research had demonstrated that the environment that existed in Ghana prior to the introduction of the E-levy was fairly favourable and but for the absence of stakeholder consultation, the new tax may not have been controversial as it currently is.



What are the signs in favour?



First, the E-Levy tax is not unique to Ghana. Countries like Cameroon, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt and Mauritania have introduced a similar tax in various forms and have attracted various levels of opposition.



Again, Prof Blankson makes reference to a recent survey conducted in February this year by Dr Benjamin Amoah and Prof Anthony Amoah of the Centre for Economics, Finance and Inequality Studies, University of Ghana Business School which revealed that 64.4 per cent of Ghanaians believe that Ghana needs money.



Furthermore, on the question on whether Ghanaians are averse to paying taxes, a 2019 survey by AfroBarometer claimed that 72 per cent of Ghanaians said they will gladly pay more tax to support the government to deliver on its mandate.



However, one more survey Prof Blankson referred to, conducted by Global Info Analytics in February this year showed that as high as 73 per cent of Ghanaians opposed the E-levy.



The contradiction here is surprising. Why should Ghanaians who are not averse to paying more taxes and who also believe that the government needs more revenue to oppose the E-levy? That is the question.



In the view of Prof Blankson, two major factors account for this contradiction.



One factor, he stated, was that there was not enough civic engagement or consultation on the proposed levy prior to the November 2021 announcement in parliament.



The other factor was that the communication strategy employed by the government to inform, to educate and to convince Ghanaians to support the tax was as late as it was inadequate.



What then does Prof Blankson propose as lessons for future policymaking?



He proffers a number of actions. These include: making policy-making a participatory and multi-stakeholder process; governments must understand the importance of communication in governance; citizen engagement must be proactive and not reactive; and there is the need to improve the image, credibility and relevance of government in managing the countrys resources including revenue.





Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has indicated that tariff increases for the Electricity Company of Ghana is not an option for now.



Rather, he said, the company was being encouraged to cut down on its losses as well as put in the necessary mechanisms to efficiently collect monies for what it had supplied already before issues of increases are considered.



I can assure you that we are resisting the calls for increased tariff till we sought out our losses. The more we sought out our losses, the more we can probably decide whether we have to or we must increase the tariffs. But first, if you are losing so much, how do you convince me that I should let you increase tariffs, he emphasised.



Dr Opoku Prempeh disclosed this in Accra on Wednesday, when he took his turn at the weekly Ministers Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Information.



Speaking on the theme: Keeping the lights on, keeping the nation moving, Dr Opoku Prempeh said the losses to ECG are occasioned by the inability or unwillingness to pay.



Additionally, he said others were pure electricity theft.



To stop this, he said the ECG had re-launched its National Revenue Protection Taskforce.



He explained that the sole objective of the taskforce was to help identify power theft as well as recover debt across consumers in the country.



Dr Opoku Prempeh noted that the ECG made on the average a loss of GH 3.2billion or its equivalent of $400million per annum.



He decried the situation where members of the taskforce were attacked by consumers for undertaking their legitimate duty of raking in revenues for the company, stressing that such acts going forward will not be tolerated.



He noted that the taskforce had since its re-launch had recovered about GH30million for the company.



Touching on the recent power outages, Dr Opoku Prempeh said it was as a result of a combination of factors including but not limited to repair works on transmission lines to ensure efficiency in transmission.



He said what was happening had nothing to do with generation because the country had enough generating capacity.



The Minister said the Ministry had resolved to do away with the Take or Pay policy which had saddled the energy sector with a lot of debt and now focus on Take and Pay.



He said Government was not going into increasing the generation capacity just for increasing sake but would do so when necessary and needed.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Peasant Farmers under the governments flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs have expressed worry over how their farming businesses are gradually dying off following a lack of fertilizers for their farming activities.



According to farmers, their suppliers are not able to supply them with the fertilizers again because government is feeling reluctant to service its debts owed them (suppliers) after distributing fertilizers to farmers for the 2021 farming season.



Currently, these farmers say their livelihoods are at stake and if the government fails to address their concerns, they will be left with no other option than to quit farming, a situation which they believe will impact negatively on the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme.



Available data has indicated that the Agriculture sector has seen a laudable increase and the role of Small-holder farmers cannot be overemphasized after actively partaking in the Planting for Job Programme by the NPP Government.



However, the vision of these peasant farmers seems to be dwindling because of the unavailability of fertilizers for their activities.



Peace News for some time now has been following up on the concerns of these farmers in some regions namely Ashanti, North East, Upper East, Bono East, Bono and Ahafo Regions and their responses seem disturbing.



Per reports gathered by Peacefmonline.com, following the inability of the government to pay the debt to suppliers of fertilizers for their services in 2021, these suppliers have refused to honour their side of the bargain by supplying fertilizers to farmers for the 2022 farming season under the Planting for Food and Job programme.



Northern regions



Farmers in the Northern Regions especially in some farming communities visited in the North East and Upper East Regions have the largest presentation under the Programme. Growers in this part of the country grow beans, maize and yam, however with the recent development in regards to the shortage of fertilizers, they said their farming activities is hugely affected.



The Programme indeed has been helping us since its introduction because our lives depend on it but now it appears are farming is gradually dying off because our fertilizer suppliers are unable to supply us with the fertilizers because the government is owing to them one maize farmer has lamented



Ashanti regions



The story in the Ashanti Region remained the same; here farmers told Peacefmonline how farming has become difficult due to a lack of fertilizers. Farmers in the region speaking spoke to the news team and expressed how difficult the situation is putting them through. Areas such as Sakam, Bonsua, Adagya etc., are villages where rice farming is very common among the residents, as it has become the main source of livelihood for many families.



The farmers over the years have been depending on subsidized fertilizers for improved yields but the difficulty in accessing it this crop season has left most of them disappointed and in desperation for the commodity.



According to them, the fertilizer suppliers tell them that, the situation is a result of debts owed them by the government hence crippling their ability to make the commodity readily available to the farmers.



A tour of some of their farms by Peaceonline.com discovered that due to the absence of the commonly used NPK fertilizer for application, some of the seedlings at the nursery stage had become yellowish in colour, and dried up gradually.





After touring Bono East, Bono and Ahafo regions some farmers shared their plea with the news team and from their reactions they sound desperate and helpless.I have started losing interest in the programme following the difficulties in accessing the fertilizers. After preparing for this season with low of expectations, our dreams are gradually shattering," one farmer said.The Executive Director for Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Dr Charles Nyaaba in an interview withSampson Kwame Nyamekye, hinted that the Association predicted the shortage of fertilizers following the debts owed to fertilizer suppliers and implored the government to settle the outstanding debts since its only the way to arrest the shortage of fertilizers.He added that since 2021, the Association in countless times has been reminding the government about these debts which is affecting their operations as farmers.Later, Dr Charles Nyaaba who was worried over how the situation keep worsening urged the government as a matter of urgency settle the debts to save their farms from danger.Fertilizer Suppliers in an earlier interview have lamented over how their finances have been locked up due to the debts owed them by the government. Suppliers said since last year they have been dragging government for their money but to no avail.These disturbed suppliers said Banks are feeling reluctant to secure them with any financial support due to government's stance on paying the debts.

Source: Sampson Kwame Nyamekye/ Hello FM/Kumasi









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Chief Executive Officer of State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has charged National Security to check the illegal activities of Chinese traders and businesses in Ghana.



His call comes in the wake of a demolition activity at Pampanso Number 1, a suburb of Nsawam in the Eastern Region on Monday, April 18, 2022.



The residents allege that some Chinese nationals, who claim to have bought Pampaso, sent land guards to evict them and destroy their homes.



They narrated that some gunmen attacked them while they were sleeping, ejected them from their houses and demolished the buildings.



About 11 buildings are said to have been razed down by the gunmen.



According to Police investigations, the demolition was masterminded by one Kofi Acquah.



The Police have assured the residents Kofi Acquah will be arrested.



Police received information on the illegal demolition. Based on that, we proceeded quickly to the scene. Officers saw agitated people blocking the main Accra-Kumasi Highway. We pleaded with them to rescind the decision because of its repercussions.



Investigations so far point to the fact that one Kofi Acquah is behind the illegal demolition and as soon as he is arrested, he will be taken through due processes of the law. We want to appeal to agitated residents not to take the law into their hands. They should remain calm because we will make sure we will get to the bottom of this matter, the Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh told Citi News in an interview.



Nana Akomea, speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Tuesday, called on the security agencies, particularly National Security, not to let the Pampaso issue slide but rather bring the culprits to book.



He also admonished them to be on the alert for Chinese migrants in the country doing illegal things like galamsey (illegal mining) as well as those who have established restaurants and have their inscriptions plus menu written in Chinese language among other activities that the laws of Ghana frown upon.



Nana Akomea acknowledge that Ghana has excellent relations with the Chinese government but cautioned that ''the work that some Chinese are doing in this country can destroy the official relations'', adding ''they are creating security problem for the future''.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Evangelism Committee has urged Ghanaians, including political actors, "to live at peace with one another in accordance with the message of reconciliation which comes with the death and resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ".



In an Easter message, the Chairman of the committee, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, said: "As we go through the Easter festivities, we have to remind ourselves that we are celebrating the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was subjected to all sorts of humiliations, and yet remained peaceful".



He said this requires that Ghanaians should be mindful of their language, especially in public spaces, respect the views of one another and make every efforts to forgive others.



"Let us, therefore, use the occasion to reconcile families, settle our differences and come out as stronger families, more committed and loyal citizens, and, eventually, a united country," Rev Frimpong-Manso said.



"We believe as Christians, we need to preach reconciliation to our friends and families during the festive season in accordance with the Word of God as found in 2 Corinthians 5:19: 'that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting peoples sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.



"Together we can build a just and peaceful society that we can proudly bequeath to the next generation. Happy, peaceful and safe Easter to all, and God bless you".







Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Methodist Church Ghana has donated GH100,000 towards the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana in fulfilment of an annual budgetary allocation towards the project.



A Facebook post by The National Cathedral, Ghana, said the donation was made on behalf of the Methodist Church, Ghana by the presiding Bishop, Most. Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo and the Director of Finance, Very. Rev. Anthony Kwabena Cobbah.



Receiving the donation on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral was Reverend Ebenezer Saka Ameyaw, who is the Head of Church Relations and Executive Assistant at the National Cathedral Secretariat.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Police recruits who were deployed to various parts of the country especially recreational centers for the Easter occasion were charged to exhibit high level of professionalism.



Their deployment formed part of efforts to train them on the job as the Police administration seeks to increase the visibility.



The Director-General of Police Administration, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno told them not accept any gift.



Dont accept any gift from anybody, nobody should say that he is drinking Coke and so he is giving you beer to drink, he is giving you Coke to drink, he said.

Source: 3news.com









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Easter festivities are absolutely incomplete without Easter Mondays. The day is set aside to celebrate after Christians mourn and appreciate the death of Christ, mark the resurrection of the saviour, and have the best of fun on this particular day.



This has however not been the situation since the coronavirus pandemic reared its head in March 2020, making government impose restrictions on gatherings. Bans were placed on free movement with the beach becoming a no-go area.



For the first time after restrictions were eased, Ghanaians did not spare the day despite early morning rains on Easter Monday.



Beaches and resorts were filled to their capacities as people went about having fun.



GhanaWeb visited one of the popular beach sites in Accra, Labadi beach to assess the situation and see how Ghanaians marked the holiday.



Some holidaymakers speaking to GhanaWeb noted that the previous years have been boring with COVID-19 lingering but now they can freely come out to have fun.



The previous years have been boring. We stayed indoors with the family but now we can freely come out and have fun. Today has been fun. I came with my kids and my wife after a long time to experience it for ourselves, a father noted.



This celebration has been amazing. Boredom was slowly killing us when COVID was here but now we can come out and have some fun. My twin brother and I came with our families and I can see my children are really having fun, another father noted.



This is my first time seeing the sea. I come from Bono and there is no sea there. I am so excited and I cant wait to take a dive and have a feel of the sea I must confess it is a good feeling, an excited student from the University of Ghana noted.



Speaking to one of the managers of the beach, Frederick OB Annan, he noted that the past couple of years have been draining with COVID but this years celebration although started slow, they are expecting more people to turn up and have fun.



We are expecting more people to turn up, like Oliver Twist, we want more, he noted.





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Catholic Church in Ghana, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, has bemoaned the lack of continuity in projects started by successive governments.



According to Most. Rev Afrifa-Agyekum, this practice of not completing projects started by previous governments must stop for the country to make progress, 3news.com reports.



The bishop was particularly keen on leaders of the country ensuring that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy continues irrespective of the government in power.



We start a project, let us try to continue. I am happy that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo started this Free Senior High School policy. This is a policy that we also need to assist for it to be successful in spite of the challenges that came up at the beginning but I think gradually they are trying to make it up, he said.



He, however, added that the government must pay attention to the urgent challenges of the programme, particularly, the feeding needs of the students.





 I also mentioned the buffer stock which is where the headmasters and headmistresses will get their supplies from the suppliers who have been designated. At the beginning it was wonderful, you go to school and the students say they are eating eggs, fish, mackerels, but these days it looks like the situation is becoming more challenging for the heads.



I think it is an area that we seriously have to look into, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, so that we unearth the challenges that are causing this issue, he said.





Meanwhile, several stakeholders, including Prof Stephen Adei have called on the government to review the Free SHS policy to let parents who can afford to, pay fees for their wards.















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Fire has destroyed 13 apartments and personal belongings of residents of Bouho in the Afigya Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region.



According to some residents, the fire started around 12:00 hours on Saturday Night, spread widely, and razed 13 apartments in the neighbourhood.



A victim said he was asleep when the incident happened, but managed to escape unhurt.



Residents blamed the incident on the Electricity Company Of Ghana (ECG) citing a lack of repairs and maintenance of their Poles.



Although no casualties were recorded, most of the affected persons are currently settling with friends and relatives.



The landlord for one of the apartments, Mr. Kofi Darko said he was asleep when the incident happened.



We have reported several times to the ECG but nothing has happened, he lamented.



Mr. Kofi Darko appealed for urgent support from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)















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A bandit kingpin in Zamfara State, Nasanda has threatened to kill 900 people in exchange for the death of his wife, her aunt and uncle.



In a trending audio message, the terrorist said he was giving the Zamfara State government 14 days to pay him N30 million to avert the impending doom.



Nasanda had claimed that his bride and her uncle and aunt were killed by some vigilantes in the state  an act which he said was deliberate.



He alleged that the vigilantes knew that the victims were related to him. In the audio message, he said that he has been realistic and not greedy in asking for the N30 million compensation.



If I were greedy, I would have asked for N50 million per person, he said.



He added, Im not giving months, but 14 days, for my demands to be met. And we will not attack until when people are on their farms. If our Fulani people are not allowed to live in peace, we will also not allow others to live in peace.



If the government cant pay the money, I will do what I am used to. That is, I will take the life of 300 people to avenge the death of my bride and two of her relations. Yes, the lives of 900 will be in danger.





Source: saharareporters.com









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The police in Mumbai, India have arrested a Nigerian man identified as Oliver Diba Nikki with hard drugs worth Rs 30.20 lakh (N16.4 million).



Nikki, according to a report by the Times of India, was arrested in Andheri West in Mumbai with 200 grammes of mephedrone and 34 grammes of cocaine.



The 42-year-old Nigerian, police sources said was arrested on Friday evening from a bus stop near Azad Nagar metro station by the Marol unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell.



"He has told us he was released in December 2021 in an NDPS Act case and had gone back to drug peddling. We seized 200 grammes of mephedrone and 34 grammes of cocaine cumulatively valued at Rs 30.20 lakh from him," the policeman added.





Source: saharareporters.com









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Sudans civilian-led revolution three years ago, in which long-serving leader Omar al-Bashirs 25-year regime was toppled, has yet to help the countrys democracy, experts have said.



The revolution, which was a culmination of months of protests from a public angered by rising costs of living, was hijacked by the military which deposed al-Bashir on April 6, 2019, but retained control of the government.



Experts gathered virtually on Thursday said the countrys democracy is worse and its other pillars like human rights, social justice, and economy are just as bad.



In a Twitter Space discussion organised by Nation.Africa on Thursday, international relations, politics, and human rights experts explained why the Sudanese are still far from living in a democratic state.



Kholood Khair, a Sudanese national and the managing partner at Insight Strategy Partners, said, The situation in Sudan is currently very chaotic, because for the first time in Sudans history, we have both a coup, trying to consolidate, and a revolution restarting.



The pro-democracy movement really has a lot to fight for here; it's not just the domestic battle it's a regional battle and international battle, she added.



With a debt of $56 billion, Sudan was literally on its knees when Bashirs regime fell. And now the International Monetary Fund (IMF)s intention to relieve Khartoum of the heavy debt burden might never be after the military regime took over again.



Most of the conditions imposed on Sudan during Bashir times have not been re-imposed, but lenders and other donors have suspended support they were channelling to Sudan and demanding a return to civilian government.



Sudans military ran the show until August 2019 before agreeing to a power-sharing arrangement with representatives of civilian movements that had helped push al-Bashir out.



But that transitional government was roiled on October 25 last year after Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was toppled and his cabinet detained.



The Juntas leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, argued he was saving the transition from a wrangling government. He has failed to form another transitional administration that has stalled the programme that would have seen the country hold its first-ever free and fair election in three decades.



Politically, Ms. Khair said, there is total disarray and division, as different factions push and pull for different things, and some militia and criminal organisations have cropped up, taking advantage of the situation to escalate conflict and lawlessness.



Don Deya, a human rights activist and Pan African Lawyers Union Chief Executive, said, It's a real fight for their lives that the people of Sudan are engaged in, and it would be keen to see what we, the rest of Africa, especially fellow people, fellow-citizens, can do to support them at this time.



The IGAD, African Union, and the rest of the international community seem unable, incapable to step in and help the people of Sudan, he added.



The civilian movements and the military have failed to agree as to the former demand no role for the military in government.



But the experts also argued that the military has reversed some of Sudans progress in international cooperation.



The civilian leadership was ready to hand over Bashir to the International Criminal Court to face trials for crimes against humanity and war crimes, for which he was indicted in 2007.



But the military has now cooled over it in what also looks like saving themselves from the skeletons of the Darfur war in which more than 300,000 people were killed by militia supported by Bashir.



Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations, said that Sudans revolution failed because of the involvement of the military.



Sudans new dawn has not been realised, in part because there was hijacking by the military of a movement that was to restore sanity, peace, and the freedoms of the peoples, Prof Munene said.



Dr. Hassan Khannenje, Director of Horn International Institute of Strategic Studies, said, What is happening in Sudan is a picture of a growing trend in the entire continent, and the Wests, as well as the international communitys, silence on the emerging coups, has emboldened village tyrants as we see in the region.



According to Ms. Khair, Sudan current government is a reflection of Bashirs regime, and not so much might change for Sudanese.



Several countries, especially western European and American powers, have instituted numerous sanctions against Sudan, but experts say they might disproportionately affect the poor and citizens who have nothing to do with the juntas misdeeds or the countrys instability.



As much as the West is not interested, or appears not to be interested in what is happening in Sudan, then thats an opportunity for Russia and China to advance their interests in the country, Prof Munene said.



With Sudans increasing cooperation with China and Russia, the experts warned that the authoritarian regime may only be getting stronger with little hope of a democratically elected government in the country any time soon.





Source: theeastafrican.co.ke









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The reconstituted management board of the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC), which is made up of a wholly Ghanaian consortium, has paid a familiarisation and working visit to the mining site of the GBC at Awaso, in the Western North Region.



The team was led by the Executive Board Chairman, Isaac Ofori Poku.



The General Manager of GBC, Frederick Sarkodie led in the briefing of the team and to them on a tour of the mining site.



Other members of the Board who were present were George Ofosuhene, a development partner and a banker, Robert Boakye Danso, a retired banker, Azu a lawyer, Dey formerly of PMMC representing the government, Frank Abbey, (KPMG) George Ayettey, IT Consultant and Alexander Gyedu, board bember.



The GBC staff were represented by the Manager of the Mines, Kwabena Amoako Darko, Head of Health and Safety, Amos Frimpong, HR Manager, George Ampong, Head of IT, Joseph Cudjoe, Mine Superintendent Seth Antwi, Head of Haulage, Nathaniel Amponsah, K.K. Mensah, Deputy Engineering Manager and Senior Manager Mr. Abdulai.



Places visited during the tour included the Administration, the Community Hospital near the site, the Community School, recreational centers and Guest Houses built by GBC, the various mining concessions of GBC, The Haulage Area, The Crusher, the Washing Plant amongst others.



They also took the opportunity to interact with the mine workers to enable them address existing challenges inherited from their Chinese counterparts.



It would be recalled that the new Board took over the management of the GBC from the Bosai Minerals Group from China which had managed the company from February 2010 to February 2022.



The visit by the Board also gave the GBC technical engineers the opportunity to take the officials through the operations at the mining site.



The GBC has been producing metallurgical grade bauxite which is known as trihydrate sweetener bauxite for over 80 years and recently Bosai Mineral Group sold its 80 percent shares in GBC to a new Ghanaian consortium.



GBC produces high quality trihydrate bauxite with typical alumina (Al2O3) content of 52% and low silica of 1.5%.



The GBC under the new Board and the new management is poised to ramp up production from 1.2 Million metric tonnes per annum currently to 5 million metric tonnes annually starting from the year 2023.



The mining lease of GBC has been renewed for the next 30 years.

Source: graphiconline.com









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The General Secretary, Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Dr Cyril Fayose says the significance of Easter is forgiveness, love and reconciliation.



He noted that personal and national issues had created some enmity and polarisation amongst the populace and said it was important the Easter festivity was used for reconciliation.



As a country, families, different ethnic groups and co-workers, we must learn to forgive one another and live peacefully and amicably with one another.



The General Secretary said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency that Jesus Christ was an embodiment of service to humanity and if we would develop as a nation, we must be willing to serve one another and not take advantage of people.



Rev Emmanuel Barrigah, General Secretary, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), said it as a time of reconciliation as there is so much polarisation and as we commemorate Easter all and sundry must make peace with one another.



He called on the nation to pray for peace in Russia and Ukraine.



The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) in a statement, asked Christians to shun any acts of evil during and after the celebration.



The statement, signed by the Most Rev. Philip Naameh, President, GCBC, said let usrenew our commitment to reject any acts of evil, including acts of war, conflicts and any actions, which will lead to the senseless loss of lives and the creation of needless crises.



It asked Christians to see the resurrection of Christ as a call to the world to do all to break the barriers that kept us separated or divided.

Source: graphiconline.com









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The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Naa Iddi Lansah Seidu has called on Imams, chiefs and opinion leaders in the Zongo communities to lead the fight against drug trafficking and consumption in Zongo communities.



According to him, drug trafficking and consumption was so high in Zongo communities in the region, explaining that the situation has been identified as the root cause of violence and insecurity in such communities.



He said the usage of narcotics drugs by some of the youth from the Zongo communities emboldened them to engage in violence, describing them as "conflict mechants".



Conference



DCOP Naa Seidu who is also a divisional chief of the Sing Traditional Area in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region said this in an interview with Graphic Online on the sidelines of a conference on conflict prevention and management for chiefs, Imams, magajiyas (women leaders) and youth in Zongo communities in the Greater Accra Region at the National Mosque on Thursday, April 14, 2022.



The conference was on the theme: "Peace and Security in Zongo communities- changing the narrative." It was organised by the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF), which would be replicated across the country.





Consumption of narcotics drug



DCOP Naa Seidu attributed the use of the youth from the Zongo communities in the issues of land and chieftaincy disputes to the high consumption and trade in narcotics drugs in the Zongo communities.



Arrest



He said since he took over as the Police Chief of the Accra Region, he has been able to arrest 700 compressed parcels of Indian Hemp.



He explained that in many instances, narcotic drugs arrested by the police are often meant to be sold in the Zongo communities, stressing that names on such parcels are always people living in Madina, Newtown and Mamobi.



DCOP Naa Seidu noted that whenever the Command conducts swoops in the ghettos and slum areas, majority of those arrested were from the Zongos.



For him, what emboldens the youth from the Zongos to involve themselves in deviant activities, including landguard were as a result of the consumption of the narcotic drugs.



Solution



He therefore called on community leaders, particularly the Imams and chiefs in the Zongo communities to educate and sensitise the youth to desist from the consumption of narcotic drugs and rather focus on their education.



DCOP Naa Seidu who also identified himself as a Zongo person said "if we want to change the narrative about our Zongo communities then we must tackle the issue of drug trafficking and consumption within our communities".



He said in the previous past people from the Zongo communities were seen as honest and truthful but now "same cannot be said about us because in every five persons you will arrest, at least three out of them will be people from the Zongo communities."



He lauded the ZDF for initiating the training programme aimed at changing the narrative and to erase public perception of the Zongos as communities plagued by violence and insecurity.



He called on the fund to sustained the initiative to help restore the Zongos to its past glory as communities of peaceful and law abiding people.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A lecturer at the School of Hygiene in Ho, Sampson Quaye Agbavitor, who allegedly slashed his 14-year-old son repeatedly with a cutlass and left him to his fate has been arraigned.



The plea of Agbavitor, 41, who has been charged with causing unlawful harm and the use of an offensive weapon, was not taken when appeared before the Ho District Court 2, last Thursday (April 14, 2022), reports Graphic Onlines Alberto Mario Noretti.



Inspector Rejoice Kasa, who presented the facts, told the court presided over Mr Akosah Agyare-Amoapong said that the accused carried out the act on the child as punishment for a wrongdoing in school.



The victim, whose name is being withheld, is a JHS student who lives with his father at Ho-Dome.



Disciplinary hearing



The prosecution said the child smeared a portion of sanitizer on the face of his classmate on campus, prompting the school authorities to invite the accused to the disciplinary hearing into the matter.



The court was told the accused refused to honour the invitation from the school authorities and also ignored a letter reminding him of the meeting at the school.



As a result, the prosecution said, the school authorities prevented the child from writing the remaining two papers of his end-of-term examinations.



This angered the accused, who returned home from work on April 11 with a cutlass, and grabbed the boy at about 2am, subjected him to severe beatings before inflicting the wounds on him with the cutlass, the court was told.



Terrified neighbours



The boy screamed for help but the neighbours were scared of the fury on the face of the accused, said the prosecution.



According to the prosecution, Agbavitor left the wounded boy in the room, and then left for work in the morning.



A horrified neighbour alerted the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the police leading to the arrest of the accused.



The lecturer was said to have admitted slashing the boy with a cutlass in his caution statement and said the act was meant to discipline him.



Social workers



Meanwhile, the boy who is receiving treatment at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) will be taken into care by social workers after his treatment.



The court remanded Agbavitor in police custody to appear before it again on Thursday, April 21, 2022.













Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Hyundai Creta saloon vehicle, with registration number GW 4826-20, slammed into a metal container shop at Abetifi in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region, killing a 10-year-old boy and injuring five others.



All the injured were sent to the Abetifi Health Centre for treatment, where two (females) were treated and discharged, but the other three were referred to the Kwahu Government Hospital for further treatment.



The Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ebenezer Tetteh told the Ghana News Agency that the deceased, Emmanuel Atta Serebour Senior, was pronounced dead on arrival.



The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Kwahu Government Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy, he said.



DSP Tetteh said the driver, Charles Appiah, was driving from Abetifi towards Pepease when the vehicle veered off the road and ran into the container shop.



The police proceeded to the scene and met the victims who sustained various degrees of injury, at the shop premises, he said.



The vehicle had been towed from the crime scene to the Abetifi Police Station but the suspect driver is in police custody to assist in investigation, DSP Tetteh said.



In a related development, a VW minibus carrying 20 passengers with registration number GE 6462-22 was involved in an accident at Atibie in the Kwahu South District, leading to the occupants of the vehicle sustaining injuries.



The injured passengers were sent to the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw for treatment, DSP Tetteh said.



The minibus was on its way to Nkawkaw from Atibie and on reaching a section of the road in a sharp curve, while descending a hill, it fell on its side at the right edge of the road, he said.



The police went to the Holy Family Hospital's emergency room, where eight of the passengers - two ladies and six malesincluding the driver, Kelvin Annor Sarfo, 32, were receiving treatment.



The minibus was hauled from the accident scene to the Police Station, to be tested by a technician from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, DSP Tetteh said.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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James Gyekye Quayson is still the Member of Parliament for Assin North constituency according to the Director of the Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba.



The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that James Gyakye Quayson cannot act as the MP for his constituency until the determination of the substantive case filed against him.



The Apex Court by a 5:2 majority ruling said The MP is restrained from holding himself as MP for Assin North and restrained from attending Parliament to conduct business on behalf of the people of Assin North. The restriction remains until the final determination of the substantive matter. We direct that the case hearing be expedited



Amaliba speaking to this in an interview on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme said according to the ruling, the Assin North MP is still an MP just that he can't go to Parliament to perform his duties.



"...he is still an MP just that he can't go to parliament until they deal with the substantive issue...but the question is what will it spoil if he is allowed to go to parliament while the substantive case is dealt with? how can you claim to be running a democracy when a group of people is not represented in parliament? The ruling has not said he's no longer a Member of Parliament" he pointed out.



By-election



Lawyer Amaliba has meanwhile described as inaccurate Attorney General's claim that the Electoral Commission can now declare the Assin North seat vacant and go ahead with a by-election.



Attorney-General (AG), Godfred Yeboah after the ruling indicated that the High Court has ruled, given a judgement and determined the status of the gentleman as not qualified to have stood for election and had actually cancelled the election conducted in the Assin North constituency. The Court of Appeal subsequently struck out his appeal for non-compliance with the rules of the Court of Appeal.



Adding In my view, there should be nothing in the way of the Electoral Commission to declare the seat vacant



However, Amaliba disagrees.



"I've heard the Attorney-General speaking and making wrong submissions about the law; that the EC can go ahead and conduct a by-election...who told him? Didn't he hear that the substantive matter has been adjourned sine die meaning that until we determine that one there cannot be a by-election?" he questioned the AG.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Stan Dogbe, a former aide to Former President John Dramani Mahama, has expressed discontent about the governments defence to the erratic power supply the country is experiencing.



In recent times, there have been intermittent power outages in certain parts of the country with a section of the public suggesting that the erratic supply of power, popularly referred to as dumsor, has resurfaced.



In line with our projected demand and the prudent management of the Energy sector, the Ministry of Energy is confident that there is no way that this country will go back to the dark days of dumsor a press statement dated April 7, 2022, issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Energy said.



Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has also been making some rebuttals. On April 13, he acknowledged the inconvenience caused while offering explanations and assurances.



A couple of days ago, we had the Aboadze Switch Yard burnt and has led to a lot of intermittent power curtailment in parts of Western Region, Central Region, and even the Greater Accra Region. Because what GRIDCo is doing is to put all the networks in a circuit such that energy can be wheeled wherever with automatic metres. But that also meant that they will increasingly have trip-offs if the load imbalance is unfavourable to the system. So, the system decides to shut itself down to prevent machine and equipment damages.



So, its true that parts of the country are experiencing intermittent power surges because of a combination of factors, which are the works that we are doing and the light going off by itself.



But in a social media post, Sunday, Stan Dogbe described as lies the governments claim that dumsor is not back.



A livid Dogbe wrote: Despite the lies by government officials, DUMSOR is not only increasing the already high cost of running businesses in Ghana, but is killing especially small businesses.



Thats why it is annoying hearing Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh lie to Ghanaians that there is no DUMSOR. This morning they will go stand in front of their churches and worship God, yet wont speak the truth.



It is sickening the rate at which long periods of unplanned power cuts continue to affect businesses and increasing the cost of running same.



I keep repeating that governance must be taken seriously and the thinking by Akufo-Addo and his administration that they can do just anything and lie to the people is a danger; the people will continue to lose faith and trust in the politician.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, NPP, John Boadu has revealed that President Akufo-Addo is bent on handing over power to a Presidential candidate of the NPP in 2025.



John Boadu, whiles speaking at a news conference in Kumasi earlier this week (April 13) quoted the President as saying he (Akufo-Addo) believed handing over to an NPP candidate was not far fetched but that it will require unity of purpose.



According to a Daily Guide newspaper report, Boadu told the conference that Akufo-Addo had disclosed his 'dream' at a National Executive Committee meeting on April 12.



If we adhere to my wise counsel and remain united as one elephant family with a common destiny, definitely we shall win the elections and I, Nana Akufo-Addo, will hand over political power to another competent NPP person in 2024, the President purportedly said.



The NPP members should remain steadfast and united around the sterling leadership of the government which is steering the country through these difficult times, he added.



The party can only realise its ambition of retaining political power in 2024 when the party members eschew all forms of bickering, antagonism and all other things that tend to divide us.



Akufo-Addo's second and final term in office will expire after the 2024 General Elections when a new president is elected.



While he has promised to respect the presidential term limits when his time is up, the President has also stated on multiple occasions that he desires to handover to a President-elect from the NPP stock.



That aspiration ties into the NPP's 'Break The Eight' campaign that aims at winning a third consecutive election, a feat that will be the first under the 1992 Constitution.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Veteran journalist and respected pollster, Ben Ephson has stated that whenever a by-election is held in the Assin North constituency, it will be a test of popularity between the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



Ephson, who is publisher of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper told Accra-based Asaase Radio that either party that wins the seat will flaunt the victory as a sign of their popularity over the other.



He believes that flowing from the outcome of the 2020 parliamentary polls, the election when it is held will be a closely contested one.



The NDC will view it as a test of their popularity and itll also be viewed as a test of the governments popularity.



So, the NPP lost the seat and I think that Gyakye won because of the fathers popularity. Now, if theres a by-election and Gyakye decides to contest and NDC wins it, theyll say its a continuation of their strength and maybe a reflection of the government.



I think that if the NPP wins the by-election, they will have more political advantage that if you say were not doing well, weve taken a seat, weve won, Ephson told Asaase Newss Caleb Ahinakwah.



I think that one of the principles of the 2020 [general] elections has been that or it tells you that the Ghanaian voter has matured and the swing voters are a lot. So, the by-election itself will be interesting and will have a lot of political fall-outs, he said.



The possibility of a by-election in the constituency was triggered by a Supreme Court injunction that barred NDCs James Gyakye Quayson from holding himself out as a lawmaker until a case against the propriety of his candidature is determined.



Ephson is on record to have said last year that in the case of a by-election, the NPP will win the seat.



Background



In July 2021, a High Court in Cape Coast nullified the election of the Assin North MP, after it found that he owed allegiance to Canada at the time of filing his nomination forms to contest the polls.



Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency, filed the petition in court and later initiated another action at the Supreme Court to enforce the High Court's decision.



He urged the Court to prevent a further breach of the constitution by restraining the MP.



On Wednesday, April 13, the Supreme Court in a 5-2 decision ruled on the issue by barring the Assin North MP from performing any Parliamentary duty.



This is until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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Cletus Avoka, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Zebilla East in the Upper East Region, has shoot down the Minority Chief Whips decision to file a motion for a reversal of the three MPs to the Privileges Committee of Parliament.



He observed that Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, the Minority chief Whip rushed into filing the motion in calling for a reversal of the referral of the three MPs to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves for more than15 sittings.



The three MPs were Adwoa Safo, the MP for Dome/Kwabenya Constituency, Henry Quartey, the MP for Ayawaso West Constituency both in the Greater Accra Region and Kennedy Agyapong, the MP for Assin Central Constituency in the Central Region.



Mr. Avoka indicated that Alhaji Muntakas decision to file the motion, without extensive engagement with the leadership of the Minority Caucus was not appropriate since he rushed and should have conducted extensive engagements which would have provided the opportunity for legal considerations.



I think Muntaka is rushing too much because I thought when the House adjourned, there should have been a caucus meeting to discuss the way forward on whether we should present a motion or not, to rescind the Speakers decision, he asserted and wondered whether the motion would yield results since it was filed by an individual and not the Minority Caucus.



In the motion, Alhaji Muntaka called on Parliament to revoke, cancel or rescind the referral made by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on April 5, 2022, to the Privileges Committee of Parliament to consider the issue of absence without permission from the House under Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders 15 and 16 of the House.



Per Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, a Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat if he or she is absent, without the permission in writing of the Speaker, and he or she is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges from 15 sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh says embattled Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quaysons issue was avoidable yet he chose to ignore it.



According to him, things were clearly written on the wall of the outcome - but he was deceived by his party to pursue his ambition to become an MP.



He knew about the consequences, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie.



Adding that, but its unfortunate because this can happen to anyone.



Background



In July 2021, a High Court in Cape Coast nullified the election of the Assin North MP, after it found that he owed allegiance to Canada at the time of filing his nomination forms to contest the polls.



Michael Ankomah Nimfah, a resident of the constituency, filed the petition in court and later initiated another action at the Supreme Court to enforce the High Court's decision.



He urged the Court to prevent a further breach of the constitution by restraining the MP.



On Wednesday, April 13, the Supreme Court in a 5-2 decision ruled on the issue by barring the Assin North MP from performing any Parliamentary duty.



This is until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, and two other NDC MPs, have filed an injunction at the Supreme Court against the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (e-levy).



Mr Iddrisu, Mahama Ayariga and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa are urging the apex court to restrain the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from implementing the e-levy until the final determination of their suit challenging the constitutionality of its passage by Parliament.



Reasons



The injunction application filed by their lawyer , Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, today (April 19, 2020) avers that millions of people will suffer irreparable harm if the E-Levy Act is not put on hold and the court determines that its passage was unconstitutional.



According to them, the GRA would be unable to reimburse the millions who have paid the e-levy while the 1992 Constitution which is the supreme law of the land would have been undermined.



That the Plaintiffs having raised an allegation of a breach of the Constitution in the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022(Act 1075), in order to avoid an incalculable damage, injury and inconvenience not only to the people of Ghana but as well as undermining the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land, the justice of the case demands that the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022(Act 1075) is put on hold until the final determination of the instant suit, the injunction application stated.



Substantive case



The three MPs in their substantive suit want the apex court to declare the passage of the e-levy as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.



It is their case that Parliament did not have the right quorum to pass the e-levy as stipulated under Article 104(1) of the 1992 Constitution which had recently been interpreted by the Supreme Court.



According to them, as at the time the second reading for the passage of the e-Levy was done , there were only 136 MPs present in Parliament instead of the required 138.



They want the court to therefore declare the whole proceedings including the second reading, third reading and voting ti pass the e-levy as unconstitutional, null , void and of no effect.



The plaintiffs are also seeking an order from the court to set aside the passage of the e-levy by Parliament.







Source: graphiconline.com









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A project designed and built by two manufacturing majors is on its way to a national conference where it will be admired by thousands, then prepared for a trip around the country, before it's sealed up for 25 years.

It will be reopened when Manufacturing Engineering Technology major Bryace Scholze and Wood Products Manufacturing major Nathan Minuth are about 45 years old.

Its a time capsule, and Scholze won the right to design it in a competition held by the Foundry Educational Foundation in celebration of its 75th anniversary; they will open it on their 100th.

Pittsburg State is one of about 30 schools supported by the FEF financially; the organization has provided student scholarships and program support for many years to encourage study in the field of metal casting.

Scholze, a junior from Spring Hill, Kansas, modeled the time capsule after traditional casting equipment used in the 1940s and 1950s. In addition to designing it, he made many aluminum castings that became part of the time capsule.

Minuth, a senior from Custer Park, Illinois, manufactured and built the cherry wood time capsule using his CNC programming and finishing skills.

The project took several months to complete.

Parts of the time capsule are very complex to make so they used advanced manufacturing and 3D-print technology to make them, explained Professor Russ Rosmait, the faculty advisor who oversaw the project.

Aristo Cast, Inc., a high-end investment casting source for rapid prototyping in Almont, Michigan, contributed time and expertise in the form of cast aluminum pictures for the capsules exterior.

The time capsule design-build team was awarded $2,500 to cover the trip April 23-26 to Columbus, Ohio, for CastExpo 2022  North Americas largest metal casting trade show and industry event.

Learn more:

Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Poker Player Wade Woelfel Charged w/ Murder in Fatal Overdose

April 19, 2022 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S.

Wade Woelfel of Moose Lake, Minnesota is a former online poker pro whos also racked up hundreds of thousands in live tournament winnings. Now, he faces dire consequences after being charged with third-degree murder earlier this year.

In Minnesota, third-degree murder occurs when someone is killed without direct intent or premeditation. Punishment may include up to 25 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

History of Illegal Narcotics

According to CBS Minnesota WCCO-TV, court documents filed last week in Blue Earth County allege Woelfel sold drugs that led to the fatal overdose of 44-year-old Bryan Marconcini on October 8, 2021. According to court documents, Marconcini had addiction issues with illegal narcotics and was found unresponsive in a bathroom by his girlfriend, who called 911. Unfortunately, Marconcini was pronounced dead at the scene with a later autopsy revealing several drugs in his system including meth, fentanyl, and amphetamine.

Information provided by Marconcinis girlfriend pointed authorities to Woelfel, who was known to agents as both a user and a seller of narcotics. After surveillance video showed Marconcini and Woelfel meeting and completing a drug deal, as well as incriminating text messages, authorities set up a sting using an informant.

Wade Woelfel in poker action.

When he was arrested, Woelfel had various drugs, a digital scale, and drug paraphernalia. According to the Mankato Free Press, Woelfel got into trouble back in 2016 when agents of Homeland Security intercepted a mail package addressed to Woelfel containing more than 100 pills of Ecstasy.

The package, which was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Control at a New York airport, led to a warrant for Woelfels place in Minnesota, which according to a complaint busted him in the process of ordering cocaine and prescription meds online. At the time, he was charged with six felonies related to drug possession.

Promising Poker Career

While Woelfel has more than $600,000 in live tournament earnings dating back to 2006 according to the Hendon Mob, his last cash of $6,848 came back in 2016 when he finished third in the Canterbury Park Fall Poker Classic Event #15: $340 No-Limit Holdem. His best-ever score came in December 2012 when he finished runner-up in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Atlantic City $1,675 Main Event for $120,018.

So insane. I remember sharing a room three ways with him & another at PCA Bahamas over 12 years ago when we were all coming up just trying to save some loot, poker pro Faraz Jaka tweeted in response to the news. He was SoggyDog/SoggyVag online, he was a good dude back then. Hadn't talked to him in over a decade crazy to hear this.

According to news reports, Woelfel is currently being held at Minnesota Correctional Facility after violating his conditions of release from a prior drug conviction and will appear in court on the new murder charge in the near future.

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*Lead image courtesy of Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Sharelines Wade Woelfel faces up to 25 years in prison and a $40K fine after being charged w/ 3rd-degree murder.
How Ethan "Rampage Poker" Yau Exploits Loose & Splashy Opponents!

April 19, 2022 Jonathan Little

If you want to learn how to exploit the loose and splashy regs at your casino, look no further than this weeks strategy column on PokerNews!

We love Ethan Yau, AKA Rampage Poker, on this channel and when he uploads hands like this one (which he does regularly) it isnt hard to figure out why.

A lot of people like to rush to build a gigantic pot when they have pocket kings, but sometimes that isnt the ideal way to play them. If you are one of these people, then this video is definitely for you and I suggest you stick around until the end.

The hand took place down in Texas, which PokerNews recently wrote extensively about here, in a game of $2-$5 no-limit holdem. Yau, who in March has a very up-and-down month, looked down at the on the button after the player in the cutoff, who was described as playing a lot of hands, had opened for $20.

"Yau can use a larger raise size as he is confident his opponent will be capable of calling with most of their raising range."

Remember, just because an opponent plays a lot of hands does not necessarily mean they will have a wide range when they decide to raise. That said, when a passive opponent decides to take an aggressive line it is likely that they are at the top of their range.

Yau, a former MSPT Venetian champ, ended up three-betting to $100. Typically when three-betting in a live cash game you should not use such a large raise size, but Yau can use a larger raise size as he is confident his opponent will be capable of calling with most of their raising range. Against calling stations you should aim to three-bet a more linear range using a larger raise size to build bigger pots with your nutted hands.

Both blinds folded, the cutoff called, and the flop fell . The original raiser opted to lead out for $150 and Yau just called with the plan to let him hang himself. Why not raise here? A lot of players think that raising in this spot is optimal as it builds a bigger pot and protects their hand from draws.

Best Free to Play Slots

When Rampages opponent leads here theyre likely doing so with a polarized range of either premium-made hands, strong draws, or junky draws. If his opponent likes those hands and jams all in if Yau were to raise, then the latter would be faced with a tricky decision given the deep stack sizes (420 bb effective).

Straightforward players are unlikely to put all their money in with a bluff which puts a hand like pocket kings in really bad shape when facing a three-bet jam on this flop. Furthermore, Rampages opponent might perceive a call as a sign of weakness and may decide to fire on all three streets with a worse hand.

The turn saw the player in the cutoff fire out a $350 bet into the pot of $607. The board became a little more draw-heavy, and some ofRampages opponents range will have picked up additional equity on this turn.

Rampage should not change his strategy on the basis that his opponent could have picked up additional equity and should just call in this spot. You dont want to discourage your opponent from continuing to bluff if that is indeed the case. Some players will call a three-bet preflop with a wider range looking to apply aggression on any board in an attempt to win the pot.

As your opponents range contains more and more just absolute nonsense you should be way more inclined to call because they are sometimes drawing dead. You do not want to raise and let them fold.

Yau did just call and the pot grew to $1,307. The paired the board on the river giving Yau the best possible two pair barring his opponent having pocket aces, which is a real possibility here. The player in the cutoff bet $520. What do we do with the kings in this spot?

Fold

Call

Raise all in to $1,470

In this spot, I think Rampage should either call or shove all in. Rampage should not fold here, which would be atrociously bad, as his opponents range can contain missed draws that may attempt to bluff as well as some worse hands that have been overvalued.

The player in the cutoff could have flopped a set the way this hand played out, and along with some other likely holdings there are 16 effective nut hands in the range of Rampages opponent. Rampage should compare the number of worse hands that will call a shove to the number of nutted hands before making his decision. Will the cutoff call an all-in shove with a hand like ? Maybe with pocket jacks or queens?

By my count, there are 27 worse made-hands that are most likely to be in Rampages opponents rage that might take this line and call a jam. Knowing your opponent is very important in figuring out how wide you should raise for value in this spot.

A lot of loose and splashy players will find a hero call if Rampage shoves on the basis that all of the draws have bricked on this river. If Yau believes his opponent falls in this category, he should definitely move all in.

Thats exactly what he did for $1,470, and the player in the cutoff thought for a while before calling with the for an inferior two pair. Just like that Rampage scooped a $4,247 pot!

It was a nice shove from Rampage as some players do not always shove enough for thin value as they assume they will never get called by worse. This hand shows that way of thinking is flawed.

For more on this hand check out my breakdown in the following video:

Jonathan Little is a professional poker player and author with over $7,000,000 in live tournament earnings. He writes a weekly educational blog and hosts a podcast at JonathanLittlePoker.com. Sign up to learn poker from Jonathan for free at PokerCoaching.com. You can follow him on Twitter @JonathanLittle.
Day 3 of the Spring Edition of the 2022 WSOP International Circuit at the King's Resort in Rozvadov has concluded which has seen a day full of blow-ups and tantrums. The 57 players played down to the final table where nine competitors from six different nations will compete for the 160,500 prize. Each player has already locked up an entry to the WSOP Europe Main Event worth 10,350 and a minimum payout of 14,500.

Kosovo's Besnik Lalinovci currently leads the way with 6,200,000 chips while his compatriot Rama Mulaj is not far behind in third place with 5,200,000. Germany's Luc Ta is sandwiched in-between with 5,385,000.

German Vincent De Neve will be making his second appearance at a WSOP Circuit event final table on Tuesday, he finished 3rd for  114,709 in the September 2021 edition.

Czech native Lukas Zaskodny is no stranger to the bright lights of the main stage at King's Casino but comes into the day 7th in chips and will need some early spin-ups to be within contention to claim the coveted WSOP Circuit Ring.

2022 WSOP Circuit King's Spring Edition 1,700 Main Event Final Table

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Luc Ta Germany 5,385,000 90 2 Nedeljko Todorovic Slovenia 5,100,000 85 3 Tom Cohen Israel 3,355,000 56 4 Volkan Alkan Germany 765,000 13 5 Ruslan Volkov Ukraine 3,435,000 57 6 Rama Mulaj Kosovo 5,200,000 87 7 Vincent De Neve Germany 890,000 15 8 Besnik Lalinovci Kosovo 6,200,000 103 9 Lukas Zaskodny Czech Republic 2,195,000 37

Play will resume on April 19th at 2 p.m. local time with the blinds at 30,000/60,000 and 60,000 big blind ante and 21:52 remaining on the clock. Due to King's Casino broadcasting the final table on Twitch and YouTube, PokerNews will be providing updates on an hour delay to stay in sync with the stream.

Action of the Day

Day 3 was jam-packed with drama with several blowups along the way. Coming into the third day with one of the biggest stacks was Daniele D'Angelo who lost the vast majority of his stack in the first three hands of the day when a bluff went wrong.

Martin Kabrhel proved to be a constant thorn in the side of many, but none more so than Nadir Kinno who had several battles throughout the day with Kabrhel. The Czech WSOP Europe champion amassed a huge stack to take the chip lead with three tables left to ultimately finish in 22nd place.

Martin Kabrhel went from chip leader with 24 remaining to 22nd place finisher

One of the most sickening bad beats occurred on the feature table where Jan van der Stroom's pocket aces were cracked by Alfredo Cuti's pocket aces. Cuti made a flush on the turn to eliminate van der Stroom who took defeat with humility where many others wouldn't.

Fausto Tantillo had a rollercoaster of a day and came into the session second in chips. He steadily grew his stack up to 5,000,000 chips before dusting them off in the space of a one hour level.

Symeon Alexandridis was the last casualty of the day busting in 10th place which was good for a cash prize of 12,000 and a seat at WSOP Europe Main Event in the fall.

Remaining Payouts

Place Winner Country Prize (in EUR) 1 160,500 2 100,900 3 72,300 4 56,900 5 44,700 6 34,900 7 26,300 8 18,300 9 14,500

The PokerNews team will be on hand to cover all of the final table action at King's Resort Rozvadov. Cards will be in the air at 2 p.m. and updates will be provided on an hour delay.
Three prominent Aiken groups have come out in support of Newberry Street's inclusion into Project Pascalis, the downtown Aiken revitalization project.

The Aiken Municipal Development Commission unanimously passed a resolution in support of the city of Aiken conveying a portion of that street to RPM Development Partners LLC during a Monday morning meeting.

This resolution also was supported by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken Corporation.

Last week, the Aiken Standard reported on new plans for Project Pascalis that included the city's old Municipal Building being transformed into a conference center with retail space. Previously, the conference center was designed to be located between Newberry Street and Bee Lane.

Under the new proposed designs, an area known as The Promenade would replace the southbound lane on Newberry Street between Park and Richland avenues with grass, water features and trees.

The city of Aikens leadership has the opportunity to create positive and transformational change to the Newberry Street Festival Area, stated Keith Wood, chairman of the development commission. The project is expected to create in excess of 150 new jobs and replace lost surface parking along Newberry with structured parking. It will also bring an estimated 150 new full-time residents downtown to shop and dine on a daily basis, creating a minimum estimated increase of $3.3 million annually in local government property, hospitality and accommodations taxes while maintaining the essence and character that has long defined Aiken."

Aiken City Council unanimously passed, 7-0, on first reading an ordinance to convey part of Newberry Street during its March 28 meeting.

Currently, the project's architects are not doing any more drawings until the Newberry Street matter comes to a resolution, J. David Jameson, a commission member and president and CEO of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, said during the meeting.

The resolution reads that the commission recommends Aiken City Council to have the second reading of its ordinance to convey part of Newberry Street during its April 25 meeting.

"In so doing, the council will allow the planning and engineering and due diligence related to the project to move ahead unimpeded by uncertainty," according to the resolution.

The Newberry Street festival center changes would "place a premium on a safe and comfortable pedestrian-focused esplanade akin to a central square for the City of Aiken," according to the resolution.

"The additional landscaping and public green space will provide ample space for outdoor dining, activities, events and gathering of all types, and will extend the pedestrian experience so successfully created when The Alley was closed to traffic in 2017," reads the release. "The reimagined Festival Center would accommodate both pedestrians and vehicles well due to proposed modifications to the traffic flow on the block."

The Aiken Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted Monday to endorse moving forward with the project.

The Aiken Chamber has been advocating for Aikens 'cool factor' since the Blue Ribbon panel report was issued in 2013 and again in 2017 with the Compelling Place to Live Report," stated Chamber Chairman Norm Dunagan. Both reports returned with recommendations to recruit more retail in the downtown area, provide more housing in the downtown footprint and to create areas that entice citizens to gather, mix and make connections. A communitys economic vitality is key to its quality of life, and this is a giant step in the right direction.

The Aiken Corporation voted to endorse the Project Pascalis site plan and Newberry Street changes.

The Board of Directors of the Aiken Corporation is pleased to offer its enthusiastic support for Project Pascalis, stated board Chair Buzz Rich. Creation of additional housing opportunities, retail space, and a new hotel is critical to the prosperity to our downtown. Further, the transformation of one lane of Newberry Street into a pedestrian promenade offering green space and a more user friendly festival area is an exciting addition to the project.

There will be two public input sessions Wednesday, one at 11:30 a.m. and one at 5:30 p.m. for residents to voice their opinions and ask questions about Project Pascalis. The meetings will be held in City Council chambers at the old Municipal Building, at 214 Park Ave. S.W.

The format will include discussion of Project Pascalis by the involved developers.
A North Augusta man was arrested Thursday in connection to the assault of two Aiken County deputies.

Eddie Shawn Sherlock, 27, is charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest and one count of destructing county property.

Just before 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Aiken deputies were responding to an unrelated disturbance on the 100 block of Webbs Park Drive in North Augusta when they located the suspect, who had warrants out of Aiken County.

While three deputies attempted to place the suspect under arrest, he struck one of the officers in the jaw and kicked another officer in the shin, according to an incident report obtained from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect also "ripped off" one of the deputy's body cameras causing damage to the camera, according to the report.

Deputies used a Taser to apprehend the suspect, but after being placed in the patrol car, he "became agitated and angry, banging his head multiple times on the prisoner partition inside the vehicle," according to police.

The suspect's injuries were checked by medical staff and he was transported to the Aiken County detention center for booking.
Charleston International, the region's bus services and other transportation providers in the Lowcountry no longer require face coverings.

Airport officials suspended the mandate on April 18, after a federal judge in Florida struck down the national mask policy covering airlines and other forms of public transit earlier in the day.

On April 19, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority and TriCounty Link suspended the mask requirement on all vehicles.

"Masks will continue to be made available to riders, as the Centers for Disease Control recommends that riders wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time," said CARTA and TriCounty Link executive director Ron Mitchum.

"(Charleston International) understands that the Transportation Security Administration is not currently appealing the court's ruling, therefore it is CHS's understanding that there is no longer a mask requirement," airport spokesman Spencer Pryor said in a prepared statement.

"However, travelers are encouraged to check with their respective carrier regarding the airline's specific requirements," he said.

Other public transportation and ride-hailing services that operate in the Charleston area also announced they were making masks optional, including Amtrak, Lyft and Uber.

"We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so," Lyft said on its website. "As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they dont wish to take."

The decision by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Fla., said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire April 18, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

Mask policies began taking effect after the COVID-19 outbreak across the nation in March 2020. They were later mandated by the federal government, which led to the judge's decision.

Airline passengers have expressed both anger and elation over the ruling, according to reports. The Justice Department declined to comment when asked if it would seek an emergency ruling to block the judges order.
The land of lagers is a place where brewers showcase their skill set. Void of the fancy flavors that enhance milkshake IPAs or fruit-infused sours, these crisp, clean beers that take one or two months to brew are returning to breweries across the country.

From 1-5 p.m. April 30, a group of more than 25 of them will convene at Charlestons Edmunds Oast Brewing Co. for the inaugural Land of Lagers festival, a celebration of the beer thats easy to drink but hard to brew.

Beer samples will be served to Land of Lagers ticket holders throughout the afternoon. The Edmunds Oast Brewing Co. kitchen will dish beer festival inspired bites  like three types of sausages  and recently opened Rancho Lewis will be on hand with Texas border-inspired cuisine available for purchase.

According to Brandon Plyler of Edmunds Oast, this is the first festival-style event theyve hosted at the brewery since opening in 2017. Plyler said aficionados in the beer world have for years been discussing when the cycle toward crisp, clean lagers would return to craft breweries. And that time has come.

Those are the types of beers that Im talking to other breweries about at other festivals, Plyler said. I think you can tell a lot about a brewery by their lager game. For a lot of brewers, they tend to be the beers that theyre really excited about.

Lagers are considered by many to be the most popular beers in the world, with national conglomerates like Budweiser and Miller dominating the market. Charleston-based Island Coastal Lager has built a brand based on the crisp, carbonated, low alcohol-by-volume brews, but when it comes to craft breweries, many steer clear due to the extra effort necessary to produce lagers.

Most of what we ferment in the brewery is a house ale yeast strain, which is very typical of most breweries. When we do the lager stuff, we have to maintain a separate strain of yeast. Its extremely manageable, but we have to make sure that that yeast is kept healthy and alive, Plyler said. The time it takes us to produce and release a lager, we probably could have run two maybe three beers  like rotated through that tank  in the same time it takes to make that one batch.

Land of Lagers offers brewery representatives the chance to bounce new ideas off of other brewers and explain their process to festivalgoers.

Who's coming?

Nine-year-old Boston brewery Trillium Brewing Co. is set to participate in Land of Lagers. After four years of planning, lagers became part of Trilliums year-round line of beers in 2017.

We now have 12 horizontal lagering tanks, specialized lager draft faucets, and cooperage to realize our exploration and expression of modern New England lager brewing, said Trillium founder JC Tetreault. From Oktoberfest Weisnbier and our hoppy Essential series made with 100 percent local malt and hops to German Helles and experimental Foeder-aging, our love for lagers runs deep.

Tetreault said the return of beer festivals feels invigorating. Trillium jumped at the opportunity to showcase its beer at Land of Lagers after discussing the event with Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergs of Evil Twin Brewing, another Land of Lagers participant.

Were always in search of exciting forums to share our beers with new friends, and Edmunds Oasts reputation definitely precedes them, Tetreault said. Recently, when Jeppe from Evil Twin was in town for a track meet he mentioned Land of Lagers and we knew we had to attend.

Fonta Flora Brewery (North Carolina), Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Georgia), The Veil Brewing Co. (Virginia) and Heller-Trum (Germany) are also among the participants. In addition to the out-of-town breweries, Charleston's Westbrook Brewing Co. will join Land of Lagers alongside Edmunds Oast Brewing Co. Charleston craft beer collective The Whale is coming, as well, with plans to use the event as a chance to debut its converted van equipped with five taps, called the Whale on Wheels.

According to Jesse Mellinger, The Whale general manager, the craft beer bar offers at least three lagers on draft at all times and another 15 to 20 in bottles and cans. Naturally, they jumped at the opportunity to serve at Land of Lagers, where the van will pour five classic German lagers.

This was kind of a reason for us to high-tail it and get this thing open and operational, Mellinger said. I think its cool that there's enough interest in (lagers) now. It seems like theyre finally coming around.

Tickets to Land of Lagers are available online at edmundsoast.com/event/land-of-lagers for $65. According to Plyler, he would like to see the festival become an annual event.

More beer news

Several new and exciting beers are coming to Charleston area breweries.

One of the areas first craft non-alcoholic beers is now available at Revelry Brewing Co. in downtown Charleston. The St. Michael N.A. was made using a specialized yeast and Centennial hops to keep it under the required maximum of 0.5 percent alcohol-by-volume.

Black woman-brewed Tha CommUNITY is set to release three new beers in collaboration with local breweries this spring and summer.

On May 7, 10 barrels of a Tahitian Treat soda-inspired Berliner Weisse will land at Frothy Beard Brewing Co. in West Ashley. Available on draft and in cans designed by Alexandria Searles, the beer was made using pureed cherries, pineapples and oranges. Tha CommUNITY founder April Dove and Commonhouse Aleworks will release a Bradford Watermelon wheat ale in honor of Juneteenth, and in July, Dove will team up with Two Blokes Brewing to make a Jimmy Red cornbread cream ale.

On April 15, Two Blokes joined the nationwide Brave Noise beer initiative that brings awareness to the issues women, Black people and LGBTQ+ individuals face in craft beer with the release of its 5.5 percent alcohol-by-volume Brave Noise pale ale.

To join the initiative, brewers must submit and publish a code of conduct, make a donation to a charity that promotes inclusion, and make a commitment to create an inclusive and safe space for staff and employees before they can put their spin on the Brave Noise pale ale. Brewers have until the end of 2022 to make the pledge and brew the beer. One of seven South Carolina breweries to commit to the initiative, Two Blokes will donate $1 from every pint sold to Right To Be, a nonprofit that strives to end workplace harassment.
Warren Lance Wise covers retail, real estate and Charleston International Airport for The Post and Courier. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he holds nearly 50 local, state and national awards for journalistic excellence.
GREENVILLE COUNTY  A Wisconsin-based senior living builder wants to rezone a key intersection along Roper Mountain and Batesville roads in a residential area near Five Forks to build a new senior living complex, a move that brought a mix of reactions from nearby homeowners April 18 during a Greenville County public hearing.

Isaac Wallace of Erdman  a Madison, Wisc. company with a bevy of senior living and healthcare facilities across the country  would be the buyer of 10.5 acres at the newly widened intersection. It plans to build a series of three-story apartments and single-story connected cottages tucked away from the road at the corner.

The project would mark a shift from the single family residential homes that surround the area to a commercial use for the site. The developer has asked for a flexible review district that would give the county more control over how the site is developed.

Erdman wants to build a large, three story building with three wings  one each for independent living, assisted living and memory care  as well as six sets of single story, 1,500-square-foot townhomes.

The company plans to leave 25 percent of the land, which has a creek running through it, as green space. It also plans to build its facility with a maximum height of 45 feet, the same as allowed under the lands current residential suburban density.

The proposal won the support of Jonelle Phillips, a longtime area resident who helped implement the recent Five Forks Area Plan to guide development. The area on the southeast side of Greenville is one of the fastest growing parts of the county.

She said it was the first time shed backed a development, though she still hoped to see a walking trail added to the plan among other changes.

I think compared to the other things we could see at that intersection which has been widened and improved, this is the best thing for us, Phillips said.

But a number of residents who live nearby spoke against the proposal, including Dr. Naveen Saxena, a local cardiologist who lives across the intersection from the proposed facility and said its noise would be a nuisance.

Kim Anderssen-Lee, representing the Orchard Farms neighborhood next to the site, said nearly 500 people had signed petitions against the rezoning of our land so far over concerns about the building heights, the change from residential use, commercial creep and added traffic.

The stormwater runoff is a huge issue for us, Anderssen-Lee said. We flood whenever it rains heavy, or even medium rain.

She said she counted six other assisted living facilities within five miles of the site.

The proposal is scheduled for first reading by Greenville County Council on April 19. It would then go to the countys Planning Commission, the Planning and Development Committee and require two more readings by County Council in order to pass.

Residents and officials also heard plans presented on a number of other rezoning requests April 18.

Hudson Road pocket neighborhood

Arbor Land Designs Jay Martin presented a plan to build a six-home pocket neighborhood on 1.3 acres at 426 Hudson Road in Greenville, which would replace an existing home on the land. The proposal came as a flexible review district and would seek to rezone from existing R-20 residential that would allow two-to-three houses to be built.

Martin said the pocket neighborhood would be designed to create a small community with shared spaces for neighbors to connect. Lots would sell in excess of $150,000 with custom homes designed starting at $750,000, he said.

Asked by Councilman Ennis Fant about open space, Martin said a paved interior private street would be used as shared community space due to a lack of room and the need for emergency vehicles to have access to each house.

Martin said a lower number of homes wouldnt achieve the sense of community he desired for the site.

A number of residents, including the sites next door neighbor, criticized the proposal as a way to cram homes on a small plot of land in a suburban community.

It really doesnt go with the character of the street or the neighborhood, said Alexander McLeod. FRD was established to encourage innovative design. Im not sure trying to put the most amount of houses on a piece of property is innovative.

Ralph Metherell, another nearby resident, said he was opposed to the project because to him it was a backdoor attempt to get R-7.5 zoning for the site to build double the number of houses allowed.

West Georgia Road subdivision proposed

Arbor Land Design wants to rezone 103 acres along West Georgia Road near U.S. 25 to R-S residential suburban from rural residential for a traditional subdivision with 29,000-square-foot lots for up to 102 houses on a wooded site with a pond and creeks.

The site does not have sewer access and would require septic tanks. The initial plan would also leave nine acres as green space at the confluence of two streams, said Arbors Austin Allen.

Homes would sell for $400,000 and up, Allen said.

Some spoke out against the development, saying they would like the county to keep the existing rural zoning in the rural area.

I think theres been enough short-sighted development in this area and I say there should be no more, said Mark Yost, who lives nearby.

Chicken farmer or illegal motor homes?

A Berea landowner asked the county to rezone vacant land from R-12 residential to R-S residential to allow his family to use the 11.4 acres on Motor Boat Club Road for their own small farm, but dozens of surrounding residents protested the change at the public hearing and said the man has been using the site as an illegal RV park, disturbed the land without a permit and faces fines from the county for the violations.

The landowner, Rigoberto Morales, said he didnt know where rumors had started that he would use the land as a trailer park, but that wasnt his plan. County staff said the site cant be used for RVs or trailers under either its existing or requested zoning. Staff also said county codes inspectors had paid visits to the site and there was an open case against Morales.

Locust Hill Road site returns

A new plan for a plot of land next to the Ingles grocery store on Locust Hill Road in Greer returned for consideration a year after the county turned down a plan for a 55-and-up housing complex on the 8-acre site.

This time, the landowner is seeking C-1 commercial zoning for what Gray Engineerings Waverly Wilkes said was a nursery or greenhouse, though she said those discussions were preliminary.

Concerned residents again spoke out, saying the proposal worried them because of its vagueness and because of the past attempts to rezone the site.

If rezoned, Fant asked if the site could be used for residential uses similar to what had previously been rejected. It could, which prompted Fant to say the county needs to close loopholes that he said developers are exploiting by proposing one project then switching it for another once a desired zoning is achieved.

Developers are outsmarting us, Fant said. Theyre lying to this council. They tell us one thing and it goes click, click, click, click because it's Sunday and we believe them and then we get stuck with something else and its getting old.

New Easley Highway commercial site

The owner of five acres zoned service district at 2492 New Easley Highway said he has an offer from a Georgia-based business that sells outdoor sheds to buy the land, but it must be zoned commercial. No one spoke against the request.

West Village apartments

A developer wants to build 22 townhouse-style residences in four buildings on Draper Street in the West Village area of Greenville with an amenity area and pedestrian access around the site. The development would be a flexible review district on 1.1 acres on land currently zoned for offices and residential. No one spoke against the proposal.
A 94-acre property on Johns Island that was once the site of a proposed 240-home community may be protected from all future development.

Charleston City Council on April 12 approved allocating about $515,000 of its greenbelt funding toward a conservation easement for the property, known as the Oakville Tract.

Greenbelt funding is set aside by Charleston County to various municipalities in the county for conservation projects. The Lowcountry Land Trust is drafting the agreement to protect the property and matching the city's allocation using funds from a grant awarded through the state of South Carolina.

"You wouldnt want to be developing this site, it's very low, it's subject to flooding and it can have an impact on the overall drainage basin," Mayor John Tecklenburg said during a Charleston City Council Real Estate Committee meeting April 11.

The Charleston Aviation Authority bought two parcels of land in August, including the Oakville tract, to prevent homes from sprouting on the edge of the 1,333-acre Charleston Executive Airport next to the Stono River.

The purchases will allow the airport to widen and extend one of its runways and use the Oakville tract as an undeveloped "clear zone" or safety buffer for the runway. The most that the Aviation Authority could build on the Oakville tract under the proposed conservation easement would be a road connecting different areas of the airport to each other, said City Councilman Karl Brady who represents the area.

"I think its a huge win because the airport gets a buffer zone and were able to save that low-lying land," Brady said.

The 94-acre Oakville tract is mostly located in the city of Charleston but is partially within the county. It is also located entirely within the urban growth boundary, an area where higher density of development is allowed on Johns Island. The low-lying piece of land is also on Burden Creek. Preserving it from development will allow runoff to continue downstream rather than be blocked by homes, roads and businesses.

"There would have been a lot of repercussion upstream," said Johns Island Taskforce Chairman John Zlogar of the previous proposal to build homes on the property. The task force was established in 2013 to bring together residents and local officials to address Johns Island-specific issues.

The Charleston Aviation Authority bought the Oakville tract and another 43-acre tract for $7.7 million. Out of that, $4.9 million went to the developers of the proposed community on the Oakville tract for the estimated development rights of the land. If the use of the city of Charleston's allocation of greenbelt funds is given final approval by Charleston County, the Aviation Authority has agreed to donate $3.9 million worth of those development rights, said Natalie Olson, Sea Islands Program Director for the Lowcountry Land Trust.

The grant funds would reimburse the Aviation Authority for about $1 million worth of those land rights. The agency will retain ownership of the property, but the conservation easement will limit all development on it in perpetuity.

City Councilman Ross Appel told members of the Real Estate Committee that it is common for airports to create "buffer zones" along the edges of their properties.

"These airports are economic engines and there is going to be a lot of desire to develop in and around this area," Appel said.

Charleston County Council's Finance Committee will vote April 21 whether to approve the city's allocation of its share of greenbelt funds to the conservation easement. The proposal will then need a final vote from County Council.

The Oakville property is one of several tracts of land on Johns Island that are being considered for greenbelt funds. County Council's Finance Committee will also consider approving greenbelt funds to place conservation easements on two large properties, a 700-acre tract along the Stono River known as Ravenswood and a 35-acre tract that once included the Sea Islands Farmers Cooperative. The co-op was founded by Black farmers in the 1970s.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
Two men who admitted to their part in shooting a stray dog in Harmon will not have to spend any time in prison.

Daimeionne Kaleo Greer and Jesse Pu Villagomez Jr. pleaded guilty to second-degree animal abuse as a misdemeanor before Superior Court of Guam Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena on Tuesday.

Villagomez Jr. also admitted to guilt established by complicity as a misdemeanor.

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Both got a one-year suspended prison sentence and were placed on two years of probation.

It was said in court that they may have to pay restitution to the veterinarian.

Greer and Villagomez Jr. were allowed to walk free following the hearing and are set to return to court on Sept. 29.

"It's never okay to abuse an animal for fun," said Cyrus Luhr, Guam Animals In Need president in response to the outcome of the case. "The law is clear, and we hope increased action by law enforcement and our courts will one day eliminate senseless, cruel actions like this."

Caught on video

The defendants were accused of injuring a dog with a pellet rifle in the Harmon Industrial Road area.

The pair were charged six months after the November 2020 incident that was recorded on cell phone video and circulated on social media.

An examination of the dog indicated that the injuries sustained did not create a substantial risk of death or serious physical injuries, but did leave the dog limping, swollen, and with a wound, the AGs office stated in a news release.

Greer was the man in the video seen allegedly holding a pellet gun at the Jack Peters warehouse along Siket Street in Harmon and shooting a stray dog nearby.

He previously told The Guam Daily Post that the dog would often trash the area, and that he only tried to scare it away to prevent it from coming back. Greer along with his parents gave a public apology, telling the Post that he did not mean to harm the animal.
From in-person meetings with airlines and travel partners to launching aggressive social media blitzes, the Guam Visitors Bureau is ramping up its campaigns in Korea and Japan to revive the island's pandemic-hit tourism.

GVB officials are making the rounds in the island's major source markets to remind them about Guam's beauty, safety and proximity.

Today, GVB board Chair Milton Morinaga and GVB President Carl Gutierrez will lead a bureau delegation to Tokyo to deliver personally a message that Guam is "ready" to welcome back tourists after a COVID-19 pandemic-induced pause.

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This follows a similar GVB visit to Seoul, South Korea, recently.

"To update them of our current status, how much we are ready to accommodate these people and to let them know what we are doing right now," Morinaga said of the visits, during a meeting of the GVB Japan Marketing Committee.

New video clips highlighting Guam's beauty will be launched soon on social media platforms, along with advertisements in Korea and Japan.

While in Tokyo, the GVB delegation will hold a press conference to help elevate awareness of Guam in Japan.

Morinaga particularly asked the GVB management team to put together a video presentation to highlight the convenience of going from Japan to Guam, which is about 3-1/2 hours away, versus a 6-1/2-hour flight time to reach Honolulu, Hawaii.

"Time is money," he said.

Japan and Korea have been lifting more and more pandemic restrictions for their citizens returning from travel abroad, which bodes well for Guam.

But GVB officials, during back-to-back meetings Tuesday afternoon of the Japan and Korea marketing committees, acknowledged that other destinations also are campaigning aggressively.

GVB director of global marketing Nadine Leon Guerrero said this is among the reasons GVB continues its offer of free PCR testing for tourists before they go back to their countries, an incentive program that will last through Sept. 30.

She also said there's an uptick in March arrivals from Japan to Guam as a result of the lifting of quarantine for fully vaccinated Japanese travelers returning after a trip outside the country.

Total arrivals to Guam for the first half of fiscal 2022 reached 48,567, or a 174% increase from the same period in 2021, but just a fraction of the pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, Guam saw a record-breaking 1.6 million arrivals.

United Airlines also said it will add more flights, operating Saturday morning and Sunday night from May 7 to June 2, GVB's Leon Guerrero said, adding that this means more arrivals are to be expected than initially forecast.

Some travel agencies have resumed their bookings, including Rakuten Travel, which began selling Guam seats April 15 for departures starting April 27, GVB officials said.

GVB board director Ben Ferguson, also Pacific Islands Club general manager, at the meeting of the GVB Korean Marketing Committee, noted the value of holding familiarization tours on Guam, such as one that concluded this week for Korean travel and media partners.

"These types of events are extremely important to our success and they allow us to show our business partners and this then allows them to show their customers that we are ready to accept their business," he said.

More of Guam's tourism-related businesses have reopened after a pandemic-induced closure.

GVB Korea market officials said, for this month, seat capacity was just over 6,000, reflecting the lingering impact of cancellations related to the omicron surge.

But in May, seat capacity for the Korea-Guam route is expected to be nearly 20,000, and then close to 30,000 by June, GVB officials said.

"In our meetings with the airlines, some of them have reported booking rates of over 1,000% from the opening, starting in April, so were hopeful that the (passengers) will be there to help sustain and allow the airlines to move," GVB's Leon Guerrero said.

Ferguson agreed that this is definitely a "good sign."
As Scott noted earlier, Federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has ruled that the CDCs Mask Mandate for airline and other travel is illegal. Her decision is embedded below.

Judge Mizelle relied on three independent grounds in invalidating the mandate. First, she found that it exceeded the statutory authority that Congress has delegated to CDC under the 1944 Public Health Services Act, 42 U.S.C.  246(a). The Biden administration argued that the mandate is justified by a reference in that section to sanitation as an action that CDC can carry out. Judge Mizelle engaged in a close analysis of the text of the relevant provisions and of the meaning of the word sanitation in context to conclude that the mask requirement is not sanitation within the meaning of the statute. Her reasoning is, I think, persuasive.

Her second ground for invalidating the mask mandate is that it is a rule that was adopted without the required public notice and comment period. The government claimed that the mask mandate was covered by the good cause exception that allows an agency to proceed without public input when a notice and comment period would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. The exception is narrowly construed and the burden is on the agency to show that it applies. In this case, the CDC simply recited the statutory standard in conclusory form without making any showing that notice and comment would, in fact, be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. The court understandably found this to be inadequate.

The court accepted CDCs claim that wearing masks would, in fact, retard the spread of covid. But that assumed fact does not constitute good cause for proceeding without notice and public comment, or else that requirement would be a dead letter for any action undertaken by CDC.

CDC argued further that a public comment period would have been useless because the agencys mind was already made up. The court understandably rejected this theory, noting that the rule directly impinged on individual freedom; thus the public had a strong interest in being heard.

Finally, Judge Mizelle found that the Mask Mandate was arbitrary and capricious because the CDC articulated no rationale for the agencys rejection, or failure to consider, alternative measures, or for its system of exceptions. Judge Mizelle said that she considers this the closest of the three grounds on which she found the Mask Mandate improper, an assessment that seems correct.

The court concluded that vacating the Mask Mandate rule was the appropriate remedy for the CDCs violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. The court further ordered the Mandate remanded to CDC for further proceedings consistent with her order. I assume the government can appeal notwithstanding that remand, and will promptly move for a stay on enforcement of todays order in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Appellate practice is not my strong point, and I offer no opinion on whether a stay will be forthcoming, or whether you can assume that you can forgo a mask if you board an airplane later this week.

I do think that Judge Mizelles reasoning is sound, particularly with regard to the CDC acting without statutory authorization. The idea that the Mask Mandate constitutes sanitation within the meaning of the 1944 act (which in the same sentence confers on CDC powers of inspection, fumigation, disinfectionpest extermination and destruction of animals) strikes me as farfetched. I think her ruling ultimately will be upheld, although whether we will have to continue to wear masks on airplanes and other conveyances for a while is anyones guess.

Liberals are predictably up in arms about todays decision, although I havent yet seen anyone criticize it intelligently. In fact, so far I havent seen any adverse comment from anyone who appears to have read Mizelles opinion. I guess it is no surprise that liberals are unconcerned about federal agencies issuing orders that infringe on the liberties of millions of Americans without either 1) having express statutory authority from Congress, or 2) following proper statutory procedures. The idea that government agencies should be able to simply issue orders and rules that liberals think represent good ideas, without constraint, is perhaps the essence of modern liberalism.

UPDATE: One of my daughters texts that United and Alaska Airlines have already dropped their mask requirements. Lets hope that this becomes an irresistible tide.

MORE: Apparently people at the airport are ripping their masks off and throwing them away. Hallelujah!
The aura of festivities that filled the atmosphere in Aboh, Mbaise, Imo State, on Tuesday evening has never been witnessed in recent times.

One of her proudest daughters, Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic, tied the knot traditionally with her beau, Fidelis Anosike.

Nollywood stars, friends, kinsmen and women converged on the actress country home for her traditional marriage rites.

The traditional marriage was held at her late fathers compound, the home of the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Marcellenus J.O Waturuocha.

No doubt, the Nollywood beauty is royalty, and that was spelt- out at her traditional wedding.

In videos making the rounds, Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, Lily Afegbai and more stars were seen dancing excitedly in their hotel rooms as they celebrated their colleague.

Ritas husband is the Chairman, Board of Directors, Folio Group, owners of Daily Times and Miss Nigeria pageant.

They announced their engagement on April 5.

On December 26, 2020, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the actress unveiled her lovers identity months after keeping their relationship a closely guarded secret.

A week ago, Rita Dominic held her bridal shower at the EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, with lots of female Nollywood stars in attendance.

See photos from the star-studded wedding below
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has again called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine.

He said in New York on Monday that the ceasefire would allow the delivery of life-saving aid as well as the evacuation of people in the country.

The UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said Mr Guterres made the appeal following Russias attacks on cities across Ukraine.

Mostly affected are Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and destruction.

Guterres is also greatly concerned about the continuing appalling humanitarian situation in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Mr Dujarric told journalists at the UN headquarters.

The secretary-general strongly urges all parties to enact an urgent and immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

This will enable the safe and secure functioning of humanitarian corridors; help evacuate civilian residents and also deliver life-saving humanitarian and medical assistance, he said.

He emphasised that genuine negotiations must be given a chance to succeed and bring lasting peace, noting that the UN was ready to support such efforts.

Prior to the briefing, UN relief chief, Martin Griffiths, told journalists that while humanitarian ceasefires in Ukraine were not on the horizon right now, they could be in a couple of weeks.

Mr Griffiths reported on his visits to Russia and Ukraine earlier this month, where he held discussions with senior officials on UN aspirations for humanitarian pauses.

He also discussed how to improve the notification system that allowed the safe passage of humanitarian workers and supplies.

Obviously we have not yet got humanitarian ceasefires in place on the Russian side.

I went into a lot of details on this, and they continue to promise to get back to me on the details of those proposals, he said.

Mr Griffiths will travel to Turkey this week to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on hosting humanitarian talks between Russia and Ukraine.

On Sunday, the secretary-general spoke with President Erdogan, expressing his ongoing support for the Istanbul process related to the war in Ukraine.

He also underlined the need for humanitarian corridors for aid distribution and evacuations.

Asked about Turkeys role, Mr Griffiths said he was impressed by how the country had presented itself to both sides as a genuinely valuable and useful host for talks.

In classical mediation terms, there isnt a mediation really going on between the Russians and Ukrainians, he said, adding that the Turks come closest to it, I think, of all member states.

(NAN)
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved an equity investment of 9.8 million to support venture capital investments in African start-ups, from seed to growth stages.

Of the equity investment, 7 million will be sourced from the African Development Banks own resources; the additional 2.8 million represents funds provided by the European Union (EU) through a partnership with the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

The investment will help Cathay-AfricInvest Innovation Fund meet its target of securing 110m to invest in over 20 early-stage ventures across sub-Saharan Africa. The Innovation Fund focuses on financial inclusion (financial tech and insurance tech), retail and logistics platforms targeting online and mobile consumers, healthcare technologies, and pay as you go, off-grid energy technologies.

More recently, the Innovation Fund has expanded its focus to include start-ups that are harnessing new digital opportunities created as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, or with high potential to help fight the coronavirus. The Mauritius-based Fund is jointly sponsored by AfricInvest Capital Partners and Cathay Innovation SAS.

Stefan Nalletamby, the African Development Banks Director for financial sector development, said: The Banks approval is another milestone in the implementation of the Boost Africa Program and its partnership with the EU, OACPS and the European Investment Bank. It signals the importance given to tech-enabled high growth entrepreneurs on the continent and the key role of AfricInvest and Cathay Innovation in supporting this key business segment in Africa to achieve Africas growth, transformation and integration objectives.

In its current pipeline, over 40% of projects cover more than one African region. Roughly another third of start-ups it invests in are in West Africa. A quarter of investee start-ups are in the health care sector.

Other investors include German KfW/Allianz GIs AfricaGrow, public investment bank BPI and development finance institution Proparco, both of France, and Swiss impact investor Obviam.

The Banks investment is expected to accelerate the creation of a new class of successful African entrepreneurs that will serve as a model to younger innovators. It will also support youth and women-led start-ups and increase access and inclusion to financial and real sector services and goods through appropriate technology and innovation.

Although venture capital firms invested $2 billion in African tech in 2019, a 73% increase over the previous year, funding from this source for innovative start-ups remains very low in Africa. In addition very few venture capital funds focusing on early-stage tech start-ups have successfully closed rounds.

The African Development Banks investment aligns with the Boost Africa programme goals to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa, create new and quality jobs for young Africans, and contribute to developing an efficient entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa.

Boost Africa, a collaboration between the African Development Bank, the European Union, the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), provides financial support to investment funds that target early-stage innovative enterprises across sub-Saharan Africa.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africas premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.
Nigerians should stop looking for consensus candidates and look for problem solvers as presidential materials for 2023.

Peter Obi, Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) presidential aspirant, made the declaration at Abakaliki on Tuesday, while addressing journalists during his consultations with PDP faithful in Ebonyi State.

Nigerians want a person who will start solving the myriad of problems facing the country.

They want someone who will secure lives and property; make the country productive; pull the citizens out of poverty, among other capabilities.

This is not an issue of delegates because those with large numbers of delegates are still affected by the nations problems, he said.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was running mate to Atiku Abubakar on the platform of the PDP at the 2019 presidential election. Mr Abubakar has also indicated interest to run in the 2023 race.

The former governor stressed that the sentiment of consensus candidates should not be brought to the front burner at this time in the nations political history.

He said the geo-political zone of a candidate should not also amount to much as what Nigeria needs is to salvage the country.

It is important to consider where people come from in a diverse country such as ours for equitys sake.

The country, however, needs someone now who will start creating wealth to make the economy viable.

I can fix this country having a record of being a trader, of operating in the corporate world, and being a governor among other antecedents, he said.

Mr Obi clarified issues concerning his earlier support for the fellow aspirant, Mr Abubakar, whom he described as a unifier.

The PDP has credible aspirants who can lead the country and solve its problems, he stressed.

(NAN)
A Nigerian data company, Kasi Cloud Ltd., on Monday held a ground-breaking ceremony in Lekki, Lagos, to begin the construction of the companys first data centre in Nigeria.

Kasi designs, builds and operates hyperscale cloud data centres to support dynamic space, power, and connectivity at scale. The company says it has acquired 4 hectares of land in the Maiyegun Area of Lekki, Lagos.

The company is backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), an investment institution of the government set up to manage funds in excess of budgeted hydrocarbon revenues.

The NSIA is empowered to receive, manage, and invest funds in a diversified portfolio of medium and long-term assets on behalf of all three tiers of government including the Federal Capital Territory, in preparation for the eventual depletion of Nigerias hydrocarbon resources.

Kasis mission of building a digital platform to accelerate cloud and interconnect people, enterprises and governmental institutions in Nigeria and across Africa started here in Lagos, Nigeria, said Kasi co-founder and CEO Johnson Agogbua.

We are excited to have both the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu and NSIA CEO, Uche Orji, to celebrate this momentous ground breaking with us and the community.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, was the special guest at the ground-breaking ceremony.

We congratulate Kasi on this momentous milestone. NSIA believes in the potential of digital infrastructure to serve as an enabler and accelerator for innovation, said the Chief Executive Officer of the NSIA , Mr Orji.

Mr Orji said, We expect that the transformative impact of this infrastructure on the domestic tech space will reposition Nigeria. The Board and Management of the Authority is proud to be associated with this development.

By looking to attract hyperscalers by solving the connectivity and scalability issues where others have been challenged, Kasi says it is on a mission to build the countrys leading sustainable interconnection and data center platform for Africa, specifically designed to support digital ecosystems and drive internet access for over a billion people.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the largest growth market in the world, said Kasi Co-Founder and Director, Mark Adams. When you look at where Big Tech is investing, a major piece of that growth is coming through Nigeria and Kasi infrastructure is a key piece in the puzzle.

This $250 million campus in Lekki is designed to hyperscale requirements and standards, and modeled similar to Silicon Valley technology parks. When fully developed, the campus will stand as one of the biggest of its kind in Africa.
The presidency has accused a Catholic cleric, Matthew Kukah, of hatred for the Buhari administration and using the pulpit to play politics.

Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buharis spokesperson, was reacting to an Easter message by the cleric where he accused the Buhari government of failure.

From his pulpit, he devoted his Easter message not to Christs death and rebirth so Man might be saved  but to damning the government in the most un-Christian terms, Mr Shehu wrote in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

Yet Bishop Kukah used his sermon purposefully to make dissensions and quarrels about the law. His accusatory list against the government revealed only his hatred for them, he added.

PREMIUM TIMES reported Mr Kukahs Easter message wherein he accused Mr Buhari of destroying Nigeria.

The outspoken cleric, who has been a consistent critic of the governments failures, also accused the president of allowing corruption to fester.

With everything literally broken down, our country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy, he said.

Our individual hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, Mosques, infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our childrens lives and future are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken. Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well.

In his reply, Mr Shehu said the cleric provided no evidence for his assertions.

KUKAHS VIRUS OF HATE

As the nomination congress approaches, rumblings within the party rise to an acrimonious crescendo and the troubleshooting market blossoming in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is in desperate yearning for his tested skills, we are surprised- so too are many others- that the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, could still find the time for a lengthy homily on his usual target, Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria.

For a man who has been spreading hate for decades, nothing new in the homily, except for the fact that while millions of Christians were remembering the Lords crucifixion on Friday, His descent on Saturday, His resurrection on Sunday, and subsequent appearance to his disciples, Bishop Matthew Kukah was playing politics.

From his pulpit he devoted his Easter message not to Christs death and rebirth so Man might be saved  but to damning the government in the most un-Christian terms.

Bishop Kukah neglects the Bibles teachings in James 1:26: If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless.

Easter should be a time for renewal, and for hope. For those in authority  both temporal and spiritual  to come together in word and deed so those who look to them for example can be inspired by their grace.

This is not a time for religious leaders to play politics, or politicians to play religion. It is a time, as in Titus 3:9 to avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Yet Bishop Kukah used his sermon purposefully to make dissensions and quarrels about the law. His accusatory list against the government revealed only his hatred for them.

Still, when he accused them of division, he gave no examples: merely assertions emanating from his own mouth. His allegation of ethnic and regional divide was innuendo without proof, and he gave none.

His list of things he claims as broken  from churches to mosques to schools and motorways  belie all those that have been built, and others built anew during this governments time in office.

Should he feel compelled for whatever reason to criticize the government for what he views as their mistakes the Bible makes clear how it should be done: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, Galatians 6:1-2.

If Bishops or religious leaders believe they have a willing audience for tales of government error or fragility, they do an injustice to their flock by filling their ears with talk of division and hateful thoughts.

Nigeria knows too well Bishop Kukahs views of the government. He has made quite clear how much he dislikes them from the day they were elected.

Whether expressing his political views is a good use or an abuse of religious office is for others to decide. But the people of Nigeria have spoken  twice: They support this government at the ballot box. They have not been swayed by hateful talk from any bully-pulpit.

We respectfully ask Bishop Kukah to leave government to the voters and the politicians they elect, while he concentrates on his job, as it is expressed in James 1:27: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

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Or else, he should put away his clerical garb, join partisan politics and see how far he can go.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)
Many people were feared killed on Sunday when gunmen attacked Ihioma Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigerias South-east.

There have been two contrasting narratives about the killings. While some say the killings were done by the gunmen, others accuse the Nigerian military of targeting civilians in retaliatory attacks on the gunmen. The second narrative led to the hashtag #OrluIsBleeding which trended on Twitter on Monday and early Tuesday.

Two residents PREMIUM TIMES spoke to, however, accused the gunmen of carrying out the attacks.

A resident, who asked not to be named for fear of attacks, told PREMIUM TIMES that heavy shootings began when military personnel engaged the gunmen in a battle.

The gunmen became enraged and started shooting sporadically. They were in a gun battle with the soldiers from Sunday morning till evening, the source told this newspaper Monday night.

The gunmen, believed to be members of ESN, the militant wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), were said to be on a manhunt for members of Ebubeagu Security Network, who reportedly arrived in the area last Saturday.

The gunmen, it was learnt, were infuriated by the presence of the members of the security outfit in the area.

Another resident of the area, Kosiso Agu, told PREMIUM TIMES that members of the community remained indoors on Monday, 24 hours after the attack, out of fear of being attacked by the gunmen.

They killed so many people. It started while we were in the church, but we had to run back home, Ms Agu said.

A Facebook user, Success Obum, who posted a video clip of the incident, described the attack as heartbreaking. In the clip, the army was accused of attacking civilians.

In the video clip, posted by Mr Obum, residents were seen scampering for safety while sounds of gunshots rented the air. Some residents were also seen weeping and lifting the corpses of their loved ones killed in the attack.

This is the popular Okwu Aki or Inland Guest house (which) has been razed down by the military forces. They have been shooting since morning. Shooting and killing innocent people, burning peoples shops and properties. Thats what we witnessed today. So, we are not happy, a voice was heard speaking in the clip, apparently shot on Sunday.

How can government deploy its security agencies to destroy people celebrating their Easter. We are sad. Since Night, nobody has slept in this area. Nigeria military forces (are) shooting every damn thing they see, the voice added.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Michael Abattam, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking comments from him.

Army reacts

Reacting, the Nigerian Army said its troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade killed a member of IPOB during the attack in the area.

Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He said troops were on their routine patrol when they encountered the IPOB members firing gunshots at the Banana Junction of the area and challenging the soldiers.

Mr Nwachukwu said the members of the outlawed group were enforcing the suspended sit-at-home order.

The IPOB/ESN criminals, on sighting the troops, withdrew in a blue Toyota Highlander towards Ihioma Community for reinforcement.

In the firefight that ensued during the operation, one of the criminals was taken out, while others fled in disarray, Mr Nwachukwu said.

The army spokesperson accused the gunmen of seeking to whip up public sentiments by circulating a doctored video on social media to allege the complicity of the military.

This propaganda should be disregarded in its entirety, he said.

Mr Nwachukwu said the troops were combing the area to track down the fleeing suspects.

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Attacks by armed men have increased in the South-east in recent times. The attacks often target security agencies and government facilities.

The latest development comes three days after gunmen attacked a polling unit where the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise was being held in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state.

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Anthony Nwokorie, was killed in the attack. INEC has suspended the registration exercise in the local council area following the attack.

IPOB, an outlawed group, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the South-east. But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.

The separatist group is leading an agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

The leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for treason.
Dogo Gide, one of the suspected masterminds of the March 28 attack on a Kaduna-bound train, perhaps, runs the biggest kidnap-for-ransom franchise in Nigeria.

His operation, which is primarily based in the countrys troubled northwest region, primarily targets government institutions, officials, schools and travellers.

Unlike other armed groups in the region, he forbids his gang members from attacking villages around the Kwiambana Game Reserve, Zamfara State, where he is believed to be hiding.

So much is his influence across the northwest that he reportedly warned other gangs to stop attacking villages in the area or risk incurring his wrath.

Local sources credit the relative reduction in gunmen attacks on rural communities in Zamfara to Mr Gides order  his fight is with the government. He has vowed to make the government pay and bleed.

Since 2011, various armed gangs have been operating in the countrys northwest.

But their activities snowballed after the 2019 general election when they began attacking travellers on major highways in the region, especially on the Abuja- Kaduna Expressway.

The intensity and frequency of their attacks on rural communities in the region increased. Livestock rustling, abductions and mass killings -sometimes of entire communities  were reported almost daily.

The activities of these gunmen, dubbed bandits by the Nigerian media, became so increasingly heartless that last November the Nigerian government secured the order of a federal high court in Abuja declaring the activities of the gang acts of terrorism.

But this designation did not deter the bandits. They grew bolder and stronger and started targeting military formations, including attacks on Nigerias premier military academy, the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

A life of violence

Mr Gide rose to prominence in 2018 after he reportedly killed Tsoho Buhari, who used to be the most ruthless and most feared bandit in the region.

Mr Gide, who used to be a protege of Buharin Daji, killed him after an argument ensued between both men after Mr Buhari reportedly rustled the cattle of Mr Gides in-law.

The killing of Mr Buhari, who was so cruel that he was thought to be invincible, ballooned Mr Gides admiration among the gangs operating in the area.

He quickly rode on the waves of his newly found popularity among the armed gangs in the area to coordinate and expand the activities of his own gang.

But long before his encounter with Buhari Daji, Mr Gide has led a life of violence and had been radicalised by one of the most blood-thirsty Islamist groups in the world  Boko Haram.

Born in Erana District, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Mr Gide attended the Quranic school of Isah Erana, a popular moderate Islamic cleric and a former chief Iman of Erana town.

It was unclear at what point Mr Gide started his criminal operations, but like the motley gangs operating in the Shiroro and surrounding area, his operation originally involved raiding villages, hijacking harvests, and rustling livestock.

But the trajectory of his criminal enterprise soon changed after he encountered members of Boko Haram, who had sleeper cells in the area.

The Boko Haram members in the area advised him to desist from raiding villages but to switch to attacking government establishments, officials, and institutions such as schools, considered haram (forbidden) by the Islamist group.

Mr Gide later teamed up with Ali Kachalla, another notorious gang leader in the area and they moved their operational base to neighbouring Zamfara State, where the Kwiambana Game Reserve provided a natural cover from security personnel and for moving, rustled cattle and abducted people freely.

The government set aside Kwiambana Game Reserve in Zamfara for the preservation of plants and animals. The forest stretches from the Dajin Rugu to the Kontagora Forest. The reserve has been slated as a possible UNESCO heritage site.

The reserve was named after one of the five political wards of the Dansadau Emirate. The other wards are Bindin, Dan-Gulbi, Dan-Kurmi and Dansadau town. Dansadau Emirate. Dansadau Emirate, where Mr Gide lives, covers 492 square kilometres out of the 1180 square kilometres of Zamfara State  about one-third of the states landmass.

Security officials knowledgeable of the duos operation told PREMIUM TIMES that they received funding and arms from Boko Haram at the beginning of their alliance.

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Security officials and residents said the gangs of both men have been working in tandem in attacks and kidnap-for-ransom raids on schools, travellers, and officials in the North-west.

Security officials in Kaduna and Zamfara told this newspaper that either gang carried most of the kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway out.

So much is the influence of Mr Gide that he now runs a parallel government of some sort in the area. People familiar with the happenings in the area told PREMIUM TIMES this.

He passed an edict banning gangs from attacking rural communities in Zamfara. He forbade them from abducting residents, demanding ransoms, or the payment of protection levies.

However, he permitted them to attack security bases and schools in the area, and communities outside the state.

In the Babban Doka community in Zamfara, where Mr Gide regularly performs Jumaat prayers, he banned the activities of commercial sex workers and the sales, and consumption of alcohol and all psychotropic drugs.

He warned that any vendor or chemist caught selling any of the banned substances will be summarily executed. A resident said he made the announcement during a Jumaat prayer Babban-Doka in the presence of strange gunmen believed to be Boko Haram insurgents.

Ali Kachalla

Just like Mr Gide, Mr Kachalla also known as Ali Kawaje, was a protege of the coldblooded Buharin Daji.

The duo also imbibed Boko Haram doctrine and received support from the Islamist group, security officials, and residents in their area of operation told this newspaper.

Multiple security sources who requested anonymity for safety reasons said Mr Kachalla has three wives and several children but non of his children is involved in his criminal operation.

His parents are still alive and in a place in Maru local government area. His immediate family members are far away from his base because he doesnt want them to get engaged in the act or get killed by security agents, he said.

Though nothing was known about his exact age, in a profile published by the Daily Trust, the newspaper claimed Mr Kachalla is in his late 30s. Sources say he was born in Madada community in Dansadau,

Just like Mr Gide, Mr Kawaje rose to prominence after the death of Buharin Daji. But his claim to fame was his gangs downing of a Nigerian Air Force jet in January 2021, according to the Daily Trust profile. He subsequently recruited new fighters to increase the numerical strength of his gang.

Buharin Daji trained most of them, but when he died, they couldnt decide on who to be the leader, especially with what happened that led to his death. Before his death, Buhari preferred Kawaje to Gide because he and Kawaje belonged to the same Fulani clan, another source said.

Locals say Mr Kachalla has several camps and hideouts around the Birnin Gwari and Dansadau axis.

Sources said he has several herds of rustled cattle, which are being tendered for at different camps in the Kwiambana forest by his lieutenants.

He is one of the few bandits leaders who dont mix their inherited cattle or family domestic animals with those he rustled from other people.

Kawaje is rich but not as wealthy as Dogo Gide. They have several things in common, especially the fact that they attack security agents without even the slightest provocation, one of the security sources said.

If he is not leading an operation himself, he is often seen at Babbar Doka, a community near to Dansadau. This is also his location of meeting his ally, Mr Gide, and other guests.

Mr Kawaje has been blamed for several attacks on communities in Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger States, and even Kebbi State.

Another of his show of strength was his public burning of a Personnel Armoured Carrier of the Nigerian Army in Dansadau town. Sources said he masterminded the May 2021 abduction of dozens of pupils at the Tegina Islamiyya school in Niger State.

Sources said it was his gang, which in October 2021 first tried to attack a train from Abuja to Kaduna with explosives. Though that attack almost derailed the train, the bandits could not abduct any passenger.

Security officials accused him of leading the attack on the Kaduna international airport two days before the train attack.

Security sources told this newspaper that the attack on the Kaduna-bound train was a collaboration between Messrs Gide, Kawaje and other Islamist elements active in the area.

He tried unsuccessfully, one source said, talking about his attempt to attack the train in October.

Malam Abba (Ansaru leader in the northwest) used to be Kawajes sworn enemy, but theyve now found reasons to be friends. When Kawaje planned the onslaught against the airport in Kaduna and the train, he thought he could not do it alone. But with the coming together of Dogo Gide and other Ansaru and Boko Haram elements, they could pull it off, the source said.

Other collaborations

But the attack in March was not the first collaboration between Messrs Gides and Kawajes gangs. Multiple sources told our reporters that they collaborated in the abduction of staff and pupils of the Government College (FGC), Yauri in Kebbi State, in June 2021.

The sources said the bandits shared the captives among themselves.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the bandits released about 30 of the pupils in October, after four months in captivity.

A father of one of the abducted pupils, Daniel Alkali, told PREMIUM TIMES, that Mr Gide refused to negotiate with parents directly, insisting that he would only negotiate with officials of the Kebbi State government.

The government has to listen to Dogo Gide, he has refused to listen to us the parent, he insisted on negotiating with the Kebbi government.

Were more disturbed that among the 30 students rescued, only two are girls, those still in captivity are girls. What is the motive behind that? Why are they holding girls and releasing the boys? Mr Alkali asked.

Meanwhile, Garba Rabiu, the security adviser to Kebbi governor, Atiku Bagudu, briefly responded to BBC Hausa that the government commits to ensuring the release of the remaining students.

Fifteen of the kidnapped students are still in captivity, married off to criminal gangs in the forest. Residents of Babban Doko told this newspaper that some of the kidnapped pupils sometimes visit their community for henna under the cover of heavy gun-wielding criminals.

Infiltration by Boko Haram

An Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, who met with Mr Gide last year, said Boko Haram has radicalised the bandits and this is clear from his gangs indiscriminate killing of innocent people. He said the outlaw may have turned into an ideological terrorist.

I met Mr Gide in the forest in Niger state. He complained their actions were a reaction to their people being killed in the bush. But I made him understand that there is a way out aside from killing innocent people. He can do this through dialogue, Mr Gumi said.

In Zamfara, security sources said the armed group believed to be members of Boko Haram have established a sleeper cell in the Kwiambana axis. They have radicalised Mr Gide, who is believed to be Quranic literate among the bandits leaders hibernating in the forest.

Meanwhile, a former Senator, Saidu Dansadau, confirmed the presence of a strange armed group who performed a separate congregational prayer at Dan-Dalla community, near the Kuyanbana forest.
The Federal Capital Territory Authorities (FCTA) has sealed off some government ministries and agencies buildings over accumulated waste management debts.

The government buildings, whose actual number cannot be ascertained at the time of filing this report, were on Tuesday sealed by the city authorities for owing the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) about N10 billion.

The FCTA, in company of heavily armed security operatives drawn from different security wings, trooped into some ministries to implement the action.

Some of the ministries and government owned agencies identified to be indebted include Federal Ministry of Works and Housing located at Mabushi, Federal Ministry of Defence, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Character Commission, Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment, Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Wuse, among others.

Prior to this development, the government owned ministries, at the request of FCTA, who took the case to court, had been asked to appear before the Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse 2, on March 30, an invitation they allegedly failed to honour.

The Director of AEPB, Osilama Braimah, who is also the Chairman of the Special Debt Taskforce which sealed off the affected buildings, gave the breakdown of the amount the named parastatals are owing the waste management for its services over the years.

Federal Ministry of Works  N9,998,625.00; Federal Ministry of Defence N17,220,775.00; Federal Character CommissionN10,128,906.25; Civil service Commission2,451,649.50; and Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission21,683,750.00.

Others are Federal Ministry of Health N14,204,843.75; Federal Ministry of Trade & InvestmentN19,222,287.50; Federal Ministry of Education Hqtrs N25,838,275 ; and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps WuseN16,583,031.25, Mr Braimah told journalists on Tuesday.

He said the AEPB had tried to negotiate a better way of helping the debtors ministries to settle their debts but many of them refused to take this opportunity seriously.

The board then resorted to legal means to recover the debts. The board obtained court orders to seal the premises, he further explained.

Mr Braimah added that the step taken on Tuesday is just one of the many to come as the exercise will cover not only public buildings but also private enterprises owing the board.
An aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has crashed in Kaduna, PRNigeria has reported.

The online media, which has links to Nigerias security institutions, said the aircraft is a training aircraft.

While details of the incident are still sketchy, sources told PRNigeria that two pilots were onboard the aircraft at the time of the incident, the newspaper reported.

The Air Force has yet to speak about the crash at the time of this report. Its spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, did not respond to telephone calls and SMS from PREMIUM TIMES.

However, a flying officer who does not want his name mentioned confirmed the incident to this newspaper.

The officer who is also a pilot and resides at the Air Force base in Kaduna said one of the two occupants of the aircraft was a trainee.

He, however, said the details were still sketchy to insiders as senior officials are concealing the information.

Kaduna is one of the states most troubled by banditry in Northern Nigeria.

Hundreds of people have been killed or kidnapped in the state in the past year.

Kaduna is also the state where bandits attacked a moving train on March 28, killing some of the passengers and kidnapping dozens of others.

Past mishaps

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has suffered casualties in the last one year, losing at least four of its aircraft and several personnel.

At least 20 officers also died during these tragic incidents, including senior army personnel.

The most notable of the crashes was the one involving the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others last year.

The crashes occurred even as the air force is trying to acquire more equipment to help in the fight against insurgents and bandits in various parts of the country.

The most recent is the acquisition of new aircraft and other equipment worth $1 billion from the U.S. government. The purchase has been approved by the U.S. government but the equipment have yet to be delivered.

Before then, 12 Super Tucano fighter jets were also acquired for the Air Force from the United States.

The jets were sold to Nigeria by the U.S. to aid combat actions and air assaults.
A 25-year-old female student of Linguistics and African Language department, Faculty of Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, South-west Nigeria, Hannah Bababunmi, has accused a 66-year-old professor of Yoruba Language in the department, Joseph Opefeyitimi, of sexually harassing her, and subjecting her to physical and emotional torture.

Mr Opefeyitimi did not deny the allegations in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES reporter but described the development as a set-up.

The lecturer, who has only four years until retirement, told this newspaper that what happened between him and the student was consensual and that Miss Bababunmi was his fiancee.

This fresh sex scandal is coming about seven months after a lecturer in the department of English Language Studies at the same faculty, Adebayo Mosobalaje, was sacked over similar allegations.

Before alleged harassment

According to a petition addressed to the university through the office of the head of the department, Felix Fabunmi, a professor, Miss Bababunmi, a 400-level student, narrated how the elderly lecturer invited her to the university during the crisis that rocked the institution in March.

Some protesters barricaded the universitys entrance gates, even as they invaded the campus with fetish objects over the selection process of a substantive vice-chancellor.

Miss Bababunmis petition was dated March 21, 2020, and titled; Report of Sexual Assault and Molestation against Professor Ayo Opefeyitimi. She claimed the lecturer had sent her a message on WhatsApp on Thursday, March 17, and requested to see her on the campus between the hours of 8 a.m and 2 p.m on Friday, 18.

The student said Mr Opefeyitimi had always sought her help in the past to upload his notes on the universitys teaching platform during the coronavirus pandemic when the institution switched to online mode of studying.

She said: But I was not always alone in his office then. There were usually other students. But I diplomatically stopped going to him because I was staying very far away from the school and the transportation fare was much for me then.

But I later realised he did not like it and stopped answering my greetings whenever I saw him at the department. One day, he called a friend of mine to assist him and I accompanied her to his office where I knelt down to beg if I had offended him in any way. He then said there was no problem, and that if he had been angry with me, he would have shown me.

Miss Bababunmi said she also later noticed that the lecturer had been envious of her relationship with another lecturer, Olusola Ajibade, a professor, whom she described as her mentor.

So towards the end of 2021, Professor Ajibade travelled abroad, and Professor Ope, as he is popularly called, would keep asking me if I knew when he would return, which I didnt know, she said, adding that; When the lecturer eventually returned in December 2021, he developed an eye problem and Professor Ope kept asking me about the mans health. He would even tell me not to let him know that he was asking after him from me. I began to wonder what could be happening between them.

Photograph with the accused

Meanwhile, on March 10, Miss Bababunmi was, alongside four other awardees including the veteran thespian and former lecturer at the university, Kola Oyewo, honoured at an award ceremony organised by the Linguistics and African Languages Students Association.

Miss Bababunmi, who was the only student among the honorees, was awarded the best cultural female student in the department.

The excited student said she became the cynosure of all eyes and took pictures with everyone present including Mr Opefeyitimi.

Just the way I shared pictures with everyone that appeared in the different copies, I also sent the one I took with Professor Ope to him. A friend, Fatimah Sekoni, is also in the picture with the professor, the student explained.

She guessed the picture may have ignited the lecturers interest in her.

Alleged harassment

The student said as a lecturer she respected, she obliged the request to see her because I really couldnt question his order.

She narrated: I got to his office around 1:23 pm. He told me that he only wanted to ask about what was going on on the campus since he wasnt on campus the previous day.

I was astounded to hear that but I told him to take the Road 7 route when ready to go home because road 1 was blocked. He asked me to sit down and he asked me the reason why the road was blocked. Then I told him that I didnt really know and heard that it was all about the appointment of the new VC.

He decided to leave the office immediately and he packed his things saying that I was God-sent to him because it was almost 2p.m and he needed to pick up his son from the school. He carried the bag and we were about to leave the office. I offered to help him with the bag but he declined and I headed to the door.

He grabbed me from behind and held me so tight. At this point I was in shock, then he said and I quote Mo fe ki emi ati e jo wa papo ni [thrice] but problem ti mo ni tele ni boy Ajibade yen but mi o ro pe o ye ko je problem mo- (I want the two of us to be together (three times), but the problem I had before was that boy called Ajibade, but I dont think he should pose any challenge again.

The student said until she went through the whole experience in her head again and married the events of the recent past together, she couldnt understand what Mr Opefeyitimi was referring to when he mentioned the name of her mentor, Mr Ajibade.

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Meanwhile, after he grabbed me behind, he already dropped the big bag he was carrying and held me with his other hand. He made me sit on his lap and was groping me, he then said again Mi o mo bi a se fe se e ti o fi maa graduate pelu 2:1 ki o le pada wa se Masters- (I dont know how we would do it so that you could graduate with 2:1, so that you would be able to come for Masters), she added.

She said all her pleas for the lecturer to leave her fell on a deaf ear, even when I said I would come back next time.

he then stood up from the chair still forcefully holding me and dragged me to the couch in his office. By this time he had already pulled down his trousers and brought out his erect penis.

He grabbed my right hand, and used it to rub his penis. It happened so quickly that I was petrified. He continued to do this and I was so distressed by the entire situation that I lost count of time, she further explained.

Meanwhile, the student said at one stage the lecturer felt relaxed, sleeping on the couch with his head lowered backwards on the arm of the couch.

At that stage, I managed to take out my phone from my pocket and snapped him with his erect organ out of his knicker, she said.

She said when she told the lecturer that someone was waiting for her at the ground floor of the department, which is located in the same building that is also occupied by the Dramatic Arts, Music and Fine Arts departments, he was not bothered.

Miss Bababunmi said: But he replied me and said Gbogbo time ti mo ni pelu e bayii ko ju 5mins lo, jowo ba mi se e mo kan fe cum ni (The time I have with you now isnt more than five minutes, please play with, I just want to cum); I wont touch you today please because I didnt inform you before.

I begged him that I was not comfortable at all and that he should please let me go, but he didnt listen to me. He laid down on his couch and was using my hand to stroke his penis.

At some point, he stood up, dragged me to his table, turned my back to him and was rubbing his manhood on me. At this point, all my pleas to him to please release me fell on deaf ears.

He pinned me there against the table, rubbing his penis on my back, repeating over and over again, O se e, O se e (Thank you, thank you).

The student said by that time, the lecturer had already worn his knicker but continued to rub his erect penis on her buttocks with her pair of jean trousers firmly worn.

I think the reason he put on the knicker was to avoid my pair of jeans trousers being wet with his sperm so that whoever sees me coming out of his office in that condition would not raise concern, she added.

Meanwhile, she said when she was eventually freed and wanted to leave, the lecturer asked him where she was staying and whether she would see him again on Monday, March 21 but I told him, no!.

She said: He asked me why? Out of fear for my life and safety, I told him that it was because my place was far. I was trying hard to say whatever would make him release me. I had never been so terrified as I was that day in his office.

He asked me where my place was. And I told him that I live at Aba Iya Gani. He then offered to come and pick me but I declined, after which he asked me if I knew Olatoke Hotel at Opa. I said I did not know the place and he said that was no problem; that anytime Im free to come on Monday, nobody will disturb him and then he gave me a thousand naira for transportation.

I collected the money because I believed he wouldnt have allowed me to go if I didnt collect it from him.

In her petition, Miss Bababunmi described the situation as an obvious abuse of power in which my faith in someone who has been a teacher and mentor, someone that I look up to and had maximum respect for since the very day I entered this university, has been exploited.

Professor Opefeyitimi teaches a class that I currently take, and he has the power to fail me or give me any grade that he pleases. In addition, I took another class with him, and he has not yet released the grade for that class.

My career depends on the grades he gives me. I believe his failure to fully penetrate me in his office frustrated him, and I was lucky that I wore tight trousers that he was unable to yank down, she also said.

It was a set-up

In a telephone interview with this newspaper, Mr Opefeyitimi confirmed the harassment allegation but insisted that Miss Bababunmi only set her up.

The lecturer, who said his lawyer warned him against speaking on the matter, however, said when the time to reveal the truth comes, he would spill the beans.

He said he had promised to marry Miss Bababunmi and that based on the universitys code of conduct, it would have been improper to marry his student while still in school.

Mr Opefeyitimi with another lecturer in 2018 jointly taught Miss Bababunmi YOR 101 (Introduction to Yoruba People and Language) and taught her YOR 307 (Stylistics 1) in the first semester 300 level and YOR 308 (Thoughts and Beliefs of Yoruba People) during the the second semester.

In the ongoing 400 level first semester, Mr Opefeyitimi is teaching the student YOR 405 with the course title Stylistics.

Meanwhile, in his response to the query he was issued by his department over the matter, the lecturer said his unnamed lawyer should be allowed to witness the probe panel sittings.

The response read in part: In summary, Boluwatife is my wife-to-be. She was responsible for all that happened in my office on that day. If, after four years of dating, waiting to consummate our union, she suddenly turned around to cleverly take pictures of my body parts as evidence to indict me.

I must not handle the case alone since my wife at home is privy to our relationship. Since our relationship was being planned towards marriage after her graduation, I already took my wife into confidence, even though the lady wants the relationship to be kept secret. It is now I can understand why she wanted the relationship to be kept secret and that she had never been sincere.

However, instead of the four years of relationship with the student claimed by the professor in his response, he told our reporter that the relationship already spanned six years.

Asked if he knew where Miss Bababunmi was staying and if he knew anyone among the family members of his supposed fiancee, the lecturer was mum for a few seconds, before responding that he would not speak on the matter further.

The lecturers wife intervenes

A day after the student petitioned her husband, Mary Opefeyitimi, a deaconess at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olopomeji area, Ile-Ife, told our reporter that she visited Aba Iya Gani, a suburb of the town, where Miss Bababunmi reportedly lives but she said she could not locate her particular house.

Speaking on the phone with our reporter, and asked if she knew Miss Bababunmi before the incident, Mrs Opefeyitimi said she never met her, and that she only saw her picture on her husbands phone recently.

She said: My husband had been saying for years that he would marry another wife, but as a grandma, I could not discourage him. But he never introduced anyone to me until this happened.

And when I heard, and I was given the description of the area she stays, I went there and called her line but she said she was not around.

The wife said she had attempted to visit the girl to plead with her.

But speaking earlier, Miss Bababunmi said she recognised the identity of the wife through a software application on her phone, and that she lied to her that she was not in Ife at the time.

Her (Mrs Opefeyitimi) call only got me further devastated. I couldnt believe it, Miss Bababunmi added.

The panel already submitted a report  University

The university said it is committed to addressing issues of harassment against anyone and its female students in particular.

Speaking on the phone with our reporter, the universitys public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the investigative panel set up on the matter has submitted its report, and that a committee to review the report would soon be constituted.

He said: You should trust the university that we dont joke with any issue of harassment, molestation and any form of abuse. We have a history of zero tolerance for such and we can count how many staffers have been sanctioned when found guilty.

So the public should know that this matter cannot be different, and I can assure you that it will be treated simply based on its merit.

Mr Olarewaju said as soon as the review committee submits its report, the senate would sit over it before making a recommendation to the governing council for a final decision.
Three Commissioners and other appointees from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) serving in the cabinet of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State have defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wasiu Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, who led other appointees of ADC extraction, announced the defection at a news conference in Ibadan on Tuesday.

He was joined by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Adebiyi Adebisi, and Gbenga Oyekola, Special Adviser on Budget and Planning, to address the news conference.

The Commissioner for Energy, Seun Ashamu, the third ADC commissioner in Mr Makindes cabinet, was, however, not at the news conference.

Mr Olatunbosun said they defected to the PDP after consultations with ADC leaders in Oyo State.

He noted that Mr Makinde had fulfilled his promises to the ADC and members appointed into his cabinet were of the conviction to support the governor to win a second term.

He explained that the defection would not affect ADCs structures from the wards to the state levels in Oyo State.

The commissioner told journalists that ADCs decision would be made known soon at the public declaration of the defection.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all ADC appointees in Mr Makindes administration across the 33 local government areas of the state attended the news conference.

(NAN)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised upward its growth forecast for the Nigerian economy in 2022 to 3.4 per cent from its earlier projection of 2.7 per cent announced in January.

The IMF announced the new projection in its World Economic Outlook update released on Tuesday.

It also projected the countrys economy to grow by 3.1 per cent by 2023 from the 2.7 per cent it earlier projected.

It, however, reduced the global growth projection to 3.6 per cent for 2022 and 2023, given the Russia/Ukraine War.

Global economic prospects have worsened significantly since our last World Economic Outlook forecast in January. At the time, we had projected the global recovery to strengthen from the second quarter of this year after a short-lived impact of the Omicron variant. Since then, the outlook has deteriorated, largely because of Russias invasion of Ukrainecausing a tragic

the humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europeand the sanctions aimed at pressuring Russia to end hostilities, IMF said.

The lender projected Russias economy to shrink by 8.5 per cent in 2022 while Ukraines economy is projected to decline by 35 per cent.

Developing economies threatened

The Fund has raised concerns about how the pandemic might have caused the interdependence between banks and governments which can eventually lead to a doom loop for emerging economies.

A doom loop is a phenomenon by which weak banks can destabilise governments that support them and over-indebted governments can push banks that hold their bonds over the edge.

Governments around the world have spent aggressively to help households and employers weather the economic impact of the pandemic. Public debt has mounted as governments have issued bonds to cover their budget deficits. The average ratio of public debt to the gross domestic producta key measure of a countrys fiscal healthrose to a record 67 percent last year in emerging market countries, according to Chapter 2 of the IMFs April 2022 Global Financial Stability Report, the report said.

Emerging-market banks have provided most of that credit, driving holdings of government debt as a percentage of their assets to a record 17 percent in 2021. In some economies, government debt amounts to a quarter of bank assets. The result: emerging-market governments rely heavily on their banks for credit, and these banks rely heavily on government bonds as an investment that they can use as collateral for securing funding from the central bank.

It said emerging-market economies are now at greater risk than advanced economies for two reasons.

For one, their growth prospects are weaker relative to the pre-pandemic trend compared with advanced economies, and governments have less fiscal firepower to support the economy.

For another, external financing costs have generally risen, so governments will have to pay more to borrow, the fund said.

It advised that policymakers should develop resolution frameworks for sovereign domestic debt to facilitate orderly deleveraging and restructuring in case they are needed.
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has equated leadership positions to that of a steward, who is meant to serve others.

Mr Ogunwusi stated on Monday this at his Ile Oodua Palace, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, while playing host to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The minister, who led a team to Ile-Ife, was on a courtesy visit to the Ooni as part of his presidential bid consultation.

The Ooni described the minister as one of the luckiest politicians in the country, pointing out that Nigerians had a lot to gain from his wealth of experience.

You have been relevant since the start of this republic; it is for a reason and I urge you to use that grace for the betterment of all Nigerians.

What is obvious in your team is the inclusion of women, I am proud of this and I want you to keep doing more in this regard.

Women are so powerful, especially when given leadership opportunities, they see what we men do not see, the Ooni said.

Earlier in his address, Mr Amaechi lauded the oba for preserving and upholding the prestigious Yoruba culture.

He said that governance of the country had a lot to benefit from the traditional institution.

He said that he decided to start his consultation and visitation from Ile-Ife because the ancient city is the Source.

If elected as Nigerias president in 2023, I will sit down with the National Assembly to address the relevance of the traditional institution in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Rotimi Amaechi declares intention to run for President

There is need to consult our traditional rulers in order to bring governance closer to the people, the presidential aspirant said.

On his presidential ambition, Mr Amaechi, 56, described himself as the bridge between the young and the older generations in the country, adding that he was the most qualified.

With due respect to my brothers in APC, PDP and other political parties, I am the most qualified in this present race.

I am grateful to God for the opportunities given to me over the years, he he said.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, who is the chair of Mr Amaechis campaign team, led other dignitaries to the palace.

(NAN)
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to disband the EFCC and ICPC, because according to him, the president has thoroughly embarrassed the anti-corruption agencies by granting pardon to corrupt convicts.

This was contained in a statement posted on Facebook by the governors spokesperson, Kelvin Ebiri, on Monday.

The Council of State at its meeting presided over by Mr Buhari on Thursday granted state pardon to former governors of Taraba and Plateau States, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, and 157 others serving jail terms.

Messrs Nyame and Dariye were jailed for corruption.

Mr Wike, a PDP presidential aspirant, said the presidential pardon had not only defeated the aims of the anti-corruption war, but also wasted the efforts of the judiciary.

He alleged that the presidency granted the pardon so that the freed convicts would help the president and his party, APC, in the 2023 elections.

If President Muhammadu Buhari knows that he doesnt want to fight corruption, then, he should disband EFCC and ICPC because he has thoroughly embarrassed them, Mr Wike said on Monday in a meeting with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Kano State.

This is the same government that complained against the judiciary that it is not fighting against corruption. Now, look at what the judges have passed through; sleepless nights from the FCT High Court to the Court of Appeal to Supreme Court, everything is wasted.

So, all these things he (Buhari) is doing is because of the election coming soon. They want this person in Plateau State to help them and they want this person in Taraba State to help them. But it will not work because Wike will face them in that election, Mr Wike said.

During his visit to Niger State on Saturday as part of his consultation tour, the Rivers governor had told PDP delegates that the APC- led federal government anti-corruption war had ridiculed the country before the international community.

To tell you the truth, this APC government has deceived us a lot. This is the government that said theyre fighting corruption; they handpicked people and jailed them after they have gone through all the court processes up to the Supreme Court.

Then they turned around to release from prison those people that they said are corrupt. What a government is this, what a country is this?

Presidency replies Wike

The presidency in response described Mr Wikes criticism as unjustifiable, adding that the governor refused to honour the Council of State meeting where the decision was taken after he was duly invited.

Garba Shehu, a spokesperson to Mr Buhari, said the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Banigo, who represented Mr Wike at the meeting virtually switched off camera making it difficult to ascertain if she actually attended the meeting.

I do not see the moral justification for Governor Wikes criticism of the decision of the government to pardon Governors Dariye and Nyame at a meeting to which he was duly invited but did not attend.

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo who joined the Council of State meeting virtually switched off her camera so it was difficult to determine whether she sat behind the dark screen or just walked away after first joining.

Mr Shehu disclosed this in a statement he posted on Facebook.

Why my deputy switched off

Mr Wike, while addressing Kano State delegates of the PDP on Monday, dismissed Mr Shehus defence, saying he refused to attend the meeting because according to him, the Presidency planned to ambush him and others by not sending them the agenda of the meeting beforehand.

So, when his press man (Garba Shehu) said I was invited to the Council of State, is it because Im not there, that is why they did what they did?

If you wanted me to contribute, you would have sent me the agenda. Then, I would have known what Im coming to do in the meeting.

Its not when you dont send me an agenda, I come, then you boxed us in, ambushed us, then you said I attended the meeting where they approved it. I will not attend such a meeting.

He explained that his deputy switched her camera because she knew it was going to be a wayo, adding that the APC government is known for wayo.

When they said my deputy attended and when they looked back they could not see my deputy again. Why would you see her?

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When she had seen what was there, she had to switch off because she knew it was a wayo. That is what this APC government is known for, Mr Wike said.
Some President Muhammadu Buharis political allies who responded in anger against the pardon granted to a convicted former governor of Bayelsa State, the late Diepreye Alamieyesegha, in 2013, have maintained a curious silence over a similar gesture the president extended to two jailed former governors for five days ago.

Mr Buhari, with the approval of the National Council of State, on Thursday, granted a pardon to former Governors Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, who are serving 10- and 12-year imprisonments, respectively, for corruption.

This came about nine years after Mr Buharis predecessor, then President Goodluck Jonathan, granted a similar pardon to the late Mr Alamieyesegha who was jailed after pleading guilty to corruption charges in 2007.

Some of the present-day members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who was in the opposition when the former Bayelsa State governor was pardoned, criticised Mr Jonathan for the action. They also accused him of failing to fight corruption and of reversing the gains of previous governments anti-corruption efforts.

Prominent among the then critics, are Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, and Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, an appointee serving in Mr Buharis cabinet.

A video clip showing Mr el-Rufai angrily criticising Mr Jonathan for the pardon granted Mr Alamieyesegha, surfaced online after Mr Buharis pardon for Messrs Nyame and Dariye, was announced.

A tweet by Mr Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, critical of Mr Jonathan, also began to circulate online about the time.

In the clip, which is from an interview on STRAIGHTalk, a programme on TVC, Mr el-Rufai, faulted the decision of the Mr Jonathan-led administration to pardon corrupt politicians while failing to fight corruption.

Nobody says you should eradicate corruption but dont go around pardoning people who have been convicted for corruption and then you say you are fighting corruption, thats giving the wrong signal, the governor had said.

Mr el-Rufai, who served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, added that it sent the wrong signal not only to those engaging in corruption but also to young people who may now think there is a reward in being corrupt.

His tweet on February 27, 2015, was close to the 2015 general election in which Mr Buhari ran against the then incumbent President Jonathan. Mr Buhari defeated Mr Jonathan who was seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party

He queried the justification of Mr Jonathans pardon for Mr Alamieyesegha.

To GEJites: Give us 1 Good reason why pardon was granted to a convicted thief (Alams) when we are even looking for more ex-govs to send to jail, the tweet read.

Aside from the tweet, Mr Keyamo had also issued a statement lambasting the Jonathan administration for being insincere in its avowed war against corruption.

It is shocking, confusing, and disheartening that at a time when the general mood of the country indicates that the war against corruption is insincere, slow and a sham, the President deems it fit to even rubbish the very little work that has been done by the anti-corruption agencies in securing the conviction of these individuals.

It is also disturbing that at a time when Nigeria is still ranking very low in the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International the President has further damaged the image of the country by this singular act, the statement read in part.

Messrs el-Rufai and Keyamo have not reacted five days after the council of state ratified Mr Buharis pardon to Messrs Dariye and Nyame since last Thursday.

The pardon of the former governors, whose convictions were validated by the Supreme Court in 2020 and 2021, has been widely condemned.

PREMIUM TIMES interviewed personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the two foremost anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, who spoke to our reporters in confidence, accused Mr Buhari of sabotaging the anti-corruption war.

A PREMIUM TIMES analysis also showed that the pardon exposed Mr Buharis hidden soft sport for corruption.
President Muhammadu Buhari has hosted governors of the 36 states of the federation, security chiefs and heads of para-military organisations to Iftar dinner at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the presidential guests had earlier joined the president in performing the Magrib prayer at the Aso Villa Mosque before the commencement of the breaking of the fast.

The president had hosted the leadership of the nations judiciary to Iftar dinner on Thursday.

At the event, President Buhari pledged that the executive arm of the government would continue to respect the judiciary within the boundaries laid out in the Constitution to strengthen the countrys democracy.

Mr Buhari had on March 29 met behind closed doors with security chiefs after the terrorist attack on a Kaduna- bound train.

The train was conveying about 970 passengers from Abuja to Kaduna at about 7.45 p.m. on the fateful day.

Those at the meeting with the President included all service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba and Director-General of the State Security Services, Yusuf Bichi.

(NAN).
President Muhammadu Buhari says no individual or group will be allowed to destabilise Nigeria.

The President also urged Nigerians to resist agents bent on causing breakdown of law and order in the country.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Femi Adesina, his spokesperson, Mr Buhari said: We have the land, we have the resources, and we have the people. But I do not know why people will allow themselves to be successfully subverted to destabilise their own country.

The President was quoted to have made the statement at an Iftar dinner with Governors, Ministers and Heads of Government Agencies.

President Buhari, who thanked the Governors and Ministers for honouring his invitation to break the Ramadan fast, expressed confidence that in spite of the current security challenges, the country will succeed.

On the forthcoming general elections, the President affirmed that being beneficiary of free, fair and credible elections, the introduction of the technology and the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) will make it impossible for anyone to claim millions of votes again in the country.

Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, commended President Buhari for demonstrating resilience and determination at a crucial period in Nigerias history.

We have a leader who is not distracted by momentary challenges but has continued to commit to the renewal of our nation and we, governors, ministers and heads of government agencies are equally dedicated to building a better Nigeria, on your watch, he said.

Noting that this year the Holy month of Ramadan coincided with the just concluded Christian Lenten period, the Governor of Ekiti said it holds enormous spiritual value on the benefits of renewal, sacrifice, almsgiving, forgiveness and healing for the individual as well as the nation.
The power of a president to grant pardon, while an act of benevolence, is rather slippery. He is, in any case, the chairman of the Council of State. In order to develop our constitutional framework further, the judiciary should be involved in the pardoning process to check arbitrariness, reduce the scope of discretion, and to ensure that there is a judicial review of the pardon list to bring it more in conformity with the laws of the land and the end of justice.

Pursuant to the powers to exercise the prerogative of mercy vested in the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Section 175 (16) of the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government last week granted state pardon to two former state governors, Reverend Jolly Nyame of Taraba State and Senator Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, along with 157 others. The effect of pardon amounts to the nullification of punishment or consequences of a crime and conviction. The person is fully restored, as if he never committed the offence in the first place. It is perhaps for this reason that Justice John Marshall in US v. Wilson (1833) described a state pardon as an act of grace. The president of Nigeria grants pardon as a prerogative or an act of discretion to correct perceived injustice, wrongful punishment or judicial excesses and this could be a tricky point, given the salience of the doctrine of separation of powers. The easiest defence, however, is for the government to hide under the cover of public policy, or the fact that no law is broken when state pardon is granted, since it is a constitutional function. The only caveat is found in Section 175 (5), which requires the president to seek the advice of the Council of State and Section 175 (6), which asks the president to act in accordance with the advice of the Council of State. In Nigeria, the power to grant pardon is vested in the president with regard to federal offences (section 175) and in state governors in respect of state offences (Section 212). A pardon is not the same as amnesty, which is granted before prosecution, as seen under the presidency of late Umaru Musa YarAdua when he granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants, nor is state pardon a form of judicial review, as defined for now under Nigerian law.

Nigeria has a fairly long history of state pardons. In 1966, before the civil war, the Yakubu Gowon regime pardoned Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group, and former premier of the defunct Western Region, and Chief Anthony Enahoro, journalist and politician, who first moved the motion for Nigerias Independence in 1953, both of whom had been convicted of treasonable felony in 1963. President Shehu Shagari pardoned General Yakubu Gowon to nullify the accusation that he was involved in the 1975 Bukar Dimka coup that led to the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. The same Shagari administration pardoned the Biafran leader, Odimegwu Ojukwu, for leading the Biafran secession between 1967 and 1971. General Babangida granted pardon to Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, two journalists with the Nigerian Guardian newspapers who were jailed under the draconian Decree 4 imposed by the Muhammadu Buhari regime. General Abdusalami Abubakar pardoned then General Olusegun Obasanjo, who was convicted of involvement in a coup plot by the Abacha regime. President Obasanjo pardoned a former speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1999, Salisu Buhari was convicted for forging his certificate  the famous Toronto scandal. His sins were later officially forgiven. In March 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan granted pardon to former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye S. Alamieyeseigha, along with Lt. General Oladipo Diya (rtd.), Major-General Abdulkarim Adisa (rtd), and former managing director of Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama, In April 2020, the Buhari administration granted pardon to former governor of old Bendel State, Professor Ambrose Alli, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Col. Moses Effiong, Major E.J. Olanrewaju, Babalola Ajayi and 44 others.

Presidential pardons have been controversial in Nigeria. The general public often subjects the pardoned persons list to rigorous scrutiny, with questions usually raised about the criteria for determining who gets pardoned and who does not. This stems from the concern that it is often the privileged and well-connected members of society who have run foul of the law that are often ever so lucky. Even if this may not be completely true, the point is well made that a president with monarchical powers or a state governor seeking political patronage, may exercise the powers of pardon without restraint, resulting in abuse. There are also moral and emotional concerns. In this regard, perhaps the most controversial pardon granted so far in contemporary Nigerian history would be that of Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, who escaped from the arms of the law in the United Kingdom, only to return to a heros welcome in Nigeria and the subsequent nullification of all the sins he was alleged to have committed against the people of Bayelsa State. The pardon that was granted him by the Jonathan administration in 2013 was seen as an act of affront by both local and foreign analysts. Alams, as he was known, was accused of having corruptly enriched himself with the resources of Bayelsa State. What was overlooked in this particular case was that the pardon of Alamieyesiegha, initiated by President Umaru Musa YarAdua and later effected by President Jonathan, was conditional. President YarAdua had involved Alams in the amnesty process in the Niger Delta, with a promise that in appreciation of his contributions to the cause of peace and stability in that troubled part of Nigeria, he would be granted pardon. Sometimes the trigger of controversy may simply be blatant error on the part of the authorities, as in the case of the April 2020 pardon of Chief Anthony Enahoro, who was convicted and sentenced in September 1963. He was pardoned by the Gowon regime in August 1966. He went on to become a Federal Commissioner for Information and Labour in 1967. To pardon him a second time was a loud demonstration of absent-mindedness, and to think the pardon was duly gazetted. Some government officials failed to check the records!

it should in fact not be surprising that so much outrage has greeted the announcement of pardon to two former governors  Dariye and Nyame. Those who have commented on the list are not necessarily bothered about the 157 others, but the two former governors. The sentiments expressed so far are similar to the reactions that attended the pardon of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in 2013. Like him, Nyame and Dariye were accused of corruptly enriching themselves at public expense.

Controversial pardons are not limited to Nigeria. However, in the United States where the pardoning process is, as in Nigeria, vested in the President, the history of pardons has been more acrimonious. Just to cite a few examples: On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford granted full and unconditional pardon to former President Richard Nixon over his involvement in the Watergate scandal that led to his unceremonious resignation from office and any crime that he may have committed as president. Many Americans felt that the pardon was undeserved. It was a controversial decision but Ford stood his ground. He paid a heavy price for that. His popularity rating dropped. Similarly, in 1983, President Bill Clintons pardon of millionaire Marc Rich was generally considered too oily a bargain. On his last day in office on January 20, 2001, President Clinton announced more controversial pardons, including those of left-wing Patty Hearst, Susan Rosenberg and Linda Evans. He also pardoned his own half-brother, Roger Clinton, who was convicted for drug trafficking! His last day in office has been described as pardongate  with a total of 140 pardons! Clinton was known for inciting public outrage with his pardons, as was the case when he chose to commute the sentences of 16 FALN terrorists in 1999. His own wife, Hillary Clinton voted against the decision when it was tabled before the Senate but the president could not be stopped because he held the power of discretion to grant pardons. The whole idea of presidential pardon in the American system, a hold-over from the British system, was first proposed at the 1787 Constitutional Convention by Alexander Hamilton but over the years, there have been fears about how such absolute power, resting on the discretion of one man, could be abused, and indeed in his last days in Office, it was thought that President Donald Trump could grant himself a pardon in advance to protect himself legally from the fall-outs of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. President Trump tried to meet Clintons record, if he did not surpass it. In the final hours of his presidency, Trump granted 70 pardons to mostly financiers and lobbyists, and executive clemency/commutations to 73 others.

Back to Nigeria, it should in fact not be surprising that so much outrage has greeted the announcement of pardon to two former governors  Dariye and Nyame. Those who have commented on the list are not necessarily bothered about the 157 others, but the two former governors. The sentiments expressed so far are similar to the reactions that attended the pardon of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in 2013. Like him, Nyame and Dariye were accused of corruptly enriching themselves at public expense. Dariye, as Plateau State governor (1999 -2007) was charged for money laundering (N1.16 billion). His matter went from the High Court all the way to the Supreme Court. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by the High Court; this was later reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal, and his conviction was finally upheld by the Supreme Court. Reverend Jolly Nyame, as governor of Taraba State (1999-2007) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. And now both men have been freed, completely without conditions. A pardon may be with or without conditions. Theirs is without any. Femi Falana (SAN), Jubrin Sam Okutepa (SAN), Governor Nyesom Wike, Reno Omokri and a host of others have argued that this is a form of endorsement of corruption coming from a government that says one of its cardinal tasks is to fight corruption. In his Easter homily on April 17, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto says there are many innocent people languishing inside Nigerias broken system, who should also be freed. His words: I thank the president for accepting the report of the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and granting pardon to over 150 Nigerians serving various terms of imprisonment. The more serious challenge is to immediately free all innocent Nigerians who are held captive and whose only crime is that they are living in Nigeria. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in an informed commentary, argues that the crux of the matter is that granting pardon to people convicted of corrupt practices, whether still serving or having served, may be construed as tacit approval of such corrupt practices.

He argues further that the Council of State arrived at the endorsement of the pardon in error because the two former governors committed the offences for which they were convicted under state law, the Penal Code Act and not under a federal legislation, and to that extent, the appropriate person to grant them pardon would seem to be the governors of their respective states under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution. He asks: where lies the justice for the impoverished people of Plateau and Taraba States who will now watch their tormentors stroll out with red carpet treatment? Incidentally, it is not only lawyers and civil society activists that have expressed shock. It has been reported that even the officials of the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and their lawyers are alarmed and demoralised. The agency reportedly spent 11 years and millions of naira on the investigation and prosecution of the two former governors, and now both men are free. They have been cleansed of their sins. Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike says the judges who convicted both men have been exposed to ridicule, and that the pardon is politically motivated  Nyame and Dariye are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Beyond the moral anger that has been displayed, we should be more concerned about how to prevent the abuse of presidential pardon to ensure that the main beneficiaries are not the rich and mighty and that the near-absolute powers exercised by the president are curtailed to prevent a situation whereby pardons go more to friends of the ruling party or kinsmen and political associates.

The strongest objection that has been put up is the impression that has now been created that the state protects the rich and that the poor in Nigeria have nothing to regret more than their powerlessness and lack of connections. Hence, Femi Falana (SAN) observes: A Nigerian was jailed for stealing noodles in Abuja, he was not granted state pardon. If you want to pardon your friends, you must extend that pardon to other people in the spirit of equity and fairness. Falana wants all thieves in prison to be pardoned  in other words, what is good for the big thief should be good also for smaller thieves.

The reality check in all of this is that the deed is done and the president is unlikely to reverse himself. Ozekhome raises a cogent question about the people of Plateau and Taraba. I am surprised he overlooks the fact that some people in both states, including incumbent Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, even Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State have been thanking President Buhari for pardoning their kinsmen. The same people will organise a heros welcome for the two former governors. The effect of their unconditional pardon, after all, is that they have become new men  novus homo! As the political parties prepare for their presidential primaries, it is not impossible that these same men could show up as political candidates  for Senate or the vice presidency or even the presidency! The other point made by Ozekhome, with due respect, is to be seen as part of the crisis of federalism in the country. It is true that the two governors committed offences under state law, but the affected states never investigated or prosecuted them. It was the Federal Government, as an interloper, that did, and so the Council of State acted according to the process in place.

Beyond the moral anger that has been displayed, we should be more concerned about how to prevent the abuse of presidential pardon to ensure that the main beneficiaries are not the rich and mighty and that the near-absolute powers exercised by the president are curtailed to prevent a situation whereby pardons go more to friends of the ruling party or kinsmen and political associates. The Council of State, created by Section 153 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, and which is referred to in an obligatory sense in Section 175 (5) and (6), is more of a ceremonial or advisory body. Its members have no powers to overrule the president in respect of state pardon, in the same manner in which the legislature can challenge the president or the judiciary can question executive powers by defining what the law is. The power of a president to grant pardon, while an act of benevolence, is rather slippery. He is, in any case, the chairman of the Council of State. In order to develop our constitutional framework further, the judiciary should be involved in the pardoning process to check arbitrariness, reduce the scope of discretion, and to ensure that there is a judicial review of the pardon list to bring it more in conformity with the laws of the land and the end of justice. But should this appear as if the judiciary is being brought into the fray to become a judge in its own case, then the Council of State should be given more powers to be part of the process of determining the pardon list, instead of being brought in at the last minute to rubber stamp an executive decision.

Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos.
The presidenthas certainly violated the provisions of the Constitution and his oaths of office and allegiance to defend the Constitution. This recent pardon, in my humble view, is the worst way to fight corruption. It will further water, nurture and elevate corruption to a fundamental objective and directive principle of State policy. It is so sad and counterproductive.

Introduction

Crimes are vices that should not be tolerated in any society. They are offences against the state and are punishable under the law. The essence of punishing people convicted of crimes is to serve the criminal just desert, make restitution to the victims and deter other people from engaging in criminal activities, amongst others.

Sometimes, the president and governor of a state may decide to show the milk of human kindness to people already found guilty of crimes. This practice is, respectively, sanctioned by sections 175 and 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered. This practice is even Biblical. For example, Pontius Pilate wanted to grant pardon to Jesus Christ. But, when the mob protested, he released Barnabas instead of Jesus, and washed his hands off the baying at the blood of an innocent man already exonerated by him and King Herod, in preference for Barnabas who had been accused of treason and other heinous crimes (Mark 15:6). Pardon is an unusual show of kindness to people whom the state has already condemned for certain ignoble acts they committed.

Pardon is a loud statement. The meaning of the statement is determined by the context and circumstances of the act. For example, in a state where there is a high record of kidnapping and cyber fraud, showing mercy to people convicted of kidnapping and cyber fraud could be construed as state connivance, or an impetus for offenders to commit more of such crimes. Nigeria, for example, is rated the 149th out of 180th most corrupt countries in the world, and the second most corrupt country in West Africa by Transparency International (TI), under its anti-Corruption Perception Index. Granting pardon to people convicted of corrupt practices, whether still serving or having served, may be construed as a tacit approval of such corrupt practices. This becomes more worrisome under a government which made fighting corruption one of its tripodal mantras.

Meaning of Presidential Pardon

A pardon is an executive order granting clemency for a conviction. It may be granted at any time after the commission of the crime.

This right of pardon is granted to the governor and the president, respectively, under sections 212(1) and 175(1) and (2) of the Constitution, and is legally available to all classes of convicts in Nigeria. It can be obtained by a convict who applies to a governor or the president, as the case may be, for grant of the prerogative of mercy or pardon in his favour, either personally or through a solicitor, or even through the prison authorities where he or she is incarcerated and is serving the term of imprisonment.

For the purpose of exercising this power, section 153(1)(b) of the Constitution establishes the Council of State, which advises the president in the exercise of his prerogative of mercy. The Council, as a government agency, is composed of high-heeled and distinguished Nigerians who are believed to be the have full complements of the countrys ethos.

Thus, although the presidents powers in this area are not subject to the strict approval of the Council of State, he cannot act unilaterally, whimsically, capriciously and arbitrarily. The usage of the word shall in the phrase, The Presidents powers under paragraph (1) of this section shall be utilised by him after consultation with the Council of State, demonstrates this. The exact legal force that the advice of the Council of State bears, i.e., whether it should be taken as limiting the presidents powers of pardon, or whether it is merely a courteous procedure to abide by, is a thorny issue amongst analysts. The presidents obligatory gazetting in the Official Public Notice of the Government of the Federation concludes the pardoning process. The president, including the governor, by extant constitutional provisions, have no constraints or hurdles whatsoever on whom they can grant pardon to.

State pardon is therefore a discretionary power that must be utilised with utmost caution and must accord with the law. It must never be used as a tool of political patronage, nepotic purposes, monetary benefits, or for self-aggrandisement. It must be used in a fair and impartial manner, free of prejudice, bias and public disapproval. It must be strictly in accordance with the best interest of the nation, and the letter and spirit of the Constitution and the code of conduct applicable to all public officers in Nigeria.

The Legal Consequences of the Grant of a Presidential Pardon

The legal effect of presidential pardon was expatiated upon in EX-PARTE GARLAND 71 U.S. 333 (1866) thus:

The inquiry arises as to the effect of a pardon, and on this point the authorities concur. A pardon in the eye of the law cleanses the offender and make him as innocent as if had never committed the offence. Such a convict is like Naaman the leper who deeped himself in the River Jordan and became cleansed of his leprosy. In FALAE V OBASANJO (1999) 3 LLER 1(CA), the Court of Appeal held that a pardon relieves the person of all sins. Musdapher, JCA (as he then was) said:

In my view, under Nigerian law there is no distinction between pardon and a full pardon. A pardon is an act of grace by the appropriate authority which mitigates or obliterates the punishment the law demands for the offence and restores the rights and the privileges on account of the offence. The effect of a pardon is to make the offender a new man, or novus homo, to acquit him of all corporal penalties and forfeitures annexed to the offence pardoned.

In the same vein, the court in OKONGWU V STATE, (1986) 5 NWLR (Pt. 44) 721, held that a free pardon had the effect of erasing all suffering, consequences, and punishments whatsoever that the said conviction may ensure, but not to wipe out the conviction itself from the pardonee. Thus, even where the fines have been vacated, the conviction will forever remain on the record of the court. Thus, even if a person has been pardoned, he can still legally appeal his conviction.

This was why in OKONGWU V STATE (1986) 5 NWLR (Pt. 44) 721, it was held that a free pardon has the effect of blotting out all suffering, consequences, and punishments whatsoever that the said conviction may ensure, but not to wipe out the conviction itself.

The 1999 Constitution, in sections 175 and 212, made provisions for the granting of pardon, respite, or clemency to any person, either free or subject to lawful conditions, as may be determined by the president or the governor, respectively. Such pardon could be for an indefinite or a specified period. They could substitute a lesser form of punishment or remit the whole or any part of such punishment, or substitute a less severe form of punishment. While under section 175 (2), the president shall carry out such an exercise after consultation with the Council of State, the state governor shall carry his out after consultation with such advisory council of the State on prerogative of mercy as may be established by the law of the State.

This brings us to the case of Senators Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, both former governors, who had been convicted and imprisoned for stealing billions of naira from the coffers of their State treasuries and thus impoverishing the people they were elected to govern. These individuals were the chief executives of their states. They had sworn oaths of office and allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and vowed that they would govern their states with utmost good faith. However, they betrayed their people by stealing from them.

There is the more worrisome legal conundrum in the entire presidential pardon, as it pertains to the two governors. This is whether the president could have legally granted pardon to former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame of Plateau and Taraba States respectively, with regard to the fact that both men were convicted for offences allegedly committed between November 2000 and May 2007. The offences under which they were tried and convicted fall under State laws which took place after the promulgation of the 1999 Constitution, during which time they were governors. Specifically, they were tried and convicted under sections 115,119 and 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, LFN, 1990, obviously an existing State law within the meaning, import and true purport of sections 315(1)(b) and 318 of the 1999 Constitution. This Act which became effective as a state law is applicable to the FCT and the Northern States. This Penal Code Act, not being a federal legislation of the National Assembly, became an existing state law deemed duly enacted by the 19 Northern States by virtue of section 315(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. It becomes clear, therefore, that only the Governors of Plateau and Taraba States could have legally and rightly granted pardon to Dariye and Nyame, invoking section 212 of the Constitution; and not Mr President, under section 175 of the Constitution.

The doctrine of separation of powers ably propounded in 1748 by Baron de Montesque and which is accorded constitutional imprimatur in sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution operate here. Should anyone challenge their pardon, an interesting constitutional issue would have been thrown up for constitutional pundits and legal analysts like me. Let us now look at the moral implications.

The Moral Implications of the Presidential Pardon

The moral implications of granting pardon to people may send different messages and signals to different people. The messages could either be seen as genuine forgiveness, connivance, condonation, conspiracy, or impetus, etc.

There is this aphorism often credited to Benjamin Franklin, to the effect that, to err is human, to forgive is divine and to persist is devilish. This saying is true. It is Biblical that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Jesus also admonished that if we say that we have no sin, we make Him (Christ) a liar and the truth is not in us. In the case of a woman caught in the act of adultery brought to Jesus Christ for just determination, Christ demonstrated forgiveness by challenging the mob to first cast a stone at the woman, if they had no sin. Shortly after the mob departed, Jesus forgave the woman and commanded her not to go back to her sinful lifestyle. Christ gave this woman who was about to be stoned to death a second chance to mend her ways.

Pardon is however an exercise that should be exercised sparingly after due consideration of its fuller implications and after full contrition and penance on the part of the offender. For example, during the military junta, some human rights activists were prosecuted unfairly and executed, some under retroactive laws. Such was also the unforgettable grieving fate of the trio of Bartholomew Owoh (26), Lawal Akanni Ojulope (30) and Benard Ogedegbe (29), who were accused of drug peddling, but whose execution was sanctioned by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as military ruler. This, notwithstanding the interventions, and the heart-rending pleas of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and J.P Clarke. Granting pardon to people should be viewed by the society as a recognition of a cause worth celebrating, not being offensive and fouling the air.

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This brings us to the case of Senators Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, both former governors, who had been convicted and imprisoned for stealing billions of naira from the coffers of their State treasuries and thus impoverishing the people they were elected to govern. These individuals were the chief executives of their states. They had sworn oaths of office and allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and vowed that they would govern their states with utmost good faith. However, they betrayed their people by stealing from them. They breached the trust reposed in them. None of them admitted their guilt or wrongdoings until the courts found them guilty, up to the Supreme Court. As a matter of fact, Joshua Dariye was a sitting senator when the Supreme Court affirmed the 10 year jail term earlier passed on him. What then is the basis for granting pardon to these individuals in a country where corruption is the bane and struts around imperiously like a peacock?

I had noted several times since 2013 (after my release from a three-week horrific ordeal in the hands of kidnappers) that we must kill corruption, which has become the 37th, the richest and most potent state in Nigeria, before it kills us. By granting pardon to these treasury looters, Buhari is reviving, nurturing and watering corruption with state powers.

When former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreiye Alamieyeigha (DSP), who I had defended throughout his State-sanctioned ordeal, was granted pardon by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, I wrote and justified it. I did so for the following reasons: DSP had fully served his term of imprisonment after his conviction. He had earlier been pardoned by late President YarAdua, who later died before consummating the pardon, until Jonathan succeeded him under the doctrine of necessity. As noted by former Attorney General, Mohammed Bello Adoke, on page 62 in his 270-page book, titled The Burden of Service, DSP had also shown contrition, remorse and repentance. DSP had also helped greatly in brokering the peace process that led to amnesty in the restive Niger Delta region, which had halted oil production. This, in turn, led to stability in the area and reduced pipeline vandalism, kidnapping of expatriates, and thus improved oil production, which had plummeted to a state of nadir, leading to national ruckus and impoverishment. He had evidently demonstrated that he believed in one stable Nigeria.

Perhaps more significant is the fact that Alamieyeigha was gravely ill with life-threatening ailment, from which he later died barely two years after the pardon was granted him. DSP had thus earned the state pardon after the Council of State recommended and approved it. The same cannot be said of these two governors who were still serving their jail terms.

Thus, the act of granting amnesty or pardon, though discretionary, must be exercised judiciously and in the best interest of the country, so as not to create doubts in and dampen the confidence of the citizenry in the national moral fabric, and in the fight against corruption.

So, when the Council of State recently authorised the pardon of 159 convicts, including Senator Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and ex-Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, who were both imprisoned for stealing N1.16 billion and N1.6 billion respectively, many Nigerians justifiably showed anger, because these two political leaders had been duly tried and convicted for stealing money belonging to their respective states. The courts in Nigeria were unanimous in their verdicts that they were corrupt and had corruptly enriched themselves while serving as governors of their respective states. They were still serving their sentences.

These men had betrayed the trust their people reposed in them by stealing money meant for the development of their respective states, while serving as their chief executives.

This singular ill-advised act of abuse of power will also definitely embolden political thieves and unrepentant pilferers of our national commonwealth. It shows that once you are a friend of the president or a member of his political party, or his acolyte and supporter, you can get away with any crime. In other words, in Nigeria, corruption surely pays!

Many Nigerians thus view the action of Mr president in granting them pardon as recommended by the Council of States, which is a body peopled mostly by friends and political benefactors or allies of the convicts, as an action taken in bad faith. This is more so that President Buhari had assumed office on the goodwill of the Nigerian people, largely fuelled by his avowed commitment to fight corruption in all its ramifications, to a standstill.

The purpose of criminal prosecution is to secure justice, not only for the accused, but also for the victims of crimes and the state; and to some extent get reparation and restitution for the victims, while deterring others from going the same route.

Where lies the justice for the impoverished people of Plateau and Taraba States who will now watch their tormentors stroll out with red carpet treatment?

The government budgets huge sums of money for the prosecution of such accused persons from the tax players sweat; and if after the rigorous period of trial and subsequent conviction, the guilty are simply let off the hook in such a brazen manner, the little remaining lean hope that the citizens have in the system is further diminished.

I dare say that in these two instances, both the president and the Council of State goofed and abused their undoubted constitutional powers and privileges.

A constitutional issue as volatile as this could have been better managed, if the minders of the president had told him the embarrassment this could cause the government in the estimation of the comity of nations. And it is doing just that.

This brazen abuse of power will definitely ricochet and erode the confidence of our international partners in the fight against corruption. It will also dampen the morale of the agencies fighting corruption, such as EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), amongst others.

This singular ill-advised act of abuse of power will also definitely embolden political thieves and unrepentant pilferers of our national commonwealth. It shows that once you are a friend of the president or a member of his political party, or his acolyte and supporter, you can get away with any crime. In other words, in Nigeria, corruption surely pays!

With this action, the fight against corruption appears forlorn and a mirage. What is the essence of spending scarce resources in the name of fighting corruption if at the end of the day the convicts will be pardoned and stroll into their palatial homes in splendour, in this ugly manner?

Granted that the Constitution gives the president and the governors the powers or prerogative to pardon criminals in deserving circumstances, must it be done in the vulgar way and manner that the instant case was handled?

In fairness to the president, not all the 159 convicts and ex-convicts granted presidential pardon are politicians. But, the most prominent of them are the two former governors. That is what has led to the national rockus, bedlam and hoopla. This is because it could be argued (and rightly too), that the main essence of the last meeting of the Council of State was to give imprimatur to, and grant pardon to the two political heavy weights, while making up the number with some insignificant lightweight ones, using garnished veneer and a sleight of hand.

The president, by so doing, has certainly violated the provisions of the Constitution and his oaths of office and allegiance to defend the Constitution. This recent pardon, in my humble view, is the worst way to fight corruption. It will further water, nurture and elevate corruption to a fundamental objective and directive principle of State policy. It is so sad and counterproductive.

Mike Ozekhome is a senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Coming from a leader who had placed all his eggs in one basket, labeled Anti-Corruption, this is one egg squashed against Nigerian faces that they shall not forget  or wipe off  in a hurry. It evokes the legend of Pandoras box, whose contents are alleged to constitute all the ills that plague the world. Putrid to the core, allied to power provocations in numerous variations, such as catapulting a notorious player in the martyrdom of a serving minister of Justice to the hub of governances wheel

Easter greetings to you, Reverend Mathew Kukah and to all your followers. All has been said, I think. I am impelled however not to miss an opportunity to add my own Easter drop to the overflowing vessel of pietistic sentiments, if only to reassure Christians  and also Moslems in turn  that even we, non-believers, do partake of that same ethical communion to which most humanity aspire. Also, your Easter sermon opens up yet again those sluices of juridical hypocrisy to which we dare not cease to draw attention.

Such, in the immediate, remains the plight of two young men  Mubarak Bala and the musician Yahaya Sharif  one serving a sentence of twenty-five years, the other actually sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy. That word blasphemy comes into its authentic mode, in my view, whenever anyone violates a solemn oath of office. Its penitentiality becomes even redoubled when such violators are pampered with the prerogative of mercy. Permit me to call special attention to the following from your sermon:

Religious leaders. must face the reality that here in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world, millions of people are leaving Christianity and Islam. While we are busy building walls of division with the blocks of prejudice, our members are becoming atheists, but we prefer to pretend that we do not see this. We cannot pretend not to hear the footsteps of our faithful marching away into atheism and secularism. No threats can stop this, but dialogue can open our hearts.

I am persuaded that the recent largesse from the nations president has already won a few hearts and minds to the ranks, if not of outright atheism, then at least to a healthy skeptical regard of piety spouting leadership that sees nothing wrong in attempts to extinguish the life of a young man for an honest declaration of conviction, while veterans of broken pledges are let loose to further infect a world they have betrayed. No pardon has been extended in the direction of endangered, youthful integrity.

You will forgive, though disagree with me, I know, for clambering onto the Easter wagon myself, to echo the words of the One whose passage through the world the Easter season commemorates It is finished!

Of course, it is easy to track the trajectory of events. Nettled by increasingly scabrous comments, such as those of his predecessor in office, Olusegun Obasanjo, who declared that this incumbent has run out of ideas, that he has nothing left to offer the nation, Muhammad Buhari decided to embark on the Easter train and donate an Easter egg of truly presidential proportions to his subjects.

Coming from a leader who had placed all his eggs in one basket, labeled Anti-Corruption, this is one egg squashed against Nigerian faces that they shall not forget  or wipe off  in a hurry. It evokes the legend of Pandoras box, whose contents are alleged to constitute all the ills that plague the world. Putrid to the core, allied to power provocations in numerous variations, such as catapulting a notorious player in the martyrdom of a serving minister of Justice to the hub of governances wheel, these define the nature of bequests that have brought the nation to this moment of near dissolution. Precedents are no consolation, no excuses. One states the obvious in remarking that precedents either undermine or reinforce principles, and aspiring offenders, especially in the political domain, are encouraged or inhibited by the ease or difficulty of access to the fount of mercy. Officeholders, we presume, are constrained by the existence of that dangling Sword of Damocles  simply knowing that one day, the cloak of immunity will turn threadbare, and the awaited day of reckoning finds them answerable. Clearly, not any longer.

You will forgive, though disagree with me, I know, for clambering onto the Easter wagon myself, to echo the words of the One whose passage through the world the Easter season commemorates:

It is finished!

Wole SOYINKA, the first Black Nobel Laureate in Literature, writes from A.R.I, Kemta Housing Estate, Abeokuta.
The United Nations World Creativity Day 2022 celebration is a further call for intensification of creative and innovative action on the part of the tech-related related government agencies to cultivate new beneficial partnerships, while also sustaining ongoing engagements for a successful implementation of the digital economy.

Creativity and innovation constitute the core of the sustainable technological transformation of any society. These twin elements are major determinants of the prosperity of nations and the well-being of citizens.

Globally, it is acknowledged that creativity and innovation play critical roles in all human activities, whether for work or recreation. Technological innovation is transforming the economies of nations from the traditional to digital.

Creativity and innovation have the capacity for problem-solving that impacts diverse sectors of the global economy. Apart from improving our world, they enable the economy to generate income and create new jobs, thereby stimulating economic growth.

In recognition of the important change that creativity and innovation can bring to local communities, nations, and people, the United Nations designated April 21 every year as World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID), which was first commemorated in 2018.

The UN invites member states, regional and international organisations, civil society groups, and individuals to observe the day, following national priorities to raise awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-solving, toward the achievement of economic, social, and sustainable development.

In continuation of Nigerias determined transition to a stable digital economy, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and its subsidiaries, is joining the rest of the global community to commemorate the 2022 WCID in line with countrys commitment to key into this transformative initiative.

Having identified innovation as a critical tool for implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), NITDA created an office dedicated to promoting Nigerian technology innovations through the creation of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs), and the protection of such enterprises.

Through the policy guidance and support of the minister, Mallam Isa Pantami; NITDA, and its subsidiary organisations, have continued to deliver on the optimum implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) to grow Nigerias digital economy.

Accordingly, the Agency has keyed into this transformative initiative by making strategic realignments to consolidate the gains and globally position Nigeria as a leading digital innovation and entrepreneurship hub.

Having identified innovation as a critical tool for implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), NITDA created an office dedicated to promoting Nigerian technology innovations through the creation of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs), and the protection of such enterprises.

The Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) is one of the critical special purpose vehicles (SPVs) created by NITDA to promote, grow and protect the Nigerian technology ecosystem through the proliferation of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs), to produce more job providers and sustainable prosperity for Nigeria.

It coordinates and supports activities on policy implementation, enforcement, and interventions to ensure the protection of IDEs, and compliance with local content guidelines to enhance their success.

Also, NITDA established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), as the digital laboratory for advancing creativity, innovation, and skills development to exploit the power of Discovery, Incubation, and Acceleration.

To resolve the problems bludgeoning the country, the focused and unrelenting implementation of Nigerias digital transformation agenda by NITDA and its subsidiaries for the multiplication of Innovation-Driven Enterprises in all sectors of the economy is imperative.

The Centre promotes research and development on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies, aimed at transforming the Nigerian digital economy.

The global theme for the 2022 UN World Creativity and Innovation Day celebration is Collaboration. To highlight the importance of collaboration for growing Nigerias economy, NITDA has invited indigenous innovators and key players in the public and private sectors to an event commemorating this years World Creativity and Innovation Day.

Startups pitching session with various prizes to be awarded to eventual winners, an Exposition (Expo) for indigenous startups to showcase their innovative solutions, and a fireside chat on Creativity and Innovation: Powering Collaboration for a Sustainable Digital Economy, are among the activities lined up to add colour to the day.

Meanwhile, in the face of existing challenges confronting different areas of our lives as individuals and as a nation, creative and innovative technology remain a critical route to solving our pressing economic, political, and socio-cultural problems.

The United Nations World Creativity Day 2022 celebration is a further call for intensification of creative and innovative action on the part of the tech-related related government agencies to cultivate new beneficial partnerships, while also sustaining ongoing engagements for a successful implementation of the digital economy.

To resolve the problems bludgeoning the country, the focused and unrelenting implementation of Nigerias digital transformation agenda by NITDA and its subsidiaries for the multiplication of Innovation-Driven Enterprises in all sectors of the economy is imperative.

Inyene Ibanga writes from Corporate Communications Unit, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Wuye District, Abuja.
I know this is a rather sensitive issue.

The sensitivity is not borne out of fear and lack of concern for the undiscerning victims of the endless Ponzi schemes in Nigeria. Instead, it is a feeling for those who unwittingly with their two eyes and good mental faculty ceaselessly fall victims to gains of unbridled proportion.

In human endeavors, the lookout for fundamentals cannot be overemphasized.

Many things that people market, especially on social media, will not pass even the most rudimentary test of these fundamentals. It battles me how people ignore this and rush out to cash on the manna from nowhere. A simple understanding of how the economy fares is a litmus test for anyone to query the remote possibility of achieving the gargantuan offerings of returns that are pitched to them.

The only reasonable conclusion is that the peoples greed remains the propelling force exploited by the smart alecs.

A lot of people are in pain. As a human, that cannot be ignored either.

Their pains notwithstanding, it is high time we dispassionately confronted the issue of greed that seems to switch off peoples ability to reason.

Ask the hard questions. How is this kind of returns possible? What if they are not able to sustain it? Are they getting the returns from other climes? How much is coming to the promoters that they give so much to the investors?

A nu mo kii nu ile (no one who feeds a child goes hungry). It is out of the abundance made by the promoters that they shared with the investors. If the return to the investors is out of this world, how then do you describe what comes to the promoters?

Nobody cares about all these questions? Right?

The higher the returns, the higher the risks.

Okay! We are not all professionals in risks related issues. Should common sense also fail us?

The fact that we keep witnessing successful Ponzi schemes, one after the other, speaks a lot about our vulnerability to quick wealth without labor. We enjoy the filthy lucre of little efforts but significant benefits but fail to understand that a vehicular brake may malfunction once in a while.

Our greed is, therefore, our albatross.

Until we deal with personal greed, another Ponzi scheme will still emerge and sweep us of our resources as usual. The irony of this is that the same people who have been shouting enu gbe (mouth is dry) to explain their financial predicaments are the ones screaming about losing millions of Naira.

Ole gbe, ole gbaa (stolen by a thief and snatched by a robber).

Ideally, we should empathize with all the victims!

However, except it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that they were jazzed, let them eat the humble pies and address their longer throats for unreasonable rewards. It is even worse for those who use other peoples funds to invest in such schemes. They have betrayed the basic principle of trust and fidelity. They are criminals that should be prosecuted for multiple offenses.

May their thinking ever be blurry!

It is not a curse.

To the schemers, may they rot in jail if they will ever get there.

It is saddening that we refused to learn from the abundant lessons of the past. There is no justification for Ponzi schemes continuous success other than the people are blindly greedy and suspended their brains to feed their greed.

To the new schemers, come quickly before the people start borrowing themselves sense. You can still make it, you know.

Advertisements





I am pained by the sheer weight of the figures people are throwing around. Were you out of your sense?

Anyway, there is no longer any need for control; everything is already under alarm.

You are free to be angry with me.

Bolutife Oluwadele is a chartered accountant, author, and public policy scholar based in Canada. Email: bolutife.oluwadele@gmail.com
HONG KONG, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on research and technology transfer as well as to nurture future R&D talent, leveraging the research expertise of both parties.

PolyU and ASTRI will kick-start research projects, capitalising on their respective research experience and strengths to develop impactful innovations. The relevant intellectual properties will then be translated into viable solutions for meeting industrial and societal needs. The two parties are committed to encouraging more interdisciplinary research discussions and strengthening cross-sector technology transfer.

With cultivating young talent as a core mission of the collaboration, PolyU and ASTRI are dedicated to building a strong talent base for the long-term and sustainable development of R&D in Hong Kong. The ASTRI Day @ PolyU scheduled on 13 April will foster exchange and cooperation between academia and industry. Experts from ASTRI will share insights on various hot technology topics such as Trust and AI Technologies, Communications Technologies, IoT Sensing and AI Technologies, Integrated Circuits and Systems, etc. PolyU students will gain a comprehensive understanding of technology trends as well as career prospects in different research fields.

Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, "We are thrilled to partner with ASTRI to cultivate research talent in Hong Kong by leveraging our unique strengths to empower our students and graduates with forward-looking technologies through various exchange activities. We will also provide career opportunities for those who are enthusiastic about technology advancement. This MoU will deepen PolyU's ongoing collaboration with industry and our commitment to transforming research excellence into societal impact for the long-term sustainable development of the city."

Ir Sunny LEE, JP, Chairman of ASTRI, said, "We are eagerly looking forward to the strengthening of collaboration with PolyU in the areas of research and talent nurturing. This will further promote cross-disciplinary research and the integration of basic and applied research, while expanding Hong Kong's I&T talent pool. I assure you that ASTRI's researchers, who are experts in cutting-edge technologies, will do their utmost to impart their knowledge and experience to PolyU's students. I am also sure that these students will in turn inject new impetus into ASTRI."

Under this MoU, PolyU's Department of Applied Physics and ASTRI will jointly design a brand-new Master's programme focusing on microelectronics technologies. Professor Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, remarked that this new MSc programme in Microeleclectronics Technology and Materials, to be launched in the 2023/24 academic year, will enable students to cope with emerging technology and industry needs. ASTRI's experts will co-teach three highly industry-relevant subjects, namely Integrated Circuits Design, Microelectronics Packaging and Reliability, and Machine Vision for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Inspections.

Committed to driving translational research and technology innovation as well as talent cultivation, PolyU and ASTRI will continue to collaborate closely on a wide range of initiatives to address real-world challenges for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.

SOURCE The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
21Shares and ETF Securities Launch the World's First Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in Australia Tweet this

Both funds will list on CBOE Exchange (formerly Chi-X). ETFS 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (Code: EBTC) will track the price of bitcoin in Australian dollars. It is fully backed by bitcoin held in cold storage by Coinbase. ETFS 21Shares Ethereum ETF (Code: EETH) will track the Australian dollar price of ether, which is the cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain. It is fully backed by ether held in cold storage by Coinbase.

Graham Tuckwell, Executive Chairman of ETF Securities Australia says EBTC and EETH give investors a way of trading cryptocurrency in a tightly regulated environment, without the need to establish and maintain their own bitcoin or Ethereum wallets, or manage the risks. "Once we decided to build a range of crypto ETFs for the Australian market, there was only one partner we wanted to work with, and that's 21Shares. Its pioneering approach to secure investment in cryptocurrency has been emulated by other fund managers around the world," Tuckwell says.

Four years ago, Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder founded 21Shares to make crypto safe and accessible for all investors, including their mothers. Since then, the company has been on a tremendous journey to stay at the forefront of the market by providing investors with the most innovative crypto Exchange Traded Products (ETP), the broadest token solutions, and more forward-thinking solutions. Today, the company continues to drive rapid, targeted growth through first-of-their-kind products, key markets expansion, and strategic talent additions  all powered by free institutional-grade research to educate investors about the evolving industry.

Hany Rashwan, CEO and co-founder of 21Shares, said: "We're so incredibly excited to be able to offer the first direct exposure Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF in Australia. Australian investors clearly want and deserve an affordable, easy, and professional way to access the growing crypto asset class and we're delighted to continue building accessible bridges into the crypto world. We're starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum but have even more exciting plans for Australian investors".

ETF Securities Head of Distribution Kanish Chugh says bitcoin has been the best performing asset over the past 10 years and ether has been one of the top performing assets over the past five years. "They may be used as an alpha tilts or side bets in a portfolio. They can also be bought as portfolio diversifiers, as they are completely different asset and uncorrelated to shares, bonds and commodities."

Chugh says that for investors looking for exposure to cryptocurrencies, investment via EBTC and EETH overcomes the pitfalls of the cryptocurrency market, including low exchange quality, weak custody arrangements, vulnerability to hacking and the loss of private keys and passwords.

The net asset value of EBTC and EETH units is calculated by multiplying the coin entitlement of every unit by the price of underlying cryptocurrency as measured by CryptoCompare at 3pm Central European Time, converted into Australian dollars.

Press Contacts:

Arielle Sobel

[email protected]

Simrita Virk

Shed Connect

[email protected]

About 21Shares:

21Shares takes innovation to the next level with the largest suite of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) in the world. In 2018 it pioneered the world's first cryptocurrency index listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange, and it continues powering its cryptocurrency franchise with cutting-edge research and groundbreaking approaches to product strategy. 21Shares aims to provide all investors with an easy, secure, and regulated way to buy, sell, and short cryptocurrency through existing bank and brokerage accounts. 21Shares is a Swiss company registered in Zug, Switzerland with offices in Zurich and New York City. For more information, please visit www.21shares.com .

Disclaimer:

This document is communicated by Shed Connect on behalf of ETFS Management (AUS) Limited (ETFS)(AFSL: 466 778). Under no circumstances is this document to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments or other financial instruments and any investments should only be made on the basis of the relevant product disclosure statement which should be considered by any potential investor including any risks identified therein.

This document does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances. You should seek independent financial, legal, tax and other relevant advice having regard to your particular circumstances. Although we use reasonable efforts to obtain reliable, comprehensive information, we make no representation and give no warranty that it is accurate or complete.

Investments in any product issued by ETFS are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested. Neither ETFS, ETFS Capital Limited nor any other member of the ETFS Capital Group guarantees the performance of any products issued by ETFS or the repayment of capital or any particular rate of return therefrom.

The value or return of an investment will fluctuate and investor may lose some or all of their investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

This document has been prepared by ETFS from sources which ETFS believes to be correct. However, none of ETFS, ETFS Capital Limited, 21Shares nor any other member of the ETFS Capital Group, nor any third party supplier of any data or index (including CC Data Ltd), nor any of their respective directors, employees or agents make any representation or warranty as to, or assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, or any errors or omissions in, any information or statement of opinion contained in this document or in any accompanying, previous or subsequent material or presentation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, ETFS, CC Data Ltd and each of those persons disclaim all any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may be suffered by any person relying upon any information contained in, or any omissions from, this document.

CryptoCompare's Crypto Coin Comparison Aggregated Index ("CCCAGG") is used with the permission of CC Data Ltd and has been licensed for use by ETFS Management (AUS) Limited ("ETFS") in connection with the EBTC (the "Product"). Neither ETFS nor the Product, as applicable, is sponsored, endorsed, sold or Promoted CC Data Ltd. CC Data Ltd make no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in the Product. Past performance of a Product is not an indicator of or a guarantee of future results. YOUR USE OF CCCAGG, AND ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED IN, RELATED TO, OR DERIVED THEREFROM, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CC DATA LTD MAKES THE CCCAGG AVAILABLE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND EXCLUDES ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS AND/OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE.

Disclaimer:

This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act and not a prospectus. This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful. This document does not constitute an offer of securities to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The Securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. In any EEA Member State (other than the France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Lichtenstein) that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, together with any applicable implementing measures in any Member State, the "Prospectus Regulation") this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. Exclusively for potential investors in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Liechtenstein the 2021 Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer's website under www.21Shares.com . The approval of the 2021 Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the 2021 Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities.

SOURCE 21Shares
Hong Kong: Mainland experts visit health centres

The Mainland epidemic prevention and control expert delegation deployed by the central authorities today visited the Hong Kong International Airport, Tin Shui Wai (Tin Yip Road) Community Health Centre and the Sham Shui Po District Health Centre.

The goal of the visit was to gain a better grasp of the relevant epidemic prevention measures being adopted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

In the morning, the expert delegation visited the Hong Kong International Airport and toured the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre One set up at the T1 Midfield Concourse.

The group obtained a better understanding of the quarantine measures and testing arrangements for inbound travellers put in place by the Hong Kong SAR Government. They also shared their experience related to the prevention of importation of cases.

During their next visit, to the Tin Shui Wai (Tin Yip Road) Community Health Centre, the experts were joined by the Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan.

While there, they received a briefing on the roles of a designated clinic and exchanged with clinicians their experience of treating COVID-19 patients.

The expert delegation also toured the Sham Shui Po health centre in the afternoon, where the staff introduced to them the epidemic prevention and control work carried out by the health centres at the district level, such as providing a COVID-19 vaccination service, distributing anti-epidemic kits and disseminating health information.

The delegation also inspected the relevant service arrangement for district health centres to provide free rapid antigen test kits to elderly recipients aged 60 or above, which started from today.

Prof Chan noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government had strengthened medical support to patients at the community level to prevent them from developing into a severe condition.

She also pointed out that the district health centres have been actively involved in promoting and participating in various anti-epidemic work at the district level.

The delegation is being led by Director of the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control & Prevention of the Chinese Center for Disease Control & Prevention Kan Biao.

This story has been published on: 2022-04-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
"The endodontic specialty consists of thousands of amazing, specialized dentists dedicated to saving patients' natural teeth and relieving their tooth pain," AAE President Dr. Alan S. Law said. "I'm thrilled to help present these awards recognizing particular members for their outstanding achievements in the areas of professional development, academics, research and service."

John S. Olmsted, D.D.S, M.S., F.A.G.D., F.I.C.D., F.A.C.D., F.P.F.A., will receive the Edgar D. Coolidge Award. This award is AAE's highest honor, and it's meant to recognize him as a part of an elite group of role models for the entire endodontic community. Dr. Olmsted has been active in practice, teaching, lecturing, and professional dental organizations for the past 46 years. He is emeritus in a group endodontic practice in Greensboro, North Carolina. He received his DDS from the University of Iowa in 1975 and was awarded OKU. He earned his MS from the University of North Carolina in 1977, and he has presented over 600 days of lectures, seminars, workshops, with travel in 63 countries and all 50 states, including presentations at multiple international dental schools. He served in a variety of leadership roles within the dental community, including President of the AAE from 2006-2007.

Al Reader, D.D.S., M.S., will receive the I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award for his contributions to the educational fields of endodontics and inspiration he instills in his students. Dr. Reader received his DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and completed his endodontic training at OSU earning his certificate in endodontics and an MS. He is currently professor emeritus, past director of the Advanced Endodontic Program, and holds an Endowed Professorship in the Division of Endodontics. He has advised or was a committee member for 168 Master Theses and has authored more than 170 scientific articles, 13 chapters in the leading endodontic texts, and a book. He also taught graduate endodontic residents for over 42 years.

Kent A. Sabey, D.D.S., will receive the Edward M. Osetek Award for being an outstanding educator that earned the esteem and respect of students and faculty. Dr. Sabey is an Associate Professor and served nine years as the Director of Advanced Education in Endodontics at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. There, he impacted residents from both the LSU and Keesler Air Force Base programs. Students at all levels benefitted from his dynamic teaching style, frequently citing his energy and effectiveness as an educator. He also currently serves as a Director of the American Board of Endodontics.

Mohamed I. Fayad, D.D.S., M.S., P.H.D., will receive the Calvin D. Torneck Part-time Educator Award. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Fayad received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the College of Dentistry, Cairo University in 1985. He received his Masters in Oral Sciences in 1994 and his PhD in 1996 from the University of Buffalo at New York. He had two years of Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester at New York, and received his certificate of Specialty in Endodontics at the University of Illinois. He has served in a variety of roles within the dental community, is a Diplomate of the ABE and authored numerous studies, abstracts and articles.

Scott Fehrs will receive the Honorary Membership Award for his significant contributions which have furthered the advancement of endodontics. Mr. Fehrs is a third-generation business owner of Treloar & Heisel, a family-owned enterprise focused on the financial services needs of dental specialists and general dentists. Since its inception in 1958, the firm has assisted thousands of dental professionals at critical financial junctures as they move from training through practice to retirement. Mr. Fehrs has led as the CEO of the company since 2005. The firm represents more than 18,000 dental specialists and is recognized nationally as a leader in its field.

About the American Association of Endodontists:

The AAE is headquartered in Chicago and represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of 12 dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website at aae.org. For more patient focused information, visit aae.org/patients .

SOURCE American Association of Endodontists (AAE)
Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a free sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Activated Carbon market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Activated Carbon pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfill their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/activated-carbon-market-procurement-research-report

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 5.00%-8.00%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Activated Carbon TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Activated Carbon suppliers listed in this report:

This Activated Carbon procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Cabot Corp.

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

Ingevity Corp.

Kureha Corp.

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment.

Subscribe Now for Free

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Hinsdale, IL-based G.A. Mavon & Co. and its Mavco Insurance Agency, Inc. subsidiary. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1916, G.A. Mavon & Co. is a fourth-generation, family-run, standard and specialty lines wholesale broker. Mavco Insurance Agency, founded in 1972, is its retail insurance agency subsidiary. Both firms serve the insurance needs of high-net-worth personal lines clients, as well as commercial business owners, with a focus on professional lines. Phil Mavon and his associates will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Matt Lynch, VP-Central Binding Region for Risk Placement Services, Inc., Gallagher's US wholesale brokerage, binding authority and programs division, and Jeff Saunders, President of Personal Lines for Gallagher's US retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

"G.A. Mavon and Mavco Insurance Agency are well-respected businesses with a similar culture to ours that will expand our high-net-worth offerings in the Midwest region," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "We are very pleased to welcome Phil and his associates to our rapidly growing team."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 68 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella Media: Linda J. Collins VP - Investor Relations VP- Corporate Communications 630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-4009/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
- Fast casual concept celebrates grand opening with free chicken salad for a year to first 100 guests on April 26 -

ATLANTA, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick , the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest restaurant in Columbia, Missouri. This marks the brand's third restaurant in the state with plans to open an additional location in Springfield later this year. Located at 300 Brickton Road and featuring a drive-thru and patio seating, Chicken Salad Chick Columbia is owned and operated by Missouri native and local resident Jennifer Winters, alongside her husband Michael Winters of The Family Brands Inc. The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening on April 26, which includes a free chicken salad for a year giveaway to the first 100 guests.

During grand opening week, guests will experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include:

Tuesday, April 26  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests can arrive starting at 7am for grand opening day only.

  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Guests can arrive starting at for grand opening day only. Wednesday, April 27  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special for their next visit.**

 The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special for their next visit.** Thursday, April 28  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick cutting board.**

 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick cutting board.** Friday, April 29  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.**

 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.** Saturday, April 30  The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick cooler.**

Ambitious multi-unit operators, this is the Winters' third Chicken Salad Chick location in Missouri, joining their St. Louis-area restaurants in Chesterfield and Creve Coeur. The Winters were first introduced to the brand back in 2017 after a Chick restaurant opened near their children's preschool in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Quickly becoming regulars, the family fell in love with CSC's diverse flavors, brand values and simple concept. Today, the duo continues to build their franchise empire and now brings the great flavor of Chicken Salad Chick to their local Columbia community.

"From the very first bite, I knew Chicken Salad Chick would be something special to me and my family. Whether it was a quick after-school snack or catering platters for our events, we always found ourselves back at the Chick," said Jennifer Winters. "The brand's core values of spreading joy, enriching lives and serving others are very much a part of who we are and what we strive to do. We look forward to not only introducing our friends and neighbors in Columbia to CSC's made-from-scratch menu but continuing to grow with this incredible brand as we plan for additional locations in the St. Louis and Jefferson City regions."

Chicken Salad Chick in Columbia will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com/ . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age and are required to download and create an account on the Craving Credits app. Once the restaurant opens, guests will receive a unique code to enter into their Craving Credits app to receive their reward. All first 100 guests must make a purchase of The Chick meal or greater value.

**Must download the CSC App and be 16 years or older to purchase. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickColumbiaMO/.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 200 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2022 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2022, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019 and 2020, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Ashley Bennett

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
SAO PAULO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4) ("GOL" or "Company"), Brazil's largest domestic airline, announced today the signing of a landmark agreement between its logistics business, GOLLOG, which operates cargo services to 52 airports and over 3,900 destinations in Brazil, and Mercado Livre, which operates marketplaces for e-commerce and online auctions.

The agreement, with a term of ten years, includes a dedicated freighter fleet of six Boeing 737-800 BCF and is expected to begin operations during 2H22. There is also the option of adding other six cargo aircraft by 2025.

GOL plans to end this year with 136 aircraft in its fleet, comprised of 44 Boeing 737-MAXs and 92 Boeing 737-NGs. The introduction of the six-cargo aircraft is expected to generate fleet optimization savings of approximately R$25 million in 2022 and another R$75 million in 2023. The Company's ongoing transformation to the 737 MAX will also enable greater dilution of fixed costs and generate new opportunities for ancillary revenues.

GOL's agreement with Mercado Livre is part of the Company's investment to serve the needs of the growing Brazilian e-commerce market, which today generates over R$180 billion in annual revenues and a yearly spend of over R$12 billion on logistics services. As such, GOLLOG plans to increase its range of services and tonnage capacity by 80% during 2023 to generate additional incremental revenue of approximately R$100 million in 2022, and more than R$1.0 billion over the next five years.

"Our cargo operation begins an exciting new chapter for GOL and GOLLOG, by integrating our synergies as the lowest cost operator in the region with the needs of Mercado Livre, the largest e-commerce platform in Latin America. This partnership brings high added value and will help to democratize logistics services for all Brazilians. GOL thanks Mercado Livre for choosing GOLLOG as its partner and for its confidence in the efficiency, standard of quality and agility of our logistics services in Brazil," said Paulo Kakinoff, GOL's CEO.

"The expansion of the fleet is vital to advance Mercado Livre's mission to democratize e-commerce services in Brazil and becomes even more important in this country of continental dimensions. With this partnership, we will increase the number of direct flights from Sao Paulo to the North and Northeast regions, reducing the delivery time by up to 80%. Delivery time to Manaus will be only one day, instead of the current nine days, while to Northeast destinations the lead time will decrease from four days to one. Other capitals, such as Goiania and Cuiaba, will receive their packages the next day," said Fernando Yunes, Senior Vice President of Mercado Livre in Brazil. "We are very optimistic about our agreement with GOL, and we see it as a fundamental in strengthening our growth path in e-commerce and our strategy to expand in the region."

Investor Relations

[email protected]

www.voegol.com.br/ir

+55(11) 2128-4700

About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.

GOL is Brazil's largest airline, leader in the corporate and leisure segments. Since its founding in 2001, it has been the airline with the lowest unit cost in Latin America, which has enabled the democratization of air transportation. The Company has partnerships with American Airlines and Air France-KLM, in addition to making available to Customers many codeshare and interline agreements, bringing more convenience and ease of connections to any place served by these partnerships. With the purpose of "Being First for Everyone", GOL offers the best travel experience to its passengers, including: the largest inventory of seats and the most legroom; the most complete platform with internet, movies and live TV; and the best loyalty program, SMILES. In cargo transportation, GOLLOG delivers parcels to various regions in Brazil and abroad. The Company has a team of 15,000 highly qualified airline professionals focused on Safety, GOL's number one value, and operates a standardized fleet of 135 Boeing 737 aircraft. GOL's shares are traded on the NYSE (GOL) and the B3 (GOLL4). For further information, visit www.voegol.com.br/ri.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this material fact has not been subject to any independent audit or review and contains "forward-looking" statements, estimates and projections that relate to future events, which are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this material fact including, without limitation, those regarding GOL's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, future developments in the markets in which GOL operates or is seeking to operate, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "will", "may", "project", "estimate", "anticipate", "predict", "seek", "should" or similar words or expressions, are forward-looking statements. The future events referred to in these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors, many of which are beyond GOL's control, that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding GOL's present and future business strategies and the environment in which GOL will operate in the future and are not a guarantee of future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as at the date on which they are made. None of GOL or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents undertakes any duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. None of GOL or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, professional advisors and agents make any representation, warranty or prediction that the results anticipated by such forward-looking statements will be achieved, and such forward-looking statements represent, in each case, only one of many possible scenarios and should not be viewed as the most likely or standard scenario. Although GOL believes that the estimates and projections in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove materially incorrect and actual results may materially differ. As a result, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.
Built on the Salesforce Platform, Infosys LaborForce is designed to help states transform unemployment insurance tax, benefits, appeals, and workforce programs

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys Public Services, a US-headquartered subsidiary of Infosys (NYSE: INFY), today introduced Infosys LaborForce , a fully integrated, cloud-native Platform as a Service (PaaS) Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. Built on the Salesforce Platform, Infosys LaborForce is a tax, benefits, appeals and workforce solution designed to support state governments in building digital and resilient UI systems. The customer-centric solution equips states with advanced CRM and analytics capabilities, a lower long-term cost of ownership, and greater resiliency, that can result in better experiences for the U.S. workforce.

Meeting the needs of the modern workforce now and in the future

Infosys Public Services has developed LaborForce to address the issues with state unemployment and workforce systems. The COVID-19 pandemic put millions of Americans out of work and state unemployment systems across the U.S. failed to meet the soaring demand for benefits. Infosys LaborForce leverages the proven capabilities of cloud to rapidly adapt to a dynamic work, policy, and economic environment and meet the ever-changing needs of U.S. workers.

Infosys LaborForce supports all end-to-end UI processes, including tax, benefits, appeals, workforce, pandemic programs, family leave, call centers, and customer service. The solution leverages Salesforce's rapid low-code development capabilities, enabling states to add new features and functionalities at speed and scale.

Citizen-centric with enhanced case management

Infosys LaborForce offers automated case management, citizen-centric user experiences, and advanced fraud prevention and detection. For example, using Infosys LaborForce, state employees can utilize functions like click-to-chat to automatically update claims information directly in back-end systems. Infosys LaborForce is also capable of automatically adjusting employer rates based on new information and modifying claims in response  dating back years if needed. AI-enabled decision-making capabilities also help resolve questions related to employee eligibility, enabling the solution to flag potential fraud or reconcile inconsistencies.

Eric Paternoster, President and CEO, Infosys Public Services, said, "Unemployment Insurance systems are critical to the infrastructure of the U.S. workforce. But over the past decade, too often we have seen these systems struggle to support the requirements of our constantly evolving workforce, public policies, and citizen expectations. The agility of the Salesforce Platform opens up enormous potential for Infosys LaborForce and our National Labor Practice to help states innovate and better support the needs of their citizens."

Proven capabilities and compliance-ready

Infosys LaborForce builds on the proven design and processing components already implemented in more than a dozen states. The product is designed, delivered, and supported through Infosys Public Services' National Labor Practice, made up of practitioners that have been exclusively supporting unemployment insurance, workforce, and contact center modernizations for over 20 years. This team of workforce experts has previously helped modernize tax and benefits systems in 20+ states.

States can choose to implement Infosys LaborForce in its entirety or deploy individual modules that best fit their needs. Infosys Public Services also provides states with complementary expertise in service areas including UI training, organization change management, fraud program improvement and design, federal reporting and data validation, legacy systems support and maintenance, user experience (UX) redesign and improvement, modernization and RFP planning, and grant management.

Tyler Prince, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Alliances & Channels, Salesforce, said, "Partners are critical to extending the power of Salesforce across industries  including the public sector. We're proud to see partners like Infosys build innovative solutions to make state workforce programs for citizens even better."

Salesforce and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.

About Infosys Public Services

Infosys Public Services is a leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. With benchmark processes, access to cross-industry insights and innovative solutions, Infosys Public Services is helping public sector organizations to navigate their digital transformation, helping them renew existing systems into modern, agile, intelligent platforms, develop new capabilities and deliver better outcomes to all stakeholders at a lower cost with less risk.

Navigate your next with Infosys Public Services. Visit www.infosyspublicservices.com to learn how.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in more than 50 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE,NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning our future business opportunities and growth prospects. Such forward-looking statements 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 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, 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, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. 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. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. 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.

SOURCE Infosys
Six business achievement awards from Environmental Business International

The awards align with and exemplify Jacobs' FY 2022-2024 company strategy

DALLAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) has been recognized by Environmental Business International (EBI) with six business achievement awards in 2021 for leadership and outstanding performance in sustainable business practices, greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, climate change adaptation and resilience, climate technology, climate response and sustainability consulting, and the company's STEAM education program.

The annual awards, which Jacobs has been a recipient of for more than a decade, are administered by Environmental Business Journal and Climate Change Business Journal, two leading business intelligence sources in the environmental industry.

"These business achievement awards align with and exemplify Jacobs' FY 2022-2024 company strategy, accelerating the development and scaling of differentiated solutions and products in the areas of Climate Response, Data Solutions and Consulting & Advisory," said Jacobs President & Chief Operating Officer Bob Pragada.

The awards were presented at EBI's Environmental Industry Summit XX in San Diego, where Jacobs was acknowledged for its contributions in addressing the planet's environmental and climate change challenges.

Industry Leadership: PlanBeyond 2.0  Jacobs' sustainable business approach, planning beyond today for a sustainable future for everyone. The enhanced plan  version 2.0  is Jacobs' companywide foundation for what sustainability means to our clients and the planet, propelling the integration of sustainability throughout operations and client solutions in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Advancing Best Practices: GHG Mitigation  Expo 2020 Dubai is a World Exposition hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Jacobs, in a joint venture with Mace, served as Program Management Consultant, with responsibility for delivering the program and integrating sustainability into all aspects of the Expo. The Jacobs-Expo team worked to set a new standard for carbon accounting of major events, employing a project-based approach that promotes a more holistic identification of life cycle impacts and mitigation measures across all suppliers and participants.

Project Merit: Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience  the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project was a unique 20-year scheme, initiated by the U.K. Environment Agency in February 2001, to improve and maintain 240 kilometers (149 miles) of flood defenses within one of Europe's most important wetland areas to mitigate rising sea levels. Covering 30,000 hectares (74,141 acres) of environmentally and economically sensitive land, the public-private partnership scheme was delivered by Jacobs, as consultant and BAM Nuttall, as contractor, ensuring the protection and improvement of habitat for rare and endangered species and protection for some of the most productive farmland in the U.K.

Information Technology: Climate Risk Manager  Jacobs' cloud-based platform brings together global climate data and location intelligence, providing clients with visual risk assessments so they can make faster and more accurate decisions on where to invest resources and guard against climate impacts. Harnessing world-class technology to improve decision making, Climate Risk Manager was used as part of Jacobs' 2021 assessment of its own climate-related financial risks and opportunities in line with guidance from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Mergers & Acquisitions: PA Consulting  on March 3, 2021, Jacobs accelerated its growth strategy as a leading technology-enabled solutions provider by acquiring a 65% stake in PA Consulting, a U.K.-based innovation and transformation consulting firm. As a partner to Jacobs in delivering climate response and sustainability solutions globally, PA operates at the intersection of environment, strategy, technology and regulation, with a focus on energy, water, carbon, circular economy, products and packaging.

Social Contribution: STEAM Butterfly Effect  In 2021, Jacobs launched its global Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education and engagement program to further advance the company's commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity. A key element of the program is the Butterfly Effect, a forward-thinking education initiative designed by Jacobs to create lasting behavior change and habit formation by providing primary school students with the knowledge and understanding they need to put sustainability at the heart of every decision they make.

"As a purpose-led company, we know we have a pivotal role to play in addressing the urgent environmental and climate change challenges impacting communities around the world," said Jacobs SVP and Head of the Office of Global Climate Response & ESG Jan Walstrom. "The legacy we want to create for future generations is one of betterment, and our goal is to have 100 percent of our client projects contributing to environmental, social and governance (ESG) and/or climate response solutions by 2025."

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence and spread of variants of COVID-19, the efficacy and availability of vaccines and treatments, and the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions and the company's business. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, ,and Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks

214.583.8433

SOURCE Jacobs
TEMPE, Ariz., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SANTE Realty Investments is pleased to announce that Jerry Fink has joined its new advisory board called the Founders Circle. Mr. Fink is a co-founder and Managing Partner of The Bascom Group, LLC ("Bascom"). Bascom has completed over $19.7 billion in multi-family and commercial value-added transactions since 1996 including more than 343 multifamily properties and 88,630 units.

Prior to founding Bascom, Mr. Fink was with Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company. His responsibilities included market assessment, property identification and negotiation, and the acquisition and disposition of real estate investments. Mr. Fink has a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, an MBA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds several top-notch certifications and licenses.

Mr. Fink said, "I am excited to contribute to the success and long-term vision of SANTE by serving on the Founders Circle. I have known Jim through the YPO organization for a number of years and have been impressed with SANTE's entrepreneurial vision and accomplishments."

Jim Small, CEO of SANTE Realty Investments says, "I've known Jerry Fink for many years through my YPO organization. Jerry brings a great deal of real estate experience and knowledge to SANTE. He is incredibly well-respected and we are thrilled to have him join our team as an advisory member."

ABOUT SANTE REALTY INVESTMENTS

SANTE Realty Investments is a purpose driven organization delivering private equity in the real estate sector where the firm has high conviction of being able to deliver superior returns to its institutional investors. The firm was founded in 2009 and has grown to be an industry leader in commercial real estate both in the US and Europe by leveraging its proprietary methodology including the SANTE Acquisition Advantage, SANTE Due Diligence Discovery, SANTE Asset Management Method, & SANTE Investor Cash Flow Maximizer programs.

Further information please contact Dave Shaw, Managing Director of Capital Markets for SANTE Realty Investments at 602-753-3538 or via email at [email protected]

Additional background information is available at www.SANTErealty.com.

SOURCE SANTE Realty Investments
NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT acquired the 27-property portfolio totaling 1.2M SF of medical office and hospital buildings

CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL's Healthcare Capital Markets group announced today that it has closed the $600 million sale of a 27-property, best-in-class, core-quality healthcare real estate portfolio totaling 1.2 million square feet in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas markets.

JLL marketed the portfolio on behalf of the seller, Harrison Street. NorthWest Healthcare Properties acquired the assets.

One of 27 properties in a healthcare portfolio sold by Harrison Street.

"Harrison Street is proud to have partnered once again with JLL's Healthcare Capital Markets team to execute the sale of this complex portfolio spanning multiple medical sub-sectors and U.S. states," said Ben Mohns, Senior Managing Director and Head of North American Asset Management at Harrison Street. "The successful sale of these diversified healthcare assets reinforces the strength of Harrison Street's ongoing partnership with JLL, and the portfolio execution ability of our talented team who have worked diligently to execute on behalf of our investors."

The portfolio has a mix of 15 medical office buildings, five micro-hospitals, four behavioral hospitals, two inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and one heart and surgical hospital. The portfolio includes nine properties in Arizona; five properties in Texas and Illinois; two properties in Florida and one property each in Minnesota, Massachusetts, California, Oklahoma, Colorado and Indiana.

The portfolio is 97% occupied by key healthcare providers, including Advocate Aurora Health, Rush University Medical Center, Memorial Hermann, Ascension, Banner Health, Tenet Health, Lutheran Health Network, Baylor Scott & White Health and Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare.

The JLL Healthcare Capital Markets team representing the seller was led by Senior Managing Directors Mindy Berman, Evan Kovac, Andrew Milne and Brian Bacharach and Managing Directors Tim Joyce and Brannan Knott, with support from Vice Presidents Trent Jemmett and CJ Kodani. Local support was provided by JLL licensed brokers in each location.

"The offering was well received due to its scale and the mix of medical office and acute care facilities," Berman said. "Healthcare assets have seen increased investor interest, as the sector offers long-term leases with quality tenants that provide steady income to landlords."

The JLL Capital Markets group is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients  whether investment sales and advisory, debt advisory, equity advisory or a recapitalization. The firm has more than 3,000 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit our newsroom.

Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. ("JLL") is a real estate broker licensed with the California Department of Real Estate, license #01223413.

About Harrison Street

Harrison Street is one of the leading investment management firms exclusively focused on alternative real assets. Since inception in 2005, the firm has created a series of differentiated investment solutions focused on demographic-driven, needs-based assets. The firm has invested across senior housing, student housing, healthcare delivery, life sciences and storage real estate as well as social and utility infrastructure. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in London, Toronto, San Francisco and Washington D.C., the firm has more than 200-employees and approximately $44 billion in assets under management. Clients of the firm include a global institutional investor base domiciled in North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Harrison Street was awarded Best Places to Work by Pensions & Investments for seven consecutive years (2014-2020) and was recognized by PERE as the 2021 Alternatives Investor of the Year, North America and 2020 Global Alternatives Investor of the Year. For more information, please visit www.harrisonst.com.

About NorthWest Healthcare Properties ("NorthWest")

NorthWest is a global real estate investor and asset manager focused on properties and partnerships at the intersection of healthcare, knowledge and research. Founded in 2004 and publicly traded since 2010, NorthWest (TSX: NWH.UN) is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates a $10 billion portfolio of 224 high quality healthcare properties across Canada, the United States, Brazil, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. With more than 300 professionals globally, operating in 7 countries, NorthWest brings a global view, local execution capabilities and a long-term ownership strategy which allows it to serve as a real estate partner of choice to leading healthcare operators around the world.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $19.4 billion in 2021, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 98,000 as of December 31, 2021. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Connect with us

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll

https://www.facebook.com/jll

https://twitter.com/jll

https://www.instagram.com/jll

Contact: Cierra Lacasse, JLL Associate, Public Relations

Phone: +1 602 648 8701

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE JLL
HOUSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2022 financial results on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 7:30 a.m. Central Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time). The company plans to issue its first quarter 2022 earnings release and earnings presentation in advance of the call. Both will be available on KBR's website.

The conference call will be webcast simultaneously through the Investor Relations section of KBR's website at https://investors.kbr.com. A replay of the webcast will be available after the call on our website or by telephone at +1.929.458.6194, passcode: 510376.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 28,000 people performing diverse, complex and mission critical roles in 34 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long- term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statement

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the significant adverse impacts on economic and market conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the company's ability to respond to the resulting challenges and business disruption; the recent dislocation of the global energy market; the company's ability to manage its liquidity; the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; the possibility of cyber and malware attacks; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company.

The company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE KBR, Inc.
Christopher Peponis and Hamad Al-Hoshan enhance the firm's LNG, alternative fuels, infrastructure and power offerings.

HOUSTON and NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Christopher Peponis and Hamad Al-Hoshan have joined the firm as partners in the Project Development & Finance Practice, and the Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group and as members of the Finance Department.

"We are thrilled to expand our energy and infrastructure offerings with highly skilled practitioners like Chris and Hamad, each of whom has a reputation for excellence in the space. Their additions help bolster our leading position in energy and infrastructure, further enabling us to assist clients not only with the current issues they face, but also future opportunities and challenges," said Justin Stolte, Global Chair of the Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group.

Peponis, who joins the firm in Houston, focuses his practice on global LNG projects as well as alternative fuels and other infrastructure projects.

Al-Hoshan, who joins the firm in New York, centers on domestic and international project finance transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He regularly represents sponsors, investment banks, commercial banks and investment funds in connection with the development, financing, acquisition and sale of assets within the oil and gas, infrastructure and power sectors.

"Chris and Hamad's experience and knowledge will help us continue to navigate this ever-changing project development and finance landscape," said Jeff Greenberg, Global Chair of the Project Development & Finance Practice. "They are known for innovative, practical, and commercially oriented solutions and will be a great complement to our team."

"Latham is a global leader, not just in project development and finance, but in energy and infrastructure transactional work more broadly, and I'm excited to build out the firm's project finance offerings in the Houston market," said Peponis.

Al-Hoshan said, "I'm thrilled to join as well. The firm's Project Development & Finance Practice works on large and cutting-edge energy and infrastructure mandates around the world, creating exciting opportunities for me and my clients."

Peponis and Al-Hoshan are the latest additions to the firm's leading Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group. The firm has recently welcomed several other US partners including Bruce Herzog, Jason Webber, Ravi Purohit, Trina Chandler, James Garrett, Scott Miller, Caroline Blitzer Phillips, Sarah Fortt and Betty Moy Huber.

Peponis received his JD from the University of Sydney, an LLM in corporate governance from Stanford University, and his bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney.

Al-Hoshan received his JD from Suffolk University Law School and his BS from Northeastern University. Both join Latham from White & Case LLP.

About Latham & Watkins (lw.com)

Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world's largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.

Notes to Editors

Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA ) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France , Hong Kong , Italy , Singapore , and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan . Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Office of Salman M. Al-Sudairi in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .

Contacts

Justin Stolte, Global Chair, Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group, +1.713.546.7966

Jeff Greenberg, Global Chair, Project Development & Finance Practice, +1.213.891.8080

SOURCE Latham & Watkins
Summary:

Private Philadelphia high school in Philadelphia's Riverwards neighborhood partners with local employers to prepare students with 21 st Century Skills to help them graduate career and college ready.

100% of students at Liguori Academy receive tuition assistance and the school holds a 100% graduation rate: one of the highest in the Philadelphia school network. *

Featured speaker schedule includes keynotes from Dr. Jamisa McIvor Bennet of Rosebud's Investments, Raheem Manning of The Weekender Experiences, and Chris DiAntonio of Uncommon Individual Foundation.

Visit www.LiguoriAcademy.org/career-cohort-days to view the speaker schedule.

PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liguori Academy , an independent high school located in Philadelphia' Riverwards neighborhood, will host Career Cohort discovery days on April 20, 21 and 22. This three day program keeps with the Liguori mission to prepare all students to be college and career ready.

The event will kick off on April 20, 2022, with a keynote address from Dr. Jamisa McIvor Bennet, Founder and CEO of Rosebud's Investments and one of the most powerful and self-starting female millennial entrepreneurs in Philadelphia. The days following will include over a dozen notable Philadelphia business founders and figureheads, giving students the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and network with some of the most influential business leaders in the region.

Students will engage in:

Breakout sessions from industry experts in the arts, technology, construction, and real estate sectors with footprints in the Greater Philadelphia region and the City of Philadelphia .

region and the . Thought-provoking discussions with members of the Building Industry of Philadelphia during and learn more about the relationship between BIA, the Student Chapter of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for BIA, and Liguori Academy's roadmap for success.

Are you interested in sponsoring a student or getting involved with Liguori Academy? Visit www.LiguoriAcademy.org/about-us to learn more.

Sources Cited

* https://www.philasd.org/performance/programsservices/open-data/school-performance/#school_graduation_rates

Michael Marrone, Liguori Academy, President & Founder

Liguori Academy: [email protected]

Media Inquiries: [email protected]

2343 E. Tucker Street

Philadelphia, PA 19125

SOURCE Liguori Academy
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The luxury perfume house The Harmonist founded by Uzbek-born Lola Tillyaeva (Till) has launched in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan-based customers can now visit The Harmonist and purchase its scents at the newly opened Orris Parfumerie in Tashkent (Mirzo-Ulugbek District, Buyuk Ipak Yuli (C-1) Block 13/21, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 100000). A second store opening in Bukhara is planned by the end of 2022.

Inspired by the guiding principles of Feng Shui, each scent at The Harmonist is carefully crafted to help the wearer find balance, harmony and well-being.

Commenting on The Harmonist's launch in Uzbekistan, Founder and Owner Lola Tillyaeva (Till) said: "Bringing The Harmonist's scents to Uzbekistan, my home country, is an immense honor for me personally.

My love of scents was born in Uzbekistan, where the seeds for The Harmonist were sown. Uzbekistan is a place bustling with exotic, rich and powerful fragrances, from Uzbek cuisine to the exotic aromas on the ancient Silk Road. Through scent, we can experience and understand the world around us. I hope our new customers in Uzbekistan will be inspired by The Harmonist's philosophy and empowered by our unique scents that bring harmony and balance."

The Harmonist's bespoke approach to fragrance design has helped propel the brand to the forefront of the luxury perfume industry. In 2021, the perfume house more than tripled its revenues, and by the end of 2022, it will have grown its international distribution and expanded from five to eleven markets.

The fragrances, designed in collaboration with master-perfumer Guillaume Flavigny, embrace aspects of Yin and Yang dualities and the five key elements of Feng Shui: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth. By channelling the Feng Shui philosophy, The Harmonist's scents cultivate balance, tranquillity, and well-being in the wearer.

The Harmonist business model is built on the principles of sustainability, utilizing recyclable materials at every possible touchpoint, including its Pochet glass-refillable bottles inspired by ancient alchemists, deluxe packaging and vegetal wax candles.

In 2017, Lola Tillyaeva (Till) spearheaded the Harmonist's charitable initiative "The Droplet", an interactive art facility designed to raise awareness of water scarcity issues.

To find out more about The Harmonist visit:

www.theharmonist.com in the US

www.harmonist.eu in Europe

www.harmonist.uk in UK

To find out more about Orris Parfumerie, visit their website https://orrisparfumerie.com/, or Instagram @orrisparfumerie

To learn more about Lola Tillyaeva (Till), visit her official websites and social media:

LolaTill.com

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

SOURCE: Office of Lola Tillyaeva (Till)

SOURCE Office of Lola Tillyaeva (Till)
MUMBAI, India, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Larsen & Toubro Infotech (BSE code: 540005) (NSE: LTI), a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, announced its Q4 FY22 and full year FY22 results today.

Q4 FY22

In US Dollars:

Revenue at USD 570.4 million ; growth of 3.1% QoQ and 27.5% YoY

; growth of Constant Currency Revenue growth of 3.6% QoQ and 29.0% YoY

In Indian Rupees:

Revenue at INR 43,016 million ; growth at 4.0% QoQ and 31.6% YoY

; growth at Net Income at INR 6,375 million; growth of 4.1% QoQ and 16.8% YoY

Full year FY22

In US Dollars:

Revenue at USD 2,102.5 million ; growth of 25.9% YoY

; growth of Constant Currency Revenue growth of 25.8% YoY

In Indian Rupees:

Revenue at INR 156,687 million ; growth at 26.7% YoY

; growth at Net Income at INR 22,985 million; Net Income growth at 18.6% YoY

Capital Return

Final Dividend of INR 30 per share ; Dividend pay-out ratio of 41.9% for the year

; Dividend pay-out ratio of for the year ROE of 28.5% for the year

"We are delighted to cross the USD 2 billion revenue milestone with record growth of 26% in FY22, our strongest since listing. Our growth has been broad-based across verticals, service lines, client buckets and geographies. The year has seen the highest new client openings and net headcount additions.

In Q4 FY22, we won 4 large deals with net new TCV of over USD 80 million. Our deal pipeline continues to be robust, and we remain confident of maintaining industry leading growth in the coming year as well."

- Sanjay Jalona, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Recent Deal Wins

- Selected by a Global Fortune 500 financial services company for an end-to-end managed services engagement involving transformation, governance and support for middleware and data as part of their global technology function

- A Global Fortune 500 corporation, a leading provider of ratings, benchmarks, analytics and financial data, has selected LTI as its primary partner for an engagement involving data and digital services to integrate its data platforms with its recent acquisition

- Selected by a Global Fortune 500 consumer goods company as their strategic partner for data and analytics work to transform and gain insights across their most critical business functions of manufacturing, supply chain, marketing and creation of a metadata hub

- Engaged by a key government body in the public healthcare space to develop an eco-system and technology infrastructure providing, storing and improving access to relevant public data and supporting public health insurance programs

- Selected by a large metals and mining company for an ERP managed services engagement involving key business modules like transportation management, technology, customer and supplier engagement across its legal entities and over 40 operating units

- Selected by a property and casualty insurance provider based in North America to integrate core systems and financial data for multiple lines of business across numerous subsidiaries into a centralized enterprise data warehouse

- A top healthcare provider in the Middle East has selected LTI, through its strategic partnership with a regional leader, for support on its security and network operation center

- A large bank has selected LTI to revamp its website to cover all aspects of a digital experience, hosting in cloud and maintenance

- A global financial services company in Europe has selected LTI to outsource its client servicing desk and build a digital workspace for its employees

- Selected by a Global Fortune 500 corporation engaged in the supply of IT infrastructure products and services to upgrade its SAP S/4HANA ERP platform

- Selected by a global security services firm to set up a digital command center to monitor Infrastructure and network, and ensure minimal disruption

- Selected by a North American utility company to manage core applications and operations' systems to ensure streamlining of SLAs and adherence to business KPIs, reduction of costs and efficiency in operations

Awards and Recognitions

- LTI Recognized as Leader Across all Six Quadrants in the ISG Provider Lens AWS Ecosystem Partners Report USA 2021

- LTI Positioned as a Leader and Star Performer in Everest Group's Duck Creek IT Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

- LTI in ITS Top 10 list in Everest Group's PEAK Matrix IT Service Provider of the Year 2022

- LTI Ranked 1 in Top ITS Challengers list in Everest Group's PEAK Matrix IT Service Provider of the Year 2022

- LTI's Fosfor Optic recognized in The Forrester Now Tech: Enterprise Data Fabric, Q1 2022 report

- LTI's Fosfor Refract recognized in The Forrester Now Tech: AI/ML Platforms, Q1 2022 report

Other Business Highlights

- The Board of Directors at its meeting held on April 19th, 2022 have recommended a final dividend of INR 30 per equity share (Face value of INR 1) for the financial year 2021-22. Total dividend for FY22 is INR 55 per equity share, including the interim dividend of INR 15 and special dividend of INR 10 per equity share declared in October 2021 and July 2021 respectively

- LTI has been ranked 22 among the top 25 most valuable IT services brands in the Brand Finance IT Services 25 2022 ranking

- LTI CEO, Sanjay Jalona adjudged the Best CEO 2022 in the IT/ITES category, by Business Today

- LTI received Gold recognition from EcoVadis for ESG practices including environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement

- Optic by Fosfor Named "Data Catalog Solution of the Year" in 2022 Data Breakthrough Awards

- LTI Expands its Presence in the USA with a New Engagement Center in Hartford, CT

About LTI

LTI (NSE: LTI) is a global technology consulting and digital solutions Company helping more than 485 clients succeed in a converging world. With operations in 33 countries, we go the extra mile for our clients and accelerate their digital transformation with LTI's Mosaic platform enabling their mobile, social, analytics, IoT and cloud journeys. Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited, our unique heritage gives us unrivalled real-world expertise to solve the most complex challenges of enterprises across all industries. Each day, our team of more than 45,000 LTItes enable our clients to improve the effectiveness of their business and technology operations and deliver value to their customers, employees and shareholders. Find more at http://www.Lntinfotech.com or follow us at @LTI_Global.

Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast

Apr 19th, 2022 (08:00 PM IST)

Please dial the below number at least 5-10 minutes prior to the conference schedule to ensure that you are connected to your call in time.

Universal Access Number +91 22 6280 1107 +91 22 7115 8008 International Toll Number USA : 13233868721 UK : 442034785524 Singapore : 6531575746 Hong Kong : 85230186877 Replay of Conference Call Available after 1 hour from the call end time until April 26th, 2022 Playback Code: 52245 Dial-in Number: India +91 22 7194 5757

+91 22 6663 5757 USA Toll Free 18332898317 UK Toll Free 8007563427 Singapore Toll Free 8001012510 Hong Kong Toll Free 800965553 Audio Webcast The audio from the conference call will be available online through a webcast and can be accessed at the following link: https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=LTI20220419 Click here for your DiamondPass DiamondPass is a Premium Service that enables you to connect to your conference call without having to wait for an operator. If you have a DiamondPass, click the above link to associate your pin and receive the access details for this conference. If you do not have a DiamondPass, please register through the link and you will receive your DiamondPass for this conference.

SOURCE LTI
Firm with Deep Roots in Mobile, AL, Joins National Top 20 Independent Insurance Firm

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance, an independent broker of commercial and personal property and casualty insurance and surety products located in Mobile, AL, has joined Higginbotham, an insurance, financial and HR services firm ranked as the 20th largest independent broker in the U.S. The deal brings Higginbotham into a new state by joining forces with an agency that is one of the largest and oldest locally-owned property and casualty insurance brokers in Alabama.

Higginbotham is strategically growing to expand its footprint and increase its service capability by selectively partnering with other independent agencies that have strong reputations in their local markets, a desire to keep growing by tapping into Higginbotham's single source solution and a strong cultural match.

Higginbotham Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid said, "We have offices in all of the states bordering Alabama. So it was a natural progression to move into that market by finding a partner that wants to grow with our team, and such a reputable partner at that."

Lyon Fry Cadden primarily serves middle market businesses across a diverse industry universe, underscored by strong ties to the local community through its executives who are multi-generation Mobile natives. The agency gains the ability to now offer employee benefits, HR services and additional specialty services capabilities by drawing on Higginbotham's broad competencies, enhancing its ability to provide the best customer support in the area.

President of Lyon Fry Cadden Gaylord Lyon Jr. said, "Lyon Fry Cadden was drawn to Higginbotham for several reasons, and one of the main reasons was we all felt like it was a good cultural fit. When we met with the Higginbotham leadership, we realized that they are all insurance producers as well, and therefore have similar values, goals and aspirations. The overall size of Higginbotham also brings us more expertise and additional tools benefiting our current and future clients. When you couple those things with the opportunity for our employees to have some ownership in the larger, overall agency  the decision was clear. We all recognize the opportunities this partnership provides, and we are excited to help expand the Higginbotham footprint further into the southeast and into Alabama."

Higginbotham named Gaylord Lyon Jr. a managing director, and he will continue overseeing Lyon Fry Cadden's operations and its existing 30-person team.

About Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance

Lyon Fry Cadden has roots dating back to 1905, serving the insurance needs of businesses and families in Mobile, AL. The agency as it's known today was formed in 1986 when Gaylord Lyon Insurance Agency and Fry Zelnicker Agency merged. Through a commitment to industry knowledge and personal attention to clients, it has grown into one of south Alabama's largest privately owned insurance agencies offering commercial insurance, personal insurance and surety bonds. Visit lyonfrycadden.com for more information.

About Higginbotham

Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm was established in 1948 and ranks by revenue as the nation's 20th largest independent insurance firm. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals through locations across 11 states, Higginbotham's approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads. Visit higginbotham.com for more information.

SOURCE Higginbotham
TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Magna Gold Corp. (TSXV: MGR) (OTCQB: MGLQF) ("Magna" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release dated March 18, 2022, the Company has issued an aggregate of 1,660,132 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") at a deemed price of $0.76 per Common Share to PEAL de Mexico S.A. de C.V. ("PEAL") in settlement of outstanding debt in the aggregate amount of US$1,000,000 (the "Debt Settlement"). The Debt Settlement was completed pursuant to an amending agreement dated February 22, 2022 between Molimentales del Noroeste S.A. de C.V. ("Molimentales"), a subsidiary of the Company, and PEAL which amended the terms of a settlement agreement dated June 30, 2020 between Molimentales and PEAL (the "Settlement Agreement") to settle US$1,000,000 of the outstanding amount owing by the Company under the Settlement Agreement in exchange for the issuance of Common Shares, thereby reducing the amount owing from US$4,054,351 to US$3,054,351.

The issuance of the Common Shares to PEAL pursuant to the Debt Settlement constitutes a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the Debt Settlement in reliance on sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as no securities of the Company are listed or quoted on the specified markets and, at the time the transaction was agreed to, neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101.

The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement are subject to a four month hold period under Canadian securities laws which will expire on August 20, 2022.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Arturo Bonillas

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Magna Gold Corp.
Good revenue growth and record levels of permanent recruitment activity, resulting in 4% revenue increase (10% constant currency (CC)) and gross profit margin of 17.4%

Strong performance of higher margin brands during the quarter with Experis recording 31% revenue growth (15% organic CC) and Talent Solutions 10% revenue growth (13% CC). Manpower delivered solid growth (-2% as reported; +5% organic CC)

Improved profitability with expanded EBITA and operating profit margins during the quarter

Significant growth in earnings per share year over year

Company repurchased $60 million of common stock during the quarter; reduced incremental acquisition debt from $75 million to $50 million

MILWAUKEE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) today reported net earnings of $1.68 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $1.11 per diluted share in the prior year period. Net earnings in the quarter were $91.6 million compared to $62.0 million a year earlier. Revenues for the first quarter were $5.1 billion, a 4% increase from the prior year period.

The current year quarter included integration costs from the U.S. Experis acquisition and the net loss related to the sale of our Russia business in January. These costs reduced earnings per share by $0.20 in the current quarter. Excluding these costs, earnings per share was $1.88 per diluted share in the quarter.

Financial results in the quarter were also impacted by the stronger U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies compared to the prior year period, resulting in a 10 cent negative impact to earnings per share in the quarter compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 10% (6% organic constant currency) compared to the prior year period. Excluding the net impact of integration costs and the loss from our Russia disposition, on a constant currency basis net earnings per diluted share increased 64% during the quarter.

Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO, said, "Our first quarter results demonstrate very good execution of our strategic initiatives to improve our business mix and strong demand for our higher margin offerings. Even with the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine we continue to see good growth opportunities overall for our staffing and workforce solutions services in Europe as well as globally.

I am very proud of how our ManpowerGroup teams are bringing our values to life, especially in Poland and neighboring European countries: providing immediate humanitarian support to refugees from Ukraine, acting swiftly to assess, reskill and match them to employment opportunities, and working closely with our clients to advise and redefine roles to help people find work and start new lives.

Overall, we made good progress during the first quarter and believe that our focus on profitable growth positions us well in 2022.

We anticipate diluted earnings per share in the second quarter will be between $2.31 and $2.39, which includes an estimated unfavorable currency impact of 19 cents. Our guidance excludes expected integration costs ranging from $4 million to $6 million."

In conjunction with its first quarter earnings release, ManpowerGroup will broadcast its conference call live over the Internet on April 19, 2022 at 7:30 a.m. central time (8:30 a.m. eastern time). Prepared remarks for the conference call are included within the Investor Relations section of our website at manpowergroup.com. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast and view the presentation by logging on to http://investor.manpowergroup.com/ i n the section titled "Investor Relations."

Supplemental financial information referenced in the conference call can be found at http://investor.manpowergroup.com/ .

About ManpowerGroup

ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands  Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions  creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2022 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 13th year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements, including statements regarding economic and geopolitical uncertainty, financial outlook, and the Company's strategic initiatives and brands that are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's expected future results. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those described or contemplated in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These factors include those found in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ManpowerGroup Results of Operations (In millions, except per share data)











Three Months Ended March 31





% Variance





Amount Constant

2022 2021 Reported Currency

(Unaudited) Revenues from services (a) $ 5,143.3 $ 4,924.4 4.4% 9.8%









Cost of services 4,246.2 4,156.3 2.2% 7.6%









Gross profit 897.1 768.1 16.8% 22.2%









Selling and administrative expenses 758.4 669.7 13.2% 18.2%









Operating profit 138.7 98.4 40.9% 49.3%









Interest and other expenses, net 2.7 5.4 -50.8%











Earnings before income taxes 136.0 93.0 46.3% 54.7%









Provision for income taxes 44.4 31.0 43.2%











Net earnings $ 91.6 $ 62.0 47.8% 56.3%









Net earnings per share - basic $ 1.71 $1.12 52.7%











Net earnings per share - diluted $ 1.68 $1.11 51.4% 60.4%









Weighted average shares - basic 53.6 55.1 -2.8%











Weighted average shares - diluted 54.4 55.7 -2.3%





















(a) Revenues from services include fees received from our franchise offices of $3.6 million for both

the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. These fees are primarily based on revenues

generated by the franchise offices, which were $265.2 million and $249.1 million for the three months

ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

ManpowerGroup Operating Unit Results (In millions)











Three Months Ended March 31





% Variance





Amount Constant

2022 2021 Reported Currency

(Unaudited) Revenues from Services:







Americas:







United States (a) $ 889.4 $ 608.8 46.1% 46.1% Other Americas 361.8 394.1 -8.2% -5.9%

1,251.2 1,002.9 24.8% 25.7% Southern Europe:







France 1,192.4 1,188.9 0.3% 7.7% Italy 445.0 402.8 10.5% 18.6% Other Southern Europe 556.5 568.6 -2.1% 2.7%

2,193.9 2,160.3 1.6% 8.4%









Northern Europe 1,094.5 1,133.8 -3.5% 2.0% APME 618.2 627.4 -1.5% 6.0%

5,157.8 4,924.4



Intercompany Eliminations (14.5) -





$ 5,143.3 $ 4,924.4 4.4% 9.8%









Operating Unit Profit:







Americas:







United States $ 58.3 $ 29.2 99.5% 99.5% Other Americas 14.5 14.9 -2.3% 0.6%

72.8 44.1 65.2% 66.2% Southern Europe:







France 49.6 42.6 16.4% 25.1% Italy 29.0 19.4 49.6% 60.7% Other Southern Europe 16.6 11.4 45.7% 50.0%

95.2 73.4 29.7% 38.4%









Northern Europe 3.3 4.8 -32.4% -35.3% APME 19.0 18.8 0.8% 10.1%

190.3 141.1



Corporate expenses (42.0) (37.2)



Intangible asset amortization expense (9.6) (5.5)



Operating profit 138.7 98.4 40.9% 49.3% Interest and other expenses, net (b) (2.7) (5.4)



Earnings before income taxes $ 136.0 $ 93.0























(a) In the United States, revenues from services include fees received from our franchise offices of $2.9 million and $3.1

million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These fees are primarily based on

revenues generated by the franchise offices, which were $110.8 million and $117.5 million for the three months ended

March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.









(b) The components of interest and other expenses, net were:





2022 2021



Interest expense $ 10.4 $ 10.2



Interest income (2.8) (3.1)



Foreign exchange loss 1.8 2.5



Miscellaneous income (6.7) (4.2)





$ 2.7 $ 5.4





ManpowerGroup Consolidated Balance Sheets (In millions)









Mar. 31,

Dec. 31,

2022

2021

(Unaudited) ASSETS





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 777.3

$ 847.8 Accounts receivable, net 5,440.0

5,448.2 Prepaid expenses and other assets 152.2

126.7 Total current assets 6,369.5

6,422.7







Other assets:





Goodwill 1,710.0

1,722.2 Intangible assets, net 573.0

583.6 Operating lease right-of-use asset 351.5

373.4 Other assets 603.7

610.2 Total other assets 3,238.2

3,289.4







Property and equipment:





Land, buildings, leasehold improvements and equipment 591.1

594.9 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 477.7

478.1 Net property and equipment 113.4

116.8 Total assets $ 9,721.1

$ 9,828.9







LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable $ 3,153.2

$ 3,039.2 Employee compensation payable 228.9

299.4 Accrued liabilities 589.6

584.7 Accrued payroll taxes and insurance 733.2

789.1 Value added taxes payable 479.7

515.5 Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt 512.6

552.6 Total current liabilities 5,697.2

5,780.5







Other liabilities:





Long-term debt 551.3

565.7 Long-term operating lease liability 256.3

275.8 Other long-term liabilities 660.2

675.2 Total other liabilities 1,467.8

1,516.7







Shareholders' equity:





ManpowerGroup shareholders' equity





Common stock 1.2

1.2 Capital in excess of par value 3,455.2

3,444.7 Retained earnings 3,726.2

3,634.6 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (399.6)

(389.4) Treasury stock, at cost (4,237.5)

(4,169.4) Total ManpowerGroup shareholders' equity 2,545.5

2,521.7 Noncontrolling interests 10.6

10.0 Total shareholders' equity 2,556.1

2,531.7 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 9,721.1

$ 9,828.9

ManpowerGroup Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In millions)









Three Months Ended

March 31,

2022

2021

(Unaudited) Cash Flows from Operating Activities:





Net earnings $ 91.6

$ 62.0 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization 21.3

17.9 Non-cash loss on sale of a subsidiary 8.0

- Deferred income taxes 2.4

(10.6) Provision for doubtful accounts 2.8

5.2 Share-based compensation 10.6

7.5 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of dispositions:





Accounts receivable (96.9)

(94.5) Other assets (17.1)

(39.5) Other liabilities 47.9

192.9 Cash provided by operating activities 70.6

140.9







Cash Flows from Investing Activities:





Capital expenditures (19.4)

(12.7) Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired -

(7.1) Proceeds from the sale of subsidiaries and property and equipment 0.8

0.7 Cash used in investing activities (18.6)

(19.1)







Cash Flows from Financing Activities:





Net change in short-term borrowings (3.7)

4.9 Repayments of revolving debt facility (25.0)

- Proceeds from long-term debt 0.7

0.1 Repayments of long-term debt -

(2.2) Payments of contingent consideration for acquisitions -

(5.8) Proceeds from share-based awards 0.3

1.7 Other share-based award transactions (8.2)

(4.6) Repurchases of common stock (59.9)

(100.1) Cash used in financing activities (95.8)

(106.0)







Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (26.7)

(60.2) Change in cash and cash equivalents (70.5)

(44.4)







Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 847.8

1,567.1 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 777.3

$1,522.7

SOURCE ManpowerGroup
BALTIMORE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A leader in Medicinal Cannabis, Remedy intends to captivate patients at the grand opening of its new expanded storefront on the globally recognized 4/20 at midnight across its Baltimore and Columbia locations.

With April 20th being the annual day of commemoration for cannabis, it is only fitting that the day also served as the official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the organization's expansion into the Baltimore market. Remedy has lined up a suite of events to usher in both the holiday and the grand opening to embrace the plethora of cannabis health benefits to patients across the state.

Founded in 2014 by Mitch Trellis and lifelong friend and fellow Columbia, Maryland resident Blaize Connelly Duggan, Remedy prides itself on being a different take on a retail concept. It's a store within a store; a place where reputable cannabis brands are being given the opportunity to directly market their products to medical marijuana patients.

This storefront marks one of the many strategic steps in Remedy's long-term expansion plan. Alongside its Columbia flagship location, this brings Remedy's retail footprint to over 14,000 square feet in combined county and city populations that exceed well over 3 million people. When asked how he feels about the rapid expansion, co-founder Mitch Trellis expressed, "It brings us closer to our goal of providing the safest, most convenient access to medicine for the patients of Maryland."

Remedy proudly fosters a culture and community that appreciates cannabis for its holistic benefits. Where other dispensaries may be clinical and transactional in their approach, Remedy has not forgotten its humble beginnings and simple mandate of helping others in their wellness journey and the overall patient experience.

With this dogma in mind, they maintain high industry standards as it relates to the flower and the cultivators' practices while dispensing exceptional medicinal marijuana by products in the form of edibles, tinctures, oils, and topical concentrates. Most importantly Remedy dispenses knowledge that it hopes will undoubtedly trigger positive change in the lives of its patients.

As Remedy continues to expand its reach, it remains a community mainstay. The business maintains its familial legacy and commitment to wielding cannabis as holistic health, wellness, and happiness tool.

In addition to the founders who have a robust operational presence, the leadership team is starting to take form with notable leaders joining the advisory board, such as Brandon Barksdale, who comes with significant cannabis operational and finance experience across boutique and multi-state players. In addition to Barksdale, Remedy will rely heavily on the strengths of Andre Hopson as the brand intends to tap into the lifestyle sector of the cannabis industry. Hopson will guide brand management and provide go-to-market strategies for the Remedy brands as they navigate into new territory.

Combined, this cohort brings well over 50 plus years of relevant and industry experience that will build momentum for Remedy as the Maryland market continues to develop into one of the most opportunistic markets coming online. Blaize had this to say of the teams and their potential impact on the Maryland medicinal cannabis market, "Remedy's operating model is becoming more complex, and our retail footprint is rapidly growing. We continue to differentiate and lead our peer-group by focusing on data-driven decisions and a unique retail experience that resonates with our market. These two leaders bring versatile backgrounds and capabilities we need to continue to migrate best practices in-house that will continue to drive performance."

Remedy's 4/20 celebration and storefront expansion can only be attended by holders of medicinal cannabis cards 18 years and over.

About Remedy

Since its inception in 2014, Remedy has garnered a reputation as Maryland's go-to dispensary. Despite only being operational for a brief period, it is one of the top dispensaries in the market and the fastest growing. Locally owned and operated, Remedy provides Maryland's registered medical cannabis patients a curated selection of the highest quality, most effective and clean products available. With retail locations in Baltimore and Columbia, Remedy offers its patients exceptional flower strains, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and proudly is the first (and only) Maryland medical cannabis dispensary offering the full line of Cookies strains and merch in their "Cookies Corner" located in their Baltimore storefront.

For more information on Remedy, please visit remedymaryland.com or at 6656 Dobbin Rd Suite E, Columbia, MD 21045

Contact:

Charisse Curtis

323-251-3582

[email protected]

SOURCE Remedy
Named "Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year" at the 2021 Festival Automobile International, the Maserati MC20 offers a black or tan Alcantara interior treatment with laser perforations that cut through the central part of the car's seating in a graduated pattern.

"The Maserati MC20 demonstrates levels of extreme customization that only are possible with Alcantara," notes Andrea Boragno, the company's chairman and CEO. "The cutting-edge design solutions we're able to provide to our customers combine style and technology, beauty and functionality."

Alcantara material is produced exclusively at the company's Nera Montoro production facilities in the hills of Umbria. It is exported from Italy to leading brands throughout the world in a variety of fields, including automotive, fashion, consumer electronics and interior design.

SOURCE Alcantara S.p.A.
ORLANDO, Fla., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Andor Health, the company that harnesses machine and human intelligence to configure and orchestrate the way care teams connect and collaborate, partners with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health) to enable innovations in AI to drive sustainability in virtual health.

MUSC Health is one of two National Telehealth Centers of Excellence and a pioneer of the Telehealth Service Implementation Model (TSIM). With a world-renowned telehealth program spanning more than 300 telehealth sites and multiple care settings, MUSC Health is a thought leader and innovator in virtual health. MUSC Health sought a platform to support a long-term vision focused on: enabling clinical efficiency, enhancing orchestration of virtual health, and optimizing virtual experiences for a personalized approach to managing patient populations.

Sustainability in telehealth resides in the ability to configure contextual experiences across the continuum leveraging data in source systems, like electronic health records. By enabling ThinkAndor AI Virtual Assistant, MUSC Health can expand clinical services and support patient populations and partner facilities. The implementation allows prominent access to virtual care and enables clinicians to receive and curate clinical content to support quick decisions and accurate billing. By leveraging a unified platform, clinicians can also automate and initiate virtual collaborations between patients and other providers.

MUSC Health is changing what's possible in healthcare by providing excellent service and extending care beyond the walls of its facilities. To successfully care for the community, MUSC Health continually works to reshape how virtual care is delivered. "ThinkAndor is giving us the opportunity and flexibility to leverage virtual health in innovative ways across our health system, creating efficiencies in virtual care delivery models. By implementing ThinkAndor, our clinicians can provide quality virtual care to our patients," stated Emily Warr, MSN, RN, administrator, Center for Telehealth, MUSC Health.

Andor Health is excited to partner with a transformational institution like MUSC Health. "It is rewarding to work with an organization driven by vast experience and gratifying to see a leading institution achieve more with AI-powered virtual care experiences," said Pritesh Patel, chief operating officer, Andor Health. Patel went on to say, "Andor Health empowers customers with an enterprise-wide platform that enables unified virtual care. We are committed to taking virtual health beyond virtual visits by assisting organizations, like MUSC Health, in expanding virtual health as a platform approach across ambulatory, acute, remote patient monitoring, and post-acute/community care settings."

About Andor Health

At Andor Health, our mission is to change the way care teams connect and collaborate. By harnessing machine and human intelligence, our cloud-based platform unlocks data stored in electronic medical records to deliver real-time actionable intelligence to care teams  both inside and outside of their enterprise. By optimizing communication workflows, our solutions accelerate time to treatment, decrease clinician burnout, and drive better patient outcomes. For more information, visit Andor Health or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .



About MUSC Health

As the clinical health system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest quality and safe patient care while training generations of compassionate, competent health care providers to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Close to 25,000 care team members provide care for patients at 14 hospitals with approximately 2,500 beds and 5 additional hospital locations in development, more than 300 telehealth sites and nearly 750 care locations situated in the Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee and Upstate regions of South Carolina. In 2021, for the seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is home to the oldest medical school in the South as well as the state's only integrated academic health sciences center, with a unique charge to serve the state through education, research, and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and nearly 800 residents in six colleges: Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. MUSC brought in more than $327.6 million in biomedical research funds in fiscal year 2021, continuing to lead the state in obtaining federal and National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $220 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

Media Contact

Andor Health

Jennifer Skitsko - SVP, Marketing

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Andor Health
Industry veteran to lead more than 800 employees across 21 offices in eight states

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Malcolm Dougherty, P.E., has been named Senior Vice President and Regional Director for the firm's newly formed Western Region. As the firm Reimagines Michael Baker to better position the company for accelerated growth and to broaden its capabilities, services and solutions over the next five years to execute its vision of evolving to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm, it is uniting its former West and Mountain Regions to form the Western Region. As Western Regional Director, Mr. Dougherty will lead more than 800 employees and be responsible for overseeing all engineering, business and financial operations for 21 offices across eight states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Washington. He continues to report to Kent Zinn, President, Infrastructure, at Michael Baker International and is based out of Michael Baker's Santa Ana, California, office.

"Throughout his 30-year engineering career, Malcolm's experience, leadership, recognition of client needs, technical knowledge and dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers have set him apart. He is an established industry thought leader and has built a legacy based not only on identifying the best technical engineering solutions to solve the complex challenges of his clients, but also on improving the lives of those in the communities he serves," said Kent Zinn, President, Infrastructure, at Michael Baker International. "Since joining Michael Baker more than four years ago, Malcolm has expertly led teams both throughout our firm's footprint in the Western United States and across the country. As he assumes the new role of Western Regional Director, I am confident that he will continue to expertly deliver outstanding service for our clients."

The firm's strategic decision to form the Western Region provides much greater opportunity for collaboration and growth across its core practices, Federal Services and the Design-Build sectors. The new Western Region will allow Michael Baker to further leverage four of its Federal Centers of Excellence (Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, Phoenix and San Diego), as well as the region's significant Design-Build delivery expertise. This includes award-winning work on I-15 in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as the firm's role as lead designer for the I-10 Corridor Express Lanes Design-Build project in San Bernardino County, California, among others.

Mr. Dougherty joined Michael Baker in 2018 as the National Practice Lead for Transportation. In this role, he drove the strategic direction, growth and performance of the practice and led an integrated team of regional transportation and management professionals in all aspects of transportation. He was promoted to National Practice Executive in 2020, overseeing the strategic direction for the company's national practices, and in 2021 assumed the position of West Regional Director.

Prior to joining Michael Baker, Mr. Dougherty spent 26 years in progressive leadership roles with Caltrans, culminating in the position of Director. In this role, he was responsible for the maintenance and operations of more than 50,000 lane miles of roadway in the State Highway System and the delivery of an $11.4 billion construction portfolio. He also had overall fiscal responsibility for the Department's budget of more than $10 billion and 20,000 employees.

Prior to his appointment to Director, Mr. Dougherty served as Chief Deputy Director and Chief Engineer at Caltrans, where he honed his leadership skills by advising the Department Director on all aspects of policy and operations. He represented the department at meetings and hearings and with the executive team on administrative priorities related to the state transportation system.

Mr. Dougherty holds numerous affiliations and certifications, including: member of the Board of Directors for the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) of America, member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), as well as past positions such as Chair of the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) Executive Committee, Chair of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Construction, Chair of the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee, AASHTO Board of Directors, President of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) and past member of the California Public Works Board.

Mr. Dougherty earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in California.

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services with Practices that encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to commercial clients, all branches of the military and federal, state and municipal governments, providing comprehensive services and solutions. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations  like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery, Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

Contact: Julia Covelli

[email protected]

(866) 293-4609

SOURCE Michael Baker International
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following two years of virtual events, teams will have the opportunity to compete in person at the 2022 NASA Student Launch rocketry competition.

The annual event is set for Saturday, April 23, at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama, minutes north of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Student Launch challenges middle school, high school, college, and university students to design, build, test, and fly a payload and high-powered amateur rocket. Sixty teams from 23 states plus Puerto Rico are taking part in this year's competition; 27 teams are expected to launch in person. Teams not traveling to Alabama may conduct final test flights at a home launch field.

Schedule

April 23 : Launch day from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT , or until the last rocket launches. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. , featuring speakers from NASA Headquarters, NASA Marshall, and Northrop Grumman.

: Launch day from , or until the last rocket launches. The opening ceremony begins at , featuring speakers from NASA Headquarters, NASA Marshall, and Northrop Grumman. April 24 : Tentative rain day in case of deterring weather. Competition will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. , or until last rocket launches.

Winners will be announced June 2 during a virtual awards ceremony once all teams' flight data has been verified.

Media interested in covering Student Launch events should contact Christopher Blair at 256-544-0034.



About the Competition

This year, teams must fly their rocket to an altitude between 4,000 and 6,000 feet and make a successful landing. Teams in the college/university division will tackle a new task that mirrors NASA missions like the Mars Curiosity Rover. Teams must design a payload capable of autonomously locating where their rocket landed by identifying the rocket's grid position on an aerial image of the launch site, while transmitting the data back to their ground station. This must be accomplished without the use of GPS. The requirement simulates a challenge faced by NASA mission managers  communicating with spacecraft and payloads on distant planetary bodies, where use of GPS is not an option.

Middle and high school teams can choose to attempt the college/university division challenge or develop their own science or engineering experiment.

Teams predicted their rocket's altitude months in advance of launch day. The team that comes closest to their projection in each division wins the Altitude Award. Teams are scored in nearly a dozen other categories, including safety, vehicle design, social media presence, and science, technology, engineering, and math engagement.

NASA's Southeast Regional Office of STEM Engagement manages Student Launch, one of the agency's Artemis Student Challenges. These activities stimulate innovation and advance NASA's human exploration mission through collaboration with educational institutions and students  the Artemis Generation, who will help NASA explore the Moon and Mars. NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate and Office of STEM Engagement, along with Northrop Grumman provide funding and leadership for the initiative.

The rocket launches are open to the public, but pets are not permitted.

Live streaming will begin at 8:30 a.m. CDT on Student Launch Facebook and NASA Marshall Youtube.

For more information about Student Launch, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/stem/studentlaunch/home/index.html

SOURCE NASA
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WHO: H. E. ANATOLE COLLINET MAKOSSO, Prime Minister, The Republic of the Congo

WHAT: Press Conference. The National Press Club.

WHERE: The Holman Lounge, National Press Club, 13th floor, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20045

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20, 2022  9:30am-11:00am.

WHY: Official visit to the United States for meetings with the Administration and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

PURPOSE OF VISIT:

In the wake of successful meetings in London and Paris, including meetings in The Republic of the Congo's capital Brazzaville, where His Excellency Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso hosted Rwandan head-of-state Paul Kagame. The Prime Minister, who heads the Republic of the Congo's government, arrived in Washington, DC this week, and will be available to the news media in the United States to answer questions and share information at a press conference at the National Press Club focusing on The Republic of Congo's new National Development Plan! Prime Minister Collinet Makosso will share important information regarding the purpose of the new National Development Plan (PND from 2022 to 2026)  an initiative designed to move the Republic of the Congo from an "oil rent economy" - to a strong, diversified and robust national economy.

PND has an economic agenda that focuses on agriculture, digital technology, tourism, real estate, industry and the creation of Special Economic Zones. The choice of these six economic development sectors will help diversify the Congolese economy.

In order to finance the five-year program, the Executive Committee relies on the support of development partners, the private sector -and foreign investors. Investments from the worldwide digital sector are highly and enthusiastically anticipated.

H. E Prime Minister Collinet Makosso has served as prime minister of the Republic of the Congo since 2021. Prior to his appointment as head-of-government, PM Collinet Makosso was an Adviser to President Denis Sassou Nguesso, while simultaneously serving as Director of First Lady, Antoinette Sassou Nguesso's Cabinet.

The Republic of the Congo is one of Africa's major oil producers, with significant potential for offshore petroleum development.

Please Note: The National Press Club observes and strictly adheres to Covid-19 protocols. These include proof of vaccination and personal ID to attend this event.

There will be breakfast amenities and multi-box outlets for electronic media.

News Media Contact: Coumba DIOUKHANE | +33 611 427 078 | [email protected]

Carol PINEAU | 202 321 0570 | [email protected]

SOURCE Republic of the Congo
The company recently surveyed hundreds of shoppers nationwide about their upcoming graduation celebration plans. Responses revealed that:

70% of consumers are planning to participate in or attend in-person graduation ceremonies

49% of consumers consider 2022 to be the first "normal" graduation year since 2019, while 30% of consumers still consider this year "not normal"

32% of consumers will plan to celebrate their graduates with a big party in an outdoor space, followed by 31% of consumers planning smaller, more intimate celebrations at home

44% of consumers revealed that while they want to celebrate, they still plan to be cautious given the current state of COVID-19

37% of consumers plan to purchase graduation party essentials ahead through a combination of in-store and online shopping

"At Party City, we're customer obsessed, and this graduation season is no different," said Julie Roehm, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Party City. "We're ready to celebrate the Class of 2022, no matter how they're planning to recognize their accomplishments. Our goal is to always make joy easy for our shoppers by staying on top of trends, curating a variety of different party inspirations and themes, and developing innovative shopping tools such as our new Balloon Builder on PartyCity.com, where shoppers can easily build their graduation bouquets and see their creations come to life in their carts."

As we head into graduation season, Party City is encouraging customers to plan celebrations that our graduates will remember forever. The company is sharing the top trending themes for the graduation 2022 season, inclusive of balloons, outdoor/indoor decor, tableware, and more. Top themes include:

Black, Silver, Gold: Get all "A's" on your graduation celebration by using traditional colors of black, silver and gold, to celebrate your High School or College graduate. Shout out to our class of 2022 college graduates who funded their four years of school  this theme is for you!

Get all "A's" on your graduation celebration by using traditional colors of black, silver and gold, to celebrate your High School or College graduate. Shout out to our class of 2022 college graduates who funded their four years of school  this theme is for you! School Colors: Bring your high school graduation party to life by celebrating your Senior and school pride with their High School or new College colors

Bring your high school graduation party to life by celebrating your Senior and school pride with their High School or new College colors Follow Your Dreams: Say congratulations to your favorite grad by hosting the prettiest celebration on the block with centerpieces, tableware, and "yay" balloons

Say congratulations to your favorite grad by hosting the prettiest celebration on the block with centerpieces, tableware, and "yay" balloons Multi-Color: Highlight the littlest graduates by throwing them a fun and colorful graduation party that they will never forget

Party City will be 'popping up' at graduation ceremonies across the country  from elementary to university level  providing students and teachers with the essentials they need to celebrate graduation this year. Follow along on social to see who the lucky recipients are! The company is also partnering with Make-A-Wish to thank a group of high school seniors for raising more than $1 million dollars over the past 10 years for the organization through Kids for Wish Kids. More information about the Party City x Make-A-Wish partnership will be revealed later this month.

To expand the celebrations, Party City will be providing graduates across the country with custom graduation-themed Snapchat AR lens beginning on Friday, April 15 through Saturday, June 6. The lens will include a front-faced lens where fans can digitally 'dress' themselves in a graduation cap and gown and when flipped to worldview, you'll see an impressive 'congratulations' balloon arrangement perfect for group and family snaps and photos.

Party City is the one stop-shop for all of your celebration needs whether you plan to celebrate in-person or virtually. For more celebration inspiration, visit PartyCity.com , and follow and engage with #PartyCity on Facebook , and @PartyCity on Instagram , Twitter , and Pinterest .

About Party City

Party City Holdco Inc. (PCHI) [NYSE:PRTY] is a global leader in the celebrations industry. A vertically integrated designer, manufacturer and distributor, PCHI offers consumer party goods in more than 100 countries around the world.

PCHI team members demonstrate a daily commitment to the company's Brand Purpose: to inspire joy by making it easy for customers to create unforgettable memories by connecting them to everything they need for life's many celebrations.

PCHI operates multiple business divisions, including the Retail Division and the Consumer Products Division. On the retail side, Party City (partycity.com) is a leading omnichannel retailer in the celebrations category, operating more than 800 company-owned and franchise stores throughout North America. Additional Halloween City (halloweencity.com) pop-up storefronts are also located throughout North America seasonally. Comprising the Consumer Products Group are design and manufacturing entities Amscan, an industry leader across multiple celebrations goods and costumes, and Anagram, a dominant player in balloons.

PCHI is headquartered in Elmsford, NY with additional locations throughout the Americas and Asia.

SOURCE Party City
DALLAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons Bank, as Trustee of the Permian Basin Royalty Trust (NYSE: PBT) ("Permian") today declared a cash distribution to the holders of its units of beneficial interest of $0.031783 per unit, payable on May 13, 2022, to unit holders of record on April 29, 2022.

This month's distribution increased from the previous month as the result of an increase in the production and pricing received from the previous month's which were delayed due to the timing of receipts for the Texas Royalty Properties during the month of February. Currently, only the Texas Royalty Properties are contributing to the monthly distribution.

Since the Waddell Ranch is in current deficit for the foreseeable future, any increase or decrease of the distribution by revenues received, will only be reflective of the activity of the Texas Royalty Properties. The activity of the Waddell Ranch will be discussed with the following narrative until it contributes back to the distribution. This reflects the production month of February.

WADDELL RANCH

In reporting February production of the Underlying Properties for this month's press release, production for oil volumes was 133,403 (gross) and was priced at about $90.40 per bbl. Production for gas volumes (including gas liquids) was 489,669 Mcf (gross) and was priced at about $5.89 per Mcf, which now includes the value received from plant products and natural gas liquids. Net revenue for the underlying properties of the Waddell ranch was $14,141,963 (gross) for February. Lease Operating Expenses were $2,241,510 (gross) and Capital Expenditures were $9,546,147 (gross) for February, netting to the Net Profit Interest (NPI) of $2,354,306. This would put the Trust's proceeds of 75% as a positive $1,765,730 (net) for the month of February, leaving an excess cost deficit cumulative of $4.8 million (net). Even with the shorter production month of February and the full engagement of the 2022 capital expenditures for the first two months of the year, strong pricing of both oil and gas has provided a positive net profits for the month of $1.766 million(net) to reduce the remaining excess costs deficit to $4.8 million(net). Given that current oil and gas pricing continues, it could continue to reduce the deficit in the foreseeable future.

Blackbeard has advised the Trustee of the projected 2022 capital expenditure budget for the Waddell Ranch Properties to be an estimated $92 million (net to the Trust) with a projected about 47 new drill wells and 45 recompletions along with about 19 plug and abandoned wells. Of the new drill wells, about 13 will be horizontal drills and about 34 vertical drill wells. In the Form 10-K, to be filed in March, further discussion will be provided.

TEXAS ROYALTY PROPERTIES

Production for the underlying properties at the Texas Royalties was 20,023 barrels of oil and 13,864 Mcf of gas. The production for the Trust's allocated portion of the Texas Royalties was 18,165 barrels of oil and 12,564 Mcf of gas. The average price for oil was $86.32 per bbl and for gas was $9.19 per Mcf. This would primarily reflect production and pricing for the month of February for oil and the month of January for gas. These allocated volumes were impacted by the pricing of both oil and gas. This production and pricing for the underlying properties resulted in revenues for the Texas Royalties of $1,855,794. Deducted from these were taxes of $163,080 resulting in a Net Profit of $1,692,713 for the month of February. With the Trust's Net Profit Interest (NPI) of 95% of the Underlying Properties, this would result in net contribution by the Texas Royalties of $1,608,078 to this month's distribution.



Underlying Properties Net to Trust Sales





Volumes Volumes Average Price

Oil (bbls) Gas (Mcf) Oil (bbls) Gas (Mcf) Oil (per bbl) Gas (per Mcf) Current Month











Waddell Ranch 133,403 489,669 100,052 367,252* $90.40 $5.89** Texas Royalties 20,023 13,864 18,165 12,564* $86.32 $9.19**













Prior Month











Waddell Ranch 146,556 486,150 109,917 364,613* $81.06 $6.82** Texas Royalties 15,800 7,645 14,073 6,798* $77.97 $13.26**

*These volumes are the net to the trust, after allocation of expenses to Trust's net profit interest, including any prior period adjustments.

**This pricing includes sales of gas liquid products.

General and Administrative Expenses deducted for the month were $127,990 resulting in a distribution of $1,481,388 to 46,608,796 units outstanding, or $0.031783 per unit.

The worldwide market conditions continue to affect the pricing for domestic production. It is difficult to predict what effect these conditions will have on future distributions.

Permian Basin Royalty Trust, as it does after the end of each year, had a year-end Reserve Report prepared in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's requirements. This report provides an evaluation of the estimated asset value as of December 31 of each year, which can be used to estimate the remaining life of the Trust.

The estimated net proved reserves, as of January 1, 2022, attributable to the Trust from the properties appraised are approximately 6.6 million barrels of oil and 11.3 billion cubic feet of gas with a future net value of approximately $465,149,000 with a discounted value of $259,855,000.

With the estimated quantities of this year's reserve estimate of 6.6 million barrels of oil and 11.3 billion cubic feet of gas remaining, it could be estimated that the Trust still has a life span of 8 to 10 years. The report is an exhibit to the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed on March 31, 2021 and is available to all unitholders at this time on the SEC website.

The 2021 Annual Report with Form 10-K and the January 1, 2021 Reserve Summary will be available on Permian's website by May 1st. Permian's cash distribution history, current and prior year financial reports, tax information booklets, and a link to filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all can be found on Permian's website at http://www.pbt-permian.com/. Additionally, printed reports can be requested and are mailed free of charge.

Contact: Ron Hooper, Senior Vice President, Simmons Bank, Trustee, Toll Free  1.855.588.7839

SOURCE Permian Basin Royalty Trust
OKLAHOMA CITY, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PHX Minerals Inc. (NYSE: PHX) ("PHX" or the "Company") today announced a mineral and royalty acquisition targeting the Haynesville play in East Texas and Louisiana. PHX has agreed to acquire approximately 506 net royalty acres for aggregate consideration of $5,100,000 in cash from a private seller subject to customary closing adjustments (the "Acquisition"). The transaction will be funded with a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under our existing credit facility. The Board of Directors of PHX unanimously approved the Acquisition, which is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to close by May 27, 2022.

Chad Stephens, President, and CEO, commented, "Since January 2020, when I was appointed CEO, we have been pursuing the acquisition of minerals in the Haynesville underneath active reputable operators.

This acquisition is another excellent opportunity to build on our growing inventory of Haynesville minerals assets with existing production and line of sight development over the next several years.

Including this acquisition, we have now acquired approximately 5,000 net royalty acres in the Haynesville deploying an estimated $40.0 million of capital while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

Since January 2020, our focus has been to pursue natural gas assets as we believe it is a key component to the energy transition. The Haynesville is a premier natural gas resource that is at the front door of U.S. LNG export terminals. This will prove to be a vital source in alleviating the energy crisis in Europe, which began well before and has only intensified since the invasion of Ukraine."

Acquisition Highlights

Approximately 506 net royalty acres in Louisiana primarily located in Caddo Parish , focused on the Haynesville and Bossier plays;

primarily located in , focused on the and plays; Includes 28 PDP gross wells, 35 gross wells in progress and an estimated 79 gross undrilled locations;

Five drilling rigs currently running on the Acquisition assets with an additional six drilling rigs within 2.5 miles of the Acquisition assets 1 ;

; Estimated reserves of 4.1 Bcfe;

Estimated next 12 months net production totaling between 550 to 650 mcf/d, comprised of 100% natural gas; and

Key operators of the Acquisition assets include Trinity, Chesapeake, Blue Dome, and Comstock .





1 As of 4/01/2022

PHX Minerals Inc. (NYSE: PHX) Oklahoma City-based, PHX Minerals Inc. is a natural gas and oil mineral company with a strategy to proactively grow its mineral position in its core areas of focus. PHX owns approximately 251,000 net mineral acres principally located in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, and Arkansas. Additional information on the Company can be found at www.phxmin.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "will," "should," "may" and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect PHX's current views about future events. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: PHX's ability to execute its business strategies; the volatility of realized natural gas and oil prices; the level of production on its properties; estimates of quantities of natural gas, oil and NGL reserves and their values; general economic or industry conditions; legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; the ability to raise capital; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; financial or political instability; acts of war or terrorism; title defects in the properties in which PHX invests; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory or technical factors affecting our properties, operations or prices. Although the Company believes its expectations reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance its expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the results to differ materially from those expected by the Company's management. Information concerning these risks and other factors can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE PHX MINERALS INC.
Prov International is expanding into the Dominican Republic market with promise of economic growth. The Tampa based technology consulting firm is prepared to be a strong community player and help diversify the Dominican local economy by bringing customers and companies together with Salesforce.

TAMPA, Fla., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Prov International is expanding into the Dominican Republic market with promise of economic growth. The Tampa based technology consulting firm is prepared to be a strong community player and help diversify the Dominican local economy by bringing customers and companies together with Salesforce.

It is commonly known that good work demands more work. This phrase is true of ProV International, a technology firm that has distinguished itself from the rest by their years of proven excellence in equipping modern-day companies with the evolving world of technology through a comprehensive, step-by-step process.

ProV International has succeeded in creating more than 600 full and part-time jobs across the world, while investing above $10 million dollars in the employment of software engineers, senior solution architects, developers, and business analysts to mention a few.

With a track record of inspiring growth, creation of jobs and economic opportunities, ProV is determined to replicate these results in the Dominican Republic. As a pioneer in the industry, it is certain that ProV's investments will continue to attract more businesses and tech talent to Santo Domingo thus translating to a boost to the economy. The Santo Domingo Tech Hub includes technology roles in software development, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning alongside non-tech corporate roles in product management, human resources, finance and much more.

ProV plans to spend a significant amount of time, effort and investment to make their Salesforce implementations the best it can be. Launching this Salesforce Center of Excellence ensures they are running efficiently, agile and can bring customer success.

The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader inaugurated ProV's Salesforce Center of Excellence. This ceremony served as a historical marker and celebrated the significant investment and promise that ProV has made to own one of the most successful centers of excellence within the Salesforce ecosystem.

This world-class center of excellence will drive global and large multi-division Salesforce projects, align business and IT operations and allow us to develop in-house salesforce expertise across different areas. The Salesforce Center of Excellence inauguration was covered on National TV, the front page of newspapers, the president's social media and hundreds of websites online. ProV is thankful for this opportunity and looks forward to creating a bright future for Salesforce customers.

About ProV International. Inc

ProV International is a global IT consulting firm that specializes in streamlining processes, increasing service quality and keeping workplace productivity high. We promise to reduce your business's complexity with innovative tech solutions you won't be able to find anywhere else.

Serving a large spectrum of customers, we believe and invest in your organization's vision and goals. Start a conversation with us at https://www.provintl.com/contact-us

PRESS CONTACT

NAME

Renrose Magne

PHONE

813-281-2959

WEBSITE

https://www.provintl.com/en

SOURCE ProV International. Inc
At Rutgers Business School, innovative new programs that draw on the transformative idea of stackable credentials are being developed with an eye to the forces shaping the future of higher education. The programs are designed to instruct students in non-traditional course formats and upskill working professionals who are intent on keeping pace with the rapidly changing work world even if they don't attain a full master's degree to do it.

Rutgers Business School Dean Lei Lei and Miklos Vasarhelyi, distinguished professor of accounting information systems, have passionately advocated the introduction of novel micro courses and stackable certificate programs as key to future business education teaching  and learning.

"We are leading the way into the future with new curriculum options that answer the demands of students who want to learn with greater flexibility," said Dean Lei. "Our new programs are designed to allow students to study the topics they choose, linking together classes to build job skills needed for future work in a digital era."

Rutgers Business School's most ambitious effort to create a stackable curriculum that shakes up the traditional program structure is the Rutgers Stackable Business Innovation Program or rSBI.

Graduate students may take courses from a broad range of subject areas, including such contemporary business topics as auditing and forensic accounting, data analytics and machine learning, supply chain management, marketing analytics, and managing in the global business environment.

Students also have the flexibility of choosing courses they want and earning credits as they go, advancing through the courses at their own pace. The program offers students the ability to "stack" credits together and apply them toward non-degree certificates providing them with in-depth subject matter expertise.

Curious? Interested in learning more? Here's your chance: Join an online Info Session.

Jorge Angulo enrolled in the stackable program so he could tailor his learning to the topics that were most relevant to his work. "I'm not pursuing a degree, but I'm getting the knowledge that will help me accomplish my professional goals," Angulo said. "The duality is appealing, knowing that at some point in the future, I may accomplish enough credits to formalize a degree."

Distinguished professor Benjamin Melamed, who is director of the Rutgers Stackable Business Innovation Program, said stackable programs reflect the evolution of higher education by providing students with more flexibility to gain knowledge as they progress in their careers.

"Stackable programs fulfill the educational mission of lifelong learning for lifelong employability that is geared toward students who want to upskill to stay technically current and relevant in their professions without having to commit the time and money required for a degree program," Melamed said.

The new programs at Rutgers Business School reflect trends that have been emerging for years in higher education. The efforts to innovate began before COVID-19 emerged and crystalized as the delivery of education shifted dramatically during the pandemic.

"Predicting the future is easy," said Vasarhelyi, who is credited with being the visionary force behind some of the new curriculum. "What's more difficult is predicting the timing. The pandemic accelerated some of the change."

Vasarhelyi worked with several of his colleagues, including Professor Hussein Issa, on an idea that involved stacking different courses together to form modules. The professors originally wanted to name the program after the beloved colorful LEGO building blocks to convey the idea of how classes could be assembled. Eventually, the professors settled on BYOC or Build Your Own Course.

The idea, Issa explained, is to permit students to customize their education by choosing the topics they have an interest in learning more about without requiring them to take a full 14-week course. "A lot of students have heard about blockchain, and they want to learn how it works," he said. "Think of BYOC as an appetizer. They can take a taste and if they want more, they can take a whole course."

In a pilot for undergraduates last year, Rutgers tested the concept, allowing students to stack a variety of week-long modules into a one-credit online course. Much of the content came from the accounting and continuous auditing area, but included such topics as blockchain, cryptocurrencies and visualization.

As an example, students could take a BYOC course in "Blockchain, Crypto and Cybersecurity," selecting four modules of their choice, including such topics as Introduction to Crypto Currencies, Basics of Cybersecurity, Crypto Currency Markets and Ecosystem, Fair Value Measure of Crypto Currency, and Information Risk Management. BYOC allows students to assemble the courses they want around a single required module in this case: Introduction to Blockchain and Smart Contracts.

"It was an experiment," Issa said of the BYOC pilot which was launched during the COVID pandemic. "We wanted to see how it would go."

The new BYOC format attracted nearly 200 students who registered for a total of 190 courses. "Students from across the business school were interested in these," said Issa, who oversaw the pilot and counseled students on which bite-sized courses might best augment their majors. In fall of 2021, 150 students signed up for BYOC courses.

A graduate-level version named Short Courses in Business Innovation launched for the spring 2022 semester, offering Build Your Own Courses in accounting in the same asynchronous, online, bite-sized, one-credit concept.

Each of the new programs are powered by a digital library that has offered students around the world nearly 4,000 hours of educational material for more than a decade. Rutgers professors working with Vasarhelyi were doing research projects with CPA firms, state governments and other schools, the digital library became a way of providing students with resources that reinforced and expanded their own classwork.

The digital library was pioneering for its time, and its popularity fueled the idea of delivering knowledge in the stackable, customized style of Build Your Own Course.

Vasarhelyi predicts that such tailoring of programs will continue as higher education continues to be disrupted by nimble competitors, economics, and the digital world.

"Education is going through a paradigmatic change analogous to the invention of the Gutenberg press," he said. "Pre-set programs will give way to modular-based variable content educational packages with expert software guiding students and detecting student difficulties."

SOURCE Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick
ATLANTA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sewa International, through its Vasundhara Sewa program and its continued commitment to environmental causes, is supporting the Save Soil movement.

Save Soil is a global initiative launched by yogi and visionary Sadhguru to "invoke a conscious approach to soil and the planet." One of Save Soil's main objectives is to have countries across the globe enact necessary laws and policies that will "increase the organic content in cultivable soil" and address the catastrophic environmental degradation issues facing humanity.

Sadhguru at the United Nations in Geneva, joining the panel event "Save Soil: On Planetary and Human Well-Being." The panelists joining Sadhguru include (left to right) Nadia Isler (Office of the Director-General, United Nations), Dr. Naoko Yamamoto (World Health Organization), and Stewart Maginnis (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

After initial media coverage in the US, where Sadhguru was interviewed by Trevor Noah and Joe Rogan on March 21, he began a 100-day, 20,000-mile motorcycle journey across 27 countries. Sadhguru has traversed major European countries and cities. He has engaged with major European media as well as government leaders. He emphasizes the pressing need to formulate policies that address the looming threat of soil degradation.

Globally, 52 percent of agricultural land is already degraded, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization predicts we only have 60 years of soil use left. Fortunately, there are proven solutions that could help reverse this calamitous trend if concerted steps are immediately initiated. Leading agencies such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the World Food Program, and United Nations Environment Program are offering their support and expertise to ensure the success of these efforts.

Sewa International will support Save Soil's efforts through initiatives that engage its volunteers and the communities they live in. In alignment with the "Students for Soil" global initiative, Sewa will kick off Earth Day poster campaign involving the youth, amplifying their messages through social media. Sewa plans to encourage children to adopt plants and join nature outings. These efforts reflect a commitment to support Sadhguru's vision of spreading the Save Soil message to 3.5 billion people.

One thousand plus LEAD (a program engaging high school and college students) participants will be conducting various activities and managing campaigns bringing awareness about soil health to their communities.

Sewa's forty-three chapters will be conducting soil conservation and awareness activities. They will observe Earth Day on April 23 and organize a national webinar. Those involved will take the "Vasundhara Sewa" pledge: "I pledge to take steps toward the betterment of my Mother Earth. I will spread awareness to others. I will expand my knowledge and actions to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the environment and my community." The pledge can be taken at sewausa.org/savesoilpledge .

"We in Sewa have always promoted the principle of serving all beings, sentient and non-sentient. Sewa means selfless service, and helping Sadhguru and his team spread this message of protecting the Earth is very much part of our goal to help people lead safe and healthy lives," said Prem Pusuloori, Director of Projects and Programs, Sewa International.

CONTACT:

Vidyasagar Tontalapur  1 - 720-526-9939

Viswanath Koppaka  1- 404-304-0563

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.sewausa.org

SOURCE Sewa International
MILWAUKEE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating ACC (NYSE:ACC) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with Blackstone.

Click here to learn how to join the action: https://www.ademilaw.com/case/american-campus-communities-inc or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Ademi LLP alleges ACC's financial outlook and prospects are excellent and yet ACC shareholders will receive only $65.47 per fully diluted share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $12.8 billion, including the assumption of debt. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for ACC by prohibiting solicitation of further bids, and imposing a significant penalty if ACC accepts a superior bid. ACC insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements.

We are investigating the conduct of ACC's board of directors, and whether they are (i) fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, and (ii) obtaining a fair and reasonable price for ACC.

If you own ACC common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/american-campus-communities-inc.

We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts

Ademi LLP

Guri Ademi

Toll Free: (866) 264-3995

Fax: (414) 482-8001

SOURCE Ademi LLP
The Dream Fund aims to provide financial grants to black-owned businesses who demonstrate how their services and offerings support their community; how they have positively adapted their business models in recent times and how the funds will support their staff and elevate their future business goals. "We are a brand with a deep commitment to overserve the underserved black community. Our community commerce model not only invests in, but helps build, transform, and regenerate communities locally and globally by directly impacting equitable systemic change", said George Umoh, Associate Brand Manager, Unilever Canada.

This year's grant program offers $10,000 to 5 winners for a full grant offering of $50,000 in total and isn't exclusive to just Black owned salon establishments; instead SheaMoisture Canada has opened its program applications to Black Female entrepreneurs across the following categories:

Beauty: Encapsulating the entire beauty industry encouraging hairdressers and barbers who are significant contributors to the black business community in Canada .

Encapsulating the entire beauty industry encouraging hairdressers and barbers who are significant contributors to the black business community in . Professional Services: This category includes "Solopreneurs" who are doing incredible work and deserve an opportunity to apply for funding for support and expansion. This category is open to event planners, doctors and wellness professionals, artists, musicians and more.

Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed applications for eligibility including video submissions, which will then be followed up by an expert and community driven deliberation and reviewal process with a panel of well-established Black professionals curated by The Diversity Agency.

SheaMoisture is thrilled to partner with The Diversity Agency, who for the second time will be bringing a group of top talents to the judging table from Canada's diverse professional Black community. The Diversity Agency is a Speaker's Bureau representing Black speakers and business professionals from diverse backgrounds, skilled in many industries, on many topics. The agency's speakers include business leaders, thought leaders, artists, and successful entrepreneurs.

"Women of colour are among the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in Canada. There are very few funding programs for women-owned businesses and even less for Black women-owned businesses. I'm proud to partner with SheaMoisture's Dream Fund as a judge; we need more programs like this that support Black female entrepreneurs" said Andria Barrett, Founder of The Diversity Agency & Co-Founder of Black Female Funders.

The Diversity Agency panel will also host a series of monthly informative workshops along with SheaMoisture to educate and inform black female entrepreneurs and the diverse Canadian Black community at large on a series of topics, including: Rethinking Your Business Model, Future Proofing Your Business and more.

The Dream Fund is just another addition to SheaMoisture's list of global community givebacks. As part of their Community Commerce business model, SheaMoisture partners with women-led co-ops in Northern Ghana on an on-going basis to source its namesake shea butter. With the core belief that commerce can bring true economic independence and empower women to break cycles of poverty as the brand further reinvests into both the co-ops and the communities it serves globally. Now, SheaMoisture continues to create economic opportunities for women and other minority entrepreneurs in Canada within its ecosystem with The Dream Fund.

Please visit: https://unileverpromos-ca.wyng.com/SheaMoistureDreamFund2022 for application details. Please Note: Official grant rules will apply.

SOURCE SheaMoisture
The climate crisis poses a dire threat to almonds and the people who grow them  especially in California, which supplies 80 percent of the world's almonds. Mounting evidence suggests that soil health is key to the long-term viability of all food crops, but practical research remains sparse and the financial risk of adopting these practices often falls solely on farmers.

"If we want to abate the effects of climate change, safeguard farmer livelihoods, and continue to enjoy the nutritional benefits of almonds, we must build a more resilient food system," said Rachel Drori, Founder and CEO of Daily Harvest. "Daily Harvest looks forward to delivering on our mission to reimagine the food system through The Almond Project."

Over the next five years, The Almond Project partners will work with growers to integrate a variety of soil health practices on two 80-acre blocks of farmland  one conventional and one organic. Simple Mills and Daily Harvest, in partnership with Treehouse California Almonds and White Buffalo Land Trust  a 501(c)(3) nonprofit practicing, promoting, and developing systems of regenerative agriculture, are supporting farmers in the adoption of regenerative principles. These practices, which include cover cropping, animal integration, composting and the reduction of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, aim to improve natural soil fertility, sequester carbon, conserve water, and increase biodiversity.

The Almond Project partners will measure outcomes such as soil health, water infiltration, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem biodiversity in comparison to neighboring baselines. The group will share learnings with other almond farmers in the region to assist in the implementation of soil health practices on additional acreage of farmland.

"At Simple Mills, we are committed to advancing the holistic health of people and the planet  and that starts with how we grow our food," said Katlin Smith, Founder and CEO of Simple Mills. "Almonds are a nutrient-dense powerhouse that have always been an integral part of our portfolio and we're thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking partnership to reimagine almond farming now and for generations to come."

Cappello's is supporting White Buffalo Land Trust through the Savory Institute to trial the Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) protocol in the almond orchard blocks. EOV is the methodology that measures ecological outcomes on a producers' land. If results trend positive, a verification is granted and the farm is entered into the Land to Market Verified Regenerative Supplier Roster. This trial will serve as a vital resource to help establish a verification program for almonds and other perennial crops.

"We view partnering with the farmers who steward this precious land as both a privilege and an extraordinary opportunity," said Stacey Marcellus, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Cappello's. "This project is based on regenerative agricultural practices that involve time, effort, and risk for growers. The resources needed for research are something so worthy of sharing in the responsibility. We all win if we can increase life through the whole ecosystem, from soil to tree to community."

"California almonds are a vital part of the global food system and essential to the communities that grow them," said Joe Gardiner, third-generation farmer and Sales Manager at Treehouse California Almonds. "With a pragmatic approach, we are humbled to connect a diverse group of stakeholders with a unified mission to preserve agricultural resources and livelihoods.''

In the short term, The Almond Project aims to identify climate-smart approaches to almond farming that improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and empower local farming communities. Longer-term, the program seeks to develop proof points to incentivize farmers and food companies to adopt practices that have the potential to regenerate California's working lands, contribute to balancing our climate crisis, and enable the sustainability of farming in the Central Valley for generations to come.

About Simple Mills

Founded in 2012, Simple Mills is a leading provider of better-for-you crackers, cookies, snack bars and baking mixes made with clean, nutrient-dense ingredients and nothing artificial, ever. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the company has disrupted center-aisle grocery categories to become the #1 baking mix brand, #1 cracker brand, #2 cookie brand, and #1 growth driver in bars in the natural channel with distribution in over 25,000 stores nationwide. Its mission is to advance the holistic health of the planet and its people by positively impacting the way food is made. For more information, visit www.simplemills.com .

About Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest is reimagining how food can nourish both humanity and the planet by making it easy to eat more whole, organic fruits and vegetables every day. Through a combination of data science and a future-focused supply chain, Daily Harvest co-creates food with its community and brings it to market in a rapid and highly personalized way. Launched in 2016 by Founder and CEO Rachel Drori, Daily Harvest works with farmers to support biodiversity and organic farming practices for a more regenerative future. We take care of food, so food can take care of you. For more information, visit www.daily-harvest. com .

About Cappello's

Friends and Co-Founders Ben Frohlichstein and Stacey Marcellus had always shared a love for cooking and feeding people. After Ben and Stacey had parallel experiences working on farmlands, they were inspired to bring a new kind of food into the world that was filled with nutritionally relevant ingredients, and tastes and textures that rivaled the classics. And thus, the world's first almond flour pizzas, pastas and cookie doughs were born. Today, Ben and Stacey lead a team of spirited food lovers, guiding Cappello's on its mission to set a new standard for frozen foods that shift the prepackaged paradigm in a sustainable direction focused on simple, real foods. For more information, visit www.cappellos.com and Instagram.com/Cappellos .

About Treehouse California Almonds

When Treehouse California Almonds was first started in the early 1980's, the mission was clear: deliver premium quality almond products to the baking and confectionary industries  while maintaining respect for bees, farmers and the environment. Through our "farm-to-table" approach, innovative processing techniques and commitment to premium quality  Treehouse has been a leader in the almond industry and providing True Almond Goodness for over 40 years. For more information, visit www.treehousealmonds.com .

About White Buffalo Land Trust

White Buffalo Land Trust practices, promotes and develops systems of regenerative agriculture for local, regional and global impact. We are committed to the evolution of land stewardship and the redesign of our food system to directly address the climate, biodiversity, public health, and food security challenges that we face today. Our 1,000-acre Center for Regenerative Agriculture serves as a living laboratory for education, training, research and the reimagining of agri(culture). For more information, visit https://www.whitebuffalolandtrust.org/ .

SOURCE Daily Harvest
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming off the success of the Winter Fancy Food Show, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) has released a schedule adjustment for the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show.

The Show will run June 12-14 at the GBAC-certified Javits Center in New York City. The hours will be 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest East Coast B2B-only specialty food and beverage show. Tweet this Specialty Food Association 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show Hours

"A survey of all exhibitors and attendees overwhelmingly recommended we continue with the adjusted scheduling allowing for more flexibility with networking connections," said Bill Lynch, president of the SFA. "After nearly three years, we are excited to gather with the specialty food community in New York City for what we anticipate will be a sold-out show."

The Show will feature:

Hot trends from the SFA Trendspotter Panel 2022 Predictions and Winter Fancy Food Show

from the and Startup Pavilion - up and coming makers

- up and coming makers Incubator Village - incubators from around the country

- incubators from around the country Category-focused pavilions including Beverages, Cheese, Chocolate, Confectionery/Snacks and Sweets, Deli

State and International Pavilions

sofi Awards winners from 2022 + announcements of Product of the Year and New Product of the Year

from 2022 + announcements of Product of the Year and New Product of the Year Education programming , including the new 2022 State of the Specialty Food Industry research

, including the new 2022 State of the Specialty Food Industry research What's New and What's Hot showcases

and showcases Presentation of the Lifetime Achievement and Leadership Awards , and induction of the current Class of the Specialty Food Hall of Fame

, and induction of the current Class of the Specialty Food Hall of Fame End-of-Show Food Rescue and Donation with City Harvest

Open only to the trade, the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest East Coast B2B-only specialty food and beverage show. The SFA is working with New York City to ensure that all show safety protocols meet the needs of the specialty food community.

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has been the leading trade association and source of information about the $170.4 billion specialty food industry for 70 years. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents manufacturers, importers, retailers, distributors, brokers, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows ; the sofi Awards , which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage for 50 years; the Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report and Today's Specialty Food Consumer research; the ecommerce enabled SFA Product Marketplace , where members showcase products and sell directly to qualified buyers; SFA Feed , the daily source for industry news, trends and new product information, and Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association Podcast .

Facebook: Specialty Food Association

LinkedIn: Specialty Food Association

TikTok: specialtyfoodassociation

Twitter: @Specialty_Food

Instagram: @specialtyfoodassociation

Hashtags: #FancyFoodShow #ShapetheFutureofFood #FancyFoodNYC #SpecialtyFood

SOURCE Specialty Food Association
"There's a reason it all started 50 years ago in Norway, where Scandinavian nature and culture bring out the best in technology," said Beverly Kastel, Stressless marketing director for North America. "Together, human insight and advanced robotics have created a product that's the most comfortable furniture on Earththe Stressless recliner."

North America comprises the largest market for Ekornes with 25% of global sales volume. In 2021, the 50th anniversary year, Stressless recorded the highest annual sales in the company's history, according to Kastel.

The Stressless brand has evolved over 50 yearslaunching the first Stressless recliner in 1971 and introducing sofas in 1993. The Stressless home theater collection was born in 2003, followed by Stressless' latest innovations including the Stressless Mary & Emily sofas, and Mike and Max recliners with Power in 2020.

The longest selling model in the Stressless collection, the Stressless Royal was originally introduced in 1981. It was the first Stressless recliner with the hourglass-shaped base in laminated wood. The company made some aesthetic adjustments to improve the iconic design without compromising the unmistakable comfort of the Stressless Royal. As it does with all its furniture, Stressless put emphasis on sustainability when creating the new recliner, using materials and manufacturing processes that have a low environmental impact. Signature curves and retro stitching define the design, making it the perfect anniversary model. Stressless has enhanced the chair with the original base and steel structure inspired by the very first Stressless Original back in 1971.

Now through May 31, Customers receive $300 off the recliner in all Paloma leather colors at their closest Stressless dealer . To celebrate the launch, Stressless is also giving away one Royal recliner to a lucky winner of its Live Royally Sweepstakes on Facebook. Participants can comment on the Ekornes Facebook post with the name or image of a chair in their home they would like to replace with a new Stressless Royal recliner and include the hashtags #StresslessSweepstakes and #LiveRoyally. The Sweepstakes runs through Friday, May 13 and one lucky winner will be randomly drawn in late May.

Consumers looking for more information on the 50th Anniversary Stressless Royal recliner may visit stressless.com , or the nearest Stressless dealer .

About Stressless

Founded in 1934, Ekornes ASA is one of the world's leading furniture manufacturers, with six factories in Norway and worldwide export activities, selling its products in 43 countries. It owns the brand names of Ekornes, Stressless, Svane, and IMG. The company also assembles sofas in an American production facility located in Morganton, N.C. Since 1971, Stressless has offered tailored comfort through a patented glide technology and lumbar support system designed to match the changing contours of the back. The Stressless recliner was the first luxury recliner endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. Ekornes participates in the UN Global Compact to protect the environment and is committed to social and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit stressless.com.

Live Royally Sweepstakes

No purchase is necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their jurisdictions of residence at the time of entry, subject to other conditions. Begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on 4/18/22; ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 5/13/22. Grand Prize (1): A Medium Stressless Royal Recliner with original base, ARV $2,995 (USD) / $3,828.78 (CAD). The odds of winning the Grand Prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Math skill test question required. Void in Quebec, outside the 50 U.S. & D.C., Canada and where prohibited by law. See blog.ekornes.com for Official Rules and complete eligibility.

Media Contact:

Jacob Teetzmann

Tombras

[email protected]

423.494.3673

SOURCE Stressless
Certified TARS Application Developer exam from the TARS Foundation and The Linux Foundation tests knowledge of developing and maintaining microservices

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation , the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, and TARS Foundation , an open source microservices foundation under the Linux Foundation, have announced the Certified TARS Application Developer (CTAD) exam has completed Beta testing, and is now generally available for registration.

CTAD consists of a multiple-choice certification exam testing entry-level skills and knowledge around developing microservices and other components within a TARS Framework. This exam demonstrates to employers that certification holders understand the resources available to support continuous development.

The new certification, which consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and allows candidates 90 minutes to complete, was developed to enable cloud native professionals to demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain microservices within the TARS Framework. Some of the topics covered on the exam include installing and operating TARS in Docker, Kubernetes, or from source code; creating a microservices application using the TARS Framework in a chosen programming language; and awareness of the functions/plugins available to maintain or scale up microservices applications in TARS.

"We are excited to offer a new credential focused on the field of microservices, which has become one of the most important areas of technology today," said Clyde Seepersad, SVP, and general manager of training & certification at The Linux Foundation. "The hope is that this exam will help grow the talent base for professionals using TARS and microservices technology generally."

"With the increased use of microservices technology, companies today are looking for more qualified talent to support digital transformation," said Mark Shan, Board Chair of the TARS Foundation. "The TARS Community is excited to see that the CTAD exam will be a credible source of qualification for aspiring microservices developers."

The exam was developed in partnership with Certiverse. As demonstrated with The Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) and Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) exams, the company's online exam development platform brings high-quality certifications to market with the speed required to keep IT content current and relevant.

For more information about the exam and to register, visit https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/linux-foundation-certified-tars-application-developer/ .

About the TARS Foundation

The TARS Foundation is a nonprofit, open source microservice foundation under the Linux Foundation umbrella, dedicated to supporting rapid growth of contributions and membership in the TARS community, which is focused on building an open microservices platform. The TARS Foundation focuses on open source technology that helps businesses to embrace microservices architectures as they innovate into new areas and scale their applications. For more information, please visit tarscloud.org .

About the Linux Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org .

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact:

Dan Brown

The Linux Foundation

415-420-7880

[email protected]

SOURCE The Linux Foundation
Self-Made Billionaire Launches Multimillion-Dollar Nationwide TV Ad Campaign To Ban Tesla's Full Self-Driving Technology

Dan O'Dowd: "Elon Musk is pushing Tesla's defective Full Self-Driving technology, and it's threatening people across the country. The government continues to allow Tesla to put unregulated, dangerous, and defective software on the street in the hands of 60,000 untrained drivers. This is a public safety threat and Congress must take immediate action."

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today tech billionaire Dan O'Dowd, founder and CEO of Green Hills Software, a company which specializes in software reliability and security, launches his U.S. Senate campaign to make computers safe for humanity, including calling for a ban on Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology.

Starting today, Dan is running a multimillion-dollar nationwide television advertising campaign, with an ad showing actual videos of shocking safety defects in Tesla's Full Self-Driving software.

Watch Dan ODowds ad on the dangers of Teslas Full Self-Driving cars



Click here to watch Dan O'Dowd's ad on the dangers of Tesla's Full Self-Driving cars:

Titled "Unsafe at Any Speed"  a tribute to consumer advocate Ralph Nader's famous crusade against the auto industry's resistance to safety measures  the ad features harrowing moments where Tesla's FSD software malfunctions and frightened Tesla passengers and drivers can be heard swearing and gasping in fear.

Dan has built operating systems for some of the world's most trusted organizations and companies such as NASA, Boeing, Airbus, and the U.S. military's fighter jets. He recently founded The Dawn Project to campaign for better software in safety-critical computer systems.

Now Dan is applying his expertise in fail-safe technology to stand up to Elon Musk's reckless deployment of unsafe Full Self-Driving cars on our roads.

A Dawn Project study of Tesla's Full Self-Driving cars showed they malfunction on average every 8 minutes in city driving. "If a person drove that recklessly, they would fail their driver's test, and if Full Self-Driving can't pass the test, it should not be allowed to be driving on our roads," said Dan O'Dowd.

Dan O'Dowd commented: "My mission in life is to make computers safe for humanity. Connecting the power grid, hospitals, and millions of cars to the Internet with software riddled with bugs and security defects has turned these systems into potential weapons of mass destruction in the hands of hackers. Ordinary commercial software was never intended to be used in systems which people's lives depend on.

"The first danger I am tackling is Elon Musk's reckless deployment of unsafe Full Self-Driving cars on our roads. Tesla's FSD software is the most unreliable safety-critical computer system I have ever seen. Tesla warns their drivers that FSD 'might do the wrong thing at the worst time.' This is completely unacceptable for a vehicle on public roads.

"Tesla Full Self-Driving should be banned from our roads immediately. We did not sign up our families to be Tesla crash test dummies."

About Dan O'Dowd

Dan O'Dowd is an engineer, entrepreneur, CEO, and expert in safety-critical software and cyber security. Dan has over 40 years of experience designing and writing the operating system for hundreds of the world's most safety-critical computer systems. In 2021, Dan founded The Dawn Project, to ensure all software in safety-critical infrastructure is secure and reliable. Now Dan is launching a campaign for a safer country by calling out Tesla's' Full Self-Driving cars. Dan founded Green Hills Software in 1982, and has served as President and CEO for the past 40 years. O'Dowd is a 1976 graduate of the California Institute of Technology and is a recipient of the Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor which Caltech bestows upon a graduate. Dan lives with his wife in Santa Barbara, California, and they have two grown sons.

A link to Dan's Senate campaign website can be found here.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1800029/Dan_ODowd.mp4

Media inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE Dan ODowd for a safer country
Supporting mission to expand access to 4G coverage and precision farming technologies with portfolio of products and services that enable agricultural applications

LONDON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Telit, a global enabler of the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced a strategic partnership with the ConectarAGRO Association, a Brazilian nonprofit revolutionizing the way agricultural fields connect to the world by promoting and enabling access to 4G mobile internet throughout the country. As an industry expert in mobile connectivity solutions, Telit will work closely with solution ecosystem members to develop IoT devices for several agro segments. In addition to a strong portfolio of products and services for agricultural applications, Telit will offer support, from idea to design, as well as testing, certifications and deployment. Learn how Telit is enabling smart farming solutions: https://www.telit.com/industries-solutions/agriculture/.

Lack of internet signal is one of the greatest challenges facing rural farmers in Brazil. In an Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) hosted webinar, it was stated that only 23% of the Brazilian agricultural space has some level of connectivity. The webinar also covered the significance of digital sciences in contributing to productivity enhancement and recommended taking a comprehensive look at digital platforms and the digital delivery of services.

"The increasing usage of 4G in rural areas will be critical to production along with the adoption of smart farming techniques and technologies," said Gregory Riordan, President, ConectarAGRO. "Through integrated technologies from members like Telit, producers are enabled to easily communicate with customers and suppliers from the field, as well as process and monitor field data, all of which will save time and boost productivity. As we advance our mission, it is our goal to ensure every producer can achieve greater development by taking advantage of the most current technological and digital resources available today in Agriculture 4.0."

"With significant investments and technological innovations in recent years, agriculture is one of the most exciting IoT sectors in the market right now," said Andy Castonguay, Vice President of Strategic Intelligence at James Brehm & Associates. "Telit's comprehensive portfolio of modules, data plans and platform capabilities give agricultural producers and solution providers the crucial connectivity, data and management tools they require to deliver IoT applications like crop/livestock monitoring, water/irrigation management, farm-to-fork regulatory compliance and precision farming."

According to CNH Industrial, one of the founders of ConectarAGRO, in 2019 alone, the association expanded connectivity to more than 5.1 million hectares of rural areas in Brazil via 4G LTE 700 MHz broadband. This coverage helped more than 575,000 individuals, 218 towns and eight states, as well as more than 24,000 kilometers of roads in an area greater than the size of Belgium, Holland and Switzerland combined.

"The ConectarAGRO Association charter is to bring accessible connectivity to producers across Brazil and we joined to help transform agribusiness," said Fernando Guerra, Regional Sales Director Latin America, Telit. "Agriculture IoT application developers and system integrators have a unique opportunity to build connected agricultural solutions that can lead to improved yields, reduced costs and a well-fed world. Telit's sensors, smart gateways, modules and monitoring systems that collect and analyze information will help in ensuring connectivity and informing decisions that drive improvements, even under adverse circumstances."

About Telit

Telit simplifies onboarding of connected 'things with a portfolio of enterprise-grade wireless communication and positioning modules; cellular MVNO connectivity plans and management services; edge and cloud software; and data orchestration, IoT and Industrial IoT platforms. With over two decades of pioneering IoT innovation experience, Telit delivers award-winning, secure, integrated IoT solutions for many of the world's largest enterprises, OEMs, system integrators and service providers, so they can connect and manage IoT at any scale.

For more information, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook or visit www.Telit.com.

Copyright  2022 Telit Communications LTD. All rights reserved. Telit, Telit OneEdge and all associated logos are trademarks of Telit Communications LTD and its affiliated companies in the United States and other countries. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts

Leslie Hart

Telit

+1 919-415-1510

[email protected]

Lora Wilson

Valerie Christopherson

GRC for Telit

+1 949-608-0276

[email protected]

SOURCE Telit
"Dr. Frantsve-Hawley's passion for public dental health is truly exceptional," said Dr. Martinez Mier, immediate past president of AAPHD. "She truly exemplifies the spirit of the award through her passion, commitment, humanity and integrity. Her commitment to our organization made her the obvious choice for this recognition."

In her role as executive director for the first-of-its-kind TAG Oral Care Center, Dr. Frantsve-Hawley provides strategic guidance for the care and training hub  establishing long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies to enhance a best-in-class experience for patients. The 25,000 sq. ft. clinical facility is set to open in the summer of 2022 and will offer patients access to state-of-the-art dental care at no cost to underserved Illinois residents. Dr. Frantsve-Hawley will work closely with community partners in Chicago and more broadly across Illinois, along with the clinical staff at the TAG Oral Care Center who will serve an estimated 2,500 qualifying patients each year.

"Each day, Dr. Frantsve-Hawley works tirelessly to break down barriers that prevent Americans from accessing much-needed oral health care," said Bob Fontana, founder, chairman and CEO of TAG. "The entire TAG family is incredibly proud of her accomplishment. We look forward to seeing her at the helm of the TAG Oral Care Center as we work together to increase dental public health in our communities."

"Throughout my entire career, I've been a fierce advocate for the importance of oral health care and being recognized by the AAPHD is an incredible honor," said Dr. Frantsve-Hawley. "My experience with the organization has inspired me to find new ways to break down barriers to care that many Americans face each year. I'm grateful to be able to continue this work through the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence and my continued involvement with AAPHD."

Dr. Frantsve-Hawley has been a member of AAPHD since 2007 and served as the organization's executive director for three years. Currently, she serves as an associate member liaison on the AAPHD Board of Directors. Dr. Frantsve-Hawley also serves on the organization's Council on Scientific Information, dedicated to developing resources and guidelines to promote the science of public health, along with working to update the association's Code of Ethics and Research Agenda.

About TAG - The Aspen Group

TAG was built on the simple idea of bringing better health care to more people. TAG and the independent health care practices it supports operate more than 1,100 locations in 45 states through its four healthcare support companies: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care and Chapter Aesthetic StudioSM. Combined, the companies serve more than 35,000 patients a day and more than 8 million patients each year. TAG is headquartered at 800 W. Fulton Market in Chicago. For more information, visit teamtag.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE TAG - The Aspen Group
Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, the office furniture showroom offers virtual and in-person tours by appointment. Vari offers a full line of flexible workspace solutions  from standing desks, to conference tables, to movable walls and lighting  everything a business needs to scale its office as it grows.

Vari opened its first North Carolina showroom in Raleigh last year.

Vari CEO and Co-founder Jason McCann said, "As the third fastest-growing major city in the U.S., Charlotte is an important market, and we plan to continue to invest in our presence here. Shannon's impressive sales leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our team."

Charlotte was named one of the country's Best Places to Live (#20) by U.S. News & World Report and has been dubbed "The New Energy Capital." In the region, there are more than 240 companies directly tied to the energy sector, collectively employing more than 26,400.

"We look forward to bringing modern, flexible workspaces to fast-growing companies in Charlotte," said Rose. "This is an exciting step for Vari, as we build on our mission to create workspaces that elevate people. I look forward to working with Charlotte's business community."

Dallas-based Vari has showrooms in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Nashville, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, Tampa and Washington, D.C. The company is expanding into Jacksonville, Kansas City, San Antonio, and San Diego and is currently hiring in those markets.

About Vari

A workspace innovation company, Vari helps growing organizations unlock the potential of their space and their people. From a collection of office furniture to workspaces offering space-as-a-service, the company makes it easy for high-growth businesses to scale and flex their office space. Organizations all over the world  including over 98% of the Fortune 500  use Vari products, which are tested and certified to the highest industry standards.

Media Contact:

Katie Satarino

Phone: 512-773-7002

[email protected]

SOURCE Vari
Company welcomes renowned leaders in cell therapy, Dr. Jun Xu and Raymond Luke

PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verismo Therapeutics, Inc., a recent Penn spin-out behind a novel naturally inducible multi-chain KIR-CAR platform technology for CAR T-cells, today announced the appointment of Dr. Jun Xu as Senior Director of Translational Science and Raymond Luke as Director of MSAT.

"Both Jun and Raymond bring extensive experience in CAR T therapy innovation, and we're thrilled to have them join our growing team," said Verismo Therapeutics' Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bryan Kim. "Their specialized backgrounds in immuno-oncology and manufacturing will serve as a strategic advantage as we advance towards our First-in-Human Clinical Trial for our KIR-CAR platform."

Dr. Xu has extensive experience from process development, drug product characterization to translational studies in T cell immunotherapy. She served as an Associate Director of translational research in Product Development Laboratory, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Xu supervised process development and product characterization of both autologous and allogenic T cell therapy products in IND-enabling studies, contributing to successful IND submission. Her research focused on understanding of the resistance and response to CAR T therapy in patients as well as development of novel T cell activation strategies. More recently, she served as VP of Process Development and Clinical Studies at UTC Therapeutics where she created the department and established bioanalytical platforms for correlative studies including evaluating the efficacy and safety of cell therapy products in patients. Dr. Xu authored several manuscripts in the top journals including Nature Medicine, Nature, Blood and Seminars in Cancer Biology. Dr. Xu earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

"I have been in the cell therapy field working on novel T cell therapies for a decade, and it's clear to me that Verismo Therapeutics is doing something truly transformational," added Dr. Xu. "I look forward to contributing to the team making strides in improving efficacy against solid tumors."

Raymond Luke brings more than 10 years of experience in CMC. Prior to joining Verismo Therapeutics, Mr. Luke spent six years at Adaptimmune developing next generation cell therapies against solid tumor indications. He held leadership roles within CMC and was responsible for GMP manufacturing and technology transfer. He also led teams responsible for developing automated processing solutions, analytical development of commercial-ready assays and late-stage process characterization for afamitresgene autoleucel.

"I am honored to join Verismo and its team of world-class scientists on its mission to successfully treat solid tumors," said Raymond. "I am passionate about the truly unique way Verismo is approaching treating solid tumors with its KIR-CAR platform, and I look forward to establishing Verismo's manufacturing platform to match its current and future needs."

ABOUT VERISMO THERAPEUTICS

Verismo Therapeutics is a pioneer in naturally inducible multi-chain KIR-CAR T technology, on track to bring its first asset into First-in-Human clinical trials in 2023. Verismo is the only company developing the KIR-CAR platform, a revolutionary NK-like receptor designed to drastically improve persistence and efficacy against the most aggressive solid tumors. This technology was developed at Penn by the team behind Kymriah, the first approved CAR T-cell therapy. The KIR-CAR platform technology was developed specifically for advanced solid tumors, the area of high unmet medical need where no other cell therapies have yet shown meaningful efficacy in clinical trials. For More information, visit: www.verismotherapeutics.com

ABOUT KIR-CAR PLATFORM

The KIR-CAR platform is the first naturally inducible multi-chain CAR T cell therapy, capable of maintaining antitumor T-cell activity even in the most challenging solid tumor environments. Based on Natural Killer Cell receptors, KIR-CAR provides a natural on-and-off stimulation to the T-cell, without triggering T cell exhaustion. DAP12 signaling chains aid additional T-cell stimulating pathways, further improving cell persistence. This continued function and persistence can lead to ongoing regression of solid tumors, including those refractory to traditional CAR T-cell therapies. Furthermore, the KIR-CAR platform can be partnered with many additional emerging technologies, such as in-vivo gene editing, advanced T cell selection, combination therapies, and allogeneic cellular therapies to provide an adaptable tumor-targeting therapy for patients in need.

Media Contact:

Alyson Kuritz

[email protected]

(908) 892-7149

SOURCE Verismo Therapeutics
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2016 this brand was established by Chris, an active South Florida Law Enforcement Officer, who saw an opportunity to create a product that could be proudly worn within the First Responder community. The opportunity was met with tremendous demand and 13 Fifty Apparel was born.

Over the course of the next few years the brands mission, vision and goals were shaped, and we set out with the intention to not only create gear for First Responders but to be a part of something that was bigger than us, a community that we could give back to.

Chris, the Founder / CEO of 13FA and his wife Lauren, the COO at the National Police Week Washington DC event in 2018.

As you know, National Police Week is held in Washington, DC to honor the memory of our Fallen Officers. It is a time to come together in Unity and pay tribute for their ultimate sacrifice. Through #OPERATIONRESPONDER, we've proudly partnered with various Law Enforcement and First Responder Charities and will continue to carry those core values with us through every project and event we are a part of.

On May 15th, 2022, 13FA will pay tribute to those fallen brothers and sisters with a day of appreciation to our Law Enforcement Community. We hope to bring together Officers, both local, and afar, to our HQ to honor their memory and join in solidarity.

We are proud to partner with Team South Florida, a non-profit who's mission we back, to honor and remember those Law Enforcement Officers who have been killed in the line of duty while supporting the agencies and their families. We will also continue our partnership with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) to support them in providing resources for the families and co-workers who are left behind to cope with the loss of a Line of Duty death. Proceeds generated from this event will be donated to these organizations.

We invite you to join us, along with the incredible members of our community, to enjoy amazing food from Okeechobee Steakhouse, local food trucks, live music, corn hole tournaments and children's activities. We will honor those who lost their lives in 2021 with a candlelight service and name reading.

To learn more about the event and RSVP, visit our website - www.thirteenfiftyapparel.com

SOURCE 13 Fifty Apparel
KACE., a two-individual collective began by fashion designer Naeem Khan and artist Stanley Casselman, bridges the gap between art and fashion, and ultimately transcends that gap. KACE.'s work is a unique process in which extruded paint and hand sewn sequins create a centrifugal force that pulls viewers towards the center of each glistening dimensional flower. As one moves around the paintings, the figure/ground relationship continually shifts with the light and redefines itself, like flowers blooming in the dark of night.

"We are honored to bring KACE. and Jardin de Nuit to Gallery 181," says Matt Lituchy, Chief Investment Officer for the Jay Paul Company, developers of 181 Fremont. "This spectacular exhibition has created amazing excitement in San Francisco, and it underscores our commitment at 181 Fremont to contribute to the city's arts and cultural communities.

Led by art advisor Holly Baxter, 181 Fremont's art program is among the most innovative and comprehensive ever to exist in a private residential building. In addition to a permanent collection, there are over 200 paintings, sculptures and mixed material works displayed throughout the building.

The 181 Fremont Residences rise above San Francisco and the Bay featuring global award-winning architecture, design and engineering as the tallest residences on the West Coast. Residences start at over 500 feet in the sky offering unrivaled 360-degree views of the city, bay, Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, and the Pacific Ocean. Sales for the residences are handled by Compass Development Marketing Group.

Viewings are available by appointment by contacting Holly Baxter, Holly Baxter & Associates, [email protected].

About 181 Fremont

Developed by the legendary Jay Paul Company, 181 Fremont rises 802' from San Francisco's downtown high-tech nexus to transform the skyline and has set a new bar for luxurious residential living in the West Coast. The $850 million tower features a state-of-the-art exoskeleton designed in a saw tooth pattern, with a magnificent spire that ascends from the crown of the building. 181 Fremont's central location in the East Cut invites easy access to Silicon Valley and is surrounded by icons of technology including Salesforce, Facebook, Google and Twitter. The award- winning architecture reaffirms San Francisco as a global city on the forefront of innovation and design. It stands to redefine not only the neighborhood, but also the very definition of San Francisco living. Sales and marketing for 181 Fremont are handled by Compass Development Marketing Group. For more information, https://181fremont.com/

About Jay Paul Company

Jay Paul Company is one of the foremost real estate development and investment firms in California, distinguished by over 13 million square feet of trophy caliber projects in its portfolio. Since 1975, Jay Paul developments bear signature features including striking award-winning architecture, landscaping and state-of-the-art sustainable design in unsurpassed locations. Its modern, inspired campuses and towers provide the most advanced workplace environments for the world's leading technology companies including Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Instagram, Microsoft and Northrup Grumman. Jay Paul Company projects include the world-renowned 181 Fremont Tower in San Francisco, named as one of the world's best high rises by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat; Pacific Shores Center, Moffett Towers, Moffett Place and the soon to be completed 200 Park Avenue, which are all recognized as Silicon Valley's most cutting edge, large scale developments. Jay Paul Company is privately held and based in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.jaypaul.com.

Contact: 181 Fremont

Terri Tiffany, [email protected] 650 387-7720

SOURCE 181 Fremont Residences
WALTHAM, Mass., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aqueduct Technologies, Inc., New England's leading IT solutions provider -- As a result of international tensions that have arisen surrounding the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the "Shields Up Advisory", recommending that organizations be on heightened alert.

What exactly does this mean? What actions should we take? Getting started down a path toward applying this information to your environment can feel overwhelming. Not to worry  we can call upon one of our favorite industry terms: Actionable Intelligence.

We need to take the general advice being given and expand on it, so we can do something with it. The best place to begin when interpreting the advisory and your overall security posture is to start with the basics and build a plan.

Below is high-level guidance and resources on critical areas to consider:

Read the full blog for an expanded version of this list

Get a copy of Aqueduct's 2022 Ransomware Playbook

1. Incident Response Handling

Develop an Incident Response Plan. Both NIST and SANS have standardized frameworks, summarized below:

Preparation

Identification (Detection & Analysis)

Containment

Eradication

Recovery

Lessons Learned

Having an action plan will reduce your need to pivot during times of crisis, ensure your strategy is aligned to the highest cybersecurity standards, and significantly improve the availability and integrity of your data and services.

Incident response handling is time-consuming, requiring detailed operational analysis, full-time staff, and ongoing adjustments. Leveraging a Managed Detection and Response solution may be considered to reduce operational overhead and accelerate response times.

2. Authentication & Identity Management

Leverage MFA across the board

Audit AD accounts and MFA policies

Audit cloud service provider Identity and Access Management (IAM) ruleset

Implement network segmentation and containment controls with Cisco ISE

3. Network & Infrastructure Security Controls

Audit firewall ruleset

Align firewall ruleset with Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) architecture

Align VPN topologies to modern cryptographic standards

Audit cloud workflows

Leverage SIEM and NetFlow logging and traffic monitoring

Block browser-based encrypted DNS services

Leverage SaaS tenant controls

Maintain up-to-date software versions across the organization

Conduct regular penetration testing

Conduct regular DR testing

Conduct regular backups and ensure tiered 3-2-1 backup hierarchy

4. Endpoint Protection & Content Filtering

Audit Antivirus/Antimalware solution

Block traffic to/from high-threat geographies

Block proxy and anonymizer services

Leverage URL and content filtering

Leverage endpoint disk encryption

Leverage email encryption and security

Perform routine end-user educational training

SOURCE Aqueduct Technologies, Inc.
"Many people who dream of visiting Africa don't want to put it off any longer. They'll take that leap and travel solo," said O.A.T. Vice Chairman Harriet Lewis

"On average, half of the group on O.A.T. adventures will be traveling independently, helping first-time solo travelers feel right at home."

Fifty-three percent (53%) of all O.A.T. travelers are solo travelers. Of those, 80% are women. Connecting with other women who are venturing out into the world as solo travelers is appealing, especially for first-timers. Solo women travelers on small group adventure can tailor how much time they would like to spend on their own and with others.

O.A.T. has seen a 19.5% jump in the number of solo travelers since 2019. In 2022 and 2023, 41,444 solo travelers are booked to travel with the company. Over 120,000 solo travelers have traveled with O.A.T. between 2015 and 2021.

Top 4 Adventures for First-time Solo Travelers:

Other O.A.T. Top 10 destinations for first-time solo travelers include Japan, New Zealand, Iceland, Australia, and Italy.

Support for Solo Travelers

O.A.T supports solo travelers by offering free Single Supplements on 92% of its 30,000 single spaces, which can save a traveler several hundred dollars. The company added 2,000 more single spaces in 2022.

O.A.T. provides travelers over 50 with impactful, intercultural experiences that help change people's lives. O.A.T. fosters an intimate and accessible experience, with groups limited to 16 travelers (average of 13) by land and 25 (average of 22) by sea.

To learn more about O.A.T., please visit www.oattravel.com

SOURCE Overseas Adventure Travel
Executive with Deep Sales and Management Expertise to Lead Distributor

HOUSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allredi (or "the Company"), a North American distributor of surface preparation, abrasives, and safety products to industrial contractors, announced today that Robert M. Case has joined the Company as CEO. Allredi is backed by the Capstreet Group ("Capstreet"), a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, and Ridgemont Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm based in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Case brings 25 years of experience in the industrial distribution industry, holding various senior executive roles spanning sales, marketing, general management, and operations. Prior to joining Allredi, he was Senior Vice President / General Manager at Distribution International. Before that, Mr. Case spent 15 years at global electrical distributor Rexel USA, where he served in a variety of successive positions, most recently as Vice President of the U.S. Oil and Gas business. Mr. Case holds a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Clemson University and has attended advanced business leadership programs at the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and the IMD Business School for Management and Leadership in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"As we invest in Allredi's growth, we need a leader with experience developing and driving a high-growth sales strategy and efficiently managing operations. We are pleased to have found all that and more in Robert, who we also believe will be a great fit with the Company's team and culture," said Paul De Lisi, Partner at Capstreet.

Mike Young, Executive Chairman at Allredi, added, "Robert's impressive background, along with his core understanding of our industry, means he can truly hit the ground running. We are delighted to begin working together to implement our strategic plans."

"I am excited to bring my skills to Allredi," said Mr. Case. "In the ever-evolving industrial distribution field, Allredi has prioritized technology, products, and people and is well-positioned to continue to thrive. I look forward to collaborating with Company leadership and the Capstreet/Ridgemont team as we seek to create value for our stakeholders."

About Allredi

Allredi is a leading North American distributor of surface preparation, abrasives, and safety products to industrial contractors primarily in the industrial, infrastructure, and downstream energy sectors. The company was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Pasadena, TX [with 24 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada]. Please visit www.allredi-us.com for additional information.

About The Capstreet Group

Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With over 45 platform investments and over 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet's investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework to accelerate growth and profitability, and creating long term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet's investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, www.capstreet.com.

About Ridgemont Equity Partners

Ridgemont Equity Partners is a Charlotte-based middle market buyout and growth equity investor. Since 1993, the principals of Ridgemont have invested over $6 billion. The firm focuses on equity investments up to $250 million and utilizes a proven, industry-focused investment approach and repeatable value creation strategies. www.ridgemontep.com

Contact:

Lambert

Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, [email protected]

or

Caroline Luz, 203-656-2829, [email protected]

SOURCE Allredi
ZURICH, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor plc (NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC) will announce its year to date results for the nine months ended 31 March 2022 after the US market closes on Tuesday 3 May 2021.

A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held at 5.30pm US Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday 3 May 2022 / 7.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday 4 May 2022. For those wishing to participate in the call please use the following dial-in numbers:

US and Canada: 888 440 4149 (toll-free) Australia: 1800 953 093 (toll-free) United Kingdom: 0800 358 0970 (toll-free) Hong Kong: +852 3002 3410 (local number) Singapore: +65 3159 5133 (local number) All other countries: +1 646 960 0661 (this is not a toll-free number)



Conference ID 8080870

Access to the webcast and supporting materials will be available via the Investors section of Amcor's website (www.amcor.com/investors). A webcast replay will be available at the conclusion of the call.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Investors:

Tracey Whitehead

Global Head of Investor Relations

Amcor

+61 3 9226 9028 / +1 224-478-5790

[email protected]

Damien Bird

Vice President Investor Relations

Amcor

+61 3 9226 9070

[email protected]







Media  Europe

Ernesto Duran

Head of Global Communications

Amcor

+41 78 698 69 40

[email protected] Media  Australia

James Strong



Citadel-MAGNUS

+61 448 881 174

[email protected] Media  North America

Daniel Yunger



KekstCNC

+1 212 521 4879

[email protected]

About Amcor

Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home- and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve value chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly light-weighted, recyclable and reusable, and made using a rising amount of recycled content. Around 46,000 Amcor people generate US$13 billion in sales from operations that span about 225 locations in 40-plus countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC

www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Facebook I Twitter I YouTube

SOURCE Amcor
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- APITech (API Technologies Corp.), a leading provider of capabilities that Protect, Power, and Process critical RF and electronics applications is pleased to announce our participation at AOC Europe 2022 in Perols, France. Held at Parc des Expositions de Montpellier on May 10th-12th, 2022, APITech will be exhibiting at Booth B19.

AOC Europe gives us a unique opportunity to meet with new and existing customers to talk about our products and technologies supporting Electronic Warfare applications, said Michael Schwarm, vice president, worldwide sales and marketing for APITech. "We are uniquely positioned to help our defense customers address current and emerging challenges from the component-level to highly integrated subsystems and assemblies.

APITech will be showcasing our advanced solutions for Electronic Warfare including broadband amplifiers, RF/EMI filters, multi-function RF modules, limiters & attenuators, and RF distribution switches.

Later in 2022, APITech will be attending IMS in Denver in June, and AOC US in Washington, DC in October.

For more information on APITech's trade show program, go to: https://info.apitech.com/events

About APITech

APITech (API Technologies Corp.) is an innovative designer and manufacturer of high-performance subsystems, modules, and components to Protect, Power, and Process critical RF and electronics applications. A high-reliability technology pioneer with over 70 years of heritage, APITech's products are used by global defense, industrial, and commercial customers for critical applications including electronic warfare, Radar, C4ISR, Space, missile defense, commercial aerospace, wireless communications, medical, oil and gas, and harsh environments.

Contact:

Madeline Lee

APITech

+1 508-251-6486

[email protected]

SOURCE API Technologies Corp.
Further Strengthens Firm's Investment and Portfolio Management Capabilities

HOUSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ara Partners ("Ara"), a private equity firm that specializes in industrial decarbonization investments, has promoted Katy Boettcher to Principal and hired Ken Nguyen as a Senior Associate.

"We are excited to promote Katy to Principal," said Troy Thacker, a Managing Partner at Ara. "She has played a key role in several notable investments, executing strategic initiatives at our portfolio companies, and mentoring new hires. We look forward to Katy's continuing contributions as we strive to create value while making a significant decarbonization impact in the industrial economy."

"It is a pleasure to welcome Ken to our investment team," said Tuan Tran, a Partner at Ara. "He is well respected in the private equity community and brings strong deal execution and portfolio management capabilities to the team."

Ms. Boettcher joined Ara as a Vice President in September 2020 and has been instrumental in investment underwriting, transaction execution, and portfolio management. She has played a critical role within the firm's investments in Aloxe, Repeats, Circulus and BioVeritas (formerly Earth Energy Renewables). Prior to joining Ara, Ms. Boettcher worked at White Deer, a middle market private equity investment firm based in Houston. She began her career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique and then at Evercore's investment banking division in Houston. Ms. Boettcher holds a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining Ara, Mr. Nguyen worked at Altos Partners, a private equity firm focused on investments in the industrials and business services sectors, and at Intervale Capital, a private equity firm focused on investments in the energy services and manufacturing sectors. Prior to Intervale, Mr. Nguyen worked in the Energy Investment Banking group at RBC Capital Markets. Mr. Nguyen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master in Professional Accounting, and a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

About Ara Partners

Ara Partners is a private equity firm specializing in industrial decarbonization investments. Ara Partners invests in the industrial & manufacturing, chemicals & materials, energy efficiency & green fuels and food & agriculture sectors, seeking to build businesses that provide significant decarbonization impact. It operates from offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Houston, Texas and Dublin, Ireland. Ara Partners closed its second fund with approximately $1.1 billion in capital commitments in September 2021. For more information on Ara Partners, please visit www.arapartners.com.

Contacts

Mark Semer / Alex Jeffrey

Gasthalter & Co. LP.

[email protected]

(212) 257-4170

SOURCE: Ara Partners

SOURCE Ara Partners
Arch, having transacted on over $9 billion of transactions, will look to execute investments throughout Europe in a similar manner to its U.S. strategy, focusing on high yield opportunities of size and scale across all sectors including net leased / long lease opportunities, with a minimum investment size of Eur 100 million. Arch has a flexible capital mandate and will look to acquire assets directly, recapitalize opportunities, and establish programmatic joint ventures. Arch will also look to execute on cross border portfolio transactions between the U.S. and Europe.

The office will be headed by Managing Director, Richard Ellis, who has extensive experience investing in commercial real estate throughout Europe. Prior to joining Arch, Richard co-founded and managed Amiri Capital ("Amiri") for 14 years, a European commercial real estate investment firm with offices in the UK and UAE, focused on investing capital on behalf of foreign institutions. While at Amiri, Richard invested and managed a portfolio in excess of Eur 2 billion across a variety of real estate sectors. Prior to the founding of Amiri, Richard was an investment banker and management consultant, graduating with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Oxford and an MBA from INSEAD.

"I am delighted to be joining the Arch team to strengthen its European investment capability, particularly during these unique times where Capital Partners want the flexibility to adjust their allocations across regions in response to compelling investment opportunities." said, Richard Ellis, Managing Director, at Arch Europe.

"We are very excited to have Richard join us to lead our expansion into Europe. We have long seen this as an important strategic step for our business, driven at the request of our Capital Partners. The ability to evaluate relative returns across the U.S. and Europe will be of great benefit to our Capital Partners, allowing us to identify the most compelling risk adjusted investment opportunities." said Anup Patel, President and CIO, at Arch Street Capital Advisors.

About Arch:

Arch Street Capital Advisors, L.L.C. is a full service real estate investment advisory firm. Arch specializes in assisting investors with their U.S. real estate strategies including acquisition and joint venture advisory, financing advisory, and asset management and disposition services. Since 2003, Arch has advised clients on more than $9.4 billion of acquisitions, dispositions and financings. Arch manages, on behalf of its clients, a diverse portfolio of investments in the industrial, office, multi-family, single-family, hospitality, retail, health care, student housing, land entitlement and development sectors of the U.S. real estate market. For more information visit: www.archstreetcapital.com

SOURCE Arch Street Capital Advisors, LLC.
BOSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight") announced today that Angelo Acconcia has joined the firm as a Partner in its Boston office.

Mr. Acconcia was previously with Blackstone, where he was a Senior Managing Director having spent over 17 years in their Private Equity Group and was one of the founding partners of their energy fund, Blackstone Energy Partners.

"Angelo will work with our team to help drive the investment strategy, capital allocation, fundraising, and portfolio management responsibilities going forward," said Dan Revers, Founding Partner of ArcLight. "Angelo will also sit as a member of our Investment Committees. He brings to ArcLight nearly two decades of private equity and energy investing and a wealth of experience and knowledge which we believe will add value to our firm, partners, and investors."

"I am very excited to join the ArcLight team," said Angelo Acconcia. "ArcLight has deep expertise and investment experience across the energy and energy transition spectrum and is committed to its ESG initiatives. As one of the largest owners of critical power and infrastructure assets in the U.S., they have a unique vantage point and important role in the electrification and de-carbonization of the domestic energy sector. I believe the firm is very well positioned to continue to create and capitalize on differentiated opportunities across the energy, infrastructure and energy transition landscape."

About ArcLight

ArcLight is a leading private equity firm focused on energy, infrastructure and energy transition with a successful long-term track record. Founded in 2001, the firm helped pioneer an asset-based approach to investing across the power, renewables, infrastructure and broader energy value chain. Since then, ArcLight has invested approximately $26 billion in 116 transactions, including over $10 billion of equity capital into the electrification segment, which includes power, transmission, renewable infrastructure and energy transition investments. Through its large infrastructure portfolio, ArcLight is focused on providing decarbonizing energy solutions with a strong ESG focus. Based in Boston, the firm's investment team employs a value-added investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,500-person asset management affiliate. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.

SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners
First Acquisition in Planned Specialty Interconnects Platform

PAINESVILLE, Ohio, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcline Investment Management ("Arcline"), a growth-oriented private equity firm, today announced that it has acquired Meritec Inc. ("Meritec" or "the Company"), including its wholly owned subsidiary Joy Signal Technology. Arcline expects Meritec to be the first of several potential acquisitions as the firm seeks to build a specialty interconnects platform.

Kevin Perhamus, an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the platform. Prior to partnering with Arcline, Kevin spent 10 years as Chief Executive Officer of Winchester Interconnect.

With 50 years of innovation, Meritec designs and manufactures high-performance interconnect embedded systems and connectors. The Company specializes in highly engineered electronic interconnect solutions for high-density and high-speed applications of leading original equipment manufacturers across the global semiconductor, military, aerospace, medical, and industrial end markets.

Arcline commented, "Meritec is a wonderful foundation on which to build a platform of exceptional interconnect manufacturers."

John T. "Jack" Venaleck Sr., founder of Meritec, said, "We are proud of the Company we have built through the efforts of our associates and partnership with our customers. I am confident that great things are to come through Arcline's investment in our future."

Kevin Perhamus added, "Meritec is a loyal partner to its customers, enabling them to bring leading technologies to their industries. I am excited for the next phase of my partnership with Arcline and look forward to building upon the momentum Meritec has created."

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor to Arcline.

About Meritec

Meritec designs and manufactures high-performance interconnect embedded systems and connectors. Meritec and Joy Signal Technology specialize in highly engineered electronic interconnect solutions for high-density and high-speed applications of leading original equipment manufacturers across the global semiconductor, military, aerospace, medical, and industrial end markets. For more information visit meritec.com and joysignal.com.

About Arcline Investment Management

Arcline is a growth-oriented private equity firm with $4.4 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Arcline seeks to invest in technology-driven, meaningful to the world industrial businesses that enable a better future. For more information visit www.arcline.com.

Contact Information:

[email protected]

www.arcline.com

Contact (For Press Inquiries Only):

Tim Ragones

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

(212) 355-4449

SOURCE Arcline Investment Management
--New clinical data from the ongoing study of ARU-1801 to be presented at American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT)--

MILLBURN, N.J., and BASEL, Switzerland, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aruvant Sciences ("Aruvant"), a private company focused on developing gene therapies for rare diseases, announced that the company will participate in multiple conferences this Spring.

New data from the ongoing MOMENTUM Phase 1/2 clinical trial examining the clinical benefit of ARU-1801, a one-time gene therapy, for individuals with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) will be the subject of the following presentations:

American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT)

Punam Malik , M.D., Director of the Cincinnati Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and Program Leader of the Hematology and Gene Therapy Program at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, will present the latest ARU-1801 cllinical data in an oral presentation at the ASGCT 25 th annual meeting taking place in Washington, D.C. and virtually May 16 to 19, 2022 . The abstract will be available online on May 2, 2022 and the presentation will take place on May 16, 2022 at 1:30 pm EDT . For more information about the conference, please visit https://annualmeeting.asgct.org/.

, M.D., Director of the Cincinnati Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and Program Leader of the Hematology and Gene Therapy Program at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, will present the latest ARU-1801 cllinical data in an oral presentation at the ASGCT 25 annual meeting taking place in and virtually . The abstract will be available online on and the presentation will take place on at . For more information about the conference, please visit https://annualmeeting.asgct.org/. International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Hemoglobin Switching Meeting

Dr. Malik will also present the ARU-1801 data during the IUBMB meeting that will take place in Crete, Greece , May 5 to 9, 2022 . For more information about the conference, please visit https://iubmb.org/event/iubmb-focused-meeting-hemoglobin-switching/.

Dr. Malik will also present the ARU-1801 data during the IUBMB meeting that will take place in , . For more information about the conference, please visit https://iubmb.org/event/iubmb-focused-meeting-hemoglobin-switching/. Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research (FSCDR) 16th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium

Dr. Monika Parshad-Asnani , Professor of Family Medicine and Epidemiology at the Caribbean Institute for Health Research's Sickle Cell Unit, The University of West Indies, will review the ARU-1801 data in an oral presentation at the FSCDR annual meeting. The presentation will be on June 11, 2022 at 3:30 PM EDT in Fort Lauderdale, Florida . For more information on the conference that will take place from June 10 to 12, 2022 in-person and online, please visit http://www.fscdr.org. The data will also be published in the the Journal of Sickle Cell Disease and Hemoglobinopathies and will be made available at fscdr.org.

The company also will present at the following conference:

Cell and Gene Meeting on the Med Annual Meeting 2022

Dr. Will Chou , Aruvant chief executive officer, will give a presentation on the company's investigational gene therapies during the conference which will take place in Barcelona and online from April 20 to 22, 2022 . The company presentation will be available online at the start of the conference. For more information please visit https://meetingonthemed.com.

About ARU-1801 and the MOMENTUM Study

The MOMENTUM study examines ARU-1801, an autologous lentiviral cell therapy with a modified, highly potent gamma globin payload, in individuals with severe SCD. Unlike investigational gene therapies that require fully myeloablative conditioning, ARU-1801 is given with reduced intensity conditioning (RIC), which is a lower dose chemotherapy. ARU-1801 is designed to address the limitations of current curative allogeneic transplant options, such as low donor availability, the risk of graft-versus-host disease and toxicity from myeloablative chemotherapy. The data being presented highlights clinically meaningful reduction in participants' vaso-occulsive events, which are the painful crisis that are commonly experienced by SCD patients.

About Aruvant Sciences

Aruvant Sciences, part of the Roivant family of companies, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing gene therapies for the treatment of rare diseases. The company has a talented team with extensive experience in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of gene therapy products. Aruvant has an active research program with a lead product candidate, ARU-1801, in development for individuals suffering from SCD. ARU-1801, an investigational lentiviral gene therapy, is being studied in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, the MOMENTUM study, as a one-time potentially curative treatment for SCD. Preliminary clinical data demonstrate engraftment of ARU-1801 and amelioration of SCD is possible with one dose of reduced intensity chemotherapy. The company's second product candidate, ARU-2801, is in development to cure hypophosphatasia, a devastating, ultra-orphan disorder that affects multiple organ systems and leads to high morbidity and mortality when not treated. Data from pre-clinical studies with ARU-2801 shows durable improvement in disease biomarkers and increased survival. For more information on the ongoing ARU-1801 clinical study, please visit https://sicklecellstudies.com/, and for more on the company, please visit www.aruvant.com. Follow Aruvant on Facebook, Twitter @AruvantSciences, Instagram @Aruvant_Sciences or LinkedIn @AruvantSciences.

SOURCE Aruvant Sciences
Employees across the U.S. are eager to return to a normal semblance of work life, but many are anxious about leaving some comforts of working from home  including their pets  behind. A survey* conducted by Petco finds that:

69% of pet parents are stressed about what returning to work means for their pets;

nearly half want their employers to adopt a pet-friendly workplace; and,

41% say they would consider switching jobs if it meant they could bring their pet to work.

"After two years of remote work, employers returning to an in-office culture are looking for ways to make it a more positive experience for employees," said Petco SVP, Omnichannel Experience, Jenny Wolski. "Pet-friendly programs can not only offer employers a competitive edge, they can also provide many health and wellness benefits for both people and pets. At Petco, we believe that having our pets at work leads to lower stress, improved physical health and increased productivity for our partners, while keeping our pets mentally and socially engaged. As we've returned to a new hybrid in-office culture with our pets happily in tow, we think going pet-friendly should be a no-brainer for any employer, and Petco can help."

A pet-friendly workplace playbook and toolkit with information and resources on policy guidelines, etiquette, how to develop and implement an effective action plan, and more, is available to help employers transition their workplace into a safe, healthy and productive environment for both people and pets.

Benefits to employees when pets can accompany their parents to the office include:

Improved physical health: The presence of animals may reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

The presence of animals may reduce heart rate and blood pressure. Reduced stress : Pets in the office can have a positive change on self-reported anxiety, calmness and endocrine responses.

: Pets in the office can have a positive change on self-reported anxiety, calmness and endocrine responses. Increased productivity and creativity:

Dogs encourage more breaks, which contributes to improved morale, productivity and focus.



Breaks often occur outside, which is linked to increased creative ideation.



Pet parents are less worried about pets at home without bathroom or exercise breaks and are able to stay and enjoy office happy hours or other activities.

Organizations that are looking to offer compelling new benefits, but may not be ready to commit to a pet-friendly office can still offer pet-friendly benefits like Petco Insurance or Petco's Vital Care membership program. With the Vital Care affiliate program, employees and customers of participating companies will have access to exclusive membership benefits and discounts within Vital Care's Whole Health offerings. And pet parents returning to the office without their pets can access pet sitting, boarding and dog walking services for dogs and cats on Rover directly from petco.com  including a one-time $10 discount for first-time bookings  as well as information and solutions for addressing pets' mental health during changes in routines.

For more information on National Pets at Work Day, the benefits of pet-friendly workplaces and key tips for employers considering going pet-friendly, visit petco.com/petsatwork.

*Statistics from 2021 Petco consumer survey of 2,001 U.S. pet parents.

About Petco, The Health + Wellness Co.

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and our own Petco partners. Since our founding in 1965, we've been striving to set new standards in pet care, delivering comprehensive wellness solutions through our products and services, and creating communities that deepen the pet-pet parent bond. We operate more than 1,500 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including a growing network of more than 150 in-store veterinary hospitals, and offer a complete online resource for pet health and wellness at petco.com and on the Petco app . In tandem with Petco Love (formerly the Petco Foundation), an independent nonprofit organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, we've helped find homes for more than 6.5 million animals.

Contact:

Ventura Olvera

[email protected]

SOURCE Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.
Recording Control, Replay of Sessions, and Analytics Results in the CRM

HOESBACH, Germany, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ASC Technologies AG, provider of a native certified compliance recording solution for Microsoft Teams, has announced the release of its powerful integration Recording Insights into Microsoft Dynamics 365 today allowing users to manage compliance directly in their customer relationship management (CRM) system.

Thanks to the integration of Recording Insights into Dynamics 365, users gain full control and comprehensive insights into customer call interactions. And there is more: Recordings can now be started directly from within Dynamics 365 and linked to the respective customer entity.

On top of that, the recorded media are listed in the customer's CRM timeline. That way, users can see the complete customer history along with all information generated within the CRM as well as further content from customer call interactions. Via a link, the recorded call can be replayed directly within Recording Insights. In addition, timeline entries offer the possibility to display metadata and a transcription while keeping the recording in the protected compliance environment of ASC's Recording Insights infrastructure.

Timeline entries can be enriched with results from ASC's Compliance Policy Engine to categorize conversations or easily detect certain key phrases. This way, it is possible to, for example, mark those calls which lead to a transaction or to auto-set the retention time for compliance conversations which must be archived and held available for several years. This is important especially for those businesses which are obliged to record their conversations due to compliance regulations such as MiFID II, Dodd- Frank or FDCPA.

"The integration of Recording Insights into Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a further step to offer our partners and customers a compliance solution fully integrated into their business processes," explains Dr. Gerald Kromer, Chief Executive Officer of ASC Technologies. "Our customers drive immediate business results by identifying compliance risks or upselling potential while displaying the entire communication as text."

"The integration of Recording Insights into Microsoft Dynamics 365 allows users to manage complex regulatory requirements for recording and archiving in their preferred CRM system," says Neha Bajwa, Senior Director, Microsoft.

About ASC

SOURCE ASC Cloud Solutions
- In antiviral cellular assays, antiviral potency (EC 90 ) of ASC11 is 31-fold of that of Nirmatrelvir, 120-fold of that of S-217622, 16-fold of that of PBI-0451 and 7-fold of that of EDP-235.

- ASC11 is an in-house discovered oral small molecule drug candidate, targeting 3CLpro, with global intellectual property rights.

- It is expected that IND of ASC11 will be filed in the second half of 2022 and Phase I clinical trial in healthy subjects will be completed by the end of 2022.

HANGZHOU, China and SHAOXING, China, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672) today announces that its oral small molecule drug candidate ASC11, a 3-chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor, demonstrated potential to be effective treatment for COVID-19.

In antiviral cellular assays with infectious SARS-CoV-2, antiviral potency (EC 90 ) of ASC11 is 31-fold (155/5) of that of Nirmatrelvir; 120-fold (600/5) of that of S-217622; 16-fold (78/5) of that of PBI-0451 and 7-fold (33/5) of that of EDP-235 (Table 1). Importantly, ASC11 activity was retained against different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Table 1. Antiviral Potency (EC 90 ) of ASC11 versus Global Leading 3CLpro Inhibitors

3CLpro inhibitor ASC11[2] Nirmatrelvir[3] S-217622[4] PBI-0451[5] EDP-235[6] Vero E6 Cell EC 90 [1] (nM) 5 155 600 78 33

Notes:

[1]. EC 90: a measure of drug potency showing a concentration that is effective in producing 90% of the maximal virus reduction. Lower the numbers, greater the antiviral potency. Compared to EC 50 (a concentration that is effective in producing 50% of the maximal virus reduction), EC 90 can predict more precisely the effective concentration of an antiviral drug in humans.

[2]. Data from the antiviral cellular assay with infectious SARS-CoV-2 conducted at IIT Research Institute, headquartered at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

[3]. Data from Owen et al., Pfizer Worldwide Research, medRxiv, July 2021, https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.28.21261232.

[4]. EC 90 estimated from Unoh et al., Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, bioRxiv, January 2022. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.26.477782.

[5]. Data from the presentation by Pardes Biosciences, Inc. at International Conference on Antiviral Research 2022 (ICAR 2022).

[6]. Data from the antiviral assay with primary human airway epithelial cells, press release October 19, 2021 by Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ASC11 is an in-house discovered oral small molecule drug candidate using various proprietary technologies including molecular docking. ASC11 has global intellectual property rights.

Molecular docking showed that compared to Nirmatrelvir, ASC11 formed stronger hydrogen bond interaction with Glutamic acid 166 of 3CLpro, created new hydrogen bonds with other key amino acids of 3CLpro and fitted more tightly in hydrophobic Pocket 4 (P4) of 3CLpro, resulting in much higher antiviral potency (EC 90 ) of ASC11.

Molecular docking showed ASC11 bound to 3CLpro differently from S-217622, resulting in much higher antiviral potency (EC 90 ) of ASC11.

In Vero E6 cells, safety window (cytotoxicity versus antiviral potency) of ASC11 is more than 10,000-fold.

Together with other preclinical data including Caco-2 permeability, in vitro metabolism, microsomal stability and animal pharmacokinetic studies, ASC11 demonstrated potential for best-in-class antiviral treatment of COVID-19.

Ascletis expects that the Investigational New Drug (IND) of ASC11 will be filed in the second half of 2022 and Phase I clinical trial in healthy subjects will be completed by the end of 2022.

The Company's second 3CLpro preclinical candidate (PCC), which is also discovered in-house with global intellectual property rights, demonstrated the same antiviral potency and safety window in Vero E6 cells as compared to ASC11.

"We are excited about our oral small molecule preclinical drug candidates for their potential to be best-in-class antiviral treatment of COVID-19," said Dr. Jinzi J. Wu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, "These preclinical drug candidates demonstrate our discovery capability as a leading antiviral biotech."

About Ascletis

Ascletis is an innovative R&D driven biotech listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK), covering the entire value chain from discovery and development to manufacturing and commercialization. Led by a management team with deep expertise and a proven track record, Ascletis focuses on three therapeutic areas with unmet medical needs from a global perspective: viral diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and oncology. Through excellent execution, Ascletis rapidly advances its drug pipeline with an aim of leading in global competition. To date, Ascletis has three marketed products, i.e. ritonavir tablets, GANOVO and ASCLEVIR, and 20 drug candidates in its R&D pipeline. The most advanced drug candidates include ASC22 (HBV functional cure), ASC10 and ASC11(oral small molecules for COVID-19), ASC40 (recurrent glioblastoma), ASC42 (PBC, primary biliary cholangitis), and ASC40 (acne).

For more information, please visit www.ascletis.com.

SOURCE Ascletis Pharma Inc.
The project includes the installation of a second tank, which will allow Atlanta Gas Light to store gas when it is most affordable and then have access to that supply during periods of peak demand. Construction is currently underway and will be completed in phases over the next three years. "LNG storage is a valuable asset for our system that affords us more flexibility to meet the increasing demand for natural gas from our customers," says Atlanta Gas Light President and CEO Pedro Cherry. "The project helps ensure our ability to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to the communities we serve when demand is at its highest."

Liquefied natural gas is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, at about -260 degrees Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage. The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state in a natural gas pipeline. While stored as LNG, it's returned to its gaseous state, or regasified, for use by customers.



This facility is part of Atlanta Gas Light's first ever Integrated Capacity Development Plan (i-CDP), which was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission in November 2021. The i-CDP provides insight into the company's long-range plans for initiatives that will enable it to meet increased demand and deliver superior customer service while continuing to serve the energy needs of the state safely and reliably.

For more information about Atlanta Gas Light, log on to our website or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

About Atlanta Gas Light

Atlanta Gas Light is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Atlanta Gas Light provides natural gas delivery service to approximately 1.7 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is one of the oldest corporations in the state. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com.

About Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 666,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

SOURCE Atlanta Gas Light
DUBLIN, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Australia Telecoms Industry Report - 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Globally, the telecommunications sector is proving to be a core and essential infrastructure service to national economies, with data infrastructure becoming critical in a connected world and will likely increasingly attract a new class of investors such as large infrastructure funds. The Australian telecommunications industry is expected to remain steady thanks to the defensiveness nature of the industry, amid the political uncertainties and an uncertain economic outlook due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia has one of the most competitive and mature telecommunications markets in the world. The publisher forecasts that mobile subscriptions will continue to grow in the 2022-27 period while fixed broadband subscribers also expected to grow at a slightly lower average rate over the same period.

The publisher forecasts the overall telecoms market bottomed out in 2021 as NBN subscriber payments to Telstra and Optus decline gradually as all Telstra's copper and HFC services are migrated onto the NBN and market growth will resume from 2022 onwards.

Telstra's share of the telecommunications revenue pie has been declining over the last 5 years and its EBITDA share is declining even faster as Telstra's dominance in the fixed-line market is challenged with the migration onto the NBN.

This report provides analyses of revenue and market forecasts as well as statistics of the Australian telecoms industry including market sizing, 5-year forecasts, market insights, key telecom trends, 5G, digital infrastructure and also features the following:

Overall Telecommunications Market by Major Operators

Telco Operators Profile, Revenue and EBITDA Mix

Mobile Subscribers & Revenue Market Overview and Forecasts

Spectrum Holdings

IoT Market Overview

Broadband Subscribers & Revenue Market Overview and Forecasts

Digital Infrastructure (Fibre, Telecom Towers, Data Centres, Submarine Cables)

National Broadband Network Detailed Market Overview and Forecasts

Telecom Tower Market Analysis and Forecast

Thematics / Opportunities relating to 5G, M&A and e-Commerce

Telco M&A Transaction Database

Key Topics Covered:

1 Key Statistics

1.1 Australia's Population

1.2 Australia's Economy

1.3 Australia's GDP

2 COVID-19 Impact

3 Overall Telecommunications Market, 2015-2027

3.1 Market Overview

3.2 Australia's Race to Lead in 5G and Beyond

3.3 Historical Telecommunications Market Revenue, 2015-2021

3.4 Overall Telecommunications Market Forecast, 2020-2027

3.5 Telecommunications Market Capital Expenditure, 2015-2027

4 Telecommunications Operators Profile

4.1 Telstra Profile

4.1.1 Telstra Revenue and EBITDA Mix

4.1.2 Telstra InfraCo

4.2 Optus Profile

4.2.1 Optus Revenue and EBITDA Mix

4.3 TPG Telecom Group Profile

4.3.1 TPG Telecom Group and EBITDA Mix

4.3.2 Historical TPG Revenue and EBITDA Mix

4.3.3 Vodafone Profile

4.3.4 Historical Vodafone Revenue and EBITDA Mix

4.4 Vocus Profile

4.4.1 Vocus Revenue and EBITDA Mix

4.5 Superloop

4.6 Uniti Profile

4.6.1 Uniti + Opticomm + Velocity

4.7 Other Players Profile

4.7.1 Aussie Broadband

5 Australia Mobile Market

5.1 Australia Mobile Subscribers Historical and Forecast, 2015-2027

5.2 Australia Mobile Revenue Historical and Forecast, 2015-2027

5.3 Mobile Coverage

5.4 Spectrum Holdings

5.5 Mobile Download Data and Pricing Trends

5.6 Mobile Speed Tests

5.7 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO)

5.8 Internet of Things (IoT)

6 Broadband Market

6.1 Fixed Broadband Subscribers Historical, 2015-2021

6.2 Fixed Download Data Trends

6.3 Fixed Broadband Subscribers Forecast, 2020-2027

7 Fixed Telecommunications Infrastructure Investments

7.1 Fixed Digital Infrastructure

7.1.1 Overview of the National Broadband Network

7.1.2 NBN Scope

7.1.3 Legislative Framework for the NBN

7.1.4 Regulatory Framework

7.1.5 Wholesale Only & Uniform Pricing

7.1.6 NBN Industry Implications

7.1.7 NBN Implementation

7.1.8 NBN Financials - NBN Corporate Plan Review 2021-2024

7.1.9 NBN Market Share - 2021

7.1.10 NBN Build

7.1.11 NBN Speeds

7.1.12 NBN Speeds Mix Compared to New Zealand

7.1.13 $50bn Later and Australia is Still a Broadband Backwater

7.1.14 NBN Business Segment - Enterprise Product Threat and Opportunity

7.2 Fixed Broadband Networks Doing the Heavy Lifting

7.3 Submarine Cables

8 Australia Telecom Towers Infrastructure Landscape

8.1 Australia Telecom Towers Market Analysis, 2021

8.2 Australia Tower Competitive Landscape Comparison

8.3 Australia Telecom Towers & Rooftops Market Forecast

8.4 Telstra InfraCo Towers (Amplitel)

8.5 Optus Profile

8.6 Australia Tower Network (ATN) Profile

8.7 Axicom Profile

8.8 National Broadband Network (NBN) Profile

8.9 BAI Communications Profile

8.10 Telco Infrastructure Comparative

9 Thematics / Opportunities

9.1 Consolidation Opportunities

9.2 Diversification Opportunities

9.3 New Telecoms Operating Model

9.3.1 The Attraction of Infrastructure Multiples

9.4 5G Developments

9.4.1 5G Overview

9.4.2 5G - Relative Capex Investments and Frequency Range

9.4.3 5G OpenRAN

9.4.4 Beyond 5G and Towards 6G

10 Telco Transactions Database

Companies Mentioned

AGL

Amplitel

ATN

Aussie Broadband

Exetel

Foxtel

NBN

Optus

Superloop

Telstra

TPG

Uniti Group

Vodafone

Vocus

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ammt52

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
CLEVELAND, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the financial closing of the new corporate headquarters for CBIZ, Inc. (CBIZ). BGL's Real Estate Advisors team served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Welty Development Company in the transaction, with ERIEBANK and PACE Equity financing the approximately 137,000 square-foot building.

BGL's Real Estate Advisors team served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Welty Development Company. Tweet this Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the financial closing of the new corporate headquarters for CBIZ, Inc. (CBIZ). BGL's Real Estate Advisors team served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Welty Development Company in the transaction, with ERIEBANK and PACE Equity financing the approximately 137,000 square-foot building.

"Welty Development is excited to bring this Independence office building to market in early 2023, already having a terrific anchor in CBIZ, Inc. We believe the remaining leasable space will fill up quickly, as companies are looking for best-in-class office space as people return to the office," remarked Tom Charek, President of Welty Development.

Located at the I-77/Rockside Road interchange, the development will be the first Class A office building constructed in Independence, Ohio, in more than 20 years. CBIZ plans to grow its headquarters operations, including adding new jobs and utilizing advanced technology, in the new office space.

"CBIZ has called Independence home for over 25 years and with this project, we are excited to make an investment here for our future. Financing is a key step in this process, and we appreciate the Brown Gibbons Lang & Company team's efforts to orchestrate the needed funding for the Welty Development project. Our new space is designed with the future in mind, including the latest in technology and features that will engage and support our team. We look forward to moving into our new space in early 2023," stated Ware Grove, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CBIZ.

The development financing consisted of: (i) senior construction debt with ERIEBANK, (ii) Property Assessed Clean Energy financing with PACE Equity, and (iii) sponsor equity.

"ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, is pleased to participate in the financing for Welty Development to build the new headquarters for CBIZ, Inc. right here in Independence, just minutes away from our ERIEBANK Regional Headquarters in Seven Hills. It gives us great pride to know that ERIEBANK has a role in the economic development in the city of Independence and surrounding cities. We hope this new Class A office building spurs additional real estate development around the I-77/ Rockside Road interchange, and ERIEBANK is here to provide support," commented Wesley Gillespie, ERIEBANK Regional President, Northeast Ohio.

BGL's Real Estate Advisors Group offers comprehensive real estate investment banking services tailored to the middle market. It provides client-focused solutions with an emphasis on real estate advisory, debt, preferred and private equity placement, financial restructuring, recapitalizations, sale-leasebacks, structured finance, and asset acquisitions and dispositions across all asset classes. The team assists real estate owners and developers looking to form alliances and joint ventures with single-source capital providers to gain local and institutional access for all capital needs.

About Welty Development

Welty Development is a full-service developer focused on multi-family, corporate and healthcare opportunities. Welty differentiates itself through the strength provided by their unique, horizontally integrated organizational structure and delivery system. Their team is accustomed to taking on the major legwork that comes with developing a vision for a project. Welty Development brings an emotional intelligence to their work that is unlike anything else in the construction industry. Their approach is founded on a willingness to defy doing the way that always been done, in favor of doing what is the smartest, most efficient and ultimately, the most beneficial for their customers and the communities that they serve. For more information, please visit www.thinkwelty.com.

About CBIZ, Inc.

Over 25 years, CBIZ has grown to be one of the largest accounting, insurance brokerage and advisory service providers in the country. With over 100 offices nationwide and a team of more than 6,000 professionals, CBIZ offers a breadth of professional services and depth of expertise unmatched in our industry to businesses and clients of all sizes. Shares of CBIZ common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "CBZ." For more information, please visit www.cbiz.com.

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com.

SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
TROY, Mich., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bianchi Public Relations, Inc.  a metro Detroit-based public relations (PR) agency with deep media relations and communications experience in the automotive and mobility technology sector  has again been named among the top independent PR firms in several categories by O'Dwyer's, a public relations trade publication long considered the "Bible" of the industry.

O'Dwyer's list showed Bianchi PR ranked among the top 10 nationally in the automotive / transportation sector and was one of only two Detroit-area-based PR agencies ranked in the top 25 nationally, based on 2021 billings in this mobility PR specialization.

Also, in the 2022 rankings, Bianchi PR rates as the #2 independent PR firm headquartered in the metro Detroit area, #25 among independent PR firms in the Midwest and #134 in its overall U.S. rankings.

The 2022 O'Dwyer's rankings are the publication's 53rd annual effort and were released in early April.

About Bianchi PR

Bianchi PR offers unmatched expertise in business-to-business public relations for automotive, commercial vehicle and mobility technology suppliers, including new entrants with enabling technologies for emobility, autonomous vehicles and connected vehicles.

Founded in 1992, Bianchi PR's team believes in helping innovators to make mobility, and the world, better: smarter, safer, cleaner, more efficient, more comfortable and more fun.

Among Bianchi PR's ongoing business-to-business PR clients are Adient, Cooper Standard, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, Rolls-Royce Power Systems/mtu brand, SAE International, Schaeffler Group and Yanfeng.

The firm's experience also includes work with automotive technology companies such as ZF, TRW, Valeo and Ibeo Automotive Systems, as well as consulting firms and industry trade organizations such as the Automotive Industry Action Group, the Center for Automotive Research and the Steel Market Development Institute.

As the Detroit affiliate for the Public Relations Global Network , the firm also offers expert, on-the-ground PR support in all major markets around the world. For more information, visit www.bianchipr.com or call 248-269-1122.

SOURCE Bianchi Public Relations, Inc.
Hospice Veteran with Business Development, Philanthropy and Public Affairs Record of Achievement Joins Winchester-Based Not-for-Profit Serious Illness Provider

WINCHESTER, Va., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Ridge Hospice has named Jason Parsons Chief Business Development Officer for the highly regarded 41-year-old mission-driven provider of serious illness and end-of-life care.

As Chief Business Development Officer, Parsons will be responsible for planning and implementing strategies to lead Blue Ridge Hospice as it navigates the ever-changing, increasingly demanding healthcare landscape. He is joining Blue Ridge Hospice at an important point in its 41-year history of identifying and meeting community need and will help guide the organization through two vital enhancements to its mission-fulfillment work. Blue Ridge Hospice recently began piloting a community-based palliative care program in a number of area nursing homes with the goal of eventually offering the service to seriously ill, non-hospice patients whether they reside in a private residence, nursing home or assisted living community. In addition, Blue Ridge Independence at Home, an affiliate, has received authorization from the Commonwealth of Virginia to open a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Program serving the area in and around Winchester.

Parsons specifically will serve as the organization's senior leader in developing new business and strategic partnerships, identifying and negotiating affiliation and new payor opportunities, overseeing development of products and services, acting as a key participant in strategic planning, guiding all marketing and public relations activities, and leading Blue Ridge Hospice's fundraising initiatives to support mission fulfillment.

"Blue Ridge Hospice, all not-for-profit serious illness providers, are at an inflection point as competition from proprietary hospice chains increases and Medicare continues to make significant changes to hospice regulation and reimbursement," observed President and CEO Cheryl Hamilton Fried. "Jason's breadth of experiencefrom business development and public affairs to communications and fundraisingare a perfect match to ensure Blue Ridge Hospice continues to meet the community's needs by going well above and beyond the basic services mandated by Medicare."

Parsons comes to Blue Ridge Hospice from Capital Caring Health, Falls Church, VA, where he led Public Affairs and Philanthropy for an organization that served up to 1,400 patients per day across Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia with a menu of serious illness, palliative care and hospice services. He previously served as Executive Director of Business for West Virginia in the office of the West Virginia Secretary of State in Charleston, WV, and as Executive Director of Keep Prince William Beautiful in Woodbridge, VA. Parsons also founded and led his own consultancy, Stratecess Consulting, through which he worked with organizations in the healthcare, environment and education fields to support strategic planning, organizational capacity assessment, communications, policy, and marketing initiatives.

"Blue Ridge Hospice has a unique and powerful heritage as the northern Shenandoah Valley's original hospice provider," Parsons stated. "The opportunity to work for an organization with such an unyielding commitment to community service and quality care, to help guide the organization through the many changes and challenges facing community-based providers is something I embrace."

A native of West Virginia, Parsons graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Leadership Studies. He was twice elected Student Body President.

Parsons resides in Aldie, VA.

About Blue Ridge Hospice

Blue Ridge Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit serious illness and end-of-life care provider that has been serving friends and neighbors across the northern Shenandoah Valley since 1981. With a mission of "brightening life's journey with quality and compassionate care for all whom we are privileged to serve," Blue Ridge Hospice serves Winchester City and the northern Virginia counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Warren. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Blue Ridge Hospice consistently exceeds the national averages for quality as reported on Medicare's Hospice Compare website. To learn more about Blue Ridge Hospice visit www.brhospice.org, or call 540-313-9200.

Contact:

Mark B. Cohen

305.613.1969

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Ridge Hospice
Professor, entrepreneur, and author George Paasewe founded a book publishing company that integrates its publishing services into the classroom and workplace settings.

MILWAUKEE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine a world where high school and college students have the opportunity to become published authors. Educare Publications makes this dream a reality through their 15-week Creative Writing Publishing Program that grants students the opportunity to write and publish a book on a creative topic of their choice. Educare Publications is a book publishing company that integrates its publishing services into the classroom and workplace settings. George Paasewe founded it to help change the world and make it a place where every child can see themselves in a book and diversify the publishing industry. To reach this goal, Educare Publications have created programs and workshops to celebrate diverse books & voices, support diverse publishing professionals, and provide books and publishing services nationwide in classroom settings.

George Paasewe - Founder/CEO

Educare Publications was founded on the following premise:

To elevate diverse voices and increase the representation of people of color and students in the publishing industry through their Creative Writing Publishing Program.

To diversify classroom libraries through their Educare Publications in the Classroom Program that supplies low-income and rural schools across the country with free and diverse books.

Provide financial support to diverse college students through our Elevate Diverse Voices Scholarship Program.

"I founded Educare Publications because I recognize the need to elevate the diverse voices of high school students, college students, and professionals," says Paasewe. "Our mission is to advance writing skills, promote authorship & entrepreneurship amongst diverse learners while increasing the representation of diversity in the self-publishing industry."

As a self-published author himself, Paasewe has published four books. Two are children's books titled Lyla's World and One Day, I Will Become an Alpha. His other two books are his best-selling books, How Black College Students Learn Code-Switching and How Black College Students Learn Code-Switching Volume II. Paasewe has experienced many challenges throughout the book writing and publishing process. He made it a goal to develop e-learning materials to help other people successfully navigate the arena of book writing and self-publishing.

Specifically, Paasewe recognized the need to educate, guide, and support aspiring self-publish authors. Many are uncertain where to begin in the book writing process and how to publish a book successfully. What sets Educare Publications apart from the competition is that they offer exceptional educational services and support to aspiring self-publishers. They ensure this by providing top-quality e-courses on how to write & publish a book, workshops, and programs to help aspiring authors write and publish. Educare Publications offers two self-publishing e-courses, The Essentials of Writing & Publishing a Book and The Essentials of Writing & Publishing a Children's Book.

"As a self-publisher, you stand to reap all the rewards," says Paasewe. However, "if you do not understand all the steps, requirements, and best practices for publishing a book, you will not be putting yourself in the best possible position for success."

George Paasewe is the Founder/CEO of Educare Publications, a book publishing company that integrates its publishing services into the classroom and workplace settings. Paasewe earned a Master of Science in education at Northern Illinois University and holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He teaches sociology at Bryant & Stratton College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

*Paasewe is available for interviews and speaking engagements on topics surrounding self-publishing, book writing, and publishing.

Media Contact

George Paasewe*

Founder/CEO

Educare Publications

[email protected]

(262) 424-5013

SOURCE Educare Publications
MANOR, Texas, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BRC Recovery Centers is proud to announce the appointment of Amanda (Mandy) Baker, MS, LCDC to President and Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing all business and clinical aspects of the company. Mandy has proven herself a leader in the clinical and business side in the recovery industry. Her experience working with prestigious treatment facilities and collegiate programs, helping people of all ages to find recovery, makes her a prime candidate to be running all business and clinical operations for BRC Healthcare. Mandy's leadership skills will allow us to deliver the commitment to clients and provide a set of life skills which will be incorporated and assimilated into their minds and hearts and allow them to recreate and reclaim their lives.

"Mandy's experience, energy and clinical knowledge makes her the perfect person to lead and grow BRC into the premier recovery healthcare organization we have always envisioned it to become." ~ Jeffrey Stevenson, VSS Capital Partners** Managing Partner

BRC Recovery, founded in 2006, is a chronic relapse addiction treatment center which provides clinically advanced treatment for all addictions. BRC offers high levels of structure and discipline, a 12-step immersion, proven psychological treatment, and multi-disciplinary approached to treating trauma. BRC Family of Programs serves clients across the United States with its continuum of care in their facilities in Texas and Tennessee.

"Over 20 million Americans battle with a substance disorder. We acquired BRC Recovery to expand on both its programs and footprint in the United States to help that population live an addiction free life. Mandy Baker is a seasoned pro that has both deep clinical knowledge and is a talented business and operations leader. We are thrilled to have Mandy lead and transform BRC into the platform company we have set out to build." ~ Dr. Kapila Ratnam, NewSpring Healthcare* General Partner

Mandy is a 16 year industry veteran who received her Masters of Science in Human Development from Texas Tech University and is completing her dissertation in Human Development from Texas Tech University. Her deep understanding and study of the 18-27 year old demographic has resulted in numerous publications in academic journals, books, curricula, and popular press outlets.

"I am thrilled to have been recognized by the board of directors with this great honor to lead as new President and CCO. The vision of this company has inspired me from the day I started. My team is already in place and we have been implementing structural improvements that can elevate both our care and our stability for growth," ~Mandy Baker, BRC Recovery Centers President and CCO

*NewSpring Healthcare partners with management teams to accelerate the success of differentiated healthcare companies, delivering capital for growth, recapitalizations, and mergers & acquisitions. NewSpring Healthcare is part of NewSpring, which partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. We manage over $2.5 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt.

**VSS is a private investment firm that invests in the healthcare, business services, and education industries. Headquartered in New York, VSS provides capital for growth financing, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, and buyouts to lower middle market companies and management teams with the goal of building companies organically as well as through a focused add-on acquisition program. VSS makes privately negotiated investments across the capital structure and invests in situations requiring non-control or control equity, mezzanine securities, and structured equity securities. VSS has over three decades of experience, made investments in 93 portfolio companies with over 380 add-on acquisitions, and manages $4 billion in aggregate committed capital across 8 funds. For more information, please visit: www.vss.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:

BRC Recovery Centers

Mandy Baker, President and CCO

1-844-451-3757

[email protected]

SOURCE: BRC Recovery Centers

SOURCE BRC Recovery Centers
MINNEAPOLIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Venture Group LLC , a Black-owned venture capital firm formed to fund Black, Latinx, and Indigenous technology entrepreneurs, has launched a partnership with tribal governments nationwide to advance opportunities for American Indian entrepreneurs.

"While less than 3 percent of VC funds are going Black and LatinX startups, the number being invested in Indigenous entrepreneurial efforts is even smaller," said Paul Campbell, co-founder and managing partner of Brown Venture Group. "By joining forces, we have more power to change that and leverage the opportunities that exist for indigenous entrepreneurs as more and more companies and individuals are interested in investing in the BIPOC community. Collectively, we need to develop those paths and articulate the procedures to make that happen."

The tribal governments partnering with Brown Venture Group include:

The goal of the partnership is to provide access to capital to indigenous entrepreneurs, offer education to both investors and entrepreneurs about the opportunities and pathways that exist for mutual success and the overall development of a meaningful, supportive ecosystem that builds a network for new entrepreneurs.

"For the past 50 years, tribes have relied on federal and other grants to support their business development efforts," said Keely Linton, President of Mesa Grande's Business Development Corporation. "The problem with that model is that it's not sustainable. When the grant money runs out, the business is finished. We are creating a new model with this partnership. It's an exciting opportunity to think differently about developing a sustainable pathway to success, especially for smaller tribes like ours."

According to Tahda Ahtone, Esq., Principal Attorney at Ahtone Law and business consultant for tribal governments, there is a tremendous opportunity to connect investors to entrepreneurs within the Native American community.

"Investors are missing out on innovative sustainable technology and business opportunities that have been informed by tribal culture and customs, that with an infusion of capital, have enormous potential," Ahtone said.

Brown Venture Group, along with members from the initial participating tribes, will be hosting a series of education workshops this fall with additional tribes around the country specifically to discuss equity financing opportunities that are available. In addition, the group will be seeking participation from additional tribes and investors.

"The fact of the matter is we have been missing the I in BIPOC," Campbell said. "Now is the time to develop meaningful and trusting relationships with Indigenous communities so we can begin co-creating the process of working with not for Indigenous communities everywhere. As corporations continue to focus on funding BIPOC initiatives, they need to include the Indigenous nations in the conversations. This partnership is the vehicle to help connect change-making corporations and equity partners with that I in BIPOC."

About Brown Venture Group

Launched in 2018, Brown Venture Group, LLC, is a venture capital firm exclusively for Black, Latinx and Indigenous technology startups. Brown Venture Group is writing a new playbook for both those interested in launching a minority-owned technology startup and those interested in investing in new technologies. For more information go to brownventuregroup.com.

SOURCE Brown Venture Group
Cable Conduits Market to Surpass US$ 19.5 Bn by 2032 Amid Increasing Construction Activities Across the Globe

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the latest study, Fact.MR provides a detailed analysis on the global cable conduit market from 2022 to 2032. This report also reveals key factors such as recent developments, challenges, and opportunities influencing the growth in the market across multiple segments including type, end user, and regions.

Fact.MR  A Market Research and Competitive Intelligence Provider: The global cable conduit market is poised to reach a market valuation of US$ 7.5 Bn by 2022. With sales increasing at a CAGR of 10%, the global cable conduit market is estimated to reach US$ 19.5 Bn by 2032.

Increasing number of renovation and construction activities in residential and commercial sector is projected to propel the demand for safe and secure wiring systems. This is anticipated to spur the sales in cable conduit market over the coming years.

Besides this, adoption of smart city and fiber-optic projects in developing economies such as India is increasing the need for higher bandwidth to handle data-sense services. This is accelerating the demand for cable conduit.

For more insights into the Market, Request a Sample of this Report

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=7216

Also, demand for lightweight, cost effective, long lasting, and easy to install cables in industrial and commercial sectors is surging. This is expected to improve the adoption of flexible cable conduits.

Additionally, growing environmental concerns is boosting the adoption of renewable energy sources. As a result, demand for electric cable and wiring systems is rising, boosting the market. Further, attributes of conduit cable such as resistance and compressive strength is likely to increase its application in craft and manufacturing industries.

With increasing application in industrial sector, need for high-performance conduit systems is burgeoning. Hence, to avoid wear and tear or any short circuit, adoption of flexible cable conduit systems is surging.

However, there are several stringent regulatory standards such as FDA CFR-21 in food & beverage industry on the use cable conduit systems. Hence, key players are manufacturing these systems with material that comply with FDA CFR-21.

On account of these aforementioned factors, the cable conduit market is likely to witness impressive growth over the assessment period.

Report Attributes Details Base Year Value (2021A) US$ 6.75 Bn Estimated Year Value (2022E) US$ 7.5 Bn Projected Year Value (2032F) US$ 19.5 Bn Global Growth Rate (2022-2032) CAGR 10%

Key Takeaways:

North America is estimated to dominate the market, with sales in the U.S. increasing at 6.6% CAGR during the forecast period.

is estimated to dominate the market, with sales in the U.S. increasing at 6.6% CAGR during the forecast period. China cable conduit market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% between 2022 and 2032.

cable conduit market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% between 2022 and 2032. Sales of cable conduit in Japan are expected to surge at over 9.9% CAGR during the projection period

are expected to surge at over 9.9% CAGR during the projection period Based on type, sales of rigid cable conduit are anticipated to increase at 8.7% CAGR until 2032.

In terms of end user, industrial manufacturing segment is projected to exhibit growth at 8.7% CAGR during the forecast period.

Growth Drivers:

Growing construction activities in commercial and residential sectors is improving the need for safe and secure wiring systems, propelling the growth in the market.

Increasing use of smart gadgets is boosting the demand for safe and stronger networks, creating lucrative opportunities for the market in the coming years.

Restraints:

High cost of installation and requirement of more material compared to other wiring systems is projected to hinder the growth.

Lack of skilled professionals in developing countries is estimated to restrain the growth in the market.

Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=7216

Competitive Landscape:

Key manufacturers operating in cable conduit market are developing innovative and cost-effective cable conduits to increase their revenue and gain a strong foothold in the market. Some of the players are focusing on establishing manufacturing facilities to expand their business across the globe.

For instance,

August 2019 : Atkore International Group Inc. acquired Rocky Mountain Colby Pipe Company to expand its business across the globe.

: Atkore International Group Inc. acquired Rocky Mountain Colby Pipe Company to expand its business across the globe. February 2021 : Atkore International Group Inc. acquired FRE Composites Group, which a fiberglass conduit solutions provider. This acquisition is projected to help Atkore upgrade its conduit product portfolio.

Key Companies Profiled by Fact.MR

Schneider Electric SE

Legrand S.A.

Aliaxis SA/NV

Atkore International Inc.

Thomas & Betts Corporation

More Valuable Insights on Cable Conduit Market

In the latest study, Fact.MR offers a detailed study on global cable conduit market for the forecast period of 2022 to 2032. This study also highlights key drivers promoting the sales of cable conduit through detailed segmentation as follows:

By Type:

Rigid

Flexible

By End User:

Energy & Utility

Healthcare

IT & Telecom

Industrial Manufacturing

Residential Construction

Commercial Construction

Transportation

Other Industries

By Region:

North America

Europe

APAC

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

and (MEA) Latin America

Key Questions Covered in the Cable Conduit Market Report

What is the projected value of the cable conduit market in 2022?

At what rate will the global cable conduit market grow until 2032?

Which are the factors hampering the growth in the cable conduit market?

Which region is expected to lead in the global cable conduit market during 2022-2032?

Which are the factors driving the cable conduit market during the forecast period?

What is the expected market value of the cable conduit market during the forecast period?

Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Technology Domain

Cable Organisers Market: Increasing construction activities and development of IT infrastructure in emerging economies will propel the demand for improved cable management, thereby bolstering the growth in cable organisers market. Also, features of cable organisers such high speed, low carbon footprint, and improved performance are projected to augment demand for cable organisers.

Cable Testers Market: Increasing need to check network strength, connectivity establishment, and others in several enterprises is expected to push the adoption of cable testers. This will likely increase the application of cable testers in telecommunication, aerospace, manufacturing, and other sectors.

High Power Connectors Market: Rising need for efficient transfer of power in electric vehicles and semiconductors is projected to increase the application of high power connectors in automotive and semiconductor industries.

About Fact.MR

Fact.MR is a market research and consulting agency with deep expertise in emerging market intelligence. Spanning a wide range  from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare, chemical, and materials, to even the most niche categories. 80% of Fortune 1000's trusts us in critical decision making.

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SOURCE Fact.MR
Growing demand in Poland for medical cannabis

for medical cannabis Population of over 40 million open to natural medicine

Over 90% of Polish pharmacies can fill medical marijuana prescriptions

WROCLAW, Poland, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Can4Med, a licensed wholesale specializing in medical products containing THC and cannabinoids has obtained Polish authorization to supply medical products and raw materials for cannabis pharmaceutical sales. The company has signed supply agreement term sheets for up to 100kg a month of high THC oil and flower at competitive rates and is in the process of registering the products in Poland.

According to Maximilian Weinberg, Founder of Can4Med, "Demand for medical cannabis products is rapidly growing in Poland. While supply constrains and a lack of authorized products has stifled growth in the Polish market, Can4Med can now quickly satisfy doctor and patient demand throughout the country. With an ageing population of over 40 million and openness to natural medicine, Poland is the perfect growth opportunity for medical cannabis in Europe."

Can4Med's experienced and qualified management provides comprehensive and professional supporting the work of pharmacists and doctors for the benefit of patients, focusing on ensuring supplies of high-quality certified products and innovation.

Can4Med will offer a variety of variety of products, tailored to the needs of its contractors and patients. Over 90% of pharmacies in Poland are ready to dispense medical cannabis prescription to patients for indications such as pain management, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Poland's doctors, however, have freedom to use their own judgement in prescribing cannabis medicine, greatly expanding its usage to treat a wide range of medical problems including mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. It is estimated that well over 300,000 patients will be eligible to obtain cannabinoid medicine in various forms.

All Can4Med products are approved for sale in Poland and manufactured under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) conditions and are subject to constant quality control.

About Can4Med

Can4Med is a fully licensed narcotic wholesaler in Poland specializing in trading cannabis medications in Europe. The company provides comprehensive services in the pharmaceutical and medical market, supporting the work of pharmacists and doctors for the benefit of patients. We focus on ensuring supplies of high-quality certified products and innovation tailored to the needs and requirements of our contractors and assists companies to register products in Poland.

Media contact: Laura Kam, [email protected], +972-54-806-8613

SOURCE Can4Med
GUANGZHOU, China, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 131st Canton Fair kicked off online on April 15. On the online event, a number of handicraft and gift exhibitors from Taizhou, Zhejiang Province will release their new series aimed at young consumers, in the hopes of increasing sales in the overseas markets.

Xianju County, which is administered by Taizhou and is recognized as China's Best Producer of Handicrafts and Gifts, has focused on creating handicrafts and gifts since the 1960s. However, the County originally lacked all of the essential components to become what it is today: it was short of innovative technology, and local brands with their own IP merchandise. Fortunately, with the help of the Canton Fair and other major foreign trade and commerce platforms, local businesses have increased their R&D and product design spending step by step. As a result, they've continued to develop a large number of fascinating products characterized by cutting-edge technology and classic attractions. These innovative goods are gaining popularity among young people both at home and abroad. For example, thanks to their unique and fashionable styles, high-tech lighting products that can be controlled remotely or with inductors and sensors are a big hit with young adults worldwide.

China is not only a country that values etiquette, but it is also the world's largest producer of gifts. In 2008, China accounted for over 60% of the global market share in the gift sector. In recent years, led by the "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" strategy, China's handicraft and gift businesses have focused even more on product innovation and brand upgrading. Therefore, in previous Canton Fair sessions, products that incorporated Chinese traditional and cultural styles, educational toys for small children, festive lightings and many other creative products manufactured in China were quite popular and sold well.

Alan Liu, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Canton Fair, told the press that as young adults' spending power increases, many domestic gift exhibitors made it a priority to adjust their brand strategies to better suit young customers. The Canton Fair will continue to serve as a bridge for global trade, promoting more novel and fashionable China-made gifts that appeal to the young population in the world.

Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index#/foreign-email for more opportunities.

SOURCE Canton Fair
GUANGZHOU, China, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two events of the 131st Canton Fair Virtual Promotion, with one between China and Argentina and the other between China and Colombia, were recently held to promote trade in electronics and household appliances.

Such distinguished guests attended and addressed the meeting as Xu Tianshu, Third Secretary at the Economic and Commercial Counsellor's Office, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Argentina and Yu Yi, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Canton Fair. Around 300 Argentine and Colombian representatives of industry and commerce associations, buyers and suppliers took part in the online events.

Mr. Yu presented what's new about the 131st Canton Fair during the online events, with a focus on the official website's latest functions and updates. He also extended a warm welcome to all participating Latin American businesses and looked forward to active engagement. In addition, several guests gave individual speeches in the virtual promotion events, expecting broader exchanges, deeper friendship and more common development between Chinese and Latin American industrial and commercial communities.

Electronics and household appliance manufacturers based in Yibin, Sichuan Province and Zhuhai, Guangdong Province connected with Latin American buyers online to promote their products. The Chinese companies and their Latin American counterparts discussed a variety of topics, including product functionalities and import and export regulations. The two virtual promotion activities saw active interaction and heated discussions among the participating suppliers and buyers on a wide range of matters, garnering positive feedback from the attendees.

Trade and investment cooperation is booming between China and Latin America, two major emerging market economies. Despite the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and a slow recovery of the global economy, the total China-Latin America trade volume set a new record in 2021, exceeding 450 billion US dollars. Meanwhile, China remains Latin America's second-largest trading partner, demonstrating the resilience and great potential of economic cooperation between the two economies. The 131st Canton Fair intends to support China's all-round opening-up to the world, high-quality international trade and facilitate the dual circulations of domestic and international markets. As a result, the Fair will continue to showcase the market potential of China's major trading partners, with a focus on expanding partnerships between China and Latin America and other emerging markets.

Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index#/foreign-email for more opportunities.

SOURCE Canton Fair
Renata Ribeiro, senior vice president strategic operations, to lead global port & destination development; legendary Giora Israel remains active, transitioning to new role advising leadership team

MIAMI, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced that Renata Ribeiro, currently senior vice president strategic operations and a highly respected member of its senior leadership team, will additionally assume the responsibilities for the company's global port and destination development operations, effective June 1, 2022.

Giora Israel, who has led global port and destination development for 14 years will transition to a new role as senior advisor to the company. Israel, one of the cruising industry's most respected, influential and innovative leaders, will remain active in providing strategic policy and operational guidance to Ribeiro and the leadership team.

Throughout the years, Carnival Corporation has made significant investments in approximately 40 different port projects worldwide. The company's highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of its guests, the people in the places its ships visit and serve, and its shoreside and shipboard personnel.

Ribeiro takes over responsibility for managing worldwide port and destination strategic opportunities for Carnival Corporation and its nine world-leading brands, and will be leading a talented global team focused on building and maintaining strong partnerships with local ports, governments, businesses and communities to help cultivate destination and itinerary options popular with cruise guests.

A 14-year veteran of Carnival Corporation, for the last two years Ribeiro has been senior vice president overseeing operations strategy for the corporation, managing strategic business transformation and operational initiatives. During that time, Ribeiro played a pivotal leadership role in the operational restart of the company's cruise line brands after an extended pandemic-related pause.

She was instrumental in re-establishing access to key global ports, including helping Carnival Corporation and its brands navigate complex and dynamic travel restrictions and protocols around the world. Ribeiro also has been leading efforts to optimize the global bandwidth connectivity footprint for the corporation's fleet around the world.

"Renata has the perfect combination of global operations experience and strategic management consulting expertise, making her the ideal leader to continue advancing our involvement in ports and destinations, including many of the more than 700 ports worldwide we already visit," said Josh Weinstein, chief operations officer for Carnival Corporation. "With her proven leadership record across various commercial and operational roles, and her exceptional talent for seizing new opportunities, Renata will be invaluable in helping us extend our legacy of global port development that diversify our cruise offerings and enhance the overall vacation experience for our guests, while creating positive economic impacts in the local communities we visit and serve around the world."

Ribeiro will support a talented group of leaders in port development and operations including:

David Candib , VP Global Ports and Destinations Development, who leads the company's port and destination development initiatives in the Americas region, and oversees six company-operated ports in the Americas

, VP Global Ports and Destinations Development, who leads the company's port and destination development initiatives in the Americas region, and oversees six company-operated ports in the Americas Michel Nestour, VP, EuroMed Port Development, who leads our port development and operations in the EuroMed region and the Arabian Gulf

Marie McKenzie , VP, Global Ports & Carib Government Relations, who leads government relations in the Caribbean and Central America

, VP, Global Ports & Carib Government Relations, who leads government relations in the and Gisella Mazzilli , VP, Finance & Accounting, the Global Ports and Destinations Group CFO

Industry Titan Takes New Role with Company

As Ribeiro takes the helm of global port and destination development, her predecessor, Israel, will transition into his new role as a senior advisor for the company to provide strategic policy and operational insights to leadership, and support to Ribeiro as she takes on this new role.

"Giora is a true industry legend who has been at the forefront of shaping and innovating cruising for more than three decades, which has played a key role in cruising becoming one of the world's most popular vacation options," said Weinstein. "His impact is most broadly felt in his tremendous body of work during his remarkable 30-year career with Carnival Corporation, particularly in his leadership developing and expanding ports and destinations around the globe. While Giora is stepping away from day-to-day port and destination development, we are very fortunate to have access to his tremendous expertise and knowledge as he takes on his new senior advisor role with Carnival Corporation."

Israel has helped advance the cruise industry in every major global region, leading key port and destination development projects that have led to Carnival Corporation becoming one of the most successful cruise port developers in the world. Among his many accomplishments, Israel was the driving force behind some of the company's iconic and innovative cruise port projects and developments, including Long Beach Cruise Terminal, Cozumel Cruise Terminal, Grand Turk Cruise Center, Mahogany Bay, Amber Cove and the HELIX cruise center in Barcelona, in addition to the new Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, the first dedicated twin-terminal cruise port in the region.

Ribeiro Brings Extensive Destination Innovation and Development Experience

Prior to her role with Carnival Corporation, Ribeiro worked for 12 years at the Carnival Cruise Line brand, most recently as senior vice president for destination development for a broad portfolio of Caribbean destinations, overseeing innovation and product development in partnership with Carnival Corporation's global port and destination development group. She also served as senior vice president of guest commerce, managing the line's onboard revenue businesses after working for six years as vice president of fleet deployment and demand strategy. Ribeiro joined Carnival Cruise Line in 2008 as a senior director in guest experience innovation.

Previously, Ribeiro worked for one of Brazil's largest cosmetics company, Natura & Co., as the director of commercial innovation and international expansion, leading the company's international expansion in Europe and the U.S. She began her career as a strategic management consultant, working for more than 10 years at The Boston Consulting Group and Strategy & Co. and specializing in strategy, business development and operations.

Ribeiro serves on the board of directors for the Ashtead Group plc, a British equipment rental company. She earned her Master of Business Administration degree from the Wake Forest University School of Business where she received the Luther Award for the best international student. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

About Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com.

SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
Boostlingo creates and fills an executive position for language access, solidifying the company's market leadership in expanding language support globally for all languages.

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boostlingo, a leader in interpretation management and delivery technology, announced on Friday that it has promoted Caroline Remer as the Vice President of Language Access.

Remer has been in the language interpretation space for more than a decade, first as a Spanish interpreter, then with Boostlingo as the Director of Language Access starting in 2018. Remer completed her educational career abroad, with an undergraduate degree from University of San Francisco sister school Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, studying international relations and Spanish. Additionally, she earned a Masters in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies from UNESCO-sponsored Universitat Jaume I in Castellon de la Plana, Spain.

After completing her international advanced degree, Remer returned to her hometown of San Francisco where she served as an interpreter in the Social Work field. As an interpreter and social worker, Remer worked as a part of a care team to serve low-income, Spanish-speaking older adults.

Remer's international and interpretation background led her to Boostlingo, where she helped to build the Boostlingo Professional Interpreter Network from its infancy. As the leader in the Language Access Department, Remer has built a network of over 10,000 global interpreters representing 300 languages.

"I am really happy that as a company, we value language access so much that we created an executive position to prioritize language access as part of our business strategy," said Remer of her promotion. "I am honored and humbled to be entering this phase in my career and even more to be a strong advocate for language access here at Boostlingo."

In her role as Vice President of Language Access, Remer will lead a team dedicated to expanding membership in the Boostlingo Professional Interpreter Network, executing strict quality control measures for interpreters in the network, and planning for future language needs as Boostlingo's call volume and language diversity increases over time. Additionally, Remer will work with language service companies to expand the conversation about language access outside of the niche industry and into mainstream discussions around diversity and equity.

"Caroline has been instrumental in the growth of our Boostlingo Professional Interpreter Network and in promoting our platform to be easier to use for both interpreters and requestors," said Bryan Forrester, CEO of Boostlingo. "We're thrilled to have her voice on the executive team and know her leadership will help Boostlingo encourage even more language access through our technology."

About Boostlingo

Boostlingo is a language software and technology company based in Austin, TX. Boostlingo is reimagining interpretation through innovative technology that expands language access and improves communication globally.

Boostlingo recently acquired Interpreter Intelligence and VoiceBoxer, expanding our interpretation solutions to include video, phone, on-demand, remote simultaneous and virtual interpreting, as well as interpreter management and scheduling solutions.

Learn more about Boostlingo at https://boostlingo.com/

BOOSTLINGO MEDIA/PRESS CONTACT



Madie Leon Riley  Communications Director

512-593-5215

[email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boostlingo

Website: https://www.boostlingo.com

Twitter @boostlingo

SOURCE Boostlingo
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED), announced the six outstanding business leaders and their companies that will be receiving the 2022 CED Distinguished Leadership Awards. An annual tradition, the awards honor leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment to corporate citizenship, business stewardship, and advancing public policy in the nation's interests.

This year's awards pay special tribute to business leaders and their companies that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in very challenging times, including defeating the pandemic, ensuring an economy recovery that provides equal opportunity for all Americans, building a more civil and just society, and upholding a rules-based international order.

The 2022 Awards Celebration will be held on October 26, 2022, in New York City, where the honorees will be introduced by six executivesall of whom are distinguished leaders in their own right. This year's CED Awards Committee is co-chaired by Tamara Lundgren, Chairman, President, and CEO of Schnitzer Steel; Ravi Saligram, President and CEO of Newell Brands; and Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture.

"Over the last two years, the world has faced relentless uncertainty and volatility. From the continued impacts of the pandemic to the new geopolitical and economic challenges that emerged in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these challenging times require steadfast business leadership in the nation's interest," said Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of CED.

"This year's distinguished honorees and their companies have addressed the multitude of challenges with resilience, resourcefulness, empathy, authenticity, and beneficence," she continued. "Throughout the year, we will be showcasing our honorees and their companies' continued efforts to help their employees, communities, and country navigate these vast disruptions and emerge prosperous with equal opportunity for all. The Awards' legacy objective is to inspire other leaders across the public and private sectors to take bold actionand ultimately, create a more just, civil, and prosperous society."

CED is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Distinguished Leadership Awards for Business Stewardship and Corporate Citizenship:

Albert Bourla , Chairman and CEO, Pfizer

, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer Introduced by James Quincey , Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company

, Chairman and CEO, Heyward Donigan , President and CEO, Rite Aid

, President and CEO, Introduced by Robert E. Knowling, Jr. , Chairman, Eagles Landing Partners

, Chairman, Dan Schulman , President and CEO, PayPal

, President and CEO, Introduced by Hans Vestberg , Chairman and CEO, Verizon

, Chairman and CEO, Penny Pennington , Managing Partner, Edward Jones

, Managing Partner, Introduced by Indra K. Nooyi , Former Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo

, Former Chairman and CEO, Chris Kempczinski , President and CEO, McDonald's Corporation

, President and CEO, Introduced by John W. Rogers, Jr. , Chairman and Co-CEO, Ariel Investments

, Chairman and Co-CEO, Marc N. Casper , Chairman, President, and CEO, Thermo Fisher Scientific

, Chairman, President, and CEO, Introduced by James P. Gorman , Chairman and CEO, Morgan Stanley

About the Honorees

To learn more about this year's honorees, visit CED's Awards Celebration website. Leading up to the event, honorees will participate in CED's conversation series, Leadership in Challenging Times. In these discussions, this year's recipients will share how they are extending their leadership beyond company walls, helping chart a path forward amid the economic, social, and health crises confronting the nation.

About CED

The Committee for Economic Development (CED) is the public policy center of The Conference Board. The nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led organization delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions in the nation's interest. CED Trustees are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies who bring their unique experience to address today's pressing policy issues. Collectively they represent 30+ industries, over a trillion dollars in revenue, and over 4 million employees. www.ced.org

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

SOURCE Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED)
DOVER, Del., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. ET to discuss the Company's financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. The earnings press release will be issued on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, after market close.

To participate in this call, dial 877.224.1468 and reference Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's 2022 First Quarter Financial Results Conference Call.

To access the replay recording of this call, please visit the Events & Presentations section of the Investors page on www.chpk.com.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which is engaged in natural gas transmission and distribution; electricity generation and distribution; propane gas distribution; mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions; and other businesses. Information about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's businesses is available at www.chpk.com.

Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has no affiliation with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For more information, contact:

Alex Whitelam

Head of Investor Relations

[email protected]

215.872.2507

SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Publication: Chicago Business Bulletin: April, 2022 | Logistics Tech in Chicago

CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World Business Chicago, the city's public-private economic development agency, today published its latest research report digging into Chicago's logistics tech sector.

The city's economic agency now publishes original research-based content monthly. This latest report digs into Chicago's legacy infrastructure, current record-breaking levels of VC investment, plus strong network of universities, colleges, research incubators, have Chicago well positioned for significant growth in the logistics tech vertical.

Chicago stands at the U.S. crossroads of transportation, distribution and logistics. Chicago located companies benefit from central location advantage, diverse talent pipeline and ever-evolving and growing logistics tech and innovation. On the heels of today's report, Chicago was recognized as a top business hub by Business Facilities magazine (March/April 2022). Chicago is a city of movement, transporting people, goods, and new technology across the nation and around the world.

"With the increased investment and business accelerating from tech and innovation, coupled with the city's commitment to inclusive economic development, locally based and founded startups, companies, corporations will continue to be well positioned to thrive, expand and grow," said Michael Fassnacht, President & CEO, World Business Chicago, Chief Marketing Officer, city of Chicago.

The World Business Chicago Research Center found an 802 percent increase in Logistics Tech growth capital since 2019 in the Chicago area, stemming from an upsurge in e-commerce, the global supply chain crisis, and increased demand for emerging and accelerated tech like blockchain. Consider:

Logistics tech has raised $1.38B in growth capital 2021, up from just $0.15B in 2019.

in growth capital 2021, up from just in 2019. Chicago growth capital investment beat out New York by 301 percentage points between 2019-2021,

growth capital investment beat out by 301 percentage points between 2019-2021, Over 100 locally headquartered companies that employ over 34,000 individuals

"Chicago is the center of the American logistics universe," says Will Kerr, President, Edge Logistics. "The Chicago logistics and logistics technology community has led the charge in new ideas for decades. The rest of the nation is noticing what is being built here in Chicago every day and the investments are pouring in. This trend will continue for years to come as TD&L business evolves and that change is created here in Chicago."

According to World Business Chicago, Chicago is a key e-commerce and transportation hub; this being a significant draw for companies looking to grow and expand, especially including those seeking to tap into the 6 of 7 class I railroads run through Chicago. Chicago's TD&L market is one of the nation's largest, employing over 260K individuals generating $24B annually.

"In the course of readying our latest report, we found that Chicago offers the second highest concentration of workers in both transportation and tech, behind San Bernardino Valley," said Hannah Loftus, Research Director, World Business Chicago. "That coupled with data that ranks Chicago as a top city for related occupations in logistics, sales and engineering, led to our finding that Chicago is primed for significant growth in this sector."

Within the larger verticals of Chicago's ecosystem, Logistics Tech has the second-highest growth in investments in 2021. This tech ecosystem now comprises 5 unicorns and 2 publicly held companies, the median post-deal valuation increased to $190M from $50M in 2020, demonstrating the size and maturity of Chicago logistics tech firms.

Chicago-based incubator programs, like 1871's Supply Chain Innovation Lab which launches applications April 2022, are an opportunity to fill gaps in early-stage logistics tech firms developing supply chain and logistics technology.

In conclusion, the April, 2022 edition of The WBC Research Center, Chicago Business Bulletin reports:

Growth in value and size of Chicago logistics tech firms attracts more venture capital, private equity for growth and corporate VC

logistics tech firms attracts more venture capital, private equity for growth and corporate VC Chicago is a market of choice for corporate relocations and expansions offering a unique blend of a maturing VC ecosystem, a legacy TD&L industry and a diverse talent pool

is a market of choice for corporate relocations and expansions offering a unique blend of a maturing VC ecosystem, a legacy TD&L industry and a diverse talent pool Innovation labs in Chicago are taking advantage of the opportunity to develop underrepresented vertical segments, supporting early-stage firms, and capturing more and diverse tech talent.

About World Business Chicago

World Business Chicago serves a critical role in driving inclusive and equitable recovery throughout the city's 77-neighborhoods. As the city's economic development agency, World Business Chicago leads business acquisition, workforce and talent, community impact and equity, support of our business community and promotion of Chicago as a leading global city. Most recently Site Selection magazine awarded Chicago with the distinction as the No. #1 Top Metro, for the ninth consecutive year, for business expansion and relocation.

The preceding month's research report, Fintech in Chicago, a new perspective on Chicago's most storied industry, coincided with the agency's declaration that Fintech was its fifth priority sector, joining manufacturing, transportation logistics and distribution, food and agriculture, and healthcare, biotech and life sciences. For business related news, announcements, and original research-based content, follow World Business Chicago on Linkedin, Twitter.

SOURCE World Business Chicago
However, just 10 years ago, Zheng'an was still severely impoverished and its guitar industry was practically non-existent. Its severe lack of jobs left many locals with no choice but to leave home and seek employment elsewhere. But starting in 2013, Zheng'an has taken itself from zero industry to the world's largest guitar manufacturer in less than a decade.

And this incredible transformation has brought massive changes to life here.

Jack from China Matters travels to Zheng'an to get a first-hand look at how this town is attracting so many companies? What new ideas are they seeing in production and what's so unique about their handcrafted guitars?

And after becoming the world's largest maker of guitars, how is it changing life in the town to the tune of guitars? Jack looks deeper into what makes the town special.

Video - https://youtu.be/jXCSLGtpybA

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1735490/China_Matters_Logo.jpg

Contact:

Li Siwei

+8610-68996566

[email protected]

SOURCE China Matters
CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) will report first quarter 2022 results before the market opens on Monday, May 2, 2022. The news release, earnings presentation and financial supplement will be available on CNA's website at www.cna.com. A conference call for investors and analysts is scheduled for 8 a.m. CT and will be hosted by Dino E. Robusto, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation.

A live webcast will be available via the Investor Relations section of www.cna.com. Those interested in participating in the question and answer session should dial (800) 289-0571, or for international callers, +1 (720) 543-0206. An online replay will also be available on CNA's website following the call.

About CNA

CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. Backed by more than 120 years of experience, CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com.

Follow CNA (NYSE: CNA) on: Twitter | LinkedIn

Press Contacts

Cara McCall

CNA

[email protected]

312-822-1309

CNA Newsroom

[email protected]

312-822-5167

Analyst Contact

Amy C. Adams

CNA

[email protected]

312-822-5533

SOURCE CNA
New summer collection offers cool families with happy children the complete vacation experience

MONTREAL, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coco Village, an e-commerce brand dedicated to designing aesthetically-pleasing children's products for cool families, today announced its foray into the children's clothing market with the launch of its gender-neutral Summer Collection.

Inspired by Coco, a gender-neutral character from the children's book Coco & The Sea, the Summer Collection from Coco Village boasts mix and match beach-ready clothes, bathing suits, swim gear, and accessories. Made from recycled materials and with eco-friendly parenting in mind, the clothing line offers everything families need for a complete and enjoyable family vacation, from t-shirts, shorts, and one-piece suits to bucket hats, anti-UV swim training vests, beach bags, and more.

"After having built our reputation selling high-quality toys - such as our renowned balance bikes, pretend play modules and accessories - and furniture, it was only natural for us to start designing baby and children's clothes as well," said Yoann Desrosiers, co-founder of Coco Village. "Part of Coco Village's mission is to rethink the future of tiny humans by offering families practical, safe, and aesthetically pleasing products that both satisfy the everyday needs of families and make a beneficial impact on the environment; This launch builds on this mission, while also reinforcing our goal of being a true one-stop-shop for families with newborns and little ones up to age 8."

Coco Village's gender-neutral Summer Collection is just the start of the brand's expanding clothing line, which includes new summer and evergreen pajamas to complement limited-edition Christmas and Easter themed pajamas as well as the Rain Time Collection. The ever-growing brand also has plans to launch future clothing lines including a Fall-Winter Collection and other basics. All clothing, inclusive of the Summer Collection, will be available for children ages 0-8 years old on the Coco Village website.

The Summer Collection is now available to purchase via https://www.cocovillage.com/. From April 15-28, 2022, Coco Village is offering customers 2 for 1 on the complete Summer Collection (clothing, swimwear, and accessories).

To learn more, please visit: https://www.cocovillage.com/.

About Coco Village

Coco Village is a North American children's home furnishing, decor, and toys e-commerce company, selling across United States and Canada. Coco Village is a privately held and family-owned company. Inspired by Scandinavian and European children's furniture and toy brands, Coco Village aspires to make the major design trends accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. All of their products are designed in-house and handcrafted by category experts around the world. www.cocovillage.com.

Media Contact:

5W Public Relations

212-999-5585

[email protected]

SOURCE Coco Village
FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE: CHCT) today announced that on Tuesday evening, May 3, 2022, after the market closes, it will report results for the first quarter of 2022.

On May 4, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, Community Healthcare Trust will hold a conference call to discuss earnings results, quarterly activities, general operations of the Company and industry trends. Simultaneously, a webcast of the conference call will be available to interested parties via an Internet link at www.chct.reit under the Investor Relations section. A webcast replay will be available following the call at the same Internet site address.

Conference Call Details

Domestic Dial-In Number: 1-888-347-1332

International Dial-In Number: 1-412-902-4278

Canada Toll Free: 1-855-669-9657

Replay Conference Call Details

Domestic Dial-In Number: 1-877-344-7529

International Dial-In Number: 1-412-317-0088

Canada Toll Free: 1-855-669-9658

Conference ID: 3579731

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. The Company had investments of approximately $837.1 million in 153 real estate properties (including a portion of one property accounted for as a financing lease) as of December 31, 2021, located in 33 states, totaling approximately 3.4 million square feet.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that 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, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans", "estimates", "anticipates" or other similar words or expressions, including the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and can include future expectations, future plans and strategies, financial and operating projections or other forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Because forward-looking statements relate to future events, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Thus, the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Some factors that might cause such a difference include the following: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of the Company's common stock, changes in the Company's business strategy, availability, terms and deployment of capital, the Company's ability to refinance existing indebtedness at or prior to maturity on favorable terms, or at all, changes in the real estate industry in general, interest rates or the general economy, adverse developments related to the healthcare industry, the degree and nature of the Company's competition, the ability to consummate acquisitions under contract, effects on global and national markets as well as businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the other factors described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

CONTACT: David H. Dupuy, 615-771-3052

SOURCE Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.
As an all-volunteer, nonprofit community radio station celebrates 20 years of broadcasting, it's clear the power of radio is still strong.

MAUI, Hawaii, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In April of 2001, the FCC finalized its low power FM radio service licensing policy ( source ) and a new era of community radio was born. Now, two decades later, it's more clear than ever that the future of community radio lies in enriching the lives of the listeners, DJs, and musicians. To continue growing, community radio stations like Mana'o Radio are adapting through the use of technology and social media.

Mana'o Radio Volunteers Gather for a Community Event. Community Radio Stations connect with listeners at live event hosted by Mana'o Radio in Maui, Hawaii. Photo by Bruce Forrester.

"We were the 13th applicant in the nation to file our application," remarked Kathy Collins, Co-founder of Mana'o Radio, a community radio station in Maui, Hawaii.

"We got a couple of investors and found some used equipment," explains Collins, "We went on air on March 11, 2002 at 6am from my teenage son's bedroom. A team of 5 volunteers helped us put an antenna up on the roof."

Kathy Collins and Barry Shannon were inspired to create an alternative to corporate radio and to bring music to their community. Mana'o means thought, opinion, knowledge and their vision was to share Mana'o not just through music but through all forms of audio.

"People always talk about radio dying but it hasn't," shared Collins. "I believe there will always be a place for something that is community-based."

While relying solely on donations and volunteers to operate, the station is breaking barriers and tradition in order to stay relevant. This year marks their 20th anniversary.

On June 11, 2014, Mana'o Radio was granted a new FCC High power license under Maui Media Initiative KMNO 91.7FM which vastly expanded their reach.

Current Mana'o Radio Board President Michael Elam noted, "Our mission has stayed the same, but how we achieve it has changed. We've grown beyond just an FM broadcast to now include all sorts of digital tools and live music production."

At Mana'o Radio, no one receives compensation including DJs, engineering, operations management, board members and community partners. Every person is involved for the love of sharing eclectic music with FM listeners on Maui and growing an internet audience worldwide.

"We are an island with limited FM signal. Our broadcast range is maxed out. All major population centers in Maui have access," explained Elam. "Our growth is going to come from reaching people worldwide."

When COVID hit and Maui shut down, the station turned to social media to keep the music flowing. These livestreams have stuck around as new ways of enriching the lives of the community, musicians and DJs.

One such program is Mana'[email protected] . Maui radio personality and community journalist, Trish da Dish hosts an hour-long talk story, interview, and live music experience featuring a respected Maui artist/band. Over 50 episodes later, Mana'[email protected] continues to provide a platform for musicians to share their music. The program is available on Facebook and YouTube.

The latest in the lineup of offerings is Music2Nite , a website where residents and tourists can easily search for live music events throughout the island by genre. Musicians and venues can post live music events at no charge. The station promotes the event on air and through their social media partnerships with a combined reach of nearly 1,000,000 people.

"It has always been part of the mission to support local musicians," commented David Rose, volunteer Web Developer with Mana'o Radio. "This site is another tool to help us do that."

As Mana'o Radio celebrates its 20th Anniversary, it's clear community radio is not dead. The future of community radio lies in enriching lives. With music-loving volunteers at the heart of the station, they will keep the music flowing through the FM broadcast, live music productions, live streaming, and adapting to a new world of digital tools.

Media Contact:

Danielle Miller

8086331033

[email protected]

SOURCE Manao Radio
BSN Program Provides Training to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Concorde Career Colleges, Inc., a national leader in health care education, has launched a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program at its Kansas City campus to help address the widespread shortage of registered nurses (RN).

According to The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, over 40% of the RN workforce is over 50 years old, creating critical healthcare shortages  a need that has become even more essential during the global pandemic. An average of 194,500 job opening for RNs are projected each year, notes the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The BSN Program has been granted the status of initial accreditation by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and combines classroom theory with clinical training to prepare students to enter the health care industry in under three years.

Concorde-Kansas City will accommodate 24 BSN students per term, twice a year. Enrollment is now open and coursework will begin in July 2022 for the 29-month program.

"We want to prepare our students for the evolving health care career environments in which they will work," said Kate Packard, Concorde-Kansas City Campus President. "Training students with practical, real-world experiences will allow them to perform nursing tasks in a variety of settings while using critical thinking skills and delivering high-quality patient care."

BSN students must complete 120 credit hours and 300 in-person lab hours to ensure they are prepared to perform daily tasks in a clinical setting. After program completion, graduates may prepare to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX) or continue to pursue advanced degrees in a variety of specializations, as well as toward careers as a nurse practitioner or educator.

"Nursing programs in the greater Kansas City area were unable to keep up with the need for new nurses even before the pandemic," recalled Concorde-Kansas City Director of Nursing Nicholas Plisowski. "Our new program will help address the health needs of our community while providing students an opportunity to join a rewarding and fulfilling profession that is always in demand."

The Concorde-Kansas City campus, which offers a variety of health care programs, is located at 930 Carondelet Drive, Kansas City, MO, and also has a satellite campus that offers additional health care programs.

About Concorde Career Colleges, Inc.

Concorde Career Colleges, Inc., which operates 17 campuses in eight states under the brands Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute, prepares America's next generation of health care and dental professionals for rewarding careers. The Concorde hybrid/blended education model combines online coursework with in-person lab classes and clinical experiences. Concorde's 25 student-focused academic programs and personalized support prepares graduates for in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic and other health care roles. Concorde's campuses are accredited by either the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or the Council on Occupational Education (COE). For more information, visit www.concorde.edu.

Media Contact:

Devyn Raver

CBD Marketing

[email protected]

312.661.1050

SOURCE Concorde Career Colleges
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ContactUs, a leader in CX outsourcing (CX BPO), specializing in innovative contact center solutions, revealed its new branding initiatives, which highlight the company's expertise in guiding clients' digital transformation and its expansion into near-shore regions.

The appointment of Bob Bryan as its CEO and Will Souder as its CIO and Digital Transformation Officer in October of 2021 led to many beneficial changes in both strategy and operational readiness. With these improvements came a change to brand as a whole: a new logo, website, and client engagement strategy.

"The rebranding initiative gave the company new energy. The ContactUs team started 2022 with a renewed focus," said Bob Bryan. "We came out of the gates strong with a record first quarter. We've enjoyed the renewal of multiple key client contracts and have kept our implementation team busy with new accounts, both in the U.S. and in our near-shore locations."

"Consumers are changing their expectations for service," Bob Bryan added. "They'll reach out over the phone, chat, email, and text, sometimes all for the same issue. It can lead to a lot of redundant work, and unnecessary expense. We have tools to prevent and solve that problem. We are out to reduce friction in the customer journey, and at the agent desktop. There's more value to our relationships than a traditional BPO."

The ContactUs professional services team engages with clients to assess the paths to a successful digital transformation (DX). Under the guidance of Will Souder, the ContactUs DX team provides the technological and strategic insight needed to provide an exceptional customer experience.

"While there are certainly best practices to follow, in many cases the journey through digital transformation is unique for each client based on their incumbent technologies, resources, business model, and customer demographics. It's our job to understand those variables and to make recommendations that address the needs of the business and meet the expectations of the customers," said Will Souder. "Our clients choose ContactUs, and stay with us, because we bring value. To succeed in a long-term business relationship, we must bring continual improvement to processes and technologies used to service customers. Whether it's a bot programmed to assist agents as a virtual SME, or AI that drives self-service technologies, we help vet the options and usher our clients, and their customers, though the digital transformation."

About ContactUs Communications

ContactUs Communications is a contact center services organization dedicated to innovation and value. We have a special expertise in guiding our clients through the digital transformation of the service experience. Whether it's an initiative to outsource domestic or near-shore agents, the change from on-premise technologies to cloud-based CCaaS solutions, or the introduction of new channels for support involving people and/or AI, ContactUs is a guide and mentor to its clients as they optimize their customer experience.

www.cusc.com

Media Contact: Rick Daley, VP Delivery

[email protected]; 614-984-2025

Release: Tuesday, April 12 8:27am EST

SOURCE ContactUS Communications
The Company's common shares are also eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC").

TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi Technologies") (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJR) (OTCQB: DEFTF), a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance, is pleased to announce that it has qualified for trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. and the Company's common shares commenced trading today on the OTCQB under the symbol "DEFTF." The Company's common shares are also eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC").

DeFi Technology's common shares will continue to trade on the NEO Exchange in Canada under the symbol "NEO:DEFI" and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol "RMJ."

"Becoming an OTCQB-listed company is an important step in our overall corporate strategy as we look to increase awareness of DeFi Technologies within the U.S. investment community," said Russell Starr, CEO of DeFi Technologies. "Today's announcement will help us as we continue to build our presence in the U.S. market, and will provide additional liquidity by allowing US investors to more easily invest in a company that provides exposure to today's leading Web 3.0 and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols."

U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com . The Company's listing on the NEO Exchange and the trading of its shares on the OTCQB contribute to the genuine North American presence and affords investors preeminent access to trading.

Learn more about DeFi Technologies at defi.tech .

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies Inc. is a technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralised finance. Our mission is to expand investor access to industry-leading decentralised technologies which we believe lie at the heart of the future of finance. On behalf of our shareholders and investors, we identify opportunities and areas of innovation, and build and invest in new technologies and ventures in order to provide trusted, diversified exposure across the decentralized finance ecosystem. For more information or to subscribe to receive company updates and financial information, visit https://defi.tech/.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to staking of BLT held by DeFi Technologies; the development of the DeFi Infrastructure & Governance business line; the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited to the growth and development of DeFi and the cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to DeFi and cryptocurrency; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Dave Gentry

RedChip Companies Inc.

1-800-RED-CHIP (733-2447)

407-491-4498

[email protected]

Public Relations

Wachsman PR

[email protected]

SOURCE DeFi Technologies, Inc.
TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company.

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. has now started completion work on Offset Wells #5, #6 and #7 in the McCauley Helium Field. Sampling will be completed in the next 10-14 days with approximately another 14 days to get results for public release.

"The team is excited to finally complete and sample the 3 offset wells in our McCauley Helium Field which will be the first of our discoveries to go into production," says Robert Rohlfing, CEO of Desert Mountain Energy. "We look forward to rewarding our shareholders with a cash flow stream this year."

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen and noble gases. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Exec Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and nor does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.
New and upgraded models offer more flexibility for users in workholding applications

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/  Destaco, part of Dover (NYSE: DOV), announced that it continues to expand the options within its Manual Clamp product family through the creation of new models and the upgrade of existing versions. These expanded offerings are designed to give users additional flexibility when outfitting their workholding systems.

Here is a closer look at three of these latest innovations:

Front-Mount-Base Manual Clamps: Designed with a vertical mounting base that reduces interfering contours, and available with both vertical (models 2002-UF and 2007-UF) and horizontal (models 225-UF and 235-UF) handle action, these clamps help improve safety by providing more space for larger hand clearances. They also use the same mounting-hole pattern, spindles, washers and bolt retainers as existing models. All models have hardened bushings at key pivot points for longer cycle life and higher holding capacities.

Toggle Lock Plus Manual Clamps: The new 503-MLBR and 533-LBR models are extensions of Destaco's 503-MLB and 533-LB vertical toggle-lock clamps and feature the patented Toggle Lock Plus locking system. The space-saving Toggle Lock Plus uses a locking disc to secure the position. This solution requires no welding and provides additional protection against unintentional opening and closing. The 503-MLBR and 533-LBR clamps are fully interchangeable with models having the same specifications. Other models are available upon request.

800 Series Manual Clamps: Quality enhancements have been completed for three models within the 800 Series clamp family. The Model 802-U now includes an upgraded air cylinder that helps ensure the clamp's exerting force is less than the maximum holding capacity; new composite bearings on the trunnion mount and cylinder pivot point; and a redesigned clevis bolt, along with increased rivet and pre-stop diameters. The Model 807-U is offered with lubrication- and maintenance-free composite bearings on the trunnion mount, a redesigned clevis bolt and a reconfigured base that improves the unit's open/close performance. New composite bearings that eliminate metal-to-metal contact while requiring no lubrication or maintenance are the upgrades for the Model 810-U.

"Our number one mission is to provide our customers with safe, cutting-edge products that help them optimize performance in all of their critical workholding applications," said Thomas Stimac, Destaco Regional Sales Manager, Automotive. "The introduction of the expanded Front-Mount and Toggle Lock Plus Manual Clamp portfolio, along with the updates to the 800 Series models, delivers on that mission, further strengthening our offerings to meet our customers' evolving needs."

To learn more about Destaco or any of its high-performance automation, workholding or remote-handling solutions, please visit www.destaco.com or call (888) Destaco (888-337-8226).

About Destaco:

Destaco, a Dover Corporation company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance automation, workholding and remote-handling solutions. The company serves customers in a variety of end-markets, including the automotive, life sciences, consumer packaged goods, aerospace, industrial and nuclear sectors.

Built on a legacy of more than 100 years, Destaco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products designed to engineer precise movement, placement and control solutions that drive productivity and uptime for manufacturers around the world. The Destaco family of products consists of industry-leading brands such as Destaco Manual Clamps, Power Clamps, and End Effectors; Camco and Ferguson Indexers; Robohand Grippers; and CRL Manipulators and Transfer Ports. Destaco is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.A. The company has more than 800 employees with 13 locations, in 9 countries, across the Americas, Europe and Asia. More information is available at destaco.com.

About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 25,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com.

Destaco Contact:

Kristen Fairbrother

(248) 836-6674

[email protected]

Dover Media Contact:

Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications

(630) 743-5039

[email protected]

Dover Investor Contact:

Jack Dickens, Senior Director, Investor Relations

(630) 743-2566

[email protected]

SOURCE Dover
NOIDA, India, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive overview of the Detox Drinks market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The Detox Drinks market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the Detox Drinks market. The Detox Drinks market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Detox Drinks market at the global and regional levels. The Detox Drinks market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% from 2021-2027 to exceed USD 2.0 billion by 2027.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=6702

Market Overview

The various factors driving the detox drinks market include the rise in chronic disease incidences and the growing number of people adopting a healthy lifestyle. The increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and surging no. of patients with diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. affects both the service quality and life span of an individual. For instance, 1.8 million deaths were recorded due to lung cancer across the world in 2020, accounting for the highest number of deaths due to cancer. In addition to this, it is estimated that 700 million people will be living with diabetes by 2045 all over the world. Another factor driving the growth of the global detox drinks market is the increasing interest of consumers in weight reduction. Detoxification is a natural and excellent way for cleansing the body from within. The worldwide popularity of detox drinks is increasing because of their ability to boost the metabolism of the body and other nutritional benefits. Furthermore, the surging cost of healthcare procedures coupled with the rise in the geriatric population are some of the factors contributing to the growth of the detox drinks market across the world owing to the growing number of health-conscious people. For instance, according to the Peterson-KFF health system tracker, the general cost of inpatient hospital admission rose steeply by 85% over the decade. In addition to this, medical costs for surgical and medical care nearly doubled from 2008 to 2018.

COVID-19 Impact

COVID19 has resulted in a profound re-evaluation of the advantages and costs of detox drinks. The detox drinks market has been affected by the spreading of the coronavirus which has led to strict lockdown restrictions across many countries around the globe as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in the supply chain worldwide. The supply chain and logistics were harmed as a result of the closing of borders across numerous countries. It has resulted in significant disruptions to businesses and economic activities globally and is expected to have a short-term negative impact on the detox drinks market due to limited or non-availability of raw material transport and disruption in service providers. However, the food and beverage industry, on the other hand, was excluded from the lockdown limitations. As a result, there were only minor growth hiccups during the rigorous lockdown period.

Ask for Price & Discounts @ https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=6702

Detox Drinks market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Product Type, the market is primarily segmented into

Water

Juice

Tea or Coffee

Smoothies

Based on Product Type, the market has been segmented into Water, Juice, Tea or coffee, and Smoothies. The water segment dominates the market as it possesses zero calories and offers additional nutritional benefits along with rich flavors and aroma. In addition to this, detox water also possesses anti-aging properties which help in improving the overall skin health and improve the skin complexion. Apart from this, the juice segment is also expected to witness significant growth due to the shift of consumer preferences towards healthy beverages.

By Distribution Channel, the market is primarily segmented into

Store based

Non-store based

Based on distribution channels, the market is divided into store-based and non-store-based distribution channels. The major market share has been acquired by the store-based segment. However, the non-store-based distribution channel segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period owing to an increase in the number of online buyers. Furthermore, there is increased penetration of e-commerce in the food & beverage retail sector due to the pandemic. For instance, according to the survey conducted by Brick Meets Click, nearly 13.1 million U.S. households were active online grocery buyers in august 2019 which rose to 43 million in May 2020.

By Packaging type, the market is primarily segmented into

Bottles

Pouches & Sachets

Others

Amongst Packaging type, the market is fragmented into bottles, pouches & sachets, and others. The bottles segment dominated the market and is expected to maintain its lead in the upcoming years owing to the high demand for bottle packaging solutions in the beverage industry. Numerous market players provide detox drinks in bottles as they are available in different sizes and materials. Furthermore, many companies are using glass bottles for beverage packaging as they are easy to clean and provide a high-quality appealing look to the product.

By Origin, the market is primarily segmented into

Conventional

Organic

Amongst Origin, the detox drinks market is segmented into conventional and organic. The conventional segment is anticipated to garner a major market share in terms of revenue. However, the organic segment is expected to grow significantly in the forthcoming years owing to the high demand for detox drinks produced from organically grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Detox Drinks Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Rest of the World

Based on the estimation, North America dominated the market and generated revenue of USD 0.4 billion in 2020 owing to the higher healthcare expenditure per capita and growing geriatric population. For instance, Health spending per person in the U.S. was $10,966 in 2019, which was 42% higher than Switzerland, the country with the next highest per capita health spending, according to Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.

Ask for Report Customization @ https://univdatos.com/report/detox-drinks-market/

The major players targeting the market include

Jus By Julie

Suja Life , LLC

, LLC Project Juice

Terranova Synergistic Nutrition

Akiva Superfoods

Raw Generation

Pukka Herbs

Hain Celestial

Dr Stuarts

Unilever

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analysing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the Detox Drinks market. The leading players have been analysed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the Detox Drinks market?

Which factors are influencing the Detox Drinks market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the Detox Drinks market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the Detox Drinks market?

What are the demanding global regions of the Detox Drinks market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

For more informative information, please visit us @ https://univdatos.com/report/detox-drinks-market/

Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights

Ultra High Temperature Milk Market: https://univdatos.com/report/ultra-high-temperature-milk-market/

Nut Products Market: https://univdatos.com/report/nut-products-market/

Plant-Based Protein Market: https://univdatos.com/report/plant-based-protein-market/

Dairy Products Packaging Market: https://univdatos.com/report/dairy-products-packaging-market/

Brown Sugar Market: https://univdatos.com/report/brown-sugar-market/

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

Contact

UnivDatos Market Insights

Ankita Gupta

Director Operations

Ph: +91-7838604911

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://univdatos.com/

SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.
DigitalReef expansion into Connected TV will provide advertisers with direct access to reach consumers across mobile, TV and digital streaming services

MIAMI, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DigitalReef, a leading global mobile marketing technology company, has completed the acquisition of connected television (CTV) advertising software platform Column6. This acquisition provides DigitalReef expanded capabilities and expertise in programmatic advertising and streaming media ad management throughout the Americas.

"Column6 has built a powerful ad server and unified auction working with the largest CTV platforms and publishers, as well as Fortune 500 brands and ad agency holding companies," DigitalReef CEO Maurizio Angelone said. "Its capabilities and expertise based on its proprietary technology will help DigitalReef expand its advantage in building close connections with audiences around the world, be it on mobile or connected TV and streaming media services."

Column6 enables DigitalReef to target a rapidly expanding market opportunity, bringing together the Latin American mobile ecosystem and the North American streaming and broadcast markets. By 2025, the US is forecasted to spend more than $30B on CTV ads, an increase of over 233% from the $9B spent in 2020. Global CTV impressions in 2020 increased 60% year over year and connected TV accounted for 40% of all video impressions, up from 31% in 2019.

Column6 brings DigitalReef's advertising and marketing platform, DR-ONE, immediate CTV scale and capability in key global markets (including the US and Canada). The joint company will leverage the more than 500 million mobile devices in Latin America to the nearly 200 million active CTV households in the United States to expand the engagement and revenue opportunities for digital content publishers, mobile operators and content producers. Column6 has access to more than 2,500 CTV applications and integration with more than 25 programmatic bidders and DigitalReef has more than 3,000 publishers and established carrier customers in its ecosystem.

"The mobile device is the first, and oftentimes the only, screen for streaming media consumption for hundreds of millions of people globally," Column6 CEO Mark Yackanich said. "While we continue to expand our CTV exchange and platform services in the US, we are thrilled to leverage our platform to help power an emerging streaming media ecosystem with leading mobile operators across the Americas."

The Column6 team will be expanded to build out their full product and market vision with Column6 executives playing a key role in DigitalReef's global growth.

"We are focused on building a best-in-class marketing ecosystem for our partners with the most advanced technology and highest caliber talent and expertise. The acquisition of Column6 is a significant step in fulfilling this vision," Angelone said. "We are excited to combine our efforts to execute on our go to market strategy."

More information about the integrated technologies can be found on www.DigitalReef.com/CTV.

About DigitalReef

DigitalReef connects more than 400million registered devices with more than 3,000 active partnerships with brands, publishers, and carriers. It delivers rich audience targeting and segmentation through aggregation of first- and third-party data. Headquartered in Miami, it operates in 10 countries, with offices in major urban centers including Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Mexico City, and Bogota. For more information, visit www.DigitalReef.com .

SOURCE DigitalReef
SEATTLE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines' 100 dispatchers, who are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), have ratified a new five-year contract. The contract was approved by 81% of those employees who voted. The new contract includes increased pay with a mid-term market review to ensure wage rates stay competitive, along with enhanced benefits and streamlined training.

Alaska's dispatchers are responsible for flight planning and tracking to ensure the safety and progress of each flight conducted by the airline from origin to destination. They are the carrier's primary command and control link with Alaska pilots, providing en route weather, airport facility and other flight safety information.

"Our dispatchers play a critical role in our operation with responsibility for every single flight throughout the system," said Jenny Wetzel, vice president of labor relations at Alaska Airlines. "I'm glad we were able to reach an agreement that works for dispatchers and our company's long-term success. This means, even amid an uncertain economy, we can increase pay and enhance their benefits today."

"TWU was impressed with the logic-based approach taken in these negotiations by the Alaska negotiators," said Gary Peterson, TWU international vice president and air division director. "Early on both groups agreed on the industry analysis each of us had independently performed, which helped us reach an agreement in-line with our amendable date."

The previous contract became amendable on March 24, 2022. Contracts in the airline industry do not expire. Once they become amendable, the current contract remains in effect until a new agreement is ratified.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize providing low fares for our guests, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

SOURCE Alaska Airlines
Dodge brand's search to fill the "greatest automotive job in the world," which began this January, is about to come to its head-spinning supercharged conclusion. With more than 173,500 applications submitted for the highly coveted position, the brand announced the top 10 finalists last month. Beginning today (Tuesday, April 19), Dodge will begin airing three reality-show-style webisodes on DodgeGarage.com. Episodes feature the top 10 finalists competing in high stakes challenges to prove they have the knowledge, character and drive to win it all.

"This exhaustive, one-of-a-kind process to find our chief donut maker, the person who will help lead the automotive industry's most engaged automotive fan base into its electrified future, is now coming to its dramatic conclusion," said Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis. "While our top 10 candidates have shown they have what it takes to make the first cut, there can be only one chief donut maker. Now our finalists will be put in high-pressure scenarios, beyond burnouts and donuts, to prove that they possess the power to represent the world's purest performance brand as the ultimate brand ambassador for the Brotherhood of Muscle."

Fans can watch the three webisodes on DodgeGarage.com to see who comes out on top, winning the chief donut maker position, which includes a $150,000 paycheck, keys to a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and access to some of the auto industry's most epic events for an entire year. The first installment debuts on Tuesday, April 19, followed by the second installment on Friday, April 22, then the highly anticipated final webisode on Tuesday, April 26 (HEMI Day) will reveal the first-ever chief donut maker.

The finalists, who include Abbie K. (Burley, Idaho), Artie S. (Brooklyn, New York), Corrie M. (Las Vegas, Nevada), Edgar C. (Taylorsville, Utah), Jamie H. (Birmingham, Alabama), James O. (La Vergne, Tennessee), Lauren F. (Las Vegas, Nevada), Melissa W. (Highland Lakes, New Jersey), Pauline Y. (Monterey, California) and Preston P. (Pineville, North Carolina), will be thrown into wild, hot-seat scenarios, including an interrogation, a live screen test and racing a Dodge horsepower heavyweight at Radford Racing School (with a professional driver on a closed track).

Dodge has enlisted champion wrestler Bill Goldberg to oversee the competition, with appearances from other celebrities, including Joey Wells and Will "Spank" Horton from Kevin Hart's Muscle Car Crew, NHRA champion Matt Hagan and sportscaster Katie Osborne.

Highlights and teasers will also run across the brand's social media channels leading up to the final webisode on April 26, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The chief donut maker search is part of the brand's Never Lift plan, which provides a 24-month road map to Dodge's performance future.

HEMI Day (April 26), celebrated by Dodge and Mopar fans everywhere, is a reference to the legendary 426 cubic-inch HEMI V-8 built from 1964 through the 1971 model year.

Dodge//SRT

For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.

Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2022 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the Dodge Durango SRT 392, America's fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV. Combined, these three muscle cars make Dodge the industry's most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.

In 2020, Dodge was named the "#1 Brand in Initial Quality," making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). In 2021, the Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market), making it the only domestic brand ever to do so two years in a row.

Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Dodge and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Dodge brand: www.dodge.com

DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge and @StellantisNA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis
Embold's physician quality insights will improve the quality and value of care received by PCPS employees and their families

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embold Health, an industry leader in objective physician performance analytics, is partnering with Polk County Public Schools (PCPS), the seventh-largest school district in Florida and among the 30 largest in the country, to improve healthcare for its 14,000 employees and their families.

Teacher and students

The school district's employees now have access to Embold's online provider directory  DocLogic  to help guide them to area physicians who consistently deliver high-quality care. This tool enables employees to quickly search for doctors and services and compare doctor performance with doctor-level insights to find the physicians who reliably deliver quality care.

Linda King, director of risk and benefits management for the district, first learned about Embold's work on objective physician quality measurement at a Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value event three years ago, when the company's work with Walmart, Microsoft and other corporations was discussed.

"Embold was offering these large companies an opportunity for their employees to easily research and evaluate healthcare options for their families," King said. "We are always looking for ways to maximize benefits, provide better care and save money for both the district and our employees."

King was also encouraged to learn that Embold's DocLogic online provider guide would work seamlessly with the district's existing health plan and onsite clinics.

PCPS utilizes onsite clinics operated by Everside Health, which provides primary care services to district employees and their families and makes referrals to medical specialists when necessary. With Embold, clinicians at Everside have objective, clinically validated information they can use to refer patients to high-quality physicians when they need to see a specialist. That leads to better care, healthier employees and greater value  goals shared by all.

The DocLogic platform enables employees to easily identify top-performing doctors in their area based on data that is evaluated and analyzed according to the latest medical research and clinical guidelines, measuring the appropriateness, effectiveness, and overall cost of care.

"We are excited to partner with one of the largest school districts in the country, and we commend the forward-thinking leadership of Polk County Public Schools for being among the first to make this essential healthcare information available to employees and their families," said Daniel Stein, M.D., Embold founder and CEO. "We designed DocLogic to be clinically rigorous and totally transparent for all types of users. We even share our data and methodology with individual doctors, so they can identify ways to improve the care they provide."

"Through this new partnership, we are empowering our employees to become better healthcare consumers," King said. "Ultimately, we want our employees to make well-informed decisions and ensure their families are healthy and get the best possible care when they need it."

About Embold Health

Embold Health is a doctor-led healthcare analytics company that helps employers identify and guide their members to high-performing doctors which improves patient outcomes and lowers costs. Ratings are based on objective clinical performance data of the individual physician against regional peers and latest medical care standards. Embold's vision is to raise the quality of healthcare by providing every healthcare consumer in America with actionable, objective doctor quality metrics to empower them to make smarter healthcare decisions. Visit emboldhealth.com to learn more.

About Polk County Public Schools

Polk County Public Schools operates approximately 150 school sites within Central Florida and serves more than 110,000 students (pre-K through 12th grade). PCPS offers a wide variety of learning opportunities, including nationally recognized career academies as well as prestigious fine arts and academic programs. The district has produced multiple winners of Florida's Teacher of the Year award. For more information, visit polkschoolsfl.com.

About Everside Health

Everside Health is one of the largest direct primary care providers in the U.S., operating 375+ health centers in 34 states located at or near the facilities of its employer, union and other benefit sponsor clients. Everside's patient-focused, care-obsessed, technology-driven healthcare delivery model aligns incentives to benefit the patient, the physician and the benefit provider, all while reducing the total cost of care. For more information, visit eversidehealth.com.

Media Contact:

Mike Riding

VP, Marketing, Embold Health

801-921-0676

[email protected]

SOURCE Embold Health
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: BOVESPA: EMBR3) delivered a total of 14 jets in the first quarter of 2022, of which six were commercial aircraft and eight were executive jets (six light and two large). As of March 31, the firm order backlog totaled USD 17.3 billion.

Deliveries by Segment 1Q22



Commercial Aviation 6 E175 4 E195-E2 2



Executive Aviation 8 Phenom 100 1 Phenom 300 5 Light Jets 6 Praetor 600 2 Midsize Jets 2



TOTAL 14

Embraer delivered 56 Phenom 300 series light jets in 2021, signaling a decade of product excellence and market dominance. The Phenom 300 series has had an annual average of 50 aircraft delivered per year since entering the market in December 2009. In the first quarter of 2022, Executive Aviation sales continue to grow.

In the Defense segment, Embraer signed two contracts with the Brazilian Army. The first for the Army's acquisition of four additional SABER M60 radar units, in its 2.0 version, and the second for the development and deployment of Phase Two of the Army's Strategic Program for the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON).

In the Services and Support segment, Embraer signed a comprehensive long-term services agreement with Air Peace to support the airline's fleet of E195-E2 and ERJ 145 jets. The contract includes access to the Pool Program, which includes component exchange and repair services for hundreds of items on Air Peace's Embraer aircraft, and the installation of Ahead-Pro (Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis - PROgnosis) in the E195-E2 company's fleet. In addition, Embraer signed a long-term contract extension for the Pool Program with German Airways.

Backlog - Commercial Aviation (March 31, 2022) Aircraft Type Firm Orders Deliveries Firm Order Backlog E170 191 191 - E175 840 697 143 E190 568 565 3 E195 172 172 - E190-E2 20 17 3 E195-E2 201 35 166 Total 1,992 1,677 315 Note: Deliveries and firm order backlog include orders for the Defense segment placed by State-run airlines (Satena and TAME).



Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer

SOURCE Embraer S.A.
Celebrated official launch on the first day of its global conference.

MIAMI, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Miami's premier tech event kicked off yesterday, eMerge Americas unveiled the premier issue of its new eMerge Magazine. Produced by Havas House, the global custom media, content, and publishing division of Republica Havas and the Havas Creative North America Network, the publication showcases Miami's burgeoning and diverse tech community while continuing to highlight all the valuable data eMerge followers have come to rely on.

eMerge Americas Unveils Premier Issue of New eMerge Magazine with Partner Havas House

Featuring some of Miami's most influential female tech leaders on the cover  including Johanna Mikkola, Laura Maydon, Laura Gonzalez-Estefani, Michelle Abbs, Francesca de Quesada Covey, Leigh-Ann Buchanan, Maria Derchi Russo, and eMerge Americas' own president, Melissa Medina  the inaugural issue of eMerge Magazine celebrates the region's booming tech industry.

"It's such an honor to be included among these incredibly talented and innovative women," said Medina, "and I am thrilled to be able to shine a spotlight on my hometown, which has welcomed entrepreneurs and innovators from all over the world with open arms."

The publication includes eMerge Insights 2021 data and information that tell the story of South Florida's record-smashing year for venture capital, plus interviews and spotlights with those local entrepreneurs, investors, academia, corporate and government leaders who are working together to achieve a common goal.

"At eMerge, we believe the rise of tech in Miami represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform South Florida into a global hub of innovation and create new high-skilled, good-paying jobs for the knowledge economy," explained eMerge CEO Felice Gorordo. "Within this new publication, we're sharing how Miami supports the advancement of tech and entrepreneurship for everyone."

Available in print and digital, eMerge Magazine was distributed during the eMerge Americas conference. Copies will also be mailed to eMerge Americas hand-picked VIPs throughout the coming week.

"Partnering with this esteemed organization to shine a light on South Florida's burgeoning tech industry is an honor for Havas House," said Marisa Beazel, president and publisher of Havas House. "We look forward to helping eMerge Americas expand their reach and messaging with eMerge Magazine."

Businesses interested in being a part of the upcoming fall edition of the publication and reaching a global, tech- and business-minded audience should contact Cristiana Glassford, director of sales, at 786-347-4775 or [email protected].

About eMerge Americas

eMerge Americas is a venture-backed platform focused on transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas. The eMerge signature event, launched in 2014, is a global tech conference held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center, attracting more than 16,000 attendees from 40 countries and over 3,900 unique participating organizations. In addition to the annual conference, eMerge organizes and hosts year-round executive summits, innovation challenges, startup pitch competitions, masterclasses, webinars, as well as publishes venture activity and investment insights reports. For the last decade, eMerge has served as a catalyst for innovation and investment across the Americas, working at the forefront of building the South Florida entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem. For more information, visit www.emergeamericas.com.

About Havas House

Havas House is a global custom media, content, and publishing company that creates meaningful connections between brands and consumers through innovative, 360-degree marketing solutions. Based in Miami, Florida, Havas House services include custom content, content production, integrated brand campaign development, social media, SEO/SEM, development, and design of digital publishing platforms, digital editions, print magazines, and marketing materials. Havas House is a division of Republica Havas, one of America's leading and fastest-growing creative, media, and communications agencies. For more information, visit havashouseinc.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Havas House

786-347-4700

[email protected]

SOURCE Havas House
World-class partners including Emory Executive Education, Columbia Business School and MIT xPRO anchor new healthcare workforce development programs.

BOSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Emeritus, the global leader in making high-quality education accessible and affordable to individuals, companies and governments around the world, today announced the launch of Emeritus Healthcare . In partnership with world-class universities including Emory Executive Education, Columbia Business School and MIT xPRO, Emeritus Healthcare will offer an industry-leading healthcare workforce development curriculum to address the global shortage  a projected shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030 . Initial offerings will include Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer programs, which are some of the most currently in-demand positions.

The healthcare industry will require comprehensive solutions to overcome the pressing and long-term challenges contributing to this staffing crisis. 70% of healthcare workers are experiencing burnout, almost one million nurses are expected to leave the workforce by 2030, and nearly 65% of clinicians  including physicians and nurses  believe their roles and expectations are changing considerably as a result of digital transformation and telemedicine. Combating employee turnover and promoting leadership development are no longer secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic, but urgent priorities for health systems globally.

Emeritus Healthcare's portfolio will include a wide range of industry-specific programs  developed with the world's top universities  to attract, retain and develop clinical and non-clinical employees at all levels. It will join Emeritus Enterprise's robust offering of more than 220 upskilling programs available in 80 global markets, including executive education, degree, certificate and custom learning solutions.

"Digital transformation and telemedicine are accelerating change, so it's crucial that today's leaders have access to meaningful learning opportunities for both themselves and their workforce," said Ranil Herath, President of Emeritus Healthcare. "We created Emeritus Healthcare to connect healthcare organizations and their employees with the best education in the world, delivered by the best universities. Together, we are working to grow and strengthen healthcare teams, positively impact patient care and transform lives."

Emeritus Healthcare's approach to learning builds on Emeritus' innovations in online education, which drive industry-leading outcomes by combining broad expertise, timeliness of curriculum, agility to address real-world needs and a commitment to accessibility. Delivering in-depth, effective learning to solve healthcare's most pressing challenges is a mission shared by all partners.

"Healthcare executives are being challenged daily to lead their teams and units, to make good business decisions and create healthcare enterprises fit for the changing needs and expectations of their communities, patients and workforce," said Nicola Barrett, Corporate Learning Officer, Emory Executive Education at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. "Goizueta Business School and Emory University faculty have equipped healthcare leaders with the knowledge, skills and tools to lead in this critical, complex environment and we're excited to partner with Emeritus Healthcare to extend this impact."

Building from Emeritus' trusted learning and development partnerships with some of the top employers in healthcare  including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Aveanna Healthcare, SCL Health and more  Emeritus Healthcare will provide solutions for both clinical and industry needs. Beyond hospitals and health systems, Emeritus Healthcare's vast business and leadership development curriculum will also help address broader workforce challenges faced by pharma, medical device companies, insurers and beyond.

Join us on Wednesday, April 27th for a fireside chat led by Emeritus Healthcare President, Ranil Herath, where he will be joined by industry thought leaders to discuss the future of learning post-pandemic.

About Emeritus

Emeritus is committed to teaching the skills of the future by making high-quality education accessible and affordable to individuals, companies, and governments around the world. It does this by collaborating with more than 60 top-tier universities across the United States, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, and China. Emeritus' short courses, degree programs, professional certificates, and senior executive programs help individuals learn new skills and transform their lives, companies, and organizations. Its unique model of state-of-the-art technology, curriculum innovation, and hands-on instruction from senior faculty, mentors, and coaches has educated more than 250,000 individuals across 80+ countries. Founded in 2015, Emeritus, part of Eruditus Group, has more than 2,000 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. For more information, please visit www.Emeritus.org .

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Emeritus
Roberts Voices New Marketing Campaign for Coveted Beauty Device Brand

EWING, N.J., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Finishing Touch Flawless, the award-winning beauty brand specializing in innovative skincare and hair removal technology for women, announced today its yearlong partnership with American actress and producer Emma Roberts. Roberts joins Finishing Touch Flawless as the new face of the brand, helping to reinforce the brand's position as the leader in gentle and effective everyday beauty solutions for women through a new multi-media marketing campaign.

Emma Roberts, Finishing Touch Flawless Ambassador 2022

As the brand's latest ambassador, Roberts will highlight the Finishing Touch Flawless brand's best-selling beauty and skincare staples that provide simple and effective solutions to obtaining beautiful and healthy skin. The Finishing Touch Flawless creative marketing campaign, consisting of social and digital media features, retailer displays and digital product pages, will focus on the brand's modern design and thoughtful product innovation to promote healthy skin among consumers. Throughout the year, Roberts will also reveal her personal favorite products across her social media channels. The campaign debuts nationwide on April 19, 2022.

"To balance a busy lifestyle, I naturally gravitate towards simple, beautiful products and tools that are good for my skin and efficient to use in my daily beauty routine. So when I was approached to represent Flawless as an ambassador, it felt like the perfect fit," said Emma Roberts. "Finishing Touch Flawless has a wide array of gentle solutions that help you achieve healthy skin so you can look and feel your best every day."

"We are extremely excited to welcome such a beautiful role model to our Finishing Touch Flawless family," Stacey Ramstedt, VP of Marketing at Church & Dwight, said. "Emma has many qualities that represent what our consumers are looking for today  to feel confident, comfortable and naturally beautiful in your own skin. As a mom and public figure who is constantly on the move, Emma makes it all look effortless with the help of a simplified beauty routine, making her the perfect representative for Finishing Touch Flawless!"

Finishing Touch Flawless combines thoughtful innovation and modern design to create products that allow consumers to feel effortlessly beautiful and achieve healthy skin from head to toe  anytime, anywhere, every day. With a robust portfolio of dermatologist-approved skincare technology and beauty tools, the brand carries an array of products that are gentle for all skin types. To learn more about the award-winning Finishing Touch Flawless product line, please visit www.FlawlessBeauty.com.

About Church & Dwight Co., Inc .

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products, under the ARM & HAMMER brand name and other well-known trademarks.

About Finishing Touch Flawless

Founded in 2017, Finishing Touch Flawless develops beauty devices that offer simple solutions to everyday beauty struggles so consumers can achieve radiantly beautiful skin without visiting the salon, spa, or Dermatologist. Their innovative technologies combine instant and painless solutions with beautifully feminine modern designs for unparalleled results. The brand has received the highly coveted Allure Best of Beauty 2021 award in the Skin/Hair Removal Device category, which is one of the most prized achievements in the beauty industry. Finishing Touch Flawless hair removal products are the #1 selling products in the U.S. for 3 years running (A.C. Nielsen, Units Sold, All Channels, 52 weeks ending 2017, 2018, and 2019).

Finishing Touch Flawless is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

For media inquiries please contact:

Daniella Trivelli

HUNTER

[email protected]

SOURCE Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Innovative design focuses on ED nurse skill development, personal well-being

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With nurse staffing levels a prominent concern in emergency nursing, the Emergency Nurses Association on Tuesday launched a dynamic new initiative focused on preparing new nurses for the ED, while also helping hospitals retain those nurses.

The Emergency Nurse Residency Program centers on developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving and communication skills of a new graduate nurse or a new-to-the-emergency department nurse before they practice independently. The program combines didactic learning, along with dedicated time with nurse educators and clinical preceptors to create a progressive, immersive experience that ultimately benefits a nurse's ability to provide patient care.

ENA piloted the 18-week program at 10 hospitals in 2021 and has already reached agreements with several hospitals to bring ENRP into their emergency departments.

"The first few months in the ED are crucial for any nurse, but too often staffing demands mean a new nurse is thrown into the mix without all the tools and support they need to be successful. The Emergency Nurse Residency Program changes all that," said ENA President Jennifer Schmitz, MSN, EMT-P, CEN, CPEN, CNML, FNP-C, NE-BC. "ENRP represents a holistic approach to preparing ED nurses from day one, putting them on a path to be empowered clinicians who trust their skills and confidently deliver high-quality care."

Schmitz added that a properly implemented nurse residency programs can help increase retention of new graduate nurses by reducing burnout and acclimating them to the sociocultural environment.

"Staff turnover has clear financial costs, and there is a significant time investment required to fill vacant positions. ENA's new residency program represents an opportunity for hospitals to invest in their future by giving new nurses a robust and comprehensive integration into the ED," Schmitz said.

For more information on the Emergency Nurse Residency Program, visit ena.org/ENRP. Hospitals interested in the program can learn more on the website or by contacting [email protected].

About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.

ENA Media Contact:

Dan Campana

Director of Communications

847-460-4017

[email protected]

SOURCE Emergency Nurses Association
Free, online tool empowers mineral owners an improved view of their portfolio interests

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enverus, the leading energy SaaS company, has released MineraliQ, a free product that empowers mineral owners with a simple, easy-to-use portfolio management tool. These individual or family-owned mineral owners typically have ties to a small number of wells and royalty income under $100,000 annually. MineraliQ brings together everything from production data and well locations to post-production costs and expenses, providing a perspective on mineral assets rarely available to anyone other than big investors. This first-of-a-kind product is also the first consumer-focused product Enverus has released to the public.

With the price of oil above $100/bbl, calls for increased U.S. energy production continue to grow. Many economists point to a great transfer of wealth with 10,000 Americans reaching age 65 every day and facing retirement. This population controls an estimated $59 trillion in wealth that is being passed down to their children and heirs. In addition to a population and economic shift, this generational "silver wave" will likely pose a significant information gap and history of investments for many of the 12 million mineral owners receiving $50 billion in royalties each year. Unfortunately, tools to access, monitor and effectively manage these interests are severely limited, with small mineral owners often suffering from limited information to properly manage their assets.

"Individual or family-owned mineral owners often rely on mailed royalty checks as a key source of income and information. In time, that valuable information can be lost, overlooked or misunderstood. By tailoring this product to consumers and creating an online tool that is as easy to use as popular money management tools that many consumers use today to track budgets or investments, we're providing the same transparency that large mineral owners and royalty companies take for granted. It gives non-institutional mineral owners a one-stop, overall view of their mineral portfolio, making it easier to manage their assets," said Lindsey Artman, vice president of product management for Enverus.

Once an account is created, an owner enters their information to connect them to their mineral assets. Then MineraliQ automatically links revenue statement details to wells from the Enverus database, providing information in a format that's well-organized and easy to digest. The product includes an interactive map displaying well locations and nearby oilfield activity, a feature of interest to the many mineral owners who are physically removed from their mineral interests and have difficulty keeping track of drilling and completion activities taking place around their property. Royalty mailing data confirms that mineral owners with a stake in the Permian's vast oil and gas patch often live elsewhere, like Jacksonville, FL, Tucson and Phoenix, AZ, or San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA. Enverus' MineraliQ will serve as both a financial management tool and education center, tackling common questions on topics like post-production charges, how to read a check stub, mineral leasing options and useful information for selling mineral interests.

"Many royalty owners find themselves using paper spreadsheets to track their oil and gas interests, due to lack of a better system. MineraliQ allows them to digitize their own financial information and enables options that may have previously been seen as out of reach," noted Phillip Dunning, director of product management for Enverus.

Visit MineraliQ.com to learn more.

About Enverus

Enverus is the leading energy SaaS company delivering highly-technical insights and predictive/prescriptive analytics that empower customers to make decisions that increase profit. Enverus' innovative technologies drive production and investment strategies, enable best practices for energy and commodity trading and risk management, and reduce costs through automated processes across critical business functions. Enverus is a strategic partner to more than 6,000 customers in 50 countries. Learn more at Enverus.com.

SOURCE Enverus
After integration with Alchemy Pay, ePayment's merchants will be able to manage fiat and crypto transactions from a backend portal provided by Alchemy Pay. Alchemy Pay's hybrid payment acceptance system enables merchants to accept payments in fiat and cryptocurrencies. Its solutions provide mainstream-friendly access to crypto services and facilitate the use of crypto for real-world goods and services.

Alchemy Pay CEO, John Tan commented on the partnership: "This partnership with ePayments will allow us to enter the New Zealand and Australian markets where crypto adoption is becoming exceptionally strong. Crypto payments are the future and we are pleased to be working with merchants who have a deep familiarity with the local markets. We are also happy to be opening up our crypto clients to new users in new markets."

ePayments is a New Zealand-based payment company servicing airport and hospitality merchants in Australia and New Zealand and notably, was the first company to bring Asia's highly popular WeChat Pay into New Zealand. ePayments works with New Zealand merchants and clients such as THL, the New Zealand Post, and TravelPharm.

Leo Liu of ePayments enthused: "Alchemy Pay is a leader in the crypto payment space. Their network of partners and crypto payments capabilities gives our merchants the cutting edge in modern digital payment."

Alchemy Pay has become increasingly important in the blockchain space as a payment bridging service for the industry. Leading networks such as Elrond, Polygon, Algorand, NEAR, and Avalanche are integrating Alchemy Pay's fiat payment channels. Alchemy Pay now has over 300 fiat payment channels that allow crypto services, DApps, and networks to onboard users with popular local and global mobile wallets as well as more traditional card and bank transfer payments.

Press visuals can be obtained here: https://bit.ly/epaymentsalchemypay

About Alchemy Pay

Website: alchemypay.org

Twitter: twitter.com/alchemypay

Telegram: t.me/alchemy_official

About ePayments

Website: e-payments.co.nz

SOURCE Alchemy Pay
Accelerated Adoption of Remote Customer Experience Outsourcing Fuels Expansion

PLANTATION, Fla., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Everise , a technology-driven customer experience (CX) service provider today announced record performance in 2021, with 24% year-over-year revenue growth. This exceptional growth further demonstrates the significant and increasing need for people and technology-driven service solutions that serve as a seamless extension of a brand's core business infrastructure.

"When we started this company five years ago, we envisioned not only tech-enabled CX solutions, but a focus on customer service so central to our work that it would represent what clients remember most about us," said Sudhir Agarwal, Everise Founder and CEO. "Our steady growth is an indicator that this hyperfocus on pristine customer and client interactions is taking hold in the market."

Everise has grown into an industry-leading business process outsourcing provider that is redefining the customer experience through advanced technology, people, domain expertise and a commitment to service excellence. Everise continues to expand its relationships with existing clients globally, and has added 11 new clients to its portfolio, strengthening its presence in the healthcare and new economy verticals. It has brought on well-known brands such as Hydrow and CS Dental.

By the end of 2021, Everise grew into a workforce of over 15,000 employees across seven countries. To support its growth, the company has invested across every area of the business including engineering, product, sales and marketing. Most recently, Everise hired Kevin Bottoms as Chief Revenue Officer and Nicole Palina-Pace as Chief Marketing Officer.

The company expanded its market-leading healthcare customer experience practice by providing more than 40 types of different services across payer operations, health and life insurance products, pharmacy benefits management, and provider and health systems. Everise anticipates more than 30% growth throughout 2022 in this vertical.

Everise prides itself in providing a diverse and inclusive environment that offers every tool and resource an employee needs to thrive. Currently, 65% of its employees are women with 45% holding positions of leadership. The company also committed to hiring seniors and those with disabilities, with 7% and 1.5% of its workforce in those groups respectively.

Over the years, Everise has won several awards for its technology, its people and the inclusive culture it has built. Most recently it was named one of Newsweek's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for 2021. Additionally, Everise has been recognized by the following, among others:

Company of the Year - Stevie American Business Awards

Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year - Aces Awards

Best AI-Based Solution for Customer Service - AI Breakthrough Awards

Most Innovative Business Solutions Provider - Southwest (US) - Global Brands Award

In 2021, Everise achieved a Glassdoor rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars and 4.3 stars out of 5 on Indeed.com. This was possible due to the company's extensive network of support services for its employees and a vast training program.

About Everise:

Everise is a technology-enabled outsourcing firm with expertise in transforming healthcare and technology experiences globally. The Company's unique approach combines customer and technical support services with AI, robotic process automation, analytics, and secure cloud-based technology. Some of the world's most loved brands have products and services that are perfected, protected, supported, and sold by Everise.

Our innovative digital outsourcing services are high performing, scalable, secure, agile, and have fluent proficiency in 32 languages, which helps brands to create seamless customer, product, digital, and home experiences. We strategically operate in seven markets to enable our partners to economically reach their customers across the globe. Learn more at www.weareeverise.com.

SOURCE Everise
Poorly maintained roads can lead to severe accident cases due to the negligence of private parties or state agencies says Lakota Denton

ASHEVILLE, N.C., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, millions of people get injured in vehicle accidents because of the negligence of another party. Most of these accidents occur due to another driver's irresponsible actions. However, a significant number are due to the poor maintenance of roads.



Bad Roads Can Cause Vehicle Accidents



Attorney Lakota Denton says that victims should not make assumptions about the cause of an accident before seeking legal counsel. He explains that there are several factors to consider before identifying the negligent party.



"Starting with potholes, to various characteristics such as lack of proper signage, obstructive debris and malfunctioning traffic lights, there are numerous ways poorly maintained roads can cause vehicle accidents," Denton says.



"Proving negligence on the part of the responsible party requires considering factors around the road's faults, like how long the fault has existed and whether any action has been taken to fix the problem."



Failure to Properly Maintain Roads



The government is responsible for maintaining public roads and ensuring that they are in good working condition. Road defects, problems created by flooding due to poor drainage, and faded paint lines, can lead to vehicle accidents. Victims of accidents caused by these road defects can sue the government in a personal injury or car accident lawsuit.



Without doing a proper inspection of the roadway, most victims believe that they are responsible for the accident. Bad roads can lead to single-vehicle accidents where drivers blame themselves for the crash.



Suing for Poor Maintenance of Private Roads



Victims of car accidents due to improperly maintained roads can sue property owners for damages. In this case, the lawsuit can be similar to a typical personal injury lawsuit with solid evidence that the property owner neglected to take care of their road. An attorney provides professional assistance to help victims with all the necessary processes involved in suing negligent parties.



Legal Counsel Can Enable Proper Evaluation of Accident Causes

Denton says seeking legal counsel from a car accident lawyer enables victims to recover compensation by examining the case and providing the most appropriate strategies.



"Suffering from a vehicle accident due to irresponsibility can be a huge blow, especially when the major cause is a road that the government failed to maintain. An attorney can help you understand the rules involved in suing a government and getting adequate compensation," Denton says.



About Lakota R. Denton, P.A.

Backed by years of representing victims in personal injury cases, attorney Lakota Denton is devoted to protecting the rights of individuals involved in vehicle accidents in the Asheville, NC, area. Attorney Lakota Denton has won numerous cases for his clients, resulting in a stellar track record.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Lakota R. Denton, P.A.
Dramatic Fall Foliage, Pleasant Temperatures, Smaller Crowds, and a Vibrant Cultural Scene Make the Fall an Ideal Time to Visit

NEW YORK, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southern Hemisphere fall is a great time to visit Argentina, when the temperatures are milder and the summer crowds have receded. The beauty of Patagonia is even more stunning in the fall when its forests burst into fiery colors with the backdrop of snow-capped Andean peaks. And Buenos Aires's sophisticated cultural scene roars back to life after the summer hiatus.

Late April or early May is an ideal time to plan a visit to El Chalten  one of the most picturesque towns in Patagonia famous for its hiking circuits  to witness its dramatic landscapes painted in a palette of vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and greens without the large summer crowds. And the icy blues of the nearby glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park  the largest of Argentina's national parks and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site  stand in stark contrast to the blazing hues of the surrounding forests.

The fall is also a magical time to take one of Argentina's most famous road trips. The Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Road of the Seven Lakes) is considered one of the most scenic drives in Argentina and links the Patagonian resort towns of San Martin de los Andes to Villa La Angostura. This segment of Argentina's legendary Ruta 40 winds through multi-colored lakes that range from metallic blues, sunlit emeralds and translucent sapphires, among some of the most spectacular in Patagonia.

Travelers looking to explore the charms of Ushuaia, the city at the end of the world, and of Tierra del Fuego, should take advantage of the fall months to see the area's beauty enhanced with the radiant colors of the fall foliage and smaller crowds following the peak summer travel season.

Iguazu Falls is also ideal to visit in the fall when the temperatures and humidity levels have dropped, and the large summer crowds have receded. Set in the lush subtropical rainforest that is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, Iguazu Falls is one of the world's most famous waterfalls and considered one of the world's most imposing natural sites.

Wine lovers looking to go winery hopping in Argentina's largest wine producing province of Mendoza will find the region's natural beauty with its wild terrain, snow-capped peaks, wild rivers and canyons enhanced as the trees lining the roads turn into shades of ochre and yellow. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts can also take advantage of smaller crowds in the Atuel Canyon, a popular location for its wide range of adventure sports, including river rafting, tubing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking before unwinding in the thermal baths at Villavicencio.

Urbanites and culture buffs can soak in Buenos Aires' sophisticated cultural scene as it roars back to life after the quieter summer months. The city's prestigious Teatro Colon  ranked amongst the top 10 opera houses in the world for its beauty, acoustics and the quality of its performances  launches its new season of opera, philharmonic and ballet performances in March of every year as do the city's countless other theaters and performance venues. BAFICI, the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema, will be held this year from April 20 to May 1t.

Additional information is available at argentina.travel

About INPROTUR:

INPROTUR, Argentina's National Institute for Tourism Promotion, also known as Visit Argentina, is a public-private entity responsible for promoting international travel to Argentina and for positioning Argentina as a global tourism destination. INPROTUR develops and executes promotional action plans in different global markets and conducts research and analysis of travel trends and market behavior in different source markets in order to position Argentina as a desirable destination in those markets.

SOURCE INPROTUR
Verdict exposes orchestrated plan to illegally detain patients, bilk insurance providers

DALLAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal judge's order in a Texas healthcare racketeering lawsuit triples monetary damages awarded to a Houston woman and paints a vivid picture of an elaborate scheme to hold patients in psychiatric hospitals against their will in order to bilk insurance providers.

The order filed March 31 by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant upholds a May 2021 jury verdict won by trial lawyers from the Law Offices of Frank L. Branson and triples the $300,000 RICO in damages awarded to a woman who was involuntarily detained in a Houston area hospital for four days. The monetary award is likely to increase after the judge rules on attorney fees, court costs and a separate $1.2 million damages award.

"Jurors in this case listened carefully and recognized that this was a horrifying, coordinated enterprise to take away this woman's freedom, all because of greed," said trial lawyer John Burkhead of the Law Offices of Frank L. Branson in Dallas. "This ruling is an important step toward making sure those involved don't harm anyone else."

The Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire settled before the trial. The scheme revolved around Dr. Yupo Jesse Chang, who owned a series of related businesses, including an online telemedicine business called "DrSays" and Universal Physicians, a physician group. Other defendants included Dr. Timothy Tom, a Las Vegas-based doctor with no training in psychiatry who performed sham telemedicine consultations; and Angela Yao, a notary who fraudulently signed the bogus paperwork, according to court documents.

Diane Creel's August 2017 experience was typical of the conspiracy, which played out 3,955 times in 2017 alone, according to the judge's order. During Ms. Creel's brief hospital visit to inquire about outpatient group grief counseling, Dr. Chang contracted with Dr. Tom to perform a telemedicine evaluation. The telemedicine appointment never occurred, but Dr. Tom wrote a false evaluation with made-up symptoms for Ms. Creel. The evaluation was then entered into the "DrSays" software platform and sent to Ms. Yao, who notarized the report without Dr. Tom being present as required by state law. The same software platform owned by Dr. Chang was used to obtain an emergency detention warrant and for medical billing.

When Ms. Creel and her husband decided to conclude their visit to the Bellaire hospital and go home, they learned that the doors were locked and an emergency detention warrant was already in hand.

"To describe these people and entities as connected is an understatement," Judge Mazzant wrote in his order. "Without one component of this enterprise in place, the entire scheme would fall apart  Defendants did not care about the emotional, psychological, and financial destruction their scheme had on victims like Diane Creel."

The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson represented many others victimized by the scheme; all but Ms. Creel's lawsuit settled before trial. In addition to Mr. Burkhead, the Branson team included trial lawyers Tim Newsom and Debbie Dudley Branson. Additional counsel included Michael Smith and Becca Skupin, now with Scheef and Stone, with the late Clyde Siebman, as local counsel, and Marty Cirkiel of Cirkiel Law Group.

The case is Diane Creel and Lynn Creel v DrSays LLC et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, case No. 4:18-CV-615.

The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson maintains a reputation for courtroom excellence based on significant verdicts and settlements for clients in high-stakes personal injury litigation. Visit http://www.flbranson.com to learn more.

Media Contact :

Robert Tharp

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Law Offices of Frank L. Branson
Insurtech platform evolves its coverage offerings to meet businesses where they are today

TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Foxquilt , a leading North American insurtech focused on empowering small businesses with customized insurance products uniquely matched to their needs, announced the launch of a new eCommerce insurance product. Business owners will be able to secure coverage tailored to their specific needs, entirely online, on their own time and at better prices than they are used to.

Foxquilt's eCommerce product is evolving insurance to meet the needs of the modern small business owner by providing an easy, all-online solution specifically designed to help new and existing e-commerce business owners quickly access insurance and fulfill compliance needs. Until now, the average eCommerce business was met with trepidation if US sales volumes were high or if they were a dropshipper who sold products from overseas. Foxquilt's new offering provides reliable coverage no matter the percent of US sales or where the products come from. Not to mention the improved affordability of this product, starting at $500 annually.

The pandemic vastly accelerated the rise of eCommerce as the primary channel for shopping, and businesses have evolved to meet this new need. As such, more small businesses and entrepreneurs are turning to eCommerce and online marketplaces to meet customers where they are, changing the landscape in direct-to-consumer buying behaviors. With this shift, large eCommerce marketplaces such as Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon, now require sellers to purchase their own insurance policies.

"Innovating insurance solutions for our small business customers has always been the epitome of our business at Foxquilt," said Mark Morissette, CEO and Co-founder of Foxquilt. "That's why we're proud to introduce this new product offering to ensure that eCommerce business owners can secure insurance online and on-demand while protecting them from exposures where they trade."

Foxquilt affords small business owners in over 500 professions to quote, buy and instantly receive their business insurance online. This is more efficient and cost-effective than other solutions available in the market. The company is committed to building technology that empowers small business owners, enabling them to have more control of their insurance buying experience, instead of being restricted to long wait times, extensive paperwork and a lack of autonomy. Foxquilt's business insurance products are specifically built to support business owners' entire insurance journey online, while providing a tailored, customized product. The platform is complemented by unique data and machine learning underwriting infrastructure, that suggests coverages based on a user's individual profile.

As a North American insurance provider, Foxquilt is looking forward to launching the eCommerce product within the US later this year. Foxquilt also has leading partnerships and is excited to expand this roster with eCommerce marketplaces and online stores to provide top-quality coverage and a slick experience. If you're interested in learning more about Foxquilt's eCommerce insurance product please visit - https://www.foxquilt.com/professioncoverage/ecommerce.

About Foxquilt

Foxquilt is a leading North American Insurance technology company focused on providing small businesses insurance. Foxquilt develops, underwrites and distributes a complete line of its own commercial insurance products in the United States and Canada. The company uses a combination of data analytics and artificial intelligence to recommend the best insurance coverage and price to meet the individual needs of its small business customers. For more information, visit https://www.foxquilt.com

SOURCE Foxquilt Inc.
Timberline Solar Boasts World's First Nailable Solar Shingle and Installs Like a Traditional Roof

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GAF Energy , a Standard Industries company and the leading provider of solar roofing in North America, today announced the launch of its innovative Timberline Solar roof to North Carolina residents. Timberline Solar is the only system to directly integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials. This new system incorporates the world's first nailable solar shingle, the Timberline Solar ES Energy Shingle, which is assembled domestically at GAF Energy's U.S. manufacturing and R&D facility.

"We're thrilled to launch our Timberline Solar roof in North Carolina. North Carolina residents now have access to the award winning solar roof  and have a roof that pays for itself over time," said Jason Barrett, Senior Vice President of Sales for GAF Energy. "Solar roofs are the future of clean energy, and Timberline Solar is in a class of its own: reliable, durable, cost-effective, easy to install, and aesthetically superior. We're excited to bring the next generation of clean energy adoption to North Carolina."

Timberline Solar boasts an industry-defying depth of less than a quarter inch and integrates with traditional shingles to create a sleek and attractive look. It is the first product to achieve UL's 7103 certification, which authorizes GAF Energy to install the system on residential roofs as a roofing product and a solar energy product  the first of its kind to be recognized as both. In addition, GAF Energy worked with Sandia National Laboratories, a U.S. Department of Energy research and development lab, to verify the product's strength and durability.

North Carolina homeowners interested in solar roofing options and roofers interested in installing GAF Energy products can find out more at: www.gaf.energy .

About GAF Energy

GAF Energy is transforming the rooftop solar industry to generate Energy from Every Roof. As a Standard Industries company, GAF Energy works in partnership with North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, GAF, offering homeowners elegant, roof-integrated solar options. The company also facilitates commercial tax equity financing for large-scale rooftop solar projects. For more information, visit www.gaf.energy .

SOURCE GAF Energy
Timberline Solar Boasts World's First Nailable Solar Shingle and Installs Like a Traditional Roof

COLUMBIA, S.C., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GAF Energy , a Standard Industries company and the leading provider of solar roofing in North America, today announced the launch of its innovative Timberline Solar roof to South Carolina residents. Timberline Solar is the only system to directly integrate solar technology into traditional roofing processes and materials. This new system incorporates the world's first nailable solar shingle, the Timberline Solar ES Energy Shingle, which is assembled domestically at GAF Energy's U.S. manufacturing and R&D facility.

"We're thrilled to launch our Timberline Solar roof in South Carolina. South Carolina residents now have access to the award-winning solar roof  and have a roof that pays for itself over time," said Jason Barrett, Senior Vice President of Sales for GAF Energy. "Solar roofs are the future of clean energy, and Timberline Solar is in a class of its own: reliable, durable, cost-effective, easy to install, and aesthetically superior. We're excited to bring the next generation of clean energy adoption to South Carolina."

Timberline Solar boasts an industry-defying depth of less than a quarter inch and integrates with traditional shingles to create a sleek and attractive look. It is the first product to achieve UL's 7103 certification, which authorizes GAF Energy to install the system on residential roofs as a roofing product and a solar energy product  the first of its kind to be recognized as both. In addition, GAF Energy worked with Sandia National Laboratories, a U.S. Department of Energy research and development lab, to verify the product's strength and durability.

South Carolina homeowners interested in solar roofing options and roofers interested in installing GAF Energy products can find out more at: www.gaf.energy .

About GAF Energy

GAF Energy is transforming the rooftop solar industry to generate Energy from Every Roof. As a Standard Industries company, GAF Energy works in partnership with North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, GAF, offering homeowners elegant, roof-integrated solar options. The company also facilitates commercial tax equity financing for large-scale rooftop solar projects. For more information, visit www.gaf.energy .

SOURCE GAF Energy
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE: GATO) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

This lawsuit is on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Gatos: (a) common stock pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with the Company's initial public offering conducted on or about October 28, 2020; and/or (b) securities between October 28, 2020 and January 25, 2022, inclusive.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 25, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in GATO:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/gatos-silver-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26053&from=4

Gatos Silver, Inc. NEWS - GATO NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Gatos Silver, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the technical report for Gatos's primary mine, the Cerro Los Gatos deposit, contained certain errors; (2) among other things, the mineral reserves had been overestimated by as much as 50%; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Gatos you have until April 25, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Gatos securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the GATO lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/gatos-silver-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26053&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
SUZHOU, China, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a company specializing in site-specific bioconjugation for next generation biotherapeutics, has signed an agreement with a Korean biotech company, Aimed Bio Inc., to co-develop a First-in-Class therapeutic antibody drug conjugate (ADC). Aimed Bio, a spin-off company from Samsung Medical Center, is focusing on developing innovative antibody-centric drugs for brain diseases with few treatment options. Additional details were not disclosed.

GeneQuantum focuses on next generation Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) development. Taking advantage of the proprietary 'Ligase Dependent Conjugation' (LDC) technology platform, which allows a site-specific conjugation of cytotoxins or other type of payloads to antibodies, the company has successfully developed a robust pipeline with more than 10 assets, with several at or approaching clinical stage. In addition to expanding the unique technology platform, the company has entered into a number of partnerships with domestic biotech/pharmaceutical companies and international partners. The growing number of partnerships speaks to the power of the GeneQuantum platform technology for not only improving key therapeutic characteristics of existing molecules, but also for creating new classes of molecules, ultimately increasing the number of available treatment options for patients worldwide. GeneQuantum is excited about the significant potential of partnerships with business partners and will continue to expand its deal pipeline in the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) and protein therapeutic market.

The collaborating ADC is a first-in-class asset with highly differentiated antibody against a unique target, a stable linker design and a novel payload with a strong by-stander killing effect. The resulting ADC is expected to treat brain and other cancers with huge unmet needs.

Dr. Gang Qin, the Founder & Chairman, CEO of GeneQuantum, commented: "As an innovative antibody+ company, we look for complementary partners to maximize value of our platform technology. Aimed Bio not only has differentiated antibody acting on a unique target but also has deep knowledge and expertise in the field of brain tumor & CNS diseases. This collaboration is based on an excellent match between the two companies to generate a FIC ADC. Through close partnership, we are thrilled to bring revolutionary therapy for those patients without efficient treatment at this moment."

Dr. Dohyun Nam, the Founder & Chairman, CTO of Aimed Bio and internationally renowned neurosurgeon with 32 years of experience in brain tumor & CNS diseases commented: "Aimed Bio has been successfully expanding its R&D pipeline for the past 2 years, and I am pleased to start this collaboration with GeneQuantum. After evaluating the data, the linker-payload and conjugation technology GeneQuantum provides proved to be very safe and effective. With the best antibody and brain tumor expertise of Aimed Bio, I believe the collaborating ADC will bring a tremendous impact on the field. We look forward to initiating clinical trial as soon as possible."

The new drug is expected to enter IND in 2023.

About GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is a high-tech biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative biotherapeutics. The company is focused on the development of a next generation of bioconjugate therapeutics to meet the unmet medical needs of cancer patients globally. For more information, visit www.genequantum.com.

About AIMEDBIO Inc.

AIMEDBIO is a spin-off company from Samsung Medical Center (SMC) established in August 2018. AIMEDBIO aims to provide therapeutic solutions to patients with serious brain diseases, including neuro-oncological and -degenerative diseases, to save patients' lives and improve patients' quality of life. Based on solid global networks with key opinion leaders in the field, an excellent research team with profound achievements, and R&D pipelines with an outstanding drug development platform, AIMEDBIO is an emerging leader for development of innovative therapeutics against diverse brain diseases.

SOURCE GeneQuantum Healthcare
DUBLIN, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Military Satellites Global Market Report 2022, By Satellite Type, Payload Type, Application" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global military satellites market is expected to grow from $52.28 billion in 2021 to $54.83 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%.

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges.

The market is expected to reach $63.116 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 3.6%

Major players in the military satellites market are The Boeing Company, Israel Aerospace Industries, Northrop Grumman Corporation, ISS-Reshetnev, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Company, Thales Group, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, GE Aviation, Airbus SE, Indian Space Research Organisation, OHB SE, Elbit System Ltd., AeroVironment and Orbital ATK Inc.



The military satellites market consists of sales of military satellites by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that manufacture military satellites. A military satellite is an artificial earth satellite used for military missions such as intelligence gathering, navigation, and military communications.



The main satellite types of military satellites are small satellites, medium-to-heavy satellites. The various types of payload include communication payload, navigation payload, imaging payload, others that are used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), communication, navigation. Satellite Payload refers to the components of a spacecraft that are specifically dedicated to producing mission data and relaying that data back to Earth.



North America was the largest region in the military satellites market in 2021. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The increasing concern about terrorism is expected to fuel the growth of the military satellites market. The growing concern for terrorism has motivated the need for military forces around the world to deploy better military communication systems. Military satellites are an important part of modern military communication networks. In 2019, 63 countries reported at least one death due to terrorism. Terrorism had a $26.4 billion global economic impact in 2019. Therefore, the increasing concern about terrorism drives the growth of the military satellites market.



The high cost of the military satellite is expected to hamper the growth of the military satellites market over the forecast period. An artificial satellite that is used for military purposes is a military satellite. Military satellites are costly devices, costly to build, and costly to launch.

The military communications satellite's combined costs will be more than $95 million for release and launch insurance, $20 million for the in-orbit insurance, $15 million for operating expenses, and $150 million for spacecraft, making a total of $300 million. Therefore, the high cost of military satellites restraints the growth of the military satellite market.



The advancement in technology is shaping the military satellite market. Major companies working in the military satellite sector are focused on designing advanced technology solutions for military satellites.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Military Satellites Market Characteristics



3. Military Satellites Market Trends And Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Military Satellites



5. Military Satellites Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global Military Satellites Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global Military Satellites Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market



6. Military Satellites Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Military Satellites Market, Segmentation By Satellite Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Small Satellite

Medium-To-Heavy Satellite

6.2. Global Military Satellites Market, Segmentation By Payload Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Communication Payload

Navigation Payload

Imaging Payload

Others

6.3. Global Military Satellites Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance (ISR)

Communication

Navigation

7. Military Satellites Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global Military Satellites Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Military Satellites Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion



Companies Mentioned

The Boeing Company

Israel Aerospace Industries

Northrop Grumman Corporation

ISS-Reshetnev

SpaceX

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Raytheon Company

Thales Group

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

GE Aviation

Airbus SE

Indian Space Research Organisation

OHB SE

Elbit System Ltd

AeroVironment

Orbital ATK Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8i8p3c

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
A tireless educator, Dr. Kimbro is widely recognized as an authority on leadership, personal and professional success, wealth, entrepreneurship, management, peak performance, and African American history.

"We are thrilled that Dr. Kimbro will speak to our graduates with the profound knowledge, insight, and inspiration that his books and presentations so effectively convey. The impact he has on students and society, as professor, best-selling author, researcher, public speaker, and mentor will inspire our graduates as they embark on successful careers and professional advancement." said GGU President David J. Fike.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will also feature student speakers Sakshi Thinda Kalkat and Charita White.

"I cannot overstate how enthusiastic we are to be coming together in person with graduates, parents, faculty, and honorees for GGU's commencement," said Barbara Mendelson, GGU Board of Trustees Chair. "Few groups of graduates are more deserving of a celebration than the classes of 2022, 2021, and 2020who have distinguished themselves with hard work, sacrifice, and determination during the challenges of the COVID pandemic."

About Golden Gate University:

Golden Gate University, a private nonprofit university in the heart of San Francisco, empowers working adults to achieve their professional goals with nationally renowned undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in accounting, law, taxation, business, and related areas. Founded in 1901, GGU has been a leader in online education for nearly three decades, and its evening and weekend programs offer maximum flexibility. The law school provides students with a strong foundation in legal theory and the critical skills necessary to be a successful practitioner, and its diverse student body reflects a deep commitment to access and opportunity. GGU is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

About Dr. Dennis Kimbro:

Dr. Dennis Kimbro is a tireless educator, New York Times best-selling author, and business school professor at Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Kimbro is universally characterized as an authority on leadership, wealth, and success. Dr. Kimbro received his B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma, and an M.A. and doctorate from Northwestern University where he studied wealth and poverty among underdeveloped countries. With his course work behind him, Dr. Kimbro combed the country interviewing scores of America's most notable achievers. Eventually, his inquisition led to the question: How can impoverished Black Americans pull themselves out of their poverty and reach their full potential?

CONTACT

Jenny McKeel

[email protected]

Golden Gate University

536 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

SOURCE Golden Gate University
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gooten, a technology company that empowers brands and retailers to reduce their reliance on inventory by leveraging on-demand production, announced today the appointment of Deborah Merrill, former President, Delta Group and CFO of Delta Apparel, Inc., to their Board of Directors.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Deb to the Gooten Board," said Maddy Alcala, President of Gooten. "She brings decades of experience and thoughtful leadership in the decorated apparel industry. Her sharp, strategic vision will be invaluable as we reimagine and expand Gooten's reach in the on-demand retail markets."

During Merrill's tenure, Delta Apparel became a leading provider of core activewear and lifestyle apparel. Seeing the transformation that digital had in other industries, Delta began offering on-demand decorated products in 2010 and quickly became a market leader in the direct-to-garment digital print and fulfillment industry, bringing innovation to the supply chain of its customers. Ms. Merrill held various strategic and leadership positions at Delta Apparel, Inc. since 1998, including President of its Delta Group since 2015 and Chief Financial Officer since 2006. Ms. Merrill retired from Delta Apparel in early 2022, after 23 years of service improving the financial and operational performance of the business.

"I am excited to serve as a Board Member of Gooten, bringing my industry knowledge to how Gooten approaches on-demand order optimization through technology. The graphic apparel space is undergoing a digital paradigm shift, and I am excited to continue to bring my passion to a nimble technology company poised to further optimize this industry," said Ms. Merrill.

As the newest member of the Gooten Board, Ms. Merrill will be instrumental in shaping the future of Gooten's technology solutions as Gooten accelerates its mission of bringing retail-ready, on-demand production to the global stage.

About Gooten Inc.

Gooten Inc. is a technology and fulfillment company servicing established brands that are looking to optimize and/or supplement their eCommerce business with a print-on-demand manufacturing model. It combines proprietary technology and operational expertise with a global network of 30+ best-in-class manufacturing partners. This digital infrastructure allows Gooten to automatically fulfill orders more efficiently, sustainably, and at a competitive price; unlocking the potential for eCommerce businesses, retailers and global merchandising companies to scale production while reducing or eliminating the need to hold physical inventory. Gooten is committed to empowering thousands of businesses to sell high-quality products, on-demand and with minimal risk. Founded in 2015, Gooten is a globally distributed company with teams across North America, Europe and South America.

Connect with Gooten on https://www.gooten.com/ or on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .

Media contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Gooten
Chantelle is a family business created in 1876 and has been owned by the Kretz family since 1900. Today, Chantelle has 4,000 employees worldwide and owns six brands  Chantelle, Passionata, Chantelle X, Femilet, Livera, and Darjeeling. The company has subsidiaries in 16 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America, and factories in northern Africa, Asia, and France.

We want Centric PLM to be with us over the long term.

Chantelle was facing business challenges within their Digital and Customer Care department. It was clear they needed to improve collaboration between teams worldwide, increase flexibility, speed responsiveness and ensure product availability.

"We had a product data management (PDM) solution for about 20 years, but no PLM. We knew we absolutely had to implement this technology," says Virginie Diquero, Organization Project Manager at Chantelle. "We needed a more efficient and faster way to transfer images, content and data of our complete collection offer to our sites."

Chantelle's existing PDM did not allow them to easily manage collection assortments and they needed that functionality quickly. They were also looking for PLM to provide a foundation for marketing efforts.

Chantelle's brand teams were working in silos and using tools like Excel and Google Drive to share important business information including budgets, collection plans, merchandizing strategies and more. Centric PLM will be deployed throughout the company across all brands, at the head office in France, in their factories and international commercial subsidiaries.

Choosing Centric PLM was a simple decision for Chantelle. "We have known about Centric for a long time. They are number one in the market and Centric PLM meets our needs for developing collections, marketing presentations and product catalogs and image management, says Diquer. "We want Centric PLM to be with us over the long term."

Chantelle expects PLM to streamline the product development process, enable more effective control of the material certification process, support planning and improve stock management accuracy. With supply chain challenges such as rising costs and transportation disruptions, PLM will eventually be rolled out to some of Chantelle's suppliers.

Chantelle products are complex, as each bra model requires more than 80 different materials and is available in approximately thirty sizes. To date, Chantelle has nearly 80,000 active SKUs. Centric PLM will enable Chantelle to better control the entire supply chain.

"Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is also a priority for Chantelle," says Cathy Sellier, Master Data Manager at Chantelle. "We recently created a zero waste, fully recyclable bra, based on the circular economy model and we want to communicate our CSR initiatives more effectively. To do this, we need easier and faster access to data and Centric PLM can help us."

"Chantelle is an icon in the lingerie sector and we are proud to partner with them on their international omnichannel strategy," says Chris Groves, President and CEO at Centric Software. "With Centric PLM, Chantelle will be empowered to seamlessly manage supply chains and achieve ambitious CSR goals."

Learn more about Centric PLM

Request a Demo

Chantelle (www.chantelle.com)

We are Chantelle  an international creative studio based in Paris and a family-owned company designing lingerie since 1876.

Through our brands, built on the principles of collaboration and innovation, our group challenges conventional ways of designing, portraying and thinking about lingerie.

Respect is what we stand for. Creativity is what we foster. Honesty is what we value. And quality is what drives us.

For 145 years, we have made a point of managing our growth responsibly, while actively contributing to the well-being of our employees, partners and customers. Since its beginnings, our company has succeeded in building trusting and meaningful relationships with its stakeholders and is known for its product expertise, its high quality standards and its historic commitment to serving all women.

In an effort to improve our global and social impact, we are driven by a long-term vision of a more equal, inclusive and respectful society. We aim to meet the great challenges of our times, related to climate change, biodiversity and social justice, in order to positively contribute to the world of tomorrow.

Beauty, in all its forms, is what we care to protect: whether it be human-beings and their diversity, nature and its riches, or our know-how and its history.

We are Chantelle and we believe we can make a difference. If you are reading this, then you can be part of the journey.

Change is a collective adventure.

Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com)

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides a Product Concept to Consumer Digital Transformation Platform for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor, consumer electronics and consumer goods including cosmetics and personal care and food and beverage. Centric's flagship Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, Centric PLM, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, quality and product portfolio optimization innovations specifically for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric Visual Innovation Platform (CVIP) offers highly visual digital board experiences for collaboration and decision-making. Centric Retail Planning is an innovative, cloud-native solution powered by Armonica Retail S.R.L., that delivers an end-to-end retail planning process designed to maximize retail business performance. Centric Software pioneered mobility, introducing the first mobile apps for PLM, and is widely known for connectivity to dozens of other enterprise systems including ERP, DAM, PIM, e-com, planning and more as well as creative tools such as Adobe Illustrator and a host of 3D CAD connectors. Centric's innovations are 100% market-driven with the highest user adoption rate and fastest time to value in the industry. All Centric innovations shorten time to market, boost product innovation and reduce costs.

Centric Software is majority-owned by Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D digital mock-up and PLM solutions.

Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, including being named by Red Herring to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Centric also received various excellence awards from Frost & Sullivan in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Centric Software
GrowPath Will Demonstrate Lead Scoring, Marketing ROI, and Productivity Tracking Solutions at OAJ Annual Convention

DURHAM, N.C., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal case management software firm GrowPath is attending the Ohio Association for Justice's Annual Convention in Columbus, OH from May 4-6. The company will be demonstrating its patented case management software features and offering an exclusive discount on its products to attendees.

The OAJ Convention hosts trial lawyers from across Ohio who share the goal of protecting and promoting the right to a fair and impartial justice system and trial by jury. Attorneys attending the event are focused on serving and protecting their clients through diligence, innovation, and high ethical standards.

"GrowPath offers features designed to help attorneys and law firms get every detail right, much of it driven by automation, so that the attorneys can focus on what matters  their clients," said GrowPath CEO Neal Goffman. "The byproduct is that firms not only work cases more effectively with better results, but they can also work more of them in the same amount of time."

Some of the themes of the convention include new trends in civil litigation, technology trends, and several focuses in practice areas like workers' compensation and trucking accidents. GrowPath connects to these and more.

"No one has a finger on the pulse of the legal industry like we do from a software perspective," Goffman added, "and while we were born from the needs of PI firms, GrowPath has users from many practice areas, including workers' compensation and even eminent domain. We have what law firms need to be better advocates for their clients."

About GrowPath

GrowPath is a cutting-edge legal case management software delivering industry-leading solutions for personal injury law firms. By partnering with GrowPath, in addition to the benefits of using a market leading platform, firms get access to some of the best and most creative minds in the industry. From the individuals leading our company to those working closely every day with our clients, we have years of real-world expertise building successful plaintiffs' firms. GrowPath is empowering firms to boost revenue by improving the efficiency of the services they deliver. To learn more, visit GrowPath.com.

Media Contact:

Connie Wong

(919) 286-5759

[email protected]

Related links: https://growpath.com

SOURCE GrowPath
- Increase in demand for organic and natural substances such as hibiscus extracts in beauty and skin care products is expected to drive global market

- When compared to industrial chemicals, antimicrobials derived from plant sources, including hibiscus are often regarded as natural and safe, which is expected to bolster the development of the global market

ALBANY, N.Y , April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Transparency Market Research: The value of global hibiscus extract market stood at US$ 55 Mn in 2021. The global market is likely to rise at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period, from 2022 to 2032. The global hibiscus extract market is predicted to attain the valuation of US$ 130.1 Mn by 2032. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are growing more frequent, thus prompting researchers across the globe to explore new antimicrobial medicines. These antimicrobial compounds are derived from the hibiscus plant and effective against microbiological infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

R&D is being fueled by the increased need for toxicologically safe natural plant and flower-based antibacterial agents, especially for usage in food applications. Utilizing flower-based antimicrobial compounds has a number of benefits, including improving food preservation technology and enhancing the immune system in people.

Organic food and beverage (F&B) goods and medications have received a lot of attention from healthcare organizations in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as hibiscus extracts show remarkable prospects for the treatment of infectious illnesses.

Get PDF Brochure for More Insights  https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=84612

Firms in the global hibiscus extract market are working actively to expand the supply of herbal teas using natural hibiscus extracts, jasmine, and ginger, among many other ingredients. In the midst of continuing pandemic, eCommerce, online shopping applications, and social media are becoming important sales platforms. Since strict laws are observed during the transit of raw materials, the reopening of nation borders is assisting in the resolution of transportation and logistics challenges.

Key Findings of Market Report

In the global hibiscus extract market, growing shift in consumer demand toward natural ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products is turning into revenue potential. As such, consumers' purchasing decisions have transformed. Due to growing understanding, consumer demand for organic or natural products is increasing, thus putting a strain on floral extract manufacturers to create natural component blends.

Get Covid 19 Analysis - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=covid19&rep_id=84612

As the usage of synthetic chemicals in manufacturing has expanded and consumers have become more aware of the harmful effects connected with compromised food products, buyers are demanding more clarity and information. Companies in the global hibiscus extract market are likely to take advantage of these developments by maximizing their profits.

Global Hibiscus Extract Market: Growth Drivers

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are growing increasingly widespread, driving scientists all around the world to explore for new antimicrobial drugs. These antimicrobial compounds come from the hibiscus plant and are more effective against bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This element is predicted to boost worldwide market growth.

With a market value of 23.8% in 2022, Europe is predicted to lead the global hibiscus extract market. This is due to the rise in customer demand for nutritious and healthy food items & components, as well as the use of hibiscus extract as a skincare component in various personal care products and cosmetic items.

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Global Hibiscus Extract Market: Key Competitors

Naturalin Bio-Resources Co. Ltd

Carrubba Incorporated

FLAVEX Naturextrakte GmbH

Martin Bauer Group

Banyan Botanicals

Firmenich SA

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Global Hibiscus Extract Market: Segmentation

Nature

Organic

Conventional

Extraction Method

Solvent Extraction

SCFE

End Use

Cosmetic & Personal Care

Food & Beverage Industry

Aromatherapy

Retail/Household

Distribution Channel

Business to Business

Business to Consumer

Food & Beverages Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Food & Beverages:

Peanut Butter Whiskey Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/peanut-butter-whiskey-market.html

Truffle Chocolate Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/truffle-chocolate-market.html

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information.



Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

For More Research Insights on Leading Industries, Visit our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e-z-g23-TdDMuODiL8BKQ

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Transparency Market Research

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: April 4, 2017 to October 20, 2021

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 6, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in IBM:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/international-business-machines-corporation-loss-submission-form?id=26070&from=4

International Business Machines Corporation NEWS - IBM NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that International Business Machines Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Strategic Imperatives Revenue and growth, CAMSS and CAMSS Components' revenue and growth, and the Company's Segments' revenue and growth were artificially inflated as a result of the wrongful reclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperatives Revenue; (ii) the Company's present success and positive future growth prospects concerning its Strategic Imperative business strategy were being fueled by the wrongful reclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperative Revenue and, as a result (iii) the Company misled the market by portraying the Company's Strategic Imperative's financial performance and future prospects more favorable than they actually were as a result of the wrongful reclassification of revenues from non-strategic to strategic to make those revenues eligible for treatment as Strategic Imperatives.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in IBM you have until June 6, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased IBM securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the IBM lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/international-business-machines-corporation-loss-submission-form?id=26070&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Sandy Speicher steps down as CEO

Paul Bennett and Tim Brown assume additional responsibilities as interim co-CEOs

Transition team in place to design next evolution of IDEO

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEO, the global design and innovation company, today announced that by mutual agreement, Sandy Speicher has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and will be leaving the company. Paul Bennett, Chief Creative Officer, and Tim Brown, Executive Chair are assuming the responsibilities of interim co-CEOs in addition to their existing roles. They will lead a transition team with a mandate to design the next evolution of IDEO.

"On behalf of everyone at IDEO, we want to thank Sandy for her valuable contributions and many years of service," said Tim Brown. "Her leadership has expanded design into the realm of systems, most notably the Innova Schools project that she spearheaded, which made education accessible to the emerging middle class of Peru. In her time as CEO, Sandy took responsibility for the stewardship of the firm through unprecedentedly complex and challenging times. We can see the influence of her leadership in our work across the firm, most notably in our increased focus on designing equitable experiences for all. Internally, her vision led us to become Net Zero as a company and more inclusive in our culture through multiple efforts. Sandy will always be a valued member of the IDEO family and we will always treasure her as such."

"We are confident that our transition team will identify the right leadership to take us forward, building on IDEO's history of applying design's unique transformative power when brought to bear on the complex and consequential problems of our times," added Paul Bennett.

About IDEO:

IDEO is a global design company committed to creating positive impact through human-centered design. We collaborate with our clients to tackle complex challenges ranging from addressing climate change and building new ventures to helping make organizations more creatively competitive.

Contact:

Elisabeth Rollings

Edelman, on behalf of IDEO

T: 209-650-9957

E: [email protected]

Or via [email protected]

SOURCE IDEO
"Venkat is a senior operations leader with a track record of delivering transformative and strategic solutions in both high-growth and startup environments, and I am thrilled to welcome him to ImmPACT Bio as our chief operating officer," said Sumant Ramachandra, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., president and CEO, ImmPACT Bio. "His broad industry experience and expertise in building strategic partnerships, operationalizing global solutions, delivering experience at scale, enabling digital transformation, and building diverse and inclusive teams, will be of great benefit to ImmPACT Bio as we advance our pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies that harness the immune system and address key challenges for current cell therapies in cancer."

"It is an exciting time to join ImmPACT Bio as we look to advance the pipeline of our next-generation CAR T-cell therapies," said Mr. Yepuri. "I look forward to working with Sumant, our board, and the entire ImmPACT team to deliver on our mission to bring curative therapies to patients living with cancer."

Mr. Yepuri brings more than 30 years' experience working in biotech and healthcare provider fields. He joins ImmPACT from Amgen, where he spent 20 years in multiple roles with increasing responsibility in functions including business development, corporate transformation, information systems, and strategic sourcing/sustainability. He was most recently vice president, global business solutions and chief procurement officer at Amgen where his responsibilities included alliance management, business continuity and risk management, strategic sourcing and supplier diversity, real estate and space planning, external workforce center management, and employee services. Prior to Amgen, he co-founded a physician group purchasing company in the U.S., and with a Healthcare Association of Southern California spin-off, ran the technology consulting program for clients such as Kaiser Permanente. In addition, Mr. Yepuri established subsidiaries in India and Malaysia focused on medical equipment sales and services.

Since October 2020, Mr. Yepuri has been on the board of the Ventura County Community Foundation, which is focused on building philanthropy in the region through careful management of charitable capital, as well as connecting resources with local community needs. He is the chair of the strategic planning committee.

Mr. Yepuri holds a master's degree in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication from Delhi University.

About ImmPACT Bio

ImmPACT Bio USA, Inc., is a clinical-stage company dedicated to the discovery of transformative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for cancer patients who have exhausted their treatment options. The company's logic-gate-based CAR T platforms address key biological challenges in treating cancer. ImmPACT Bio's technologies are specifically designed to prevent antigen escape, prevent 'on-target  off-tumor' toxicities, and overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The company's technology is based on the work of pioneering scientists Yvonne Chen, Ph.D., and Antoni Ribas, M.D., Ph.D., both from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Gideon Gross, Ph.D., from the MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute. For more information, visit www.immpact-bio.com.

SOURCE ImmPACT Bio
A key highlight will include a Rhythm Theater presentation focused on the constraints and challenges of remote cardiac monitoring (RCM), as well as the impact of AI in managing ILR dataflows and transforming RCM into an opportunity for clinical research.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IMPLICITY, a global leader in remote patient monitoring and cardiac data management solutions, is showcasing its portfolio of remote cardiac monitoring solutions at the upcoming Heart Rhythm 2022 (HRS 2022) in San Francisco, California, hosted by the Heart Rhythm Society, between April 29th and May 1st, 2022.

A key highlight will be a Rhythm Theater presentation titled, "Management of CIEDs with New Remote Monitoring Features: From Standard of Care to Artificial Intelligence," on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 2:15 pm PST in the Innovation Expo, Booth 2155.

"Using CIEDs for remote monitoring (RM) is now considered the standard of care, but they add a significant burden for clinicians because they have a high false-positive rate. Our panel session will explore how novel technologies such as AI can significantly reduce this workload and help streamline clinic workflows," said Dr. Arnaud Rosier, Ph.D., electrophysiologist, and CEO and co-founder of IMPLICITY.

Key opinion leaders on the panel include:

Niraj Varma, MB, ChB, FACC , Professor of Medicine and Consultant Electrophysiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, who pioneered the use of remote monitoring technology for implantable devices. Varma will chair the session and discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the management of implantable loop recorder (ILR) data.





, Professor of Medicine and Consultant Electrophysiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, who pioneered the use of remote monitoring technology for implantable devices. Varma will chair the session and discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the management of implantable loop recorder (ILR) data. Suneet Mittal , MD, FACC, FHRS, Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory, and Associate Chief of Cardiology at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey . He will share insights on remote monitoring as a standard of care, exploring various constraints and challenges.

As part of the session, Dr. Rosier will also explain how remote patient monitoring (RPM) can support opportunities for clinical research. IMPLICITY recently launched a unique competition offering investigators a chance to gain free access to IMPLICITY's platform to support their studies with support from IMPLICITY's team of data scientists and engineers.

IMPLICITY announced FDA clearance for its AI-powered ILR ECG Analyzer for Implantable Loop Recorders in December 2021. The company's full suite of innovative solutions will be on display at the HRS 2022 event at booth #1641.

About IMPLICITY

IMPLICITY is a digital MedTech that provides a universal remote cardiac monitoring and research platform to medical centers and service companies, helping them provide the best remote care to cardiac patients. IMPLICITY develops AI and knowledge based algorithms to reduce healthcare professionals workload and allow to potentially predict patient health status.

The IMPLICITY platform aggregates, normalizes and standardizes data from all implantable cardiac electronic device across all major manufacturers. In addition to having an FDA cleared solution and multiple CE markings, IMPLICITY has been the first private company authorized to access the Health Data Hub, one of the world largest patient database, supporting the development of its AI solutions to improve care for patients with chronic heart failure condition. IMPLICITY covers more than 60,000 patients in 100 medical facilities across the United States and Europe. For more information, visit: http://www.implicity.com

 Health Data Hub is a health data platform put in place by the French government to combine existing health patient databases and facilitate their usage for research and development purposes

Media Contact:

Andrea LePain

eMedia Junction

617-275-8112

[email protected]

SOURCE IMPLICITY
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jennifer Fisher, the celebrity jewelry designer behind Jennifer Fisher, announced today the launch of her debut fragrance My Scent.

"For years I could never find a perfume that smelled the way I wanted it to smell. I was always mixing my favorite scents to make my own signature blend. I am excited to introduce you to my first fragrance" says Fisher.

My Scent, the debut fragrance from Jennifer Fisher

Using only a blend of pure liquid essential oils, My Scent is a warm, musky blend of oils meant to invoke the casual sensuality that has become synonymous with Jennifer and the brand. With hints of Vanilla, Australian Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Pear, and Coconut. Fisher describes My Scent as "my memories and mood in a bottle. It is the scented armor you will crave daily."

The fragrance is available in a 10ml rollerball, designed intentionally in a compact glass rollerball to be used on the go.

My Scent retails for $65 and is available on www.jenniferfisher.com.

ABOUT JENNIFER FISHER: In 2005, after the birth of her first son, Jennifer Fisher was looking for a piece of jewelry to wear that not only represented him, but also expressed her own personal style. Unable to find anything unique, Jennifer designed a piece with her son's name on the front that she styled with a long thick-link chain. Friends, family, and strangers began to request that Jennifer design one for them; Jennifer Fisher Jewelry was born. By 2011, Jennifer had garnered a significant following. In order to offer her signature jewelry to a growing customer base, she expanded her line with the launch of the brass collection, focusing on large statement pieces at an accessible price point. In May 2014, Jennifer opened her first store on lower 5th Avenue in New York City. In 2017 Jennifer expanded her business into the culinary realm with the launch of three custom blended salt seasonings, Jennifer Fisher Universal Salt, Curry Salt, and Spicy Salt. Jennifer became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in June 2013. Additionally, Jennifer was recognized for her accomplishments as a designer when she was a top ten finalist in the 2012 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund competition and was nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Accessories award in 2014. Jennifer received the Influencer of the Year award at the 2016 20th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards. Most recently, Jennifer was nominated for the 2019 CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year award. For more information, please visit www.jenniferfisher.com or follow us @jenniferfisherjewelry.

SOURCE JENNIFER FISHER
Indiana Department of Transportation commits to a four-year, long-term Technical Construction Services agreement with IRD with no limit to the number of Quantity Purchase Awards to be released

Agreement complements previous $5.5 million electronic equipment, software and services agreement awarded in March 2022

Under the agreement, IRD will provide system installation and civil works necessary for ongoing operation of Traffic Data Collection and Virtual Weigh-in-Motion enforcement systems.

SASKATOON, SK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - International Road Dynamics Inc. ("IRD"), a Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") company (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), announced today the award of a four-year Quantity Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") valued in excess of an estimated $10.8 million from the Indiana Department of Transportation ("INDOT"). The Agreement is a task order-based contract with no limit to the number of Quantity Purchase Awards ("QPA") to be released. All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Under the Agreement, IRD will be issued task orders to provide necessary labor, tools, test equipment, transportation and incidentals required to build, reconstruct, test and maintain 143 Automated Traffic Recorder systems, 56 Weigh-in-Motion ("WIM") systems and 23 Virtual Weigh-in-Motion ("VWIM") systems operated by INDOT. The solutions supplied under this Agreement will provide high-accuracy traffic and load data to the State for planning, roadway design, and weight compliance purposes. These systems aid INDOT's efforts to preserve road and bridge conditions and improve motorist safety. The system data will be reviewed by INDOT to provide recommendations for possible legislative changes regarding the state's enforcement policies.

IRD will provide INDOT with complete technical construction services for the State's VWIM sites to provide maximum performance. These services include all required tasks associated with maintaining the VWIM sites to extend WIM sensor lifetimes, maintain weighing accuracy and ensure reliability of machine vision technology. IRD's ongoing involvement with installation, construction and maintenance will ensure the best possible performance and continuous operation of INDOT's VWIM systems.

Mr. Rish Malhotra, IRD President & CEO, noted "We are proud to be selected by the Indiana Department of Transportation for a second long-term agreement this year. This is an important project to support the State's safety, mobility and environmental objectives. The systems being supported protect road infrastructure from damage by overloaded vehicles and provide information that factors into the future of the State's enforcement operations. IRD's Field Operations and Support team have extensive experience managing systems from initial deployment through end-of-life and are essential to delivering projects such as this one. These capabilities are key to IRD's continued growth and leadership position in North America and ensure that our ITS solutions deliver superior value with unparalleled performance to all our customers."

About IRD

IRD is a dynamic technology company engaged in developing key components and advanced systems for the next generation of transportation networks. Together with subsidiaries PAT Traffic and IRD Europe (ICOMS Detections, SensorLine and VDS), IRD supplies Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to private corporations, transportation agencies and highway authorities around the world. IRD's systems make highways safer, greener and more efficient. Known globally as a trusted partner providing sales, service and installation support on major ITS projects for over 40 years, IRD contributes to creating smarter cities by empowering engineering and urban planning professionals to access reliable traffic data. For more information, please visit www.irdinc.com

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is a leading provider of tolling and enforcement solutions in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry, as well as, through its Wi-LAN Inc. subsidiary, a leader in Intellectual Property licensing. Our goal is global leadership in ITS, by organic growth of the Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC and International Road Dynamics Inc. platforms and by continuing an acquisition-oriented investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS and its adjacent markets. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information, please visit www.quarterhill.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding IRD, Quarterhill and their businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by IRD and/or Quarterhill in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and the expected effects of new business strategies, as well as other factors that IRD and/or Quarterhill believe are appropriate in the circumstances. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting IRD and/or Quarterhill, including: potential risks and uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"); the severity of the disease; the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to treat its impact; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and financial markets and any resulting impact on IRD and/or Quarterhill and/or their businesses. Other factors include, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's March 20, 2022 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the "AIF"). Copies of the AIF may be obtained at www.sedar.com. IRD and Quarterhill recommend that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of IRD's forward-looking statements. IRD has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.
Any success I've achieved individually is the direct result of the collective effort of our entire team"  James Bogart Tweet this

"I'm honored and humbled to be named a Top Advisor in both of these prestigious publications," said James Bogart, President and CEO of Bogart Wealth. "However, I really view these awards as recognition for our firm as a whole. Any success I have achieved individually is the direct result of the collective effort of our entire team. I'm proud that our team works together every day to deliver a first-rate client experience, guiding corporate executives, professionals, and families on their paths to and throughout retirement while also helping them achieve financial peace of mind by preserving and maximizing intergenerational wealth."

While this is Bogart's first time making the Barron's Top Advisor list, this is his fifth year in a row being listed as a Top Advisor in Forbes. From 2019 through 2021, he was named to Forbes' Best-In-State and Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors lists, and in 2018, he was named a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor.

To see the full list of Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors rankings, please click here.

To see the full list of Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors rankings by state, please click here.

RANKINGS CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGY

Forbes' rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are one of the only advisor rankings with a focus on quality, including surveying and interviewing advisors in-person and virtually. Rankings are based on an algorithm of qualitative data collected through these surveys and interviews to evaluate best practices, level of service, investing models, industry experience, and compliance records, as well as quantitative data such as revenue produced and assets under management.

SHOOK Research prides itself on recognizing the most outstanding financial advisors in the business and creating rankings of role models  advisors that are leading the way in offering best practices and providing a high-quality experience for clients. Unlike other advisor rankings, SHOOK is not a "robo-ranker" and is completely independent and objective  they do not receive compensation from financial advisors, their firms, or the media in exchange for rankings. They believe that production and asset numbers don't tell the whole story and that a focus on both qualitative and quantitative factors is imperative. To learn more about the Forbes' Best-In-State ranking methodology, please click here.

The Barron's rankings are based on data provided by around 6,000 of the nation's most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings include assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice, and philanthropic work. Investment performance isn't an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients' risk tolerance than by an advisor's investment-picking abilities.

Advisors who wish to be ranked fill out a 102-question survey about their practice. Barron's verifies that data with the advisors' firms and with regulatory databases and then applies their rankings formula to the data to generate a ranking. The formula features three major categories of calculations: 1. Assets, 2. Revenue, and 3. Quality of practice. To learn more about the Barron's Top Advisor ranking methodology, please click here.

ABOUT JAMES BOGART

A seasoned wealth advisor, James Bogart, CFP, ChFC, President and CEO of Bogart Wealth, takes personal pride in assisting executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals pursue their dreams through highly customized financial planning strategies. As Principal, he focuses on maintaining the highest level of customer service and attention to detail possible, and on seeking to deliver the most effective technology, reporting tools, and analysis to every client.

An innovative visionary with seemingly endless energy, James surrounds himself with people who complement his skills, and he consistently promotes a collaborative environment. He leads by example, always exemplifying Bogart Wealth's core values. James sets a high bar for himself and his employees and encourages everyone to acquire designations that will help them catapult their career and better serve clients.

During the pandemic, James has led Bogart Wealth's company growth from $700 million AUM to $1.9 billion  all in organic growth. As a result of this high demand for their special attention and fiduciary financial planning and investment management services, there has been a drastic need to grow the team at Bogart Wealth, and there have already been four new hires so far in 2022 and 15 new hires in the last 18 months. In addition, Bogart Wealth's retention rate during the last 18 months has been 99.3%.

In early 2022, James spoke to students at Virginia Tech on how to succeed in the financial services industry, and he has been heavily involved in Virginia Tech's Financial Planning program.

In addition to Barron's and Forbes, he has been recognized as a top advisor in Financial Advisor Magazine, Financial Times, Houston Business Journal, Washington Business Journal, and Virginia Business Magazine.

ABOUT BOGART WEALTH

Bogart Wealth is an independent, fee-only wealth management firm guiding corporate executives, professionals, and families on their paths to and throughout retirement. Led by President and CEO James Bogart, their mission is to help clients achieve financial peace of mind by preserving and maximizing intergenerational wealth. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Bogart Wealth is held to a fiduciary standard, which gives clients confidence in knowing that everything the firm does is always in their best interest. Clients of Bogart Wealth enjoy an extremely high level of service, and the firm's boutique size enables multiple advisors to become familiar with each client and their financial plan. At Bogart Wealth, everyone is a part of the team, and they have taken great care to build a collegial and cooperative culture, as well as a diverse set of skills, experience, qualifications, and credentials. The team works together to apply their combined experience, expertise, and knowledge to each client account. To learn more, visit www.BogartWealth.com.

Media Contact:

Jonny Swift

Impact Communications, Inc.

913-649-5009

[email protected]

SOURCE Bogart Wealth
The funding enables EX-Fusion to accelerate the development of the continuous target supply system (CTSS) and the laser target tracking system (LTTS), both fundamental systems for the commercialization of laser powered nuclear fusion reactors. By combining the two systems, EX-Fusion aims to demonstrate the feasibility of high frequency repetition laser plasma experiments using high power pulse lasers and to demonstrate the ability to continuously generate neutrons in sequential laser fusion reactions.

EX-Fusion was co-founded between Kazuki Matsuo, postdoctoral research fellow at University of California San Diego, Shinsuke Fujioka, professor at the Institute of Laser Engineering at Osaka University, and Yoshitaka Mori, associate professor at the Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries.

"We believe that nuclear fusion is the solution for meeting our global energy needs and helping the world reach carbon neutrality by 2050," said Matsuo. "And by focusing our research and development around the fundamental technology related to commercial operation of laser-based nuclear fusion, we can achieve safe and affordable clean energy faster. This initial funding will kick start our efforts to build the two systems, continuous target supply system and laser target tracking system, which will prove that continuous target injection as well as laser targeting can be achieved at or above 10Hz."

Masahiro Sameshima, Partner at ANRI, said,

"I have been encouraging researchers to establish their own ventures with the hope of creating a nuclear fusion venture that could become a new power source in Japan. I am thrilled to be supporting the launch of EX-Fusion from the beginning. Investment in fusion ventures is accelerating around the world toward the realization of fusion technology, and Japan is lagging far behind in terms of the amount of funds raised. However, we are not pessimistic about this, and are determined to help refine EX-Fusion's original technology and prove that we can compete on the world stage. Furthermore, we hope to apply this laser technology to various fields such as processing of metal materials and semiconductor manufacturing."

Yousuke Hirai, Investment Principle at OUVC, said,

"I am very excited to be investing into the EX-Fusion team whose goal is to provide the ultimate clean energy in the form of commercial nuclear fusion power. While we realize that laser based nuclear fusion is one of many forms of nuclear fusion, there have been rapid advancements in the field of laser fusion recently and thus is considered one of the most commercially viable methods amongst various nuclear fusion methods. By taking the learnings from the research conducted at Osaka University over the past 50 years, EX-Fusion will lead the advancement of laser nuclear fusion and pave the path to commercialization of the technology."

EX-Fusion is collaborating with the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE) at Osaka University, the Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries (GPI) as well as multiple private sector corporations in its development of these technologies. The joint development project with ILE involves the development of the CTSS, which will allow for material targets to be placed inside the fusion reaction chamber continuously, consistently and congruently against the high powered pulse laser system. The collaboration with GPI will be focused on developing the LTTS, which will allow for real-time alignment of multiple lasers such that it can direct the energy at maximum efficiency towards the reactor target.

About EX-Fusion

EX-Fusion is a Japan-based private company aiming to develop the first commercial laser based nuclear fusion reactor for power generation.

Laser fusion is a method of obtaining energy by using a high power laser to compress a mixture of deuterium and tritium to high density and heat it to high temperature, causing a nuclear fusion reaction. Research is being conducted mainly in the US, Japan, France, the UK, China, and Russia.

In the U.S., in August 2021, an experiment at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieved a fusion output of 1.35 megajoules, which is more than 70% of the laser input energy. This demonstrated that it is possible to ignite and burn fusion fuel using a laser method.

On the other hand, in order to realize a commercial reactor, it is necessary to (i) improve the efficiency of fusion reaction generation, i.e., to achieve a fusion power that exceeds the laser input energy, and (ii) to generate a steady-state fusion reaction with a repetition rate of about 10 Hz and to recover the fusion energy and convert it into consumable energy forms such as electricity and hydrogen. In Japan, for (i) improving the efficiency of fusion reaction generation, we are focusing on the fast ignition method, in which high-density fusion fuel is externally heated by a laser, which is expected to increase the efficiency, and experiments are being conducted using the GEKKO XII and LFEX lasers at the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE), Osaka University. The founder, Kazuki Matsuo is one of the lead researchers on fast ignition and is the world record holder for fast ignition type of reaction [1]. The recent results have been referred to in the summary of the world fusion research published by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) in the United States [2]. Furthermore, as for (ii) fusion generation by high frequency repetition lasers, our executive officer Mori, as a core member of the Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries (GPI), has been conducting joint research with Toyota Motor Corporation and other partner institutions using high power lasers developed by Hamamatsu Photonics [3].

Our company was established to consolidate the knowledge of laser fusion that has been cultivated in Japan and to realize a commercial laser fusion reactor. Currently, we are transferring the 10Hz continuous target feeding system [4] owned by the Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries to our company. With this technology as our core technology, we will start our research and development with the support of our partner institutions. For further information, please visit: www.ex-fusion.com.

[1] K. Matsuo et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 35001 (2020). [2] Samuel E. Wurzel, Scott C. Hsu arXiv:2105.10954v4 (2022) [3] Laser Fusion CANDY GPI/Hamamatsu by Y. Mori (Chapter 6), Nuttal W J, WebbeWood D, Konishi S, Takeda S, Commercializing Fusion Energy: How Small Businesses are Transforming Big Science (IOP Publishing Ltd., London,2021). [4] Y. Mori et al., "Ten hertz beads pellet injection and laser engagement" Nucl. Fusion 62, 036028 (2022)

Contact:

Koichi Masuda

[email protected]

SOURCE EX-Fusion
The JARS 420 Sweepstakes will be held at all 4 JARS Arizona Locations

PHOENIX, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JARS Cannabis, the chain of customer-favorite licensed cannabis dispensaries in Arizona, announced it will give away a brand new Sony Playstation PS5 every hour at each of its four locations on April 20, commonly referred to as 420. No purchase is necessary to enter to win.

The dispensaries will also be offering an exceptional array of specials throughout the day, such as BOGOs on some of the most popular brands including Baked Bros, Kiva, Wana, Stiiizy, and many more.

Plus, the first 400 people at each location will receive an abundance of free goodies, including a Juke Box cartridge and preroll, Stiiizy pod, Gron edible, and more.

Ronnie Kassab, President of JARS Arizona, said the company went all out to create a 420 that will go down in the record books.

"We wanted to offer something really special to our customers," Kassab said. "Our team was able to source NEW PS5s from multiple vendors months in advance in order to make this happen on 420 for our community," he added. "Along with our amazing deals, 420 is going to be a lot of fun for everyone."

Jars Cannabis Dispensaries are located throughout Arizona:

Phoenix at 2424 S 24th Street

at 2424 S 24th Street Metrocenter at 10040 N Metro Pkwy W

at 10040 N Metro Pkwy W New River at 46639 N Black Canyon Hwy

at 46639 N Black Canyon Hwy Payson at 200 N Tonto Street.

The JARS staff is the best trained in the industry and can answer any questions to make certain that each customer gets exactly the right products to meet their individual needs.

JARS is also proud to serve the local veteran community and is dedicated to ensuring that they have access to the products they require. The stores also always have a wide selection of items at all price points so that everyone can obtain the products that best fit their own unique lifestyle.

See store for details on sweepstakes rules and entry details.

For more information on JARS Dispensaries, visit: www.jarscannabis.com.

Connect:

Facebook: facebook.com/JarsLifeOfficial

Instagram: instagram.com/jars_life

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/jarscannabis

Media Contact

Innovation Agency

[email protected]

SOURCE JARS Arizona
"Kevin is joining one of the most well-respected private wealth teams in the country," said Joshua S. Rubenstein, national chair of Katten's Private Wealth group. "His cross-border experience, innovative problem solving skills and ability to provide trusted counsel to some of the world's wealthiest families on the most complex trust, tax and regulatory compliance issues will be an asset to our internationally recognized practice and to the Dallas office."

Keen's global Private Wealth practice serves ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their private enterprises, family offices and fiduciaries, on the tax, structuring, compliance and business issues encountered when they interact with the United States. He has extensive experience designing and implementing integrated wealth management structures that balance often-competing global tax, privacy, wealth transfer and succession, family governance, asset protection and compliance considerations.

Previously, Keen served as managing partner of another international law firm's Texas office and practiced as a US-qualified private client attorney in Zurich, Switzerland. He brings vast domestic and international experience when advising families, entrepreneurs, mobile executives, family offices and fiduciaries across the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

"Katten continues to attract and retain leading attorneys like Kevin in key growth areas such as private wealth," said Mark S. Solomon, managing partner of Katten's Dallas office. "Throughout the past year, Katten's Dallas office achieved remarkable results for our clients across our corporate, health care, private credit, litigation and insolvency and restructuring practices. Kevin will work seamlessly with our world class private wealth lawyers in New York and other offices and help us establish private wealth as a significant new client offering in North Texas."

While Keen travels the world to serve his clients, he also offers personal and business planning needs required for domestic clients based in, or those transitioning in or out of, both Florida and Texas. His practice also includes planning related to estates and trusts, wealth transfer, tax optimization, structuring of direct and passive investments, formation and operation of private trust companies and family offices, premarital planning, and global mobility matters generally, including expatriation and exit tax mitigation, application of favorable residency regimes abroad, and attainment of additional passports.

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

For more information, visit katten.com .

Contact: Jackie Heard

+1.312.902.5450

[email protected]

Kate Shenk

+1.312.577.8415

[email protected]

SOURCE Katten
Brad Canfield, President and CEO of KeyPoint Credit Union, said "The new building is designed to optimize workplace efficiency to support our hybrid work model." The building hosts several undedicated workspaces, including visitor desks, huddle rooms and traditional conference rooms. Scheduling software helps visiting employees schedule an office or conference room. Each conference room is equipped with an occupancy-status sign. Canfield added "Sustainability was one of our key goals, so we prioritized using eco-friendly materials." The building qualifies for Gold LEED-certificationa high standard to achieve. It utilizes low-carbon emitting materials, optimizes energy performance, and employs low-flow plumbing (for reducing water consumption). The parking lot supports several charging stations for employees' electric vehicles.

The new facility is designed to facilitate operational efficiency of the member-owned, not for profit credit union.

About KeyPoint Credit Union

Inspired by Silicon Valley innovation and built to serve a diverse membership, KeyPoint is a full-service, not-for-profit credit union dedicated to providing financial solutions to help members achieve their goals in life. KeyPoint helps members make the most of their moneyearning more on savings while paying less for credit. And KeyPoint is active in the community providing free financial education programs, as well as fostering financial literacy, sponsoring reading programs and mentoring the next generation of business professionals at local educational institutions. Learn more about Next Generation Neighborhood Banking from KeyPoint Credit Union at kpcu.com.

SOURCE KeyPoint Credit Union
The Independently-owned Business Acknowledged Nationally by La-Z-Boy Inc.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tipperary Sales, d.b.a. La-Z-Boy Southeast, recently received three prestigious honors presented by La-Z-Boy, Inc. during High Point Furniture Market in High Point, N.C.

Two Tipperary Sales locations were recognized for being in the top ten stores of more than 350 locations in the North America and one employee was recognized individually for excellence in interior design services.

Tipperary Sales Retail Locations Receive No. 10 and No. 2 Sales Volume Awards in North America

Each year, La-Z-Boy honors ten of the top-performing stores in North America. Two of Tipperary's eight locations landed in the top ten La-Z-Boy stores in North America producing notable sales volume. Its Greenville, S.C. location secured the No. 10 spot with +/- $10M in sales volume. The company's Pineville, N.C. location, landed the No. 2 spot with +/- $14M in sales volume.

"Buying furniture is very personal," said Martha Brown, President and CEO Tipperary Sales. "We aim to provide our customers with an exceptional furniture buying experience and delivering a product that is unmatched in the marketplace."

The Pinnacle Award

The Pinnacle Club recognizes the top-selling in-home design consultants and sales consultants in the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries network, one of the industry's largest dedicated store networks. Tipperary was honored to receive one of these prestigious awards. Billie Wachman, an in-home designer from the Charleston, S.C. location was recognized as the South Central region's honoree. Only ten La-Z-Boy consultants and designers are inducted into the Pinnacle Club annually, making it the highest honor for store employees. This is Billie's sixth time as a Pinnacle recipienta tremendous honor.

"Billie is an outstanding talent," said Martha Brown, President and CEO Tipperary Sales. "She's been with our company for thirteen years and consistently demonstrates her dedication to customers, enthusiasm for the La-Z-Boy brand, and creating spaces that are equally beautiful as they are comfortable."

About Tipperary Sales, Inc.

Tipperary Sales, Inc., is a family-owned company, founded in 1976. The company is one of Furniture Today's Top 100 Furniture Stores and currently operates two of the top ten dealer-operated La-Z-Boy stores in North America.

With eight stores throughout the region (located in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina), La-Z-Boy Southeast offers customers an exceptional buying experience. The company's vigilant training creates a staff that are experts in the retail and interior design industry. Customers are offered the opportunity to engage with a professional, degreed interior designer for a complimentary design program that was created to take the fear out of furniture buying. And, with more than 900 fabrics and leathers for a wide-variety of both in-stock and custom styles, La-Z-Boy Southeast is equipped to meet customers' needs effectively. A comprehensive website and YouTube channel also provides customers with a detailed and helpful pre-buying understanding, answering frequent questions about products and the furniture buying experience.

La-Z-Boy stores operated by Tipperary Sales, Inc. are in the following locations: 4205 Washington Rd. in Evans, Ga.; 150 Traders Way in Pooler, Ga.; 107-B River Hills Rd in Asheville, Nc.; 9215 Northlake W Dr. in Charlotte, Nc.; 11515 Carolina Place Pkwy. in Pineville, Nc.; 4960 Centre Pointe Dr Suite 102 in N. Charleston, Sc.; 5342 Sunset Boulevard in Lexington, Sc.: 1046 Woodruff Rd. in Greenville, Sc.

For more information, please visit https://www.furnitureacademy.com.

About La-Z-Boy

Headquartered in Monroe, MI, La-Z-Boy is one of the world's leading residential furniture producers. The company manufactures a full line of comfortable products for the living room and family room, including the company's world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and love seats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB), one of the world's leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. Live Life Comfortably. SM

SOURCE LBH & CO.
Business signs LOI with Controlled Thermal Resources to purchase Lithium and renewable energy

LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lars Carlstrom, the founder-CEO of Italvolt, has today announced the launch of a new company, Statevolt, which will construct a 54GWh Gigafactory in Imperial Valley, southern California with an expected CapEx of $4 billion. To launch the new facility, Statevolt has also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR).

Under the terms of the LOI, CTR will deliver sustainable, locally produced lithium and geothermal power, from the company's to-be constructed Hell's Kitchen Lithium and Power development. Statevolt is currently undertaking due diligence to determine the best location on which to build its facility. Once fully operational, the Gigafactory will be one of largest in North America, with a battery production capacity of 54GWh, serving around 650,000 electric vehicles a year at full capacity.

Led by Lars Carlstrom, the founder of Britishvolt and founder-CEO of Italvolt, Statevolt's project team brings deep industry experience and expertise to the project, as well as an eco-system of established project development partners. Carlstrom, and the newly-formed Statevolt team, will harness previous learnings in Gigafactory design and engineering, to accelerate the construction process and create an industry leading facility.

CTR's leadership team, having constructed and managed geothermal operations in the Imperial Valley region for over 30 years, are uniquely positioned to provide Statevolt with strong regional experience and technical knowledge to optimize Statevolt's commitment to deliver the highest standards of sustainability.

Statevolt's planned partnership with CTR brings a new, 'hyper-local' sustainable business model for lithium-ion battery development in the U.S. The arrangement is one of the first of its kind in the world and will see the business source its key feedstock, lithium, and its power from local resources, in order to minimize the environmental impact of production and build a more sustainable and secure supply chain. Simultaneously it will help facilitate the development of a micro-industry in the area, delivering up to 2,500 direct jobs for Imperial Valley and the region more widely.

The LOI between Statevolt and CTR is built on the two companies' shared commitment to support the energy transition in California and the U.S. Global Lithium demand for EVs and storage which is forecast to reach 383 killotones by 2030.[1] Following the Biden Administration's target to ensure that half of automotive sales are EVs by 2030,[2] the rapid development of batteries and supply chain resilience is crucial to meet consumer demand, in the near-to-medium term.

Lars Carlstrom, founder, of Statevolt, said: "The development of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for the U.S. to meet its goals to transition to Net Zero. Statevolt is proud to begin its journey to develop U.S. expertise and production of lithium-ion batteries, as we look to serve this critical market.

"Today, we face a significant shortage in the amount of lithium that is required to meet the demand for electric vehicles. We are pioneering a new, hyper-local business model, which prioritises sustainability and resilience in the supply chain to solve this issue. More importantly, we believe this model will offer Statevolt a significant advantage in producing lithium-ion batteries at scale, to meet booming consumer demand and create good-paying, highly skilled jobs.

"We are pleased to be collaborating with CTR and its industry-leading, and highly-specialized approach to sustainable lithium production and development. Together, through the construction and development of Statevolt, we will support the nation's energy transition while retaining a keen focus on low-cost, sustainable battery manufacture.

Rod Colwell, CEO of Controlled Thermal Resources, said: "CTR is absolutely delighted to further our relationship with Statevolt. We applaud Lars and his team for taking a proactive approach to ensure the company's future lithium supply, while also consciously seeking out the cleanest lithium and power available for Statevolt's first U.S. Gigafactory."

"The extraordinary growth in electric vehicle adoption and the emerging demand for energy storage systems to provide clean power, highlights the urgent need to develop a strong and secure battery supply chain in the United States. CTR continues to develop its significant resource in response to this unprecendented demand, and we look forward to collaborating with Statevolt as we accelerate these efforts."

[1] IEA, Total lithium demand by sector and scenario, 2020-2040.

[2] FACTSHEET: President Biden Announces Steps to Drive American Leadership Forward on Clean Cars and Trucks

SOURCE Statevolt
Building on LatAm market success, Miami-based fintech pioneer to boost expansion in the US

MIAMI, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NovoPayment announced it has secured $19 million in Series A financing, led by Fuel Venture Capital and IDC Ventures, to further scale NovoPayment's Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform in existing markets and the US. NovoPayment offers a full-stack, multi-country, and multi-currency API cloud-based platform that powers digital banking, payment and card solutions. The fintech pioneer is strengthening its footprint across the Americas to serve even more financial institutions, fintechs, neobanks, digital merchants, and acquirers.

Over the past eight years, NovoPayment has expanded to reach 14 markets. In 2021, NovoPayment saw a 40% increase in client growth, including partnerships with major financial players, such as Visa, Mastercard, and IADB.

In addition to the $19 million in new funding, this recent momentum positions NovoPayment for an even brighter future. The company plans to continue increasing capabilities, introduce new features and functionalities, heighten security, and capitalize on US market opportunities. Here's a peek at what's ahead:

Application network expansion: NovoPayment is expanding its impressive network of 60+ partners, resulting in integrations designed to streamline the enablement of products and services via open APIs.

NovoPayment is expanding its impressive network of 60+ partners, resulting in integrations designed to streamline the enablement of products and services via open APIs. Talent Acquisition and Scaling Operations: With current offices in Mexico , Colombia , Peru , Ecuador , and headquarters in Miami , NovoPayment is hiring over 100+ top-notch engineers, business development, and product experts to lead its growth strategy and opening hubs in Austin and San Francisco .

With current offices in , , , , and headquarters in , NovoPayment is hiring over 100+ top-notch engineers, business development, and product experts to lead its growth strategy and opening hubs in and . Accelerating growth in existing markets, with a focus on the US and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): Enabling new data and money flows is a top priority for helping NovoPayment's regional clients and unicorns in the US and LAC capture new value and enter into new market segments. This includes the gig economy, real-time payments, and cash/spend management opportunities.

"Expanding access to financial services, offering new digital experiences, increasing speed to market, and reducing IT costs all comes down to infrastructure," said NovoPayment's co-founder and CEO Anabel Perez. "We're grateful to have investors who recognize our platform's role in closing the gap between banks' legacy systems and their customers' evolving needs and enabling any business to manage and embed innovative financial services into their end-user experience."

As a Venezuelan-born entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in the banking and payments industry, Perez knows firsthand the promise and challenges of expanding access to financial and payment services. In 2014, she and her team set out to transform how financial services and payments were built and delivered in the Americas. By establishing NovoPayment's headquarters in Miami, known as the "Capital of LatAm" and "the new entryway to the USA," she gained an early foothold in the LAC region, which is now a $7 billion fintech market.

"Novopayment is in a very unique and advantageous position to thrive in the current fintech revolution since it is an extremely time-consuming and challenging endeavor to building a powerful end-to-end infrastructure and a proprietary API-based platform with high level of connectivity like Novopayment," said Maggie Vo, Fuel Venture Capital's Chief Investment Officer and Managing General Partner, who is also joining as a board member. "As a female general partner, I am excited to support a female founded company in securing one of the largest female rounds in the history of Miami."

Today, while Silicon Valley players shift to set up shop in South Florida, NovoPayment stands out as a native in the region. The company is part of the Miami community and helped make the city a legitimate startup hub in the eyes of investors.

"NovoPayment provides an unparalleled breadth of services and depth of technology under a single, vertically integrated tech stack. In addition, the founding team's extensive operating experience in banking and financial services provides advantages in both design and execution of complex solutions. Also, NovoPayment is one of the few companies that has built a comprehensive infrastructure and enablement platform successfully operating in the Americas. NovoPayment stood out as a great investment opportunity for these reasons, and we are confident it will soon emerge as a leader in the space, " said Rodrigo Rodas, managing partner at IDC Ventures.

NovoPayment's success comes amid a challenging climate for women entrepreneurs. In 2021, only 2% of VC funding went to all-female founding teams. Likewise, only 2% of VC funding that year was awarded to companies with Latin American founders. However, with its successful Series A funding round, NovoPayment is beating the odds and has more milestones on the horizon. To stay informed on new product and partnership updates from NovoPayment, visit novopayment.com/newsroom.

About NovoPayment

NovoPayment, a category leader in Banking as a Service (BaaS) platforms, enables digital financial and transactional services to support various use cases. The company's bank-grade solutions use APIs and other flexible delivery models to help banks, financial institutions, merchants, networks, marketplaces, neo banks, and other financial service providers to leverage their existing systems to generate new deposits, transaction streams, and customer experiences.

For more information, visit novopayment.com and developer.novopayment.com.

About Fuel Venture Capital

Fuel Venture Capital is committed to propelling groundbreaking ideas into world-changing companies and democratizing access to the creative economy to shape the future of society. The firm's "founder focused, investor driven" approach is led by a core team with more than 60 years of combined experience in investment banking, wealth management, executive leadership and entrepreneurship. The fund boasts a portfolio of 33 companies based around the globe across numerous sectors, bringing positive impact to virtually all corners of our modern economy. To learn more about Fuel VC, visit fuelventurecapital.com. Follow Fuel VC on social media via Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About IDC Ventures

IDC Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in talented entrepreneurs with bold ambitions who drive innovation and digital disruption. IDC Ventures focuses on companies in the fintech industry, marketplace, and digital platforms throughout Europe, the US, and Latin America. IDCV is a fast-growing platform that has supported extraordinary ventures such as Curve, Bipi,

RecargaPay, Lunar, Securitize, and many more. For more info, visit www.idcventures.com.

SOURCE NovoPayment
INDIANAPOLIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will announce its first-quarter 2022 financial results on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Lilly will also conduct a conference call on that day with the investment community and media to further detail the company's financial performance.

The conference call will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Investors, media and the general public can access a live webcast of the conference call through a link that will be posted on Lilly's website at https://investor.lilly.com/webcasts-and-presentations. A replay will also be available on the website following the conference call.

About Lilly

Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. F-LLY

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Selected for excellence in Data Management for second consecutive year

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LucidLink, an innovative SaaS solution connecting creative teams around the world, today announced CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named the company to its second annual Storage 100 list in the Data Management category. The Storage 100 honors best-in-class storage vendors that provide innovative products and services to the IT channel.

Chosen by a panel of respected CRN editors, LucidLink was selected for its revolutionary approach to universally open access collaboration through the use of their high-performance cloud-native file service, Filespaces. Filespaces enhances support for file-based production workloads by providing on-demand file services and streaming remote access for globally dispersed teams. Data is streamed on-demand, reducing complexity, optimizing distributed workflows and enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

"We are very proud of our team at LucidLink as we continually execute on our vision and maintain a position as a technical leader at the forefront in the evolution of cloud-native file services and collaboration" said Peter Thompson, co-founder and CEO, LucidLink. "We are honored to be recognized by CRN for two years in a row."

CRN's Storage 100 list is selected by a panel of CRN editors and recognizes vendors across software-defined storage, data protection, data management, and storage components. This year's list represents the industry leaders of storage technology that can be used for traditional on-premises or cloud deployments.

The vendors recognized on the 2022 Storage 100 list were selected because of their demonstrated commitment to developing cutting-edge technology and building strategic partnerships. The list acts as a resource for solution providers from the IT channel that are looking for vendors with industry-leading offerings to form the basis of cutting-edge solutions.

"CRN's Storage 100 list celebrates the vendors that bring innovative technology to the IT channel at a time when the importance and prevalence of data has never been greater, regardless of company size," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "We are honored to recognize their contributions as the leading players in storage technology for 2022."

The CRN Storage 100 list will be featured in the April 2022 issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.crn.com/storage100.

About LucidLink

LucidLink offers an innovative cloud-native file service designed specifically for extensive data access over distance. LucidLink Filespaces provides best-in-class security and high-performance scalability to run file-based workloads on object storage for maximum efficiency and productivity. The service is compatible with any S3 compatible object storage provider that utilizes cloud, on-prem, or hybrid storage, and it supports all major operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. Investors currently include Baseline Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, S28 Capital, Fathom Capital, and Bright Cap Ventures. LucidLink is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with offices in Bulgaria, Europe, and Australia. For more information about LucidLink, please contact [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and visit us at www.lucidlink.com.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

 2022 The Channel Company LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Contact:

Julie O'Grady

LucidLink

[email protected]com

+1 (650) 269-9989

SOURCE LucidLink
The use of glyphosate has spiked an estimated 15-fold globally since genetically modified crops were introduced in 19961

ABBOTSFORD, BC, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey from One Degree Organic Foods, a family-owned company committed to total food transparency, reveals a significant gap in consumer education and awareness when it comes to the world's most widely used pesticide2  glyphosate, the main active ingredient in herbicides like Roundup  even amongst those trying to limit their pesticide exposure.

The survey3 of Canadian and American consumers commissioned by One Degree Organic Foods reveals that while the majority of North Americans say they are trying to limit pesticide exposure, both in the foods they buy (69%) and in home lawn care (53%), the vast majority (81%) are still not aware of glyphosate, despite recent news-making lawsuits alleging that exposure to the pesticide caused cancer in plaintiffs. The pesticide's use is so prevalent that a recent study found that one-third of American newborns had glyphosate in their bodies.4

While efforts are underway to lessen exposure in home lawn care, with Bayer set to replace all glyphosate-based products, such as Roundup, for the U.S. residential market with non-glyphosate alternatives beginning in 2023, exposure to glyphosate is increasingly found in the food we consume. A Canadian Food Inspection Agency report5 found 90 percent of pizza, 88 percent of wheat flour, 84 percent of crackers, 84 percent of fresh pasta, 83 percent of cooked pasta, 80 percent of dried pasta, 75 percent of oats, 70 percent of chickpea flour, and 67 percent of lentils samples to contain glyphosate. Similarly, a report5 from the Environmental Working Group found glyphosate in more than 95 percent of popular oat-based food samples.

Since many of the foods contaminated with glyphosate are oat-based products like oat cereals, oatmeal and granola, One Degree Organics takes its responsibility to deliver a product free of glyphosate incredibly seriously. While organic farmers are currently not allowed to use synthetic herbicides, drift can still occur from neighboring fields, causing organically grown crops to become contaminated. In addition to using non-GMO and certified organic ingredients from farmers they know and trust, One Degree Organic Foods products go through rigorous and regular testing to take that trust one level further to confirm its products are also free of glyphosate contamination due to drift and display the third-party verified BioChecked Non-Glyphosate Certified Seal.

"For many the last two years have led to a better understanding and appreciation of the connection between nutrition and health," says co-founder of One Degree Organic Foods Stan Smith. "Yet, even as many consumers are now prioritizing better-for-you options, this gap between concern and knowledge persists  in fact, our survey results show that levels of awareness about glyphosate have barely shifted since 2020, despite the recent high-profile attention. As a company committed to total transparency and sustainable production practices, I believe we have an opportunity to do right by those consumers who are themselves seeking better."

Once learning more about glyphosate, 90 percent of survey respondents do say they are "very concerned" about glyphosate in their food and 88 percent of respondents said they were much more likely to buy a product if they knew it was third-party verified free from glyphosate.

The survey also found that while fruits and vegetables are high on consumers' lists of watch-out foods for pesticides (89% of consumers look for labels to limit exposure), awareness is lower (only 48%) in the grains category despite the fact that glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in U.S. agriculture and used on more than 100 food crops, including oat-based products like cereals and bars.6

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. Even legally approved pesticides can be carcinogens; a 2010 report by the President's Cancer Panel concluded that pesticides were associated with numerous types of cancers, including brand, pancreatic, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, colon, testicular and soft tissue sarcoma.7

For more information on One Degree Organic Foods, visit https://onedegreeorganics.com/about-glyphosate/ or One Degree's social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5044953/ 2 https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate 3 This survey was conducted among demographically representative samples totaling 1,515 North American adult (1,013 U.S. residents and 502 Canadian residents) through Engine's Online CARAVAN omnibus survey. The survey was fielded April 5-8, 2021. Results based on all 1,515 respondents have a margining of error of +/- 3%. 4 https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/dear-food-manufacturers-stop-polluting-children-glyphosate 5 https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/glyphosate-contamination-food-goes-far-beyond-oat-products 6 https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-finalizes-glyphosate-mitigation#:~:text=Glyphosate%20is%20used%20on%20more,public%20land%2C%20and%20residential%20areas 7Leffall, LaSalle D. and Kripke, Margaret L. "Reducing environmental cancer risk: What we can do now." US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, President's Cancer Panel (April 2010). Retrieved June 6, 2019, from https://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/annualreports/pcp08-09rpt/pcp_report_08-09_508.pdf

About One Degree Organic Foods

One Degree Organic Foods believes in the connection between healthy soil, healthy crops, and healthy people. That's why they make great-tasting organic products that are always organic, non-GMO, plant-based, and often gluten-free. One Degree Organics is family-founded and family-run by passionate organic food advocates with a deep respect for sustainable farming and clean, nourishing foods. The brand believes that everyone deserves 100% transparency in everything they eat and is committed to sourcing ingredients from organic farmers and producers who use only plant-based cultivation methods. To learn more about One Degree Organic's products, view videos of the family's trips to meet the farmers, and for delicious recipes, visit the brand's website at www.onedegreeorganics.com.

SOURCE One Degree Organic Foods
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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

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Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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SOURCE SpendEdge
Expects 1Q22 operating income for Ocean Transportation to be $410.0 to $415.0 million

to Expects 1Q22 operating income for Logistics to be $16.0 to $17.0 million

to Expects 1Q22 net income and diluted EPS to be $329.5 to $338.0 million and $8.00 to $8.20 , respectively

to and to , respectively Year-over-year increase in consolidated operating income driven primarily by China service strength

service strength Repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares in 1Q22

Announces first quarter earnings call date on May 3, 2022

HONOLULU, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. ("Matson" or the "Company") (NYSE: MATX) today announces preliminary first quarter financial results, provides a business update and announces that its first quarter earnings call will be held on May 3, 2022.

"Matson is off to a solid start in 2022 with higher year-over-year operating income in both Ocean Transportation and Logistics," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Cox. "Within Ocean Transportation, our China service continued to see significant demand for its expedited ocean services as volume for e-commerce, garments and other goods remained elevated. The increase in consolidated operating income year-over-year was driven primarily by continued strength in the China service. Currently in the Transpacific tradelane, we are seeing supply chain challenges in China, primarily due to actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, as well as continued supply chain constraints and congestion on the U.S. West Coast, elevated consumption trends, and inventory restocking. Despite the near-term uncertainty presented by the supply chain challenges in China, we expect a combination of the current supply and demand factors to remain largely in place through at least the October peak season and continue to expect elevated demand for our China service for most of this year."

Mr. Cox added, "In our domestic ocean tradelanes, we continued to see steady demand with higher year-over-year volumes in Alaska and Guam, and demand in Hawaii comparable to the level achieved in the year ago period. In Logistics, operating income increased year-over-year with strength across all of the business lines as as we continued to see elevated goods consumption, inventory restocking and favorable supply and demand fundamentals in our core markets. As a result, Matson expects first quarter operating income for Ocean Transportation of $410.0 to $415.0 million and Logistics operating income of $16.0 to $17.0 million. We also expect first quarter 2022 net income and diluted EPS to be $329.5 to $338.0 million and $8.00 to $8.20, respectively."

First Quarter Tradelane Volume (Forty-foot equivalent units (FEU)) (1)(2):

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 and on a FEU basis:

Hawaii container volume decreased 0.6 percent primarily due to lower eastbound volume;

container volume decreased 0.6 percent primarily due to lower eastbound volume; Alaska volume increased 20.2 percent primarily due to the increase in volume from Alaska-Asia Express ("AAX"), higher northbound volume primarily due to higher retail-related demand and volume related to a competitor's dry-docking, and higher southbound volume primarily due to higher seafood volume;

volume increased 20.2 percent primarily due to the increase in volume from Alaska-Asia Express ("AAX"), higher northbound volume primarily due to higher retail-related demand and volume related to a competitor's dry-docking, and higher southbound volume primarily due to higher seafood volume; China volume was 13.4 percent higher as a result of 5 more eastbound voyages than the prior year;

volume was 13.4 percent higher as a result of 5 more eastbound voyages than the prior year; Guam volume was 10.0 percent higher primarily due to higher retail-related demand; and

volume was 10.0 percent higher primarily due to higher retail-related demand; and Other containers volume increased 32.5 percent primarily due to the addition of China-Auckland Express ("CAX") volume in the South Pacific.

Approximate volumes included for the period are based on the voyage departure date, but revenue and operating income are adjusted to reflect the percentage of revenue and operating income earned during the reporting period for voyages in transit at the end of each reporting period. Other containers includes containers from services in various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific, and Okinawa, Japan .

Liquidity, Debt and Share Repurchases

Matson's cash and cash equivalents and total debt (presented before any reduction for deferred loan fees as required by GAAP) as of March 31, 2022 were approximately $390.0 million and $614.7 million, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2022, Matson repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares for a total cost of $68.6 million. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had approximately 2.8 million shares remaining in its share repurchase program.

A slide presentation that accompanies this press release is available on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors.

Teleconference and Webcast

A conference call is scheduled on May 3, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET when Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Joel Wine, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Matson's first quarter results.





Date of Conference Call: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Scheduled Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 a.m. HT Participant Toll Free Dial-In #: 1-877-312-5524 International Dial-In #: 1-253-237-1144

The conference call will be broadcast live along with an additional slide presentation on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call through May 10, 2022 by dialing 1-855-859-2056 or 1-404-537-3406 and using the conference number 3729448. The slides and audio webcast of the conference call will be archived for one full quarter on the Company's website at www.matson.com, under Investors.

About the Company

Founded in 1882, Matson (NYSE: MATX) is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates premium, expedited services from China to Long Beach, California, provides service to Okinawa, Japan and various islands in the South Pacific, and operates an international export service from Dutch Harbor to Asia. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout North America. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska. Additional information about the Company is available at www.matson.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation those statements regarding performance and financial results, supply chain challenges in China, actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, supply chain constraints and congestion on the U.S. West Coast, consumption trends, inventory restocking, duration of current supply and demand factors, demand for Matson's China service, demand for e-commerce, garments and other goods, duration of CCX service, tourism levels, unemployment rates, waves of COVID-19 variants, economic recovery and drivers in Hawaii, Alaska and Guam, inflation, interest rates, and discretionary income. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties relating to repeal, substantial amendment or waiver of the Jones Act or its application, or our failure to maintain our status as a United States citizen under the Jones Act; changes in economic conditions or governmental policies, including from the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to offer a differentiated service in China for which customers are willing to pay a significant premium; new or increased competition or improvements in competitors' service levels; our relationship with customers, agents, vendors and partners and changes in related agreements; fuel prices, our ability to collect fuel related surcharges and/or the cost or limited availability of required fuels; evolving stakeholder expectations related to environmental, social and governance matters; timely or successful completion of fleet upgrade initiatives; the occurrence of poor weather, natural disasters, maritime accidents, spill events and other physical and operating risks, including those arising from climate change; transitional and other risks arising from climate change; the magnitude and timing of the impact of public health crises, including COVID-19; significant operating agreements and leases that may not be replaced on favorable terms; any unanticipated dry-dock or repair expenses; joint venture relationships; conducting business in a foreign shipping market, including the imposition of tariffs or a change in international trade policies; any delays or cost overruns related to the modernization of terminals; war, terrorist attacks or other acts of violence; consummating and integrating acquisitions; freight levels and increasing costs and availability of truck capacity or alternative means of transporting freight; relations with our unions; satisfactory negotiation and renewal of expired collective bargaining agreements without significant disruption to Matson's operations; loss of key personnel or failure to adequately manage human capital; the use of our information technology and communication systems and cybersecurity attacks; changes in our credit profile and our future financial performance; our ability to obtain future debt financings; continuation of the Title XI and CCF programs; costs to comply with and liability related to numerous safety, environmental, and other laws and regulations; and disputes, legal and other proceedings and government inquiries or investigations. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This release should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and our other filings with the SEC through the date of this release, which identify important factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this release. We do not undertake any obligation to update our forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Matson, Inc.
Concerned Communities for America, led by Black clergy, demand "woke corporations" support police, not partisan activists; live stream of event available

ATLANTA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials with Concerned Communities for America (CCA) will deliver a pledge on Wednesday, April 20, for signing by corporate CEOs in Atlanta to signal support of the women and men who serve their communities as police officers. This pledge is in response to several companies' previous financial support of partisan activist organizations and their affiliates.

The next day, April 21, the same pledge will be hand delivered to similar companies in New York City.

Following delivery of the pledge, CCA officials, including African American pastors, will deliver remarks and take media questions in Room M103 of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.

When: Wednesday, April 20, 1:00 pm (EDT) Where: Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel

265 Peachtree Lane, Atlanta, GA, 30303

ROOM: M103 Speakers: DaQuawn Bruce, Executive Director, Concerned Communities for America Bruce Levell, CCA Board Member, Retail jewelry manufacturer

Pastor Marc Little, Ex. Director, CURE America Action and CCA Board Member Visuals: Pledge contained in pizza box, soft drink bottle, water bottle, and "peacock" fan adorned with facts regarding police statistics. Images of the visuals can be obtained my emailing [email protected] Streaming: The Press Conference and hand delivery of The Pledge to the Corporate Offices will be LIVE Streamed on CCA's YouTube page.



Atlanta and New York Billboards:

Atlanta: W/S I-85 at 528 Plasters Avenue, Right Side of Road facing North(Panel #44432). Shown 8 times per hour.

New York City: 1500 Broadway Spectacular, Times Square New York



SOURCE Concerned Communities for America
Hybrid Event to Feature Leading Faculty and over 50 Presentations

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the success of last year's conference, Medscape Education will host the second annual spring edition of the Innovations in Dermatology conference as a live event in Scottsdale, Arizona and virtually on Medscape.org from April 27 to April 30. The conference will feature the latest clinically relevant information for the treatment and improvement of patient outcomes across the spectrum of dermatologic conditions.

The first Innovations in Dermatology conferences took place in 2021 and educated over 1,800 healthcare professionals.

Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, Linda Stein Gold, MD, and Michael S. Kaminer, MD will return as co-chairs.

Topics will include atopic dermatitis, pediatric dermatology, psoriasis, aesthetics, cutaneous malignancies, dermatology for skin of color, the role of over-the-counter products, and more. The keynote speech will be delivered by Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD and focus on the intersection of medical and aesthetic dermatology. A portion of the abstract submission fees will be donated to the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) and Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA).

"The spring conference is a fresh opportunity to get together with our colleagues and share some of the latest developments in dermatology. We're looking forward to meeting in Scottsdale and virtually around the world and know that we'll all be walking away from the conference better able to care for our patients," said Dr. Eichenfield.

Virtual conference participation will be powered by MedscapeLIVE! and feature an immersive environment and a dynamic conference experience. Attendees, both in person and virtually, will have the opportunity to attend content sessions, network with peers and faculty, and explore the exhibit hall. To maximize engagement for both audiences, Medscape will customize the learning experience for the live and the virtual audience.

The live attendees will have an immersive experience with options such as the IID marquee photo station, a yoga session, networking receptions, sanitizing stations, and quench bar stations. The virtual audience will have a host to guide them along and encourage participation throughout the event. Medscape will create interactive experiences in the virtual environment such as the MedChallenge, live social wall, and whiteboard animations, which will enable the virtual audience to feel more immersed in the experience.

This conference offers continuing education (CE) credit for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists commensurate with their participation in the event.

For more information about Innovations in Dermatology and future events, visit https://events.medscapelive.org/website/32348/home/

https://na.eventscloud.com/website/34038/

About Medscape Education

Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free CME and CE courses and other educational programs for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

SOURCE Medscape Education
North American companies can now access proven programs for employee onboarding, DEI, and skills-based training

ATLANTA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the U.S. experiencing the lowest unemployment levels since 1969 and reporting near-record levels of job openings, companies are facing a challenge attracting, retaining, and upskilling talent. To address this need, Meeting Expectations + Business Games is now providing proven game-based learning experiences to North American corporations. Through these programs, employers use proven and customizable learning modules to enhance employee engagement and skills  and better compete for talent.

Business Games + Meeting Expectations' game-based learning experiences are collaborative and customizable for skills-based training, onboarding, DEI and change management initiatives. Meeting Expectations is the official North American partner for Business Games

Meeting Expectations is a professional services firm specializing in events and association management, with more than 30 years' experience successfully engaging event attendees and growing member-based organizations. The company is the official North American partner for EU-based Business Games, which delivers unique virtual and in-person experiences for team building, onboarding, change management initiatives, and more, based on the science-backed game-based learning model. These programs have already been used by global leaders including Coca-Cola, Google, P&G, Hilton Hotels, and Astrazeneca.

"Attracting and retaining employees is a significant challenge right now  even in our own industry," said Christine Hilgert, senior vice president at Meeting Expectations. "After successfully enhancing attendee engagement and sales team training through Business Games  and their success in Europe - we know it can be invaluable for North American HR leaders."

Business Games' experiences also help corporate learning and development (L&D) teams deliver complex competencies - including DEI initiatives - via impactful and experiential gameplay.

"Our philosophy  and lived experience  is that learning by doing creates higher engagement, collaboration, and knowledge retention than standard one-way communications like slide presentations and video," said Gijs van der Linden, founder of Business Games.

Companies can select from multiple categories of game-based learning, including onboarding and recruitment, skills development, team building, and diversity, equality, and inclusion training (DEI) using customizable existing games or by building brand-new experiences based on organizational goals.

In what has come to be known as the Great Resignation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the tightest job market since World War II. And, according to HR consulting firm Brandon Hall Group, companies with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82 percent. Business Games can drive attrition rates down and provide additional bottom-line benefits including improved skills and higher employee morale.

For more information about Meeting Expectations + Business Games, visit meetingexpectations.com/business-games.

About Meeting Expectations

Meeting Expectations, an Etherio Company, is a professional services firm empowering organizations to connect with stakeholders through meeting and event planning, association management, incentive travel rewards, leadership consulting, marketing, events technology; and through its unique partnership with Business Games. Established in 1992, the company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with satellite locations across the U.S., including Denver, Chicago, Charlotte, N.C., and San Francisco. Meeting Expectations has been recognized by MeetingsNet as a CMI Top 25 corporate meeting and incentive company for 15 straight years. For more information, visit https://meetingexpectations.com .

Media Contact:

Candace McCaffery

404-760-8173

[email protected]

SOURCE Meeting Expectations
Milwaukee Tool fosters a culture of disruptive innovation that has led them to pioneer numerous new technologies in the construction industry. For example, their revolutionary M12 and M18 cordless systems continue to push the boundaries of cordless tool performance for users across the globe. Over the last decade the company has experienced incredible double-digit growth globally and currently employs more than 10,000 people in the United States. Chicago's flourishing ecosystem of technical talent is one of many reasons Milwaukee chose to expand to the city.

As Milwaukee Tool continues to pursue advancements in productivity and safety on the jobsite, the level of innovation necessary to design and develop breakthrough solutions requires engineering expertise across many disciplines. The company continues to actively invest in emerging technologies around motors, power electronics, lithium-ion batteries, wireless connectivity and IoT, embedded systems, and artificial intelligence.

"Our People are our most valued asset. As we continue to push the limits of new technology to deliver the best solutions for our users, an expansion into Chicago was an obvious choice," said Steve Richman, Milwaukee Tool Group President. "This city has a fast-growing tech scene that draws diverse technical talent from around the country. We are thrilled to partner with Chicago to attract, retain, and recruit the very best people, as we continue building a Culture that's unparalleled in our industry."

Milwaukee invested more than $14 million to renovate 70,000-square-feet of space within the Old Post Office building. Approximately 10,000 square feet is dedicated to lab space for design and development of critical new technologies. True to the company's cross-functional, collaborative culture, this space will be home to multiple disciplines within their Engineering Team, including: Embedded Systems; Firmware; Power Electronics; Systems and Mechanical Engineers; PCB Designers, and; Project Leaders.

This location will also act as an extension of the company's global headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Tool is the fastest-growing brand in the construction industry and is currently hiring key engineering roles for their Chicago office. Engineers who are seeking the thrill of problem-solving and the power to change the future of the construction trades, will have access to the technology and resources to make their ideas a reality. Interested applicants may apply online.

Milwaukee's Dedication to Technology

Milwaukee's relentless cycle of disruptive innovation and its laser-focus on the trades has firmly positioned the company as a leader, with more than 585,000 hours spent on jobsites with users and more than 1,500 patents filed in the U.S. in the last decade.

The company was the first to invent the technology that enables the use of lithium-ion in power tools. By coupling their own brushless motors to the most capable electronics packages and advanced lithium-ion batteries (all designed and developed in-house), the company has continually pushed the boundaries of cordless tool performance. This is what ultimately drove the development of their revolutionary M12 and M18 cordless systems. A little more than a decade since their introduction, these systems are still the leading cordless power tool systems in the world and are home to more than 500 fully compatible solutions. These are solutions that challenge the notion that users must rely on cords, hoses, or gas for power.

More About Milwaukee's Growth & U.S. Investments

Milwaukee Tool is a global company with manufacturing, distribution, and operations presences across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company has designed, engineered, and manufactured products in the United States for nearly 100 years.

In the last year, Milwaukee has invested $216 million in domestic expansion projects including Chicago. Their other domestic presences include Greenwood, Grenada, Olive Branch, Clinton, and Jackson, MS, as well as in Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, West Bend, Mukwonago, and Sun Prairie, WI, Cookeville, TN, and Greenwood, IN.

Milwaukee Tool Chicago Office Partners

About Milwaukee Tool

Milwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to the professional construction trades that increase productivity and safety. Milwaukee is known for their world-leading M12, M18, and MX FUEL cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of their cordless innovations, safety solutions, battery-powered outdoor power equipment, jobsite lighting and clean-up, time-saving accessories, and innovative hand tool and PACKOUT Modular Storage Products. The company is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions.

Milwaukee Tool is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY). For more information on the full line of Milwaukee products, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit www.milwaukeetool.com.

For more information, please contact:

Heather McGee, 262-790-6655

[email protected]

Abel Shoup, 262-307-5466

[email protected]

SOURCE Milwaukee Tool
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of MP Materials Corp. f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: MP) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: May 1, 2020 to February 2, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 25, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in MP:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/mp-materials-corp-f-k-a-fortress-value-acquisition-corp-loss-submission-form?id=26052&from=4

MP Materials Corp. f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. NEWS - MP NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that MP Materials Corp. f/k/a Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. ("FVAC") had overstated its due diligence efforts and expertise with respect to identifying target companies to acquire; (ii) FVAC performed inadequate due diligence into Legacy MP Materials prior to the business combination, or else ignored significant red flags regarding, inter alia, Legacy MP Materials' management, compliance policies, and Mountain Pass's profitability; (iii) as a result, the Company's future business and financial prospects post-business combination were overstated; (iv) MP Materials engaged in an abusive transfer price manipulation scheme with a related party in the People's Republic of China to artificially inflate the Company's profits; (v) MP Materials' ore at the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility was not economically viable to harvest for rare earth metals; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in MP Materials you have until April 25, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased MP Materials securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the MP lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/mp-materials-corp-f-k-a-fortress-value-acquisition-corp-loss-submission-form?id=26052&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Mux customers will be able to access raw video view events associated with Mux Data straight from Amazon Kinesis and Amazon Cloudfront

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mux, the leading video platform for developers, announced today that it has achieved the Amazon CloudFront Ready designation, part of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Service Ready Program. The Mux Data integration enables customers to gain meaningful insights into their videos' most important metrics.

"Mux is proud to achieve Amazon CloudFront Ready status," said Jon Dahl, Mux co-founder and CEO. "AWS offers the agility, breadth of services, and pace of innovation that enables Mux Data to provide users with deep insights into their viewers' experience."

Key offerings of this integration include:

Isolating video encoding or delivery errors at specific points in a video title.

Understanding rendition selections made by players across numerous dimensions - video title, device platform, application version, geography, and many more.

Deeper insights into viewer interactions with the video.

Achieving the Amazon CloudFront Ready designation differentiates Mux as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member with a product integrating with Amazon CloudFront and is generally available and fully supported for AWS customers. AWS Service Ready Partners have demonstrated success building products integrated with AWS services, helping AWS customers evaluate and use their technology productively, at scale, and with varying levels of complexity.

To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Service Ready Program to help customers identify solutions integrated with AWS services and spend less time evaluating new tools, and more time scaling their use of solutions that are integrated with AWS Services.

"Mux Data is a key part of the FOX observability ecosystem and provides the underlying data for our Multi-CDN routing decisions, making sure each customer has a great viewing experience," said Steve Thorpe, SVP, Video Platforms, at FOX Corporation. "During marquee events, Mux helps catch issues in real time and gives our team actionable information to rapidly mitigate user impact. And on a day-to-day basis provides insights for the team to improve our overall quality of experience."

Meet with executives and subject matter experts from Mux in the AWS booth at NAB, beginning April 23, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

About Mux

Mux is the leading developer video platform that takes the complexity out of building live and on-demand video. Thousands of customers, including Robinhood, PBS, ViacomCBS, Equinox Media, and VSCO, rely on Mux to deliver the highest-quality video experience to their users without having to hire a team of embedded video experts. San Franciscobased Mux was founded in 2015 by experts in online video, including the creators of the biggest open-source video player on the web (Video.js), the largest transcoding service in the cloud (Zencoder), and the premier conference for video engineers (Demuxed). For more information, visit www.mux.com or follow @MuxHQ .

Media Contact:

Frank Spence

[email protected]

415-294-1157

SOURCE Mux
"THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY" STAR, AUTHOR & MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

LEAH McSWEENEY

NAMED GRAND MARSHAL OF NAMI-NYC'S ANNUAL "WALK" FUNDRAISER EVENT AND

FIRST-EVER MENTAL HEALTH STREET FESTIVAL

HOSTED BY

NYC DRAG ARTIST, TELEVISION PERSONALITY & LGBTQIA+ ADVOCATE

MARTI CUMMINGS



FEATURING LIVE MURAL PAINTINGS LED BY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST

JASON NAYLOR

and

ARTISTS FROM THE PUBLIC MURAL PROJECT

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE"

SUNDAY, MAY 22 (10 AM - 1 PM)

PIER 16 - NYC'S SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMI-NYC (local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) will celebrate 40 historic years of peer-based community support and advocacy during May's Mental Health Awareness Month on Sunday, May 22 with its annual fundraising event "NAMIWalks NYC" and first-ever mental health street festival. Leah McSweeney , star of "The Real Housewives of New York City," fashion-industry pioneer, author of her new memoir "Chaos Theory," and mental health advocate living with bipolar disorder, is the grand marshal for the live, in-person event, hosted by NYC drag artist and television personality, Marti Cummings . The 16th annual community walk held at Pier 16 - South Street Seaport (10 a.m. ET to 1:00 p.m. ET) is a local day of awareness to support #MentalHealthForAll and a celebration of community gatherings and peer-to-peer fundraising. "NAMIWalks NYC" will also feature live mural paintings of inspirational messages of hope and healing, led by award-winning artist Jason Naylor ; Dirty Bandits , co-founder of the " You Are Not Alone " public mural project; and artist Adam Fujita .

Matt Kudish, NAMI-NYC executive director: "We're elated to have Leah McSweeney and Marti Cummings infuse their passion and joy into our first public gathering since the shutdown. They shine a bright light on the critical work we do to support the mental health needs of our community  since the start of the pandemic, and over the last 40 years." Kudish continued, "I've long admired Leah's verve and authenticity, and of course, her candor about living, unapologetically, with bipolar disorder. Leah is constantly breaking down barriers and the stigmas that surround mental illness. And the way she has leaned into the encouragement from her sister and her family represents everything we do every day in support of both individuals and families affected by mental illness, through our peer-led model providing the help and education people deserve."

Leah McSweeney: "I'm so honored that NAMI-NYC invited me to be the grand marshal for NAMIWalksNYC. Their staff is tireless and 100% dedicated to giving our NYC community the free services, help, and answers to navigate their mental health. I can't wait to join everyone down at the Seaport after my book tour and celebrate this incredibly special day of hope and fundraising as they kick off their mental health festival!"

NAMI-NYC will kick off the weekend as a founding partner and beneficiary of the Sound Mind Live music festival for mental health taking place at Rumsey Playfield - Central Park (5th Ave. & 69th St.) on Saturday, May 21 beginning at 4 p.m. ET. The charitable concert event  to amplify mental health awareness through music and shared personal stories from the performers themselves  is headlined by alternative rockers Cold War Kids and rapper Big Boi.

As part of its month-long fundraising campaign, NAMI-NYC aims to raise $1,000,000 to fund the increased demand for its FREE mental health support programs, helpline, and services to aid New Yorkers impacted by mental health issues. Since March of 2020, with its added online video support groups and programs, NAMI-NYC has touched the lives of more than 30,000 individuals experiencing depression, grief, anxiety, panic attacks, and other related mental health conditions.

SPONSORS FOR NAMIWALKS NYC

Fox-5 New York, Alkermes, ASICS, Talkspace, Modern Health, Publicis Health, Kramer Levin, United Healthcare, Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa, PMI, Inc, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Synexus, Relmada, United HealthCare, Neurocrine Biosciences, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Gracie Square Hospital, The Dorm, The Bar Method, Honeybrains, ORRO.

ABOUT NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF NEW YORK CITY (NAMI-NYC)

For 40 years, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of NYC has offered life-changing support, education, and advocacy to families and individuals affected by mental illness. NAMI-NYC's services are free of charge and available to anyone who needs them. For more information about NAMI-NYC and its programs and services, please visit naminyc.org.

NAMI-NYC on SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: @NAMINYCMetro | Instagram: @NAMINYC_Metro | Facebook: @NAMINYCMetro | Hashtag: #NAMIWalksNYC #MentalHealthForAll #YouAreNotAloneMurals #Together4MH

SOURCE: NAMI-NYC

Media Contact: Adriana Douzos, [email protected], 917-749-3977

SOURCE NAMI-NYC
Showcases latest innovations celebrating global flavors and sustainable, plant-based solutions

AYER, Mass. and FULLERTON, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nasoya, the nation's leading brand of tofu and Asian-inspired plant-based foods, announced today it will be showcasing its plant-based innovations at this year's Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit, presented by The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Nasoya and its parent company, Pulmuone  one of the largest tofu companies in the world, will serve as Grand Platinum sponsors of the event, taking place April 26  April 28 at the CIA's Copia campus in Napa, Calif. As leaders in the plant-based movement, the brands' role will help further discussions celebrating the importance of plant-forward cuisine from around the world.

Nasoya to Sponsor The Culinary Institute of America's Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit

The summit will welcome over 300 chefs, foodservice operators and experts in food, flavor development, cooking, agriculture and food production, media, and food system transformation from around the world and feature cooking demonstrations and culinary discussion surrounding sustainability, health and the future of American and global menus.

"The Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit is an important forum to showcase the impact food can have in bringing together varying cultures and experiences," said Sung Yoon Nam, Vice President of Marketing at Pulmuone. "Consumers are increasingly looking for more sustainable and healthy options that don't compromise on taste or quality. Meeting this demand, we are thrilled to be involved in an event that shares in our mission of building a more sustainable future while also emphasizing innovation and the integration of authentic, global flavors in the plant-based space."

Nasoya and Pulmuone products will be highlighted in sponsored meals, sessions and demonstrations throughout the summit. Jeong Kwan, a Buddhist nun and director of Chunjinam Hermitage Baegyangsa Temple in South Korea who is world-renowned for her "temple food" which emphasizes clean and simple ingredients, will share recipes featuring Nasoya tofu and Pulmuone tofu noodles. Judy Joo, chef, TV personality, author and restaurateur at Seoul Bird in London, will demonstrate recipes using Nasoya Plantspired products including Toss'ables, Classic Bolognese Meal Solutions and Plantspired Steak, Nasoya's newest innovation which features a classic Korean BBQ flavor with notes of sweet, savory and smoky bulgogi.

As a leader and driver of innovation in the plant-based sector, Nasoya continues to bring craveable, accessible plant-based and Asian-inspired meal options to consumers in new and exciting ways. Nasoya has built on its success in grocery with new food service accounts, recently expanding to reach consumers at universities and fast-casual restaurants. On the heels of the exciting retail launch of Nasoya's Plantspired Steak, The Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit will bring the opportunity to connect with chefs and foodservice experts around trends in the plant-based industry and innovations in high-quality products.

"Following two years of a virtual format, we are excited to welcome attendees back in person at this year's Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit," said Rupa Bhattacharya, Executive Director-Strategic Initiatives Group at The Culinary Institute of America. "When choosing our valued sponsors, we look for brands that share in our passion for innovation and building a better future. We are happy to have Nasoya and Pulmuone as Grand Platinum sponsors at this year's summit and admire the brands' shared interest in elevating the quality and diversity of offerings in the plant-based space, providing quality and sustainable plant-forward options."

The Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit is inspired by the CIA's Worlds of Flavor International Conference & Festival as well as Menus of Change, a joint initiative of the CIA and Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. For more information on the summit, visit plantforwardkitchen.org/gpfcs/about.

ABOUT PULMUONE FOODS USA

Pulmuone Foods USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pulmuone South Korea, is home to a family of brands that includes a wide variety of delicious products inspired by contemporary flavor palates that encourage a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Amid the growing global demand for plant-based protein food, Pulmuone Foods USA is leading the US tofu market with a nearly 70 percent market share with beloved brands like Nasoya and Wildwood. Pulmuone brands also include Emerald Valley Kitchen, Monterey Gourmet Foods and a line of Pulmuone-branded Asian-inspired products available at mass grocery stores and major club channels throughout the United States. For more information, visit pulmuonefoodsusa.com.

ABOUT NASOYA

For over 40 years, Nasoya has been a leading provider of natural and organic foods. Part of the family of brands at Pulmuone , a company synonymous with authentic, wholesome products and the highest quality of ingredients, Nasoya believes in creating great-tasting, healthy, convenient snacks and meals for every eating occasion. Product offerings include tofu, high-protein tofu, Kimchi, Kimchi Relish, Asian-Style Vegan Wraps, Asian Noodle Kits & Dumplings, low calorie/low carb Pasta Zero noodles, and a variety of Plantspired products including TofuBaked, Toss'ables, Superfood Skillets and many more. Learn more at Nasoya.com , Facebook , YouTube or Instagram !

ABOUT THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world's premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality, the private, not-for-profit college offers bachelor's, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The CIA's School of Graduate and Professional Studies offers master's degrees in sustainable food systems, food business, and wine and beverage management, as well as executive education and certificate programs. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry, and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu.

Meda Contact: Tori Partykevich, [email protected], 630-670-7147

SOURCE Nasoya
"This fossil-free vision is an historic announcement for National Grid and the United States," said John Pettigrew, Chief Executive Officer, National Grid. "We have a critical responsibility to lead the clean energy transition for our customers and communities. Just as we are investing in renewables like wind and solar to decarbonize the energy running through our electric network, we are committing to decarbonize our gas network by transitioning it completely to renewable natural gas and hydrogen by 2050 or sooner."

National Grid acknowledges that Massachusetts and New York have ongoing public proceedings to help guide implementation of the critical plans needed to fight climate change. The company is actively participating in those proceedings and will continue to engage in the public feedback sessions for our states' climate action plans, highlighting the benefits of our fossil-free vision for all residents and businesses.

Fighting climate change requires significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions across the board. National Grid is tackling those reductions across the power sector, the transportation sector and  with this vision  the building heat sector, which is responsible for nearly 40 percent of emissions in Massachusetts and New York.



Combined with targeted electrification and enhanced energy efficiency, a 100% fossil-free gas network can deliver a clean energy future that is more affordable and more reliable to over 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. National Grid's fossil-free vision will not only achieve a net zero energy future, and achieve the climate goals of the states in which we operate, but it will also provide additional, affordable clean energy choices so no customer or community is left behind on our clean energy transition:

Affordable Pathway to Net Zero: Avoids costly and premature equipment upgrades for homes and businesses

Avoids costly and premature equipment upgrades for homes and businesses Adds Clean Energy Choices : Customers can choose whether to fully electrify or continue using the gas network, which would be fueled by new, fossil-free energy

: Customers can choose whether to fully electrify or continue using the gas network, which would be fueled by new, fossil-free energy Protects Good Jobs : Protects thousands of union jobs for uniquely skilled workers

: Protects thousands of union jobs for uniquely skilled workers Improves Reliability and Resiliency : Provides added reliability and resiliency through diversification of clean energy sources

: Provides added reliability and resiliency through diversification of clean energy sources Cost-Efficient: Utilizes existing infrastructure, making it more cost-efficient for customers, and continues to utilize our highly skilled workforce

National Grid is committed to bringing this fossil-free vision to life in partnership with policymakers, regulators, and our customers. The report details the critical policies and regulations necessary to help safely, reliably, and affordably achieve this shared net zero vision on behalf of customers, including adoption of a renewable heating portfolio standard.

National Grid's fossil-free and net zero vision creates a clear roadmap for decarbonization and addresses the hardest-to-tackle issues of how to cleanly, affordably, and reliably heat our homes and business in a cold northeast climate. The announcement comes on the heels of National Grid's successful award of an offshore wind lease in the New York Bight in its joint venture with RWE, and an announcement of HyGrid, one of the first green hydrogen projects for blending hydrogen into homes in the US.

Renewable Natural Gas

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is an immediately available resource released into the atmosphere by decomposing materials at farms, landfills, wastewater, and other sources. RNG provides a double benefit as greenhouse gas can be captured before being released and therefore before it impacts our climate. We can then harness and purify it to flow through our existing infrastructure in place of natural gas, which is a fossil-fuel. This fossil-free energy is a double win in our fight against climate change.

Green Hydrogen

National Grid continues to lead our nation in offshore wind development, and these assets can be used to develop hydrogen through the process of electrolysis. Because the only byproduct of this production process is water vapor, the hydrogen produced is carbon-free. Hydrogen is particularly valuable because it can be stored for future use when conditions are such that our wind or solar assets are not producing high levels of power. This is a fossil-free way to decarbonize multiple sectors including heat, power generation, and transportation.

For more information on National Grid's Clean Energy Vision: nationalgrid.com/fossilfree

Support for National Grid's Clean Energy Vision:

"As Chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee, I am excited by today's announcement that National Grid will be eliminating fossil fuels from their electric and gas systems by 2050. In order to achieve our state climate and energy goals there must be a commitment not only from the legislature but from the energy industry to transition our energy grid away from polluting fossil fuels. In today's announcement, National Grid demonstrated that commitment and their plans to eliminate fossil fuels is a tremendous step in our continued efforts to transform our energy sector." - Hon. Michael Cusick, Chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee, New York State Assembly



"As a lifelong New Yorker representing almost 2,000 natural gas utility workers across Long Island as well as another 8,000 across the state, a reliable and affordable energy policy is priority one! We need a PLAN not a BAN. To achieve this, IBEW Local 1049 is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our business partners at National Grid in development of the clean energy vision for New York. We are excited to work on a plan that will achieve emission reductions to meet climate action goals of the CLCPA. This pathway will ensure that good paying jobs for generations to come will be protected while ensuring the production and reliable delivery of energy that will bring comfort and safety to the lives of our neighbors." - Pat Guidice, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1049

"Our members have been helping reduce methane emissions for years, and we're eager to take this next step toward a potential fossil-free future in the fight against climate change. We're uniquely qualified to help transform our existing gas system to safely and reliably deliver RNG and green hydrogen, as well as to install new heating technologies such as networked geothermal loops. We are partnering with National Grid to focus on workforce development and training, in order to ensure that thousands of skilled workers are not left behind during any developing clean energy transition." - Steve Finnigan, United Steelworkers District 4 Sub District Director

"A menu of solutions is needed to tackle the difficult challenge of decarbonizing heat. We support utilizing the existing infrastructure that fuels the Commonwealth's economy, and are eager to partner on actionable, practical solutions like this that will get us to net zero at the most affordable cost for our residents and businesses." - Bob Rio, Senior Vice President and Counsel, Government Affairs, Associated Industries of Massachusetts

"Utilizing our existing gas networks to decarbonize will allow all of the Commonwealth's businesses and residents, who have already paid for this infrastructure, to participate in a clean energy future. National Grid's plan is a practical approach that gives Massachusetts customers choice in their heating options to reach net zero." - Rick Sullivan, President & CEO, Western Mass Economic Development Council

"National Grid's fossil-free plan is a critical step forward in the effort to fully transition the U.S. economy off fossil fuels that reflects both the magnitude and urgency of the dangers posed by catastrophic climate change. Renewable natural gas (RNG) is one of the most cost-effective tools for reducing humanity's greenhouse gas emissions that we have available. National Grid's plan, with its diverse combination of electrification, hybridization, and RNG development, will enhance system reliability while simultaneously reducing the economy's emissions of the destructive greenhouse gas methane. Coming at a time when investment in low-carbon and carbon-negative energy remains far short of what is needed to achieve the decarbonization targets set by the Paris Agreement and state laws such as New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, National Grid's fossil-free plan promises to deliver rapid benefits to both the climate and human health." -Tristan Brown, Associate Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.



For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram

SOURCE National Grid
Amid soaring material and labor prices, subcontractors remain optimistic in 2022

AUSTIN, Texas, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Billd, the leading provider of material and labor financing solutions for commercial subcontractors, announces today the release of their second annual construction industry market report, the 2022 National Subcontractor Market Report: How Labor Shortages & Market Volatility are Impacting Subcontractors. It surveyed nearly 800 commercial construction professionals across the country, largely consisting of business owners and executives, most of whom have been in business for at least 10 years. The report indicates subcontractors remain concerned about volatile material prices and labor shortages but are optimistic about continued growth over the next year.

Rising material costs and price volatility are key issues for subcontractors. According to the report, 88% of those surveyed expect continued price turbulence to impact their business this year, a 9% jump over 2021 and 87% say the lack of availability of materials will keenly impact their business in 2022. Labor issues, however, are now the most pressing concern of U.S. subcontractors, with 40% reporting availability of skilled construction workers as the biggest risk in 2022, compared to 30% who stated material price volatility as their No. 1 concern. Subcontractors also reported that despite higher material and labor prices, they have not reflected those higher costs in their project bids, putting greater strain on subcontractor profit margins.

"Billd's 2022 National Subcontractor Market Report confirms a lot of the known challenges and opportunities subcontractors experience across the industry," said Chris Doyle, CEO of Billd. "The labor and material challenges for subcontractors is not just a headline, it's the day-to-day reality for every subcontractor in the country."

"Despite these challenges, subcontractors remain optimistic about their businesses. This report highlights the entrepreneurial spirit subcontractors continue to exhibit each and every year, despite an industry that's largely turned its back on them," Doyle says.

The report examines how macroeconomic conditions impacted subcontractors in 2021 and continues to shape their outlook for 2022. It also provides a crucial perspective into subcontractors' opinions of their financing options, cash flow and supplier termsall of which play a key role in achieving their business goals.

While subcontractors remain satisfied with their financing and credit options, they feel the pressure of paying for large material and labor costs upfront, disrupting their cash flow. According to the data, 59% of contractors intend to rely on cash to fund business growth in 2022, while nearly half state cash flow remains a significant challenge. Supplier terms remain the overwhelmingly preferred option for purchasing materials, with 69% favoring them over credit cards, cash or bank financing. Despite the favorable opinion of supplier terms, 70% of contractors have terms of only 30 days or less; not nearly the length of time needed to ensure payment before having to come out of pocket for materials. According to the survey, two-thirds of subcontractors come out of pocket for materials before getting paid for their work and almost 80% of them wait at least 30 days to receive payment on their pay applications.

"Subcontractors are resilient and optimistic but need more tools to navigate this increasingly challenging environment," said Doyle. "The payments supply chain in construction is terribly broken, leaving subcontractors to finance a $1.5 trillion industry with very few cash flow solutions offered to them. Billd stands as the one company truly championing the subcontractor, helping them get the financial support they need to do the best work of their lives. This report highlights the persistent subcontractor challenges that Billd was created to address; providing subcontractors more financing options to weather rising costs, meet project requirements, and lay the foundation for further growth."

To download the 2022 National Subcontractor Market Report: Financing and Business Growth, click

here

To learn more about Billd's alternative financing options for commercial contractors, visit www.billd.com

About Billd

Billd was started by Christopher Doyle and Jesse Weissburg, industry veterans in both construction and finance. Chris and Jesse were inspired to launch Billd to bring the financial power of Wall Street to the construction job site, allowing subcontractors to bypass project hurdles with access to upfront funds while enabling suppliers to sell more materials with less risk. For subcontractors who usually aren't paid until more than 90 days from purchasing materials, Billd provides 120-day terms so they can stabilize cash flow and more effectively grow their businesses. With a deep understanding of the construction industry, Billd knows traditional credit metrics are poor predictors for risk in this vertical segment and has built a variety of industry-specific proprietary analytic tools to better assess risk in the construction industry.

SOURCE Billd
New Patents Protect innovative Axon Therapy, a Non-Invasive Solution for Treating Chronic Neuropathic Pain Tweet this

"We are pleased to strengthen our intellectual property protection with the addition of these new US patents," stated Keith Warner, Chief Executive Officer of NeuraLace Medical. "Along with our robust international IP portfolio, these patents bolster and expand the protection of our core Axon technology, highlighted by the use of transcutaneous magnetic stimulation as opposed to invasive and/or pharmacological solutions. The company's clinical results thus far have been impressive, and we look forward to this momentum carrying forward to the completion and publication of our formal clinical studies."

The company is in the process of expanding sites of its ongoing randomized clinical trial focusing on application of Axon therapy to neuropathic pain broadly, while also initiating a large study focusing on peripheral diabetic neuropathy, recognizing that for millions of patients the drugs used in first line therapy become ineffective or are not well tolerated, and other modalities of treatment are needed.

About NeuraLace Medical

Privately held NeuraLace Medical, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is committed to leading the charge in non-invasive chronic pain management and sustainable relief. Our mission to end chronic pain inspired us to develop Axon Therapy, with the goal of being the first non-invasive, non-addictive way to effectively treat chronic nerve pain.

With its unique product portfolio, protected by property patents and patent applications, NeuraLace Medical is well positioned to establish a leadership position in the medical device market. For more information, please visit www.neuralacemedical.com.

For more information, please contact:

Keith Warner

Chief Executive Office

[email protected]

SOURCE Neuralace Medical, Inc.
New Consensus Paper Published in Nature Medicine by 35 Members of Bloomberg New Economy International Cancer Coalition

East-West collaboration argues that post-pandemic, telemedicine and remote monitoring can deliver better cancer treatment and care to underserved populations

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bloomberg New Economy International Cancer Coalition (the "Coalition") today called for a permanent paradigm change in the way cancer patients are diagnosed, treated and cared for across the globe. In a commentary piece published today in Nature Medicine, the Coalition demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic upended the infrastructure and delivery of oncology clinical trials worldwide and that technologies such as telemedicine, improved diagnostic capabilities, and remote monitoring have huge potential and should be better harnessed to become more broadly used for clinical trials in the future.

In an effort to allow potentially lifesaving experimental therapies for patients to continue during the pandemic, government regulators, medical centers, and clinical trial sponsors implemented unprecedented flexibilities in clinical trial conduct. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with regulatory agencies from China, Russia, the European Union, Brazil, Australia and Nigeria separately issued guidance that was adopted by their respective regions which provided new opportunities to optimize the patient experience, and, illuminated how digital technology and collaboration may improve access, alleviate patient burden, and increase the diversity of participants, including those in remote and disadvantaged communities.

"With a coordinated, global multi-stakeholder effort, we absolutely can convert these improvements to a permanent paradigm change in cancer patient medicine post-pandemic," said Richard Pazdur, Director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE), a member of the Coalition and an author on the new Nature Medicine piece. "Achieving broader diversity across clinical trials is a key priority for the FDA and finding ways to lower barriers for patients to benefit from trials is necessary both here and abroad."

The Coalition was formed explicitly to explore ways to drive better access and international collaboration to clinical trials, while also encouraging regulatory harmonization that would accelerate the development of novel cancer treatments, screening, and prevention. The Coalition is comprised of leaders from academic medical centers, government regulatory agencies, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, contract research organizations, patient advocacy groups and policy think tanks. It launched virtually in Spring 2021 and in-person at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore with founding partners including Asia Society and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). In the Commentary piece, the Coalition recommends three areas of focus to move forward a new model of cancer care.

Patient identification and enrollment: leveraging hub and spoke networks

The Coalition highlights some of the barriers facing patient enrollment including: healthcare providers lacking sufficient information and the time to identify, evaluate, and confidentially discuss clinical trial options with their patients; inequitable access to biomarker testing and next generation sequencing (NGS), including liquid biopsy and overly restrictive upfront inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Limited trial availability in a patients local area is also a major stumbling block. Many trials are only limited to academic medical centers. In the U.S. 74% of patients receive treatment in their communities, and for many patients to participate in a trial, their local oncologist must advise and refer them to trials conducted at other institutions, of which the physician might have minimal knowledge.

The Coalition argues that information technology tools should be part of the solution to overcoming many of these barriers. It envisions building towards an interactive international database in which patients with cancer may elect to enter at diagnosis and data may be added over time, including digital pathology and molecular profile. Maintaining data provenance across multiple care sites could be achieved if each patient receives a global ID.

Once patients are matched to trials, enrollment could be managed by a hub-and-spoke network where academic or large community cancer centers serve as a hub for distributed clinical research sites in the wider community. A hub-and-spoke network is widely implemented in the management of acute stroke and myocardial infarction and could be further facilitated in accrual efforts through technological innovations such as remote consent.

"The goal is to bring the trial to the patient, maintaining established clinician-patient relationships of trust," said Bob Li, Medical Oncologist and Physician Ambassador to China and Asia-Pacific at MSK, and lead author on the new Nature Medicine piece.

"Promoting the concept of patient-centric care, this network model would ensure that trials are being offered to patients regardless of where they live. It has been demonstrated that when eligible patients are offered a trial, they consent more than 50% of the time. We must do better by improving patients' access to potentially lifesaving clinical trials."

Treatment and monitoring: enhancing remote and hybrid models

Given the often arduous on-study visits required by oncology clinical trials, sometimes involving procedures such as imaging and biopsies, on-protocol treatment is inconvenient, costly and time-consuming, creating a barrier for patients who lack the time and means necessary to participate. This is especially true for patients who live at a distance from the large medical centers that conduct most such protocols. In the U.S., nearly half of patients with metastatic breast, prostate, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancers need to drive more than 60 minutes each way to access a clinical trial site. Such geographic disparities are seen globally.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led research teams to re-examine the need for in-person visits and significantly accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid trials. Clinical trials have adopted telemedicine technology for remote consent, toxicity monitoring and follow up, local laboratory and imaging studies and remote shipment of oral medicines to patients' homes.

With effective coordination, clinical trials could be broadened to engage local physicians' practices, pharmacies, or patients' homes for mobile phlebotomy where data could be transmitted online.

"To accelerate the eradication of cancer, we need multi-stakeholder, multi-regional collaboration, to promote both patient-centric clinical trials and international regulatory harmonization," said Kevin Rudd, President and CEO of the Asia Society and former Prime Minister of Australia. "This would not only provide global public goods by building the policy, scientific, and technological infrastructure for international public health collaboration, but could also become the new ping-pong diplomacy between the U.S. and China."

Regulatory harmonization: lowering barriers to patient-centric care across the globe

The Coalition concludes that the lack of harmonization among international regulatory policies is the most consequential barrier in worldwide efforts to develop novel strategies for cancer treatment and prevention. Currently there is currently no international diagnostics standard for cancer molecular profiling, regulatory restrictions on international cancer genetics data sharing may also prevent translational science discoveries and impede early-phase novel drug development and there is a lack of legal and regulatory policy to guide telemedicine and remote monitoring both in the U.S., and internationally.

The Coalition cites three examples that demonstrate the potential benefits of international collaboration and regulatory harmonization:

The U.S. FDA-initiated Project Orbis - an international collaboration among government regulatory agencies for simultaneous submission and review of new oncology products, currently consisting of the U.S., Canada , Australia , Singapore , Switzerland , Brazil , the United Kingdom , and Israel .

an international collaboration among government regulatory agencies for simultaneous submission and review of new oncology products, currently consisting of the U.S., , , , , , the , and . China's NMPA has approved several oncology products based on foreign data after joining the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) in 2017, including the 9-valent HPV vaccine against cervical cancer after only 9 days of review

has approved several oncology products based on foreign data after joining the (ICH) in 2017, including the 9-valent HPV vaccine against cervical cancer after only 9 days of review The European Union Clinical Trials Regulation came into effect on 31 January 2022 in an effort to harmonize submissions in a single application instead of applying to each European Union member

"Cancer's toll knows no borders, and when it comes to fighting it, neither can we," said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. "We're making important strides in prevention and treatment, and the more partners we can bring together from around the world, the more lives we can save."

The following Coalition members authored the paper:

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA

Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada

, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA

and Women's Hospital, , , USA Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD , USA

, USA Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA , USA

, USA Society for Translational Oncology, USA

Oncology Center of Excellence, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD , USA

, USA Cancer Support Community, USA

Foundation Medicine, MA, USA

Novartis, Switzerland

PPD, Inc, USA

Resolution Bioscience, Agilent Technologies, USA

McKinsey Cancer Center, McKinsey & Company

Bloomberg New Economy Forum, New York, NY , USA

, USA Asia Society, New York, NY , USA

, USA Daiichi Sankyo, Japan

Innovent Biologics, China

Janssen, Johnson and Johnson, USA

BeiGene, China

Zai Lab , China

, Amgen, USA

Genentech, USA

Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, CT , USA

, , USA Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, China

Bayer AG, Germany

Shanghai TuoXin Health Promotion Center, China

CEO Roundtable on Cancer, USA

Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Chinese Thoracic Oncology Group, Guangzhou, China

About The Bloomberg New Economy International Cancer Coalition

Co-chaired by Kevin Rudd, President and CEO of the Asia Society and former Prime Minister of Australia and Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President Pharmaceuticals, The International Cancer Coalition is composed of CEOs and senior representatives from the leading global pharmaceutical, biotech and diagnostic companies, senior representatives from regulatory bodies, and researchers and academics from major cancer centers and universities worldwide.

SOURCE Bloomberg Media
$50,000 Prize Honors Mid-Career Author of Major Consequence

OAKLAND, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lauren Groff , award-winning author of Matrix (Riverhead) and six other audacious, mesmerizing books of fiction, has been chosen 2022 Joyce Carol Oates Prize recipient by the New Literary Project. The Prize annually honors a mid-career author of fiction who has earned a distinguished reputation and the widespread praise of readers and reviewers.

The Prize recognizes emerged and continually emerging fiction authors at the midpoint of a burgeoning career. Prize winners receive a $50,000 award to support current and future work. The winner of the 2022 Prize will be in brief residence at the University of California, Berkeley, during October 2022.

Lauren Groff was a three-time finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. She has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. She lives in Gainesville, Florida.

"Lauren Groff is an audacious writer of tremendous range and depth: most recently, treating modern American marriage in her novel Fates and Furies, exploring contemporary paradoxes and mysteries through the continually surprising stories in Florida, and then fleshing out life in a protofeminist 12th Century French abbey in Matrix. Wherever her imagination leads, she writes with subtlety and force. For all that, there is an enthralling undercurrent of poetry in her prose, with sentences of beauty that reward careful attention. With wicked precision she eviscerates where called uponshe once said she "writes in opposition." Even so, there is a longing to connect, a desire to fashion meaning in the torrent of our times, a sympathetic imagination always at play. "The truth does not always comfort," she writes in one story, thereby testifying to a truth we have no choice but to live by."

Joyce Carol Oates

The Joyce Carol Oates Prize is named for the eminent author, an honorary member of the New Literary Project's (NLP) board of directors. NLP acknowledges her lifelong impact as a peerless teacher and writer, beloved for generations by students, writers, and readers around the world.

Join Lauren Groff and Joyce Carol Oates in a live virtual conversation on May 4th from 4 to 5:30 pm Pacific - sign up here.

See previous Prize Winners here.

More information:

Diane Del Signore

Executive

Director

[email protected]

510-919-0970

www.newliteraryproject.org

SOURCE New Literary Project
PR firm selects nation's first fully inclusive brewery that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive pro bono services as part of its mission to #doGood

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Next PR, a national public relations firm, today announced it will be providing pro bono PR services for Brewability, an Englewood, Colorado-based restaurant that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to brew and serve craft beer and pizza. This partnership will support Next PR's Conscious Capitalism program.

The firm chose Brewability as its next partner because of its mission to be an entirely inclusive business for both employees and customers. The brewery currently employs 22 team members with disabilities, highlighting their skills by teaching them how to make beer, bartend and cook. Next PR will help generate awareness around Brewability's mission and upcoming announcements.

"I'm inspired by what Brewability is doing for both the Colorado community and the community of those with disabilities, truly making all feel welcomed," shared Next PR CEO Heather Kelly. "Our team is looking forward to highlighting the talented employees and bringing more customers through the doors."

The partnership kicked off in April 2022 and will continue through September 2022.

"I am extremely grateful and ecstatic to have the opportunity to partner with Next PR," said Tiffany Fixter, founder and owner of Brewability. "I see the impact that Brewability makes on our employees and customers and am looking forward to more people in the Colorado area becoming familiar with what we do here."

This is Next PR's eighth client partner for its Conscious Capitalism program. The firm aims to continue establishing strong community ties with nonprofits and startups in need of pro bono PR services to improve organizational effectiveness in resource saving, brand messaging and media opportunities.

About Next PR

Next PR, formerly SSPR, is an award-winning public relations firm with one major focus: results. Next PR is agile, fresh and hyper-focused on helping clients achieve their next big PR goals. Founded in 1978, the company has offices across the nation in San Francisco, Denver, Colorado Springs, Chicago and Philadelphia. Next PR boasts the best and brightest in public relations, but more than that, it brings the fun  and the motivation  to the daily grind. The company has been named a Top Place to Work by PR News and is consistently recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation as an Adoption-Friendly Workplace, with many stellar employees selected as PR Rising Stars, Agency Elite Finalists and Communicators of the Year. To inquire about job opportunities at Next PR, check out the open positions across all five of its office locations. Learn more about how Next PR pushes boundaries to help clients launch brands, disrupt industries and engage with the audiences that matter most at nextpr.com.

CONTACT: Olivia Odendahl, [email protected]

SOURCE Next PR
MOBILE, Ala., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nfina Technologies is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of The Channel Company Midsize Enterprise Summit in Orlando, FL, April 24th - 26th, 2022. The show's main objective is to align technology solution providers like Nfina with midsize enterprise IT leaders to achieve their business IT goals. The summit is boardroom style, where Nfina will discuss the advantages of choosing a Hybrid Cloud solution over the public hyper-scale cloud. Nfina will also have a presence at vendor booth 404.

Nfina offers turnkey hybrid cloud solutions that include compute, storage, backup, rapid disaster recovery, and managed services. Nfina's Hybrid Cloud Hyperconverged solutions maintain copies of critical data on redundant on-site storage and off-site in the cloud to ensure data is always available. In the event of a natural disaster or a ransomware attack, your system will failover with one click and restore data within minutes.

The Nfina Hybrid Cloud is a fully managed Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service solution designed to protect and ransomware proof your business. Copies of critical data are maintained on-site and off-site, ensuring your IT infrastructure is always available for recovery and downtime is kept to a minimum. Features include; Geo-redundancy at two or more locations, one-click rapid disaster recovery, duplication of your IT ecosystem in our public cloud, and Nfina-View management software allowing you to monitor on and off-premise systems, test backups, and failover with one click. Nfina is your single point of contact, eliminating the need to chase down issues from multiple vendors.

About Nfina Technologies:

Nfina Technologies, founded by Warren Nicholson, develops, manufactures, and supports Hybrid Cloud Solutions, Servers, Storage, HCI, and PCs. We are the premier

provider of hybrid-cloud platform solutions, offering more value than the public hyperscale cloud without the cost and complexity. Nfina Hybrid Cloud solutions makes storage, compute, backup, disaster recovery, managed services, and system monitoring easy by becoming your single point of contact for the entire process. For more information, go to n-fina.com.

Contact:

Gene Everette

[email protected]

251.243.0043

n-fina.com

SOURCE Nfina Technologies
- Overwhelming support from equity holders and creditors

- Strengthened financial position with $337 million equity rights offering and $200 million new revolving credit facility confirmed in place

- Emergence from Chapter 11 expected before the end of May

LIMERICK, Ireland, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordic Aviation Capital Designated Activity Company ("NAC" or the "Company") announced today that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (the "Court") has confirmed the Company's Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan"), which should enable the Company to emerge from Chapter 11 before the end of May. The Plan was approved by the Court with the consent of the Company's existing equity holders and over 99% of voting creditors voting in favor of the Plan, reflecting broad consensus among the Company's stakeholders.

The Plan, which will take effect upon emergence, will reduce NAC's total outstanding debt by $4.1 billion pursuant to various equitization, sale, and recapitalization transactions. With an infusion of nearly $540 million in new capital through approximately $337 million in new equity financing and $200 million in new revolving credit loans, the Plan achieves significant financial flexibility to support continued investment in the long-term growth of the Company. Additionally, the Plan will extend existing funded debt maturities and effectuate the orderly exit of certain creditor groups from the reorganized NAC structure. Critically, NAC's restructuring will preserve the strength of the platform and the long-standing relationships the Company maintains with its customers and suppliers. The Company will maintain its position as one of the largest lessors globally, with over 350 aircraft on lease to a diverse customer base.

"With today's confirmation, we have achieved a critical milestone for NAC," said Justin Bickle, Vice Chairman of NAC and Chairman of its Restructuring Committee. "We are grateful to Judge Huennekens for his diligent oversight of this Chapter 11 case. This important step represents the successful culmination of a lot of hard work by many stakeholders, including months of constructive negotiations with our supportive creditors. On behalf of the entire NAC Board, I want to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders for their continued business and support, without which we would not have been able to confirm our Plan a mere four months after we initially filed."

Norman C.T. Liu, President & CEO of NAC said, "With the Court's approval of our Plan today and a committed new investor group, we are poised to exit Chapter 11 by the end of next month as a well-capitalized company, with the flexibility and resources to position ourselves for rebound and growth. We appreciate the dedication and support of our employees, customers, and partners during this process and the strong support of our creditors."

Additional Information



Additional information about the Company's Chapter 11 cases, including access to Court filings and other documents related to the restructuring process, is available at https://dm.epiq11.com/nac or by calling NAC's restructuring information line at +1-503-597-7711 (international) or 1-855-654-0899 (toll free in the U.S.).

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as the Company's restructuring counsel, Clifford Chance and William Fry LLP are serving as legal counsel, Ernst & Young is serving as restructuring advisor, and Rothschild & Co is acting as investment banker.

About Nordic Aviation Capital

NAC is the industry's leading regional aircraft lessor serving almost 70 airlines in approximately 45 countries. NAC's fleet includes ATR 42, ATR 72, De Havilland Dash 8, Mitsubishi CRJ900/1000, Airbus A220 and Embraer E-Jet family aircraft.

For additional information, please visit us at www.nac.dk

Contact Details:

Nordic Aviation Capital: [email protected]

Media contact: [email protected]; +353 85 116 7640

SOURCE Nordic Aviation Capital
Mitrex, St. Mary's University, EllisDon, Dillon Consulting, DSRA Architects, Markland Construction, & BMR Structural Engineering partner up to bring North America the tallest solar integrated building

Mitrex manufactures building-integrated solar products for the construction industry that generate sustainable and renewable electricitytaking a decentralized approach to our energy sources.

TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Mitrex, a Toronto-based manufacturer of BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics), has announced its latest awe-inspiring project to turn up the brightness on St. Mary's University (SMU) in Halifax, NS. Mitrex will transform the student residence at St. Mary's University with an integrated solar facade solution, marking the tallest, largest BIPV micro-grid application in North America.

This decentralized energy source supplies electricity that synchronously operates and connects to the traditional grid, with the unique ability to disconnect from the grid and function autonomously. The ability for SMU's student residence and all our structures to go in, as Mitrex puts it, "island mode," fosters our resilience to changes dictated by technical or economic conditions.

Awarding the contract to Mitrex will allow SMU to take a big step toward reducing the structure's carbon emissions with seamless solar energy generation. The work will be done by DSRA Architects, Dillon Consulting, and BMR Structural Engineering, with construction overseen by the EllisDon Corporation and Markland Construction.

To be completed in early 2023, the retrofit on the south facade will consist of over 6,000 SF of solar cladding, accented by vertical, semi-opaque solar glass integrated into the windows. The design of the cladding panels will be a delicate combination of school colors with a subtle reveal of solar technology  a perfect blend of traditional and modern elements.

Mitrex specializes in developing and manufacturing solar integrated building materials such as facades, roofs, railings, windows, etc. Ultimately, Mitrex aims for a future where every sun-touched surface generates energy with visually appealing solar products. The SMU project aligns with this vision by revamping the existing structure with an energy-generating building envelope.

"Projects like the SMU retrofit with other like-minded establishments can effectively showcase the vast opportunities offered by new technologies in the building and construction sector," says Mitrex CEO Danial Hadizadeh. "The building community needs to think of micro-grids as a must and not an option and rethink their contributions to carbon emissions on every level from carbon used to make the products to powering the structure post-construction. Integrated solar energy is the futureit has already started to replace outdated solutions that only add to global warming."

At this point, construction operations and building materials have a destructive 40% share of annual global carbon emissions, and this stake is only expected to increase. Innovations in building materials are needed to transform the construction industry. Mitrex aims to provide industry-leading solutions for builders, architects, and owners with renewable building materials. SMU's student residence showcasing North America's tallest BIPV project is the first of many more aimed at transforming structures into energy-generating power plants.

Mitrex solar integrated building envelope solutions offer:

Integrated solar technology made in Canada

Agile manufacturing processes that maximize efficiency and quality

Aesthetically pleasing solar products with various designs, colours, and panel size options

Low embodied carbon coupled with clean energy generation

Contribution to LEED points for any project

Patented coatings and cutting-edge technology to ensure a reliable energy source

About Mitrex

Researching, advancing, and manufacturing integrated solar technology is at the core of Mitrex. A world leader in the green building sector, Mitrex has made it its mission to have a transformative effect on the building industry through the adoption of sustainable, human-made structures that produce energy. As a company, Mitrex strives to balance the intersection of beauty and efficiency. Mitrex believes that rapid, low-cost, sustainable manufacturing is economically viable, and is the road to a brighter future for humanity. For more information, please visit www.mitrex.com.

About EllisDon Corporation

EllisDon is an employee-owned, $5 billion-a-year construction services company that has grown exponentially beyond its modest origins in London, Ontario. With over 5,000 salaried and hourly employees across fifteen national and international offices, EllisDon has become a leader in every sector and nearly every facet of the construction industry. EllisDon is determined to lead the coming disruption in the construction sector, having recently created pioneering initiatives in Energy Management, Smart Buildings Software and Data Analytics. For more information, please visit https://www.ellisdon.com/

About Markland Construction

Markland Construction in a construction firm located in Halifax, Nova Scotia active in the structure and building contractors industry.

About DSRA Architects

DSRA represents the leading edge of a 65 year evolution in the field of building design. Over the many years the firm has undergone significant change and adaptation to remain vibrant and progressive within the field. Today, DSRA Architects is a robust multidisciplinary firm with a deep portfolio of work and a broad cross section of professionals with expert knowledge and experience. While they continue to evolve as a firm, the tenets of practice remain unchanged from the time of inception: design excellence and quality service. For more information, please visit https://dsra.ca/

About Dillon Consulting

Dillon is a proudly Canadian, employee-owned professional consulting firm specializing in planning, engineering, environmental science and management. They partner with clients to provide committed, collaborative and inventive solutions to complex, multi-faceted projects. For more information, please visit https://www.dillon.ca/

About BMR Structural Engineering

With 50 years of experience, BMR delivers unparalleled structural engineering services throughout Atlantic Canada. For BMR, innovation, responsiveness and quality are more than corporate aspirations and idealsthey're values they bring to every single project, from buildings to bridges, from tunnels to treatment plants. For more information, please visit https://bmreng.com/

SOURCE Mitrex - Integrated Solar Technology
BOSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbia's Fluorinated Solutions business Koura, a global solutions leader in the fluorine and advanced materials space, announced today that it has signed a fluoropolymer technology license agreement with PrimeStar Technologies and InnoVent Technology. The agreement provides Koura with access to scaling technology for fluoropolymers used to manufacture solar panels, wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries. This agreement is the culmination of a collaborative partnership that began in 2021.



Koura owns and operates the world's largest fluorspar mine and works with industry partners and researchers to develop and manufacture a wide range of advanced fluorine materials including electrolyte salts, binders and high-performance electrolyte additives for lithium-ion batteries. Given Koura's unique "mine to market" vertically integrated position in the fluorine value chain, and coupled with expertise in fluorine technology, Koura is developing next-generation fluoropolymers that can deliver improved safety, performance and sustainability while securing lithium-ion battery supply chains in North America, Europe, and other key markets.



Gregg Smith, President of Orbia Fluorinated Solutions, said, "Our energy materials strategy is clear: we will invest in solutions that enable the world's rapid transition to renewables. We are excited to license and scale this technology to bring key fluoropolymer solutions to the market."



Over the past several years, PrimeStar Technologies has built a portfolio of technologies in fluoropolymers. Dr. Joshua Levy, PrimeStar's Chief Technology Officer, commented, "With a dedicated team of highly experienced chemists and engineers in this field, our company has the capability to provide process technologies for a diverse portfolio of fluoropolymers."



Vibhu Sharma, CEO of InnoVent added, "We are excited to be part of this project and bring our expertise in process simulation, comprehensive engineering and automation solutions, and turnkey process plants. This project is an important step to providing customer focused solutions for a number of applications in the renewable energy space. We look forward to a successful execution and completion of this key step."



About Orbia

Orbia is a company driven by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Orbia operates in the Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), Building and Infrastructure (Wavin), Precision Agriculture (Netafim), Data Communications (Dura-Line) and Fluorinated Solutions (Koura) sectors. The five Orbia businesses and their commercial brands have a collective focus on expanding access to health and wellness, reinventing the future of cities and homes, ensuring food and water security, connecting communities to data infrastructure and accelerating a sustainable, circular economy with basic and advanced materials and solutions. Orbia has commercial activities in more than 100 countries and operations in over 50, with global headquarters in Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. To learn more, please visit www.orbia.com.

About Koura

Orbia's Fluorinated Solutions business Koura is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of fluoroproducts that play a fundamental role in enhancing everyday lives and shortening the path to a sustainable, circular economy. Koura's products are used in a vast range of applications including energy storage, urban and rural infrastructure, indoor climate management, food and medicine refrigeration and even in treating respiratory conditions. Headquartered in Boston, Koura has commercial activities across the world, with operations in the United Kingdom, Mexico, United States, India and Japan.

About InnoVent

InnoVent Technology LLC is a technology and consulting firm providing end-to-end solutions in process simulation, engineering, automation and complete turnkey process plants in the oil and gas, chemical and renewable energy industries. InnoVent was advised by Mayer LLP in this transaction.

About PrimeStar

PrimeStar Technologies specializes in assisting clients in the petrochemical, polymer, agrochemical and synfuels industries to identify, develop and implement process technology solutions to meet their needs. PrimeStar's subsidiary, Blue Planet Water Co., is introducing a highly energy efficient water production unit capable of generating unlimited volumes of potable water captured from atmospheric humidity. PrimeStar has established an NBR latex division to address the growing worldwide demand for rubber gloves in the medical and affiliated fields.

SOURCE Koura
OXFORD, England, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxford Science Enterprises, the Science Business Builder which transforms world-leading science from the University of Oxford into world-changing businesses, today announces the appointment of Richard Laxer to its Board of Directors, as an independent non-executive director.

Richard is a veteran of GE Capital, serving the company for 34 years before retiring in 2018 as CEO and Chairman. Richard held a number of senior executive roles at GE Capital across the US, Asia and Europe, leading global teams to develop and execute financing strategies that were critical to the success of a broad range of multi-billion-dollar world-leading businesses.

Since leaving GE Capital, Richard has used his experience and expertise to advise companies which are using cutting-edge and innovative technologies to disrupt the financial services industry. Richard has served as a senior advisor to Warburg Pincus and is currently a non-executive director to three of its portfolio companies: Vodeno Technology, Aion and Singular Bank.

"I am delighted to welcome Rich to the Board of Oxford Science Enterprises," said Chris Chambers, Chairman of the Board. "He has had a hugely successful career in the global financial services industry, where he has an exceptional record of growing and transforming a diverse portfolio of businesses, including start-ups. His financial expertise and extensive networks are a complementary addition to the Board, and I look forward to working with him to leverage his leadership and operational experience to support our portfolio of high potential technology and life science companies that are poised to make a positive change to the world."

"I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Oxford Science Enterprises," said Richard Laxer. "The pioneering science and technology advancing from the University of Oxford has significant potential to address some of the major global impact challenges that we face today. I am excited to support the company in its investments and to champion these new ventures into disruptive new enterprises."

Richard has proven experience navigating complex market conditions, managing enterprise risk alongside restructuring and integrating large businesses to deliver on financial targets. His extensive expertise of financing strategies includes, private equity, debt, corporate and commercial finance will be invaluable in directing Oxford Science Enterprises' global ambition of transforming world-leading science into a high value portfolio of world-changing businesses.

Richard joined GE Capital in 1984 after gaining a Bachelor's degree in Business, with a minor in Economics, from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, US.

About Oxford Science Enterprises

We are Oxford Science Enterprises, the Science Business Builder. We want to help solve the world's toughest problems for more people, in more places, faster. We do this by transforming world-leading science into world-changing businesses, partnering the best scientists from the world's best university with the best business brains. We grow our companies with care and expertise; in a way that is systematic and scalable. We invest for real-world impact, not only financial returns. And we re-invest proceeds back into the next generation of original research and world-changing businesses.

Our enterprises address problems that affect people in life-changing ways: their health, the availability of food, the survival of the planet. Since 2015, we have received an automatic stake in all Oxford University science spinouts  more than 100 businesses founded by over 200 of Oxford's leading academics. We have taken a leading role in creating and building over 70 of these, adding +55,000 sq ft of lab & start-up space to support them. Today our businesses are worth over 2bn and have created +2,000 jobs.

Follow us: oxfordscienceenterprises.com | Twitter | LinkedIn | Quarterly News

Contacts:

Oxford Science Enterprises

Lisa Bedwell  [email protected]

For media enquiries:

Mark Swallow, Sandi Greenwood, Eleanor Perkin  MEDiSTRAVA Consulting

[email protected]

SOURCE Oxford Science Enterprises
VizExplorer's hostVizOps will give the casino's player development team a robust CRM tool with mobile access to player data, real-time notifications about player activity onsite, and automated task management to streamline communication with and development of valuable players. "When evaluating tools for our player development team, hostVizOps quickly became the clear choice for us," said Greg Shulman, Vice President of Casino Marketing at Palms. "We look forward to our host team at Palms leveraging this tool and seeing the benefits of partnering with VizExplorer."

"When evaluating toolshostVizOps quickly became the clear choice for us," said Greg Shulman, VP of Marketing at Palms.

"We are excited to be part of the reopening of Palms. hostVizOps will allow their hosts to be productive and efficient, enabling them to build outstanding relationships with their customers," said David Patent, CEO at VizExplorer.

VizExplorer will exhibit in booth #720 at the upcoming National Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention held April 19-22, 2022 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Request a product demonstration during the conference at www.vizexplorer.com.

About VizExplorer

(VizExplorer's solutions transform your data into clear, actionable insights and revenue generating recommendations. You can choose automation and/or deep data exploration. Viz tools have been recognized as best in class for years and help maximize ROI for gaming operations, database marketing and player development. Learn more at www.vizexplorer.com

About Palms Casino Resort

For more information about Palms Casino Resort, visit: www.palms.com

VizExplorer Press Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE VizExplorer
For its 4th edition, the conference will bring together major players, startups and academics to focus on the latest innovation in the strengths of the cluster: deep tech, energy transition, mobility, foodtech, healthtech and their many applications for the future of each industry  or the planet.

NEW YORK and PARIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Paris-Saclay SPRING returns on May 12 & 13, 2022, in a hybrid format: both online and at the Ecole Polytechnique on the Paris-Saclay Campus. Paris-Saclay SPRING will bring together the best of French innovation in five strategic sectors: FoodTech, Mobility, Digital Technologies, GreenTech, and Health-Biotech.

Over the past 4 years, Paris-Saclay SPRING has become one of the leading industrial and sustainable innovation events in Europe. Over two days, it provides direct access to 15% of French research, as well as researchers from Paris-Saclay University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and renowned schools. It also allows connections with R&D and industrial leaders from 150 international groups and 500 French Tech startup members.

Philippe Van de Maele, CEO Paris-Saclay development authority: "Within the past few years, both SPRING and Paris-Saclay itself have grown beyond our greatest expectations: IBM set up their AI research center on our campus at the end of last year, and Intel just announced that they would also open their own research center. They will join French startups that already have a foot in the US: Ivalua and WinMs who both already opened their American subsidiaries, and Ynsect, made famous by Robert Downey Jr last year, and who just acquired US-based Jord"

In a nutshell, Paris-Saclay SPRING is:

7 hours of debates and live conferences

50 startups selected in the SPRING 50 contest

100 exhibitors

Innovation tours in laboratories and private R&D centers open on this unique occasion.

Complete program and registration available online.

Follow the event live online or with replays, available May 16 on the event website.

Press contacts:

EPA Paris-Saclay / Gaelle Coutant

[email protected]  +33 1 64 5436 67

About Paris-Saclay

Paris-Saclay comprises 40% of Paris Region public research and 40% of industrial high-tech R&D*. Major groups including Danone, Thales, EDF, Safran, PSA, Renault, Airbus Group, Air Liquide, GE and Nokia are collaborating and cross-fertilizing with a large number of innovative SMEs and start-ups in the area, making the cluster uniquely equipped to adapt to the innovation models of the 21st century.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799949/Paris_Saclay_SPRING_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Paris-Saclay; Business France
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Victoria's Secret PINK is excited to announce actor and producer Darren Barnet  best known for his starring role in the Netflix series Never Have I Ever  as its first-ever celebrity male brand ambassador, as part of the brand's continued focus on inclusivity.

Throughout the year, Darren will promote PINK's Gender Free collection, inclusive of shorts, tees, matching sweat sets and accessories, and help launch new styles, most notably being the face of PINK's upcoming Fleece Shirt Jacket launch this fall. Darren will also be curating a list of his favorite PINK products and participating in various activations that support the brand's key initiatives, as part of PINK's ongoing commitment to inclusivity, fostering positive mental health, and empowering young adults.

"Filming Never Have I Ever definitely brings me back to my high school days and reminds me of the insecurities and issues that we face as young adults. I know how it feels to not fit in, and how important it is to feel supported and accepted for who you are," said Darren Barnet. "I love the work that PINK is doing  especially their focus on community and mental health  so I'm really honored to be a part of this team."

To kick off the partnership, Darren will serve as a judge for the fourth-annual PINK With Purpose Project , alongside fellow brand ambassadors Chloe x Halle and Remi Bader. This year, 10 young adults will be chosen to receive $25,000 each to fund their project supporting PINK's core values of People, Purpose, or Planet.

Darren will also be participating in the brand's Mental Health Awareness Month activations, including taking part in an Instagram Live conversation with @VSPINK partners and brand ambassadors, where he'll share his own experiences, and tips for prioritizing his mental health.

"We are so excited to announce this partnership because Darren is such a positive role model for teens and young adults," said Amy Hauk, CEO of PINK. "As we focus on expanding our gender-free offerings and continue to evolve as a brand, we want to ensure our partners not only represent the diversity of our customers, but also embody individuality and self-confidence."

For more information on the brand's latest initiatives and collection launches, follow @VSPINK. To shop Darren's Curated Faves, visit PINK.com

About Victoria's Secret PINK

PINK is a lifestyle brand that is focused on celebrating and supporting the power of community, fostering positive mental health among young adults and being kinder to the planet. Together with our customer, PINK honors diversity, equity and inclusion, self-confidence and individuality. Our products are made to feel good both inside and out and include loungewear, knit tops, bras, panties, activewear, accessories, beauty and more.

About Darren Barnet

Actor and producer Darren Barnet is best known for his starring role as "Paxton Hall-Yoshida" on Netflix's hit series NEVER HAVE I EVER, which will premiere its third season in Summer 2021. He recently co-starred opposite Nina Dobrev in Netflix's LOVE HARD, and will voice the lead roles in upcoming Netflix animated series SAMURAI RABBIT: THE USAGI CHRONICLES and BLUE EYE SAMURAI. Barnet produced and starred in the upcoming horror film APOPHENIA. Additional credits include THIS IS US and AGENTS OF SHIELD.

SOURCE Victoria's Secret PINK
-- PODS earns national recognition for response to record-breaking demand --

CLEARWATER, Fla., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PODS Enterprises, LLC , the industry leader in portable moving and storage solutions, announced today it has been named Move.org's Best Moving and Storage Container Company for 2022. The corporation jumped to the number one spot for the first time this year after ranking number three on last year's list. This national recognition is a testament to PODS' response to unprecedented demand and ability to meet customer's unique and evolving needs.

More than six million readers a year visit Move.org for help planning their moves. The publication follows a six-step process to identify the nation's best moving container companies:

Comparing pricing Reviewing company accreditation Analyzing online customer reviews Interviewing real customers for in-depth, honest feedback Mystery shopping Site visits to the Move.org team, headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT

After an analysis of approximately 8,000 reviews and comparison of more than 300 quotes across five companies, Move.org named PODS the nation's best moving container company.

"It is an honor to be recognized by Move.org as the best moving and storage container company," said Kathy Marinello, President and CEO of PODS. "Our associates are dedicated to providing personalized solutions to each customer's unique move. The last year presented uncertainty for many, but our commitment to offering peace of mind for those facing life-changes and moves remained unwavering. This achievement will energize the organization as we enter the peak moving season."

Moving with a portable container provides a level of flexibility other methods of moving lack, including built-in storage, adjustable scheduling, and the ability to load and unload your belongings on your own time. This flexibility is critical in today's real estate market as those looking to relocate face low inventory and high demand. Last year, PODS delivered nearly 36,000 more containers than in 2020, another record-breaking year for the business.

To learn more about PODS and its flexible approach to moving and storage, visit PODS.com/Moving.

About PODS Enterprises, LLC

A moving and storage leader for nearly 25 years, PODS offers flexible, personalized solutions tailored to our customers' unique needs. When PODS pioneered portable storage in 1998, we introduced the world to a new way of thinking about moving and storage, with unlimited time, control, and flexibility. Today, PODS provides residential and commercial moving and storage services in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK. The PODS network has completed more than 1.4 million long-distance moves and over 6 million initial deliveries. Whether it is a long-distance or international relocation, across-town move, or renovation project, PODS provides customers with a personal moving and storage team ready for any situation. To learn more, visit PODS.com .

SOURCE PODS Enterprises, LLC
Fat Joe Kicks Off Campaign with New PSA Calling for Enforcement of Federal Law  Watch HERE

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Power to the Patients, a national organization working to combat hidden prices in healthcare, has announced a partnership with Grammy-nominated musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist Fat Joe to shed light on the injustices in the healthcare system and advocate for true healthcare price transparency.

The partnership is a collective effort to urge hospitals to obey a federally mandated rule that took effect in January 2021 requiring all U.S. hospitals to provide clear, upfront pricing information for all of the services they provide. Fat Joe's involvement in the effort kicks off with a televised public service announcement that raises awareness about patients' rights to receive healthcare prices upfront from hospitals, so they can compare and save.

"We have to hold the healthcare system accountable to provide more transparency on the price of care and change the system," said Fat Joe. "Right now, millions across the country are being dragged into debt because they're blindsided by the cost of medical bills. There's no excuse and I teamed up with Power to the Patients to educate our communities on their rights and help put an end to this injustice."

Although the Hospital Price Transparency Rule requiring hospitals to post their prices took effect more than 16 months ago, many hospitals continue to flout its requirements, leaving patients in the dark and vulnerable to financial turmoil.

Right now, prices for the same care can vary by thousands within the same hospital. This federal rule allows patients and their families to understand the real financial obligations of their healthcare decisions upfront and, with compliance, would also create a marketplace with meaningful price competition, resulting in better quality of care at lower costs for all patients in America.

"We are excited to have Fat Joe join this incredibly important movement to inform patients that it is their lawful right to have upfront prices of medical care," said Kevin Morra, one of the founders of Power to the Patients. "Partnering with Fat Joe adds an authentic and respected voice from the Bronx and will help bring awareness to his fans, followers, and the general public that hospitals are not following a federal law enforced over a year ago. We all have the right to know the price of care before receiving it and we are thankful Fat Joe is helping us spread that awareness."

In addition to the televised public service announcement, the campaign will initially include targeted digital efforts in the Washington D.C. area, encouraging the Biden Administration to robustly enforce the rule and transform healthcare into a competitive, price-transparent system that puts people ahead of profits.

Additional information about the partnership, other ambassadors including renowned artist Shepard Fairey, and the Power to the Patients campaign can be found at powertothepatients.org.

You can view the new PSA here.

About Power to the Patients

Power to the Patients is a national nonprofit dedicated to achieving systemwide price transparency in healthcare. Now that hospitals are legally required to post their prices online, Power to the Patients is focused on not only making sure all hospitals comply with the federal rule, but also that all Americans know they have the right to know prices up front. Learn more at powertothepatients.org.

SOURCE Power to the Patients
SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global preclinical imaging market size is expected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2022 to 2030. Heavy investments in research and development are encouraging research projects worldwide. As a result, the demand for preclinical imaging is steadily increasing. Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences, medical devices, and cosmetics are wide application areas, where imaging modalities are widely used in research and development. Furthermore, veterinary hospitals and educational institutions also create additional demand for this market.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

By product, the optical segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021 owing to its wide usage in small animal imaging and new drug discovery projects.

The multimodal imaging segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to the technological advancements.

North America accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021, well-developed research infrastructure, a large number of Preclinical projects, and higher adoption rates of technically advanced devices in the region are some of the factors that can be attributed to this share.

accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021, well-developed research infrastructure, a large number of Preclinical projects, and higher adoption rates of technically advanced devices in the region are some of the factors that can be attributed to this share. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a lucrative rate over the forecast period owing to the increased government funding for the development of the research and development sector.

is anticipated to grow at a lucrative rate over the forecast period owing to the increased government funding for the development of the research and development sector. Major players in the industry are focusing on launch of advanced technology and features such as artificial intelligence enabled systems.

Read 120-page market research report, "Preclinical Imaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (CT, MRI, PET/SPECT, Multi-modal, Optical, Ultrasound, Photoacoustic (PAT), Reagents, Services), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Preclinical Imaging Market Growth & Trends

Nuclear medicine techniques (primarily, positron emission tomography [PET] and single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]), optical imaging, micro computed tomography (CT), micro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) and ultrasound are the most suitable modalities for small-animal in vivo imaging applications. Each modality has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The multimodality devices designed to give complementary information on the pathophysiological process under research have rapidly gained popularity, seeking to overcome the inherent limits of each imaging modality.

The combination of high-resolution modalities such as micro-CT and micro-MRI with highly sensitive techniques that provide functional information like micro-PET or micro-SPECT is expected to broaden the horizons of research in key areas like infection, oncology, cardiology, and neurology, contributing not only to the understanding of disease underlying mechanisms but also providing efficient and unique tools for evaluating new chemical entities and candidate drugs, thus boosting the market growth.

The market's prominent competitors are taking different initiatives such as funding's and acquisitions of medium and small-sized businesses in order to expand their product portfolio and enhance their manufacturing capacity. For instance, In November 2021, Bruker Corporation acquired MOLECUBES NV, a dynamic innovator in benchtop preclinical nuclear molecular imaging systems. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Bruker's position as a leading supplier in preclinical and translational imaging research.

Preclinical Imaging Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global preclinical imaging market based on product and region:

Preclinical Imaging Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

CT Imaging

MRI Imaging

PET/SPECT Imaging

Multi-modal Imaging

Optical Imaging

Ultrasound Imaging

Photoacoustic (PAT) Imaging

Reagents

Services

Preclinical Imaging Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

U.K.



Germany



France



Italy



Spain

Asia Pacific

Japan



China



India



South Korea

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina

Middle East & Africa

& South Africa



Saudi Arabia



UAE

List of Key Players of Preclinical Imaging Market

Bruker Corporation

Siemens A.G.

General Electric (GE)

TriFoil Imaging

PerkinElmer, Inc.

VisualSonics Inc. (Fujifilm)

Mediso Ltd.

Agilent Technologies

MILabs B.V.

MR Solutions

Molecubes

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Near Infrared Imaging Market - The global near infrared imaging market size is expected to reach USD 405.0 million by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. expanding at a 9.3% CAGR during the forecast period.

The global near infrared imaging market size is expected to reach by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. expanding at a 9.3% CAGR during the forecast period. U.S. Imaging Services Market - The U.S. imaging services market size is expected to reach USD 192.1 billion by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2021 to 2028. Growing prevalence of various conditions, such as cancer and cardiac disorders, is expected to drive the market.

- The U.S. imaging services market size is expected to reach by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2021 to 2028. Growing prevalence of various conditions, such as cancer and cardiac disorders, is expected to drive the market. Optical Imaging Systems Market - The global optical imaging systems market size is expected to reach USD 4.65 billion by 2030. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2022 to 2030. Technological advancements and a rise in the prevalence of ophthalmic disorders are anticipated to boost the growth of the market.

Browse through Grand View Research's Medical Devices Industry Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Grand View Compass | Grand View Pipeline

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
NANJING, China, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 15, 2022, Simcere Pharmaceutical (2096.HK), an innovation and R&D driven pharmaceutical company in China held its first R&D day for international investors, during which the executive leaders revealed Simere's R&D strategy, and gave an update on Simcere's pipeline to the global investment community.

Mr. REN Jinsheng, Chairman and CEO, Dr. TANG Renhong, Executive Vice President, Dr. Bijoyesh Mookerjee, Chief Medical Officer, Oncology, Mr. ZHOU Gaobo, Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Kevin Oliver, Senior Vice President, Dr. Danny Chen, Senior Vice President, Mr. Andrew Zhu, Senior Vice President, and Mr. BAO Jun, Board Secretary attended the meeting as speakers.

Highlights:

First-in-class (FIC) novel myelo-protective drug Trilaciclib is expected to be launched in China in 2022. Targeting large Chinese patient population receiving chemotherapy, the product has the potential for delivering significant patient impact and commercial success.

in 2022. Targeting large Chinese patient population receiving chemotherapy, the product has the potential for delivering significant patient impact and commercial success. As a breakthrough product in China's stroke market, Sanbexin achieved significant growth and contributed to the overall annual CNS business revenue of RMB 1.5 billion , highlighting Simcere's strong commercial capabilities. Rapid clinical development of Sanbexin sublingual tablets for sequential stroke treatment and other investigational new drugs is forming a multi-mechanism, full-course therapeutic approach to stroke which will further secure Simcere's leadership in this area.

stroke market, Sanbexin achieved significant growth and contributed to the overall annual CNS business revenue of , highlighting Simcere's strong commercial capabilities. Rapid clinical development of Sanbexin sublingual tablets for sequential stroke treatment and other investigational new drugs is forming a multi-mechanism, full-course therapeutic approach to stroke which will further secure Simcere's leadership in this area. Proprietary oral SARS-CoV-2-3CL inhibitor co-developed by Simcere and the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the first locally manufactured oral 3CL inhibitor approved for clinical trial in China . The first subject was enrolled in early April.

(SIMM) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the first locally manufactured oral 3CL inhibitor approved for clinical trial in . The first subject was enrolled in early April. Simcere's R&D pipeline consists of nearly 60 projects, with 20 projects in clinical stage, involving 17 potential innovative drugs.

The company is seeking global expansion by actively exploring oversea licensing opportunities and planning for global multiple center clinical trials. The company is also actively hiring executive leaders with global experience and expanding its talent pool.

01 Successful transformation towards innovation that emphasizes on "effectiveness"

On the journey to build an innovation and R&D-driven pharmaceutical company, Simcere emphasizes "clinical differentiation and effectiveness". Simcere has marketed five innovative drugs in China and in 2021, the share of innovative products in total revenue reached 62.4%. Annual R&D investment was RMB 1.417 billion, accounting for 28.3% of total revenue.

Currently the company has an R&D pipeline of nearly 60 innovative projects. The two-pronged approach of Simcere's R&D, combining independent research with cooperative development, focuses on oncology, CNS and autoimmune diseases, with an eye on additional disease areas that may have significant clinical needs in the future.

Simcere's independent R&D technology platform has deployed multiple cutting-edge technology including immuno-oncology bispecific antibodies, multi-specific T cell engager, synthetic lethality molecules, AI drugs, Treg-Biased Fusion Proteins, and autoimmune antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) etc. 6 projects independently developed by Simcere were presented at AACR annual meeting 2022, including two oral presentations. 10 new INDs are expected to be filed in China or in the United States, more than half of which are driven by in-house development.

In response to the major challenges of human health posed by COVID-19, Simcere is co-developing an oral anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus agent SIM0417 in collaboration with SIMM of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is the first proprietary anti-COVID 19 oral 3CL inhibitor developed locally in China that has been approved for clinical trial. The Phase I clinical study of the project has started subject enrollment in Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province. According to the clinical plan, the Phase I clinical study will complete the dosing of all subjects by the end of May.

SIM0417 is highly selective and potent small molecule inhibitor of 3CL, a key enzyme in the replication and life cycle of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Preclinical studies have demonstrated good antiviral activity and safety. Due to the 3CL protease's highly conserved nature, SIM0417 has a strong inhibitory effect on a variety of SARS-CoV-2 variants including wild type virus, Delta variant, and Omicron variant.

In face of the Omicron infection which is far more contagious but is less severe than the infection caused by wild type or Delta strains, Simcere is creatively designing Ph2/3 clinical study for wider target populations in a differentiated strategy compared with other products or investigational drugs on the similar target.

02 Oncology: Trilaciclib rapidly progressing towards market approval at "Simcere speed"

Simcere's oncology R&D strategy is to focus on highest unmet clinical needs, explore opportunities of first and best in class medicines, and deliver new assets and combinations. The company's oncology pipeline covers lung cancer, breast cancer, digestive tract tumors, gynecological tumors, glioma etc., with novel MOAs and differentiated development strategies, such as IO checkpoint inhibitor that can be administered subcutaneously (Envafolimab), short-acting CDK4/6 cell cycle inhibitor (Trilaciclib), monoclonal antibody acting on IO novel target TNFR2 (SIM0235), and blood-brain barrier permeable BIC oral SERD compound (SIM0270).

Trilaciclib (COSELA) jointly developed by Simcere and G1 Therapeutics has initiated phase III clinical trials in China for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), colorectal cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. The registration study of ES-SCLC has reached the primary end point, which further validates the safety and myelo-protective efficacy of trilaciclib, on granulocytes, platelets and red blood cell lines in the Chinese population.

The NDA for the first indication (small cell lung cancer) submitted in China has been included in priority review by the CDE. It is expected to be approved in the latter half of 2022. Simcere spent only 10 months from IND to NDA submission in China, demonstrating high efficiency in clinical development. Targeting large Chinese patient population receiving chemotherapy, the product has the potential for delivering significant patient impact and commercial success.

The submission was additionally supported by Real Word Study evidence in Hainan where Chinese patients can receive drugs approved by FDA or EMA prior to approval in China. 30 patients were enrolled from June to November in 2021 and data analyzed will be complete in 2022.

03 CNS: Multi-mechanism approach to secure leadership in stroke, with Sanbexin as core product

Stroke, a disease causing 3.3 million new cases in China annually, is the major CNS illness with huge clinical needs. Simcere has been deeply involved in the field of stroke treatment for decades. Sanbexin independently developed by Simcere is the only new stroke drug approved for market in the world since 2015. The product achieved market excellence and has helped over 600,000 Chinese patients within its first year of launch.

Positive results from the pivotal Phase III study (TASTE study) of Sanbexin for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were published in the journal STROKE in 2021. Subject enrollment in phase IV study (TASTE II study) of Sanbexin combined with vascular recanalization therapy began in March 2022. Clinical exploration of Sanbexin in hemorrhagic stroke is expected to be launched in June.

Phase III registration study of Sanbexin sublingual tablet has nearly completed all subject enrollment, with topline clinical data expected within 2022. The sequential treatment of Sanbexin oral plus injection dosage form will likely cover the entire course of ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke, and enable patients to receive timely and complete treatment.

Furthermore, Simcere will secure its leadership in stroke in China by forming a combination of multiple mechanism assets, including SIM0307, an AQP 4 inhibitor for brain edema at Phase I clinical trials in China, and the regional licensing of AVLX-144, an innovative drug for acute ischemic stroke targeting the postsynaptic scaffold protein PSD-95.

In addition, Simcere entered Alzheimer's disease (AD) field through partnering with Vivoryon. The oral small molecule SIM0408 can inhibit the production of neurotoxic N3pE amyloid, which plays a role in the pathology of early stages of AD. It has received IND approval in China and may bring more effective medication to millions of Chinese suffering from the cureless disease.

04 Go global, reach new height

The preliminary success of Simcere's transformation towards innovation is followed by further efforts of globalization in terms of project licensing, investment, R&D, and talents.

The BD team of Simcere is geographically established in China, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, etc., with high credibility, diversified backgrounds and deep reputation in the industry.

Aiming at becoming 'Partner of Choice', Simcere values its existing 35+ alliances and LP positions globally. Since 2021, more than 8 licensing partnerships were made globally to introduce innovative assets. Simcere also strategically participated in a number of overseas life science investment funds, and is thereby closely associated with the world's most active innovation communities.

Multiple in-licensed products have achieved impressively fast progress in clinical study in China soon after the deals were made, including Trilaciclib, a short-acting CDK4/6 inhibitor, SIM0307 a molecule with Nobel winning mechanism to address cerebral edema, and SIM0408 a novel Alzhermer's disease therapy etc. In 2022, the newly achieved deal on a highly selective JAK 1 inhibitor is expected to bring another blockbuster for autoimmune diseases. Simcere is also exploring out-licensing opportunities and is expected to realize oversea authorization of a self-developed product within this year.

In terms of R&D internationalization, Simcere has established 4 innovation centers in China and the United States to explore the global development mode of innovative drugs. The TNFR2 antibody developed by Simcere has received IND approval in both China and the United States. The anti-COVID 19 oral 3CL inhibitor is also expected to start clinical trials overseas soon. In 2022, 3 new INDs of in house developed projects may be submitted in the United States.

Simcere also is building a team of leading talents with global perspective and backgrounds. Among the speakers at the R&D day, Mr. Zhou Gaobo, Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Bijoyesh Mookerjee, Chief Scientific Officer of Oncology, Dr. Danny Chen, Senior Vice President and Mr. Andrew Zhu, Senior Vice President who recently joined Simcere all hold decades of academic/professional experience in large multinational companies. They will bring great help to Simcere's innovation and globalization. Meanwhile, Simcere's X plan launched by the State Key Laboratory, targets 10 important life sciences fields and is further attracting outstanding talents and R&D projects from major universities and research institutes around the world.

SOURCE Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Referrizer, LLC, the world's most advanced marketing automation platform for local businesses today reported its financial results for the quarter and trailing twelve months "TTM" March 31, 2022. The company reported year-over-year 55% revenue growth and annual TTM revenue growth of 61% from 2021 to 2022.

First 1st Quarter 2022 Compared to First 1st Quarter 2021:

55% increase in revenue in Q1'22 compared to Q1'21, increasing to $760,533 from $491,565 in Q1'21.

from in Q1'21. Spend per customer increased by 24% from $455 in Q1 2021 to $565 in Q1 2022.

in Q1 2021 to in Q1 2022. Number of successful payments increased 23% to 4,246 compared to 3,454 in Q1 2021.

Full Year TTM 2022 Compared to Full Year TTM 2021:

Revenue increased by 61% from $1,770,458 in 2021 to $2,841,781 in 2022.

in 2021 to in 2022. Spend per customer increased by 27% from $1,092 in 2021 to $1,388 in 2022.

in 2021 to in 2022. Number of successful payments increased 32% to 16,134 compared to 12,269 in 2021.

Upcoming Highlights

Revenue Growth TTM 1st Qtr. 2022

TTM 1st Qtr. 2022 revenue of $2,841,781 vs $2,572,813 2021 YE revenue for a 10% growth quarter to quarter.

Valuation

Last year at this time Referrizer raised capital at $8.8M pre-money valuation. Referrizer is now raising up to $2.0M at a pre-money valuation of $18M for an estimated ROI of 105% in 1 year.

Crowdfunding Campaign

Planned launch of $1 million crowdfunding campaign with Republic, a platform with over 1.5 million members at an $18 million pre-money valuation.

Sales

Signed strategic partnership with $5 billion SAAS business with 200 million users where we will be featured on their website.

SAAS business with 200 million users where we will be featured on their website. 276 new customers for the quarter

Two new integration partners Mariana Tek and Walla

Sales pipeline of multi-location corporate franchises in excess of $3.0 million representing 15 corporate opportunities.

Product

Designing Partnership Marketplace including APIs for largest APP marketplace for SMBs.

"Our first quarter and TTM full year results continue to thrive with 54% revenue growth over the same quarter last year and TTM full year growth of 61%" said Andre Cvijovic, the Company's Chairman and CEO.

Mr. Cvijovic continued, "We are looking for participation in our crowdfunding campaign and or direct investment in Referrizer and also investor referrals for interested parties in this round of funding. Lastly, introductions to multi-location franchise owners would be greatly appreciated."

George O'Leary, Vice Chairman, said "With our TTM annual revenue going from $2.58M to $2.84M during the last quarter increases the calculated market capitalization by $2M, creating a buying opportunity for the crowdfunding campaign."

About Referrizer, LLC

Referrizer is helping local wellness businesses to solve two of their biggest business challenges: getting new customers and keeping existing customers longer. It's the worlds' most advanced marketing automation for local businesses offering end-to-end solutions.

Referrizer is a cloud software service platform that integrates with existing POS or business scheduling software. It empowers local businesses with an automated Referral Marketing System that turns existing customers into brand ambassadors. Our Reputation Management system prevents businesses from getting bad reviews while delivering 10x improvement in positive 5-star reviews. Our set of tools for Retention Marketing include: a loyalty program, Email and Text marketing automation that empowers communication with customers, so businesses can increase upsell value, prevent cancellations, reduce churn and extend lifetime value of their customers.

Our newest "Quick Connect" feature increases conversion rate from leads to customers by 400% by reducing time to contact leads from hours to less than 60 seconds.

As a result, businesses in our network experience positive ROI in the very first month, save hundreds of hours in manual labor through automation and most importantly get predictable, long-lasting results.

Referrizer is growing incredibly fast. Our upcoming releases in development will simplify user experience and the onboarding process while delivering even better results for our clients. For more information, visit our website at www.referrizer.com or reach [email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, including as a result of any acquisitions, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by our management, and us are inherently uncertain. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Andre Cvijovic George O'Leary Chairman and CEO Vice Chairman (954) 667-3648 (561) 779-8338 [email protected] [email protected]

Referrizer, LLC

Selected Financial Data

Quarters Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021







Three Months Ended Mar. 31,



2022



2021 Statement of Operations Data





















Total revenue $ 760,533

$ 491,565 Net loss $ (190,794)*

$ (81,778)



































Balance Sheet Data











Mar 31, 2022

Mar 31, 2021 Total Assets $ 927,129

$ 941,388 Total Liabilities $ 542,385**

$ 173,238 Total Unitholders' Equity $ 384,744***

$ 768,150 Net Capitalized Software Development Costs $ 330,527

$ 304,782























* Net Loss increase includes hiring two new executives, product and marketing hires, and increase in pay for the Serbian Development and Support teams based upon change in the market dynamics.

** Includes $350,000 of new SBA loan with a 30-year term at 3.75% interest.

of new SBA loan with a 30-year term at 3.75% interest. *** Decrease in Equity due to ( $523k ) in TTM net loss offset by equity compensation of $133k .

SOURCE Referrizer, LLC
On April 1, employees with the plumbing and HVAC company volunteered at the Santa Monica Mountain Funds' California Native Plant Nursery to help support plant conservation in California. The nursery provides free plants and seeds to local groups and offers educational workshops and classes on how to care for and nurture plants.

Then, on Earth Day, volunteers with Rooter Hero will work with the Ecological Servants Project to clean up litter on Venice Beach and the adjacent boardwalk.

"At Rooter Hero, we believe that we can have a positive effect on slowing the degradation of the environment if we all make some simple sacrifices and take easy measures to improve our carbon footprint," said John Akhoian, co-founder and CEO of Rooter Hero. "People should be more conscious than ever about how we effect this plant. Earth Day provides a good time to help be the change we want to make."

Both these Earth Day initiatives are part of the home service company's Hero Helps program. Last month, the company gave $20,000 to UNICEF Ukraine to assist in the war-torn country's relief efforts.

Hero Helps is a division of Rooter Hero that partners with charities to give back to the community. In the past, Rooter Hero has installed home service equipment to the Good Shepherd Center for Women and Children and provided meals to Ronald McDonald House, among other activities.

In 2022, Rooter Hero has plans to volunteer at a local animal shelter, children's care associations, area food banks, homeless shelters and other area charities.

"Rooter Hero is more than just plumbers, technicians and customer service representatives," Akhoian said. "Our staff are also members of their respective communities. Hero Helps is a fantastic way for them to be of service to their neighborhoods and help the organizations that lift up their neighbors who are in need or improve the areas where we live, work and play."

About Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air

Since 2011, Rooter Hero has been committed to providing the best in plumbing and drain services. With more than 90 years of plumbing experience, the Rooter Hero team prides themselves on creating a memorable experience for each customer.

The company provides solutions for both residential and commercial needs and offers 24/7 emergency service. Now operating in nine service area locations throughout California and Arizona, Rooter Hero offers options such as HVAC service and installation in select areas. For more information, please visit https://rooterhero.com or call 844-219-2215.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Rooter Hero
Industry-leading sustainability goals, and a commitment to focus on trend-right innovation and quality, mark first steps on the private brand's journey to become a regenerative brand

BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sam's Club members are increasingly looking for quality and value, as well as for items that are on-trend and offer sustainable qualities. In response to this feedback and in line with its obsession for delivering items and experiences its members desire, the leading warehouse club is announcing that it is evolving its Member's Mark private brand to become a purpose-driven brand.

Throughout the past two years, Sam's Club has worked behind the scenes to strengthen its assortment of Member's Mark items. It has launched, renovated, and reformulated more than 1200 items since 2020, and as a result, more and more members are citing Member's Mark products as a reason they renew their memberships.

To build on this momentum, Sam's Club is introducing a new identity for its Member's Mark brand  "Made with Our Member and Planet in Mind"  that comes with an aspiration for all items to be of the highest quality while featuring trend-right innovation and a focus on people and the planet.

"The Sam's Club member is at the center of everything we do, so as we continue to evolve the Member's Mark brand, we intend to develop items that are reflective of the ingredients, processes and materials they want  and don't want  in their products," said Prathibha Rajashekhar, senior vice president, Private Brands and Sourcing, Sam's Club. "Now, as we introduce new Member's Mark items and renovate existing ones, we are making decisions that not only focus on quality, innovation and value, but on the impact we are making on the world around us."

A Vow to Focus on Regeneration

In 2020, Walmart announced its goal to become a regenerative company, which inspired Sam's Club to re-evaluate its Member's Mark brand. With many highly rated Member's Mark items already including sustainable attributes, like the Fair Trade Certified Member's Mark Colombian Supremo Coffee, Sam's Club saw an opportunity to continue evolving its private brand in a way that serves people, climate, and nature while reducing waste.

In addition to a set of new goals that it aspires to achieve by 2025 (available in the Sam's Club Newsroom), Sam's Club aims to remove certain ingredients from Member's Mark food and consumable products, while boosting its assortment of items that are made using practices that promote animal welfare, help support land and ocean health, mitigate deforestation, utilize more sustainable textiles, and come from renewable sources.

It also aims to incorporate more recyclable, reusable, and industrially compostable components in Member's Mark items and packaging. Additionally, Sam's Club plans to take an active role in reducing the brand's environmental footprint by calling for suppliers of Member's Mark items to participate in Walmart's signature private sector consortium to reduce or avoid one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions: Project Gigaton.

Sam's Club has also set an aspiration to source Member's Mark items more responsibly and to create inclusive economic opportunities by diversifying its supplier base over the years. Above all, Sam's Club aims to embrace a regenerative mindset as it develops Member's Mark items, placing nature, humanity, and its members at the center of item innovation and renovation.

New Look to Reinforce Quality, Trend & Innovation

To celebrate the new brand identity, Sam's Club is introducing a new Member's Mark logo and design construct featuring a subtle checkmark, helping to communicate the high-quality of Member's Mark items and its focus on people and the planet. Members will begin to see the new logo and check design included on packaging over the next 18 months.

As it continues to innovate Member's Mark items, Sam's Club will partner closely with the Walmart Sustainability team and leverage the My Member's Mark Community, a group formed in 2019 that includes more than 40,000 Sam's Club members who provide feedback and input on Member's Mark items throughout every phase of a product's lifecycle.

Member's Mark was founded by Sam's Club in 1998, and in 2017, Sam's Club consolidated its 20 proprietary brands into Member's Mark. Member's Mark items are available across a variety of categories, including grocery, health and wellness, baby, apparel, home and furniture products, office, technology, and more.

For multi-media assets, please visit the Sam's Club Newsroom.

About Sam's Club

Sam's Club, a division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings, and services to millions of members in nearly 600 U.S. clubs, including Puerto Rico. Now in its 39th year, Sam's Club continues to redefine warehouse shopping with its highly curated assortment of high-quality fresh food and Member's Mark items and market-leading technologies and services like Scan & Go , Curbside Pickup and home delivery service in select markets. To learn more about Sam's Club, visit the Sam's Club Newsroom , shop at samsclub.com , and interact with Sam's Club on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and Tik Tok .

SOURCE Sam's Club
Former UBS team based in Santa Barbara with $270 million AUM

INDIANAPOLIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Wealth, home to the next generation of elite advisors, continues to aggressively expand its coast-to-coast reach as it welcomes Saige Private Wealth, based in Santa Barbara, as its newest partner firm and seventh team in California. The three-person team, with around $270 million in client assets, is led by Founder & Managing Partner Antonia La Rocca and is focused on working with multi-generational high-net-worth families.

"This is a very exciting time for Sanctuary. We've got a strong national footprint with Saige Private Wealth as our seventh partner firm in California, growth in the New York metro market, and tremendous activity out of Miami," said Jim Dickson, CEO and Founder of Sanctuary Wealth. "In the four short years since our founding, we've built Sanctuary Wealth into the platform of choice for what we consider the industry's best and brightest. And we're really just getting started. We've got a strong pipeline and continue to build partnerships across the industry."

Antonia La Rocca chose Sanctuary Wealth's model of partnered independence for Saige Private Wealth after spending 14 years with UBS Financial Services where she was Senior Vice President, Wealth Management. Prior to that experience she worked as a tax consultant for a major international accounting firm in Los Angeles, as well as having owned and managed a small medical services business in Maryland. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, she has a master's degree in taxation from the University of Southern California and earned a CPA license from the State Board of Accountancy in California. She is currently finishing work on a master's degree in gerontology, also at USC. Earlier this year, Antonia was named to the Forbes Best-in-State Women Advisors list.

"After looking at the various independent options to advisors it was obvious that Sanctuary afforded maximum flexibility and was the best fit for my team and my clients. My ultimate goal is to be able to service clients on a holistic basis, and the Sanctuary and their numerous partnerships will give me the tools to make that happen," said Antonia La Rocca, Founder & Managing Partner, Saige Private Wealth. "With more people living longer lives, I realized providing the best service meant establishing multi-generational relationships with client families. That's also why I went back to USC to get a second master's degree, this one in gerontology."

"We couldn't be happier that Antonia and her stellar partner firm accepted our invitation to join Sanctuary," said Vince Fertitta, President of Sanctuary Wealth. "Antonia is yet another top Forbes-ranked advisor to choose partnered independence with Sanctuary and as we do for all our advisors, we'll provide the resources and give her the flexibility to build the holistic practice she's always dreamed of."

About Sanctuary Wealth

Sanctuary Wealth (sanctuarywealth.com/) is the advanced platform for the next generation of elite advisors, who have the entrepreneurial spirit to build and own their own practices and desire the freedom to deliver the tailored service their clients deserve. Sanctuary's ecosystem of partnered independence provides a complete technology and operations platform, as well as support from a community of like-minded advisors and the resources of invaluable affiliated businesses. Currently, the Sanctuary Wealth network includes partner firms across 23 states with over $20.0 billion in assets under advisement. The Sanctuary Wealth Group includes the fully owned subsidiaries Sanctuary Advisors, a registered investment adviser, and the broker-dealer Sanctuary Securities, as well as Sanctuary Asset Management, Sanctuary Insurance Solutions, Sanctuary Global, and Sanctuary Global Tax and Family Office.

CONTACT: Michaela Morales

JConnelly

973 224 7152

[email protected]

SOURCE Sanctuary Wealth
PRINCETON, N.J., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SciTec, Inc., a non-traditional small business, was recently awarded separate contract vehicles supporting development of advanced capabilities in two of the DoD's major technology initiatives: Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The first, awarded March 14, 2022, by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for Advance Battle Management System (ABMS) supports the maturation, demonstration, and proliferation of capabilities across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable JADC2. This multi-level security contract provides development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains (air, land, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum) in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity has a $950M ceiling.

In support of the AMBS contract, SciTec will leverage our expertise in systems-of-systems architectures, sensors, and mission data processing applications to deliver advances in battle management; time-dominant data fusion; and target detection, tracking, characterization, and custody.

The second contract awarded March 24, 2022, by the Army Contracting Command on behalf of the DoD Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) for Data Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Development (DRAID), provides for rapid procurement and agile delivery of AI data readiness capabilities for the DoD. The successful use of AI depends critically on the availability of quality data that can be used to build reliable AI-enabled systems. The $242M DRAID basic ordering agreement (BOA) contract vehicle addresses the entire data lifecycle, beginning from the collection, through pre-processing, up to AI system creation. It will also support AI-specific requirements, including unique challenges in operationalizing data for AI.

On the DRAID contract, SciTec will leverage our AI/ML expertise, training data development and curation, and framework agnostic MLOps pipeline to rapidly design and develop AI technologies that follow DoD AI ethics principles. SciTec AI capabilities directed at DRAID include synthetic data generation; modeling & simulation; Extract, Transfer, Load (ETL) services; automated/assisted data labeling and curation; and application of AI security features to drive user confidence.

SOURCE SciTec
PARIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), leading developer and provider of 5G and 4G solutions for broadband, critical, and massive IoT, announced today that Georges Karam, CEO and Deborah Choate, CFO, will participate in the B. Riley 22nd Annual Institutional Investor Conference being held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, located in Beverly Hills, California on May 24  26, 2022.

Sequans will conduct one-on-one meetings on Thursday, May 26th and host a fireside chat the same day.

For more information about the conference, or to schedule a meeting with the Company, please contact your representative or email the event organizers at [email protected]

About Sequans

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and supplier of cellular IoT connectivity solutions, providing chips and modules for 5G/4G massive and broadband IoT. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia Cat 4/Cat 6 4G and high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com, and follow us on Twitter and Linked-In

Media Relations: Kimberly Tassin, +1.425.736.0569, [email protected]

Investor Relations: Kim Rogers, Hayden IR, +1 385.831.7337, [email protected]

SOURCE Sequans Communications
Rise in urbanization, population, and industrialization across the globe is driving sales prospects in the solar ingot wafer market

The Asia Pacific solar ingot wafer market is prognosticated to gain sizable business opportunities, owing to the presence of favorable government policies

ALBANY, N.Y, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research: The global solar ingot wafer market is estimated to register growth at a CAGR of 12.33% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2031, note analysts of a study by Transparency Market Research (TMR).

Companies operating in the global solar ingot wafer market are strategizing their business moves in order to fulfil current global needs for solar energy. Moreover, several enterprises are utilizing different subsidies and tax benefits provided by governments for the development of necessary infrastructures needed for solar power plants. Furthermore, rise in focus of companies on technological advancements in photovoltaic and solar plants is prognosticated to fuel the growth of the global solar ingot wafer market.

Get PDF Brochure for More Insights  https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=17735

Solar Ingot Wafer Market: Key Findings

Regulatory bodies of several nations around the world are increasing initiatives in order to promote the use of natural sources of energy. This factor is boosting sales prospects in the solar ingot wafer market. Besides, many countries are focusing on decreasing solar technology costs and production practices. As a result, there has been a surge in investments in the solar energy sector. This, in turn, is driving sales in the global solar ingot wafer market. In addition, the market for solar ingot wafer is positively influenced by the presence of favorable policies by governments of several nations.

Over the period of past few years, demand for electricity has been on surge, owing to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and rising population globally. As a result, government authorities of many nations are concentrating on energy production using renewable resources of energy. This, in turn, is bolstering the solar ingot wafer market, which is projected to help in gaining the valuation of US$ 70.4 Mn by 2031.

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Solar Ingot Wafer Market: Growth Boosters

Wafers and ingots are considered key constituents in the production of solar cells and modules. Hence, rise in demand for solar installations is boosting the demand opportunities in the solar ingot wafer market.

Technological developments in photovoltaic and surge in number of solar plants across the globe are projected to fuel the expansion of the global solar ingot wafer market during the forecast period

Solar Ingot Wafer Market: Regional Analysis

The solar ingot wafer market in Asia Pacific is expected to maintain its dominant position during the forecast period, owing to many factors such as existence of a considerable number of companies from the ingot & wafer industry and rise in industrial activities. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific solar ingot wafer market is driven by surge in investments in the solar energy sector by regional governmental authorities and increase in understanding on advantages of solar energy.

is expected to maintain its dominant position during the forecast period, owing to many factors such as existence of a considerable number of companies from the ingot & wafer industry and rise in industrial activities. Furthermore, the solar ingot wafer market is driven by surge in investments in the solar energy sector by regional governmental authorities and increase in understanding on advantages of solar energy. Europe is one of the prominent regions in the solar ingot wafer market due to the presence of favorable government policies encouraging business sustainability programs, rise in use of renewable energy, and intensive fluctuations in crude oil prices in the region

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Solar Ingot Wafer Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

DCH Group international

CETC Solar Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.

EPC Group

Konca Solar Cell Co., Ltd.

Kalyon Solar Technologies Factory

Targray Technology International Inc.

JA SOLAR Technology Co., Ltd.

NorSun AS

SUOZ Energy Group

Maharishi Solar Technology (P) Ltd.

LONGi Solar Technology Co., Ltd.

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Solar Ingot Wafer Market Segmentation

Type

Monocrystalline

Polycrystalline

Application

Mono Solar Cells

Multi Solar Cells

Cutting Method

Loose Abrasive Slurry Sawing

Diamond Wire Sawing

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Rest of World

Energy & Natural Resources Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Energy & Natural Resources:

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
Spaulding Ridge, a trusted global advisor in corporate performance management (CPM) solutions, continues to empower clients and provide deep domain expertise across the globe.

CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaulding Ridge, a global cloud advisory and implementation firm, announced today that it has achieved Diamond-level status as a OneStream implementation partner. The firm's new Diamond partner statusthe highest of OneStream's partnership levelsrecognizes Spaulding Ridge's relentless commitment to client success and validation of its strategic vision of delivering Best-in-Cloud solutions for digitally savvy companies.

"Finance modernization is an absolute must for any successful organization. As trusted advisors to CFOs across the globe, we continue to experience significant demand for our tailored solutions for financial consolidation, financial data quality, and financial reporting powered by OneStream's unified CPM platform," says Jay Laabs, Spaulding Ridge CEO. "Moreover, we appreciate OneStream's continued development and innovation in the areas of machine learning and predictive analytics, enabling clients to gain even more value from their investment in OneStream."

Spaulding Ridge's OneStream practice has grown significantly since its inception, experiencing a nearly 700% increase in revenue since 2018. The practice serves enterprise clients across all industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, regional banking, and healthcare. Spaulding Ridge continues to invest in OneStream, through architect certification and by developing additional solutions such as its WIP Reporting model and Dynamic Cash Flow solution. Spaulding Ridge's recent acquisition of CIS Consulting, a OneStream Partner and data solutions firm in Spain, further affirms the investment, bringing with it increased delivery capabilities and several accolades, including the 2021 OneStream Power of the Platform Award.

"We are thrilled to announce Spaulding Ridge has achieved Diamond-level partner status," says Stephanie Cramp, Senior Vice President, Global Alliances for OneStream software. "This status is awarded to partners who meet our high standards and continue to deliver exceptional solutions that drive value for our customers. Spaulding Ridge's new partner status is a reflection that more companies are turning to OneStream's unified solution to simplify their financial processes and increase operational insights."

OneStream provides an intelligent finance platform for the modern enterprise that simplifies and aligns corporate performance management processes such as financial consolidation, reporting, planning, and analytics. OneStream's platform can easily be extended with over 50 financial close, planning and analysis, and productivity solutions.

About Spaulding Ridge

Spaulding Ridge is an award-winning cloud advisory and implementation firm, deploying Best-in-Cloud solutions on a global scale. The firm enables organizations to accelerate operational efficiency, drive digital transformation, and increase competitive advantage.

Spaulding Ridge partners with digitally savvy companies to help:

Finance gain control: Increase top-line revenue, gross margins, and profits through better insight. Connect financial planning to strategy and automate financial close processes.

Increase top-line revenue, gross margins, and profits through better insight. Connect financial planning to strategy and automate financial close processes. Sales increase productivity: Manage quota and territories more consistently and effectively, automate customer contracts and onboarding.

Manage quota and territories more consistently and effectively, automate customer contracts and onboarding. Operations drive efficiency: Improve supply chain agility, automate strategic sourcing and purchasing, deliver superior customer service experiences.

To learn more, visit spauldingridge.com.

About OneStream Software

OneStream Software provides a market-leading intelligent finance platform that reduces the complexity of financial operations. OneStream unleashes the power of finance by unifying corporate performance management (CPM) processes such as planning, financial close and consolidation, reporting and analytics through a single extensible solution. We empower the enterprise with financial and operational insights to support faster and more informed decision-making. All in a cloud platform designed to continually evolve and scale with your organization.

OneStream is an independent software company with over 900 customers, 200 implementation partners, and 1000 employees, our primary mission is to deliver 100% customer success.

SOURCE Spaulding Ridge, LLC
TRUE BLUE, Grenada, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- St. George's University announced a new partnership today that will provide eligible students from Essex County College and Caldwell University streamlined admission to St. George's University School of Medicine.

Accepted students will complete two years at Essex County College and one year at Caldwell University before pursuing a four-year medical degree at St. George's.

"We are thrilled to establish the first-ever 2+1+4 partnership for high-achieving students at Essex County College and Caldwell University," said Dr. G. Richard Olds, president of St. George's University. "The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the depth of the U.S. doctor shortage. Partnerships like this one will help close that gap by making the path to medicine more accessible for aspiring physicians."

Students in the 2+1+4 program must successfully complete their first two years of undergraduate study at Essex County College with an associate's degree in biology. Then they must complete one year of undergraduate study at Caldwell University. After that, they'll move on to the four-year medical degree program at St. George's University in Grenada. They'll also have the opportunity to spend their first year of medicine at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, which maintains a special partnership with St. George's University.

In order to remain eligible for the program, students must maintain a 3.4 grade point average while enrolled at Essex County College and at Caldwell. They must also register a competitive score on the MCAT.

Students accepted to the 2+1+4 program will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon matriculating at St. George's University. They will receive their Bachelor of Science degree from Caldwell upon successfully completing the first year of the SGU's MD program.

"We're extremely excited about this new partnership," said Dr. Augustine A. Boakye, president of Essex County College. "We're pleased to be able to help our students who aspire to careers in medicine make their dreams a reality at St. George's University. Essex County College's curriculum will help ensure students receive a solid foundation as they continue on the path toward becoming medical doctors."

"Caldwell University is thrilled to partner with St. George's University and Essex County College to offer students the opportunity to pursue medicine with exposure to medical professionals from around the world," said Caldwell President Matthew Whelan, Ed.D. "This collaboration will provide our high achieving students who are passionate about making a difference in healthcare, and who may face economic challenges, with the chance to earn both their undergraduate and medical degrees through a global lens."

About St. George's University

St. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University's over 24,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George's University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council, and its programs across all schools are accredited and approved by many governing authorities. For more information, visit www.sgu.edu .

Media Contact:

Maggie Servais

(202) 471-4228 ext. 117

[email protected]

SOURCE St. George's University
"As Ukrainians continue to suffer unimaginable losses, we are doing our small part to show unequivocal support," said Damian McKinney, Global CEO, Stoli  Group. "This Stoli  Vodka bottle will not only provide financial resources to Ukraine but is also a symbol of solidarity."

Drawing from the colors of the Ukrainian national flag, the geometric graphic pattern that adorns Stoli Vodka's Ukraine limited-edition design is inspired by the communities around the world that have come together to support the people of Ukraine. This special limited-edition will be launched globally as one of the key pillars in reaching the goal of raising $1MM for WCK by August 24th  to celebrate Independence Day of Ukraine.

"World Central Kitchen is grateful for Stoli support and commitment to our mission. They share our belief that a plate of food is more than just nourishment; its hope and a sign that someone cares," said Jason Collis, WCK's Vice President of Relief. "We appreciate Stoli quick movement to action and continued support, which will help us to serve meals as long as we are needed."

WCK has served more than 6 million meals across Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks to provide nourishing meals at border crossings, shelters, and other refugee communities, WCK serves more than 300,000 meals daily in the region. The limited-edition bottle follows a previous financial commitment to WCK from Stoli.

In addition to the limited-edition bottle, Stoli Group is launching a charitable cocktail program called "Cocktails for Ukraine" which encourages bars and restaurants to donate $1 for every Stoli cocktail sold to WCK. Consumers will also have the opportunity to make a direct donation to WCK by scanning the QR code on the menu that links to the Stoli Group fundraising page for WCK - here.

The limited-edition in support of the Ukrainian people will be available for purchase in select stores in the U.S and select countries around the world including UK, Spain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, and Czech Republic.

*Program not available in AL, MA, MS, SC and HI.

About Stoli Group

Stoli Group was established in 2013 and is responsible for the production, management, and distribution of a global spirits and wines portfolio. Mainly known for the Stoli Vodka brand, Stoli Group has expanded to appeal to luxury on-premise and more sophisticated global consumers. Signature brands are: Stoli Vodka, elitVodka, Bayou Rum, Kentucky Owl, Villa One, Gator Bite Rum Liquers, Cenote Tequila, Tulchan Gin, Se Busca Mezcal and Stoli Group's wine division, Tenute del Mondo. With a presence across a network of more than 176 markets, Stoli Group works with a passionate team of 200 distributors around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Stoli has production facilities in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and the United States, some of which are steeped in history dating back to the early part of the last century. For more information, visit stoli-group.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Stoli
New state-of-the-art sheep facility features advanced sheep industry technologies, production practices and genetics methods aimed at revolutionizing the U.S. sheep industry

NEPHI, Utah, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Superior Farms, the leading purveyor of sustainably-raised, ranch-to-table American lamb is ushering in a new future for sustainable sheep production in the U.S. with the grand opening of The Sheep Discovery Center in Nephi, Utah. This one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art center was created in partnership with sheep producers from six different states and is one of the country's most sustainable agriculture centers. A ribbon cutting event marking the official opening is being held today, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. MT.

Sheep Discovery Center

Marking a significant milestone that will transform American lamb production, the Sheep Discovery Center converges technological advancements while focusing on animal health and wellbeing to discover the full potential of each sheep while reducing its environmental footprint.

The state-of-the-art sheep facility will converge the farming methods of traditional lamb production with advanced sheep industry technologies, production practices and genetics, resulting in a more consistent and sustainable lamb production model that will benefit the entire American lamb industry. With a fully functioning farm and breeding system, ran by general manager Jordan Atkinson, the facility currently houses thousands of lambs and ewes.

"At Superior Farms, we've always been committed to raising healthy flocks in a sustainable way that is beneficial for the animals and the land," said Rick Stott, CEO of Superior Farms. "We're welcoming the Nephi community to join our Superior Farms team and city officials in the cutting of the ribbon  signifying the launch of this new, exciting chapter for American lamb production."

The success of this program lies in the belief that less stress, Flock54SM genetics, optimized nutrition, use of electronic individual animal identification, data-based production decisions, block chain technology and year-round production will promote exceptional lamb production results. Superior Farms is dedicated to being stewards for the sheep and adhering to the global standard for animal health, freedom, and comfort while providing an optimal environment and nutrition for the ewes, rams, and newborn lambs. In an effort to provide a no-stress environment for the livestock, the center utilizes state-of-the-art climate control technology in the barns. This is especially useful in inclement weather to create a low-stress environment for pregnant ewes. The animals always have uninhibited accesses to outside grazing on the Center's grounds.

Dedicated to implementing the latest cutting-edge technologies and production practices, put in place by producer partners and other industry stakeholders, The Sheep Discovery Center is utilizing energy-saving, LED web-enabled lighting for year-round production and the exclusive Flock54SM genomics selection tool. Used in the barns year-round, this sophisticated lighting creates a habitat similar to that of springtime, when ewes naturally thrive and are at their peak for mating. To optimize genetics, the Center taps into the exclusive Flock54SM genetic management program to identify key health and production traits in ewes and rams to help produce healthier and more productive offspring. Utilizing this genetic testing program individual animal identification technology and a state-of-the-art data base, the center can identify parentage and positive and negative traits in each animal as a baby.

"Sustainability is top of mind in every decision we make and initiative we implement," said Stott. "This first-of-its-kind center utilizes several extremely advanced sustainability methods that will help reach the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, as well as create a more consistent supply of lamb year-round and benefit American Lamb as an industry."

To minimize the overall environmental footprint of lamb production, the Sheep Discovery Center has partnered with sheep producers from six different states on this project located in Nephi, Utah. This central location allows for more sustainable transport nationwide. Year-round breeding, made possible by the smart lighting technology, is a more sustainable method of sheep production as it creates a more manageable, consistent supply for the production process downstream, reducing spikes in usage of energy and resources. The center also utilizes a state-of-the-art feed kitchen to help reduce waste.

When at full capacity in 2024, the center will employee 25 people, inject over $6 million annually into the local economy and supply sustainably-raised American lamb across the U.S.

For more information on Superior Farms' commitment to sustainability, its products or sales inquiries, please contact [email protected]. You can also visit www.superiorfarms.com, or follow the brand on Instagram (@SuperiorFarms) and Facebook (@SuperiorFarms).

About Superior Farms

Superior Farms, the leading purveyor of sustainably-raised, ranch-to-table American lamb. Proudly providing the highest quality natural lamb for a variety of recipes from weeknight dinners to Sunday brunch, lunches and more, Superior Farms offers a range of premium cuts. From the mountains of Utah, the brisk winters of Minnesota and the shores of California, Superior Farms prides itself on working exclusively with family ranchers who raise lambs with the best care and commitment to a quality wellbeing and stable environment. Respecting a nutrient rich land, maintaining a sustainable footprint, and working with dedicated family ranchers who raise flocks with the highest level of care, all are core values that make Superior Farms the leader in American lamb. From the plant floor to the corner office, Superior Farms is also proud to be 100% owned by its dedicated and talented employees. For more information, visit www.superiorfarms.com or follow the brand on Instagram (@SuperiorFarms) and Facebook (@SuperiorFarms).

Media Contact:

Rachel Kay Public Relations

McKenzie Jester

858-888-0148

[email protected]

SOURCE Superior Farms
As a new mom, founder of The Sculpt Society and celebrity trainer, Megan realized her pre-pandemic schedule wasn't sustainable for the long-term, allowing her to discover the importance of finding balance and creating a well-rounded routine. Within her wellness rituals, she wanted to find a smart snack to fuel her mind and body amid her busy schedule, which is when she began eating almonds regularly. Paired with daily movement, snacking on almonds has been a go-to for Megan to feel her best all-around. They're packed with seven essential vitamins and nutrients for the ultimate nutritious snack, including magnesium to aid in the production of energy in the body and antioxidant vitamin E to benefit skin health. In curating a routine with new elements that help improve her overall wellbeing, Megan created a few tips to help others do so as well:

Remember to Rest: It can become a never-ending cycle of putting pressure on ourselves to achieve something every day. But if all you decide to do is rest during the day, then there's nothing wrong with that! In fact, according to the same survey, many of us (69%) agree that taking time to relax or meditate is a top priority in maintaining overall wellness.

It can become a never-ending cycle of putting pressure on ourselves to achieve something every day. But if all you decide to do is rest during the day, then there's nothing wrong with that! In fact, according to the same survey, many of us (69%) agree that taking time to relax or meditate is a top priority in maintaining overall wellness. Dance It Out: My favorite way to get daily movement in is through dance with The Sculpt Society, because it caters to any level dancer. For most of us (70%), exercising in general is another top priority in our wellness routines, as found in the same survey. When working out, don't forget to pair physical activity with smart snacking on foods like almonds. They offer 6 grams of plant-based protein, 13 grams of unsaturated fat and 1 gram of saturated fat along with vitamin e and magnesium in just one handful (1 oz), making them the perfect pre workout snack.

My favorite way to get daily movement in is through dance with The Sculpt Society, because it caters to any level dancer. For most of us (70%), exercising in general is another top priority in our wellness routines, as found in the same survey. When working out, don't forget to pair physical activity with smart snacking on foods like almonds. They offer 6 grams of plant-based protein, 13 grams of unsaturated fat and 1 gram of saturated fat along with vitamin e and magnesium in just one handful (1 oz), making them the perfect pre workout snack. Better Food, Better Mood: I like to give my body the food that helps me be my best self. The wellness survey also identified that the majority of us (73%) agree healthy eating is a must in wellness routines, which is why almonds are my go-to mid-day snack when I need a little extra pep as they're a natural energy source. They perfectly combine taste, health and convenience into one simple snack, filled with nutrients for feeling your best.

"If you want to create a routine that works for you, you need to make sure it's sustainable to your lifestyle," said Megan. "My motto is 'commit to less, so you can show up more.' Give yourself permission to satiate a sweet tooth with chocolate covered almonds and be proud of yourself for completing a 10 minute quickie workout without guilt. Wellness is meant to be individualized, and over time consistent small changes will create results."

As we strive to be the best versions of ourselves, prioritizing self-care and wellness routines post-pandemic is crucial, and the same survey found many of us (74%) plan to continue doing so. When exploring new activities to add in our wellness routines, snacking on almonds has been found to impact the other things that promote our wellbeing, meaning almond eaters are generally more likely to incorporate things like getting enough rest/sleep (53%), exercising regularly (59%), and eating healthy (58%) in their routines.

For more information and resources about California Almonds and Megan Roup's tips, please visit almonds.com and follow California Almonds on Instagram and Twitter.

Survey Methodology

A custom survey was conducted among a census-balanced sample of U.S. adults (18+ years) in late September to uncover insights statistically projectable to the general population as well as key audience segments. Areas of exploration included:

Wellness rituals and regeneration

Snack habits

Health benefits

Almond attitudes

Pandemic & beyond

The study yielded a total sample size of n=6,000 with a margin of error of  1% at a 90 percent level of statistical confidence. Subgroup analysis was conducted to understand nuances across audience segments, with a priority on the following:

Millennials (n=1,573)

Almond eaters (n=1,884; defined as weekly+)

Millennial almond eaters (n=595; almond eaters defined as weekly+)

Families with children in the household (n=1,641)

About California Almonds

California Almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.

About Megan Roup

Megan Roup is the founder of The Sculpt Society and wellness expert with the goal of empowering women through movement. Combining her passion for dance and love of fitness, Megan created The Sculpt Society to fill a missing piece in the fitness community with a program that would help women reach their goals and would still be fun. Megan moved to New York City by way of Santa Barbara, CA to attend the Dance Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Post-graduation, she lived and worked in New York City as a dancer which led her to a dream-job working for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets Dance Team. After becoming a fitness instructor, Megan quickly fell in love with teaching and the connections and impact she was having on other women and knew it was something she wanted to do forever.

Contact:

Odalys Flores

[email protected]

SOURCE Almond Board of California
BEIJING, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Laiye, a leading global intelligent automation company, continues to attract investors as it seeks to accelerate international expansion and grow its team. The company announced the completion of its $160 million Series C funding round with the latest tranche at $70 million led by HOPU Magnolia, a high-growth enterprise technology-focused investment firm. Other investors include VMS Group and Youshan Capital, with existing investors such as Lightspeed China Partners and US-based Lightspeed Venture Partners also participating in this round.

Guanchun Wang, Chairman and CEO of Laiye said: "Laiye has made great strides in expanding its success in China to Asia Pacific, the Americas and EMEA. We envision a future where all organizations and people are transformed, emboldened and made better by the power of intelligent automation. An AI-enabled digital workforce developed from Laiye's integrated intelligent automation platform will help our customers accelerate their digital transformation journey. This new round of funding will continue to fuel our relentless product innovation and triple-digit YoY revenue growth in the years to come."

This funding round comes on the back of Laiye's recent acquisition of Paris-based Mindsay, a leading European enterprise conversation AI firm, and the establishment of a new R&D hub in Paris. Laiye plans to deploy the new capital to accelerate expansion in APAC, the Americas and EMEA. These regions represent Laiye's largest growth opportunity, where legacy Robotic Process Automation systems often leave businesses struggling to transform complex processes.

Over the past 12 months, Laiye more than doubled its team outside China to 100+ employees, about 15% of the total workforce, grew its partner network to 600+ strong and fostered one of the world's largest intelligent automation developer communities of more than 600,000 registered users globally.

HOPU Magnolia is the lead investor in this round, and Gunther Hamm, Co-Head of HOPU Magnolia, said: "HOPU Magnolia is thrilled to partner with Laiye, a leader in Intelligent Automation. We have known and tracked Laiye's progress closely since it was founded, and have watched it grow from strength to strength serving mid-market and global enterprises. It has fully established its business model and is rapidly growing its revenue and customer base."

Laiye focuses on enterprise customers in the insurance, communications, electric power, finance, retail, and healthcare industries to build end-to-end Intelligent Automation solutions. Global customers include Porsche, LVMH, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson Medical, and Roche Pharmaceuticals. Already a market leader in China, Laiye provides Intelligent Automation solutions to Chinese companies such as China Southern Power Grid, PetroChina, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom.

Albert Lu, Head of Market Access and Innovation Digitalization at Johnson & Johnson, said: "Laiye has successfully implemented our conversational AI which helped to streamline and improve our communication with customers, making it more efficient, personalized, and cost-effective. Continuous data accumulation and mining enhance our chatbots' accuracy, thus improving our ability to serve our customers."

Ronen Lamdan, CEO of Laiye International, said: "At Laiye, we are striving to fulfil our mission of harnessing intelligent automation technology to liberate workers from mundane tasks, enhance workplace efficiency, and transform businesses at speed and scale. This latest round of financing will accelerate our business growth and enable us to serve more large enterprises, government organizations, and SMEs across the world."

"HOPU Magnolia, as HOPU's dedicated growth fund, seeks to help emerging businesses further accelerate their growth through access to HOPU's unparalleled resources. We are excited to help Laiye grow its business with core customers from across our unrivalled network of banks and large enterprises," said Jacqueline Zhang, Co-Head of HOPU Magnolia.

Press Office: Contact Sylvia McKaige [email protected]

SOURCE Laiye
Seasoned senior executive with extensive global telecom infrastructure deal and operating experience

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grain Management, LLC ("Grain"), a leading private equity firm focused on investments in the global communications sector, announced today that Ted Manvitz has joined the firm as a Managing Director on its investment team.

Between 2010 and 2021, Mr. Manvitz served in a variety of roles at IHS Holding Limited ("IHS"), which grew during his tenure to become the 4th largest independent developer, operator, and owner of telecommunications infrastructure in the world. At different points during his time at IHS, Ted served as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. He helped raise substantial amounts of capital and drove organic and inorganic global growth initiatives.

Mr. Manvitz previously held senior positions at J.P. Morgan Securities, with postings in New York, London, and San Francisco, and practiced law at Bryan Cave LLP in its Corporate Finance and M&A Group.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University; a JD from the University of Iowa, College of Law; and a BA Accounting from Avila University.

Mr. Manvitz serves as a non-executive, independent director of SLM Corporation (Sallie Mae).

"Ted brings an incredible amount of expertise and operating experience to the firm to help scale our global investment activities," said David Grain, Founder and CEO of Grain. "He has lived all around the world prior to returning to his base here in the U.S., including posts in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ted's role in driving growth at IHS Holding Limited speaks for itself. His previous background in law, banking and capital markets provides a unique set of skills and perspective to identify and execute on a highly differentiated set of investment opportunities for Grain."

"I am excited to be joining the Grain platform given its strong team, successful track record, and targeted focus on digital infrastructure. Grain's expanding global ambitions creates the perfect opportunity and fit for me to continue investing in and partnering with great management teams," said Mr. Manvitz. "As a senior executive that focused on investments, expansion, and growth, I look forward to applying my focus on value creation alongside Grain's proven approach to pursue transformational international investment opportunities."

About Grain Management

Grain Management, LLC is a leading global investment firm that focuses on communications infrastructure and technology companies that connect the world to the information economy. Founded in 2007, the Firm invests exclusively in the global telecommunications sector, employing a rigorous, data-based process buoyed by deep industry expertise to identify investment opportunities in key areas of communications infrastructure, including fiber networks, wireless spectrum, and cell towers. For more information visit graingp.com.

Contacts:

Grain Management Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE GRAIN MANAGEMENT, LLC
Investment in BookaBed will enable TBO to scale up its business's services and offerings. BookaBed AG, based in Switzerland, is also a B2B accommodation provider to the Irish and UK travel industries. BookaBed intends to increase its market share in Ireland and the UK by leveraging TBO's global API business, and TBO Academy that trains and educates travel agents and travel trade partners.

Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director of TBO, said: "We are excited to welcome everyone at BookaBed to the TBO family. BookaBed allows TBO's entry into the Irish market and strengthens our UK presence. Both TBO and BookaBed have a significant opportunity to leverage each other's strengths and further expand our presence in current and future markets. What really makes this truly promising is our shared core values. There are synergies in our business models and vision, but the core values we share are vital when building for the long term. Under Karl's continued leadership, we look forward to strengthening BookaBed's business."

Karl Tyrrell, CEO of BookaBed, added: "We are very excited to partner with TBO and delighted to join the TBO family. As the world returns to travel, BookaBed looks forward to leveraging TBO's technology and content. This combined with BookaBed's deep distribution reach and market position in Ireland and the UK creates an even more compelling value for BookaBed customer partners."

"We will continue to service our customers as we currently do and promote and operate the BookaBed brand that is so well known in these markets. There will be no change to our management, sales or support teams."

TBO won several accolades over the years and consistently winning the prestigious World Travel Awards as India's leading B2B travel portal since 2019. Its TBO+ proposition is a comprehensive rewards program designed exclusively for buyers where they can earn reward points. TBO has a dedicated corporate travel booking platform, Paxes, and their first B2C business, Zamzam.com, focused on religious tourism, making TBO a truly simplified travel ecosystem.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1799676/TBO_Bookabed.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1772428/TBO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE TBO.COM
DRESDEN, Tenn., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week President Biden announced that E15 will be sold this summer in an effort to reduce gasoline prices. E15 is a plant-based fuel made from corn. Often marketed as Unleaded 88, E15 is a renewable resource that's made with regular gasoline and a smaller amount of ethanol. E15 will now be made available this summer at select gas stations throughout Tennessee.

E15 will reduce gas prices by up to 20 cents or more per gallon where E15 is available, due in part to the fact that it's made with less crude oil. Ethanol has been priced an average of 80 cents less per gallon than unblended gasoline at wholesale through March. However, cost isn't the only benefit to this new transition  E15 has the potential to reduce emissions and pollution for the immediate future.

"E15 can currently be found in the state of Tennessee at select gas stations in cities like Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville," said George McDonald, president of the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board. McDonald is also a fourth-generation family farmer at Catesa Farms. "This news will bring more opportunities for corn to be used as a renewable resource and will benefit not just consumers paying less for gas, but will also greatly benefit our corn farmers."

The board has included a list of where you can find E15 in the state of Tennessee.

Clarksville, TN :

Mapco: 380 Warfield Blvd

380 Warfield Blvd

RaceTrac: 1810 Wilma Rudolph Blvd

1810 Wilma Rudolph Blvd Greenfield, TN :

Casey's: 101 Forest St

101 Forest St Knoxville, TN :

Pilot: 7210 Strawberry Plains Pike

7210 Strawberry Plains Pike Murfreesboro, TN :

Thorntons: 1785 New Salem Rd

1785 New Salem Rd

RaceTrac: 2121 Medical Center Pkwy

2121 Medical Center Pkwy

Thorntons: 2908 Medical Center Pkwy

2908 Medical Center Pkwy

RaceTrac: 1596 New Salem Rd

1596 New Salem Rd Nashville, TN :

Thorntons Nashville : 2815 Lebanon Pike

2815 Lebanon Pike New Johnsonville, TN :

Casey's: 540 Broadway Ave

540 Broadway Ave Smyrna, TN :

RaceTrac: 1770 Lee Victory Pkwy

1770 Lee Victory Pkwy Union City, TN

Casey's: 923 W Main St

While some may just be hearing about E15 for the first time, American drivers have logged nearly 20 billion miles on E15 so far. According to Unleaded 88 and the Renewable Fuels Association , E15 has provided several benefits to American consumers and their cars made from 2001 up to now:

This gas has higher octane levels, which help to boost horsepower and efficiency, along with better engine performance.

E15 burns cleaner and reduces toxins, making it more environmentally friendly.

Ethanol helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%-50% compared to petroleum.

400,000 new jobs were created within the ethanol industry in 2014. These cannot be exported or outsourced. The production of ethanol helps to revitalize America's rural areas, which can be some of the hardest hit by economic downturn. Ethanol production can help to stimulate economic growth.

"We hope that by sharing the hard facts of the benefits of what all E15 has to offer, we can mitigate any concerns and dispel any myths about using this type of gasoline," said Carol Reed, executive director of the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board. "This news has the potential to help the everyday consumer, local economy, corn farmers, environment, air and so much more."

Tennessee Corn Promotion Board has long been an early supporter of corn being a green energy source after recognizing that green energy is a growing demand by consumers and represents a major opportunity for corn growers. The board has been working to create positive public opinion about E15 and neutralize negativity toward corn as a biofuel.

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board helps to advocate for Tennessee corn growers and educate consumers on good environmental practices utilized by Tennessee farmers, as well as the economic value of Tennessee corn and value-added corn products. For more information about the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board, visit www.tncorn.org/ .

About the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board: The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board collects and administers the corn checkoff fund. This special fund makes much needed market development, promotion, education and research possible, all which benefits the Tennessee corn industry, agriculture and economy. The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board is farmer funded and farmer led.

SOURCE Tennessee Corn Promotion Board
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute of Alternative Medicine, or AIAM (pronounced "I Am"), a private higher education institution specializing in holistic healthcare, has revealed its new rebrand. Since the institute's founding in 1994, AIAM has grown its programs and evolved into a progressive educational center. As AIAM leadership has adapted to new opportunities and challenges, the timing was right to reaffirm the school's values and culture, developing a brand that better reflected the professionalism and intellectual and emotional connection AIAM provides students, staff, and the greater community.

Located in north Columbus, Ohio, AIAM offers holistic programs in nursing, acupuncture, massage therapy, medical assisting, and phlebotomy. AIAM also hosts an on-campus public wellness center, which provides holistic health services including massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, cupping and herbal medicine. The rebrand also shifted some of the spotlight to the wellness center, which enabled AIAM to expand its reputation as not just a place of high-quality education, but also a source of affordable, close-to-home holistic medical services.

AIAM partnered with Ohio-based marketing agency Bolder & Co. Creative Studios to build the strategy and brand assets. The resulting rebrand is much more than a "new face" for the holistic healthcare institute; the changes reflect the heart of the school, paying homage to its past and positioning it for a meaningful future. The engaging new logoan energetic figure reaching up from the AIAM initialsrepresents a celebration of AIAM students' success as well as the strides in holistic health that AIAM has helped foster within the healthcare industry. Other brand-related updates include a just-launched new website and redesigned marketing materials. On campus, AIAM's administrative offices and classrooms have been refreshed to reflect the new brand and color palette. The school's new pronunciation "I Am" will also be leveraged for inspirational and aspirational messaging on logowear, stickers, and more, including "AIAM Strong" "AIAM the Future of Nursing" and "AIAM a Healer."

"We wanted our brand to visually and verbally communicate the core of the institution: empowerment through holistic healthcare," says Diane Sater-Wee, AIAM CEO and co-founder. Increased exposure from the rebrand is critical to that mission. "It's not about the 'business' of attracting students and clinic visitors; it's about strengthening our community by outfitting our students with the expertise to build successful healthcare careers. They, in turn, bring AIAM's holistic healing spirit into their own communities and out into the world."

One aspect of the original brand that needed no updating was the organization's hashtag, #AIAMstrong, which effortlessly invokes a sense of pride and engagement. The phrase became an invaluable bridge between the old brand and the new as the Bolder team worked to achieve the most authentic representation of AIAM's core values.

"It's rare that we come across such a raw gem in our marketing efforts," said Mark Bloemhard, President and CEO of Bolder & Co. Creative Studios. "The AIAM teachers, current students, and alumni all led us to the same conclusion: this is a highly engaged, caring institution that provides the highest caliber education. The new brand is designed to embody those qualities."

To learn more about the new brand, check out the American Institute of Alternative Medicine's website at www.aiam.edu or visit their updated campus at 6685 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229.

ABOUT AIAM

The American Institute of Alternative Medicine, or AIAM (pronounced "I AM"), is a private higher education institution that trains and graduates experts in integrative health, including Nursing, Acupuncture, Medical Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, and Phlebotomy. Since 1994, we have provided students with a comprehensive education characterized by rigorous coursework; exposure to a range of approaches and techniques; and dedicated support of our faculty and staff who are committed to helping every student thrive. Visit www.AIAM.edu for school information or to apply.

AIAM also hosts a holistic health clinic, providing the Columbus area community with affordable alternative medicine services including acupuncture, massage therapy, reflexology, cupping, and herbal medicine. Appointments may be scheduled at AIAM.edu/clinic.

ABOUT BOLDER & CO. CREATIVE STUDIOS

Bolder & Co. is a results-driven, full-service marketing agency that believes magnetic brands are built from the inside out. Our award-winning creative work brings to life large and small businesses to help them attract attention in the marketplace, exceeding both sales and recruitment goals.

We invite you to get to know us and our work at www.boldercreative.com.

Media Contact: Diane Sater-Wee, (614) 825-6255, [email protected]

SOURCE American Institute of Alternative Medicine
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Beachbody Company, Inc. (NYSE: BODY) ("Beachbody" or the "Company"), a leading subscription health and wellness company, today announced that Sue Collyns, President and Chief Financial Officer, will leave the Company and transition to a new chapter of opportunities in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Marc Suidan, a former Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer, effective May 10, 2022, following the company's first quarter earnings call. To ensure a smooth transition, Suidan has joined the Company effective immediately as a senior advisor, and Collyns will remain with the Company through May 31, 2022. Ms. Collyns will then provide advisory services under a consulting agreement through May 31, 2023.

Collyns' departure is not related to any disagreement with the company's accounting principles, practices, or financial statement disclosures. The Company will announce its first quarter financial results on May 9, 2022 and anticipates reporting revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be slightly ahead of its previous guidance.

"I'd like to thank Sue for the substantial contributions she has made in her over seven years at Beachbody. Her strong leadership has been integral to our success, playing a key role in many important milestones in our Company's history, including the transformation to a subscription-based, digital-first model, eight successful capital raise and M&A transactions and our transition to a newly public company," said Carl Daikeler, Beachbody's Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO. "Sue elevated our finance organization and strengthened the team, and I am extremely grateful for Sue's partnership and leadership. Her career with Beachbody will be reflected in every aspect of our ongoing success."

Collyns said, "It has been a privilege to work alongside Carl and our leadership team, the many talented individuals at Beachbody and to be part of its successful transition into a digital subscription model. I am so proud of what we have accomplished and the strong foundation we've created together. With Beachbody now established as a public company, the time is right to transition to the next chapter in my personal and professional life and I want to thank Carl and the Board of Directors for their support. I'm excited about the Company's future and wish the team continued success."

Suidan joins Beachbody with extensive financial consulting and transformation experience in the global technology sector. He has helped companies enhance shareholder value by spearheading digital and financial transformation initiatives. Suidan has served as a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2011 and was most recently the Global Tech, Media and Telecom Leader. Previously, he served as Co-Founder and CFO of several startups. His early career also included controller and senior auditor roles. Suidan holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a Bachelor of Management from McGill University, and is an active CPA in Canada.

"We are excited to welcome Marc to Beachbody," Daikeler said. "Marc brings an entrepreneurial spirit for building businesses and a passion for how technology can transform every aspect of our lives, alongside deep experience aligning finance functions with high growth technology to drive business transformation across many companies. This experience, combined with his proven, trusted advisor and strategic leadership qualities, make him a great addition to our leadership team."

In addition, the Company announced today that Kathy Vrabeck, Chief Strategy Officer of the Company, has taken over the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective as of April 15.

About The Beachbody Company, Inc.

Headquartered in Southern California, Beachbody is a leading digital fitness and nutrition subscription company with over two decades of creating innovative content and powerful brands. The Beachbody Company is the parent company of the Beachbody On Demand streaming platform (BOD) including its the live digital streaming subscription BODi, and the Beachbody Bike powered by MYXfitness, the Company's connected indoor bike. For more information, please visit TheBeachbodyCompany.com.

Forward Looking Statements : This press release contains "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements other than historical fact or in the future tense. These statements include but are not limited to, statements regarding our future performance and our market opportunity, including anticipated appointment and election of our officers and directors, guidance regarding our anticipated future financial results, our business strategy, our plans, and our objectives and future operations.

Forward-looking statements are based upon various estimates and assumptions, as well as information known to us as of the date hereof, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially due to a variety of factors, including: our ability to effectively compete in the fitness and nutrition industries; our ability to successfully acquire and integrate new operations; our reliance on a few key products; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond our control; intense competition and competitive pressures from other companies worldwide in the industries in which we operate; and litigation and the ability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights. You can identify these statements by the use of terminology such as "believe", "plans", "expect", "will", "should," "could", "estimate", "anticipate" or similar forward-looking terms. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements as they involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements. For more information regarding the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to our business in general, we refer you to the "Risk Factors" section of our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including those risks and uncertainties included in the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the Investor Relations page of the Beachbody website at https://investors.thebeachbodycompany.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE The Beachbody Company, Inc.
Virginia's leading vent cleaning and installation experts urge area homeowners to be aware of risks stemming from regular use and wildlife activity

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dryer Vent Guys, a company specializing in exhaust vent inspections, installation and cleaning in Fredericksburg, Richmond and Northern Virginia, want to remind homeowners that spring isn't just a time to clean the inside of their homes; they should also remember to include their house's exhaust vents in order to maintain proper ventilation and safety.

"Most people don't realize their dryer vent can build up lint and need cleaning. They also don't know how often they should do this or how to do it without damaging the duct system," said Kyle Newby, founder and owner of The Dryer Vent Guys. "In the spring, we also see birds, wasps and other pests using vents as access points to make their nests, which can create an obstruction in dryer, kitchen and bathroom vents, adding to the collection of debris in the vents."

Newby said cleaning and inspecting a home's vents can:

Improve dryer function. A clean dryer vent allows the appliance to work more efficiently and dry clothes faster.

A clean dryer vent allows the appliance to work more efficiently and dry clothes faster. Reduce fire hazards. Nearly 14,000 house fires are caused by dryer fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Regular vent cleaning prevents lint accumulation that can spark a fire from the appliance and spread through the home via the ductwork.

Nearly 14,000 house fires are caused by dryer fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Regular vent cleaning prevents lint accumulation that can spark a fire from the appliance and spread through the home via the ductwork. Eliminate water issues. If a dryer vent is unclean or installed improperly, moisture can pool within it. This can lead to rusted ductwork, mold growth and even damaged drywall.

If a dryer vent is unclean or installed improperly, moisture can pool within it. This can lead to rusted ductwork, mold growth and even damaged drywall. Reduce energy consumption. The more efficiently a dryer functions, the less energy it uses. Dryers consume more energy than almost any home appliance, so allowing it to function properly will reduce energy costs.

The more efficiently a dryer functions, the less energy it uses. Dryers consume more energy than almost any home appliance, so allowing it to function properly will reduce energy costs. Extend the dryer's lifespan. When a dryer vent is maintained, it functions in optimal conditions, extending its lifespan. Neglecting to maintain any appliance can cause it to work harder and fail sooner.

"We see firsthand the damage pest infestations do to a home's exhaust vents and ductwork," Newby said. "Spring is an excellent time to consider exhaust vent inspections since animal activity increases. An inspection and cleaning regimen can show if you have an excess of debris, safety hazards, or rusty parts, or can find any unwelcomed visitors inside your ductwork."

Newby said to avoid damage-causing buildup, homeowners should consider cleaning their vents at least once a year.

About The Dryer Vent Guys

The Dryer Vent Guys is an exhaust vent cleaning, repair and inspection company headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and also servicing Richmond and Northern Virginia. Since 2013, owner Kyle Newby has been making dryer, stove hood and kitchen and bathroom exhaust vents safer by reducing the fire hazards these outlets can cause. The company inspects, replaces and cleans both residential and commercial vents and specializes in exhaust vent pest protection. The Dryer Vent Guys employs Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians and Class A Virginia Contractors. It is also a member of the National Fire Protection Association. The company has won the Angie's List Super Service and NextDoor's Neighborhood Favorite awards. For more information, call The Dryer Vent Guys at (844) 4NO-LINT or visit the company's website at https://thedvguys.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE The Dryer Vent Guys
HHC to Host Earnings Call on May 10, 2022

HOUSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Howard Hughes Corporation  (NYSE: HHC) today announced that it will release 2022 first-quarter earnings on Monday, May 9, 2022, after the market closes and will hold its first-quarter conference call on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Company's earnings release will be posted to the Investors section of the Company's website prior to the conference call.

To participate in The Howard Hughes Corporation's first-quarter earnings conference call, please dial 1-877-883-0383 within the U.S., 1-866-605-3850 within Canada, or 1-412-902-6506 when dialing internationally. All participants should dial in at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time, using 7539204 as the passcode. A live audio webcast will also be available on the Company's website ( www.howardhughes.com ).

In addition to the dial-in options, institutional and retail shareholders can participate by going to app.saytechnologies.com/howardhughes to submit questions to Say prior to the Earnings Call. Shareholders can email [email protected] for any support inquiries.

A taped replay of the call can be accessed 24 hours a day through June 8, 2022, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 within the U.S., 1-855-669-9658 within Canada, or 1-412-317-0088 when dialing internationally, using the passcode 8106516.

About The Howard Hughes Corporation

The Howard Hughes Corporation owns, manages and develops commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its award-winning assets include the country's preeminent portfolio of master planned cities and communities, as well as operating properties and development opportunities including: the Seaport in New York City; Downtown Columbia, Maryland; The Woodlands, The Woodlands Hills, and Bridgeland in the Greater Houston, Texas area; Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada; Ward Village in Honolulu, Hawai'i; and Douglas Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. The Howard Hughes Corporation's portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. The Howard Hughes Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHC. For additional information visit www.howardhughes.com .

Media Contact

The Howard Hughes Corporation

Cristina Carlson, 646-822-6910

SVP, Head of Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Investor Relations

The Howard Hughes Corporation

John Saxon, 281-929-7700

Chief of Staff

[email protected]

Carlos Olea, 703-309-6720

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE The Howard Hughes Corporation
This latest investment further deepens Thentia's relationship with New York City-based Spring Mountain Capital and BDC Capital, building on an initial $10M Series B round in spring 2021 that helped the company accelerate its go-to-market strategy and grow its position across the U.S. as the industry-leading SaaS platform for the government technology sector. Thentia provides its technology to agencies located in nearly two thirds of the North American market.

The announcement comes during a period of significant growth and achievement for Thentia, which was recently named one of the 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Toronto 2022, ranking in the top third of companies based on funding, employee growth, revenue, and other notable growth triggers. Over the past year-and-a-half, Thentia has grown its employee base by 300% and has significantly expanded its customer base in new and existing markets across North America, now with more than 8.5 million active licensees across the globe using its platform, Thentia Cloud, a revolutionary end-to-end software-as-a-service solution for government.

This additional funding will enable the company to invest aggressively across all parts of the business, including growing and enhancing its product and engineering, while also scaling customer-facing services and support teams, with the goal of creating a world-class customer experience across all markets.

Following its success within the State of Oklahoma, Thentia is pleased to announce that it is opening its regional headquarters in Oklahoma City to serve the needs of its Oklahoma clients and those of adjacent States effective immediately. Thentia's workforce is distributed evenly across the United States and Canada, with a new regional team growing in the United Kingdom to focus on European markets.

"Thentia's robust and innovative platform provides an essential solution for government agencies wishing to achieve digital transformation in their organizations, allowing them to move their processes into the 21st century while providing the best user experience for citizens as well as critical data that will aid in decision-making," says Jamie Weston, Managing Director, Spring Mountain Capital. "We've been incredibly impressed by Thentia's performance as it gains traction in markets across the U.S., and we're thrilled to continue supporting its growth with this latest investment."

Sean Brownlee, Partner of BDC Capital's Industrial, Clean and Energy Technology (ICE) Venture Fund, says Thentia's tremendous success is a testament to its world-class team with deep expertise in regulation. "Thentia has assembled a top-tier team of visionary leaders and regulatory experts that truly understand their clients' needs because they have firsthand insight into the problems they face every day," says Brownlee. "This expertise allowed them to develop a sophisticated cloud-based solution that supports key regulatory functions and has successfully disrupted the underserved regulatory licensing industry."

Thentia Chief Executive Officer, Julian Cardarelli, says he is grateful for the continued support of Thentia's partners as the company makes significant strides in fulfilling its ambitious goals, including becoming the state-supported cloud-based agency software provider across all 50 U.S. states and the leading provider, globally. "SMC and BDC have been incredible partners and their support has been crucial in Thentia's success over the past year as we grew our client base, evolved our product, and made major inroads in markets across the U.S.," he says. "This additional funding positions us to scale more rapidly to meet the incredible response to our platform in every market that we are entering."

Thentia's rapid growth and success have also attracted the attention of other leading North American investors. In 2021 and 2018, Thentia partnered with Espresso Capital on two credit facilities that supported key investments and acquisitions.

Thentia was advised on the financing round by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.

About Thentia

Thentia is a global company with teams operating in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada and is trusted by regulatory bodies and government agencies worldwide with more than 8 million active licensees across the globe using its platform. Thentia was developed by subject matter experts with a mission to transform government technology through best-in-class capabilities. Its secure, modern and elegant solution, Thentia Cloud, is revolutionizing the way regulatory bodies and government agencies manage data and licensing by bringing the entire process into the 21st century with speed, automation, ease of use, and best-in-class support. For more information, visit thentia.com.

About Spring Mountain Capital

Spring Mountain Capital is a New York-based private investment management firm that focuses on alternative asset investing. The SMC Growth equity team focuses on providing expansion capital to companies capitalizing on breakthrough innovations, paradigm shifts, or fundamental market or behavioral changes. SMC invests in two sectors of the U.S. economy undergoing the most change and with the highest growth potential: enterprise technology and healthcare companies. For more information, visit: smcgrowthcapital.com.

About BDC Capital

BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs. With over $3 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country's most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Carolyn Goard

Vice President, Marketing

T: (437) 703-1331

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Thentia Corporation
This is the second oral surgery center in the network. Tweet this

Dr. Middleton has practiced implant dentistry and oral surgery in Sarasota for over 20 years and has placed more than 10,000 implants. He uses advanced 3D imaging equipment to identify and diagnose prosthetic and surgical needs with accuracy and efficiency. He also provides a full spectrum of sedation services, ensuring the highest possible level of comfort to patients.

"We have worked alongside Dr. Middleton for more than 13 years and have witnessed, first-hand, an unprecedented level of surgical precision," says Kevin Krause, DMD, chief executive officer for TDN. "His partnership strengthens our surgical presence in Sarasota and elevates our clinical excellence."

Dr. Scott Middleton works closely with a support team of trained assistants, patient coordinators, and an implant coordinator to manage a wide variety of problems relating to the mouth, tooth and facial regions.

"After working with Dr. Krause, Dr. Reuter and Dr. Roemer for many years, my team and I are very excited to join such a high-quality group," says Scott Middleton, DMD, MD founder of Scott Middleton, DMD, MD, PA.

For more information, please contact Shanna Tumbleson at [email protected].

ABOUT TODAY'S DENTAL NETWORK

Today's Dental Network is a premier multi-specialty concierge dental practice network and support organization focused on providing complete turnkey practice management outsourcing solutions to a captive network of best-in-class, entrepreneurial, dentist specialists & surgeons across the Southwest Florida region. The company offers a full suite of solutions and services through its centralized business office including IT systems, infrastructure & security, finance and accounting, sales & marketing solutions, human resources, risk management, legal and compliance administration, as well as acquisition and de novo practice expansion support. Today's Dental Network offers a truly integrated community network model with the depth and breadth of services and local geographic coverage to provide a true "infant-to-senior" continuum-of-care service offering through a single patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tdn.care.

ABOUT HEALTHEDGE

HealthEdge Investment Partners, LLC is an operating-oriented private equity firm founded in 2005 that focuses exclusively on the healthcare industry. HealthEdge seeks to achieve superior returns by investing in businesses that benefit from the knowledge, experience, and network of relationships of its partners. HealthEdge's partners have more than 100 years of combined operating experience in healthcare as CEOs and investors. For more information on HealthEdge, please visit www.healthedgepartners.com.

ABOUT SCP

Synergistic Capital Partners is a healthcare-focused private equity firm led by healthcare experts and physicians with over a century of combined healthcare expertise. SCP generally invests solely in the healthcare services sector, where their investment methodology is rooted in patient-centered care and provider-centric values which has led to superior investment performance across their investment portfolio. To learn more about SCP, please visit: www.synergisticcapitalpartners.com.

SOURCE Today's Dental Network
NEW YORK, BRISTOL, England and BANGALORE, India, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Torry Harris Integration Solutions (THIS), a recognized leader in integration strategy, API Management and delivery, today announced its win in this year's DevOps Excellence Award for '4Sight' - an AIOps/MLOps based analytics and prediction tool. 4Sight can solve the problem of fragmented data and focus on emerging patterns to detect anomalies across operations.

4Sight is API-driven and built to work with any source of data (logs, databases, streaming data etc.) to give intelligent insights to users. The framework generates widgets which can be embedded into any existing application, thereby seamlessly bringing in analytics & prediction capabilities to an application. The highly configurable machine learning models allow users to deploy it for multiple purposes, including AI-Ops and event predictions.

Computing's DevOps Excellence Awards showcase outstanding achievements from organizations, personalities and solutions that have successfully applied DevOps methodologies. There are many ways to move towards a DevOps culture, and these awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the best of every organization, team, individual, product and tool.

Shuba Sridhar, VP - Strategic Initiatives at Torry Harris, says, "We are glad to bring 4Sight to the DevOps community and get recognition for it through the DevOps excellence awards. 4Sight is used by many of our clients as an AI/ML-driven operational analytics tool. It is used for central log analytics with data from log files across the integration platform."

"We are constantly enhancing the features of 4Sight, making it more industry specific and easier to use, with a rich user experience," she further adds.

About Torry Harris

Torry Harris is a multinational provider of business, technology, and IT consulting services. For over two decades, it is focused on providing solutions in the areas of Integration for digital enablement, digital marketplace services, full life-cycle API management, IoT and digital ecosystem enablement. The company is headquartered in New Jersey (USA), with development centers in Bangalore, India. It has offices in Bristol (UK), Slough (UK), Dubai (UAE), Dublin (Ireland), Munich (Germany) and Paris (France). Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. To know more, visit https://www.torryharris.com

Contact:

Diganta Kumar Barooah

[email protected]

+(91) 80-41827200

Torry Harris Integration Solutions

SOURCE Torry Harris Integration Solutions
Launch of novel stent technology with 10-year safety and efficacy data adds further momentum to the company's global growth journey

NEW DELHI and HECHINGEN, Germany, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Translumina, a global developer and manufacturer of innovative cardiovascular medical devices used in interventional cardiology, announces the launch of VIVO ISAR, its latest generation dual drug polymer-free coated stent (DDCS), in various International markets including Europe.

As an organization, Translumina has always been synonymous with innovation in the field of intervention cardiology and today's announcement further strengthens its global cardiovascular portfolio.

Several studies have proven that polymers are pro-inflammatory and may cause stent thrombosis. However, the use of polymers has been necessary in current generation DES as they control the release kinetics of the drug by acting as a carrier for drug loading and release.

VIVO ISAR is the first Dual Drug Polymer-Free Coronary Stent technology, which brings together a stent with a superior safety profile without compromising the drug release kinetics. VIVO ISAR is the first technology that uses Probucol, an antioxidant and lipid-lowering drug, as a carrier for releasing Sirolimus (an anti-restenotic drug) and thus creates a polymer-free DES platform with uncompromised safety and efficacy.

In 2020, Translumina became the only company in the world to publish 10-year follow-up data on its Dual-Drug Polymer-free Coated Stent (DDCS) VIVO ISAR. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), which is amongst the top publications in the world of cardiology, with a high impact factor as per Journal Citation Reports, published the 10-year safety and efficacy follow-up data on VIVO ISAR.

"The ten-year outcome of VIVO ISAR is a major breakthrough in DES technology as it proves that synthetic polymers can be removed from a DES without compromising the efficacy of the DES. The excellent safety profile demonstrated in the 10-year follow-up study is especially notable as it provides a powerful new technology for treating complex coronary artery disease in high-risk patient subsets. This DES technology carries the great potential of significantly shortening the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy," said Dr Adnan Kastrati, Director, Cardiac Cath Lab, German Heart Center, Munich and the lead investigator of ISAR TEST 5, the trial that compared VIVO ISAR to Endeavour Resolute (Medtronic Inc USA).

Patients with diabetes mellitus present a particular challenge as the disease is associated with a more diffuse manifestation and consequently suboptimal clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention.

In 2021, the Journal of American Heart Association published compelling 10-year efficacy and safety data of VIVO ISAR in a Diabetes subset highlighting its excellent efficacy and safety profile, with 30% reduction of MI as compared to Endeavour Resolute. Translumina became the first company in the world to achieve the longest RCT follow-up with its flagship Dual Drug Eluting Stent that brings new hope for the high-risk diabetic subset.

Translumina has launched VIVO ISAR in Italy & Spain and plans to roll it out in several markets across Europe, Latin America and APAC over the coming months.

"We are very pleased to be able to provide our premium high-quality stents to customers across the globe. Cardiologists world over now have a choice to give a proven and safer Drug Eluting Stent to their patients who otherwise have poorer outcomes with conventional DES, more so among the high-risk diabetic subset," said Gurmit Singh Chugh, MD and Co-founder, Translumina.

Everstone Capital invested in Translumina in 2019 to further strengthen its research & development pipeline, scale its manufacturing operations and expand its global footprint to transform Translumina into a leading multinational medical devices company.

"We are proud that Translumina is leading the global journey of creating the highest standards of clinical data that enable physicians to treat patients with more confidence and certainty," said Dr. Arjun Oberoi, Managing Director, Everstone Capital.

About Translumina

Translumina is a global developer and manufacturer of innovative cardiovascular medical devices used in interventional cardiology. Its flagship products, YUKON Choice PC, YUKON Choice Flex, YUKON Chrome PC and VIVO ISAR represent the 3rd generation drug eluting stents systems.

SOURCE Translumina
Reflects Successful Transformation to One Company Organization and Operating Philosophy

BERWYN, Pa., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group [NYSE:TGI], today announced that it is adopting a new company brand and modernized logo. The company's new identity, TRIUMPH, reflects its one company, many solutions operating philosophy and recent streamlined organization and follows the company's transformation to focus on its core products and services.

"TRIUMPH is entering its fourth decade of supporting a global array of end-markets, customers, and platforms in the aerospace and defense industry. Having recently completed a transformation to simplify our business and reshape our program and business portfolio, we are launching a new identity that better reflects our company today," said Daniel J. Crowley, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "TRIUMPH signifies unity and is synonymous with action, purpose, and success."

The new logo features a sleek version of the company's classic "T" symbol, with horizontal arms raised, indicating elevation and upward momentum. The mark also suggests a high-tech aircraft, a nod to forward velocity and progress.

"Our legacy branding shaped our company identity and helped us earn a respected name in the industry," said Crowley. "Building on this foundation, TRIUMPH is pivoting to profitable growth as we collaborate across our global sites to help customers overcome their hardest challenges."

The company will continue to trade using the stock symbol TGI (NYSE).

TRIUMPH, headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems and components. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators.

SOURCE Triumph Group
In order to support the growth and to ensure the ability to deliver business value to our clients, Triverus continues to build out its management team with the addition of a Client Success Director, Skye Welch. As the Client Success Director (CSD), Skye will play a key role in leading the evolution and execution of our Client Success Framework. As the CSD, Skye will support Client Success Teams across each of our engagements, provide leadership, guidance and support to each team and ensure all engagements are executed according to the vision of Triverus, our three truths (clients, colleagues and community) and our values.

Skye brings more than a decade of experience with delivery excellence, consulting operations, technology and product management experience. She bridges the gap between business, technology, and operations focused on achieving goals and empowering teams to deliver.

Prior to joining Triverus, Skye was the Senior Product Manager at Jobcase. Her ability to lead others through change while defining scalable processes will help Triverus evolve our Client Success Teams and Framework to support Triverus' continued growth. Skye will play a pivotal role contributing to the processes, roles and responsibilities designed to enable our team-focused approach to client success.

Triverus Consulting is a Boston based, Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), full-time employee, technology consulting firm that provides Technology Solutions, Information Asset Management and Agile Enablement Services from roadmap through execution with a focus on Life Sciences and Public Sector.

Triverus helps clients realize their business objectives by providing information technology expertise and services, based on proven approaches and by leveraging accelerators.

SOURCE Triverus Consulting
SAN RAMON, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumin Digital , a PSCU company, announced today that Trona Valley Federal Credit Union (Trona Valley) has signed a multi-year agreement for Lumin Digital's cloud-native platform for online and mobile digital banking solutions. Lumin Digital will support Trona Valley's more than 23,000 members and more than $320 million in assets once the credit union goes live on the platform in May 2022.

Trona Valley Federal Credit Union, based in Green River, Wyoming, is a 100% member-owned financial institution dedicated to providing avenues to financial success for every individual member. With a philosophy of "People Helping People", Trona Valley strives to evolve product and service offerings to meet the financial needs of its members, provide individualized attention and put forth every effort to enable members to become financially self-sufficient.

Lumin Digital, a cloud-native digital banking platform, provides credit union members with a tightly integrated and customized experience that matches larger financial institutions' offerings. Focusing on service, user experience, safety, and security through sophisticated automation, Lumin Digital helps credit unions and financial institutions drive better engagement with their users through personalized recommendations and communication in the areas of spending insights, financial advice, fraud alerts, and savings goals. Lumin enables credit unions to provide users with real-time updates and new features that add value and simplify everyday banking. All of Lumin's offerings and capabilities are made possible by the team's wealth of industry knowledge, user experience testing, and technological innovation.

"We're always looking to make banking with Trona Valley FCU easier for our members," said Jeremy Gibson, CEO at Trona Valley Federal Credit Union. "We believe Lumin's Digital's platform does just that."

"Trona Valley's commitment to improving the banking experiences of its members whenever and wherever life takes them makes the credit union a natural fit for Lumin's cloud-native digital banking platform," said Jeff Chambers, founder and CEO of Lumin Digital. "Our comprehensive digital experience will not only expand their core digital offerings to better compete against the nation's leading financial institutions, but will also ensure a smooth transition for their members, ultimately enabling faster time to market for their exciting future digital roadmap items."

Lumin Digital continues to drive innovation in the digital banking space, differentiating itself through technology built for human connection. Lumin Digital's offering provides seamless integration to a wide array of PSCU and other platform tools and capabilities, including card services, rewards management, and data analytics to provide a member-centric experience.

About Lumin Digital

Lumin Digital is a fintech company specializing in digital banking solutions. Through a fundamentally different approach to technology, service, and people, we're creating the next generation of financial solutions each and every day. Lumin helps credit unions and financial institutions build and deploy next-gen digital experiences that help to continually serve, engage, and grow their membership base. While other platforms are partially adapted or retrofitted for the cloud, Lumin is 100% cloud-native. It was built specifically for the cloud environment, allowing us to more fully realize the advantages it offers. It's a difference that financial institutions and their users will see and feel almost immediately. For more information, visit lumindigital.com .

About Trona Valley Federal Credit Union

Trona Valley Community Federal Credit Union is a community credit union serving southwest Wyoming for nearly 60 years. Formed through a merger of FMC Employees FCU and Stauffer Big Island FCU, we are open to membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Sweetwater, Uinta, Sublette, Lincoln, Carbon, and Teton counties in Wyoming; and Rich, Morgan, Summit, and Daggett counties in Utah.

About PSCU

PSCU, the nation's premier payments CUSO, supports the success of more than 1,900 financial institutions representing nearly 7 billion transactions annually. Committed to service excellence and focused on innovation, PSCU's payment processing, risk management, data and analytics, loyalty programs, digital banking, marketing, strategic consulting and mobile platforms help deliver possibilities and seamless member experiences. Comprehensive, 24/7/365 member support is provided by contact centers located throughout the United States. The origin of PSCU's model is collaboration and scale, and the company has leveraged its influence on behalf of credit unions and their members for more than 40 years. Today, PSCU provides an end-to-end, competitive advantage that enables credit unions to securely grow and meet evolving consumer demands. For more information, visit pscu.com .

SOURCE Lumin Digital
The American Welding Society accreditation demonstrates the excellence of TUV

Rheinland's welding laboratory in Pennsylvania to conduct tests under the Welder

Certification Program

LITTLETON, Mass., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TUV Rheinland, a world leader in independent technical services, has recently been reaccredited as an AWS testing facility. This accreditation recognizes the excellence of TUV Rheinland's Aliquippa, PA welding laboratory and their compliance with the requirements set forth by the American Welding Society (AWS), a globally recognized organization for its code and certification procedures, which provide industry standards for welding and joining metals, plastics, and other materials.

To become an Accredited Test Facility (ATF), companies must meet pre-determined AWS requirements and demonstrate that they have the resources to test welders for the nationally recognized and accepted AWS Certified Welding program.

"This is another important recognition for our welding lab, as it attests that our facilities and procedures meet AWS requirements, and positions us as one of the few accredited facilities in Western Pennsylvania," says Chris Dugan, Branch Manager for Industrial Services at TUV Rheinland of North America.

AWS Certified Welding program

As an ATF, TUV Rheinland can offer certification to the Certified Welder (CW) program through which AWS and its approved laboratories test welders for procedures used in the structural steel, petroleum pipeline, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding industries. These tests are conducted at AWS Accredited Testing Facilities, such as TUV Rheinland's facility in Aliquippa, PA.

"Welders who wish to become an AWS Certified Welder should schedule a visit to our facility, where our experts will assess the professional's practical knowledge," explains Dugan. "Our testing facilities follow rigorous standards for testing welders and can test professionals in accordance with AWS Standard Welding Procedures (SWPSs), industry standard specifications, and company-defined or non-company-defined welding specifications."

Companies interested in ensuring the quality of their processes and the knowledge of their professionals have many benefits by joining the Certified Welder program, because in addition to improving productivity and reducing liability, they can entrust their welder certification to TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts. "As a result, it is possible to ensure quality welds and provide welding guidelines to ensure well-aligned processes, reducing the possibility of weld rework, for example," stated Dugan. In addition, individuals who earn AWS certification gain many professional advantages: they can validate their experience and impartiality against an approved set of welding standards and guidelines, demonstrate fundamental welding knowledge, and gain a competitive advantage over non-AWS certified individuals,

For employers, the advantages go further: AWS welding inspector certification has been widely accepted in the United States and even in many of the world's leading industrial countries, and more and more multinational companies are relying on third-party AWS certification to ensure that welding quality reaches the highest internationally recognized level.

Find out more about TUV Rheinland's Industrial Services here.

About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. Founded 150 years ago, the company is one of the world's leading testing service providers with more than 20,000 employees and annual revenues of around 2 billion euros. TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption.

Contact us for press inquiries:

Joel Pekay

Telephone: +1 224 318 4098

Email: [email protected]

Mariana Taborda do Amaral

Telephone: +55 11 3514 5867

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE TUV Rheinland
ELLSWORTH, Maine, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul has purchased two former Maine Storage Plus facilities to better meet the moving and self-storage demands of Hancock County residents. The properties were acquired on Feb. 28.

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Northwest Ellsworth is located at 349 Bangor Road and will be managed by on-site personnel. U-Haul Moving & Storage of West Ellsworth at 255 Bucksport Road will be operated remotely by the Northwest Ellsworth staff.

Between the two facilities, U-Haul customers now have access to 532 self-storage rooms with climate-controlled options and high-tech security features at affordable price points. Extended-hours storage access is available.

"These locations were already self-storage facilities, so it's a seamless transition for us to bring U-Haul products and services here," said Shawn Goldrup, U-Haul Company of Maine president. "We're pleased to put our trusted name behind these locations and offer more storage solutions to the Ellsworth community."

Contact U-Haul of Northwest Ellsworth at (207) 610-6452. Hours of operation at the Ellsworth facilities are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. Reserve equipment at uhaul.com or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.

"Our ultimate goal is to save U-Haul customers time and money," Goldrup added. "We're going to provide a clean, secure and well-maintained storage product for our neighbors' belongings."

U-Haul dealers in Maine continue to be available to serve DIY movers. U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment since 1945. During these challenging times for small businesses, more than 21,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income through their U-Haul affiliation. When customers rent from U-Haul dealers, they are directly supporting small businesses in their community. Because no financial investment is required, dealers are not U-Haul franchises. They are simply small businesses that have committed lot space for U-Haul equipment and time to help meet the mobility needs of their neighbors. Learn more about the dealer program by visiting uhaul.com/dealer.

Goldrup plans to hire for a number of jobs, and will look to hire locally to promote employment in the Ellsworth community. U-Haul, honored as a "Best for Vets 2020" leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com.

About U-HAUL

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 126,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 855,000 rentable storage units and 73.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.

Contact:

Andrea Batchelor

Jeff Lockridge

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 602-263-6981

Website: uhaul.com

SOURCE U-Haul
In commenting on these latest results, Kevin Francis, V.P. Exploration and Technical Services of U.S. Gold, said, "The primary purpose of the 2021 drill program was to support feasibility study level hydrology and geotechnical studies. Nonetheless, CK21-12rc/c, a combination reverse circulation and core hole, CK21-14c and CK21-03c were also exploratory. These holes have discovered future mineral resource expansion potential at depth below the proposed open pit and to the southeast of the proposed pit. While we know that there are additional mineralization requiring further exploration expenditures, our priority is to realize the value of the commercially attractive gold-copper project identified in our prefeasibility study, published December 1, 2021. We remain on track to complete the permit to mine application, which will be led by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality."

2021 Drilling Program Results

The Company reported additional results from 3 core holes completed during the 2021 drilling program which was primarily focused on advancing geotechnical and hydrologic understanding. Gold and copper assays from the 2021 program have extended mineralization beyond the prefeasibility mineral resource estimate. As such, the Company believes that an increase of mineral resources is possible.

g/t = grams per metric tonne, oz/st = troy ounces per short ton, 1 g/t = .0291652 oz/st

AuEQ calculated using metal pricing: $1625/oz Au, $3.25/lb Cu and $18/oz Ag -

The plan map below shows the distribution of the newly reported holes relative to the proposed prefeasibility ultimate pit outline.

The following figures are cross sections through each hole plotted with the block grade estimates from the prefeasibility study estimation model. The drill holes' gold and copper grades correlate well to the block model. The effect of capping assay grades prior to estimation has limited the imact of higher grades.

The table below reports significant intervals exceeding an 0.30 g/t AuEq cutoff. Mineralization continues to expand to the southeast of and at depth below the proposed pit.

Table of Intercepts for 2021 CK Gold Core-RC drilling >0.300 gpt AuEq cut-off Hole No. From ft To ft From m To m Length ft Length m Au opt Ag opt Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t AuEq opt AuEq g/t CK21-03c 0.0 38.0 0.0 11.6 38.0 11.6 0.022 0.042 0.031 0.761 1.426 0.024 0.819

570.0 635.0 173.7 193.5 65.0 19.8 0.006 0.095 0.141 0.197 3.258 0.012 0.426 CK21-03c 659.0 1095.8 200.9 334.0 436.8 133.1 0.017 0.033 0.145 0.573 1.129 0.023 0.785 including 830.0 931.0 253.0 283.8 101.0 30.8 0.021 0.034 0.182 0.724 1.168 0.029 0.986 including 945.0 1045.0 288.0 318.5 100.0 30.5 0.026 0.019 0.166 0.882 0.643 0.033 1.116

1121.0 1332.0 341.7 406.0 211.0 64.3 0.010 0.015 0.116 0.340 0.526 0.015 0.504

1347.0 1535.0 410.6 467.9 188.0 57.3 0.008 0.022 0.114 0.270 0.759 0.013 0.434 CK21-012rc/c 260.0 305.0 79.2 93.0 45.0 13.7 0.011 0.136 0.335 0.366 4.657 0.026 0.876

625.0 865.0 190.5 263.7 240.0 73.2 0.011 0.057 0.160 0.368 1.940 0.018 0.609

885.0 925.0 269.7 281.9 40.0 12.2 0.016 0.084 0.226 0.561 2.861 0.026 0.903

1004.0 1167.0 306.0 355.7 163.0 49.7 0.007 0.039 0.135 0.245 1.320 0.013 0.445

1524.5 1593.0 464.7 485.5 68.5 20.9 0.005 0.018 0.151 0.185 0.605 0.012 0.398

1645.0 1734.0 501.4 528.5 89.0 27.1 0.007 0.021 0.197 0.227 0.708 0.015 0.505

1743.0 1782.0 531.3 543.2 39.0 11.9 0.005 0.023 0.146 0.172 0.773 0.011 0.380

1805.0 1845.3 550.2 562.4 40.3 12.3 0.007 0.031 0.236 0.255 1.054 0.017 0.589 CK21-14c 485.0 518.5 147.8 158.0 33.5 10.2 0.005 0.021 0.129 0.170 0.707 0.010 0.355

665.0 705.0 202.7 214.9 40.0 12.2 0.007 0.026 0.184 0.256 0.898 0.015 0.519

720.0 905.0 219.5 275.8 185.0 56.4 0.008 0.028 0.138 0.264 0.964 0.014 0.464

1015.0 1128.0 309.4 343.8 113.0 34.4 0.014 0.028 0.155 0.485 0.968 0.021 0.707

1146.0 1212.0 349.3 369.4 66.0 20.1 0.011 0.028 0.187 0.385 0.953 0.019 0.652

1233.5 1500.0 376.0 457.2 266.5 81.2 0.011 0.024 0.156 0.364 0.835 0.017 0.587

The Company looks forward to designing an upcoming drill program, taking into account the results above, to potentially further increase the mineral resource at the CK Gold Project. Timing will be dependent upon the priorities of completing the next development steps and submitting the mine to permit application and available treasury.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Procedure

U.S. Gold Corp. employs a rigorous QA/QC protocol on all aspects of sampling and analytical procedure. Drill core is checked, logged, marked for sampling and sawn in half. One-half of each drill core is maintained for future reference and the other half of each drill core is sent to ALS, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory in Reno, Nevada to complete all sample preparation and assaying. Samples are analyzed employing fire assaying with atomic absorption finish for gold, and four-acid ICP-MS analysis for silver and copper. For QA/QC purposes, certified standards, blank samples and sample duplicates are inserted into the sample stream. U.S. Gold Corp. also periodically submits sample pulps to another independent laboratory for check analysis.

Note on Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed by Kevin Francis, P Geo, SME Registered Member, Vice President of Exploration and Technical Services for U.S. Gold Corp. Acting within the scope of his expertise, Mr. Francis, as a Qualified Person as defined by Regulation S-K, Subpart 1300 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian NI 43-101 reporting standards, has reviewed the information provided and finds it to be accurate and reflecting facts.

About U.S. Gold Corp.

U.S. Gold Corp. is a publicly traded, U.S. focused gold exploration and development company. U.S. Gold Corp. has a portfolio of exploration properties. The CK Gold Project is located in Southeast Wyoming and has a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) technical report, which was completed by Gustavson Associates, LLC. Keystone and Maggie Creek are exploration properties on the Cortez and Carlin Trends in Nevada. The Challis Gold Project is located in Idaho. For more information about U.S. Gold Corp., please visit www.usgoldcorp.gold.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," and "intend," among others. These statements include the estimated timing for finalization of the next phase of engineering and submission of our permit application and statements regarding a potential increase in mineral resources estimated at the CK Gold Project. These forward-looking statements are based on U.S. Gold Corp.'s current expectations, and actual results could differ materially from such statements. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks arising from: market and other conditions, the prevailing market conditions for metal prices and mining industry cost inputs, environmental and regulatory risks, COVID-19 uncertainties, risks faced by junior companies generally engaged in exploration activities, whether U.S. Gold Corp. will be able to raise sufficient capital to develop the CK Gold Project and implement future exploration programs, the success or failure of future drilling programs, and other factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be reviewed at www.sec.gov. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no duty to correct or update any information contained herein.

For additional information, please contact:

U.S. Gold Corp. Investor Relations:

+1 800 557 4550

[email protected]

www.usgoldcorp.gold

SOURCE U.S. Gold Corp.
The high-tech car wash chain welcomes its 13th location to the tri-state area. Customers can enjoy a week-long grand opening event that offers free washes, always with free vacuums and towels.

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The new Mount Laurel, New Jersey location will be hosting a grand opening week-long event from April 19-April 24. All customers to this location can enjoy a free wash from 9 am  5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Learn more about the grand opening here: valetwash.com/locations/mount-laurel/

After the grand opening event, the Mount Laurel location hours will expand to 8 am  7 pm for the summer season and 8 am  6 pm in the winter season.

Mount Laurel offers an exterior auto wash in the iconic Valet Auto Wash tunnel and free use of vacuums and towels. Self-service cleaning features are accessible inside or outside with ample space for large vehicles.

Other select Valet Auto Wash locations offer additional car wash and lube services, including Brilliance Wax services and Interior Valet Cleaning. Valet Auto Wash operates 13 locations in the tri-state area with car washes in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The Valet Auto Wash mission is to reinvent the standard car wash by combining exceptional customer care, innovative car wash equipment and technology, and eco-friendly operations at every stage of the car wash process.

"We have a saying in our office from Walt Disney that says, 'You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality," said Chris Vernon, Valet Auto Wash's owner. "So, the ability to bring people, technology, and manufacturing car wash processing equipment all together is a blast."

About Valet Auto Wash

The very first Valet Auto Wash opened in 1994 in a repurposed historical trolley car barn on Lalor Street in Trenton, New Jersey. The team strives to provide customers with an excellent car wash using state-of-the-art auto washing technology and professional customer care. Today, they have locations throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and offer an array of car wash and lube services.

SOURCE Valet Auto Wash
LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vision Films, Inc is set to release the action film Eagle Wings to VOD on May 17, 2022. The film from writer/director Paul Apel Papel was shot entirely on location in Nigeria and is one of Vision's emerging catalog from prolific filmmakers in the region. Eagle Wings depicts the on-going devastating regional conflicts of insurgents, their pervasive mistrust of the government, and the mission of those who try to diffuse the war against all odds. The production value of aerial fighter jet scenes as well as ground combat, add to the realistic and epic scope of the film.

Eagle Wings, An Airforce Story Movie Poster

Synopsis: As insurgents overtake territories and kill civilians, the Nigerian Air Force is called in to bring peace to the area. When a recently married commander is lost behind enemy lines, his brothers-in-arms swear to his wife they will bring him home safely. The rescue mission leads them into a war-torn area and directly into a terrorist stronghold where loyalties are put to the test.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/QacLYzpSfwc

Lise Romanoff, CEO/Managing Director of Vision Films shares, "Eagle Wings is the perfect blend of an epic war movie and a relationship story."

Filmmaker Paul Apel Papel adds, "Eagle Wings is a fictional re-enactment of true events of insecurity in Nigeria. I'm glad to share the film with the world."

The film stars Enyinna Nwigwe (The Wedding Party), Femi Jacobs (Omo Ghetto: The Saga), Yakubu Mohammed (Shuga), Francis Duru (Otondo), Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Uzee Usman, and Sadiq Daba

The Nigerian film industry is rapidly growing, producing thousands of movies that are finding global audiences and success. Nollywood, as the Nigerian movie business is known, has become one of the leading film industries in the world and currently is the second-largest film industry in the world.

Eagle Wings will be available on cable, major streaming platforms, and DVD in the US and Canada.

About Vision Films

Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator specializing in the licensing, marketing, and distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from some of the most prolific independent film producers in the world. Led by Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films a month across Theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television platforms. Visionfilms.net

Media Contact:

Andrea McKinnon

(818) 415-9442

[email protected]

SOURCE Vision Films, Inc.
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Volta Inc. (NYSE: VLTA) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: August 2, 2021 to March 28, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 31, 2022

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in VLTA:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/volta-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26067&from=4

Volta Inc. NEWS - VLTA NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Volta Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Volta had improperly accounted for restricted stock units issued in connection with the business combination of Volta Industries, Inc. ("Legacy Volta") and Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II; (2) as a result, the Company had understated its net loss for third quarter 2021; (3) there were material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that resulted in a material error; (4) as a result of the foregoing, the Company would restate its financial statements; (5) as a result of the foregoing, Legacy Volta's founders would imminently exit the Company; (6) as a result, the Company's financial results would be adversely impacted; and (7) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Volta you have until May 31, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Volta securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the VLTA lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/volta-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26067&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

Empire State Building

350 Fifth Avenue

59th Floor

New York, NY 10118

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the board of directors of Whirlpool Corporation (the "Company") declared a quarterly dividend of $1.75 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on June 15, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 20, 2022.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and Yummly. In 2021, the company reported approximately $22 billion in annual sales, 69,000 employees and 54 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.

Website Disclosure

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, whirlpoolcorp.com, in the "Investors" section. We also intend to update the Hot Topics Q&A portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary

PALM BEACH, Fla., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oil sands, the workhorse of Alberta's  and Canada's  crude oil production growth, achieved a record production year in 2021. A steady turnaround in crude oil prices, improved market access, and the tried-and-true resilience of oil sands producers combined to drive the increase in output. With 2022 barely out of the starting blocks, the oil sands players have provided production guidance for this year that, if fulfilled, could set the oil sands on track for another year of record output. A recent RBN article mentioned the latest production guidance estimates and what these could mean for the availability of oil pipeline export capacity from Western Canada. It said: "With benchmark crude oil prices reaching seven-year highs in the past two weeks, the remarkable turnaround in crude oil prices has not gone unnoticed by Alberta's oil sands producers. Seeking to capitalize on their corporate resilience, lower cost structures, and the improved market conditions, these producers are starting to gear up for increased output. This apparent oil sands renewal comes after what has been several years of very tumultuous conditions for Western Canada's most important industry. We have documented the enormous ups and downs of the oil sands sector in RBN blogs, covering a gamut of factors that have helped to forge that aforementioned resilience. In the past few years, issues such as enormous price discounts for Western Canadian Select (WCS), the flagship heavy oil price marker, due to insufficient export pipeline capacity eventually resulted in production curtailments being imposed by the Alberta provincial government at the start of 2019. These fell most heavily on the shoulders of oil sands producers." Active Companies in news today include: Petroteq Energy Inc. (OTCPK: PQEFF), Occidental (NYSE: OXY), Camber Energy, Inc. (NYSE American: CEI), W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI), VAALCO Energy Inc. (NYSE: EGY).

The article continued: "By late 2020 and early 2021, prospects for the oil sands were definitely on the upswing  and so were oil prices. The Alberta provincial government effectively scrapped its oil production curtailment policy at the end of 2020, and it became clear that, month by month, oil sands production would recover from the depths of 2020 and was poised to set a new monthly production record sometime late in 2021 (see Levitating). An individual monthly record for oil sands output was achieved in November 2021, and prospects for Canadian oil producers  and not just those in the oil sands  improved still further with the opening of the longed-for and long-delayed Enbridge Line 3 Replacement (L3R) project in October 2021, yielding some spare oil pipeline export capacity from Western Canada. The turnaround for oil sands producers, and Western Canada's oil industry as a whole, has been remarkable. When you combine the L3R infrastructure improvement and WCS prices that have been routinely trading above $70/bbl of late, it's no wonder that oil sands producers have been keeping their collective foot on the production accelerator."

Petroteq Energy Inc. (OTCPK: PQEFF) BREAKING NEWS - PETROTEQ ENERGY EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING USA OIL SANDS RESERVES  Petroteq Energy Inc. ("Petroteq" or the "Company"), an oil company focused on the development and implementation of its proprietary oil sands extraction and remediation technologies, provides a corporate update and continuously emphasizes the importance of developing and extraction of US oil sands reserves.

The global need for energy continues to grow and has shown no signs of slowing down. While other alternative energy sources will also contribute, but today they cannot match the production oil as the most cost- effective solution. The need for more oil is more than just transportation fuel, as vehicular demand and air travel requirements grow, but oil is the primary building block for plastics of all kinds, automotive industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pesticides, fertilizers, paint, to name a few. This is of particular importance to the US, as the need for energy independence has become more evident from the geopolitical upsets now facing the global market. The significant oil reserves, which have not been untapped yet, are located in Utah, where Petroteq has accumulated significant oil reserves available for development.

Petroteq Energy has developed a proprietary technology to extract oil from its reserves in Utah since 2015, and has demonstrated the viability of its patented process to produce at an attractive economic level, comparable to conventional oil reservoir production, and to deliver a high quality product. The Company's facility has been designed to operate at 500 barrels per day and has designed the next generation oil sands plant with 5,000 barrels capacity. All engineering aspects of 5,000 barrels plant have been confirmed by an independent third party as commercially viable and technically sufficient to achieve the desired plant performance within a budget. Petroteq management believes this design is solely unique to the patented Petroteq process, to achieve oil extraction from sands in an eco-friendly method, and can be seen as a true green energy technology.

The Petroteq technology is unique because it uses no water, produces no emissions, and uses a facility that has a small land footprint. Its patented solvent washes the sand of oil and is almost 100% recycled for continued use with no negative environmental impact. The cleaned sand can be utilized economically for the broad range in residential and commercial use.

Petroteq's CEO and CTO, Vladimir Podlipsky, PhD commented, "Our management team is pleased that it has unlocked an economically feasible process that is eco-friendly, and I believe positions our Company to contribute solving the global energy crisis. Our intentions are to continue evolving toward future expansion and revenue growth, regardless of the on-going takeover-bid from Viston United Swiss AG. The Management continues to handle business as usual, while making an utmost effort to maximize shareholder's value." CONTINUED Read this full press release for PQEFF by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-pqe/

In other developments and news of note in the markets this week:

Occidental (NYSE: OXY) will announce its first quarter 2022 financial results after close of market on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, and will hold a conference call to discuss results on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 1 p.m. Eastern/12 p.m. Central.

The conference call may be accessed by calling 1-866-871-6512 (international callers dial 1-412-317-5417) or via webcast at oxy.com/investors. Participants may pre-register for the conference call at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10164495/f1e7ad6d38

First quarter 2022 financial results will be available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website. A recording of the webcast will be posted on the website several hours after the call is completed.

Camber Energy, Inc. (NYSE American: CEI) announced earlier this year its majority-owned subsidiary, Viking Energy Group, Inc. ("Viking"), acquired on February 9, 2022 a 51% interest in two entities that own the intellectual property rights to fully developed, patent pending, ready-for-market proprietary Electric Transmission and Distribution Open Conductor Detection Systems. The purchase price for the interests acquired by Viking is up to $21,000,000, with $5,000,000 payable in shares of Viking on closing (i.e. $250,000 in common stock and $4,750,000 in preferred stock).

The systems are designed to detect a break in a transmission line, distribution line, or coupling failure, and to immediately terminate the power to the line before it reaches the ground. The technology will dramatically increase public safety and reduce the risk of causing an incendiary event, and is designed to be integral component within a much-needed, worldwide grid hardening and stability initiative by electric utilities to improve resiliency and reliability of existing infrastructure.

W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) recently announced that it has acquired the remaining working interests in the oil and gas producing properties purchased earlier this year from an undisclosed private seller. The assets are located in Federal shallow waters in the central region of the Gulf of Mexico at Ship Shoal 230, South Marsh Island 27/Vermilion 191, and South Marsh Island 73 fields. The transaction had an effective date and closing date of April 1, 2022. Cash consideration of approximately $17.5 million was paid to the seller using cash on hand.

Key highlights of the transaction are as follows: Adds internally-estimated proved reserves of approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) (70% oil) and proved and probable, or 2P, reserves of 2.0 million Boe (75% oil) as of December 31, 2021 assuming strip pricing as of March 2, 2022; Estimated net sales rate of approximately 900 Boe per day (~80% oil); Adds an average of 20% working interest in over 50 gross producing wells currently operated by the Company across three shallow water fields; and Provides additional upside from additional pay sands in existing well bores and potential opportunities for future drilling.

VAALCO Energy Inc. (NYSE: EGY) recently announced the successful drilling of the Avouma 3H-ST development well that was drilled from the Avouma platform in the Etame field, offshore Gabon.

Highlights: Successfully drilled the Avouma 3H-ST development well with a lateral of 268 meters in high-quality Gamba sands at the top of the structure; Encountered premium Gamba sands with 28% porosity and one Darcy of permeability; Confirms extension of Avouma reservoir and is forecasted to increase the overall recovery from the field, potentially allowing for additional wells at Avouma; Currently completing the Avouma 3H-ST well with initial production expected in the next few weeks; and Following completion, the drilling program will continue with the spudding of the ETBSM-1HB ST2 development well from the Avouma platform.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Petroteq Energy Inc. by a non-affiliated. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.



This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.



Contact Information:

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Phone: +1(561)325-8757

SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com
WINT's enhanced reporting now equips owners, contractors, facility managers and insurers with the information necessary to closely monitor the carbon impact of water use in their facilities. Paired with WINT's advanced analytics, the application's water-waste and carbon tracking solution allows users to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, and limit the negative environmental impact of their water supply.

Research indicates that, on average, every 1,000 gallons of water consumed generate between 60 and 120 pounds of carbon emissions (or between 7-15 kg for each cubic meter of water). Buildings are a major source of water waste and carbon emissions: a single leaking toilet will typically lose water at the rate of 1 million gallons a year, which result in 4.5 tons of greenhouse emissions similar to the total annual emissions from a passenger car. Considering that approximately 25% of the water in the built environment is wasted through leaks, outdated infrastructure, malfunctions, and human error, the global impact of water-related carbon emissions is enormous.

"Waste and inefficiency in the global water system are significant yet overlooked sources of carbon emissions," said Yaron Dycian, chief strategy officer for WINT. "Our new carbon reporting offering is the first solution of its kind in this industry. By allowing our customers to identify waste and track the emissions associated with water loss, we've given them an unprecedented new tool to reduce their facility's carbon impact and meet sustainability goals."

The launch of WINT's new enhanced carbon tracking feature comes as environmental impact is emerging to be a critical business consideration. In March, the Securities and Exchange Commission preliminarily approved new regulations that would require public companies to disclose information about carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. WINT's carbon-tracking tools allow businesses to monitor and manage emissions related to water use, proactively reduce these emissions, and provide detailed information about these emissions to shareholders, regulators, and the public.

The newly launched Water and Carbon Insights tool integrates with WINT's IoT water-flow analysis devices that provide real-time alerts and can automatically shut off water supplies when needed, allowing owners, developers, contractors, and facilities managers to reduce overall water consumption and its carbon footprint by an average of 20-25%.

For more information, visit https://wint.ai.

About WINT

WINT is passionate about helping the world conserve one of its most precious resources and dedicated to helping businesses prevent the hazards, costs, emissions and environmental impact associated with water leaks and waste. Utilizing the power of artificial intelligence and IoT technology, WINT provides solutions for commercial facilities, construction sites and industrial manufacturers looking to cut water waste, reduce carbon emissions and eliminate the impact of water-leak disasters. For more information, please visit www.wint.ai.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE WINT
DUBLIN, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Final days to register for the "Mining Tech World Hybrid Event" conference that has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

THE LEADING TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE PLATFORM FOR MINING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Meet the leading industry firms and discover the latest mining innovations at MiningTech World.

For 2022, we are transforming into a hybrid event to capture wider global audience in the new business environment and at the same time provide an in-person event experience for those travelling to London. This will enable you to network with colleagues from all around the globe, without encountering any travel restrictions or social distancing measures.

Expect to meet more than 200 global attendees from more than 30 countries at this premier mining technology conference and exhibition in London, United Kingdom.

Be a part of this invaluable platform to seek new partnerships and fresh business opportunities.

Hybrid event features for virtual attendees

We'll be broadcasting presentations and live interactive sessions from leading mining industry experts across the world. There'll be interaction, Q&A, polls and live virtual panel discussions. Join in from wherever you are online either live or watch the sessions on-demand.

LIVE STREAMED CONTENT

Log in online to virtual event platform to watch live conference presentations from anywhere in the world. You can interact with other participants in live chat, polls, and Q&A sessions.

ON-DEMAND ACCESS

If you miss any of the sessions or not in your time zone, you can log in at a time that suits you, and catch up on all presentations on-demand.

VIRTUAL 1-2-1 MEETINGS

Our virtual event platform enables you to see other attendees, initiative chat and schedule private virtual meetings.

ONLINE EXPO FOR 365 DAYS, 24/7

Our virtual event platform stays live for one year enabling you to visit the exhibition showcase featuring mining innovations, equipment and software anytime you want

What to expect?

TOP SPEAKERS

Our industry leaders provide new perspectives, share cutting edge content and insights to harness the fast-changing global technology developments.

LEADING SOLUTION PROVIDERS

The exhibition demonstrates the very latest in technology and solution innovations to mining industry buyers.

NETWORKING

From speed networking to 1-2-1 meetings across 2 days you're assured to make the right connections.

Who Should Attend:

Mining Company CIOs, IT Directors & Regional Heads

COOs, Chief Engineers, Automation, Heads of Technical Services

Chief Geologists

Heads of Operations & Production

Heads of TICA & Mine Managers

Technology Equipment Solutions & Services Professionals

Environmental & Sustainability Managers

Local and International Investors & Financiers

Brokers & Corporate Advisors

Lawyers & Consultants

Speakers

EDSON ANTONIO

Global Artificial Intelligence Manager

Vale

Brazil

PIETER OOSTHUIZEN

Chief Digital & Information Officer

Vedanta Zinc International

South Africa

GRAEME O'NEILL

CEO

Bayhorse Silver

Canada

DR. DECLAN VOGT

Lecturer - Robotic & Automated Mining

Camborne School of Mines

United Kingdom

DR. ALI SOOFASTAEI

Industrial Global Project Leader, Artificial Intelligence Center/AI Project Leader, Vale

Australia

DOUGLAS MORRISON

President & CEO

CEMI - Centre for Excellence in Mining

Canada

MARK HOLMES

Health & Safety Manager

ICMM

United Kingdom

RYAN SIGGELKOW

Senior Vice President, Technology

HARD-LINE

Canada

DAVID MARTIN

Founder, Forge Consulting/Former Manager (Operational Technology), Glencore Copper

Zambia

KIMMO JARVINEN

Managing Director

Metallinjalostajat - Association of Finnish Steel and Metal Producers

Finland

PAUL TIM WHILLANS

Principal & Owner

Whillans Mine Studies Ltd

Canada

Kash Sirinan

DR. KASH SIRINANDA

Futurist & Founder

Elite Futurists & Mine Connector

Australia

CHRIS DOORNBOS

President & CEO

E3 Metals Corp

Canada

JORGE ROCCA

Sr. Area Sales Manager South America

Eagle Eye Networks

Peru

ADRIANA BASSI

Regional Infrastructure Manager IT/OT

BHP

Chile

ABDEL DIANI

Director of Distribution

Microdrones

Germany

RIKARD SVALL

Head of Mapping & Sales

5D Teknik

Sweden

MEDERIC SUON

IROC Manager

Societe Le Nickel

New Caledonia

DIRK DE BRUYN

Vice President, B2B - Global Industry

Total

France

JARED LAZERSON

CEO, Margaret Lake Diamonds/Chairman, MGX Minerals

Canada

RICHARD SPENCER

President & Director

Aurania Resources

Canada

For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w4psw8

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
Wyze Lock Bolt is featured with faster and more secure fingerprint unlocking, and can also be unlocked by a number keypad and the app. It allows users to view the history of the lock through the app. Like Wyze's other products, the retail price of the Wyze Lock Bolt is less than $80, but the performance and design are far beyond your expectations.

"Lockin is dedicated to providing products with innovative technology that everyone in the world can use. When you build a global and trusted brand, the sense of pride or achievement comes spontaneously. I think this is a starting point for the establishment of Lockin." Bill Chen, the CEO of Lockin, said.

Lockin and Wyze have been cooperating since 2019. In December 2019, Lockin and Wyze released a co-branded a smart lock in North America, which was the first smart door lock product in Wyze's history. 5,000 units were sold in 9 hours. In March 2022, the second co-branded product, Wyze Gun Safe, was released on Wyze's website, and was highly rated by consumers and media.

The partnership helps increase the brand awareness of Lockin in North America, and a large number of consumers use home security products with Lockin's cutting-edge technology. In just 8 years since its establishment in 2014, Lockin has been the leader in the Chinese apartment smart lock market and one top brand of consumer smart locks. Business in overseas markets has expanded to 12 countries and regions. Now Lockin is growing fast, planning to launch more products for North American consumers.

Barry Wang, Director of Lockin's international business unit(b[email protected]), expressed his thoughts on the future of the North American market, "North America is currently the world's largest smart door lock market, and it will be one of the key markets of Lockin in the next few years." In the future, Lockin will focus on smart security products for North American consumers, especially smart locks, with secure, advanced, and intuitive features. For more information, you can visit lockin.com.

SOURCE Lockin
In recent years, many people have added a portable power station to their emergency preparedness kit. Unlike a traditional gas-powered generator, a rechargeable power station does not require fuel and has fewer moving parts, lowering the cost and effort associated with maintenance. Since they don't burn fuel, most power stations are safe to use indoors, inside a car or van, or even inside a tent.

SuperBase Pro is Zendure's largest power station. It can quickly be charged up to 80% in just one hour. With 2,000W pure sine wave AC output and up to 4,000W of surge power, Zendure's power station can start and operate large appliances, including many residential refrigerators and freezers.

Zendure's power station is solar friendly, so even if a disaster weakens crucial infrastructure, users can collect solar energy and power their essential devices. Photovoltaic arrays of up to 1,800W are supported by SuperBase Pro.

SuperBase Pro has 14 output ports (12 in the EU model), plus a companion app that can control the inputs and outputs, track the power station's location, and even keep track of carbon offset through the use of sustainable energy. This is all possible thanks to the power station's built-in Wi-Fi, 4G, and GPS hardware.

The new power station is an ideal emergency power supply. The batteries only need to be charge-cycled once every few months to maintain the health of the device, and it has industrial-grade wheels and a built-in extending handle for easy carrying.

SuperBase Pro raised nearly $2M USD in crowdfunding and recently earned a Good Design award in Japan and an iF Design Award in Germany. The power station has been especially popular in Japan, where it recently brought in over 49M on the crowdfunding site Makuake.

SuperBase Pro 2000 has already been distributed to hundreds of backers. SuperBase Pro 1500, which contains LiFePO4 batteries, has just begun mass production in preparation for worldwide distribution.

SuperBase Pro 2000 can be ordered from Zendure.com, with delivery to the US projected for the end of May.

Zendure is a portable power company with a focus on sustainable energy located in Silicon Valley in the United States and the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area in China. Since its establishment, Zendure has continuously launched innovative products, made rapid breakthroughs in the core technologies of energy storage and power supplies, and continues to bring pleasant surprises to the user experience. The company recently received a multi-million dollar series-A round of funding through a joint investment from Shanghai GP Capital and YOTRIO group.

SOURCE Zendure
New York, April 19 : Shanti Sethi, a trail-blazing woman Navy veteran has been appointed defence advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Politico.

Politico said on Monday that Harris's Senior Advisor Herbie Ziskend confirmed the appointment of Sethi, who will also have the title of executive secretary.

Sethi, who retired with the rank of captain, was the senior military advisor to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.

During her 29-year Navy career, she had commanded the USS Decatur, a missile destroyer ship with a crew of 281, including 33 commissioned officers.

While heading the ship, she had taken it on a visit to Chennai in 2011.

She has also been the Commanding Officer of the Sixth Fleet's Task Force 64 and the action officer coordinating joint and international policy for integrated air and missile defence across all military services, according to her LinkedIn profile which has been updated to confirm her new position with Harris.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)
New Delhi, April 19 : Peace has been like an illusion for Nagaland. After decades of violence and subsequent years of negotiations, reportedly a breakthrough was achieved when all stakeholders held parleys in October 2019.

However, serious hurdles came up in subsequent periods as the NSCN (IM) raised the issues of Flag and a separate Constitution for Nagas. The government of India obviously has rejected the demands.

On a day, Centre's representative A.K. Mishra landed in Dimapur for parleys with key stakeholders including Naga militant leaders, Congress floor leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on April 18 (Monday) cited 'flip-flop' in the entire process and flayed Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

"Governor and Interlocutor in his address to Nagaland state assembly in Feb 2021 declared that talks have concluded. Assembly has adopted vote of thanks to the address. Thereafter, Chief Minister Shri Neiphu Rio moved a resolution demanding to resume talk instead of endorsing for implementation of agreements. This is what we call a flip-flop," Chowdhury wrote in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He said, "Stakeholders, after consideration of the agreed points, are demanding for implementation of the agreements" - and this he stated, "I request you to kindly implement the above mentioned agreements so that the Nagaland issue is resolved".

There have been differences between NSCN (IM) and the then interlocutor and former state Governor R.N. Ravi. Now, the new representative of the centre, A.K. Mishra is in Nagaland from Monday, April 18, to resume the stalled parleys.

Ravi has moved to Tamil Nadu as the Governor for quite some time now.

Mishra, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), during his week-long stay in Nagaland, is likely to meet Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, other Naga leaders and the leaders of NSCN-IM and Naga National Political Groups (NNPG).

In the midst of this high profile action, one person is being missed, perhaps the 'Bible Baba' of Naga insurgency - Late Isak Chishi Swu.

Though Thuingaleng Muivah was the de-facto functional chief of the militant group NSCN (IM), even army officers and others among Late Swu's rivals would recall him as more of a 'Naga philosopher'.

The former chairman of the potent militant group was the unifying factor and an umbilical cord for Tangkhul Nagas and for NSCN(IM) general secretary Muivah in particular with the 'state of Nagaland'.

Swu expired in 2016 and certainly his demise makes a big difference in so many ways in the peace process.

When Swu expired, his detractors from other camps had stated that Isak Swu believed in Biblical verse (Mathew 6:33) seek "first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well".

Swu was known for his inclinations towards theology.

Analysts believe that right from the beginning, the Modi-led government is committed to talks with Naga guerillas.

But they also wanted to deal with a prominent Naga rebel leader from 'Nagaland state'. Hence, efforts were made to reach out to the groups operating in Nagaland especially after Swu's death.

Ultimately on Nov 17, 2017 an Agreed Position was inked between NNPG and the centre.

Ravi was the architect of this move and N. Kitovi Zhimomi emerged as a principal stakeholder.

Kitovi like Isak Swu is a Sema Naga - one of the major tribes in Nagaland and perhaps has control over 10-14 assembly segments in the 60-member assembly. As Adhir Chowdhury's letter points out Kitovi and his NNPG forum is insisting on early implementation of the pact.

Besides Semas, the state of Nagaland houses other major tribes - Angamis (of CM Neiphiu Rio), Aos (Of veteran Naga leader S C Jamir), Zeliangs, Chakhesangs, Rengmas, Lothas, Sangtams, Konyaks, Phoms, Khiamungians, Yimchungers, Pochuries and Tikhirs.

Muivah is a Tangkhul Naga and the tribe has a strong presence in Manipur hills.

Other than pressing problems faced by people in general and politicians in particular, there is yet another crucial element.

Left to him, officials indicate, incumbent Prime Minister Modi wants to leave a legacy of achievements that he should deliver peace in northeast India. Delivering peace in the next couple of months would also be rated highly internationally as elsewhere there are fighting and serious troubles from Ukraine to Sri Lanka and from Afghanistan to Myanmar.

There is yet another key facet. While the Naga movement was launched by A Zapu Phizo, an Angami Naga, in the present peace parleys his organisation NNC is hardly in the picture. Phizo's aging daughter Adino leads the group.

It would be prudent to reach out to this group and the leadership as well. Moreover, the NNC represents the broad Tenyimiya sentiment - a cultural and linguistic block of several tribes from Kohima, Phek and Dimapur region.

Chief Minister Rio himself belongs to the Angami tribe and is a powerful and eminent Tenyimiya face.

The Government of India has been showing faith in Rio's leadership for reasons more than one.

It would be good if the Tenyimiya factor is appreciated in the entire game plan.

Many say leaving the NNC out of the negotiation and reaching out for an agreement would not advisable in the long run since NNC is regarded a 'political institution'.

The Tenyimia comprises ten fraternal tribes. These are Angami. Chakhesang, Rengma, Zeliangrong, Pochury, Mao, Poumai, Maram, Thangal and Inpui. They are spread over the contiguous areas of Nagaland, Manipur and also Assam.

Reports suggest Village Elders (GB Federation) had reached out to NNC leadership earlier and got their blessings 'indirectly' for any measure that will bring peace. "They will not oppose anything good," remarked a source.

Centre's new negotiator Mishra has the toughest job at hands. The peace talks were stalled over the emotive issues of Flag and Constitution. He is perhaps expected to make last minute wrap up efforts.

What is apprehended is that things may soon end up into one-upmanship between various tribal groups.

The NNPG working committee has said earlier this year, "The political negotiations are over and to ensure that provisions of the agreement in respective Naga areas are meticulously and effectively implemented in letter and spirit, all Naga National workers, upon signing the political agreement, must return to their respective ancestral Naga inhabited areas to restrengthen and forge greater Naga historical and political identity".

A new set of challenges could start now.

The phrase "Naga national workers" refers to the Naga militants operating with bases in Nagaland state and outside, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam and even Myanmar.

The "ancestral Naga inhabited areas" refer to respective Naga tribes' home districts.

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist and author of "The Talking Guns: North East India" and "Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth". The views are personal)
New Delhi, April 19 : 'A Woman Was Harassed Here' -- if you were in Mumbai a few years back, it was not uncommon to encounter a bright pink poster with this line at different public spaces. These were the places where artist Aqui Thami or someone she knew had faced harassment. This was also part of the recently concluded Kathmandu Triennale 2077 (KT 2077).

"The project essentially emerged rom my desire to mark these spaces to build community, call attention to the harassment women face and most importantly reclaim my power from these spaces where I was rendered powerless. There has been much love shared majorly by women and immediate participation and exchange. Of course, we have also witnessed some hostility from the authorities and people who do not want women to talk back," this indigenous artist based in Mumbai tells IANS.

Member of 'Bombay Underground', a collective that experiments with diverse public art practices, the artist, who runs the 'Dharavi Art Room' and started the 'Sister Library' as a roaming library aiming to take books to places that do not boast of libraries, and offering space, not just for reading but healing too. Her practice, which is centred around the culture of DIY, self-publishing and guerrilla poster, she believes in the act of 'doing' and addresses political and social issues.

Stressing that she had always experienced art as a medium of healing, the artist adds, "Dharavi Art Room is a wonderfully warm family, and we have worked towards building a space where we are allowed to be curious, to make, to question, to dream and so much more in spite of everything that is going on in our lives." Currently pursuing a doctoral degree from TISS, Mumbai, the artist says that KT 2077 was refreshing as she witnessed two powerful indigenous curators and artists putting together a brilliant festival. "Such art festivals are crucial for all people to have an opportunity and space to come together and reflect on culture," she adds.

KT 2077 was led by artistic director Cosmin Costinas (from Para Site, Hong Kong) and Kathmandu based co-curators Sheelasha Rajbhandari and Hit Man Gurung.

Talking about the 'Sister Library' which she started when she started reading women exclusively about seven years back, she recalls, "When I started, it was all the books that impacted me and was almost like looking into the mind of the artist. Over the years, it has grown to be so much more. With all the travels and collecting books and independently published works, to starting a radio -- 'Sister Radio', to a Riso press -- 'Sister Press' and publishing our newspaper, 'Sister Times'. The travelling has been extremely enriching. I am forever grateful to the ever-growing community that wants to centre and celebrate women and Women's works. The work evolves with every interaction and is ever-growing and evolving" Thami, who grew up in Darjeeling but left home when she was 15-years-old, is in Venice currently, doing a residency at the Ocean Space in collaboration with the Sami pavilion at the Venice Biennale. "I am happy to be here and looking forward to creating work thinking about our relationship with oceans as indigenous peoples."
Lucknow, April 19 : An eight-year-old boy died when his father's loaded double-barrel gun accidentally went off while he was playing with it.

The incident took place on Monday night in the Thakurganj area.

According to police, the boy's father Fareed had an altercation with his neighbour in the afternoon and had loaded his gun in a fit of rage.

He, however, forgot to unload it and left it in the bedroom.

The victim, Mohammad Ali, was playing with his 11-year-old sister, Farhiya, in the bedroom when he took up the gun which accidentally went off. The bullet pierced through his hand and went straight into the right side of his chest.

His mother Asfiya and her neighbours rushed him to KGMU Trauma Centre where doctors pronounced him dead.

Station house officer (SHO), Thakurganj, Hari Shankar Chandra said that Fareed was brought to the police station for questioning.

"The gun has been seized and his licence will be revoked. We will see what further legal action can be taken in the case," Chandra said.
Srinagar, April 19 : A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was killed and 12 others injured on Tuesday in a road accident in J&K's Srinagar district.

Police sources said a truck hit a CRPF vehicle in Hyderpora bypass area resulting in injuries to 13 CRPF troopers.

"All the injured CRPF troopers were shifted to BSF hospital in Humhama where one constable identified as M.N. Mani succumbed to injuries.

"Two CRPF troopers identified as ASI Jasraj and constable Sushant Biswas have been referred to Army's 92 Base Hospital", sources said.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, April 19 : The first to enforce diclofenac legislation designed to protect vultures from a certain extinction was by Tamil Nadu and other states should take such measures seriously, says a conservation group.

Tamil Nadu's Drugs Control office has registered over 100 cases against suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers of diclofenac, the drug widely used by veterinarians as a painkiller and is the main cause of the dramatic 99 per cent vulture declines across Asia.

"Since the 2006 ban of veterinary diclofenac, and the vial size restriction to 3ml needed for human use, this is the first time we are aware of that those contravening the bans are being prosecuted," says SAVE, Saving Asia's Vultures From Extinction (SAVE), a consortium of 24 partners.

Diclofenac has been used widely. Although it is clear that human formulations have been illegally used on a large scale, this (case registration) is an important step to discourage this irresponsible practice, it says.

"The Tamil Nadu government drug inspectors are, to the best of our knowledge, the first to enforce diclofenac legislation designed to protect vultures with court actions," Chris Bowden, Globally Threatened Species Officer and SAVE Programme Manager, told IANS on Tuesday.

Bowden said Tamil Nadu has once again demonstrated its commitment to vulture conservation by preventing the sale of large vials of diclofenac, making it harder for veterinarians and cattle-owners to use the drug.

"There are safe alternative drugs available, so there is no justification to allow this illegal practice of continued diclofenac use. Meloxicam and tolfenamic acid are cheap and safe options," he said.

The government of India formally restricted diclofenac vial size in 2015 following evidence presented by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and this has been largely adhered to across India and has undoubtedly helped reduce the threat that diclofenac poses to the few remaining vultures.

Responding to the action, BNHS Director Bivash Pandav said, "This commendable step by Tamil Nadu needs to be followed by all states across India, and together with national bans of other toxic veterinary drugs like nimesulide and aceclofenac, so that vultures will have a real future as our environmental cleaners." Population of three of the nine Indian species of vultures -- the white-rumped, the long-billed and the slender-billed -- have crashed by 90 per cent in the mid-1990s. The birds are now listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, the highest threat category ahead of extinction.

To save them from certain extinction, the government of India's Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India -- 2020-2025, which was presented to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) secretariat, advocates the prevention of misuse of veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by ensuring their sale only on prescription.
New Delhi, April 19 : India recorded a steep decline in Covid-19 cases as it recorded 1,247 infections in the past 24 hours, against 2,183 reported the previous day, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday.

In the same period, one Covid fatality was recorded, taking the death toll to 521,966.

Meanwhile, active caseload has risen to 11,860 which is 0.03 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

A total of 928 patients have recovered in the same time span and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,25,11,701. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.76 per cent.

Also in the same period, a total of 4,01,909 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 83.25 crore cumulative tests.

The weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.34 per cent. Meanwhile, the daily positivity rate has reported considerable decline at 0.31 per cent.

On the vaccination front, India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 186.72 crore as per provisional reports till 7 a.m. This has been achieved through 2,27,79,246 sessions.

Over 2.47 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket.

More than 20.52 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, April 19 : Indian private sector has to drive the carbon transition efforts as the country's significant economic development needs will constrain the government's ability to extend sufficient financial support, said Moody's Investors Service.

According to Moody's, many large corporations have launched a wide range of emission targets through 2050.

"India's (Baa3 stable) 2070 net-zero target and intermediate goals through 2030 present significant policy implementation challenges for the government, carving a more central role for private companies and investors to drive the transition, according to a new report by Moody's.

"The country's high growth potential, significant economic development needs and large agricultural sector will likely weaken the government's policy resolve and financial capacity to drive the economy's carbon transition. As such, India's planned emissions reductions will be conditioned upon low-cost, long-term private capital," Nishad Majmudar, Assistant Vice President and Analyst said.

Many of the country's large private companies have announced net-zero targets that are well ahead of Indian authorities' goals, while the government-linked companies are comparatively behind. Additional policy signals to encourage transition would drive higher private investment.

"The pace of India's carbon transition will depend on the extent to which the government can balance energy affordability and reliability needs against its emissions reduction commitments," said Abhishek Tyagi, Vice President and Senior Credit Officer.

"Reduced storage costs and the scalability of renewable projects with storage would support a faster transition," added Tyagi.

Indian banks' significant loans to carbon-intensive sectors expose them to transition risks, and they will face pressure to decarbonise their loan books. At the same time, green financing presents a significant lending opportunity, given banks' dominant role in credit intermediation in the country, Moody's said.
Kiev, April 19 : Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has handed over a questionnaire aimed at achieving his country's candidate status for the European Union (EU) membership to the EU Ambassador Matti Maasikas, the presidential press service said.

"Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the EU, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for," Zelensky said at the handover ceremony in Kiev.

The people of Ukraine are united by the goal to become a part of the EU, Zelensky stressed, noting that the prompt work on providing a questionnaire to Ukraine is an important signal for Kiev, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession," Zelensky said.

For his part, Maasikas said that Ukraine's answers to the questionnaire will be analysed "very quickly".

Earlier in the day, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that Kiev has sent the first part of a questionnaire, which covers political and economic spheres, to the European Commission.

The other part, which assesses the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with the EU laws, will be sent to the European Commission soon, Stefanishyna said.

On February 28, Zelensky signed an official appeal to the EU asking for the accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed over a questionnaire to Zelensky during her visit to Kiev on April 8.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
San Francisco, April 19 : Google has denied reports that it unblurred satellite Maps imagery in Russia to allegedly open access to Russia's military and strategic facilities for Ukrainians.

A Twitter account named @ArmedForcesUkr tweeted a set of images that appear to show military equipment belonging to Russia.

"Now everyone can see a variety of Russian launchers, intercontinental ballistic missile mines, command posts and secret landfills with a resolution of about 0.5 meters per pixel," claimed the Twitter handle that has been cited several times by the official Ukrainian Ministry of Defence account.

According to The Verge, the Twitter post was cited by The Moscow Times, and an English translation of the tweet went viral on social media.

"Google Maps has stopped hiding Russia's secret military & strategic facilities. Allowing anyone in the public to view. Open sourcing all secret Russian installations: including ICBMs, command posts and more with a resolution of 0.5m per pixel," read the English translation of the tweet.

Google has refuted the allegations made in the tweet.

"We haven't made any blurring changes to our satellite imagery in Russia," a company spokesperson was quoted as saying.

While the circulating images are likely legitimate, "they were available on Google Maps long before the conflict in Ukraine," said the report.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, Google had disabled its Maps' live traffic data in Ukraine to protect users.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Los Angeles, April 19 : Actors Julia Roberts and George Clooney-starring 'Ticket to Paradise' opens in theatres later this year, it will mark Roberts' first time leading a romantic comedy in more than 20 years.

The genre made Roberts a global superstar in the 1990s, from her Oscar-nominated performance in 'Pretty Women' to rom-com classics 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and 'Notting Hill', among others. One would have to go all the way back to 2001's 'America's Sweethearts' for the last traditional rom-com led by Roberts.

As the actor recently told The New York Times, she wasn't purposefully avoiding the genre that made her a superstar. Roberts said her extended hiatus from the rom-com genre was not her choice, but a result of the lack of an adequate script or idea, reports 'Variety'.

"People sometimes misconstrue the amount of time that's gone by that I haven't done a romantic comedy as my not wanting to do one," Roberts said.

"If I had read something that I thought was that 'Notting Hill' level of writing or 'My Best Friend's Wedding' level of madcap fun, I would do it. They didn't exist until this movie that I just did that Ol Parker wrote and directed." The Ol Parker film is 'Ticket to Paradise', which pairs Roberts opposite longtime friend and collaborator Clooney. The movie almost became yet another one of Roberts' rejected rom-coms because she thought it would only work well opposite Clooney.

"Lo and behold, George felt it only worked with me. Somehow we were both able to do it, and off we went," Roberts said about returning to the genre.

When asked if she stayed away from romantic comedies for 20 years because "there wasn't a single good script, not one," Roberts answered, "Yeah," reports 'Variety'.

"Here's the thing: If I'd thought something was good enough, I would have done it," Roberts said. "But I also had three kids in the last 18 years." "That raises the bar even more because then it's not only 'Is this material good?' It's also the math equation of my husband's work schedule and the kids' school schedule and summer vacation. It's not just, 'Oh, I think I want to do this.' I have a sense of great pride in being home with my family and considering myself a homemaker." Roberts added, "As they get older, and particularly with my daughter, I do have a sense of responsibility for showing my children that I can be creative and that it's meaningful to me - so meaningful that for periods of time I will choose to focus on that almost more than my family, which has been hard for me to come to terms with." One of the biggest rumours to emerge out of Roberts' tenure as a rom-com icon was that her trademark smile was insured for $30 million.

The Oscar winner shut down that speculation in her New York Times interview, saying, "No. What am I insuring it against? How would you do that? I mean, if my smile was insured, there would be someone at my house on a nightly basis saying, 'You need to floss longer.'" 'Ticket to Paradise' is set for release on October 21.
Chennai, April 19 : Grateful and overwhelmed by the love he has been receiving from fans, actor Ram Charan has hosted a 'Langar Seva' at the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.

Upasana Konidela, the wife of Ram Charan, represented him at the 'Langar' as the actor was shooting for director Shankar's upcoming film that has been tentatively titled #RC15.

Taking to Twitter, Upasana, who posted a video clip of herself at the Golden Temple, wrote, "As a mark of gratitude Mr C hosted a langar seva at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. I had the privilege & opportunity to represent him by participating in the seva as he was shooting for #RC15. Ram Charan and I feel blessed with your love and accept it with humility." The fan base of the actor across India has grown by leaps and bounds ever since director S.S. Rajamouli's 'RRR', in which he plays the lead along with Jr NTR, released.

Recently, a video clip of the actor being mobbed by fans in Punjab emerged. Ram Charan has been shooting for Shankar's film in Amritsar for some time now.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 19 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to approve the proposal sent by the Central Armed Police Forces' to re-designate the designation of Second- In-Command or 2-I/C to Additional Commandant.

Explaining the difficulties, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said in the proposal to the Ministry said that the CAPF officers after superannuation in the rank of Second-In Command find it difficult to explain the rank and profile to the civil society.

"Even in various government organisations/departments, the rank of Second-In-Command is difficult to explain," the CRPF said in its proposal.

The CRPF said, "It goes without saying that a CAPF officer should take pride in his rank and file, but the rank of Second- In-Command (2I/C)A fails to add to the price of the officer, rather sometimes becoming a matter of embarrassment." Similar sentiments have also been echoed in other paramilitary forces.

Rank is the most important part of the service of the security personnel and they take utmost pride and respect for the rank, the officials said.

The 2I/C rank is well-known in the paramilitary forces, but it is difficult to explain to the civilians, they added.

The direct appointment of security personnel in the ranks of Assistant Sub- Inspector (ASI) and Sub- Inspector rank normally retire at 2I-C rank.

Even direct officers recruited through the Union Public Service Commission have to serve at 2I /C for a good number of years before getting promoted as Commandant and so on.

Under the direct recruitment through UPSC, a candidate is recruited for the post of Assistant Commandant and after serving around eight to 10 years then he or she is promoted Deputy Commandant after that in the next promotion, he or she is promoted as Second-In- Command just one rank below the Commandant.
New Delhi, April 19 : More than six organisations in the Asia-Pacific region have admitted at least one data breach in the past 12 months, a new report has shown.

Organisations in the Asia-Pacific region took an average of 33 days to find and eradicate an attack and 11 days to recover from an attack -- totalling 44 days, according to Forrester.

Breaches cost the region an average of $2.2 million in total per breach.

"Globally, 63 per cent of organisations were breached in the past year, 4 per cent more than the year before," said Allie Mellen, analyst.

"In the past 12 months, organisations were breached an average of three times. It's not surprising that this was less than in the previous year, given the shift to remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic," she noted.

Regions that hesitated to address challenges with business alignment were breached at a higher rate than those that addressed such challenges early on.

"Concerns over types of breaches are far afield from the reality on the ground. Security decision-makers are more concerned about external attacks than any other attack vector, at 47 per cent," said Mellen.

Globally, organisations took a median of 27 days to find an adversary and eradicate an attack and a median of 10 days to recover from a breach, totalling 37 days to find and recover from a breach.

It also cost organisations a global mean of $2.4 million in total per breach, the report mentioned.
Kyiv, April 19 : Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia has launched an assault to seize the eastern Donbas region, BBC reported.

Moscow bombarded cities with rocket and artillery fire on Monday and in a video address Zelensky said that the battle "for the Donbas has begun".

Ukraine's top security official, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Russia tried to break through Ukrainian front lines in the region.

The offensive has been long-expected after Russia failed to seize Kyiv.

Russia initially appeared to want to capture major Ukrainian cities and topple the government.

But after facing stiff resistance, Russian defence officials said that its main objectives in the "first stage of the operation" had been "generally accomplished" and its forces were moved from areas around the capital, BBC reported.

They announced plans to redirect the focus of the invasion towards the "liberation" of the Russian speaking Donbas region.

Russia's President Vladmir Putin has portrayed the invasion as an attempt to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine, something Ukraine and its allies dismiss as a ruse for an unprovoked attack.

Throughout Monday, Russia unleashed a barrage of rocket and artillery fire on a number of eastern areas, with eight civilians killed in the city of Kreminna in Luhansk and in the Donetsk area.

Seven people were killed and eleven more were injured in four Russian strikes in western Lviv, a city that has largely been spared the attacks seen elsewhere in Ukraine.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Islamabad, April 19 : The newly-formed struggling coalition government under Shehbaz Sharif has received a jolt when members of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) boycotted the National Assembly proceedings over the alleged firing by the security forces on protesters in Chagai, saying it would be difficult for the party to be a part of the government if military operations continue in Balochistan, Dawn reported.

The issue was raised by Agha Hassan Baloch of the BNP-M on Monday.

Perhaps finding themselves in hot waters after forming the government last week, PML-N parliamentary leader Khawaja Asif suggested early elections in the country which, according to him, was the only way to save the country from bloodshed and a possible civil war.

"On April 16, a heart-wrenching incident happened at Chagai when the security forces opened fire on unarmed and oppressed Baloch people in which six persons were martyred and many others injured. As usual, the past attitude has not been abandoned. Today (Monday) again, the peaceful innocent Baloch protesters were fired upon resulting in more killings," alleged Hassan Baloch while taking the floor as the first speaker of the day.

The BNP-M member regretted that the Baloch people had been the victim of extrajudicial killings since 1947 and this was happening even today.

"The cheapest thing available in the country right now is the blood of the Baloch people," he said, adding that for the BNP-M, the Baloch people were more important than anything else, Dawn reported.

"Why have the security forces been given too much powers? We condemn it and stage a walkout. How can we stay in the government in these conditions?" Baloch said before leaving the House with other party members.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 19 : No doubt Late K.Karunakaran, one of the tallest leaders of Kerala, will always be remembered for moulding and mentoring several current and former party leaders, but his daughter Padmaja Venugopal is yet to make an impact in the political canvas of the state.

Sixty-one-year-old Padmaja was Karunakaran's shadow whether he was in power or not. Though she failed, her brother K.Muraleedharan managed to create a space for himself and is a leader in his own right.

Muraleedharan's growth trajectory started when the factional feud between Karunakaran and Antony was at its peak in the eighties and the wily Karunakaran's famous statement on his son's name cropping up as a candidate in 1989 Lok Sabha elections that, "I do not know, I had gone to the washroom and when I came back, his name was cleared".

A badly hurt Antony, after that on a few occasions had recalled this statement, whenever the list of candidates of Congress candidate came up for discussion and insiders in the party state that, this is perhaps one od the reasons why Padmaja could not make it to the top.

The first post that she got was in 2001, soon after Antony was sworn in as the chief minister, when she was made the chairperson of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Padmaja's first election outing was at the Mukundapuram Lok Sabha constituency in 2004, a seat which Karunakaran and numerous Congress candidates won with ease, but she had to bite the dust and lost by a mile to Lonappan Nambadan.

After the loss, she went into political hibernation for a while and her stock further declined after the passing away of Karunakaran in 2010.

Then after a while she started getting active in politics, but by then her brother had become a leader, even after he left the Congress for a while and returned.

Her next outing was at the 2016 Assembly elections and from the home bastion of Karunakaran- Trissur, but luck deserted her and lost.

And again in 2021 April Assembly polls, she lost by a very thin margin of 946 votes and by then for all practical purposes, her electoral ambitions came to a grounding halt.

Currently, an-office bearer of the state party unit, her hopes brightened up last month, when there were talks of sending a woman to the Rajya Sabha, but here too she lost out to Jeby Mether, signalling that things have reached a dead end for her.

Padmaja, by her own admission, is deeply upset forcing her to say that at the moment she is with Congress, but can't say what will happen in the future.

She was reacting to the reports of one of Karunakaran's then closest aide K.V.Thomas attending the 23rd CPI-M Party Congress, against which the AICC disciplinary committee will come out with their decision, very soon.

Among the leaders, K.C.Venugopal (AICC general secretary- Organisation), Ramesh Chennithala, Thomas, Pandalam ASudhakaran, late C.N.Balakrishnan, late P.Sankaran are few of the leaders who were mentored by Karunakaran.

Of these, Venugopal's case is interesting as like Karunakaran, he also hailed from Kannur and was among the latter's favourites.

And for his loyalty, Karunakaran ensured a safe seat for Venugopal in the 1996 Assembly polls which he won and since then he had no reason to look back.

A media critic, on condition of anonymity, said in politics the biggest problem is there are no permanent friends and enemies and that turned out to be the biggest bane for Padmaja.

"Karunakaran tried his best to place her, but things did not work out, even when Muraleedharan worked his way up. With age catching up on her and the Congress itself in a not a very cosy position, only a miracle can resurrect her political career," said the critic.

It needs to be seen whether she is able to hold on to her party post that she now has, as the party is all set to go for a revamp. If she fails, then it could be curtains for her in the same Congress which once danced to Karunakaran's tunes.
Ramallah, April 19 : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has discussed the growing tension with Israel in East Jerusalem during two separate phone conversations with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Monday, Abbas exchanged views with King Abdullah over the situation in East Jerusalem, accusing the Israeli police forces of acting "brutally towards the safe worshipers, in flagrant violation of international law and the legal and historical status of the status quo in the holy city," Xinhua reported citing the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have escalated in recent days during the rare confluence of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan and the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover. Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police erupted on Friday at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, leaving over 160 Palestinians injured.

According to the report, the two sides agreed to hold a meeting soon, and continue consultation, coordination and contact with concerned parties to stop violence at the holy site.

In his phone talk with Putin, Abbas discussed bilateral ties as well as the recent development of situation in the Middle East, saying there is a need to respect international law and work to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Abbas called for efforts to provide international protection for the Palestinians, WAFA said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 19 : The Delhi High Court has suspended the sentence of a former National Security Guard (NSG) official, who had spent four-and-a-half years in prison out of his five years jail term in a rape case, observing high case pendency before the court and possible delay of hearing his appeal.

The petitioner had moved the court for suspension of his sentence, which was awarded to him August 8, 2016, by the General Security Guard Court, upheld by an order on October 19, 2016, passed by the Director-General, NSG, and further upheld by order dated December 14, 2018, passed by the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and to release him on bail.

As per the case, five charges for aggravated sexual assault on children at NSG Campus were framed and he was tried by General Security Guard Court (GSGC) under Section 45 of the NSG Act, 1986 read with Section 10 of POCSO Act, 2012.

At the end of the trial, the petitioner was found guilty of three charges by GSGC and he was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment along with dismissal of service.

As stated in the petition, the said sentence was upheld by authorities for the Internal Security Division of MHA. Praying for the suspension of the sentence, the petitioner submitted that the final disposal of the writ was likely to take some time.

The applicant stated that he had joined the Indian Army in 2002. He has good character and antecedents and there was no truth in the case made out against him, the application stated, adding that the petitioner was the sole bread earning member in his family and he has two minor children, who are completely dependent on the petitioner for their survival.

After the detailed arguments, Justice Talwant Singh, in the order passed on April 4, noted that the applicant has already undergone a sentence of approximately 4 years and 8 months and his 5 year-term is likely to be ending in July 2022 keeping in view the workload of the High Court, his appeal is not likely to be finally heard, so the application for suspension of sentence may be favourably considered.

The bench also observed that he was not a previous convict and there was nothing on record to show that his behaviour in jail was not satisfactory; he had also been granted paroles eight times and not even a single complaint was on record to show that during these periods of parole, he committed any other offence.

The appellant stands dismissed from service, so there is no question of him visiting the NSG Campus or causing trauma to the victims, who may or may not be residing on the same campus now, the bench said.

It is also not in dispute that looking at the workload and pendency of the old appeals in this court, the present appeal is not likely to be heard before July, 2022, when five years of a sentence of the appellant/applicant shall be completed, the court said suspending the sentence on a personal bond in the sum of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the like amount.

The appellant shall attend the Court as and when the appeal is listed, he shall not contact or visit any of the victims and he shall not commit any other offence during the period of suspension of sentence. The application is accordingly disposed of, the order read.
Bengaluru, April 19 : Students wearing hijab will not be allowed to write the crucial annual II PUC examination in Karnataka, state Minister for Education B.C. Nagesh said on Tuesday.

"All students must follow rules on uniform, hijab cladding students won't be allowed," he added.

After successfully conducting SSLC (class 10) exams amid hijab controversy, the Karnataka government is all set to hold crucial II PUC examinations from April 22 to May 18 in the state. As many as 6,84,255 students have enrolled for the examinations, stated an official release from the Department of Pre-University Education.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of exams amid possibility of resurfacing of the controversy. Karnataka High Court Special Bench headed by the Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi has dismissed the petition by students seeking permission to wear hijab in classrooms. The bench also noted that wearing of hijab is not an essential practice of Islam.

Hijab controversy started with six students in Udupi Pre-University College and spread across the state leading to a crisis. It has also made international news. The Karnataka government conducted SSLC exams with heavy police cover and banned hijab in exam centres.

The department has stated that the examination will be conducted in 1,076 examination centres. A total of 3,46,936 boys and 3,37,319 girls are taking the exams. Seventy-four students suffering from autism, 377 hearing impaired, 371 learning disability, 683 locomotor impairment (problem from moving from one place to another), 128 mental retardation, 103 multiple disability, 48 speech impairment, 355 visual impairment (blindness) and 55 visual impairment (low-vision) students have also enrolled for the exams.

The practical lab tests will be conducted in 1,030 examination centres and 2,67,349 students will attend it. The students are banned from taking mobiles inside exam halls. The supervisors are permitted to carry a basic set without a camera.

Taking no chances with the security, the department has sought the police security cover to all examination centres and all exam works will be carried out in police bandobast. The 200 meter zone surrounding the exam centres would be declared as a prohibited zone.
Puducherry, April 19 : The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth organisation of the CPI-M has demanded reservation of jobs in private sector in the Union Territory.

The organisation also demanded a minimum monthly salary of Rs 21,000 as also safety for women in the workplace.

DYFI Puducherry unit president A. Bhaskar while speaking to IANS said: "DYFI demands reservation in private sector jobs as government sector jobs are scarce ever since the advent of the Narendra Modi government at the centre and the downtrodden, backward classes and scheduled castes and tribes are marginalised. Hence we demand reservation in private sector jobs so that at least a few people are provided jobs." The DYFI leader said that 2.5 lakh youngsters have registered with the employment exchange in the Union Territory. He, however, said that according to a study conducted in June 2021, the unemployment rate in Puducherry was 47 per cent and is on the rise.

A. Anand, DYFI Puducherry state secretary said that the Modi government had promised 2 crore jobs per year but had ended up winding up over a crore of small and micro enterprises due to demonetization, GST levy, and Covid -19.

The DYFI leader said that according to reports, 68 lakh people getting a monthly salary had lost their jobs.

Anand, while speaking to IANS, said: "The Modi government has been a disappointment in all walks of life in the country and the youth are more affected." He said that the DYFI will be carrying out a cycle rally on April 21 in Puducherry against the rising unemployment and will be part of the cycle rallies to be held on the same day at Chennai, Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore, and Tiruchi.

Anand said: "The Centre is privatising profit-making public sector undertaking and Modi's all-round development of aSabKaa Sath SabKaa Vikas' has turned out to be a sham and 23 per cent of Urban youth in India are unemployed." The DYFI leader demanded the central government not hand over the power sector units in the Union Territory to private sector. He also demanded filling the vacancies in the power sector.
Chennai, April 19 : Manufacturing sector in the state has to take the centre-stage in economic development so that Tamil Nadu can progress towards the $1 trillion economy by 2030-21, said Minister for Industries Thangam Thennarasu on Tuesday.

According to the Policy Note presented in the Assembly by Thennarasu for 2022-23, Tamil Nadu is recognised for its well-developed manufacturing eco-system and the state is on track to ensure this sector grows from $48.1 billion in financial year 2020-21 (18 per cent of gross state domestic product-GSDP)AGSDP) to $250 billion in fiscal 2030-31 (25 per cent of GSDP).

Thennarasu said that the Tamil Nadu government is undertaking several measures to attract the approximately Rs 23 lakh crore of investment in manufacture and for the creation of employment opportunities for 46 lakh persons, which are necessary to achieve its growth target.

In the fiscal 2021-22, the state government has signed 130 MoUs with companies, with a cumulative investment of over Rs 68,375 crore with employment opportunities for over 2.05 lakh persons.

The investments were across areas in focus sectors such as electronics, auto-components, industrial parks, Free Trade Warehouse Zones, IT/ITeS, general manufacturing, food processing, footwear, pharmaceuticals and textiles, as well as new areas such as furniture manufacturing, EV charging infrastructure and others.

As part of the state's efforts towards achieving the export target of $100 billion by 2030, the Tamil Nadu government is establishing a special fund of Rs 100 crore to develop necessary public infrastructure for exporting organisations in Tamil Nadu with contribution from industry and industry associations, Thennarasu said.
New Delhi, April 19 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on a plea seeking direction to reconsider its decision to withdraw bus services to private schools in the national capital.

A division bench presided over by Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla was hearing the plea challenging the decision of the DTC, which had been providing its services to schools in Delhi for years stating there was no justified reason now for discontinuing the service to schools.

During the course of the hearing, the bench took note of the hardships faced by the students due to the decision of the corporation.

Directing DTC to file its counter affidavit in the matter within four weeks, the bench posted the matter for August 3.

The Civil Writ Petition in the nature of Public Interest Litigation filed through Advocates Robin Raju, Deepa Joseph and Blessan Mathews highlighted the media reports that parents have formed an association to express their displeasure to concerned authorities by the decision to discontinue DTC bus services to schools.

Petitioner Baba Alexander claimed to be a founder of a child welfare organisation and said he is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of children due to the decision of the respondents which was informed to parents last month by many schools.

From the perspective of the safety of the child; the decision of DTC is one that causes anxiety to parents. Furthermore, the said decision will also increase the financial hardship of parents as they would have to pay more in the name of transportation charges during these precarious times when Covid-19 which is still around us, he said.

The petitioner said that the DTC's decision to withdraw bus services to the schools has compelled the people to opt for private vehicles. It will aggravate traffic congestion on the city roads. There are already reports that since the unlock phase began in March 2022, the traffic situation in Delhi is even worse than what it was prior to Covid. The decision to withdraw bus services to schools will thereby increase vehicular pollution and make the air quality worse, the plea said.

Further, the plea said in the context of Article 21, which secures the right to life, and in which the Supreme Court has included the right to clean air, prayed for directions to the respondents to immediately reconsider its decision to withdraw the bus services to schools in Delhi.
Sydney, April 19 : Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) announced on Tuesday that it will establish a new coordinating body to lead the long-term reconstruction of flood impacted areas across its northern part.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) will coordinate planning, rebuilding and construction work of essential services, infrastructure and housing across multiple government agencies to help people in the Northern Rivers communities, one of the worst-hit areas in the disastrous rainfall and flooding that swept Australia's eastern coast for weeks.

An advisory board consisting of local representatives, such as local members of parliament and mayors, will provide local expertise and knowledge to support the work of the new coordinating body, Xinhua news agency reported.

The NRRC will have the power to work with councils to identify, prioritise and support projects that can rejuvenate communities within the Northern Rivers area, with a particular emphasis on housing and supporting social infrastructure.

It will also have the power to compulsorily acquire or subdivide land, speed up and fast-track the building of new premises and accelerate delivery of planning proposals.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NRRC would lead a single, coordinated whole-of-government approach to the permanent recovery and rebuilding of communities across the Northern Rivers.

"We know the community needs certainty. We are working through recovery and we have an independent Inquiry underway that will hear from all of those impacted, from experts and the scientific community." "The NRRC will be able to draw on the recommendations from the Inquiry and lead the long-term reconstruction work to build certainty for future generations," he said.
Mumbai, April 19 : Television actor Kaaranvir Bohra has been eliminated from the reality show 'Lock Upp' hosted by Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut.

On Monday night night, Kaaranvir was eliminated from the show due to fewer votes from audiences. Ali Merchant, Payal Rohatgi and Kaaranvir were given a dare, and each of them had to complete the tasks while appealing to the audience for their votes.

When Jailor Karan Kundrra announced the results, Ali received the maximum votes compared to Payal and Kaaranvir.

Unfortunately, Kaaranvir had to leave the show basis the audience's votes. Kaaranvir was eliminated in a surprise elimination and re-entered the show with Saisha Shinde.

ALTBalaji and MX Player live-stream Lock Upp 24x7 on their respective platforms and allow audiences to interact directly with the contestants. 'Lock Upp' is streaming live on ALTBalaji and MX Player from February 27.
New Delhi, April 19 : A fire broke out at a furniture manufacturing factory in the national capital on Tuesday afternoon, a Fire Department official said.

The official informed that they received a call about the incident around 1.16 p.m. at a factory located at 1/38, furniture market, Kirti Nagar in west Delhi after which 15 fire engines were immediately pressed into service.

"So far there has been no casualty in the incident," Delhi Fire Service chief Atul Garg told IANS.

As the firemen reached the spot, they assessed the situation following which, the Fire Department rushed seven more fire tenders to the spot.

"Presently 22 fire engines are dousing the flames," another official said.

The incident comes just two days after a fire broke out in the Uphaar Cinema Hall in south Delhi. No injuries or casualties were reported in that incident.
Kolkata, April 19 : Ansar Sheikh, one of the prime accused in Delhi's Jahangirpuri violence, owns a luxurious mansion in Haldia, the prime industrial township in West Bengal's East Midnapore district and has an image of a philanthropist there.

A highly placed source in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police told IANS on condition of anonymity that following a communication from the Crime Branch of Delhi Police, the state CID enquired about Ansar's activities in Haldia. A team of the Delhi Police is likely to come to West Bengal for further investigation.

"From there we came to know that although Ansar is an original resident of Assam, he married into a family which had been living in Haldia for a long time. Soon after his marriage, Ansar built up a mansion in Haldia and used to frequently come here.

"He also developed the image of a philanthropist in Haldia by donating huge amounts for various socio- religious activities. He was also quite popular among the neighbours as whenever he used to come to Haldia, he used to arrange feasts at his mansion where the neighbours were invited," the CID source said.

In fact, according to him, when state police enquired about Ansar at Haldia, the local people appeared surprised after coming to know about Ansar's involvement in the Jahangirpuri violence.

"In Haldia people knew Ansar as a successful trader dealing in the scrap iron business. His longest stay in Haldia at a time was between the middle of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 that is during the Covid-19 pandemic period. However, even after that he used to frequent Haldia," the CID official said.

On April 16, clashes broke out between two groups of people, belonging to different communities, during a Shobha Yatra procession on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area. As many as eight police personnel and a civilian sustained injuries in the violence.

Delhi Police on Sunday arrested 35-year-old Ansar, who was involved in conspiring the communal clashes, an official said.

The accused was also found to be previously involved in two cases of assault and was also arrested repeatedly under preventive sections and booked five times under Gambling Act and Arms Act.
Kabul, April 19 : At least six people were killed and 11 wounded in three blasts that rocked a boys' school in a Shi'ite Hazara neighbourhood of Kabul on Tuesday, police in the Afghan capital said, RFE/RL reported.

Khaled Zadran, a spokesman for the Kabul Police Command, told RFE/RL that the explosions occurred at the Abdul Rahim Shahid High School, located in the capital's western neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi.

There were children among the casualties, although it was not immediately clear how many.

A security official told the German news agency DPA that the blasts were caused by hand grenades. No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The school is located in the capital's western neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, an area mainly inhabited by the Hazara community and previously targeted by the militant Islamic State group, RFE/RL reported.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said on Twitter that the blasts "caused casualties among our Shi'ite brothers." A Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman said a team of investigators had begun work at the scene.

The explosions occurred as students were coming out of their morning classes, a witness said.

In May 2021, bombings near a school in the same area of the Afghan capital killed at least 85 civilians, mainly schoolgirls, and injured dozens of others.
New Delhi, April 19 : Shares of HDFC twins - HDFC Bank and HDFC - have been on a bearish trend right after the announcement of the merger.

The shares of the two HDFC companies declined 17 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, since the news of the merger, data showed.

Housing loan major Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) on April 4 said its Board had approved the merger of its wholly-owned subsidiaries HDFC Investments and HDFC Holdings with HDFC Bank.

Upon the merger becoming effective, the subsidiaries or associates of HDFC will become subsidiaries or associates of HDFC Bank.

The rationale behind the merger was to create a large balance sheet and net-worth that would allow greater flow of credit into the economy, besides enabling underwriting of larger ticket loans, including infrastructure loans.

HDFC Bank has a presence in more than 3,000 cities/towns through its 6,342 branches, with about 50 per cent of these branches in semi-urban/rural geographies in the country.

The day when the merger was announced, the shares of both the companies rose sharply, rallying as high as 11-14 per cent in intra-day trade.

"...the weakness in HDFC twins after the merger announcements is due to sustained selling by FPIs and shorting by speculators exploiting the FPI positioning in the stocks," said V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

From the valuation perspective, HDFC twins are attractively valued and the short-term technical weakness notwithstanding, said Vijayakumar.

"Amalgamation of HDFC Ltd into HDFC Bank is likely to impact the cost of funds of HDFC Bank as there is around Rs 2.8 trillion of debt in the balance sheet of HDFC Ltd. The cost of debt is lower than the cost of deposit of HDFC Bank. Therefore, investors are expecting the cost of funds of HDFC Bank to go up post merger," said Ajit Kabi, Banking Analyst at LKP Securities.

In the short-run, the stock can witness some pressure but in the long-run, it is expected to outperform the sector, Kabi said.
San Francisco, April 19 : After foraying into podcasting and audio features, Meta-owned Facebook is likely losing interest in its podcasting plans, media reports say.

Facebook is said to be pulling back from its foray into podcasting and is looking to prioritise other initiatives in collaboration with its podcast partners, citing reports, TechCrunch reported.

According to its sources, Facebook is now focused on pursuing other opportunities with podcast partners -- like events in the metaverse and e-commerce.

Facebook's parent company Meta is also said to be prioritising short-video projects above other initiatives, likely due to increasing competition from popular short-form video app TikTok, the report said.

In an email to TechCrunch, a Meta spokesperson said the company is seeing good engagement with its audio features and believes that audio is an important medium for expression.

The company also said it has been getting feedback from creators on what's working well and what it can improve on. Meta did not elaborate on the matter any further.

Recently, Facebook announced several audio products like a short-form experience called Soundbites and the arrival of podcasts on its main platform. Soundbites are short-form, creative audio clips for capturing anecdotes, jokes, moments of inspiration, poems and other things.

To kickstart Soundbites, Facebook had introduced an 'Audio Creator Fund' to support emerging audio creators and get early feedback on the new product experience.
Islamabad, April 19 : The newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif comes with a really interesting portfolio, filled with extraordinary credentials in all aspects of his life, political career and corruption references, making him a major talking point and reason for widespread criticism.

As per details shared by Shehbaz Sharif with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), his value of assets abroad is more than what he owns in the country.

The total value of his two properties in London is over Rs 153 million, while his assets in Pakistan are worth Rs 108.24 million. Other details of Shehbaz Sharif in Pakistan include a 553 kanal agricultural plot worth Rs 3.6 million, two properties in Murree worth Rs 16.60 million, investments in the industrial sector worth Rs 720,000, a gifted vehicle worth Rs 20.8 million and money in the bank and cash worth Rs 66.59 million.

The total value of his assets in the UK and Pakistan is estimated to be at least Rs 262.29 million. However, with a liability of Rs 130.22 million, therefore, his net wealth amounts up to Rs 132.06 million.

This detail is as per the record shared with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) submitted during the year 2015.

Shehbaz Sharif's first wife Nusrat Shahbaz happens to be wealthier than him as her net wealth is Rs 276.03 million with three houses and over 810 kanals of agricultural land. Nusrat Shahbaz has investments in spinning mills, a trading company, textile mills, poultry farms, sugar mills, dairy farms, an energy company and plastic industry. Moreover, her household furniture, jewellery and a car is valued at Rs 3.41 million.

Shehbaz's Sharif's second wife's name is Tehmina Durrani. Her assets are worth Rs 9.23 million. She has two cars and liabilities worth Rs 600,000.

Therefore, the total wealth of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his two wives stands at Rs 417.32 million.

Shehbaz Sharif has remained as the Chief Minister of Pakistan's largest province Punjab at least three times. He was elected as CM Punjab in 1997, 2008 and 2013 before becoming the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2022.

Shehbaz Sharif has two sons and three daughters namely, Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, Suleman Shehbaz Sharif, Rabia Imran, Khadija Shehbaz and Javeria Shehbaz Sharif.

Shehbaz Sharif has two brothers named Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Abbas Sharif.

The 71-year-old leader of political party Pakistan Muslim League -- Nawaz (PML-N) has had his share of corruption cases and allegations of illegal assets beyond means, references of which were put forward during the Pakistan People Party (PPP) government and brought forward at fast pace during the Imran Khan government.

Shehbaz Sharif is surrounded with controversies in terms of corruption references and alleged support to rivals of Imran Khan. Some of them include: Sabzarar case (1999 -- Shehbaz was accused of having killing the son of a Lahore resident in fake police encounter)

Panama Paper case (2017 - Shehbaz was questioned for over 3 hours before Joint Investigation Team for corruption, money laundering and assets beyond means)

Support to Imran Khan's former wife Reham Khan (2018 - Shehbaz Sharif was accused of supporting Reham Khan's book publishing for character assassination of Imran Khan)

Corruption cases (2019 - Shehbaz Sharif was accused in Ashiana Housing scam case)

Money laundering cases (2020 - Shehbaz Sharif was arrested by National Accountability Bureau for laundering Rs 7,328 million in a scheme that involved his close family members)

Shehbaz Sharif is the current Prime Minister of Pakistan and calls himself "Khadim-e-Pakistan".
Islamabad, April 19 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been warned by economists and industry experts that the country would face the worst shortage of diesel next month amid the harvesting season as its stocks are plummeting, Express Tribune reported.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the experts had urged Premier Shehbaz to increase oil prices in order to avoid the swelling price differential claims that accumulated to around Rs 60 billion in only one month of April 2022.

The prime minister was also informed that there would be no protests if the oil prices were increased. However, protests would start if diesel was not available in the market due to poor financial health of the oil industry on account of rising price differential claims. The interesting thing was that there was no approval from the government to clear the price differential claims of the oil industry.

Further, PM Shehbaz had refused to increase the oil prices despite the grave situation of the oil industry.

The sources said that diesel stocks were depleting fast as only 18-day supply remained in the country.

The Pakistan State Oil (PSO) was the country's largest oil exporter. Earlier, it had made an attempt to import diesel by floating a tender but no trader participated.

Now, the PSO had arranged one diesel cargo at the highest premium rate of $13 due to non-availability of diesel in the global market following the Russia and Ukraine war.
Gandhinagar, April 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the progress made by the Banas dairy in Gujarat's Banaskantha district is a right move towards 'local to global'.

He is currently on a three-day visit to his home state since Monday to inaugurate a slew of development projects.

On Tuesday morning, he inaugurated the Banas dairy complex at Deodar, built at a cost of around Rs 610 crore.

While addressing around one lakh people, the Prime Minister said: "This is probably the first time that I am being blessed by around 2 lakh mothers and sisters. During the 1 to 2 hours that I spent in the plant, I got to meet agro producers and plant officials and was very impressed by their work. The Banas dairy plant is the best example of women empowerment".

The project also includes a potato processing plant and a community radio station.

The PM also opened virtually, a project for expansion of a cheese and whey plants at Palanpur besides an organic fertiliser and bio-CNG plant at Dama.

He laid the foundation stone for four new biogas plants at Khimana, Ratanpur Bhildi, Radhanpur and Thawar virtually. "The Banas dairy project has established that to double the farmers' income, not only milk, but other products can also be useful. This is a right step of today's Bharat from going local to global. Despite, being a water scarce region, Banaskantha has shown that through the Kankrej breed cow, Mehsana buffalo and potatoes, it can be a model to be replicated," he concluded.
New Delhi, April 19 : European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen will be on an official visit to India from April 24-25, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said here on Tuesday.

According to the MEA statement, this will be her first visit to India as the President of the European Commission. She is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Leyen will also meet President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries.

She has been invited as the Chief Guest for this year's edition of the Raisina Dialogue, and will address the inaugural session on April 25.

The MEA statement said that India and the European Union share a vibrant Strategic Partnership which has been witnessing strong growth with wider and deeper co-operation in Political and Strategic, Trade and Commerce, Climate and Sustainability, Digital and Technology aspects as well as people-to-people ties.

The India-EU Leaders' Meeting in May 2021 set new milestones with the decision to resume trade talks and the launch of India-EU Connectivity Partnership.

The forthcoming visit of the European Commission President will be an opportunity to review progress and further intensify the multifaceted partnership with the EU, the External Affairs Ministry added.
New Delhi, April 19 : Congress leaders on Tuesday discussed with political strategist Prashant Kishor a roadmap to contest 2024 elections and Assembly polls before it.

Ambika Soni, A.K Antony, Jairam Ramesh K.C Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala were present along with Sonia Gandhi to discuss strategies and Congress preparations to take on the BJP, said sources.

This is the third meeting since Saturday where the Congress officially met the poll strategist who suggested a roadmap to contest 2024 elections and Assembly Polls as the party has to face about six elections in the run-up to the general elections.

On Saturday, Kishor presented a detailed roadmap for the 2024 elections before interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the party's top leaders.

"Prashant Kishor has given a detailed presentation for the 2024 elections and the Congress President has deputed a small group to look into it and report to her within a week. A final decision will be taken after that," Congress General Secretary (Organisation), K.C. Venugopal, said.

According to sources, Kishor said during Saturday's meeting that the Congress must target 370 to 400 seats and work on alliances wherever the party is weak.

The sources also said that Kishor is likely to formally join the Congress soon.
San Francisco, April 19 : Tech giant Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 version 21H2 -- which made its debut back in November -- is now ready for broad deployment.

According to XDA Developers, this essentially means that anyone checking for updates will now be able to find and install this version on their machine.

The main audience for Windows 10 version 21H2 is business users who would rather not install a full upgrade that can interfere with their workflow, which would be Windows 11.

Windows 10 version 21H2 is a much smaller risk and less time-consuming, and the only changes made here are geared towards business users, the report said.

All that's new with this version is support for WPA3 H2E standards to enhance Wi-Fi security, GPU compute support in Windows Subsystem for Linux for machine-learning workflows, and simplified deployment of passwordless Windows Hello-enabled systems in business environments.

The report said that Microsoft is not limited to adding features with big feature updates like this anymore, though, so more features can be added over time via cumulative updates. A recent example is the new Search Highlights feature that's available for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The broad availability of Windows 10 version 21H2 comes as Microsoft is preparing to drop support for some older versions of Windows 10 next month.
New Delhi, April 19 : The Association of Direct Selling Entities of India (ADSEI), an apex industry representing body, has reaffirmed the industry members' commitment to the rules and regulations laid down by the government with respect to the direct selling industry in the country.

As per industry estimates, the direct selling industry in India is providing enormous opportunities for women's empowerment and growth of the MSME sector. The sector has also been instrumental in providing employment to nearly 12.2 crore people, who lost their jobs during the pandemic-impacted period.

It not only provides livelihood to many Indians, but also helps bridge the gender divide and provides skilling opportunities to millions of women and youth.

Hem Pande, Secretary of ADSEI and former Secretary in the Union Ministry of Food Distribution and Consumer Affairs, said, "Direct selling companies continue to play a key role in enabling empowerment of millions and making them financially independent, which is crucial to the Government of India's vision of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Despite economic setbacks during the pandemic, direct selling has grown exponentially, creating economic opportunities for the large Indian population in the tier 2 and 3 towns as well. There are strict guidelines and a regulatory framework within which all industry members operate to maintain transparency and compliance.

"The industry and its stakeholders continue to put their faith in the Indian law and abide by it. We believe in the industry's resilience and its ability to show strength in the face of adversity." To enable transparency and safety, the direct selling industry has now switched to the use of technology to conduct digital transactions. This has aligned the industry with the government's vision of creating a Digital India and bring in much-needed clarity in the way businesses are conducted in India. This has also enabled better quality check with the products and a centralized platform of engagement with customers and distributors.
Hyderabad, April 19 : In a big boost to heritage conservation efforts in Hyderabad, three of the old city's iconic landmarks will get a major facelift.

Sardar Mahal, Mir Alam Mandi and Mahboob Chowk, all three Nizam-era heritage structures, will undergo makeover with the municipal authorities embarking on a project to restore their past glory.

Municipal administration and urban development minister K.T. Rama Rao along with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday formally launched the works to conserve, restore and strengthen the heritage structures.

Sardar Mahal near historic Charminar will be developed as the cultural hub of the city, adding an attraction for thousands of tourists who visit Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Chowmahalla Palace and other monuments every day.

Rama Rao said the project taken up at a cost of Rs 30 crore will not only protect the heritage structure but add attraction to tourists visiting Hyderabad.

Sardar Mahal, a palace built in European style by Nizam VI Mir Mahboob Ali Khan in 1900, will be conserved and restored to its original structure with additional architectural designs.

It will be developed as a cultural hub with a museum, 10-12 room hotel and various activities including exhibitions and performances.

The proposed activities include cultural events, workshops, art exhibitions, heritage walks and hospitality. The project will be taken up in Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Built, Operate and Transfer concept.

According to Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) which will execute the project, this will create and strengthen the identity of Hyderabad as synonym for heritage, creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation at local and regional levels and maximise the historical, cultural, social and tourist potential of Charminar area.

Though Mahboob Ali Khan built the palace for one of his beloved consorts, Sardar Begum, she refused to inhabit this token of love as it did not live up to her expectations. No one stayed there but the building took her name.

It was declared a heritage building by the Heritage Conservation Committee and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) took over Sardar Mahal in 1965 due to outstanding property taxes.

Mir Alam Mandi, also a heritage structure, will be restored and renovated at a cost of Rs 21 crore.

More than 200-year-old vegetable market is named after Mir Alam, a nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Hyderabad State from 1804 until his death in 1808.

The market has been in a dilapidated condition due to neglect by authorities concerned. The kaman or arch of the historic market is in shambles with chips falling off and posing a danger to traders and buyers.

Under the project, the QQSUDA will provide modern amenities to the traders and vendors at the famous market.

Another key project launched on Tuesday was restoration and redevelopment of Mahboob Chowk at a cost of Rs 35 crore. Located near Charminar and also known as Murgi Chowk, it is heritage structure and houses over 200 shops that predominantly sell chicken, birds besides meat.

Mahboob Chowk market was built in the early 20th century. The proposed ground plus one market complex will offer modern facilities for meat and poultry related business and better infrastructure for drainage and wastewater treatment.

The project will give a big facelift to the entire area which includes the historic clock tower, which was restored a few years ago.

KTR also inaugurated a musical fountain installed at a cost of Rs 2.55 crore at historic Mir Alam Tank.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi hailed the initiative to develop Mir Alam Tank as a place of tourist attraction. He said an eight-km bund will be developed with a park and walkways for the visitors.

He also urged the government to sanction a chain link bridge across the tank from Mahamoodabad to Mir Alam to ease the traffic congestion. The project is estimated to cost Rs 700-800 crore.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 19 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday once again showcased his dominance in CPI-M when he gave his closest aides plum posts in the party and his office.

Former state minister and central committee member E.P.Jayarajan was named the Left Democratic Front convenor, after A.Vijayaraghavan was inducted into the politburo.

Even though in the past when V.S.Achuthanandan was the convenor, he was a politburo member too and this time Vijayaraghavan was moved to accommodate Kannur strongman Jayarajan, who happens to be a strong aide of Vijayan, as per a source.

P.Sasi is another leader from the Kannur region to have regained his position after being kept out of the party and posts in 2011, following a scandal wherein he is alleged to have misbehaved with a woman.

He was given a clean chit by the court in 2018 and since then he has been getting back to the top and he is returning to his old post as political secretary to Chief Minister, he once held when E.K.Nayanar was the Chief Minister in 1996-2001.

Sasi replaces Dineshan Puthelethu, who was promoted to the party state secretariat and has now been given the full charge of the party organ- Deshabhimani.

Apparently, the charge of party backed TV channel which is presently struggling to keep its audience has been given to party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

However, the biggest loser in the rejig has been high flying former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac whose relations with Vijayan is strained and has been given charge of the party backed magazine- 'Chintha'.

Yet another loser appears to be another former State Minister A.K.Balan who has not got any portfolio as yet.

It is to be seen whether Sasi will be the key person when Vijayan leaves for the US for his follow up medical treatment on April 23.
New Delhi, April 19 : Raj Shamani, a well-known public speaker and podcaster, has struggled with public speaking since he was a child. Today, he has given over 200 speeches on business, branding, growth, and mental health in over 26 countries.

He is one of India's youngest entrepreneurs, with a Rs 200-crore turnover company and is also the country's youngest representative to the United Nations. He began by making soaps at home in two buckets and selling them door to door. Here are some significant insights from Raj Shamani's SeekhoX session, a platform for young people to learn about education, careers, money, and other topics.

Lesson 1 - Be your own decision maker even if it means making tough decisions Raj says , "What to do, which city to live in, and with whom to live with - these are the three decisions that every individual should make for themselves." Irrespective of the path of life that one is walking on be it the job or relationship, this is something everyone should decide for themselves. These are the stepping stones aka the foundation of your journey and if these decisions are influenced by someone, it can later become a sorry story.

Lesson 2 - Consistency is boring but compounds in the long run He says, "If you work on something for 6 months with consistency and dedication, you can turn the world around." He highlighted that people have a 'go-getter' attitude on Day 1 of their start. But, the start is the easiest thing to do. It's the consistency that's the catch. Consistency is boring but eventually compounds the end results. His advice to youngsters is to give themselves 6 months with consistency and dedication to see things truly turn for the better.

Lesson 3- Forget self doubt when you communicate with others Raj says to communicate in the way of "I'm here to speak, you're here to listen." He laid focus on the fact that the way one communicates speaks volumes of their knowledge. His tip for young people is to be confident in who they are and own up. Once you make peace with all that you are, the second step is to communicate with the same confidence and body language. No matter who, what and where, you should speak like you are a speaker.

Lesson 4 - If you want to become rich, start doing a business He added, "Until you are really good at what you do, you cannot become rich." He emphasised on the part that if and only if you are in the top 1 percent of people who are good at that particular skill in the world, you are replaceable. He says a 9to5 can give you stability but it's not going to make you rich. So instead, work on building a business and then look for ways to monetise it.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Kolkata, April 19 : As by now it is almost certain that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will skip the inaugural session of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2022 on Wednesday morning, political mudslinging has started between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress on this issue.

While on the one hand the Trinamool leadership has alleged that the Prime Minister is 'deliberately' trying to ignore the attempts at industrialisation in West Bengal, the BJP leadership on its part has claimed that no official invitation was sent to the Prime Minister's Office from the state secretariat on this count.

In November last year, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had gone to New Delhi where she met the Prime Minister and invited him to attend the inaugural session of BGBS-2022. After the meeting, Banerjee had told mediapersons that the Prime Minister had agreed to be present at the event.

However, till Tuesday noon, the state secretariat has not received any communication from the Prime Minister's Office on this count.

As per PIB's official tour information of the Prime Minister, he is slated to be in his home state Gujarat from April 18 to April 20.

BJP MP and the party's national Vice President, Dilip Ghosh, told mediapersons on Tuesday that since the invitation was just a verbal communication from the Chief Minister, there is no question of the Prime Minister being present at the summit.

"There is a protocol in everything. No official invitation was sent to the Prime Minister's Office from the state government on this count. So there is no question of the Prime Minister coming to attend the summit," said Ghosh.

However, Trinamool leader Jaiprakash Majumdar said that when the Chief Minister had personally gone to Delhi and and invited the Prime Minister, the latter should have honoured that gesture.

"Who is Dilip Ghosh to comment on this? Is he a spokesman for the PMO? The Prime Minister often speaks of developing the nation. In West Bengal not part of his dreams," Majumdar questioned.
New Delhi, April 19 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the condition of an ashram, a spiritual place in north Delhi's Rohini run by an absconding self-styled godman who was allegedly holding a number of girls captive in "animal-like" conditions.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla issued a show-cause notice to the institution while dealing with the matter.

The incident came to light first followed by a raid by a high-court appointed committee at the 'Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya' run by Baba Virender Dev Dixit in the city.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal was also asked to accompany the police during the inspection.

The committee had told the court that the girls and women were kept in the ashram in "unhygienic and animal-like conditions with no privacy even for bathing" and rescued around 40 women from there.

In 2018, the Delhi High Court had barred the ashram Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya from representing itself as "Vishwa Vidyalaya" and directed the CBI to follow all possible steps to trace the self-styled godman.

On December 20, 2017, the Delhi High Court directed the CBI to investigate the alleged illegal confinement of girls and women in the ashram who had been kept in inhuman conditions behind metal doors in a "fortress" surrounded by barbed wire.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered three cases against Dixit for allegedly keeping several women and minor girls hostage at his ashram.

During the course of the hearing on Tuesday, the bench was in the view that the place should be taken care of by the Health Department of Delhi government.

"In broad daylight in a city like Delhi, you're going on with these scandals. This won't go on for another day. We are aghast to read this," the bench remarked.

After a detailed hearing, the matter was posted for April 21 clubbed with the plea filed by NGO Foundation for Social Empowerment.
Chennai, April 19 : Actor Ravi Mariya, who is known for playing comedy roles as much as he is known for playing villain roles, has urged the media not to accord second-class treatment to comedy films.

Participating in an event organised by the unit of director Sumanth Radhakrishnan's 'Hostel', actor Ravi Mariya lamented that the media was according second class status to comedy films.

"'Hostel' is an exceptionally funny film. You cannot move without laughing for four scenes in this film. However, you will still write in your reviews that 'Despite the film having several comedians like Ravi Mariya, Satish, the film does not come across as being funny.' However, if you go to the theatres and see, you will see that the common people will be cheering and clapping for several scenes." To put across his point, he cited the case of his recently released film 'Idiot'.

"Audiences enjoyed the comedy in 'Idiot' so much that the theatres reverberated with the sound of clapping. I sat and watched four shows of that film in theatres. I couldn't hear the dialogues in the second half because of the clapping. But some mediapersons said that the film was not funny at all." Stating that there was a syndicate to promote good films, Ravi Mariya said that big directors came together to promote and appreciate a good film. But when a comedy film was made, the directors here itself were not ready to support it or celebrate it and that was what was painful, he said.

"When we are in sorrow, we look for friends who can cheer us up and call them up first. However, when we make comedy films, they are accorded second class status. Your reviews don't seem to accord the importance they deserve. Please consider the fact that comedy films help relieve people of stress and understand that these comedy films too are required for society. Please appreciate good comedy films and not relegate them to second class status," he said.
Chennai, April 19 : Actor Ram Charan, whose popularity continues to grow after the release of director S.S. Rajamouli's epic 'RRR', has got his personal chef to whip up delicious meals for BSF soldiers stationed at the BSF campus in Khasa area in Amritsar.

Sources close to the actor say that Ram Charan, who is shooting in Punjab for the last few days for director Shankar's upcoming film, also paid a visit to the campus and spent quality time with the real heroes of the country.

The actor, it is believed, got his personal chef from Hyderabad to come to Amritsar and cook a hearty meal at the mess in the campus for the personnel there.

Needless to say, the soldiers were delighted to meet and spend time with the actor.

Sources point out that the actor is clearly overwhelmed by the love that is being shown to him in Punjab. The actor has also hosted a 'langar' at the Golden Temple as a mark of gratitude.
New Delhi, April 19: Three suicide bombings outside a secondary school in Dasht-e-Barchi -- a Hazara Shia neighbourhood in Kabul has left more than 30 dead and 100s injured.

Tuesday's blasts took place as students were coming out of their morning classes at the Abdul Rahim Shahid high school in the capital city of Afghanistan.

According to witnesses, the Shia school was targeted by two suicide attackers in the morning as students were leaving the building, with pictures and video clips on social media showing abandoned school bags in the street.

"Three blasts have taken place -- in a high school, there are some casualties to our Shia people. The explosions occurred in the main exit of Abdul Rahim Shahid School, where crowds of students were there, one teacher told me who surprisingly escaped the attack," Khalid Zadran, the spokesman of Kabul police told a media outlet.

Another witness told the media that, "a father has lost three of his sons in the school attack today in Kabul".

Though no group has claimed responsibility, this area has the majority of the Shia Hazara community -- an ethnic and religious minority frequently targeted by the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K) ), a Sunni militant group.

Last year in May, a girl's school was targeted in the same area killing more than 100 female students.

The Hazara-Shia community in West Kabul city, particularly its sprawling Dasht-e Barchi area, has been the target of some of the city's deadliest attacks, especially since 2016. The community has particularly been hit hard in west Kabul, but Hazaras and Shias have also been persistently targeted elsewhere in Afghanistan.

After the Taliban first took over in August 2021, the neighbourhood experienced a short-lived respite from attacks but has since become the scene of a new cycle of assassinations and bombings, leaving its ethnic Hazara and Shia Muslim residents particularly vulnerable to an unrelenting campaign of targeted killings.

There have been at least two deadly attacks on Shia-Hazara civilians in Kunduz and Kandahar provinces in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover. In the first attack in Kunduz, more than 400 people had gathered for the Friday prayer on October 8, 2021 when a ISIS-K suicide bomber attacked the Sayed Abad mosque. A week later, ISIS-K suicide bomber attacked Grand Fatima mosque, the largest Shia mosque in Kandahar city, killing more than 100 people. A month later, in a daring attack on the high security military hospital in Kabul, the suicide bombers of the ISIS-K killed the Taliban military chief for Kabul.

While the Taliban rulers are touting their ability to provide security, as an achievement, the ISIS-K with its attacks is seeking to discredit that claim and using the Taliban's own tactics to attack them.

Although both ISIS-K and the Taliban are hardline Sunni Islamist militant groups, they have sharp differences over religion and strategy and fought for years. The Taliban mostly follow the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, believe in an Afghan nation-state and say they seek good relations with all countries. Islamic State follows the more rigid Salafi Islamic tradition, considers Shiites to be apostates who should be physically exterminated, and seeks to establish a world-wide Islamic caliphate through military conquest.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Bengaluru, April 19 : Hectic lobbying has begun in Karnataka's ruling BJP as the party heads for a cabinet expansion, party sources said here on Tuesday.

More than five sitting Cabinet ministers are set to lose their berths to make way for new faces as part of the party's strategy for the 2023 Assembly elections,they added.

The party high command has sent a message to 'netas' of the party to be ready to sacrifice their cabinet berths and involve themselves in party organisation activities. The party has decided to induct at least eight new faces in the cabinet.

As per the sources, the news has created ripples within the party leaving the sitting ministers a worried lot. BJP President J.P. Nadda who was in Karnataka last week to attend executive committee meeting had discussed and obtained the list of ministers who could be dropped from the ministry.

The message for senior ministers who will lose their positions will be conveyed through Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai could be called to New Delhi at any point to finalise cabinet expansion or formation of new cabinet.

A final meeting will be held between Nadda, Amit Shah and Bommai.

Currently, there are five positions vacant in the state cabinet. If six to eight ministers are dropped, the party could accommodate 13 new faces in the cabinet, the sources said. The sources further revealed that the ministers who are going to be dropped have already been given feelers by the CM Bommai and the high command.

Commenting on the cabinet expansion, CM Bommai stated on Tuesday that he will go to New Delhi as soon as he gets a call from central leaders. "I am focusing more on development activities. I am yet to get an invitation from New Delhi to take up the trip," he said.

According to the sources, the party is treading cautiously as the opposition Congress has adopted an aggressive approach. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and State President D.K. Shivakumar has said many times that a number of leaders from BJP are in touch with them. The party will have to take crucial calls on allotting cabinet posts to B.Y. Vijayendra, the son of former CM B.S. Yediyurappa and prominent backward class leader, former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi.
New Delhi, April 19 : Professional networking platform LinkedIn has ranked first in the list of brands most likely to be imitated in phishing attempts in the first quarter of 2022, a report said on Tuesday.

According to cybersecurity firm Check Point, the report highlighted the brands that hackers most often imitated in the first three months of this year, in order to lure people into giving up their personal data.

"These phishing attempts are attacks of opportunity, plain and simple. Criminal groups orchestrate these phishing attempts on a grand scale, with a view to getting as many people to part with their personal data as possible," Omer Dembinsky, Data Research Group Manager at Check Point Software, said in a statement.

"Some attacks will attempt to gain leverage over individuals or steal their information, such as those we are seeing with LinkedIn. Others will be attempts to deploy malware on company networks, such as the fake emails containing spoof carrier documents that we are seeing with the likes of Maersk. If there was ever any doubt that social media would become one of the most heavily targeted sectors by criminal groups, Q1 has laid those doubts to rest," Dembinsky added.

LinkedIn dominated the rankings for the first time ever, accounting for more than half (52 per cent) of all phishing attempts during the quarter. This represents a dramatic 44 per cent uplift from the previous quarter, where the professional networking site was in fifth position accounting for only 8 per cent of phishing attempts.

DHL is second to LinkedIn, accounting for 14 per cent of phishing attempts, followed by Google (7 per cent) and Microsoft (6 per cent). FedEx has moved from the seventh position to the fifth, now accounting for 6 per cent of all phishing attempts.

WhatsApp maintained its position in the top ten, accounting for almost one in 20 phishing-related attacks worldwide. Maersk and AliExpress have entered the top ten list for the first time.
Chennai, April 19 : Actress Kajal Aggarwal and her husband Gautam Kitchlu have been blessed with a baby boy on Tuesday morning.

Well connected sources in the industry told IANS that both the mother and the baby were fine.

"The baby was born on Tuesday morning in a private hospital in Mumbai. Both the mother and the child are doing fine," the source said.

Kajal Aggarwal and Gautam Kitchlu got married on October 30, 2020 in a small private ceremony that was attended by only their immediate families.

The couple, who seem to be made for each other, have won the hearts of crores of fans of the actress.

Only recently, Kajal had penned a long post on Instagram, thanking her husband for the wonderful person he was.
Mumbai, April 19 : Kangana Ranaut hosted 'Lock Upp' is grabbing all the eye balls with its never-ending fights and heated arguments among the contestants.

In the recent one, Kaaranvir Bohra made fun of transwoman Saisha Shinde for her breast implants and she got offended and later both get into a heated argument.

Kaaranvir was doing a mime act in the yard area, while doing the act he inserted two oranges inside his clothes. Saisha got to know about this fact and she found this very offensive as she thought he was mocking her about her breast implants.

They got into an argument, Kaaranvir defended himself, in the meantime Payal Rohtagi intervened and said stop playing woman card. Saisha said: "You cannot make your career in front of me in 14 years. You are nothing in front of me." Later, Payal and Saisha had an ugly fight.
Islamabad, April 19 : Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, a week after the latter became the 23rd Prime Minister of the country by ousting PTI Chairman Imran Khan through a parliamentary vote of no-confidence, media reports said.

During the meeting, professional matters, including national security issues, were discussed, said a brief statement issued on Tuesday evening, Express Tribune reported.

Earlier in the day, the members of the federal cabinet were administered oaths by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani after the unavailability of President Arif Alvi.

The meeting came amid an increase in attacks on security forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, resulting in the martyrdom of soldiers over the weeks.

In a strongly-worded statement, Pakistan had told the Afghan Taliban to put an end to cross-border attacks emanating from Afghan soil.

Similarly, the Army is facing a smear campaign on social media following the removal of the PTI government. The Army chief had recently said that efforts made to create a "wedge between the Army and the people won't be tolerated".

"The hostile forces are trying this for a long time, but they won't succeed," the Inter-Services Public Relations had quoted Bajwa as saying.
New Delhi, April 19: Aam Aadmi Party : is gradually setting its goal to climb the hills in Himachal Pradesh, a state next in line for the assembly elections, along with Gujarat.

The party, which never had its footprints in the state and where the Congress has been a dominant party till the rise of BJP in 1990 under former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar or also later Prem Kumar Dhumal, wants to contest all 68 seats and make a stake to the power, as third alternative, after having swept the Congress out of power in Punjab .

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seems to have taken personal command in his hand to make an impression in the hill state. He has deployed his health minister Satyendra Jain and Durgesh Pathak--a duo which is also touring Himachal Pradesh to create a buzz about AAP as the next serious contender for power in the state.

Kejriwal has already held a road show in Mandi -- Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur's home district on April 6 and in just less than a fortnight, he is reaching Kangra, thec state's biggest district to hold a public rally, and road show on April 23.

Kangra has 15 assembly seats and holds potential to alter the power game in the state during any election. Thus, Kejriwal's army of volunteers and strategists want him to demonstrate the party's strength in Kangra and put the ruling BJP under pressure .

"The people of the state want change. There is lot of resentment prevailing against the BJP government, which has done nothing during the last four years. That's why the BJP is getting nervous shocks and taking most decisions to counter AAP's growing influence," claims former Director General of Police (DGP) ID Bhandari .

The BJP, on the other hand, refuses to give much credence to AAP leaders' claims and rejects allegations of anti-incumbency factor affecting its chances as has been the case in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Says state BJP president Suresh Kashyap: "AAP has no presence in the state .There leaders are creating false impressions in the state, and also the BJP. Our government led by Jai Ram Thakur has done tremendous work. Lot of new initiatives were taken to reach-out vulnerable sections under the centre government's direct benefit schemes like free ration, health care." Though, AAP presence in Punjab, will undoubtedly create an impact in some of the districts, bordering Punjab but much will depend on its strength of volunteers who will join the party or having already been enrolled. The party, right now, has no credible leader of Himachal origin as dependable face to give it an edge over the traditional hill leadership. Most of the activities are manned from Delhi, thus, creating quite a disillusionment among locals .

During his Mandi road show, Kejriwal did not get any Himachal leader to share stage with him or even did not interact with those in the party for a long time.

AAP state president Anoop Kesari and half a dozen other office-bearers including women wing chief, quit the party and joined BJP at the behest of Union Minister for information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur .

The AAP was quick to retaliate by inducting BJP leader Rumail Dhiman with other supporters. Dhiman, a businessman ,who been inactive in the party for quite some time had earlier been member of national body of its Dalit wing .

Right now, it looks AAP is certainly trying to take away the space of the Congress as BJP's new electoral rival in the hill state .

How this will impact the BJP's prospects and its mission repeat in 2022 will depend on how the ruling BJP builds up its strategy for the poll and hardsells Modi's influence in the state, where he enjoys a considerable connection as having served as party general secretary.

Modi has widely travelled in Himachal Pradesh and knows many old and hard-core party workers personally. He was also instrumental in formation of the state's first coalition government under Prem Kumar Dhumal in 1998 with support of former communication minister Pt Sukh Ram's political outfit - Himachal Vikas Congress - a government that lasted a full five years .

Earlier to this, none of the BJP governments, formed in the state under Shanta Kumar, could not last a full five years, and were replaced by the Congress .

To put the BJP on election mode, national BJP president JP Nadda ,has toured Shimla, Solan and Bilaspur districts for four days to interact with party office-bearers, MLAs and core committee of the party setting out a clear agenda for mission repeat 2022.

JP Nadda's roadshow in Shimla after his first visit following BJP victory in four states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Nadda, during his tour also ruled out possibilities of any leadership change in the state ahead of the elections as had happened in Gujarat and Uttarakhand.

As he hails from Himachal Pradesh puts him in the central stage of the party's electoral roadmap in the state.

It is clear that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will remain the party's face for the polls. His performance during four years will be marketed apart from central schemes .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 75th Himachal Day went live to send his greetings to the people of the state and patted the Chief Minister for his performance, handling Covid, making state number 1 in vaccination and not letting development to stop during two years of the pandemic .

Modi is also expected to tour the state in June 2022 to inaugurate Rs 1,400 crore All India Institute of Medical College (AIIMS), Bilaspur for which foundation stone was held by him in 2017, before state assembly elections.

"The Prime Minister will also be invited to address a yuva rally of one lakh youths in the state in June itself and kick-start the party's election campaign in the state," Nadda informed .

The national BJP president is arriving again on April 22 for a road show in Kangra, just a day before Arvind Kejriwal's visit.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has already travelled to the districts to launch new development projects and address public meetings taking advantage of the congress absence from the state scenes.

As per Nadda the party has already rolled-out a six months programme for the organisation to hold maha-sampark abhiyan, booth level conferences with workers and mahila sammelans.

Knowing that women, who constitute 50 per cent of the state's population, upto 58 per cent in some districts like Hamirpur, are being particularly targeted by the party to highlight welfare initiatives of Modi government.

The state government has announced travel facility for the women at 50 per cent rate in all state-owned transport corporation buses. A free power facility upto 150 units and free drinking water supplies to the consumers in the rural areas are two big freebies recently announced in the state, which has 80 per cent population living in the villages and engaged in farming.

This is the first time when the BJP government has come-out with largesse to woo the voters. This could be a clear impact of the AAP trying to introduce a freebies regime in Punjab and its promise to replicate Delhi model of governance in Himachal Pradesh .

The move, triggered immediate reactions from the AAP from Delhi terming it as panic reactions in the BJP circles.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused the Chief Minister of trying to copy AAP's model of governance months ahead of assembly elections.

"The government's announcement is nothing but a way of deceiving people. The BJP is completely against free electricity and water supply. There is a huge possibility of the BJP withdrawing the scheme once they win the assembly election," he claimed.

Earlier to this, the Chief Minister had also announced substantial hike in the social security pensions for all persons above 60 years.

Earlier, this age was upto 70 years benefitting almost 4.25 lakh persons, including widows and destitute women. Around 2.20 lakh new beneficiaries were also added.

Salaries and remunerations of daily wage workers, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, Mid-day meal workers, water guards, Panchayat chowkidars and different categories of teachers were also raised in the budget.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, April 19 : In a latest development in the Jahangirpuri violence, the Delhi Police on Tuesday submitted its preliminary probe report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The preliminary report contains the details of the riots that broke out in north-west Delhi's Jahangirpuri area on Saturday evening over a procession taken out on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.

The Delhi Police in the report detailed the information about the incident and elaborated the steps taken by them to restore normalcy in the area.

Drones have been pressed into service to keep surveillance in the area, while the social media groups are being scanned to find out the conspiracy angle into the case, sources said.

Noting that the Jahangirpuri riots were a criminal conspiracy, the police also said that they have seized weapons used in the clashes.

Adequate number of police personnel have been deployed in the area and the entire locality has been divided into blocks under the supervision of an ADCP-rank officer and several senior officers have been deputed in the locality, the report said.

It also said that the case has been transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.

Soon after the violence erupted on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana and asked him to take stern action against the perpetrators of the violence.

So far, 23 persons have been arrested in connection with the case, including the alleged main conspirator Ansar, along with two juveniles, the Delhi police said.
New Delhi, April 19 : Even as India has been seeing a significant rise in the number of Covid cases, speculations of a next wave of infections are rife. But health experts on Tuesday said that the surge is not unexpected and likely paves way for the fourth wave in the country but it is currently limited to certain states.

Since the beginning of April, India has been continuously registering about 1,000 Covid cases daily, with a few exceptions. However on Monday, the country recorded about 90 per cent jump - the highest so far in the month -- with 2,183 cases. But with 1,247 infections reported on Tuesday, the cases saw a dip.

According to Dr Dipu TS, Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital at Kochi, the rise is majorly caused by the BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron strain of Covid. The surge in cases is amid a global rise witnessed in China, Hong Kong, US and several countries of Europe.

"In the last three days, we are witnessing a surge in cases, especially in the major metropolitan cities. This could very well denote the start of a next wave. The various epidemiological and mathematical models have already alerted us of a possible surge in cases during the month of May-June," Dr Dipu told IANS.

"I strongly feel that the worst is over and the next wave though inevitable will be milder in severity and magnitude and hence going back to the basics of prevention than panic would be the best," he added.

The expert said that the surge in cases is not completely unwarranted, especially considering the fact that the schools and colleges are opened up and several state governments have lifted mask mandates in the beginning of April for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan recently wrote to the governments of Maharashtra, Kerala, Mizoram, Delhi and Haryana -- states that are recording a rise -- to remain vigilant, conduct regular monitoring and follow up action in emerging areas of concern.

"Covid-19 jump has been significant in the last couple of days, however, it is only present in a few scattered areas of the country, specifically two or three states, which are Delhi NCR and Haryana. I don't think we should call this another wave as this is just a local spurt in cases," Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai, Member of National Covid-19 Taskforce, told IANS.

This was also echoed by IIT Kanpur professor Manindra Agrawal, whose mathematical model has been used as a reference point for understanding Covid activity in the country, who said a fourth wave is unlikely to happen.

He cited, a significant natural immunity as a result of previous infections, good vaccination rate coupled with no new mutants, as the reason.

However, Dr Sushila Kataria, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Medanta Hospital Gurgaon, disagreed.

She said the surge in infections indicates that we are moving towards the fourth wave and cases will continue to rise in the coming days.

"The fourth wave has started, cases are increasing and will continue to increase over the next three weeks. We are moving steadily towards the fourth peak.

"My expectation is that the cases will increase, as they did in January, but they will not be as severe, and hospitalisations will also be limited. But yes, there will be a sharp increase in the cases," she warned.

Meanwhile, India also recorded two cases of the new XE variant -- a mutant hybrid of Omicron sub-variants BA.1 and BA.2 -- one each from Maharashtra and Gujarat.

"We have always emphasised the fact that Covid-19 has not gone completely, and that people need to follow the learnings of the past year and continue adhering to Covid19-appropriate behaviour," Pandit said.

"This along with the vaccination and the additional dose that the government has rolled out is the single most important thing through which we would be able to control this virus," he noted.

(Rachel V Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
C00hennai, April 19 : Production of traditional Tamil Nadu sarees at Sankarankoil has taken a hit after the power loom weavers commenced a 12-day strike on April 18.

The weavers are protesting the increase in cotton yarn prices.

Tamil Nadu Master Weavers Association and Textile Weavers Association that is spearheading the strike said that they have appealed several times to both the central government and state government against the rising prices.

Secretary of Master Weavers Association, T.S.A Subramanian while speaking to IANS said: "The price of a yarn bundle weighing 4.75 kg has been increased from Rs 1,455 in April 2020 to Rs 2,385 in April 2022 and we faced a 64 per cent price hike in a short period. Even after the Union government has reduced the tax by 11 per cent for imported cotton, the yarn prices keep increasing. The hoarders are keeping a huge stock of yarn leading to its increase in prices." He also said that there were 30 lakh families who are dependent on 6 lakh power loon units in Tamil Nadu and said that the strike at Sankarankoil was only a token strike and that all the traditional saree production in the state would come to a grinding halt if the government does not act in an urgent manner.

Subramanian said that in Sankarankoil alone there are 4,000 power loom units and 20,000 families are dependent on these units. He said that the weavers of Sankarankoil are paying a monthly GST of Rs 1 crore on production and an amount of Rs 50 lakh is paid as GST for purchasing cotton hank yarn worth Rs 10 crore.

The weavers association leader also said that an amount of around Rs 150 crore is paid a month by the power loom weavers of Tamil Nadu on production and around Rs 75 crore on the purchase of yarn.

He also said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin must immediately intervene in the matter and bring out a solution, and call upon stringent action against the traders who are hoarding up the cotton yarn.

It is to be noted that a power loom produces a minimum of one saree a day unlike in handloom where a weaver requires a minimum of fifteen days to produce a saree.

A total of 4,000 power looms shutting down means the production of a minimum of 4,000 sarees is affected and these Sankarankoil sarees range from Rs 800 to Rs 3,500.

Weavers are also worried that the loss of production of sarees would lead to the market shifting base and hence the weaving community of Sankarankoil wants the government to intervene and reduce the cotton yarn prices and thereby restart the production in power looms.

R. Girijabhai, a weaver at Sankarankoil while speaking to IANS said: "This strike was forced on us by the state and central governments. Even after repeated appeals, they have not intervened in our matter. If the cotton yarn prices are skyrocketing on a daily basis even after the import duty of cotton is reduced by 11 percent, it means there is something wrong in the market. Market forces are playing with the lives of poor power loom weavers and we cannot allow to be fooled. Government must take stringent action against the hoarders and also take steps to bring down the cotton yarn prices on a war footing." She said that the Chief Minister and the state textile minister Gandhi take steps and solve the imbroglio.
London, April 19 : Russia has claimed that it has hit more than 1,200 Ukrainian targets with missiles, airstrikes and artillery, and street battles have broken out as President Vladimir Putin's troops launched their new offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, Daily Mail reported.

Russian troops managed to take control of the eastern city of Kreminna after hours of relentless bombing, as gunfights between Putin's men and battling Ukrainian forces continue.

"Control over the city of Kreminna is lost, street fights are taking place," Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said, as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has begun the "battle for the Donbas".

Downing Street has been warned that the battle could take 'months', with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that Ukraine's situation is 'perilous' with Putin intent on victory "regardless of the human cost".

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that high-precision air-based missiles had struck 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas region, including the city of Slavyansk, while airstrikes had hit 60 military targets.

Overall, Russia claimed it has struck 1,260 Ukrainian military assets in the overnight bombardment and a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet has been shot down near Malinovka, Donetsk Region, Daily Mail reported.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kolkata, April 19 : A petition, praying for adequate protection for family members of the victim and witnesses in the sensational Hanskhali gangrape case in West Bengal, is likely to be heard on Wednesday by the Calcutta High Court.

The case, in which a minor from Hanskhali in Nadia was allegedly gangraped by the son of an influential politician and his friends on April 5, is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as per orders of the high court.

The family of the girl was allegedly prevented from taking her to a doctor by the perpetrators of the crime after she she started bleeding due to the injuries suffered during the ordeal.

She was taken to a local quack instead and died due to excessive blood loss, it was alleged in an earlier petition seeking a probe by an independent agency.

The girl was also allegedly cremated by the goons and their henchmen -- all of them belonging to the political party in power in the state -- at an unlicensed crematorium in the village without an autopsy or death certificate.

The police registered a complaint only on April 10 after which Brijgopal Goala, son of Samar Goala, member of the Gajna Gram Panchayat in Hanskhali, Nadia, was arrested.

The Calcutta High Court had heard a petition by Anindya Sundar Das and ordered a CBI inquiry on April 12. Das, in his petition, had alleged that the family of the victim had not been allowed to lodge a police complaint till after five days of the incident. That too, the complaint could only be lodged with the help of members of a Non Government Organization (NGO).

On Tuesday, Das filed another petition and got it mentioned for urgent listing through his counsel Phiroze Edulji.

In this petition, Das has submitted media reports and a viral video clip about a certain Afroze Sarkar, president of the Trinamool Congress of the Bhagabangola Block.

It has been alleged in these reports and the video clip that Sarkar threatened people against speaking out about the gangrape.

It has been alleged that he threatened to thrash people who dared to come out and speak about the incident, rendering them immobile.

"In our petition, we have pointed to such acts of coercion. Unless family members of the victim and witnesses receive foolproof protection, they may turn hostile under such pressure. This has happened in many cases. If the CBI is to carry out an independent probe, family members and witnesses have to be granted adequate protection. It has to be ensured by the state and central governments that they come to no harm. They need to be kept away from any contact with the accused. If threats don't work, such thugs resort to a 'settlement', offering money to hush up the matter," Edulji said.

"We have prayed for new identities, including new names, for the family of the victim and witnesses. They also need to be relocated to a place where there is no threat. The State and Centre need to work together here under the Witness Protection Act and prepare new identity documents for them. Unless this happens, criminals can never be convicted," he added.

The matter was mentioned before the Calcutta High Court for urgent listing. The court may take up the matter on Wednesday.
New Delhi, April 19 : The communal clashes during a Shobha Yatra procession in the national capital on April 16 have left a series of difficult conundrums for the public to understand, making people restive to get the right answers.

The police has till now arrested 23 people and apprehended 2 juveniles while one of the arrested person's relatives was bound down for injuring a police Inspector by pelting stones at him.

Delhi Police officials are continuously maintaining that the case is progressing fast and a fair investigation, without any pressure or prejudices, is underway.

Yet, the basic question of what led to the clashes is still open. The facts are -- there was a religious procession, it was passing through a mosque area and then there was stone pelting, firing, and clashes.

But what were the circumstances that led to the violence? Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana touched upon the issue during the first media briefing on Monday, two days after the communal clashes.

"Your question is what was the reason for provocation. Who started that provocation? This is all part of the investigation. At this juncture I cannot answer this question as the investigation has not been completed," the Commissioner said.

Even though the Delhi Police chief refrained from answering the question, yet, the FIR registered by the police, based on the first hand report of its own Inspector points out that the arrested accused Ansar was the prime person who incited the violence.

According to the FIR lodged at the Jahangirpuri police station, the Shobha Yatra procession was passing off peacefully, but at around 6 p.m., when it reached outside a mosque in C-block, the accused Ansar came with 4-5 associates and started arguing with the participants in the Shobha Yatra. The argument soon turned violent and both the sides started pelting stones at each other.

"I inspector Rajiv Ranjan Singh, tried to pacify the situation and separated the two groups, however, within some time, they again started pelting stones after which I informed the Police Control Room about the development," read the FIR. Soon after this, more police force reached the spot along with senior officials, however, by that time the mob had turned violent. They pelted stones at the police force and also fired shots at them. One such shot hit a Sub Inspector while 7 more policemen were injured.

The warring camps accuse each other of provocation and inciting violence, but what exactly led to the provocation is still not clear.

It was not just one procession that passed through the same locality, rather, it was the third one that ultimately led to bloodshed.

Special CP (Law and Order) Dependra Pathak said the first two processions were taken out at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and their organisers took permission from the police on March 25 and March 31.

However, Delhi Police denied the request for the third Shobha Yatra procession as its organisers had made the request just one day before at night.

But even though there was no permission, the organisers went ahead and took out the procession. According to the officials, police personnel kept a close watch on them.

But if there was no permission, why was the police guarding the procession? Responding to this very pertinent question, the Special CP said the police has a very focussed role of maintaining law and order. "If any situation erupts, if any kind of congregation is there, and if the situation is sensitive then we have to ensure that the situation doesn't worsen and that is the reason that adequate personnel were there to cover it," Pathak said.

He added that the Delhi Police had been successful in containing the situation in the minimum possible time with almost no injury to the citizens. Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged against the organisers of this third Shobha Yatra for taking out the procession without permission.

Just 13 days before the communal clashes, another event -- the Hindu Mahapanchayat Sabha -- was organised in the same north west district where Dasna Devi temple priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati allegedly made inflammatory speeches against a particular community. Even this event was not allowed by the police but the organisers went ahead with it.

Coming back to the prime accused in this communal violence -- Ansar Sheikh -- whose pictures of a lavish lifestyle and a video of entering the Court with the "Pushpa Jhukega Nahi" gesture has stunned the people.

Who is Ansar? Why did he argue with the participants of the procession? Reportedly, Ansar owns a luxurious mansion in Haldia, a prime industrial township in West Bengal's East Midnapore district and has an image of a philanthropist there.

A highly placed source in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police told IANS on condition of anonymity that following a communication from the Crime Branch of Delhi Police, the state CID enquired about Ansar's activities in Haldia. A team of the Delhi Police is likely to go to West Bengal for further investigations.

Whether the clashes in Delhi were a conspiracy or a sudden frenzy, people will have to wait for the investigation to be completed.

(Ujwal Jalali can be reached at ujwal.j@ians.in)
Mumbai, April 19 : The Tourism Minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, Aditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena, and his uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Raj Thackeray, plan to visit Ayodhya and pray at the upcoming Ram temple there over the next few weeks.

While the dates and details of Aditya's trip shall be finalised by the weekend, Raj plans to visit Ayodhya on June 5 along with over 10,000 MNS activists in a dozen special trains being booked to transport them from different parts of Maharashtra.

Sena MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that his party is very familiar with Ayodhya since long and doesn't need to make too many preparations, and the party's Nashik unit will make the necessary arrangements.

He said 30 years ago, many Shiv Sainiks had sacrificed their lives for Lord Ram, in a reference to the razing of the disputed Ayodhya structure in December 1992, and the party's Hindutva is not taken on 'rent'.

Earlier, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had celebrated his 100 days in power by praying at the site of the Ram temple in Ayodhya in April 2020, and previously in November 2018 to remind the BJP of its commitment to build a grand temple there.

Currently, the MNS is staking a claim to the Hindutva agenda with a shrill campaign against loudspeakers on mosques and to yank them off by May 3.

The Uttar Pradesh government has indicated that Raj Thackeray shall be accorded special security during his trip to Ayodhya with plans to address a public rally there.

Meanwhile, Raut accused the BJP of creating an atmosphere to spark riots in Mumbai and Delhi where the civic elections are due soon, and termed it as "unfortunate".

The MNS has raised cudgels against mosque loudspeakers which some BJP activists are supporting, though Union minister and the President of its ally at the Centre, the Republican Party of India (A), Ramdas Athawale, has distanced himself from the issue.

Communal clashes erupted in Delhi's Jahangirpuri and in Maharashtra's Amravati district over the past weekend, though the situation is under control now.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil has warned that any person or party indulging in fomenting communal troubles in Maharashtra shall be dealt with very seriously with the state police closely monitoring the developments.
Nagpur, April 19 : Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday reiterated his Republican Party of India (A) does not agree with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray's demand for removing loudspeakers from mosques by May 3.

Talking to mediapersons, he said even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not support Raj Thackeray's controversial stand on the issue that has raked up a political row in the state.

"We oppose the demand of MNS to remove loudspeakers from mosques. Even the founder of Shiv Sena, the late Balasaheb Thackeray was against any such demand. I feel divisions should not be created between religions like this," Athawale urged.

Though certain BJP leaders in Mumbai and other parts have endorsed the MNS stance, Athawale claimed that the BJP is not in favour of the call for banning loudspeakers on mosques.

"The BJP has never said such a thing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas', so there's no question of his party adopting a contrary position," the RPI(A) President pointed out.

Dismissing it as Raj Thackeray's "agenda and he was free to pursue it", Athawale made it clear that the demand itself is wrong and could create rifts between communities.

In fact, a couple of years ago, when the MNS had raised a similar demand, the RPI (A) had vehemently opposed it terming it as "detrimental to national unity".

Athawale had also declared that his party would stand firmly behind the Indian Muslims if they faced problems like this.

The RPI(A) chief's observations came amid the huge row kicked by Raj Thackeray's ultimatum to the Maha Vikas Aghadi government to remove all loudspeakers from mosques by May 3.

Failing this, the MNS activists have threatened to blare out 'Hanuman Chalisa' near mosques at double high volumes - a warning that the MVA government apprehends could result in a law-and-order situation.

Not willing to take any chances, the state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil on Monday announced that henceforth police permission would be compulsory for use of loudspeakers at all religious places.

Considered a smart political move, it implied that if MNS activists plan to play 'Hanuman Chalisa' they would need police clearance and follow all the due norms and processes including the Supreme Court permitted decibel levels, while the use of illegal loudspeakers would also be detected.

Nevertheless, Walse-Patil said today (Tuesday) that the state police apparatus is closely monitoring the situation but ruled out any chances of communal flare-ups after the ongoing fasting month of Ramzan is over.
Kolkata, April 19 : After Ansar Sheikh, the name of another resident of Mahishadal, adjacent to the industrial township of Haldia in West Bengal, has emerged in connection with the communal violence that broke out in the national capital's Jahangirpuri area on Saturday.

Ansar Sheikh, one of the prime accused in the case, owns a luxurious house in Haldia, where he has an image of being a philanthropist.

Now it has emerged that the ancestral residence of Sheikh Aslam, another accused in the case, is just few kilometres away from the residence of Ansar Sheikh, who is accused of opening fire during the clashes in Jahangirpuri.

A senior official in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police said on condition of anonymity that the residence of Aslam is in Kanchanpur village under the Mahishadal police station in East Midnapore district.

The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has already contacted the CID to get details of the accused having West Bengal connection.

A team from Delhi Police is also likely to visit West Bengal shortly in this connection, the CID official said.

As informed to the CID by the locals of Kanchanpur and the neighbours of Aslam, they all knew the latter as a carpenter, who was in Delhi for the last six months for professional reasons.

"The local people of Kanchanpur have expressed surprise after hearing that Aslam's name has surfaced as an accused in the Jahangirpuri violence. He had no prior police records," the CID official said.

He also said that in all probability, Ansar Sheikh took the initiative of arranging a for Aslam in Delhi.
Guwahati/Agartala, April 19 : The Assam and Tripura police in one-an-a-half month have separately arrested 14 suspected cadres of Bangladesh based Al-Qaeda in Indian Sub-continent (AQIS), including a Bangladeshi national and the police and intelligence officials of the two states are sharing info to deal with the Jihadi group.

Officials of Assam and Tripura police separately said on Tuesday that they are on high alert against the 'AQIS cadres' activities in the northeastern states specially in Assam and Tripura.

The three persons, who were arrested in Tripura on April 3 for their links with the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), have taken to Assam on Monday as part of the investigation against the Jihadi group. Intelligence officials found links between these three persons with the four arrested in Bhopal recently for their affiliation to the JMB.

Top central and Tripura intelligence officials interrogated Imran Hussain, 25, an Imam, Abul Kashem 32, a teacher, and Hamid Ali, a farmer, who were arrested from Jatrapur, a village in Sepahijala district of Tripura along India-Bangladesh border.

The trios were booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

"The trio during interrogations had confessed that they are in alliance with the people arrested in Bhopal," a top police officer, who is a part of the investigating team, told IANS.

The police officer, however, declined to share more information, saying an investigation is underway. The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Madhya Pradesh has arrested the four persons affiliated to the outlawed JMB from different areas of Bhopal earlier this month.

On April 15 and March 4, eleven AQIS cadres were separately arrested from Barpeta district of western Assam.

During a preliminary inquiry after the March 4 arrest, it has been found that Saiful Islam a.k.a. Harun Rashid a.k.a. Mohammad Suman, who is a Bangladesh citizen, illegally entered India and was working as a teacher in Dhakaliapara Masjid in Barpeta district.

One of the 11 detainees is a member of the Popular Front of India (PFI).Police have recovered a large number of mobile phones, many SIM cards and other objects from them.
Jamnagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the WHO-Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in the presence of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in Jamnagar on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. ( Image Source: IANS News

Jamnagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the WHO-Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in the presence of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in Jamnagar on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. ( Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Gujarat's Jamnagar in the presence of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The GCTM will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. The video messages from the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and President of Maldives were played on the occasion.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandavia, Ayush Minister Sabananda Sonowal, MoS for Ayush Munjapara Mahendrabhai and Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel were among those present.

Tedros Ghebreyesus termed the centre as a truly global project as 107 WHO member countries have their country specific governmental offices which means the world will come to India for its leadership in the traditional medicine.

He said traditional medicines products are abound globally and the centre will go a long way in bringing the promise of the traditional medicine to fruition. For many regions of the world traditional medicine is the first line of treatment.

"The New Centre will focus on data, innovation and sustainability and will optimize the use of traditional medicine, he added. The centres five main areas will be research and leadership, evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity and innovation and technology," said Tedros Ghebreyesus.

He thanked PM Modi for his leadership in providing all the support for the establishment of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister thanked Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus for his kind words. The Prime Minister noted Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus's connect with India and his personal involvement in the project of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) he said that his affection has manifested in the shape of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.

Prime Minister also highlighted the three-decade long association with the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his family and thanked him for his words and presence.

Prime Minister Modi also thanked the leaders whose video messages were played.

"The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is a recognition of India's contribution and potential in this field. India takes this partnership as a huge responsibility for serving the entire humanity," said Modi.

Jamnagar's contributions towards wellness will get a global identity with WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, the Prime Minister said, adding that more than five decades ago, the world's first Ayurvedic University was established in Jamnagar.

The city has a quality Ayurvedic institute in Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda.

"India's traditional medicine system is not limited to treatment. It is a holistic science of life. Ayurveda goes beyond just healing and treatment. Apart from healing and treatment; social health, mental health-happiness, environmental health, sympathy, compassion and productivity are included. Ayurveda is taken as the knowledge of life and it has been deemed as fifth Veda," Modi said.

Prime Minister laid down five goals for the new Center. First, to create a database of traditional knowledge system using technology; second, GCTM can create international standards for testing and certification of traditional medicines so that confidence in these medicines improves. Third, GCTM should evolve as a platform where global experts of traditional medicines come together and share experiences. He also asked the centre to explore the possibility of an annual traditional medicine festival. Fourth, GCTM should mobilize funding for research in the field of traditional medicines. Finally, GCTM should develop protocols for holistic treatment of specific diseases so that patients could benefit from both traditional and modern medicine.

PM Modi invoked the Indian concept of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam' and prayed for whole world to always remain healthy. He said that with establishment of WHO-GCTM, this tradition will get further enriched.
Colombo, April 19 : One person was killed while 12 others were injured as police fired upon protesters who took to the streets in Central Sri Lanka against the overnight fuel price hike in the crisis-hit island nation.

Protests erupted around the country on Tuesday after the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increased fuel prices to record high w.e.f. Monday midnight.

In Rambukka, 85 km from Colombo, protesters demanded fuel stored at filling stations at old rates. They later blocked all the roads and railway lines in Rambukka, completely cutting off the access to the city.

The police first used tear gas to disperse the crowd and later opened fire, killing one and injuring 12 others.

The police said they had to open fire as the protesters had turned violent.

"The protesters had blocked the railway track with a fuel tanker. The crowd tried to set the tanker on fire and the police had to shoot to control the mob," SSP Nihal Thalduwa, media spokesman, said.

The country's public transportation system came to a complete standstill after protesters around the nation blocked roads in major cities throughout the day.

Private bus owners withdrew their buses in protest against the fuel price hike, demanding the government to step down.

The CPC earlier announced LKR 84 increase in 92 octane petrol, matching the IOC price at LKR 338 per litre. Diesel price was also raised to LKR 289, an increase of LKR 113.

Following the fuel price hike, the country's bus fair was increased by 35 per cent while the rates of a number of food items were also raised.

Fuel prices have been northbound with the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar since early March, the time when the US dollar allowed free floating.
Jaipur, April 19 : The Rajasthan BJP team was summoned to New Delhi on Tuesday by the party high command and asked to stay united in view of the Assembly polls slated to be held in December next year.

The party leaders called to Delhi included former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, state BJP president Satish Poonia, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Arjun Meghwal, Leader of Opposition Gulabchand Kataria, organisation general secretary Chandrashekhar and Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore.

All of them attended a meeting at the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda who exhorted them to stay united in view of the assembly polls next year.

The Rajasthan BJP is a divided house at the moment as many leaders are aspiring to be the CM face. Most prominent among them are Raje, Poonia, Shekhawat and Birla.

Also, the differences between Raje and Poonia are in the open. Raje's posters missing in the bypolls and from the party office are an open secret and the stories of Raje boycotting party office meetings are known to all.

Recently, after the Karauli violence, Raje visited the victims in the district even at a time when Poonia had formed a committee and asked them to file a report and submit it to the party officials.

While Raje was allowed to make the tour, Poonia along with BJP leader Tejasvi Surya who were taking out a Nyay Yatra were stopped from entering Karauli which raised many eyebrows.

This is not the first time that Raje has worked parallel to the organisation. Earlier too, she gathered a huge crowd on her birthday as a show of strength. Also, she ran the Vasundhara Rasoi during the Covid pandemic when the party was running the Seva hi Sangathan campaign.

The central leadership has been closely monitoring all these developments, sources said adding that "This is the reason they have stayed away from announcing a CM face." Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda and the recent visit of BL Santosh confirmed that the party will contest the elections on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's face.

All these senior leaders during their visit to Rajasthan witnessed the factionalism affecting the party's prospects in a state which is currently ruled by the Congress.

"Presently, Rajasthan is the only state where the Congress has its government and the BJP leadership is adamant to throw them out in the next elections and hence this rigorous exercise," said party sources.
New Delhi, April 19 : As many as five persons arrested in connection with Saturday's communal clashes in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area have been slapped with the stringent National Security Act (NSA), official sources said on Tuesday.

The sources said the accused who have been booked under the NSA include alleged mastermind Ansar Sheikh, Salim Chikna, Imam Sheikh alias Sonu, Dilshad and Aheed.

According to the FIR lodged at the Jahangirpuri police station, the Hanuman Jayanti procession was passing off peacefully through the area on Saturday, but at around 6 pm, when it reached outside a mosque in C-block, Ansar came with his 4-5 associates and started arguing with the participants of the 'Shobha Yatra'.

The argument soon turned violent and both the sides started pelting stones at each other.

Imam alias Sonu was arrested by the Special Staff of the north-west district police on Monday. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had fired through his pistol near Kushal Chowk during the clashes.

A video of Imam wearing a blue kurta opening firing during the riots went viral on social media.
Mumbai, April 19 : In a shock revelation, the prosecution informed a Mumbai court details about how lawyer Gunratan Sadavarte allegedly blew off nearly Rs 2 crore collected from the employees of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), here on Tuesday.

The fresh disclosures came during the hearing of a police application seeking fresh police custody for Sadavarte -- currently in judicial custody, and the matter has been posted for Wednesday for arguments.

Making a forceful plea for Sadavarte's police remand, Special Public Prosecutor Pradip Gharat said that a currency note counting machine has been recovered from the accused lawyer's home, some three dozen incriminating documents and a green register detailing the manner in which the money would be collected from MSRTC's 250 bus depots in the state.

Sadavarte was arrested soon after the April 8 attack on the residence of Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar along with over 115 MSRTC staffers and others from Pune and Nagpur involved in the incident.

Last week, Gharat made the sensational claim in the court of how Sadavarte allegedly collected over Rs 2 crore from around 95,000 MSRTC employees though he conveyed an impression that he was fighting their case free of cost.

The police investigations point to Sadavarte allegedly investing the collected monies in buying prime properties in Parel and Byculla besides a high-end vehicle worth around Rs 23 lakh.

As per the probe, around Rs 85 lakh was counted on the currency counting machine, an online bank payment was made to a Kerala dealer for the luxury vehicle which was delivered recently.

He also acquired the two Mumbai properties in the past few months which needed to be further investigated and hence his extended remand was required, SPP Gharat argued in the court.

The police also need to ascertain how the money collected from the MSRTC employees was actually utilised/diverted since at least one property mentions the name of the entire Sadavarte family.

In a related development, as per the orders of Bombay High Court, another group of around 300 MSRTC employees returned to work in Sangli -- after remaining on strike from October 28, 2021 demanding a pay hike and merger of the transport entity with the state government.

While rejecting the merger demand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government has warned that those staffers who took part in the attacks at the Pawar home would face dismissal from service, sending shockwaves among the MSRTC employees.

Meanwhile, a Kolhapur court has kept the anticipatory bail plea of Sadavarte -- who is facing multiple cases in different parts of Maharashtra -- for hearing on April 21.
Visakhapatnam, April 19 : A 21-year-old girl slashed the throat of her would-be husband as she did not want to marry him.

The girl attacked her fiance A. Ramunaidu after closing his eyes to present him a gift. After tying her 'dupatta' around the victim's eyes, she slashed his throat and escaped.

The shocking incident occurred at Amarapuri village under Butchayyapeta mandal of newly-formed Anakapalli district on Monday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil said on Tuesday that they have taken Vijayapu Pushpa into custody and questioned her. She admitted to attacking the man with a knife.

Police booked the accused for attempt to murder and produced her before a magistrate, who sent her to judicial custody.

According to police, Ramunaidu's marriage with Pushpa was scheduled to be held on May 20. The couple went out on a scooty on Monday.

She asked him to stop the scooty in front of a shop at Vaddadi and went inside saying she wanted to buy something for him. She did not reveal what she bought for him and asked him to take her to Vishwashanti Jyotirmoy Ashram.

After reaching there she asked him to close his eyes and when kept his palms on his eyes, she told him that he had not properly closed the eyes and tied her dupatta on his eyes. She then slit his throat with a knife she had brought with her.

Locals shifted a profusely bleeding Ramunaidu to a hospital. He told police that Pushpa told him before leaving the spot that she did not want to marry him and since her parents would not have agreed to this she attacked her.

The girl told police that she did not want to marry anybody as she wanted to spend the life of a devotee at Om Shanti Ashram.

Ramunaidu, who also hails from the same district, is doing PhD from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Anakapalli and his condition is now stated to be better.
Chennai, April 19 : The Tamil Nadu government would create a corpus of Tamil words for terms to be used in various sectors like medical, engineering, and technology, Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil culture, Thangam Tenarasu said on Tuesday.

Speaking in the state legislative assembly, the minister said this will be done in consultation with Tamil Nadu Text Book and Educational Services Corporations and experts.

The Minister said an amount of Rs 35 lakh would be allocated for creating the corpus and added that an amount of Rs 5.36 crore would be allocated for competitions in Tamil-related subjects at 100 arts, science colleges, medical and engineering colleges every year.

Thenarasu also said that Tamil-related events would be organised in 6,218 government schools three times a year and an amount of Rs 5.60 crore has been allocated for the same.

He said that an amount of Rs 1 crore would be allocated for organising a conference on The Thirukkural at UNESCO Centre in Paris.

Rs 78 lakh would be allocated for improving the library facilities at the International Institute of Tamil Studies and Rs 61.50 lakh would be allocated for bettering its infrastructure.

An amount of Rs 20 lakh would be allocated for providing Tamil books on behalf of the state government to promote learning of Tamil among the emigrants from the state in France, Germany, and other European countries, Thangam Thenarasu said in the house.
Kolkata, April 19 : Even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal Police probing the mysterious death of student leader Anis Khan at Amta in Howrah district on February 19 submitted a progress report to the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, the victim's father, Salem Khan, remained adamant on a CBI probe into the matter.

"I have no faith in any probe by the state police, as two of their own personnel murdered my son. I want a CBI inquiry and if necessary, I will knock the doors of Supreme Court for that," Salem Khan said.

A civic volunteer and a home guard have already been arrested in connection with Anis' murder. Both of them are in judicial custody now.

However, the family members of the victim have alleged that the arrests were just eye wash and senior police officers were involved in the crime.

In the 82-page progress report submitted to the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, the SIT claimed that the probe is in its final stage.

The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for April 25.

Meanwhile, Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, in whose court the matter is being heard, took cognisance of some disparaging comments made by Salem Khan that are doing the rounds on social media.

Expressing displeasure over the comments, Mantha recused himself from hearing the case. However, he agreed to hear the matter following the persuasion of the advocates.

Mantha later directed Salem Khan to submit an apology in the form of an affidavit.
Jaipur, April 19 : A special court here has sentenced two accused to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5.64 lakh on the charge of trafficking of minors.

On October 16, 2018, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) activists along with the police and Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) conducted a raid on a house in Sudamapuri, Painter Colony, Shastri Nagar in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur. The BBA activists had received a tip-off that several children had been employed as child labourers for bangle manufacturing in the building. A total of 33 minor children -- 17 from the first floor and 16 from the ground floor -- were then rescued.

The rescued children were trafficked from Bihar and were forced to work "with little food and water" from 8 a.m. in the morning to 12 a.m. at night. They were not given any wages. They were also not allowed to step out of the building. When the children resisted, they were threatened with dire consequences. The children also said that they had been trafficked on the pretext of being provided with educational facilities.

The children were subsequently produced before the Child Welfare Committee, which directed them to be lodged in a Child Care Institution.

Meanwhile, police registered an FIR against four people under sections 370(5) (trafficking of more than one minor), 374 (unlawful compulsory labour) and 344 (wrongful confinement) of IPC along with the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Child Labour Act. The accused included Mohammed Qudus, Mohammed Yunus, Hasmul Miyan and Mohammed Shamshad.

When the judgement was announced, special judge Tara Agarwal sentenced Mohammed Qudus and Mohammed Yunus to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 5.64 lakh. Mohammed Shamshad died during the trial and the charges against him were abated. Hasmul Miyan was acquitted.

The judge said that both the accused had violated the rights of the children and forced them into child labour. Physical and mental cruelty towards children and forcing them into child labour was a heinous offence and any leniency shown towards the accused could result in a spurt in such offences in the society.

"We are grateful to the court for this judgement. Stringent punishment is the only deterrent for such heinous crimes. For several years, we have been rescuing children employed in various commercial establishments across Jaipur. We will continue our efforts for a child labour free society. We hope that the union government passes the anti-trafficking bill in the upcoming session of parliament," Manish Sharma, director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said.

The judgement was pronounced on April 16 while its copy was received on Tuesday.
Hyderabad, April 19 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday expressed unhappiness over the regressive farm policies adopted by the Central government.

He said that the Centre's policies are dampening the agriculture growth of the country which relies on farming as the main occupation.

The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that the union government's haphazard policies are discouraging the farmers from continuing the farming and also reduced the farm output in the country.

He, however, made clear that despite facing hurdles, the state government will strive to consolidate the agriculture sector. The chief minister reiterated that the action plan for the welfare of farmers will be strengthened further.

In view of the ensuing Vaanakalam (Kharif season) which is to begin in a few months , the Chief Minister instructed agriculture minister Niranjan Reddy to make all necessary arrangements in advance.

He suggested Cotton, Chilli, Red Gram, Watermelon and other alternative crops.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, held a high level review on the availability of fertilizers, seeds and the agriculture department's readiness.

He also enquired about the progress in the paddy procurement. The officials have been asked to prepare a special action plan on profit-making crops.

The Chief Minister instructed the top officials to depute the district officers and village level officials and Agriculture Extension officers for ground level visits and give suggestions to the farmers on the cropping pattern.

He noted that the weather conditions in Telangana are conducive to the agriculture sector. As the India Meteorological Department predicted that the state will receive bountiful rains, he hoped that the growth in the farm sector will be encouraging this year.

He said in Telangana, the contribution of the farm sector to the GSDP is 21 per cent and recalled that the sector was completely neglected in the united Andhra Pradesh. The farm sector is playing a key role in the strengthening of the state economy.

KCR said that the extension of Pranahitha and Kaleshwaram is under progress and all the projects taken up by the state government will be completed in a year's time.

The question of drought in agriculture would not arise in the future and it is imperative that the state agriculture department should be vibrant, fast and always busy, the chief minister advised the officials and the minister.

KCR instructed the officials to prepare a district action plan to strengthen the farm sector by involving district Collectors and RDOs.

The Chief Minister asserted to reduce the indiscriminate use of fertilizers. He asked the officials to educate the farmers about the scientific methods in the use of fertilizers. The soil health is deteriorating due to excess use of pesticides and fertilizers.

The Chief Minister expressed concern on the repeated farming of single crops for years which caused the spoiling of the soil health. The need of the hour is to adopt alternative cropping to protect soil quality, he said, and asked the officials to prepare required plans in this direction also.
New Delhi, April 19 : Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) has signed a definitive agreement to invest (either by itself and / or through its affiliates) in Indias foremost Couturiers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla (AJSK) for a 51% majority stake. The strategic partnership is aimed at accelerating the 35-year-old couture houses growth plans in India and across the globe. Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla will continue to lead the design and creative direction of the brand.

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are India's premier couturiers their design legacy began in 1986. Based in Mumbai, their couture label Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla is internationally feted, for its quality and elegance. The richness of India's heritage suffused with contemporary design makes every AJSK garment a modern masterpiece. The last three decades have seen them establish an enviable reputation as pioneers in resurrecting the best of the past and fashioning it for the future.

The brand is best distinguished for introducing Mirrorwork, Crushed Cotton and Silk, Chikankari and Khadi, as Couture. The finest fabrics combine with exquisite embroideries and intricate embellishments to create unparalleled aesthetic appeal. The emphasis is on timeless style rather than transient trends. It is this concentration on uncompromising quality and eternal elegance that results in clients wearing outfits purchased a decade ago to important events today. An AJSK ensemble is considered an investment due to its repeat value.

The label is best distinguished for its embroideries, the clothes are coveted as much for their touch and feel as they are for their look. Celebrity favourites, the label is the foremost choice for formal, occasion, red carpet and bridal/wedding wear. Their fashion house Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla currently features three other labels, ASAL by Abu Sandeep, a diffusion, formal, occasion and wedding wear, womenswear label, GULABO by Abu Sandeep, luxe pret separates, featuring casual and formal wear for women and MARD by Abu Sandeep, a formal and occasion wear men's label.

"Teaming up with India's foremost couturiers, who hold an unparalleled position in Indian fashion for their fine craftsmanship and impeccable attention to detail, techniques and embroideries is thrilling, as it allows us to build a stronger platform for their zealous commitment to reinvention of Indian craft.

"Inspiration from the old to create with a brand new approach is their gift. Abu Sandeep have been extraordinarily successful for over three decades and it is time that their endeavour to present their unabashed vision of luxury reached every nook and corner of the world, carving a unique space for the brand globally, making them true Ambassadors of Indian Style", said Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (holding company of all retail companies in Reliance Industries Limited group).

With this new partnership, the brand is committed to championing the incredible Indian artisans and bringing forth their astonishing craftsmanship on the world stage. This renewed focus will enable the brand to position India as a creator of the finest, competing with the finest across the globe.

"When we started Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla our mission was clear, we wanted to bring India's impeccable craftsmanship and sense of style that had developed over centuries to the modern world. We wanted Indians to feel proud of our culture and we're determined to ensure it was revered in the global fashion landscape. In the past 35 years we have done just that, not only have we brought traditional techniques back to life, but we have also created new ones that reflect the tastes and culture of modern India. Now with the support of Reliance Brands, we will be able to finally fulfil our ambition of global expansion. With RBL's world-class team steering our brand onto the global stage, this is an exciting time for Indian fashion. With this new venture we hope to permanently place our craft where it belongs, at the best runways and racks across the world," said Abu Sandeep.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
New Delhi, April 19 : At a time when ace political strategist Prashant Kishor is busy discussing a roadmap for the 2024 general elections with the Congress in the national capital, Ripun Bora, the ex-Assam Congress chief who quit the party and joined the Trinamool Congress on Monday, claimed at a press conference here that Kishor had congratulated him on his decision to join the ruling party of West Bengal.

Bora, who was associated with the Congress for the last 40 years, had contested for a place in the Rajya Sabha on a Congress ticket from Assam, but lost due to cross-voting.

"Many of my friends, including Prashant Kishor, have congratulated me for making the move (to join Trinamool," Bora said on Tuesday.

Bora's claim could cause uneasiness to the Congress, especially at a time when Kishor has been meeting senior party leaders in the national capital.

After his switch to the Trinamool, Bora, a former Assam Minister and ex-Rajya Sabha member, had tweeted: "From today I have started my new political journey!" In his resignation letter to interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he alleged that a section of Congress leaders in Assam have been in clandestine link with the ruling BJP leaders and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Bora, accompanied by his wife and son, met Trinamool's national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata and formally joined the party on Monday.

Banerjee later tweeted: "Extending a very warm welcome to Shri Ripun Bora, a stalwart and skilled politician, who joined the AITC family today. We are extremely pleased to have you onboard and look forward to working together for the well-being of our people!"
Panaji, April 19 : Congress legislators attending pujas or functions organised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not be entertained in the future, Goa Congress president Amit Patkar said on Tuesday.

Patkar issued the diktat, weeks after his party's first-time MLA Rajesh Phaldesai attended a puja at the state BJP headquarters on the occasion of the political outfit's founding day earlier this month. Phaldesai, Patkar said, had been censured for his actions.

"We have spoken to him and we have told him that next time, not to repeat such mistakes," Patkar told a press conference in Panaji on Tuesday.

Phaldesai's presence at the BJP do had caused a stir, considering the exodus of Congress legislators to the BJP from 2017-2022. Between 2017-2019 In the first two years alone 13 out of the party's 17 MLAs had quit the party to join the BJP.

Patkar claimed that Phaldesai visited the ruling party's office out of a sense of naivete.

"We have spoken to him and you also have to understand. 8 of them are newly elected MLAs and they did not know. He only went for a puja, which is why he went," Patkar said.
Jaipur, April 19 : A total of eleven persons of a family, including two women and two teenagers, died in an accident on Tuesday afternoon after their vehicle overturned on the Udaipurwati-Gudha road in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district.

Seven others were injured in the mishap, who have shifted to the BDK Hospital in Jhunjhunu.

As per the locals, around 18 members of a family had gone to immerse the ashes of an elderly family member who passed away recently when their vehicle overturned.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured persons from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

"Anguished by the tragic accident in Jhunjhunu. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the rising cases of road accidents in the state.

BJP national President J.P. Nadda, former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Congress leader Sachin Pilot have also expresses their grief over the tragic accident.
New Delhi, April 19 : A Delhi court has refused to grant bail to a jeweller, who allegedly bought stolen ornaments from Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor's residence in the national capital.

Denying bail to the jeweller Dev Varma (40), Chief metropolitan magistrate Pankaj Sharma said in the Monday's order that some of the expensive jewellery in connection with the crime was yet to be recovered and pointed out the Delhi Police's stand in the matter.

According to police, they have recovered stolen jewellery worth over Rs 1 crore, including 100 diamonds, six gold chains, diamond bangles, a diamond bracelet, two tops, and one brass coin from the jeweller.

Varma's counsel apprised the court that his client is a renowned jeweller who is in the family business for the last 30 years and argued that mere recovery of the jewellery cannot be linked to the crime.

Last week, the Delhi Police had arrested a couple -- a nurse and her husband -- for Rs 2.4 crore burglary at the residence of Hindi cinema actor Sonam Kapoor's in-laws in the national capital.

According to the official, the accused nurse, identified as Aparna Ruth Wilson (30), was working as a home medical care assistant at Kapoor's residence at Amrita Shergil Marg and looking after the actor's mother-in-law. The husband of the accused woman was identified as Naresh Kumar Sagar.

A complaint was lodged two months ago, on February 23, regarding a theft at the residence of Harish Ahuja at Amrita Shergil Marg in Delhi.

Harish Ahuja is the father-in-law of Sonam Kapoor.

The complainant had noticed about the robbery on February 11, however, reported the incident 12 days later after which Delhi Police registered an FIR under section 381 (Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of the Indian Penal Code at the Tughlak Road police station and initiated an investigation into the case.
Bengaluru, April 19 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stated on Monday that innocent persons have not been arrested in connection with the violent incidents that rocked Hubballi on Saturday night.

Speaking to mediapersons in Sringeri, Bommai refuted former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's allegations in this regard .

"No innocent person has been arrested. All arrests have been made based on evidence," Bommai said.

Reacting to a video inciting to kill a Congress leader, which has gone viral, Bommai said the Police Commissioner would take action in the matter.

When queried about opposition leaders accusing him of turning the 'Ram Rajya' into a 'Ravan Rajya', Bommai remained defiant.

"They are entitled to their own interpretations. It is not important as to what the opposition leaders say, it is the opinion of the people that matters," Bommai said.

Responding to the opposition's view that the Chief Minister has adopted a soft stand, Bommai said, "We have acted tough on the Hubballi, Shivamogga incidents. FIR have been registered in the Santhosh Patil suicide case. Action has been taken in the Dharwad fruit vendor case. There was no delay in any of these cases. Even in the police recruitment case, we have initiated action. What more do you want?" "I have come to have a darshan of Sringeri Sharadamba and will pray for the welfare of the state," he added.
Panaji, April 19 : Plastic pollution is a key environment hazard in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), according to Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, who said that keeping track of plastic pollution is a challenge for the Indian Coast Guard.

Kumar was speaking at the ongoing National Marine Pollution Exercise in Goa.

"The Indian Ocean is one of the fastest growing regions of the world. However, today, all these activities happening around the Indian Ocean have also made it one of the most polluted oceans in the world. A recent study by the World Bank states that the Indian Ocean Region is today the second most polluted region in the world," Kumar said in his address at the event.

"We are here focused on oil spills, which is so relevant both because this region is increasingly becoming a source of oil exploration as well as because so much of oil is transiting through this region. I have been told today that the Indian Coast Guard has graduated to a level where it can handle oil spills of the range of 700 tonnes and above, which only few countries in the region and in the world are capable of," the Defence Secretary said.

Quoting a study, the bureaucrat said that nearly 15 million tonnes of plastic finds its way into the Indian Ocean.

"But I would also like to mention that the response to pollution is equally large with respect to plastics in the ocean. According to a study, nearly 15 million tonnes of plastic is making its way into the Indian Ocean Region. Every year, we have nearly 1.5 trillion pieces of plastic, some of them coagulated into islands, threatening our various ecologically sensitive coral reef regions, which poses massive environmental threats," he said, adding that the plastic pollution threat is a key challenge for the Indian Coast Guard.
New Delhi, April 19 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a contempt plea against the construction of a permanent structure, a Tehbazari kiosk on the pavement along the wall of Ajmal Khan Park in the Karol Bagh area of the city.

The Division Bench of Justice Mukta Gupta and Justice Neena Krishna Bansal was hearing the contempt petition moved by Adv Amit Sahni, in which the petitioner stated that the kiosk would cause hindrance to the free flow of pedestrian movement in utter violation of the order passed by the court in 2018.

Issuing notice to the commissioner, Dy Commissioner, Addl Dy Commissioner, and Zonal Superintendent in the matter, the court observed that such kind of encroachment cannot be permitted and restrained further construction carried out in the area.

As per the petitioner Adv Sahni, he had issued a legal notice earlier and after that, the authorities had put on hold the construction of kiosks for some time, however, they have now permitted construction on the pavements in violation of the earlier order.

The plea said that in pursuance of a tender, the authorities had on November 26, 2021, issued instructions for shifting the covered tehbaaris (vendors) from Bhagwati Marg around Bank Street Parking to the wall of Ajmal Khan at Ajmal Khan Road, that is -- the respondents/contemnors had directed to construct the booths/ kiosks over the pavement.

The high court, in its March 2018 order, had said "at the moment most of the pavements appear to have completely encroached. An appropriate enforcement action to ensure that minimum pedestrian use is available at any given point of time and at all times shall also be ensured. Likewise, monitoring is directed on a day-to-day basis".
Kolkata, April 19 : On the eve of the inauguration of Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2022, contradictory statistics on investments attracted in the earlier summits furnished by the state government and the Centre have baffled the financial and economic observers of West Bengal.

According to the statistics provided by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), from 2015 to 2019, five editions of BGBS were held, and the total investment proposals that the state government received stood at Rs 12,32,857.10 crore.

The BGBS was not held in 2020 and 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the figures furnished by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the statistical arm of the Union Commerce Ministry, shows a completely different picture on this count.

As per the Central figures, during the five calendar years under review, i.e., from 2016 to 2019, West Bengal received industrial entrepreneurs memorandum (IEM) worth only Rs 37,504 crore, a little over 3 per cent of the figures highlighted by the state government.

IANS tried to speak to some Cabinet ministers in the state to seek clarification on the differential statistics, but none of them were ready to comment on the matter.

However, economic and financial observers are baffled by this difference in figures.

According to senior economic observer and columnist Santanu Sanyal, since the Central figures have state-wise and year-wise data, they sound more reliable.

"I understand that the quantum of investments for IEMs filed and that of IEMs implemented always differ for any state, since it is not necessary that every IEM filed is actually implemented. But here there is a difference in the statistics of the IEMs filed. If the state government has to contradict the Central figures, it should immediately publish a detailed breakup of IEMs received during the first five editions of BGBS," Sanyal told IANS.

City-based investment-cum-financial consultant Nilanjan Dey told IANS that since 2015, he has been following the proceedings of BGBS.

"After every edition of the summit, the state government just quotes a figure on investment intentions received. But it forgets to give a detailed breakup of investment intentions received. The state government has never even given a sectoral breakup of investment proposals. So since the beginning I had doubts about the investment figures quoted by the state government after every summit," Dey said.

P.K. Mukhopadhyay, a professor of economics, said that going by the Central figures, it is evident that the investment proposals came only from the small and medium enterprises segments, where the quantum of investment for each investment proposal is quite low.

"Investment proposal of just around Rs 36,000 crore in five years means an investment proposal of just around Rs 7,000 crore per year. This clearly shows that no big-ticket investment proposal was made during that period. And with the current land and special economic zone policy of the present state government, we cannot really expect big investments to come to the state," he added.
Hanoi, April 19 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is leading a 13-member Indian Parliamentary delegation to Vietnam on a three-day visit, on Tuesday held bilateral meetings with President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue.

In his meeting with the President Phuc, Birla said that the two countries have transformed their relationship into a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".

Birla mentioned that the comprehensive strategic partnership includes political ties, trade and investment treaties, energy cooperation, development partnership, and defence and security cooperation.

He noted that India and Vietnam have a long tradition of mutual cooperation in challenging global circumstances. He expressed happiness that two nations have helped each other in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Birla further said that economic relations between India and Vietnam have gained momentum over the years. He added that despite the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at over $13 billion last year.

He mentioned that the defence partnership between the two countries, which has grown significantly based on common interests, has expanded into new areas including defence industrial and technical cooperation.

He hoped that the strong bilateral defence cooperation between India and Vietnam will contribute to international peace, regional security and prosperity.

During the day, Birla also called on Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh and held wide ranging discussion on bilateral matters.

Speaking about economic and trade cooperation, Birla said that Indian investors have keen interest in Vietnam and urged the Prime Minister to create favorable conditions for them in order to encourage more investment.

Birla also noted that India and Vietnam have cooperated with each other in taking up global issues as non-permanent members in the UN Security Council.

He added the two countries have been working closely with ASEAN towards a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. He further remarked that peace and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region has increased through the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

Emphasising on regular bilateral parliamentary exchanges, Birla observed, that regular visits between countries provide opportunities to share views and strengthen legislative cooperation.

He added that for this purpose, India-Vietnam Friendship Group is being formed to provide a new dimension to the mutual relations between the Parliaments of the two countries through regular mutual exchange.
New Delhi, April 19 : The member and observer countries of the Colombo Security Conclave emphasised on the need for closer cooperation and coordination for effective investigation and prosecution of terrorism and radicalisation related cases.

The Colombo Security Conclave was organised by the National Investigation Agency virtually on Tuesday over sharing of experiences in investigation of terrorism cases wherein the panellists and participants from India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh participated, officials said.

The conference was one of the engagement activities identified in the Colombo Security Conclave's Roadmap for Cooperation and Activities for 2022-23 agreed by member countries at the 5th NSA level Meeting held in Maldives on March 9-10.

Participants discussed the various challenges related to terrorism in their respective countries and shared experiences on prosecution of terrorism cases, strategies to deal with foreign fighters and countering the misuse of internet and social media.

Participants agreed to identify specific areas to take forward the cooperation on countering terrorism and radicalisation under the Colombo Security Conclave.

The Colombo Security Conclave, a joint group of India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius, on March 10 this year adopted a roadmap for cooperation and collaboration in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism and drug trafficking.

The 5th meeting of national security advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave, held in the Maldives on March 9 and 10, also identified five broad areas of cooperation to strengthen regional security.
New Delhi, April 20 : The communal clashes during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in the national capital on April 16 have left a series of difficult conundrums for the public to understand, making people restive to get the right answers.

The police have till now arrested 24 persons, including two juveniles, while one of the arrested person's relatives was bound down for injuring a policeman by pelting stones at him.

Delhi Police officials are continuously maintaining that the probe is progressing fast and a fair investigation, without any pressure or prejudices, is underway.

Yet, the basic question of what led to the clashes is still open. The facts are -- there was a religious procession, it was passing through a mosque area and then there was stone pelting, firing, and clashes.

But what were the circumstances that led to the violence? Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana touched upon the issue during the first media briefing on Monday, two days after the communal clashes, saying: "Your question is what was the reason for provocation. Who started that provocation? This is all part of the investigation. At this juncture I cannot answer this question as the probe is not complete yet," Asthana said.

Even though the Delhi Police chief refrained from answering the question, yet the FIR registered by the police points out that the arrested accused Ansar was the one who incited the violence.

According to the FIR lodged at the Jahangirpuri police station, the procession was passing off peacefully, but at around 6 p.m., when it reached outside a mosque in C-block, Ansar came with 4-5 associates and started arguing with the participants of the Shobha Yatra.

The arguments soon turned violent and both the sides started pelting stones at each other.

"I, inspector Rajiv Ranjan Singh, tried to pacify the situation and separated the two groups. However, within some time, they again started pelting stones after which I informed the PCR about the development," read the FIR.

Soon after this, more police force reached the spot along with senior officials. Hhowever, by that time the mob had turned violent. They pelted stones at the police and also fired shots at them.

One such shot hit a sub-inspector while seven other policemen were injured. The warring camps accused each other of provocation and inciting violence, but what exactly led to the provocation is still not clear.

It was not just one procession that passed through the same locality. Rather, it was the third one that ultimately led to the clashes.

Special CP (Law and Order), Dependra Pathak, said the first two processions were taken out at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the organisers had taken permission from the police for them.

However, the Delhi Police denied permission for a third procession as its organisers had made the request just one day before.

But even though there was no permission, the organisers went ahead and took out the procession. According to the officials, police personnel kept a close watch on them.

But if there was no permission, why were the police accompanying the procession? The same question was posed by VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal, who rejected the police claim that the procession was taken out by the organisers without any permission.

Responding to this pertinent question, Pathak said on Tuesday, "If any situation erupts, if any kind of congregation is there, and if the situation is sensitive, we have to ensure that the situation doesn't worsen and that is the reason that adequate personnel were there to cover it." He added that the Delhi Police had been successful in containing the situation in the minimum possible time with almost no injury to the citizens.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged against the organisers of this third Shobha Yatra for taking out the procession without permission.

Just 13 days before the clashes, another event -- the Hindu Mahapanchayat Sabha -- was organised in the same north-west district where Dasna Devi temple priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati allegedly made inflammatory speeches against a particular community.

Even this event was not allowed by the police, but the organisers went ahead with it.

(Ujwal Jalali can be reached at ujwal.j@ians.in)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Gandhinagar, April 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the progress made by the Banas dairy in Gujarat's Banaskantha district is a right move towards 'local to global'.

Modi was in Deodar of Banaskantha district to dedicate the over Rs 610 crore dairy project of Banas dairy, including a per day 48 tonne capacity potatoes processing plant.

Prime Minister Modi is in his home state Gujarat since Monday on a 3-day visit to the state to take part in a slew of programmes.

Modi on Tuesday inaugurated and publicly dedicated the newly built Banas Dairy plant at Sanadar near Deodar, spread over 151 acres.

Along with that, he also inaugurated a potato processing and product unit as well as the Doodhvani community radio station (FM 90.4).

Addressing around one lakh people, PM Modi said: "This is probably the first time it might be happening that I am receiving the blessings of 1.5 to 2 lakh mothers and sisters. This blessing is of invaluable significance. During the time I spent in the plant while visiting, I met agro producers and plant officials, and whatever I saw, I learned, I was truly impressed. The Banas dairy plant is the best example of mother's and sisters (women) empowerment." "I feel indebted towards you (Banaskantha), obliged as an MP towards you. By participating in this public dedication programme, my joy is multiplied manifold," the Prime Minister said.

Modi had also laid the foundation stone of 'Banas Dairy Sankul' at the UP State Industrial Development Authority Food Park, Karkhiyaon, Varanasi last year on December 22.

The Varanasi plant is spread across 30 acres of land and the entire dairy project will be at a cost of about Rs 475 crore and will have a facility for processing 5 lakh liters of milk everyday.

Modi also did the electronic inauguration of the expansion of a cheese plant and a whey plant at Palanpur, also an organic fertilizer and bio-CNG plant at Dama, and also did the electronic foundation stone laying ceremony of four new biogas plants at Khimana, Ratanpur Bhildi, Radhanpur and Thawar. All these projects are a part of the Banas dairy, Banaskantha.

"Whatever projects that were publicly dedicated today, are an excellent example of our traditional strength. Banas dairy not only provide the farmers, the best of the potato seeds variety, but also gives a better price for the cultivated potatoes. This has opened a new door for farmers to earn money," said the Prime Minister.

"The Banas dairy project has also established that to double the farmers income, not only milk, but other products can also be useful. This is a good step of today's Bharat from going local to global. Despite, being a water scarce region, Banaskantha has shown that through the Kankrej breed cow, Mehsana buffalo and Potatoes, it can be a model to be replicated," said the Prime Minister.

Shankar Chaudhary, the chairman of the Banas dairy, said: "This is the first instance in India where a second dairy plant is being constructed in a single district. This construction of the state-of-the-art dairy plant is an achievement; as the plant was constructed in a short span of 18 months, starting from June 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak.

"Machines equipped with the latest technology are installed in the plant, imported from seven different countries. Initially, the milk processing capacity of the plant is 30 lakh liters per day, which eventually will be increased to 50 lakh liters per day," he added.

According to Chaudhary, the total milk production of Banas Dairy has increased to 90 lakh litre per day in the last seven years, which was 40 lakh litre per day for five decades since the inception of the dairy.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Guwahati, April 20 : Two suspected cattle smugglers from Uttar Pradesh were killed during an ambush on a police vehicle by unidentified extremists in Assams Kokrajhar district on Tuesday.

The militants were reportedly trying to free the smugglers who were a source of funding for them, the police said.

According to the police, the militants attacked their vehicle at Jamduar when the two arrested cattle smugglers -- Akbar Banjara and Salman Banjara -- were being taken to the Sankosh river along the border with Bhutan for the identification of cattle smuggling routes.

They were arrested from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh for their alleged involvement in an international cattle smuggling racket.

During the encounter between the police and the extremists, Akbar, Salman and four police personnel sustained bullet injuries.

After the gun-battle stopped, the police took the injured smugglers to a nearby primary health centre, where the doctors declared them brought dead.

The roads were blocked with felled trees at the incident site.

The police later recovered an AK-47 rifle along with two magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition and 28 rounds of empty shells.

"During interrogation, the duo had elaborated the modus operandi of cattle smuggling from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and West Bengal to Bangladesh via Assam. The smugglers provide huge sums of money from their illegal trade to the militant outfits in the Bodoland Territorial Region," an official said.

Militant outfits in Assam and Meghalaya are the main beneficiaries of this clandestine nexus.

This is the first such instance of alleged cattle smugglers dying in police custody.
New Delhi, April 20 : On day one of the Health Mela, more than 3 lakh 50 thousand people participated and around 464 blocks organised Health Melas across the country.

Further, more than 64,000 Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) Health IDs were created and 17,000 PMJAY Golden Cards issued in addition to thousands of screenings being done for hypertension, diabetes etc, said the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with states and Union Territories is celebrating the 4th Anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav across the nation from April 16 to 22.

The ministry said that a record 3 lakh tele-consultations through e-Sanjeevani platform were done in a day at Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) on April 16.

This has been the highest number of tele-consultations ever done at AB-HWCs on a single day, surpassing its earlier record of 1.8 lakh tele-consultations per day, said the ministry in a statement.

AB-HWCs are a major shift from selective to comprehensive primary health care inclusive of promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care from disease-centred to wellness centred and whole-of-society approach, institutionalising inter-sectoral coordination in alignment with the emergent international 'Health in All' approach as a complement to 'Health for All', the ministry said.

The Block level Health Melas at more than one lakh AB-HWCs in at least one block in each district of the state and UT are being organised across the country under the celebration from April 18 to 22.
Patna, April 20 : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), following the victory in Bochahan by-election, has offered Mukesh Sahani to merge his Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) with it without any conditions.

Sahani, who seems to be elated by the loss of BJP in the by-poll on April 16, is currently in New Delhi to meet RJD national president Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Lalu Prasad has pointed out several times that those who are against BJP are welcome in the party.

"Sahani is welcomed in the party but based on the condition. If he could merge his party VIP in RJD, we are ready to welcome him. He is not in a position to bargain with us at this point," senior RJD leader Bhola Yadav said.

Sahani, during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election had said that Lalu Prasad resides in his heart. He met Lalu Prasad in Delhi at a time when he was out on bail in a fodder scam.

It is being speculated that Sahani probably wanted to meet Lalu Prasad to gain one MLC seat for himself from the RJD quota. In return, he would support the RJD during the parliamentary election in 2024. His current MLC tenure, which he earned through BJP quota, is ending in June.

After the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, the way BJP inducted three MLAs of the VIP in its party and also took away the ministry portfolio from Sahani, it is being said that the VIP leader is in "revenge mode".

By securing over 29,000 votes in Bochahan by-poll, the VIP has successfully delivered its message to the BJP that the Nishadh politics is still relevant in Bihar.

Reacting on the statement of Bhola Yadav, VIP national spokesperson Rajiv Mishra said: "VIP is an independent political party in Bihar and there is no question of merging the party with anyone. If any decision is taken on making an alliance with other political parties, our leader Mukesh Sahani will take the decision after the meeting of core committee members of the party."
Pathware Inc., a MedTech company developing hardware and software to bring digital pathology from the central lab to the point-of-care, today announced it secured $7 million in an oversubscribed Series A financing. The funding will be used to continue expanding the team and to submit the integrated hardware and software system to the FDA for clearance.

The financing round coincides with MedTech veteran TJ Meyer joining Pathware as CEO. Mr. Meyer most recently led global marketing, strategy, clinical support, and business development at Veran Medical Technologies, a medical device company focused on the early diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. During Mr. Meyers tenure, Veran grew revenues from $2 million to $30 million and was acquired by Olympus in December of 2020.

I am excited to join Pathware and am fortunate to work alongside such a talented team. Our mission of bringing digital pathology to the point-of-care will help pathologists and proceduralists diagnose cancer earlier and ultimately save patient lives, said Mr. Meyer. We could not be more excited to have strong investors, as well as many industry experts show their belief in our team, technology, and market by making personal investments. More importantly, it is a dream come true to see the value these sophisticated investors can add beyond their dollar in helping us achieve our mission.

The Series A financing was co-led by UnityPoint Health Ventures and Level Eight Ventures with participation from existing investors. Also participating in the round are MVolution Partners, an investment firm focused on providing growth capital to innovative healthcare and technology companies, and Solas BioVentures, a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in the life science industry.

While there has been tremendous progress applying artificial intelligence to digital pathology software, there has been no meaningful innovation in digital pathology hardware over the last two decades, said Austin Duke, PhD, Venture Investing Director at UnityPoint Health Ventures. We are excited for Pathwares hardware and software innovations to enable new workflows and applications, as well as extend the reach of pathologists for the 90% of hospitals that are unable to staff pathologists on site. Just as important, we believe these advances will improve patient outcomes.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support Pathwares development and commercialization activities through our capital and network of value-added investors, said Mike Weinmann, Founding Partner at MVolution Partners. The executive teams highly-relevant experience and skillset, coupled with game-changing technology and a substantial total addressable market, make Pathware one of the most compelling investments we have made over our careers.

The Series A financing includes participation from noteworthy investors, including Sidney Taurel (former CEO & Chairman at Eli Lilly), Steve Laczynski (former CEO of Philips Healthcare Americas and former VP at Quest Diagnostics), Monica Richter (former Chief Data Officer at Dun & Bradstreet and former SVP of Data Strategy at S&P Global), David Johnson (founder of Caligan Partners), James Watt (President, Enterprise Distribution & Partnership Growth at Cigna), and Peter Faroni (private investor and former Founder & Managing Member of Madryn Asset Management).

About Pathware Inc.

Pathware is a privately held MedTech company based in Denver, CO and with offices in Seattle, WA. The company is focused on developing hardware and software to bring digital pathology from the central lab to the point-of-care. For more information, please visit: pathware.com.

About UnityPoint Health Ventures

Founded in 2019, UnityPoint Health Ventures makes direct investments in ideas and partners that provide an easier, more personal experience for patients and providers. As the venture capital arm of UnityPoint Health  one of the nations most integrated health systems  the firm invests in opportunities that improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of health care. In addition to strategic investing, UnityPoint Health Ventures provides dedicated resources to accelerate portfolio company traction within UnityPoint Health and beyond. Through relationships with more than 450 physician clinics, 20 regional and 19 community network hospitals in metropolitan and rural communities and home care services throughout its 9 regions, UnityPoint Health provides care throughout Iowa, western Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. More at uphventures.org.

About Level Eight Ventures

Level Eight Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies developing core products which positively impact the physical world or improve the human condition. Hands-on investors with diverse experience commercializing new technologies and entering new markets, Level Eights principals actively advise and support its portfolio companies in North America and Europe as they navigate obstacles to funding and growth. With offices in Ann Arbor and Philadelphia, Level Eight leverages extensive relationships with incubators, technology transfer offices, and centers of innovation in the booming Michigan to Ontario technology corridor, while its Cambridge, England office provides direct access to tech startups in Europe and the UK. For more information, please visit level8.vc.

About MVolution Partners

MVolution Partners (MVP) provides growth capital solutions from $1 million to $100 million to healthcare and technology companies. MVP targets equity and debt investments in North America and Europe and provides operational, strategic, and sustainability value add to achieve shared success with its portfolio companies. The founding partners of MVP have been responsible for $4 billion of principal investments and have advised on over $40 billion of capital markets and mergers and acquisitions activity. For more information, please visit mvolutionpartners.com.

About Solas BioVentures

Solas BioVentures is a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in the life science industry, focusing primarily on early and development stage biotech and medtech companies advancing impactful, disruptive technologies. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, its coverage is global. For more information, please visit solasbio.com.
DFW-ATW Women In Tech Summit Women in Tech is a much-anticipated event every year, and with this being our 20th anniversary, weve worked to exceed expectations, said Shanthi Rajaram, DFW*ATW president.

The DFW Alliance of Technology and Women (DFW*ATW), a vital non-profit organization committed to increasing the number of women in leadership and girls entering technology fields, today announced a powerhouse lineup for its annual Women in Tech Summit at the InnoTech Dallas conference in Irving, Texas, on May 11. Themed The New, Now and Next, the day-long event will feature five sessions and 17 experts from the worlds of business, education, and politics delving into technology and career topics impacting women.

Kelly Ann Doherty, EVP, and chief administrative officer of Mr. Cooper Group will provide the summits keynote. Dohertys venerable career has spanned work within President George W. Bushs administration and at NASA before her ascent to the C-suite. As the summit focuses on how more women in tech can attain leadership roles, she will discuss how attendees can unlock their potential. Following the keynote, session panelists will include Texas state Senator Angela Paxton, and technology thought leaders from PepsiCo, Texas Instruments, McKesson, Accenture, the University of North Texas, and more.

DFW*ATW will also present its Lifetime Achievement Award to the author, speaker, and entrepreneur Debbie Mrazek of The Sales Company, and its second-annual Distinguished Ally Award. The award recognizes a male executive in the Dallas Metroplex who actively works to elevate women in tech.

Women in Tech is a much-anticipated event every year, and with this being our 20th anniversary, weve worked to exceed expectations, said Shanthi Rajaram, DFW*ATW president. It will be an opportunity for women technologists to network and gain valuable insights into whats new, now, and next in their fields and careers. Women continue to make progress in leadership but still represent less than 30% of the C-suite. We hope our remarkable speakers will inspire our attendees to achieve even more.

A full summit schedule and a list of speakers follow. Registration is $75 and includes access to the Women in Tech Summit and awards luncheon plus all InnoTech general sessions and exhibits. Following the summit, the public is invited to join DFW*ATW for a networking reception, Sip, Savor & Socialize (separate ticket purchase required). To register and learn more, visit https://www.dfwatw.org/women-in-tech-summit-2022. Enter code WIT9D for a 20% registration discount. It Expires May 10.

Summit Schedule

9:00  10:15 a.m., Women in Tech Summit Keynote

THE POWER OF YES: How Saying Yes and Embracing Opportunities Can Unlock Your Power

 Speaker: Kelly Ann Doherty, EVP, and chief administrative officer, Mr. Cooper Group

10:30  11:15 a.m., Enabling the Tech Talent Pipeline

 Moderator: Lorie Medina, founder, and CEO, MedinaUSA

 Panelists: Martha Roos, SVP digital product management, PepsiCo; Clinton Purtell, Ph.D. professor of entrepreneurship and strategy, University of North Texas; Angela Paxton, Texas state senator

11:30 a.m.  12:45 p.m., Luncheon and DFW*ATW Awards Ceremony

1:00  1:45 p.m., TrailblazersWhat Happened on the Way to the C-Suite and Whats Next?

 Moderator: Valerie Freeman, CEO, BravoTECH

 Panelists: Maria Teresa Lensing, SVP and CTO, McKesson; Tamila Fathi, CIO, enterprise technology, Finastra; Gertrude Van Horn, SVP and CIO, NCH Corporation

2:00  2:45 p.m., The Evolution of AIEnabling AI and Reskilling the Workforce

 Moderator: Valerie Mason Davis, patent counsel, Texas Instruments

 Panelists: Shan Chidambaram, global headdata analytics, AI, Fujitsu America; Gary Davis, CEO, SmartAction; Marcus Cooksey, CEO, DUKE.AI

2:45 - 3:30 p.m., DFW*ATW 20th Anniversary Celebration (Booth #301)

3:30 - 4:15 p.m., Agile Leadership

 Moderator: Lisa Jordan, VP delivery, Cyber Group

 Panelists: Gayatri Kesavamurthy, VP technology, GoDaddy; Wendy Stewart, VP sales operations, Databank; Kris Torres, managing director, cloud innovation, Accenture

4:30  7:00 p.m., Post-Conference Networking and Happy Hour (Sip, Savor & Socialize)

Tickets are $15 for DFW*ATW members and $20 for non-members if purchased by May 5. Sponsored by DFW*ATW and SoftwareONE.

About the DFW Alliance of Technology and Women

The Dallas-Fort Worth Alliance of Technology and Women (DFW*ATW) is a vital non-profit organization committed to increasing the number of women in leadership and strengthening the pipeline of girls entering technology fields. Established in 2002 and celebrating its 20th anniversary, it is the largest organization dedicated to women in technology in Dallas. Its membership consists of women, men, and corporate partners who support its mission through monthly meetings, advocacy, STEM initiatives, professional development programs, awards programs, and more. Learn more at http://www.dfwatw.org.

Media Contact:

Melissa Syphrett

melissa.syphrett@dfwatw.org
Metrical was a great solution, because they focused on customers who had the highest intent of purchase but could potentially abandon. Were more targeted with our approach. Pratic Kodial, VP Marketing Effectiveness, JCPenney

After years of disruption, JCPenney made a strategic shift to move away from using blanket discounts and other traditional methods of boosting online sales to a more targeted approach using Metricals predictive AI modeling-based solutions modeling. The results have been exceptional including a 40% increase in new cart creation, an 18% reduction in cart abandonment, and a 10% improvement in revenue on targeted visits

Pratik Kodial, JCPenneys VP of Marketing Effectiveness recently sat down with Cogents Sean Simon to discuss how Metrical has helped them achieve these results and what lies ahead. Note some responses have been edited for brevity.

On the Main Problem Metrical Helped JCPenney Solve

Pratik explained that starting in 2018, JCPenneys online conversion rate wasnt where they wanted it to be and were frequently using discounts to drive sales, which came with a high cost and was unsustainable. The goal was to convert customers without sacrificing margin.

Our thought was how do we get those conversion levels and Metrical was a great solution for us because they focused on those customers who had the highest intent of purchase but were potentially going to abandon, Pratik said. Were not necessarily throwing out coupons but being more targeted with our approach. Interview Clip: https://youtu.be/ds11D5L3IOM

Extending the Partnership, Achieving Goals and improved Customer Experience

The fact we moved forward indicates we met our internal sales and margin goals, Pratik said. One of the other things that we were looking into is the aspect of customer experience. I dont believe customers like pop-ups but what we saw in the context of the Metrical customers and their messaging was no degradation in Net Promoter Score (NPS) which is what we use to measure customer experience. This was quite interesting, and we believe this program is successful.

Pratik then gave an example based on past experiences where pop-up surveys had caused a decline in NPS but they did not see that happen using Metrical. Interview Clip: https://youtu.be/FSDEbNmuzNU

Performance, ROI and Incremental Revenue Results Using Metrical

Pratik stated that as a privately held company he cannot reveal specific numbers but said they performed a cost-benefit analysis to understand what actually fell to the bottom line. He then detailed how they took conversion revenue and subtracted all associated costs including cost of goods sold, marketing costs, shipping and more to arrive at a net bottom line that was triple than what they had experienced prior to using Metrical.

Interview Clip: https://youtu.be/WEgrAXCcgJ4

Examples of Other Benefits, Insights, and improved Conversions

One example is paid search. Ive already paid money to get these customers onto the website, hence conversion becomes even more critical, Pratik said. Another challenge is if theres a particular category that has not sold as well and we see a customer who has those items in their cart and could potentially abandon.

Pratik explained how they can use Metricals repository of tools to see which ones have the potential to convert the shopper into buying. Metricals insights have proven to be valuable in long and short-term planning and we continue to experiment with new ways to utilize them, he concluded. Interview Clip: https://youtu.be/cIKaMwsL_bM

JCPenney is an ideal customer because they continually challenge us to try new things and expand our capabilities, explained Zabe Agha, Founder and CEO of Metrical. But they are far from unique. Many of our customers see conversion rates improve anywhere from 15%  36%, revenue increase from 5% - 37%, and cart abandonment rates drop 5% - 25%. This in addition to increases in overall cart size and value, more time spent on site and over 1100% improvement in Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).

To view the entire interview, go to https://youtu.be/eyaBJ0yMNgA

About JCPenney

JCPenney proudly serves customers at more than 650 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico and at the Companys flagship store, jcp.com. JCPenney is one of the nations largest retailers of apparel, home, jewelry, and beauty merchandise with a growing portfolio of private and national brands. Guided by the Golden Rule, JCPenney employs more than 50,000 associates worldwide and has served customers for over 119 years, playing a vital role in the communities it serves. For additional information, please visit jcp.com and follow JCPenney on Twitter.

About Metrical

Metrical (metric.al) is the leading provider of predictive shopper engagement solutions that increase online cart creation and conversion rates, improve customer loyalty and drive increased revenue. Their AI-based software enables retailers to optimize their digital funnel by predicting customer behavior, engaging customers in real-time, and enhancing their overall experience.

About Cogent

Cogent (becogent.co) is a community of world-class Marketers and eCommerce leaders, who are looking to stay at the forefront of innovation in their industry. We work with brands and agencies to help them navigate the noisy world of AdTech, MarTech, and eComm Tech in an effort to help them solve the business challenges they are facing today, without having to take countless meetings and sift through dozens of potential solutions.

Contact: Rameet Kohli, COO

Phone: (510) 898-6880

rameet@metric.al

Metrical

221 Behrens Street

El Cerrito, CA 94530 USA

http://www.metric.al

###
The EXPERIENCE will deliver hands down, the BEST training, knowledge, and hands on mentorship from the best in the industry.

Josh Feinberg and the training cast of the first ever sales reality show, Equipping The Dream, just returned from Miami, FL at the deBanked Connect event with over 700 attendees at the JW Marriott Marquis. The event for business loan brokers and funders, brought great feedback for the need for training within the industry. There were attendees who stated, If you do another season, I want in.

Today, Equipment Broker School is releasing their all new in person exclusive training called, Equipping The Dream Experience which will be hosted inside of Everlasting Capital headquarters in New Hampshire. Feinberg states,

Now is your chance. It became an idea almost immediately after filming of Season 1 of Equipping The Dream. The contestants went home, the camera crew left, the senior finance managers left, Will & I were left at the office. We were fired up, and excited that what we have always dreamed about just took place. We were about to show the entire industry, and potentially the world what we are so passionate about.

Equipping The Dream was created not just to become the first ever sales reality show in the worldbut an entertaining show with four aspiring salespeople. During the show, it showed the reality of a salesperson struggles, especially in the beginning, and being able to learn the exact techniques and skills needed to succeed. Murphy states,

It became clear to Josh & I that some brokers need hands on training. It is not an easy task to learn the craft of speaking with business owners, epically if your brand new or don't have 5+ years of experience. It is also not an easy task of learning the innerworkings of deals, if you don't have any. The EXPERIENCE will deliver hands down, the BEST training, knowledge, and hands on mentorship from the best in the industry.

Equipment Broker School wants to be clear that this is not a public training. The experience is for growth minded brokers only. The training is extremely exclusive with very limited spots available. They will only be accepting 4 individuals into any single experience. There will be an application process, which is as follows:

1. Complete the online FREE application.

2. Your application will be reviewed and will receive an email within 5-10 business days.

3. If your application has been approved, you will then schedule a zoom meeting with Josh and Will.

4. After the zoom call, your application will go into final review, and you will be contacted within 2-4 business days with a final decision.

You will receive the exact training, and experience the contestants received on the show. You will get an exact layout to increase your income, your revenue, and enhance your execution with a daily plan.

About Equipment Broker School

Equipment Broker School is a market leader in equipment finance training with focus on brokerages who want to break into and scale their companies with speed. We take the complex knowledge of the equipment industry and condense it down to a simple yet extremely effective approach to learning. Will and Josh have built a brand over the last 7 years with funding volume in the 9 figures and commissions in the 8 figures! Our proven strategies are very easy to scale and if the right attention is put towards this training sky is the limit!
...vocal gun control proponents have no idea what responsible firearms owners look like. They are surprised to learn that women own or even want guns. They simply cannot imagine that moms, daughters, and grandmas exercise their freedom to choose firearms as a way to defend themselves.

The DC Project, Women for Gun Rights, a nationwide grassroots organization of women dedicated to safeguarding the Second Amendment, today released a new video titled, We're on Offense Now. The educational video explains the truth about the demonization of gun owners and that misinformation about responsible gun ownership will no longer be tolerated.

"I have listened to their lies, and I have taken their punches, but I refuse to stay silent any longer," declares Dianna Muller, Founder of the DC Project, at the beginning of the piece. "If we expect to preserve our Constitutional rights, we cannot continue to sit on the sidelines. We must speak up and have conversations today. The truth is powerful, so please share this video."

DC Project Advisory Board member Beth Walker discusses the organization's reach and how it reflects every facet of women in America who own guns. "The individuals who are vocal gun control proponents have no idea what responsible firearms owners look like. They are surprised to learn that women own or even want guns. They simply cannot imagine that moms, daughters, and grandmas exercise their freedom to choose firearms as a way to defend themselves. Help us show them the truth with this video," she asks.

We're on Offense Now also features professional shooter and Venezuelan immigrant Gabby Franco. She saw first-hand what happened in her country when the right to bear arms was stripped from its citizens. "Anti-gun messaging drove the people of my homeland to accept the lies that convinced them to relinquish their freedoms. Their consent left my people unable to protect themselves from tyranny."

Common sense is a theme often parroted by gun control groups. "Tragically, we again witnessed the results of common sense and soft on crime policies in Sacramento last week. Letting violent criminals out of jail, against the recommendations of the District Attorney, led to more lost lives," said Walker. "Common sense is not stealing the right of American people to protect themselves."

"The new policies outlined by the Biden administration yesterday will not save lives," Muller said. "From violent riots and defunding the police to Ukrainian citizens arming up, the past two years have really highlighted the importance of gun ownership. We suggest the White House work with us instead of demonizing us."

Muller concludes by spelling out what the DC Project is doing to preserve our fundamental rights as Americans to defend ourselves and our families. "We refuse to let gun control win with so much at stake," she said. "Therefore, we promote firearm safety education in schools, equip our friends and communities with the truth about responsible gun ownership, and work hand in hand with lawmakers by providing the armor they need to stand up to the gun control lobby."

Click to see and share We're on Offense Now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqf1HBTTU8s

DC Project. (2022, April 12). We're on Offense Now. [Video]. YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqf1HBTTU8s

To request an interview with Dianna Muller, Beth Walker, or Gabby Franco, please email Dianna Muller

About the DC Project

The DC Project believes education, not legislation prevents violence and encourages safety. We preserve Americas gun culture and highlight the diversity and rising demographic of female gun owners through ongoing advocacy-because gun rights are a womens issue. Self-defense is a human right, and we are our own first responders. We understand the importance of preserving the right to protect ourselves. Our delegates regularly stand before legislators and lawmakers on the frontlines of this battle to protect this crucial right and make our voices heard through education. Please stand with us by donating to the DC Project and wearing the color teal to let others know you support the rights of responsible gun owners.
ZenithJet, a leading aviation consulting firm, today introduced its new comprehensive Sustainability Services, which provide clients with a starting point on their journey towards carbon neutrality.

Specific services include:



Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting: Understand your climate impact by measuring GHG emissions according to international standards  the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064. Precisely quantify direct and indirect emissions across the entire supply chain and all departments.

Aviation Emissions Measurement: Drawing on its aviation industry expertise, the ZenithJet team uses industry best practices to calculate the total scope of emissions from specific aircraft models and types.

GHG Inventory Reporting: Communicate sustainability performance with transparency by identifying GHG reduction opportunities. Reporting GHG inventories engages stakeholders, demonstrates leadership, anticipates future regulations and safeguards reputations.

We know that business aircraft owners, operators and individual passengers want to reduce their GHG emissions, says Nick Houseman, President, ZenithJet. But, acting on these good intentions can be complicated, time-consuming and frustrating. This is what drove us to add sustainability to our suite of aviation consulting services.

It all starts with data. Before an individual or organization can meaningfully reduce their carbon footprint, they need to measure their emissions. Everybody wants to do the right thing but traditionally, it has not been easy. We hope to change the status quo by offering simple, effective and robust services that facilitate change and advance carbon neutrality objectives, adds Nick Houseman.

About ZenithJet

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, ZenithJet is a leading aviation consulting firm. Since foundation, the ZenithJet team has supported hundreds of clients operating Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Embraer, Textron Aviation, Boeing Business Jet and Airbus Corporate Jet aircraft. The ZenithJet offering is an exceptional end-to-end service that unifies sales and acquisitions, technical expertise and post-sales support. For more information, please visit http://www.zenithjet.com.

Media Contact

Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications

mark(dot)lowe(at)pragcom(dot)com / (514) 576-2519
Playbook Product "Traditional cloud storage companies failed designerssharing is confusing and people get lost in nested folders. In my previous jobs, designers were quitting because file management was giving them so much anxiety."

Playbook, the first visual cloud storage platform built for creatives, today announced that it has closed $18 million in Series A funding led by Bain Capital Ventures, with participation from Founders Fund, Abstract Ventures, Maple VC, Hyphen Capital, Blank Ventures, and strategic angel investor Elad Gil. The funding comes at a time of unprecedented growth for Playbook, which now has more than 50,000 freelance designers and creative agency customers worldwide.

Traditional cloud storage companies failed brand design teams and freelancerssharing is confusing and people get lost in nested folders. In my previous jobs, designers were quitting because file management was giving them so much anxiety, said Jessica Ko, co-founder and CEO of Playbook. We spent a lot of money on photo shoots because we couldnt find things in Dropbox or Google Drive, or we would have to recreate designs from scratch.

Playbook is an easy-to-use cloud storage and sharing platform for freelancers and designers. It applies modern technologies like image tagging to photos and videos, turning a usually dry view of files into an expressive Pinterest-like gallery. It also adds a suite of features built just for designers, focusing on collaboration and quick sharing. Built-in publishing tools let users turn a set of assets into a live shared page with a variety of templates. Playbook searches across image contents, extracted text, and similar images using its custom machine learning system.

Solving the pain of organizing and collaborating with design files is just the beginning, said Kevin Zhang, Partner at BCV. In this unique moment as new perspectives and imagination are more valuable than ever, Playbook is becoming the home for illustrations, videos, memes, and more, and will help creatives to license, publish, transact, and otherwise realize the value of their work.

Since coming out of stealth in August 2021, Playbook has seen monthly users jump from 1,000 early adopters to 50,000+ in just a few months. Brand design teams at companies such as Literati, Opendoor, and Folx, as well as creative agencies around the world, are using Playbook to easily and securely share approved design files across departments and with their clients.

Playbook's mission is to help creators realize the value of their work. The company will use the new funding to iterate and deliver the best file management experience to millions more designers worldwide. Every user starts with a generous free plan. Freelance and in-house designers, through the Artist and Designer program, get 4TB free storage forever as Playbook believes creativity should never be limited by storage size.

About Playbook

Playbook is the first visual cloud storage platform built for creatives. Playbook applies modern technologies like image tagging to photos and videos, being able to view files like Pinterest, inviting collaborators at any point of their creative process, with a variety of templates and creative tools. Playbook redesigned cloud storage to fit exactly what fast-growing design teams and freelancers need. The company has raised a total of $22 million from leading venture capital firms such as Bain Capital Ventures, Founders Fund, Abstract, Maple, Hyphen, and Blank Ventures.

About Bain Capital Ventures

Bain Capital Ventures partners with disruptive founders to accelerate their ideas to market. BCV invests from seed to growth in startups driving transformation across industries, from SaaS, infrastructure software, and security to fintech, commerce, and consumer tech. The firm has helped launch and commercialize more than 395 companies, including Attentive, Digital Currency Group, DocuSign, Flywire, Jet.com, LinkedIn, Redis Labs, Rent the Runway, SendGrid, and SurveyMonkey. BCV has $10 billion in assets under management with offices in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Palo Alto. Follow BCV via LinkedIn and Twitter.
The three newest Brazilian hospitals to join the global community of partner hospitals on Clinerions Patient Network Explorer platform are:



Santa Casa de Misericordia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Hospital Tacchini, Bento Goncalves, Rio Grande do Sul

UOPECCAN  Uniao Oeste Paranaense de Estudos e Combate ao Cancer, also known as the Hospital do Cancer, Cascavel, Parana

The hospital network in Brazil comprises hospitals of varied sizes, locations and specializations.

Through Patient Network Explorer, patients in Brazil are visible to international clinical trials sponsors, increasing the likelihood of their hospital being selected as a trial site and their being accepted to join trials of next generation treatments. Joining the Patient Network Explorer platform brings physicians and researchers at partner hospitals additional opportunities to offer innovative medical care to patients.

Clinerion matches academic and sponsored trials with clinical trial sites on the Patient Network Explorer platform, according to electronic health records (EHRs) at the sites. The system supports the search and identification of candidates for clinical trial recruitment by querying the EHRs in hospital information systems, i.e. demographics, medications, diagnoses, laboratory test results and procedures, without compromising patient privacy. Clinerions global patient network currently covers over 248 million patients in hospitals in 24 countries around the world, including major clusters in Turkey, Poland, and Brazil. Access to this real-world data supports site selection and recruitment for randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and the generation of real-world evidence.

We have always said that patients are at the center of everything that we do, and we are pleased to have established a strong coverage in Brazil to support patients in the country, says Bars Erdogan, CEO of Clinerion. As we expand, we become able to offer more and more real-world data useful for the development of next generation treatments and procedures.

iHealth Group supports the expansion of Clinerions coverage in Brazil and the fulfilment of Clinerions services inside the country. If we had something positive in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that science and clinical research are much more valued by people and governments, and we are very proud to have been the pioneers in bringing a technology solution to assist clinical research in Brazil, says Leonardo Nunes Alegre, COO of iHealth.

Details of the three new hospitals:

Santa Casa de Misericordia de Belo Horizonte: Santa Casa de Misericordia is a reference hospital and one of the largest in Brazil, with more than 1000 beds (the largest in the state of Minas Gerais). The hospital receives patients from 80% of Minas Gerais municipalities and is the largest hospital and largest provider of services to SUS [the Brazilian national health system], in Minas Gerais. In 2017, it received more than 100 patients from other states. It has 170 ICU beds (the largest number in a single hospital in the country), 19 operating rooms for medium and high complexity procedures, and covers 35 medical specialties.

Hospital Tacchini: The Hospital Tacchini offers a total of 301 beds in inpatient units, of which 136 are for the SUS [the Brazilian national health system], the rest for health insurance and private individuals. The research center at that hospital participated in the trials of the Coronavac vaccine for COVID-19.

UOPECCAN: Uniao Oeste Paranaense de Estudos e Combate ao Cancer, also known as Hospital do Cancer de Cascavel, is an NGO created in 1991, in the Brazilian municipality of Cascavel, in the Western Region of Parana, which maintains two hospital units specialized in oncology, one in the main municipality (140 beds) and another in Umuarama (235 beds), in the Northwest Region of Parana.

The full list of hospitals in Brazil on the Patient Network Explorer platform is:

Site name City State

MedRadius Maceio Alagoas

Hospital Portugues da Bahia Salvador Bahia

Hospital Martagao Gesteira (Liga Alvaro Bahia) Salvador Bahia

Hospital Ana Nery Salvador Bahia

Hospital Estadual de Crianca (HEC) Feira de Santana Bahia

CRIO-Centro Regional Integrado de Oncologia Fortaleza Ceara

Hospital Felicio Rocho Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais

Santa Casa de Misericordia de Belo Horizonte Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais

Hospital Angelina Caron Campina Grande do Sul Parana

UOPECCAN Cascavel Parana

Hospital Sao Vicente de Paulo Passo Fundo Rio Grande do Sul

Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul

Hospital Ernesto Dornelles Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul

Hospital Sao Lucas da PUCRS Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul

Hospital Tacchini Bento Goncalves Rio Grande do Sul

Hospital Regional do Oeste Chapeco Santa Catarina

Hospital PUC-Campinas Campinas Sao Paulo

Hospital Amaral Carvalho Jau Sao Paulo

Clinico Ribeirao Preto (CAPED) Ribeirao Preto Sao Paulo

Cancer Institute Dr. Arnaldo Vieira De Carvalho Sao Paulo Sao Paulo

A.C. Camargo Cancer Center Sao Paulo Sao Paulo

Hospital Infantil Sabara Sao Paulo Sao Paulo

Clinerion and iHealth Group will next showcase the capabilities of the Patient Network Explorer network in Brazil at a face-to-face event entitled AI in Clinical Research - How to innovate with the patient in mind on April 26, 2022, in Sao Paulo.

About Clinerion

Clinerion accelerates clinical research and medical access to treatments for patients. We generate real-world data from our global network of partner hospitals for Real World Evidence analyses. Clinerion's Patient Network Explorer radically improves the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical trial recruitment by offering data-driven protocol optimization, site feasibility evaluation and real-time patient search and identification to match patients to treatments.

Clinerion facilitates the participation of partner hospitals in leading-edge, industry-sponsored trials and time savings in patient recruitment. Researchers gain access to real-time, longitudinal patient data from electronic health records for analysis. We enable pharmaceutical companies, CROs and SMOs to shorten patient recruitment and save costs by streamlining operations and leveraging strategic intelligence. Clinerions Patient Network Explorer also provides a platform for integration of diverse patient data sources into real-world data ecosystems. Clinerions proprietary technologies comply with international patient privacy and data security regulations. Clinerion is a global data technology service company headquartered in Switzerland.

Clinerion website: http://www.clinerion.com

Clinerions Patient Network Explorer: http://www.clinerion.com/index/PatientNetworkExplorerSolutions.html

For more information, please contact:

Le Vin Chin

Director, Head of Marketing & Communications

Clinerion Ltd

Elisabethenanlage 11, 4051 Basel, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 61 865 60 54

media@clinerion.com

About iHealth Group

The iHealth Group has a multidisciplinary team focused on serving the health informatics industry. Our team has extensive experience in this topic, leading the process of computerization of more than 30 Brazilian hospitals. Digital health transformation will enable us to improve communication with our patients, optimize our queues, improve the safety of our processes, expand our planning capacity, reduce costs, eliminate waste and, especially, do evidence-based management. However, we must understand that it is not the technology, but strategic management that will guide us correctly to the computerization of our health processes. IT cannot be a strategic goal, but an instrument to achieve a goal.

iHealth Group website: http://www.ihealthgroup.com.br

For more information, please contact:

Leonardo Nunes Alegre

iHealth Group

Tel.: +55 51 9 9192-9222

leonardo.alegre@ihealthgroup.com.br
Since 1992, Piper Ayala, Vice President at ExecuStay Midwest, has been at the forefront of the corporate housing industry. This fall, she will be taking on a new adventureretirement.

Since 1992, Piper Ayala, Vice President at ExecuStay Midwest, has been at the forefront of the corporate housing industry. This fall, she will be taking on a new adventureretirement.

In 1992, Ayala joined Suite Options (now known as ExecuStay Midwest), the corporate housing division of Transitions Group, Inc. Founded by her father, Bill Jackson, together, they built more than just a company. They were pioneers in the corporate housing industry, and leaders in the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA).

Throughout the years, Suite Options expanded to 16 cities throughout the central corridor of the US. In 1999, Suite Options became ExecuStay Midwest as a franchisee of Marriott International. Then in 2012, Marriott sold their ExecuStay corporate housing brand to Oakwood Worldwide.

Ayala has been at the helm of the corporate housing side of Transitions Group throughout these changes, including helping to transition the company into an ESOP (an employee-owned company) in 2014.

Ayala has been looking forward to retirement since her husband retired in 2020. They plan to enjoy their time together traveling and attending sporting events.

She looks back on her career at ExecuStay Midwest and fondly remembers the original offices in Wichita, surviving a massive hailstorm in that building, attending several company retreats in Colorado and California, and traveling to many CHPA conferences over the years. Her favorite memories will always be the people shes had the pleasure to work with at ExecuStay and in the corporate housing industry.

As a consultant, Ayala will remain on staff through November to help with the leadership transition.

Lynda Najera to Become the New VP of ExecuStay Midwest

Lynda Najera will take over Ayalas role as Vice President of ExecuStay. She brings 27 years of experience to her new role. Her career began in Wichita, Kansas, with Furniture Options, the furniture rental side of Transitions Group. Several years later, she transitioned to the corporate housing side to manage their entry into the Texas market. Her territory continued to grow over the years, eventually encompassing Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Of her successor, Ayala says, Lynda is the perfect person to lead ExecuStay Midwest. She has worked for both divisions of Transitions Group (Furniture Options and ExecuStay Midwest) during her 25+ years with the company. Shes grown our Texas and Louisiana markets to record numbers. Shell be a great leader for our team and continue to grow our business in the Midwest and beyond.

Najera is looking forward to her new responsibilities and says, I have been blessed to have incredible role models to learn from during my tenure at ExecuStay Midwest, and Piper has been one of them. She has been a great mentor to me, and her guidance was influential in helping balance my skillset and enhancing my management style. Pipers unwavering support has been a key factor in driving our success. We have enjoyed collaborating to accomplish our goals and reach new milestones.

Craig Hufft and Elida Fragozo to Step into New Roles

As Najera moves into the role of VP for the entire ExecuStay Midwest organization, Craig Hufft will take over as the Regional General Manager for the Southern Region.

Hufft has most recently served as the Director of Operations for the South Region. He came to the company when ExecuStay Midwest acquired the Oakwood Worldwide operations for Texas and Louisiana in 2019. Before becoming part of ExecuStay Midwest, Hufft managed the Central and West Texas operations for Oakwood, eventually adding Houston and Louisiana to his roster.

Hufft is excited about his new role and the future of ExecuStay Midwest. There is so much potential for growth in our South Region, and Im excited about what we will accomplish. I firmly believe that we have the ideal team to capitalize on our opportunities, expand our footprint and ensure that ExecuStay Midwest is the leader in our marketplace. Our South Region is a dynamic area where growth opportunities abound. Our entire team thrives on challenges and loves to win. Im here to ensure they have everything needed to make that happen.

Also moving into a new role will be Elida Fragozo. Fragozo will become the new Assistant Operations Manager for the Southern Region. She has a heart for service and does a phenomenal job taking care of clients and guests.

Fragozo also came to ExecuStay Midwest as part of the Oakwood acquisition in 2019. Every step of the way has been amazing. Our company truly values its employees, and they prove it by providing tools and opportunities to learn, grow and promote from within the organization. Im extremely excited for all that is to come!
We are proud to welcome Crescent Hills Water Companys customers to the Quench family. This is our fourth acquisition in 2022 and enhances our capabilities in a key market.

Quench, a leading provider of filtered water solutions for businesses and dealer partners across North America, announced today that it has acquired Crescent Hills Water Company, a provider of point-of-use drinking water systems based in Grapevine, TX. Founded in 1999, Crescent Hills Water Company adds significant density in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

We are proud to welcome Crescent Hills Water Companys customers to the Quench family, said Ryan Hartley, Vice President of Corporate Development for Quench. This is our fourth acquisition in 2022 and enhances our capabilities in a key market.

This is a great day for our customers, said Terry Williams, owner of Crescent Hills Water Company. Quenchs commitment to its customers is second to none and their extensive and growing product line will present exciting opportunities for the customer base of Crescent Hill Water Company. Further, the Quench team has been a thorough and trusting partner throughout this process.

More on Quenchs acquisition process can be found at https://quenchwater.com/acquisitions/ or by contacting our acquisition team directly by email at acquisitions@quenchwater.com.

About Quench

Quench USA, Inc. offers bottle-free filtered drinking water solutions for healthy and environmentally conscious consumers outside the home, through direct sales and independent dealers across North America. Our bottle-free water coolers, ice machines, sparkling water dispensers and coffee brewers, purify a users existing water supply to provide reliable and convenient filtered water to a broad mix of businesses, including government, education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and other large commercial customers, including more than half of the Fortune 500. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, Quench has sales and service operations across North America to serve our 60,000+ customers, and a network of over 250 independent dealers selling products under the brand names Pure Water Technology, Wellsys and Bluline. Quench is a Culligan Company. For more information, please visit https://quenchwater.com.

About Culligan

Founded in 1936 by Emmett Culligan, Culligan is a world leader in delivering water solutions that will improve the lives of its customers. The company offers some of the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art water filtration and treatment products. Culligan's products include water softeners, drinking water systems, whole-house systems and solutions for businesses. Culligan's network of franchise dealers is the largest in the world, with over 900 dealers in 90 countries. For more information visit: http://www.culligan.com.
Pride Houston 365 New Logo and Branding "...this year-round Pride Houston 365 expansion comes new opportunities for businesses to connect with queer consumers, officially..."

After two years of COVID-19 challenges, the Pride Houston 365 LGBT+ Celebration Festival and Parade is coming out stronger than ever. Ahead of its annual Pride Festival and Parade on Sat., June 25, 2022, at Houston City Hall, the nonprofit has committed to partnering with local businesses to host more Houston events throughout the year.

Were moving toward a celebration of Houstons LGBTQIA+ community all year long, said Kendra Walker, Co-President of Pride Houston 365. And with this year-round expansion comes new opportunities for businesses to connect with queer consumers. Were committed to working only with sponsors and partners that reflect our values of equality and inclusionand we wont look the other way if an unaffiliated company or venue is unfairly profiting off the Pride logo and brand.

Official partnership agreements with Pride Houston 365 dedicate a portion of the licensing fee for local LGBTQ+ nonprofits as well as youth scholarships. Among these is the Monica Roberts Scholarship Fund, which was established by Pride Houston in 2020 to honor the late transgender journalist and Houston resident Monica Roberts.

Thasia Madison, Co-President of Pride Houston 365 states, Weve noticed that consumers prefer to do business with companies that advertise in LGBTQ+ media and celebrate their culture. According to Forbes, companies with LGBTQ+ inclusive ads can increase sales by 40 percent.

To ensure that their consumer choices are deeper than the rainbow flag, all official Pride Houston 365 events and participants in the LGBT+ Celebration Festival and Parade will now include the new Pride365 logo and messaging.

The official Pride Houston 365 Kickoff Party will be held at JRs Bar and Grill on April 30 at 7:00 p.m., where they will announce the 2022 Grand Marshals who will ride in the downtown parade on June 25, which happens to be the third-largest Pride parade in the U.S.

To host an official Pride Houston 365 event, contact sponsorinquiry@pridehouston.org. For more information about or to get involved with Pride365, please visit pridehouston.org/participate.

About Pride Houston 365

Pride Houston 365 is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has organized the official Houston Pride since 1978. A volunteer-led organization, it provides an environment of service, value, diversity, and equity to all members of Houstons LGBTQIA+ community year-round. IIn 2022, Pride Houston rebranded to Pride Houston 365 under new leadership with an expanded business model that celebrates Pride throughout the year dedicated to raising funds for youth scholarships. Learn more at PrideHouston365.org/.
On its mission to drive more connectivity through shared experiences, Flewber Inc. announces the launch of the new Flewber app: an innovative technology platform that is redefining private air travel by offering seamless access to true on-demand private regional flights and long-range private flights throughout North America and the Caribbean. From frequent private fliers to those who havent yet had the opportunity, Flewber brings the luxuries of private travel to the masses  democratizing what was once unattainable to most, with no barrier to entry and flight costs just slightly more than a first-class ticket. Unique to the private aviation marketplace, the newest iteration of the Flewber mobile app bridges the gap between travelers and aircraft owners and operators, just as ridesharing platforms have done with riders and cars on terra firma, enabling users to locate and book private flights at more affordable prices, share their booking with fellow travelers, and experience the comfort, safety, and conveniences that are drawing people to the private aviation industry at a blistering rate. From busy Wall Street executives looking to close a deal in Boston or retirees taking part in revenge travel and crossing off a bucket list item, to college students traveling across state lines for an away game, or a group of friends embarking on a spontaneous weekend getaway in the Hamptons, Flewber brings the benefits of private air travel through a process as effortless as ordering dinner from a food delivery service.

The vision for Flewber is to open travelers eyes to the inherent luxuries and excitement of private aviation, said Marc Sellouk, Founder and CEO of Flewber. What we are offering is a simple way for users to book flights while simultaneously connecting FAA Licensed Part 135 private airlines to travelers. With demand for private aviation growing and people eager to travel again, the launch of the Flewber app is primed to shake up the industry for the better.

Simplicity and Reliability with the Tap of a Few Buttons

There is an array of reasons a traveler might choose to fly privately in 2022 and beyond  from the safety of social distancing from large airport crowds to avoiding TSA lines or reaching hard-to-get-to regional cities. Between the effort to book private flights and the costs involved, many have resolved that private travel will simply never be available to them, which is what the Flewber app aims to negate. While the cost of Flewber LXs long-range flights vary depending on trip distance and aircraft chosen, Flewber Xpress air taxi service to regional markets within a 300-mile radius will never cost more than $3,700 plus tax one-way or $7,400 plus tax roundtrip, for an aircraft that can seat anywhere from six to eight passengers. The key to the apps streamlined and reliable approach is how it reshapes the traditional private aviation equation by connecting users directly to aircraft operators. Flewber's vast network offers travelers more than 9,000 aircraft in a wide range of categories and passenger capacities for flights to more than 1,900 private airports across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

While most airline apps are designed for prospecting rather than booking and offer little in the way of recourse should passengers require refinements to a reservation, travelers pay no membership or subscription fees to join and use Flewber. The new app is driven by functionality  simple in design, intuitive in use, and intended to connect users with private aircraft that are perfectly suited to their needs while offering inviting opportunities to save money and customize the booking experience.

Innovative new app features include:



Before finalizing the booking, Flewber offers a social Share feature for the user to alert friends via social media that a trip is in the works. Once co-passengers confirm their interest, an aircraft can be booked and waiting, all they have to do is chip in to be a part of it!

Choose from private regional (Flewber Xpress) or long-range flights (Flewber LX), all guaranteed to be perfectly suited to the size of the customers travel group and the airports they plan to fly to and from.

Search for a private flight by airport code, address, or point of interest: a first-of-its-kind feature offering the potential for convenience to private airports that may be located mere miles from a users home or final destination.

Flewber offers only real-time pricing directly from operators, ensuring that app users get the price they are quoted for the flight they need. There are no last-minute substitutions at elevated rates that are so often frustrating for users of commercial airline apps.

An innovative Book or Bid feature gilds the Flewber experience with the potential for cost savings and a bit of excitement. Upon choosing a private aircraft, app users are offered the option to book immediately at a quoted price or submit a bid for as low as 60% of that price. The Flewber app then searches for flights closer to the lower bid  a very real possibility, given the prevalence of empty leg flights that operators are eager to fill. Upon receiving a lower offer, users then have 15 minutes to accept and save.

No matter the reason for choosing private, all guests can bask in the opulent ambiance of the experience from start to finish. The private aviation experiences Flewber offers are a stark contrast from flying commercial. Passengers pull right up to their aircraft, arriving at the airport as little as 15 minutes before flight time with no standing in TSA lines, passing through metal detectors, or removing shoes or laptops required. Rather than squeeze in with crowds at commercial airports, private aviation flyers are welcomed by Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) that offer business class-style lounges and services such as valet parking, business communications technologies, and snacks and beverages to encourage relaxation pre-flight.

The new Flewber app is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices and is now available to download via the Apple App Store or Google Play. For more information, please visit http://www.flewber.com.

About Flewber

Flewber is a groundbreaking app, driving more connectivity through shared experiences. Connecting users to each other as well as a marketplace of true on-demand, regional (Flewber Xpress), and long-range (Flewber LX) private flights throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Flewber utilizes its own aircraft along with a vast network of partner operators. Book or Bid on flights to get unheard of pricing on anything from air taxi to luxury private jets to smaller regional aircraft. Like ridesharing services allow people to locate a car on-demand, Flewber empowers passengers to locate and book private flights in real time, and share their booking with friends or colleagues. No lines, no wait time, no security checkpoints. Simply book your flight and arrive 15 minutes prior to take off. Tap, pack, and go!
Nick Barash, executive director, Benchmark Senior Living at Haverhill Crossings "Benchmark supports their residents, families and associates in ways that are unlike any other senior living provider Ive worked for, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a talented team. -Nick Barash, executive director, Benchmark Senior Living at Haverhill Crossings

There is nothing more important than family for Andovers Nick Barash, the new executive director of Benchmark Senior Living at Haverhill Crossings, an assisted living and Mind & Memory Care community. For nearly a decade, his North Shore senior living career has focused on supporting older adults and their loved ones in the best way possible. His desire to provide the best care and experiences brought him to Haverhill Crossings.

Throughout my career, Ive worked with many Benchmark associates who I consider top-notch and found myself drawn to Benchmarks strong culture, says Barash. They support their residents, families and associates in ways that are unlike any other senior living provider Ive worked for, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a talented team.

Barash comes to Benchmark from Atria Merrimack Place in Newburyport where he was the executive director. Previously, he was with Landmark Senior Living communities in Beverly. Barash graduated from James Madison University with a bachelors degree in kinesiology.

He and his wife, a social worker for Lowell Public Schools concentrating on special education for middle school students, have three children.

Nick has an infectious energy and a passion for connecting with people that's immediately present in every interaction, said Noeline Alberts, regional director of operations for Benchmark Senior Living. His local knowledge is unsurpassed, and the many relationships he has are already benefitting our residents and families, so we are excited to have him on board.

For over 24 years, Haverhill Crossings has provided award-winning care and experiences. Personalized, needs-based support with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, as well as specialized support for individuals with all stages of dementia is offered.

The community features Benchmarks award-winning Mind & Memory Care program in which residents enjoy a carefully created secure living environment and unique opportunities to find joy in each new day. Residents are supported by 24/7 care providers who have been specially educated in memory loss, communication and empathy.

Haverhill Crossings is also known for its welcoming atmosphere. Customized programs that help connect residents to their passions and each other are offered throughout the day. Events include Tai Chi exercise classes in the wellness center trips to the beach, live music, crafting and jewelry-making in the recreation room, social hour and trivia in the bistro.

Benchmark Senior Living at Haverhill Crossings is conveniently located on Route 110, right off I-495. Click here for more information.

# # #

About Benchmark Senior Living

Benchmark is New Englands largest senior living provider with 63 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 5,000 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 25 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over a hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 14 straight years in The Boston Globes annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNEs Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.
Saketernal Radiance Booster Mask EDOBIO features plants that have been popular in Japan since the Edo period, and combines them with the latest biotechnology to extract more active ingredients of natural origin.

Japanese clean beauty brand EDOBIO is proud to announce that they have been honored by the AA Environmental Possibility Awards for their efforts towards creating more environmentally-friendly and sustainable cosmetics.

The brand was recently recognized in two different categories, being named one of the 2022 Environmental Heroes of The Year for their EDOBIO Masu Soap, as well as winner of the 2022 Green Trend Leader Award in regard to their Saketernal Radiance Booster Mask.

Building a Better Future: About The Environment Possibility Awards

Founded in Europe by the Global Summit Association, the AA Environment Possibility Awards are an effort by the international organization to acknowledge companies and products that are leading the way to a greener future.

Each year, brands are able to submit to GSAs intensive review process, which includes evaluating their impact on global warming, environmental pollution, animal testing standards, eco-friendly ingredients, and other related concerns.

According to the organization's website, the purpose of this process is not only to spotlight brands within their industry but also to empower consumers in the pursuit of sustainable consumption choices.

On the official Environment Possibility Awards website they state their mission as follows: We are building a complete system that will show award winners how they can join in protecting the ecological environment of the planet and the ocean so that future generations can enjoy the green windfall.

EDOBIOs Award Winning Products: Masu Soap and Saketernal Radiance Booster Mask

For reducing environmental impact as well as providing products that promote healthy skin and natural beauty, EDOBIOs proprietary key ingredient is Lactobacillus-Fermented Sake Lees extract, created via a special fermentation and cultivation process, so as not to compromise efficacy.

Because sake lees produced in typical brewing processes are frequently disposed of as industrial waste, EDOBIO is contributing to a better approach to ecology and embodying clean beauty.

Winner of the Green Trend Leader Award, The Saketernal Radiance Booster Mask is a rinse-off clay treatment mask that helps defend the skin against external environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays (UV), dirt, pollution, temperature changes, dryness, and blue light. This innovative product also contains mineral-rich Kucha (sea silt) from Okinawa, which absorbs microscopic pore dirt, while the fermented sake lees extract promotes moisture retention, skin softening, and glowing skin.

In the Environmental Heroes of the Year category, Edobio Masu Soap from EDOBIOs Floradiance Soap Series, is a moisturizing souffle soap, crafted almost completely by hand, using simple, plant-based ingredients. This detailed and intricate process is a unique speciality of the brand, and provides a gentle, skin cleansing solution that is appropriate for all skin types to use on the face and body.

About Edobio

With the social vision of "creating new things that are useful for people's health," EDOBIO develops products that are gentle to the mind and body by infusing them with beautiful botanical ingredients.

EDOBIO features plants that have been popular in Japan since the Edo period, and combines them with the latest biotechnology to extract more active ingredients of natural origin. The brands mission is to improve quality of life through technology in order to meet the demands of todays modern lifestyle.
CureLab Veterinary Inc. is a biotech company devoted to help pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives. The new clinical data released by CureLab Oncology paves the road to even more new discoveries in our laboratory, while at the same time, our lab data helps CureLab target new applications for its p62 product.

The University of Camerino (UniCam) has extended its strategic business partnership with CureLab Oncology Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company, to develop anti-cancer immunotherapy for humans, and has signed a similar agreement with CureLab Veterinary Inc., to reapply this medicine for treatment of companion animals.

In 2012, the university signed a strategic partnership agreement with CureLab Oncology for researching the DNA plasmid coding p62/SQSTM1 gene (p62) that resulted in patents being granted in more than 20 countries. Subsequently, initial p62 plasmid clinical trials have shown great promise in treating the deadliest forms of ovarian and breast cancer. Given this success, CureLab Oncology and UniCam have agreed to extend their partnership.

As a first result of the prolonged partnership agreement, scientists from UniCam and CureLab just published a paper in the journal General and Comparative Endocrinology, one of the top scientific journals focused on animal science and zoology. The choice of a journal was based on a concomitant agreement that UniCam signed with CureLab Veterinary, which licensed the p62 IP for application in cats, dogs, and horses. Earlier, this scientific team successfully treated 10 out of 11 dogs with breast cancer.

UniCam has a well-established School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, said Prof. Guido Favia, director of the school. This new partnership with CureLab Veterinary, based on both scientific and clinical strength, brings attractive development opportunities for the entire school.

We are very pleased to continue our partnership with CureLab Oncology, said Prof. Maria Giovanna Sabbieti of the School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine at UniCam. The new clinical data released by CureLab Oncology paves the road to even more new discoveries in our laboratory, while at the same time, our lab data helps CureLab target new applications for its p62 product.

Our partnership with CureLab Veterinary opens up new opportunities for the research on bone and inflammatory-based diseases of domestic and farm animals, said Dr. Dimitrios Agas of the School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine at UniCam.

CureLab Veterinary is very pleased to be working with the University of Camerino to explore translational studies in the areas of osteoarthritis, cancer, aging, and age-associated diseases to improve and extend the lives of our four-legged family members, said Robert Devlin, DVM, MBA, of CureLab Veterinary.

About the University of Camerino

The University of Camerino is one of the oldest universities in Europe and was ranked the best university of Italy among those with fewer than 10,000 students, according to the Guida Censis Repubblica 2011 and 2012 ranking.

About CureLab Veterinary

CureLab Veterinary Inc. is a biotech company devoted to help pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives. CureLab Veterinary has an exclusive license for application of CureLab Oncology IP to dogs, cats and horses. To learn more, visit curelabveterinary.com.

About CureLab Oncology

CureLab Oncology Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology biotech company headquartered in the greater Boston area. CureLab is dedicated to advancing new and safer therapeutics for solid tumors and other oncology and inflammatory indications. To learn more, visit curelaboncology.com.

Media contact:

Tim Cox, ZingPR, tim@zingpr.com
DriveBid, by DrivenIQ, helps dealers find, bid and buy vehicles direct from consumers. DriveBid connects dealers who need inventory with consumers who are looking for the best offer for their vehicle in a real-time, easy-to-use online platform.

DrivenIQ, the experts in data and data technologies to help businesses best advertise to their ideal customers, today announced that more than 250 dealers have signed on to the companys new DriveBidTM platform, powered by Black Book. The DriveBid platform integrates Black Books VIN-specific valuation and VIN Decoding data.

DriveBid is the first consumer-driven Live Trade-in Marketplace that helps dealers sell more cars while sourcing valuable inventory direct from the consumer. Black Book is known in the automotive industry for providing timely, independent and precise vehicle pricing and analytics.

It was great to be back to in-person events, and were thrilled with the success that we saw in Las Vegas at NADA, our industrys largest convention, said Albert Thompson, CEO of DrivenIQ. DriveBid connects dealers who need inventory with consumers who are looking for the best offer for their vehicle in a real-time, easy-to-use online platform. DriveBid empowers consumers to watch live bidding and simultaneously communicate with dealers to ask and answer questions, as well as to explore inventory for their next vehicle purchase. Black Books data allows us to create transparency in the trade-in and vehicle purchasing process that until now, has never existed.

The DriveBid marketplace allows consumers to place their vehicle into a virtual garage and receive Black Books trade-in valuation or valuation range for their vehicle. Dealers can then bid on the vehicle or make a purchase offer. At the same time, dealers can display their inventory so that consumers can shop for their next vehicle.

Integrating Black Books data into DrivenIQs DriveBid platform provides dealers with the data they need to increase their revenue and maximize their profit, said Jared Kalfus, President of Black Book. Dealers will have up-to-date, precise data so that they can more competitively bid for new inventory, make more desirable trade offers and sell more vehicles.

DrivenIQ is a data-driven intelligence technology firm. Late last year, Capstone Technologies Group, Inc (OTC: CATG), a company that acquires, operates and organically develops disruptive technologies, acquired an initial minority interest in DrivenIQ and has invested additional capital to further accelerate the companys growth.

To register or for more information, visit DriveBid.

About DrivenIQ

DrivenIQ is an omni-data ad tech company that specializes in zero party and 1st party data to help businesses best advertise to their ideal customers. The company offers a variety of services, including website traffic analytics, geo-zoning technologies, text message marketing, social media solutions, and DriveBidTM, a live vehicle trade-in marketplace, to help businesses and marketers engage with their existing and prospective customers. Founded by Albert Thompson, a digital advertising expert and former car dealer, DrivenIQ is best known for its automotive industry data solutions, although it helps small, medium, and large businesses across various industries. Visit http://www.driveniq.com and http://www.drivebid.com for more information.

About Black Book

Black Book is a leading provider of automotive vehicle pricing and analytical services that are delivered to industry-qualified users through mobile, online and Data as a Service applications. Since 1955 Black Book has continuously evolved to ensure that it achieves its goal of delivering mission-critical information to its customers, along with the insight necessary to successfully buy, sell, and lend. Black Book data is published daily by National Auto Research, a Hearst company, and maintains offices in Georgia as well as Toronto, where Canadian Black Book is based. For more information, please visit BlackBook.com or call 800.554.1026
The acclaimed Italian wine organization, Slow Wine, announces the release of the 2022 Slow Wine USA Guide, which is now available for presale on Slow Food USAs website, where all proceeds support Slow Wine, and on Amazon.

Written by U.S. National Editor and esteemed wine educator, Deborah Parker Wong, and her team of field coordinators, along with the oversight and support of Slow Wine Editor in Chief Giancarlo Gariglio, the 2022 U.S. guide features 275 wineries across California, New York, Oregon and Washington. As the only eco-curated guide to American wineries, it examines the people and stories behind the wines and vineyards to help consumers make more conscious choices.

Navigating the landscape of sustainability has become intimidating for wine consumers. The Slow Wine Guide USA serves as a roadmap, celebrating transparent farming and advocating for wineries that uphold our good, clean, and fair ethos, says Deborah Parker Wong. Slow Wines U.S.community continues to grow, and in a time where climate change has become increasingly evident as well as more threatening to winegrowers and vintners, the guide allows for a transparent and updated report on whats happening in Americas vineyards and cellars.

Eco-curation is at the heart of everything Slow Wine USA does  leading consumers to wines from brands big and small that choose not to use herbicides in their vineyards. For consumers who want to drink clean and green, the Slow Wine Guide offers in-depth wine information, written by a whos who of wine writers in the U.S.," says Pamela Strayer, Senior Editor of the U.S. guide.

In a further commitment to sustainable agriculture, Slow Wine partner wineries have signed a manifesto created by the Slow Wine Coalition, a united global network of wine industry members who are dedicated to supporting a wine revolution driven by environmental sustainability, protection of the land, and rural, social, and cultural growth. And for the first time this year, the Coalition met in Bologna, Italy, at the end of February during the Slow Wine Fair for four days of conferences and tastings.

The 2022 Slow Wine Guide USA is available for pre-order on the Slow Food website where wineries listed in the 2022 Guide are offered a discount for purchases of six or more copies, and Amazon for $25.00.

About Slow Wine

The Slow Wine Guide evaluates over 2,000 Italian and several hundred American wineries - including a small selection from Slovenia - and treats each with the utmost respect and attention. Since its beginnings in Italy twelve years ago, Slow Wine has combined its tasting sessions with equally important moments of exchange and debate with producers. The direct contact with winegrowers and winemakers allows for a genuine, transparent and always up-to-date report on whats happening in their vineyards and cellars. Slow Wine selects wineries that respect and reflect their local terroir and practice sustainable methods that benefit the environment. All wines featured in the US guide are 100% free of chemical herbicides, and for the first time ever, all wineries that receive the Snail, the official Slow Wine seal, are 100% free of chemical herbicides, a quality that the Slow Wine Guide continues to passionately support.

About Colangelo & Partners

Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on closing the loop between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com/


Tom Hosack, the President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty, emphasizes, the company is lucky to have Kelly join our team. We are excited to see what her future success looks like with The Preferred Realty.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty welcomes former morning news anchor and Pittsburgh personality, Kelly Frey, to its West-Airport Regional office. As a new licensee, Frey is eager to assist clients throughout their home buying and selling journey.

As an active and well-respected member of the community, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty is honored to have Frey join the team. She brings a wealth of local knowledge as she has been a resident of the Greater Pittsburgh area for almost 25 years. Currently living in Pittsburghs Elliott neighborhood, her goal is to act as a leader to help revitalize her neighborhood in the historic West End. She is hoping her new career in real estate will help launch the efforts of the local community.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University in Pittsburgh in 1995, she spent time in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas in pursuit of her career before returning to Pittsburgh in 2000. For the last 21 years, Frey worked at WTAE as a morning news anchor where she became widely successful and well-known to the residents of Pittsburgh.

Her passion for the real estate industry began when she and her husband, Jason, purchased and renovated their first city property almost 20 years ago. In 2015, Frey and her husband renovated their own home to accommodate their son Bennetts severe medical conditions and she realized she wanted to help others find their perfect home as well. That interest became a reality when she received her Pennsylvania real estate license in March 2022 and began her new career journey at The Preferred Realty.

In Freys words, "Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty is an incredible family of skilled professionals who nurture, motivate and support one another and that translates into caring so deeply for clients and community. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this fantastic team and the quality and integrity they represent. I am passionate about holding these high standards while working with clients one-on-one in their home buying and selling journey.

As a new real estate professional, Frey is ready to put her passion to the test. She is committed to providing exceptional service by compiling comprehensive details on the market, educating her clients through the process, finding solutions to any hurdles that emerge and making the home buying and selling adventure fun!

Tom Hosack, the President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty, emphasizes, the company is lucky to have Kelly join our team. We are excited to see what her future success looks like with The Preferred Realty.

In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and volunteering for local organizations and charities, taking part in community clean-ups and advocating for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She has also been known to participate in adventures as varied as throwing the first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game and even skydiving with the US Armys official parachute demonstration team.

Please welcome Kelly Frey to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty at the West-Airport Regional office at Thorn Run Road Ext, Moon Township, or contact her by phone at 412-320-5718.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty is a locally owned, full-service real estate company serving the Western Pennsylvania area. Our affiliation with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network provides us with the most advanced technology and tools in the industry.
Geoffrey Muessig, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at PITT OHIO present Meeting the Challenges Facing LTL Head-On at the CLI 50 year celebration As the leading pioneer in advanced freight management solutions we look forward to the next 50 years of providing software that manages the complex processes that are required in LTL and last mile operations.

Carrier Logistics Inc. (CLI), veteran providers of freight management software for Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) fleets, today announced it will hold an event for clients as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.

Planned for Thursday May 19th at the historic Long Acre Tavern in the heart of Times Square in New York City, the event will feature a presentation on Meeting the Challenges Facing LTL Head-On by Geoffrey Muessig, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at PITT OHIO.

Since its founding, Carrier Logistics has ridden the technology wave, always keeping up with the times and developing functionality and tools that benefit their clients and keep their software on the leading edge, said Ben Wiesen, president of CLI. As the leading pioneer in advanced freight management solutions we look forward to the next 50 years of providing software that manages the complex processes that are required in LTL and last mile operations. As part of our special networking event, we are also very pleased that an industry expert like Geoffrey Muessig will be on hand to detail the issues and opportunities facing the industry today.

Geoffrey Muessig has over 33 years of experience in the transportation industry. He started his career with PITT OHIO, the Pittsburgh-based LTL carrier that serves the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the U.S., in 1988 as a sales representative. As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, he has overseen the development of many new service offerings, including Fast Track, an award-winning, expedited Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) guaranteed shipping service; Heat Track, a guaranteed protect from freeze LTL shipping service, and The Reliance Network (TRNet) a nationwide LTL network that spans North America.

Following Muessigs presentation on Meeting the Challenges Facing LTL Head-On the CLI special networking event will include a happy hour, followed by dinner and networking into the evening. On Friday morning, there will be a session focused on the latest version of FACTS, CLIs signature software system. FACTS vs12 Whats New, Whats Improved, Whats Changed will examine all of the new benefits in this soon-to-be-released version.

The event is open to CLI clients and specific industry partners. If you are interested in attending, Reserve Your Spot today as space is limited.

Carrier Logistics, founded in 1972 by Ken Weinberg, plans to celebrate their golden anniversary throughout the year by scheduling special events, launching new initiatives and marking the milestone through various commemorations. Their commitment to doing well by doing good will also continue as the company will carry on the tradition of giving back to the community and causes through donations.

Carrier Logistics FACTS is the premier solution for meeting the unique transportation and freight management needs of asset-based LTL carriers and the last mile industry. FACTS includes online customer shipping tools, dispatch and driver management, a superior rate engine, cross dock management, and a full back-office suite that give transportation professionals the tools they need to operate cost-effectively while providing improved freight visibility to their customers.

About Carrier Logistics Inc.

Carrier Logistics Inc., Elmsford, N.Y., is the pioneer in LTL freight management systems with 50 years of experience providing software that processes and manages the complexities of all aspects needed in a freight management solution. CLI is the premier transportation software provider to LTL, combined LTL and truckload, asset light and non-asset and package delivery in the U.S. and Canada. http://www.carrierlogistics.com.

Media Contact:

Susan Fall

LaunchIt Public Relations

858-490-1050

susan@launchitpr.com
Through the Glass Darkly: a potent autobiographical work. Through the Glass Darkly is the creation of published author Charles "Chuck" Stigelman, an associate pastor at Haddon Heights Baptist Church in New Jersey. Stigelman has been married to his wife, Ora, for sixty years, and together they have four children, ten grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Former Fire Fighter Stigelman shares, A good portion of my life was spent looking at life through, what seemed to be, tragic circumstances over which I had little control. Societal sorrows clouded my vision, like peering through a glass partition clouded by smoke. I never saw clearly how I could help others definitely. Once I stopped trying and started trusting in the one who could, my lifes course changed drastically. It is truly stated, Jesus never fails!

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Charles "Chuck" Stigelmans new book will pull at the heartstrings and inspire the soul as readers witness Stiglemans most personal moments.

Pastor Chuck shares a poignant and encouraging look back on a life lived in faith and determination to help those in need.

Consumers can purchase Through the Glass Darkly at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Through the Glass Darkly, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
2022 Dream Vacations/CruiseOne Circle of Excellence Cruise I am beyond proud of their perseverance and dedication during one of the most difficult times in the travel industry. Despite these challenges, they never stopped taking on leadership roles within our organization as mentors and engaged community members.

Dream Vacations/CruiseOne recently recognized its top-producing travel agency franchise owners, who are members of the home-based networks prestigious Circle of Excellence, with a luxury experience aboard the Seabourn Odyssey which traveled from Bridgetown, Barbados to Oranjestad, Aruba.

Due to the pandemic, the Circle of Excellence members have been waiting two long years to celebrate their success which made it an extra special trip, said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations/CruiseOne. I am beyond proud of their perseverance and dedication during one of the most difficult times in the travel industry. Despite these challenges, they never stopped taking on leadership roles within our organization as mentors and engaged community members.

The cruise also visited the Southern Caribbean islands, including St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Dominica, Bonaire and Curacao. Throughout the week, the attendees spent time with each other reconnecting after being apart for two years and were treated to several Seabourn Moments throughout the week, including the signature Beach Bash where they enjoyed champagne and caviar in the surf.

The Circle of Excellence reward trip provides top-selling agents not only with unique vacation experiences, but also the opportunity to network in an intimate environment with key suppliers from the travel industry, as well as members of the Dream Vacations/CruiseOne leadership team, including Chief Operating Officer Debbie Fiorino, Senior Vice President and General Manager Drew Daly, Senior Vice President of Product and Operations David Crooks, Senior Vice President of Human Resources Loren Kennedy, Vice President of Operations Joelle Delva and Network Sales and Support Director Dawn Gillis.

Other VIP guests and trip sponsors included:



Erin Douglas, senior director, strategic partnerships at Carnival Cruise Line

Barbara Julian, strategic market manager at Celebrity Cruises

Brennan Quesnele, vice president, sales at GOGO Vacations

Kayla Corbett, senior manager, key accounts at Norwegian Cruise Line

Glen Rothe, vice president of sales, key and national accounts at Norwegian Cruise Line

Joseph Eastep, senior director, strategic accounts at Oceania

Shanel Knight, strategic accounts director at Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Mary Lynch, director of sales, southeast region at Royal Caribbean

Galen Mathews, director of sales at Royal Caribbean

Steve Smotrys, vice president, global sales at Seabourn

Pierre van Breda, deputy director, global charter, incentive and group sales at Seabourn

Wendy Whitener, director, North America sales at Seabourn

The Circle of Excellence trip this year was amazing, said Trapper Martin, franchise owner of Trapper Martin, Shane Smartt & Associates  Dream Vacations. We had several new members join us making the peer-to-peer interaction even more valuable while also enjoying time with old friends and longtime members of the group. This was our first time sailing on Seabourn and we loved it! The Seabourn experience was valuable to us because we were able to get a more intimate feeling of the product. The best part of Circle of Excellence trips is really getting to know or get reacquainted with suppliers, many of whom have become friends. This trip is all about relationship building and celebrating our successes with very little shop talk, which may surprise many. It is just one of the many elements of the trip that make it extra special.

Dream Vacations also recently held their second River Summit which was a huge success aboard AmaWaterways AmaMagna. On the full ship charter, roughly 150 attendees came together to learn more about what the river cruise experience is like while sailing the Danube River. Other upcoming in-person learning events include Regional Trainings in San Diego, Calif., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Cleveland, Ohio; Land, Marketing and Luxury Summits; the annual National Conference onboard Norwegian Encore.

For more information on owning a Dream Vacations/CruiseOne travel franchise, please visit http://www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com or call 888-249-8235.

About Dream Vacations / CruiseOne

A member of the International Franchise Association, the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise CruiseOne has been in operation since 1992, and its sister brand Dream Vacations launched in April 2016, giving franchisees a choice in how they want to brand their travel business. Dream Vacations / CruiseOne franchisees have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. Dream Vacations / CruiseOne is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information, visit http://www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations / CruiseOne on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.

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"While there will be far less wine to share from the 2020 vintage due to lower yields, the quality of these wines is extremely high and there is much to enjoy from the vintage.

With the release of its 2020 vintage, acclaimed Russian River Valley producer DuMOL is proud to celebrate 25 seasons of winegrowing and crafting renowned, age-worthy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. To commemorate this important milestone, DuMOL is releasing a 25th vintage Pinot Noir magnum, along with hosting a series of ticketed in-person and virtual events across the country for its Members. The winery is also introducing two new Estate Pinot Noir bottlings from the 2020 vintage.

Since its inaugural 1996 vintage, the DuMOL team has been dedicated to farming distinctive vineyards in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast with a sensitive touch and producing exceptional vineyard-focused wines. For more than 20 years Viticulturist, Winemaker, and Co-owner Andy Smith has been at the helm of DuMOL, leading a dedicated team and directing the farming of a diverse spectrum of estate, leased, and grower-partner vineyards, many of which Andy has worked with for more than two decades. With more than 50 years combined experience, the DuMOL winemaking team has grown to understand each of their vineyard sites intimately. This deep connection to the land, coupled with vintage-specific winegrowing, has led DuMOL to realize its potential to craft world-class wines year after year.

It takes a while, working with a vineyard, to discover its defining characteristics. Then, it takes even longer to discover an appropriate winemaking approach and sensitivity  a lightness of touch  to highlight those features in the wine, states Andy. Were proud to release the 2020 vintage wines, which among recent vintage wines, showcase the culmination of many years of developing a deep understanding of our vineyards and refining our winemaking approach to shine a light on these distinctive sites. While there will be far less wine to share from the 2020 vintage due to lower yields, the quality of these wines is extremely high and there is much to enjoy from the vintage.

Included in their 2020 seasonal releases are two new Pinot Noirs from DuMOLs Estate Vineyards, offered exclusively to their Member allocation list. Andy understood early in his tenure at DuMOL that to truly become a world-class wine producer, they would need an exceptional estate property that could bring gravitas and longevity to the winery. In 2004, after an extensive search, DuMOL purchased and developed its first vineyard parcel just off of Occidental Road in the Green Valley district of the Russian River Valley. Today, this is the site of the DuMOL Estate Vineyard, made up of 30 acres across four contiguous parcels. The 2020 MacIntyre Estate and Bressay Estate Pinot Noirs both come from this high-density vineyard and showcase the depth, clarity, and elegance that wine lovers and critics have come to admire in DuMOLs wines.

To celebrate its 25th vintage, DuMOL has crafted a limited number of anniversary magnums. DuMOL Members will have access to this special wine, an estate-grown Pinot Noir cuvee from the Russian River Valley. Similar to the other wines from the 2020 vintage, it will don a commemorative label designed by illustrator Craig Fraizer, who refined the DuMOL crest in 2016.

For more information about DuMOLs wines, its history, and the vineyards, please visit https://dumol.com. The majority of DuMOL wines - including the 25th vintage Pinot Noir magnum, MacIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, and Bressay Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir - are reserved for its Members to access during seasonal releases throughout the year. Members also receive access to private tastings and invitations to dedicated events throughout the year. For more information about becoming a DuMOL Member, please visit https://members.dumol.com/join.

About DuMOL

Founded in 1996, DuMOL is a winery dedicated to crafting highly nuanced, vineyard-focused Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from distinctive sites in the cool-climate Russian River Valley. Using its 25 years of winegrowing experience, DuMOL also grows and produces small-lot Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Mencia from some of the finest vineyard sites in Sonoma and Napa. Today, DuMOL is led by Winemaker, Viticulturist, and Co-owner Andy Smith, who leads a small and experienced team in crafting wines that are powerful yet balanced, possessing vibrancy and a strong signature of these special vineyards. DuMOL wines are released through limited allocations to its consumer mailing list and select restaurants worldwide. For more information, please visit https://DuMOL.com/ and follow DuMOL on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Image of the Futures4Students Career Jam event landing page

The free and virtual Futures4Students Careers Jam is a careers fair that aims to address the increasing skills gap, and combat the impacts the pandemic has had on young peoples access to career support and opportunities to engage with employers. To learn more about the event please visit and register on the event page.

Last years event supported over 1,600 students through 28 virtual booths where they connected with prospective employers and 29 business role models who gave insight into their industries via panel discussions and virtual stands.

In this years event, F4S expects as many as 5000 students from across the UK to attend and benefit from the services. Tailored to 16 to 25 year olds, the event will offer a variety of panel discussions and workshops from the likes of Google, Tate & Lyle and Workfinder. Industry leaders and young soon-to-be professionals will share their experiences and exchange ideas through a range of discussions framed around the topics of employability that young people face.

There will also be a host of exhibition stands where attendees can chat live and arrange 1:1 meetings with prospective employers and educators. If you are an exhibitor or sponsor interested to partake you can find more information on the exhibit page.

After the success of our first ever Futures4Students virtual Careers Jam, I am thrilled that we are once again able to bring young people aged 16-25 together with employers no matter where they live. While youth employment rates have recovered, the job market remains challenging for young people entering the workforce with many still at a significant disadvantage due to a lack of opportunity and meaningful engagement with employers during the pandemic. The Careers Jam gives young people the opportunity to connect with employers and educators across the UK and browse job opportunities, as well as offering guidance on some of the key issues they face, helping them to be better informed and inspired about their future careers, says Michaela Eschbach, Managing Director of Founders4Schools.

The future is uncertain, and events like these are a great stepping stone for students in their journey between school and their careers. vFairs is glad to be able to provide that support to Founders4Schools, says Muhammad Younad, CEO of vFairs.

vFairs has helped create an interactive and engaging environment to host this virtual career fair with a provision for on-demand resource of careers education. The accessibility features that the platform offers also helps make this event more accessible to SEN students.

About Founders4Schools

Founders4Schools (F4S) is a careers education charity, which improves the employment prospects of young people aged 5 to 25. The organization ensures access to quality careers education without barriers, through a free, quick and easy platform. Educators can arrange inspiring role model encounters to take place in the classroom or virtually. They also organize career inspiration events to provide ready-made role model encounters for young people and educators to attend live, or catch up on on-demand.

To attend Careers Jam on May 3rd, 2022, anyone can get a free ticket via f4scareersjam.com! If your company is interested in getting involved and showcasing your early career opportunities, please get in touch via careersjam@founders4schools.org.uk.

About vFairs

vFairs is a virtual events platform that both large and smaller companies can use to host various virtual events. This can include, but is not limited to, virtual job fairs, trade shows, conferences, and more.

It is a one stop solution to all your virtual event needs. It offers world class project management and customer support. With a collection of versatile features such as auto matchmaking tools, job boards, software integrations, gamifications and customizations, it offers everything under one virtual roof.
RNLs mission to ensure the success of its higher education clients required RNLs own market leadership in AI-driven analytics and prescriptive automation that goes beyond machine learning, including optimization algorithms, prescriptive analytics, and multi-scenario simulations.

Powerhouse brands have set a very high bar for curated and timely content. This creates a challenge for colleges and universities whose stakeholders have been conditioned by the likes of Google and Amazon but whose budgetary, technical, and human resources cannot compare. RNL (Ruffalo Noel Levitz), the leading provider of higher education enrollment management, student success, and fundraising solutions, has developed an award-winning innovation to help its campus partners live up to and exceed the expectations of students, parents, and alumni.

RNLs IT innovation was rooted in the challenge of processing large amounts of data at scale, optimizing data flows, and building modeling capabilities that support prescriptive analytics and interactive dashboards.

Annually, RNL works with 1,900 higher education and nonprofit partners who use various advanced analytics algorithms with data that often exists in independent architectures. Incoming data therefore required significant preprocessing across multiple platforms before RNL and its partners could leverage it for marketing insights and recruitment outreach.

To streamline this process, RNL began to design data engineering and machine learning pipelines by forming interdisciplinary teams of customer-facing consultants and internal specialists to work alongside the technical experts and ensure that subject matter expertise was inculcated into the algorithms intended to drive the data-driven analytics. RNLs innovative new cloud-shared analytics and data platform processes information at several layers of complexity.

RNL also emphasized democratization of advanced algorithms. Typically, data analytics is a domain of specialized teams. However, RNL initiatives will put AI and machine learning at the fingertips of all team members.

These efforts have produced numerous benefits for the firms partners, including:



Hyper-personalized client engagement

Always-on AI with advanced algorithms running in the background, processing new data and enhancing existing models

Products with embedded analytics

Insights-based optimization algorithms

Prescriptive modeling capabilities

As RNL AI and Data Scientist Jack Brzezinski, Ph.D., said: RNLs mission to ensure the success of its higher education clients required RNLs own market leadership in AI-driven analytics and prescriptive automation that goes beyond machine learning, including optimization algorithms, prescriptive analytics, and multi-scenario simulations, with data privacy and security.

RNLs Chief Digital and Technology Officer Kader Sakkaria will receive the award for this innovation at the CIO 100 Symposium and Awards in California in August 2022. For over 30 years, the CIO 100 Awards have recognized innovative organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of strategic and operational excellence in IT.

For more information, please contact Brandon Trissler of RNL at Brandon.Trissler@RuffaloNL.com.

About RNL

RNL (Ruffalo Noel Levitz) is the leading provider of higher education enrollment, student success, and fundraising solutions. Every year, more than 1,900 colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations partner with RNL for advanced analytics, personalized engagement, and industry-leading insights to achieve their missions. The firm focuses on the entire lifecycle of enrollment and fundraising at the undergraduate and graduate levels, assuring students find the right college or university, graduate on time, secure their first job in their chosen field, remain engaged as lifelong learners, and give back to support the next generation. RNL conferences, research reports, papers, and articles help clients stay on top of current trends. Learn more at http://www.RuffaloNL.com.
Having Georgia Dermatology Center merge with us is an honor, and were confident this collaboration will have an extremely positive impact on patients, says Dr. Jodi Ganz, Managing Partner for Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics.

Beginning this month, Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics  Atlantas premier full-service dermatology practice  will be joining forces with Georgia Dermatology Center in Cumming. The union of two acclaimed, trusted dermatology practices gives patients added confidence and convenience when choosing the right source for their skin-related medical needs.

Olansky and Georgia Dermatology Center have a long history of working together to achieve the best patient outcomes, says Dr. Jodi Ganz, Managing Partner for Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics. Having Georgia Dermatology Center merge with us is an honor, and were confident this collaboration will have an extremely positive impact on patients.

Located in the same complex as Northside Hospital Forsyth, Georgia Dermatology Centers trusted and acclaimed providers, staff, and top-tier level of service will remain the same. Dr. Alexander Gross, a true thought leader in the field, will continue to lead the charge, powered by his award-winning background. Dr. Gross leadership includes serving as a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and as past president of the Georgia Society of Dermatology. His compassion for patients can be seen by his tireless volunteerism for charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Gateway Center. The latter is an Atlanta homeless shelter that has its own medical clinic.

Dr. Gross adds to Olansky expertise in both general dermatology and cosmetic procedures. He will be offering the addition of services such as thread lifts and tumescent liposuction of the leg, thigh, midsection, neck, and face. Georgia Dermatology Centers already impressive suite of services will be bolstered by several additions from the Olansky team. These include more aesthetics offerings and Mohs surgery, an advanced surgical procedure that removes skin cancer effectively using only local anesthesia.

Additionally, the merger will allow patients to take advantage of a larger group of accepted insurance options. This widens the scope of patient access without incurring out-of-network fees.

The full transition of the merger will span across 2022 as more enhancements and patient opportunities unfold.

Were excited to grow in this manner, and were working closely with Dr. Gross, formulating plans for the future, says Dr. Ganz. However, at the end of the day, its the patients who benefit the most, and thats our overall goal.

Appointments can be made by calling 404-355-5484.

Georgia Dermatology Center, 1505 Northside Blvd., Suite 1500, Cumming, Georgia.

Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics is your dermatology solution. Our ability to provide full-service dermatology to patients of all ages is a distinct benefit to choosing our 40-year-old practice. We offer medical, surgical, cosmetic, and aesthetic services to our patients, and even same-day appointments when possible. This makes us not only a convenient solution for your family, but a comprehensive one as well. With services including our in-house Mohs surgery for skin cancer, advanced laser therapy for psoriasis or our aesthetic services for skin rejuvenation, Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics can handle all of your skin concerns. For more details, visit our website at OlanskyDermatology.com or call 404-355-5484.

Interviews are available upon request.


"Genedata Biologics will act as our organizational memory to structure and protect our assets and ensure that data can always be accessed and found, said Nicolas Fischer, Ph.D., CEO at Light Chain Bioscience.

Genedata, the leading provider of enterprise software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced that Light Chain Bioscience, a brand of Novimmune, has chosen the Genedata Biologics workflow platform to accelerate discovery and development of proprietary multi-specific antibodies. Headquartered in the Swiss biotech hub around Lake Geneva, Light Chain Bioscience is focused on generating truly human bispecific antibodies for immuno-oncology and other therapeutic indications.

Data is the irreplaceable asset of our R&D organization as it represents our intellectual property. Accessing and analyzing data in an effective manner is key to our decision making and to advancing our therapeutic pipeline. We cant risk storing our business-critical data in systems that may result in unstructured or corrupted data when projects or people change. Genedata Biologics will act as our organizational memory to structure and protect our assets and ensure that data can always be accessed and found, said Nicolas Fischer, Ph.D., CEO at Light Chain Bioscience.

Our focus is developing innovative new therapies. To speed up this process, we need to have all the data in one place, so we have a full overview of all discovery campaigns, including our candidate pipeline from early discovery all the way to the clinic, said Walter Ferlin, Ph.D., CSO at Light Chain Bioscience. While we chose Genedata because it supports our molecule formats and most important functionalities out-of-box, the Software-as-a-Service was a very nice additional bonus. We dont really want to deal with installing and managing software, so we are happy to have SaaS support from Genedata, which made it possible to deploy the platform quickly and maintain it with a minimal amount of resources on our side.

Light Chain Bioscience focuses on the discovery and development of innovative therapies using their proprietary system to produce bispecific and multi-specific antibodies that fully retain the native sequence and structure of human antibodies. Genedata Biologics supports the full end-to-end discovery process at Light Chain Bioscience and increases the throughput of cloning and expression, phage display selection and screening, IgG reformatting and testing, library generation, characterization, developability assessment, and lead candidate selection. Genedata Biologics is also being used for proprietary  antibody technology, both for Light Chain Biosciences internal programs and for their partners.

We are pleased that Light Chain Bioscience, a cutting-edge and proven biotech, has chosen Genedata Biologics to digitalize their biopharma discovery operations, said Othmar Pfannes, Ph.D., CEO of Genedata. The Genedata platform is based on 25 years of continuous development, resulting in an unmatched platform that has been purpose-built to automate and digitalize biopharma R&D. Our business model ensures that all included business logic is provided to our customers out of the box, which brings enormous value to our partners and helps increase their efficiency while mitigating their R&D risks. Our scalable SaaS platform and Genedatas scientific expertise is the winning combination that supports our customers as they grow.

About Genedata

Genedata transforms data into intelligence with innovative software solutions that incorporate extensive biopharma R&D domain knowledge. Multinational biopharmaceutical organizations and cutting-edge biotechs around the globe rely on Genedata to digitalize and automate data-rich and complex R&D processes. From early discovery all the way to the clinic, Genedata solutions help maximize the ROI in R&D expenditure. Founded in 1997, Genedata is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with additional offices in Boston, London, Munich, San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo.

http://www.genedata.com

LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube

About Light Chain Bioscience

Light Chain Bioscience is a clinical-stage company focused on the discovery and development of therapies based on bispecific and multi-specific antibody formats. Its proprietary  body platform allows for the identification of bispecific antibodies that fully retain the native sequence and structure of human antibodies. This unique property is of interest for long term treatment of patients. In immuno-oncology, Light Chain Bioscience focuses on the selective targeting of the checkpoint CD47 as well as T cell and activation redirecting strategies.

http://www.lightchainbio.com

________________________________________

Contact

Allison Kurz

Genedata

Public Relations

pr@genedata.com

Disclaimer

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties related to contract cancellations, developing risks, competitive factors, uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the Company's products and services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

All product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
In a first of its kind services-centric exchange platform, H2cryptO announces its official launch. Less than 300 million people out of almost 8 billion have exposure to cryptocurrencies. We are on a global mission to make cryptocurrency investing and trading accessible, easy, and less intimidating for everyone in the world, says CEO George Kushner.

H2cryptO, an Atlanta-based cryptocurrency exchange company, announces the launch of its platform. It empowers cryptocurrency investors through an offering of tools that streamline the process of cryptocurrency investing and provide unparalleled client service which leverages both AI and human support.

Founded in 2021 by George Kushner, Jake Perez, and Frederic Rough, H2cryptO was created with the knowledge that cryptocurrency investors and traders needed more support with their cryptocurrency accounts than available through other platforms.

"Less than 300 million people out of almost 8 billion have exposure to cryptocurrencies. We are on a global mission to make cryptocurrency investing and trading accessible, easy, and less intimidating for everyone in the world," says CEO George Kushner, "Once we realized that none of the existing platforms in the cryptocurrency exchange landscape emphasize help, assistance, knowledge, or know-how, we decided an exchange that offers live 24/7/365 client support would have mass appeal, and we immediately knew that as an opportunity to make a real impact. No longer will investors have to face uncertainty within their accounts and portfolios with nowhere to turn for help. Not only is this meaningful for current crypto-investors, but it opens the possibilities and makes crypto-investing accessible for everyone else."

H2cryptO's cryptocurrency exchange platform eliminates the fear of the unknown from trading and provides live client services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. With the goal of making H2cryptO the preferred cryptocurrency exchange for investors and traders, the company's service-centric strategy provides a solution to investors who are hesitant to become involved.

Clients can choose the mode of contact that works best for them at any given time, thanks to smooth and straightforward omnichannel assistance. H2cryptO allows crypto investors to communicate with the company on their terms, whenever and wherever they want. Clients can receive real-time answers to their inquiries via live chat, email, or voice. H2cryptO can stay connected to its clients and provide the support they require by allowing them to choose the style of connection that they prefer. This service combines human interactions with intentional technology to produce the most efficient and effective client experience possible, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to simplify service across numerous contact channels.

The service is now live at https://www.h2crypto.io for all.

About H2cryptO: Client service is at the heart of H2cryptO's exchange, making cryptocurrency trading and investment easier. With options on the exchange in English, Mandarin, and Spanish, this complex yet simple interface makes investing and trading in cryptocurrencies simple. The trading platform is available online and via a mobile app, with biometric and two-factor authentication (2FA) and numerous levels of protection to ensure secure transactions. H2cryptO is suitable for beginners and experienced traders looking to make their first cryptocurrency purchase. Investors can choose from simple and easy-to-use predetermined denominations of cryptocurrencies or tokens by clicking on clear buy/sell buttons on an intuitive interface, or they can customize their token amount. Through sophisticated current charting capabilities, the H2cryptO trading platform also provides traders with additional technical analysis of each crypto asset and trading volume.
Metrasens Getting involved in SIA is an important step for Metrasens as we look to expand market opportunities, engage with key industry stakeholders, and further demonstrate our technological innovations in weapons and threat detectionTodd Hokunson, Chief Commercial Officer for Metrasens

Metrasens, a recognized leader in advanced detection systems for security and safety applications, today announced it has joined the Security Industry Association (SIA), the leading trade association for global security solutions providers.

Getting involved in SIA is an important step for Metrasens as we look to expand market opportunities, engage with key industry stakeholders, and further demonstrate our technological innovations in weapons and threat detection, said Todd Hokunson, Chief Commercial Officer for Metrasens. SIA is a great organization with great people having a vested interest in continuously progressing collaboration and advocacy.

We are happy to welcome Metrasens to the Security Industry Association, the leading trade association for global security solution providers, said SIA CEO Don Erickson. In joining SIA, Metrasens joins the ranks of over 1,200 of the most innovative companies in security. SIA members represent thousands of security leaders and experts who are offering unparalleled expertise, making noteworthy advancements and shaping the future of the global security industry.

Metrasens delivers advanced detection systems globally, leveraging proprietary software and enhanced sensor designs to produce high levels of detection with low extraneous alarms against illicit threats ranging from guns to knives, and electronic recording devices. The company has deep penetration in correctional institutions, while expanding rapidly in hospitals and healthcare facilities, corporate campuses, urban environments, and federal government applications.

For more information about SIA, please visit https://www.securityindustry.org. To learn more about Metrasens, please visit https://www.metrasens.com.

About Metrasens

Metrasens is the worlds leading provider of advanced magnetic detection technologies. With a technology center and manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom, a North American sales and customer service hub in Chicago and a global network of distributors, the companys innovative products are designed to address deficiencies in conventional screening methods and make the world safer and more secure. Metrasens mission is to take cutting-edge science from the laboratory and use it to create revolutionary, award-winning products that meet the distinct and diverse security needs of its customers. Metrasens core technologies have a wide range of real-world applications, embodied by solutions that are easy to adopt and simple to use. For more information, visit http://www.metrasens.com.
The Canopy Cancer Collective grant award in combination with our Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Team and our Center of Excellence deepens our commitment to provide seamless patient-centric treatment of pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Karyn A. Goodman.

The Canopy Cancer Collective, a national nonprofit organization that strives to fuel better treatments and outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients, has awarded The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai a $500,000 grant to support continued innovation in its multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Canopy Cancer Collective partners with leading health care institutions to create new patient-centric learning health networks, connecting top medical care providers, cancer researchers, and wellness specialists to formulate and foster best practices in cancer care all while empowering patients throughout their cancer journey. Mount Sinai is the only institution in New York City to receive this prestigious grant award and is among only 14 centers nationally.

Pancreatic cancer is called the silent killer because symptoms do not usually appear until it has already spread to other organs, leading to low survival rates. Pancreatic cancer is a complex disease that can affect each patient in different ways, both from the effects of the cancer itself and as a consequence of therapy, especially because multimodality therapy is often required.

Because of these complexities, multidisciplinary care is essential to achieving optimal outcomes for patients, underscoring the importance of the Canopy Cancer Collective grant award as well as two other important new milestones that further streamline pancreatic cancer patients care at Mount Sinai. In April, Mount Sinai is launching the Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (Pancreas MDT) at Mount Sinai West, and The Tisch Cancer Institute is launching the Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer at Mount Sinai.

As one of the most experienced pancreatic disorders treatment programs in the United States, Mount Sinai is recognized for excellence in the management of pancreatic diseases by esteemed organizations such as the National Pancreas Foundation, said Karyn A. Goodman, MD, MS, Professor and Vice Chair for Research and Quality in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Associate Director for Clinical Research at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai. The Canopy Cancer Collective grant award in combination with our Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Team and our Center of Excellence deepens our commitment to provide seamless patient-centric treatment of pancreatic cancer. We will provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care through a multidisciplinary pancreatic cancer team providing the highest-quality diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and care and access to innovative therapies through clinical trials.

The Pancreas MDT will have a team of specialists who are national leaders in the field who will provide the highest-quality diagnostic tools, treatment, and care for patients with pancreatic cancer. The team includes experts from gastroenterology, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology, as well as nutritionists, social workers, and genetic counselors.

The team will deliver cutting-edge treatment for pancreatic cancer patients, informed by Mount Sinais extensive translational research program. In a one-day visit with the multidisciplinary team, patients will receive an individualized treatment plan that would otherwise take weeks elsewhere.

Patients will also have access to innovative therapies through clinical trials at multiple locations throughout the Health System. Patients and their family members will also receive extensive supportive care services.

The Pancreas MDT will fall under the overall umbrella of the Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer at Mount Sinai, which is committed to streamlined, quality pancreatic cancer care. Dr. Goodman; Daniel Labow, MD; and Deirdre Cohen, MD, MS, will lead the Center of Excellence.

Together, they have internationally recognized expertise in radiation oncology, clinical trials, surgical oncology, and medical oncology, which will fuel the streamlined approach to team care across the health system. The Center is part of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai, a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center. In 2021, Mount Sinai announced the establishment of the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center and the construction of a new state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Manhattan thanks to a generous donation by James S. and Merryl H. Tisch.

At the Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer, we believe everyone deserves personalized and excellent care, so we develop an individualized treatment plan for our patients, using the latest technologies and advances, said Dr. Labow, who is also Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Mount Sinai Health System.

Dr. Cohen, who is also Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at the Mount Sinai Health System, added, Through this center, and our ongoing research, we will continue to make progress in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, keeping a patient centric focus to treat the whole person.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai advances medicine and health through unrivaled education and translational research and discovery to deliver care that is the safest, highest-quality, most accessible and equitable, and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,300 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 415 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of the top 20 U.S. hospitals and is top in the nation by specialty: No. 1 in Geriatrics and top 20 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in U.S. News & World Reports Best Childrens Hospitals among the countrys best in four out of 10 pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools," aligned with a U.S. News & World Report "Honor Roll" Hospital, and No. 14 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding. Newsweeks The Worlds Best Smart Hospitals ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
This grant award provides significant support to both new and ongoing efforts of the Partnership, said Kara Norman, Executive Director. We are thrilled to learn that our full request for grant support was funded by the State of Maryland.

Downtown Frederick Partnership was awarded a $100,000 grant from the State of Maryland as a part of Governor Hogans Community Safety Works program.

Administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Community Safety Works grants encourage the implementation of crime prevention strategies through physical design improvements, operational activities, community vigilance, blight removal and increased property maintenance.

This grant award provides significant support to both new and ongoing efforts of the Partnership, said Kara Norman, Executive Director. We are thrilled to learn that our full request for grant support was funded by the State of Maryland.

The Partnership will use this funding for the following projects:



Ambassador Program: $80,000; The Ambassador Program covers more than 17 blocks of Downtown Frederick  including Market Street, Patrick Street, Carroll Creek Linear Park and Everedy Square & Shab Row.

Ambassadors help keep Downtown Frederick a safe and beautiful destination by providing essential functions, such as actively engaging pedestrians with friendly greetings and assistance, providing directions and information to visitors, picking up trash and power washing sidewalks, removing graffiti and stickers from light poles and other public infrastructure, collecting leaves and debris from sidewalks and gutters, pulling weeds in public spaces, and so much more! Downtown Frederick Partnership contracts with Block by Block to provide this service.

During the winter months, the program has 4 FTEs: 2 clean and 2 safety which includes an Operations Manager who is largely on the street. Program staffing will increase to 6 FTEs in the warmer months. Coverage is between 7AM and 9/10PM Wednesday through Sunday.

Security Camera Grant: $15,000; Downtown retail/restaurant/personal service businesses will receive a grant of up to $500 to purchase security cameras that meet police specifications, then register their cameras through an existing police program and provide the police access to video footage when asked. Businesses will be responsible for ongoing maintenance.

Citizens Way Alley Lights: $5,000; This project will install string lights in this alley which connects the Court St Public Parking Garage with Market Street.

Should either the Safety Camera or the alley lights projects come in under budget, remaining funds will support the Ambassador Program.

Downtown Frederick Partnership works to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality, livability and diversity of Downtown Frederick, a national Main Street community.
Home for 3,000 families: The two enormous 50-floor apartment towers dominate Sun Marina Town, which is adjacent to Sun Marina Plaza, with many seafront shops and outdoor stands, and the Marina Club. SOL E&C has considerable experience with concrete waterproofing solutions and applications of crystalline products. Weve successfully completed a number of premium projects like Sun Marina Town together. The Penetron System is their preferred crystalline waterproofing solution.

The first phase of construction of the Sun Marina Town luxury apartment towers in Ha Long City, Vietnam was completed in April 2022. Residents are expected to move in by December 2023. The Penetron System of crystalline concrete waterproofing products was used to waterproof and protect the below-grade concrete structures of the complex.

The Sun Marina Town towers are located in Ha Long City, in Quang Ninh province, on the coast near Vietnams northern border with China. A city of around 300,000 inhabitants, Ha Long was once a coal-mining center but has been transformed into a popular tourist destination, thanks to the unique Ha Long Islets that dot the coastline.

The Quang Ninh coast has much to offer visitors, adds Kim Khanh Ngo Xuan, CEO & Managing Director of Penetron Vietnam. From Ha Long City, you can visit hundreds of towering limestone islands in Ha Long Bay on junk boat cruises. Many of the islands are topped by rainforests with beach resorts or caves, and even floating villages such as Ba Hang, where houses are built on wooden platforms.

The Sun Marina Town development at the Bai Chay Beach area in Ha Long City is crowned by two 50-floor apartment towers (built on three basement levels) with an amazing 3,000 apartment units. The luxury apartments include studios (28-33m2), one-bedroom (48-54m2), two-bedroom (61-78m2), and 3-bedroom (83-100m2) layouts, as well as larger, customized penthouses. All apartments are sold fully furnished. The amenities include a business center, an outdoor infinity pool, an indoor pool, a fitness & wellness center, cinema, game center, outdoor playing fields, walking paths, and membership to the adjacent Marina Club.

Monte Carlo Look-Alike

The Sun Marina Town complex also comprises the Sun Marina Plaza, with 230 seafront shops, and 46 outdoor stands, all adjacent to the Marina Club facility, which is modeled after Monaco's Monte Carlo marina.

The Bai Chay Beach construction site in Ha Long City had groundwater seeping into the site, explains Kim Khanh Ngo Xuan. In addition, the seaside environment required a reliable waterproofing solution to protect the below-grade concrete basement structures from both the hydrostatic pressure and corrosion resulting from chloride ion penetration.

Using Proven Concrete Protection

The Penetron Vietnam team worked together with SOL E&C, the projects general contractor, to implement the Penetron System for the below-grade concrete structures for both the Sun Marina Town residential towers and the Sun Marina Plaza shopping area. For the two residential towers, PENETRON, applied as a topical crystalline slurry, was used for the walls of the three basement levels, and PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete, supplied by BT Quang Ninh, was used for the foundation slabs. PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete was also used to waterproof the basement structures of the Sun Marina Plaza.

SOL E&C has considerable experience with concrete waterproofing solutions and applications of crystalline products, says Kim Khanh Ngo Xuan. Weve successfully completed a number of premium projects like Sun Marina Town together. The Penetron System is their preferred crystalline waterproofing solution.

The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs, and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution channels.

For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com, or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.
ZKX: Flexible multi-factor authentication engine for tactical Zero-Trust environments ZKX is a novel, patent-pending technology that can be used in any authentication environment to enhance an organization's cybersecurity posture.

REDCOM Laboratories, Inc. has announced that the first release of its market-disrupting cybersecurity authentication software, ZKX, is now ready for field exercises and laboratory testing. The ZKX software will provide government and military organizations with the authentication technology required to migrate their existing IT infrastructures to Zero Trust networks.

ZKX is patent-pending security software that enables zero-knowledge multi-factor authentication. ZKX is built on zero-knowledge proofs, resulting in a system where no secrets are kept on the client or server side, thus greatly improving the cybersecurity posture while reducing cyber risk. ZKX is completely agnostic to the devices, network, transport, and storage mechanisms already in place, and is adaptable to any policy.

The ZKX concepts and codebase have been thoroughly evaluated by Galois, a leading R&D security firm for critical systems. Galois verified the ZKX cryptography, code, workflows, and attack vectors, ensuring that the software is operationally sound and ready for deployment.

Our initial target with our ZKX solution is the tactical domain, said ZKX Chief Technologist and Co-Founder Collin Sweeney. Our approach is unique: Instead of building a top-heavy enterprise-level product and jamming it down the echelons, we designed ZKX to grow from the bottom-up. In other words, our software is lightweight, scalable, and flexible, so its easy to deploy in DIL environments, such as at the tactical edge where cloud services may be unavailable.

With this first release of ZKX, its the perfect time for labs, integrators, and primes to test the software with real-world applications with the full support of the entire ZKX development team, said Sal Ceravolo, Director of Product and Market Strategy. Zero trust solutions have long been promised but rarely delivered, and this is especially true in the military domain at the tactical edge. Our ZKX cybersecurity solution is a novel, patent-pending technology that can be used in any authentication environment to enhance security, and were anticipating getting it into the hands of more end users this spring.

For more information on ZKX Solutions, please contact info@zkxsolutions.com or visit http://www.zkxsolutions.com.
"Refuge," the new CD by the George Cotsirilos Quartet. [During the pandemic] it became more and more difficult to try out the pieces, so it took a while to get them to a point where we were all happy with them. But I was confident that everything would come together.

George Cotsirilos pushes into new frontiers with the May 20 release of "Refuge" (OA2). The guitarist and composers follow-up to his acclaimed 2018 album "Mostly in Blue" again features his quartetpianist Keith Saunders, bassist Robb Fisher, and drummer Ron Marabutobut repositions them both in pursuit of new challenges and, if anything, even more in blue.

Cotsirilos added piano to his longtime trio in 2018, hoping to express the denser harmonies he was hearing in his writing. The success of the experiment encouraged him to keep moving forward, creating a group of compositions that are more complex and more seasoned in the blues. (He comes by that seasoning honestly: Though based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cotsirilos was born and raised in Chicago.)

The lockdowns and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic gave him opportunities to explore a variety of music and assimilate it into his own work. However, it also hampered his ability to workshop the new tunes with the band. It became more and more difficult to try out the pieces, so it took a while to get them to a point where we were all happy with them, Cotsirilos says. But I was confident  that everything would come together.

Indeed, come together it did. From the sumptuous melody and harmonies of Refuge, to the sly, sexy Latin groove of Igualmente, to the alluring intricacies of Aftermath and Lets Make a Break for It, Refuge is every inch the work of an adept and highly attuned ensemble. Its clear that the players are intimately familiar with not just the compositions, but the possibilities they offer.

While Cotsirilos is the albums leader and composer, the quartet functions very much on a level playing field. The pieces require close interaction among all four musiciansthe entirety of A Faint Light hinges on the pocket they createand even the solos achieve their high caliber through the full bands chemistry. Cotsiriloss Byzantine line on Planet Roxoid succeeds by virtue of Saunderss anticipating his every step, and the guitarist pays it forward with an equally empathic accompaniment of Fishers bass solo on The Three Doves.

Cotsirilos claims to receive inspiration from recordings of Beethovens cello sonatasbecause, he says, they were written with an aim for instruments to enhance each other. His work with his quartet on "Refuge" leaves no doubt that this is so.

George Cotsirilos was born in Chicago in 1951. His passion for music was stimulated by an aunt and an unclethe former was a classical music lover who encouraged him to play the violin; the latter was an erstwhile drummer who took him to hear Louis Armstrong. The renaissance of Chicago blues during his teenage years ensured that George grew devoted to the electric guitar.

In 1969, Cotsirilos enrolled at UC Berkeley. A sociology major, he briefly left school halfway through his studies to play guitar in a blues band. When he re-enrolled at Berkeley, he separately became a student of Warren Nunes, a legendary guitarist in East Bay musical circles. Nunes brought Cotsirilos under the sway of jazz, learning about the great guitarists as well as the ideas and techniques of other instrumentalists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Chick Corea.

Even as he studied music more seriouslytraining on classical guitar through the San Francisco Conservatory of MusicCotsirilos completed his sociology degree, then attained a law degree. He maintained a dual career for years working as a criminal defender and lecturer at Berkeleys prestigious School of Law, while also performing alongside Pharoah Sanders, Etta James, renowned drummer Eddie Marshall, and Bay Area stalwarts Mel Martin and Mark Levine. He released his first solo album, "Silenciosa," in 2003, followed by three trio albums with Fisher and Marabuto.

In 2017, around the same time he expanded his trio to a quartet (with Saunders on piano), Cotsirilos retired from the law profession and devoted himself full-time to music. "Refuge" is one of the beneficiaries of that decisionand so is the jazz audience.

The George Cotsirilos Quartet will be performing CD release shows on Sat. 5/21 at Bird & Beckett, San Francisco (7:30pm); Sat. 5/28 at Mr. Tipples Recording Studio, San Francisco (6:00pm); and Sat. 6/4 at The Backroom, Berkeley (8:00pm).
Brewing collaborations are a great way for two companies working in different industries to highlight their commitment to using innovative approaches to improve human health.Kyle Pool, CEO & Founder of New Motion Beverages and Embolden Beer Company.

Scientist.com, the biopharma industrys leading R&D marketplace, announced today that it partnered with New Motion Beverages to create a hard sparkling tea called Tropical Brainstorm. The companies teamed up to celebrate a thriving San Diego cultural scene that includes many world-famous biotech and pharmaceutical companies and craft beverage breweries.

We were thrilled to collaborate with New Motion, which shares our commitment to innovation, ethical sourcing and good health, stated Kevin Lustig, PhD, CEO and Founder of Scientist.com. Like Scientist.com in the biotech space, New Motion is committed to working with the most highly qualified and sustainable suppliers for its community-grown hops, farm-fresh fruit and ethically sourced teas.

Located in the heart of San Diegos craft brewing district, New Motion Beverages and Embolden Beer Company opened in 2020 under the mantra of inclusivity and diversity. Today, New Motion offers more than half a dozen fruit-forward hard sparkling teas on tap and in cans, while Embolden offers IPAs, lagers and sours, all brewed onsite at their Miramar location.

Brewing collaborations are a great way for two companies working in different industries to highlight their commitment to using innovative approaches to improve human health, stated Kyle Pool, CEO & Founder of New Motion Beverages and Embolden Beer Company. Scientist.com and New Motion both focus on constant experimentation, high quality standards and a passion for healthy living!

Founded in Solana Beach in 2007, Scientist.com has grown into one of the countrys fastest-growing privately owned companies, appearing on Inc. magazines annual list of the 500 fastest-growing US private companies for five consecutive years (2017-2021). This is the second time Scientist.com has collaborated with a local craft brewery to highlight San Diegos world-famous biotech and craft brewery industries; in 2021 it teamed up with Solana Beachs Pizza Port to create The Local Experiment, a hazy IPA.

New Motion Beverages will be hosting a Tropical Brainstorm release party on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at its Miramar location from 5-8 pm PT. For more details or to RSVP, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tropical-brainstorm-release-party-tickets-310787482727?aff=SocialMedia

About Scientist.com

Scientist.com is the pharmaceutical industrys leading AI-powered marketplace for outsourced R&D. The marketplace simplifies R&D sourcing, saves time and money, reduces risk and provides access to the latest innovative tools and technologies. Scientist.com operates private enterprise marketplaces for most of the worlds major pharmaceutical companies, over 80 biotechnology companies and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Visit scientist.com to learn more.

Join Scientist.com on social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram
Elizabeth Karbousky, COO, says, "Julie brings incredible experience to the table, blending the sophisticated knowledge of national programming from her time at Coca-Cola with the persistence required to grow an alcoholic beverage brand into a national presence."

Shannon Family of Wines is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Conlan as Director of Chains for the Company's growing national sales team.

Julie Conlan brings more than thirteen years of experience with National Chain Sales in industries ranging from food and beverage with Hershey Foods and Coca-Cola, to beer with Green Flash Brewing Co and Alpine Beer Co, and now to wine. Over the last two years, Julie developed strong relationships with key national retail chains which align perfectly with the growth trajectory of Shannon Family of Wines.

Julie will report directly to Elizabeth Karbousky, COO, who says, 'Julie brings incredible experience to the table, blending the sophisticated knowledge of national programming from her time at Coca-Cola with the persistence required to grow an alcoholic beverage brand into a national presence. It is evident that tenacity and relationship building are two of Julie's strengths, and we are thrilled to add her to our expanding sales team.'

Conlan joins Gary Bodine and Jason Stuhmer as the core sales leadership team for Shannon Family of Wines.

Conlan is spearheading existing relationships and growth opportunities with the top national chains across the country.

The Shannon Family of Wines portfolio includes Buck Shack, Clay Shannon, Giannecchini, High Valley, OVIS, Shannon Ridge, Steele Wines, and Urgency.

For more information on Shannon Family of Wines visit Shannon Family of Wines and follow them on Facebook, and Instagram
The 2022 Toyota Avalon now on sale at Salinas Toyota

An exciting range of features is now packed into the cabins of Toyota vehicles, pushing the 2022 lineup further on to immense growth and success. Drivers in Salinas, California, need not look further for the latest Toyota releases. Salinas Toyota houses a wide selection of vehicles for this model year. One of the recent entries is the 2022 Toyota Avalona sedan worth looking up to for its trajectory in the upcoming years. City rides only get better inside the well-insulated cabins of the 2022 Avalon, which now comes with roomier cargo and passenger space.

Designed for highway commutes, built for long gridlocks and equipped with technologies ensuring better safety, the 2022 Toyota Avalon is all this rolled into one. This near-perfect sedan with aggressive looks and robust driving systems is set to take over the roads and rule the mighty urban landscape. Toyota assembles premium powertrain components for a fuel-efficient hybrid setup. The 2022 Avalon is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, hauling smoothly through its pairing with a continuously variable transmission.

Financial schemes devised by the dealership favor all drivers seeking a payment extended over months. The available online credit approval options mandate certain verification procedures. Upon completion, buyers can get behind the wheel of the new Avalon.

Interested customers can get the processes done by contacting the dealership at 831-444-0700. For further assistance and a closer look at all the available vehicles, visit Salinas Toyota at 700 Auto Center Circle in Salinas, California.
Our partnership with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will serve as a model of resilience in our united fight to help solve some of the planets most pressing issues through trees. - said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation and Williams-Sonoma, Inc.s home-furnishing brands are partnering to plant 6 million trees by the end of 2023, doubling the 3 million tree goal set by their brand Pottery Barn in 2021. To achieve this, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will plant one tree for every piece of indoor wood furniture* that is purchased from one of their participating brands.

In 2022, the partnership will plant trees in various U.S. and international forests of greatest need. These reforestation projects will provide critical recovery efforts to lands that have been devastated by natural disasters  hurricanes and fires  and man-made disruptions like deforestation.

It is truly inspiring to work with such an environmentally devoted partner like Williams-Sonoma, Inc., said Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. This ambitious planting goal sets us up to create lasting impact in some of the most vital and vulnerable ecosystems. Our partnership will serve as a model of resilience in our united fight to help solve some of the planets most pressing issues through trees.

Since launching in January 2021, the one-for-one tree program  originally run solely through Williams-Sonoma, Inc.s Pottery Barn brand  has already planted over 1.5 million trees worldwide. The partnerships expanded commitment now includes Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Rejuvenation, and Williams Sonoma Home. Additionally, the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. family of brands will be accepting donations on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation throughout April 2022 in honour of Earth Day and every dollar raised will plant trees.

Our teams are dedicated to improving the quality of life at home for our customers, said Laura Alber, President and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. We are proud of the progress Pottery Barn has made by planting over 1.5 million trees to date. By including all of our home-furnishings brands in our tree planting program, we are creating additional opportunities for our company and our customers to make a difference.

For the past 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked to plant nearly 500 million trees around the world. Through a vast network of partnerships, the Foundation facilitates projects that empower organizations of all sizes to reach their environmental and sustainability goals via measurable, impactful work.

The trees for the updated global reforestation effort will be planted in Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington, as well as international forests in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. In 2021, the partnership also planted trees in India and the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil.

The contribution of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.s 6 million trees will also be counted toward 1t.orgs mission to conserve, restore and grow one trillion trees by 2030. To learn more about their efforts, please visit:

https://www.1t.org/pledges/6-million-trees-to-restore-protect-our-forests

*Indoor wood furniture containing at least 80% of wood; upholstery furniture is excluded.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

About Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the worlds largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The companys products, representing distinct merchandise strategies  Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham  are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. We are also proud to lead the industry with our ESG efforts. Our company is Good By Design  weve deeply engrained sustainability into our business. From our factories to your home, were united in a shared purpose to care for our people and our planet.

# # #


The Honorable Ellen McCarthy, Chair & CEO, Just the Facts "Ellen's new nonprofit and for-profit parallel ventures are searching for Truth in Media - a goal that fits well with the ethics of EWA. We are delighted to welcome her into our group," said Larraine Segil, Chair & CEO of EWA.

The Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation (EWA) announces that after an expansive search The Honorable Ellen E. McCarthy, Chair and CEO of Just the Facts, was selected for the Winter 2022 EWA Cohort.

The Honorable Ellen E. McCarthy serves as the Chairwoman and CEO of Just the Facts  Truth in Media Cooperative and Noodle Labs. She was recently appointed as a board advisor for Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Lab. She also serves as board advisor for SAP NS2, Fortem Technologies, Exiger, and Babel Street providing firsthand insights on cyber security, effective leadership, driving innovation, advancing diversity, and digital transformation. In fall 2022, Ms. McCarthy will begin teaching Intelligence Theory and Practice at the University of Maryland.

"Ellen is a unique talent. Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper provided a recommendation for Ellen that secured her place among our Exceptional Women Leaders and when we learned in her interview about her extensive experience in the Intelligence Sector, we knew her contributions to our sisterhood would be significant, said Larraine Segil, Chair and CEO of EWA. Her new nonprofit and for-profit parallel ventures are searching for Truth in Media - a goal that fits well with the ethics of EWA. We are delighted to welcome her into our group," added Larraine.

I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and to be a part of the EWA village. When I first heard about EWA, I thought it was a cult - you can take the woman out of the intelligence community, but you cant take the intelligence community out of the woman. In very short order I saw that it was more like a movement, one that is focused on making a difference and changing the worldfor the better, said Ms. McCarthy.

Ms. McCarthy has over three decades of national security service in a variety of leadership roles spanning numerous intelligence organizations and disciplines, most recently as the lead of one of the Intelligence Communities 18 agencies. As the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, she reported to the Secretary of State and led a team that provided intelligence support for foreign policy purposes.

The Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation (EWA) selects high potential, high level Exceptional Women from multiple industries, develops and mentors them with guidance and career redesign advice to propel them to sustainable success - one woman at a time. Their year-long program enables the EWA to be connected for life to their ever-expanding EWA global network, as their fellow women leaders move into positions of significance. Learn more at http://www.exceptionalwomenawardees.com


An award-winning journalist whose career spans nearly 30 years, Maria Hinojosa has reported for PBS, CBS, WNBC, CNN, NPR, and is anchor and executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning show Latino USA. In 2010 she founded the Futuro Media Group, an independent, nonprofit organization that creates multimedia content for and about the new American mainstream. Her 2020 memoir, Once I Was You, recounts her familys immigration from Mexico City to Chicago, her childhood and young adult years, and the challenges she faced as the first Latina in many newsrooms. In the young readers version of Once I Was You, the cover of which is revealed here, Hinojosa focuses on her childhood on Chicago's South Side, her college years at Columbia/Barnard, and how her Mexican heritage provided her early insights into immigration, multiculturalism, politics, and activism. We spoke with her about the common elements and differences between the two versions.

The young readers version of Once I Was You is adapted from your 2020 memoir of the same title, and while much of the same ground is covered, the new book understandably is weighted toward your earlier years. Yet both books open with you meeting a girl in an airport in February 2019. How did you decide on that moment as an entry point into your story?

That story came to me because of a conversation I had with a dear friend as well as a muse, Sandra Cisneros. Before I wrote my memoir, she said, Dont always write about the things you remember. Write about the things you wish you could forget, or the things youve forgotten or youve tried to forget.

This first thing that came to mind was that I wanted to forget having seen children being trafficked by the U.S. government. I wanted to forget seeing them traumatized right in front of my face, all of them brown-skinned, speaking Spanish, children from five years old to 14 and 15 in a single line, walking through the airport to go catch their next flight. They were in a single filelike they were in formation. It was such a powerful moment when I realized how much I wanted to forget that scene.

Yet that moment allowed me to set the tone of the book. It allowed me to create the voice that I would use throughout the whole young readers version. So it was an essential part of me connecting with this voicea very different person from who was writing the adult version.

How did you maintain this voice and style so that it would resonate with a middle school reader?

I started acting as a kid in public school I was one of the three witches in Macbeth. In revisiting that experience for the book, I just started writing about what it was like to jump onstage and take that risk and believe that you could do these things. And, to be honest, I was terrified. In the earlier adult version, I was so happy Id finally found a voice to write my memoir, but for the young readers edition I had to rethink that voice. Now the challenge was, Write for a much younger audience, and in my head I was aiming for a 1012-year-old.

In the world of journalism, one of the things that I learned was to think of my news reports as if I was telling someone a story. For me, that someone was always my mom. "So, Mom, I just came from this building. It was on fire. The fire started because of this." So I ended up just telling readers the story as opposed to thinking like Im writing a script, and this allowed me to get through writers block because I never believed I was a writer, or a good writer, or that I could write, period. It was always a struggle for me.

So in the young readers version, I said to myself, Think about the times when youve interviewed kidswhat is that like? As a journalist you have to assume different personas depending on who youre interviewing. Im not going to act the same way when Im with a politician, or a small business owner, or a CEO, or a little kid.

Im small as it isIm five feet tallbut you get smaller when youre talking to kids, and usually you come down to where they are, which is not very far for me. And so I thought, Well, how do you translate the sense of how you would talk to a kid? Then I realized, Okay, wait a minute, so you're an actor right? Youve been acting since you were 10, so you become 10-year-old Maria, and youre telling your friend about what happened. Thats the way I was able to create the voice.

Adult memoirs are often internal journeys with long passages of personal investigation, analysis, and reflectionnot something you can do with a younger audience. Yet you achieve the same effect with the story of a high school boyfriend, a preppie, straight-laced white boy, who insisted you were American and couldnt grasp why you needed a green card to return to the U.S. after visiting relatives in Mexico. Privilege and cultural negation are two issues introduced to young readers. How did you decide on this particular story?

A lot of this comes from a question that my brilliant therapist posed to me, What was your very first experience that you remember having to do with trauma? This one came up, and I feel bad in some ways, because that boyfriend doesnt realize what kind of an impact it had on me, how disempowering, how invisible-izing. All the words that we now use, we didnt have those words in the mid-1970sbut I felt correct in what I was feeling.

The fact that I had to say, But you dont know! Youre a very smart person, but do you understand that if I have a Mexican passport, it means Im not an American citizen? To know somebody so smart who was on his way to the Ivy League, yet had a hard time wrapping his head around my situation, made me feel invisible. And that feeling became the larger theme of the book, that sense of not being seen. Its kind of scary that invisibility continues to be a central theme for Latinos and Latinas and children in many ways.

And so it was a decision to tell these stories, not so much in the way you tell them in an adult book, which is more structural. In this case it was the memories. It was understanding what kids are going to connect with. The stories that I chose engendered the same response: whenever I told this one, Ive had people say, Oh, my God, that same thing happened to me. Its a little bit horrifying that many decades later were still having to tell these stories.

Once I Was You has two different subtitles. The adult version is A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America. The young readers version is Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic. What are the messages you want younger readers to come away with?

Mostly I want them to feel powerful. At this point its not just the invisibility, but the attacks against these communities, specifically Latinos and Latinas, migrants and refugees, that really compelled me to write a book where Im celebrating them. I want young readers to own their power, and [to do that], youve got to own your voice. But how do you own your voice?

Well, were all afraid to do it but there are things that you can do along the way. Its part of understanding where youre going. The theme of this book is that youre planting these little seeds.

I had no idea that going to a demonstration when I was eight years old was going to impact me for the rest of my life in terms of how I understood democracy. I had no idea that having the television news on at 6:30 p.m. every night in the kitchen in the background would be one of the strongest pillars in my life journalistically in terms of my career.

Im trying to get young kids, especially Latinos, Latinas, immigrants, refugees, kids who are not whiteand also kids who are white because theyre allies and are part of the whole storyto understand that their stories have value in this country, and that how they interpret whats happening to them is going to help them to feel stronger. Thats why Im telling these stories. It was really tough, but I came up with the solution. To these kids I say, I see you, and Im going to celebrate everything that you representyour entire story.

Once I Was You (Adapted for Young Readers): Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic by Maria Hinojosa. Simon & Schuster, $17.99 Aug. 30 ISBN 978-1-66590-280-9
No matter what we call comicsbe it comix, comic books, cartoons, webcomics, and so onthey are also books. The transition of North American comics publishing from the traditional monthly comic book format to an emphasis on books has also influenced American comics storytelling commercially and artistically. Over the past 25 years or so, the book format and the book trade have had a tremendous impact on the popularity, sales reach, and diversity of comics material of all kinds published in the U.S. market.

Today the North American comics market features ever-increasing sales of middle grade and YA graphic novels by such authors as Raina Telgemeier, Dav Pilkey, Jeff Kinney, and Jerry Craft, authors whose books dominate the bestseller lists and sell millions of copies of graphic novels and nonfiction. On the adult side, literary graphic worksWill Eisners 1978 short story collection A Contract with God is generally cited as one of the first book-format literary comicsby such contemporary comics authors as Alison Bechdel, Art Spiegelman, Marjane Satrapi, Chester Brown, Emil Ferris, Tim Fielder, Joe Sacco, Ron Wimberly, and Alan Moore crowd the shelves and best book lists, alongside a wave of book-format comics in many genres from a variety of comics publishers, aimed at a new generation of diverse fans and readers.

North American comics had been primarily sold in the periodical formatthe traditional American comic bookfrom the time the superhero comics genre and the modern American comic book industry (companies like Marvel and DC) were invented in the 1930s. Indeed, the early American comics market at one point offered material in almost every genre: comics flourished in the periodical format, in glossy magazines (primarily single panel gag cartoons), and in newspaper syndication. Superhero comics, led by Superman and Batman, were enormously popular and sold millions of copies, but there were also humor, kids, crime, and other pulp genres popular with a wide variety of readers into the 1950s.

American comics in those years were primarily sold via newsstands (as well as racks in drugstores and small retail outlets, mom and pop stores, and the like) well into the 1960s. But in the 1970s, Phil Seuling, a New York City comics retailer and distributor, essentially invented the comics shop market that remains today. Unlike general trade bookstoreswhich sell on consignment and can return unsold productcomics shops buy their stock primarily nonreturnable wholesale. (This is changing, however, as comics shops embrace the book format and have access to limited returnability on some titles depending on the publisher.)

The bookstore market

Bookstore returnabilitypublishers joining with retailers to share the risk of constantly introducing new productis a key element in book retailing. And while the comics shop marketoften called the direct marketdid transform comics retailing in the 1970s with its efficiency, its reliance on nonreturnability and the continuing impact of the Comics Code Authoritya 1950s industry code organized to self-censor comic book content and head off government regulationhad another effect. The popularity and moral clarity of superhero comics, combined with the heavy-handed Comics Code, which required stories in which good triumphed over evil and banned illicit sexual relations, among many other restrictions, left publishers of the time wary of other comics genres. Distributors refused to carry comics that did not carry the ubiquitous CCA seal on the upper left corner. That moral clarity plus the code is believed by many to have contributed to the longevity of the superhero genre up to the present day.

The 1970s saw the growth of underground comix (the sex, drugs, and rock & roll comics of R. Crumb, Spain Rodriquez, and other counterculture comics creators of the time) sold via head shops. Underground comix mark a break from the Comics Code Authority (which still existed in limited form into the 2000s), as indie publishers sidestepped traditional distributors and retailers to sell such artists as R. Crumb. It was the beginning of a new era of comics storytelling, including literary and genre works released in the 1980s and 1990s that came to be termed alternative comics, published by a growing number of small independent publishers determined to showcase a new kind of American comics storytelling.

 Underground comix of the 1970s mark a new era in American comics storytelling. 

Alternative comics in the form of R. Crumbs Weirdo magazine or as original graphic novelsbook format comicsbegan in the early 80s to appear from small indie publishers like Fantagraphics (such artists as the Hernandez Brothers, Jessica Abel, and Mary Fleener), Drawn & Quarterly (artists Julie Doucet, Seth, and Chester Brown), Terry Nantier at NBM, Kitchen Sink Press, and Art Spiegelman and Francoise Moulys RAW, a zine turned trade paperback showcase for eccentric, highly cerebral, or wildly experimental comics. In the traditional book trade there was Pantheon (Art Spiegelmans acclaimed Holocaust memoir, Maus, published in 1991), as well as collected book editions from the Big TwoMarvel and DCmost notably Alan Moore and David Gibbons celebrated literary superhero epic Watchmen, released in trade paper in 1987. Also important: Kyle Bakers influential 1990 satirical graphic novel, Why I Hate Saturn, from DC. Many other publishers began to appear in greater numbers on the shelves of chain bookstores and some local comics shops. More growth followed.

The popularity of book format comicsgraphic novels and graphic nonfictionin the North American marketplace highlights a key moment of development in the comics medium, as well as in the comics business in America. Everything was changing and growing: comics physical format, where they could be purchased, and a vast increase in genres and the kinds of stories likely to be done as comics, including a rise in nonfiction of all kinds (especially memoir and autobiography) that continues today. And while book format popularity is not the only driver of change, it has influenced virtually every aspect of the North American comics market over the past 25 years, from the changing demographics of fans and consumers to how comics are published and marketed and, certainly, how and where they are sold.

Librarians, the Internet, and manga

The adoption of the book format by comics publishers was also driven by a convergence of demographic and market trends, among them a new generation of librarians and teachers influenced by the rise of nonsuperhero comics that they read and admired in the late 1980s, such as the underground comix and Spiegelmans Maus. The early impact of the internet and the World Wide Web brought fans together to promote their interests and the medium on a global scale. The web showed young fans (and a few older ones) that comics were more than superhero power fantasies designed for boys (and the middle-aged versions of boys). And manga (licensed Japanese book format comics) from Asia offered a massive variety of comics designed by and for young girls and women, a market that North American superhero publishers had virtually ignored.

Book format comics are the norm in other major comics markets around the world. In Europe and Asia, comics have long been integrated into the general bookstore market; they offer a wide range of literary and commercial works and are sold as books alongside other kinds of books. In Japan, manga (comics in Korea are called manwha, and in China, manhua) can represent as much as 30%40% of big publishers sales revenues. Three elementsthe increasing influence of Japanese popular culture in the late 1990s driven by manga, Japanese animation, cosplay, and gaming; its popularity among a diverse generation of young fans in the West; and the internet, enabling these fans to connect over the Asian pop stuff they loveworked in concert to identify and drive a format change taking place in American comics culture, helping book format comics grow and attract an ever-larger audience.

The book format spurred diversification of comics publishing and a growing demand for comics works in a wider variety of popular genres and serious nonfiction. Historically, the American comics industry was based overwhelmingly on the work-for-hire model; even star creators were often freelancers, did not own their copyrights (i.e., to Superman and other characters), and generally did not receive royalties. The supply chain infrastructure and contract standards of the book industry were also key to this transformationcopyright, advances from trade book houses, as well as book trade distribution, and marketing, which was able to put comics in front of far more readershas benefited creators as well as their fans. The book trade has created new career options for comics writers and artists, and created a new category in trade book publishing that didnt really exist before.

As graphic novel sales rose, American publishers responded, launching new imprints and lines devoted to graphic works for adults and children. Every major New York City publisher has either a dedicated graphic novel imprint (among them First Second at Macmillan; Graphix, HarperAlley, Gallery 13 at S&S; Pantheon Graphic Novels; Random House Graphic; Hachette/Yen Press) or a focused line within their publishing program that publishes graphic novels. And giant Japanese publishers like Viz Media, Kodansha, and Square Enix now have U.S. offices and have established their presence alongside indie manga houses Seven Seas Press, Denpa Books, and Tokyopop, as an integral part of the North American comics marketplace.

New graphic novels and new readers

Graphic novel sales have been growing at a lively rate since the late 1990s. In a PW report from 2006, pop culture trade news site ICv2.com reported book format sales of $330 million and another $310 million in comics periodical sales. ICv2 concluded that the graphic novel market had quadrupled since 2001 and credited the continuing growth to manga and genre works other than superhero comics. The report also cited the increase in female readers, both through such exotic [manga] genres as yaoi and more traditional subjects with proven female appeal, including memoirs such as Persepolis, Cancer Vixen, and Moms Cancer. The impact of blockbuster movies based on classic superhero characters such as Spider-Man and Superman have certainly driven massive sales of books collecting their story arcs aimed at both adults and children.

Leap forward to 2020, and combined sales of periodical comics and graphic novels in North America have climbed to $1.28 billion, including $835 million in book format graphic novel sales and $285 million in periodical (or traditional comic books) sales, with about $160 million in digital sales (according to ICv2/Comichron reports). In the face of a global pandemic, widespread disruptions of physical retail, book distribution, and the book production supply chain, consumer demand continued to grow about 6% over the same period in 2019. Indeed, the growth continues due to many of the same reasons cited in 2006: a generation of new and diverse consumers and an explosion of new comics material designed for every reading taste.

PW initiated regular reviews of graphic novels and graphic nonfiction in the late 1980s. In 2005 the magazine launched PW Comics Week, a weekly newsletter on graphic novel publishing (now defunct, it later became PW Comics World, a twice a month newsletter), and in 2011 started More to Come, a weekly podcast on comics and graphic novel publishing, hosted by Heidi MacDonald, editor-in-chief of the comics news site the Beat (and a former PW graphic novels reviews editor), and the podcasts producer, Kate Fitzsimons. More to Come recently aired its 500th episode.

PW arrived on the New York publishing scene some years before Richard Outcaults Yellow Kid, the first successful American newspaper comics strip, arrived in 1898, effectively launching the comics medium. No matter what it is calledgraphic novels, comix, sequential art, or booksthe comics medium is in a really good place. And PW has been able to play its usual role in an exciting marketplace, highlighting a new category in the book trade and working to nurture its growth and popularity.

Today graphic novels are an accepted, acclaimed, and exceptionally fast-growing part of the book business. But their roughly four-decade journey to achieve that is a story in which PW plays a meaningful part, says Paul Levitz, comics writer, author, editor, and former president and publisher of DC Comics, 20022009, where he worked for 35 years.

There had been collections of comic strips and comic books as long as PWs been around, but they were viewed contemptuously, even when they dominated a particular bestseller listconsider the degree of dignity accorded Garfield when he was the fat cat on the paperback lists. But starting in the 1980s, that began to change, Levitz says.

Pivotal comics creators Art Spiegelman (Maus), Frank Miller (The Dark Knight Returns), Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), and Neil Gaiman (Sandman), with their literary aspirations and accomplishments, were the shock troops invading the culture, creating a beachhead for the army of cartoonists to follow. But finding a place for their work on bookstore shelves stocked by lovers of prose wasnt easy, and opening libraries tight purses wasnt even on their publishers agendas.

PW looked at what was happening, and judged these books fairly, giving them credibility with buyers and librarians, who trusted PWs reviews and news coverage. Well into the beginning of this century, it was unusual for a graphic novel to show up in review in the Times or New Yorker, but PW covered them with a fair and even hand. Not all were applauded, but the worthy were supported, and the growing phenomenon of the form was steadily reported on. It made a big difference.

Heidi MacDonald contributed reporting.

Below, more on the evolution of comics.

A Graphic Novel/Comics Timeline, 19972022

A timeline of notable moments in the evolution of comics and graphic novels.
Somewhere there are fragments of a scroll that are the memoirs of a politicianpresumably, a manthat could well be the first example of this self-justifying, aggrandizing, and occasionally illuminating genre.

The first explosive account of a political scandal by a journalist, perhaps written with a quill pen, is also doubtless somewhere in a collection yet to be found.

Political memoirs and journalists unearthing secrets are hardly novel, although some, given their dubious veracity, might as well have been fiction. The last decades have been an era in which, broadly speaking, books by and about politics in this country have been in abundance, arguably more than at any other time since even the Federalist Papers of Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.

Why is that? There are many reasons. Lets start with the most elemental, money.

In 1984, in the days after Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman nominated to the presidential ticket of a major political party, a Random House senior editor told her publisher she wanted to acquire the inevitable book. Great, go to $50,000, he said. The successful offer was for more than $1 million.

A year later, now a senior Random House editor myself and emboldened by the trend, I paid $1 million for the memoirs of Thomas P. Tip ONeill, the colorful Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was about to retire. This was considered sufficiently notable to merit front-page mention in the New York Times. In todays dollars, that would be about $2.5 million, no bargain, but still below the going rate for many, preferably controversial and usually less accomplished, political figures.

To those who complained, Tip said that he had spent his life in public service and was ready for a comfortable retirement. He also appeared in an American Express ad, posed under a beach umbrella, smiling, with his feet in the sand. The book was a major bestseller, with net sales of about 400,000 copies, I recall.

Barack and Michelle Obama, when they left the White House, received a reported $65 million advance from Crown, all the more striking because before Barack was famous, in 1994, I paid $40,000 for a memoir by a young Chicago community organizer to be called Dreams from My Father. You may have read it; millions of people the world over certainly have.

There is a venerable military adage that every second lieutenant thinks the war began when he arrived. So, my judgments on the evolution of political books begin in the mid-1980s and do not include the works of Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, the recently reissued autobiography of Calvin Coolidge, the pungent reflections of Harry S. Truman, or the investigative works of Nellie Bly and Upton Sinclair.

In the latter years of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st, I have been responsible, one way or another, for enough political books to be considered, if not an expert, at least a specialist. These included, aside from the Obama book, a number of books by Jimmy Carter (including a volume of poetry and a childrens book written with his daughter, Amy), two books of political vision by Bill Clinton, and The Art of the Deal by Donald J. Trump, a New York real estate developer at the time, who was appealing to enough Americans to get him elected president three decades later.

The list of other political figures I brought to publication is very long and surprising, Ill concede, even to me. There were also a great many journalistsamong my favorites were Molly Ivins, the progressive, and Peggy Noonan, an eloquent conservative. Early on, I had to persuade Suzanne Garment, writing a book called Scandal (1991), that a delay in the publication date would not mean that we had missed the very last scandal ever. She and I have laughed about that over lunch since.

Then there are the writers of books by and about politics, who in addition to journalists also include spouses, aides, and some people whose consequence was limited, by any measure. Among recent examples are stripper Stormy Daniels, who had a one-night stand with Trump, and Omarosa Manigault Newman, an African American woman who lost on The Apprentice, but landed in the White House.

Bob WoodwardI never published him, but we were colleagues at the Washington Post in the 1970sis of course the master of the political expose and has been for nearly half a century. When you consider that his first book, All the Presidents Men (written with Carl Bernstein), appeared in 1974 and the most recent of his 21 books, Peril (written with Robert Costa), was a #1 bestseller in 2021, he has definitely secured his place as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in his field.

For politicians, the appeal of writing a bookusing the term loosely because so many are actually written by someone elseis that it enables the person to address the public directly, without the pesky filter of journalists asking questions and fact-checking. And given the common conventions of publishing, the virtues of accuracy, honesty, and cogency are not required. Reviewers may carp at inconsistencies, but the words on the page, unless demonstrably plagiarized, belong to the politicians.

 For politicians, the appeal of writing a book... is that it enables the person to address the public directly, without the pesky filter of journalists. 

To be commercially viable, political books should have at least one unexpected disclosure. Scott McClellan was the press secretary to George W. Bush after the attacks of 9/11 led to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, my colleagues and I at PublicAffairs (the imprint I founded) published his book What Happened, which described how the Bush administration misled the country about the dangers of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and how he was ordered to, in effect, lie in the press room.

The book was destined to do well. When an early copy was obtained by Mike Allen, then of Politico, he called it scathing. We received 80,000 orders over that weekend. McClellan was chastised in a congressional hearing and by Rush Limbaugh, among others. At PublicAffairs, we endured comparable criticism and very welcome sales momentum.

By the standards of the Trump years, McClellans revelation was a breeze rather than a maelstrom. Officials on all sides of the Trump saga, reporters, and people who were quite literally hangers-on wrote so many books that Carlos Lozada, the Washington Posts savvy book critic, wrote an excellent book of his own assessing them. He called it What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era.

In particular, the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaigns collusion with various Russians provided a cascade of bestsellers until the issue deflated following the release of the Mueller Report and Special Counsel Robert Muellers disappointingly bland testimony before Congress. I would not want to have been the recipient of the returns on a great many of those books. There is no record of a chastened Mueller offering an explanation or apologia in a book or even to a sympathetic reporter.

In the years of two presidential impeachment trials and daily Would you believe! emissions in and around the Trump universe, so many books were released that inevitably they bumped into one another, with the result that the aggregate impact was less forceful than was probably justified given the scale of the epic melodrama.

So, what has been the impact of this plethora of political books on the nation? Investigative books of the Woodward genre always have what journalists call a lede that drives sales. In Peril it was the fact that Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was so concerned about the turmoil characterizing the last days of the Trump administration that he felt the need to assure the Chinese military that America would not attack their country. But news tends to fade, replaced by the next nugget. These books endorse a narrative rather than change it.

Political books of the policy variety are like the platforms at political conventions, the eat your vegetables menu of discourse. Obamas campaign manifesto, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, published in 2006 as he contemplated running for president, is now essentially forgotten. Dreams from My Father, written more than a decade earlier, will be read a century from now.

Because presidential memoirs are retrospective, they are intended to focus on legacy and not revision. On the whole, the memoirs of first ladies sell as well or better than those of their husbands.

The enormous sales of conservative, right wing, or populist books has been a formidable marketplace phenomenon since the 1990s. Bill OReilly was a consistent #1 bestseller in his rewrites of history. I cannot personally attest to the effect of these booksI did not publish any of thembut I do know that the readership overlaps with Fox News, and we do know how important that has become.

When I think of a recent book that has shaped the national narrative, it is a historical work that has had a significant effect on political debate: These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore, the New Yorker writer and Harvard professor, which traced American history from 1492 until the present day by contrasting our national goals and aspirations with the realities of the past 500 years. For example, All men are created equal was our countrys founding doctrine, but it excluded Blacks, immigrants of certain sorts, women, and what the Declaration of Independence referred to as savages and are now known as indigenous people. Lepores version of history is now more accepted than perhaps ever before. Whether the origin of these United States of America is 1492, 1619, or 1776 has become a major topic of political debate, and Lepore certainly kicked it off.

Now back to money. Lepores book was a bestseller, and it is the lure of large sales that continues to open publishers wallets, even if its not always warranted. An example from my own career is revealing. In 1994, the Republican Party produced a manifesto called The Contract with America, under the leadership of Newt Gingrich in his successful effort to take over the House of Representatives from the Democrats in that years midterm election. At Random Houses Times Books, where I was the publisher, my colleagues and I recognized that as a public document, it was free for us to reissue the Contract with America as a paperback with a catchy cover. We did, and it became a substantial bestseller.

After the election and before he was sworn in as Speaker, the triumphant Gingrich signed a contract for $4 million with HarperCollins. I was baffled at why very much the same material that had been in our book was now worth millions. David Streitfeld, the Washington Posts publishing reporter, asked that question on the front page of the paper, and the resulting furor forced Gingrich to give up the advance and agree to receive only the royalties earned on the copies soldmuch less than $4 million, I suspect.

I have since actively and without much effect advocated that publishers should not be offering fortunes to politicians as a payday for what after all is work they were elected to do or because they were in the orbit of major political leaders. I also argued that politicians books ought to meet the same standards of verisimilitude as the work of responsible journalists and historians.

And I would pledge to the politicians only royalties, say, 15% of the list price for each copy sold, forgoing an advance, as Gingrich was forced to accept. I have made this offer a number of times over the years and can affirm that no one has ever taken me up on it.

On the other hand, I have persuaded, among others, Paul Volcker, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Vernon Jordan, the civil rights leader and all-around man about Washington and New York, to accept offers from PublicAffairs of no more than $100,000 and a commitment to the project that would be complete. Those books were bestsellers, too.

These recommendations are no problem for me to make now because I am no longer in the fray, acquiring books, competing in auctions, or having to please proprietors. But I very much enjoyed the fray when I was in it.

Peter Osnos founded PublicAffairs in 1997, where he was publisher and CEO until 2005 and consulting editor through 2020, and is the author of An Especially Good View: Watching History Happen.
More than 50 years ago, poet and publisher Haki Madhubuti issued a call for independent Black book producers and sellers to unite and work for the common good of the Black community. That call bore little immediate fruit, but recently a coalition of these publishers, booksellers, and distributors did just thatmobilizing to support something many in the Black and global communities deem critically important: the posthumous pardon of Marcus Mosiah Garvey (18871940) from all the unjust charges lodged against him by the U.S. government a hundred years ago.

Support for Garvey, a legendary Black hero who preached Pan-African unity and independence in the early 20th century, was, in my view, a no-brainer. Through the organization he founded, the Universal Negro Improvement Association, and that groups several business entities, Garvey organized millions of Black people in the U.S. and around the world under the banners of self-reliance, economic cooperation, and industrial, political, social, and religious emancipation. Yet as his prominence grew, he became an easy target for derision and assault by the U.S. and European colonial governments and less radically disposed Blacks. He eventually was sent to prison in 1923 on trumped-up mail fraud charges. His conviction and later deportation, to Jamaica, have long unsettled the Black activist community, and calls for his exoneration have been continuous since his conviction.

In addition to publishing the Negro World, the most widely read Black newspaper during his time, Garvey, a former printers apprentice, had a burning interest in book publishing and selling. Books like those UNIA published, promoted, and sold have become essential reading for serious students of Black liberation struggles. Black leaders from Martin Luther King Jr. to Malcolm X have acknowledged Garveys contributions, and it is almost impossible to examine Black efforts toward empowerment over the last hundred years and not see his imprint.

Garveys enthusiastic and unapologetic promotion of positive Black images and literature is the model adhered to by the most enduring Black book publishers in the U.S.: Third World Press (the oldest), Black Classic Press (my firm), Africa World Press, and Just Us Books. After surviving decades of turmoilfinancial, social, and otherwiseour houses currently are witnessing renewed interest, growth, and stability. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and global pandemic, and with decades of publishing experience behind us, our operations have stabilized enough to spawn something else Madhubuti called for in the 1970s: a network of independent Black book distributors. Today, this includes Chicagos Lushena Books and Afrikan World Books in Baltimore.

Among U.S. independent Black booksellers, Marcus Books, the oldest and a Garvey namesake, also traces its origins back to the Garvey-inspired Black Power movement of the 1960s. Founded in Oakland, Calif., and supported and supplied for decades by Black publishers, distributors, and clientele, it and other Black bookstores historically have served as centers of corrective information for Black people. It is today joined by a rising number of up-and-coming Black bookstores, including Mahogany Books in Washington, D.C., and the Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth, Tex.

Just as Garveys legacy gave sustenance to Black publishing, bookselling, and book distribution in the 20th century, key players from these sectors joined together to fight on his behalf in the 21st. In early January 2022, a hastily forged coalition of Black publishers, booksellers, and distributors united to support efforts by Garveys surviving son, Dr. Julius Garvey, and others to obtain a presidential pardon for Garvey by collecting the minimum 100,000 signatures required and sent directly to the White House. Given just over 30 days (as per White House rules) to craft and disseminate a formal online petition, this significant partnership sprang into action like Garvey, mobilizing grassroots and business participants albeit on a virtual, global stage.

Emails, calls, and press releases were hurriedly sent to rally the Black publishers, booksellers, and distributors base. In less than 24 hours, more than 35 responded emphatically: Yes! Ramunda Young of Mahogany Books and Donya Craddock from the Dock Bookshop coordinated the booksellers. Representing Black Classic Press, my task was to keep the publishers and distributors engaged and informed. Everyone was encouraged to circulate the petition materials by any means necessary to their circles of influencein-person, on their websites, and through social media. We together hosted multiple Zoom meetings to spread the word to the general public.

In just days, participating bookstores created and distributed Marcus Garvey booklists and display materials, hosted in-store book talks, and held relevant discussion groups. Mahogany Books topped the promotion efforts by creating a full-size entry-door graphic of Garvey, complete with a QR code linking scanners directly to the online petition. These and other attention-grabbing activities continued for the entire 30-day campaign.

Although we believe our petition-supporting coalition was effective, the White House only selectively responds to such campaigns. We now must wait for President Biden to make his decision. But the mere fact that Marcus Garveys legacy brought together the three publishing sectors is of significant importance. It is a first, and one that may open doors to all kinds of combined future efforts.

Steadfast and indomitable as Garvey was in his time, our collective action proved once again that Garveys memory continues to propel independent Black publishers, booksellers, distributors, and their diverse customers and followers into action. It showed, in our time, that those mighty forces could be banded together to accomplish, as Garvey claimed, what you will in the ongoing, multilayered struggle to combat racism and injustice.

I for one see that as progress.

W. Paul Coates is the founder, in 1978, of Black Classic Press, which specializes in republishing obscure and significant works by and about people of African descent, and Black Classic Presss associated BCP Digital Printing, which produces books and documents on demand.
Today

2022 presents a difficult juncture for free expression. Consider: when PW asked a half-dozen luminaries from the biggest publishers to share their thoughts for this sweep through First Amendment history, only one would talkand then, on condition of anonymity. Another, begging off, explained that today, when your words can quickly be turned against you, if you want to keep publishing diverse ideas, best to do so rather than get caught up speaking about it. Luckily, other corners of the business werent so reticenteven while anxiety permeated them, too.

Very bleak, declared Oren Teicher, former CEO of the American Booksellers Association, about the current landscape. Potentially really dangerous, agent Andrew Wylie, whose clients include Art Spiegelman, Salman Rushdie, and Philip Roths estate, said of recent developments. An avalanche [of censorship] is coming, insisted 87-year-old lawyer Martin Garbus. Novelist Colm Toibin reminded us that despite the beautiful arc ascribed to many censorship stories, like something out of a folk talethink of Ulysses, or of James Baldwins Giovannis Room, which had to be published first in the U.K.its not as if every such story ends happily.

Traditionally, efforts to censor have come from the right. Garbus gauged that pressure from that flank is now higher than at any time since the McCarthy era. Judy Blume, whose forthright novels for young people have been battled over for 50 years, recently told library anti-censorship activist Pat Scales that were seeing the 1980s all over again, referring to the Reagan family values period, when more than 800 books were challenged each year. (In response, in 1982, librarians and booksellers created Banned Books Week.)

 Ive never understood how the legitimate effort to create diversity is in conflict with a broader acceptance of ideas with which you disagree. Oren Teicher 

This current wave has been building at least since the Great Recession, its frustration, fear and anger turbocharged by the internet, social media, and the pandemic. Today, the country finds itself awash in political money being funneled to local efforts by groups with names like Moms for Liberty, bent on restricting choice for the nations children in schools and libraries. From Maus, Spiegelmans Pulitzer Prizewinning graphic memoir about his family and the Holocaust, to Nobel laureate Toni Morrisons novel about a young, abused Black girl, The Bluest Eye; from Alex Ginos transgender George to Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynoldss Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, the list of attacked books continues to grow.

However, many longtime book people have said what makes the present unprecedented is a new impetus to censorand self-censorcoming from the left. The desire to heal historical wounds and promote social justice is conflicting with the right to speak and write freely. Call it political correctness, cancel culture, wokenessand the fear of challenging itthis is the censorship that, as the phrase goes, dare not speak its name.

The ABA board recently removed a full-throated support for free expression from its ends policies, replacing it with less robust language, to emphasize a new commitment to protecting women and minority staff in member stores from harmful speech, sparking heated internal debate. Ive never understood how the legitimate effort to create diversity is in conflict with a broader acceptance of ideas with which you disagree, Teicher insisted. Whats scary now, he added, is that in retail and publishing, people are intimidated. Young folks are less aware of free expression history and can be very doctrinaire. Because you find something offensive that J.K. Rowling said, you decide youre not going to sell her books? He underscored that it is possible both to sell a book and articulate a point of view without canceling. Years ago, when former House speaker Newt Gingrich had a new book out, Neal Coonertya former ABA presidentput a stack of baloney next to the pile of Gingrich books. When you bought the book, you also got a slice of baloney, Teicher laughed.

Looking for explanations, some turn to campuses not wanting to discomfort students by engaging in real debate. At a time with such an impetus for group identity, it becomes more difficult to think for oneself. The idea that people should feel safe is not a good place to be, asserted the anonymous publishing executive. Referencing protests by Simon & Schuster staff about it acquiring former vice president Mike Pences memoir, the executive asked: What do you mean you dont publish him because you dont like his politics? A publisher should be agnostic, publish things that make people feel uncomfortable. Others recalled the accusations of cultural appropriation lobbed at Jeanine Cummins and her novel American Dirt; Hachettes decision to drop Woody Allens memoir, Apropos of Nothing; and Nortons to cease publishing Blake Baileys biography of Philip Roth (the last two were picked up by Skyhorse).

Because of current sensitivities, Toibin said he couldnt see two classicsThomas Manns novella Death in Venice and Vladimir Nabokovs Lolitabeing published today. Theyd be too problematic. Wylie, who in 1989 witnessed up close one of the most extreme attempts at censorship imaginableIrans fatwa on his client Rushdie, involving threats, some of them realized, to kill or harm translators, publishers, booksellers, not to mention the author himselfcharacterized what we face this way: The thought police are out fully armed in uniforms marching up and down reacting to the madness of Trump, theoretically fighting madness with madness. Those in opposition to the lunatic right have created the lunatic left.

One bookstore owner saw the worrisome parallels between whats happening on the left and on the right, like two peas in the same pod: the attempt to cancel voices you dont agree with. Stores have limited shelf space, and we curate it, stressed the owner. But its also our job to process orders for books we dont carry. Were not going to decide what a customer reads, but today staff sometimes object to processing orders for titles that trigger them.

Christopher Finan, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, reckoned that few periods in American history have been so polarized and fractured as our own. Perhaps its time to consider a little history.

Snapshots from the past

Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. So says the First Amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1791. Short, clear, simpleyet argued over and threatened almost from the start.

Skip to 1873, when Frederick Leypoldt changed the name of his new bibliographic bulletin to the Publishers Weekly. That same year, Anthony Comstock, a former YMCA activist, was the force behind two initiatives that would also leave an imprint on the business, but unlike Leypoldts, one far from beneficial. Zealous and puritanical, Comstock founded the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice to eradicate speech he deemed offensive, and in short order persuaded the U.S. Congress to pass the Comstock Act, which enabled him and like-minded citizens to set in motion prosecutions of anyone transporting obscene, lewd, lascivious or harmful publications through the mail. By harmful, Comstock meant information about contraception, abortion, or the prevention of venereal disease. Plenty of prosecutions followed.

Although he died in 1915, his society and law did not. The jailing of Margaret Sanger in 1916 for a flyer advertising her just opened Brooklyn family planning clinicthe first in Americawas done under the Comstock Act. In 1921, John Sumner, Comstocks successor as head of the NYSSV, led a successful effort to convict two brave literary ladies, Margaret Heap and Jane Anderson, of obscenity for having made the first attempt, between 1918 and 1920, to publish James Joyces Ulysses in their magazine, the Little Review.

Most states enacted censorship laws, too. In 1923, Sumner lobbied for a Clean Books Bill to be passed in New York and appeared on his way to victory: neither the National Association of Book Publishers (a precursor to the AAP), nor any individual publisher would publicly oppose it. That is, until Horace Liverightthe publisher/theater impresario who blazed brilliantly for a brief time, bringing out the first books of William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Eugene ONeill; championing Theodore Dreiser; originating the Modern Librarymounted a fight.

He went to the state capitol to lobby the legislature in person. It helped that the minority leader of the Senate, Jimmy Walker (three years later hed become mayor of New York City), was a friend. Liveright knew how to attract publicity. Others in the business discovered their voices. The Clean Books Bill never passed; after all, as Walker quipped immortally, No woman was ever ruined by a book.

Ulysses

With free expression, then as now, it was often two steps forward, one step back. Liveright had wanted to bring out Ulysses in book form, but Anderson and Heaps prosecution precluded that possibility. Instead, in 1922, the expatriate American bookseller Sylvia Beach published Ulysses in English in Paris, using French printers. Books found their way as desirable contraband into the U.S. and Britain (it was banned there, too), and pirates copied the book in both territories. Joyce desperately wanted his novel to be available legally in the U.S.he wasnt earning a cent on all those pirated copies.

As the 1920s roared, attitudes changed; the American Civil Liberties Union had been established at the beginning of the decade, and lawyer Morris Ernst, closely associated with the ACLU, had begun to make significant wins. In 1929, hed been engaged by publishers Pascal Covici and Donald Friede to defend Radclyffe Halls lesbian novel The Well of Loneliness; it had been banned in England. Ernst fought the case in two American courts and won.

Publishers thoughtsas well as Ernstsagain turned to Ulysses. In 1925, Liveright had sold the Modern Library to a protege. The young man whod worked for him was Bennett Cerf, and he and his business partner (and best friend) Donald Klopfer, together with an older man, Elmer Adler, founded Random House in 1927. In the fall of 1931, Cerf and Ernst spoke about mounting a court case to publish the novel. Like his mentor, Liveright, Cerf understood the publicity and prestige that would come from liberating Ulysses. It wasnt until spring 1932 that Joyce gave the go-ahead; he signed a contract at around the time the young men parted from Adler.

Ernst came up with the brilliant stratagem of fighting based on one imported copy of Beachs Ulysses, into which all manner of reviews and encomia from academics and critics would be pasted, to be admitted as evidence. And he played for time to get the case before the right sitting judgesomeone with temperament, culture, and experience enough to consider all factors. The book was full of four-letter words and included scenes of defecation, masturbation, sexgrounds for many judges to discard it as obscene.

It took a while, but in John Munro Woolsey, they thought they had their man. Obscenity had been determined by a 19th-century doctrine first espoused in English law called the Hicklin testwhether material had a tendency to deprave and corrupt a young person (generally female). Ernst argued that Ulysses had to be judged by current standards; had to be viewed as a whole; and that it didnt behave like a dirty bookit had been acknowledged as a masterpiece. Cerf had orchestrated a campaign to solicit letters from librarians, critics, authors, teachers, clergymen, and psychiatrists supporting the seriousness of Joyces undertaking.

On Dec. 6, 1933, Woolseys decision was announced. The New Deal in the law of letters is here, he began, deciding that obscenity should be determined on how a grown-up with average sex instincts would react, not a young girl. In a miracle week when Prohibition was repealed and President Roosevelt publicly protested lynching, Woolsey had freed Ulysses. The decision set a precedent that allowed many booksand foreign filmsto be published and distributed for decades to come. It also well and truly put Random House on the map.

Ezra Pound, then McCarthyism

Another step forward was taken in 1939, when the American Library Association adopted its own Bill of Rights. Wartime always seems to bring an uptick in censorshipthere was the Espionage Act of 1917, there would be the Patriot Act after 9/11. During WWII, official censorship was something publishers had to deal with. For example, books by battle zone correspondents containing material sensitive to the war effort could be held up by government censors for months, but the war also provided plenty of reminders that the democratic freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution were what America was fighting for.

In the postwar period, other issues arose. How to deal with the works of authors whod been on the side of Nazis and Fascists, like Louis-Ferdinand Celine or Ezra Pound? Although an essential helpmeet to Joyce, T.S. Eliot, and others, Pound was a virulent anti-Semite. Throughout the war, hed made pro-Fascist radio broadcasts from Italy. In 1946, the Modern Library was about to issue its most comprehensive anthology of British and American poetry ever, edited by two Pulitzer Prize winners. The editors had included poems by Pound; that self-same fighter for free expression, Mr. Cerf, couldnt stomach their inclusion, and insisted they be deleted. The editors objected, but the anthology went ahead sans Pound, with a statement printed in the book to that effect.

Blowback came immediately. To allow politics to shape a collection presented as comprehensive, argued Herald Tribune critic Lewis Gannett, was a disservice to American democracy. Still, Cerf would not relent. But then a certain Random House author sided with Gannett. Accept that one thing to which a man stands related shares in his guilt, and you will extend it to others; begin by banning his poems not because you object to them but because you object to him, and you will end, as the Nazis did, by slaughtering his wife and children. So W.H. Auden informed his publisher, adding that regrettably, hed have to leave Random over such censorship. Cerf was terribly shaken. He wrote a weekly column in the Saturday Review and put the dilemma to his readers, asking them to weigh in. Three hundred letters poured in; half supported his stand, half opposed it. He capitulated; the poems were included in a new edition, along with a note about what had transpired. Auden stayed at Random House.

The late 1940s and early 1950s brought terror in the form of the House Un-American Activities Committee and Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Political censorship hung in the troubled air. The fear of a Communist connection was such that in 1951, Little, Browns directors forced out their leftist fellow director and editor-in-chief Angus Cameron, whod supported radical groups and wanted to publish Spartacus by the known Communist Howard Fast.

But the effect of politics tearing the country apart was to make the whole atmosphere more intolerant. In 1953, Congress created a committee essentially to investigate whether the Comstock Act was strong enough to prevent objectionable matter circulating through the mail. In particular, paperbackswhich had become established thanks to the warbecame suspect. Newly energized church and civic organizations conducted what PW called vigilante campaigns. The National Organization of Decent Literature, an offshoot of the Catholic church, published long lists of disapproved publications and persuaded local retailers not to stock such books. However, 1953 also saw another development: Earl Warren, a Republican former governor of California, was appointed chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. During his long and surprisingly liberal tenureuntil 1969it would significantly expand both racial justice and civil liberties. The pendulum does swing in both directions.

From Lolita to American Psycho

Individuals, especially in the days of owner-publishers, could make an enormous difference: Heap and Anderson; Liveright; Cerf and Klopfer. Walter Minton, Barney Rosset, and though they werent owners, Robert L. Bernstein, Peter Mayer, and Sonny Mehta also stood up when it counted. In 1955, Nabokovs Lolita was published in Paris. It had been turned down by Viking; New Directions; Farrar, Straus; S&S; and Doubleday. Cerf was willing to publish it, but not willing to lose his chief editor, Hiram Haydn, who said hed leave if Random House did so. Walter Minton, on the other hand, whod taken over Putnam from his father a few years earlier, was looking for books to make his mark, and was introduced to the Paris edition of Lolita by a girlfriend, Rosemary Ridgewell. He knew he had to publish the novel; the effect was as expected. Hed already published Norman Mailers Deer Park, with its scandalous oral sex scene, and would go on to publish John Clelands Fanny Hill (written in 1749) and go to court for it.

Rosset, a young man with money, ambition, and a taste for the avant-garde, had bought Grove Press in 1951. In the 1950s and 60s, his First Amendment battles allowed D.H. Lawrences Lady Chatterleys Lover to appear unexpurgated; Henry Millers Tropic of Cancer to be published; and Rosset orchestrated many other triumphs. Bernstein, who succeeded Cerf to head Random House, went to court in 1974 when the federal government tried to censor The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence, an expose by Victor L. Marchetti and John D. Marks. Mayer, of course, then the CEO of Penguin, published The Satanic Verses, and did his part to face down the fatwa. A few years later, when the wife of a Paramount board member was repulsed by a novel coming out from its Simon & Schuster subsidiary, the board member leaned on the company, and the book was dropped. Many others didnt care for the book, but Knopfs Sonny Mehta thought Bret Easton Elliss American Psycho should be published, and did so.

And the future

There are many more snapshots, and what they reveal is both the progress we have made and the progress we have not. Deleting Pound because you believe his wartime broadcasts were deplorable and treasonous is similar to canceling Woody Allen because you think hes committed contemptible acts (albeit not proven in a court of law). Tony Lyons, the Skyhorse publisher whos seized the opportunity to pick up titles that bigger houses have shed, maintained hed always have been excited to publish Allen, but probably I wouldnt have gotten the chance. The bigger publishers used to look at the content of a book; now they also look at what a writer might be accused of. I think publishers ought to judge [a book] by the content.

Most of those interviewed for this essay felt that concentration in publishing and book distribution can impinge on free expression. If the biggest publishers and the biggest distributors dont stand up, theres a problem, the anonymous executive declared. Without them, you cant get broad-based distribution. Even when large houses talk of imprints acting like independent entities, bigness exerts an effect.

When Toibin said that Lolita or Death in Venice couldnt be published now, he elaborated: Its because if they came before a meeting today, rather than argue that literary value outweighed concerns about depicting relationships that would horrify people, they would say, Lets pass. How such books got through earlierthose sorts of meetings didnt happen. The bigger the house, the more likely its not going to take risks in that regard. An editor friend of this reporter supported that view: Its easier to ask yourself if you need the headache of the woke furies coming down on you for a project even a tiny bit afoul of current orthodoxies, and answer no. People like Rosset, Minton, Mayer, Bernstein were individuals able to wear two hats, a profit-capitalist and a person wanting to do some good, Garbus reflected. Now economic pressures and the corporate success ladder make it difficult for people to speak out.

Disagreements abound, but it was to support, rather than suppress, free speech that S&S CEO Jonathan Karp wrote to every member of staff and conducted a town hall to discuss why Mike Pence has a right to be published and S&S a right to publish him. PRH CEO Markus Dohles recent commitment to donate $500,000 personally to PEN to help counter book bans in schools, libraries, and state houses also speaks for itself.

Certainly, the fight for free expression on those fronts needs all the help it can get. Local efforts at censorship have always existed, but as Pat Scales, who advises the National Coalition Against Censorship, pointed out, in the 50s or 80s, intolerance traveled via newspapers and pamphlets. Today it happens in an instant. Texas state Rep. Matt Krause sent an 850-title list to school districts, asking them to report how many copies they had of each, inducing fear in the same way that list makers did in the McCarthy era. But Krauses list, Scales said, was immediately all over the internet and has prompted similar action in other locales. What those [lists] say, she explained, is we dont trust our teachers. Politicians need platforms, and some throw a rock to ignite certain groups, she added. For instance, schools have LGBTQ students; those kids need to see themselves in books. Kids who arent LGBTQ need to read about others who are, to encourage acceptance and empathy. Denying access to those books, the losers will be our students.

One other front provoked deep concern: the courts. Americans have depended on wise jurists to guarantee and expand speech. But Garbus, whos won scores of libel cases for publishers, said that with changes in the law that the Supreme Court, post-Trump, is going to make, I would have lost two-thirds of them. If the court were to change how you define malice and public figure  and make American libel law more like its English counterpart, expression would become a lot less free. I grew up thinking that the courts would resolve everything, Garbus said. Thats over. Toibin agreed. Theres an extra new hardness in ideology in the three Trump justices. I cant see them becoming more interested in extending freedom, as some justices appointed by previous Republicans did become. America has been very, very unlucky.

So, yes, we find ourselves at a complicated crossroads. Nonetheless, Wylie maintained, there are a lot of people who would stand up. Its hard to suppress truth and a work of quality and importance. Therell always be someone willing to publish.

We just have to hang on, the bookstore owner concluded. What other choice do we have?

Gayle Feldman has been associated with Publishers Weekly since 1986, and is completing a biography of Bennett Cerf for Random House.
The international circuit begins each year with two spring fairs: the Bologna Childrens Book Fair and the London Book Fair, typically held in March and April, respectively. The several book fairs of the summer and fall follow: Beijing International Book Fair and Frankfurt Book Fair held, respectively, in August or September and October. The fairs rounding out the year include those in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Sharjah, UAE. A slew of other fairs are also of some international, but primarily regional, importance, including those in Abu Dhabi, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Cairo, Gothenburg, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Kyiv, Leipzig, Montreal, Moscow, New Delhi, Paris, Prague, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Taipei, and Thessaloniki. One could spend the entire calendar year just traveling to book fairs.

Sometimes world affairs intervene to create challenges for the fairs, such as in the fall of 2008, which saw, first, the Russo-Georgian war in August and the global economic collapse in September. The impact of both events was apparent at the 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair, where the stands of Greece, Iceland, and Ireland stood nearly empty as a result of the economic crisis, and the Georgian stand, in close proximity to Russias stand, staged a days-long protest in which Georgians bombarded the Russian stand with paper airplanes made from pages torn out of Russian books.

Fast forward to 2022. Russias invasion of Ukraine is likely to cause ripples on the international book fair scene as well, though the full impact is uncertain at press time. For starters, nearly all the major international book fairs announced they have banned Russias state-sponsored publishers and booksellers from exhibiting at their fairs, though independent publishers will be allowed. The primary concern is that the war will spill over into other countries in Europe and create hesitation among fairgoers about traveling to the fairs or exhibiting; this would have significant consequences for both Bologna and London. Both fairs have been idle for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and each had offered virtual alternatives in both 2020 and 2021. Most people found these virtual events less than satisfying, however, and it is urgent that the fairs return to in-person events as soon as possible, lest fairgoers lose their sense of loyalty.

Frankfurt, Beijing, and Guadalajara also went digital in 2020, and then each returned with scaled-down in-person events in 2021. Having benefited from its late date in the year, Sharjah was able to hold a modest book fair at the end of 2020, then returned in 2021 with its full show. Thus, Sharjah could take bragging rights to being the biggest book fair in the world last year, attracting 1.3 million people, compared with just 75,000 in 2021 for Frankfurt, which would typically bring in some 300,000, and Guadalajara, which allowed in just 200,000 people, when it would usually host more than 700,000. The Beijing fair was said to be half its usual size in 2021, which generally brings in 300,000 people. All these fairs are not exclusive to publishing professionals and cater to some extent to consumers and members of the public, who account for most of the attendees. In contrast, both Bologna and London only allow professionals to attend and typically draw 30,000 and 25,000 attendees, respectively.

These large numbers of people spend a lot of money and, accordingly, represent a huge, predictable influx of cash into the community hosting a book fair. Some people take advantage of this, such as the hoteliers in Frankfurt who triple their rates during the fair. When Covid-19 shut down the fairs, national governments were compelled to step in and shore up the finances of the organizers to ensure the fair would keep going. Still, Covid did have some consequences: Jacks Thomas, director of the London Book Fair for seven years, retired, then started working with Bologna, while Frankfurt closed several overseas offices and significantly reduced its overall staff numbers.

Despite returning to live events this year, the fear remains among the fair organizers that as publishers become accustomed to doing business digitally, they will feel less and less compelled to travel to meet with colleagues in real life. Going into 2022, for the first time in many peoples careers, the relevance and importance of attending in-person events is being questioned. Going back, say, to the early 1990s, it wasnt always so. Social media didnt yet exist, nor did Zoom. Face-to-face meetings and negotiations at book fairs were a high priority. Publishers would fly to a fair and take their most important meetings first, hoping to get their hands on the hottest manuscripts. A savvy publisher would make time between other meetings and socializing to speed read the book and, ideally, offer a preempt large enough to entice a publisher to commit. If enough parties were interested, the seller might then hold an auction. All this would happen over three or four days, and the concentrated time frame of the fair amplified the excitement, which, anecdotally at least, helped drive up the purchase price of rights.

Most fairs have some form of a dedicated rights center, an area where agents, foreign rights directors, and publishers can meet to negotiate deals. The template for this kind of activity was established by the Frankfurt Book Fair, which created the LitAg, or Literary Agents Center, in 1978. The LitAg features dozens of rows of small tables, none bigger than a middle schoolers desk, dedicated to an agency or publishing house. There will be found one or two people on each side of the table, often in heated conversation, flipping through portfolios of titles and discussing deals. It feels a little like a stock market trading floor. Entry is restricted to those who have an appointment, and security is tight to prevent agents from being distracted by aspiring authors. At the busiest fairs, meetings are booked in half-hour clusters, back-to-back, for six to eight hours a day for the length of the fair. Frankfurt has retained the crown as the busiest agents center and has doubled in size in the past 30 years, now hosting some 500 tables representing 350 different literary agencies. In 2000, Reuters estimated that fully 80% of the rights deals for all books were done in Frankfurt. That number is now likely smaller, for in the past decade the London Book Fair, which has a smaller agents center, has surpassed Frankfurts importance for English-language rights trading. The biggest, most important rights deals, when they are done, are celebrated after-hours with Champagne in Frankfurt, pints in London, or a glass of good Barolo in Bologna.

For several decades, due to a coincidence of timing, both the U.K.s Booker Prize and the Nobel Prize were announced at some point during the week of Frankfurt, prompting a rush on rights for the winning authors books. The Booker announcement always happened at night, with a watch party at the bar of the Frankfurter Hof Hotel (the primary after-hours party venue for fairgoers), and it seemed for long stretches of the 2000s that the U.S. publisher of the winning book was inevitably Grove Atlantic. It became a foregone conclusion that publisher Morgan Entrekin would buy a round of drinks for anyone in the vicinity. The Nobel Prize news would come in the morning, prompting a large cheer and a rush of people to the booth of whoever was the primary rights holder for the authors books. This has produced some memorable scenes and airing of grievances, such as in 2008, when after it was announced that J.M.G. Le Clezio had won the Nobel, the stand of his French publisher, Gallimard, was mobbed by potential rights buyers. Anne-Solange Nobel, Gallimards foreign rights director at the time, announced, If you have not bought rights from me for him before, then I will not sell you rights to him today, so go away!

Over the past decade, one book fair that has come out of nowhere is the Sharjah International Book Fair, in the United Arab Emirates, which has made a strong push into rights trading, particularly among smaller, overlooked markets. It has been generous in sponsoring publishers and agents to participate and offers financial incentives for striking deals at the fair and payment for covering translation costs. The fair is one part of an overall project by the Sharjah Book Authority to help the emirate become a publishing hub for the Middle East and Africa.

This year the United Arab Emirate of Sharjah will be the guest of honor country at Bologna, Frankfurt, and Guadalajaraan unusual confluence, signaling the emirates ambitions. Most international book fairs will feature a guest of honor, typically a country or a region, and will highlight that countrys authors and literary culture through talks, performances, and other cultural programming. The most prestigious of these programs is Frankfurts, which often entails translating several hundred of a guest of honor countrys titles into German. Some small nations, including Iceland and Finland, as well as larger ones that are less familiar to global readers, such as Indonesia and Turkey, have used a showcase in Frankfurt as a means of generating broader international interest. China, too, has used this platform and was the guest of honor at Frankfurt in 2009 and then London in 2012, but encountered aggressive protests, particularly from groups supporting Uyghurs; it has largely abandoned large-scale participation in global fairs since.

 "Attending an international book fair is a rite of passage for a young person in publishing and a step to career advancement." 

The popularity and importance of any given book fair ebbs and flows over time and is often subject to the politics and economics of a given country. The Buenos Aires Book Fair, for example, is the second largest in the Spanish-language world, but a crash in the value of the peso has meant Argentine publishers have been less able to buy rights or export books. Consequently, the Bogota Book Fair has risen to more prominence in recent years as a result of a more stable Colombian government. In another example, the Sao Paolo book fair was actively wooing international business in the decade preceding the election of Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency of Brazil, but that largely stopped after the conservative politician took power. The book fair in Moscow began wooing foreign journalists again in 2016, though that is unlikely to resume anytime soon. Taipei has been a popular book fair with international visitors, many seeing it as a literary gateway to mainland China, but the threat of invasion from China may prompt many of them to stay away for some time.

Still, attending an international book fair is a rite of passage for a young person in publishing and a step to career advancement. A trip to Beijing or Bologna, Frankfurt or Guadalajara, London or Sharjah says, Hey, look, I am someonesomeone of status, ambition, vision, or someone with some really good books to sell.

So what does the international book fair of the future look like? It may, indeed, be a mixture of physical, in-person events and the continuation of virtual experiences we have seen burgeoning over the past two years. The 2010s saw the launch of at least two new platforms meant to facilitate digital rights trading activity, including PubMatch (partially owned by PW), which works with Bologna, among other fairs, and Frankfurt Rights, which is administered by the Frankfurt Book Fair. Neither platform has supplanted face-to-face meetings, nor were they meant to. Relationship building, however enacted, remains the bedrock of the international publishing industry.

It is true, however, that fairs offer something unique: serendipity. Ask almost any publisher who regularly attends fairs, and they are likely to have a story about how a chance meeting on a bus, in a bar, or in a bathroom led to their discovering a great book. This gamble that serendipity will pay off is perhaps what drives people to return to fairs time and time again: the chance of stumbling on the next global megaselling book and making it your own.
The late 1970s saw the start of an unprecedented surge in independent childrens-only bookstores opening, just as the eight million boys and girls born during the so-called baby boomlet of 19711974 came of reading age. Among the pioneering ventures that sprang up across the U.S. as the phenomenon gathered steam were the San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe (San Marino, Calif., 1975), Cheshire Cat (Washington, D.C., 1977), Childrens Book Shop (Brookline Village, Mass., 1977), Hicklebees (San Jose, Calif., 1979), Blue Marble (Fort Thomas, Ky., 1979), Books of Wonder (New York, N.Y., 1980), and Red Balloon Bookshop (St. Paul, Minn., 1984). Remarkably, of this pioneering group, all but onethe Cheshire Cat, which Washingtons general interest bookseller Politics and Prose absorbed in 1999remains a going concern. As college-educated baby boomers made their own childrens reading lives a top priority, the new stores prospered.

The indie trend crested in the 1990s when an astonishing 750 such stores were in operation. Not surprisingly, their collective success caught the attention of Barnes & Noble, which by 1999 had amassed an armada of 1,000-plus stores nationwide, including many that the company plunked down in close proximity to standalone shops with proven track records. As B&N beefed up its own stores childrens and teen departments, consumers were forced to choose between lower prices and customized service. Costco, Target, and other big-box discount chains also entered the fray, and by 2005 fewer than 100 indie childrens-only stores were still standing.

With many big-box stores located in communities that had never before had a bookseller, they dramatically increased overall access to childrens and teen books for the American consumer. They gave teens and preteens a place to hang out and browse the shelves in comparative anonymity and to purchase hot-button titles by Judy Blume, Japanese manga artists, and others that a more knowledgeable bookseller might have balked at. Picture books grew larger in format and glitzier in design in hopes of standing out more distinctly in the cavernous new selling spaces. The term frontlist assumed ominous new meaning as shelf lives declined and the looming specter of massive returns left publishers feeling less confident than in the past in their editorial choices, and ultimately more cautious.

Libraries still represented a major market for the publishers of books for children and teens, but by the 1990s the retail side of the business had for the first time overtaken the institutional market in overall sales, and the vagaries of library budget fluctuations, which Library Journal in 2003 characterized as stuck in a precarious holding pattern, left it unclear to what extent Americas impressive network of public and school libraries might continue to serve as the sectors chief stabilizing influence.

Just when Barnes & Noble seemed poised to achieve total retail bookselling dominance, Amazon.com scrambled the equation by introducing an exotic new way to connect with consumers. Many shoppers had their initiation into e-commerces instant gratification model on realizing they could order the second and third Harry Potter installments online from England months ahead of their U.S. publication. (To remedy this disruptive situation, a precision-timed simultaneous global release was arranged for books four through seven.) Amazon moved aggressively to lock up the online market, reaching 75% to Barnes & Nobles 15% by 1999. The latter company looked increasingly like the big fish that had discovered one day that there was a still bigger fish in the sea.

 "With many big-box stores located in communities that had never before had a bookseller, they dramatically increased overall access to childrens and teen books for the American consumer." 

While the pandemic played to Amazons core strengths as an e-tailer with an inexhaustible inventory and contactless delivery, it proved to be a devastating blow for a number of indies. But other independent childrens-only stores stayed afloat and even thrived by aligning with Bookshop.org or adopting a hybrid online/in-person strategy that included hosting frequent virtual events that sometimes attracted far-flung audiences. The pandemic periods broadly based decline in commercial rents even advanced a trend first observed a decade earlier: a next-wave rise in the number of independent bookstores for children and teens.

Few doubted that Amazon and a revitalized Barnes & Noble would maintain their lead positions well into the future. But in a stressful time of information overload and digitized everything, a neighborhood gathering place with unforgettable stories and art to sell, a knowledgeable staff, and a strong sense of community may well have come once again to look like the better bargain to growing numbers of consumers with children in their care.
When I was invited to be the editor of PWs 150th anniversary issue, I first turned to the five other quarter-century milestone anniversary issuesfrom 1897, 1922, 1947, 1972, and 1997as a quick way to refamiliarize myself with the breadth of this magazine at which I had spent 26 years, the heart of my professional life. It is not that I had left PWone seldom does, I had heard, and now stand in evidence thereoffor even in the years since my 2014 retirement, I have been a subscriber and kept abreast of the industry (and the doings of former colleagues). But in looking at the most recent anniversary issue, the 125th from 1997, an issue I had worked on closely, I saw an industry that, though recognizable, was truly of another era, culturally, politically, and most of all, technologically. Book clubs had nearly 20% of the market, Barnes & Noble and Folletts were privatizing college bookstores, Starbucks Howard Schultz was talking to Oprah Winfrey about selling her titles along with the lattes, while the ABA was suing five publishers over price discrimination. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton was sailing smoothly into his second term; Fox News was only six months old; there wasnt even a Daily Show.

The 125th anniversary issue closed with select publishing visionaries looking ahead at changes that digital technology might bring. Electronic books were not in themselves a threat, said Grant McGuire, president at R.R. Donnelley, but the World Wide Web might distract people from reading. Consumer electronics expert Tony Seideman predicted that WebTV, pointcasting, and convergence were the coming Big Things, while Nicholas Negroponte, cofounder of the MIT Media Lab, asserted that the future was in electronic paperit looks and feels like paper but is a very fine transparent conductive grid. Negroponte concluded: I am not one to dwell on the smell of the printed book... or the black ink that comes off on my fingers.... I wont miss them. What everyone did miss was the initial public offering of Amazon.com two months earlier, on May 15, 1997.

A cascade of unpredictable changes have followed, affecting what books look like, how they are read or listened to, how they are purchased, where they are purchased, how they are priced, who writes them, distributes them, prints them, promotes them, and so on. These lightning-fast changes posed a threat to all segments in the industryU.S. printing is not the same; the roster of book distributors has been totally transformed; independent booksellers and chains alike have suffered losses and readjusted; people can now read books with no threat of ink on their fingers or the smell of print, but it is thanks to a Kindle, or a phone, or a tablet not electronic paper or a DVD-ROM. PW managed to see it all from a front-row seat, as Andrew Albanese puts it. It is a tale we lived to tell and are beholden to tell it.

That was my first thought about adopting a theme for this issue: rather than dwelling on our 19th-century roots and 20th-century tenure, I recommended intensely focusing on the last 25 years, conveniently since our last anniversary issue, but substantively a much more important dividing line.

In the pages that follow you will see that focus holds, but only so far. There are indeed segments of the industry totally transformed or even brought into existence by the repercussions of the digital revolution, whether directly or indirectlySophia Stewart charts how the art of book promotion involves previously unimaginable platforms; NPD BookScans Kristen McLean assembles a portrait of what and who the public has been reading since the services launch almost 20 years ago; Julie Schaper, now with Ingram but long synonymous with Consortium, details her 30 years in the restructuring of independent press distribution; Marji Ross, longtime head of Regnery, writes about how Amazon and Fox News helped conservative publishers find their conservative readers (and vice versa). As well, certain publishing categories found their footing or found new horizons since the mid-90s: Leonard Marcus writes about how the appearance of the first Harry Potter in 1997 changed childrens book publishing and inspiredand heldnew readers; Calvin Reid, who helped the field of graphic novels and comics books get out of the comics bookstore environment into the general trade, details that phenomenon, while Cathy Grossman and Emma Wenner chart much the same kind of achievement in religion books, which branched out from the predominantly Christian bookstore market into the chains and indies. And of course, theres the world of retailing, which has gone through perhaps the most enormous changes, with independent bookstores trying to survive first the spread of mall stores, then the growth and rapacity of the chains, then online book vendors led by Amazon, a tale ably tracked by veteran bookselling reporter Judith Rosen. Other categories touched on include books by politicians, midsize publishers, progressive publishers, self-publishing, book fairs domestic and international, libraries, evolving e-book and audiobook technology, and even printing.

But some matters did not fit into that smaller window of inspection. To look at censorship in book publishing, Gayle Feldman ranges back to the Comstock Act and the 1920s; Jim Milliot traces corporate consolidation back to the 1980s; John Maher dives deeply into PWs archive to lay out not only the growth and change of PW over the many years but of the industry itself. And it is very clear that diversity in the business has always been lacking, as our three essayists on the matter attest and as Tracy Sherrod shows in her well-researched history of Black publishing and the publishing of Black voices from the early 20th century to today. Sherrods important pieceand prescription for the futureconcludes our look at ourselves and the industry.

A concrete if simple example of focus tightening and then opening to a wider aperture is my feature on Difference Makers in the business. Our last anniversary issue listed 75 people who left an indelible mark, extending back to our founder, Frederick Leypoldt, and up through Bennett Cerf, Jason Epstein, Alfred and Blanche Knopf, Margaret McElderry, Barney Rosset, Maxwell Perkins, Roger Straus, Nan Talese, and Helen Wolff. We decided that into this club another 25 members should be inductedthose who have made their mark in this century. You will find them in the pages here, along with four PW staffers left off the earlier list who should not have been so overlooked, and six of our more recent own who have been invaluable in getting us to here. Apologies in advance to all those people who also made a difference in this vast business that depends on so many.

When Frederick Leypoldt, an anxious man with a bibliographers craving for order, decided that the publishing and bookselling business needed a reliable and timely source of information, he knew the problems firsthand, as a foreign book importer, bookshop proprietor, and publisher. Publishing and bookselling were different thenthere was no applicable international copyright law, no agreed-upon territories, no rights business, and no agents (the first agency, A.P. Watt, was 20 years away). Canvassers went from town to town looking for book orders. Auctioneers made low-ball offers to publishers for unsold stock and then held a trade eventan auctionor shipped the excess to distant, underserved markets. Publishers might sell plates of a book to another publisher to printor even sell sheets. Foreign editions could flood the market. As soon as Leypoldt published the first number of The Publishers and Stationers Weekly Trade Circular, on Jan. 18, 1872, he and his tiny staff started to bring some welcome order while also providing a forum for spirited debate, and there was plenty of that. The lively second volume of John Tebbels invaluable History of Book Publishing acknowledges that his major source was the files of Publishers Weekly.

Leypoldts humble ambitionTo make a practical paper, that should help the trade sell books and make money, as well as serve as an organ of trade educationcan be judged a success. Although Leypoldt died of exhaustion in 1884, his widow, Augusta Garrigue Leypoldt, in partnership with new owner Richard Rodgers Bowker, kept the Leypoldt vision alive. Only a historical review of this kind can discern the pattern, a kind of DNA, that runs from a German bibliographer and his Swiss-German wife to the Yankee R.R. Bowker to Jeff Bezos, a brilliant, ambitious young engineer from Princeton who dreamed of an everything store. By the mid20th century, PW had become just part of a bibliographic juggernaut, the Bowker company, which published annually Index Medicus, Literary Marketplace, and Books in Print, the latter endeavoring to keep up-to-date with all available books. In 1969, R.R. Bowker was granted the contract to assign all ISBN numbers.

When that young engineer, in 1994, was looking for a product category that he could target and dominate for online sales, it was the existence of the downloadable Books in Print database and the unique then-10-digit identifier that each title carried that drew him to books. Judge as you will the fortunes and misfortunes owing to that lineage. A technological revolution is by definition change, and there is inevitable loss. But it seems clear that today, a quarter century into this revolution brought into being by internet commerce, the business and culture of publishing and booksellingthe trade, if you willhas proven resilient. Against steep odds, print survives, independent booksellers survive, independent publishersand self-publishersnow more able than ever to get their wares to market survive as well. As has PW, testament to an industry keenly aware of the importance of getting reliable and timely information about book commerce and of keeping abreast of change.

Under Leypoldt, the PW masthead was adorned with his favorite quote from philosopher Francis Bacon: I hold every man a debtor to his profession, from the which, as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavor themselves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament there unto. Certainly, PW is a debtor to its profession, and for a long time now has endeavored to remain an essential ornament thereunto.

A cascade of changes since our last anniversary issue has transformed the business.

This article has been modified from the original version.
Publishers Weekly is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and an important factor in its longevity has been its ability to serve all aspects of the publishing community. That community has changed over the years and in many ways has broadened. One reason the publication was originally called The Publishers and Stationers Weekly Trade Circular was because it featured a listing of the books that publishers were preparing to release either on their own or through book dealers.

Publishers, if not stationers, remain key players in a publishing community that now also includes bricks-and-mortar bookstores (both independents and a few chains), online bookstores, distributors, authors, agents, libraries, book manufacturers, fair organizers, and digital vendors, not to mention international counterparts for whom the U.S. market is important. It is indeed a big tent. So how does a 150-year-old company fit in?

For one thing, we have evolved along with the industry. Once a print-only magazine, we now reach our community through e-newsletters, websites, webinars, podcasts, and events as well. Our editorial mission, however, remains the same: to provide to every sector of the industry the information it needs to succeed in an ever-changing business.

The basis of book publishing is, of course, the presentation of information that people want to read in a way they want to read it, a process that begins with authors but does not end there. Readers are the final judge. While some authors have done well self-publishing, most authors have found the most effective and lucrative way to get their stories and information into the world is to work with publishers. The publishing process is far from perfect, but it produces print books, e-books, audiobooks, journals, and information in other formats that inform, educate, and entertain.

The complex publishing ecosystem works best when all parties work together in recognition of shared goals and ideals. That was proven during the worst days of the pandemic, when different segments of the industry came together to overcome unique problems, thus allowing the industry to meet the extraordinary demand for books Americans wanted as they waited out Covid-19 indoors. The willingness of publishers and others to financially support independent booksellers during a difficult time showed how parts of the industry can help one another and in doing so make the entire publishing community a healthier place.

PW has long been an advocate for the protection of copyright and free speech, both crucial to publishings success. Copyright and free speech today are facing new challenges brought on in part by advances in technology. PW will cover the debates over both, giving all parties a chance to make their positions heard. But there are some lines to be drawn. The surge in book-banning efforts is alarming and should not be tolerated. So, too, are attempts to chip away copyright protections that endanger the well-being of both authors and publishers, and must be resisted. In neither case, however, should dissent be silenced.

PW has helped guide publishing and bookselling through many transitional periods. In my almost 30 years at the magazine alone, we have reported on the expansion of mall bookstores and the rise of superstores; the launch of Amazon and online retailing that drove nearly all those bookstore chains out of business; the challenges posed by the Great Recession; the explosion of e-books and other digital products that upended traditional business models; and the changes brought about by responses to actions that occurred during the pandemic. Many of those changes are still being played out, including the industrys latest effort to truly diversify its ranks and by extension the kinds of books it produces.

This year looks to be another one filled with uncertainties, and anyone who dares offer predictions as to what will occur over the next five years is doing little more than guessing.

What is PWs path forward in the years ahead? To be what it has always been for decades: fair, informative, responsibleand open to change.

Jim Milliot is editorial director of Publishers Weekly.
With the adoption of its technology into AMPP , NDI says Grass Valley will be able to unlock the platform to the millions of enabled devices and applications used by media and broadcast professionals. Specifically, coupled with access to Advanced SDK, NDI assures that Grass Valley can enhances AMPP apps with a bandwidth-efficient NDI|HX - including the recently released NDI|HX 3 - alongside parallel access to a number of video sources over remote networks and cloud connections.By becoming an NDI Tech Partner, Grass Valley joins other major organisations across the media and technology sector including Sony, Panasonic, Canon, JVC, Ross Video, and others bringing advanced video-over-IP technology and solutions available to the market."We are proud to work with Vizrt Group in order to bring an end-to-end NDI workflow for all broadcasters," says Andrew Cross, CEO of Grass Valley. "Full support for NDI in AMPP allows us to support full broadcast, supporting live, routing, multi-viewers, replay, ingest, asset management, editing, playout and much more. And all of that can run anywhere you want, including the cloud."
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Plenty of sunshine. High 67F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 41F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
With music and the smell of food filling the air, people pop in and out of different booths that dot the land at the outdoor Brattleboro Area Farmers Market that opened for the season on Saturday, May 7, 2022, and will run every Saturday until Oct. 29.
Fallen trees across Brattleboro make for a tough commute on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, after a powerful wind storm passed through the area.
You are the owner of this article.
Putney Fire Department cleared a landing zone on Alice Holway Drive for DHART to land to pick up a patient that was struck by a vehicle on Monday. An 18-year-old Putney man was arrested for slamming his car into the victim.
Cambodian activist Sat Pha (L) raises the hand of Cambodian-American lawyer and activist Theary Seng (C) while supporting her outside the Phnom Penh Municipal court on the day of Theary Seng's hearing, Dec. 7, 2021.

A prominent Cambodian activist fled to safety after receiving a death threat allegedly for joining street protests, while a member of a political party challenging Prime Minister Hun Suns government is also on the run after a court ordered him to appear on what he says are false charges.

Five years after strongman Hun Sen launched a crackdown against the political opposition and civil society, the country of nearly 17 million people that he has ruled since 1985 will hold local elections on June 5, followed by a parliamentary vote next year.

Opposition politicians, including those from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) that was banned during the 2017 crackdown, have faced harassment when trying to organize for the June elections.

Sat Pha, a CNRP supporter, said she believes a handwritten threat that authorities from Hun Sens one-party government posted the note on the door of her home.

The threat said, You, contemptible, dont be bold or you will be disappeared.

Sat Pha said she has been on the run since April 16, fearing that she will meet the same fate as other opposition activists in Cambodia.

[They] could put me in jail or make me disappeared or make me crippled for my whole life, Sat Pha told RFA from an undisclosed location. I see this dictatorial regime is good at beating people, killing people and throwing people in prison.

She herself was released from prison six months ago after serving a year in detention for inciting social unrest during a peaceful protest in front of Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh.

Prior to her imprisonment and following her release, Sat Pha participated in protests staged by fellow activist Theary Seng, a Cambodian American lawyer who is on trial in Phnom Penh for treason and incitement, and with relatives of political prisoners.

In a video clip apparently recorded in a jungle in neighboring Thailand and posted on Theary Sengs Facebook page, Sat Pha said she left Cambodia under pressure from the government.

They posted a life threatening message at my house after I arrived home from the Khmer New Year holiday, she says in the video. I beg for national and international help to find justice for me.

Sat Pha also appealed to NGOs and the United Nations to help her remain safely in Thailand as a political refugee.

Speaking to RFA on Monday, Theary Seng called the threat against Sat Pha a cowardly move by this dictatorial regime, aimed at tamping down her protests that have tried to draw attention to the crackdown.

She has received many threats in the past, but she has refused to give up her [street] protests. But this time I told her that her life is more important than joining protests with me. They have threatened her because she dares to join protests and do advocacy work with me.

Sok Isan, spokesman of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), told RFA that party authorities did not threaten Sat Pha and accused her and other activists of fabricating stories about political persecution to try to obtain asylum through the United Nations.

It is a made-up show to invent a political incident, so she can claim political rights, he said. It has happened in the past. In Phnom Penh, the authorities are everywhere, so they would see it if someone posted such a message.

Cambodian activist Sat Pha (C) takes a nap in a jungle in Thailand where she is hiding out after being threatened in Cambodia, April 18, 2017. Credit: Theary Seng/Facebook

Fraud and forgery charges

Seam Pluk, a former opposition Candlelight Party member and president of the unregistered Cambodia National Heart Party, also fled to safety after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued an order for him to be apprehended for allegedly forging a document of party supporters, Theary Seng said.

Seng Theary said that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued an arrest warrant for Seam Pluk because he did not remain silent after the Ministry of the Interior refused to register his political party.

Ly Sokha, an investigating judge of the court, on April 4 ordered authorities to bring in Seam Pluk for questioning before April 25 in connection with allegations of fraud and the use of forged documents to form his party in 2021. The offense carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

After the ministry refused to recognize the new political party, Seam Pluk joined the Candlelight Party, which at one time was part of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) that opposed Hun Sens government.

Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP and banned 118 of its elected officials from politics two months later for the partys alleged role in a plot to overthrow the government. The moves were part of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs and the independent media that paved the way for his CPP to win all 125 seats in Parliament in the countrys July 2018 general election.

Soeung Sen Karuna, spokesman for the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), said political persecution has prompted opposition activists to flee to safety to Thailand, Malaysia and other countries, especially after the dissolution of the CNRP.

Peaceful protests are the rights and freedoms of the people guaranteed by the constitution, so the authorities must not restrict the rights of citizens, he told RFA.

Seam Pluk also provided support to striking workers of the NagaWorld Casino in Phnom Penh, who demonstrated near the casino to demand that it reinstate laid-off workers and recognize their union, Seng Theary said.



Seam Pluk joined me to deliver drinking water to NagaWorld strikers a few times, she said. He stood in protest in front of the court each time I had a court hearing, and the authorities took pictures of him.

RFA could not reach Seam Pluk for comment. In an interview with Radio France International his attorney, Sam Sokong, denied that his client had falsified fingerprints as alleged by the Ministry of the Interior. He also said that the order the Phnom Penh court issued for Seam Pluks arrest includes erroneous information.

Seam Pluk may still appear in the court on April 25 as judicial officials have ordered, Sam Sokong said.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Critics say Seam Pluk, president of the National Heart Party, has been politically targeted.

The president of an unrecognized Cambodian political party who is on the run, facing an arrest warrant for forgery of documents for June local elections, is in a safe location, his lawyer told RFA Tuesday. Critics said his charges were trumped up amid a government crackdown on the opposition.

Seam Pluk, president of the National Heart Party, is in hiding in an undisclosed place, his lawyer Sam Sok Kong told RFAs Khmer Service.

His flight was revealed Monday, the same day a prominent activist fled to safety after receiving a death threat for joining street protests.

Sam Sok Kong said his client is willing to appear before the court but fled because he didnt have time to prepare for a hearing by April 25. He is waiting for the warrant to expire and the court to issue a new one.

He is planning to consult with lawyers about his legal issues and he is seeking to testify before the court. When he has a date, he will make it public so we can clarify before the court against the charge, Sam Sok Kong said.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Investigative Judge Li Sokha on April 4 ordered police to bring Seam Pluk in for questioning over allegations of the use of fraudulent documents to register his party for local elections. If he is convicted, he could face up to three years in jail.

RFA was not able to reach Seam Pluk for comment but previously he said the courts warrant is political intimidation against non-ruling party politicians and has nothing to do with enforcing the law.

Soeung Sengkaruna of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) said Seam Pluk was targeted for political reasons, the latest in a series of such cases.

The court is being criticized for lacking independence over politically motivated cases. It is rare that politicians and conscience activists are spared. They are charged and convicted, he told RFA.

Thach Setha, the spokesperson of a small party called the Candlelight Party, told said Seam Pluk was targeted because of his previous support for Candlelight, which has recently been gaining steam. Its leaders believe it could challenge Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party in the upcoming elections. After the Ministry of Interior banned Seam Pluks party, Thach Setha urged all its members to join the Candlelight Party.

Since he supported [the Candlelight Party] he was charged. This case is politically motivated more than being about the law, Thach Setha told RFA. RFA reported Monday that Seam Pluk joined the Candlelight party after the Ministry of the Interior refused to recognize the Cambodian National Heart party but Thanch Setha said Seam Pluk never joined.

The Candlelight Party, formerly known as the Sam Rainsy Party and the Khmer Nation party, was founded in 1995. It merged with other opposition forces to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in 2012.

Many opponents of Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) have been targeted in a five-year-old crackdown that has sent CNRP leaders into exile and landed scores of supporters in prison.

Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 in a move that allowed the CPP to win all 125 seats in Parliament in a July 2018 election. Sam Rainsy, 72, has lived in exile in France since 2015 and was sentenced in absentia last year to 25 years for what supporters say was a politically motivated charge of attempting to overthrow the government.

CPP spokesman Sok Ey San told RFA recently that Seam Pluk received thousands of dollars from Sam Rainsy, but Seam Pluk has denied the allegation.

Translate by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The Hong Kong government on said only one valid candidate has been approved to run in a forthcoming "election" for the city's top job, naming former police officer and security chief John Lee.



"The name of the one validly nominated candidate for the sixth-term Chief Executive Election was gazetted ()," the government said in a statement on .



The move comes after dozens of pro-democracy politicians and activists were arrested amid a citywide crackdown on public dissent and political opposition under a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong from , 2020.



The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had also pushed through changes to Hong Kong's electoral system that effectively ensure that only "patriots" backed by a slew of CCP-backed committees and the national security police could make the slate.



Now, even the appearance of choice appears to have been dispensed with.



The government's Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, chaired by financial secretary Paul Chan said the 786 nominations garnered by Lee from the 1,500-strong Election Committee were valid.



The announcement came as a well-known figure from the 2019 protest movement calling for fully democratic elections was convicted of "organizing an illegal assembly" in a court in Eastern District.



David Li, a protester known by his nickname Brother Lunch, after he appeared in Eastern Magistrate's Court in Hong Kong and was found guilty of "organizing an illegal assembly" and released on bail pending a social services report, April 19, 2022. Credit: RFA. Brother Lunch

David Li, known by his protest nickname Brother Lunch, appeared in Eastern Magistrate's Court on , was found guilty and released on bail pending a social services report.



The court found that Li had repeatedly shouted slogans and made hand gestures at the International Financial Center, signaling the "five demands, not one less" of the protest movement which included universal suffrage and no limits on candidacy, as well as greater police accountability and an amnesty for political prisoners.



The fact that others joined in, and that Li appeared to be looking to see the effects of his demonstration on others, meant he had organized an assembly, despite the fact that he had stuck to a requirement for 1.5 social distancing in place at the time.



The defense said Li is autistic and has a diagnosis of ADHD, and called for his young age and rehabilitation to be taken into account.



Li was a regular participant in the "lunch with you" gatherings during the 2019 campaign to prevent legal amendments allowing the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China, which later broadened to include calls for full democracy and official accountability.



His conviction came as the creator of a banned sculpture commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre said he was unable to move his work out of Hong Kong, because at least 12 logistics companies had refused to take on the job.



The Pillar of Shame memorial to victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing is shown at the University of Hong Kong in a May 2021 photo. Credit: AFP. NSL scares shippers

Danish artist Jens Galschit said he has been working with the Danish foreign ministry in a bid to get the sculpture out of Hong Kong, but that no removal company would move it from its current location to a cargo terminal at Hong Kong's airport.



Galschit said he has been turned down by at least 12 companies, who said they feared that moving the sculpture would put them in breach of the national security law.



He said there appears to be a greatly diminished trust in the city's judicial system since the law took effect.



Galschit revealed plans for smaller replicas of the sculpture to be placed in universities around the world, to serve as a focus for commemorating the dead of Tiananmen Square.



He said the statue had been cut into two parts by University of Hong Kong management at the time of its removal on Dec. 23, 2021.



The statue was placed on the university campus by the now disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democratic Patriotic Movements of China, which had it on loan from Galschit.



The 32-year-old Alliance now stands accused of acting as the agent of a foreign power, with leaders Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho, and Lee Cheuk-yan arrested on suspicion of "incitement to subvert state power," and the group's assets frozen.



The group was one of a number of civil society groups that disbanded following investigation by national security police.



The annual Tiananmen massacre vigils the Alliance hosted on often attracted more than 100,000 people, but the gatherings have been banned since 2020, with the authorities citing coronavirus restrictions.



Chinas Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office had previously accused the organization of inciting hostility and hatred against the CCP and the central government.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Experts said the new missile's military impact was blunted by Pyongyang's inability to miniaturize a warhead.

People watch a television broadcasting a news report on North Korea's new type of tactical guided weapon test, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, April 17, 2022.

North Korea said it tested a new tactical-guided weapon on Saturday designed to bolster its nuclear capabilities, although experts questioned how big of a military advance the launch represents when Pyongyang has no miniature warheads.

The state-run Korea Central News Agency said the test was successful and the new weapons system is of great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units and enhancing the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes of the DPRK and diversification of their firepower missions.

The launch came days before the U.S. and South Korea on Monday began annual joint military exercises, which the North says threatens its sovereignty.

The new weapons system, though classified as long-range artillery by North Korea, is not different from guided missiles, Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury Institute of International Studies East Asia Nonproliferation Project, told RFAs Korean Service Monday.

North Korea uses the phrase Hwasong artillery to refer to its long-range ballistic missiles. This is probably what the U.S. government calls a close-range ballistic missile that is apparently capable of delivering a nuclear warhead about 100 km, Lewis said.

Photos of the tested weapon appear to show some kind of heavy rocket artillery or close-range ballistic missile, Ian Williams of the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) in Washington told RFA.

Williams likened the projectile to the KN-25, a tactical ballistic missile North Korea first tested in July 2019.

The rhetoric about nuclear fighting capability could be North Korea signaling this rocket is meant to deliver a tactical nuclear weapon. However, we have not seen evidence that North Korea has been able to miniaturize its nuclear weapons to this extent, he said.

The Pentagons description of the new weapon as a long-range artillery system was one of many choices, said Ankit Panda of the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Tactical-ballistic missile, close-range ballistic missile, and even long-range artillery system are all reasonable ways of defining this new tactical-guided weapon, he told RFA by email

The main significance of this weapon is its presumptive nuclear weapons delivery role, said Panda.

The Rand Corporations Bruce Bennett said having built-in guidance makes a rocket a missile, so these apparently guided artillery rockets are actually guided artillery missiles.

Bennett also expressed doubts North Koreas claim that the new missile could carry a nuclear weapon.

Even if the new missiles did, the North could always have used its KN-23 and other larger missiles to deliver nuclear weapons close to the battlefield, so this new type of missile appears to have more political impact than military impact, he said.

Though he didnt know what type of weapon was actually fired, David Maxwell of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington said the weapon was a means for Pyongyang to further its geopolitical strategy.

This is likely in support of the regimes political warfare strategy and blackmail diplomacy to use threats, increased tensions and provocations to gain political and economic concessions, he told RFA.

In the context of the regimes objective to dominate the peninsula, this weapons test supports the development of advanced military capabilities to support warfighting to eventually use force to achieve unification under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State. This test serves two purposes: support to blackmail diplomacy and support to warfighting, Maxwell said.

The U.S. remains open to engagement with North Korea, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a news briefing.

We have  sought to make very clear to the DPRK that the door to diplomacy is not closed, that it does remain open, but that the DPRK needs to cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose the path of engagement, something it has not yet done, said Price.

Unfortunately, it is the DPRK that has failed to respond to our invitations, and instead they've engaged in this series of provocations, including the ICBM launches in recent weeks, he said.

The U.S. Department of Defense declined to release intelligence assessments but confirmed the weapons test and reaffirmed Washingtons commitment to the defense of its allies in the region.
Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw, in a file photo.

Junta chief Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing marked the end of Thingyan on Sunday by declaring the Myanmar New Year a year of peace, even as the military continued an offensive in nine of the countrys 14 regions and armed resistance groups vowed to fight harder than ever.

This year is the eve of the diamond anniversary of our Independence Day. Therefore, we must all strive hard to fully enjoy the fruits of independence and the essence of democracy, the coup leader said in an address in the capital Naypyidaw at the close of the April 13-16 New Year Water Festival.

Thats why we are doing our best to make this year a year of peace and bring stability to the whole country.

Min Aung Hlaing did not elaborate on how the military regime, which rights groups say has killed at least 1,769 civilians since its Feb. 1, 2021, coup, intends to carry out his vision.

Thingyan  normally a bustling and jubilant holiday  was eerily silent in Myanmars main cities of Yangon and Mandalay, as residents chose to boycott junta-led festivities and heed warnings by armed opposition forces that the areas could become the target of attacks.

An RFA investigation found that authorities arrested nearly 100 people in the two cities, as well as Myawaddy township in Kayin state, in the first 10 days of April as part of a pre-Thingyan crackdown. Some of those detained had joined anti-coup protests, while others were accused of being members of Yangon-based anti-junta paramilitary groups, including the Peoples Defense Force (PDF).

Meanwhile, armed clashes between the military and joint anti-junta forces were in full swing through the New Year in Kayin, Kachin, Kayah, Chin and Rakhine states, as well as in Sagaing, Magway, Bago and Yangon regions, according to Karenni National Progressive Party.

Khoo Daniel, first secretary of the ethnic Karenni National Progressive Party, predicted that the fighting will get even worse in the new year with an expansion of war zones.

The military situation is going to get worse as each and every group is preparing in their own way, he said. The [shadow National Unity Government (NUG)] itself has openly said it will launch military operations everywhere. So, its likely to be very tense.

In 2021, the clashes were relatively minimal, he said, because there was a lack of unity among the armed groups to fight the military junta.

But Khoo Daniel said that the nations politicians and public now have a better understanding of why ethnic groups have taken up arms against the military and are more likely to throw their support behind them.

People's Defense Force fighters in Kayah state's Loikaw township, in an undated photo. Credit: Loikaw PDF Sacrificing for democracy

One group that has benefitted from such an alliance is the Karen National Peoples Party in Kayin state, which has linked up with the Karen National Defense Force (KNDF) paramilitaries and other PDF units in neighboring Kayah and Southern Shan states to fight the military.

A member of the KNDF, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, said the group hopes to open new fronts in the new year.

As resistance fighters, our focus this New Year is to fight the junta together, she said. We hope to open several fronts across the whole country.

The Free Tiger Rangers, a group loyal to the NUGs Ministry of Defense that is attacking junta targets in Yangon, also said in a recent statement that its New Year resolution is to defeat the military.

Observers told RFA they expect the military to heavily crack down on the armed resistance this year if it hopes to find a solution to the countrys political crisis and hold a general election in 2023.

What is special about this New Year is that we are seeing a lot of intense fighting between the military forces and the PDFs, as well as the ethnic armed groups. The clashes have intensified, said Myanmar-based military analyst Than Soe Naing.

I think both sides are hoping for a decisive situation and the armed conflict will likely intensify in the mountains, in the plains, and in the cities  in both rural and urban areas.

Even if the military achieves its objectives, it is unlikely the country will be in any sort of state to hold a general election next year, he added.

Hein Thiha, a former high school teacher who has worked as a farmer since joining the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement, told RFA that the people of Myanmar showed how much they want a return to democracy by abstaining from celebrations for Thingyan, which he called the nations most cherished festival.

The world can now see how our people are willing to sacrifice in the hope that democracy will one day flourish again, he said.

NUG acting President Duwa Lashi La, meanwhile, vowed in a New Years address on Saturday to reclaim territory under military control and said he would do everything in his power to free the people from junta rule.

The NUG has redoubled its efforts to build a peaceful federal democratic union and to provide people with the services they need with help from international organizations, he said. I can see a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, and we will make the peoples dream come true.

The NUG said in a statement over the weekend that it is affiliated with 354 PDF units fighting the military and that more than 100 of them are working under its control. It said PDF and armed ethnic groups are now in control of nearly 50 percent of the country.

Family members of inmates wait in front of Insein Prison in Yangon, April 18, 2022. Credit: RFA Prisoner amnesty

The end of Thingyan also saw the junta release more than 1,600 inmates from jail in a general amnesty on Monday, none of whom were political prisoners or journalists, according to observers and family members.

The junta pardoned 1,619 people, most of whom were said to be jailed for drug and immigration offenses, despite calls from rights groups and the international community to free the nations many prisoners of conscience detained for opposing military rule.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said late last month that the amnesty was aimed at promoting peaceful co-operation during the transition period and the sentences of those convicted of acts of terrorism would not be commuted.

Htay Htay Win, the mother of Yan Paing Tun, who is serving a life sentence for violating the countrys anti-terrorism law, told RFA she had hoped her son would be among those released in the amnesty.

If you asked me if Id rather have a pound of gold or my son right now, Id say straight away that I don't need the money, only my son, she said.

The family member of another prisoner, who declined to be named because of security concerns, said she had hoped for the release of her brother, who is serving a life sentence at Yangons Insein Prison, also for violating the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Its so sad that a lot of young, educated people, including my brother, have been arrested. This is very unfortunate, she said.

We heard that no political prisoners were among those released on New Years Day  I think [the junta is] making the countrys situation worse by releasing them. Security is already bad and with these people out on the streets, I think itll be worse than ever.

Her brother is still facing charges in Insein Prison under the Anti-Terrorism Act after already given a life sentence by the junta for an alleged murder.

According to Thailands Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, the junta has arrested 13,282 people between Feb. 1, 2021, and April 15, 2022. Among them were 135 media personnel and 55 journalists, the Bangkok-based group said.

Ei Mon Phyo, wife of Ye Yint Tun, said that she had little hope that her husband would be freed after the junta failed to release him in two prior amnesties.

The reporter for The Herald Daily based in Irrawaddy regions Pathein township was arrested on Feb. iou28 while photographing an anti-junta protest in Pathein and is serving a two-year jail sentence.

Repeated calls by RFA to junta Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun seeking comment on the amnesty went unanswered Monday.

Analyst Than Soe Naing slammed the junta for releasing the bad guys and arresting the good ones.

They continue to imprison politicians and let thieves, robbers, addicts and rapists roam the streets, he said.

They will be able to do what they want only when there are bad elements in society. I would say this is a policy that promotes a system of terrorists like them.

The junta released more than 23,000 inmates on New Year's Day 2021, another 2,200 in June that year, 5,600 in October 2021 and 800 in February, but only a handful of political prisoners were them.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and former member of the Indian parliament Thiksey Rinpoche are shown at the Dalai Lama's residence in Dharamsala, India, April 18, 2022.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will visit Indias northwestern territory of Ladakh later this year in his first trip away from his residence since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, sources said this week.

The visit, which will take place between July and August, was made at the invitation of a high-level delegation from Ladakh, a strategically sensitive area where thousands of Indian and Chinese troops clashed in June 2020, with deaths reported by both sides in the fighting.

News of the trip was announced on Monday by delegation members Thiksey Rinpoche, a former member of the Indian parliaments upper house, and Thupten Tsewang, also a former Indian MP and now president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association.

We made the request during our special audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and he agreed to visit and bless devotees in Ladakh this summer, Thiksey Rinpoche said following an April 18 meeting at the spiritual leaders residence in Dharamsala, India, the seat of Tibets exile government, the Central Tibetan Administration.

The Dalai Lama, who last visited Ladakh in 2018 and spent 19 days there, had been unable to visit again in recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Thupten Tsewang, also a member of the delegation. Now, the people of Ladakh will be very happy to hear this news, and we are all very delighted, Tsewang added.

Banned by Chinese authorities in Tibet, celebrations of the Dalai Lamas July 6 birthday have been held by large gatherings in Ladakh in recent years, sources say.

Concerns have been raised over the advancing age of the now 86-year-old spiritual leader, with Beijing claiming the right to name a successor after he dies, and the Dalai Lama himself  the 14th in his line  saying he will be reborn outside of areas controlled by China.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force more than 70 years ago, and the Dalai Lama and thousands of his followers later fled into exile in India and other countries around the world following a failed 1959 national uprising against Chinas rule.

Tibetans living in Tibet frequently complain of discrimination and human rights abuses by Chinese authorities and policies they say are aimed at eradicating their national and cultural identity.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
The 25-year-old guard has expanded rapidly amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Son, former Commander of Vietnam's coast guard, in a file photo published by state media.

Authorities in Vietnam have arrested seven coast guard officers, including the former commander and the top Communist Party leader, for allegedly embezzling the military branchs funds in the countrys latest high-profile corruption case, media reports said.

In mid-April arrests announced on Monday included former coast guard commander of the, Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Son, and the former political commissar, Lt. Gen. Hoang Van Dong.

Both men had previously been confined to their homes after being dismissed from the coast guard and all other party positions in October 2021 during a review of the coast guards Vietnamese Communist Party leadership

The review found that between 2015 and 2020 the leadership lacked responsibility, leadership, direction, examination and monitoring. It reported serious violations in financial management, the procurement of technical equipment, and the prevention and control of smuggling.

Also charged with embezzlement after being dismissed after the review were the former deputy commander and chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Pham Kim Hau; the former deputy commander, Maj. Gen. Bui Trung Dung; the former deputy political commissar, Maj. Gen. Doan Bao Quyet; and the former deputy commander, Full Col. Nguyen Van Hung; and the deputy head of the Finance Department, Sen. Col. Bui Van Hoe.

The Vietnamese Coast Guard is a young force. It was established in 1998 but has grown rapidly.

Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, Vietnam has prioritized maritime security, and the Vietnamese navy and coastguard have received large investments from the government budget. However, observers say that big money and the lack of transparency has led to rampant corruption in the system.

The sacking of the coast guard generals could serve as a warning signal for authorities to tighten control over government funds invested in law enforcement, analysts say.

The Ministry of Defenses Criminal Investigation Agency, meanwhile, has been conducting another investigation related to oil and gas management violations. The agency has prosecuted 14 people for taking bribes, including Maj. Gen. Le Xuan Thanh and Maj. Gen. Le Van Minh.

Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
8 People hold Ukrainian flags aloft as they pray during the Way of the Cross procession in the Old Town in the Polish capital, Warsaw, on April 15. Poland has provided refuge to an estimated 2.5 million Ukrainians who have fled their country since the Russian invasion.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has signed into law a bill banning the ribbon of St. George, a black and orange military symbol of Russian patriotism and aggression against Ukraine, as well as the signs "Z" and "V" used by Russian armed forces to mark their vehicles and equipment during Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.



Sandu endorsed the law, which envisions punishment by a fine of at least 900 lei ($49) for making, wearing, or displaying the banned symbols, on April 19, five days after Moldovan lawmakers approved it.

Russian military vehicles in Ukraine are marked with the letter Z, and it has started appearing on social media and on clothing elsewhere in support of the war.

Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon criticized Sandu for signing the law, accusing her of what he called "fighting symbols instead of poverty."



Dodon also vowed to organize a Victory March on May 9 that has been marked in Russia and several other former Soviet republics on that day each year, but in recent years turned into a tool of the Russian propaganda to justify its aggression against Ukraine, namely Moscows illegal annexation of Crimea and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014.



Last month, Sandu signed a formal application for Moldova to join the European Union, hastening its planned pro-Western course in the wake of Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine.



Lithuania's parliament approved a similar bill that outlaws the ribbon of St. George, as well as thw"Z" and "V" signs, on April 19.



Last week, Ukrainian lawmakers also banned the Russian symbols in public places, commercials, clothes, media, and social networks.

On April 19, Lithuania's parliament approved a bill similar to the one signed by Sandu to ban public displays of the letter Z, the ribbon of St George, and other symbols seen as expressing support for the invasion.



The Lithuanian law says fines for breaching the ban should be raised to 900 euros ($827) for people and up to 1,500 euros for companies.



Lawmakers in Vilnius added the provision to an earlier ban on "the symbols of totalitarian or authoritarian regimes used in the past or currently used to promote military aggression, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed or perpetrated by them."



Last week, Ukrainian lawmakers also banned the Russian symbols in public places, commercials, clothes, media, and social networks.

With reporting by Current Time, Adevarul, Delfi, and Stir
Russian President Vladimir Putins long rule has been fueled by nostalgia for the Soviet Union -- from big matters like the reestablishment of a strict top-down political system and state domination of the media to symbolic measures like the restoration of the Soviet-era national anthem, albeit with modified lyrics.



Now, with Moscows war on Ukraine nearing its third month and Russia increasingly feeling the bite of Western sanctions, numerous Cold War-era terms are creeping back into everyday life in ways that may have many Russians wondering what they were so nostalgic for.



One of the last great gasps of Soviet culture was the massively popular 1988 film Little Vera, a film in which alcoholism, violence, attempted rape, and despair combined to capture the pessimism, ennui, and cynicism that characterized the Soviet Union as its end approached. That film was set in the Azov Sea port of Mariupol, which at the time was named Zhdanov after Stalin-era ideologue Andrei Zhdanov -- who coined the dictum: The only conflict that is possible in Soviet culture is the conflict between good and best.



Mariupol got a makeover in independent Ukraine after the Soviet collapse and was thriving before the invasion. But today, it is a symbol once again -- this time of the suffering, death, and devastation that Russia has wreaked upon Ukraine in the war.

Below RFE/RL has collected a partial list of words, phrases, and concepts that many thought had been left behind in the world of 1984, but which have made a striking comeback in a country where a businessman in Ivanovo was recently fined for discrediting the Russian armed forces for merely standing on the street and handing out free copies of George Orwells dystopian classic.



Denunciations

In his 1982 novella The Zone, dissident Soviet author Sergei Dovlatov wrote that, although people rightly condemned Soviet dictator Josef Stalin for mass repressions and murder, there is another question that must be asked: Who wrote the 4 million denunciations?



They were written by ordinary Soviet people, he noted.



Today, ordinary Russians are increasingly turning one another in for any statement or action of dissent against the war in Ukraine. Teachers who discuss the war in the classroom are particularly vulnerable to denunciations (called donosy in Russian) and have been losing their jobs at a startling pace.

The episodes are not yet a mass phenomenon, but they illustrate the building paranoia and polarization in Russian society, The New York Times wrote on April 9. Citizens are denouncing one another in an eerie echo of Stalins terror, spurred on by vicious official rhetoric from the state.



Emigration

The Soviet period was characterized by three large waves of emigration -- one following the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and the Russian Civil War, a second spurred by the dislocations during and after World War II, and a third wave during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Future historians seem likely to label the period of the Ukraine war as the fourth wave of emigratsiya.



Although it is too early to have precise figures on the number of Russians fleeing their country since Moscow launched the large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, The Economist put the figure at more than 200,000 by the middle of March, calling the trend a stampede for the exits.



Like previous waves of emigration, this one involves a significant percentage of the highly educated, self-starters, intellectuals, and professionals. Unlike previous waves, this time the main destinations include former Soviet republics like Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, as Western sanctions have closed off many other options.



Defectors

The Cold War was punctuated by the occasional defection to the West of prominent figures, often from the realms of culture and sports. In 1961, Rudolf Nureyev -- generally considered the greatest male ballet dancer of his generation -- defected from the Soviet Union at an airport in Paris, continuing his legendary career in the West until his death in 1993. In 1974, fellow dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defected in Toronto.



Many KGB agents and even Stalins own daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva, were also among the most high-profile Soviet defectors (nevozvrashchentsy in Russian).



On March 17, Bolshoi Theater principal dancer Olga Smirnova left Russia for the Netherlands over her opposition to the war against Ukraine. In a March 1 post on Telegram, she wrote that she was ashamed of Russia.

The British Daily Express newspaper teased its story with the line: Russian prima ballerina Olga Smirnova has defected to the Netherlands. The New York Times called Smirnovas decision a blow to the pride of the nation. The daily quoted Smirnovas new boss at the Dutch National Ballet, Ted Brandsen as saying Russian dancers were contacting him daily.



Were going back to the Cold War, he said.



On March 23, Putin adviser and prominent post-Soviet economic reformer Anatoly Chubais left Russia for Turkey. On April 18, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, took up consideration of what was dubbed the Chubais Law, under which any official who quits their post over the war and leaves the country would be entered on a special public register and be banned from ever holding an official post again.



Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

After the Bolshevik consolidation of power in the early 1920s, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad was created by emigres who broke with the Moscow Patriarchate. In 2007, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad reunified with the Moscow church, in a move that was enthusiastically welcomed by Putin.



While such a profound break has not happened, Moscows conflict with Ukraine has been costly for the Russian Orthodox Church going back to 2014, when Russia seized Ukraines Crimea region and enflamed a separatist conflict in parts of eastern Ukraine. Those moves were both trumpeted by the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who has been an outspoken supporter of Putin.



In January 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople granted autocephaly, or independence, to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, ending more than three centuries of Moscow patriarchal domination of Orthodoxy in Ukraine.



About half of Ukraines Orthodox parishes joined the new church, while half remained loyal to Kirill. Since the war was launched in February, nearly half of the Moscow-loyal dioceses in Ukraine have stopped mentioning Kirill in prayers.

Other Orthodox churches around the world have also expressed discontent with the Russian Orthodox Church.



In a recent interview, Bartholomew -- the spiritual head of Orthodoxy globally -- criticized Kirill, saying: He should not have identified so much with President Putin and even called Russias war against Ukraine sacred.



The New York Times on April 18 wrote that Russian Orthodox communities in Italy, the United States, and France were pushing to break with the Moscow Patriarchate.



In the Netherlands, police had to intervene at a Rotterdam church after parishioners came to blows over the war, the daily reported.



Doctrinal disputes and intrigues within the Eastern Orthodox Church often spool out over decades, if not centuries, the paper wrote. But with remarkable speed, the war has widened schisms long kept below the surface.



Shortages

Since the war began, Western countries and other parts of the international community have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia, and the result, very quickly, has been shortages, or defitsity -- deficits -- in Russian.



Alarming stories about shortages of critical imported medicines have appeared regularly, as well as accounts of shortages of basic food staples. In mid-March, the largest grocery chain in the Far East imposed rationing on sugar, salt, and other basics amid a panic-buying frenzy.

In addition, shortages of printer paper have been reported, as the country has apparently relied on whitening agents imported from Finland. Users on Twitter on April 17 were sharing images of dingy brown paper for sale under the euphemistic name Eco.



The environment didnt seem so important two days later when it was announced that, because of a shortage of imported parts, the government would allow the manufacture of all environmental classes of car, including Euro-0, a return to the pre-1992 European standard. Analysts note that consumers are not as concerned about ecology, Kommersant wrote.



Black Market Traders

Where there are defitsity, there are fartsovshchiki, the Soviet-era label for black-market traders in hard currency, blue jeans, Western music, and other products that were difficult to obtain in the Soviet Union.



The Russian ruble plummeted in the first weeks of the war because of Western sanctions and, on March 15, the daily Kommersant reported the appearance of online black-market currency transactions. Experts were warning, the paper said, about administrative and criminal penalties for participating in the shadow market. The paper quoted one online advertisement as telling would-be customers to find the trader next to McDonalds on [Moscows] Kiev Street to buy dollars for 150 rubles.



Although Russian government intervention has revived the ruble, the prospect of more fartsovshchiki is never far off.



Censorship

Almost before the echo had died down from the first Russian shots of the war, the media-monitoring agency Roskomnadzor had issued an edict banning describing the events in Ukraine as a war or invasion, and ordering media and individuals to only cite information from official government sources. Although the Russian word tsenzura wasnt used by the state, people knew censorship when they saw it.



On March 5, the country adopted laws creating administrative and criminal articles against discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation, which have already produced hundreds of convictions

Since the war began, Russians have been detained and fined for violations, such as standing in public with a sign reading Thou shalt not kill to reading the poetry of Russian Symbolist poet Aleksandr Blok to standing in the center of Irkutsk holding a single white rose, a reference to an anti-Hitler youth group in Munich during World War II.



With censorship, inevitably, comes self-censorship -- samotsenzura. The Russian YouTube channel 1420, which regularly posts vox pop videos of Russians answering topical questions, recently published figures on the refusal rates it encounters when conducting its unscientific polls. When asked to give their opinions about NATO, 23 Russians responded and 134 refused. Asked to give their opinions about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, 28 agreed to answer and 124 said no.



And, when asked about censorship in Russia, 26 people agreed to speak and 95 refused.
Ukrainian authorities braced for an expected intensification of Russian attacks ahead of the Victory Day holiday on May 9, while officials on both sides said the civilian evacuation of a besieged steel factory in Mariupol had been completed, although the fate of the remaining fighters there is unclear.

Ukrainian officials declared on May 7 that all women, children, and elderly people had been evacuated from the massive Azovstal steel plant that has been under attack for weeks by Russian forces amid the ruins of the port city.

"The President's order has been carried out: All women, children, and the elderly have been evacuated from Azovstal," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in a statement on social media.



This part of the Mariupol humanitarian mission has been completed," she added without elaborating.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later said that a second stage of the evacuation would now take place, with the wounded and medical personnel being take out.

He said work would continue on May 8 to secure on all humanitarian corridors to allow those in and around the city who want to leave to get a way out. He added that Kyiv was attempting to get the last fighters out of the steel plant, but that it was extremely difficult.

Fears are rising that a final, bloody showdown between the Ukrainian fighters and Russian troops could ignite if the defenders are not allowed to be evacuated from the factory.

The evacuation of the Azovstal steel mill intensified over the past two days, even as Russia has continued to batter the facility and the strategic city, which is now mainly in ruins.



Russia is seeking to complete its takeover of the region and build a land bridge between Crimea -- which it illegally annexed in 2014  and territory controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.



Mariupol has taken the worst of the fighting in Ukraine since Russian troops were forced to retreat around Kyiv and other cities in the north.

Before the weekend, an estimated 200 civilians had been hiding within the massive steel plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders.



The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have desperately been attempting to organize evacuations from the site.

Russian officials also later issued a statement saying that the civilian evacuation of the steel plant had been completed.



The fate of the fighters remains unclear.



Russia, meanwhile, claimed its Iskander missiles destroyed a Ukrainian cache of weaponry that had been supplied by the United States and Europe and that high-precision missiles had destroyed Ukrainian aircraft at airfields in the Artsyz, Odesa, and Voznesensk regions.

Oleskiy Arestovych, a top adviser to Zelenskiy, claimed on May 7 that Ukraine had made battlefield advances in the east, just two days before Russia holds ceremonies to mark Victory Day, the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putins speech on May 9 will be closely watched to see if he will announce a general mobilization or some other major strategic shift, in a bid to turn the tide of the war, now in its 73rd day.

The top human rights representative of the Council of Europe has deplored Moscows actions in its invasion, saying that every Ukrainian who has suffered human rights violations at Russian hands deserves justice.



"Each of them deserves justice and must not be forgotten," Dunja Mijatovic said in a statement following a four-day visit to Kyiv, adding that the extent of human rights violations was staggering.

In the early weeks after the February 24 invasion, Russian forces were thwarted in their attempts to seize Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, suffering heavy losses of personnel and equipment. Commanders then later withdrew units from areas near Kyiv and repositioned them to the Donbas.

Russias last official tally of its military deaths was 1,351. Western officials, however, say the toll is at least 15,000, and Ukrainian officials claim the tally exceeds 20,000. Zelenskiy said last month that between 2,500 to 3,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed, though that figure is believed to be an undercount.

Ukraines General Staff, meanwhile, said in its daily assessment that Russian activity was relatively quiet overnight, limited to military reconnaissance and artillery fire.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Near Izyum, where there has been major back-and-forth fighting, drones were repeatedly detected overflying defense positions, the report said. Kharkiv was also hit by artillery.

Kherson, which is located north of Crimea, well outside of the Donbas, has been contested for weeks now, though Russian forces have claimed control of the region's main city, and a top Russian politician visited Kherson city on May 6.

Russias Defense Ministry said on May 6 that its forces were continuing to advance on positions in the Donbas, and had destroyed an ammunition depot in Kramatorsk and shot down two Ukrainian warplanes.

On May 7, the ministry said its forces hit 18 Ukrainian military facilities overnight, including three ammunition depots near the port city of Odesa. It also said Russian forces destroyed a stockpile of military equipment from the United States and European countries near a railway station in the Kharkiv region.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov was quoted by Russian media as saying that "a heavy concentration of weapons and combat hardware delivered from the U.S. and Western countries, as well as military personnel of the 58th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of Ukraines armed forces, have been eliminated with Iskander operational-tactical missile systems" near railway stations in the Kharkiv region.



It wasn't clear what the weaponry was exactly, or when it might have been delivered and the claims could not be independently confirmed.

Ukrainian military officials confirmed on May 7 that at least four Russian cruise missiles had been fired into the Odesa region and the city's main airport. Local officials said a curfew would be set in the region from 10 p.m. on May 8 until 5 a.m. on May 9.

Ukraine's successes against Russian forces have been due in large part to the major supplies of weaponry provided by the United States and Europe-- weaponry that increasingly includes offensive armaments like heavy artillery, howitzers, and tanks.

Russia has repeatedly warned NATO that its weapons supply convoys could be targeted, but has so far not taken any steps to do that.

Russian forces had been closing in on the last contingent of Ukrainian troops holding out at the sprawling Azovstal steel works factorys extensive tunnels and bunkers in the port city of Mariupol.

Ukrainian officials said on May 6 that several dozen civilians were evacuated from Azovstal, while at least another 50 reportedly left early on May 7 before Vereshchuks announcement that all women, children, and the elderly had left the site.

Separately, the Ukrainian military said on May 7 that it had destroyed a Russian landing ship near Snake Island in the Black Sea, hitting it with an armed drone. There was no immediate comment from Russia.



In mid-April, Russia's Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva, sank near Snake Island after being hit by what was believed to have been a Ukrainian missile. Russia denies a missile strike, saying only that a fire onboard caused the ship to sink.

For the first time since the invasion, the UN Security Council approved a brief resolution expressing "deep concern" about the situation in Ukraine.

However, the text, which was adopted on May 6 with Russias vote, did not mention a war, conflict, or invasion -- as many council members call Russias military action -- or a special military operation as Moscow refers to it.

"The Security Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine," it read.

With reporting by AP and dpa
A photographer who documented Mariupol's Soviet-era iron- and steelworks shares insights into the factory set to hold a final showdown between Ukraine's Azov Battalion and Russian forces. According to the Kremlin-controlled TASS news agency, Russia-backed separatists began advancing into Mariupols Azovstal iron- and steelworks on April 19 with attack groups formed for storming the facility.

Ukrainian fighters from the controversial Azov Battalion, whose members sport patches featuring neo-Nazi symbols, are holed up inside the massive factory in preparation for what is likely to be a bloody and destructive battle. The Ukrainians ignored earlier calls to surrender.

Azovstal began operations in 1933 after Soviet authorities chose the site, on the coast of the Sea of Azov, for its easy shipping access to iron ore deposits. Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the plant employed more than 10,000 people.

In 1941, Azovstal was forced to cease operations when much of the equipment inside the factory was transported east away from the Nazi advance into the Soviet Union.

Viktor Macha, an industrial photographer from the Czech Republic, documented the inside of the metalworks in 2016. Macha says that while he has become used to the closure and controlled demolitions of metalworks throughout Europe, the current shelling of Azovstal is wild and absolutely uncontrolled. The following photos were made during Machas visit to Azovstal in 2016 and give some idea of what a final, close-quarters battle would look like.

Mariupol, in southeastern Ukraine, is home to two vast metalworking factories. Azovstals sister plant, the Illich iron- and steelworks was captured by Russian-led forces in mid-April and appears to have suffered significant damage. Macha says he believes the smaller Azovstal factory was chosen as the site for the Ukrainian fighters final stand because of the badass bomb shelters built beneath it.

Although he was not given access to Azovstals shelters during his 2016 visit, Macha says that, when the factory was restored in the 1940s after the harsh lessons of World War II, Soviet planners built the bomb shelters first, then rebuilt the steel mill above them, so it's well protected, but perhaps not enough.

Macha told RFE/RL that he imagines the conditions inside the heavily bombarded factory must be real horror, adding, I cant imagine what the Azov Battalion and the civilians are going through right now. Mariupols city council has claimed there are more than 1,000 civilians taking shelter in the bunkers beneath Azovstal. Russia-backed separatists have denied that civilians are present in the factory grounds.

The Czech photographer has been closely following the news coming in from Mariupol and fears that not much will be left of Azovstal after the fighting.
Russia to replace its food imports from the European Union from other markets

Alireza Peyman-Pak, Irans Head of Trade Promotion & Organization (TPOI) stated on Monday (April 18) that Irans recent trade conference in Moscow was successful, and coordination had been made with Moscow to ensure national food security for both countries as they jointly contend with SWIFT disconnection and massive sanctions.

We predict that the Ukraine conflict will last and that sanctions will continue to be imposed on Russia. Therefore, the issue of food security, supply of oil, wheat and barley was prioritized, and in this regard, a long-term agreement for the supply of these items was put on the agenda, and necessary measures have been taken in coordination with Russia in this regard, Alireza Peyman-Pak stated.

The TOPI head also pointed to a recent Moscow-hosted trade conference between Iran and Russia and said, The visit of the Iranian delegation to Russia is considered successful. About 40 meetings were held during this event and free trade agreements were signed with 6 Eurasian member states.

He added, After the agreement with the Russian side, the customs of the strategic port of Makhachkala was reopened, which will have significant benefits for the exports to Russia.

The head of the Trade Development Organization also noted that the countrys exports grew by US$13 billion last year, adding, We are trying to control fluctuations in the export sector so that the presence in the target markets would be long-term.

Russia and Iran signed a 20 year cooperation agreement last year. This 2020 paper here examines the Russia-Iran and Eurasian Economic Union (which Iran also has a Free Trade Agreement with) bilateral food trade.

Russia and Iran have high trade capacities for some items in certain food groups, and that they can facilitate the process of economic integration through reinforcing regional interactions and intra-region trade expansion, while safeguarding national interests and improving national security. The paper concludes that Irans food exports to Russia in a particular set of commodity codes enjoy the potential of expansion due to structural similarities between the countries food exports, the increasing trend of Irans food export potential to Russia, the increasing advantage of these commodity codes in Irans export to the world, and the increasing trade expansion opportunities from Iran to Russia and is another indicator that Russia will replace the entirety of its food imports from the European Union from other markets.

Related Reading
However, so far this area still remains the least developed part of Ho Chi Minh City. In a conference on investment promotions in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts last week, chaired by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and several leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, investors were once again hopeful of a revival of the development of this major project.

Action required

Mr. Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, spoke at the opening of the conference on investment promotion in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts, saying that the conference had three main purposes. The first was to have an implementation of an action plan for the development of the project in Ho Chi Minh City. The second was to fulfil the promise of the National Assembly to the compatriots and voters of Ho Chi Minh City, and particularly the voters of Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts. The third was to create opportunities for agencies, units, businesses, and investors to continue to fulfil their mission and commit to implementing the economic recovery and development of Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nen emphasized the importance of keeping a promise and that Ho Chi Minh City is committed fully to making all efforts, with the highest determination, and at the fastest speed, with a sincere spirit to create the best conditions for domestic and foreign businesses to do business in this North Western Urban Area of Ho Chi Minh City. He added that at the same time, the focus must be to constantly improve service capacity, reform administrative procedures, and create new improved changes in the investment environment in Ho Chi Minh City. With these views in mind, the investment promotion conference was meant to respond to participants to implement many projects of important socio-economic significance, with the determination to create the highest value, and contribute to the development of the people and also improve the quality of life for all.

At the conference, Mr. Furusawa Yasuyuki, General Director of AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd., said that Japan's leading retail enterprise plans to develop a retail business model suitable to people's needs and actual conditions of each locality, with the desire to promote sustainable socio-economic growth, promote local consumption of goods, develop civilized and modern commercial services for residential areas, elevate the lifestyle, create more job opportunities for people, and contribute to the local budget.

Mr. Jun Sung Ho, General Director and CEO of Lotte Properties Ho Chi Minh City, offered to find new investment opportunities in the North Western Urban Area, and actively research investment opportunities for introduced projects in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts. Mr. Ken Chan, representing CMIA Capital Partner and Surbana Jurong, informed about the hi-tech Agri-Food Ecological Urban project in Trung An commune in Cu Chi district. This is a project that has been researched and surveyed by investors since 2018, and covers an area of more than 1,018 hectares. The objective of the project is to form a hi-tech agro-ecological urban area; agro-food processing area; a logistics area connecting the regions of Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai for closed agro-food processing materials; ecological urban area close to nature; ecological balance to meet the population of 100,000 people who are experts and workers; meet commercial and residential services in the region; generate annual revenue of about USD 2 bn; and create stable jobs for more than 50,000 employees.

Eco-smart urban area

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nha, Director of the Department of Planning and Architecture, informed that Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts account for more than 26% of the total area of Ho Chi Minh City, nearly the entire territory of the city to the Northwest. Hence the North Western Urban Area is oriented to be an important growth area in the Northern part of the City. This is an area with high and flat terrain, natural ecosystems, and beautiful and diverse landscapes. Nearby is the Moc Bai border gate, the Dau Tieng lake, and the urban Tan An-Thu Dau Mot-Lai Thieu area. In order to improve the quality of life of the people here and meet the development needs of the city, it is necessary to expand the urbanization scope of Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts along with a sustainable, stable, and development oriented roadmap of Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nha, in the future, all these areas will be centers of finance, services, industry, agricultural scientific research, health care, education, sports, and residential projects. He believes that in adjusting the upcoming plan, it is necessary to reserve adequate land for agriculture and eco-tourism, and also develop Cu Chi district as a green belt of the city by not allowing urbanization and construction, and maintaining a wide riverside corridor along the Saigon River.

Mr. Nha also wants Cu Chi and Hoc Mon districts to be built as places with typical cultural spaces, and many attractive tourism products, to become a new city area. Along with this, the transportation system, road routes, Ho Chi Minh City-Tay Ninh expressway and river routes, bus routes connecting places of interest and tourism, must also be invested, developed, and completed. He feels that investment in the development of these two areas is very necessary and has many prospects, which will awaken the potential of the northern area of the city, which is inherently like a reserve.

Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Department of Transport, said that Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts are areas with many benefits in transport infrastructure development planning. This is where the Ring Roads 3 and 4 will be built. These traffic projects along with the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai expressway will help Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province to connect with other provinces as well as Cambodia.

Investor commitments

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that Hoc Mon and Cu Chi are two districts with many development advantages, being the buffer zone of Ho Chi Minh City in the Southern economic regions along the Saigon River. The population size of the two districts is equivalent to that of Da Nang city. He emphasized that Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts can be likened to a sleeping dragon that needs to be developed. Although Ho Chi Minh City contributes towards one-third of the national budget, the development of these two districts is still low. For instance, Cu Chi's budget revenue is just over VND 1,000 bn, while with the same population, Da Nang City collects tens of thousands of billion dong per year.

Therefore, the development of Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts will also help Ho Chi Minh City solve the problem of expanding the space for balanced development, attracting resources, especially in tourism, services, and hi-tech agriculture which will then relieve pressure on the population, infrastructure, housing, and jobs. It will also expand the space for living as population grows more densely in Ho Chi Minh City.

President Phuc also pointed out that the conference on investment promotion is not a one-time program, ending in just one day, but will monitor and supervise the implementation of the goals and commitments of investors when investing in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts. He explained the results achieved in investment promotion to the voters of the two districts saying that every word and commitment at the conference must go hand in hand with real deeds and real people. President Phuc was also pleased to announce that more than USD 17 bn of investment has been offered for the two districts in which USD 500 mn will be for investment of projects.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc directed Ho Chi Minh City and the two concerned districts to develop synchronously and sustainably, and not develop with mere services but also learn from past mistakes and experiences in developing appropriately. He believed it was essential to develop the two districts with the interests of the people in mind, as both Cu Chi and Hoc Mon districts need to be developed ecologically and sustainably and real estate investors must not take advantage of this opportunity to push up housing prices.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc also pointed out that the bottleneck that restrains the development of the two districts is the transportation system. He has now asked the Ministry of Transport to quickly remove these bottlenecks on mechanisms and policies so as to mobilize resources better in investing in key traffic routes such as the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway, Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4, and other riverside roads connecting Cu Chi and Hoc Mon with central areas, and also to the airport and seaport.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested that investors need to fulfill their commitments, and properly implement their plans quickly to deploy the investment disbursement plan, and to totally avoid corruption and further delays. For all these tasks, deputies of Ho Chi Minh City and the National Assembly will monitor and raise issues before the National Assembly on which units were not implementing appropriately as per plans.

Do Tra Giang
The Bay Area could see an unprecedented investment in parks and open space over the next decade, from newly protected redwood groves to freshly restored Native American sanctuary sites, as a sweeping land conservation initiative gathers momentum.

The initiative, known as 30 by 30, aims to conserve 30% of the worlds lands and water by 2030. Its a bid to not only protect natural areas and biodiversity but to slow the planets warming by ensuring enough plants and soil remain to suck up carbon.

With new sources of state and federal funding becoming available, a coalition of 67 Bay Area nonprofits and public agencies on Tuesday rolled out a $700 million plan for how theyd like the region to contribute to the effort. The document is a wish list of more than 110 projects that supporters say could become reality when the new money is released.

Theres a lot of political will for 30 by 30, said Annie Burke, executive director of Together Bay Area, the umbrella group thats working on behalf of parks, land trusts, cities, counties and Indigenous groups to push the regional projects forward. Hopefully it will catalyze the action.

In California, 24% of lands and 16% of coastal water are currently protected, according to the state Natural Resources Agency. Protection can take the form of a marine sanctuary, park or working ranch, per the agencys terms.

By the states math, 6 million acres of California lands and a half million acres of water still need to be conserved to hit the 30% mark.

Financing remains a significant hurdle, even as supporters say the projects are planned and ready to go. The state has allocated $2 billion in new funds, but that is substantially less than the total sum needed (exactly how much is unclear).

In the Bay Area, some proposals are geared toward wildlife, such as building highway crossings for mountain lions and other animals around San Jose and Gilroy.

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle 2020

There are plans to acquire new places for people to visit, including purchase of privately owned tracts such as the 6,300-acre Cloverdale Ranch on the San Mateo County coast and 2,000 acres of redwood forest in Sonoma County.

There are also cultural endeavors, such as developing a network of outdoor community hubs on ancestral Lisjan Ohlone lands in the East Bay.

Its more than just the numbers, said Noelle Chambers, vice president of conservation at the Palo Alto-based Peninsula Open Space Trust, a group that supports and stands to benefit from 30 by 30. Its about making land equitably accessible and stewarding land and caring for it long-term. Its a holistic effort.

To make the project list  and get the coalitions support in seeking funds  the conservation work must meet at least one of three criteria: protect biodiversity, provide equitable access to nature or boost climate resiliency. Each of the projects is sponsored by an organization or public agency in the region. The scope is the Bay Area and Santa Cruz County.

Both President Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom have committed to the 30 by 30 cause.

Within weeks of taking office last year, Biden signed an executive order pledging to protect 30% of U.S. lands and water by 2030. Newsom issued a similar directive for the state the prior year. Both cited the need to stave off extinction of plants and animals and confront climate change.

In December, the Newsom administration released a plan for how to comply. It suggested numerous strategies that include acquiring new lands, obtaining conservation easements on private property and restoring impaired natural areas. A final draft of the plan is due out by the end of the month.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

We are excited to be advancing a first-ever strategy to achieve the landmark target, said Lisa Lien-Mager, spokeswoman for the Natural Resources Agency.

The $2 billion in state funding in this years state budget  Californias first allocation for the initiative  will be doled out over the next year and a half, for work that would help reach the 30 by 30 mandate, including projects to restore habitat, create wildlife corridors and boost coastal resilience to climate change.

The Biden administration, meanwhile, announced last week $440 million in federal funding for the America the Beautiful Challenge, which embraces 30 by 30  though that will end up being a minor sum when split among the states.

The goal in California isnt to necessarily have conservation spread uniformly across the state but to protect areas that offer the greatest ecological and climate benefits.

In the Bay Area, nearly 30% of the land is currently under protection, according to Together Bay Area. But the organization believes that because of the biodiversity here, more conservation is needed.

If all the work is completed, Youll see more parks, more people outside, more connection to natural lands, said Burke, the groups executive director. The Bay Area will be an (even more) beautiful and healthy place to live.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
Jacom Stephens/Getty Image

Berkeley High School officials are offering counseling services to students after a student died during Mondays lunch period following a fall from a downtown parking garage.

The student, who officials have not publicly identified, fell from a parking garage near campus at Milvia and Center streets, school officials said.
Local governments in California can proceed in state court with lawsuits against major oil companies for contributing to climate change by selling fossil fuel products and allegedly deceiving the public about their harmful effects, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

The suits, filed in 2017, seek substantial damages from more than 30 companies that profit from products contributing to rises in temperatures and sea levels, which the cities and counties say are forcing them to spend more on sea walls and other protections. The plaintiffs are San Mateo, Marin and Santa Cruz counties and the cities of Richmond, Santa Cruz and Imperial Beach (San Diego County).

The local governments sued in state court under Californias law allowing damages for a public nuisance, private actions that harm the public health. The companies want the case to be heard in federal court, where judges can consider state laws but are generally less receptive to those laws than state courts, and are more likely to dismiss such suits.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria of San Francisco and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled initially that the suits raised no issues of federal law and belonged in state court. The Supreme Court told the appeals court last year to reconsider its ruling after ordering another court to review possible federal issues in a similar suit by the city of Baltimore. On Tuesday, the Ninth Circuit panel said it had considered all applicable federal laws and reached the same conclusion.

The suits contend the oil companies wrongful conduct in producing, selling, marketing fossil fuels contributes to global warming and sea-level rise, which led to property damage and other injuries to the cities and counties, Judge Sandra Ikuta said in the 3-0 ruling. While the companies produced some of the oil as federal government contractors or on federal land, Ikuta said, they did not carry out government orders or policies, and none of their actions implicated federal laws.

A similar suit by San Francisco and Oakland was dismissed in 2018 by U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco, who rejected application of the state law and said regulation of fuel production was a question for policymakers, not federal judges. The same appeals court panel reinstated the case in 2020, the Supreme Court denied review of the companies appeal, and the suit is back before Alsup.

According to the plaintiffs and environmental groups, every other federal court that has considered the issue, including two more appellate courts, has reached the same conclusion: that the local governments are not trying to regulate oil companies but only to recover compensation for actions that violate state laws and harm the public.

It is time to go to trial to hold these defendants accountable for deceiving consumers about the damages associated with the use of their products, and to protect our taxpayers from having to bear the enormous costs resulting from that deception, said a statement by Marin and Santa Cruz counties and the cities of Santa Cruz and Imperial Beach.

Richard Wiles, president of the nonprofit Center for Climate Integrity, said the ruling was a major victory for these California communities seeking their day in court against corporate polluters that spent decades lying about their products role in fueling the climate crisis.

Chevron, the lead defendant, criticized the decision.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Plaintiffs claims are based on allegations about worldwide carbon emissions and address global climate change  national and international issues that can be governed only by federal, not state, law, said Braden Reddall, spokesperson for the San Ramon-based oil giant. Although the court has decided that plaintiffs claims for now can proceed past this preliminary stage, Chevron looks forward to additional challenges that should put an early end to this meritless lawsuit.

In arguing that the case involved federal laws and could be heard by a federal judge, the companies noted that some of their drilling takes place on the Outer Continental Shelf, coastal waters regulated by the federal government. But the court said the local governments are not claiming any damage to the shelf or its lands, just harm caused by products of the drilling.

The companies also said some of their actions were at the directions of federal officers, like the Navy officials who contracted with CITGO to supply oil to 40 naval installations, and who set the terms of a 1994 agreement with Standard Oil Co. for distribution of petroleum products from Elk Hills Oil Field in Kern County. But Ikuta said the companies engaged in an arms-length business relationship that did not put them under government control or subject them to federal law.

Quoting a 1934 Supreme Court ruling, she said, Due regard for the rightful independence of state governments means removal laws (transferring cases to federal court) should be construed narrowly.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
When a California motorist is arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and challenges suspension of his or her drivers license, the Department of Motor Vehicles assigns an officer to preside over the hearing  and assigns the same officer, under longstanding DMV rules, to advocate for license suspension.

That system, a state appeals court says, violates the drivers constitutional right to a fair and impartial hearing.

The irreconcilable conflict between advocating for the agency on one hand, and being an impartial decision-maker on the other creates an unacceptable risk of bias, the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles said Friday.

Another DMV rule had allowed department managers to order a license suspended even if the hearing officer had ruled in the drivers favor. A Los Angeles County judge overturned that rule in the current case and the DMV did not appeal.

The same judge upheld the rules allowing a single officer to act as both DMV advocate and hearing officer at the license-suspension hearing. The appeals courts reversal of that decision, if it stands, will affect thousands of hearings each year, said Bob Gerstein, attorney for the California DUI Lawyers Association, which filed the suit.

Gerstein said the issues at those hearings can include whether an officer had a legitimate basis for stopping the vehicle and whether the breath-testing equipment was properly calibrated. If the DMV determines the drivers blood-alcohol content was at least .08%, the license is suspended until the drivers criminal case is resolved, which can take many months. Similar procedures apply to drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Under the DMVs rules, Gerstein said, the only recourse for drivers who want to challenge a proposed suspension has been to go before a hearing officer who was, at the same time, the judge between the DMV and the driver and, at the same time, advocate for the DMV against the driver.

Chris Orrock, a DMV spokesperson, said the department was reviewing the ruling, and declined further comment. It could seek review in the state Supreme Court.

A 2005 California law prohibited all state agencies  except the DMV  from assigning an employee to preside over a hearing if the same employee has acted as an advocate or investigator in the same case.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Defending its rules, the DMV contended there was no evidence of bias by its hearing officers, and noted that the departments manual directs those officers to be fair and impartial. But the appeals court said the officers dual roles stacked the deck against the driver.

The court cited the California Supreme Courts 2006 ruling that found the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control violated state law by assigning the prosecutor of a business whose beverage license was under review to prepare a fact-finding report and send it to the department while the decision was still pending. The law requires some internal separation between advocates and decision-makers to preserve neutrality, the states high court said.

Or as Justice Brian Currey put it in Fridays 3-0 ruling, One adversary should not be permitted to bend the ear of the decision-maker or the decision-makers advisers in private.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
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UPDATE: Sutter hospital chain is locking out nurses who staged one-day strike.

Labor disputes led thousands of Sutter Health nurses to stage a one-day strike Monday, as thousands more at Stanford Health prepared to walk off the job next week.

Stanford administrators immediately threatened to withhold health benefits and pay from workers who strike, while Sutter hired temporary replacements and said it postponed a number of procedures.

Hospital nurses across California say theyve reached a boiling point two years into the pandemic. Despite being hailed as health care heroes, they say they are exhausted from understaffing and overwork, and angered by offers of raises they consider puny.

Whats this about? Patient care! hundreds of red-clad nurses chanted Monday outside their hospital at Van Ness Avenue and Post Street in San Francisco, one of 18 Sutter Health facilities from Santa Cruz to Crescent City hit by the one-day strike. Whats this about? Justice! they cried as horns tooted in sympathy and the strikers waved signs.

Sutter Health accused the nurses of putting politics above patients in a statement Monday, and called the walkout costly and disruptive.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The hospital system pays nurses an average of $140,000 a year  nearly 13% more than the average annual wage for nurses in the state  and offers generous benefits, its statement said.

Federal mediators met with both sides over the weekend but failed to prevent the walkout. More than 8,000 Sutter nurses and health care workers represented by the California Nurses Association skipped work on Monday, according to the unions tally.

Under sunny skies at the San Francisco rally, cardiac nurse Patty Winkelmann said the 2% raise offered by Sutter was unrealistic in the expensive Bay Area, and its proposal that nurses float between campuses instead of staying at a single site would be a hardship.

Im truly insulted after working here for 35 years, she said.

Other nurses said that despite Californias mandated minimum staff-to-patient ratios, health care workers are often so busy they cant take a break, even for a meal, and are constantly tapped to work overtime on their days off.

Its exhausting, said Amy Erb, an ICU nurse on the team that began negotiating with Sutter in June, eight months before their contact expired in February.

Another 5,000 nurses at Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital notified their employers of their planned strike, to begin April 25 with no end date specified. Their contract expired at the end of March.

Nurses who choose to strike will not be paid for any shifts they miss, and health benefits will end on May 1 for strikers, Stanfords hospital administrators said in a statement.

Administrators said they have an offer on the table of a 5% salary increase in the contracts first year, with raises of 4% and 3% in the second and third, respectively. Nurses would earn a base salary of $142,777 to $226,643, depending on job duties and experience.

Stanford nurses were unimpressed.

It is beyond cruel and insulting for the hospitals to cut off health care for the nurses who have given everything to the hospitals in these last two years, said Colleen Borges, president of the nurses union, CRONA, the Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The union scoffed at the raise offer. Suggesting the two Stanford hospitals could easily afford more, the union noted that the hospitals have reported income in the billions.

The union launched a #ShameOnStanford Twitter campaign and an online petition demanding that the hospitals chief executives  David Entwistle of Stanford Health Care and Paul King of Stanford Childrens Health  reverse their decision to use the benefits as a weapon to punish nurses.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The petition had garnered more than 24,000 signatures as of Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, politicians used the rally in San Francisco to show support for Sutter nurses  with apparent hopes that the nurses vast labor networks would support their own campaigns.

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney and former Supervisor David Campos showed up, one day ahead of the runoff election that will determine which of them will win the state Assembly seat for District 17 that was vacated by David Chiu, now the city attorney.

San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, fighting for his job in a recall election set for June 7, told the nurses that corporate bosses love to talk about how they support health care workers  and now its time they start doing it in practice, not just in rhetoric.

He then led the nurses in a chant that could be tailor-made for his own campaign: When we fight ...  he prompted. We win! the nurses answered.

Carrying a hand-painted poster that said safe staffing saves lives, nurse Caitlin White said she disagreed with Sutters claim that nurses were walking out on their patients.

Were walking out for our patients, she said.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
Major airlines began announcing Monday that masks are now optional for travelers for the first time in more than a year, hours after a federal judge annulled the federal mask mandate for airplanes and other modes of public transportation.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Fla., said the mask mandate was implemented unlawfully and that it went beyond the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decision effectively ends the federal directive that since February 2021 has impelled transportation companies and the agencies that run transportation hubs to require travelers to wear masks as a way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration has not said whether it will appeal the ruling.

The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps, the CDC said in a statement shared by the Association of Flight Attendants, a union representing almost 50,000 flight attendants. In the meantime, today's court decision means CDCs public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time. Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time. CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.

Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United airlines said Monday that masks are no longer required on domestic flights.

Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees, such as TSA, may be receiving this information at different times, Delta Air Lines said in a statement. You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated  remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required.

Amtrak riders and employees do not have to wear a mask anymore as of Monday, but anyone who chooses to is encouraged to do so, Amtrak said in a statement.

BART, VTA, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and AC Transit were among the Bay Area transportation agencies that said Monday that they would continue to require masks. Alicia Trost, spokesperson for BART, told The Chronicle that masks would continue to be required on all BART trains until the agency receives new, explicit guidance from the TSA.

Health officials in Marin County said they continue to strongly recommend mask use during travel, especially in locations that are crowded. Travelers who are at higher risk for serious illness should consider wearing a good, well fitted mask such as a KN95, officials said.

Travelers should be aware that others who are traveling are now less likely to be wearing masks, increasing risk of exposure, county officials said in a statement.

In a 59-page ruling Monday, Mizelle granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs in a 2021 lawsuit against President Biden that asserted that the mask mandate was illegal and that the CDC had violated the Administrative Procedure Act when it implemented the requirement without providing proper notice and opportunities for public comment.

CDC officials had said that they skirted the APA requirements because it would have been impracticable and contrary to the publics health to delay the mandate to allow people to comment on it.

But the CDC did not provide a strong enough explanation for why a delay would have been impracticable, Mizelle wrote in her ruling, especially since COVID-19 had already been in the United States for nearly a year and case counts nationally were decreasing at the time.

Despite the public interests involved, the availability of alternatives, and the timing, the Mandate makes no effort to show the impracticability of affording notice and comment, she wrote.

Mizelle added that the mask mandate was unlawful because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The CDC had extended the mask mandate by two weeks on Wednesday, just five days before it was set to expire. Some airlines and Republican lawmakers had been calling for an end to the requirement.

This is obviously a disappointing decision, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday, adding that federal agencies were assessing the Mizelles decision. The CDC is recommending wearing a mask on public transit.

The Association of Flight Attendants issued a statement Monday asking for calm and consistency in airports and planes, noting that it is not yet clear what Mizelles ruling means for travelers.

The last thing we need for workers on the frontlines or passengers traveling today is confusion and chaos, the statement read. We urge everyone to practice patience, remain calm, and to continue to follow crewmember instructions. And we remind passengers that it is legally required to follow crewmember instructions, and that disruptive behavior has serious consequences as it puts everyone at risk.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Andy Picon (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon
Oakland As fans may have company in the Coliseum and its parking lots this season.

The dozens of feral cats that have taken over the Coliseum, according to Coliseum Authority executive director Henry Gardner, arent likely to be relocated, animal control officials said Monday as fans began arriving at the complex for the As home opener.

Even if the feral cats were to be removed from the As home stadium, other wild felines that live nearby are likely to take their place, said Ann Dunn, director of Oakland Animal Services.

We would be creating a vacuum that would just get filled by other cats, she said.

Animal services and Coliseum officials believe that about 30 feral cats inhabit the area, and Gardner said in a recent memo to the authority that theyre having a field day and have also managed to sneak into the former Oracle Arena, the past home of the Golden State Warriors.

Feral cats have multiplied since the coronavirus and the kittens are running wild, Gardner said.

He told the authoritys Board of Commissioners that the agency would find a humane solution to the problem, perhaps relocating the feral felines or even mounting a campaign to get some of the cats adopted by fans.

But feral cats may not make good house pets, and those that move out would likely be replaced by others that live outside the Coliseum or in the marshy areas nearby.

They usually find a place where they can fit in, said Ben Winkleblack, assistant to the animal services director. A place that provides shelter and a food source.

During the pandemic, they discovered the Coliseum was such a place, especially after being abandoned by the Raiders, who moved to Las Vegas, and the Warriors, who fled across the bay to San Franciscos Chase Center.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Instead of evicting the feline interlopers, animal services officials have enlisted an outside group, Island Cat Resources and Adoption, which will capture the feral cats, spay or neuter them and return them to the Coliseum. That will help stabilize the population, Winkleblack said.

Coliseum officials hope to cut down on the cats food supply by securing the covers on trash containers.

So fans will have to learn to coexist with the Coliseum kitties, even though most cats are not fond of strangers and are likely to hide during games, Winkleback said.

I think theyre part of the landscape, he said, and hope everyone would feel comfortable with that and appreciate them.

Michael Cabanatuan (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
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On a late summer night two years ago, Tiburon police asked Yema Khalif to prove he owned Yema, the local clothing store that bears his name.

At the time, Khalif and his wife, Hawi Awash, were the towns only Black business owners. The fallout from that August 2020 encounter shoved the quiet coastal enclave to the center of a racial justice moment that began just months earlier with George Floyds murder. But after initially threatening a $2 million lawsuit in federal court, the couple say they were able to achieve meaningful reforms by staying out of the courtroom and directly engaging with town officials.

On Tuesday, the couple stood in front of their store in Tiburons casual but tony downtown to announce those reforms. Changes include police policy and training updates as well as the formation of a Citizens Advisory Panel to provide a forum between residents and police; one of the store owners is expected to serve as a member.

The couple also received a $150,000 payment, a portion of which they say will go to a scholarship fund they run through the store.

Khalif and Awash havent reached a settlement with the neighboring city of Belvedere, which also had an officer at the store that night. David Anderson, one of their attorneys, said Belvederes leaders werent up for the conversation that those in Tiburon were. A message left with the city manager wasnt immediately returned Tuesday.

Khalif said he and his wife never wanted to involve the courts.

For this to happen was very unfortunate and still is unfortunate, Khalif said during a news conference in front of his store. We hope (the Tiburon agreement) is going to be something that other cities, other counties can actually copy.

It all stemmed from an Aug. 21, 2020, incident that was recorded by an officers body-worn camera. Around 1 a.m., Officer Isaac Madfes approached the couple as they were restocking after closing. Asked what they were doing, Khalif said that he and Awash were doing our thing.

Whats your thing? asked the officer.

Is there a problem? Khalif said.

Madfes continued questioning Khalif, who asked to speak to a supervising officer. Madfes kept pointing out how late it was, that it stood out to him to see people there.

What stands out to you  three Black people in the store? Khalif asked.

I dont want to argue, the officer said. I just want you to tell me why youre here.

Sgt. Michael Blasi arrived and suggested Khalif put his key in the door lock to prove he and Awash belonged there. As Khalif began to comply, a neighbor interjected.

Thats his store! the white man shouted from his balcony.

The officers thanked the man and left.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Police Chief Michael Cronin retired in September 2020 amid backlash over the incident. Blasi also resigned. Madfes remains an officer in Tiburon, said Town Manager Greg Chanis. Chanis said the chiefs retirement was planned before the incident.

As part of the reforms announced Tuesday, officers are expected to begin carrying business cards with information about how to raise concerns over interactions. The Police Department has started a pilot program where community liaisons help residents with any police concerns or needs. The agency also increased the frequency of bias training from every five years to every two.

Aug. 21, 2020, was extremely traumatic, Awash said Tuesday. Im happy that Tiburon has taken accountability and has made real, substantial policy changes.

Tiburon Mayor Jon Welner said he was pleased to avoid litigation in resolving the situation.

The changes proposed by Yema and Hawi are very positive, and will help make the Town of Tiburon a leader in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and transparency, Welner said in a joint news release with Khalif and Awash.

Charles Bonner, another of the couples attorneys, said the agreement shows that such cases can be resolved at the peace table without going to war.

Tiburon has shown us a template, a blueprint, he said.

Joshua Sharpe is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: joshua.sharpe@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joshuawsharpe
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All of the Bay Areas airports, along with Uber and Lyft, shed their mask mandates on Tuesday, a day after a judge struck down federal masking requirements on public transportation. BART did not officially lift its mandate, but the agencys police officers were told to stop enforcing it.

Most Bay Area transit operators still hung on to their mask mandates for passengers and employees  for now  and many transit riders, airline passengers, and Uber and Lyft riders kept their masks on, even though they didnt have to.

I hate it, BART rider Pieter de Haan said of the termination of the federal mask mandate as he exited Civic Center Station in San Francisco on Tuesday.

He was unaware that BART had relaxed enforcement of mask wearing. Most riders on his train from Berkeley to San Francisco had been wearing masks, he said, adding, the virus is still here.

Officials at San Francisco, Oakland and Mineta San Jose International airports released separate, similar statements Tuesday saying they will hew to updated guidance from the federal Transportation Security Administration, which announced Monday that its employees will no longer compel mask-wearing on public transportation.

Yet airport officials seemed to tread lightly, urging employees and travelers to respect each others individual choice regarding mask usage.

We recognize that travelers and employees will have varied opinions about this sudden change, Oakland International Airport spokesperson Kaley Skantz wrote in a statement, echoing sentiments from her San Francisco counterparts. All three airports acknowledged that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend masks in indoor settings.

While the airports and most popular airlines lined up behind the optional masking policy, Bay Area transit agencies adopted a conflicting and confusing mixture of policies.

Muni, the Bay Areas busiest transit system, decided to keep its masking mandate  at least for now. So did Caltrain, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and AC Transit.

But at BART, the Bay Areas regional transit spine, police officers were directed not to enforce the mask mandates, a person who was familiar with the matter, though not authorized to speak publicly, told The Chronicle. BART spokesperson Alicia Trost said BART has not yet made a formal decision on its mask mandate.

Transit agency officials said they were weighing the pros and cons of mask mandates, which some believed were unnecessary as COVID-19 rates drop and as mask requirements in other settings get abandoned. Others said they thought masks were a reassurance to passengers reluctant to return to public transportation as they head back to the office.

That left transit riders at Civic Center Station in a confusing situation Tuesday. While masks were still required on Muni trains arriving and departing the station, BART police one floor below were no longer enforcing mask-wearing on BART trains.

I dont know whats going on with masking, Rubin Martinez said after he got off a Muni train at Civic Center Station late Tuesday morning. Martinez, who had a black mask dangling around his neck on a gold chain, said he chose to mask up on transit because it felt safer in the meantime.

Ride-hailing services Lyft and Uber also dropped masking requirements along with their prohibitions on passengers riding in the front seat, next to the driver. An organization representing drivers, Gig Workers Rising, objected to the policy change, saying it endangered drivers.

Uber and Lyft are playing politics with our lives, said Rondu Gantt, a ride-hailing driver in the Bay Area. I dont like the idea of people getting in my car without a mask on. Its been raining here in the Bay Area, so the windows are up and people are coughing. Were in a confined space, and if a rider refuses to wear a mask and we ask them to leave the car, were at risk of getting a bad review and possibly deactivated.

At San Francisco International Airports ride-hailing pickup area outside Terminal 3, most passengers waiting for Uber and Lyft cars wore masks.

It got lifted? Ethan Williams of Tucson, Ariz., asked as he anxiously checked his phone for an arriving ride.

Williams, who wore no face garment, said hed forgotten to bring one Tuesday. He was far more concerned with catching his Uber than with the loosening restrictions.

Im just glad to be back to where we used to be, he said, adding that hed been unfazed when half the passengers on his flight declined to cover their faces.

As airlines rushed to retool their policies and attempted to steer clear of a deeply polarized masking debate, conflict surged on social media as public health experts, political pundits and passengers all weighed in.

Popular airlines, including Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, American and United, lifted mask mandates on Monday, though they also emphasized individual decision-making and noted separate guidelines from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Passengers who learned of the change midflight expressed delight and disorientation. Some documented the moment on cell phone videos, showing people clapping or jeering as they heard the announcement right before taxiing down a runway.

Despite the giddy in-flight tweets, people who clamored into San Francisco International Airport seemed reticent to remove face coverings. When a dozen people packed into an AirTrain car at 1 p.m., all but one wore a mask. A majority of travelers covered their faces in airport security lines, and many airport staff appeared to be masked.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

I think maybe this is a little premature, Oakland resident Brandi Arteaga said, quickly donning a mask when a reporter approached her in Terminal 3.

Fresh off a flight from Greece, Arteaga said she learned of the policy change during a layover. But to her relief, most of Arteagas fellow passengers still wore masks during the 12-hour voyage home.

Im fully vaccinated, but I still want to wear one, she said.

Kiss McCray of New Jersey, who briefly removed her mask to pose for photos beneath a Welcome to San Francisco sign, said she would adhere to any rule the airports imposed.

She also said that passengers on her flight kept their masks on, in spite of the change.

I dont mind wearing masks, McCray said. I recovered from COVID a year ago, and its serious.

Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of medicine at UCSF, had a stern warning for airline travelers.

On every flight of 150 people departing from health-conscious San Francisco, there is a 95% chance that at least one person onboard has COVID, Wachter tweeted. Considering the citys relatively low infection rate, the chances of transmission on other U.S. flights are likely worse, he wrote.

A statement released by Delta Air Lines on Tuesday urged patience, given the rapidly evolving rules.

You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated - remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required, the statement read.

Rachel Swan, Ricardo Cano and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com, ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com and mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @rachelswan, @ByRicardoCano and @ctuan
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Uber and Lyft announced Tuesday that they were dropping their mask requirement for drivers and riders  a day after a judge in Florida overturned the federal masking policies for airplanes and public transportation.

As of Tuesday, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber, the company announced on its website.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area, the statement said

In a blog post, Lyft said that masks were now optional for riders and drivers, and that riders were no longer required to keep their windows open or keep the front seat empty.

We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so, the company said. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they dont wish to take."

Ubers and Lyfts announcements comes a day after a federal judge in Florida struck down the mask mandate on Monday for airplanes and other public transportation. In a 59-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Mizelle in Tampa said the mandate was implemented unlawfully and that it went beyond the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both companies joined several major airlines who began announcing on Monday that masks were optional for travelers.

Uber also dropped its no-front-seat policy in which riders were required to sit in the back seat of a car while taking a ride.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Now, to give drivers space, the company is asking riders to only use the front seat if theyre riding with a large group and its necessary.

If riders or drivers ever feel uncomfortable with the companys updated mask policy, Uber said they can always cancel the trip.

Jessica Flores (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
A defrocked Oakland priest and convicted child molester was arrested over the weekend in a suspected drunken-driving incident that killed a pedestrian in a Walnut Creek retirement community.

Stephen Kiesle, 75, was booked into County Jail in Martinez on Sunday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony DUI. Kiesle remains in custody on a $250,000 bail, according to Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Jimmy Lee.

Officials with the Contra Costa County Coroners Division identified the victim as 64-year-old Walnut Creek resident Curtis Gunn.

According to a report by Rossmoor.com, a website that provides news on the Rossmoor retirement community, Gunn and his wife were walking home from a trivia event Saturday evening in Rossmoor when a vehicle allegedly driven by Kiesle jumped a curb and struck both husband and wife. Gunns wife was treated for minor injuries, the report states.

Kiesle is also a Rossmoor resident, according to his address listed on Californias sexual offender registry.

Walnut Creek police, who are investigating the incident, said that at about 9 p.m. on Saturday, a 911 caller reported a vehicle struck two pedestrians who were walking on the sidewalk on Tice Creek Drive near Fairlawn Court in the Rossmoor community.

The vehicle was on its side and the male driver, who was also the only occupant, was trapped inside, police said. When officers arrived, they found a male pedestrian with life-threatening injuries, a female pedestrian with minor injuries, and the driver of the vehicle with minor injuries.

Police said Kiesle was extricated from the vehicle by the fire department.

Kiesle is among the most notorious priest abusers in the Bay Area, and among the thousands of Catholic leaders accused of child molestation in what continues to be a dark stain on the church.

Kiesle was ordained in 1972. Six years later, he pleaded no contest to lewd conduct for tying up and molesting two boys at Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Union City, where he was a priest and teacher.

In 1981, after serving three years of probation, Kiesle asked to be laicized  removed from the priesthood. The Oakland diocese supported his request and forwarded it to the Vatican, which must approve defrocking.

Kiesle was eventually defrocked in 1987.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In 2002, Kiesle was charged with molesting five children three decades earlier when he was a priest at Santa Paula Church in Fremont. However, the following year, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated portions of a 1994 California law that had extended the statute of limitations for child molestation, and Kiesles charges were dropped.

In 2004, Kiesle pleaded no contest to molesting a young girl at his Truckee home in 1995. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

In a statement from SNAP  Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests  officials said their hearts go out to the victim's widow.

At the same time we cannot help but remember that her husband is only the latest person to have their life destroyed by this former Diocese of Oakland cleric, the statement said.

Chronicle staff writer Matthias Gafni contributed to this report.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
Two San Francisco police officers and one retired officer were arrested Tuesday and accused of crimes including illegal possession of a machine gun and destroying evidence, department officials said.

Retired SFPD Officer Mark Williams was booked on charges of unlawful possession of a machine gun after allegedly being found with a firearm that was missing from evidence.

In a separate incident, Officers Kevin Lyons and Kevin Sien were accused of destroying or concealing evidence.

A judge issued arrest warrants for all three men Friday, and all three voluntarily surrendered on Tuesday, according to police.

Williams was charged with possession of a machine gun, possession of a silencer and embezzlement, all felonies, according to San Francisco District Attorneys Office spokesperson Rachel Marshall. Lyons faces two charges of concealing or destroying evidence, a misdemeanor, and Sien faces one count of the same charge.

The actions of these SFPD members violate the law and regrettably fall far short of our departments shared values, said San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott.

Tracy McCray, acting president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, said the union is familiar with the allegations involving Lyons and Sien.

(We) believe that once all of the evidence is disclosed, the facts will show that these charges were not warranted, McCray said in a statement emailed to the Chronicle. We encourage everyone to remember that these individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.

The police union does not represent Williams because hes retired.

Officials said employees with the police departments property division were conducting a routine inventory on Aug. 9 when they discovered a missing firearm. Investigators found the gun in the possession of Williams, who retired from the force but was working part time with the department to help with staffing shortages, police said. Williams, who had been working in the gun destruction unit, was terminated immediately, officials said.

We take the possession of illegal weapons very seriously in San Francisco, said District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Keeping these dangerous firearms off the streets is critical to the security of our community.

In an unrelated case, San Francisco police internal affairs investigators on July 3 were tipped off about an incident involving the suspected destruction of evidence the previous evening on the 700 block of Mission Street.

Officials said employees at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis called police after finding luggage that contained multiple credit cards, IDs and suspected methamphetamine. When Lyons and Sien arrived, however, they allegedly told employees it would take too long to file the evidence, and instead shredded the cards and flushed the suspected drugs down the toilet.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

These officers undermined their own colleagues, my office and our criminal justice system as a whole by destroying and concealing the evidence of a crime, simply because they didnt want to take the time to do their jobs, Boudin said.

Lyons, a 21-year veteran of the department, and Sien, a five-year veteran, were transferred to assignments that dont involve contact with the public, police said.

A spokesperson with the department declined to comment on whether the pair would face internal disciplinary actions.

Both Lyons and Sien were cited and released. Williams was not in custody Tuesday, according to San Francisco jail records.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
The Oakland City Council unanimously voted to delay a housing project near West Oaklands BART station despite a state review into the councils decision last year to put off the project.

The councils decision comes nearly six months after it originally directed city staff to do more environmental analysis at the project site last September. City staff said it needed two to three months to study more environmental impacts at the project site.

If, during that analysis, city staff find that a separate environmental review is necessary, that process could take up to a year.

Council Member Carroll Fife, who represents the area where the project is proposed, said the direction that council gave staff in September has not yet been completed. She said she wants housing, but that it has to be done with due diligence so that we are protecting the residents of my district from environmental harm.

The Michaels Organization proposed a 222-unit development at a vacant parcel on Fifth Street, across the street from the West Oakland BART.

At stake is an eight-story residential building of much needed housing that would be located at 1396 Fifth St. The 222 units would contribute to the 26,000 new housing units Oakland must plan for by 2031, as required by the state.

As the city prepares now how to plan for those new units, staffers have identified priority areas throughout Oakland  including transit villages such as BART.

The proposed development at West Oakland BART Station is currently being monitored by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

Jason Overman, a spokesperson for the developer, said over the past six months, the Michaels Organization has done more environmental analysis as part of a good-faith effort to show the council they are serious about working with them and breaking ground. But they say the threat of another delay has left them perplexed.

The project sponsor feels theyre stuck in purgatory here, where nobody knows exactly what to do next because the appellants have weaponized CEQA to confuse everybody, said Overman. This project has been put into the twilight zone, and its quickly becoming a quagmire.

The California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, requires environmental review of development projects and its impacts. The law has been used by antidevelopment groups for decades.

In this particular case, the Michaels Organization alleged that the group appealing its project offered to drop its case if the developer agreed to bid to union contractors only.

The project has already been unanimously approved by the citys Planning Commission. But the East Bay Residents for Responsible Development, a coalition of four local unions that has challenged other housing around the region, appealed the planning commissions decision and argued that the city hadnt analyzed site-specific hazardous waste. The group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At Tuesdays meeting, Kelilah Federman, an attorney representing the appellant, said the developers own environmental analysis shows that the site is still contaminated and urged the council to uphold the appeal.

Several speakers during public comment identified themselves as members of East Bay Residents for Responsible Development and said the developers analysis validates their concerns. One member said that they support housing, but it should be done right and not at the expense of those in the area.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Scott Cooper, with the developer, said that they will be required to work with the county to ensure proper cleanup measures are taken at the site before breaking ground. The Alameda County Department of Environmental Health reviews the development plan before construction can break ground.

Most of the speakers during public comment spoke in support of the project.

Its important for us to be developing as much housing as we can, said George Spies, an Oakland resident.

In September, the council voted to ask for additional environmental review on the housing projects impacts on the site and surrounding neighborhood.

The councils decision prompted the California Department of Housing and Community Development to investigate the councils vote.

Its not uncommon for groups like the East Bay Residents for Responsible Development to stall or kill housing projects  using environmental concerns as the reason to do so. More analysis on an environmental report can take as long as two years.

Corey Smith, the deputy director of the Housing Action Coalition, a San Francisco nonprofit, said their group is watching to see what the council decides. In October, the Housing Action Coalition threatened to sue Oakland over the projects delay.

All options are the table for us, Smith said Monday. Housing delayed is housing denied. Every day that passes is another day that our affordability and displacement crisis gets worse.

Sarah Ravani (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Dear Gov. Ron DeSantis:

Id like you to consider banning my book, How We Keep Spinning ...

Hear me out. Youve made a name for yourself with this Dont Say GAY business. You signed into law an act by the Florida legislature that says: A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity Some even interpret the law to mean that the school can out an LGBTQ student. And 39 other states, including Georgia, Kansas, Indiana, Arizona, Oklahoma and Tennessee, want to copy you by introducing legislation to prohibit the normalization or support of lesbian, GAY, bisexual or transgender lifestyle.

But you havent gone far enough. You need to start banning books, and why not start with mine?

Pretty much all the good ones have already been banned: Beloved. The Catcher in the Rye. The Lorax. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (by another San Francisco newspaperman, Mark Twain).

How We Keep Spinning is about a GAY couple adopting a multi-racial family. Did I mention Im a Yankee? If banning a book like that doesnt win you the Iowa Caucus, nothing will. Ive written two books, and have a weekly column, and theres a GAY in almost every paragraph. True, I havent convinced anyone to try a GAY lifestyle, but several readers have commented, This GAY business doesnt look quite so hard. If Kevin Fisher-Paulson can do it, then anybody can.

Truth in advertising: Its not a how-to-GAY book. Further truth in advertising: Despite our best efforts, neither of our sons has ever read the book. Nor have they developed an interest in GAY sensibility. Neither of them can hum a show tune or dance to the disco beat. It seems you may have gotten that grooming thing wrong. Nature really does trump nurture.

Back to banning: You would be joining a glorious history: In 212- BCE, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang buried 460 scholars alive before burning their books. Now thats how to destroy literature!

And if my GAY book is gonna get banned anywhere, it should be Florida.I already have a problematic relationship with the Sunshine State. Disneyworld opened when I was 13 and my parents, Hap and Nurse Vivian, took me to the second happiest place on earth. Not sure if it was the humidity or Anita Bryant, but three days in your state were more than enough for me.

But not so Nurse Vivian. After I went to college, my parents moved from New York to St. Petersburg, which Hap called Gods waiting room. They waited for more than a decade, but indeed, Nurse Vivian did pass away in Tampa in 2002. Within an hour, my father mobilized the family to head north. He called a mortuary and made arrangements for her remains to fly to New York, explaining, Shell be buried in Patchogue. You might want to spend a winter in Florida, but you dont want to spend eternity.

We went back to Florida for my fathers 90th birthday in November 2008. It was the weekend after Barack Obama had been elected. Proposition 8, outlawing GAY marriage in California, had also been passed. That Sunday morning, we attended mass at Saint Josephs Catholic Church. We took a seat in a pew about two-thirds of the way back: me, my Pop, my very obviously GAY husband. My very obviously not-the-same-race sons.

Before I even made the sign of the cross, the pew behind us emptied out. Then the one to our right. Then the front. Before we got to the gospel, we had about a third of the nave to ourselves. The priest got up for the homily. He preached that even though we may have lost the national election, theres still a ray of hope in that we defeated the grim specter of GAY rights in California.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Now, Ive been called a lot of things, but never a grim specter. My 90-year-old father, almost blind with macular degeneration, grabbed his rosary beads, genuflected and walked out. Every Sunday for the rest of his life, he paid a woman to drive him to the next parish over.

So, you see, our family has already alienated many decent Floridians. You have the opportunity to make that disdain statewide.

Please consider banning me and my GAY book. Prohibition has turned Maus, To Kill a Mockingbird and 1984 into best-sellers.

If it will help, I can do a GAY book tour. You could even have me arrested outside Mar-a-Lago. Well have a GAY old time.

Sincerely,

Kevin Fisher-Paulson

Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com
This spring, a Santana Row space that used to serve lackluster pasta from a ubiquitous Italian chain will reopen with bowls of rich tonkotsu ramen and sake cocktails from Iron Chef fixture Masaharu Morimotos Momosan.

Momosan, set to open in the coming weeks, is one of many dining evolutions happening at the upscale San Jose mall. San Francisco dim sum favorite Dumpling Time and hit bubble-tea chain Boba Guys opened in early 2022, and four more food and drink businesses are expected to open in the next year. The mall has also worked with longtime Santana Row restaurants to overhaul their spaces and menus, including the former Consuelo, whose owner spent $2.5 million to transform his Mexican restaurant into the new-and-improved Zazil.

The transformation is the result of a concerted, yearslong effort to upgrade Santana Rows dining scene and draw new kinds of customers to the South Bay mall.

Santana Row is in direct competition with local shopping centers that have become dining destinations in their own right in recent years, including the nearby Westfield Valley Fair (home to names like Din Tai Fung and soon Eataly) and Stanford Shopping Center (where shoppers can grab burgers at Shake Shack or boba at Taiwanese chain Wanpo Tea Shop). This has become an established strategy for Bay Area malls, particularly as traditional retail declined in the age of Amazon and online shopping.

Youve gotta have really relevant restaurants, said Jeff Kresek, senior vice president of West Coast Leasing for Federal Realty, which owns Santana Row.

Of Santana Rows 35 food and drink businesses, eight opened in the last five years. Dumpling Time owner Kash Feng chose Santana Row as the location for his first restaurant outside of San Francisco, which opened in January. He wanted to meet demand from South Bay customers and saw the shopping center as the ideal destination place. He makes the drive from San Francisco to Santana Row once a month with his young children to eat there and enjoy the open-air atmosphere. Unlike its competitors, Santana Row includes apartments, offices, a movie theater and a hotel.

Courtesy Patricia Chang

Feng described the malls food scene today as very diverse, lively and family friendly.

Dining has long been a focus at Santana Row, which bills itself as a mini village, but it didnt always attract the Bay Areas buzziest names. Restaurants like Chilis and Pasta Pamadoro have since made way for Left Wing, a Korean fried chicken chain, and Boba Guys, which sees teens flocking for colorful milk tea. Dumpling Time, with its Instagrammable soup dumplings and neon dumpling-shaped sign, replaced Village California Bistro & Wine Bar, which served eggs Benedict and wedge salads in a more muted space.

Kresek said the changes have been driven in part by changing consumer behaviors and a desire to reach customers beyond those who came to shop at the malls earlier, high-end stores like Gucci and Ferragamo. Theyre also eagerly awaiting the return of office workers in the area.

Tim Stannard of Bacchus Management, which runs Pizza Antica at Santana Row, said the decline of in-person retail flipped the dynamics at the mall. Instead of customers coming primarily to shop, they come to eat.

Its almost an inversion now, where the restaurants are the draw, he said. Pizza Antica Santana Row outperforms the other two locations in Mill Valley and Lafayette, particularly thanks to a massive revamp in 2018.

LiPo Ching/Special to The Chronicle 2019

Before the pandemic, Santana Row told Consuelo owner Eduardo Rallo that it was time for his nearly 2-decade-old Mexican restaurant to change. They shut Consuelos dark dining room down, gutted it to the studs and built a more modern Mexican restaurant that now serves Tequila cocktails garnished with edible flowers and confit pork belly on corn-beet tortillas. Zazils airy, plant-filled dining room opens onto an attractive, often-packed outdoor patio.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

It was a serious investment, but one thats paid off, Rallo said. Zazil opened three weeks before the pandemic hit in March 2020 but is now doing significantly better than Consuelo did, he said.

It was binary, Kresek said of the revamp. You either did it or you did it. There was no middle ground. If you didnt do it, I can tell you Consuelo wouldnt be there today.

Some longstanding restaurants, however, might not survive the malls evolution. Santana Row plans to turn over two existing restaurants, which Kresek declined to name.

They cant have a concept that stays stagnant in an environment that stays stagnant, Kresek said. The customer is going to evolve, so why shouldnt everybody else?

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
After years of anticipation, Eataly is finally bringing a 45,000-square-foot, three-story Italian food haven to the Bay Area.

The massive Italian food hall is gearing up to open its first Northern California location at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose in the next few months, Eataly confirmed. Its the first concrete news on the project since it was first announced in 2019.

Construction is almost complete on the ambitious space, which will include two restaurants, a wine bar, coffee bar and stands selling thousands of imported products. One of the restaurants will be an outpost of Pizza & La Pasta, which serves fresh pasta and Neopolitan pizza at most Eataly locations. Eataly declined to share further specifics about other food and drink options.

The company is busy hiring for 300 jobs at the new Eataly, including a fishmonger, butchers, chefs and a mozzarella maker. Other locations boast meat, fish and cheese counters; bakeries; gelato stands; and retail shelves stocked with everything from Italian truffles to jarred ragu sauce from Bologna, Italy. Eataly also plans to sell local products at the Bay Area store, said Raffaele Piarulli, head of Eataly North America.

Eataly spent years looking for the right home for the companys first Bay Area location, Piarulli said, but once Westfield became a possibility, there were no other contenders.

He lauded the South Bay malls recent $1.1 billion redevelopment, which has helped draw in top restaurants, from burger cult favorite Shake Shack to Korean barbecue chain Baekjong. In 2020 alone, Westfield opened 42 restaurants and stores.

Eataly will be located in a main dining area along Stevens Creek Boulevard near many of those newcomers, across from Shake Shack and the opulent iChina. Westfield is among many Bay Area malls that have invested in restaurants as a strategy to draw in more traffic.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Eataly, which was born in Torino, Italy, in 2010, now runs 40 outlets worldwide. The first West Coast location opened in Los Angeles in 2017, also at a Westfield mall.

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
California last week lifted its five-day quarantine for people who have no symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19  but not all Bay Area counties were immediately on board.

Alameda County health officials on Monday announced that they would continue to follow more restrictive guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which advises people who are not up to date on their COVID vaccinations to stay home for at least five days after their last contact with an infected person.

A recent uptick in coronavirus cases from the highly contagious BA.2 variant warrants continued caution, Alameda County officials said. While local jurisdictions cannot establish looser policies than the state, they can enact more restrictive rules.

Cases are rising gradually in Alameda County, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, the countys health officer, in a news release. Moving cautiously with quarantine requirements is prudent, especially while we are still evaluating the impact of the BA.2 variant and recent changes in masking policy.

The city of Berkeley, which has its own health agency, is following Californias new quarantine guidance, as are Marin, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Solano and Napa counties, according to officials. San Franciscos Department of Public Health said the city will generally be aligning with the state.

Health officials in Sonoma County did not immediately respond to inquiries about their policy.

Under Californias new guidance, those exposed but asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, should get tested three to five days from their last exposure, wear a mask around others for 10 days, even at home, and isolate if they test positive.

News reports of Californias change last week prompted some heated responses on Twitter, with some people calling the move risky, particularly for elderly or immunocompromised people and children younger than 5.

With not all public health agencies in agreement, how risky is the policy change for people as they go about their daily lives? Should they take extra precautions knowing they could be exposed to infected but asymptomatic people?

I see the upside is convenience, but the downside is there is disease transmission risk, said UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. George Rutherford. He said hes not sure what led to the states decision, but he might have suggested keeping the quarantine in place longer, especially since cases are spiking again in parts of the country.

The policy change puts more of a burden of personal responsibility on those who have been exposed, and requires everyone else to take precautions on their own such as masking up in crowded indoor spaces, he said.

Asymptomatic people can spread the virus as readily as those who are symptomatic, Rutherford said.

They might have lower viral loads in their nose, so biologically that would make them slightly less infectious, he said. But he noted the chances of coming into contact with someone susceptible is higher for a person who is asymptomatic and out and about than for a person with symptoms whos quarantining at home.

Dr. Jorge Salinas, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at Stanford University, also noted that COVID can spread when someone is pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic, adding that we should be careful about asymptomatic spread from anyone, not only those that may have met the definition of exposure.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

However, Salinas said he doesnt think lifting the quarantine restriction increases the COVID risk overall in the community.

This change is a practical one, he wrote in an email. While it may sound counterintuitive, these quarantines are probably not as effective in the present epidemiologic moment.

He added that there are probably more people who are unaware that they have been exposed and are asymptomatic carriers of the virus  and therefore posing risk  than people who know they have been exposed and may be sick.

He argued that other safety measures are more important, including improved ventilation, wearing masks and staying updated on vaccines.

Common activities such as shopping, eating at a restaurant, going to a movie theater or traveling by airplane likely will not carry a higher risk as a result of the quarantine requirement being lifted, he said.

But those concerned about COVID can continue to take standard precautions, he added.

Anyone who wants to avoid getting infected should aim to be in well ventilated spaces, he said. If you have to be in a crowded, poorly ventilated space, wear a high-quality mask or respirator.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the countrys eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two. In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military was dropping heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscows forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages.

Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

___

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russian forces are attacking along broad east front, Ukraine says

 Displaced people from across Ukraine seek shelter in Lviv apartment building

 Yellen to see Ukraine PM, avoid Russians at global meetings

 Global finance meeting focuses on war-driven food insecurity

 UN chief urges 4-day Easter pause in fighting in Ukraine

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

___

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a four-day halt in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians Holy Week observances.

Noting that Orthodox Easter is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said Tuesday that the need for a humanitarian pause is all the more urgent.

Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya called on Russia to heed Guterres call.

But Russian deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Tuesday he was a bit skeptical about the idea.

Guterres said the goal is to allow for evacuating civilians from current or expected areas of confrontation and or getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.

The proposal comes after the U.N. recently helped to foster a two-month truce in Yemens civil war, halting fighting as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began.

__

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new security assistance package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said details of the latest package are being finalized.

Last week, in anticipation of Russias offensive in eastern Ukraine, Biden approved an $800 million package including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery. The U.S. has sent about $2.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian invaded.

Asked by reporters whether hed be sending more artillery, Biden said Yes.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said providing more ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine was discussed by Biden and other allied leaders during a video call on Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took part in the more than 80-minute call.

 Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

___

OTTAWA, Ontario  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will send heavy artillery to Ukraine.

Trudeau says hes been in close contact with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canada is very responsive to what Ukraine needs. He says there will be more details on the pledge in the days to come, and that Ukrainians have fought like heroes.

Canadas government has also hit 14 more Russians with sanctions for their close ties with President Vladimir Putin, including his two adult daughters.

___

BERLIN  The International Atomic Energy Agency says direct phone communications between the decommissioned Chernobyl power plant and Ukraines nuclear regulator have been restored.

Ukraine informed the Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog on March 10 that it had lost direct contact with the plant, the site of the 1986 disaster. Russian forces seized Chernobyl at the beginning of the invasion on Feb. 24 and withdrew on March 31.

The IAEAs director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said Tuesday that this was clearly not a sustainable situation, and it is very good news that the regulator can now contact the plant directly when it needs to.

Grossi plans to lead a mission of IAEA experts to Chernobyl to conduct nuclear safety and radiological assessments, deliver equipment and repair the agencys own remote monitoring systems there.

___

WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged world finance leaders Tuesday to get concrete as they look for ways to combat a global crisis over food insecurity that's getting worse due to Russias war in Ukraine.

This threat touches the most vulnerable people the hardest  families that are already spending disproportionate amounts of their income on food, Yellen told fellow finance leaders during a food security meeting convened with members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. People on every continent are impacted.

Failure to feed the worlds population risks not only starvation, but also social unrest and cross-border political upheaval. Among the proposed solutions: reducing export restrictions, relieving price controls and subsidizing small farmers.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a carve-out to sanctions against Russia to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications.

Russia and Ukraine produce a third of the worlds wheat supply. The loss of commodities due to the war has resulted in soaring food prices and uncertainty about the future of food security globally, especially in impoverished countries. With fertilizer and natural gas costs exploding, leaders expressed concern that countries could turn inward and restrict trade to protect their populations, indirectly hurting more vulnerable countries that face even worse food problems.

David Malpass, president of the World Bank, said his organization will provide $17 billion per year to strengthen food security, and develop a 15-month crisis response package of $170 billion, that will address the pandemic, refugee resettlement and other issues alongside food supply.

___

KVIV, Ukraine  Russia is assaulting cities and towns across Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in a new phase of the war after losing about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine, according to Pentagon estimates.

Capturing the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas region would give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory, slicing Ukraine in two and depriving it of key industrial assets.

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said air-launched missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations while artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours. The claims could not be independently verified.

___

WASHINGTON  The U.S. militarys assessment of Russias renewed offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine is that it has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

When people say the offensive has begun, thats what theyre referring to, and were not pushing back on that notion, a senior U.S. defense official said.

The official said the Russians are taking actions to improve their ability to sustain combat operations in the Donbas and to prepare for what we believe will be larger offensives in the future.

The U.S. estimates that the Russian military has lost about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine at the start of the war, so theyre refitting ground combat units for insertion into Ukraine. The official said the Russians added two more battalion tactical groups in the past 24 hours, for a total of 78. Thats up from 65 last week.

 AP Military Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.

___

BERLIN  Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany will continue to enable weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with one possibility being systems from eastern European nations that would be easily and quickly usable.

Scholz has faced increasing pressure from within his own governing coalition and the main opposition party to deliver heavy weapons such as German Leopard tanks.

But Scholz said Germany and its partners in the Group of Seven industrial nations have concluded it makes more sense to send in systems already used in Ukraine, such as the Soviet-era weapons some NATO partners still have.

Western partners would help those countries with replacements.

After conferring with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders on Tuesday, Scholz said all of us will continue to support Ukraine, financially and also militarily.

___

The Kremlins diplomats are doing more online dirty work as governments and social media companies try to suppress Russias state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine.

Russian embassies and consulates are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine.

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russias diplomatic corps acts as a global propaganda network, tailoring claims for each nations audience.

Tech companies have responded by adding warning labels and removing Russias diplomatic accounts from its recommendations and search results. But they remain active, as their diplomatic status provides more protection from moderation.

Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week, said disinformation researcher Marcel Schliebs at the Oxford Internet Institute.

___

PRAGUE  Czech authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

Pragues High Public Prosecutors Office that oversees the investigation said Tuesday that the initial information from Ukraine shows signs of war crimes, according to international law.

The office said the purpose of the investigation is to secure evidence from witnesses and victims who have arrived to seek refuge in the Czech Republic. The Czechs coordinate their effort with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

The investigators are focusing on suspected use of banned and illegal means and methods of warfare.

___

KHARKIV, Ukraine  Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv say at least four people were killed and three others wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area.

The attack on Tuesday happened as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy in the eastern city, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

Kharkiv is near the front lines and has faced repeated shelling from the Russian forces. Earlier on Tuesday, a regional governor in Kharkiv said 5 civilians had been killed and 17 wounded in the past 24 hours.

Also on Tuesday, an explosion rocked the eastern city of Kramatorsk killing at least 1 person and injuring 3, according to AP journalists at the scene.

 By Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv; Yesica Fisch in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

___

MOSCOW  Russia said Tuesday it is expelling 15 diplomats from the Netherlands and an unspecified number of Belgian embassy staff in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by those countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has ordered 14 employees of the Dutch embassy in Moscow and one from the consulate in St. Petersburg to leave the country.

We expected Russia to take reciprocal measures. Nevertheless I regret this step. We are now going to see what the consequences are of the fact that so many colleagues have to leave Moscow and Petersburg, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

That follows the Netherlands expelling Russian diplomats last month. Dutch authorities said they expelled 17 and alleged they had been using diplomatic cover to work as spies. The Russian Foreign Ministry said a total 18 people with diplomatic status were expelled from its embassy in The Hague, a trade mission in Amsterdam and the Russian representation at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is based in the Netherlands.

The ministry added that the Belgian ambassador had been notified that embassy staff would have to leave by May 3, without saying how many people were affected. The ambassador of Luxembourg was summoned for an official protest after the small Western European nation expelled a single Russian diplomat this month.

___

LONDON  British officials say the next phase of the war in Ukraine is likely to be an attritional conflict that could last several months.

A senior U.K. national security official briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday, as Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said the official told ministers that Russias greater number of troops was unlikely to be decisive on its own against fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The official told Cabinet that there are signs Russia has not learned the lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, with evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion and some soldiers and units refusing to fight.

Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister had told Cabinet that Ukraines position remained perilous, with Russian President Vladimir Putin angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost.

___

MOSCOW  The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya says he is certain that the Russian forces will uproot the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the key port of Mariupol within hours.

Ramzan Kadyrov said on a messaging app channel that the Russian troops will finish off the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol on Tuesday and take full control of the giant Azovstal steel mill, the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city.

Ukrainian troops have defended the strategic port on the Sea of Azov for seven weeks despite the Russian blockade and relentless barrage that flattened most of the city.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles), offered Ukrainian defenders a strong fighting position thanks to its sprawling network of underground tunnels and depots.

Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, has repeatedly made blustery comments about the citys inevitable fall.

___

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says he plans to speak with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts as part of Turkeys efforts to halt the conflict.

Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey was also talking to P5 nations  the United States, China, France, Russia and the U.K.  and other countries about possible security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that Kyivs request for guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty hadn't found support, especially among Western countries.

If there can be no guarantees (similar to) NATOs Article 5, then what options are there? We are taking care of such these details, Cavusoglu said. We must be prepared for the possibility of a cease-fire.

He was speaking during a joint news conference with Hungarys foreign minister in Ankara.

NATO-member Turkey, which has maintained its close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has hosted a meeting between the two countries foreign ministers as well as talks between the two negotiating teams last month.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said he hopes to bring the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to the negotiating table.

___

MOSCOW  Russias defense minister has accused the U.S. and other Western nations of supplying Ukraine with weapons so that it continues fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with the top military brass that Washington and its allies are doing all they can to drag out Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that the growing supplies of foreign weapons clearly signal their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Shoigu said that the Russian military has consistently implemented the plan to fully liberate the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics.

Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region eastern industrial heartland, Donbas, that includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Russia.

___

SOFIA, Bulgaria  Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says security for his country also means security for Bulgaria and all other Black Sea countries.

We are fighting not only for our safety," Kuleba said after talks Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart, Teodora Genchovska. "We are fighting for you too, so that you never have to face the tragedy of Russias attempts to affect and damage your country.

Kuleba expressed understanding that many in Bulgaria have emotional and historic links to Russia.

But now its different  destroying, killing, torturing, raping," he said. "This is not a Russia that deserves sympathy and understanding. I want everyone to understand that.

No details of the talks have been disclosed, but media reports alleged that Kuleba may ask for a stronger engagement of Bulgaria in Ukraines defense from Russias aggression. Along with Hungary, Bulgaria is the only EU member that has so far been reluctant to send weapons to Kyiv.

During his unofficial visit to Sofia, Kuleba will also meet Bulgarias President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian foreign minister says that Moscows campaign in Ukraine is entering a new stage.

Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now.

Lavrovs statement follows Ukrainian statements that Russia on Monday launched an offensive in the countrys eastern industrial heartland, Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Moscow.

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian operation is aimed at the full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

___

AMSTERDAM  Automaker Stellantis says it is suspending production in Russia because of the impact of sanctions and logistical problems.

Stellantis was making vans in Russia under the Peugeot and Citroen brands at a factory in Kaluga which it shared with Mitsubishi. The Japanese manufacturer suspended its production there earlier this month.

Stellantis said Tuesday it wanted to ensure full compliance with international sanctions and protect its employees by suspending production. The company had previously warned the Kaluga factory was running low on parts. Many automakers with operations in Russia have struggled to import the components they need since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Based in the Netherlands, Stellantis is the worlds fourth-largest automaker with brands including Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat. It previously stopped vehicle shipments to and from Russia last month.

Russian authorities have criticized companies which shut down their operations, and warned they could take steps to put production facilities under state control.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian military has made a new demand to the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol to lay down their arms.

Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev gave the Ukrainian troops holed up at the giant Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol until midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday to surrender.

He said that those who surrender will keep their lives.

Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks have ignored such previous offers. The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov.

Earlier Tuesday, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region, said that assault groups had moved into Azovstal in a bid to uproot the Ukrainian troops following bombing and artillery barrage.
Regarding 116 years since earthquake reduced S.F. to rubble (Bay Area & Business, April 16). I have never written to a paper before, and I want to express my extreme displeasure with the Portals of the Past column. To compare the 1906 San Francisco earthquake with the current genocide and destruction in the Ukraine is totally distasteful.

The destruction of one relatively small city (in 1906)  tragic though it was  and the destruction of a nation, culture and language is not in the least analogous. Not anywhere near comparing apples and oranges. Its more like comparing apples and bicycles. Poor choice on someones part.

Janine Bradley, Novato

Bring back masks

So were seeing a surge in COVID cases across the United States. What did people think would happen when the mask mandates were lifted?

Anne Whetstone, Oakland

Feinstein still effective

Regarding Feinsteins fitness to serve doubted (Front Page, April 14): In your piece on Sen. Dianne Feinsteins fitness to serve in the Senate, the authors failed to mention that, along with Sen. Alex Padilla, she recently helped secure $870 million for water projects in California, according her office. There is no question that she is still very productive and continues to serve the people of our state with outstanding results.

I see no purpose for The Chronicle to have run this scandalous piece other than to try to humiliate her publicly and try to force her to resign. It appears that someone who wants to be appointed to her seat has been feeding questionable information to your reporters. These anonymous reports that are cited may not have any veracity.

More for you Like Ukrainian cities shattered by war today, S.F. was reduced to rubble in 1906 earthquake

Barbara Schraeger, Sausalito

Getting the information

Regarding Name the sources (Letters to the Editor, April 18): The writer is quite upset with The Chronicle for not naming the backstabbers of Sen. Dianne Feinstein. But wasnt he grateful for all the anonymous and politically motivated information we got on President Donald Trump for four years? Did he complain about that? What changed?

Heaven forbid a double standard.

Using unnamed sources has a long history in journalism. It is known as the free press.

Douglas Abbott, Union City

Draw fair S.F. districts

Regarding S.F. district task force nixes map, risks suit, (April 15, Front Page): The story asserts that the San Francisco redistricting process is a battle between progressives and moderates, and claims progressives fear the final approved map will politically disadvantage them.

To the contrary, what is being urged is that communities of interest be respected so that representatives of a good variety of the people who make up this city have a voice in city government.

Where I live, District 10, people have urged retention of Potrero Hill in the district not because they necessarily want a progressive, but because it is the district with the highest proportion of Black voters and Potrero Hill provides a significant part of that population.

The district has in the past elected a moderate supervisor in Malia Cohen, followed by a progressive-leaning supervisor in Shamann Walton, both African American, and has overwhelmingly supported both of them, regardless of political label.

We should celebrate our diversity by making sure all our communities have a chance at representation.
This week, Philadelphia students were required to mask up again after the city saw an increase in COVID-19 cases over the previous two weeks. A similar justification was used in New York City earlier this month to maintain its school mask mandate for children under 5.

But before other cities like San Francisco follow suit, its time to reassess our prevention strategies in and outside of schools and accept reality: Vaccines work, masks do not.

Related: Are there still places where proof of COVID vaccination is required in the Bay Area?

There is a growing consensus that cloth masks do very little to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from spreading. Even surgical masks are probably only marginally effective. Although N95 and KN95 masks have shown some effectiveness for preventing infection when worn by vulnerable individuals, these higher-quality devices only work provided the mask is worn correctly  a particularly challenging task for younger children, who remove and reapply their masks throughout the day.

So far only two randomized controlled trials  the highest standard of evidence  have been conducted to test masking for COVID prevention. A Danish study found no statistically significant benefit from surgical masks. A study in Bangladesh reported no benefit from cloth masks and only very modest impact from surgical masks (which appeared to evaporate in a subsequent reanalysis of the raw data). This is unsurprising, given that numerous controlled trials in health care and other settings have similarly found masks to be ineffective for preventing the spread of other respiratory viruses such as influenza.

Unfortunately, some experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and elsewhere have largely ignored this high-quality evidence and instead continued to point to lower-quality observational studies that appear to show benefit. The desire to find justification for official mandates is perhaps understandable, especially following the sudden policy shift in early 2020 toward promoting masks as a key strategy. Coronavirus expert Michael Osterholm, an adviser to President Biden, reflected on this abrupt about-face, particularly on cloth masks: Never before in my 45-year career have I seen such a far-reaching public recommendation issued by any governmental agency ... This is an extremely worrisome precedent of implementing policies not based on science-based data or why they were issued without such data.

The observational studies cited to support masking frequently involve simplistic comparisons between locations that had mask mandates and those that didnt. But communities that imposed such mandates usually also have greater vaccination rates, which more likely explains differences in infection or hospitalization rates. A widely cited CDC study, for example, concluded that Arizona schools without mask mandates had more outbreaks than ones with mandates. Yet more than 90% of the schools without mask mandates were in a single county with especially low vaccination rates. Indeed, the largest CDC study on masking in schools found that masking students made no statistically significant difference. A rigorous Spanish study also found that face masks did not reduce transmission in children. California counties with mask mandates fared no better in terms of cases and hospitalizations than those without mandates, when vaccination rates were similar. In fact, a recent report published by the CDC itself confirmed cloth masks made no appreciable difference in infection risk.

Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that masking can be harmful, particularly for younger children. Limited facial observation of teachers and peers can be deleterious, especially in those with learning and mental health disorders and others with special needs. One French study found disturbing effects on early childhood development from masking of adults. Newly released data from research in the United Kingdom warn that COVID restrictions have significantly set back physical, social and emotional developmental milestones. Citing such developmental concerns, the World Health Organization has never recommended masking children under 6, nor have Scandinavian countries for children under 12.

Young children are a protected class for whom medical ethicists demand that any medical intervention must be of proven benefit. Moreover, children are at extremely low risk of severe disease from COVID and, surprisingly, even immunocompromised children who become infected appear not to have worse outcomes. This is especially true of omicron, which leads to substantially less severe consequences, including in young children, than previous variants.

The argument that children must wear masks to protect vulnerable adults is also unjustified, particularly now that highly effective vaccines for older children and adults, post-exposure prophylaxis for vulnerable persons and more effective treatments are available.

Continuing to require masks in schools (or airplanes, for that matter) simply makes no sense. Such restrictions defy the guidance of the WHO, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and other global organizations.

Unfortunately, COVID isnt going away. Each new wave is likely to result in similarly wrongheaded calls to reinstate ineffective mask mandates, especially for children, even though they benefit the least and suffer the most from such requirements. We should instead follow the science (and much of the world) and allow children to enjoy their childhood while learning and playing with their faces uncovered.

Adjunct Professor Daniel Halperin of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills Global Public Health School, and Dr. Jeanne Noble, Dr. Norman Hearst and Dr. Monica Gandhi of the UCSF School of Medicine, are COVID-19 scientists.
SACRAMENTO  Turnout in Tuesdays special election to fill the open state Assembly seat in San Francisco is expected to be low, but dont let that fool you: The runoff contest between David Campos and Matt Haney has been far from amicable.

More aptly, the contest between the two local heavyweights has been a slugfest. Campos and Haney have bitterly competed for support among progressive voters, as they routinely accused each other of deceptive campaign tactics and tried to claw out differences in their ultra-liberal records.

Whoever wins the election will represent the voters in Assembly District 17, on the citys eastern side. The seat is open after David Chiu resigned last fall to become city attorney.

Jason McDaniel, a professor at San Francisco State University who studies local elections, said while the contest isnt the nastiest that city voters have seen in the last year  noting the visceral recall fight that ousted three school board members and the upcoming recall challenge facing District Attorney Chesa Boudin  the level of mudslinging among progressives is striking.

Its unusual in that its negative between two people that are squarely within the progressive coalition. Its like fights between friends, McDaniel said. I do think its a harbinger, potentially, of more conflicts within the progressive coalition.

Haney and Campos advanced to the runoff after a special February primary election, when they were the top vote-getters in a four-person field. Haney received just 726 more votes than Campos, a difference of less than 1% of the total vote.

Felix Uribe/Special to The Chronicle

Haney, 40, a current member of the Board of Supervisors, often portrayed himself as most favorable to policies to speed housing construction and emphasized his strong support among unions. Though hes served less than a single full term as a supervisor, Haney has run a formidable campaign and far outraised Campos.

We started this campaign with a very simple message, he said Saturday, as he rallied workers at the LiUNA Local 261 union building in the Mission neighborhood. We have to build more housing in our city, so that working families can live here.

Haney has often been seen as having the edge in the race because he finished ahead in the primary and has the fundraising advantage, though the contest could still be decided by a razor-thin margin.

But hes faced a spirited challenge from David Campos, 51, a former supervisor and vice chair of the California Democratic Party. Campos previously ran for the District 17 seat and narrowly lost to Chiu in 2014. He is also the chief of staff to Boudin, but has been on leave from that role since November while he focuses on his campaign.

Campos has emphasized his personal story, as both a gay man and former undocumented immigrant, on the campaign trail. He often talks about how he carried his younger sister on his back, at age 14, as their family crossed the border into the United States to flee conflict in their native Guatemala.

People see in me someone who represents the experiences of so many whove come to San Francisco, Campos said earlier in the campaign.

Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Housing policy has been among the brightest dividing lines in the race, although both candidates say they have evolved to favor more pro-housing policies in recent years.

That said, Campos has often drawn the most ire from YIMBY groups who believe the city should be building far more housing. Critics point to his 2015 effort to pass a measure to try to temporarily halt construction of market-rate housing in the Mission, which the Board of Supervisors rejected.

Campos has repeatedly said he regrets the episode. But his difficulties were compounded by his stance on a more recent housing controversy.

Last fall, the board rejected a 495-unit apartment complex for a site that is currently a Nordstrom parking lot. Haney pushed for the project, which would be in his district, while Campos said he opposed it because the project would have displaced nearby residents through gentrification.

Haney has repeatedly attacked Campos on the issue: Matt is the only Assembly candidate with a record of creating, not blocking housing, one ad states.

Campos, however, has said he supports market-rate housing, but at the same time he wants the city to do more to provide housing for working people. Hes accused Haney of being aligned with the corporate real estate lobby.

We dont just need more luxury housing  we need more affordable housing for the people who make our city run, Campos wrote on Facebook this week.

Their different appetites on pro-housing policies, however nuanced, could have a significant impact on statewide policy. Legislators from the Bay Area, Chiu in particular, have long been at the forefront of pushing aggressive housing measures at the state Capitol.

Another key dividing line in the race has been the candidates finances.

Campos has dubbed himself the corporate-free candidate, vowing not to take contributions from business interest groups. He has accused Haney of being beholden to developers and medical associations that have supported his race.

Haney has said hes not taking contributions from corporate political action campaigns, though his campaign and the independent expenditure group supporting him have raised heavily from corporations and business groups.

Haney has the clear financial upper hand. His campaign has raised about $1.47 million, compared with only about $946,000 for Campos.

Whoever wins the special election will have little time for a victory lap. If the winner hopes to stay in the Assembly, he will have to run again in the June 7 regular statewide primary election, followed by the Nov. 8 general election.

But it gets even more complicated: Because California drew new political districts late last year, the boundaries of District 17 will change slightly for the June 7 primary. The new district will pick up a handful of neighborhoods in the south central part of the city, St. Francis Wood, Monterey Heights and Westwood Park.

Dustin Gardiner (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner
Oakland resident Louisa Spier was riding her mountain bike in the Oakland Hills when she was robbed at gunpoint last month. Spier said three thieves approached her on a trail that runs along Skyline Boulevard and demanded that she turn over her bike; one of them pointed a gun in her face.

I felt super scared  and super heartbroken, Spier said. I love Oakland, I love living in Oakland and Ive lived here for over 30 years. It made me feel so sad.

Spier said she was riding alone, which she does regularly, on a Tuesday afternoon, following the median trail home after a ride at Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The trail is popular with both pedestrians and cyclists, and Spier passed a father carrying an infant right before she was approached by the three individuals.

I said good morning, but in that moment I could see that they were completely covered, hats with brims, masks all the way up to their eyes. The one closest to me had an arm behind his back, she said.

The Oakland Police Department confirmed the robbery occurred at noon March 29 on the 13100 block of Skyline Boulevard, and the incident is under investigation. The department said it recently responded to two other armed robberies where an individuals mountain bike was stolen. The East Bay Regional Parks Police Department, which patrols the regions 73 regional parks, has also responded to a robbery.

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

On March 31, just after 6 p.m., two riders were seated in a car parked near the Sequoia Bayview Trail, which runs through Joaquin Miller Park, when two robbers removed a mountain bike from the back of the car, police said. One of the riders exited the vehicle and was met by a thief pointing a gun in his face.

In another robbery April 6, a car stopped alongside two people riding their mountain bikes on Skyline Boulevard near the Sequoia Bayview Trail. Two individuals hopped out of the vehicle, brandishing firearms, and demanded the bikes, police said. The riders handed over their bikes and a cellphone. The thieves loaded the bikes into the car and took off, the police report said.

That same day at 9 p.m., the East Bay Regional Parks Police Department said it responded to a robbery within the Clyde Woolridge Staging Area at the corner of Skyline and Grass Valley Road. Based on the location, timing and the suspects descriptions and actions we believe our case is related to the other Oakland Police Department cases, parks police Lt. Terrence Cotcher said in an email.

Cotcher said the parks department is working with Oakland police, and together theyve increased patrols in the Skyline Boulevard area. Additionally, our officers are making direct contact with cyclists to relay information regarding these incidents, he said. We have also conducted direct enforcement operations in the area. We expect to continue this level of presence and enforcement for the foreseeable future.

Oakland police also issued an alert to the community, calling the robberies an alarming trend.

The department remains vigilant of the numerous incidents occurring in Oakland and urges you to be aware of your surroundings at all times, Oakland police said. Dont be distracted by your electronic devices. Do not resist. Property can be replaced.

Spier said she hasnt been mountain biking since the robbery.

Now that I heard there are more robberies, I will not ride until they stop, she said.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Prologis Inc. (PLD) on Tuesday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results beat Wall Street expectations.

The real estate investment trust, based in San Francisco, said it had funds from operations of $834 million, or $1.09 per share, in the period.
This week lets start with a quote by Albert Einstein. He said, The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.

Put another way, we must change our thinking of the past to realize and facilitate change within our community today.

After the past couple years which impacted many small businesses and communities, it is important we remind ourselves of the real and tangible value small business brings to our community. Analyst Nick Rokke, of the Palm Beach Daily, recently indicated some astounding small business facts. Small businesses make up 99.7% of U.S. firms. They employ 49% of all Americans and create 64% of all new jobs. Stop, and let those figures sink in.

Prior to the last couple years, the locally owned business environment was generally favorable in most communities throughout the country. Governments over time, and more recently with the help of COVID have become less favorable to small business. Even communities incorporating many of the proven tactics such as micro-TIF's, favorable tax rates, fewer regulations, city commitment and other initiatives to assist small businesses, are struggling to survive.

Rokke also points out, with fewer regulations, businesses can more accurately predict the future allowing them to hire more employees and expand. Competitive tax rates allow businesses to keep more of their profits creating a stronger small-medium business base in the community. Micro-TIF's provide targeted funds for targeted areas of your community. City commitment and leaders can instill confidence and support.

Why do I point out the above information? Now is the time for every community in America to focus their efforts inward and determine if their community is doing everything possible to support and build their local business base. Now is the time for your community to double down on efforts to assure small business growth. Now is the time to create an atmosphere of innovation, change, entrepreneurship, collaboration and synergy.

There can be many reasons why this may not be occurring in your community. It may be regional headwinds not seen in other portions of the country, such as being tied to oil prices. It may be local and state taxes coupled with regulation, such as we see in states like Illinois, New Jersey or California stifling growth. It might be a soft labor market where open positions are hard to fill. The list of economic reasons is practically endless.

In spite of the reasons above and others that we could add to the list, each community must take their future in their own hands. Be the future you wish to see.

If taxes are too high, offer tax incentives. If regulations are stifling, reduce regulations making start-ups easy and painless. If you havent taken advantage of micro-TIF's, look into it and see if that fits your community. You might be surprised. If you have a tight labor market, provide tax incentives for hiring locals in lieu of out-of-town employees.

For every issue, there seems to be an excuse. Dont dwell on excuses, seek solutions overcoming your issues through creativity, innovation, and a willingness to invest in local people.

Many communities invest major dollars in courting national businesses, not that this is always bad. Evaluate the long-term impact of those dollars on your community. In most cases, the long-term impact is much worse than we can imagine or realize. Not to mention, when times get tough, national chains know no loyalty and will leave.

Most importantly, while investing in small business, simultaneously invest in your downtown and the surrounding area. Not only are your downtowns the eyes into soul of your community, but national statistics also indicate investing dollars into your downtown bring the highest return (ROI) to your community.

When downtowns are left to deteriorate, you can assure other parts of the community will soon follow. You wont see it overnight, it will be like a cancer or degenerative process that slowly infects the body until it is too weak to battle back. On the other hand, I have yet to see a rebuilt and vibrant downtown that hasnt positively impacted the entire community.

Our downtowns are treasures, they link the past, present and future together. They are what drives small business growth throughout the entire community. They are what connects the young, middle aged, and the mature. They are the future for those communities seeking answers to a better tomorrow.
According to FEC filings reviewed by SFGATE, San Francisco Giants principal owner Charles B. Johnson recently lodged by far his largest donation to a candidate who's openly espoused unfounded conspiracies about the 2020 presidential election.

The 89-year-old Johnson has broken his early 2021 "pledge" to steer clear of, and avoid donating to, "Stop the Steal" supporters a half-dozen times. His latest offense occurred in January of 2022, when he gave $100,000 to 34N22, a super PAC specifically intended to support Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker. As reported by SFGATE, Johnson previously maxed out a $5,800 direct donation to Walker's campaign  but this 34N22 donation far exceeds the $5,800 limit on candidate campaigns, since it's intended for a super PAC. There are no financial restrictions on donations to super PACs, which can raise unlimited funds in favor of, or against, issues and candidates as long as they don't work directly with the candidates.

Walker  who has gotten endorsements from a host of right-wing figures including former President Donald Trump, former California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Ted Cruz  has repeatedly, falsely claimed the 2020 election was rigged against Trump. As previously reported by SFGATE, Walker alleged "Country wide election fraud," called for an ominous-sounding "total cleansing" of America, and backed conspiracy theorist Lin Wood on Jan. 4, two days before the riot at the Capitol. Walker also stuck by fellow election conspiracy theorist Sydney Powell, even after the Trump campaign distanced itself from her.

And in February of this year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Walker attended a campaign event at a location owned by Jim Worthington, a major donor of Walker's who organized transportation to and from the Jan. 6, 2021, "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C.

In the aftermath of Jan. 6, Johnson promised to seek a refund from Rep. Lauren Boebert as well as "any other individuals who are found to have engaged in similar behavior" to hers, adding that he would "reject and denounce any individuals, candidates or elected officials who do not honor our constitution or who espouse or assist in violence of any kind." He further promised "to do my part in helping to heal our nation and restore peace and respect in our democratic system."

SFGATE could not find any evidence that Johnson obtained a refund from Boebert, and neither Johnson nor the Boebert campaign ever returned a request for comment on the matter. Another Johnson donation to a joint-fundraising committee quickly funneled its way to the Boebert campaign for a second time; he's additionally given to the PAC for a Louisiana politician who gave plaudits to the Capitol rioters, and he's donated to Walker, Nevada Senate candidate Adam Laxalt (who said the 2020 election was "rigged"), and now, Walker again via a super PAC.

FEC filings show that the first three months of 2022 were Johnson's busiest in a while, as far as political donations go. He gave $500,000 to Honor Pennsylvania (a super PAC working to elect conservative hedge fund manager Dave McCormick to the U.S. Senate), plus $500,000 to Take Back the House 2022 (a joint-fundraising committee for House Republican candidates), $500,000 to the Congressional Leadership Fund (a super PAC for House Republican candidates), and $10,000 to Club for Growth (a PAC that has endorsed the aforementioned Laxalt as well as Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel, a "Stop the Steal" enthusiast himself).

Johnson hasn't spoken publicly since his early 2021 "pledge." His net worth has risen from $4.2 billion in 2020 to $5.1 billion as of April 2022, according to Forbes.
If youve recently headed out to the western reaches of San Francisco, where the city hits the ocean, you may have noticed an abundance of sand has taken over parts of the Great Highway, forming tall dunes that have partially buried hazardous rip current signs, piled up alongside traffic light poles and billowed across the street.

Its certainly par for the course in the city this time of year, when gusts of winds are strongest, but a mix of recent storm systems and dry weather has caused much more sand than usual to blanket the roadway, according to Rachel Gordon, a spokesperson for San Francisco Public Works.

March and April normally are the windiest months at Ocean Beach, said Gordon. But the additional factors have resulted in far greater accumulation of sand on the street and the promenade than weve experienced in recent years.

Last week, the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the San Francisco Bay Area and reported gusts with speeds of 30 to 50 mph. The powerful conditions knocked over trees and power lines and caused the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to temporarily close Stern Grove. Meanwhile, the southbound lanes of the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard have been shut down since April 6 because of the excessive sand buildup in the roadway, which makes it dangerous for cars and bicycles to navigate safely, said Gordon. (The northbound lanes, which had also closed for safety precautions, were reopened last week.)

Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the weather service, said the unsettled weather pattern was the result of a really narrow cold front that had a strong southwest wind ahead of it, adding that a few days later, another storm system brought colder conditions in from the northwest.

We did have two unusually windy storms move through, said Mehle.

The phenomenon sparked a recent conversation on Reddit with more than a thousand upvotes as some users in San Francisco likened the windswept Great Highway to a scene out of Dune while others wondered whether it was similar to what the western portion of the city looked like in the early 1900s.

While it may be visually striking, clearing the roadway of sand as a result of its proximity to Ocean Beach has been a laborious multi-year effort, said Julian Espinoza, a public affairs specialist for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The National Park Service and the city are actively cooperating on challenges brought by climate change and sea level rise that are affecting the southern part of Ocean Beach, Espinoza said. We are also working together on future plans for native plants to hold the sand and prevent it from leaving the shore.

Gordon said Public Works street crews typically will not attempt to clear the sand when winds are over 18 mph  the condition when the sands start to move. They also wont clear it if high winds are in the immediate forecast, though Mehle noted no wind advisories are forecast with the storm systems coming in this week.

Its a big operation, she said, noting crews are required to use trucks and heavy earth-moving equipment to transport the sand in addition to some manual sweeping. Some areas get much heavier accumulation around Noriega and Judah.

Over the years, San Francisco Public Works has been working in partnership with other city agencies to try various methods of minimizing the sand on the Great Highway, including an annual sand relocation project that last year involved redistributing an estimated 30,000 cubic yards of sand from the side of the roadway to the ocean.

In some respects, its a Sisyphean task of moving it back, Gordon said. Youll always be moving it back west toward the ocean as long as we have a beach and the roadway there without large buffers. Were not going to build a big wall at the Great Highway and Ocean Beach to keep the sand from intruding the road.

Gordon said San Francisco Public Works hopes to work on the southbound lanes this week, pending staffing availability.

We do not have a crew dedicated solely to this. The workers who take the sand off the Great Highway also work on other street projects, including removing illegal dumping and debris, she said. We have to balance the competing needs.  If we had the magic wand and could run crews all the time, we would do it.
BOSTON (AP)  A shooting at a Boston MBTA station left one person injured on Monday, according to transit police.

Officers were called to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Ruggles Station shortly after 6 p.m. on reports of shots fired. At an area where buses stop for passengers, officers found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The man was taken to a hospital with injuries that were considered serious but not life-threatening, police said.

No arrests have been made in the shooting. Police said they are investigating and continue to look for suspects.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden denounced the shooting and said gun violence is something that weve really got to lay a hold of and take care of.

Every time theres a shooting, there are multiple victims," Hayden said, according to WCVB-TV. "Theres obviously the victim thats shot, but theres also the community at large.
PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona remains on track, at least for now, to use the death penalty for the first time in nearly eight years in an execution in which a condemned prisoner is being given the option of being put to death by the gas chamber  a method that hasn't been used in the U.S. in decades.

Clarence Dixon's warrant for execution sets a Thursday deadline for deciding whether he will be put to death with an injection of pentobarbital or with hydrogen cyanide gas for his murder conviction in the 1977 killing of Arizona State University student Deana Bowdoin. Lethal injection is the default method if Dixon doesn't make a choice.

The last gas chamber execution in the United States occurred in 1999 in Arizona before the country rejected the brutal nature of the deaths.

The execution is scheduled for May 11, though prosecutors have said it will likely be delayed if a judge goes forward with a May 3 hearing to determine whether Dixon is mentally fit to be executed.

One of Dixon's legal efforts failed Monday when a judge dismissed his lawsuit that challenged the current makeup of the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency, arguing the board's makeup violates a law that lets only two people from the same professional discipline serve on the board. Three board members worked previously in law enforcement.

Superior Court Judge Stephen Hopkins concluded Dixons lawyer used an extremely broad definition of professional discipline and pointed out the relevant law doesnt use the words job or employment in context of the boards membership.

The judge wrote Dixons lawyer failed to show there are more than two people on the board from the same discipline, explaining the three members who were previously employed in law enforcement had worked in different disciplines within the field.

Mr. Dixon is entitled to a fair clemency hearing before an impartial Clemency Board that complies fully with state law, not one that is illegally stacked with law enforcement officials, Joshua Spears, an attorney for Dixon, said in a statement. "We are reviewing our options to appeal the Superior Courts ruling.

In a separate lawsuit, Dixon's lawyers say he is mentally unfit to be executed, arguing their clients psychological problems keep him from rationally understanding why the state wants to end his life.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovichs office has asked the state Supreme Court to call off the competency hearing in Pinal County.

Prosecutors, who said in court papers that the competency hearing would likely delay the execution, are seeking to throw out the order that concluded defense lawyers had shown reasonable grounds for planning a hearing over Dixons psychological fitness.

Authorities have said the 21-year-old Bowdoin, who was found dead in her apartment, had been raped, stabbed and strangled. Dixon had been charged with raping Bowdoin, but the charge was later dropped on statute-of-limitation grounds. He was convicted, though, in her death.

Officials in Arizona have declined to say why they secretly refurbished the gas chamber at the prison in Florence, southeast of Phoenix, in late 2020. However, the move came as states find it increasingly difficult to secure lethal injection drugs as manufacturers refuse to supply them.

Its unclear whether any of Arizonas death-row prisoners have expressed a preference for the gas chamber.

Lethal-gas execution laws remain on the books in Arizona, California, Missouri and Wyoming. Arizonas gas chamber refurbishment is again being condemned internationally, including coverage in Israel and Germany drawing parallels to Holocaust atrocities.

The last time Arizona used the death penalty was in July 2014, when Joseph Wood was given 15 doses of a two-drug combination over two hours in an execution that his lawyers said was botched.

States, including Arizona, have struggled to buy execution drugs in recent years after U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies began blocking the use of their products in lethal injections. Last year, Arizona corrections officials revealed that they had finally obtained a lethal injection drug and were ready to resume executions.

Arizona has 112 prisoners on death row.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Several members of a backyard flock of birds in Utah County have tested positive for avian influenza as reports of the virus emerge in wild birds and farmed poultry throughout the United States.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food said Monday that officials had euthanized an unspecified number of infected birds to prevent them from entering the food system. They cordoned off the area where they had lived.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The National Rifle Association on Tuesday endorsed Republican House Speaker Scott Bedke to be Idaho's next lieutenant governor.

NRA Idaho State Director Aoibheann Cline said Bedke's dedication to the right to keep and bear arms earned him an A-plus rating with the group and the endorsement.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is restoring federal regulations that require rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells  including likely impacts on climate change and nearby communities. The longstanding reviews were scaled back by the Trump administration in a bid to fast-track projects and create jobs.

A rule finalized Tuesday will restore key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, a bedrock environmental law designed to ensure community safeguards during reviews for a wide range of federal proposals, including roads, bridges and energy projects authorized in the $1 trillion infrastructure law Biden signed last fall, the White House said.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality said the new rule, which takes effect in late May, should resolve challenges created by the Trump-era policy and restore public confidence during environmental reviews.

"Restoring these basic community safeguards will provide regulatory certainty, reduce conflict and help ensure that projects get built right the first time, said CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory. Patching these holes in the environmental review process will help projects get built faster, be more resilient and provide greater benefits to people who live nearby.

Former President Donald Trump overhauled the environmental reviews in 2020 in a bid to accelerate projects he said would boost the economy and provide jobs.

Trump made slashing government regulations a hallmark of his presidency. He and his administration frequently expressed frustration at rules they said unnecessarily slowed approval for interstate oil and gas pipelines and other big projects. The rule change imposed in 2020 restricted the timelines for environmental reviews and public comment and allowed federal officials to disregard a projects role in cumulative effects, such as climate change.

The new rule comes as the Supreme Court reinstated a separate Trump-era rule that curtails the power of states and Native American tribes to block pipelines and other energy projects that can pollute rivers, streams and other waterways.

In a decision that split the court 5-4 earlier this month, the justices agreed to halt a lower court judges order throwing out the Trump rule. The decision does not interfere with the Biden administrations plan to rewrite the Environmental Protection Agency rule. Work on a revision has begun, but the administration has said a final rule is not expected until next spring. The Trump-era rule will remain in effect in the meantime.

Contrary to frequent assertions by Trump and others in his administration, Mallory said a more rigorous environmental review will actually speed up completion of major projects, since they will be more likely to withstand a legal challenge by environmental groups or states. Many Trump-era environmental decisions were reversed or delayed by courts after findings they did not undergo sufficient analysis.

Environmental groups hailed the rule change, which they said restores bedrock environmental protections under NEPA, a 1970 law that requires the government to accept public comments and take environmental, economic and health impacts into consideration before approving any major project.

NEPA plays a critical role in keeping our communities and our environment healthy and safe, and Donald Trumps attempts to weaken NEPA were clearly nothing more than a handout to corporate polluters,'' said Leslie Fields, the Sierra Club's national director of policy, advocacy and legal affairs.

Environmental groups and African American, Latino and tribal activists had protested the Trump-era rule change, saying it would worsen pollution in areas already reeling from oil refineries, chemical plants and other hazardous sites. The Biden administration has made addressing such environmental justice issues a key priority.

Communities of color, especially, have relied on NEPA to make sure their voices are heard in decisions that have a profound impact on their health and their well-being, said Rosalie Winn, a senior attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund, which challenged the Trump-era rule.

The White House action reestablishes essential NEPA safeguards and ensures they will continue to protect people and communities today and in future generations,''' she said.

Business groups and Republican lawmakers criticized the rule change, saying it would slow down major infrastructure developments.

"Important projects that address critical issues like improving access to public transit, adding more clean energy to the grid and expanding broadband access are languishing due to continued delays and that must change,'' said Chad Whiteman, vice president for environment and regulatory affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman, the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, said the White House action would weaponize NEPA" by making it harder to navigate and more bureaucratic.

At a time when we should be coalescing around bipartisan ways to lower gas prices, tame skyrocketing inflation and fix the supply chain crisis, President Biden is unfortunately reinstating archaic NEPA regulations that will only result in delays and red tape and feed activist litigation,'' he said.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration will announce Tuesday that it is restoring parts of a bedrock environmental law, once again requiring that climate impacts be considered and local communities have input before federal agencies approve highways, pipelines and other major projects.

The administration plans to resurrect requirements of the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act that had been removed by President Donald Trump, who complained that they slowed down the development of mines, road expansions and similar projects.

The final rule announced Tuesday would require federal agencies to conduct an analysis of the greenhouse gases that could be emitted over the lifetime of a proposed project, as well as how climate change might affect new highways, bridges and other infrastructure, according to the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The rule would also ensure agencies give communities directly affected by projects a greater role in the approval process.

Brenda Mallory, chairwoman of the council, described the regulation as restoring basic community safeguards that the Trump administration had eliminated.

Patching these holes in the environmental review process will help projects get built faster, be more resilient, and provide greater benefits to people who live nearby, she said in a statement.

The move comes as President Joe Bidens climate agenda faces headwinds from Congress and the courts. The president also is under pressure to boost oil production as a way to temper high gas prices across the United States. Last week the Interior Department said it would begin offering oil and gas drilling leases on public lands and waters, despite Bidens campaign promise that he would end new leases. Senior administration officials this week maintained the leasing decision was necessary because of a court ruling, and said that it had also raised federal royalties that companies must pay to drill.

On Saturday, which is Earth Day, Biden will be in Seattle, where aides said he is expected to give a speech highlighting efforts to expand solar energy and offshore wind farms as well as clean energy initiatives that Congress authorized last year as part of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.

Administration officials said the new rule would not have major immediate impacts since the Biden administration had already been weighing the climate change impacts of proposed projects. But it would force future administrations to abide by the process or undertake a lengthy regulatory process and possibly legal challenges to again undo it.

The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, was signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1970, after several environmental disasters including a crude oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, and a series of fires on the heavily polluted Cuyahoga River in Ohio that shocked the nation.

It mandates federal agencies to assess the potential environmental impacts of proposed major federal actions before allowing them to proceed. Agencies are not required to reject projects that might worsen climate change  only to examine and report the impacts.

The Trump administration had freed the government from considering the ways in which proposed new dams or pipelines, for example, might increase emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane that are warming the planet to dangerous levels. It required agencies to analyze only reasonably foreseeable impacts. Trump said the change would eliminate mountains and mountains of red tape that he said had delayed projects across the country.

Under the changes announced Tuesday, agencies would have to consider the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a decision  including the effect a new project would have on neighborhoods already burdened by pollution.

The administrations changes also encourage agencies to study alternatives to projects that are opposed by local communities, and it says the laws requirements are a floor, rather than a ceiling when it comes to environmental reviews.

Republicans and some business groups are hostile to the changes, arguing that additional reviews would delay the development of badly needed infrastructure.

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association, a trade organization, wrote in comments to the Council on Environmental Quality that federal reviews for many transportation projects take five to seven years, with some lasting as long as 14 years. The new rule, it argued, would make matters even worse.

Project delays resulting from the current NEPA process will often lead to demonstrable and significant costs to the taxpayers, the group wrote in a letter to the agency. This is simple logic, based on continuing increases in labor and materials costs, among other factors.

Democrats and environmental groups embraced the move.

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said the Trump administration had stripped and gutted environmental protections.

Im glad this administration recognizes how egregiously wrong those actions were and is moving forward to restore the protections that have helped protect our environment while promoting sustainable development for decades, he said in a statement.

The new rule also proposes giving federal agencies the authority to work closely with communities to develop alternative approaches to projects. Historically, the NEPA process has been one of the most important tools available to local communities to try to amend or stop projects that could cause significant harm.

The final rule represents the first phase of a two-step regulatory process. Administration officials said that, in the coming months, it would propose another set of broader changes to the law.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
NEWARK, Del. (AP)  President Joe Biden will deliver this years spring commencement address at his alma mater, the University of Delaware.

The May 28 commencement ceremony on the Newark campus is a ticketed event open only to graduating students and their guests but will be livestreamed, university officials said in a news release Tuesday.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Legislation aimed at expanding patient access to medical marijuana in Louisiana was advanced Tuesday by a state House committee.

Tuesday's votes in the House Health and Welfare Committee sent the bills to the full House for debate.

The News-Star reports that the legislation would change the agency that regulates the medical marijuana industry, and adds the University of Louisiana at Monroe to the list of institutions that can do research on medical marijuana.

Lawmakers said current law allowing only 10 licenses for regional marijuana pharmacies can be a hardship on patients who have to travel. Bills advanced by the committee address that criticism in different ways.

Rep. Joe Marino, an independent from Gretna, won approval of a bill that would expand the number of licenses from 10 to 25 with 30% of the new licenses set aside for minorities and women.

Republican Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner Magee of Houma pushed a bill that would keep the number of licenses at 10, but allow those pharmacists licensed to open second locations within their regions when their patient counts hit 5,000. A currently unissued 10th license would go to Jefferson Parish.

Magee's legislation also would shift regulation of the state medical marijuana program from the state Department of Agriculture to the state Department of Health. And it would require medical cannabis pharmacies to make home deliveries at least once a month.

The fastest growing demographic of patients is the elderly, Magee said. They often need the medicine delivered to them.

Another bill approved, by Rep. Travis Johnson, a Vidalia Democrat, would allow nurse-practitioners to write recommendations for the drug.

None of the bills that advanced increases the number of growers, now limited to the LSU and Southern agriculture centers, according to the News-Star.
BERLIN (AP)  The bodies of four people have been found at a house in eastern Germany, police said Tuesday, but there was no immediate word on what events led to their deaths.

The bodies of two men, ages 32 and 72, and two women, ages 34 and 69, were found late Monday evening in the city of Chemnitz, police said. They added that all four lived in the house and investigators believe they all died violent deaths, but they are still looking into exactly what happened.
BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP)  Clayton S. Rose, president of Bowdoin College, is stepping down next year after completing the academic calendar, he announced Tuesday.

Rose, who has led the liberal arts college since 2015, told the Bowdoin community that serving the college is the privilege of my professional life and being a part of the Bowdoin community is a joy.
ERIE, Pa. (AP)  A 7-year-old boy injured in a shooting in northwestern Pennsylvania last week died at a Pittsburgh hospital, authorities said.

Antonio Yarger Jr. was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh after Thursday's shooting in Erie, the Allegheny County medical examiners office said. Yarger was pronounced dead at the hospital Monday morning, officials said.

Erie police said the boy was shot in the head Thursday night while on the sidewalk about a block from his home. No arrests have been announced.

Deputy Chief Rick Lorah of the Erie police department called the investigation extremely active. He told the Erie Times-News that detectives are reviewing hundreds of hours" of surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
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SAN QUENTIN, Calif. (AP)  Behind a fortress wall and razor wire and a few feet away from California's death row, students at one of the country's most unique colleges discuss the 9/11 attacks and issues of morality, identity and nationalism.

Dressed in matching blue uniforms, the students only break from their discussion when a guard enters the classroom, calling out each man's last name and waiting for them to reply with the last two digits of their inmate number.

They are students at Mount Tamalpais College at San Quentin State Prison, the first accredited junior college in the country based behind bars. Inmates can take classes in literature, astronomy, American government, precalculus and others to earn an Associate of Arts degree.

Named for a mountain near the prison, the college was accredited in January after a 19-member commission from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges determined the extension program based at San Quentin for more than two decades was providing high-quality education.

This is a profound step forward in prison education, said Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, the umbrella organization for all U.S. higher education institutions.

Mitchell said Mount Tamalpais College is an extraordinary model" that will give it autonomy not seen in prison programs attached to outside schools.

The new designation will force the school to maintain the high standards set by the college association and hopefully catch the attention of donors to help the college expand, said President Jody Lewen. While it can accommodate 300 students per semester, another 200 are on a waiting list.

The college is one of dozens of educational, job training and self-help programs available to the 3,100 inmates in the medium-security portion of San Quentin, making it a desired destination for inmates statewide who lobby to be transferred there.

I wish I had learned this way coming up; instead I was in special ed my whole life," said 49-year-old Derry Brown, whose English 101 class Cosmopolitan Fictions," was discussing The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a novel by Mohsin Hamid.

Brown, who is serving a 20-year sentence for burglary and assault, earned his GED in prison and takes pride in now being a college student. He said he may pursue a career in music in his hometown of Los Angeles once he's released next year.

There is joy in learning  thats why I want to continue," he said. Even when I get out, Im going back to college.

The college's $5 million annual budget is fully funded by private donations, with a paid staff and volunteer faculty, many of them graduate students from top universities, including Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley.

The previous program started in 1996 and was later known as the Prison University Project and it also offered associates degrees but Lewen, who started as a volunteer instructor in 1999, said she began the process to have an autonomous college three years ago when the university they partnered with closed.

Very often in the field of higher ed, people will look at educational programs in prisons and theyll say, Well, thats a program or project. Its not a school. Our hope is that by being an independent, accredited, liberal arts college that operates in a prison we make it more difficult for people to overlook those inside and we help them imagine our students differently, Lewen said.

Any general population San Quentin inmate with a high school diploma or GED certificate is eligible to attend. The prison's 539 death row inmates are excluded.

Guards check the IDs of students coming to classes held in trailers set up on one edge of the prison's exercise yard, where students stop to discuss their assignments  corrections officers watching from four towers above.

Overhearing those yard conversations made a big impression on Richard Bonaru Richardson after he was transferred to San Quentin in 2007 to finish serving a 47 years-to-life sentence for a home invasion robbery. Former Gov. Jerry Brown commuted Richardsons sentence, and he was released last year after serving 23 years.

In other institutions, we were used to talking about gang activity, violence, knives, drugs, the next riot, he said.

In San Quentin, the conversations were often about what classes they were taking, how to write a thesis or how to defend an argument.

I was taken aback. It was kind of like, Hold on, isnt this supposed to be a prison? he added.

He decided to sign up after seeing a group of female volunteers walk across the prison yard.

I got into the classroom for all the wrong reasons, but I realized that I was actually learning something and that there were people who believed in you more than you believe in yourself. When you see that, you start believing in yourself, he said.

In his 14 years at San Quentin, Richardson, 47, rose to become executive editor of the inmate-led San Quentin News, a monthly newspaper distributed to Californias 35 prisons that has highlighted the prison programs and often publishes inspirational stories of men who pursued higher education while incarcerated.

He now works as an advancement associate helping the college's communications and fundraising departments.

Like me, some of them might be the only person in their family to ever have a college degree and that inspires your children to continue their education. For some of them, its the greatest achievement of their lives, Richardson said.

Doug Arwine, a high school humanities teacher, began volunteering this year and teaches English 101, which focuses on developing critical thinking skills.

He said he cherishes helping his students share experiences and share their humanity with one another."

There's also moments of success when a student realizes that theyve crafted a really elegant paragraph in their essay, and theyve made some interesting points. As with any student, regardless of where you are, you can see how that helps them build confidence, Arwine said.

Teaching at San Quentin is also a unique experience. The process of going through layers of security, teaching the two-hour class, then clearing security again at the end of the day takes about five hours, Arwine said. He invests many more hours grading papers and preparing for his twice-a-week lessons.

Many of his students dropped out of school at an early age or went to dangerous public schools, Arwine said.

I really believe in the values that Mount Tamalpais College espouses, in terms of offering free educational opportunities for incarcerated people because as we know from social science research, the best way to reduce recidivism rates is through offering educational programming while theyre incarcerated. Its arguably the best form of rehabilitation, said Arwine, whose father spent time in prison.

A 2013 Rand study found that inmates who participate in correctional education programs had 43% lower odds of re-offending than those who did not and were 13% more likely to obtain employment.

Jesse Vasquez, 39, said he was serving multiple life terms for attempted murder, a drive-by shooting and assault with a deadly weapon at a maximum-security facility when he read about the program in the San Quentin News and decided he would transfer there one day.

Vasquez had taken correspondence college programs at other prisons but studying in a classroom at San Quentin helped him see his potential and he realized he was at a hub of rehabilitation."

The courses challenged him to question what he was learning and helped him build up critical thinking skills, which he called a pivotal moment."

Vasquezs sentence was commuted by the governor in 2018 after he had served more than 19 years. He was released in 2019 and now works for Friends of San Quentin News, a nonprofit that supports the newspaper.

He said having the students be enrolled at an actual community college will be an even greater incentive for them to pursue higher education and hopefully encourage other prisons to have their own colleges.

All of a sudden, more people might be more open to the idea of, Hey, what if we try this revolutionary idea somewhere else? he said.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A California man who spent more than three decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit was exonerated of the crime Monday, clearing the way for his release from prison, officials said.

Joaquin Ciria, who is now 61, was arrested in 1990 and convicted of a shooting death in San Francisco based on false witness testimony and police misconduct, said San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who dismissed the case against Ciria on Monday after a judge overturned his conviction.

Cirias case marked the first exoneration prompted by the District Attorneys Innocence Commission, which was established by Boudin in 2020 to review potential wrongful conviction cases.

Thirty-two years ago, you were taken away from your wife and your baby, and that is because the system failed you catastrophically, Lara Bazelon, chair of the commission, said during a news conference alongside Boudin and members of Cirias family. Now at long last, you have a chance to take back your life.

Ciria was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of Felix Bastarrica, who was shot in the head after an argument in a San Francisco alley.

An 18-month investigation by the commission located new witnesses and evidence and found a cascade of errors in how the case was handled, including police coercion of the key witness, who was a teenager at the time, said Bazelon, a professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law.

There was no DNA, no fingerprints, no murder weapon was ever recovered, she said, adding that Ciria had always maintained his innocence and had two alibi witnesses who said he was home at the time of the murder but were never called by the defense, possibly because they only spoke Spanish. Had a jury heard this case today there would not have been a conviction.

The timing of Cirias release was not immediately known, Boudins office said.

Mr. Ciria has been in prison for more than 30 years for a crime he did not commit," Boudin said. Today we celebrate long overdue justice, but we cannot stop working to undo other wrongful convictions."
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP)  The death of a 16-year-old Black youth whose body was found in the St. Joseph River in southwestern Michigan nearly 31 years ago was a homicide, the Michigan attorney general's office said Tuesday.

Eric McGinnis vanished from Benton Harbor on May 17, 1991. His body washed up along the river days later. It was initially ruled an accidental drowning, but the case was reopened last year following reports that someone had witnessed the events that led to the death.
CAIRO (AP)  Egyptian prosecutors Tuesday referred a man to trial for allegedly stabbing to death a Coptic Christian priest in an attack that shocked the Arab Worlds most populous country.

The public prosecution said in a statement the suspect was accused of killing the priest earlier this month at the popular seaside promenade in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. He was also accused of illegal possession of a knife used in the attack, it said.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  The Nevada office of the FBI has a new special agent in charge, with the announcement Monday that Spencer Evans will head the bureaus Las Vegas field office.

Evans has held various investigative and leadership positions since joining the FBI in 2004 as an agent in New Haven, Connecticut. His most recent post was as deputy assistant director in human resources at FBI Headquarters in Washington.
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BRUSSELS (AP)  The number of migrants trying to enter the European Union without authorization in the first three months of this year has risen to its highest level since 2016, even excluding refugees arriving from Ukraine, the EUs border and coast guard agency said Tuesday.

Frontex estimated that more than 40,300 illegal crossings were made into the 27-nation EU between January and March, up by 57% over the same period last year.
Shelley and Jason Stinson and their family members can't believe their Lebanon, Ohio, home was destroyed by a fire.

Twenty-six years of memories were gone in just minutes.

"I lost everything I own. Nothing was salvageable. Everything in the whole upstairs burned ... Every one of my kids' baby pictures. Their baby bracelets. Their baby blankets," Shelley Stinson said.

Seven people lived at the home, including the Stinson's three boys, who are adults now, their pregnant daughter-in-law and their 3-year-old granddaughter.

"My children lost everything too. The whole upstairs, torched and that was the bedrooms," Shelley said.

The Stinsons had just closed on a new home in Indiana Friday. When they returned to Lebanon and pulled up to their home, flames were shooting out of the roof. Shelley Stinson said they saw their cat jump from a second-story window. They are still looking for him.

While they are thankful they have a new place to live, it hurts them knowing all of their memories up until now are gone forever.

"We planned to move this weekend. We had boxes lined up against the hallways packed full of everything that burned to a crisp," Shelley Stinson said.

The Lebanon Fire Department ruled the fire an accident. Fire officials have not released a cause.
A federal judge has given final approval to a $34 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against a plastics company over toxic chemical contamination of soil and groundwater in a southern Vermont community.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation will pay $26.2 million into a fund to compensate Bennington area property owners for alleged damages and $6 million for a program to monitor the health of those exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, under the settlement approved Monday. VTDigger first reported on the final approval.

The settlement agreement provides significant monetary compensation to the owners of approximately 2,365 residential properties in Bennington and North Bennington contaminated with PFOA by the plants, according to Emily Joselson, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

It also, for the first time in Vermont, establishes a 15-year medical monitoring program that will allow more than 500 class members who unknowingly drank PFOA-contaminated water and have above background-levels of PFOA in their blood to be monitored yearly for the earliest signs or symptoms of medical conditions associated with PFOA, Joselson said by email.

I think this is going to be very significant for the community," David Silver, another attorney for the plaintiffs, said Tuesday. It also gives the community a sense of closure and the ability to go on but also very important is the remedy of medical monitoring, which was really groundbreaking,

PFOA was traced to exhaust emissions from two former ChemFab Corp. factories, which had been bought by Saint-Gobain, the Bennington Banner has reported. The state and the public learned of the contamination in 2016 and the lawsuit was filed in May of that year. Saint-Gobain later paid more than $40 million to comply with state consent orders to extend municipal water lines and provide clean drinking water to homes with contaminated wells, Joselson said by email. The settlement resolves all plaintiffs' claims alleged against Saint-Gobain.

Saint-Gobain said in a statement the company is pleased Judge Geoffrey Crawford granted final approval of our settlement in Vermont and that this case has been resolved.

Bill Knight, whose well was contaminated, said he will seek property damages and medical monitoring after an earlier blood test showed he had elevated levels of PFOA. He said lawyers worked tirelessly for a good settlement and he was very pleased it.

We are encouraging people to file a claim, Knight said. Claims can be filed through Aug. 22.

The Vermont Legislature has passed a bill that codifies that in Vermont people exposed to toxic chemicals can sue the polluter for medical monitoring. Gov. Phil Scott is expected to sign the legislation into law, after vetoing two other previous medical monitoring bills.

PFOA is one of a group of contaminants often called forever chemicals because they last so long in the environment. PFOA is known to cause kidney, testicular, and other cancers and diseases.
A judge has ruled Amazon must reinstate a former warehouse employee who was fired in the early days of the pandemic, saying the company unlawfully terminated the worker who led a protest calling for Amazon to do more to protect employees against COVID-19.

The dispute involving Gerald Bryson, who worked at an Amazon warehouse in the New York City borough of Staten Island, has stretched on since June 2020, when Bryson filed an unfair labor practice complaint with The National Labor Relations Board, claiming Amazon retaliated against him.

Later that year, the NLRB said it found merit in Brysons complaint that Amazon illegally fired him for workplace organizing. Amazon didnt accept the findings, and the federal board filed a formal complaint against the company, triggering a lengthy administrative court process.

On Monday, administrative law judge Benjamin Green said Amazon must offer Bryson his job back, as well as lost wages and benefits resulting from his discriminatory discharge." Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement that the company will appeal the ruling.

We strongly disagree with this ruling and are surprised the NLRB would want any employer to condone Mr. Brysons behavior," Nantel said. "Mr. Bryson was fired for bullying, cursing at and defaming a female co-worker over a bullhorn in front of the workplace. We do not tolerate that type of conduct in our workplace and intend to file an appeal with the NLRB.

Bryson first participated in a March 2020 protest over working conditions led by Chris Smalls, another warehouse employee who was fired by the online retail giant and is heading up the Amazon Labor Union, the nascent group which won a union election earlier this month at the Amazon facility where both men worked.

After Smalls was fired, Bryson led another protest in April 2020 in front of the warehouse. While off the job during the protest, Bryson got into a dispute with another worker. He was later fired for violating Amazon's vulgar-language policy.

Court filings give an account of the altercation between Bryson and a female employee. A recording of their dispute detailed by the NLRB showed both Bryson and the woman using profanities during a heated exchange that lasted several minutes. The agencys account shows the woman began the exchange, and twice tried to provoke Bryson into a physical altercation with her, which he did not do. The woman was given a first warning."

The woman also told Bryson, who is Black, to go back to the Bronx, which the judge said Bryson could construe as racial" since since he is African-American and might question why, other than his race, someone would assume he is from the Bronx.

Bryson testified that he informed an Amazon manager who spoke with him about the incident about that comment. The manager has denied Bryson made a reference to a racial comment. But the judge sided with Bryson's account, saying it was unlikely that he would fail to convey such a prominent remark to which he had a strong reaction.

The judge said in his decision that Amazon rushed to judgment and pursued a skewed investigation" into the argument designed to blame only Bryson for that incident, adding the company wanted discharge Bryson for his protected concerted activity instead of fairly evaluating" what happened.

In its investigation into the altercation, Greene said Amazon preferred not to obtain information from someone who was protesting with Bryson even though that person was likely in the best position to explain what happened.

Instead, he said multiple witness accounts of the incident submitted by the company were coincidently one-sided," adding he found it implausible the statements were made unless such accounts were solicited from them.

The NLRB had also pushed for Brysons reinstatement in a federal lawsuit filed last month, using a provision of the National Labor Relations Act that allows it to seek temporary relief in federal court while a case goes through the administrative law process. Amazon has used the case as one of its objections over the Staten Island election results, accusing the agency of tainting the vote by pursuing Bryson's reinstatement in the lead-up to the election.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  An increase in traffic fatalities last year has Kentucky officials urging drivers to focus on safety behind the wheel.

The number of fatalities on Kentucky highways rose by 26, with 806 killed in 2021 compared with 780 in 2020, according to data from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets Office of Highway Safety and Kentucky State Police.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A parolee who murdered 81-year-old philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, the wife of a legendary music executive, during a burglary at her Beverly Hills home was sentenced Tuesday to 190 years in a California prison.

Aariel Maynor, 30, pleaded guilty to murder and other charges in Los Angeles Superior Court last month and admitted he shot Avant in the back with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle Dec. 1 and fired several rounds at a security guard as he fled.

Avant was married to Clarence Avant, a Grammy winner known as the Godfather of Black Music for mentoring and helping the careers of artists including Bill Withers, Little Willie John, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Maynor shot Jacqueline Avant when she surprised him after he broke into the couple's house during a burglary attempt in which he hoped to steal $50,000, prosecutors said. Less than an hour after fleeing the scene, he broke into a home in the Hollywood Hills and then accidentally shot himself in the foot as he was leaving.

Maynor, a Bloods gang member with a long criminal record, was brought into court in a wheelchair.

Avant used her money for charities that helped low-income neighborhoods such as Watts and South Los Angeles. She was on the board of the International Student Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Clarence Avant, 91, a concert promoter and manager, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.

Prosecutors said Maynor had searched for information on Clarence Avant and the couple's address the day before the killing.

Maynor showed no remorse for the slaying, laughing with a friend on a recorded jail phone call about all the news stories about him, according to a court document filed by Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila.

You think my mama's seen that? he asked.

I don't know, but that's not funny, the woman, who was not identified, said. "Why are you laughin'? That's somebody's life. That's somebody's family member."

The Avants were married for 54 years and had two children, Alexander Du Bois Avant and Nicole Avant, a film producer and former U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas who is married to Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.

After Jacqueline Avants death, tributes were paid to her and her charitable work by former President Bill Clinton, Earvin Magic Johnson and Quincy Jones.

Today marks the end of a tragic case that rocked our community, District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. Her murder sent shockwaves through our community, prompting fear, concern and a tremendous sense of loss.

Maynor, who was on parole for his second robbery conviction, boasted to another a friend during a jail call that he expected a shorter sentence because prosecutors were not seeking life without parole.

I'm gonna get out of jail. I'll probably do like 20 ... 25, get out, you feel me? he said.

Under a policy put in place by Gascon, prosecutors did not seek a special circumstance allegation that the killing was committed in the act of a burglary, which could have led to a possible sentence of life without parole.

Instead, they relied on the Three Strikes law that can trigger a life sentence for a third serious or violent felony.

A defense attorney argued unsuccessfully that some of Maynor's prior offenses not be considered strikes.

Maynor told police he was on drugs the morning of the shooting. He also said he was bipolar, grew up poor and was raised in foster care.

But Avila argued there were not mitigating factors and that Maynor demonstrated a high degree of violence and callousness.

He shot Jacqueline Avant in the back with a large-caliber weapon and attempted to kill her security guard," Avila said in his court filing. "If that was not enough, within an hour he decided to break into another home with the same firearm. This demonstrates a complete disregard for the life of all the victims in this case.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  A guard at Louisiana's maximum security prison is in custody after he allegedly used excessive force that left scratches and scrapes on an inmate who was being placed in restraints, state officials said.

Sgt. Elbert King, 30, of Natchez, Mississippi, was arrested Monday on one count each of malfeasance in office and simple battery, said Ken Pastorick, a spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Corrections. King, who has worked at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola since 2019, was placed on leave while the investigation continues, Pastorick said.
MISSION, Kan. (AP)  A 19-year-old from Kansas City has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 16-year-old in Johnson County earlier this month, according to court records.

Robert Lewis Jones is charged in a shooting that occurred April 10 at an apartment building in Mission, Kansas, The Kansas City Star reported.
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Moderna hopes to offer updated COVID-19 boosters in the fall that combine its original vaccine with protection against the omicron variant. On Tuesday, it reported a preliminary hint that such an approach might work.

Today's COVID-19 vaccines all are based on the original version of the coronavirus. But the virus continues to mutate, with the super-contagious omicron variant  and its siblings  the latest threat.

Before omicron came along, Moderna was studying a combination shot that added protection against an earlier variant named beta. Tuesday, the company said people given that beta-original vaccine combination produced more antibodies capable of fighting several variants  including omicron  than todays regular booster triggers.

While the antibody increase was modest, Moderna's goal is to produce a combination shot that specifically targets omicron. These results really give us hope that next step will work even better, said Dr. Jacqueline Miller, a Moderna vice president.

Tuesday's data was reported online and hasnt been vetted by independent experts.

COVID-19 vaccines still are providing strong protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death, even against omicron. That variant is so different from the original coronavirus that it more easily slips past the immune systems defenses, although studies in the U.S. and elsewhere show an original booster dose strengthens protection. Some countries offer particularly vulnerable people a second booster; in the U.S., thats anyone 50 or older or those with a severely weakened immune system.

Health officials have made clear that giving boosters every few months isnt the answer to the mutating virus. Theyve begun deliberating how to decide if and when to change the vaccine recipe.

Just switching to a vaccine that targets the latest variant is risky, because the virus could mutate again. So Moderna and its rival Pfizer both are testing what scientists call bivalent shots  a mix of each company's original vaccine and an omicron-targeted version.

Why would Moderna's earlier, beta-targeted combo shot have any effect on omicron? It includes four mutations that both the beta variant and the newer omicron have in common, Miller said.

Now Moderna is testing a bivalent shot that better targets omicron  it includes 32 of that variant's mutations. Studies of two booster doses are underway in the U.S. and Britain; results are expected by late June.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP)  New charges have been filed against a Kentucky man accused of fatally shooting the daughter of a former Kentucky lawmaker during a home invasion.

Shannon Gilday, 23, was charged on Saturday with strangulation and assault on a corrections officer, news outlets reported, citing court records. He's accused of placing his forearm on the neck of a deputy jailer and causing him to have trouble breathing. A not guilty plea was entered for Gilday on the new charges and he's due back in court on April 27, WKYT-TV reported.
MILWAUKEE (AP)  The brother of former first lady Michelle Obama and his wife are suing a private Milwaukee school alleging it refused to allow their two sons to re-enroll after they voiced concerns that racism and inappropriate conduct at the school had not been satisfactorily addressed.

In a civil lawsuit filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Craig and Kelly Robinson accuse University School of Milwaukee of terminating their 9- and 11-year-old sons re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-2022 school year after the couple complained that teachers treated students of color and socioeconomically underrepresented students unfairly.

According to the lawsuit filed Monday, the school failed to provide the supportive and inclusive learning environment it had promised in its enrollment contracts with the Robinsons. The boys had attended the pre-kindergarten through grade 12 school for about five years, the Robinsons said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and a trial by jury.

USM said in a statement that the enrollment decision had nothing to do with their complaints of inequity or discrimination. The independent school, with a campus that stretches from Milwaukee to the nearby suburb of River Hills, enrolls about 1,100 students every year.

The Robinsons allege the conduct their children experienced indicated a broader pattern of insensitivity by USM toward socioeconomically underrepresented students and students of color for years.

Craig Robinson said the boys had been straight-A students at the school and never got in trouble.

We raised issues and our kids got kicked out, he said.

The school failed to address racial epithets and other inappropriate conduct on campus, the Robinsons said, without providing details.

The Robinsons said when the boys were learning virtually at home because of the pandemic, they became aware that racial and ethnic stereotypes appeared in assignments.

It gave the parents a bird's eye view into learning, Kelly Robinson said.

We were partnering with the school and we shared our concerns, how the school could be better with curriculum, communicating with families and to eliminating biases," she said.

In a termination letter to the Robinsons, USM Head of School Steve Hancock told the couple they had repeatedly engaged in disrespectful and demanding communications with and about our teachers and administrators.

In an April email, Hancock wrote that despite our continued efforts and requests, you continue to directly engage with USMs fifth grade teachers and administrators in a manner that is not consistent with the schools Common Trust and Core Values  including via numerous emails, texts, and conversations that are disrespectful and deflating.

The Robinson boys were in the fifth and third grades at the time.

It "has only become more evident that there has been a complete breakdown in your family's trust of and respect for USM," Hancock wrote.

The boys have been traumatized by the loss of their relationships and friendships at USM, the only school they had ever attended, but are now in a thriving and supportive environment, Kelly Robinson said.

Hancock released a statement Tuesday afternoon, but declined to take calls on the lawsuit.

"We regard highly the privacy and confidentiality of our community members and we cannot comment on the specifics of matters involving threatened or pending litigation. However, we can tell you that USMs enrollment decisions had nothing to do with complaints of inequity or discrimination and we intend to vigorously defend the school against any claim to the contrary. We cannot and will not tolerate persistently disrespectful, bullying, or harassing behavior directed at our devoted and hardworking teachers and administrators, he statement in part said.
Florida officials gave an update Monday on the investigation into a teen's death at ICON Park.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried held a news conference to provide an update on the ongoing FDACS investigation into the Free Fall incident that resulted in the death of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson.

Quest Engineering has finalized a field investigation report that answers what technically took place, but the next phase of the investigation will focus on how and why, Fried said.

The field investigation confirmed the ride operator made manual adjustments to the ride harness that resulted in it being unsafe.

"The report confirmed the manual adjustments had been made to the sensor of the seat in question that allowed the harness of the restrained opening to be almost double that of the normal restraint opening range. These mis-adjustments allowed the safety lights to illuminate, improperly satisfying the rides' electronic safety mechanisms that allowed the ride to operate even though Mr. Sampson was not properly restrained in his seat," Fried said.

According to Rep. Geraldine Thompson, there were two seats on the drop tower that "larger" riders were assigned to. The safety sensors on those two seats were manually adjusted so the restraint could be open wider and the safety sensor would still show they were locked in.

The report indicates Sampson slipped through the gap between the seat and safety harness.

It says that gap is normally three inches but on Sampson's seat, at the start of the ride, it was between six and seven inches.

Officials would not clarify Monday exactly who was responsible for the safety sensor and harness being adjusted.

The drop tower will remain closed indefinitely.

ICON Park released the following statement:

"We are deeply troubled that the preliminary findings of the State's investigation indicate a sensor on the Orlando FreeFall attraction, which is owned and operated by the SlingShot Group, had been mis-adjusted after the sensor was originally secured in place. ICON Park is committed to providing a safe, fun experience for families. We will continue to support the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with their ongoing investigation."

Attorneys for the Orlando Slingshot Group released the following statement:

"Orlando Slingshot has fully cooperated with the State during the initial phase of its investigation, and we will continue to do so until it has officially concluded. All protocols, procedures and safety measures provided to us by the manufacturer of the ride were followed. Todays report suggests a full review of the rides design, safety, operation, restraint mechanisms and history  which of course we welcome. We look forward to working with the Florida legislature to implement change in the industry, as the safety of our patrons is always our top priority.

The attorney representing Sampson's mother, Nekia Dodd, told sister station WESH that Dodd wants to make sure this doesn't happen to someone else's child.

"She's trying to grieve and then hearing these aggravating circumstances of somebody intentionally doing this sends her right back into shock and it's really awful to see a parent go through this," Michael Haggard, attorney for Sampson's mother, said.

Sampson fell to his death from the ride last month, raising questions about employee training and the design and operation of the ride.

Fried announced earlier this month that her Division of Consumer Services hired a forensic engineering firm to assist in the investigation of the accident.

Quest Engineering out of Tallahassee was tapped for the job. It's the same firm that was hired in 2018 to investigate the Sandblaster roller coaster in Daytona Beach when that ride derailed.

"We are going to do everything in our power, including potentially increasing our power, to make sure that something like this never happens again," Fried said.

Quest experts are paying especially close attention to the seats where a shoulder harness is supposed to keep riders in their seats on the 430-foot tall ride.

The engineers are using sophisticated 3D laser scanners to reconstruct the ride creating 360-degree pictures that will later be analyzed for clues.

One major contributor might be something as simple as a sign that should have been posted by the ticket window.

While the signs limit shorter riders from climbing aboard, there is no mention of weight.

WESH previously reported that the ride maker, Funtime, recommended a maximum rider weight of 287 pounds.

Tyre's family said the boy weighed more than 300 pounds.
The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan will help bring a popup food pantry to Huron County the week of April 18.

This weeks free food giveaway is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, in Harbor Beach. The food distribution will begin at 10 a.m. at the Harbor Beach Village Hall, 766 State St.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  Six weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a far-reaching effort to push more people into court-ordered treatment for severe mental illness and addiction, homeless advocates are calling it legally misguided and immoral as the proposal's first public hearing at the state Capitol has been delayed.

More than three dozen organizations and individuals, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Disability Rights California and the Western Center on Law and Poverty, signed an April 12 opposition letter raising serious concerns with Assembly Bill 2830, one of two nearly identical measures moving through the Legislature to implement Newsom's Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court. The groups often have significant sway among liberal legislative Democrats, the kind of influence that could hinder Newsom's hopes for a new law to be in place by July 1.

Newsom touted the CARE Court framework last month as an innovative strategy to guide an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 people into housing and much-needed treatment. Under the proposal, family members, behavioral health care providers and first responders, among others, could petition a civil judge to initiate a CARE plan for eligible individuals who lack medical decision-making capacity.

The governor said that CARE Court would focus on the most vulnerable Californians suffering from severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and individuals who have cycled in and out of hospitals and jails. The program would be voluntary and include assistance from both a public defender and a so-called supporter, a person who would serve as a personal guide through the recovery process.

In their 14-page letter, the advocates blasted the proposal as involuntary and coercive treatment that would strip individuals of their personal liberties and "perpetuate institutional racism and worsen health disparities." They said CARE Court "flies in the face of any evidence-based approach to ending homelessness" because it prioritizes mental health services  not housing  as the initial step toward recovery, which they said would deviate from California's "housing first" principles.

And they argued the plan relies on a variety of concepts that are not clearly defined in the proposed legislation or in California law, which "will result in confusion and inconsistent application" of CARE Courts across the state.

"We believe that a transformational proposal like CARE Court should be thoroughly vetted by stakeholders and informed by research and data before it is adopted. That has not happened here," the letter says. "Because CARE Court will harm Californians with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, and involved in the criminal legal system, we cannot support this proposal."

Cynthia Castillo, a policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty, said Newsom's plan "seems to be expanding the bureaucracy of homelessness services."

"We are adding judges and attorneys into the mix in hopes of better connecting unhoused individuals with housing and medical care, but nothing else really changes," she said.

Castillo said the anti-poverty group will remain opposed to the CARE Court framework unless lawmakers address the concerns outlined in the letter, especially the plan's failure to address access to housing and its insistence on empowering judges to mandate care.

"We vehemently oppose the proposal because it has this coercive court process implemented, and no right to housing," Castillo said.

Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing and homelessness advisor, said Monday that the administration expected some opposition to the proposal.

"We knew that a proposal this consequential, a proposal that aims to change the status quo so deeply, wasn't going to be received unanimously, wasn't going to be received with everyone clapping and cheering," Elliott said. "To fundamentally alter the reality that we see on the streets requires us fundamentally altering our approach. We expected to have hard conversations with entrenched stakeholders."

No cost estimate for the plan has been released, but Newsom has pledged to spend up to $14 billion on solutions to California's homelessness crisis over the next several years.

Newsom also attached accountability measures to the program, including sanctions for local governments that don't comply with program requirements and diverting people into stricter conservatorships or letting their paused criminal cases continue if they fail to meet their CARE plan obligations. Mayors of some of the state's most populous cities have endorsed the plan as a way to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in full display on their streets.

Elliott said that the governor "remains committed to the principles of housing first" and that CARE Court would be one of many ways a person could access shelter.

Newsom also proposed $1.5 billion in this year's budget to boost California's behavioral health housing stock and has funneled billions more toward housing options for people experiencing homelessness. The governor also has political incentives to quickly install CARE Courts. Voters have given Newsom poor reviews on efforts to stem the homelessness crisis, which is sure to come up in his opponents' campaigns to block his reelection later this year.

But the advocates are concerned about more than the courts and housing.

They said they worry that CARE Court would disproportionately target people of color, who are more likely to be homeless and diagnosed with psychotic disorders, and that CARE Court would enable "unacceptable shortcuts" in the legal system that could remove bodily autonomy and medical decision-making power. And they want more clarity around the role of the supporter, who they said would serve more as court agents than personal advocates.

"CARE Court is not the appropriate tool for providing a path to wellness for Californians living with mental health disabilities who face homelessness, incarceration, hospitalization, conservatorship, and premature death," the letter states. "Instead, California should invest in evidence-based practices that are proven to work and that will actually empower people living with mental health disabilities on their paths to recovery and allow them to retain full autonomy over their lives without the intrusion of a court."

Andrew Imparato, executive director of Disability Rights California, said his group was open to working with the administration and lawmakers on changes.

"If they start listening to us and really take coercive approaches and court-ordered approaches off the table, I think there's more hope that we can work with them on something that we can all support," Imparato said.

AB 2830 was originally scheduled to be heard this week by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, but the hearing is now set for next week, similar to plans for its companion measure, Senate Bill 1338.

But the bill may face a major hurdle once it's heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The panel's chairman, Assembly Member Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley), said in a statement that he shared "many of the concerns raised by the opponents about the CARE Court bills."

And he warned against efforts to rush the bill through the legislative process without proper public input and scrutiny.

"I will be reviewing the legislation very closely and recommending any amendments necessary to ensure that CARE Courts can truly help those most in need, while not unduly limiting their constitutionally guaranteed rights," he wrote.

State Sen. Susan Eggman, a Stockton Democrat and one of the authors of SB 1338, said she would modify the bill to address certain concerns before then, but "on some issues, we're just going to have to agree to disagree."

"It is a work in progress," she said. "I'm not going to take anybody's vote for granted, but I think with my caucus, and I think this is a bipartisan issue, everybody agrees that we need more tools in the toolbox in order to reach those who so desperately need our help."
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A judge denied a motion Tuesday to reduce bonds for the jailed parents of a Michigan teenager who is charged in a shooting at Oxford High School that left four of his fellow students dead.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews said that James and Jennifer Crumbleys actions before their Dec. 4 arrests in a commercial building in Detroit were meant to conceal their whereabouts.

The defendants indicate they were devastated when they heard about the alleged actions of their son, felt unsafe in their home, felt hounded by the press and found it necessary to leave, Matthews said. The chronology of events that occurred subsequent to the defendants leaving their home is not consistent with cooperation with law enforcement.

The Crumbleys had disappeared the day before  after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The parents are accused of failing to keep a gun secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress. They have pleaded not guilty.

Upon a warrant being issued, law enforcement is not required to make an appointment with a defendant, Matthews said. It is the job of the police to ensure a swift, safe and secure arrest. The defendants actions were premeditated to conceal their whereabouts.

The Crumbleys' attorneys had requested that their bonds be lowered from $500,000 each to $100,000 each. They indicated they would appeal Matthews ruling on bond and would seek a change of venue as the case heads to trial, which is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 24.

The Crumbleys were absolutely shocked parents who had no reason to foresee what would happen, defense attorneys Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman wrote earlier.

The Oakland County prosecutors office opposed a lower bond for the Crumbleys, noting that a similar request was denied by a judge in a lower court.

The claim that they werent trying to flee is not credible, Prosecutor Karen McDonald told reporters following Tuesday's hearing. Turning yourself in is always the best route. You can't try to run from being prosecuted and claim you were always going to return to a court date.

Ethan Crumbley, who turns 16 next week, is charged with murder and other crimes. Four students were killed and more were injured in the Nov. 30 shooting.

McDonald said Tuesday that her office has been spent the past several weeks meeting with parents of the Oxford High students who died and those whose children were wounded. They've also met with students who survived the attack.

The one thing they really want is certainty and they want to know that the Crumbleys will be held accountable for their actions, McDonald told reporters. There is a lot that that community is dealing with, and having your child be shot at school is something that I don't think were really wired to understand.

None of that should impact the couple's right to a fair trial, she added.

___

Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan.

___

For more of the APs coverage of the Michigan school shooting: https://apnews.com/hub/oxford-high-school-shooting
FULTON, Mo. (AP)  One man was killed and another injured in a home invasion in east-central Missouri, police there said.

The incident happened Monday night in Fulton, television station KOMU reported. Fulton police said officers were called to a home just before 9 p.m. for a report of gunfire and found a 58-year-old man with life-threatening gunshot wounds and a 33-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his leg. Both men were taken to hospitals, where the older man died. Their names were not immediately released.
MADRID (AP)  Separatist politicians and activists from Catalonia on Tuesday announced a legal offensive in half a dozen countries against the Spanish state and the Israeli owners of a controversial spyware allegedly used to snoop on them.

The head of the Catalan and Spanish-speaking northeastern region also announced that relations with central authorities in Spain would remain strained until Madrid conducts a full investigation and punishes those found responsible for the alleged surveillance.

A spokeswoman for the Spanish government said there was no illegal spying happening in the country.

Citizen Lab, a team of cybersecurity experts affiliated with the University of Toronto, had revealed a day before what is believed to be the largest to date forensically documented cluster of hacking attempts with Pegasus, a program that silently infiltrates phones to harvest their data and potentially spy on their owners.

At least 65 high-profile figures of the Catalan pro-independence camp  including elected officials, civil society leaders, lawyers and their relatives  were targeted with NSO Group's Pegasus or other programs created by Candiru, another Israeli tech firm. Candiru's spyware potentially allows third parties to impersonate the phone's owner to send out messages or emails, according to Citizen Lab.

Both NSO Group, the owner of Pegasus, and Candiru have been criticized by global rights groups for breaching users' privacy and face lawsuits from some of the world's major technology firms.

The companies claim that their software is only sold to government agencies to target criminals and terrorists. On the alleged spying on Catalan separatists, Citizen Lab said that its research had found evidence of a strong nexus with one or more entities within the Spanish government."

There is no spying here, there is no eavesdropping if its not under the cover of the law, government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said Tuesday during a weekly briefing.

Asked whether the countrys intelligence services, known as CNI, had contracted the use of Pegasus, Rodriguez said: There are issues which, because they pertain to national security, are protected by law and are classified material.

Some of the politicians and activists allegedly targeted appeared at the same time for a press conference at the European Parliament in Brussels, where they vowed to file lawsuits seeking transparency in Spain, but also in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg, where some of the alleged hacking took place. Luxembourg is also where the European subsidiary of NSO Group is headquartered.

Among the speakers was Carles Puigdemont, a European Union lawmaker and former Catalan regional chief who fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution after a banned independence referendum went ahead under his watch.

The Spanish state has organized a criminal plot to attack a legitimate, democratic political movement," said Puigdemont, who also urged leaders of the EU's executive branch to investigate the use of the controversial spyware and, in his words, "to hold Spain accountable.

Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles, who oversees the country's intelligence apparatus, will appear before national lawmakers to answer questions on the issue, the government said.

Pere Aragones, the current head of Catalonia's regional administration, said that political relations with central authorities couldn't go on as normal until the left-to-center coalition led by Pedro Sanchez fully investigates the hacking with external supervision. Aragones' own phone was among those allegedly targeted with Pegasus during his previous role as the region's vice president.

Almost all of the spying incidents identified by Citizen Lab occurred between 2017 and 2020, when efforts to carve out an independent state in northeastern Spain led to the countrys deepest political crisis in decades.
Becky Bohrer/AP

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said he is supporting fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski in her reelection bid this year and said Tuesday that he has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race for Alaska's only U.S. House seat.

Sullivan said he is still hurting over the loss of Republican Rep. Don Young, who at the time of his death last month was seeking reelection to the seat he had held since 1973. Sullivan said that when it comes to a successor to Young, he is interested in having a fighter like Don Young was and a Republican.
VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP)  A woman faces animal cruelty charges after the remains of a cat, rabbit, bird and two turtles were found in her abandoned mobile home near Valparaiso.

The woman was arrested Monday after the bodies of the animals were found March 17, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported Tuesday.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  A Kansas woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to stealing about $1.1 million from the Johnson County District Court.

Dawna Kellogg, 61, of Williamsburg, was manager of the court's accounting department.

She stole cash the court received, such as bail bond payments, and either spent or deposited the money into her personal accounts, the U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release.

Kellogg pleaded guilty to wire fraud and subscribing to a false tax return.

As part of her plea agreement, Kellogg agreed the total amount lost was about $1.1 million, including $359,296 from 2007 through 2009 and $776,691 from 2010 through June 2017.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 16.
SANAA, Yemen (AP)  Yemens internationally recognized presidential council was sworn in Tuesday in the southern port city of Aden, state-run media reported.

The swearing-in took place before the parliament in a ceremony attended by foreign ambassadors and the U.S. and U.N. envoys to Yemen, SABA news agency said.

Aden serves as the interim seat of the internationally recognized government since the Houthi rebels seized the capital of Sanaa in 2014, setting off Yemens long-running civil war.

The presidential council was appointed earlier this month after former President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi stepped aside. Hadi transferred his powers and those of his vice president to the council, which will run the country and lead peace talks with the Houthis.

Hadi's move came during concerted international and regional efforts to end the conflict.

The move angered the Iran-backed Houthis as it was meant to unify the anti-Houthi camp after years of infighting and disputes. It came as the Houthis and the government embarked on a 60-day truce brokered by the U.N. earlier this month.

The council is chaired by Rashad al-Alimi, an adviser to Hadi and former interior minister with the government of late strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh. He has close ties to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Alimi called on the international community to pressure the Houthis to engage in peace efforts because he said the rebels were still attacking the central city of Marib and other government-held areas despite the truce.

The council is committed to end the (Houthi) coup and the war and establish fair and permeant peace that preserves the state and its constitutional institutions, he said.

Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Borkani echoed the same message. However, he warned that they were ready to continue fighting after the unification of the anti-Houthi camp.

This is our opportunity to take the road of fair and honorable peace, he said. Our hands are still extended (for peace), and our weapons are ready at the same time.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.

The council has seven other members, including Aydarous al-Zubaidi, head of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council  an umbrella group of heavily armed militias propped up by the United Arab Emirates since 2015.

Also on the council are Sheikh Sultan al-Aradah, the powerful governor of energy-rich Marib province, and Tariq Saleh, a militia leader and nephew of the late president with close ties to the UAE.

Another member is Abdel-Rahman Abu Zarah, commander of the UAE-backed Giants Brigades, which played a crucial role recently in repelling the Houthi offensive on the central city of Marib.

The Houthis are backed by Iran while the government forces are aided by a Saudi-led coalition that launched an air campaign in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government.

The war killed over 150,000 people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Four youngsters caused at least $17,000 in vandalism damage when they broke into the Indiana Statehouse last month, state police said Tuesday.

Investigators determined the three girls and one boy, ages 12 through 14, damaged a door to enter the building on March 28 as it was closed to the public that Sunday afternoon, police said.


By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

San Francisco will allow on-site cannabis sales at Wednesday's 4/20 celebration in Golden Gate Park for the first time in the annual event's history, city officials said Monday.

The celebration, returning for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. and is expected to draw up to 20,000 people, according to city officials.

Because of the city allowing cannabis sales and consumption at the park's Hippie Hill and Robin Williams Meadow, the 4/20 celebration will only be open to adults age 21 and older, Mayor London Breed said at a briefing Monday.

"We know that this event at one point was occurring whether we wanted it to or not," Breed said. "And over the years, in working with the cannabis industry, we've been able to make adjustments in order to provide the appropriate safety and restroom facilities and the cleanup necessary in order to ensure that this was not as problematic for the people who live in and visit the area."

Officials with the city's Recreation and Parks Department, Office of Cannabis and police and fire departments urged 4/20 attendees to treat the event like any other large gathering by treating both the park and other attendees with respect.

Office of Cannabis Director Nikesh Patel said this year's event will also be key to determining the viability of similar future cannabis-related events.

"The success of this event will set the tone for other events," Patel said, adding, "it's really important that we get this right."

Breed cited the former Halloween in the Castro celebration, which the city largely shut down after nine people were wounded in a shooting at the event in 2006.

"We support people being able to come together safely," Breed said. "And if we have to make changes, if these events become harmful or unsafe in any way, we will do so."

City officials also urged 4/20 attendees to take proper health and safety precautions by using public transit to get to and from the park and ensuring that cannabis consumed at the event is from a reputable vendor.

In addition to cannabis and food sales, this year's 4/20 celebration will also feature a dedication to the late comedian and actor Robin Williams and performances by comedians Jeff Ross and Hannibal Buress.

Attendees will be required to show a valid ID and vaccination card to enter the event, which will be enclosed by a fence, according to city officials.

The San Francisco police and fire departments are expected to fully staff the event and emergency medical services and a first aid tent will be available on site, according to the city.

Information about transportation to and from Golden Gate Park as well as planned street closures during the celebration can be found at https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/420-hippie-hill-golden-gate-park-april-20-2022.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
By Tony Hicks

Bay City News Foundation

On New Year's Day, the Washington Post editorial board kicked off 2022 with an editorial titled "The golden age of public libraries dawns again."

The piece praised the new public "breathtakingly beautiful" libraries built around the world the past few years as examples of what "great community spaces can and should be." It said some are being called "cultural masterpieces."

From Manhattan to Fayetteville, Arkansas, a new library revolution was lauded for not only encouraging literacy and the furthering of knowledge -- in a new age derided by many as being one of instant gratification and a de-emphasizing of science and "facts" -- but doing so elegantly with great public buy-in.

Whew.

Two decades ago, there were many of us who lamented what we believed was the death of the libraries we loved so much as children, brought about by the internet. Simultaneously and ironically, we also questioned certain local communities spending millions on libraries, when the next generation clearly only cared about Googling their information and playing video games.

I ... I mean, we are so glad to be proved wrong.

I say this as Pleasant Hill prepares to open its new public library that already resembles what the Washington Post described.

My daughter goes to Pleasant Hill Middle School next to the almost-finished library, at the corner of Oak Park Boulevard and Monticello Avenue. I've watched the site evolve from a giant, forgotten, sometimes muddy field into what will likely be the center of the community, as well as the flagship central library of the county library system.

The old library was across the street. When I say "old" I mean I went there as a kid. It closed in 2020, after more than 50 years.

The $24 million, publicly funded (Measure K in 2016) project is being bult on five acres donated by Contra Costa County. It's supposed to open in June (though Pleasant Hill's community relations manager Geoff Gillette smartly told me "this summer").

Looking at the list of amenities, it's difficult not to get a little excited about the 25,000 square feet of library on the way.

It will be big and spacious, with lots of natural light. There will be an activity yard for kids with play sculptures and a magnetic play wall, a "messy maker" space designed to keep sound in and a "retreat" room, keeping sound out.

There will be an early literacy area for youngsters and their parents, a Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library store to buy books and merchandise, study rooms and an outdoor "hangout" area for kids.

That last part is important. I had two other daughters attend Pleasant Hill Middle School, and the old library overflowed with middle schoolers 10 minutes after school let out every day.

The new library will have a tech zone space, with a kiosk dedicated to checking out laptops and a dedicated area for printing. The east side of the building will feature big windows with views of Grayson Creek and a path near the Contra Costa Canal Trail.

The library will be powered by state-of-the-art Tesla solar panels as a Net Zero Energy building, meaning it won't produce more greenhouse gases than it takes from the environment. Under the main floor will be hundreds of feet of piping for hot and cool water to help regulate indoor temperature, as well as skylights overhead that can stay open on hot summer nights to make sure the place isn't too stuffy the next morning.

Best of all, it will be a magnet for the community, especially its children. Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael G. Harris is already a big fan.

"The entire Pleasant Hill community is excited about the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art library," Harris said. "It has areas and amenities for people of all ages, including a wonderful children's activity yard. For us, this is a dream come true."

That sounds pretty golden.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
San Francisco will allow on-site cannabis sales at Wednesday's 4/20 celebration in Golden Gate Park for the first time in the annual event's history, city officials said Monday.

The celebration, returning for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. and is expected to draw up to 20,000 people, according to city officials.

Because of the city allowing cannabis sales and consumption at the park's Hippie Hill and Robin Williams Meadow, the 4/20 celebration will only be open to adults age 21 and older, Mayor London Breed said at a briefing Monday.

Officials with the city's Recreation and Parks Department, Office of Cannabis and police and fire departments urged 4/20 attendees to treat the event like any other large gathering by treating both the park and other attendees with respect.

Office of Cannabis Director Nikesh Patel said this year's event will also be key to determining the viability of similar future cannabis-related events.

Pacifica police are seeking information about a false report they received on Sunday, in which someone claimed to have placed an explosive device under a vehicle.

But a bomb squad later determined that there were no explosives in or around the vehicle.

At 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, someone called the Pacifica Police Department and claimed to have placed an explosive device under a vehicle parked on the 2300 block of Beach Boulevard. The caller claimed the vehicle had been "specifically targeted", police said.

The bomb squad arrived around 9:30 p.m. Within the hour they determined that there was no explosive device in or around the vehicle, police said. Police reopened the area around 11.

Two men suspected in the 2020 shooting death of Ueta Savelio Muasika Jr. in front of his San Mateo home that also seriously injured his 2-year-old son were arrested Monday in different states.

John Paasi, 29, was arrested at his home in Charlotte, NC and Isileli Mahe, 30 was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to San Mateo police.

Both were arrested on suspicion of homicide and assault with a firearm, police said.

The men are suspected of ambushing Muasika in his driveway on Oct. 30, 2020, in the 1600 block of Eleanor Drive.

Muasika was shot several times and died at the scene and his two-year-old son was shot in the face but survived, police said.

The Stockton police arrested a man suspected of stabbing and killing a 15-year-old female student Monday at Stagg High School.

Anthony Gray, 52, was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of murder, police said.

The girl had been stabbed by a trespasser who entered the school campus. She was transported to a hospital where she died from her injuries.

Police responded to the scene at 11:05 a.m. and the Stockton Unified School District Police apprehended Gray, whom they allege drove to the front of the school, parked his car and then walked up to the child and stabbed her. No motive has been released.

Authorities in San Jose say they have collared a prolific robbery crew associated with multiple smash-and-grab crimes in jewelry stores throughout the Bay Area.

The long-term, multi-unit investigation identified and arrested six men who allegedly worked in concert between October 2021 and January 2022 to commit smash-and-grabs in San Jose. Officers said similar cases and suspect descriptions have been reported in several other cities and counties.

Authorities identified the following suspects and issued warrants for the search of their residences and for their arrests: Michael Earl, 18 years old of Menlo Park; Andrew Manuel Maravillalopez, 20 years old of Hayward; Noah G. Tekle, 19 years old of San Leandro; Charles Evans, 19 years old of San Leandro; Maurice James Sweet, 19 years old of Pittsburg, and David Foster, 20, of Newark, whom the district attorney's office says has yet to be charged.

A 26-year-old Antioch man died after his vehicle collided with a tree Sunday afternoon in Antioch, police said.

A vehicle driven by Steve Hernandez crashed into a tree on the center median of James Donlon Boulevard near Silverado Drive, according to police.

Officers arrived at the scene at approximately 2:13 p.m. and found a Subaru with major damage and a sole occupant inside. Medical personnel pronounced Hernandez dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of the Subaru had been racing another vehicle at the time of the collision. It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash, police said.

It is 3 in the afternoon on Easter Sunday, and Mission Dolores Park in San Francisco is packed with visitors.

A bit of an unusual scene for a day in 2022 -- or any day since March 2020 -- the park is full of visitors dressed in bling, bright colors or both, sipping on booze and grooving to the covers of Lady Gaga, Lizzo and Dua Lipa.

The music stops and the most awaited competitions of the day begin.

As a batch of six contestants enters the stage, and emcee Peaches Christ asks each of them about their costumes.

For some East San Jose elementary students, next year will mean moving to another nearby school.

The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees voted unanimously on Thursday to turn Cesar Chavez Elementary School into an early learning center for children in preschool through kindergarten next year. Students in grades 1-5 will have to choose another school, while younger students will remain at the current site.

Board President Andres Quintero said by changing the school to an early learning center, the district will save about $1 million in overhead and administration costs. School partner Kidango will bear part of the cost of running the facility and bring in additional funds.

A 3.3 magnitude earthquake rumbled seconds after 10 p.m. Monday in northern Sonoma County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was centered about 2 miles southeast of Cloverdale and east of the Russian River at a depth of about one mile.

No injuries were reported.

The National Weather Service forecast for the greater San Francisco Bay Area calls for a slight chance of rain early Tuesday before sunrise followed by sunny skies. Highs will be in the upper 50s on the coast and in the mid 60s around the bay. Overnight lows are expected in the 40s.

Rain should return Wednesday, predominantly in the North Bay, and Thursday should bring rain throughout the Bay Area. Dry and mild conditions are expected for the weekend.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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Workers at two automotive plants in Mexico voted overwhelmingly in favor of independent union representation, paving the way for the first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations under Mexico's reformed federal labor law.

Both companies ousted the Confederation of Mexican Workers, Mexico's old-guard labor organization, earlier in 2022. Employees at auto parts maker Tridonex in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, cast their ballots for the Independent National Union of Industrial and Service Workers, while workers at a General Motors Co. truck plant in Silao, Guanajuato, voted in favor of representation by the Independent National Autoworkers Union.

Several legal experts say the votes were important tests of the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreementand the Mexican government's commitment to labor reform.

"These successful votes are just the beginning of what promises to be greater union organizing efforts, labor relations challenges between employers and unions in Mexico, and increased oversight by the U.S. government and at times the involvement of U.S. labor organizations," said James Stone, an attorney with Jackson Lewis in Cleveland.

As part of Mexico's new labor law under the USMCA, workers in Mexico are afforded greater protections and rights, including union elections secret ballot, transparent negotiation and CBA approval, an independent labor adjustment board, and the democratic election of union officers, Stone added.

Mexico's new law also requires the establishment of state and federal courts along with agencies to enforce laws through judicial decisions, noted Oscar De la Vega, an attorney with De la Vega & Martinez Rojas S.C. in Mexico City.

"Mexican labor law is changing rapidly, and this will be especially impactful to larger and midsized manufacturing companies," Stone said.

Role of Trade Unions in Mexico

Before labor reform in Mexico, companies could recognize unions and sign a contractor a protection agreementwithout any input or approval from workers, Stone noted. Employers, not employees, paid union dues.

"As a result, most unions in Mexico were not democratic, nor did they particularly represent the interests of the employees," Stone said. "The agreements mostly accommodated the needs of the companies."

Mexico's new labor law requires democratic unions, Stone stated. Under the new law, a union in Mexico may be recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative if at least 30 percent of employees support it.

But ratification of a CBAa legal contract between an employer and a union representing employeesrequires support from a majority of all represented workers, Stone added.

Workers in Mexico now also have the right to decide whether they want to join a union or not, De la Vega said.

Mexico's Changing Employment Landscape

Currently, it is not business as usual for U.S. and Canadian companies operating in Mexico, Stone explained. Manufacturers will be scrutinized in the early years of enforcement under the new labor law.

Under Mexican law, the use of replacement workers is limited, Stone continued. American companies organized by independent unions could face difficulties.

"Employers dealing with operations in Mexico should be aware that labor relations are highly regulated in the country," De la Vega said. "Mexican employees generally have greater rights than their American counterparts."

U.S. companies operating in Mexico should address the following questions when subsidiaries explore options to join a union, Stone said:

What are our pay rates compared with other companies in the area?

What benefits do we provide our employees?

Do our employees consider themselves well-treated?

Do supervisors maintain strong communication with their employees?

North American companies also need to accommodate employees who choose to be union-free, because this is a new alternative, De la Vega added.

Effective Leadership Strategies in Mexico

Employers in Mexico should expect increased union organizing efforts in coming years, noted Salvador Pasquel Villegas, an attorney with Baker McKenzie in Mexico City.

Companies should prepare by implementing policies and practices that promote positive employee-employer relations, he added.

Companies with manufacturing or commercial operations in Mexico should update their HR operating procedures, including:



Labor strategies.

Hiring and termination practices.

Industry-specific union practice reviews.

HR professionals also need to connect with workers in Mexico to establish and strengthen relationships, De la Vega explained.

Depending on the nature of the job, workers' access to social media may be necessary, either during their work shifts or after hours, according to Mexican federal labor law. HR often communicates with workers by recording and sending them audio messages on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, De la Vega stated.

Catherine Skrzypinski is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Indian-origin astronaut Raja Chari, who docked to the International Space Station last year, is set to return home to planet Earth later this month after spending almost six months

FREMONT, CA: Raja Chari, an Indian-origin astronaut who docked to the International Space Station (ISS) in November last year, is due to return to Earth later this month after nearly six months in zero gravity. Under the NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission, which launched on November 10, 2021, Chari docked with the ISS alongside three other members: Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron, and Matthias Maurer.

Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari is a NASA astronaut and Indian-American test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight time, including F-15E combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployments supporting the Korean Peninsula. Chari went to the US Naval Test Pilot School after finishing his schooling. He also holds a command and general staff college diploma from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The 44-year-old, who was a Colonel selected in the US Air Force, was chosen to be a member of NASA Astronaut Group 22 in June 2017 and reported for duty in August, where he trained as an astronaut for two years. In December 2020, he was chosen to be a member of the Artemis team. NASA reported that the astronauts are likely to help pave the way for the next lunar missions, including sending the first woman and next man to walk on the lunar surface in 2024.

In the same month, he was chosen as the first astronaut from Group 22 for the SpaceX Crew-3 mission, making him the first NASA rookie to lead a space mission since Gerald Carr led the Skylab 4 mission in 1973. Chari has also received several prizes and honors, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal during his Air Force career.
President Joe Biden has nominated Rachna Sachdeva Korhonen as Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, the White House announced on April 15

FREMONT, CA: The White House announced last week that President Joe Biden had nominated Rachna Sachdeva Korhonen to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mali. She is a career foreign service officer who presently works as a deputy assistant secretary and executive director of the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs' combined Executive Offices.

She was previously the Consul General and Principal Officer of the United States Consulate in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. She also served as a special assistant to the Under Secretary for Management and oversaw the management division of the US Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She was also the Political Chief of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kirkuk, Iraq, and the Supervisory General Services Officer and Senior Human Resources Officer at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She also worked in the United States Embassy in Kuwait and the United States Consulate General in Mumbai, India.

Sachdeva Korhonen graduated from Empire State College with a bachelors degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. Before joining the State Department, Korhonen worked in the private sector for AT&T, IBM, and online company Zed. Her profile on the US State Departments website shows that she hails from Flemington, New Jersey. Sachdeva is fluent in Hindi, French, Finnish, and Arabic, among other languages. She is Biden's third Indian American ambassador nominee in less than a month.

Last month, President Biden chose diplomat Puneet Talwar as America's ambassador to Morocco and political activist Shefali Razdan Duggal as envoy to the Netherlands. According to the White House, this nomination of the Indian-American diplomat Rachna Sachdeva Korhonen as his envoy to Mali is the third such nomination in less than a month.
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Australian graphite miners seeking to challenge Chinas dominance over global supplies of the electric battery raw material could see demand increase up to five-fold by 2050 amid an accelerating switch from petrol to electric vehicles and years of underinvestment in the industry.

Despite graphite making up more of the mass of electric vehicle (EV) batteries than any other mineral, analysts and producers say graphite hasnt captured investor attention like the booming lithium market where prices jumped nearly 500 per cent last year.

Analysts and producers say graphite hasnt captured investor attention like the booming lithium market. Credit:Photo: Bloomberg

I genuinely think the world got lithium, and the next thing thats going to come will be the conversation around we forgot about graphite, Black Rock Mining chief executive John de Vries said.

The challenges that have held up companies seeking to develop new graphite mines have included longer project lead times than lithium, lengthy processes where companies adjust the product to suit battery makers, and opaque pricing structures in the China-dominated supply chain.
After a decade of meteoric growth that shook Hollywood to its core, Netflix has run into a wall.

The streaming service lost 200,000 customers in the first quarter, according to a statement on Tuesday after the close of US markets [Wednesday morning AEST], the first time the company has shed subscribers since 2011. Netflix also projects it will lose another 2 million customers in the current second quarter, setting up its worst year ever as a public company.

Investors, analysts and Hollywood executives had been bracing for the company to report a sluggish start to the year, but still expected Netflix to add 2.5 million customers. The shares, already down more than 40 per cent this year, tumbled 23 per cent in after-hours trading.

Netflix has run into a wall with its subscriber numbers. Credit:Chris Ratcliffe

Netflix management pointed to four causes, including the prevalence of password sharing and growing competition. The company said there are 100 million households that use its service and dont pay for it, on top of its 221.6 million subscribers. The company is experimenting with ways to sign up those viewers.
Justice Anthony Besanko has heard many variations on the story of what happened at the village compound dubbed Whisky 108 in southern Afghanistan on Easter Sunday, 2009.

Australian Special Air Service patrols were sweeping the compound after an air strike, one working anti-clockwise past the living quarters on the western wall, another moving clockwise to close the circuit. Ben Roberts-Smiths troop leader, Person 5, was in the second group and moving through animal pens when, he told the court on Tuesday, an Afghan officer noticed a suspicious set up and called him back.

Ben Roberts-Smith at the Federal Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Credit:Rhett Wyman

To me, it just looked like green grass, Person 5 said. He was calling me back because things that are unnatural in a compound, the Afghans see a lot better than Western eyes do.

Peeling off the grass, the court heard, they discovered the entrance to a tunnel.
Four weeks ago, it appeared the Russians might be about to capture the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Now, a month later, it once again appears that the Russian army may finally be on the cusp of capturing this defiant port city. It is the last major city in Russias southern conquest that is yet to fall.

For the Ukrainians, Mariupol has symbolised the staunch resistance of their army against the Russians. The Battle of Mariupol has developed into a hellish, almost never-ending fight where large numbers of lives are traded for small gains in the city. The citizens of Mariupol have paid a shocking price with the Russians accused of multiple atrocities.

A damaged apartment building near the Illich steelworks in an area of Mariupol controlled by Russian-backed separatists. Credit:AP

Given the level of destruction wrought by the Russians, the city now has minimal military utility. It is a political objective. If the Russians do capture Mariupol, Putin and his military high command will claim it as a military success with the Russian people. But it will be a victory in name only because of the massive destruction and death toll it has entailed.

The main importance of Mariupol now lies in the fact that it has absorbed large parts of the Russian army in the south. If the Russians capture the city, it would release these soldiers, their equipment, as well as the artillery, logistics and air force that supports them, to the new Russian offensive in the east. Thousands of Russian soldiers might become available to reinforce the new eastern Russian attacks across its 400 kilometre front, and which were preceded by dozens of Russian strikes across Ukraine over the weekend.
A man accused of illegally hiding children he believed had been sexually abused has convinced a court to restore his medical registration.

William Russell Pridgeon, 68, was a Grafton GP until he was charged with criminal offences and his medical registration suspended in 2018.

Dr William Russell Pridgeon in 2016. Credit:Peter Rae

Pridgeon, who has denied any wrongdoing, is also the founder of the Australian Antipaedophile Party, which ran Senate candidates in the 2016 federal election.

In October 2018, Pridgeon was charged in an Australian Federal Police operation targeting a group that was allegedly assisting the abduction of children they suspected of being abused by a parent. Eight others were also charged.
This was a public broadcasting dynasty. His grandfather oversaw the writing of the original English pronunciation dictionary for the BBC. Time Magazine described him as one of the greatest living authorities on the English language and its pronunciation. His father David was a BBC broadcaster, who, among other things, read poetry on air. He famously declared that no son of mine will be in broadcasting, its too insecure. His mother Penelope, who drove an ambulance during the war, ran the household, raising him, older brother Will and younger sister Sarah. Their mother was a prodigious reader and always had a large book on the go on the kitchen table, along with a cigarette and a generous sized glass of Spanish red.

Andy Lloyd James was born in Hampstead, London in 1944, just weeks before the last heavy German air raids on London. He would walk to his primary school, past the home of his late grandparents, Arthur Lloyd James and Elsie Owen the violinist.

As an inspiring and visionary leader at both the ABC and SBS, Andy Lloyd James made an immense and enduring contribution to public broadcasting in Australia. He believed that public broadcasting had the power to broaden minds, to refine tastes, to challenge attitudes and enrich lives.

But black clouds had descended over their home life. The year before Lloyd James was born his grandfather Arthur killed his wife while suffering a depressive psychosis brought on by the war. He subsequently committed suicide while being treated at Broadmoor psychiatric asylum. His father also had bouts of depression, which led to a sometimes-fraught relationship. Aged 14, Lloyd James was sent to board at Westminster School in London, which proved a welcome escape.

Lloyd James went straight from school to become an articled clerk in a Brighton law firm. It was not his calling. He left after three years. An ex-girlfriend had gone to Australia, his current girlfriend was about to return there. He took a series of menial jobs, saved some money and caught the boat to Australia, arriving in Sydney in July 1967.

He soon landed a job as a finance clerk at the ABC. One of his responsibilities was delivering the fortnightly pay envelopes to staff. It was perfect, he got to know everyone by face and name. The following year he secured a specialist traineeship in general programs. Far from home, he had found the meaning of his life.

He began his ABC television career in 1970, directing and producing documentary and arts programs. Programs as varied as the motoring series Torque with Peter Wherret and the weekly arts program Sunday Spectrum. He met and married Dr Trish Richardson, who would be his life-long soul mate and muse. He took her to London to meet his father, who knew nothing of the marriage. They met outside a restaurant, where he announced: Meet my wife, we were married a week ago. Wonderful, his father replied, I hate weddings, lets have lunch. The lunch finished at 6pm, and by then his new wife was utterly charmed.

At the ABC Lloyd James moved upwards through executive producing to become head of the features department in the early Eighties. He was in charge of some of the defining programs of that era: Barriers of the Mind, Peachs Explorers, Sweat of the Sun, Tears of the Moon and Bush Tucker Man. A visionary, he instinctively knew what the audience wanted, before they knew themselves.
In my five years as an elected representative of a vast proportion of the people who are also voters in the electorate of Warringah, I have not once had the current national hot topic of transgender womens participation in sports raised with me by my community.

I hear regularly from constituents and from women in politics about their real concerns and fears for their safety. Safety at home from domestic violence, safety in the workplace from harassment and intimidation, and safety on the streets from sexual assault.

Katherine Deves candidacy for Warringah is attracting attention to an issue that is not at the top of the list for most women.

I hear from young mothers, like me, struggling to juggle the competing demands of family and careers that dont always value their contribution either flexibly or financially. I meet with older women who have spent their lives caring for others only to find themselves in the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness and the second most likely to be in poverty.

As women, we need real advocates for our safety and opportunity  but somehow we find ourselves in a situation where national media attention is currently focused on a false ally. In my community, I am being asked to vote for someone who is using equality for women as a thin veil to disguise offensive attacks on transgender people  a group of people clamouring for their own safety and opportunity.
NSW Liberals say theyre resigned to embattled Katherine Deves remaining the partys Warringah candidate, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison dug in to support her and declared Australians were fed up with having to walk on eggshells.

Ahead of candidate nominations closing at midday on Thursday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he had learned dont send text messages after a message he sent Morrison backing Deves was leaked.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has told colleagues he was not the person who leaked text messages between himself and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Deves has faced calls from within the Liberal Party, led by NSW Liberal Treasurer Matt Kean, to stand aside because of her views on transgender people and womens sports, and for inflammatory past comments on the issue that have invoked Nazism and the stolen generation.

But Morrison locked in behind the candidate, despite an internal push to remove her, and said on Wednesday he wouldnt allow her to be cancelled.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese have guaranteed they wont do deals with independents to form government, opening the door for a chaotic political fallout if neither side wins the 76 seats needed to secure a majority.

The rejection from both leaders could mean Australians will be forced to another poll in the event of a hung parliament and crossbench MPs refuse to back supply for either side.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have now ruled out deals with the independents. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen, James Brickwood

The Liberals are under threat from teal independents in a number of traditionally blue ribbon inner-city seats in Melbourne and Sydney, heightening the uncertainty over whether the Coalition or Labor can win enough seats to form a majority government.

Morrison on Tuesday rejected doing any deals with independent MPs to form government, a day after he refused to rule out the move.
Ukraine said Russian forces in their new offensive had captured the town of Kreminna, an administrative centre of 18,000 people in Luhansk, one of the two Donbas provinces, after a ferocious night of artillery bombardment along a 482-kilometre front line in the east. Driven back by Ukrainian forces in March from an assault on Kyiv in the north, Russia has instead poured troops into the east for the launch of what its foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, confirmed was another stage of this operation and early indications are it could go better for Russia than the first. As a result of capturing the region around Kreminna, Russia threatens to encircle an area at the top of the eastern front that, according to one military analyst, holds as much as 40 per cent of Ukrainian troops in the region. A Bundeswehr Airbus A310 MedEvac takes off from Cologne to bring more war-wounded Ukrainians to Germany for treatment. Credit:dpa/AP Russian forces have also made long-distance strikes at other targets including the capital and Kharkiv, where at least four people were killed by missiles, authorities said on Tuesday.

In one suburban street, the body of an elderly man lay face down near a park, a ribbon of blood running into the gutter. He worked in security not far from here, a resident named Maksym said. The shelling began and everyone fled. Then we came out here, the old guy was already dead. Ukrainian authorities in Donetsk said three civilians had been killed and six wounded in the previous 24 hours. Overnight shelling in central Avdiivka had left part of the town without electricity, the regional administration said in a statement. In Mariupol about 120 civilians living next to the Azovstal steel plant left via humanitarian corridors, the Interfax news agency said, quoting Russian state TV.

Drone footage showed people buying food and other items at a makeshift market, as well as charging their mobile phones from a generator. A Reuters correspondent said prices at the market were very high. A Ukrainian soldier walks past a Russian tank after recent battles at the village of Moshchun close to Kyiv. Credit:AP Mayor Vadym Boichenko, who has left Mariupol, said he hoped a new preliminary agreement with Russia for a safe corridor would be firmed up and hold. He hoped to send 90 buses to the city on Wednesday to evacuate about 6000 women, children and elderly people. Mariupol has been besieged since the wars early days. Tens of thousands of residents have been trapped and Ukraine believes more than 20,000 civilians have been killed there. The Russian army will forever inscribe itself in world history as perhaps the most barbaric and inhuman army in the world, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Deliberately killing civilians, destroying residential quarters and civilian infrastructure, and using all kinds of weapons, including those prohibited by international conventions, he added in a video address. Russia has denied using banned weapons or targeting civilians and says, without evidence, that signs of atrocities were staged. The body of a man is covered by a tarp from a damaged truck following a Russian bombing of a factory in Kramatorsk. Credit:AP Video released by Ukraines Azov battalion purported to show people living in a network beneath the sprawling Azovstal steel plant, where they say hundreds of women, children and elderly civilians are sheltering with supplies running out. We lost our home; we lost our livelihood. We want to live a normal, peaceful life, an unidentified woman says in the video.

There are lots of children in here  theyre hungry. Get us out of here. Reuters could not independently verify where or when the video was shot. Major Serhiy Volyna of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, whose forces are holding out in the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works told The Washington Post that his soldiers would continue to conduct combat operations and to complete our military tasks as long as we receive them. We will not lay down our weapons, he said.

Russians constantly use aviation, artillery and naval artillery of various systems...try to conduct assault actions with the cover of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to break through Ukrainian defences, Volyna said. There were at least 500 mostly untreated wounded in the plant, including civilians. Its in the basement where people just rot. There is no medication, he said. A smashed fence stands outside a kindergarten that was bombed during the Russian invasion west of Kyiv. Credit:Getty Images We save water together, we support each other, try to help each other as much as possible, Volyna told the Washington Post. Everyone is ready to continue as one.

He said morale among the soldiers remained high: We are aware of everything, and we understand everything calmly and we continue to carry out combat missions. Kyivs lead negotiator said it was hard to predict when peace talks might resume because of the Mariupol siege and the new offensive. Loading In a swift response to the intensified assault, US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders discussed increasing military, economic and humanitarian support for the Kyiv government, and ways to hold Moscow accountable, the White House said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Berlin intended to supply Ukraine with anti-tank and air defence weapons as well as long-range artillery weapons, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also promised more artillery weapons as the conflict moved into a new phase. Scholz said the allies agreed Russia must not win the war, and that an imposed peace as envisaged by Russian President Vladimir Putin was not acceptable.
Protests and clashes there this time last year helped trigger an 11-day Gaza war. Police said they were responding to Palestinian stone-throwing and that they were committed to ensuring that Jews, Christians and Muslims  whose major holidays are converging this year  could celebrate them safely in the Holy Land. Palestinians view the presence of Israeli police at the site as a provocation and said they used excessive force. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday that Israel has been the target of a Hamas-led incitement campaign. The latest tensions come during the rare confluence of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover. Christians are also celebrating their holy week leading up to Easter. Tens of thousands of visitors have flocked to Jerusalems Old City  home to major holy sites for all three faiths  for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Jordan and Egypt, which made peace with Israel decades ago and coordinate with it on security matters, have condemned its actions at the mosque. Jordan  which serves as custodian of the site  summoned Israels charge daffaires on Monday in protest.

Jordans King Abdullah II discussed the violence with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, agreeing on the need to stop all illegal and provocative Israeli measures there, according to a statement. Jordan planned to convene a meeting of other Arab states on the issue. Palestinians shoot fireworks at Israeli police in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday. Credit:AP Israel has been working to improve relations with Jordan over the past year and has recently normalised relations with other Arab states. But the latest tensions have brought renewed attention to the unresolved conflict with the Palestinians, which Israel has sought to sideline in recent years. The US State Department urged all sides to exercise restraint, to avoid provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo at the holy site. Spokesman Ned Price said US officials were in touch with counterparts across the region to try and calm tensions. UN Security Council scheduled a closed-door meeting on the tensions for Tuesday.

In Israel, an Arab party that made history last year by joining the governing coalition suspended its participation on Sunday  a largely symbolic act that nevertheless reflected the sensitivity of the holy site, which is at the emotional heart of the century-old conflict. Israel captured the West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem  which includes the Old City  in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians seek those territories for a future independent state. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognised internationally and is building and expanding Jewish settlements across the West Bank, which it views as the biblical and historical heartland of the Jewish people. The last serious and substantive peace talks collapsed more than a decade ago. The Palestinians have long feared that Israel plans to take over or partition the mosque compound. In recent weeks, calls by Jewish extremists to sacrifice animals there have circulated widely among Palestinians on social media, sparking calls to defend the mosque. Israeli authorities say they have no intention of changing the status quo, and police are enforcing a prohibition on animal sacrifices. Israel allows Jews to visit the site but not to pray there. In recent years large numbers of nationalist and religious Jews have regularly visited under police escort, angering the Palestinians and Jordan.

Israel says police were forced to enter the compound early Friday after Palestinians stockpiled stones and hurled rocks at the gate through which Jewish visitors typically enter. That gate also leads to the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray. Loading Recent weeks have seen a series of Palestinian attacks inside Israel that killed 14 people. Israel has launched near-daily arrest raids and other military operations in the occupied West Bank that it says are aimed at preventing more. The military said Monday it arrested 11 Palestinians in operations across the territory overnight. In a raid near the city of Jenin, the army said dozens of Palestinians hurled rocks and explosives toward troops. Soldiers responded with live ammunition toward the suspects who hurled explosive devices, the military said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said two men were hospitalised after being critically wounded.
Washington: Put it on or leave it off?

Thats the question airline passengers and public transport users across America were left asking after a federal judge in Florida struck down a national mandate that required masks to be worn on planes, trains, and buses to protect people from the pandemic.

Less than a week after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention extended the mandate, a judge appointed by former president Donald Trump, Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, ruled the health agency had overstepped its legal authority by imposing the order that has been in place since February last year.

Put it on or leave it off? Passengers at the departure lounge of Miami International Airport in Florida. Credit:Bloomberg

The move is a blow to the Biden administration, which appeared to be caught off-guard by the ruling and is now reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps.
~A Black-capped Petrel nesting area on Dominica would be the second known island breeding site in the world.~



Roseau, Dominica:--- Researchers have confirmed a sighting of an Endangered Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata), known locally as the Diablotin bird, in-flight over Dominica earlier this year. Working with Dominicas Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division, the researchers used thermal binocular technology to record a video of the bird flying through the night near a suspected nesting area. If nesting is confirmed, Dominica would be the second known nesting island for Black-capped Petrel in the world. (Currently, nesting is only known to occur on Hispaniola, the island comprising Haiti and the Dominican Republic.)



The Black-capped Petrel may not be one of Dominicas most famous birds but it is one of the most mysterious. Once abundant in the Caribbean, this rare seabird was extirpated in the late 1800s due to overhunting, modification of its nesting habitat through deforestation, and the introduction of mammalian species that prey on young birds and eggs. With an estimate of fewer than 5,000 birds remaining, it is one of the most endangered seabirds in the Caribbean and globally. On Hispaniola, just over 100 nests have been found by conservationists.

On Dominica, the Diablotin bird is an integral part of the local culture: mountains where it once nested still bear its name (Morne Diablotin, Morne aux Diables), and traditional songs and poems mention it. The last Black-capped Petrel known to be nesting on the island was found in 1862, though historical evidence suggests that the species persisted until the 1930s. Numerous searches to find evidence of nesting of this species on Dominica during the second half of the 20th century were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, in recent years, occasional findings of adult and juvenile birds on the ground in coastal or inland villages on Dominica raised hope that the species might still be nesting on the island. However, as local Black-capped Petrel expert Stephen Durand explains, The Diablotin is nocturnal and flies to and from its nest only at night, making it very difficult to observe. It also nests underground, in crevasses or burrows, on steep mountain slopes covered by thick vegetationthis adds to the difficulty of finding its nesting areas.

In January 2022, Durand and Eugene Felix, of Dominicas Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization & Kalinago Upliftment, hosted a team of petrel researchers led by Yvan Satge, a Research Associate at the South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Gerard Millischer, of Parc National du Mercantour in France. Using the best available thermal binocular technology  designed to detect, observe, and recognize objects that emit heat  Satge and Millischer were able to record the video of the Black-capped Petrel in flight. Satge, a core member of the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group (IBPCG) and a board member of Caribbean non-profit Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), states, This is a very important and exciting observation: this sighting not only confirms that Black-capped Petrels are present on Dominica but it also points us directly to the area where they might be nesting. It takes time to find a petrel colony but all the efforts pursued by Stephen Durand and the Forestry Division are paying off. This observation really boosts our hopes of finding the Petrels nesting areas soon.

In 2015 and 2020, EPIC conducted radar surveys on Dominica, showing that petrels were active on the island. These surveys were instrumental in locating Black-capped Petrel flyways and were used to estimate the size of the population (possibly in the 100s of birds), but radar technology could not be used to locate nesting areas. The thermal technology used by Satge and Millischer was not able to confirm the size of the population but provided details on the flight pattern of the individual near Trois Pitons. Millischer says, The petrel was between 700m and 1km away from us. Still, we were able to see it come out of the clouds that surrounded Morne Trois Pitons and fly towards the sea. Unfortunately, the thick layer of clouds prevented us from precisely seeing where it was coming from on the mountain but we are very confident that this petrel had just left its nest and was leaving for a foraging trip at sea.

Jennifer Wheeler, a core member of the IBPCG and lead author of the 2021 Black-capped Petrel Conservation Update and Action Plan, summarizes: Finding nesting sites of the Black-capped Petrel on Dominica would be a real game-changer for its conservation. We could finally take action to protect this charismatic species on Dominica, which offers some of the most pristine nesting habitats in the Caribbean. It would also be a stepping stone to possibly finding nesting areas on the neighboring island of Guadeloupe, where a small population could be persisting. The years ahead look very promising!

To support Durand and Felix, the IBPCG is already planning the next steps on Dominica, concentrating search efforts on the area that Satge and Millischer located on Morne Trois Pitons. Adam Brown, EPICs lead scientist, and Black-capped Petrel expert, states, We are confident we can find and protect the nesting areas of the Diablotin bird on Dominica. Weve never been that close: using all the tools available, all we need is one big push. This January 2022 expedition gave us the momentum to do just that.

This effort was supported by American Bird Conservancy, BirdsCaribbean, and Environmental Protection in the Caribbean.




Now that we have learned a bit more about Raines, this episode allowed us to dig a little deeper into the past of Cameron Vo. While many things about her are still a bit of a mystery, we are able to see a bit more about her character and loyalty to her friends, which we have already seen glimpses of so far with Raines.







Let us know what you thought about this episode in the comments below.





The episode opens with Vo checking out gyms and she is approached by a man. They hug and it is clear Vo knows him. She asks what he is doing in Europe. They decide to go get a drink and catch up.At the bar, we find out his name is Nick Thorpe and they are old friends from Westpoint and Quantico. He tells Vo he is there for business. He tells her that he left the Bureau and is in the private sector as a man comes into the bar and appears to be watching him. He tells Vo he needs her help but he needs to take care of something and he has to go but will reach out and when he leaves, the man follows him out. As Vo is paying the bill, she hears two gunshots, and runs outside. She finds the man who was following Nick lying dead on the ground.The team arrives and Vo tells them she was having a drink with her old friend, who is a former agent, when the victim followed him out and then she heard shots and came out. Kellett asks if Vo thinks her friend could be involved and she says she does not know. Forrester tells Vo not to speak to the police without him present, because the victim is Roland Torok, and he is a local gambling regulator.Back at the office Vo arrives and is greeted by Scott and Jamie who are meeting with Erin Padilla who is the local Legat in Budapest. She wants to speak to Vo and Forrester joins in on the meeting. They ask her what her relationship is to Nick Thorpe and she says they have known each other since they were kids and went to Westpoint together, and were in the same class at Quantico. Padilla asks if Thorpe knew Torok and Vo says she is not sure but that is the way it looked by their body language. They ask if there is any reason Nick would be mixed up with a gambling watchdog and Vo says that perhaps they crossed paths when he worked for the Vegas office of the FBI. Erin says there are no cameras there and asks Cameron to confirm she was the first person on scene, and she asks if she is being questioned as a person of interest. Padilla says that she was in the pub with the victim and Hungarian ambassadors are breathing down her neck and if she cannot clear things up with them, the Fly Team will have to find a new home in Europe, and Forrester says that will not be happening. Scott asks Cameron about Nick mentioning an overseas job and Erin asks who he is working for and Cameron says they never got that far in the conversation. Padilla asks if he said anything else significant, and Vo says Thorpe says he quit the Bureau which does not make sense because it lives in his DNA and Forrester tells her he did not quit, he was terminated 10 months ago. Vo asks for what and Padilla tells her he falsified information in order to get a search warrant, and so he lost his credibility and was fired. The Ambassador has asked Scott to put Vo on ice until this is settled, and he says no problem.Vo leaves the meeting and is clearly upset. Scott approaches her and asks if there is anything else he needs to know about Thorpe because now would be the time to tell him, and Vo tells him she gave him everything. Forrester tells her to type up a 302 accounting for every minute of her whereabouts and then to go home, but if she hears from Thorpe, to notify him immediately.Forrester and Kellett go to meet Katrin Jaeger and she introduces them to Akos Valko from the Hungarian Bureau of Investigations. He reviews with them what they know so far about Toroks death and the ballistics. He was shot in the temple with a 9mm and he had a ghost gun on him. Kellett asks about Toroks phone, but it was not on his body and she asks if they tried tracking it, but it is turned off. Valko says that his team will search Toroks apartment and Forrester asks for Raines to be there. Valko says that it is a Hungarian matter but Forrester points out that it involves one of their former agents, so he would like one of their agents there in case they need to track down any leads in the US, and Akos agrees.Vo arrives home and hears someone in her apartment. It is Thorpe, and he tells her he did not kill that man and he says she is the only person he can trust. Cameron says she is breaking a handful of international laws just speaking to him, and Nick says that a man he works for had Torok killed for skimming cash and he came to her to try to get on top of it and things went sideways. She asks who he works for and Nick tells her his name is Paul Kovacs. He tells Vo that after he left the Bureau, he took up a private security gig with Kovacs in Las Vegas. Vo says she heard about him and that he is a Hungarian American who inherited a casino in Budapest. Nick says she likely did not read the part about him being in bed with the Russians. Kovacs had a plan to build a luxury casino in Vegas and use his chain of low rank casinos in north Vegas as collateral. Kovacs ended up upside down for 450 million dollars, so he started a partnership with the Russians through an old family friend. They provided him with the money to finish the project if he agreed to launder their cash through his casino in Budapest, but once the new casino is built in Vegas, they will use it to clean cash from Eurasian organized crime networks that are expanding in the US. Vo asks Thorpe for his version of why he left the Bureau and he says they pulled him from an undercover operation when his CI changed their story. The Bureau accused him of falsifying information on an affidavit. Kellett arrives and Cameron tells Nick that she will not be arrested for obstruction of justice and so if he trusts her, he needs to also trust Kellett. Kellett is there to ask Vo some questions about Thorpes background and Vo lets her know he is there and he runs.Vo explains to Kellett that he was there when she got home and Jamie asks why he has a key to her apartment, and she tells her that he was in the Bureau for 6 years and he knows how to get into an apartment. Jamie tells Cameron that he just put her in a vice with the Hungarians, Bureau and State Department and Cameron says that he is wrapped up in some shady business at a casino in Budapest and he wants help. Jamie says she is betting he told her that he didnt kill Torok and wants immunity, but Cameron says she knows Nick and if he pulled the trigger he would be on another continent by now. Jamie explains to Cameron the circumstances of how Nick was fired from the Bureau and Nick calls. Vo says he is dragging her down with him and he says he never wanted that so she tells him he needs to speak to her team. He agrees to meet her team if he can have protection and immunity and tells them to meet in the control room at the abandoned power station.The team arrives and Scott frisks Thorpe. Vo introduces Jaeger who says she spoke to the Hungarian prosecutor who is willing to grant him immunity if he testifies to what he knows. Thorpe tells them that he told Kovacs that Torok was skimming cash from the casino, and he went to Vo because he had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Scott says that he put a bullseye on Torok, and Nick says that Torok made his own bed when he skimmed cash from the Russians. Vo asks how long he has known Torok was skimming cash and Nick says since Kovacs asked him to do the books and records when he moved there 6 months ago. Torok offered Thorpe a cut of the money to keep him mouth shut, and then he was killed by Kovacs muscle, Istvan Benko. Katrin asks if Benko saw Thorpe with Vo and he says he saw them and told Kovacs, so he told Kovacs she was a contact from back in his Vegas days, looking to clean some money. Vo asks how that is a solution, and Thorpe says he can now slide her in. Scott tells him he will go into FBI custody until they determine how to play this.Kellett says they will have to confirm Nicks story or the defense will tear him to shreds, but Vo says she will do it because he saved her life once and she owes him this. Raines asks how he saved her and she says she will tell him over a beer sometime. Raines has finished the analysis on the laptop and it looks like it was accessing an external harddrive frequently, perhaps to hide things he did not want on his work computer. Scott says he will have Lieutenant Valko do another sweep of the apartment to look for it. Raines asks Forrester about his take on Thorpe and he says he is very punchable. When he asks if he trusts him, Forrester says it doesnt matter, because Vo trusts him. This was such an adorable scene, because you can see how much both Raines and Forrester care about Vo and are protective of her, but also that they do trust her judgement.Thorpe fills Vo in on the details. He says Torok pocketed about six million and that Kovacs is paranoid and desperate to begin with. She asks what led him to find out Torok was stealing the money and he tells Vo that Kovacs knew his background in finance and asked him to set up the casino shell accounts under fictitious names. He tells Cameron that he knows she is pissed at him and he wants to know she believes him. She tells him she believes him, and then Jamie joins them. They work out a cover story and decide Vo will go in undercover and Raines will go posing as her security. Thorpe says he and Vo have it, but Forrester tells him no and that he is no longer part of the Bureau and he will do what he is told or they will hand him over to the Hungarians.Vo goes under cover at the casino and Thorpe introduces her to Benko and Kovacs. Vo asks about his casino that he is building in Vegas and makes a deal with Kovacs to launder seven million dollars. They agree to meet next day and work out the details of where.They arrive at the office the next day and Raines tells Vo she did good work, but she is disappointed because they still have zero on Benko to prove he is complicit. Scott asks to talk to Cameron, and says Thorpe is still involved in a homicide investigation and he is taking her word on trusting him, so he needs to know if they were ever involved, while at or before the Bureau. Vo says she does not date within the Bureau because it gets messy when it does not work out and they have never been involved at or before the Bureau. She says they are close friends and that is all and she would have told him if that was the case. Scott warns her that people can get blind spots for people they care about and the trick is not to let them send you over the edge. Forrester seems to be making sure that Vo possibly does not make some of the same mistakes he has made. This really shows how much he is developing as a leader for this team, and really wanting the younger agents to become the best team members they can be.Katrin comes in and says she needs to show them what Valkos team just found. They have video footage of Benko near the bar on the night of the murder. They gear up and decide to take a run at Benko after the bust.The rest of the team is in the van and Raines and Vo are in the truck waiting for Benko. Raines thinks something is up because Benko and Kovacs are late. Benko gets in the back of the truck and pulls a gun on them and tells them they are going to a different location for the drop. They are going to an old train depot, and the team worries that they will not be able to have proper communication. Raines and Vo enter the warehouse, and their wires go down. Kovacs team searches and disarms them, and Thorpe says it is okay. They show Kovacs the hidden compartment with the cash in it and set the deal. Kovacs says he has no service on his phone and he has to go outside to make the transfer while his team counts the money. Then Benko and the others pulled guns on Raines, Vo and Thorpe. Thorpe asks Benko when this was part of the plan and he says that Torok stole over six million from the casino so Kovacs is not going to make a deal for 50% when he can take 100%. Jamie sees Kovacs leaving in a white escalade and Thorpe, Vo and Raines disarm the other men and Vo and Thorpe run after Benko.The team stops Kovacs on the road, and Vo and Thorpe pursue Benko and shoot him  he pretends to be dead and then tries to come up behind them and Scott kills him with a sniper shot.Back at the office, Scott questions Thorpe about knowing Kovacs plan to try to kill them and steal the money and he says he swears he knew nothing about it. Scott warns Nick that Cameron really stuck her neck out on this for him and he says he knows. He tries to ask Nick about he and Vo dating and he says they never did, but it was not for a lack of trying on his part, and Scott says that is the first thing out of his mouth he believes. It is unclear if Scott asking about Nicks past with Cameron was a test to see if he could trust Vo or was it a test for Thorpe.Katrin tells them Lietenant Valko is a bit upset that Benko is dead, but they were able to match his gun to the bullet that killed Torok. They took a run at Kovacs but he will not speak until his attorney from Nevada arrives, and Katrin says they have plenty on him from the wire from his initial conversation with Vo. Nick and Scott join them, and they go over what was recovered from the sweep and they found two sets of books, burner phones and ghost guns and the missing hard drive. Raines is still working on the encryption for the files, but the drive has ledgers from the shell accounts on it. Kellett says the Hungarians are going to put Nick up in a safe house until the trial and then cut him loose with a new identity and a clean record. Nick says he wants to clean out his room at the hotel and he has some files for them that they can use for the prosecution, and Vo says she will take him.On the car ride over, Vo tells Thorpe how upset she is that he was in town for six months and did not try to reach out, and he says he was ashamed. He felt he let her down, and he says he never falsified any information. He says there will come a time in her career where she will have to make an impossible decision in order to do the right thing. Forrester calls and tells Vo she needs to bring Nick in asap, and Thorpe ditches her at the elevators. She tells Forrester that Thorpe is in the wind.Vo returns to the office and Raines says that he has encrypted the files and what Thorpe told them was not the whole truth. Torok was not the one embezzling from the Russians, Thorpe was. They both had access to the money but when the numbers were not lining up, Torok started doing a forensic analysis. Thorpe was diverting additional money to a shell account, and then running a Ponzi scheme. Raines thinks that Thorpe ratted out Torok before he could tell Kovacs about what he was doing and then checked out of his hotel and went to Vo to try to bring down the whole operation, but things went south. Vo says they cannot prove anything from a few files, but Raines says he has confirmed everything against the casino ledgers and also Thorpe has fled. Jamie also tells Vo that he worked in white collar crimes before he transferred to Vegas. A little over 6 million was in the shell account but it has all been transferred out, and Vo confirms that is the same amount Thorpe said Torok skimmed off the cash accounts. Cameron asks if the Hungarians know, and Forrester says as far as they are concerned they owe Nick a medal. They have searched all the flight and transportation records and are not finding Nick Thorpes name on any travel manifests yet. Scott says to put out a BOLO and then take off as they will be notified if he tries to leave the country.Vo is furious and Jamie finds her working out at Raines boxing gym. She asks her how she is holding up and she says she feels like a sucker. Kellett asks her if she has ever heard of the military term Left of Boom, and explains to her that the boom is when the guns go off, and the damage is done, and that you want to be left of boom to get ahead of it. She tells her you cannot make a case personal and miss the warning signs. This was a great scene where we can see Jamie also trying to impart her knowledge and experience to Vo to help her continue to grow and develop, which really shows how the Fly Team wants to mentor and improve the new members of the team.After Jamie leaves, Vo contacts Raines about names used to set up foreign accounts. They find a plane ticket under one of the alias names he used to create the shell accounts. Raines finds a ticket to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the US. Vo approaches and Nick at the airport bar, and tells him they know what is on the hard drive and that he stole the money. He says she could let him go and she says that unfortunately sometimes they have to do impossible things to do the right thing. Then she arrests him. Forrester says Nick created the whole house of cards based on Vo believing him, and Jamie asks if he thinks she will ever forgive him. Scott tells Jamie the most painful betrayals never come from your enemies, they come from the ones you trust the most. Clearly this seems to be eluding to things that have happened to Scott in the past, and perhaps what has happened with his mother. It certainly speaks to Forresters experience in balancing work and relationships and how to remain impartial, and shows what he hopes to mentor and develop for his team moving forward.
is exactly what youd expect a film where Nicolas Cage plays himself to be about. Its a comedy that calls back to Shane Blacks, a glorious romp throughout the history of Cages filmography whilst also offering up something new and inventive; as the actor is hired by a wealthy reclusive billionaire to be the guest of honour at his birthday party. Cage  experiencing troubles landing his next gig and gatecrashing his daughters birthday party  jumps at the opportunity to do so  but quickly finds himself in way over his head.This is a movie that references everything fromto the film touches on what Cage means as an actor to many people and how even his weaker films show that hes still very much a Hollywood star who hasnt been away  with last years, hes very much still a force to be reckoned with. Here Cages self-aware self-decrepitation is charming  hes at his lowest point in his life, racking up multiple hotel bills and needs a win. Hes constantly haunted by the ghost of Cage from an era where he was on top of the world  and its a movie where you see him at his best too  striking up an unlikely friendship with Javi, played by the wonderful Pedro Pascal  a superfan who brings a sense of effortless comedic charm to the role. The chemistry between Cage and Pascal carries the movie even in its weaker parts  the duo are never dull together even if there is a sense of hidden danger lurking behind Pascals Javi  that the CIA are aware of, and end up recruiting Cage to spy on his friend. Can actor-turned-superspy pull off the job of a lifetime?Tom Gormicans meta comedy feels aimed at a broader audience and doesnt quite go as deep as it could have done  which is a real shame given Cage isnt afraid to take potshots at the current state of Hollywood and offer tongue in cheek criticisms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The depth isnt quite there to sustainthrough its emotion-driven action set-pieces but then it isnt trying to be anything but a light-hearted comedy - go too far in the other direction and you risk losing that. Much of the emotion is carried by Pascal here  his expressions bring a whole world of personality to Javis character and you buy the adoration that he has for Cage. The comedy itself isnt afraid to be clever without being too clever  theres never a sense that the movie thinks its above its audience. Whilst those familiar with Cages filmography will find themselves at homecan feel watchable to anyone who isnt as familiar withorDebuting at the right time as counter-programming tofeels like a breath of fresh air. Not bogged down by the need for sequels or to be a part of a wider cinematic universe  the film flies by like a charm. Much of the strength in that is due to the chemistry between Cage and Pascal  at one point  their bond over Javis favourite films is a sheer delight  and the performances of the excellent supporting cast. Tiffany Haddish is ace as Vivian, a CIA agent  Neil Patrick Harris as Cages agent could easily be reprising his role from buts Sharon Horgan excels as Cages wife, a makeup artist. The chemistry is there and its a joy to watch the back and forth between two brilliant stars that make you think Cage has always been in on the joke. Thats why this movie works as well as it does  Cage lends into the role superbly and you absolutely buy his over-the-top caricature. Never before has an unbearable weight felt so easy to watch.
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Connecticut and neighboring Westchester County, N.Y. have become popular locations for shows and movies to film their iconic scenes. With more demand for new streamable content than ever before and large financial incentives, officials are working to make the areas as film-friendly as possible.

The Connecticut Office of Film Television and Digital Media aims to engage with every aspect of a productions needs, including helping them find film locations, being a liaison with permitting authorities to film in a state park, street or highway and finding crew to staff the production. The office also offers tax incentives to productions, based on qualified eligible spending. Around $890 million in tax incentives has been earned in the state, according to Director of Connecticuts Office of Film, TV & Digital Media George Norfleet.

The Westchester County Film Office serves a similar function to its Connecticut counterpart, offering hands-on support with location ideas, technical site visits and facilitation of the permit process, according to the Westchester County Tourism & Film's website. New York State also offers tax incentives for film productions, Director of Westchester County Tourism & Film Natasha Caputo said.

Norfleet said filming has a large economic impact on Connecticut, citing that companies like NBC Sports, ESPN and WWE employ thousands of people as well as film companies renting vehicles, equipment and hotel rooms. Around $3.1 billion has been spent in the Connecticut economy due to the film industry, Norfleet said.

The economic impact is significant, and thats the reason why we have those tax incentives to encourage folks to come to the state, spend money and hire folks, Norfleet said.

Filming is also a significant revenue generator for Westchester, having an economic impact of around $45.7M, according to the countys film office. Because of the benefits filming brings to the county, Westchester County Executive George Latimer has made it a priority to facilitate production and instructed the film office to reach out to members of the industry, according to Caputo.

"When a film, television show, or commercial production shoots on location, that boosts our local economy, she said.

There has been a large increase in demand for new content for streaming services due to more people staying home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Norfleet. Several new movies filmed in Connecticut are set to premiere on streaming services this year including "Mr. Harrigans Phone," "The Junkyard Dogs," and "The Good Nurse."

I think that [the pandemic] had a ripple effect throughout the industry in terms of folks needing to produce content to serve the platforms like Netflix, Disney + etc. that people are utilizing, Norfleet said.

Connecticut has gained the reputation of being the home of the Christmas movie, Norfleet added. In March of this year, the Hallmark movie "Ghost of Christmas Always" was filmed in Hartford and West Hartford. In the past movies like, "The Family Stone," "The Noel Diary," "Soul Santa" and "A Very Nutty Christmas," have found filming locations in the Nutmeg state.

We have probably shot more Christmas movies in the state of Connecticut than any place else, so were kind of proud of that, Norfleet said.

Norfleet added that around two or three large productions are in the early stages of scouting for locations in Connecticut to determine if they want to film in the state.

Neighboring Westchester County was experiencing a film boom before the pandemic and was the biggest county in New York for film production outside of New York City, according to Caputo. Caputo said what might feel like an increase in filming is actually the county returning to its pre-pandemic production levels. Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, FBI: Most Wanted, Only Murders in the Building and Power Book II: Ghost were filmed in the county earlier this year within a few weeks of each other.

Lionsgate Films, known for producing movie series like Saw, The Hunger Games and Rambo, opening a location in Yonkers, N.Y. in January of this year, has contributed to making Westchester a premier destination for filming, Caputo stated. And the spring season is also a popular time for filming because the warmer weather and increased sunlight during the day give companies more time to shoot scenes, according to Norfleet.

Both Connecticut and Westchester also offer a diverse set of landscapes that make them ideal areas for filming.

What keeps productions coming back is our hands-on support and the variety of looks we offer  from small-town scenes and rural landscapes to urban and industrial settings, beautiful parks and beaches, hotels and historic destinations, Caputo said of Westchester County in February.
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GUILFORD  Walmart announced Tuesday the retail chain will close its Shoreline Plaza location at 900 Boston Post Road next month.

A regional spokeswoman for Arkansas-based Walmart said the store will closed on May 20. All of the 98 Walmart employees who work in the Guilford store will be eligible for transfer to other stores, the company said.

Even with the Guilford store closing, Walmart still employs hundreds of people in six Walmart stores in the immediate area. The closest locations to Guilford are in Branford, Old Saybrook and New Haven.

There are 33 Walmart stores and one Sams Club warehouse club location in Connecticut. Walmart owns Sams Club, which is named after Walmart founder Sam Walton.

Prior to Tuesdays announcement, the most recent Connecticut Walmart closing occurred in Derby in July 2016. Sams Club closed stores in Orange and Manchester in January 2018.

Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey said he first heard of the Walmart closing from State Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford.

Obviously, were disappointed, Hoey said. The Walmart was an asset to the entire community  the place to conveniently shop, affordably shop for a variety of things that may not necessarily be available in elsewhere in town. Im in there at least once a week myself so Ill have to revise some of my shopping habits.

He said the next step for town officials is to meet with the management of Shoreline Plaza about options to fill the vacant space in the shopping center. Brooks Properties of Branford is listed in town records as the landlord for Shoreline Plaza.

Walmarts departure from Shoreline Plaza will leave 84,100 square feet of space to fill. The store opened in October 2002, according to Walmart officials.

Hopefully, well wind up with another retailer in there at some point, Hoey said. Well be happy to work with the management company to find a suitable tenant or replacement tenant.

A variety of factors could have prompted Walmarts decision, according to David Cadden, a professor emeritus at Quinnipiac University's School of Business.

Even with an increase in the minimum wage, they might be finding it difficult to get people to work there, he said.

The size of the Guilford Walmart could also have had an impact on the comopanys decision to close the store, Cadden said. The size of the Guilford location is less than half of the size of the average Walmart, which is 180,000 square feet, he said.

Shoreline communities between New Haven and the Connecticut River have a dearth of discount retailers. Neither Target, Costco nor BJs Warehouse Club has any stores in that part of the state. The dearth of discounters in those well-heeled Shoreline communities may be a reflection of the areas demographics, Cadden said.

The perception for those stores, particularly Walmart, is that they are for the lower middle class or for the working class, he said.

On the other side of the price spectrum, Whole Foods also does not have any locations in those towns  pehaps because of the relatively low density of the population.

The decision to close the Guilford store could be a recognition by Walmart officials that their initial market analysis regarding how many of its stores the shoreline can support may no longer hold true, according to Cadden.

Because of the level of success they have achieved as a company, it may have been difficult for them to admit they had made a mistake, he said.

Sue Braden Hull contributed to this story.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
A long-standing stalwart in the New Haven food community, the row of food trucks darting Long Wharf Drive, affectionally known as "Food Truck Paradise," is just as iconic as apizza and original cheeseburgers.

Any day of the week, patrons can find a number of culinary options ranging from tostadas and cocteles de camarones to tikka masala and hot dogs.
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

TRUMBULL  A Bridgeport man has been accused of taking inappropriate pictures of a young child while at the Westfield Trumbull mall.

According to police reports, on April 15, Kenneth Soto, 55, of Bridgeport, was taken into custody after a concerned citizen reportedly saw Soto using his phone to take inappropriate photographs of the unsuspecting juvenile as he sat at a table in the food court across from her.
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TORRINGTON  Donna Bonaseras name is well-known in the dance school community. When she was struck down by a debilitating stroke in December, the community responded with love and support.

Bonasera, a professional dancer, founded and directed Connecticut Dance Theatre in Watertown in 1989. The schools mission as a nonprofit was to provide quality training in dance and other related art-forms.

She taught students of all ages, from toddlers to seniors, and staged numerous performances including the well-attended Nutcracker during the holiday season. The school offered appreciation classes in classical ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop. Because of her limitations after the stroke, Bonasera made the difficult decision to close the dance school  for now, anyway.

Over the history of Connecticut Dance Theatre, Bonaseras students have gone on to professional careers with prestigious ballet companies, become featured performers on Broadway and arts executives worldwide, according to her niece, Angela Sieller.

Sieller is now holding a virtual fundraising walk for Bonasera to help raise money for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The Tutu Trot, which encourages people to walk their own 5K route for $25 and post photos of themselves while they walk, is scheduled for May 14.

This way, you can do it at your own pace, Sieller said. Ill be starting from the Farmington Trail in Burlington, but people can walk anywhere they want.

The stroke

Sieller was on the phone with Bonasera on Dec. 3 when Bonasera began complaining that she felt dizzy and couldnt see straight, she said.

I told her to get a drink of water, and the next thing, her speech started slurring, Seiller said. I panicked and called 911. We rushed her to the hospital, and it turned out she had a brain bleed and a stroke.

Sieller, a Torrington native who now lives in Burlington with her husband and children, said Bonasera had no movement on her left side for about a week after the stroke. When she returned home, she was able to move, but with tremendous weakness in her lower body.

Shes having trouble with her hands right now, Sieller said. She had a setback last week; she fell, but shes doing much better. Shell start physical therapy this week, for her arms and hands.

Meanwhile, her hospital care and medical bills are mounting.

All of this has been hard, Sieller said. As amazing as Donna is in the dance world, the nonprofit world can be challenging. She cant go to work so she closed her studio, and she isnt medically cleared to teach, so she cant do that either. She has no source of income coming in at this point.

Bonasera has applied for disability, and is awaiting approval, Seiller said. Health insurance is limited, and while Medicaid helped with the bills from Waterbury Hospital, where she was treated, Bonasera still owes thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs, her niece said.

Help Hope Live

Sieller chose Help Hope Live, which specializes in medical care fundraisers in particular, to help raise money for the bills. As soon as Bonaseras fundraising page was online, the donations started coming in, Seiller said. As of Friday, the fundraiser had collected $4,000 in donations.

Bonasera had a hard time accepting the idea at first, Sieller said.

She fought me on this for a while, because shes so proud, she said. But she has students all over the world, and when the word got out, people wanted to help... I said she has to let them help her.

Seiller said she was nervous when the fundraiser went live April 8, but within an hour, there were more than $500 in donations coming in.

Within 24 hours, she had more than $2,500 raised, Seiller said. Shes had multiple shares of the link on other peoples pages, from her students.

Sieller chose Help Hope Live because of the work it does.

This is all they do; help families with a medical crisis that needs help with medical bills, she said. And if theres any money left after her bills are paid, theyll put it into a fund in case she needs it.

Emily Progin, public relations and communications coordinator for the Pennsylvania-based fundraising company, said they are often contacted by clients like Donna Bonasera.

Our main purpose is to provide fundraising campaigns to protect a persons eligibility for benefits, if there are any available, Progin said. We directly pay her medical bills using the money thats been raised, for copays, medications, physical therapy. Insurance rarely pays for a vehicle or home modification, so we can use the money for that. She can keep fundraising with us for a lifetime if thats needed.

Progin said she is hopeful Bonasera will recover from the stroke.

We have seen some really strong recovery journeys for people living with strokes, she said. Maybe she can get back some of what shes lost.

A close family

Sieller is determined to help her aunt any way she can.

Shes one of my best friends  shes like a sister to me, she said. I worry for my mother (Bonaseras sister) Linda Dimauro, because shes one of Donnas primary caregivers, and she also has my 95-year-old grandmother. So its been a bit of a roller-coaster.

My mothers a miracle worker, but she just retired; and shes spent the whole time taking care of her mother and Donna, she said.

Sieller is very hopeful for Bonaseras recovery, however.

Donnas one of the strongest women I know, and shes proving that now; shes come so far in just a few months, she said. But its heart-wrenching, because shes still got a long way to go.

Seiller said she keeps telling Bonasera that she still has to get one more season of The Nutracker in.

My step-daughter was in it, and I want to have one more with my stepdaughter and my son dancing in it, she said. Hell be 5 in May, and my daughter will be 13 at the end of June.

Bonasera is recovering and was unavailable to comment directly for this story.

Donations for Donna Bonasera can be made at https://rb.gy/qnqmtr. Checks can be mailed to Help Hope Live, 2 Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 100, 100 Matsonford Road, Radnor, PA 19087, with In Honor of Donna Bonasera in the memo. Registration information for the Tutu Trot can be found at https://rb.gy/pvsjk7
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Minority neighborhoods where residents were long denied home loans have twice as many oil and gas wells as mostly white neighborhoods, according to a new study that suggests ongoing health risks in vulnerable communities are at least partly tied to historical structural racism.

Black and Latino residents have complained that they are disproportionately exposed to health risks  including heart and lung problems and premature births  from urban oil and gas wells, some located just a few dozen feet from homes and schools. Some studies have found hazardous chemicals near oil and gas operations at levels above what is considered safe.

But researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University wanted to determine if there was a connection to redlining  when Black and immigrant neighborhoods in the 1930s were shaded red on maps developed by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Residents in those areas often found it difficult to find homes anywhere else.

These are critical questions, said David J. X. Gonzalez, an epidemiologist at UC-Berkeley and one of the study's authors. If we want to reduce health disparities, if we want environmental justice, these are the kinds of questions that we want to understand.

Researchers compared the maps of 33 U.S. cities to records of oil and gas wells dating to the late 1800s. The maps graded neighborhoods A to D. Overall, redlined, or D-graded, neighborhoods not only had more wells before the maps were created, but many more wells were developed in those areas afterward, the researchers found.

The study was published last week in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.

Gonzalez, who grew up in a community with oil wells and a refinery, said many policies led to race- and class-based segregation, not only redlining. The findings don't prove that wells were intentionally located in neighborhoods because residents were Black or Latino, and there also are wells in wealthier areas.

Even so, the higher concentration in minority areas doesnt seem to have happened by accident, said Gonzalez.

In Los Angeles, Black and Latino residents often were forced to live in neighborhoods with oil wells because of racially restrictive covenants, said Martha Dina Arguello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Even more drilling got pushed into Black and Latino neighborhoods when housing developers wanted land in more affluent areas, she said.

The study is one more piece of evidence that really bears out what the community has been saying: that having oil wells in our communities is treating us like a sacrifice zone, she said.

Recently, some states and communities have started restricting new wells by limiting how close they can be to homes and schools.

Last fall, supervisors in Los Angeles County  home to some of the largest urban oilfields in the U.S.  voted unanimously to phase out oil and gas production and ban new wells in unincorporated areas following longstanding complaints from residents about health problems blamed on air pollution from the sites. The Los Angeles City Council voted in January to do the same, and Arguello said advocates are pushing for the state to take similar action in other urban areas.

Colorado last year required new wells to be located at least 2,000 feet from homes and schools. California has proposed a distance of 3,200 feet.

In Arlington, Texas, city officials in January refused to let a major energy company locate more gas wells near a daycare center playground. A statistical analysis by The Associated Press showed the density of Total Energies wells is higher in neighborhoods where people of color live, and wells are often just a few hundred feet from homes.

Longxiang Li, a postdoctoral research fellow in environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study, said it showed a moderately strong connection between redlining and well location, and strengthens evidence that disadvantaged communities have fewer legal resources to defend themselves against drilling expansion. But he cautioned that historic redlining maps are not perfect indicators of past structural racism.

That is because discriminatory practices by private lenders and the Federal Housing Administration did not rely on the HOLC maps, and the HOLC itself did lend to Black homeowners in redlined areas, according to a recent paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Li also noted that many newer wells that use a technique called hydraulic fracturing are often clustered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas because land leasing is inexpensive. Fracking uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to released trapped oil and gas and is combined with horizontal drilling to reach formerly inaccessible reserves.

A report by Physicians for Social Responsibility and Concerned Health Professionals of New York, which reviewed dozens of scientific studies, found that the public health risks associated with these sites include cancers, respiratory diseases, rashes, heart problems and mental health disorders.

Even older plugged wells may pose risks because they can leak benzene and other volatile organic compounds, as well as methane, a potent greenhouse gas, Gonzalez said.

I think we've known for a long time that people of color are more likely to live near oil wells," Gonzalez said, It's important... so we can make sure that as we shift the economy away from fossil fuels, that we prioritize communities" that have borne the brunt of pollution.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during this week's big meetings of global economic leaders in Washington  but she'll be trying to avoid most contact with Russian officials who plan to attend some portions of the event virtually.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine  and how world powers should manage the spillover effects on economies, including food insecurity  will take center stage at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

On Tuesday, Yellen will convene a panel of finance ministers, the international development banks and other institutions to talk about how they will use resources to address food insecurity.

This year's meetings run through Friday, and include a mix of virtual and in-person events.

Russian finance officials are expected to attend several events virtually, according to a senior Treasury official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview plans for the meetings.

Yellen will participate if a Russian minister is there for a session or two, but will not attend every session, the official said, adding that the presence of Russian officials should not stop the work the U.S. needs to do with members of the Group of 20  the world's largest economies.

There are some sessions the secretary will attend  including the opening, which the Ukrainian finance minister also will attend. However, she wont be participating in a number of the G20 sessions if the Russians are participants.

President Joe Biden has said Russia should be removed from the G20.

Yellen is expected to use this weeks meetings to work with allies on efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia while mitigating spillover effects, to call for the implementation of a global minimum tax deal and to address food security issues.

In addition, Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control this week is expected to issue clarifying language to make clear that trade in agricultural products is not barred under existing sanctions, in response to the food security crisis that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused.

Roughly 155 million people in 55 countries faced acute hunger in 2020, an increase of 20 million people from the year before, according to the World Food Program.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo is also set to meet with Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko this week.

During a discussion Monday at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Adeyemo reiterated the U.S. position that China has a chance to pressure Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine and would thereby avoid subjecting itself to secondary sanctions.

China has in the past, and we expect them to continue to follow, the sanctions regimes that have been introduced by us and the coalition" of sanctioning countries, Adeyemo said.

China's business with the rest of the world is greater than its business with Russia.

The U.S. and its allies have used sanctions to weaponize the global economy against Russia over its war in Ukraine. There arent any countries yet subverting the sanctions, but there are fears among the allies that China, which has criticized the Western effort, could do so, Yellen said in a speech at the Atlantic Council last week.

Also of concern is India, which has taken a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and recently made a major purchase of Russian oil, a source of tension as the U.S.. tries to cut off Moscows energy income.

___

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
While poverty worsened in the United States between 2000 and 2010, it proliferated in Luzerne County, and recovery here has been much slower than in other counties, a review of 20 years of data show.

Between 2000 and 2010, the overall poverty rate in the county climbed from 9.4% to 15.9%  6 percentage points, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates.

The increase was significantly higher than the average increases nationally, from 11.3% to 15.3%, and statewide, from 9.5% to 13.4%.

Data on impoverished children in the county during that decade were even more stark. While childhood poverty increased less than six percentage points in Pennsylvania and nationally, the countys rate more than doubled, climbing from 13.1% to 26.6% between 2000 and 2010.

In the 10 years that followed, the national poverty rate fell to 11.9%  less than one percentage point higher than it was in 2000. Pennsylvania fared similarly well, with the statewide rate dropping to 10.9%. But, in Luzerne County, it dropped less than one percentage point, to 15.1%. It had dropped below 14% in 2017, but then spiked back up.

And, the percentage of impoverished children in Luzerne County didnt change much since 2010, either, considering its significant increase during the prior decade. The countys childhood poverty rate fell less than three points to 23.7% between 2010 and 2020, while the national and statewide rates dropped five to six points, to 14.3% and 15.7%, respectively.

Luzerne County went from having the 38th-highest overall poverty rate of Pennsylvanias 67 counties in 2000 to having the fourth-highest in 2020.

As for childhood poverty, Luzerne County ranked 35th worst in the state in 2000; by 2020, it had become third-worst. The countys childhood poverty rate had a net increase of 10.8 percentage points between 2000 and 2020  higher than any other county in Pennsylvania.

Why the spike?

Andrew Chew, director of research at the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development in Wilkes-Barre, believes the reason for the sharp spike in poverty in the county is twofold.

First is the financial crisis/economic downturn around 2008-2010. I believe we have done some research showing that the national recession hit Northeastern Pennsylvania harder than average, Chew said in an emailed response to questions on the data. That would explain why the spike in poverty at that time would have been more pronounced in Luzerne County.

Another reason is demographic changes from 2000 to 2010. Those years saw significant demographic shifts and migration into Luzerne County, Chew said.

For example, that was the decade in which the City of Hazleton went from less than 5% Hispanic/Latino to 37%. If people migrating into the region had lower incomes on average than those moving out, that would be another factor for why the poverty rate rose disproportionately, Chew said.

The fact that the poverty rate has remained stubbornly high is a testament to the complexity of the problem, he added. Poverty is often intergenerational and has systemic causes, so it can take time to move the needle.

Fighting poverty

The United Way of Wyoming Valley is one organization committed to moving that needle, said Bill Jones, agency president and CEO.

I came on board with the United Way in 2012. When we looked at the data from the 2000 census to the 2010 census, it was really alarming, Jones said. Theres no question, its still alarming.

In 2012, agency officials developed a strategic plan and changed the funding model to target the problem of childhood poverty. Up until Jones tenure, the agency had spread donor dollars for member organizations to use over a wide variety of categories, from assisting the elderly to improving recreational opportunities.

We changed our model so we could use our resources to help kids do better in school, Jones said. Education is the best pathway out of poverty.

Jones said the agency has four areas of focus  grade-level reading proficiency, school attendance, summer learning and removing impediments to academic achievement.

Weve developed about a dozen initiatives over the past seven years, and a lot of them are delivered through our partnerships with the school districts, starting with the lowest-income districts first. As our resources allow, we want to continue to partner with more schools. We know all of this is long-term, but its working to improve the odds of their success, Jones said.

One of the agencys first initiatives was beginning a partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library  a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school  several years ago.

Currently, the agency is collecting used and new childrens books for Tag In for Summer Learning. About 400 children in kindergarten through fourth grade are signed up for a book fair during which they can choose six free books for summer reading.

Its a reading challenge, a way to give children reading opportunities through the summer months that spurs their imagination and interest, said Jennifer Deemer, vice president of community impact with the United Way of Wyoming Valley.

Children who read all six books get to attend an ice cream party at their school in the fall.

It continues to strengthen their literacy skills that are so important at that age, Deemer said.

Jones said young children who dont continue reading through the summer often lose some of the progress they made in the previous school year.

Donating supplies

The United Way also helped open nurses pantries in 22 schools in the county, so far. Theyre stocked with health and hygiene items, lice kits and clothing, Jones said.

Lots of kids miss school for a lot of things other than being sick, like not having clean clothes to wear, Jones said.

Hanover Area schools combine the nurses pantries with the Loads of Love program, which provides clothes to children that they can return in a few days to the school to be laundered, swapping them out for clean clothes, Superintendent Nathan Barrett said.

Between the literacy program with the United Way and other programs the agency started, weve been able to reach out to families in ways that in the past we had not, Barrett said.

See to Succeed, another United Way program that brings optometrists to schools to perform eye exams and free eyeglasses to children who need them, is another godsend that helps children who might not otherwise succeed academically, Barrett said.

Having the glasses they need, the books they need, the supplies they need will enable them to do better in school. It builds a foundation in later years to graduate on time. Reading proficiently and graduating on time will lead to better jobs and better lives, so they can pull themselves out of poverty and then help the next generation to come out of poverty, Jones said.

Elevate the quality of life

Jones noted that poverty is measured by a household income threshold established by the federal government. Our work is really long-term work, its not changing family income, he said.

Thats where the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce comes in.

Our mission is to elevate the quality of life through economic development and help businesses that pay family-sustaining wages, said Lindsay Griffin, chamber president and CEO.

In addition to working to entice good-paying employers to the area, the agency has programs to help area residents get better jobs and advance in their careers as well.

Project Pivot, for example, is a grant program designed to get people the training and education they need to change their career tracks to high-demand jobs, Griffin said.

The chamber also is working with school districts to implement some resource programs in schools as well.

And while the availability of good-paying jobs is important to raising people out of poverty, education is just as important in the long run, Jones said.

Economic issues will take some time, but well recover, Jones said. Its the education issues that can impact a child for years to come.


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The General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) informs that on Monday, during the 24 hour interval, nationwide, 76,939 persons entered Romania through border crossing points, including 6,602 Ukrainian citizens (going down by 2.1% from the previous day).

3,733 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania through the border with Ukraine (going up by 1%) and 976 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania through the border with the Republic of Moldova (going down by 26%), according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.Since the start of this crisis, until April 18, nationwide, 743,951 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania.
The Cluj Christian Orthodox Archbishopric of Cluj is offering spiritual assistance to Ukraine refugees, the opportunity to confess and communion, as well as church services in Ukrainian, the archbishopric reported in a press statement on Tuesday.

The church services in Ukrainian will take place on Wednesday and Saturday.Responsible for spiritual assistance is Father Mihai Bodnariuc, a Ukrainian-speaking priest."We will not stop praying for the restoration of peace, for the protection and health of those in conflict, and also for the rest of the souls and for the comfort of the families who have lost their loved ones in this war," the statement says.
The projects on the transport infrastructure contained in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) are very well written and coherent, but Romania needs to keep them up, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean told a specialty conference on Tuesday.

"We have now, at the start of the financing period, very large sums available to Romania: 9.7 billion euro through the PNRR, dedicated to transport, of which approximately 4 billion euro on rail, 3.5 billion euro on road, 600 million euro for the subway, around 180 million euro for green buses. We then have the European financial instrument called Connect Europe Facility with 763 million euro guaranteed until 2024, plus other additional financial lines where money can be drawn from through competition. We also have the cohesion funds, of 1.5-2 billion euro only for transport. So, in total, approximately 12 billion euro are available for transport, double compared to the previous financing period, 2014-2020. The allotments for rail infrastructure are unprecedented, approximately 5 billion euro," Valean emphasized.The European official added that the main threat that can stand in the way of implementing the investment plan in transport remains the low administrative capacity both in state institutions, as well as in the companies that should submit projects.When asked if a renegotiation of the PNRR is possible, Adina Valea said that with "a long-term plan, it's important to keep it up, because otherwise, if you change it, you're practically losing financing and opportunities."The map of large infrastructure investments in 2022 and the projection on the medium and long-term in the domain of transport are among the topics debated, on Tuesday, during the online conference titled "Upgrade Romania: Is there need for a national pact on transport?"
On Tuesday, Save Romania Union (USR) MP Stelian Ion asked Interior Minister Lucian Bode for explanations regarding the case of journalist Emilia Sercan, who has claimed to be the object of a character assassination to which state bodies "made a major contribution."

Bode participated in a Government Question Time on Tuesday as part of a plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies, according to agerpres.ro.

"The report of the United States Department of State is very clear about the impunity of some police officers for some very serious acts they have committed. These are abominable abuses, beatings, inhuman and degrading treatment. Minister, does this matter matches your willingness to come before Parliament and to answer? It is also very important that you give us answers today regarding the case of journalist Emilia Sercan who was subjected to character assassination to which state bodies, including your ministry, unfortunately had a major contribution. You have not gone out in public so far to give some explanations, you have not gone out in public to accuse this character assassination, you have not gone out quick enough and ordered an investigation that will have a finality," said Ion.

He urged Bode to allow the Judicial Police to operate under the authority of the prosecutor's offices, so that there would be no more cases of "leakage of information" from criminal cases to the public.

"This double subordination of the police, on the one hand, to the person leading and supervising the investigation, that is to the prosecutors, then to the chief of police for administrative matters then to the interior minister has not brought anything good in the last decades. For more than 15 years, the prosecutors have been asking you to contribute, to accept such a transfer. Not a full one, not all at once. We had a proposal - first for the secondment of the judicial police and then for subordination to the prosecutor's offices. You did not agree," said Ion, a former justice minister.

Ion also reproached Bode of failing to issue application rules for the protection of victims with electronic bracelets.
Elena Udrea will be brought to Romania after the decision of a Bulgarian court regarding her extradition remains final, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lucian Bode, declared on Tuesday.

"The procedure is a well-known, international one. As soon as this decision remains final, it can be appealed within five days. The international police cooperation center will initiate international proceedings in such cases and will bring Ms. Udrea to the country. How this will happen, the police will decide. Given the very short distance between Sofia and Bucharest, we are talking about the possibility of her being transferred to Romania by land," Bode said at the Parliament Palace.

According to the minister, the procedures are very clear and the duration will be communicated by the Police, in collaboration with the Bulgarian side.

Elena Udrea can be extradited to Romania, a court in Sofia decided on Tuesday. The court accepted the request of the Romanian authorities who demanded that Elena Udrea be extradited to Romania in order to serve her six-year prison sentence in the case related to the organization of the Bute Gala. The decision can be appealed by Udrea in five days.
President Klaus Iohannis is taking part in a video-conference on Tuesday, following the invitation of the president of the United States, Joe Biden, to consult with a series of international leaders, of the EU and NATO institutions, the topic being regional security.

According to the Presidential Administration, these consultations will kick off at 16:45.Such small format consultations with allied leaders and EU also took place on February 11, 18 and 28
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Tuesday that overcoming the difficult context our country is going through requires two key elements: trust in Romania's economy and cooperation between the private sector and the Romanian state.

"My presence alongside the most important foreign investors in Romania is practically the reconfirmation of the Romanian Government's openness to foreign investors. In order to overcome, as I said, the difficult context we are going through, we need two key elements: trust in the Romanian economy and the cooperation between the private milieu and the Romanian state. Here are two very important issues. Together we relaunch and develop Romania, together we invest and build," Nicolae Ciuca told the Investment Forum, organized by the Foreign Investors Council in partnership with the Government.

He highlighted the increase in foreign investment by 10% compared to the same period last year, exceeding the figure of 900 million euros, according to agerpres.ro.

The prime minister also pointed out that confidence in Romania's economy is based on the unprecedented volume of national and European funds that will be invested in all strategic areas: industry, agriculture, energy, environment, digitalization, but also on governmental development policies.

In this context, he specified that the package of measures "Support for Romania", worth 17.3 billion lei, intended for 60% of the business milieu and 40% for social measures, has started to be implemented and is "secured in terms of financial allocations".

The creation of new higher-paying jobs is a central element of the Government's agenda, the prime minister said.

He also referred to the continuation of the Kurzarbeit program and the granting of 75% of the salary to the furloughed employees.

The prime minister pointed out that the 'Support for Romania' package is integrated into the Government's pro-business vision.

In this context, he pointed out that, for this year, the Government has allocated the largest investment budget in the last 30 years, 88 billion lei, as well as the fact that through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and other European mechanisms Romania has 80 billion euros at its disposal in the next period.

The prime minister also referred to the investment projects that the Executive is preparing to ensure Romania's energy independence.

Last but not least, Ciuca pointed out that the mobilization of the private milieu alongside the Government is particularly important for the implementation of the economic measures included in the "Support for Romania" package and for the materialization of ambitious digital transformation projects, those in the field of energy, those with applicability in industrial modernization and technological innovation.
President Klaus Iohannis participated on Tuesday, at the invitation of his American counterpart, Joe R. Biden, in a new round of small-scale consultations with allied leaders, of the EU and NATO institutions and of the partner states, in in the context of the continuing illegal military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The talks were also attended by French President, Emmanuel Macron, Polish President, Andrzej Duda, British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President, Charles Michel.

According to the Presidential Administration, this new round of transatlantic consultations took place in the context of dramatic humanitarian developments in Ukraine and the Russian Federation's military preparations for the resumption of the offensive.

The quoted source said that the leaders had analyzed the security situation and the prospects for its evolution, namely the particularly serious humanitarian one, resulting from the forced withdrawal of the Russian army from the previously occupied areas, and condemned the crimes committed against civilians, but also the massive destruction of inhabited areas and civil infrastructure.

In this context, strong support was reiterated for the work of the International Criminal Court in investigating, prosecuting and convicting those responsible for the crimes committed. The leaders also assessed the comprehensive strategy of support for Ukraine in all its dimensions, and addressed the firm and coordinated response measures taken by the international community with regard to the extensive package of sanctions to counter Russia's actions.

In his speech, President Klaus Iohannis welcomed the continuation, in a timely manner, of consultations in this format and the crucial importance of maintaining close coordination and allied and transatlantic unity, as well as with partners sharing the same vision in the regional context, with impact on Euro-Atlantic and global security, the source said.

"The President of Romania has strongly condemned the crimes committed by Russian troops against civilians and the continued bombing by the Russian army on civilian targets," the Presidential Administration said, according to agerpres.ro.

The head of state mentioned the complex steps taken by our country in support of Ukraine, in political, logistical and humanitarian terms. He stressed that in addition to the consistent efforts in support of Ukraine, there are also efforts to facilitate the flow of more than 770,000 Ukrainian citizens at the border and to host refugees on the territory of our country.

According to the Presidential Administration, President Iohannis also highlighted the broad impact of the current crisis on the security situation on the Eastern Flank of the Alliance, especially on the Black Sea. He also stressed the importance of the swift implementation of the decisions of the Extraordinary NATO Summit on March 24, especially the accelerated creation of the Battle Group in Romania, as a first step towards balancing and consolidating NATO's long-term presence on the Eastern Flank.

The head of state reiterated that the current serious security situation once again demonstrates the need to strengthen, in a coherent and unified manner, NATO's position of deterrence and defence in the region, and evoked decisions on the long-term transformation and adaptation of the Alliance, which must be adopted at the NATO Summit in Madrid in June.

In his speech, President Iohannis stressed the need to support the Republic of Moldova's efforts, both politically and economically, for the management of Ukrainian refugees, but also in the event of a possible new energy crisis.

The head of state also called for decisive and coordinated action to eliminate energy dependence on Russia, stressing that sanctions have proved to be an effective tool. President Iohannis also pointed out that Romania has supported the consistent package of sanctions adopted at European level so far and will maintain coordination for new measures.
The European Union's dependence on natural gas imports fell slightly in 2021 to 83% from 84% in 2020, but Romania is the country with the lowest dependence on natural gas imports (24%), according to data released by Eurostat on Tuesday.

Other countries with a low dependence on natural gas imports are: Denmark (26%) and the Netherlands (33%), according to agerpres.ro.

On the other hand, the member states with the highest dependence on natural gas imports are: Malta (104%), Sweden (102%) and Spain (101%).

Compared to the 2020 situation, the largest increases in dependence on natural gas imports were recorded in Malta (from 96% in 2020 to 104% in 2021, an increase of eight percentage points), Ireland (from 64% up to 71%, an increase of seven percentage points) and Romania (from 17% in 2020 to 24% in 2021, an increase of seven percentage points).

The largest year-on-year decreases were recorded in Latvia (from 121% to 61%, a decrease of 59 percentage points), Austria (from 73% to 51%, a decrease of 22 percentage points) and Slovakia (from 88% to 69%, a decrease of 20 percentage points).
Team Leni-Kiko gets first open endorsement from Catholic bishop

INFANTA, QUEZON -- Presidential candidate Leni Robredo and vice-presidential aspirant Kiko Pangilinan gained the support of religious leaders and representatives from different sectors, including the first endorsement of a Catholic bishop, during the REINAGkakaisa mini-rally in Infanta, Quezon Monday.

Bishop Bernardino Cortez, together with various religious leaders, including Imam Johary Salem, Pastor Arnel Sol, Pastor Bong Pidida, prayed for Robredo and Pangilinan.

Bishop Cortez of Infanta openly expressed his support for the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket, making him the first bishop to do so during a rally.

"Ika-anim na eleksyon ko na ito bilang kandidato pero first time na itinaas ang kamay ko ng obispo," Pangilinan said.

As a sign of support, Pangilinan and Robredo's arms were raised by representatives from different multi-sectoral groups including; Coconut and Rice Farmers from REINA (Real, Infanta and General Nakar), women, youth, LGBTQIA+, indigenous people, and leaders from the religious sector.

It will be recalled that in an emotional encounter with farmers from San Simon, Pampanga, a group of farmers raised Pangilinan's hands as a sign of their endorsement of his candidacy after learning that some local politicians would only endorse the presidential candidacy of Vice President Robredo.

If elected vice president, Pangilinan vows to support Quezon's farmers and fishermen, as well as provide potable water on Polilio Island in Quezon.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca says that the Romanian business community will be soon extended European funds worth 4.7 billion euros, as it has resulted from discussions with interim Minister of European Investment and Projects Marcel Bolos.

"I have some data here. I discussed them with Minister Bolos. Very concrete data on the amounts of money that the business community, especially SMEs, should be able to soon access. We are talking about a package of 4.7 billion euros as follows: digital transformation - 980 million euros; CPUs - 500 million euros; equity financial instruments - 600 million euros; financial instruments, guarantees, portfolios - 800 million euros; grants under operational programme regional development - 1.3 billion euros; crisis grants, utilities - 300 million euros; investment grants under operational programme competitiveness - 300 million euros. These are the amounts in the package that is intended, as I said, primarily for SMEs. But, there is also a very large amount in the cohesion funds and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) set aside for the development of the transport infrastructure, of approximately 21 billion euros," said Ciuca, according to agerpres.ro.

The prime minister participated on Tuesday in an investment forum organised by the Foreign Investors Council in partnership with the Romanian government.
As many as 1,524 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the last 24 hours in Romania, by 838 more than on the previous day, on over 24,000 RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests performed, the Health Ministry informed on Monday.

Of the new cases, 166 were in re-infected patients who tested positive more than 90 days after the first time they recovered from the disease.Most of the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Romania since the previous reporting were recorded in Bucharest City - 355, and in the county of Timis - 129As many as 1,554 people with COVID-19 are hospitalised at specialist care facilities across the country, by 148 fewer than the day before; 93 of this total are children.Out of the total number of hospitalised patients, 228 are in ICUs, by 7 less compared to the previous day. Of the 228 ICU patients, 197 are unvaccinated for COVID-19.- Deaths -According to the Ministry, another 26 Romanians infected with SARS-CoV-2 - 18 men and 8 women - were reported dead in the last 24 hours. Two of the deceased patients were in the 60 - 69 age group, 7 were registered in the 70-79 age group and 15 were 80+, and they all suffered from underlying conditions.Of the total of 26 deaths, 18 were unvaccinated.. The vaccinated patients had ages between 52-93.Since the beginning of the pandemic, 65,366 people diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania.
Minority neighborhoods where residents were long denied home loans have twice as many oil and gas wells as mostly white neighborhoods, according to a new study that suggests ongoing health risks in vulnerable communities are at least partly tied to historical structural racism.

Black and Latino residents have complained that they are disproportionately exposed to health risks  including heart and lung problems and premature births  from urban oil and gas wells, some located just a few dozen feet from homes and schools. Some studies have found hazardous chemicals near oil and gas operations at levels above what is considered safe.

But researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University wanted to determine if there was a connection to redlining  when Black and immigrant neighborhoods in the 1930s were shaded red on maps developed by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. Residents in those areas often found it difficult to find homes anywhere else.

These are critical questions, said David J. X. Gonzalez, an epidemiologist at UC-Berkeley and one of the study's authors. If we want to reduce health disparities, if we want environmental justice, these are the kinds of questions that we want to understand.

Researchers compared the maps of 33 U.S. cities to records of oil and gas wells dating to the late 1800s. The maps graded neighborhoods A to D. Overall, redlined, or D-graded, neighborhoods not only had more wells before the maps were created, but many more wells were developed in those areas afterward, the researchers found.

The study was published last week in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.

Gonzalez, who grew up in a community with oil wells and a refinery, said many policies led to race- and class-based segregation, not only redlining. The findings don't prove that wells were intentionally located in neighborhoods because residents were Black or Latino, and there also are wells in wealthier areas.

Even so, the higher concentration in minority areas doesnt seem to have happened by accident, said Gonzalez.

In Los Angeles, Black and Latino residents often were forced to live in neighborhoods with oil wells because of racially restrictive covenants, said Martha Dina Arguello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Even more drilling got pushed into Black and Latino neighborhoods when housing developers wanted land in more affluent areas, she said.

The study is one more piece of evidence that really bears out what the community has been saying: that having oil wells in our communities is treating us like a sacrifice zone, she said.

Recently, some states and communities have started restricting new wells by limiting how close they can be to homes and schools.

Last fall, supervisors in Los Angeles County  home to some of the largest urban oilfields in the U.S.  voted unanimously to phase out oil and gas production and ban new wells in unincorporated areas following longstanding complaints from residents about health problems blamed on air pollution from the sites. The Los Angeles City Council voted in January to do the same, and Arguello said advocates are pushing for the state to take similar action in other urban areas.

Colorado last year required new wells to be located at least 2,000 feet from homes and schools. California has proposed a distance of 3,200 feet.

In Arlington, Texas, city officials in January refused to let a major energy company locate more gas wells near a daycare center playground. A statistical analysis by The Associated Press showed the density of Total Energies wells is higher in neighborhoods where people of color live, and wells are often just a few hundred feet from homes.

Longxiang Li, a postdoctoral research fellow in environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study, said it showed a moderately strong connection between redlining and well location, and strengthens evidence that disadvantaged communities have fewer legal resources to defend themselves against drilling expansion. But he cautioned that historic redlining maps are not perfect indicators of past structural racism.

That is because discriminatory practices by private lenders and the Federal Housing Administration did not rely on the HOLC maps, and the HOLC itself did lend to Black homeowners in redlined areas, according to a recent paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Li also noted that many newer wells that use a technique called hydraulic fracturing are often clustered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas because land leasing is inexpensive. Fracking uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to released trapped oil and gas and is combined with horizontal drilling to reach formerly inaccessible reserves.

A report by Physicians for Social Responsibility and Concerned Health Professionals of New York, which reviewed dozens of scientific studies, found that the public health risks associated with these sites include cancers, respiratory diseases, rashes, heart problems and mental health disorders.

Even older plugged wells may pose risks because they can leak benzene and other volatile organic compounds, as well as methane, a potent greenhouse gas, Gonzalez said.

I think we've known for a long time that people of color are more likely to live near oil wells," Gonzalez said, It's important... so we can make sure that as we shift the economy away from fossil fuels, that we prioritize communities" that have borne the brunt of pollution.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the countrys eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two. In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military was dropping heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscows forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages.

Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russian forces are attacking along broad east front, Ukraine says

 Displaced people from across Ukraine seek shelter in Lviv apartment building

 Yellen to see Ukraine PM, avoid Russians at global meetings

 Global finance meeting focuses on war-driven food insecurity

 UN chief urges 4-day Easter pause in fighting in Ukraine

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a four-day halt in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians Holy Week observances.

Noting that Orthodox Easter is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said Tuesday that the need for a humanitarian pause is all the more urgent.

Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya called on Russia to heed Guterres call.

But Russian deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Tuesday he was a bit skeptical about the idea.

Guterres said the goal is to allow for evacuating civilians from current or expected areas of confrontation and or getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.

The proposal comes after the U.N. recently helped to foster a two-month truce in Yemens civil war, halting fighting as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began.

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new security assistance package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said details of the latest package are being finalized.

Last week, in anticipation of Russias offensive in eastern Ukraine, Biden approved an $800 million package including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery. The U.S. has sent about $2.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian invaded.

Asked by reporters whether hed be sending more artillery, Biden said Yes.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said providing more ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine was discussed by Biden and other allied leaders during a video call on Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took part in the more than 80-minute call.

 Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

OTTAWA, Ontario  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will send heavy artillery to Ukraine.

Trudeau says hes been in close contact with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canada is very responsive to what Ukraine needs. He says there will be more details on the pledge in the days to come, and that Ukrainians have fought like heroes.

Canadas government has also hit 14 more Russians with sanctions for their close ties with President Vladimir Putin, including his two adult daughters.

BERLIN  The International Atomic Energy Agency says direct phone communications between the decommissioned Chernobyl power plant and Ukraines nuclear regulator have been restored.

Ukraine informed the Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog on March 10 that it had lost direct contact with the plant, the site of the 1986 disaster. Russian forces seized Chernobyl at the beginning of the invasion on Feb. 24 and withdrew on March 31.

The IAEAs director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said Tuesday that this was clearly not a sustainable situation, and it is very good news that the regulator can now contact the plant directly when it needs to.

Grossi plans to lead a mission of IAEA experts to Chernobyl to conduct nuclear safety and radiological assessments, deliver equipment and repair the agencys own remote monitoring systems there.

WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged world finance leaders Tuesday to get concrete as they look for ways to combat a global crisis over food insecurity that's getting worse due to Russias war in Ukraine.

This threat touches the most vulnerable people the hardest  families that are already spending disproportionate amounts of their income on food, Yellen told fellow finance leaders during a food security meeting convened with members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. People on every continent are impacted.

Failure to feed the worlds population risks not only starvation, but also social unrest and cross-border political upheaval. Among the proposed solutions: reducing export restrictions, relieving price controls and subsidizing small farmers.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a carve-out to sanctions against Russia to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications.

Russia and Ukraine produce a third of the worlds wheat supply. The loss of commodities due to the war has resulted in soaring food prices and uncertainty about the future of food security globally, especially in impoverished countries. With fertilizer and natural gas costs exploding, leaders expressed concern that countries could turn inward and restrict trade to protect their populations, indirectly hurting more vulnerable countries that face even worse food problems.

David Malpass, president of the World Bank, said his organization will provide $17 billion per year to strengthen food security, and develop a 15-month crisis response package of $170 billion, that will address the pandemic, refugee resettlement and other issues alongside food supply.

KVIV, Ukraine  Russia is assaulting cities and towns across Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in a new phase of the war after losing about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine, according to Pentagon estimates.

Capturing the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas region would give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory, slicing Ukraine in two and depriving it of key industrial assets.

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said air-launched missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations while artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours. The claims could not be independently verified.

WASHINGTON  The U.S. militarys assessment of Russias renewed offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine is that it has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

When people say the offensive has begun, thats what theyre referring to, and were not pushing back on that notion, a senior U.S. defense official said.

The official said the Russians are taking actions to improve their ability to sustain combat operations in the Donbas and to prepare for what we believe will be larger offensives in the future.

The U.S. estimates that the Russian military has lost about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine at the start of the war, so theyre refitting ground combat units for insertion into Ukraine. The official said the Russians added two more battalion tactical groups in the past 24 hours, for a total of 78. Thats up from 65 last week.

 AP Military Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.

BERLIN  Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany will continue to enable weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with one possibility being systems from eastern European nations that would be easily and quickly usable.

Scholz has faced increasing pressure from within his own governing coalition and the main opposition party to deliver heavy weapons such as German Leopard tanks.

But Scholz said Germany and its partners in the Group of Seven industrial nations have concluded it makes more sense to send in systems already used in Ukraine, such as the Soviet-era weapons some NATO partners still have.

Western partners would help those countries with replacements.

After conferring with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders on Tuesday, Scholz said all of us will continue to support Ukraine, financially and also militarily.

The Kremlins diplomats are doing more online dirty work as governments and social media companies try to suppress Russias state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine.

Russian embassies and consulates are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine.

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russias diplomatic corps acts as a global propaganda network, tailoring claims for each nations audience.

Tech companies have responded by adding warning labels and removing Russias diplomatic accounts from its recommendations and search results. But they remain active, as their diplomatic status provides more protection from moderation.

Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week, said disinformation researcher Marcel Schliebs at the Oxford Internet Institute.

PRAGUE  Czech authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

Pragues High Public Prosecutors Office that oversees the investigation said Tuesday that the initial information from Ukraine shows signs of war crimes, according to international law.

The office said the purpose of the investigation is to secure evidence from witnesses and victims who have arrived to seek refuge in the Czech Republic. The Czechs coordinate their effort with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

The investigators are focusing on suspected use of banned and illegal means and methods of warfare.

KHARKIV, Ukraine  Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv say at least four people were killed and three others wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area.

The attack on Tuesday happened as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy in the eastern city, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

Kharkiv is near the front lines and has faced repeated shelling from the Russian forces. Earlier on Tuesday, a regional governor in Kharkiv said 5 civilians had been killed and 17 wounded in the past 24 hours.

Also on Tuesday, an explosion rocked the eastern city of Kramatorsk killing at least 1 person and injuring 3, according to AP journalists at the scene.

 By Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv; Yesica Fisch in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

MOSCOW  Russia said Tuesday it is expelling 15 diplomats from the Netherlands and an unspecified number of Belgian embassy staff in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by those countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has ordered 14 employees of the Dutch embassy in Moscow and one from the consulate in St. Petersburg to leave the country.

We expected Russia to take reciprocal measures. Nevertheless I regret this step. We are now going to see what the consequences are of the fact that so many colleagues have to leave Moscow and Petersburg, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

That follows the Netherlands expelling Russian diplomats last month. Dutch authorities said they expelled 17 and alleged they had been using diplomatic cover to work as spies. The Russian Foreign Ministry said a total 18 people with diplomatic status were expelled from its embassy in The Hague, a trade mission in Amsterdam and the Russian representation at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is based in the Netherlands.

The ministry added that the Belgian ambassador had been notified that embassy staff would have to leave by May 3, without saying how many people were affected. The ambassador of Luxembourg was summoned for an official protest after the small Western European nation expelled a single Russian diplomat this month.

LONDON  British officials say the next phase of the war in Ukraine is likely to be an attritional conflict that could last several months.

A senior U.K. national security official briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday, as Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said the official told ministers that Russias greater number of troops was unlikely to be decisive on its own against fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The official told Cabinet that there are signs Russia has not learned the lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, with evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion and some soldiers and units refusing to fight.

Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister had told Cabinet that Ukraines position remained perilous, with Russian President Vladimir Putin angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost.

MOSCOW  The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya says he is certain that the Russian forces will uproot the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the key port of Mariupol within hours.

Ramzan Kadyrov said on a messaging app channel that the Russian troops will finish off the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol on Tuesday and take full control of the giant Azovstal steel mill, the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city.

Ukrainian troops have defended the strategic port on the Sea of Azov for seven weeks despite the Russian blockade and relentless barrage that flattened most of the city.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles), offered Ukrainian defenders a strong fighting position thanks to its sprawling network of underground tunnels and depots.

Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, has repeatedly made blustery comments about the citys inevitable fall.

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says he plans to speak with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts as part of Turkeys efforts to halt the conflict.

Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey was also talking to P5 nations  the United States, China, France, Russia and the U.K.  and other countries about possible security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that Kyivs request for guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty hadn't found support, especially among Western countries.

If there can be no guarantees (similar to) NATOs Article 5, then what options are there? We are taking care of such these details, Cavusoglu said. We must be prepared for the possibility of a cease-fire.

He was speaking during a joint news conference with Hungarys foreign minister in Ankara.

NATO-member Turkey, which has maintained its close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has hosted a meeting between the two countries foreign ministers as well as talks between the two negotiating teams last month.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said he hopes to bring the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to the negotiating table.

MOSCOW  Russias defense minister has accused the U.S. and other Western nations of supplying Ukraine with weapons so that it continues fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with the top military brass that Washington and its allies are doing all they can to drag out Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that the growing supplies of foreign weapons clearly signal their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Shoigu said that the Russian military has consistently implemented the plan to fully liberate the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics.

Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region eastern industrial heartland, Donbas, that includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Russia.

SOFIA, Bulgaria  Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says security for his country also means security for Bulgaria and all other Black Sea countries.

We are fighting not only for our safety," Kuleba said after talks Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart, Teodora Genchovska. "We are fighting for you too, so that you never have to face the tragedy of Russias attempts to affect and damage your country.

Kuleba expressed understanding that many in Bulgaria have emotional and historic links to Russia.

But now its different  destroying, killing, torturing, raping," he said. "This is not a Russia that deserves sympathy and understanding. I want everyone to understand that.

No details of the talks have been disclosed, but media reports alleged that Kuleba may ask for a stronger engagement of Bulgaria in Ukraines defense from Russias aggression. Along with Hungary, Bulgaria is the only EU member that has so far been reluctant to send weapons to Kyiv.

During his unofficial visit to Sofia, Kuleba will also meet Bulgarias President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

MOSCOW  The Russian foreign minister says that Moscows campaign in Ukraine is entering a new stage.

Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now.

Lavrovs statement follows Ukrainian statements that Russia on Monday launched an offensive in the countrys eastern industrial heartland, Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Moscow.

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian operation is aimed at the full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

AMSTERDAM  Automaker Stellantis says it is suspending production in Russia because of the impact of sanctions and logistical problems.

Stellantis was making vans in Russia under the Peugeot and Citroen brands at a factory in Kaluga which it shared with Mitsubishi. The Japanese manufacturer suspended its production there earlier this month.

Stellantis said Tuesday it wanted to ensure full compliance with international sanctions and protect its employees by suspending production. The company had previously warned the Kaluga factory was running low on parts. Many automakers with operations in Russia have struggled to import the components they need since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Based in the Netherlands, Stellantis is the worlds fourth-largest automaker with brands including Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat. It previously stopped vehicle shipments to and from Russia last month.

Russian authorities have criticized companies which shut down their operations, and warned they could take steps to put production facilities under state control.

MOSCOW  The Russian military has made a new demand to the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol to lay down their arms.

Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev gave the Ukrainian troops holed up at the giant Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol until midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday to surrender.

He said that those who surrender will keep their lives.

Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks have ignored such previous offers. The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov.

Earlier Tuesday, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region, said that assault groups had moved into Azovstal in a bid to uproot the Ukrainian troops following bombing and artillery barrage.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CRESTWOOD  The demolition of the Crestwood Mall left a 47-acre plot of land vacant for years.

This week, a pair of St. Louis-area companies kick off a project that will, finally, reimagine the site, turning one of the regions first suburban shopping malls into a grocery store, retail shops and dozens of homes.

To see it sitting vacant ... was frustrating for everyone, Crestwood Mayor Grant Mabie said Monday. Were excited about watching the site transform over the next few years.

Dierbergs Markets and McBride Homes are scheduled to break ground Tuesday afternoon on their multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the site at Watson and Sappington roads in south St. Louis County. It is activity Crestwood officials have sought since the mall  once a regional draw that generated millions of dollars a year for city coffers  was demolished in 2016. It also marks the fourth attempt in nine years to do so, underscoring the challenges of reimagining the vast footprints of dead malls.

The project calls for 81 single-family homes on the eastern half of the land and a retail center anchored by a Dierbergs grocery store on the west. Crestwood approved $15 million in tax incentives for the retail project, plus an extra sales tax. No incentives will go toward the residential development, officials said.

Since 2008, various developers have pitched myriad ideas for the site, including a multiplex cinema, a glass and brick office building, and a branded restaurant from country music star Toby Keith.

But the site was challenging to redevelop. Utilities were old and had to be rebuilt. The land had steep slopes, expensive to regrade. And the city didnt want to give out tax breaks at the time.

Thats what killed a 2013 proposal from Centrum Properties, which bought the mall in 2008. It later sold the property to Chicago-based UrbanStreet Group, which also tried selling the site to another developer, St. Louis-based Walpert Properties, after its own plans fell through. Walpert walked away due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mabie said a redevelopment there essentially required a public subsidy. To think they could have done it without it is naive, Mabie said.

Officials elsewhere in the region are facing similar challenges.

In North County, St. Louis County Councilwoman Shalonda Webb said recently she would introduce legislation seeking $6 million to demolish the Jamestown Mall. The mall, situated on 145 acres near Missouri Highways 67 and 367, has been vacant since it closed in 2014. Webb had previously opposed plans from a Kansas City developer that wanted to raze Jamestown for an industrial development.

In West County, The Staenberg Group has plans to turn the Chesterfield Mall at Interstate 64 and Clarkson Road into a $1 billion mixed-use development that the company is calling downtown Chesterfield.

Those plans originated around 2018, after the mall went into default and The Staenberg Group bought the Sears building there in a separate transaction. That deal essentially blocked an attempt by a Georgia-based company to redevelop the land. The company later sold the entire site to The Staenberg Group. Staenberg has not yet started construction there.

And in Crestwood, officials expect the redevelopment of the old mall to offer promise beyond the site boundaries. Mabie, the mayor, is anticipating more investment from nearby commercial property owners, including more businesses leasing space. The city also has plans to improve Watson Road streetscaping.

From a psychological perspective, just to see a huge 47-acre empty field was getting to be depressing for a lot of folks, Mabie said. Its good to see it turned back into something people can get excited about it.

Dierbergs, McBride plan to redevelop Crestwood Mall site The plan is the latest for the former mall site that has resisted past attempts to develop housing and commercial space.

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Pioneer Salesmen just booked the gig of a lifetime. The indie alt-rock band from Alton will open for Bon Jovi on April 21 at Enterprise Center.

Pioneer Salesmen entered a video in Bon Jovis contest to find a local opening act.

This feels great, says frontman and guitarist Sam McDonell. We're fans of old music and Bon Jovi in particular. We always liked their songwriting style.

The band also includes guitarist Andrew Kistler, drummer Tyler Wingert and bassist Anthony Mauer.

Pioneer Salesmen have been playing together for about four years, only totaling about 50 shows so far, playing any shows we can along the way. That has included gigs at the Old Rock House; Fubar; Red Flag; Principia College in Elsah, Illinois; the Conservatory in Alton; Sky Music Lounge in Ballwin; Home Bar in Arlington Heights, Illinois; and various music festivals in Alton.

Catapulting to a venue the size of Enterprise Center is quite a move.

McDonell says there are butterflies going into the show, but good butterflies. We've obviously not played anything that big. But we know how to be professional and not let the nerves get to us.

He says the band will have just under 20 minutes to perform, which means every moment has to count.

"We were rehearsing the other day, and its going to be five songs," McDonell says. "Weve been working stuff out, and fixing longer parts. We feel its a pretty good set and it will work out. But its a nerve-racking timeslot.

The band heard about the contest on the radio and figured theyd give it a shot, not thinking much of it after.

With no great performance video on hand, Pioneer Salesmen organized a concert at Principia College, where a couple of the band members attended and where they knew they could attract a crowd. There, they performed a 40-minute set filmed by students studying videography, assuring the video audition would be high quality.

It went very well, McDonell says of the show. We were definitely feeling it. We played everything correctly, and it felt tight."

The song plucked from the footage for the contest was The Life We Lead from 2018.

The songs been around a while," he says. "Its one of those songs that came together really quickly. I write all the songs on acoustic guitar and bring them to the guys. They selected the song for the contest because of how well it showcases the bands sound."

The band thought it might have a good chance at winning the contest.

We got a little bit of confidence in ourselves," McDonell says. "We know what good live music sounds like. We werent overly like were gonna win this. We thought it was going to come down to it being a certain amount of bands, and we might make it to the final group. Then I got an email saying we were selected.

We were surprised and honored.

He hopes the thousands of potential new fans at the Bon Jovi show will see that we draw a lot of inspiration from and have a tremendous respect for rock and roll, especially from the 60s and 70s. But we're trying to do our own thing, not trying to copy anybody. I feel like we have something to offer and we're a solid live band.

Hes not sure what the opportunity could lead to, if anything. But he's glad to reach new listeners.

For Bon Jovi's 2017 concert at Enterprise Center (then named Scottrade Center), St. Louis band Former Me won the contest for the opening spot. The band, which since has broken up, also got a surprise backstage visit from Jon Bon Jovi.

While McDonell isn't sure whether the same will happen this time, he knows how he would react. "I would try to be real cool about it, tell him were big fans of his music and try to not say anything too crazy," he says. "I'd tell him we're humbled and honored and appreciate the amazing opportunity.

McDonell says he grew up listening to 1960s and 70s rock, and the band is most influenced by the British Invasion and bands such as the Doors, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, before getting into newer music like Bon Jovi.

Pioneer Salesmen released their Illuminate Your Mind EP in 2018, followed by the What Goes to Show EP in 2019 and Only Fools EP in 2020.

The band is about eight songs into its full-length album debut.

Our newer songs are even bigger and better, McDonell says.

What Bon Jovi, Pioneer Salesmen  When 8 p.m. April 21  Where Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue  How much $16-$747  More info ticketmaster.com

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ST. LOUIS  Health experts here are worried by rising COVID-19 rates in other parts of the U.S. and are monitoring a new highly contagious strain of the virus, which has now been detected in the St. Louis area.

For over a month, local experts have been watching warily as parts of Europe and Asia have been hit with overwhelming surges of COVID-19. Since late March, cases have been rising in the northeastern United States. On Monday, a renewed mask requirement took effect in Philadelphia in response to a swift rise in cases.

The Illinois state health department on Thursday issued a warning that COVID-19 case rates are slowly rising in many areas of the state. The department advised residents to pay close attention to their local case rates, and, if they are in an area with rising infections, wear a mask in indoor spaces and consider avoiding large gatherings.

I dont think Missouri is going to be somehow less susceptible to these rises, said Dr. Farrin Manian, an infectious disease physician and chair of the Department of Medicine at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. Its cause for concern.

Data from the health departments in St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County show increases in new daily cases over the past couple of weeks.

Experts believe the numbers of positive tests are underestimated because many people dont get tested, and because many at-home rapid tests are not reported to health departments.

The numbers themselves may not tell the whole story, from here on out, Manian said.

Manian said Mercy Hospital St. Louis has been seeing a higher portion of its COVID-19 tests come back positive in recent weeks. But it hasnt seen rising numbers of people hospitalized for COVID-19. And apparently the trend is holding across the region: St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force data shows local COVID-19 hospitalizations have remained stable.

The state of Illinois is helping health care providers stock up on therapeutics in case of another surge, and the state has more than 1.5 million rapid tests stockpiled, with more on the way. The state urged residents to stay up to date on vaccinations, which as of late March includes a second booster for adults older than 50 and for people older than 12 who are immunocompromised.

The New York State Department of Health on Wednesday announced that two omicron subvariants have emerged in Central New York, alongside a notable increase in infections. The two subvariants together  BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1  accounted for more than 70% of cases in that region. The subvariants appear to spread more quickly than the previous, omicron BA.2 subvariant, but there is no evidence that they cause more severe illness, the department said.

The St. Louis County health department recently confirmed one case of the subvariant BA.2.12.1, spokesman Christopher Ave said in an email Monday.

Marc Johnson, a professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine who is involved with the states wastewater testing efforts, said the omicron BA.2.12.1 variant had previously been detected in the state sewershed. The first time, in late March, was in the St. Louis region. The second time, in early April, was in the Kansas City region.

Though researchers can detect a variant in wastewater data, they cant tell how many people the variant came from. Its entirely possible, Johnson said, that the St. Louis-area result came from one person, but its impossible to know.

Johnson said he is watching carefully to see how fast it spreads. The effects here will be clearer in another week.

Given that many people dont get tested, and that only a small portion of COVID-19 cases are tested to identify variants, Manian said, Its going to be difficult to believe thats the only case.

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ST. CHARLES  A Texas man pet-sitting for his girlfriends parents in St. Charles last month was charged Monday with torturing a 13-year-old Shih Tzu by beating him nearly to death.

Lucas J. Patterson, 27, of League City, Texas, was charged with one felony count of animal abuse.

Patterson on March 23 brutalized and tortured a 13-year-old, 10-pound Shih-Tzu named Baxter that belonged to his girlfriends parents, authorities said. Patterson had been helping his girlfriend watch her parents two dogs at their home in New Town St. Charles while the parents were vacationing in Florida.

When Pattersons girlfriend brought Baxter for medical treatment, the dog was suffering from head trauma, severe swelling, bleeding of its left eye, bruising, broken ribs, spinal dislocation and multiple teeth busted out, charges said. Baxter could not walk without help.

The couples other dog, Bella, a collie-poodle mix, had disappeared and is presumed dead and disposed of due to evidence at the scene, charges said. Pattersons girlfriend told authorities Patterson had beaten her own poodle mix, Avery, to death in November at her apartment in St. Louis. Charges said St. Louis police are investigating that incident.

The girlfriends mother reported that when she returned home from vacation March 25, their floors had been thoroughly cleaned, furniture was shifted, her mop was wet from recent use, and she found beach towels freshly laundered.

Patterson purposely and intentionally caused injury and suffering to Baxter, St. Charles police Officer Karen Meiser wrote in a probable cause statement. Pattersons depraved and heinous actions alone show him to be a grave danger to society, and most certainly to any animal he is left alone with.

According St. Charles Animal Control records provided to police, Patterson said he punched Avery and Baxter because they bit him. But police said in charges that there is no documentation of the bites. Patterson has also been involved in the suspicious death of an adult cat, Aly, on Jan. 10 and the broken leg of a kitten named Penny on March 15, charges said.

St. Charles police arrested Patterson on Monday. Police said Patterson is a truck driver who drives back and forth between his parents home in Texas and his girlfriends home in St. Louis. A judge set his bail at $30,000, cash only. He did not yet have a lawyer to represent him.

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WASHINGTON PARK  After losing its municipal building to a fire last year, this Metro East fire department got a bit of good news last month when a volunteer fire company in Pennsylvania offered to donate two sorely needed pump

trucks.

But there was just one problem, fire Chief Preston Green said Monday: He didnt know how theyd pay to transport them more than 800 miles.

Washington Park, a St. Clair County village of roughly 3,900 people, was already struggling to keep its two fire engines in working order before the municipal building that housed its police, fire, public works and streets departments went up in flames last October.

With the village being a small municipality, they couldnt afford the upkeep that big municipalities can, Green said about Washington Park. The old trucks worked, but sometimes you had hit and misses.

So it was a big deal when one of Greens deputies approached him with the offer from the Elk Lake Volunteer Fire Company to donate two firetrucks. They were from the 1980s but still in good working order, Green said.

The firefighters eventually hatched a plan to drive more than 800 miles to pick up the vehicles. Local businesses and private donors agreed to foot the bill.

On April 1, a delegation of four  Deputy Chief Greg Stevens, Battalion Chief Doug Orange, Explorer Nick Stevens and firefighter Whitney Warnecke  drove to Pennsylvania just south of the New York border, picked up the trucks from the Elk Lake Volunteer Fire Company and filled out some paperwork.

They headed back at a slower pace for the two new trucks, at one point needing to fix a flat tire, Green said, likening the trip to the song Eastbound and Down from the 1970s movie Smokey and the Bandit  but with firetrucks instead of bootleg beer.

It was a real journey, he said. Bless their hearts for trying and wanting to do it.

Now, the engines are housed in a warehouse space that was donated in the wake of the fire. Mayor Leonard Moore said everybody is excited to have them.

They were truly a blessing, Moore said. It means a lot to the entire village.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Members of a key House committee on Tuesday backed a plan to fully legalize marijuana, propelling the measure to the full Missouri House for debate.

The House Rules Committee voted 6-4 to keep alive the so-called Cannabis Freedom Act, which would require the state to issue twice as many marijuana business licenses as were issued under the medical program.

The action Tuesday sets up a possible debate before the full House in the near future. Four weeks remain before the Legislatures annual session ends.

If the plan clears the House, the Senate would need to act before May 13 to send the legislation to Gov. Mike Parson.

Rep. Phil Christofanelli, a St. Peters Republican who chairs the House Rules Committee, said Tuesday he had grave concerns about the Cannabis Freedom Act as drafted.

I think there needs to be additional testing of the cannabis in the marketplace, Christofanelli said. I think there needs to be reasonable limits placed on possession and grow facilities.

Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, who is sponsoring the plan, said he understood Christofanellis concerns, especially with the testing side of that.

We do need to add that to this legislation, Hicks said.

Reps. Wes Rogers and Ashley Aune, both Kansas City Democrats, said they would support the effort to legalize marijuana despite controversial changes made to the bill.

One change made by Rep. Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles County, would bar transgender women from accessing no-interest loans available to women-owned cannabis businesses.

I have it on good authority those amendments will be removed from this bill, Rogers said.

Both Aune and Rogers helped lift the bill to the House floor, along with Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson.

Legalize it, Proudie said before the vote.

Hicks, as well as Reps. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, and Jason Chipman, R-Steelville, joined with the three Democrats to send the legislation to the full House for consideration.

Hicks and others have expressed a desire for the Legislature to legalize marijuana rather than voters doing so through an initiative petition.

The Legal Missouri 2022 campaign is currently collecting signatures for a place on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Opponents of Legal Missouri argue the proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by a majority of voters, would unfairly advantage current medical marijuana business license holders.

The campaign said Tuesday it had collected its 200,000th signature, making backers confident the campaign would make the ballot.

The campaign must turn in about 170,000 valid signatures by May 8; Legal Missouri wants a signature cushion in case a large number of its signatures are invalidated.

To be clear, this is not a done deal, John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri, said on Tuesday. Our campaign will continue to collaborate with voters in the coming days and weeks.

The legislation is House Bill 2704.

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It turns out Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans werent alone in concluding that Donald Trumps campaign to overturn the 2020 election was illegitimate and dangerous. Two top Trump-supporting Republicans said as much in the runup to Jan. 6, 2021, according to newly revealed texts in possession of the House committee investigating the Capitol insurrection.

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Chip Roy of Texas both initially supported Trumps efforts to challenge Joe Bidens victory, but the texts make clear that both became disillusioned as evidence of fraud failed to materialize and Trump ramped up his baseless conspiracy theories. Roy, as Trumpy a congressman as there was at the time, ultimately warned Trumps chief of staff that their efforts were driving a stake in the heart of the federal republic. These texts should be required reading for those Trump supporters out there who still buy the lies.

The texts, obtained by CNN last week, were directed at Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows. They show the progression of two true believers in Trumps election-fraud lies, and how they gradually became convinced there was in fact no evidence.

The texts show Lee and Roy both were active participants early on in Trumps attempt to overturn the election. Lee specifically encouraged the Trump campaign to work with lawyer Sidney Powell, calling her a straight shooter, until her subsequent conspiracy theorizing led him to warn Meadows that Trump should disassociate himself from Powell because of potential defamation liability. (That was prescient, as it turns out. Powell is currently facing a multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit from an election-technology company she allegedly slandered while spreading lies for Trump.)

Roy seemed an even more enthusiastic backer of Trumps big lie, imploring Meadows shortly after the election: Dude, we need ammo. We need fraud examples. Alas, no such examples were forthcoming  for the simple reason that there was no significant fraud in the election.

Days later, the texts show, Roy had grown alarmed at Trumps increasingly unhinged public comments about the election. We must urge the President to tone down the rhetoric, and approach the legal challenge firmly, intelligently and effectively, he wrote, without resorting to throwing wild desperate haymakers, or whipping his base into a conspiracy frenzy.

By Dec. 31, Roy was convinced it was over. The President should call everyone off , he wrote to Meadows. If we substitute the will of states through electors with a vote by Congress every 4 years, we have destroyed the electoral college.

On Jan. 6, after Trump supporters whod been whipped into the aforementioned conspiracy frenzy attacked the Capitol, Roy and Lee both voted to certify Bidens victory. It will be up to their constituents, and history, to determine whether that was too little, too late for them to claim, as they both do now, that they stepped up to protect democracy.
Locating your best option is straightforward  provided you know in general the type of hotel you want. This column was suggested by a recent posting of a budget hotel guide in a travel publication that offered a few "usual suspects" suggestions along with a few "well, doh" suggestions. Instead of expanding on that list, I'd like to develop my own list that I hope is more useful.

Start with the proposition that you're looking for a true budget hotel, not an Airbnb, vacation rental, or anything upscale. There are some good suggestions for locating those accommodations, but they're different. For now, let's stick to budget hotels. Let's also figure that you already know which cities or attractions you want to visit.

1. What type of hotel. In the budget range, you have two basic options:

 A unit of a budget chain. These days, in the U.S., that means you're likely looking at brands offered by Best Western, Choice, or Wyndham, or at Motel 6. At a chain unit, you can expect few surprises, good or bad. You'll have the basics of a private bathroom, an OK bed, air conditioning, and TV. In Europe, you'll be looking first at one of the budget brands of Accor  Formule at the bottom end, more likely one of the Ibis sub-brands  or at Travelodge and Premiere Inn in the UK.

 Independent. In the U.S., many of the lowest-priced independents are scruffy or older units on highways bypassed by the Interstates. Really "charming" budget options are easier to come by in Europe, but you have to check reviews to avoid making a mistake.

2. Location. If you travel by plane (or train, in Europe), you'll probably want to be someplace that minimizes the hassles of schlepping to your hotel. That means either near whatever sort of city center facility with transport serving your arrival or departure airport  or rail station  or near a key address for family, friends, or attractions. Of course, you can avoid public transportation hassles by taking cabs, but if you're doing budget, cabs might not be in your playbook. If you're driving, you'll want a location with good road access but not in a central city.

3. Doing the search. The most inclusive way to start a search is on a metasearch system  one that compiles rates and availability from a bunch of different online agencies. For travel in the U.S. and nearby beach destinations, by go-to search system is Kayak: It allows you to compare hotels by total cost, including mandatory fees such as resort fees and taxes. Fees and taxes aren't a big problem elsewhere, so if you prefer, use Booking.com, Expedia, or some other favorite for Europe or Asia.

Beyond just posting rates, the big metasearch systems all include filters so you can pinpoint hotels with any feature that is especially important to have or deal-breaker if a hotel doesn't have it. Typical filters include Wi-Fi, swimming pool, free breakfast, free parking, free cancellation, kitchen facilities, elevator, popularity or rating, beachfront, and bed arrangements. I often find it useful to search postings on a map, an option most metasearch systems provide.

Discounts and deals. You can expect most U.S. chains to offer senior or AAA discounts of 5 percent to 10 percent  discounts that you might not see on metasearch results. But you find those mainly in the U.S. and Canada; seniors don't get much of a discount anywhere else. If you belong to a hotel loyalty program, you'll want to check on any deals offered to members. And you might want to check other possibilities such as finding a Groupon deal. Some metasearch systems offer their own "discounts."

4. Booking. You're generally OK booking through the metasearch system you used. But some big chains offer a few extras if you book directly, especially if you enjoy elite status, so booking directly is a clear choice. Wherever you book, look at the fine print to make sure that the conditions on any deal are what you want.

(Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Eds new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com.)
Two hours west of London, Glastonbury is a mecca for seekers. It gurgles with a thought-provoking mix of history and mystery. For the views, hike up the 500-foot-tall Glastonbury Tor (a grassy, conical clay hill capped with an old church tower), and youll notice the remains of the labyrinth that made climbing the hill a challenge some 5,000 years ago.

In AD 37, Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus wealthy tin-merchant uncle, supposedly brought a vessel containing the blood of Christ to Glastonbury, and with it, Christianity to England. (Josephs visit is plausible because back then, merchants from the Levant came here to trade with the local miners.)

While that story is supported by fourth-century writings and accepted by the Church, the King Arthur and Holy Grail legends it inspired are not. Those medieval tales were cooked up when England needed a morale-boosting folk hero to inspire its people during a war with France. They pointed to the ancient Celtic sanctuary at Glastonbury as proof of the greatness of the fifth-century warlord, Arthur. In 1911, his supposed remains, along with those of Queen Guinevere, were dug up here, and Glastonbury was woven into the Arthurian legends. The Camelot couple was reburied in the abbey choir and their gravesite is a kind of shrine today. Many believe the Grail trail ends at the bottom of the Chalice Well, a natural spring at the base of the tor.

England's first Christian sanctuary was built right next to the Chalice Well. Eventually, a great abbey rose on the site. Mix the scant ruins of England's oldest church with the mystique of King Arthur and Holy Grail, add the hard work of a busy monastery, and, by the 12th century, Glastonbury was the leading Christian pilgrimage site in all of Britain.

At its peak, Glastonbury Abbey was England's most powerful and wealthy, part of a network of monasteries that by the year 1500 owned a quarter of all English land, and had four times the income of the king.

In the 16th century, Henry VIII, on a rampage against the power of the monasteries, destroyed Glastonbury Abbey. For emphasis, he hung and quartered the abbot, sending his body on four national tours  at the same time. Two centuries later, Glastonbury rebounded. In an 18th-century tourism campaign, thousands signed affidavits stating that water from the Chalice Well healed them, putting Glastonbury on the tourist map.

Today, Glastonbury is a center for searchers. Its too out-there for the mainstream church, but just right for those looking for a place to recharge their crystals. Since the society that built that labyrinth worshiped a mother goddess, the hill, or tor, is seen by many today as a symbol of the Sacred Feminine.

For those fascinated with mysterious Britain, within a short drive of Glastonbury there are a world of sights. You can see countless forgotten tombs, man-made hills, and figures carved into hillsides whose stories will never be fully understood.

Perhaps the most evocative are the stone circles, souvenirs of Englands misty, distant past. The most famous, Stonehenge, and a much larger, less-touristy stone circle at Avebury are both about an hour's drive from Glastonbury. Most believe stone circles functioned as celestial calendars, helping early societies know when to plant, when to harvest, and when to party. Some believe that Stonehenge is built at the precise point where six "ley lines" intersect. Ley lines are theoretical lines of magnetic or spiritual power that crisscross the globe. They are believed to have been very important to prehistoric peoples, and more recently embraced by the New Age movement.

The geology contributes to the mystery of this land. Southern Englands shoreline is lined by famed white chalk cliffs. And that same white chalk is just below a thin layer of topsoil all across the region. Eons ago, all it took was a shovel and a little hard work to peel away the soil and transform rolling hillsides into works of art  or messages.

Travelers to this day are entertained by giant white figures popping out of these grassy green slopes. Many are creations of 18th- and 19th-century Romantics acting out against the coldness of the Industrial Age, but a few of these figures have, as far as history is concerned, always been there. One figure in Dorset, an hour from Glastonbury, is particularly eye-catching: The Cerne Abbas Giant, armed with a big club and an erection, is hard to ignore. For centuries, people fighting infertility would sleep on Cerne Abbas. As my English friend explained, Maidens can still be seen leaping over his willy.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)
In the midst of war and with an international humanitarian crisis on their doorstep, law students from Moldova are collaborating on research with USF St. Petersburg campus students in an effort to form cultural bonds during a time of chaos.

Planning for this global classroom experience with students from the Universitatea Libera Internationala din Moldova (ULIM), or the Free International University of Moldova, began a year ago as faculty from the two institutions began developing the syllabus. The first joint meeting of the global class was to originally take place on February 23, but was pushed back a week. The next day, February 24, Russia invaded nearby Ukraine.

World events completely altered the context of the international collaboration and put in doubt if it would even happen. But USF Political Science Professor Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, the organizer of this collaboration who was a Fulbright Scholar in Moldova in 2010 and 2012, said that by continuing, it has provided tremendous benefits for everyone involved.

I believe this project has given students at ULIM some sense of normalcy and that we can be a source of support and solidarity during these tremendously challenging times, she said. Despite having a war at your door step and massive amounts of refugees coming into the country, its been heartwarming to see the Moldovan students response and how our USF students have connected with them.

Students in the two countries meet for virtual classroom discussions to compare and contrast civil liberty decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights involving similar legal questions. They are also working together in smaller research groups using Facebook Messenger, Whats App and Google Docs to delve further into specific issues, from the right to a fair trial to the freedom of assembly and speech.

All the while, the backdrop of war has posed significant challenges for the collaboration.

For our research partners in Moldova, missile strikes can be heard in the distance. Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine have crossed Moldova's borders. Russian strikes against nuclear plants instill fear of nuclear contamination that will spread to Moldova (and throughout Europe), McLauchlan wrote on a blog post for the class.

Despite these challenges, the global research partnership continues because of the perseverance of the students and faculty in Moldova.

This is a valuable opportunity for me because I have the chance and possibility to see and hear from other points of view, forming relationships and keeping in touch with others in a different country, said Natalia Bodiul, a third-year law student in Moldova who has also hosted several refugees from Ukraine in her home in recent weeks. We have different experiences and sources of information, but we can share and through that improve ourselves.

Since the start of the collaboration, McLauchlan and several students from Moldova and USF presented on how to develop collaborative international research projects at the Florida Political Science Association Meeting in March. Students have also highlighted work they have done on their civil liberty research during the USF St. Petersburg campus Undergraduate Research Conference on April 11 and will do so at a corresponding virtual symposium hosted by ULIM on April 20 and a virtual roundtable discussion hosted by the U.S. Embassy America House in Moldova on May 6.

The class will conclude with students submitting research papers and posters, and possibly having their work published in ULIMs law journal. And this summer, McLauchlan is working on a study about the impact of global classroom projects on the development of students understanding of global issues, supported by a grant from USF's Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning.

Beyond the research, students say the most valuable lessons they have learned so far is forming bonds with others from a different culture and at a historic time.

This experience has been valuable to work with others our own age and who have similar interests on the other side of the globe, said Taylor Herman, a first-year political science major at USF. It has also been inspiring to work with and see how they have dealt with the conflict happening so geographically close to them, getting to know these students and forming connections even with the differences in culture and circumstances.

The experience has also confirmed that even in the darkest of times, especially during those times, the value of education.

For me, its so important to get an education, because we can change the situation when we change our type of thinking, Bodiul said.
Ukraines success against Russian tanks and armored vehicles again revived predictions that tanks are obsolete. Tanks are still relevant and the Russian losses were the result of poor deployment of armored units as well as design differences in Russian tanks that make them much more vulnerable that Western tanks like the American M1, German Leopard or Israeli Merkava. Most Russian armored vehicles were lost while they were on the move, or stationery without adequate infantry support. The first Russian armored units going into Ukraine were told the population would be friendly or neutral. The reality was that the Ukrainians were well armed, hostile and using tactics the Russians were unaware of and unprepared to deal with. Thousands of Russian vehicles were destroyed in the first month, most of them armored, including some of the most modern Russian tanks plus a few that may have been taken from museums. Most of the Ukrainian anti-tank weapons were portable and carried into combat by teams of soldiers, many of them recent volunteers. Many volunteers had no military experience at all. The few days training they received was also an evaluation of their suitability for combat duty. This usually began carrying ammo, including anti-tank missiles and projectiles, These volunteers demonstrated an ability to follow instructions and take cover or resume movement when ordered. Sometimes volunteers were selected for combat duty because knew the area where their ant-tank team would be operating. The anti-tank teams suffered far fewer casualties than the Russians, even after the Russians became aware of the ambush risk. Ukrainians were still able to attack. For one thing most of the portable anti-tank could accurately hit moving vehicles 300 or more meters away. The guided missiles (Javelin and NLAW) were fire and forget. The NLAW had a max range of 600 meters and Javelin 2,500 meters. The Ukrainians were creative with their ambush tactics and the Russians who survived them noted that the Ukrainian always better prepared and one or more steps ahead of Russian commanders. The Russians were losing six dead for every Ukrainian fighter and that included soldiers killed by rocket and ballistic missile attacks away from the combat zone.

Russian armored vehicles had some unique vulnerabilities not found on their NATO counterparts. The Russian tanks used an auto-loader for the main (usually 125mm) gun and that meant there was a magazine of shells in the crew compartment (turret and body of than tank beneath i.) as well as spare shells for the crew to refill the autoloader magazine. If any anti-tank weapon penetrated into the crew compartments, especially the turret, one or more of the 125mm shells were exposed and likely to explode. If one shell went, all those near the autoloader did as well. This usually meant turret would literally be blown off the tank and the entire crew killed. Javelin and NLAW were designed to attack the less protected top of the turret or body of the tank, which at the very least destroyed the engine or wounded some of the three-man crew. The primary Russian infantry armored vehicle was the BMP which was poorly protected against anti-tank weapons, especially the ones the Ukrainians were using. You did need a top-attack ATGM to destroy a BMP.

Trucks carrying supplies (specially fuel and ammo), equipment or personnel were even more vulnerable.

Even when the Russians knew they were facing well-armed defenders their infantry was not well trained in how to scout for and protect their armored vehicles from ambush. NATO tank units train using infantry who know what to look for and are able to call in heavy fire from the armored vehicles they are escorting. NATO forces also have more small UAVs to do some of the scouting. The Russians had few such UAVs and those that were available were poorly used and often shot down by the Ukrainians.

Ukrainian forces have lots of armored vehicles, most of them improved (by the Ukrainians) Russian designs. Ukrainian tank tactics are more practical and more likely to overcome defenders, plus Ukrainian civilians are everywhere and generally eager to let their troops know whats going on in the area.

After the 2014 initial Russian attack, Ukraine realized they needed new and improved armor vehicles in case the Russian came again in larger numbers. Since 2014 Ukraine has been refurbishing existing equipment with Ukrainian resources. Emphasis is on armored vehicles, which Ukraine has lots of. Most are elderly but were little used in the past and still effective. Initially Ukraine had 250 T-64BMs and 350 T-64BVs. Ukraine also has 1,000 older T-64B tanks in storage. Only the T-64BM and T-64BM are operational and in use with the Ukrainian Army. Since 2007 Ukraine has been upgrading about one of the older T-64Bs to the T-64BM each month. This costs about $600,000 per T-64B. Ukrainian arms factories were also building the T-84 Oplot-M tank and 55 were in service by the end of 2015 and 120 more in 2016 at a cost of $3.7 million each. All this is possible because Ukraine contained many Soviet era armored vehicle plants and inherited them when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Ukraine also began upgrading about 300 T-72B tanks held in reserve. These were modified to become similar to the Polish PT-91. The official reason for this is that Ukraine wants the T-72Bs to meet NATO requirements but the upgraded tanks would also improve the defensive capabilities of the Ukrainian Army forces fighting in eastern Ukraine. The upgrade idea came as a result of Ukrainian military officials being given an opportunity to test some PT-91s.

Such cooperation between Poland and Ukraine is nothing new because since 2011 defense firms in the two countries have worked together to develop guided 155mm artillery and 120mm mortar shells. Another cooperative effort enabled a Polish firm to develop a less expensive alternative to the Israeli SPIKE ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) that was based on the Ukrainian RK-3 Corsair ATGM. Ukraine, like Russia, has little choice but to refurbish older vehicles and hope for the best.

By 2022 Ukraine had over a thousand upgraded tanks and even more other armored vehicles. In addition, East European NATO nations are sending more T-72 tanks from their reserve stocks and even non-NATO nations are sending infantry and supporting armored vehicles. Ukrainian troops were trained to avoid the mistakes the Russians made and rely on escorting infantry and supporting fire power to use the tanks as fire support, not targets.
IBC Kickstarts the 2022 Accelerator Innovation Programme with Round One - Quick Fire Pitches - at the IET

5G Location Based Extended Realities Team Win the 2021 Accelerator Project of the Year Award.

London( )

IBCs acclaimed Accelerator Media Innovation Programme is underway with a new 2022 cycle following the first round, a series of seventeen diverse technology and business challenges pitched to an invitation only audience from across the media ecosystem at IBCs Kickstart Day.

Held at the iconic Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) in London on April 7th, of the seventeen pitches, just eight projects will be selected to go forward to the next stage, developing challenge solutions that will be showcased at IBC 2022 in September, as Proof of Concepts.

Collaborative innovation is a critical component of IBCs Accelerator Programme, as seen by more than 120 organisations that have been involved across sixteen remarkable project challenges in 2020 and 2021, said Mark Smith, innovation lead and advisor to IBC. All have been highly relevant to the challenges and opportunities of disruption and transformation faced by todays media industry, where innovation is the lifeblood of the sector.

Themes for 2022 project pitches included: Live event-based cloud workflows, ultra-low latencies (in production encoding and for live OTT, 5G (in Live XR Events, Remote Rural Production), Next Generation News Studio, Sustainability, Content Distribution via Blockchain, Immersive Metaverse Audio, Advertising (and international OTT integration), Mixed Reality Pipelines for Live Studio Broadcast, Edge Computing for Personalised Data and Cyber/ Watermarking, among others.

At the Kickstart event, IBC also announced the winner of the 2021 Accelerator Project of the Year Award, selected from the eight project Challenges developed in 2021 by an independent panel of industry expert judges. The winner was the 5G LBXR Project which explored the role of 5G in Location-Based Extended Realities across multiple locations and IP formats.

The diverse 5G LBXR team focused on examining 5Gs low latency and provision of edge computing as critical aspects required for immersive, ultra-responsive interactivity and the technical feasibility of multi-user, multi-location XR gaming. The group utilised the esports market and tournament production pipelines as an ideal template for 5G use cases for XR formats, due to requirements for low latency, high bandwidth, serious computing power and fan hyper-personalisation.

The projects final Proof of Concept solution explored this with two XR formats, using both Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and real-time avatars. The AR workstream harnessed Hado, a virtual yet hybrid dodge ball game developed to be the worlds first physical esport with a remote gameplay between two locations, between Twickenham Studios and the Vodafone Business Lounge at Coventry Building Society Arena. The second workstream focused on Nanoclash, the title VR IP at the Park Playground, which demonstrated 5G via multi-player, multi-location between Belgium and Vodafones 5G Hub in The Netherlands. The project was championed by Telenet/Liberty Global, Park Playground, Hado, Digital Domain, Twickenham Film Studios, Vodafone and ESL/Weavr with vendor Participants Huawei, Net Insight, Noitom, ProMod Esports and QuarkXR.

Telenets Arthur Lian Xiangyu, Project Lead, expressed his gratitude for the award: We are so proud to deliver this POC using low latency high capacity 5G networks to enable XR streaming, cross location-based XR gaming, real-time esports production and avatar-hosted broadcast to audiences around the world. We were so honoured to work with this amazing team, and to be honest, deeply surprised to be able to take this trophy home as all the projects achieved great results! Many thanks to the IBC Accelerator Programme team and to everyone who followed, cared, and supported us during this run!

The IBC Accelerator Programme was launched in 2019 and empowers companies from across the content and technology industries to identify business and technology challenges and solve them openly and collaboratively. Further challenges in 2021 included 5G & Innovation in Live Production Workflows, 5G for Remote Production in Live Sports, More Sustainable Live Productions, Ai for Bias Detection, Smart Remote Production for Real Time Animation, Immersive Audio & Sound Imagery, and RT-3D Interactive Content Creation for Real Time Distribution.

IBCs Accelerator Kickstart Day was sponsored by Zixi.

Visit the Accelerator page to find out more about the IBC Accelerator Programme and challenges or email us at accelerators@ibc.org.
Golden, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2022) - Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: PLSH) today announced that Leslie Buttorff will be attending The Q2 Investor Summit Group - In-Person. Panacea Life Sciences Holdings' Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Buttorff, will discuss the company's roadmap for growth in the next 1-2 years.

Event: The Q2 Investor Summit Group Date: May 3-4, 2022 Location: The Westin New York Grand Central

212 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 Presentation: May 3rd at 1:15PM ET View webcast presentation: https://newsroom.panacealife.com

1x1s will be available for qualified investors

The conference is completely complimentary to qualified investors. Please register at Complimentary Investor Registration

About Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.

Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: PLSH) is a fully integrated FDA, cGMP certified, seed-to-sale cannabinoid product focused company. We research, develop, manufacture and commercialize raw materials derived from industrial hemp and custom formulate, manufacture and distribute softgels (both bovine and vegan), gummies, tinctures, sublingual tablets, patches, K-Tape, topical pain relief and skin care products as our base business. We have expanded our research and development preclinical and clinical programs, with a focus on nutraceutical and purposeful, natural pharmaceutical alternatives for humans and companion animals. We research, produce, and distribute products both domestically and internationally that target and treat major categories of medical conditions: pain, cancer, psychological, epilepsy, gastrointestinal, autoimmune, neurological, and sleep disorders and support these product through clinical research and studies. These categories include conditions that affect hundreds of millions of patients and animals worldwide.Our vision is to become the leading research and manufacturing cannabinoid and nutraceutical company (top 10 in terms of revenue and brand) in the U.S.

For further information:

Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.

Leslie Buttorff

3034340215

[email protected]

About the Investor Summit Group

The Investor Summit Group (formerly MicroCap Conference) is an exclusive, independent conference dedicated to connecting smallcap and microcap companies with qualified investors. The Q2 Investor Summit Group will take place in-person, featuring 65+ companies and over 300 investors comprising institutional investors, family offices, and high net worth investors. Sectors Participating: Biotech, Communication Services, Consumer, Energy, Energy/Tech, Financial, Healthcare, Industrials, Materials, Real Estate, Technology, and Tech/Crypt. [email protected]
PROVO, Utah, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpine Air Express, Inc. ("Alpine" or "the Company"), a leading regional air cargo carrier providing critical air infrastructure supporting a wide range of integrated logistics operations throughout North America, announced that it has acquired Suburban Air Freight Inc. ("Suburban"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This strategic addition marks Alpine's second acquisition since becoming a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners, LP ("AEI"), a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. Alpine also acquired the assets of Great Lakes Airlines in 2020.

Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Alpine is a leading Part-135 air cargo operator with a long and distinguished history of providing its customers with safe and reliable air cargo transportation services. Alpine operates a growing fleet of more than 50 active aircraft and owns a proprietary Supplemental Type Certificate ("STC") to convert the Beechcraft 1900D aircraft from passenger to cargo configuration, providing a unique value proposition to its blue-chip customers such as UPS, U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and others.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Omaha, NE, Suburban is a Part-135 regional air cargo carrier providing dedicated air cargo services to DHL and other leading customers. Much like Alpine, Suburban primarily operates a fleet of Beech 1900s and operates a highly complementary integrated maintenance operations team. Suburban's leadership team of Geoff Gallup and Jay Armstrong will remain with the Company to help transition Suburban into this next chapter and assist with the integration into Alpine.

"Suburban is a leading regional air cargo carrier with a reputation for quality service and safety," said Michael Dancy, CEO of Alpine Air. "The addition of Suburban and its talented team significantly expands our Company and its market position, enabling us to better serve our new and existing customers."

"Growing e-commerce activity, faster delivery requirements and supply chain complexity has increased the demand for large scale, reliable regional air cargo service providers," said Jon Nemo, Senior Partner at AEI. "We have invested significantly in Alpine, including this strategic addition of Suburban, to create a leading provider of critical air cargo infrastructure capable of meeting this growing demand."

"Safe and reliable service has also been our key focus while providing additional routes to better serve our customers, and as part of Alpine, we'll have greater resources to realize both objectives," said Mr. Gallup. "We look forward to partnering with both the Alpine and AEI teams as we expand our business."

BDO served as financial advisor and Akerman served as legal advisor to AIpine. Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith was the legal advisor to Suburban.

About Alpine Air Express

Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Alpine is a leading a leading regional air cargo carrier providing critical air infrastructure supporting a wide range of integrated logistics operations throughout North America. Alpine operates a growing fleet of aircraft and owns a proprietary Supplemental Type Certificate ("STC") to convert the Beechcraft 1900D aircraft from passenger configuration to cargo configuration, making it the largest single pilot cargo aircraft in the world. For more information, please visit www.alpine-air.com.

About AE Industrial Partners

AE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout its target markets. AE Industrial Partners is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com.

CONTACT:LambertJennifer Hurson845-507-0571[email protected]orCaroline Luz203-656-2829[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alpine-air-express-a-portfolio-company-of-ae-industrial-partners-acquires-suburban-air-freight-inc-301526791.html

SOURCE AE Industrial Partners
ATLANTA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an industry that boasts more than 300 new-car models available to the public each year, perhaps nothing has more radically changed the face of automotive than the rapid rise in production and popularity of electric cars. Fueled by both environmental and economic pressures, automakers have overhauled their lineups to include more and more electric vehicles (EVs) with each passing year. To help car shoppers discern the best among all available new EVs, Autotrader, a Cox Automotive company, has named the 10 Best Electric Vehicles for 2022.

"For years, experts predicted the electric car revolution was coming, and now we can firmly declare it has arrived," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. "There are more EV choices than ever before in 2022, with a wide range of prices, styles and capabilities, ensuring there is an EV available to fit into most any lifestyle. As gas prices continue to rise and fluctuate throughout the United States, EVs are likely to become even more appealing to car shoppers as they consider their next new-vehicle purchase."

Autotrader's editorial team drove and lived with this year's electric vehicles, evaluating important factors like the interiors, exteriors, powertrains, ride and handling, comfort, features, and of course, prices. They also carefully considered whether each vehicle served the purpose for which it was built, be it commuting efficiently, keeping a family safe, conveying a sense of prestige, or helping the driver feel like they finally found an EV match for their lifestyle. The editors took each electric vehicle through seemingly mundane but important tasks like parking, lane-changing, backing up, and loading cargo space. They also assessed essentials like acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, as well as materials and build quality.

To create this list, each editor contributed their opinions, expertise and rating of each vehicle on a 5-point scale. To meet final consideration, the 2022 model-year electric vehicles had to receive a minimum 4.0 out of 5.0 points from Autotrader's editors. For the first time, only pure EVs were allowed on the list (no hybrids, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles). In addition, each of the electric cars, SUVs and trucks had to be available for delivery to the public within six months of the list being published. Below are Autotrader's 10 Best Electric Vehicles for 2022, listed alphabetically by brand:

Autotrader's 10 Best Electric Vehicles for 2022

2022 Chevrolet Bolt/Bolt EUVThe Bolt recently received a makeover and a slightly larger EUV (electric utility vehicle) sibling. Its new exterior and interior designs improved on the outgoing model's minor shortcomings, and the improved battery capacity and motor make the 2022 Bolt even more capable.

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-EDespite taking on the iconic name of one of the original pony cars, this fast and furious electric SUV has an appeal all its own. The Mustang Mach-E has a great interior, fun exterior, and shoppers don't necessarily need to spend up to the GT version to have a good time.

2022 GMC Hummer EV PickupGM's first all-electric pickup truck revives the Hummer nameplate, this time as a sub-brand of GMC. In stark contrast to the original gas-guzzling behemoth Hummer, this new EV pickup is a monstrously capable, fast, quiet, electron-powered beauty.

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5Hyundai continues to refine its Ioniq concept, and the 2022 Ioniq 5 is the best version yet. It's thoroughly futuristic yet also has a fun, retro vibe. The Ioniq 5's driving experience, especially the progressive regenerative braking, is sophisticated and seamless.

2022 Kia EV6Beyond pure function, Kia pushed the design boundaries with the new EV6, ensuring this new generation of transportation boasts a new look all its own. The EV6's sleek design is a bold look for Kia, especially compared to past vehicles from the brand.

2022 Mercedes-EQ EQSWhile Mercedes-Benz has been incorporating electric power into its lineup for several years now with EQ Boost, the 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS is the brand's first electric vehicle. This true luxury EV should leave Tesla's Elon Musk quaking in his fancy hipster shoes, and its interior is S-Class-level excellent.

2022 Rivian R1TRivian is an enticing new startup EV manufacturer, and the R1T electric pickup truck is the first consumer vehicle from the brand. The impressive, full-size EV brims with technological innovations and delightful details, including a big front trunk (frunk) and a bonus rear trunk.

2022 Tesla Model 3Possibly the most successful and unconventional automaker in the world right now, Tesla continues to crank out variants on its EV theme. While still focusing on luxury and advanced technology, the Model 3 is the most affordable electric car in the company's lineup and still offers outstanding range, performance, and available driver assistance features.

2022 Volkswagen ID.4The ID.4 impresses with its smooth integration of function with form, retaining its essential "VW-ness" even without an internal combustion engine. Much like an Apple device on wheels, the interior is modern and functional, while the exterior is attractive without being flashy. Like other Volkswagens, the ID.4 also is fun to drive.

2022 Volvo C40 RechargeVolvo's commitment to electrification has expanded beyond the SUV range to its first all-electric compact car, the C40 Recharge. Since Volvo rebooted itself in the last decade, it retained its core identity as a safety leader and elevated its interiors into the luxury category. The C40 delivers a stylish, comfortable, capable EV with a distinctly Swedish flavor.

To learn more about the 10 Best Electric Vehicles for 2022 from Autotrader, including pricing, photos, detailed vehicle information and available inventory, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/best-electric-cars.

For more information and news from Autotrader, visit press.autotrader.com, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Autotrader_com (or @Autotrader_com), Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/autotrader_com/ (or @autotrader_com), like our page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/autotrader/, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/autotrader-com.

About AutotraderAutotrader is the most recognized third-party car listings brand, with the most engaged audience of in-market car shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered car shopper looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing and retailing solutions allow consumers to build their deal online, and guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About Cox AutomotiveCox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using vehicles easier for everyone. The global company's more than 27,000 team members and family of brands, including Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, VinSolutions, vAuto and Xtime, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with annual revenues of nearly $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com

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Experienced Sales Leader to Drive Global Adoption of Disruptive Products for Single Cell Genomics

SAN DIEGO and CAMBRIDGE, England, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CS Genetics, a privately held genomics-technology company, today announced the appointment of Chad Geringer as Vice President of Global Sales. Chad will build and lead the company's global sales organization as the company launches its single cell genomics technology, which employs a simple, single-day cells-to-sequencer workflow and leverages instrument-free, solution-phase chemical biology that plugs directly into existing laboratory infrastructure.

Chad joins CS Genetics from Twist Bioscience where he served as Director of Americas and EMEA sales for their NGS product portfolio. Prior to Twist, Chad spent over 15 years at Illumina where he held a variety of sales, support, and broader commercial roles across the world, including Director of Global Commercial Partnerships, and Head of Regional Accounts and Technologies in EMEA. Chad also spent nearly a decade as a laboratory scientist at Eli Lilly, where he applied genomics technologies to projects spanning drug discovery and development. Chad completed his Master's in Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University.

"We're excited to partner with Chad to deliver our disruptive products for single cell genomics to customers around the world" said Jeremy Preston, PhD, Chief Commercial Officer at CS Genetics. "Chad brings a wealth of leadership and commercial experience in genomics spanning diverse products, geographies and markets. He also brings deep technical knowledge, intimate understanding of applications and needs across key customer types, and a passion for enabling scientists with ground-breaking technology. It's a privilege to welcome a recognized industry leader of Chad's caliber to spearhead our high-performance global sales organization"

CS Genetics has developed a disruptive platform for single cell genomics which leverages instrument-free, solution-phase chemical biology instead of solid-phase hardware or complex, multi-step/multi-tube indexing schemes. CS Genetics' platform offers a simple, single-day cells-to-sequencer workflow that requires only standard laboratory plasticware, the ability to rapidly deploy on existing high-throughput lab-automation infrastructure, a unique fixation-free workflow pause-point at cell collection to enable asynchronous sample collection/storage, and a cost profile that is structurally inaccessible to leading on-market single-cell platforms.

"I'm thrilled by the opportunity to serve the scientific community with CS Genetics' highly enabling single cell technology. Over the course of my career I have been involved with several other disruptive genomics technologies and immediately recognized the potential for CS Genetics' single cell solution to unlock new markets and truly democratize single cell genomics. The simplicity and scalability of the technology will enable scientists across the spectrum to adopt single cell  from small, academic research labs to large biopharma." said Chad Geringer, Vice President of Global Sales at CS Genetics.

About CS Genetics

CS Genetics is a privately held genomics-technology company based in San Diego, California and Cambridge, UK. The company's product portfolio leverages instrument-free, solution-phase chemical biology that is categorically different to other single cell technologies, providing a clear commercial path globally without the extensive, multi-prong litigation risks borne by other platforms within the single cell market. The company holds a large global intellectual property estate covering its single cell platform and related reagent, workflow, manufacturing and application technologies. For more information, please contact [email protected].

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. Supreme Court has decided it wont block the Air Force from disciplining a Reserve officer who refused to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Dunn brought the case to the Supreme Court earlier this month, asking the justices to block the service from inflicting punishments that deprive him of his First Amendment freedoms and irreparably harm his career.

Dunn is an Air Force pilot who served multiple tours in Afghanistan. He left active duty and joined the Air Force Reserve in 2014.

The justices denied Dunns request in a brief, unsigned order Monday. Three conservative justices  Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch  disagreed with the decision and wouldve granted Dunns request, the order said.

Dunn requested a religious exemption during the summer from the Defense Departments mandate that all personnel be vaccinated against the coronavirus. His request was denied, and he was relieved of his command of the 452nd Contingency Response Squadron, which is based at March Air Reserve Base, Calif.

Dunn asked a federal court in California to block the Air Force from relieving him of his command, but the court rejected his request. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit did the same. On April 11, he asked the Supreme Court to intervene on an emergency basis.

In a rebuttal to Dunns case, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote the Air Force had a compelling interest in requiring Dunns vaccination because he led a unit designed to be deployable worldwide with just 72 hours notice.

[V]accination of service members is an essential component of military readiness and is critical to protecting the health and safety of service members, Prelogar wrote.

Dunns case follows a Supreme Court ruling in March in which the justices upheld the Navys authority to reassign Navy SEALs who refused to be vaccinated.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division has hired three civilians to lead regional field offices as part of an ongoing effort to improve its capabilities and further separate the services crime unit from the soldiers and commands that it investigates.

The new special agents-in-charge will oversee regional operations from offices at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Carson, Colo., and Fort Bragg, N.C., division officials said Tuesday. It was announced a year ago that the three bases were the starting points for sweeping changes to the agency that came under scrutiny in the wake of the disappearance and death of Fort Hood Spc. Vanessa Guillen in April 2020.

The Fort Hood Independent Review Committee, which was tasked with looking into what happened in Guillens case, found the CID detachment at the base was unstable and under-resourced. The committee offered 11 recommendations to CID to improve operations, including ceding control of the investigative agency to civilian leadership and increasing stability in offices by hiring more civilians who are not subject to changing duty stations every few years. The changes will bring Army CID more in line with the operations of the Navy and Air Force criminal investigative agencies.

CID will now have a single individual in each of our field offices who maintains overall responsibility for the execution of the operational mission in that area and possesses technical competency in the conduct and management of criminal investigations as well as program management, senior level partnering and strategic planning skill sets, said Gregory Ford, the director of CID.

Fords hiring last year was CIDs first major step to redesign the agency, and he is the agencys first civilian director. Instead of reporting to the Army chief of staff, Ford reports directly to the undersecretary of the Army.

The three agents announced Tuesday to lead CIDs first regional field offices are expected to start within a month and all come from other federal investigative agencies.

The creation of these positions will allow our field offices to better align with our federal law enforcement counterparts and create a structure that is more recognizable to the multitude of state and local law enforcement agencies we interact with on a daily basis," Ford said in a statement.

Misty Lakota will lead the Central Field Office at Fort Carson and comes to job from the Department of the Interior, working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to CID. She is also a legal administrator and warrant officer in the Army Reserve.

Maria Thomas will become the special agent-in-charge at the Central Texas Office at Fort Hood, CID said. Thomas most recently served as the assistance director of human resources at Naval Criminal Investigative Service headquarters. She has been in law enforcement since 2002, and she has an expertise in sexual assault, and child physical and sexual abuse investigations.

Shane Watts will lead the Atlantic Field Office at Fort Bragg, coming to the Army from his job as the assistant special agent in charge with Homeland Security Investigations within the Department of Homeland Security in Del Rio, Texas. His 25 years of experience include investigating large-scale drug smuggling, money laundering and transnational gang activity.

"Two key focus areas for the [special agents-in-charge] will be ensuring operational excellence and succession planning, Ford said. With regard to succession planning, [they] will be expected to lead the culture change in their area of responsibility to ensure we are developing personnel with a law enforcement mindset who demonstrate investigative curiosity and maintain a proactive victim focused mindset.

Before the redesign, CID operated detachments at Army bases, which were overseen by a warrant officer with experience in criminal investigations. However, they reported up through a battalion command structure stretched across several bases. Those Army officers often had minimal law enforcement experience, according to a Fort Hood review committee report.

The Fort Hood CID office received almost no guidance and minimal support from the battalion leadership, according to the report. During Guillens case, the battalions assistance was nonexistent until the Fort Hood base commander intervened, the report stated.

Guillen went missing from Fort Hood on April 22, 2020, while working in an arms room with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Spc. Aaron Robinson, another soldier in Guillens unit, is believed to have killed her with a hammer, then moved her body. Her remains were found June 30 alongside a river about 30 miles from the base. Robinson shot himself dead July 1 when approached by civilian law enforcement in Killeen, the town just outside Fort Hood.

The next step for CID will be to expand these leadership changes beyond Fort Hood, Fort Carson and Fort Bragg, and hire additional special agents-in-charge at 11 other regional offices. New field offices are planned for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Ga.; Fort Myer, Va.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Camp Humphreys, Korea.
Most services have returned for patients at the Fort Bliss hospital, including elective surgeries and trauma cases, after an internal plumbing issue caused a halt to water use at the facility 12 days ago, officials at the Texas Army base said Tuesday.

The hospital has relied on bottled water and bulk water systems as officials worked to identify what led to discoloration and sediment in the water supply of the recently opened William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

Officials now believe valve failure on the hospitals water softener system introduced brine, or salty water, into the main system, according to Fort Bliss. This caused limited pipe corrosion that resulted in the discoloration and sediment.

Preliminary test samples confirmed the absence of biological hazards or pathogens in the water, as have previous test results. The decision from Col. Brett Venable, hospital commander, to limit operations starting April 7 came from an abundance of caution, Fort Bliss said.

Meanwhile, hospital facilities staff and maintenance engineers are working to remove the brine corrosion from the affected areas, ordering replacement parts and materials, and repairing the valve, Fort Bliss said.

Regional Health Command-Central, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Defense Health Agency and the Army Public Health Center have experts on-site and are planning a high-speed directional water flush, once all system components are inspected and operational, the base said. The water flush will move large volumes of water through the hospitals domestic water system, removing any remaining debris.

Once all the work is complete, Venable will use additional testing to determine whether to lift the water advisory.

As work continues, the Fort Bliss hospital has established a contract with an El Paso-area hospital to sterilize equipment and supplies.

The Army began moving into the $1.3 billion hospital in July, and the new William Beaumont was fully operational in August. Staff members reported March 25 that one department identified debris in its water, according to Fort Bliss. Nearly two weeks later, water troubles were identified in other departments.

Since April 7, teams from various military agencies have worked to track down the issue and find a solution.

Fort Bliss established an information page on the hospitals website with daily updates and answers to frequently asked question, which is located at https://william-beaumont.tricare.mil/Patient-Resources/Water-Advisory.
LOS ANGELES (Tribune News Service)  A man who sold fentanyl-laced pills that caused a 20-year-old U.S. Marines death in 2020 pleaded guilty Friday to federal drug charges, officials said.

Gustavo Jaciel Solis, 25, entered pleas on one count each of participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and distributing fentanyl resulting in death, according to the U.S. attorneys office for the Central District of California.

Solis was charged in 2020 with being part of a ring that distributed drugs to civilians and Marines, prosecutors said.

He admitted that he would advertise his controlled substances for sale through his Snapchat account username, huf_75, and display name, Gusto928, according to a plea agreement filed Tuesday.

Solis would provide various controlled substances, including LSD, MDMA, cocaine and purported oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, to customers directly, through couriers, or through the United States mail, prosecutors said.

He obtained 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from a co-defendant and posted a picture of several pills to Snapchat with the caption, Who f*** with M30s? Tapp in, prosecutors said.

According to the indictment, Solis sold 10 oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl to an active-duty Marine on May 22. A day later, the Marine died of a drug overdose, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said the Marine was stationed at Camp Pendleton.

In his plea agreement, Solis admitted to orchestrating other drug deals, including with a Naval Criminal Investigative Service undercover agent, prosecutors said.

The deals with the agent involved several types of illegal drugs, including cocaine, LSD and more fentanyl-laced, fake oxycodone pills, prosecutors said.

Solis was arrested on July 29, 2020, prosecutors said. Investigators seized drugs and several guns, including a 9-millimeter ghost gun, from his residence.

He has remained in federal custody since his arrest, prosecutors said.

A superseding indictment filed in September 2020 named Solis and four other defendants, who are:

Jordan Nicholas McCormick, 27, of Palmdale, California, the lead defendant and the conspiracys alleged supplier who provided LSD, ecstasy, cocaine and oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.

Anthony Ruben Whisenant, 22, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, who allegedly aided and abetted the distribution of the fentanyl-laced pills purchased from Solis that resulted in L.M.s fatal overdose.

Jessica Sarah Perez, 25, of Pacoima, California, who distributed narcotics including fentanyl and cocaine to the conspiracys civilian customers.

Ryan Douglas White, 24, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact for allegedly attempting to hinder law enforcements apprehension of Whisenant and Solis.

Solis is scheduled for sentencing Aug.17, prosecutors said. He will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the fentanyl charge, and potential life sentences for each of the narcotics offenses.

Perez pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 to conspiring to distribute narcotics, prosecutors said. She is scheduled to be sentenced May 11.

The remaining three defendants are scheduled to go on trial June 21, prosecutors said.



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(Tribune News Service)  In South Florida, surprise visitors can crawl on their bellies.

And wear out their welcome.

Naval Air Station Key West had to remove a stubborn crocodile from its airfield on Boca Chica Key recently. The croc was photographed basking in the spring sunshine with a Super Hornet fighter jet in the background.

This airfield resident was soaking up some sun on one of our runways recently and didnt want to budge, NAS wrote in a Facebook post Monday.

Navy officials knew what to do, of course. The air station, at mile marker 8 off the Overseas Highway, is located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

NAS wildlife biologist Rosa Gonzales, who snapped the crocs photo, called in reinforcements from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to move the reptile beyond the fence line.

After a while, crocodile! NAS posted.

Oh, its pretty big. Check out a crocodile that went for a swim at a Miami-area park

People were taken by the site of the croc. Some were familiar with such visits.

The neighborhoods right outside of the fence line, in Geiger Key, have been having multiple croc issues the past few months, according to one commenter.

Another posted a photo of himself with a croc at the air base from his Navy days before 2012, he said.

NAS Key West property is home to 23 federally listed species, NAS added. They include the endangered Lower Keys rabbit, the smallest of three subspecies of marsh rabbits. They can grow up to 14 to 16 inches long.

The air base and the wildlife agency havent commented yet on the size of the croc on the airfield.

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Two Navy destroyers that were hurriedly deployed to Europe earlier this year as tensions rose in Ukraine are back in their U.S.-based homeports, naval officials said in separate recent announcements.

USS The Sullivans and USS Mitscher returned from January deployments to U.S. 6th Fleet on Monday and Saturday, respectively, the Navy said.

The ships return comes about three months after they and two other destroyers, USS Donald Cook and USS Gonzalez, were deployed following the December order to the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group to remain in the Mediterranean Sea.

At the time, analysts called the rapid deployment of the four destroyers from their homeports unusual over the past 30 years.

U.S. officials said the deployments and the presence of the Truman along with other NATO ships in the Mediterranean was a signal to allies and partners of the American commitment to defend the alliance amid growing Russian aggression.

Late last year, Russia began amassing troops and heavy weaponry near Ukraines borders. On Feb. 24, the Kremlin launched its ongoing full-scale invasion.

It was unclear Tuesday whether the Navy will send other destroyers to Europe, but four are forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, and five, including USS Gonzalez, are attached to the Truman.

The Pentagon has since ordered the Truman strike group, which is operating in the Mediterranean Sea and nearby waters, to remain there for the foreseeable future. The Donald Cook was last reported in late March making a port call in Copenhagen.

USS The Sullivans, homeported at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Fla., sailed more than 20,000 nautical miles to operate in the Irish, North and Baltic seas during its deployment, the Navy said Monday. The ship made port calls in Copenhagen; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Ponta Delgada, Portugal; and Rota.

It also participated in NATO Exercise Dynamic Guard in the North Sea and continued operating in Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, which included ships from the German, Dutch and Danish navies, according to the statement.

Despite the dynamic schedule and demanding operational tasking, The Sullivans crew displayed resiliency, grit and determined self-sufficiency to accomplish all missions, said Cmdr. James Diefenderfer Jr., the ships commanding officer.

The Mitscher, homeported in Norfolk, Va., joined the Truman in the Mediterranean during its deployment, performing operations and defense of the carrier with the Greek, Italian, Norwegian and Turkish navies, officials said in a Saturday statement.

We arrived in theater and seamlessly integrated with forces who were already on station, said Cmdr. Thomas McCandless, commanding officer of USS Mitscher.

It was the second deployment within a year for each ship. USS Mitscher returned from an extended deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group in September.

The Sullivans has spent 10 months of the past year on deployment, previously returning just before Thanksgiving after serving with Britains HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group, the Navy said.
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off a weeklong trip home to California on Monday with a stop at Vandenberg Space Force Base, where she said the U.S. would halt testing of satellite-killing missiles to reduce the threat posed by space debris.

The self-imposed ban comes amid rising tensions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and Moscows decision in November to test a missile that blew up one of its own satellites. That explosion polluted low-Earth orbit with more than 1,500 pieces of dangerous debris, forcing the crew of the International Space Station to take shelter.

Even a tiny bit of such space junk could damage or destroy a satellite, space station or spacecraft. The U.S. and its allies have sharply criticized the Kremlin over the test, with Harris in December calling it an irresponsible act. China used a missile in 2007 to destroy one of its satellites, a blast that continues to litter space with nearly 3,000 pieces of debris.

These tests are dangerous, and we will not conduct them, Harris said in a speech to the bases military personnel, noting how the resulting debris can endanger the lives of astronauts and imperil satellites that provide the daily weather forecast, GPS driving directions, and even your favorite television station.

Harris said she hoped the U.S. action would spur other countries to join in halting such tests.

The United States is committed to lead the way and to lead by example, she said.

The U.S. appears in 2008 to have last used a missile to destroy a satellite that was malfunctioning. U.S. officials said that within a week all the resulting debris had left the orbit.

The invasion of Ukraine escalated tensions between Washington and Moscow over how the countries intend to explore space. It also resulted in the halting of direct talks between Washington and Moscow over international rules on space-based missile defenses. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled he intends to expand Moscows space weapons program.

The U.S. has imposed a raft of harsh economic sanctions, including some aimed at the Russian space industry. It is not clear how the invasion will affect operations of the International Space Station, which is operated jointly by the U.S., Russia and other countries. The station, which has been in operation for more than two decades, has been heralded as an example of post-Cold War cooperation.

The Trump and Biden administrations ramped up efforts to counter competition from Russia and China in space. Trump created the Space Force as a new branch of the military, while Biden has continued to invest in its existence. The White House budget request unveiled last month included $24.5 billion for the Space Force, a nearly 40% bump over the previous year and nearly the $26 billion Biden requested for NASA.

Before delivering her remarks at Vandenberg, Harris received a briefing from military personnel on U.S. efforts in space and the dangers posed by anti-satellite missiles.

She was next to fly to Los Angeles, where she was scheduled to appear at a Democratic fundraiser Monday night. Harris, who has a home in Brentwood and served as one of Californias two U.S. senators before ascending to the vice presidency, is scheduled to deliver a speech in San Francisco on maternal health on Thursday before returning to Washington on Monday.

___

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The sinking of the Russian Black Sea flagship Moskva on April 14 was the first destruction of a major warship in combat since the Falklands war 40 years ago, when both the U.K. and Argentina lost large surface ships in the cold waters of the South Atlantic. For the Russians, you would have to go back to World War II to find a comparable loss.

How will this dramatic event affect the war in Ukraine? And what are the lessons for navies worldwide?

I have toured Russian ships on several occasions (including in Sevastopol before the Russian invasion), and the surface ships produced in the 1970s and 1980s, like the Slava-class Moskva, have several weaknesses in construction and manning.

The most noticeable deficiency is a lack of the sort of combat compartmentation built into U.S. and other Western warships. Instead of multiple watertight doors that can be slammed shut when a ship is at general quarters (all hands manning their battle stations), Russian ships have little ability to divide up internally - making them far more vulnerable to what is called progressive flooding, a euphemism for sinking.

Another key shortcoming, which surprised me, is the lack of a strong corps of mid-grade professionals in the Russian navy crews. Called chief petty officers in the U.S. Navy, these are sailors with 10-15 years of seagoing experience who lead the sailors on the deck. They are the backbone of the U.S. Navy, and the absence of such a cadre is a major problem for the Russians. (The same weakness - a lack of strong noncommissioned officers - exists in the Russian land forces, a major factor in the problems they are encountering ashore since the Feb. 24 invasion.)

I recently compared notes on the Ukraine sea war with a retired U.S. surface-warfare captain. He reminded me that when he toured a Russian cruiser, the officers wore name tags on their uniforms, while the sailors wore only numbers. This mentality - a reminder that the Russian fleet is in part composed of conscripts - reflects a lack of a coherent chain of command. That can work in peacetime operations, but quickly breaks down in combat.

In the case of the Moskva, we dont have the accurate reporting to fully evaluate the failures, but a couple of points stand out.

Most obviously, the readiness of the ship to defend itself from two incoming Ukrainian Neptune cruise missiles (now confirmed by U.S. intelligence) was flawed. Whether that stemmed from a lax watch standing - meaning the sailors werent at proper battle stations - or that the ships anti-air defenses were technologically insufficient, we may never know. In all likelihood, it was a combination of both.

Additionally, the ability of the ship to take a punch and keep itself afloat, called damage control in U.S Navy parlance, was obviously lacking. On an American warship, the crew is organized at battle stations into teams spread throughout the ship that are trained, equipped and prepared to respond to fires, flooding, loss of electrical power and other challenges. It appears the Moskva crew not only failed to blunt the incoming attack but could not control the combination of fires and flooding that followed.

The loss of Moskva is a gut punch to the Russian military and the Kremlin. First is the symbolic blow: The ship is named for Russias capital - think about the hit to morale and prestige youd have if the U.S. lost the aircraft carrier George Washington.

The Moskva was also a capable command-and-control node to direct the rest of the Black Sea Fleet, which was thought to have been preparing for an attack or amphibious assault around the critical Ukrainian seaport of Odessa. Finally, its long-range cruise missiles were knocked out of action.

While the loss of a single ship is not in itself catastrophic, it is a considerable setback, especially given the warning signal it sends to other Russian surface combatants. Having now lost two significant warships (a tank landing ship was destroyed in port several weeks ago), the Russian navy will be doubly cautious in approaching the Ukrainian seacoast.

Finally, the sinking will have an effect on global operations of all navies. It is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of surface ships - including aircraft carriers, the heart of the U.S. Navy - to relatively low-cost, numerous and technologically advanced cruise missiles. As the Ukrainians have demonstrated by striking tanks, armored personnel carriers and helicopters ashore, the cost-benefit of a cruise missile kill is very high for the attacking force.

Both the U.K. and Argentina learned a lesson about ships defensive flaws in the Falklands - the British lost two destroyers and the Argentines fared worse. But for the two decades of the so-called forever wars, Western navies operated with impunity, projecting power ashore at will because Afghans, Iraqis and Syrians did not have Neptune-style cruise missiles. That wont be the case in great-power conflict.

The death of the Moskva is a vivid reminder of the need for capable anti-air weapons systems, well-honed damage control and tactical choices when operating near hostile coasts. Even as Russia seeks to learn the lessons of the sinking of its Black Sea flagship, the U.S. and its powerful allies need to as well.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also chair of the board of the Rockefeller Foundation and vice chairman of Global Affairs at the Carlyle Group. His latest book is 2034: A Novel of the Next World War.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  When a bakery oven on Okinawa that supplies U.S. military bases, commissaries and schools on the island broke down in February, this airlift hub in western Tokyo flew to the rescue.

The Okinawa Bakery Plant at Camp Kinser supplies 32 military facilities and restaurants there, including four commissaries, 12 military dining facilities and 13 Defense Department schools, Chris Ward, spokesman for Army and Air Force Exchange Service said in an email Friday.

Exchange bakeries bring a taste of home to those serving overseas, Ward said.

The saga began Feb. 23, a Wednesday, when the Yokota Bakery Plant received a call from Okinawa, said Air Force Col. Michael Kovalchek, commander of AAFES Pacific region, in an email April 12. By that Friday morning the U.S. military on Okinawa would be out of baked goods, Kovalchek wrote from his headquarters at Camp Foster, Okinawa.

The bakers there had no estimate for when their oven would come back online. Could Yokota help? Operation Okidough was born.

By 2 a.m. Feb. 24, not quite a day after the call, the Yokota bakery had produced 19 pallets stacked with baked goods to ship south. Within two days it produced another 28 pallets for a total 47, along with 987 boxes and 13,817 packs of bread, buns and muffins, a weeks worth of baked goods shipped in three flights to Okinawa.

The Yokota bakers did that while also meeting their production schedule for their regular customers, Kovalchek said.

Meanwhile, the 374th Airlift Wing and the base exchange got busy planning to move the growing supply of bread, cakes, pies, cookies and other baked goods, Air Force Master Sgt. Jamie Bazar, section chief of the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron, told Stars and Stripes by email April 12. He said no commercial air service could move that much material on short notice.

Planning involved the traffic management and ground transportation teams from the logistics readiness squadron, the 730th Air Mobility Squadron and the 374th Operations Group, Bazar said. C-130J Super Hercules aircraft were provided by Col. Patrick Launey, the 374th Mission Support Group commander, and Col. Kevin Martin, 374th Operations Group commander.

This effort validated Yokotas professionalism by providing a swift action plan and working as a cohesive team, Bazar said.

The 730th delivered the first 15 pallets to Okinawa at 7:40 p.m. Feb. 24, according to Kovalcheck. Two more flights left Yokota on Sunday and Monday, Feb. 27 and 28, with the remainder of the emergency bakery bail out.

The oven was back in service March 10, according to Ward.

Yokota celebrated the people who made Operation Okidough a success with a ceremony on March 24, Bazar said.

It was important to recognize the personnel involved due to the expeditious, smooth team coordination and movement to support the Okinawa community while maintaining Yokotas mission, Bazar said.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  U.S. officials on Tuesday continued to call for North Korea to return to the negotiating table days after Pyongyang conducted another round of missile tests.

We have made very clear that the door to diplomacy, the door to dialogue, remains open, State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a Monday press briefing in Washington, D.C.

North Korea needs to cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose the path of engagement, something it has not yet done, he said.

The North on Saturday fired two missiles that it described as part of a new tactical guided weapon system, its 12th round of tests so far this year. The country on Friday celebrated the 110th birthday of the regimes founder, Kim Il Sung, a date it has marked previously with military parades and weapon displays.

The missiles launched Saturday flew 68 miles off North Koreas eastern coast at an estimated altitude of 15.5 miles, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday. Pyongyangs state-run media on Sunday described them as tactical weapons meant for long-range artillery units and the countrys tactical nuclear operation.

Their range is much shorter than that of an intercontinental ballistic missile that the North tested March 24, one capable in theory of striking the continental United States.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday the U.S. regards North Koreas continued weapons tests as provocations and called on the regime to negotiate an end to its missile testing and nuclear weapons programs.

North Korea continues to pursue a ballistic missile program and nuclear capabilities that, at least, we think, they believe will help intimidate and threaten our allies and partners in the region, and that includes the rest of the Korean Peninsula, Kirby said.

Many of the missiles tested by North Korea violate U.N. Security Council resolutions, Kirby said.

We have said repeatedly that we're willing to sit down with Pyongyang, no preconditions to begin, to have discussions about the denuclearization of the peninsula, he said. And today, rather than showing any willingness to sit down in good faith and negotiate and talk and use diplomacy, the North continues to conduct tests again.

Price also urged diplomatic engagement by North Korea and said the U.S. will make clear that the regimes actions will have consequences as long as it continues its course.

Those consequences consist largely of sanctions against North Korea and its affiliates. In May, the U.S. unilaterally imposed sanctions against five entities who are alleged to have aided Pyongyangs weapons program.

North Korea has been subject to U.N. sanctions since 2006, after it conducted an underground nuclear test. The U.S.-led effort to apply more sanctions against North Korea stalled after Russia and China used their veto power in the Security Council.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and South Korea began their semi-annual desktop military exercises on Monday, nine days of computer simulations designed to improve the allies defensive capabilities, according to a Joint Chiefs news release on Sunday.
(Tribune News Service)  Former MSNBC analyst Malcolm Nance has joined the foreign military unit fighting for Ukraine and shared his experiences on Monday during an appearance on the cable news network.

On Twitter, he posted a photo of himself holding an assault rifle that he captioned: Im DONE talking.

The Navy veteran elaborated while being interviewed Monday on MSNBCs The ReidOut. The national-security analyst said he joined the International Legion of Territorial Defense about a month ago to fight the Russian invasion and assist in the survival of Ukraine.

I spent quite a bit of time here in the pre-war period, and when the invasion happened, I had friends who are in Donetsk, who are in the Ukrainian army, who are writing to us and telling us, Were not gonna survive tonight. Weve been hit 500 times, said Nance, who appeared on camera Monday from a secure location and wore combat gear during the interview.

Nance is no longer a contributor-analyst at MSNBC, The Times confirmed Tuesday. However, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Nance was identified as a contributor on air as recently as Feb. 28  just four days after Russia invaded Ukraine.

On air, he told Reid that he joined the international legion  a multinational group of about 20,000 fighters  because he wanted to help his friends.

The more I saw of the war going on, the more I thought, Im done talking, alright. Its time to take action here, he said. So about a month ago I joined the international legion here in Ukraine, and I am here to help this country fight what is essentially a war of extermination. This is an existential war, and Russia has brought it to this people and they are mass murdering civilians and there are people here like me who are here to do something about it.

He said that their purpose is to protect the innocent people of Ukraine from this Russian aggression.

Its not a conventional war, Joy. Even though you have two armed forces going head to head here. You have another group  I wont even refer to the Russians as an army  just using mass heavy weapons that are used in combat against civilians, he explained.

They are destroying infrastructure, and then you find that they go to the cities and they massacre men, women and children. And that is the fundamental reason everyone is here, he added. We really have to assist [the Ukrainians] in any way to stop this, so I decided I came here to assist them with the skills that I have myself.

Before joining MSNBC, Nance was a career Navy intelligence officer and field interrogator who had been deployed for intelligence operations in the Balkans, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. He spent spent years in the Middle East studying Al Qaeda and went public against waterboarding torture during the George W. Bush administration.

Nance has written several books, including 2016s The Plot to Hack America: How Putins Cyberspies and WikiLeaks Tried to Steal the 2016 Election. His 2020 book, The Plot to Betray America, assessed the shifting relationships between former President Trump and U.S. intelligence and military services. His latest book, They Want to Kill Americans, focuses on the ideologies that led to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

His arrival in Ukraine comes as Russian forces have continued their offensive in eastern Ukraine and move toward the Donbas  which includes the besieged city of Mariupol  while leaving mass casualties in their wake.

Nance said he doesnt believe that he would be targeted by Russians, whom he repeatedly accused of war crimes.

The war that is being waged here is being waged against everybody. They are not going around hunting for American flag patches or to see whos Black, whos Asian, whos Latino, he said, adding that they are fighting side by side, elbow with elbow with Ukrainian forces and that Russians are barely attacking Ukrainian troops.

Their emphasis seems to be the mass murder of civilians, which seems to be against all laws of war, he said. These are war crimes.

2022 Los Angeles Times.

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MANNHEIM, Germany - As a child, Maya Zakrajsek took to heart the words she was taught - words that serve as a mantra for modern Germany, Never again.

They made her skeptical of the military and grateful to grow up in a nation at peace.

But Russias invasion of Ukraine caused Zakrajsek, 19, to rethink the mantras meaning. She holds firm to the vow that Germany will never again be an aggressor or commit genocide. But to never again prepare for or participate in a war? Suddenly, that seemed naive. War between nations had returned to Europe - something, she said, we never thought was possible.

Since the invasion, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declared a Zeitenwende, or a turning of an era. Germans are broadly supportive of plans for a dramatic overhaul of the countrys approach to security and defense. Their relationship with the military could shift further still if Zakrajseks response to the war is shared by other young people. A flurry of inquiries to the Defense Ministry in recent weeks suggests thats possible.

The 19-year-old had considered military service since receiving promotional materials in the mail several years ago. But she said she made up her mind after Russias invasion. Now, once she finishes high school, she plans to volunteer for a year of service.

She said she hopes to gain basic infantry training, learn how to launch missiles for the Air Force and serve as a reservist for the rest of her life. If she can persuade her mother, though, she may consider a career in the armed forces. (Her other interest is veterinary medicine.)

I hope no war will come to Germany, but I want to be prepared to defend myself and fight for my country if it does, Zakrajsek said as she brushed her horse, Columbo, at a stable in this southwestern German city. From here she can make out the sounds of helicopters nearing Ramstein Air Base, the U.S. military outpost in the hills of the Palatinate Forest.

Zakrajseks patriotic stance is commonplace in nations that venerate the military. In Germany, its peculiar. After reunification in 1990, Germans still searching for antidotes to Nazi crimes welcomed the chance to downsize their armed forces, the Bundeswehr.

From a fighting force of more than 500,000 at the end of the Cold War, when West Germany was on NATOs front line, numbers have dwindled to 184,000 today, with an especially marked shift in 2011, when the draft was discontinued. Foreign missions have taken precedence over the defense of national and European borders. Basic equipment, from boots to protective vests, have fallen into disrepair.

So remote are the armed forces from civilian society - except when called in for disaster response or to manage something like coronavirus vaccination centers - that a 2019 initiative allowing soldiers to ride trains free of charge faced criticism for making military dress more prominent in everyday life. There are accounts of soldiers being spat on and slurred as Nazis, an accusation intensified by scandal. Extremist sympathies became so pronounced within an elite combat unit that it was disbanded in 2020.

But Russias invasion has marked a profound shift. The German chancellor, a Social Democrat, has pledged 100 billion euros to rebuild the armed forces. That commitment has been welcomed by allied nations, which want Germany to rearm and help counter a revanchist Russia - a stunning historical reversal.

Within Germany, there is some hesitation. Johannes Arlt, an Air Force officer elected to parliament last year as a center-left Social Democrat, said his constituents in the far northeast of the country have expressed fear of a new arms race. He faulted the government for not doing enough to prepare the public for a more active military role, comparing Germany to a delinquent student now trying to pass a final exam.

Its the end of the term, and we didnt do our homework, so now we have to cram, said Arlt, a member of parliaments defense committee.

Still, nearly 3 in 4 Germans back the decision to spend more money on defense, according to recent polling, and clear majorities have a favorable view of the military.

Indeed, parts of the public are frustrated that the government isnt moving more aggressively. They have criticized the chancellor for not acting fast enough to bolster the military or back Ukraine, wavering in particular on the issue of exporting heavy weapons.

The general public is not the problem, said Sonke Neitzel, a military historian at the University of Potsdam. This was possibly an excuse from politicians. Its more about the political culture - about the elites and the parties and the social circles around the parties.

The public is open to arguments for a stronger military if politicians would only provide them, he said. Ukraine is an argument for the militarys relevance, Neitzel said, even if the war doesnt change deep-seated cultural attitudes. The U.S. has a culture of victory, and we have a culture of defeat, but that doesnt mean everyone is against soldiers, or even being a soldier, he said.

The extent of willingness among Germans to not only support the military, but become part of it, will help determine whether the country is able to follow through on plans to expand the armed forces to 203,000 active personnel in the next several years - an increase of 19,000 troops.

Surveys suggest that students see the armed forces as a desirable career option. And, since the war in Ukraine started, the Defense Ministry has seen an uptick in activity on the Bundeswehrs online contact form and an increase in appointments for career counseling, said a ministry spokeswoman, Christina Routsi.

Still, she said it was too soon to draw conclusions about the long-term effect on recruitment.

Jana Puglierin, a defense expert who heads the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said she was skeptical that the war would rouse new interest in military service. Even seeing military convoys on German streets, heading east to fortify NATOs eastern flank, is a culture shock, she said.

All this for Germans is pretty new, she said. Attitudes might change slowly, at best, because theres a new threat perception. People for first time feel the Bundeswehr serves a purpose that is also good for them.

Zakrajsek, the 19-year-old, said some of her friends who once entertained the idea of military service have backtracked since Russias invasion.

Most of the guys think Im crazy for going ahead with it, she said. Im not the typical girl who likes nails and hair.

Zakrajsek may also come at the question of military service differently than some in Germany. She was raised by her mother, Tamara, an office manager who was born in Belgrade and grew up unburdened by responsibility for Nazi barbarism. Her father was born in eastern Germany, to a pastor who eluded service in the Third Reich.

I am for peace, but I think its important to defend your own country when it comes to war, Tamara Zakrajsek said. The 49-year-old supports her only childs decision to volunteer for service. Still, she said, Im afraid of losing her.

Maya Zakrajsek said her mothers fear weighs on her, but she doesnt harbor doubts.

She recounted the moment she first heard about Russias invasion, from her best friend, who is studying to become an IT specialist for the Bundeswehr.

Did you read about it? she recalled him asking. Were in a war now.

She said she was silent for a moment, but knew what was required of her - and of Germany.

I think Germany is, in this case, important, she said. We have a strong economy, and I think it would be OK to have a strong military, too.

The Washington Posts Vanessa Guinan-Bank contributed to this report.
Ramstein Intermediate School held a party for its students on Tuesday in celebration of the Month of the Military Child.

U.S. military bases and schools hold special events in April to honor military families and their children. At Ramstein Air Base, service members, parents and staff members greeted children as they walked up the stairs to school. The base fire department and its mascot, Sparky, also joined the festivities.

The school gave all students and staffers purple T-shirts and buttons, symbolizing support for military children. After students arrival, the celebration continued in the courtyard with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe rock band. About 745 students in grades three through five attend the school.
WASHINGTON  Russia has lost about one-quarter of its troops, weapons and military equipment originally sent to invade Ukraine less than two months ago, a senior U.S. defense official said Tuesday.

We believe that [Russian President Vladimir Putins] roughly at 75% of his combat power that he had originally when he started, the official told reporters at the Pentagon. This is across all functions: it's infantry, its artillery, its aviation  both fixed and rotary  it's ballistic missiles, cruise missiles [etc.]

Putin spent months amassing more than 170,000 troops and military equipment along Ukraines borders with Russia and Belarus before launching the war on Feb. 24, U.S. officials have said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to further specify the losses, but the Ukraine Defense Ministry on Tuesday said its forces have killed roughly 20,800 Russian troops and destroyed 169 fighter jets, 802 tanks, 2,063 armored personnel vehicles and 132 multiple launch rocket systems.

As of Tuesday, Russia claims to have destroyed 140 [Ukrainian] aircraft, 490 unmanned aerial vehicles, 253 anti-aircraft missile systems, 2,367 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 256 multiple launch rocket systems and 1,021 field artillery and mortars, according to a Russian Defense Ministry post on Telegram.

The post came a day after the ministry on the same platform said Ukraine had suffered irretrievable losses of 23,367 troops and other fighters in the conflict. The post did not say whether that total included injured personnel or prisoners of war.

The announcements of war losses followed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyys comments Monday that Russian forces have begun their renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine to capture the separatist Donbas region.

The Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas," Zelenskyy said in a taped address. "[A] significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive."

Pentagon officials have said Russia intends to refocus its efforts on the Donbas region after pulling its ground forces from the Ukraine capital of Kyiv and Chernihiv more than two weeks ago.

The U.S. official on Tuesday said Russia had started some limited offensive operations southwest of Donetsk and south of Izyum in eastern Ukraine, but cautioned more Russian operations are expected.

"We're not pushing back on the notion that offensive operations have begun, but we think that this is a prelude of larger offensive operations that are potentially still in the offing here, the official said.

Thats because Russia is also conducting what the official called shaping operations, or preparations for a larger assault.

In other words, they continue to reinforce to make sure they have logistics and sustainment supplies [and] continue to make sure that they have proper aviation and other enabling capabilities, the official said. So it's not binary  its not stop one thing and start another.

Russias preparations could indicate its military is trying to learn and adapt from some of the mistakes they made earlier in the war, particularly around Kyiv, where Russian forces were stalled for weeks due in part to food and fuel shortages before retreating.

They are trying to learn how to fix and overcome those logistics and sustainment challenges, the official said.

The appointment on April 11 of Col. Gen. Alexander Dvornikov as commander of Russian forces in Ukraine might also indicate an attempt to overcome early challenges in the war, the official said.

We also see in the appointment of an overall commander as an effort by the Russians to also try to learn from their mistakes with respect to command and control, the official said.

Still, the U.S. does not believe Ukraine is doomed to fail in Russias renewed focus on eastern Ukraine, the official said.

"People speak about this as if it's inevitable that Mariupol's going to fall, that it's inevitable [that] Donbas will be taken by the Russians, the official said. We don't see it that way."

The official pointed to Ukraines success in defending Kyiv as evidence of their capabilities and noted the U.S. and other nations continue providing Ukraine additional weapons and other military equipment.

"While they're certainly facing a numerically superior Russian force, that doesn't mean they don't have their own advantages and the ability to actively defend themselves, the official said.

The official did not say how many troops the U.S. estimates Ukraine and Russia have left in the fight.

Even if they are outnumbered, we're going to continue to get them the kinds of systems that they need to continue to defend themselves and defend their territory in the Donbas."

The U.S. has given Ukraine about $2.5 billion in military aid since the war began, which is more than half of Ukraines annual defense budget of $4.2 billion, officials have said.

A second senior U.S. defense official on Tuesday said while multiple countries have also supplied Ukraine with weapons and equipment, the U.S. is almost certainly the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine.

The official also said the aid to Ukraine represents an unprecedented amount of successive military aid shipments that we are moving at this speed.

I'm not sure I would want to compare this to, say, the Vietnam War or something, but this is certainly the largest recent [U.S.] supply to a partner country in a conflict, the official said.
(Tribune News Service)  About one in 10 children lived in a household where they didnt get enough to eat from 2019 to 2020, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Center for Health Statistics.

Experts say the issue could worsen if more isnt done to ensure that federal programs aimed at addressing the problem are adequately funded.

The study found that 10.8% of children up to age 17 experienced food insecurity during the study period. A family is considered food insecure if it is unable to regularly get enough food that is nutritionally adequate, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The study also found vast disparities in the demographics of children who were affected by food insecurity.

Nineteen percent of Black children and nearly 16% of Hispanic children lived in households where they didnt get enough to eat compared with 6.5% of white children, according to the study.

Children living in households with one parent and no other adult were 2 1/2 times more likely to go hungry, and households with three or more children had higher rates of food insecurity than households with fewer kids, according to the study.

Access to sufficient and nutritious food is a key social determinant of health, the study authors wrote. As such, disparities in food insecurity may contribute to inequalities in child health status.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many parents to have a harder time getting enough food for their kids, said Dr. Jessica Soldavini, an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

The impacts on the economy led many adults to lose their jobs, making it more difficult for them to afford food, she told McClatchy News. But also, the closing of schools around the country created a challenge for children who relied on accessing free- and reduced-priced lunches at school, she said.

But even as most schools around the country have reopened and many states lift their pandemic-related restrictions, other factors could continue to make affording food a challenge, she said.

Experts say the war in Ukraine is causing the price of food, fuel and other commodities to skyrocket.

The global food price index reached an all-time high in March, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Gas hit its highest national average price on record on March 11 at $4.33 a gallon, according to AAA.

With prices increasing, that is also causing more challenges for families, so thats going to make it even harder for them to afford food, she said.

Another concern is that some pandemic-era programs aimed at helping more children get access to food could be coming to an end if they are not extended, she said.

For example, a federal program that waived the onsite monitoring of school meal programs is set to expire on June 30. The program has allowed many more children than were previously eligible to access free meals at school, Soldavini said.

Some children who are now able to get the meals during the school year without having to pay for them, next school year will not be able to do so if these waivers dont get extended, she said.

A lack of nutrition can affect a childs development as well as their physical and mental health and academic success, she said.

Its important to be aware of this issue, she said. And there are programs out there that are able to help address it and its important to make sure theres adequate resources and support provided to those programs.

2022 McClatchy Washington Bureau.

Visit mcclatchydc.com .
(Tribune News Service)  U.S. border officials are seeing a major spike in Ukrainians attempting to enter the U.S. via Mexico or Canada as pressure builds for the Biden administration to open new paths for those fleeing Russias invasion of their country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported more than 5,000 encounters with Ukrainians last month, mostly along the southwestern border. The figure is almost five times as many as tallied in previous months.

The Department of Homeland Security has allowed some Ukrainians to enter the U.S. through a case-by-base humanitarian designation  which provides temporary protection from deportation.

Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. by April 11 can apply for Temporary Protected Status under an expansion the Biden administration announced Monday. That program also provides short-term deportation protection and a work authorization.

Advocates have pressed the White House to ensure a path to long-term legal status. The Biden administration has pledged to take in 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.

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WASHINGTON  The Biden administration announced a regulatory change Monday that will make more Ukrainians eligible for temporary protected status in the United States.

Ukrainians who entered the U.S. by April 11 are eligible to apply for 18 months of deportation protection and work authorization, according to a Federal Register notice.

That expands the window by more than a month. When the TPS designation was initially announced in early March, the qualifying date was March 1.

Thousands more Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. in recent weeks are eligible under the new notice, including roughly 10,000 who claimed asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border after first arriving in Mexico on tourist visas.

Lawmakers and advocates had pressed the administration to tweak the TPS qualifying date as part of a wider effort to reduce immigration barriers for Ukrainians fleeing the war. Although the majority of Ukrainian refugees are expected to remain in Europe with the hope of returning to Ukraine when the conflict is over, many with relatives in the U.S. have sought refuge here.

This technical update could provide significant relief for Ukrainians who recently entered, as they cannot  and should not  return to a war zone right now, dozens of other lawmakers wrote to the White House in an April 6 letter led by Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, and Andy Harris, R-Md.

Approximately 59,600 individuals will be eligible for TPS under the designation, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The new notice comes as details remain murky on a Biden administration plan to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More than 4 million people have fled Ukraine since the conflict began, according to United Nations estimates.

The administration vowed to use a full range of legal pathways to resettle Ukrainians  likely a combination of expedited immigration visa processing, traditional refugee admissions and other mechanisms  but specific plans have not yet been announced.

___

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WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will boycott several meetings of the powerful Group of 20 nations this week to protest Russias invasion of Ukraine, with a conference in Washington emerging as a key test for world leaders who have condemned the war.

Yellen will attend the opening session of the G-20 finance ministers meeting Wednesday to show support for Ukraines finance minister, who has flown in from Kyiv for the conference, according to a Treasury Department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of internal planning. But Yellen will skip other sessions over Russias presence, the official said. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov is expected to attend the conference virtually. Siluanov was hit with U.S. sanctions earlier this year.

This weeks meetings - the first gathering of the G-20 since the war began - are emerging as a gauge of how the worlds leading international bodies will respond to Russian aggression. Many of the countries in the G-20 have condemned Russia, but some of its most influential members, such as China and India, have not. And many of the worlds wealthiest nations, including much of Europe, remain heavily dependent on Russian oil and natural gas even after the invasion, highlighting how deeply entangled Russias economy is with the rest of the world despite the severe sanctions the United States and its allies have imposed over the war.

At the meetings she is attending, Yellen will condemn Russias invasion and press to shut Russia out of global financial institutions, the Treasury Department official said. No countries from the Group of Seven industrialized nations are participating in a full boycott of the meetings, according to one person familiar with Yellens agenda who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share planning details.

While Secretary Yellen and our partners will continue to work in solidarity to advance the important business of the G-20, she will also voice our strong condemnation of Putins brutality and make it clear that the benefits and privileges of the leading economic institutions of the world . . . are reserved for countries that demonstrate respect for the core principles that underpin peace and security across the world, the Treasury Department official said.

Some critics suggested that Yellen should remain in the room to confront Russia directly over its actions, arguing that the meetings represent a rare opportunity for U.S. officials to challenge the Kremlins war effort. Yellen may skip G-20 sessions about sustainable finance that her Russian counterpart Siluanov is also expected to attend, for instance.

I think its a mistake - getting into any forum where the U.S. can articulate our position is better than ceding territory or ceding the battlefield to Russia, said Ariel Cohen, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Center. I understand a lot of the delegations are not professional communicators, but they can be trained. . . . They can make Russias presence there undesirable.

The quandary over participation in the G-20 reflects a broader, growing problem for U.S. policymakers hoping to influence a world with increasingly powerful economic competitors. The smaller G-7 group, mostly close U.S. allies, has been more unified in condemning Russia. But as countries such as China and India have grown in economic might, Western leaders have increasingly been forced to collaborate with them to sway the global economic system. That has raised the relevance of the larger G-20, though that body remains harder for the United States to influence.

The question of boycotting the G-20 - while a defensible and understandable action at this time - does raise the longer-term issue of how to manage a global economy with powerful and diverse actors, said Mark Sobel, who spent four decades working on international economic issues at the Treasury Department and is now a senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank. To really steer the global economy, you need a bigger group than the G-7.

President Biden has previously called for Russia to be expelled from the G-20 over the invasion of Ukraine. The G-20 is composed of 20 of the worlds largest economies. The group has no current process for kicking out its members, according to Sobel, but it could be possible to suspend Russia if a consensus emerges to do so.

Yellen will also meet this week with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and with international economic officials including the finance ministers of Saudi Arabia and Italy, the governor of the Bank of England, and the European commissioner of the economy.
WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled its Equity Action Plan, which the agency said would remove hurdles for marginalized veterans to access health care, benefits and services.

The departments mission is to ensure equity and access for all those who served their country in uniform, and the Equity Action Plan is a natural extension of that mission, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a prepared statement. We have efforts underway to change policies, processes and procedures, as well as identify infrastructure and data enhancements to enable access to all veterans, including underserved veterans.

The agencys plan is part of President Joe Bidens Executive Order 13985, which he signed Jan. 20, 2021. The executive order focuses on the federal government providing equal opportunity to all services and benefits.

Shortly after taking the helm of the VA in February 2021, McDonough vowed to focus on inclusivity, diversity and equity during his tenure as secretary. One of McDonoughs first actions was to initiate an agency-wide review of the departments policies to determine how to make it a more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ patients and employees.

The 18-member inclusion, diversity, equity and access task force was created to handle the review, and the VA announced in January that the group had issued 88 recommendations. The agency said the process of considering those recommendations would take four years.

One of the recommendations from the task force was to collect information from patients and employees about their race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. The agency said its addressing the recommendation by launching a Data for Equity strategy, which will help the agency identify and remove disparities for women, veterans of color, LGBTQ+, and other veterans of underserved communities.

The equity strategy will coordinate the VAs data on health care, disability benefits and other services. Moreover, it will address the data gaps in the agencys demographic information.

Task force members also suggested the VA do more outreach to underserved communities of veterans, such as those living in rural or remote areas or veterans who speak little English. The VA said its data showed veterans from underserved communities have lower trust in the agency compared to other veteran populations. To improve trust, the VA said it will oversee research to help them better understand underserved veterans experiences.

The Equity Action Plan also details the VAs progress within the first year of Bidens executive order. In June, McDonough announced the VA would offer gender-confirmation surgeries to transgender patients for the first time.

In September, the VA announced LGBTQ+ veterans who were kicked out of the military under the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy of the 1990s and 2000s will now be eligible for government benefits.

In January, the VA announced veterans who identify as transgender or nonbinary are now able to indicate their preference in their official VA medical records. The agency added the options of transgender male, transgender female, nonbinary and other when veterans select their gender. The gender identifier, along with a veterans preferred name, will be displayed on a patients health record.

VA leadership has done a great job of leading from the top on issues of health equity, and it's clear that within VA, folks are beginning to understand many of the issues facing LGBTQ+ veterans, said Lindsay Church, executive director of Minority Veterans of America. The challenge has continued to be putting these words into actions that reach all levels of VA.

Church said the group is grateful for the measures the VA is taking to address many historic inequities, but it questions how the agency will ensure facility safety and a harassment-free environment where LGBTQ+ veterans feel supported in their care.

Church identifies as nonbinary transgender, which means a person does not identify as male or female. Church was once chased into a restroom by a VA staff member at Hunter Holmes McGuire Hospital in Richmond, Va., shouting at Church through the door that a man was recently in the womens restroom.

Church no longer walks inside the VA facility and instead enters the facility through the womens clinic at the Richmond hospital.

However, Church said the Richmond facility is working on addressing the issue, promoting cultural change and plan to provide training to its staff.

I give VA credit for working to remedy the issue quickly and I hope that it creates some level of change on the ground level of the hospital, Church said. It will take continued training, education, dialogue, and structural change to truly address the problem and the harm.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Tribune News Service)  For many veterans, this years Eastern Iowa Honor Flights will be the culmination of a realization theyve struggled with since they came home from war: that theyre worthy.

With about 89 veterans on the first flight of the year taking off early Tuesday, the Honor Flight will visit eight veteran memorials and sites over a 15-hour round-trip to Washington, D.C. For many, the sites will be a tool to forge new friendships, tell old stories to new audiences and unlock healing from the war they served in.

Vets talk to vets, said Roger Uthoff, adviser to the Honor Flight and Navy veteran. They dont necessarily talk to their own families.

For veterans, spending an entire day with people who have had similar experiences and seeing memorials honoring their service is a powerful conversation starter. Most veterans have a mentality that theyre not worthy of the honor, Uthoff said. It can take persistent persuasion to persuade them otherwise  even if that means filling out the paperwork for them.

Our philosophy is: you signed the piece of paper enlisting or drafting  you served, he said. And its the luck of the draw where you went.

For some, the revelation of being thanked in a larger magnitude than theyre used to can be life changing.

Ive heard stories of family members who said their dad was a completely different person after they went on an honor flight, said Lynette Gitlins, veteran coordinator and Naval Reserves veteran. Either they got to let go of anger or were able to share the stories theyd never been able to share before.

The vast majority of veterans on this springs two flights  in April and May  served during the Vietnam War. A handful served during the Korean War, and one served during World War II. Two more flights are scheduled for the fall, in September and October.

Most veterans flying this year first applied in 2017 or 2018. After a long wait on the list  currently over 1,000 veterans  some dont make it on the trip.

The backlog created by the pandemics pause on Honor Flights, which resumed in September, exacerbated the problem. This year, 15 people waiting on the list for an Eastern Iowa flight had died by the time their numbers were called.

Now on the 42nd Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, World War II vets are becoming few and far between. And with each ones passing, a little bit of knowledge is lost with them.

With every passing year, people forget the horrors of war, said Mike Wilson, Honor flight adviser and World War II vet.

For Vietnam veterans, in particular, the homecoming theyll receive after returning on the flight to Cedar Rapids will be more grand than they received when returning home nearly 50 years ago. At best, their first homecomings were mostly uneventful.

What it takes to plan an Honor Flight

It takes dozens of volunteers, a year of planning and about $100,000 to make each flight happen like clockwork over the course of a long day.

This years first flight, named after the Cedar Rapids Iowa City Building Trades Council, recognizes the fundraising of the annual Solidarity Ride organized by Troy Sauter and Mike Sadler, now in its 12th year. Over the last four years, they raised $60,000 to support the flight.

Sauter and Sadler, both of whose fathers served during the Vietnam War, heard the good things the Honor Flight had done. Now, Sauter will see what it can do for his father, who will be on this years flight.

Seeing our fathers ... and understanding the treatment that Vietnam vets got at home, I think this is a wonderful opportunity to show respect to the individuals who didnt get it in the past, Sauter said.

(Donors) have realized that theyre thankful for people who gave their time for military service, said Dick Bell, president of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

Each year, he said many are eager to fundraise. Flight naming encourages long-term fundraising, Bell said.

But each year that the Solidarity Ride was approached, the conversation felt more like an interview than a solicitation, Sauter said. Before their fundraising began, they were vetted.

They wouldnt just accept money from us, they wanted to make sure its a partnership that works long term, that it has the right reputation, the right vision, he said.

About one-third of each flight is funded by guardians who accompany veterans, and the rest by donations and sponsorships.

Veterans will begin reporting into The Eastern Iowa Airport at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday with an estimated departure time of 7:15 a.m. Estimated return time to Cedar Rapids, barring any delays, is 8:45 p.m. The public is encouraged to welcome veterans home upon their return to the airport.

(c)2022 The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

Visit at thegazette.com
A special one-off fund is now available to Rotorua community initiatives that support Rotorua Reorua and celebrate this years first official Matariki public holiday on June 24.

Te Tatau o Te Arawa and Rotorua Lakes Council are pleased to announce the creation of a jointly funded round, Matariki 2022 Rotorua Reorua, valued at $10,000.

Te Tatau o Te Arawa board member Rangitiaria Tibble says the putea ensures that te reo and matauranga Maori are at the heart of this years Matariki celebrations in Rotorua.

"We mihi/welcome to all the champions including Dr Rangi Matamua whove worked towards the recognition of Matariki and the enactment of the Te Kahui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill.

"This joint putea supports iwi and community-led initiatives that normalise te reo Maori and celebrate the values underpinned by Matariki and Te Ao Maori.

"It also supports the Te Arawa 2050 Vision and Rotorua Reorua aspiration to create a vibrant district where te reo and matauranga Maori is seen, heard and felt every day and everywhere."

The fund also strives to promote Community Well-being by aligning to the Rotorua Lakes Councils Vision 2030  The Rotorua Way and embraces the Values for Matariki Celebrations , prepared by the Matariki Advisory Committee.

Rotorua Lakes councillor Mercia-Dawn Yates encourages locals to apply.

"It is imperative that this putea celebrates our whole community as we honour Matariki, together. Tatau Tatau - We Together! Our valued partnership with Te Tatau o Te Arawa helps to ensure that we are working with our iwi/ hapu and strengthening our relationships with mana whenua.

"Matariki is a special time as we remember those who in our community have passed on and acknowledge those who are yet to come, with the beginning of a new year. Nau mai, tono mai. We welcome our whole community to apply."

Te Tatau o Te Arawa and Rotorua Lakes Council, with support from Te Puni Kokiri, made a public commitment to Rotorua Reorua on August 11, 2017.

For full details about the Matariki 2022 Rotorua Reorua Fund including how to apply visit www.tetatau.nz

Applications will only be considered for initiatives within the Rotorua district. Tono for the full amount of the fund are welcome.

However, due to demand, the average distributions are likely to be between $500 and $2500 with successful applicants being notified by May 13, 2022.
UK reggae legends UB40 will return to New Zealand for a six-date tour in December and January.

The British band will head down under for a belated celebration of their 40th anniversary in 2020, performing all their hits at Napiers Church Road Winery, New Plymouths Bowl of Brooklands, the Matakana Country Park, Taurangas Wharepai Domain, Nelsons Trafalgar Park, and a Queenstown venue still to be confirmed.

The reggae pioneers - who have enjoyed something of a 40-year love affair with Aotearoa since their first visit in 1981 - will be joined by the US rock veterans Jefferson Starship and Kiwi rockers Dragon at all six dates. Tickets go on sale April 26.

We always look forward to trips down under, UB40 says in a statement.

Its one of our favourite places in the world to perform, but with so many uncertainties in the world these past two years, we felt it was far more important to focus on everyones safety.

Now that borders have reopened, were finally ready to get back to New Zealand and perform the show fans have been waiting for!

The New Zealand tour will offer audiences a taste of classic hits like Food for Thought', '1 in 10', 'Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and Cant Help falling In Love With You, as well as tracks from their latest releases For the Many and Bigga Baggariddim, which will be performed live in New Zealand for the first time.

The Birmingham group has had more than 50 singles in the UK charts and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

UB40s current lineup features founding members Robin Campbell (vocals and guitar), Earl Falconer (bass, vocal), Jimmy Brown (drums) and Norman Hassan (percussion, vocals) with new lead vocalist Matt Doyle.

Martin Meredith (sax) and Laurence Parry (trumpet), who have both been in UB40s touring and recording line-up for over 20 years, will also be on deck, along with Tony Mullings (keyboards) and Ian Thompson (sax), to round out the bands unique horns and rhythm section.

The band suffered the devastating loss of founding member, lyricist and lead sax player Brian Travers, who lost his long battle with cancer in 2021.

The group acknowledges that "there is a giant Brian shaped hole that can never be filled" but continues on with the surviving key founding members and songwriting core.

Jefferson Starship rose from the ashes of another legendary San Francisco band, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Jefferson Airplane. Between 1974 and 1984, the band released eight gold and platinum albums and 20 hit singles, including We Built This City, Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now, Sara, and White Rabbit.

Dragon, who formed in Auckland in 1972, remain one of New Zealands most popular live acts with a catalogue of familiar hits including April Sun in Cuba, Are You Old Enough, Rain and Still In Love With You.

The group - with odd Hunter and Mark Williams at the helm - was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame in 2011.

UB40 New Zealand tour 2022 - 2023

With special guests Jefferson Starship and Dragon

Tickets on sale April 26

December 29 - Church Road Winery - Napier

December 30 - Bowl of Brooklands - New Plymouth

January 2 - Matakana Country Park  Matakana

January 4 - Wharepai Domain - Tauranga

January 6 - Trafalgar Park - Nelson

January 7 - Venue tbc  Queenstown

-Stuff/David Skipworth.
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A hot potato: Since last summer, Activision Blizzard has been embroiled in constant controversy over labor and workplace harassment issues. It looks like insider trading might join the list of accusations shadowing the company, pending a federal investigation.

Last week, Activision Blizzard said it would cooperate with insider trading investigations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and federal prosecutors. Both groups are scrutinizing bets that three investors made on Activision shares days before Microsoft announced a deal to acquire the company for almost $70 billion. One of them had met with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick the previous week.



Diller

In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that investors Barry Diller, Alexander von Furstenberg, and David Geffen bought options for Activision shares at $40 a share on January 14. Microsoft announced the acquisition on January 18, and Activision stock ended that day at $82.31, making the investors $60 million. JPMorgan Chase privately handled the trades, then reported them to law enforcement upon Microsoft's announcement.

Diller, a long-time friend of Kotick, denies insider trading accusations, saying it was just a lucky bet. Diller said that von Furstenberg, his stepfather, had already been buying Activision stock because he thought it was undervalued and that either someone might acquire the company or it could go private.

Activision's stock price started suffering when several groups, including the SEC, launched sexual harassment lawsuits and investigations last summer. Last month, Activision settled one of these lawsuits for $18 million, but others are ongoing. Microsoft began acquisition talks right after a particularly concerning report about Kotick's knowledge of the harassment.
T-Mobile is the top mobile service provider in Q2 2022, and it came from Ookla, the famous global internet service that provides a bandwidth analysis system. The development is massive for T-Mobile, and it may be a good source of information to consider in changing to a new service provider for mobile to get the most out of wireless service.

T-Mobile is the Top Mobile Service in Q1 2022

Ookla Speedtest analyzed the United States' mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds for the first quarter of 2022, and it said how much T-Mobile gave to its users this year compared to other companies. According to Ookla, 2022's first three months saw T-Mobile as the superior cellular service provider in the country for its users.

The United States' Median Speeds from January through March this year showed how much T-Mobile's services gave to the public. It talked about download speeds, upload speeds, latency, and other factors that make an internet connection good for the public to use.

T-Mobile's consistency score ranked 88.3 percent for its services, including download speed of at least 5 Mbps and 1 Mbps upload speed.

Read Also: 3G Shutdown: AT&T Goes First; T-Mobile, Verizon to Follow-Are There Signifcant Changes?

T-Mobile vs. Verizon and Others

As per Ookla, T-Mobile's 5G performance for the median peaked at 191.12 Mbps, and that is a massive number for the modern cellular service for calls and data. T-Mobile's download speed peaked at 117.83 Mbps, almost double than Verizon, who came second with 62.62 Mbps.

According to Mac Rumors, T-Mobile's performance exceeds that of Verizon and AT&T for the first quarter of 2022.

T-Mobile and its Offers

T-Mobile is a known entity in the cellular service industry, and it has been competing with other top service providers in the country for their offers and features. One of the latest features from T-Mobile is the "Scam Block" feature that aims to help avoid getting robocalls or spam rings that do not have any significant contributions to life.

However, there were many disputes on T-Mobiles' services that primarily focused on breaches and hacks in their systems, where several user data were stolen by threat actors. Nevertheless, the company aimed to fix this problem by improving their systems and the like.

There was once a time when the National Advertising Division prevented T-Mobile from calling itself the "Most Reliable 5G Network" in the competition.

Now, T-Mobile is bathing with compliments from many users and, of course, the online service that analyzed its performance this year, focusing on the many features of the company. Ookla's internet analysis is only one factor to consider for a switch to T-Mobile, as it only represents the Q1 2022 results, but not the offers or customer care of the company.

Related Article: T-Mobile Allegedly Attempted To Buy Back Stolen User Data---And Failed





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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Press Release

April 19, 2022 Church plays vital role in debunking disinformation and fake news, Pangilinan tells Zambales clergy SAN NARCISO, ZAMBALES - Vice-presidential aspirant Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Tuesday told members of the clergy here that the Church plays an important role in debunking disinformation and false narratives that are handed down as truth to people. "Nakakalungkot na ang iba nating mga kababayan ay hindi na nagkakaroon ng discernment of what is truth based on evidence and what is a manufactured lie," Pangilinan said during his meeting with a group of clergies at the San Sebastian Catholic Church in this town. "The Church plays an important role in debunking disinformation and fake news as it is very rampant nowadays. The church does not necessarily have to campaign for us, but they must stand against fake news... Mas marami kasi ang mga parokya kaysa sa mga local government so the church has a leverage," Pangilinan added. According to Pangilinan, the spread of fake news has long started even before the election in order to mislead and condition the minds of the people to believe a narrative that runs counter to what is truthful. This does not happen in politics alone, Pangilinan asserted, as this practice also goes deep down in other facets of life like religion, science, and history. Reverend Father Ian Maniago, the parish priest of San Sebastian, agrees with Pangilinan, saying the Church is already doing its part in addressing disinformation. Maniago also said that even if the Church receives backlash, it will continue to take a stand especially now that there is a threat against democracy. "Ang Simbahan, talagang lumalabas na siya at pinapakita kung ano iyong stand niya. Kahit na nga may times na bina-bash siya because it is standing its ground... Dapat lang talaga maayos ang pagkaka-explain ng separation of Church and State," Maniago said. Although some parishioners react negatively when the Church reiterates its position on moral issues like stealing, Maniago said the institution will not back down because it is part of the creed to spread the word of God even if it offends sensibilities. "Ngayon kapag nagsabi ka sa pulpito ng anything about pagnanakaw at pagsisinungaling, marami kaagad nag-rereact. Ang sa amin naman, ni-revise na nga nila iyong history pati ba naman 10 commandments gusto pa nilang i-revise?" Maniago said in jest. The parish priest also told Pangilinan that the endorsement of ordinary citizens, like the one in Pampanga where he was endorsed by farmers, speaks volume about his character. "Why wait to be endorsed by politicians if you are endorsed by ordinary Filipinos like the farmers? That sends a strong message na tumitindig at tumataya ang ordinaryong mamamayan para sa 'yo. And that you are capable of leading this nation as the next vice president," Maniago said. Other priests from the Diocese of Iba including Fr. Jhay Em Guilleno, Fr. Oni Maniago, Fr. Omar Paris, Fr. John Arga, Fr. Arwin Yzonsa, and Fr. Dennis Astor were also present during the dialogue. After the dialogue, the priests led a short prayer for Pangilinan and his running-mate, Vice-President Leni Robredo, inside the San Sebastian Parish.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Yender Gonzales) Amazon

A New York City judge has ordered Amazon to reinstate a former warehouse worker who was fired in the early days of the pandemic in 2020.

The ruling states that the e-commerce giant unlawfully terminated the warehouse worker who led a protest calling for the company to do more to protect its employees against COVID-19.

Amazon Ordered to Reinstate Fired Worker

The dispute involving former Amazon employee Gerald Bryson, who used to work at the company's warehouse in Staten Island, New York, has stretched on since June 2020, according to The Verge.

Bryson filed an unfair labor practice complaint with The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming that the e-commerce giant retaliated against him after the protest.

In late 2020, the NLRB said that it found merit in Bryson's complaint that Amazon unlawfully fired him for workplace organizing. Amazon did not accept the findings, and the federal board filed a formal complaint against the e-commerce company, triggering a long administrative court process.

Also Read: Amazon Confirms First Employee Death From COVID-19; Employees Fired For Voicing Out Concerns

On Apr. 18, administrative law judge Benjamin Green said that Amazon needed to offer Bryson his job back and pay him his lost wages and benefits resulting from the discriminatory discharge, according to CBS News.

In a statement, Kelly Nantel, the Amazon spokesperson, said that the company would appeal the ruling.

Nantel said that the company disagreed with the ruling, and they are surprised that the NLRB would want an employer to condone Bryson's behavior.

Nantel added that the reason why Bryson was fired was that he defamed, bullied, and cursed at a female co-worker over a bullhorn in front of the workplace.

The spokesperson also said that Amazon do not tolerate that type of conduct in their workplace and intend to file an appeal with the NLRB.

Amazon Safety Protest

Bryson participated in a March 2020 protest over working conditions led by another warehouse employee, Chris Smalls, who the e-commerce giant fired.

Smalls was the head of the Amazon Labor Union, the group which won a union election in early April at the Amazon facility where both of them worked. After Smalls was fired, Bryson led another protest in April 2020 in front of the Amazon warehouse, according to ABC News.

Even though he was off the job during the protest, he got into a dispute with another worker and was later fired for violating the company's vulgar-language policy. Court filings account the dispute between Bryson and a female employee.

A recording of their altercation detailed by the NLRB showed both the female employee and Bryson using profanities during a heated argument that lasted for minutes.

The filings revealed that the woman began the vulgar exchange and twice tried to provoke Bryson into a physical altercation with her, which he did not enter into.

The female employee was given a "first warning" by Amazon. The female employee also called Bryson slurs, which the judge pointed out in the court ruling.

Bryson testified that he told an Amazon manager who spoke with him about the incident about the female employee's comment.

The manager has denied Bryson made a reference to any racial comment, but the judge sided with Bryson's account.

In 2019, Amazon fired an employee with Crohn's disease and was sued because of its controversial policy on bathroom breaks.

In 2022, Amazon fired an employee because of unionization attempts.

Related Article:Amazon UK Employees Reportedly Peed In Bottles So They Wouldn't Get Fired For Taking Bathroom Breaks

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The updated Moderna COVID-19 Omicron vaccine's distribution date is now confirmed. The health tech firm announced that the redesigned medicine would arrive around fall.

This means that the new vaccine is expected to be distributed as early as September.

Moderna confirmed this distribution plan after it discovered that the new version would be affected by the highly contagious Omicron strain.

The existing vaccines are commonly based on the first variant of COVID-19. However, experts suggested that new medicines are needed since the deadly virus is still mutation.

Updated COVID-19 Omicron Vaccine

According to Global News' latest report, after the appearance of Omicron, Moderna started working on a new vaccine that combines the original and new COVID-19 variants.

Also Read: ArisGlobal Expands LifeSphere Clinical Portfolio with Landmark Customer Wins in APAC & Middle East

The pharmaceutical giant claimed that the redesigned Moderna vaccine version, specifically targeting the Omicron strain, is more effective than the common vaccine boosters.

"These results really give us hope," said Moderna's Vice President Dr. Jacqueline Miller.

However, the preliminary findings announced on Tuesday, Apr. 19, are still not vetted by independent health researchers.

Redesigned Moderna Vaccine's Efficiency

The New York Times reported that the new Moderna vaccine targeting Omicron is quite efficient, based on trial results.

The health firm's experiments showed that the new vaccine would be a bivalent version of the original Moderna medicine.

Involved scientists stated that the new vaccine would provide a stronger defense against Delta and Omicron, as well as the older COVID-19 strains.

This information was revealed after the volunteers received their own vaccine shots.

Using the redesigned Moderna Omicron vaccine, the participants were able to produce more antibodies, around twice as many as those who received the older vaccines.

If you want to see more details about the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you can visit this link.

Meanwhile, a new COVID-19 test kit is claimed to detect infections at a faster rate.

On the other hand, the new COVID-19 breath test is expected to receive FDA approval.

For more news updates about the redesigned COVID-19 Omicrone vaccine of Moderna and other similar medicines, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Pfizer 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Data: Findings Show Booster's Efficiency Disappears After Four Months

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Souvik Banerjee) Instagram

Meta, the tech company behind popular social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram, is expanding its fundraising tools and making them available to 1.5 million nonprofits on its platforms.

Instagram to Expand Fundraising Tools

Starting on Tuesday, Apr. 19, Instagram users can attach donation buttons to their Instagram Reels, turning the short videos into fundraisers, according to CBS News.

As it does for donations on Facebook and other Instagram content, Meta will collect and forward the donations to the nonprofits at no charge, paying the processing fees itself.

More than $6 billion has been donated on Instagram and Facebook since fundraising started on the platforms in 2015, according to Meta's vice president of product management and social impact, Emily Dalton Smith.

Also Read: How To Fix Instagram Reels Zero View Bug! Logging Out and Other Tips

Donations increased to $1 billion in nine months in 2021, with 100 million creators and donors taking part in fundraising on the social media platforms, according to APNews.

The majority of those gifts are from small donors, and most of the donations on Instagram in 2021 were under $20. Dalton Smith said that many people are coming together and giving whatever they can to different causes.

Effects of Expanding the Fundraising Tools

Expanding the fundraising to new platforms has created very surprising results. On Instagram, the environmental nonprofit that has received the most donations is not a popular one, according to US News.

One of the most followed nonprofit organizations is The Ocean Cleanup. It was founded in 2013 by an 18-year-old from the Netherlands, Boyan Slat.

Dalton Smith said that The Ocean Cleanup has succeeded because it is "Instagram-first," creating its communities on the social media platform.

The eye-catching images and designs, together with weekly updates on its plastics-removal missions and its partnerships with the popular band Coldplay, have helped the group build a following of more than 700,000.

Dalton Smith said that they do not have data to back all of this yet, but they do see early signs that this is actually going to help grow to give and help grow support for a more diverse set of organizations and help new causes.

Rue Mapp, the founder, and CEO of Outdoor Afro, an organization that connects people with color with nature, said that her group would not have grown as fast as it did without Instagram and Facebook connecting her with volunteers and donors.

And she has developed a strategy for how to use Instagram Reels to raise money for the organization's initiative to teach more people of color to swim.

The Oakland-based organization's new Instagram Reels campaign of videos shows people of color swimming, and it showcases the group's work and provides a reason for continuing it.

Mapp said that the organization was able to grow because they had people who had similar interests.

Outdoor Afro considers Meta's use of the platforms to raise funds for the group by charging any fee or another helpful donation.

Depending on what platform is used and whether other third-party apps are used, processing fees usually range from 5% to 15% of the donation.

Though some experts said that larger nonprofits might prefer social media to send people to the group's own sites to make donations, smaller organizations may find Meta's helpful system and easy to navigate.

Instagram Reels, which was launched in 2020, has since gone head-to-head with TikTok.

In 2021, Instagram added a Bonus feature for influencers and content creators with massive followers.

Related Article: How to Use Instagram Reels TikTok-like Feature Text-to-Speech and Voice Effects

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new Oreo-separating device is now under development. For the past few years, the popular cookie sandwich's fans have been trying to separate it perfectly.

People are trying different methods to ensure that no residue will remain from the other part of the iconic cookie sandwich. These techniques include the following:

Gripping each end and separating them quickly.

Use your teeth to separate the Oreo cookie.

Twisting them slowly.

However, most of their methods failed to provide a perfect output. Because of this, MIT mechanical engineers decided to work on a device that could perfectly separate the Oreo cookie.

Oreo-Separating Device!

According to Gizmodo's latest report, a team of mechanical engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology created the so-called "Oreometer."

Also Read: Oreo To Release Limited Edition Cookies For Moon Landing's 50th Anniversary

Crystal Owens, an MIT engineer, lead the new study titled "On Oreology, the fracture and flow of 'milk's favorite cookie,'" which was published by the Physics of Fluids journal.

Owens even posted a YouTube video to show how their new device works.

"Our favorite twist was rotating while pulling Oreos apart from one side, as a kind of peel-and-twist, which was the most reliable for getting a very clean break," she explained.

She added that the peeling method is less effective since it can cause the so-called adhesive failure. This means that there's a high chance a residue will remain after you separate a thing sticking to another object.

For example, if you are trying to take a sticker out of a chair or table, the possible outcome is some parts of the sticker will remain on the desk. This will make it hard to peel off the remaining residues.

This is why they designed the new Oreometer as a device that relies on the twisting method.

How Does the Oreometer Work?

Based on the YouTube video posted by Crystal, the Oreometer offers two multi-part clamps. Each of them is specifically designed to hold the two sides of the Oreo cookie perfectly.

At the bottom, a rubber holder secures the two clamps. Each of the clamps has coin holders. You need to put five coins (the suggested number) on one side of the clamps to use this device.

This will safely twist the Oreo cookie, leaving no cream residue on the other side. You can watch the full YouTube video below to see how it actually works.

In 2018, three Oreo limited edition flavors were launched.

Meanwhile, the 2017 Oreo contest offered around $500,000 to whoever could come up with the best flavor idea.

For more news updates about Oreo and other iconic snack food, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Oreo Red Wine with Barefoot: Chocolatey Goodness, Is It Good for the Health?

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Some U.S. space experts are now asking NASA to prioritize Uranus, one of the unvisited planets in the solar system.

They shared this idea through the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), a collective scientific national academy of the United States.

NASEM has been conducting a survey called the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal. The latest one covers suggestions that NASA needs to prioritize from 2030 until 2032.

The survey "will assess key scientific questions in planetary science and astrobiology, identify priority medium- and large-class missions and other initiatives," said NASEM via its official website.

US Space Experts Now Prioritize Uranus?

According to The Verge's latest report, various planetary experts across the United States are now asking NASA to conduct an interplanetary probe specifically for Uranus studies.

Also Read: NASA's Artemis I SLS Rocket to Get Repairs Due to Faulty System from Tests, Nitrogen Supply

The new space mission they refer to is the Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP), which will send a spacecraft into orbit around the ice giant planet.

Aside from this, the rocket for UOP will also send a probe that will enter the planet's atmosphere. However, unlike other space missions for Mars, the probe will not land on the surface of Uranus since it is a gas giant.

Just like Jupiter, it has no solid surface, making the UOP mission harder than other missions. When it comes to the launch date, the U.S. scientists estimated that NASA will send the interplanetary mission to Uranus around 2030.

To make this possible, the international space union needs to start working on the spaceflight as early as 2023. As of press time, NASA hasn't confirmed if it will consider the suggestion of the U.S. planetary scientists.

Why is Uranus Important?

Various space experts stated that Uranus could offer new information about ice giants. Since this gas giant is very far from the Sun, it hasn't been studied by NASA and other space agencies.

On the other hand, the recent life-searching space missions discovered that giant ice planets are among the most common heavenly bodies in the universe.

This is why they want to make Uranus one of the priorities in the upcoming space activities of NASA this coming 2030.

Recently, new Sun plasma ejections alarmed some experts since they can lead to harmful magnetic discharge.

On the other hand, NASA's new statistical framework is now considered because of some alarming findings of the Moon Wobble 2030.

For more news updates about Uranus and other space topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Two China Crewed Space Missions To Happen Every Year! New Plans for Tiangong Space Station Also Unveiled

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Putting an engaging and impactful mission at the forefront of its business, Air Company proposes among the aptest ways in combating climate change: vodka. More specifically, vodka is made primarily from the carbon dioxide-filled air around us, which has only skyrocketed in levels over the past several decades to its extreme.

This is the basis behind Air Company's mission of harnessing CO2 to deliver some of the most interesting products, like hand sanitizer, perfume, and the aforementioned vodka. The company was just awarded $30 million in series A funding on Tuesday, Apr. 19th, with the goal of only strengthening its foothold on proprietary carbon technology.

Air Company considers itself the global leader in carbon-based tech, deriving some of the most innovative products using nothing but the air around us. Conceived in 2019, the brand came out swinging with its own rather interesting beverage called Air Vodka, which no sooner took the world by storm.

But, Air Company had to shift into sanitization as the pandemic hit in 2020 casually. Creating a hand sanitizer was actually quite an easy feat with its already existing knowledge in alcohol designs made via carbon dioxide.

"During the pandemic, we put out a sanitation product - a hand sanitizer that we've donated throughout New York and across the US. The funding that we've brought on is to really help scale those products to meet demand because we're constantly selling out of all the products that we produce," explains co-founder and CEO of Air Company, Gregory Constantine. "We also want to begin our transition into industrial sectors, so that we can really have a massive impact of scale."

Related Article: New Scientific Discovery: Quantum Computers Can be Powered by Ancient Namibian Stone

Air Company utilizes state-of-the-art in-house machines that blend solar energy, water, and carbon dioxide into pure ethanol. It has its own facilities, two of which are its main functional distributors, with a third on the way that will amp up production of its Air Vodka, sustainable fuels, and CO2 ethanol via the company's largest to-date carbon-harnessing system.

Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Dr. Stafford Sheehan vies to bring as much an end as is possible to the ever-growing tide of climate change through increased output and streamlined product pathways. He details even further:

"Our immediate goal at Air Company is to further improve and scale our technology that converts carbon dioxide into the cleanest, lowest carbon intensity alcohols for consumer products, on the path to industrial applications. Ultimately, we aim to truly have an impact toward addressing climate change by utilizing waste and atmospheric carbon dioxide to displace fossil fuels at-scale; replacing the carbon that we currently extract from the ground, with carbon removed from the air."

Air Company has already saddled up with the likes of NASA to produce applicable fuel alternatives for rocket propulsion using alcohol-based sugars and proteins. It vies to amend a total of 10.8% of global carbon dioxide emissions at a potential annual volume of around 4.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide.

Headed by Carbon Direct Capital Management, Air Company's most recent funding round puts the brand's total investment over $40 million. Assorted investors that likewise participated included JetBlue Technology Ventures, Parley for the Oceans, and Toyota Ventures.

Adds Constantine, "If we can contribute to the protection of our planet through the advancement of technology and innovation, then we are doing our job."

Read Also: Paper-Free 2022 Guide: Here are Some Eco-Friendly Digital Habits You Can Do

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Adam Cai) Volvo

On Apr. 19, Volvo Cars announced that it had invested in StoreDot, an Israel-based electric vehicle battery company, using its venture capital arm, Volvo Cars Tech Fund.

Volvo Cars Invests in StoreDot

StoreDot claims that it is on track to start mass-producing its 100in5 cells in 2024, which the startup company says can achieve 100 miles or 160 km of charge in only five minutes. It is already shipping the 100in5 cells for testing, according to Electrek.

Volvo Cars aims to be 50% electric by 2025 and fully electric globally by 2030, so its investment in StoreDot enables it to collaborate on new battery technology for its electric vehicles.

Volvo Car's and StoreDot's collaboration will take place within the battery technology joint venture that the automaker established in 2021 with Swedish battery maker Northvolt.

Also Read: Volvo Vowing Deathproof Cars For Every Model Across Its Lineup By 2020

By investing in StoreDot, Volvo Cars have secured access to any resulting technology from their collaboration.

The automaker's new investment is a part of StoreDot's Series D investment round, according to the Times of Israel.

Other tech companies and automakers investing in StoreDot include Daimler, Ola Electric, VinFast, Samsung, BP Ventures, EVE Energy, and TDK.

Alexander Petrofski, the head of the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, said that they aim to be the fastest transformer in their industry and that the Tech Fund plays an important role in establishing partnerships with future technology leaders.

Their investment in StoreDot perfectly fits that mindset, and its commitment to electrification and carbon-free mobility matches our own.

StoreDot's Mass Production

On Mar. 2, StoreDot announced that it would deliver battery cells that will be able to achieve a charge of 100 miles of range in five minutes.

The tech company said that those battery cells will be ready for mass production in 2024 and that it will be able to manufacture cells that can achieve 100 miles of range in only three minutes by 2028.

StoreDot claims that it is firmly on track for its first milestone of 100 miles of range in five minutes of battery charge, according to Future Car.

The company said that 100in5, 100in3, and 100in2 miles per minute of charging are three different generations of StoreDot technologies of Silicon dominant XFC, semi solid-state, and full solid-state.

The three batteries will be delivered over the next couple of years, with 100in5 by 2024, 100in3 by 2028 with 40% improvement, and 100in2 by 2032 with 33% improvement.

The company's extremely fast charging cells will be available in both pouches, which Elon Musk said that he does not favor Tesla, and 4680 form factor.

The 100in5 cells are already being tested by a couple of automakers in the real world, but StoreDot has not yet disclosed who those companies are. StoreDot's strategic investors include VinFast, Daimler, BP, Samsung, and TDK.

Di. Doron Myersdorf, the CEO of StoreDot, said that they must give global automotive manufacturers a clear, realistic, and hype-free road map to introduce their fast-charging battery technologies.

After developing their silicon-dominant chemistries, they will be ready for mass production by 2024, delivering a transformative product that will overcome the barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, such as the charging times and range anxiety.

In 2013, Volvo launched its self-driving vehicles in Sweden.

In 2018, Volvo announced it would add Google Assistant and Google Maps to vehicles.

Related Article:#TechCEO: Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, the Man Behind Volvo Electric Cars

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[Forge a new journey and build a new era of meritorious deeds, walk into the old district to see the new look] The new chapter of Jingchu's sons and daughters passing on the fire of heroes and land-Chinanews.com video
The operation, which focuses on three regions close to the Turkish border, notably mobilizes special forces and combat drones. According to the Ministry of Defense, the offensive aims to...

Turkey launches offensive against PKK forces in northern Iraq

PKK soldiers on a road in the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq (illustrative image) AFP - SAFIN HAMED

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The operation, which focuses on three regions close to the Turkish border, notably mobilizes special forces and combat drones.

According to the Defense Ministry, the offensive aims to thwart a large-scale PKK attack on Turkey.

But the latter seeks above all to weaken the military presence of Kurdish fighters in these regions.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul,

Anne Andlauer

This new operation is part of a series of offensives carried out by the Turkish army since May 2019 in these regions of northern Iraq where the PKK is in competition with the forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The offensive also comes two days after a visit to Turkey by the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani, whom Recep Tayyip Erdogan had undoubtedly made aware of.

The Ankara authorities, who congratulate themselves on having considerably weakened the PKK in Turkey even in recent years, are now concentrating their attacks on the main military camps of the Kurdish armed group in Iraq, in particular in the mountainous regions of Gara and Zap.

The operation is risky, because of the presence of Turkish soldiers on this ground that the PKK knows well, having been established there for decades.

The Turkish army offensives have heightened tensions between Ankara and the Iraqi central government in Baghdad.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the operation respected "

the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, a friendly and brotherly country

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Melbourne coffee lovers face further price hikes for their daily brew as volatility in the international bean market and other cost pressures push the price of a regular flat white towards $6 in some parts of the city.

A cafe industry group said prices of between $5 and $6 will be commonplace in Australias big cities by the end of the year as rising cost pressures, including transport, containers and other ingredients are increasingly passed on to consumers.

St Ali Coffee Roasters general manager Lachlan Ward says the price of a cup of coffee will continue to rise. Credit:Simon Schluter

Brazil is by far the worlds largest coffee bean grower and it has been hit by severe drought followed by damaging frosts, causing production to fall by an estimated 30 per cent. In Columbia, the third largest producer, the La Nina weather pattern has reduced crop yields by at least 10 per cent.

The world benchmark price index for arabica coffee, the Coffee C contract, has doubled since early 2021 to about $US2.40 ($3.25) per pound, pushing up the price Australians pay for their green beans by 100 per cent.
Person 5 told the court he met Roberts-Smith in 2002 when he joined the SAS, and the men first served in a patrol together in Afghanistan in 2009 when he was patrol commander and Roberts-Smith was his second-in-charge.

The newspapers allege as part of their defence that Roberts-Smith directed a rookie soldier dubbed Person 4 to kill an unarmed Afghan prisoner in 2009. The media outlets allege Person 5 officially ordered that killing.

Person 5, a former Special Air Service soldier who previously served in the United Kingdoms Special Boat Service, is the first SAS witness to give evidence for Roberts-Smith in his marathon defamation case against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.

A friend and former comrade of war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith has denied ordering the killing of any Afghan prisoners, as he gave evidence in support of the decorated former soldier in the Federal Court.

Person 5, whose identity cannot be revealed for national security reasons, described his relationship with Roberts-Smith as very good and said it was an easy choice to make him his 2IC in 2009 because I had seen how capable he was.

A serving SAS soldier dubbed Person 18 told the court last month that he overheard Person 5 tell Roberts-Smith after a 2009 mission to a compound in Afghanistan codenamed Whiskey 108 that they had blooded the rookie. Person 18 said it was a running joke that Person 4 was the rookie.

But Person 5 told the court on Tuesday that he first heard the term blooding the rookie in the media. He had never used the term, he said. He said the term blooding had been used for centuries by armies to refer to a new member getting their first kill in battle. He said he had never killed a prisoner, nor ordered a subordinate to carry out such a killing.

Person 5 told the court that the rules of engagement under which the SAS operated in Afghanistan allowed soldiers to use lethal force in self-defence. Enemy combatants who surrendered to Australian troops were not killed but PUCed, he said, meaning they were detained and became persons under the control of the SAS.

The court has previously heard evidence from another serving SAS soldier, Person 41, that Roberts-Smith, then second-in-charge to Person 5, told Person 4 during the 2009 mission to shoot a captive Afghan man who had been discovered in a tunnel at Whiskey 108.
The push among professional elites to celebrate the Australia Day public holiday on another day as a gesture of solidarity with First Nations people has me scratching my head.

Melbourne University employees are pushing for the right to reject January 26 as a public holiday and take leave on a day of their choosing. Meanwhile, one of Victorias senior bureaucrats has urged staff to take advantage of a little-known public service rule that gives bureaucrats the right to substitute public holidays for other days.

Staff at Melbourne University are seeking the right to substitute the Australia Day public holiday for a different day of the year. Credit:Wayne Taylor

For some, its a day celebrated with friends and family, said Department of Families, Fairness and Housing secretary Sandy Pitcher, in a message to staff about Australia Day. But for many, 26 January can be a difficult day, in particular for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Australians who reflect on the invasion, associated violence and dispossession of Country.

Pitcher encouraged staff to explore the possibilities of working on January 26 and taking an alternative leave day. She wants people to reflect on Australias past a little deeper.
Senior Constable Rodney Miller was distressed and dying, but could still talk. What he told the colleagues who comforted him is now the focus of a murder trial more than two decades on.

It was after midnight on August 16, 1998, and police units in Melbournes south-eastern suburbs got to Moorabbin as quickly as they could after hearing over the radio a report of gunshots and that officers were down.

Sergeant Gary Silk (left) and Senior Constable Rodney Miller.

Police who arrived in Cochranes Road saw Sergeant Gary Silk was dead and began searching for his missing partner. Moments later, there was a cry of help, and officers ran along Warrigal Road, where they found Miller wounded and thrashing his arms after he made his way to the driveway outside the Silky Emperor Chinese restaurant.

Silk and Miller were on a stake-out watching the restaurant as police investigated a series of armed robberies over the preceding months. After midnight, they saw a car leave the restaurant car park and followed it to Cochranes Road, where they activated a blue flashing light on their unmarked sedan to pull over the suspect vehicle.
Examine, a weekly newsletter covering the latest developments in science, is sent every Tuesday. Below is an excerpt  sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox.

When Omicron ripped through several Australian states over summer, many of us suffered the consequences. We might have picked up the virus at a Christmas lunch or a New Years party  we isolated, got better and then after a few weeks got a booster shot.

For many, the coronavirus story ends there. But for some, the saga continues, as COVID strikes not once but twice, or even several times over.

Although the federal government does not collect data on COVID reinfections, and nor do health authorities in WA and Queensland, Victoria recorded almost 10,000 reinfections between late December 2021 and late March 2022. This compares with just 108 known reinfections in Victoria during the previous two years. NSW plans to release state reinfection data soon.

As the Omicron sub-variant BA.2 continues to fuel more infections, the spectre of repeat infections is well and truly upon us.
While the main game at this May 21 federal election is obviously the race for the keys to the Lodge, for the WA division of the Liberal Party, the contest is arguably existential.

If it does not at least hold the line, the Liberal brand is at serious risk of becoming a spent force in the west, or at least faces a rebuilding effort that will take a generation and is no guarantee to succeed.

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price inspect Evolved Cape Class patrol boats on a visit to Austal Ships in Perth on Monday. WA is shaping as a key battleground state in the upcoming election  one the Liberals cant afford to lose in. Credit:James Brickwood

Three things were once true of the WA contribution to the conservative major party: that it punched above its weight in talent, that it did likewise in fundraising, and that voter support provided a reliable bulwark, often in the face of prevailing national trends.

The first two are no longer true and the third cannot be taken for granted and is about to be tested.
Greens leader Adam Bandt will go to the heart of the nations oil and gas industry in Western Australia to outline plans to overhaul the way the sector is taxed and raise an extra $90 billion in revenue over the next decade.

Bandt will head to Karratha in WAs north-west to promise substantial changes to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT), effectively ending $282 billion worth of tax credits and placing a 10 per cent royalty on all offshore oil and gas projects excluding the long-standing North West Shelf project.

Chevrons Gorgon LNG terminal. Under the Greens plan, companies would pay almost $90 billion in extra tax over the next decade.

In what the Greens describe as the final component of its tycoon tax agenda that would raise an extra $430 billion over a decade, Bandt will argue the change will deliver fair value to Australian taxpayers who under current tax arrangements were handing away natural resources for free.

Australias natural resources belong to the people, but Liberal and Labor are giving away our gas for free, losing billions of dollars that should be funding hospitals and schools, he said.
We believe in the inalienable rights and freedoms of all peoples. It is a powerful declaration and the very first words that set out the Liberal Partys core beliefs. They should be kept in mind when examining the controversy over the Liberal candidate for the formerly blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Warringah, which was held by former prime minister Tony Abbott until his defeat by independent Zali Steggall in 2019. Katherine Deves was a captains pick, installed early this month by a committee composed of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and former party president Chris McDiven, after the NSW division failed to preselect candidates through the usual process. Scott Morrison is standing by Katherine Deves. Credit:Fairfax media Deves preselection came two months after reports in early February revealing the recent law graduate and former Treasury Wine Estates marketer was co-founder of the Save Womens Sport lobby group. The group has pushed for strict definitions of sex to separate male and female sporting competitors and also argued that a change to the Sex Discrimination Act to provide legal protection on the basis of gender identity might be unconstitutional. Reporting this week has shown Deves has an extensive track record of using inflammatory and offensive language in public forums. In now deleted tweets, she called trans children surgically mutilated and sterilised and said she was triggered by the rainbow flag. She also wrongly claimed, offering no evidence, that half of all males with trans identities are sex offenders. In another tweet, from April last year, she said a Canadian father reportedly jailed for speaking publicly about aspects of his childs transition, in breach of a court order, would go down in history as akin to the Grudge trials of the Third Reich. I do not like to invoke Nazism, but the parallels are remarkable & deeply sinister, she wrote. There are more examples.

Her comments are disgraceful. Whatever your views may be on the debate over gender rights and women in sport  and there are a variety  such hurtful, offensive and overblown language deserves condemnation. She is using the women in sport debate as a pretext for offensive lies. Her statements offer no insight or empathy, no nuance, and therefore do not contribute to the discussion. Deves has apologised, saying in a statement that in my dedication to fighting for the rights of women and girls, my language has on occasion been unacceptable. But these were not one-off statements, and they were not historical. They were consistent and recent. And on Monday she went on the offensive, saying in an email to party members she was not going anywhere, deriding her critics as parts of the left media and twittersphere. Loading When Pauline Hanson, then a Liberal candidate for the seat of Oxley, made contentious comments in 1996 about First Nations peoples, then opposition leader John Howard was quick to disendorse her. He recognised that housing a person making racist comments in his party damaged his electoral chances. Deves, by contrast, has attracted the ongoing backing of Morrison, Abbott and Howard, even as several Liberal MPs have called for her to be axed from the ticket. One wonders what the Liberal Party has become, what offensive behaviour it would not tolerate in 2022. There are some Liberals who have been forthright such as NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, who told ABC Radio on Tuesday that Deves was not fit for office and his party was not a place for bile and bigotry. But by the afternoon, Morrison had doubled down on his support for Deves, making her statements a free speech issue. Im not going to allow her to be silenced, he said.
Kabul: Explosions targeting educational institutions killed at least six people, including students, and wounded 17 on Tuesday in a mostly Shiite neighbourhood of Afghanistans capital city, police said.

The blasts, which happened in rapid succession, were being investigated and more casualties were feared, according to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran and the citys Emergency Hospital. Several of the wounded were in serious condition and some had been treated and released.

Taliban fighters stand guard on a blood-stained street at the site of an explosion in front of a school in Kabul. Credit:AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

The explosions occurred inside the Abdul Rahim Shaheed High School and near the Mumtaz Education Center several kilometres away, both in the predominately Shiite Muslim neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. There were no immediate reports of casualties at the education centre.

Guards in the narrow street leading to the two-storey high school said they saw 10 casualties. Inside the school, an Associated Press video journalist saw walls splattered with blood, burned notebooks and childrens shoes.
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. High 62F. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 32F. NE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Press Release

April 19, 2022 Next admin to face digital revolutions with rise in e-commerce jobs - TESDAMAN Sen. Joel "TESDAMAN" Villanueva said that the next administration should pay particular attention to growing the country's digital economy at this time that the economy is opening up as cases of COVID-19 decrease. "All sectors of the economy are expecting to bounce back from the pandemic. While the next administration will have its hands full protecting broad sectors such as agriculture, it should also catch up with the fast-evolving digital economy," Villanueva said. The senator made this statement as the Philippines received a positive business outlook from the Job Outlook Survey commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry. The benchmark survey reported that the Philippines has a high employment growth forecast of 86.7 percent for e-commerce jobs. The Job Outlook Survey also reported that most companies in the country are hiring for positions that require digital skills, such as Digital Marketing Specialists, Social Media Specialists, Content Strategists, and Data Analysts. "Digital skills can be developed through formal education, informal instruction, or training, which makes the digital workforce very dynamic in terms of learning and employment," Villanueva said. The senator said that "the next administration would be dealing with the fourth, or even fifth, industrial revolution," as digital careers have gained even more strength during the pandemic. "We are already playing catch up rather than staying ahead of the digital revolution. The Filipino workforce should benefit from the opportunities the digital economy provides, so the government should support them through skills training, digital upskilling, and making them competitive," he said. Villanueva added that digital careers in the country continue to flourish as it allows for alternative working arrangements such as work from home, addressing concerns such as traffic congestion, rising oil prices, as well as the need for work-life balance. At the same time, the senator warned that the 86.7 percent forecasted growth for e-commerce jobs could potentially widen the job-skills mismatch in the country if not quickly addressed by the government. The chair of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources said that he is hoping that the Senate Bill No. 1834, or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act, would be passed right after the May 9 elections. Villanueva sponsored and authored the said bill, and is currently on second reading at the Senate plenary. S.B. 1834 seeks to ensure all Filipino workers have access to and provided with digital skills competencies at par with global standards, and encourage digital innovations and entrepreneurship. The proposed law also empowers all local government units to create local policies supporting and promoting the growth and development of digital technology and digital careers in their respective communities. Public-private partnerships with experts, information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry associations and other related industries are also empowered by the bill to pursue the formulation and implementation of training, skills development, and certification programs. The senator added that the country's IT infrastructure and access to fast and reliable internet connection should be improved to support the rise of e-commerce and digital careers. According to the 2021 Digital Skills Gap Index, the Philippines ranks 51st out of 134 countries in terms of digital skills, and 80th in digital competitiveness. Digital revolutions, haharapin ng susunod na administrasyon dahil sa pag-unlad ng e-commerce - TESDAMAN Nagbabala si Sen. Joel "TESDAMAN" Villanueva na kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin ng susunod na administrasyon ang digital economy ng bansa, lalo na sa pagbubukas muli ng ekonomiya bunsod ng bumababang kaso ng COVID-19. "Gusto ng lahat ng sektor ng ekonomiya na makabawi mula sa pandemya. Habang pinoprotektahan ng susunod na administrasyon ang mga pangunahing sektor gaya ng agrikultura, dapat din nitong humabol sa mga fast-evolving sector na gaya ng e-commerce at mga digital jobs," sabi ni Villanueva. Ito ang naging pahayag ng senador nang makatanggap ng positive business outlook ang Pilipinas mula sa Job Outlook Survey na kinomisyon ng Department of Trade and Industry. Iniulat ng benchmark survey na may high employment growth forecast na 86.7 percent ang Pilipinas para sa mga trabahong mula sa e-commerce. Iniulat din ng Job Outlook Survey na karamihan sa mga kumpanya sa bansa ay may mga bukas na posisyon para sa trabahong nangangailangan ng digital skills, gaya ng Digital Marketing Specialist, Social Media Specialist, Content Strategist, at Data Analyst. "Digital skills can be developed through formal education, informal instruction, or training, which makes the digital workforce very dynamic in terms of learning and employment," sabi ni Villanueva. Sinabi ng senador na haharapin ng susunod na administrasyon ang "fourth, or even fifth, industrial revolution" dahil sa paglakas ng mga digital career sa panahon ng pandemya. "Naghahabol na po tayo kaysa nangunguna sa digital revolution. Dapat makinabang ang mga Pilipinong manggagawa sa mga oportunidad mula sa digital economy, kaya dapat suportahan sila ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng skills training, digital upskilling, at gawin silang competitive," paliwanag ni Villanueva. Ayon din sa senador, namamayagpag ang digital careers sa bansa dahil pinapahintulutan nito ang mga alternative working arrangements gaya ng work from home, na nakikita ring solusyon sa problema ng traffic, pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, pati na rin sa pagkakaroon ng work-life balance. Nagbabala rin ang senador na maaring lumala pa ang job-skills mismatch sa bansa kung hindi matugunan ng gobyerno ang tinatayang 86.7 porsyentong pagtaas ng e-commerce jobs. Sinabi ng chair ng Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources na umaasa siya maisasabatas matapos ang eleksyon nitong Mayo 9 ang Senate Bill No. 1834, o ang Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act. Si Villanueva ang sponsor at may akda ng panukalang batas na kasalukuyang nasa second reading sa plenaryo ng Senado. Layon ng S.B. 1834 na mabigyan ang mga manggagawang Pilipino ng digital skills ayon sa global standards, at maghikayat ng digital innovations at entrepreneurship. Pinapagtibay din ng panukalang batas ang lahat ng lokal na pamahalaan para gumawa ng kanilang mga polisiya na sumusuporta at nagsusulong sa digital technology at digital careers sa kani-kanilang komunidad. Nagtatatag din ang Senate bill ng mga public-private partnerships kasama ng mga eksperto at mga asosasyon ng mga industriyang gaya ng information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) para sa promulasyon at implementasyon ng mga programa para sa training, skills development, at sertipikasyon. Kailangan ding paunlarin ng bansa ang IT infrastructure at access sa mabilis na internet connection nito para masuportahan ang paglago ng e-commerce at digital careers, ayon kay Villanueva. Ayon sa 2021 Digital Skills Gap Index, pang-51 ang Pilipinas sa 134 na bansa pagdating sa digital skills, at pang-80 sa digital competitiveness.
The borders are opening, it's Orange light and that can only mean one thing. MORE LIVE MUSIC...

The Edge are fizzed to be bring you this chart topping legend in March 2023. The GRAMMY Award-winning, global superstar Harry Styles is heading back down under for his LOVE ON TOUR 2023 hitting up Aucklands Mt Smart Stadium on March 7.
A general view of the steelworks and coal loading facility in Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia, on Feb. 1, 2021. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Australia Should Be a Green Mining Superpower: Expert

Australia needs to start focusing on utilising its abundant natural advantages to take advantage of the global financial push for green energy, an expert has said.

Director of Climate Energy Finance (CEF) Tim Buckley told The Epoch Times he believes that Australia has the potential to become a world leader in the green revolution that is now he says, inevitable. However, the country is lagging behind.

Australia should be a renewable energy superpower, Buckley said. We should be a renewable mining industry superpower.

He believes that given Australias resource wealth in lithium, rare earths, copper, cobalt, nickel, wind, solar, and hydro, the country has everything needed to benefit from the global financial markets push for decarbonisation, which Buckley says will see massive investment, employment, and export opportunities.

We should be value-adding, he said. Were the worlds biggest supplier of iron ore. Thirty-eight percent of the worlds iron ore comes from Australia. Why dont we do a little bit of value-adding before we export it? Why dont we help China, Japan, and Korea decarbonise their steel industry by exporting them the green steel rather than iron ore.

This photo was taken on October 20, 2019, shows imported iron ore being unloaded at a port in Qingdao in eastern Chinas Shandong province. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Steel-making requires stripping oxygen from iron ore to produce pure iron metal. In traditional steel-making, this is done using coal or natural gas in a process that releases CO. In green steel production, hydrogen made from renewable energy replaces fossil fuels. Steel made using hydrogen instead of coal is known as green steel, primarily because the by-product of the process is water which allows the industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

Currently, Australia is the worlds biggest exporter of iron ore, shipping over $100 billion a year of iron ore with a profit margin of 90 percent. According to the Australian Steel Institute, the country produces 5.3 million tonnes of steel.

Why do we not enhance it? Why do we not require three of the four biggest iron ore companies in the world in Australia to actually invest? he said, referring to the green steel industry.

Buckley, who was the Managing Director of Citibank from 1991 to 2007, believes that Australia is lagging behind other countries in adopting the technology needed. He cites the Swedish steel industry announcement in August 2021 of the first shipment of green steel to demonstrate how Australia has lost out on the pole position in the new green industrial revolution.

Trainee steelworker at One Steel in Melbourne, Australia, on April 30, 2013. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Bucklands comments come after an analysis by the left-leaning Grattan Institute indicated that if Australia captured just 6.5 percent of the global steel market, it could yield around $65 billion in annual export revenue and potentially create 25,000 manufacturing jobs in the states of Queensland and New South Wales.

Moving Australian steelmaking towards lower-emissions technologies in the next decade would build the domestic skills and capabilities needed to create an export-oriented green steel industry in the following decades. In that context, federal funding for a steel flagship project would be a worthwhile investment, given the size of the opportunity, said Tony Wood, the author of the analysis.

However, one of Australias largest steel manufacturers Bluescope has indicated that there are some challenges for manufacturers to overcome. In an address (pdf) to the Impact X Climate Summit in November 2021 Gretta Stephens, Chief Executive of Climate Change at BlueScope said that there is a technology gapbetween current high emissions

processes and future state low or zero emissions processes.

However, the company believes that they can explore options for a pilot of low-emissions steel production at Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales in collaboration with Rio Tinto.

The collaboration is part of BlueScopes previously announced climate action fund of up to $150 million over the next five years. We are very excitedas this project and others will take us

to the cutting edge of current technologies to push us all to the next phase and bridge the technology gap we face, Stephans said.

At present, the centre-right Liberal-National (LNP) coalition, the centre-left Australian Labor Party (ALP), and the left-wing Greens Party have said they would like to move forward with technologies that support a greener economy, including investment in green manufacturing and steel.

Incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor noted in September 2020 that the government would invest $1.9 billion in new energy technologies, with $1.62 billion being provided to the two government-led bodies, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to back new technologies that will cut emissions in agriculture, manufacturing, industry and transport.

Morrison said that the government would focus on unlocking new technologies across the economy, which he argued would drive down costs, create jobs and reduce emissions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison tours Fortescue Metals Groups Christmas Creek mining operations with Fortescue Metals Group CEO Andrew Forrest in Karratha, Western Australia, on Apr. 15, 2021. (Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian via Getty Images)

It will also support the traditional industries of manufacturing, agriculture, and transport.

Our JobMaker plan is about protecting and creating the jobs of today and positioning Australia for the jobs of the future, which is why our investment in new technologies is so crucial, the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, the ALP has said that one of the cornerstones of their election plan is the Powering Australia policy which will allocate up to $3 billion from a proposed National Reconstruction Fund to invest in green metals (steel, alumina, and aluminium); clean energy component manufacturing; hydrogen electrolysers and fuel switching; agricultural methane reduction and waste reduction.

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese makes his closing remarks at the end of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Conference at the Revesby Workers Club in Sydney, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Whether Scott Morrison can see it or not, we are in a race. Every major economy in the world is moving toward renewables, and if we do not seize this moment to invest in a homegrown renewables sector, Australia will be left out and left behind, Albanese said.

The Greens Party, which is competing against other minor parties to hold the balance of power in the Australian Senate, have indicated they would make green steel a fundamental component of its exit strategy from the coal and gas industry.

Greens leader Senator Adam Bandt has said if they do hold the balance of power, they will work to create a Green Steel Innovation Fund to kickstart the green metal industry and return manufacturing to Australia instead of looking overseas for the finished products.

Australia should be a nation that manufactures things again, Bandt said. We have greater potential than just being the worlds quarry  with almost endless energy available from the sun and wind, we have the capacity to create finished steel, unlocking generations of good jobs and giving us a new export opportunity.

Bandt said that pairing the Innovation Fund with the $45.9 billion Green Metals Australia fund would drive growth in previous iron and steel production in previous manufacturing areas like the Illawarra, the Pilbara, and Whyalla.

The Greens have also noted they would stop both the Liberal government and the Labor oppositions plans for 144 new coal and gas projects.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt speaks at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec 9, 2020. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

However, the other conservative and right-leaning political parties have voiced their support for conventional energy industries such as coal and gas.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson in a recent blog post said that Australia for decades had abandoned reason in favour of a climate alarmist fuel energy policy.

This has weakened our economy, wiped out jobs, put money into the pockets of authoritarian governments, and had no detectable influence on the worlds temperature or climate, Hanson said. Any political party that refuses to acknowledge the damage being done by our current green energy delusions isnt just hurting your hip pocket, they are putting our nations security at risk.

Senator Pauline Hanson arrives at the doors at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 14, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the United Australia Party has said that they would advocate for nuclear power as an answer to the energy crisis and are proponents of a downstream processing policy on all of Australias mineral resources.

The party has made no mention of green technology or renewables in its policy platform.

Meanwhile, Buckley points out that a large proportion of Australians have already decided to support renewables, with the Clean Energy Council stating nearly three million households have installed rooftop solar energy systems.

The people of Australia are investing their own money in driving the solutions and things like a Renewable Asian Energy Hub, he said. Literally, theyve got two of the five biggest energy developments in the world on their books.

Were [Australians] going to take our own responsibility and invest in our own energy security and invest in our own decarbonisation because it is economically and ecologically sensible, Buckley said.
A "sold" real estate sign is seen outside a high-rise apartment block in the suburb Kirribilli in Sydney, Australia, on May 8, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Australian First Home Buyer Scheme Expanded With Bipartisan Support

The Australian federal government announced that tens of thousands more citizens would be able to buy a house under its expanded Home Guarantee Scheme.

The schemes property price caps have been increased across all states and territories and the number of available guarantees has also been increased to a total of 50,000 places a year from July 1.

Under the scheme, the government will guarantee up to 15 percent of a mortgage, meaning first-home buyers only need to put forward a five percent deposit to purchase a home.

People are cutting years off the time theyd need to save a deposit for a home because of this program. Now even more Australians can get into a home sooner, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. Saving to buy a house has always been hard work and we know as prices have increased its been getting harder.

The price cap for Sydney, which has the countrys highest median house price at $1.6 million, has been increased to $900,000, while Melbournes has been increased to $800,000.

The Australian property market grew over 22 percent in 2021, putting homeownership dreams out of reach for many Australians. However, the market has shown visible signs of slowing, with Sydney witnessing its first price fall in 17 months in March.

Morrison said the scheme had already assisted 60,000 Australians on their path to homeownership.

Housing Minister Michael Sukkar said 41 percent of scheme-backed loans were ahead of their payment schedule, so the government was confident that the newly adjusted price caps strike the right balance.

Borrowers still need to meet their financial institutions usual loan repayment assessment to participate in the scheme to ensure home buyers dont enter a loan arrangement that could result in significant financial hardship.

The scheme is also backed by the opposition party, with Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers saying Labor was supportive of the plan to increase price caps.

And weve said for some time that we dont think the caps are appropriate. So, to the extent that the caps are being changed today, we welcome that, he told reporters. Weve also got our policy around social and affordable housing. And well have more to say on housing between now and the election.

The governments scheme also includes 10,000 guarantees for homebuyers in regional areas, a policy similar to the opposition party, which states that 10,000 first-home buyers in regional Australia would be eligible to receive a guarantee of up to 15 percent.

Price caps for the Labor party are also exactly the same as prior to the Liberal Coalitions price cap increase.

Chalmers previously called the governments scheme a carbon copy of Labors plans.

Thats a good thing, thats welcome, that they want to implement our policy, Chalmers told the ABC in March.

However, Sukkar called it a major expansion of the scheme that has been in place since 2020.
Barbara Kay: Weasel Words and the Slippery Slope of Assisted Death

Commentary

Misleading language is a friend to tyrants, for whom it works as a placebo against public unrest. In Russia, the charged words war against Ukraine are forbidden. Russians must use the more soothingly anodyne special military operation.

Ideologues are also masters of the weasel-word craft. In the domain of euthanasia, a concept tainted with historical horrors, activists have had to work overtime on vocabulary to avoid the word killing. So we have dying with dignity, which not only excises the means of death, but casts moral aspersion by implication on those who cannot function autonomously. Legally, we have MAiDmedical assistance in dyinga euphemism for euthanasia and a brazen rip-off of the palliative-care movements raison detre, medical assistance to ease suffering in a natural death. Not doctors killing patients. As of 2020, MAiD accounted for 22,000 deaths in Canada.

Euthanasia activists always begin with demands for euthanasia lite: the right to medically assisted death for competent adults with a severe, irremediable condition facing a reasonably foreseeable natural death (RFND). They know time will bring them what they really want: suicide-by-doctor on demand for anyone, and for any reason.

In 2016, Canadas Bill C-14 hewed to the RFND line, and Parliament promised a delay in new legislation until completion of a June 2020 review of MAiD, but as well of mental health care and palliative care resources. In March 2021 we got Bill C-7, which eliminated the RFND clause, removed the 10-day reflection guardrail, and permits one rather than two witnesses for request corroboration (the one can be a paid caregiver).

Oh, and the promised review never happened. What just did happen is that a 51-year-old Ontario woman with extreme environmental allergies, who couldnt find affordable housing free of cigarette smoke and chemical cleaners, requested and got MAiD as her only perceived recourse to suffering. Sophie had tried desperately to find suitable accommodation for her disability, but failed. During COVID, her tiny bedroom, her sole refuge, became her dungeon.

Nobody can blame this woman for the despair that drove her to what she perceived as a release from hell. But there is something very wrong with a system where informed housing bureaucrats (they were repeatedly informed in this case) who could have executed remedial action on her behalf did not bestir themselves, while the process for Sophies euthanasia unfolded with seamless efficiency.

Euthanasia activists brook no arguments for logistical exemptions, even on grounds of conscience. Just as the Puritans are mockingly described as haunted by the fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy, thanatologists are haunted by the fear that someone, somewhere, may not have instant access to medically assisted death. And be it ever so humble, the euthanasia police will ferret out any unit receiving public funds that refuses to offer the sacred elixir.

The Delta Hospice Society (DHS), a non-profit organization incorporated in 1991, which is committed to a traditional understanding of palliative care, found that out the hard way. Twelve years ago, the Society built the Irene Thomas Hospice with private funds on land leased from British Columbias Fraser Health Authority, which partially funded it for the medical services it offered. In 2016, when MAiD was legalized, the hospice faced an ultimatum from Fraser Health: Introduce MAiD or lose funding.

Ironically, there is a MAiD-providing hospital just a short walk from the hospice, but the DHS was told it was a serious human rights violation to make people move for services not offered in one facility. Today the hospice is run by the provincial authority and permits euthanasia.

But the DHS soldiers on. Recently, 76 percent of its membership defeated a pro-MAiD slate to install a pro-life board. The DHS then altered its constitution to keep any future hospice they build euthanasia-free. They intend to build a new private hospice that will hawkishly guard its independence from government.

With or without the euthanasia proviso, fewer than 30 percent of Canadians have access to palliative care, although palliative-care specialists say 90 percent of us could benefit from it. The 2017 National Framework for Palliative Care in Canada had no funding linked to its action plan. But as the DHS example demonstrates, euthanasia is considered a right for 100 percent of Canadians, and apparently unlimited funds are available to ensure that not a single Sophie is left behind. Until 100 percent of Canadians have an equal right to quality palliative care, the option of euthanasia for our most vulnerable fellow citizens is just another weasel word.

Most people believe that euthanasia on demand (where we are headed) is an individual decision that has no effect on anyone else. They are wrong. Since prolonged suffering is now perceived as a choiceand increasingly frowned upon as a socially inconsiderate oneit corrodes our capacity for empathy.

I am haunted by Euthanasia in the Netherlands, an essay by Canadian Hermina Dykxhoorn, which recounts a 1994 visit with her father to relatives in the Netherlands, featuring the disparate reactions of the assembled family members to a news story of a 50-year-old womans euthanasia. The womans two sons had diedone from cancer, the other by suicideand the grieving mother had then asked her psychiatrist, a supporter of the socially influential Dutch Voluntary Euthanasia Society, to kill her. He complied.

Ms. Dykxhoorn was horrified by the story. Her Dutch relatives were unmoved. Their eyes were just as glazed over as if they had been watching a report of a minor traffic accident, she writes. Probing, she asked them if the psychiatrist should not have treated the woman for depression. Well, her uncle shrugged, this was obviously what she wanted.

The psychiatrist was charged and tried, but acquitted, hastening euthanasias normalization process. In 2002, euthanasia was legalized for adults in the Netherlands, and extended in 2020 to terminally ill children under age 13. Today a completed life track is now being considered: that is, euthanasia for any adult of of any age who believes theyve lived long enough.

By no coincidence, since we may lag behind the Netherlands in time but not in thanatological fervour, in March 2023, the mentally ill in Canada will have the right to choose euthanasia. This is endorsed by the Canadian Psychological Association, even though, as psychiatrists know, suicidality is all too frequently a characteristic of untreated psychological illness.

Glazed-over eyes, glazed-over hearts, glazed-over souls. Here, if proof were needed, is euthanasias invisible but profoundly anti-social slippery slope.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Signage is seen at the United States Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Biden Administration to Appeal Ruling Against CDCs Mask Mandate If CDC Recommends It

President Joe Bidens administration will appeal the April 18 ruling that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) mask mandate, if the CDC recommends an appeal, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

The department and the CDC disagree with the district courts decision and will appeal, subject to CDCs conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health, Anthony Coley, an agency spokesman, said in a statement.

The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Xavier Becerra, Bidens health secretary, told reporters in Nevada earlier in the day that the administration was leaning toward appealing. We are right now in the process of deciding, and we likely will appeal that ruling, but stay tuned, he said.

Becerra oversees the Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC is an office inside the department.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, concluded in her ruling that the mask mandate violated federal law because there wasnt a public comment period before it was implemented.

The federal judge also ruled that the CDC lacks the statutory authority to compel people to wear masks on federal transportation such as airplanes.

Coley said that the Department of Justice continues to believe that the order requiring masking in the transportation corridor is a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health.

That is an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve, it added.

Before the ruling, the CDC had extended the mandate ahead of its scheduled April 18 expiration to May 3.

In order to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, the CDC order will remain in place at this time, the agency said in a statement at the time.

That assessment will still take place, according to Coley.

If CDC concludes that a mandatory order remains necessary for the publics health after that assessment, the Department of Justice will appeal the district courts decision, he said.

The mask mandate is not being enforced due to Mizelles ruling, though federal officials continue to recommend people wear masks on indoor transportation.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on board Air Force One that the White House would advise all Americans to follow the recommendations.

Biden, asked in New Hampshire whether individuals should continue wearing masks, said that it was up to them.

The White House was requiring all passengers on Air Force One to wear masks despite the ruling. Biden boarded wearing a black mask.

Biden did not wear a mask while talking to reporters. He was outdoors with officials from the New Hampshire Port Authority.

The president also forwent a mask while speaking indoors in Portsmouth or while shaking hands and talking with people after delivering a speech.

Becerra said the administration is respecting the ruling but that he will follow the science and encouraged people to wear masks.

The official appeared at an event at the Las Vegas Convention Center with Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat. Neither Becerra nor Sisolak was wearing face coverings.
President Joe Biden boards Air Force One before departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 19, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Wears Mask on Plane After CDC Mandate Struck Down

President Joe Biden wore a mask on his plane ride to New Hampshire on April 19.

Photographs showed Biden wearing a black mask on the tarmac at the base and while boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

He was flying to New Hampshire to visit the New Hampshire Port Authority and deliver remarks on the infrastructure bill that he signed in late 2021.

After landing, Biden said it was up to them when asked if people should keep wearing masks on planes.

A White House aide said Bidens move was done to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.

During transit on todays trip, masking will be required in line with CDC guidance, the aide told news outlets.

The CDC had been requiring masks on planes, in airports, and on other mass transit such as trains, but a federal judge on Monday ruled the agency violated federal law in how it imposed the mandate, and does not have the authority to require masks.

The mandate exceeded the CDCs statutory authority, improperly invoked the good cause exception to notice and comment rulemaking, and failed to adequately explain its decisions. Because our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends, the court declares unlawful and vacates the mask mandate, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, said in her decision.

President Joe Biden arrives to board Air Force One before departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 19, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

An administration official later told outlets that the ruling means the mask mandate is not in effect at this time.

The Transportation Security Administration added separately that it will no longer enforce its directive, based on the CDC order, of requiring masks.

The CDC still recommends wearing masks when a person is traveling on public transportation but can no longer require mask-wearing.

The administration has not yet said whether it will appeal Mizelles ruling.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki called it a disappointing decision during a briefing on Monday.

What we announced last week was just a two-week extension in order to have time to assess what weve all seen is rising cases, and make an assessment and recommendation with that in mind, she said. So, of course, its disappointing.

Leslie Manookian, president and founder of the Health Freedom Defense Fund and one of the plaintiffs, told The Epoch Times that the mandate was a clear violation of federal law.

They dont have the authority to do what they did in mandating a mask mandate, and one of the reasons for that is because these police powers include health powers, and those are reserved to the states to make decisions over, not to the federal government, she added.
Bill to Repeal NEAs Federal Charter Could Light Reform Match Within Teachers Union

When news broke that the National School Board Association (NSBA) urged federal officials to brand parents protesting far-left classroom curriculums on race and sex as domestic terrorists, it sparked a stampede of angry members out the groups exits.

At last count, nearly half of the NSBAs state associations have either left the group or are making plans to do so. Six members of the NSBAs national board of directors have also resigned and more departures may be coming. All of those leaving are refusing to be associated with the protesting-parents-are-terrorists policy.

Virginia Gentles, director of the Education Freedom Center for the Independent Womens Voice (IWV), says she wouldnt be surprised if something similar happens to the National Education Association (NEA) if Congress revokes the teachers unions federal charter.

Look at what happened with the National School Board Association, that didnt even take congressional action to dismantle a pretty powerful and influential organization, Gentles told The Epoch Times on April 19. That just took parents rising up and saying, No, youre not going to call us domestic terrorists, and then putting pressure on their local and state associations to pull out from the national organization.

Gentles was referring to HR 7510, the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act, introduced in the House of Representatives on April 14 by Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) and co-sponsored by House Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and 16 other House GOP lawmakers.

In addition to Gentless group, the bill has been endorsed by the American Principles Project, America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Club for Growth, Concerned Women for America LAC, ForAmerica, FreedomWorks, Heritage Action for America, the National Right to Work Committee (NRTW), and Young Americas Foundation (YAF).

Congress granted the NEA a federal charter in 1906 to elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching; and to promote the cause of education in the United States, according to the legislation.

But the NEA long ago ceased doing what it was created to do, and instead has become a massive political operation dedicated to electing Democrats and imposing a radical progressive agenda on Americas schools, the measures text states.

Gentles pointed to an event thats noted in HR 7510: the defeat by delegates during a 2019 NEA conference of a resolution calling on the teachers union to re-dedicate itself to the pursuit of increased student learning in every public school in America by putting a renewed emphasis on quality education. NEA will make student learning the priority of the association.

Gentles said there are these alternative professional associations like the Association of American Educators. They are quiet, but they are therewaiting in the wings to welcome teachers who want freedom from a union that does not represent their interests.

In an April 4 letter to Congress, the IWV endorsed HR 7510, stating that a federal charter, sometimes known as a congressional charter, recognizes an organizations authority and purpose. The NEA is a politically motivated labor union with a budget of over $370 million that gives the vast majority (at least 94 percent) of its political dollars to left-wing candidates and causes.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the policies adopted by this partisan organization run counter to the views of large shares of the American public, particularly parents of school-aged children. Thus, the NEA does not belong on the list of federal charters.

A spokesman for the NEA didnt respond by press time to a request for comment on the repeal proposal.

The repeal proposal is a recognition that the NEA is actively engaged, not just in politics, which weve known for a long time, but in the culture war, the Heritage Foundations Jonathan Butcher told The Epoch Times. This union is representative of the efforts to keep parents out of school board meetings, to promote the idea that children should be able to go to school, say they are assuming a new gender, and that their parents shouldnt know.

Butcher is Heritages Will Skillman Fellow in Education and author of the just-published Splintered: Critical Race Theory and the Progressive War on Truth, an analysis of the damaging influence of the theory on U.S. education.

Mark Mix, president of the NRTW, told The Epoch Times his organization supports the repeal measure because the fact that they can say they are chartered by the government is just absolutely an injustice. I mean this is a political organization; they spend more money on politics than they spend on representing their workers.

Mix also noted that the NEA gives more money in gifts to radical social groups than they spend on protecting their workers rights, and for an organization that relies on compulsion and statutes that take away workers rights to associate for themselves, they have no business being chartered by anybody, let alone the federal government.

The NRTW has gained passage of laws guaranteeing the right of an individual worker to keep a job without having to join a union in 27 of the nations 50 states.
Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, at a press conference in McAllen, Texas, on April 7, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Border Patrol Union: Abbott Should Absolutely Use Constitutional Invasion Powers on Border

DEL RIO, TexasThe national Border Patrol union, which represents about 18,000 agents, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott should absolutely invoke his powers under the Constitution to call the border crisis an invasion and respond accordingly.

Were at a breaking point. Weve got miles upon miles of border that just arent patrolled because we have to deal with, frankly, an invasion, Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, told The Epoch Times.

When youre dealing with over 200,000 illegal border crossings per month, I dont know how you dont call it anything but that.

Border Patrol apprehensions along the southern border have remained above 150,000 per month since March 2021, with the exception of this past January. In March, numbers show that more than 220,000 apprehensions were made.

During one night last week, Border Patrol agents apprehended 16 illegal aliens from Kyrgyzstan, seven from Kazakhstan, and a Russian within a large group near Eagle Pass, Texas, according to Customs and Border Protection.

I mean, were dealing with countries all over the world, and a lot of these countries want to do the United States harm, Judd said.

So if you were to declare that and bring the National Guard in, and the National Guard immediately expelled people that crossed the border illegally. Why not? If the Constitution allows itwhich, apparently it doeswhy not exercise that authority?

Abbott, a Republican, would have to declare the border crisis an invasion to invoke the state constitutional powers to protect itself if the federal government is derelict in that duty.

Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution states, in part: The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion.

Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution states, in part: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress  engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Texas is waiting for its attorney general, Ken Paxton, to write an opinion in response to a query submitted by state Rep. Matt Krause on March 28.

The Biden Administration has been so inept or apathetic to the plight of Texas and other border states, that it very well could rise to a violation of Article 4, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, Krause wrote in a Facebook post that accompanied a copy of the official letter.

So, today, I asked the Attorney General for an official opinion on whether that violation has occurred here in Texas.

Paxtons office told The Epoch Times that it doesnt have a timeline on when the opinion will be published.

Abbott has been making headlines recently by busing illegal immigrants from Texas to Washington and jamming up trade flows between Mexico and Texas to force attention to the border crisis.

Normal trade resumed late last weekafter days of disruptionwhen Abbott dropped the state-run commercial truck inspections after garnering border security deals with his counterparts in four bordering Mexican states.

However, experts are saying its unlikely the Mexican states will hold up their end of the bargainwhich is to stop migrants from crossing illegally into Texas and to conduct their own truck inspections.

Abbott announced in early April a multipronged plan to deal with the expected influx of illegal aliens following the Biden administrations plan to end Title 42, a pandemic-era power that enabled the rapid expulsion of many who crossed the southern border illegally.

The Biden Administrations open-border policies have paved the way for dangerous cartels and deadly drugs to pour into the United States, and this crisis will only be made worse by ending Title 42 expulsions, Abbott said.

So far, Texas has sent at least six buses with illegal immigrants to the capital since April 13. White House press secretary Jen Psaki has called the bus plan a publicity stunt, while CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus accused Texas of not adequately coordinating with federal officials.

The Invasion Question

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich provided an opinion following a query by state Rep. Jake Hoffman, who asked what constitutes an invasion with regard to Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, as well as actually invaded as articulated in Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution.

Brnovichs Feb. 7 opinion centers around those two definitions and whether the federal government has been derelict in its duty to protect.

The on-the-ground violence and lawlessness at Arizonas border caused by cartels and gangs is extensive, well-documented, and persistent. It can satisfy the definition of actually invaded and invasion under the U.S. Constitution, the opinion reads.

Brnovich said the Biden administration has taken unprecedented actions  to destroy operational control of the border.

The federal government is failing to fulfill its duty under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution to defend the States from invasion. The State Self-Defense Clause exists precisely for situations such as the present, to ensure that States are not left helpless, he wrote.

As commander-in-chief for Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey has the power to engage in defensive actions within its own territory at or near its border, Brnovich said. The governor has the authority to use the National Guard and militia forces.
Brazil Arrests Colorido, PCC Drug Gangs No. 2 Leader

RIO DE JANEIROBrazils justice ministry said on Sunday that federal police had captured the No. 2 leader of the First Capital Command (PCC), the countrys most powerful prison gang and a major exporter of cocaine.

Valdeci Alves dos Santos, known as Colorido, was captured on Saturday in the northeastern town of Salgueiro, the justice ministry said. It said he had been on the run since 2014 and was on its list of most wanted criminals. He is one of the main suppliers of drugs to Brazils southeast, the ministry said.

Born in the prisons of Sao Paulo state, the PCC has become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the Americas, responsible for moving drugs from South American producer nations to supply consumer markets in Brazil and Europe.

Much of the top leadership has been in prison for years; Colorido was the gangs No. 2 among those still living in liberty, the ministry said.

In 2020, PCC trafficker Gilberto Aparecido dos Santos, aka Fuminho, was captured in Mozambique, in a sign of the gangs growing international footprint. He had been on the run for more than 20 years until his capture in Maputo.
But They All Do It

Commentary

A disturbing pattern has emerged in French presidential elections: A credible candidate is found almost at the last minute to have committed an illegal act, the revelation of which is intended to spoil or destroy altogether the candidates electoral chances.

The latest victim of this pattern is Marine Le Pen, who is facing the incumbent president, Emmanuel Macron, in the forthcoming second round of the French presidential election, a repeat of the contest of 2017. The main difference between the two contests is that, this time round, the polls give Le Pen at least some slight chance of victory, while last time Macron gained not only an overwhelming victory, but from the first had also appeared likely to do so. The outcome was never in any kind of doubt, as it is now.

Le Pen is usually described as being of the far right, though in fact her economic ideas are in some respects not very different from those of the candidate of the far left, Jean-Luc Melanchon, who came not very far behind her in the first round of the election, in which the two candidates who receive the most votes go forward to the second, and decisive, round.

Perhaps economic affinity helps to explain why almost as many voters for the far-left candidate say they will vote for the candidate of the far right as say they will vote for the centrist candidate, Macron. Melanchon himself has expressed the wish that not a single one of his voters should vote for Le Pen, without, however, having asked them to vote for Macron. He seems, then, to be hoping for a high rate of abstention, which would strengthen his argument that the current French political system is undemocratic and illegitimate, and that the country needs yet another new constitution.

Le Pen has just been accused by the European Unions antifraud office of malversation of funds, 136,993.99 euros (about $148,000) of the Unions money to be precise, while she was a member of the European Parliament between 2004 and 2017. For example, she is accused of having claimed 23,100 euros (about $25,000) for the purchase of little objects such as pens and bags to be given out at her political partys annual conference in 2014, which is not allowed under the rules.

It might be a coincidence that the accusation of something that was allegedly done eight years ago has emerged in the week before the election, but I do not think many people will be found to believe it. After all, Le Pen is decidedly hostile to the European Union, while Macron is almost a religious devotee of it. There are no prizes for guessing, then, which of the two candidates the Union would prefer to win.

This is not the same as saying that Le Pen is innocent, which is why I put inverted commas round the world victim. When I mentioned the allegation to a French friend, who voted for Melanchon and had decided to abstain in the second round, though she said she preferred Le Pen to Macron, she exclaimed But they all do it!

This was what was commonly said when Francois Fillon, the favorite to win the 2017 presidential election, was suddenly (and conveniently) revealed to have employed his wife at public expense for a fictitious job. He was not innocent, but he had been doing it for at least 15 years. Could it really have been mere coincidence that it came to light just as he was set fair to win an election? True, a presidential candidates record comes under unusually close scrutiny, but Fillon had also been prime minister, so that he was by no means an unknown figure.

Its difficult to resist the conclusion that its someones candidacy, not his fraud, that his accusers object to.

While the accusation of fraud sank Fillons electoral chances (he was subsequently sentenced to five years imprisonment, a sentence that hes still appealing), many people in France shrugged their shoulders in the belief that what he had done, while criminal, was normal for the political class, and that there must be many others in the same boat.

Its instructive to compare this with an anecdote about Charles de Gaulle when he was facing Francois Mitterrand in the presidential election. His team came to him with very discreditable information about Mitterrand (not very difficult to find). De Gaulle, however, refused to use it. He said that he had always known that Mitterrand was an unscrupulous scoundrel, but if by chance he won the election, he would still be president of the Republic. De Gaulle, who was hardly free of ego, recognized that the position was greater than the manany man.

Awkward and difficult as he was, perhaps even megalomanic, theres no doubt that de Gaulle had a certain probity. No one ever accused him of feeding at the trough of public expenditure, for instance, or of having his finger in many commercial pies. He never amassed a huge fortune, nor did he peddle influence or join the board of giant corporations after his retirement from political life at an immense salary for doing very little. He could therefore take an elevated, even lordly, view of politics, because he could not himself ever have been accused of the kind of wrongdoing that, alas, we now expect of our elected representatives.

They all do it, They are all the samehow many times have I heard this! And if they all do it, and they are all the same, but we must nevertheless choose one among them, we feel besmirched ourselves, as if we had participated in something discreditable or even disgusting. And this is one of the dangerous feelings that makes people hanker after something other than democracy.

The accusation against Le Pen could conceivably backfire, so patently is it timed to influence the election, but I still think that Macron will win. Furthermore, I think any other result would be extremely dangerous, even catastrophic, for France, which is not to avow any admiration whatsoever for Macron. Most elections, not only in France, are a choice between la peste et le cholera, the plague and cholera.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Sherri Papini of Redding leaves the federal courthouse accompanied by her attorney, William Portanova, right, in Sacramento, Calif. on April 13, 2022. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo File)

California Woman Pleads Guilty to 2016 Kidnapping Hoax

SACRAMENTO, Calif.A Northern California woman pleaded guilty Monday to faking her own kidnapping and lying to the FBI about it, leaving her motive unanswered in the carefully planned hoax that set off a massive three-week search before she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016.

Sherri Papini, 39, of Redding, offered no explanation for her elaborate hoax during the half-hour court hearing, answering only Yes, Your Honor, and No, Your Honor in a trembling voice as Senior U.S. District Judge William Shubb outlined the charges and evidence against her.

I feel very sad, she said tearfully when Shubb asked her how she was feeling.

Papini agreed to plead guilty in a deal with prosecutors reached last week and is scheduled to be sentenced July 11.

Prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence on the low end of the sentencing range, estimated to be between eight and 14 months in custody, down from the maximum 25 years for the two charges.

She also agreed to pay restitution topping $300,000. That includes the cost of the search for her that covered several Western states, and the subsequent investigation into the two Hispanic women she said had kidnapped her at gunpoint.

Sherri Papini of Redding leaves the federal courthouse accompanied by her attorney, William Portanova, right, in Sacramento, Calif. on April 13, 2022. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo/File)

Papini was actually staying with a former boyfriend nearly 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in Southern Californias Orange County. Three weeks later, he dropped her off along Interstate 5 nearly 150 miles (240 kilometers) from her home.

She had bindings on her body and self-inflicted injuries including a swollen nose and blurred brand on her right shoulder. She had other bruises and rashes on many parts of her body, ligature marks on her wrists and ankles, and burns on her left forearm.

The married mother of two kept lying about it as recently as August 2020 when in fact there was no kidnapping, she admitted in her guilty plea.

Papini has offered no rationale for why she did it.

Her attorney, William Portanova, said last week that he doubts even she knows.

He suggested a very complicated mental health situation, and said her long-delayed acceptance of responsibility and punishment is part of the healing process.

Papini said Monday that she has been receiving psychiatric care for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder ever since her return  more than $30,000 worth of treatment for which she billed a state victim compensation fund and which is now part of her restitution.

It is a mistake to assume mental illness is the cause of unusual behavior, said Dr. Ian Lamoureux, a forensic psychiatrist and frequent expert witness who teaches at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic.

There could be a rational, if mysterious, explanation, Lamoureux said, though he cautioned that he has not examined Papini and many factors in the case remain unknown to the public.

Sherri Papini of Redding leaves the federal courthouse after her arraignment in Sacramento, Calif. on April 13, 2022. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo/File)

Prosecutors say her faked kidnapping wasnt impulsive, and that she planned it for more than a year without her husband knowing. The former boyfriend told investigators they didnt have sex while she stayed with him.

Papinis organization and planning would seem to make conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression an unlikely explanation, said Lamoureux, who specializes in complicated criminal and civil cases.

She may have expected that the kidnapping hoax would bring her fame and fortune, he said.

And she did benefit financially: Aside from the victim compensation, she must repay nearly $128,000 in disability payments. Separately, a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $49,000 to help the family.

As a possibly related factor, Lamoureux has researched the false hero or pathological hero phenomenon that takes advantage of societys treatment of victims as heroes. Those who fake their own victimization may be seeking recognition or popularity, and if mental illness is involved it may suggest a narcissistic or histrionic personality disorder.

Another possible explanation is that she faked her kidnapping to avoid some other adverse consequence, he said, typically something like a divorce or being fired, though Papini was a stay-at-home mom.

Lamoureux said manufacturing a crisis may be a way for those with fragile egos and poor coping skills to seek to prevent the bad outcome from happening.

By Don Thompson
Capitol Report (April 18): Judge revokes CDC Mask Mandate on Airplanes

The sixth bus of illegal immigrants arrived in Washington from Texas. Earlier this month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott started sending these buses of illegal immigrants to Washington, drawing both praise and condemnation from different groups.

Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs visited the border with a group of nearly 50 GOP lawmakers. Well tell you what they witnessed and why they say it was important to experience the border firsthand.

With energy prices skyrocketing, the White House makes a reversal in key energy policy. The Biden administration resumes oil and gas leasing on federal lands after invoking the Defense Production Act to support renewable energy production.

President Joe Biden and the first lady welcomed children and their parents to the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll. In spite of the damp weather, everyone looked like they were having a good time.

Children, education, and curriculum are expected to play a major role in the upcoming fall elections. We speak to a dad and military veteran who decided to throw his hat in the ring to become a school board member. Why did he do it, and did he win?

Four predominantly Democrat states are trying to overturn the federal cap on tax deductions. The Supreme Court rejected hearing the appeal.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 5, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Challenge to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Candidacy Can Proceed, Judge Rules

A federal judge ruled on Monday that a left-wing groups challenge to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) candidacy in this years elections can proceed.

The lawsuit seeking to block Greene from seeking reelection claims the lawmaker violated the Constitutions Disqualification Clause by engaging in a supposed insurrection against the U.S. government in the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol building.

Judge Amy Totenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, rejected Greenes request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order in the case.

In a 73-page ruling, the judge ruled that Greene, 47, had failed to meet the burden of persuasion in her request for a temporary injunction. She wrote that the court focused on whether Greene could establish a strong likelihood of prevailing on the merits of her legal claims.

This case involves a whirlpool of colliding constitutional interests of public import, the judge wrote. The novelty of the factual and historical posture of this caseespecially when assessed in the context of a preliminary injunction motion reviewed on a fast trackhas made resolution of the complex legal issues at stake here particularly demanding.

Greene, an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, represents Georgias 14th congressional district.

The lawsuit (pdf) against Greene was filed by supporters of a nonprofit called Free Speech for People on March 24 with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican.

The challenge alleged Greene aided and engaged in an insurrection to obstruct the peaceful transfer of presidential power, disqualifying her from serving as a Member of Congress under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and rendering her ineligible under state and federal law to be a candidate for such office.

The rarely invoked Disqualification Clause in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was enacted in the wake of the Civil War to keep former Confederates out of Congress.

The challenge brought by the left-wing group claims Greene cannot serve in Congress because before, on, and after January 6, 2021, Greene voluntarily aided and engaged in an insurrection to obstruct the peaceful transfer of presidential power, disqualifying her from serving as a Member of Congress under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and rendering her ineligible under state and federal law to be a candidate for such office.

Greene vigorously denies the claims in the lawsuit and argues that the state law governing election challenges is unconstitutional because it shifts the burden of proof from accuser to accused.

James Bopp Jr., an attorney for Greene, described the ruling as flawed on Monday night, The New York Times reported. The lawyer said the judges decision minimized the adverse effect that the disqualification effort was having on his clients right to run for office.

This is fundamentally antidemocratic, Bopp said. He said his client had publicly and vigorously condemned the attack on the Capitol.

Bopp described the attempt to stop Greene from running for re-election as part of a well-funded U.S.-wide effort to deny voters the right to vote for candidates of their choosing.

Elections are determined by bureaucrats, judges, lawyers and clever legal arguments, the lawyer told The Times.

The left-wing Democrat activists attempting to RIP me off the ballot hate you, the people of Northwest Georgia, for sending me to Congress to fight for our values, Greene said in a statement on Gab.

They look down on us for wanting to secure our border, ending abortion, protecting our Second Amendment, stopping the out-of-control spending and all the insanity that takes place in Washington, she wrote.

I went to D.C. and Ive been fighting their communist agenda every step of the way. And now, they are trying to prevent you from voting for me.

The Epoch Times has contacted Greene for additional comment.

Matthew Vadum contributed to this report.
A man walks past a Bank of China booth at the Main Press Centre of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Jan. 28, 2022. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

China Considering Alternative to SWIFT After Western Sanctions on Russia: Analyst

China is considering a possible alternative to SWIFT after members of the cooperative removed Russian banks from the group as a part of the Western sanctions imposed on Russia because it invaded Ukraine, according to an analyst.

Mike Sun, a North America-based private investment adviser and China expert, told The Epoch Times that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may be looking at how to deal with Western sanctions after what has been imposed on Russia.

Once Russia will be bound to lose in the war with Ukraine, the western countries will have their hands free to tackle with the CCP, and so SWIFT will be something that cant be ignored, Sun added.

In a speech at a forum held by Tsinghua Universitys PBC School of Finance on April 16, Zhou Xiaochuan, former governor of the Central Bank of China, said it is possible to replace the SWIFT system with Chinas Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) for transactions in Renminbi (Chinese currency also known as yuan) Shanghai Securities News reported on April 17.

Avoiding SWIFT is theoretically feasible in the face of current geopolitical instability, Zhou said, citing that exchange can also be done through barter if there is no other way.

Since SWIFT is used as a western sanction tool, the financial lawmaker said, then alternative channels of communication must be found to ensure the complement of trade.

A local resident walks past a monitor showing a broadcast from Beijing of Chinese leader Xi Jinping speaking at the 19th Communist Party Congress, in Taipei on October 18, 2017. (SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

This appears to be a stress test for the CCP to take on the upcoming sanctions, Sun said.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there are more indications that the CCP is preparing for an incursion into Taiwan. Meanwhile, the CCP foresees that if it grabs Taiwan militarily, it will certainly face Western sanctions, just as Russia did.

But there are many things to do if it needs to supplant SWIFT, Zhou admitted, saying CIPS is designed for Renminbi cross-border payments and has payment, settlement, and clearing functions, but CIPS only allows the use of a few mainstream currencies. Although CIPS has certain communication functions, they are not quite available.

In contrast, SWIFT is a communication organization that is responsible for communication before international payment, and the payment and clearing are completed in different currencies according to the system of each country.

SWIFT, which stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, is the worlds leading provider of secure financial messaging services, helping users around the world to securely communicate and exchange standardized financial messages through reliable channels.

SWIFTs message delivery platform, products, and services connect more than 11,000 banks, securities institutions, market infrastructures, and corporate users worldwide, covering more than 200 countries and regions.

Some Russian banks have been kicked out of the SWIFT system as a result of Russias war against Ukraine. On February 27, all G7 member states including the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan announced their support for sanctions against Russia that partially cut off the SWIFT system.

In 2014, after Russia invaded Crimea, the Bank of Russia developed the SPFS system to alleviate pressure over the possibility of being removed from the SWIFT system. According to information published on the website of the Bank of Russia, SPFS, similar to SWIFT, is Russias financial information delivery system, which guarantees uninterrupted financial information within Russia.

Co-founded by the Central Bank in 2012, Tsinghua Universitys PBC School of Finance holds a finance forum every year since 2014, and normally gathers senior officials and prominent figures from the financial sector. The forum publishes a report on Chinas financial policies for the year.

Zhou Xiaochuan is currently the president of the China Finance Forum headed by the Central Bank.
China's DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

China Developing Nuclear Arsenal for Global Domination: Expert

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is building up its nuclear arsenal as part of a greater effort to undermine the West and create a new international order in its own image, according to one expert.

I dont think [China is] building up its forces just for the deterrence factor, said Peter Pry, Director of the U.S. nuclear strategy forum at the Center for Security Policy, a Washington-based think tank.

I think its building up its nuclear forces for global domination.

Pry made the comments during a recent interview with EpochTVs China Insider. He said that U.S. leadership was too slow in adapting to the evolving threat of the CCP, in no small part because of the deep financial ties many American businesses have with China.

We have been very slow to realize the consequences of neglecting our nuclear forces, and only now were waking up waking up to it, Pry said.

Many in Washington are still reluctant to accept that reality because many fortunes have been made in the West based on trade with China.

Pry said that the CCP was playing a long strategic game with the buildup and modernization of its nuclear forces. A key goal of Chinas nuclear program, he said, was to ensure that China could overcome Russia in the distant future, after the two nations partnership had pushed the United States out of its global leadership role.

They dont want to be inferior to Russia or anyone in their nuclear capabilities, Pry said. Thats why theyre building it up. Its not just over Taiwan. Its taking the long view. Its looking at the strategic balance of power.

Russia currently has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, with around 1,500 deployed nuclear weapons and 6,257 warheads in total. The United States is next, with about 1400 deployed systems and 5,550 warheads in total. Between 1,500-2,000 warheads in both nations arsenals are retired and awaiting disarmament.

China, meanwhile, is currently reported to have around 350 warheads, but a recent Pentagon report warned that the CCP was drastically increasing production and modernization of its nuclear arsenal, and that it would have 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.

Pry believes that estimate to be far too low, and said he expected the real number of Chinese warheads to reach around 4,000 by 2030, based on the speed with which the CCP is constructing new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and silos, and producing uranium.

That push toward nuclear proliferation and eventual dominance was important, Pry said, because Chinese communist leadership did not share the United States aversion to initiating nuclear conflict.

I think the West is extremely dangerous and delusional in thinking that Russian and Chinese strategic culture is the same as ours, that they share the same view as we do about nuclear weapons being unusable, that you cant fight and win a nuclear war, Pry said.

I think the problem is a profound difference in the strategic cultures of authoritarian and totalitarian states versus free societies, democracies, like the United States. Our strategic culture is one of what I would call dysfunctional optimism. You know, we always look at the best possible outcome.

The CCP formally maintains a policy of no first use, meaning that it has vowed not to initiate nuclear conflict and to never use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.

The regimes purported dedication to this vow has been increasingly questioned, however.

The Pentagons aforementioned report on CCP nuclear proliferation found that Chinese strategists had debated the merits of nuclear first use, and Pry noted that Chinese state media had threatened both Australia and Japan with nuclear aggression in recent months.

Pry warned that the United States had taken a 30 year holiday in modernizing its own nuclear arsenal, thus providing China and Russia the time needed to develop strategic capabilities capable of matching or overcoming U.S. defenses, such as the CCPs test of a nuclear capable hypersonic weapon system in July of last year.

All the [U.S.] delivery systems or submarines or ICBMs or bombers date back to Ronald Reagan or before, Pry said. Were living off the legacy of 30, 40, 50 years ago in terms of both our nuclear delivery systems and of the weapons themselves.

We are in a situation where nuclear war is not just a theoretical thing anymore, Pry said. We desperately need to get back from the edge of that.

Andrew Thornebrooke Reporter Follow Andrew Thornebrooke is a reporter for The Epoch Times covering China-related issues with a focus on defense, military affairs, and national security. He holds a master's in military history from Norwich University.
Members of an American Congressional delegation(from left) Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)pose for a photo with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (center right) and other Taiwanese officials during a meeting at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Taiwan, on April 15, 2022. U.S. lawmakers visiting Taiwan have made a pointed and public declaration of their support for the self-governing island democracy while also issuing a warning to China. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

China Stages Military Drills Around Taiwan in Response to US Visit

News Analysis

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen on April 15, a move that Beijing called deliberately provocative. Furthermore, the Chinese regime carried out military drills and deployed frigates, bombers, and fighter planes in the air and sea space around the island nation.

To abandon Taiwan would be to abandon democracy and freedom.  Theres a backlash growing in the world to thuggeryto the bad guys, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Tsai during their meeting in Taipei.

Graham and five other lawmakers, including Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, arrived in Taiwan on Friday aboard a U.S. Air Force aircraft and were greeted by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. The group met with Tsai on the same day and planned to meet with Taiwans defense minister later in their visit.

Originally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was meant to visit Taiwan, but her trip was postponed after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threatened that such a visit would be dangerous because it would undermine relations.

Graham told Tsai that the Ukraine crisis and the increasing threat to Taiwan are two issues that have rallied members of both U.S. political parties.

Tsai told the delegation that Russias invasion of Ukraine has proven that democracies must bolster their alliances and collectively we can defend ourselves from the threats posed by authoritarian nations.

People hold placards during a protest against Russias invasion of Ukraine, outside the Russian representative office in Taipei, Taiwan, on March 1, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Interestingly, the CCP also invokes comparisons between Ukraine and Taiwan to further its agenda. The day before the U.S. delegation met with Tsai, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, that the Ukraine crisis was an opportunity for the two countries to band together and restore the peace undermined by the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.

Upholding democracy is only one reason why U.S. support for Taiwan is crucial. Aside from the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign, high-functioning democracy and a model of development that should be preserved, there are a number of strategic reasons for the United States to stand by Taiwan.

Menendez said that Taiwans security has implications for the entire world. Allowing the worlds leading chipmaker to fall into the hands of the CCP would cripple U.S. defense capabilities.

Additionally, Taiwans location just 110 miles across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China makes the island nation crucial for the U.S. Pacific defense and China containment strategies.

Menendez collaborated with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to introduce the Taiwan Representative Office Act on Feb. 4, calling for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington to be renamed the Taiwan Representative Office.

CCP Threats

On the same day as the U.S.-Taiwan meeting, CCP Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China firmly opposes official engagement between the United States and Taiwan. He followed this with an implied threat, stating that Beijing would take necessary actions to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He confirmed that the Eastern Theater Command of the Peoples Liberation Army had conducted targeted training as well as a combat-readiness patrol in the waters and airspace around Taiwan.

According to Chinese state-run media Xinhua, Zhao cited an article by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe comparing Taiwan to Ukraine. Abe called on the Americans to end their official stance of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan. He insisted that Washington clearly and concisely state whether it would or would not fight to defend the island nation.

Zhao responded to Abes remarks, stating they were outrageous and irresponsible and that Abe was provoking a confrontation.

On Dec. 1, 2021, via video conference with Taipei, Abe linked Japans fate to that of Taiwans, saying that an invasion of the island would create an emergency for Tokyo. After the speech, Abe stated that Japan should participate in a trilateral security dialogue with Taiwan and the United States. This was something Japan had never been open to in the past, suggesting that the Japanese perceive an escalating threat from communist China.

Despite angering Beijing, U.S. support for Taiwan is undeterred by CCP threats. Graham warned China in a message he delivered to the Taiwanese people during the visit to Taipei.

Here is my promise to you and the Taiwanese people: We are going to start making China pay a greater price for what they are doing all over the world.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (second from right) and Vice Premier Liu He (L) in a group photo with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (C), former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (R) and members of a delegation from the 2019 New Economy Forum before a meeting in Beijing, China on Nov. 22, 2019. (Jason Lee-Pool/Getty Images)

China to Build Unified National Market in Preparation for Decoupling From the West: Analysts

After nearly 70 years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) appears to be returning to a planned economy, and striving to establish a unified national market. China experts believe that the CCP hopes to stimulate domestic demand in response to big changes in the external demand that may occur at any time should the world begin decoupling from China.

On April 10, the CCPs State Council issued a notice called Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Unified National Market, calling for the establishment of a super-large domestic market with its foothold on domestic demand. The unified national market involves such aspects as resources, goods, services, and market supervision, while the resource market covers land and labor, capital, technology and data, energy and ecological environment, etc.

Albert Song, a researcher at Tianjun, a political and economic think tank, told The Epoch Times that this notice basically covers all economic fields.

If you link various clues that emerged recently, you can see that the CCP is constantly adjusting its strategy according to changes in the international situation, he said. From the structural reform on the supply side to the economic internal circulation, and then to the current national unified market, the CCPs economic policy is constantly going toward self-relianceeager to develop the domestic market in an all-round way, to cope with a changing external demand driven by decoupling from the rest of the world.

Song has 27 years of experience in Chinas financial industry, focusing on research in Chinas political and economic fields.

Although China has the largest consumer market in the world, considering factors such as Chinas extreme pandemic controls and economic downturn, Song believes that Chinas consumption power is not optimistic.

He also believes that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have helped the world realize that globalization is bound to end, and each country needs to rebuild its respective industry and supply chains so they can stay away from the threats from rogue regimes.

The CCP is the biggest threat in the whole world. It uses its status as one of the five permanent members of the United Nations and its economic advantages to support Russias aggression, both explicitly and secretly. The Russia-Ukraine war has given the CCP a good opportunity to observe and learn what should be done if economic sanctions on Russia were to be imposed on China.

Although the CCPs official media claimed that the unified national market is not meant to return to the planned economy, some investors outside China believe that its essence is the planned economy.

Mike Sun, a private investment consultant in North America, told The Epoch Times that on the one hand, the CCP wants to strengthen control of the central government and further weaken the local feudal economy. On the other hand, it is necessary to strengthen the so-called internal circulation that is boosting domestic consumption, to prepare for the decoupling of U.S.-China economic and trade ties, as well as economic sanctions that may occur in the future. The unified market is essentially planned economy 2.0, Sun said.

From 1953 onwards, the CCP has been implementing collective ownership of expropriated land, transferring property rights from the former landlord class to the Chinese state. By 1956, China had completely entered a planned economy when 99 percent of private industrial households and about 85 percent of private commercial businesses were held as public-private partnerships.

Zhuge Mingyang, an independent writer and commentator, pointed out that the planned economy brought long-term economic difficulties to China, and the so-called public-private partnership also pushed many capitalistsprivate company ownersto the limit, as many committed suicide. To a certain extent, the history of the CCPs rule is the process of constantly plundering national wealth. As a professor at Xiamen University said 20 years ago, the CCP only did two things after coming to power: Mao turned private properties into state properties after 1953, and Deng turned state properties to Party property after 1983, he said.
Chinas Alibaba Tightens Grip on Southeast Asia

China-based cloud and financial services are a threat to America and democracy globally

News Analysis

Chinas biggest e-commerce provider, Alibaba Group, is extending its digital paymentsand information gatheringinto southeast Asia.

With a planned majority ownership of the 2C2P payments network, Alibabas Ant Group will increase its global payments reach, particularly in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Thats a threat to America, because Chinas financial services expansion in southeast Asia will make it more difficult for countries there to decisively break from Beijings increasingly powerful gravitational pull.

On April 18, Alibabas Ant Group fintech unit announced a strategic partnership with 2C2P, which will accelerate digital payment adoption and innovation. According to the statement, The partnership, upon completion, will see Ant Group becoming the majority shareholder of 2C2P.

A man walks past an Ant Group logo at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, on July 8, 2021. (Yilei Sun/Reuters)

In 2018, the Trump administration blocked Ant Groups acquisition of MoneyGram International Inc., a U.S. financial transfer company, due to national security concerns. However, a move to blacklist Ant Group failed, and the Biden administration revoked Trumps executive order to ban Ants Alipay money payment network.

Prior to the increase of tensions with China during the Trump administration, Alibaba sought to compete with Google and Amazon for the provision of cloud services to American customers, with physical data hubs starting in 2015 in Silicon Valley, and later in Virginia. Its customers included Ford Motor Company, IBM, Red Hat, and Hewlett Packard.

In 2020, the Trump administration issued a warning against Alibaba and other Chinese national cloud providers, to prevent U.S. citizens most sensitive personal information and our businesses most valuable intellectual property  from being stored and processed on cloud-based systems accessible to our foreign adversaries.

Alibabas ultimate control over 2C2P will add to Ant Groups already extensive global payments system of over 1.3 billion users. Last year, Ant Group promised to restructure under the administration of Chinas central bank. Beijing has pressured Ant to release its customer data to the regime, a sticking point that helped get Alibabas co-founder, Jack Ma, disappeared for three months.

The data will likely be used not only for standard financial credit scores, which Ma sought to use it for, but to tune Chinas social credit scoring system, which uses social network data and measures of political loyalty to the regime. Those with bad social credit scores are denied the ability to purchase airline and train tickets, for example.

2C2P has extensive reach, including its headquarters location in Singapore, as well as in Thailand and Malaysia. These strengths add to Ant Groups Alipay network in the region, which in addition to its stronghold in China, has uptake in Malaysia, South Korea, Philippines, and Hong Kong.

Labels of digital payment (from top) VISA, WeChat Pay, and Alipay are displayed outside a boutique at a shopping mall in Hong Kong, China, on July 31, 2018. (Reuters/Bobby Yip).

2C2P is spreading throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas as well, according to its website, which lists international and local card schemes, digital wallets and QR payment providers, over 400,000 alternative payment (APM) points, including convenience stores, kiosks, and ATMs, over 45 currencies worldwide, and over 30 financial institution partners markets.

According to Ant Groups announcement, Through the strategic partnership, 2C2Ps extensive pool of merchants inclusive of global and regional brands will be connected with Alipay+, extending its current 250 payment options offering to include even more e-wallets and local payment methods.

Angel Zhao, president of Ant Groups International Business Group, said in the announcement, We look forward to supporting businesses digitalisation together and creating a connected digital ecosystem across markets in the region.

The announcement claims that 2C2P operates in the e-commerce, airlines, financial services, travel, retail, and hospitality spaces. In August and November, 2C2P announced partnerships with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Chinas UnionPay International.

All of this to say that Alibaba appears to be getting a little too big for comfort, when that comfort relies on living in a world in which the most powerful multinational corporations are not beholden to an increasingly totalitarian dictatorship.

According to Reuters, U.S. regulators could force Alibaba to take measures to reduce the risks posed by the cloud business or prohibit Americans at home and abroad from using the service altogether.

The same could be said for Alibabas expanding international payment systems.

American allies in southeast Asia and elsewhere should consider banning Alibabas reach into their private financial lives. That should now include 2C2P and all other companies that will be majority-owned by Alibaba and its units.

Every day, it should be clearer to the United States and allies that the Beijing-Moscow axis intends to rule the world through violent measures like the invasion of Ukraine and Taiwan. Allowing these dictatorial regimes to expand their power and information theft through any meansincluding the control of financial payments networks and the financial information gathering that these networks allowshould be forbidden by international and domestic laws.

On the issue of Alibabas cloud computing services, there should be little question about how Chinas companies manage to steal up to $600 billion worth of American intellectual property annually. Perhaps it has something to do with a lack of government protection that, for example, allows our biggest American companies to hand over their IP on a virtual silver platter, and pay for the privilege of doing so.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Lithium batteries displayed in the workshop of a lithium battery manufacturing company in Huaibei, eastern China's Anhui Province, on Nov. 14, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Firm to Acquire 13 Percent of Canadian Lithium Company for CA$5 Million

A Chinese firm that specializes in industrial explosives is planning to acquire a more than 10 percent stake in a Canadian lithium company for CA$5 million (about US$3.96 million).

On April 17, China-based company Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co. Ltd. (Yahua Group) announced its plan to acquire 13.2 percent of Ultra Lithium Inc., a Vancouver-based lithium and gold exploration firm, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Yahua International Investment and Development Co. Ltd.

The deal signed between the two companies will also see Yahua International acquiring a 60 percent stake in a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultra Lithium that has two lithium mining projects in Ontario, at Forgan Lake and Georgia Lake.

Due to the local geology, Yahua Group said the two projects offer high potential for the discovery of large spodumene deposits. Spodumene is an essential source of lithium used in ceramics, cellphones, and car batteries, among several uses.

The joint venture will see the construction of a lithium concentrate mining and processing plant with the capacity to produce 200,000 tons of lithium oxide a year for at least the first 10 years of operation, a capacity that could subsequently be doubled following that first phase, according to Yahua Group.

The company, based in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in China, added that the deal will help secure its upstream resources in the lithium sector. The board of directors of the joint venture will have five members, three of whom will be nominated by Yahua International and two by Ultra Lithium.

This acquisition of a Canadian lithium-mining firm by a China-based company follows another such acquisition earlier this year, this time by a state-owned company.

Chinese state-owned enterprise Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. announced in January that it had completed its acquisition of Toronto-based Neo Lithium Corp.

Zijin Mining first announced its intention to purchase Neo Lithium in October 2021, opening a 45-day period during which the federal government could conduct a review. However, no review took place.

When news broke in January that the deal had been approved by Neo Lithiums shareholders on Dec. 10, 2021, and that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted approval of the transaction five days later, the Conservative Party called for a national security review of the purchase.

Its concerning that the foreign takeover of Canadian lithium mining company Neo Lithium was not immediately subject to a national security review by the Liberal government, said a statement issued by Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Ed Fast on Jan. 13.

Canada is falling behind in developing its critical mineral industries, and allowing the foreign takeover of companies like Neo Lithium without due diligence could further weaken our strategic interest in developing a domestic supply of lithium and other critical minerals.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that securing critical minerals is a key objective of his government.

In a mandate letter last December, he instructed Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne to work to attract investments in key areas like minerals processing, cell manufacturing, and zero-emissions vehicle parts and assembly manufacturing and to ensure the protection and development of our critical minerals.

Champagne, along with Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, was told to launch a Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to make Canada a global leader in mining and the production of batteries.

In a webinar last November, Jane Nakano, a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., said clean energy technology has become the latest frontier for geoeconomic competition between China and the West.

Once upon a time, China was the worlds factory, sort of a supplier of these minerals and middles, but its no longer the case. China is starting to capture the higher end value of these clean energy supply chains or value chains, Nakano said.

She noted that the demand in China for the critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies has also been rising, which means theyre consuming much more of what they produce as opposed to exporting. This has put pressure on Western economies dependent on mineral imports to secure their critical minerals supply chains, she said.

Equally important is that China recognizes that its critical mineral supplies can serve as geopolitical leverage, Nakano added.

Noe Chartier contributed to this report.
Chinese Trafficking of Exotic Animals Flourishes in Bolivian Amazon

TRINIDAD, BoliviaAmid the intense humidity and bustle of everyday life in Bolivias Amazonian region, a river of smuggled exotic animals is flowing toward Asia.

With the cooperation of the local prison system, Chinese nationals have created a thriving industry in which inmates are forced to create products such as wallets, hats, and purses from threatened exotic animals.

In Bolivia, its illegal to kill, consume, or traffic wild animals. The crime is punishable by up to six years in prison.

Members of the Chinese crime syndicate Putian have been trafficking and selling jaguar teeth, pelts, and body parts in several Amazonian towns in the departments of Beni and Santa Cruz.

The operation was originally exposed during a 2018 undercover investigation by Earth League International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The probe revealed how Chinese immigrants living in Bolivia collaborated with members of the Putian to acquire jaguars for the sale of their teeth, organs, and hides in China.

There are an estimated 130,000 jaguars left in the world, and they are considered a threatened species. In Bolivia, their numbers are down to 2,000 to 3,000 animals.

Figures from the IUCN revealed that 200 of the creatures were killed by traffickers from 2014 to 2016. By 2018, another 140 had fallen victim to the criminals, although that figure could be as high as 340 animals.

A three-year investigation by the Bolivian public ministry and the forest and environmental protection police culminated in the arrest of five Chinese nationals in the city of Santa Cruz. The criminals were busted for selling jaguar parts out of the back of a fast-food chicken restaurant.

Yet, despite these efforts, the trafficking of exotic animals persists in Bolivia, creating an uphill battle for conservationists.

The law is on our side, but its hard to enforce, Benis director of wildlife and natural resources, Jorge Aysar Raposo Callau, told The Epoch Times.

Wildlife director for the Department of Beni Jorge Raposo Callau (R) and two staff members display seized illegal black caiman and jaguar pelts in Trinidad, Bolivia, on April 11, 2022. (Autumn Spredemann/The Epoch Times)

By the Skin of Their Teeth

In Callaus office, a banner hangs behind his desk that declares, Say no to buying, selling, or capturing wildlife, along with a free hotline number for people to call and report animal trafficking.

It wasnt always like this, Callau said, gesturing toward the banner.

Until recent years, the only reason locals hunted jaguars was to protect their cattle or children when one tried to attack a village.

Callau says that Chinese business interests are driving the demand for wild animals, especially jaguar parts. Bolivian authorities confiscated an astounding 684 jaguar fangs from Chinese smugglers as of August 2018. Of that number, customs intercepted 119 at border checkpoints.

Illegal wildlife exports represent a $19 billion-a-year industry worldwide, offering profits too great for cash-strapped locals to refuse.

Its evident in the stalls of black market sellers on the outskirts of Trinidad, Bolivia. At the end of a dusty road is a country market, where fruit and vegetable stalls are found alongside kiosks where locals sell products made from illegally procured wild animal parts.

A local woman named Brenda had a variety of wallets, hats, belts, and purses made from jaguar pelts, in addition to puma, anaconda, and caiman on display.

Only foreigners buy this stuff, she told The Epoch Times, taking down a mans wallet made with jaguar fur for closer inspection.

The products made from illegal animal parts on display in Brendas stall were priced to sell. They ranged in price from $16 for a small mens wallet made from anaconda or black caiman leather, to $150 for a jaguar pelt cowboy hat or a ladies handbag.

Black market stall in Trinidad displaying products made from jaguar, anaconda, ocelot, and other wild animals on April 11, 2022. (Autumn Spredemann/The Epoch Times)

Brenda said shes aware that Customs may seize any products made from wild animal parts upon leaving the country and that its illegal to sell the items she has in her market stall, but doesnt seem to mind.

At the end of the day, the demand already exists, and Brenda maintains shes merely one link in a chain of symptoms representing the booming animal trafficking industry that China has brought to the region.

While she said that China is the main buyer of these items, it isnt the only player in the illegal export game.

I recently had one buyer from Spain who bought two jaguar hats for a doctor friend back home, Brenda said.

She added that the local prison in Trinidad, which is run by the Bolivian government, is fueling the animal trafficking industry. The prison, called Mocovi, participates in a program that forces inmates to make leather products from various animals for purchase, including illegal wild animals.

During a live broadcast from BTV on Sept. 26, 2021, a reporter interviewed a prison leather products seller and revealed footage of hats and wallets made with illegal jaguar pelts.

In the interview, the seller claimed the program is meant to help rehabilitate prisoners and prepare them to work regular jobs once released from prison.

And this is done, ironically, by forcing convicted criminals to commit another crime in the eyes of the Bolivian law.

Officials at the general directorate of the penitentiary system declined to comment when contacted by The Epoch Times.

Before the 2018 bust, Chinese traffickers were able to export small parts from jaguars, particularly the fangs, fairly easily through the countrys international airports. However, since Customs officers began cracking down on the practice, opportunistic smugglers are turning to alternate routes to move the coveted exotic animal items out of the country.

Some of these methods include moving contraband through remote border crossings into Brazil and the notorious death corridor, which is a desolate section of the Atacama Desert between Bolivia and Chile.

A cargo boat on the river Ibarre on April 13, 2022. (Autumn Spredemann/The Epoch Times)

One of the biggest problems for conservationists is the sheer size of the countrys wilderness and relatively small population. Bolivia has a population density of only 26 people per square mile compared to neighboring Brazils 62 people per square mile.

That translates into a lack of law enforcement, especially in national parks, where many of the nations wild and threatened animals live and poachers operate freely.

Were doing what we can, but we need more people, Callau said.

A Dangerous Mythology

In the mountainous river town of Rurrenabaque, jaguar hunting has grown up alongside the tourist industry.

Local eco-lodge operator and landowner Adela Jordan has seen the mentality of locals change over the years as Chinas money and influence infiltrated the region.

Theyre predators [China]; they consume everything they seethe land, the animals, the rivers, the trees, everything, Jordan told The Epoch Times.

She explained how cattle ranchers in the area began hunting jaguars more aggressively than just defending their livestock, once Chinese nationals expressed an interest in purchasing the cats teeth and other body parts.

About 20 miles down the road is the city of Reyes, where Jordan said another black market thrives and offers products made from wild animals, including jaguars.

So many [locals] here have become poachers, she said.

A jaguar pelt confiscated from animal traffickers held by Benis director of wildlife, Jorge Callau, on April 11, 2022. (Autumn Spredemann/The Epoch Times)

The thriving undercurrent of trafficking exists in sharp contrast to Rurrenabaques international claim to fame: Madidi National Park.

Crouched at the edge of one of the last stretches of pristine Amazonian wilderness, tour operators in town offer three-day to one-week deep jungle adventures and wildlife spotting tours reminiscent of African photo safaris.

Yet with Chinese criminals offering $100 to $400 per tooth for jaguar fangs, the money has proved too inviting for locals to pass up.

The mythology surrounding the purported good luck, fortune, protection, and vitality offered by jaguar teeth, which is an extension of the Chinese belief that Asian tiger parts offer the same benefits, is at the heart of the demand.

Additionally, there are well-intentioned but haphazard rescue attempts that leave many liberated animals, including jaguars, living in cages for the rest of their lives.

Jordan described one such animal refuge near the town of Rurrenabaque, which was forced to shoot a wild jaguar that entered the property and tried to attack one of the rescue centers captive animals.

So what was the point, if they have to shoot one of the animals theyre trying to protect? she asked.

In 2018, Chinas embassy in Bolivia issued a statement pleading for its citizens living in the South American country to respect and strictly observe Chinese and Bolivian laws and regulations against the illegal trafficking of wild animals.

The Bolivian Minister of the Environment didnt respond by press time to a request for comment.
The logo of U.S. social network Twitter on a smartphone screen in Moscow on Oct. 12, 2021. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

CNNs New President Chris Licht Announces Hes Quitting Twitter

CNNs new president Chris Licht has said he will no longer be using Twitter after commencing his new role, stating that the platform can skew important issues.

Licht took to Twitter on April 18 to announce that he will be ditching the social media platform as of May 2, the same day that he starts his new position at the cable news network.

May 2 will be my first official day in the office at CNN & my last day on Twitter, Licht said. Twitter can be a great journalistic tool, but it can also skew whats really important in the world. Im logging off & looking forward to working with the incredible team at CNN.

Licht, a former showrunner of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, is stepping into the shoes of former CNN President Jeff Zucker, who led the network in its coverage of former President Donald Trumps administration.

Zucker abruptly resigned in February 2022 amid fallout from an investigation into former anchor Chris Cuomos alleged protection of his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was facing sexual harassment allegations. The investigation revealed that had Zucker failed to disclose a consensual romantic relationship with a colleague.

According to Axios, Licht believes that CNN was chasing prime-time ratings at the expense of the brand and that the news outlet is likely to shift its emphasis back to hard news and away from red-hot liberal opening under Lichts guidance.

In a letter to CNN staffers in February, which was obtained by Mediaite, Licht said he plans to double-down on whats working well and quickly eliminate whats not.

Our viewers demand the truth from us, and I want to learn the truth from you, he wrote.

I know you have a lot of questions. Perhaps the biggest one is how will CNN change? The honest answer is that I dont know yet. David Zaslav has given me one simple directive: To ensure that CNN remains the global leader in NEWS as part of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Licht signed off his letter to staff noting that CNN is uniquely positioned to be a beacon of meaningful, impactful journalism for the world, and pledging his commitment to build on the news outlets legacy.

A few hours after Lichts announcement, Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey accused CNN of promoting false news and creating conflict to film during the 2014 riots in Ferguson, Missouri. Dorsey was responding to a Twitter post by CNN chief media correspondent and Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter about Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Stelter shared a Washington Post story accusing Carlson of selling doubt to his audience.

Twitter user Sarah Idan, a former Miss Iraq contestant, replied and said she saw CNN broadcast false news stories during the Iraq war, and Dorsey replied to Idan in agreement.

I know this from being on the streets of Ferguson during the protests and watching them try to create conflict and film it causing the protestors to chant [expletive] CNN, Dorsey wrote.

The Epoch Times has contacted CNN for comment.
A statue of Themis, the Greek God of Justice stands outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 20, 2016. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Creating the Myth That Women Never Lie

Commentary

Two years ago, a Sydney man achieved a substantial payout as a settlement of a $1 million (US$750,000) malicious prosecution case against New South Wales Police and prosecutors.

The case exposed the disgraceful behaviour of police and the public prosecutors office, the DPP, in ignoring clear video evidence revealing the mans former wifes rape and assault allegations to be falsehoods, the authorities role in allowing her to concoct new allegations, and their lies told in court to try to keep him in prison.

The settlement came at the end of a five-year ordeal for the manIll call him Peterafter his former wife, a medical specialist, told police he had raped her a few weeks after the couple had split up in 2015. The marriage fell apart when Peter discovered she was having an affair, but the couple then had a brief reconciliation which culminated in consensual sex on the day in question.

Two months later, Peter was arrested and charged with sexual assault and violence when he returned from a work trip to Europe. He spent a month in prison and over $350,000 (US$260,000) in legal costs before the allegations were thrown out after a 10-day jury trial.

The judge described the wifes evidence as demonstrably false and said that the prosecutors had failed to take into account clear and consistent, objective evidence backing up Peters claim that he was being wrongly accused.

Peter had installed video cameras that recorded the whole encounter, giving a lie to the wifes allegation that he had jumped her immediately following her arrival at the former marital home.

The cameras showed them fully dressed for almost an hour prior to the consensual sex which featured her cheerfully sitting on top of him. How could she be a rape victim?

Protesters attend the Womens March 4 Justice Rally in Canberra, Australia, on March 15, 2021. (Jamila Toderas/Getty Images)

The doctor has suffered no adverse consequences for her malicious lies. Peters efforts to have her charged with perjury have received persistent knockbacks from police, the DPP, and other relevant complaints bodies.

This is what our justice system appears to be becoming.

Women who wish to punish their partners are accusing men of rape or violence and have absolute license to perjure themselves in our courts and create elaborate mistruths which, even if proved false, will very rarely bear any adverse consequences.

Look what happened in our family court system, where false allegations have long been rampant.

In 2006, then Prime Minister John Howards pathbreaking new family law legislation included advice to courts to make cost orders against persons who knowingly made false allegations in family law proceedingsa measure stated to address concerns about widespread false allegations in The Family Court.

A year later, the Howard government was gone and suddenly all the talk was about risks to children from violent dads. By 2011, former Prime Minister Julia Gillards team had changed the legislation to ensure there were no longer any consequences for perjury.

Thats been the case ever since. At hearings for the recent parliamentary inquiry into the family law system, a deputy secretary from the Attorney Generals department showed that between 2014 and 2019, not a single family law-related perjury matter was investigated by Commonwealth prosecutors.

The same unwritten rule applies in magistrates courts dealing with the weekly flood of false domestic violence allegations and the criminal courts handling sexual assault.

Everyone knows that police and prosecutors will accept the most preposterous allegations and that even if they ultimately get thrown out in court, the instigator gets off scot-free.

In Peters case, his ex-wife is still out there, despite her allegations having cost taxpayers a fortunewell over $200,000 for the trial alone, plus Peters settlement, let alone the years of police and prosecutors time.

The argument about perjury charges deterring proper victims is spurious nonsense. Perjury charges would never be applied in cases where the allegations simply failed to be proved in court. Actual victims, or women who mistakenly believe they are victims, have nothing to fear.

Those who make false accusations of physical or sexual abuse and lie to court are never prosecuted for perjury in Australia. (Ekaterina Bolovtsova/Pexels)

Its quite a high bar to prove someone has intentionally lied or falsified evidence, a big job to find them guilty beyond reasonable doubt of such malicious behaviour.

But in cases like this, where police and prosecutors are forced to pay out for ignoring irrefutable evidence that the allegations were false, that bar would likely be reached.

The constant silencing of public discussion about the proliferation of false allegations prevents examination of the benefits of introducing measures to deter perjury in our courts, including massively reducing demands on our justice system and increasing the resources available to real victims.

Trust in our law depends on an assumption of fair treatment. We need to know that police and prosecutors arent there just to act for one side, but to ensure consequences for wrongdoingthat includes maliciously using false allegations to weaponise the legal system against the object of their grievance.

What a blight on our society that so many are discovering that trust in our legal system is misplaced. Our faith in this vital institution is surely being undermined.

The final twist of the screw is the fact that the low rates of prosecution for false allegations are then used by feminists to claim we should believe all victimsbecause women so rarely lie. Further proof of the evil genius of the feminist enterprise.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A sign to end violence sits in a window in a neighborhood with a high murder rate in Baltimore, Maryland on Feb. 3, 2018. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Crime, Economic Issues, and Housing Are Black Americans Top Concerns: Survey

Violence and crime, the economy, and housing top the list of important community issues for black Americans, according to a survey conducted by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center.

Pew released its report on black identity on Thursday, which drew data from 6,513 panelists who were sampled from Oct. 14  17 last year. All respondents were aged 18 and above and living in the United States.

Violence and crime, which includes drug activity, shootings, and theft, are the top concerns black Americans say they are facing in the communities they live in. In total, 17 percent of respondents named crime as the most pressing issue in their communities.

Another 11 percent of black adults said economic issues such as homelessness, poverty, and taxes were most important, while other top issues include housing at 7 percent.

Differences among neighbors due to racism, diversity, or culture were listed toward the bottom of the list at 3 percent, alongside employment and wages at 3 percent. Some 4 percent did not name an issue.

The survey also found that a majority of black Americans say being black is central to how they think about themselves and shape their identities, even as many have diverse experiences and come from various backgrounds. About three-quarters of black people said so despite where they come from, their economic status, or educational backgrounds.

Overall, 14 percent say being black is only somewhat important to their identity and 9 percent say it has little to no impact, the survey found.

What our data suggests to me is that being black is important to all black people, according to our findings, regardless of the intersections of their identity, said Kiana Cox, research associate, and co-author of the report. A majority of black people, 76 percent, said that being black was really important to them.

Cox, who has worked with Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., for about four years, said they wanted to make sure they had a large enough sample to get this kind of nuance within racial and ethnic groups, but also to understand sort of life and society as black people understand it.

There are 47 million black people in the United States, about 14 percent of the population, according to the 2020 census. Most black adults in the United States were born in the country, but an increasing portion of the population is comprised of immigrants, about 12 percent. Of the black immigrant population, 90 percent were born in the Caribbean or Africa.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on Feb. 8, 2022. (Carl Recine/Action Images via Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Death of Newborn Twin Boy

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez, who announced in October last year they were expecting twins, said on Monday one of the two babies has died.

It is with deep sadness we have to announce that our baby boy passed away, Ronaldo and Rodriguez said in a joint statement on social media. It is the greatest pain that any parent can feel.

Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness, they said.

Asking for privacy during this difficult time, the couple thanked the doctors and nurses for their expert care and support.

The 37-year old Ronaldo, five-times world player of the year, rejoined Manchester United last year after winning multiple trophies with Real Madrid and Juventus.
Dealer Who Supplied Mac Miller With Fentanyl Sentenced to Nearly 11 Years in Prison

One of the drug dealers charged in connection to the fatal fentanyl overdose of rapper Mac Miller has been sentenced on Monday to nearly 11 years in prison.

Ryan Michael Reavis, 38, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright at a California federal court to 10 years and 11 month months in prison, according to April 18 court documents (pdf).

Miller, a rapper whose real name is Malcolm McCormick, died in September 2018 at age 26 following an accidental overdose. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said at the time they found mixed drug toxicity in Millers system that included cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol.

Reavis admitted during his guilty plea that he was aware he sold pills to Miller that contained controlled substances, including fentanyl. His attorneys had argued their client only deserved five years because he just acted as a middleman for the drug sale. Federal prosecutors had sought 12 years and seven months for Reavis.

Mac Miller performs on the Camp Stage during day 1 of Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2017 at Exposition Park in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2017. (Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Reavis is one of three men accused of distributing fentanyl-laced pills that led to Millers fatal overdose. He is the first man who has already received his sentence.

Stephen Andrew Walter, 49, of Westwood and Cameron James Pettit, 30, of West Hollywood also recently pled guilty in the case.

A grand jury indictment alleged that Walter supplied the fentanyl and cocaine that Pettit sold to Miller and that Reavis acted as a middleman for the drug sale. Pettit sold Miller cocaine, Xanax, and 10 blue pills that appeared to be oxycodone, but also contained fentanyl, according to the indictment.

Millers assistant found him unresponsive on his bed in a praying position and was kneeling forward with his face on his knees. He was already blue when someone called 911. Officials pronounced him dead at the scene.

Karen Meyers, Millers mother, said her son would have never knowingly taken a pill with fentanyl and insisted the alleged drug suppliers were solely responsible for his death, TMZ reported.

He wanted to live and was excited about the future. The hole in my heart will always be there, she said.

Miller had been open about his struggle with substance abuse. In a 12-minute documentary, the artist talked about his addiction, saying it started long before his music career. He admitted that he had used promethazine and cocaine.

Fentanyl is a highly addictive opioid that has contributed to an epidemic in the United States. The powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent, has claimed thousands of American lives.

From NTD News
DeSantis Signs Bill to Reform Higher Education

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a higher education reform bill on April 19 to hold faculty accountable, and ensure transparency with the curriculum.

Under the new law, which takes effect July 1, tenured faculty will be reviewed every five years by a Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida, which will consider such things as accomplishments, productivity, performance metrics. and compensation.

Transparency and accountability is absolutely key, DeSantis said as he signed the bill in The Villages. Were going to make sure that our institutions of higher education are committed to excellence, not ideology  were going to be even better than we have been, and weve been pretty doggone good over the last many years.

Sen. Manny Diaz, Jr., R-Hialeah, closes on his Senate Bill 7030: Implementation of Legislative Recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission in the Florida Senate in Tallahassee, Fla., on April 23, 2019. (Phil Sears/Photo via AP)

The Republican governor told a boisterous crowd that Floridas higher education institutions were ranked No. 1 in U.S. News and World Report for the last five years, but, with these reforms, he wanted to make it even better.

Senate Bill 7044 addresses three main issues that DeSantiss administration sees as eroding higher education, he said. Accreditation, transparency in course descriptions, tenure reforms and allowing grandchildren of Florida residents in-state tuition.

Its all about trying to make these institutions more in line with what the states priorities are and, frankly, the priorities of the parents throughout the state of Florida, the governor said.

The bill sponsored by Republican Senator Manny Diaz will also remove the stranglehold that faculty unions and accrediting agencies have had on universities and colleges, a written statement from the governors office said. It also adds common-sense transparency requirements for tuition, fees and cost of materials.

Floridas higher education institutions are required to seek accreditation, but the bill requires them to seek accreditation from different accreditors in consecutive accreditation cycles.

The bill reads: State Board of Education and Board of Governors (BOG) will identify regional accreditors that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) that are best suited for each institution. Institutions must seek accreditation from identified regional accreditors and if they are denied by the regional accreditor, they may seek accreditation from any USDOE-approved accreditor that is different from their current accreditor. Prior to this legislation, accrediting agencies had a monopoly on Florida colleges and universities and were able to hold a hand over the operations of educational institutions and remove objectivity from the process.

The bill also takes on tenured professors.

Florida State University senior Taylor Walker addresses the media on April 19, 2022. (Screenshot, The Florida Channel)

Tenure was there to protect people so that they could do ideas that maybe would cause them to lose their job, or whatever, and academic freedom. I think what tenure does is [that]  it has created more of an intellectual orthodoxyand once youre tenured, your productivity really declines, DeSantis said.

The BOG will be authorized to adopt regulations for performance reviews of tenured professors to hold tenured faculty to the highest standards of accountability. These reviews will help ensure that tenured staff remain active and effective in educating Floridas university students, the bill said. Previously, tenured faculty had to be retained despite repeated instances of political motivations, ineffective teaching practices and overall bad behavior in the classroom.

Dr. Michael Poliakoff, President of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni said that the bill is the guardianship of the future.

There is no doubt tenure without accountability is an invitation to abuse, he said.

Florida State University senior Taylor Walker was in attendance, and said she agreed with holding universities accountable.

As I go into my classes, my professors hold me to high standards, as they shouldbut this bill gives me the opportunity to hold them to the same high standards, she said.

Walker, a first-generation college student, said her conservative views were sometimes stifled and that woke narratives are thought by some to be the only narratives that should be taught.

When so many in this world, especially in academia, will put their own biased agendas over excellence, it is refreshing to see a government that applies standards to mitigate injustice, the fourth-year history major said, calling the bill excellent.

Current Florida Secretary of Education Richard Corcoran, with two more weeks before he returns to the private sector, quipped that he was on his farewell tour.

The governor has kept his inaugural promise of making life better for the children of Florida, he said.

Corcoran also took the opportunity to address the decision on rejecting the math textbooks for reasons of inserting critical race theory (CRT) into the content of the books, which violates Florida law.

Its a math textbook youre trying to teach two plus two equals four, and its like this whole hidden agenda of indoctrination, he said of the books. I dont care how you feel when youre doing the problem, just be able to solve it.

He continued to predict that because of making sure CRT is not infiltrating the content of textbooks that Florida will shoot to the top in all education metrics.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference at the Miami Dade Colleges North Campus in Miami on Jan. 26, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

DeSantis to Hold Twitter Board Accountable for Breaching Fiduciary Duty by Rejecting Musk Takeover Bid

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waded into Elon Musks Twitter buyout saga on Tuesday, saying that Florida would look into holding Twitters board of directors accountable for breaching their fiduciary duties after its members adopted a poison pill tactic to thwart Musks takeover attempt.

DeSantis made the remarks at a press conference in The Villages, Florida, in the context of a discussion on a higher education reform bill that he signed into law on Tuesday.

Were going to make sure that our institutions of higher education are committed to excellence, not ideology, DeSantis said, with measures introduced by the bill (SB 7044) including a requirement for lists of instructional materials to be posted at least 45 days before the first day of class and be searchable and downloadable, for instance, by parents wishing to monitor the content of classroom materials their children are exposed to.

DeSantis then segued into commenting on Musks recent offer to buy all outstanding Twitter common stock at a premium of around 20 percent above market value, a deal estimated to be worth around $43 billion.

What Musk is trying to do is basically liberate it from being an agent of censorship into making it an actual open platform like its advertised, the Florida governor said.

Twitters board initially responded to Musks buyout offer by saying it would carefully review the proposal and take action that it believes is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.

The board later announced it was adopting a limited duration shareholder rights plan, a tactic known as a poison pill, that would make it financially more painful for the potential acquirer, effectively signaling its opposition to Musks bid.

DeSantis said that Twitters rejection of Musks apparently financially lucrative offer was not based on business considerations but politics.

Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via Reuters)

They Cant Control Elon Musk

Some analysts said that the Twitter boards rejection of an offer to buy the company at a significant market premium was against the best interest of shareholders.

Its a sentiment Musk echoed when he said that if Twitters board actions are not aligned with the interests of shareholders, the board would be breaching its fiduciary duty and so would assume legal liability that would be titanic in scale.

DeSantis expressed a similar idea at Tuesdays presser, saying that he doesnt think the Twitter boards rejection was based on financial concerns or business judgment.

They rejected it because they know they cant control Elon Musk, they know that he will not accept the narrative, and that their little play toy of Twitter would not be used to enforce orthodoxy and to basically prop up the regime and these failed legacy media outlets, DeSantis said.

Thats why they did it. It was not, in my judgment, because it wasnt a good business deal.

DeSantis said that the state of Florida and its pension system holds some Twitter shares and that the fund probably suffered injury.

So were going to be looking at ways that the state of Florida potentially can be holding these Twitter board of directors accountable for breaching their fiduciary duties, DeSantis said.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Twitter with a request for comment on DeSantis remarks, but did not receive a reply by publication.

Inclusive Arena for Free Speech

Musk has said that his buyout bid was intended to transform Twitter in a bastion of free speech by making its algorithm open source and its moderation policies more transparent.

He argued that Twitter has become a de facto town square where important conversations should be able to take place with as few constraints as possible.

In my view, Twitter should match the laws of the country, Musk told the audience at a TED event in Vancouver, Canada, acknowledging legal caps on free speech like direct incitement to violence.

But going beyond that and having it be unclear whos making what changes to where, having tweets mysteriously be promoted and demoted with no insight into whats going on, having a black box algorithm promote some things and not other things, I think this can be quite dangerous, Musk 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, he added.

Musks effort to take Twitter private and transform it into an inclusive arena for free speech has been hailed by free speech advocates but opposed by some who fear that fewer restrictions on Twitter will make it easier to abuse the platforms massive reach by, for example, amplifying the spread of disinformation.

Twitter has over 200 million daily active users.

One vocal opponent to Musks Twitter acquisition effort is The Washington Posts editorial board, which penned an op-ed titled Lets hope Elon Musk doesnt win his bid for Twitter.

The Posts editorial board argued that Musks vision regarding free speech is more or less the same one that was held by former CEO Jack Dorsey, particularly in the early days of the platform.

Over time, however, Twitter gravitated towards stricter rules because they learned some lessons after observing how their products can be abused to manipulate elections, or spread health misinformation, or harass people en masse, the Posts board wrote.

While acknowledging that Twitter moderators sometimes make mistakes, and more transparency surrounding enforcement decisions is in order, the board argued that a broader backtracking would be an error and that Musks effort to protect speech at all costs and keep Twitter free of bots and spam is nearly impossible.
John Durham speaks at a conference in New Haven, Conn., on Sept. 20, 2018. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut)

Durham Filing Reveals CIA Knew in Early 2017 That Data Tying Trump to Russia Was Fake

News Analysis

As the trial of Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann approaches, special counsel John Durham and Sussmanns lawyers are arguing over what evidence can be admitted. As part of those arguments, Durham filed a routine response late on April 15, detailing why the evidence hes seeking to admit is both relevant and admissible.

These back-and-forth filings are common in the weeks leading up to federal trials, but the disclosures made by Durham are anything but routine.

The most striking of these disclosures concerns data trails that Sussmann and his cohorts, including Tech Executive-1 Rodney Joffe, had supposedly uncovered between Trump and the Russian Alfa Bank. It was widely claimed that these data trails established a direct communications channel between Trump and the Russian government.

Sussmann took the data to the FBI in September 2016 hoping to trigger an investigation into Trump and his campaign. The existence of an FBI investigation would then be used by the Clinton campaign as a media kill shot against Trump in the final weeks of the 2016 election.

The scheme didnt work as planned, and Trump went on to win the election. But this setback didnt put the brakes on an operation that had now turned into an effort to hobble Trumps presidency. In February 2017, after Trump was inaugurated, Sussmann took the same data trails to the CIA.

CIA Knew Early on That Sussmann Data Fabricated

Durham has now disclosed that the CIA immediately knew that both data trails were fake, finding that they were not technically plausible, that they didnt withstand technical scrutiny, that they contained gaps, that they conflicted with themselves, and that they were user-created and not machine- or tool-generated.

The data provided by Sussmann consisted of alleged internet lookups between the Trump Organization and Alfa Bank as well as alleged use of a Russian-made YotaPhone in Trumps vicinity at Trump Tower, near a Trump interview in Michigan, and near the White House after he was elected president.

The fact that the phone data was highly questionable was obvious from the start. Sussmann alleged there were only a dozen such phones in the United States, claiming that they werent publicly available but were sometimes gifted by Russian government officials. However, that information was false. YotaPhones were officially launched in the United States in 2014. And, as Durham notes, between 2014 and 2017, there were millions of lookups of YotaPhones that originated with U.S.-based internet addresses.

The sheer number of YotaPhone lookups has led some to speculate that Sussmann and other Clinton operatives might have cherry-picked data to make those communications look like something they werent. In other words, that there was real data, but it was being misrepresented by Sussmann. Proof of that allegation would have been bad enough, but Durham has now revealed that the CIA determined that the data was in fact user-createdit was fabricated.

This incredible disclosure immediately begs the question: Who created the data? It also highlights a larger question: If the CIA knew this data was falsified in February 2017, why did it allow Trump to be hounded throughout his presidency with false claims of Russia collusion?

Furthermore, why did special counsel Robert Mueller, who spent $42 million in taxpayer money supposedly investigating TrumpRussia collusion, keep forging ahead with his investigation? The information from the CIA changed everything. Why did Mueller and his team never disclose that the underlying data trail was fake? Nor is that information anywhere in their lengthy two-volume report.

Durhams latest filing also contains two CIA reports that pertain to the agencys interactions with Sussmann. They detail how Sussmann gave data to the CIA after Trump had assumed the presidency. Crucially, what the CIA notes show is that Sussmann claimed that the Russian phone activity continued after Trumps move to the White House.

These CIA reports contradict the corporate medias narrative that neither Sussmann nor Joffe spied on Trump. Not only was Trump spied on, but some form of spying involved the collection and subsequent manipulation of data after he became president.

The CIA notes also reveal that the data had been collected since April 2016, which coincides with the start date of Sussmanns efforts to tie Trump to Russia on behalf of the Clinton campaign.

In another move that signals a shift in Durhams approach, Durham has laid out details of the coordination that took place between Sussmanns cyber operation and British ex-spy Christopher Steeles dossier operation that was being run by Fusion GPS. Weve known since last year that Sussmann and Steele represented two separate prongs of the Clinton campaigns efforts to smear Trump as a Russian stooge.

Connecting the 2 Prongs

We also knew that those two prongs converged in late July 2016directly in front of the FBIs opening of its investigation into the Trump campaignwhen Steele and Sussmann met in Washington along with a host of other Clinton campaign operatives.

Until now, Durham hadnt connected the two prongs of Clintons plan, choosing instead to focus on Sussmanns alleged crime of lying to the FBI.

That has now changed. Durham has told the court that Sussmann and Steele were two parts of the same joint venture, a move that inches us closer to possible conspiracy charges being brought by Durham against participants in the scheme. Connecting Sussmann directly to the Clinton campaigns broader efforts to vilify Trump also establishes a motive for Sussmanns actions.

Specifically, Durham states that Sussmann represented and worked for the Clinton Campaign in connection with its broader opposition research efforts, and that through his coordination with Steele, Fusion GPS, and Joffe, Sussmann took steps to integrate the Alfa Bank allegations into those opposition research efforts.

Durham also is now focusing on the fact that Sussmann personally told Steele about the Alfa Bank data trail at their July 2016 meeting. And as we already know, Steele was then tasked with writing a dossier report on the Alfa allegations.

Durham also notes that Steeles report on the Alfa Bank allegations was completed only a few days before Sussmann brought the allegations to the FBI. Even more astonishingly, Durham points out that the FBI was given Steeles dossier by Fusion GPS on the very same day that Sussmann took the Alfa allegations to the FBI.

And finally, Durham has announced that there are at least two individuals who have apparently flipped and have been offered immunity.

2 Individuals Offered Immunity by Durham

Notably, the first of these individualswho has not been named by Durhamis an employee at Fusion GPS, the firm of Clinton campaign contractors who coordinated the efforts to jointly push Steeles and Sussmanns allegations into the media. Its not known what the Fusion employee has told Durham, but given the overarching question facing the jurywhether Sussmann went to the FBI to push a false narrative or was merely acting as a good Samaritanits entirely possible that the Fusion GPS employee will testify that Sussmanns efforts were part of a broader scheme to falsely vilify Trump.

The second person thats been offered immunity is David Dagon, an IT operative from Georgia Tech. Dagon was part of a small group of IT specialists tasked by Joffe to find data that linked Trump to Russia. Durham previously revealed that this group of IT operatives knew they couldnt manufacture any claims that would fly public scrutiny. These same operatives also admitted in private that the only thing that drove them to do what they were doing was that they just do not like Trump.'

Durham has now told the court that he gave Dagon immunity as the other IT operatives in the Joffes group had invoked their right against self-incrimination. Giving Dagon immunity was the only way Durham could obtain otherwise-unavailable facts underlying the Clinton campaigns scheme to vilify Trump.

That both Dagon and a Fusion GPS employee are now cooperating with Durham is significantnot only in the Sussmann case, but for all the Clinton campaign operatives who were involved in the scheme.

Its now left to Sussmanns lawyers to persuade the trial judgeObama-appointee Christopher Cooperto throw out all this new evidence as well as Durhams proposed witnesses. They may try to argue that the conspiracy, even if it existed, is not relevant to what Sussmann has been charged withnamely, lying to the FBI. Durham has already indicated that if this were to happen, he would object on the grounds that the existence of a conspiracy is compelling evidence of Sussmanns motive when he lied to the FBI.

Ultimately, the judge will decide what evidence will and will not be allowed.

The bigger question that looms is whether Durham will charge anyone with conspiracy. He clearly has plenty of evidence, but for reasons not fully understood, he has not used that evidence to date. It may be that he faces significant internal pressure from DOJ officials. It may also be that hes trying to extend the legal clock until after the midterms, knowing that prosecuting the Clinton campaign will require political cover.

Or it may simply be that Durham is waiting for more evidence that would allow him to charge top campaign officials. This argument is backed by the fact that the two people who received immunity are too far down the food chain to have known anything about the extent of involvement from top Clinton campaign officials.

Jeff Carlson Follow Jeff Carlson is a co-host of Truth Over News on Epoch TV. Twitter: @themarketswork.
Pat King gives a speech in front of Parliament Hill during the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2021. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times)

Convoy Protester Pat King Faces New Charges of Perjury, Obstruction of Justice

The Crown laid additional charges on Tuesday against Pat King, the last of the high-profile trucker convoy protesters to remain behind bars.

King was charged with three counts of perjury and three counts of obstruction of justice.

These now pile on the 10 other previously laid charges, including mischief, intimidation, obstructing police, and disobeying a court order.

King was arrested on Feb. 18 in Ottawa on the first day of the police clearing operation of the convoy protest, after the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14.

Unlike other protesters charged in relation to the same event, King has yet to secure bail.

King has had trouble retaining a lawyer, and at a bail hearing on April 13 he was represented by attorney David Goodman, but the latters computer was apparently hacked during the hearing.

He has now retained the services of criminal defence attorney Natasha Calvinho.

Steeve Charland, who was involved on the Gatineau side of the protest, was released on March 21 on a $22,000 bond, and convoy organizer Tamara Lich was released on March 7 on a $25,000 bond. Chris Barber was released a day after his arrest on Feb. 17 on a reported $100,000 bond. All have severe bail conditions such as refraining from using social media or contacting protest organizers.

Keith Wilson, a lawyer representing the Freedom Convoy, has said that King was not one of the organizers of the protest.

I can confirm that the legal lawsuit relating to the injunction was framed as though Pat King is part of the Freedom Convoy, and I confirmed in writing to the personal injury lawyer and I made representations directly to the court to confirm that  these folks, the Freedom Convoy, have no affiliation with Mr. King whatsoever, Wilson said at a press conference on Feb. 6.

These folks was a reference to the individuals sitting beside him, Daniel Bulford, Tamara Lich, and Benjamin Dichter. Bulford was arrested but not charged, and Dichter was never arrested.

The injunction relates to a civil suit that was initiated against protest organizers by an Ottawa resident.

Kings social media posts and participation in the protest have been used by opponents to paint the movement as fringe and extremist.

In a video reportedly posted online on Dec. 16, King can be heard saying the only way this is going to be solved is with bullets. Its unclear what this refers to.

During a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety on Feb. 25, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said Convoy organizers and leaders of the movement have publicly made statements calling for the overthrow of the government with violence and through the use of bullets.

Mendicino didnt specify whether he was alluding to that video of King in particular.

Meanwhile, Freedom Convoy organizers have always insisted their movement was committed to non-violence and that every allegation of dangerous or violent acts by protesters in Ottawa has remained unproven or debunked, such as the presence of loaded firearms or involvement in arson.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Michael Sussmann in an undated interview. (CNN/Screenshot via NTD) Special counsel John Durham in 2018. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP)

Fusion GPS Challenges Durham Motion to Turn Over Privileged Communications

Fusion GPS, the opposition research firm hired by the Clinton Campaign in 2016 to produce a dossier alleging connections between then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump and the Russian government, has petitioned to intervene in the trial of former Clinton campaign attorney Michael Sussmann.

Sussmann is set to go to trial on May 16 before United States District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., for making a false statement to the FBI.

Special Counsel John Durham alleges the attorney knowingly lied in claiming to be acting as a concerned citizen in September 2016 when he gave FBI General Counsel James Baker documents regarding alleged DNS (Domain Name System) traffic between Russia-based Alfa Bank and a server operated by a Michigan managed-care healthcare group somehow associated with the Trump Organization.

What Sussmann allegedly failed to tell Baker was he was working for Rodney Joffe, a cybersecurity expert whose firm had a contract with Executive Office of the President to monitor DNS traffic, and that Sussmanns Washington, D.C.-based law firm, Perkins Coie, represented Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign committee.

Sussmann also allegedly did not reveal that the information he conveyed to Baker was gleaned, in part, from opposition research conducted by Fusion GPS and included hearsay allegations collected by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele in the discredited Steele dossier.

Durham, in April 6 court filings, sought to compel the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Clinton campaign, Fusion GPS, Perkins Coie, and others to provide documents and communications theyve refused to hand over as allegedly protected by attorney-client privilege.

In his motion, Durham said of 1,455 documents withheld by Fusion GPS, only 18 emails actually involve an attorney, meaning attorney-client privilege cannot be applied.

Durham said Sussmann, Joffe, and the DNC engaged in a joint venture to gather and spread claims that Trump had a connection to the Russian government, allegations that tainted the Trump administration for years.

Durhams motion maintains Fusion GPSs work (does) not appear to have been a necessary part of, or even related to, (Perkins Coies) legal advice to (the Clinton campaign) and the DNC.

Instead, contemporaneous communications and other evidence make it clear that the primary purpose of (Fusion GPSs) work related to the (Steele) dossier, the (Russian bank) allegations, and the other issues was to assemble and publicize allegations that would aid the campaigns public relations goals, Durhams motion reads.

In a three-page motion accompanied by 10 attached exhibits filed Tuesday, attorneys Joshua Levy, Rachel Clattenburg, and Kevin Crenny of the Washington, D.C.-based Firestone Muse LLP law firm called on Cooper to allow them to intervene on Fusion GPS behalf for the limited purpose of responding to Durhams motion to compel with an opposition brief.

In their motion, the attorneys say Fusion GPS has been fielding document requests from Durham since the Grand Jury subpoena almost one year ago, withholding certain documents protected by the attorney-client privilege and work product protections because they are related to its work at the direction of the law firm Perkins Coie.

Less than six weeks before the scheduled May 16 trial, Durham in his April 6 filing for the first time raise(s) questions concerning the validity, scope, and extent of (those) privilege assertions, they argue.

Fusion GPS attorneys maintain Durham fails to set forth a valid basis for its request to compel in camera inspection of these documents by this Court and calls on Cooper to dismiss this motion as procedurally improper for the reasons set forth in the defendants opposition. The Court should also dismiss the governments eleventh-hour attempt to pierce the privilege of non-parties over documents that the government has not even attempted to show are relevant to the indictment.

Fusion GPSs Tuesday petition is among a flurry of filings lodged in Coopers court since Friday in which Durham alleged Sussmann also conveyed the same allegedly false information to the CIA on February 2017 and that five witnesses connected to the Clinton campaign have invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and will not cooperate with the investigation.

Attorneys Sean Berkowitz, Michael Bosworth, Natalie Hardwick Rao and Catherine Yao of Latham & Watkins LLP, who are representing Sussmann, in a series of same-day counter filings, called for restrictions on witness testimony and argued that notes taken by two FBI officials not be entered as evidence in the case.

In a 16-page brief filed Monday night Sussmanns attorneys argue that when Cooper last week rejected their motion to dismiss the case against their client, the court observed that the battle lines in the case have been drawn. But now, less than six weeks before trial, the Special Counsel improperly and unfairly seeks to redraw the battle lines in calling specifically for 38 documents to be provided by Fusion GPS.

Sussmanns attorneys accuse Durham of mounting a last-minute frontal assault on third-party assertions of attorney-client privilege and work product protection that affect what could be the production of thousands of documents, the testimony of numerous witnesses, and, most importantly, Mr. Sussmanns fundamental defense strategy.

The brief lays out four reasons why Cooper should deny Durhams motion.

It should also be denied on the independent grounds that he moved at the wrong time, in the wrong forum, using the wrong process, and seeking the wrong documents, it maintains.

Cooper originally scheduled an April 27 hearing to determine what witnesses and evidence will be heard in Sussmanns trial. In an order issued Tuesday, he pushed that hearing to April 20  tomorrow.
A man walks past a SAP logo during the company's annual general meeting in Mannheim, Germany, on May 15, 2019. (Ralph Orlowski/Reuters)

Germanys SAP Joins Western Corporate Exodus From Russia

STOCKHOLMBusiness software group SAP plans to exit Russia completely in response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine, although it said on Tuesday it might be possible for Russian users to run its software for years without support.

SAP joined a long list of companies, including rival Oracle last month in halting the sale of its services and products in Russia. Firms from telecom gear maker Nokia to Goldman Sachs have since left completely.

The German maker of software for the management of business processes is not providing any support or updates to sanctioned customers, SAP Chief Financial Officer Luka Mucic told reporters on a call, adding that the full impact of this may take time.

There is no magical red button that SAP could push to make these software licenses disappear from the computers, Mucic said of SAPs software, which is sold either as a licensed software or on a subscription basis through the cloud.

Western countries have responded to Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 by placing sanctions on scores of companies and individuals linked to the Kremlin, which describes its actions as a special military operation.

As part of its cloud shutdown, SAP has given non-sanctioned companies the choice to have their data deleted, sent to them, or migrated to a data center outside Russia.

Those Russian cloud customers who have chosen the migration path, we will not renew their existing cloud subscriptions when they come up for renewal, Mucic said, adding these contracts run for an average of slightly more than three years.

SAPs business in Russia, where it has been operating for more than 30 years, contributes only a small part of its global revenue. Its business in the region, including Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, makes up about 1.5 percent in total.

SAP said it will focus on managing the impact of its exit on more than 1,200 employees in Russia. Mucic said it would finalize the wind down plan over the coming months.

By Supantha Mukherjee
The seized Russian-flagged oil tanker Pegas is seen anchored off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, on April 19, 2022. (Vassilis Triandafyllou/Reuters)

Greece Seizes Russian Oil Tanker With 19 Crew Members: Report

Greek authorities have seized a Russian oil tanker near Karystos, a small coastal town on the island of Euboea in the Aegean Sea, according to officials. The seizure is part of the EUs new sanctions imposed against Moscow.

It has been seized as part of EU sanctions, a Greek shipping ministry official said.

The new sanctions, designed to pressure the Russian economy over Moscows ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, have barred ports in the 27-nation bloc from accepting vessels flying the Russian flag to enter.

The 817-feet-long crude oil tanker dubbed Pegas was seized off the coast near Karystos on Tuesday, the shipping ministry said. The tanker had 19 Russian crew members on board.

The coast guard noted that the order to impound the ship only concerned the vessel itself, and not the crude oil it was transporting.

U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic through ship and satellite tracking, said the Pegas loaded around 700,000 barrels of crude oil from Irans Sirri Island in August 2021.

Pegas was headed to the southern Peloponnese peninsula to offload its cargo onto another tanker but rough seas forced it to moor just off Karystos, Athens News Agency reported. It subsequently tried to unload the cargo at a Turkish port before heading to Greece, UANI said its analysis showed.

According to the vessel-tracking website Marine Traffic, Pegas was built in 2003 and has a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 115,500. The ship is valued at $15.9 million.

In the United States, the Biden administration also considered barring Russian-flagged ships from entering ports under international sanctions over Russias attack on Ukraine. In March, the United States banned oil imports from Russia, stopping about 500,000 barrels per day of new crude shipments from entering U.S. seaports.

Following additional sanctions against Russian tankers, vessels transporting crude oil and other petroleum products are increasingly going darkthe practice of switching off the ships transpondersand vanishing from tracking systems.

Ever since the RussiaUkraine war began on Feb. 24, there has been a 600 percent spike in dark activity among Russian oil tankers.

International maritime law requires commercial vessels to have the ships automatic identification system (AIS) switched on while at sea. The U.S. Treasury Department has classified the disabling or manipulation of AIS as a top deceptive shipping practice.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Western Australian Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on July 4, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Greens Senators Position Out of Step on CCP Aggression: Defence Analyst

A Greens senator who claimed Beijing posed no threat and that Australia was nothing more than an American aircraft carrier is completely out of touch with the realities of the Indo-Pacific region, according to one defence expert.

Western Australian Senator Jordan Steele-Johns comments were a continuation of a more assertive left-wing Greens Party that has, in recent months, pushed for increasingly radical social policy in the lead-up to the May 21 election.

In October, the Australian Greens released their peace and militarisation policy which included the scrapping of the AUKUS deal with the United States and United Kingdom, halving the defence budget to just one percent of GDP, and closing all foreign-run military bases in the country, notably those of the United States.

Senator Steele-John told The Australian newspaper that the major parties, the centre-left Labor and governing Coalition, were content with Australia being an American aircraft carrier while saying it was up to the government to de-escalate tensions with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Canberra and Beijing ties have been on a downward spiral since Foreign Minister Marise Payne called for an independent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak with the CCP launching an economic trade war against Australia in retaliation.

Meanwhile in late March, Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who visited Darwin in Australias Northern Territory, said there was a genuine risk of attack from Beijings three militarised bases in the South China Sea.

U.S. Admiral John C. Aquilino speaks during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 13, 2019. (Panu Wongcha-um/Reuters)

They are full-fledged offensive bases, he told reporters on March 23. Runways, hangers, barracks, anti-aircraft missiles, anti-ship missiles, jamming capability, hangers for fighter aircraft, bomber aircraft.

I dont see China as a military threat to Australia, Steele-John said, claiming that the United States and Australia did not need to be heavily involved in the South China Sea.

When we look at the relationship between China and Taiwan, is actually a bunch of dynamics between nations which are best resolved by those nations themselves, he added.

The senator also said Australia needed to stay mum on the recent Beijing-Solomon Islands security pact, which could open the door for potential militarisation in the South Pacific region and extend the reach of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army to within 1,700 kilometres of the Australian coast.

Solomon Islands is a sovereign country that is seeking to build relationships with its regional neighbours as best it can and it is making those decisions as a sovereign country should, he said. The Greens see it as a double standard that is both paternalistic and actually racist.

Defence director at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Michael Shoebridge, said the senator appeared to have little understanding of the nature of autocratic regimes.

He is out of step with the reality that aggression is present in our world, as we see daily with Putins horrific mass killings in Ukraine. In this world, Australia needs to invest in our own security and work with allies and partners we trust, he told The Epoch Times.

Doing so underpins our political freedoms and allows us to invest in all the things in our society we value, he added.

Shoebridge also said countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines were deeply concerned with Chinese aggression.

Power is a real concern for them, and they see the United States and its allies and partners as an essential military balance against this, he said.

Meanwhile, student-activist Drew Pavlou, now running for Senate, responded to the senator saying that a totalitarian, genocidal dictatorship which puts ethnic minorities in concentration camps and leverages economic pressure against Australia is probably a state we should regard as an active threat to our democracy.

We should not put our heads in the sands about that fact by pretending we can just sing kumbaya around a camp fire with Xi Jinping? he wrote on Twitter.
For half a century, giant pandas have served as Chinas most cuddly ambassadors. Yet those days may be numbered.

A top U.S. intelligence official reiterates Americas stance, saying China is Americas greatest challenge.

Protests erupt in Shanghai. Authorities are pushing an unprecedented approach to quell virus spread in the city, but it has many residents fearing for their safetyeven in their own backyards.

Beijing sets new goals for Shanghai. The original goal was to have the city cleared of outbreaks by Wednesday. But with that falling through, will the situation adhere to Beijings instructions?

Chinese state-owned shipping carriers could put small American companies out of business, and soon.

Topics in this episode:

CIA Director: Russias Silent Partner

China Is Americas Greatest Challenge

Shanghai Turns Residences Into Isolation Centers

Chinas Lockdowns Risky for Investors: Expert

Tesla May Soon Resume Production in Shanghai

Shanghai Sets New Goal for COVID-19 Outbreak: Zero New Cases Outside Quarantine: Sources

Chinas First-Quarter GDP Expands 4.8 Percent

China Shipping Firms Hurting US Companies

Shanghai Reports First Deaths Since Lockdown

CCP Requests Citizens Gratitude Amid Lockdown

Activist Imprisoned in China Returns to Taiwan

Have other topics you want us to cover? Drop us a line: chinainfocus@ntdtv.org

And if youd like to buy us a coffee: https://donorbox.org/china-in-focus

Subscribe to our newsletter for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit us on Gettr and Twitter.
A Twitter logo is displayed on a mobile phone, in Arlington, Va., on May 27, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Heres Why the Founder of Cardano Is Looking to Build a Decentralized Twitter With Elon Musk

In the latest development in Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musks Twitter Inc bid saga, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has told Musk that hes willing to help him build a decentralized version of Twitter.

In a recent Tweet, Hoskinson said that he is willing to make a dispersed social media platform along with Musk if his decision to take over Twitter fails.

On Thursday, Musk presented a $43 billion offer to assume full control of Twitter, with the intent of taking the company private. The non-binding proposal came after the Tesla CEO took a 9.2 percent stake in the social media giant.

Musks offer has gathered both positive and negative reactions from the social media firms shareholders.

One key shareholder of Twitter, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud has rejected Musks offer.

Also Read: Elon Musks Twitter Soap Opera Will End In A Takeover: Dan Ives

By Bibhu Pattnaik

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Jack Ma (R), co-founder and former executive chair of Alibaba Group, speaks next to Steve Forbes (L), chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes media, during the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore on October 15, 2019. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

GOP Lawmakers on House Intel Committee Probe Potential Chinese Malign Influence Over Forbes Merger

Republican lawmakers on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence launched a probe on the potential Chinese ownership and influence on business media outlet Forbes, which is planning to go public via a merger with a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Then-U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) initiated the investigation in late 2021 after Forbess announcement of its listing plans in August.

In a letter dated Nov. 23, 2021, Nunes asked Forbes to assist our investigation related to Chinas malign influence activities against U.S. Corporations.

The PRCs control over Chinese industry and investment creates a non-market influence on global commerce, the letter, obtained by The Epoch Times, stated, referring to the regimes official name, the Peoples Republic of China.

Enabling the acquisition, transfer, and theft of U.S. innovation, the PRCs grip on business is leveraged as a powerful platform for malign influence.

Forbess merger at issue is with Magnum Opus Acquisition Ltd. (NYSE: OPA), a Hong Kong-based SPAC, a blank-check company that has no operations but enables its acquisition target to go public. The deal is evaluated at $630 million, and Forbes will go public under the ticker symbol of FRBS.

Magnum Opus initially announced that the merger would be complete by the first quarter. But on March 22, the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to extend the deadline to May 31.

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), who succeeded Nunes as the committees ranking GOP member, took over the investigation. Turners office didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for an update. The Washington Times first reported on the probe.

In Forbess response letter on Dec. 16, 2021, also seen by The Epoch Times, the companys attorney denied any knowledge of investment from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or any China-based entities. He also denied any such entities influence on Forbess editorial and commercial operations or anyone at Forbes having met with the Chinese State Council Information Office, a central agency charged with foreign propaganda.

Yet the China or Hong Kong background of many players in the merger has stoked concerns about potential CCP influence in the deal, including its impact on free speech at the business publication.

The Daily Mail reported that Magnum Opus received seed funding from China Investment Corp. (CIC), one of the worlds largest sovereign wealth funds, with assets worth over $1 trillion and a five-year strategic plan (20182022) approved by Chinas cabinet-like State Council. After Magnum Opuss merger announcement with Forbes, CIC has since relinquished its shares.

To finance the Forbes acquisition, Magnum Opus reportedly raised $400 million through 19 private investment in public equity (PIPE) investors who would purchase FRBS shares directly below market price. According to the Daily Mail, most of the 19 PIPE investors are based in Hong Kong or Mainland China. Its unclear whether CICs influence remains through any Hong Kong- or China-based investors among the PIPE investors.

Later on, Forbes announced on Feb. 10 that Binancethe worlds largest cryptocurrency exchangewould take the place of half the existing PIPE investors and invest $200 million in the Magnum Opuss acquisition of Forbes. Upon successful completion of the merger, Binances chief communications officer Patrick Hillmann and Bill Chin, head of Binance Labs, the incubator arm of Binance, will join Forbess board.

Forbes is currently majority-owned by Hong Kong-based Integrated Whale Media Investments (IWM). In September 2014, IWM bought a 95 percent stake in Forbes in a deal valued at $475 million, while the remaining 5 percent belonged to the Forbes family.

In October 2015, the Forbes family sued IWM for not making due payments on a loan it took from the family to pay for the acquisition. The parties settled in January 2017.

Magnum Opus didnt reply by press time to Epoch Times request for comment.

Insiders at Forbes have expressed concern about Chinese influence in the deal, according to The Daily Mail, as well as fears that the publication will not be able to freely cover topics relating to China after the merger.

A Forbes spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email that the company is and always will be fiercely independent, and any suggestion that the Chinese or any other government would have any influence is completely unfounded.

The spokesperson also pointed out that the outlet has continued to publish articles critical of China, including articles related to Chinas economy, press freedom in China, and the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Binance Investment

Binance was initially founded in Shanghai in 2017. Its founder, Zhao Changpeng, a Chinese Canadian, moved all its servers and its core team out of China in the fall of the same year, when China banned all initial coin offerings, according to Tech in Asia. Since then, the company has grown to a daily trade volume of $76 billion per day in 2021 from $500 million in 2017.

In recent years, however, Binance has returned to China. In March 2020, Binance formed Binance China Blockchain Institute (BCBI) in Shanghai, a research arm, to become a high-level United Nations partner promoting Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI is Beijings trillion-dollar overseas investment program, which has attracted growing criticism for its role in facilitating corruption, saddling developing countries with unsustainable debt levels, and advancing the regimes plans for economic and technological dominance.

According to a Binance blog, three months later, along with other Chinese state-owned institutions, BCBI joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) organization, a non-binding U.N. pact on corporate social responsibility.

During the same month, Binance also formed a partnership with a state-owned supply chain management group under the supervision of Chinas State Council. Prior to BCBIs involvement, Binances Blockchain Charity Foundation pledged to support BRI in its commitment letter (pdf) to UNGC in October 2019.

In May 2020, BCBI published a two-part white paper detailing the digital yuans development and benefits, including the first-mover advantage in becoming the leading currency in digital asset pricing.

Binance in October delisted the Chinese yuan from its trading platform in response to the CCPs crackdown on cryptocurrencies.

The cryptocurrency exchange sees Forbes as a strategic partner in educating consumers. Zhao was quoted in a Feb. 10 Forbes statement as saying, As Web 3 and blockchain technologies move forward and the crypto market comes of age, we know that media is an essential element to build widespread consumer understanding and education.

Forbes Chief Executive Officer Mike Federle said in the same statement that the company would become a leader in the field by tapping into Binances digital infrastructure and blockchain technology.

In an interview on March 4, Federle identified Forbeswhich has covered crypto since 2012as a resource for people interested in digital assets. He also spoke about the goal of growing its direct-to-customer business by playing a leading role in the future of finance and currency.

He says the companys 10-year digital transformation built an audience of 150 million unique monthly users114 million from the United States, according to the companys websiteacross the Forbes ecosystem.

A Magnum Opus SEC filing in 2021 included Federles words that financial advisers were a group that had a deep interest in Forbes. He made the comment during an August 2021 interview with Business Insider. In 2019, the company acquired a majority stake in Q.ai, an artificial intelligence-driven financial advisory app.

Since 2021, Binance has met with licensing challenges in Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Norway, and Hong Kong. It has also been under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Internal Revenue Service for potential illegal transactions on the platform, and the SEC regarding disclosure to customers.

The SEC didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. The current status of the DOJIRS investigation is unclear, and the IRS said it couldnt confirm or deny an individual investigation.
Nick Xenophon speaks to the press in the Adelaide Hills town of Stirling on July 3, 2016. (Brenton Edwards/AFP via Getty Images)

Housing Affordability Royal Commission Needed, Says Australian Senate Candidate Xenophon

Independent Senate candidate Nick Xenophon has called for a royal commission, Australias highest form of public inquiry, into housing affordability, saying the issue has become a real barbecue stopper.

Xenophon, who is seeking a return to federal politics by picking up a Senate seat in South Australia, said such an inquiry was the last best hope to tackle the increasing unattainability of home ownership.

The issue of housing affordability, the difficulty young people have in buying their first home without getting significant assistance from the bank of mum and dad has become a real barbecue stopper, he said on Tuesday.

Xenophon criticised the federal governments announcement to expand the home deposit scheme, saying that it would do nothing to deal with the systemic issues involving home ownership.

Yesterday, the Liberal Party announced a plan to increase price caps placed on first home loan deposits from July 1 if re-elected.

The major parties seem content to apply a band-aid on the problem, but that wont make it easier for people to enter the first home market, Xenophon said.

With house prices rising in Adelaide, and around the country by almost a quarter in just a year, the issue of young Australians being able to afford to buy their own home is becoming more and more vexed, and there are policy failures all round at a local, state and federal government level.

He said the terms of reference of a royal commission should address issues of land supply, urban design and services, revamping mortgage insurance, decentralisation, public transport and other infrastructure, and the rental market.

Xenophon resigned from his Senate seat in 2017, a decade on from winning it.

The author has written this story in a personal capacity.

By Famida Rahman
As your brother and intimate, I assure you that I understand you and sympathize with you from the bottom of my heart. I know all your good qualities like the back of my hand.

In 1886, Anton Chekhov (18601904) wrote those words in a letter to his older brother, Nikolai (18581889). Regarded today as a master of the short story and a skilled playwright, the young Chekhov penned this letter out of concern for his brothers alcoholism and his failure to develop his artistic and literary gifts.

The letter reflects Chekhovs own talents for writing. He manages to be brusque, honest, humorous, caring, affectionate, and stern. He writes, for example:

You often complain to me that people dont understand you. But even Goethe and Newton made no such complaints. Christ did, true, but he was talking about his doctrine, not his ego. People understand you all too well. If you dont understand yourself, then its nobody elses fault.

Surely, weve all heard some friend or family member make a similar complaint.

While urging Nikolai to smash [his] vodka bottle, lie down on the sofa and pick up a bookhe recommends TurgenevChekhov claims that the heart of Nikolais malaise and lack of success is his extreme lack of culture. He then lists eight marks of a civilized person, along with some examples.

A portrait of Anton Chekhov, 1898, by Osip Braz. State Tretyakov Gallery. (PD-US)

The Eight Foundations

Chekhov suggests to Nikolai that if he attempts to become more cultured, his insecurities and bad habits might disappear. This proposed cure for alcoholism may strike us today as unusual and doomed to failure, but when we reflect on Chekhovs points regarding how civilized people behave, we discover some truths. Here are the first sentences verbatim, including the numbers, of his eight-point description of civilized people.

They respect the individual and are therefore always indulgent, gentle, polite, and compliant. Their compassion extends beyond beggars and cats. They respect the property of others and therefore pay their debts. They are candid and fear lies like the plague. They do not belittle themselves merely to arouse sympathy. They are not preoccupied with vain things. If they have talent, they respect it. They cultivate their aesthetic sensibilities.

Explanations

With the exception of #3, Chekhov expounds on these revelations regarding the civilized. When he speaks of aesthetic sensibilities, for example, he extends his definition beyond the arts to acts of daily living. Of the civilized, he writes: They cannot stand to fall asleep fully dressed, see a slit in the wall teeming with bedbugs, breathe rotten air, walk on a spittle-laden floor, or eat off a kerosene stove. They try their best to tame and ennoble their sexual instinct 

By vain things, Chekhov means cavorting with celebrities, boasting of famous acquaintances, and being ostentatious in speech and manner. Regarding those who belittle themselves merely to arouse sympathy, he tells Nikolai that one should avoid playing on the heartstrings of others by whining or complaining, that this is vulgar, false, and out-of-date.

In #4, his stricture on truth-telling, Chekhov comments that civilized people know how to keep their mouths shut, and they do not force uninvited confidences on people. Out of respect for the ears of others they are more often silent than not.

Chekhovs paragraph on compassion reminds Nikolai and the rest of us that concern for the welfare of others goes beyond the sentimental, that its more than just some fleeting emotion and instead demands obligation and response. If for instance, Pyotr knows that his father and mother are turning gray and losing sleep over seeing their Pyotr so rarely (and seeing him drunk when he does turn up), then he rushes home to them and sends his vodka to the devil. True compassion, Chekhov seems to say, means dumping our obsession with the self and focusing on others.

Civilized behavior requires compassion. A Wounded Danish Soldier, 1865, by Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark. (PD-US)

Universal Foundations

Many items in Chekhovs list are as old as Western civilization itself. The citizens of the Roman Republic would have nodded in agreement at his warning against vulgarity and flamboyance. Medieval knights would have understood completely the idea of respecting talent, that they sacrifice comfort, wine, women, and vanity in order to the preserve their skills and follow their calling.

Renaissance courtiers, Americas Founders, Victorian ladies and gentlemen: the customs of these people varied widely, but the bedrock of civility upon which those customs rested can be found in Chekhovs precepts. And like the codes followed by our distant ancestors, Chekhovs observations on what constitutes civilized behavior go beyond a knowledge of poetry, painting, or music, or some cursory practice of etiquette.

Noas he tells his brother: If you want to be civilized and not fall below the level of the milieu you belong to, it is not enough to read The Pickwick Papers and memorize a soliloquy from Faust.  You must work at it constantly, day and night. You must never stop reading, studying in depth, exercising your will. Every hour is precious.

To work at it constantly, day and nightmeaning to daily repair and maintain a civilized lifeis a profound insight, one that is often overlooked not only in our rapidly changing times but also throughout history. The ancient Romans, for instance, provide an excellent example of a people whose ancient and wise foundations for survival and success, such as strong families and the rigors and duties of citizenship, were sapped over time, and the Empire crumbled and died.

Closer to our own time is World War I, a disaster with repercussions that reverberate even today, a catastrophe in part because leaders at that time did not work day and night to maintain civilization. Instead of considering the possible effects of such a war on European culture at large, monarchs and politicians focused instead on the narrower interests of their countries. The result was a conflict that forever changed both Europe and the world.

Lessons and Questions

The self-indulgence of drink is vanity. The Last Drop, circa 1629, by Judith Leyster. Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Public Domain)

Unfortunately, Nikolai failed to heed the warnings and encouragements of his brothers letter. He died three years later from tuberculosis and his addiction to vodka. Anton Chekhov also died of tuberculosis at a relatively young age, but not before giving the world a satchel-full of short stories, plays, and comedic sketches.

If we consider Nikolais life and deathhis talents as a painter, his battle with the bottle, his days spent as a tramp on the streets of Moscowwe begin to see even more clearly the wisdom in Chekhovs letter. In part because of his addiction, Nikolai either could not or would not follow his brothers suggestions, leading to his failure as an artist and an early death.

Chekhovs thoughts on what it means to live as a civilized person can also act as a mirror for us, with the reflection in that glass raising certain questions.

Are we, for instance, indulgent, gentle, and polite to others? Is our compassion real or contrivedor do we withhold it for special occasions and familiar recipients? Do we pay off our debts? Are we truthful or do we deal in lies? Do we play the victim card, seeking sympathy from others? Do we respect our talents by working hard to preserve and improve them? Do we cultivate aesthetic sensibilities in how we choose to live?

And what if we ask similar questions of our culture at large? Based on Chekhovs platform, are we a civilized people? Or will we be, like Nikolai, the agents of our own destruction?
Actor Johnny Depp watches the jury leave as a lunch break starts during his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on April 18, 2022. (Steve Helber/Pool via Reuters)

Johnny Depp Takes the Stand, Speaks Out in Defamation Case

Actor Johnny Depp took the stand in his multimillion-dollar defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, who previously accused Depp of abusing her while they were married.

Depp, 58, alleges Heard, 35, defamed him when she penned a December 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse. He filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard in 2018. Depp previously lost a defamation case against The Sun tabloid over the same article penned by Heard.

I thought it was diabolical that my children would go to school and people would approach them with a People magazine cover, with Amber Heard on it with a bruise on her face, Depp testified Tuesday while in a court in Virginia, adding: Today is the first opportunity that Ive been able to speak about this case in full.

The article never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp lawyer Benjamin Chew told jurors a week ago that it was clear Heard was referencing the Hollywood leading man.

Depp told the court that the rampant media coverage of Heards allegations against him about five years ago, saying it is very strange when one day youre Cinderella, so to speak, then in 0.6 seconds, youre Quasimodo.

Actress Amber Heard looks on inside the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Va., on April 12, 2022. (Brendan Smialowski, Pool via AP)

My goal is the truth. It killed me  that people would think I was a fraud and that I had lied to them. I had to wait for my opportunity to address the charges, which were criminal charges, the actor continued. And they just werent true. I felt the responsibility of clearing the record. The only way that I could get to the point where I could speak has really taken this full six years. And its been six years of trying times.

Heard is scheduled to take the stand to testify later in the trial. A state court judge in Fairfax County, Virginia, is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last for six weeks.

Both Depp and Heard submitted long lists of potential witnesses they could put on the stand. Heards list includes her ex-boyfriend and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with whom she texted about Depp. Also on the list of potential witnesses is actor James Franco.

Heard, meanwhile, brought her own counter-suit and is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp.

On Monday, a doctor testified in court that he found a piece of Depps finger in March 2015 after a fight that allegedly occurred between Depp and Heard.

Dr. David Kipper told attorneys that I cleaned his wound before he took Depp to the hospital. When he went back to their Australia rental home, the doctor said he found a piece of the actors finger on the kitchen floor, adding there was broken glass in the kitchen and blood around the home.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Nigerian military ride on their truck as they secure the area where a man was killed by suspected militants during an attack around Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, on Feb. 16, 2019. (Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Joint West African Force Says More Than 100 Terrorists Killed in Recent Weeks

MAIDUGURI, NigeriaA joint military force from Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon said on Sunday it had killed more than 100 Islamist terrorists, including 10 commanders, in the past few weeks, as it intensifies a ground and air offensive in the Lake Chad region.

Boko Haram fighters and its splinter ISIS West Africa Province (ISWAP) group have for more than a decade battled the Nigerian army in a conflict that has sucked in neighbouring states.

Multinational Joint Task Force spokesman Colonel Muhammad Dole said troops had ventured deep into enclaves controlled by terrorists in the Lake Chad area and recovered several weapons, food, and illicit drugs.

Within the period of this operation, well over a hundred terrorists have been neutralised, including over 10 top commanders  following intelligence-driven lethal airstrikes in the Lake Chad islands by the combined air task-forces, Dole said.

Dole did not give the period covered by the operation or number of troops killed but said 18 soldiers were injured by improvised explosive devices planted by retreating terrorists.

Islamist terrorism is concentrated in the northeast of Nigeria and has left thousands dead while driving millions from their homes into camps for internally displaced persons.

Nigeria received a boost after the United States last week approved a nearly $1 billion weapons sale. U.S. lawmakers had put a hold on the deal over concerns about possible human rights abuses by the Nigerian government.

Boko Haram has been on the back foot since the death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau, last year in May during a battle with rival ISWAP. Nigeria says thousands of Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered since last year.

By Lanre Ola
Labor Pledges to Bolster Staff Numbers at National Disability Service

Australias centre-left Labor Party is promising to increase staff numbers at the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and review the operations of the burgeoning scheme which currently services around 500,000 Australians.

Bill Shorten, the shadow minister for the NDIS, announced the partys six-point-plan to change the program, which has faced issues of waste, delayed service delivery, and cost blowouts.

The measures include lifting staffing caps at the NDIS and increase hiring, aiming to add around 380 extra staff at a cost of around $157.8 million over four years, according to The Guardian.

The party will also review the excessive use of lawyers, crackdown on criminal fraud, and review consultancy contracts; and streamline decision-making on who receives payment support.

Further measures include introducing an expert review that will guarantee that service plans are not cut; appoint a senior officer to tackle service delivery problems in regional Australia; and increase the numbers of board members with disability.

While the policy focus has been on improving the mechanisms of the program, questions remain over the ever-widening scope of services the NDIS has been used to cover, including funding sexual services for disabled individuals.

The Labor Party will also invest an additional $10 million ($7.6 million) over four years to assist individuals appealing their case at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which Shorten claims has seen a 400 percent increase in NDIS matters, in turn, costing the agency $28 million in legal fees over a six-month period.

Labor wants to stop people with disability and their families feeling like they are trapped in a maze of reviews, appeals and legal action, he said in a statement.

We also recognise the NDIS needs more skilled carers and whilst there are many good service providers, we will crack down on the fringe-dwelling unregistered cowboys ripping people off.

The party will also stop current changes to the Supported Independent Living (SIL) program and push to cut red tape stopping disabled individuals from accessing housing; as well as establish a Centre of Excellence to help find jobs for disabled individuals.

The ambitious NDISestablished in 2013 under Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillardwill receive $33.9 billion for the 2022-23 financial year.

The latest pitch comes as the Labor Party and the left-wing Greens hone in on healthcare as part of their election campaigning.

A week earlier, Labor leader Anthony Albanese pledged $135 million to fund 50 urgent medical care centres across the country to shore up gaps in the public health system.
A rocket launches from missile system as part of a ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile test launched from the Plesetsk facility in northwestern Russia on Dec. 9, 2020. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Lavrov Denies Russia Could Use Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday denied Moscow will employ nuclear weapons in Ukraine, coming after the head of the CIA proclaimed earlier this month that such a tactic might be considered.

Speaking to an Indian news outlet, Lavrov was asked about the possibility of nuclear weapons being used, which would mark a significant escalation in the nearly two-month-long conflict.

Russia and the United States both issued statements last year in which both parties agreed that there must be no nuclear war, dont even think about it, Lavrov told India Today TV. He added that Russia is committed to avoiding a nuclear conflict.

Another top Kremlin official, spokesman Dmitry Peskov, also told PBS on March 29 no one is thinking about usingabout even the idea of using a nuclear weapon.

But last week, CIA Director William Burns told lawmakers that there is a possibility Russia may start to tap into its vast arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Given the potential desperation of [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks that theyve faced so far militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons, Burns said at a congressional hearing, adding there has been rhetorical posturing from the Kremlin since the war started.

However, Burns ultimately downplayed the notion and said U.S. intelligence officials so far  havent seen a lot of practical evidence of the kind of deployments or military dispositions that would reinforce that concern.

Despite Burns comment that Russia likely wont use nukes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared on CNN on Sunday and said the world wouldnt wait for the moment when Russia decides to use nuclear weapons and must prepare for that. Zelenskyy then called for anti-radiation medicine and bomb shelters.

Early on in the invasion, in late February, Putin said at a televised news conference that he would place his countrys nuclear deterrence forces on high alert. The United States, however, did not change its nuclear posture.

Recently, Russia warned that it could move some of its nuclear weapons to the Baltic Sea region if Finland or Sweden, which are European Union members, decide to join NATO.

Also on Tuesday, Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of Ukraines Luhansk region, told Reuters that Russians seized the city of Kreminna.

Kreminna is under the control of the orcs,' he said, referring to a term Ukrainians have used for Russians during the conflict. They have entered the city.

Our defenders had to withdraw. They have entrenched themselves in new positions and continue to fight the Russian army, he said.
By Giorgio Vasari, translated by Gaston du C. de Vere, made public for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included at www.gutenberg.org

Near the territory of Prato, which is ten miles distant from Florence, in a village called Savignano, was born Bartolommeo, known, according to the Tuscan custom, by the name of Baccio. He, having shown in his childhood not merely inclination, but also aptitude, for drawing, was placed, through the good services of Benedetto da Maiano, with Cosimo Rosselli, and lodged in the house of some relatives of his own, who lived at the Porta a S. Piero Gattolini; where he stayed for many years, so that he was never called or known by any other name than that of Baccio della Porta.

After taking his leave of Cosimo Rosselli, he began to study with great devotion the works of Leonardo da Vinci; and in a short time he made such proficience and such progress in colouring, that he acquired the name and reputation of being one of the best young men of his art, both in colouring and in drawing. He had a companion in Mariotto Albertinelli, who in a short time acquired his manner passing well; and together with him he executed many pictures of Our Lady, which are scattered throughout Florence. To speak of all these would take too long, and I will mention only some excellently painted by Baccio. There is one, containing a Madonna, in the house of Filippo di Averardo Salviati, which is most beautiful, and which he holds very dear and in great price. Another was bought not long since, at a sale of old furniture, by Pier Maria delle Pozze, a person greatly devoted to pictures, who, having recognized its beauty, will not let it go for any sum of money; in which work is a Madonna executed with extraordinary diligence. Piero del Pugliese had a little Madonna of marble, in very low relief, a very rare work by the hand of Donatello, for which, in order to do it honour, he caused a wooden tabernacle to be made, with two little doors to enclose it. This he gave to Baccio della Porta, who painted, on the inner side of the doors, two little scenes, of which one was the Nativity of Christ, and the other His Circumcision; which Baccio executed with little figures after the manner of miniatures, in such a way that it would not be possible to do better work in oils; and then he painted Our Lady receiving the Annunciation from the Angel, in chiaroscuro, and likewise in oils, on the outer side of the same little doors, so as to be seen when they are closed. This work is now in the study of Duke Cosimo, wherein he keeps all his little antique figures of bronze, medals, and other rare pictures in miniature; and it is treasured by his most illustrious Excellency as a rare thing, as indeed it is.

Fra Bartolommeo Di San Marco: The Deposition From The Cross

(Florence: Pitti, 64. Panel)

Baccio was beloved in Florence for his virtues, for he was assiduous in his work, quiet and good by nature, and a truly God-fearing man; he had a great liking for a life of peace, and he shunned vicious company, delighted much in hearing sermons, and always sought the society of learned and serious persons. And in truth, it is seldom that nature creates a man of good parts and a gentle craftsman, without also providing him, after some time, with peace and favour, as she did for Baccio, who, as will be told below, obtained all that he desired. The report having spread abroad that he was no less good than able, his fame so increased that he was commissioned by Gerozzo di Monna Venna Dini to paint the chapel wherein the bones of the dead are kept, in the cemetery of the Hospital of S. Maria Nuova. There he began a Judgment in fresco, which he executed with such diligence and beauty of manner in the part which he finished, that he acquired extraordinary fame thereby, in addition to what he had already, and became greatly celebrated, on account of his having represented with excellent conceptions the Glory of Paradise, and Christ with the twelve Apostles judging the twelve Tribes, wherein the figures are soft in colouring and most beautifully draped. Moreover, in those figures that are being dragged to Hell, in the part that was designed but left unfinished, one sees the despair, grief, and shame of everlasting death, even as one perceives contentment and gladness in those that are being saved; although this work remained unfinished, since Baccio was inclined to give his attention more to religion than to painting. For there was living in S. Marco, at this time, Fra Girolamo Savonarola of Ferrara, of the Order of Preaching Friars, a very famous theologian; and Baccio, going continually to hear his preaching, on account of the devotion that he felt for him, contracted a very strait intimacy with him, and passed almost all his time in the convent, having also become the friend of the other friars. Now it happened that Fra Girolamo, continuing his preaching, and crying out every day from the pulpit that lascivious pictures, music, and amorous books often lead the mind to evil, became convinced that it was not right to keep in houses where there were young girls painted figures of naked men and women. And at the next Carnivalwhen it was the custom in the city to make little huts of faggots and other kinds of wood on the public squares, and on the Tuesday evening, according to ancient use, to burn these, with amorous dances, in which men and women, joining hands, danced round these fires, singing certain airsthe people were so inflamed by Fra Girolamo, and he wrought upon them so strongly with his words, that on that day they brought to the place a vast quantity of nude figures, both in painting and in sculpture, many by the hand of excellent masters, and likewise books, lutes, and volumes of songs, which was a most grievous loss, particularly for painting. Thither Baccio carried all the drawings of nudes that he had made by way of studies, and he was followed by Lorenzo di Credi and by many others, who had the name of Piagnoni. And it was not long before Baccio, on account of the affection that he bore to Fra Girolamo, made a very beautiful portrait of him in a picture, which was then taken to Ferrara; but not long ago it came back to Florence, and it is now in the house of Filippo di Alamanno Salviati, who, since it is by the hand of Baccio, holds it very dear.

It happened, after this, that one day the opponents of Fra Girolamo rose against him, in order to take him and deliver him over to the hands of justice, on account of the disturbances that he had caused in the city; and his friends, seeing this, also banded themselves together, to the number of more than five hundred, and shut themselves up in S. Marco, and Baccio with them, on account of the great affection that he had for their party. It is true that, being a person of little courage, nay, even timorous and mean-spirited, and hearing an attack being made a little time after this on the convent, and men being wounded and killed, he began to have serious doubts about himself. For which reason he made a vow that if he were to escape from that turmoil, he would straightway assume the habit of that Order; which vow he carried out afterwards most faithfully, for when the uproar had ceased, and Fra Girolamo had been taken and condemned to death, as the writers of history relate with more detail, Baccio betook himself to Prato and became a monk in S. Domenico, in that city, on July 26, in the year 1500, as is found written in the chronicles of that same convent in which he assumed the habit; to the great displeasure of all his friends, who were grieved beyond measure at having lost him, and particularly because they heard that he had taken it into his head to forsake his painting.

Whereupon Mariotto Albertinelli, his friend and companion, at the entreaties of Gerozzo Dini, took over the materials of Fra Bartolommeowhich was the name given by the Prior to Baccio, on investing him with the habitand brought to completion the work of the Ossa in S. Maria Nuova; where he portrayed from life the Director of the Hospital at that time, and some friars skilled in surgery, with Gerozzo, the patron of the work, and his wife, full-length figures on their knees, upon the walls on either side; and in a nude figure that is seated, he portrayed Giuliano Bugiardini, his pupil, as a young man, with long locks according to the custom of that time, in which each separate hair might be counted, so carefully are they painted. He made there, likewise, his own portrait, in the head, with long locks, of a figure that is issuing from one of the tombs; and in that work, in the region of the blessed, there is also the portrait of Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, the painter, whose Life we have written. This painting was executed wholly in fresco, both by Fra Bartolommeo and by Mariotto, so that it has remained, and still remains, marvellously fresh, and is held in esteem by craftsmen, since it is scarcely possible to do better in that kind of work.

The Holy Family

(After the panel by Fra Bartolommeo di San Marco. Rome: Corsini Gallery, 579)

Anderson

When Fra Bartolommeo had been many months in Prato, he was sent by his superiors to take up his abode in S. Marco at Florence, and on account of his virtues he was received very warmly by the friars of that convent. In those days Bernardo del Bianco had caused to be erected, in the Badia of Florence, a chapel of grey-stone, full of carving, and very rich and beautiful, from the design of Benedetto da Rovezzano: which chapel was and still is much esteemed on account of some ornamental work of great variety, wherein Benedetto Buglioni placed, in some niches, angels and other figures made of glazed terra-cotta, in the round, to adorn it the more, with friezes containing cherubs and the devices of Bianco. And Bernardo, wishing to set up in the chapel a panel-picture that should be worthy of that adornment, and conceiving the idea that Fra Bartolommeo would be the right man for the work, sought in every possible way, through the intervention of his friends, to persuade him. Fra Bartolommeo was living in his convent, giving his attention to nothing save the divine offices and the duties of his Rule, although often besought by the Prior and by his dearest friends that he should work again at his painting; and for more than four years he had refused to touch a brush. But on this occasion, being pressed by Bernardo del Bianco, at length he began the panel-picture of S. Bernard, in which the Saint is writing, and gazing with such deep contemplation at the Madonna, with the Child in her arms, being borne by many angels and children, all coloured with great delicacy, that there is clearly perceived in him a certain celestial quality, I know not what, which seems, to him who studies it with attention, to shine out over that work, into which Baccio put much diligence and love; not to mention an arch executed in fresco, which is above it. He also made some pictures for Cardinal Giovanni de Medici; and for Agnolo Doni he painted a picture of Our Lady, which stands on the altar of a chapel in his housea work of extraordinary beauty.

At this time the painter Raffaello da Urbino came to Florence to study his art, and taught the best principles of perspective to Fra Bartolommeo; and desiring to acquire the friars manner of colouring, and being pleased with his handling of colours and his method of harmonizing them, Raffaello was always in his company. Fra Bartolommeo painted about the same time, in S. Marco at Florence, a panel with an infinite number of figures, which is now in the possession of the King of France, having been presented to him after being exposed to view for many months in S. Marco. Afterwards, he painted another in that convent, containing an endless number of figures, in place of the one that was sent into France; in which picture are some children who are flying in the air and holding open a canopy, executed with such good drawing and art, and with such strong relief, that they appear to stand out from the panel, while the colouring of the flesh reveals that beauty and excellence which every able craftsman seeks to give to his pictures; and this work is still considered at the present day to be most excellent. In it are many figures surrounding a Madonna, all most admirable, and executed with grace, feeling, boldness, spirit, and vivacity; and coloured, moreover, in so striking a manner, that they seem to be in relief, since he wished to show that he was able not only to draw, but also to give his figures force and make them stand out by means of the darkness of the shadows, as may be seen in some children who are round a canopy, upholding it, who, as they fly through the air, almost project from the panel. Besides this, there is an Infant Christ who is marrying S. Catherine the Nun, than which it would not be possible to paint anything more lifelike with the dark colouring that he used. There is a circle of saints on one side diminishing in perspective, round the depth of a great recess, who are distributed with such fine design that they seem to be real; and the same may be seen on the other side. And in truth, in this manner of colouring, he imitated to a great extent the works of Leonardo; particularly in the darks, for which he used printers smoke-black and the black of burnt ivory. This panel has now become much darker than it was when he painted it, on account of those blacks, which have kept growing heavier and darker. In the foreground, among the principal figures, he made a S. George in armour, who has a standard in his hand, a bold, spirited, and vivacious figure, in a beautiful attitude. There is also a S. Bartholomew, standing, a figure that deserves the highest praise; with two children who are playing, one on a lute, and the other on a lyre, one of whom he made with a leg drawn up and his instrument resting upon it, and with the hands touching the strings in the act of running over them, an ear intent on the harmony, the head upraised, and the mouth slightly open, in such a way that whoever beholds him cannot persuade himself that he should not also hear the voice. No less lifelike is the other, who, leaning on one side, and bending over with one ear to the lyre, appears to be listening to learn how far it is in accord with the sound of the lute and the voice, while, with his eyes fixed on the ground, and his ear turned intently towards his companion, who is playing and singing, he seeks to follow in harmony with the air. These conceptions and expressions are truly ingenious; the children, who are seated, and clothed in veiling, are marvellous and executed with great industry by the practised hand of Fra Bartolommeo; and the whole work is brought out into strong relief by a fine gradation of dark shadows.

A little time afterwards he painted another panel, to stand opposite to the former, and containing a Madonna surrounded by some saints, which is held to be a good work. He won extraordinary praise for having introduced a method of blending the colouring of his figures in such a way as to add a marvellous degree of harmony to art, making them appear to be in relief and alive, and executing them with supreme perfection of manner.

Hearing much of the noble works made in Rome by Michelagnolo, and likewise those of the gracious Raffaello, and being roused by the fame, which was continually reaching him, of the marvels wrought by those two divine craftsmen, with leave from his Prior he betook himself to Rome. There he was entertained by Fra Mariano Fetti, Friar of the Piombo, for whom he painted two pictures of S. Peter and S. Paul at his Convent of S. Silvestro a Monte Cavallo. But since he did not succeed in working as well in the air of Rome as he had done in that of Florence, while the vast number of works that he saw, what with the ancient and the modern, bewildered him so that much of the ability and excellence that he believed himself to possess, fell away from him, he determined to depart, leaving to Raffaello the charge of finishing one of those pictures, that of S. Peter, which he had not completed; which picture was retouched all over by the hand of the marvellous Raffaello, and given to Fra Mariano.

Thus, then, Fra Bartolommeo returned to Florence. There he had been accused many times of not knowing how to paint nudes; for which reason he resolved to put himself to the test, and to show by means of his labour that he was as well fitted as any other master for the highest achievements of his art. Whereupon, to prove this, he painted a picture of S. Sebastian, naked, very lifelike in the colouring of the flesh, sweet in countenance, and likewise executed with corresponding beauty of person, whereby he won infinite praise from the craftsmen. It is said that, while this figure was exposed to view in the church, the friars found, through the confessional, women who had sinned at the sight of it, on account of the charm and melting beauty of the lifelike reality imparted to it by the genius of Fra Bartolommeo; for which reason they removed it from the church and placed it in the chapter-house, where it did not remain long before it was bought by Giovan Battista della Palla and sent to the King of France.

Fra Bartolommeo had fallen into a rage against the joiners who made the ornamental frames for his panels and pictures, for it was their custom, as it still is at the present day, always to cover an eighth part of the figures with the projecting inner edges of the frames. He determined, therefore, to invent some means of doing without frames for panels; and for this S. Sebastian he caused the panel to be made in the form of a half-circle, wherein he drew a niche in perspective, which has the appearance of being carved in relief in the panel. Thus, painting a frame all round, he made an ornament for the figure in the middle; and he did the same for our S. Vincent, and for the S. Mark that will be described after the S. Vincent. For the arch of a door leading into the sacristy, he painted in oils, on wood, a figure of S. Vincent, a brother of that Order, representing him in the act of preaching on the Judgment, so that there may be perceived in his gestures, and particularly in his head, that vehemence and fury which are generally seen in the faces of preachers, when they are doing their utmost, with threats of the vengeance of God, to lead men hardened in sin into the perfect life; in such a manner that this figure appears, to one who studies it with attention, to be not painted but real and alive, with such strong relief is it executed; and it is a pity that it is all cracking and spoiling, on account of its having been painted with fresh coats of colour on fresh size, as I said of the works of Pietro Perugino in the Convent of the Ingesuati.

The fancy took him, in order to show that he was able to make large figuresfor he had been told that his manner was that of a miniaturistto paint on panel, for the wall in which is the door of the choir, a figure of S. Mark the Evangelist, five braccia in height, and executed with very good draughtsmanship and supreme excellence.

After this, Salvadore Billi, a Florentine merchant, on his return from Naples, having heard the fame of Fra Bartolommeo, and having seen his works, caused him to paint a panel-picture of Christ the Saviour, in allusion to his own name, with the four Evangelists round Him; wherein, at the foot, are also two little boys upholding the globe of the world, whose flesh, fresh and tender, is excellently painted, as is the whole work, in which there are likewise two prophets that are much extolled. This panel stands in the Nunziata at Florence, below the great organ, according to the wish of Salvadore; it is a very beautiful work, finished by Fra Bartolommeo with much lovingness and great perfection; and it is surrounded by an ornament of marble, all carved by the hand of Pietro Rosselli.

Afterwards, having need of a change of air, the Prior at that time, who was his friend, sent him away to a monastery of his Order, wherein, while he stayed there, he combined the labour of his hands with the contemplation of death, with profit[16] both for his soul and for the convent. For S. Martino in Lucca he painted a panel wherein, at the feet of a Madonna, there is a little angel playing on a lute, together with S. Stephen and S. John; in which picture, executed with excellent draughtsmanship and colouring, he proved his ability. For S. Romano, likewise, he painted a panel on canvas of the Madonna della Misericordia, who is placed on a pedestal of stone, with some angels holding her mantle; and together with her he depicted a throng of people on some steps, some standing, others seated, and others kneeling, but all gazing at a figure of Christ on high, who is sending down lightnings and thunderbolts upon the people. Clearly did Fra Bartolommeo prove in this work how well he was able to manage the gradation of shadows and darks in painting, giving extraordinary relief to his figures, and showing a rare and excellent mastery over the difficulties of his art in colouring, drawing, and invention; and the work is as perfect as any that he ever made. For the same church he painted another panel, also on canvas, containing a Christ and S. Catherine the Martyr, together with a S. Catherine of Siena, rapt in ecstasy from the earth, a figure as good as any that could possibly be painted in that manner.

Returning to Florence, he gave some attention to the study of music; and, delighting much therein, he would sometimes sing to pass the time. At Prato, opposite to the prison, he painted a panel-picture of the Assumption. He executed some pictures of Our Lady for the house of the Medici, and also other paintings for various people, such as a picture of Our Lady which Lodovico di Lodovico Capponi has in his apartment, and likewise another of the Virgin holding the Child in her arms, with two heads of saints, that is in the possession of the very Excellent Messer Lelio Torelli, Chief Secretary to the most Illustrious Duke Cosimo, who holds it very dear both on account of the genius of Fra Bartolommeo, and because he delights in, loves, and favours not only the men of our art, but every fine intellect. In the house of Piero del Pugliese, which now belongs to Matteo Botti, a citizen and merchant of Florence, in an antechamber at the head of a staircase, he painted a S. George in armour, on horseback, who is slaying the Dragon with his lancea very spirited figure. This he executed in chiaroscuro, in oils, a method that he much delighted to use for all his works, sketching them in the manner of a cartoon, with ink or with bitumen, before colouring them; as may still be seen from many beginnings of pictures and panels, which he left unfinished on account of his death, and as may also be perceived from many drawings by his hand, executed in chiaroscuro, of which the greater part are now in the Monastery of S. Caterina da Siena on the Piazza di S. Marco, in the possession of a nun who paints, and of whom record will be made in the proper place; while many made in the same way adorn our book of drawings, honouring his memory, and some are in the hands of Messer Francesco del Garbo, a most excellent physician.

Fra Bartolommeo always liked to have living objects before him when he was working; and in order to be able to draw draperies, armour, and other suchlike things, he caused a life-size figure of wood to be made, which moved at the joints; and this he clothed with real draperies, from which he painted most beautiful things, being able to keep them in position as long as he pleased, until he had brought his work to perfection. This figure, worm-eaten and ruined as it is, is in our possession, treasured in memory of him.

At Arezzo, for the Abbey of the Black Friars, he made a head of Christ in dark tintsa very beautiful work. He painted, also, the panel of the Company of the Contemplanti, which was preserved in the house of the Magnificent Messer Ottaviano de Medici, and has now been placed in a chapel of that house, with many ornaments, by his son Messer Alessandro, who holds it very dear in memory of Fra Bartolommeo, and also because he takes vast pleasure in painting. In the chapel of the Noviciate of S. Marco there is a panel-picture of the Purification, very lovely, which he executed with good draughtsmanship and high finish. At S. Maria Maddalena, a seat of the Friars of his Order, without Florence, while staying there for his own pleasure, he made a Christ and a Magdalene; and he also painted certain things in fresco in that convent. In like manner, he wrought in fresco an arch over the strangers apartment in S. Marco, in which he painted Christ with Cleophas and Luke, and made a portrait of Fra Niccolo della Magna, who was then a young man, and who afterwards became Archbishop of Capua, and finally a Cardinal. He began a panel for S. Gallo, afterwards finished by Giuliano Bugiardini, which is now on the high-altar of S. Jacopo fra Fossi, on the Canto degli Alberti; and likewise a picture of the Rape of Dinah, now in the possession of Messer Cristofano Rinieri, and afterwards coloured by the same Giuliano, in which are buildings and conceptions that are much extolled.

From Piero Soderini he received the commission for the panel of the Council Chamber, which he began in such a manner, drawing it in chiaroscuro, that it seemed destined to do him very great credit; and, unfinished as it is, it now has a place of honour in the Chapel of the Magnificent Ottaviano de Medici, in S. Lorenzo. In it are all the Patron Saints of the city of Florence, and those saints on whose days that city has gained her victories; and there is also the portrait of Fra Bartolommeo himself, made by him with a mirror. He had begun this picture, and had drawn the whole design, when it happened that, from working continually under a window, with the light from it beating on his back, he became completely paralyzed on that side of his body, and quite unable to move. Thereupon he was advisedsuch being the orders of his physiciansto go to the baths of San Filippo; where he stayed a long time, but became very little better thereby. Now Fra Bartolommeo was a great lover of fruit, which pleased his palate mightily, although it was ruinous to his health. Wherefore one morning, having eaten many figs, there came upon him, in addition to his other infirmity, a very violent fever, which cut short the course of his life in four days, at the age of forty-eight; when, still wholly conscious, he rendered up his soul to Heaven.

His death grieved his friends, and particularly the friars, who gave him honourable sepulture in their burial-place in S. Marco, on October 8, in the year 1517. He had a dispensation from attending any of the offices in the choir with the other friars, and the gains from his works went to the convent, enough money being left in his hands to pay for colours and other materials necessary for his painting.

He left disciples in Cecchino del Frate, Benedetto Cianfanini, Gabriele Rustici, and Fra Paolo Pistoiese, the latter inheriting all his possessions. This Fra Paolo painted many panels and pictures from his masters drawings, after his death; of which three are in S. Domenico at Pistoia, and one at S. Maria del Sasso in the Casentino.

Fra Bartolommeo gave such grace to his figures with his colouring, and made them so novel and so modern in manner, that for these reasons he deserves to be numbered by us among the benefactors of art.
Lionel Desmond (front row, far right) was part of the 2nd battalion, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based at CFB Gagetown and shown in this 2007 handout photo taken in Panjwai district in between patrol base Wilson and Masum Ghar in Afghanistan. (The Canadian Press/HO-Facebook-Trev Bungay)

Lionel Desmond Fatality Inquiry: Federal Lawyer Defends Role of Veterans Affairs

A Nova Scotia inquiry investigating why a former Afghanistan war veteran killed his family and himself in 2017 heard Tuesday from a federal lawyer who defended the work of Veterans Affairs Canada.

Lori Ward told the inquiry it would be easy to blame the federal department for the deaths of Lionel Desmond and three family members, saying an unfair narrative has emerged about an uncaring bureaucracy.

Ward submitted a long list of examples showing how Desmonds case manager at Veterans Affairs went out of her way to help her client make a smooth transition to civilian life in 2015 and 2016.

Desmond served in Afghanistan as an infantryman in 2007 and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2011 before he was medically released from the army in July 2015.

The inquiry has heard Desmond was a desperately ill man whose marriage was in trouble when he left a Montreal-based residential treatment program in August 2016 and returned home to eastern Nova Scotia.

A Nova Scotia psychiatrist who accepted Desmond as a patient in 2016 has told the inquiry that the former soldier appeared to be falling through the cracks in the health-care system as he struggled to find help for his worsening mental state. The inquiry also heard that Desmond did not receive any therapeutic treatment during the last four months of his life.

Inquiry lead counsel Allen Murray told the hearings on Tuesday that Desmond had fallen into a treatment void.

On Jan. 3, 2017, Desmond legally bought a semi-automatic rifle and later that day used it to fatally shoot his wife, Shanna; their 10-year-old daughter, Aaliyah; and his mother, Brenda, before turning the gun on himself in the familys rural home in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S.

Lawyers involved in the provincial fatality inquiry started their closing submissions Tuesday. More submissions are expected Wednesday.

The man leading the inquiry, provincial court Judge Warren K. Zimmer, is expected to produce a final report with findings and recommendations this fall.

The inquiry started its work in May 2019, and public hearings began in January 2020, but there were a number of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In all, 69 witnesses testified under oath during 53 days of hearings in Guysborough, N.S., and later in Port Hawkesbury, N.S.

The inquirys mandate includes determining whether Desmond and his family had access to appropriate mental health and domestic violence intervention services. As well, the inquiry has examined the Canadian Firearms Program, provincial access to federal health records and whether health-care and social services providers were trained to recognize the symptoms of domestic violence.
Passengers, almost all wearing masks, board an American Airlines flight to Charlotte, in New York City, on May 3, 2020. (Eleonore Sens/AFP via Getty Images)

Major US Airlines, Amtrak Drop Mask Mandate for Travelers After Judge Strikes Down CDC Order

TSA says won't enforce masks on public transport

The Biden administrations mask mandate will not be enforced while federal agencies review a federal judges ruling that the mandate was unlawful, an official said Monday as major U.S. airlines and other transportation entities moved to drop the policy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which issued the mandate in 2021, said the order is no longer in effect due to the ruling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said separately that, effective immediately, the agency would stop enforcing its directive that required masks at airports and on planes.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, ruled earlier Monday that the CDC exceeded its authority with the mask mandate and inappropriately did not seek public comment before imposing the order.

Major airlines, including United Airlines, said they were no longer requiring masks.

Masks are no longer required on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival countrys requirements) or at U.S. airports, United said on Twitter, adding that people may continue donning face coverings if it makes them feel more comfortable.

A flight attendant wears a protective face mask aboard a Delta flight to HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Ga., on May 19, 2020. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Alaska Airlines said in a statement that face masks are now optional on our planes and in airports effectively immediately.

While we are glad this means many of us get to see your smiling faces, we understand some might have mixed feelings, the airline said. Please remember to be kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option.

It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change. I could not be prouder of our frontline employees who have handled every pivot focusing on safety and the care were known for, said Max Tidwell, vice president of security at the company. Were also thankful for our guests who remained considerate, patient and stood by us throughout every twist and turn.

Delta Airlines also announced that masks are now optional for employees and customers following the judges ruling.

We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 has transitioned to an ordinary seasonal virus, the statement said.

The airline said Delta employees and customers may continue wearing masks if they wish to do so.

Southwest Airlines and American Airlines issued similar statements following the ruling. Amtrak has also said it will lift mandates for masks, making them optional for guests and employees, as did the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, New Jersey Transit, and other mass transit providers.

A small number of providers, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City, are still requiring masks.

Prior to the ruling, the CDC had extended the Biden administrations transportation mask mandate through May 3 ahead of its scheduled April 18 expiration.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki takes questions during a White House press briefing at the White House in Washington on March 21, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The White House called Judge Mizelles ruling disappointing.

This is obviously a disappointing decision, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday. The CDC continues recommending wearing a mask in public transit.

As you know, this just came out this afternoon so right now the Department of Homeland Security, who would be implementing, and the CDC are reviewing the decision, Psaki added. And of course, the Department of Justice would make any determination about litigation.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.
Man With Knife Confronts London Police, Is Arrested

LONDONBritish police say a 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he confronted military police in central London with a knife.

The Metropolitan Police force says no one was injured in the Monday morning incident, which is not being treated as terrorism.

Police say a man armed with a knife confronted two Ministry of Defense Police officers at Horse Guards Parade, a military parade ground surrounded by government buildings that is close to Parliament and the prime ministers official residence.

Police officers used a Taser and restrained the suspect, the force said. He was being held at a London police station on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Many Employees Long to Stay Home Even as Workplaces Reopen

After two years in which remote work has seen an unprecedented renaissance, many workplaces are returning to in-person work. But for many employees, faced with rising costs and onerous commutes, the return to brick-and-mortar offices is far from welcome.

Office occupancy, which hit an all-time low of 14.6 percent in April 2020, has slowly recovered in the ensuing years to a current rate of 43.1 percent, according to data collected by Kastle Systems.

The benefits of work-from-home for employees are obvious. For employees accustomed to long and costly commutes, the introduction or expansion of remote work at the onset of the pandemic was often a major relief from the stresses and financial costs of commuting.

With national gas prices having risen from $1.97 per in March 2020 to over $4 per gallon in many states as of writing, this commute is especially financially burdensome for the 82 percent of American commuters who drive their personal car to the workplace.

All of these benefits for employees working from home have resulted in significant inertia, which stunts many efforts by employers to facilitate a return of employees to the office.

Among the Big Four tech companies, Apple was the least enthusiastic about remote work, and throughout the pandemic, repeatedly tried to bring employees back to the office. But their efforts were repeatedly delayed by successive new waves of the virus and by the protestations of employees. Finally, earlier this month, Apple began the implementation of its new hybrid work model, initially requiring employees to appear at the office once weekly, with a gradual change to three days in the office by late May.

For many employers, remote work is seen as a liability, responsible for significantly diminishing worker productivity. While 90 percent of remote workers surveyed by Owl Labs in 2021 reported that they were as productive or more productive than in the office, employers have doubts about the industriousness of their remote workers. A 2021 poll by the Society for Human Resource Management reported that 72 percent of managers overseeing remote workers would prefer their team members to be in the office.

There are drawbacks for employees as well. Laszlo Bock, who formerly served as human resources chief for Google, told Bloomberg that work-from-home employees could fall victim to lopsided employee evaluations, putting them at a disadvantage for advancement within the company relative to their fully analogue peers.

While the long-term effects of remote work have yet to be measured in a systematic and comprehensive way, there is a lingering fear that employees accustomed to the convenience and low costs of working from home will have difficulty adjusting to the return to the office, or even quit their current jobs to seek employment from companies that will allow them to stay home during the work day.

Despite these reservations, many offices are pushing ahead with their efforts to bring employees back to work, enthusiastic for some semblance of a return to pre-2020 normalcy in the coming months.
Masks Are Now Optional on These Airlines After Biden Mandate Struck Down

Following a federal judges order that rescinded the federal governments mask mandate for travel, a significant number of companies moved quickly Monday to do away with the requirement.

Major U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines announced they would not require masks on airplanes as of Monday.

American Airlines

American Airlines said that customers or employees wont be mandated to wear face coverings on planes or at U.S. terminals.

In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion, the airline wrote in a statement after the court order.

United Airlines

United said that masks are merely optional, writing in a Twitter post: Masks are no longer required on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival countrys requirements) or at U.S. airports.

It added, More comfortable keeping yours on? Go right ahead the choice is yours (you look dino-mite either way)!

JetBlue

JetBlue noted that masks are optional but said that crew members and passengers traveling internationally should always have a mask with them in case they continue to be required at their destination.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest said employees and customers have the option to wear a face covering on domestic flights and airportsand some international locations.

We encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing, the airline said in a statement to news outlets Monday.

Delta Air Lines

While Delta said that it would make masks optional, it called for patience as the policy shift is carried out.

Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees, such as [Transportation Security Administration], may be receiving this information at different times, Delta said. You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required.

Alaska Airlines

Meanwhile, Alaska said in a statement to customers that it welcomed the opportunity to see your smiling faces.

It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change, said Max Tidwell, the airlines vice president of safety and security. I could not be prouder of our frontline employees who have handled every pivot focusing on safety and the care were known for. Were also thankful for our guests who remained considerate, patient, and stood by us throughout every twist and turn.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines said late Monday that masks are optional.

We understand some guests may want to continue wearing face coverings on flights, and thats perfectly fine under our optional policy, it said. For our guests traveling internationally, please remember to check country-specific airport requirements before traveling.

Frontier Airlines

As with other carriers, Frontier Airlines said that it will not mandate masks on planes but it noted that they could be still required at airports in some localities.

Customers and team members should continue to abide by mask rules within any facility that may require it, the firm said in a statement. Per CDC guidance, regardless of whether a mask mandate is in effect, individuals are encouraged to continue to wear masks in indoor settings.

Amtrak

Amtrak, the most-used passenger rail system in the country, similarly announced Tuesday that passengers and employees would no longer be mandated to wear face coverings.

While Amtrak passengers and employees are no longer required to wear masks while on board trains or in stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19, Amtrak said. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.

Despite airlines and airports moving to drop the requirement, some local transit agencies may require people to wear masks. For example, King County Metro and Pierce Transit in the Seattle metropolitan area said the two agencies will keep their mask mandates intact due to a possible Department of Justice appeal.

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it would keep its mask requirement intact, according to spokesman Tim Minton, who told outlets the system is continuing to follow CDC guidelines and will review the Florida court order.

The flurry of activity came after U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle issued an order against the CDCs mandate, saying it had exceeded the agencys statutory authority because its implementation violated federal administrative law.

At the time when the CDC issued the mandate, the COVID-19 pandemic had been ongoing for almost a year and COVID-19 cases were decreasing, the Florida judge wrote Monday. This timing undercuts the CDCs suggestion that its action was so urgent that a thirty-day comment period was contrary to the public interest. So too, the CDCs delay in issuing the mandate further undercuts its position.

Later that day, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the Biden administration will still recommend that individuals wear masks on public transit and said officials are still reviewing Mizelles order.
Medical School Says Student Didnt Intend to Harm Patient Who Mocked Her Pronoun Badge

A North Carolina medical school claimed that a student didnt deliberately mistreat a patient who mocked her pronoun pin, despite her social media post apparently implying otherwise.

Kychelle Del Rosario, a fourth-year student at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, wrote in a since-deleted Twitter post that she hurt a man in her own care, apparently a punishment for making fun of a pin that listed her preferred she/her pronouns.

I had a patient I was doing a blood draw on see my pronoun pin and loudly laugh to the staff She/Her? Well of course it is! What other pronouns even are there? It?' Del Rosario wrote. I missed his vein so he had to get stuck twice.

In the wake of social media outrage over the alleged patient abuse, the Wake Forest University said the trainee doctor is on leave, but not because of her post.

Wake Forest School of Medicine has completed a thorough review of the patient encounter with our medical student who recently made an inaccurate statement on social media, the school wrote in a statement to Tucker Carlson Tonight producer Gregg Re.

The review determined that the student had no intention to harm the patient and followed Medical Center protocols The School and the student have agreed upon her taking an extended leave. During this time the student will not participate in any patient care activities, the school said.

Re said the university refused to tell him whether they had contacted the man involved in the incident.

Wake Forest didnt specify how long the extended leave will be, nor did they explain how they determined it was just an accident and not driven by the students ideology.

In a 2021 essay for health charity group Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, Del Rosario wrote she was a leader of Safe Zone in Medicine, a Wake Forest student organization run by health care trainees whose goal is to educate health professionals about the needs and disparities in LGBTQ+ healthcare.

This role prepares me to become a trustworthy doctor and advocate for the transgender communitya population which the medical field has harmed greatly in the past, the essay read. It also allows me to train other healthcare professionals who aim to improve their practice to be more welcoming and gender-affirming.

The controversy comes as medical schools across the United States endorse social justice activism and push for institutional change. In October 2021, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), of which Wake Forest is a member, released a 54-page language guide (pdf) suggesting aspiring doctors to not only replace certain words with equity-focused alternatives, but also take up particular ideological perspectives on certain health issues.

A language guide by Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association promotes health equity-based public narratives in medicine. (screenshot/Association of American Medical Colleges)

The AAMC is also planning to release diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) competencies, which could establish social justice activism as de facto professional requirements for medical students and professors, according to National Association of Scholars (NAS), which has obtained and reviewed the draft.

Under the proposed DEI curriculum standards, medical professors need to teach how systems of power, privilege, and oppression inform policies and practices and how to engage with systems to disrupt oppressive practices, while students are expected to be an active bystander when they witness injustices such as microaggression.

These competencies will deal a blow to medical education, the NAS warned, noting that they are based on a controversial ideological world view that looks at things through the lens of oppression. They will force students and physicians to embrace social justice activism, prompt schools to evaluate students and faculty based on their adherence to a controversial set of beliefs, and ensure the violation of academic freedom.
Mexican state oil company Pemex fights to quell a fire in a gasoline storage tank at the Salina Cruz refinery, in Salina Cruz, in the southern Oaxaca state, Mexico, on April 16, 2022. (Eduardo Barrera Zamora/Reuters)

Mexicos Pemex Says Fire Under Control at Salina Cruz Refinery

MEXICO CITYMexican state oil company Pemex said on Saturday that it had brought under control a fire at its Salina Cruz refinery in the southern Oaxaca state without any injuries to personnel.

The fire, which started on Friday, had engulfed a gasoline storage tank, sending a dense plume of black smoke billowing from inside the refinery.

Pemex said firefighters had concluded the work of suffocation and cooling of the tank.

In August, the Salina Cruz refinery was hit by another fire.

Salina Cruz has the capacity to process 330,000 barrels per day of crude oil, according to data from Eikon Refinitiv.

In November, another fire broke out at a Pemex refinery complex in northern Mexico but it was brought under control without any injuries to staff or disruption to production.

By Ana Isabel Martinez and Noe Torres
Moderna Says Trial Results Suggest New Bivalent Booster Vaccine Better at Protecting Against COVID Variants

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Moderna has said preliminary results from its study on a COVID-19 vaccine intended to protect against variants of the virus show that it outperformed its currently authorized booster shot, mRNA-1273.

The company announced on April 19 that its first bivalent booster vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273.211which includes mutations found in the Beta variant of concerndemonstrated superiority against the Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants of COVID-19 one month after being administered, compared to the booster shot of its original vaccine currently in use.

It also demonstrated superiority against the Beta and highly transmissible Omicron variants six months after the shot was given, compared to its current booster jab.

Moderna said the booster dose of mRNA-1273.211 was generally well tolerated in the 300 study participants who received the 50 microgram dose and 595 participants who received the 100 microgram dose.

It noted that the 50 microgram dose had a similar incidence of solicited adverse reactions and unsolicited adverse events to that of Modernas mRNA-1273 vaccine, also known as Spikevax, which is currently approved under Emergency Use Authorization for adults who are 18 years of age or older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that serious adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination are rare but may occur and can include Anaphylaxis, Myocarditis, and pericarditis, among others.

At the 1 and 6 month mark, the increase in the neutralizing antibody titers against Omicron following a 50 microgram booster dose of mRNA-1273.211 stood at 2.20-fold (95 percent CI: 1.74, 2.79) and 2.15-fold (95 percent CI: 1.66, 2.78) compared to the mRNA-1273 booster dose, respectively, the company said.

Modernas new bivalent booster vaccine includes four mutations that are present in the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the company said.

Stephane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna, said the company is pleased with the data from its first bivalent booster candidate and believed the results validate our bivalent strategy, which we announced and began pursuing in February 2021

The results indicate that mRNA-1273.211 at the 50 g dose level induced higher antibody responses than the 50 g mRNA-1273 booster, even when additional variants of concern were not included in the booster vaccine, Bancel said.

Moderna is also advancing a Phase 2/3 clinical study for an updated bivalent booster called mRNA-1273.214, which includes 32 mutations present in the Omicron variant and the company said it expects initial data on the shot to be released in the second quarter of this year.

Our latest bivalent booster candidate, mRNA-1273.214, which combines the currently authorized Moderna COVID-19 booster with our Omicron-specific booster candidate, remains our lead candidate for the fall 2022 Northern Hemisphere booster.

The company added that if a new bivalent booster vaccine is granted authorization, it will create a new tool as we continue to respond to emerging variants.

The announcement comes after Moderna earlier this month issued a recall in Europe involving 764,900 doses of its Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine after contaminants were discovered in a vial, although the drugmaker did not specify what kind of foreign substance was found.
Migrants seeking asylum in the United States rest near the International Bridge between Mexico and the United States in Del Rio, Texas on Sept. 16, 2021. (Go Nakamura/Reuters)

More Democrats Push Back Against Bidens Plan to End Title 42

A growing number of Democrats are distancing themselves from President Joe Bidens plans to drop a Trump-era immigration policy in late May.

The pandemic-era border restrictions, known as Title 42, were implemented during the Trump administration in March 2020 and resulted in the quick deportations of over 1.7 million asylum seekers at the U.S.Mexico border in the past two years. The Biden administration has decided to terminate the expulsions policy from May 23, given that public health conditions have changed.

Yet the Biden administration is facing more calls from Democrats for a satisfactory plan to deal with an expected flood of tens of thousands of illegal aliens across the southern border.

Unless we have a well-thought-out plan, I think it is something that should be revisited and perhaps delayed, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who chairs both the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Democrats campaign arm, said on April 18.

Im going to defer judgment on that until I give the administration the opportunity to fully articulate what that plan is, Peters told reporters in the Capitol, after privately raising concerns with administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, The Hill reported.

His comments come amid a rising pushback against the administrations decision to lift Title 42, from not only vulnerable Democrats in tough races ahead of this years midterm elections but also influential senators.

GOP lawmakers are leaning on the public health order as a wedge issue during the November midterms, as polls show the topic to be a leading concern for voters and Bidens handling of immigration his least popular issue.

A majority of 56 percent of registered voters nationwide oppose the decision to lift the Trump-era border control, according to a Morning Consult/Politico poll published earlier this month.

Republicans will likely attack Biden and Democrats for removing the rule in a bid to portray the party as weak on immigration and border security.

Peters, chairing the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, is responsible for at least defending or potentially expanding its current split 5050 in Senate.

We should not end Title 42 until we have a detailed plan in place, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a front-runner in the Democratic primary for his states open U.S. Senate seat, told Politico. We still need to fix our broken immigration system as a whole.

A group of illegal immigrants rapidly deported from the United States under Title 42 wait on the Mexican side of the Paso del Norte International Bridge between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on March 10, 2021. (Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images)

Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), all of whom are on the ballot this November, have stood up against rolling back the Trump-era policy.

Its going to be a crisis on top of a crisis, Kelly said during his visit to the border last week, doubting the administrations strategy.

Kelly is also one of the senators behind a bill that would not allow the administration to end Title 42 while the national state of emergency is still in effect. The division has gone beyond those up for election in November, with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who wont seek reelection until 2024, also signing on.

Biden ally Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told CBS News in an April 17 program that he hoped the decision to lift Title 42 will be reconsidered appropriately. The senator is part of a group negotiating a $10 billion COVID-19 aid package.

The pandemic-related deal has been tangled in the fight over Title 42 in the Senate. Republicans are refusing to move the bill, pushing for keeping the health policy in place.
Musk No Longer Twitters Largest Shareholder: Who Has the Top Spot With an Over 10 percent Stake in the Company?

As Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk hopes to buy Twitter Inc in a $43 billion deal, he is now no longer the companys largest shareholder.

What Happened: A recent SEC filing shows that Vanguard Group is now the biggest shareholder of Twitter with a 10.3 percent stake in the company. Thats 82.4 million shares, worth $3.7 billion as of Fridays close.

Thats an increase from December 2021, when Vanguard reported holding 67.2 million shares of Twitter, or about 8.4 percent of the company.

In early April, Musk was momentarily Twitters largest shareholder by purchasing 73.5 million shares. A day later his disclosed stake dropped to 73.1 million shares or 9.1 percent of the company.

Also Read: How Much $1,000 Invested In Tesla Now Will Fetch If Stock Hits Ark Invests Updated $4,600 Price Target By 2026

Last week, former Twitter shareholders sued Musk, asserting that they missed out on the recent run-up in its stock price. They claim he waited too long to disclose a 9.2 percent stake in the social media company.

The shareholders said Musk made materially false and misleading statements and omissions by failing to reveal he had invested in Twitter by March 24 as required under federal law.

Musk Demands Vote On Sale: Musk tweeted that it would be utterly indefensible for Twitter to not put his offer to a shareholder vote.

After making an offer to buy Twitter, on Thursday Musk said that hes not sure whether his takeover bid will be successful.

I am not sure that I will actually be able to acquire it, Musk said while speaking at the TED 2022 conference in Vancouver.

He also said that he had a plan B if his bid was unsuccessful, but did not elaborate on what that would be.

Speaking at the conference, Musk 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.

Also Read: Heres Why The Founder Of Cardano Is Looking To Build A Decentralized Twitter With Elon Musk

By Bibhu Pattnaik

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via Reuters)

Musk Says Twitter Board Will Be Paid Nothing If He Takes Over

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk said that, if his Twitter takeover attempt is successful, the companys Board of Directors will go from being paid millions per year to zero.

Board salary will be $0 if my bid succeeds, so thats ~$3 [million]/year saved right there, Musk said in a tweet that was part of a thread that claimed the interests of Twitters board members are not in line with those of the companys shareholders.

Twitters board members currently receive around $2.9 million in cash and stock awards, according to an SEC filing.

Musk was responding to a thread by investment advisor and Future Fund managing partner Gary Black, who argued that Twitter board members interests arent aligned with shareholders and that its obvious that if Musk does manage to take Twitter private, the companys board members dont have jobs any more.

That could explain a lot, Black wrote, apparently referring to the efforts of Twitters board to block Musks hostile takeover attempt.

Poison Pill

After Musk snapped up a nearly 10-percent stake in Twitter, he offered to buy all remaining stock for around $43 billion in cash.

Twitters board responded to Musks buyout offer by saying it would carefully review the proposal and take action that it believes is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.

The board later announced it was adopting a limited duration shareholder rights plan, a tactic known as a poison pill that would make it financially more painful for the potential acquirer, effectively signaling its opposition to Musks bid.

Twitter provided more details about the poison pill arrangement in a subsequent 8-K filing with the SEC, which said the move would impose a significant penalty on anyone buying 15 percent or more of Twitter common stock without the boards approval and that it was taken to protect stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics.

Musks offer was to buy all outstanding Twitter shares at a premium of around 40 percent above market price, with some analysts arguing that a rejection of the bid by Twitters board would amount to an action that runs contrary to shareholder interest.

In context of the poison pill move, Musk said that if Twitters board acts against shareholder interests, they would be breaching their fiduciary duty and so would assume legal liability that would be titanic in scale.

The Epoch Times reached out to Twitter for comment but received no response.

De Facto Town Square

Musk said earlier that his buyout bid was to transform Twitter in a bastion of free speech by making its algorithm open source and its moderation policies more transparent.

He argued that Twitter has become a de facto town square where important conversations should be able to take place with as few constraints as possible.

In my view, Twitter should match the laws of the country, Musk told the audience at a TED event in Vancouver, Canada, acknowledging reasonable legal caps on free speech like direct incitement to violence.

But going beyond that and having it be unclear whos making what changes to where, having tweets mysteriously be promoted and demoted with no insight into whats going on, having a black box algorithm promote some things and not other things, I think this can be quite dangerous, Musk 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, he added.

Musk has questioned Twitters commitment to free speech, after repeated accusations that the platform suppressed some minority and politically conservative viewpoints, claims Twitter has denied.

The Tesla CEOs takeover bid has been hailed by many free speech advocates but opposed by those who fear that fewer constraints on expression on Twitter will make it too easy to abuse the platforms reach and power by, for example, spreading disinformation.
New York, California Transit Systems Keeping Mask Mandates in Place

Some transit authorities in New York and California are continuing to require masks even after a federal judge struck down the nationwide mandate for mass transportation systems.

People must continue wearing masks while riding subways or in airports in New York, agencies confirmed to The Epoch Times.

The mandates stem from New York Health Commissioner Mary Bassetts determination on March 2 that forcing people to wear masks indoors would protect against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, including its variants.

In accordance with that determination, the mask requirement on public transit in NY remains in effect for now, Tim Minton, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey also cited the determination in announcing the mask mandate remains in effect at LaGuardia Airport and five other transit hubs, as well as the PATH System, which runs between New York and New Jersey.

Masks are no longer required in New Jersey, per an order from Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat.

The MTA manages buses, subways, and trains in New York City and nearby areas while Port Authority runs PATH, airports, and bus terminals. Millions of people ride on the systems each day.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation, meanwhile, rescinded its mask mandate after receiving guidance from the Federal Transit Administration, a spokesperson confirmed to The Epoch Times.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is still requiring masks for now, pending guidance from the administration, a spokesperson said.

Many transit mask mandates stemmed from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) February 2021 order requiring coverings.

That order, which was repeatedly extended, was struck down by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, on Monday.

Mizelle found that the CDC violated federal law by not giving notice before imposing the order and that the order was outside the authority granted to the agency by Congress.

Many other companies and transit systems quickly dropped their mandates, including United Airlines, Uber, and Amtrak, following the ruling.

President Joe Bidens administration has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision, but has described it as disappointing.
No Documents to Support CDCs Claims That COVID-19 Vaccines Do Not Integrate Into DNA: Advocacy Group

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not rely on any documents for its claims that the COVID-19 vaccines do not alter or integrate into peoples genetic material, according to an advocacy group for vaccine and pharmaceutical safety and the right to informed consent.

The Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) against the CDC on April 28, 2021, for all documents relied upon by the federal agency to make the following claims on its websites regarding the COVID-19 vaccines:

1. The genetic material delivered by the viral vector does not integrate into a persons DNA,

2. They [viral vector vaccines] do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way,

3. The mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell where our DNA (genetic material) is located, so it cannot change or influence our genes, and,

4. They [mRNA vaccines] do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way.

The three COVID-19 vaccines administered in the United States contain genetic material in the form of RNA (Pfizer and Moderna) or DNA (Johnson & Johnson) to tell our body to produce the viruss spike protein.

Three vials of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at a new COVID-19 vaccination center at the Velodrom (velodrome-stadium) in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 17, 2021. (Michael Sohn/Pool/Getty Images)

Nearly a year after the nonprofit filed its FOIA request, the CDC responded, saying it could not provide the necessary documents that ICAN had asked for.

A search of our records failed to reveal any documents pertaining to your request, the CDC wrote in its response letter (pdf), adding that the federal agency saves lives and protects people from health threats.

The CDC goes on to say that additional information about the vaccines should be directed at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as it is the sole agency responsible for the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs.

Posting the statements online without supporting documents seems to be enough for the CDC, according to ICAN.

All we are asking of the CDC is to back up the claims on its own websiteclaims it states are facts, ICAN said in a press release on April 13. Apparently, thats too much to ask.

Instead, the CDC is basically saying: we posted the statements on our website and the justification for that is, well its on our website. Translation: because we said so, the nonprofit added.

ICAN says the CDC should remove the statements.

A general view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2014. (Tami Chappell/Reuters)

In a reply to The Epoch Times, the CDC reiterated the same messaging that is on its website about the COVID-19 injections. The federal health authority did not clarify whether it relied on any documents to back its claims.

Both messenger RNA (mRNA) and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines work by delivering instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19, a CDC spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. After the body produces an immune response, it discards all the vaccine ingredients just as it would discard any information that cells no longer need.

The genetic material delivered by mRNA vaccines never enters the nucleus of your cells.  Viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver genetic material to the cell nucleus to allow our cells to build protection against COVID-19. However, the vector virus does not have the machinery needed to integrate its genetic material into our DNA, so it cannot alter our DNA, the spokesperson added.

Like the CDC, the FDA gave its assurance that the COVID-19 vaccines only instructs cells in the body to make the viruss distinctive spike protein  which does not cause disease, and that after an immune response, the body breaks down the components of the vaccines and eliminates them in about 36 hours.

The FDA spokesperson didnt answer an inquiry on whether it has the documents to support the CDCs claims, instead, saying, You are welcome to submit a FOIA request to the FDA for any additional records.

Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson did not reply to The Epoch Times request for comment.

ICAN says that potential damage to a persons genetic code is a central worry among healthcare professionals and the public about a medical intervention rushed to market, heavily promoted by government and media messaging, and imposed with unprecedented levels of coercion.

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were the first to show in a petri dish, or in-vitro, that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be reversed-transcribed and integrated into the DNA of human cells and that transcription of the integrated sequences might account for some of the positive PCR tests seen in patients. Their study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease COVID-19.

A different in-vitro study out of Sweden showed that mRNA from Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is able to enter human liver cells and be quickly reverse-transcribed into spike DNA.

Pfizer didnt comment on the findings of the study, but told The Epoch Times last month that its vaccine does not alter the human genome.

Our COVID-19 vaccine does not alter the DNA sequence of a human cell, a Pfizer spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. It only presents the body with the instructions to build immunity.
Lionel Desmond (front row, far right) was part of the 2nd battalion, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based at CFB Gagetown and shown in this 2007 handout photo taken in Panjwai district in between patrol base Wilson and Masum Ghar in Afghanistan. (The Canadian Press/HO-Facebook-Trev Bungay)

Nova Scotia Inquiry Into Deaths of a Former Soldier and His Family Drawing to a Close

A Nova Scotia inquiry investigating why an Afghanistan war veteran killed three family members and himself in 2017 is set to conclude its public hearings this week.

Lionel Desmond served in Afghanistan as an infantryman in 2007 and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2011 before he was medically released from the army in 2015.

The inquiry has heard Desmond was a desperately ill man whose marriage was in trouble when he was released from a residential treatment program in August 2016 and returned home to eastern Nova Scotia.

The man leading the inquiry, provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer, has said it appears Desmond fell through the cracks once he returned home, where he did not receive any therapeutic treatment during the last four months of his life.

On Jan. 3, 2017, Desmond legally bought a semi-automatic rifle and later that day used it to fatally shoot his wife Shanna, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and his mother Brenda, before turning the gun on himself in the familys rural home in Upper Big Tracadie, N.S.

Lawyers involved in the provincial fatality inquiry are expected to offer their closing submissions today and Wednesdayand Zimmer is expected to produce a final report with recommendations this fall.

The inquiry started its work in May 2019, and public hearings began in January 2020, but there were a number of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In all, 69 witnesses testified under oath during 53 days of hearings in Guysborough, N.S., and later in Port Hawkesbury, N.S.

The inquirys mandate includes determining whether Desmond and his family had access to appropriate mental health and domestic violence intervention services.

As well, the inquiry has examined the Canadians firearms program, provincial access to federal health records and whether health-care and social services providers were trained to recognize the symptoms of domestic violence.
A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine" sticker and a medical syringe in front of displayed Novavax logo in this illustration taken, on Oct. 30, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Use in Japan

Japans Health Ministry on Monday approved the use of Novavaxs protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, making it the fourth vaccine option available for people aged 18 and above.

Japan has contracted to buy 150 million doses of the vaccine, which will be manufactured domestically by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Takeda first applied for approval in December last year, local media Kyodo News reported.

Novavax is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine in the countrys arsenal, which can be used as both a primary vaccine and a booster shot. The vaccine is expected to be rolled out as early as late May.

According to trial data, Novavax has a vaccine efficacy of 90.4 percent in adults aged 18 and over. The most commonly observed adverse effects were headache, myalgia, fatigue, and malaise.

The American biotechnology company also announced that its vaccine showed 82 percent efficacy against the Delta variant in 12- to 17-year-olds, according to new clinical trial data involving 2,200 adolescents across the United States.

We believe the Novavax vaccine offers a differentiated technology and option for this younger population given its established protein-based technology already used in other vaccines, and the positive responses demonstrated against variants, Novavax Chief Medical Officer Filip Dubovsky said.

Novavaxs vaccine has also been cleared by Indonesia, Australia, the European Commission, and the World Health Organization, among others.

The majority of Japans vaccinations were administered using mRNA-based vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. While the government has approved Astrazenecas vaccine, usage rates have been low due to concerns about blood clotting.

Last month, the ministrys subcommittee said it agreed to purchase 145 million vaccine doses from Pfizer and Moderna in preparation for the rollout of fourth shots, Japan Times reported.

We need to study recipients [of the shots] and the timing for starting them based on the duration of [the effectiveness] third vaccinations and the effectiveness of fourth shots, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto said on March 11 that the government will ensure that Japan has sufficient vaccines to administer the fourth dose, though he noted that the final decision will be taken based on scientific data and how other countries respond.

In considering the fourth vaccination, the health ministry will make sure there are enough vaccines. At this stage though, we will make our utmost efforts to allow those who want to receive booster shots to be able to get them as early as possible, Goto said.

Japan has never enforced a mandatory immunization requirement for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. The Health Ministrys website explicitly stated that vaccination is encouraged but not compulsory.

Rebecca Zhu contributed to this report.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) along with his wife Fran, waits in line to vote at the Cedarland Event Center in Cedarville, Ohio, on Nov. 3, 2020. (Marshall Gorby/Dayton Daily News via AP)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Diagnosed With COVID-19

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran DeWine, are in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

On April 15, DeWines office announced on Twitter, Today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that he has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by his personal physician. Governor DeWine has been experiencing mild symptoms such as a runny nose, headache, body aches, and a sore throat.

DeWine received a monoclonal antibody treatment that evening and was in quarantine at his Cedarville farmhouse in southwest Ohio.

Originally, Fran DeWine tested negative, but on April 18 she was diagnosed with COVID-19 by her personal physician. She also received a monoclonal antibody treatment.

Mike DeWine is 75, while Ohios First Lady is 74.

President Donald Trump speaks with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine upon arrival at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 24, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The couple is fully vaccinated and has received the two-dose inoculation and a booster shot.

In a televised address on May 12, 2021, DeWine told Ohioans that they cannot get or transmit COVID-19 if they get vaccinated.

Now while we have this great weapon, the danger of remaining un-vaccinated is crystal clear. The virus is still here, DeWine said in his broadcast.

Now our cases are down, but thats only because 42 percent of our entire population has now been vaccinated. And those individuals who are vaccinated can no longer get the virus and could no longer spread it. The vaccinated among us feel liberated.

Fran DeWine is experiencing mild symptoms, Gov. DeWines spokesman Dan Tierney said on April 18.

Gov. DeWines symptoms remain the same and he has continued to work from home, Tierney added.

Gov. DeWine also tested positive for the COVID-19 on August 6, 2020, right before he was slated to greet then-president Donald Trump in Cleveland.

As part of the standard protocol to greet President Trump on the tarmac in Cleveland, I took a COVID test. I tested positive, DeWine wrote on the afternoon of August 6, 2020. I have no symptoms at this time. Im following protocol and will quarantine at home for the next 14 days.

Later that night, a rapid antigen test later showed the result of DeWines test earlier that day was a false positive.

May Not Attend Save America Rally

Trump is scheduled to appear at a Save America rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in central Ohio on April 23. It is unclear if DeWine will attend.

A day before testing positive, DeWine said he made a commitment to appear at the kickoff of former president Ulysses S. Grants 200th birthday party, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in New Richmond in southern Ohio.

Trump is slated to speak that night at 7 oclock.

The Delaware County Fairgrounds is around a 2  hour drive from New Richmond.

So well have to kind of see if that works out, DeWine said on April 14.

DeWines reluctance to attend the April 23 rally could relate to 2020, when he was booed at multiple Trump campaign events in Ohio.

Days after the presidential election in November 2020, Trump tweeted, Who will be running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio? Will be hotly contested!

DeWine has drawn widespread criticism from Ohioans for his response to the COVID-19 crisis, which included mask mandates and business closures.

The longtime politician is seeking re-election and is opposed by former Congressman Jim Renacci, farmer and restaurant owner Joe Blystone, and former state legislator Ron Hood in the May 3 GOP primary.

Renacci, who said DeWine has governed Ohio like a Democrat, was endorsed by Trump when he ran for U.S. Senate in 2018. Renacci won the primary but lost to Sen. Sherrod Brown in the general election.

Last week, Trump endorsed J.D. Vance in the Ohio GOP U.S. Senate primary, but he has not publicly backed a gubernatorial candidate in the state.
A visitor looks at the faces of some of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing at the Oklahoma National Memorial museum in Oklahoma City June 12, 2001, one day after the execution of Timothy McVeigh. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

OKC Bombing Anniversary: Ex Neo-Nazi With Plot Knowledge Sits in Female Prison

On the 27th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, the deadliest domestic terror attack in U.S. history, an inmate believed to have knowledge about potential co-conspirators in that bombing languishes in a Texas prison awaiting a sex change.

Prison staff are in the process of retaining surgeons to perform the operation for the inmate, who now goes by the name Donna Langan.

Roughly 30 years ago, white supremacist Pete Langan was terrorizing the Midwest with a series of bank robberies that he committed with the Aryan Republican Army (ARA)hiding his secret life as transgender Donna McClure all the while.

According to Utah attorney Jesse Trentadue, Langan holds a much graver secret to this day.

Attorneys for the former bank robber, who has reportedly disavowed white supremacism, didnt respond to interview requests. But Trentadue provided The Epoch Times with a sworn declaration from Langan, in which he talks about his fellow ARA members sharing responsibility for the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people, including 19 children on April 19, 1995.

According to Langans 2007 sworn declaration, filed for a separate lawsuit that Trentadue was pursuing against the FBI, some of his ARA cohorts were involved in the Oklahoma City attack. Langan said he first told the FBI of this in January 1996, when he was arrested in connection to the ARAs numerous bank robberies and after agents said his friends had betrayed him.

When [FBI Special Agent Ed] Woods taunted me with the inference that my associates had betrayed me and would testify against me, I had had enough. I told him, Youre going to have problems with your witnesses, because they have the blood of Oklahoma City on their hands, Langan said in the declaration.

Subsequently, my attorney informed me that the government wanted to talk to me about the Oklahoma City bombing.

At that time, the FBI was already investigating possible links between the ARA and the Oklahoma City bombing. Among many other clues, Timothy McVeighs sister Jennifer had disclosed that he had sent her proceeds of bank robberies, which McVeigh said he committed with like-minded crusaders who were at war with the system.

Floodlights illuminate the Albert P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 20, 1995, as rescuers continue searching for bodies in the aftermath of the April 19, 1995, explosion caused by a fuel-and-fertilizer truck bomb that was detonated in front of the building. (BOB DAEMMRICH/AFP via Getty Images)

Agents had also discovered that two weeks before the bombing, McVeigh had put in a call to an Oklahoma white supremacist compound called Elohim City, which was home to ARA member Kevin McCarthy and numerous other members at the time.

For his part, McCarthy told the FBI that he was staying with Langan in Kansas when the bomb exploded on April 19, 1995. But Langan said in his 2007 declaration that McCarthy wasnt with him on that day.

Langan said he later learned that McCarthy also told law enforcement that he was in Iowa on April 19, 1995. Despite these contradictory alibis, the FBI never investigated McCarthys possible links to McVeigh or the bombing, according to Langan. Instead, the U.S. government cut a deal with McCarthy to testify against Langan in the robbery trial.

McCarthy got a five-year prison sentence for his cooperation, while Langan was given life without parole.

According to Langan and researchers on the subject, the FBI has sought to suppress the links between McVeigh and the ARA because of infiltration of the latter by federal informants. Along with never investigating McCarthys links to the bombing, Langan also accused the FBI of making ARA member Mark Thomas an informant in order to silence his knowledge of the bombing.

Additionally, Langan questions reports of ARA leader Richard Guthries suicide in prisonas did the House International Relations Committee in a 2006 report.

Richard Guthrie had claimed that he would soon be revealing information that would blow the lid off the Oklahoma City bombing case. The next day, he was found dead, hanging in his cell, purportedly a suicide, reads the 2006 congressional report, spearheaded by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.).

This suspicious suicide mirrored the similar death of  another prisoner, who may have been tangentially and incorrectly linked to the Oklahoma City bombing. The death of these two prisoners, who happened to be very similar in appearance, is more than disturbing.

Langans declaration was submitted in relation to a lawsuit that Trentadue had filed against the FBI for records related to the Oklahoma City bombing. That lawsuit was unsuccessful, and Langans information was never acted upon by law enforcement.

A similar lawsuit filed by Trentadue is still ongoing while a federally appointed special master investigates allegations that the FBI tampered with one of his witnesses, John Matthews. A former FBI informant, Matthews has said that he saw McVeigh with then-Elohim City resident Andreas Strassmeier at a militia training ground in 1994.

Langan is unlikely to divulge more information about the Oklahoma City bombing because doing so could be self-incriminating, people familiar with the matter say.
There were outlaws and lawmen aligned on both sides of the notorious Lincoln County War, but only one was already infamous in his day: Henry McCarty, a.k.a. William H. Bonney, a.k.a. Kid Antrim, a.k.a. Emilio Estevez in Young Guns. At that time in New Mexico, it was difficult tell the difference between the lawbreakers and the law-enforcers.

Nobody better exemplified that ambiguity than Billy the Kid. Despite his baby-face, young McCarty endured bitter hardships and committed grave crimes well beyond his years. For a short while, McCarty manages to survive the frontier, as he finds his way to Lincoln County, where he must eventually make a fateful choice, in creator Michael Hirsts eight-episode Billy the Kid.

Hard Life, Hard Choices

Life was hard for McCartys Irish immigrant family in New York, but it would be harder out West. Unfortunately, they learn that hard truth after packing up all their possessions, in search of the better life promised in government-sponsored advertisements. The disastrous trek broke the spirit of young McCartys father, but their guide provided the boys first introduction to firearms. He quickly learns he has a knack for handling them.

Frankly, the first two episodes are filled with the sort of pioneer miserabilism that you might expect of Jan Troells The Immigrants or Laura Ingalls Wilder at her bleakest. They are a hard slog to watch, even though Eileen OHiggins is terrific as Henry or Billys sainted mother Kathleen.

The series picks up when the Kid reaches his teen years, allowing Tom Blyth to take-over the role for the rest of the run. He is well-cast as the wiry, electrically-charged future outlaw. Yet, we first meet him as a loving son and protective older brother. Making a life out West is tough even for the scrappy Kid, especially when he runs afoul of the local syndicate of corrupt ranchers and politicians, known as the Santa Fe Ring.

Tom Blyth (R) as Billy the Kid in online series Billy the Kid. (EPIX/MGM)

Hirsts Billy the Kid really gets going when the Kid, then using the name of his no-good stepfather, Antrim, falls in with outlaw Jesse Evans, who stirs up plenty of trouble rustling the cattle of John Chisum (who was played by John Wayne in Chisum, but never appears in the series). Hoping to hide out south of the border, the Kid befriends gambler Melquiades Seguira. Yet, once again, he makes powerful enemies.

Eventually, all roads lead the Kid to Lincoln County, where the Jesse Evans Gang serves as armed enforcers for James Dolan and The House faction. However, the Kid cant help identifying with the average sharecroppers and merchants he is hired to intimidate.

Despite the slow start, episodes three through eight have some pretty good shoot-outs and high-stakes poker games. However, it is pretty clear Hirst anticipates a second season of Billy the Kid, because the final episode ends before the Lincoln County War fully breaks out. Fans of traditional Westerns will probably be frustrated, but it certainly ends on a decisive turning point in the Kids life.

Simmering Rage

In fact, throughout the series, Hirst and Blyth emphasize the Kids conflicted conscience and the compounding weight of his guilt. At several points, he makes very bad choices, in hopes they will lead him back to the straight life.

It is sort of a revisionist Western, especially in terms of the Kids empathy for the Mexican people, but it really leans into the tragedy of the outlaws short life. Throughout it all, the outlaw lifestyle brings the Kid little reward and a good deal of angst.

Blyth does not have an extensive list of previous credits, but he has enough presence to carry the series. He really projects a sense of simmering rage and his moral outrage. Viewers can practically see the chip on his shoulder, which makes all the unfolding drama credible. Plus, Blyth bears a passable likeness to the only surviving grainy photo of the outlaw.

Supporting Cast

Kathleen McCarty is by far the most substantial female role in Billy the Kid, and Siobhan Williams makes quite an impression in the small but pivotal role of Irene Riley, wife of John Riley, Dolans partner. Ryan Kennedys portrayal of Ash Upson, the journalist who codified the wild legends of The Kid by ghostwriting Pat Garretts The Authenticate Life of Billy the Kid is unexpectedly sympathetic. However, it is interesting to see Hirst position him as a muckraking reformer.

By far, Guillermo Alonsos Segura is the Kids most memorable and charismatic sidekick, whereas Daniel Webber lacks sufficient menace as the ruthless Jesse Evans.

Hirst and company do a nice job capturing the mud and dust of the range, without wallowing in it. They leave no doubt the life an outlaw was brutal, tense, and short. The same was true for crooked lawmen and far too many of the straight ones, too.

Again, it starts slow, but Billy the Kid finishes strong. Recommended for viewers of the genre who are fascinated by the real-life characters, Billy the Kid starts streaming on April 24 on EPIX.

Billy the Kid

Director: Michael Hirst

Stars: Tom Blyth, Siobhan Williams, Ryan Kennedy, Guillermo Alonso

Running Time: 8 episodes

MPAA Rating: R

Release Date: April 24, 2022

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Tom Blyth as Billy the Kid in online series Billy the Kid. (EPIX/MGM)
A for sale is sign is displayed in front of a house in the Riverdale area of Toronto on Sept. 29, 2021. (Evan Buhler/The Canadian Press)

New Real Estate Regulation to Let Ontario Homebuyers See Competing Bids If the Seller Agrees

The Ontario government has introduced new real estate legislation effective a year from now that would allow homebuyers to see all their competitors bids on the property, that is, if the seller agrees to disclose the information.

Under the current system, a potential buyer looking to put an offer on a house has done so blindly, without knowing how much their competitors are offering above the asking price.

On April 19, Ontarios Minister of Government and Consumer Affairs Ross Romano announced the new regulation that would give home sellers the option of an open-offer process. Real estate agents, who have been prohibited from sharing the specifics of competing offers, can now do so with the permission of their seller clients.

Sellers will no longer be limited to selling their property through a closed or traditional offer system, Romano said in a statement to CTV News.

It is not clear how many sellers would use the open bidding system, as the traditional blind offer process could possibly lead a potential buyer to unknowingly offer more than the previous highest bid.

When sellers opt for the open offer process, they will have to share the agreed-upon open information among all buyers who made an offer on a property.

The new bidding system, which will go into effect on April 1, 2023, is among a series of real estate regulations announced by the provincial government on April 19 as part of the Trust in Real Estate Act (TRESA) introduced in 2020.

The changes include a new code of ethics for real estate agents, simpler standardized forms, and additional powers granted to the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), a regulatory body of home brokers and salespersons.

These regulations also allow RECO to go after bad actors taking advantage of vulnerable Ontarians by emboldening their disciplinary processes and expanding the scope of their jurisdiction to encompass the entirety of TRESA, Romano said.

By giving RECO these powers, were streamlining and speeding up the process needed to resolve issues and ensuring real consequences for those acting in bad faith.

Some have also argued that the traditional blind bidding process has contributed to the soaring housing prices in the Toronto area, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to growing calls for transparency, the Liberal governments April 7 budget said it is developing a national plan to end the blind-bidding practice in real estate.

Unfair practices like blind bidding or asking buyers to waive their right to a home inspection can make the process of buying a home even more stressful for too many Canadians. To help level the playing field for young and middle class Canadians, the government will take steps to make the process of buying a home more open, transparent, and fair, the budget reads.

Meanwhile, some of Canadas real estate associations that have opposed the federal plan, said that banning blind bidding would not bring down housing prices and would instead deprive homeowners of the choice of how they want to sell their homes.

Canadians have the right to choose how they want to sell their home, which is likely the largest transaction of their lives, and banning blind bidding removes that choice, Pierre Leduc, a spokesperson for the Canadian Real Estate Association told The Globe and Mail.
Filipino soldiers stand at attention near a Philippine flag at Thitu island in disputed territory of the South China Sea on April 21, 2017. (Erik De Castro/Reuters)

Philippines Ambassador to China, Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana, Has Died at Age 74

The Philippines ambassador to China, Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana, died at the age of 74, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said April 19.

The DFA said in a statement that the Philippine embassy in Beijing is coordinating with the Chinese authorities for the immediate repatriation of his remains.

It is with the inconsolable grief of the Secretary and the profoundest sadness that the Department of Foreign Affairs announces the demise of the Philippine Ambassador to China, His Excellency Jose Santiago Chito Sta. Romana, it stated.

The DFA made no mention of the cause of his death in its statement, but the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry said that Sta. Romana died due to an illness.

We are deeply grieved by the loss of a good friend and extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson told reporters. We will work together with his family and the Philippine Embassy in China to properly handle follow-up matters and provide every convenience possible.

According to DFAs statement, Sta. Romana was appointed as Philippine Ambassador to China in December 2016 in recognition of his deep knowledge of Chinas history and people.

Under his distinguished tenure, PhilippineChina relations flourished despite differences; indeed they flowered all the more in maturity and were deeply strengthened. We honor his important legacy of selfless service to the Filipinos in the most challenging foreign post, it added.

Sta. Romana was a veteran journalist who spent more than three decades in China, according to the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movements (PRRM) website, where he was listed as one of the PRRM trustees. He first traveled to China in 1971 as the head of a Filipino youth delegation.

Prior to joining the Philippine government, Sta. Romana worked as Beijing correspondent for ABC News. He covered China as a reporter and producer for the network from 1989 to 2010, covering major stories such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the U.SChina crises in 1999 and 2001, PRRM said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., arrives at the Supreme Court in Padre Faura, Metro Manila, Philippines, with his wife, Louise (L), and his sister, Imee, on April 2, 2018. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

Philippines Marcos Jr., Dutertes Daughter Vow to Revive Nuclear Energy If They Win Election

Philippine presidential aspirant Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte, daughter of sitting President Rodrigo Duterte, vowed to incorporate nuclear power plants into the countrys energy mix if they win the May 9 election.

Marcos Jr., a former senator and the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., emerged as the leading candidate in a Pulse Asia presidential survey, garnering 56 percent of the vote.

Our vision for the country is to have at least one nuclear power plant so we can finally produce cheap energy and for us to lower our electricity rates, Marcos and Sara Duterte said in a joint statement in March, local media Inquirer.net reported.

Their remarks follow President Dutertes executive order on Feb. 28, which authorizes the use of nuclear power as an alternative energy source. The duo said they believed that it would serve as a good springboard for the next administration to pursue nuclear energy goals.

President Duterte, who plans to retire from politics at the end of his term, said nuclear power would be tapped as a viable alternative baseload power source as the country seeks to phase out coal plants. His government signed an agreement with Washington in March to boost nuclear energy cooperation.

President Dutertes executive order also includes a recommendation to revive the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which was built during the rule of Marcos Sr. in 1984.

The $2.2 billion BNPP was decommissioned following the collapse of Marcos dictatorship in 1986 for safety reasons, compounded by the fear caused by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that same year.

Marcos Jr. said that he planned to revive the BNPP if elected president, with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power as a potential venture partner. He also alleged that the BNPP was shut down for political reasons rather than scientific reasons.

We really have to look at nuclear power. Lets not politicize it. Once again, follow the science, Marcos Jr. said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Jan. 26.

Rafel Ka Paeng Mariano, chairman of the worker- and farmer-focused party-list Anakpawis, rejected plans to revive the BNPP because the country is still paying off the $2.2 billion and other foreign loans used to construct the nuclear power plant, which he said was never even used, Yahoo News reported.

His father, Ferdinand Sr., and crony Herminio Disini sank the country into unimaginable debt by taking out a multibillion-dollar nuclear loan package from Westinghouse Electric Corp., Mariano said.

We will never allow Bongbong Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte to use the same scheme, Mariano added.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ruled the Philippines for two decades, placing the country under martial law in 1972, during which time thousands of opponents were jailed, killed, or disappeared.

The dictator was overthrown in the 1986 people power revolution and was accused of amassing more than $10 billion while in office. He died in exile in 1989.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Polices search for the shooters who opened fire at a house party in the East Allegheny neighborhood of Pittsburgh, on April 17, 2022. (Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Police Hunt for Pittsburgh Party Shooters Who Killed 2, Injured Several

Police were searching for the shooters who opened fire at a house party in the East Allegheny neighborhood of Pittsburgh that left two young people dead in the early hours of Sunday.

The two victims were both under 18 while eight more sustained gunshot wounds, police said, revising an earlier tally. An additional five were injured as they jumped out of windows or otherwise tried to flee gunfire that erupted at the short-term rental property where hundreds of people, mostly juveniles, had gathered at a large party.

This shouldnt have happened. Were sick about it and were going do everything we can to get those responsible for it, Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert said at a news conference on Sunday.

Schubert said evidence suggested there were multiple shooters and that investigators believed an altercation might have led to the violence but offered no further details. Authorities did not immediately provide the names of the two victims.

Over 90 rounds were fired at the very chaotic scene that investigators were combing for clues and where they recovered multiple weapons as well as different casings, Schubert said.

Gunshots were fired both inside and outside the residence and police pleaded with witnesses and people who attended the party to come forward and share videos or any other evidence they might be able to provide.

The shooting in Pittsburgh took place just hours after a shooting at a South Carolina mall left several people injured and days after a gunman opened fire in a New York City subway car, injuring dozens.

By Maria Caspani and Anirudh Saligrama
Political Loyalties Have Been Blown Up

Commentary

Before lockdowns of Spring 2020, media rhetoric had divided the American population into two camps: pro- and anti-Trump. It was an easy way to think even if it came nowhere near describing me, my friends, or most people.

Then came the virus. It made an enormous mess out of this simple outlook. Trump kept changing his position not only on the threat level but also what to do about it. He went from comparing the virus to the annual flu in January 2020 to calling for a nationwide lockdown at a March 16 press conference, before changing his mind again a few months later and urging everyone to move on.

Of that lockdown order, center-left publication Vox, which had been firmly in the anti-Trump camp for the previous five years, immediately praised the press conference. For the astute, this should have been a sign that something fishy was going on.

But this praise for panicand the use of despotic power without precedent to wield against a viruswas itself very strange. For the previous two months, the center left and left in the media were very clearly downplaying the virus and nowhere calling for lockdowns. In other words, they were saying in January and February what Trump was saying at the time.

Here are some examples of what people have entirely forgotten.

On Jan. 30, 2020, MSNBC ran the following headline.

Americans are too worried about the new coronavirus thats spreading rapidly across China, former White House health advisor Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel told CNBC on Thursday. Everyone in America should take a very big breath, slow down, and stop panicking and being hysterical, said Emanuel, who served during Barack Obamas presidency. We are having a little too much histrionics on this.  Im actually pretty confident that were going to restrict the spread in the United States and people should remember not to panic, said Emanuel, vice provost for global initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania. We need to be a little sober about it, even in China.

Here is an article from Slate dated March 4, 2020.

There are many compelling reasons to conclude that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is not nearly as deadly as is currently feared. But COVID-19 panic has set in nonetheless. You cant find hand sanitizer in stores, and N95 face masks are being sold online for exorbitant prices, never mind that neither is the best way to protect against the virus (yes, just wash your hands). The public is behaving as if this epidemic is the next Spanish flu, which is frankly understandable given that initial reports have staked COVID-19 mortality at about 23 percent, quite similar to the 1918 pandemic that killed tens of millions of people. Allow me to be the bearer of good news. These frightening numbers are unlikely to hold. The true case fatality rate, known as CFR, of this virus is likely to be far lower than current reports suggest. Even some lower estimates, such as the 1 percent death rate recently mentioned by the directors of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, likely substantially overstate the case. We shouldnt be surprised that the numbers are inflated. In past epidemics, initial CFRs were floridly exaggerated . This all suggests that COVID-19 is a relatively benign disease for most young people, and a potentially devastating one for the old and chronically ill, albeit not nearly as risky as reported.

Here is Psychology Today:

The coronaviruses are cold viruses. Ive treated countless patients with coronaviruses over the years. In fact, weve been able to test for them on our respiratory panels for the entirety of my career. We know how cold viruses work: They cause runny noses, sneezing, cough, and fever, and make us feel tired and achy. For almost all of us, they run their course without medication. And in the vulnerable, they can trigger a more severe illness like asthma or pneumonia. Yes, this virus is different and worse than other coronaviruses, but it still looks very familiar. We know more about it than we dont know . Its scary to think that an invisible enemy is out there to make you sick. But your doctor is not panicking, and you dont need to, either.

Or we can look to Fauci himself, writing on Feb. 28, 2020, in the New England Journal of Medicine, in an article co-signed by Charles Lane (of junket fame) and CDC head Robert Redfield:

If one assumes that the number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic cases is several times as high as the number of reported cases, the case fatality rate may be considerably less than 1 percent. This suggests that the overall clinical consequences of Covid-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1 percent) or a pandemic influenza (similar to those in 1957 and 1968) rather than a disease similar to SARS or MERS, which have had case fatality rates of 9 to 10 percent and 36 percent, respectively.

Whatever you think about these predictions, and there is still vast uncertainty about many aspects of this virus (thanks to testing inaccuracies and the degree of death misclassification), these voices were clearly counseling calm.

Two weeks later, all hell broke loose, and this same ideological camp spent the next two years in a state of panicked meltdown and an attempt to keep the public living in fear for as long as possible. This was followed by a demonization campaign against the unvaccinated, from the very people who all swore that the Trump vaccine would surely be dangerously corrupt.

Its all very strange. What changed and why? It wasnt the data. That has remained pretty stable throughout. Something else was going on.

The entire pandemic became politicized in ways that are very difficult to follow or understand. That remains true today. There are still far more questions than answers.

Two years later, with Trump out of power, the same public voices have again defaulted to dividing the population by the old terms: liberals vs conservatives. Its become tremendously annoying not to mention wildly inaccurate.

Oddly, most of the views attributed to the liberals are essentially illiberal: opposed to free speech, against choice on vaccination, supportive of lockdowns and restrictions, segregating the population, making fun of people who want freedom and resent how it has been stolen from people in the guise of pandemic planning.

Stranger still, these people seem to be ready for a big war with Russia (and this is following decades in the Cold War when the same group wisely counseled diplomacy over belligerence).

Meanwhile, there is nothing about the people labeled conservative who favor conserving anything about the current-day operation about politics. Quite the opposite: they are defending free speech against censorship, angry at elite management of life, and for toppling the administrative states power to rule the country and world without democratic consent. And this group is also more likely to favor diplomacy over saber rattling in foreign affairs.

I cant imagine how confusing this must be for people whose English is a second language, much less those who have only a passing familiarity with American political culture. You can explain this all day but it still doesnt make sense.

Where are we today? From your own experience and conversations, you know what hardly anyone wants to admit. There has been a massive scrambling of political and ideological loyalties throughout the population over these past two years, as trust in so many institutions has dramatically fallen. There is no longer a predictable way to discern the friends of freedom from its enemies based on past loyalties and opinions. Most of the writers at Brownstone Institute, for example, utterly refuse to be pigeonholed, and rightly so.

The last two years have confounded everyone who believed in the stability of American law, politics, public opinion, and the ideological attachments of both pundits and the general population. Its all been turned upside down and inside out several times over. Anyone who thinks that weve all settled back into some mythical comfort bubbles of liberals vs conservatives is refusing to face post-pandemic politico-cultural realities.

Similarly, terms like left and right, and even independent and libertarian, have proven almost useless in predicting peoples responses to a respiratory virus and hence attitudes toward pandemic policy. The last two years have challenged political and ideological conventions like no other force in our lifetimes, and will likely lead to a rethinking and realignment, same as war and depression have in the past.

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
This aerial photo shows the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 23, 2021, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the set of the film Rust. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

Report Into Potential Safety Violations on Rust Movie Set to be Published April 21: Officials

A report into possible workplace safety violations that occurred on the set of the film Rust, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed in October 2021, is reportedly on track to be released on April 21, officials have said.

The report is being carried out by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the incident is still being investigated by authorities in Santa Fe County.

Under New Mexico law, the states Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, which is a division of the Environment Department, must file citations against the movies producers within six months of the incident, Deadline reports.

We are on track to release the report by the April 21 deadline, Matthew Maez, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department, told Deadline. I dont have details about the report findings to share at this time.

Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot on Oct. 21, 2021, when actor Alec Baldwin, 63, pointed a 45 Long Colt revolver in the direction of the cinematographer and director Joel Souza while rehearsing a gunfight scene.

The revolver discharged a live round, killing Hutchins and wounding Souza, 48.

Baldwin hasnt been charged with a crime in connection to the shooting. The actor maintains that he was pointing the gun at Hutchins at her instruction and that it fired without him pulling the trigger.

In an interview with ABC News in early December, Baldwin said, The trigger wasnt pulled. I didnt pull the trigger, and that he let go of the hammer and bang the gun goes off.

But some gun experts, including Michigan-based firearms expert Steven Howard, have argued that the likelihood of a gun firing without the trigger being pulled is very, very rare.

Baldwin is now facing multiple lawsuits over the incident including those brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, who called emergency services after Hutchins was shot, and head of lighting Serge Svetnoy, who accused the actor and producers of general negligence.

Hutchins family is also suing the former 30 Rock star.

Shortly after the fatal incident, New Mexico state Sen. Cliff Pirtle introduced Senate Bill 188 which would require that all individuals employed by a film production company in the state, where firearms are present on set, must have a valid certificate of competency in the safe handling of firearms pursuant to the Hunter Training Act.

Meanwhile, the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office is continuing to investigate the incident. Charges and arrests have not been made against anyone in connection with the shooting, although criminal charges have not been ruled out.

Baldwin confirmed in February 2022 that he has returned to work on movies following a temporary hiatus after the fatal incident.

I havent worked since October 21 of last year when this horrible thing happened on the set of this film and the accidental death of our cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the actor was quoted by the Hollywood Reporter as saying. I still find that hard to say. But I went back to work today for the first time in three and a half months.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Researchers: Garland Should Reopen OKC Bombing Case He Helped Prosecute

During the tenure of Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Department of Justice launched an investigation into threats of violence against school board members, pushed for severe sentences against Jan. 6 defendants, and created a new domestic counterterrorism officeall with the stated aim of combating white supremacy and domestic extremism.

But if Garland really wants to combat violent racists, according to researchers of the subject, then he should reopen the case he worked on 27 years ago and find the accomplices of Oklahoma City bomber and avowed white supremacist Timothy McVeigh.

Garland can kick off any effort to curtail white supremacists by finishing his work on the OKC bombing case, OKC researcher Richard Booth wrote last year when Garland took the helm at the DOJ. And he can finish by apologizing to the American people for letting dangerous still-unidentified white supremacists get away with being accessories to murder for the last 25 years.

Booth provided records to The Epoch Times for this storywhich marks the 27th anniversary of the April 19, 1995, domestic terrorism attackand hes far from alone in arguing that the case should be reexamined. Others include Kathy Sanders, who spent decades looking for answers after her two grandchildren died in the attack; Utah attorney Jesse Trentadue, whos procured thousands of FBI records via lawsuits against the U.S. government; historian Wendy Painting, who wrote her doctoral thesis on McVeigh; and the late investigator Roger Charles.

These researchers have spent untold thousands of hours documenting the connections between McVeigh, the criminal underground of the white supremacist movement, and undercover federal informantsmaking the case that this tangled web has shielded some of those culpable for murdering 168 people, including 19 children, in the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in this countrys history. They have also chronicled the dozens of witnesses who reportedly saw one or more unidentified co-conspirators in the days and hours leading up to the attack.

And the researchers arent alone in calling for another investigation. Retired FBI agents Danny Coulson and Danny Defenbaugh, who both worked on the case, have publicly supported reopening the matter.

Garland should be aware of these matters, having discussed McVeighs enigmatic accomplice, John Doe 2, court transcripts show.

Additionally, The Epoch Times received previously unpublished White House visitor logs showing the attorney generals apparent visit to FLOTUS the day before he led the prosecution at McVeighs preliminary hearingraising questions about why hed met with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton before jetting 1,300 miles west to Oklahoma.

The researchers and former law enforcement officials have offered varying opinions about Garland. However, they mostly share doubt in his assertion that the DOJ and FBI did everything we could possibly do to find every person who was involved with the attack.

Garland and the DOJ didnt respond to requests for comment.

Floodlights illuminate the Albert P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 20, 1995, as rescuers continue searching for bodies in the aftermath of the April 19 explosion caused by a fuel and fertilizer truck bomb that was detonated early April 19 in front of the building. (PDAEMMRICH/AFP via Getty Images)

Garlands Role

When President Barack Obama nominated him to the Supreme Court in 2016, the president heaped praise on Garlands role in prosecuting the perpetrator of the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history.

In the wake of the bombing, he traveled to Oklahoma to oversee the case, and in the ensuing months coordinated every aspect of the governments response, working with federal agents, rescue workers, local officials, and others to bring the perpetrators to justice, Obama said.

Some of Garlands public comments about the case also resurfaced when he was nominated to be attorney general last year.

Its the issue about conspiracy theories, about Maybe somebody else did it or You hadnt done everything, Garland reportedly said in a 2013 oral history about the case. I wanted to be sure we had done everything we could possibly do to find every person who was involved.

However, some top former FBI officials who investigated the attack have raised eyebrows at Obamas description of Garland, as well as the attorney generals own words.

The people who ran the case at the DOJ, that wasnt him, said Coulson, who was in charge of the crime scene. Merrick Garland was mainly there for his resume, I think.

Coulsons colleague, former FBI agent Bob Rickswho led the bureaus investigationsaid he got along well with Garland, but that his role was a limited one.

He [Garland] was sent, in my understanding, primarily to be of assistance, and as the representative of the DOJ during that time period, he told The Epoch Times. A difficulty we had was that our United States Attorney had resigned, and the acting U.S. Attorney had very limited experience.

So we had a vacuum there that did exist. DOJ sent out two attorneys. One was Garland, said Ricks, who disagrees with the researchers and his former colleague Coulson, taking the position that the Oklahoma City bombing case was solved and neednt be reopened.

Sanders, the grandmother of two of the victims, has little recollection of Garland from that era. But as one of the Oklahoma City Dissidentsa term coined by British writer Ambrose Evans-Pritchard to describe a group of bombing survivors and victim family members who have been critical of the FBIs investigationher research has raised numerous questions that still linger.

Kathy Sanders, who lost two grandchildren to the Oklahoma City bombing, and survivor V.Z. Lawton pose at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial site in 2010. (Photo Courtesy Wendy Painting)

First of all, I have a problem that the FBI never identified the people seen coming and going from the Dreamland Hotel, where McVeigh stayed the week before the bombing, she said, referring to multiple witnesses who saw numerous people coming and going from McVeighs hotel room. He drove right from the Dreamland to the Murrah Building to blow it up. I think its important to know who those people were.

Other questions Sanders still wants to be answered include: Where is the John Doe 2, the man seen with McVeigh by at least 24 witnesses on the morning of the attack? And what happened to the surveillance footage of the bombing referenced in Secret Service records and FBI memos?

Sanders has more unanswered questions about McVeighs connection to Elohim City, a private compound in Oklahoma that was home to neo-Nazi criminals, Klansmen, and white supremacists of every other stripe. Elohim City was also crawling with multiple undercover informants, including a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) informant who warned the ATF in 1994 and 1995 that people living there were planning to bomb federal buildings in Oklahoma, according to court testimony from the informants handler.

I dont have all the pieces to the puzzle, but I have enough to know that everyone involved in that crime was not arrested, Sanders said.

But when asked about Garlands comment about finding every person who was involved in the murder of her grandchildren, she gave him the benefit of the doubt. The author of a book on forgiveness, Sanders is concentrated more on her charity work for victims of the war in Ukraine these days than she is on criticizing Garland.

He could be very sincere, but he might not know everything, she said of the attorney general.

Timothy McVeigh (C) being led from Noble County Courthouse in Perry, Okla., on April 21, 1995. (BOB DAEMMERICH/AFP via Getty Images)

Garland at the Preliminary Hearing

However, records show that Garland is at least familiar with some of the questions that still linger with Sanders and others. Court transcripts chronicle Garlands discussions about John Doe 2 during McVeighs April 27, 1995, preliminary hearing.

Garland started the hearing with his witness, FBI agent Jon Hersley, who outlined the governments case against McVeigh. Hersley said first responders recovered an axle from the Ryder Truck that exploded outside the Murrah Building, using the serial number on the part to trace where the truck came from, eventually leading investigators to McVeigh.

Defense attorney John Coyle, who was representing McVeigh at the time, then cross-examined Hersley. When Coyle attempted to inquire into John Doe 2, Garland objected.

Did this particular witness indicate to agents of the FBI how many persons were in the speeding yellow Mercury? Coyle asked Hersley, referencing a witness who saw McVeigh leaving the scene with another man.

Two, Hersley responded.

Did this witness also identify the person that we know as number 2, unsub [unidentified subject] 2 at the scene? Coyle asked, referencing John Doe 2.

Garland objected to this question, telling the presiding judge that unsub 2 is not before the court.

The judge sustained the objection.

But later during the cross-examination, Hersley referenced occupants of the Ryder Truckleading Coyle to ask about John Doe 2 again, and for Garland to object once more.

Did you tell me [the witness] saw occupants of a Ryder Truck and there was more than one? Coyle asked the FBI agent.

Objection, Garland interjected. The only person on trial at this hearing is Mr. McVeigh. It doesnt matter whether there were two or 100 people in that truck as long as there was somebody representing Mr. McVeigh there. It is discovery and totally outside of the scope of this hearing.

Coyle urged the judge to overrule the objection.

May I respond? I think it is important to see if we distinguish it as the same truck or not. I think it is very important to the credibility of the witness and credibility of the evidence and what they saw as to whether or not the person saw three or five or six, Coyle argued.

This time, the judge agreed with Coyle, overruling Garland.

After Coyle repeated his question, the FBI agent said: This witness advised that there were two individuals in the truck. The individual resembling Mr. McVeigh was the driver.

Despite the revelation from Hersley, Coyle didnt pursue the matter further and stepped down as McVeighs attorney shortly after the hearing. He didnt respond to an interview request for this story.

Trentadue and Charles both said they thought Coyle performed remarkably well during the hearing, considering he had been thrown into the case immediately before the hearing.

He was really thrown into the thick of it, Charles said.

Trentadue and Charles chastised Garland for what he didnt examine as much as they did his objections.

I would have questioned Hersley about that videotape, said Trentadue, who has been suing the FBI for decades in pursuit of surveillance footage showing the bombing.

To Trentadues point, the court transcript indeed also shows Garland objecting when Coyle asked the name of the FBI agent who handled the film footageanother matter left unexamined by both parties.

Judge Merrick B. Garland listens as U.S. President Barack Obama nominates him to the U.S. Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden at the White House, March 16, 2016. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Garlands White House Visit

If Garlands performance at the preliminary hearing raises questions with the researchers, then a document they found a few years ago left them even more baffled. The record in question is an entry in the White House visitor logs that indicates that Garland was there the night before McVeighs preliminary hearing.

According to the 230,644th entry in the 1995 White House visitors logs, Garland signed in at 5:30 p.m. to visit FLOTUS in room 450 on April 26. The logs state that Garlands visitor access type was VA, but dont explain the designation.

Garlands visit to the White House was discovered by Booth and Charles, the latter of whom worked a brief stint on McVeighs defense team. The Epoch Times interviewed Charles, also the co-author of Oklahoma City: What the Investigation Missed, and Why It Still Matters, about a week before he died in February.

Garland goes to Oklahoma April 21, and I thought he stayed until the 12th or 13th of May; I hadnt seen anything indicating that he went to DC, Charles told this reporter. But I asked Richard [Booth] to get the White House visitor logs from the Clinton Libraryand theres Merrick Garland meeting with Hillary [Clinton].

Trentadue, who has procured volumes of new information about the OKC bombing investigation via his lawsuits against the FBI, said he was astonished at the finding.

That would have been the most important hearing in [Garlands] life. He would have been there for days going through all the evidence, Trentadue said.

Former FBI agents Coulson and Ricks both said they were less surprised at the finding.

It was the most significant thing that was going on in the United States at the time, so it wouldnt surprise me that the political side of the administration would want to be appraised of what was going on, Ricks said.

Like I said, he was kind of the point man for the Department of Justice, so I didnt realize he was back there the day before the preliminary hearing, but it wouldnt surprise me. You know, he was in and out  He really wasnt trying to direct the investigation. He was there to monitor and follow where it was going.

But Trentadue wonders what was so important that it couldnt be discussed over the phone.

If Garland were briefing someone [about the case], wouldnt it be done by phone? Trentadue asked.

Boothwho provided this reporter with the visitor logs and Clinton Library receipts to show their authenticitysaid he believes Garlands White House visit must have been related to the McVeigh case due to its monumental importance. The researcher said he hasnt found further details about the meeting.

But regardless of what Garland did 27 years ago, he should reopen the investigation, Booth said.

For her part, Sanders still has hope that all those responsible for her grandchildrens murders will be brought to justicethough maybe not in her lifetime.

Ive watched my late husband die, [Oklahoma City bombing investigator and journalist] J.D. [Cash] die, now Roger Charles, and [fellow Oklahoma City Dissident] Jannie Coverdale, she said. Jesse Trentadue and I are about the only two left.

Despite the lack of answers after 27 years, Sanders still counts her blessings.

I was downtown in the bombing with my daughter, and both my grandchildren died. But when the Ukrainian war began, I saw the buildings being bombed and it brought it all back to me, she said. I thought, Man, I get to go home at night. After our babies were killed, I did get to go home and sleep in my own bed.
A worker in protective overall stands in the middle of empty streets in a lockdown area in the Jingan district of western Shanghai on April 4, 2022. (Chen Si/AP Photo)

Retired Professor Dies After Not Receiving Care in Locked-Down Shanghai

A retired Shanghai professor died after hours of desperately seeking care without success, in whats being seen as another non-COVID death attributed to the citys strict lockdown, according to a former colleague.

Prof. Yu Huizhong at Shanghai-based Fudan University died, aged 79, on April 15, after experiencing a 4-hour wait for medical care, according to an online statement made by his former colleague Qu Weiguo.

[It was] as long as four hours of seeking care across the city, wrote Qu, the ex-principal of the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures. What a torment for Professor Yu and his family!

The colleague accused the local authorities of failing to maintain regular care for non-COVID patients during the containment, deeming relevant policies as barriers against health care workers looking after the ill.

The college confirmed Yus death in an April 16 obituary on its official site but did not detail the cause of passing.

A child receives a swab test for COVID-19 in a compound during a lockdown in Pudong district in Shanghai, China on April 17, 2022. (Liu Jin/AFP via Getty Images)

Yus death is not an isolated case with reports of non-COVID deaths surfacing on social media platforms.

The victims include violinist Chen Shunping, who committed suicide due to denial to care for an unendurable acute pain in the abdomen, and securities veteran Wei Guiguo who died from delayed access to care following a cerebral hemorrhaging.

Another retiree, Wu Zhongnan, 78, from Shanghai Jiaotong University, died on April 9 after waiting for two and half days for proper treatment at the Renji Hospitals emergency room, according to internet user Zheng Zong Shanghai Ning, who identified himself as the son of the deceased.

Nurses told the son they lacked adequate medical equipment, health care workers, and beds. The emergency room has a capacity of 50 but had more than 150 patients, according to the son. Even worse, he found the room included both positive and negative cases, adding to the risk of infection.

Non-COVID Deaths in Shanghai Increasing

A list maintained and updated by some Shanghai residents on non-COVID deceased people in the city, keeps increasing, said New York City resident and acupuncturist He Anquan.

The actual death toll must be much higher than the current one known because some families fear reprisals or political persecution from authorities if they air the truth, He told The Epoch Times on April 18. I assume it might add up to 3,000.

The Epoch Times cannot independently verify the figure due to a lack of transparency in Chinas data on COVID cases.

New York City resident and acupuncturist He Anquan protests Chinas ongoing dynamic zero-COVID strategy, which he deems as inhumane, in Manhattan on April 11, 2022. (Courtesy of He Anquan)

Hewho was born and raised in Shanghaisaid he could obtain credible reports from his relatives and friends back in the Chinese financial hub. He also gathers information from some 1,500 members in his chat group on Club House. The members of the chat group live in various parts of the world, including his home city, and all speak the same Shanghai dialect. Theyre all likewise concerned about Shanghai people under one of the worlds strictest lockdowns.

The acupuncturist blamed Chinas brutal dynamic zero-COVID policy for causing unnecessary deaths.

The humanitarian crises from the zero-COVID policy have far exceeded the damage incurred by COVID-19 itself, he said. Given the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Chinas dynamic zero-COVID is an impossible mission.

Additionally, the NYC resident said he is collecting signatures for a petition, which he will submit to the United Nations and U.S. lawmakers in hopes of seeking assistance for those still sealed in his hometown.
Russian Semen Bobrovski (L) and Ukrainian Darina Sakhniuk got married at the Civil Registry offices of the Tijuana City Hall in Tijuana, Mexico. (Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Russian Marries Ukrainian at USMexico Border

More than ten thousand kilometres away from their home countries, Russian Semen Bobrovski and Ukrainian Darina Sakhniuk got married at the Civil Registry offices of the Tijuana City Hall.

Before the Russian invasion, the couple lived in Ukraine and managed to leave the country and arrive in Tijuana a fortnight ago to apply for refugee status in the United States.

The US authorities only allowed Daria to enter the US as a refugee, as the Russian community has not been allowed to enter the country since the war began.

The only Russians allowed to enter the US are those who can prove with a document that they have family there.

Due to the restriction, the couple asked the municipal directorate of migrant services in Tijuana for support to get married.
SCOTUS Sides With 9th Circuit, Refuses Application of Airman Punished for Refusing COVID-19 Vax

3 conservative justicesThomas, Alito, and Gorsuchdissent, saying court should hear the case

The Supreme Court sided with the often-reversed U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit by declining to intervene on behalf of a U.S. Air Force Reserve officer who was relieved of command as punishment for his religious-based refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The case is still pending before both the 9th Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

The ruling in Dunn v. Austin, court file 21A599, came late in the day on April 18. The lead respondent, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, was sued in his official capacity. The Supreme Court didnt provide reasons for its decision.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch, who are known for supporting religious liberties, indicated they would have granted the application for an injunction pending appeal.

The emergency application was brought by Jonathan Dunn, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve, who has served since 2003, putting in more than a decade of active duty. He contracted COVID-19 in the summer of 2021 and acquired natural immunity to the disease. Soon after, the Air Force introduced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Dunns counsel of record, San Francisco lawyer Donald M. Falk, wasnt pleased with the high courts ruling.

Although we are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not step in ahead of the Ninth Circuit to grant Lt. Col. Dunn immediate extraordinary relief, we look forward to litigating the merits of our expedited appeal, Falk told The Epoch Times by email.

We are confident in the justice and legal strength of our case, which will now receive full consideration in the court of appeals.

Dunns application (pdf), filed April 11 with the Supreme Court, states that 98 percent of all airmen have now been vaccinated and that more than 2,000 airmen are subject to medical and administrative exemptions. Dunn has sincere religion-based objections to the COVID-19 vaccine, although the military denied his request for a religious exemption to the mandate.

A federal district court denied a preliminary injunction and an injunction pending appeal. While the motion for a preliminary injunction was pending, the Department of Defense removed Dunn from his command. Dunn isnt seeking reinstatement to that post, but wants protection against further punishment, including a discharge, because of his religious beliefs.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit denied an injunction pending appeal.

Dunn questions whether the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allow military authorities to permit secular exceptions to specific conduct while categorically denying all religious accommodations based on a broad asserted interest rather than an individualized assessment of the efficacy of less restrictive measures to serve the interest as properly defined in terms of the particular claimant, according to the application filed with the Supreme Court.

In papers, Dunn argued that government officials had characterized vaccination as a moral obligation and given it a sacramental quality that offended his religious sensibilities.

That makes COVID-19 vaccination a religious ritual required as a condition of participating fully in civil societylike ancient Roman laws requiring sacrifices to Caesar, or Nebuchadnezzars edict requiring worship of the golden statue, Dunn argued.

After much prayer, applicant concluded that he cannot participate in such a religious ritualand thus cannot take the vaccinebecause, as a Christian, he must render worship to God only.

The Department of Defense urged the Supreme Court to disallow the application, saying the vaccination requirement promoted military readiness and that Dunn failed to show he would be injured if the application were refused.

Applicant also failed to establish any irreparable harm, the Biden administration argued.

He has already been removed from his former commandincluding for reasons of poor judgment and abuse of authority, which justified the removal independent of his refusal to be vaccinated.
[April 19, 2022] Introducing the All-New Property Intelligence Powered by Majesco Analytics Majesco, a global leader of cloud platform software for insurance business transformation, today introduced Property Intelligence powered by Majesco Analytics - a new AI/ML-based analytics offering that provides insightful and intuitive property underwriting information including various quantitative risk scores such as Property Score, Overhead Score, Exterior Score, NatCat Score, and Permit Score - available as an add-on for Majesco Policy for P&C for Commercial Property and Commercial Package lines of business. This is the first intelligent analytics offering as part of the new Majesco Analytics product line. Property Intelligence is now available as part of Majesco's Spring '22 Product Release. To remain competitive in today's ever-changing market, carriers must leverage data and technology to transform the underwriter experience and increase profitability. As the customer experience moves digital, the availability of a wide array of data is increasing, leading to transformations on underwriter evaluations and decisions with instantaneous impacts to their books of business. Leveraging real-time data from multiple sources and market insights, coupled with underwriter expertise, underwriters can increase profitability through better risk selection and reduced underwriting expenses. "The art and science of underwriting is hanging," said Patrick Davis, SVP and General Manager of Majesco Analytics. "We designed Property Intelligence to provide comprehensive property underwriting information with simple and insightful analysis to improve both underwriting profitability and efficiency. We are excited to see our customers quickly realized benefits of this innovative capability providing better risk selection, improve their loss ratio, reduce loss control expenses through selective high risk inspection orders and more." Key elements for Property Intelligence powered by Majesco Analytics include: Simple to understand analytics data from risk scores by leveraging wide variety of data and Machine Learning based analytics - Property Score, Overhead Score, Exterior Score, NatCat Score, and Permit Score to provide a comprehensive insight to the property

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Majesco is the leading software partner to both the P&C and L&A insurance markets to modernize, optimize and innovate their businesses at speed and scale. Over 330 insurers, from greenfields, start-ups and MGAs to the largest insurers, reinsurers and brokers use Majesco's next generation SaaS platform solutions of core, data, and analytics, digital, distribution, absence management and a rich ecosystem marketplace of established and InsurTech partners to build the future of insurance. Our technology, expertise and leadership help insurers innovate and connect to build the future of their business. With over 825 successful implementations and over 65% of our customers on Cloud with Majesco platform solutions, together we have an amazing track record of innovation and real-world results. For more details on Majesco, please visit www.majesco.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005276/en/

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"The performance really brought across that sense of grandeur," Andy Kapusi said at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, in Calgary, on April 17, 2022. (Sunny Chen/The Epoch Times)

CALGARY, CanadaAndy Kapusi, an aviation consultant and technical asset manager, was highly impressed by the beauty of Shen Yun Performing Arts after attending the matinee performance at Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary on April 17.

I thought it was absolutely stunning. The color coordination  the performance, the music, everything was excellent. Very lovely. I really enjoyed it, he said.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company. The production showcases a live orchestra and solo performances, and depicts story-based dance pieces that tell tales spanning from ancient times to the modern-day.

Ive always admired ancient Chinese history, personally. And I think in the light of present-day events,  its very important to reclaim some of that, as much as possible, said Mr. Kapusi.

Shen Yun aims to revive Chinas 5,000-year-old traditional culture, and the companys website highlights that its performance presents China before communism.

Communism has always been a basically debunked and a pure evil type of regime.  In todays world, we need to continue to strive against that, Mr. Kapusi said.

If people dont know beauty, its like being born in captivity. You dont know whats on the outside of the cage. But if youre born free, youre not going want to go back into a cage.

Its always easier to destroy something than to build it up. But when you put something together, such as this performance  that strives for perfection, I think thats far more valuable.  Andy Kapusi

Mr. Kapusi pointed out that its always easier to destroy something than to build it up. But when you put something together, such as this performance  that strives for perfection, I think thats far more valuable.

We all strive towards the understanding of God, he added. I think that plays a big role in it, he said of the performance. The energy there is  humanity reaching out to Gods perfection.

Chinas authentic culture is inseparable from its spiritual heritage, and Shen Yun presents a culture that draws inspiration from timeless Chinese Buddhist and Daoist philosophies. The performance often shares spiritually uplifting messages with its audiences, the companys website says.

I really commend those people that bring that kind of creativity to the forefront and [are] able to actually provide something that visually comes across in such a wonderful message, said Mr. Kapusi.

The performance really brought across that sense of grandeur.  I would say even the spiritual implications of it definitely connect with that human aspiration for life, joy, pursuit of happiness, and just freedom to enjoy life how we want it.

Reporting by Sunny Chen and Jennifer Schneider.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Sunlight is central to life as the natural cycles of light and dark influence our circadian rhythms in profound ways.

In the quest for better health, working with the cycles of light to optimize this delicate circadian balance becomes crucial for the function of our brain, hormones, genes, detoxification and more.

Positive developments took place in March of 2022 when the Senate voted unanimously to pass a bill that now has made its way over to the House, which is known as The Sunshine Protection Act.



If the bill is passed, it will end the back and forth 1-hour time change that has been in effect since 1918.



Even neighboring British Columbia in Canada is preparing to make the switch, alongside California, Oregon and Washington here in the U.S.

The move is being applauded by many in the health and wellness fields because of the way the time change can influence our human physiology in a variety of non-beneficial ways.

For instance, the University of Michigan conducted a study and found that there is a 24% increase in heart attacks on the Monday following the spring ahead time change.

In studying strokes, a 2015 study in Sleep Medicine showed that there is an increase in strokes the first two days after the time change and that people over 65 were 20% more likely to have a stroke during the first two days after the time change as well.

The springing ahead time change also typically produces an increase in fatal car accidents, while the falling back time change results in an increase in depression for many.

The fundamental reason our physiology can be thrown out of balance and create such ramifications as described above is due to our circadian rhythm not being in tune with the natural cycles of light and dark.

Sunlight

Exposing our eyes to sunlight in the early morning signals the brain to inhibit the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone, from the pineal gland.

This light also signals to the brain to begin releasing more serotonin and other hormones, which in turn tells the body to become more awake and alert for the day.

This is accomplished via a specialized master clock located in the hypothalamus of the brain known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).

The SCN contains over 20,000 neurons that help regulate the internal clock of the human body, because of its sensitivity to the cycles of light and dark.

Photons of light are picked up by the optic nerve in the human eye and signals the SCN to respond with the corresponding neurochemical release.

Getting light in the eyes in the morning after waking is something Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman discusses often and has long touted the mood, outlook and motivation benefits that can occur with proper morning light stimulation.

Dr. Huberman emphasizes an important point in his research as well, which is that cloudy mornings still have more than enough photons bursting through the clouds for our eyes to pick up and transmit vital messages to the brain.

Thus, getting more natural light in the eyes in the morning can be a simple and beneficial way to begin ones day.

Morning light treatment is also being researched by Helen Burgess, Ph.D., who co-directs the Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Burgess has stated that morning light treatment is an effective antidepressantas effective as a pharmaceutical antidepressant.

She also notes that morning light can improve sleep quality and sleep patterns, as well as helping to reduce symptoms of chronic pain.

We know of numerous other benefits of light and sunlight for the human body, which includes the production of Vitamin D and the corresponding influence of over 1,000 genes.

All of this is to state that the circadian rhythm balancing effects of sunlight are exceptional for us humans and getting morning light in the eyes is a very simple action step many people can take immediately.

Blue-light Detox

Just as certain spectrums and the timing of light can be beneficial to us, other spectrums and their timing can be detrimental to us.

The awareness of blue-light coming from devices and screens has grown substantially and there exists a robust amount of published information on ways to counter the effects of blue-light.



This blue-light that comes from our devices and screens is picked up by the eyes and tells the pineal gland to stop the release of melatonin, the sleep hormone discussed above.

When melatonin production is reduced, falling asleep and staying asleep can become much more difficult, which then can lead to a host of health issues both in the short term and long term.

Simply stated, this blue-light at night disrupts our natural circadian rhythms.

Fortunately though, easy solutions exist that can help reduce exposure to blue-light, including built-in light adjusting controls on many devices that we use today and also many companies offering a range of blue-light blocking glasses and technologies.

Limiting screen time and device usage before bed is something that also makes sense and can be easily (or not so easily) implemented to offer further help.

EMF Detox

Just as blue light can be harmful in certain situations, the awareness of certain electromagnetic fields (EMFs) influence on biological life is growing.

Wireless radiation emitted from cell phones, computers, tablets, smart devices and other devices that use WiFi have been shown to be dangerous to biological life, including us humans and the animals around us.

The harmful portion of the EMF spectrum also disrupts our natural circadian rhythms through various means.

Some people feel there is nothing that can be done, but there are free and easy action steps a person can take right away to begin helping.

Unplug the router or any WiFi emitting devices at night

Turn phone on airplane mode and keep outside of the bedroom

Keep cell phones and devices away from the head and reproductive areas as far as possible

All of this information is important for us adults, but it is even more crucial for children.



Childrens brains absorb nearly twice the amount of radiation as adults brains do and so it is important that we continue to raise awareness on this topic.

Sweating To Detox

Similar to the ways that detoxing from blue-light and harmful electromagnetic fields is important for us mentally and physically, the act of sweating facilitates a wonderful, free and easy way to detoxify and support ones health.

When we sweat out toxins through the skin, we help reduce the energy needed by the liver to carry out its detoxification tasks.



The less toxins in our body, the easier it is for the liver to work the way it is intended.

Exercising, sitting outside on hot days and using a sauna are all fantastic ways to increase the amount of sweating one does throughout a given week.

Regular sauna use has been shown to reduce the risk for Alzheimers as well as help lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular function.

Moving Forward

Getting sunlight in the morning, even if cloudy, is a phenomenal way for the brain to accelerate the wake-up process. Artificial blue-light from devices will actually work to wake up the brain by suppressing melatonin production and increasing serotonin production, but the Sun remains the best source of light.

This is again why it is important to utilize the appropriate settings on available devices to mitigate blue-light at night.

Night time is also a good reminder to unplug the router and other smart devices, as well as remove the phone from the bedroom and turn on airplane mode, if possible (the alarm can still be used in airplane mode).

Detoxification through sweating can help bring our circadian rhythm back into balance and is something often underutilized in many health programsbut it continues to be an age-old technique that can help many people.



Balancing ones circadian rhythms is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when aiming to improve ones health and it is often the free strategies, like those mentioned above, that can have the most beneficial impact on a persons health.

The quest for health begins with light and it is light that has the power to transform the darkness of pain, suffering and illness for many people.

The Sunshine Protection Act mentioned at the beginning of this article remains an important piece of legislation that will impact many and furthering the publics awareness on the importance of circadian rhythm balance is vital for the health of the people in our country and the people of the world.

Lance Schuttler graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelors degree in Health Science and co-founded and is the CEO of Ascent Nutrition, a unique holistic nutrition company.nHe is also the founder of EMF Harmonized, an electromagnetic field (EMF) protection technology company that is dedicated to helping improve peoples lives.nLance also has passion in the fields of brain health, neurogenesis, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, resource allocation and distribution and quantum technologies. He publishes articles on his website and is also a contributing writer for The Epoch Times. You can find him at his YouTube channel and his website, www.LanceSchuttler.com

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Cargo containers are stacked on a ship at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Supply Chain Woes to Worsen in Summer Months: Trucking Company

The United States may experience much worse supply chain pains in the coming summer months because of the massive lockdowns ongoing in China, a large trucking company warned.

We do forecast that to get a lot worse as we come into the summer months, particularly with whats happening in the supply chain from an ocean perspective or in China coming inbound, J.B. Hunt Chief Commercial Officer Shelley Simpson said on Monday during an earnings call.

The company said that there is a temporary relief for now.

I do think there has been a temporary relief in the dislocation from labor shortages and also just where shipments are located, Simpson said.

However, the situation in China forebodes a tough summer in the United States.

If you actually look at the live screenshot of whats happening in Shanghai, the ships areit looks just like a lot of ships and a little bit of water. And so that certainly is going to make its way back into the U.S. here this summer, he elaborated.

Residents stand on a street waiting for nucleic acid tests during lockdown amid the coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19, pandemic, in Shanghai, China, on April 17, 2022. (Aly Song/Reuters)

The Chinese regime started a citywide lockdown for the trade hub of over 26 million residents on April 1 after a partial lockdown began on the east side of the city at the end of March.

The authorities on April 11 divided the city into three areasa closed control area, a control area, and a prevention area. As of April 12, there are more than 10,000 closed control zones involving 15 million people, more than 2,000 control zones involving 1.78 million people, and 10,000 precautionary zones involving 4.8 million people.

Even if it is a so-called precautionary area, strict COVID prevention rules are in place.

Chinas health committee released daily data on April 14, claiming that there were 3,486 new confirmed CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases and no severe cases. Among them, Shanghai had 3,200 new local cases, while they earlier claimed there were 1,189 cases on April 12. Officials acknowledged in a press briefing that the outbreak in Shanghai is rapidly increasing, with community transmission not yet effectively contained and spillover to multiple provinces and cities.

Given the regimes practice of falsifying pandemic figures, there is no way to know the real situation, but it is likely to be much more serious.

The shutdown in the city and Chinas measures to control the pandemic elsewhere have hurt the economy and rattled global supply chains. Millions of people in Shanghai have struggled with income losses, lack of steady food supplies, separation of families, and poor conditions in quarantine centers.

The massive lockdown is also sending a new ripple through global supply chains for goods ranging from electric cars to iPhones in the United States.

Joyce Liang, Zhao Fenghua, Luo Ya, and Reuters contributed to the report.
Seated from left: Associate Justice Samuel Alito, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, standing from left: Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett pose during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal From Air Force Officer Who Refused Vaccine

The U.S. Supreme Court this week declined to hear an appeal from an Air Force reserve officer who was removed from the services command after he wouldnt get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Dunn, in a court filing, said he was previously denied a religious exemption and removed from his post because he didnt want to receive the vaccine.

Dunn, a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, said he tested positive for COVID-19 last year and requested the religious exemption. After he was denied, he filed a legal petition in a California federal court and argued that the Pentagon violated both federal law and his constitutional rights.

The California court rejected his request for a temporary order to bar the Air Force from relieving him of his duties. Later, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit declined to hear his case before he appealed to the Supreme Court.

His application for an injunction was presented to Justice Elena Kagan, who referred it to the Court, which was denied. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch indicated that they would grant Dunns request and allowed him to continue to serve in his post while the appeals process plays out.

If unvaccinated airmen with contraindications are deployable, and unvaccinated pregnant service members can serve for nine months, without harming a compelling interest, applicant can serve, Dunns petition argued (pdf), in part.

And because he contracted COVID-19, Dunn argued he has natural immunity conferred by a previous infection.

It is still less likely that a vaccinated or naturally immune member of his unit would experience more than mild symptoms, much less require hospitalization or evacuation, the lawsuit said, adding that the U.S. Air Forces track record before the vaccine mandate makes it far-fetched that the unit would fail to complete its mission.

Before the Air Force and other military branches reached their current vaccination rate, thousands of asymptomatic service members have deployed and served domestically over the past two years, the suit continued to say.

Gorsuch, Thomas, and Alito also sided with 35 Navy SEALs in March 2022 when the court rejected their lawsuit. In that case, Alito wrote that the Supreme Court does a great injustice to the SEALs by rubberstamping the Governments request.

These individuals appear to have been treated shabbily by the Navy, and the Court brushes all that aside, Alito wrote.

Since the Pentagon imposed mandatory vaccination, religious exemptions have been hard to come by in all branches of the armed service.
Scientists are working inside the bio-level 4 lab research at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland, on Sept. 26, 2002. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Surveying the Biological Warfare Landscape

A look at US and China biological warfare history and capabilities

Commentary

Biological warfare may already be underway.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sensitized the world to the spread of dangerous viral diseases. The Russo-Ukrainian war has exposed the presence of U.S.-funded biological research labs in Ukraine. Do either of these issues actually involve biological warfare in violation of the 1972 Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention that has been signed by over 100 nations?

Let us examine the topic.

US Bioweapons Testing

The United States did not invent bioweapons. Bioweapons have actually been used in various forms since ancient times. Methods included using arrows dipped in feces, using dead bodies to poison wells during wars in the Middle Ages, and intentionally spreading smallpox during the French and Indian War in the 18th century. The Germans and the Russians conducted small-scale biological attacks during World War I.

After World War I, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 was signed by 108 nations, including the United States, that prohibited the development and use of biological agents (and chemical weapons such as those used in the World War I trench warfare on both sides). But that treaty had no verification measures, and many nations continued their research and development.

A Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) was signed in 1972, with the signatories agreeing not to develop, produce, stockpile, or acquire biological agents or toxins of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective, and other peaceful purposes, as well as weapons and means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.

The United States learned a great deal about bioweapons from World War II adversaries, particularly the Japanese at the notorious Unit 731. The Japanese weaponized cholera, typhus, and the plague to kill over a half-million Chinese in at least 11 separate biowarfare attacks on Chinese cities during the war.

Experiments in the use of biowarfare agentssuch as botulism and anthraxwere also conducted against prisoners of war (POWs) at the Mukden POW Camp in northeast China. By the end of the war, the Japanese had stockpiled 400 kilograms of anthrax to be used in a specially designed fragmentation bomb that was never deployed. The United States interrogated survivors of Unit 731 after the armistice and learned the full extent of the Japanese program.

Chinese and Japanese experts investigate and categorize munitions excavated from a site known to contain Japanese chemical weapons left behind from World War II in Mudanjiang, in Chinas northern Heilongjiang Province, on July 5, 2006. (Natalie Behring/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The United States conducted considerable biological warfare-related research during the Cold War before the BWTC was negotiated and signed in 1972.

In 2015, the Smithsonian Magazine published an article describing a U.S. Navy bioweapons test in 1950, two miles off the northern California coast, using a bacterium that produced a red pigment to make it easy to examine its effects. Eleven residents later were determined to have urinary tract infections related to the bacteria.

That article further stated that the U.S. military performed other biowarfare-related tests in the United States until President Richard Nixon halted biowarfare research in 1969.

Francis Boyle, now a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law, was the principal drafter of the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 (BWATA), which implemented the 1972 Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention.

According to LewRockwell.com, Boyle made the following allegation: Since Sept. 11, 2001, we [the United States] have spent somewhere in the area of $100 billion on offensive biological warfare.

Was Boyles sensational claim correct?

Fast-forward to the Russo-Ukrainian war and allegations by Russia and China about U.S.-funded bioweapons-related research laboratories in Ukraine. Although there has been much circumstantial evidence, speculation, and propaganda swirling about this topic, a final determination of what transpired in those biological research labs will probably have to wait until a thorough investigation is completed after the war.

Questions certainly need to be answered, but the continuing accusations by China, in particular, raise an obvious red flag since the Chinese communists are masters at psychological warfare and disinformation in order to shift attention away from their own transgressions.

Let us examine Chinas biowarfare history. What might the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) be hiding on this topic?

Communist China and Biowarfare

Since the Chinese themselves had been victims of Imperial Japans biological warfare campaign during World War II, it is no surprise that communist China began research into the development of bioweapons after 1949.

An excellent 2020 article from Air University makes several key points about Chinas likely biological warfare program:

China signed the Geneva Protocol of 1925 in 1952.

China signed the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) in 1984; the Chinese were assessed as having a robust biowarfare research program before they signed the convention.

Before signing the BTWC, China insisted on the insertion of a clause that meant the treaty was only binding if all other signatories were also following the guidelines, thus giving the Chinese an out to not only pursue biological weapons but to use them if determined appropriate.

While denying the existence of an offensive biological program, China has developed a robust biodefense infrastructure and a biotechnology industry that has substantial dual-use capabilities that can be used for both biodefense and bioweapons.

that can be used for both biodefense and bioweapons. By 2005, China was the biggest violator of export restrictions under the BTWC. It sold dual-use equipment and vaccines with both civilian medical applications and biological weapons applications to other countries.

It is believed that China has helped Iran and other Middle Eastern nations build their own biological weapons programs.

According to a 2014 U.S. State Department report, it is clear that China possesses the required technology and resources to mass-produce traditional [biological weapon] agents as well as expertise in aerobiology.

At least two flu pandemics in the past centuryin 1957 and 1968originated in China and were triggered by avian (bird flu) viruses that evolved to become easily transmissible between humans.

The 1957-1958 H2N2 pandemic killed an estimated 1.1 million people worldwide and 116,000 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The 1968 H3N2 pandemic killed an estimated 1 million people worldwide and about 100,000 in the United States, according to the CDC.

In November 2002, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was discovered in southern China. According to the CDC, a coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infected 8,098 people worldwide, including eight in the United States, and killed 774 people worldwide (none in the United States)a death rate of 10 percent. It was largely contained by July 2003.

The Smithsonian Magazine published an article about the bird flu in 2017 that is almost a precursor of the spread of the SAR-CoV-2 virus. It stated the following:

The Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus first spread from birds to humans in 2013.

There have been five waves of that bird flu virus (now six, per the CDC: China is currently experiencing its sixth epidemic of Asian H7N9 human infections).

The fifth wave began in October 2016 and infected 766 peoplefar more than any of the four preceding waves.

There have been 1,589 total cases of H7N9, with 616 of them fatal (a 39 percent mortality rate).

If H7N9 were to mutate further and develop the ability to pass readily from person to person, it could spread rapidly and kill millions of people worldwide.

A technician conducts tests for the H7N9 bird flu virus at the Kunming Center for Disease Control in China on April 10, 2013. Chinese scientists believe new cases of H7N9 bird flu in East China may indicate the risk of a fresh outbreak of the virus during winter. (ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)

Then there is another coronavirus that first made its appearance in 2019 in Chinas Wuhan city: the SARS-CoV-2 virus or CCP virus. Thousands of articles have detailed the worldwide COVID pandemic over the past two years!

Are all these China-originated viruses merely acts of nature or something more sinister?

It is alleged that the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory is just a cover for the research and development of Chinese bioweapons. Could SARS-CoV-2 have been bioengineered at the Wuhan Institute of Virology?

An aerial view shows the P4 laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei Province on April 17, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite open-source speculation by reputable scientists and others, the origin of the CCP virus remains unconfirmed, albeit very likely.

Have the Chinese communists given us any clues to the puzzle?

A document written by Chinese scientists and public health officials in 2015 actually predicts that biological warfare will be the basis for conducting World War III. Is this document a harbinger?

The document, titled The Unnatural Origin of SARS and New Species of Man-Made Viruses as Genetic Bioweapons, stated that SARS coronaviruses could be engineered as a new era of genetic weapons that can be artificially manipulated into an emerging human disease virus and then weaponized and released into the general population in unprecedented ways.

Another piece of the puzzle was an obscure FBI tactical intelligence report from November 2019 that detailed an incident in which a Chinese scientist was caught carrying viruses from China into the United States in November 2018.

As reported two years after the incident by yahoo! news, the details are shocking: Inspection of the writing on the vials and the stated recipient led inspection personnel to believe the materials contained within the vials may be viable Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) materials.  [T]he FBI concluded that the incident, and two other cases cited in the report, were part of an alarming pattern [of ongoing U.S. biosecurity risks].

There are no such things as coincidences! And a clear pattern emerges.

Conclusion

Available open-source information from U.S. government agencies and news reports enables a logical conclusion that communist China has an ongoing offensive biological warfare program that is camouflaged by an extensive Chinese dual-use biodefense infrastructure and a biotechnology industry developed over the past several decades.

Chinese authorities have suggested that World War III may be fought with biological warfare weapons. A Chinese scientist was caught entering the United States with MERS and SARS virus samples in 2018. The world continues to endure waves of viral pandemics that originated in China. The SARS-CoV-2 was almost certainly engineered by humans. Has World War III already started?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume lays flowers at a vigil to honour Francois Duchesne who was stabbed to death on Halloween night by a man with a sword, November 3, 2020 in Quebec City. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)

Survivors Testify as Trial of Alleged Quebec Sword Attacker Resumes After COVID Delay

A man who was out for a walk in Quebec City on Halloween night 2020 told a court today he first thought it was a joke when a man wearing a disguise and brandishing a sword approached him.

But Remy Belanger testified the man then raised the sword and he felt blows to his head, hand and back, resulting in injuries that required two weeks of hospitalization and three months in rehabilitation.

Belanger was one of three victims to testify today about the stabbing rampage that claimed the lives of Suzanne Clermont, 61, and Francois Duchesne, 56.

Twenty-six-year-old Carl Girouard is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the attack.

The judge has told jurors that Girouard admits to the physical acts but will argue he was not criminally responsible at the time of the events because he was suffering from a mental disorder.

The trial resumed today with 11 jurors after being suspended last Wednesday due to COVID-19 cases among the panel.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Richard Grenier said today he appreciated the lawyers efforts to speed up the proceedings, in the midst of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bill Priestap, assistant director for the FBI's Counterintelligence Division, before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on July 26, 2017. (Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images)

Sussmanns Attorneys Want FBI Officials Notes Nixed as Evidence

Former Clinton Campaign attorney Michael Sussmanns attorneys want notes recorded by two FBI officials from being introduced as evidence when their client goes on trial for lying to the agency in September 2016 as he delivered debunked allegations regarding a secret server link between the Trump Organization and a Russian bank.

In a 46-page motion filed on April 15, attorneys Sean Berkowitz, Michael Bosworth, Natalie Hardwick Rao, and Catherine Yao of Latham & Watkins LLP argue the notes are inadmissible unreliable triple hearsay and unrelated to the charge against Sussmann.

Special Counsel John Durham has entered as evidence notes taken by then-Assistant FBI Director for Counterintelligence E. William Bill Priestap and then-Deputy General Counsel Trisha Anderson, who both spoke with FBI General Counsel James Baker shortly after he met with Sussmann on Sept. 19, 2016, at the agencys headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Sussmann is set to go on trial beginning May 16 in the U.S. District Court in Washington for claiming he was acting as a concerned citizen when he met with Baker while working for Rodney Joffe, a cybersecurity expert whose firm had a contract with Executive Office of the President to monitor DNS (Domain Name System) traffic; and for Hillary For America, Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign committee, which Sussmanns Washington, D.C.-based law firm Perkins Coie represented.

In their motion, Sussmanns attorneys argue that Durham himself has said in previous court statements that a jury will have to decide only whether the defendant knowingly and willfully made a materially false statement when meeting with Baker.

Nothing more, nothing less, they write. We agree. And yet throughout this case and his motion, the Special Counsel seeks to put other people, other conduct, and other issues on trial that have nothing to do with the narrow false statement crime the Special Counsel has actually brought against Mr. Sussmann.

The motion requests that U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper deny the Special Counsels motion to admit Mr. Priestaps and Ms. Andersons notes.

These notestaken by two people who were not even witness to Mr. Sussmanns statementepitomize the type of untrustworthy evidence the hearsay rules are meant to exclude and, if admitted into evidence, would prejudice Mr. Sussmann and mislead the jury to overvalue the scattered scribblings of two FBI employees who cannot be subject to meaningful cross-examination, they continue.

Sussmanns attorneys maintain that the notes are being entered as a preemptive rebuttal to an argument the defense isnt making.

The Special Counsel asserts, without analysis, that if Mr. Sussmann impeaches Mr. Bakers credibility or memory, the court should admit the notes as Mr. Bakers prior consistent statements because both sets of notes are squarely consistent with what the government expects the General Counsel will testify at trial, the motion reads.

But that is not in line with evidentiary law, they argue.

Baker did not adopt the notes as accurate and in accord with his own recollection  immediately following his conversations with Mr. Priestap or Ms. Anderson, as is required, they said. Mr. Baker reviewed the notes, for the first time, years after they were created.

Priestap and Anderson cannot be subject to meaningful cross-examination about the notes or Mr. Bakers purported statements to them, because they simply do not remember them, they add, noting that Priestap does not recall actually writing these notes, nor does he even remember who gave him the information in the notes or why he wrote them down.

In his 35-page response, also filed on April 15, Durham said Sussmanns attorneys are misguided in their interpretation of Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(1)(B), which governs the admissibility of the witnesss prior consistent statements and specifically provides two independent bases for the admission of his prior consistent statements as substantive evidence.

Durham said the notes are pivotal to confirming impressions of what Baker told his FBI colleagues after meeting with Sussmann because his recollection of the conversation and his prior consistent statements will be questioned extensively by defense attorneys under cross-examination.

Prior consistent statements are not hearsay, Durham said, if admitted to rebut an express or implied charge of fabrication or improper influence or motive.

Contemporaneous notes are admissible under the hearsay exception for past recollection recorded which, Durham argues, allows their entry as evidence because it is a matter the witness once knew about, they were taken when the matter was fresh in the witnesss memory and record accurately reflects the witnesss knowledge.

Sussmanns attorneys argue that Durham is being preemptive in allowing notes to blunt anticipated attacks on Bakers recall of the meeting, but Durham argues the defenses argument puts the cart before the horse because Priestap and Anderson have not yet testified at trial so it is uncertain what they would say.

The defendants reliance on selected quotes from those witnesses interview reports and/or prior grand jury testimony is of no moment, Durham writes.

The motions regarding Priestaps and Andersons notes were among the flurry of April 15 filings, in which Durham alleged Sussmann also conveyed the same false information to the CIA on February 2017 and that five witnesses connected to the Clinton campaign have invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and will not cooperate with the investigation.

The CIA concluded that Sussmanns allegations that Trumps business had a secret channel with a Russian bank and a separate allegation about Russian-manufactured phones was not technically plausible, did not withstand technical scrutiny, contained gaps, conflicted with (itself), and was user-created and not machine/tool generated, according to Durhams filing.

Cooper, an Obama appointee, rejected Sussmanns motion to dismiss the case last week and is expected to issue rulings on the many motions as the May 16 trial date nears.

That information handed over by Sussmann to the FBI and the CIA claimed two servers at Alfa Bank, Russias largest bank, sent more than 2,700 look-up messages in 2016 to a Trump Organization-connected server operated by Spectrum Health, a managed care health care organization in Michigan.

According to a white paper Sussmann provided to the FBI, Spectrum Healths IP address is a TOR exit node used exclusively by Alfa Bank. Tor, short for The Onion Router, is open-source software that enables anonymous, presumably untraceable, communication.

However, those 2,700 look-ups using a mail1.trump-email.com host were dispatched by Cendyn, which does marketing/promotions for hotels, including for Trump hotels, through a spam email contractor, Philadelphia-based Listrak.

After investigating the claims, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other legacy media outlets did not publish articles on the allegations until Slate did so on Oct. 31, 2016  just days before the election.

Reviews by The Intercept, among others, quickly showed the allegations involved spam traffic and that there was no secret server between the Trump Organization and Russia.
Texas Gov. Suggests Sending Illegal Immigrants to Bidens Home State

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott suggested Monday that his office may transport illegal immigrants picked up along the U.S.-Mexico border to Delaware, President Joe Bidens home state.

In recent days, Abbott has authorized sending seven buses with unlawful immigrants from his state to Washington.

This busing process is going to continue. I want you and the audience to know exactly why were doing what were doing, Abbott, a Republican, told Fox News on Monday night. The Biden administration, they were dropping off illegal immigrants just [into] small towns on the border  were not going to allow that to happen.

If the plan to send illegal immigrants to Washington falls through, Abbott added, Delaware looks like a great location.

His comment is similar to one made by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, also a Republican, several weeks ago when he said that his office would transport illegal immigrants from his state to Delaware. Biden owns a home in Delaware and was a U.S. senator representing the state for decades.

Abbott previously said he is attempting to highlight what he described as the Biden administrations mismanagement of the U.S.-Mexico border after the White House confirmed it would allow the Title 42 health rule to expire next month.

Republicans and a growing number of Democrats have called on Biden to reinstate the health order, arguing that allowing it to expire would send a signal to illegal immigrants to come to the United States. The Customs and Border Protection confirmed this week that officials have made more than 1 million arrests since October of last year and made nearly 210,000 arrests along the border in March 2022.

Several Senate Democrats who are facing potentially tight 2022 races broke with the Biden administration and called on it to reimplement the rule.

Right now, we have a crisis on our southern border. Right now, this administration does not have a plan. I warned them about this months ago, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who is up for reelection, told Fox News in a recent interview. Its going to be, to be honest, its going to be a crisis on top of a crisis.

The office of Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), also facing a close race in 2022, stated that he does not support lifting Title 42 at this time and instead believes in protecting the humanity of migrants at the border, but before this policy is rescinded, the Administration should present a plan for how it will ensure our border security.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki previously dismissed the Republican governors move as a publicity stunt and suggested he lacks the authority.

I think its pretty clear this is a publicity stunt, she told reporters. His own office admits that a migrant would need to voluntarily be transported, and he cant compel them to because, again, enforcement of our countrys immigration laws lies with the federal government, not a state.
What are the elements stopping the Chinese military from advancing in the Pacific Ocean? And are Western nations doing enough to stop the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)? These questions trouble military and geopolitical experts every day. Perhaps the even bigger question is, what do we stand to lose?

I speak with Commander Paul Giarra, president of Global Strategies & Transformation, a national security consulting firm. We focus on the important role of the first island chain and what the United States can do to stand up to the malign influence of the CCP.

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The Castoro 10 pipelay vessel lays concrete-coated pipe for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline onto the seabed of the Baltic Sea near Lubmin, Germany, on Aug. 16, 2018. Germany turned away from the pipeline which would have supplied Russian gas after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The Wests Mismanaged Energy Transition Is Creating Instability, Says Policy Paper

Attempts by Western governments to transition away from hydrocarbons is creating instability, according to a new policy paper from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) evaluating efforts by North America and Europe to curtail fossil fuel use through decarbonization.

It has become apparent that energy transition policies in Canada and the U.S. are ultimately working to undermine economic, energy, and national security in North America, write authors Jack Mintz and Ron Wallace in The Global Energy Transition Confronts East vs. West Realpolitik: Why Energy Security Matters.

Some of the consequences of the Wests divestment in hydrocarbons cited by the report are market instabilities, power interruptions, and continued rising costs. Meanwhile, foreign producers are benefiting and Russias war in Ukraine has brought Europes dependence on Russian hydrocarbons to the forefront.

It is becoming abundantly clear that such policies, as practised in Germany to achieve climate-driven objectives for net zero carbon emissions, has delivered European energy security into the hands of Russia, it says.

The authors argue that energy must be understood as a core strategic issue beyond climate considerations, with Russia creating an impetus to re-evaluate current policies. German Economy Minister Robert Habecksaid said last month that his country has maneuvered ourselves into an ever-greater dependency on fossil energy imports from Russia in the last 20 years, reported The Associated Press.

That is not a good state of affairs.

Despite its pursuit of aggressive climate policies, Germany was in the process of increasing its dependence on Russian energy with the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would have doubled Russian gas exports to Germany.

The 1,234 km offshore pipeline is ready for use but Germany has not certified it in light of recent geopolitical developments, and it is now essentially abandoned.

To meet its energy needs, Germany plans to not only speed up the expansion of renewable sources, but also build a liquid natural gas terminal as quickly as possible while reconsidering the suspension of the planned shutdown of coal-fired power plants.

Its not only European countries whose independence and security are threatened by an over-reliance on foreign energy sources. The American military plays a major role in continental and world security, and the MLI paper documents the staggering amount of fuel it takes to do so.

The U.S. Department of Defence is one of the single largest global consumers of hydrocarbons. According to 2005 CIA World Factbook data, if the Pentagon were a country, it would rank 34th in average daily oil use.

The U.S. Air Force uses 10 percent of Americas supply of aviation fuel making it the U.S. governments largest fuel consumer.

Given just how deeply the U.S. military establishment is woven around fossil fuel use, how do policies by successive U.S. administrations to reduce dependence on fossil fuels affect not just North American energy security but their military capabilities? Could it not be argued, therefore, that any policies to significantly reduce hydrocarbon production is militarily and politically destabilizing? the authors ask.

At the same time that the Biden administration has been taking action to stymie hydrocarbon transportation and development in North America, its been pleading with foreign producers to increase output.

These contradictory policies provide examples of the complexities and difficulties that will be involved in the attainment of net zero emissions from hydrocarbonsand not just for the U.S. and Canadian economies, but globally, the paper says.



In contrast to the path taken by the West on climate policy, China and Russia understand the long-term energy game and are aggressively developing their access to fossil fuels resources.

If the West chooses to kneecap itself with a mismanaged transition process leading to high energy prices and large economic costs, China will be able to advance ahead with its Belt and Road Initiative and economic investments throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and thereby continue to increase its economic influence, the paper warns.



China is already a major player in resources and products for the green economy. Its expansion into new markets will force the West to become dependent on foreign sources not only for hydrocarbons but for alternative energy as well, which will further boost global energy insecurity. Mintz and Wallace conclude that North America and the European Union are experiencing the consequences of misguided energy policies that have undermined efforts to sustain energy security in the West.

At a critical time when North American energy could be backfilling against sanctioned Russian oil and gas, Canada has limited additional supply available for export with inadequate infrastructure that limits options for potential exports, they write.
Theatre Group Behind Nude Sex Education Show Aimed at Children Pulls Plug Amid Growing Outrage

The theatre company behind The Family Sex Show has cancelled it days before it was due to go on tour at venues in England.

Thousands of people expressed fury at a show called The Family Sex Show which invited families to take children from age five to explore themes such as boundaries, pleasure, consent, queerness, and sex as well as featuring full-frontal nudity.

Organisers said that they pulled the show due to threats and abuse.

The Cambridge-based theatre company ThisEgg, which is run by Josie Dale-Jones and is Arts Council Funded, claimed that it wanted to put on a show offering intersectional, feminist, non-binary, anti-racist & sex-positive take on Relationships and Sex Education.

On a Q and A section on its site, it said that 5-years-olds were so young but that it is important that children are supported in their exploratory development.

The Family Sex Show site contains a glossary of sexual and political terms that includes definitions of anti-capitalist, colonisation, diversity, and revolution.

The show was made in consultation with the School of Sexuality Education, a National Lottery-funded and U.N. Sustainable Development Goals aligned organisation that provides in-school workshops on consent, sexual health, porn, and positive relationships.

Extremist Views

On Tuesday, ThisEgg posted a statement on Twitter that it is regrettable that violent and illegal threats and abuse directed at the company and venues by a small group of people with extremist views has prevented families from opting to attend something that was transparent, consensual, and legal.

We believe that what has happened is reflective of structural and societal attitudes towards Relationships and Sex Education, they added.

The Bristol Post reported that three performances at The Egg theatre in Bath were sold out.

The show was also planned at Tobacco Factory Theatre in Bristol. The venue wrote a statement on Tuesday that it had cancelled it due to the unprecedented threats and abuse directed at our building and team.

Organisers said that they were going to send a pre-show document available on April 28, 2022, showing exactly what happens in The Family Sex Show to make attendants more comfortable.

Last week both theatres involved told Bath Live that The Family Sex Show is a theatre show which opens up conversations around relationships.

ThisEgg said that there will still be a performance for an invited audience at The Egg theatre in Bath.

The show was condemned by many mums on Mumsnet, the UKs most popular website for parents. Furthermore, a petition to scrap The Family Sex Show had amassed just under 38,000 signatures by the time of publication.

UK & Ireland Campaign Director at CitizenGO and Catholic writer Caroline Farrow who set up the petition told The Epoch Times whoever planned on taking their children to this show must be painfully woke.

CitizenGO is an online platform of signatures gathering for Christian campaigns.

I was concerned about the adults stripping in front of children. It wasnt a knee-jerk thing, I looked into this and thought Am I looking at the wrong end of the stick? Then I just looked at the glossary, workshops, and podcasts and realised that this is actually incredibly disturbing, said Farrow.

She said that she didnt want to demonize the theatre group, but criticised the organiser as willfully naive and said that they had taken a couple of kernels of truth and distorted them.

Politicising Children

Those behind the production said they created the show as a response to Relationship and Sex Education in the UK. Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools in the UK.

All of us parents want to equip children with the knowledge they need, but we need to do that in an age-appropriate fashion, said Farrow.

I think there is a whole industry around creating a moral panic that children dont know enough about sex and are not being educated enough about sex. I dont think we need a show like this to be teaching children about adult sexual pleasure, she said.

On some of the terms used such as pronouns as well as genderqueer, diversity training, and decolonizing, Farrow said she believed this was a form of indoctrination and that it was politicising children.

The Epoch Times contacted Josie Dale-Jones for comment.
Tourism in Los Angeles Results in Increased LAPD Presence in Venice Beach

VENICE BEACH, Calif.Amid an uptick in both citywide and countywide crime, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Division is increasing its presence temporarily in Venice Beach as tourists are expected to flock to the beach during the summer months.

Residents in the area say the uptick in crime is largely due to homeless people who are living in encampments and RVs near neighborhoods and are addicted to drugs. Piles of trash and tents can be seen scattered throughout the Venice neighborhood.

A total of 3 sergeants and 20 patrol officers were assigned to the area earlier this month because of a large increase of tourists expected this summer, according to the department. Officers will be undergoing special training and are expected to patrol the beach until October.

A homeless encampment in Venice Beach, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Its unclear what kind of special training the LAPD will be doing, and the department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, in an LAPD Commission meeting last week, Assistant Chief Dominic Choi told commissioners that the department has been training officers on mental health intervention training, and 4,676 officers have completed the training so far.

The move comes as more than half of the total 37 LAPD-officer-involved shootings last year occurred during encounters with homeless people (10 cases) or mentally ill people (15 cases), according to a report released by the department on April 12.

As about 41 percent of the cases involved people with mental health issues, Police Commission President William Briggs said the city needs greater mental health service providers.

People walk past a homeless man in Venice Beach, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

[The report] underscores significant challenges that we still face.  [and] illustrate the reasons officers need additional training in this area, Briggs said.

For residents in Venice who experience firsthand the pervasive issue of crime and homelessness, the extra help from law enforcement is welcomed, but they say public safety should not be tailored exclusively for the tourists, as a couple was found shot dead in their home on Berkeley Drive in Venice last week.

The added patrols are with officers from different cities with little knowledge of Venice, [who] act like tourists themselves they walk around on weekends until sunset, 30-year resident Sean OBrien told The Epoch Times in a text message. [The police] presence is appreciated as it is a deterrent, but when the sun goes down the mayhem ramps up and no help for the week days.

Another resident and community activist, Yolanda Gonzalez, told The Epoch Times her property was broken into two weeks ago by a homeless person living inside the encampment at Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Librarys parking lot, which is across the street from her home.

They even went into my neighbors property. We have it on tape. We did file a police report, but they cannot do a thing about it, Gonzalez said. It has just gotten worse. We are trying to get bathrooms for them. They have been [defecating] in the back of our propertyjust really fed up.

A Venice Beach resident drives past a homeless encampment in front of the Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library in Venice, Calif., on Feb. 18, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Venice Beach has been the epicenter of much of Los Angeless debate over homelessness and crime as hundreds of encampments were cleared last summer by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department Homeless Outreach and Services Team and city officials.

The small coastal neighborhood, which is a vibrant, eclectic community of small business owners and artists, has the highest congregation of homeless people living on its streets after Skid Row.

According to the last homeless count, nearly 2,000 people were recorded living on the streets in Venice, and Skid Row has over 4,000.

Citywide, Los Angeles has over 41,000 homeless people, and the county has over 62,000.

As a result, the city deployed an unarmed pilot program in Venicethe Crisis and Incident Response through Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE) Programto replace armed law enforcement on the frontlines of responding to emergency 911 calls involving mentally ill, drug-addicted homeless people.

Los Angeles Sheriffs Department (LASD) deputies take part in efforts to connect homeless people with housing in order to clear the boardwalk of encampments at Venice Beach in Los Angeles on June 16, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

During Mayor Eric Garcettis last State of the City address on April 18, he vowed to expand the budget for the unarmed response teams in Venice, which were launched in December 2021. Its unclear how much funding will be allocated to the program, which currently has $30 million countywide and $2.2 million in the city.

According to LAPD Pacific Divisions data, violent crime has increased by nearly 28 percent over the last two years, and arrests are down 27.2 percent.
Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden, waits for the start of his father's debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky., on Oct. 11, 2012. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)

Treasure Trove: GOP Investigator Says House Republicans Have Hunter Bidens Laptop

A longtime House Republican confirmed that Hunter Bidens foreign business dealings are currently being investigated in Congress and now Republicans apparently have possession of the infamous laptop that is believed to have belonged to the presidents son.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said that we have the laptop, and in the meantime, were investigating. Issa described the findings on the laptop as a treasure trove before saying that were going to need a special prosecutor to look into other allegations about Bidens business dealings in various countries, including China.

On the laptop is direct communication between [President Joe Biden] and his son, a good dive into how sick and vulnerable Hunter Biden was, and some of the things he did, Issa said, adding that there were photos on the hard drive that allegedly showed the younger Bidens drug stash.

While the younger Biden has denied any wrongdoing in his business dealings, he has publicly admitted to having struggled with substance abuse in the past. President Biden, meanwhile, has categorically denied his son was involved in any improper business arrangements and has maintained he had no knowledge or communication about any deals.

Issa said that there were business deals that went forward for Hunter Biden, including a deal with the wife of the former mayor of Moscow and including China as he was dealing with drug problems.

The FBI said it took possession of the actual hardware after the owner, suspected to be Hunter Biden, left it for repairs at a Delaware shop in 2019 and never returned for it.

Its existence was first reported on in October 2020just days before the general election between Joe Biden and then-President Donald Trumpby the New York Post before Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms moved to limit the Posts articles reach. Twitter also locked the newspaper out of its account for more than two weeks, although Hunter Bidens business was heavily referenced in the second presidential debate between Trump and Joe Biden.

Starting in March, however, the New York Times, Washington Post, and other outlets claimed to have confirmed the laptops authenticity, driving renewed interest in the younger Bidens business deals overseas.

Last month, Issa confirmed to news outlets that he sent record and document preservation requests to Big Tech companies, White House aides, and former U.S. intelligence officials in connection to the New York Posts story and whether it was artificially suppressed online ahead of the election.

The Posts report stipulated that emails sourced from the laptop suggested there was a meeting between Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, and Ukrainian business leaders. Days later, Tony Bobulinski, a former business associate of the Bidens, came forward in October 2020 and asserted Joe Biden was the big guy referenced in emails about proposed payout packages and equity shares in a Biden venture with a Chinese energy conglomerate.

A federal investigation into Hunter Biden, led by the U.S. Attorneys office in Delaware, is currently ongoing, concerning business and financial activities dating back to when his father was the vice president under the Obama administration.

At the time when the probe was announced, the younger Biden said that he is [taking] this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.
Truckers Arrive in Sacramento to Protest Vaccine Mandates

Over a hundred demonstrators showed up on the steps of Californias state Capitol building in Sacramento on Monday, April 18, to support The Peoples Convoy and its fight to end vaccine mandates.

Mike Landis, a lead trucker in the convoy, and other organizers told supporters that Mondays rally was only a prelude to a larger protest planned for Tuesday when state lawmakers are scheduled to vote on proposed legislation related to vaccine mandates.

Landis told The Epoch Times preceding the Defeat the Mandates rally on April 10 in Los Angeles, where thousands of people turned out to protest the mandates, The Peoples Convoy is opposed to the so-called Tyrannical Ten legislative bills California lawmakers have proposed.

Thousands gather for the Defeat the Mandates rally in Los Angeles on April 10, 2022. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

Three of the original 10 billsAssembly Bill (AB) 1993, Senate Bill (SB) 871, and SB 1184have been put on hold, but Landis and other organizers have warned lawmakers could try to re-introduce them.

Tomorrow is the big day, Landis said at Mondays rally, urging supporters not to back down in the face of tyrannical government.

The struggle for freedom is ongoing, he said.

You have to stay diligent, Landis said, adding that many people he spoke to during the convoy in the last week said they had no idea about any of this and here they [lawmakers] are this week voting on this stuff.

In an interview following the rally, Landis told The Epoch Times the convoy is about uniting Americans and standing up for liberty.

This convoy is effectively bringing all different types of people together, not just people from one side of the political aisle or another. Its all different people coming together because they believe in our freedoms, and they can see how unconstitutional, unethical, and immoral most of these bills that are being put out are, he said. I think its important for people to understand that they have to continue to do this well after this week or next week is over and will after the convoy leaves town, not just here, but everywhere.

The mainstream media is a bigger virus than what COVID ever was, Landis said.

Theyre not doing their job diligently enough, because theyre not reporting things that really are important to the people. Theyre dropping the ball on factual and truthful reporting.

Mike Landis (L) and Brian Brase, truckers and organizers of The Peoples Convoy, speak at the Defeat the Mandates rally in Los Angeles on April 10, 2022. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

Meanwhile, earlier Monday, lead trucker Brian Brase quelled rumors that he left The Peoples Convoy.

I havent quit, he told The Epoch Times.

This fight is never going to be over. Youve always got to stand up. As far as being with the convoy, specifically in California, Im not with them right now. Im home. I had to kind of take a backseat for a little bit to work and look after my daughters, Brase said. I had to get back home and take care of some of my other responsibilities. Im a big believer that its God, family, then country, and right now Im on that family level. Ive just got to take care of my family. But by no means have I quit.

Brase said he will represent The Peoples Convoy and speak at events in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 23 and Orange County, California, on April 30. The event in Orange County is called the Eagle Forum and will feature several other speakers.

In a video livestreamed on Facebook, titled State Groups Fun, Brase talked for more than 20 minutes about why he had to head home, and alluded to squabbling among some organizers.

He called for unity among national and state organizers and urged them not to lose sight of the convoys mission.

Its egos, he said in the livestream. Dont let them corrupt the message or the mission.

The Peoples Convoy is more than a protest. This is a movement on a global scaleAustralia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, United States. This is a movement now.

Before signing off, Brase said, Always speak the truth and always speak from the heart. Always. Dont forget to remind our government that they work for us.

Sheryl McKeown Harper, a California organizer, urged supporters to protest the bills, and she applauded The Peoples Convoy for drawing national attention to them.

I dont know about you, but they lit a fire in my heart that has been out for far too long, Harper told the crowd.

Sheryl McKeown Harper at the Defeat the Mandates rally in Los Angeles on April 10, 2022. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

Theyre going to make our doctors treat everyone the same and require them to vaccinate us whether or not it is good for us as individuals or not, she said. We should get to choose, and our doctors should be able to practice medicine.

Because both the federal and state governments are still in a declared a state of emergency, that means they could have pulled these bills, but they can put them back on the docket whenever they want.

The Tyrannical Ten

Assembly Bills

AB 1993 Employment: Vaccination requirements would require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees and independent contractors to work in California.

AB 2098 Physicians and Surgeons: Unprofessional conduct would classify anti-COVID medical opinion as unprofessional conduct subject to discipline by the medical board.

AB 1797 Immunization: Registry would create an immunization tracking system giving all government agencies access to vaccination records of all people.

Senate Bills

SB 871 Public health: Immunizations would add COVID-19 injections to the list of immunizations for public and private schools regardless of FDA approval.

SB 866 Minors: Vaccine consent would lower the age of vaccination consent to 12 years old without parental consent or knowledge.

SB 920 Medical Board of California: Record requests would authorize the medical board to inspect a doctors office and medical records without patient consent.

SB 1464 Law Enforcement: Public health orders would require law enforcement agencies to enforce public health guidelines or lose their funding.

SB 1479 COVID-19 Testing in Schools: COVID-19 testing plans would require schools to create long-term testing plans and report test results to the California Department of Public Health.

SB 1390 Social Media Platforms: Amplification of harmful content would prohibit any person or entity from making statements the government deems untrue or misleading by any means, including on the Internet and in advertising.

SB 1184 Confidentiality of Medical Information Act: School-linked services coordinator would authorize school health personnel to disclose a childs medical information without parental consent to a third party.
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a conference in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Trump Urges Russia and Ukraine to Work Out Some Kind of Agreement

Former President Donald Trump on Monday called on Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement to end the war, which began on Feb. 24.

Trump said on the 55th day of Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine that it doesnt make sense that Russia and Ukraine arent sitting down and working out some kind of an agreement.

If they dont do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage, Trump said in a statement.

According to the United Nations Humans Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), as of April 18, at least 2,072 Ukrainians have been killed and 2,818 have been injured (pdf) since Putin launched a full-scale invasion against neighboring Ukraine.

The death toll includes 537 men, 327 women, 38 girls, and 60 boys, as well as 71 children and 1,039 adults whose gender is yet unknown. The injured include 327 men, 253 women, 56 girls, and 61 boys, as well as 155 children and 1,966 adults whose gender is yet unknown.

The OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher,

This is a war that never should have happened, but it did, Trump said.

He added, The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out nownot laterwhen everyone will be DEAD!

Nearly two months since the invasion first began, negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian diplomats have been so far unsuccessful.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that he is prepared to speak with Russian authorities if there is an opportunity to do so, but that he wouldnt do so under a Russian ultimatum.

The leader said he believes that the sooner peace talks begin, the fewer casualties there will be.

Zelenskyy said talks so far have been unsuccessful, and that the chances for holding talks are decreasing daily.

Think about Bucha, Volnovakha, Borodianka, Mariupol. There comes a time when no one wants to talk. Our society does not want us to continue negotiations, Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a new offensive push along most of Ukraines eastern flank on Monday.

Zelenskyy declared Monday that the Battle of Donbass has now begun.

We can now say that Russian forces have started the battle of the Donbass, for which they have long prepared, Zelenskyy said in a video address.

In a post on Facebook, the Ukrainian armed forces command said that Russias main military force was concentrating on taking control of the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the swathe of land known as the Donbass.

The second phase of the war has begun.  Believe in our army, it is very strong, the Ukrainian presidents chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Zelenskyy vowed Ukrainian forces would defend the Donbass no matter how many Russian soldiers were sent by Putin.

The leader has said that he wouldnt be willing to give up any part of Ukraine for peace.

We were not ready to give up our territory from the beginning. Had we been willing to give up our territory, there would have been no war, Zelenskyy said in an interview broadcast on April 10 on CBS 60 Minutes.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Turkey Says Its Warplanes Hit Kurdish Terrorist Targets in Northern Iraq

ANKARATurkish warplanes, helicopters, and drones hit Kurdish terrorist targets in northern Iraq in an air and land operation that targeted facilities ranging from camps to ammunition stores, Turkeys defense ministry said on Monday.

The military action was part of a long-running Turkish campaign in Iraq and Syria against terrorists of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish YPG both regarded as terrorist groups by Ankara.

The operation focused on the Iraqi regions of Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan, the ministry said in a statement. Alongside the air operation, commandos and special forces also participated, both by land and air.

Our operation is continuing successfully as planned, the state-owned Anadolu news agency quoted Defense Minister Hulusi Akar as saying. The targets identified in the first phase have been captured.

No information on casualties was given.

The action, called Operation Claw Lock, aimed to prevent terror attacks and ensure border security following an assessment that the PKK was planning a large-scale attack, the ministry added.

Artillery also fired on terrorist targets in the military action, it said.

Turkey regularly launches air strikes into northern Iraq, a region into which it has repeatedly sent commandos, to support its offensives.

The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which in the past was mainly focused in southeast Turkey.

Turkish officials privately say they believe Baghdad is firmly on their side in fighting the PKK, which the European Union and United States have also designated a terrorist group.

By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Daren Butler
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a joint press conference with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz inside the Downing Street briefing room following a bilateral meeting at 10 Downing Street, in London, on April 8, 2022. (Ben Stansall /Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

UK Conservative Suggests War Cabinet in Case Johnson Deposed Over Partygate

A Conservative MP floated the idea of a war cabinet should Prime Minister Boris Johnson resign or be deposed over breaching his own lockdown rules during the CCP virus pandemic.

The idea, suggested by veteran MP Sir Roger Gale, is to defer a leadership contest so potential successors in the Cabinet wouldnt take their eyes off the ball during the war in Ukraine.

Gale suggested that Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab may lead the Cabinet to deal with the crisis and get us through to the point when we could then have a proper leadership election.

It comes as Johnson is expected to apologise in Parliament on Tuesday after he was fined by police for attending a surprise birthday party for him in Number 10 Downing Street in June 2020.

Earlier this year, Johnson faced public calls from opposition parties and at least 15 Conservative MP for him to resign over the so-called Partygate sagain which the prime ministers denial of parties and rule-breaking during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lockdowns in Parliament were followed by an internal investigation and a police investigation into at least a dozen gatherings in Downing Street and the Cabinet Office.

If 54 Conservative MPs write letters of no confidence to the 1922 committee of all backbench Conservative MPs, a vote would have been triggered, and Johnson could potentially be ousted with 180 votes of no confidence. But in recent weeks, the war in Ukraine has seen Tory MPs rally around their leader.

Speaking to the PA news agency on Monday, Roger said he had not changed his mind on the Johnson position since submitting his letter of no confidence, but there has been a shift in circumstances which means a leadership contest is not currently appropriate in his view.

He suggested that if a leadership contest is triggered, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Levelling up minister Michael Gove who is supposed to be in charge of Ukrainian refugees and levelling up, Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, and others from the Cabinet, may join the race.

Are we seriously saying that in the middle of this crisis were going to take all those eyes off the ball? he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab opens category C prison HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, North Northamptonshire, England, on March 3, 2022. (Joe Giddens/PA Media)

But if Johnson were to resignhe probably wontbut if he were to resign, then  if the deputy prime minister led a war cabinet to deal with the crisis and get us through to the point when we could then have a proper leadership election, that is a possible way forward, Roger suggested while stressing he doesnt know if the proposal is possible legally.

While he acknowledged the UK is not currently at war, Roger told the PA news agency were pretty damn close to it. He said an alternative name for the arrangement could be a crisis cabinet.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, is also expected to decide if to allow a vote on whether to refer Johnson to the Privileges Committeewhich would decide whether he had misled the House over his Partygate explanations.

PA Media contributed to this report.
UK Judge Delays Trial of Eco-Activist Pending High Court Decision on BLM Statue-Toppling Case

A London court has delayed the trial of a prominent climate activist, saying it cant go ahead until legal questions that arose from the statue-toppling case in Bristol are resolved.

Gail Bradbrook, the co-founder of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday accused of causing 27,500 ($35,746) in damage to the Department for Transport building in Westminster by smashing a plate-glass window during a protest in London on Oct. 15, 2019.

The trial of the 49-year-oldinitially due to start on Mondayis now delayed until Nov. 21, and Bradbrook has been released on unconditional bail to return to Isleworth Crown Court for the five-day trial.

Delaying the trial, Judge Martin Edmunds said, The trial, which is listed today, cant go ahead because the attorney general has referred to the Court of Appeal the legal questions that arose from the Bristol case.

Activists hold banners as they protest outside the Bank of England (L) and Royal Exchange (C), during the eighth day of demonstrations by the climate change action group Extinction Rebellion, in London, on Oct. 14, 2019. (Isabel Infantes/AFP via Getty Images)

Edmunds was referring to a case in which four Black Lives Matter activists were acquitted of causing criminal damage by a jury despite having acknowledged their involvement in toppling the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston as jurors were told to balance the defendants human rights against the legislation contained within the Criminal Damage Act.

On April 13, Attorney General Suella Braverman said she would ask the Court of Appeal to clarify the law around protests as the Bristol case had led to uncertainty regarding the interaction between the offence of criminal damage and the rights relevant to protest peacefully.

The Colston FourMilo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 36, Sage Willoughby, 21, and Rhian Graham, 29, were acquitted of causing criminal damage on Jan. 5 after they admitted to toppling the statue during a Black Lives Matter protest in June 2020.

The trial heard that Ponsford and Graham brought ropes, which Willoughby passed around the statues neck, and Skuse goaded the crowd into rolling the statue 500 meters (1,640 feet) and throwing it into the water.

But the four claimed that the presence of Colstons statue was a hate crime or an indecent display and that the tearing-down of the statue was to prevent a crime.

According to the Bristol governments museums website, Colston, a 17th-century merchant and philanthropist, profited from his shares in the Royal African Company (RAC), in which members traded gold, ivory, and enslaved Africans. He had also been an active member of RACs governing body for 11 years.

Protesters throwing the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally in Bristol, England, on June 7, 2020. (Ben Birchall/PA Media)

Direction jurors, Judge Peter Blair QC said they had to balance the defendants human rights against the legislation contained within the Criminal Damage Act.

He said individuals have the right to freedom of thought and conscience and to manifest ones beliefs, and the right to freedom of expression.

These rights protect not only beliefs, such as anti-racism, and speech itself, but also actions associated with protest, Judge Blair said.

Even where those actions have more than a minimal impact on the rights of other people, they need not result in a conviction. It is all a matter of fact and degree.

He said limitations on human rights are permitted under laws including the Criminal Damage Act if it is in the interests of public safety or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

The issue of human rights was the last question in the route to verdict.

The jury was asked if it was sure a conviction for criminal damage would be a proportionate interference with the defendants rights to freedom of thought and conscience, and to freedom of expression.

Jurors were told that if they were sure the answer was yes, the verdict should be guilty, and if no, it should be not guilty.

While a review will not affect the outcome of the case, the attorney general clarification will be sought on whether someone can use a defence related to their human rights when theyre accused of criminal damage and whether juries should be asked to decide if a conviction for criminal damage is a proportionate interference with the human rights of the accused, particularly the right to protest and freedom of expression, as the judge did in the Colston statue case.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Brandon Lewis, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street in London, on Sept. 1, 2020. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

UK Minister Compares PMs COVID-19 Lockdown Breach Fine to Speeding Ticket

A British government minister has been criticised for suggesting that Prime Minister Boris Johnson being fined for attending lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street was akin to former ministers receiving speeding tickets.

Johnson, his wife Carrie, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were issued fixed penalty notices by the Metropolitan Police last week for attending a birthday gathering for the prime minister in Number 10 Downing Street in June 2020, in violation of lockdown restrictions during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a statement following the announcement that he and Chancellor Rishi Sunak would be fined as part of a police probe into allegations of lockdown parties, at his country residence Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, England, on April 12, 2022. (Marc Ward/PA)

Both Johnson and Sunak have paid the fines, apologised for breaking COVID-19 laws, but have rejected opposition parties calls for them to resign.

Trying to defend the prime minister, Brandon Lewis, the secretary for Northern Ireland affairs, said on April 19 that other ministers, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, had been fined by police but remained in office.

Lewis told Sky News: Whether it is through parking fines or speeding fines, ministers of both parties over the years have been in that position. Weve had prime ministers in the past who have received penalty notices, from what I can see, and also front bench ministers.

I saw there was a parking notice that Tony Blair had once. Weve seen front bench Labour ministers and, lets be frank, government ministers as well.

Lewiss remarks attracted criticism from opposition parties. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said ministers excuses for the so-called partygate scandal were getting more pathetic by the day and called them an insult to bereaved families.

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said there has been a pathetic display of Tory MPs going out to defend the indefensible and it is something they all ought to be ashamed of.

Lewis tried to distance himself from his own remarks, telling the BBC that he was not in any way trying to equate a speeding ticket with the sacrifices people have made through COVID.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, ruled on April 19 that MPs will get the chance to vote on whether Johnson misled Parliament when he repeatedly told MPs COVID-19 rules were followed in Downing Street.

Hoyle said he had approved an application from Starmer and other opposition MPs allowing them to put forward a motion for debate on April 21.

PA Media contributed to this report.
UK Wants Rapid Return of Civil Servants to Offices After All COVID-19 Curbs Lifted

A UK Cabinet minister has called for the rapid return of civil servants to their offices, arguing it is time to end working from home as all legal COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

In a letter to fellow ministers, Government Efficiency Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg urged them to issue a clear message to their departments that officials should be back in the office.

He argued that ending working from home would bring the benefits of face-to-face, collaborative working as well as delivering wider benefits for the economy.

Rees-Mogg accompanied his letter with a league table showing how many staff in each government department were attending the office on an average day.

In the week beginning on April 4, the table shows, the daily average of staff in the workplace across all departments was 44 percent, and the figure in some departments was lower than a third.

The minister wrote: Now that we are learning to live with COVID and have lifted all legal restrictions in England, we must continue to accelerate the return of civil servants to office buildings to realise the benefits of face-to-face, collaborative working and the wider benefits for the economy.

He urged ministers to issue a clear message to civil servants in your department to ensure a rapid return to the office.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced support for the move on April 19 through his spokesperson, who said the government will continue to push for a return to pre-pandemic levels.

This is not simply just about value-for-money for taxpayer-funded buildings, but also its a benefit to the staffparticularly junior staff who benefit from face-to-face workingand obviously we know there are benefits that can help, therefore, delivery for the public as well, he said.

Some senior Conservative MPs have previously called on the government to do more to encourage civil servants to go back to their workplaces following the lifting of all CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus curbs in February.

Conservative Party MP Graham Brady, chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, leaves Downing Street in central London on March 11, 2019. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images)

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, wrote at the weekend: It is simply unacceptable for so many of our public servants to continue sitting at home.

He wrote in the Mail on Sunday: Much as I admire the work of our public servants, it is hard to escape the suspicion thatunlike the private sectortheir managers are not pushing them to return to work in the office.

People who want to come into the office are discouraged from doing so by colleagues who fear it will make it harder for them to stay at home, he wrote.

Brady stressed that working from the office is simply more efficient, citing the fiasco in Afghanistan, which was taken over by the Taliban in August 2021.

Look at the chaos of the Kabul evacuation last summer, when some Foreign Office crisis managers were at homenot in the office.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looks on as he is surrounded by Ukrainian servicemen as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, April 4, 2022. (Marko Djurica/file/Reuters)

US Is by Far the Largest Supporter of Ukraine: Study

The U.S. government was the top humanitarian and military contributor to Ukraine since Russias invasion started, a new study found.

Since Feb. 24, the United States has given Kyiv 7.6 billion euros ($8.2 billion) in the form of humanitarian and military assistance, according to findings from the Kiel Institute, a German economic research think tank. Poland and the United Kingdom were the next largest givers of financial, humanitarian, and military aid.

All European Union countries provided a combined total of 2.9 billion euros ($3.13 billion), the Ukraine Support Tracker highlighted. E.U. institutions and the European investment bank offered 1.4 billion euros ($1.51 billion) and 2 billion euros ($2.16 billion), respectively.

The United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan have promised approximately 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) worth of help.

It is remarkable that the U.S. alone is giving significantly more than the entire E.U., in whose immediate neighborhood the war is raging, said Christoph Trebesch, research director at the Kiel Institute and lead author of the Ukraine Support Tracker, in the report.

Government Support to Ukraine (Kiel Institute)

Study authors defined humanitarian aid as direct help in the form of food and medical supplies to the civilian population and financial assistance as loans, grants, and swap lines. Military aid included weaponry, equipment, utilities, and indirect financial assistance tied to military objectives.

When it comes to the aid as a percentage share of economic output, Estonia ranks as Ukraines largest supporter. The support the Baltic state has provided so far accounts for nearly 0.8 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). Estonia is followed by Poland (0.18 percent), Lithuania (0.06 percent), Slovakia (0.05 percent), and Sweden (0.04 percent).

The United States occupied the sixth spot with 0.0345 percent of its GDP, while the UK ranked eighth with 0.017 percent.

Geographic proximity to Ukraine seems to play a major role in the engagement of Eastern European countries. But the UK also stands out as a supporter of Ukraine, both in absolute terms and relative to economic output, Trebesch added.

The report provides critical information at a time when discussions surrounding assistance to Ukraine has been anecdotal, the report authors state.

The main aim of this database is to quantify the scale of aid to Ukraine and to make the support measures comparable across donor countries, Kiel researchers noted in the working paper.

More Aid Coming to Ukraine

For the last two months, the United States has given the Ukrainian government more than 7,000 small arms, 50 million rounds of ammunition, roughly 5,500 Javelin missiles, and 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems.

President Joe Biden recently committed to an additional $800 million in assistance to Ukraine after recent talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Speaking in an interview with CNN, Zelenskyy noted that whats most important is speed.

His remarks come as reports have surfaced that Ukraine could be quickly depleting its ammunition stockpiles. Zelenskyy has appealed to the international community for more military equipment, including long-range artillery, heavily armored vehicles, and multiple launch rocket systems.

Ukrainian officials are also requesting a $50 billion aid package from the United States and other G7 countries as the government faces a growing budget deficit.

Oleg Ustenko, a top economic advisor to President Zelenskyy, revealed to reporters Monday that a delegation of Ukrainian officials will speak on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings. The delegation will include Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.

Its next to impossible. You have to understand, the $50 billion for us is crucial for keeping our lives going, Ustenko said. This is something which is needed to be resolved almost immediately. Its not like we have time to wait.

Kyiv projects that the budget shortfall will total $8 billion per month for the next six months. Before the war started, the countrys deficit for the full year was $7 billion.

A woman holds a child next to Russian soldiers in a street of Mariupol, on April 12, 2022. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, dozens of U.S. and international charitable organizations have been helping families on the ground. Some of the top-rated charities currently participating in Ukraine relief efforts include International Medical Corps, Operation USA, Save the Children, and Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

In a briefing to reporters in New York, United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths confirmed that humanitarian ceasefires between Russian and Ukrainian forces could still be weeks away from being established.

This month, Griffiths has been meeting with senior officials in Moscow and Kyiv to discuss local ceasefires and extend much-needed assistance to devastated areas.

Obviously, we have not yet got a humanitarian ceasefire in place on the Russian side. I went into a lot of details on this and they continued to promise to get back to me on the details of those proposals, he stated. Right now, if I could speak for the Russian authorities, they are not putting local ceasefires at the top of their agenda. Ceasefires are not on the horizon right now. They may be in a couple of weeks. They may be a bit longer than that.

Writing in a social media post, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk recently demanded Russian forces permit evacuations and aid in the embattled port city of Mariupol.

Once again, we demand the opening of a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians, especially women and children, from Mariupol, she wrote.
Border Patrol agents pick up four illegal aliens from Mexico after local deputies intercept their smuggling vehicle, in Brackettville, Texas, on April 8, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

US to Release Up to 600,000 Illegal Immigrants in Coming Months

Huge surge expected as Title 42 ends

A U.S. immigration enforcement agency plans to release up to 600,000 illegal immigrants as it deals with a projected surge in migration, an official revealed in a court filing.

Deane Dougherty, a coordinator for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said that officials expect historic border surge, with projections forecasted to triple current arrivals.

Because of the forecasts and the recently announced decision to end Title 42, ICE must shift its focus and prepare to manage its resources for a population of up to 600,000 by the end of the fiscal year, Dougherty added.

The fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, said that means ICE will be releasing the immigrants, which include unaccompanied minors and family units, by then.

I was very surprised at that number that they seem to be just casually talking about releasing, Vaughan told The Epoch Times. There doesnt seem to be any sense of concern for what the effects of the new arrivals are in the communities where theyre going to be settling. Theres no concern about the cost. Theres no concern about their ability to identify these people or their ability to keep track of them and make sure that they show up for their immigration proceedings, and that they know where they are in case they have to remove them.

ICE takes control of some immigrants who are processed by Border Patrol, another agency inside the Department of Homeland Security.

The Biden administration is preparing for a flood of illegal immigrants once Title 42, a pandemic-era policy that enables quick expulsions, ends in May.

The court document, entered in an ongoing case over how illegal immigrant children are treated, gives a concrete number for what one agency expects to encounter in the coming months.

ICE can legally hold immigrants until they have court hearings but increasingly chooses to release them in whats called the Alternative to Detention program, which involves giving the immigrants a notice to appear in court and letting them free inside the United States.

Like many immigration agencies, ICE has seen its backlog of cases grow, exceeding 3.6 million in Fiscal Year 2021.

An ICE Office of Inspector General report found that ICE is almost certainly not deporting all the noncitizens who could be deported and will likely not be able to keep up with growing numbers of deportable noncitizens. The agency has failed to locate over 400,000 convicted criminal illegal aliens.

Many immigrants encountered after they illegally enter America claim asylum, but most of those claims are ultimately rejected.

The projected increase will strain ICE, according to Vaughan.

The number is so huge its hard to understand how they could possibly manage the flow without being so overwhelmed that it causes them to almost have to give up on actually identifying people and making any effort to keep track of them, she said.

Ideally, she added, the immigrants should be kept in custody before being removed. Once would-be migrants learn that the laws will be enforced, many will not come, she said.

As a matter of policy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not comment on ongoing or pending litigation. However, lack of comment should not be construed as agreement with, or stipulation to, any allegations, an ICE spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email.

The Biden administration has presided over an unprecedented amount of illegal immigration, setting records for apprehensions at the U.S.Mexico border for both Fiscal Year 2021 and 2021.

In March alone, there were 221,303 encountersa jump of 33 percent from February.
An ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold is cast at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, on March 10, 2022. (Alexander Manzyuk/Reuters)

Wall Street More at Risk to Commodity Trading Exposures Due to Russia Conflict

Commodities trading exposures have been going up on Wall Street, following Russias invasion of Ukraine, which may leave banking firms vulnerable to large swings in asset values, according to an April 18 story from Reuters.

Goldman Sachs Group (GSG) and JPMorgan Chase have both reported a rise in commodities trading risk measures, according to their first-quarter earnings disclosures, with GSG reporting its highest uptick in a decade.

The global markets for fuel, grain, and precious metals markets have grown more volatile since the West and Japan imposed sanctions on Russia, restricting its trade and exports.

Last month, the London Metal Exchange (LME) suspended nickel trading after prices doubled to more than $100,000 per tonne, after Chinas Tsingshan Holding Group, one of the worlds top metals producers, caused a major price surge after it lost billions trying to cover its massive short position in nickel futures.

Wall Street firms have scaled back major trading in commodities after the 200709 financial crisis forced Congress to impose tighter regulations, by restricting the ability of American banks to participate through the use of their own assets.

The Federal Reserve pumped liquidity into capital markets during the pandemic, encouraging Wall Street to gradually heavily reinvest in the commodities market.

The central banks decision to stimulate the economy pushed asset values higher, triggering massive investor purchases, as the move disrupted the normal workings of the market, causing a windfall for investment banks that dealt with precious commodities.

However, GSGs average daily Value at Risk (VaR) in commodities hit a total of $49 million in Q1 2022, up from $32 million in Q4 2021, well above the $33 million average VaR it had in equities trading and the $25 million in currency trading.

JPMorgan Chase reported its average daily VaR in commodities at $15 million in Q1 2022, up from $12 million the previous quarter and surpassing its $12 million in equities and $4 million for foreign exchange.

Although the risk caused by commodities trading exposures is rising, the two banks are taking in decent earnings.

Goldman admitted a 21 percent increase last quarter in fixed income, currencies, and commodities (FICC) trading revenues, while JPMorgans revenues fell 1 percent after an exceptionally strong performance last year.

Citigroup, which does not report VaR alongside its earnings, disclosed in its latest report that its VaR in commodities was up year-on-year every quarter in 2021, with a peak of $48 million at the end of last years second quarter.

Morgan Stanley, which does not break up its VaR by asset class, has not been heavily involved in the commodities trading business since the last financial crisis.

So far, the major banks appear to be handling the increased risks effectively, reported the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a post on April 6.

The worlds banking systems saw significant capital increases ahead of the pandemic and are resilient to very large shocks, said the IMF in an online post.

The post said that the international banking system had largely passed its major milestone for its post-pandemic Global Bank Stress Test, which provides a first-of-its-kind assessment of potential shocks and spillovers to the worlds banks.

The IMF Departmental Paper on the global stress test says it includes 25 years of bank-level data through 2020 for 257 of the largest lenders from across 24 advanced economies and five emerging markets, which together account for 70 percent of the worlds banking assets.

The stress test covers as many institutions as necessary to account for at least 80 percent of assets for the individual banking systems, for each country monitored.

The report was put together before the conflict in Ukraine, the removal of Russia from international money markets, and more recent concerns regarding global stagflation.

The study is positive that the international banking systems will be able to absorb most shocks from adverse developments to the market like those seen during the pandemic, but it says there are still uncertainties associated with the evolution of capital levels during 2021 and the policy space to absorb new shocks.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk gestures as he visits a Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 13, 2021. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via Reuters)

Washington Post Editorial Board Hopes Elon Musk Doesnt Win in Hostile Takeover Twitter Bid

The Washington Post editorial board has said it hopes Tesla CEO Elon Musk doesnt win in his bid to purchase Twitter.

In an opinion piece published on Sunday, titled Lets hope Elon Musk doesnt win his bid for Twitter, the editorial board called Musks hopes to purchase the social media platform a hostile takeover adding, lets hope he doesnt succeed.

Amid his endless provocations and billionaire bluster, the most encouraging thing Mr. Musk has said about his Twitter ambitions is this: I am not sure that I will actually be able to acquire it,' the editorial board wrote.

Musk, who is Twitters largest shareholder, has made an offer to buy Twitter at $54.20 per share in cash, which would amount to $43 billion and which he said is his best and final offer.

The companys board said on Thursday that the billionaires offer is under consideration.

The Washington Post editorial board said that Musks attempt to purchase the social media giant was an opportunity for him to get attention, even if he doesnt end up getting his way and that the substance of his ideas for the future of Twitter are worth some wariness on their own.

They further noted that Musk has promised to make Twitter a platform for free speech around the globe.

According to a regulatory filing, Musk said that the social media platform needs to be transformed as a private company and that he believes free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy.

The businessman has previously questioned Twitters commitment to free speech, after repeated accusations that the platform has censored some minority and politically conservative viewpoints.

Twitter has denied those claims.

Read More Twitter Shares Slide After Saudi Investor Rejects Musks Bid for Twitter

But the Posts editorial board said that Musks vision regarding free speech is more or less the same one that was held by former CEO Jack Dorsey, particularly in the early days of the platform, while noting that Twitter over time gravitated towards stricter rules because they learned some lessons after observing how their products can be abused to manipulate elections, or spread health misinformation, or harass people en masse.

Certainly, moderators sometimes make mistakes, and more transparency surrounding enforcement decisions is in order. But a broader backtracking would be an error, the board wrote. To protect speech at all costs and keep Twitter free of bots and spam, as Mr. Musk has said he would like to do, is almost impossible.

They also noted that Musk allegedly failed to disclose his stake in the company on time.

The businessman is now being sued by former Twitter shareholders who claim he failed to disclose his stake in the company within 10 days after passing the five percent ownership threshold, thus preventing them from profiting when Twitter stocks increased in price.

This is only the latest episode in which Mr. Musk has shown disregard for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the board wrote. By failing to discipline him this time, the agency will only further lose credibility.

The Epoch Times has contacted a Musk spokesperson and The Washington Post editorial board for comment.

The opinion piece comes shortly after Musk admitted that he is unsure if he will actually be able to acquire Twitter but hinted at a backup plan if his takeover of the company fails.

Speaking at a TED event in Vancouver on April 14, the entrepreneur did not elaborate on his plan B but said he has sufficient assets to follow through on his bid for the social media platform should it be approved.
TikTok app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken on July 13, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Why the US Should Ban TikTok

Commentary

Since the turn of the century, rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have skyrocketed. One in ten American kids currently suffer from the condition.

A chronic, debilitating illness, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects peoples behavior. It negatively affects a childs academic achievements and is a considerable barrier to successful socialization.

Since 2019, ADHD has exploded on social media platforms. Millions of American kids are affected by ADHD. Many of them turn to the internet for answers. Some turn to TikTok, one of the most problematic apps on the planet.

ADHD, according to some supposed experts, is a blessing. Theyre wrong. Contrary to the nonsensical musings spouted by members of the neurodiversity movement, theres no concrete evidence that ADHD fuels creativity.

However, theres plenty of research outlining the dangers of ADHD. Children suffering from the disorder are at an increased risk of developing mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. Moreover, children diagnosed with ADHD are at greater risk of engaging in antisocial activities compared to those without the illness. In short, ADHD is a multifactorial psychiatric disorder; its something to be tackled, not celebrated.

To treat ADHD, one must be first diagnosed with the chronic illness. This diagnosis should come from a doctor, not a social media app like TikTok.

According to a study recently published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52 percent of ADHD-related video footage on the platform is misleading. This is especially concerning when one realizes that many of these videos rack up millions of views in the United States and beyond.

In an interview with PsyPost, one of the authors behind the study, Dr. Anthony Yeung, said that the misleading videos are contributing to a climate of fear, confusion, and erroneous beliefs.

In the past two years (in particular since the start of the pandemic), he said, many doctors are noticing an increase in patients showing up to their offices wondering if they have ADHD.

They see a video on TikTok, digest the misinformation, and run to their doctors for support.

As Yeung explained, the vast majority of these misleading videos oversimplified ADHD, recommended incorrect treatments or wrongly attributed symptoms of other psychiatric disorders as being a symptom of ADHD.

TikTok, arguably the most popular Chinese app of all time, is banned in China. To those who say that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has nothing to do with TikTok, let me remind you that the CCP now controls a board seat in ByteDance, TikToks parent company.

People walk past the headquarters of ByteDance, the parent company of video-sharing app TikTok, in Beijing, China, on Sept. 16, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

A Propaganda Machine of Epic Proportions

Jacob Helberg, a bestselling author and senior adviser at the Stanford University Center on Geopolitics and Technology, has argued, rather convincingly, that the most powerful nations are the ones with control of the information networks and communications technologies that shape the daily lives of billions of people.

Enter TikTok, an app that has over 1 billion users worldwide. More than one-third of the American population is on TikTok. Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 use the app regularly.

Rather worryingly, a study carried out by Techcrunch showed the Chinese platform grew as a news source last year; in fact, it was the only social media platform to grow as a news source. This means that millions of impressionable young minds are being fed dangerous garbage. The dissemination of misinformation and disinformation is not a glitch in the machineTikTok is designed to spread lies.

A recent piece published by the New York Post warned that the CCP uses the global social media ecosystem to expand its already formidable influence. Through apps like TikTok, the CCP has quietly built a network of social media personalities who parrot the governments perspective.

The posts, which are masterfully manufactured, operate in virtual lockstep as they promote Chinas virtues, deflect international criticism of its human rights abuses and advance Beijings talking points, according to the article.

The influencer network is the perfect Trojan horse for disseminating deliberately misleading messages. Hundreds of influencers with connections to the Chinese government or its state media, were told, now operate in dozens of different languages. The CCP has weaponized TikTok.

Clint Watts, a former FBI agent who now works with Miburo, a company specializing in detecting and countering misinformation and disinformation campaigns, told the New York Post that the CCP is desperately trying to infiltrate countries around the world, including the United States.

With an addictive app like TikTok, the CCP knows that if you bombard an audience for long enough with the same narratives, people will tend to believe them over time. Of course, Watts is correct.

TikTok is arguably the most harmful social media app in existence. Worryingly, its growing in popularity. TikTok will have more than 1.5 billion users worldwide by the end of the year. With an increasing number of Americans downloading and using the app, there has never been a better time to ban TikTok.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
NORWALK  Three teachers will spend the summer abroad in parts of Africa and Europe to pursue personal learning opportunities that will help stretch the minds of their students and strengthen their school communities upon their return.

Christina Figueroa, a dual-language social studies teacher at West Rocks Middle School; Elizabeth Griffin, a multilingual teacher at Rowayton Elementary School; and Lisa Strom, an English teacher at Norwalk High School, were each named Fund for Teachers (FFT) fellows for 2022.

FFT supports educators efforts to develop skills, knowledge and confidence that impact student achievement by trusting teachers to design unique fellowships. Since 2015, more than 60 teachers from Norwalk have been awarded the fellowships to pursue their own learning opportunities.

When I started teaching, I tried to learn something new every year just to recreate what its like to not know something. I think its so empowering, said Griffin, who plans to immerse herself in the arts, culture and history of Spain and Portugal.

Griffin will fly in and out of Portugal, though she doesnt speak Portuguese or know anything about its culture. She believes it will give her a better understanding of what her students and their families face, many who have immigrated to the United States and didnt speak the language upon arrival.

Being completely lost and isolated and having no touchstone in terms of communication or background, Ill feel like my students and their families, totally lost. But Im kind of looking forward to that, Griffin said.

Griffin looks forward to exploring the many Spanish art museums such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Prado Museum in Madrid. The trip will also give Griffin the opportunity to refresh her language skills, provide new insights to improve her schools Spanish language curriculum, and create more authentic learning experiences to better connect with her students and their families.

Figueroas learning opportunity will take her to Egypt where she will experience the modern-day country while exploring its ancient past wonders. She plans to create a virtual field trip, editing together short videos of her adventures that better command the attention of her Spanish learners. She said her students love learning about Egypt.

Being a dual-language teacher, theres just not a lot of engaging content in Spanish for kids so we struggle finding things that are fun to watch, that are short. Theyre not 45-minute documentaries, Figueroa said. Were living in a different time where things need to be drawing their attention all the time and its really hard to find those things in Spanish. I figured I could create it.

Figueroa will travel with her husband, each equipped with GoPro cameras to capture every moment of their trip. She wants to make greater connections to present-day Egypt and show that many artifacts from the ancient civilizations are still being unearthed today.

I think a lot of the kids read the material as a long time ago, and I think that me being there and them being like, Oh, you went? Oh, thats still standing? Oh my gosh, that really happened! the West Rocks teacher said. I want my students to be global citizens. I want them to know there is a world out there. You should want to explore it and have fun. That should be a goal for our kids.

Strom aims to support the spread of education globally, joining forces with the nonprofit buildOn to build a new school in Malawi. The village where she is traveling holds school outside but doesnt have a designated building for learning. She will spend about two weeks living with a family as the entire community volunteers to help build the school together.

We will make the bricks from the mud. Lay the bricks. Put the building up. Set up the desks. Give them a chalkboard. Put the roof on, all in 12 days, Strom said.

The cost to build the school is $30,000. Strom started fundraising last year with the intention of simply volunteering on a build. She teamed up with another group of volunteers to fundraise then decided to apply for the grant through FFT. She previously served as an advisor for a buildOn club at another high school and has set up Norwalk High as an official representative of the organization.

Because of the affiliation, two students each year moving forward can apply for a scholarship to participate in a build with buildOn for free. In exchange, buildOn expects these students to participate in 12 hours of service learning per month in the local community or in the school. To help facilitate the service learning, Strom applied to affiliate the NHS AP Literature course with the College Board WE program which invites AP students to support a charitable foundation and social enterprise.

Now, service learning becomes a component of the AP literature class, said Strom, who wanted to find a way to incorporate service learning in her classes in a way that highlighted the availability of education in the U.S. compared to accessing education globally. AP Lit will support the spread of education globally. Theyll do fundraising and service learning related to education.

The Malawi build will serve as a culmination of Stroms goal to complete 50 acts of service for her 50th birthday or as shes calling it Mitzvah#50 (mitzvah in Hebrew means a good deed done from religious duty). One hundred percent of the funds that she raises will go to the buildOn project. Strom will pay her own travel expenses.

My mom used to say, To whom much is given, much is expected, Strom said, her mother paraphrasing the bible verse, Luke 12:48, To whom much is given, much is required.

Strom needs to raise another $5,000. Shes accepting donations at act.buildon.org/team/373036.

emily.morgan@hearstmediact.com
NORWALK  City firefighters found a deceased individual after extinguishing a fire on Prowitt Street Monday night, according to the department.

Crews responded to a report of an apartment fire at approximately 8:15 p.m., Assistant Chief Edward McCabe said in an email.

The fire was quickly extinguished by the first arriving engine, however firefighters found one civilian fatality during their primary search, said McCabe. The fire is being investigated by the Norwalk Fire Marshal Division and the CT State Police per protocol.

The deceased individuals identity was not immediately released.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Last month, Glen Carbon approved 83.5 acres to be added to the Madison County Enterprise Zone, a chunk of land north of Route 162 and midway between Interstate 255 and Route 157 and contiguous to the village's current western border.

Village Administrator Jamie Bowden said Monday that it was a case of having the land ready and waiting for any prospective developers to know the tracts are already part of the enterprise zone.
The former governor of Anambra State and Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, will formally join the presidential race Today in his home town, Alor, Anambra State. Alor, one of the seven communities comprising the Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State.

His media office stated on Sunday that the minister had been consulting stakeholders in his All Progressives Congress (APC) party as well as stalwarts of opposition political parties.

It added that Ngige gave his explanation for consulting opposition political parties when he addressed his supporters at Amansea, a border town with Enugu State after visiting Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The media office stated also that Ngiges standpoint was informed by his belief that his aspiration had a cross-party appeal.

I visited Enugu State governor as part of my nationwide consultation. Even though he is in PDP, he is an Igbo man.

He is a very realistic, discerning person. Dont forget also that Enugu is the capital of the former Eastern Region. And you know that respect is reciprocal.

Over the week, I also consulted some other Nigerians not allied to any political party. Therefore, I had to consult the Enugu State governor over my intention to contest and to seek his views too.

He told me to kick the ball into the net.

So this journey is not for APC members alone. Our brothers in PDP are easily agreed that I tower above some of the persons aspiring to the position in their party.

I have no fear whatsoever. I am equal to the task. Even our brothers in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will join us in the task ahead, Ngige was quoted as saying.

The minister also said that his antecedents, stewardship as a civil servant, governor, senator and minister distinguishes from other aspirants.

What we did in Anambra in 34 months, those who did eight years have not done them.

I did 34 months during which I laid the foundation for the new Anambra. I didnt just lay the foundation; I also took the house beyond the lintel level.

I built schools, returned schools to the missions, rescued Odumegwu Ojukwu University from the status of a glorified secondary school  built structures there and secured accreditation for 15 courses including Law and Medicine.

I rehabilitated and upgraded our general hospitals, including Enugwu-Ukwu, Onitsha and Amaku in Awka and restructured the states civil service and also introduced examination as basis for promotion.

I built more than 500km of roads across all senatorial zones that are still standing today.

I also inherited N42 billion debts when I assumed office. I didnt talk about it. I put my hands on the plough and started working and cleared arrears of pensions and salaries, among others, Ngige was also quoted as saying.

Ngige added that he had an advantage of being part of this government and part of the 7th Senate.

Im well equipped for the job, he stressed.

I plan to re-engineer Nigeria the way I re-engineered Anambra. April 19 is the date. Let all roads lead to Alor where the matter will be laid to rest, Ngige quipped
Phuket readies for Thailand Travel Mart 2022

PHUKET: Phuket people were asked to prepare to host more than 350 representatives from travel and tour agencies and media from around the world are expected to join the Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+ 2022) to be held in Phuket on June 8-10.

tourismeconomics

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 19 April 2022, 06:48PM

The event has been held every year since 2001, but canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, explained Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong today (Apr 19) at a meeting of the working group selected to organise Phuket hosting the travel trade fair.

Joining the meeting were Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob and Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) chief Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon.

Phuket is an area that is ready to host the TTM+ 2022 event and is a continuation of the success of Phuket Sandbox scheme and guarantees the islands image as a leader in Thailands tourism in managing the safety of tourists at a high level, V/Gov Pichet said.

In addition, Phuket has a strong public health system. There are airports and hotels [in the area] with accommodation of the appropriate standard ready to support the participants, he added.

The objective of Phuket hosting the TTM+ 2022 event is to promote the readiness of Phuket as a prime destination that is ready to welcome tourists and play a part in driving the Thai tourism industry, V/Gov Pichet continued.

During the event travel and tour operators, and members of the media, will be able to freely observe the quality of tourism attractions and services on the island, he said.

PPAO President Rewat noted, In the past, successful Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) events have seen many foreign travel business partners take part.

For this event, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation has supported a budget of B4 million for organising activities, he added.

Phuket residents are invited to be a good host to welcome more than 350 agencies and media from around the world who will join the Thailand Travel Mart event, he said.
Russia unleashes offensive into east Ukraine: Zelensky

KYIV: Russia has launched a major offensive into eastern Ukraine, authorities in Kyiv said, opening a new phase of its invasion after being thwarted in efforts to capture the capital.

RussianUkrainedeathmilitarypoliticsviolence

By AFP

Tuesday 19 April 2022, 09:45AM

A Ukrainian soldier stands on an armoured personnel carrier (APC), not far from the front-line with Russian troops, in Izyum district, Kharkiv region yesterday (Apr 18), during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Anatolii Stepanov / AFP

In recent weeks, Moscows military campaign has refocused on the eastern region of Donbas, which pro-Kremlin separatists have partly controlled since 2014.

We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram late yesterday (Apr 18).

No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.

Ahead of the widely anticipated advance, Ukrainian authorities had urged people in Donbas to flee west to escape.

The second phase of the war has started, Kyivs presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said.

Control of Donbas would allow Moscow to create a southern corridor to the occupied Crimean peninsula.

In the south of the region, Russia continued its push to capture the besieged port city of Mariupol, where the last remaining Ukrainian forces have taken a final stand.

But despite the desperate situation in the city, a senior US Defence Department official said Mariupol is still contested.

Russia has also added 11 battalion tactical groups - consisting of, among other things, artillery, helicopters, and logistical support - to its forces in east Ukraine, the official added, bringing the total to 76 in the country.

Yesterday also saw the first shipments of a new US military aid package arrive at Ukraines borders to be handed over in its fight against the Russian invasion.

The United States on Apr 13 unveiled an $800-million tranche of equipment for Ukraine, including helicopters, howitzers and armoured personnel carriers.

Strikes across Ukraine

Moscows forces yesterday pounded targets across the country, killing at least seven people in the far western city of Lviv.

Lviv has largely been spared bombardment since Russia invaded on Feb 24, and the city and its surroundings had become a haven for those seeking safety from the war zone.

But today we understood clearly that we dont have any safe places in Ukraine. Its very dangerous, a bank employee who gave her name as Natalia told AFP after the strikes.

Russias defence ministry said yesterday it had hit 16 military targets across Ukraine.

Among the sites struck was a depot near Lviv that Moscow said held weapons recently delivered to Ukraine from the United States and Europe.

Shortly before Zelenskys address, the regional governor of the Lugansk region Sergiy Gaiday also announced the beginning of Russias much-anticipated attack.

Its hell. The offensive has begun, the one weve been talking about for weeks. Theres constant fighting in Rubizhne and Popasna, fighting in other peaceful cities, he said on Facebook.

Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine, according to local authorities.

Gaiday said four people died as they tried to flee the city of Kreminna in Lugansk as Russian troops moved in.

The Russian army has already entered there, with a huge amount of military hardware... Our defenders have retreated to new positions, Gaiday said in a statement on social media.

But Ukrainian presidential advisor Oleksiy Arestovich said Russian forces had not conquered the city.

Ukrainian officials yesterday halted the evacuation of civilians from frontline towns and cities in the east for a second day, accusing Russian forces of having blocked and shelled escape routes.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk urged Moscow to open humanitarian corridors from Mariupol to Berdyansk and from the Azovstal metallurgical industrial zone - a holdout for Ukrainian fighters.

Your refusal to open these humanitarian corridors will, in the future, be grounds for prosecuting all those involved in war crimes, she said on Telegram.

The Mariupol city council said yesterday there are over 1,000 civilians trapped in shelters under the Azovstal steel plant, where Ukrainian forces are waging a desperate last stand against the Russians.

(They are) mostly women with children and the elderly, they said on Telegram.

War crimes

President Vladimir Putin has said he launched the military operation on Feb 24 to save Russian speakers in Ukraine from a genocide carried out by a neo-Nazi regime.

He recognised the independence of two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donetsk and Lugansk shortly before the invasion began.

Yesterday, Putin lauded the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade - which is accused of committing atrocities near Kyiv - bestowing battle honours on them for heroism and valour, tenacity and courage.

Ukraine has alleged the brigade is guilty of war crimes while occupying the suburb of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, where residents were shot dead, some with their hands bound.

The European Union condemned Russias indiscriminate bombing of Ukrainian civilians following the strikes on Lviv.

Its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed to particularly heavy attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine and an offensive against second city Kharkiv, where officials said Russian shelling killed three people.

Attacks on Lviv and other cities in western Ukraine show that no part of the country is spared from the Kremlins senseless onslaught, Borrell added.

Seeking to strengthen ties and accelerate admission to the 27-nation bloc, Zelensky said that Ukraine hoped to receive EU candidate country status within weeks.

Yesterday, he handed the EUs envoy to Kyiv a two-volume response to a membership questionnaire brought by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in March.
Today

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low near 40F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low near 40F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tomorrow

Windy with showers early then scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 53F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Today

Cloudy skies with showers and a possible thunderstorm this afternoon. High 51F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 31F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 67F. ESE winds shifting to SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Jacom Stephens/Getty Images

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP)  A 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death Monday on a high school campus in an apparently random attack, authorities said.

The girl was stabbed several times at about 11 a.m. at Stagg High School in Stockton in California's Central Valley and died at a hospital, Stockton Unified School District Superintendent John Ramirez Jr. said at a news conference.
GILROY, Calif. (AP)  A victim of the Happy Face Killer has been identified nearly 30 years after her body was left near a California highway, authorities said Monday.

Patricia Skiple of Colton, Oregon, had been known only as Blue Pacheco" for the color of her clothing until genetic genealogy was used to identify her last week, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said.

Skiple, a mother known to friends and family as Patsy," would have been about 45 years old when she was killed, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities identified her with help from the DNA Doe Project, a non-profit group that uses volunteers to help identify people listed as Jane Does" or John Does" through DNA profiles of possible relatives.

Skiple's body was found on June 3, 1993, on the side of California State Route 152 in the Gilroy area in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The cause of her death was listed as undetermined at the time.

In 2006, Keith Hunter Jesperson wrote to the county district attorney's office and said he had sexually assaulted and killed a woman near the highway.

Jesperson, who was arrested in 1995 on suspicion of killing a woman in Washington state, was dubbed the Happy Face Killer because he drew smiley faces on letters he sent to the media and police, prosecutors said.

Jesperson eventually confessed to killing eight women between 1990 and 1995 in California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming. He currently is serving four life sentences without possibility of parole in Oregon.
CAIRO (AP)  An Egyptian court has sentenced a woman to three years in prison after her retrial conviction for human trafficking in a case that involved girls dancing in videos on TikTok.

Haneen Hossam, a social media influencer, was arrested in 2020. Her case was seen by critics as part of a crackdown on self expression by government officials in conservative Egypt.

Prosecutors had accused her of promoting human trafficking by allegedly exploiting minor girls to gain material benefits with dance videos. It wasn't clear how the videos were related to human trafficking.

Hossam, in her early 20s, had been sentenced to 10 years in prison but a Cairo Criminal Court judge Monday reduced it to three years. She was also fined 200,000 Egyptian pounds ($10,800).

Mondays ruling is final and cant be appealed.

The charges partly stemmed from Hossam's invitation to girls to join another social media platform, Likee, claiming they could generate more money from their videos.

Hossam and other women, including TikTok influencer Mawada Eladhm, were first sentenced in July 2020 to two years in prison on convictions for violating the values and principles of the Egyptian family, inciting debauchery and promoting human trafficking.

An appeals court overturned the sentences and both women were released.

But prosecutors appealed the decision and accused them of human trafficking. The Cairo Criminal Court subsequently sentenced Hossam in June to 10 years in prison while Eladhm got a six-year-sentence.

Hossam appealed that ruling and she was retried by a different judge, who on Monday reduced her sentence to three years.

Hossam and Eladhm vaulted to TikTok fame in recent years, amassing millions of followers for their video snippets set to catchy Egyptian club-pop tracks.

In their respective 15-second clips, the women wear makeup, pose in cars, dance in kitchens and joke in skits  familiar and seemingly tame content for the platform.
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EDWARDSVILLE  Five men in custody in the Madison County Jail were indicted recently for attacking a sixth man, a suspect in a Collinsville murder case.

Joseph P. Pellazari, 37, of the 1100 block of Niedringhaus Avenue, Granite City; Devon J. Stewart, 20, of the 2100 block of Edison Avenue, Granite City; Curtis L. Faust, 33, of St. Louis; Jimmy Carrasco, 25, of Glendale, Arizona; and Terrell L. Griffith, 50, of the 600 block of Lewis and Clark Boulevard, Godfrey, were each indicted April 14 on one count of mob action, all Class 4 felonies.

According to court documents, on March 22 the five attacked Robert Brittin, 34, of Collinsville, who is in custody after being charged with two counts of murder and one count of auto theft in the Nov. 11 killing of Robin Mendez.

Each of the suspects is accused of hitting and kicking him.

There was a dispute over some property back in the jail, said Capt. Dave Vucich, chief of investigations for the Madison County Sheriffs Department. Theres not much to it.

He said Brittin was not seriously injured.

We hold them to the same standards we hold people out in public to, Vucich added, saying that prisoner safety was a priority in the jail.

The suspects were in custody on charges ranging from attempted murder to drug charges.

Mendez was found dead in her Collinsville home on Nov. 11, and Brittin was taken into custody Nov. 12.

He is currently in the Madison County Jail on $2 million bond.

If convicted, Brittin faces 40-60 years for the murder charges, and an additional 3-7 years for the motor vehicle charge.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Madison County Democratic Party has officially endorsed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would increase workers rights to collective bargaining.

The Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Amendment was approved by both houses of the Illinois General Assembly in May 2021 and is set to be on the November ballot.

The partys Central Committee recently voted unanimously in support of the proposal. In January the Macoupin County Democratic Party made a similar endorsement.

The Madison County Democrats understand the importance of standing up for the working men & women in our community, Party Chairman Randy Harris said in a written statement. Passing the Workers Rights Amendment will allow more individuals throughout our community to have the right to organize for better wages, improving working conditions, and an opportunity to provide for their families.

The passage of this bill will ensure that workers like police, firefighters, nurses and other first responders can speak out about dangerous situation that put all Illinoisans at risk and collectively bargain to make their workplaces and our communities safer, he added.

Touted by supporters as a way of keeping right-to-work out of Illinois, opponents have said the amendment would basically put union contracts beyond the reach of state law.

The proposed amendment, known as Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 11, was introduced May 6, 2021 by State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, and approved by both houses less than a month later.

The falling rate of unionization has lowered wages, not only because some workers no longer received the higher union wage, but also because there is less pressure on nonunion employers to raise wages, he said at the time. The ability of unions to set labor standards has declined.

Right-to-work laws, which began proliferating in the post-World War II era, prohibit any agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment.

Currently, 28 states have some form of right-to-work laws or constitutional amendments on the books, according to the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, including the neighboring states of Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and Wisconsin.

In Illinois right-to-work has been opposed by the Democratically-dominated Illinois General Assembly and its union supporters.

During discussion at the time of the resolutions passage, Villivalam said it would have minimal impact on private-sector workers because the National Labor Relations Act governs organizing and collective bargaining in the private sector. He said the intent was to protect the right to collective bargaining that is already established under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act.

Joe Tabor, a senior policy analyst with the Illinois Policy Institute, a libertarian policy thinktank, said earlier this year the amendment could have a far greater impact.

The language that prohibits any law that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety is so broad it is difficult to tell every potential provision that could fall under the amendment once passed. The interpretation would be hashed out in court as disputes arise, he wrote.

He later stated the amendment would elevate government union collective bargaining agreements above Illinois state law. This means any state law that involves employees, whether those laws establish protocols for investigating police misconduct or determine qualifications for teachers, could be voided if it runs counter to union contracts.
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JERSEYVILLE -- Jersey County Arts Council (JCAC) has released its most recent class offerings.

JCAC recently created a miniature resurrection garden, facilitated by horticulturist Rhonda Allen. The class was wildly popular, and each participant took home an attractive tabletop display, just in time for Easter celebrations.

Earlier in the week, a kids class, led by Joan and Meredith Dougherty, decorated clay pots with thumbprint art. They will be meeting with Jersey High FFA students to tour their greenhouse and plant flowers in their newly-decorated spring pots.

The current schedule of classes and events is listed below.

Wednesday, April 20, 7  8:30 p.m.

Do you love hiking in fields and stream beds to search for arrowheads and other interesting artifacts? Join local artifact hunter Josh Soehnlin for a Q-and-A session about the thrill of the hunt and the artistry of the finds. Feel free to bring your own pieces to evaluate and share with fellow Native American enthusiasts. All ages are welcome to attend this free session.

Thursday, April 21, 4  5:30 p.m.

If you loved Trudy Cairns first dot art painting class, here is another free opportunity. During this session, for age 7 and older, decorate a butterfly mandala, using a variety of everyday tools.

Friday, April 22, 6  9 p.m.

Local artist Darla Cavins will guide participants to transform newspaper, cardboard, whitewash, and other materials, to create a Hanging the Laundry mixed media collage. The class is free and is open to anyone age 14 and older.

Saturday, April 23, 9  10:30 a.m.

In honor of Earth Day, join for the NASA Space Place Art Challenge. A variety of materials will be provided for kids to create art about their vision of Earth in the future. Some completed work may be selected by NASA to be posted to their web site. Sherry Droste will host this free class for children age 6 to 12.

Thursday, April 28, 4  5:30 p.m.

The third class in the dot art painting series will again be facilitated by local artist Trudy Cairns. Kids, age 7 and older, will use everyday items to create a honeybee. There are two more upcoming classes in this free series.

Additional Upcoming Classes and Events

 Clay bead-making with Jerseyville jewelry artist Robin Soehnlin

 Cinco de Mayo party for kids

 Wet-on-wet, acrylic landscape painting with trained painter Julie Wock

 Auditions for a community childrens choir

 Open house and art exhibit at the Jerseyville First Presbyterian Church

Unless otherwise indicated, all classes are held in the basement of the Jerseyville First Presbyterian Church.

Registration is required, and there are maximum enrollment numbers. To register, visit the arts councils Facebook page at JerseyCountyArtsCouncil@facebook.com. Use the online registration forms posted under each Event tab. Anyone interested may also email a registration to jcac@gtec.com.

For questions, or additional information, call 618-639-5232.
EDWARDSVILLE -- The trial of double murder suspect Zachary Capers, 26, of Collinsville, accused of the murders of Michael Ladd and his wife, Dr. Lois Ladd, of Edwardsville, has been delayed.

Capers' attorney public defender Mary Copeland asked for and was granted by Associate Judge Neil Schroeder, a delay for an expert to examine her client for her client's fitness to stand trial.

Copeland submitted a request for an appointment of an expert based on unusual messages found on a computer tablet that was provided to him at the county jail provided by family members.

On March 22, the state disclosed written messages reportedly made by Capers to his family members on the tablet they provided.

"Due to the nature of these messages, defense counsel immediately contacted Dr. Daniel Cuneo, an expert who was previously retained in this matter, to request that he evaluate Mr. Capers at the jail," Copeland said. "On April 7, 2022, Dr. Cuneo interviewed Mr. Capers and verbally indicated to defense counsel that he is of the opinion that Mr. Capers is currently unfit to stand trial. Dr. Cuneo As such defense counsel has a bona fide doubt that Mr. Capers fitness to stand trial."

Dr. Cuneo is the court psychologist who has examined hundreds of defendants as fitness.

Capers is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of Michael Ladd, 79, a local contractor, and Dr. Lois Ladd, 68. The two were found dead at their residence at about 10:30 a.m. March 18, 2019.

The Edwardsville Police Department performed a welfare check when an employee at Lois Ladds chiropractic office called police after she failed to report for work. Edwardsville Police Department officers responded to the home near a wooded residential area north of downtown and found the Ladds dead in their home around 10:30 a.m. that morning. Upon discovery, the Major Case Squad was contacted for assistance into the investigation.

The trial was tentatively set to start at 1 p.m. Monday with Schroeder presiding.

If convicted Capers could face natural life in prison.

Police are unaware of a motive for the murders.
WH Smith has suspended orders from its online greetings cards business Funky Pigeon after the site was the victim of a cyber attack last week.

The stationery and books retailer said no customer payment data, such as bank account or credit card details, have been hacked.

However, it has called in external IT specialists and together they are investigating 'the extent to which' any personal data, such as names, addresses, e-mail addresses and personalised card and gift designs, have been accessed.

A red warning at the top of the website currently reads: 'Oops! We're experiencing some issues and we can't accept new orders at the moment. Please try again later!'

Cyber attack: Customer personal data may have been accessed, including emails

It comes after another stationery retailer, The Works, was hit by a cyber attack that forced it to temporarily shut down some of its shops earlier in the month.

Businesses have been urged to double down on efforts to protect the storage of personal data of customers and employees as the number of Britons whose financial data was hacked last year rose by 1,800 per cent.

More than 42million people in the UK were affected by data breaches  up from 2.2million the previous year, according to figures by international law firms Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.

The incident also comes amid increased scrutiny on appropriate defences against cyber attacks, particularly on western financial institutions, in the wake of heightened geopolitical tensions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.

WH Smith said they were writing to all customers who have bought something through Funky Pigeon over the last 12 months to inform them of these issues.

It added it does not expect the incident to have a material impact on its financial positions.

The group will report its half-year results on 27 April, adding they are 'comfortably' in line with analysts' expectations.

WH Smith shares were down 0.8 per cent to 15.04 in morning trading on Tuesday.
A joint military force from Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon said on Sunday it had killed more than 100 Islamist insurgents, including 10 commanders, in the past few weeks, as it intensifies a ground and air offensive in the Lake Chad region.

Boko Haram fighters and its splinter Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group have for more than a decade battled the Nigerian army in a conflict that has sucked in neighbouring states.

Multinational Joint Task Force spokesman Colonel Muhammad Dole said troops had ventured deep into enclaves controlled by insurgents in the Lake Chad area and recovered several weapons, food and illicit drugs.

Within the period of this operation, well over a hundred terrorists have been neutralised, including over 10 top commanders  following intelligence-driven lethal air strikes in the Lake Chad islands by the combined air task-forces, Dole said.

Dole did not give the period covered by the operation or number of troops killed but said 18 soldiers were injured by improvised explosive devices planted by retreating insurgents.

The Islamist insurgency is concentrated in the northeast of Nigeria and has left thousands dead while driving millions from their homes into camps for internally displaced persons.

Nigeria received a boost after the United States last week approved a nearly $1 billion weapons sale. U.S. lawmakers had put a hold on the deal over concerns about possible human rights abuses by the Nigerian government. read more

Boko Haram has been on the back foot since the death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau, last year in May during a battle with rival ISWAP. Nigeria says thousands of Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered since last year.

SOURC: REUTERS
Russian forces have launched their anticipated offensive in eastern Ukraine, attempting to push through defences along almost the entire front line early on Tuesday in what Ukrainian officials described as the second phase of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had begun the Battle of Donbas in the east and a very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive.

No matter how many Russian troops they send there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves, he said in a video address on Monday.

Zelenskiys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, assured Ukrainians their forces could hold off the offensive in the second phase of the war.

Believe in our army, it is very strong, he said.

There was no immediate comment from Russias defence ministry on the latest fighting. The governor of the Russian province of Belgorod said Ukrainian forces had struck a border village wounding one resident.

Ukrainian media reported a series of explosions, some powerful, along the front line in the Donetsk region, with shelling taking place in Marinka, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

Blasts were also heard in Kharkiv in the northeast, Mykolaiv in the south and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast while air raid sirens were also going off in main centres near the front line, officials and media said.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the reports.

Ukraines top security official, Oleksiy Danilov, said Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defences along almost the entire front line of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions.

Driven back by Ukrainian forces in the north, Russia has refocused its ground offensive in the two eastern provinces known as the Donbas, while launching long-distance strikes at other targets including the capital, Kyiv.

Donbas has been the focal point of Russias campaign to destabilise Ukraine, starting in 2014 when the Kremlin used proxies to set up two separatist peoples republics in the ex-Soviet state. It is also home to much of Ukraines industrial wealth, including coal and steel.

Ukraines general staff said Russian forces aimed to establish full control over the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson regions, while intensifying missile strikes in west Ukraine.

BIDEN TO HOST CALL WITH ALLIES

Western countries and Ukraine accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of unprovoked aggression, and the White House said U.S. President Joe Biden would hold a call with allies on Tuesday to discuss the crisis, including on how to coordinate on holding Russia accountable.

French President Emmanuel Macron said his dialogue with Putin had stalled after mass killings were discovered in Ukraine.

The United Nations said on Monday the wars civilian death toll had surpassed 2,000, reaching 2,072 as of midnight on April 17 from the beginning of the invasion on Feb. 24.

About 4 million Ukrainians have fled the country.

Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls a special operation to demilitarise Ukraine and eradicate dangerous nationalists. It rejects what Ukraine says is evidence of atrocities, saying Ukraine has staged them to undermine peace talks.

HELL ON EARTH

Russia has been trying to take full control of the southeastern port city of Mariupol, which has been besieged for weeks and which would be a big strategic prize, linking territory held by pro-Russian separatists in the east with the Crimea region that Moscow annexed in 2014 and freeing up the besieging troops.

Video footage showed block after residential block in charred ruins. Shell-shocked residents in the Primorskyi district cooked on open fires outside their damaged homes.

To be honest, we are not well, one resident named Olga told Reuters. I have mental problems after air strikes, thats for sure. Im really scared. When I hear a plane I just run.

The city council said at least 1,000 civilians were still hiding in shelters beneath the vast Azovstal steel plant, which contain myriad buildings, blast furnaces and rail tracks.

Major Serhiy Volyna, commander of Ukraines 36th marine brigade which is still fighting in Mariupol, appealed for help in a letter to Pope Francis.

This is what hell looks like on earth  Its time (for) help not just by prayers. Save our lives from satanic hands, he said in the letter, according to excerpts that Ukraines Vatican ambassador posted on Twitter.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Angela Ursic Bedoya was born in Bolivia and studied a master's degree in Science and Strategic Management at the School of Higher Business Studies in Paris. She held the position of product director at LINIO, one of the most important e-commerce companies in Latin America, and later founded YEMA alongside her partners, Rene and Laurene.

The proposal emerged in 2018 with a focus on electronic commerce, seeking to create a digital supermarket with healthy options, clean labels and affordable prices , with the purpose of facing conventional supermarkets. It seeks to educate the consumer so that their decision before choosing their food is more conscious and responsible.

YEMA has a presence on most delivery platforms, such as: Rappi , Uber Eats and Amazon. The platform also has physical sales spaces. As explained on the official website, the idea for the startup arose while consuming one of the many products that we usually buy at the supermarket: peanuts. As we ate some simple 'premium' peanuts, we realized that the ingredients were a thousand strange things that we didn't understand. How was it possible that these things were sold as 'peanuts' and, above all, as 'premium'? That's how we decided to make honest products, with honest ingredients and clear labels. Because only then can you be sure that what you are consuming is not something harmful, don't you think?

The focus mainly when the project was just starting was focused on physical stores, as a result of the pandemic, virtual sales increased abruptly, a circumstance that forced them to change the brand's focus and give priority to electronic commerce.

Angie is a woman with a clear vision within her company, an example to follow, since the creation of a startup entails challenges that can be difficult to deal with; In this case, Angela shares that the main challenges: have been the creation of a physical product, the creation of content for social networks and the development of operations processes, because when starting out, building the foundations always entails quite a bit of difficulty in order to create a sustainable system. and automated.

Ursic recommends that women interested in entrepreneurship feel sure of themselves and always dream big.

Among his future plans, he highlights continuing to open stores; but not open to the public but rather centers where they operate for home deliveries, and continue to encourage the customer to consume healthy products.

Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
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Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the countrys eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two. In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military was dropping heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscows forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages.

Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

___

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russian forces are attacking along broad east front, Ukraine says

 Displaced people from across Ukraine seek shelter in Lviv apartment building

 Yellen to see Ukraine PM, avoid Russians at global meetings

 Global finance meeting focuses on war-driven food insecurity

 UN chief urges 4-day Easter pause in fighting in Ukraine

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

___

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a four-day halt in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians Holy Week observances.

Noting that Orthodox Easter is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said Tuesday that the need for a humanitarian pause is all the more urgent.

Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya called on Russia to heed Guterres call.

But Russian deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said Tuesday he was a bit skeptical about the idea.

Guterres said the goal is to allow for evacuating civilians from current or expected areas of confrontation and or getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.

The proposal comes after the U.N. recently helped to foster a two-month truce in Yemens civil war, halting fighting as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began.

__

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new security assistance package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said details of the latest package are being finalized.

Last week, in anticipation of Russias offensive in eastern Ukraine, Biden approved an $800 million package including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery. The U.S. has sent about $2.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian invaded.

Asked by reporters whether hed be sending more artillery, Biden said Yes.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said providing more ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine was discussed by Biden and other allied leaders during a video call on Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took part in the more than 80-minute call.

 Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

___

OTTAWA, Ontario  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will send heavy artillery to Ukraine.

Trudeau says hes been in close contact with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canada is very responsive to what Ukraine needs. He says there will be more details on the pledge in the days to come, and that Ukrainians have fought like heroes.

Canadas government has also hit 14 more Russians with sanctions for their close ties with President Vladimir Putin, including his two adult daughters.

___

BERLIN  The International Atomic Energy Agency says direct phone communications between the decommissioned Chernobyl power plant and Ukraines nuclear regulator have been restored.

Ukraine informed the Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog on March 10 that it had lost direct contact with the plant, the site of the 1986 disaster. Russian forces seized Chernobyl at the beginning of the invasion on Feb. 24 and withdrew on March 31.

The IAEAs director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said Tuesday that this was clearly not a sustainable situation, and it is very good news that the regulator can now contact the plant directly when it needs to.

Grossi plans to lead a mission of IAEA experts to Chernobyl to conduct nuclear safety and radiological assessments, deliver equipment and repair the agencys own remote monitoring systems there.

___

WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged world finance leaders Tuesday to get concrete as they look for ways to combat a global crisis over food insecurity that's getting worse due to Russias war in Ukraine.

This threat touches the most vulnerable people the hardest  families that are already spending disproportionate amounts of their income on food, Yellen told fellow finance leaders during a food security meeting convened with members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. People on every continent are impacted.

Failure to feed the worlds population risks not only starvation, but also social unrest and cross-border political upheaval. Among the proposed solutions: reducing export restrictions, relieving price controls and subsidizing small farmers.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a carve-out to sanctions against Russia to allow agricultural transactions and trade related to humanitarian aid and access to communications.

Russia and Ukraine produce a third of the worlds wheat supply. The loss of commodities due to the war has resulted in soaring food prices and uncertainty about the future of food security globally, especially in impoverished countries. With fertilizer and natural gas costs exploding, leaders expressed concern that countries could turn inward and restrict trade to protect their populations, indirectly hurting more vulnerable countries that face even worse food problems.

David Malpass, president of the World Bank, said his organization will provide $17 billion per year to strengthen food security, and develop a 15-month crisis response package of $170 billion, that will address the pandemic, refugee resettlement and other issues alongside food supply.

___

KVIV, Ukraine  Russia is assaulting cities and towns across Ukraines eastern industrial heartland in a new phase of the war after losing about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine, according to Pentagon estimates.

Capturing the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas region would give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory, slicing Ukraine in two and depriving it of key industrial assets.

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said air-launched missiles destroyed 13 Ukrainian troop and weapons locations while artillery hit 1,260 Ukrainian military facilities and 1,214 troops concentrations over the last 24 hours. The claims could not be independently verified.

___

WASHINGTON  The U.S. militarys assessment of Russias renewed offensive in the Donbas region of Ukraine is that it has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

When people say the offensive has begun, thats what theyre referring to, and were not pushing back on that notion, a senior U.S. defense official said.

The official said the Russians are taking actions to improve their ability to sustain combat operations in the Donbas and to prepare for what we believe will be larger offensives in the future.

The U.S. estimates that the Russian military has lost about 25% of the combat power it sent into Ukraine at the start of the war, so theyre refitting ground combat units for insertion into Ukraine. The official said the Russians added two more battalion tactical groups in the past 24 hours, for a total of 78. Thats up from 65 last week.

 AP Military Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.

___

BERLIN  Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany will continue to enable weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with one possibility being systems from eastern European nations that would be easily and quickly usable.

Scholz has faced increasing pressure from within his own governing coalition and the main opposition party to deliver heavy weapons such as German Leopard tanks.

But Scholz said Germany and its partners in the Group of Seven industrial nations have concluded it makes more sense to send in systems already used in Ukraine, such as the Soviet-era weapons some NATO partners still have.

Western partners would help those countries with replacements.

After conferring with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders on Tuesday, Scholz said all of us will continue to support Ukraine, financially and also militarily.

___

The Kremlins diplomats are doing more online dirty work as governments and social media companies try to suppress Russias state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine.

Russian embassies and consulates are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine.

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russias diplomatic corps acts as a global propaganda network, tailoring claims for each nations audience.

Tech companies have responded by adding warning labels and removing Russias diplomatic accounts from its recommendations and search results. But they remain active, as their diplomatic status provides more protection from moderation.

Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week, said disinformation researcher Marcel Schliebs at the Oxford Internet Institute.

___

PRAGUE  Czech authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

Pragues High Public Prosecutors Office that oversees the investigation said Tuesday that the initial information from Ukraine shows signs of war crimes, according to international law.

The office said the purpose of the investigation is to secure evidence from witnesses and victims who have arrived to seek refuge in the Czech Republic. The Czechs coordinate their effort with the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

The investigators are focusing on suspected use of banned and illegal means and methods of warfare.

___

KHARKIV, Ukraine  Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv say at least four people were killed and three others wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area.

The attack on Tuesday happened as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy in the eastern city, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

Kharkiv is near the front lines and has faced repeated shelling from the Russian forces. Earlier on Tuesday, a regional governor in Kharkiv said 5 civilians had been killed and 17 wounded in the past 24 hours.

Also on Tuesday, an explosion rocked the eastern city of Kramatorsk killing at least 1 person and injuring 3, according to AP journalists at the scene.

 By Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv; Yesica Fisch in Kramatorsk, Ukraine

___

MOSCOW  Russia said Tuesday it is expelling 15 diplomats from the Netherlands and an unspecified number of Belgian embassy staff in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats by those countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has ordered 14 employees of the Dutch embassy in Moscow and one from the consulate in St. Petersburg to leave the country.

We expected Russia to take reciprocal measures. Nevertheless I regret this step. We are now going to see what the consequences are of the fact that so many colleagues have to leave Moscow and Petersburg, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.

That follows the Netherlands expelling Russian diplomats last month. Dutch authorities said they expelled 17 and alleged they had been using diplomatic cover to work as spies. The Russian Foreign Ministry said a total 18 people with diplomatic status were expelled from its embassy in The Hague, a trade mission in Amsterdam and the Russian representation at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is based in the Netherlands.

The ministry added that the Belgian ambassador had been notified that embassy staff would have to leave by May 3, without saying how many people were affected. The ambassador of Luxembourg was summoned for an official protest after the small Western European nation expelled a single Russian diplomat this month.

___

LONDON  British officials say the next phase of the war in Ukraine is likely to be an attritional conflict that could last several months.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

A senior U.K. national security official briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday, as Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said the official told ministers that Russias greater number of troops was unlikely to be decisive on its own against fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The official told Cabinet that there are signs Russia has not learned the lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, with evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a piecemeal fashion and some soldiers and units refusing to fight.

Johnsons spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister had told Cabinet that Ukraines position remained perilous, with Russian President Vladimir Putin angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost.

___

MOSCOW  The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya says he is certain that the Russian forces will uproot the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the key port of Mariupol within hours.

Ramzan Kadyrov said on a messaging app channel that the Russian troops will finish off the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol on Tuesday and take full control of the giant Azovstal steel mill, the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city.

Ukrainian troops have defended the strategic port on the Sea of Azov for seven weeks despite the Russian blockade and relentless barrage that flattened most of the city.

The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles), offered Ukrainian defenders a strong fighting position thanks to its sprawling network of underground tunnels and depots.

Kadyrov, whose forces have taken part in the fighting in Mariupol, has repeatedly made blustery comments about the citys inevitable fall.

___

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says he plans to speak with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts as part of Turkeys efforts to halt the conflict.

Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey was also talking to P5 nations  the United States, China, France, Russia and the U.K.  and other countries about possible security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that Kyivs request for guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty hadn't found support, especially among Western countries.

If there can be no guarantees (similar to) NATOs Article 5, then what options are there? We are taking care of such these details, Cavusoglu said. We must be prepared for the possibility of a cease-fire.

He was speaking during a joint news conference with Hungarys foreign minister in Ankara.

NATO-member Turkey, which has maintained its close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has hosted a meeting between the two countries foreign ministers as well as talks between the two negotiating teams last month.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said he hopes to bring the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to the negotiating table.

___

MOSCOW  Russias defense minister has accused the U.S. and other Western nations of supplying Ukraine with weapons so that it continues fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with the top military brass that Washington and its allies are doing all they can to drag out Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that the growing supplies of foreign weapons clearly signal their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Shoigu said that the Russian military has consistently implemented the plan to fully liberate the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics.

Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region eastern industrial heartland, Donbas, that includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Russia.

___

SOFIA, Bulgaria  Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says security for his country also means security for Bulgaria and all other Black Sea countries.

We are fighting not only for our safety," Kuleba said after talks Tuesday with his Bulgarian counterpart, Teodora Genchovska. "We are fighting for you too, so that you never have to face the tragedy of Russias attempts to affect and damage your country.

Kuleba expressed understanding that many in Bulgaria have emotional and historic links to Russia.

But now its different  destroying, killing, torturing, raping," he said. "This is not a Russia that deserves sympathy and understanding. I want everyone to understand that.

No details of the talks have been disclosed, but media reports alleged that Kuleba may ask for a stronger engagement of Bulgaria in Ukraines defense from Russias aggression. Along with Hungary, Bulgaria is the only EU member that has so far been reluctant to send weapons to Kyiv.

During his unofficial visit to Sofia, Kuleba will also meet Bulgarias President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian foreign minister says that Moscows campaign in Ukraine is entering a new stage.

Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indian television broadcast Tuesday that the operation is continuing, and another phase of this operation is starting now.

Lavrovs statement follows Ukrainian statements that Russia on Monday launched an offensive in the countrys eastern industrial heartland, Donbas. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years in the mostly Russian-speaking region and have declared two independent republics that have been recognized by Moscow.

Lavrov emphasized that the Russian operation is aimed at the full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.

___

AMSTERDAM  Automaker Stellantis says it is suspending production in Russia because of the impact of sanctions and logistical problems.

Stellantis was making vans in Russia under the Peugeot and Citroen brands at a factory in Kaluga which it shared with Mitsubishi. The Japanese manufacturer suspended its production there earlier this month.

Stellantis said Tuesday it wanted to ensure full compliance with international sanctions and protect its employees by suspending production. The company had previously warned the Kaluga factory was running low on parts. Many automakers with operations in Russia have struggled to import the components they need since the invasion of Ukraine began.

Based in the Netherlands, Stellantis is the worlds fourth-largest automaker with brands including Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat. It previously stopped vehicle shipments to and from Russia last month.

Russian authorities have criticized companies which shut down their operations, and warned they could take steps to put production facilities under state control.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian military has made a new demand to the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol to lay down their arms.

Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev gave the Ukrainian troops holed up at the giant Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol until midday (0900 GMT) Tuesday to surrender.

He said that those who surrender will keep their lives.

Ukrainian troops who have defended the city for seven weeks have ignored such previous offers. The Azovstal plant, which covers the territory of about 11 square kilometers (over 4 square miles) is the last major Ukrainian pocket of resistance in Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov.

Earlier Tuesday, Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region, said that assault groups had moved into Azovstal in a bid to uproot the Ukrainian troops following bombing and artillery barrage.
ALBANY  I first wrote about the potential benefits of remaking Interstate 787 12 years ago and have devoted roughly 10 columns to the topic in the years since. (Just 10? I really thought the total would be higher.)

Nearly all those columns generated a significant reaction from readers, and last week's, which focused on the state freeing up to $5 million for a feasibility study, wasn't an exception. The tone of the reaction has changed over the years, though, from significantly incredulous  Tear down a perfectly good highway!! Are you bonkers?!  to largely supportive.

There are many reasons for the change, I think, including an increasing optimism about the Capital Region and its cities. People have awakened to the possibilities, it seems.

Just as important are examples set by other cities. It used to be that the only real comparison was Boston's Big Dig, which is still viewed, perhaps unfairly, as a folly. But now, dozens have cities have followed suit or intend to, and there are countless videos on YouTube detailing what those changes have meant.

In city after city, ripping down destructive highways has led to significant quality-of-life improvements without the gridlock critics predicted. The case is stronger, in other words, that redoing 787 makes sense.

Not that the incredulous reactions have disappeared. Here's one from James in Bethlehem:

"Tearing down 787? Any idea how INSANE that is? Your propaganda is insufferable. People literally move to other states because they hate New York government and its media propagandists ... New York is heading into an abyss and you are driving the bus."

OK, but imagine that the bus is traveling down a newly built boulevard, with a wonderful view of downtown Albany on one side and the river on the other.

Sounds good, right?

More seriously, people often move because they believe the quality of life and economic prospects are better elsewhere. If Albany and other cities here are going to compete, we need to keep up with the positive changes other places are making.

As Bruce from Menands wrote: "Couple the highway with Rockefeller's sterile mall and Albany will probably remain a basket case. Contrast it with what Savannah, the same size as Albany, has done with its downtown and waterfront over the years."

Put it this way: Nobody is going to move to Albany because of 787. But our disrespect for a prime environmental and economic asset might convince potential residents that such a backward-minded place isn't for them.

Joe from Troy wrote to note an important consideration about the potential cost of remaking the overbuilt highway:

"The removal of the labyrinth of ramps is not as expensive as it might seem. It might even save money. Those ramps are around 50 years old. If nothing is done, the ever-increasing cost to maintain will far exceed the maintenance cost of highways brought to earth. At some point, the choice will be between building a rational roadway or reconstructing the mistakes of the 1960s and 70s."

Several other readers wondered about climate change and the possibility of a rising river. Alan, a skeptic of changing the highway from Glenmont, was among them, writing:

"What Albany will need when the river rises is an elevated highway. Oh, we already have one: 787."

I asked Scott Townsend, the architect behind the Albany Riverfront Collaborative's renderings of a riverside boulevard, if climate change factored into the group's considerations. He said it has and can be mitigated as part of a redo.

The ability to plan for climate change is actually an advantage of remaking 787, Townsend added, in part because the existing highway could be impacted by rising river levels in ways that are difficult to predict.

Here's more from skeptical Alan: "Changing 787 into a boulevard with traffic lights would be a disaster for downtown rush-hour commuters ... Slowing access to downtown Albany will discourage businesses from moving into Albany and will encourage current businesses to relocate."

Studying the traffic impact is one of the jobs of the feasibility study planned by the state Department of Transportation, but Townsend and others believe a boulevard could improve traffic flow by offering more access points than the existing highway. Indeed, 787's few entrances and exits often become traffic choke points during rush hour.

As for the economic impact ... well, what evidence is there that the elevated highway and all its swirling ramps has been good for businesses in Albany? Does anybody believe that 787 has made the city more vibrant?

Businesses benefit when cities become desirable and pleasant destinations  places where people want to spend time and money. As it so happens, many successful and welcoming downtown districts, including the one in Saratoga Springs, don't have highways crashing through to obliterate assets.

That probably isn't a coincidence.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
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ALBANY  Valarie Evans has had five lovely births, but has heard women tell birth stories very different from hers.

Mothers who endured long childbirths and werent checked on for hours by doctors, felt disrespected or were told that things they were physically feeling were just in their heads.

BirthNet, a nonprofit working to eliminate birth outcome inequities, sees this kind of dismissal as leading to disproportionate maternal deaths and infant mortality rates for mothers, specifically those of color, across the Capital Region and statewide.

BirthNet held a forum last week where they provided recommendations that could improve health outcomes for women and their babies.

Albany County data consistently shows that infants of color have died at higher rates than white babies. About 11.2 Black infants and 8 Hispanic infants died among every 1,000 birthed in the county, compared to 4.5 white babies in 2016.

Adverse outcomes according to race were evident in maternal deaths during birth as well, according to data from BirthNet. For every 100,000 births in New York in 2015, there were about 54.9 deaths among Black women and 15.3 deaths among white women. Nakia Tillman, a co-chair on the BirthNet board, explained the data is older because it takes the department of health time to aggregate the statistics from its sources and release it to the public. This data was the most recently released, she noted.

There are white mothers who are out here dying, you know, as well, but not at the rate that we are, Tillman said.

Tillman was direct about why the results are skewed: They are due to racism and biases.

Her organization found that cardiovascular diseases contributed to many Black mothers deaths during birth. And when these women tried relaying their discomfort to doctors, they were overlooked.

When Black women are telling the doctors they're feeling a certain way, they're being dismissed and not being heard, she said. Then when things go wrong, your blood pressure starts to drop or it's going too high, then by that time, it's too late.

Tillman believes surgeries and other adverse outcomes could be avoided if physicians were taking the time to listen to their patients from the beginning.

Indeed, a report from the state Department of Health analyzing pregnancy-associated deaths in 2018 determined that 78 percent of pregnancy-related deaths that year were preventable, and discrimination was identified as a probable or definite circumstance surrounding 46 percent of those mortalities.

Evans feels the same way. It's why she took BirthNets training to become a doula.

BirthNet has trained 22 doulas to work with mothers in the region and guide them through childbirth to combat discrepancies in care.

Doulas are similar to midwives, except they provide mothers and their families support through pregnancies, sometimes as long as a year after.

Tillman said BirthNets doulas will work in the same capacity while being witness(es) to what women are experiencing during birth. She noted that often women have to engage in arguments with nurses and doctors just to have their doulas in a hospital room with them.

The organization has also been trying to discuss their concerns with local hospital systems such as Albany Medical Center and St. Peters Health Partners because when women disclose feeling dismissed, theyre told to report it. But a follow-up to ensure history doesnt repeat itself rarely happens.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

During the forum, the group suggested the hospitals do implicit bias training twice a year with an institution they are not beholden to and create committee review boards for maternal health.

Tillman said Albany Med reacted well to receiving the information, although there was some pushback from St. Peters. She said their attitude suggested that if these women felt a certain way about the hospital then why would they go there.

We have to explain that sometimes that's our only choice we only have two hospitals, she said.

St. Peters Health Partners and Albany Med experts were not available for comment by press time.

In other actions, BirthNet is advocating for independent birthing centers women can go to.

If women are not feeling safe going to these hospitals then we need another safe place for them to go where they are run by midwives and doulas and not by the doctors, Tillman said.

We just want to make sure that every woman is safe because that should be the most important moment in her life and she shouldn't have to worry about surviving a birth, she added.

This story was updated to state Albany Med and St. Peter's experts weren't available for comment prior to publication.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit Monday, and airlines and airports swiftly began repealing their requirements that passengers wear face coverings.

The judge's decision freed airlines, airports and mass transit systems to make their own decisions about mask requirements, resulting in a mix of responses.

The major airlines switched to a mask optional policy, with some eliciting cheers from passengers when the changes were announced over loudspeakers. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday night that it would it will no longer enforce the mask requirement, and airports in Houston and Dallas almost immediately did away with their mandates after the TSA announcement.

Los Angeles International Airport, the world's fifth-largest by passenger volume, also dropped its mandate but the Centers for Disease Control continued to recommend masking on transportation and I think that's good advice," LAX spokesman Heath Montgomery said.

Sleepy passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight between Atlanta and Barcelona, Spain, cheered and applauded when a flight attendant announced the news mid-flight over the ocean.

No ones any happier than we are," the attendant says in a video posted by Dillon Thomas, a CBS Denver reporter, who was on the flight. She added that people who wanted to keep on their masks were encouraged to do so.

But were ready to give em up," she added. So thank you and happy unmasking day!

New York Citys public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in place. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it would make masks optional for riders on its buses and trains.

The Association of Flight Attendants, the nations largest union of cabin crews, has recently taken a neutral position on the mask rule because its members are divided about the issue. On Monday, the unions president appealed for calm on planes and in airports.

The last thing we need for workers on the frontlines or passengers traveling today is confusion and chaos, union leader Sara Nelson said.

Nelson said it takes airlines 24 to 48 hours to put new procedures in place and tell employees about them. She said passengers should check with airlines for updates about travel requirements.

The mask requirement covered airlines, airports, mass transit and taxis, and was the biggest vestige of pandemic restrictions that were once the norm across the country.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, also said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures that left it fatally flawed.

In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle said the only remedy was to vacate the rule entirely across the country because it would be impossible to end it for the limited group of people who objected in the lawsuit.

The judge said a limited remedy would be no remedy at all and courts have full authority to make a decision such as this  even if the CDC's goals in fighting the virus are laudable.

The Justice Department declined to comment when asked if it would seek an emergency stay to block the judges order. The CDC also declined to comment.

The White House said the court ruling means that for now the mask order is not in effect at this time.

This is obviously a disappointing decision, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. The CDC is recommending wearing a mask on public transit.

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

In New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority communications director Tim Minton said the system was "continuing to follow CDC guidelines and will review the Florida court order.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

The MTA operates New York City buses and subway trains as well as two commuter rail lines. Face coverings have been mandatory on all trains and buses since early in the pandemic.

United Airlines said in a statement that, effective immediately, masks would no longer be required on domestic flights or certain international flights.

"While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask  and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public  they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit," United said.

Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines also made similar announcements.

The federal mask requirement for travelers was the target of months of lobbying from the airlines, which sought to kill it. The carriers argued that effective air filters on modern planes make transmission of the virus during a flight highly unlikely. Republicans in Congress also fought to kill the mandate.

Critics have seized on the fact that states have rolled back rules requiring masks in restaurants, stores and other indoor settings, and yet COVID-19 cases have fallen sharply since the omicron variant peaked in mid-January.

There have been a series of violent incidents on aircraft that have mainly been attributed to disputes over the mask-wearing requirements.

The lawsuit was filed in July 2021 by two plaintiffs and the Health Freedom Defense Fund, described in the judge's order as a nonprofit group that opposes laws and regulations that force individuals to submit to the administration of medical products, procedures and devices against their will.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was not directly involved in the case but has battled against many government coronavirus requirements, praised the ruling in a statement on Twitter.

Great to see a federal judge in Florida follow the law and reject the Biden transportation mask mandate. Both airline employees and passengers deserve to have this misery end, DeSantis tweeted.

___

Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington, and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this story.
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BURQA, West Bank (AP)  Thousands of Israelis marched to a dismantled settlement deep in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday and called for it to be rebuilt in a show of strength amid a wave of Israeli-Palestinian unrest and fears of further escalation.

The army blocked roads to facilitate the march led by hard-line Jewish settlers and prevent Palestinians from reaching the area. Dozens of Palestinian residents protested the closures. Clashes broke out, with Israeli soldiers firing rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinian youths hurling stones and burning tires.

Palestinian medics said they treated at least eight Palestinians who were struck by rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by Israeli troops in the adjacent West Bank village of Burqa.

Israelis have repeatedly returned to Homesh, a hilltop settlement that emerged as a symbol of settler defiance after the government dismantled it in 2005.

Israeli-Palestinian tensions have surged in recent weeks after a series of deadly attacks inside Israel and and military operations in the West Bank. Palestinian militants fired a rocket from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel for the first time in months, and Israel carried out airstrikes, after days of clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem.

The unrest has raised fears of a repeat of last year, when protests and clashes in Jerusalem helped ignite an 11-day Gaza war.

The shrine, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the emotional epicenter of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel said its security forces entered the site in response to Palestinian rock-throwing and that it is committed to ensuring that Jews, Christians and Muslims can worship freely in the Holy Land. The Palestinians view the presence of Israeli security forces at Al-Aqsa and visits by nationalist and religious Jews as a provocation.

Israel has faced intense criticism from Jordan, which serves as custodian of the site, as well as Egypt  Arab states that made peace with Israel decades ago. The United Arab Emirates, which led the way in normalizing relations with Israel as part of the so-called Abraham Accords in 2020, summoned the recently appointed Israeli ambassador on Tuesday.

The UAE said Israel needs to fully protect worshippers, to respect the rights of Palestinians to practice their religious rites and to stop any practices that violate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque," according to a statement carried by the state-run WAM news agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he discussed the violence in a telephone call with Israel's largely ceremonial President Isaac Herzog.

During this sensitive period, I would like to emphasize, once again, the need not to allow provocations and threats against the status and spirituality of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Erdogan said.

It was an unusually muted statement for Erdogan, who has been an outspoken critic of Israels policies toward the Palestinians in the past. Turkey, whose economy is in crisis, has been trying to normalize its frayed ties with Israel and other regional countries.

Herzog visited Turkey last month, becoming the first Israeli leader to visit in 14 years.

The U.N. Security Council emerged from a closed-door session Tuesday with no unanimous message on the tensions, though envoys from Ireland, France, Estonia, Norway and Albania stood together to express concern. They called for respecting arrangements at holy sites and for restraint from both sides, while condemning rocket fire from Gaza and all acts of terrorism.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

The United States, Israel's closest ally, has also called on all sides to exercise restraint.

At the march in the occupied West Bank, several thousand Israelis, including young children, walked roughly two kilometers (one mile) to Homesh, where organizers staged festivities attended by religious nationalist politicians and rabbis.

The Israeli military didn't formally authorize the march but closed roads to separate the settlers and Palestinians, allowing it to be held.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and in the decades since has built dozens of settlements that are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis. The Palestinians seek the territory, which is home to nearly 3 million Palestinians, as the main part of a future independent state.

Most of the international community considers the settlements to be illegal. Israel views the West Bank as the historical and biblical heartland of the Jewish people. The peace process ground to a halt more than a decade ago.

The settlement of Homesh was built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and was dismantled in 2005. In the years since, Israeli settlers have staged several marches, rallies and attempts to rebuild it in violation of Israeli law and military orders.

In December, Palestinian militants killed a Jewish settler near the site of the former settlement. A month earlier, six Palestinian farmers were hospitalized after settlers attacked them with metal batons and stones.

___

Ben Zion reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations contributed to this report.
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HELSINKI (AP)  Swedish police said Monday that the riots that have shaken several cities and towns in the Nordic country are extremely serious crimes against society and suspect some protesters are linked to criminal gangs that intentionally target police.

Sweden, a nation of 10 million, has seen unrest, scuffles, arson and violence since Thursday that has left some police officers and protesters injured. It was triggered by Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludans meetings and planned Quran burnings across the country.

We suspect that those involved (in the riots) have links to criminal gangs, National Police Commissioner Anders Thornberg told a news conference on Monday, adding some of those criminal individuals are known to police. I have been in touch with the public prosecutor to prosecute these individuals.

Swedens National Police Commander Jonas Hysing said Monday that 26 police and 14 individuals  protesters or other people  have been injured in the riots and 20 police vehicles destroyed or damaged.

The latest riots broke out Sunday night in Malmo, Swedens third-largest city, as an angry crowd of mainly young people set fire to car tires, debris and garbage cans in the Rosengard district. Protesters threw stones and police responded by firing tear gas into the crowd. A school and several cars were set on fire, but the situation calmed down early Monday.

A total of 11 people were detained and three people arrested in Malmo. No serious injuries were reported.

Since Thursday, in addition to Malmo, riots, unrest and violent clashes have been reported in Stockholm, the central city of Orebro, the eastern cities of Linkoping and Norrkoping and southern town of Landskrona.

Police have been forced to use weapons in self-defense, Hysing said. Three people were hurt in Norrkoping on Sunday as they were hit by ricochets as police fired warning shots into a crowd of protesters.

There is a lot to suggest that the police were targeted, Hysing said, adding that some protesters were suspected of attempted murder, aggravated assault and violence against an official.

Both Thornberg and Hysing stressed that the main target for the rioters was Swedish police and society, not Paludan  seen by many Swedes merely as an agent provocateur  and his Stram Kurs (Hard Line) party, which runs on an anti-immigrant, anti-Islam agenda.

Thornberg, Swedens supreme police chief, said criminal individuals who took advantage of the situation with Paludans Swedish Easter tour and joined the riots, were the main suspects for the violent flare-ups of violence. The unrest escalated quickly after Paludans first demonstrations, which were met by counter-protesters in many places last week.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

We must put an end to this early. What we see here is a very serious crime, Thornberg said, referring to the riots.

Justice Minister Morgan Johansson said Monday that he continues to have great confidence in the Swedish police despite the unrest over the weekend and pledged more resources to law enforcement.

When you end up in these critical and aggressive situations, theres nothing else police officers can do but to put up a hard fight, Johansson told Swedish news outlets. We cannot accept that perpetrators commit this type of violence.

Iraqs Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned Swedens charge daffaires over Paludans planned Quran burnings, reportedly saying that such activity could seriously endanger Swedens relations with the Muslim world.

In Iran, dozens of students gathered Monday at Swedens embassy to protest Paludans planned Quran burnings. Chanting Insulters of Quran must be condemned! they also repeated traditional slogans such as Death to America!" and Death to Israel!

___

Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this article.
Hong Kong: CE inspects isolation facility handover

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today inspected the handover of the first phase of the community isolation facility (CIF) in Penny's Bay.

The Penny's Bay CIF, providing around 7,000 units and around 14,000 beds in total, is the largest among the isolation facilities constructed with Mainland support.

Given the large scale of the facility, China State Construction will hand over the CIF to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for operation in phases. The first batch contains around 1,000 units and around 2,000 beds.

In her speech, Mrs Lam said different from the CIFs opened earlier, the Penny's Bay facility is a two-storey building, with each unit fitted with an individual toilet and bathroom.

The Modular Integrated Construction modules were prefabricated in a factory with installed interior decoration, building services and furniture. Upon arrival at the construction site, the units will be ready for use after simple installation and connection to fresh water, electricity and sewerage system.

The remaining facilities in Penny's Bay, as well as the sizable CIFs adjacent to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, are expected to be handed over to the Hong Kong SAR Government for operation within this month and over the next three months.

Counting the six CIFs opened earlier, the nine CIFs constructed with Mainland support are set to provide about 50,000 beds, the Chief Executive pointed out.

She added that Hong Kongs anti-epidemic capabilities would be greatly enhanced, which are incomparable to the shortfall of isolation facilities two months ago.

Mrs Lam again expressed gratitude to the central government for its staunch support, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR for its intensive co-ordination, and the construction team for working around the clock to enable the projects to be handed over in phases in just two months.

This story has been published on: 2022-04-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his Trumpist compatriots are still waging a battle against immigrants down at the southern border  claiming that brown-skinned migrants pose an imminent threat, insisting on building a wall and busing migrants to the nations capital.

Unfortunately, such stunts will cheer Abbotts xenophobic base, which rallied to the same ugly bigotry when it was fostered by former President Donald Trump. It is easy to whip up fear and resentment in some white voters who may lose their perceived status at the top of the heap as the nation becomes more diverse.

But the clamp-down on immigration that Trump started has hurt not only those would-be immigrants desperate for a better life, but also citizens here in the United States. Without a generous policy of accepting newcomers, we dont have the labor supply that we need. Thats one of the reasons you see so many help wanted signs, especially at restaurants and retail establishments.

According to federal statistics, the national unemployment rate hovers at about 3.6%. Here in Alabama, the rate is even lower  3%. Economists consider an unemployment rate of about 5% to be full employment, meaning every able-bodied person who wants to work has a job already.

There are many reasons for the labor shortage, but a key factor is one that demographers have pointed to over the past couple of decades: America has an aging population. There arent enough able-bodied younger adults to take the jobs created since the pandemic lockdowns ended. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the retirement trend; many workers nearing retirement decided to go ahead and call it quits once the virus made workplaces uncomfortable.

Once upon a time, we would have imported the workers we needed, both skilled and unskilled. At the peak of immigration to the U.S., from 2015 to 2016, nearly a million people were added, but our xenophobia has gotten in the way. According to federal data, from 2020 to 2021, net international migration to the U.S. added only 247,000 people to the population, the lowest increase in decades. (The pandemic is part of the reason for dramatically slowed immigration, but the drop-off was exacerbated by Trumps policies.)

Our shortsighted politicians on the right have whipped up the bigotry rather than acknowledging that immigration has been good for our economy, and it isnt just those pols whose states border Mexico. Venture capitalist J.D. Vance is running for the GOP nomination for a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio, and he has joined the nativist chorus.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

Once a Never-Trumper, he apparently feels the need to shore up his credentials as a bigot, so he has an ad out claiming that Joe Bidens open border means that there are more Democrat voters pouring into this country. Politifact, the Poynter Institutes fact-check forum, has rated the claim false. For one thing, the border isnt open: Every day, Border Patrol agents round up people trying to sneak into the country illegally, and they deport most of them. For another, noncitizens cannot vote.

During the 1990s, when even most Republican politicians believed immigration had benefits, economists debated the effect of so many new workers  especially unskilled laborers  on the workers already here. Did the flood of men and women willing to work for little money depress wages for citizens? Most studies found that unskilled laborers doing lawn care and construction work may have kept wages down a bit for unskilled Americans, but not by much. Meanwhile, the effect that immigrants had across the board  taking jobs Americans didnt want, starting new businesses, revitalizing communities  was a boon.

But those newcomers brought young children who were reared in the U.S. and have demanded citizenship. They also bore additional children who were citizens by birthright. That trend has dramatically changed the population of the country, where whites will no longer constitute a clear majority by the year 2045, demographers say.

As writer Isabel Wilkerson wrote in her brilliant polemic Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, whites in America, as the majority population, have always enjoyed favored status, dictating cultural norms. But that has already begun to change. Television shows and ads routinely depict interracial families, Black physicians, Latino moms and dads. Many whites are willing to sacrifice the economy  even the country  to fight that trend.

Cynthia Tucker won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2007. She can be reached at cynthia@cynthiatucker.com.
If settling up your taxes on Monday was annoying, just be glad you arent in the marijuana business.

For those who produce or sell marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, its a surreal undertaking. Their enterprise is illegal in the eyes of the federal government. But they still have to pay taxes on their profits. But they cant claim deductions for their business expenses, since the business, remember, is illegal. And how to pay that tax bill, when banks wont do business with a technically and openly illegal enterprise?

With 39 states legalizing marijuana  18 allowing it for recreational use  along with Washington, D.C., the seat of our federal government  it is way past time Congress ended this increasingly nonsensical policy.

New York at least took a step to bring a state-level measure of common sense to the situation. The new state budget included a change in state tax law to allow cannabis entrepreneurs to deduct business expenses from their revenue. Similar to a policy California put in place three years ago, its expected to save cannabis businesses more than $25 million by 2024.

This was long overdue. Medical marijuana has been legal in New York since 2014. With the state now in the early development of a recreational marijuana growing, processing, distribution and sales program, the market is likely to soon explode.

But businesses are still stuck when it comes to federal law that dates back to the Reefer Madness days of the 1930s. They face all the obligations of taxes but enjoy none of the write-offs any legal business is allowed. This is likely to be all the more problematic in New York, which, in the name of social equity, plans to give first preference for retail licenses to people with either criminal records for marijuana offenses or relatives with such records. Even with proven business experience also to be required, imagine trying to get a loan under such circumstances  and with a federal law that says the business is illegal.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

Whats needed is a change in federal law, not just in policy that can whiplash from one presidential administration to the next, as happened over the past decade. First, President Barack Obamas administration in 2013 urged federal prosecutors to forgo prosecuting marijuana businesses that were compliant with the laws in states that had legalized the drug. Then the Trump administration in 2018 rescinded the policy. Now the Biden administration is being urged to renew it.

Its time for Congress to recognize that the laws putting marijuana in the same class of drugs as heroin and cocaine are out of date and contrary to the direction most states are headed in. Lawmakers should consider a bill like the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, whose backers include Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., which would end the federal ban on cannabis and in turn allow marijuana businesses operating legally within their states to open bank accounts, obtain business loans and handle credit card transactions. Any final legislation should also allow them to operate like any other business for tax purposes.

Enough of the antiquated legal nonsense. Enough of the regulation-by-executive-whim. Its bad criminal justice policy, bad tax policy, bad business policy, and bad governance.
ALBANY Republican congressional candidate Liz Joy is outpacing U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, in raising contributions from private individuals as they approach the November election for a rematch of their 2020 race.

According to information from Joys campaign, the candidate took in $146,575 from individuals during the years first quarter, while Tonko raised $84,637. As a whole, Joy has raised significantly more from private residents than her opponent, the campaign said.

From 2021 onward, Joy's campaign collected $457,185 in individual donations, while Tonko raised $409,110 in the same time period. The congressional district, which includes the counties of Albany and Schenectady and parts of Montgomery, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties, leans heavily Democratic.

The area got a boost in Republican voters after a pending redistricting but it remains a comfortable spot for Tonko ahead of the election.

In a written statement, Joy said: Our campaign continues to beat expectations and raise more money each quarter. We outraised (Tonko) again in individual contributions for the third quarter in a row, which shows the level of support we have from people who live and work in the 20th district.

She added: While we raise more and more money from individuals concerned with the direction of our nation, Paul Tonko relies more and more on PACs and special interest money.

Tonkos campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, donated $6,000 to Joys campaign since 2019. The New York Conservative Party is also counted among Joys contributors.

When Joy challenged Tonko in 2020 she received 38 percent of the vote while the incumbent won easily with 62 percent.

Many Democrats are bracing for the fallout of a mid-term election when the presidential party often does not fare well at the polls and as President Joe Biden's favorability ratings among voters are low.
SCHENECTADY  The husband-and-wife team who in fall 2020 opened The Nest on State Street as a sibling of their contemporary Southern restaurant The Cuckoo's Nest in Albany have signed a lease for the only commercial space in an under-construction building nearby for their next venture, a Mediterranean eatery called Mila Restaurant & Bar.

A spring 2023 opening is projected, said Kaytrin Ziemann, who owns the restaurants with her chef-husband, Devin Ziemann. They also own the burger and fro-yo concept Crave in Albany. (Mila is pronounced mee-la.)

The new building is at 501 State, on the corner of Clinton Street. It replaces a former Citizens Bank location that was razed. The owner is Redburn Development, which also redeveloped the Foster Building complex, where The Nest is located.

"We weren't necessarily looking to open another place, but much like with The Nest location, this opportunity with this landlord was just too good to pass up," said Ziemann. Since opening Crave in summer 2015 and Cuckoo's Nest two years later, the couple has also started a family, with their second child, Mila, whose name inspired the name of the new restaurant, born in January.

Mila Restaurant & Bar will occupy about 4,500 square feet, with projected inside seating for 120, plus a 16- to 20-seat bar and another 60 at patio tables along the State Street side of the building, Ziemann said. The restaurant lease also includes what would have been three apartments at the back of the space, to provide extra room for kitchen, storage and offices, she said.

The pan-European menu will include flavors and dishes from the culinary traditions of Greece, southern Italy, Lebanon, Spain and Turkey, Ziemann said. The restaurant will employ 40 to 50 people, she said. Projected hours will be lunch and dinner Tuesday to Friday, Saturday dinner and weekend brunch, though that may evolve, according to Ziemann.

The four-story 501 State St. building has a few ground-level apartments and is residential on the upper three floors, for a total of 81 units, said Redburn principal Jeff Buell. The project is part of the company's latest investment in downtown Schenectady, with $40 million going into three buildings, toward which Redburn received $2.75 million from the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative program, Buell said.

"We continue to be incredibly impressed by Devin and Kaytrin," he said, calling the Ziemanns "among the top tier" of Capital Region restaurateurs.

Buell said, "They have big plans ahead, and we hope to be a part of it."
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
We talked about this last year and now it's news fact.



Here's what might or might not be a win for Guv Kelly . . . At least according to today's news:

The facility in Pottawatomie County will develop vaccines to help combat biological threats. In addition, it will provide other manufacturing and testing services.



Gov. Laura Kelly joined hundreds of people to announce the agreement Monday with Scorpion Biological Services. The plan is for the 500,000-square-foot plant to create hundreds of jobs within seven years.



This is a big deal, Kelly said. Its big for Scorpion. Its big for Manhattan. And its big for Kansas. Were in the midst of a new era of economic growth.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas lands a $650 million plant to make vaccines and fight biological threats MANHATTAN, Kansas - Kansas officials announced an agreement Monday to build a $650 million biological manufacturing plant near Manhattan that will create 500 jobs. The facility in Pottawatomie County will develop vaccines to help combat biological threats. In addition, it will provide other manufacturing and testing services. Gov.

Gov. Laura Kelly says $650 million manufacturing plant is coming to Kansas KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS PROCTJE IS OR THE COMPANY BEHIND IT HAVE SIGNED NON-DISOSCLURE AGREEMENTS, BUT SOMETHING INFORMATION THAT'S COME OUT OF TOPEKA. THIS WEEK HAS GIVEN US AT LEAST A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT MIGHT BE THAT MYSTERY COMNYPA WANTS TO BUILD A FOUR BILLION DOLLAR FACTORY IN THE STATE FOR WTHA AND WHERE STILL ARE NOT DISCLOSED, BUT THEY ALSO PROMISED TO BRING 4,000 JOBS TO FIND THAT KIND OF JOBS NUMBER.

Developing . . .
Here's follow-up info concerning the growing cyber threat that locals face amid a new era of economic war with Russia and just about everything moving online amid the pandemic.



Scant deets offered . . .



The Unified Government said in a news release that it is working to restore services and data access. Residents are asked to go to the UG's website or call 311 for updates on the services affected.



The Department of Homeland Security and FBI have been notified of the attack and are assisting with the investigation, according to the UG.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Cybersecurity attack targets Unified Government of KCK The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas announced Monday that its data centers were the target of a cybersecurity attack over the weekend.The Unified Government said in a news release that it is working to restore services and data access.

Cybersecurity attack targeted Unified Government data centers over Easter weekend KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, experienced a cyberattack to its data centers over Easter weekend. According to the UG, it's still working to restore data services. The UG is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI and Mid-America Regional Council cybersecurity task force to investigate the attack.

Developing . . .


New regs in Johnson County offer a glimpse at the future.

Here's the big picture . . .

MASKS HAVE NOW BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF THE AMERICAN DRESS CODE AS THIS GOLDEN GHETTO SCHOOL DISTRICT SET HEALTH POLICY INDEPENDENT OF COVID!!!



Look closely . . . There's no pandemic imperative or "science" offered . . . Masks are now being required by this school district even in the presence of a flu outbreak.

Agree or disagree but the very subtle move is that public masking is now a part of our new American way of life in the Heartland and beyond . . .

The school board voted 4-3 Monday in special meeting to temporarily require masks for schools with COVID-19 related absences above 5%.



Students would no longer have to wear masks once absences fall below that threshold for a week.



The new policy starts Tuesday.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Shawnee Mission School District updates its COVID-19 mask policy Hide Transcript Show Transcript UNTIL MAY 3RD AND MORE BREAKING NEWS WERE A NEW MASK POLICY WILL BEN I PLACE TOMORROW IN THE SHAWNEE MISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE HOURS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS VOTED FOR THE CHANGE.

Shawnee Mission votes on new masking policy for school year OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - As COVID-19 cases across Johnson County, Kansas begin to rise, the Shawnee Mission School District reviewed its masking guidelines for the remainder of the school year. The school board held a special meeting Monday to discuss masking protocols and voted 4-3 to pass "Plan A" which only requires masks if 5% of students or staff in a building is out sick with COVID.

Shawnee Mission School District adopts new policy on mask wearing in schools KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education voted Monday evening on a new COVID-19 mask policy for the rest of the school year. The board voted 4-3 to pass a plan that will not require students to wear masks to school beginning Tuesday with one exception.

Johnson County sees rise of COVID-19 cases The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is seeing an increase of COVID-19 cases.Health officials said this is a steady increase over the last four weeks or so.They're seeing dozens of cases a day."In terms of knowing what's going to happen with COVID, it's always difficult to predict," said Charlie Hunt, deputy director with the JCDHE.

Developing . . .
Toronto police ask for help finding missing man, 30, last seen near Pearson airport last fall
To launch their 2022 #LoveandWanderlust campaign, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority selected Tamarind Hills to showcase the islands trademark romance and luxury product



(TRAVPR.COM) USA - April 19th, 2022 - New York City, April 18, 2022: With a rapidly rising reputation for exclusivity, romance and luxury, Tamarind Hills was chosen to host the launch of ABTAs Love & Wanderlust campaign featuring top social media influencers. With refined concierge services that range from private chefs to helicopter transfers, Tamarind Hills was chosen because of its exceptional combination of location, discretion and indulgent amenities that embody the islands global reputation for romance.

With an effortless barefoot elegance and world-famous beaches, Antigua and Barbuda garnered the title of The most romantic island in the Caribbean four years in a row and has enjoyed a firm place on the top of couples travel wish lists. To build on their global reputation for romance as the world returns to travel, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority launched a Love & Wanderlust campaign to both highlight and reacquaint travelers with its trademark experience. The tourism authority chose Tamarind Hills, with its rapidly growing international status, celebrity clientele and a one-of-a-kind luxury experience to host the campaigns influencers and wrap them in unforgettable romance.

Tamarind Hills has become increasingly relevant for todays discerning traveler and enamored couples everywhere. Its that rare resort where privacy, authenticity and unparalleled luxury services converge. Its also nestled between two of the most famous beaches on Antigua, Ffryes and Darkwood Beaches, and has celebrated endless ocean views that always capture the heart, especially as the soft and striking colors of sunset paint the horizon. Its easy to see how discriminating guests gravitate to this exclusive enclave, and why the tourism board specifically selected this exceptional resort to remind the world why Antigua and Barbuda is the place to fall in love again.

Tamarind Hills General Manager Keith Martel personally welcomed the influencer couples and left them starry-eyed with the Tamarind Hills experience. We brought in a personal chef for each couple and put together a memorable romance package that raised the bar even for us. Private twilight dinner on the terrace of one of our elegant villas was just the beginning. Details, delight and a touch of indulgence matter at Tamarind Hills. You really need to see their social stories to get the full experience. We were thrilled the ABTA selected us for this important campaign.

In summer of 2022, Tamarind Hills will expand on its reputation with the opening of what will soon be the place to be seen in Antigua, a dreamy cocktail bar overlooking the soft sands of Ffryes Beach. Theyre currently welcoming suggestions for the Tamarind Hills exclusive cocktail.

Antigua & Barbuda has long been singled out as one of the worlds most romantic destinations of the world. The island nation has unparalleled history, extraordinary nature and authentic local culture experiences. Antiguas strong sense of place and authenticity separates it from many islands in the Caribbean that have lost their sense of place and unique identity. Antigua and Barbuda maintain a genuine and welcoming cultural and natural heritage.

Tamarind Hills sits at the pinnacle of the Antiguan luxury experience. With exquisite attention to detail and such amenities as a private chef, helicopter transfers and expansive private villas that make you feel instantly at home, and a unparalleled location overlooking the best beaches on the island, its no wonder it has captivated the attention of the luxury-minded travelers looking for privacy, discretion and an ultimate experience.

To find out more, click here and explore all that the one-of-a-kind experience that Tamarind Hills has to offer.

To see Tamarind Hills influencers stories for the Love & Wanderlust campaign, click here.

###
The commander of the Azov Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko, has called on world leaders to organize a humanitarian corridor in order to evacuate civilians and the wounded who stay at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

According to Ukrinform, he said this in his address published by the Azov Regiment on Telegram.

"Right now there are hundreds of civilians at the Azovstal plant. Among them are many children of different ages, women, the elderly and families of Mariupol's defenders who are hiding from the 'Russian world' in basements and bomb shelters," Prokopenko said.

He noted that civilians have found the only possible shelter along with Ukrainian forces who continue to defend Mariupol, while Russian invaders and their collaborators from "LPR/DPR" are shelling the city using missiles and artillery. Prokopenko noted that the enemy knows about the presence of civilians in the shelters.

He also mentioned the destruction of the drama theater, maternity hospital, schools, hospitals and kindergartens in Mariupol by those who offer them "security" and "evacuation," emphasizing that no one believes Russian invaders.

"That is why I call on politicians from all over the civilized world to organize a green corridor and provide security guarantees so as to immediately evacuate civilians, the wounded and the bodies of killed soldiers who should be buried with honors," he said.

His address was also accompanied by a video of women and children telling from a bomb shelter about their stay there.

The Russian aggressor continues to shell and bomb the Azovstal steel plant using all weapons, including heavy bombs.
It is only a matter of time when the entire territory of the Ukrainian state will be liberated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his video address, Ukrinform reports.

Ukrainians!

Our defenders!

The 54th day of our defense against the Russian invasion is coming to an end. The Russian army is not slowing down the use of missiles against Ukraine. Although it should have realized that it will be extremely difficult for it to restore the missile arsenal given even already imposed sanctions. Without imports, they can't even do that. And when all the loopholes used to circumvent sanctions are closed, and when even tougher sanctions are imposed, restoring Russia's missile capabilities will be unrealistic. That is, Russian missile strikes lead to only one thing - missile self-demilitarization of the Russian Federation.

A similar process is taking place with other Russian weapons. Producing new artillery, aircraft, new helicopters and cruisers under sanctions will be a daunting task for Russia.

None of the missile strikes has changed the situation for Russia tangibly. And if you evaluate them all together, the conclusion will be - this is strategic nonsense.

Today's strikes at Lviv, at the Dnipropetrovsk region and any other Russian strikes mean only one thing: we, the world and history will take from Russia much more than Russian missiles will take from Ukraine. Every lost life is an argument for Ukrainians and other free nations to perceive Russia exclusively as a threat generation after generation. And any infrastructure can be restored. And we will definitely do it.

In the east and south of our country, the occupiers are recently trying to attack in a little more thought-out manner than before. They are putting pressure, looking for a weak spot in the defense of our state to go there with the main forces...

Apparently, Russian generals, accustomed to neglecting any losses, have already killed so many Russian servicemen that even they have to be more careful, as there will be no one left to attack.

However, they should not hope this will help them. It is only a matter of time when the whole territory of our state will be liberated. It can now be stated that Russian troops have begun the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive.

No matter how many Russian soldiers are driven there, we will fight. We will defend ourselves. We will do it daily. We will not give up anything Ukrainian, and we do not need whats not ours.

And I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbas, to Mariupol, and also to the cities of the Kharkiv region which are holding on, defending the fate of the whole state, repelling the forces of invaders. Rubizhne, Popasna, Zolote, Lysychansk, Severodonetsk, Kramatorsk and all others that have been with Ukraine all these years and forever.

I spoke with the President of the Republic of Lithuania and friend of our country Gitanas Nauseda. I informed him about the situation in the combat zones and especially about the situation in Mariupol. We are coordinating our actions to increase Russia's liability for the war.

I also spoke with the Prime Ministers of Bulgaria and Croatia. About the threats created by Russia to free navigation in the Black Sea, about our cooperation at the level of the European Union, about the effective support for Ukraine and the development of solutions for the restoration of peace.

I held an important meeting today on the post-war reconstruction and development of Ukraine. We need to work out everything in detail already now to be fully prepared when the war is over.

We are developing a comprehensive plan that provides for the reconstruction of whats destroyed, the modernization of state structures and the maximum acceleration of Ukraine's development. It is not just about the amount of physical work - to build housing, restore businesses, attract new businesses that will work to rebuild infrastructure and renew economic relations in our country. It is also about rethinking how our country will develop in the future. What industries can be the basis of growth after the war. What solutions and resources are needed to increase the level of processing in Ukraine and stop selling raw materials, as it was before. Which cities will become the locomotives of economic and technological growth, pulling up the surrounding areas.

As of now - if you listen carefully to all the discussions that are taking place in our country at different levels about the post-war reconstruction - the main topic in them is actually about money. What financial package is needed to recover from the war? But I always emphasize that money is not the foundation for the country's development. Ideas, people - that's the foundation. And when there are ideas, when there are our people, you begin to see what money is needed for and in what amount.

We need to have a clear vision of this or that branch of our economy, the direction of development we expect from this or that city, the benefits this or that institution can bring to the state as a whole.

Of course, for small and medium-sized businesses we must provide the most comfortable and free environment. In terms of taxes and administrative relations. Of course, digitization is a top priority. Security is also a top priority for us. Defensive potential must be at a new level. Of course, judicial, anti-corruption and other important reforms need to be brought to fruition.

But all this must work for a concrete vision of what Ukraine will be like. What it will be like a year after the war, 5 years after the war, 10, 20 years after. What exactly will be important for our people. What exactly will be important for global business. How many jobs and in what industries will be available to Ukrainians.

Ukraine's accession to the European Union is an integral part of this strategic vision. And in this context, today was a historic event - we are going through one of the stages before joining the EU. We provided answers to a questionnaire received from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Josep Borrell, Head of European Diplomacy.

Each country that joined the European Union went through the same procedure with the questionnaire. The only difference is that it took them years, and we completed it in a little more than a week. We will provide the second part of the answers shortly. And we hope that Europes decision in response will be quick.

The status of a candidate for membership in the European Union will open for us unprecedented opportunities in our history for the restoration and modernization of Ukraine.

We are negotiating with countries at the bilateral level and with international financial institutions to support our country's reconstruction program. Of course, we will involve global business as much as possible. But we are primarily interested in creating jobs and added value in Ukraine. Therefore, localization will continue to be an important process for us.

In the evening I signed a traditional decree on awarding our heroes. 192 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were awarded state awards, 24 of them posthumously.

Eternal memory to all who died for Ukraine!

Eternal glory to each of our defenders!

Glory to Ukraine!
The US Department of State says recent Russian missile strikes on Lviv, the suburbs of Kyiv and other cities illustrate that Putin's forces are undertaking a campaign of terror and "despicable aggression" against the civilian population in Ukraine.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said this at a briefing in Washington on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The fact is that Russia, more than just launching an invasion, more than just launching a war, has launched, is undertaking a campaign of terror, a campaign of brutality, a campaign of despicable aggression against the people of Ukraine," he said.

He stressed that missile attacks on Lviv and the outskirts of Kyiv, or the indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure and mass killings in Mariupol and Kharkiv, as well as atrocities in Bucha and other cities, are "a clear testament" to Russia's campaign of brutality and terror.

Seven people were killed and 11 injured after Russia launched at least four missile strikes on Lviv early on Monday.
The U.S. Department of Defense will train Ukrainian troops on how to use howitzer artillery systems sent to Ukraine, a senior U.S. defense official said Monday.

Thats according to The Hill, Ukrinform reports.

U.S. forces in coming days will train Ukrainian forces on howitzers outside the country. The troops will then return to Ukraine to relay the information and train their fellow soldiers, the report says.

We believe were going to be able to start this training in the next several days, the official told journalists.

Read also: Italy to send weapons to Ukraine

Its likely that American troops based on NATOs eastern flank, particularly in Poland and Romania, will conduct the lessons.

The official admitted that there may be additional training sessions related to other arms, included in the latest military aid package.

The U.S. has already trained several Ukrainian soldiers on how to use switchblade drones, which can strike targets such as personnel and vehicles. Those troops were already in the U.S. for planned military education and returned to their country earlier this month.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, most of the weapons from the latest $800-million package hgave been delivered to Ukraine, including artillery systems, munitions to them, as well as armored personnel carriers.
Analysts with Conflict Intelligence Team report that all Russian Marine brigades sustained casualties in Ukraine.

The CIT noted a news report of the death of a Marine with the 61st Separate Marine Brigade, Ukrinform wrote.

Analysts recall that the Marines are one of the most capable and trained units in Russia.

"Their losses are notable in light of rumors of a possible further offensive on Moldova. If the most capable units are largely incapacitated, there is no one to employ to attack Moldova, Poland, or the Baltic states," the CIT said.

It should be recalled that Ruslan Leviev, founder of Russias independent analytical group Conflict Intelligence Team, earlier reported that to 40% of the Russian contractors refuse redeployment to the front lines.
In Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Ukraine's defenders repulsed seven enemy attacks, destroying ten main battle tanks, eighteen armored units, and eight vehicles, an artillery system, and a mortar.

Thats according to an operational update by the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces, Ukrinform reports.

As of 6:00 on Tuesday, April 19, the Russians are trying to continue offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as to maintain a land corridor with the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Missile and air strikes on civilian targets throughout Ukraine are underway, intensifying in the western regions of Ukraine on April 18.

In certain areas of Slobozhansky and Donetsk operational districts, the Russians are running offensive and assault operations.

More weapons and military equipment is being sent to Ukraine from the central and eastern regions of Russia. Support units are being deployed along with the combat ones.

Logistical centers are being deployed, as well as equipment repair field bases.

The invaders continue to partially block the city of Kharkiv. To strengthen air defenses of their offensive group, the Russians are transferring additional anti-aircraft missile divisions of short-range surface-to-air missile system "Tor" (SA-15 Gauntlet) to Kharkiv region.

Read also: Ukrainian air defense forces destroy seven air targets in past day

At the same time, mobile long range surface-to-air missile divisions of S-400s (SA-21 Growler) and S-300s (SA-10 Grumble) were deployed in the areas of Russias Belgorod region bordering on Ukraine to cover the main command and control points, as well as the rear.

In the Izium direction, the Russians are conducting offensive operations on the left bank of the Siversky Donets River. To support the offensive n this direction, the enemy created a system of main and reserve firing positions for rocket and barrel artillery.

In the Donetsk and Tavria directions, the Russians intensified offensive operations along the entire line of contact.

The main efforts are focused on penetrating Ukraines defenses in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as well as establishing full control over the city of Mariupol. In Zaporozhia region, the occupying troops are amassing forces in certain areas.

In the South Buh direction, the Russians focus on advancing to the administrative border of Kherson region. In order to improve the tactical situation, the Russian occupiers are conducting offensive operations in the area of Oleksandrivka. They also continue shelling of civilian objects in Mykolaiv.

No significant changes have been recorded in the Volyn, Polissya, and Siversky directions.

Belarus continues to provide its territory for air strikes on Ukraine and reconnaissance of targets on the Ukrainian territory.

According to the available updated information, the losses of the 126th Coast Guard Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet are up to 75%. The 810th Independent Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet has 158 KIAs, about 500 WIAs, and 70 MIAs.

A significant number of servicemen of these brigades filed reports, refusing to participate in the so-called "special operation."
There are already 585 suspects in the main case of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, according to the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine.

"The main case of Russian aggression: 585 suspects - representatives of the military and political leadership of Russia. These are ministers, deputies, military command, officials, heads of law enforcement agencies, instigators of war and Kremlin propagandists, the Prosecutor Generals Office wrote on Telegram.

Overall, as of Tuesday morning, Ukrainian law enforcement registered 7,280 criminal proceedings into crimes of aggression and war crimes committed by the Russian Federation: 7,073 violations of the laws and customs of war, 44 crimes related to planning, preparing or waging an aggressive war, 9 crimes related to the propaganda of war, 154 other crimes.

In addition, 3,326 crimes against the national security of Ukraine have already been registered, including 2,180 crimes related to the encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, 569 crimes related to treason, 58 crimes related to sabotage, and 519 other crimes.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities, conducting massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen discussed the increase of security assistance to Ukraine in the fight against Russian invaders and the issue of post-war reconstruction.

President Zelensky wrote this on his Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

Informed President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen about the provision of the completed questionnaire - an important step towards the EU membership! Discussed the increase of security aid to Ukraine in the face of the Russian Federations aggression. Also discussed postwar reconstruction. We appreciate the support of the EU! Zelensky said.

As Ukrinform reported, during a visit to Kyiv on April 8, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen handed over a questionnaire for the EU candidate country status to the President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On April 18, Zelensky handed over the first part of the completed questionnaire to Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas.

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President of Finland Sauli Niinisto supported the government's decision to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine.

The relevant statement has been posted on the website of Finlands Defense Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

On the proposal of the Government, the President of the Republic decided today, 19 April 2022, that Finland will send more defense materiel assistance to Ukraine, reads the statement.

It is noted that more detailed information on the content, manner of delivery or schedule of the assistance will not be provided to ensure that the assistance reaches its destination.

According to Finland's national public broadcasting company Yle, decisions on previous packages of military assistance to Ukraine were approved in late February and late March.

As Ukrinform reported, the Czech Republic will allow servicing damaged Ukrainian armored vehicles at its defense industry enterprises.

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Canada will soon start heavy artillery deliveries to Ukraine.

"Canada will send heavy artillery to Ukraine," Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau said at a press conference, promising to disclose more details in the days to come, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, this is how Canada responds to the specific needs of the Ukrainian side.

We have been in close contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the very beginning and were very responsive to what it is that they need most specifically, Canadas PM said.

Trudeau noted that the latest request was to help with heavy artillery.

He added that "They [Ukrainians] are fighting for the values that underpin so many of our free, democratic societies. Which is why the world needs to continue to step up, why Canada is continuing to stand with Ukraine."

As a reminder, this year's Canadian state budget provides for more than $400 million in defense assistance to Ukraine.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky agreed with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte on the supply of heavy military equipment.

I spoke today with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. Informed him about the current situation in the areas of hostilities and especially in Donbas. Expressed gratitude for the strong support for Ukraine. We coordinated the next steps needed to protect our state and freedom in Europe. Agreed to increase the supply of heavy weapons, including armored vehicles, Zelensky said in his latest address.

On February 24, Russia launched a new phase of the eight-year war against Ukraine  a full-scale offensive. The enemy massively shells and bombs peaceful Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages. The Armed Forces, the Territorial Defense Forces and the entire Ukrainian people are effectively resisting Russian troops and inflicting heavy losses on them.

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The Cabinet of Ministers is recording positive dynamics of Ukraines economic recovery compared to March.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this at a regular government meeting, Ukrinform reports.

"Supporting our army, rebuilding destroyed cities, social benefits are simply impossible without a functioning economy. Compared to March, we are really recording a somewhat positive recovery dynamics. The tax, credit and regulatory changes we have launched are helping businesses stay afloat and resume work. Over the past week, more than 2,500 applications have been submitted from various companies for loans at 0% under the [affordable loans at] 5-7-9 program Shmyhal said.

According to him, 0% of loans worth almost UAH 8.3 billion were attracted for spring sowing. The state has already helped about 3,000 agricultural enterprises.

As of April 18, the projected sown areas of the main spring crops in the controlled area total 14.2 million hectares. This is 2.7 million hectares less than last year. That is, in fact, this year we will sow more than 80% of last year's areas with spring crops, the Prime Minister stressed.

He reiterated that tax and regulatory benefits for business have become the basis of wartime economic policy.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities, conducting massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.

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The Italian Parliament has approved arms deliveries to Ukraine.

This was stated by Prime Minister Mario Draghi in an interview with Corriere della Sera, Ukrinform reports.

"The decision to send weapons was made in parliament almost unanimously. The terms of the issue are clear: on the one hand, there are the people who were attacked, on the other hand  the army of the aggressor," Draghi said.

Sanctions against Russia are needed to weaken the aggressor, but cannot stop the troops in the short term, Draghi added. Therefore, according to the head of government, Ukrainians need to be helped directly with weapons.

"To not do so would be tantamount to telling them: surrender, accept slavery and subjugation  a message that runs counter to our European values of solidarity. Instead, we want to allow Ukrainians to defend themselves," Draghi said.

Draghi admitted that at first he thought Russia would gain a quick victory, but now "there are no signs that the Ukrainian people will be able to accept the Russian occupation."

As reported, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying infrastructure and residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages, using artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and ballistic missiles.

Martial law was imposed and general mobilization was announced in Ukraine. The nation has been repelling Russian invaders.
The events in Bucha, Irpin, and Kramatorsk have overshadowed Turkey's efforts to resolve peacefully the war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine. Nevertheless, Turkey will continue to make efforts to continue negotiations, remaining ready to set up a summit between President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with foreign ambassadors, Ukrinform reports.

"Footage from Bucha and Irpin, and strikes on civilians in Kramatorsk overshadowed our efforts (toward settlement - ed.) ... As a country trusted by both sides, we pursue our efforts. The Istanbul process still remains the most reliable one, being the shortest way out of the crisis," Erdogan said.

The president of Turkey said he remained in contact with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, and stressed his readiness to help the two hold talks.

"There will be no winner in this war because all humanity will lose. In fact, as the conflict continues, both human losses and economic costs are increasing. Our world is drifting to great uncertainty," the president said.

Erdogan also said that Turkey would continue its efforts to achieve a satisfactory outcome of the talks in Istanbul, which would satisfy both the parties and the international community.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the latest round of talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place in Istanbul on March 28.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a new phase of his war against Ukraine, a full-scale invasion. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, territorial defense units, and the entire nation have risen up against the invaders, inflicting significant losses on Russian forces.
Like all great things, the 2021-22 editorial boards term has come to an end. Read more
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) flag will be lowered on Wednesday, April 20, in memory of UNO retiree Jolene Headrick.

Jolene passed away on April 9, 2022 at the age of 67.

Joining UNO in 1990, Jolene served as a staff assistant in the Department of History until her retirement in 2019. Prior to joining UNO she had a long career in nursing, which was inspired by her sister.

A service was held in her honor on Tuesday, April 12.

Jolene was preceeded in death by her parents, Frederick and Elaine Kirsch; daughter, Tiffany Rae Headrick; brother, Roger Kirsch; and sister Thomasine Kirsch. She is survived by her husband, Rodney; son Ryan; brother Steve; gradsons Randolph and Dylan; and great grandsons Bentley and Ryan.

The thoughts of the Maverick family are with Jolene's family and loved ones at this time.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail here on Tuesday expressed desire to further enhance bilateral cooperation with China in various fields

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2022 ) :Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail here on Tuesday expressed desire to further enhance bilateral cooperation with China in various fields.

The minister was talking to Ms. Pangchunxue, Charge de Affaires of the Embassy of People's Republic of China who called on him here at the Finance Division.

Minister of State for Finance Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha was also present in the meeting, according to press statement issued by the finance ministry.

Referring to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Federal Minister said that the corridor would play an important role in taking Pakistan's economy forward as well as cementing the bilateral relationship between both the countries.

He further assured his full support for the assistance in that regard, the statement added.

On the occasion, Ms. Pangchunxue extended her felicitations to the Minister on assuming his new responsibilities and expressed her good wishes for the new government.

She assured full support and cooperation of Chinese government in developing Economic Zones as part of CPEC.

She also thanked Government of Pakistan in facilitating Chinese companies in various projects in Pakistan.
France is trying to convince its EU partners to impose an embargo on oil supplies from Russia to undermine its ability to finance its special military operation in Ukraine despite the spike in energy and food prices worldwide, French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) France is trying to convince its EU partners to impose an embargo on oil supplies from Russia to undermine its ability to finance its special military operation in Ukraine despite the spike in energy and food prices worldwide, French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday.

Earlier in April, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to restrict oil and coal supplies from Russia.

"In light of what is happening now in Donbas, the stoppage of oil supplies from Russia is necessary more than ever. This is what we are preparing. The French president has made it clear that we are trying to convince our European partners of this to cut off supplies of Russian oil, since the stoppage of oil supplies will undermine the financing of the war in Ukraine," Le Maire told French radio station Europe 1.

On February 24, Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. Western countries responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Russia, which has resulted in a spike in fuel and food prices around the world and disrupted supply chains.

The European Union has also vowed to reduce its dependency on Russian energy. On April 8, 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.
Novodruzhesk, Ukraine, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2022 ) :Russian troops on Monday captured the east Ukraine town of Kreminna, local authorities said, as Kyiv's armed forces launched salvoes on Russian forces in the nearby settlement of Rubizhne.

"There was a major attack in the night" from Sunday to Monday in Kreminna, the Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said in a statement on social media.

"The Russian army has already entered there, with a huge amount of military hardware... Our defenders have retreated to new positions," he added.

Ukraine's security and defence council secretary Oleksiy Danilov confirmed the Russian offensive in the east.

"Almost along the entire front line in the territory of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv regions, the invaders tried to break through our defences," he said.

"Fortunately, our military is holding on." They had however broken through in two places, he added: "Kremennaya and another small town.

But the fighting continues. We do not surrender our territories." Kreminna, with a pre-war population of nearly 20,000 people, is around 50 kilometres (31 miles) northeast of Kramatorsk, the region's administrative centre, and is a strategic target for invading Russian forces.

Rubizhne, which is under Russian control, was under intense fire from Ukrainian artillery and mortars, AFP journalists reported.

Powerful explosions could be seen in Rubizhne, sometimes followed by fires and plumes of white or black smoke.

In Kharkiv meanwhile, fresh Russian shelling killed three people and wounded 15 others, said the region's governor Oleg Sinegubov.

Russian forces have stepped up their offensive to capture the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine having pulled back troops deployed around the capital Kyiv at the beginning of the invasion in late February.
Novodruzhesk, Ukraine, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2022 ) :The capture of the city of Kreminna may have heralded the start of a widely anticipated major Russian offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region as fierce fighting raged in neighbouring Rubizhne.

Moscow has decided to refocus its efforts on eastern Ukraine after withdrawing troops from the region around the capital Kyiv, creating a new epicentre in the conflict.

The Donets river skirts Kreminna and snakes through nearby Rubizhne, Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, which have withstood heavy shelling from both sides for several days on the frontline.

Rubizhne, which had more than 60,000 residents before the war began, came under intense Ukrainian artillery and mortar fire on Monday, AFP journalists saw.

Ukrainian positions bombarded the settlement, particularly from the nearby village of Novodruzhesk.

Powerful explosions giving off plumes of white and black smoke could be seen and heard hitting Rubizhne from a slag heap near the former mining city.

Sporadic heavy machine-gun fire was also audible.

"We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said on Monday evening.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday said that the present government fully believed in freedom of expression and independence of media

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2022 ) :Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday said that the present government fully believed in freedom of expression and independence of media.

Promoting links between the Ministry of Information (MoIB) and the media would be her topmost priority ,she said after assuming charge as Minister for Information and Broadcasting.

"We will take all possible steps for the welfare of media houses, organizations and the journalist community", Marriyum Aurangzeb said.

She said that consultations would be held with all stakeholders on Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PICA) 2016.

Social media would be activated to project and highlight the positive identity of the country, she maintained.

Those who spread negative propaganda against the state and its institutions would be dealt with severely, the minister said emphatically.

She remarked that role of MoIB was important for the development of the country and promotion of important development projects of the government.

The minister said that the government would take all possible steps for the promotion of drama and revival of film industry in the country.

All the important institutions of the ministry including Pakistan Television Corporation and Associated Press of Pakistan, she said had a huge responsibility to provide accurate information to the people in the current political and economic situation of the country.

The minister said that role of MoIB in providing authentic information and news to the people could not be forgotten.

She hoped that all the departments of the ministry would carry out their professional duties in the best interest of the nation.

On her arrival at the Ministry of Information, she was warmly welcomed by Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shahera Shahid and other senior officials of the ministry.

On this occasion, the minister was briefed regarding the working and affairs of the ministry.

Besides Secretary Information, Managing Director ptv Mobashir Tauqeer, MD APP Mobashir Hasan and other senior officials of the ministry were also present on the occasion.
The security forces on Tuesday killed a terrorist during an exchange of fire in general area Datta Khel of North Waziristan District, who was actively involved in hostile activities against the forces

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2022 ) :The security forces on Tuesday killed a terrorist during an exchange of fire in general area Datta Khel of North Waziristan District, who was actively involved in hostile activities against the forces.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the killed terrorist was identified as Fareed Ahmed, and the security forces also recovered weapon and ammunition from him.

The ISPR said the local people appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the area.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) US President Joe Biden told his predecessor, Barack Obama, that he will seek reelection in 2024, The Hill reported on Tuesday, citing two sources in the know.

It is unclear exactly when the two had this conversation.

"(Biden) wants to run and he's clearly letting everyone know," one of the sources said.

Biden reportedly believes he is the only one who can defeat Donald Trump.

"I don't think he thinks there's anyone in the Democratic party who can beat Trump and that's the biggest factor," the source stated.

In December, Biden told ABC in an interview that he will run for reelection in 2024 if he remains in good health. Biden added that the possible participation of former President Trump only increases the odds of his nomination.

Trump is considered the unofficial favorite of the 2024 Republican ticket. He himself has not directly declared his intention to run, evasively citing a recommendation not to give out information ahead of time, but regularly holds rallies with supporters.
PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday refrained from defining the so-called red lines when speaking about the conflict in Ukraine.

"Saying what will mark as a red line means saying how to respond to (violations) and where," Macron told France 5 broadcaster, answering a question about a red line following allegations that Russia had reportedly used chemical weapons in Ukraine.

To define the red line, the country has to officially "become an ally" for the party to the conflict and "enter the war with Russia," he said.

"It should be calculated; it is a responsibility that we will not take on so lightly," Macron added.

Last week, the Ukrainian armed forces accused Russia of using a toxic chemical substance in Mariupol, which allegedly resulted in the fighters and some civilians feeling sick. Yet the incident has not been confirmed, with no evidence of the chemical attack provided by the city residents. Russia has denied all allegations, in turn raising concerns over a chemical attack threat posed by the Ukrainian military.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and India will support Sri Lanka in the economic crisis that has gripped the country, Sri Lankan Finance Ministry said on Tuesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and India will support Sri Lanka in the economic crisis that has gripped the country, Sri Lankan Finance Ministry said on Tuesday.

On Monday, Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ali Sabry met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Washington.

"The IMF has commended on the steps already taken by the Finance Minister to mitigate the financial situation in Sri Lanka. IMF has assured their fullest support to Sri Lanka and a positive response has also been received to expedite the process to strengthen the support extended towards Sri Lanka," the ministry said in a statement.

Sabry has requested a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) from the IMF, with the organization promising to consider the request even though it does not meet the standard circumstances for issuing an RFI, according to the ministry.

India has also appealed to the IMF on behalf of Sri Lanka, according to the statement. Sitharaman further affirmed to Sabry that India will support the Sri Lankan request to speed up an Extended Fund Facility from IMF.

"Sitharaman has assured Minister Ali Sabry on India's fullest support to Sri Lanka to move forward and has emphasized on India's commitment to strengthen the development of the economy in Sri Lanka and building stronger bonds between the two Nations as they move forward together," the statement noted.

Sri Lanka is now facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. It left the country unable to buy enough fuel, with people facing an acute scarcity of food and basic necessities, heating fuel, and gas.
The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said that the Russian forces will capture Mariupol's Azovstal plant, the last stronghold of Ukrainian "militants" in the city, on Tuesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said that the Russian forces will capture Mariupol's Azovstal plant, the last stronghold of Ukrainian "militants" in the city, on Tuesday.

"I want to please those people who are waiting for peace, stability in Ukraine, that today, with the help of the Almighty, we will finish off 'Bandera followers' in Mariupol and completely seize Azovstal," Kadyrov said in an audio message posted on his Telegram channel.
(@FahadShabbir)

Meta Platforms Inc. (banned in Russia as an extremist organization) appealed against the decision of the court, which recognized it as an extremist organization, the court told Sputnik

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) Meta Platforms Inc. (banned in Russia as an extremist organization) appealed against the decision of the court, which recognized it as an extremist organization, the court told Sputnik.

"The court received an appeal from Meta Platforms Inc.

," the court's spokesperson said.

At the suit of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Tverskoy Court of Moscow on March 21 banned Instagram and Facebook (owned by Meta) in Russia for extremist activities, the decision does not imply punishment for users for bypassing the blocking.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would discuss security issues in Karabakh with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, noting that there were many problems, but contact was constant

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would discuss security issues in Karabakh with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, noting that there were many problems, but contact was constant.

"Of course, security issues, including those related to Karabakh, will also be at the center of our attention. There are still many problems, I agree with you. We are constantly in contact with you.

I don't know, we definitely prepare by phone every week or every ten days, and meetings are regular, despite the pandemic period," Putin said.

The president also recalled that Pashinyan's visit was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Armenia.

"It is planned to sign a number of documents. To a fairly solid base," he added.

According to Putin, the document base creates a good opportunity to work in almost all areas.
Russia is considering only the option of using conventional weapons during the military operation in Ukraine at this stage, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) Russia is considering only the option of using conventional weapons during the military operation in Ukraine at this stage, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Lavrov told India Today that the country is planning to use only conventional weapons when asked if Russia plans to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

The minister also mentioned that Russia had changed the positioning of its forces in Ukraine after the Istanbul talks but this was not valued properly by Kiev.
(@FahadShabbir)

Russia said on Tuesday it was expelling 36 diplomats from two European countries in retaliation for similar measures taken against Moscow's foreign envoys over the Kremlin's military operation in Ukraine

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2022 ) :Russia said on Tuesday it was expelling 36 diplomats from two European countries in retaliation for similar measures taken against Moscow's foreign envoys over the Kremlin's military operation in Ukraine.

The Russian foreign ministry said it had declared 21 diplomats from Belgium and 15 from the Netherlands "persona non grata", giving them two weeks to leave.

Moscow also summoned Luxembourg's envoy, warning him that Russia may decide to take reciprocal measures for the tiny European state's expulsion of Moscow's ambassador.

The expulsions are the latest in a series taken between Moscow and Western countries in the wake of President Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a military operation in Ukraine on February 24.

The offensive has thrown Russia into international isolation and broken many of its economic ties with the West.

The Russian foreign ministry called a decision by the Netherlands to expel 18 Moscow envoys on March 29 "groundless".

It called a similar step taken by Belgium "provocative", and the decision by Luxembourg "an unmotivated and unfriendly step".
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2022) Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has condemned the unrest that has engulfed several cities across the country following anti-Muslim and anti-immigration rallies organized by Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan, Swedish media reported on Monday.

Last Thursday, Paludan and his anti-immigration political party scheduled a demonstration that included burning a copy of the Muslim holy book in the Swedish city of Linkoping with the permission of local authorities. The police had to intervene as Muslim counter-protesters stepped in, attacking officers and setting police cars ablaze. According to Andersson, in Linkoping and several other cities, where similar clashes occurred, a total of 44 people have been arrested.

"I will make it very clear, those attacking the Swedish police, attack the Swedish democratic society. The perpetrators must be arrested, prosecuted and serve a sentence in prison," Andersson said to Aftonbladet newspaper in a letter.

She claimed being disgusted by Paludan's hateful views, but stressed that it was "unacceptable, irresponsible and illegal" to respond to them with violence.

"Over the last few days, we witnessed terrible sights in many cities of Sweden. The police officers who wished to celebrate Easter with their families in a peaceful atmosphere were forced to protect laws and freedom of speech, while risking their lives," Andersson added.

The police have the evidence to assume that the unrest was organized by criminal groups, she said, adding that the demonstrations were joined by local Muslim communities.

Paludan has the record of spurring massive discontent by publicly burning Quran as a manifestation of his anti-Muslim views. He calls for banning islam in Denmark and deporting all people of non-Western origin who received shelter in the country.
16:30 | Cusco (Cusco region), Apr. 18.

His remarks were delivered at a coordination meeting held to address the problems of Cusco region.

"This Government, led by Pedro Castillo, is the Government of the People you are part of. Many solutions have been proposed during these round-table discussions," he said at Cusco's Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade, Tourism and Crafts, where the meeting took place.

"This Government has stipulated that 99% of guano, collected from Peruvian shore islands, must be devoted to national agriculture, and the first 200 tons of guano should be arriving in Cusco next Thursday to be distributed among farmers," he added.

Torres explained that round-table discussions produce results such as the supreme decree that stipulates that dairy products should be made using fresh milk and a small amount of powdered milk, which benefits many farmers.

Likewise, he reiterated that the Executive Branch has submitted to Congress a bill to ban monopolies, oligopolies, dominant positions, hoarding, and speculation.





Finally, the Cabinet chief urged participants to work together through the round-table discussions, noting that the Government is open to hearing all voices.





"Let's work together, let's reach agreements during these round-table discussions. People complain because some civil society representatives were not included; so, they must be included. The representatives shall be appointed to do so," he said.





The meeting also included the participation of Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Roberto Sanchez, Cusco Region Governor Jean Paul Benavente, Peru Libre legislator Katy Ugarte, and representatives of various social organizations in Cusco.
Digital accounting is expected to save businesses time and money, contributing to greater efficiency for both businesses and government agencies. In light of this, Vietnam is increasingly focusing on digital accounting as it strives to digitalize its middle-income economy and attract revenue-generating FDI.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward digitalization for many businesses not only in Vietnam but globally. It highlights the importance of technology and digital transformation to the survival and evolution of businesses of all sectors. Of that, further development in digital accounting will play a role in modernizing the business environment in Vietnam, which in turn will help generate revenue and attract foreign investors.

What is digital accounting?

Digital accounting refers to the creation, representation, and transfer of financial information into an electronic format. Instead of using a physical paper and pen, all accounting transactions are conducted electronically.

Digital accounting is performed on digital accounting systems. Essentially, digital accounting systems allow users to sync their business bank accounts, transactions, and credit cards with the relevant software.

The system then syncs all these and transactions flow into the accounting software where they are separated into different categories and accounts. Once a business syncs its bank accounts and credit cards with the appropriate accounting software, financial transactions start to show in a queue and are classified into various categories.

Using such digital accounting systems, a company can save time and run a financial report to compare costs and revenue, review profitability, check bank and loan balances, as well as predict tax liabilities.

Fundamental functions that a digital accounting system can provide include:

Invoicing;

Accounts payable;

Bank and credit card syncing;

Accounts receivable;

Online payment collection from customers;

Financial reports generation; and

User access for tax professionals.

Despite common concerns, digital accounting complements accountants rather than replacing them. By enhancing technology, digital accounting frees accountants from repetitive tasks like compiling, managing, and categorizing data while allowing accountants to focus on more strategic tasks allowing for better decision making.

Different approaches to a digital accounting system

A digital accounting system can be achieved through integrated software solutions set up by the company itself or through the software as a service (SAAS) approach, or through other cloud-based system approaches. However, whatever approach is used, there will always be flexible platforms available, which provide digital accounting solutions for free or with upfront fees.

Digital accounting in Vietnam

Digital accounting has gradually become a norm in Vietnam, where many businesses, financial institutions, and household businesses have tried to implement digital accounting into their accounting process. However, there is still room for development and standardization.

The Vietnamese government recently approved the National Digital Transformation Program by 2025, with an orientation toward 2030. The initiative will help accelerate digital transformation through changes in awareness, enterprise strategies, and incentives toward the digitalization of businesses, administration, and production activities.

This signals a significant effort made by the Vietnamese government to bring authorities, business owners, financial institutions, and technology experts to leverage the potential of digital innovation as a whole, which will also provide a significant opportunity for the country to improve and better implement digital accounting.

Tools used in digital accounting

Cloud technology

Cloud technology is what sets digital accounting from other conventional accounting approaches. Centralizing data management provided by the use of cloud technology makes it easier to capture, access, share and analyze data. Besides, data are processed in seconds and business owners can also access this data to make business decisions

AI technology

Similarly, by converting raw data into more manageable formats and identifying connections between disparate data sources, artificial intelligence (AI) can play a supporting role by making data more digestible and comprehensible for accountants.

Accountants, for example, can collaborate with their colleagues from other business units to leverage financial data in order to drive innovation, build supply chains and develop business plans that promote better growth and productivity for the businesses.

Others

Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies as well as blockchain are among technologies that also have powerful accounting potential. These can be augmented into digital accounting systems to create supply chain optimization and better data comprehension.

Vietnam is moving into e-invoices

One aspect of digital accounting that Vietnam is moving into is e-invoices. This year, a list of new regulations and instructions are made simultaneously by the government concerning the use and implementation of e-invoices for enterprises and cooperatives across the country. E-invoices will be mandatory in Vietnam from July 2022.

Particularly, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) issued Circular 78/2021/TT-BTC (Circular 78) guiding the implementation of e-invoices including Decree 123.

As a follow-up to Circular 78, Vietnam also issued Official Dispatch No. 4144 which discusses invoice form numbers, symbol numbers, serial numbers, and guidances for correction of the issued e-invoices.

The latest development reflects the governments move to reform tax administration and overhaul the informal economy. E-invoices will not only save time and costs, but will also reduce the administrative burden and help in account reconciliation, minimizing billing frauds, and maintaining transparency.

The benefits that digital accounting has to offer for business owners when compared to conventional accounting, can be discussed in three main areas: accuracy, accessibility, and better integration.

Accuracy

When compared to the traditional, manual system, in which columns had to be added up, numbers had to be moved from one page to the next, and trial balance had to be manually compiled, computerized systems have dramatically increased calculation accuracy.

For conventional accounting, should errors occur, many hours would have to be spent attempting to locate and correct them. This issue can be resolved using accounting software.

Last but not least, when relying on an old system, the risk of losing data is significantly high. If important documents are damaged or destroyed, the work may have to be recreated. Copies of the original work are possible but they are likely to be costly and time-consuming.

Accessibility

Another major benefit of a digital accounting system is that it provides you with real-time access to your companys financial data. This means that professionals do not have to be at the office or carry their laptops to access critical information.

With cloud-based solutions, digital accounting software packages allow employees to log in to the system from anywhere and at any time to track results and data.

This is particularly helpful for cash flow management, investment decisions, and tax liability tracking especially after the pandemic as businesses lean towards a more hybrid work style.

Better integration and syncing

One of the biggest challenges associated with manual accounting systems is poor compatibility with other tools used in the business. The best digital accounting solutions offer flexibility in terms of integration with other business tools such as the point of sale system, payroll, website order fulfillment, and more.

The cost of these integrations is often zero or negligible. These applications comprise ecosystems of hundreds of business applications that enable data sharing freely.

However, not all accounting software offers high flexibility in terms of integrations and two-way data syncing. It is, therefore, important that business owners do their due diligence and examine their accounting system carefully before fully implementing it into their business ecosystems.
Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is heading to Brussels on Tuesday to consult with European allies on China and a strategy to ramp up diplomatic outreach to ensure a free and open Asia-Pacific region.

Sherman is leading the delegation on U.S.-EU Dialogue on China on Thursday, and the U.S.-EU consultations on the Indo-Pacific on Friday.

Meanwhile, senior U.S. officials are heading to the Solomon Islands as a security agreement between the island country and China renews concerns over Beijing's increasing influence in the Pacific.

This week, White House Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink will lead officials from the Defense Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to deepen "enduring ties with the region" and ensure the U.S. partnerships "deliver prosperity, security, and peace across the Pacific Islands and the Indo-Pacific."

The implications of a security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China are expected to be high on the agenda. According to a leaked draft of the agreement, China could send armed police and military forces if requested by the Solomon Islands government. China could also be allowed to base its navy ships off the coast of the Pacific Island nation.

"We understand the Solomon Islands and the PRC [People's Republic of China] are discussing a broad security-related agreement building on recently signed police cooperation," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a briefing Monday. "Despite the Solomon Islands government's comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployments of PRC military forces to the Solomon Islands. We believe that signing such an agreement could increase destabilization within the Solomon Islands and will set concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region."

Australia and New Zealand have had long-standing law enforcement and security ties with the Solomon Islands. An Australia-led multinational peacekeeping force from Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea was sent to Honiara, the island nation's capital, following the outbreak of riots last November.

A goal of the visit will be to share perspectives and concerns about how the security agreement between the Solomons and China may threaten current regional security paradigms, Price added.

Former U.S. officials said the U.S. must increase its support to the Asia-Pacific region to fend off China's growing influence.

In an interview with VOA Mandarin, Catherine Ebert-Gray, the former U.S. ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, highlighted the strategic location of the Solomon Islands.

"Solomon Islands is a transit point for a lot of cargo that moves throughout the south part of the Pacific," she said. "It is also important to the navigation not only of those sea vessels, but of aircraft, many of which from Australia and New Zealand need to go through that territory to go north to Asia, or from the United States, to go to parts of the Pacific and parts of Asia."

"More than half of the tuna fish of the world come from that region of the world. So the freedom of navigation of fishing vessels is critical," she added.

The U.S. is also ramping up people-to-people ties with the Solomon Islands as the Peace Corps resumes operations in the South Pacific nation after nearly a 20-year pause.

VOA Mandarin contributed to this report.
Coming up on Africa News Tonight:  U.S. foreign policy experts argue Russian President Vladimir Putins actions in Libya and now Ukraine reveal that a global disorder is replacing the world order established after World War II.  South African climate change advocacy groups file criminal complaints against their government for failing to take practical action to address the climate crisis, arguing that is unlawful negligence, following President Cyril Ramaphosa arguing the recent KwaZulu-Natal floods were part of climate change. For this and more, stay tuned to Africa News Tonight !
Cameroon's military has deployed hundreds of troops to its eastern border with the Central African Republic after CAR rebels this month abducted at least 35 people. The military says the rebels are targeting merchants, farmers, and ranchers and stealing money and cattle.

Cameroon's military says scores of troops on Monday raided villages and forests on its eastern border with the Central African Republic to free civilians held captive by CAR rebels.

Speaking via a messaging application, Colonel Dominique Njoka says he led troops on the rescue mission in Mbere, a border administrative unit, where rebels were holding hostages.

"When we arrived, unfortunately they [suspected rebels] saw us. So, they opened fire, but we reacted immediately, and, in the confrontation, they ran away. Before running away, they killed one hostage and one was seriously wounded, so he died. However, out of the seven we liberated, five arrived {home} safely. We keep on asking the population to cooperate, to give us information at the appropriate time so that we can react," he said.

Njoka said some of the rebels escaped across the porous border while others are still hiding in forests in Cameroon.

He said they deployed hundreds of troops to the area to flush out the rebels, who have abducted at least 35 civilians in Cameroon in the past three weeks.

CAR authorities say since March fighting with rebels has increased.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission to the CAR, MINUSCA, last week said rebels pushed out of several towns were hiding on the border with Cameroon.

MINUSCA said the CAR rebels were fighting to control border towns, including Bambari and Alindao.

Authorities say the rebels are crossing the border to escape fighting with the CARs military and to steal and abduct for ransom.

Fifty-year-old Cameroonian cattle rancher Bouba Alami said his son was among the freed hostages.

He spoke on Cameroonian media Canal 2 TV and Equinox Radio.

Alami said a strange visitor informed him that his 20-year-old son was in captivity in the forest on the border with the Central African Republic. He said the stranger told him the captors wanted at least a $5,000 ransom for his release but did not tell him where and how the ransom should be paid. Alami said he spent two sleepless nights not knowing how to get in touch with either the abductors or his son.

Cameroons military says they were able to free the five hostages after villagers informed them where the rebels were hiding in the forest.

Cameroon shares a more than 900-kilometer-long border with the Central African Republic.

Cameroon this month sent its chief of defense to the border area to mobilize troops to stop the rebels from entering its territory.

The Central African Republic descended into violence in 2013 when then President Francois Bozize was ousted by the Seleka, a coalition from the Muslim minority that accused him of breaking peace deals.

The CAR government in 2020 accused Bozize of supporting rebel attacks, which he denied.

The ongoing fighting has forced close to a million Central Africans to flee neighboring countries, including Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria.


China says it has signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands that has raised concerns among Australia and the United States of a growing Chinese influence in the South Pacific.



Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing Thursday that the agreement was recently signed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele.



According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Wang said the purpose of the new pact is to promote social stability and long-term peace and security in the Pacific archipelago and would not target any third party.



A draft of the agreement emerged on social media late last month after the Solomon Islands confirmed it was negotiating a deal with Beijing. The draft included a provision that could allow Beijing to send armed police and soldiers to the Solomons, as well as base its navy ships off the Solomons coast.



The draft agreement raised concern in Canberra and Washington that Beijing would establish a military presence in the Solomon Islands, located less than 2,000 kilometers from Australia. Zed Seselja, Australias minister for the Pacific, traveled to the Solomons capital, Honiara, to ask Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign the agreement.



Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang dismissed the concerns about the security pact in his announcement Tuesday, accusing the U.S. and Australia of "deliberately exaggerating tensions, and that any attempts to interfere are doomed to fail.



Prime Minister Sogavare has said the agreement will not include the establishment of a Chinese military base.



The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is sending a high-level delegation to Honiara this week to discuss the agreement, as well as the reopening of a U.S. embassy there. The delegation is being led by Kurt Campbell, the White House Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink.



Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
China has deployed its premier fighter jets over its nearby seas to counter mounting U.S. military involvement in Asia, analysts say.

Domestically made Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter aircraft are stationed in the country's south for missions in the South China and East China seas, as well as around Taiwan, according to experts and media reports from Asia.

The J-20 has begun "routine training sessions" and combat patrols in the two seas, Beijing's government-regulated Global Times news website said on April 13. The report quoted Ren Yukun, head of the discipline, inspection and supervision team at domestic aircraft maker Aviation Industry Corporation of China, maker of the J-20.

"Presumably, this gives something it can go toe-to-toe with the U.S. over Taiwan or the East China Sea," said Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The U.S. government, which periodically passes warships through the disputed seas in Asia, sent two aircraft carrier groups to the South China Sea in January.

U.S. Asia-Pacific allies Australia, Japan and South Korea have bought F-35s, and Singapore and possibly Thailand will follow, Radio Free Asia reports.

Those developments from the United States prompted China to fly its J-20s, analysts say. Chinese officials regard Washington, a former Cold War foe, as a rival superpower that wants to contain China's expansion into nearby seas.

Disputed waters

Beijing calls about 90% of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea its own, clashing with the claims of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. Asian governments value the sea for oil, natural gas, shipping lanes and fisheries.

China and Japan dispute tracts of the East China Sea. Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines align with the United States.

The U.S. government says the South China Sea should remain an international waterway.

"At the least, China says the South China Sea belongs to it, while for the United States, I think the U.S.-side action is to push for internationalizing it," said Huang Kwei-bo, associate professor of diplomacy at National Chengchi University in Taipei. "China doesn't want it that way. I think each side is displaying these [aircraft] for the other to show how powerful they are."

The J-20 could handily interfere with the military flights of other Asian countries, which lack planes of equal caliber, said Jay Batongbacal, associate professor and director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines.

"For China, it's important because the capabilities and range of that aircraft will enable it to establish a more consistent and longer-range presence in the air," Batongbacal said.

The J-20, part of a military aircraft program launched in the 1990s, was developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corp. for the Chinese Air Force. It compares in capability to the F-22 and F-35, both U.S.-made stealth fighters.

The United States is getting F-35s into Asia "as fast as it can," Poling said. The U.S. and Chinese militaries are already "near peers" in terms of firepower, he added.

Taiwan, Vietnam on alert

The J-20s may join other Chinese aircraft in routine flyovers of a corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone, Huang said.

They probably won't dip as far south as the South China Sea's widely disputed Spratly Islands, Batongbacal said, as that could be seen as "overkill" by the militarily weaker Southeast Asian claimant nations.

Vietnam is the country most likely to take notice, Poling said. J-20s will probably help project Beijing's claims to the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, he said. That island chain is near the Chinese coast and contested vigorously by Vietnam. Vietnam, a historic Russian ally, has grown closer to the United States over the past decade as China expands at sea.

"Hanoi has repeatedly protested against China's deployment of weapons of all types in the South China Sea, but that does not change China's behavior," said Nguyen Thanh Trung, director of the Saigon Center for International Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

"The deployment of advanced J-20 jets may be interpreted by the Vietnamese government as China's incremental ambition to exert China's claimed sovereignty in the South China Sea airspace," he said.
At least six people were killed and nearly a dozen injured on Tuesday when two bombs exploded outside a sprawling school in predominantly Shiite Hazara western Kabul, police said.

Kabul Police spokesman Khalid Zadran tweeted that the back-to-back explosions took place outside the main entrance of Abdul Rahim Shahid High School in Dasht-e-Barchi, and that the victims were "our Shia countrymen." With nearly 16,000 students, the school is one of Afghanistan's largest.

Taliban security forces arrived at the scene, and an investigation was under way, Zadran wrote.

Another bomb went off earlier at a nearby learning center, according to local reports. One student was seriously wounded, and six other people sustained light injuries from the blast, the Etilaatroz newspaper reported, citing school officials

The newspaper said the death toll was higher than the official tally.

The attack was widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, the United Nations and major human rights organizations.

The United States joins the international community in expressing outrage in response to todays heinous attacks on the Mumtaz Education Center and the Abdul Rahim Shahid school in Kabul, Afghanistan, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the U.N. secretary general's special representative for Afghanistan said those responsible for the crime targeting schools & children must be brought to justice.

Calling the bombings a reprehensible attack on religious and ethnic minorities, Amnesty International said it showed that the Taliban are failing to protect civilians.

No one claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts, but Islamic State's Afghanistan branch, known as ISIS-K, has said it staged similar attacks on Shiites in western Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan.

Formed in 2015 by disgruntled former members of the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, ISIS-K has targeted the Taliban and minority Shiites in Afghanistan.

Last May, three months before the Taliban takeover, bomb blasts outside the Syed al-Shuhada, a school for girls in western Kabul, killed at least 90 people. ISIS-K claimed responsibility.

The group's attacks continued after the Taliban swept to power in August. Bombings at Shiite mosques in Kunduz and Kandahar claimed by ISIS-K killed nearly 200 people last October.

The group has also claimed responsibility for attacks on Taliban targets in Kabul, including an October explosion near a mosque during a memorial service for Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid's mother. At least eight people were killed in that attack.

The Taliban, accused of war crimes against Shiites during their first time in power in the 1990s, have pledged to protect the community and have condemned attacks by ISIS-K.

But they've also sought to downplay the threat. Earlier this month, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi claimed that the interim government has reined in ISIS-K's activities in Afghanistan.

"Daesh had no operations in the last four months," Muttaqi told Chinese television, using the acronym for Islamic State. "We could say that Afghanistan is a secure country right now, and we are committed to the pledges we made to the world  the pledge that Afghanistan's soil would not be used against any country."

VOA State Department bureau chief Nike Ching contributed to this report.
The arrest in Hong Kong of a journalism professor has disturbed academics and journalists alike.

Authorities detained Allan Au, a lecturer and consultant at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) journalism school, on April 11 for allegedly conspiring to publish seditious material.

Au, who was released without charge, is the third journalist connected to news website Stand News to be arrested.

"This arrest gives a disturbing message and signals a chilling effect to outspoken opinion writers as well as academics who commit themselves in public debate," said Eric Yan-ho Lai, a law and political expert.

"Dr. Au's research and teaching interests are censorship and self-censorship in the industry of journalism. His arrest is obviously, and sadly, an example of how the authorities censor and punish dissenting voices in the city," Yan-ho Lai told VOA.

The press office at Hong Kong's Security Bureau told VOA via email that it does not comment on individual cases.

The email, attributed to a spokesperson, said people and organizations "must abide by the laws," and that any law enforcement action be "based on evidence, strictly according to the law."

The email added that press freedom is protected under the city's laws and bill of rights but is "not absolute and can be restricted for reasons including protection of national security."

For two decades, Au, 54, worked as a producer for TVB News before switching to academia. He was a Knight Fellow at Stanford University in 2006 and earned a doctorate from CUHK, where he later worked as a lecturer with a focus on new media and censorship.

He also provided commentary for the Ming Pao newspaper and Stand News, and for his own blog. Often, that writing touched on sensitive issues such as the national security law.

Stand News ceased operations December 29 after police raided its newsroom as part of a sedition investigation.

The news website's top editors Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam were charged under the colonial-era legislation. Both were denied bail.

Authorities did not specify what articles or content led to Au's arrest, but Yan-ho Lai said he believes it is "highly possible" it is connected to the Stand News case.

He said that two pro-Beijing newspapers highlighted articles by the academic that they said could be seditious.

Lokman Tsui, a former media professor at CUHK who is now in the Netherlands, said Au's arrest shows "a steady escalation of the repression and erosion of press freedom."

"It seems the authorities are now going after people with bylines and public intellectuals. The authorities are instilling a massive culture of fear and self-censorship," Tsui, a free speech and digital rights expert, told VOA.

"(Au is) a journalist and a journalism teacher with a conscience, with the courage to be critical," Tsui added.

Following the arrest, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, "Hong Kong's position as a free, global financial center depends on the free flow of information and opinions."

"Journalism is not a crime," Price added in a tweet.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said that Hong Kong authorities are determined to eradicate press freedom.

"The detention of a third journalist from Stand News  months after the media's forced shutdown shows the government's determination to put an end to press freedom in the territory," the group's East Asia bureau head, Cedric Alviani, said in a statement.

RSF has said that Hong Kong's use of legal action, including the National Security Law, to punish what it deems "crimes against the state" has made journalism more dangerous.

Any media outlet that take a pro-democracy stance is at risk of being targeted by authorities, according to Keith Richburg, a journalism professor at the University of Hong Kong.

"I think it's inevitable you're going to see a lot more reporting done about Hong Kong from outside of Hong Kong, just because the restrictions are too great and the risks are too great," Richburg told VOA in January after Stand News shuttered.

The space for media freedom has been shrinking, with pro-democracy papers including the iconic Apple Daily being forced to close, and changes at public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) leading critics to question its editorial independence.

Au was a radio host at RTHK for 11 years until an overhaul at the broadcaster last year resulted in several contracts not being renewed.

Apple Daily closed in June 2021 after authorities charged senior executives under the security law and froze the company's financial assets. Jimmy Lai, the company's founder who has been in jail since the end of 2020, could face life in prison if convicted.

Lai and his lawyers made an appeal early in April for the United Nations to investigate his imprisonment as "legal harassment."

A statement from Lai's counsel said the media mogul faces life in prison "simply for speaking out, and for seeking to defend freedom of the press, democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong." Lai's lawyers are awaiting a response.
The Hong Kong Correctional Services Department is using "brainwashing" measures to "deradicalize" jailed pro-democracy protesters there, two former inmates who were activists told VOA Cantonese.

The term deradicalize and the tactics are similar to what authorities in China have used in Xinjiang, where 1 million Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps.

The Hong Kongers, who are former inmates, told VOA Cantonese that while serving their sentences, authorities forced them to watch video clips praising China as government social workers tried to change their political views.

Beijing cracked down on Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement in 2020 with the passage of a security law that targeted many of the rights, such as press freedom, that made Hong Kong different from the rest of China.

Rights advocates that VOA Cantonese spoke with said the measures were similar to those used in Xinjiang and were aimed at stopping people from opposing or criticizing the government. The use of these tactics will continue if the international community does not raise concerns, according to the advocates.

Wong Kwok-hing, commissioner of Hong Kong's Correctional Services Department, said in answers to Hong Kong lawmakers dated April 14, that the department will identify the special needs of each inmate during the deradicalization process and match each inmate with a suitable rehabilitation program in order to help prisoners re-establish correct values to replace "radical thoughts and behaviours."

The program will match inmates "with appropriate rehabilitation programmes based on 3 focused rehabilitation directions, namely understanding Chinese history and national education, psychological reconstruction and re-establishment of values, life planning and rebuilding of family relationships, with a view to setting targets by stage for them to achieve de-radicalisation progressively," according to the answers.

The department said that as of the end of February, 250 inmates have "actively participated in these programmes on a voluntary basis" and the reaction has been "positive and favourable," according to the answers.

The program operates on two tracks: "Youth Lab for young inmates "to undergo psychological rehabilitation and reconstruction" and the "Psychological Pathway to Change" that provides "personalised therapies" for adult inmates.

VOA Cantonese spoke with two former inmates about their "deradicalization" experiences. Both requested pseudonyms and the use of few personal details due to fear of government retaliation.

Wai Kwan, a former inmate, told VOA Cantonese that they were invited to join the program and joined voluntarily, not knowing that they would have to watch a patriotic video while participating in a career training program while they were in prison.

According to them, the two-hour sessions for adult offenders mainly focused on successful job interview techniques, but during the last 30 minutes, inmates were required to watch No Poverty Land, a 12-episode series made by TVB in 2021 that focuses on Beijing's poverty alleviation efforts in remote areas of China. TVB is one of the largest free-to-air television companies in Hong Kong. Li Ruigang, the former deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is a major shareholder.

The video had nothing to do with career training, the former inmate said, adding, "the show basically said all those poor people are working so hard to get out of poverty."

On Sundays, inmates were allowed to watch a movie, but before the main attraction, authorities "would play some clips made by TVB, basically saying how good China is  how advanced the technology is, how convenient their transportation is and how amazing their food is." The pre-movie videos were 30 to 45 minutes long.

Siu Yu was sentenced because of their participation in social movements and stayed at a rehabilitation center set up by the Correctional Services Department for offenders aged 14 to 21.

"I think it's brainwashing," they told VOA Cantonese. "Every morning during breakfast, we would watch these shows about China's advanced technology. It was on all the time, over and over."

Social workers assigned to their case questioned them about the pro-democracy movement, they said.

"They were so gossipy, they kept asking me what exactly I had done, whether I ever had weapons, what's my view on social movement, and if I regret what I've done," they said.

"Sometimes I thought they were just chatting, but (the conversations) always ended with how good life is in (China)," they continued to say.

Luke de Pulford, a human rights activist and the coordinator of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said the tactics used in these Hong Kong prisons are very similar to tactics already in use by authorities in China.

"These patterns are scarily familiar," he told VOA Cantonese via text message. "Threats dressed up as incentives. Brainwashing masquerading as re-education. The tactics of  Xinjiang truly are coming to Hong Kong.

"Back in 2019 when Hong Kongers said the city would become another Xinjiang, they were dismissed," he added. "Now it is hard to disagree. ... Hong Kong is becoming just as intolerant of dissent as anywhere else in Mainland China, and the tactics used to repress that dissent are harder and harder to distinguish from those we associate with the worst of the CCP."

According to Western researchers, between 1 to 3 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang have been detained in camps, where they receive reeducation and political indoctrination. China said these are career training centers that provide free language, law and career skill lessons for the ethnic Uyghur community.

Patrick Poon, a visiting researcher at Meiji University's Institute of Comparative Law in Tokyo, agreed that although there's a difference in the degree of enforcement, the tactics used by Hong Kong authorities are similar to those used in Xinjiang's reeducation camps. The goal, according to Poon, is to quash any opposition and criticism of the government.

Poon said that the lack of international attention to Beijing's re-education tactics being used would make the situation worse in Hong Kong.

"I think it's vital that the international community put more attention on this new development," he told VOA Cantonese. "It will only get worse without intervention. These tactics will not disappear."
The world economy will grow at a slower pace because of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the International Monetary Fund said in a report Tuesday.



The organization forecasts growth of 3.6% this year, compared to 6.1% last year. Originally, it had predicted 4.4% growth this year.



"The economic effects of the war are spreading far and wide," the IMF said in its report.



The war has exacerbated negative economic trends such as disrupted commerce and price hikes for fuel and food.



"In the matter of a few weeks, the world has yet again experienced a major, transformative shock,'' IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas wrote in the foreword to the fund's World Economic Outlook report. "Just as a durable recovery from the pandemic-induced global economic collapse appeared in sight, the war has created the very real prospect that a large part of the recent gains will be erased."



The IMF predicts the Russian economy will shrink by 8.5% this year, and Ukraines will fall by a whopping 35%.



The United States, China and Europe were also expected to see slower growth as a result of the war.



Some information in this report comes from The Associated Press.
A regional affiliate of Islamic State on Monday said it had carried out a rocket attack on Uzbekistan from neighboring Afghanistan, the first strike by the terrorist group against the Central Asian nation.

Islamic State Khorasan Province fired 10 rockets at an Uzbek military base in the border town of Termez, the group said in a statement released Monday, according to Site Intelligence, which tracks terrorist propaganda.

Uzbek authorities did not immediately comment on IS Khorasan's claims.

The launching pad was reportedly in Hairatan, a border town in the northern Afghan province of Balkh. The terror group also released a photo and video of the projectiles to back its claims.

IS Khorasan has increased attacks in and around Afghanistan following the U.S.-led foreign military withdrawal from the country in August after 20 years.

The group has carried out several attacks in neighboring Pakistan, including a deadly suicide bombing of a Shiite mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar last month.

The attack killed more than 60 worshippers from the minority sect and wounded scores of others. Pakistani authorities said the bomber was an Afghan refugee who received training in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Taliban attacks

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), designated as a global terrorist group by Washington, has also stepped up attacks in Pakistan from its Afghan bases since the foreign troop withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power.

Authorities in Islamabad say leaders and fighters of the banned anti-Pakistan militant outfit have established bases in Afghanistan after fleeing Pakistani counterterrorism operations and are plotting cross-border attacks against security forces.

Pakistani officials say that since the start of the year, more than 100 Pakistani military officers and soldiers have been killed in TTP-plotted roadside bombings and gun attacks in remote districts on the Afghan border.

On Sunday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry urged Taliban rulers in Afghanistan to take "stern actions" against militants staging cross-border attacks on security forces in Pakistan.

"Pakistan has repeatedly requested Afghan government in last few months to secure Pak-Afghan border region. Terrorists are using Afghan soil with impunity to carry out activities inside Pakistan," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement came a day after the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out deadly airstrikes inside Afghanistan. They summoned Islamabad's ambassador in Kabul to the Foreign Ministry to protest the alleged early Saturday strikes that reportedly killed up to 40 people in the Afghan provinces of Khost and Kunar.

The casualties and the alleged Pakistani airstrikes could not be verified from independent sources.

Islamabad has been pressing the Taliban to rein in TTP activities since the Islamist group seized control of Afghanistan and U.S.-led foreign troops withdrew from the country.

It is widely known that the TTP provided recruits and sheltered Afghan Taliban commanders on the Pakistani side of the porous border between the two countries to launch insurgent attacks against the then-Western-backed government in Kabul and international troops inside Afghanistan.
Russia said Tuesday it will expel 15 Dutch diplomats, saying they have two weeks to leave the country. The retaliatory move following the Netherlands expulsion last month of 17 Russians whom Dutch officials said were intelligence officers posing as diplomats.

In response to Tuesdays announcement, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in a statement, It was to be expected that Russia would take countermeasures. Nevertheless, this is a regrettable step. The envoys will be leaving the Dutch embassy in Moscow and consulate-general in St. Petersburg.

Russias Foreign Ministry said it was also going to expel four Austrians and 12 Belgians, both in retaliation.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24, some 300 Russian diplomats have had to leave various countries.

Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland and the United States have expelled Russian envoys.

Russia has taken similar moves against envoys from the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and the European Union.

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster late Monday following deadly floods in the country's eastern KwaZulu-Natal province. Record floods have left more than 440 people dead, an estimated 40,000 people homeless and damaged critical infrastructure and hundreds of schools.

The declaration is expected to speed up much-needed aid to the flood-hit area in a crisis that comes just two weeks after South Africa lifted its disaster declaration for the coronavirus pandemic.

The national government is immediately directing $68 million to clean up what officials have called catastrophic flooding that has left people homeless and without water or electricity.

Imtiaz Sooliman, head of the charity Gift of the Givers, described the organizations work to distribute aid since the floods hit last week.

Were getting the job done, Sooliman said. We're getting delivery done. Hot meals, hygiene packs, sanitary pads, diapers, and blankets and mattresses and water.

Sooliman said there was a need for water in the areas because water pipes had washed away.

We tried to get as much water to as many people as possible, Sooliman said.

While the city of Durban and the surrounding province of KwaZulu-Natal was the worst hit, other provinces like the Eastern Cape also saw flooding and deaths.

Officials are still quantifying the damage to critical infrastructure like the Durban Port, highways and telecommunications.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs who is leading the response, told a media briefing Tuesday the scale of the disaster requires a national response.

In a way it gives hope and also is a vessel for coordination and rallying the entire nation, the entire government and also the international support, Dlamini-Zuma said.

Climate change was highlighted as a cause of the floodings severity. But poor infrastructure and city planning  with many informal settlements located in vulnerable low-lying areas  was another factor.

Dlamini-Zuma said while the disaster brought a great deal of sorrow, it also poses an opportunity.

We should be building back better, Dlamini-Zuma said. Nobody should build back in the riverbanks and in floodplains but also in some of the areas that are geographically not right for residential areas.

But people living in the worst-hit communities, particularly informal settlements in low-lying areas, say they doubt promises of better housing will be kept.

The settlement called Mega Village in south Durban had been hit by floods in 2017 and 2019. Cosmos Khanyeza, a community volunteer, helped victims in the earlier floods and last weeks.

Those people are looking at the proper way to be away from that river so that they won't become victims again, he said. Those people from 2019 floods didn't get any help. They were just in their transition camp houses. There was a budget for them but they never even seen a cent of that budget.

Khanyeza said most people cant afford to rebuild, let alone look for safer areas to erect a new metal shack.

For now, he said, foam mattresses and blankets were delivered by the government Monday so victims can sleep more comfortably at a temporary shelter in a community hall.

Sooliman, who leads Gift of the Givers, said recovering the dead and basic humanitarian needs remain the focus before larger infrastructure can be considered.

People have lost everything, all their material values, Sooliman said. So basically the funding is, right off, the simple stuff. And then of course you repair the schools and the hospitals.

Officials said the port of Durban, the busiest in southern Africa, has been severely disrupted by the weather but will be cleared and operational again in the next six days. Other timelines for rebuilding roads and repairing more than 600 schools have yet to be announced.

Officials said the overall disaster declaration is expected to remain in place for three months to provide enough time and resources to rebuild.
Turkey announced the start of a new ground and air campaign in northern Iraq Monday, targeting the armed rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Dubbed Operation Claw-Lock, the Ankara government says the offensive is a pre-emptive measure to prevent the PKK from using Iraq as a base to carry out attacks in Turkey.

Founded in 1984 to fight for Kurdish self-rule, the PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

The new operation comes days after Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The two leaders discussed ways to improve security, business and trade ties, according to a statement by Barzani's office.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted by the state-owned Anadolu news agency as saying, "Our operation is continuing successfully as planned. The targets identified in the first phase have been captured."

Meanwhile, in a statement, the PKK fighters claimed to have downed two Turkish helicopters and killed more than two dozen Turkish soldiers.

VOA cannot independently verify the conflicting reports.

The Turkish military has carried out several operations against the PKK in recent years, both inside Turkey and in northern Iraq. The latest operation targets areas near Amedi city's Shiladze district.

Amedi's mayor, Warsheen Mayi, told VOA by phone that the operation has not targeted civilian areas. But Iqbal Omer, a freelance journalist, said civilian properties had been damaged in the most recent airstrike.

Turkish interests in northern Iraq go beyond combating the PKK. Turkey has a significant economic stake in the region, particularly the energy sector. Turkey is also seeking to expand its influence in the region as a counterbalance to the growing power of Iran.

Some experts have suggested that Kurdistan, which is estimated to have 700 billion cubic meters [25 trillion cubic feet] of natural gas, could become a major energy supplier to Turkey and Europe as the world tries to wane itself off its dependence on Russian gas.

"Europeans are searching for new potentials to supply gas to Europe," said Nahro Zagros, a non-resident senior fellow at the Washington-based Gold Institute for International Strategy.

"The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) can be one of these potentials. Having said that the KRG cannot fill the whole vacuum that Russians will leave in Europe, but it can help in some ways, and this cannot be achieved without Turkish support," he added.

Safeen Dizayee, head of the KRGs Department of Foreign Relations, said that after meeting domestic supply, his government was open to the notion of exporting natural gas to Europe.

"The Kurdistan region is not trying to become an alternative to other countries," he told VOA. That is why it will in the first stage use most of its extracted gas to supply domestic needs. Later on, some portion of the gas can be exported to other parts of Iraq if they have a need for it. In the coming years, when the Kurdistan region opens up more to the world, no doubt it might export some of the gas.

Dizayee added that Turkey, which serves as a bridge for the landlocked Kurdistan region to the outside world, will be a major partner in the exportation of gas.

Others, such as Sulaymaniyah-based Izzat Sabir, an economist who led the Finance and Economic Committee in the Kurdistan parliament, say the region first needs to resolve its internal political issues and meet domestic demand before it can focus on becoming an exporter.

Not every Kurdish politician is on board with the idea of exporting the region's gas through Turkey.

I think it's my party's official decision that we will not allow natural gas to be sold through Turkey the way oil is being sold," said Rekawt Zaki, a senior leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which controls some of the region's largest gas fields in Chamchamal.

"The future of the Kurdistan Region is natural gas, not crude oil. Crude is depleting in many fields," economist Sabir said.

"Iraq imports billions of dollars' worth of natural gas from Iran and other neighboring countries. While the domestic demand for gas has not been met, we in the Kurdistan region should not think about signing agreements to export natural gas," Sabir added.

Mutlu Civiroglu, Zhiyar Mohammed, and Rikar Hussein contributed to this story from Washington.

This story originated in VOAs Kurdish Service.
Ukraine says Russia has begun its offensive to take control of eastern Ukraine while a Russian missile attack hit the western city of Lviv, killing at least seven people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address Monday, "Now, we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time."

He said a "significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive." The Donbas region includes Luhansk and Donetsk, two provinces that are already partly held by Russian-backed separatists, along with the port city of Mariupol to the south. Capturing the region would allow Russia to control a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized in 2014.

Russias withdrawal of its forces from areas around Ukraines capital, Kyiv, and other parts of the north in recent weeks prompted assessments from Western military officials that Russia was reinforcing and redeploying those assets to eastern Ukraine.

In the western city of Lviv, regional Governor Maksym Kozystkiy said three missiles hit military infrastructure sites, while another struck a car tire repair shop. Lviv, which is about 60 kilometers from Poland, had previously escaped the worst of the violence of the Russian invasion that began nearly two months ago.

The city is a major transportation hub in Ukraine, which has been receiving weapons from Western allies.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the United States has no indication that any Western aid was targeted in Lviv.

The new barrage came as Russian President Vladimir Putin contended during a video call with economic officials that the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies had failed.

He said the West expected to quickly upset the financial-economic situation, provoke panic in the markets, the collapse of the banking system and shortages in stores. However, he added, The strategy of the economic blitz has failed.

Western officials say the sanctions have pushed Russia into a sharp recession that will hurt its economy for years.

Asked Monday if the Biden administration is considering more sanctions against Russia, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters the United States will "continue to expand our sanctions targets and continue to take steps to both further tighten our sanctions to prevent evasion."

U.S. President Joe Biden is holding a video call with allies Tuesday to discuss what the White House called "our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable."

Russia initially described its aims as disarming Ukraine and defeating nationalists there. Kyiv and its Western allies say those are bogus justifications for an unprovoked war of aggression that has driven a quarter of Ukraine's 44 million people from their homes.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse
President Joe Biden said Tuesday that U.S. and NATO allies are applying increasing pressure on Moscow, the same day that Russian officials declared a new offensive in eastern Ukraine.

"I know the press is always asking me, with good reason, why I'm always on the phone talking with other world leaders trying to keep them organized," Biden said Tuesday in New Hampshire about his morning call with the leaders of Britain, Canada, the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, NATO, Poland and Romania. "Well, one of the things I did is, I went on and got a lot of other countries to agree today to release petroleum from their [strategic] reserves."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden and the leaders also spoke about providing more ammunition and security assistance to Kyiv.

Russia declared Tuesday that it had launched its new offensive for control of eastern Ukraine with the bombardment of targets across the Donbas region, but Ukraine said it was defending the territory and repulsing some of the initial attacks.

"Another phase of this operation is starting now," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, adding that Moscow's goal was the "complete liberation" of the Donetsk and Luhansk territories in the east.

In Washington, a senior Defense Department official called the new Russian military operations a "prelude" for bigger ones to come, saying, "There's a real possibility that this could go on for a while, because both sides can be fairly dug in here, and be dug in fairly well."

The official said Ukraine is outmanned numerically compared to the Russian forces, but "that doesn't mean that they don't have advantages of their own or the ability to actively defend themselves," with weapons being "replenished every single day."

Some segments of the $800 million U.S. tranche of military aid that Biden approved last week have already arrived in Ukraine. The defense official said another half dozen or more flights with more armaments are landing in Ukraine in the next 24 hours.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that the United States is sending military aid in response to the situation on the ground.

"You tailor each package based on the fight that they're in and what's going on at the time," he said. "You also have to tailor your packages on what they can absorb on their end.  It would be irresponsible for us not to do it that way."

Luhansk's governor said the eastern city of Kreminna is now "under the control" of Russian forces, which could allow Russia to advance on Kramatorsk, capital of the Donbas region.

But Ukraine said it had repulsed seven different Russian attacks in several battles, destroying 10 tanks and 18 armored units.

"Now, we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address late Monday.

He said a "significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive" in strategic areas in the eastern part of the country that would allow Russia to link with the Crimean Peninsula it seized eight years ago. The U.S. Defense Department estimated that Russia has already sent 11 more battalion tactical groups into Ukraine, about 8,000 to 11,000 more soldiers.

The Donbas region includes Luhansk and Donetsk, two regions that are already partly held by Russian-backed separatists, along with the besieged port city of Mariupol to the south.

Moscow continued to demand the surrender of Ukrainian forces holed up in a steel plant in Mariupol.

"All who lay down their arms are guaranteed the preservation of life," Russia's Defense Ministry said, but a new deadline passed with no surrender.

Humanitarian officials have raised concerns about disruptions in getting supplies to people in areas that have seen some of the worst violence, including Mariupol, and to establish safe corridors for civilians to flee to safety.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Tuesday there would be no humanitarian corridors active for a third consecutive day due to a lack of agreement with Russia.

Economic pressure mounts

Meanwhile, Psaki said Washington is considering imposing more economic sanctions this week.

"There could be," she said in response to that question. "I think that we're still ... making, doing considerations and running a process for additional sanctions, but there are some under consideration, yes."

Biden said NATO allies agreed Tuesday to release 240 million barrels a day for the next six months, a move that he said would "help deny [Russian President Vladimir] Putin the ability to weaponize energy resources against American families and families in Europe and around the world."

In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country should move as quickly as possible to be independent of Russian gas supplies. Denmark will boost its production of natural gas for a limited time while also working to produce as much energy from renewable sources as it can, Frederiksen said.

"We are convinced it's better to produce gas in the North Sea than buying it from Vladimir Putin," Frederiksen said. European Union members rely on Russian gas imports to meet about 40% of their needs, but Denmark is not among EU countries most dependent on Russia for energy.

Zelenskyy has urged EU countries to halt their Russian energy imports and for Western nations to sanction the Russian oil industry to pressure Putin to halt the invasion.

While some leaders have expressed a willingness to reduce or end the imports, they have also cited concerns about the effects that a quick cutoff would have on their own economies.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed Tuesday for a four-day humanitarian pause this week to coincide with Orthodox Easter, as Russia's war in Ukraine entered a dangerous new phase.



"The onslaught and terrible toll on civilians we have seen so far could pale in comparison to the horror that lies ahead," he said of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. "This cannot be allowed to happen. Hundreds of thousands of lives hang in the balance."



Guterres called for a pause in fighting to begin on April 21  which is Holy Thursday in the Orthodox Christian calendar  through April 24, when they celebrate Easter. Both Ukrainians and Russians celebrate Easter during this period.



The U.N. chief spoke to reporters in front of The Knotted Gun sculpture by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reutersward. The bronze statue depicts an oversized .357 Magnum revolver with its muzzle tied in a knot and is dedicated to a non-violent world.



Guterres said the brief pause would allow for the opening of a series of humanitarian corridors for civilians who want to leave hostile areas to do so with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and it would also allow in aid supplies for people living in hard hit areas, including Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.



"The United Nations is ready to send humanitarian aid convoys during this period to these locations. We are submitting detailed plans to the parties," but he did not say if the parties, particularly Russia, had signaled a willingness to implement such a temporary truce.



"For all these life-or-death reasons, I call on Russians and Ukrainians to silence the guns and forge a path to safety for so many at immediate risk," the secretary-general said. "The four-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine."



Guterres' humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, had been due to fly to Turkey on Tuesday to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior officials to try to push through local cease-fires. Griffiths had to abruptly cancel his trip late Monday when he tested positive for COVID-19.



The United Nations says 12 million Ukrainians need humanitarian assistance due to Russia's invasion and war. More than one-third of those most in need are in the besieged cities of Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk. Guterres said they anticipate the number of people requiring assistance to increase to 15.7 million  about 40% of all Ukrainians left in the country.



Displacement crisis



The U.N. Security Council was briefed Tuesday by the head of the International Organization for Migration and the deputy high commissioner for refugees.



On March 3, the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, told the Security Council that 1 million people had fled Ukraine in the war's first week and that UNHCR was planning for as many as 4 million refugees if the violence did not stop.



"Now eight weeks into the conflict, we are at 5 million (refugees) and counting, with 5 million unique stories of loss and trauma," Grandi's deputy, Kelly Clements, told council members via video from Hungary where she was on mission.



Additionally, some 7.1 million people are displaced inside Ukraine. Ninety percent of the displaced and refugees are women and children.



Ukraine's envoy said the battle for Ukraine's east  known as the Donbas  is now unfolding.



"It means that while the Ukrainian forces courageously protect every parcel of the Ukrainian soil, the civilians in the conflict area remain under deadly threat from the Russian forces," Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the council.



He said the situation in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol remains the most critical, with thousands of civilians trapped with dwindling supplies of food and water.



"Hundreds of them, including children, have taken shelter in the Azov steel plant," Kyslytsya said of the fortress-like factory where civilians are sheltering alongside some Ukrainian soldiers. "They need immediate safe evacuation, and the Russian forces are well aware of this. Instead, the Russians deny all requests from the Ukrainian side, world leaders and U.N. high officials for evacuation corridors for civilians."



Kyslytsya welcomed the secretary-general's call for an Easter cease-fire, saying, "We demand Russia follow his call."



Accountability



Ireland's foreign minister visited Kyiv last week. He came to the Security Council on Tuesday urging an end to the fighting in the face of Russia's new eastern offensive.



"We have to stop this war," Simon Coveney said. "I want to call on Russia directly; agree to an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, commit to negotiations, respect this (U.N.) Charter."



Coveney visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. He said what he saw was "profoundly shocking," including a mass grave containing 503 civilians.



"Until two months ago, it was a pleasant and vibrant town; a place many of us around this table could have happily imagined living in," he said. "It now lies in ruins, with the stench of burning buildings and bodies in the air."



He called for accountability for atrocities committed there.



The foreign minister said Ireland, a country of 5 million people, has taken in nearly 25,000 refugees from Ukraine in the past six weeks and treats them essentially as citizens, with the right to education, health care, housing and to legally work.



Poland has the most Ukrainian refugees  nearly 3 million. Ambassador Krzysztof Szczerski told the council that one in five Polish families now has a guest from abroad.



The U.N. Human Rights Office says it has verified the killing of 2,072 civilians, including 71 children, since Russia launched its invasion on February 24. The U.N. says the real number is significantly higher.
Authorities in Uzbekistan have dismissed as untrue reports that militants linked to Islamic State had launched a rocket attack against the country from neighboring Afghanistan.

The denial comes a day after the terrorist group claimed its Afghan affiliate, the Islamic State Khorasan Province, or ISKP, fired 10 rockets Monday morning from the northern Afghan province of Balkh, targeting a military unit in Termez on the Uzbek side of the border.

The Uzbek Defense Ministry on Tuesday released a statement on its website noting the countrys border with Afghanistan is fully controlled by the Uzbek military and is stable.

Islamic State released a picture and video of Mondays alleged rocket assault, claiming it was launched from somewhere in the border town of Hairatan in Balkh, according to Site Intelligence Group, which tracks terrorist propaganda.



The Uzbek Defense Ministry urged its citizens not to believe such false reports and rely only on official sources of information.

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban on Tuesday also denied the reported attack, saying the situation on the border between the two countries is normal and there is nothing to worry about.

Reiterating its pledge, IEA as a responsible government assures all neighboring countries that all our border security forces are controlling the borders, allowing none to disrupt security, said a Taliban foreign ministry statement, which used the official name for the Taliban, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, or IEA.

ISKP has increased attacks in and around Afghanistan following the U.S.-led foreign military withdrawal from the country in August after 20 years.

The group has carried out several attacks in neighboring Pakistan, including a deadly suicide bombing of a Shiite mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar last month.

The attack killed more than 60 worshippers from the minority sect and wounded scores of others. Pakistani authorities said the bomber was an Afghan refugee who received training in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Taliban attacks

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), designated as a global terrorist group by Washington, has also stepped up attacks in Pakistan from its Afghan bases since the foreign troop withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power.

Authorities in Islamabad say leaders and fighters of the banned anti-Pakistan militant outfit have established bases in Afghanistan after fleeing Pakistani counterterrorism operations and are plotting cross-border attacks against security forces.

Pakistani officials say that since the start of the year, more than 100 Pakistani military officers and soldiers have been killed in TTP-plotted roadside bombings and gun attacks in remote districts on the Afghan border.

On Sunday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry urged Taliban rulers in Afghanistan to take "stern actions" against militants staging cross-border attacks on security forces in Pakistan.

"Pakistan has repeatedly requested Afghan government in last few months to secure Pak-Afghan border region, the ministry said in a statement. Terrorists are using Afghan soil with impunity to carry out activities inside Pakistan."

The statement came a day after the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out deadly airstrikes inside Afghanistan. They summoned Islamabad's ambassador in Kabul to the foreign ministry to protest the alleged early Saturday strikes that reportedly killed up to 40 people in the Afghan provinces of Khost and Kunar.

The casualties and the alleged Pakistani airstrikes could not be verified through independent sources.

Islamabad has been pressing the Taliban to rein in TTP activities since the Islamist group seized control of Afghanistan last August.

It is widely known that the TTP provided recruits and sheltered Afghan Taliban commanders on the Pakistani side of the porous border between the two countries to launch insurgent attacks against the then-Western-backed government in Kabul and international troops inside Afghanistan.
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As Western sanctions against Russia continue to mount, observers in Azerbaijan are concerned about the potential ramifications in a country with close economic ties to Moscow.

Some experts believe Russia's worsening economic position will harm Azerbaijan's trade relations and money transfers with the country, which is Azerbaijan's main import partner and home to over 2.5 million Azerbaijani migrant laborers.

Economist Natig Jafarli told VOA that economic sanctions on Russia will create problems for the banking sector of Azerbaijan and could create certain obstacles to international money transfers, since Azerbaijan does not have a separate money transfer system with Russia.

If Russia is completely excluded from the international money transfer system, at the very least, interbank money transfers and transfers between Azerbaijan and Russia will become impossible, Jafarli said.

According to Gubad Ibadoglu, senior economist and visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan will be the most affected by the rapid changes in the Russian economy.

SOFAZ's investments in Russia have exceeded $903 million," he said. These investments are currently at risk, which will ultimately lead to exchange rate losses for SOFAZ. In other words, there will be an increase in extra-budgetary expenditures, which will increase its foreign exchange earnings, suggesting that SOFAZ and other Azerbaijani government bodies must sell their assets before the economic catastrophe in Russia and withdraw their investments.

In addition to SOFAZ, Ibadoglu said Azerbaijans trade relations with Russia will be affected, considering that Russia is Azerbaijans main import partner.

Azerbaijan bought $2.1 billion worth of goods and sold $920.8 million on the Russian market in 2021. More than 95% of those goods were non-oil products. Ibadoglu said problems with bank settlements with Russia, which is the traditional market of the non-oil sector, and the devaluation of the ruble this year could create serious difficulties for exporters.

Those who export goods from Azerbaijan to Russia will face losses due to the sharp depreciation of the ruble against the Azerbaijani manat, which will reduce the income of producers and exporters, especially in the non-oil sector, mainly in agriculture, he said.

Remittances sent from Russia by the approximately 2.5 million Azerbaijanis living there will be another area affected by the situation in Russia, Ibadoglu said.

In most Azerbaijani districts, Azerbaijani labor migrants play an important role in determining household income. Ibadoglu said tensions in the Russian labor market, as well as the decline and devaluation of earnings as a result of the tensions, matched with the ruble's depreciation, will result in a decrease in remittances to Azerbaijan.

According to the data from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan for the first nine months of 2021, about 60% of remittances came from migrants living in Russia. This means that last year, remittances sent through banks by migrants living in Russia amounted to $680 million. A sharp decline in this transfer is expected this year, Ibadoglu said.

Azerbaijani parliament member Rasim Musabeyov agrees that remittances will be affected.

Russia's sanctions will significantly limit banking operations. With the economic downturn in Russia, it will be difficult to send money to families, he said.

He also argues that sanctions will have a negative impact on Azerbaijans foreign trade with Russia.

We used to import very important food products from the Russian market. But it is difficult to say to what extent it will be possible to import them now, Musabeyov said.

Yet the lawmaker says Russia's economic downturn also creates opportunities. He claims that since communication routes through Russia are restricted, and Ukraines borders are closed due to the war, trade that was previously carried out through Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, will now mainly pass through the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route.

The importance of our transport routes will increase significantly. Both the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be heavily loaded. It is estimated that a large part of Kazakh oil will be exported to the markets, not through Novorossiysk, but through Azerbaijan, and it is likely to significantly increase our capacity, Musabeyov said.

This story originated in VOAs Azerbaijani Service.
The World Health Organization says escalating fighting in Ukraine is preventing emergency medical supplies and health personnel from reaching many people in need of help.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two months ago, the World Health Organization has delivered some 218 metric tons of emergency medical supplies. Roughly two-thirds have reached their intended destinations, mostly in the east and north of the country where the need is greatest.

WHO has released 15 generators from its warehouse in Lviv Tuesday with plans to deliver them this week to hospitals across the country. Speaking from Lviv, WHO spokesman, Bhanu Bhatnagar, says three will be sent to Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. That is where heavy fighting is underway, and the power supply is badly affected.

Other generators, he says are destined for places such as Kharkiv, which has been devastated by Russian shelling, and the besieged city of Mariupol.

We will only move the generators to their final destinations when we can ensure the safety of our personnel and the precious cargo they are transporting. These generators will help meet the sort of minimum energy needs of medical and surgical units of referral hospitals, where power supply is either limited or non-existent, he said.

Bhatnagar says access to a reliable power supply is critical, noting even a momentary power failure can have serious consequences for patients. He says providing care in this dangerous environment is becoming ever more difficult.

As of now, he says WHO has verified 147 attacks on health care facilities, ambulances, and medical personnel. He adds at least 73 people have been killed and 52 injured. Attacks such as these, he says are hampering efforts to reach the people who need help.

An increase in fighting in certain parts of the country could really threaten our supply chains in and out of some of the affected areas. To mitigate this risk, we are ramping up our donations to the Ministry of Health. We are also assessing the possibility of pre-positioning supplies in additional locations to sort of build a network of warehouses to reach affected areas, said Bhatnagar.

Mariupol has been subjected to heavy bombardment by Russian forces since the start of the war. The city has been demolished, thousands of people reportedly have been killed and thousands more remain trapped.

Bhatnagar says WHO fears the worst for the health system of Mariupol. He says no one has access to the city. But he adds WHO is positioning generators and other supplies nearby. This, so it can bring in life-saving medicines and equipment the moment this becomes possible.
The United States says it is aware of China's announcement that it has signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, renewing concerns that the deal opens the door for the deployment of Chinese military forces to the Pacific island nation.

"We are concerned by the lack of transparency and unspecified nature of this agreement, which follows a pattern of China offering shadowy, vague deals with little regional consultation in fishing, resource management, development assistance and now security practices, said a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council (NSC).

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing Tuesday that the agreement was recently signed by Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele.

"It seems that China announced this unliterally, given the reports of the agreement appear to have come from China rather than the Solomon Islands government, said the NSC spokesperson. The reported signing does not change our concerns, and that of regional allies and partners, and it does not change our commitment to a strong relationship with the region.

In Beijing, Chinese officials accused the U.S. and Australia of "deliberately exaggerating tensions and that any attempts to interfere are doomed to fail.

This week, White House Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink are leading officials from the Defense Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to deepen "enduring ties with the region" and ensure the U.S. partnerships "deliver prosperity, security, and peace across the Pacific Islands and the Indo-Pacific."

The implications of the security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China are expected to be high on the agenda.

According to a leaked draft of the agreement, China could send armed police and military forces if requested by the Solomon Islands government. China could also be allowed to base its navy ships off the coast of the Pacific Island nation.

"We understand the Solomon Islands and the PRC (People's Republic of China) are discussing a broad security-related agreement building on recently signed police cooperation," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a briefing Monday.

"Despite the Solomon Islands government's comments, the broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployments of PRC military forces to the Solomon Islands. We believe that signing such an agreement could increase destabilization within the Solomon Islands and will set concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region."

Australia and New Zealand have had long-standing law enforcement and security ties with the Solomon Islands. An Australia-led multinational peacekeeping force from Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea was sent to Honiara, the island nation's capital, following the outbreak of riots last November.

A goal of the visit will be to share perspectives and concerns about how the security agreement between the Solomons and China may threaten current regional security paradigms, Price added.

In early April, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said his country would not invite China to establish a military base. China also denied it seeks a military foothold there.

Former U.S. officials said the U.S. must increase its support to the Asia-Pacific region to fend off China's growing influence.

In an interview with VOA Mandarin, Catherine Ebert-Gray, the former U.S. ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, highlighted the strategic location of the Solomon Islands.

"Solomon Islands is a transit point for a lot of cargo that moves throughout the south part of the Pacific," she said. "It is also important to the navigation not only of those sea vessels, but of aircraft, many of which from Australia and New Zealand need to go through that territory to go north to Asia, or from the United States, to go to parts of the Pacific and parts of Asia."

"More than half of the tuna fish of the world come from that region of the world. So the freedom of navigation of fishing vessels is critical," she added.

The U.S. is also ramping up people-to-people ties with the Solomon Islands as the Peace Corps resumes operations in the South Pacific nation after nearly a 20-year pause.

Also on Tuesday, Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is heading to Brussels to consult with European allies on China and a strategy to ramp up diplomatic outreach to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Sherman is leading the delegation on U.S.-EU Dialogue on China Thursday, and the U.S.-EU consultations on the Indo-Pacific on Friday.

VOA Mandarin and Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report.
Ukraines military said Tuesday that Russian forces are focusing on trying to take full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, strategic areas in the eastern part of the country that would allow Russia to link with the Crimean Peninsula it seized eight years ago.

The statement from the militarys General Staff, which also said Russian missile and airstrikes on civilian targets throughout Ukraine do not stop, came a day after Russia launched its long-expected assault in eastern Ukraine following a pullback from areas around Kyiv.

"Now, we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address late Monday.

He said a "significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive." The Donbas region includes Luhansk and Donetsk, two provinces that are already partly held by Russian-backed separatists, along with the besieged port city of Mariupol to the south.

Russia has demanded the remaining Ukrainian troops in Mariupol lay down their arms, including a fresh ultimatum with a Tuesday afternoon deadline. The Russian defense ministry said those who do give up would be guaranteed survival. Ukraine has rejected all demands to surrender the city.

Russia also said Tuesday its forces struck more than 1,200 targets with missile and artillery strikes overnight, including dozens in eastern Ukraine.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday that Russia has concentrated such strikes in the Donbas and areas to the south, particularly in Mariupol where the preponderance of their strike activity has gone.

Kirby said Russia has been moving artillery, rotary aviation, helicopter support, command and control enablers to aid its Donbas efforts.

Humanitarian officials have raised concerns about disruptions in getting supplies to people in areas that have seen some of the worst violence, including Mariupol, and to establish safe corridors for civilians to flee to safety.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Tuesday there would be no humanitarian corridors active for a third consecutive day due to a lack of agreement with Russia.

U.N. relief chief Martin Griffiths told reporters Monday that the two sides need to negotiate a meaningful cease-fire in order to facilitate getting help to civilians.

On the humanitarian side, we need to have much, much more willing acceptance, primarily of the Russian Federation, to allow convoys in and convoys out in these places of great need, Griffiths said. And we need in those places where the war has for the moment moved on to provide urgent emergency, if you like humanitarian assistance, to get people to be able to see their homes again and maybe reach them.

U.S. President Joe Biden is holding a video call with allies Tuesday to discuss what the White House called "our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable."

Asked Monday if the Biden administration is considering more sanctions against Russia, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters the United States will "continue to expand our sanctions targets and continue to take steps to both further tighten our sanctions to prevent evasion."

Russian President Vladimir Putin contended Monday during a video call with economic officials that the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies had failed.

In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said his country should move as quickly as possible to be independent of Russian gas supplies. Denmark will boost its production of natural gas for a limited time while also working to produce as much energy from renewable sources as it can, Frederiksen said.

"We are convinced it's better to produce gas in the North Sea than buying it from Vladimir Putin," Frederiksen said.

European Union members rely on Russian gas imports to meet about 40% of their needs. Denmark is not among EU countries most dependent on Russia for energy.

Zelenskyy has urged EU countries to halt their Russian energy imports and for Western nations to sanction the Russian oil industry in order to pressure Putin to halt the invasion.

While some leaders have expressed a willingness to reduce or end the imports, they have also cited fears of the effects that a quick cutoff would have on their own economies.

Russia initially described its aims as disarming Ukraine and defeating nationalists there. Kyiv and its Western allies say those are bogus justifications for an unprovoked war of aggression that has driven a quarter of Ukraine's 44 million people from their homes.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Seven of the 14 suspects, who were arrested in Gauteng in connection with the gruesome murder of Zimbabwean, Elvis Nyathi, in Johannesburgs Diepsloot township in South Africa, appeared before a Randburg magistrate on Tuesday facing charges of kidnapping and murder.

The state prosecutor told the court that there was insufficient evidence to bring the other seven to court.

The prosecutor said the accused are facing charges of murder with intent to kill, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, theft and kidnapping.

Four of the accused persons indicated that they are looking for attorneys while the other three are seeking pro bono legal representation.

The magistrate remanded them in custody and ordered them to appear in court on Friday. The suspects are expected to appeal for bail pending the finalization of their cases.

South Africas National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, told VOA Zimbabwe Service that they have evidence linking the suspects to the gruesome murder of the Zimbabwean.

A relative of one of the suspects accused the media of focusing on Nyathis death instead of also highlighting the killing of some South Africans by suspected Zimbabwean criminals.

Nyathi, who was laid to rest in Bulawayo on Saturday, was kidnapped, beaten up and set on fire by a vigilante group, which was looking for criminals.

The Zimbabwean was a domestic worker.

Thuso Khumalo contributed to this article
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tagum city (126 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : It's quite strong | 6 users found this interesting.

Limketkai, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines (286 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was at work, on the 4th floor of the office. I didn't feel it at first, but then I noticed the chair I was sitting on was "swaying" sideways. I also saw the window blinds moving erratically. And I estimated it to be more than 3 seconds long. | 3 users found this interesting.

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s : Light shaking, like walking when you're drunk, the balance is off. Made me feel nauseated. | 2 users found this interesting.

Cogon, Davao, Davao (134.1 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Moderate shaking feel like very long shaking | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Davao city (143.8 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Only mild earthquake | One user found this interesting.

davao city / Weak shaking (MMI III) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 10-15 s : was not sure if it was an earthquake so i checked the chandelier in the dining room - my go to for confirmation and right enough it was oscillating.

Mati, Davao Oriental / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Felt the swinging immediately. It seems that it is shallow. | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Davao (151.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Parkside, Unley, South Australia (4854.6 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Butuan city (240.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes : Weak shaking

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Blue lotus hotel davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe

Mabini davao de oro / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 minutes

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Batangas City, Batangas / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

NORALA / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

TAGUM / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Butuan City (240.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Davao City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Davao City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

davao city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s light shaking (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Canitoan / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Malayan colleges mindanao / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Fair strong shaking

Capitol hills mati city davao Oriental / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 5-10 s

City of Mati / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 30-60 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 30-60 s

Davao City / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Butuan City / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s

Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 minutes
Photo: JIM WATSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Johnny Depp compared himself to Cinderella on Tuesday afternoon while testifying that his ex-wife Amber Heards abuse allegations and Washington Post op-ed allegedly damaged his career. One day you are Cinderella, so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds, youre Quasimodo, said Depp, referring to the main character of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Depps testimony comes a week into his defamation trial against Heard, whose eyes remained fixed on Depp throughout the testimony. Depp said he was in court because he had an obligation to his children to clear his name. They were in high school, Depp continued. I thought it was diabolical that my children would have to go to school and have their friends and people in the school approach them with the infamous People magazine cover with Ms. Heard with a dark bruise on her face.

So it was my responsibility, I felt, to not only attempt to clear my name for  many reasons, but I wanted to clear my children of this horrible thing that they were reading about their father.

My goal is the truth. My goal is the truth, said Depp in a gravelly voice with a vaguely British accent. Truth is the only thing Im interested in, Depp said, adding that lies will get you nowhere. He then said: Im obsessed with the truth. Depp said that he had an abusive upbringing, claiming his mother Betty Sue Depp was quite violent and that his father, John Christopher Depp, abandoned his family. She was quite cruel, he said; there was physical abuse  which could be in the form of an ashtray being flung, it hits you in the head, or you get beat with a high-heeled shoe or telephone, whatevers handy. When his father finally left, I was very disappointed because I started to believe that his exit was sneaky, cowardly.

During his testimony, Depps depiction of his childhood as abusive and humble extended into his journey of becoming an actor. He moved to California with his band. When they broke up, he was scrambling to survive. He was filling out job applications in video stores, clothing stores, anything  just to be able to pay the rent. Depp said that his friend, actor Nicolas Cage, told him, I want you to meet my agent. Cage told Depp he thought he could act. Depp took Cage up on his offer, and the agent sent him to read a script for the casting director of Wes Cravens A Nightmare on Elm Street. He was then asked to read for Craven, who cast him in the film. Depp said he was by no means an actor. I didnt have any desire to be an actor. I was a musician, but the fact that these people were going to pay me what I found to be a ludicrous sum of money  I had never seen that kind of dough in my life.

Depp said he picked up other parts to cover his bills. Then suddenly I found myself on that road. I had been placed on that road, as an actor. As Depp continued to discuss his career, he revealed he has never seen Pirates of the Caribbean, but acknowledged that the film, I mean, did pretty well, apparently, and they wanted to keep going, making, making more, and I was fine to do that. Depp described preparing for the role of Captain Jack Sparrow: He approached it the very same way that Ive ever approached any character, looking for a back history. He then explained: Edward Scissorhands, for example, was based on a dog that Id had and newborn babies.

As the afternoon continued, Depp continued to talk extensively about his career until switching to the topic of substance abuse, which has repeatedly come up at trial. Depp said that he first abused drugs at 11, when he took one of his mothers nerve pills. Depp claimed he didnt take drugs for enjoyment. So, as we were all growing up, it was always those kids who would say, Lets party! Lets go party. I want to party! Depp explained. Ive never used the word party in my life. Ive never taken any substance for a party.

I have taken these substances over the years on and off to numb, to numb myself of the ghosts, the wraiths that were still with me from my youth.

At the same time, Depp rejected the idea that he was always under the influence. Im not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time, Depp said, claiming that he had periods of sobriety through his adult life. Depp said that he became addicted to the opioid Roxycodone after suffering an injury while filming the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean, and detoxed during his relationship with Heard.

Depp, once again wearing a dark three-piece suit, kept his highlighted hair tied back in a ponytail during court, removing and replacing his tinted sunglasses during witness testimonies. Heard wore a white shirt with a bow around the neck and her hair up.

Depps testimony has been one of the most awaited moments of this trial, which has become increasingly grim on both sides. Before Depp took the stand, Keenan Wyatt, his longtime sound engineer and friend, testified. Wyatt described Depp glowingly, saying he was great to work with on films and always comes prepared, making for a fun day. Wyatt was asked to describe interactions between Depp and Heard. He recalled being on a flight with them to Boston in 2014 and said that Heard was giving Johnny the cold shoulder, being quiet, and seemed pouty.

At one point, I went up to her and said something to the effect of He cares about you, and all of a sudden she snapped and said, How dare you talk to me? Get away from me! Wyatt said he went back to my seat and minded my own business. Heard, he said, was abruptly loud. It was a quiet plane. All of a sudden it got very loud. When asked if he had ever seen any violent or physical altercation between Depp and Heard, he responded: Ive never seen Johnny be violent toward anybody. Heards attorney tried to ask Wyatt about Marilyn Manson, who is also an alleged abuser and suing his ex Evan Rachel Wood for defamation over her allegations against him detailed in her documentary, Phoenix Rising. They had previously brought up Manson during opening statements, describing him as Depps good friend.

Sean Bett, Depps longtime security guard, testified before Wyatt. Bett has said that he saw Heard throw a water bottle or plastic cup at Depp. Bett was pressed on whether he ever saw Heard do anything he would consider abusive. He recalled the alleged water-bottle incident and remarked: In California, its assault if you attempt to swing or throw something at somebody, even if you dont hit them.

During opening statements on April 12, Heards lawyer made the new claim that Depp sexually assaulted her with an object in Australia; the alleged assault was purportedly in 2015 or 2016. Depps team has cast him as a long-suffering spouse, subject to Heards unpredictable rage. Testimony from their onetime marriage counselor claimed that they engaged in mutual abuse.

Depp is suing Heard over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post. In this op-ed, Heard argued that there needed to be additional help for women who step forward with domestic-violence allegations. Heard touched on personal experience in making her case for more support.

Like many women, I had been harassed and sexually assaulted by the time I was of college age. But I kept quiet  I did not expect filing complaints to bring justice. And I didnt see myself as a victim, Heard explained in the op-ed. Heard did not identify her alleged abuser by name, but the op-eds timing strongly suggested Depp. Heard claimed that Depp abused her in 2016. Depp filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Heard in 2019 over the piece. The op-eds clear implication that Mr Depp is a domestic abuser is categorically and demonstrably false, his civil claim maintains.

Depp alleged that Heards column smeared his reputation and derailed his career. Depp, who vehemently denied abuse allegations, accused Heard of being the actual abuser. Heard, in turn, filed counterclaims against Depp, maintaining that his denials were defamatory. Depp and Heard met while working together on The Rum Diary in 2009.

The first day of Depps testimony concluded with him looking back at his relationship with Heard. He said the relationship began when they filmed a shower scene for The Rum Diary. I think there was something with the kiss in the shower that was very real, Depp said. When they started dating, Heard seemed to be the perfect partner. She seemed to be very knowledgeable about this obscure blues music I listened to and really liked, Depp said, calling her literate, as well as sweet, funny, nice, all those things.

Depp said he became close with Heards family once they started dating. Her mother, Paige, was an angel. Heards father, David, struck Depp as outrageous, kind of like a cartoon cowboy. Depp described taking care of Heards parents  covering costs for her parents, paying for their wedding-anniversary dinners at a friends restaurant and bringing them on vacations. Depp also described his relationship with Heards friends. Some lived in Depps penthouses rent free, he claimed. His testimony resumes Wednesday morning, April 20.

This is a developing story and has been updated with additional details throughout.
YEREVAN, 19 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 19 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.52 drams to 470.83 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.04 drams to 508.07 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 5.96 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.14 drams to 612.93 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 32.83 drams to 29718.76 drams. Silver price down by 0.43 drams to 388.35 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
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Didi Global Inc. is preparing to delist from the New York Stock Exchange, after its initial public offering there last year drew the wrath of Beijing. The Chinese ride-hailing giant said it plans to list in Hong Kong instead, allowing existing shareholders to convert their holdings in the company. There are challenges ahead -- for Didi, its shareholders and other Chinese companies looking to go public. Meanwhile, the governments ongoing investigation and new regulatory measures have hit Didis bottom line.

1. Why is Didi going to delist?

Chinese regulators opposed the U.S. listing, saying it could expose Didis vast troves of data to foreign powers. The firm pressed ahead with the June 2021 IPO anyway, in a move that Beijing saw as a challenge to its authority. Days after the listing, the government announced a cybersecurity probe into the firm and forced its services off domestic app stores. Later the Cyberspace Administration of China, the agency responsible for data security, was said to have asked Didis top executives to devise a plan to delist because of concerns about leakage of sensitive data.

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2. How will it work?

Didi has said it aims to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and ensure that its American depositary shares can be swapped for freely tradable shares of the Company on another internationally recognized stock exchange. However, in April it said it wont apply for a listing on another exchange until after the U.S. delisting is finished, and it also set a shareholder vote for May 23. The firm was already said to have suspended preparations for a Hong Kong listing after being informed by regulators that its proposals to prevent security and data leaks had fallen short. (Didi had put forward several ideas, including ceding management of its data to an outside party in China.) When the filing finally comes -- assuming it does -- the entire process could still take months from that point.

3. What are the challenges?

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Prior to its U.S. IPO, Didi had weighed a potential Hong Kong listing but abandoned the effort after the citys exchange questioned its compliance with Chinese regulations, such as having licenses in all the cities where it operated. (The Hong Kong exchange makes far more stringent demands on companies seeking a listing than its New York peers.) In preparation for its new listing, the company is said to be planning to reduce its headcount by as much as 20%, not including drivers. Didi in December disclosed a $4.7 billion loss in the September quarter after revenue slid 13% from the previous three months. Even if Didi pulls off a listing in Hong Kong, some investors may choose to sell rather than swap their U.S. shares, which have fallen drastically. Technically speaking, swapping them for stock in Hong Kong should be relatively straightforward for most institutional shareholders. But the new securities may trade with a valuation discount: Hong Kong has long been home to some of the worlds lowest price-to-earnings ratios.

4. Why is this such a big deal?

Didis blockbuster IPO was the second-biggest in the U.S. by a company based in China (Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s was bigger) and gave Didi a market value of about $68 billion. The listing, which was shepherded by a whos who of Wall Street banks, appeared to be a model for how international investors could tap into Chinas red-hot tech sector. Didis largest shareholder was Japans SoftBank Group Corp., with more than 20%.

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5. Will China force other companies to change listings?

Didis exit is unlikely to be the last. The Chinese internet regulator began probing two more U.S.-listed companies, Full Truck Alliance Co. and Kanzhun Ltd., soon after launching the review into Didi. In December the government unveiled tighter regulations for Chinese companies seeking to go public abroad using the so-called variable interest entity (VIE) structure, as Didi did. Meanwhile, the U.S. is moving to implement a new law that mandates foreign companies open their books to U.S. regulators or face delisting starting in 2024. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says that only two jurisdictions historically have not allowed the required inspections, China and Hong Kong.

6. Will this end Didis troubles?

Unlikely. The cybersecurity probe into Didi is ongoing, and regulators may still impose an array of punishments such as a fine, suspension of certain operations or the introduction of a state-owned investor. The municipal government of Beijing, where Didi is based, was said to have proposed that the Shouqi Group -- part of the influential Beijing Tourism Group -- and others acquire a stake in Didi, which would give control to state-run firms. Media including the South China Morning Post have reported that regulators may force Didi to reshuffle its top management. President Xi Jinpings campaign to achieve common prosperity has heaped pressure on platform companies like Didi to offer better wages and benefits to its army of drivers. More fundamentally, the Chinese government is expected to maintain strict curbs on and scrutiny over big tech enterprises that amass sensitive data.

(Updates delisting plan in section 2)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

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While the U.S. and U.K. have banned imports of Russian oil, sanctions punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine have mostly not targeted its energy exports. Nevertheless, Russian crude is being shunned in what some traders are calling self-sanctioning. Because of confusion about whats legally permitted, fears about how the European Union might join its allies in turning away from Russian energy and concern about reputational damage, banks are pulling financing, buyers are holding back and tanker operators are reluctant to ship. The squeeze has started to have the same effect as a wider embargo. Since Russia is the worlds second-biggest crude exporter, its leaving a big hole in energy markets, sending the price of oil rocketing.

1. Whats causing the disruption?

With financial sanctions on Russia imposed by the U.S., U.K. and EU, market participants including tanker owners are wary of taking trades with Russian counterparties, even if the energy market itself has been largely exempted. Thats a killer blow for Russian oil, a mainstay of the countrys economy, with almost two-thirds of its crude sales moving by ship. Some traders are also mindful of negative publicity. Shell Plcs purchase of Russias flagship Urals grade crude on March 4 was criticized by Ukraines Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter as smelling of Ukrainian blood. Four days later, the company said the decision was wrong and that it would make no new purchases of Russian oil and gas. BP Plc matched that commitment, and they were joined by Paris-based TotalEnergies SE on March 22.

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2. Whats the impact on prices?

Global benchmark Brent crude surged above $100 a barrel in the days after the Feb. 24 invasion, swinging wildly in the weeks that followed but remaining at an elevated level. The oil market went into a frenzy and moved into one of the biggest so-called backwardations on record -- where contracts for more immediate supply are priced much higher than those for later deliveries. Prices of other fuels saw even bigger jumps, notably the cost in Europe of natural gas and of diesel, which faced the prospect of shortages.

3. How much oil is being shunned?

Its hard to say, leaving energy traders watching shipments and pipeline throughput with heightened interest. On March 16, the International Energy Agency, which represents key industrialized countries, estimated that Russias oil output could slump by a quarter in April as buyers turn away from the nations exports, inflicting the biggest supply shock on the market in decades. Although many buyers, especially former European purchasers, announced that they wont trade Russian crude, Asian buyers may be stepping in to take barrels at discounted rates. Chinas refiners are discreetly purchasing cheap Russian oil, traders say, and Indian processors have also scooped up some of the volumes. Russia has been exporting approximately 5 million barrels a day of crude, the equivalent of about 5% of global consumption, as well as nearly 3 million barrels daily of refined products -- key fuels such as diesel, fuel oil and a petrochemical feedstock known as naphtha.

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4. What are the U.S., U.K. and EU doing?

On March 8, President Joe Biden said the U.S. will ban imports of Russian fossil fuels including oil. Crude from Russia made up about 3% of U.S. imports last year. The U.K. ban, announced the same day, will be phased in over the rest of the year, and applies to all imports of Russian oil as well as refined products; the U.K. relies on Russia for about a third of its diesel imports. The U.K. measure wont apply to natural gas. For the EU, the stakes are even higher, and the bloc was divided on supporting an embargo on Russian crude. Germany, Poland and Hungary are among those most exposed to any loss of Russian oil, as they have refineries depending on deliveries via pipeline from the nation.

5. What could plug the hole?

The IEA announced plans on March 1 to deploy 60 million barrels from stockpiles around the world. Half of that amount will come from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, with the rest from members in Europe and Asia, according to details released by the IEA. The planned release equates to about 17 days worth of frozen Russian crude shipments and additional volumes may be made available. IEA member countries hold nearly 1.5 billion barrels of government-controlled oil stockpiles.

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6. Could more oil come from other sources?

There are several possible sources of additional supply. There are hopes that Iran could inject oil into the market, should world powers succeed in their efforts to secure a new agreement with the country limiting its nuclear program in exchange for the U.S. lifting sanctions that have restricted its oil exports. There is also spare capacity in the U.S., where producers have been limiting growth in recent years under pressure from investors. The U.S. has also been in talks with Venezuela, signaling a possible major shift in the U.S. approach to the socialist government. So far, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies have declined to accelerate their output. At a meeting in early March, the group stuck with the modest 400,000 barrel-a-day production increase it had earlier scheduled for April.

7. What are the implications for Russias energy industry?

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Bidens administration has said its seeking to degrade Russias status as a leading producer of oil and natural gas by restricting exports of technology related to the energy sector. Some of the worlds largest oil companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp., BP and Shell, have pledged to exit Russia, reducing capital available for investments. TotalEnergies said it wouldnt dump operations in Russia for now but will no longer provide capital for new projects there. It owns roughly a fifth of gas producer Novatek PJSC as well as a large interest in the Yamal LNG project, Russias biggest producer of liquefied natural gas.

8. Whats happening with Russian gas exports?

While oil shipped from one country can to some extent be replaced with barrels sourced from elsewhere, natural gas imports are harder to substitute. Thats because theres a huge infrastructure network that relies on piped supplies from Russia. The alternative, cargoes that are cooled into a liquid and delivered by ship, cannot come close to compensating. As a result, Russian gas is still being sent by pipeline to Europe, which relies on Russias state-run energy giant, Gazprom PJSC, for about a third of all gas consumed. On March 23, gas futures surged again after Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded unfriendly nations pay for gas in rubles, bringing back fears about the stability of Russian supplies.

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9. Does Europe have longer-term options?

Potentially, yes. The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, is working to accelerate measures to try to wean the bloc off Russian gas, although some would take years to implement. In a report, the IEA said the EU could, without compromising its climate ambitions, reduce Russian gas imports by a third by sourcing more of the fuel from other countries, accelerating the rollout of renewable energy and ramping up efficiency. Proposed measures include increasing electricity derived from nuclear power and replacing gas boilers with electric heat pumps.

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This is a big week for President Joe Biden. For months, hes had the second-worst approval rating of any polling-era president at the same point in their presidencies, trailing only Donald Trump. This week, he has passed Jimmy Carter, moving up into third worst. Within the next month, hell likely move ahead of Gerald Ford as well.

Yes, those are three of the four sitting presidents (along with George H.W. Bush) to lose a presidential election during the polling era. So maybe not that big a week.

Biden began his presidency with a period of unusual approval stability, and he may have entered into a second such stretch this year. His approval rating was at 41.9% on Jan. 20, marking the end of his first year in office. Its at 41.8%, as I write this, and hes been within a percentage point of where he is now on almost every day over the last three months. That Jan. 20 date also marked the peak of the omicron wave.

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Its possible to look at the day-to-day approval chart (at FiveThirtyEight) and see Biden hit bottom soon after, with his all-time low point of 40.4% at the end of February. His numbers improved as the pandemic eased  only to be hit again by the big surge in gasoline prices in March that hes slowly recovering from as prices moderate. The numbers are compatible with that interpretation  but theyre also compatible with the view that hes just held steady over the last three months and any fluctuations are just statistical noise.

To put this another way: Its possible that Bidens low approval is soft, and that a few months of good news about the pandemic and inflation could produce a solid rally, meaning he would no longer be a major drag on Democratic candidates this fall. But its also possible that opposition has hardened, and that hes unlikely to rally even with a run of positive news.

The same is true on the downside. So far, nothing has pushed Biden below the 40% mark that four of his 13 predecessors had reached at this point in their presidencies and that three others would hit before the end of their first two years in office. Maybe this line will hold, even if theres further bad news  and maybe Biden is just as much at risk of reaching the 30s or worse as all presidents have been.

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Quite a few political scientists believe that approval ratings are fated to wind up in a relatively narrow range during this period of intense partisanship. Im among what I think is the minority who think very high and very low approval ratings are still possible.

Worth noting: Survey respondents said, by wide margins, that they would be happy to pay more for gasoline in order to support Ukraine and punish Russia. Yet it appears likely that Bidens approval numbers fell when gas spiked in early March, and recovered as gas prices moderated over the last five weeks (though they are still very high). Again, the changes arent large enough to prove anything, but this certainly appears to be an example of the finding that people arent good at predicting their own reactions to potential news events.

Thats something to take into consideration when it comes to other areas as well. People have all sorts of things they might say they want to do about inflation, but if inflation recedes theyll be more favorable toward Biden regardless of whether he followed their policy preferences or not, and whatever they predicted about their own reactions to hypothetical scenarios.

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The same is true of the pandemic. People may say they want to keep or eliminate mask mandates or anything else, but its more likely that outcomes  case counts, hospitalizations, deaths  determine whether people think Biden has done a good job or a bad job in dealing with the coronavirus. Thats not always true of every voter and every policy question, of course. But overall it is outcomes, not policies, that heavily influence presidential popularity  regardless of what people think makes them like or dislike someone.

To be sure: Lots of things, whether its a policy position or the ability to give a good speech or how well this or that government agency functions, have the potential to affect presidential popularity at the margins. And in many cases those are the things under the control of the president, whereas many big-picture outcomes may be far harder to influence.

So, all else equal, it makes sense for presidents to tout their accomplishments, give stirring speeches, emphasize their popular policies and stay relatively quiet about their unpopular ones. We tend to spend plenty of time checking on how the president is doing on such things because, again, theyre what the White House can usually control.

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But overall? Tell me whats going to happen with the pandemic and with the economy  including inflation  over the next six months, and then over those same months two years from now, and Ill give you a surprisingly accurate guess as to how Democrats will do in November and in the 2024 election.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He taught political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University and wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

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YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stated that there are still many issues over Nagorno Karabakh, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs Putin said during the meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who is on a two-day official visit to the Russian Federation.

"Of course, our focus will be on security issues, including those related to Karabakh. I agree with you, there are many issues left. We are in constant contact with you, if not every week, then we definitely have a telephone conversation every 10 days. And we have regular meetings, even though it is a period of pandemic. I am glad to see you, welcome," Putin said.

The Russian President noted that Armenia and Russia have signed over 200 documents, which create a good opportunity to work in almost all spheres, the most significant of which is the economic sphere.

"According to our data, in 2021 the growth of the trade turnover was 12.8%. In the first months of this year it has increased by 50%. It is a very good indicator in this period," Putin concluded.
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The illusory Penrose steps are a classic paradox: Seeming to go both up and down as they repeat around a stairwell, anyone stuck on the geometrically impossible stairs would find themselves forever struggling forward, yet going nowhere. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Thats close to the situation Japans Toshiba Corp. is in. The company has spent years trying to extricate itself from a contradiction: Activist investors seemingly wont accept any option for the future of the company other than a privatization. But all indications are the Japanese government, which regards Toshiba as a vital national asset, wont accept the company falling into private hands. Its the immovable object encountering an irresistible force.

Clearly, somethings got to give. Toshiba has already spent years spinning its wheels. As recently as 2011, the companys market value was on on a par with domestic rivals Hitachi Ltd. and Sony Group Corp. Things look dramatically different now.

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The difference is how management has confronted the activists. Sony has been targeted on multiple occasions, but has mostly rebuffed their suggestions. Most recently it dismissed calls from Dan Loebs Third Point to sell off its insurance operations  instead buying out full control of its financial unit. Ignoring the activists has been worthwhile, with its market value now more than seven times that of 2011.

Hitachi, meanwhile, has preempted the activists by selling more than $18 billion worth of legacy businesses in the past five years as it pivots to a new strategy than emphasizes digital. Its seen its worth more than double that of a decade ago.

Toshibas value, meanwhile, has barely budged, with the company trapped in a Sisyphean cycle entirely of its own making. For most of the past decade it has failed to make the tough decisions, turning what could have been a short, sharp restructuring from an accounting scandal and failed investments in nuclear energy into a multi-year saga that shows no sign of ending.

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Its current struggles date back to a decision in 2017 when, desperate to avoid a delisting, the firm elected to sell equity (along with its prized semiconductor business) in order to restore its balance sheet. The offering opened the door even further to activist investors, which already included Effissimo Capital Management Pte, the secretive Singapore-based fund that for years has been Toshibas largest shareholder and chief irritant.

In retrospect, that sale looks disastrous. It didnt have to be.

When Japan Airlines Co.  a similarly state-level blue-chip firm that was synonymous with the countrys economic heyday  fell on hard times after the financial crisis, it delisted, went bankrupt, restructured and was back on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in just over two years. Its been nearly twice that span of time since Toshibas share sale, with no end in sight to its troubles.

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Which brings us back to the contradiction. The activists want out, but only at a profit. Yet shares are going nowhere, and a plan to split the firm into two is now seemingly dead in the water having been rejected by shareholders. Taking Toshiba private seems to be the only exit.

The board, now on its third chief executive officer in the last two years, seems divided. But having rejected privatization before, there are finally signs that its coming around to the idea. The confusing and curiously worded late-night statement of April 7 announcing yet another special committee to examine its options raised eyebrows for explicitly noting that it aimed to find the privatization offer that is best for our diverse stakeholders.

That seems to be a nod to the most important stakeholder of all  the Japanese government. It lists Toshiba as a company important to national security under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. The June 2021 report into Toshibas attempts to work with the government to influence the results of its annual general meeting makes it clear how far the government was willing to go to keep Toshiba, with its expertise in nuclear power and defense, out of foreign hands.

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It remains to be seen whether the government comes around, or private-equity finds a way to make it work  perhaps with a Japanese-led bid that ring-fences the operations Japan wants to keep secure. But, first, management will need to show a larger appetite for making the tough decisions. Otherwise, Toshiba will be stuck endlessly climbing these stairs to nowhere.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg News senior editor covering Japan. He previously led the breaking news team in North Asia and was the Tokyo deputy bureau chief.

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Bringing manufacturing back to Europe  whats called reshoring or onshoring  is a reasonable, if not vital, business strategy. Over the previous two decades, manufacturers shifted production of everything from cars to cosmetics primarily eastwards to China, in an attempt to cut labor costs and protect margins. The supply chain snarls brought on by geopolitics and Covid-19 are now forcing a rethink.

Some recent developments have helped. Carlo Altomonte, professor of economics of European integration at Milans Bocconi University, argues the recent speed of European integration is fostering a regionalization of supply chains. But reshoring is still complicated  and will require difficult choices from both companies and governments.

Take the predicament of Dardanio Manuli, chairman and chief executive officer of Manuli Rubber Industries SpA, an Italian multinational that makes hydraulic equipment. He thought he had already brought his supply chain back from China, finding suppliers for steel and wire in Europe  specifically, Germany, the U.K. and Luxembourg. Then, Vladimir Putins invasion started and Manuli discovered his new suppliers had all been sourcing their pig iron from Ukraine, specifically, a single factory in Mariupol. We thought we were already onshoring, but Europe turned out to be the weakest link, he says.

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Data showing large-scale reshoring is still hard to find. There is some anecdotal evidence. Dusseldorf-based retailer C&A Group is opening a new textile plant in Germany to produce 400,000 pairs of jeans a year. Swedish carmaker Volvo Car AB announced plans to build a third factory in Europe in 2025. Smaller businesses are getting into the act. Maia & Borges, a toymaker based in northern Portugal, is on course for 12 million euros (almost $13 million) of revenue in 2022, up from 1.5 million euros in 2019, having won multiple orders  from Europe, and the U.S.  when Asian supply chains were snarled up in the early months of the pandemic. Patricia Maia, chief executive officrer, said the family firm will make 10 million toys this year and is building a third factory to cope with demand expected to hit 40 million by 2024. From a business perspective, weve had a good two years, she said.

There are significant challenges. Engineers are needed to populate high-tech factories, and Europes pharmaceutical industry has a continuing problem with a brain drain to the U.S. Even luxury-goods makers are struggling to find enough experienced hands to make their goods. French group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE has pledged to hire 2,000 young people, especially in Italy, to keep manufacturing knowledge alive.

To make a difference, reshoring needs a more forceful policy push and tangible support from the European Union and member governments. Some incentives only indirectly benefit reshoring  such as fulfilling ESG goals. I spoke to executives of one of Europes largest industrial companies which suffered supply chain difficulties last year. Part of the impetus for reshoring was investor pressure to have greener supply chains and reduced Scope 3 emissions (emissions generated indirectly by a companys activities). Bringing suppliers closer to our plants means we get to limit carbon emissions, says the global supply chain director of this firm. (Both executives asked for anonymity because the board discussions arent yet public.

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Money from the EUs post-pandemic 750 billion-euro ($811 billion) NextGeneration fund is available to companies for projects with a green or digital emphasis. Maia & Borges has applied for funding in part because it uses robotics to manufacture products.

Those funds have had their effect: spurring investment in a European semiconductor industry, and battery cell production. Some 24 battery gigafactories have been announced in Europe with enough annual production capacity to equip 9 million electric vehicles per year, according to Erik Nielsen, chief economics advisor at UniCredit SpA. Strategically, that hops over supply and political problems with China  a powerhouse of EVs and batteries  as well as provides a smaller carbon footprint. Frank Pisch, professor of microeconomics at the Technical University of Darmstadt, argues in a recent research paper that perceived uncertainty will make localized just-in-time production more attractive.

But bringing the supply chain to Europe also poses fresh problems. Two hours by car from Porto is Tras-os-Montes in the Barroso region, a mountainous region of stunning beauty in Portugal. This is where Savannah Resources plans to set up Europes largest lithium mine and processing plant. Its part of a bigger plan to create a European supply chain for lithium, which also includes a refinery run by Portuguese energy company Galp Energia SGPS SA and Swedish electric vehicle battery maker Northvolt AB. Environmental groups argue the mines with destroy a lush countryside and community. The project has applied for NextGeneration funding.

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Some small companies just throw up their hands. Asked what he plans to do now that the war in Ukraine has botched his supply chain, the CEO for Manuli Rubber says, We are going to India.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:



Supply Chain Worries Are Finally Going Viral: Tim Culpan



Ukraine War Makes Supply Problems Seem Quaint: Brooke Sutherland

 Iron Curtain Comes Down on Energy: Liam Denning

(In 9th paragraph, corrects the roles of Galp and Northvolt in the lithium project.)

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Rachel Sanderson was Milan correspondent for the Financial Times from 2010 to 2020. She has also written about Italy for the Economist and reported for Reuters and Reuters TV from Rome, Paris and London.

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Investors are used to hearing company executives on earnings calls and in presentations sugarcoat the performance of their business. So its surprising when theres a straight-up admission that despite our best efforts, the moats that protect this company are not particularly deep. When the speaker is JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon in his annual letter to shareholders, attention must be paid.

Its a disorienting statement because it doesnt track the spin to which weve grown accustomed from the modern CEO. Deutsche Bank AGs Christian Sewing, for example, told investors last month, that as the biggest private bank in Germany with a leading advisory and investment offering, we have a unique position to leverage Germanys strengths. The superlative language belies Deutsche Banks relatively low market share in domestic banking.

Monopolistic companies, in contrast, need to be careful to avoid attracting the scrutiny of policy makers, so they might downplay their market position. We face an extremely competitive landscape in which consumers have a multitude of options to access information, Googles former chairman Eric Schmidt once told a Congressional hearing.

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But JPMorgan is not a monopoly. And while its big, for sure, its share of U.S. deposits of close to 12% is far removed from Googles share of online searches, which hovers around 90%. So is Jamie Dimon just being refreshingly honest, or is there an underlying message in his statement?

The answer can be inferred from his intended audience, and Dimon may not be addressing shareholders at all but regulators. In fact, his letter made the same point as Schmidt did in very similar language: We face extraordinary competition. Yet rather than try to protect his companys position from their glare, Dimon wants to focus attention on the burgeoning unregulated sector circling his business.

Dimon charted how the regulated financial sector  of which JPMorgan is a part  has shrunk over the years, while the shadow bank and nonbank sectors have grown. A universe that includes investment-management firms, cryptocurrencies, neobanks, global exchanges and financial-data companies are encroaching on his business, unconstrained by the rules that limit JPMorgans activities. Dimon notes that while the total value of U.S. debt and equities has increased by 2.4 times since 2010, the combined value of the countrys largest banks has increased by only 88%.

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Other data confirms that banks have indeed lost their position as primary intermediaries of financial services. According to Federal Reserve statistics, banks now do less than half the lending in every major loan category except consumer  and even there, banks represent barely 50% of the market. In mortgages, their share of new originations is 32%, down from 91% in 2010; in leveraged lending, its 13%, down from 46% in 2000. Any hope that an economic downturn would shake out non-bank lenders and repatriate share back to banks turned out to be transient  non-banks gained share, particularly in commercial credit and residential mortgages, in the past two years.

While Dimon presides over the largest U.S. financial institution, he isnt the only one complaining.

The payments space [is] a $500-billion industry that is becoming increasingly disintermediated by non-bank players, wrote Bill Demchak, chairman and CEO of PNC Financial Services Group Inc., in his annual shareholder letter. These players, which arent required to follow the same rules as banks, are stepping between banks and our customers and delivering the ease and immediacy that consumers increasingly expect.

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Some regulators are beginning to take note. Analysis of the market turmoil of March 2020 led the Financial Stability Board to recommend the need to strengthen resilience in the non-bank financial intermediation sector. And at the end of last year, the general manager of the Bank for International Settlements argued for systemic regulation of the non-bank financial sector.

But introducing new regulations across a swathe of the financial-services industry is hard, not least without the unifying catalyst of a crisis. Regulations responding to the 2008 financial crisis are still being rolled out in the banking sector. In the meantime, banks may continue to leak market share. Without the support of regulators, the moats are likely to get even shallower.

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Marc Rubinstein is a former hedge fund manager. He is the author of the weekly Net Interest newsletter on financial-sector themes.

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So much for the travel mask mandate. After a federal judge in Florida on Monday struck down the rule promulgated last year by the Centers for Disease Control, the Biden administration and the airlines have raced to distance themselves from the much-criticized regulation. The opinion by Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle is worth a look, not least because of its implications for future pandemic policy.

The Times tells us that the mandates end has caused both elation and dread; observers have attacked the quality of the opinion as well as the qualifications of the author herself. I have my own difficulties with a part of Judge Mizells reasoning, but the outcome was foreordained after last summers U.S. Supreme Court opinion striking down the CDCs eviction moratorium.

Lets start there.

Last August, in Alabama Association of Realtors v. Department of Health and Human Services, the justices rejected the CDCs claim that the Public Health Service Act granted the authority to restrict evictions of renters during the pandemic. The court held that the statutes language, though broad, wasnt as broad as the government argued. The CDCs interpretation of the PHSA, the majority wrote, strains credulity.

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Which leads us to the problem: The CDC justified its transportation mask mandate by citing exactly the same language.

Judge Mizelle quotes the Supreme Court majority to the effect that since enactment in 1944, the PHSA has rarely been invoked and has generally been limited to quarantining infected individuals and prohibiting the import or sale of animals known to transmit disease. Here, wrote the judge, the CDC went well beyond those limits.

Intuition might suggest that masking travelers, unlike regulating landlord tenant relations, is close to the Acts core purpose, but Judge Mizelle, again following the Supreme Courts example, closely parses the statutory language and finds no support for the CDCs action.

From the statutes lengthy grant of authority, the agency pointed particularly to its power to regulate sanitation in the interest of public health. To determine whether the agency was right, Judge Mizell set herself the task of figuring out what Congress meant. The wordsleuth in me appreciates Judge Mizelles trek through dictionaries of the 1940s, but this is also where I must offer a small dissent. The judge concludes that when the statute was passed, the word referred to cleaning, particularly of surfaces and objects.

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Maybe so. But although Supreme Court justices love to quote from dictionaries, I prefer working out a words meaning at a given historical moment by studying popular usage of the time. Here, a wider search would have yielded a number of broader applications. One example: a Navy Department guide for sanitation officers published in 1949 defined sanitation as the successful adjustment of the environment to the body so that disease is prevented and public health is promoted. In short, the lexicographic picture is more complicated than the opinion suggests.

But perhaps Im picking at nits. The mandate is over, for the same reason so many government policies are overturned. Any official action, even an action we like, must be authorized by law. Defending his seizure of the steel mills in 1951, President Harry Truman famously snapped, The president has the power to keep the country from going to hell. And as every law student knows, the Supreme Court emphatically disagreed. A crisis might evoke the determination to act, but only law tells us whether the power to act in a particular way actually exists.

Here, the court found no legal support.(1) Like it or not, the mandate is over.

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What will the effect be? Thats tricky. Lets remember that the major airlines started requiring passengers to mask before the federal government required it. Originally they simply hoped to get people back aboard flights that were flying, even on a much-reduced schedule, at around 15% of capacity. Now that air travel is back in a big way, the question becomes whether the demise of the mandate will make a difference.

An April 2022 survey, conducted via Mechanical Turk,(2) found that while 13.8% of respondents would pay to switch a reservation from an airline with a mask mandate to one without, a whopping 32.6% would pay to switch the other way around. If these preferences predict real-world behavior, a significant proportion of travelers will mask anyway.

Im one of them. Should I board plane or train, Ill surely mask up. The difference is, just as what I do is now up to me, what you do is now up to you.

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(1) Judge Mizell also held that the mandate violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which sets forth the processes by which rules must be adopted. (She rejected the CDCs peculiar claim that the mandate wasnt a rule.)

(2) Mechanical Turk users skew younger and more educated than the population at large.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Stephen L. Carter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of law at Yale University and was a clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. His novels include The Emperor of Ocean Park, and his latest nonfiction book is Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down Americas Most Powerful Mobster.

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An investors darling has fallen. China Merchants Bank Co. lost about $16 billion in market value after the surprising departure of its long-time president, Tian Huiyu, who spent nearly nine years building the lender into a retail banking giant. Tian will get an administrative role at the banks largest shareholder, China Merchants Group, a Shenzhen-based state-owned enterprise, according to local financial-news website Cailianshe.

The unexplained change at the top hammered the shares. At first glance, the 11.5% drop in Hong Kong trading on Tuesday felt excessive. For historical reference, companies experiencing an unexpected CEO death  which academics use to study the impact of management shocks  between 1980 and 2008 saw an average 5.6% swing in their stock price on the day following the announcement. Did investors overreact to Tians being moved out and failure to get a promotion?

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Not necessarily.

Thats because the management shake-up could signal trouble ahead for CMBs innovative wealth-management business due to its exposure to the politically sensitive topic of property developers ballooning debt.

Under Tian, wealth management became a growth engine that contributed 16% of total revenue in 2021, up 2.4 percentage points from 2020. Its now converting into an open platform, allowing other banks wealth divisions, mutual funds, and trust companies to put their own flagship online shops on CMBs mobile-banking apps. More than 80% of this business comes from wealthier clients, which bodes well for fees.

This innovative business model, which partly explains why CMB commands a higher valuation than its peers, helped make its shares a favorite among fund managers. But can the bank stay on course after the boss leaves?

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In China, a CEOs political connections matter, especially for private enterprises. And CMB is not itself a state-owned enterprise; its parent, China Merchants Group, holds only about 30% of its shares. It has a diversified investor base, and mainland mutual funds own about 6.6% of its A-shares. This is different from bigger rivals such as China Construction Bank Corp., whose shares are mostly held by the sovereign wealth fund Central Huijin Investment Ltd.

So when the new chief arrives, its entirely plausible that the bank abandons or scales back the wealth-management push. Why? While lucrative and fast-growing, the business also touches upon a politically sensitive topic  real estate developers ballooning debt.

Chinas indebted developers have borrowed in many ways, via bank loans, trust products, and bond sales. According to Autonomous Research, about 75% of developers 2 trillion yuan ($310 billion) of onshore notes are held in wealth-management products.

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With only 7.2% of its loan book tied to developers, CMB does not have significant direct exposure to the troubled sector. But its wealth-management customers have a sizable one, including 93 billion yuan of non-standard assets sold to its wealthy, private banking clients. Even if the bank wont have to absorb credit losses because it was simply acting as a broker, didnt CMB in some sense enable the builders to become this indebted and insolvent?

Academic studies have shown that unlike private enterprises, political connections in SOEs can be a double-edged sword. CEOs are often incompetent bureaucrats too busy seeking promotions to bother with management  and their exit may even be a boon for the company or its stock price. But alas, China Merchants Bank is not really an SOE. To keep growing, its top bankers need all the political sway they can get.

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Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. She previously wrote on markets for Barrons, following a career as an investment banker, and is a CFA charterholder.

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The dark red billboards in the Ukrainian city of Lviv present a powerful image: Russian President Vladimir Putin is on his knees, a woman stands above him and pushes a gun into his mouth. The caption reads: I am not a beauty for you. Its a furious response to Putins sexualized description of Russias invasion of Ukraine, where he quoted a Soviet-era punk bands lyrics about rape: You sleep my beauty, youre going to have to put up with it anyway.

The countrys ombudsman for human rights, Lyudmyla Denisova, has been documenting reports of widespread rape and sexual abuse from areas occupied by Russian forces. And the details are horrifying. Denisova told the BBC that Russian soldiers told women they would rape them to the point where they wouldnt want sexual contact with any man, to prevent them from having Ukrainian children. Many of those who survived are now pregnant.

Whats happening in Ukraine is one of the worst large-scale campaigns of sexual violence in war since Islamic States attacks on the Yezidi minority in Iraq in 2014. Before that, of course, there was a long, terrible history of systemic rape in conflict, from Nigeria, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kosovo, Bosnia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Lets not forget the Rape of Berlin by Soviet soldiers in 1945, and the Rape of Nanjing in 1937, where the International Military Tribunal for the Far East estimated that upwards of 20,000 women, including some children and the elderly, were raped during the Japanese occupation.

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The similarities between Bucha and Kocho  the Yezidi village in Iraq where Islamic State fighters massacred hundreds of men and abducted many more women and girls to be sold into sexual slavery  is chilling. Soldiers separated the men, women and girls, then killed the men, dumped them in mass graves, and went on to rape and sexually assault those left in their custody.

Like others before them, these soldiers were not committing random acts of depravity. Their behavior was deliberate and supported at the highest levels of defense decision making  and aimed at destroying the cohesiveness of a community, says Mia Bloom, a professor at Georgia State University and member of the global non-profit Womens Alliance for Security.

Its only recently that rape has been recognized as a deliberate act  a military tactic  as opposed to the behavior of an immoral soldier. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1820 in 2008, which states that rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, and can be one of the contributing factors when determining whether genocide has been committed.

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But prosecutions have been few and far between. In the International Criminal Court, Jean-Paul Akayesu, the mayor of Taba Commune in Rwanda, was the first to be convicted in 2001. The former Bosnian leader Ratko Mladic was found guilty in 2017 of genocide and war crimes including the mass rape of women and girls, while his counterpart in Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosovic, faced similar charges but died before his trial concluded. The former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, had his conviction on crimes against humanity, murder and rape overturned on appeal in 2018. For the most part, impunity for crimes of conflict-related sexual violence is the norm and inquiries remain chronically under-resourced.

So whats happening in Ukraine should be ringing alarm bells. It is heartening that there are already investigations under way  both a domestic one and via the International Criminal Court  into the atrocities committed by Russian soldiers against the civilian population. Bloom, who has been researching wartime rape for two decades, says unlike many other countries, Ukraine is much better equipped to deal with the aftermath of such crimes. Women are in leadership positions throughout the government and civil society, while they also play an integral role in the Ukrainian resistance and its military, she noted. Theres also a properly resourced mental health sector, unlike, say, Nigeria, where theres less than 150 psychologists for a country of more than 214 million. Still, many will be unable to bear the anguish of what has been done to them, Bloom said.

Some experts say a separate war crimes investigation into targeted sexual violence is necessary to break the cycle of impunity. The UN has found dozens of state and non-state groups in 10 countries are, right now, credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence in armed conflicts. That report  released on April 11  does not include in its count Ukraine or the brutal violence between Ethiopian government forces and regional militia groups in Tigray.

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Still, there have been some welcome developments. The U.K. introduced the Murad Code on April 13, named after Yezidi survivor and now human rights activist Nadia Murad, which is meant to set a new standard for evidence collection and the protection of victims. In 2021, Iraq adopted the Law on Support to Female Yezidi Survivors, which states that the policy of rape and sexual slavery enacted by IS against Yezidis and other groups constitutes genocide and crimes against humanity. It provides for access to pensions, land, education, as well as a quota in public-sector employment for victims, but in a much-criticized omission, leaves out the generation of children born of that conflict-related rape.

As far back as 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president and later prime minister of Bangladesh (and father of its current leader Sheikh Hasina), labeled the estimated 200,000 survivors of rape during the 1971 fight for independence war heroines to acknowledge their role in the resistance and the particular trauma they experienced. His gesture did little to ease their suffering. Instead, they were widely rejected by their families  many were killed by their husbands, committed suicide or struggled to survive with their babies born of rape by Pakistani soldiers.

The UN has found unconstitutional shifts of power in countries from Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Myanmar to Sudan were characterized by the use of sexual violence to subjugate and humiliate opposition groups and rival communities.

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Like rape in the general community, it is clear that conflict-related sexual violence is not a rare thing. So it is infuriating  and devastating  that I can count on one hand the number of successful prosecutions of political leaders for these crimes. So much horror, so little action.

Maybe, with the right resources and investigative powers, this war will be the exception to the rule. It will only happen if the international community steps up to alleviate funding shortfalls and support any investigation as enthusiastically as it has been providing weapons and military assistance to Ukraine.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Bucha Shows the West Russias Ugliest Tactic: Clara F. Marques

 Ukraine Sees Bad Omens in Putins Assault on Syria: Ruth Pollard

 A Putin War Crimes Case Is No Liberal Fantasy: Therese Raphael

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Ruth Pollard is a columnist and editor with Bloomberg Opinion. Previously she was South and Southeast Asia Government team leader at Bloomberg News. She has reported from India and across the Middle East and focuses on foreign policy, defense and security.

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Most people who suffer from Covid-19 fully recover. Millions of others find complete healing to be frustratingly elusive, in whats often referred to as long Covid. Some experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and body aches, while others struggle with brain fog or havent regained their sense of smell or taste. A subset become gravely ill much later, likely because of complications from their infection. The picture thats emerged from experience is that no single explanation, diagnosis or treatment can be applied to the growing group of people affected. Colloquially known as long-haulers, they reflect the pandemics lasting burden on societies and economies.

1. What is long Covid?

Theres no universally accepted definition yet. According to the World Health Organization, people with what it calls post Covid-19 condition have symptoms usually three months after an initial bout of Covid that last for at least two months and cant be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Ailments may persist from the start of the illness or appear after the acute phase of the disease -- even in a person who displayed no symptoms initially. They may also fluctuate. Other groups have proposed alternative definitions. The U.K.s National Health Service, for example, suggests referring to symptoms that last more than four weeks as ongoing symptomatic Covid and post-Covid syndrome if they persist for longer than 12 weeks and cant be otherwise explained. Another definition may be needed for children.

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2. How often does it occur?

Its too soon to say for sure. U.S. lawmakers said in March that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts told them they wont have reliable data to release for two years. The lack of a standardized way of identifying cases and other factors such as demographics and when the data were collected can lead to widely different findings. For example, research from the University of Michigan published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in April estimated the global prevalence of post Covid-19 condition to be 43%, based on information from 50 studies spanning almost 1.7 million people worldwide. But another large study published in November, using data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, estimated that about 7% of people had at least one symptom of long Covid six months after their infection. It also found differences in symptoms by age, race, sex and baseline health status. Individuals who had severe or many symptoms initially are more likely to be affected. For instance, the study based on the VA database found the burden of long Covid beyond the first 12 weeks of illness was 4.1% among those never hospitalized for Covid, 16% among those who were hospitalized and 23% among patients who were admitted to intensive care. Other studies have found the likelihood of long Covid is greater among women, the middle-aged and the obese.

3. What are the post-Covid symptoms?

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The prolonged symptoms -- sometimes entirely new to the patient -- include pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous-system problems as well as neurological effects, such as cognitive impairment. The most commonly reported include:

4. Do variants carry different long Covid risks?

Its possible, though theres not been enough data collected and analyzed yet to know for sure, especially since reinfections and infections in vaccinated individuals may carry different risks of long Covid.

5. How can you prevent long Covid?

Avoiding getting infected by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, is the only sure way, and vaccination is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of catching it and, more importantly, mitigate the likelihood of becoming severely ill. A U.K. study found receiving a second dose of a coronavirus vaccine at least two weeks before an infection was associated with a 41% decrease in the odds of self-reported long Covid at least 12 weeks later. Data from Israel support the finding.

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6. What causes it?

Some health problems are well understood, others arent. For instance, survivors can experience problems as a result of:

 the direct effect of the virus on organs and tissues

 the propensity of Covid to cause bleeding and clots that can restrict or block blood vessels including in the lung, which can cause a pulmonary embolism

 excessive inflammation by the immune system

 the bodys failure to properly repair injured lungs and other organs, leading to the formation of scar tissue

 a lack of oxygen in the blood that injures the brain, lungs and other organs

 life-saving treatment, including the use of mechanical ventilation, corticosteroids, sedatives and painkillers administered in intensive care.

In a study published in January, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington in Seattle found the risk of long Covid is increased by multiple early factors, including antibodies directed against their own tissues or organs known as autoantibodies, and a resurgence of the Epstein-Barr virus. Based on whats been observed with other viral diseases and research so far, other scientists speculate that different biological and genetic factors may be driving symptoms, none of which are mutually exclusive. These may include:

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 chronic, systemic inflammation

 immune dysregulation, such as when the bodys immune system overreacts or underreacts to a foreign invader

 interactions with the host microbiome, or microorganisms living in the body

 problems with the autonomic nervous system

 the persistence of viral particles or remnants in the body.

7. How serious is it?

Most long Covid symptoms dont seem to be life-threatening, but things like shortness of breath or fatigue can be disabling. In addition, for some Covid survivors, the infection may represent a pernicious insult on the body that damages vital organs and exacerbates other diseases, the effects of which may not become apparent for months, like a ticking time bomb. Some of the conditions that may manifest later include cardiac arrest, stroke, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, myocarditis and chronic kidney disease. Doctors have also noted an uptick in cases of diabetes linked to Covid. A study in February based on the VA health-care database in the U.S. found the virus may significantly increase a persons risk of heart disease for at least a year after recovery -- even if the person wasnt hospitalized. Other studies from the U.S., U.K. and Germany showed that people who were hospitalized for Covid have an increased risk of being readmitted or dying 6 to 12 months later.

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8. Do people recover from long Covid?

The health trajectories of Covid survivors vary widely -- from a complete resolution and a return to previous level of health in most people, to needing lung transplants in a small minority. In a subset of people, especially those whose initial infection was relatively severe, symptoms appear to be stubbornly persistent. A large study from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the pandemic virus was first detected, published last year found almost one in two Covid patients experienced persistent symptoms a year after leaving the hospital. A U.K. study of hospitalized patients published in January found that a year after discharge, fewer than 3 in 10 patients reported feeling fully recovered. Its possible the use of treatments for Covid, including monoclonal antibody therapies and antiviral medications, reduces the likelihood of long Covid, though this hasnt been demonstrated. There is emerging evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation services can improve a patients prospects of recovery.

9. Is Covid-19 definitely to blame for these symptoms?

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Not necessarily. Some symptoms might occur by chance or be triggered by stress and anxiety, while some pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, might have gone undiagnosed until Covid prompted medical attention. Social restrictions, lockdowns, school and business closures, loss of livelihood, decreases in economic activity and shifting priorities of governments all have the potential to substantially affect mental health, according to a study that appeared Oct. 8 in the Lancet. It found the pandemic has resulted in an extra 53.2 million cases of major depressive disorder and an extra 76.2 million cases of anxiety disorders globally. Diagnostic uncertainties have sometimes led to what patients describe as medical gaslighting by health professionals who dont take their complaints seriously, especially if the patient is a woman.

10. What are the broader implications?

Some researchers say the pandemic represents an emerging global crisis, potentially spurring a raft of long-term problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome, dementia, Parkinsons disease, diabetes and kidney impairment. The disability attributable to long Covid could account for as much as 30% of the pandemics health burden, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated. An uptick in treatments for depression, anxiety and pain has stoked concern of a spike in suicides and opioid overdoses. The U.S. CDC reported a surge in overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending April 2021. Several surveys of long Covid sufferers indicate the condition is leading to reduced work schedules and absenteeism that has implications for the workforce and labor productivity. With more than 500 million confirmed infections worldwide as of April 2022, even a small share with long-term disability could have enormous social and economic consequences. The U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a March 2 report that long Covid could affect the broader U.S. economy through decreased labor participation and an increased need for use of Social Security disability insurance or other publicly subsidized insurance.

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11. Do other pathogens cause prolonged illness?

Yes. While the development of long-term symptoms is sometimes framed as novel or mysterious, scientists say its actually an expected phenomenon. Most well-studied viral or bacterial pathogens have been linked to the development of chronic symptoms in a subset of infected patients. For example, post-viral syndromes can occur after the common cold, influenza, HIV, infectious mononucleosis, measles, Ebola and hepatitis B. Diabetes and other long-term consequences were observed in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which is caused by a related coronavirus. A Canadian study identified 21 health-care workers from Toronto who had post-viral symptoms for as long as three years after catching SARS in 2003 and were unable to return to their usual work. Some people who were hospitalized with SARS in Hong Kong had impaired lung function two years later, a study of 55 patients published in 2010 found. Still, its not known yet whether the lessons of SARS are applicable to Covid-19. Long Covid shares characteristics with many other long-term health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome and a blood-circulation disorder known as POTS. Studies into the drivers of long Covid could improve understanding of the causes of these conditions also.

12. What is being done?

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In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health was allocated $1.15 billion in funding to support research into the long-term effects of Covid. The studies hopes to get at issues such as the underlying biological causes and how they might be treated and prevented. Some researchers are pressing governments to focus attention on potential long-term organ damage. For example, researchers have shown the virus can infect insulin-producing pancreatic tissue, potentially triggering diabetes that in some cases persists beyond the acute infection. Thats prompted Australias Monash University and Kings College London to create a global registry for studying new onset diabetes. Some long haulers have reported feeling better after receiving a Covid vaccination, prompting researchers to examine the phenomenon and whether vaccines can offer clues to treatment. Avindra Nath, clinical director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said vaccines, including for flu, have been known to help patients with chronic fatigue, but relief has almost always been temporary.

(Adds study on global prevalence in section 2)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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Russias invasion of Ukraine is one of the most documented wars ever. (The Post)

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YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Russia is Armenia's strategic partner, the two countries effectively cooperate in the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

"As you said, this visit has not only practical, but also symbolic significance, because it is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, it shows that the relations between our countries are at a very high level. I hope that as a result of this visit, the dynamics will not only continue, but will become more effective. We are really in constant contact, we meet very often, we always have phone conversations, because the agenda of our bilateral relations is very saturated, practically in all spheres, starting from the economy, ending with culture, education, military-technical cooperation. Russia is a strategic partner of Armenia, we effectively cooperate in the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. It is no secret that Russia has a key role in ensuring security and stability in our region," Pashinyan said

The Prime Minister stressed the key role of Vladimir Putin in establishing a ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh in 2020.

"Since, the Russian peacekeepers have been operating in Nagorno Karabakh. It should be emphasized that, in general, of course, the activities of the Russian peacekeepers provide security and it seems that we need to look at what can be done to make the peacekeepers' activities more effective. And, of course, the main political issue in our region is the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, I hope we will talk about that today as well," Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister noted that his visit has a very full agenda, most of which is related to these negotiations.

"I am sure we will be able to hold effective negotiations, thank you, I am very glad to see you," Pashinyan concluded.
Happy Stories, Mostly by Norman Erikson Pasaribu. Credit: Happy Stories, Mostly, Norman Erikson Pasaribu, Giramondo ($26.95) Indonesian writer Norman Erikson Pasaribu has produced a piercing collection of short fiction, set within a working-class (and very Catholic) environment dominated by heterosexual assumptions. Acceptance eludes the queer characters populating this volume, even if their loved ones try, and if on the one hand, their difference makes them vulnerable  salient against the rigid religious culture they reconcile or reject in their own ways  theres sometimes transient relief in the clandestine communities and relationships they create for themselves. Pasaribus stories are permeated by a vampiric quality, a fading into the shadows in the face of the harsh glare of the normal, and its ambivalent tone is allied to an intensely sensitive intelligence that probes queer experience in condensed and reflective prose.

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. Credit: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Benjamin Stevenson, Michael Joseph ($32.99) A locked-room murder mystery with black comic undertones, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone invokes the Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction, subscribed to by Agatha Christie, G.K. Chesterton and others. A crime fiction boffin, Ern Cunningham, attends a snowbound retreat for a family reunion. Its going to be awkward. Ern has been largely estranged from them all since he dobbed his brother Michael in for killing someone. When a corpse is found on the slopes with the same MO as a serial killer, Ern is drawn to uncover the killer among his assembled relatives, including Michael, who has just been released from jail. The author adheres to classic strictures of mystery fiction while playing with the overdetermined, black comic caricature of something like Knives Out. As with that film, Stevensons novel is both overdone and underdrawn. Its reasonably well-plotted, but tonally, an insistent striving for humour  Stevenson is a comedian  can undermine atmosphere and suspense.

The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw. Credit: NON-FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK

The Mirror Book, Charlotte Grimshaw, Vintage, $35 When life enters a novel it becomes fiction. But what if you want to reverse the process and return to the truth of the matter, what do you get? In Charlotte Grimshaws extremely well-written memoir about her family (her father is CK Stead) and a crisis in her own marriage, often as not, you get more fiction. Her familys motto about experience was: Its material. Make a story out of it. But in a house of fiction, fiction is apt to prevail. When Grimshaw tells her father that her mother doesnt talk to her, he denies it, saying shes always talking to you  the family frequently emerging as troubled and in denial. One of her early relationships is brutally violent, but mirroring the family she, too, goes into denial. All the same, this is a deeply affectionate portrait, but always probing and unflinching in its examination of family and self.

Dismal Diplomacy, Disposable Sovereignty by Carrillo Gantner. Credit: Dismal Diplomacy, Disposable Sovereignty: Our Problem with China and America,

Carrillo Gantner, Monash University Publishing, $19.95 In the 1980s Carrillo Gantner, cultural counsellor at the Australian embassy in Beijing, negotiated the staging of Jack Hibberds A Stretch of the Imagination in Shanghai. It would take a giant stretch of the imagination to see that happening now. Gantners essay on the deeply damaging decline in Australian-Chinese relations over the last few years, which has seen Australia become, he says, Americas shoe-shine boy in the South Pacific, is an angry but measured examination of federal government failures and the hostile hype of the media (especially the Murdoch media) that has led to this state of affairs. But its also fuelled by long held Australian fears of the yellow peril. What the Chinese want, he argues, is respect, and our diplomatic failure to deliver this has merely made us politically irrelevant in Chinese eyes. Strong, timely stuff.

27 Letters to My Daughter by Ella Ward. Credit: 27 Letters to My Daughter, Ella Ward,

Harper Collins, $32.99 When Ella Ward found out she had a rare cancer, her response was to compose a series of letters about life and its lessons to her nine-year-old daughter  a miracle baby born after she had been pronounced infertile. It reads like a message in a bottle, Ward through most of it talking as though she has died. Stylistically, its easy, flowing epistolary story-telling that takes in the generations that have preceded mother and child, a central tenet being that we are the sum of all we are now as well as the ghostly past of our forebears. She talks about families, the break-up of her own parents, about travelling and learning, taking on life in all its paradoxes and challenges, the pain and the pleasure  as well as such good sound advice as doing the dishes before bed. Often funny, and moving, but always haunted by the shadow of mortality.

The Kelly Hunters by Grantlee Kieza. Credit: The Kelly Hunters, Grantlee Kieza, ABC Books $34.99 Although Kieza examines the Kelly backstory, the constant run-ins with the police, harsh prison sentences, and, above all, the imprisonment of Kellys mother, who predicted that there would be murder now  his emphasis is on the hunt for the Kelly gang after theyd killed three policemen at Stringybark Creek in 1878, leading to an 8000 pound reward. It was a massive operation, and Kieza charts how it all came together, especially the employment of the Queensland Aboriginal trackers who so unnerved the gang while they were on the run. This is highly informed, often rollicking popular history that sometimes resembles the 19th-century penny dreadful accounts of the Kellys exploits and capture  the Glenrowan shoot-out, especially, with Kelly emerging through the fog from the towns inn, armour-clad, like the ghost of Hamlets father.
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. According to the bilateral statement adopted based on the results of the meeting of the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Moscow, the parties agreed in accordance with the November 26, 2021 agreement, to speed up the establishment of a bilateral commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border area with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation at the request of the Parties.

The Parties agreed to speed up the establishment of a bilateral commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border area in accordance with the trilateral agreement of November 26, 2021 with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation at the request of the Parties.



The leaders were united in their assessment of the high usefulness of contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian religious figures and representatives of the societies with the support of Russia, which contributes to the "construction of bridges" between the peoples of the two countries. This practice will continue.



The Parties agreed to intensify the trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan aimed at supporting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the region in general, reads the statement.
Its going down and TikTokers are yelling timber. Coachellas rogue, unofficial little sister, the Revolve Festival, has been declared Fyre Fest 2.0, an unflattering nod to the infamous music festival that burned out in a blaze of drama in 2017.

Revolve attendees have flamed the fashion and music festival held over the past weekend, fuming about having to wait in line for hours in the Californian desert heat without water, just to be shuttled to the exclusive US$2000-a-head ($2700) event, with some claiming they didnt even make it through the gates.

Rapper Iann Dior performed at the Revolve Festival at Merv Griffin Estate. Credit:Vivien Killilea

What exactly is Revolve Festival?

Its an annual invite-only music, arts and shopping event, hosted by online retailer Revolve and held alongside the first weekend of Coachella. Attended by influencers, the festival is known for its social media displays, A-list musical acts and free clothes as part of the ticket price.

Ok, so what actually happened?

Picture a desert. Then imagine being stranded there for hours. Hosted at the Moroccan-themed Merv Griffin Estate in La Quinta, California, the only way to get to Revolve Festival was to wait for shuttle buses in a parking lot, more than two kilometres from the event.
When writer and actor Hannah Reilly was 17 and celebrating schoolies in a northern NSW surf town, a ball of white shining light wearing a princess-style tulle gown, tiara and gloves, came up the stairs at a house party one night.

She was smoking a ciggie and drinking a guava Cruiser, and I was like, Oh my God, who is this angel?, Reilly says. Im this little inner-city, turbo feminist whod come up from Sydney and I went up to her and said, Have you just been married? Why are you wearing that? What is going on?.

Hannah Reilly, right, with co-director Frasier Corfield, left, and Katelin Koprivec in costume as Taylah. Credit:Steven Siewert

After explaining shed been at a deb, Reilly, who had never heard of a debutante ball despite growing up on a farm until she was 13, grilled her new acquaintance for details.

Years later the encounter has spawned a new musical, titled The Deb, a comedy written and co-directed by Reilly and featuring songs co-written with singer-songwriter Megan Washington.
Most of the incidents happened in the intensive support unit, including suicide attempts, which were mostly from a group of detainees who called themselves the suicide squad. At the same time, assaults on staff also increased with 23 of 25 such incidents from October happening in the intensive support unit. The report stated that poor infrastructure, a lack of staff and inhumane living conditions had fuelled the volatility in Banksia last year. In an interview with the inspectors office, one detainee said life in the intensive support unit was terrible. Every day we are locked down all day, like 24-7. When I was moved out to A-wing I come up to the unit and thats when  like every day was just rolling lockdowns  and I was just getting angry, you know? And I smashed up my TV, they said.

And thats when I come back here and threatened to kill myself and self-harming. And Ive just been in here for like two weeks  yeah, Ive been in that cell for like two weeks. And every day is just stressful. Suicide attempts increased in late 2021 On October 11, three detainees in observation cells in the unit simultaneously threatened self-harm and suicide with Daniel, who had spent an average of only 2.8 hours outside his cell in the seven days leading up to the incident, seen to collapse on the floor unresponsive. He was taken to hospital but the centre was told he did not qualify for admission under the Mental Health Act. Daniel did eventually go to hospital but was back in Banksia a week later, where he attempted suicide again with an officer at the centre noting he did so in an attempt to get out of the detention facility. It was during this incident staff heard another detainee Alex shouting out suicide squad.

The next month Daniel climbed onto a roof and was threatening to self-harm. A day later was the incident where he attempted suicide and was found blue in the face and lifeless. Loading He was moved to a different unit in December, where he had more access to outdoor recreation and appeared to be in a better mental state. The report said it should not take several attempted suicides for a detainee to be provided with an environment supportive of their emotional wellbeing. The independent inspector Eamon Ryan said a show-cause notice was given to the Department of Justice in December, which received a comprehensive response in terms of how the many concerns would be addressed.

The issuing of a show-cause notice is not something we do as a matter of routine, weve probably issued two or three over the years weve been going and this is the first time we had to refer the concerns to the minister, he said. Weve never had to do that. Since the show-cause notice, the department has recruited 40 more youth custodial officers in the past two months and Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston has announced $25 million over four years to improve infrastructure and hire more support staff including Aboriginal workers, as 75 per cent of detainees are First Nations. The Department of Justice also states it is pursuing a more therapeutic response to the needs of children in Banksia Hill. Justice director general Dr Adam Tomison said the facility was calmer.

A small number of individuals were regularly damaging the facility, frequently assaulting staff and attempting serious self-harm, Tomison said. Meeting the complex needs of those young people, combined with staff shortages led to an increase in lockdowns, reduced access to some services and made it difficult to provide meaningful out-of-cell time across the centre, especially in the ISU. The improvements and reforms are helping return the centre to normal and safer operations, allowing the ISU in particular to sustainably address the needs of at-risk young people. Ryan said conditions had improved since his offices December inspection but there were still a number of critical incidents including kids on the roof or assaulting staff. He said the department had not committed to setting a two-hour minimum standard for out-of-cell time.

There hasnt been any talk about changing those rules, Ryan said. Even if you give them four hours out of cell theyre still locked up for 20 hours in the day, you would really want them out and about as much as possible. The standard day allows for 11 hours and 15 minutes, youd want to see that at the very least. Gerry Georgatos, who is on the Banksia Hill Class Action team, said the $25 million pledge announced by the state government on Monday, a day before the inspectors report was released, was nowhere near enough. These children are our most critically vulnerable. They are layered with trauma, near all of it unaddressed. Many have no safety nets, some are homeless, some are orphans, he said.
Labor will launch a sweeping review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in a pledge to make the $30.8 billion system deliver better services to more than 500,000 people if it forms government, warning that money is being wasted while Australians are denied help.

The overhaul would begin with a review of excessive contracts with consultants including lawyers who are making crucial decisions about service plans for vulnerable Australians, holding out the promise of a streamlined service for people in need.

Federal Labor will on Tuesday promise a review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Credit: Louie Douvis

Labor disability services spokesman Bill Shorten will unveil the plan on Tuesday with a promise to bring forward a review meant to be conducted by the Productivity Commission next year and to ensure Australians with a disability are given a voice in the inquiry.

It should have the rigour of a Productivity Commission review but the voice of people with a disability in the design of it, so we will talk to the disability sector before we set it up, he said.
London: Boris Johnson has suffered a severe blow from a highly respected former chief whip who told him he is no longer fit to be prime minister of the United Kingdom.

It comes as pressure mounts on the leader over partygate  a scandal involving a series of gatherings and parties held in Number 10 while the country was in lockdown during the pandemic.

The Conservative prime minister was fined last week for breaking COVID-19 rules but has so far escaped more severe recriminations from his MPs.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Credit:AP

Speaking in the House of Commons in his first encounter with MPs since he and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak were fined, Johnson apologised multiple times. Nevertheless, he said that he would continue in the job and deliver on the priorities of the British people, singling out the war in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel, informed the Office of the Prime Minister.

April 19, 2022, 09:15 PM Pashinyan holds phone conversation with EU's Charles Michel

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: The interlocutors exchanged views on the implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting between the President of the European Council, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan in Brussels on April 6, the situation in the region and a number of issues on the agenda of Armenia-EU relations.

Pashinyan and Michel also discussed the implementation of the agreement on allocating  2.6 billion to Armenia within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership economic and investment plan, emphasizing the importance of effective implementation of the programs envisaged by the investment package. Charles Michel reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the full implementation of the investment program for Armenia and stressed the importance of starting the practical implementation phase of the programs as soon as possible.
Russia begins another stage of its special military operation in Ukraine to liberate the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics (DPR and LPR respectively), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday, Tass informs.

April 19, 2022, 15:14 Russia begins another stage of special military operation in Ukraine, says Lavrov

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Another stage of this operation (in eastern Ukraine) is beginning and I am sure this will be a very important moment of this entire special operation," Lavrov said speaking in an interview with India Today television channel.

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced recognizing the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics. Russia recognized the Donbass republics in accordance with the DPR and LPR constitutions within the boundaries of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions as of the beginning of 2014.

Russian President Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, noting that the operation was aimed at the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine.
The Greek authorities have seized the Russian-flagged Pegas tanker with 19 Russian sailors on board near the island of Karystos in Evia, the Athens-Macedonian News Agency reported on Tuesday, Tass informs.

April 19, 2022, 15:30 Greece seizes Russian-flagged tanker with 19 crew members on board due to EU sanctions

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: The tanker is held at an anchorage in the bay of Karystos on the decision of port authorities, according to the report. The order was given by the Authority Against Legalizing Income from Criminal Activities, in compliance with the sanctions imposed on ships owned by Russian interests by the European Union and NATO, the agency said.

The tanker, which had a mechanical breakdown, was being escorted by a tug to the Peloponnese so that its cargo could be transferred to another ship but was forced to seek shelter from rough seas on Karystos as it approached Kavo Doro.

The order for its seizure concerns the ship itself and not its cargo, the agency said citing sources.
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday will discuss with the leaders of countries that are allies and partners of the United States, measures aimed at supporting Ukraine and countering Russia's armed invasion., news.am informs.

April 19, 2022, 14:35 Biden to discuss Ukraine with US allies and partners

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: The President will hold a secure video call with allies and partners to discuss continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable as part of our close coordination.

The talks will be held behind closed doors for the press.
President Joe Bidens administration has been working for months to prepare people to rethink their personal risk calculations as the nation gets used to the idea of living with an endemic COVID-19. That measured approach disappeared abruptly after a federal judge threw out a federal requirement to mask up when using mass transit. The ruling adds to the administrations messaging challenges as it tries to move past the virus in the leadup to midterm elections. The Biden administration is accelerating its efforts to provide the best advice for millions making their own personal safety decisions on the still-dangerous pandemic. Its both a public health imperative and an important shift in emphasis for Bidens political future.
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The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stated that there are still many issues over Nagorno Karabakh, the correspondent of Armenpress informs Putin said during the meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who is on a two-day official visit to the Russian Federation.

April 19, 2022, 18:30 Many issues still remain over Karabakh  Putin tells Pashinyan

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 19, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: "Of course, our focus will be on security issues, including those related to Karabakh. I agree with you, there are many issues left. We are in constant contact with you, if not every week, then we definitely have a telephone conversation every 10 days. And we have regular meetings, even though it is a period of pandemic. I am glad to see you, welcome," Putin said.

The Russian President noted that Armenia and Russia have signed over 200 documents, which create a good opportunity to work in almost all spheres, the most significant of which is the economic sphere.

"According to our data, in 2021 the growth of the trade turnover was 12.8%. In the first months of this year it has increased by 50%. It is a very good indicator in this period," Putin concluded.
Community input and local knowledge will be crucial to guiding a new state government corporation established to rebuild the NSW Northern Rivers region following months of devastating floods.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation will work with councils to rebuild transport and communications infrastructure as well as push the economic recovery, including providing jobs in the region.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the new body in Lismore, saying it would reduce the bureaucracy that had delayed recovery efforts, as well as prepare for inevitable floods in future.

Lismore was hit with repeated flooding as relentless rain drenched the region throughout February and March.

"We can't go through such a substantive event and do things the way we've done things in the past," Mr Perrottet said on Tuesday.

"Areas of government can operate in silos and not in co-ordination."

Regional NSW deputy secretary of commercial and corporate services David Witherdin will lead the new corporation.

The flood recovery effort was progressing in the Northern Rivers but there was still a long way to go, Mr Perrottet said.

"We've had people lose their lives. Many people have had their homes destroyed, businesses lost. It has been a very difficult time."

The corporation, which will officially form on July 1, will consider the need for communities to adapt for future events.

It is complementary to the immediate focus of Resilience NSW and the work of Northern Rivers recovery co-ordinator Mal Lanyon, with a view to the medium and long-term response and preparation.

Mr Perrottet said he did not want to see "bloated bureaucracy".

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has been calling for a single government body to lead the rebuilding effort.

Opposition Leader Chris Minns said he hoped the government stuck to its promise to listen to and work with councils and communities.

"One of the problems with previous flood recovery responses (is) we haven't been listening to the people directly affected,' he said.

Story continues

The new corporation needed specific goals and objectives to avoid becoming another layer of the bureaucracy.

It would also be subject to oversight in the parliament to make sure the work was followed through, given what Mr Minns described as a mixed record of NSW government state owned corporations in recent years.

The Insurance Council of Australia welcomed the move, saying there was a need for an overarching plan for the rebuild process, as well as the establishment of a high-level cross-sector leadership group.

"Beyond the immediate clean-up and community recovery, it is clear there are complex issues to work through if we are to ensure the Lismore community is made more resilient to future flood events, ICA CEO Andrew Hall said.

"These issues include the construction of community resilience infrastructure such as levees, the future insurability and lendability of homes and businesses, land use planning, land use decisions by major commercial residents, and building codes and standards."

Multiple inquiries are being conducted into the disastrous floods, which killed at least 10 people across the Northern Rivers and western Sydney.

The new corporation will play a role in responding and implementing relevant outcomes from those inquiries and reviews as well as focusing on long term strategy in the flood prone Northern Rivers.

Some 2000 temporary modular homes that can accommodate up to four people are due to be installed at Wollongbar, west of Ballina, but installing them will take about a month.

Other temporary housing options include motorhomes, accommodation at recreation camps, and 16 weeks' rental support.
Pipeline - Freelance Translation Assistants, Vienna, Austria

Organization: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Country: Austria

City: Vienna

Office: IAEA Vienna, Austria

Closing date: Sunday, 22 May 2022

Pipeline

Freelance Translation Assistants

( PIP-MTCD-003 )

Organization: MTCD-Division of Conference and Document Services

Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting: 2022-04-14, 12:37:02 PM

The IAEA is the worlds centre of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the worlds "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies. The IAEA Secretariat, a team of 2300 multi-disciplinary professional and support staff from more than 100 countries, is headquartered at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.

The Department of Management (MT) provides a platform of services that serves as a foundation for the successful delivery of the IAEAs scientific and technical programmes. Its mission statement is as follows: "MT is a partner and a business enabler that champions change and efficiency, leveraging a common purpose". Thus, among other support activities, it assists a scientific manager in recruiting the right expert, helps a technical officer coordinate the purchase of radiation equipment, and ensures that all Board documents are translated and distributed on a timely basis to Member States.

One of the main functions assigned to the IAEA by its Statute is to foster the exchange of scientific and technical information and the dissemination of knowledge in the nuclear field among Member States. To facilitate the effective exchange and dissemination of information relevant to the IAEAs work and mandate, the Division of Conference and Document Services coordinates and supports the implementation of these activities for its users and clients, both internal and external, by organizing meetings and conferences, issuing documents in the six official United Nations (UN) languages, i.e. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, and occasionally from and into other languages, editing, printing and distributing publications.

Each of the six Translation Sections in the Division provides translations of a broad range of documents and publications. They are responsible for translating documents into the six United Nations languages. The English Translation Section also prepares summary records of Agency meetings. High quality translations and records are required, and often short deadlines are involved.

Main Purpose

The purpose of this pipeline announcement is to build up the Agencys roster of Translation Assistants. The talent pipeline is open to enable Translation Assistants to express their interest in freelance employment with the IAEA. The expressions of interest received will be reviewed by responsible officers with a view to sourcing candidates for temporary, office-based, or home-based Translation Assistant opportunities.

The Translation Assistants engagement may be intermittent or ongoing. Contractual hiring will be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the IAEA and the AITC Agreement.

The respective compensation policy will be applied depending on the type of contractual agreement offered.

Role

As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the freelance Translation Assistant may be required to process, format, incorporate changes in and proofread documents translated into one of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. In some cases, the Translation Assistant may be required to carry out desktop publishing or design work.

Key Results Expected

The results expected depend on the requirements of each contractual arrangement and may include the following:

Receive and deliver translation jobs, handling them according to their classification category.

Prepare texts for translation using computer-assisted translation (CAT) software. After translation, incorporate changes in and format translated texts, including those containing tables, charts, figures, diagrams, and references, then check them to ensure that they accurately reflect the original text and check spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and completeness against the original text which is often in English.

Align translated texts when necessary and update the CAT memory with reliable texts.

Draft emails in English to inform clients and to respond, when appropriate, to clients emails on the delivery of translation jobs.

Create, where appropriate, the final version of texts as PDF files for dispatching, archiving, and uploading on the IAEAs website.

Carry out other duties as required.

Education, Experience and Language skills

Completed secondary education (high school diploma) is required.

Relevant working experience, preferably assisting the translation services of an international organization.

Successful completion of the relevant Translation Sections language and text processing tests.

Perfect command of the relevant language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and/or Spanish) as mother tongue or principal language of education and good command of English is necessary.

Experience in using Microsoft Office software and IT translation tools, Trados Studio or DeepL, is desirable.

Knowledge of InDesign software is an asset.

Familiarity with the IAEA and its operations is desirable.

Organizational Core and Functional Competencies

Core competencies

Planning and organization

Teamwork

Achieving results

Communication

Functional competencies

Analytical thinking

Knowledge sharing and learning

Client orientation

Applications from candidates from developing countries are encouraged

Registration within this Talent Pipeline does not constitute any formal obligation on the side of the IAEA to offer any type of employment.

Applicants should be aware that IAEA personnel is bound to a code of conduct and may not accept instructions from any other authority external to the Organization. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity , Professionalism and Respect for diversity . The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment against this pipeline, or to make an appointment with a modified job description than indicated above. Testing may be part of the selection process.

Link to the organizations job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1649957390277
Program Associate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Country: Ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Office: UNDP Addis Ababa

Closing date: Tuesday, 3 May 2022

Program Associate

Location : Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Application Deadline : 03-May-22 (Midnight New York, USA)

Additional Category : Gender Equality

Type of Contract : Service Contract

Post Level : SB-4

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

15-Jun-2022

Duration of Initial Contract : 12 Months with possibility of extension

Expected Duration of Assignment : 12 Months with possibility of extension

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. UN Women supports United Nations Member States in setting international standards for achieving gender equality and works with governments and civil society to formulate and enforce the laws, policies, programs and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and that they truly benefit women and girls around the world.

UN Women through its Liaison Office to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) engages with the AU and its various organs, the UNECA and civil society organizations, as well as the diplomatic community. Through the office, UN Women provides technical support to Member States and the AU in the adoption, implementation and monitoring of commitments on gender equality and womens empowerment (GEWE), in accordance with its mandate. Furthermore, the UN Women Liaison Office represents UN Women in the UN Liaison Team and facilitates the participation of relevant UN Women Offices including regional offices for East and Southern Africa (ESAR), West and Central Africa (WCAR) and North Africa (ROAS) in the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) for Africa to advance the GEWE agenda on the continent.

UN Women through its Liaison Office to the AU and ECA aims at providing technical assistance to the African Union Commission (AUC) through the Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD) to effectively mainstream gender issues in AU and its programs and policy processes. UN Women Liaison Office also collaborates with relevant departments of the AUC for gender responsive development and implementation of regional initiatives. In addition, the Liaison Office continues to establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with relevant UN agencies, INGOs and CSOs to implement catalytic initiatives in supporting the continental GEWE agenda. In this regard, the Liaison Office carries out knowledge management activities by tracking the implementation of policies as well as identifying and disseminating advocacy messages and good practices to inform decisions and priorities of the AU and its organs. The Liaison Office accordingly endeavors to catalyze the adoption and implementation of gender responsive regional policies which inform programming, policy and partnerships at different levels in Africa.

In 2022, with the establishment of the Liaison Office as a full-fledged presence, it set out to develop a Strategic Note (2022-2025) to define its key development results and management/operational results. The Strategic Note will be aligned with the global UN Women Strategic Plan (2022-2025), the AU GEWE Strategy (2018-2028), Agenda 2063 and other key GEWE, peace and development frameworks of Africa as well as global normative frameworks. To support this process and ongoing collaborations with AU and other regional stakeholders, the Liaison Office proposes to engage the services of a "Program Associate" who will be part of the core Liaison Office program team.

Reporting to the Liaison Specialist, the Program Associate contributes to the effective management of UN Women Liaison Office programmes and initiatives by providing substantive inputs to programme design, formulation, implementation, and evaluation. The Program Associate facilitates the delivery of UN Women Liaison priorities by monitoring results achieved during implementation by ensuring the appropriate application of systems and procedures as well as developing enhancements if necessary. The Program Associate works in close collaboration with the programme and operations team in UN Women Liaison Office, Regional Offices, Ethiopia Country Office and HQs as well as officials in regional organisations, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations to ensure the successful implementation of UN Women Liaison initiatives and programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Contribute technically to the development and implementation of programmes and initiatives of the Liaison Office

Provide substantive inputs to the design and formulation of programme/ project proposals and initiatives;

Provide technical and logistical support to the development of UN Women Liaison Strategic Note 2022-2025

Provide technical inputs to the development of Liaison Office annual workplan and budget;

Lead the implementation of programme, normative and coordination activities;

Lead the coordination of the call/request for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees, and capacity assessment of regional partners;

Provide technical assistance and capacity development to regional project/programme partners

Coordinate and provide technical support to AU, UN System and regional CSOs in the implementation of continental GEWe programs and initiatives;

Maintain relationships with regional partners to support implementation and expansion of UN Women Liaison portfolio;

Identify opportunities for capacity building of partners and facilitate technical/ programming support and trainings to partners, as needed.

Provide technical inputs to the monitoring and reporting of Liaison programmes/ projects and initiatives

Monitor progress of implementation of activities and finances using results-based management tools;

Draft results, outputs and outcomes reports on Liaison programmes/projects and initiatives

Provide substantive inputs to the preparation of donor and UN Women Liaison Office reports.

Provide substantive technical inputs to the management of finances of the Liaison Office

Monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/ revisions, as necessary;

Provide substantive inputs to financial reports;

Monitor and ensure the timely submission donor reports.

Provide substantive inputs to building partnerships and resource mobilization strategies

Provide substantive inputs to resource mobilization strategies; analyze and maintain information and databases;

Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, briefing notes, speeches, and donor profiles;

Contribute to development and strengthening of networks and broad-based partnerships at regional level to ensure collective knowledge of gender equality, advocacy and lobby for GEWE and documentation on good practices;

Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, briefing notes, speeches, and donor profiles;

Participate in donor meetings and public information events, as delegated.

Provide technical support to inter-agency coordination for gender mainstreaming through coherence and alignment of UN Women programmes and initatives with other regional partners

Provide substantive technical support to the Special Representative on inter-agency coordination related activities by drafting background reports and briefs;

Participate and provide technical inputs and coordination support to UNs Regional Coordination Mechanism Clusters and UN Liaison Team;

Prepare analytical and regular progress reports on UN Womens regional level inter-agency coordination role.

Provide substantive inputs to advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts

Develop background documents, briefs and presentations related to Liaison thematic priority areas;

Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;

Coordinate the development of knowledge management methodologies, and products to inform regional policy development, monitoring and implementation;

Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;

Provide support to the documentation and sharing of good practices and dissemination of lessons learned in the implementation of AU led initiatives;

Proactively contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity;

Integrity;

Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;

Accountability;

Creative Problem Solving;

Effective Communication;

Inclusive Collaboration;

Stakeholder Engagement

Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies

Good programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting skills

Knowledge of Results Based Management;

Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions and present findings and recommendations

Good analytical skills;

Knowledge of the Africa regional gender equality and womens empowerment context

Understanding and knowledge of intergovernmental policy processes, mechanisms, and partnerships

Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to partnerships and resource mobilization

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Masters degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/womens studies, international development, or a related field is required

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage

Expeirence

At least two years of progressive work experience in programme/project development and implementation, policy advocacy, coordination, knowledge management, donor reporting and capacity building at global/regional/national levels;

Experience coordinating and liaising with intergovernmental agencies and regional organizations such as AU and RECs as well as donors

Language

Fluency in oral and written English is required;

Knowledge of French language is an asset.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) a completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment.

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment and candidates are required to include in the P-11 form links for their previously published reports and articles completed within the last two years. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Womens policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Link to the organizations job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1650310595874
In one day, Vanessa Fajans-Turner read two documents that showed why there needs to be aggressive action to address climate change.

A United Nations report detailed the harmful effects of climate change and the steps required to prevent catastrophic consequences. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon wrote in his annual letter to shareholders that abandoning fossil fuel companies "is not a solution." Among banks, JPMorgan Chase is the largest financier of fossil fuels.

Fajans-Turner, a Democrat running to represent the 22nd Congressional District, is marking Earth Week by unveiling her climate agenda. One of the main points is to highlight an often overlooked player in climate change  the financial institutions supporting fossil fuel companies. The burning of fossil fuels produces the most carbon emissions.

"We see that parts of our business community are ignoring, over and over, the advice of our scientific community and we see that our political representatives are too often erring on the side of the business community in support of short-term profits rather than our short-term and long-term stability and security," Fajans-Turner said in an interview with The Citizen.

The issue of the financial industry's role in funding fossil fuels is not new to Fajans-Turner. She is the executive director of BankFWD, which is described on its website as "a network of individuals and organizations using their collective wealth and public standing to persuade major banks to lead on climate by phasing out financial for fossil fuels."

Earth Day is Friday and it's usually a day for people to clean up parks, plant trees, or take a bolder step in their lives by buying an electric vehicle or installing solar panels on their homes. But Fajans-Turner thinks they should consider another action: changing banks.

Some prominent banks  JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi and Bank of America  are the largest financiers of fossil fuel companies. Fajans-Turner, who says she has a personal account with Bank of America, plans to close that account this week in protest of the bank's interim 2030 emissions reduction targets, which she says are "insufficient to achieve" their goal to have net-zero emissions by 2050.

She recommended checking bank.green, a website where you can enter your country and it will provide a list of banks that do not finance fossil fuels. Her campaign is using Amalgamated Bank, a labor-backed institution that does not fund fossil fuel companies. Beneficial State Bank is another that does not finance fossil fuels.

If people decide to change banks, Fajans-Turner recommends letting them know why you are leaving.

"Small individual clients like myself who have very little resources for a bank aren't going to move the needle ourselves," she explained. "But it is very important that we start to normalize the expectation of banks that they do this." She added that BankFWD will be releasing reports showing how your carbon footprint can change based on your choice of bank.

While selecting a bank is a small step, Fajans-Turner is eyeing federal action if she is elected to Congress. She supports implementing regulations on financial institutions to prevent fossil fuel expansion. She said the proposal would block the financial industry from profiting off new fossil fuel infrastructure.

"That doesn't mean we shut off the fossil fuel taps overnight," she said. "That just means we aren't locking in infrastructure that will only come online 10 to 20 years from now at a point when we need to be largely off fossil fuels."

Additionally, she supports ending the subsidies and tax breaks given to fossil fuel companies. To address a short-term concern, she endorsed legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, that would tax fossil fuel companies profiting off the war in Ukraine. As Russia continues its invasion, oil and gas prices have increased. Under Merkley's bill, the revenue would be used to send relief checks to Americans.

Fajans-Turner agrees that relief from high gas prices is needed, but she wants to ensure that the checks are paid by fossil fuel companies.

"We cannot give them a free pass," she said.

Her platform also focuses on the need to make climate change an important part of the United States' international relations and national security. Other proposals include banning offshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing on federal lands. She also wants a federal moratorium on energy-intensive, proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining.

There is an economic component to her plan. She believes central New York can reclaim its status as a manufacturing hub by hosting companies that produce electric vehicle parts, renewable battery parts and parts for heat pumps and solar panels. She also supports federal funding to encourage small- and medium-sized farmers to adopt sustainable and regenerative practices and efforts to restore watersheds affected by harmful algal blooms. And she thinks the federal government should be helping individuals make changes that would reduce their carbon footprints, whether that's buying an electric vehicle or installing solar panels.

Fajans-Turner, believing it's important to walk the walk, has sought to limit her campaign's emissions. She owns an electric vehicle and uses that to drive to events. But her campaign has a base of volunteers and staffers who can't control their vehicle choice. To offset those emissions, she said her campaign will make a contribution to the Finger Lakes Climate Fund.

"We don't believe in offsets as a first order of operations," she said. "We aim to reduce our footprint in every way possible."

So far, Fajans-Turner has been gaining momentum since launching her campaign for Congress in February. During the petitioning phase, her campaign collected more than 3,700 signatures. She also raised $250,000 in the last six weeks of the fundraising quarter, the second-largest haul of any candidate in the six-way Democratic primary.

That momentum, she said, reflects the urgency and timeliness of her campaign.

"I'm not someone who has ever envisioned running for office prior to this," she said. "I just believe that I'm somebody who has a particular skill set that matches the particular needs, challenges and opportunities for this particular moment. I'm running now because I can help now. This isn't an abstract wish to serve. I wish to serve now because I think I can best serve now."

The 22nd Congressional District is comprised of Onondaga and Tompkins counties, plus portions of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Ontario, Schuyler and Seneca counties.

The primary election will be held on June 28.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Mike Sigler has a 2-to-1 financial advantage in the 22nd Congressional District's Republican primary, but Brandon Williams was the top fundraiser in the first quarter of 2022.

Williams, R-Sennett, reported receipts totaling $104,503.87, including $93,788 in individual contributions. Sigler, R-Lansing, had $192,924 in receipts, $67,924 of which were contributions from individuals ($65,674) and political committees ($2,250).

Williams also outspent Sigler, $16,296 to $664. But Sigler has more money in the bank, $192,259 to $88,206.

Most of Sigler's money came from his own pocket. He loaned his campaign $125,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. The loans accounted for nearly two-thirds of his receipts in the fundraising quarter.

Williams helped his own cause with a $2,915.81 loan. He also transferred $7,800 from the Team Brandon Victory Committee, a joint fundraising committee that was created to support his congressional campaign. The committee received $29,400 in contributions in the first quarter.

In addition to the joint fundraising committee, Williams has a political action committee, Central New York PAC, that received $12,000 in donations and transfers. Records show a $10,000 transfer was made from the joint fundraising committee to his PAC.

Williams has sought to claim political outsider status in the race against Sigler, who is a Tompkins County legislator and chair of his county's Republican committee. He is vying for the Republican nomination and has already received the state Conservative Party's endorsement.

"I am thrilled to have an outpouring of support as we kicked off our campaign," Williams said. "In five short weeks, we exceeded our goal and outraised my competitor, a career politician who has been working for months to run for higher office. I'm an outsider and a conservative who wants to get our country back on track and move our nation forward."

Sigler has the backing of Republican committees in the eight-county 22nd district, which includes all of Onondaga and Tompkins counties, plus parts of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Ontario, Schuyler and Seneca counties.

His notable donors include Roy Park Jr., CEO of Park Outdoor Advertising, who gave $2,900. (Sigler works for the advertising company.) U.S. Rep. Tom Reed's campaign contributed $1,000. Reed represents part of the newly drawn 22nd district. He is not running for reelection this year.

"Winning takes a committed candidate, an overwhelming level of party support and the resources needed to win. We have all three," Sigler said. "Donors know this race is not just about me. It's about something bigger. It's about changing the direction Democratic leadership is taking us in. My supporters want to fix the problems and trust I'm the person to do that."

The winner of the June 28 primary election will have the GOP line against the Democratic nominee. Democrats have a six-way primary to decide who will have the party's line in the 22nd district.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Hospitals across Canada are facing a resurgence of patients with COVID-19 that some health officials say will likely continue for another month.

Hospitals across Canada are facing a resurgence of patients with COVID-19 that some health officials say will likely continue for another month.

Latest data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose about 18 per cent across Canada between April 4 and April 11  to 6,020 people needing beds.

A paramedic loads a stretcher back into the ambulance after bringing a patient to the emergency room at a hospital in Montreal on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Hospitals across Canada are facing a resurgence of COVID-19 patients that some health officials say will continue for another month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

In the last week, Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Prairies have all reported an increase in hospitalizations from the virus and intensive care admissions have also inched slightly upwards in some provinces.

Latest available data from the provinces shows Quebec had 2,220 people in hospital and Ontario had 1,301. There were 1,053 hospitalizations in Alberta, 403 in Saskatchewan, 158 in Manitoba and 59 in Nova Scotia.

Dr. Eddy Lang, department head of emergency medicine in Calgary for Alberta Health Services, said his province is in its sixth waveof the pandemic fuelled by the BA. 2 sub-variant of Omicron,but it's not as dramatic as the original Omicron surge.

"No one in health care would support the 'let it rip approach,' but in terms of hospitalization capacity, we're not seeing the same strain in our ICU capacity as we did with (the Deltavariant)and we should be able to manage," Lang said Monday.

During the week of Jan. 24, when Omicron's BA. 1 variant was at a peak, there were more than 11,000 people in hospital across Canada, says the Public Health Agency of Canada.

In mid-March, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 came down to 3,878 before starting to climb again.

On Tuesday, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said hospitals in her province are still able to manage the increase in patients, so the Progressive Conservative government isn't looking to expand a mask mandate beyond hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes and congregate living settings.

"(Chief medical officer) Dr. Kieran Moore does not believe at this point that we need to return to everyone wearing masks wherever they are," Elliott said.

"We don't anticipate that this (wave) is going to hit the same heights that we reached in the fifth peak."

The rise in hospitalizations correlates with provinces easing restrictions and public health orders, said Thomas Tenkate, associate professor with the School of Occupational and Public Health at Ryerson University in Toronto.

"The overall question is what level are we happy to accept, and that generally seems to be now based on whether or not the health-care system is overloaded  particularly ICUs and hospitals more broadly," Tenkate said.

"We're at the point where all the provincial governments  are saying we've done the best we can, and it's on you as an individual to decide how much risk you want to take. These are the measures we recommend but we're not going to require these things."

Tenkate said the public can expect COVID-19 to act similarly to a cold or influenza, which flare up during certain times.

"At different times of the year we'll have more peaks. If we're in the sixth wave, we'll have the seventh, eight and ninth," he said. "Whether it's once or twice a year, I don't know."

Lang said the current wave of rising hospitalizations will likely peak in mid-May based on wastewater analysis and data from the United Kingdom.

Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan's chief medical officer of health, also projects the latest resurgence will end within the next few weeks. Canadians, in the meantime, have "unfinished business" when it comes to getting vaccinated, he said.

Earlier this month, Shahab said the bulk of hospitalizations in Saskatchewan were being driven by people who remained unvaccinated or who were vulnerable and hadn't received a booster shot.

That aligns with data from the Public Health Agency that shows as of March 27, people with three doses of vaccine made up about 10 per cent of hospitalizations Canada-wide, while the unvaccinated accounted for 61 per cent. About 20 per cent of patients had had two shots.

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"Being fully vaccinated in any age group and getting boosted protects you from hospitalization," Shahab said.

"COVID-19 is not something that's going to go away and over time most of us are going to be exposed to Omicron."

Health Canada says people who are vaccinated are significantly protected from severe outcomes from COVID-19, which include hospitalization and death.

It found that throughout March cases in the unvaccinated were eight times more likely to end up in hospital and 11 times more likely to die compared with the fully vaccinated who had received a booster shot.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. Previous version spelled Elliott with one t.
LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered what he said was a wholehearted apology for attending an illegal party during lockdown  but insisted he didn't knowingly break rules or mislead Parliament, and brushed off calls to resign.

FILE - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a speech at Lydd Airport, south east England, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Johnson is facing British lawmakers for the first time since he was fined by police for attending a birthday party in his office that broke coronavirus lockdown rules. As the House of Commons returns Tuesday, April 19, 2022 from an 11-day Easter break, Johnson is expected to apologize for what he insists was a minor slip-up. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool, File)

LONDON (AP)  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered what he said was a "wholehearted" apology for attending an illegal party during lockdown  but insisted he didn't knowingly break rules or mislead Parliament, and brushed off calls to resign.

Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that it simply "did not occur to me" that the birthday gathering, complete with a cake, was a party.

That excuse was greeted with derision by opposition politicians  and some among the governing Conservatives  who have called with increasing frustration for Johnson to quit since stories began to circulate late last year of parties in the prime minister's office and other government buildings in 2020 and 2021, when millions in the country were barred from meeting with friends and family or even attending funerals for their loved ones.

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer branded the apology "half-hearted" and "a joke."

Last week, Johnson was fined 50 pounds ($66) for attending his own surprise birthday party in 10 Downing St. in June 2020, making him the first British prime minister ever found to have broken the law while in office.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 10 Downing Street, London, ahead of talks with Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani Tuesday April 19, 2022. (Daniel Leal/pool photo via AP)

Speaking as the House of Commons returned from an 11-day Easter break, Johnson acknowledged people's "hurt and anger," but added that "it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room, just before a vital meeting on COVID strategy, could amount to a breach of the rules."

Starmer said that excuse would ring hollow with ordinary people who "understand that the rules apply to all of us," and he challenged Conservatives to "bring an end to this shameful chapter" and jettison Johnson.

"He knows hes dishonest and incapable of changing," Starmer said. "So he drags everybody else down with him."

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons to make a statement about Downing Street parties during the coronavirus lockdowns in London, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Starmer was told off by House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for accusing another member of dishonesty  a breach of parliamentary rules. Minutes later, Labour lawmaker Karl Turner also was chastised by the Speaker after branding Johnson a liar.

"I withdraw the word liar, Mr. Speaker," Turner said. "But the electorate will already have decided."

Labour has not given up on trying to get lawmakers to censure Johnson over the "partygate" scandal. Speaker Hoyle said he would allow Labour to hold a Commons debate and vote Thursday on whether Johnson should be investigated for allegedly misleading Parliament. Ministers found to have done that knowingly are generally expected to resign.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson waves to the media as he leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons to make a statement about Downing Street parties during the coronavirus lockdowns in London, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Johnson is due to be out of the country Thursday on a visit to India, and the big Conservative majority in Parliament means the measure is unlikely to pass. But the vote will force Tory lawmakers uneasy with the prime minister to publicly back him or criticize him.

Johnson insisted Tuesday that he was contrite, but argued it would be wrong to change leaders while Britain faces crises including the war in Ukraine and a cost-of-living squeeze driven by surging energy and goods prices.

Johnsons grip on power had appeared to be on a knife-edge earlier this year amid police and civil service investigations into the parties, and the departure of several top aides.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons to make a statement about Downing Street parties during the coronavirus lockdowns in London, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Allies feared "partygate" could become a tipping point for a divisive but resilient leader who has weathered a series of other storms over his expenses and his moral judgment. Some Conservative lawmakers were openly calling for a no-confidence vote in Johnson.

But Johnson has hung on, partly because Russias invasion of Ukraine has seized public and political attention.

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Johnsons international image, battered by Britains messy exit from the European Union under his leadership, has been revived by his firm military, political and moral support for Ukraine. Johnson traveled to Kyiv earlier this month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Johnson's troubles are not over and he could still face more fines. Londons Metropolitan Police force is investigating a dozen events, including "bring your own booze" office parties and "wine time Fridays," and Johnson is reported to have attended several of them. So far at least 50 tickets have been handed out, including those to Johnson, his wife Carrie and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak.

If Johnson is sanctioned again, calls for a no-confidence vote could grow among Conservatives. For now, many are biding their time, and looking to see whether public anger translates into losses for the party at local elections across the country on May 5.

Conservative lawmaker Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said his colleagues were "withholding their judgment and waiting to see what happens."

But fellow Conservative Mark Harper, a former government chief whip, said Johnson "broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow" and "hasnt been straightforward about it."

"Im very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds," Harper said.
MODESTO, Calif. (AP)  Between vast almond orchards and dairy pastures in the heart of Californias farm country sits a property being redesigned to look like it did 150 years ago, before levees restricted the flow of rivers that weave across the landscape.

The Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers meet on the edge of the Dos Rios Ranch Preserve in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. The 2,100-acre preserve is California's largest floodplain restoration project, designed to give the rivers room to breath and restore traditional riparian habitats. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

MODESTO, Calif. (AP)  Between vast almond orchards and dairy pastures in the heart of Californias farm country sits a property being redesigned to look like it did 150 years ago, before levees restricted the flow of rivers that weave across the landscape.

The 2,100 acres (1,100 hectares) at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers in the states Central Valley are being reverted to a floodplain. That means when heavy rains cause the rivers to go over their banks, water will run onto the land, allowing traditional ecosystems to flourish and lowering flood risk downstream.

The Dos Rios Ranch Preserve is Californias largest single floodplain restoration project, part of the nations broadest effort to rethink how rivers flow as climate change alters the environment. The land it covers used to be a farm, but the owners sold it to the nonprofit River Partners to use for restoring wildlife habitat.

The state wants to fund and prioritize similar projects that lower risks to homes and property while providing other benefits, like boosting habitats, improving water quality and potentially recharging depleted groundwater supplies. By notching or removing levees, swelling rivers can flow onto land that no longer needs to be kept dry.

It's giving new life ecologically but in a way that's consistent with, complementary to, the human systems that have developed over the 150 years since the Gold Rush, said Julie Rentner, president of Rivers Partners.

The Central Valley covers about 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers) and is an agricultural powerhouse  more than 250 crops are grown there. The region constitutes about 1% of U.S. farmland but produces 25% of the nations food while accounting for one-fifth of all groundwater pumping in the U.S.

A flood in the 1860s demonstrates the potential for disaster; up to 6,000 square miles (15,500 square kilometers) of the valley were submerged. As the state's population rapidly expanded and farming boomed through the 20th century, the government engineered vast systems to move water around to supply people and farms, and erected levees to protect cities and crops.

Some of those levees cut off rivers from their natural floodplains. As climate change causes temperatures to warm, mountain snow that typically trickles into the state's watershed may fill rivers much faster, increasing the flows beyond what levees can take.

Fremont cottonwood trees are planted in rows seen in the the Dos Rios Ranch Preserve in Modesto, Calif., on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. The nonprofit River Partners has planted multiple types of native trees and shrubs on the property that used to be a dairy farm, to restore it to a more traditional riverside habitat. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Floodplain restoration can help. For projects like Dos Rios, land that farmers no longer want to manage is being turned into space where rivers can breathe. Farther north, barriers on the Feather River have been altered to allow more water to flow into an existing wildlife area. In West Sacramento, 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of levee along the Sacramento River is being set back.

California officials began centralizing valley flood planning a decade ago. Though some of the worst and most notable floods in recent decades have occurred in places like Houston and New Orleans, parts of California are at serious risk that's only expected to increase due to climate change. In 1997, major storms caused levees to break throughout the valley, including on the Tuolumne River, causing nearly $2 billion in damage and destroying more than 20,000 homes. Nine people died.

An update to the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan is set for release this week. It will detail ways to lower flood risk and protect the roughly 1.3 million people who live on floodplains, along with key infrastructure, agricultural lands and ecosystems.

In the last update five years ago, the state put a premium on flood plain restoration projects. Dos Rios is one of 17 identified by the state. Four have been completed since 2013, three are under construction, and 10 are proposed. They've cost $300 million so far, with money coming from bond funds and local and federal dollars.

Dos Rios is an amazing example, but we need like 30 more of those, said Jane Dolan, chair of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

Floodplain restoration isnt unique to California. Washington state launched a program in 2013 called Floodplains by Design, and projects are popping up along the Mississippi River. But experts say California stands out for its emphasis on projects that provide ecological support.

Theres tremendous potential for this kind of work, and Im quite impressed by how deliberate and thoughtful California is being in this space, said Todd Bridges, head of the Army Corps Engineering with Nature program, which takes a similar approach.

The Biden administration set aside at least $1.75 billion in the infrastructure bill for multipurpose projects aimed at reducing flood risk.

Just as climate change is making Californias dry periods drier, its expected to make the wet periods wetter. The state experienced an atmospheric river in October and major rain and snowfall in December, followed by its driest January through March on record.

One of the things that drives me crazy about California water is that decision makers want to talk about floods in flood years and droughts in drought years, said Barry Nelson, a water consultant who worked on the Dos Rios project. The weather whiplash were seeing this year is really teaching us we need to break out of that pattern.

Since the 1850s, 95% of the historical wetlands and river habitats in the Central Valley have been eliminated, according to state flood planners. It would be impossible to restore all of that in a state of 40 million people, where major cities like the capital of Sacramento and Stockton have been built in floodplains.

But the valley's vast open spaces offer opportunities, such as on farmland that's no longer in use. The property Dos Rios sits on was most recently a dairy, and the owners approach River Partners about selling the land for conservation in the mid-2000s.

River Partners has notched berms to allow river water to flow onto 1,000 acres (400 hectares). The nonprofit is going through government hurdles to breach a federal levee keeping the Tuolumne River at bay. Eventually Dos Rios could hold up to 10,000 acre-feet of flood water, keeping it from flowing toward cities like Stockton. An acre-foot is about 325,850 gallons (about 1.23 million liters).

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Fourteen kinds of woody trees and shrubs are planted in a way thats designed to attract native species. The riparian brush rabbit, chinook salmon, steelhead trout, the yellow warbler, and the sandhill crane are among the species that call Dos Rios home. The habitat there also supports the Aleutian cackling goose, which used to be listed as an endangered species.

Advocates for such projects would like to see them built faster in California and beyond. Rentner, of River Partners, said while there's broad agreement on the value of restoring floodplains, concerns about the impact of land conversion on local tax bases and debates about how broadly to expand public access can slow things down.

But in the messy world of California water, floodplain restoration stands out, said Nelson, the water consultant.

In this sort of ocean of disagreements about water policy, about all these other issues, flood management is this place where enormous change has happened in the last decade in a way that is incredibly broadly supported," he said.

___

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the last name of Julie Rentner. It has also been corrected to say that the habitat at Dos Rios supports the Aleutian cackling goose, not that it helped lead to the delisting of the goose as an endangered species.
BINGHAMTON  About 100,000 customers were without power Tuesday morning in upstate New York as a late-season storm dumped a foot or more of heavy, wet snow on some high-elevation areas.

In the Binghamton area, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar declared a state of emergency and issued a travel ban for nonessential workers. Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an interview on Binghamton radio station WNBF that listeners in the area should stay home if they could.

It was a very heavy snow. And as a result, the weight ... is snapping these limbs, which is sad when you see your beautiful trees harmed like that, Hochul said. But it also can be dangerous for people walking on the streets or walking under power lines, or if people are getting into their cars.

Some higher-elevation areas of the Southern Tier had up to 14 inches (35 centimeters) of snow, though accumulations were less for lower elevations, according to the National Weather Service in Binghamton.

That is pretty typical for a for a late-season storm, youre going to have quite a bit of elevation dependency, said meteorologist Bryan Greenblatt.

The Auburn-area had snow, but was spared the brunt of the storm. The NWS reported 3.8 inches had fallen in the city as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. Skaneateles had 4.5 inches.

Power outages stretched from the Southern Tier to the Adirondack Mountains, which could get a foot of snow by Tuesday night. Outages in the Cayuga County-area were isolated.

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TORONTO - The Ontario government is giving property sellers the option of disclosing the details of competing offers, but not going as far as to ban blind bidding.

A home for sale is shown in Beckwith, Ont., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2018. The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in March fell compared with a year ago while the average sale price also moved lower. The Ontario government is making changes to the real estate bidding process in the province, giving property sellers the option of disclosing the details of competing offers, but is not going as far as banning blind bidding.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

TORONTO - The Ontario government is giving property sellers the option of disclosing the details of competing offers, but not going as far as to ban blind bidding.

Minister of government and consumer services Ross Romano said in a statement that sellers will get to choose if they want to "opt for an open offer process" and share bids.

"Sellers will no longer be limited to selling their property through a closed or traditional offer system," he said.

Blind bidding, a practice where buyers bid for a home without knowing the size of competing offers, is pointed to by some as one of the drivers behind inflated home price gains.

The move by the provincial government is part of a bigger reform to the Trust in Real Estate Services Act.

The changes, which also includes a new code of ethics for real estate agents, more clarity for buyers during the home buying process and greater powers for the Real Estate Council of Ontario to go after bad actors, are set to take effect on April 1, 2023.

The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) said in a statement that it welcomed the changes and worked closely with the province to bring them forward.

"(It strikes) the right balance between adding more transparency to the offer process and protecting a homeowners right to sell their home how they want, instead of blanket bans on the traditional offer process," said association chief executive Tim Hudak.

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Some experts see more transparency as a step in the right direction, but do not believe the provincial government's latest move does enough to make the home buying bidding process fair.

"Making (bid disclosure) optional for sellers doesn't make sense," said Sung Lee, mortgage expert with Ratesdotca. "Blind bidding benefits sellers, not buyers. If the goal is to create transparency, this should be mandatory."

The changes come a week after Ontario premier Doug Ford said that he was "not in favour of adding new regulations" in a video posted on OREA's Twitter feed.

The move also comes just a couple of weeks after the federal government announced in its latest budget that the minister of housing, Ahmed Hussen, would work with provinces and territories to develop a plan to end blind bidding and implement a Home Buyers Bill of Rights.

Somem realtors and housing experts have been pushing back against a full ban of blind bidding, arguing that it will do little to cool the country's hot housing market and that sellers should decide on how they want to sell their homes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

FILE - Travelers walk through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday, April 1, 2022 in Seattle. On Monday, April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation saying it exceeded the authority of U.S. health officials. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

In a statement released a day after a Florida judge ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said officials believe that the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. He said it was an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.

Coley said the CDC had said it would continue to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determined a mandate was necessary for public health, the Justice Department would file an appeal.

As of Tuesday, the agency hadnt made a determination, officials said.

The federal judge's ruling did away with the last major vestige of federal pandemic rules and led to a mishmash of new locally created rules that reflected the nations ongoing divisions over how to battle the virus.

FILE - Travelers line up wearing protective masks indoors at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Dec. 28, 2021. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Fla., on April 18, 2022, voided the national travel mask mandate as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials. The mask mandate that covers travel on airplanes and other public transportation was recently extended by President Joe Biden's administration until May 3. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Major airlines and airports in places like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City quickly switched to a mask-optional policy. Los Angeles County dropped its mandate for mass transit and a train conductor in New Jersey told commuters of their masks Tuesday: Feel free to burn them at will."

New York City, Chicago and Connecticut, however, continued to require masks for travelers.

The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving.

A woman sits on a moving MARTA train with her mask on, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Janelle Cogan)

Even Walt Disney World in Florida on Tuesday announced it was lifting its mask requirement for its monorail, buses and sky gondola.

For many, the news was welcome. A video showed some passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight cheering and applauding as they removed masks upon hearing the announcement they were now optional. One man happily twirled his mask on his finger.

However Brooke Tansley, a television producer and former Broadway performer, was incensed after boarding a flight with her 4-year-old and 8-month-old baby neither old enough to be vaccinated  only to learn the mask mandate had ended mid-flight.

An American Airlines Boeing 737 flies past the moon as it heads to Orlando, Fla., after having taken off from Miami International Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Miami. The major airlines and many of the busiest airports rushed to drop their requirements on Monday after a Florida judge struck down the CDC mandate and the Transportation Security Administration announced it wouldn't enforce its 2021 security directive. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Very very angry about this, she said in a tweet, noting her baby was too young to wear a mask.

President Joe Biden went all-in on flexibility Tuesday when asked if Americans should mask up on planes.

Thats up to them, Biden declared during a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the White House continues to require face coverings for those traveling with him on Air Force One, citing CDC guidance.

Passengers walk through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. A federal judge's decision to strike down a national mask mandate was met with cheers on some airplanes but also concern about whether it's really time to end the order sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In Portland, Oregon, transit employees immediately began taking down mask required announcements and signs, but said it would likely take several days to remove everything.

The city joined Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and two of Alaska's largest cities, Anchorage and Juneau, in making masking optional on mass transit.

Some passengers at Chicagos Union Station said the rules were confusing. Amtrak dropped its requirement. The Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, the regional commuter rail service, kept the requirement at first but dropped it late Tuesday.

Passengers check in at the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. A federal judge's decision to strike down a national mask mandate was met with cheers on some airplanes but also concern about whether it's really time to end the order sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Its like this patchwork of different rules and enforcement of it, said Erik Abderhalden, who wore a mask as he waited for a Metra train to his home in suburban Naperville. I mean, its like Swiss cheese ... theres no uniformity and it seems pretty laissez-faire.

Subway rider Cooper Klinges was pleased that New York Citys public transit system wasnt following the trend and planned to keep its mask requirement in place. As he waited at a Brooklyn train station, he said he canceled a flight earlier this year over concerns about the virus.

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I dont think we are out of the woods yet, said Klinges, a teacher, citing concerns about the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. It is still around. We have to still stick it out.

Passengers wait in line at the security checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. A federal judge's decision to strike down a national mask mandate was met with cheers on some airplanes but also concern about whether it's really time to end the order sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of U.S. cases. But the court ruling puts that decision on hold.

After a winter surge fueled by the omicron variant that prompted record hospitalizations, the U.S. has seen a significant drop in virus spread in recent months that led most states and cities to drop mask mandates.

But several Northeast cities have seen a rise in hospitalizations in recent weeks, leading Philadelphia to bring back its mask mandate.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas, and Crawford from Chicago. Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.
LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP)  Sprawled like a gigantic swimming pool atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is an asphalt-and-clay pond holding enough water to produce electricity for 1.6 million households.

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP)  Sprawled like a gigantic swimming pool atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is an asphalt-and-clay pond holding enough water to produce electricity for 1.6 million households.

It's part of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, which uses simple technology: Water is piped from a lower reservoir  the lake, in this case  to an upper one, then released downhill through supersized turbines.

There are 43 'Pumped Storage Plants' in the U.S., accounting for 95% of the nations utility-scale energy storage.

Supporters call these systems the world's largest batteries" because they hold vast amounts of potential energy for use when needed for the power grid.

The hydropower industry considers pumped storage the best answer to a question hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy to address climate change: where to get power when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.

I wish we could build 10 more of these. I love 'em," Eric Gustad, community affairs manager for Consumers Energy, said during a tour of the Ludington facility.

But the utility based in Jackson, Michigan, has no such plans. Environmental and logistical challenges and potential costs in the billions led Consumers to sell another would-be site near the lake years ago. It's now upgrading the existing plant with co-owner DTE Energy.

Constructing a new one doesn't make financial sense," Gustad said. Unless we get some help from the state or federal government, I don't see it happening any time soon."

STUCK IN NEUTRAL

The company's decision illustrates the challenges facing pumped storage in the U.S., where these systems account for about 93% of utility-scale energy in reserve. While analysts foresee soaring demand for power storage, the industry's growth has lagged.

The nation has 43 pumped storage facilities with a combined capacity of 22 gigawatts, the output of that many nuclear plants. Yet just one small operation has been added since 1995  and it's unknown how many of more than 90 planned can overcome economic, regulatory and logistical barriers that force long delays.

Three projects have obtained licenses from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, but none are being built. Developers of a long-planned Oregon facility expect work to begin in 2023. A Montana company that got a license five years ago needs a utility to operate the plant and buy its storage capacity before construction starts.

By contrast, more than 60 are being built worldwide, mostly in Europe, India, China and Japan.

The permitting process is crazy, Malcolm Woolf, president of the National Hydropower Association, complained during a January hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, saying it involves too many agencies.

Although FERC permits new facilities and relicenses existing ones, other federal, state and tribal offices have roles, spokesperson Celeste Miller said. Every project is unique. All have various case-specific issues, she said.

The industry is lobbying for an investment tax credit similar to what solar and wind get. President Joe Bidens Build Back Better plan includes the tax break but is stuck in Congress.

Pumped storage dates from the early 1930s. But most systems were built decades later to warehouse excess electricity from nuclear plants and release it when needed.

The storage facilities also serve as a safety net in sudden power interruptions. When a New England nuclear unit tripped offline in 2020, Woolf said, the lights in Boston didn't flicker because two pumped storage stations provided backup power.

While nuclear, coal and natural gas plants can operate continuously, wind and solar can't  so the market for reserve power likely will grow. National Renewable Energy Laboratory models show U.S. storage capacity may rise fivefold by 2050.

Were going to bring hundreds of gigawatts of clean energy onto the grid over the next few years and we need to be able to use that energy wherever and whenever its needed, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last year.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Using computer mapping, Australian National University engineers identified more than 600,000 potentially feasible pumped storage sites worldwide  including 32,000 in the U.S.  that could store 100 times the energy needed to support a global renewable electricity network.

But the study didn't examine whether sites would meet environmental or cultural protection standards or be commercially viable. Its website acknowledged, Many or even most ... may prove to be unsuitable."

Environmentalists are cool toward pumped storage because reservoirs typically are formed by hydropower dams, which block fish pathways, damage water quality and emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Also, most plants continuously draw water from rivers.

But recent designs envision closed-loop systems that tap a surface or underground supply, then repeatedly cycle that water between reservoirs. Water would be added only to make up for evaporation or leaks.

The Hydropower Reform Coalition, representing conservation groups, says it might support such projects under very limited circumstances.

Yet some are drawing resistance, including the Goldendale Energy Storage Project in Washington state. It would pipe water between two 60-acre (24.3-hectare) reservoirs on opposite sides of a hill.

The facility could power nearly 500,000 homes for up to 12 hours, according to Rye Development, spearheading the project. It's seeking FERC licensing and is scheduled to go online in 2028 but still needs a state water quality permit.

Environmental groups fear harm to wetlands and wildlife habitat, while tribes say the project would encroach on a sacred site.

What are we willing to sacrifice to get this technology online?" said Bridget Moran, an associate director of American Rivers.

Developers say the project would include cleanup of the polluted lower reservoir area.

The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a web-based tool to help developers find the best locations.

A recent Michigan Technological University study identified hundreds of abandoned U.S. mines that could host pumped storage, with upper reservoirs at or near the surface and lower ones below ground.

They are close enough to transmission and distribution infrastructure and to solar and wind generating facilities, the report says.

All these holes in the ground are ready to go," said study co-leader Roman Sidortsov, an energy policy associate professor.

But while some decommissioned mines might be better for the environment, a project in New York's Essex County stalled over water pollution concerns.

COMPETITIVE FUTURE

As the market for stored energy grows, new technologies are emerging.

Texas-based Quidnet Energy has developed a pumped storage offshoot that forces water underground, holds it amid rock layers and releases it to power turbines. The company announced a project in March with San Antonio's municipal utility.

Energy Vault, a Swiss startup, devised a crane powered by renewable energy to lift and stack 35-ton bricks. When energy is needed, the bricks are lowered by cables that spin a generator.

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For now, batteries are the leading competitor to pumped storage plants, which can generate power for eight to 16 hours. Lithium-ion batteries typically last up to four hours but longer-duration ones are in the works.

Are we going to get to the point where an eight-hour battery is cheaper than a pumped storage plant? Thats the billion-dollar question, said Paul Denholm, an analyst with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

A 2016 Energy Department report said the U.S. network has a potential for 36 gigawatts of new pumped storage capacity.

We dont think pumped storage is the be-all, end-all but its a vital part of our storage future, said Cameron Schilling, vice president of markets for the hydropower association. You cant decarbonize the system without it.

___

Follow John Flesher on Twitter: @JohnFlesher
DALLAS (AP)  A ruling by a federal judge has ended  at least for now  the requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation, and there is plenty of confusion about the new, post-mask world of travel.

Crowds of the masked and the unmasked went through the security line at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 where the airport issued a statement Tuesday morning saying masks are now "optional for employees, passengers, and visitors" at the airport. "Although a mask mandate will no longer be enforced, employees, passengers, and visitors are reminded that masks continue to offer a level of protection against the COVID virus," the airport said. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

DALLAS (AP)  A ruling by a federal judge has ended  at least for now  the requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation, and there is plenty of confusion about the new, post-mask world of travel.

The Justice Department left the door open Tuesday to a possible appeal of the ruling, but only if the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention thinks the mandate is necessary. An appeal could be a politically risky move for the Biden administration.

The decision by a lone judge in Florida toppled 14 months of government insistence that travelers wear masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19. Within hours, all major U.S. airlines and many airports announced  sometimes to passengers in the middle of flights  that travelers could take off their masks.

-

WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE RULING?

In a 59-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order that the Transportation Security Administration used to impose the mask mandate. She said the CDC didnt follow proper rulemaking procedures.

___

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and ride-share services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks. United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and other airlines all made masks voluntary.

On the ground, however, requirements could vary from place to place. New York Citys public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in effect. In San Francisco, the regional commuter rail system known as BART made masks voluntary, but the city transit authority did not.

The transit agency serving Philadelphia and its suburbs said masks will no longer be required on subways, buses and trains or in stations, even though the city has a mask mandate.

Uber and Lyft said they wont require passengers to wear masks.

___

HOW SAFE IS IT TO TRAVEL NOW?

Air filtration on planes is generally excellent, but boarding and exiting a plane can put people close together in spaces with poor ventilation, said Dr. Babak Javid, a physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco. The risk on other forms of transportation varies.

Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said planes can carry the virus from place to place, but that we should be focusing more on big indoor events such as concerts and sporting events  even large weddings  where people get together and talk, shout and sing.

___

SHOULD I STILL WEAR A MASK ON PLANES?

The CDC continues to recommend that people mask up indoors while traveling.

___

DO MASKS WORK IF NOBODY ELSE WEARS ONE?

Yes, masks still give some protection from COVID-19, but they work better if others wear them too.

High-quality masks work in two ways, said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases: They protect the wearer by limiting the number of infectious particles inhaled, and they protect others by limiting particles exhaled if the wearer is infected.

___

WILL I STAND OUT?

Probably not. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, who favored dropping the rule, said before the judge's order that he expected to see a surprising number of passengers and airline employees wear masks even after the mandate expired.

I may choose to wear a mask once in a while, he said.

Still, tension among passengers over mask-wearing could continue, said Eileen Ogintz, who writes about family travel and advises parents of small children who can't be vaccinated to keep masking up.

I wouldn't be surprised if you got some dirty looks or nasty comments from unmasked passengers, she said. That's a conversation to have with the kids ahead of time  why you're wearing masks."

___

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I DON'T WANT TO FLY NOW?

No, unless the airline cancels your flight.

However, if you call the airline and explain why you're not comfortable traveling without a mask mandate, most will let you change the flight for free or give you a credit that you can use later, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott's Cheap Flights travel site.

___

WILL THE LIFTING OF THE BAN AFFECT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS?

When flying between two countries, expect your airline to follow the rules in whichever country is more restrictive. Passengers flying to Canada, for example, will have to don masks at some point during the flight, but it's not clear exactly whether that means when crossing into Canadian airspace or some other point.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst for Atmosphere Research Group, said there might be international airlines that will still require masks even on flights to and from the United States.

___

WILL THIS MAKE MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO FLY?

Industry officials don't expect that. They say that there could be a small number of people who will start flying now because they don't have to wear a mask, but that will be offset by a few people deciding not to fly if others are unmasked.

Although the airline industry lobbied to kill the mandate  after supporting it originally  airlines don't expect the rule's demise to affect revenue. They are far more interested in seeing the United States repeal another pandemic-era rule: The requirement that people test clear of the virus within a day of flying to the U.S.

A Biden administration official said Tuesday that there were no changes expected to the pre-departure testing requirement.

___

WHEN DID THE U.S. REQUIRE MASKS?

The mask mandate for transportation began in February 2021, shortly after President Joe Biden took office, and was extended several times. Last week, the CDC extended it again until May 3. The CDC said the extra time was needed to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

___

HOW CAN A SINGLE JUDGE HAVE SO MUCH POWER?

Usually, decisions by a federal judge affect only the people involved in one case, or a limited geographic area. But judges can also issue so-called nationwide or universal injunctions that apply across the country, and it is happening more often  a practice that has drawn criticism from conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

___

WHO IS JUDGE KATHRYN KIMBALL MIZELLE?

Mizelle was nominated in 2020 by former President Donald Trump and confirmed in a party-line vote in the Senate, which was then controlled by Republicans, after Trump had lost his bid for re-election. At 33 when confirmed, she was the youngest Trump appointee on the federal bench, and the American Bar Association had rated her not qualified in part because she had been practicing law for only eight years.

___

WILL THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RESPOND?

The Justice Department said Tuesday it won't appeal Mizelle's ruling unless the CDC believes that the mask requirement is still necessary. The announcement doesn't mean that an appeal is certain, but it signals that one could be filed if the CDC decides later that the mandate should be revived.

While the mask ban was popular in the beginning, support has waned over time, according to public-opinion polls. As state and local mask rules were scrapped, and Americans grew accustomed to going bare-faced, the mandate for transportation drew fire from Republican politicians and several Senate Democrats who face tough re-election fights in November.

___

IS THE TIMING OF THIS RIGHT?

New reported U.S. cases of COVID-19 are relatively low compared with the past two years, but they have increased lately and are likely an undercount. Hospitalizations are nearly flat and deaths are still declining.

Dowdy, the Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, said it's reasonable to consider removing the mask mandate on travel given the lull in severe disease.

It would just be nice to do it when cases are falling rather than rising," he said, and for the decision to be made by people trained in public health rather than law and politics.

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___

WHAT IF COVID CASES INCREASE?

A new surge in cases might not be enough to revive the mask rule, but it could roil travel in other ways. U.S. airlines canceled thousands of flights in late December and early January, largely because so many employees were out sick with omicron.

Imagine what would happen if a critical mass of Southwest Airlines pilots are sick and cant fly this summer? said Harteveldt, the travel analyst. "Whether its Southwest or any airline, it could be highly disruptive to summer travel.

___

Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson in Washington state and Jessica Gresko and Zeke Miller in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
OTTAWA - Home sales in Canada fell in March, while prices were up 11.2 per cent compared with a year earlier, Canadian Real Estate Association said Tuesday.

Houses are seen on Squamish Nation land in North Vancouver, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in Canada fell in March, while prices were up 11.2 per cent compared with a year earlier. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

OTTAWA - Home sales in Canada fell in March, while prices were up 11.2 per cent compared with a year earlier, Canadian Real Estate Association said Tuesday.

The association said home sales in March were down 16.3 per cent compared with the same month last year when they hit an all-time record.

On a month-over-month basis, seasonally adjusted home sales in March were down 5.4 per cent.

TD Bank economist Rishi Sondhi said part of the decline in March probably reflected buyer fatigue to some degree following several months of robust activity, as buyers pulled forward their purchases ahead of higher rates.

The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate target by a quarter of a percentage point at the beginning of March and by an additional half of a percentage point last week. The moves drove prime rates at commercial banks higher, since they use the central bank's key rate as reference when setting variable mortgage rates.

Rates for five-year fixed-rate mortgages have also risen in recent weeks as the yields of five-year government of Canada bonds have climbed higher.

"And, with the Bank of Canada set to hike rates aggressively, home sales are likely to trend even lower moving forward," Sondhi wrote in a report.

"This should help balance the market and weigh on home price growth. Indeed, our forecast anticipates significant softness in average home price growth in the second half."

The drop in sales came as the number of newly listed homes fell 5.5 per cent on a month-over-month basis in March.

CREA said the decline in new listings was led by Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley region in B.C., Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area.

The actual national average home price was $796,068 in March, up from $715,696 in the same month last year. The association said excluding Greater Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area, two of the most active and expensive housing markets, cuts $163,000 from the national average price for March this year.

Royal LePage said according to its home price survey that the national aggregate home price was up 25.1 per cent year-over-year in first quarter at $856,900, the highest gain on record since the company began tracking prices.

Royal LePage CEO Phil Soper said the real estate firm anticipated a strong first half of the year, with a moderating of real estate markets thereafter.

"The first quarter of the year was so strong, however, that we are bumping up our 2022 outlook," Soper said in a statement.

"And, home prices will continue to climb in the months ahead as a result of our relentless low supply-high demand imbalance."

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Royal LePage is now forecasting that the aggregate price of a home in Canada will increase 15.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with the same quarter in 2021. The outlook compared with an earlier forecast that called for a 10.5 per cent increase.

In a separate report, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said the seasonally adjusted rate of housing starts came in at 246,243 units, compared with 250,246 in February.

The drop came as the pace of urban starts slowed by two per cent to 220,708 in March. The annual rate of starts for apartments, condos and other types of multiple-unit urban projects fell five per cent to 154,876, while the pace of single-detached urban starts rose eight per cent to 65,832.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 25,535 units.

The six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates of housing starts was 252,497 in March, down from 253,296 in February.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday asked the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state, the latest volley in a feud between the governor and the entertainment giant over what critics have dubbed the Don't Say Gay law.

FILE - The Walt Disney Co. logo appears on a screen above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 7, 2017. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, asked the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state, the latest salvo in a feud between the Republican and the media giant. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday asked the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state, the latest volley in a feud between the governor and the entertainment giant over what critics have dubbed the Don't Say Gay law.

DeSantis, an ascendant GOP governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate, has battled with Disney over the company's opposition to the new law barring instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

On Tuesday, DeSantis raised the stakes.

As lawmakers returned to the Capitol for a special legislative session on congressional redistricting, the governor issued a proclamation that allows the GOP-controlled statehouse to take up bills eliminating Disney's self-governing district. Republicans quickly filed proposals to do so.

I am announcing today that we are expanding the call of what they are going to be considering this week. And so, yes they will be considering the congressional map, but they also will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968, and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District," DeSantis said at a news conference, referencing the company's governing district without mentioning Disney by name. He did not elaborate.

Disney representatives did not return an emailed request for comment on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear how the elimination of the district would affect the company or neighboring governments.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District is a private government controlled by Disney World and set up by the state Legislature in 1967 that allows it to provide government services such as zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure.

The creation of the district, and the control it gave Disney over 27,000 acres (11,000 hectares) in Florida, was a crucial element in the company's plans to build near Orlando in the 1960s. Company officials said they needed autonomy to plan a futuristic city along with the theme park. The city never materialized, however; instead, it morphed into the EPCOT theme park.

The push to punish the company comes after Disney announced it would suspend political donations in the state over the new Parental Rights in Education law. Opponents dubbed the law Don't Say Gay," arguing that barring lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades would marginalize LGBTQ people.

Disney is one of Florida's biggest private employers: Last year, the company said it had more than 60,000 workers in the state. LGBTQ advocates who work for the company criticized CEO Bob Chapek for what they said was his slow response speaking out against the bill. Some walked off the job in protest.

DeSantis has repeatedly lashed out at Disney and critics of the law, gaining considerable attention in conservative media spheres. He insists the policy is reasonable and says parents, not teachers, should broach subjects of sexual orientation and gender identity with children.

Republican lawmakers appear receptive to punishing Disney, filing proposals that would dissolve the district by June 2023. DeSantis has been a powerful governor, effectively pushing his priorities in the statehouse, and both the GOP Senate president and House speaker support him on the Disney issue.

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Democrats were quick to criticize the governor's move as retribution for the company's stance on the education bill. Some pointed out that Disney has been a major economic driver in the state.

What world are we living in right now? asked Democratic Sen. Audrey Gibson. Its the freedom state of Florida. If they disagree with the governor, he brings out the Gatling gun.

Retired Rollins College political scientist Richard Foglesong, whose book, Married to the Mouse recounts the formation of Reedy Creek, said he thought initially that cooler heads would prevail in the war of words between DeSantis and Disney.

I believe I was wrong. I overestimated  or underestimated  Gov. DeSantis, Foglesong said. I see it as a legitimate threat.

___

Associated Press writers Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee and Mike Schneider in Orlando contributed to this report.
TOKYO (AP)  Japans health ministry on Tuesday formally approved Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, a fourth foreign-developed tool to combat the infections as the country sees signs of a resurgence led by a subvariant of fast-spreading omicron.

FILE - Shigeyuki Goto, newly appointed minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, arrives at the prime minister's official residence Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Tokyo. Japans health ministry on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, formally approved Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, a fourth foreign-developed tool to combat the infections as the country sees signs of a resurgence led by a subvariant of fast-spreading omicron. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

TOKYO (AP)  Japans health ministry on Tuesday formally approved Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, a fourth foreign-developed tool to combat the infections as the country sees signs of a resurgence led by a subvariant of fast-spreading omicron.

The ministry approval comes the day after its experts panel endorsed use of Novavax's protein vaccine, which is designed with similar technology used to fight diseases such as the flu and hepatitis B, for the first two shots and a booster.

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Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto told reporters that Novavax product adds variety to the choices available and could appeal to those who are hesitant to use COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer's and Moderna's, which are designed with newer technologies.

Jabs using Novavax vaccine are expected to start as early as late May.

Japan reported 24,164 new cases Monday, according to the health ministry. Japan in March lifted all COVID-19 restrictions as the infections slowed significantly, but experts noted signs of a resurgence in a number of prefectures during a season of traveling and parties for people marking graduation and the start of the academic and business year.

The government is trying to expand businesses and get the pandemic-hit economy back on track. Japan is slowly easing the border controls following sharp criticisms for its longtime restrictions on non-resident foreign students, scholars and business people, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said Japan is not considering restarting inbound tourism anytime soon.

Booster shots have been slow in Japan and less than 50% of the population had received booster shots of mainly mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. A third vaccine, AstraZeneca, is hardly used due to public concern about reports of rare blood clotting and is largely donated to vaccine-scarce Asian countries bilaterally or through a United Nations-backed program. About 80% of the Japanese elderly population had received three shots.

Goto said Japan has agreed to purchase 150 million doses of the Novavax shots developed by the Maryland company, which will help stabilize vaccine supply in a country that fully relies on foreign imports while development of its own vaccines have fallen behind. Novavax's distributor in Japan, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., is to locally manufacture 250 million doses annually.
The pandemic upended what it meant to be a college student as newfound barriers to learning cropped up in spring 2020: In-person classes were forced online, family obligations became more pronounced and economic difficulties spread.

The pandemic upended what it meant to be a college student as newfound barriers to learning cropped up in spring 2020: In-person classes were forced online, family obligations became more pronounced and economic difficulties spread.

All of these factors just came together to create this perfect storm, says Mamie Voight, president and CEO of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, a nonprofit focused on college access. She says that students from low-income backgrounds and those with responsibilities outside of school  like jobs and kids  faced the steepest challenges.

There were 5.1% fewer students enrolled in fall 2021 than fall 2019 , according to estimates from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. And between fall 2019 and fall 2020, the percentage of students who reenrolled fell the most since 2009.

Yet, it may be time to return, especially if you had to sit out any of the last two years. A strong job market and earnings increases for low- wage workers can, at face value, make higher education less appealing. But the long-term picture remains clear.

Those with no college education see median lifetime earnings of $1.6 million, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Thats $1.2 million less than the $2.8 million of median lifetime earnings for those with a bachelors degree. The median associate degree holder sees lifetime earnings of $2 million.

For students, the answer is pretty clear that going to college is a better choice economically, than not going, says Voight. And reenrolling, if you stopped out  will make a world of a difference in terms of job opportunities and wage growth over a persons lifetime.

The longer you wait to go back, the less likely you are to attain a degree, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. And for those who have delayed going to college, it comes with a cost: The Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimates that postponing college for a year results in a potential $90,000 loss in lifetime earnings.

Although the difficulties of the pandemic havent disappeared, colleges have become better equipped to help students overcome barriers.

COLLEGES HAVE ADAPTED TO NEW EXPECTATIONS  AND NEEDS

Students have returned to campuses, but many colleges are keeping the changes theyve made.

Community and four-year colleges have adjusted to better reach students, says Matt Bergman, an associate professor of organizational leadership at the University of Louisville.

We have so many opportunities for students to come back in ways that they wouldnt have been able to as recent as five years (ago), adds Bergman, who studies adult learning and degree completion.

Course offerings have become more flexible, with in-person and virtual classes and also hybrid formats, Bergman says. Theyre also becoming available in synchronous (learning with a class) and asynchronous formats (learning at your own pace).

Community colleges made many changes to meet the needs of their students, according to Martha Parham, the senior vice president of public relations for the American Association of Community Colleges. These lasting transformations can make it easier for students to return to school.

I do think the pandemic has changed the landscape in the course offerings and that change is going to stick, Parham says. So that looks different in different places, in different students, in different colleges, but a lot of services and programs were put into place to ensure student success at every level.

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IS OUT THERE

This fall, college students have more federal financial support available than in years past.

The annual maximum Pell Grant, aid you dont have to repay, has increased $400 to $6,895 for the coming academic yea r. Pell Grant eligibility is determined by your financial situation and the cost of attendance at the institution youre considering. To be eligible, you need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA.

Many colleges also have more financial resources available than in years past, thanks to $76.3 billion in federal pandemic assistance funds provided to institutions across the nation.

Right now, in particular, is a great time to go to community colleges because they have a lot of resources that are directly available to students, says Parham, including funding for tuition and books, transportation, food and housing assistance, and technology.

If you need child care, pick the school that offers it, Bergman says. If you have work experience, look for colleges that offer prior learning assessments, giving you college credit for the skills youve gained. The important thing is to pick a school that best fits your needs, Bergman adds.

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Finding the right school can be as easy as visiting a schools website or calling the admissions office to ask about the resources they offer.

Application deadlines for fall have largely passed at four-year colleges, but you can often enroll in community college shortly before the semester begins. If a bachelors degree is your goal, going to community college, then transferring can save you money  but be careful to plan out your classes to make sure the credits transfer to a bachelors degree-granting institution.

_____________________________

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Colin Beresford is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: cberesford@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @Colin_beresford.

RELATED LINKS:

Why Choose a Community College and How to Enroll https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-what-is-a-community-college
One of the companies that had planned to build an open-pit coal mine in the Rocky Mountains has signed an agreement with an Alberta government agency to work toward converting the project to renewable energy.

A section of the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies is seen west of Cochrane, Alta., Thursday, June 17, 2021. One of the companies that had planned to build an open-pit coal mine in the Rocky Mountains has signed an agreement with a provincial agency to work toward converting the project to renewable energy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

One of the companies that had planned to build an open-pit coal mine in the Rocky Mountains has signed an agreement with an Alberta government agency to work toward converting the project to renewable energy.

Montem Resources has announced a memorandum of understanding with Invest Alberta, part of the provincial economic development ministry.

Although few details were immediately available, the parties say the deal means they will work together to build a green hydrogen complex in the southwest corner of the province.

Montem says the project, which would use wind power instead of natural gas, would create 200 construction jobs and 30 full-time positions.

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The company has also applied to regulators for a coal mine on the same site.

Montem CEO Peter Doyle has said the Australian-owned company will decide by the end of June which of the two projects it will pursue.

The company began examining the renewables project after the growth of public opposition to open-pit mines in the Rockies.

It also cites the uncertain length of the regulatory process for coal mines as a reason to consider hydrogen.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the agreement is with Alberta Innovates.
TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange:

TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange:

Toronto Stock Exchange (22,018.82, up 140.41 points.)

Athabasca Oil Corp. (TSX:ATH). Energy. Up one cent, or 0.4 per cent, to $2.40 on 8.2 million shares.

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY). Financials. Up $1.54, or 1.1 per cent, to $138.72 on 8.1 million shares.

Baytex Energy Corp. (TSX:BTE). Energy. Down seven cents, or one per cent, to $6.64 on seven million shares.

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ). Energy. Down 18 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to $84.50 on 6.6 million shares.

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Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Down 24 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $42.97 on 5.4 million shares.

Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE). Energy. Down 21 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to $22.65 on 5.4 million shares.

Companies in the news:

Air Canada (TSX:AC). Up 82 cents or 3.5 per cent to $23.94. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says mask mandates for air travel remain firmly in place, even as major airlines south of the border drop the requirement for passengers and crews. On Monday, a federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on planes and mass transit, prompting all seven of America's largest airlines to repeal rules that customers and staff wear face coverings, effective immediately. Some specified that masks remain mandatory for certain international flights or locations, depending on local protocols. Trudeau and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra reiterated separately on Tuesday that masks are still required on all flights that arrive in or depart from Canada. Canadian airlines also confirmed their mask requirements remain in place, though WestJet said the change down south "highlights the need for harmonization and consistency" across borders to eliminate confusion for customers. Air Canada said that while mask rules are still in force, measures abroad are being "safely lifted" for a range of activities and that Canadian policies should align with other fields and jurisdictions.

Sunwing Airlines Inc.  Sunwing Airlines Inc. says thousands of passengers remain stranded and the start of vacations delayed for others as the company continues to struggle with a technical problem that has grounded flights. The Toronto-based company says about 15 out of the more than 40 scheduled flights have been processed since the technical issue first surfaced. Sunwing says its check-in systems provider continues to experience a system outage. It says Airline Choice is working with relevant authorities to find a solution as soon as possible and is processing flights manually, subject to airport restrictions, curfews and required crew reassignments. Some of the planes are waiting to return to Canada, which has delayed the start of vacations for other travellers. Sunwing apologized to passengers "whose travel plans have been impacted" and urged them to sign up for flight alerts on its website at Sunwing.ca.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.
Multiple areas northeast of Flagstaff are under evacuation Tuesday as the fast-growing Tunnel Fire whipped through an estimated 6,000 acres, fueled by high winds.

All areas both east and west of Highway 89 and north of Campbell Avenue are under evacuation, as well as Moon Crater.

The Antelope Hills area east of Highway 89 should be prepared for a possible evacuation.

US 89 northbound is closed at milepost 425. Southbound is closed at milepost 435. Forest Road 544 is also closed.

Officials said the Tunnel Fire scorched an estimated 6,000 acres about 15 miles northeast of Flagstaff as of 5 p.m., according to a U.S. Forest Service press release. The fire grew substantially due to high winds, eventually pushing the blaze across Highway 89.

An estimated 200 personnel are working to contain the blaze. Officials were unable to confirm whether any homes had been destroyed, but noted that numerous structures are threatened within the Doney Park area.

The fire was reported Sunday afternoon and the cause remained under investigation Tuesday.

6 p.m.: Representatives from Coconino County, Coconino County Sheriffs Office, and the Coconino National Forest will be holding a media briefing at 7 p.m. to speak about the fire and evacuation notices, as well as take questions. We'll have more details after the press conference.

5 p.m.: The fire has grown to an estimated 6,000 acres with 0% containment, according to a release from the Coconino National Forest.

Current firefighting resources include five handcrews, 15 engines and three dozers. Air tankers were ordered to help contain the blaze in the early afternoon, but they were grounded due to high winds.

A Type I incident management team has been ordered, officials said. Personnel, assets and resources from the team are expected to arrive over the next two days.

A media briefing is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Arizona Daily Sun will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.

3:45 p.m.: Officials confirmed the Tunnel Fire has swelled to approximately 2,000 acres. No additional details were immediately available.

3:30 p.m.: Coconino County has established a call center for the Tunnel Fire at 928-679-8525.

2:30 p.m.: The wind is expected to be a challenge the rest of the week, along with warm weather and low humidity, the National Weather Service told The Associated Press.

I don't see any significant decreases in wind, I don't see any big bump ups in humidity and, at this point, we're not really expecting any precipitation either, meteorologist Robert Rickey said.

2:15 p.m.: High Country Humane officials said the evacuation of the animal shelter went "perfect."

"We had a tremendous response from the neighbors. They showed up in spades. We got all the animals out in about 45 minutes," Jody Cook of High Country Humane said.

Cook said the fire disrupted power to the shelter around noon. He told the Arizona Daily Sun he thinks the fire may have reached homes.

"I've heard three propane takes explode," Cook said.

2 p.m.: The areas around Moon Crater and Antelope Hills east of Highway 89 are now on "SET" status and should be prepared for possible evacuation.

1:45 p.m.: Multiple officials confirmed the Tunnel Fire jumped Highway 89 near Girl's Ranch Road.

1:10 p.m.: Reporter Sean Golightly reported extreme winds whipping northeast from the Timberline neighborhood as smoke billowed over Highway 89.

It was hard to tell which was thicker, the dust or the smoke. Coconino County Sheriff's deputies blocked the roads into numerous neighborhoods, including Kevin's Way and Copeland, as lines of trucks and personal vehicles evacuated the area.

White smoke could be seen frothing up from the forest, with intermittent columns of black spouting above rooflines.

Curtis Chance was ready to evacuate with his personal belongings, computers and cats.

"If the wind shifts directions, we're getting out of here," he said while watching smoke fill the western sky.

1 p.m.: An emergency evacuation shelter will open at Sinagua Middle School, located at 3950 E Butler Ave., at 1:30 p.m., according to CCSO spokesman Jon Paxton.

All pets, including household and large animals, can be taken to the Coconino Humane Association, 3501 E. Butler Ave. Officials urged residents not to take animals to High Country Humane because the area is preparing for a possible evacuation.

12:50 p.m.: US 89 northbound is closed at milepost 425. Southbound is closed at milepost 435. Forest Road 544 is also closed.

12:15 p.m.: CCSO spokesman Jon Paxton said it's unknown how many people are under evacuation. CCSO was working on establishing a shelter for those impacted by the fire.

11:30 a.m.: Resources on scene include three Type 1 handcrews, two dozers, two water tankers and seven engines. The fire is 0% contained and its cause is under investigation.

Nearly all of Arizona is in a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday, with high temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts hitting most of the state. According to the National Weather Service, winds in Flagstaff will gust up to 45 mph this afternoon, with a high near 70 degrees.

On Saturday, Forest Service personnel responded to the 52-acre Cochrane Fire about 5 miles east of Doney Park. It was contained within a few hours.

Given the wildfires sparking across Arizona, the U.S. Forest Service urges people to refrain from any behavior that may accidentally start a wildfire. Drivers should avoid dragging chains and driving vehicles over dry vegetation and recreationists should be very cautious with campfires. Make sure campfires are fully extinguished before leaving the scene and avoid tossing cigarette butts into areas that may ignite.

Residents and visitors must remain vigilant to help prevent fires, said Randi Shaffer, deputy public affairs officer for the Coconino National Forest.

If the community helps us out by abiding by fire restrictions and practicing best fire practices when restrictions aren't in effect, it'll make it easier on us, she said. We'll definitely have less of a fire season if we have less human-caused wildfires.

The Kaibab National Forest announced the cancellation of a controlled burn originally set for Wednesday due to fire-ripe conditions.

Crooks Fire

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Arizona residents near Mount Union, about 10 miles south of Prescott, officials said.

The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office issued the order Monday after a wildfire began at about 10 a.m. It said on its Facebook page that an evacuation center has been set up at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.

The U.S. Forest Service said in a statement that the fire has burned about 500 acres in rugged terrain filled with brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, which are trees with cones and needle-like leaves.

Department officials said fire crews, engines and aircraft have been working to suppress the flames and that smoke may be visible from surrounding towns and areas, including Chino Valley, Mayer and Prescott Valley.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Fire near Bisbee

A principal highway route between two southern Arizona cites reopened Tuesday after being closed for about eight hours overnight due to a brush fire in hills overlooking Bisbee.

U.S. 80 was reopened around 6 a.m. after being closed Monday evening near Mule Pass Tunnel, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

The highway is the principal route between Bisbee and Sierra Vista.

No structure damage was reported and the Cochise County Sheriff's Office said the fire's perimeter had been secured and a pre-evacuation notice for about 15 homes had been lifted.

No information was immediately available on the fire's size or how it started.

"Ready, Set, Go" explained Officials ask residents to remain ready for evacuation during the wildfire season.This includes assembling an emergency kit that includes water, food, pet foods, medication, personal items and other important belongings. Make plans for what you will do with pets or livestock in an evacuation occurs. Keep up to date on local news, weather watches and public health recommendations.When a set status is declared, residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family or friends outside the impacted area.Grab your emergency kit and start arranging to relocate pets and livestock. Be prepared to possibly leave your home for up to a week or more.This might be the only notice you receive as emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions deteriorate rapidly.Evacuate immediately when a go notice is issued.Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas. If residents choose to ignore this, emergency services may not be able to assist any further.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about Colorado's increased water use.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about Colorado's increased water use.

Ricketts proposed the canal project to help protect Nebraska's water rights as the population of Colorado's Front Range increases, although Colorado officials have questioned the need for it.

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Water is our most important natural resource after our people. We need to continue to manage, protect and steward it here in our state, Ricketts said.

The law will allow Nebraska to begin work on the roughly $500 million canal, but the measure includes only $53.5 million to design the project and potentially secure purchase options on land that might be used for it in the future.

Officials estimate that it will take eight to 10 years to complete the project, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources will have to return to the Legislature next year to obtain additional funding.

Ricketts, a Republican, has said the South Platte River Compact agreement that was approved by Nebraska, Colorado and Congress in 1923 gives Nebraska the right to build the canal.

Constructing the project would give Nebraska the right to claim some of the water in late fall, winter and early spring and store it for use in drier times. Colorado has always fulfilled its obligation to provide at least 120 cubic feet (3.4 cubic meters) per second of water during the summer irrigation season, but it has no such duty during the non-irrigation season.

A spokesman for Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called the project a bad-faith attempt to undermine a century-long and successful compact between Colorado and Nebraska and a costly boondoggle for Nebraska taxpayers.
NEW YORK (AP)  The New York Times has named Joseph Kahn as its new executive editor, replacing Dean Baquet as leader of the storied paper's newsroom.

FILE - A sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building, Thursday, May 6, 2021 in New York. The New York Times has named Joseph Kahn as its new executive editor, replacing Dean Baquet as leader of the storied paper's newsroom. The Times said Kahn, who has been managing editor at the the paper since 2016, will assume his new role effective June 14. Baquet will remain at The Times but in a new position, the paper said in a news release Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  The New York Times has named Joseph Kahn as its new executive editor, replacing Dean Baquet as leader of the storied paper's newsroom.

The Times said Kahn, who has been managing editor at the the paper since 2016, will assume his new role effective June 14. Baquet will remain at The Times but in a new position, the paper said in a news release Tuesday.

Kahn previously served as The Times' Beijing bureau chief and led the paper's international desk, which won six Pulitzer Prizes under his stewardship.

We couldnt ask for a better leader for our newsroom amid a historic convergence of events," said A. G. Sulzberger, publisher and chairman of The New York Times Co. And as one of the architects of our digital transformation, Joes vision will be crucial as we seek to become even more valuable to readers around the world.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday asked state lawmakers to approve a massive package of financial incentives, including tapping into the state's reserve funds, to help lure an unnamed company to the state.

FILE - Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks at a signing ceremony to sign into law a bill, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Oklahoma City. The governor is asking lawmakers to approve a massive package of financial incentives to help lure an unnamed company to the state. Stitt made the request at a news conference on Monday, April 18. He told reporters he was prohibited from naming the company or the total cost of the package. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday asked state lawmakers to approve a massive package of financial incentives, including tapping into the state's reserve funds, to help lure an unnamed company to the state.

The first-term Republican said he was prohibited by a non-disclosure agreement from naming the company or outlining the total cost of the package. But he hinted that the incentives targeted a company associated with the electric-vehicle industry.

Tens of billions of dollars are going to be invested over the next five to seven years in this space, and we want Oklahoma to be the spot that these folks land," Stitt said.

He said the unnamed company planned to build one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the country, a humongous factory with billions and billions of dollars worth of investment, thousands and thousands of jobs."

Japanese broadcaster NHK, citing unnamed sources, reported last month that Panasonic Corp. was looking at both Kansas and Texas as a potential location for a factory to produce electric-vehicle batteries for Tesla and other vehicle makers. Kansas earlier this year authorized more than $1 billion in state incentives in hopes of attracting a $4 billion project.

Panasonic did not immediately respond to a message left Monday seeking comment.

A bill unveiled Monday afternoon in a joint budget committee authorized rebates of up to nearly $700 million in state funds that could be disbursed to a company that reached specific benchmarks, including at least a $4.5 billion capital expenditure and the creation of up to 4,000 new jobs within the first four years of the project.

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Oklahoma reportedly was in the running for the new Tesla assembly plant near Tulsa, and its CEO Elon Musk visited the city, but the company ultimately selected Austin, Texas. After the competition to land the Texas plant, Oklahoma launched a new effort to lure the automotive industry to the state.

Stitt wants lawmakers to expand the state's Quality Jobs Act, which provides quarterly cash payments up to 5% of new payrolls for up to 10 years for qualifying companies, to payments of up to 7.5% for major projects.

Stitt also wants to raise the cap on a separate investment tax-credit package, which provides tax credits to manufacturers based on either investment in property or the addition of employees, from 2% to 3%.

Speaker of the House Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat both indicated their support of Stitt's proposal.

House Democratic Leader Rep. Emily Virgin said her members had been briefed by Stitt's Secretary of Commerce Scott Mueller on the general components of the plan, but was hesitant to offer her support without more information.

The governor has not spoken to us about the bill, and it's very concerning he would ask us to support something without giving us the bill number or language," said Virgin, D-Norman.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Prompted by a court order, federal wildlife managers have issued a new draft plan for managing Mexican gray wolves in the Southwestern U.S. in an effort to address illegal killings of the endangered predators.

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2019, file photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a member of the Mexican gray wolf recovery team carries a wolf captured during an annual census near Alpine, Ariz. Prompted by a court order, federal wildlife managers have issued a new draft plan for managing Mexican gray wolves in the Southwestern U.S. The changes aim to address illegal killings of the endangered predators through education, outreach and other means. (Mark Davis/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP, File)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Prompted by a court order, federal wildlife managers have issued a new draft plan for managing Mexican gray wolves in the Southwestern U.S. in an effort to address illegal killings of the endangered predators.

The plan calls for millions of dollars to be spent over the coming decades on more education, outreach, increased law enforcement patrols and other projects to boost the wolf population across its historic range in Arizona, New Mexico and in Mexico.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently reported that Mexican wolves saw their numbers increase for another consecutive year but that overall growth of the population has been tempered in part by human-caused mortalities, which include illegal killings and being struck by vehicles.

The draft made public last week is meant to address the longstanding concerns of environmentalists who claim the agency is not doing enough to ensure the recovery of the species. While encouraged by the proposed changes to address what they call conflict hot spots, some environmentalists say pressure on the wolves will continue until the recovery area is expanded and the predators are allowed to roam.

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2019, photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, members of the Mexican gray wolf recovery team gathering data from a wolf captured during an annual census near Alpine, Ariz. Prompted by a court order, federal wildlife managers have issued a new draft plan for managing Mexican gray wolves in the Southwestern U.S. The changes aim to address illegal killings of the endangered predators through education, outreach and other means. (Mark Davis/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)

Bryan Bird with Defenders of Wildlife said his group believes the revisions should have considered an expansion northward into the Grand Canyon and southern Rocky Mountains.

Though the proposed revisions improve this imperiled animals chances at survival, Defenders remains concerned the plan still fails to prescribe what is needed for full recovery of the worlds most endangered subspecies of wolf, he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, federal and state managers still struggle to curb wolf-livestock conflicts. Ranchers in Arizona and New Mexico say wolves continue to kill cattle despite efforts to scare the animals away from herds using tools that range from flagging along fence lines, riders on horseback, pasture rotations and even diversionary food caches.

Under the plan, the wolf recovery team would do more outreach in local communities to improve hunter, trapper, rancher and public awareness and tolerance." That would include handing out materials with biological information about the animals and conflict reduction techniques.

Wildlife managers also want to increase law enforcement patrols in areas identified as mortality hot spots to help with public education, the deterrence of illegal killing and the investigation of wolf mortalities.

We added this action because we expect the presence of increased law enforcement to have a chilling effect on the intentional illegal killing of Mexican wolves, officials stated in documents supporting the revisions.

Michael Robinson with the Center for Biological Diversity noted that fewer than 10 people have pleaded guilty to illegally killing wolves and that many of the cases go unsolved.

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According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, about three-quarters of documented Mexican wolf deaths in the recovery area between 1998 and 2020 were attributed to human causes. Illegal killing counted for 119 of the 216 documented mortalities. Vehicle strikes were a distant second, and many causes of death were listed as unknown.

Wildlife officials say modeling used for the recovery plan suggests that the Mexican gray wolf population could grow or remain stable as long the mean mortality rate is less than 25% and if mortality among pups remains low at 13%. Officials describe the current rate of human-caused wolf deaths as excessive.

The Fish and Wildlife Service expects recovery of the species to take between 25 and 35 years, with the estimated cost nearing $203 million. The agency's estimates show that the price tag for reducing human-caused mortalities of Mexican gray wolves in the U.S. is expected to top $6 million over the next 25 years, with expenses likely increasing each year.

Loren Patterson, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, said in an email Monday that the wolves are putting the livelihoods of family ranchers at risk. Although the association doesn't condone illegally killing a wolf, he said ranchers are disappointed that the Fish and Wildlife Service isn't supporting those whose herds are being "significantly and detrimentally impacted by these predators.

When the wolf was originally introduced as an experimental/non-essential population, the (Fish and Wildlife Service) claimed to be working with the rurally impacted communities and ranchers, but the agency has completely abandoned us, he said.

In the recovery plan, federal officials vowed to continue to seek additional funding for programs designed to offset the wolves direct and indirect costs to ranchers.
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed plans Tuesday to send heavy artillery to embattled Ukraine as Canada levied new sanctions against more than a dozen close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, including his two daughters.

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed plans Tuesday to send heavy artillery to embattled Ukraine as Canada levied new sanctions against more than a dozen close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, including his two daughters.

Trudeau mentioned the plan to provide artillery to repel Russian invaders during a news conference in Dalhousie, N.B., saying the decision followed a specific request to Canada from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government.

Their most recent request (for assistance) from Canada is to help them with heavy artillery because thats what the phase of the war is in right now, Trudeau said. And Canada will be sending heavy artillery to Ukraine with more details to come in the coming weeks.

Earlier this month Zelenskyy released a list of equipment he said the Ukrainian military needed to fight Russia, including 155-millimetre heavy artillery guns and ammunition.

The Liberal government has previously dipped into the Canadian Armed Forces inventory to provide lethal aid to the Ukrainian military as it fights a Russian invasion that started in late February and has so far killed thousands of people.

But Defence Minister Anita Anand has suggested the militarys spare inventory is tapped out, and that the government  which set aside $500 million in military assistance for Ukraine in its latest budget  planned to buy equipment from vendors.

As seen from a drone in the air, the massive Komodor logistics park lies in ruins, after being bombed and burnt during the Russian invasion on April 19, 2022, near Makarov, Ukraine. (John Moore/Getty Images/TNS)

The Canadian Armys main artillery gun is the M777 howitzer, firing 155-millimetre shells, more than 30 of which were acquired from the United States starting in 2005.

However, unlike some of the weapons already donated to Ukraine, the M777s remain very much in use. In response to Russias attack, the government recently deployed one M777 unit to reinforce a Canadian-led NATO battlegroup in Latvia.

Retired lieutenant-general Andrew Leslie, who served as an artillery officer, said Canada could send M777s to Ukraine. However, he suggested the guns would be vulnerable to Russian assaults.

The M777 gun crews are out in the open and they're towed by light-skinned vehicles, he said. So they're very vulnerable to fighter jets to attack helicopters and to relatively sophisticated forces such as the Russians have.

Canada previously operated the M109 self-propelled howitzer, which resembles a tank, before they were retired in 2005 due to escalating costs. Leslie didnt know if any of those might still be sitting in warehouses, but suggested they could be useful.

If Canada were to send M777s, he added, they would need to be replaced for the army. Leslie nonetheless said Ukraine clearly needs heavy weapons such as artillery, and right now Ukraine has a higher need than we do.

Leslie also suggested Canada provide 50 light-armoured vehicles to Ukraine.

Debris lies in a war damaged apartment on April 19, 2022, in Makarov, Ukraine. Local residents said the building was attacked by Russian tanks during the invasion in early March. (John Moore/Getty Images/TNS)

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a tweet Tuesday that his country will be providing armoured vehicles, following a call with Zelenskyy. "Along with allies, we are looking into supplying additional heavy materiel," Rutte wrote.

Trudeau spoke with NATO and European leaders Tuesday at a virtual meeting organized by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The group discussed its ongoing support for Ukraine and economic sanctions against Russia, and committed to continue working with and through the EU, G7 and NATO, according to the White House.

Canada imposed sanctions on another 14 Russians with close ties to President Vladimir Putin, including his two adult daughters, Maria Vorontsova, 36, and her 35-year-old sister Katerina Tikhonova.

The federal government says they face sanctions as close associates of Putin who are complicit in Russia's unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.

"This Russian regime and its associates need to continue to be held accountable for their actions," Trudeau said.

Trudeau praised Ukrainians who have "fought like heroes" against Russian invaders.

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The federal government has hit 14 more Russians with sanctions for their close ties with Putin, including his two adult daughters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

"Theyre fighting for the values that underpin so many of our free, democratic societies," he said. "Which is why the world needs to continue to step up, why Canada is continuing to stand with Ukraine  to stand against Russia, but also ensure that this conflict doesnt escalate to elsewhere."

Global Affairs Canada said in a news release that a report delivered by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe experts last week "confirmed that the Russian forces are committing serious atrocities and human rights violations in Ukraine, including war crimes and likely crimes against humanity."

The United States and European Union have targeted Putin's daughters and other family members, saying they believe the Russian leader has hidden assets with them.

Putin is extremely private about his personal life, avoiding mention of his children in public.

I never discuss my family with anyone, Putin told reporters at a 2015 news conference, according to the BBC.

Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva in the 1980s when he was a KGB agent and she was an Aeroflot flight attendant. They divorced three decades later.

Oldest daughter Maria is a medical researcher and reportedly a businesswoman and developer.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes a long-term care announcement at the Golden Age Club in Dalhousie, N.B. during a post-budget tour on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Younger daughter Katerina was a competitive dancer turned tech developer, appearing publicly at performances and in occasional tech conferences.

So far, sanctions have not been imposed on the woman named in news reports as Putins longtime romantic partner. Photos from public appearances document years of Putin beaming at Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast.

Kabaeva became a lawmaker in the Duma and later a board member of a Russian national media company, whose news outlets have promoted Russias invasion of Ukraine. As British tabloids noted, Kabaevas photo and name recently disappeared from the website of the National Media Group as sanctions on Putins intimates neared.

Following Russia's attack that began Feb. 24, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 700 individuals and entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Last week, sanctions targeted organizations that have provided support to the Russian military  directly or indirectly  including the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Integral SPB and Shipyard Vympel JSC.

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The EU has introduced a series of sanctions as well, targeting Russias lucrative energy industry with an embargo on coal imports, along with a transaction ban on four key Russian banks representing 23 per cent of market share in the Russian banking sector.

The 27-nation bloc also banned vessels registered under the Russian flag from EU ports, with an exception for agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and energy.

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has levied sanctions on more than 1,100 individuals and entities.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland planned to hold a meeting later Tuesday in Washington with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2022.

 With files from Jordan Press and The Associated Press
OTTAWA - What began as a 30-day fundraising campaign to help Afghan interpreters flee the Taliban turned into a harrowing, chaotic and deeply frustrating eight-month effort for the Veterans Transition Network, and its executive director says its time for that to end.

Former Afghanistan interpreters begin a hunger strike on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, March 31, 2022. What began as a 30-day fundraising campaign to help Afghan interpreters flee the Taliban turned into a harrowing, chaotic and deeply frustrating eight-month effort for the Veterans Transition Network, and its executive director says its time for that to end. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - What began as a 30-day fundraising campaign to help Afghan interpreters flee the Taliban turned into a harrowing, chaotic and deeply frustrating eight-month effort for the Veterans Transition Network, and its executive director says its time for that to end.

The group started raising money last summer when the Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan, but executive director Oliver Thorne says no one anticipated how long it would be involved.

This has sort of transformed from a crisis evacuation effort into a long-term migration effort, said Thorne.

The network is ending its public fundraising on May 2, winding down operations over the next six months and returning its focus to mental health programming for Canadian veterans.

Non-governmental organizations led by veterans have been helping people who worked with the Canadian Armed Forces get out of Afghanistan and head to neighbouring countries, then on to Canada.

Thorne says bureaucratic hoops are making it difficult to help people get the proper paperwork and causing a bottleneck, and hes calling on the federal government to resume consular services in Afghanistan.

The ability to provide consular support in Afghanistan would alleviate a lot of these tensions, he said. That's where we're really seeing the bottleneck.

Retired major general Denis Thompson is part of that grassroots network of veterans, refugee advocates and volunteers working to help people navigate the complex system of visas and other paperwork. He's on the Veterans Transition Network's board of directors and is an adviser to the board of Aman Lara, a Canadian NGO that's been running safe houses in Afghanistan.

He said about 700 people in Pakistan cant get to Canada because they dont have an exit visa from that country. Another 500 are ready to leave Afghanistan but theres nowhere for them to go.

They have the right documentation, Thompson said. The pipe is stuck, essentially.

Around 450 of those who are in Pakistan have expired visas and would need to return to Afghanistan to renew them, putting them at further risk of reprisals from the Taliban.

Political upheaval in Pakistan after its recent elections may make it more difficult for Canada to negotiate changes to exit visa requirements, Thompson said, something he feels should have already happened.

These are people that have already been employed by Canada that already put themselves in harm's way, Thompson said. I just find it a little bit odd that we don't put more emphasis on those that have helped us.

Thorne said hes also frustrated Afghans don't have this extraordinary pathway thats been made available to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion.

Both advocates feel the government needs to do a better job facilitating and funding the work of NGOs and humanitarian groups, but praised the efforts of the hardworking people at Global Affairs Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

A lot of this could have been delegated to officials who are willing to get the job done, but don't appear to have the legal tools to do it, Thompson said. So that's the part that frustrates me. And that's a ministerial responsibility.

Sanctions prohibit Canadians from spending money in Afghanistan that will end up in the hands of the Taliban, either directly or indirectly, meaning requests for federal funding are stalled and operations within the country are limited.

In an open letter sent April 4 to the ministers of justice, public safety, foreign affairs and international development, nine humanitarian organizations including the Red Cross pleaded with the government to change this, noting that other countries have found a way to exempt humanitarian groups from sanctions.

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Examples of indirect contributions could include paying taxes on staff salaries, something that is required of any organization that wants to continue operating in Afghanistan, the letter read.

Added Thompson: To be frank, a lot of the solutions to these problems are coming from the NGO sector, and the problems are coming from the government."

The federal government has pledged to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees and so far more than 10,600 people have arrived in Canada. The departments of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada did not respond to questions Monday.

The Veterans Transition Network says it has raised $4.6 million and helped 2,061 people get out of Afghanistan.

Thorne said the group will try to determine if another organization can step in and take over its efforts. I'm really proud of the incredible work that my team has done."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2022.
In the wake of the U.S no longer enforcing its mask mandate on domestic flights, local travellers were left to ponder Canadas next move.

In the wake of the U.S no longer enforcing its mask mandate on domestic flights, local travellers were left to ponder Canadas next move.

Some passengers reportedly removed their masks mid-flight Tuesday, after the Biden administration announced face coverings would no longer be required on American public transit (including airlines and trains). The move followed a ruling by a Florida U.S. district judge that called the COVID-19 control measure unlawful. The administration may yet appeal the ruling.

Meanwhile, Canada doing the same wouldnt be a bad thing, Dwight Bell said while waiting at in the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport to catch his flight to Calgary.

"My first response was: really, what is that going to do for us here? How are people going to react to it?" he told the Free Press.

"Personally, I think its a good thing. It should be the individuals choice."

Bell said he formerly travelled to the United States a few times a year, and wasnt particularly concerned about the end of its mask mandate.

Should Canada do the same, his decision on whether or not to mask up on local flights will depend on how hes feeling, Bell said. If hes sick, he might don a mask, but noted he doesnt have to wear a mask in most day-to-day interactions.

"Im pretty flexible, too. If somebody feels unsafe, if Im sitting beside someone on a plane and they ask me if I mind putting it on, Im kind of OK with that at the same time."

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS (Masks are) a preventative measure and that is really good, because anything can happen. It is good for us to be on the safe side, said Gyanendra Raj Rai.

Gyanendra Raj Rai, also waiting at the airport Tuesday, said hes a bit more apprehensive about the decision south of the border.

"(Masks are) a preventative measure and that is really good, because anything can happen. It is good for us to be on the safe side," he said.

He was off for a visit home to Nepal  a regular trip for him that requires more than one connecting flight.

"If I could travel without the mask, that would be more comfortable for me," he said. "But because of this pandemic, I dont have any objections to abiding by the rules and the law."

The Trudeau government said Tuesday theres no imminent plan to follow the American example.

"There is no change to the current policy in Canada," wrote Valerie Glazer, a spokeswoman for federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.

"We will base any decisions on the use of masks during travel on the latest public health advice, to ensure the safety of our transportation sector."

The Conservative party argued Canada ought to follow suit, with transport critic Melissa Lantsman tweeting: "We are further and further out of step with the (world)" for maintaining both mask and COVID-19 vaccinations for travellers.

The current federal regulations require any flight within Canada, or those operating to or from Canada, to have passengers wearing masks when they arent eating or drinking. That doesnt apply to foreign flights crossing over Canadian airspace or transfer flights Canadians take after reaching another country.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ayo Makanju said he wont be wearing a mask on domestic flights in the U.S., and if the same changes come to Canada, hell do the same.

Some American labour unions had complained the mask mandate meant flight attendants had enforce the extra rules. The airline division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees has instead argued mask mandates lower the risk of cabin crew catching COVID-19, and has worried the U.S. dropping its rules will make it harder for Canadian flight attendants to enforce the domestic rules.

A study from the International Air Transport Association has estimated passengers could be as much as three times more likely to catch COVID-19 during a flight since the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron strain in December. The hybrid COVID strain XE (the newest variant of Omicron) is said to be even more transmissible, and several cases have been identified in Canada.

There are still a number of restrictions Ottawa would likely have to do away with before dropping masks, including testing and vaccination requirements (depending on the province), while in the U.S., many such requirements had already been axed, Winnipeg Airports Authority vice-president Tyler MacAfee said.

"Weve seen a very different approach to the pandemic in the U.S. versus Canada, where travel restrictions were here much longer," he said.

"So I think the changes were seeing in the U.S. is something were certainly keeping an eye on, but theres still a number of factors that were looking at here in the Canadian system to get back to where we were pre-pandemic."

While the WAA is waiting on an "eventual" end to the domestic flight mask mandate, its not something the organization is actively calling for, MacAfee said.

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Tuesdays news inspired "mixed feelings" in Ayo Makanju, who was travelling to Atlanta from Winnipeg.

"Peoples health matters a lot. Its a good thing that people, they want to get rid of the masks, but then they say another variant is one the way, so its mixed feelings. Some people arent happy about it," he said.

Makanju said he wont be wearing a mask on domestic flights in the U.S., and if the same changes come to Canada, hell do the same. However, he wont get rid of masks entirely: should he or people around him be sick, hell put one on.

"Ill go by the government regulations, whatever the government says."

 with files from Dylan Robertson

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
An award-winning author from Winnipeg is challenging an Ontario school boards decision to pull one of his Indigenous fantasy novels  a popular teaching resource among middle school educators in Manitoba  from its shelves.

An award-winning author from Winnipeg is challenging an Ontario school boards decision to pull one of his Indigenous fantasy novels  a popular teaching resource among middle school educators in Manitoba  from its shelves.

David Robertson, a Cree novelist and public speaker based in the Westwood neighbourhood, was recently tipped off about the Durham District School Boards call to stop using his title, The Great Bear, in its classrooms located in Oshawa and other communities east of Toronto.

The young-adult book succeeds The Barren Grounds as the second in Robertsons fantastical series, The Misewa Saga.

The Narnia-inspired novels detail the adventures of Indigenous children who discover a magical portal at their foster home. The opening leads into another world in which the Cree youth travel back in time to adventure and learn principles about their culture.

"I never wouldve expected a book like that to get pulled off shelves. I am just still completely beside myself about it," Robertson told the Free Press on Monday.

Robertson said he obtained board correspondence that suggests his book was among several in question. The division memo indicates the reason: it contains "too much culture and ceremony," while one part of it is "particularly harmful to Indigenous youth and families."

The critiques have left both the author and his publisher "dumbfounded," he said, adding hes only ever received positive feedback on the first two books in the series. (The Stone Child is slated to be released in August.)

Teachers often relay positive messages from their students when contacting Robertson, he said, adding Indigenous fans disclose how empowering the saga is, given it highlights Cree culture and ongoing issues faced by First Nations people.

Noting his goal is exactly that: to empower Indigenous families, Robertson added the novels tackle universal themes such as climate change and anti-bullying.

He had not received a formal reply from the board about its decision, as of Monday.

Over the weekend, the board acknowledged it had "temporarily" removed The Great Bear from its library collection, pending a review. A division statement was published Saturday, several days after the Toronto Star first reported on the situation, and indicated leadership did not receive email queries from Penguin Random House because they were caught in a phishing filter.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS I never wouldve expected a book like that to get pulled off shelves. I am just still completely beside myself about it, Cree author David Robertson told the Free Press on Monday.

"(DDSB) is committed to upholding Indigenous rights, including the self-determination of parents and families. We continue to engage with the local Indigenous community members who raised the initial concern about this book before sharing any more information publicly," it states.

School board leaders did not respond to requests for comment Monday. Officials are expected to discuss the matter during a public meeting Tuesday.

At Winnipegs Bruce Middle School, grades 6 and 8 students are currently reading Robertsons series.

Vice-principal April Waters said she was shocked to hear the sequel is off-limits in the Durham region.

The books are well-written and engaging to Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences alike, while they provide positive First Nations representation in lessons and prompt critical discussions, said the Metis educator.

"If were really looking at the reconciliation process and what it looks like at the school level, its about sharing our stories and not only having Indigenous kids seeing themselves in the books that were reading and the resources that were using, having our stories told and also told by us, but also having non-Indigenous kids learning because they havent been exposed to stuff," Waters said.

Manitoba school boards typically rely on teachers to use their professional discretion to gauge grade appropriateness and introduce materials to students.

As far as Robertson is concerned, what is happening in Durham amounts to worrying censorship.

"I dont really need an apology because an apology without action means nothing. What I want to see is a change in policy. I want to make sure that their vetting process, whatever it is, is transparent and consistent," he said.

In an email, a spokesperson for Penguin Random House said the publisher cannot sit by idly at a time when it is grappling with past crimes against Indigenous people and working "to address them through actions aimed at getting to real truth and reconciliation."

They added: "We are deeply concerned that students may not have access to The Great Bear in their schools."

The title is currently on the Ontario Library Associations Silver Birch Award short list as part of its Forest of Reading program, an initiative designed to promote a love of reading.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
After being called out by the Opposition for skipping question period, Premier Heather Stefanson is scheduled to miss it again Tuesday.

After being called out by the Opposition for skipping question period, Premier Heather Stefanson is scheduled to miss it again Tuesday.

A news release sent Monday says the Tory premier is taking part in a news conference at 1:30 p.m.  start time for proceedings at the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, which include question period, the time set aside for the Opposition to directly hold the government to account.

Its her fourth absence from the house since the spring session officially began March 2.

NDP house leader Nahanni Fontaine said the premier has staff to co-ordinate news conferences and those events shouldnt conflict with her duties in the house.

"And yet she keeps choosing to have press conferences right at QP," Fontaine said Monday.

"To me, that is an indication that she doesnt want to face the music and how she doesnt want to be accountable to Manitobans."

In the house, the NDP MLA called out the premier April 7 for scheduling events at the same time as question period and not being there to answer for her government. She took to Twitter on Monday to call Stefanson a "part-time premier."

Stefansons press secretary said in an email Monday: "The premiers office is always open and available to respond to the needs and concerns of the community." She did not address questions about Tuesdays event conflicting with question period.

"The premier looks forward to joining elected and community leaders tomorrow for an important announcement to support Manitoba's most vulnerable citizens," Olivia Billson said in an email. "Members of the media are encouraged to join this event, ask questions and share the good news."

The premier may answer media questions at such events, but has a responsibility to elected members of the house to answer for her government, said Fontaine.

"She doesnt think she needs to be accountable to Manitobans," the NDP house leader said. "The whole purpose of when we are in session is to pass legislation, debate legislation, but also for the government of the day to be held to account by the official Opposition, and to answer the questions that Manitobans have.

"She is deliberately thwarting those opportunities to ask really important questions and, at this point quite honestly, its just a sad commentary on her leadership or lack thereof."

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On March 8, International Womens Day, Manitobas first female premier missed question period because she didnt feel well.

On March 23, she was absent to attend the 1:30 p.m. announcement of $7.5 million in provincial funding for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

On April 6, she missed question period to make a 1:30 p.m. announcement about long-term care at a personal care home that, at the last minute, was moved to the legislative building because of a COVID-19 outbreak at the residence.

On Tuesday, the premier is to attend a 1:30 p.m. news conference to announce a capital campaign, a release said.

The project is for Toba Centre for Children and Youth (previously Snowflake Place), which opened in 2013 and offers "a safe, neutral, family-friendly setting to co-ordinate forensic interviewers for children and youth who had been abused," the release said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE  A mother and two children found dead in a fire-damaged duplex had futures with so much promise, according to grief-stricken relatives desperate for answers after the triple homicide.

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE  A mother and two children found dead in a fire-damaged duplex had futures with "so much promise," according to grief-stricken relatives desperate for answers after the triple homicide.

The victims were identified by family Monday as Shantelle Murphy, 32, her six-year-old daughter, Isabella, and three-year-old son, Mason.

Kindra Stothers photo The Portage la Prairie duplex where the mother and two children were killed. Trevis McLeod, 50, is accused of killing his partner and kids, and setting their Portage la Prairie home on fire.

"She and the kids didnt deserve this. They were taken too soon, and in not a nice way," Murphys mother, Tammi St. Jean, told the Free Press. "Theyre going to be deeply missed. They were extremely loved."

Trevis McLeod, 50, is accused of killing his partner and children, and setting fire to their Portage la Prairie home. The bodies were found after firefighters extinguished the blaze at about 1 a.m. April 10.

McLeod allegedly assaulted a family member at a different Portage home after the fire.

Winnipeg police arrested him in the downtown area April 15, and turned him over to RCMP major crime services, after a manhunt. McLeod is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one each of arson and assault.

SUPPLIED Shantelle Murphy, 32, and her three-year-old son, Mason.

Police havent divulged details about a possible motive nor how the victims were killed.

St. Jean, 57, hopes to get answers soon, as scenarios keep playing in her head.

"As a mom, my brain is just going wild. I cannot even imagine how anyone could do this. I just dont understand why," she said by phone from her Calgary home. "I dont know why (Shantelle) couldnt reach out. I would have been there in an instant.

"My heart is breaking because this didnt have to happen. The whole family has been devastated. I have to put some reason behind this because they never got a chance at life."

A family member set up a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of transporting the remains to Calgary and holding a funeral for them.

"Obviously, this was domestic violence at its worst," said St. Jean. "Its very important for the family to bring them home so we can see them off properly in a loving way."

Murphy was a "beautiful" soul whose children were her "everything," said St. Jean.

SUPPLIED Six-year-old Isabella.

"Shantelle was bright and funny, and she loved those kids with all her heart. She had a lot of potential, and I know she wanted to go back to school and provide a better life for her kids," she said.

"Isabella was so talkative about everything. She was talking at an early age and Shantelle was so proud of her. Mason was a bundle of energy. He was non-stop running."

St. Jean last spoke with her daughter about a year ago, and had been trying to track her down. She didnt know where Murphy was living and couldnt find an active phone number for her.

Murphy, who called her mother "sporadically" while moving between provinces, didnt have a social media presence.

"Its been extremely hard over the last while," St. Jean said, as she fought back tears.

She last saw Murphy and her grandchildren about 18 months ago, when she visited them and McLeod at their home in London, Ont.

At that time, there was nothing to suggest her daughter and grandchildren were in any danger, and there was no mention of domestic abuse or control, she said.

Kindra Stothers photo Mourners gather at a candlelight vigil Sunday evening outside a Portage la Prairie duplex where the mother and her two children were killed. Their bodies were found after firefighters extinguished a blaze at the home on April 10.

Murphy and McLeod began a relationship several years ago, after meeting through a mutual friend in Calgary. They were common-law partners and the children had the last name of Murphy, according to St. Jean.

She didnt approve of her daughters relationship, partly due to the age difference.

"I told her I didnt care for him at all," said St. Jean. "She changed a bit when she was with him. She was more to herself and not as forthcoming with information. She always said everything was fine and they were doing OK."

St. Jean said she didnt know anything about McLeod, his criminal record or a former partners allegations of domestic abuse.

McLeods past convictions in Manitoba include assaults, mischief, theft, impaired driving and court order breaches.

His former partner said he was violent toward her and once went after her with a knife.

Winnipeg police arrested Trevis Zane McLeod in the downtown area April 15, and turned him over to RCMP.

"I have PTSD. His actions will affect me for the rest of my life," said the woman, who has two sons with McLeod. "I always knew he would be more than capable of hurting somebody else."

The woman was granted a protection order against McLeod in 2004. (The Free Press isnt naming her because she is a victim of domestic violence.)

She said her oldest son, who is 28, escaped the duplex as the April 10 tragedy unfolded, and ran to a family members home to call 911.

St. Jean said her daughters family moved into the Portage home, some 70 kilometres west of Winnipeg, three or four months ago.

She said McLeod, whose past jobs include drywall installation, has relatives in Portage, and he previously lived in the nearby community of Oakville.

Neighbours on 7th Street S.E. said Murphy and McLeod kept to themselves, and they rarely saw the children playing outside. Murphys daughter was a Grade 1 student at Ecole Crescentview School.

A couple with four children lived in the neighbouring duplex unit. They escaped their home without injury, but were displaced by the fire.

St. Jean said she found out about the deaths after the RCMP, who were having trouble finding relatives, sent a Facebook message asking her to call a Manitoba phone number, without explaining why. She called after seeing the message April 11.

"They didnt have a lot of information. They apologized for having to break the news that way," she said. "It wasnt the way I wanted to be notified, but they told me they didnt have too much information on (Murphy) or next of kin."

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St. Jean said the police have been "very kind" to her family and attentive while investigating the homicides and searching for McLeod, whose arrest last week came as a "relief."

"I just want him behind bars. I dont want him to see the light of day again."

McLeod was arrested and charged with an assault that allegedly occurred April 10, but after the fire. He was released with several court conditions the next day, said RCMP, because there wasnt enough evidence to hold him as a suspect in the homicides.

St. Jean also thanked Manitobans for their support, after about two dozen people attended a candlelight vigil in front of the duplex Sunday night. Mourners prayed and left stuffed animals and flowers on the doorstep.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's dialogue with The Wall Street Journal on April 1 during his working visit to the United States should have offered Washington some food for thought.

Lee said that he hoped the US would not describe the Ukraine conflict as a war between democracy and authoritarianism, and would not take advantage of it to try and isolate China, which will only further complicate the already tense Sino-US relations. He also said that the US should not define China's stance over the Ukraine crisis as standing on the wrong side.

These remarks not only reflect Singapore's concerns but those of other countries in the Asia-Pacific as well. The new uncertainties in Sino-US relations originate not only from their different stances on the Ukraine crisis, but more importantly the political manipulation of some US politicians.

The three principles China stresses to explain its stance on the Ukraine crisis are peace is most precious, security is indivisible, and there should be no double standard in handling international relations. These apply to both Russia and Ukraine.

Peace can only be established on the basis of safeguarding national sovereignty, which is also the first principle of international relations. Without this principle, international relations would be impossible.

That security is indivisible emphasizes that there is no unilateral security, and the security of one country cannot be sacrificed at the expense of the security of other countries.

As to no double standards, that is easier to understand, as many wars that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have participated in since the end of the Cold War can be attributed to a double standard.

As such, China's stance on the Ukraine crisis is impartial and its purpose is to safeguard the international order. As Lee said, the US is trying to make use of the Ukraine crisis to create binary opposition in the world.

So far, the US has sent weapons worth about $2.5 billion to Ukraine, which rather than calming the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in more casualties, refugees and confrontation. As have the sanctions the US and its allies have imposed on Russia, which have expanded to more than 80,000 kinds of commodities and services, seriously affecting the stability of the international supply chains and the stability of international finance.

The mismatch between the US deeds and words on dealing with China also increases the uncertainties of its relations with China, as Lee has pointed out. The US side should show more foresight by exploring the building of a new type of major country relations with China.
Last Tuesday, in a dramatic and furious speech to the United Nations Security Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented graphic atrocity photographs from Bucha  including close-ups of dead children and clumps of corpses, some with their hands tied behind their backs.

Opinion

Last Tuesday, in a dramatic and furious speech to the United Nations Security Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented graphic atrocity photographs from Bucha  including close-ups of dead children and clumps of corpses, some with their hands tied behind their backs.

The chamber fell silent, the New York Times reported, and the photographs ricocheted around the world. Almost immediately, the European Commission proposed to cut off coal imports from Russia and President Joe Biden vowed additional sanctions.

The pictures, apparently, had done their job.

But images cant make political decisions. Photographs cant do our thinking for us, though sometimes they can nudge us a bit. It is doubtful that the Bucha photographs will significantly alter the course of the war. What they can do and have done is strengthen a political will that already existed  what the photography critic Susan Sontag called a relevant political consciousness  to fight Russias aggression. The images tell us something that, in a sense, we already knew.

Horrific photographs like those shown at the U.N. help us do what we were primed to do, but history shows they can rarely do more.

The Ukraine war is being compared to the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, and in some ways the comparison is apt. Here, once again, a fledgling democracy is fighting a fierce dictatorship. A peoples army, composed in large part of ordinary civilians, is fighting a far larger and better equipped foe (in Spain, it was the forces of Francisco Franco, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini). Civilians are mercilessly targeted, especially from the air. And in both cases, images helped to tell the story of the struggle.

Writers, poets, journalists and photographers flocked to Spain to support the republic. The war was indelibly photographed by, most prominently, Robert Capa. His depictions of the anti-Franco fighters  some far too young, others far too old  were imbued with something close to tenderness. Here, he seemed to say, were men who were willing to kill, and die, for their freedom, but who did not want to kill or die. Capa sought to mobilize support for the Spanish Republic on the basis of respect, not pity. Many newspaper and television images of the Ukrainian fighters strikingly echo this sensibility.

Capa and his colleagues, especially Gerda Taro and David (Chim) Seymour, photographed the war with an explicit political aim: military intervention by the liberal democracies. They failed. In the U.S., France and England, the political will for intervention was weak if not absent; five months after the end of the Spanish war, Hitler invaded Poland and instigated the Second World War.

The so-called Caesar photographs from Syria represent another instance of the failure of images  or, rather, on the part of those who saw them to take action. Caesar is the code name of a government photographer from Syria; with the outbreak of that countrys civil war, his duties changed. Now, instead of photographing mundane events such as car accidents, he was told to document the incomprehensibly cruel tortures that President Bashar Assads dictatorship has committed on an enormous scale.

Caesars images are among the worst I have ever seen, and far more disgusting than anything yet shown from Bucha. They depict bodies  people  who have been slowly starved to death; whose faces have been mutilated by knives; whose eyes have been gouged out, apparently while they were still alive.

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Horrified by what he was seeing, Caesar and a friend spent two years smuggling tens of thousands of torture photographs out of the country, which put them and their families at risk of death. The photographs have been verified by forensic experts, including the FBI, and in 2014 were widely circulated in major newspapers, on the websites of human rights organizations and at the United Nations. Like Capa, Caesar hoped the images would change the worlds attitude toward the war.

The effect of the photographs was  zero. No liberal democracy had any intention of significant involvement in the Syrian civil war, especially in light of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assad, whose major ally is Russian President Vladimir Putin, has dismissed the photographs as propaganda.

Now it is the Kremlin claiming that atrocity photos are fakes and trying to discredit the images from Bucha, which is one of the many bitter ironies of this war. After Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, Russians began circulating photographs of Nazi atrocities to the West. In 1942, the Soviets, whose casualties would be far greater than those of any other country, published We Shall Not Forgive!, a book filled with grisly Nazi-taken photos.

Like the Soviets who, 80 years ago, desperately conveyed their struggle to the West, Zelenskyy today aims to mobilize greater military intervention in support of his country. Whether he succeeds remains to be seen. But success or failure will primarily depend on geopolitical considerations and political will, regardless of how devastating the Ukrainian images are.

Susie Linfield is a journalism professor at New York University and the author of The Cruel Radiance: Photography and Political Violence.

 Los Angeles Times
Employment in Canada has recovered from the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Winnipegs central business district, however, is still a place of echoing corridors and empty offices because a great many of the people who used to work there are now working from home.

Employment in Canada has recovered from the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Winnipegs central business district, however, is still a place of echoing corridors and empty offices because a great many of the people who used to work there are now working from home.

Technology and the pandemic combined to give professional, administrative and technical personnel both the means and the incentive to steer clear of the downtown office buildings where they used to work. Spare bedrooms and family rooms in the leafy suburbs have been turned into home offices.

Families have found more ways to combine child-rearing and office work and to hold work-related meetings by video conference.

Statistics Canadas March labour-force survey found 20.7 per cent of Canadian workers work from home most of the time. A further 5.9 per cent of people with jobs were in hybrid arrangements, working sometimes from home and sometimes at the employers place of business.

Statistics Canadas March labourforce survey found 20.7 per cent of Canadian workers work from home most of the time.

That adds up to more than a quarter of yesteryears commuters who now stay home. These March figures reflect a small decline from February in the numbers usually working from home and a small increase in hybrid arrangements.

Canadas provincial health authorities are no longer ordering employers when to shut their offices and when to open them. The corporations and government departments that account for most central business district employment have to figure out for themselves, in discussion with their employees, who is going to work from home and who is going to turn up at the office.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Throughout industry, however, the strengths and weaknesses of remote-work arrangements are well understood. It is also universally known that densely-packed offices can be places of contagion any time a new virus arises. It therefore seems likely that Winnipegs central business district, as in other Canadian cities, is now about as full of office workers as it is going to get for the foreseeable future.

The general level of employment in Canada appears to have stabilized after its post-pandemic bounce-back. The number of employed people now exceeds the number who had jobs before the pandemic. The March unemployment rate, at 5.3 per cent, is the lowest the statistics agency had ever found by the counting method it has used since 1976. It is therefore unlikely that a further post-pandemic bounce-back will bring more workers downtown. The rebound is over.

The March unemployment rate, at 5.3 per cent, is the lowest the statistics agency had ever found by the counting method it has used since 1976.

Winnipeg and Manitoba need to accommodate the wishes of professional, technical and administrative workers and their employers and ensure they can shape rewarding lives in this new pattern of remote work. Manitoba has been losing market share in that segment of industry. Technology and the virus have shifted the work environment, and families have voted with their feet in favour of spending more time in their home offices.

The owners of downtown buildings will gradually find new users for their underused properties. The city and the province however, have to provide roads, bridges, bus lines and public services in the most efficient way that supports a strong and sustainable economy.

Mayor Brian Bowman and city council should lay these issues before Premier Heather Stefanson and ask for some careful thought about the shape of post-pandemic Winnipeg. The municipality and the province between them, as huge employers in Winnipeg, will directly influence the citys shape.

They should put their heads together and figure out what this community should do with its underused downtown.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

FILE - Travelers walk through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday, April 1, 2022 in Seattle. On Monday, April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation saying it exceeded the authority of U.S. health officials. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Justice Department said Tuesday it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary.

In a statement released a day after a Florida judge ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs, Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said officials believe that the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. He said it was an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.

Coley said the CDC had said it would continue to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determined a mandate was necessary for public health, the Justice Department would file an appeal.

As of Tuesday, the agency hadnt made a determination, officials said.

The federal judge's ruling did away with the last major vestige of federal pandemic rules and led to a mishmash of new locally created rules that reflected the nations ongoing divisions over how to battle the virus.

FILE - Travelers line up wearing protective masks indoors at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Dec. 28, 2021. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Fla., on April 18, 2022, voided the national travel mask mandate as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials. The mask mandate that covers travel on airplanes and other public transportation was recently extended by President Joe Biden's administration until May 3. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Major airlines and airports in places like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City quickly switched to a mask-optional policy. Los Angeles County dropped its mandate for mass transit and a train conductor in New Jersey told commuters of their masks Tuesday: Feel free to burn them at will."

New York City, Chicago and Connecticut, however, continued to require masks for travelers.

The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving.

A woman sits on a moving MARTA train with her mask on, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Janelle Cogan)

Even Walt Disney World in Florida on Tuesday announced it was lifting its mask requirement for its monorail, buses and sky gondola.

For many, the news was welcome. A video showed some passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight cheering and applauding as they removed masks upon hearing the announcement they were now optional. One man happily twirled his mask on his finger.

However Brooke Tansley, a television producer and former Broadway performer, was incensed after boarding a flight with her 4-year-old and 8-month-old baby neither old enough to be vaccinated  only to learn the mask mandate had ended mid-flight.

An American Airlines Boeing 737 flies past the moon as it heads to Orlando, Fla., after having taken off from Miami International Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Miami. The major airlines and many of the busiest airports rushed to drop their requirements on Monday after a Florida judge struck down the CDC mandate and the Transportation Security Administration announced it wouldn't enforce its 2021 security directive. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Very very angry about this, she said in a tweet, noting her baby was too young to wear a mask.

President Joe Biden went all-in on flexibility Tuesday when asked if Americans should mask up on planes.

Thats up to them, Biden declared during a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But the White House continues to require face coverings for those traveling with him on Air Force One, citing CDC guidance.

Passengers walk through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. A federal judge's decision to strike down a national mask mandate was met with cheers on some airplanes but also concern about whether it's really time to end the order sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In Portland, Oregon, transit employees immediately began taking down mask required announcements and signs, but said it would likely take several days to remove everything.

The city joined Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and two of Alaska's largest cities, Anchorage and Juneau, in making masking optional on mass transit.

Some passengers at Chicagos Union Station said the rules were confusing. Amtrak dropped its requirement. The Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, the regional commuter rail service, kept the requirement at first but dropped it late Tuesday.

Passengers check in at the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. A federal judge's decision to strike down a national mask mandate was met with cheers on some airplanes but also concern about whether it's really time to end the order sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Its like this patchwork of different rules and enforcement of it, said Erik Abderhalden, who wore a mask as he waited for a Metra train to his home in suburban Naperville. I mean, its like Swiss cheese ... theres no uniformity and it seems pretty laissez-faire.

Subway rider Cooper Klinges was pleased that New York Citys public transit system wasnt following the trend and planned to keep its mask requirement in place. As he waited at a Brooklyn train station, he said he canceled a flight earlier this year over concerns about the virus.

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I dont think we are out of the woods yet, said Klinges, a teacher, citing concerns about the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. It is still around. We have to still stick it out.

Passengers wait in line at the security checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Arlington, Va. A federal judge's decision to strike down a national mask mandate was met with cheers on some airplanes but also concern about whether it's really time to end the order sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The CDC had recently extended the mask mandate, which was set to expire Monday, until May 3 to allow more time to study the subvariant, which is now responsible for the vast majority of U.S. cases. But the court ruling puts that decision on hold.

After a winter surge fueled by the omicron variant that prompted record hospitalizations, the U.S. has seen a significant drop in virus spread in recent months that led most states and cities to drop mask mandates.

But several Northeast cities have seen a rise in hospitalizations in recent weeks, leading Philadelphia to bring back its mask mandate.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas, and Crawford from Chicago. Associated Press writers David Koenig in Dallas, Michael Balsamo and Will Weissert in Washington and Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report.
Kristi Nystrom is glad to have much more space for her 6-11 Crystals LLC store, and to help bring additional life to Fifth Avenue in downtown La Crosse.

She opened her store on March 27 in its new location in the Scenic Center building at 115 Fifth Ave. S., a year after it had opened in Eagle Bluff Plaza on the North Side of La Crosse. Its still a rock and healing crystals shop as well as a metaphysical shop, she said, with merchandise that includes such things as cards, books, candles, oils, herbs, stickers, incense, journals, tapestries, salt lamps, handmade soaps, pottery and jewelry.

Nystrom, who also goes by her nickname of Kiki, said she has more than doubled the amount of space devoted to the creations of local artists. The store carries the works of more than 20 local artists and has room to add more, she said.

Her new location also has a classroom for classes on such things as healing crystals and intuitive tarot reading. Its also available to rent to people who might want to teach a class or use the space for a meeting, Nystrom said.

The store also offers energy healing services. And a woman who does Thai-style massage therapy will begin offering that at the store starting in June.

Nystrom said 6-11 Crystals carries much more merchandise with its move to the new downtown location. It had outgrown its previous space on the citys North Side.

I love the downtown location, she said. I feel our downtown is very unusual for a small city this size because it is so vibrant, she added.

And businesses have been opening along and near Fifth Avenue, an area where a number of department stores were until Valley View Mall opened in 1980. The Scenic Center building was occupied by the J.C. Penney Co. department store before the mall opened.

Latino Bar and Grill opened recently in another part of the Scenic Center building, and the LAX Food Hall has announced plans to open in June at 508 Jay St., Nystrom noted.

Nystrom started her business in 2020 by selling rocks and healing crystals in a space at the Gallery 6 Salon in Onalaska, where she was a hairstylist. She left her hairstyling career behind when she opened 6-11 Crystals in Eagle Bluff Plaza, along Hwy. 16 in La Crosse, in February 2021.

We were shut down by the state for about three months in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said of hair salons. So I thought that maybe I should look into something else, like diversifying, she said. And this has always been of interest to me. I was always that little girl who would come home with pockets full of rocks that I picked up in the yard, in the neighborhood or if we were on vacation. Weve been rock hounds our whole lives.

Nystrom said she feels the terms rocks and healing crystals are interchangeable. Because all inorganic material like this has an energy vibration that can help heal the psyche or the body, she said.

Nystrom said the term metaphysical refers to things that are beyond the physical realm and include such things as tarot card readings and astrology.

She chose the name 6-11 Crystals for her business because June 11 is her birthday and because she started the business at the 611 Main St., Onalaska, address of Gallery 6 Salon. I thought alright, theres a little symmetry there, Nystrom said of the numbers.

Her husband, Lonnie, and their children Sophie, Boden and Anika help out at the store.

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On April 22-24, artists in southeast Minnesotas Bluff Country will open the doors to their creative spaces for a behind-the-scenes studio view not usually offered to the general public.

During this annual self-guided event, accomplished local artists will be displaying their work, demonstrating their processes and selling pottery, paintings, turned wood items, jewelry, fiber arts and more. Set your own pace while driving through the scenic hills and valleys of southeastern Minnesotas Bluff Country exploring one of the areas best attractions, our artists.

Tour coordinator Sue Pariseau says: Bluff Country Studio Art Tour is a creative, weekend adventure through the scenic landscape of southeast Minnesotas Bluff Country. Gather a carload of friends to join you for this adventure and celebration of a diverse and vibrant community of artists found in the southeast corner of Minnesota. But be sure to leave room in the car for the treasures you find along the way to take home.

The Bluff Country Studio Art Tour is free to attend. The 36 participating studios, galleries and shared spaces (in 23 locations) are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 22-24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A downloadable/printable map of participating locations is available on the tour website or attendees can use a mobile app to help find their way. The Bluff Country Studio Art Tour app is free and available for Android and IOS devices in the app stores.

Read the blog: Artists Jon Erickson, Julie Johnston and Gary Flynn featured together on Bluff Country Studio Art Tour April 22-24, 2022

Visit https://bluffcountrystudioarttour.org for more details.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. Additional support provided by the River Arts Alliance.

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JUNEAU  A Columbus man who was wearing a GPS monitor at the time he allegedly robbed the Horicon State Bank in Neosho had a four-day jury trial scheduled for his case.

Alan Schade, 43, is charged with a felony count of robbery of a financial institution along with six felony counts of bail jumping. In addition he faces a misdemeanor count of theft. If convicted of the most serious charge of robbery, Schade could face 25 years in prison followed up by 15 years of an extended supervision.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Dodge County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division detective responded to the bank on Jan. 26 following the bank alarm going off at 3:19 p.m. Two bank tellers said a man  later identified as Schade  gave a note to one of them. The note told the bank employees to put everything in a bag and that no one would get hurt as Schade passed a plastic grocery back to one of the tellers.

The bag was filled with cash including marked money, which had known and documented serial numbers. Schade then left in a truck that he had parked in the parking lot. Schades clothing and description including height was recorded.

The tellers believed that Schade had entered the bank around noon the same day and asked for deposit slips but did not complete any bank transaction before leaving. At that time, Schade was in different clothing, but he left in the same vehicle. Although the license plate wasnt visible in the security video from the bank that police viewed at the time of the robbery, they were able to make out the video in the earlier incident. The license was registered to Schade.

In addition, Jefferson County Sheriffs Office sent a Wisconsin Crime Alert regarding a bank robbery in Jefferson County on Jan. 24. Schade was believed to be the suspect in that bank robbery as well and involved in other criminal activity in Jefferson County. He was charged in Jefferson County on March 31 with felony robbery of a financial institution.

Schade was located in Waterloo on Jan. 27 and had the money that had been marked by the bank in his possession, according to the criminal complaint. The owner of the home that Schade was found consented to a search, the complaint said, and law enforcement located clothing that matched the clothes worn during the bank robberies.

Schade was brought to the Dodge County Sheriffs Office where it was noticed that he was wearing a GPS ankle monitor due to a Waukesha County Circuit Court case. The detective was able to get the GPS data that showed that Schade was at a bank in Ixonia on Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. when it was robbed and at the bank in Neosho on Jan. 26 at both noon and 3:17 p.m.

Schades trial is scheduled from Oct. 25 to Oct. 28.

Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760.

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Hundreds of children turned out to the Columbus Fireman's Park Pavilion on Saturday for an afternoon filled with Easter activities.

The Columbus Recreation Department hosted free games with prizes in the upstairs ballroom of the pavilion from noon until 2:30 p.m. Food was available to purchase on the lower level courtesy of the Masonic Lodge.

Cold winds did not stop the Easter Bunny from greeting youngsters outside on the grounds of the main event. When the siren blew at 3:30 p.m., kids hustled to pick up approximately 10,000 colorful Easter eggs in a matter of a few minutes. To make sure everyone had a chance to gather some eggs, the lawn was marked off in three different age groups and an area was designated for those children with activity challenges, as well.

After their baskets were filled, the kids cracked open their eggs in anticipation of finding a tasty treat or one of the 500 bonus eggs which included a special prize slip.

Follow Kelly Simon on Twitter @KSchmidSimon or contact her at 920-356-6757.

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In 1987, a 22-year-old graduated from Gateway Technical College with an associates degree in food service systems administration/management.

In May 2021, a 56-year-old graduated from Gateway Technical College as a certified nursing assistant.

Both of those graduates are the same person: Sherry Carrion, a lifelong Racinian. The difference is that the second time, Carrion was not only finding a new career in the middle of a global pandemic, but she also did it without paying a dime.

She had spent 34 years in the food service industry, including in the Racine County Jail and in the kitchen at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

I thought that was going to be my career, she said.

But, she said, the pandemic just threw me way out of the box, so I stepped out of the box  being in food service for 30 years, you get a little wore out. But the pandemic made me sit back and assess for the rest of my life. Where am I going? Is this really fulfilling anymore?

Going back to school

When she talks about how drastically her life has changed since 2019, the emotion is evident. Both positive and negative, but almost entirely positive.

Going back to school built up my confidence, my self-worth, my self-esteem. More than even making more money, she said in an interview Thursday.

Her father entering into a nursing home sparked the change. She said he wasnt getting very good care prior to his death in 2019. It was time for a change, and Carrion wanted to provide for someone elses father in a way no one had for her dad.

She got a job as a caretaker, but was making $13 an hour, below what would be considered a living wage in Racine County. Amy Mlot  the office manager at Carrions employer, TheKey  formerly Stowell Associates: Beyond Home Care, which provides in-home care older adults  suggested she go back to school to become a certified nursing assistant.

Carrion said she couldnt afford to miss work, much less pay for college education.

Thats where SC Johnson comes in.

One mission since 1911

Gateway became the nations first publicly funded technical college in 1911; it was then known as the Racine Continuation School. It was founded to train a changing workforce as the countrys working population moved from agriculture into industry.

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, other shifts in the American workforce arrived.

One of them was related to the impending nursing shortage, which has long been predicted, and the effects of which have already been seen.

In our community, theres a massive shortage of CNAs, said Matt Janisin, Gateway vice president of business and workforce solutions.

According to a 2022 Wisconsin Hospital Association report, from 2009 to 2020, only CNAs breached double-digit vacancy rates among Wisconsin hospital professions. On top of that, CNA turnover far exceeds every other segment of the hospital workforce.

Concurrent shortages in the trades, manufacturing and information technology also needed to be addressed.

Early in the pandemic, Gateway President and CEO Bryan Albrecht received a call from Fisk Johnson, the fifth-generation leader of SC Johnson.

Fast-forward two years, and Gateway leaders and recent Gateway graduates are effusive in their praise of SC Johnson.

Heres what SCJ did: Spend $539,660 to pay for 167 people, 11 more than originally planned, to pursue further education, including a $500 stipend to help each student not fall behind on their expenses while going through their respective courses. It was called the Highly Skilled Occupations for Professional Employment scholarship program; HOPE for short.

When COVID hit and a lot of people were losing their jobs, SC Johnson knew people in the community were hurting, Janisin said.

Back in class

Mlot was the one who shared information about HOPE with Carrion, inspiring her to go for it.

The majority of Carrions 80-or-so hours of education to become a CNA was spent virtually in a pandemic-shortened course. It ended with two days of in-classroom state exams to prove she could do the job; thats where the $500 allowed Carrion to miss two days pay and pay for her nursing scrubs/uniform.

HOPE was the missing link for Carrion and others, Albrecht said during testimony during a Congressional committee hearing hosted at Parkside Wednesday, during which Carrion also shared her story. He called HOPE probably the most influential program we had during COVID and the pandemic.

If it wasnt for them (Gateway and SCJ), I dont know what I would have done. I really dont know, Carrion said.

When she first applied for the job, she was hesitant, she questioned herself, she wasnt sure if she was able if she would be able to do it, Mlot added. There was no way, a year ago, she would have had the confidence to do what she did, to speak in front of congressmen.

Other success stories

There are others with similar tales.

Theres Theresa McKinney, who spent 17 years behind the wheel of a school bus before being furloughed when schools went to remote learning amid COVID. She went to the Racine County Workforce Development Center, where she overheard a conversation about HOPE, according to a Gateway pamphlet relating HOPE success stories. She enrolled, got her commercial drivers license, and now drives an 18-wheeler, making $8 more an hour than she did as a bus driver while also working full time as opposed to 25 hours a week.

Theres Reggie Helm, who lost his job in spring 2020 after six years in manufacturing, a field he started in right out of high school. He learned computer numerical control at Gateway thanks to HOPE and ended up landing his preferred CNC job with CNH Industrial.

Theres Sheila Holbus, another woman in her 50s whose story parallels Carrigans. Holbus was furloughed in spring 2020, lost her mother-in-law to COVID, then got hospitalized herself.

When the CNAs were taking care of me, I thought maybe this is a field that Id like to go into, Holbus said. I picked the ear of every CNA there. Ive never been in the health field before, Ive always been a cook, she said in a statement.

She looked into Gateways CNA program and found out about HOPE: It was a financial lifesaver  it was like a godsend, she said.

Still cooking a little

So wheres Carrion now? Taking care of someones dad, and making considerably more money.

She is one of five caretakers who take turns working full-time each week taking care of a 94-year-old man in his Racine home; all of his children live out of state.

Why is it so good? Because I get to not only take care of somebodys family member  I get to be this mans family. I get to be part of this mans family, she said.

Mlot added: The compassion and passion she has is something we look for in all of our caregivers.

Plus, her three decades as a cook havent gone to waste. Last week, she made cookies for the 94-year-old, and he got to decorate them.
Future Ecosystems for Africa programme launched at Wits

Programme aims to identify African ecosystem vulnerabilities while leveraging African-informed transformative change opportunities.

The Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation in partnership with the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Exeter launched the Future Ecosystems for Africa programme at the Origins Centre museum at Wits University in Braamfontein.

The Future Ecosystems for Africa programme is an African-wide initiative that aims to identify African ecosystem vulnerabilities and tipping points while leveraging African-informed transformative change opportunities. It supports research to address conservation and development issues across the continent, identifying that Africa has a unique, but temporary opportunity to guide development onto nature-supporting, rather than nature-eroding paths.

The programme was made possible through a donation from Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation as part of the Wits Centenary campaign, in which the University celebrates 100 years of research excellence. Wits Centenary is an opportunity for the global community to celebrate the impact that Wits has had on their lives, and a chance to reflect and to look to the future.

As part of its Centenary campaign, Wits aims to raise R3 billion in order to give more of South Africas talented youth access to quality education at Wits, and attract top teaching and research talent, we can do even more to tackle inequality, contribute to employment and drive sustainable development.

Global collaboration for local action

The overarching aim of the Future Ecosystem for Africa programme is prioritising ecosystem-based interventions in Africa, this includes what to protect and how, plus what to rehabilitate, and also identifying whose voices need to be included in this decision-making.

Through this programme, Wits University Professor Sally Archibald and Associate Professor Laura Pereira are working with project partners from across the continent and the globe to drive research that can feed into policy strategies that enhance the resilience of African ecosystems and the wellbeing of its people. This approach to developing resilient African Future Ecosystems will build on findings from the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) regional assessment for Africa that emphasised Africas rich bio-cultural heritage and diverse value perspectives for nature needed to be brought more strongly to the fore in science and decision-making.

This is an Africa-led, Africa-centred programme to influence thinking and action on the continent, says Archibald.

The journey starts with progressive and thoughtful futures thinking to re-imagine Africas future with communities across the continent. Co-creating these futures requires drawing on data and knowledge from within Africa, and integrating ecological, social and economic information with the stories and belief systems of local peoples.

Project partner, Dr Duncan Kimuyu says that This programme presents a much-anticipated opportunity to change the narrative about how African ecosystems are perceived and managed.

Developing the next generation of African scientists and empowering them to have strong voices around African development pathways brings us a step closer to ensuring sustainable future ecosystems. This programme enables African scientists to mobilise and increase their impact, strengthens existing regional networks, and will support several Oppenheimer Impact Scholars.

According to Dr Duncan MacFadyen, Head of Research at Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation,the development of the Future Ecosystems for Africa Programme is hugely exciting as it will undoubtedly create real impact and practical outcomes across the African continent. We hope to better understand the unique and complex relationships between man and the environment, as well as develop an understanding of self-healing rates within different landscapes across the continent, says MacFadyen.

A model for impact

The programme is designed to ensure that activities ranging from data collection to visioning workshops all have maximum impact through active integration and feedback between core project activities. Outputs drive action at high levels through national policy and global negotiating platforms, and from the bottom-up through targeted interventions and innovative local projects.
The past three years of Jennifer Robinson's life have been among the most stressful she's experienced, but the 30-year-old Lincoln woman has had no choice but to remain calm.

Crying, coughing and straining are among the triggers that her son must avoid, so Jennifer has tried to serve as a soothing presence for Nathaniel since he was diagnosed with a rare condition.

Moyamoya disease is a vascular disorder that can go from undetectable to life-altering in a matter of days, as it did for then-2-year-old Nathaniel in 2019.

The family moved to Beatrice from Lincoln on Feb. 17 of that year, and had been in town for less than six hours before making its first trip to the emergency room. A doctor diagnosed Nathaniel with the flu.

But the next morning, Nathaniel couldn't walk. So Jennifer rushed her son back to the hospital in Beatrice before he was taken by helicopter to Omaha. Jennifer, and her husband, Dalton, made the trip by car.

"We were about 45 minutes behind him," Jennifer said. "And the very first thing the doctor said is, 'You need to sit down. This is very serious.'"

Nathaniel had suffered a massive stroke that permanently damaged the left side of his brain. The sudden episode was brought on by moyamoya.

Nathanial spent 45 days at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha and another month and a half at a rehabilitation facility before he could undergo extracranial bypass surgery, which restores blood flow to the brain  surgery Jennifer was, at first, opposed to.

"We had to do a family vote, because I was against the surgery after doing research, because it's not always 100% effective," she said.

Dalton, though, was adamant that their son get the surgery, and Nathaniel underwent the procedure June 18, 2019.

"And he's been thriving ever since," Jennifer said.

The effects of Nathaniel's initial stroke are lifelong. His movement is forever limited by the attack on the left side of his brain. At 6 years old, he's not yet been to school, and he likely never will attend in a normal setting, Jennifer said. The stress of a classroom could trigger another episode.

But Nathaniel is alive and doing relatively well. And the surgery has so far helped prevent further strokes or seizures.

Now, the success of that surgery is being tested again.

In June 2021, Dalton, an employee at Toppers Pizza in Lincoln, suffered a small stroke, and immediately the family suspected moyamoya.

Experts say if you have a family member with the disease, your risk of having the condition is 30 to 40 times higher.

"(Dalton's) was way more than advanced than our son's," Jennifer said this week. "The chances of making it that far, that advanced, is very rare."

Dalton underwent brain surgery Wednesday, less than a year after his diagnosis at age 27 and three years since his son's major stroke ushered the unpredictable realities of moyamoya into the Robinsons' lives.

In the hours after the procedure, Jennifer said Dalton's condition had already improved.

But the reality of the family's situation  an overstretched mother and an incapacitated father  hung over Jennifer on Friday, even as she savored the success of Dalton's surgery.

"There's still risk that it won't work," she said Friday, echoing the concerns she first had in 2019 as the family weighed the cost and potential reward of Nathaniel's surgery. "It's not always 100% effective. It's all up to his brain."

This time around, Jennifer does not have Dalton to lean on.

In his stead, she's turned to her mother, family members and Dalton's employer, Toppers, where management all the way up to the company's CEO have offered financial assistance and shared a GoFundMe page.

The company first stepped in amid Nathaniel's battle with moyamoya in 2019, providing the Robinsons with meals and, at times housing, as their youngest son was treated in Omaha, said Jon Crowe, the franchisee who operates three Toppers locations in Nebraska.

Crowe, who initially only knew the Robinsons through Jennifer's mother, a Toppers employee, grew closer with the family then. In 2020, Dalton took a job with Toppers in Lincoln.

When he was diagnosed with moyamoya the next year, and as surgery loomed, the company looked for ways to help again, Crowe said.

"But I was fearful that it just wasn't gonna quite be enough," he said.

So Crowe flagged the company's CEO, Scott Gittrich, and asked for permission to share Dalton's GoFundMe page to franchisees and employees company-wide, Crowe said.

Gittrich and his wife, Robin, donated $2,500 to the account, which had amassed $5,400 by Friday afternoon. Much of the funding has come from Toppers branches across the region.

For the Robinsons, the company's generosity has served as a reason to celebrate amid an otherwise uncertain time.

Jennifer will take any chance she can get to rejoice. She has to.

"I find reasons to celebrate," she said, "because I always have that fear that this could be my last day with my husband or my son."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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The Beatrice City Council met to appoint a Chief of Police during its meeting on Monday.

John Hickman will take the place of Chief Bruce Lang when Lang retires in June. Hickman is the Chief of Police in Glendive, Montana, a town of 5,000 near the North Dakota border.

City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer gave an overview of the hiring process and discussed Hickman.

We ended up with about 15 applications for the new Police Chief, Tempelmeyer said. ...[Hickman] is from Glendive, Montana. He also was a police officer in North Carolina previous to his experience to his experience out in Montana. He has a masters degree in criminal justice. He has masters degree in public administration. He also has experience running a 911 communication center. So what well do is well bring Mr. Hickman in sometime in May and have him get started.

Hickmans salary will start at $86,000.

Council President Mike McLain said he was impressed with what he saw in Hickman.

I got to sit in on that last interview, McLain said. Very impressive individual. I believe hes about 40 years old. Took some hard questions and did a very, very good job. Very impressive.

Hickman did not attend the meeting, though Mayor Stan Wirth said he will visit the Council closer to when he takes over the position.

The Council also heard reports from Main Street Beatrice, NGage and Tempelmeyer.

Mainstreet Beatrice Director Michael Sothan said the quarter has been fast and challenging.

The main challenge that I think you guys are all aware of thats new to this quarter was the development with the Kensington, Sothan said. That was something that was certainly unexpected That visit with them in January went really good. They were talking about light at the end of the tunnel, really excited about the future. And by the end of February, things had really changed.

The quarter has also been hopeful, Sothan said. Theres been some interest in the Kensington building, he said.

NGage Secretary Traci Froscheiser introduced the organizations new development coordinator, Derek Dauel, to the Council. Dauel, development coordinator for the York County Development Corporation, will fill in for Trevor Lee, who took a position in Kearney.

In other business:

Wirth recognized the work of Linda Grell, who recently stepped down as the director of Keep Beatrice Beautiful, a non-profit that aims to beautify the community.

Grell started work with Keep Beatrice Beautiful, then called Beatrice Clean City, 40 years ago.

Its been a great 40 years, Grell said. Ive enjoyed every minute of it. Its nice to do things for your community.

The next regular City Council meeting will be on Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the BPS Administration Building.

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BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, over the suffering caused by a typhoon attack.

In his message, Xi said that he was shocked to learn the Philippines was hit by the typhoon, which caused serious casualties and property losses, adding that he, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, expresses his deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured people.

China, he said, stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity to the Philippines.

Xi said he believes that under the leadership of President Duterte and the Philippine government, people in the affected region will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua)  Ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius once suggested that governors of nations should share the pleasure and sorrow of their people. This millennia-old wisdom is still alive in today's governance in China.

"When one takes pleasure in the people's pleasures, the people will also take pleasure in one's pleasures, and when one sorrows over the people's sorrows, they will also sorrow over one's sorrows," Mencius said during China's Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.).

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has cited this Chinese aphorism on various occasions to explicate the Party's relationship with the people.

Earlier this month, during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, Xi called on Party cadres to make every possible effort to ensure that people can live happy lives.

"What the CPC cares about is how to make sure the lives of Chinese people of all ethnic groups are getting better every day," Xi said during a visit to a village on the tour.

The people-centered philosophy is a fine Party tradition. Since its founding in 1921, the CPC has pursued the people's happiness as its mission and has considered its close ties with the people as its greatest political strength.

"Putting the people first" was listed as one of the 10 "secrets" behind the Party's success when the CPC reviewed its century-long history last year.

"The Party has in the people its roots, its lifeblood and its source of strength," Xi said while addressing a ceremony marking the Party's centenary in July 2021.

Under the CPC's leadership, China has declared victory in the critical battle against poverty as envisaged, achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, and began a new journey toward the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects.

"As long as the 1.4 billion Chinese people stay united, and the 95 million CPC members stay close to the people in pursuit of a shared future, we will surely be able to continue creating miracles on our new journey ahead," Xi said.

(Source: Xinhua)
Weather Alert

...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph expected. * WHERE...Southwest Indiana, southeast Missouri, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. * WHEN...Until 6 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft. &&
NHS Bursary extended for a further two years in Wales

Wales will extend the NHS Wales Bursary scheme to eligible healthcare students studying in the 2023-24 academic year, it has been announced.

Student nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals who commit to working in Wales for up to two years after qualifying are eligible for the bursary, which provides non-repayable support covering tuition fees and living costs.

Todays announcement provides certainty about the bursary arrangements until 2024 to help students and course providers plan for the future.

The Welsh Government intends to consult on the best way of continuing to support people studying healthcare programmes in Wales to ensure Wales continues to attract and retain the brightest and the best.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: We are committed to investing in the training of our nurses, midwives and other highly-skilled professionals working in our NHS.

This further extension of the NHS bursary demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS workforce.

We are proud to continue the bursary that has helped so many people qualify and work in the NHS, caring for people in Wales.

We continue to work hard to attract more healthcare professionals to Wales through our Train, Work, Live campaign.

Education Minister Jeremy Miles said: The extension of the bursary will help attract and keep skilled healthcare professionals in Wales after studying here. The bursary complements our improved student finance package, which is the most generous in the UK.

Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Sue Tranka added: I am delighted we are once again extending the NHS bursary.

A priority for me is to attract, recruit and retain a motivated, skilled workforce and the bursary reinforces this.
Specialist mental health service for new and expectant mums to be expanded

A specialist mental health service for new and expectant mums in North Wales is set to undergo a significant expansion.

Investment in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Boards Perinatal Mental Health Service will ensure that women who experience moderate to severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy or the postnatal year can access specialist support sooner.

Once recruitment of additional staff is complete, the service will be the first in Wales to meet the Royal College of Psychiatrists community perinatal standards for staffing.

Perinatal mental health problems affect up to 20 per cent of women during pregnancy and the first postnatal year. They include a range of conditions specifically linked to pregnancy or childbirth, such as perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety, birth trauma, maternal OCD and postpartum psychosis.

Women diagnosed with a mental illness prior to pregnancy are also at increased risk of relapse during the perinatal period.

As well as having an adverse impact on new mums, these conditions can also compromise the emotional and physical well-being of their children and have an impact upon the wider family.

Debbie Griffin, BCUHBs Perinatal Mental Health Service Manager, said: Providing timely and effective support to new and expectant mums who are struggling with their mental health is critical not only for their own health, but for the longer-term health and wellbeing of their child.

We know that the first 1,001 days  from pregnancy through to a childs second birthday  is a critical window of time that sets the stage for a persons attachment, intellectual development and lifelong health.

This investment will enable the expansion of a small, specialist service, relative to the geographical area that the team covers. It will enable us to provide evidence based specialist therapeutic interventions and therapies in a timelier manner, and reduce waiting times for psychological interventions.

It will also ensure that we are the first community perinatal mental health service in Wales to meet the Royal College of Psychiatrists standards for staffing. This will enable the team to deliver high standards of care with a firm evidence base, ensuring women receive appropriate, timely and proportionate care.

The service expansion will also enable us to develop our training programme so we can deliver specialist perinatal training to our GP, midwife, health visiting and adult mental health colleagues. This will ensure that all women who are experiencing perinatal mental health issues are identified as early as possible during the perinatal period and receive high quality assessment, intervention and support.

The expansion has been funded from the Welsh Governments A Healthier Wales Transformation Fund and BCUHB.

Betsi Health Board are also working with the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee and the Welsh Government to improve inpatient mental health mother and baby unit provision for mothers who live in North Wales.
Wrexhams multi-faith community forum prepares for its second meeting

Wrexhams multi-faith community forum it to meet in town for the second time this month.

Formed in early February, the first meeting attracted members of the towns mosque, Catholic Church, Church of England, and volunteers from the districts Salvation Army branch.

Among the issues discussed by the panel at the inaugural meeting were mental health signposting, homelessness, drug use, Asian gold thefts, and CCTV coverage.

Wrexham Town Sergeant Dave Smith has led on the community engagement initiative and hopes to build on the forums positive start.

He said: I felt like a lot of good ground was covered in the first session.

Seeing the heads of local faith groups come along to offer some insight into issues of concern in the town was really useful.

These are respected people, who do a great deal of good within the Wrexham community and its great to have them on board.

Some key issues were raised last time and Ill look to provide updates on these matters from a policing perspective.

This project was all about us, as a force, reaching out to faith and community leaders to gain a better understanding of life in the town for residents of all backgrounds.

We want this to be a lasting, long-term project and hopefully our numbers will continue to grow in the weeks and months ahead.

The multi-faith community forum will be hosted at Wrexham Town Police Station, Rhosddu Road on Friday, 22 April.

The hour-long session will get underway at 3pm.

Anyone with connections to local faith groups within Wrexham and who wishes to attend this, or any future, meeting can email: david.smith4@northwales.police.uk
The Powell County Sheriffs Office has issued a missing and endangered person advisory for a 9-year-old girl last seen Friday in Bozeman.

Tirani Schaub is described by law enforcement as a 9-year-old white female, 4 feet 3 inches tall, 55 lbs, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She has not been seen or heard from since 2 p.m. on April 15.

Schaub is believed to be with her mother, Laura Beth Reynolds, a 40-year-old white woman, according to the MEPA. Laura is 5 feet 3 inches tall, 130lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair.

Reynolds was supposed to exchange custody of her daughter with custodial father in Bozeman on April 17. They did not make the exchange. Law enforcement has been in phone contact with Reynolds and it is believed that she may try to harm Schaub.

Law enforcement is also concerned Reynolds may be in possession of a handgun and currently suffering a mental health crisis. Reynolds and her daughter are believed to be in the Lewis and Clark County area driving a red 2000 Ford F-150 with Montana license plate 285661A.

Any information on either Schaub or Reynolds should be reported to Powell County Sheriff's Office at 406-846-2711 or dial 911.

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The Australian Broadcasting Corporations Four Corners current affairs television program released a two-part series, Ghosts of Timor, on April 4 and 11 that outlined evidence of significant war crimes committed by Australian military forces in East Timor in 1999.

These crimes included murder, the mutilation of corpses, and sexual assault and torture of prisoners, including children. Four Corners also provided evidence of a deliberate cover up orchestrated within the highest levels of the Australian military command. No soldier has ever been charged over the incidents.

One of the tortured, Julio Da Silva, who was 16 years old in 1999 (Credit: ABC/Four Corners)

Military lawyers interviewed on the program suggested that this cover up encouraged a culture of impunity within the Australian military, including its elite Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), paving the way for the even more widespread crimes carried out during the occupation of Afghanistan from 2001.

In 1999, following the downfall of the Indonesian dictator Suharto, Jakarta authorised a referendum in East Timor, which had been occupied by the Indonesian military since 1975. The ballot showed a large majority favouring independence. An Australian-led military force subsequently intervened, with the ostensible aim of restoring peace and security in the territory and facilitating humanitarian assistance.

The focus of the Four Corners report was the events following a clash between Australian troops and pro-Indonesian militia fighters near the Timorese town of Suai on October 6, 1999.

An Australian convoy, which also had several New Zealand troops, was ambushed and two SAS soldiers were wounded. The soldiers responded to the ambush with a hail of gunfire, killing two militia members. When their corpses were sent back to the Timorese capital, Dili, examiners found clear evidence, including muzzle blasts, that close range shots had been fired into the bodies after the two men were killed. One of the shots severed a large chunk of the persons skull and brain.

These actions, of course, represented clear violations of international law. A legal officer from New Zealand deployed with the intervention force known as INTERFET (International Force East Timor), Andrena Gill, immediately requested an investigation into the incident, which was the first fatal shooting of the operation.

This, however, was rejected by the head of INTERFET, Australias Major General Peter Cosgrove (later to be the Australian governor-general from 2014 to 2019).

Shortly afterwards, Four Corners reported, witnesses from within the New Zealand military forces began to talk about what had happened. Within a year, this triggered a secret, internal Australian military police special inquiry. Investigators took sworn testimony from three New Zealand troops, who reported hearing at least two or three gunshots fired well after the initial ambush and firefight. One soldier said: I heard someone call out, Theyre our rounds, just shooting the bodies, or words to that effect.

Another New Zealand soldier testified that an Australian soldier, identified only as Operator K, later told him that one of the targeted Timorese had in fact only been wounded initially. Operator K explained that the man had tried to get up and run away, unarmed, and that he had shot him in the back, killing him. This, again, is a blatant violation of the laws of warfare.

One of the corpses mutilated by Operator K (Credit: ABC/Four Corners)

At least three other New Zealand witnesses told authorities that they saw Operator K further mutilate the corpses as they were being transported to Dili.

One said: I can also recall seeing [Operator K] standing on top of this LAV [light armoured vehicle] towards the rear. I heard [Operator K] scream, How dare you shoot my boys, or words to that effect. He was also kicking and punching the bodies as he said this. At this time I was about 1015 [metres] away from the LAV and I thought to myself, Fuck hes lost it. He then kicked one of the bodies off of the back of the LAV.

By 2001, the defence department contacted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to provide advice on the case. After reviewing the evidence, the AFP noted that rumours had suggested the killings were an act of revenge for the wounding of the two Australian soldiers, and that forensic evidence indicated that the two militiamen may have been shot at short range with a 9mm pistol after they had been wounded, with available material provid[ing] some evidence toward substantiating an allegation of Murder.

In a highly telling comment, the AFP stated that the political impact of this investigation has been assessed as substantial and has to be managed.

In October 2002, the bodies of the two men, who had been hastily buried three years earlier, were exhumed and autopsies carried out. These found evidence that one man may have been shot in the back of the head, while both corpses had shattered skulls and broken ribs, consistent with the witness testimony that Operator K had kicked and stomped on the bodies.

Operator K was finally charged. Australian authorities, however, refused the New Zealand militarys request to uphold the anonymity of their witnesses. Four Corners reporter Mark Willacy explained, their superiors in the New Zealand defence force had genuine fears for their safety if they did take the stand.

The case collapsed, nothing was made public, and the court records remain suppressed. Operator K received a formal apology.

Australian forces operate black site torture centre

The second part of the Ghosts of Timor broadcast exposed Australian military torture. On the same day as the Suai ambush, October 6, 1999, a separate incident nearby resulted in the detention of 14 Timorese boys and men that Australian forces incorrectly believed were pro-Indonesian militia and had been involved in the ambush.

Black site used as SAS torture centre (Credit: ABC/Four Corners)

At least 10 of the 14 individuals were brought to Dili but were not registered at the official INTERFET detention centre. Instead, they were taken to a heliport controlled by the Australian SAS, which was being used as a secret torture and interrogation centrea black site in the language that subsequently emerged in the so-called war on terror.

The ten males, mostly young men but including at least one 16-year-old child and another approximately 13-year-old, were terrorised. First they were shown the bodies of the two men who were earlier mutilated by Operator K.

One witness who spoke with Four Corners, Alan Joyce, formerly of the Australian Defence Force Intelligence Corps, said: There was a little kid, I think he was about 13, if that. He cried and screamed and almost dropped to the ground. We had to hold him up.

Another witness reported that the boy, and some of the others, soiled themselves, fearing they were about to be murdered.

Four Corners tracked down and interviewed several of those subjected to Australian torture. They explained that they were stripped naked, blindfolded, not allowed to sleep, kept in stress positions, and kicked in the back if they attempted to move. They were also denied food and water and physically assaulted, including by being punched in the face. One man explained that after being stripped naked, a female Australian soldier fondled his genitals, with the sexual assault aimed at humiliating him.

Two other detainees who had suffered gunshot wounds while being detained by Australian troops were forcibly removed from the medical facility where they were receiving emergency treatment. They were taken to the black site for torture and interrogation. Witnesses reported seeing, several days later, that one of the mans gunshot wounds was seeping with blood and pus and infested with maggots as a result of being denied intravenous antibiotics.

The criminality of the Australian military was so severe that forces from other countries sought to avoid any complicity, fearing legal repercussions. A British officer instructed his men to have nothing to do with the secret SAS detention site. A New Zealand military legal officer advised that what was happening may have legally obliged New Zealand troops to refuse to transfer detainees to INTERFETs control.

INTERFET legal officer Andrena Gill attempted to investigate the issue, but was again blocked. She reported that when she raised the allegations with her boss, the chief INTERFET legal officer Australian Lieutenant-Colonel Drew Braban, he made dismissive jokes about the issue, saying, Who cares if they are not being given or withdrawn food and water and whats the big deal?

Major General Peter Cosgrove ordered a cursory investigation. The chief of the torture centre insisted that detainees were being treated humanely and in line with the Geneva Conventionsthe investigation concluded with no recommendation for further enquiry.

A later military police investigation reportedly assembled briefs of evidence for charges of torture to be brought against three Intelligence officer commanders. No one, however, was ever charged and the defence department has refused to explain why.

The Four Corners report is an important piece of investigative journalism, exposing for the first time appalling war crimes carried out with impunity by Australian forces in East Timor.

There was nevertheless a glaring absence in the two-part broadcastan explanation as to why these crimes were carried out, and what they reflect about the nature of the Australian-led intervention in 1999.

The bad apples theorychalking things up to one or two evil individuals, thereby explaining nothing was trotted out, with the program concluding with the assessment of former military police investigator Karl Fehlauer: Unfortunately, it only takes one or two bad apples to spoil a bunch.

Four Corners insisted that the Australian military had justifiable pride that they helped bring peace and stability to one of Australias closest neighbours, and that the war crimes represented a dark stain on an otherwise noble endeavour.

In fact, the humanitarian rhetoric used to justify the 1999 intervention was nothing but a pretext. The Australian government had for decades collaborated with the Indonesian military junta in the oppression of the Timorese people, including through the illegal carve up of its lucrative oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea. When Canberra assessed that continued Indonesian control over Timor had become untenable, it orchestrated a military intervention in order to dominate the process leading to formal independence. This was aimed at advancing Australian imperialisms geostrategic position in the region and at securing its highly profitable investments in the oil and gas industry.

The operation was of a neo-colonial natureand it is only within that context that one can understand the criminal activities of the SAS, supported and covered up by the highest levels of the military command.

The Timor intervention was an important turning point. The bogus humanitarian pretext had been boosted by pseudo-left organisations who organised troops in demonstrations. These events, the Australian Financial Review noted at the time, helped create the political climate for the first large-scale overseas military deployment since the Vietnam War. The 1999 deployment was followed by an upsurge of Australian militarism, including involvement in the US-led wars and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, in which both American and Australian forces committed countless atrocities and war crimes.

The Ghosts of Timor broadcasts can be viewed here: Part 1 and Part 2.

Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
A 32-year-old migrant woman died tragically last week after attempting to cross the United States-Mexico border near Douglas, Arizona, on Monday, April 11. According to the Cochise County Sheriffs Office, the cause of death was due to the fact that she was trapped upside down for a significant amount of time.

A U.S. Border Patrol vehicle drives along the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border wall, on Dec. 15, 2020, in Douglas, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin,File)

The woman was from Hermosillo, the capital of the state of Sonora, which is about 250 miles south of Tucson, Arizona. She scaled the 30-foot-tall steel structure with a ladder on the Mexican side, but while attempting to lower herself her climbing harness became entangled, which caused her to become stuck while hanging upside down.

Authorities were informed of the woman and her situation by emergency dispatchers from Mexico around 10 p.m. After recovering her body from the harness, responders attempted resuscitation, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Her tragic death is neither accidental nor isolated but the deliberate and predictable result of the militarization of the US-Mexico border and the enforcement of anti-migrant polices by the Democratic Party and the Biden administration.

On top of the unforgiving and scorching heat of the Sonoran or Chihuahuan desert, migrants seeking to cross the border outside official ports of entry face multiple walls, fences, barbed wire, attack dogs, drones. Former President Donald Trump waged war on immigrants as one of the key planks of his fascistic administration placing innumerable new blocks in the way of migrants, including his infamous wall.

Such border fortifications, however, had been ramped up well before Trump came to office and have been implemented the world over by capitalist governments, regardless of the party in power, intent on keeping out migrants fleeing war, poverty and extortion by criminal gangs.

Previously, migrants would cross borders near urban areas, but they have been forced into more remote areas, exponentially increasing the danger. This has meant ever more numbers attempting to cross into the US through treacherous terrain and reliant on abusive human smugglers.

Its a humanitarian crisis, and its been a humanitarian crisis since 1994, Enrique Morones, founder and former executive director of the immigrant advocacy group Border Angels, told Truthout. That year, during President Bill Clintons first term, the first sections of border wall began to be erected. Before that wall was being built, one or two people would die every month. After the wall was built, you started having one or two per day.

According to the Missing Migrant Project, an international organization that records migration incidents, 48,037 migrants have gone missing worldwide since 2014, with 6,141 dying or going missing in the Americas. Last year, there were 1,248 migrants who died or went missing in the Americas.

The most dangerous place for migrants in the world is the Mediterranean Sea, which year after year sees the highest numbers of missing or dead migrants. Already this year there have been 526 dead or missing from the sea crossing, with 23,860 missing or dead since 2014.

Against the backdrop of a world pandemic, the years 2020 and 2021 set successive records for the number of dead or missing migrants along the US-Mexico border, while so far this year the grim toll has already climbed to 204. These numbers are undoubtedly gross undercounts: The group Border Angels estimates that since 1994, about 10,000 people have died in their attempts to cross the border, and for every body found five more are unaccounted for.

According to the report, Left To Die: Border Patrol, Search and Rescue, & the Crisis of Disappearance, 63 percent of all reported cases of missing migrants are not even investigated, and 27 percent remain unsolved. It also tragically noted that in at least 40 percent of the cases in which a Crisis Line worker contacted the Border Patrol with substantive information on the location of a distressed person to request an emergency response, Border Patrol did not mobilize any search or rescue whatsoever.

The gruesome brutality at the border is also illustrated by reports of Border Patrol agents destroying life-saving water stations, and instances of border agents standing idly by as migrants become delirious and pass out from exhaustion.

The explosion in the number of deaths at the border is a direct and conscious result of the policies carried out by successive US administrations, both Republican and Democratic. A decisive turning point was the approval of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 under the Clinton administration, whose framework was based on a systematic criminalization of the status of illegal immigrant.

For the ruling class, the deaths of hundreds or thousands of people each year serve the purpose of deterring migrants from attempting the journey, while those who are in the country without official documentation live in fear of deportation and being split from their families. The vast majority of migrants seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border are fleeing the consequences of US-backed coups and dictatorships or military interventions which have the region in a continuous state of poverty and political instability.

Meanwhile the right of asylum has become a dead letter under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Trump and his fascistic immigration architect Stephen Miller exploited the pandemic to implement Title 42, using the spread of COVID-19 as a justification to halt all immigration to the US, including that of children.

The Biden administration, which defended the continuation of Title 42, only recently announced it plans to end the policy in May in order to allow Ukrainian refugees entry into the United State primarily through the US/Mexico border, to support Washingtons war aims against Russia.

Had the young woman been granted her rights, she should have been able to present herself at a US port of entry to apply for asylum. Instead her body hangs on Washingtons doorstep.

There is only one force that can put an end to these horrific deaths at the borders, and that is the working class. The Socialist Equality Party not only calls for the demilitarization of all borders, but also of opening and elimination all borders. Workers should have the right to travel and move without restrictions and to live and work where they choose. This program can only be won through an international struggle against the capitalist class in the fight for socialism.
A fourth day of demonstrations took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday evening in protest against the police murder of 26-year-old black man Patrick Lyoya on April 4. The brutal killing of the young auto parts worker on the southeast side of the city, which was captured on the smartphone video, has sparked widespread public anger, including demands that the officer be fired and charged with murder.

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)

Hundreds of people gathered at 5:00 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle and then marched through downtown Grand Rapids past the Kent County Courthouse and other landmarks before they locked arms in front of the city police headquarters.

The multiracial crowd chanted Patrick Lyoyas name, No Justice! No Peace! Arrest the killer cop! and This is what democracy looks like! as they marched in the cold and windy evening. Police barricades along the march prevented the demonstration from marching south on Ottawa toward Van Andel Arena, and there were several brief standoffs with officers in riot gear before the protesters moved on.

Demonstrations have been held each day since April 13, when the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) released several videos of the police killing of Lyoya, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The officer pulled the young man over in a residential area of the city early in the morning of April 4 for a license plate violation.

Lyoya exited his vehicle to find out why he was being stopped while the officer demanded that he stay in his car. When Lyoya did not comply, the officer asked repeatedly, Do you have a license? While he looked confused and scared, the officer became aggressive and said, Do you speak English?

The young man then closed his car door and started to walk around the front of the vehicle when the officer grabbed him. Lyoya successfully broke free from the officers grip and began to run. The policeman tackled him, and a struggle ensued over the officers taser. Shortly, thereafter, the officer is seen on one of the videos placing his handgun against the back of Lyoyas head, having pinned him to the ground, and pulling the trigger.

On Saturday evening, a prayer vigil of 100 people was also held in memory of Lyoya at the Epicenter of Worship church in Lansing. The service included 15 members of Lyoyas family who stood together at the front of the church wearing shirts that read, In loving memory.

Peter and Dorcas Lyoya, Patricks parents, had previously spoken publicly about the murder of their son saying that they had left the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014 to escape violence, but they never expected to experience it in America. They said they were shocked that the person involved in using violence against their son was a police officer.

The family is demanding to see the man who killed Patrick, and they want him charged with murder. The Lyoyas have called for a demonstration and march to the State Capitol on Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in Lansing.

Local and state authorities have said the name of the officer will not be released unless charges are brought against him. The seven-year veteran of the GRPD has been place on administrative leave, according to GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom. Kent County prosecutors have said no decision will be made on potential charges against the unnamed officer until Michigan State Police complete an investigation.

Jeffrey A. Fagan, a leading expert on policing and crime from Columbia Law School, told MLive that a manslaughter charge is inevitable, and it should happen sooner rather than later. Fagan said, based on a review of the released videos, At no point was the officers life in danger, and He shot as if the victim was armed and dangerous, which he wasnt.

However, far-right and law-and-order political considerations are involved in the aftermath of the killing of Lyoya. Republican candidate for Michigan governor Tudor Dixon, for example, said last Thursday, We will not let this officeror any officerbe sandbagged for reasonably protecting themselves by weak politicians who are afraid to say and do what is right.

Over the past decade, Africans have become one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the US through refugee admissions and the diversity visa lottery program, according to the Migration Policy Institute. There are 4.3 million black immigrants in the US, 95 percent of whom live in metropolitan areas.

A report in the USA Today said that over the past two fiscal years people from the Congo became the largest group of refugees to settle in Michigan, based on data from the US State Department. Chris Cavanaugh, director of Samaritas New American Resettlement program in West Michigan, said Grand Rapids is home to the largest Congolese refugee population in the state thanks to employment opportunities, as well as family and social connections like churches.

Cavanaugh told the USA Today, Certainly the Congolese community is feeling some fear, kind of scared over what happened, and I would say rightfully so. Those maybe who have much less English skills are just more apprehensive about getting pulled over or how theyre supposed to respond in certain situations.

As in the case of George Floyd, the death of Patrick Lyoya was exposed as an execution by a video captured on a smartphone by a bystander, triggering protests in the community and outrage over police violence across the country and internationally.

This latest brutal killing has been taken up by grandstanding Democratic Party officials and the pseudo-left, pointing out that Patrick Lyoya was black, and the officer was white. While it is true that more blacks are killed by police in the US as a proportion of the population, the exclusive emphasis on race ignores the full context as well as the statistics of police violence, which shows that there are twice as many white people killed by police each year than black.

Murder by police officers across the US is not, in the final analysis, a matter of race but of class. Meanwhile, during the two weeks since the killing of Patrick Lyoya, the protests by Grand Rapids residents have been multiracial and multi-ethnic. Working class people, regardless of skin color, view these events with disgust and are demanding that they be stopped immediately.

Police violence is one of the many indicators of the deepening social crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has killed millions of people worldwide and, as the imperialist fueled war with Russia in Ukraine intensifies, the ruling elites around the world are preparing for even bigger military conflicts including world war. The capitalist system is putting an ever smaller premium on human life, and the police, as the group of armed men and women that exists for the purpose of protecting the wealth of the capitalist class, are the enforcers of this class rule.
Emily Pennington will get to stay another year at West High School in Billings and graduate with her class in 2023.

And, so will every other student in Billings School District 2 up to age 20 if they want to.

Emily, who has Down syndrome, is a cheerleader at West where she faced aging out of the district before graduating with her class. She was held back in kindergarten by her parents after dealing with numerous medical problems. Her parents frustration over getting district officials to consider changing the policy created a huge community uproar and prompted several public rallies supporting Emily.

On Monday night, nearly five hours into their regular board meeting, school board trustees voted 5-3 to modify the district's enrollment policy to include any student who does not turn 20 before Sept. 10 of the year to be enrolled. Some special-needs students could stay beyond that age if deemed appropriate by school officials.

The meeting was at times acrimonious, with board members occasionally being shouted down by members of the audience. Emily's parents, Jana and James Pennington, have spoken passionately in support of their daughter and special education during at least three board meetings. In one meeting, Emily stood to address the board herself and drew a standing ovation.

Before the vote late Monday, board member Mike Leo acknowledged that changes to the policy, especially as it applies to special-needs students and funding, will still need to be worked out.

But, lets make this change tonight. Lets see what happens, he urged the board. Well do our best, and it wont be perfect, but lets get caught trying.

Still to be refined is how extending the stay of special-needs students will be paid for. A provision in a new state law extends some funding for those students, but the school district could still be left with an annual shortfall in three years estimated at more than $1 million annually.

Jana and James Pennington on Monday again made impassioned pleas to the board to extend the age-out policy, and to be more mindful of the families of special-needs students.

James Pennington said there has been some criticism from school officials that he and his wife cast a bad light on the board and superintendent Greg Upham.

I wear that as a badge of honor that I caused you on the board some discomfort so you would listen to us, he said.

During her remarks, Jana Pennington was overcome with emotion.

Its been hard, but its been an honor to be a voice for other people who just either dont have the time or the fortitude or the wherewithal to fight like this, she said.

Throughout the last school year, Jana Pennington has said she's been trying to get the school board to allow her daughter to attend her senior year and graduate with her class in 2023.

After the school board failed to add Emily's matter to its agenda, the family felt shrugged off and went public, posting to social media and speaking with the Billings Gazette. The politically-charged debate drew hundreds of comments, including statement of support from Sen. Steve Daines and Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen.

In response to the outcry, the board held a hastily-called special meeting to explore the school's age-out policy. The policy, referred to as 2050, originated in 2004. When first enacted, the rule came with a variance allowing students in certain cases to enroll until age 19. In 2010, the variance was removed when funding for such students was cut by the state legislature.

The meeting, held in March, was well attended by the Pennington family's supporters, and it was, at times, contentious and disorderly. Part of the issue is a new state law passed in 2021 called House Bill 233, which would partially fund special-needs students like Pennington. Concerns over funding and staffing dominated the March meeting as well as a need to be fair to every student, not just Pennington.

Following the initial meeting, the school board scheduled a second meeting on April 5 to review and decide on a number of options the school could take. Ultimately, they decided to advance for a second reading of a change in policy extending enrollment for all 19-year-old students who had not graduated. That meant students could enroll as long as they did not turn 20 before September 10 of the school year.

Joining Leo in voting in favor on the policy change were Jennifer Hoffman, Scott McCulloch, Russell Hall, and Brian Yates. Voting against were Greta Besch Moen, Janna Hafer, and Zack Terakedis.

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The Yellowstone County coroner has identified the woman who died after a dog mauling in the Heights earlier this month.

Melitta Hain, 84, died of complications from multiple dog bites, Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Rich Hoffman told the Gazette on Tuesday.

Hain was mauled on April 8, Hoffman said, and she died April 16 due to her injuries. She was a Billings resident. The Billings Police Department is currently investigating the case, the Gazette previously reported, and several dogs are currently quarantined at Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.

The attack occurred on a private property on the 1100 block of Bench Boulevard, BPD Lt. Matt Lennick told the Gazette via email Tuesday, and involved three large, mixed-breed dogs. No arrests have been made in connection to the mauling. Lennick said he was not able to comment further until the investigation is complete.

Last December, 58-year-old Duke Little Whirlwind was mauled to death by dogs in Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Little Whirlwind was walking his bicycle to a family member's house when the dogs attacked and killed him.

In 2017 in Bozeman, a 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by two pit bulls while she was working in her yard. The owner of two dogs later pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from the incident.

In 2018, a 3-year-old girl in a Billings daycare was severely injured by the daycare owner's bull mastiff. The girl was flown to Childrens Hospital Colorado, in Aurora, for treatment.

The owner of the dog, the girl's grandmother, immediately euthanized the animal. She also cooperated with animal control officers throughout an investigation that took nearly three months, the Gazette previously reported. The investigation concluded with city prosecutors opting not to press any charges, with one major factor being that nobody witnessed the attack except for the toddler.

Citations that could follow an animal attack, according to city code, include harboring a dangerous animal and harboring a potentially dangerous animal.

The total number of dog bites that Billings Animal Control responded to declined from 2020 to 2021, according to data from Animal Control Supervisor Tom Stinchfield, going from 364 to 341. During that same time, dangerous behavior complaints increased from one to six.

Animal control has responded to 76 dog bites so far this year, Stinchfield told the Gazette in an email.

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A fire near Optimist Park on Sunday gutted a shop but caused no injuries.

Crews responded to the fire at around 2:30 in the morning, according to a statement released by the Billings Fire Department. The blaze occurred at a shop on the 200 block of Orchard Lane, and caused the roof of the structure to cave in before firefighters managed to douse the flames.

By the time BFD personnel reached the fire, Deputy Fire Marshal Justin Robertus told the Gazette, the structure was too unstable for them to enter and control the flames.

The fire caused extensive damage to the structure and its contents, according to BFD, with the total cost of the damage estimated to be $200,000. The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation at this time.

The structure was a 30x80-foot pole barn and shop being used mostly for storage, Robertus said, and contained vehicles such as boats and tools. Arson is not suspected to be a factor.

About an hour before the warehouse fire, BFD arrived at a fire burning on the exterior of a residence on the 2200 block of Dahlia Lane. The fire burned through a covered patio and caused a window in the home to rupture, according to a statement from the fire department. The damage was estimated to be $10,000.

The fire has been ruled an accident, caused by used pellets from a smoker placed in a plastic garbage can.

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The body of a boy was found in Southern Indiana this weekend  and police are hoping members of the public can help identify him.

"Right now that is the No. 1 point of this investigation, to find out who this child is," Sgt. Carey Huls of the Indiana State Police said during a press conference on Monday. "At this point, we still do not have that information... and he deserves to be heard."

The boy, who is Black and believed to be between 5 and 8 years old, was found by someone hunting for mushrooms around a wooded area in Washington County on Saturday night, police said in a statement.

Though authorities have not revealed the exact area where the boy was found, Huls told reporters it was a short distance from a road.

"Any investigation, it's best to keep the cards close to your chest," Huls said of why the department has withheld details. "It's best at this point to withhold that information."

The child is said to have had short hair and a slim, 4-foot-tall body. Indiana State Police have not yet received a missing child report that matches the boy's description, Huls said.

RELATED: Human Remains Found in Sunken Vehicle Connected to 1998 Missing Persons Case in Arkansas

"Somebody out there either knows and isn't saying something or hasn't had the opportunity to see this in the media yet and doesn't know," he explained.

"This obviously could be a national thing," he later added. "It could be a child from any location. We're not going to preclude anybody, and we're going to look at any information that comes in that could answer the question as to the identity of this child."

Huls said police are waiting for an autopsy report but believe the boy died sometime "within the past week."

RELATED: Jogger Discovers a Decomposing Body Inside a Tent in Central Park Behind The Met: Police

Indiana State Police asked the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's forensics services team for help in their investigation. When reached by PEOPLE, police said they had no new information as of Monday evening.

Story continues

RELATED VIDEO: Texas Girl's Abduction Inspired the Lifesaving 'Amber Alert,' but 26 Years Later Her Own Case Remains Unsolved

Huls also said it was unlikely that the boy is Codi Bigsby, a 4-year-old boy who has been missing since Jan. 31, according to WVEC.

Indiana State Police set up a direct tip line at (888) 437-6432 for anyone with information regarding the boy.
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero/The Daily Beast/Getty

Convicted Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) punctuated his plunge from political grace with a campaign finance report for the ages, taking out a home loan and selling his own campaign vehicle for quick cash after legal expenses torched hundreds of thousands of dollars of his donors money.

A federal disclosure submitted last week shows the Fortenberry campaign chucking nearly a million dollars into a legal sea over the first three months of the year, about $100,000 more than it had in the bank to begin with. The vast majority of that money vanished into costs associated with the Republicans failed legal defense, including nearly $600,000 in attorneys fees in the months before his March trial.

Had Fortenberry not taken personal steps, those expenses would have busted the campaign before bills came due at the end of March, coincidentally just days after a Los Angeles jury convicted him of lying to the FBI about illegal campaign contributions. To make ends meet, Fortenberry took out a home equity loan, tapped his closest remaining allies, put off some bills, and even liquidated the campaigns vehicleon the day he was convicted, to himself.

Indicted Congressman Blames Lying Charges on Spotty Cell Service

The campaign started the year with about $895,000 on hand. But before the end of February, Fortenberry had already burned through the above-mentioned $600,000 in legal fees, plus $250,000 for a public relations blitz and $30,000 for communications consulting. He capped it all off with a final sting of $13,600 in investment losses.

Donations couldnt come close to that pace, especially for a congressman under indictment. After doling out about $39,000 in refunds, Fortenberry closed the quarter with a total $55,315 in the bank.

But Fortenberry wasnt tapping the campaign only to pay his lawyers. He also dipped into the account for travel and meal expenses for himself and his family during the trial. ($1,000 at a DoubleTree and $690 at the LAX Westin.) He even used donor funds to cover travel costs for one of his own witnesseshis chief of staff Andrew Braner, who was reimbursed $875 for transportation and lodging.

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By the day the trial opened on March 17, the account looked bleak. That day, Fortenberry did something he hadnt done since his first bid for Congress in 2004he loaned his campaign money, $61,000 that he in turn had borrowed from a home equity line of credit.

Judge Says GOP Congressman Cant Be Left Alone With Evidence

But as the trial rolled on, the nine-term Nebraska Republican got a little string from some remaining political allies, including Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who all injected thousands of dollars into his campaign account on March 23, the day before jury deliberations began.

The next day, after meeting for just two hours, the jury convicted Fortenberry on all three counts, two for lying to the FBI and one for attempting to falsify or conceal evidence.

The same day he was found guilty, Fortenberry bought his campaigns vehicle for $13,500the exact price the campaign paid for it in 2018. The cash didnt even offset the investment losses.

The Daily Beast confirmed that the vehicle Fortenberry bought was the same truck where last October, Fortenberry, flanked by his wife and dog, recorded a video announcing that he was about to be indicted. Hours later, he was.

But even though the campaign had purchased the vehicle with donor fundsoff of Craigslist, the previous owner told The Daily BeastFortenberry claimed that he owned it personally.

"Hi, this is Jeff Fortenberry, and I'm out for a drive in my 1963 Ford F100 pickup truck," Fortenberry said in the video, which was filmed next to a cornfield, adding, "we do this every now and again."

Months later, he laid the same claim to ownership in a separate F100-set video, flanked with wife and dog, when he announced that despite the indictment and pending trial, he would seek reelection.

If Fortenberry did drive the truck habitually, as he claimed on tape, it could run afoul of campaign finance laws barring candidates from converting donor funds to personal use.

In the days after the truck purchase and felony conviction, a number of campaign bills came due. They included staff payroll, consulting expenses, and tens of thousands of dollars in contribution refundsincluding to Minority Leader Kevin McCarthys Majority Committee PAC. When the books were settled at the end of the quarter, the campaign had just $50,143 in the bank.

Rep. Fortenberry Found Guilty of Lying to FBI About Illegal Campaign Donations

That number, however, includes Fortenberrys HELOC loan, which comes due in 2023. As of March 31, the campaign is in debt. Without the loan, the campaign would have ended the quarter $10,000 in the hole.

Curiously, despite the weeklong trial, the campaign committee didnt report any legal costs after late February, and its unclear whether Fortenberry shouldered those expenses personally or struck an agreement with his attorneys.

While its not abundantly common for campaigns to pick up personal legal expenses, Fortenberrys case is the exception that proves the rule. Candidates are permitted to draw on donor funds for expenses that they would not have incurred if they werent a federal official or candidate. And Fortenberrys trial happened to center on the very reason campaigns have bank accounts in the first placedonations.

In Fortenberrys case, they were impermissible donations. The congressman had lied to the FBI about when he first learned that $30,200 in contributions from a 2016 fundraiser had flowed through straw donors from an illegal source: a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Fortenberry knew and met multiple times.

While neither Fortenberry nor his campaign were prosecuted for knowingly accepting the illicit funds, the campaign didnt disgorge them until 2019, after his second interview with the feds. If Fortenberry had hung on to the money, it still wouldnt plug the $50,000 hole the campaign is in today as a result of that duplicity.

Fortenberry resigned on March 31. His sentencing is scheduled for June 28, and he has said he plans to appeal. Each of the three counts carries a maximum of five years in prison.

The Daily Beast reached out to Fortenberry and his public relations firm, but received no reply.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Cheryl Fergison said the attitude to her having a husband 11 years her junior is sexist and ageist. (Getty Images)

Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has called for an end to the "sexism and ageism" she is subjected to over her marriage to a younger man.

The 56-year-old soap star - best known for playing Heather Trott in Albert Square - married Yassine Al-Jermoni, 35, near Agadir, Morocco in 2011.

Fergison told the Mirror: "My son Alex asked his Alexa: Tell me a fact about Cheryl Fergison And Alexa goes: Cheryl Fergison is married to a goatherd from Morocco. Whys that the first fact that comes up? And its wrong! We dont have any goats. Weve never had any goats near us! But thats the first thing people say. I find it really difficult to pin down why.

Read more: Cheryl Fergison has 'EastEnders' comeback all worked out

"Theres racism, sexism, ageism - all the isms are there when people talk about our relationship.

Cheryl Fergison took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. (Getty Images)

"The world has become so cynical. People think its got to be a con, its got to be a problem. But I say, It hasnt got to be anything. Just stop it!

The actor claimed women who marry younger men are treated differently to men who marry younger women.

She said: "It seems to be quite cool for the men, like Mick Jagger, to date younger. And it seems okay for them to have someone else two years later. But people dont give any kudos to a woman dating someone younger, even though weve been together 11 years.

"Well we dont care. It really is absolutely water off a ducks back to us now. I just feel sorry for them, that they need to criticise our life."

Cheryl Fergison and EastEnders co-star Steve McFadden at the NTAs in 2011. (Getty Images)

Fergison starred in EastEnders as obsessive George Michael fan Heather between 2007 and 2012, before her character was murdered by Ben Mitchell. She returned to record a voice over as Heather in 2016.

She has previously said she would like to return to the soap as Heather's long-lost twin.

Cheryl Fergison in new prison comedy Hard Cell. (Netflix)

She posted on social media in 2020: "Ok so Ive had lots of people asking if I could go back to @bbceastenders as Hev's long lost twin... so writers there's a challenge and actually there is a storyline that could defo make that possible...

Story continues

"Remember Hev's mum ( she was a wicked one) and aunt babes terrible past story of selling babies !! ...if you would like to see this epic come back let @bbceastenders know ..."

Read more: Hard Cell review - Catherine Tate's new Netflix show is a comedy vacuum

Fergison is currently appearing in Catherine Tate's new Netflix sitcom Hard Cell, a mockumentary set in a women's prison.

Watch: Tribute to late EastEnders star June Brown appears on London wall
Taylor Smith (left) and Ilya Soroka, partners in real estate in Jacksonville, took a trip this month to Ukraine to distribute money and supplies. In a warehouse they own on the Southside, they are collecting more supplies with their Living Stream Church, which is largely made up of Ukrainians, for future shipments.

A couple of weeks ago, Jacksonville business partners Ilya Soroka and Taylor Smith flew to Hungary, then made their way into Ukraine to help however they could. They felt driven. They knew there was so much need, and there was only so much they could do. But they also knew this: They had to do whatever they could.

Whatever it takes.

Soroka, who was born in Ukraine, knew his grandmother and grandfather had stayed in their little village outside of Kyiv rather than flee the Russian invasion. Where would they go, they told him. It was too late in their lives to start over someplace new.

Besides, villagers had destroyed the bridges leading into town so Russian tanks couldn't enter, and now his grandmother was making big meals to feed hungry soldiers and residents. Soroka, who turns 25 on April 19, gave them $1,000 for food.

Whatever it takes, he said.

'A gargantuan task:' Jacksonville political consultants turn to getting help to Ukraine

'Loosely organized chaos:' Founder of Jacksonville animal-rescue group joins Ukraine pet effort

Smith, 57, and Soroka visited a school that had been turned into a refugee center where women and children slept crowded on a gym floor and inside converted classrooms. Wet laundry hung on every available surface.

We could really use a clothes dryer, said the school's principal, who was now coordinating care for the refugees. So Smith went out shopping and tracked down a dryer for the school.

Whatever it takes.

Their trip to Ukraine was quick, lasting just a couple of nights. But it won't be their last.

I feel called," Smith said.

"I want to go back," Soroka said.

It was an easy decision: 'Let's go'

Soroka moved to the United States at age 3 with his family. He's a member of Living Stream Church on the Southside, whose congregation is made up largely of Ukrainian nationals who, like his family, immigrated two decades ago after the fall of the USSR.

Story continues

The church has been organizing relief efforts in Ukraine, one of an untold number of organizations trying to ease the humanitarian crisis there. It's been working with a network of churches in that country to figure out where help is needed and how to get it there.

Ilya Soroka talks with Ruth and Joe Barber about what they can do to help local Ukrainian refugees after the Barbers dropped off fresh eggs from their own chickens at a warehouse loaded with supplies. Some supplies are bound for Ukraine while others will help new refugees and those expected in the coming weeks.

Soroka and Smith, partners on various real estate ventures, made the early trip on their own after Soroka was urged by friends in Ukraine to come help.

It was an easy decision, Soroka said. "We both said, lets go in a week, and we bought tickets. 

On April 1 Soroka left Jacksonville International Airport with a carry-on bag for clothes and checked three large bags in the luggage hold.

One was loaded with 30 donated bulletproof vests bound for volunteer drivers heading into the war zone to evacuate refugees. Another was full of medical supplies. The third was for a friend's nephew, just conscripted into the Ukrainian defense, packed with things he might need: beef jerky, first-aid kits and the like.

How to help: Ukraine relief funds abound

FSCJ panel on invasion of Ukraine: 'Putin personally feels threated by freedom'

Smith, who flew a different route, rendezvoused with Soroka at the airport in Budapest, Hungary. They were met by a Sprinter van driven by volunteers from the Ukrainian network of churches. They loaded up two tons of supplies there, as much as the van could hold, and crossed the border to Ukraine.

Each also took $10,000 of their own money to spend where they saw need. And there was plenty of need, even in far Western Ukraine, which has been left relatively untouched by the brutal invasion.

The restaurants in the city of Uzhorod were still open, and people still shopped and strolled. But it was clear that life in the ancient city in westernmost Ukraine had changed. They could see it in the presence of soldiers and militia members on the street and in the groups of refugees waiting in lines or just sitting in small groups.

And on everyone's minds was the presence of war, of loss, of grief and confusion. At night came the blare of air-raid sirens, loud and unmistakable. Though Uzhorod was unharmed, bombs were falling somewhere nearby.

Gaining 'moral clarity' in Ukraine

Smith compares the effort to helping hurricane refugees while still in the middle of a hurricane. With air-raid sirens sounding.

It felt, they said, as if they were in the middle of a historic event.

Everyone that listens to this just stops in their tracks," Soroka said. "A horrible war, but an amazing human spirit. We're going to be telling our kids about this. We understand the significance of the event."

Wounded Ukrainian soldier rehabbing in Jacksonville vows: 'We're going to win'

"I've been following politics all my life, and I've never felt this kind of moral clarity," said Smith, who in his 20s was a key player in Jacksonville Mayor Ed Austin's administration.

They will return within a few weeks with a larger group. They will take some money and buy supplies in Europe to take to Ukraine.

Ilya Soroka and Taylor Smith display some of the used firefighting equipment donated to be sent to Ukraine. Some of it smells, they said, but it will still be much needed in the war-torn country. They have both made trips to Ukraine and have seen firsthand the needs of the country in the midst of war with Russia.

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, donors big and small have worked with Living Stream Church to collect supplies and donations, which are now piling up inside an old Winn-Dixie owned by Soroka and Smith at Arlington Road and Atlantic Boulevard, a place they eventually aim to turn into storage units.

The church has also set up a phone line  the number is (904) 666-8058  for those who would like to help.

The church organized an airlift scheduled to leave April 17, bound for Poland and then Ukraine. That load includes medical supplies, diapers and other things, including 300 firefighter suits  helmets, jackets, pants  collected by a Rotary club in Gainesville. The suits are used and some are quite smelly. But they'll be useful, much needed.

Ukraine missionary, diplomat and pastor in Jacksonville: advocates for the war-torn place they call home

A group in Ukraine will meet the plane, then distribute it through the church network there. Various other Rotary clubs have pitched in as well, along with Global Outreach Charter Academy in Arlington, which was founded by Soroka's parents in 2009. Meanwhile, Baptist Health contributed 200 pallets of medical supplies worth more than a half-million dollars.

Other supplies at Soroka and Smith's converted warehouse are being sold to raise money, while others will be donated to recent refugees and those still on their way from the conflict.

Smith marvels at what Living Stream Church and its helpers have been able to do. And he soberly recounts what he saw on his first trip to Ukraine.

"In my church, we see a song about how death has lost its sting," he said. "But everywhere we went there was suffering. Everyone was suffering, shaking, in trauma. I felt like, man, death has not lost its sting.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville church organizes humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Here's a look at COVID news for today, April 18.

Florida judge voids travel mask mandates

A federal judge in Florida has voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials in the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, also said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention improperly failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking. Read more on the decision here:

CDC overhauls its travel warning list

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled its new system for travel risk assessments on Monday.

Many European nations are now considered at "high" risk for Covid-19, along with other marquee destinations around the world.

In the new system, the Level 3 "high" risk category applies to destinations that have had more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. Learn which countries got the designation here:

Increase in at-home COVID testing could mean that we're undercounting cases

As the number of Covid-19 cases grows in the United States, experts wonder if the country fully understands the current threat from the pandemic.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that only 7% of positive Covid-19 cases in the US are being detected, meaning case rates are actually 14.5 times higher than officially reported. The last time the infection detection rate was this low was at the outset of the pandemic, in March 2020. Read more on what that means here:

***

Get more of today's COVID-related stories here:

***
Bush and Putin share a laugh together at the Crawford Summit on November 15, 2001 Reuters

Former US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin briefly bonded in 2001.

They held a summit in a rural Texas town of 705 people where Bush owns a nearby ranch.

Putin and his wife stayed at the ranch, and later, the two presidents took questions from local students.

Two months after the September 11 attacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin joined former US President George W. Bush in a rural Texan town of 700 people, where Bush owns the nearby Prairie Chapel ranch. The two leaders also spoke at a high school, after winding down at the ranch, according to NPR.

The now-unimaginable meeting took place in Crawford, Texas, on November 15, 2001, and was billed as the Crawford Summit, with both presidents less than a year into their first terms in office.

It was an era when Putin admired Bush and Russia was trying to normalize relationships with the West after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The meeting reflected a positive moment in American and Russian relations  and a glimpse of Putin early in his rise to power in Russia.

"We had a great dinner last night; we had a little Texas barbecue, pecan pie, a little Texas music. And I think the President really enjoyed himself," Bush told the students, according to the George W. Bush White House archives. "I told him he was welcome to come back next August to get a true taste of Crawford. He said, fine, and maybe you'd like to go to Siberia in the winter."

During his speech, Bush mentioned that Putin and his wife Lyudmila stayed the night at his Prairie Chapel ranch.

"It's my honor also to introduce President Putin to Crawford. I bet a lot of folks here, particularly the older folks, never dreamt that an American President would be bringing the Russian President to Crawford, Texas." Bush said. "A lot of people never really dreamt that an American President and a Russian President could have established the friendship that we have. We were enemies for a long period of time."

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Bush added that "we're working together to break the old ties, to establish a new spirit of cooperation and trust so that we can work together to make the world more peaceful." His speech largely focused on combatting terrorism and seeing Russia as a partner in that fight.

Bush and Putin share a laugh together at the Crawford Summit on November 15, 2001 Reuters

"On our way here, we didn't expect at all that things would be so warm and homey as they were at the ranch of President Bush here," Putin said. "Yesterday, we had a surprise, but today's meeting is yet another and very pleasant surprise, indeed, for us. Indeed, in any country, the backbone of any country is not only the people who live in the capitals but also and mostly, the people who live hundreds and thousands of miles from the capital."

Putin's comments largely lauded Russian contributions to the US and highlighted shared cultural histories by way of migration.

Students then asked questions about the US invasion of Afghanistan, a war that was only two months old at the time. One student asked the two leaders, " How do you think the fall of the Taliban government will affect women's rights?"

Bush spoke first, saying that "there's no question the Taliban is the most repressive, backward group of people we have seen on the face of the Earth in a long period of time, including and particularly how they treat women."

Bush and Putin in front of a Texas mural at the Crawford Summit on November 15, 2001 Reuters

He told the students he wanted Putin to speak on the topic of human rights as well. Putin answered next, saying that "in Afghanistan, this phenomenon has taken an extreme form, and the disrespect of human rights has acquired extreme dimensions."

"Overall, women in Afghanistan are basically not treated as people," Putin said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty

An old adage attributed to Will Rogers says, If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

With Joe Bidens approval ratings hitting a new low, Democrats seem hell-bent on ignoring this good advice. Take, for example, Mondays The New York Times, in which Sen. Elizabeth Warren argues that the best way to avoid midterm losses is for Democrats to deliver on more of our agenda...

The idea of doubling down on a losing hand seems like dubious, if predictable, advice. Among Warrens worst recommendations is some student loan debt cancellationan action the president could take entirely on his own.

What We Keep Getting Wrong About the Right

Now, Democrats differ as to how much would be forgiven, but some have called for wiping out all student loan debt. Others, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, call for canceling as much as $50,000 per borrower. (During the 2020 race, Biden campaigned on canceling $10,000 of student loan debt per borrower.)

Lets put aside whether the president actually has the unilateral power to cancel student debt (House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says he doesnt)it sounds increasingly like Biden is going to, once again, try to overstep his executive authority. On a recent episode of the Pod Save America podcast, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the idea was still on the table, noting that the current moratorium is either going to be extended or were going to make a decisionabout canceling student debt.

I dont expect that Democrats and the liberal commentariat want to hear thisbut thats a bad idea, both substantively and politically.

Lets start with the substance. Academic research suggests that canceling student debt helps the rich more than the poor. Some people owe a lot of moneynot because they are poorbut because they were wealthy enough to make bad bets. That is to say, they took out a loan to purchase what they believed would be a valuable investment that would pay dividends later (about half of all student debt is for graduate school).

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As The Brookings Institutions Adam Looney noted, Medical school graduates typically owe six-figure student loans but that doesnt mean they are poorer than high-school graduates who did not go to college.

Should the person with the big medical school loan (for a degree that will make them millions over the course of his life) be forgiven, while the community college student who worked nights and weekends to pay for school gets nothing?

On top of that, canceling student debt would only perpetuate our current (corrupt or flabbyyou choose) system. In the higher education bubble, the value of most college degrees has not kept pace with skyrocketing costs.

If higher education existed in an actual free market, this lag would force prices downward and/or incentivize lower-cost online learning, community colleges, commuter schools, vocational training, and apprenticeships.

Instead of allowing this bubble to burst, forgiving student loans would just further disconnect colleges from consequences, thereby curtailing whatever tenuous relationship exists in higher education between supply and demandwhile guaranteeing that zero reforms get enacted.

Put simply: Nearly limitless government-backed student loans contributed to schools raising tuition costs exponentially, even as students racked up unsustainable debts, often for wildly overpriced degrees. To forgive student loan debt, while leaving this ridiculous system in place, is madness. Well be right back in this situation in about a decade, tops.

Those are the substantive reasons canceling student debt is a bad idea. The political reasons are much less disputable.

To be sure, people like getting free money, and there are around 43 million people who stand to be winners from this policy. At the same time, this policy does not provide any relief for those with a mortgage, car loan, or business loan. Nor will it help people who didnt have the money to send their kids to college in the first placeor the people (like me) who took out a loan and already paid it off.

All of these people will feel that this policy is unfair and that they have been cheated. And they will, of course, be right. Because this policy advantages people who went to college, it is predictable that working-class Americans will see this as yet another example of a rigged system that advantages the children of elites.

What we are left with is a policy that spends loads of money, perpetuates a failing higher educational system, and likely pisses off more people than it pleases.

So why would Democrats do this? To progressives who are blinded by ideology, it makes perfect sense (both in terms of substance and politics).

For one thing, it rewards people like them. The higher your educational attainment, the more likely you are to have consistently liberal political values. As such, student debt forgiveness could be seen as a sop to a key Democratic constituency.

But its not just about rewarding fellow elites. Sen. Warren also contends that a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic borrowers take on student debt. Warren makes the questionable assertion that by doing this, the president could make massive strides to close gender and racial wealth gaps. But lets assume shes right. This could be viewed either as an altruistic attempt to level the playing field for historically disadvantaged peopleor a redistributive sop to a key component of the Democratic coalitionor both.

Regardless, rather than serving as a lifeline for Democrats (as Warren suggests), the emphasis on student debt forgiveness could also be seen as a tacit admission of electoral desperation.

In other words, this feels like a sign Democrats have resigned themselves to losing the 2022 midterms, and are trying to rationalize (a) accomplishing whatever progressive wish list items they can before losing the majority; and (b) abandoning attempts to persuade swing voters, while pinning all their hopes on base turnout.

Biden and Democrats Should Be Absolutely Terrified by New Poll Numbers

NBC News recently compared polling from 2018 (a great midterm year for Dems) with its own 2022 polling. What they found was that college-educated women are the only cohort that has become bluer.

In a scenario where Democrats have given up on persuasion and only hope to mitigate their midterm losses, it might make sense to focus on exciting and turning out the only demographic segment that has gotten more Democraticcollege-educated womenregardless of the long-term consequences.

Once again, Democrats must decide whether to pander to their base or to pursue more moderate policies that might attract persuadable voters in the middle. This is a constant tension in politics. But when push comes to shove, Biden always seems to cave to the left. The results havent worked out great.

Joe Biden started digging this hole last year when he decided to ignore his mandate and tried to become the next LBJ. Instead, hes heading toward the scrap heap of forgettable one-termers.

Bidens numbers keep dropping. And he just. Wont. Stop. Digging.

Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal tweeted over the weekend, "Student debt cancellation is racial justice. Student debt cancellation is gender justice. Student debt cancellation is economic justice.

I dont know about that, but I do know this: student debt cancellation is bad politics and a nonsensical solution to a serious problem. And even if Biden goes all the way with cancellation, Im highly doubtful itll save Democrats at the ballot box this November.

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Netflix's new documentary White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch uncovers the famous clothing brand's journey from just another label to one of the most popular stores in the U.S., while also diving into the clever marketing tactics that pushed it ahead of its competitors.

After a massive tumble in the early 2010s, Abercrombie & Fitch is growing in popularity once again, that's in large part due to a complete rebrand the store initiated after its CEO, Mike Jeffries, stepped down from his role in 2014.

When the store first took off, shoppers could instantly recognize its storefronts and shopping bags thanks to the brand's massive, black-and-white photographs of young models relaxing on beaches. White Hot makes it clear that photographer Bruce Weber (and his book Bear Pondmore on that in a sec) was the brains and inspiration behind the marketing campaign. And in 2017, models started to come forward with claims of sexual harassment and assault against the photographer.

So who is Weber, and what's in that book, anyway? Here's everything to know about how Bear Pond became the basis for everything Abercrombie & Fitch:

Bruce Weber is a famous fashion photographer and filmmaker.

And, you're probably already familiar with his workeven if you don't realize it.

Weber, 76, shot brand campaigns and other types of fashion photography. He first rose to fame for his barely-there Calvin Klein ads that took the fashion industry by storm in the 1980s and 90s. They featured models and celebs like Mark Wahlberg and Kate Moss, according to Vogue France. (Warning: Some ads are NSFW.)

He's also known for his Ralph Lauren and Versace campaigns, among others.

Weber's book Bear Pond was published in 1990.

The book contains 100 of Weber's photographs, including landscape shots and figure studies. And, it's pretty rarea copy can cost anywhere from $290 to $500, plus it's considered a collectible on Amazon. You can find many of Weber's snapshots, including a few that were taken at Bear Pond, here (some photos are NSFW).

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The book was a hit, with one review from 1990 calling Weber "a master of his craft" and "one of the two or three most sought-after photographers in the world."

But it also drew attention to the AIDS crisis that was happening at the time. Weber was openly gay, and Bear Pond was published to benefit the AIDS Resource Center in New York, according to the review. "Within that context, Bear Pond becomes a subtle and powerful work indeed," the reviewer explained.

Bear Pond also helped set the stage for Abercrombie & Fitch's aesthetic.

As the documentary mentions, CEO Mike Jeffries chose to work with Weber to create a new, unique brand identity for Abercrombie & Fitch. In the film, insiders explain how Weber's photographs reflected Jeffries' vision of the ideal Abercrombie customer.

Young, attractive people living a carefree lifestyle in A&F clothes became the hallmark of the brand, all in Weber's signature black-and-white style. Weber began shooting for the brand in the mid-1990s, and success followed from there.

Current and former male models have accused Weber of sexual assault.

During the film, former Abercrombie model Ryan Daharsh says that "it was very well known with Bruce that he liked young men."

In Dec. 2017, former model Jason Boyce was the first to accuse Weber of sexual assault. Boyce sued Weber and claimed Weber touched him inappropriately during a 2014 shoot, The Cut reported. Just one month later, 15 current and former models came forward and accused Weber of sexual harassment, per The New York Times. They claimed unnecessary nudity and coercive sexual behavior had happened during professional shoots.

One year later, five male models sued Weber, saying he had sexually assaulted or exploited them, according to The New York Times. Weber has since denied all accusations. I have used common breathing exercises and professionally photographed thousands of nude models over my career, but never touched anyone inappropriately, he said in a statement, the outlet reported.



Where is Bruce Weber now?

In Jan. 2018, many brands (including Abercrombie & Fitch) said they would no longer work with Weber, per Bustle. In Sept. 2021, Weber settled both Boyce's lawsuit and the lawsuit filed by the group of five models, according to Page Six.

Today, Weber continues to work as a photographer. He's still publishing books of his work, directing documentaries, and shooting magazine covers, including ICON magazine's April 2022 issue.

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The digital transformation of banking and payments services is a red-hot trend that's shown no signs of slowing down. Banking-as-a-service (BaaS) products like Synapse, Unit and Bond have helped fuel the shift by allowing companies to quickly spin up new financial services using APIs.

NovoPayment is a global BaaS startup based in Miami that has largely been focused on offering its API platform to customers in the Latin American market. It has developed a full-stack, multicurrency solution with three main categories -- data banking, payment infrastructure and card solutions, its founder and CEO Anabel Perez told TechCrunch.

Founded in 2007 by Perez and Oscar Garcia Mendoza, who now serves as chairman of NovoPayment's board, NovoPayment had been bootstrapped since inception until it raised its Series A round earlier this year, the company announced today. It previously raised a seed round of undisclosed size from its own founders, but the $19 million Series A marks its first institutional fundraise, according to Perez, who worked as a banker in Venezuela for two decades prior to launching NovoPayment.

Fuel Venture Capital and IDC Ventures co-led the Series A round, joined by Endeavor Catalyst (the venture firm Endeavor's co-investment vehicle) and Visa's venture arm, according to the company. The fundraise marks a personal achievement for Perez, too, as a Latina female founder with venture backing; less than 2% of venture dollars raised in 2021 went to all-female founding teams, data from Pitchbook showed.

Fintech Novopayment's founder and CEO Anabel Perez

NovoPayment's founder and CEO Anabel Perez. Image Credits: NovoPayment

About 85% of NovoPayment's customers were located in LatAm, in countries including Venezuela, Chile, Columbia, Peru and Mexico as of September last year, with the remaining 15% in the United States, PaymentsDive reported. While Perez didn't provide an updated breakdown, she said that many of the company's ~50 current customers, which include banks and credit unions, are present in multiple markets.

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"They were in need of a single platform that could help them to launch these new use cases in more than one country," Perez said.

The company saw its customer count grow by 40% last year and expects to see similar growth this year. Its revenue is in the tens of millions of dollars and the company is in "pretty good health," Perez added, though she did not provide further specifics on its financials.

It plans to use the new funding to gain new customers, particularly in the U.S. market, as Miami continues to grow as a hub for the financial services sector, according to Perez. The funding will also help NovoPayment add capabilities to its current product for customers in its existing markets and add 100 new hires to its team of more than 340 employees today, she said.

NovoPayment's integration is its primary advantage in winning customers, Perez said. Financial services providers typically search for technology vendors one by one and only connect these services to one another later as the need arises, a practice that was adopted years ago and has continued over time, she added.

"That's why it's so expensive for them to keep and obtain their infrastructure, and it's so expensive for them to be able to comply with regulators and standards," Perez said.

NovoPayment has been focused since its founding on building out a tech stack that ties all the critical processes together for financial institutions to build out their digital banking services, Perez said. Its services are broad and unified so customers don't need to connect with vendors outside of its cloud, she added.

Because the company has been iterating on its product for over a decade, its product is "better, faster and more cost-efficient" than that of competitors, Perez said. NovoPayment is connected to more than 60 endpoints through its single tech stack, and has no dependencies on other models -- a setup that enables its customers to spin up a global bank in less than a month's time, she added.

"We have invested a lot of time designing and building this platform that not only serves the U.S. market, but also is proven and tested to serve an additional 13 markets across the Americas," Perez said.
Americans are in search of sunny destinations this summer. Travel insurance and assistance company Allianz Partners analyzed more than 1,175,000 summer flight itineraries between five and eight days in length and found that Orlando tops the list of domestic destinations for travelers this summer, while Cancun will be the most-visited international spot.

The Florida hub has long been a favorite getaway for Americans, in particular as the gateway to its world-famous theme parks. Walt Disney World is in the midst of an 18-month celebration of its 50th anniversary called the "The World's Most Magical Celebration," with two nightly spectaculars (one at Magic Kingdom, the other at Epcot) and favorite Disney characters dressed up in sparkly "EARidescent" costumes. Those looking for a different kind of magic can head over to the Universal Orlando Resort's Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was added in 2019, while those looking for more of a roar can hop on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which opened last summer. Also new is the Peppa Pig Theme Park within Legoland Florida Resort that just opened in February.

Firework Show Back To Walt Disney World Resort In Lake Buena Vista

Liao Pan/China News Service via Getty Images

Orlando also offers easy access to the Space Coast with the state's largest manatee and sea turtle habitats, as well as the chance to step inside Kennedy Space Center, and maybe even catch a space launch. And of course, there's so much more to Orlando, including a thriving arts and culinary scene. It's no wonder it surpassed New York City as the most visited city in the country just before the pandemic.

A mix of city and beach destinations followed in Allianz's study, with the top 10 rounded out by Seattle, Honolulu, Kahului, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, and Denver. Additionally, the data showed that 75 percent of Americans will travel domestically this summer, up 16 percent from last year.

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Aerial view of Cancun, Mexico on a blue sky, sunny day

Erich Sacco/Getty Images

For those ready to use a passport, destinations in close reach in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean will be the most popular this summer, with Cancun coming out on top. Known for its perfect white-sand beaches stretching into turquoise waters, the calm of the scenery is enhanced with plenty of outdoor activities among the area's jungles and mangroves, as well as a thriving nightlife scene.

Cancun was followed by San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; Oranjestad, Aruba; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Providenciales Islands, Turks and Caicos; Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Liberia, Costa Rica.

"While it's no surprise that Americans are planning to kick back and relax in sun-soaked destinations both domestically and internationally, U.S. cities that were once buzzing tourist destinations pre-pandemic, like Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, are seeing a significant return of travelers this summer as well, signaling a positive step in tourism recovery," Daniel Durazo, Allianz Partners' director of external communications, said in a statement sent to Travel + Leisure.

To come up with the top destinations, the company looked at the data from flights and packages with its partners offering Allianz Global Assistance for travel between May 27 and Sept. 6, 2022.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, speaks at a dinner in Kingston, Jamaica. Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage

Prince William expressed sorrow and regret over the "appalling atrocity of slavery" in Jamaica.

He and Kate Middleton faced anti-colonial protests over their commonwealth tour of the Caribbean.

"Slavery was abhorrent and it never should have happened," he said at a dinner in Kingston, Jamaica.

Prince William expressed "profound sorrow" over the history of slavery during a speech given at a dinner held by the Governor General of Jamaica on Wednesday.

"Slavery was abhorrent and it never should have happened," said William in the speech that was sent to Insider by Kensington Palace. He also acknowledged the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, observed on Friday.

"I strongly agree with my father, the Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history," he added, nodding to his father's ceremonial speech in November when Barbados officially became a republic.

He complimented the nation on its "courage and fortitude," adding that its "invincible spirit" was present among the Windrush generation, a term used to describe people who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries, the BBC reported.

The BBC added that the name refers to the ship MV Empire Windrush, which docked in Tilbury, England, on June 22, 1948, with workers from Jamaica and other islands on board, to help fill post-war labor shortages in the UK.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in Kingston, Jamaica. Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage

William and Middleton arrived in Kingston, the island's capital, on Tuesday, as part of a weeklong tour of Caribbean countries that are part of the Commonwealth to celebrate the Queen's platinum jubilee, as outlined in a press release on the royal family website.

According to The Independent's Nadine White, the visit was preceded by an anti-colonial demonstration outside the British High Commission, where 350 protesters called for an apology and an acknowledgment of how the family has benefited from slavery.

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William also passed on "the very best wishes from my grandmother, The Queen of Jamaica, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee," who he said has had a deep affection for the country since her first visit with The Duke of Edinburgh in 1953.

The Independent further reported that Jamaica is preparing to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state, and it has appointed a senior figure within the Jamaican government to lead the nation's journey toward becoming a republic.

William made his speech during a dinner held by Governor General of Jamacia, Patrick Allen, at his official King's House residence, and attended by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Earlier on Wednesday, Holness told the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge their presence puts "unresolved" issues front and center to be addressed, according to a video that Holness tweeted on Wednesday.

Reuters reported that the couple had to cancel the first stop on their tour  Belize  because of similar demonstrations. The couple was due to visit Akte'il Ha cacao farm on Sunday in an indigenous Mayan village when local protests about colonialism and land disputes took place, according to Reuters.

Bloomberg reported that additional protests are expected in the Bahamas when the couple arrives on Thursday at their intended final stop on the tour. The Bahamas National Reparations Committee outlined their reservations about the tour in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

They wrote: "Why are we footing the bill for the benefit of a regime whose rise to 'greatness' was fueled by the extinction, enslavement, colonization, and degradation of the people of this land? Why are we being made to pay again?"

Representatives for Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
The launch of what Russian President Vladimir Putin said was Russia's new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile, March 1, 2018. RU-RTR Russian Television/AP

As the US works to reenter to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, critics have objected to Russia's involvement.

Moscow's ancillary role in the deal is a small price to pay to ensure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.

This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the authors.

Today, Russia is wielding nuclear threats to help perpetrate an illegal, unjustified, and immoral war against Ukraine.

At the same time, Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than it has ever been before, largely due to former President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The US must ensure that Iran does not join Russia as a nuclear-capable power able to bully its neighbors. A renewed Iran nuclear deal is the best way to avert that disaster.

Thanks to the Biden administration's painstaking diplomacy, a resuscitated agreement to once again limit Iran's nuclear program is within sight. However, opponents of the deal have raised a new objection: that somehow the deal is illegitimate because it involves Russia.

This is absurd. Russia's ancillary role in the deal is a small price to pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.

Iranians in northern Tehran celebrate the Iranian nuclear deal, April 2, 2015. AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

The original agreement involved China, Russia, France, Britain, Germany, the EU, the US, and Iran. Its multilateralism was key to its effectiveness: It blocked Iran's path to a nuclear weapon largely because the international community faced Iran with a united front.

But now, that advantage of the deal is being characterized as a liability. In the last few weeks, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, lashed out, saying "Mr. President, you are the only one in America doing business with the Russians. Stop doing business with the Russians. Don't have them negotiating for us."

Fox News' Brian Kilmeade raised the same point in an interview, while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made similar comments, saying "It's insane to have the Russians be the intermediary."

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It would be insane if it were true. But it simply is not. The true intermediary between the US and Iran is not Russia. It's the Europeans. They have worked tirelessly  both to keep the deal on life support during the Trump administration and to facilitate a US re-entry to it under the Biden administration.

To undermine their contributions is not just disrespectful to them as US allies  it is a sop to Russia that misrepresents reality.

The reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran. MAJID ASGARIPOUR/AFP/Getty Images

With so many misrepresenting Russia's role in the negotiations to re-enter the JCPOA, it is important to clarify Russia's role in the JCPOA itself. The goal of the agreement was to ensure Iran could not build a nuclear weapon. As such, any deal would require removing Iran's stockpile of excess uranium and relocating it to another country.

With the US and European parties to the 2015 deal unwilling or unable to take the radioactive material, Russia volunteered.

The argument that shipping excess Iranian uranium to Russia directly enriches the Russian nuclear program is unfounded. As the country with the most nuclear weapons in the world, Russia has no need to expand its nuclear arsenal.

As of 2020, Russia, with an estimated 747 tons of highly-enriched uranium, has nothing to benefit from Iran's .036 tons, a drop in the bucket for Russia. Currently, Russia is not producing fissile materials for weapons.

Additionally, the New START Treaty restricts Russia from building new strategic weapons and we know that Russia is in compliance with that treaty. Therefore, there is virtually no proliferation risk in letting Russia handle the excess uranium removed from Iran.

Moreover, should the deal be revived, the JCPOA would restore the most rigorous monitoring mechanism that exists on any nuclear program anywhere in the world. 18 of Iran's nuclear facilities and nine other facilities would be under strict IAEA safeguards. If Russia tried to divert this uranium back to Iran for some nefarious purpose, we can be confident that the world would know.

Parties to the Iran nuclear deal meet in Vienna, December 17, 2021. EU Vienna Delegation/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Furthermore, US leadership is the only reason the original deal, or any resuscitated version of it, was possible. It was the threat of US military action, the cost of US economic sanctions, and the dogged diplomacy of US diplomats that got Iran to the negotiating table in the first place, during the Obama administration.

Despite the diplomatic cost of withdrawal of the deal, the US is still the lead driver of the transatlantic alliance that is within striking distance of ensuring, once again, that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

Putin's Russia is unquestionably a nefarious and toxic actor. However, arresting Iran's nuclear progress is unquestionably in the United States' interest. As Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) has stated, Russia does not have to be the destination country for Iran's uranium. But there is nothing in and of itself disqualifying about Russia being that destination country.

A renewed nuclear deal will not help Russia at the expense of the US. It would simply help the US  by ensuring Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

Akshai Vikram is the nuclear policy advisor at Foreign Policy for America, an organization dedicated to principled American engagement in the world. He previously worked on nuclear issues as a Roger Hale Fellow at Ploughshares Fund and was a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' 2021 Nuclear Scholars Initiative.

Samuel M. Hickey is a research analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, where his work portfolio includes the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, nuclear security, and missile defense. He is also a term member on the advisory board of the International Nuclear Security Forum.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Apr. 19WASHINGTON COUNTY  If anyone in Southern Indiana knows the identity of the young Black child whose body was found near the side of the road in eastern Washington County on Saturday night, Indiana State Police ask you to call immediately.

A Washington County resident found the body while mushroom hunting and called 911 immediately. Investigators said they believe the death occurred within the last week.

There's now a dedicated national tip line in the death investigation. It can be reached by calling 1-888-437-6432. ISP is still considering the case a death investigation until autopsy results are finished, which could be this week.

ISP Public Information Officer Carey Huls of the Sellersburg post joined Detective Matt Busick on Monday afternoon in providing an update on the case.

"Somebody was taking care of him, he was in somebody's custody and we still haven't received any information about a child that was missing, that hasn't been accounted for that would match his description," Huls said.

The child is described as 5 to 8 years old, male, about 4 feet tall with a slim build and short haircut.

Anyone who has any information or notices a child matching this description is missing should call the tip line and not write in through social media, Huls said. The new number works nationwide and authorities are handling the case as a nationwide investigation.

Huls said the department has received numerous calls and contacts about Codi Bigsby, a child from Hampton, Virginia. News reports out of that area said Bigsby has been missing since Jan. 31.

ISP has been in contact with Hampton police. Huls said the body doesn't appear to be a match, but investigators are still looking into the possibility.

Huls said local, state and federal agencies are investigating the case. Officials thought this could be a case from the local area, however, calls into schools and other agencies haven't turned up a match.

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The area where the child was found is considered very rural, Huls said, but his body was found a short distance from the road and there were houses in the area.

Of the current missing children cases in Indiana, officials say none has matched the description of the child.

Both Huls and Busick told the News and Tribune they don't remember a case like this in the area.

They said the last case similar to this that they remember is the case of Katie Collman, a 10-year-old girl who went missing in early 2005 in Crothersville while running an errand for her family. Her body was found a few days later near Seymour.

Anthony Stockelman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2006 for the murder of Collman. He pleaded guilty to murdering and molesting the girl in exchange for prosecutors dropping the death penalty. He also was sentenced to 30 years in prison on a molestation charge.
Apr. 19Three Maine rivers that are historical habitat for Atlantic salmon have been named to a list of America's most endangered rivers.

The Kennebec, Penobscot and Union rivers are on the list, which was curated by the nonprofit conservation organization American Rivers.

The challenges faced by Atlantic salmon, which have been protected under the federal Endangered Species Act since 2000, in getting past hydroelectric power plants were instrumental in the rating. Maine is home to the only native Atlantic salmon populations in the U.S.

American Rivers cites dams owned by worldwide energy giant Brookfield Renewable as the major hindrance in restoring those populations.

"The future of Atlantic salmon now hangs in the balance. If we do not address the harmful impacts of these dams, we will lose these iconic fish forever," said American Rivers' Jessie Thomas-Blate.

The Maine rivers were among 13 nationwide singled out as endangered by American Rivers. The others include the Colorado, Snake, Mobile, Coosa, Mississippi, Lower Kern, San Pedro, Los Angeles and Tar Creek rivers.

American Rivers said its labeling of the rivers as endangered means that they are at a critical point, where decisions in the coming months will determine their fates.

The Penobscot River previously appeared on the most endangered rivers list from 1989-96 due to dams. It is the first time the Kennebec and the Union rivers have been mentioned.

A Brookfield Renewable spokesperson responded to the listing by pointing out other natural factors that likely have expedited the decline of Atlantic salmon.

"Scientific studies confirm the greatest challenge to Atlantic salmon recovery in Maine is significant marine mortality resulting from changes brought about by climate change, and not the existence of hydroelectric dams, most of which have been present for the past century," said David Heidrich, the northeast manager of stakeholder relations for the company.

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"The Penobscot, Union and the Kennebec River assets have existing fish passage facilities allowing salmon to pass both upriver and downriver of Brookfield Renewable's facilities," Heidrich said.

Last year, 503 salmon returned to the Penobscot River, marking the lowest number in five years.

American Rivers' determinations were based on nominations made by local groups in various states. In Maine, those included the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the Downeast Salmon Federation and Maine Rivers.

"We've demonstrated successful conservation hatchery techniques that can restore wild salmon once rivers are fixed. Brookfield literally stands in the way of that work," said Dwayne Shaw, Executive Director of the Downeast Salmon Federation.

The group and its partners have asked state and federal agencies to use their authority under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and Federal Power Act to restore river health and connectivity in Maine. Their aim is to provide safe fish passage on those rivers by removing obsolete and harmful dams to improve the survivability of the fish.

"Brookfield Renewable has committed to install a suite of permanent and highly effective fish passage measures at its lower Kennebec and Union River assets, to be implemented following the conclusion of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission review processes," Heidrich said. "On the Kennebec River alone, these planned improvements represent more than $40 million in fish passage infrastructure."
The city of New Bern's two electric vehicle fast-charging stations are officially operational as of Wednesday. Residents and tourists alike will now have the opportunity to use them, as the city hopes to become more electric vehicle friendly.

The city of New Bern's electric charging pilot program is seeing a surge in the number of electric vehicle customers who are taking advantage of the station.

The surge also looks to be in line with the number of registered fully electric, plug-in hybrids, and hybrid vehicles in Craven County in the past year.

Both electric vehicle charging stations in New Bern's Red Bear Parking lot has been operational since Jan. 27 after being "unavailable" for several months. Only fully electric or plug-in hybrid cars can use the stations.

Data referring to the number of customers who are using the station show a slow first two weeks before a significant increase in the third week, according to the city of New Bern.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: New Bern Sun Journal

Since the first full week the charging station was open, the number of customers jumped from five to 18 in the month of February. Red Bear's charging station usage remained steadily in the mid to upper teens throughout the rest of February and March.

Untitled infographic

Infogram

A total of 149 charging sessions of taken place at the station with an average of around 20 charging sessions each week, according to Colleen Roberts, public information officer.

More charging station coverage:

Between January and December 2021, Craven County saw double the number of electric vehicles registered, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation website.

In the three years prior, Craven observed a slow increase in registered EVs and all hybrid cars but did show a significant jump from Jan. 2020 to Jan. 2021.

Craven's increase in EV purchasing is consistent with the statewide data as Governor Roy Cooper's 2018 executive order to create a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) strategic plan is on pace to reach 80,000 registered ZEVs in North Carolina by 2025, according to the DOT website.

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Each station cost $60,000 not including installation and was funded through the DEQ Volkswagen Emissions Grant the city received in Nov. 2020 for $128,716 total. Another $32,826 of in-kind contributions from the city of New Bern funded their installation, previously reported by the Sun Journal.

After months of deliberating what the cost would be to the consumer, New Bern Director of Public Utilities Charles Bauschard presented to the board of aldermen only to charge enough for the cost of service related to the stations.

The pilot is seen as a step ahead of the potential shift of more electric vehicle purchases in the United States. The city is also looking to possibly introduce several more charging stations in the future.

Reporter Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@newbernsj.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Downtown New Bern charging stations observes increase in usage
This is an op-ed by Matthew Becker, who teaches politics and security issues in Eastern Europe at the University of Mississippi. The views expressed are his own and do not reflect those of the university. He has family in Darien, Georgia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly asked that NATO establish a no-fly zone and close the skies over Ukraine. Its a controversial idea on both sides of the political aisle, yet neither of Georgias two Democratic senators has taken a stand.

According to the staff at Sen. Raphael Warnocks office, he has released no official statements on this topic; staff at Sen. Jon Ossoffs offices never answered the phones.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration and many members of Congress in both parties have been acting as if Ukraine is doomed to fail. They must get rid of that mindset and change it to one of Ukrainian victory.

On March 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated total war was declared on us by the West. On March 26, President Zelenskyy asked, Who is in charge of the Euro-Atlantic community? Is it really still Moscow, because of intimidation?

The latest news from Ukraine: At least 7 people killed in Russian airstrikes in Lviv, regional governor says: Live Ukraine updates

We are already in a de facto proxy war with Russia. It is time to go all-in and provide the Ukrainians with not only the Polish MiG-29s theyve requested, but also American fighter aircraft, tanks and a limited no-fly zone.

This is even more urgent given that on April 12, President Biden said that Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine. Eight days prior, he accused Russia of committing war crimes in Bucha( President Zelenskyy called the mass killings in Bucha genocide, stating on April 3 that this is genocide  the elimination of the whole nation and the people). The horrors of Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, and now overt genocide should spur the U.S. and our NATO allies to increase lethal military aid to repel Russia.

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Emergency workers clear up debris after an airstrike hit a tire shop in the western city of Lviv, Ukraine, Monday April 18, 2022.

Re-establishing a Russian world

The Ukrainian people are willing to fight and have mounted a fierce resistance to Russian attempts to re-establish a Russkiy mir (Russian world) in what Russia refers to as its near abroad (the independent states of the former Soviet Union).

We must not allow Ukraine to experience the fates that befell Moldova and Georgia through a negotiated peace that benefits Russia - that is, the creation of another frozen conflict in the Donbas where peace is a tool of control.

More on the region of Donbas: What is Donbas and how does it fit into Russias invasion of Ukraine?

Anything short of Ukrainian victory will have long-term consequences for the stability of not just Ukraine, but for Europe as a whole. This includes stoking tensions among the minority Russian-speaking populations within the Baltic States.

To prevent this, the U.S. must provide the Ukrainian people with the ability to defend liberty against an irredentist Russia. Indeed, the people of Ukraine have already stood up to tyranny twice: once in 2004 (Orange Revolution) and again in 2014 (Revolution of Dignity). We must show our commitment to the Ukrainian people and get them the aircraft they have requested. We must stop dragging our feet while Ukraine fights for democracy against autocracy.

We must also establish a limited no-fly zone over western and central Ukraine. The establishment of a no-fly zone over western Ukraine will also protect NATO member-states Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania against any Russian incursions into their airspace.

By patrolling the skies of western Ukraine, we also protect our NATO allies. The reasoning behind the limited no-fly zone is that it will be more palatable to many NATO allies. (Establishing any no-fly zone would require unanimous consent from all 30 NATO member-states).

More about no-fly zones: What is a no-fly zone? In Ukraine, it risks starting a war with Russia, the US and NATO say

Time for the U.S. government to take action

I hereby call on Congress to pass a resolution supporting such no-fly zones and declaring that the United States supports Ukraine being granted a NATO Membership Action Plan, thereby fulfilling the 2008 Bucharest Declaration and statements from the 2021 Brussels Summit.

Those who argue against this claim that it will provoke Russia and that it risks putting American pilots at risk of being targeted by the Russians, or some other retaliatory response by Moscow on either a NATO ally or the U.S. itself.

But if we allow this fear to nullify our previous commitments, our words will be seen as meaningless and signal a moral failing of the United States.

Responsible nations have to come together to hold these perpetrators accountable" for war crimes in Ukraine, President Joe Biden tells the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) conference in Washington on April 6.

Congress and the Biden administration must also not allow peace negotiations to be an excuse to not advocate and pass a resolution in support for Ukraine being granted a NATO Membership Action Plan.

The negotiations that occurred on March 29 in Turkey are but a delaying tactic, allowing Moscow to bring in its mercenaries of the Wagner Group and reposition its forces under the guise of trust-building.

One aspect of such so-called trust-building, according to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, is to drastically reduce military activity around the cities of Kyiv and Chernihiv, which is simply a sleight of hand. There was no mention of Mariupol, whose destruction reminds me of the Siege of Sarajevo  where indiscriminate shelling and sniper attacks on the civilian population occurred during the Bosnian War.

Other areas in southern or eastern Ukraine were not mentioned, which Moscow will most likely attempt to annex as part of an expanded Luhansk and Donetsk, thus creating a land bridge to Crimea and blocking Ukrainian access to the Sea of Azov and potentially the Black Sea. The city of Dnipro would be a strategic target in this action. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that the coming battle in the Donbas will be similar to World War II.

Matthew Becker

Lets provide the Ukrainians with the tools they need to defend their way of life and show our support by advocating for their NATO aspirations. Ukraines future is in NATO and the EU, not serving as a reduced buffer state between democracy and autocracy.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The United States is in a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine
(Getty Images)

Eddie Hearn warns Dillian Whyte not to make the same mistakes Anthony Joshua did when he tried to outbox Oleksandr Usyk, as he prepares for Tyson Fury clash.

Whyte will get his long overdue crack at the WBC title this Saturday at Wembley Stadium but hes considered a big underdog heading into the fight against the undefeated Gypsy King.

Hearn, Whytes promoter, believes The Body Snatcher can cause an upset but must learn from Joshua, who recently lost his titles when he opted against using his size and strength against the former cruiserweight king, Usyk.

Speaking to TalkSport, Hearn said: Dillian definitely can knock out Fury, its a case of doing it.

Tyson Fury is a very difficult opponent to outsmart, out think and I think you mustnt do that. We saw when Anthony Joshua fought Oleksandr Usyk, I think he tried that approach, and it didnt work.

Youve got to take Fury out of his rhythm but easier said than done, especially with the inactivity of Whyte. Saying that Tyson Fury has also been quite inactive over the past few years as most people have been.

When you look at a fight like this you look at ways in which Whyte can win. Can I see him winning? The answer is I can. I dont think hell win rounds, but he can force the knockout or the stoppage. Hes got to be very aggressive and probably a bit reckless as well.

The Matchroom chief also announced that Joshua will get his shot at winning back his belts this summer against Usyk.

The [Usyk rematch] is all done, its all agreed, Hearn confirmed on Tuesday. Its 100 per cent Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk the rematch.

Were finalising the location at the moment, [Usyks] team are in London this week so were gonna sit down with them.

I think in two weeks time well finalise the date. It will be July. And hopefully, AJ can become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

Joshua previously lost his world titles to Mexican Andy Ruiz before claiming them back in an immediate rematch in Saudi Arabia, a fight billed as the Clash On The Dunes.
El Paso police on Tuesday continued the search for a man who sparked a large law enforcement mobilization Monday after robbing the Wells Fargo Bank in Downtown.

An investigation continued through the night following the afternoon robbery, which caused several streets near the bank to be blocked.

About 1:15 p.m., the unidentified man entered the bank and demanded money. The robber fled on foot and was last seen headed west on Texas Avenue toward Mesa Street, police said.

A law enforcement officer gears up as officers respond to a bank robbery in Downtown El Paso on Monday.

Police officials described the robber as a heavy-set man about 6 feet tall, who was wearing a blue face covering, a black hooded sweater, light-colored jeans and a dark-colored jacket.

Following the robbery, police searched parking garages and other nearby structures, with officers blocking several streets around the iconic high-rise bank at 221 N. Kansas St.

Mesa Street near San Jacinto Plaza was blocked off for hours Monday, with a pair of armored police vehicles and a SWAT team set up in the area. Stanton Street also was closed between Texas Street to Mills Avenue.

El Paso police released a security camera image of an unidentified man suspected of robbing the Wells Fargo Bank in Downtown on Monday.

More local news: Motorcyclist falls off overpass in high-speed crash in South El Paso

More: El Paso police arrest man in Cincinnati District shooting during brawl outside bars

FBI agents in tactical vests were at the scene along with dozens of police patrol officers, detectives and officers from the Special Weapons and Tactics team.

During the search for the robber, heavily-armed SWAT officers wearing desert-colored camouflage uniforms at one point could be seen entering a roof door at a white high-rise building at Texas Avenue and Mesa Street.

An El Paso Police Department patrol car blocks the corner of Stanton Street and Texas Avenue on Monday as officers search for a bank robber who struck at the Wells Fargo Bank in Downtown.

The scene was cleared early Monday evening, though the investigation by the police Crimes Against Persons Unit and the search for the robber continue.

Bank robberies are uncommon in El Paso and have become increasingly rare in recent years.

The previous El Paso bank robbery was at the WestStar Bank on Viscount Boulevard in February 2020, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, an FBI spokeswoman said.

Story continues

FBI agents are working with police detectives to identify and locate the Wells Fargo bank robber.

Anyone with information on the bank robbery may call police at 915-832-4400 and may anonymously call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS).

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 915-546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Wells Fargo El Paso bank robber eludes police dragnet in Downtown
Russian missile cruiser Moskva on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea in December 2015. ussian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

Moskva, Russia's Black Sea flagship, sank Thursday after a suspected Ukrainian missile strike.

Families of some crew members are now questioning Russia's claim it fully evacuated the ship.

A mother of one crew member told The Guardian she was informed Monday that her son had died.

Relatives of crew members aboard the sunken Russian warship Moskva say they haven't been able to locate their loved ones in the days since it went down.

The Moskva, a missile cruiser that was the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, sank on Thursday. Russian state media blamed an on-board explosion but Ukraine said it struck the ship with missiles, something the Pentagon later confirmed.

The Moskva is thought to have had around 500 crew on board. Russia said the ship was completely evacuated but the families of some crew members have begun questioning that claim.

Yulia Tsyvova, whose son Andrei was on board, told The Guardian she didn't receive an update about his whereabouts until Monday, when she received a call from Russia's defence ministry to say he was dead.

"He was only 19, he was a conscript," Tsyvova said. "They didn't tell me anything else, no information on when the funeral would be."

She added: "I am sure he isn't the only one who died."

Dmitry Shkrebets told The Guardian about his son Yegor, a cook on the Moskva, who was said to be listed as missing in action.

"A conscript who isn't supposed to see active fighting is among those missing in action," Shkrebets said. "Guys, how can you be missing in action in the middle of the high seas?"

Shkrebets said other families had contacted him to say their sons were missing after the Moskva sank.

Irina Shkrebets, mother of Yegor, said she went to a hospital to look for her son and discovered about 200 burnt bodies.

She told independent Russian news outlet The Insider: "We looked at every burnt kid. I can't tell you how hard it was, but I couldn't find mine."

Story continues

She added: "There were only 200 people, and there were more than 500 onboard the cruiser. Where were the others?"

Russia has been accused of covering up the scale of its military deaths since it invaded Ukraine on February 24. Reports suggest Russia has transported thousands of dead soldiers to Belarus from Ukraine, and Ukrainian officials have said there are thousands of unclaimed Russian corpses in its morgues.

Some families of Moskva crew members have learned that their loved ones are alive  not by seeing them in person, but from video shared by the Russian military, The Guardian reported.

Some parents were afraid of reprisals from Russia if they were seen to be questioning what happened to their sons, the newspaper said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fox News

The hosts of Fox & Friends spent much of their morning on Tuesday covering the latest scandal to rock the White House, yet again wondering aloud if this was solid proof that President Joe Biden isnt actually in control of his administration.

The controversy in question, which one host helpfully labeled Bunnygate, focuses on a White House staffer dressed as the Easter Bunny getting the presidents attention as he answered questions from the press in the middle of Mondays Easter Egg Roll event.

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the president welcomed thousands of attendees onto the South Lawn while children participated in an Easter egg hunt and egg roll racea White House tradition for more than a century. And after greeting guests, Biden came down to the lawn to blow a ceremonial whistle to start the race.

At one point during the festivities, the president made his way to the sidelines to talk with a reporter, who asked him about Pakistan and Afghanistan. While the president delivered his response, one White House official dressed as a giant Easter Bunny (likely Megan Hays, the director of message planning) waved down Biden and began ushering him away, apparently because he was needed for the next race.

Reacting to footage of a big fluffy rabbit corralling and leading the commander-in-chief away, the Fox News morning show crew took turns describing this as yet another example of Biden being heavily managed by White House officials. (Fox News hosts and commentators have devoted countless segments on Biden supposedly not being in charge due to his alleged cognitive decline.)

After co-host Steve Doocy called it a bizarre incident, Ainsley Earhardt suggested Biden wasnt allowed to talk with the press or even with kids before Doocy jumped back in.

Bunnygate! he excitedly added.

Fox News correspondent Alexandria Hoff then delivered a report on the scandal and noted that the Easter bunny has gained some authority since the last Easter Egg Roll. She branded it an interesting moment in which the costumed staffer physically stopped Biden from answering questions.

Story continues

How embarrassing is that? co-host Brian Kilmeade exclaimed. At least finish the sentence and say Okay, this is a fun day, Ill catch up to you guys later. Instead, [he] turns around like a robot and just pushes away. Whos in control here? My goodness. You allow that to happen?

Doocy went on to say that White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki and other comms staffers hate it when Biden takes impromptu questions. (The segment, by the way, was punctuated with an on-air graphic blaring: Bunny Pulpit?)

Kilmeade, meanwhile, continued with his rant. ...Or ad-libs off a speech, he declared. In all seriousness, she embarrassed the president! This is seen everywhere around the world. This is why Saudi Arabias version of SNL is mocking him as a doddering old man being led by the vice president.

Kilmeade was referencing a recent clip from a Saudi comedy show featuring a man portraying Biden as forgetful and sleepy while a woman acting as Vice President Kamala Harris depicts her as largely helpless in her attempts to assist him.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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Most large U.S. airlines, including American, JetBlue and United, said passengers and crew would no longer be required to wear masks on domestic flights.

After a federal judge struck down a nationwide mask requirement for airplanes, trains, buses and other public transportation on Monday, the countrys largest airlines said they would stop requiring masks on flights, ending a practice that most carriers followed for nearly two years.

The airlines acted after a Biden administration official said the Transportation Security Administration would no longer enforce the mask requirement while the White House reviewed the judges decision and determined whether to appeal.

Here is what some of the biggest U.S. airlines had to say.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

American Airlines

In a statement, American said customers and employees could wear masks at their own discretion but would no longer be required to do so on flights within the United States. We are deeply grateful to our team members for their enforcement of the mandate, and will share more information about this transition in the coming days, American said.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest said in a statement that employees and customers would be free to make the best decision to support their personal well-being, and took note of the high-end air filtration systems installed on planes that it and other carriers use.

Delta Air Lines

As Delta announced that it would stop requiring masks, it also asked the public to be patient with the change in policy and with the time needed to update signs and advisories. Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees, such as TSA, may be receiving this information at different times, it said. You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours.

United Airlines

United said it would stop requiring masks on domestic flights but would still require them on flights to countries with mask mandates. While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask  and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public  they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit, the airline said.

Story continues

Alaska Airlines

In a statement to customers, Alaska said it welcomed the opportunity to see your smiling faces, and thanked them for their patience with the shifting rules and guidance during the pandemic. It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change, Max Tidwell, the airlines vice president of safety and security, said in the statement.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue announced its shift in a short statement, noting that mask wearing will now be optional, though customers and flight crews are still welcome to wear masks in terminals and on planes.

Spirit Airlines

Masks will now be optional on domestic flights, Spirit said late Monday. We understand some guests may want to continue wearing face coverings on flights, and thats perfectly fine, the company said.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier said that while it would stop requiring masks on its planes, masks might still be required by some of the airports and cities it serves. Customers and team members should continue to abide by mask rules within any facility that may require it, it said. Per CDC guidance, regardless of whether a mask mandate is in effect, individuals are encouraged to continue to wear masks in indoor settings.

 2022 The New York Times Company
OKALOOSA ISLAND  To the delight and admiration of many hundreds of people gathered along and near the beaches of Okaloosa Island, a massive flyover featuring a long succession of military aircraft filled the skies Monday evening.

The flyover simultaneously honored the Doolittle Raiders, 80 Army Air Force airmen who conducted a daring World War II bombing raid on Japan on April 18, 1942, after training at what was then Eglin Field, and the 75th anniversary year of the U.S. Air Force, which was established on Sept. 18, 1947.

A B-25 Mitchell flies a missing man formation over Okaloosa Island during Monday's flyover to honor the Doolittle Raiders and the 75th anniversary of the Air Force.

History of the Doolittle Raiders: Doolittle Raid brought hope after Pearl Harbor; 80 years later, mission still 'unbelievable feat'

From 2020: Eglin jets flyover is moving experience for hospital workers

Among the younger viewers of the air extravaganza were local teen twin brothers Jacob and Alex Bollenbach. They were there with their father, Doug, an Air Force Special Operations veteran who worked on the electronics aboard AC-130U gunships at Hurlburt Field, from which Monday's flyover originated.

Both young men said their father's Air Force career got them interested in military aviation, but their personal preferences among aircraft were widely divergent.

For Jacob, the two World War II-era B-25s in the air show  like the 16 aircraft flown by the Doolittle Raiders  were the hit of the event.

A B-52 bomber flies over the Gulf of Mexico during Monday's flyover to honor the Doolittle Raiders and the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

Alex had a decidedly more modern interest: the F-22 Raptor fighter jet that screamed by overhead as necks craned and cellphone cameras followed its path.

"I've always loved planes from World War II," Jacob said, while Alex was impressed with the "very powerful" F-22.

A B-52 bomber soars along Okaloosa Island above hundreds or people and boats during a massive Monday flyover held to honor the Doolittle Raiders and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

Air Force aircraft in the flyover included an MC-130H from the 15th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt, an AC-130J from Hurlburt's 4th Special Operations Squadron and a CV-22 Osprey from the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt.

The F-22 fighter was from the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base. Other jets included an F-15E and an F-16, both from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base.

Story continues

Other Air Force jets in the flyover were an A-10 close air support aircraft, an F-35 from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin, a B-52 bomber, and a B-1 bomber.

People on Okaloosa Island try to capture images on their cellphone cameras during Monday's flyover to honor the Doolittle Raiders and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

Two Air Force helicopters, both HH-60 combat search and rescue aircraft, rounded out the military aircraft.

In addition to the two B-25s, other privately held aircraft in the flyover included T-6 Texan military training aircraft, T-34 military training aircraft and an assortment of other planes flown by the Black Ducks, a group of military retirees and Civil Air Patrol members who fly World War II-era liaison aircraft  aircraft that fly in support, rather than combat, roles  out of McCutchan Field in Holt.

Monday's flyover included UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

The throngs of people lining the beach in front of The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island and stretching along the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier included Mark Edens, a 20-year veteran of the Air Force, and his wife, Dorothy.

Edens, who enlisted in the Air Force and then moved into its officer ranks, had a varied career, serving as a gunship crew chief and also working with nuclear missiles.

It was an air show at Florida's Homestead Air Force Base that helped spark his interest in military aviation and his military career, he said. At 10 years old, he saw the Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the Homestead show, "and that pretty much convinced me" to follow that career path, he said.

Nearby on the beach, Tim Clements, who served as an Army combat medic from 1980 to 1992, eagerly awaited the start of the flyover. During his time in the Army, he said he flew aboard a number of aircraft, from C-130s to helicopters.

"Whatever Uncle Sam told me to get into," he joked.

That experience gave Clements a lifelong interest in military aircraft.

"As much as I can get out to see them, I'm out," he said.

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters fly over the Gulf of Mexico during Monday's flyover to honor the Doolittle Raiders and the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

The Doolittle Raiders, named for then-Army Air Forces Lt. Col. James Doolittle, who led the mission, are credited with boosting the morale of military and the American public with their raid on Japan.

The crews flew 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in the Pacific Ocean more than 800 miles to Japan, where they struck military and industrial targets before they either ditched their aircraft or bailed out before their planes crashed in China. One of the B-25s landed safely in Russia, then a U.S. ally.

Two of the 80 airmen drowned when their bombers ditched, and a third died while parachuting from his bomber.

Eight of the Doolittle Raiders were captured by the Japanese. Three were executed, one died of starvation and disease while in captivity, and four were subjected to more than three years of solitary confinement and brutality.

The raid came just four months after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that devastated the U.S. Navy and pulled the United States into World War II. With the raid, the Doolittle Raiders proved that U.S. forces could strike Japan by air, something that Japanese leaders had said would not happen.

Establishment of the U.S. Air Force came just five years after the Doolittle raid and 36 years after Congress approved the first allocation to military aviation in 1911.

A few short years after that initial allocation, World War I proved the importance of air power, and a move to create an air force separate from other military services began to take hold.

By World War II, the Army Air Forces had become an autonomous operation within the U.S. defense structure, with an understanding that, after the war, those forces would become an independent service known as the Air Force.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Flyover on Okaloosa Island honors Doolittle Raiders, Air Force
* Some civilians say they had no choice but to flee to Russia

* Ukraine human rights ombudswoman says 33,000 forcibly deported

* Ukrainians often sent deep into Russia, far from border

* Moscow says it is providing humanitarian aid

By Elizabeth Piper

KYIV, April 19 (Reuters) - Mila Panchenko found herself on a station platform in southwest Russia after lack of food and water forced her to hand herself over to pro-Russian forces to escape the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

At the station in Taganrog, a port on the Sea of Azov, she was put on a train along with around 200 other Ukrainians and told they were being transported to another part of Russia's Rostov region, which borders Ukraine.

But when the train arrived at its destination, the 53-year-old found herself in Tula province in central Russia, in the town of Suvorov, some 1,000 km (621 miles) away.

"There were a lot of police. The station was sealed off so no Russian civilians could approach us," Panchenko said, adding that there were crowds to greet them but the son of a friend from Tula - who she did not identify - was not allowed in. "We were met cheerfully, with cookies."

In addition to Panchenko, Reuters spoke to another Ukrainian woman - Natalia Bil-Maer - who escaped Mariupol last month, as well as the relatives of two other refugees.

They painted a picture of some civilians in Mariupol having no choice but to flee from the besieged city to Russia, a journey that involved repeated searches and questioning by pro-Russian forces before being transported often far from Ukraine's border.

Reuters was unable to verify their stories independently.

The Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment about the independent accounts provided to Reuters by Panchenko and Bil-Maer of Ukrainians being sent to distant parts of Russia without any choice.

Moscow has denied intentionally targeting civilians since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Panchenko said she and the other Ukrainians on the train were taken by Russian authorities to a sanatorium in the Tula region called Krainka. She was given a room with a small fridge, a television and two single beds. Laid on a table was traditional gingerbread, sweet biscuits, water and iced tea.

Story continues

The Krainka resort did not respond to a request for comment on its role in sheltering the Ukrainians.

After arriving at the sanatorium, Panchenko - the duty manager of a cistern factory before the war and a member of the local council - said she was fingerprinted, photographed and questioned in front of a prosecutor, whom Reuters was unable to identify.

Panchenko - who speaks Russian and Ukrainian - was asked whether the suppression of the Russian language in Ukraine had worsened since 2014, she said.

In that year, Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula while two breakaway regions of Ukraine -- Donetsk and Luhansk -- declared themselves people's republics with Moscow's backing.

One of Russia's justifications for what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine is to protect Russian speakers from what Moscow brands aggression from Ukrainian nationalists. Ukraine has denied this.

"I only said that I could speak Ukrainian and that I loved it ... I said I hadn't witnessed any suppression of Russian."

FORCED DEPORTATIONS

Liudmyla Denisova, Ukraine's ombudswoman for human rights, said last week that Russia had taken 134,000 people from Mariupol and that 33,000 of those were forcibly deported. Reuters was unable to determine the accuracy of those statistics.

Rachel Denber, deputy director for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch, said her organisation had documented at least one instance where there was "no question that it would be considered a forced transfer" - which she defined as "being forced to go to the side that has invaded your country."

The 1949 Geneva Conventions, which defined legal standards for humanitarian treatment in conflict, prohibit the mass forcible transfer of civilians during an international conflict to the territory of the occupying power, classifying it as a war crime.

Russia says it is offering humanitarian aid to those wanting to leave Mariupol. A Russian government resolution, published on March 12 on its website, listed the whereabouts of 95,909 people across Russia who had left Ukraine and the two breakaway republics.

A month later, on April 14, Russian Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev said that 138,014 civilians had been rescued by Russian forces just from Mariupol, as the fighting intensified.

Panchenko said she fled Mariupol on March 17 when Chechen troops seized the building on the left bank of the Kalmius river where she and dozens of other civilians had been sheltering in a basement.

"They said that we had to evacuate because they wanted to set up their headquarters there," Panchenko said by telephone from Brescia, in northern Italy, where she is now living, having left Russia.

With scant supplies of food and water, Panchenko said she had no choice but to get into the cars offered by the Chechen soldiers to take them to Russian-controlled parts of Donetsk.

They were transported by car and then bus to the village of Bezimenne, where police from the separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) have set up processing facilities, Panchenko said. They were fingerprinted and questioned by separatist police.

Spokespeople for the DPR and the Chechen authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

"We were asked if we had any connection with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, if we knew anyone from the Azov Battalion," she said, referring to a Ukrainian National Guard unit that Moscow has accused of targeting Russian speakers. "We weren't on any lists, so they put us on a bus again and took us to Taganrog train station."

TRAINS SENT ACROSS RUSSIA

On March 22, Bil-Maer fled the basement of a relative's apartment block with her husband and two children - aged 6 and 7 - as the Russian assault drew closer. They had planned to go to the nearby coastal town of Berdiansk, to the west, but their route was blocked by shelling.

"We had only one way left to go because that part of town was controlled by Russian soldiers ... So they transported us and we were deported to Russia."

As they were taken through Russian-controlled territory, Bil-Maer said Ukrainians were repeatedly questioned and men were asked to strip, as Russian forces searched for combatants.

But by March 23 she found herself on Russian soil and was taken to Taganrog station.

"In Taganrog, there were a lot of nice words said to us: We've saved you. We'll feed you," said Bil-Maer, who saw trains headed to Tambov and Vladimir in central Russia. "It was clear that every train was going to a different place."

As soon as Bil-Maer could use her phone, she called an aunt in Russia's Krasnodar region, across the Sea of Azov from east Ukraine, and she came to pick up the family.

But, once in her aunts home, Bil-Maer said she was reluctant to go outside because she was tired of being told by strangers that the Russian bombing was Ukraine's fault for attacking Russian-speakers. She said many Russians echoed the Kremlins position - reproduced in the media - that civilian casualties in the conflict were caused by Ukraines own armed forces to discredit Moscow.

Bil-Maer quickly fled to Georgia with her husband and children.

She does not know how she will return home: she is struggling to get help from the Ukrainian embassy and only has her internal passport with her. Her husband also left the country with her illegally when it was banned because he was of fighting age.

Ukraine foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Ukraine had to close its diplomatic missions in Russia for security reasons but embassies in the neighboring countries would provide consular assistance to Ukrainians deported to Russia to enable them to return home, including temporary travel documents.

After 10 days at the Krainka resort, Panchenko said she persuaded the Russians to allow her to leave for Nizhny Novgorod, a city on the Volga river east of Moscow, to stay with the family of an elderly neighbor from Mariupol who had fled with her.

Once outside the resort, Panchenko and her neighbor, who she identified as Zhan, went instead to Moscow and then to the Baltic States. Panchenko found her way eventually to Italy.

"But my plan is to make some money and return to my home Mariupol, if it stays Ukrainian," she said. "I want to come back to Ukraine very much." (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
The Dillard family is on the move!

On their family's official website, Jill (Duggar) Dillard and Derick Dillard announced that they are moving out of their current home. This is a big change for the growing bunch, as the Arkansas-based property was the family's first home.

"We are joining the masses of people who are currently navigating this crazy real estate market," the post began. "We are moving!!"

"We are sad to say goodbye to our very first home that we bought three years ago, but pray it brings much joy to the next family who will get to make memories here," the Dillards added.

At the end of the post, the family indicated that they "are moving for a new job Derick recently accepted and are super excited for new adventures." They didn't include details about their new home or whether they will remain in Arkansas, however.

RELATED: Pregnant Jill Duggar Celebrates Successful Maternity Jeans Shopping Trip: 'We Found a Pair!'

The announcement comes just weeks after Derick passed the bar exam and officially became a lawyer. According to a release from the Supreme Court of Arkansas, Derick was administered the test on Feb. 23 and completed all of the requirements to "be certified to the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court for admission as [an] attorney licensed to practice law in Arkansas."

jill-dillard.jpg

Jill Dillard/Instagram Derick and Jill Dillard with their sons

Jill, 30, and Derick, 33, moved into their current home in 2019. At the time, the longtime couple shared a video tour of the space and explained what still needed to be done.

"Thanks to some of the fam, we've got some new decor (mostly from Hobby Lobby and Amazon)," Jill wrote on her family's website. "And a few of my siblings even popped in one evening to help do a little decorating  so the walls aren't completely bare. ."

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The upcoming move comes amid Jill's pregnancy. She is expecting a baby boy due in July, marking her third son after Israel David, 6, and Samuel Scott, 4.

"We had originally planned on finding out our baby's gender earlier, a couple weeks ago, but Covid hit our family and we had to delay the exciting revelation," a recent statement on the Dillard family website read.

"However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise because by the time we were able to reschedule, Israel was on spring break," the statement continued. "This meant our whole family could be together for the appointment, as we all found out together that another little boy would be joining the Dillard tribe!"
Apr. 18STARKVILLE  Mississippi State will gets its tour of the Magnolia State this week as it enters a crucial stretch of an inconsistent season.

It starts at home, extends to Oxford and closes out in Pearl. MSU has five games in eight days without leaving the state of Mississippi, and it begins Tuesday with a matchup against Jackson State.

The result of that midweek battle at Dudy Noble Field should follow the lines of last season's meeting between the teams. MSU beat Jackson State 7-3 and will look to follow a similar path this season. State is 3-0 against SWAC teams this season.

However, the result, unless it's a loss, isn't too important for MSU. What matters is how MSU can set its pitching staff up for the weekend series at Ole Miss.

Mississippi State's bullpen is deteriorating with depth and consistency, and the fewer arms Chris Lemonis has to use against Jackson State, the better.

State saw six relievers take the bump in its three games against Auburn. Brooks Auger was among those, and he pulled himself out with an injury following 1 2/3 innings in the opener.

That leaves five arms, with the status of Parker Stinnett unclear, Lemonis typically goes to in high-leverage situations. But with few other options, Lemonis needs some of the struggling arms can find a groove.

"It'd be nice if we could be like softball and pitch one person all the time," Lemonis said. "But we don't have that luxury. We've got good guys. We can pitch better."

Jackson Fristoe appeared to be emerging as a closer for Mississippi State. He had seven scoreless outings in eight appearances and was on the verge of another. He was a strike away from giving MSU a series-opening win against LSU, and then he lost his focus.

Now, Fristoe has allowed seven earned runs in his last three outings.

Pico Kohn finds the occasional rhythm and provides a worthy left-handed arm, but his six scoreless outings this season have been matched by seven with at least one earned run allowed.

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Drew Talley, for as strong as he was in getting a crucial out in the opener against Auburn, struggled in the second game of the series.

The lone healthy, consistent arm Lemonis seems to have in the bullpen is KC Hunt  who battled an injury for the better part of the first two months of the season.

Hunt has pitched seven scoreless innings across his last four appearances. He'll need to be available for State against an inconsistent but powerful Ole Miss offense. That means State can't be in a spot to burn his availability with an appearance against Jackson State.

"(MSU-Ole Miss) is one of the biggest college rivalries in baseball," Cade Smith said. "To prepare for that, everybody's gotta be focused."

STEFAN KRAJISNIK is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at stefan.krajisnik@djournal.com.
The Montana State Fund has hired Holly ODell, a vice president and general counsel with Oregons version of the workers' compensation organization, to be the insurers new president and chief executive officer.

ODell will start in June and will overlap with outgoing president and CEO Laurence Hubbard, who will retire at the end of July following 33 years with Montana State Fund.

Im excited to be taking my learning here and serving in this new role and serving on behalf of the employers and workers and citizens of Montana, ODell said in a recent interview. Im coming into a good place."

Montana State Fund is a nonprofit quasi-public workers' compensation organization. The fund used a national firm and independent human resources consultant to select ODell from more than 100 candidates in a nationwide search. O'Dell will be the first woman to run the new fund, though the so-called "Old Fund" that predated it did have a female leader.

Before accepting the job in Montana, ODell spent 17 years at Oregons State Accident Insurance Fund, rising through the ranks from a legal intern after she left a career in the nursing and health care field to attend law school. O'Dell was a trial attorney, an appellate attorney, a managing attorney and then became vice president of strategic and legal services and general counsel. The Oregon fund is a sister state fund to Montanas.

I am passionate about the mission, protecting employers and protecting injured workers and the State Fund has this unique role that no one else serves as being able to do that well, ODell said. Were driving prosperity for the citizens of the state.

Oregons state fund is about three times the size of Montanas. ODell said getting to use her professional background with a mix of health care, legal and business experience at an organization with a similar mission to Oregons is what drew her to Montana, along with the opportunity to work with the team at Montana State Fund.

Its meaningful work that I happen to be very well-experienced in doing, ODell said. And of course theres Montana. I got to come out a few times  and the people are incredible.

One of the things ODell said she wants to focus on is continuing the State Funds efforts to increase awareness about safety in the workplace.

We all want each of our colleagues to go home safe every night and I can tell that everyone met is interested and focused on the health and wellness of Montana, ODell said

Over her career, O'Dell has had a variety of experiences that uniquely help her understand all the aspects of a workplace like Montana State Fund. After earning her first degree in nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University, ODell worked with women in prenatal and family planning services at a county health department

We had no medical doctors, so we were leading the care of these women and I loved the education piece, I loved the policy pieces about how to build a health care system that can deliver strong outcomes, ODell said. And I learned I needed to continue to grow and continue to learn just to be a better-contributing member of my community.

So ODell went to Lewis and Clark College School of Law at night and after graduation used her skills as a lawyer with Oregons version of the State Fund. That opened her eyes to more of the business world, which intrigued her to the point she went back to school again, this time at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to earn an MBA, while still working full time.

ODell said she made the move from nursing to law school and then business because, for me, its because I value contribution and I personally need to be adding value to my highest and best ability, and I do that by learning and growing and gaining the skills that I need to contribute.

It seemed like a natural fit. Its weird on paper, but its given me a whole lot of experience to lean on, ODell said.

During the pandemic, O'Dell got a chance to dust off her nursing skills.

After learning that Baker City, Oregon, needed nurses, O'Dell traveled the six hours to the small community from the capital of Salem and spent time working on the medical surgical unit, according to an email bulletin from the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon.

It'd been more than 20 years since she was last on a surgical unit, according to the bulletin, and O'Dell worked night shifts at the hospital while continuing in her day job.

"Hollys skills were badly needed as there were so many critically ill COVID patients, in addition to regular hospital patients," according to the bulletin.

It was hard to do, but I felt it was the right time and I was really needed, the bulletin quoted O'Dell as saying.

O'Dell is making the move to Montana with her youngest daughter, who is in high school. She also has three older daughters, who became part of her family when a longtime friend passed away from cancer in 2016.

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Apr. 19MORGANTOWN  Mon Health System and West Virginia Junior College inked a letter of intent on Monday to launch a first-of-its-kind nursing education program in the state.

In a collaborative move to address the state's nursing shortage, WVJC's nursing students will experience an accelerated 18-month program at the hospital and virtually, without setting foot in a classroom, WVJC and Mon Health said during the signing ceremony at Mon Health Medical Center.

Mon Health nurses will have joint appointments as WVJC lab and clinical faculty ; and the students, along with digital coursework, will learn firsthand at bedside  what Mon Health System President and CEO David Goldberg calls patient-side.

The collaboration, he said, will serve "to bring not only the best nurses to patient-side through Mon Health, but keep people in this community, grow our own, take care of our own neighbors, family members and friends, so we continue to be the best health care location in north-central West Virginia and improve our health care outcomes."

WVJC CEO Chad Callen said health care across the state is struggling, with shortages at near crisis levels in some areas.

"Such challenges require bold thinking and innovative, out-of-the-box approaches, " he said.

The collaboration will allow Mon Health and WVJC to coordinate resources and expertise, align marketing and recruiting efforts, and align facilities, equipment and systems for a for more current, real-world experience.

The program plans to open enrollment in September 2022 and start its first class in April 2023.

And the collaboration is open to expansion, as integrating WVJC's School of Nursing with Mon Health System is intended as the first step towards a broader workforce development partnership, they said.

Candy Powers, Mon Health's chief revenue cycle officer, said not all health care jobs are clinical  hospitals require financial and operations staff, too. Both areas were hit by the pandemic and the "Great Resignation." The two organizations aim to funnel WVJC students from billing and coding courses into positions at Mon Health, among other plans.

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Mon Health System already has a career placement collaboration with WVJC for students completing their medical coding certifications, and offers shadowing opportunities and assists newly certified students with interviews across the system.

Mon Health and WVJC also work together to help those who are not yet certified with securing interviews in other departments, such as pre-access services, admissions and patient financial services.

Krystal Atkinson, Mon Health's chief nursing executive, said the statewide and nationwide nursing shortage is not a new problem, but the pandemic amplified it.

When nursing instructors retire, she said, that limits the number of students who can enroll. Staff burdens and shortages also cause nursing burnout. Nationwide, the nursing shortage is estimated at 1.1 million positions. Programs like this "will certainly pave the way to decreasing that shortage."

Legislators and other elected officials attended the ceremony. Speaking for the legislators, Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, also raised the nursing shortage issue.

"This is going to be a good program, " he said. "This is going to keep a lot of people employed in West Virginia. This is going to keep a lot of people healthy in West Virginia. The stress levels of nurses is absolutely through the roof and they're working long, hard hours and we desperately need help."

Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom praised the creative thinking that led to this agreement. "To see both of these working together, coming up with a solution that this community needs, that's what speaks the best of West Virginia Junior College and Mon Health."

Callen said that this is the first such collaboration for WVJC and later told The Dominion Post they're looking at it across the state. "This is the way education has to change. It has to happen more tightly with the employees and not separately in some school."

Tweet David Beard @dbeardtdp Email dbeard @dominionpost.com
Apr. 19FREEPORT  Normally the Freeport Inn on Route 1 would already be busy in mid-April preparing for the start of the summer tourism season. Instead, the hotel is canceling reservations through the end of the year.

It won't stay empty though.

One of its guest buildings is housing families in five rooms and all 40 rooms in a second building are full of new arrivals, many of them asylum seekers from central Africa. The Freeport Inn, which straddles the Yarmouth town line, is the most recent hotel the city of Portland has started using to house asylum seekers in need of emergency shelter.

"We're going to cancel everything up through January," said Cynthia Edwards, the Freeport Inn's assistant manager. "It's unrealistic for anyone who knows the area to think all these poor families will find housing because there isn't housing. It just physically isn't there. For us to say, 'We'll only do it (up until a certain date this year),' that's an unrealistic thing."

Portland is now using 12 hotels in six communities to house asylum seekers and homeless Mainers, whose numbers far exceed the capacity of its Family Shelter and Oxford Street Shelter. As of last Wednesday, the city was finding shelter for 1,594 people on a nightly basis. By comparison, at the peak of a 2019 influx of asylum seekers, the city had about 240 people being housed at the Portland Expo, which it opened as a temporary shelter to accommodate them.

Challenges have piled up for the city and surrounding communities as the numbers have grown with no sign of letting up. Earlier this month the interim Portland city manager delayed her presentation of the proposed 2022-23 budget in large part because of a potential funding gap if federal COVID relief dollars being used to help pay for the emergency housing run out as scheduled at the end of June.

In South Portland, the City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday as it reviews licenses of four hotels that are up for renewal because of complaints and increased calls to police, fire and medical services at the hotels, where homeless people and asylum seekers are staying.

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Living in hotels outside city centers can be a challenge for those who struggle to access transportation, medical care and food and Portland has been scrambling over the last several months to not only house people but help meet other needs.

"Over the past seven months, I have continued to reiterate that I was fearful we would reach a point where we were no longer able to provide all the resources to these individuals and families to allow them to be successful  and unfortunately, we've reached that point," Portland Director of Health and Human Services Kristen Dow told the City Council last week.

'MORE THAN ONE MUNICIPALITY CAN HANDLE'

She said the city is working to find new housing for the approximately 280 homeless people staying in two South Portland hotels whose owner has said he will not continue to house them after May 31. The city also continues to reach out to state and federal officials for help.

"This is more than one municipality can handle," Dow said.

Tucked behind a seafood restaurant with views overlooking a large marsh, the Freeport Inn building in Yarmouth is hardly visible from busy Route 1. There are no cars in the building's parking lot, but all the rooms are full.

Aninha Mbuyi Muka arrived in Maine from Angola on April 3 with her son, 13, and the two teenage children of her late husband. They're one of about 40 families staying at the hotel. Muka said she faced discrimination as an Angolan who fled the country during its civil war but later returned. She came to fear for her safety while her daughter was in an abusive relationship with an older man who threatened her.

"Even if I were to go to police, and they're the ones with the authority and the power, they wouldn't do anything," said Muka, 52, who spoke Portuguese and was interviewed with the help of an interpreter. "They would tell me, 'Lady, just calm yourself down.' I felt like nobody was going to protect me here. I thought tomorrow I could be found dead. My children wouldn't have a mother anymore. So I decided to leave."

She said her daughter also started on the journey to the United States, but she doesn't know where she is now. After initially entering the U.S. through Texas with the three other children, Muka said, she wanted to come to Maine because she saw it as a safe place.

"Maine is very quiet," Muka said. "There is no violence. We already left a place that was very violent and very dangerous."

In another room of the hotel, Guylain Lounangou is staying with his 17-year-old daughter. Lounangou, 41, is from the Republic of the Congo and had planned to live with a cousin in Indianapolis. When he arrived in the U.S., however, he found the cousin had only a one-bedroom apartment for her family of three and already was short on space. People he met while he was traveling told him about Maine.

"They said, 'In Maine ... at least you'll have a roof over your head and you'll be safe and in slightly better conditions than you were,' " Lounangou said through an interpreter.

Lounangou said he is grateful to have a place to stay, but finding transportation and trying to connect with people outside the hotel is challenging.

"It's a big disadvantage (being so far away from Portland), because we can't do anything," he said. "It's like we're hidden."

In the Congo, Lounangou was a flight attendant. On his phone, he has a photograph of himself in uniform. Once, he brought the country's president to Saudi Arabia, he said. Now, his days consist of bringing his daughter to the school bus in the morning and then waiting all day at the hotel. "I just stay here, day after day after day," Lounangou said.

TRANSPORTATION IS LACKING

A lack of regular and affordable transportation to and from the hotel  about a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland  is one of the biggest challenges Portland is facing with the new rooms in Freeport, said Chelsea Hoskins, resettlement coordinator for the city. Staff also are trying to organize consistent medical care for the families. Many have asked for in-person English classes and for equipment such as slow cookers or rice cookers so they can make their own food.

Hoskins said she is in daily communication with officials in Yarmouth and Freeport and outside groups also are providing help. She spoke of a local pastor who gives people at the hotel rides to the grocery store and appointments.

"I am so grateful for all the community supports, because we'd really be drowning without them honestly," Hoskins said.

When the city starts housing people in a new hotel in a new community, the ripple effect is immediate. Although people initially come to Portland and the city uses its General Assistance fund to pay for their housing, children enroll in schools near their hotels.

In Yarmouth, 37 new students from the Freeport Inn have enrolled in the school district.

The district had a few English language learners before the influx, Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said, but it didn't have any students who spoke no English.

"To now have several dozen is certainly a shift in our resources, and we are identifying various options for ensuring their needs are being met," Dolloff said in an email.

He said it is clear that the district will need to increase staffing in English language instruction, though several part-time employees will work full time for the remainder of the year. That will cost about about $24,000, which he said will come from money saved in other areas over the course of the year.

He framed the challenges in a positive light.

"This is a significant lift for our staff, but also an amazing experience for many staff and students, and the new Mainers are incredibly excited to be entering school," Dolloff said.

Luyinolula Songa's 10-year-old daughter, Lukenia, is one of Yarmouth's new students. The mother and daughter left Angola in November along with Songa's 21-year-old daughter, who is still in detention in Texas. "Her sister is really sad and stressed about that," said Songa, 42, through an interpreter.

Asked why she left Angola, Songa said it was complicated and there were many problems. "Here they help people," she said of the decision to come to Maine.

But the week and a half she and Lukenia have been at the hotel also hasn't been easy.

"It's really, really difficult to be far away from the center (of the city) because there's no transportation," Songa said. "The check (the general assistance program) gives us, once you buy food there's nothing left. Here there's nobody around to help you and all I want is to work."

Yarmouth Community Services, which runs the towns parks, recreation and adult education, has been collecting clothing, financial donations and other items, such as personal hygiene products and diapers, for the families.

Seanu Anne, general manager of the Freeport Inn, said he was eager to offer up the hotel to the city of Portland after seeing news about the housing shortage. "We thought maybe it's a good idea to help these families in need and also help with the crisis the city is dealing with," Anne said.

Anne declined to say how much the city is paying to house people at the hotel but he said he plans to make rooms available as long as they are needed. Most of his business comes from people who don't reserve rooms far in advance, he said, and the inn is working with those who have made reservations to find alternate accommodations.

In general, the city is paying $100 to $300 per hotel room per night, though rates vary by hotel and can change over time, said city spokesperson Jessica Grondin. The city is currently being reimbursed for 70 percent of the costs by the state and the remaining 30 percent through the federal government.

Anne said rates at the Freeport Inn typically run around $350 per night in peak tourism season. But, he said, providing the space to the city, while the right thing to do, is also a good business decision, because he worries that staffing challenges this summer would hamper normal operations.

"At this point, we're helping the families and helping out the city at the same time," Anne said. "These families are coming from the worst of conditions, fleeing their homes and their countries  and here we have an opportunity to provide them food, shelter and the basic necessities they need. Otherwise we will see this crisis spiral out of control."
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch government on Tuesday said it had reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian city of Lviv with a small number of staff last Saturday.

"By first returning to Lviv in western Ukraine with a small staff, the embassy will get a good picture of the security situation there," the Dutch Foreign Affairs ministry said.

If the situation is deemed safe enough, the embassy will eventually return to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, it added.

The Dutch embassy in Ukraine's capital was moved to Lviv on Feb. 22, two days before Russian troops invaded the country. Staff then moved to Poland on Feb. 26.

Several other European countries, including France, recently announced they would move back their embassies to Kyiv.

(This story amends typo in second last paragraph)

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
There are reports that Russia may be planning to use  or, according to unverified reports from local officials in Mariupol, might have already used  chemical weapons as part of its offensive in eastern Ukraine. The Biden administration has already set up a Tiger Team of national security officials to consider options in the event this happens; now is the time for these discussions to become more public.

Weve traveled this road before, badly. In August 2012, Barack Obama publicly warned the Bashar Assad regime in Syria against employing chemical weapons. A red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized, he said. That would change my calculus.

It didnt. The following year, reports emerged that Assad had begun using chemical weapons, culminating in a sarin gas attack in a suburb of Damascus. Obama hesitated, fearing a wider war. The British Parliament voted against taking military action in Syria. Congressional Republicans switched overnight from hawkish interventionists to skeptical isolationists. Vladimir Putin intervened with a face-saving offer to get Assad to voluntarily divest himself of his chemical arsenal.

The Obama administration crowed that it had achieved the best possible result. But it later came to light that Assad had not given up his full arsenal, and he continued to use chlorine gas against his adversaries without consequence. Putin consolidated his alliance with Assad, eventually leading to the introduction of Russian forces in Syria in 2015.

And it served as a predicate for Russias seizure of Crimea a few months later. Obamas hesitance in Syria was decisive, former President Francois Hollande of France recently told my colleague Roger Cohen. Decisive for American credibility, and that had consequences. After that, I believe, Mr. Putin considered Mr. Obama weak.

A woman pulls her bags past houses damaged during fighting in eastern Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, April 8. Ukraine says it is investigating a claim that a poisonous substance was dropped on the besieged city of Mariupol.

This is not a scenario the Biden team can afford to repeat. What should the administration do?

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Make only promises it intends to keep. Syrias use of chemical weapons was a military, humanitarian and international-norms crisis. Obamas red line turned it into a crisis of American credibility  one whose consequences were much farther-reaching than anything that happened in Syria.

The U.S. response should be asymmetric. President Joe Biden issued a veiled threat to Putin when they met last June in Geneva, by mentioning the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline: I looked at him. I said, Well, how would you feel if ransomware took on the pipelines from your oil fields?  That was fair warning.

Bring maximum diplomatic pressure to bear on Germany and other European states to end oil and gas imports from Russia. According to one estimate, those sales provide the Kremlin with $1 billion a day. Berlin remains the weakest link in the effort to create an effective sanctions regime against Russia. This position, craven now, will become morally untenable for Germany if Russia starts gassing Ukrainians. It should lead to the immediate removal of all Russian financial institutions from the SWIFT transaction system to make payments for oil and gas almost impossible.

Tear apart Russias supply chains. This is the project of Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, who has been looking at ways to disrupt the Kremlins military supply chains. It should move beyond this to every sector of the Russian economy, by automatically forbidding any company doing business in Russia to also do business in the United States and, hopefully, Europe.

Arm Ukraine with offensive weapons. If Putin turns out to have used chemical weapons  a favorite M.O. of his, from poisoning political opponents to supporting their use in the Syrian battlefield  the West needs to respond aggressively, the former NATO commander Adm. James Stavridis wrote me. Assuming these weapons would be delivered by air, it raises the ante in giving the Ukrainians even more tools to run an effective no-fly zone, including MIG-29 fighters and possibly other platforms and drones with anti-air capability.

Target Belarus. The Biden administration is leery of direct confrontation with Russia. It should be much less restrained in going after the Kremlins puppet regime. Turning off the lights in Minsk for a day would be a useful shot across the bow as the dictator Alexander Lukashenko ponders joining the Kremlins military effort.

Expect the worst. He has no compunction against really horrific activity, another former top American military commander told me about Aleksandr Dvornikov, Russias new theater commander. Thats what he did in Aleppo.

Plan for a long war. Make sure we can provision Ukraine with the weapons it needs for at least a year. Begin to train Ukrainian forces in advanced Western combat systems. Prepare to wall off Russia from the global economy for a decade.

We may not be able to stop Putin from using chemical weapons, but we can still avoid the fatal mistake we made a decade ago with Assad.

Stephens writes for The New York Times.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Stephens: What do we do if Putin uses chemical weapons?
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

For the third straight quarter, Donald Trumps former campaign committee turned in a fundraising loss, shedding $1.2 million to start 2022. And the reason for almost all of the Trump campaigns money problems is a familiar one: lawyers.

According to a campaign finance disclosure filed in recent days, the committeeMake America Great Again PAChanded over about $1.1 million in legal fees between January and the end of March.

Thats more than 40 percent of the PACs $2.6 million in total expenses, for the PACs biggest deficit since Trump left office. The $1.4 million it raised barely covered its legal bills.

Trumps New Super PAC Is Paying Off His Usual SuspectsAgain

The loss cut MAGA PACs cash on hand from about $6.66 million at years end to around $5.47 million as of March 31. The committee, which Trump converted from his old campaign after leaving office, now holds about half the $10.7 million it had at the start of 2021.

In the first half of the year, fresh off of election challenges and an impeachment trial, MAGA PAC ate the vast majority of Trumps political legal costsabout $7.8 million of the $8 million total. The payouts plummeted in the back half of 2021, with a total $1.7 million spread over those six months, indicating another uptick to kick off 2022.

The biggest winner this quarter was Jesse Binnall, Trumps top election challenger, whose firm clocked $410,000 for its services. Binnall farms some of those fees out to local counsel, whose names arent listed on the reports. One such firm is the Tulsa, Oklahoma, shop Hall Estill, which Binnall retained last year to assist in an ongoing lawsuit alleging civil rights violations at Trumps COVID comeback rally in June 2020.

MAGA PAC also paid its customary retainer to Elections LLC, a joint venture between three former top campaign aides, which now commands $52,500 a month. (Trumps Save America joint fundraising committee retains Elections LLC as well.)

Combined, Elections LLC and Binnalls firmincluding the anonymous local subcontractorsabsorbed more than half the legal costs on the quarter.

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The spike in attorney fees comes after a significant dropoff late last year. That decrease coincided with a rise in the Republican National Committees costs, after the GOP agreed to foot Trumps legal expenses in ongoing investigations into his business practicesup to $1.6 million.

The rest of MAGA PACs $2.6 million expense report included the committees biggest single payout: $590,000 to a company called 2M Document Management and Imaging, LLC, itemized for research consulting.

Trump PAC Lavishing $37K a Month on Rent at Trump Tower as Other Tenants Flee: Report

In all, the secretive Delaware-based entity pocketed about $1.17 million last quarter, already nosing near its 2021 total of $1.6 million. No other political committee has ever paid the company, according to federal data.

Trumps trifurcated fundraising streams can be tough to follow. Last week, there was a second filing in addition to MAGA PAC, this one from the joint fundraising vehicle Trump shares with the RNC, called Save Americathe same name as his leadership PAC. That group raised a total $19 million this quarter, which gets split between Trump groups and the RNC.

Unlike MAGA PAC, however, the joint committee came out on top. It racked up about $8.6 million in operating costs, less than half its haul. Most of that money went to fundraising consultants and advertisers, and unlike MAGA PAC reported no legal feesoutside of a monthly $20,000 to Elections LLC. The committee currently holds about $6.4 million.

But we wont have a complete picture of Trumps finances until later this week, when his largest accountSave America leadership PAC, with $110 million in the bankfiles its monthly report. We do know that it pulled at least $5.1 million in new transfers from the joint committee.

Pro-Trump PAC Exec Rants About Hillary After Feds Charge Him for Ponzi Scheme

But as confounding as that all is, one MAGA PAC payment stands out as particularly curious: the one rent check made out to Trump Tower.

While the amount is the normal monthly rate of $37,541.67, theres only one payment instead of the expected three. And it went to a curious destinationnot Trump Tower itself, but a P.O. box in Hicksville, New York, a Long Island town an hour from Fifth Avenue.

The campaigns rent checks have vacillated over the years between Trump Tower and Hicksville, seemingly at random, with no explanation. However, that mailbox is a short drive from Trumps longtime accountants, Mazars USA.

MAGA PACs last rent check was made out Feb. 11. Three days later, Mazars dropped Trump as a client, citing unreliable financial statements.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FILE  Outside the Yakima Air Terminal on July 12, 2013. The airport is one of the stops for the Airporter shuttle, which will resume service on Sunday, June 21, 2020.
This image released by Focus Features shows Alexander Skarsgard in a scene from "The Northman."
After reading a story, Teresa Heinzs third graders at Lincoln Elementary School in Wenatchee  including Sofia Herrera Preciado, wearing a black mask  participate in a group lesson to compare and contrast the two animals in the book.
At his victory celebration in 2017, newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron strode to a podium at the Louvre to the sounds of Ode to Joy. He had every reason to be joyful, having trounced his opponent, Marine Le Pen, in a 66% to 34% landslide.

But the music had another, perhaps even deeper meaning: Ode to Joy is the official anthem of the European Union, an institution Macron has helped revitalize, and not a moment too soon, given the absence of its former informal leader, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and in light of the unity needed to effectively sanction the Russian government for its war on Ukraine.

But if Macrons approach to the EU is one of belief, Le Pens is one of belittlement. And while shes softened her Brexit-era aggressiveness on leaving the union and the euro, she clearly is not anywhere near as staunch a supporter of the political institution integrating Europe, or even of the defensive one, the indispensable North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Le Pen has pledged to keep France in NATO but leave its command structure.

I want a France in a strong Europe that maintains its alliances with the big democracies in order to defend itself, not a France that, outside Europe, would have as its only allies the populist and xenophobic international, Macron said after the first-round vote last Sunday delivered him the top total, 27.9%. That, Macron added, is not us.

Defining us is at the core of the campaign and a broader debate roiling other countries contending with rapidly rising immigration  including the U.S. Le Pen, who has softened her image and to a lesser extent her policies from her previous runs (and from her notorious father, the xenophobic and antisemitic Jean-Marie Le Pen), is running on a populist platform.

I will restore France to order in five years, Le Pen said at her rally after she finished second to Macron with 23.2% of the vote.

The choice this Sunday, the date of the runoff between the two candidates, is one between division, injustice and disorder and the rallying of the French people around social justice and protection, she said.

Le Pens focus on immigration (not Ukrainian, but African and Asian) and economic challenges of everyday French citizens, as well as an increasingly relatable style, offers a clear contrast to Macrons prioritization of international issues and whats widely perceived as an elite, cool aloofness. But what may just sound like a similar refrain of this eras Western elections that resulted in Brexit and the election of former President Donald Trump has implications far beyond domestic dynamics. The outcome, expected to be considerably closer than the lopsided Le Pen-Macron matchup five years ago, is geopolitically consequential.

This election is absolutely decisive, because whats at stake is whether or not the European Union continues to consolidate and whether or not the sanctions alliance to change Russian aggression continues to hold, Ben Judah, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Europe Center, told an editorial writer. If the French electorate rejects Emmanuel Macron, it will be because they are rejecting the French establishment and it will be because they have chosen to reject the elites main project over the decades since the end of the Second World War, which is to build an integrated, consolidated European bloc on the world stage.

Some European electorates have indeed already taken this step.

Beyond Brexit, illiberal, often pro-Putin leaders like Hungarys Viktor Orban and Serbias Aleksandar Vucic were comfortably reelected earlier this month. And while shes tried to sidestep her previous proclamations, Le Pen has been reliably pro-Putin too, something Macron should hit hard during the furious fortnight between the first and second rounds of Frances election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin unmistakably misread Western resolve (let alone Ukrainian courage) in his war calculus. A win by Le Pen would weaken, if not end, that cohesion, encouraging Putin to continue with what appear to be war crimes. French voters may not reprise Ode to Joy if Macron wins again, but it would be a far better outcome for France, and the world.
A woman arrested in connection with the July death of a Dickinson man was sentenced to three years on probation and will testify at the trial of the suspect facing a murder charge.

Jessica Saueressig, 28, of Cascade, Wisconsin, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to a felony charge of hindering law enforcement, court records show. Authorities in December dismissed a charge of felony theft conspiracy.

Saueressig and Carlos Mendivil-Beltran, 29, of Mesa, Arizona, also known as Oscar Ortiz, were arrested following the July 25, 2021, death of Brian Rowe, 43. Police allege the three were traveling on 114th Avenue Northwest in Dunn County when an altercation arose between Mendivil-Beltran and Rowe. Mendivil-Beltran shot Rowe several times, pushed him out of the vehicle and left him in the roadway, according to an affidavit. Mendivil-Beltran later allegedly crashed the pickup into a ravine, where he and Saueressig abandoned it.

The nature of the alleged altercation and the relationship of the three people are unclear.

Southwest District Judge Dann Greenwood suspended a five-year prison sentence. The court record states Saueressig will cooperate with prosecution and testify truthfully at Mendivil-Beltrans trial. Neither Dunn County States Attorney Stephenie Davis nor defense attorney Philip Becher immediately responded to requests for comment.

Mendivil-Beltran and Saueressig initially eluded police after Rowes death. They were arrested in Moorhead, Minnesota, two days later, after a search that included police K-9s and a Moorhead Fire Department drone.

Mendivil-Beltran is scheduled for a 10-day trial starting May 9. He is charged with murder, which carries the possibility of life in prison without parole. Authorities dismissed charges of theft and theft conspiracy in December.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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VILLANOVA, Pa.It was the spring of 1972. President Richard M. Nixon was in office. The U.S. was still involved in the Vietnam War and Watergate hadnt happened yet. That spring, a group of Villanova students and professors left campus to spend three weeks in Washington, D.C., officially launching Villanovas Washington Minimester, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The annual three-week program is an opportunity for Villanova students to meet policymakers, lobbyists, pollsters, staffers and other Washingtonians who influence the political process from behind the scenes. Open to all Villanova students, it serves as a three-credit course and consists of roughly 35 seminars with people whose daily decisions make the Federal government run.

Many universities offer Washington programs, but to my knowledge only Villanova offers an experience like the Minimestera political immersion program with extremely high-level access, says Matthew Kerbel, PhD, professor of Political Science and the programs faculty advisor for the past 15 years.

Over the years, weve had the chance to talk to senior White House aides in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the East Wing, meet with senators and representatives and clerks at the Supreme Court. Weve had sessions with journalists on the set of Meet the Press and with leaders of the Republican whip operation on the floor of the House. Weve spoken with Reince Priebus when he was chair of the RNC and Howard Dean when he was chair of the DNC. Weve met [former] House Speaker Boehner and [former] House Speaker Ryan on their private balcony overlooking the Mall and attended a small gathering with President Obama.

Washington is filled with Villanova Minimester alums, to the point where there is something of a Minimester network in D.C., Dr. Kerbel says. The typical career path starts in Congress, with Minimester students starting out as congressional interns while theyre still at Villanova, then parlaying that experience into entry-level jobs in the House or Senate after graduation.

From there, its a matter of time before our alums work their way to more senior positions in congressional offices or on committee staffs. Some stay on the Hill, others move down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, or to departments and agencies like the State Department and Department of the Interior. Minimester alums have worked for the national party committees and in the media. Some have become lobbyists. Weve even had a Minimester marriagetwo Washington professionals who met on the program!

One half of that couple is Meghan Rodgers 13 CLAS, whose Washington career has included working as communications director for a Florida congressman and as deputy communications director for the USDA. She is now senior vice president of communications for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. As a Political Science major, I always thought I wanted to work in D.C., but after participating in the Washington Minimester after my freshman year, I knew that was my goal, she says. I spent the rest of my Villanova years working towards it using the contacts I made during that program. I even met my husband in the program, and we got married at Villanova last year. Clearly it had a big impact on my career and my life!

Dr. Kerbel gives great credit to his predecessor, the late Jeffrey Hahn, PhD, professor emeritus, Political Science, who took over the Washington Minimester in 1977 and ran it for 30 years. He built the foundation that has made the Minimester so successful and so special, Dr. Kerbel says. Ive had the privilege to run it for fifteen years, and over that time we have refined its academic focus, added a professional development component, and established fellowships to ensure that cost would not be an obstacle to attendance.

This May, Dr. Kerbel will take yet another group of 15 students to the U.S. capital. For me, the magic of the Minimester is watching my students fall in love with Washington, he says. For everyone, its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have proximity to the corridors of power. For some, its a defining moment in their career search. These are the students who decide to stay. Every year, someone tells me that the Washington Minimester changed their life.
DAKOTA CITY -- Tyson Foods said Tuesday it plans to spend over $1 million to expand a program that helps immigrants become U.S. citizens.

The Tyson Immigration Partnership, or TIP, which helps provide legal services to workers to apply for citizenship, has been supported for the last year at seven Tyson sites, including its beef plant in Dakota City, its pork plant in Madison, and its pork and turkey plants in Storm Lake, Iowa. With a workforce of around 4,500, the Dakota City plant is by far the largest employer in metro Sioux City.

At the Sioux City-area locations, Tyson partners with Immigrant Connection, a nonprofit group that helps provide immigrants with legal services, such as employment authorization renewals and petitions for citizenship. A similar nonprofit, Arkansas Immigrant Defense, assists workers in Tyson's home state of Arkansas.

In the last year alone, the partnership has helped over 500 Tyson workers. The company reimburses team members for citizenship application fees, which can cost as much as $725 per individual.

The investment announced Tuesday will expand the program to over 40 company locations in 14 states. Immigrant Connection is hosting monthly informational meetings for Tyson workers at 27 locations and Arkansas Immigrant Defense is visiting 13 locations in Arkansas.

We care about our team members and want to help them achieve their goals, including those who have dreams of becoming U.S. citizens and having greater access to opportunities our country has to offer, Tyson executive vice president and chief sustainability officer John R. Tyson said in a statement.

Were working hard to help team members who want and need assistance with their lawful immigration status or the complex and expensive process of becoming a citizen. We want to be the most sought-after place to work, and this is one way we hope to do that.

In the U.S., the company's employees come from over 160 countries and collectively speak over 50 languages.

Starting the process to become a citizen was intimidating and scary, but I wanted stability for me and my family. Without the people involved in the programs, I would not have the confidence to pursue citizenship, Jose Avjix, a Tyson worker in Green Forest, Arkansas, said in a company news release. Tyson is a place that keeps you growing and I really appreciate the professional and personal growth the company offers.

In the news release, Tyson said it has "historically attracted immigrants because it provides good-paying entry level jobs with benefits."

With average hourly pay of over $18, plus the value of medical, dental and vision insurance, vacation and other benefits, the average total compensation for hourly workers has increased to over $24 an hour, or an annual value of more than $50,000, the company said.
YORK  A beautiful, marble columbarium has been purchased and placed at Greenwood Cemetery which will provide a new cemetery option for those who choose cremation.

Todd Gardner, cemetery caretaker, said the cemetery foundation decided to move forward with a project that will result in three of these structures being placed toward the center of the cemetery.

A columbarium is a building with niches in which funeral urns can be placed and perpetually stored.

The first of the three structures was placed late last week. It has 48 niches, 24 on each side. Each niche measures 12 inches high, 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep.

We think this will be another option for people going the cremation route, as more and more people are doing these days, Gardner said.

The beautiful granite structure was delivered and set by Wegner Monument Company on a concrete slab put down by Nate Steever from Steever Masonry Company. Tom Kopcho voluntarily provided mechanical power via a loader from Kopchos, in order to lift the 5,200-pound structure off Wegners flatbed truck. The structure was gingerly lifted, transported and set down, as the Nebraska wind was ever present during the process.

Urns carrying loved ones ashes can be placed inside the niche and then the niche is sealed.

Gardner explained that the front plates on the niches can be taken to Wegner where names and other information can be engraved on the surface.

The structure cost approximately $20,000, Gardner said.

This structure, and the next two that will be arriving in the future, is part of the cemetery expansion plan.

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LINCOLN  The 2022 legislative session may be remembered for producing legislation described as transformational, historic and record-breaking.

Or it could simply go down as the $1 billion year.

During the session that wraps up Wednesday, lawmakers passed a plan to use $1.04 billion of federal COVID-19 recovery funds. They passed a nearly $10 billion budget that leaves the state with some $1.2 billion in its rainy day fund. And they passed tax cuts worth nearly $1 billion when fully implemented.

Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln put those big-dollar decisions at the top of a laundry list of accomplishments from what he described as a successful session overall. Lawmakers passed 124 bills and put one proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot through Wednesday.

People put it all on the field, he said.

But there were other bills that fell by the wayside, some because time ran out, others because they faced opposition. Among them were 33 of the 106 bills named as priorities this year. Hilgers said he doesnt consider those bills failures. Instead, he said they are issues left over for lawmakers to continue discussing next year.

We didnt solve all the problems, he said.

Here are some key things that got done in the session and some that were left undone:

Tax cuts. The headline is the big, aggressive tax cut we put in place, said State Sen. John Stinner of Gering, the Appropriations Committee chairman.

The main tax package ratchets down the top corporate and individual income tax rates, phases out income taxes on Social Security benefits and expands the use of income tax credits to offset property taxes paid. Revenue Department officials estimated the tax package would reduce state revenues more than $863 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Separate bills also reduced inheritance taxes and exempted feminine hygiene products from sales taxes.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, said the tax package would make Nebraska more competitive while Sen. Tom Briese of Albion called it a huge win for Nebraska taxpayers that could attract and keep more people in the state.

COVID money. Some 40 projects and initiatives across the state will get funding under a bill allocating Nebraskas share of federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Most of the money will go into health, human services and economic development, including tourism. In another year, many of the projects would have been significant by themselves.

I think we were smart about the ARPA dollars and doing big things, Linehan said.

The approved projects represent fewer than half the ideas proposed, but the money gives Nebraska a chance to do things that would otherwise be unaffordable, such as developing affordable housing, building a rural health complex at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and expanding mental health treatment options.

Budget and provider rates. Lawmakers overrode a line item veto from Gov. Pete Ricketts to boost rates paid to those serving the most vulnerable Nebraskans by about 15%. The rate increases should help nursing homes and other health and human services providers compete in a tight labor market, with wages and prices rising.

The budget increases provider rates, sets aside money for a potential new prison and invests in several economic development projects, while leaving an estimated $1.2 billion in the cash reserve fund. Stinner said the reserve is large enough to help the state weather the risks of future revenue shortfalls.

North Omaha. Omaha Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney shepherded through a plan to use cash reserve funds and ARPA dollars to invest in several economic and community development initiatives in North Omaha.

We decided to invest in people this year, Wayne said, while Hilgers described the plan as a transformative investment for an area in need of one.

The original plan would have directed $450 million to the historically underserved neighborhoods of northeast Omaha, where Black residents especially have faced numerous barriers. The final legislation allocates $335 million to North and South Omaha and other high-poverty areas of the state, the result of compromises necessary to get the plan passed.

Lake and canal. Lawmakers also took the initial steps toward developing a 7-mile lake between Omaha and Lincoln and building a $500 million canal-and-reservoir system in eastern Colorado and western Nebraska.

Ricketts pushed for the canal, saying it must be built so Nebraska can claim all the South Platte River water it is entitled to under a century-old compact with Colorado. Lawmakers directed the state to pursue the canal and approved money for a feasibility study, design work, getting permits and buying options for land.

Hilgers and other lawmakers took the lead on the proposed lake, which was touted as a recreational and flood control enhancement. Lawmakers established a framework for the lake development and provided money to start looking at options.

Corrections reform. Nebraska lawmakers came up empty-handed on changes in the criminal justice system and corrections to address the states nation-leading prison population growth, as well as on authorizing construction of a new $270 million prison.

Senators started the session without consensus over recommendations made by the Crime and Justice Institute to slow the increase in inmate numbers that have created one of the nations most overcrowded prison systems. Months of negotiations failed to produce agreement, and lawmakers ended the session without taking action on any recommendations, even those that had wide support.

Sen. John Arch of La Vista called the failure to find consensus a missed opportunity. He said the problems in corrections will not go away and future lawmakers will have to make decisions, including on whether to build the prison that Ricketts proposed.

Stinner also named the lack of action on corrections reform as a failure of the session. He expressed disappointment that lawmakers clung to political rhetoric about being soft on crime to oppose the CJI recommendations.

Abortion and guns. Filibusters blocked the Legislature from taking action on two hot-button issues. One was a trigger bill that would ban all abortions in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that abortion was not a constitutional right. The other was a bill that would have allowed Nebraskans to carry concealed weapons without permits.

Both measures fell two votes short on motions to end the filibusters against them.

Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, an opponent of the abortion bill, said she counts the bills failure as an accomplishment. But supporters of the abortion ban have suggested calling a special session if the Supreme Court overturns the Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon has promised to bring legislation back next year to allow permitless concealed carry.

The fate of future bills could hinge on who wins election in November. The Nebraska Republican Party has targeted two incumbent Democrats for defeat, citing those issues.
YORK -- Each election year, when there are contested races for local offices, the York News-Times holds a live, in-person, special candidate forum right before the voters go to the polls.

With two exciting races to ultimately be decided during the May Primary Election, because all the candidates are Republicans, the same will take place this year.

Those races are for District 3 County Commissioner and York County Sheriff.

The candidates for District 3 County Commissioner are Brian Bedient, Steve Warren, John Prusia and Stan Boehr.

The candidates for York County Sheriff are Sheriff Paul Vrbka and Scott Wiemer.

This will be an opportunity for the public to hear from each candidate, as they introduce themselves, talk about why they are seeking office and answer questions about the positions.

The forum will be held Wednesday evening, April 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the Stone Creek Event Center in McCool Junction. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the forum starting at 6:30 p.m.

The York News-Times publisher and managing editor will be writing the questions which will be placed in bowls. No one will know what the questions are ahead of time.

The moderator will start the forum with each candidate being able to introduce himself.

Then the moderator will randomly draw a question and present that question to a candidate. This will provide the ability to avoid redundancy and no one will know which candidate will get which question.

There will be a timekeeper, to make sure each candidate gets two minutes to answer each of their questions.

At the end of the question/answer session, each candidate will get one additional minute to state one more time why they feel they are qualified for the position and why they are seeking votes.

This will be a great opportunity for local voters to hear from their candidates, right before going to the polls on May 10.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has launched the 2022 Gold Wing Tour in India at Rs 39,20,000 (Ex-showroom Gurugram, Haryana) in Gunmetal Black Metallic (with blacked-out engine) finish. The new model will make its way to the Indian market through CBU (Completely Built-Up) route from Japan. The 2022 Honda Gold Wing Tour will be available in Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Airbag.

The 2022 Gold Wing gets cool air around the rider and pillion through an air management system, an extended electric screen to offer wind protection, a separated seat for rider and pillion, Full LED lighting including dual LED fog lights, auto-cancelling indicators among others.

Features wise, it also gets cruise control system, Throttle By Wire (TBW), audio & navigation system, 7-inch full-colour TFT Liquid Crystal Display screen, and Smart Key that activates all systems and incorporates the emergency key, with which the ignition and handlebar lock can be turned on/off while just carrying it.

Also read: Honda Activa owner pays Rs 15 lakh to buy '0001' number plate for his Rs 70,000 scooter

The 2022 Gold Wing Tour comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB Type-C ports, navigation system in the central area of the instrument panel that includes a gyrocompass  which ensures uninterrupted guidance even inside a tunnel among others.

Elaborating on the launch, Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, Over the years, Gold Wing has strengthened its reputation as a technological flagship from Honda. Raising the level of touring experience by several notches, we turn a new chapter in redefining luxury on two-wheels with the 2022 Gold Wing Tour DCT model with Airbag in India.

The 2022 Honda Gold Wing Tour is powered by a 1833cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke 24-valve SOHC flat-6 engine produces peak power of 126 HP @ 5,500rpm and peak torque of 170 Nm @ 4,500rpm. There are four rider modes (Tour, Sport, Econ & Rain) linked to suspension damping and the Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS).

Technology wise, it gets Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hondas Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology, Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS), ABS modulator integrated with the brake ECU and an Airbag.

Starting today, Honda has opened the bookings for 2022 Gold Wing Tour DCT with Airbag option at its exclusive BigWing Topline dealerships in Gurugram (Haryana), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Kochi (Kerala), Hyderabad (Telangana) & Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

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Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has commenced the production of the much awaited Honda City e:HEV hybrid at the company's plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan. The new Honda City e:HEV is Indias first strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle in the mainstream segment and will become the most affordable hybrid sedan once launched in the country. The customers can book the New City e:HEV at all authorized Honda dealerships across the country with a booking amount of Rs 21,000 or through Honda from Home platform on Honda Cars India website with an amount of Rs 5,000.

The new Honda City e:HEV features Hondas unique self-charging and highly efficient Two motor e-CVT hybrid system connected to a 1.5-litre Atkinson-Cycle DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) with Lithium-ion Battery and an engine linked direct coupling Clutch. The e:HEV electric-hybrid system uses three driving modes - EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive, along with Regeneration mode during deceleration. A Power Control Unit ensures automatic switching between the three modes based on various driving situations.

Also read: Honda City Hybrid unveiled as India's most fuel-efficient sedan, check mileage Here

The New City e:HEVs hybrid electric system produces 126 PS power and a maximum motor torque of 253 Nm @ 0 - 3,000 rpm. Honda promises a Fuel Efficiency of 26.5 km/l, which makes it among the most fuel-efficient cars in India and the most most fuel efficient sedan.

The Honda City e:HEV will also come with Hondas advanced intelligent safety technology Honda SENSING for the first time in India. Honda Sensing signature safety features include Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Auto High-Beam.

Inside the cabin, the new City will provide Connected car experience with 37 Honda Connect features, smartwatch functionality along with Alexa and OK Google integrations. It also gets Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, new 17.7 cm High Definition Full Colour TFT meter which displays multi-information including e:HEV power flow meters, 20.3 cm Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity along with One-Touch Electric Sunroof, and Ambient Lighting.

Outside, the Honda City e:HEV features a new Honda Solid Wing Face, signature Blue H-mark logo in front and rear, new Claw-type Fog Light Garnish, an e:HEV emblem on the rear, new Black Painted Diamond-cut Alloy Wheels, new Trunk Lip Spoiler and new Rear Bumper Diffuser with Carbon Finish.

Honda City e:HEV comes equipped AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System at low speed EV Mode), 6 Airbags, Honda Lane-Watch, Multi-angle Rear view Camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with Deflation Warning, Vehicle Stability Assist with Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist, ISOFIX compatible Rear Side Seats with Lower Anchorage & Top Tether etc.

Speaking about the development, Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Limited said, We have received an overwhelming response to the City e: HEV since its unveil earlier this month. The trust and passion exuberated by our customers highlight their preference for a strong hybrid from Honda. Honda City e:HEV is a very practical and stress free solution for our customers who are seeking electrified mobility.

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The Indian aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) recently banned 90 SpiceJet pilots from flying the controversial Boeing 737 Max aircrafts in India and issued show-cause notices to SpiceJet and training organisation CSTPL. As per the DGCA's notice, these pilots have not taken additional training to fly Max aircrafts as directed by the nodal aviation body post resumption of Boeing 737 Max ops in the country.

Back in 2018 and 2019 two fatal crashes involving the newly launched Boeing 737 Max aircrafts shook the world, immediately forcing aviation regulators across the world to ground this new plane. The cause of the crash was a faulty MCAS sensor that needed a software update. Following the same, Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India on March 13, 2019, three days after the crash of Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max aircraft near Addis Ababa, which killed 157 people, including four Indians.

Also read: 90 SpiceJet pilots barred from flying Boeing 737 Max plane for THIS reason

The ban was later lifted in August 2021 after the DGCA was satisfied with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing's necessary software rectifications in the aircraft. Proper pilot training on the simulator was also among the conditions of the DGCA for removing the ban on the Max planes after a span of 27 months. However, it was later found out by DGCA that 90 pilots were not given proper training and hence a ban was issued.

The officials said the stick shaker -- an equipment that vibrates when the aircraft is unable to lift itself -- was not functioning in the Max simulator of CAE Simulation Training Pvt Ltd (CSTPL) when the aforementioned pilots were getting trained. Therefore, the DGCA has issued show-cause notices to SpiceJet and CSTPL, they added.

In a statement, a SpiceJet spokesperson said, "We have received a communication from the regulator on the matter and the airline shall submit its reply within the specified period. We would like to reiterate that safety and security of our operations and passengers are of utmost importance which is manifested in our outstanding track record. None of our operations are compromised and they are in line with the international safety standards," the spokesperson added.

Currently, SpiceJet, the Indian domestic air carrier is the sole operator of Boeing 737 Max in India. Akasa Air, the new airline backed by ace investor Jhunjhunwala, had in November last year signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 72 Max planes. Akasa Air has not received any of these planes as yet.

As per SpiceJet, they are operating 11 Max aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these aircraft, the spokesperson said. However, SpiceJet has 650 pilots trained on the Boeing 737 Max, of which only 90 are required to undergo re-training to the satisfaction of the DGCA.

"Of the 650 trained pilots on the Max, 560 continue to remain available, which is much more than the current requirement," the spokesperson said.

With agencies input

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A recently appointed state legislator is calling on the North Dakota attorney general to determine if the state owns the Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge.

Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, requested an opinion from the attorney general's office Monday to settle the ownership dispute, which the office has previously declined to wade into.

The nonprofit Friends of the Rail Bridge wants to stop BNSF Railway from demolishing the 139-year-old bridge spanning the Missouri River to make way for a new structure. The preservation group and the railroad signed an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard in early 2021 outlining paths to either keeping or removing the bridge. The Coast Guard decides on projects proposed along that part of the river, and the permitting process for a new bridge has been ongoing for more than four years.

The nonprofit earlier this year said it believes state ownership of the bridge would bolster its cause. The railway called those ownership claims "absurd" and questioned the timing.

The Attorney General's office previously told the State Historic Preservation Office and the State Historical Society that it would not get involved in the ownership dispute because no state entity was involved.

Potter said he thinks the State Historical Society has a "statutory responsibility" to determine if the bridge has historical interest if it is owned by the state. He added that no state officials had voiced any opposition to the idea of the state owning the bridge. He did not say whether any expressed interest.

If the attorney general declines to issue an opinion or says the bridge does not belong to the state, then the preservation effort continues as it is, he said.

"But if the attorney general says yes, then all of the dreams people have had about the preservation of the bridge come into play immediately," Potter said.

The attorney general is reviewing the request, spokeswoman Liz Brocker said.

Potter said the preservation group did not ask him to request the opinion. FORB President Mark Zimmerman said Potter advised the group he'd be taking action.

Bismarck-area District 35 Democrats in March appointed Potter to fill out the remainder of the term of Sen. Erin Oban, D-Bismarck, which expires at the end of November. Potter also is running for the seat in the November election. Oban recently resigned after President Joe Biden appointed her as state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency. She had previously chosen not to seek reelection to the Legislature this year due to what she said was the divisive nature of politics.

Reach Sam Nelson at 701-250-8264 or sam.nelson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Vistara Airline, a Tata-group owned Indias full-service carrier has announced a Summertime Sale across its domestic and international network. Vistara is offering discounted airfare on all three classes of travel - Economy, Premium Economy and Business.

Under the sale, the domestic bookings will open for a period of 72 hours from 0001 hours of 19 April 2022 to 2359 hours of 21 April 2022. All fares are inclusive of taxes, for travel between 20 June and 30 September 2022 (blackout dates apply).

Vistara is offering the discounted airfare on domestic routes with one-way all-inclusive fares starting at Rs 2,499 for Economy, Rs 3,459 for Premium Economy and Rs 9,999 for Business Class. The sample airfare chart is attached below. The lowest airfare is applicable from Delhi to Dehradun starting at Rs 2,499 while the highest airfare is from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi at Rs 5949.

You can click here to check the complete discounted airfare list.

On international routes, all-inclusive return fares start at Rs 12,999 for Economy, Rs 17,249 for Premium Economy and Rs 35,549 for Business Class with a weeklong booking period from 0001 hours on 19 April 2022 to 2359 hours of 25 April 2022.

The lowest airfare on international route is applicable from Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal starting at Rs 12,999; while the highest airfare is from Mumbai to Colmobo, Sri Lanka at Rs 22,649.

Vistara is Indias highest-rated airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has been the winner of several Best Airline awards, besides being lauded for cabin cleanliness and safety standards.

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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected the injunction filed by Snapdeal challenging domain name registrars (DNRs) for using its trademark in domain names.

A bench of Justice C. Hari Shankar was dealing with the application filed by Snapdeal against a bunch of DNRs, with whom it has no connection or association, registering domain names that include the "SNAPDEAL" word/thread.

As per Snapdeal's allegations, these domain names are infringing in nature, as the plaintiff is the registered proprietor of the "SNAPDEAL" trade mark. It is also alleged that such third parties are, through the websites operating under the said domain names, carrying out illegal activities, such as providing lucky draws etc. and are also, in certain cases, posing as customer care centres for the plaintiff's products.

All this, it is submitted, is taking place without the plaintiff's license or authorisation.

In the 50-page order, the court, however, said it cannot pass an order to operate in future restricting the defendants from offering for registration any domain name that includes the thread "SNAPDEAL", as that would be attributing to the court a "clairvoyance that it does not possess".

"The plaintiff has, therefore, necessary to petition the court against each domain name that it finds to be infringing. This may be a long and cumbersome exercise. It cannot be helped. There is no shortcut to justice.

"In my considered opinion, it is not permissible for the court to hold, in advance, that every prospective alternative domain name, containing the word/thread/string 'SNAPDEAL' would necessarily be infringing in nature and, thereby, injunct, in an omnibus and global fashion, DNRs from ever providing any domain name containing 'SNAPDEAL'. This, in my view, would be completely impermissible," it said.

"The court would then have to examine whether such mark is, in fact, infringing and, if so, injunct the use of such mark/domain names. The cause of action, in any trademark infringement suit, has to be with respect to the particular infringing trademark/trademarks."


New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the Delhi Police to take strict action against those involved in the Jahangirpuri violence. The order from the Union Home Ministry came days after clashes broke out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in the national capital's Jahangirpuri area on Saturday in which eight policemen and a civilian were injured.

The Home Minister has directed the Delhi Police to take strict action against those involved in the Jahangirpuri violence, sources said late on Monday.

The Delhi Police registered an FIR on Monday against the organisers of a Hanuman Jayanti procession that triggered communal riots in Jahangirpuri on Saturday, while drones kept a hawk-eye and police patrolled the streets in the troubled northwest locality of the national capital.

Under fire from political parties over the communal conflagration, Delhi Police chief Rakesh Asthana addressed a press conference where he reassured people that nobody involved in the riots, irrespective of "caste, creed and religion", will go scot-free.

Two days after the clashes, the Delhi Police admitted the third Hanuman Jayanti procession, organised by Hindu fringe outfits, had not been accorded administrative permission. It also arrested a Muslim man named Sonu Chikna who had allegedly fired at police during the mayhem that left nine people, including eight policemen and a civilian, injured.

Altogether 25 people, including two juveniles, have been apprehended so far in connection with the clashes. A local Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Prem Sharma, an accused in the case, was questioned by police but let off.

According to police, they are scanning more than 200 videos to identify those behind the violence that pushed the national capital on edge.

Asthana said 14 teams have been formed to investigate the April 16 clashes.

The investigation into the clashes has been handed over to the Crime Branch and 14 teams have been formed to take it forward. Four forensics teams also visited the spot to gather evidence.

The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police's Special Cell has been given the responsibility to identify those involved in the case by doing a thorough and detailed analysis of digital evidence, and accordingly, legal action will be taken against them, Asthana said.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the historic Red Fort on the 400th Parkash Purab of Sikh guru Tegh Bahadur on April 21, the Culture Ministry has said.

The PM will also release a commemorative coin and postage stamp on the occasion. Four hundred 'ragis' (Sikh musicians) will perform in a 'Shabad Kirtan' to mark the auspicious occasion, the ministry said.

The programme will be organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Chief ministers of many states and several prominent personalities from across the country and abroad will be part of the celebrations, it said.

This programme on the 400th Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Sikh guru Tegh Bahadur is being organised as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Union Culture and Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said.

"Guru Tegh Bahadur stood up to the atrocities of the Mughals by protecting the freedom of dharmic faiths. He fought for the rights of Sikhs and Hindus, especially Kashmiri Pandits, to practice their faiths by opposing forcible conversions," he said.

"I have personally invited chief ministers of various states and prominent Sikh leaders including those from the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Patna Saheb and other leaders from prominent gurudwaras across the nation," Reddy said.

The Sikh faith revolves around the sacred bond of teacher and learner, Guru, the remover of darkness. For the Sikhs, the Guru refers to a succession of ten spiritual guides, the founding fathers of the Sikh faith. Guru Tegh Bahadur is the ninth Sikh Guru.

On the first day of the celebration on April 20, Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in the event and will also inaugurate a multimedia show The Life and Sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji' in the Red Fort.

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Amritsar: Crowdfunding and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) helped save the life of eight-year-old Gurdaspur resident Prabhgun, suffering from chronic liver disease since the age of four. Prabhguns doctor in Amritsar Dr Jagtesh Singh Sidhu had recommended a liver transplant, but the insurmountable cost, approximately Rs 20 lakh, proved to be a major hurdle in her quest for wellness though she found a donor in her own mother.

Consulting various other doctors did not help as well, while the lockdown further added to her woes, making her condition even worse. Having suffered for years, Prabhgun needed an immediate liver transplant, which made her family knock the doors of Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, where she underwent the transplant for Rs 5 lakh as against the actual cost of Rs 20 lakh.

Dr. Sonal Asthana, Lead Consultant - HPB and Liver Transplant Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, said that Prabhgun underwent the transplant under Asters innovative Affordable Liver Transplant Initiative, which provides children and young adults from poor families Liver transplant at an affordable rate through corporate social responsibility and crowdfunding.

Liver transplantation is well established as a viable treatment for children with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Unlike the other transplant, the only challenging factor in Liver transplant is the huge cost involved in the surgery, said Dr Asthana.

According to Dr Asthana, India has countless patients like Prabhgun who are unable to access life-saving surgery due to lack of funds.

To provide affordable medical treatment and reduce the burden of liver transplantation cost in India, we have started the Affordable Liver Transplant Initiative, which is supported by several charities as well as by crowdfunding and has provided lifesaving transplants to more than 120 children and young adults at a cost less than Rs 5 lakh to the families. This Aster initiative is Indias largest such supported initiative, Dr Asthana maintained.

Dr Ravinder Malhotra, a surgeon specializing in abdominal surgeries with Saravhit Gastro City, said that Prabhgun was doing well and eating normally. Talking about her liver problem, he said that such diseases are largely congenital and less likely to be diagnosed.

However, Prabhgun was lucky to be diagnosed. Her family deserves its share of accolades as they did not deny her the treatment she needed, on account of being a girl child, but took her to Bangalore and contributed financially as much as they possibly could towards her surgery. The rest was raised through CSR and crowdfunding, he said.



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New Delhi: The Municipal corporation of Delhi will run bulldozer over many illegal buildings on Wednesday (April 20), BJP sources informed Zee News. The decision comes after the Jahangirpuri violence that broke out on April 16 in Delhi on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police arrested five people and apprehended one minor of the same family in the case on Tuesday (April 19). A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident in which nine people, including eight police personnel and a civilian, were injured.

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, while addressing a press conference on Monday, assured that action will be taken against those found guilty irrespective of their class, creed, community and religion.

Two prime accused - Ansar and Aslam - were sent to police custody till Wednesday by a Delhi Court today. Four other fresh accused of the incident were sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

A day ago, during submission before the court, Delhi Police alleged that the main accused - Ansar and Aslam - got to know about the `Shobha Yatra` on April 15 and then they hatched this "conspiracy".

(With ANI Inputs)

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New Delhi: Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) has issued hall tickets for the Second Tier PET/Skill Test for the posts of Junior Clerk and Personal Assistant.

DSSSB has released the admit cards for the Second Tier PET/Skill Test for the posts of Junior Clerk and Personal Assistant on its official website dsssb.delhi.gov.in.

Candidates who wish to appear for the examination need to note that DSSSB Second Tier PET/Skill Test for Junior Clerk will be held from May 18 to June 5 and Personal Assistant will be held from April 24 to May 18.

DIRECT LINK TO DOWNLOAD DSSSB ADMIT CARD HERE

DSSSB admit card 2022: Steps to download

Step 1. Visit official website of DSSSB - dsssb.delhi.gov.in

Step 2. On the homepage, click on E-ADMIT CARDS LINK FOR SKILL TEST FOR THE POST CODE 17/21 AND 13/20 link

Step 3. Select Second Tier PET/ Skill Test/Online Exam in the field

Step 4. Enter your roll number and click submit

Step 5. Your DSSSB admit card will appear on screen

Step 6. Download your hall ticket and take a printout for future reference

Live TV
The Congress Disciplinary Committee will meet in a couple of days to decide on action against former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and Kerala Congress leader KV Thomas, after it served them notices on April 11.

Jakhar on his part said that he had not replied to the panel notice and was ready to face action.

AICC General Secretary Tariq Anwar, who is a member of the party's disciplinary panel chaired by AK Antony, said they have received the reply of Thomas but not Jakhar, who now faces action including suspension or expulsion for violating party discipline.

"We had given both the leaders notices to reply within a week, but we have not received Jakhar's reply to the notice. The disciplinary committee will hold its meeting in the next day or two and will take appropriate action, which includes suspension or expulsion," Anwar told reporters.

When asked, Jakhar said he has not replied and the committee is mandated to take whatever action.

"I have not replied to the notice and that is a fact. Whatever the committee does, it is their right... They have given a notice and it is up to them to take whatever decision they take," Jakhar said when asked about the notice.

On whether he would remain in the Congress, the former Punjab Congress chief said he continues to be in the party. He, however, did not disclose his future plans.

The Congress Disciplinary Committee had on April 11 given show-cause notices to Thomas and Jakhar for alleged anti-party activities.

Anwar had earlier said the charges against both the leaders are serious and that is why the disciplinary committee chaired by Antony met to take note of it.

Thomas had attended a seminar organised by the CPI(M) on April 9 in Kerala against the party's wishes and local state leaders had been seeking action against him.

Jakhar had criticised former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and termed him a liability for the party after the Congress lost to AAP in Punjab.

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Noida: Of 107 people who tested Covid-19 positive in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar, 33 are children, officials informed. As many as 32 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours. With no fatality reported in the last 24 hours, the death toll in the city due to the disease stands at 490. The total active cases reported are 411.

"Of the 107 new cases, 33 are children who have tested positive for Covid-19," Chief Medical Officer Dr Sunil Kumar Sharma said.

Amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, District Magistrate Suhas L Yathiraj had on Sunday urged the public to not panic but take precautions against the virus. He had also appealed to the people to contact helpline number 1800492211 for any Covid-19-related assistance.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, a total of 99,154 people in Gautam Buddh Nagar have tested positive for Covid-19, according to official data.

Meanwhile, India recorded 1,247 infections in the past 24 hours, against 2,183 reported the previous day, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday (April 19). In the same period, one Covid fatality was recorded, taking the death toll to 521,966. Meanwhile, the active caseload has risen to 11,860 which is 0.03 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

A total of 928 patients have recovered in the same time span and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,25,11,701. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.76 per cent. Also in the same period, a total of 4,01,909 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 83.25 crore cumulative tests. The weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.34 per cent. Meanwhile, the daily positivity rate has reported a considerable decline at 0.31 per cent.

On the vaccination front, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 186.72 crore as per provisional reports till 7 a.m. This has been achieved through 2,27,79,246 sessions. Over 2.47 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket. More than 20.52 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs.

(With Agency iputs)

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New Delhi: Following an increasing trend in Covid-19 cases in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), some neighbouring states have once again made the mask mandatory in public places in many of their districts.

Amid the fear of the fourth wave of Covid-19, the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on Monday (April 18, 2022) decided to bring back the mask mandates in some of their districts. These mask mandates will apply to everyone in the city, especially schools.

UP makes mask compulsory in 6 NCR districts, Lucknow

The Uttar Pradesh government made it compulsory for people to wear a face mask in public places in the capital Lucknow and six NCR districts amid a rise in Covid cases in some adjoining states, an official said.

The increase in Covid cases has had an impact on the districts falling under the national capital region (NCR). Keeping this in mind, the government has made use of masks mandatory in public places in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat as well as capital Lucknow, an official spokesperson said here.

In the last 24 hours, 65 new Covid cases have been confirmed in Gautam Buddh Nagar, 20 in Ghaziabad and 10 in Lucknow, the official said, adding that the chief minister has ordered close monitoring of the situation.

Haryana makes mask compulsory in 4 NCR districts

The Haryana government made the wearing of a face mask mandatory in four districts falling in the National Capital region. The decision was taken after the state recorded 234 cases on Monday, out of which 198 surfaced in Gurugram alone while 21 were from Faridabad.

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said in view of the rise in Covid cases over the past a few days in Gurugram, the wearing of a mask has been made compulsory there and three other districts of Faridabad, Sonipat and Jhajjar.

"But in more than half of the districts, cases are nil or very less," Vij said. "However, as a precautionary measure in the districts which lie close to the national capital, we have made the wearing of a mask compulsory," he said.

The wearing of masks will be mandatory with immediate effect. Those not wearing a mask will be fined, he said.

DDMA meet tomorrow

Meanwhile, DDMA is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and is likely to discuss the mandatory use of face masks and hybrid mode of offline and online teaching for school children, in view of the rising number of infections in the past many days.

(With PTI inputs)

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The snowy and cold weather in North Dakota over the past week has set more than two dozen records in the state, including nearly 10 in Bismarck alone, and more all-time highs are likely to be documented in coming days.

The National Weather Service has deemed last week's three-day blizzard "historic," with snowfall totals of 1-3 feet over a widespread area, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and snow drifts exceeding 8 feet.

"For a lot of places it was easily the largest (snow) total for April," National Weather Service Meteorologist Zach Hargrove said. "We have various records -- one-, two-, three-day records; for certain counties it was the most snow we've seen in those counties for all time, really."

Bismarck got 18.3 inches of snow from the blizzard and another 2.5 inches from a second storm that blasted through on Easter Sunday. The capital city set four precipitation records and four cold temperature records during that span. Among them were the snowiest April on record in the city (21.9 inches) and the latest date (April 16) that Bismarck has seen zero degrees since record-keeping began in 1874.

Dickinson and Minot also have set cold records in the past week. The weather service also has documented one-day snowfall records in the counties of Dunn, Grand Forks, Mercer and Sheridan; two-day records in the counties of Bottineau, Dunn, Grant, McHenry, McKenzie, Mercer and Sheridan; and three-day records in the counties of Bottineau, Dunn, McKenzie, Mercer and Sheridan.

"I would definitely say it was an unusual historic event," Hargrove said, noting that the list of records likely will be expanded.

"It's still going to be a while. We're sifting through all the data," he said.

Minot was in the bull's-eye of the blizzard, getting 3 feet of snow. The city got another foot on Sunday from the second storm.

The 3-foot report came from a member of the public on social media, but the weather service followed up with the person to verify the recording and is confident in its accuracy, according to Hargrove. However, since the report did not come from an official weather service observer, it can't be considered for purposes of establishing a weather record, he said. The weather service is still calculating whether Minot set any official records.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis called Minot's snow accumulation "astonishing." The city typically gets 5.5 inches of snow during April, with an all-time high of 35.4 inches in 1970, Travis said.

Milder weather is on tap the rest of the week as more warm air from the south comes into the region, according to Jason Anglin, lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service's Bismarck office.

Keep our fingers crossed we dont break any more cold records, he said.

Normal highs in Bismarck this time of year are approaching 60 degrees. The forecast high for Tuesday was almost 20 degrees cooler than that.

Bismarck declared a snow emergency during the blizzard, prohibiting parking on all designated snow emergency routes. The city let the declaration expire at noon Tuesday, with parking once again allowed in designated areas along those routes.

Snow removal continues in both Bismarck and Mandan. More information is at https://bit.ly/3McdYuc and https://bit.ly/3jOneIS.

Blizzard deaths

As many as four deaths might be linked to the recent bad weather.

Authorities are investigating whether the conditions contributed to the death of Vaughn Bloxham, 60, of Watford City, whose body was found in the snow Thursday a block from his home. He had received help from officers the night before after getting his truck stuck, but declined to be taken to a shelter when he couldn't get home and tried to walk the nine blocks, police said.

The body of Minot resident Barbara Campbell, 73, was found in the snow early Thursday. She was dealing with mental health issues and was not adequately dressed for the weather, police said.

Bradley Patzer, 59, of Harvey, died Sunday afternoon when his snowmobile hit a berm of packed snow and ice on private property near the city, according to the Highway Patrol. The snowmobile went airborne and Patzer was thrown off the machine, suffering fatal injuries.

Nita Kok, 79, Plaza, died Monday morning when she pulled out of a driveway and onto state Highway 23 and her pickup was struck by a semitrailer. There was little to no visibility at the time due to dense fog, and the highway was covered by compacted snow and ice, according to the Patrol. The Patrol identified the semi driver as Wesley Soper, 54, Surrey. He was not hurt.

Incoming weather

A storm rolling into the Pacific Northwest is expected to cross over the Rockies, pick up warm air and moisture from the south and spark severe storms in the Plains late this week.

"All facets of severe weather will be possible with the storms, including high winds and large hail to localized flash flooding and tornadoes," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

There's also the likelihood of more heavy snow in parts of North Dakota on the back side of the storm as it pulls down cold air from the north.

The track of the storm was still uncertain Tuesday as was the snow/rain line, given that there could be "huge" temperature differences over short distances, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency's latest outlook indicates the western third of North Dakota has the highest potential Friday through Sunday for "impactful winter weather" including hazardous travel conditions. Bismarck-Mandan is in an area of less than 50% probability, but the metro area is almost certain to get some form of precipitation.

Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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New Delhi: In demonstrating its operational preparedness, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday successfully test-fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet on the Eastern seaboard. The "live firing" of the missile was carried out in close coordination with the Indian Navy, the IAF said. The missile hit the target with accuracy and precision, officials said.

"Today on the Eastern seaboard, #IAF undertook live firing of #BrahMos missile from a Su30 MkI aircraft. The missile achieved a direct hit on the target, a decommissioned #IndianNavy ship. The mission was undertaken in close coordination with @indiannavy," the IAF said in a tweet.

Today on the Eastern seaboard, #IAF undertook live firing of #BrahMos missile from a Su30 MkI aircraft.

The missile achieved a direct hit on the target, a decommissioned #IndianNavy ship.

The mission was undertaken in close coordination with @indiannavy. pic.twitter.com/UpCZ3vJkZb  Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 19, 2022

In 2016, the government had decided to integrate the air-launched variant of the Brahmos into over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets. The project was conceived to enhance the IAF's capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target on sea or land. On March 5, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired an advanced version of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from a stealth destroyer in the Indian Ocean.

The missile was test-fired from the stealth destroyer INS Chennai.

BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms. BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound. The range of the advanced version of the missile is learnt to have been extended to around 350 km from the original 290 km.

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Delhi Police has arrested another accused Ghulam Rasool alias Gulli in connection with the Jahangirpuri clashes during Shobha Yatra on Hanuman Jayanti.

Delhi Police arrested five people and apprehended one minor of the same family in connection with the April 16 Delhi Jahangirpuri violence. A total of 23 people have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended so far in connection with the incident in which nine people, including eight police personnel and a civilian, were injured.

Delhi Police have arrested people from "both communities" for the violence. Among all the arrested, the police have arrested all the men of a family belonging to "one particular community". The accused have been identified as Suken Sarkar, his brother Suresh Sarkar, Suken`s two sons Neeraj and Suraj, and Sukeen`s brother-in-law Sujit. Police have also detained Suken`s minor son.

After the arrest, Suken`s wife Durga Sarkar told ANI, "My husband, brother-in-law, three sons and my brother have been arrested by the police. They are all innocent. They were on the chariot in the procession and stones were pelted at him. A brick was thrown at my husband. His brother suffered severe injuries to his head, but despite this, they saved the Hanuman idol."

Durga told that her husband came home and told her that people belonging to the "other community" first started arguing with them and they also were the ones to start stone-pelting. "My husband ran away from that place to save his life. He does a small job and my son is in Class 12. He has his board exams. If he is not released, his life would be ruined", she added.

Durga Sarkar further alleged a larger conspiracy, and said, "Why is just my family members arrested? There were others too. This is a conspiracy, I want my family members to be released."

Arrested Sujit`s wife Meenu said, "My husband has been arrested by the police. He was pulling the chariot in the Shobha Yatra. He told that 5-6 people came from the mosque and asked them to stop the loudspeaker and stop chanting Jai Shri Ram."

"When the people in the procession refused, hundreds of people from the `other community` came out with swords and attacked the procession. My husband somehow ran to save his life", added Meenu.

According to Meenu, her husband did not participate in stone-pelting. "Or he would only do it for self-defence. If someone comes to kill me, should I not try to protect myself?", she added.

"My husband knows all the people who actually started the riot. But despite this, the other community became heroes, our people became villains. We live in Hindustan and it is our right to chant Jai Shri Ram."

Drone surveillance to keep a vigil over Central district

In wake of the Jahangirpuri violence that broke out on April 16, the Delhi police are conducting drone surveillance to keep a vigil over the Central District. "Delhi police also keeping an eye at Jama Masjid and Hauz Qazi area in Central district from the sky with the use of drones", said DCP Shweta Chauhan, Central District.

Besides that, Aman committee meetings were held with residents of the Central district at various police stations under the Central District. "Police officials reached out to communities and appealed to maintain peace and harmony at all times", the DCP said.

"The Aman Committee appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony, and not to spread and trust rumours/misinformation and to report mischievous activities." police said.

Action will be taken against those found guilty: Rakesh Asthana

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, while addressing a press conference on Monday, assured that action will be taken against those found guilty irrespective of their class, creed, community and religion.

Two prime accused - Ansar and Aslam - were sent to police custody till Wednesday by a Delhi Court today. Four other fresh accused of the incident were sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

A day ago, during submission before the court, Delhi Police alleged that the main accused - Ansar and Aslam - got to know about the `Shobha Yatra` on April 15 and then they hatched this "conspiracy".

Delhi Police also said that they have to go through the CCTV footage, and identify others involved in this case.

Earlier, an altercation between two groups erupted during a religious procession in Delhi`s Jahangirpuri on April 16 that left nine people injured including eight police personnel and a civilian.Meanwhile, police deployment on Tuesday continued in the Jahangirpuri area in New Delhi.

Jahangirpuri violence 'conspiracy' to promote enmity: Meenakashi Lekhi

Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi on Monday alleged that the violence that broke out in Delhi`s Jahangirpuri on April 16 was a conspiracy by those who want to promote enmity.

Speaking to the media, Lekhi said, "It is a conspiracy by those who want to promote enmity to hamper law and order situation. Police are taking cognizance of the matter," adding that the police report is awaited to see who all are responsible. "It should be probed thoroughly..." Lekhi added.

(With ANI Inputs)

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New Delhi: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had an hour-long meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the latter's residence here on Monday evening. The PDP chief, however, refused to speak with the media thereafter.

Citing sources, an ANI report said that it was a private meeting between the two leaders who discussed the situation in the country as well as Jammu and Kashmir, where assembly elections are expected in coming day. The report said that Congress is likely to forge an alliance with the PDP this time rather than going ahead with the National Conference.

Even though not much is being shared about Mufti`s meeting, the visit suggests the possibility of PDP coming closer to Congress in the upcoming days. Sources reportedly claimed that some major activities can be expected in this regard soon.

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi also met election strategist Prashant Kishor on Monday, the second time in the last three days amid speculation that Kishor may join the Congress.

The meeting was attended by senior Congress leaders including Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Singh Surjewala, KC Venugopal, Ambika Soni and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The poll strategist is learnt to have said that Congress should focus on 370 Lok Sabha constituencies for the 2024 general elections.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: Prepping for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress top brass, including interim president Sonia Gandhi, held another meeting with poll strategist Prashant Kishor in the capital on Tuesday (April 19). Sources said that Congress leaders, including Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, AK Antony, Ambika Soni and Randeep Surjewala, were also a part of the meeting at Sonia Gandhi`s 10 Janpath residence, say reports. This is the third meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Prashant Kishor in the last four days amid speculation that the poll strategist may join the Congress.

Now, sources say Sonia Gandhi and Prashant Kishor will once again have a meeting tomorrow (April 20) at 11.30 am. Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh may also attend the meeting.



The first meeting took place on April 16 while the second was held on April 18. According to the sources, two more such meetings are scheduled in the coming days. Earlier, Venugopal had said that Kishor had given a detailed presentation with a road map for the 2024 General elections. Answering queries, he said the role of Kishor in the Congress party will be known within a week.

Sources told ANI that Kishor, in his presentation, suggested that Congress should fight alone in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha, and it should form alliances in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra to which Rahul Gandhi has agreed. Kishor is learnt to have said that Congress should focus on 370 Lok Sabha constituencies for the 2024 general elections. These meetings are also taking place in the backdrop of Congress` poll preparations for Gujarat and Himachal Assembly elections this year. After the recent poll debacle in five states, Congress is seeking to restart negotiations with Kishor.

The results of five Assembly polls came as a shock to Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.

(With ANI inputs)

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the Red Fort on Thursday (April 21) night to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the first prime minister to deliver a speech at the Mughal-era monument after sunset. Modi will be addressing the nation from the lawns of the Red Fort and not its ramparts.

The fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was from here that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, in 1675, according to officials of the culture ministry. The ramparts of the Red Fort are from where prime ministers address the nation on Independence Day.

Prime Minister Modi will speak at 9.30 pm on Thursday and his speech will be about interfaith peace and harmony among communities, according to the officials. Other than Independence Day, this is the second time that Modi will be making a speech from the monument. In 2018, he hoisted the national flag at the monument and commemorated the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Azad Hind Government by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His address on this occasion was at 9 am.

The Thursday event will have performances by 400 Sikh musicians and there will also be a langar. Modi will also release a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion, the officials said. Close to the Red Fort, is the Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk. It was built at the site where Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded by the Mughals, they said, adding that Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, which is near Parliament, was built at his cremation site.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday will start off the event, which will be attended by 11 chief ministers and prominent Sikh leaders from across the country. The families of 400 Sikh 'jathedars' have also been invited, including those from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be on a visit to 3 European countries--Germany, Denmark and France in the first week of May. The visit, first foreign visit of PM Modi this year will see 2 key bilateral engagements in Germany and France. But a substantial portion of the visit will be in Denmark's capital Copenhagen where PM will take part in the 2nd India Nordic summit.

Leaders of all 5 Nordic countries --Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland will participate in the summit that will focus on clean technology, climate change, renewables etc.

The first India-Nordic summit took place in Sweden's capital Stockholm in April of 2018, a format that brings together India along with all the countries in the Nordic or Northern European countries.

In last 2 years, Indian PM Modi has had virtual summits with 3 Nordic countries-- Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, which is highest in any specific region of the world. A similar format meet has taken with the US as well in May 2016 when the then US President Obama had held meeting with the 5 Nordic countries.

An upswing in India-Denmark ties has been seen as well. Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen was on a state visit to India in October 2021. That was the first visit by a Head of Government to India following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interestingly, India and Denmark have a unique Green Strategic Partnership which was established during the Virtual Summit held in September 2020. The partnership focuses on green technologies and sustainable solutions in sectors like renewable energy.

His visit to Berlin will be for the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which he will hold first ever in person talks with new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The Indo German IGC meets every 2 years alternatively between the 2 countries.

The last IGC was in 2019 in Delhi for which the then German chancellor Angela Merkel had visited the country. The 6th IGC happens with a day of over 2 years because of the covid pandemic.

PM's visit to France comes immediately after the result of key Presidential elections. France has emerged as key partner of India in several sectors, from Defense to education to counter terror.

PM last visited France in August 2019 at the special invitation of President Macron for the 2019 G-7 Summit, where India was one of the Goodwill partners. Amid the deadly second wave of covid pandemic, France provided 18 oxygen plants to hospitals across India which will fulfill oxygen requirements for 10 years.

The visit to Europe comes even the continent is facing the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has had huge geopolitical consequences and an influx of Ukrainian refugees. This is something that has dominated the global conversation and will naturally be one of the key focus areas of talks, especially from the European side.

Ahead of PM's visit, 2 top European leaders-- UK PM Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen will be on India visit. While UK PM will be on India visit from 21st to 22nd April, the President of EC will be in the country from 24th to 25th April. President von der Leyen will be the chief guest at the Raisina Dialogue 2022. A statement by the European Union Mission in Delhi said, "Russia's war against Ukraine will also feature in discussions."

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Bagalkote: Stirring up controversy, a Lingayat seer has alleged that mutts (monasteries) are equally affected due to rampant corruption prevailing in Karnataka as they too pay a commission of 30 per cent to get the sanctioned grants released for them.

Reacting to the statements, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said his government considers the seer's allegations "very seriously". The accusation comes close on the heels of BJP leader K S Eshwarappa resigning from his ministerial position on Saturday after a contractor allegedly died by suicide in a hotel room in Udupi on April 12.

The contractor, in a purported WhatsApp message, had charged that he was compelled to take the extreme step because he was unable to meet Eshwarappa's demand of a 40 per cent cut in a public work taken up in Hindalga village of Belagavi district in 2021.

"If a grant is sanctioned for a swami (seer), it reaches the mutt after a 30 per cent deduction. This is the plain truth. Officials clearly tell you that unless the amount is deducted, your project will not start," Dingaleshwar Swamiji of Balehosur Mutt in Shirahatti taluk of Gadag said during a rally organised in Badagandi village in Bagalkote district.

The seer charged that none of the government programmes is happening properly in the state. "There is a pathetic situation of paying 30 per cent commission. The work starts only after paying 30 per cent. Many contractors have stopped their work. There are only talks but no development is happening. Many MLAs fix the rate first before starting the work," the Swamiji claimed.

He added that this was not just his accusation but that of the people of the state and demanded that corruption must stop.

"There is big injustice happening to northern Karnataka. There is no system in place in northern Karnataka. Roads, bus services, education, and schools are in bad shape. There is a shortage of teachers here. Irrigation works are pathetic," the seer said.

Commenting on the allegations made by the Lingayat seer, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, "He (the seer) is a great Swamiji with a great track record. The entire state knows it. I only request His Holiness to give the entire details as to who paid, for what purpose it was paid and to whom it was paid. We will certainly inquire and go into the depth of the case. We consider his allegation very seriously."

The seer's charge, though, gave the opposition Congress ammunition to target the ruling BJP. "It is a matter of shame that the BJP, which calls itself as a saviour of dharma (righteousness), is eating 30 per cent commission into the grants sanctioned for monasteries and temples," former chief minister Siddaramaiah said.

The Congress leader who has been calling the BJP government a 40 per cent commission government, wondered why there was a concession of 10 per cent, and asked the BJP government not to limit to seeking 30 per cent commission from the temples and monasteries. "How is your Dharma Rakshana' (protection of righteousness) when you take a commission from God? Siddaramaiah sought to know.

He also slammed CM Bommai for his statement in Hosapete during the BJP executive committee meeting on Sunday that the BJP would lay bare the Congress party's corruption before the public.

"Don't make empty noise that you (Bommai) have evidence of corruption during Congress regime. Release the document and then talk," Siddaramaiah challenged the Chief Minister.

Allocation of grants to mutts and monasteries is not new in Karnataka. Successive governments have been releasing funds for mutts to carry out their religious and social works.

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Nagpur: The tension surrounding the issue of loudspeakers in mosques saw another twist when former Vishva Hindu Parishad president Pravin Togadia, on Tuesday (April 19), said that the BJP should remove loudspeakers from mosques in the states where it is in power. Commenting on the demand that the Maharashtra government remove loudspeakers from mosques, recently made by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), he also pointed out that the BJP, when it ruled in the state, took no such step.

"I would like to request my brothers in the BJP to first remove loudspeakers in the states where their party is in power. You are protesting in Maharashtra, but not removing loudspeakers in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat," Togadia said, speaking to reporters in Nagpur.

Without naming Raj Thackeray, he also said this demand was not raised when the BJP was in power. "We had demanded the removal of loudspeakers from mosques in Maharashtra some 10 years ago, and we are demanding the same in Uttar Pradesh for the last two years," Togadia said. The Union government should implement the Supreme Court's order on loudspeakers across the country, he demanded.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut accused the estranged ally BJP of using communal riots as a "tool" to win polls and instigate communal strife in parts of Maharashtra and the country. He also insinuated that MNS has been doing BJP's bidding by raising the issue of loudspeakers atop mosques. "In Mumbai, you have already created tensions over the loudspeaker issue. There are many cities where such a situation exists and this is hurting the country's economy. This hurts FDI and domestic investment. This instills fear among the labour class," Raut told reporters.

Raj Thackeray had asked the state government to get loudspeakers atop mosques removed by May 3, failing which his party would play Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside mosques.

(With PTI inputs)

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Kochi: The Kerala High Court is likely to pronounce on Tuesday its verdict on actor Dileep's plea to quash the FIR accusing him and others of conspiring to threaten and kill the officials probing the 2017 actress assault or to transfer the conspiracy case to the CBI for investigation.

According to the cause list for Tuesday uploaded on the Kerala High Court website, Justice Ziyad Rahman A A will pronounce the verdict at 1.45 PM.

While reserving judgement in the matter on March 31, the court had asked the Crime Branch not to file its final report in the case before the verdict is pronounced.

Dileep, in his plea filed through advocate Philip T Varghese, has alleged that the murder conspiracy FIR was an outcome of a personal animosity against the actor as all the male members of his family have been implicated in it.

His lawyers had earlier argued that there was absence of any material in the murder conspiracy FIR to indicate commission of any of the offences attributed to the accused and the entire case was based on something allegedly "wished" by him.

They had also claimed before the high court that offences in the latest FIR were non-cognizable and therefore, it could not have been registered without prior permission from a magistrate.

The Crime Branch, represented by Director General of Prosecution (DGP) T A Shaji and Additional Public Prosecutor P Narayanan, on the other hand had contended before the court that the allegations in the FIR make out offences which warrant setting in motion of the investigation machinery.

They had contended that the alleged utterances by the accused of threatening to harm the officials indicated what was in their mind and was a "manifestation" of their agreement or conspiracy.

They had also claimed that director Balachandra Kumar, based on whose revelations the case was lodged, was only able to record some bits and pieces of the utterances by the accused, while much more was said and done by the accused which he understood to be a conspiracy.

His recordings lend credence to his claim that there was a conspiracy, they had claimed.

The court, thereafter, had asked the agency why there was a delay of around four years in Kumar coming forward with his revelations regarding the alleged conspiracy and whether it would suggest an ill-motive on the part of the director.

To this, the agency had responded that the reasons for delay would be investigated and one of the reasons probably could be his close association with the actor.

The DGP had also said that Kumar's character was not germane to the issue as his statements were verified and his credibility was tested on 18 separate points before deciding to take the matter forward.

The actor and five others were booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 116 (abetment), 118 (concealing design to commit offence), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (criminal act done by several people) and later section 302 was also added to it for allegedly conspiring to murder the officials probing the 2017 actress assault case.

The actress-victim, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, was abducted and allegedly molested in her car for two hours by some persons who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area. The entire act was filmed by those persons to blackmail the actress.

There are 10 accused in the 2017 case and police have arrested seven. Dileep was arrested subsequently and released on bail.
CAVALIER  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on a draft environmental assessment of a proposed cooling pond at a military radar station at Cavalier Space Force Station, in remote northeastern North Dakota.

The proposed project at the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System includes a 23.5 million gallon pond and associated water pipeline, pump station and water quality maintenance system. The project would provide a backup to ensure that enough water is available if the current cooling system fails.

The Army Corps says the new cooling pond would also include lines to transfer cool, potable water to the power plant, as well as heated water back to the cooling pond. The construction would involve site earthwork, site development, a cooling distribution system, and an electrical and storm sewer system.

The Cavalier Air Force Station, built in the early 1970s to deter the Soviet Unions nuclear arsenal, began getting improvements several years ago.

The 10th Space Warning Squadron, a host unit at the base, uses the radar station to monitor and track potential missile launches against North America. The radar station also provides missile warning and space surveillance data to North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Strategic Command and regional combatant commanders.

The Army Corps is encouraging the public to provide comments on the draft environmental assessment within 30 days. The document can be found online for review.

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New Delhi: It's a big day for actress Kajal Aggarwal and her husband Gautam Kitchlu as they welcomed their first child - 'an adorable boy' on Tuesday (April 19). The actress' sister Nisha had hinted at the good news on her Instagram story earlier.

In her Instagram post, she had written," Such a happy day it is.. I cant wait to share some very special news with you all."

Later, she also confirmed the news to Indian Express, revealing the gender of the baby.

During her pregnancy, Kajal had been sharing constant updates with fans about her journey into motherhood. Her last post was a dedication to her husband Gautam Kitchlu.

She wrote, "Thank you for being so selfless, for waking up with me almost every night while I had morning sickness, for camping out on the couch with me for weeks because it was the most comfy place for me to sleep, for immediately texting the doc and taking me to moms house to put my legs up during the braxton hicks contractions and never hesitating or making me feel bad, for always making sure Im well fed, well hydrated + comfortable, for taking care of me and lastly for loving me through it all."

Kajal Aggarwal is a seasoned Tamil and Telugu actress.

She made her Bollywood debut in 2004 with Kyun! Ho Gaya Na. She later featured in Hindi films like Singham, co-starring Ajay Devgn, Special 26, opposite Akshay Kumar and Do Lafzon Ki Kahani.

Kajal will next be seen in Acharya, Paris Paris and Kamal Haasan's Indian 2.
New Delhi: Actor Kiara Advani, who is currently shooting for her upcoming film 'RC 15' in Amritsar, recently shared pictures of herself from her visit to the city's famous Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

Taking to her Instagram handle on Tuesday, Kiara shared two pictures of herself standing with her hands folded in front of the shrine.

The 'Kabir Singh' actor donned a white kurta with a bright yellow dupatta.

Sharing the picture, she wrote, "Gratitude."

The beautifully captured images garnered more than five lakh likes and thousands of comments from her fans.

Kiara flew to Amritsar earlier this week to shoot for her upcoming political drama 'RC 15' which also features superstar Ram Charan in the lead role.

The upcoming project is jointly produced by Dil Raju and Shirish Garu under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations for a pan-India release.

'RC 15' will release in three languages - Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.
Chennai: One of the biggest stars of Tamil and Telugu cinema, Samantha has disclosed that her first salary was just Rs 500 and that she received it for working as a hostess for a day during a conference. Recently, Samantha chose to have a question and answer session with her fans on Instagram.

The actress answered a number of questions posed to her by her fans. During the interaction, Samantha disclosed that her first salary was just Rs 500 and she received it for an eight-hour shift. The actress also said that she was in school when she earned her first salary.

When fans asked her to choose between Khatija (Her character's name in her upcoming film 'Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal') or Kanmani (Nayanthara's character in the same film), Samantha sweetly replied, "Kanmani and Khatija. No Kanmani without Khatija and no Khatija without Kanmani."

When asked to comment about her character in 'Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal', she said, "My favourite genre is romantic comedies. I am so glad that after a while, I am doing something like this. It's really fun and I can't wait for all of you to watch Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal."

Her responses about the film were so heart warming that the production house producing the film, Rowdy Pictures, posted her reply clip on their Twitter timeline and thanked her for her "kind words".
New Delhi: The Union cabinet last month gave approval for 3 percent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) under the 7th pay commission, thus taking the DA to 34% of the basic income. Over 50 lakh government employees and 65 lakh pensioners are getting profit from this move.

Meanwhile, lakhs of central government employees are also eagerly waiting for the government's announcement on 18-months pending DA arrears. The Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Central government employees and pensioners were restored to 31% from 17% from October 2021, however the arrears (withheld from January 2020) have not been deposited as yet.

According to a report published in Zee Business, the Central Government has made it clear that DA arrears withheld from January 2020 to June 2021 will not be given. The DA arrear in the discussion is the one that was withheld due to the onslaught of the Covid pandemic.

According to further reports, the total arrears of DR and DA for central government pensioners and employees is estimated to be Rs 34000 crore. Furthermore, in the 32nd meeting of the Standing Committee on Voluntary Agencies to review pension rules, a representative of the Department of Expenditure (DOI) clarified that the arrears of the previous DA and DR will not be released. DOI is a branch of the Union Finance Ministry.

A Zee Hindi report, quoting Shiv Gopal Mishra of the National Council of JCM, had previously mentioned that the DA arrears of Level-1 employees range from Rs 11,880 to Rs 37,554. Whereas, for Level-13 (7th CPC basic pay scale Rs 1,23,100 to Rs 2,15,900) or Level-14 (pay scale), the DA arrears in the hands of an employee will be Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 that will be paid, quoted the reports.

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New Delhi: While lakhs of farmers are now waiting for the latest update on 11th installment of PM KISAN, they need not worry for eKYC deadline for a few more weeks. Government has extended eKYC deadline for few more months till 22 May 2022. eKYC is MANDATORY for PMKISAN Registered Farmers.

Deadline of eKYC for all the PMKISAN beneficiaries has been extended till 22nd May 2022, says the PM KISAN official website.

But, will incomplete e-kyc be a problem this time?

The installment for this period had come on May 15 last year. Hence, a few media reports are speculating that government might transfer the amount to farmers on the upcoming Ram Navami or Ambedkar Jayanti.

Since eKYC is MANDATORY for PMKISAN Registered Farmers, it is advisable that they should complete this task before the deadline. Moreover, the date for disbursement of the 11th installment of Rs 2,000 has yet not been made official. In this scenario, if the next installment comes before May 22, then eKYC should not be a problem. But if the 11th installment is transferred after May 22, then farmers will have to wait for the next official announcement on eKYC.

If you are looking to complete the PM-KISAN e-KYC process, you can check out the step by step process below.

- Visit the official PM Kisan website https://pmkisan.gov.in/

- In the right hand side, below the home page, you will see Farmers Corner

- There is a box just below Farmers Corner that mentions e-kyc

- Click the e-kyc

- A page will open that facilitates Aadhar Ekyc

- Now, you will have to enter your Aadhar number and then the Captcha code shown and click on the search button

- After that, you will have to enter your mobile number linked to your Aadhar card and click on Get OTP button

- The OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number

- Punch in the OTP and click on the Submit For Authentication button

- As soon as you click Submit For Auth button, your PM KISAN e-KYC will be successful

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions.

ln the beginning when the PM-KISAN Scheme was launched (February, 2019), its benefits were admissible only to Small & marginal Farmers' families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare. The Scheme was later on revised in June 2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings.

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Chennai: The Indian Hotels Company Ltd, the largest hospitality company on Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement to set up another Taj hotel in the city, as part of plans to strengthen its presence in key markets across the country. With the addition of the new hotel, IHCL would have 13 in Chennai, including three under various stages of development. The proposed Taj Hotel to come up over 3.5 acres of land on arterial Nelson Manickam Road in Chennai, would house four restaurants and a bar, besides 235 rooms and 123 Taj branded residences.

The company said the new development under management contract will feature branded residences as part of the hotel complex.

IHCL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Puneet Chhatwal said, "We are excited to announce the fourth Taj Hotel in Chennai, together with branded luxury residences. This signing is in line with IHCL's vision of strengthening our presence in key markets across India."

"The multi-use development will cater to our discerning clientele and in addition to a world-class hotel will offer some of the most exclusives homes in the city managed by a trusted brand. We are pleased to partner with AMPA Group for this project", he said.

The branded residences at the hotel would enjoy Taj's service and access to the hotel's facilities.

Also read: Kashmir witnesses record footfall of tourists, over 3.5 lakh guest arrivals in last three months

Ampa Group, Managing Director, Ampa Palaniappan expressed happiness to collaborate with IHCL for the Taj hotel and branded residences. "Homeowners will have the privilege of enjoying the world-renowned Taj hospitality in the privacy of their homes," he said.

Ampa group has diversified presence in finance, retail, real estate, hospitality and information technology. The group owns the AMPA Skywalk, one of the first shopping malls set up in the city.

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Chennai: The fifth film in the immensely popular CBI franchise - 'CBI 5: The Brain' - featuring Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the lead, is to release on May 1, its makers announced on Monday. Mammootty took to Twitter to make the announcement. He tweeted, "'CBI 5 The Brain' releasing worldwide on May 1, 2022."

The actor also shared a poster of the film which made it clear that the Censor Board had cleared the film for release with a U/A certificate.

As in the case of all the earlier films from the franchise, this Malayalam film too is being directed by K. Madhu and will feature Mammootty as the legendary Sethurama Iyer, an officer with the CBI.

The story of this investigative thriller has been written by S.N. Swamy, who also wrote the stories of the other four Malayalam films in the franchise namely 'Oru CBI Diary Kurippu', 'Jagratha', 'Sethurama Iyer CBI' and 'Nerariyan CBI'.

Sources in the industry say that this time around, the plot of the film will revolve around something called as Basket Killings.

Apart from Mammootty, the film will also feature Asha Sharath, Renji Panicker and Mukesh among others.
LUCKNOW: Keeping his earlier promise of helping the Hindu refugee families expelled from Bangladesh and Pakistan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday distributed residential and agricultural land papers to 63 Hindu refugee families from Bangladesh.

According to news agency ANI, Chief Minister distributed the agricultural and residential land with their official papers along with letters for houses under the 'Mukhayamantri Awaas Yojana' to rehabilitate 63 refugee families from Bangladesh in the state capital Lucknow.

Uttar Pradesh | Chief minister Yogi Adityanath distributes agricultural & residential land with their official papers along with letters for houses under 'Mukhayamantri Awaas Yojana' to rehabilitate 63 refugees families from Bangladesh in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/kO8jpFaGpo  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 19, 2022

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier promised to accommodate Hindus expelled from Pakistan and Bangladesh by giving them residential and agricultural land in Uttar Pradesh.

The Chief Minister had said that such families will be allotted the state government land freed from encroachers.

CM Yogi had said that all the land freed from "encroachers" will be brought under a 'land bank' and these pieces of land will be used for setting up schools, industries and other businesses and for the rehabilitation of Hindu refugees from the two countries.

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Lucknow: Amid incidents of violence during festivals in some states, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that no religious procession should be taken out without permission and that usage of loudspeakers should not inconvenience others.

With Eid festival and Akshaya Tritiya likely to fall on the same day next month and many other festivals lined up in the coming days, Adityanath said the police needs to be extra cautious.

During the course of a review meeting on law and order with senior officials here on Monday, he said everyone has the freedom to follow his method of worship according to his religious ideology.

"Although mics can be used, make sure the sound does not come out of any premises. Other people should not face any problem," he said, adding that no permission should be given to install loudspeakers at new sites.

"No religious procession should be taken out without due permission. Before giving permission, an affidavit should be taken from the organiser regarding the maintenance of peace and harmony.

"Permission should be given to only those religious processions, which are traditional. New programmes should not be given unnecessary permission," Adityanath added.

The orders come in the backdrop of violence during the Hanuman Jayanti procession in the Jahangirpuri area in Delhi on Saturday and reports of violence in the course of Ram Navami rallies in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and West Bengal recently.

He also directed officials that religious programmes and worship should be held only at designated places and it should be ensured that no religious event takes place by disrupting roads or traffic. The chief minister also cancelled the leaves of all police and administrative officials till May 4 and asked all those on leave to report within 24 hours.

He also directed officials from the police station to the ADG level to hold dialogue with religious leaders within the next 24 hours to ensure peace during festivals.

"The leave of all administrative/police officers, from SHO, CO and district police chiefs to District Magistrate, Divisional Commissioner is cancelled till May 4 with the immediate effect.

"Those who are currently on leave must return to the place of posting within the next 24 hours. This arrangement should be ensured by the Chief Minister's Office," he said, according to an official statement.

Additional police forces should be deployed in sensitive areas and drones should be used for keeping an eye on the situation. Every evening, the police force must do foot patrolling and the police response vehicle (PRV) should remain active, he said.

The safety of every single citizen in Uttar Pradesh is the primary responsibility of all of us, Adityanath said, adding "we always have to be alert and careful about this responsibility of ours."

All necessary efforts should be made keeping in view the local needs so that every festival should be held in peace and harmony, he said and asked to sternly deal with those issuing mischievous statements.

"Those trying to vitiate the atmosphere should be dealt with strictly. There should be no place for such people in a civilized society," he said.

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London: More than 40 people have been arrested after clashes in Sweden between police and people angry at plans by a far-right group to burn copies of the Quran, the media reported.

Three people were injured in Norrkoping on Sunday when officers fired warning shots at rioters, police said. The violence was sparked by a series of rallies organised by the Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan. He says he has burned a copy of Islam`s holy book and wants to do so again.

Muslims consider the Quran the sacred word of God and view any intentional damage or show of disrespect towards it as deeply offensive.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has condemned the unrest that has engulfed several cities across the country following anti-Muslim and anti-immigration rallies organized by Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan, Swedish media reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia has condemned what it called the "deliberate abuse of the holy Quran by some extremists in Sweden and provocation and incitement against Muslims". Iran and Iraq earlier summoned the Swedish ambassadors to lodge protests.

Sweden`s national police chief, Anders Thornberg, said he had never seen such violent riots following Sunday`s clashes in Norrkoping, which is about 160 km southwest of Stockholm, and nearby Linkoping.

The two cities also witnessed riots on Friday, along with the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby and the western city of Orebro. On Saturday, there was a riot in the southern city of Malmo, BBC reported.

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A federal oil lease sale is planned for North Dakota in June after the Interior Department scrapped plans for one anticipated in the first quarter of 2022.

A series of court rulings and decisions from federal officials have thrust lease sales into an on-again, off-again status for the past year, during which time no sales have occurred in North Dakota. The sales function like an auction, with companies that place winning bids securing the right to drill for oil within federally owned minerals.

The Interior Departments Bureau of Land Management had planned for a lease sale during the first quarter of 2022, but it nixed those plans in the wake of a court ruling earlier this year. Then last week, the Biden administration announced it would resume lease sales across the nation, citing a different court order. But the upcoming sales will make less acreage available and implement higher royalty rates.

The acreage made available in the lease sale planned for North Dakota is essentially a ditto of what would have been on the table in the first quarter, State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms said. The minerals tend to fall along Lake Sakakawea in western North Dakotas Bakken oil fields.

The tracts ready for lease in North Dakota are prime acreage, Helms said.

The June 28 sale includes minerals in both North Dakota and Montana. The BLM has cut the total acreage available in half, relative to the sale that had been scheduled for the first quarter of 2022, with the entirety of the cuts falling in Montana. Just over 3,400 acres are available between the two states.

The Biden administration is increasing the rate at which oil producers must pay royalties to the federal government to 18.75% for new leases, up from 12.5%. The move follows a federal review of the royalty program and is meant to ensure fair return for the American taxpayer and on par with rates charged by states and private landowners, the Interior Department said in a statement last week.

The upcoming sale is expected to take place after a 30-day period in which the public can issue protests over any parcels slated for lease.

Helms told reporters Tuesday that state officials were just beginning to have conversations about how the announcement of the June sale might impact the states lawsuit over federal oil leasing. The state took the federal government to court over the matter after President Joe Biden halted leasing upon taking office in early 2021 and sales in North Dakota stopped. State officials have long wanted to see leasing resume.

Helms said its our intention to move forward with the lawsuit, but he said he could not speak further about it. The latest development in the case occurred earlier this month when Federal Magistrate Judge Clare Hochhalter issued an order spelling out deadlines for next steps the parties involved in the case can take.

Reach Amy R. Sisk at 701-250-8252 or amy.sisk@bismarcktribune.com.

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Trailblazing Indian-American US Navy veteran Shanti Sethi has joined Vice President Kamala Harris's office as her executive secretary and defence advisor, according to a media report.Sethi, the first Indian-American commander of a major US Navy combat ship, recently joined Vice President Harris' office, Politico quoted vice president's senior advisor Herbie Ziskend as saying.

In her new role, Sethi coordinates National Security Advisor documentation across the Office of the Vice President, according to her LinkedIn profile. Sethi commanded the guided-missile destroyer, USS Decatur, from December 2010 to May 2012. She was also the first female commander of a US naval vessel to visit India.When she joined the Navy in 1993, the combat exclusion law was still in effect so she was limited in what she could do.

However, when she was an officer, the Exclusion Act was lifted. I was able to move on to have a career path that was much more open to me because I was going into this very male-dominated environment, Sethi told USA Today in an interview last year. Sethi's father immigrated to the US from India in the early 1960s. Harris is the first-ever person of Indian origin to be elected as the vice-president of the United States.
Finlands Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintila, who is on an India visit, has said that there is a possibility of his country becoming member of NATO this summer." The statement is significant since Russia last week warned of consequences if Finland and its neighbour Sweden join the US-led defense alliance. Russian military offensive in Ukraine has created worries in these Nordic countries with increased calls for abandonment of military non-alignment.

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Minister Lintila said,"Finland strongly condemns the Russian attack...people are nervous and what happens next" but "I have to say, EU is stronger than ever in this case." The Finland economy minister is in India with a big business delegation and will be meeting many Indian central government ministers.

Indias trade in goods with Finland crossed US$ One billion (Euros 870 million) and is in Finlands favour. Trade in services is growing and crossed US$ 1.5 billion (Euros 1.3 billion) with many Indian IT companies positioned in Finland. As per Indian government estimates, Finnish companies invested US$ 497 million between April, 2000 to December, 2019. Within the EU, Finland ranks 12th among countries investing in India. More than 100 Finnish companies have operations in India, including through investments. Nokia, Kone, Wartsila, UPM, Fortum, Metso, Huhtamaki, Salcomp, Ahlstrom, etc. have set up their manufacturing facilities in India.

Sidhant Sibal: What is your focus here in Delhi?

Mika Lintila: India is a very important and interesting partner, Finland is a total export country, more than 40% of our GDP coming from export. In this situation we need more and more companies to do export, do investment in Finland and so on and India is very important and has a lot of potential. We already have good relations between our countries. I want to have open doors for companies. I have 13 companies in my delegation and am very interested in cooperating with Indian companies.

Sidhant Sibal: You are going to meet policy makers, what are you going to tell them, what Finland can offer?

Mika Lintila: For example, we can do cooperation in the research sector or what is our biggest challenge, climate change. Finland is one of the front runners in new technologies in the energy sector, like the circular economy we can offer a lot, in whole energy sector. This could be a sector in which we can have more cooperation.

Sidhant Sibal: Basically, you mention clean energy..

Mika Lintila: Last year, over 50% of our energy was renewable energy. We have different ways, like wind power, a little bit solar power, not so much as India, biomass and so on. One that has a big role is waste to energy. I am 100% sure, we can offer you solutions where you can use waste to energy better and better.

Sidhant Sibal: The Russian invasion of Ukraine, what is your government stance on that?

Mika Lintila: Finland strongly condemns the Russian attack. It is totally violent against international law. Of course war in Europe is very complicated, people are nervous and what happens next. I have to say, the EU is stronger than ever in this case.

Sidhant Sibal: But there is a lot of dependency on Russian energy, what is your govt doing to make sure it is reduced?

Mika Lintila: Actually, our situation is quite good, because for example oil, we can get from some other country. Gas is about 5% of our energy...but it could be a big challenge for Germany which uses a lot of Russian gas.

Sidhant Sibal: What can you do to help the European continent to reduce their dependency on Russian energy?

Mika Lintila: We already have independent production in the energy sector but of course as I said, there is a middle European country where they use a lot of gas. They try to find new ways, how they, what kind of energy they have. Everybody wants to be out of fossil energy, and now everyone out of Russian energy.

Sidhant Sibal: Will your country join NATO? Because this is something that has been in the news, and we saw reaction from Moscow, if you and your neighbouring countries, then there will be consequences.

Mika Lintila: OfCourse Security situation is totally different, as it was a few months ago. It could be possible that, both countries, or I can say Finish side, it could be possible that we become member of NATO this summer.

Sidhant Sibal: Indian PM will be going to Denmark for the India Nordic summit, we are going to have the Nordic leaders' summit as well, what will be the key focus?

Mika Lintila: I don't know what will be discussed but I can imagine that they are watching the big picture in the security situation globally and specially in Europe. Of course, they discussed how to continue with Russia. Unfortunately, that Russia few months ago, I can't see that old Russia. These sanctions are tight.

Sidhant Sibal: Are European sanctions working on Russian leadership?

Mika Lintila: I think sanctions working better and better and of course the main question is energy sector specially gas, oil also. I am sure the next elements in sanctions is oil. In financial sector, sanctions are tight and they are working very good.

Sidhant Sibal: How has the Russian invasion of Ukraine changed global geopolitics?

Mika Lintila: From Finish side, rather totally. If we doing decision, we trying to get members of NATO, It has totally changed the policy.

Live TV
Lviv: Russia launched its long-feared, full-scale offensive to take control of Ukraine's east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Monday (April 18, 2022).

Now we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas," he said in a video address. Zelenskyy said a "significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive.

The Donbas is Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland in the east, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for the past eight years and have declared two independent republics that have been recognised by Russia.

In recent weeks, the Kremlin declared the capture of the Donbas its main goal of the war after its attempt to storm Kyiv failed. After withdrawing from the capital, it began regrouping and reinforcing its ground troops in the east for what could be a climactic battle.

No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight, Zelenskyy vowed. "We will defend ourselves. We will do it every day.

The Ukraine military's general staff said Russian forces Monday were increasing assaults in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, both of which are part of the Donbas, as well as in the area of Zaporizhzhia.

It also said Russia was sending reinforcements to the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine in 2014, and to the Rostov-on-Don area, which borders Ukraine.

ALSO READ | DNA Exclusive: Has the Russia-Ukraine conflict become World War 3?

Witnesses in key cities Kharkiv and Bakhmut near the front line saw no immediate sign of increased military activity there. Associated Press journalists reported hearing distant artillery fire in some areas, but that has happened sporadically for weeks.

The announcement from Zelenskyy came as Russia bombarded the western city of Lviv and a multitude of other targets across Ukraine in what appeared to be an intensified bid to grind down the country's defenses.

At least seven people were reported killed in the missile strikes on Lviv, a city close to the Polish border that has seen only sporadic attacks during almost two months of war and has become a haven for civilians fleeing the fighting elsewhere. To the Kremlin's increasing anger, Lviv has also become a major gateway for NATO-supplied weapons.

In other developments, a few thousand Ukrainian troops, by Russia's estimate, remained holed up at a mammoth steel mill in Mariupol, the last known pocket of resistance in the devastated southern port city.

And Zelenskyy submitted a filled-out questionnaire in the first step toward obtaining membership in the European Union - a desire that has been a source of tension with Moscow for years.

The Russian attack on Lviv hit three military infrastructure facilities and an auto shop, according to the region's governor, Maksym Kozytskyy. He said the wounded included a child.

A Lviv hotel sheltering Ukrainians who had fled the fighting in other parts of the country was also badly damaged, Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said. The city has seen its population swell with elderly people, mothers and children trying to escape the war.

ALSO READ | Five missiles strike western Ukrainian city of Lviv, cause multiple explosions

The nightmare of war has caught up with us even in Lviv, said Lyudmila Turchak, who fled with two children from the eastern city of Kharkiv. There is no longer anywhere in Ukraine where we can feel safe.

Lviv, the biggest city and a major transportation hub in western Ukraine, is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Poland, a NATO member.

Russia has strongly complained about the increasing flow of Western weapons to Ukraine and warned that such aid could have consequences. On Russian state media, some anchors have charged that the supplies amount to direct Western engagement in the fight against Russia.

A powerful explosion also rocked Vasylkiv, a town south of the capital of Kyiv that is home to an air base, according to residents. It was not immediately clear what was struck.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, was hit by shelling that killed at least three people, according to Associated Press journalists on the scene. One of the dead was a woman who appeared to be going out to collect water in the rain. She was found with a water canister and an umbrella by her side.

Military analysts say Russia was increasing its strikes on weapons factories, railroads and other infrastructure ahead of its assault on the Donbas.

Moscow said its missiles struck more than 20 military targets in eastern and central Ukraine in the past day, including ammunition depots, command headquarters and groups of troops and vehicles.

It also reported that its artillery hit an additional 315 Ukrainian targets and that warplanes conducted 108 strikes on troops and military equipment. The claims could not be independently verified.

Gen. Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, told Sky News that Russia is waging a softening-up: campaign ahead of the Donbas offensive.

A senior U.S. Defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the Pentagon's assessments of the war, said there are now 76 Russian combat units, known as battalion tactical groups, in eastern and southern Ukraine, up from 65 last week.

That could translate to around 50,000 to 60,000 troops, based on what the Pentagon said at the start of the war was the typical unit strength of 700 to 800 soldiers, but the numbers are difficult to pinpoint at this stage in the fighting.

The official also said that four U.S. Cargo flights arrived in Europe on Sunday with an initial delivery of weapons and other materials for Ukraine as part of a USD 800 million package announced by Washington last week. And training of Ukrainian personnel on U.S. 155 mm howitzers is set to begin in the next several days.

The capture of Mariupol, where Ukraine estimates 21,000 people have been killed, is seen as key, and not just because it would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula.

The U.S. Defense official said that if Russian forces succeed in taking full control of Mariupol, that could free up nearly a dozen battalion tactical groups for use elsewhere in the Donbas.

Live TV
Washington: US President Joe Biden will on Tuesday hold a call with allies to discuss the Ukraine crisis, including on how to coordinate on holding Russia accountable, the White House said.

"The President will convene a secure video call with allies and partners to discuss our continued support for Ukraine and efforts to hold Russia accountable as part of our close coordination," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Biden has no plans to visit Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday (local time).

"There are no plans for the President to go," Psaki said regarding the Biden administration`s plans to send a high-level US official to Kiev soon.

The US earlier had 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.

Today, Washington has sent four planes loaded with security assistance to Ukraine over the weekend and made one more delivery on Monday, as per Psaki.

"There were four planes that arrived of military assistance over the course of the weekend, another one is supposed to arrive today if it hasn`t already from the US 800 million package the President announced," Psaki said during a press briefing on Monday.

The United States remains the largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine among the 30 allies supporting the country. Washington has committed more than USD 3.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.

Approximately USD 2.6 billion of the total amount was approved since the beginning of Russia`s special military operation in Ukraine at the end on February, according to the Defense Department.

The US military assistance includes lethal weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Javelin anti-armour systems, Howitzers and artillery rounds, Mi-17 helicopters, small arms and ammunition, drones, and radar devices, among other equipment, according to Sputnik.

On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk requested help to defend them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops.

Live TV
Don Cheney of Washington Trust Bank embraced Cisco CX Cloud to easily monitor its network infrastructure, giving him time to focus on innovating.

Access this case study to hear Dons experience using Cisco CX Cloud, the unified digital platform for Cisco Success Tracks, and how it has impacted his day-to-day work as well as his vision for WTB.
Marjorie Taylor Greene failed in her efforts to block a lawsuit that could, if successful, bar her from running for office in November. A Federal judge gave a group of Georgia voters the green light yesterday to proceed with their case against QAnon Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who they label as an insurrectionist after she encouraged MAGA fans to attack the Capitol. According to a disqualification clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, insurrectionists may not hold public office.

Judge Amy Totenberg's ruling yesterday means a hearing that was scheduled on Friday can go ahead.

"At the hearing on Friday, we look forward to questioning Greene under oath about her involvement in the events of Jan. 6, and to demonstrating how her facilitation of the insurrection disqualifies her from public office under the United States Constitution," said Ron Fein, legal director of Free Speech for People, the group suing Greene.

From The New York Times:
An air force reservist who refused the Covid vaccine on religious grounds has lost his case at the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 6-3 not to take up his case. Lt Col Jonathan Dunn accepted the usual panoply of military vaccinations, but decided that Covid vaccination was a 'religious ritual' rather than a medical intervention and refused to take it. He was removed from command, triggering the lawsuit, and now his career is all but finished.

The court documents say that the air force took disciplinary action against Dunn, including his removal from command and non-punitive disciplinary measures, citing his commanding officer who said he had "lost trust in [Dunn's] leadership and judgment" due to the memorandum and that he displayed a "pattern of a lack of respect for military authority". Prelogar said that Dunn's actions independent of his refusal to be vaccinated warranted the measures against him. The US solicitor general also said that Dunn's unit has to be ready to be deployed anywhere in the world with as little as three days' notice, including countries that require proof of vaccination for entry. Prelogar also noted that the military has a long history of requiring vaccinations and currently requires nine vaccinations for service members.

If it seems a stupid thing to throw away your career over, remember that the guys who do this know that other vaccinations they take are far more unpleasant and dangerous. It's politics and performance, a stylish departure, a flounce.

Isn't it something that half the conservatives on the court are willing to at least consider overturning command authority like this? People outside the right (even those of us in the media who stare at it every day for a living) have not at all absorbed how total the culture war is to conservatives. They will burn everything down to win itwhich is why they're winning.

One of the most perceptive things about The Handmaid's Tale was that, far from being the pride of Gilead, the U.S. military falls to pieces under theocratic government. Canada treats it as a dangerous run-down rabble used by Gilead to roughen negotiations, not as a credible threat to its security.
Kaleida Health's HighPointe on Michigan nursing home in Buffalo has been hit with a $40,000 fine by the state Health Department due to lapses in Covid-19 testing frequency and missed temperature screenings of some employees.

The fine's dollar amount is significant  tied for the 11th-largest fine the Health Department has issued to any nursing home over the past two decades, and within the top 1% of all penalties. It is also the second-largest fine among Western New York long-term care facilities over that period.

The fine, issued Feb. 15, but recently posted on the Health Department's online database, stems from an unannounced Covid-19 infection-control focused inspection on May 7, 2021, that found HighPointe failed to ensure some employees who worked more than three days a week were tested for Covid-19 twice weekly, as required.

Inspectors also uncovered instances where temperature checks of employees were not performed as often as mandated, particularly in cases where a staff member worked a double shift.

No residents were affected due to the deficient practices, the state said, though the mistakes had the "potential to cause more than minimal harm." The state deemed the violations corrected July 2.

Michael Hughes, Kaleida's senior vice president and chief administrative officer, said the health system is "very disappointed" in the Health Department's position, noting that Kaleida objected and contested the fine last year when it became aware of it.

"We truly believe the unprecedented circumstances and our overall performance during the ongoing crisis warranted a better result," Hughes said. "One that acknowledges the facts and what actually occurred here: that the missed temperature checks represent a tiny fraction of the thousands and thousands of temperature checks done to protect the residents of HighPointe. We are disappointed the NYDOH chose to cite us, especially when some of the missed checks really represented workers who were working a double shift and had already been checked at the time they first reported to work.

"While we have complied and paid the fine, we remain steadfast in our belief that HighPointe on Michigan's record during the pandemic stands out among the best for all long-term care facilities in Western New York."

Out of 35 Erie County nursing homes listed in federal data, HighPointe had one of the lowest rates of Covid-19 cases and deaths per 1,000 residents.

The state's visit to HighPointe in May came amid an ongoing surge of inspections to ensure compliance with measures geared toward limiting the virus' spread, especially in the most vulnerable settings. Since March 2020, the Health Department has conducted more than 4,200 infection-control inspections at nursing homes and adult care facilities  with at least one visit to every nursing home and adult care site in the state, spokesperson Jeffrey Hammond said.

HighPointe, a four-story, 300-bed facility that opened more than a decade ago, was last fined by the Health Department in January 2016, slapped with a $16,000 penalty from a February 2015 incident in which nurses were not wearing the required pagers that could have alerted them before a 16-month-old boy hooked up to a feeding tube choked to death on his liquid meal. That incident and another case in 2014 over alleged falsified records for a 56-year-old resident at HighPointe led the attorney general to hit Kaleida with a $500,000 penalty in November 2019.

At Kaleida's HighPointe nursing home, the troubling death of a toddler On the February 2015 evening that 16-month-old Jameir Benn died, the monitor attached to his toe should have alerted staff that he had stopped breathing. But only one worker was wearing a pager, and he did not respond to the urgent

Over the last 20 years, the highest fine the Health Department has issued to a Western New York nursing home went to Humboldt House Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Buffalo, which was hit with a $50,000 penalty in June 2020 after a visit two months earlier that uncovered infection prevention and control violations as the pandemic was just one month in.

The recent HighPointe fine is the largest so far this year among the penalized nursing homes in the state. But it is not the only recent penalty levied against Western New York nursing homes.

Buffalo nursing home hit with biggest state fine from Covid-19 violations Twenty-three nursing homes statewide, including four others in Western New York, have been fined a total of $328,000 for infection control violations.

What other facilities got fined?

So far this year, 35 fines have been issued to New York nursing homes through March 22, totaling $304,000 in penalties mostly from inspections last year, according to Health Department records.

Western New York nursing homes are responsible for six of those fines  17% of the total  but 27% of the total penalties, or $82,000.

Aside from HighPointe, which has an overall three-star rating, or "average," in the federal five-star rating system for nursing homes, here are the local nursing homes that have been penalized since Jan. 1:

 Dunkirk Rehabilitation & Nursing Center was issued a $10,000 fine Feb. 22, connected to a September inspection that found a resident sustained a 42-centimeter-by-7-centimeter second-degree burn to their left lower leg from an electric baseboard heater situated just 12 inches from the resident's bed. Dunkirk Rehabilitation has an overall federal rating of two stars, or below average.

 Williamsville Suburban, at 163 S. Union Road, received a $10,000 fine Jan. 25, tied to a October investigation that found the facility "failed to ensure that the drug regimen of each resident was reviewed at least once monthly by a licensed pharmacist." The pharmacist then was expected to report irregularities to the attending physician and the site's medical director and nursing director. Williamsville Suburban has a one-star federal rating, or "much below average."

Two Safire nursing homes fined $56,000 for violations The one-star rated facilities were cited for failing to test workers for Covid-19, failing to ensure workers washed their hands properly, failing to report possible abuse cases and more.

 Two of Elderwood's nursing homes got fined. First, Elderwood at Williamsville was assessed a $10,000 penalty Jan. 11, tied to an August inspection related to cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. No further details were available in the state's database. Elderwood at Lockport was fined $2,000 on Jan. 20, pertaining to a July inspection over infection prevention and control, among other measures. Elderwood at Williamsville and at Lockport both have three-star federal ratings.

 Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, a one-star rated facility in the Town of Tonawanda, was hit with a $10,000 fine Jan. 6, stemming from an inspection a year earlier for failing to thoroughly investigate and report incidents of possible physical abuse of two residents.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris.

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China News Service: China Manned Space Agency announced yesterday that China will carry out six space missions in 2022, including sending more astronauts to space. I would like to ask what is Chinas attitude toward international space cooperation and will any foreign astronauts enter Chinas space station?

Wang Wenbin: We are deeply inspired by the successful landing of the return capsule of the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship. The Shenzhou-13 mission marks a breakthrough in Chinas manned space endeavor, setting many firsts with various highlights. All these outcomes mean that China has achieved comprehensive breakthroughs in the key technologies of its space station construction, laying a solid foundation for the task of construction in the next phase.

To explore the unknown universe and develop space technologies is a common cause of mankind which calls for the collaboration of countries. International cooperation is the trend in space development.

Since the inception and implementation of the China manned space engineering program, China has followed the principles of peaceful use, equality, mutual benefit and common development. It signed cooperation agreements and carried out cooperation projects in various forms with France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Pakistan, and many space agencies or organizations including the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European Space Agency, with fruitful outcomes. The China Space Station is the first of its kind open to all UN member states. So far nine projects from 17 countries and 23 entities have been included in the first batch of selected projects for the China Space Station science experiment. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA, said that Chinas opening-up of its space station is an important part of the UNs Access to Space for All initiative and a great example. At present, we are working on the first batch of international cooperation projects for China Space Station in collaboration with UNOOSA, which hopefully will see the beginning of experiment and research in space at the end of this year.

We stand ready to conduct more international cooperation and exchanges with countries and regions committed to the peaceful use of outer space. Foreign astronauts are welcome to visit the China Space Station and join Chinese astronauts in making more positive contributions to exploring the universe and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

CCTV: This year marks the 30th anniversary of Chinas participation in UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs) with its first formed military unit of Blue Helmets. Chinese peacekeeping forces have contributed to safeguarding world peace and security. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: In 1990, China sent military observers to the UN, which marked the beginning of Chinas armed forces participation in UNPKOs. On April 16, 1992, China dispatched its first formed military unit of Blue Helmets to Cambodia for UNPKOs. Over the past three decades, one unit after another of Chinese peacekeepers have embarked with courage and fortitude on one mission after another, often placing themselves in harms way in the service of peace. China has sent nearly 50,000 peacekeepers to 25 UNPKOs in more than 20 countries and regions. It has been hailed as a critical element and key force in the UNPKOs. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, commended Chinas contribution to UNPKOs as very important.

Chinese peacekeeping forces have brought with them peace, security and the light of hope and warmth to people in war-torn areas, gaining wide acclaim. Since 2013, China has dispatched nine peacekeeping units to Mali, where they carried out duties including armed patrols and armed escorts with such excellence that they earned the reputation of des troupes d'elite of Sector East of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Over 16 years of deployment in Lebanon, Chinese peacekeeping forces successfully completed tasks including clearing mines and explosives (where they set a zero-casualty record), engineering construction and maintenance, and providing medical services and humanitarian assistance.

Chinese Blue Helmets have become a poster child of peace. They are a living example that China is a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a guardian of international order, and Chinas armed forces will always be a force of justice for world peace and development. As China has become the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments and regular budget and the largest troop contributor to peacekeeping operations among the five permanent members of the Security Council, we will continue to work hand in hand with all peace-loving nations to instill more positive energy into world peace and development.

Bloomberg: President Joe Biden will host leaders of ASEAN countries on May 12 and 13 in Washington. A White House statement announcing the special summit said the US administration shares a commitment to advance an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, secure, connected, and resilient. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this meeting?

Wang Wenbin: Currently, the Asia-Pacific region enjoys overall peace, stability and development, which should be cherished by all sides. The Asia-Pacific is a promising land for cooperation and development, not a chessboard for major-power rivalry. ASEAN countries are chess players who will help promote regional development and prosperity, not chess pieces in a geopolitical contest.

We hope the US side can respond to Asia-Pacific countries common appeal for peace, cooperation and win-win results, pursue cooperation with the East Asian region on the basis of respecting Asian countries political system, development paths, culture and values, and follow the ASEAN way featuring openness, inclusiveness and consensus-based approach. The US should honor its commitment to supporting ASEAN centrality in action, abandon the Cold War mentality, reject attempts to create small, divisive circles in the Indo-Pacific, and do more to promote regional peace, development and prosperity, rather than the opposite.

Beijing Daily: According to reports, Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) basically completed on April 15 its review of the ocean discharge plan submitted by Tokyo Electric Power Company to dispose of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The NRA has given its approval in principle and is expected to release a formal inspection document in May this year. Does China have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We note relevant reports with concern. In the face of persistent opposition from the international community and the Japanese people, the Japanese government has failed to offer any thorough or convincing explanation for issues ranging from the legitimacy of the ocean discharge option to the reliability of relevant data, the efficacy of the treatment system and the uncertainty of environmental impact. The IAEAs technical task force has conducted two field trips in Japan recently and raised a series of questions. The assessment on disposal options and monitoring arrangements is still ongoing. However, Japan has turned a deaf ear to the concerns from all sides, rushed preparation for releasing the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, and pushed forward the approval process for the ocean discharge plan. Such attempts at creating a fait accompli is extremely irresponsible.

We once again urge the Japanese side to take seriously the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the international community and the Japanese people and, instead of sticking to and pushing forward its ocean discharge plan, look for a proper way to dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water through full consultation with stakeholders including neighboring countries and relevant international organizations. Prior to that, the Japanese side shall not wantonly start releasing the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.

CCTV: According to US media reports, a white police officer fatally shot a 26-year-old man of African descent named Patrick Lyoya in the head during a law enforcement operation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This incident once again drew fierce criticism from the American society over racial discrimination and police violence in the US. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We express deep concern over the deteriorating human rights conditions in the US. There are more than enough facts showing that racial discrimination, gun-related crimes and violence in law enforcement do not exist in the form of isolated and sporadic cases, but are persistent and systemic issues in the US.

Following George Floyds desperate cry of I cant breathe over one year ago, hundreds of people of ethnic minorities have been gunned down by US law enforcement officials. As many as 93.7% American Muslims said that Islamophobia affects their emotional and mental well-being; 81% Asian American adults say violence against them is rising; and Hispanic Americans who account for 19% of the countrys total population own only 2% of all wealth. Fernand de Varennes, UNHCR Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, said the legal system in the US is structurally set up to advantage and forgive those who are wealthier, and penalizing those who are poorer, particularly minorities of color.

The US is riddled with the most severe gun violence. It is also the only developed country that witnesses mass shootings every year in the past two decades. In 2020, 45,222 people died from gun-related injuries in the US, up by 43% compared to 2010. A 2018 survey reveals that 75% of American youth report mass shootings as a significant source of stress. According to a survey done by the Pew Research Center in April 2021, 48% Americans see gun violence as a very big problem in the country that needs to be addressed. However, the US federal government was unable to adopt a single gun control act over the past 25 years.

It is reported that people of color experience discriminatory treatment by the police in various areas. A relevant survey shows that only 22% Americans said the police treat all Americans equally.

The US is becoming a country afflicted by systemic violation of human rights. It is thus in no position to make irresponsible remarks on the human rights conditions in other countries. What the US should do is face squarely its own prevalent and grave human rights issues and earnestly come up with ways to tackle the root causes of its deteriorating human rights conditions.

The Paper: According to reports, hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on April 15, leaving at least 152 people injured. Spokesperson of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the Israeli police has detained hundreds of people. The Palestinian foreign ministry demanded that Israel shoulder full responsibility. US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price called on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions and rhetoric. Does China have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: China has been following closely with concern the escalating tension between Palestine and Israel in Jerusalem. The issue of Jerusalems status and ownership is complicated and sensitive. It is hoped that the parties concerned will act in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, maintain and respect the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, stay calm and exercise restraint, and prevent the situation from deteriorating or even getting out of control.

The escalating Palestine-Israel situation once again reminds us that the Palestine question should not be marginalized. The international community, major countries in particular, should look squarely at the crux of the Palestine question and on the basis of the two-state solution, facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel to realize peaceful coexistence. China will continue to play a constructive role in this effort.




After cooking up plans for a new demonstration and test kitchen across the street from its South Buffalo operations on South Park Avenue, Lactalis American Group now wants to add 110 parking spaces on Leland Drive  along with a new decorative fountain feature to beautify a proposed retention pond.

The U.S. subsidiary of France's Group Lactalis, which owns Sorrento Lactalis, already plans to construct a new one-story building on Leland to house some of the growing company's 600 employees, along with an "expert sensory panel center" where local residents can taste-test its new products.

The new 4,284-square-foot building would also feature a professional culinary kitchen for local chefs to demonstrate their skills and create new recipes for their restaurants.

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The project  with a baked-in cost estimate of $1.5 million  would utilize four vacant lots at 46, 68, 70 and 74 Leland, totaling 2.48 acres, and it would also include a 6,230-square-foot green space, two picnic areas and the 10,000-square-foot retention pond for drainage. Elma-based Building Solutions will perform the construction work.

Lactalis plans dual office, kitchen expansions in South Buffalo Lactalis America Group is cooking up a second new project in South Buffalo  a demonstration and test kitchen for local residents and chefs to sample its new cheese products.

The city already rezoned the four properties from residential to light industrial at the company's request, when Lactalis previewed the project last November. Now the cheesemaker is proceeding with plans to add the auxiliary parking lot, pond and a 33,500-cubic-foot fountain at the site, surrounded by a six-foot-high fence. The Buffalo Planning Board approved the $600,000 project on Monday.

"Its the nicest looking parking lot Ive seen in a while," said board member Martha Lamparelli. "Its a very nice use of the greenspace."

Meanwhile, Lactalis is continuing with plans for a 5,006-square-foot addition to the back of its existing 26,865-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing complex at 2376 South Park, which will enable it to add 35 to 40 jobs. That $1.1 million addition would include nine closed offices, a meeting room and an open office area.

"They have been expanding and if youve driven by there, youve seen various additions to the facility in the last year or year and a half," said Todd Huber, owner of Building Solutions. "They need more parking."

Separately on Monday, the Planning Board approved special-use permits to allow:

 Jaklin Kuing to open Relax Hookah Lounge in a vacant building at 91 and 101 Grant St., with indoor smoking, tobacco sales and either a DJ playing music on Friday and Saturday nights or music from a stereo. The lounge, with a maximum capacity of 75 people, would have a security guard, dress code and metal detector. "It'll be a place where anyone 21 years and over can come to relax and have fun," Kuing wrote in her application.

 Mohamed Mohamed to operate El Fuego tobacco and vape retail store at 207 and 209 Niagara St., with no smoking allowed, in a storefront across from Shoreline Apartments that has been vacant for over a year. "I believe we will bring value to the property and to the community by taking up a vacancy and giving it a face lift," he wrote in his application. "I also believe we will bring more business to neighboring shops."

 Samantha Reidy to convert the first-floor space at 15-17 Allen St. into her Petal Pusher flower shop and tavern, selling flowers while serving beer, wine or cider, along with soup and sandwiches. She will have three picnic benches on the sidewalk for outdoor dining. "I just figured you could put three butts on a bench," she said.

 Nicholas Ryan to operate his vegan Strong Hearts Cafe at 295 Niagara, in the former Rue's Pierogi space, serving bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages from the bar. The 1,200-square-foot dining room would seat 44 at 13 tables, with about 30 employees in all.

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BY JON HARRIS

What's driving Evergreen Health's expansion?

It's time to dive into some health care acquisition activity.

And for that, we turn our attention to Buffalo-based Evergreen Health.

Evergreen early this month completed its acquisition of Aspire of WNY's primary care practice at 7 Community Drive in Cheektowaga, which brought another 10 employees and about 1,400 patients under its umbrella. Evergreen, which employs nearly 500 people, now has 10 locations, including five primary and specialty care clinics  three in Buffalo and one each in Cheektowaga and Jamestown.

In Cheektowaga, Aspire will continue to offer rehabilitation and other services in the same building, which "will help ensure ongoing coordination of patient care," officials said.

"From our perspective, this is just the start of a wonderful partnership with Aspire," Evergreen CEO Raymond Ganoe said.

It's the latest partnership for Evergreen, which was founded in 1983 to focus on HIV/AIDS patients but has expanded to provide medical, behavioral and other support services to a broader population of Western New Yorkers.

What other recent deals has Evergreen made?

Evergreen had a busy 2021.

That started in February 2021 when it announced a partnership with People Inc. Under that agreement, it took over People Inc.'s primary care clinic within a newly constructed medical facility at 800 Hertel Ave., gaining 30 employees and about 5,000 patients.

People Inc. still owns the roughly 33,000-square-foot building, at the corner of Elmwood and Hertel avenues, and offers rehabilitative health and counseling services there. Evergreen leases space there from People Inc. for the primary care clinic, where it provides adult and pediatric outpatient care as well as neurology, gynecology and podiatry services.

Then, six months later, it announced the deal with Aspire. Similar to the People Inc. deal, Evergreen is leasing space in the Cheektowaga building for its primary care clinic.

What led to both deals?

Let's turn the clock back to December 2020.

Reimbursement rates

That's when Evergreen announced it had been designated as a "Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike" by the Health Resources & Services Administration, a federal agency.

So what does that mean?

First, a federally qualified health center look-alike is a community-based health care provider that focuses on primary care services in underserved areas and accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay. In addition, they operate under a governing board that includes patients.

The benefits include greater access to discounted drugs and increased Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates.

That last part is a big reason why it was able to acquire the "Article 28" primary care practices of Aspire and People Inc., which struggled with what officials called "unsustainable reimbursement rates."

"It's an incredibly low rate, and it puts a lot of pressure on the organization to try to figure out how to maintain quality care with such a low rate," Ganoe said. "One of the reasons Evergreen years ago went after that federally qualified health center status is because the reimbursement rates are higher."

Separate deal on the horizon

On Sept. 1, Evergreen and fellow nonprofit Spectrum Health and Human Services announced their "intent to explore a strategic affiliated partnership."

Such a partnership would allow the two nonprofits to expand their services while saving on back-office costs to operate more efficiently. Combining the two would result in an organization with a $157 million budget, nearly 1,000 employees and a base of 33,000 patients in Western New York.

Ganoe said Evergreen is still looking to partner with Spectrum at some level, though the state approvals process amid the pandemic has slowed things down.

"We haven't come to any conclusions on that yet as to what exactly it's going to look like," Ganoe said. "I think probably in the next three or four months, we'll know for sure where that stands."

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

THE LATEST, IN CONTEXT

What: Speaking of Spectrum Health, it will hold a hiring event from 3 to 7 p.m. May 19 at its South Buffalo Counseling Center, 2412 Seneca St.. It will be its first in-person hiring event since November 2019.

Tell me more: Spectrum Health, which provides mental health, addiction, rehabilitation, care coordination, housing and crisis services across Western New York, is hiring credentialed licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, peer support specialists in Buffalo and Warsaw and a youth peer advocate. The nonprofit organization also needs an information technology assistant, patient support specialists and a housing case manager.

Why it matters: Demand for behavioral health services has only increased during the pandemic. In addition, the peer positions are for people with lived experiences in behavioral health and addiction recovery. "Peers  individuals that have shared similar experiences  can uniquely relate to what clients are going through in recovery and serve as inspirations, too," Associate CEO Cindy Voelker said.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

THE LATEST

Catch up on news tied to Buffalo Niagara's economy:

43North startup Top Seedz has a famous fan: Gwyneth Paltrow. Twice in two weeks, award-winning actress and lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow has featured Top Seedz crackers and seeds on her social media pages, which have millions of followers.

Some companies, such as Independent Health and Freed Maxick, are embracing "hoteling," where remote employees reserve a workstation for the days when they come into the office to do their jobs, rather than having a dedicated desk of their own.

Hiring is heating up, but the region has a lot of catching up to do. Businesses are heading into a potential slowdown short-staffed, rather than fully staffed. That certainly would reduce the pressure to cut staff if things take a turn for the worse.

Robert C. Morgan didnt just plead guilty to a felony related to mortgage fraud last 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.

Buffalo startup raises $100 million for green idea: plug-in excavators. "When you put energy storage where the energy is being used, you really transform the way we rely and depend on energy, and you make it completely resilient," chairman and CEO Jon Williams said. "That's what we've really been building."

Breweries launch 'Resolve' craft beer to support Ukraine. A Western New York connection to a Ukrainian brewer has led to a collaborative beer project to brew 'Resolve' beer to raise money for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Naz Drebot helped start 42 North Brewery in East Aurora. Now 30 breweries around the world  five in Western New York so far  are brewing the Kellerbier made from his recipe.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Deputy Business Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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One of the surest ways to pick out recent arrivals to Buffalo is invite them to join you for Texas hots.

If they say Thats disgusting or Hell yeah, theyre likely locals.

If they say Whats a Texas hot?, its time to have the talk. Because people who have eaten hot dogs their whole lives have managed to miss downing a crisp-skinned link sluiced in thin beef chili warmed with Greek seasonings, mustard and onions.

Slime dogs are one of the nicer nicknames, applied by haters and fans alike. Yet after visiting stations of the sauce from Wellsville to Jamestown, from Tonawanda to Depew, its clear the most feared, least understood culinary specialties of the Queen City of the Great Lakes are here to stay.

In my house growing up, if it was your birthday, you got to choose whatever you wanted to eat for the day, said R.J. Marvin, a Dunkirk lad. I always had Texas hots, always from Johnnys Lunch in Jamestown.

A decade ago, Marvins cooking chops helped put Blue Monk on the map. Now he cooks as a side gig, literally, at a counter in a cavernous space hidden in a maze of corridors off Chandler Street. His first job is Barrel + Brine, a multifaceted fermenting business started with wife and partner, Lindsey, in 2015, producing garlic dill kraut, kimchi, classic sour deli dill pickles, kombucha and more.

But he also serves his favorite meal: Texas hots.

Marvins Gutter Dawg Texas hot is an ode to his first gustatory love, written in ground beef and warming spices. In his skilled hands, the idealized version is just ground beef and spices, no filler, over a judiciously charred Sahlens, and goes for $10 for a pair.

Why not a nice Texas hot? Why not apply the same care as a foie gras torchon? Just because you can get a pair for $4 elsewhere doesnt make it any less grand.

I was getting incredibly tired of the food shaming and pseudo-sophistication when it came to the food in Buffalo, Marvin said. Buffalo is a very blue collar town, right? And it has its roots and it has a history of these types of food. And that's my favorite food.

The name of the genius who first put Greek-spiced ground beef sauce on hot dogs and called them Texas hots has so far been lost to history.

Heres one safe bet: They werent born in the United States of America. Like so many products of the American melting pot, the rise of Texas hots is an immigrant story. Its success an enduring American culinary genre owes more to Thessaloniki than Texas.

Cinnamon and nutmeg are standard spicing for pastitsio, ground beef or lamb baked with pasta. Greek-born restaurateurs who figured out how to make a living from diners selling eggs, potatoes, hot dogs and burgers found an easy way to add value and distinguish their dogs from the average frank.

Various accounts cite Greek immigrants in New Jersey or Pennsylvania as the inventors. This much is certain: By 1921, Texas Hot had already opened its doors on Wellsvilles Main Street. At the time, its autobiography notes, Wellsville was trying to catch up to a hot food trend.

It started after the buildings landlord told Jim Rigas and partners about a new food called a Texas hot, and how it was too bad that Wellsville, unlike other towns in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, did not have a restaurant that sold these hot dogs, the Texas Hot website relates.

The rest, as they say, is history.

After a call for entries on social media, I visited every currently open Western New York Texas hots place that at least two fans mentioned. Heres my tasting notes from that tour. Reporting my favorites is no attempt to sway you from yours. Id never try to dictate the terms of your love.

Texas hots places include:

Royal Family Restaurant

1320 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda.

The last of eight stops on one leg of the tour rewarded with my favorite Texas hot of the day. Seriously grilled snappy wiener, sauce that tastes like beef and just enough spice to make me miss yiayias pastitsio ($3.65).

. . .

Louies Texas Hots

Numerous locations.

Noticeably meaty sauce and a proper Sahlens dog under a brick-red sauce thats chile powder and cayenne forward. ($3.49)

. . .

Abbott Texas Hots

1291 Abbott Road.

Sauce alive with black pepper duels onion for supremacy on a diminutive budget dog ($2.60). Like many peers, the sauce can be built into an omelet or top a burger, too.

. . .

Zorbas Texas Hots

5 Lee St., Depew.

Fine-grained sauce glistening with fat over gently griddled dogs with light onion and mustard is exactly why several friends make a pair for breakfast a habit ($2.99).

. . .

Hot Dog Heaven

1551 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga.

Significantly livelier sauce that peers in the budget dog ranks, with suggestions of curry under the onions and a budget weenie ($2.89).

. . .

JJs Texas Hots

2984 Union Road, Cheektowaga.

Standard Texas hot packaging of twisted waxed paper was challenged by the juiciest franks yet, so gravylike they almost demanded mashed potatoes ($2.50).

. . .

Nicks Place

504 Amherst St.

Completely satisfying, seriously grilled Sahlens from Peter Ananiadis place. Meat-forward sauce spiced more like top-notch Texas chili than Cincinnati chili (2 for $8, with fries).

. . .

Gutter Dawgs, Barrel + Brine

2 Manton Place.

My favorite of all, a premium Texas hot experience thats worth it. Huge beef and spice cocktail flavors, no fillers (2 for $10).

. . .

The Beer Keep

1002 Elmwood Ave.

Theres no beef in the vegan Texas hot sauce, but plenty of flavor  too much to compare to Texas hot standards, really. Delicious, though, with an intensity more like vegan merguez ($7 vegan dog, $7 over regular dog).

. . .

Texas Hot

142 N. Main St., Wellsville.

Even after a century, the Greek influence hasnt washed out of the sauce ladled over full-sized griddled Zweigles wieners, served in a heartwarming 1960's space with tableside jukeboxes ($2.40).

. . .

Johnnys Lunch

966 Fairmount Ave., Jamestown.

Noticeably smoky skinless link in a silky, savory sauce with chile and onion, eminently snackable in pairs (two for $5.55).

. . .

AJs Texas Hots

824 Foote Ave., Jamestown.

Small, smoky dogs in a chile-powder-forward sauce that are priced to move  and they do, by the bagful ($1.77).

. . .

Didnt get to: Olympic Restaurant, 1601 Military Road, Tonawanda, and 4611 Genesee St., Cheektowaga; and Seneca Texas Hots, 2449 Seneca St.

Send restaurant tips to agalarneau@buffnews.com and follow @BuffaloFood on Instagram and Twitter.

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You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave.

Its quite a lyric, isnt it? A little creepy, full of foreboding and existential angst, with a dash of Kafkaesque dread. It hints at inescapable fate, while noting the futility of human attempts to exert control over the uncontrollable.

Its also a lyric that tells the story of the Eagles.

Hotel California, the piece of Don Felder music that inspired Don Henleys pen to scribble this couplet, is the title track from the bands 1976 masterpiece, one of the most commercially successful albums in the history of recorded music. The record is celebrating its 50th birthday with a tour that stops at KeyBank Center at 8 p.m. Thursday when the Eagles will perform it in its entirety, followed by a lengthy second set of greatest hits.

And its still selling, with most recent sales figures claiming the record as 26-times platinum, worldwide.

Interestingly, the Eagles have been trying to check out for nearly half of Hotel Californias life, conducting their last ever farewell, we promise tour for longer than any other rock band, save The Who.

The group was formed in 1971, broke up in 1980, reformed in 1994, and spent the decades since in what amounts to a working retirement consisting of victory lap concert tours, with only one album of new music released during that time. Even the death of founding member Glenn Frey in 2016 didnt force the closing of the Hotel California. Freys son Deacon stepped into his fathers role, and virtuosic instrumentalist Vince Gill joined the traveling party as well. Business remained good. Very good.

For this current tour, Deacon Frey has opted out, expressing a desire to forge his own path after nearly five years of celebrating his fathers considerable legacy. That leaves the lineup as Henley, Gill, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, aided by auxiliary musicians  including guitarist Steuart Smith, who will handle some of the departed Felder's guitar parts  and, for some of the more elaborate arrangements, tunes, an orchestra and choir. For the Buffalo show, the orchestra will be comprised of members of the Buffalo Musicians Union Local 92.

"We have 38 union string players -- violins, violas, celli and basses -- all performing who have been contracted by a Local 92 contractor," BMA Local 92 President Jim Pace said. "This is one of the largest groups of Local 92 musicians to be hired for a traveling show in some time, and we're excited about that."

Since the official departure of Deacon Frey, Gill has been handling some of Glenn Frey's vocal parts, among them, the country-noir epics "New Kid in Town" and "Lyin' Eyes." When the band returns from intermission, post "Hotel California," a deep dive into the Eagles' catalog of greatest hits -- which is essentially an expanded replay of their 1976 "Greatest Hits" collection, the biggest selling album in history -- follows, with the addition of a few nuggets from the solo canons of Henley and Walsh. Shows on the tour to date have been clocking in at 3 hours-plus.

Given the extensive lineup changes over the years, it's not hard to take the cynical view, interpreting the Eagles continued existence as an extended cash grab, a touring jukebox of classic rock nostalgia aimed at challenging precisely no one.

Yet, theres a reason the Eagles, and Hotel California, in particular, continue to matter, to so many.

Prisoners of our own device

Hotel California is a collection of songs detailing the dissolution of the American Dream. The literary allusions spread throughout the album run deep, principal among them a metaphorical nod to the green light in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby  that beacon on the other side of the water toward which Gatsby stares longingly, a symbol of unrequited love, hope, and the immovable distinction between class and wealth.

The title track is set in mid-'70s Los Angeles, and its acerbic narrative tone paints a picture of a deeply diseased promised land, one where the rich run amok in a haze of sex, drugs and peaceful, easy feelings, while the less privileged look on in envy. The irony, of course, lies in the fact that patrons of the Hotel California are actually prisoners, inmates in an asylum of corrupted dreams, trapped behind bars constructed of ill-gained lucre. Theyve got the money and the cocaine, but they are no better off than the everyday Americans who lust after their position, those average citizens forever on the outside looking in.

Aint that America, for you and me? 1976 or 2022  whats the difference?

Is this why the song remains a staple of classic rock radio, and a tune that has completely permeated pop culture and transcended its immediate milieu decade after decade? It must have something to do with it, even if listeners arent conscious of the songs metaphorical resonance. What they are quite likely conscious of is the high level of musical virtuosity ornamenting Felders gorgeous chord progression and the Henley/Frey lyric.

Hotel California was the first Eagles album to feature James Gang guitarist and solo artist Joe Walsh, and the band made the most of their new acquisition, turning him loose for a tag-team tandem guitar solo with Felder across the extended coda of the title tune, in what is surely one of the most epic six-string showdowns in rock history. It sounds no less stunning in 2022 than it did the first time I heard it, as an 8-year-old deeply fascinated by the mirage-like world the song and solo summoned.

There is magic in this music, a magic that classic rock radios insistence on playing it close to hourly has not been able to kill.

The lamb lies down on Sunset Boulevard

Hotel California is about much more than its album-opening title tune. In retrospect, its easy to view the whole affair as a Yacht Rock concept album, a sort of California stoners version of Genesis The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

A central character, The New Kid in Town, stumbles blindly through a desert oasis where nothing is truly as it seems, and the mythical Life in the Fast Lane will surely make you lose your mind, inevitably leading to an exit off the Pacific Coast Highway, where he finds The Last Resort and a bottle of whiskey to aid in contemplating the effects of all this Wasted Time. Theres a deep sadness that permeates the story, even during the harder rocking moments. The listener is left engulfed in a feeling of loss, an air of disillusionment permeated by L.A. smog.

Visceral dislike of the Eagles has become a meme by this point, one exemplified by Jeff Bridges playing The Dude in the Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski, an aging hippie whose adamant hatred for the band gets him thrown out of a cab by an Eagles-worshipping driver. It's a hilarious scene, one that stands up to repeated viewings.

But why all the haters? Surely they exist because the Eagles are often viewed as a symbol for all that is wrong with corporate rock music, if not as the very progenitor of that form.

Theres some merit to such arguments. But the fact remains Hotel California is a masterpiece, a flawless song cycle that tells a distinctly American story in a deeply literary and highly musical fashion. It endures because it was built to do so.

Dont agree? Thats OK. Relax. Remember, you can check out any time you like. But  well, you know the rest.

. . .

The Eagles

"Hotel California" performed in its entirety, followed by a lengthy second set of greatest hits. Shows on the tour to date have been clocking in at 3 hours-plus.

Where: KeyBank Center.

When: 8 p.m. Thursday.

Lineup: Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Vince Gill, Timothy B. Schmit, plus auxiliary musicians, including an orchestra with 38 local string players.

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The Orchard Park residents who are fighting a plan to more than double the size of a Newton Road building have a lot of concerns.

They want to know what the building will do to drainage issues in the area. They worry about traffic. They wonder how this got approved when it's so close to Chestnut Ridge Park.

But mostly what they want to know is the answer to a simple question: Is this a church or not?

The dispute turns on that question, but the answer is elusive.

A Catholic lay group went to the town for permission to establish a retreat center, including adding 36 parking spots to the existing 25. The property is zoned for agricultural use. A church or a house of worship is allowed in that classification, but a retreat center is not.

But that is only one issue. Patricia Fenzel of Bunting Road also noted the town's comprehensive plan recommends "no automobile transportation improvements should be made in the area of Chestnut Ridge Park."

She said she and others were unaware of the plans for the 2,300 square-foot retreat center with increased parking until after it had been approved by the town. And they don't think the project that borders Chestnut Ridge Park fits in with the rest of the rustic road, where neighbors have wells and septic systems.

"If you were going to have a parking lot in your backyard for 61 cars, you never would have approved it, you would have done your due diligence. You didnt do it. We had to do it," she told Town Board members at a recent meeting.

Town officials said notification of nearby property owners was not required, because the project did not need a rezoning.

The owners of the property at 6131 Newton Road, John A. and Kathleen M. Wabick, bought the parcel for $250,000 in 2015, and have paid taxes on it since.

The group they founded, Disciples of Divine Mercy in the Holy Face of Jesus, has been headquartered there for six years. Kathleen Wabick is president and John Wabick is vice president of the board of directors of the nonprofit group.

"Presently our members pray for the sick and dying at the Mother of Mercy House and minister to those who are suffering  especially from the moral ills in our society and the crisis within our Church," the group says on its website.

The website said the group is under the spiritual direction of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, Mass. Kathleen Wabick told The Buffalo News the group is not directly affiliated with the Buffalo Catholic Diocese.

Eirene Choroser of Newton Road, asked at a recent Town Board meeting whether it was a church or a house of worship and asked: "If it is a house of worship, why has it been paying property taxes?"

The property class on the assessment was listed as seasonal residential until this year, according to Scott A. Bylewski, director of Erie County Real Property Tax Services. This year the property tax class is religious. He said the tax roll indicated the property needs to be taxed.

"Normally it would be exempt," he said.

Town Assessor Dan Stanford said the property owner provided him with documentation that it leased the property to the Buffalo Catholic Diocese for $1 a year, but a diocesan spokesman said the diocese has no record of a lease.

The spokesman, Joe Martone, confirmed the group is a lay group within the diocese ministering to the sick and dying.

"The Catholic Center hasn't had much interaction with them since 2017," Martone said.

The group said on its IRS forms that it was seeking charity status not because it was a church, but it because it "normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public."

The same forms say the primary purpose for its exempt status is to provide a means for people to acquire a deeper knowledge of the Divine Mercy message and devotion, to grow in Christian holiness and to reach out to others by word, deed and prayer.

Neighbors have another reason to think the town didn't pay close enough attention to this project: All of the approvals and recommendations by the Conservation, Planning and Town boards said the 20-acre property is located on the north side of Newton Road, when it is on the south side. After it was pointed out to Town Board members, they voted 4-1 to correct the minutes.

The existing building is 1,600 square feet, according to tax records. In addition to the 2,300-square-foot addition and parking area, the site plan also calls for a reflection pond about the size of one-third of an acre.

"The modest addition will provide a dedicated meeting space, storage, and two bathrooms for the existing members of the ministry," Kathleen Wabick said in an email, adding there are approximately 30 active members of the ministry.

She also said the retreat events are "single day events, most times lasting only a few hours."

Wabick said the group had brainstormed the idea of erecting cabins, but it determined cabins would not be economically or practically feasible.

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The board that controls outflows from Lake Ontario said Tuesday that it is not worried that flooding will occur on the lake's New York shore this year.

Even if the weather turns out to be wetter than normal, the officials said that although current water levels are above average, they are low enough that property on the south side of the lake should be safe in 2022.

State, federal agencies launch online flood forecast tool for Lake Ontario The flood inundation mapper, located at the U.S. Geological Survey website, was funded in part with $420,000 from the state DEC.

And if it turns out to be a dry year, the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board may find itself dealing with the risk of excessively low water levels that could make navigation unsafe.

"There's still a lot of uncertainty in that forecast," said Bryce Carmichael, the board's U.S. secretary. "The probability is to have water levels over the summer in a more average range."

"We're not too concerned about flooding," Joan Frain, the Ontario representative on the six-member board, said during an online presentation.

A new risk on Lake Ontario: falling water levels Lake Ontario is now closer to being too low for safe navigation than reaching flooding levels.

"Given the level that we're starting Lake Ontario with, and not having to back off too much for the freshet downstream coming from the Ottawa River, and also looking at the flows that could be coming in through Lake Erie, it's not expected that the levels will rise substantially through the spring," Frain said.

She acknowledged that short-term weather events could cause temporary local problems, as always.

The presenters emphasized that weather is the main factor in water levels  not the board's decisions on outflows from the lake.

The outflow policy is governed by the International Joint Commission's Plan 2014, which is undergoing reconsideration by a special panel, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee.

The first phase of the review was completed in November. The IJC announced Tuesday that the second phase, due for completion in late 2024, has begun.

The Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence board's critics, including federal, state and local elected officials, blasted it in the flood years of 2017 and 2019 for slow response to rising water levels.

Although the board has contended all along that unusually heavy rains led to those floods, in recent years it has become more proactive in adjusting flows down the St. Lawrence River past the Moses-Saunders Dam at Massena.

There have been 43 changes in the outflow rate since Jan. 1, as the board tries to balance incoming water from Lake Erie  which is 13 inches above its mid-April average  and the heavy spring flow from rivers and creeks with the need to avoid spring flooding in the Montreal area.

However, the Lake Erie data is similar to last year's, said Kyle McCune, the board's U.S. co-chairman. His Canadian colleague, David Harper, said 85% of Lake Ontario water comes from Lake Erie.

As of Friday, according to the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ontario was 19 inches higher than last year at this time. It had risen 6 inches in a month and was 9 inches above its mid-April average.

But despite those numbers, Lake Ontario was 18 inches below flood stage at Olcott on Tuesday. Board officials said the level tends to drop when the weather warms up.

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.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Monday vowed to use his power and the federal budget to ensure the future of the USS The Sullivans on Buffalo's waterfront.

Today I am putting out an SOS across the federal government: Save Our Sullivans, Schumer said during a news conference at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park where crews are continuing to work to save the World War II-era ship. Im fully committed to having all hands on deck in getting the maximum amount of federal dollars we have.

The historic ships hull was breached last week. In addition to listing to one side, diesel and hydraulic and lube oils  that would have been present during the operation of the ship and may still be onboard  began spilling into the water.

Divers trying to prevent the contaminants from damaging the ecology or Lake Erie have been skimming inside the vessel, pulling out thousands of gallons of the pollutants.

White the cleanup efforts have already begun, this is going to be an expense, and it shouldnt be the city or county or, of course, the park that have to pay for this. The good news here is that we got  $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Schumer said. Some of that money can be used to clean up the oil and the spills and get things back in tip top shape here. Because thats going to be an expense that well have to deal with.

No new information was released on cleanup efforts.

Removing contaminants in a safe and responsible manner is the order of the day, said Paul Marzello, park president and CEO.

TNT, an international salvage company, arrived in Buffalo on Sunday night and will provide detailed information on a salvage plan for the U.S. Coast Guard to approve, said Capt. Lexia Littlejohn, commander of the Coast Guard Buffalo sector.

Schumer also offered to funnel congressionally directed spending, sometimes called earmarks, to the project.

As majority leader, I have some clout with earmarks, and  I will do everything I can to get as big an earmark as we can get to help with The Sullivans, he said.

Holes in hull have tormented USS The Sullivans for years It remains "too early to tell" what the long-term prognosis is for The Sullivans, said Paul Marzello, president and CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.

Schumer noted that there is $500 million in the federal budget for the National Maritime Heritage Grant program. There is a limit to how much each heritage area can receive, Schumer said. But I am going to in the defense bill of this year, get a much higher amount and have a good chunk of that earmarked for our naval park.

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.

Park officials discovered around 9 or 10 p.m. Wednesday that the ship was taking on water in the shallow waters of Buffalo's Inner Harbor.

The hull was breach aft of midship, on the starboard side of the vessel, which is listing to one side. Officials still do not know the cause of the problem and have said the World War II-era destroyer is stable but not completely out of danger from sinking.

Sullivan granddaughter dazed by the listing USS The Sullivans: 'That ship is extremely special' "I am extremely confident in the people of the Buffalo naval park, and the people of Buffalo," Kelly Sullivan said, her voice breaking with emotion. "I know that they will come together and help."

Industrial-sized pumps worked throughout Thursday night and reached a point of "equilibrium," in that they were pumping out as much water as was leaking into the vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard estimated Thursday afternoon there were more than 3 million gallons of water inside the ship.

Efforts to pump water out of the ship were temporarily halted Friday because the contaminants were leaking from The Sullivans into the harbor.

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.
Its welcome news that the Seneca Nation of Indians is pushing for a fair casino compact with New York as the existing one nears its sunset. But as it prepares to negotiate, its leaders should tone down the rhetoric. Nobody who is paying attention can believe it has been misused.

The Senecas  some of them, anyway  are angry because New York State used a routine tool to induce them to pay the $564.8 million it owed. It was a shame it came to that, because it truly did cause problems for many Senecas, but the protesters conveniently ignore the plain fact that the Senecas fingerprints are all over this mess.

Briefly, the Senecas withheld payments to New York while it contested its requirement to pay the debt. It was absolutely entitled to refer the matter to binding arbitration, as the compact allowed, but they lost and then went to court  over and over  in an effort to keep the millions.

When they finally lost in the courts and still wouldnt pay, New York applied a law that froze their bank accounts. They then made good, but they want the world to believe the state did something nefarious  first by forcing the issue, then by announcing it would use the money to help cover the costs of a new Bills stadium. It didnt. It simply made the Senecas pay what they owed. After that, what does it matter to them how the state uses its own money?

At a weekend protest at which members rallied for a fair compact  the current one expires at the end of 2023  the Senecas continued to claim the existing deal badly exploited them. Simple math shows otherwise. The $568.4 million paid the state represented 25% of slot machine revenues. That left the Senecas with more than $2.2 billion just since 2017. And that excludes money from the other games at the casinos in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca.

The Senecas are correct that they have provided many jobs in the region, and not just to members of the Nation. Even opponents of the casinos would have to acknowledge that they have been an economic driver.

Still to be resolved is the separate question of whether the compact extension complied with federal law. But the question of the payments is resolved. The Senecas played a dicey game and fell short. Like many of their customers, they should be good losers and look to the future.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Rueth takes the No. 1 spot on elite mortgage lending awards list

MADISON, Wis., April 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, a top-ten nationwide mortgage lender, is proud to announce that Fairway Producing Branch Manager Nicole Rueth led the ranking on the Mortgage Women Magazine's list of Top Women Originators in 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005424/en/

Fairway Producing Branch Manager Nicole Rueth named by Mortgage Women Magazine as Top Originator (Photo: Business Wire)

Mortgage Women Magazine recognized the nation's top-producing women mortgage loan originators in its March 2022 digital edition. Rueth ranked No. 1 on the list of 44 women based on her total dollar volume of origination. Rueth led award recipients with origination sales totaling $374 million for 907 loans in 2021.

"Nicole has consistently shown true dedication and integrity in serving the home financing needs of her community. Her stellar work ethic makes her an excellent leader, as she has successfully helped grow the Denver team to become one of the countrys best," said Fairway Founder and CEO Steve Jacobson. "We are very proud of what she has accomplished, and are lucky to have her and her team as part of our Fairway family."

Rueth has a rich history in the mortgage industry, passionately advising clients on their wealth-building and home financing strategies for over 17 years in the Denver housing market. She started on the operations side of mortgage financing, including warehouse management, lender relationships, FHA/HUD approval, post-closing, and loan product management.

Rueth's expert knowledge of the industry and high level of professionalism has earned her several other distinctions over the years, including No. 1 originator in Colorado, Top 100 Nationally in Mortgage Executive Magazine; No. 1 Producer at Fairway Mortgage nationally; and a designated Five Star Professional by Denvers 5280 Magazine for eight consecutive years.

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Several other Fairway team members also made Mortgage Women Magazines lists of top producers in 2021:

In dollar volume

#20: Peyton Fullerton in Denver, Colorado with $90 million

#29: Alison Beilke in Madison, Wisconsin with $69 million

#40: Rebecca Alley, Capital Mortgage Funding, in Southfield, Michigan with $53 million

In loan volume

#5: Kimberly Viteri in Wilton Manors, Florida with 576 loans

#6: Jennifer Salazar in Garland, Texas with 564 loans

#10: Monica Rucker in Canton, Texas with 442 loans

#24: JoAnna Camposano in Del Rio, Texas with 285 loans

#60: Megan Wendtland in DuPont, Washington with 81 loans

#61: Lisa Lawson, Capital Mortgage Funding, in Southfield, Michigan with 79 loans

About Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289) is a full-service mortgage lender with a wide array of innovative products that help make homeownership more affordable with the speed and service its clients deserve. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Fairway is dedicated to finding great mortgage options and providing some of the fastest turn times for its borrowers. Since opening our doors 26 years ago, our team has helped thousands of Americans achieve their dream of homeownership. We have been dedicated to providing unparalleled customer service. Fairway now employs nearly 11,000 team members, including more than 3,000 producers and over 600 branches nationwide. With a strong focus on purchase business, we continue to grow each year, funding more than $71 billion in 2021. Putting Americans in homes is what we do! #FairwayNation

We strive to exceed expectations, guarantee satisfaction and earn trust. For more information, visit fairway.com and home.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005424/en/

Contacts

Jacob Gaffney

Gaffney Austin, LLC

Cell: 817-471-7627

Email: jacob@gaffneyaustin.com
A notorious Mexican drug trafficker linked to jailed kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans cartel has been captured in Colombia, according to police, after his model girlfriend posted pictures of the pair kissing at a tourist attraction on Facebook.

Colombian police arrested alleged Sinaloa drug cartel capo Brian Donaciano Olguin Verdugo, known by his nickname El Pitt, in a luxury apartment in the city of Cali, they announced last Sunday.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) alerted Colombian authorities that El Pitt had entered the country in February. A Facebook post, made by the unnamed model, showing the couple at Los Cristales, a hilltop statue of Jesus Christ, helped police track down the pair.

Breaking all security protocols, including using only encrypted apps, the model convinced him to take a selfie kissing in front of Los Cristales mountain, a police source told El Tiempo . She immediately posted the photo on her Facebook account.

The Independent has contacted the DEA for comment.

Security officials then spent two weeks trailing and surreptitiously photographing the drug trafficker, who was reportedly in the country to broker deals with former Colombian guerillas regarding shipments of cocaine to Mexico.

Surveillance photos published by El Tiempo show the couple lounging in bed at night, where Verdugo is shirtless and can be seen with distinctive tattoos on his chest, one of the markers police were told to look out for.

The alleged Sinaloa leader, who was seeking to establish a permanent resident in Colombia and serve as a regular cartel emissary between Mexico and Colombia, then tried to bribe police with around $265,000, officials say.

If I was in Mexico, I would have already been freed by a group of armed men, he told arresting officers, according to El Tiempo.

Verdugo will now be extradited to California for prosecution on charges of cocaine trafficking, according to police.

At the time of his capture, Mr Verdugo had an active Interpol red warrant for his arrest in 196 countries.




Xinhua News Agency: It is reported that China and Solomon Islands have officially signed a framework agreement on bilateral security cooperation. Can you offer more information on that?

Wang Wenbin: As approved by the governments of China and Solomon Islands, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele, on behalf of the governments of China and Solomon Islands respectively, officially signed the inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation between the two countries the other day. China has shared information on China-Solomon Islands security cooperation on many occasions and I would like to take this opportunity to stress a few points:

First, China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is in nature the normal exchange and cooperation between two sovereign and independent countries and an important part of China-Solomon Islands comprehensive cooperation.

Second, China-Solomon Islands security cooperation follows the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and is based on respecting the will and actual need of Solomon Islands. The two sides will conduct cooperation in such areas as maintenance of social order, protection of the safety of peoples lives and property, humanitarian assistance and natural disaster response, in an effort to help Solomon Islands strengthen capacity building in safeguarding its own security.

Third, China-Solomon Islands security cooperation aims at promoting social stability and long-term tranquility in Solomon Islands, which conforms to the common interests of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific region.

Fourth, China-Solomon Islands security cooperation is open, transparent and inclusive, and does not target any third party. It proceeds in parallel with and complements Solomon Islands existing bilateral and multilateral security cooperation mechanisms. China stands ready to work with relevant countries to leverage respective strengths to form international synergy.

Reuters: Sources say the Chinese foreign minister has visited Solomon Islands in recent days to complete the signing of the agreement. Can you confirm that the agreement now has been fully signed?

Wang Wenbin: Let me say this again. Foreign ministers of China and Solomon Islands officially signed the inter-governmental framework agreement on security cooperation between the two countries the other day. I havent heard of a visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister to Solomon Islands.

Shenzhen TV: Chinas National Bureau of Statistics released Chinese economic data for the first quarter of 2022 yesterday, which shows a 4.8 percent GDP growth year on year. Foreign media have reported on the growth despite headwinds with many indices above analysts forecasts. Do you have any comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: Chinas National Bureau of Statistics released the data of national economic performance in the first quarter of 2022 yesterday, which shows that Chinas national economy has continued to sustain the momentum of recovery and development. Major macro indicators remained within an appropriate range, industrial and agricultural production was stable on the whole, the economic structure was adjusted and improved, and the national economy got off to a generally steady start. The growth rate of 4.8 percent in the first quarter is achieved as the world is entering a new period of turbulence and transformation and the utmost effort is made to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on economic and social development. It is achieved with stable employment, prices and international balance of payments, despite the influence of the complex international environment and sporadic COVID-19 cases at home. Such hard-won growth fully indicates that the momentum of the sustained recovery in Chinas economy remains unchanged, the fundamentals sustaining Chinas sound economic growth in the long run remains unchanged and the Chinese economys features of great potential, full resilience, strong vitality and enormous space remain unchanged. We are fully capable and well-positioned to overcome difficulties, meet challenges and realize sustained sound economic development.

It is worth mentioning that the total value of imports and exports of goods grew by 10.7 percent and the paid-in FDI expanded by 25.6 percent in the first quarter year on year. These double-digit growths in foreign trade and foreign investment underscore Chinas positive contributions to stabilizing global supply and industrial chains and promoting the sustained recovery of the world economy. Foreign companies have cast a vote of confidence in Chinas economic prospects. Recent survey reports by German Chamber of Commerce in China and AmCham China show that 71 percent of German-invested companies and over 60 percent American-invested companies plan to increase their investments in China. FDI inflow into the high-tech industries and the high-tech service sector specifically grew by more than 50 percent and nearly 60 percent year on year respectively. These all embody the conviction of foreign investors that investing in China is investing in the future.

Facts have proven and will continue to prove that with a comprehensive industrial system, a huge market with ample space, immense dividends from reform and opening-up and strong economic governance capabilities, China is capable of effectively coping with various risks and challenges, achieving sustained and sound economic development and injecting more positive energy into world economic recovery.

Associated Press of Pakistan: Addressing the inauguration of a mass transit bus project yesterday, Prime Minister Sharif said that China has greatly contributed to strengthening Pakistans economy and expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping for the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Do you have any comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has made positive remarks on China-Pakistan relations and the CPEC on various occasions recently. This fully demonstrates the emphasis the Pakistani side attaches to China-Pakistan all-weather friendship and all-round cooperation. We highly appreciate it.

CPEC is an important pilot project under the BRI. Since its launch, the project has made important contributions to Pakistans economic development and livelihood improvement, and won wide acclaim and recognition from all sectors. China stands ready to work together with Pakistan to ensure the continued progress in programs under construction and the smooth operation of completed ones, so as to unleash CPECs positive effect on promoting growth and improving peoples wellbeing and build it into a demonstration project of high-quality BRI development.

Beijing Youth Daily: On April 16 local time, Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver, Colorado signed a letter officially apologizing to the Chinese community for the anti-Chinese riot that took place in the city in 1880. CBS commented that Denver is the fifth city to issue an apology of this sort to the Chinese community in the United States, and the first city outside of California to do so. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: I noted relevant reports. Such moves are laudable. Tragedies will repeat themselves if historical lessons are not learned. I need to point out that over some time, racial discrimination and violence targeting Asian Americans in the US, far from being addressed, has grown rampant. It has become a persisting and deep-seated problem in the US society. Statistics from US research institutions revealed that anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 339% in 2021. The US is no longer a land of promise for immigrants, but a haven for racial discrimination and violence. The world should be clear-eyed about this.

In recent years, certain US politicians and anti-China forces, out of zero-sum game mentality and ideological bias, have been wantonly fabricating and spreading lies and disinformation on China, instigating racism and racial hatred, and conniving at discrimination against Chinese citizens including students in the US. China is gravely concerned over this. The US should face up to its own problems and take concrete measures to eradicate racial discrimination and safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the US.

AFP: The White House has said that the US will co-chair a global summit to chart an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for future upheavals. This virtual summit will be co-chaired with countries like Germany and Indonesia, and will take place on May 12. Will China be taking part and does it plan to do so? And if so, will the Chinese leader be participating?

Wang Wenbin: We have noticed that. China welcomes all efforts conducive to promoting international solidarity and science-based response to COVID-19.

Reuters: You said that China and Solomon Islands have signed the framework for the security agreement, so that means the actual security agreement itself hasnt been completely signed, has it? There are a few elements remaining to be signed? Thats the first part. And the second part is we understand the Solomon Islands parliament was told today that Chinese officials would visit in May to complete the signing process. Is that right? And if so, whos gonna be going?

Wang Wenbin: On your first question, I just offered my answer. I dont think your understanding is correct.

On your second question, I already gave my answer just now.

CCTV: The US State Department recently released its 2022 report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments, accusing China of failing to adhere to its nuclear testing moratorium and missile nonproliferation commitment and questioning Chinas compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have taken note of the report. Year after year, the US concocts the so-called report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments, styling itself as a judge to wantonly criticize other countries arms control and nonproliferation policies and practice. It is just preposterous for the US to exalt its own exemplary behavior.

As a matter of fact, the US has a deplorable track record in compliance with arms control and nonproliferation agreements and commitments. In recent years, it has been selective in complying with international arms control treaties and mechanisms as it sees fit. It has withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty, unsigned the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and flip-flopped on the Iranian nuclear issue. The US provides nuclear submarine technology to Australia, a non-nuclear-weapon state, with whom it also works to develop hypersonic weapons, and sells to other countries Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. All this heightens proliferation risks and impacts the international nonproliferation system. It is the only country to stand in the way of negotiations for a protocol that includes a verification regime to the BWC. It runs biological labs around the world and conducts biological military activities. The US is also the only state party to the Chemical Weapons Conventions (CWC) that has not destroyed its stockpiles of chemical weapons. What the US has done gravely undermines global strategic balance and stability, and impedes the international arms control and disarmament process, and therefore has been widely condemned by the international community. However, instead of reflecting upon itself, the US keeps slinging mud at other countries in a bid to create excuses for freeing itself from its bound obligations and scapegoat others. The international community, including insightful people in the US, can see through it all.

It needs to be pointed out that the US is merely chasing shadows and its accusations against China are nothing but fabrications. With a responsible attitude, China fulfills its international obligations and commitments in earnest, stays committed to multilateralism and upholds the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. In recent years, China has actively participated in the review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the BWC and the CWC, joined the ATT, promoted the negotiation process for a legal instrument on arms control in space, put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security, and submitted to the UN a position paper on regulating the military applications of artificial intelligence. All this has made important contributions to strengthening and improving the international arms control and nonproliferation system and safeguarding world peace and security. The international community has its fair judgment on whether China or the US is the one who abides by arms control treaties.

Bloomberg: Just on the framework agreement on bilateral security cooperation. Did this take effect immediately? Is there any more details that you could give us on the agreement?

Wang Wenbin: I just made clear Chinas position and shared relevant details. I dont have anything else to add.

China Daily: US Vice President Harris announced while visiting the Vandenberg Space Force Base on April 18 that the US commits not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing and will work with other nations to establish this as a new international norm for responsible behavior in space. On the same day the White House released a statement stressing that prohibiting direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing should become an international norm. It also criticized China and Russia for conducting anti-satellite tests. Does the Chinese side have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We noted the relevant report. The US has long pursued a strategy for dominance in space and openly defined outer space as a war-fighting domain. To this end, it has made vigorous efforts to develop and deploy a variety of offensive outer space weapons such as directed energy and Counter Communications System, and comprehensively advanced military buildup and preparedness in outer space. The US was the first country to carry out direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing and has so far conducted the largest number of such testing. Now, the US announced that it would bar tests of ground-based direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons. But why not announce that it will not use such weapons? Why not announce to stop testing air-based, co-orbital and other types of anti-satellite weapons, and stop anti-missile testing of anti-satellite nature? Why not commit itself to banning the use of force against outer space objects?

China advocates peaceful use of outer space, opposes weaponization of and arms race in outer space and calls for the building of a community with a shared future in outer space. Dating back to as early as 2008, China and Russia jointly submitted a draft treaty on arms control in outer space to the Conference on Disarmament, which explicitly prohibits the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force against outer space objects. The draft treaty aims to eradicate threats to outer space security in a legally-binding package approach, including kinetic energy anti-satellite missile testing, so as to fundamentally safeguard peace and security in outer space. However, this proposal has long been opposed by the US side.

We hope the US will truly assume its due responsibility as a major country, fully reflect upon its negative moves in the field of outer space, stop the hypocritical practice of expanding unilateral military superiority in the name of arms control, stop obstructing the negotiation process of the legal instrument on outer space arms control and play its due role in safeguarding the long-term peace and security in outer space.

Reuters: So does that mean Solomon Islands saying today that Chinese senior officials will visit next month to sign the agreement is false? Are they wrong there?

Wang Wenbin: China and Solomon Islands maintain smooth communication and exchange at various levels. If there is any information on such exchange or visit, we will release it in a timely manner.

Reuters: The US is planning on sending a couple of senior officials to Solomon Islands in the next few days and China will be discussed. Whats your comment?

Wang Wenbin: As we have said on multiple occasions, the security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands is the embodiment and the outcome of deepening bilateral ties, increasing mutual trust and expanding bilateral cooperation. It helps to improve Solomon Islands capability of maintaining stability, promoting social stability in the country and advancing the shared interest and well-being of the local people and foreign citizens there. The cooperation has won understanding and support from Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

I have also noticed that according to reports, the US Embassy in Solomon Islands has been closed for 29 years. The most recent visit to Fiji made by a US Secretary of State was 37 years ago. Several senior US officials now fancy a visit to some PICs all of a sudden after all these years. Are they doing so out of care for PICs or ulterior motives? People are keen to get an answer to this question.

PICs are not the backyard of anyone, still less chess pieces in a geopolitical confrontation. PICs have the actual need to diversify their cooperation with other countries and the right to independently choose their cooperation partners. Deliberately sensationalizing an atmosphere of tension and stoking bloc confrontation will get no support in the region. Attempts to meddle with and obstruct PICs cooperation with China will be in vain.

China is always a builder of peace and a promoter of stability in the South Pacific region. Certain countries, including the US, groundlessly smear China while creating the so-called trilateral security partnership, which has brought nuclear proliferation risks and Cold War mentality to the South Pacific region and posed a severe threat to regional security and stability. The label of undermining regional security suits them better than anyone else.

Reuters: Thanks to this security agreement, does China hope to one day build a military base on Solomon Islands?

Wang Wenbin: We have repeatedly answered this question. You may refer to previous answers.
LVIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian troops in southern Ukraine have been carrying out torture and kidnappings, and he called on the world Sunday to respond.

Torture chambers are built there, Zelenskyy said in an evening address to the nation. They abduct representatives of local governments and anyone deemed visible to local communities.

Zelenskyy said humanitarian aid has been stolen, creating famine.

In occupied parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, he said, the Russians are creating separatist states and introducing Russian currency, the ruble.

Intensified Russian shelling of Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, has killed 18 people and wounded 106 in the last four days alone, Zelenskyy said.

This is nothing but deliberate terror. Mortars, artillery against ordinary residential neighborhoods, against ordinary civilians, he said.

He said a planned Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine will begin in the near future.

Zelensky again called for increased sanctions against Russia, including its entire banking sector and oil industry. Everyone in Europe and America already sees Russia openly using energy to destabilize Western societies, Zelenskyy said. All of this requires greater speed from Western countries in preparing a new, powerful package of sanctions.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Russia strikes Ukraine's big cities, bears down on Mariupol

 Mother, grandmother weep over a 15-year-old killed in shelling of Kharkiv

 Elderly mother feels lost, seeks son's body in Ukrainian town of Bucha

 Prince Harry pays tribute to Ukrainian competitors as he opens the Invictus Games

 We pray for you: Ukrainian Jews mark Passover, if they can

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

WASHINGTON -- Ukraines foreign minister is describing the situation in Mariupol as dire and heartbreaking and says Russias continued attacks there could be a red line that ends all efforts to reach peace through negotiation.

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Dmytro Kuleba tells CBS Face the Nation that the remaining Ukrainian military personnel and civilians in the port city are basically encircled by Russian forces.

He says the Ukrainians continue their struggle but that the city effectively doesnt exist anymore because of massive destruction.

Kuleba says his country has been keeping up expert level talks with Russia in recent weeks in hopes of reaching a political solution for peace. But citing the significance of Mariupol, he echoed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in saying the elimination of Ukrainian forces there could be a red line that stops peace efforts.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden says hes praying on Easter for those living in the dark shadow of war, persecution and poverty.

Biden released an Easter message Sunday in which he says hes also praying for peace, freedom and basic dignity and respect for all of Gods children.

Biden didnt say which war he had in mind, but the president has been deeply involved in trying to force an end to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The American president says hes grateful that the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed many people around the world to celebrate by attending religious services and in-person family gatherings. He also acknowledges that the holiest day on the Christian calendar falls on heavy hearts for those who have lost loved ones and those among us living in the dark shadow of war, persecution and poverty.

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KYIV, Ukraine  A regional official in eastern Ukraine says at least two people have been killed by Russian shelling.

The Luhansk regions governor, Serhiy Gaidai, said that at least four others were wounded Sunday when Russia forces fired at residential buildings in the town of Zolote.

Zolote is located near the front line in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland called Donbas, where the Russian forces are preparing for a massive offensive.

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WASHINGTON  Ukraines prime minister says the besieged city of Mariupol hasn't yet fallen to Russia and the Ukrainian forces there will fight to the end.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal appealed during a Sunday appearance on an American television broadcast for help for the approximately 100,000 Ukrainians who remain trapped in the eastern city without food, water, heat and electricity.

He says some regions of Mariupol remain under Ukrainian control, and that Russia doesn't have full dominance over the city.

Mariupol appeared on the brink of falling to Russian forces Sunday after seven weeks under siege. The Russian military gave a deadline for surrender to a few thousand Ukrainian fighters who were providing the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, but the Ukrainians didn't submit.

Shmyhal told ABC News This Week that Ukrainian forces are still fighting, including in the Donbas region, but we do not have intention to surrender.

The prime minister says Ukraine is prepared to end the war through diplomacy, if possible. Shmyhal says surrender isnt an option, adding that we will not leave our country, our families, our lands, so we will fight absolutely to the end, to the win, in this war.

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KYIV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian health official says that at least five people have been killed in the Russian shelling of Kharkiv.

Maksym Haustov, the head of the Kharkiv regional administrations health department, said that another 13 residents were wounded by Sundays shelling of Ukraines second-largest city.

Rescuers have been working to help survivors after the shelling that hit residential and administrative buildings and caused fires. Officials said the center of Kharkiv came under shelling by multiple rocket launchers.

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KHARKIV, Ukraine  Multiple rockets struck the center of the eastern city of Kharkiv on Sunday, according to AP journalists in the city.

The barrage slammed into apartment buildings and left broken glass, debris and part of at least one rocket scattered on the street. Several apartments caught fire, with firefighters and residents scrambling to douse the flames.

At least two bodies were seen, and four other people were injured, though the scale of the attack suggested the casualty toll could rise further.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian military has warned that Ukrainian troops refusing to surrender in the besieged port of Mariupol will be destroyed.

The Russian Defense Ministry gave the Ukrainians at Mariupols giant Azovstal steel mill until 1 p.m. Sunday (1000 GMT) to surrender, saying that those who put down their weapons will be guaranteed to keep their lives.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that the Ukrainian military command had banned its troops from surrendering. He said the Russian military received the information from intercepted communications.

Konashenkov warned that all those who will continue resistance will be destroyed.

He claimed that along with Ukrainian troops, there are about 400 foreign mercenaries encircled at Azovstal, most of them from European countries and Canada, communicating in six languages, according to intercepts. Konashenkovs claim couldnt be independently verified.

___

VATICAN CITY  In an Easter Sunday message aimed at the world but heavily focused on Ukraine, Pope Francis raised two worries  the risk of nuclear warfare and that other armed conflicts on the globe will go unnoticed.

In a speech from the balcony of St. Peters Basilica, the pope quoted a declaration from scientists in the 1950s in which they posed the question: Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce war?

The pope has repeatedly made anguished pleas for a cease-fire and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. In his Easter message, Francis lamented that so many of our brothers and sisters have had to lock themselves away in order to be safe from bombing.

He expressed hope that the war in Europe will also make us more concerned about other situations of conflict, suffering and sorrow in situations that we cannot overlook and do not want to forget. Among the places he cited were Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. He singled out Yemen, suffering from a conflict forgotten by all, with continuous victims.

___

MILAN  Italian Premier Mario Draghi is calling Ukraines resistance to Russias invasion heroic, depriving Russia of what it expected to be a rapid victory and setting the stage for a prolonged war.

Draghi told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera in an interview published Sunday that what awaits us is a war of resistance, prolonged violence with destruction that will continue. There is no sign that the Ukraine population can accept a Russian occupation.

Draghi noted that Italy remained close to the Ukrainian people, with the reopening of its embassy in Kyiv. The ambassador returned to the capital on Friday, and the embassy is expected to be fully operational on Monday.

Draghi, who spoke to Putin before the war broke out and again at the end of March, said he has come to believe that speaking with the Russian leader is just a waste of time.

Draghi said: I have the impression that the horror of the war, with its carnage, with what they have done to children and women, is completely independent of the words and the phone calls.

___

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraines deputy defense minister says that the key port of Mariupol is holding despite the continuing Russian attacks.

Hanna Malyar said Sunday that the defenders of the key Sea of Azov port have tied up significant Russian forces besieging the city. She described Mariupol as a shield defending Ukraine that prevents the Russian troops encircling the city from advancing to other areas of the country.

Malyar said that the Russians have continued to hit Mariupol with air raids and were possibly preparing an amphibious landing to beef up their forces in the city.

___

LONDON  In his Easter sermon, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has called for Russia to declare a cease-fire and withdraw in Ukraine.

The leader of the Anglican church said Easter is a time for peace and not blood and iron.

Noting that in the Eastern Orthodox church followed by many in Russia and Ukraine Sunday marks the start of Holy Week  the week leading to Easter  he said let this be a time for Russian cease-fire, withdrawal and a commitment to talks.

Welby said God hears the cry of the mothers in Ukraine, he sees the fear of boys too young to become soldiers, and he knows the vulnerability of the orphans and refugees.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian military has told Ukrainian troops in the besieged port of Mariupol that if they lay down their weapons they will be guaranteed to keep their lives.

The Russian Defense Ministry made the announcement early Sunday. Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said that the Ukrainians encircled at the giant Azovstal steel factory were given until 1 p.m. (1000 GMT) to surrender.

It was the latest such offer to the Ukrainian defenders of the key Sea of Azov port during a siege that has lasted for more than 1 1/2 months. Capturing Mariupol is a key strategic goal for Russia, allowing it to secure a land corridor to Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014. The fall of Mariupol would also free the Russian forces involved in the siege for a planned offensive in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland called Donbas.

The giant Azovstal steel mill that covers an area of more than 11 square kilometers (over 4.2 square miles) is the last major section of Mariupol still under Ukrainian control.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Saturday that about 2,500 Ukrainian troops remain at Azovstal, a claim that couldnt be independently verified. The Ukrainian officials didnt mention any numbers for the city defenders.

___

MOSCOW  The Russian military says it has struck a military plant on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital with missiles.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Sunday the military has used precision-guided air-launched missiles to attack the ammunition plant in Brovary outside Kyiv overnight.

He said that other Russian air raids also destroyed Ukrainian air defense radars near Sievierodonetsk in the east and several ammunition depots elsewhere.

The strikes were the latest in a series of Russian attacks on Ukraines weapons factories, air defense assets and other facilities as Moscow prepares for a massive offensive in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland called Donbas.

___

SOFIA, Bulgaria  Bulgaria has banned Russian-flagged ships from entering its Black Sea ports as part of expanded EU sanctions, the countrys Maritime Administration announced on its website on Sunday.

All vessels registered under Russian flag, as well as all vessels that have switched their Russian flag, or flag or maritime register registration to any other state whatsoever after Feb. 24, are forbidden access to Bulgarian maritime and river ports, the authority said.

Exceptions will be made only for ships in distress or seeking humanitarian assistance, or ships transporting energy products, food and pharmaceuticals to EU countries.

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KHARKIV, Ukraine  Russias bombardment of cities around Ukraine on Saturday included an explosion in Kharkiv that destroyed a community kitchen.

Associated Press journalists at the scene recorded the immediate aftermath of the apparent missile attack. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said three people were killed and 34 wounded by missile strikes Saturday in that city alone.

The kitchen was set up by World Central Kitchen, which is run by celebrity chef Jose Andres to establish feeding systems in disaster and war zones. Andres tweeted that the non-governmental organizations staff members were shaken but safe.

The organization says it has now reached 30 cities across the country, providing nearly 300,000 meals a day. Andres said the attack in Kharkiv shows that to give food in the middle of a senseless war is an act of courage, resilience and resistance and that his groups chefs will keep cooking for Ukraine.

___

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke Saturday with the leaders of Britain and Sweden about how best to help those defending Mariupol and the tens of thousands of civilians trapped inside the besieged city.

Mariupols fate can be decided either through battle or diplomacy, he said.

Either our partners give Ukraine all of the necessary heavy weapons, the planes, and without exaggeration immediately, so we can reduce the pressure of the occupiers on Mariupol and break the blockade, he said in his nightly video address to the nation. Or we do so through negotiations, in which the role of our partners should be decisive.

___

NEW YORK  A Russian general whose troops have been besieging the Ukrainian port of Mariupol was buried on Saturday in St. Petersburg after dying in battle, the governor said.

Maj. Gen. Vladimir Frolov was deputy commander of the 8th Army, which Russian media identified as being among the forces battering Mariupol for weeks.

Gov. Alexander Beglov released a statement saying Frolov died a heroic death in battle without saying where or when he was killed. Photographs on Russian news websites showed his grave at a St. Petersburg cemetery piled high with red and white flowers.

Ukraine has claimed that several Russian generals and dozens of other high-ranking officers have been killed during the war.

___

WASHINGTON  Austrias chancellor said after meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow this past week that the Russian president is in his own war logic when it comes to Ukraine.

Karl Nehammer told NBC in an interview that he thinks Putin believes he is winning the war. Nehammer was the first European leader to meet Putin in Moscow since Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24. He said we have to look in his eyes and we have to confront him with that, what we see in Ukraine.

Before arriving in Moscow last Monday, Nehammer had visited Bucha, Ukraine, the town outside of Kyiv where graphic evidence of killings and torture has emerged following the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Nehammer told Meet the Press that he confronted Putin with what he had seen in Bucha, and it was not a friendly conversation.

He said Putin said he will cooperate with an international investigation, on one hand, and on the other hand, he told me that he doesnt trust the Western world. So this will be the problem now in the future.

The Associated Press
The resignations this year of the only Black zookeepers at Vilas Zoo have led to a review of the workplace environment at various Dane County departments after the departing zookeepers accused management of racism, neglecting animal welfare, unequal discipline and retaliation.

The former zookeepers, a man and a woman, worked at the zoo for five and nearly four years, respectively, and have both gone on to work at other zoos in major U.S. cities.

In written exit interviews, other interviews, documents and emails obtained by the Wisconsin State Journal, the two former zookeepers and other zoo staff describe witnessing animals die because of zoo management decisions; the zoos deputy director using a racial epithet about Asians; and unfair treatment and retaliation for voicing their concerns to management. Among the charges of animal neglect, they said, a penguin had been decapitated by a raccoon.

In their exit interviews, both zookeepers pointed to the leadership of Beth Petersen, the general curator, and Joseph Darcangelo, the deputy director, as the cause of troubles at the zoo, which is owned by Dane County.

I foresee management being problematic as long as Beth Petersen and Joseph Darcangelo are in their current roles, wrote Taylor Woods, one of the zookeepers. They are more interested in their personal vendettas against certain staff members than they are in increasing animal welfare and developing their staff.

The other zookeeper, Marley Mann, likened the work environment at the zoo to a North Korean dictatorship where truth is bestowed from on high, regardless of fact, and dissent is not tolerated.

Mann, who has worked at the Dallas Zoo since leaving Dane County in January, said in an interview with the State Journal that discipline at the zoo had devolved into a culture of snitching, in which staff in the good graces of management get away with mistakes that could get others punished.

Woods, who left the zoo in February, declined a request for an interview. She now works at the St. Louis Zoo, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Petersen, Darcangelo and zoo director Ronda Schwetz did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In a statement on behalf of zoo management, Greg Brockmeyer, the director of Dane Countys Department of Administration, said the county encourages all departing employees to give honest feedback about their employment.

Obviously, there are times when such feedback may include assertions that are either obviously false or turn out to be unfounded after a thorough investigation, Brockmeyer said. Nevertheless, the County remains committed to providing employees a voice to express any concerns or suggestions when they decide to depart.

Union steps in

In March, Erik Anderson, a zookeeper and the head of ASFCME Local No. 65, which represents county workers, voiced concern about Manns and Woods resignations and complaints of racism to the Office for Equity and Inclusions advisory board.

We have no more Black zookeepers, Anderson said. I think that thats important to address, the lack of people who look similar to visitors, and especially for children, to look up to.

Anderson has made his own accusations against zoo management of retaliation and harassment over his union activities and reporting racism, according to documents. He declined to speak about conditions at the zoo on the record, citing the zoos media policy, which prohibits staff from speaking to reporters without authorization.

The exit interviews and Andersons comments have prompted an ongoing look into the workplace environments across various Dane County Departments jointly conducted by OEI (Office for Equity and Inclusion) & Employee Relations, Dan Lowndes, Dane Countys risk manager, said in an email.

Its not an hour-and-a-half review, Lowndes added, noting the review was ongoing and involved dozens of face-to-face interviews with employees. Its in depth to really figure out what we can do to improve things.

In the last five years, four complaints have been made to the Office for Equity and Inclusion regarding the zoo, according to copies of the complaints obtained through public records requests. County investigators determined all those complaints were unfounded.

Dying penguins

The Vilas Zoo has long been a beloved fixture of Madison. One of the last free zoos in the United States, the grounds, adjacent to the UW Arboretum, house more than 650 animals, from bison and flamingos to bears, snakes and giraffes.

But Mann and Woods also disclosed a number of actions by zoo management that they said led to the deaths of some animals.

In one instance, Petersen, the general curator, decided to stop trapping raccoons that got onto zoo property and instead put Epsom salts on the ground in an attempt to repel them, according to Woods exit interview and an interview with Mann and other zoo staff. The salts did not work as hoped, and a raccoon found its way into the penguin exhibit and decapitated an elderly African penguin named Alice.

Petersen then opted to trap the raccoons, Woods said. But Petersen put the traps on concrete, which caused the raccoons to rip the skin off their fingers and hands as they tried to dig out of the traps. The raccoons were then euthanized since they couldnt be released into the wild.

Zoo managers made other mistakes that led to the loss of five to six African penguins within the last year, Woods said. One of the penguins died from a fungus infection, and the others died from capture myopathy, an often fatal disease for animals in captivity caused by overexertion and handling.

Instead of sending them to an institution who has a successful penguin colony, we are providing them with stuffed animals and mirrors to make them think that they are in a larger colony, Woods wrote. This is not appropriate ... All of the bird-savvy keepers agree that we should send them out, but the managers have decided to keep them because it is easier.

Other incidents

In other animal welfare complaints, Woods alleged:

A capybara named Shrek jumped into a drained pool while it was sedated, breaking its legs. The animal was found dead the next morning.

A hornbill was introduced into a meerkat exhibit and was later found dead and partially eaten by the meerkats.

A young seal named Lucille had a common intestinal issue, yet died within a week after Peterson declined to take the animal to the vet.

Two green aracaris, a species of toucan, drowned after being introduced to an exhibit with an aquarium.

Theyll often come up with an idea that might sound good at a surface level, Mann said of management, citing the decision to introduce hornbills to the meerkat exhibit since some hornbills forage together with some mongooses.

But meerkats can eat small birds, Mann added.

We tried to diplomatically provide this info, that Hey, this is probably not going to turn out super well because they might kill each other, he said. They didnt want to listen to us.

Curator responds

Jess Thompson, the zoos conservation education curator, and veterinarian staff at UW confirmed the incidents involving the penguins, seal, capybara, hornbill and aracaris. Another hornbill has successfully lived alongside the meerkats since being introduced, Thompson said. Dr. Mary Thurber, an expert in zoological medicine who works for the zoo, said the sick seal received daily medical care.

Thompson noted that the zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a gold standard given to fewer than 10% of wildlife exhibitors in the country.

Half of all animals in zoos die before reaching their median life expectancy, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which notes on its website that it is particularly difficult to place an individual death in the context of what is typical for the species.

Many animals at the zoo live well beyond their median age, Thompson said, noting that the mother of Lucille the seal, Betty, died at 50 as the oldest seal in captivity.

Its (animal welfare) a field thats evolving and we are really fortunate to have experts both at UW that we work with and the AZA, Thompson said. Were always looking to evolve and update to the best of our knowledge and were proud of the longevity of the animals that are here.

The zoo has not seen any lapses in its accreditation since first receiving it in 1990, nor any animal welfare complaints, save one regarding an elephant 20 years ago that ultimately went to a sanctuary, said Rob Vernon, a spokesperson for the AZA. Vernon did not respond to questions about whether any animal deaths at the zoo have been reported to the association.

Documented complaints

In their exit interviews, both Mann and Woods cited racism and discrimination and the resulting lack of opportunity as reasons for quitting their jobs.

I have been the victim of many microaggressions and witnessed racism towards my coworkers several times (from the managers), Woods wrote. None of those incidents were ever acknowledged by upper management.

Neither recounted specific incidents in those interviews. However, other documents show Mann and other zoo staff complained to county officials about unequal treatment and that Darcangelo, the zoos deputy director, was accused by other zoo staff of referring to a Chinese restaurant in February 2020 as Ching-a-Lings and said it served Ching-Chong food.

Darcangelo made the comment to another zookeeper, according to documents.

That zookeeper, who declined to be named because of the zoos media policy, confirmed the incident to the State Journal.

Its a toxic waste dump here, the zookeeper said of the workplace environment. If you speak up against it, youre labeled as a bad person (by management).

After learning about and investigating Darcangelos comments at the time, Anderson, the head of the union, reported it to director Schwetz on June 30, 2020, according to emails.

Three days later, Schwetz emailed Anderson, calling his actions completely inappropriate. She noted that Anderson was not management and that his actions will have negative effects on any attempt to appropriately investigate this matter. Anderson was also ordered to appear for a pre-disciplinary meeting and hand over any information he had regarding complaints about Darcangelos comment. Anderson ultimately was not disciplined.

I would maintain that I do have a right to ask questions and report it, Anderson said in an interview with the State Journal. I would assert that thats my right and duty as an employee group officer.

In a complaint to the County Board, Local 65 said Schwetz was retaliating against Anderson for reporting racism in the workplace, adding that that the zoo director reprimanded Anderson for reporting widely known complaints of her fellow supervisors racist discriminatory misconduct.

In a response to the unions complaint, Amy Utzig, the countys director of human resources, urged county supervisors to dismiss the complaint and not investigate because Schwetz had already investigated Darcangelo.

Utzigs letter does not specify what Schwetzs own investigation found or whether Darcangelo was disciplined. Utzig declined a request for comment, saying the county does not comment on personnel matters.

There was one complaint made directly to zoo management in the last five years, but it was resolved internally, said Lowndes, the countys risk manager.

There have been no complaints about the zoo made to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Developments Equal Rights Division or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Lowndes said.

Workplace friction

While working at the zoo, Mann filed a grievance with the countys administration and a complaint of racism from zoo management to the Office for Equity and Inclusion.

Mann complained he was being discriminated against because of his race, leading to him being disciplined differently from other staff, assigned more work and not being allowed to work with big cats, his main field of interest.

During both probes, Petersen and Darcangelo denied Manns complaints to county investigators, according to documents. They said Mann had a history of showing up late for work and had nine disciplinary infractions.

But Mann argues he garnered so many infractions because he was made to work more areas of the zoo than other zookeepers, which made him prone to mistakes.

One of the infractions stemmed from when Mann and the zookeeper who reported Darcangelos alleged racist comment were working in the big cat area and accidentally let a lion get too close to a tiger. The other zookeeper is white.

They punished me and they did not punish him, and their justification for it was all these other infractions that they documented, Mann said in an interview. The other zookeeper wanted to take his share of the responsibility, but they wanted to blame me and give him a pass.

In an interview with the State Journal, the other zookeeper said he was as much if not more responsible for the incident.

In performance evaluations, zoo management wrote that Mann does own up to his actions and that he had a positive relationship with other keepers.

Of the four complaints about the zoo made to the Office for Equity and Inclusion, which included those by Mann, one was made by a female zoo employee in 2018, according to documents obtained through a records request.

The female employee reported that a male co-worker would enter her work area unannounced, making her anxious because she often triggered his anger. In a letter responding to the complaint from the Office for Equity and Inclusion, that female employee was told to work these issues out with your supervisor.

It is important that all Dane County staff work to get along and hopefully the issues in this case can be resolved within your department, wrote Carrie Braxton, the countys manager of Equal Employment Opportunity.

Past controversy

The complaints and accusations of zoo staff are the latest controversy to hit the zoos top brass in recent years.

In 2021, Schwetz, the zoos director, struck a deal with authorities in Seattle to dismiss criminal charges of sexually assaulting a male co-worker during a 2018 business trip in exchange for taking drug and alcohol awareness classes.

Two years prior, the Henry Vilas Zoological Society filed a complaint against Schwetz and her eventual accuser for making sexually explicit and demeaning comments to society staff. The accusations came as the zoo and the society were locked in a public battle over the societys role in operating concessions and guest services at the zoo.

A county investigation determined there was not enough evidence to prove that Schwetz had used a vulgar term to describe the societys executive director.

Now in Dallas, Mann describes his new job and relationship with management as a night-and-day difference compared to his experience in Madison.

Despite being on the job a couple of months, hes been moved up to a primary zookeeper position and is finally working in his longtime field of interest: large carnivores like lions, cheetahs and spotted dogs.

The management here trusts its staff and communicates with them ethically, Mann said.

As a primary keeper, Mann works in one area during the day, a far cry from his days in Madison, where he was expected to move between and build knowledge of multiple areas.

Its a night-and-day difference, he said.

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Attorney General Josh Kaul's investigation into clergy abuse has generated about 200 reports and one criminal case in the year since it was launched, Wisconsin Department of Justice officials said Tuesday.

Kaul began the investigation in April 2021, saying he wanted to develop a full picture of clergy sexual abuse over decades. He has encouraged victims to contact the Justice Department and tell their stories.

As of Monday, the agency had received 204 reports accusing more than 150 people of abuse. The investigation has resulted in one criminal case so far against a church camp counselor accused of touching a 10-year-old's genitals in Waushara County in 2009. That case is still pending.

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Joseph Cress is a reporter for The Sentinel covering education and history. You can reach him at jcress@cumberlink.com or by calling 717-218-0022.
PITTSBURGH  An officer answered a noise complaint at a Pittsburgh house where a party was going on about an hour and a half before gunfire broke out at the gathering, police said Monday after the weekend shooting that left two 17-year-olds dead and at least eight other people wounded.

An officer went to the home at about 11 p.m. Saturday and asked for the homeowner, and a male came downstairs and met the officer at the door. He was asked to turn the music down and did so, police said in a statement.

The officer told him if police were called back to the address again they would have to shut the party down, the police statement said. There were no further noise complaint or ordinance calls to the address. The call was cleared and no further report was needed.

Police Chief Scott Schubert told reporters at noon Sunday that hundreds of people  the vast majority of them minors  had gathered at the short-term rental property. The police statement noted that the habitable and visible part of the house where the party was held is on the second floor, out of view of the door.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, some kind of altercation occurred and gunfire ensued both inside and outside the rental home, and potentially back and forth, Schubert said Sunday. Bullet casings found at the scene indicated handguns and one rifle were used, he said, and police believe there were multiple shooters.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiners Office said Jaiden Brown and Mathew Steffy-Ross, both 17, were killed. Eight people were treated for gunshot wounds, and others were injured trying to escape, Schubert said, including two who broke bones after jumping from windows. One victim was injured after a car was shot up, Schubert said. Allegheny General Health said only one person remained hospitalized in serious condition Monday. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said two other people remained hospitalized in its system.

ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection and alert system, indicated more than 90 rounds were fired, and Schubert said we know there was a lot more than that between inside the structure and outside. Police were processing evidence at as many as eight separate crime scenes spanning a few blocks around the rental home. No arrests were immediately reported but Schubert said it is our top priority to find out who did this and get them off the street.

Airbnb spokesperson Ben Breit confirmed the house had been rented through the company and said the booker, who would have had to be 18 or older, has received a lifetime ban. Breit said Airbnb was cooperating with authorities.

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Aboard one of the last masked flights: Here's how crew, passengers found out masks weren't required

BURLINGTON, Vt.  The alerts began pinging our phones an hour before our flight: "Federal judge voids U.S. mask mandate for planes and public transportation."

But no one knew exactly what it meant. Now? Tomorrow? Who would tell us officially? Would someone tell us?

Our United Express pilot was unsure. She checked with her bosses after hearing the news. Transportation Security Administration officers were similarly unsure. They were also checking with their bosses.

Even White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in Monday's news briefing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department were all "reviewing the judge's decision." A few hours earlier, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa said the federal mask mandate exceeded the authority of the CDC.

'FACE MASKS ARE NOW OPTIONAL': Major airlines end mask rules early

So here I and my fellow passengers to Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., sat in our masks in the carpeted waiting area of Gate 8  watching through the windows as twilight settled over Mount Mansfield.

The masking requirement for travelers was the target of months of lobbying from the airlines, the Flight Attendants Association and congressional Republicans, which sought to remove it. The carriers argued that effective air filters on modern planes make transmission of the virus during a flight highly unlikely.

The mandate caused all kinds of tension, especially on long flights where people sit shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, unmasked, as they ate and drank.

'IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE BEHAVE': How to safely handle unruly travelers

USA TODAY reporter Trevor Hughes on a United Express flight to Dulles International Airport on April 18, 2022.

I recently returned from covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and European airlines were insisting everyone wear an N-95 type mask. And I didn't witness any complaints.

Personally, I've been flying in a cloth mask on U.S. carriers as I bounce around the country. I know it's not as effective as an N-95  which I wore religiously for the first two years of the pandemic  but I also recently spent two weeks in refugee shelters in Moldova and Ukraine, where vaccination rates hover at about 40%.

Story continues

Meanwhile, I have my two vaccine shots and a booster, and because I was visiting my elderly parents in Vermont, I tested before leaving home. (The test was negative.)

As we began boarding the small regional jet that would carry us to Dulles, the airport's overhead speakers made an all-too-familiar announcement: "You must wear a mask over your nose and face, and maintain a 6-foot distance from other people when possible."

Aboard the jet, the flight attendant was wearing the standard-issue blue United face mask, and she announced the standard face mask policy to passengers without acknowledging the change.

As my plane prepared to taxi to the runway, the pilot came on the overhead speakers to make the usual announcements about flight time and destination weather.

At the terminal, before she entered the cockpit, she confided that she would be happy to stop wearing a mask as soon as she got the official word. She said it was possible the policy change would be formally conveyed at any time.

She added that while she understands the frustration flyers feel, she wasn't about to change policy on her aircraft without formal notification.

An hour earlier, United Airlines told USA TODAY:

Effective immediately, masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival countrys mask requirements) or at U.S. airports. While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask  and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public  they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in the event of changes.

So after we boarded and took our seats, on what may be my last masked flight, our pilot said nothing to the other passengers.

United publicly announced the policy change via Twitter as my plane taxied to the runway.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: United Airlines flight experience as travel mask mandate lifts
Carolina Panthers linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested in Frisco, Texas, last week after allegedly threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend.

According to Michael Williams of the Dallas Morning News, police said Wilson faces a charge of assault with bodily injury of a family member. Wilson's ex-girlfriend, Ryan Sokolosky, said that he threatened to kill her while holding a tire iron and slammed her laptop on the ground after they had broken up.

Wilson signed with the Panthers last month. A team spokesperson said they were aware of Wilson's arrest but had no comment.

Wilson's attorney Toby Shook denied the allegations.

"Damien Wilson did not commit any type of assault," Shook told Williams. "We look forward to all the facts coming out so his name can be cleared."

Sokolosky spoke to the Dallas Morning News and said that she feared for her life after Wilson showed up at her apartment drunk and enraged. In addition to the death threat and destroyed laptop, Sokolosky said that Wilson damaged her patio, choked her friend and attempted to run her over with his car. She shared photos of the laptop and patio with the paper.

This is not the first time Wilson has been arrested on charges. In 2017, he was accused of backing his pickup truck into a woman and threatening a man with a rifle. A grand jury declined to indict Wilson on aggravated assault charges.

After being drafted by the Cowboys with a fourth-round pick in 2015, Wilson has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. He was a part of the Chiefs' title-winning team in Super Bowl LIV.
Mila Turchyn walks into a McDonalds parking lot near the Poland-Ukraine border. She is anxious. She doesnt trust the man she is about to meet. He is a smuggler.

Turchyn found the man via a messaging app a few days ago, advertising transport services for Ukrainians stranded in Russia. They made a deal $500 to drive Turchyns mom and sister from Moscow to Przemysl, Poland. Its more than most families fleeing war can afford.

She is wondering if it worked.

Turchyn turns and suddenly finds herself in her sisters arms. There is a brief moment of joy, but no time to hug her mom. The smuggler wants to be paid now. He extorts her for more cash. She pays. At this point, theres nothing more that she wants than to be with her family.

The exchange is finally over and the three women are reunited in Poland. They quietly and quickly embrace.

Mila Turchyn (center) was finally reunited with her mother Luba (right,) and sister Vita, (left) in Poland after a harrowing journey. - Li-Lian Ahlskog/CNN

For the Ukrainians who now find themselves displaced in Russia, however, getting to safety is dangerous. Thousands of Ukrainian people have been forcibly deported into the country that has bombed and besieged them, Ukrainian authorities say. 

When Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine began in late February, Turchyn, a Ukrainian-American medical student living in Cleveland, Ohio, frantically started searching through messaging apps, desperate to find any information on her hometown Izium, where her mom and sister lived.

I was trying to find crumbs of information, she explains. We have these Viber (messaging app) groups, and everybodys talking, Do you know where a missile hit today? Do you know which house was destroyed today?

Her phone became inundated with images of the city, which has been at the center of fierce fighting for weeks. Food, water and medicine shortages have created a human catastrophe for the thousands living under constant airstrikes and shelling.

Story continues

Every day, it gets worse, Max Strelnyk, a deputy in the Izium city councils office, told CNN at the end of March. Theres been no pause in the bombing  it started weeks ago  by the Russians. The dead are buried in the central park.

Izium lies on the main road between Kharkiv and the Russian-backed separatist areas of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, putting it in the crosshairs of Putins brutal onslaught.

Photos posted on social media show destruction in Izium. - from social media

Izium has been heavily bombed. - from social media

A few days into the conflict, Turchyn lost contact with her family. Cell networks in Izium were deliberately cut or jammed. She feared her mom and sister had been killed.

Somebody saw (on the messaging groups) that a missile actually hit my backyard, and I was crying so much because I didnt know maybe, they are already dead, she recalls through tears.

Unable to help her loved ones, Turchyn decided to help others and traveled to the Poland-Ukraine border, where millions of refugees were crossing into safety.

I came to Poland to take that energy and convert it into something, she says. Because crying and being depressed and just sitting at home  nothing was going to change.

On Facebook, she found Lesko House, a disused office building turned into a refugee center by its owner Wojciech Bryndza, who spent thousands of dollars out-of-pocket to provide food and shelter to dozens of fleeing families.

Turchyn decided to live and volunteer at the shelter. Every day she would try to call her family.

Finally, she got a return call, but it didnt come from Izium.

I heard from them for the first time after a whole month, and I was so torn. I was happy they were alive. But I was terrified. They were in Russia. And I dont know, should I be happy? Or should I be sad? she says.

Turchyn later found out her mom and sister, desperate to flee Izium, had found a local resident willing to drive them to the Russian border for a price. There was no way to go east, further into Ukraine.

We had only one chance to break out of this hell, Vita, Turchyns older sister tells CNN. And we decided not to lose this chance. We decided to go there and figure out whats next later.

Once they arrived in Moscow, the pair tried to board a train to Belarus, but say they were barred from doing so by Russian border officials.

Turchyn was desperate to get them out. She started to ask for help on the Viber groups that had provided her with information throughout the war.

Somebody from Poland gave me a number, and that led to another number and another number, she says of trying to find a smuggler online. They try to keep it secret because obviously, its dangerous.

Over the course of at least two days her mom and sister traveled in a large van with several other Ukrainians across Latvia and Lithuania, south towards Warsaw until they were reunited in Przemysl.

Turchyn and her sister embrace as they reunite in Poland. - Li-Lian Ahlskog/CNN

Now theyve filled me in on the details, it is worse than I thought, Turchyn says as her mom and sister share details of their weeks under Russian bombardment.

You can describe it in one word, it was hell. It was a nightmare you could never wake up from, Luba, her mom, says.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians living under Russian occupation face the same grim situation  cut-off from Ukraine even on their native soil, the only route out for the few who can find it is towards Putin.

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Ten days down and two more to go until the conclusion of Axiom Mission One (Ax-1), the historic all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

After arriving at the ISS with more than 25 experiments to complete, the Ax-1 crew is wrapping up the remaining science activities and are packing and preparing cargo transfers for return to Earth. They will bring back with them important data that will benefit future human spaceflight pursuits and humankind on Earth.

As the ISS moves over storms on Earth, Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Eytan Stibbe performed additional sessions of the ILAN-ES project by photographing lightning bolts in the atmosphere from above. Researchers and students have been simultaneously photographing the same lightning strikes from ground stations in specific locations across the world. This citizen science project aims to better understand the structure and behavior of lightning while enabling hands-on scientific engagement and international collaboration.

Lopez-Alegria, Stibbe, and Larry Connor completed the final session of the neurowellness research by monitoring brain activity with a high-density EEG system. During the mission, the crewmembers have been utilizing a novel dry sensor EEG device to take two recordings per day of up to 10 minutes. This study demonstrated an innovative EEG system for cognitive assessment and training for long-term space mission research.

Stibbe gathered images for the Nano ISS Antennae study, which will validate flexible communication antennae folding and deployment under microgravity conditions. Developed by NSLComm, this technology is a unique deployable reflector antenna to enhance high bandwidth communications.

In addition, Mark Pathy completed the BioMonitor study. The conclusive results of this activity will help investigate new analysis techniques to detect negative effects on the interaction of the heart, lungs, and circulation through real-time monitoring.

The crew is continuing to complete daily questionnaires related to sleep, pain, and understanding "home-life." This collection of personal data will help unravel the mysteries surrounding chronic pain and sleep disturbances during space travel.

When the Axiom astronauts depart from the orbiting lab, they will return to Earth with critical insight after dedicating their time conducting human tended research and life-changing science and technology demonstrations in partnership with leading global organizations, including the Mayo Clinic, Montreal Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and the Ramon Foundation. The results of these experiments will be used to provide important information about health and medicine on Earth and advance technologies to enable safer future space travel.

As they officially become the first fully private astronaut mission to the ISS, the crew's combined efforts will have opened the door for a new era of space travel.

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to two accidents involving area residents over the weekend.

At 10:11 p.m. Saturday night, Potosi resident Levi J. McClain, 22, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 44 at mile marker 187 in Phelps County when the 2017 Ford Focus he was driving traveled off the left side of the road, crossed the median and struck a 2016 Freightliner driven by Abdusamed M. Osman, 55, of Columbus, Ohio.

McClain and a passenger Dylan S. Mills, 25, of Potosi, both suffered serious injuries and were transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla.

The report states that McClain was not wearing a seat belt and Mills was wearing a seat belt.

At 9:53 p.m. Sunday night, a juvenile, 17, of Irondale was driving westbound on Route CC just west of Route BB in Washington County when he traveled off the left side of the roadway in his 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. The vehicle struck a pole and the driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital South by Washington County Ambulance.

It was unclear at the time if the operator was wearing a seat belt.

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The Fun & Healthy Cooking Adult Learning Zone Class held at the Madison County Health Department, had its final session April 7 with Foods from Around the World.

The event, sponsored by Madison Medical Center, Fredericktown School District and the Madison County Health Department, had the goal to offer fun and healthy cooking classes for adults.

"You know food is energy, not the enemy," Madison County Health Department WIC Nutritionist Abigail Weekley said. "We are trying to improve our relationship with food instead of fighting against it."

Weekley led the group in a mindful eating exercise. First she had the group choose between a York Peppermint Patty and a Cutie Clementine. Next, she had everyone look at the packaging/peel and feel it before jumping right in.

"Right now we are just trying to focus our attention," Weekley said. "We all have cravings and actually if we hold back on our cravings and we don't give in on them every once in a while then we are more likely to binge on things that you would consider to be unhealthy."

Weekley said there is no such thing as unhealthy food, you should just eat everything in moderation. She said food is everything and if you can not have a piece of cake at your grandma's 90th birthday party, then something is wrong.

Now that the group was focused on what food they had in front of them it was time to open the package/peel and engage the sense of smell. The practice had each person think of the look, feel and smell of the food and then gauge their craving level before taking a bite.

"Now you can take a bite and savor it," Weekley said. "Pay attention to the serotonin going to your brain. There are so many studies on intuitive eating. Paying attention to all of your senses and staying focused increases the likelihood that you will be satisfied without eating the entire chocolate bar."

Weekley said it is important to be mindful of the foods you eat when you are eating them and to try not to eat when distracted. She also said you can pretty much eat anything, but of course you want to eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can in a day.

"Ultimately when we are born you automatically know your fullness and hunger cues," Weekley said. "You kind of forget it as life goes on, but this is a good way of bringing it all back together."

Weekley prepared four different options for the group to try: an Italian pasta with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, chicken and a mixture of whole wheat and regular pasta; Japanese cotton cheesecake cupcakes with a whipped cream topping and fruit; Greek vegan gyros made with jackfruit; and Mexican carnitas.

MMC Marketing Manager Beth Simmons said the MOVE Madison County Health Initiative wants to not only motivate and offer opportunities for healthier living but also education as well. The group wanted these classes to be fun, beneficial and offer new ideas to the community.

"The healthy meals adult learning zone classes were a great success," Simmons said. "We had good attendance, great food and a lot of fun. Although we were only able to offer two classes, due to weather and sickness, we are looking into the possibility of offering more classes in the fall after receiving multiple requests to continue.

"Thank you to everyone who participated, as well as to, the Madison County Health Department, and the Fredericktown R-I School District for partnering with us to make these classes possible."

M.O.V.E. Madison County is a health and wellness initiative to motivate our community members, offer opportunities to be more physically active, celebrate victories together and provide education on healthier lifestyles. The initiative is a grant program through Madison Medical Center and Community Joint Partners that is supported by the Delta Regional Authority and the National Rural Health Resource Center.

For more information on future healthy events, as well as recipes, from the "Foods from Around the World" class, visit the M.O.V.E. Madison County Facebook page.

Victoria Kemper is a reporter for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-783-3366 or at vkemper@democratnewsonline.com

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It was an exclusive ticket with less than two dozen seats available, but apparently it wasnt the biggest show in town.

Charlottesvilles City Council met within City Halls council chambers Monday for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, but the landmark return to in-person meetings was quiet, with only a handful of community members and three news reporters sharing the room with councilors and staff.

Those who wanted to attend in person were required to preregister on the citys website prior to the meeting. Due to social distancing protocols within City Hall that space seats six feet apart, there was room limited to a maximum of 23 members of the public.

Masking was encouraged but not required. Sena Magill was the only councilor who wore a mask. Vice-Mayor Juandiego Wade was absent from the meeting but no reason was given.

The virtual option was still broadcasted via Zoom and Boxcast for people who prefer to watch from home. The pre-meeting work session was only broadcasted virtually, with councilors in chambers but no in-person access for the public.

Despite a short delay in the work session as communications employees helped councilors figure out Zoom access on their iPads, there were limited issues with the hybrid meetings.

While Interim City Manager Michael C. Rogers, Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas and communications employees were present in person, all other city staff conducted business virtually.

Not many community members attended the meeting in person, but those who did voiced their enthusiasm to be back in council chambers.

Don Gathers said that it had taken too long to return to in person meetings, and that while he was grateful to be back, he was concerned with how the city is handling it.

This indicates some level of progress, but Im still concerned about the number of people theyre allowing at any particular time; 23 people is not at all representative of Charlottesvilles population, Gathers said. Theres a lot that needs to be done in terms of transparency, but its a step in the right direction.

Most citizens attending in person spoke to the Council during the first community matters period of the agenda. Albemarle County resident Cabell Marshall presented large posters and diagrams to voice opposition against a planned unit development on Stribling Avenue.

A city resident of Crescent Halls, Alice Washington, voiced her concerns with inadequacies with the Crescent Halls bus stop. Afterward, Washington said its important to have face-to-face contact between community members and public officials, which is why she decided to attend the meeting in person.

Its easier to understand where someone is coming from when you talk to them in person. More can come across when youre seeing someones face instead of a computer screen  our facial expressions, body language, Washington said.

The meeting was NBC29 reporter Max Marcillas first in-person City Council meeting since he started covering City Council over a year and a half ago. He said he was impacted most by those making public comments.

These are people who value the community, who love the community and we have not seen their faces because on Zoom, it is just their audio, he said. To see their faces and put faces to names and faces to issues is really important.

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Although the latest appeal by the owner of a long-incarcerated Staffordshire bull terrier was denied Tuesday, there may yet be hope for his release.

Nine-year-old Niko has been in isolated custody at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA for more than six years after a woman said he got loose in her yard and killed her cat.

The long legal battle to prevent Niko from being killed under a court order, rehome him or return him to his owners has seen multiple appeals since 2015, with the latest being largely denied by the Virginia Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

The legal saga kicked off in 2015, when Nikos owner, Toni Stacy, was convicted of being the owner of a dog that killed a cat. On Aug. 6, 2015, Stacy was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 90 days suspended on the condition that Niko be euthanized.

She did not comply with the order that the dog be killed.

The state appeals court had granted an appeal hearing following a May 2021 decision from an Albemarle County Circuit Court judge.

Representing Nikos owner, attorney Elliott Harding argued the case to a panel of state appeals court judges earlier this month. Harding argued that because Stacys conviction was a Class 2 misdemeanor six years ago, the court no longer has jurisdiction to revoke her suspended sentence for failure to comply with the conditions of suspension.

In an unpublished opinion Tuesday, Judge Junius P. Fulton wrote that he found this argument unpersuasive.

Stacys arguments are yet another attempt to bite at the same apple that has been litigated over and over again. On multiple occasions after her sentence, the trial court entered orders concerning the disposal/euthanization of Niko pursuant to [state code], he wrote.

Each time the trial court entered an order, Stacy appealed. The effect of Staceys latest appeal is to challenge the trial courts ability to order what it has ordered multiple times before, the disposal/euthanization of Niko, the judge wrote.

However, Fulton clarified that the May 21, 2021 Albemarle County Circuit Court order under scrutiny in the latest appeal instructed disposal rather than death for the dog.

This request for disposal rather than euthanization of Niko was made by Stacy in a May 2019 motion to the trial court where she relied upon [the state code], he wrote. And, the trial courts May 21, 2021 order has the effect of granting Stacy the very relief she requested  disposal rather than euthanasia of Niko.

According to Harding, it isnt immediately clear what this means. He said he is in communication with local animal control and is hopeful theyll release Niko now that a judge has ruled euthanasia isnt required.

Whether he can return to [his owners] remains unseen, but theres definitely an opportunity for him to have another chance, Harding said.

In years past Harding and Stacy have advocated for alternatives to euthanasia, such as transferring Niko to another owner or re-homing and rehabilitating him in a different state. Now, with Fultons clarification about the meaning of the word disposal, it appears those options may again be on the table.

I know [Court of Appeals of Virginia] opinion comes out as a loss, but the courts reliance on the language of disposal clarifies that his fate isnt a foregone conclusion, which is what weve hoped for all along, Harding said. We know there are some willing and qualified alternatives for him.

Niko remains at the local SPCA, where he is allowed routine visits from his owners, who are permitted to play with him. Wells and Stacy regularly post updates and videos of Niko via a Facebook group with more than 10,000 members who routinely send encouraging messages of support to the imprisoned pooch.

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Various defendants in the Sines v. Kessler case, a civil lawsuit originating in the deadly 2017 Unite the Right rally, claim they should not have to pay attorneys fees due to a lack of jury verdict on key federal conspiracy claims.

Although a federal jury found the defendants guilty of participating in a civil conspiracy under Virginia law and ordered them to pay approximately $26 million in damages, the jury was unable to come to a decision on two key federal conspiracy claims.

The claims allege that the more than dozen defendants, who are all key organizers and participants in the Unite the Right rally, conspired to come to Charlottesville in August 2017 and commit acts of racially motivated violence.

The years-long lawsuit was an effort by various Charlottesville-area residents to hold accountable the organizers and participants of the rally that turned violent before it could even begin as well the preceding torch march on University of Virginia Grounds the previous night.

The trial wrapped in November after more than a month of testimony, hundreds of pieces of evidence and two days of jury deliberations.

Last month, counsel for the plaintiffs filed a motion seeking $14.5 million in attorneys fees and compensations, alleging the defendants severely extended the length of the trial and increased the expense of the litigation.

Due in part to a lack of verdict on the conspiracy counts under federal law, several of the defendants have filed motions seeking to reduce or outright dismiss attorneys fees requested by the plaintiffs. They have also filed separate motions seeking to dismiss the jurys verdict, have it re-tried or reduce the damages.

Josh Smith, attorney for the neo-Nazi group Traditionalist Worker Party, and two of the organizations leaders, David Matthew Parrott and Matthew Heimbach, argued in an April 13 motion for a fractional reduction of attorneys fees based on the counts the plaintiffs prevailed on.

Plaintiffs counsel expended literally tens of millions of dollars in connection with this case, suing a large number of people and entities they knew to have no assets, Smith wrote. After the court reduces the unlawful punitive damages awards, plaintiffs will ultimately have won an amount from each of the defendants which is less than the jurisdictional limit for small claims court in most states.

Comparing the lack of verdict on two of the three conspiracy claims to scoring a 33% on a school examination, Smith posed the question of whether the court would believe your result on the examination to be a success.

A lack of jury verdict is different than a jury ruling against a claim. The plaintiffs attorneys have previously expressed intentions to re-try the case on the two federal conspiracy claims.

Smith argued in his filing for a two-ninths reduction of fees, saying that the jury decision to decline to award compensatory damages for two of the nine plaintiffs supports lower fees.

Smith said in his motion that he offered a $50,000 settlement to the plaintiffs. It was refused.

Smith argued that if the reductions in the punitive damages are awarded, the plaintiffs would receive 58% of the Offer of Judgment amount.

Plaintiffs far less favorable results against these defendants necessitates a further significant reduction to any award. It bars recovery of any costs after this date, and ought to preclude any attorneys fees thereafter as well, he wrote.

Counsel for defendants James Alex Fields Jr., League of the South, Michael Hill and Michael Tubbs relied on fewer fractions in their motions arguing against the attorneys fees.

Dave Campbell, Fields attorney, argued that to say his client has no ability to pay fees or costs exceeding $1 million dollars is an understatement.

Fields has been locked up since Aug. 12, 2017 when he drove his vehicle into a crowd of anti-racist protesters, murdering Heather Heyer and injuring dozens, including six of the plaintiffs. He is currently serving more than two-dozen life sentences based on criminal convictions from courts on both the state and federal level, including first degree murder.

The bulk of the trial damages were directed at Fields, whom the jurors ordered to pay more than $13 million in both compensatory and punitive damages.

In addition to arguing that the incarcerated Fields has no way to pay attorneys fees, Campbell argued that the plaintiffs make no attempt to delineate what costs and fees were incurred pursuant to which claim or claims.

The thrust of plaintiffs litigation, and thus costs and fees, were the federal hate crime claims on which they did not prevail, he wrote. Much of the fees were wholly unnecessary on their face such as rush transcript requests on each and every deponent, even those taken years prior to trial, and daily and streaming transcripts.

Bryan Jones, counsel for League of the South, Hill and Tubbs, made a very similar argument in his motion, describing the state conspiracy claim as an afterthought.

In the years leading up to trial, plaintiffs counsels frequent media appearances, interviews, and public statements focused almost exclusively on the unsuccessful federal claims, Jones wrote. During closing arguments at trial, plaintiffs counsel made almost no mention of any other claims besides the unsuccessful federal claims.

Several defendants have yet to file challenges to the attorneys fees but may do so in the future. One defendant, Chris Cantwell, filed a handwritten motion asking for an extension to file a response.

Cantwell is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. He has previously been denied the lengthy extensions he requested.

It remains to be seen when a federal judge will rule on how much the plaintiffs counsel will receive in fees.

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Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High 97F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
Fireworks might be off-limits this year in the unincorporated parts of Benton County. Bonfires and other outdoors burning could also be out of the question.

County Counsel Vance Croney told the Board of Commissioners last week he had taken a hard look at Lane Countys model as an option to ban both fireworks and outdoor fires if the need arises.

Lanes code is tied to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, so if any jurisdiction in the county enacts a fire season burn ban, it automatically applies to all the unincorporated areas and prohibits the use of fireworks as well.

It doesnt require the Board of Commissioners to get into any controversial moisture readings, trying to read the weather patterns, trying to become your climate forecaster, Croney said. It really leaves the determination to the expert.

It would have been preferable, he said, to start talks about a ban in January, which would have given the county more time to alert those who rely on summertime firework sales revenue. Commissioners may hear some pushback from vendors about the late notice, he said.

Cities would not be affected by a Benton County fire ban.

Emergency Manager Bryan Lee said that fires started by fireworks typically involve devices that are already illegal, not sparklers and fountains and such.

Suggesting an emphasis on community education about the dangers of fire season and when it begins, Commissioner Pat Malone said with only a few deputies expected to be on-hand for the Fourth of July, enforcing a fireworks ban would be challenging.

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Commissioner Nancy Wyse agreed that smaller fireworks arent the major concern when it comes to wildfires. She did not support a ban, but said if the incorporated areas of the county expressed a desire for action from the county, she would reconsider.

Calling for more communication with the cities, Commissioner Xan Augerot said the issue should be kept on the table. She said there are risks to address and not taking action could make them worse. She supported ramping up public education on the topic.

Croney pointed out that a burn ban could stand alone without the fireworks ban. No action was taken during the meeting, but more information and discussion is expected in the future, possibly in late May.

Croney added it would likely take 60 days to implement a fire ban when commissioners approve it.

The burn ban component is important, Augerot said. I would like to see us move ahead with that piece.

There was also a discussion about preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. Lee said an evacuation drill is scheduled for participating communities, similar to one held this past year.

That will allow community members to practice their evacuation routes and familiarize themselves with the notification process, Lee said.

The date of the drill has not yet been announced.

Cody Mann covers Benton County and the cities of Corvallis and Philomath. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter via @News_Mann_.

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The four-person, multinational Ax-1 crew has barely had any down time since they arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) over a week ago.

The crew has dedicated about 14 hours each day aboard the ISS to further human knowledge on how space impacts health, the functionality of next generation technologies in microgravity, and the preparations needed to meet the demands of long-distance and long-duration space travel. Through the Ax-1 mission, the private astronauts have expanded the volume and type of research conducted on the space station, making the ISS more accessible to a broader range of individuals and organizations.

As the crew nears the end of their short-duration mission, their final days have been focused on finishing their extensive list of science- and technology-related activities. The private astronauts will soon return to Earth with critical data and insight from an array of studies that will bolster the potential for new sectors to work in microgravity and advance the low-Earth orbit economy.

Today the crew continued gathering personal data for stress monitoring research by wearing sensors, completing a self-reporting questionnaire, and utilizing a functional testing mobile application. This project is important for understanding stress levels among crewmembers throughout their space journey.

As part of a multi-year research program exploring self-assembly methods for in-space construction, Ax-1 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria successfully completed all operations for TESSERAE. Named after the small tiles in ancient Roman mosaics, the modular TESSERAE tiles can join to create a larger structure. The prototypes used on the Ax-1 mission include an extensive suite of sensing and electro-permanent magnets that monitor diagnostics and provide insight into the quality of bonds between tiles. The scaled demonstration builds on previous microgravity evaluations of the TESSERAE investigation to explore a new frontier for in-orbit construction of satellites and future space habitats.

Adding to the list of successfully completed projects, Larry Connor wrapped up the final operations for the aging and heart health study. In coordination with the Mayo Clinic, his work will contribute to the understanding of cellular senescence and its causes, potentially leading to clinical trials for diseases related to cellular aging, including cancer.

Eytan Stibbe proceeded to collect daily images for the Nano ISS Antenna, which is a unique deployable reflector antenna for high-bandwidth communications. Two more image collections will be conducted to finish this test.

Stibbe completed work for the AstroRad Vest investigation. The vest was created to protect astronauts from radiation in space as they travel beyond low-Earth orbit. This vest will help mitigate the effects of solar particle events by utilizing selective shielding to maximize efficiency and minimize impacts to ergonomics.

In addition, Stibbe performed additional sessions of the ILAN-ES project to study electrical phenomena above thunderstorms, known as Transient Luminous Events (TLE). Observing these events from space will be compared with imagery taken of the same events from the ground to enhance understanding of what is happening between the upper and lower atmosphere.

Mark Pathy continued his work on the Earth Observation study by gathering images from the Cupola. By using the collection of images taken and comparing images in the database of astronaut handheld photography, researchers from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada plan to analyze and present a pictorial review of the impact of human and natural pressures on our terrestrial ecosystem.

Each day the crew is making considerable progress in completing the more than 25 experiments brought aboard with them on the ISS. Their efforts and hard work on the collection of studies will ultimately impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and in-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and the design for our future homes away from Earth, beginning with Axiom Station.

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A Benton County nurse has surrendered her family nurse practitioner license after she reportedly gave an improper assessment and provided improper medication for a coronavirus-positive patient, according to the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Disciplinary documents from the board say on or around Aug. 1, 2021, officials received information that Renee Edwards of Corvallis did not follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for treating a patient who had COVID-19.

The documents say Edwards went against nursing standards by prescribing, dispensing, administering or distributing drugs in an unsafe manner. They do not say which specific treatment she prescribed.

The state first issued Edwards a license on Oct. 8, 2004.

As a result of these allegations, Edwards voluntarily surrendered her nursing license, according to Oregon State Board of Nursing, which accepted her surrender. According to the disciplinary documents, if Edwards wants to reinstate her nurse practitioner license after a minimum of three years, she may submit an application to the Board.

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Isolated Christians in Middle East Turn to New Streaming Service

Two-thirds of region's young people stream videos on phones; SAT-7 PLUS provides 'digital generation' with gospel





STREAMS IN THE DESERT: Isolated Christians in the Middle East are using their smartphones to connect with other believers on the region's first-ever faith-based streaming service. SAT-7 PLUS (www.sat7usa.org) -- a Netflix-type service that provides faith-based programs 24/7 in Arabic, Farsi and Turkish -- is a spiritual lifeline for "secret" Christians living in fear of persecution and even death



NEWS PROVIDED BY

SAT-7

April 19, 2022



EASTON, Md., April 19, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- Isolated Christians in the Middle East, including many struggling to survive, are using their smartphones to connect with other believers on the region's first-ever faith-based video-on-demand service.



Since launching a year ago, SAT-7 PLUS -- a Netflix-type service of faith-based programs 24/7 in Arabic, Farsi and Turkish across the Middle East and North Africa -- has become a spiritual lifeline for those who must live out their faith in secret in a region that's only 3% Christian.



The free video-on-demand service -- described as "virtually uncensorable" -- penetrates even remote mountain areas and deserts.



"Meeting and worshipping with other believers is a matter of life and death for Christians in some parts of the Middle East and North Africa," said Shady (pronounced Sha-dee) Francis, Arabic digital director for media ministry SAT-7 (www.sat7usa.org).



The channel gives those under threat of persecution in places like Iran and Afghanistan the previously unimaginable opportunity to join other believers worshipping in their own language in real-time.



Digital, Social 'Explosion'

Use of digital and social media is surging in places like Iraq and Syria, especially among young people searching for hope and purpose amid war and collapsing economies.



"We all know that young people are spending more and more time on screens, consuming content that's often harmful and pushes them further away from God," said Francis. "The upside is that we're meeting young people right where they are on social media and video streaming. Every day, the gospel is changing lives."



More than two-thirds of people in the region use their phones to stream and watch video content, according to SAT-7's technology director Antoine Karam in the Middle East.



"In the midst of all their struggles, they're ready to see God's love made visible," he said.



Popular social media platforms such as Facebook -- used every day by 90% of young people in the Middle East and North Africa -- link to the Christian channel's livestreams.



Via messaging apps, viewers can chat with online counselors who speak their language, understand their struggles, and respond to their questions about faith.



'Children of the Light'

"Many viewers don't come from Christian backgrounds, and they're eager to see and know more," said Francis. "Because they're raised with the idea that Christianity is a Western religion, they're often surprised to learn that the Christian faith began here in the Middle East."



"I can't describe it, but my whole being was filled with the presence and peace of the Holy Spirit," a viewer told the ministry recently. Another viewer described the show's hosts as "children of the Light."



About SAT-7

Launched in 1996, SAT-7 (www.sat7usa.org) -- with its international headquarters in Cyprus -- is a multimedia ministry that broadcasts Christian and educational satellite television and online programs to people in the Middle East and North Africa. Its mission is to make the gospel available to everyone, and support the church in its life, work and witness for Jesus Christ. SAT-7 broadcasts 24/7 in Arabic, Farsi (Persian), Dari and Turkish, using multiple satellite channels, social media, and online services.



SOURCE SAT-7



CONTACT: Matti Stevenson, 719-360-0586, mstevenson@inchristcommunications.com


The Optimist Club of Jackson County welcomed Aaron Day, principal of Marianna High School, to their meeting on April 5.

After telling the members how he fell in love with teaching while on a mission trip in Argentina and his first 19 years in education in Liberty County, he talked about his vision for Marianna High School.

While he will continue to deal with all serious problems (drugs, alcohol, weapons, etc.) swiftly and equitably, he prefers to focus time and energy on identifying and encouraging all of the good behavior he sees.

His goal is to change the atmosphere of the school by highlighting all of the positive things that happen.

One of the changes hes working toward is bringing dual-enrollment classes back to the high school. Currently, students can take classes at Chipola College; however, for those students who dont have a car or gas to get back and forth to the college, dual enrollment is not an option. Bringing those courses to the Marianna High School campus will allow more students to benefit from this program.

The Optimist Club of Jackson County, which recently celebrated its 33rd birthday, meets at Jims Buffet & Grill on the first and third Tuesday of every month, at noon, and invites optimistic community members to join them.
BUSINESS Export revenues surge 86 percent in Q1

(HBO)  Striving to maximise advantages brought about by free trade agreements so as to expand export markets, especially for high added-value products to markets that are on the course of prompt recovery after COVID-19, Hoa Binh posted positive results in exports-imports in the first quarter of 2022.

Export revenues hit 361.85 million USD in the period, enjoying a year-on-year surge of 86.13 percent and reaching 25.18 percent of the years plan.





Photo: In the first three months, Esquel Vietnam garment-textile company in Hoa Binhs Luong Son industrial park strived to restore production to contribute to the provincial export revenues.

Export turnover of electronic products was estimated at 208.12 million USD, expanding 101.01 percent against the same period last year and accounting for 57.5 percent of total revenues. Garment-textile raked in 106.23 million USD in Q1, up 52.28 percent and making up 29.35 percent.

It is worthy of note that the export of farm produce also saw recovery, but only made up 5 percent in the total exports and did not align with the provinces potential. Hoa Binhs products were mainly shipped to traditional markets of the US, Europe, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia and ASEAN nations.

Also in the quarter, the province imported goods worth nearly 272.47 million USD, rising 72.56 percent compared to the same period last year and hitting 24.84 percent of the years plan./.








By Trend

The positive results of socio-economic reforms, along with the expansion of the population's participation in the social insurance system, contributed to a steady increase in social insurance revenues, Azerbaijans State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) told Trend.

According to the SSPF, revenues to the compulsory state social insurance fund increased by 152 million manat ($89.4 million) or 17 percent in 1Q2022 compared to the same period last year and amounted to 1.46 billion manat ($858.8 million).

The increase in revenues from budget organizations amounted to 13.4 percent or 45.7 million manat ($26.8 million) and from non-budget organizations - 19.2 percent or 106.3 million manat ($62.5 million).
Suffolk-based brewery Adnams has announced that it will be collaborating with the California-based Sierra Nevada to launch a new transatlantic pale ale.

The release of Eastern Edge will mark Adnams 150th anniversary and is inspired by two key beers from each brewery, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Adnams cask Southwold Bitter.

Finding like-minded brewers, sharing stories and collaborating on a new beer recipe over a pint or two  its truly one of the most unique and amazing things about the craft beer industry, said Steve Grossman, brewery ambassador at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Being invited by Adnams to collaborate on a brew to help commemorate its 150th anniversary was sincerely a great honour. Hopefully, the good folks of Adnams will celebrate with Sierra Nevada when our brewery marks its 150th anniversary!.

The brew has been produced using a combination of yeast from Sierra Nevada and Adnams as well as UK and US varieties of Cascade and Chinook hops.

Adnams house yeast, which has been used since the 1920s, and Sierra Nevadas Chico yeast, have given the breweries their distinct flavours for many years, so we thought that it would be interesting to have the yeasts work in tandem, for a true collaboration, said Adnams head brewer, Dan Gooderham.

American hops are such an essential component for Sierra Nevadas Pale Ale, so we decided to source some UK grown hops of the same variety to add even more depth of flavour to Eastern Edge.

Eastern Edge will be available in 440ml cans from 25 April from adnams.co.uk and in Adnams stores as well as in cask and keg in Adnams pubs.
Immerse yourself in the art of mixology with Mastercard at Vietnam Bar Week 2022

After a period of social distancing, when was the last time you sat down for a soulful cocktail with friends and unwound at your favorite bar?

Or are you a "cocktail nerd" and on a bar-hopping mission to explore the mixology world?

Mastercard and Vietcetera is bringing Vietnam Bar Week 2022 your way.

Vietnam's bar scene on the rise

Vietnams F&B scene is on the rise and gaining international attention. Changing demand to create deeper connections and the urge for a healthier lifestyle have facilitated the switch among Vietnamese, especially the young, to a new and rapidly rising trend: the cocktail culture.

Climb Bar in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Mastercard

Cocktails today have become must-have companions and a never-ending topic for conversation in casual and friendly gatherings. For any gourmets constantly on the search for an amazing culinary experience, theres no better option than slowly sipping an impeccable cocktail prepared by a renowned mixologist and savoring each layer of flavors perfectly combined.

It gets even better with the addition of great atmosphere, good music and a sense of intimacy and comfort. Unlike nearly a decade prior, when denizens of Vietnam's capital could only enjoy a cocktail in a fine dining hotel and restaurant, youngsters today could easily find a cocktail house of different scale, theme and expertise thanks to emerging culinary and mixology destinations.

Vietnam's bar scene today is a machine of bursting flavor, talent and innovation.

Immerse in the art of mixology with Mastercard

As a part of Flavors Vietnam 2022, the third edition of the annual program to shine a spotlight on the Vietnam F&B scene, organized by Mastercard and Vietcetera, Vietnam Bar Week is a "must" for any mixology enthusiasts, offering exclusive access to up to 40 bars.

From speakeasies and whiskey dens, to brew houses and high-end cocktail bars, Mastercard cardholders are invited to explore bespoke cocktails at the trendiest venues and concepts in town as the night progresses, while enjoying a privileged 15 percent discount off the special menu price as well as other attractive offers, exclusively created for Mastercard holders.

Vietnam Bar Week 2022 is presented by Mastercard and Vietcetera. Photo by Mastercard

The curated gastronomic event lasts a week, from April 9 to 17, following Vietnam Restaurant Week - another culinary activity under Flavors Vietnam 2022 that presented dining experiences at Vietnams best of best.

Similar to Restaurant Week, foodies are encouraged to explore the culinary map of 40 shortlisted bars and mixologies and collect 10 stickers from both activities and win a special photobook from the program, successfully concluding their culinary journey with Flavors Vietnam.

The gastronomic festival was kicked off in early January this year, in recognition of the Vietnamese F&B sectors perseverance in taking its rightful place on the global culinary map. The third and grandest ever Flavors Vietnam this year also marks the commencement of Mastercards bigger campaign "Make a Priceless Moment with Mastercard", in an effort to extend its award-winning Priceless platform to the Vietnam market.

Labar in District 1, HCMC. Photo by Mastercard

Vietnam is witnessing growth in the F&B space post social distancing restrictions, with many ongoing culinary activities that drive average expenditure for the food service industry higher than some other countries in APAC, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand.

In such a diverse market where the love for food has become the universal language, Mastercard chooses cuisine to be the natural leading passion point for the brand's first-ever establishment of their "Make a Priceless Moment with Mastercard" campaign under the global Priceless agenda, serving as the underpinning for bringing people and communities together.

Following its long-standing commitment to fuel and enable passion, Mastercard is going an extra mile to connect people over a shared passion for food and the distinctive taste in Vietnamese cuisine, and in doing so, create special and "priceless" moments in life with their loved ones.

Throughout Flavors Vietnam 2022, passionate foodies have been introduced to a series of exclusive and unforgettable gastronomic experiences at selected restaurants and bars featured in Vietnam Restaurant Week and Bar Week, provided by the country's leading culinary and mixology experts. Furthermore, Mastercard cardholders have exclusive access to a selection of curated offers, spanning culinary and travel from the Mastercard Priceless Specials platform, uniquely crafted for Vietnam.

Visit www.FlavorsVietnam.com to plan your bar-hop journey and enjoy moments with Mastercard.
An angry couple is having an argument. Photo by Unsplash

Nguyen Minh Thuy, while on training abroad in 2017, had to list her daily needs and prices for her husband in Vietnam to send money.

Her husband, Duc, told her before she left the country: "I will transfer money every day. You just have to list whatever you need to buy and their prices."

The couple had agreed since the beginning that his income would be used for investing and saving while hers would be used to cover all family expenses.

But soon the 35-year-old from Hanoi's Cau Giay District tired of this agreement and complained to him several times and to mutual friends so that they could advise him.

After this he agreed to contribute to household expenses, but she says he only gives her money twice a year.

When her company sent her to a training workshop in the U.K., she had hoped it would make her husband understand and sympathize with her daily struggles with expenses at home.

But he said she could only go on condition she gives him her bank account operation details and lists her daily needs, including for food, for him to send money.

Thuy once had a party with her fellow trainees three months after arriving in the U.K, and asked him to transfer some extra money. But he claimed that since he had to take care of the children his income had decreased, and that instead of saving money she chose to waste it.

So she had to borrow money from her colleagues and promise to pay them back after returning to Vietnam. When he heard this, he scolded and threatened to divorce her.

A week later he stopped sending money.

Thuy looked for a part-time job, but he insulted and criticized her for it. She finally gave in and chose to make peace by obediently returning to being financially dependent on him.

"This is a prime example of financial bullying, a form of domestic abuse," lawyer Nguyen Hong Thai of the Hanoi Bar Association says.

Economic violence is uncommon but that is changing in modern society, she says.

A 2019 United Nations Population Fund survey on violence against women in Vietnam found 21 percent of women had experienced financial abuse by their husbands, including 12 percent at the time of the survey.

A study by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences found 47.2 percent of women have experienced mental violence, 7.3 percent have experienced physical abuse, 4.2 percent have experienced sexual abuse and 1.8 percent have experienced financial abuse.

Vietnam has laws to penalize spouses who refuse to financially contribute to the family, control the spouse's finances or use financial or non-financial means to control their partners.

However, they entail fines of merely VND300,000-500,000 for refusing to allow family members to use common property without justifiable reasons.

"Unfortunately, this law was scrapped in 2021," Thai says.

HCMC psychologist Nguyen Thi Tam says though there are no official statistics, men can also be victims of financial abuse in the family though admittedly not in the same ratio as women.

In a 2013 poll done by VnExpress of over 1,000 readers, half said they give their entire salary to their wives, only "asking" for expense money.

Tran Trong Hung, 57, of Hai Duong Province gives his salary to his wife and complains that asking for money to spend daily is never easy.

He feels like he has been financially controlled by his wife over their 20 years of marriage since she is in charge of every penny at home.

He earns over VND10 million a month working as a civil servant, and his wife, Tien, runs a small business.

After he got married Hung decided to give his entire salary to his wife, believing he was not a person attached to money. But Tien grumbles when he asks for money, and demands to know why he needs it.

She accumulated enough money to buy land and build rooms for rent. They are all in her name and she keeps the entire income from the rentals.

He only used to be sad, not angry, since he thought she was saving and managing the money for the sake of the entire family.

However, during the last Lunar New Year, he took out more than VND1 million from his salary to buy gifts for his parents. That night she got hopping mad and they got into argument. She even threw an entire food tray away in anger.

Her sister told them then: "From now on each should keep their own money and only put in money in a common pool for food and raising the children".

Hung agreed right away. Tien, on the other hand, listed out all the expenses in the house, from food and children's education to toilet paper and others, and said she needs his entire salary to manage.

He says it is like "hell on earth" when his entire salary goes into his wifes clutches.

Nguyen Thi Tam, a psychologist, says financial abuse makes victims feel weak, hurt, frustrated, and unappreciated.

Many spouses choose to set up a secret fund to relieve their frustration, in the process engendering doubts and losing trust in each other.

Thuy returned home and quietly opened a bank account and bought another phone, which she left in her personal locker in the office. She transfers outside earnings and unexpected bonuses to the secret account in order to have a little more money for herself.

She also wants to put money aside for herself because her love for her husband has turned into a fear of losing control.

Tran Anh Dung, 37, of Hanoi's Nam Tu Liem District, burst out laughing at a beer pub at hearing all his companions had a secret fund.

"There is no way to live without a black fund," they concluded.

Dung and his wife, Nguyen Bich Thuy, have a joint bank account that she manages. She chooses everything from clothes to shoes, gifts for grandparents and gifts he has to give his customers.

"It's nice to have someone take care of everything, but sometimes I feel like I am my wife's child," he says.

He also notes that she is determined not to give him any money if he goes drinking with his friends more than once a month. He says as a result of this his social relationships and career opportunities have dwindled over time.

After being restrained by his wife for five years, the salesman is down to only one sales channel, social networks.

Thuy believes that the "contract on the drinking table" is nothing more than an excuse for men to drink.

"My monthly sales are the lowest in the department while my wife blames me for not working hard enough to get a raise," he says with a sigh.

Once when his group of old college friends met up and hung out, Dung sat quietly when the bill came. When he returned home he begged his wife to give him some money to transfer to his friend, but she refused.

After a few incidents like that he began to lose contact with friends.

Then, instead of transferring his overtime wages to the joint account, he only gave half.

He says: "My wife makes a fuss, but I just ignore her. I'm not a prisoner to be manipulated by her. If she can't stand it, I don't mind if we get divorced".

Thuy claims she does not seek financial control over her husband. They have had two children during their five years of marriage, but his salary has not risen by a single dong, she says.

"I have to take care of food and our old parents. So why do I have to take care of my husband's drinking money?"

Though illegal, Thai believes financial bullying is alive and thriving behind closed doors in many families but not many are willing to speak up or sue their spouses.

However, this conflict ends many marriages, he says. A fifth of all divorce cases in 2021 were filed due to financially bullying by spouses.

Tam says having one spouse "managing money" in the family is fine as long as they know how to calculate and grow the family's economy.

Nevertheless, as soon as they begin living together, couples should have a candid and open discussion about finances and come to an agreement on income and spending, she says.

When it is necessary to reduce spending for a common goal, it is important to discuss and reach an agreement with the spouse so that the other person does not feel controlled, she points out.

Hung did not have the courage to stand up, but he has not shared a bed with his wife for decades. He recently met a widowed woman while working out and they fell in love. Hung intends to divorce Tien after his children marry so that he can seek his own happiness.

Thuy accepts ceding financial control to her husband for her children's sake but has a secret bank account.

"If we fall out of love, I will not feel sorry for myself, only regret I was unable to provide a happy family for my kids".
A series of recent events has led to hope the devastating war in Yemen could end with a political resolution.



The war began seven years ago, when Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized sizeable swaths of the country and forced the internationally recognized president of Yemen into exile. Since then, at the request of the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia has led a coalition of countries against the Houthis. The conflict has led to the deaths of an estimated 377,000 people, uprooted millions, and driven Yemenis into severe poverty and hunger.



On April 2, the start of Ramadan, a United Nations-brokered, two-month, renewable truce between the Republic of Yemen Government and the Houthis went into effect. It stipulated the cessation of military operations by both sides; facilitation for fuel ships to enter Hudaydah port and for commercial flights from Sanaa airport to predetermined destinations; and an agreement to open roads leading to the besieged Taiz governorate and other contested areas.



U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said the truce represented the first step to a possible permanent ceasefire. If the international community and parties can work together, this could be built into a lasting ceasefire and inclusive political process that ultimately gives shape to a new Yemen, he said. "We want to build on a decisive moment that helps Yemen turn the corner."



A few days after the truce went into effect, Yemens exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi ceded power to a new Presidential Leadership Council tasked with running the government during a transitional period and negotiating a permanent ceasefire and settlement with the Houthis.



The same day, Saudi Arabia and the UAE pledged $3 billion in economic aid to Yemen. The United States hailed the economic support, which could help stabilize the economy and improve Yemenis access to basic services. In addition, Saudi Arabia pledged $300 million for the UNs Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan.



The United States welcomed the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, We support the aspirations of the Yemeni people for an effective, democratic and transparent government.



The United States remains committed to helping advance a durable, inclusive resolution to the conflict in Yemen. We urge the Presidential Leadership Council to abide by the UN-negotiated truce and cooperate with comprehensive UN-led efforts to end the conflict. Yemenis must have the opportunity to determine the future of their country. We urge all parties to choose the path of peace and dialogue.
The United States reiterates its grave concern over continuing reports of ethnically-motivated atrocities committed by Amhara regional authorities in western Tigray, Ethiopia. Many of these are documented in a recent joint report by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. In particular, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price in a statement, we are deeply troubled by the reports finding that these acts amount to ethnic cleansing.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watchs report concluded that newly-appointed administrators in the Western Tigray zone, as well as regional officials and security forces from Ethiopias Amhara region, are responsible for a campaign of ethnic cleansing as well as crimes against humanity and war crimes, targeting Tigrayan civilians in Western Tigray since the conflict began in November 2020.

Spokesperson Price noted that thousands of Ethiopians of Tigrayan ethnicity reportedly continue to be detained arbitrarily in life-threatening conditions in western Tigray. We urge the immediate release of any such remaining detainees and call on relevant authorities to grant international monitors access to all detention facilities.

It remains our firm position, said Mr. Price, that there must be credible investigations into and accountability for atrocities committed by any party to the conflict as part of any lasting solution to the crisis. We urge the Government of Ethiopia to cooperate with the UN Commission of Experts on Human Rights in Ethiopia.

Continued reports of atrocities underscore the urgency of ending the military conflict. The United States supports the declarations of a cessation of hostilities by the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray regional authority and welcomes the news that they have been followed by initial convoys of life-saving assistance. In keeping with these declarations, the U.S. renews its call on all armed actors to renounce and end human rights abuses and violence against civilians.

The United States reiterates its call for all foreign forces to withdraw from Ethiopia as well as for the regional state authorities to remove their security forces from neighboring regions.

Spokesperson Price urged all parties to take necessary steps to ensure the cessation of hostilities, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access, transparent investigations into human rights abuses and violations by all actors, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict in Ethiopia.
ELKO  The Elko Federal Credit Union board of directors this week announced it is welcoming Todd Sorenson as their next President and CEO.

Sorenson has more than 20 years experience serving credit unions and other financial institutions as a certified public accountant (CPA); most recently as an assurance partner with Eide Bailly in Phoenix. Sorenson earned his Master of Accountancy degree from the Southern Utah University and recently relocated to Elko to be closer to family and the ability to enjoy his many outdoor interests.

I am both humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead the EFCU team, and to be associated with the members of EFCU, said Sorenson.

Owned by its members, EFCU is uniquely positioned as the only locally owned financial institution in Elko County, and that distinction comes with a stewardship to our communities that we dont take lightly. I cant wait to better acquaint myself with the people and businesses within the communities EFCU serves.

Jan Baum, chairperson of the EFCU board of directors, said In addition to Sorensons proven strong financial industry background, he is committed to immersing himself into the Northeastern Nevada community and eager to represent EFCU as the communitys local financial institution; continuing to provide personal financial services as well as leading EFCU into the future by partnering with local businesses to fulfill their financial service needs. Todd really understands we are here to service our members, this will be a great partnership!

Elko-area residents can meet Sorenson at the credit unions annual meeting at 9 a.m. April 23 at the Boys and Girls Club of Elko.

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ELKO  The annual Community Career Fair hosted by Great Basin College is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22 at the GBC Fitness Center.

The career fair features employers who represent various industries, including public safety, health care, mining and land management. Attendees have the opportunity to network, explore career and educational options, obtain employer information, and locate summer jobs, internships, and full-time employment.

Activities will include meeting prospective employers, participating in mock interviews, creating a LinkedIn profile and resume writing. These sessions are free and open to the public.

Businesses are welcomed to participate in the event, with tables and chairs provided at no cost.

Vendors include Join Inc., Nevada Outdoor School, Golden Vertex Corporation, Neffs Diesel Repair & Performance, LLC, Komatsu Mining Corporation, Geotemps, Inc., Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, Hamilton Company, Direct Force Maintenance, Nevada DPS, Elko Sanitation, U.S. Forest Service, Cashman Equipment Company, Nevada Gold Mines, Tesla, American Red Cross, Advance Auto Parts, Zions Bank Corporation, Nevada JobConnect, Arcata Associates and more.

For more information, contact Jennifer Brown at 775-327-2079.

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RENO  Following an injunction from the Western District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office on Monday issued a final Environmental Assessment and sale notice for a June 14, 2022, oil and gas lease sale.

The Interior Department moved forward with its first onshore sales of public oil and gas drilling leases under President Joe Biden last Friday, but sharply increased royalty rates, The Associated Press reported.

The royalty rate for new leases increased to 18.75% from 12.5%. Thats a 50% jump and marks the first increase since the 1920s.

The BLM said the new rate was in keeping with rates charged by states and private landowners.

During a rural Nevada oil and gas lease sale under the Trump administration in 2019, competitive bids for 19,051 acres were received out of a total of 269,184 acres offered in 39 parcels in Elko, Eureka, Nye and White Pine counties. The combined bids from that sale brought in $70,526, which was to be distributed between the federal government and Nevada.

Under the current sale, the BLM Nevada State Office will move forward with Alternative B, as analyzed in the environmental assessment, by offering five parcels totaling 2,560 acres in Nye County on public lands managed by the Battle Mountain District Office.

The posting of the sale notice initiates a 30-day public protest period that ends on May 18, 2022. Protests may be filed either by hand delivery, by telefax or mailed in hardcopy form. You may NOT file a protest by electronic mail. A protest filed by fax must be sent to 775-861-6606.

We will dismiss a protest sent to a fax number other than the fax number identified or a protest filed by electronic mail, stated BLM. All protests must be received by 4 p.m. on May 18, 2022.

Links to the environmental assessment, maps, parcel lists, Notice of Competitive Lease Sale, and proposed lease stipulations are available online at the BLM ePlanning website.

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China is ready to work with all countries and regions that are committed to the peaceful use of outer space to carry out more international cooperation and exchanges, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday at a daily news briefing.

Wang said foreign astronauts are welcomed to visit China's space station and work with Chinese astronauts to jointly explore the mysteries of the universe and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

China's achievements and openness in outer space explorations have been welcomed worldwide and have produced win-win results.

Manned spaceflight

China conducted human body medical research in a micro-gravitational environment with France during the Shenzhou XI manned spaceflight mission, carried out joint CAVES training and maritime rescue drills with the European Astronaut Centre.

China has completed the selection of the first batch of international space science experiments to be conducted on Tianhe, and carried out technological cooperation and exchanges with Germany, Italy and Russia on space science experiments and the development of space station sections.

Tianwen 1 mission

In the China's first Mars exploration project, China cooperated with the European Space Agency on engineering technology, and with Austria and France on payloads. It has established a Mars probe orbit data exchange mechanism with the United States, and launched international onboard payload cooperation in its asteroid exploration mission.

Lunar exploration

China has cooperated with foreign space agencies on engineering technology and carrying payloads for other countries in the lunar exploration. In the Chang'e 4 mission China cooperated with Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia on payloads.

The Chang'e 5 lunar probe brought back 1,731 grams of samples from the moon in 2020, and China said it would share the samples with the international community.

Beidou Navigation Satellite System

China has coordinated the development of Beidou system with the US GPS system, Russia's GLONASS system and Europe's Galileo system. It has carried out in-depth cooperation with them in the fields of compatibility, interoperability, monitoring and assessment, and joint application.

China has increased the system's global service capacity by establishing cooperation forum mechanisms, building overseas centers and conducting satellite navigation cooperation with countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, South Africa, Algeria, and Thailand.

China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program

In 1999, the first China-Brazil earth resource satellite was successfully launched, giving each country its first transmission-type remote sensing satellite. China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 04A, the sixth satellite jointly built by China and Brazil, was launched in 2019.

The program set a good example for cooperation among developing countries in the field of space technology, and was praised as a model of "South-South cooperation". Data from the satellites are provided to developing nations for free.
By Azernews





By Laman Ismayilova

Climate change significantly affects natural world heritage sites.

The challenges facing cultural heritage in the face of climate change include floods, decay of cultural landscapes, extreme weather events and other issues.

Climate change impacts on cultural heritage has been discussed at forum held within the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS).

April 18 is annually observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS).

The Day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Historic Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 to bring global attention to the need to conserve monuments and sites as cultural heritage.

Each year, on this occasion, ICOMOS proposes a theme for activities to be organized by its members, National and International Scientific Committees, partners, etc.

This year's theme "Heritage and Climate" aims at highlighting the ways of interdependence and interaction of man-made culture and the natural environment.

ICOMOS Forum in Baku

A special forum to commemorate the ICOMOS International Day for Monuments and Sites has been held in Baku.

The forum was co-organized by the State Service for Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and ICOMOS Azerbaijan National Committee at the International Mugham Center.

Speaking at the event, the head of the Azerbaijan's Civil Service Azad Jafarli stressed the importance of the International Day for Monuments and Sites which draws people's attention to the protection of monuments and historical sites.

He said that Icharishahar includes the Shirvanshahs' Palace and Maiden Tower, Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape and Shaki Khan Palace.

The head of the Civil Service noted the role of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva in major work done to preserve, study and pass national cultural heritage to future generations, as well as restore historical monuments in the liberated territories.

In his speech, Azad Jafarli underlined that issues raised at the forum and the exchange of views on them will highlight important points.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank ICOMOS Vice-President Zeynab Gul Unal for her participation. Together with her, we have witnessed the consequences of the Armenian occupation in Aghdam. At the same time, we saw a new reality and fruitful work by the Azerbaijani state," he added.

ICOMOS Vice-President Zeynab Gul Unal provided detailed information about the activities of the organization she represents.

ICOMOS works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places. It is the only global non-government organization of this kind, which is dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage.

In her speech, Zeynab Gul Unal noted that ICOMOS is a network of experts that benefits from the interdisciplinary exchange of its members, among which are architects, historians, archaeologists, art historians, geographers, anthropologists, engineers and town planners.

She also welcomed the establishment of the ICOMOS National Committee in Azerbaijan and wished success to the organization.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Union of Architects, Honored Architect Elbay Gasimzadeh drew attention to the promotion of the Azerbaijan's historical and cultural sites at the international level.

"Thanks to the great attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, great work is being done in our country to study, protect and restore historical monuments, and promote cultural heritage in the international arena. All this ensures the integration of Azerbaijan into the global world together with its material and spiritual culture," he said.

Elbay Gasimzadeh also spoke about the peculiarities of the monuments in the country. He said it would take a long time for the reconstruction process in the liberated territories.

"Azerbaijan's Aghdam region was destroyed by Armenians. We have very important tasks ahead of us. We need time, people and resources," he concluded.

Panel sessions

The forum was followed with panel sessions on "ICOMOS and Azerbaijan's material and cultural heritage of world importance", "Experiences in the restoration and conservation of monuments in Azerbaijan" and "Protection of cultural heritage during emergencies."

The discussions were focused on the promotion of historical and cultural monuments in Azerbaijan worldwide.

The panel sessions participants discussed partnership between Azerbaijan and UNESCO, protection, restoration and conservation of historical monuments in Icharishahar.

They stressed the importance of preventing the impacts of climate change on cultural and natural heritage.

The meeting also highlighted the experience of preserving historical monuments in Turkey.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)



Together with 921,600 doses distributed on April 14, the institute has allocated more than 2.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate the target group.

Of the amount, Ho Chi Minh City will receive 193,800 doses and Hanoi will get 104,000 doses. The others will come to such provinces as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Quang Ninh.

As of April 18, a total of 19,526 doses had been administered to children of the age group. The injection of the second shots for the kids is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year.

Seven universities in Vietnam meet int'l accreditation standards

Seven Vietnamese universities meet international accreditation standards, reported Vietnam News Agency according to the Ministry of Education and Training.

Hanoi University of Science and Technology. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

They are Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology under Vietnam National University (VNU)-Ho Chi Minh City, University of Science and Technology under Da Nang University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi University of Civil Engineering; University of Science under VNU-Hanoi, HCM City based-Ton Duc Thang University and International University under VNU-Ho Chi Minh City.

Up to 180 educational facilities at university and college levels satisfy the national standard on educational quality, the ministry said.

Vietnamese universities have earned greater reputation worldwide as more of their programmes have received recognition and higher rankings from the UKs Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) this year.

The 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject cover a total of 51 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas, namely Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and Management.

The VNU-Hanoi gained recognition in six specific subject areas. It was placed in the group of 351  400 in Mathematics; 501  550 in Computer Science and Information Systems; and 451  500 in Engineering  Civil and Structural; Physics and Astronomy; Business and Management Studies; and Engineering  Electrical and Electronic.

The HUST made it into five disciplines' rankings. The university was ranked in the group of 301  350 in Engineering  Electrical and Electronic, Engineering  Mechanical, and Engineering  Civil and Structural, up 100 spots from the previous ranking.

The universitys Computer Science and Information Systems climbed 150 places to rank in the group of 401  450.

Overall, HUST ranked No.1 in Vietnam and 360th worldwide in Engineering and Technology.

Book exhibition highlights Vietnam-Cuba friendship

Books highlighting the loyalty and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba are being displayed at the headquarters of the Truth National Political Publishing House in Hanoi on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of Cubas Giron victory (April 19), reported Vietnam News Agency.

Vu Hai Ha, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for External Relations and President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association. (Photo: VNA)

The exhibition, which opened on April 19, is jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and the publishing house.

The nearly 50 publications displayed also feature Cuban heroes, as well as the nation and culture of Vietnam and its foreign policy. They include two books by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong on Vietnams national construction, which were published in Spanish.

Vu Hai Ha, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for External Relations and President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, expressed his hope that the event will help Vietnamese people, especially youths, understand more about Cubans, thus fostering the bilateral relationship.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Hernandez Guillen suggested Vietnam further share its experience in Doi moi (reform) and national construction and development with the Caribbean nation.

Pham Minh Tuan, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Truth National Political Publishing House, also noted his hope that the exhibition will create a foundation for Vietnam to expand cooperation in publication and culture with partners and friends in Cuba and Latin America at large.

In April 1961, US troops made an attempt to invade Playa Giron, but they suffered a defeat and were thrown away from the island. This victory later led to Cubas reunification.

Electronic, computer and component exports edge up over 10% in Q1

Vietnamese exports of electronics, computers and components during the opening quarter of the year stood at an estimated USD13.2 billion, accounting for 14.9% of total export turnover, representing a year-on-year rise of 10.1%, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO), reported the Voice of Vietnam.

The major export markets of the item group remains the EU, the United States, and China, of which exports to the US surged by roughly 17.2% to reach USD3 billion.

The initial quarter of the year witnessed the industrial production index of the electronics manufacturing industry also increase by 9.4%.

Despite being considered a spearhead industry with several major achievements in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and significantly contributing to the country's overall export turnover, the group of electronics, computers and components has been at an early stage in the production chain and is largely dependent on foreign-invested enterprises.

Furthermore, the sector has yet to develop hi-tech export products, while the proportion of processing and manufacturing products with high-added value remains low.

Nguyen Thi Huong, director general of the GSO, underlined the need to provide support for firms in the process of researching new products, launch trade promotion schemes, fine-tune the legal system, especially specific regulations placed on goods of Vietnamese origin.

Simultaneously, it is essential to boost export market expansion, improve the operational efficiency of Vietnam's representative agencies abroad and associations whilst maximizing the benefits from newly signed free trade agreements (FTAs).

COVID-19: new cases on April 19 number 13,500

A total 13,500 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the past 24 hours from 4pm April 18 to 4pm April 19, reported Vietnam News Agency according to the Ministry of Health.

By April 18, the country had injected 209,816,927 doses of COVID-19 vaccines (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi continued to report the highest number of infections on the day with 1,022 cases, followed by Phu Tho with 838 and Yen Bai with 605.

The national tally reached 10,489,319.

A total 124,630 COVID-19 patients were given the all clear on April 19, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,065,694.

There are 1,010 patients in serious conditions, while an additional 18 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the total fatalities to 42,975, equal to 0.4 percent of the total caseload.

By April 18, the country had injected 209,816,927 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 38,944 doses for children aged from 5 to under 12 (first shots)./.
The US continues to be Vietnams largest export market. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

According to the latest statistics of the General Department of Customs, in March, exports to the US reached 9.76 billion USD, thereby bringing the total turnover in the first quarter to 25.96 billion USD.

Compared to the same period last year, export turnover to the US increased by 16.6% and the worlds largest economy continues to be Vietnams largest export market.

During the period, the US market alone accounts for 29.1% of the countrys total export turnover.

By the end of the first quarter, 6 groups of commodities exported to the US earned value of 1 billion USD or more, including: machinery and equipment; textile; computers, electronic products and components; phones and components; footwear; and wood and wood products.

Notably, textile and garment exports to the US reached 4.36 billion USD, up 24.2% year on year, and accounted for 50.3% of the country's total export turnover of this commodity group.

In spite of not dominating as in textiles, the US is also the largest market for key export groups such as machinery and equipment; computers, electronic products and components; footwear; and wood and wood products.

In the first quarter, the whole country spent 3.44 billion USD importing goods from the US, down 8.2% year on year and accounting for 3.9% of the countrys total import turnover./.
Taiwan (China) imported the most tea from Vietnam in the two months. (Photo: congthuong.vn)



The average import tea price from Vietnam reached 1,519.2 USD per ton, down 2.5% year on year. Tea imports from Vietnam accounted for 47.7% of the total imported tea volume of the Taiwanese (Chinease) market, up 5 percentage points year on year.

In terms of types, black and green tea are the two main types imported into Taiwan (China) in the first two months of 2022. In which, black tea imports reached 3,170 tons, worth 8 million USD, down 8% in volume and 13.1% in value year on year. The average import black tea price reached 2,522.4 USD per ton, down 5.5% year on year.

Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India are the three largest black tea suppliers to Taiwan (China). In the 2 months, the market increased black tea imports from Vietnam, while decreasing imports from Sri Lanka and India.

Import of green tea into Taiwan in the first 2 months of 2022 reached 1,000 tons, worth 4.55 million USD, down 5% in volume but up 0.7% in value year on year. The average import green tea price in the market reached 4,464.5 USD per ton, up 6% year on year.

Taiwan (China) imported green tea mainly from Vietnam and Japan. In which, the average import price of green tea from Vietnam was low, reaching 1,639.3 USD per ton, up 3.6% year on year, while that from Japan was at a high level of 11,719.4 USD per ton, down 5.9% year on year./.
In trade relations, seafood is an export item bringing great value in the Swiss market. (Photo: laodong.vn)

According to Swiss Customs data, the total import-export turnover between the two countries increased from 1.53 billion USD in 2015 to 2.407 billion USD in 2021. Vietnam has always maintained a trade surplus with the Swiss market.

The structure of Vietnams export products to Switzerland is also constantly expanding. The number of groups of goods exported to Switzerland, by Vietnam's HS code, has increased from 80 groups in 2015 to 92 groups in 2021.

In 2021, Vietnams exports to Switzerland were valued at 1.878 billion USD. Vietnams main export items to the market are electrical machinery and equipment and components (mainly mobile phones) worth 485.9 million USD; footwear, 427.4 million USD; textile and garment, 413.2 million USD; agricultural products and food, 143.2 million USD; and machinery and mechanical equipment, 78.7 million USD.

Vietnams agricultural and food exports to Switzerland focus on seafood (56.1 million USD), coffee (29.8 million USD), processed foods (22.6 million USD) and cashew (15.8 million USD).

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in recent years, economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Switzerland have developed positively. The legal corridor in economic and trade relations between the two countries has been made relatively complete.

They have signed an investment protection agreement, an agreement to avoid double taxation, and an agreement on protection of intellectual property rights. These offer important legal bases allowing businesses of the two countries to promote cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, more than 100 Swiss companies are operating in Vietnam, including many big names such as Nestle, ABB, Novatis, Roche and Holcim. Many Swiss businesses are very interested in expanding business cooperation opportunities with Vietnam in the coming time./.
In the first months of 2022, exports from Vietnam to Australia continued to grow strongly, as reflected in many different agricultural and industrial products.

Processing rubber latex for export at Dau Tieng Rubber Farm in the southern province of Binh Duong. (Photo: VNA)

In which, agricultural products and vegetables continued to gain impressive growth, 24% higher than the same period last year.

Specifically, coffee saw an increase of 84% year on year, while seafood export increased by 51%. Rice, after strong promotions in 2021, such as promotional events and invitations to try Vietnamese rice in some major Australian states, continued to grow, even in the context of the country reducing its overall import of rice.

In addition, exports of other strong industrial products of Vietnam to Australia also recorded impressive growth, such as iron and steel of all kinds by more than 500%, rubber by 41%, electric cables by 26%, plastic products by 26.61%, and computers and components by 28.89%.

At the same time, the largest market in Oceania is becoming a solid support for the growing production of Vietnam, as a market providing essential input materials, such as raw materials like coal, iron ore, metals, cotton, wheat and fodder.

Most notably, coal import turnover from Australia into Vietnam after the first three months of 2022 increased by 176% over the same period last year, while cotton imports turnover rose by 333%.

In 2021, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Australia hit a record high, surpassing the threshold of 12.4 billion USD for the first time, an increase of more than 49% compared to 2020.

Last year, Vietnam and Australia completed signing the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, which aims to support their shared ambition of making the two countries each others top trading partners and doubling two-way investment./.




NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) welcomes Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha (the lower house) Om Birla (Photo: VNA)

The NA leader lauded the Indian legislator's visit, especially when Vietnam and India are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

He expressed delight at the growing strategic partnership between the two countries across all fields. Despite the adverse impacts from COVID-19, both sides have maintained and reinforced important cooperation mechanisms, while working together to implement the Action Plan for the 2021-2023 period to make bilateral ties more practical and effective.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue noted that amid changing world and regional situations, Vietnam and Indian are sharing many common viewpoints and strategic interests. The Vietnamese NA is willing to discuss and share experience in areas of shared concern, he said.

For his part, the Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha recalled the success of the Vietnamese top legislators official visit to India in last December, and suggested that the two parliaments should discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in many areas such as social welfare and issues related to the people, thus contributing to the promotion of the partnership between the two countries.

Noting that Vietnam and India share many similarities in development targets, Birla proposed that both sides strengthen cooperation in areas of trade, investment, science, technology, service, digital transformation, while fostering ties between business communities, and making information technology and service a strategic sector in bilateral partnership.

Vietnam considers India a global power and support India's greater role in multilateral institutions and in maintaining and ensuring a multi-polar world order based on international law, NA Chairman Hue said, adding that Vietnam backs India to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council when the council is expanded. Vietnam also support India to join the APEC forum, and welcomes India's Act East policy as well as its deeper engagement in ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Discussing a number of international and regional issues of shared concern, the two legislative leaders agreed on the significance of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, development and respect to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 with regard to the East Sea.

Over the Ukrainian situation, they underscored the importance of respecting international law, and voiced the hope that all relevant parties promote dialogue, negotiations on the foundation of respect for the legitimate interest of all sides in line with international law, ensuring the safety of civilians and settling humanitarian matters.

The Vietnamese top legislator proposed that India support Vietnam's bid to run for seats in the UN Human Rights Council (2023-2025 tenure), the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (2023-2028 tenure), and the Legal and Technical Commission (2023-2027 tenure).

Regarding parliamentarian cooperation, the two leaders concurred to continue strengthening meetings and exchanges between friendship parliamentarians groups as well as collaboration among functional committees of the two parliaments, while sharing experience in law building, election inspections and supervision, and promoting coordination at regional and international forums, including the IPU and APPF. They pledged to promote international cooperation to cope with COVID-19, speed up economic recovery and develop green and sustainable development and innovation.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said Vietnam is interested in building and completing institution for digital transformation and the shaping of global order basing on international law and respect for the right to self-determination and sovereignty of states.

He suggested that the two parliaments work to speed up the implementation of signed agreements and treaties and coordinate to organise activities marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022.

He noted that after his visit to India, he had asked the Government to work with India to promptly implement the agreements reached during the visit. One of the results is that an Indian firm has chosen Hai Duong province of Vietnam to develop a pharmaceutical park project worth about 12 billion USD.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue took the occasion to invite Vice President and and Chairman of the Upper House of India Venkaial Naidu to visit Vietnam./.
Candidates take the qualifying exam on computers. (Photo: VNA)

Taking place from April 17 to May 10, the contest attracts 64 teams with 425 contestants joining different issues, including promoting the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style; Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought; knowledge about the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country and the city; history, culture, national traditions and traditions of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; basic legal knowledge; and application of Marxist-Leninist sciences and Ho Chi Minh's thought to solve practical problems.

Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Ho Chi Minh City Truong Minh Tuoc Nguyen said that through the contest, the union has equipped students with theory and foundational knowledge, the forces that will play a key role in the goal of building high-quality human resources of Ho Chi Minh City.

This year, young officials, teachers and lecturers aged 35 and under, who are currently working, teaching or doing research work at educational and training institutions in the city, will also enjoy the contest through their essays to share young people's perspectives on youth's social problems and effectively apply Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought in creating with solutions.

Started since 2004, the contest has had considerable impact on candidates and society, creating a favorable environment for the city's young cadres, teachers and lecturers to research and apply Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought in their work, contributing to the success of the education sector./.
Cambodia's economy to accelerate in 2022 and 2023, with strong merchandise export and foreign direct investment inflow. (Source: ADB)



Cambodias growth rebounded to an estimated 3.0% in 2021 after a contraction of 3.1% in 2020. The government has implemented policies to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on businesses and peoples incomes and to support economic recovery. Widespread vaccination against COVID-19 has enabled the country to reopen its borders for trade and tourism, leading to positive economic prospects for this year and 2023, said ADB Acting Country Director Anthony Gill.



According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022, industry output is expected to grow by 8.1% in 2022 and 9.1% in 2023. This growth will also be buoyed by the implementation of the Garments, Footwear, and Travel Goods Development Strategy to raise competitiveness in this segment.



Goods and services exports are forecast to grow in 2022 and 2023 on strong external demand for Cambodian products supported by a recovery in tourism services. The services sector is projected to rebound to 4.8% this year, rising to 6.8% in 2023. Reopening the economy and the high level of vaccination coverage will allow for a gradual recovery in tourism, which, in turn, will support demand for accommodation, food, transportation, and other in-person services.



The report calls on Cambodia to diversify its economy to boost sustainable growth. Increasing trade and tourism alone will not be enough to help Cambodia sustain high economic growth, Mr. Anthony Gill said. Cambodia, which has traditionally focused on producing and exporting garments, travel goods, and footwear, can benefit from diversification into light manufacturing such as bicycles, electronic components, and wiring products. The diversification will make the economy more resilient to external demand shocks.



Currently, ADB is implementing USD2.3 billion of investment projects in Cambodia. In 2021, ADB committed USD327.1 million in sovereign loans and grants and catalyzed an additional USD5 million through cofinancing for Cambodia. ADBs lending pipeline for 20222025 includes USD1.44 billion of concessional lending and USD37 million in grants to support the countrys economic development and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic./.
Virtual monobank refused to stop serving customers who were before the war and still have not left the territory of Crimea and the so called LPR and the DPR, due to dissatisfaction with this decision of 30% of people polled on Facebook, Oleh Horokhovsky, the co-founder of the bank, said.

"Of course, we will not make a decision that causes dissatisfaction with more than 30% of respondents. We will close the accounts of clients who left for Crimea and ORDLO on February 24," he wrote on Telegram on Monday.

"Don't even ask for Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Eritrea," he added.

Tamila Tasheva, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, noted that the decision to close the accounts of Ukrainians in the occupied territories is illegal.

"Tomorrow we will send you an official position with a legal justification for the inadmissibility of such steps and make a public statement on this matter ... I repeat, the decision is illegal and has no legal basis," she wrote under Horokhovsky's post.

Tasheva also expressed regret that such issues are decided by voting on Facebook.

"According to the law (on financial monitoring), we have the right to refuse service to any client at any time without explaining the reasons," the co-founder of monobank once wrote.

As reported, on April 18, virtual monobank stopped serving 11,250 customers who were before the war and still have not left the territory of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Crimea, LPR, DPR, North Korea, Syria and Eritrea.

As of December 31, 2021, the number of monobank customers amounted to 5 million people.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (ACC) after a survey of 103 companies out of 633 of its members found that 41% continue to work fully, 50% work partially, while 29% of respondents transferred their business to other regions of Ukraine and 19% - abroad.

"After 50 days of the war: 41% of Ukraine member companies are fully operational, 50% continue to work partially. Some 29% of member companies have relocated within Ukraine, and 19% are relocated outside Ukraine. Some 15% of businesses had to close offices in some regions, 2% had to shut down totally," the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine said in the latest Survey "Doing Business during War in Ukraine. Week 8" to show the current state of business and what changes and challenges organizations are going through.

"Some 103 CEOs and top managers of chamber member companies took part in the survey, conducted on April 11-18, 2022. Some 71% of the respondents are CEOs," the report says.

"The ACC members were asked to identify what their companies were doing differently during the war to continue operations. 52% indicated they had to reshape business models, 40%  implemented cost-cutting efforts, 20%  launched new business directions or services. 17%  took projects from the parent offices in other countries, 13%  search for new clients outside Ukraine, 9%  search for financing in different countries. Unfortunately, 2% of members were forced to sell assets. Only 17% indicated they had no changes at all," it says.

"72% of ACC Ukraine member companies continue to pay full salaries during the war and provide extra support. 16% pay full salary, 6%  partially reduced salary, 6% of businesses pay 50% of salary," it reads.

"20% stated that their company's plants/factories/facilities/storehouses/offices have minor damages, 3% have unrepairable damage, 3% are still under occupation, other 3% don't have information yet. 57% of member companies had so far no damage during the war," it says.

"ACC Ukraine member companies continue to provide support to the humanitarian drive. The most common ways of support are financial support (76%), volunteering drive within the companies' employees (75%), providing in-kind goods (44%), providing services (41%), providing medicines (24%), providing protection means (17%)," according to the document.

"The most difficult question of the survey was about the safety and security of employees. 76% of respondents said that all of their companies' employees are safe. Sadly, there were painful numbers also, with 14% of companies' having instances of employees injured and 7%  having instances of employees killed," it reads.

"87% of ACC member companies are ready to actively participate in Ukraine's post-war economic rebuilding," the report says.

"85% of business representatives support that companies following business ethics and ESG policies mustn't work in the murderous pariah regime in Russia that continues to commit genocide and war crimes across Ukraine," the ACC said.
US State Department's Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations will pay a visit to Azerbaijan, the US State Department said in a tweet, Trend reports.

The US State Department said that Schofer will pay a visit to the region this week in order to discuss how the US can best support the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
DTEK will fully restore power supply to all consumers in Kyiv region by June 1

DTEK has focused all its resources on restoring power grids damaged due to hostilities in Kyiv region and intends to restore power supply to all consumers in the region by June 1, DTEK CEO Maksym Timchenko said.

"Today, 1,600 km of power grids have been damaged in Kyiv region. DTEK has pooled all resources and capabilities and directed them to ensure that all residents of the region have electricity by June 1," Timchenko said.

In order to fulfill the task, the company additionally attracted its own emergency repair teams from Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, as well as the city of Kyiv.

"At the first stage, electricity is connected according to temporary schemes. After that, power supply will be resumed according to a permanent scheme, which will require more time and financial resources," DTEK noted.
Smart Urban Solutions, representing the development direction of Smart-Holding, announces the loss of control over shopping centers located in the occupied territories and in the war zone.

According to the release, the company temporarily does not control the operation of shopping centers in Melitopol and Berdiansk, the buildings of shopping centers in Mariupol and Severodonetsk are almost completely destroyed.

In Kramatorsk, where rocket attacks by Russian troops have intensified recently, the work of the shopping center was stopped.

Shopping centers continue to operate in Zaporizhia and Kremenchuk.

The operator of all shopping centers is East Solution Group, which, before the start of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, managed 10 shopping centers in different cities of Ukraine with a total area of more than 80,000 square meters.

Smart-Holding is one of the largest industrial and investment groups in Ukraine. It invests in mining and metallurgical, oil and gas complexes, agriculture, shipbuilding, real estate and energy. The owner is MP Vadim Novinsky.
Agricom Group agricultural holding is deprived of the opportunity to carry out spring sowing on 1,500-2,000 hectares of land in its Chernihiv agricultural cluster, previously occupied by the troops of the aggressor country of the Russian Federation.

On Tuesday, the agrarian group wrote about the demining of areas and the preparation of the territory for the spring sowing on its Facebook page.

"About 15-20% of our fields, which is 1,500-2,000 hectares, is still difficult to use, because there is a danger of mining there. Active work is now underway to clear land and prepare for the spring sowing season. Thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, sappers and to our brave workers. We will clean, rebuild and sow everything," the company said in a statement.

According to its website, Agricom cultivates 9,500 hectares of land in Chernihiv region.

The agricultural holding started spring field work in Zhytomyr region on March 19, the sowing of spring wheat and oats began in the region. At the same time, in the Luhansk cluster of the agrarian group, the sowing campaign did not start due to hostilities with the Russian invaders.

Agricom Group is an agro-industrial group founded in 2013, specializing in the development, production and distribution of food products from cereals. The company cultivates about 28,000 hectares in Luhansk, Chernihiv, Rivne and Zhytomyr regions.
Russia's invasion has damaged or destroyed up to 30% of Ukraine's infrastructure at a cost of $100 billion, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in an interview with Reuters.

"Practically all components of our transport infrastructure have suffered in one form or another," he said.

According to Kubrakov, more than 300 bridges on national roads have been destroyed or damaged, dozens of railway bridges have been blown up, and more than 8,000 km of roads are to be repaired or restored.

At the same time, the minister said that some repair work has already begun in the liberated areas. When it comes to roads, bridges and residential buildings, he said that he believes that almost everything can be restored in two years if everyone works quickly.

Among the possible sources of financing for the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure, the minister named using frozen Russian assets to help finance it.
Washington expects to resume the work of its diplomatic mission in Kyiv in the future and is assessing the security situation, White House spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said during a briefing at the White House.

"Certainly thats our objective  is to open it," she said in response to a journalist's question whether the USA is moving any closer to reopening its embassy in Kyiv now.

She noted that the USA is assessing the security situation, and that the final decision on the number of personnel and what kind of personnel there will be will be made by the U.S. State Department.

"But that certainly is our objective. Obviously, having a diplomatic presence on the  on the ground is important," she added. At the same time, Psaki did not assess when the U.S. Embassy could resume its work in Kyiv.
No agreed humanitarian corridors for evacuation of population on April 19  Vereschuk

On Tuesday, April 19, the agreed humanitarian corridors in Ukraine will not open, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk.

"Intense shelling in Donbas continues. On Mariupol: the Russians refuse to provide a corridor for civilians to exit in the direction of Berdyansk," Vereschuk wrote on her Telegram channel.

Also complex negotiations on the opening of humanitarian corridors in Kherson and Kharkiv regions continue, she said.
Russian invaders launched an offensive along the entire front line in the south and east of Ukraine. The enemy's efforts are concentrated on breaking through the defenses in the JFO zone, capturing Mariupol and reaching the administrative borders of Kherson region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"In Donetsk and Tavriiske directions, the Russian invaders have stepped up their offensive operations along the entire line of confrontation. The main efforts of the enemy are focused on breaking through the defenses of our troops in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as well as establishing full control over the city of Mariupol. In Zaporizhia region, units of the occupying forces are being concentrated in certain districts," the Facebook morning summary said.

The General Staff said that during the previous day, the intensification of missile strikes on targets in western regions took place.

In Slobozhansky and Donetsk operational areas, the aggressor is conducting offensive and assault operations in separate directions.

The enemy continues to transfer weapons and military equipment to Ukraine from the central and eastern regions of the Russian Federation. Along with combat units, it carries out the transfer of support units.

In addition, in order to improve the logistics system, the invaders are deploying logistics centers and creating field bases for the repair and restoration of damaged equipment.

In Slobozhansky direction, the enemy, with a certain composition of forces, continues a partial blockade of the city of Kharkiv. According to available information, in order to organize the air defense system of the offensive group, the enemy is transferring additional anti-aircraft missile divisions of the Tor air defense system to Kharkiv region. At the same time, S-400 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile battalions were deployed in the regions of Belgorod region bordering Ukraine to cover the main command posts, as well as rear areas.

In Izium direction, the enemy is conducting offensive operations on the left bank of Siversky Donets River. To support the offensive actions of the grouping in the indicated direction, the enemy created a system of main and reserve firing positions for rocket and cannon artillery.

In Pivdenny Buh direction, the main efforts of the enemy are concentrated on entering the administrative limits of Kherson region. In order to improve the tactical situation, the invaders are trying to conduct offensive operations in the area of the settlement of Oleksandrivka. The enemy does not stop shelling civilian objects in the city of Mykolaiv.

There are no significant changes in Volyn, Polissky and Siversk directions.

The Republic of Belarus continues to provide its territory for air strikes on the territory of Ukraine and reconnaissance of objects on our territory.

"According to available updated information, the losses of the 126th coastal defense brigade of the Black Sea Fleet amount to up to 75%. The 810th separate brigade of the Marine Corps of the Black Sea Fleet lost 158 servicemen killed, about 500 wounded, and 70 people are missing. A significant part of the military personnel of indicated brigades wrote reports refusing to participate in the so-called "special operation," the General Staff reports.

The Ukrainian military noted that in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the defenders of Ukraine over the past day repulsed seven enemy attacks, destroyed ten tanks, 18 armored vehicles and eight vehicles, one artillery system, as well as an enemy mortar with crew. Over the previous day, the grouping of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit seven air targets: one aircraft, four UAVs and two cruise missiles.

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Russian occupiers are bombarding Azovstal with super-heavy aerial bombs, with at least 1,000 civilians in the underground shelters of the steel plant, the press service of Mariupol city council reports.

"Russian occupants are shelling Azovstal with super-heavy air bombs. There are at least 1,000 civilians in the underground shelters of the steel plant. Most of them are women with children and elderly people," reads a message on the Telegram channel.
Russian ship group moves away from Ukrainian coast by almost 200 km, threat of missile strikes remains - South Task Force

The Russian ship grouping has retreated from the Ukrainian coast by almost 200 kilometers, the threat of missile strikes remains. Over the past 24 hours, 28 occupiers and five pieces of equipment have been destroyed, the South Task Force reported.

"In the Black Sea operational zone, an enemy ship grouping of missile and landing ships has moved almost 200 km away from our shores. But the blocking of navigation and the threat of missile strikes remain. The security and defense forces of the south counteract all hostile manifestations with a united front, from military clashes to exposure and cessation of sabotage activities," the command statement said on Monday night.

Threats of rocket and artillery strikes remain relevant in Mykolaiv region. The difficult situation with water supply is resolved by local authorities and with humanitarian support from neighboring regions.

In Kherson region, the enemy continues psychological pressure and "dirty" propaganda among the civilian population, and on the occupied line it defends and tries to inflict artillery and mortar strikes on Ukrainian positions and on settlements with civilians.

"Almost an hour-long assault by the Rashists on our positions in Oleksandrivka area was not successful. The enemy retreated to recuperate," the OK added.

The Ukrainian military stressed that as a result of effective strikes, 28 rashists and five pieces of equipment were destroyed, including armored, engineering, automobile and UAVs.
Russia should be warned about the powerful consequences of the use of weapons of mass destruction, Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Presidents Office, said at a night's telethon on Monday, responding to a question about its possible use in Mariupol.

"Russia can use weapons of mass destruction. Undoubtedly, and the president has spoken about this, that the world should understand - we should not expect the use of nuclear weapons and, all the more so, chemical weapons, but we should preventively make the Russian Federation aware that there will be powerful consequences," Podoliak said.

"That is, there may be, including, perhaps, I'm not ready to talk about it yet, but perhaps, preventive strikes on the centers from where nuclear missiles can be launched," he believes.
By Trend

On April 12, President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting dedicated to the results of the first quarter of 2022. At the meeting, the head of state noted that in the first quarter, Azerbaijan's GDP grew by 6.8 percent, the positive balance of foreign trade turnover over three months exceeded $5 billion, and during the year it was possible to reduce external debt by more than $600 million.

Deputy Director of the Russian School of Economics, Professor of the Azerbaijan Economic University Elshad Mammadov told Trend that thanks to the socially oriented policy of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has demonstrated the stability of the national economy and achieved positive macroeconomic results.

"As a result of the socially oriented policy of the head of state, the stability of the domestic market of Azerbaijan has been preserved. Over the past 4 years, the state has implemented a number of effective social support packages for the population - one time payments, increases in pensions and the minimum wage. This made it possible to maintain purchasing power in the domestic market, business activity in the country," Mammadov said.

He added that thanks to the structures responsible for social policy in the country, the achievement of transparency, the effective fight against corruption, additional funds were redirected to social spending.

"We continue to see the effectiveness of President Ilham Aliyev's oil strategy. Azerbaijan continues to receive significant foreign exchange earnings, which is also a necessary contribution to the country's economy," he added.

At the same time, the economist believes that it is necessary to increase the volume of direct investment in the economy in order to implement import substitution.

"Azerbaijan has the main resource for further reduction of external debt - the internal potential for increasing investment. The state can offer its sovereign gold and foreign exchange reserves as a guarantor in exchange for the import of high technologies necessary for the development of the country," Mammadov added.

He also noted that today President Ilham Aliyev focuses on the development of the private sector.

"The institution of private investment in Azerbaijan is not yet fully operational. The banking sector needs to start generating investments, thanks to which the private sector will be able to start working effectively in the energy sector," the economist said.

According to him, energy is one of those areas in which it is necessary to actively involve the private sector, which will increase overall competitiveness, balance and proportionality of economic development in the country.

Mammadov added that a year and a half after the end of the second Karabakh war, Azerbaijan has done a titanic work in the liberated territories.

He stressed that thanks to President Ilham Aliyev, Karabakh will become an example of development for other regions of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, Mammadov notes that for more efficient development, including in the energy sector, it is necessary to import high technologies, but human resources are no less important.

In turn, expert economist Emin Garibli noted that the growth of Azerbaijan's macroeconomic indicators is the result of the country's government's successful policy.

"Despite the pandemic period, the economy of our country has achieved good results. Thus, in 2021, Azerbaijan's non-oil exports increased by more than 40 percent - up to 2.7 billion manats. Azerbaijan was also able to reduce the public debt," Garibli said.

The expert noted that despite the fact, that Azerbaijan is integrated into the world economy, the country continues to maintain its economic independence and stability.

"Today we are also witnessing the growth of social benefits and payments, pensions, which is the result of the policy being pursued. These factors can be considered the foundation of Azerbaijan's economic growth," Garibli stressed.

In addition, the expert noted that the government of the country, after the liberation from the Armenian occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan as a result of the second Karabakh war, immediately began restoration work.

"Investments in these regions, on the one hand, contribute to improved communications, accelerate the return of former refugees, and on the other hand, this has opened up new jobs for Azerbaijani specialists in sectors such as construction (roads and railways, infrastructure facilities)," Garibli said.

He also stressed that foreign investors continue to invest in the Azerbaijani economy.

"Thus, many companies are showing interest in the alternative energy industry. Today, the whole world is developing the green energy sector and, as I said earlier, Azerbaijan is improving not only quantitative growth indicators, but also qualitative ones. It is also important to note that the ongoing reforms meet the world requirements that exist in the global economy," the expert said.
MPs are asking Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine Claude Wild that his country impose sanctions against members of the families of the Russian leadership, said Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.

"For decades, Russian zombie TV has been indoctrinating its patients with the myth of a decaying West. At the same time, most of the oligarchs in Putins keep their capital and real estate in the West. Moreover, their relatives live there. To prevent the families of Lavrov, Peskov, Putin and other children of the Kremlin from festering, a special rescue operation was launched: "suitcase-station-Russia. Thanks to Britain and the United States, which have already imposed sanctions against Putin's inner circle. At the same time, I hope that the Swiss Confederation will join the sanctions. Sixty MPs have already sent a corresponding appeal to Swiss Ambassador in Ukraine Claude Wild," Stefanchuk wrote on Facebook on Monday night.
As a result of the fifth exchange of prisoners, some 76 citizens of Ukraine are returning home, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk has said.

"Today [April 19] we exchanged 60 servicemen, ten of them officers. Moreover, 16 civilians are returning home. This was the fifth exchange of prisoners. A total of 76 people," she said on Telegram.
The European Commission is waiting for answers from Kyiv to the second part of the questionnaire to assess Ukraine's ability to obtain the status of a candidate member of the EU, Chief Representative of the European Commission Eric Mamer has said.

At a briefing in Brussels on Tuesday, Mamer said that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian authorities have handed over the answers to the first part of the questionnaire. The European Commission is waiting for Ukraine's response to the second part of the questionnaire. After that, the commission officials will work hard to draw up their conclusion. Mamer said they will not talk about specific time frames, but will do it so diligently and as fast as they can.
Russia is preparing mass provocations in Kherson region and plans to blame the Armed Forces of Ukraine for them, Captain of the first rank, Head of the joint coordinating press center for the Security and Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine Natalia Humeniuk has said.

"We know that not only propaganda work is being carried out, but mass provocations are also being prepared, which will be timed to coincide with the pseudo-referendum that the occupiers dream of holding in Kherson region. They are rolling out their equipment in order to arrange it for firing, in which blame the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Humeniuk said at a briefing at the Ukraine media center on Tuesday.

She said Ukraine is pursuing an information policy so that the population of Kherson region and even the occupied territories, where broadcasting and communications are jammed, receive reliable information about the positions of Ukrainian troops.

"The situation is really tense, as the enemy is pulling up his forces and wants to gain a foothold in those positions that he already has, and dreams of advancing in our region, across Kherson region, to the borders of Mykolaiv region, to regain lost positions. But we are not giving up, our forces are holding the cleared territory in the appropriate political and psychological hygiene and hold their positions. Kherson region is covered with explosions, you can hear the operation of multiple missile launchers, artillery explosions," Humeniuk said.

The head of the joint coordinating press center said that on the night of Tuesday, two installations of Russian multiple missile launchers were destroyed, which, among other things, attacked Mykolaiv.

"Unfortunately, this is a very dense coating. High-explosive shells are already being used to inflict maximum damage," Humeniuk said.
On Tuesday, April 19, the Russian Armed Forces again shelled residential areas of Kharkiv, in particular Kyivsky and Industrialny districts of the city, Head of the regional military administration Oleh Synehubov has said.

"The Russians use multiple launch rocket systems from a distance of 35 to 40 kilometers. As of now, in Kharkv, unfortunately, 16 people wounded, three people killed, the information is still being specified. Our emergency medical teams are working heroically in an enhanced mode," he said in Telegram channel.

According to the official, Derhachiv and Chuhuiv districts were also shelled.

Synehubov said the intensity of enemy shelling in Kharkv had increased, and once again asked the townspeople to stay in shelters and go outside only in case of emergency.

"Do not create queues, do not gather in large groups of people, now it is very dangerous."

He also asked to treat with understanding the restrictions that will be introduced during the Easter holidays.

"Together with the military, we are developing an action plan for celebrating the Easter holidays, we ask you to treat certain restrictions with understanding, which we will report in detail later," Synehubov said.
The Netherlands will send more heavy equipment, including armoured vehicles, to Ukraine, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte has said.

"In a call with Volodymyr Zelensky Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongrenand I expressed our support as Russia begins a renewed offensive. The Netherlands will be sending heavier materiel to Ukraine, including armoured vehicles. Along with allies, we are looking into supplying additional heavy materiel," Rutte wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
During his visit to Lviv, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki opened a container town for 300-350 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine and announced the construction of similar towns around Kyiv.

"We are doing everything to protect Ukrainian children and women. There will be more such towns, 300-350 people find shelter here. There will be 5,000 people in Lviv. Our envoys are going to cities around Kyiv and will construct the same towns," the Office of the Polish Prime Minister said, citing Morawiecki on Twitter page on Tuesday.

In addition, the prime minister urged the European Commission to launch a solidarity fund for Ukraine. "I appeal to the European Commission to make the solidarity fund for Ukraine work and to have new money. There is nothing to wait. We cannot allow more crimes to be committed. Today, the sanctions should be as tough as possible," Morawiecki said.

He said that wherever he met with the leaders, he points to the need for the most severe sanctions. "This is the lowest price we can pay to regain our freedom. I call on European leaders to abandon calculators and turn to their conscience," the Polish prime minister said.

According to Morawiecki, already 10 million people in Ukraine have been forced to leave their homes, of which 2.5 million people live in Poland, but 6 million are inside Ukraine.
Romania will transfer to Ukraine weapons from the reserves of some institutions of the national defense system, Romania libera publication has reported.

"This decision will be possible thanks to an amendment to the Romanian legislation. In this regard, the Ministry of Defense has developed an emergency decree," Romania libera said in an article on Tuesday.

Most likely, Ukraine will be offered weapons produced by the former USSR, which the Ukrainian military is perfectly able to use.
Ukraine is ready to exchange MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who was recently detained by the SBU, for civilians and defenders of Mariupol, MP, member of the parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence Fedir Venislavsky (Servant of the People faction) has said.

"The Ukrainian side is definitely ready to give up this subject of Russia if we get our civilians and our defenders of Mariupol in exchange," Venislavsky said on the air of the national telethon on Tuesday.

He said Ukraine is waiting for a reaction from the Russian leadership to Medvedchuk's proposal to exchange him for residents and defenders of Mariupol.

As reported, Medvedchuk recorded a video statement to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, in which he asked to be exchanged for the defenders and residents of Mariupol besieged by Russian invaders.
In the afternoon of April 19, the Russian armed forces fired at Moskovsky district of Kharkiv using Uragan (Hurricane) MLRS, there are killed and wounded, the press service of Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office has said.

"According to the investigation, on April 19, 2022, at about 13:20, Russian servicemen fired from Uragan multiple launch rocket systems at Moskovsky district of Kharkiv. As a result of the shelling, four people were killed. Another 14 civilians were wounded. More than ten residential buildings, garages and a supermarket were damaged," the office said.

On this fact, the SBU investigators in Kharkiv region initiated a pretrial investigation under Part 2 of Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
By Azernews





By Sabina Mammadli

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation has created a significant opportunity for the region to achieve long-term peace.

He made the remarks at an event for ambassadors accredited in Turkey at the Central Headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party of Turkey.

In terms of global issues, Erdogan stated that Turkey is continuing the process of normalizing relations with neighboring Armenia.

Concerning the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the Syrian crisis, among other issues, the Turkish president stated that achieving global peace, stability, and development is the only way forward, and Turkey's position on these issues remains unchanged.

Ambassador Rashad Mammadov represented Azerbaijan at the event.

On June 15, 2021, the two countries signed a memorandum of alliance that cemented the existing military, political and economic cooperation.

Relations between the fraternal countries are developing in various areas. The Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations that President Ilham Aliyev and Erdogan signed during the latter's first official visit to Shusha eight months after Azerbaijans victory in the war with Armenia, also focuses on defence cooperation.

It affirms joint efforts by the two armies in the face of foreign threats. The declaration also pledges joint efforts for the restructuring and modernization of the armed forces. Moreover, the two nations affirm to encourage the execution of joint projects with the aim of developing capabilities in the field of sea, air, and space.

President Aliyev said that the signing of the Shusha Declaration raised bilateral relations to an even higher level.




On Tuesday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Russia and Ukraine to stop hostilities during Holy Week from April 21 to April 24.

"I am calling for an Orthodox Holy Week humanitarian pause to the war in Ukraine," Guterres told reporters on Tuesday. His statements were published in social networks by the Secretary General press secretary said.

Guterres also said the UN is ready to send humanitarian aid to the east of Ukraine during the humanitarian pause. The organization, according to the Secretary General, provided detailed plans for humanitarian aid to both sides.
Civilian casualties from February 24, when Russia started the war against Ukraine, to 00:00 on April 18 amounted to 4,966 civilians (4,890 in the report a day earlier), including 2,104 killed (2,072), the Office of the High Commissioner UN Human Rights said on Tuesday.

"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.

According to him, 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 556 men, some 333 women, 60 boys and 39 girls killed, while the gender of 71 children and 1045 adults has not yet been determined.

Among the 2,862 wounded were 59 girls and 63 boys, as well as 155 children whose gender has not yet been determined.

Compared with the previous day, according to the UN, one child killed and five more were wounded.

OHCHR said that in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as of midnight on April 19, there were 660 (653) killed and 1,070 (1,059) wounded in government-controlled territory, and 79 (79) killed and 320 (312) injured in territory controlled by self-proclaimed "republics."

In other regions of Ukraine under government control (in Kyiv, as well as in Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions), the UN recorded 1,365 (1,340) killed and 1,472 (1,447) wounded.

According to the Prosecutor's Office General of Ukraine, as of 08:00 am on April 19, some 205 (205) children were killed, some 367 (362) were wounded.

The summary traditionally states that the increase in indicators in it to the previous report should not be attributed only to cases that occurred on April 18, since during the day OHCHR also verified a number of cases that occurred in previous days.
Germany reviewing list of weapons requested by Ukraine to find out what can be delivered quickly  Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany is studying the list of weapons requested by Ukraine and plans to "find out what can be supplied quickly."

"The lists include anti-tank weapons and air defense weapons," Scholz told reporters in Berlin on Tuesday following a video conference with U.S. President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders.

According to him, weapons that the Ukrainian army already knows how to use should be supplied. At the same time, the chancellor stressed that the possibilities of the FRG to supply arms were "almost exhausted."

Scholz also said that NATO would not interfere in the conflict in Ukraine.

"NATO will not interfere in the conflict," he said.

In turn, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, speaking in the House of Commons, that NATO's long-term goal should be to strengthen and strengthen Ukraine to such a level that Russia will never dare to invade again.

At the same time, President of the European Council Charles Michel following a video conference, said that the EU will create a special Ukraine Solidarity Fund, which will be used to support and restore Ukraine.

"With U.S. President Joe Biden and likeminded partners further coordinated response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Discussed need for further humanitarian, financial and military aid. The EU will develop Ukraine Solidarity Fund for immediate support and reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine," President of the European Council Charles Michel said on Twitter.
Ihor Zhdanov, Information Defence Project , Open Policy Foundation



Informational Defence of Ukraine provides a daily review of the military-political situation in Ukraine as of April 18th, based on an analysis of open sources.

1. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing for the decisive battle for the Donbas area.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi has stated on Facebook that the Russian army is trying to break through the defence line in several directions, focusing its main efforts on the Iziumskyi.

The threat from the sea was significantly reduced due to the sinking of the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet of the russian federation. However, the danger of landing naval and airborne troops remains. In this regard, measures are being taken to strengthen air defence, including logistical technical assistance from partner countries.

The defence forces are steadily defending Mykolaiiv from possible enemys attempts to resume the attacks and destroying the enemy in the suburbs of Kherson. In addition, the enemy is not being given the opportunity to advance in the direction of Zaporizhzhia.

The heroic defence of the hero-city Mariupol continues. The Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is taking all possible measures to support the defenders of the city. In particular, the destruction of the Saratov landing ship in the port of Berdiansk reduced the risk of landing and fire from the sea.

In the recent weeks, the enemy has regrouped its forces and resources in the east and is trying to break through the defences in several directions, concentrating its main efforts on the Iziumskyi direction.

The military command is strengthening the defence, especially anti-tank and anti-aircraft units. russia's "liberator" has badly worsened the humanitarian situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Despite the overwhelming forces of the enemy in some areas, with the help of the acquired skills of commanders and combat experience of our soldiers, we are able to repel attacks, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.

According to Information Defence analysts, the enemy has started a decisive battle for the Donbas and launched a general attack, in particular in the Izium direction.

Total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 18.04: combatants - about 20,600 fatalities, tanks - 790 units, armoured combat vehicles - 2041 units, artillery systems - 381 units, MLRS - 130 units, air defence - 67 units, aircraft - 167 units, helicopters - 147 units, motor vehicles - 1487 units, ships / boats - 8 units, fuel tanks - 76, operational-tactical level UAVs - 155, special equipment - 27, TBM / BRBM (tactical ballistic missile / battlefield range ballistic missile) launchers - 4.

Five air targets were hit: one plane, three helicopters and one UAV.

2. Information summaries and assessments of foreign and Ukrainian intelligence.

According to the UK intelligence in its review of April 17th, the persistent resistance of the defenders of Mariupol creates problems for russian troops in all operational areas. The decisive resistance of the Ukrainians has become a serious test for the russian forces and is attracting combatants and weapons, slowing down the russian attacks in other places, has been stated.

Intelligence notes that the kremlin's methods of operating in Mariupol, with shelling of civilian infrastructure and residential buildings, echo what the russian military did in Syria and during the Second Chechen War.

The United States estimates that since the end of last week, russia has added 11 more battalion tactical groups (BTGs) to its forces in eastern and southern Ukraine, bringing the total number of russian BTGs to 76.

The Central Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine states that the number of official "refusals" among russian servicemen is growing, and the military leadership encourages men to fight in Ukraine by threatening relatives, payments and records in their personal files.

Thus, the number of refusals among "contractors" in units of the 150th Motorised Rifle Division of the 8th Army of the Southern Military District of the russian Armed Forces reached 60-70% of the total number of combatants.

Strategic and military facilities of the russian federation are now on Google Maps and can be viewed in maximum quality. On Google Maps in maximum resolution, it is possible now to see a variety of russian intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, command posts, secret landfills, etc.

3. The russian occupiers are violating international humanitarian law and committing genocide of Ukrainians.

The russian president awarded the 64th Brigade, which occupied Bucha in the Kyiv region in March, the honorary title of Guards for exemplary actions during the war against Ukraine.

The russian aggressors kill Ukrainian children. According to preliminary data, more than 567 children were injured in Ukraine as a result of a full-scale armed aggression by russia: 205 children were killed and more than 362 children were injured.

According to official data of juvenile prosecutors, most of the children that were affected was in the Donetsk region - 117, the Kyiv region - 107, the Kharkiv region - 91, the Chernihiv region - 54, the Kherson region - 43, the Mykolaiiv region - 40, the Luhansk region - 36, the Zaporizhzhia region - 23, Kyiv City - 16, the Sumy region - 16, the Zhytomyr region - 15.

On April 15th, in the Vyshhorod district of the Kiev region, as a result of detonation of an unidentified explosive device a 17-year-old teenager was wounded.

Humanitarian catastrophe in Mariupol. Civilians, including women and children, are hiding on the territory of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, hiding from shelling in the plant's storage facilities. Former Minister of Interior Affairs Arsen Avakov said: There, in Azovstal, there are many people in the bunkers - women, the elderly, and children. In terrible conditions, without medicine, food and water.

To cover the tracks of their crimes, the russians are using civilians left in Mariupol to dig up the rubble, collect corpses and build mass graves. People "work" for food.

On the right leg and on the left arm, the russians are forcing civilians to wear a white bandage, both in the military of the russian federation and the so-called DPR, so they can bring the local population to the rank of combatants and send them to firing points, where people may die.

The russian invaders are launching missile and bomb strikes on civilians, towns and villages. On the morning of April 18th, russian troops launched a missile strike on Lviv and two districts of the Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as shelling of Mykolaiiv.

On Monday morning, April 18th, the russian army fired four missiles at Lviv, with 7 dead and 11 injured, including one child.

The russian army launched a missile strike on the Dnipropetrovsk region, some missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defence systems, but one of the missiles hit an infrastructure facility  with two victims.

On the morning of April 18th, the russian invaders continued to fire on Kharkiv, killing at least one person and injuring six.

Later, at about 11:50 a.m., the russian occupiers fired on the Osnovianskyi district of Kharkiv. The shells fell on playgrounds near residential buildings. A man and a woman were killed in the shelling. A number of residential buildings were also damaged

International investigation into the war crimes of the russian occupiers. The police of Ukraine have completed all the necessary investigative actions in Irpin to record the war crimes of the russian federation and handed over the bodies of 269 dead locals for examination, a separate case concerning the area of Rich Town is ready for transfer to the local area services.

Police and prosecutors in several regions of Germany are investigating more than 140 cases of approval of the russian federation's war against Ukraine. This was reported by DW. Most of the cases concern the use of the letter "Z", which has become a symbol of the russian attack.

Austria is exploring the possibility of launching its own investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine.

4. Evacuation of civilians, exchange of prisoners.

Viktor Medvedchuk, a People's Deputy from The Opposition Platform  For Life detained by the Security Service, addressed the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the president of the russian federation putin with a proposal to exchange him for defenders and residents of Mariupol.

Serhii Haidai, the head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, called on the region's residents to evacuate before it was too late. He asked Ukrainians to take more responsibility for their lives and leave the area where the fighting is taking place.

Deputy Prime Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk stated that on Monday, April 18th, humanitarian corridors in Ukraine will not work.

According to her, the day before there were long and difficult negotiations on the organisation of corridors from Mariupol, Berdiansk, Tokmak, Enerhodar, from the Kherson region and from the Luhansk region: Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Rubizhne, Popasna and Nyzhnie.

However, in violation of international humanitarian law, the russian occupiers did not stop blocking and shelling humanitarian routes. Therefore, for security reasons, it was decided not to open humanitarian corridors on Monday, April 18th.

5. Political and socio-economic situation in Ukraine, losses due to the russian aggression.

Ukraine has sent the first part of the completed questionnaire to the European Commission to assess our ability to obtain EU candidate status and is already working on the second part.

Society demonstrates solidarity, patriotism, and faith in victory. Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the russian federation, 1,660,000 Ukrainians have returned to their homeland.

On April 16th, for the first time since the beginning of the war, more people entered Ukraine from Poland than left the country. On Saturday, 22,000 people entered Ukraine and 19,200 people left.

The Ukrainian economy, despite the negative effects of hostilities, is demonstrating signs of recovery. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has reduced the number of permits for entrepreneurs tenfold - of the 500 previously required permits, only 50 remain under state control.

Oshchadbank ended the first quarter of 2022 with a profit: a positive financial result of UAH 243.562 million. For the same period last year, the profit amounted to UAH 252.335 million.

For the period of martial law, the state has decided to extend guarantees for deposits of citizens not within 200 thousand UAH, but for the entire amount of deposits. Three months after the end of the war, the amount of guarantees will be fixed  UAH 600 thousand.

The Cabinet of Ministers supported the NBU's proposal to nationalise UAH 26 billion in assets of russian banks withdrawn from the Ukrainian market. The final decision requires a decision of the National Security and Defence Council and a Presidents Decree.

Ukraine is rebuilding infrastructure in the occupied territories. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian energy companies have restored electricity supply to about 53,000 consumers. In particular, in the Kyiv region - 36.3 thousand consumers, in the Mykolaiv region - 10.1 thousand, in the Kharkiv region - 4.5 thousand, in the Kherson region - 1.3 thousand, in the Zaporizhzhia region - 800 consumers.

In Chernihiv, the blockages at the Gagarin Stadium were dismantled, and 25 kilometres of the M-01 highway were cleared of russian equipment.

Another temporary crossing was opened in the parking lot on the Kyiv-Chop highway. This crossing unblocked traffic between Kyiv and Zhytomyr.

Ukrposhta stated that it is resuming the work of branches throughout the Chernihiv region: they accept not only transfers and payments for communal services, but also shipments in Ukraine and abroad.

6. Provocations and fakes of the russian aggressors.

russian authorities continue to hide information about the number of dead on the cruiser Moscow. A source close to the russian Black Sea Fleet command told Meduza that 37 sailors were killed and about 100 were injured in the shipwreck of the cruiser Moscow. According to the source, it is unknown how many have disappeared. In fact, "missing" on the high seas means that the bodies of the dead were not found.

Three other families of conscripts, who were also on the ship and "disappeared", contacted Dmytro Shkrebets, whose son-in-law "disappeared" because of the destruction of the cruiser Moscow.

Despite statements by the russian Ministry of Defence that the entire crew of the russian cruiser "Moscow" destroyed by the Armed Forces was completely evacuated, journalists found the first dead russian sailor in the crew - it was the midshipman from Udmurtia by the name of Ivan Vakhrushev.

The Center for Combating Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council warns that russian troops may resort to provocations on Easter holidays, accusing the Ukrainian army of them in advance:

In particular, several propaganda media reported that more than 70 mobile groups have been formed from nationalists in cars that will fire mortars at Orthodox churches on Easter night and then accuse the russian military of doing so.

In russian universities, there are lectures on justification of war with Ukraine, often instead of ordinary lectures. A source close to the russian presidential administration told Medusa that the AP's internal political bloc "strongly recommends" placing the Z symbol on university websites, facades and classrooms, as well as holding thematic flash mobs.

The accusations of the President of Serbia about Ukraine's involvement in reports of mining of Serbian planes are not true. This was stated in a comment to "European Truth" by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Oleh Nikolenko.

"We completely reject the baseless accusations of the President of Serbia. His allegations of Ukraine's alleged involvement in reports of mines by Serbian airlines flying to russia are untrue," he stated.

8. Political and socio-economic situation in russia, the impact of international sanctions on it.

russia has begun preparations for the Victory Parade on the Red Square in Moscow - more than 11,000 servicemen and two hundred units of modern equipment and aircraft were involved in rehearsals.

New sanctions and restrictions against russia. In russia, major retailers, including the X5 Group, VkusVill and Alphabet of Taste, are suspending the opening of new outlets and reorganising the teams responsible for creating new business lines.

Paramount will stop broadcasting its channels in russia on April 20th - operators began to receive such messages from the company.

The negative impact of sanctions on the russian economy. The head of the Central Bank of the russian federation Elvira Nabiullina expects significant economic problems in the second or third quarters of the year. This was reported by Reuters .

Nabiullina covered up the crisis in finance and the economy with the phrase "structural transformation". The period when the economy can live on reserves is limited. And in the second and third quarters, we will enter a period of structural change and the search for new business models, she said.

The sanctions have largely affected the financial market, but they will now have an increasing impact on the economy.

The mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin said that the withdrawal or suspension of foreign companies in Moscow created risks for 200,000 people. According to him, 3.36 billion rubles were allocated last week for the program to support workers at risk of dismissal.
Previously-unseen home movies from Queen Elizabeth II's personal archive - including footage capturing the monarch as a young mother and her beaming at her engagement ring - will be shown in a new documentary, the BBC said Sunday.
As the EU poises to mark its anniversary on Monday, it is morphing into a more muscular global actor, a transformation accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
West Africa is facing its worst food crisis in a decade due to increasing conflicts, droughts, floods and the war in Ukraine, nearly a dozen international organizations said in a report Tuesday.

The number of West Africans needing emergency food assistance has nearly quadrupled from 7 million in 2015 to 27 million this year in nations including Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mali and Nigeria, where thousands have also been displaced because of rising Islamic extremist violence, the report said.

That number could jump to 38 million by June if action isn't taken soon to help people in the Sahel, the sweeping region south of the Sahara Desert, the groups warned.

``Cereal production in some parts of the Sahel has dropped by about a third compared to last year. Family food supplies are running out. Drought, floods, conflict, and the economic impacts of COVID-19 have forced millions of people off their land, pushing them to the brink'' according to Assalama Dawalack Sidi, Oxfam's regional director for West and Central Africa.

Children are suffering deeply, with estimates by the United Nations saying that some 6.3 million children 5 years and under will be acutely malnourished this year. Young girls will also face the brunt of the problem, being forced into early marriage or facing gender-based violence as food becomes scarcer, the 11 international organizations said.

Drought and poor rainfall distribution have reduced the food sources in many communities in the central Sahel region, the report said. Food prices have increased by up to 30% in West Africa, it said.

Global prices have risen as trade has been interrupted by the war in Ukraine, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. Wheat availability will also be greatly affected in six West African countries that import at least 30% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, it said.

The crisis in Europe is also resulting in funding cuts to aid in Africa and $4 billion is needed to provide adequate support to the continent, the report said.

``Ukraine is receiving the right level of solidarity and care, this level should be the standard for responses to all crises, everywhere else,'' said Moumouni Kinda, director-general of ALIMA.

The appeal comes before a conference on the Sahel on Wednesday which Oxfam's Sidi said will be ``a unique opportunity to mobilize the necessary emergency food and nutrition assistance and to prove that the lives of people in Africa are not worth less than those in Europe.''

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The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) kicked off in Washington DC on Monday, with the key theme expected to focus on the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 on the global economy.

The IMF said last week that it will revise down the real GDP growth of 143 economies, which account for 86 percent of the global GDP, including countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Egypt is currently in talks with the IMF for a new loan programme, the fourth since 2016, which aims to offset the impact of the global economic crisis and continue with its second wave of structural reforms.

Egypt's first wave of reforms (from 2016 to 2019) was executed with an IMF-backed three-year programme and a $12 billion loan.

The country also obtained two loans from the IMF in 2020 with a value exceeding $8 billion to address the negative fallout of the pandemic.

The annual meetings of the IMF and WBG bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organisations, and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.

This year's meetings will be held through 24 April.

In advance of the meetings, the World Bank launched its economic update on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which maintained Egypts real GDP growth at 5.5 percent in fiscal year (FY) 2021/2022, making it the only country in the group of middle-income oil-importing countries to keep its forecast despite the ongoing economic challenges globally, regionally and locally.

However, the report downgraded the country's forecast for FY 2022/2023 to 5 percent, down from 5.5 percent expected in January, driven by the consequences of the Ukraine war as well as the impacts of the pandemic.

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A series of "powerful" Russian strikes on military infrastructure in Lviv on Monday left several dead and ignited blazes in the west Ukraine city that has been spared fierce fighting.

A resident of Lviv told AFP they could see thick plumes of grey smoke rising above residential buildings and air raid sirens sounded throughout the city during and after the strikes.

"At the moment, we are able to confirm that seven people have died. We also know that 11 people are injured. A child is among them," the Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytsky said in an update on the strikes on social media.

"Three victims are in critical condition," he added.

He said that four Russian missiles, which initially were reported to have claimed six lives, had targeted Ukrainian military infrastructure and that a car tyre centre had also been struck.

"The facilities were severely damaged," Kozytsky said in an initial post, adding later that unused warehouses had been struck.

Twenty-one-year-old Lviv resident Andrei said he was sleeping when the sirens began wailing at around 8:00 am (0600 GMT).

"I slept through the first three strikes, but then when the last one hit, it was like my windows were about to break, and the furniture moved," he told AFP.

Lviv, near Ukraine's border with Poland, so far been spared being embroiled in the worst of the fighting sparked by Russia's invasion of its pro-Western neighbour nearly two months ago.

Instead, the city has become of refuge for people displaced from the war-scarred east and at the start of the fighting hosted several Western embassies transferred from Kyiv.

The attacks Monday come as Russia has intensified strikes in and around the capital Kyiv further east, targeting over several days a number of facilities that produce military hardware.

Those bombardments come after Moscow vowed to increase strikes on the capital in response to what Russian military officials claimed were Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil and the sinking of the Moskva warship.

"Five powerful missile strikes at once on the civilian infrastructure of the old European city of Lviv," Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak wrote on Twitter.

"The Russians continue barbarically attacking Ukrainian cities from the air, cynically declaring to the whole world their 'right' to kill Ukrainians," he said.

The head of Ukraine's national railways Alexander Kamyshin said on social media that some of the site's infrastructure had been damaged and there would likely be delays to services, but no passengers or staff were injured.

AFP journalists saw black smoke billowing from the gutted roof of a car repair shop above railway tracks in the northwest of the city, around four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the city centre.

Lviv in late March was hit by series of Russian strikes that targeted a fuel depot and injured five people. On March 18, bombardments hit an aircraft repair factory near Lviv's airport. No injuries were reported.

Russian cruise missiles on March 13 targeted a major military base about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north west of Lviv, killing at least 35 people and injuring 134.

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Russian troops on Monday captured the east Ukraine town of Kreminna, local authorities said, as Kyiv's armed forces launched salvoes on Russian forces in the nearby settlement of Rubizhne.

"There was a major attack in the night" from Sunday to Monday in Kreminna, the Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said in a statement on social media.

"The Russian army has already entered there, with a huge amount of military hardware... Our defenders have retreated to new positions," he added.

Ukraine's security and defence council secretary Oleksiy Danilov confirmed the Russian offensive in the east.

"Almost along the entire front line in the territory of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv regions, the invaders tried to break through our defences," he said.

"Fortunately, our military is holding on."

They had however broken through in two places, he added: "Kremennaya and another small town. But the fighting continues. We do not surrender our territories."

Kreminna, with a pre-war population of nearly 20,000 people, is around 50 kilometres (31 miles) northeast of Kramatorsk, the region's administrative centre, and is a strategic target for invading Russian forces.

Rubizhne, which is under Russian control, was under intense fire from Ukrainian artillery and mortars, AFP journalists reported.

Powerful explosions could be seen in Rubizhne, sometimes followed by fires and plumes of white or black smoke.

In Kharkiv meanwhile, fresh Russian shelling killed three people and wounded 15 others, said the region's governor Oleg Sinegubov.

Russian forces have stepped up their offensive to capture the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine having pulled back troops deployed around the capital Kyiv at the beginning of the invasion in late February.

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By Azernews





By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijan has always prioritized human rights protection, including the rights of prisoners. Reforms to the country's penal system are among the key issues in this context. It is worth noting that Azerbaijan's judiciary reforms have recently received international recognition, including the "Crystal Scales of Justice" award from the Council of Europe.

To ensure a progressive policy in this area, the country has recently built new facilities for juveniles and women prisoners, two vulnerable groups in society.

Azerbaijan constructed the new penitentiaries to replace the old ones to provide modern conditions for prisoners, rehabilitate them, and build the infrastructure required for their reintegration into society.

Azerbaijan's humane policy in this regard is exemplified by the recently built penitentiary facilities for women and juvenile inmates.

Considering public interest, the Justice Ministry held a public presentation and organized a media tour on April 15 to familiarize society with the conditions created in these prisons.

Ombudspersons visit

Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva has attended the presentation of a modern penitentiary facility for women and juveniles in Baku.

MPs, representatives from relevant government agencies, human rights activists and media representatives also joined the inauguration of the facility built by the Justice Ministry.

In her speech, Aliyeva emphasized the legal reforms begun by national leader Heydar Aliyev and continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

The ombudsperson stressed the importance of the presidential decree dated February 10, 2017, on the humanization of the penitentiary policy in protecting the rights of those detained in penitentiary institutions and improving detention circumstances. She added that the opening of new penitentiaries should be considered a prerequisite of this presidential decree.

It was emphasized that the facility meets modern standards indicated in the European Penitentiary Rules and other international acts.

Later, Aliyeva had a conversation with a group of prisoners.

The event was followed by a literary and artistic part that was organized for the prisoners.

President inaugurates penitentiary facilities

On March 29, President Ilham Aliyev inspected newly-built modern penitentiary institutions for women and juvenile prisoners in Baku.

In contrast to previous penitentiary institutions built in the 1930s that did not meet modern standards, the new facilities have all the necessary conditions.

Recreational opportunities, psychological counseling, prayer rooms, and other facilities have been established, as have production areas for prisoners to engage in activities such as weaving, carpet weaving, sewing, and baking, among others.

All facilities have the necessary infrastructure in place to allow inmates to spend their leisure time productively by participating in sports, pursuing education, and studying a variety of specialties. There is a library, a reading room, and a computer room, all of which are stocked with the necessary literature.

The enterprise's two-story medical unit is equipped with modern equipment and includes doctor's rooms, examination and diagnostic areas, and a dental office, as well as a laboratory, pharmacy, pediatric room, and other ancillary rooms.

A building for prisoner meetings has also been built in the new penitentiary institution. There are separate rooms with all living conditions, a kitchen, and walking areas for prisoners to meet with their families for short-term and three-day visits.

In addition to classrooms, the two-story school building houses labor, computer, and other rooms, as well as a gym. The conditions provided here enable inmates, particularly juveniles, to obtain an education and gain occupational skills.

States humanism policy

In line with the country's significant reforms, modern conditions have been created in the country's penal institutions to protect prisoners' rights and pave the way for their effective rehabilitation and social adaptation.

In Baku's Zabrat settlement, a new pre-trial detention center has been built. In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Shaki, modern penitentiary complexes have been built. Such businesses are also being built in Ganja and Lankaran, as well as the capital's Umbaki settlement.

So far, 35 presidential decrees have pardoned approximately 6,000 prisoners, while four amnesty acts have been passed at First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva's initiative, covering over 40,000 people.

Simultaneously, as the country's justice system evolves, the penitentiary service improves, the penitentiary policy is humanized, and consistent efforts are made to protect prisoners' rights and improve their detention, medical, and other benefits.

The recently completed amnesty act, signed on Victory Day [November 8], is yet another manifestation of the state's humanist policy, which has benefited over 17,000 people in total.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry was received on Monday by King Felipe VI in Madrid, Spain, where they discussed Egypts economic reform programme, green transformation, and preparations for the UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27), a statement by the foreign ministry said.

According to the statement, the Egyptian FM discussed with the Spanish King what the Egyptian government has achieved through the economic reform programme as well as how the country was looking forward to Spanish companies participating in development projects and green transformation efforts in Egypt.

They also discussed several regional and international issues of mutual concern between the two countries.

For his part, King Felipe welcomed the progress achieved in Egyptian-Spanish relations, asserting that Egypt was a vital partner in the region.

Shoukry also met with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between both countries with a special focus on investment, development, and transitioning to a green economy, the statement said.

Following the meeting, Shoukry and Albares signed an MoU on diplomatic studies and exchanging experiences between the Diplomatic Studies Institute at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic School in Spain in order to boost cooperation in training and expertise exchange programmes.

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Turkey warned on Tuesday that it could take "dozens of years" to restore trust between the West and Russia following Moscow's decision to invade Ukraine.

"Of course we are seeing the start of a new Cold War," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint media appearance with his visiting Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto.

"It will take a long time to make up for it. It may take dozens of years to restore trust, but we believe that swift steps should be taken for a ceasefire."

Turkey, which has enjoyed warm relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has been trying to mediate an end to the nearly two-month conflict.

As a NATO member, it has supplied Kyiv with combat drones but has shied away from joining Western sanctions against Moscow.

Turkey has hosted two rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in the past, blaming allegations of Russian atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and a missile attack on a train station in Kramatorsk for a breakdown in the peace process.

"Despite the changing circumstances in the field, we believe there is still a chance for diplomacy to work," Cavusoglu said.

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Egypt is receiving applications for the Hajj after Saudi Arabia announced it will host a million pilgrims following a two-year hiatus.

Egypts Chamber of Tourism Establishments has started receiving tour agency applications for pilgrimage visas after Saudi Arabia announced it will resume receiving non-Saudi pilgrims who want to perform the Hajj following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The number of pilgrims Saudi Arabia will receive will decrease by 40 per cent, however, to reach a million people Saudi and non-Saudi alike  compared to the numbers it hosted before the outbreak.

Yasser Sultan, a former member of the Egyptian Pilgrimage Committee, expects a high turnout on the part of Egyptians. Before the pandemic, some 250,000 people had applied for tourist pilgrimage visas on an annual basis, although the country is only allowed 36,000, he added.

A lottery is carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to filter down the numbers.

Egypts share of pilgrimage visas is set at 78,000, including touristic pilgrimage, Ministry of Interior pilgrimage, and Ministry of Social Solidarity pilgrimage visas. The country tailors five-star, four-star, economic, and land travel itineraries for pilgrims.

According to the system agreed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, each countrys share of pilgrimage visas has risen to one per 1,000 of its population. Egypt has not claimed its share of the increase.

Sultan expects the price of the Hajj to increase by 40 per cent due to the rise in the cost of services, the depreciation of the Egyptian pound, and the anticipated rise in hotel room prices.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, lesser pilgrimage (umrah) prices saw a 30 per cent increase, rising from LE17,000 to LE27,000.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that this years pilgrimage will be performed with a host of regulations, including that pilgrims be less than 65 years of age, be fully vaccinated, present a negative PCR test result conducted within 72 hours before arriving in Saudi Arabia, and commit themselves to preventive measures.

Alaa Al-Ghamri and Bassel Al-Sisi, members of the General Assembly of the Chamber of Tourism Establishments, urged the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to reveal the number of Egyptians who can travel for the pilgrimage and the tailored programmes and the prices they can expect to pay as soon as possible so that tour agencies can promote their itineraries.

The Saudi regulations will determine the increases in the prices of the pilgrimage, he added, pointing out that a low turnout will also increase costs. Companies assign a supervisor for each group of pilgrims. One supervisor for a group of 10 people would cost more than one for 20, for example, Al-Ghamri explained.

However, he expects the number of Egyptian applicants for the pilgrimage to increase, as was the case with umrah travels over the last three months, when 60,000 Egyptians were approved to travel for the lesser pilgrimage.

Al-Sisi added that the Ministry of Tourism has yet to decide whether land travel for the pilgrimage will be allowed this year, adding that banning people above the age of 65 from travelling for the pilgrimage will decrease the number of Hajj performers by approximately 30 per cent.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The Yemeni National Dialogue has succeeded in rehabilitating the nation-state in Yemen, but it will need to be built on to achieve lasting peace in the country.

The Yemeni National Dialogue, which convened in Riyadh from 29 March to 7 April, underscored the essence of the multifaceted Yemeni question: the need to restore the Yemeni nation-state. This had become an almost forgotten duty amidst the diverse agendas playing out in the country.

If the outputs of the dialogue appear to be largely tactical in nature, aimed as they are at paving the way to an end to the hostilities and a roadmap to a political solution to the conflict in the country, they nevertheless reflect the realisation that Yemen is fighting two battles at once: a military one and a battle for identity.

It is difficult to separate the two, and no political settlement of the armed conflict can achieve lasting results unless the battle of identity is also resolved. If this does not take place, identity-based ideologies that clash with the nation-state will continue to seethe beneath the surface and jeopardise stability.

This also applies to the regional dimension of the identity question, since it would be misleading to reduce the Yemeni crisis to the conflict against the north of the country controlled by the Houthi rebels.

The collapse of the regime led by former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011 precipitated a resurgence of historic rifts, the most obvious being the north-south divide, which today is being articulated by the Houthi Movement in the north harking back to the pre-modern Yemeni Imamate and the Southern Movement in the south harking back to the former independent state of South Yemen.

This broader context throws into relief a dangerous trend. One of the most frequently heard concerns voiced during the dialogue was that the Houthi project threatens to erode national identity in Yemen. But it has become all too obvious since the outbreak of the countrys Civil War that the concept of a culturally pluralist nation-state has never taken root in Yemen and that this problem is not limited to the Houthis.

The Houthi insurgency was just one of the natural outcomes of the collapse of central authority in Yemen, a dynamic that has had historical precedents in Yemen and elsewhere.

But Yemen faces the unprecedented situation where two projects have re-emerged at once to threaten the reconstitution of a single state: the Houthi revivalist project fighting within the geographical boundaries of the historical Mutawakkilite Imamate in the north and the Southern Movement project in the south, factions of which have taken up the banner of secession and the resurrection of South Yemen.

The battles fought by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the dominant faction in the Southern Movement, whether against Houthi incursions towards the south or against forces allied with the internationally recognised Yemeni government, confirm this.

However, the Southern aspirations are probably more containable than those of the Houthis in the north, given the Riyadh Agreement signed between the STC and the Yemeni government in 2019 and one of the outputs of this months dialogue making the STC one of the main components of the new Yemeni Presidential Council that has replaced the government of former president Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The Houthis defeated the Salafis in Yemen at the battle of Dammaj in 2013, and they defeated the Muslim Brotherhood in the north when they staged their coup in September 2014. The Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen is represented by the Al-Islah Party, which went on to become the dominant faction in pro-Yemeni government forces in the south. After the 2014 coup, the Houthis aligned with former president Ali Abdullah Salah, enabling them to inherit his remaining legacy.

However, the Houthis greatest challenge in their drive to ascendancy was to assert their control over the Zaydi sect in Yemen, this being their primary sociocultural base.

Some maintain that the Houthi Movement has already succeeded in this and that there is no longer any resistance of note from within the Zaydi community. This also has historical antecedents since it is found in the Harudi creed, said to have led to an ideological rebellion in the framework of the Zaydi Shia belief in the Hidden Imam and a line of hereditary succession that traces itself back to Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohamed.

According to some observers, the present-day Ansarullah Movement, led by the Houthis, espouses a concept of the enemies of the ummah rooted in the Harudi creed of persecution under the Ottomans, the former rulers of Yemen. The ideological use of victimhood also has a geopolitical history in the region that transcends Yemen, but the Houthis identification of the US and Israel as the enemies of the ummah naturally intersects with the outlook of Iran.

For such observers, this convergence of beliefs paved the way to the Iranian intervention in Yemen even before the countrys 2011 Revolution in the six flareups of conflict between 2004 and 2010 if not before in the framework of the Iranian campaign to expand its Islamic Revolution.

This has led to speculation about the nature of the Houthi project. Some have described it as an Iranian edition of the Harudi creed on the grounds that its incubator is Tehran and not the local Zaydi environment. If this is the case, it would be a weak point in the Houthi project, or at least in its current evolution, precisely because this dependency renders it captive to the Iran.

The manner in which the Houthi project has spread ideologically in areas under the groups control during the past eight years has led some Yemeni observers to speak of the ignorant Imamate. The project is inherently a totalitarian theocratic one, they say, and one that is in the hands of individuals from caves in Saada. They mean that the Houthi leaders have at best a modicum of traditional education and are unequipped to govern in the 21st century.

More than two million children of school age are now not in school due to the war in Yemen, according to recent UNICEF figures. These children are the perfect vehicles for the Houthi project, both as fodder for the military and clean slates to be indoctrinated in Houthi thinking. There is also little difference between them and children who do attend school since the curriculum reflects the same doctrine.

Schools in Yemen have become one of the sources for the military recruitment of both sexes, according to one source. Girls are enrolled into Daughters of Zeinab programmes, from which they graduate into the all-female armed brigades the Houthis have established.

While some universities have been shut down as potential trouble spots, others have been converted into recruitment and indoctrination centres. The current war has thus sacrificed the education of an entire generation, and this will have disastrous implications for the future, regardless of how soon the war ends.

There have been reports of growing sectarian intolerance in Sanaa and elsewhere in northern Yemen. The tarawih (a Ramadan evening prayer) has been banned in many mosques, and the Houthis have instructed mosque imams to delay the time of the sunset call to prayer until the last rays of red have vanished from the horizon.

These and other practices are associated with Shia Islam, although some have attributed this rigidity to the Mutawakkilite legacy and the influence of extremist Harudi thought.

The Houthi authorities have also imposed extra religious sermons, which are published daily in the media and aired over mosque loudspeakers. Such practices undoubtedly hamper the prospect of social peace and coexistence in Yemen, which was once seen as a model in which it was hard to distinguish between Sunni Shafie Islam and Zaydi Shia Islam.

If the Houthis represent one of the more extreme facets of the problem of establishing a modern nation-state in Yemen, the National Dialogue conference demonstrates its fuller scope. There, too, the mentality that holds that whoever holds power is the state has seemed to prevail over the modern concept of the institutionalised state based on equal citizenship.

If some at the dialogue saw the need for a republican system in Yemen, others proposed federal concepts, while others still voiced ideas that seemed geared to resurrecting the Ali Abdullah Saleh regime. This latter option is untenable, even if Salehs nephew and his allies will have a significant say in future arrangements. The old regime with it tribalistic support and various ills has been consigned to history.

Regardless of such confusion, however, the National Dialogue did succeed in rehabilitating the concept of the nation-state in Yemen. This is a positive first step that needs to be built on and amplified in a practical way so that it can compete effectively against other agendas.

The common denominator between the weak points of all the other projects is that they hark back to various historical eras and are not forward-looking. Some have described parts of the contention over the nation-state as it unfolded in the dialogue as a debate between rival histories and one that was only set aside, perhaps momentarily, when the new government authority was formed.

There are now committees of wise men and elders in Yemen, useful tools to achieve communal reconciliation. But so far there is still no real modern state-building project. This will need a broader vision, concrete mechanisms, and a different context.

It was the lack of these things that cast Yemen back to square one after the revolution in warfare and the clash between primary allegiances. This also explains why most of the forces that are now part of the new government still make it a priority to defeat the Houthis militarily, even though one of the main outputs of the dialogue was the emphasis on the need pursue political solutions to end the crisis.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The government is diversifying international suppliers and providing additional incentives to local farmers in efforts to manage rising wheat prices in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine.

Egypts Ministry of Agriculture announced last week that it was adding India to the list of countries from which it could source wheat in a decision that came following visits by Egyptian agriculture and pest-analysis officials to port facilities and farms in India.

The addition is part of government efforts to diversify wheat supplies following disruptions because of the war in Ukraine. According to Reuters, India is heading for a record wheat harvest this year thanks to favourable weather conditions in the major wheat-growing areas.

More than 80 per cent of Egypts wheat imports originate from Russia and Ukraine. While supplies from Russia have continued to come through, the blockades of Ukrainian ports have prevented shipments from leaving and pushed exporters to send their crop abroad by rail.

Egypt has enough wheat to cover the next 2.6 months worth of consumption, Cabinet Spokesman Nader Saad said earlier this month. These stocks will soon be replenished by the new harvest that takes place in April in new areas reclaimed from the desert, said Salah Abdel-Meguid, former head of the wheat research department at the Agricultural Research Centre.

In the rest of the country, the harvest takes place between mid-May and mid-June.

Domestic and imported wheat is needed to produce the subsidised bread from which more than 70 million people benefit.

Besides India, Egypt is also reported to be contemplating wheat imports from Pakistan, Mexico, Argentina, and the US. While there are plenty of sources of wheat internationally, price is a determining factor, Abdel-Meguid told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Since Egypt requires some 13 million tons of wheat imports, higher prices mean a bigger hard-currency bill for the country. Egypts is the worlds largest wheat importer. The US department of agricultures Foreign Agriculture Service forecasts Egypts wheat imports in 2021-22 at 13.2 million tons.

While the harvest of the domestic crop is imminent, there is still a need to secure further stocks for next year. The General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) last week made its first international wheat purchases since the war in Ukraine broke out, buying 350,000 tons of wheat from France, Russia, and Bulgaria at more than $450 per ton, the highest figure in nearly six years.

Besides seeking wheat from new destinations, the government is encouraging local farmers to deliver as much wheat as possible. While it has increased the price per ardab of wheat (150 kg) by LE65 to between LE865 and LE885, Abdel-Meguid said it could do better.

He hopes it will raise the delivery price to LE1,000 per ardab to encourage farmers to deliver more of their harvest. Another determining factor will also be to pay farmers for their crop straight away, he added, as in previous years there were instances when payments were delayed, leading to complaints from farmers.

High-quality Egyptian wheat is mixed with imported wheat to improve the overall quality and used for the bread subsidy programme.

Hisham Al-Naggar, CEO of the Daltex Corporation which cultivates wheat in newly reclaimed areas, agrees that the delivery price should not be less than LE1,000 per ardab if the government wants farmers not only to deliver their crop, but also to keep cultivating wheat in the next season.

He said he understood the dilemma and the pressure that higher wheat prices are placing on the government budget, but said that a higher delivery price would be a good investment that would encourage farmers to cultivate larger areas of wheat in the future.

While the government bought wheat at last weeks tender price of above LE8,000 per ton, it is will be paying local farmers around LE6,000.

The government currently spends LE51 billion to subsidise around 270 million loaves of bread produced daily, a statement by the Ministry of Supply issued in February said. Reforming the subsidy system is on the government radar, however, and officials have said that the price, which has stood at LE0.05 per loaf for decades, needs to increase.

The government has said it subsidises each loaf by LE0.65, and officials have mentioned possible moves to introduce targeted cash transfers instead. However, some economists have warned that continuing the bread subsidies is important to protect the poor from hunger.

In March, the minister of finance said that higher wheat prices would cost the budget an additional LE12 to LE15 billion. The figure is estimated to be much higher now, following the runaway prices witnessed at the latest GASC tender last week.

The government hopes to collect six million tons of wheat from local farmers this year, up from 3.6 million in 2020. It is also implementing strict rules on wheat deliveries, saying that it expects a minimum delivery of 12 ardab per feddan from farmers and threatening legal action against those selling their crop outside the system.

It also said violators would be deprived of subsidised fertilisers and other forms of support. The owners of large farms who deliver at least 90 per cent of their production will receive subsidised fertilisers for summer crops, it said.

This year is ideal for wheat cultivation, Abdel-Sayed said, adding that he expects the average yield to range from between 19.5 to 20 ardab per feddan, which would mean one million tons of extra crop and could mean a bumper crop of 10 million tons.

The US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service forecasts Egypts wheat production in the marketing year 2021-22 to reach nine million metric tons, up by 1.12 per cent over the 8.9 million in the previous marketing year.

It attributed the rise to an increase in the total area harvested to 1.4 million hectares, up from 1.39 million the year before.

Abdel-Meguid hopes for a successful harvest season this year, but he also warned that there could be wastage of up to 25 per cent of the crop during the harvest and in the bread-manufacturing process.

The future of Egyptian wheat cultivation lay in the newly reclaimed areas, where, with proper investment, productivity per feddan could reach as high as 22 ardab, he said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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South and Southeast Asian students at Al-Azhar University in Cairo have been introducing a new taste to the citys Ramadan Iftars, with Al-Azhar sending out delegations across the World to help other Muslim communities gain a flavour of the holy month, writes Dina Ezzat

A taste of Asia in Ramadan

Cairos Nasr City has become a centre of Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai cuisine

Some five years ago, Rahim and his wife Julia came from Malaysia to Cairo with the plan to spend eight years in Egypt while their daughter Aisha studied medicine at Assiut University. The familys move was designed to spare separations and to economise on travel fares that would otherwise have been necessary for family gatherings.

Having left behind their small businesses in Malaysia, Rahim and Julia decided they needed a stable income to help eke out their savings. Cooking and selling inexpensive meals to the large community of Malaysian students attending Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Rahim said, seemed an obvious choice. His wife is an excellent cook, and he is skilled in business management.

Nasr City already had many stalls or small shops offering simple, low-budget meals for Southeast Asian students clustering in the dorms of their university or in small apartments across the neighbourhood. However, Rahim said that having taken a walk around Al-Hayy Al-Sabei (the Seventh District) he decided that the already existing restaurants or stalls were busy enough to allow for a new operation to be introduced.

Finding the ingredients for traditional Malaysian dishes was not always easy or affordable. It is hard to find the pandan leaves required for the Nasi Lamak dish, for example, which is made of rice soaked in coconut oil and steamed with pandan leaves and then wrapped in banana leaves with cucumbers, hardboiled eggs, fried anchovies, and shrimp paste, all with chili sauce.

Coconut oil and Malaysian spices are not easy to find in Cairo either. Rahim had to count on visits from friends and acquaintances to bring him essential ingredients for his small store for a couple of years. But then he and Julia got more acquainted with the range of vegetables and spices available in Egypt and started improvising with what was available, something that all people do with all recipes, he said.

Whatever he offered tasted authentic enough to please the palates of the young Malaysian men and women who sought a taste of home in Egypt. The dishes he made caused him to be in demand as the permanent cook at an inhouse restaurant in an apartment building dedicated to Malaysian students in Nasr City.

Rahim and Julia provide their services for those living in this building, as well as for other Malaysian students and Southeast Asian students, among them Indonesians and Thais. There are also some Egyptian students who attend Al-Azhar and want to get a taste of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai food may seem quite similar to each other. Their mix of steamed or fried rice with chicken, beef, or fish simmered or stewed in aromatic spices could well be a feature of all three cuisines. Not many will instantly tell the difference between a Malaysian Nasi Lamak and an Indonesian Nasi Uduk. For Malaysians and Indonesians, however, the difference is very clear.

Youssef, an Indonesian student who arrived in Egypt to study Islamic Sharia law at Al-Azhar University in 2018, can tell the difference. However, for him opting for a Malaysian or a Thai meal is a favourited choice, even if they are different.

Egyptian food is also about rice, vegetables, and chicken or beef, but the ways of cooking are very different, he said. There are also differences not just between Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines, but also within Indonesia itself. The country is a vast archipelago of islands, and there is huge diversity among them, with each having their own dishes.

For Youssef, it is now easy to call up small restaurants offering Malaysian Nasi Lamak or Rendang, a spicy dish of meat cooked in coconut milk and chilies, or Indonesian Nasi Uduk and Pecel, a savoury vegetable salad. Another option is Nile, a Thai restaurant that serves these and Thai specialties including Wassermann curry, a dish of fried rice and chicken cooked with coconut cream and spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and anise, that is very popular among Muslims in Thailand.

Haisham, a cook at Nile, said that using ingredients and spices common in the cuisines of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand was the key to the attraction of this restaurant among Southeast Asian students who like to gather for meals, especially in Ramadan.

With rice, noodles, vegetables, and chicken and a range of spices, one cannot go wrong, he said.

Haisham is a student who came from Indonesia to study Islamic Sharia at Al-Azhar and decided to get a job in order to help with his expenses while doing post-graduate studies. At Nile, he has had a closer encounter with other Southeast Asian cuisines.

Having come from Erbil in Iraq in 2015 to Egypt to study at Al-Azhar University, Idris has also learned more about Asian cuisines from Malaysia to Iraq. Putting aside the exotic dolma and other influences from Turkish cuisine, Idris saw similarities between the food of Erbil and that of the rest of South Asia and the Far East.

It was through the experience of frequenting the small Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai restaurants that Idris came up with the idea of starting an unusual grill restaurant.

He opted for a model that all Asians could subscribe to in the form of Japanese takoyaki, essentially a setball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special moulded pan. It is typically filled with minced shrimps, chicken, and green onion. This is a favourite option for shared Ramadan meals, whether at a small restaurant or for deliveries, he said.

This also inspired Suryana, another Indonesian student, who decided to start a small street food business to help with expenses while studying at Al-Azhar. Suryanas Al-Haramine (two shrines) dish is made of fried chicken in an Asian rather than the American version, as the spices are different, he said.

Al-Haramine fried chicken is easy to match with local or Asian rice or noodles and vegetables, he said. It is popular with other students at Al-Azhar, including those from Europe or Africa.

According to Youssef, during the month of Ramadan there is always an appetite to share. Some go to one of the restaurants that have found the right mix to please everyone, while others eat at the dorm canteens or to the maaidat rahman, the Iftar meals set out for free at tables in the streets.

More than the flavour of Ramadan

Al-Azhar professor of mass communication Mohamed Wardani talks about the need to better present Muslim communities across the world

On 11 April (10 Ramadan), the Muslim minority in India saw a new wave of persecution with the demolition of houses and shops that are mostly owned by Muslim Indians.

Members of this community have been complaining for years about the discrimination they suffer, and the international rights group Amnesty International has qualified the demolitions as unlawful and called for an investigation.

The report came fewer than two weeks after the US acknowledged that attacks on the Muslim minority of the Rohingya in the majority Buddhist Myanmar could amount to genocide and crimes against humanity.

The ordeal of Muslim minorities in India, Myanmar, China, and elsewhere have often been criticised by Al-Azhar, which has appealed to the governments concerned to end discrimination against and attacks on Muslim communities.

Al-Azhar rightly refers to these people as communities because this puts the emphasis on the fact that these are citizens of specific countries and they should be treated on an equal footing with everyone else, said Mohamed Wardani, a professor of mass communication at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

According to Wardani, perceptions are essential in improving the situation of Muslims in the many countries they live in around the world, whether in South Asia or elsewhere. To characterise these communities as minorities, he said, undermines the case for equal citizenship.

The idea is to call for tolerance and coexistence of all people irrespective of their religion or race, Wardani said. Calling them minorities does not serve this cause of peaceful coexistence, he added.

He said that the document on Human Fraternity and World Peace that was signed by top religious figures including Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Roman Catholic Pope Francis is designed to call for the peaceful coexistence of the followers of all faiths all over the world irrespective of the numbers of populations.

Al-Azhar has often issued statements condemning the attacks on and discrimination against Muslims in India, China, or Myanmar. According to Wardani, the wording of these statements has been inspired by the principle of coexistence.

This week, Al-Azhar reiterated the need for coexistence and respect of faith in a statement that it issued in reaction to riots that took place in Sweden upon an anti-Islam rally. The riots erupted after burnings of copies of the Quran by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right Stram Kurs (Hard Line) Party.

Muslims who live in non-Muslim majority countries account for around one quarter of the over two billion Muslims around the world. They mostly live in India, Ethiopia, China, North and South America and Europe. The Muslims of North and South America are mostly immigrants, or the descendants of immigrants, from countries with Muslim-majority populations, mainly the Arab countries. This is not the case for the Muslims of Africa or Asia, who are mostly the descendants of converts who became Muslims centuries ago during the expansion of the Muslim world.

According to Wardani, there is a problem of perception if the word minorities is used for such people, especially if coming from a high-profile Islamic institution like Al-Azhar.

As part of its overall commitments, Al-Azhar reaches out to Muslims all over the world in many ways, but this is done in view of the fact that these Muslims are citizens of their own countries, he said. The role of Al-Azhar is to bring awareness  not just of the problems that those Muslims could be facing, but also of the need of those Muslims to refrain from pursuing radical ideologies or behaviour that could be used by some as an excuse for Islamophobia.

As a result, Al-Azhar sends out delegations to many countries where there are Muslim communities, large or small, to help them get a flavour of the festivities of the holy month of Ramadan, he added.

Wardani said that these delegations have a role beyond giving a colourful sense of the Muslim holy month. They also have a role in carrying the true image of Islam to the countries they go to.

I think it is very important to stress that apart from the misconceptions that have been associated with the image of Islam, the essence of the religion is opposed to violence. Al-Azhar has produced a book of 100 questions about Islam in several languages to clarify any misreadings of Islam, he said.

Carefully selected by Al-Azhar, the members of its delegations travel all over the world to present audiences with a taste of Ramadan through Quranic recitations and singing anashid, chants in which the singers express their love and admiration for the Almighty and the prophet of Islam.

These are designed to give a flavour of Ramadan to the populations of countries where the holy month is not widely observed.

Wardani said that the very thorough process of selecting the delegates was due to the need to present a correct image of Islam. With all the harm that has been done due to extremist groups like the Islamic State (IS) group, Boko Haram, and other such extremists, there is a need to remind people that Islam is essentially about co-existence and never about violence, he said.

He said that Al-Azhar has a large outreach scheme to communicate its message of tolerance and co-existence to Muslims all over the world irrespective of their populations. This should help in sharing the concepts of moderation and dispelling the calls for extremism, he added.

But there is a real challenge in seeing some Muslims listening to the call of radical groups who claim to be offering a true version of Islam. Of course, there is also the disturbing challenge of Islamophobia that is often attributed to the extremist choices of some Muslims, he added.

As part of this attempt to promote tolerance and moderation, Wardani said that Al-Azhar is offering Islamic teaching to over 38,000 students from over 100 countries. It also has delegations and institutes in over 60 countries that offer the teaching of moderate Islamic ideas, and it receives preachers from all over the world for training in Cairo.

There is also the Website of Al-Azhar that offers information and a question and answer service and other forms of communication to all Muslims wherever they are in the world, Wardani concluded.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egypts Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan said on Tuesday that Monday, 25 April, will be a paid holiday for private sector employees to celebrate the anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day and Sham El-Nessim.

Employers can have their employees work on that day on the condition they pay the workers extra for working during a public holiday, a statement issued by the minister said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly declared 25 April a paid holiday for public sector employees.

Egypt celebrates Sinai Liberation Day on 25 April annually, marking the final withdrawal of the Israeli occupation army from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982.

Sham-El-Nessim is an ancient Egyptian festival that falls on the day after Easter Sunday each year.

Minister Saafan also announced that Sunday 1 May will be a paid holiday for private sector employees covered by Labour Law 12 of 2003, on the occasion of Labor Day

PM Madbouly also announced that the period between Saturday 30 April and Thursday 5 May will a paid holiday marking both Labour Day and Eid El-Fitr.

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Sri Lanka police shot dead a protester and wounded 24 others on Tuesday in the first fatal clash with residents demonstrating against the government over the island nation's crippling economic crisis.

The South Asian country is in the grip of its most painful economic downturn since independence in 1948, with regular blackouts and severe shortages of fuel and other goods causing widespread misery.

Huge protests have called for the resignation of the government, which is preparing to negotiate an urgently needed bailout with the International Monetary Fund.

Police fired live rounds at a crowd that had blockaded a railway line and highway connecting the capital Colombo with the central city of Kandy to protest oil shortages and high prices.

"One man died of gunshot injuries," a hospital official told AFP by telephone.

Another 16 protesters were wounded, with eight in need of emergency surgery, while a further eight police officers were injured when demonstrators threw back tear gas canisters they had fired at the crowd.

The protest was one of many spontaneous gatherings staged around Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after the country's main petrol retailer hiked prices by nearly 65 percent.

Local media footage showed dozens of police officers wearing anti-riot gear firing tear gas into the crowd.

"Fire, fire and chase them out," a senior officer is heard shouting while directing his men to attack the crowds with tear gas.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the police to use live rounds.

Police said demonstrators had stopped road and train traffic for hours by the time of the shooting.

A fuel bowser had been parked across railway tracks to block trains while burning tyres were obstructing traffic on the nearby road.

Footage from the local hospital showed victims being rushed into the facility and a man pleading for someone to treat his brother, who had been shot in the abdomen.

"Please rush quickly, my brother is bleeding," the man shouted.

Tens of thousands of angry motorists blocked arterial roads with parked buses and burning tyre mounds to condemn the latest rise in fuel prices and months of acute shortages.

In the capital Colombo, a large protest crowd has been camped outside the seafront office of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for more than a week, demanding the leader step down.

Doctors at Sri Lanka's main children's hospital also staged a protest on Tuesday over a severe shortage of medicines and equipment.

'I deeply regret it'

In a bid to address growing calls for his entire government to resign, Rajapaksa on Monday appointed a new cabinet and acknowledged public anger over the ruling family's mismanagement.

"People are suffering because of the economic crisis and I deeply regret it," the president said Monday.

Sri Lanka is seeking three to four billion dollars from the IMF to overcome its balance-of-payments crisis and boost depleted reserves.

Dozens of Rajapaksa's lawmakers have turned against the administration and on Tuesday took seats on opposition benches in parliament.

Sri Lanka's economic meltdown began after the coronavirus pandemic torpedoed vital revenue from tourism and remittances.

The government last week announced a default on its $51 billion foreign debt and the Colombo Stock Exchange has suspended trading to prevent an anticipated market collapse.

Rajapaksa's administration has urged citizens abroad to donate foreign exchange to help pay for desperately needed essentials after announcing a default on its entire external debt.

Colombo has sent a delegation to Washington to open bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund from Tuesday.

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Five Arab women filmmakers received one-time grants to bring their fiction and non-fiction projects to life through Netflixs Fund for Creative Equity in partnership with Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC).

The filmmakers include Tania Khouri, Diala Kachmar and Jana Wehbe from Lebanon; Sarra Abidi from Tunisia and Asmae El-Moudir from Morocco.

According to the press release from AFAC, Asmae El-Moudir is a director and producer whose film, The Mother of All Lies has been shortlisted for the non-fiction category. Diala Kachmar's From the Other Shore, Jana Wehbe's The Day Vladimir Died, Tania Khouri's Manity and Sarra Abidi's My Name is Clara are fiction projects.

"The Netflix Fund for Creative Equity is a global fund launched in early 2021 which aims to establish more opportunities for people from underrepresented communities to have their voices heard, and purposefully close skill gaps with training programs where they are needed. The Netflix Fund for Creative Equity in the Arab world, valued at USD 250,000, will provide financial support to women filmmakers in the Arab world," reads a description of the fund on the AFAC website.

The five chosen filmmakers were featured in a small promotional film created by Netflix MENA and posted on their YouTube channel Monday.

In the video, the filmmakers underscored that the Netflix's grant is first of its kind extended to women filmmakers. They explain that without this grant it would have been very hard or maybe impossible to finalise their projects.





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As part of his participation in the Abu Dhabi Festival, famous Egyptian Islamic chanter Mahmoud ElTohamy featured in the Heritage and Harmony concert that premiered on Monday evening.

Within the Abu Dhabi Festival's Ramadan Spiritual Music Series, Mahmoud ElTohamy and his ensemble, alongside graduates of his Islamic Sufi Chanting School have performed a selection of traditional poems of praises to Allah and Prophet Mohammed celebrating the Muslim's Holy Month of Ramadan.

"I am happy to have participated in the Abu Dhabi Festival for years," ElTohamy told Ahram Online on Tuesday. "I am honoured to represent the local culture and traditional heritage with a modern approach that preserves its identity and attracts others to such a prestigious event," he added.

The Abu Dhabi Festival, the UAEs leading celebration of arts and culture, urged viewers to enjoy the event, which they described as "a moving concert that sheds light on the importance of the Holy Months values of tolerance and peace."

Introduced by the festival's artistic director Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, the concert features an arsenal of young chanters including some award-winning graduates of the 12 batches of ElTohamy's school, which has been running since 2014 in Cairo with free admission.

This is the second concert for ElTohamy as part of the festival this Ramadan. Last weekend, the Abu Dhabi Festival also released Hands of God, a performance that combines ElTohamy with Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Al-Sohagy and Mohammed Yousef.

Most famous for 'Qamaron', El-Burda, Rasamtok and many other traditional Islamic Sufi poems, the 1979-born ElTohamy started his career in childhood by following in the footsteps of his father, pioneering Sufi chanter Sheikh Yassin ElTohamy.

He has performed Sufi poetry chants at traditional Islamic Sunni events across the country for crowds that have numbered in the hundreds of thousands at large moulid events in Cairo's Al-Hussein and Al-Saida Zeinab districts.

ElTohamy, who has performed in several countries, was featured in various concerts with Egyptian Grammy Award winner Fathy Salama as part of a project launched in 2018 titled 'Sufism vs Modernism'.

Since its launch in 2004, the Abu Dhabi Festival has established partnerships with some influential cultural institutions like the Edinburgh International Festival, the Royal Opera House, Manchester International Festival and Carnegie Hall

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By Azernews





Azerbaijan is carrying out large-scale road construction projects in its liberated lands.

On April 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke at length about the implementation of road infrastructure projects in the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions at the meeting dedicated to the results of the first quarter of 2022.

In line with the instructions given by the president, Chairman of the Azerbaijani State Agency of Automobile Roads Saleh Mammadov visited Kalbajar, Lachin, Gubadli, Zangilan and Jabrayil regions to get acquainted with the progress of road infrastructure projects in the liberated areas.

During the visit, Mammadov inspected the construction of the Toghanali-Kalbajar-Istisu highway and the Murovdagh tunnel, which will be one of the longest road tunnels in the world.

Currently, a landfill, water pipes and canals are being built on the Toghanali-Kalbajar-Istisu highway. Drilling is underway in the Murovdagh tunnel. Over 1 km of drilling has been carried out in each direction in the tunnel, and the construction of two reserve crossings has been completed.

Then Mammadov familiarized himself with the implementation of mobilization and earthworks on the 72.3 km long Kalbajar-Lachin highway.

He inquired about the progress of construction of a new highway, which bypasses Lachin city, and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2022. It was noted that along with the design of the road, the construction of a landfill and a road bridge is underway.

The Khudafarin-Gubadli-Lachin highway is the next major road development project in Lachin region. Construction and asphalting of 45 km of land in the direction of Gubadli-Lachin, as well as 14 km in the direction of Khanlig, is underway.

The construction of the Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband highway (Zangazur corridor), which starts from the Khudafarin-Gubadli-Lachin highway, is also underway.

The chairman was informed that the construction of the roadbed, pipes and crossings, tunnels and bridges along the road is going on at a high level under the plan.

Mammadov gave recommendations and instructions on the timely and quality implementation of road infrastructure projects during the inspection of these roads.

The rapid construction of road, energy and social infrastructure in Karabakh and East Zangazur is a worldwide demonstration of the strength and strong economic potential of Azerbaijan.

Priorities for reconstruction include the construction of new transport and communication lines, as well as the restoration of historically existing roads. The region's road construction project includes ten major highways totaling 665.4 kilometers in length.

One of the major projects completed in the region is the 101-km Victory Road, which leads to Shusha and is already in use. Over 1,400 km of roads are currently under construction in the liberated lands as part of 15 different projects. The Ahmadbayli-Fuzul-Shusha, Toghanali-Kalbajar-Istisu, Kalbajar-Lachin, Horadiz-Jabrayil-Zangilan-Aghband, Khudafarin-Gubadli-Lachin, Gubadli-Eyvazli, Shukurbayli-Jabrayil-Hadrut, and Fuzuli highways are great examples for these projects.

The construction of the Barda-Aghdam highway is also one of the road infrastructure projects being implemented in the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions.

One of the most important issues in this direction is the rail and road connection between Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan's western regions, as well as the launch of the Zangazur corridor.

The establishment of the Zangazur corridor will help reinvigorate the South Caucasus road network. The corridor will also enable the construction of a railway line between Azerbaijan and Iran, as well as access to Iranian railways. At the same time, the Zangazur corridor will feature a motorway system in addition to trains. So, the creation of this corridor will also allow the opening of a road connection.

The Zangazur corridor and other transit transport corridors provided by Azerbaijan will reshape the world's transportation map. In other words, the new transport infrastructure will gain international status and become a route that Asian and Pacific countries can use.

The corridor will connect Azerbaijan's main territory with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as Turkey, and will provide new prospects for the Turkic world as a whole. The corridor is of fundamental importance in restoring peace, security and cooperation in the South Caucasus.




Egypts banks, fertiliser producers, oil services companies, and food industries are all sectors that Emirati heavyweight investors are showing interest in at present.

While last week witnessed the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) withdrawing its offer to buy Egyptian investment bank EFG-Hermes, it did see the execution of five deals with a total value of $1.8 billion through which the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), a sovereign wealth fund, bought stakes in Egyptian companies.

The FAB withdrew its offer to buy a majority stake in EFG-Hermes citing global market uncertainty.

The Emirati lender had offered in February to buy a minimum 51 per cent stake in the investment bank for LE19 a share, valuing it at LE18 billion. Many observers believe the offer was low, however, even before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine affected prices together with the Egyptian currency devaluation.

EFG has an outsized influence over Egypts financial markets and has seen supercharged growth of its fintech businesses in addition to a strong presence in the Gulf markets. It was one of the advisers in the initial public offering (IPO) of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority for $6.1 billion, the largest in the region since the IPO of Saudi Aramco.

Market observers point out that the withdrawal is not final, and there is a high possibility that the Emirati lender will return with a higher offer later in the year.

Meanwhile, unidentified sources close to the matter told Reuters that the process had also dragged on because the deal required approval from different regulatory bodies. The sources added that the Emirati bank had not even started due diligence.

Shares were trading at an average of LE17 in mid-February following an upward trend since then and gaining 23 per cent. They reached LE19.3 per share just before the announcement of the withdrawal, pushing the share price down to LE15 on Monday closing.

According to Prime Securities, a brokerage, following the execution of ADQs acquisition of sizable minority stakes in five listed companies in Egypt, the market was looking forward to revisiting the EFG-Hermes bid in view of a weaker pound.

The market was expecting FAB to up its bid to around LE22 per share, it said. However, with the possibility of a takeover diminishing, Prime has lowered its target price for shares to LE14.8.

It stressed that the investment banks different platforms, whether in investment banking, non-banking financial services, or recently-added commercial banking, are all on solid ground.

The failure of the deal did not overshadow other UAE-related market news. The Cairo Bourse on Tuesday witnessed the execution of deals to sell stakes in five Egyptian blue chips to ADQ.

News of the deals was released on the same day the government devalued the pound and was seen as support by the Emirates for the Egyptian economy by injecting much-needed liquidity. The economy has been struggling with the repercussions of the war in Ukraine on foreign-currency reserves, and Egypts foreign debt is ballooning.

The five companies subject to the UAE acquisitions are the Commercial International Bank (CIB), Abu Qir Fertilisers, MOPCO, Alexandria Containers, and Fawry.

The Stock Exchange announced on Tuesday that the deals for the five companies had amounted in total to $1.8 billion, leading to a strong market rebound. The different deals imply a 13 per cent premium on market prices on average, according to Prime Securities.

The sellers of the different stakes include state entities like the National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, the National Investment Bank, and the ministry of finance.

The deal for the CIB was the largest as it included the sale of a 17.5 per cent stake in the bank, Egypts largest privately-owned lender, for $911 million. The deal was executed at a price of LE49 per share, compared to a closing price of LE43 in the previous trading session.

The CIB is one of the main constituents of the stock markets main EGX30 index, with a weighting of more than 30 per cent. It recorded LE4.24 billion in net profits in the first quarter of 2022, 48 per cent higher than its profits a year earlier.

Abu Qir Fertilisers saw a 21.5 per cent stake going to the UAE for $392 million. The company is a leading fertiliser producer in the region and is the first and largest integrated nitrogen fertiliser producer in Egypt, with a sellable capacity of 2.3 million tons per annum.

It produces a wide variety of fertiliser products, including ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, and NPK. It recorded a 30 per cent hike in its net income during the 2020-21 fiscal year to reach LE3.5 billion on the back of an increase in international prices.

Unlike CIB, it was on the list of companies slated for privatisation in the programme announced by the government in 2018, but the offering was postponed several times due to unsuitable market conditions.

In December 2021, it sold a 10 per cent stake for $143 million. Prior to last weeks sale, Abu Qirs ownership structure included the National Investment Bank, the Industrial Development Authority, Al-Ahly Capital Holding, and the Chemical Industries Holding Company.

The third company seeing investment from the UAE was the Misr Fertilisers Production Company (MOPCO), previously known as Misr Oil Processing, and engaged in the production, marketing, wholesaling, and distributing of fertilisers and petrochemical products.

Shares were sold at LE107, while their closing price in the last session before the transaction was LE94.7. The companys bottom line leaped by 92 per cent in 2021 compared to the previous year to settle at LE4.79 billion on sales of LE10.3 billion.

The Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company (ACCHC) is the fourth company to see its shares changing hands through the deal. It specialises in container and cargo handling in Egyptian ports though offering stevedoring and storage, security, and other maritime services in the East Mediterranean. It operates the Alexandria Container Terminal at the port of Alexandria and Al-Dekheila Terminal at the port of Al-Dekheila.

Ownership of 32 per cent of the Company was transferred to ADQ for $159 million. ACCHC is the only one of the five companies whose sale price was less than the price its shares were traded at during the last trading session.

The ACCHC shares were sold at a price 17 per cent less than in the last trading session, explaining why its shares closed in the red in the session following the execution of the deal to defy the upward trend followed by the other four companies.

Shares of the e-payment platform Fawry grabbed the highest gains among the five companies whose shares were being sold, with almost a five per cent hike on the news. The company, which sold 36 per cent of its shares through an IPO in August 2019, saw a 12.6 per cent stake grabbed by the ADQ.

Both the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr snatched a seven per cent stake in the 2019 IPO. It is believed that the stake sold to ADQ was bought from the two banks.

The five deals are not the first sign of ADQs interest in Egyptian listed companies. In 2019, it signed an agreement with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt to form a joint fund to invest in different industries.

While nothing materialised concerning the proposed new fund, in 2021 ADQ bought a majority stake in one of Egypts largest real-estate developers, the Sixth of October Development and Investment Company. It also acquired majority stakes in drug producer Amoun Pharma as well as in Ismailia Agricultural and Industrial Investments, the owner of food industries brand Atyab.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egypt is looking to capitalise on its resources and boost gas exports to Europe, reports Mai Ghandour

Egypts natural gas exports are anticipated to reach 7.5 million tons by the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year, with the country capitalising on its resources to increase its gas exports to Europe.

The total amount of Egyptian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports reached 3.5 million tons during the first half of the current fiscal year, which means that natural gas exports will jump by roughly four million tons during the second half of the year.

In December, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek Al-Molla told Reuters that Egypts capacity of natural gas exports has maxed out at about 1.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) from its two terminals, adding that natural gas production was stable and currently ranging between 6.5 and seven bcf/d.

Each one million tons of liquefied natural gas is equivalent to 48.7 bcf.

After an eight-year hiatus, Egypts Damietta gas liquefaction plant resumed production last year, which, taken together with the Idku plant, have a combined production capacity of 1.6 million tons per year. The Damietta plants main shareholder is the Italian energy company Eni.

In March, Eni pledged to pump more than 14 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of additional gas to the global market and mitigate Europes energy crisis by leveraging established alliances with producing countries, including Egypt, according to a press release.

We are increasing our gas production and will send everything we have discovered to Italy and southern Europe, Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi announced.

As Italy decided to cut back on imports of Russian gas, Eni struck an export deal with Egypt with the aim of providing LNG shipments to be exported via the Damietta plant to Italy and Europe.

The agreement will see Egypt increase local gas production in the short term and exploit its gas reserves while intensifying exploration.

After achieving self-sufficiency in natural gas in 2018, Egypt has planned to use its proximity to Europe to become a major supplier of LNG to the continent, which is transitioning away from other fossil fuels.

European countries gas consumption exceeds 550 billion cubic metres, of which Russia satisfies 40 per cent with about 200 billion.

However, Egypt only became self-sufficient in gas in 2018. Currently, natural gas production stands at 66 billion cubic metres per year, of which 62 billion is consumed locally. With only four billion cubic metres available, what Egypt has to offer is limited.

Egyptian gas exports to the European continent ranged around two million tons in 2021, up from just 270,000 the previous year, according to data from S&P Global Platts.

According to a report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), opportunities for potential gas exporters in North Africa, namely Algeria, Egypt and Libya, are long-term solutions if Europe engages more actively to resolve current tensions and facilitate pipeline access.

Chevron, a majority shareholder in Israels two biggest offshore gas reservoirs, is planning to pipe two to 2.5 billion cubic metres more gas per year to Egypt.

The news comes as Israel plans to boost its natural gas exports to Egypt by as much as 50 per cent by the end of the month, deepening energy ties and helping Egypt to realise its goal to become a regional energy hub.

The new exports will be transferred through a pipeline traversing Jordan. Israel currently exports five billion cubic metres of gas each year to Egypt via a pipeline that connects southern Israel to the Sinai Peninsula. This is liquefied in Idku and Damietta for export.

The added volumes from Chevron will push forward plans to consolidate regional resources for export to bigger markets such as Europe.

Intensifying exploration and production in the deep waters of the Aphrodite, Tamar, and Leviathan Fields, along with Egypts Zohr Field, will increase production in the region as a whole and can be exported to Europe after liquefication in Idku and Damietta.

When we talk about a hub, it makes no difference where the resources come from. Whether I am exporting or importing or locally producing, the criteria is the net result, Amira Al-Mazni, an independent LNG regulation advisor and director of the Gas Regulatory Authority Board, told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Egypt has the aspiration to become an oil and gas hub, and it is achieving real progress in this direction, she added.

Nevertheless, Egypt does not currently have the capability alone to be an alternative to Russian gas for Europe. It needs to increase production and intensify exploration to participate in meeting the European need for gas, and this increase needs huge investments, estimated at tens of billions of dollars.

Investments in research, development, and production in the gas sector are estimated at $1.6 billion in the current and next year, a small sum compared to the huge investments pumped into other countries in the region.

Nevertheless, Al-Mazni explained, Egypt will use the liquefaction capacities of both the Idku and Damietta plants to process gas from members of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. Besides the Leviathan and Tamar fields in Israel, there are also agreements to bring Cypriot gas to Egypt for liquefication and export, implying that the forum may be the solution.

Talking about whether Egypt can fill the Russian gap for energy, Al-Mazni said that it can help and be part of the solution, but its not a substitute. Theres no single source that can fill the gap of the Russian exports because of the huge volumes.

When it comes to the Forum, this looks like a potential substitute for a major portion of the Russian gas being sent to Europe. However, time is not on its side. This gas is still underground, not yet produced or connected to Europe.

In order for it to reach Europe, there needs to be the infrastructure in place and this could take three to five years at least.

There isnt one single alternative to Russian gas, but Europe needs to diversify its supply sources, Al-Mazni said, explaining that Russian gas comes through existing pipelines, is cheaper than other sources, meets the specifications of the European countries, and is readily available and abundant.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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This week, delegations from the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State concluded a first round of consultations in Cairo on the constitutional track. The only thing they agreed was to meet again.

While the House of Representatives (HoR) delegation said it was in Cairo to discuss reopening the constitutional bill, adopted by the Constituent Assembly several years ago but amended by the Transitional Constitutional Declaration (TCD) which the HoR passed in February, the High Council of State (HCS) insisted its delegation had come to Cairo to discuss a constitutional framework for elections, not the draft constitution.

The amendment called for the creation of a committee of 24 experts drawn equally from Libyas three main regions, Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan, and charged it with drafting a new constitution. The HCS opposed the amendment when it was first proposed in 2011 as a basis for governing the country during the transitional period.

It is hoped that the two sides will resolve their differences during the next round of consultations, be held in Cairo and scheduled for the second week in May. HoR Speaker Aguila Saleh, and HCS Speaker Khaled Al-Mishri, hold the keys to a compromise and are likely to meet before then, though this has yet to be confirmed.

A source familiar with the consultations told Al-Ahram Weekly that Egypt kept out of the debate on the grounds that the two most immediate stakeholders were the only ones capable of resolving the stand-off. Some HCS members feel Cairo may have taken its observer status too literally. It should have asserted more pressure on the two sides to reach an agreement, they told the Weekly.

Four points form the substance of the current dialogue. The first, advocated by the HoR, proposes revising many provisions of the draft constitution using the mechanism introduced in the TCD amendment. This process could take up to 14 months once all sides agree to launch it. The resultant draft would be put to a referendum. If it fails the first time, it would be amended and then put to a vote again. If it fails the second time, a new constitutional declaration would be issued.

The second point, espoused by the HCS, proceeds from stage three of the first, and calls for a framework for elections with the force of constitutional law.

A third view, urged the Presidency Council headed by Mohamed Al-Manfi, is to issue a constitutional declaration, which is the Presidency Councils prerogative under a state of emergency. Cairo is thought to have advised against this, arguing that the HoR and HCS should be given a chance to resolve their differences first.

The fourth view, which may be an option of last resort, proposes that UN advisor Stephanie Williams reconstitute the parties engaged in the current political process and launch a new political process.

The current impasse in the Libyan crisis is complex, with differences over the constitution only one facet of the problem. In addition to the controversial amendment to the TCD calling for a 14-month long roadmap to a redrafted constitutional bill, a constitutional referendum and general elections, the HoR has adopted a bill to amend the executive authority. In February, the HoR also designated former interior minister Fathi Bashagha as prime minister. He quickly presented a slate of ministers to parliament for a vote of confidence.

The HCS rejected the move on the grounds that it violated the principle of consensus, and the text and spirit of the 2015 Skhirat agreement. The HoR then opened other cans of worms, including Salehs decision to reconstitute the Supreme Judicial Council at a time when the constitutional circuit of the Supreme Court remains suspended. There have also been rumours that Saleh is seeking to restore the powers of the supreme commander of the Armed Forces. The combination of his influence over the courts, army and legislature would give him virtually unlimited powers.

HoR members accuse their counterparts in the HCS of obstructionism. They point to a previous round in this track, hosted by Egypt in Hurghada last year, during which the HCS insisted on redrafting the constitutional bill and holding a constitutional referendum before elections, and opposed the constitutional basis for elections adopted by the HoR. Now these are HoR positions, however, the HCS has taken the opposite tack, and is insisting on a constitutional framework for elections to be held this summer while opposing the redrafting of the constitutional bill.

Evidently, neither side has been able to muster the political will needed to resolve the constitutional dilemma and end this interim phase syndrome, The HoR believes it launched a new interim phase with its actions in February, claiming that the previous one had ended with the failure to hold elections on 24 December 2021. Other parties, including the UN, maintain that the interim phase that was launched last year has been extended until the end of June, which is when they envision the holding general elections.

By introducing a new interim phase the HoR extended its own existence as well as that of the HCS. The parliament was elected in 2014, while the HCS, a rebranded version of the General National Congress that was elected in 2012, is older. According to many Libyan sources, the Libyan public is fed up with these political elites constantly perpetuating themselves. This helps explain the unprecedented numbers of Libyans who have applied for voter registration cards.

Given the impasse between the HoR and HCS, the fact that they met face-to-face in Cairo can be seen as an achievement. That said, Cairo and other concerned parties remain worried by the rift in the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) after the five representatives from the eastern general command suspended their participation in protest against Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Al-Dabeibas refusal to hand over power to the new government of Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha.

Tensions are mounting in western Libya for the same reason: Bashagha and Dabeiba hail not only from the west but from the same town, Misrata, the commercial capital and kingmaker in western Libya. While the main western-based militias are wary of an alliance between former foes, Bashagha and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, for fear that this would jeopardise their interests, they have also tried to keep a distance from the rivalry between Bashagha and Al-Dabeiba. The largest militias in Misrata, Zawiya and Zintan have released a joint statement to this effect, indicating they are keen to avert an armed clash that could spiral out of control.

International pressure has also helped reign in escalatory trends, and contributed to the adversaries meeting across the negotiating table. International stakeholders still wield a number of trump cards, including the threat of sanctions and asset freezes.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Al-Ahram Weekly reports on the latest exchange of official visits between Egypt and the US.

Developments on the Palestinian front were the focus of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis Saturday meeting with a delegation from the US Congress led by Senator Richard Shelby.

Al-Sisi underlined Egypts commitment to reaching a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people, and stressed the importance of maintaining constant communication with Congressional leaders and other US officials to facilitate coordination on issues of mutual concern, said Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Radi after the meeting.

Radis words succinctly describe the purpose of last weeks meeting between Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington. The regular exchange of visits, said Shoukri, targets the boosting of bilateral strategic relations.

The strategic partnership between Egypt and the US over four decades has been mutually beneficial there is much more work for both of us to do to further strengthen the relationship and also to deal with the various challenges, he said during a joint press conference.

Tarek Fahmi, political science professor at Cairo University, said Shoukris visit, like his previous trip to Washington in November 2021, would have focused on pressing files, and in the case of the latest trip have included developments in Jerusalem after Israeli police raided Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday.

It is significant, says a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity, that the meeting failed to produce any kind of denouncement of Israeli practices let alone calls for a return to the peace process. Although Blinken said during the Negev summit last month that conditions must be created for negotiations on a two-state solution, no action has been taken to translate this into action, the diplomat continued.

Rakha Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, was unsurprised at the outcome. The Biden administration has said it supports a two-state solution but has done nothing to translate that support into action, he said.

The talks of Shoukri and Blinken included Libya, and the measures taken by Cairo to complete the transitional phase, after the US, says Fahmi, finally realised the important role Egypt plays.

They would also have addressed Egypts position on Iran after Cairo declined to sign up to any alliance at last months Negev summit, and on Ukraine. According to Fahmi, there were fears in Washington that Egypt would support Russia in its war.

Climate change was also on the agenda, as Egypt prepares for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh in November. Shoukri met with David Thorne, the senior adviser to US special presidential envoy for climate, during the visit.

In February, Shoukri and John Kerry, the presidential envoy for climate, launched the US-Egypt climate working group during Kerrys visit to Cairo. The group aims to enhance bilateral and multilateral climate goals ahead of COP27.

Last month, Shoukri and Kerry highlighted the importance of activating the climate working group at the earliest opportunity.

Human rights would also have been discussed after the issue was also raised during the launch of the Egypt-US strategic dialogue in November last year.

Blinken said then that Egypt had more work to do on human rights. Shoukri responded by saying human rights must be balanced with other considerations, and emphasised the importance of stability. He referred to positive development in the file of human rights, highlighting the development of Egypts national strategy for human rights in Egypt, and the recent decision to cancel the state of emergency.

On the sidelines of his visit, Shoukri met Robert Malley, the US special envoy to Iran, to exchange views on the situation in the Middle East. He also participated in a roundtable discussion at the Middle East Institute, discussing strategic ties, Egypts view on regional issues and challenges, and its regional and international role.

Last week marked the centennial of Egypt-US diplomatic relations, established in 1922.

There is a lot of history but, I hope, a lot of good history we can actually make together in the months and years ahead, Blinken said during a joint press conference.

To mark the occasion, Blinken handed Shoukry two official letters as a gift from the US, one a letter recognising Egypts independence from US President Warren Harding to King Ahmed Fouad, the second a letter from US State Secretary Charles Hughes to congratulate Egypts prime minister Abdel-Khalek Tharwat Pasha on independence.

The Egypt-US Strategic Dialogue was launched in the mid-1990s, but came to a halt in 2009 before resuming again in 2015. Last Novembers session was the first since 2015.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egyptian cotton products carrying a new trademark known as Nit have recently been exported to Turkey, Italy, and Denmark.

The new mark will be used for products of the Cotton and Textile Industries Holding Company (CTIHC). It was developed by the Egyptian Cotton Hub (ECH), a company created and owned by the CTIHC specifically to market and sell the products of affiliate companies and open new markets locally and abroad for their products.

Earlier this month, the ECH carried out its first export operations under the new brand, with a total 86.5 tons of yarn sent to Turkey in addition to 78,000 home textile pieces sent to Denmark and Italy.

Massive investments are being pumped into CTIHC affiliates, with the aim of developing the companies and the whole sector with it, General Manager of the ECH Khaled Raafat told Al-Ahram Weekly.

According to Raafat, between LE21 and LE24 billion will be allocated for new machinery, new buildings, specialised business software, and new staff. There will be new marketing and sales operations for the whole group of companies.

We export, we sell to the local market, and we sell online, Raafat said, adding that exporting was a top priority because the whole country was going in that direction.

Nits first shipment was limited to yarns, Raafat said, pointing out that its ready-made garments will be launched locally first and then exported in a later phase.

The ECH plans to open its first store under the name Nit in Korba, and it will launch a stand in the Debenhams store in the Cairo Festival City Mall in May. Nit will be more visible when we open more stores, Raafat said.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Public Business Sector last month said the interiors of the stores have already been designed in cooperation with professional designers. The layout has been designed by an Italian company and the new collection is by an Italian designer, Raafat said.

The first collection made of 100 per cent cotton will comprise bed sheets, linens, towels, bathrobes, and table napkins. Raafat said the companys vision was to be a global and regional cotton industry leader within five to 10 years.

The main objective is to reinstate the status of Egyptian cotton in the global market, he emphasised.

Massive investments are being pumped into the development of the spinning and weaving sector, with the aim of increasing production capacities and manufacturing high-quality products. However, in order for that to happen, the sector is facing challenges such as changing peoples mindsets and bureaucracy, Raafat said.

He also believes that the current international crisis is an opportunity in disguise. The ECH, being a local manufacturer that relies on local raw materials, has an advantage over other firms, he said. Egypts proximity to its export markets also works in its favour, he added.

Nit is an entirely new concept in which private-sector executives are managing a public-sector business in order to promote Egyptian cotton, CTIHC board member Marie Louis Bishara, a fashion designer and CEO of the Bishara Group and president of the Apparel Export Council of Egypt, told the Weekly.

Egypt will become the number one supplier of cotton worldwide once again and will export the finest and most luxurious cotton in the world, she said.

She lamented the fact that many local apparel manufacturers depend on imported fabric because there is no vertical integration in the industry. Imports have been affected by supply chain disruptions as well as higher shipping rates, she added.

But the Export Council is trying to fix supply chain disruptions, and it provides export opportunities by liaising with the relevant authorities in different countries, connecting exporters and traders locally and globally.

It is currently collaborating with entities like the EU and the Swiss Federation of Textiles to promote Egyptian exports around the world.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The UKs plan to send asylum-seekers arriving in the country to concentration centres in Rwanda is rooted in inhumanity and racism.

Maryam Nuri was among the scores of Iraqi and other migrants and refugees who drowned when their dinghy deflated as they tried to cross the English Channel last December. The tragedy culminated a long and perilous journey through Europe where they routinely faced abuse, violence, and intimidation.

The young woman was making a desperate attempt to cross the treacherous waterway from France after the British authorities repeatedly declined to issue her a visa to join her fiance, a Kurdish Iraqi who has been living in England for the past 14 years.

Asylum-seekers trying to cross the 25 km channel have been facing dire conditions in their attempts, with many drowning en route and others being rescued just minutes from death. Some have made it to the UK only to end up in detention centres for assessment.

Nuris death is just one of the many tragedies that have taken place among the thousands of migrants, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, who have fled persecution and economic difficulties seeking a better life in Europe.

While such calamities underscore how refugee crises around the world continue to be a major concern, they also highlight racism and double standards in the immigration and asylum policies used by many Western countries, including visa restrictions.

Yet, despite the tragic end of her traumatic odyssey, some might find solace in Nuris death, which might have spared her the humiliation and cruelty of being sent to a detention camp away from home and the new life she had sought.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced a plan to send some asylum-seekers arriving in Britain to Rwanda in an attempt to crack down on refugee movement to the UK, part of a draconian nationality and borders bill under discussion in the UK parliament.

Johnson suggested that tens of thousands of migrants, including the survivors of torture and trafficking, could be sent to Rwanda, in effect forcibly removed from Britain by being given a one-way ticket to what amounts to a detention centre in the central African nation.

The plan stipulates that any adult who comes to the UK without authorisation via irregular routes could be considered for relocation to Rwanda after an assessment of his or her asylum claim as well as the way they arrived in the UK.

The plan does not specify any statutory right to appeal, though the British media reported that once someone is told they are going to be removed, they are given five days notice and are able to make representations during that period.

Johnson said the agreement is uncapped and that Rwanda will have the capacity to resettle tens of thousands of people in the years ahead. But officials believe it will take weeks, if not months, for the scheme to begin sending people to Rwanda.

Some of the ugly details of the British governments move can be seen in the provisions of the 120 million deal that it has signed with Rwanda and that outsources the UKs refugee responsibilities to the African nation.

According to a memorandum of understanding, once placed on a plane, the refugees would be the responsibility of the Rwandan government, and once they arrive in Rwanda they would be subject to Rwandan immigration rules and would not be expected to be sent back to the UK.

The asylum-seekers sent to Rwanda will stay in a hostel while their claims are processed, and anyone the Rwandan authorities decide to deport can be sent to the first safe country or back to their country of origin.

The new plan is contingent on the bill being considered in the UK parliament that would overhaul Britains immigration process and could criminalise the act of entering the country without a valid visa or through what the government calls irregular routes.

While the plan is expected to be subject to legal challenge as violating UK discrimination legislation and breaching articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, it has also come under fire from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), which said it could undermine Britains commitment and responsibility to international refugee protection.

The 1951 UN Convention on Refugees says that people have a right to claim asylum in any country and that the country where they do so should examine their claim.

Unions representing British civil servants challenged the government move and warned of mass walk-outs and transfer requests over the ethical and legal implications of the policy. The opposition Labour Party has also condemned the decision as completely misguided.

Human-rights lawyers, refugee groups, and the British Red Cross have described the move as deeply unsettling and accused the British government of hypocrisy and seeking to deprive the opportunity of freedom to those fleeing oppression.

Some critics said it brings to mind unpleasant memories of the overseas internment of Jewish refugees in World War II. It also exposes the double standard seen in the warm welcome of Ukrainian refugees in Western Europe in sharp contrast to the punitive treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers from the Middle East and Africa.

Britain is not the first country to make a deal with Rwanda. Israel has sent Eritrean and Sudanese asylum-seekers to Rwanda under a policy that was eventually abandoned following international and domestic protests.

Australia began using offshore detention centres in 2001 before it hardened its immigration laws to deny resettlement visas to asylum-seekers arriving in the country by boat. It has sent thousands of asylum-seekers to Pacific Island nations Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

The Danish government has been in talks with the Rwandan government and held a series of high-profile meetings regarding returning migrants last summer.

The European Union has designated the Greek island of Lesbos as a camp with controlled entry and exit to control asylum-seekers coming from Turkey and the Mediterranean. The island camp has been characterised by human-rights organisations as an open-air prison and has become a symbol of Europes failed refugee policies.

The British government is now putting its controversial bill to another vote in parliament after it was ripped apart twice by the House of Lords.

The controversy has highlighted the dilemmas of millions of asylum-seekers who have been fleeing the chaos of their homelands while putting into question the legal and ethical grounds of the immigration policies followed by Western nations.

Among the many misgivings surrounding these policies are the carrot-and-stick methods used to force governments in Turkey, the southern Mediterranean region, and Africa to help curb migration.

Under this strategy, the EU focuses on strengthening controls on refugee movement by these governments and pushing them to take back their own citizens deported from Europe.

As their biggest donors and trade and investment partners, maximum diplomatic, political, and economic pressure is used by Western countries to encourage governments in these regions to stop the flow of asylum-seekers to European territories.

Other elements involve tough visa restrictions, as in the case of the Iraqi Kurdish woman who drowned in the channel trying to be reunited with her fiance, which force asylum-seekers or even legal immigrants to seek trafficking routes instead.

There are still hopes that the plan to send refugees to Rwanda will be torpedoed by the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the UK parliament, where it faces strong resistance. The Lords can at least temporarily overrule the Tory Party-dominated House of Commons, the lower chamber of parliament.

The procedure could also be challenged in the British courts on legal grounds, including the governments obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and other relevant agreements including the European Convention on Human Rights.

By pushing back people from seeking protection, safety, and dignity on its territory by forcibly removing them to another country without giving them a chance to claim asylum, the British government is clearly abdicating its moral responsibilities.

There is no other way of describing the destinations to which the refugees are planned to be sent except as concentration camps, which its British opponents and the world should come together to defeat it.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Though diplomacy offers the hope of restraint in Jerusalem it remains unclear whether or not Israel will continue in its attempts to create new realities on the ground. Dina Ezzat reports from Cairo, and Mohamed Abu Shaar from Gaza

Jordan is hosting an emergency meeting of the Arab League Ministerial Committee on Palestine on Thursday. The committee includes Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

It is convening at the request of the Jordanian monarch whose country holds the custodianship of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem. King Abdullah of Jordan consulted with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and several Arab leaders, including Mohamed VI, king of Morocco, whose country chairs the Jerusalem Committee, before calling the meeting.

Informed diplomatic sources say that the Jordanian monarch has also been in touch with US, European, and Israeli officials.

The idea behind the meeting is to push for self-restraint following the recent escalation of clashes in Jerusalem, said one. Everyone, including the Israeli government, is interested in containing the situation. The question is how, said one.

Cairo is among the Arab capitals that have issued statements over the past week calling for self-restraint and for the protection of Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Ministerial Committee will meet almost two weeks after clashes in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli authorities had allowed Jewish extremists to storm the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, and prohibited Muslim worshippers from accessing the mosque for Ramadan prayers.

Clashes between worshippers and Israeli forces left many Palestinians wounded. Israeli police arrested hundreds of Palestinians and raided Palestinian territories in the West Bank, and on Monday evening and early Tuesday morning Israeli forces conducted air raids against the Gaza Strip, claiming it was targeting facilities connected to Hamas.

In statements following the Gaza raids, Ismail Haniyeh, chief of Hamas political bureau, said our people are committed to holding their rights. A Hamas leader said the movement cannot be neutralised when the fate of Al-Aqsa Mosque is in question.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Neftaly Bennett, which had agreed to Arab, American, and European demands to ease the suffocating restrictions imposed on Gaza for the duration of the holy month of Ramadan, threatened this week to re-impose tougher restrictions. Earlier in the week the Joint Arab List suspended its participation in the Israel government, a largely symbolic move given the Knesset is in recess until next month, but one that reflects increasing levels of tension.

Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza Zeyad Nekhala said that his Gaza-based resistance movement will not trade its position on Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque for anything the Israeli government might give or withhold. Our lives are on the line, he said.

Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, Mohamed Hussein, the mufti of Al-Aqsa, said that the current situation suggests Israel is actively trying to create a new reality on the ground by allowing Jewish worshippers to assume the right to perform prayers and other rituals in the heart of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jewish extremists have long claimed that they have a right to perform prayers within Al-Aqsa Mosque which came under Israeli control following the Arab military defeat in 1967.

The status of Jerusalem, and of the holy sites of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are among the most contentious points in the long and inconclusive path of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations for a political settlement. The Arab Peace Initiative, put forward 20 years ago, envisioned East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent and viable Palestinian state. Over the last five years, however, Israel has vastly expanded its illegal settlement activities across East Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, control over holy Muslim sites has continued to be monitored by Jordan via mostly unannounced coordination channels. The Hashemite Kingdom keeps a close eye on any attacks on Jerusalems holy sites, mindful of its custodianship and of the possible repercussions among the wider Palestinian presence in Jordan.

Speaking off record, Arab diplomatic sources say the Arab Peace Initiative, like the entire peace process, is clinically dead, and that it is now up to Jordan to shoulder the management of Muslim sites in Jerusalem.

This week, Jordans Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khawssennah expressed support for Palestinian worshippers in Jerusalem. His statements prompted an angry reaction from the Bennet government, resulting in the Jordanian Foreign Ministry summoning the Israeli charge affaires.

According to an informed Egyptian official, Jordan had no option but to register its strong protest with the Israeli government. He added that the final statement expected to come out of Thursdays ministerial meeting will underline that the status of Jerusalem must be respected, and nobody should aim to create new realities on the ground in a way that prompts anger and escalation.

The source added, however, that the ultimate purpose of the meeting is not to address Jerusalem or its fate but to secure an immediate de-escalation before things get out of hand.

We are at that point in Ramadan when Muslim worshippers are expected to be gathering in larger numbers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, he noted.

Egypt had been communicating its concerns about the escalating tensions to several capitals, including Washington. Last week, according to an informed Egyptian source, during his visit to the US capital Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri asked Antony Blinken to urge Israeli officials to be cautious in managing the situation in Jerusalem in order to avoid unwanted escalation.

The source added that Blinken shared Shoukris concern over a possible uncontrolled wave of violence and its consequences on regional stability.

The source went on to criticise the disengagement policy of the Biden administration, saying it creates a political vacuum that allows for spirals of violence. He also warned that given the fragility of the Bennett government the Israeli prime minister will opt to appease the far right.

Egypt, he said, sent a crisis management delegation to Israel and the Palestinian territories to talk to officials about the necessary measures to avoid further escalations. In parallel, he said Cairo has communicated a very straightforward message to Hamas, especially on the need to avoid taking the current crisis over Al-Aqsa Mosque into a wider Palestinian-Israeli confrontation.

The reactions that Egypt has received, the same source said, indicate a wish for simultaneous de-escalation, and Cairo is hoping that Thursdays meeting will help give a push to this momentum.

According to official sources, Cairo is counting on the good office of Doha to urge Hamas not to expand the scope of confrontation by firing rockets into Israel. It is also counting on Amman to press Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to encourage Palestinian political leaders in the West Bank to call for de-escalation for the remainder of the holy month.

The recent wave of tensions between the Palestinians and Israel started less than four weeks ago and left 36 people, mostly Palestinian, dead.

Jews are allowed to visit but not to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque. While King Abdullah of Jordan has called on Israel to stop its illegal and provocative acts, the UN Security Council was scheduled to meet behind closed doors to discuss the situation in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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History shows that Egypt has been most influential in the regional and international environment when it has had a realistic and rational appreciation of its role.

Many political scientists make a common mistake when discussing Egypts regional role. They maintain that this only flourished under former president Gamal Abdel-Nasser in the 1950s and 1960s when Egypt championed the national liberation struggles in Africa and the Arab region. However, this is inaccurate, as recent history tells us that Egypt has also been as influential a power, if not more so, in other periods.

It is true that the circumstances and challenges of the Nasserist era forced a certain role on Egypt. However, the country paid dearly for the way it handled them. The Tripartite Aggression of 1956, getting bogged down in the conflict in Yemen in the early 1960s, and the spread of socialism in the Arab countries were all factors that culminated in defeat in the 1967 War.

The behaviour that courted these debacles stemmed from an obsession with projecting an unrealistic and grandiose image abroad, and it won the country more enemies than friends in the region and wider world. It was an image based on a charismatic leader and his defiant stance towards certain international developments at the time, but it one that was not grounded in a proper concept of power.

The Tripartite Aggression or Suez War in 1956 marked a seismic shift in the global order, signalling the collapse of the old imperialist powers and the consolidation of the bipolar world order. It was this context that enabled Egypt to spring to the fore in the regional environment, despite its lack of concrete strength. But the fragility resulting from the inconsistency between image and reality was evidenced by the losses sustained during Egypts intervention in the Yemeni Civil War in the 1960s and then more dramatically in the 1967 defeat and Israeli occupation of the Sinai.

In the aftermath of these events, it was clear that the concept of the Egyptian role had to be redefined. The War of Attrition with Israel following the 1967 defeat reflected the realisation that the countrys influence had to be rooted in its internal strength and in an objective assessment of this strength. This realisation was translated into practical terms when Egyptian strategists took stock of the implications of the defeat and began to restructure and build the armed forces in accordance with properly studied and implemented plans. These efforts culminated in the victorious crossing of the Suez Canal and liberation of a portion of the Sinai in the 1973 War.

The October 1973 Victory ushered in a second phase in Egyptian regional status and influence. Its first concrete manifestations occurred when Egyptian diplomacy translated the relative weight it had gained from its military success into a project of peaceful diplomacy that ultimately won back all Egyptian territory.

It should be stressed that the strength of Egypts negotiating hand in this process emanated from its departure from the erroneous concepts that had led to the 1967 defeat, including the inflated notion of its regional and international role. And much of the credit for the conceptual shift that paved the way to a military victory with immense strategic implications that compelled other powers to take a fresh look at Egypts political and military institutions was due to former president Anwar Al-Sadat.

Under Sadats leadership in the 1970s, Egypt pursued a sophisticated foreign policy grounded in the ability to assess and interact with regional and international developments in a manner that optimised the countrys gains. Egypt was thus able to stand on a par with the US in negotiations with the Israelis, to whom it offered peace in exchange for withdrawal from the territory they had occupied in 1967 while reserving the strategic option to use military force if necessary to liberate Egyptian land.

This was a manifestation of the concrete shifts in the balance of power that had been won by the Egyptian people and that were invested in the revitalisation of Egyptian influence that then succeeded in recovering Sinai six years after the Israeli occupation began.

However, while the Egyptian role in the international arena brought the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in the late 1970s, regionally it was greeted by an Arab boycott. This lasted until former president Hosni Mubarak restored Egypt to its Arab environment and masterfully re-established Cairos regional leadership in the 1980s and 1990s.

The revived Egyptian role was put to the test on a number of occasions, one of the most significant being the war to liberate Kuwait in 1991. As the facts soon showed, those Arab countries that had banded together to isolate Egypt had been too short-sighted to appreciate the Egyptian strategic vision and the countrys ability to achieve things on the ground. Moreover, the countries that had spearheaded the campaign against Egypt  Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Syria under Hafez Al-Assad, and Libya under Muammar Al-Gaddafi  not only failed to carve out a regional role for themselves using their particular brands of populist sloganeering, but they also plunged headlong into dangerous military adventures.

The main lesson of the Arab experience during the past seven decades is that those countries that were most adept at incorporating a realistic concept of their capacities and roles were those most able to weather the rapidly fluctuating international environment.

The price of reckless adventurism can be extremely high, as Iraq discovered, despite its mineral and agricultural wealth. The Saddam regime in Iraq not only squandered that wealth, but it also lost an entire society as the result of the killing and displacement of millions. The same thing applies to the Al-Assad regime in Syria, which plunged the country into the maelstrom of sectarian strife and military interventions by regional and international powers scrambling to advance their interests over the corpse of Syrian society.

The Arab world has demonstrated the advantages of a concept of regional tole and status based on autonomous strength. Al-Sadat and Mubarak applied this approach, and it continues today under President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. What we are seeing today is further evidence of this continuity.

After the 30 June Revolution, Egypt faced systematic campaigns by various regional powers and Islamist organisations to tarnish and weaken it. However, thanks to the wise and rational utilisation of its own resources and influence, Egypt was able to weather this onslaught, negotiate dangerous political tensions, and recover its regional status once more.

Among the most salient examples of this success are its management of the tensions surrounding the Eastern Mediterranean gas fields, while averting Turkeys provocations. The result has been fruitful cooperation and maritime border agreements with Greece, Cyprus, and Italy following the discovery of the Zohr Gas Field in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Today, after seven years of hostility towards Egypt, Turkey has begun to reassess its own foreign policy and the disastrous repercussions of this on the Turkish economy. The Libyan crisis and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project are other areas where Egypt has demonstrated its acumen in handling thorny challenges abroad while sustaining the impetus of national development projects at home and the ongoing economic revival.

The renaissance we are seeing at home today is an extension of a rational process of forging a constructive regional and international role for the country, in contrast to the troublemaking approach of populist regimes that have only courted death and destruction for their own countries and peoples.

* The writer is managing editor of the quarterly journal Al-Demoqrateya, published by Al-Ahram.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The third season of the series Al-Ikhtiyar may remind us of the real meaning of treason.

With the start of Ramadan, I began watching the third season of the Egyptian TV series Al-Ikhtiyar, or The Choice, a series that chronicles Egyptian political events over the last decade.

The leaks that appear at the end of each episode, and in fact the whole series, reminded me of an article that appeared in the newspaper Al-Watan in October 2013 headed Sinai National Security Adviser: Morsi fled to Gaza and leaked Security Plans to Terrorists.

In the article, journalist Osama Khaled conducted an interview with major-general Sherif Ismail, national security adviser for Sinai during former president Mohamed Morsis rule. Ismails position gave him access to confidential and classified information. At one point, Ismail had no other option but to resign after he realised that working under certain conditions was a betrayal of Egypt.

This is my take on the interview, which was conducted in Arabic. Some details have been omitted for brevity, but the translation maintains the integrity of the interview. Any bracketed information is mine and is there for clarification.

Ismail starts off by talking about the Muslim Brotherhoods agreement with the Americans and the Israelis to liquidate the Palestinian cause by abandoning part of Sinai and annexing it to Gaza so as to facilitate Israels disposal of the Gaza crisis without giving up any of its land.

He comments on the war on terror in Sinai in 2013, saying that the fallout in Sinai today is the upshot of the missteps of the previous regime. Todays operations are corrective measures to fix these missteps.

He then goes on to explain the moves Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood took in Sinai. Morsi released 580 prisoners who had served only half their time, even though they had all been sentenced in cases related to terrorism, insurgency, the arms trade, and drugs. Although Ismail and the security apparatus voiced their concerns over Morsis intention to release these convicts, Morsi went ahead with it anyway.

Morsi also culled the polices ability to retaliate against those crossing into Egypt, something which according to Ismail gave Hamas and other extremist groups the freedom to manoeuvre in Sinai.

On a weekly basis, about 350 Palestinians entered Sinai illegally via tunnels. The presidents instructions were to let them return to Gaza without pursuing any legal action against them. Thats what we did: we simply returned them to Gaza via the border crossings, Ismail said.

He went on to explain the gravity of the situation. Allowing the Palestinians to cross into Sinai was a national security issue  a direct violation of Egyptian authority. Furthermore, Hamas had stored weapons in Sinai and conducted training exercises for Palestinians and Bedouin. Ismail also recorded joint training exercises with Islamist groups from Gaza such as Al-Jihad Al-Islami, Geish Al-Islam, and Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis.

All these groups forgot about their differences and agreed on one principle: to create a terrorist state in Sinai. This is why Hamas permitted them to travel through its territory on the condition that they did not conduct any operations from within Gaza against Israel.

The violence had stopped after Egypt brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas, allowing both to enjoy a long truce. But these groups began to train in Sinai, turning it into a ticking timebomb ready to explode at any moment.

However, the Egyptian presidency did not do much when they were told about these aberrations, Ismail said. Not only did it refuse to conduct any operations against these groups, but it also disclosed the information to the groups in Sinai so that they could correct their bearings.

When Khaled asked Ismail why the army or the police did not react to such events, Ismail said that the army did not act unless instructed to do so. Both the army and the police were subjected to a plot to diminish their capabilities at the time. The government had ignored requests for armaments and vehicles to be used to enforce security and pursue militants and to protect police units themselves. Restrained and unable to act, the army and police were incensed by such actions.

Ismail also confirmed that Safwat Hegazi, the then Muslim Brotherhood leader who visited Sinai often, had played a critical role in ground operations and in the bombing of pipelines (supplying Jordan and Israel with gas). Mohamed Al-Zawahiri, leader of a Salafi jihadist group and brother of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, was captured in Al-Arish, only to be released the same day by a specific order.

Ismail resigned in protest because of two particular incidents. The first was when the presidency aborted the Eagle Operation, an Egyptian counterattack against the killers of 16 Egyptian soldiers in Rafah close to the border with Gaza. Then, Morsi sent a delegation to the area. The fact that Magdi Salem, other Islamist group members, and ex-convicts were among the members of the delegation enraged the security apparatus in Sinai as a whole. They were not qualified to negotiate in the name of Egypt and excluded the army and police force, he said.

The second incident was when Brotherhood leader Khairat Al-Shater established a company called Palestinian Egyptian in Cairo to oversee 70 tunnels crossing from Gaza into Egyptian territory and giving him monopoly control over illegal routes into and out of Gaza.

Ismail then realised that his reports to the presidency were being utilised against Egypt instead of protecting it. He could not continue to work for a regime that was working against his country.

In the interview, he goes on to explain why Morsi ousted field-marshal Tantawi and general Mourad Mowafi. The latter had provided a dossier on Islamist terror operations in Sinai that reported on the increase in the number of terrorist cells in Sinai and the spread of weapons, training camps, and Islamist courts. It also warned that Sinai had become a goal for terrorists from all the Arab countries.

Ismail said that after the Brotherhood took power in Egypt it tried to paralyse the security apparatus. It retired 600 major-generals from the police and shrank the role of state security, refusing to provide it with the necessary arms.

That is in addition to the meeting that took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo between Al-Shater and the leader of the Iranian National Guard with a view to creating a similar militia group in Egypt that would answer to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood was thus working towards destroying the nation in order to build another that fitted its ideology.

Ismail said that after Morsi escaped from the Wadi Al-Natroun Prison, he went to Al-Arish where he stayed with former deputy governor and Brotherhood member Adel Qatamesh. Then he headed to Gaza via the tunnels. When the dust settled, he returned to Egypt.

Morsi wasnt alone on this trip to Gaza. Morsi entered Gaza with Ayman Nofal [the leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas], who coordinated with the Brotherhood office in Al-Arish. Bedouin and Salafi, those who had earlier stormed the prisons and the police stations, and assisted them in crossing into Gaza, Ismail said.

My understanding of what Ismail says regarding events in Sinai is that they constitute acts of treason. When a man of Ismails standing uncovers the cataclysmic situation in Sinai at that time, there is no room for doubt or second-guessing.

* The writer is the author of Cairo Rewind on the First Two Years of Egypts Revolution, 2011-2013.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Indeed the world is busy with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel might be under the illusion that this is a suitable time to impose more oppressive, racist measures on Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

Over the past few days, violent scenes of Israeli forces raiding Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem have filled our screens. Soldiers arresting and injuring hundreds of worshippers including elderly men, women and children were an ugly reminder of what this conflict has been about since 1967. Israel is an occupying, repressive force that applies violent and inhumane measures to deal with Palestinians, Muslims and Christians, and their basic right to worship freely.

Thousands of heavily armed army and police soldiers are ready to provide maximum protection for a few Jewish extremists who have false claims over Al-Haram Al-Sharif, home to Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Yet Palestinians are treated with frightening brutality.

Palestinians in Gaza have simply been banned from praying in Al-Aqsa or visiting Jerusalem for over 15 years. Those coming from the West Bank are given a few thousand permits, and have to be over 50. Even after the long, humiliating journey through horror movie-like checkpoints on the way to Jerusalem from the nearby West Bank, Palestinians can still not be sure they will be able to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, as it may be closed at any minute by Israeli forces whether because something happens that they deem a security threat or simply to assert their power.

But the issue is not just one of clashes happening regularly every Ramadan, which in recent years has been coinciding with Christian Easter and the Jewish Passover. Israels Prime Minister Naftali Bennetts narrow coalition government has been collapsing, and he has probably mistakenly calculated that one key to keep his shaky government intact is to please Jewish extremist groups, who have for decades sought to demolish Al-Haram Al-Sharif and rebuild their own temple.

Even before the Al-Aqsa clashes erupted, one right-wing Knesset member had quit the coalition, which thereby lost its narrow 61-59 majority. On Sunday, and under pressure from the Palestinian community living within Israel, the only Islamist party in Bennetts government announced it was suspending its support for his coalition in protest of the brutality of suppressing Palestinians at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Insisting on allowing Jewish extremists, as well as a lunatic extremist Israeli parliament member, into the Al-Haram Al-Sharif area at this particular time of the year cannot be but a vulgar provocation and a clear attempt to stir violence to help the Israeli government survive. Bennett succeeded Israels longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who prides himself on killing the peace process and ending the two-state solution.

Coming from the right-wing camp himself, the current premier does not want to appear weak in comparison to Netanyahu, especially in the wake of a wave of attacks by Palestinian militants in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem that killed 14 Israelis. He therefore ordered Israeli occupation forces to use maximum force to suppress clashes at Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

Yet, what is equally dangerous are reports that the right-wing prime minister was considering proposals by extremist coalition members to replicate in East Jerusalem the same illegitimate arrangements that were forced on Palestinians in Hebron. Without any consideration for Palestinian rights, or the fact that Hebron, known in Arabic as Al-Khalil, is an occupied territory captured in 1967, the occupation forces took control of the Ibrahimi Mosque, dividing it among the vast majority of Muslims who reside there, and a few Jewish extremist settlers who claim they have a religious right to pray at the same spot.

From its long experience in occupying East Jerusalem, Israel should know that tampering with the already extremely complicated arrangements in the holy city could cause flareups in the entire Arab and Muslim world. It was a visit by late Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Al-Haram Al-Sharif that sparked the second Palestinian uprising, or Intifada, in 2000.

Indeed the world is busy with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel might be under the illusion that this is a suitable time to impose more oppressive, racist measures on Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Yet it is playing with fire.

Even before the recent confrontations in Al-Haram Al-Sharif, Israeli officials said that the four attacks in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in late March and early April were carried out by lone wolves, including three Palestinians who hold Israeli citizenship and belong to IS, and the rest infiltrated from Jenin in the West Bank. That should have been enough evidence for Israeli officials of the failure of their campaign of self-deception based on claims that creating a Palestinian state was no longer central to peace in the region, and that Tel Aviv would be able to normalise ties with its Arab neighbours while continuing to occupy Palestine.

However, Israels violence against innocent Palestinian worshipers at Al-Aqsa, seen by more than one billion Muslims worldwide, cannot be but a reminder to the whole world of the ugliness of occupation and violation of all basic Palestinian rights. Since it occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has spared no effort to take over the holy city, only to be faced with stiff resistance from Palestinians, Muslims and Christians. This will certainly not change.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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By Azernews





The Azerbaijani armys combat duty and comprehensive provision have been highly ensured in liberated Kalbajar, the Defence Ministry reported on April 18.

A series of measures have been taken in accordance with the high command's instructions to fully supply and improve the social and living conditions of military units serving on Azerbaijan's liberated territories, the report added.

All necessary measures are taken to ensure exemplary service of the military personnel, to maintain a high level of combat capability and combat readiness in harsh climates, and difficult terrain. The servicemen are fully provided with fresh and high-calorie food, as well as other types of supplies, the ministry stressed.

Further actions are underway to ensure a full supply of units and organize military service, as well as to enhance the social and living conditions of the personnel in the liberated lands, the ministry added.

Following the liberation of its territories from Armenias occupation, Azerbaijan started constructing military units and other military infrastructure in these lands to ensure the region's security.

Several modern military units have been built in liberated Hadrut, Fuzuli, Kalbajar, Lachin and other regions. The military facilities have been upgraded with contemporary equipment and weapons, and military personnel's combat readiness has been improved via drills.

Azerbaijani servicemen periodically take part both in international and domestic drills to boost their combat skills and to enhance interaction with different kinds of troops.

In 2022, Azerbaijani servicemen will join a number of local and international drills, as well as seminars and conferences under the annual approved plan.
"We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive," he said on Telegram.

Russia claims arms depot hit

Russia's army says it has destroyed a large depot of foreign weapons recently delivered to Ukraine near the western city of Lviv -- one of 16 Ukrainian military sites it claims to have hit on Monday.

Russian planes in the morning struck a logistics centre holding "large batches of foreign weaponry, delivered to Ukraine over the past six days by the United States and European countries", and "destroyed" them, says Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

Missiles kill seven in Lviv

Five "powerful" Russian missiles hit the western city of Lviv, near the Polish border, killing at least seven people and wounding eight, local officials say.

Over in the east of the country, Russian strikes killed at least eight civilians in the embattled regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, local authorities say.

New US arms shipments arrive

The first shipments of a new US military aid package have arrived at Ukraine's borders to be handed over in its fight against the Russian invasion, a senior Pentagon official says.

The package includes 18 155mm howitzers for the first time, as well as 40,000 artillery rounds, 200 M113 armoured personnel carriers, 11 Mi-17 helicopters and 100 armoured multi-purpose vehicles.

Biden to hold meeting of allies

US President Joe Biden will convene a meeting of allies on Tuesday to discuss the Ukraine conflict, the White House says.

The video call will also cover "efforts to hold Russia accountable," the White House says.

Putin honours Bucha-linked brigade

Russian President Vladimir Putin bestows an honorary title on a brigade accused by Ukraine of "war crimes" and mass killings in the town of Bucha.

A decree signed by Putin gives the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade the title of "Guards" for defending the "Motherland and state interests" and praises the "mass heroism and valour, tenacity and courage" of its members.

Tycoon seeks prisoner exchange

Russian state television broadcasts a video of two men it says are captured Britons, asking to be exchanged for Viktor Medvedchuk, a recently captured wealthy Ukrainian tycoon close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine's security services then put out a video of Medvedchuk asking to be exchanged for Ukrainian civilians and soldiers trapped in the strategic besieged Ukrainian port of Mariupol.

Civilian evacuations paused

Ukraine says it is halting civilian evacuations from the frontline towns and cities in the east of the country for a second day.

"In violation of international humanitarian law, the Russian occupiers have not stopped blocking and shelling humanitarian routes," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk posts on social media Monday.

Nearly 5 mn fled Ukraine: UN

More than 4.9 million Ukrainians have fled their country following the Russian invasion, says the UN's refugee agency, the UNHCR.

It says 4,934,415 Ukrainians have now left the country, up more than 65,000 on the previous day.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a four-day ``humanitarian pause'' in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians' Holy Week observances.

Guterres floated the proposal Tuesday at UN headquarters, saying the cease-fire would allow for evacuating civilians from ``areas of current or expected confrontation'' and getting humanitarian aid into areas such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson.

``The four-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine,'' the UN chief said.

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Nearly five million Ukrainians have fled the war since Russia's invasion, the United Nations said Tuesday, sounding alarm at the rapid exodus and voicing concern that the situation may worsen.

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said 4,980,589 Ukrainians had left since Russia invaded on February 24 -- a figure up 46,174 on Monday's total.

The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) says nearly 215,000 third-country nationals -- largely students and migrant workers -- have also escaped to neighbouring countries, meaning around 5.2 million people in all have fled Ukraine since the war began.

Officials call it the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

"The key is that the borders remain open, people can access safety and when they get to the neighbouring countries they have access to assistance," UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva.

On Tuesday, Russia's defence minister said Moscow was seeking to "liberate" east Ukraine and the ministry said Moscow launched dozens of air strikes across eastern Ukraine overnight.

Kyiv accuses Russian forces of unleashing a major new offensive in the Donbas region.

"We're watching with concern to see what will happen but it's quite alarming that within the space of a few weeks, we are approaching five million refugees from Ukraine," said Mantoo.

Women and children account for 90 percent of those who fled, with men aged 18 to 60 eligible for military call-up and unable to leave.

Nearly two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have been forced from their homes, including those still inside the country.

More than 2.8 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to Poland. Three quarters of a million have reached Romania.

UNHCR figures show nearly 645,000 Ukrainians fled in February, with nearly 3.4 million doing so in March and 945,000 leaving so far this month.

Beyond the refugees, the IOM estimates 7.1 million people are displaced within in Ukraine.

Before the invasion, Ukraine had a population of 37 million in the regions under government control, excluding Russia-annexed Crimea and the pro-Russian separatist-controlled regions in the east.

Here is a breakdown of how many Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR:

Poland

Nearly six out of 10 Ukrainian refugees -- 2,800,713 so far -- have crossed into Poland.

Many of them have travelled on to other states in Europe's Schengen open-borders zone.

Meanwhile 738,000 people have crossed from Poland into Ukraine, Polish border guards said.

Before the war, Poland was home to around 1.5 million Ukrainians, chiefly migrant workers.

Romania

A total of 750,693 Ukrainians entered the EU member state, including a large number who crossed over from Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine.

The vast majority are thought to have gone on to other countries.

Russia

Another 535,842 refugees have sought shelter in Russia.

In addition, 105,000 people crossed into Russia from the separatist-held pro-Russian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine between February 18 and 23.

Hungary

A total of 465,598 Ukrainians have entered Hungary.

Moldova

The Moldovan border is the closest to the major port city of Odessa. A total of 425,227 Ukrainians have crossed into the non-EU state, one of the poorest in Europe.

Most of those who have entered the former Soviet republic of 2.6 million people have moved on.

Slovakia

A total of 339,680 people crossed Ukraine's shortest border into Slovakia.

Belarus

Another 23,609 refugees have made it north to Russia's close ally Belarus.

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Bennett's visit is the latest following the US-brokered 2020 Abraham Accords, which defied decades of Arab consensus that ruled out ties in the absence of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bahrain and its close ally the United Arab Emirates became only the third and fourth majority Arab states -- following Egypt and Jordan -- to establish ties with Israel when they signed on to the pacts negotiated under former US President Donald Trump.

Bennett was scheduled to meet Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa as well as other top officials, and representatives of Bahrain's Jewish community, his office said.

The trip follows a visit to Manama by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz earlier this month that saw the two countries sign a defence agreement.

The deal covered intelligence, procurement and joint training, with Gantz boasting that it further solidified the nascent diplomatic relationship.

The visit also comes at a time of regional tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran is engaged in negotiations with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly and with the United States indirectly to revive the deal formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Focus On Iran

The deal offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. The US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under Trump. The drive to salvage it resumed in late November.

Bennett's government strongly opposes a return to the 2015 agreement, repeatedly warning that offering Tehran sanctions relief will lead to increased revenue that Iran will use to buy weapons for use against Israelis.

Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said Bennett's trip is "absolutely" about Iran.

"In light of the talks in Vienna it is a show of force, symbolism, that the countries are working together," he said.

Dore Gold, head of the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs, said Israel and Bahrain have been pushed towards closer ties as both are "under threat by Iranian actions".

He pointed to unrest in Bahrain blamed on Iran-backed insurgents and the range of threats that Israel says Iran poses, notably its arming of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

As part of their defence agreements, Israel is set to post a naval official in Bahrain, which hosts a base for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Guzansky said that in several respects Bahrain has been perceived as moving slower than the UAE in terms of solidifying ties with Israel.

But, he added, allowing an Israeli military officer to be based there was "significant," while noting that Bahrain "does not want to be seen as an Israeli base in the Gulf."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of engaging in "deliberate terror" with mortar and artillery strikes on residential neighborhoods in Kharkiv, while Ukrainian forces in the southern city of Mariupol defied a Russian deadline to lay down their arms. Zelenskyy, in a video address late Sunday, said he expects Russia to launch an offensive in the eastern Donbas region "in the near future."

"In violation of international humanitarian law, the Russian occupiers have not stopped blocking and shelling humanitarian routes," Deputy Ukrainian Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk posted in a statement on social media.

Aside from the attack on Lviv, Russian troops hit numerous other targets across Ukraine, including in the eastern part of the country. Efforts to evacuate Ukrainian civilians from conflict areas were halted for a second consecutive day Monday.

Western officials say the sanctions have pushed Russia into a sharp recession that will hurt its economy for years. Putin acknowledged that Russian consumer prices this month had risen by 17.5 percent compared to a year ago, which is slightly more than twice the current 8.5 percent annualized inflation rate in the U.S. He directed his government to index wages and other payments to minimize the inflationary impact on personal incomes.

The new barrage came as Russian President Vladimir Putin contended during a video call with economic officials that the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies had failed. He said the West "expected to quickly upset the financial-economic situation, provoke panic in the markets, the collapse of the banking system and shortages in stores," but added, "The strategy of the economic blitz has failed."

Officials in western Ukraine said missile strikes hit Lviv on Monday, killing at least seven people in the city that had escaped the worst of the violence of the Russian invasion that began nearly two months ago.

Russia's withdrawal of its forces from areas around Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other parts of the north in recent weeks prompted assessments from Western military officials that Russia was reinforcing and redeploying those assets to eastern Ukraine.

Capturing the Donbas region, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk, along with the port city of Mariupol to the south, would allow Russia to control a land corridor to the Crimean peninsula, which it seized in 2014.

Zelenskyy, in an interview with CNN taped Friday and aired Sunday, said for Ukraine the battle for Donbas will be critical, and that if Russia captures the area, it could once again try to seize Kyiv. "It is very important for us to not allow them, to stand our ground, because this battle... can influence the course of the whole war," Zelenskyy said.

Russia has called on the remaining fighters in Mariupol to surrender, saying it controlled urban areas of the city, while an estimated 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers and 400 mercenaries remain at the sprawling Azovstal steel mill.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told ABC's "This Week" Sunday the country's forces will "fight to the end" in Mariupol. "The city still has not fallen," he said, hours after the expiration of Russia's declared deadline.

Asked about reports that Putin believes Moscow is winning the war, Shmyhal noted that while several cities are under siege, only Kherson in the south has fallen under Russian control. "More than 900 cities, towns and villages  are freed from Russian occupation," Shmyhal said, adding Ukraine has no intention of surrendering in the eastern Donbas region. The prime minister added that Ukraine wants a diplomatic solution "if possible." "We won't leave our country, our families, our land," he said.

Zelenskyy said in his Sunday night address that the West should increase its sanctions against Russia, including actions targeting oil and banking sectors. "Everyone in Europe and America already sees Russia openly using energy to destabilize Western societies," Zelenskyy said. "All of this requires greater speed from Western countries in preparing a new, powerful package of sanctions."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in an interview Monday with Antena3 TV that his government will soon reopen its embassy in Kyiv as a show of support to the Ukrainian people. "Spain is with Ukraine, and we are against Putin," Sanchez said.

The Russian invasion prompted numerous countries to suspend diplomatic operations in Kyiv, with many relocating to Lviv. Italy, France and the Czech Republic are among those that have already reopened their Kyiv embassies or announced plans to do so.

Russian state television on Monday broadcast a video showing two men identified as Britons who were captured by Russian forces in Ukraine asking to be exchanged for a pro-Russian politician in Ukrainian custody. The men requested that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson work to make the exchange for Viktor Medvedchuk happen and bring them home.

Ukraine's security services also published a video Monday that showed Medvedchuk asking to be exchanged for Ukrainian troops and civilians in Mariupol. Medvedchuk, who has close ties to Putin, was captured last week after escaping house arrest in Ukraine, days ahead of Russia's invasion.

Last week, the Kremlin rejected a Zelenskyy offer to swap Medvedchuk for Ukrainians being held by Russia. Russia initially described its aims as disarming Ukraine and defeating nationalists there. Kyiv and its Western allies say those are bogus justifications for an unprovoked war of aggression that has driven a quarter of Ukraine's 44 million people from their homes.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths will travel to Turkey on Tuesday to continue his efforts to achieve some level of humanitarian cease-fires in Ukraine.

"Cease-fires, they are not on the horizon right now, but they may be in a couple of weeks. They may be a little bit longer than that," Griffiths told reporters.

He said it depends on where the war is heading and how talks between Russia and Ukraine go. Those talks are currently taking place at very low levels. Griffiths also expressed hope that Orthodox Easter on April 24 could present an opportunity for a pause.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday regarding Turkish-hosted mediation efforts. Guterres also emphasized the need for humanitarian corridors for the distribution of aid and the evacuation of civilians. Griffiths will follow up on that discussion with Erdogan.

The aid chief's trip to Moscow and Kyiv earlier this month has not yet yielded the hoped for cooperation from Moscow.

"Neither I nor the secretary-general, if I could speak for him, had any illusions about whether there would be some sort of an immediate breakthrough in this," Griffiths said. "What I wanted to do was to set out for both parties, first of all, what our vision of a local cease-fire would be. How would it be monitored, for example? That's crucial, and we have done a lot of work on that, and how ready we are to step forward as soon as there is an opportunity."


Korea's splintered conservative camps have agreed to merge again before the local elections in June.

The main opposition People Power Party, whose candidate Yoon Seok-youl won last month's presidential election, has completed its merger with the minor People's Party, which in the end also backed Yoon's campaign.

They have decided to keep the name PPP.

On Monday, the chairmen of the two parties -- Lee Jun-seok and Ahn Cheol-soo -- signed the agreement in front of the cameras.


The Busan District Court on Monday granted an injunction to stop Pusan National University from canceling the admission of former fly-by-night justice minister Cho Kuk's daughter to medical school.

Cho Kuk filed for the injunction earlier this month.

The court "recognized an urgent need to prevent the irrevocable damage that would be caused by the decision to cancel the admission."

The injunction remains in place until 30 days after the Supreme Court reaches any decision in the case, which turns on whether Cho Kuk and his wife Chung Kyung-shim padded their daughter's resume for university admission.

On April 5, Pusan National University decided to revoke the 2015 admission of Cho Min after Chung was sentenced to four years in jail for forging the resume and trying to destroy evidence. But the Chos are appealing, and Cho Kuk has not yet been convicted in the case.

Cho and Chung padded their daughter's work experience with phony internships and research projects at Seoul National University, where Cho Kuk was a professor at the time, and elsewhere.

The process is complicated by the fact that Cho Min has already graduated and gained her medical license, serving her internship in a public hospital.

It will take around six months for a preliminary court ruling to be made.


The Seoul Jazz Festival will take place for the first time in three years at the Olympic Park in southern Seoul from May 27 through 29. Organizers had designated only 5,000 seats due to social-distancing rules but plan to expand them to 10,000.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Monday lifted all regulations on spacing of seats and quarantine protocols at concerts.

Big outdoor concerts are resuming after the government lifted most COVID restrictions on Monday. Concert organizers are moving quickly to either boost the number of available seats or changing their entire performance plans.

The Beautiful Mint Life music festival will also take place at the Olympic Park on May 15 and 16. Organizers have expanded the number of seats from 5,000 to 8,000. And the Wonderland Festival will be held in the same park on April 30 and May 1, while the Seoul Park Music Festival will take place there on June 25 and 26.

Nodeul Island in Yongsan will host the Seoul Jazz Festa from April 26 through May 1 featuring 100 musicians. Even big EDM parties will resume, with the Waterbomb dance music fest at Jamsil Stadium from June 24 through 26. It was moved forward from July to June following the lifting of COVID restrictions.

Concert organizers are pleased. The number of seats available at the Olympic Park, for example, increases from 8,000 to 14,000 if standing room is included.

Concerts effectively died in the pandemic, with official sales down 90 percent. Koh Ki-ho at the Music Concert Industry Association of Korea said, "Only big-name acts were able to hold some concerts and fill enough seats in the pandemic when spaced seating was required, so lesser-known artists were left with few chances to perform."
By Azernews





Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov has paid his condolences to Turkeys top brass over the killing of a Turkish serviceman during an anti-terror operation, the Defence Ministry reported on April 19.

Hasanov expressed his deep sorrow about the incident in letters to Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Chief of the General Staff, Army Gen Yashar Guler.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of a serviceman of the glorious Turkish army becoming Shehid (martyr) in the area where the Armed Forces of fraternal Turkey were conducting the Operation Claw Lock (Penche Kilit). Your grief is our grief too, the letter said.

The minister emphasized that Azerbaijan fully supports brotherly Turkeys anti-terrorism endeavors.

We are always close to the Armed Forces of fraternal Turkey and we support them with all our strength in the fight against terrorism. I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the soul of the serviceman, who became Shehid, share the sorrow and grief of his relatives, and express my deep condolences to his family. May Allah rest the soul of the Shehid in peace," the letter added.

The Turkish army has launched a major offensive against PKK hideouts and targets in northern Iraq, Turkeys National Defence Ministry earlier announced.

Operation Claw Lock was launched by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the early hours of April 18 with airstrikes by Turkish fighter jets in Metina, Zap and Avashin-Basyan regions in northern Iraq, where PKK has its training camps and other hideouts. The operation aims to neutralize terrorists and destroy their structures.

Turkish servicemen neutralized 26 terrorists in the north of Iraq within the framework of the anti-terror operation, the Turkish National Defence Ministry said.

During the anti-terror operation, four Turkish servicemen were injured and one (Combat Lieutenant Omer Delibas) was killed.

The Turkish army has long been conducting cross-border operations into northern Iraq under the Operation Claw Lock, but the current Claw Lock constitutes the biggest one of this series.
Rising global tensions are fueling renewed debate whether South Korea should get its own nuclear weapons. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's recent series of missile launches have brought home how vulnerable the country could be to a nuclear attack.

Both South Korea and Ukraine once had nuclear weapons within their borders. But South Korea agreed to abandon its secret nuclear program in the 1970s in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., while Ukraine gave up its nuclear arms in the 1990s in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.

A number of polls show that South Koreans' support for a nuclear deterrent has been increasing in recent years. According to a report by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in February, before Russia invaded Ukraine, 71 percent of South Koreans are in favor. Since then calls have only grown.

"The tragedy we see today in Ukraine is happening because Ukraine relied on others instead of prioritizing its own self-interests," one Twitter user wrote. "Human beings are selfish, so the interests of one's own country must come first. The cause of the Ukrainian people's suffering is Ukraine's nuclear disarmament."

But these calls are just a continuation of a trend that started before the war, said Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington.

"I think that support for nuclear weapons has likely increased after the invasion, but I think it's been ramping up for a long time," she said. "We've watched the discussion about nuclear weapons evolve, especially since 2014, when it was very much a fringe political stance, to today, when it's now a really mainstream debate that has solid public support."

Analysts warn against making hasty comparisons between Ukraine and South Korea, which is a full American ally under a 1953 mutual defense treaty, while Ukraine is neither a formal American ally nor a member of NATO.

And while Ukraine is defending itself against a much mightier military force, South Korea's conventional military forces are far more powerful than North Korea's.

Still, that has done little to quell many South Koreans' emotional response.

"The circumstances [in Ukraine and South Korea] are really different, but there's still a perception that because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the likelihood that North Korea might try something similar is higher," said Toby Dalton of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment. "I disagree with that view, but I understand the fear, and the South Korean and U.S. governments need to be responsive to that fear."

In the eyes of many South Koreans, Russia's invasion of Ukraine makes prospects of North Korea's denuclearization even more unlikely. Even before the war, analysts warned that 2022 was likely to be a period of aggression from the North as the renegade country ramps up weapons development amid stalled denuclearization talks.

As North Korea watches the U.S. and other nations refrain from directly intervening in Ukraine because of Russia's nuclear weapons, the North is likely to dig in its heels.

"North Korea will become more determined to hold onto its nuclear weapons in light of Russia reneging on its promise to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and national borders in return for Kyiv's agreement to give up its nuclear arsenal," said Lami Kim, a co-author of the Chicago Council report and a professor at the U.S. Army War College. "By the same token, I think South Koreans' desire for nuclear armament may become stronger."

The war in Ukraine also raises concerns about China, particularly a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The Chicago Council report found that 56 percent of South Koreans see China as the biggest threat to South Korea.

Some worry that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be an opportunity for the North, a Chinese ally, to invade the South. And if China invaded Taiwan, what would that mean for the U.S. Forces Korea? "Maybe the next country like Ukraine will be Taiwan and South Korea," wrote another commentator on Twitter.

But the costs of developing nuclear weapons could outweigh any benefits, and among politicians here it remains a fringe position. If South Korea developed nuclear weapons, the U.S. could withdraw its security guarantees, leaving the South vulnerable in the interim years.

"Governments have to take this sentiment seriously," Town said. "More has to be done to address credibility, to have better strategic communications about the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea and what it does, and there needs to be a real conversation about what role nuclear weapons play in that."

Other options that security experts have floated are a nuclear-sharing agreement between the U.S. and South Korea, like the one that exists between NATO countries, and a return of American nuclear weapons to South Korean soil. South Korea has not had nuclear weapons within its borders since 1991, when they were withdrawn by U.S. President George Bush.

"Some amount of anxiety is unavoidable -- that's the reality of alliances, there's no 100-percent reassurance," said Town. "But we say the alliance... is a linchpin, that it's ironclad -- but there has to be greater communication to demonstrate that in more concrete ways if we want to increase reassurance while North Korea is increasing capabilities."


Some segments of the $800 million U.S. tranche of military aid that Biden approved last week have already arrived in Ukraine. The defense official said another half dozen or more flights with more armaments are landing in Ukraine in the next 24 hours.

The official said Ukraine is outmanned numerically compared to the Russian forces, but "that doesn't mean that they don't have advantages of their own or the ability to actively defend themselves," with weapons being "replenished every single day."

In Washington, a senior Defense Department official called the new Russian military operations a "prelude" for bigger ones to come, saying, "There's a real possibility that this could go on for a while, because both sides can be fairly dug in here, and be dug in fairly well."

Russia declared Tuesday that it had launched its new offensive for control of eastern Ukraine with the bombardment of targets across the Donbas region, but Ukraine said it was defending the territory and repulsing some of the initial attacks. "Another phase of this operation is starting now," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, adding that Moscow's goal was the "complete liberation" of the Donetsk and Luhansk territories in the east.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden and the leaders also spoke about providing more ammunition and security assistance to Kyiv.

"I know the press is always asking me, with good reason, why I'm always on the phone talking with other world leaders trying to keep them organized," Biden said Tuesday in New Hampshire about his morning call with the leaders of Britain, Canada, the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, NATO, Poland and Romania. "Well, one of the things I did is, I went on and got a lot of other countries to agree today to release petroleum from their [strategic] reserves."

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that U.S. and NATO allies are applying increasing pressure on Moscow, the same day that Russian officials declared a new offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that the United States is sending military aid in response to the situation on the ground. "You tailor each package based on the fight that they're in and what's going on at the time," he said. "You also have to tailor your packages on what they can absorb on their end... It would be irresponsible for us not to do it that way."

Luhansk's governor said the eastern city of Kreminna is now "under the control" of Russian forces, which could allow Russia to advance on Kramatorsk, capital of the Donbas region.

But Ukraine said it had repulsed seven different Russian attacks in several battles, destroying 10 tanks and 18 armored units. "Now, we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address late Monday.

He said a "significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive" in strategic areas in the eastern part of the country that would allow Russia to link with the Crimean Peninsula it seized eight years ago. The U.S. Defense Department estimated that Russia has already sent 11 more battalion tactical groups into Ukraine, about 8,000 to 11,000 more soldiers.

The Donbas region includes Luhansk and Donetsk, two regions that are already partly held by Russian-backed separatists, along with the besieged port city of Mariupol to the south. Moscow continued to demand the surrender of Ukrainian forces holed up in a steel plant in Mariupol. "All who lay down their arms are guaranteed the preservation of life," Russia's Defense Ministry said, but a new deadline passed with no surrender.

Humanitarian officials have raised concerns about disruptions in getting supplies to people in areas that have seen some of the worst violence, including Mariupol, and to establish safe corridors for civilians to flee to safety.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Tuesday there would be no humanitarian corridors active for a third consecutive day due to a lack of agreement with Russia.

 Economic Pressure Mounts

Meanwhile, Psaki said Washington is considering imposing more economic sanctions this week. "There could be," she said in response to that question. "I think that we're still... making, doing considerations and running a process for additional sanctions, but there are some under consideration, yes."

Biden said NATO allies agreed Tuesday to release 240 million barrels a day for the next six months, a move that he said would "help deny [Russian President Vladimir] Putin the ability to weaponize energy resources against American families and families in Europe and around the world."

In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country should move as quickly as possible to be independent of Russian gas supplies. Denmark will boost its production of natural gas for a limited time while also working to produce as much energy from renewable sources as it can, Frederiksen said.

"We are convinced it's better to produce gas in the North Sea than buying it from Vladimir Putin," Frederiksen said. European Union members rely on Russian gas imports to meet about 40% of their needs, but Denmark is not among EU countries most dependent on Russia for energy.

Zelenskyy has urged EU countries to halt their Russian energy imports and for Western nations to sanction the Russian oil industry to pressure Putin to halt the invasion.

While some leaders have expressed a willingness to reduce or end the imports, they have also cited concerns about the effects that a quick cutoff would have on their own economies.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2022 - 13:54 | World, All, Japan

Japan will provide Ukraine with protective masks and clothing against chemical weapons, as well as commercial drones, to support the country in its ongoing war with Russia, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The decision was made upon a request from the Ukrainian government, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters, adding that the ministry will ship the supplies via commercial flights as soon as they are ready.

The move comes amid growing concerns that Russia might use chemical weapons in Ukraine as Ukrainians continue to put up an unexpectedly strong resistance to the invasion that has lasted nearly two months.

"We will continue to provide as much support as possible to the Ukrainian government," Kishi told a press conference.

Last month, Japan offered bulletproof vests, helmets and winter battle uniforms to the war-torn nation after the government revised its guidelines on the transfer of defense equipment to make the shipment possible.

Of the latest supplies destined for Ukraine, only the protective masks and clothing are defense equipment, Kishi said. An official of the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency said while the camera-equipped drones are intended for surveillance use and owned by Japan's defense forces, they are not considered defense equipment as they are commercial, off-the-shelf products.

Also, Tuesday, as part of its economic sanctions against Moscow, Japan started imposing an import ban on 38 items from Russia, including vodka and some lumber products.

The banned products are expected to be worth some 16 billion yen ($125 million) and account for about 1.1 percent of Japan's imports from the country.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda said the Japanese people are concerned about the effects of the Ukraine crisis on their lives and business activities caused by higher prices of crude oil and consumer goods, in addition to Japan's sanctions against Russia.

"We will thoroughly study emergency measures to swiftly respond to the effects on people's living and economic activities," said Hagiuda, referring to instructions last month by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to compile an economic stimulus package.

The Japanese government has taken punitive measures against Russia in step with the United States and European countries after Moscow invaded Ukraine in late February.

Related coverage:

Japan's lower house OKs bills to strip Russia of favored trade status

Japan plans to send SDF plane for Ukraine refugee aid this month

Japan sends bulletproof vests from defense forces to Ukraine
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2022 - 17:28 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan's health ministry Tuesday approved the use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by U.S. biotechnology firm Novavax Inc., with deliveries of the drug to local governments expected to start in late May, and shots might also begin that month.

The approval by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare marks the fourth vaccine to be greenlit for use in Japan and will be produced domestically by medical giant Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., which has been given the technology to manufacture the drug.

Novavax's vaccine will be the first protein-based one, intended for patients who could not use existing vaccines due to risks such as allergies.

"We have purchased the shots to increase the stability and diversity of the vaccine supply," health minister Shigeyuki Goto said at a press conference after the government had secured 150 million doses.

The vaccine can be administered to people aged 18 or older in two shots spaced three weeks apart. It can also be used as a booster shot after six months.

Whether the vaccine can be used for mixing and matching booster shots will be decided by an internal subcommittee in the near future, the health ministry said.

Overseas clinical trials conducted before the Omicron variant became widespread showed that the vaccine was around 90 percent effective in preventing the onset of symptoms after the first and second shots were administered.

After the third dose, it was also shown to improve the value of neutralizing antibodies that prevent the virus from entering cells in the body.

Although weaker against the Omicron variant, the vaccine also has "a certain effect" on the mutant strain, the health ministry said.

In clinical trials conducted in the United States and elsewhere, 44.5 percent of patients who have received two shots reported side effects such as headaches, 38.9 percent said they felt fatigued, and 48.1 percent said they experienced muscle soreness.

Related coverage:

Japan expert panel OKs use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2022 - 19:15 | All, Japan

A railway operator in the western Japanese city of Takamatsu started Tuesday running a train in the Ukrainian flag colors, in a move to show solidarity with the war-torn country and its railway staff who have been operating trains amid the ongoing conflict.

The two-car train wrapped in yellow- and blue-colored sheets, operated by Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co., also bore messages saying "We stand with you," "To the Ukrainian railway operators working to protect people's lives-" and "We wish for world peace" on both sides.

Kyoko Imai, a 35-year-old employee of the operator who came up with the idea of coloring a train, said she wanted to "do something to show respect to the (railway) staff who are working at the risk of their lives" in Ukraine as Russia's invasion of the country continues.

The operator, also known as Kotoden, in Kagawa Prefecture is planning to sell stickers of the train and donate the whole amount of the sales to the Ukrainian Embassy in Japan.

Railway services in the Eastern European country have been in operation to move people to safe places and deliver necessities since the invasion started on Feb. 24.

The trains run by the operator are originally in yellow color at the bottom.
By Caroline Tam, KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2022 - 13:01 | World, All

The Hong Kong government's former No. 2, John Lee, has all but won the city's leadership election slated for May 8 after securing nominations by a majority of the Election Committee members who will cast votes, with no other candidates in the running.

Lee, a security hard-liner and the candidate favored by Beijing, is expected to govern the city under further tightened control as he pledged to enact a previously shelved bill on treason and theft of state secrets that have not been criminalized by a national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.

The avid proponent of the law, which has been enforced to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong following an anti-government movement in 2019, tendered his resignation as chief secretary for administration, the second highest post, on April 6 to run in the election.

His resignation was approved by China's State Council a day later, a quick turnaround seen as a sign of Beijing's strong support for Lee's bid.

As Lee received 786 nominations from the 1,454-member Election Committee mainly consisting of pro-Beijing members, he is seen to win the election and to become the first Hong Kong leader to rise through the ranks of the police forces.

Prior to becoming second-in-command, Lee served as secretary for security during a crackdown on pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, which folded on June 24, 2021. A day after the paper's closure, Lee was promoted to the No. 2 post.

The 64-year-old also directed the police response to large-scale protests during the 2019 anti-government movement as the top security official.

Some pro-democracy activists and analysts speculate that Beijing's backing of Lee signifies further tightening of China's grip on the territory alongside a shift into prioritizing national security above all else.

"Hong Kong has been a police state for two years," Samuel Bickett, a U.S. lawyer and expat Hong Konger who was deported earlier this year for allegedly assaulting a police officer, said on Twitter:

"John Lee, not Carrie Lam, has been the supreme power in that police state at least since he became chief secretary in June 2021. His elevation is expected. We can presumably expect more of the same, not a major change in policy," he said.

Kenneth Chan, associate professor of department of government and international studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, told Kyodo News that current leader Carrie Lam "has inflicted fatal blows to the city," namely the enforcement of the national security law and arrests of pro-democracy activists and media people as well as a Beijing-imposed overhaul of the electoral system to ensure that only "patriots" govern the city.

"Lee would carry out the "Mainlandization" that she has embarked on in the second half of her term, in a fashion that is more aggressive and radical," he said.

Among Lee's list of priorities as next leader is the bill on treason and theft of state secrets as he told reporters earlier this month.

The bill has been called for under Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's miniconstitution, which requires the city government to enact laws prohibiting seven offenses, including secession, subversion, treason and theft of state secrets.

The national security law criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, but not treason or theft of state secrets.

Article 23 also calls for prohibiting foreign political organizations from conducting activities in Hong Kong and prohibits local political organizations from establishing ties with such foreign groups.

Lee called the enactment of the legislation based on Article 23 a "constitutional duty," adding that it would bring stability, according to local media reports.

However, Chan says that concentrating on the legislation is what Lee must do to "show Beijing he is the right man in the job."

"One cannot rule out the widening and deepening of the assault on the core values of Hong Kong" such as freedom, human rights and democracy, Chan added.

While the former policeman's disciplinary background could contribute to enhanced security in the territory, Lee's candidacy has also brought up concerns regarding the future of Hong Kong's economy.

In response to questions regarding his lack of experience in business and financial affairs, Lee said that "there is no person who is a know-all for everything," pledging to form a team with experienced officials to work on economic policies.

The city was once promised a high degree of autonomy with "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong," with the ultimate goal of achieving full universal suffrage under the Basic Law.

The May 8 election, however, will have only one candidate for the next leader, who will be voted by the Election Committee, a panel whose members were vetted by Lee himself as chairman of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee until he resigned from the government.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lee will be sworn into his five-year term on July 1, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China and the halfway point of Beijing's "one country, two systems" policy which was put in place in 1997 and was set to last for 50 years until 2047.

In 2017, Lam's emergence as the new leader with 777 votes of the then 1,194-member Election Committee created an uproar as hundreds of pro-democracy protestors took to the streets to protest the small-circle election.

Her successor, however, is unlikely to be met with the same fanfare.

With the enactment of the national security law that threatens a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the streets of Hong Kong are expected to remain quiet as it transitions into Lee's security-driven leadership, which Chan says would facilitate Beijing's comprehensive control over the territory.

"(Lee) is not asked or expected to think and act autonomously for Hong Kong," Chan says. "The city's economy and decisions will be decided in accordance with Beijing's priorities and demands."

Related coverage:

Hong Kong's former No. 2 becomes sole candidate in leadership race

H.K. leadership hopeful Lee nominated by over half of voters

Hong Kong's No. 2 Lee resigns, announces bid for leadership election
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2022 - 20:04 | All, Japan

A Japanese court Tuesday ordered West Japan Railway Co. to posthumously return 56 yen ($0.45) it had deducted from the pay of one of its train drivers over a one-minute delay in 2020.

While the Okayama District Court ruled that the pay cut by the Okayama branch of the operator known as JR West was unjustified, it dismissed the man's additional claim for 2.2 million yen in compensation for emotional distress.

Presiding Judge Hisanori Okuno ruled that the time an employee spent correcting mistakes made in relation to tasks assigned by JR West still constituted "labor for performing duties."

The one-minute delay constituted labor and was therefore subject to the payment of wages as the man realized his error and moved immediately to correct it, the court said.

JR West revised in March a practice in which mistakes resulting in train delays would be treated as time not worked by the employee at fault but said it had been planning to make the revision even before the lawsuit.

The company said it "sincerely accepts the ruling" and has no plans to appeal.

According to the complaint, while on duty at JR Okayama Station, western Japan, in June 2020, the man waited at the wrong platform for an empty train he was tasked with moving to the depot, causing the work to be completed two minutes late.

JR West originally deducted 85 yen from the man's wages for the two-minute delay claiming he did not perform any labor during that time but reduced it to one minute following advice from the Okayama labor standards inspection office.

In March 2021, the man sued his employer, claiming that the one minute was included in his working hours.

JR West had attempted to settle out of court but was unsuccessful.

The man was in his 50s and died of an illness earlier in the year, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (C) lights the Independence Flame during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)

by Gretinah Machingura

HARARE, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare.

Mnangagwa said the main event in Bulawayo, in fulfillment of the government's decision to decentralize the national celebrations, was historic and extraordinary.

The celebrations also carried an added significance in that it was the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that the nation held a large, physical gathering in Bulawayo and other provinces throughout the country to commemorate Independence Day, Mnangagwa said.

While forging ahead with efforts to build the nation for common prosperity, Mnangagwa stressed the need for national unity for Zimbabwe to achieve its development goals.

"As we celebrate 42 years of our country's independence, let us never allow divisive tendencies, greed and the pursuit of unpatriotic self-centered political gains to weaken our bond of unity, peace, love and harmony. Individually and collectively we have a duty to wholeheartedly serve and work hard for the development and prosperity of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe," Mnangagwa said.

He said in unity, Zimbabwe is rising with no one and no place being left behind as the country marches forward towards its vision of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income country by 2030.

Mnangagwa said the country's independence from Britain in 1980 was achieved through the collective effort by all the people of Zimbabwe, including the gallant heroes and heroines who sacrificed their personal freedoms in order to liberate the country.

"Let us not grow tired but keep marching forward with joy, great optimism, determination, zeal and focus on unity, peace and freedom. Good times lie ahead and the fruits of our labor will be there for all to enjoy," Mnangagwa said.

He said despite various challenges over the past 42 years including sanctions, Zimbabwe had made tremendous progress in many areas of which it is proud.

The country had also learned invaluable lessons from its 42-year journey which will make its actions more targeted for coordinated and balanced development, the president said.

Mnangagwa said more economic production was required and to this end, the Zimbabwean government will remain unwavering in its commitment to creating opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, healthcare, education, sciences and information communication technologies, among other sectors.

Zimbabweans at home and abroad, Mnangagwa said, have a sacred obligation and responsibility to help in building the nation, riding on the abundant business and investment prospects in the economy.

Zimbabwe hoped for an adequate grain harvest this year despite mixed fortunes due to the impact of mid-season drought and recurrent tropical cyclones in some provinces.

Mnangagwa said it was important for Zimbabwe to lay a sound infrastructure base for sustainable socio-economic development, and as such infrastructure development and expansion were being speeded up across all provinces.

The mining sector had immense potential to spur socio-economic development and due to responsive strategies, Zimbabwe was on course to achieving the target of a 12 billion U.S. dollars mining industry by 2023, the president said.

"Recently, our country assumed the Vice Chairmanship of both the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme and the African Diamond Producers Association, subsequently becoming Chair in 2023. These portfolios will be leveraged to achieve maximum value from our diamond mining sector," Mnangagwa said.

He said the development of rural industrialization is being prioritized, leveraging the various unique resources within communities.

Total exports were projected to grow by 10 percent this year, Mnangagwa said, adding that the number of foreign airlines coming into the country had increased from three in 2017 to 17 in 2022.

Mnangagwa urged the nation to remain alert to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that in order to protect children from the pandemic, parents and guardians should facilitate the vaccination of children from 12 years and above.

The celebrations ran under the theme: "Zimbabwe @ 42, Leaving No One and No Place Behind." 

Dancers perform during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)

Dancers perform during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Front) holds a torch before lighting the Independence Flame during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)

Members of Zimbabwe Defense Forces parade during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (C) inspects Zimbabwe Defense Forces during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)

Members of Zimbabwe Defense Forces parade during the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 18, 2022. Zimbabwe marked its 42nd independence anniversary on Monday with President Emmerson Mnangagwa presiding over the national celebrations in the second largest city of Bulawayo, the first time in the history of the country that such celebrations have been held outside the capital Harare. (Photo by Wanda/Xinhua)
Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks via video link with Olga Sanchez Cordero, president of the Mexican Senate, in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu on Tuesday held talks via video link with Olga Sanchez Cordero, president of the Mexican Senate, calling for further enhancing bilateral relations.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Mexico have supported each other and deepened their friendship. China is ready to work with Mexico to actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and elevate the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

The sound development of China-Mexico relations is attributable to the two sides' commitment to mutual respect and equal treatment, especially mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. The one-China principle is the cornerstone of China-Mexico friendly relations, and China highly appreciates Mexico's long-standing adherence to the principle, Li said.

As the two countries share broad common interests in international affairs, China and Mexico should enhance multilateral coordination and strengthen communication at international and multilateral arenas such as the UN and the G20, and defend true multilateralism, he added.

Noting that both China and Mexico are major developing countries with important influence and great potential for cooperation, Li said the two sides should continue to pursue mutual benefit and deepen practical cooperation. China welcomes Mexico's active participation in the China International Import Expo and cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Sanchez said Mexico firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and thanked China for supporting Mexico fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mexican Senate is willing to deepen friendly exchanges with China's NPC and make new contributions to advancing bilateral cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, investment and culture and promoting the development of the Mexico-China comprehensive strategic partnership, Sanchez added. 

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks via video link with Olga Sanchez Cordero, president of the Mexican Senate, in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
by Hummam Sheikh Ali

DAMASCUS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Watching the suffering of people amid the tough economic situation in Syria, the 24-year-old Hiba Zien has started a personal charity activity called "Ramadan Taxi" to distribute free meals for the poor people, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, by her own car.

The young woman, who studies mass media communication at the Damascus University, was inspired when she saw an initiative carried out during Ramadan last year in Syria's central city of Homs by a woman of her age, who used her own car to deliver free meals.

Zien got the names of poor families from the mayor of the town of Qatana, which locates on the outskirts of capital Damascus, then secured meals for them from good deed doers or charity associations, and delivered the food by her own car.

She started the initiative on her Facebook page. On the first day of Ramadan, she gave away three meals only.

Day by day, she started being contacted by other charity associations, which heard about the initiative and loved to encourage the idea. Some of these charities helped her secure a large number of meals each day to distribute in Qatana.

When she met Xinhua, Zien was collecting packed meals from a charity kitchen in the Mazzeh area in Damascus. She packed them in the trunk of her car and set off to Qatana, driving a BYD car with a manual transmission.

She does that almost every day during Ramadan, grabbing the meals, driving along the narrow alleys of Qatana and handing over the meals to the families on the list she has got from the town mayor.

"I haven't had a chance to participate the volunteer work due to the far distance between my residence place and the headquarters of charity associations, so I decided to start with my car in the town I live," she said, expressing her happiness to start her sole initiative this Ramadan.

"People who want to help others and do good for the neighbors can start offering help without waiting for big funds or support," she said.

Zien hoped her example will encourage more individual initiatives and spread to more areas, calling on the young generation to make a difference in their societies to the best of their abilities, especially during difficult times.

Syrians are going through nowadays a tough economic situation, as a result of the suffocating economic sanctions imposed by the United States. 
By Trend

President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan on April 19, Trend reports citing Kyrgyzstan's presidential press service.

As part of the visit, Japarov will hold bilateral talks with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova and meet with local business representatives.

The meeting will address relevant issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and other fields. Signing a number of documents is also scheduled.

The delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic included:

 wife of President Sadyr Joparov;

 Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruslan Kazakbaev;

 Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Jeenbek Kulubaev;

 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Azerbaijan Kairat Osmonaliev;

 Minister of Agriculture Askarbek Dzhanybekov;

 Minister of Digital Development Talantbek Imanov;

 Minister of Transport and Communications Erkinbek Osoev;

 Minister of Economy and Commerce Daniyar Amangeldiev.
BEIRUT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Embassy in Lebanon on Tuesday denied allegations about its interference in the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections, the National News Agency reported.

"Some parties keep fabricating lies and reversing facts through malicious political campaigns ... but we reaffirm our respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and pledge that we do not interfere in the country's internal affairs," the embassy said in a statement.

"Syria and Lebanon have inseparable brotherly relations and Syria renews its expression of confidence in the wise choices made by Lebanon's national forces," it added.

The embassy also expressed hopes that "Lebanon will succeed in meeting its constitutional duties away from those who attempt to obstruct the elections by adopting foreign political agendas."

The Syrian embassy's statement comes after some Lebanese political parties accused the country of supporting what they call Syria's allies in the upcoming parliamentary elections. 
The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi in Kenya has held a Chinese language quick learning challenge in celebrating the UN Chinese Language Day observed annually on April 20.



NAIROBI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi in Kenya has held a Chinese language quick learning challenge in celebrating the UN Chinese Language Day observed annually on April 20.

Teachers of the Confucius Institute through the event taught the pronunciation of Chinese characters to students who were excited about the opportunity to know more about the Chinese language and culture.

During the activity, the teachers also taught some short sentences in spoken Chinese to the curious students. The unique experience has made them more interested in learning Chinese Mandarin.

Language is a tool to facilitate communication. Currently, standard Chinese is growing into a popular language course in Kenya.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi (UoN), a collaboration between the UoN and China's Tianjin Normal University, was the first Confucius Institute established in Africa. The two universities have also established a collaborative link that includes the exchange of students and lecturers.
RAMALLAH, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday discussed the growing tension with Israel in East Jerusalem during two separate phone conversations with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Abbas exchanged views with King Abdullah over the situation in East Jerusalem, accusing the Israeli police forces of acting "brutally towards the safe worshipers, in flagrant violation of international law and the legal and historical status of the status quo in the holy city," the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have run high in recent days during the rare confluence of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover. Clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police erupted on Friday at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, leaving over 160 Palestinians injured.

According to the report, the two sides agreed to hold a meeting soon, and continue consultation, coordination and contact with concerned parties to stop violence at the holy site.

In his phone talk with Putin, Abbas discussed bilateral ties as well as the recent development of situation in the Middle East, saying there is a need to respect international law and work to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Abbas called for efforts to provide international protection for the Palestinians, WAFA said. 
MEXICO CITY, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday that his administration will push for a new mining law to reserve lithium exploitation to the state, after lawmakers rejected his proposed electricity reform bill.

During his daily press conference, Lopez Obrador explained that a state company would exploit, extract, process, industrialize and sell lithium, whose price has been soaring lately.

"We are going to protect Mexico's lithium, the lithium of our generation and future generations, our children and grandchildren," he told journalists from the National Palace in Mexico City.

On Sunday, legislators in the Chamber of Deputies failed to approve the president's electricity reform, which sought to strengthen the state-owned Federal Electricity Commission, among other things.

Lopez Obrador estimated that the same lower house of Congress could discuss his mining bill as early as Monday.

Mexico has large lithium deposits, but lacks the resources to exploit them, according to the government.

The metal is considered the "new oil" due to its widespread use, especially in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and telephone equipment. 
Syrian refugee students attend a class at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

by Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- For Dilan Ibrahim, a 16-year-old refugee girl from Syria, reading provides her a moment of peace from the grim reality and hardships of her life in Lebanon.

"I usually like to read books about life and science as well as animals and trees to better understand the outside world," said the 16-year-old, whose dream is to become a doctor to help save other people's lives.

Dilan is among the hundreds of Syrian refugee students studying at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in the Lebanese town of Mukhtara, which started to receive Syrian refugee students in 2015.

"We try our best to encourage the Syrian refugee children, not only to learn, but also to read books. It's their right to live their childhood fully after having suffered much in their own country," Manal Hodayfe, the school's general-director, told Xinhua as the World Book Day on April 23 is approaching.

"We place great importance on reading as it gives students information about everything going on around them, enriches their memories and builds up their personalities for the future," she said.

Remie Bachnak, the school's mathematics teacher, also highlighted the importance of reading for students of all ages.

"Reading is essential to develop their personalities and advance their mentality that helps them choose the right path in life," Bachnak told Xinhua.

Hodayfe said the most serious challenge facing Syrian refugee children at her school is their parents' lack of strong determination to keep their children educated.

"When children face any problem at school, their parents naturally opt to get them to drop out of school and work to earn as little as 20,000 Lebanese pounds (less than 1 U.S. dollar) a day," she explained.

The general-director emphasized the need to enlighten the parents as to the importance of proper education, urging them not to send their children to work at an early age.

Hodayfe noted that some parents are in dire need of psychotherapy to learn the peaceful approach in their dealings with their children.

"We have noticed that many of the children tend to be violent with each other as they have been exposed to violence at home," she said.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, where an estimated 1.5 million Syrians are seeking refuge.

Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. 

Syrian refugee children do classwork at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

Remie Bachnak, a Lebanese mathematics teacher, is interviewed at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

Manal Hodayfe, the school's general-director, works at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

Syrian refugee students read a book at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

Syrian refugee students attend a physics class at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

A Syrian refugee student does classwork at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

Syrian refugee students attend a class at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)
Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, meets with Papali'i Li'o Taeu Masipa'u, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Independent State of Samoa, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang met with Papali'i Li'o Taeu Masipa'u, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Independent State of Samoa, on Tuesday via video link.

Wang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Samoa 47 years ago, bilateral relations have made great progress and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Wang said China will continue working with Samoa to vigorously expand cooperation in economy, trade and investment, infrastructure, agriculture, fishery, tourism and other fields under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote anti-epidemic cooperation, so as to enrich the China-Samoa comprehensive strategic partnership.

He said the CPPCC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Parliament of Samoa to consolidate the social and public support for the development of bilateral relations.

Papali'i said the Samoan side cherishes its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China principle, and highly recognizes the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Samoa is willing to take an active part in jointly building the Belt and Road, Papali'i said, adding that the Parliament of Samoa is ready to strengthen exchanges with the CPPCC to boost bilateral relations. 

Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, meets with Papali'i Li'o Taeu Masipa'u, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Independent State of Samoa, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, meets with Papali'i Li'o Taeu Masipa'u, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Independent State of Samoa, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
JERUSALEM, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Monday accused Jordan of "spreading fake news" after Jordan urged Israel to stop "illegal violations" at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a video statement that he sees "with great gravity" the praises to Palestinians who have been clashing with Israeli police at the holy site over the past days.

Bennett referred to an earlier remark by Jordan's Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh, who in a speech to the parliament in Amman praised "those who throw rocks at the pro-Zionists who are defiling Al-Aqsa Mosque."

"This is unacceptable," Bennett said, condemning the Jordanian prime minister's remarks as "a reward for inciters, led by Hamas, which is trying to incite violence in Jerusalem."

The rare remarks came amid a spate of violence in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994 and have maintained peaceful relations. 
Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, speaks during the swearing-in ceremony in Aden, Yemen, April 19, 2022. Amid tight security, the newly-formed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) took the constitutional oath to officially assume its power on Tuesday in Yemen's southern port city of Aden. (Str/Xinhua)

ADEN, Yemen, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Amid tight security, the newly-formed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) took the constitutional oath to officially assume its power on Tuesday in Yemen's southern port city of Aden.

The eight-member council took the oath in front of the Yemeni Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Barakani, with the attendance of the country's influential political figures, foreign ambassadors, and representatives from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On April 7, Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi issued a decree on establishing the PLC to succeed him in running the government and holding peace talks with the Houthi militia.

The council 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 UAE, the two major supporters of the Yemeni government in its war with the Houthis.

Other members include Aidarous Zubaidi, the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Sheikh Sultan Al-Aradah, the governor of the oil-rich Marib Province, and Tariq Saleh, former President Saleh's nephew.

A local security official said the Aden-based STC, which is controlling the port city, deployed its well-trained security units across the city to ensure the safety of the ceremony.

In the past days, nearly 165 Saudi-backed Yemeni political figures arrived in Aden from Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh to take their offices in Aden following years of exile.

The new presidential council chose Aden, which enjoys relative stability and prosperity in the war-torn country, as the main stronghold for running the country in this new significant transitional phase, the anonymous security official said.

Despite some breaches, the UN-brokered two-month ceasefire starting on April 2 is still in effect.

In 2014, the Houthi militia captured large swathes of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, forcing Hadi into exile to seek asylum in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in the Yemeni civil war in 2015 to support the Yemeni government in its fight against the Houthi militia.

The Yemeni civil war had reportedly killed more than 370,000 people and displaced around 4 million others by the end of 2021. Around two-thirds of the country's 30 million citizens need humanitarian assistance, according to a UN report. 

Photo taken on April 19, 2022 shows the scene of the swearing-in ceremony of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council in Aden, Yemen. Amid tight security, the newly-formed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) took the constitutional oath to officially assume its power on Tuesday in Yemen's southern port city of Aden. (Str/Xinhua)

Members of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and other political figures attend the PLC's swearing-in ceremony in Aden, Yemen, on April 19, 2022. Amid tight security, the newly-formed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) took the constitutional oath to officially assume its power on Tuesday in Yemen's southern port city of Aden. (Str/Xinhua)
Syrian refugee students attending a class in the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

A Lebanese school tries its best to encourage Syrian refugee children to read books to ensure that they live their childhood fully after having suffered so much in their war-torn country.



by Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- For Dilan Ibrahim, a 16-year-old refugee girl from Syria, reading provides her a moment of peace from the grim reality and hardships of her life in Lebanon.

"I usually like to read books about life and science as well as animals and trees to better understand the outside world," said the 16-year-old, whose dream is to become a doctor to help save other people's lives.

Dilan is among the hundreds of Syrian refugee students studying at the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in the Lebanese town of Mukhtara, which started to receive Syrian refugee students in 2015.

Syrian refugee students gesture during break time in the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

"We try our best to encourage the Syrian refugee children, not only to learn, but also to read books. It's their right to live their childhood fully after having suffered much in their own country," Manal Hodayfe, the school's general-director, told Xinhua as the World Book Day on April 23 is approaching.

"We place great importance on reading as it gives students information about everything going on around them, enriches their memories and builds up their personalities for the future," she said.

Remie Bachnak, the school's mathematics teacher, also highlighted the importance of reading for students of all ages.

School General Director Manal Hodayfei stands in her office in the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

"Reading is essential to develop their personalities and advance their mentality that helps them choose the right path in life," Bachnak told Xinhua.

Hodayfe said the most serious challenge facing Syrian refugee children at her school is their parents' lack of strong determination to keep their children educated.

"When children face any problem at school, their parents naturally opt to get them to drop out of school and work to earn as little as 20,000 Lebanese pounds (less than 1 U.S. dollar) a day," she explained.

Remie Bachnak, a Lebanese mathematics teacher, is interviewed in the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

The general-director emphasized the need to enlighten the parents as to the importance of proper education, urging them not to send their children to work at an early age.

Hodayfe noted that some parents are in dire need of psychotherapy to learn the peaceful approach in their dealings with their children.

"We have noticed that many of the children tend to be violent with each other as they have been exposed to violence at home," she said.

Syrian refugee students attending a class in the Kamal Jumblatt Official School in Mukhtara, Lebanon, on April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, where an estimated 1.5 million Syrians are seeking refuge.

Lebanon hosts about 522,000 school-aged Syrian refugees between three and 24 years old, and 30 percent of those aged between six and 17 have never been to school, while only 11 percent of those aged 15 to 24 were enrolled in education, according to a study released by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2021. 
JERUSALEM, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday called for international help in restoring calm in East Jerusalem in a phone talk with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the rising Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

The two discussed the recent wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, mainly around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, where some 200 Palestinians have been injured in clashes with Israeli police since Friday.

"I emphasized the need for international support for returning calm to Jerusalem," Lapid wrote on Twitter after talking on the phone with Blinken.

Lapid reiterated Israel's stand that the Israeli police raids at the flashpoint holy site were "responsible and measured efforts in the face of riots by hundreds of Islamic extremists."

"Israel will not tolerate calls in support of violence," Lapid added.

The phone talk came a day after Blinken discussed the violence in East Jerusalem with Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Blinken stressed the importance of maintaining the status quo, according to a statement issued by the U.S. State Department.

The disputed holy site, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after capturing it in the 1967 Middle East war. The site has been administered by Jordan's Muslim Waqf but secured by the Israeli police.

The Israeli-Palestinian clashes in East Jerusalem, as well as four deadly Palestinian attacks in Israeli cities in recent weeks, came as the holy Muslim month of Ramadan coincided with the Jewish holiday of Passover, with thousands of Muslim worshipers and Jewish visitors arriving at the hilltop compound and the Western Wall, located just below it. 
Members, supporters of terrorist organisation sentenced to imprisonments of 3-13 years

The Peoples Court of Ho Chi Minh City on April 18 sentenced 12 defendants to imprisonments of between 3-13 years on the charge of conducting acts aiming at overthrowing the peoples administration.













The defendants at the trial. (Photo: VNA)

The defendants are members and supporters of the so-called Chinh phu quoc gia Viet Nam lam thoi (Provisional National Government of Vietnam), which is a terrorist organisation founded and led by Dao Minh Quan from abroad. The organisation has conducted many propaganda activities advocating armed riots against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.



Under the instruction of many key members of this organisation, the defendants have actively to entice others to join the terrorist organisation and a "referendum" to elect Dao Minh Quan as "the President of the third Republic of Vietnam".



In Ho Chi Minh City, defendant Tran Thi Ngoc Xuan joined the organisation and regularly used the Facebook social network to streamlive contents calling on others to participate in organising and conducting the "referendum". From March-June 2018, Xuan lured six people, including her husband, two children and three acquaintances to join the organisation. Also during this time, she also received many documents from the members of the organisation via Facebook.



On February 19, 2019, while visiting poor households in Tam Binh ward, Thu Duc city, Xuan brought along five sets of printed documents and handed over the documents to three households. During the time participating in the organisation, Xuan was given a mobile phone, 300 USD, 400 CAD (316.4 USD) and 3 million VND (130.9 USD).



Like Xuan, defendant Nguyen Thanh Xoan was lured by La Ngoc Duyen to register to join the organisation. In addition to spreading the organisation's propaganda, Xoan also enticed and guided four other to vote in the "referendum".



In Dong Nai, Luong Thi Thu Hien contacted many acquaintances, saying that she was participating in a foreign organisation that was engaged in charity activities, giving away land and houses for the poor, and asked for the acquaintances' information to register for the gifts. Many provided personal information for Hien, but in fact Hien used them to register for the "referendum" for Dao Minh Quan.



Also in Dong Nai, defendant Tran Van Long used personal information of more than 20 people to register for the "referendum".



Other defendants committed similar acts in An Giang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Phu Yen and Kon Tum. In addition, the defendants in the case also made yellow flags with three red stripes of different sizes. They printed and distributed documents such as "Provisional Constitution", "Constitution of the Third Republic of Vietnam", "Biography of Prime Minister Dao Minh Quan" in order to propagandise about the organisation and the referendum to others.



In this case, nine defendants including Tran Thi Ngoc Xuan (born in 1969), Nguyen Thanh Xoan (1972), Nguyen Thi Kim Phuong (1967), Luong Thi Thu Hien (1968), Y Hon Enuol (1988), Y Phuong Ding Rieh (1978), Nguyen Minh Quang (1960), Ho Thi Xuan Huong (1968), and Le Ngoc Thanh (1972) were prosecuted under Clause 1, Article 109 of the 2015 Penal Code. Three others, namely Y Tup Knul (1970), Pham Ho (1949) and Tran Van Long (1955) were prosecuted under Clause 2, Article 109 of the Penal Code 2015.



The jury decided to sentence Xuan to 13-year imprisonment, while Xoan and Hien got 12 years and 11 years in jail, respectively.



The other defendants were sentenced to imprisonments of between 3-10 years.



In addition, the defendants will be placed under home probation of 2-3 years after their jail terms end./.
By Azernews





By Orkhan Amashov

Acrimonious pleas permeating the domain in which the Armenian opposition reign supreme are full of tempestuous notes. The fecundity of the reasoning prowess of those vehemently resisting the incumbent governments progressive Karabakh agenda is being trammelled by one simple urge, where all conceivable measures are being taken to ensure the impossibility of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

One particular strain of argumentation propounded by the critics of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is that it is neither constitutionally justified, nor diplomatically wise to agree to a deal with Azerbaijan, as any official commitment enshrined in a peace agreement would, in all probability, mean the final and irreversible loss of Karabakh, leaving even Armenias own future in tatters.

Vartan Oskanian, a former Armenian Foreign Minister (19982008), has recently published an article in which he expounded his vision which is, in some ways, a clear demonstration of the aforementioned strain.

Legal challenge

The former diplomat is of the opinion that signing a peace treaty would inevitably signal recognition by Armenia that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, and that this would contradict the national constitution, which has some provisions mandating otherwise. In other words, the incumbent prime minister has no right to officially commit the country to such a fate without changing the actual Basic Law.

First of all, the question as to whether a treaty commitment could override the constitutional norms of a given country is an issue of a nuanced legal nature. The answer to this question would vary on the basis of the exact nature and place of the domestic legal provision within the hierarchy of an order underpinning a constitution, and, quite often, assessment of the validity of this is the duty of the constitutional (or supreme) court.

Secondly, in this particular case, Vartanians assertion is that the existing Constitution forbids Pashinyan from signing a peace treaty on the basis mentioned. Of course, it is possible for a government to refer a certain matter, if believed to have potential constitutional ramifications, to the judiciary before taking further steps.

But for a constitutional review mechanism to enter the equation, without the executives special reference, such an official commitment has to be made in the first place. In the case of Armenia, the constitutional court of the country may determine the compliance of a treaty obligation with the Constitution before it goes to the National Assembly for ratification.

Thirdly, if all international peace treaties had been presumed to be signed in line with the dogmatic interpretation of national laws, then no peace agreement would have been concluded. The preamble of the Armenian Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, which are mostly referred to by formalists opposing a potential peace deal, are not stonecast divine immutable norms, but rather aspirational precepts. If the facts on the ground militate against these, they are either to be changed or interpreted differently.

Another part of Oskanians legal objection is that Pashinyan has no mandate to make a fateful decision on Karabakh, and the recent election victory, which kept him in power, does not amount to omnipotence. The question arises as to what that victory in the 2021 June snap election meant if it was not a fresh mandate to a peace agenda. Pashinyan was embattled at the time, and the victory was widely perceived as a vote of confidence. Unless one is interested in engaging in esoteric mental gymnastics, this element is better left for theorists to ponder.

Diplomacy: 1997 and 2022

Oskanian also draws parallels between the state of affairs entrapping Armenia in 1997 and the present situation, claiming that the approaches maintained by former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan then and Pashinyan now are only superficially similar. Indeed, the comparison between 1997 and 2022 is interesting.

Ter-Petrosyan, as Oskanian contends, was in favour of not including the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the immediate negotiations and surrendering control over the adjacent territories, with the exception of Lachin, because he believed the inclusion of the status issue on the agenda would inevitably result in discussions of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and Yerevan wanted to leave this for determination at a later stage. On the other hand, he claims that Pashinyan wants to abandon the idea of status from the outset.

First of all, it could be tentatively assumed that, for both Ter-Petrosyan and Pashinyan, the physical presence of Armenians in Karabakh takes precedence over clarification in relation to the status of the region. In this particular aspect, they appear to be close to each other, and that truism cannot be denied.

Secondly, Oskanian deliberately does not take the context into account. In 1997, Armenia was a winner with an inflated sense of self-importance. But even then, the strength of its international legal position left a lot to be desired and the then-ongoing occupation of the Azerbaijani territories was heavily inimical to Yerevans economic interests.

Pashinyan has lost the war and the facts on the ground do not favour him. In 1997, Baku was ready to agree to the idea of granting the region the highest autonomy, but after the 2020 campaign, it is out of the question.

Ter-Petrosyan was of the opinion that a sensible compromise could see the nation out of isolation. Had he managed to convince the country and muddle through the turmoil that engulfed Armenia at the time, the circumstances could have proven to be auspicious for greater autonomy of the region within Azerbaijan, and Baku would have probably been content with such a resolution at the time.

Thirdly, as we can now establish with a sufficient degree of certainty, the hardliners who succeeded Ter-Petrosyan failed to translate the military gains of the First Karabakh War into a peace agreement. Instead, the conflict had remained frozen for 13 years thereafter, and the Second Karabakh War eventually has induced a sea-changing effect, which now many, including Vartanian, are unable to process.

The former Armenian foreign minister, for all his biases and self-interested interpretations, is a diplomat who has the intellectual mettle to defend his case. But, in any Court of Reason, any incorruptible judge would have overruled his objections instead of sustaining them.
BAGHDAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Two members of Iraq's Hashd Shaabi paramilitary force were killed on Tuesday in an attack launched by the Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala.

Three other paramilitary members and seven villagers were wounded in the crossfire when the IS attacked a security outpost in the evening outside a village near the town of Qara-Tappa, some 175 km northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, Hassan al-Jubouri, a lawmaker from the village, told Xinhua.

Some armed villagers also opened fire on the attackers, al-Jubouri said.

A medical source from the Qara-Tappa hospital told Xinhua that the ten wounded people were admitted to the hospital.

Also on Tuesday, two soldiers and two civilians including a Jordanian driver were wounded when the IS militants raided an army checkpoint on the Baghdad-Amman international road near the town of Rutba, some 390 km west of Baghdad, an Iraqi army source in the province told Xinhua.

Over the past few months, Iraqi security forces have carried out deadly attacks against the extremist militants to crackdown on their intensified activities.

The security situation in Iraq has improved after Iraqi forces defeated the IS in 2017. Yet IS remnants have since melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
BAGHDAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Turkish ambassador in protest over Turkey's cross-border offensive against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.

The ministry handed Ali Reza Guney a "strongly-worded letter calling for the cessation of such provocative acts, and the unacceptable violations," the ministry said in a statement, renewing Iraq's demand for the complete withdrawal of Turkish forces from Iraqi territories.

"Iraq has the legal right to take the necessary and appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules of international law in the face of such hostile and unilateral acts, as they are taking place without coordination with the Iraqi government," the statement said.

Earlier in the day, the Iraqi Presidency slammed the Turkish operation in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region as a threat to Iraq's national security and a violation of its sovereignty.

At least 26 PKK members have been killed during Turkey's new ground and air cross-border offensive into northern Iraq launched on Monday, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry.

Turkey regularly conducts cross-border operations on the PKK bases in northern Iraq, despite Iraq's repeated protests.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than 30 years. 
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam (4th L, front) attends the handover ceremony after the first phase construction of the Penny's Bay Community Isolation Facility (CIF) was completed in south China's Hong Kong, April 19, 2022. The first phase construction of the Penny's Bay CIF, with mainland support, was completed, and the units were handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Li Gang)

HONG KONG, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The first phase construction of the Penny's Bay Community Isolation Facility (CIF), with mainland support, was completed, and the units were handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday.

The Penny's Bay CIF is the largest among the isolation facilities constructed with mainland support. The first batch was built in two months and has over 1,000 units and more than 2,000 beds.

Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam said at the handover ceremony that the CIFs constructed with mainland support will greatly enhance the anti-pandemic capabilities of Hong Kong.

She again expressed gratitude to the central government for its staunch support. She added that as long as all sectors of the Hong Kong community continue to join hands to overcome the difficulties, Hong Kong will emerge from the COVID-19 epidemic and return to normal life soon.

On Tuesday, Hong Kong registered 320 new COVID-19 cases by nucleic acid tests, and 280 additional positive cases through self-reported rapid antigen tests, official data showed. 

Aerial photo taken on April 19, 2022 shows the Penny's Bay Community Isolation Facility (CIF) in south China's Hong Kong. The first phase construction of the Penny's Bay CIF, with mainland support, was completed, and the units were handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Li Gang)

Photo taken on April 19, 2022 shows the interior view of an unit of the Penny's Bay Community Isolation Facility (CIF) in south China's Hong Kong. The first phase construction of the Penny's Bay CIF, with mainland support, was completed, and the units were handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Li Gang)
WASHINGTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang has warned against using the Ukraine crisis as an excuse to mess up U.S.-China relations, saying that doing so serves no good to anyone now or in the future.

In the signed article published in The National Interest magazine on Monday, Qin said while the bilateral relationship between China and Russia has achieved great progress in the last three decades, the two countries are not allies, and their relationship doesn't target third countries.

The U.S.-Russia relations, however, "are sliding into a new Cold War," Qin said, "which is not in the interest of either China, the United States, or Russia, and is not what China wants to see."

"After all, a worse Russia-U.S. relationship does not mean a better China-U.S. relationship, and likewise, a worse China-Russia relationship does not mean a better U.S.-Russia relationship, either. More importantly, if the China-U.S. relationship is messed up, that does not augur well for Russia-U.S. relations or the world," he said.

"Disturbingly, as the crisis continues, some people are wielding the stick of sanctions against China to coerce the renunciation of its independent foreign policy of peace. Some are clamoring about a 'Beijing-Moscow Axis' in a dangerous misinterpretation of China-Russia relations, asking China to bear responsibility for the crisis. Some are linking Taiwan to Ukraine and playing up the risks of a conflict across the Taiwan Strait. Still others, for all the lessons that should be learned, are fanning up misunderstanding, confrontation and insecurity in Asia-Pacific, without a modicum of care if this region might follow in the footsteps of Europe. These words and actions are not helpful to resolving the crisis or ensuring the stability of China-U.S. relations. Dragging everyone down does no good to our future generations," the ambassador said.

"Differences in perception of the crisis do not justify groundless accusations or pressure and should not hinder our joint efforts to end the crisis," Qin said, calling on China and the United States to "take a long-term view and have pragmatic and constructive dialogue, coordination, and cooperation for what comes our way outside and after the crisis."

"In this way, we can bring about an arrangement for lasting peace and stability in Europe acceptable to all parties; properly resolve other global hotspots; prevent and address the crisis' impact on the global economy and trade, finance, energy, food, and industrial and supply chains; and minimize the losses for the economy and people's livelihood," the diplomat said.

Ending the unwanted conflict as soon as possible "is more important than everything else" now, Qin said of the situation on the ground in Ukraine, adding that "there must be not only an end to this war, but also a fundamental answer to lasting peace and stability in Europe." 
BEIRUT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A UN official on Tuesday emphasized the need to implement major reforms to the social protection systems in the Arab region.

"Legislative reforms focusing on taxation, expansion of the contributory base and other sources of funding are needed," said Rola Dashti, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Dashti made the remarks as the ESCWA launched a report titled "the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arab region: An opportunity to reform social protection systems."

The report said that, prior to the pandemic, most of the region's social protection programs, which were funded through government budgets or external assistance instead of contributions from beneficiaries or employers, suffered from underinvestment and excluded vulnerable populations.

Dashti said that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the region demonstrated strong political will to alleviate the needs of vulnerable populations, and also included in their programs the "missing middle," such as those informal workers who often did not receive any social protection benefits prior to the pandemic.

However, since most response measures to the pandemic were temporary, they will not contribute to the transformation of the social protection systems in the region unless major reforms are put in place, according to the report.

Those reforms include legislative reforms, particularly on taxation, expansion of the contributory base and other sources of funding, it said. 
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday talked with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey over phone, with both sides calling for building a closer relationship.

Noting that China attaches great importance to the traditional friendship with Ghana, Wang said bilateral relations have been consolidated and developed under the guidance of the two countries' heads of state.

In particular, since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Ghana have supported each other to overcome difficulties, and their friendship has been further enhanced, Wang said.

China highly appreciates Ghana's adherence to the one-China principle and believes that both sides will continue to deepen political mutual trust and jointly preserve the China-Ghana friendly cooperation, Wang said.

Noting that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is a leading mechanism for the win-win cooperation between China and Africa, Wang said China and Ghana should synergize their cooperation with the nine programs for cooperation between China and Africa in order to deliver outcomes of the forum.

China will always be a trustworthy partner in the development and revitalization of Ghana and Africa, Wang said.

Wang said that China congratulates Ghana on its appointment as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023 and is glad to see Ghana play a more active role in international and regional affairs.

China has set up the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative under the UN framework to support the economic recovery of developing countries after the COVID-19 pandemic, Wang said, adding that Ghana is welcome to join the group, so as to pool greater strength for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China's vote in the United Nations will always belong to developing countries and African brothers, Wang said, calling for more coordination to jointly uphold international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and safeguard the overall interests of the two countries and other developing countries.

For her part, Botchwey said Ghana cherishes the friendship with China and firmly pursues the one-China policy.

Ghana admires China's development achievements and President Xi Jinping's outstanding leadership, she said, adding that China's development has provided very useful inspiration to African countries.

Especially after the outbreak of the pandemic, African countries have come to realize that the world is not fair and its development is not balanced, and China is Africa's true and reliable friend, Botchwey said.

Ghana appreciates China's strong support for Ghana's economic and social development and looks forward to continuously carrying out practical cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, she said.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the rotating chair of the Economic Community of West African States, Ghana is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China on international and regional issues, so as to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and build a fairer and more just world, Botchwey said. 
Children greet each other as they arrive at school in New York, the United States, March 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Children with diabetes and obesity were more likely to experience severe COVID-19, according to the study.

LOS ANGELES, April 19 (Xinhua) -- During the period of Omicron predominance in the United States, COVID-19 associated hospitalization rates in children aged 5 to 11 years were approximately twice as high among unvaccinated as among vaccinated children, a new study of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed.

Non-Hispanic Black children represented the largest group of unvaccinated children, said the study released on Tuesday.

Thirty percent of hospitalized children had no underlying medical conditions, and 19 percent were admitted to an intensive care unit. Children with diabetes and obesity were more likely to experience severe COVID-19, according to the study.

"Increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children aged 5 to 11 years, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups disproportionately affected by COVID-19, can prevent COVID-19-associated hospitalization and severe outcomes," said the CDC. 
by Elias Shilangwa

LUSAKA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's holding of general elections on Aug. 12, 2021, and the peaceful transition of power by the incumbent president maintained Zambia as one of the few countries on the continent to see peaceful transitions.

The southern African nation has established a reputation as one of Africa's stable democratic nations with regular elections followed by peaceful transfers of power since the country's founding leader, the late Kenneth Kaunda, introduced multiparty democracy in 1991.

Zambia has so far stood out in peaceful transition on the African continent, known for disputed elections and failure by incumbents to hand over power.

In the polls, former President Edgar Lungu lost power to main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu polled 1.8 million votes against Hichilema's 2.8 million during the elections which saw 16 presidential candidates participating.

Lungu peacefully conceded defeat and handed over power to his successor in the election that was marred by violence during the campaigns.

Lungu, who becomes the third president to peacefully hand over power after Kaunda who peacefully handed power after losing the 1991 elections and President Rupiah Banda after losing the 2011 polls, has gone into the annals as one of Africa's statesmen.

In his remarks after conceding defeat, Lungu said the desire to see a peaceful nation should override personal ambitions.

"I want to thank you the Zambian people for giving me the opportunity to be your president. I will forever cherish and appreciate the authority you invested in me," he said.

Lungu has since stepped aside from active politics in line with the country's constitution which requires former leaders to quit politics if they are to continue enjoying from the government.

Political observers have lauded the peaceful transition of power in Zambia and believe that other African countries need to emulate the gesture.

"There is no doubt that Zambia's democracy has been maturing and this peaceful transition to power just goes to show the direction the democracy is going," Stewart Daka, a political commentator told Xinhua.

Both the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) paid tribute to Zambia on the peaceful transition.

Felix Tshisekedi, the AU Chairperson and President of DRC said it was gratifying that Zambia has maintained the legacy of holding peaceful polls and smooth transition of power, saying it is a model that should be emulated.

On the other hand, Lazarus Chakwera, the President of Malawi and SADC Chairperson, said Zambia has written a story that shows the world that African can solve its own problems and does not need to be nursed by anyone. Enditem
JOHANNESBURG, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The South African police arrested 77 illegal miners from April 14 to 18 in Orkney, North West Province for mining without a license, said the police on Tuesday.

The police said a multi-disciplinary team of police and a mining rescue team launched a crackdown on illegal miners and arrested some underground last Thursday after they called for help when some of them were stuck underground.

"The operation follows a request to the mine management by illegal miners to be assisted to get out of the mine shaft as they were starving. During the operation which was conducted at Shaft no. 5, in Orkney, four decomposed bodies were brought up by the illegal miners on Friday, April 15, 2022," said North West Province police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone.

"Of the 77 arrested illegal miners who were all medically examined, 60 are from Lesotho, 13 from Mozambique and four are Zimbabwean nationals. Meanwhile, a formal identification process of the four bodies is underway," he added.

Mokgwabone said the arrested illegal miners will appear in court on Tuesday facing charges of trespassing, illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.

Illegal foreigners from neighboring countries facing economic challenges have been flocking into South Africa in search of greener pastures. Some engage in crime while some go to abandoned mines to do illegal mining. 
ABIDJAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara has reappointed Prime Minister Patrick Achi, who resigned at the same time as his government a week earlier, Xinhua learned from an official source on Tuesday.

According to the spokesperson of the Cote d'Ivoire's government, President Ouattara announced his decision to renew Patrick Achi in his speech on the state of the nation delivered Tuesday morning in Yamoussoukro.

Patrick Achi presented on April 13 in Abidjan his resignation and that of his government following the will of Alassane Ouattara to carry out a reorganization of the government team.

Alassane Ouattara had accepted his resignation and promised to appoint a new Prime Minister responsible for proposing a tightened government of 30 members against nearly 45 currently to take into account the current global economic situation.

After having held several positions in successive governments of Cote d'Ivoire since 2000, Patrick Achi was appointed Prime Minister on March 26, 2021 following the death of his predecessor Hamed Bakayoko. 
By Trend

The US would like to see more of its companies operating in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation [in the 2020 second Karabakh war], the countrys Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger told Trend, speaking at an open door day event held at the US embassy in Baku on April 19.

According to Litzenberger, successful de-mining and restoration of the liberated lands of Azerbaijan are very important for the return of former refugees to their native lands, and the US supports this process.

"The US companies are already working in the liberated territories in such areas as energy, and de-mining," he added..

The US companies will be able to expand their participation in projects in the liberated territories by participating in open tenders, Litzenberger said.
LAGOS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police confirmed on Tuesday unknown gunmen killed three kidnapped victims as a result of failure to pay ransom in the restive northern state of Kaduna.

Bodies of the three victims were found on Monday night in a bush along a highway linking Kaduna and Abuja, the capital city, and they were among dozens of people who were kidnapped by the gunmen about two weeks ago from a village in Chikun local government area of the state, said Mohammed Jalige, a spokesperson for the police in Kaduna.

Jalige said in a brief statement the police have launched a rescue operation to ensure the safe return of those who are still in captivity.

The gunmen threatened to kill more of the hostages if they failed to pay the ransom, according to a community leader quoted by local media.

"They have threatened to kill more, especially women if their demands are not met. One was freed, and three were killed," the community leader said.

Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to kidnappings and deaths in recent months. 
KHARTOUM, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's acting Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq on Tuesday condemned Israel's "oppressive practices" against Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The condemnation came when Al-Sadiq met with the Palestinian Ambassador to Sudan Sameer Abdul-Jabbar Taha, the Sudanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

The minister reaffirmed Sudan's stance toward the right of the Palestinian people in establishing their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the statement.

The meeting focused on the current situations in the occupied Palestinian territories following the attacks by the Israeli authorities against the Palestinians in Jerusalem, said the statement.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday witnessed clashes between the Israeli forces and the Palestinians when the Jews began to celebrate their Passover holiday that coincided with the second Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 
KABUL, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Twin blasts claimed six lives and injured 11 others in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Afghanistan's Kabul city on Tuesday, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.

"In the two blasts that happened next to Abdul Rahim Shahid school at 10:00 a.m. local time today in Police District 18, six countrymen were martyred and 11 others sustained injury," Zadran said on his Twitter account.

The victims, according to Zadran, belonged to the Shiite Muslims sect.

Without providing more details, Zadran added that security forces cordoned off the area and the investigation was underway.

In the meantime, eyewitnesses without giving their names say that three blasts were heard and two of them targeted education centers in Dasht-e-Barchi area on the western edge of Kabul city.

According to the eyewitnesses, the number of casualties is higher than reported.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility.

School and education centers had in the past been attacked in Dasht-e-Barchi area and the hardliner Daesh or Islamic State (IS) outfit claimed responsibility. 
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned multiple terrorist attacks in Afghanistan's capital Kabul that resulted in the loss of lives while injuring several others.

"Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We stand with our Afghan brothers in this moment of sorrow," the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The government and people of Pakistan extend deep sympathies to the families of those who have lost their lives and pray for the early recovery of the injured, the statement added.

The foreign ministry said it is important that Afghanistan and the international community engage in close cooperation against the scourge of terrorism.

Twin blasts claimed six lives and injured 11 others in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Afghanistan's Kabul city on Tuesday, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said. 
Photo taken with a mobile phone shows people transferring the body of a victim to an ambulance in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, April 19, 2022.

Four people were killed and several others were injured after a mini-market building collapsed in Indonesia's South Kalimantan province on Monday, a top rescuer said on Tuesday. (Photo by Bahaudin Qusairi/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and several others were injured after a mini-market building collapsed in Indonesia's South Kalimantan province on Monday, a top rescuer said on Tuesday.

The accident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. local time on Monday when many residents were buying food for fast-breaking in the building located in the Banjar district, according to Wasino, head of the Operation Unit of the Provincial Search and Rescue Office.

"The total death toll is four people. 13 others have been rescued safely. Some of them suffer wounds and have been under medical treatment in hospitals," Wasino told Xinhua by phone from the scene.

As all the victims trapped under the rubble were evacuated, the rescuers stopped the search and rescue operation at midday Tuesday.

"Our operation has ended as there are no more people trapped under the rubble. Still, we will keep monitoring, and if any relatives or family members report about missing persons, we will resume the search," he said.

Wasino said that an investigation on the cause of the accident would be carried out by the Public Works and Housing Ministry. 

Photo taken with a mobile phone shows people transferring the body of a victim to an ambulance in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, April 19, 2022.

Four people were killed and several others were injured after a mini-market building collapsed in Indonesia's South Kalimantan province on Monday, a top rescuer said on Tuesday. (Photo by Bahaudin Qusairi/Xinhua)
NEW DELHI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 of a family were killed and eight others injured Tuesday after a vehicle carrying them rammed into a stationary tractor-trolley in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, police said.

The accident took place in Jhunjhunu district, about 135 km north of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan.

According to the police, the victims were returning after offering prayers at a temple. Preliminary investigations show that the vehicle was being rashly driven, police said.

Around 150,000 people are killed every year in around half a million road accidents across India, officials said. 
NEW DELHI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The local government in the western state of Rajasthan Tuesday sought help from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to contain a raging fire inside a wildlife sanctuary, officials said.

The massive fire broke out inside the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Udaipur district, about 400 km southwest of Jaipur city, the capital of Rajasthan.

"Today district administration has sought the help of IAF to douse the massive fire that has engulfed the Sajjangarh sanctuary," an official at Udaipur collectorate said.

"The fire broke out on Sunday morning and since then it is going on. Efforts by the forest department employees and fire brigade personnel did not prove helpful in dousing the wildfire as winds continued to stoke the blaze and (the fire) engulfed new portions of the nearby hill in the sanctuary," the official said.

According to the official, the IAF help was initially requisitioned on Monday evening. However, the IAF helicopter made only two sorties to splash water over the blazing flames and called off the operation in wake of the darkness.

"The operation resumed this morning and is underway," the official said.

According to a forest department official in Udaipur, the fire engulfed almost 200 acres of forest land but so far there are no reports of loss to wildlife.

"So far no loss of wildlife in the fire has been reported," the forest department official said. "Our efforts to douse the fire are going on."

The cause of the fire was being ascertained. 
MADRID, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The wearing of face masks in most indoor settings will no longer be mandatory in Spain from April 20 "except for certain exceptions," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez decided on Tuesday.

Accordingly, it will no longer be necessary to wear a mask inside schools, shopping centers, cinemas, theaters, museums, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and gyms.

"We are making progress in returning to pre-pandemic normality. The success of the vaccination campaign allows us to now enter a new stage in the fight against COVID-19," said Sanchez on Twitter.

Facemasks will still have to be worn on public transport and in spaces frequented by vulnerable people, such as health centers, care homes, hospitals and pharmacies. The wearing of face masks will still be recommended at cultural or sporting events attracting large masses of people.

Spain's Health Ministry explained that the continued use of facemasks is also "recommended for teachers who could be vulnerable." As a "general rule", the mask mandate will no longer be enforced at workplaces, but the ministry said that the country's employers can decide otherwise.

In Spain, the outdoor face mask mandate ended in the summer of 2021, but it was briefly reinstated during the Christmas and New Year holidays due to the rise in cases of the Omicron variant of the virus.

According to the Health Ministry, on April 12 the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country was 11,662,214 cases with 103,226 deaths. The 14-day incidence rate in over-60s stood at 435.42 cases per 100,000 population, although most experts expect this figure to rise in the wake of the Easter holidays. 
ANKARA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Tuesday detained at least 113 suspects over their alleged links to a movement accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016.

According to the statement by the office of the capital Ankara's chief prosecutor, an arrest warrant was issued for 34 suspects for their suspected affiliation with the "public service structure" of the Gulen movement. At least 30 people have been detained so far in police raids across 19 provinces, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

The Turkish government accuses the Gulen movement of infiltrating into the state institutions and mounting a coup on July 15, 2016.

In a separate investigation by the prosecutor of the western province of Izmir, an arrest warrant was issued for 99 suspects, who are 31 active-duty soldiers, three former soldiers and 65 former military school students, on accusations of being affiliated with the movement.

Among the 99 wanted suspects are 25 from the Land Forces, two from the Navy and seven from the Gendarmerie General Command. The police have detained 71 of them and are hunting the others, according to Anadolu.

In another raid in Istanbul Province, 12 suspects were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement.

The Gulen movement was founded and named after Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is regarded by his followers as a spiritual leader.

Turkey accuses U.S.-based Gulen of masterminding the 2016 coup in which at least 250 people were killed, and has been cracking down on suspects with links to the movement since the failed coup.

Washington has been reluctant to extradite self-exiled Gulen, citing lack of hard evidence from Ankara against the Islamic cleric. 
KIEV, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday handed over a questionnaire aimed at achieving his country's candidate status for the European Union (EU) membership to the EU Ambassador to Ukraine Matti Maasikas, the presidential press service said.

"Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the EU, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for," Zelensky said at the handover ceremony in Kiev.

The people of Ukraine are united by the goal to become a part of the EU, Zelensky stressed, noting that the prompt work on providing a questionnaire to Ukraine is an important signal for Kiev.

"We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession," Zelensky said.

For his part, Maasikas said that Ukraine's answers to the questionnaire will be analyzed "very quickly".

Earlier in the day, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that Kiev has sent the first part of a questionnaire, which covers political and economic spheres, to the European Commission.

The other part, which assesses the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with the EU laws, will be sent to the European Commission soon, Stefanishyna said.

On Feb. 28, Zelensky signed an official appeal to the EU asking for the accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed over a questionnaire to Zelensky during her visit to Kiev on April 8. 
By Trend

The US, as a longtime friend of Azerbaijan, is always ready to participate in establishing peace in the region, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger said at an open house at the US diplomatic mission in Baku on April 19, Trend reports.

"The US have worked with Azerbaijan's Government and people for 30 years on issues related to the rule of law, human rights, economy, energy, and security," Litzenberger said.

According to him, the US is ready to provide support in achieving peace and establishing economic and transport ties for the prosperity of the region.

The ambassador also invited the quests to familiarize with various student scholarship programs offered by the US.

"We hope that you will study or visit the country in the coming years, perhaps even join the US Embassy team. I am sure that you will play an important role in the future of Azerbaijan," Litzenberger said.
MADRID, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Spain's tourism data for the Easter week on April 10-18 showed that the sector continues to recover and some communities even recorded a bigger number of tourists than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many companies have billed above their 2019 takings, Juan Molas, president of the Spanish Tourism Board, was quoted by local media as saying on Monday.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that the traveling costs have been higher compared with the 2019 level due to rising food and energy costs, which means profits might not be the same as before the pandemic.

The agency confirmed that hotel occupancy was between 80 and 90 percent in all destinations across the country for the period, with more than 2 million train passengers and over 57,000 flights throughout the Easter holiday.

According to the agency, international tourism spending was around 78 percent of that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
KIEV, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have begun the battle for the Donbas region, but Ukraine will defend itself, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on Monday.

"Now we can say that Russian troops have started the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive," Zelensky was quoted as saying by the state-run Ukrinform news agency.

"No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight," he added.

In the east and south of Ukraine, Russian forces have recently been trying to attack a little more deliberately than before and looking for a weak spot in the country's defense to go there with the main forces, Zelensky said. 
COPENHAGEN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Danish government aims to quadruple energy production from solar cells and onshore wind turbines by 2030, said the Ministry of Energy, Climate and Utilities on Tuesday.

Presenting the energy reform proposal "Denmark can do more II", the ministry said the country must reduce its consumption of natural gas in order to become independent of Russian energy as soon as possible.

According to the proposal, approximately 400,000 homeowners with fossil heating will have to switch to another heat source. The district heating network must be expanded so that even more households can get green and cheap heat. The government's goal is for the last district heating projects to be completed by 2028.

In terms of offshore wind, it is estimated that there is potential for utilizing 35 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind in Denmark by 2050, and the government wants to reap that potential to the full. The 35 GW offshore wind is 15 times the country's current offshore wind capacity, said the ministry.

According to the proposal, such a significant increase in green energy should be accomplished without "significant costs" to consumers and businesses, while also enabling Denmark to become a net exporter of green energy to the rest of Europe by 2030.

Meanwhile, the proposal outlined a green tax reform that would "pave the way for an ambitious green transformation of industry" by increasing the cost of future use of oil, coal, and gas via a more uniform carbon emission tax.

"The government is proposing a green tax reform that will be a primary driver of the green transition. The reform includes a uniform carbon emission tax as well as green support for Danish employers," according to a press release from the ministry. 
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Russia-Ukraine conflict continued as Russian forces have begun the battle for the Donbas region. The following are the latest developments:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on Monday that "Russian troops have started the battle for Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now focused on this offensive."

"No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight," Zelensky was quoted as saying by the state-run Ukrinform news agency.

- - - -

Zelensky on Monday handed over a questionnaire aimed at achieving his country's candidate status for the European Union (EU) membership to the EU Ambassador to Ukraine Matti Maasikas, the presidential press service said.

"Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the EU, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for," Zelensky said at the handover ceremony in Kiev.

The people of Ukraine are united by the goal to become a part of the EU, Zelensky stressed, noting that the prompt work on providing a questionnaire to Ukraine is an important signal for Kiev.

- - - -

Russian troops destroyed a depot of weapons supplied by Western countries near west Ukraine's Lviv on Monday morning, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

The Russian Aerospace Forces used high-precision airborne missiles to hit a logistics center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Lviv, destroying large consignments of weapons arrived from the United States and European countries over the past six days, Konashenkov told a briefing.

- - - -

Russia is expelling a number of Bulgarian diplomats in response to the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats from Sofia last month, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The ministry summoned the Bulgarian ambassador on Monday and declared some employees of the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow "personae non gratae," it said, without disclosing how many are targeted.

- - - -

Western countries' "economic blitzkrieg" strategy against Russia has failed, President Vladimir Putin said Monday at a government meeting on economic issues.

The main negative factor for the Russian economy in recent years has been Western sanctions, which were aimed at "quickly undermining the financial and economic situation in our country, provoking panic in the markets, destroying the banking system, and causing a large-scale shortage of goods in stores," Putin said. 
LOS ANGELES, April 18 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 cases are rising in more than half of all U.S. states due to the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, according to data of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The United States is now averaging about 35,000 new infections daily, up 19 percent from the previous week and 42 percent from two weeks prior, CDC data show.

Meanwhile, about 370 new deaths and 1,400 new hospitalizations were reported across the country every day, according to the latest CDC data.

Experts said official case counts may go "underreported" because many at-home test results have not been reported to state or federal health agencies.

Nearly 1 million people in the United States have died from COVID-19 so far.

People who have heart conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, and cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in the country, according to the CDC.

White House COVID-19 advisor Ashish Jha said on Sunday that COVID-19 vaccines are still "holding up" against the virus, adding it remained to be seen if BA.2 would cause more severe disease than earlier variants and subvariants of the virus.

Early study suggested the BA.2 subvariant is thought to be about 30 percent more transmissible than the original BA.1 Omicron strain.

Jha said Americans over 60 should get a second booster shot of a coronavirus vaccine, citing "pretty compelling" new data from Israel indicating that a fourth shot significantly reduced infections and deaths among older people there.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on March 29 authorized second booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for everyone 50 and older.

As of Monday, about 218 million people, or 65.9 percent of the total U.S. population, have been fully vaccinated, CDC data show.

COVID-19 boosters have been authorized in the United States for adults since November, but CDC data show fewer than 50 percent of eligible Americans have received their first booster.

Experts said the coronavirus has changed over time. The vaccines may not prevent all infection, but they still protect against the worst consequences of the disease.

Rolling back COVID-19 mitigation measures such as mask mandates and vaccine requirements too soon may lead to continued rise in COVID-19 cases and higher risk to the public, experts warned. 
Islamabad: Pakistan's anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday (April 18, 2022) convicted 89 accused and sentenced six to death and sentenced nine convicts to life imprisonment in connection with the burning alive of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara lynching case. The remaining 72 murderers have also been sentenced to 2 years in jail each. Another was jailed for five years, while one has been acquitted.

Punjab Prosecution Department Secretary Nadeem Sarwar, while addressing a press conference in Lahore, informed about the court's decision. At the same time, the court has ordered the accused to pay two lakh rupees to the legal heirs of the deceased Priyantha. At the same time, the court has also imposed a fine of two lakh rupees on the convicts who have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Let us know that this case was heard by Justice Natasha Naseem of the ATC court.

According to Sarwar, the prosecution produced 43 witnesses in the court to prove the crime against all the accused. With this, the testimony of witnesses in the case was completed in a month in a fast-track manner. The court also gave time to the accused to defend themselves. On March 12, 2022, charges were framed in the case. Later on Monday (April 18), the ATC sentenced 88 convicts.

Schools located in Shia-dominated areas shook by three consecutive bomb blasts, many injured

Pakistan will continue talks with the International Monetary Fund

The Russian Embassy has a verified account on the Ku app
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is going to give a big gift to Hindu Bengali families who migrated from East Pakistan in 1970. UP government is going to give agricultural land on lease to 63 such families. Along with this, they will also be provided with residential lease and approval letter of CM Awas Yojana. In a program organized at Lok Bhavan from 10.30 am today, CM Yogi will give approval letter of housing and agricultural land to 63 families.

Actually, in the year 1970, Bengali families from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) came to Uttar Pradesh. They were rehabilitated at Madan Cotton Mill by giving them employment. But after five years this mill was closed. Due to this 63 Hindu Bengali families faced livelihood crisis. Such families were struggling for the last 30 years. CM Yogi has given green signal to the proposal on Wednesday to rehabilitate them. For them 300 acres of land has been marked in Kanpur Dehat.

Facility of land development and irrigation will be provided through NREGS. Along with this, work will be done here under MNREGA, so that these families can get better facilities. Additional Chief Secretary Revenue Manoj Kumar Singh will soon go to see the land and take information related to rehabilitation. Arrangements were made for the rehabilitation of displaced families from East Pakistan in the year 1970.

'Built Mosque by taking land in name of university..,' now SC gave its verdict on Azam Khan's Jauhar Trust

'Who says Bihar doesn't get alcohol,' Pashupati Paras opens state poll

Prashant Kishor met Sonia Gandhi for 2nd time in 3 days, Rahul Gandhi 'missing'
India's 16-year-old Grand Master De Gukesh has also clinched the title by defeating Grand Master Viktor Mikhalevsky Victor of Israel in the last round of La Roda International Chess in Spain. After 9 rounds, with 7 wins and 2 draws, Gukesh has also secured the first position with a total of 8 points.

With this win, Gukesh has now made his place in the top 100 in the live world rankings for the first time with 2648 points. In the final round, playing with white pieces on the first board, Gukesh forced Victor to accept defeat in just 26 moves in the English Opening.

On the other board, India's R Praggnanandha and top seed Armenia's Hack Martirosyan saw a fierce fight in the last round, playing with white pieces, Praggnanandha made a lot of effort in the Nimjo Indian Opening but won 37 moves in the elephant's endgame. After that left on the draw. Hack second by scoring 7.5 points, Praggnanandha has come third on the basis of better tiebreak on 7 points.

Vedant Madhavan wins gold medal at Danish Open

After two full years, there will be an entry of spectators in the stadium of I-League matches

Tsitsipas wins defends Monte Carlo to his name, defeat Fokina
KABUL: Reports of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters in Afghanistan have been dismissed by the Taliban leadership. According to Pajhwok News, the government official recognised on Monday that there could be an issue in the country's hilly and remote areas.

Afghan forces, according to Zabihullah Mujahid, are capable of protecting their motherland. He hoped that diplomatic avenues would be used to alleviate tensions with Pakistan. We deny the existence of the TTP and will not allow anyone to exploit Afghan land to attack another country," the official said."Even if there are challenges in the high area," Mujahid remarked, "they should be resolved collectively, not through airstrikes."

A senior Ministry of Defense official also met the families of victims of purported Pakistani raids in Khost province's southeast on Monday.

Reportedly, Afghanistan's borders have been tightened up with more forces and weapons, according to the Ministry of Defence's Deputy Chief of Staff Mali Khan. The official urged the relatives of the victims to be patient and restrained. He explained that no military orders had been received for responding to the airstrikes.

Pakistani military raids and rocket attacks in Kunar and Khost provinces earlier this week killed 47 Afghans and injured nearly 20 others.

Afghan Forces Launch Anti-Taliban Operation in eastern province

Change in Islamabad govt, an opportunity for normalising India-Pak relations

Intl Monetary Fund applauds Sri Lanka's efforts to stabilise its economy
New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court against the life sentence of notorious gangster Abu Saleem. The petition was filed on behalf of Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The Interior Ministry has said that the question of assuring Portugal on Abu Saleem's conviction will come up only in the year 2030 as the courts of the country are not bound by such an assurance. The time to consider releasing Abu Saleem will come in 2030 when the government will decide what to do. On the demand for Saleem's release, the Union Home Secretary has made it clear that it is based on premature and imaginary assumptions.

In fact, in 2002, the then Home Minister LK Advani, at the time of extradition of gangster Saleem, had promised the Portuguese government that the gangster would neither be hanged nor would he be jailed for more than 25 years in any case. In the same case, the Union Home Ministry has now filed its affidavit. In the earlier hearing, the top court had given the central government a last opportunity till April 18 to file an affidavit. In fact, the court had expressed its displeasure over the Union Home Secretary not filing his affidavit.

Mumbai serial blast case convict Abu Saleem's 25-year jail term will end on November 10, 2030. At the same time, Abu Saleem had questioned the life sentence given by the special TADA court in Mumbai and demanded his release. Saleem had said that the 2002 date should be made the basis for his release, as he was arrested in Portugal at that time. According to this, the 25-year period ends in the year 2027. To which Ajay Bhalla has said in the affidavit that Saleem's demand is unreasonable.

Weather in Delhi will change, will get relief from the heat

People will not be able to rear more than 1 cow in Rajasthan! Congress govt's new law

Threat of a new wave of Corona looms over children, know what experts say?
By Trend

The US remains committed to building peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the countrys Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle D. Litzenberger told Trend, speaking at an open door day event held at the US embassy in Baku on April 19.

"The US will seek to resolve any conflict issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the ambassador said.

The US will facilitate the negotiation process between the parties Litzenberger noted.

The EU has also recently provided support on this issue, which is very welcome by the US, he added.
Foreign embassies returning to Kyiv 19 April, 13:20 In particular, the EU Delegation renewed its work (Photo:REUTERS/Yves Herman)

16 foreign embassies have resumed their operations in Kyiv, Ukraines Foreign Ministry said on April 18, following wide-ranging evacuations from the Ukrainian capital city at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February.

Read also: Christian Democrats in European Parliament call for Ukraine to be given EU candidate status immediately

Every day, more and more foreign diplomatic missions are resuming their work from Kyiv, reads the foreign ministrys statement.

It signifies worldwide support of, and confidence in, Ukraine.

In addition to a newly reopened EU mission, the following countries have since reopened their embassies in Ukraines capital: France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Turkey, Czechia, Slovenia, the Vatican, Moldova, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

 

According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, the United States also intends to reopen its embassy in Kyiv, but it has yet to establish a clear timeline for doing so.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
Description

Join us for an in person outdoor Pre/Postnatal yoga class sure to give you just what is needed to find some peace among an ultimate Sea Change. Prenatal yoga encourages future mamas to embrace their innate wisdom enabling empowered parenthood from the womb to the wonder years. Pregnant women prepare for birth and parenthood, connect with like-minded women to build community and help to alleviate pregnancy discomforts. Our gently flowing practice will help you to improve circulation, ease digestion, strengthen your uterus and pelvic floor muscles, and simply make you more at ease throughout your pregnancy. We take plenty of time to share and address common challenges we face over the prenatal journey. Through strengthening and stretching, breath work, meditation, and relaxation you will enhance your confidence and nurture connection with your baby and enjoy the beauty of pregnancy and birth.
AIR FRANCE - KLM

Roissy, April 19, 2022

Availability of documents ahead of the Shareholders Meeting of May 24, 2022

Preparatory documents to the Shareholders Meeting of May 24, 2022

Shareholders of Air France-KLM are invited to participate to the Air France-KLM Combined Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting which will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 14h30 at the Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Hotel, 9 rue de Rome, 93290 Tremblay-en-France.

In this context, information relating to this Shareholders Meeting and referred to in article R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code is available on the Companys website, www.airfranceklm.com (section Finance / Shareholders / Annual General Meeting) and is made available to shareholders in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The notice of meeting (avis de reunion), containing the agenda, the draft resolutions submitted to shareholders by the Board of Directors and a description of the conditions for participating and voting in the Shareholders Meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoire (BALO), on April 18, 2022.

Shareholders are reminded that they may vote remotely, prior to the Shareholders Meeting. For this purpose, they are strongly encouraged to participate either by Internet (on the secure voting platforms VOTACCESS and VOXALY) or by mail (using the voting form attached to the convening notice they will be receiving and available on the Company's website www.airfranceklm.com) for the purpose of voting or giving a proxy or to obtain an admission card.

The Shareholders Meeting will be broadcast live on the Company's website www.airfranceklm.com (section Finance / Shareholders / Shareholders Meeting section) and will be available via the link https://www.yuca.tv/en/air-france-klm/assemblee-generale-2022. You can also watch a replay of the meeting any time after the Shareholders' Meeting.





Investor relations



Press Frederic Kahane Michiel Klinkers +33 1 41 56 56 00 +33 1 49 89 52 59 +33 1 49 89 52 60 frkahane@airfranceklm.com Website: www.airfranceklm.com michiel.klinkers@airfranceklm.com

Attachment

Story continues




Editor's note: On Tuesday afternoon, CNN reported that during a news conference U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the administration would likely appeal federal district court judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle's ruling. Later on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement that the administration would appeal if CDC officials find it necessary.

U.S. airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday took just hours to announce that theyd stop enforcing a federal transportation mask mandate, once a Florida federal judge said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention illegally adopted the rule in February 2021.

The implications for the future of transportation mandates are unclear, legal experts say. Still, experts believe the Florida ruling will go unchallenged. They predict private transportation companies will do away with mask rules, especially since other parts of the private sector have already done away with the requirements.

On Tuesday, ride hailing companies Uber (UBER) and Lyft (LYFT), dispensed with mask requirements for both riders and drivers. The change followed similar announcements on Monday by major U.S. commercial airlines, American Airlines (AAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), Southwest Airlines (LUV) and United Airlines (UAL).

Experts say although the issue is arguably ripe for argument before the Supreme Court, the CDC and the Biden administration probably won't appeal the ruling. For one, the courts conservative majority, they explain, has already ruled against vaccine mandates for most U.S. workers. In addition, dropping hospitalizations coupled with mask fatigue may be lead fewer voters to back the idea. Without an extension, the mandate was set to expire on May 3. For Biden's part, the judge terminated his role as a defendant in the case, centering her ruling squarely against the CDC.

A sign is posted urging travelers to wear a protective masks as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

While other federal courts have ruled in favor of a transportation mask mandate, the Florida judge who handed down Monday's ruling, Trump appointee Kathryn Kimball Mizelle's ruling would likely garner support from the Supreme Court, according to Harry Nelson, Founder of the law firm Nelson Hardiman.

Story continues

The Supreme Court already overturned a COVID-19 vaccination mandate adopted by the Occupational Health & Safety Administration that required companies with 100 or more workers to employ only a fully vaccinated workforce, Nelson pointed out. President Joe Biden directed OSHA to adopt that mandate.

Similarly, Nelson said, by executive order, Biden directed the CDC to adopt a transportation mask requirement to promote sanitation. The rule required masking in airports, train stations, and bus depots, and on board airplanes, trains, and buses.

Judge Kimball Mizelle wrote in her order that the CDC exceeded its authority when it imposed its mask requirement and imposed criminal non-compliance penalties.

In a statement to Yahoo Finance, a Biden administration official said the CDC was reviewing Judge Kimball Mizelles decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, the official said, the CDCs public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time and TSA will not enforce its mask policy.

Jenifer Bologna, an attorney for Jackson Lewis, said she doesn't expect the CDC to appeal the ruling given the mask mandate was meant to expire in May and that transportation companies, including airlines, had been pushing back against it.

I think practical considerations, more than just legal, weigh into whether they are going to appeal this decision, she said, noting the CDCs current heat map for COVID-19 transmission rates shows most U.S. levels as low.

Still, state and local governments can continue to implement and enforce mask requirements, regardless of the ruling.

They could sayfor public transportation in the state of New York, for example, you still are required to wear masks, and at all the hubs  all the bus terminals and all the subways, Bologna said. That would be within [the governors] authority to do it.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.

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Billy Goat Brands Inc.

Free Webinar is Available to Anyone Interested in Learning from Evanesces CEO, Doug Horne, About Sustainable Packaging and the Evolution of the Packaging Industry



Americans Consume Approximately 500 Million Drinking Straws Per Day 1



Evanesces Straws are 100% Compostable and Fully Decompose Within 90 Days; 20 Million Sustainable Straws were Produced by GOATs Investee in the First Quarter of 2022

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Billy Goat Brands Ltd. (GOAT or the Company) (CSE: GOAT) (OTCQB: BGTTF) (FRA: 26B), a venture capital platform focused on identifying, sponsoring and incubating environmental, social and governance (ESG) focused companies in the ocean economy, is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, Evanesce Inc. (Evanesce or the Portfolio Company) has created a free webinar featuring Doug Horne, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Evanesce, to explain how it is focused on revolutionizing the sustainable packaging industry. The webinar features Mr. Horne addressing the many environmental setbacks from the production and use of plastics, specifically for consumer packaged goods, and suggests options for more sustainable solutions that Evanesce plans to offer. The webinar, which includes a formal presentation as well as a recorded question and answer period at its end, can be accessed on: https://info.urban-expo.com/l/338151/2021-10-27/44s7xn



Throughout the webinar, Mr. Horne addresses the concerns of using plastic packaging. He mentions that less than 10% of plastic gets recycled in the United States. Even though plastic is durable, this also means plastic waste can be trapped in our environment for centuries and require high temperatures to be broken down properly.1 After addressing the problem of plastic and Styrofoam packaging, Mr. Horne highlights the production and use of plant-based packaging in a cost-effective manner. Evanesce offers products that are compostable and biodegradable, which Mr. Horne explains in some detail.

The two products include Evanesce PLA (PLA) and Evanesce Molded Starch (Molded Starch). PLA is a plant-based, lightweight, versatile, heat-resistant material that is made of corn and citric acid. It provides an alternative to plastic that is sustainable and reasonably priced. Molded Starch looks and feels like Styrofoam and is made of starch and fibers. It is cost-competitive, manufactured in the USA, and offers superior strength and performance similar to actual Styrofoam products.

Story continues

More information about Evanesce can be found on its website: https://evanesce.com

Management Commentary

Evanesce has made it a goal to have its products be part of the circular economy and create a new cycle that involves reusing, reinventing and reforming. The cycle begins in the dirt, with the growth of plants, and ends in the dirt with biodegradable products. We plan to do this by producing a plant-based product that is sustainable, low in cost, and accessible to everyone. We want to change the world and make the world a better place for future generations, said Doug Horne, Founder and CEO of Evanesce. We continue to increase our production capacity of facilities in the South Carolina and Nevada, which have produced tens of millions of sustainable straws to date. Evanesce also expects to complete the listing of its common shares on a North American stock exchange in 2022, added Mr. Horne.

We are honoured and excited to be part of the corporate and environmental journeys with Mr. Horne and his team at Evanesce, said Tony Harris, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GOAT. We truly believe in Evanesce and its products and we support Doug and his initiatives moving forward. We expect nothing less that Evanesce making a positive and significant impact on the way that the world views plant-based products and packaging, as well as a positive return on GOATs investment. Thats all that we can ask from our portfolio companies as they do their part to make the world a better place, added Mr. Harris.

ABOUT BILLY GOAT BRANDS

Billy Goat Brands is a venture capital platform focused on investing in high-potential companies operating in the ocean economy. It intends to accomplish these goals through the identification of and investment in the securities of private businesses that are involved in the food and beverage industry, with a focus on: (i) plant-based protein, (ii) functional foods, (iii) food technology, and (iv) fermented foods. The Company plans to generate returns on its investments through various outcomes, including but not limited to go-public transactions, mergers or acquisitions, and the other liquidity events of its investee companies or projects. The paramount goal of Billy Goat Brands will be to generate maximum returns from its investments in a manner consistent with its environmental, social and governance values.

For more information about the Company, please visit https://billygoatbrands.com/. Its final prospectus, financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, among other documents, are all available on the Companys profile page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On behalf of:

Billy Goat Brands Ltd.

"Tony Harris"

Tony Harris, CEO & Chairman

Tel: (778) 222-8221

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Email: info@billygoatbrands.com

Tel: 1-833-4-GOAT-IR (1-833-446-2847)

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The Company has provided the forward-looking statements in reliance on assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties (including those risk factors identified in the Companys prospectus dated September 8, 2021), certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approval. The reader is cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect and the actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Endnotes

The Be Straw Free Campaign, National Park Service, accessed April 7, 2022, https://www.nps.gov/articles/straw-free.htm The plastic waste problem explained, The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, March 22, 2021, https://endplasticwaste.org/en/our-stories/the-plastic-waste-problem-explained

SOURCE: Billy Goat Brands Ltd.




XMG ALT offers a new smoke-free alternative for Canadians to sip on and celebrate the year's biggest cannabis celebration

TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - Ahead of the biggest cannabis celebration of the year, XMG, Canada's number one cannabis beverage brand1, has announced the expansion of its winning portfolio with new XMG ALT. Offering avid cannabis consumers an alternative way to celebrate 4/20, XMG ALT delivers the same bold flavours and higher impact (at 10mg THC) as its predecessor, but now with zero sugar and zero calories.

XMG Logo (CNW Group/Truss Beverage Co.)

Having received an overwhelmingly positive response from consumers and retailers since launching under the Truss portfolio in 2020, XMG continues to be Canada's leading cannabis beverage brand, holding 37% dollar share of the market in the high-dose segment.2 Of the total cannabis beverage sales in Canada, 55% is made up of the 10mg segment, proving the growing demand for higher-dose cannabis beverages.3 Its latest innovation, XMG ALT, answers the call from consumers seeking higher-dose cannabis beverages with low sugar, an insight found through social listening.



"As the category grows, it's critical to remain committed to consistent innovation while meeting the evolving needs of the consumer, and XMG ALT achieves both," said Dave Schlosser, President and Chief Executive Officer at Truss Beverage Co. "Knowing the demand for higher potency cannabis beverages is growing, and with consumer feedback fueling our pipeline of innovation, we look forward to introducing even more exciting flavours and extensions from XMG for Canadians of legal age to enjoy later this year.

Currently, 70% of the top 10 cannabis beverage products in Ontario contain at least 13g of sugar.4 With zero grams of sugar and zero calories, XMG ALT is a first-of-its-kind innovation in Canada and a welcomed beverage option for avid cannabis consumers, launching with two bold flavours: XMG ALT Black Cherry and XMG ALT Grape.

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"Canadians are looking for delicious and differentiated beverage offerings to enjoy at multiple occasions," said Lori Hatcher, Head of Commercial at Truss Beverage Co. "We see XMG ALT being the next innovation to meets consumer needs, answering the call for higher potency cannabis beverages with less sugar. We are thrilled to be able to expand the XMG portfolio and provide consumers with an exciting smoke-free alternative just in time for 4/20 and ahead of summer."

The introduction of XMG ALT sparks the kick-off of what's to come for the brand, including the launch of XMG Sodas, which will feature four new flavours: Cola, Cream Soda, Orange and Root Beer, and will be available to Canadians by late spring, in addition to XMG Blue Raspberry and XMG Iced Tea, flavour extensions of the current XMG offering.

XMG ALT Black Cherry & XMG ALT Grape will be available at authorized local cannabis stores and authorized online retailers across Canada. To learn more about XMG ALT, visit www.trussbeverages.com/xmg .

________________________________________________ 1 Truss internal proprietary market share tracker from August, 2021 through February, 2022, representative of dollar share 2 Truss internal proprietary market share tracker from August, 2021 through February, 2022, representative of dollar share. 3 Truss internal proprietary market share tracker from August, 2021 through February, 2022, representative of dollar share. 4 Internal Reporting Ontario L4W $Rev Top 10.

About Truss Beverage Co.

Truss Beverage Co. is a joint venture between affiliates of Molson Coors Canada and HEXO Corp., a licensed producer of cannabis products in Canada; formed to lead innovation in the development of non-alcoholic, cannabis-beverages for the Canadian market. The Truss portfolio has a wide range of products for Canadian consumers of legal age, providing a variety of taste experiences for multiple beverage occasions. The Truss portfolio of brands includes XMG, Little Victory, Mollo, House of Terpenes, Veryvell and Bedfellows Liquid Arts.

Truss Beverage Co. will continue to deliver on its promise to be the cannabis beverage specialist through extraordinary products and marketing that reinforces its commitment to responsible adult use.

XMG ALT Black Cherry and XMG ALT Grape (CNW Group/Truss Beverage Co.)

SOURCE Truss Beverage Co.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2022/19/c6748.html
The logo of Continental is pictured on a rim in Hanover

By Jan Schwartz and Christoph Steitz

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German car parts supplier Continental AG has temporarily resumed tyre production for passenger cars at its Russian plant in Kaluga, it said on Tuesday, to protect local workers who could otherwise face criminal charges.

Continental said the move was aimed at meeting local demand and in line with sanctions imposed on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a "special military operation".

"Our employees and managers in Russia face severe criminal consequences should we refrain from serving local demand," said Continental, adding that its products were made for civilian use as a matter of principle.

Continental, which on March 8 said that production at the plant had been suspended, did not elaborate on the potential charges staff might face.

"In order to protect our employees in Russia from prosecution, we are temporarily resuming the production of passenger tyres for the local market at our tyre plant in Kaluga if necessary," it said.

Continental said resumption in production was not a profit-driven decision.

Finland's Nokian Tyres warned this month that EU sanctions will make it hard to sell tyres in Russia, although in March it said its decision to hold onto its factories gave it control over where the tyres are sold.

Around half of the raw material used to produce its tyres in Russia came from outside the country, it said.

Italy's Pirelli has halted investment in Russia and curtailed its plants there. Pirelli makes around 10% of its global tyre output in two Russian factories.

President Vladimir Putin said in March that Russia could seize assets of companies that abandon their operations there.

Russian prosecutors have also warned some Western companies that their employees could face arrest if they shut production of essential goods, a person familiar with the matter said.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Jan Schwartz and Josephine Mason; Editing by David Goodman and Alexander Smith)
CPI Aerostructures, Inc.

Second Quarter 2021 vs. Second Quarter 2020 (Re-stated)



Revenue of $22.3 million compared to $19.7 million;

Gross profit of $3.6 million compared to $1.8 million;

Gross margin of 16.1% compared to 9.2%;

Net income of $0.6 million compared to net loss of $(1.4) million;

Earnings per diluted share of $0.05 compared to loss per diluted share of $(0.11);

Cash flow from operations of $2.4 million compared to $0.6 million.

Six Months 2021 vs. Six Months 2020 (Re-stated)

Revenue of $53.1 million compared to $36.6 million;

Gross profit of $8.5 million compared to $2.0 million;

Gross margin of 16.0% compared to 5.4%;

Net income of $1.9 million compared to net loss of $(4.7) million;

Earnings per diluted share of $0.15 compared to loss per diluted share of $(0.40);

Cash flow used by operations of $(2.5) million compared to a use of $(0.9) million;

Debt as of June 30, 2021 of $32.5 million, including our $4.8 million Paycheck Protection Loan that was forgiven in 3Q21, compared to $33.4 million as of December 31, 2020.



EDGEWOOD, N.Y., April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (CPI Aero or the Company) (NYSE American: CVU) today announced financial results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2021.

Our reported results for the first half of 2021 came in at the high end of the estimated ranges that were previously published said Dorith Hakim, president and CEO. The combination of a 45% increase in revenue and the nearly tripling of gross margin to 16.0% resulted in a $6.6 million increase in bottom line profitability versus the first half of 2020. Revenue growth was driven by continued execution of our funded military backlog, with revenue from contracts with our military OEM customers increasing 75% and revenue from commercial aviation contracts declining 47%.

For the second quarter, cash flow from operations was $2.4 million, an expected reversal from the $4.9 million use of funds for the first quarter as product deliveries began to reduce contract assets and inventory. As a result, we continue to expect to report positive cash flow from operations for the second half of 2021 and for the full year of 2021. We also continued to pay down our debt and, as of June 30, 2021, had an outstanding balance on our term loan of $6.2 million.

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Added Ms. Hakim, Funded backlog as of June 30, 2021 of approximately $157 million was, as expected, 23% lower than the funded backlog as of June 30, 2020, reflecting the receipt of more than $60 million in new firm orders during the first quarter of 2020. Since June 30, 2021, we have won, but not yet been able to announce, several new contracts for military applications in key strategic sectors including electronic warfare, hypersonic and unmanned systems. We remain on track to report more than $500 million in total backlog as of the end of 2021.

In addition to reaffirming our expectation for generating positive cash flow from operations for 2021, we continue to expect to report higher revenue and improved profitability. Based on an updated review of our program portfolio, we expect to report 2021 revenue of greater than $100 million compared to $87.6 million for 2020, and net income between $7.5m to $8.0 million, including the $4.8 million of other income related to the forgiveness of our Paycheck Protection Program loan, compared to a net loss of $(3.7) million for 2020.

Concluded Ms. Hakim, In the several weeks since my appointment as CEO of CPI Aero, I have been immediately impressed by the dedication of the Companys employees to sustaining our reputation for high quality performance and reliability in partnership with our customers on increasingly complex programs. I am excited about the opportunities ahead to build on that reputation and grow the Company as our customers continue to outsource high value work to their supply chains, including CPI Aero.

About CPI Aero

CPI Aero is a U.S. manufacturer of structural assemblies for fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare pod systems, primarily for national security markets. Within the global aerostructure supply chain, CPI Aero is either a Tier 1 supplier to aircraft OEMs or a Tier 2 subcontractor to major Tier 1 manufacturers. CPI Aero is also a prime contractor to the U.S. Department of Defense, primarily the Air Force. In conjunction with its assembly operations, CPI Aero provides engineering, program management, supply chain management, and MRO services. CPI Aero is included in the Russell Microcap Index.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this press release are forward-looking statements. The words believe, remain on track, expect, and will, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, those statements regarding the Companys expected financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause future results to differ materially from the Companys current expectations include, among other things, the Companys completion of its financial statements for the periods ending September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021, any delay in the filing of periodic reports, adverse effects on the Companys business related to the disclosures made in this press release or the reactions of customers or suppliers, any adverse developments in existing legal proceedings or the initiation of new legal proceedings, and volatility of the Companys stock price.

The Company does not guarantee that it will actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by its forward-looking statements, including those important factors set forth under the caption Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the period ended December 31, 2020 and in the Companys subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company may elect to do so at some point in the future, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements and it disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CPI Aero is a registered trademark of CPI Aerostructures, Inc. For more information, visit www.cpiaero.com, and follow us on Twitter @CPIAERO.us on Twitter @CPIAERO .

Contact Investor Relations Counsel CPI Aerostructures, Inc. LHA Investor Relations Andrew L. Davis Jody Burfening Chief Financial Officer (212) 838-3777 (631) 586-5200 cpiaero@lhai.com adavis@cpiaero.com www.lhai.com www.cpiaero.com





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS June 30, December 31, 2021

(Unaudited) 2020

(As Restated) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash $ 2,599,993 $ 6,033,537 Accounts receivable, net 7,071,228 4,962,906 Insurance recovery receivable 2,850,000  Contract assets 23,996,068 19,729,638 Inventory 5,281,161 6,386,288 Refundable income taxes 40,647 40,000 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 802,755 534,857 Total current assets 42,641,852 37,687,226 Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,223,540 4,075,048 Property and equipment, net 2,065,351 2,521,742 Intangibles, net 187,500 250,000 Goodwill 1,784,254 1,784,254 Other assets 166,331 191,179 Total assets $ 50,068,828 $ 46,509,449 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 13,548,612 $ 12,092,684 Accrued expenses 4,551,239 5,937,921 Litigation settlement obligation 3,371,162  Contract liabilities 1,525,573 1,650,549 Loss reserve 1,664,804 2,009,247 Current portion of long-term debt 8,165,438 6,501,666 Operating lease liabilities 1,848,291 1,819,237 Income tax payable  948 Total current liabilities 34,675,119 30,012,252 Line of credit 21,000,000 20,738,685 Long-term operating lease liabilities 1,607,917 2,537,149 Long-term debt, net of current portion 3,345,047 6,205,095 Total liabilities 60,628,083 59,493,181 Shareholders Deficit: Common stock - $.001 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares, 12,267,930 and 11,951,271shares, respectively, issued and outstanding 12,268 11,951 Additional paid-in capital 72,574,307 72,005,841 Accumulated deficit (83,145,830 ) (85,001,524 ) Total Shareholders Deficit (10,559,255 ) (12,983,732 ) Total Liabilities and Shareholders Deficit $ 50,068,288 $ 46,509,449





CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (As Restated) (As Restated) Revenue $ 22,301,190 $ 19,740,767 $ 53,119,936 $ 36,599,154 Cost of sales 18,704,588 17,924,428 44,603,246 34,629,831 Gross profit 3,596,602 1,816,339 8,516,690 1,969,323 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,677,688 2,815,252 6,068,494 5,908,342 Income (loss) from operations 918,914 (998,913 ) 2,448,196 (3,939,019 ) Interest expense 293,685 360,126 588,174 776,797 Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 625,229 (1,359,039 ) 1,860,022 (4,715,816 ) Provision for income taxes 2,078 1,522 4,328 2,100 Net income (loss) $ 623,151 $ (1,360,561 ) $ 1,855,694 $ (4,717,916 ) Income (loss) per common share  basic $ 0.05 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.15 $ (0.40 ) Income (loss) per common share  diluted $ 0.05 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.15 $ (0.40 ) Shares used in computing loss per common share: Basic 12,188,197 11,855,404 12,086,299 11,846,260 Diluted 12,255,950 11,855,404 12,154,052 11,846,260




U.K. food delivery gig platform Deliveroo has lost a court challenge in France over the "freelancer" status of riders. Reuters reports that the company has been fined the maximum penalty of 375,000 by a Paris court.

Two former execs have also been fined 30,000 and given one-year suspended jail sentences for abusing the country's labor laws, it reported.

The French litigation dates back to 2018, according to RFI, which reported last year that three former Deliveroo directors had been summoned to a Paris court in March 2022 to answer charges of "not declaring a large number of jobs".

Claiming self employment/contractor status for the (typically) thousands of workers that gig platforms rely on, per market, to power a core delivery service allows them to shrink their operational costs by avoiding social security payments that are required when workers are designated as employees. However many gig platforms have been accused of abusing this system for years by falsely declaring gig workers are freelancers when they are -- in practice -- tightly managed and controlled.

Per Reuters, the Paris court found Deliveroo had imposed an almost permanent surveillance and control over riders' work while they were connected to its app.

Its report quotes Judge Sylvie Daunis describing measures applied by the company to control riders -- such as allocating long time slots to ensure weekend coverage and informing those who refused that they would not be allowed to work in the following weeks; and unilaterally changing the criteria under which pay increases were defined or the minimum time needed to be online to qualify as a rider -- as "a situation of almost permanent legal subordination".

In a statement responding to the ruling, a Deliveroo spokesperson told TechCrunch it "categorically rejects this judgement".

The spokesperson added that it is considering whether to appeal.

We will read the entire ruling to understand the basis of this decision and will consider appealing," they said, referencing six earlier decisions by civil courts in France which they said had sided with the company's position that riders are self-employed, before adding: "These judgements covered the same period that was under consideration by the judge in this case."

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Deliveroo was also quick to try to play down the impact of the ruling.

"Todays judgement covers an historic period and, therefore, has no direct implications for how Deliveroo works with riders today in France or any other market," said the spokesperson. "Deliveroos model has since undergone several changes in order to meet the expectations of riders who want to be independent."

In the statement, the company further claimed it has "always operated in a clear and transparent manner, always with the intention of adhering to applicable laws", adding that it "remains committed to the French market and will continue to operate with a model that offers independent workers a flexible and well-paid job opportunity".

Deliveroo has fended off a number of challenges to the employment status of riders in France and elsewhere, including on home turf, in recent years. Although it did also previously lose a challenge in France in early 2020 -- but that ruling was reversed on appeal.

In Spain, where Deliveroo had been operating alongside a number of competitors (including local giant Glovo; now owned by German rival Delivery Hero), the company opted to exit the market entirely in November last year -- following a reform of local labor laws targeting delivery platforms to try to address the problem of bogus self-employment which requires platforms to classify delivery workers as employees by default.

European Union lawmakers are also in the processing of agreeing legislation that will set a minimum standard for platform workers in areas like pay, conditions and social protections -- which is set to apply across the bloc in the coming years, putting hard limits on how gig platforms will be able to operate in the region.

The full detail of the reform will depend on the EU's co-legislative process, as well as national interpretation (as the directive gets transposed into local law), but the Commission proposal (PDF) sets out a rebuttable presumption of employment for workers on digital labor platforms  based on a set of defined criteria related to how work is controlled by a platform (e.g. by setting the level of pay, putting binding rules on conduct, via the supervision of performance and limits on freedoms to organize how work is done etc.), rather than whatever relationship contracts a platform might try to claim.

An impact assessment in the EU proposal suggests the change could result in between 1.72 million and 4.1 million people who are providing services through platforms being reclassified as workers.

Notably, the EU's approach is not intended to downgrade any national laws that seek to go further. Rather legislators say they want to set a floor -- which means that local laws (like Spain's) will not be rowed back. And -- at a minimum -- it will be up to gig platforms operating in the EU to challenge the presumption of employment introduced by the Directive, thereby flipping the legal burden that currently falls on gig workers to challenge a platform-imposed self employment status.

While the U.K. is no longer a member of the EU, Deliveroo still operates in a number of markets in the bloc, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and Italy, where the Directive will apply.
Leading minds from across the healthcare profession to advise FIGS on ways to transform the experience of being a healthcare professional

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 19, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIGS, Inc. (NYSE: FIGS), the direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand, today announced the creation of its Healthcare Advisory Board, which is comprised of seven extraordinary healthcare professionals across a diverse range of disciplines, practices, and backgrounds. The FIGS Healthcare Advisory Board will enhance the Companys tradition of direct engagement with the healthcare community to make an even bigger impactincluding advising on product development, messaging, and community-building, and other reforms that can transform the experience of being a healthcare professional and help ease the strain they confront every day.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220418005601/en/

Natalie Crawford, MD (Photo: FIGS, Inc.)

"Healthcare professionals are the ones inventing and creating our future, and it has always been our greatest honor to empower and serve them," said Heather Hasson, FIGS co-CEO and co-founder. "By adding these incredibly talented industry leaders as advisors, we believe that we can fulfill our duty to enrich the lives of healthcare professionals and elevate their everyday experience. The opportunities are limitless."

"Our commitment at FIGS is to transform what it means to be a healthcare professional," said Trina Spear, FIGS co-CEO and co-founder. "This is only possible by understanding our community at the most fundamental level so we can serve them in the most meaningful and empowering way. Our Healthcare Advisory Board continues our commitment."

FIGS Healthcare Advisory Board is made up of the following healthcare professionals:

Natalie Crawford, MD

Dr. Crawford is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas and is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Womens Health at the University of Texas Dell Medical School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Auburn University, where she obtained a degree in Nutrition Science, and she graduated from medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Southwestern, and her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of North Carolina, where she also obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Research. She is passionate about educating and empowering women, and she promotes fertility awareness through her multiple social media platforms.

Story continues

Dr. Crawford has been named to the "Top Doctors" and "Top Doctors for Women" lists in 2020 and 2021 by Austin Monthly. She won "Best Fertility Specialist in Austin" by the 2019 Austin Birth awards and was the recipient of the 2019 Hope Award for Social Influence by Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She was named one of Austins top 40 under 40 in 2020 for her work empowering women.

Scott Fujimoto, DO

Dr. Fujimoto is a double board-certified Interventional and Diagnostic Radiologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center. After spending 5 years in neurosurgery research at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Fujimoto earned his medical degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at University of California, Irvine and his fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Loma Linda University.

Dr. Fujimoto has served as the Interventional Radiology Residency Program Director since 2018, and has shown a dedication to medical education, mentorship, and resident well-being. He has both served on and chaired numerous local and national committees relating to graduate medical education, IR interest groups, and social media. His clinical interests include advanced treatments of portal hypertension, venous thromboembolic disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sarah J. Kilpatrick MD, PhD

Dr. Kilpatrick is the Helping Hand of Los Angeles Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Kilpatrick completed her residency and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, and then served as faculty there for eight years. In 1999, Dr. Kilpatrick joined the University of Illinois at Chicago as Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and became Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2003, President of the Medical Staff at the UIC Medical Center in 2005 and Vice Dean for the College of Medicine at UIC in 2006. In 2011, she moved to Cedars-Sinai, where she became the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was appointed Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity in 2013. In her leadership roles at Cedars-Sinai, she has recruited numerous new faculty members, started a family planning program, expanded the minimally invasive gynecologic surgery program, developed multiple collaborations with other departments, and spearheaded new innovative programs about leadership and diversity for faculty. Since 2017, she has co-led the Center for Research on Womens Health and Sex Differences (CREWHS), which funds research projects that will lead to better health care for women.

Dr. Kilpatrick has received numerous awards for her teaching and service. She has served on many national OB/GYN organizations and was President of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine. She is currently on the Editorial Board for Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology and on committees for American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine. Her clinical and research interests focus on hypertension in pregnancy, maternal morbidity and mortality, and cardiovascular disease risk in women after adverse pregnancy outcomes. She continues to care for high-risk obstetric patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. She is currently involved in the national effort to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and develop hospital designations for maternal levels of care. She has over 120 publications and chapters.

Andrew Kushnir, DVM

Dr. Kushnir is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with an extraordinarily diverse set of experiences, focused on caring for the most vulnerable animal populations. He is a firm believer that veterinarians not only help animals but also people through animals, and ecosystems through conservation. One of his career goals is to highlight and share the stories of animal centers around the world that are doing incredible work for animals in need. He serves as a veterinarian at a wildlife center in San Diego caring for urban wildlife, ranging from hummingbirds to mountain lions, though he is currently deployed at the Ukrainian-Polish border assisting refugees and their pets, through the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He has previously worked at a wildlife center in Costa Rica, lived as a shepherd to Carpathian water buffalo in Ukraine, worked in Uganda conducting health checks on chimpanzees, and served in a center caring for street dogs in Kolkata, India. He regularly volunteers for spay/neuter programs in Tijuana, Mexico and collaborates with The Marine Mammal Care Center, NOAA, and RRRCORA (a center of conservation of reptiles and amphibians in Central Florida).

Dr. Kushnir graduated from St. Georges School of Veterinary Medicine, completed a Shelter Medicine Internship and Wildlife Medicine Internship at San Diego Humane Society, and studied conservation biology and environmental science at Whittier College.

Danielle LeVeck, DNP, ACNPC-AG, CCNS, RN

Dr. LeVeck is a dual board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist, practicing in a high acuity cardiac surgery intensive care unit. She graduated with her B.A. in 2007 from Purdue University and her B.S. in Nursing in 2011 from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Dr. LeVeck worked as a bedside nurse in cardiac medical and surgical intensive care units across the country for over seven years. She graduated with her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Maryland Baltimore with research emphasis on Palliative Care for End-Stage Heart Failure Patients in the Cardiac Medical Intensive Care Unit. She also completed her certifications as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She received the 2018 Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research award for Nursing. She is deeply committed to caring for memory impaired patients in the acute care setting and has worked on three federally funded research grants.

Dr. LeVecks current professional interests include mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in the post cardiac surgical patient and implementing palliative care for MCS patients in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. She has been active on her social media platform, Nurse Abnormalities, since 2015, striving to educate and empower nurses from all backgrounds to embrace and acknowledge their imperativeness in healthcare. She has also been featured on multiple podcasts, written over 50 educational articles, and has contributed to The Strategist, The Daily, The Modernist, and Glamour.

Pamela Mehta, MD

Dr. Mehta is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and founder of Resilience Orthopedics, a concierge Orthopedics practice in San Jose, California. With over a decade of experience post residency at Columbia University, Dr. Mehta is an expert in advanced surgical techniques for the treatment of knee, shoulder, hip, and hand pathology. She is passionate about women designing a life on their own terms when it comes to career and family, is active on her social media platforms and recently started her YouTube channel to promote musculoskeletal education.

Outside of clinical medicine, Dr. Mehta has earned multiple accolades, including being named Chief of Orthopedics and National Orthopedic Director for Surgical Affiliates Management Group from 2016 to 2019. She has also served as medical advisor to several companies. She has been featured in Buzzfeed, Medscape, Well & Good, and on local network television as an expert in athlete injuries.

Darien Sutton-Ramsey, MD, MBA

Dr. Darien Sutton-Ramsey is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, currently working in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of NYU School of Medicine and NYU Stern School of Business. Aside from his clinical practice, Dr. Darien has special interests in public health education as well as the intersection of racial inequities and healthcare disparities.

Dr. Sutton-Ramsey started his career with ABC News in 2017 as a Med Unit Intern, and since then has been a regular on-air contributor.

About FIGS

FIGS is a founder-led, direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand that seeks to celebrate, empower and serve current and future generations of healthcare professionals. We create technically advanced apparel and products for healthcare professionals that feature an unmatched combination of comfort, durability, function and style. We market and sell our products directly through our digital platform to provide a seamless experience for healthcare professionals.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220418005601/en/

Contacts

Media:

Todd Maron

press@wearfigs.com
By Trend

Uzbekistan plans to implement 34 new projects worth $80 million in pharmaceutical industry in 2022, Trend reports via the press service of Uzbek president.

On April 12, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

On January 21 this year, he signed a decree on the accelerated development of the pharmaceutical industry in 2022-2026. The document defines the task of increasing the domestic production of medicines by 3 times, bringing the level of supply of the domestic market to 80 percent.

The country annually consumes pharmaceutical products worth $1.6 billion.

However, the indicators of production capacities in the regions of the country are recognized as absolutely unsatisfactory. In Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Khorezm, Bukhara and Fergana regions, local producers provide only 2-5 percent of regional consumption with their products.

In this regard, the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry of Uzbekistan has been tasked with completely restructuring the work with projects. Measures have been identified to study the demand for medicines and develop their production.

In addition, the Uzbek Center for the Development of Investment Projects has prepared another 18 promising projects.

The president recommended implementing the projects in cooperation with companies from countries with developed pharmaceuticals, such as India, Germany, Turkey, China, and South Korea. Credit resources for $200 million will be attracted to finance new projects and replenish working capital.




Best-Selling Author Dr. Dennis Kimbro to Deliver GGU's 2022 Commencement Address

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time since 2019, Golden Gate University will hold an in-person commencement ceremony on Saturday, April 23 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. More than 330 graduates from the classes of 2022, 2021, and 2020 will attend and join the more than 68,000 alumni who are part of GGU's 121-year legacy.

GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES RETURN TO IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT AT ORACLE PARK

New York Times best-selling author, speaker, researcher, mentor, and Clark Atlanta University business school Professor Dr. Dennis Kimbro will address graduates during commencement and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

A tireless educator, Dr. Kimbro is widely recognized as an authority on leadership, personal and professional success, wealth, entrepreneurship, management, peak performance, and African American history.

"We are thrilled that Dr. Kimbro will speak to our graduates with the profound knowledge, insight, and inspiration that his books and presentations so effectively convey. The impact he has on students and society, as professor, best-selling author, researcher, public speaker, and mentor will inspire our graduates as they embark on successful careers and professional advancement." said GGU President David J. Fike.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will also feature student speakers Sakshi Thinda Kalkat and Charita White.

"I cannot overstate how enthusiastic we are to be coming together in person with graduates, parents, faculty, and honorees for GGU's commencement," said Barbara Mendelson, GGU Board of Trustees Chair. "Few groups of graduates are more deserving of a celebration than the classes of 2022, 2021, and 2020who have distinguished themselves with hard work, sacrifice, and determination during the challenges of the COVID pandemic."

About Golden Gate University:

Golden Gate University, a private nonprofit university in the heart of San Francisco, empowers working adults to achieve their professional goals with nationally renowned undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in accounting, law, taxation, business, and related areas. Founded in 1901, GGU has been a leader in online education for nearly three decades, and its evening and weekend programs offer maximum flexibility. The law school provides students with a strong foundation in legal theory and the critical skills necessary to be a successful practitioner, and its diverse student body reflects a deep commitment to access and opportunity. GGU is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

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About Dr. Dennis Kimbro:

Dr. Dennis Kimbro is a tireless educator, New York Times best-selling author, and business school professor at Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Kimbro is universally characterized as an authority on leadership, wealth, and success. Dr. Kimbro received his B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma, and an M.A. and doctorate from Northwestern University where he studied wealth and poverty among underdeveloped countries. With his course work behind him, Dr. Kimbro combed the country interviewing scores of America's most notable achievers. Eventually, his inquisition led to the question: How can impoverished Black Americans pull themselves out of their poverty and reach their full potential?

CONTACT

Jenny McKeel

jmckeel@ggu.edu

Golden Gate University

536 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

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SOURCE Golden Gate University
APTOPIX Russia Ukraine (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Google has denied that it has been making satellite imagery of military sites available after the war in Ukraine.

In recent days, a number of reports  many of them coming from Ukraine  claimed that Russia had removed the blurring from sensitive military sites in Russia.

Many suggested that Google had opened up the images in an attempt to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia. People now be able to help find Russian installations from home, for instance, many of the posts said.

A tweet from the Armed Forces Ukraine account, which has been boosted by official Ukrainian accounts, shared one such post.

Now everyone can see a variety of Russian launchers, intercontinental ballistic missile mines, command posts and secret landfills with a resolution of about 0.5 meters per pixel, the account wrote.

Those posts became hugely popular, as people celebrated what they thought was Google helping people fight against Russias invasion of the country.

But Google has now said that it has not changed the blurring of its satellite imagery  and that those sites were visible before the latest outbreak of fighting.

Please note that we havent made any blurring changes to our satellite imagery in Russia, the company tweeted, in response to a popular post that claimed to show the changes.

In other countries, Google does blur military sites. Some French Air Force bases are hidden on the site, for example.

But some important military bases and other sensitive areas remain visible. Area 51 can be seen on the companys satellite images, for instance.
Over 6,500 households in rural and First Nation communities to benefit from the funding to increase access to high-speed Internet

OTTAWA, ON, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, announced more than $56 million in combined new federal and provincial funding for six projects to bring high-speed Internet access to over 6,500 households in rural northern and southwestern Ontario, as well as in First Nation communities.

These new projects build on an existing relationship between Ontario and Canada. On July 29, 2021, the governments announced their partnership to support large-scale, fibre-based projects that will provide high-speed Internet access to more than 280,000 rural and remote households across the province. This historic agreement was made possible by a joint federal-provincial investment totalling more than $1.2 billion.

Today, the governments of Canada and Ontario also announced additional details, including Internet service providers, for 28 projects that were announced in July 2021, under this agreement, which will provide more than $398 million in joint funding to bring high-speed Internet access to more than 50,000 households in regions across Ontario.

Today's announcements build on the Government of Canada's progress toward ensuring that 98 percent of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100 percent by 2030. The announcements also bring the Government of Ontario one step closer to achieving its goal of bringing reliable high-speed Internet access to every region of the province by the end of 2025. As we work to rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow the economy, the federal and provincial governments will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Ontario and Canada for everyone.

Story continues

Through its broadband initiative, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is collaborating with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to improve the commercial viability of projects.

Quotes

"We need to close the connection gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Ontario has access to reliable high-speed Internetwhether that's in Oil Springs or Carlsbad Springs or all the way on the shores of Lake Superior. Today's announcement of more than $56 million in new funding to connect over 6,500 rural households in the province is a milestone for Ontarians. Investments like these help create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, and keep us connected to our loved ones. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help achieve our national target of connecting 98 percent of Canadians by 2026 and 100 percent by 2030."

 The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development

"People's lives are moving more and more online. This is a challenge for communities in Ontario that are without access to high-speed Internet. These investments made by our government will allow for increased access to education, health care, business opportunities and social connections. Communities will have the tools to more fully participate in social programs and economic opportunities, improving the health and well-being of the region."

 The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

"Expanding broadband service allows Canadians to better use public services like health care and education and creates new economic opportunities across Ontario's rural communities. Unlocking the potential of large-scale broadband expansion by collaborating with Internet service providers is a tremendous opportunity and the CIB is part of the solution to connect more Canadians."

 Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

"The Ontario government is ensuring every community across the province has access to reliable high-speed Internet by the end of 2025. By working together with our federal partners and Internet service providers, we are increasing access to high-speed Internet and building a stronger foundation for Ontario's economic growth and prosperity. We are ensuring that the agriculture sector and all families, workers and businesses have a better and brighter future. No one will be left behind."

 The Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure

Quick facts

Canada's Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.

The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is a $2.75 billion investment by the Government of Canada designed to help connect 98 percent of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100 percent connectivity by 2030. Only the hardest-to-reach households may take until 2030 to get connected.

On July 29, 2021, a Canada-Ontario broadband partnership was announced. This agreement will bring high-speed Internet access to more than 280,000 households across Ontario with a total investment of more than $1.2 billion, co-funded equally by both levels of government.

In 2021, Ontario announced projects in regions across the province, including six projects that will serve northern Ontario and 17 projects led exclusively by the province under the Improving Connectivity for Ontario program.

Another part of Ontario's plan to achieve 100 percent access to connectivity for all regions across the province is a new competitive process led by Infrastructure Ontario to help connect more homes and businesses in unserved and underserved communities.

The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed up to $71 million through a partnership with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network to help improve cellular service in eastern Ontario.

The Government of Ontario is investing more than $63 million in the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology project to help bring high-speed Internet access to more than 58,000 homes, farms and businesses across southwestern Ontario. The province has also invested in high-speed Internet projects to support connectivity in rural and northern Ontario, including through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and through the Next Generation Network Program.

Associated links

Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Premium brand is getting ready to sail into its 150th year and prepares celebrations for Rotterdam, along with four more ships returning to service

SEATTLE, April 18, 2022 /CNW/ -- Holland America Line is commemorating its 149th anniversary today as it moves closer to its 150th milestone next year. To mark the occasion, the day will be celebrated on board with grand desserts, special champagne toasts and festivities for guests and team members.

Holland America Line is commemorating its 149th anniversary today as it moves closer to its 150th milestone next year. As one of the longest-serving and most experienced cruise lines in the world, Holland America Line has become known for its award-winning ships and service. Today, Holland America Line operates 11 ships that visit nearly 400 ports across all seven continents.

Holland America Line operates 11 ships that visit nearly 400 ports across all seven continents.

In addition to the 149th anniversary, the cruise line will continue the celebrations through early June with the restart of Noordam (April 24), Oosterdam (May 8), Zaandam (May 12) and Westerdam (June 12)  bringing the entire fleet of 11 ships back in service  as well as the official naming ceremony for Rotterdam, which will be held May 30 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In 2022, Holland America Line also celebrates 75 years of Alaska exploration.

"As Holland America Line moves closer to the 150th anniversary of our founding, these past couple of years have shown us the importance of celebrating our milestones," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "This April is an important month with Holland America Line leading the return to Canadian cruising, the restart of Noordam and our anniversaries of our founding and travel to Alaska. We are grateful to be moving along a positive path, not only as a brand, but as an industry."

Sailing Toward Holland America Line's 150th Anniversary

As one of the longest-serving and most experienced cruise lines in the world, Holland America Line has become known for its award-winning ships and service. Though transportation and shipping were the mainstays of its business in the 19th century, the company began to offer cruise vacations in 1895. Today, Holland America Line operates 11 ships that visit nearly 400 ports across all seven continents.

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Rotterdam's Official Naming in Rotterdam

Holland America Line's newest ship, Rotterdam, was delivered in July 2021, but the official naming ceremony will be held May 30. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will be the ship's godmother, carrying on a tradition that began in the 1920s.

Rotterdam will depart Amsterdam, the Netherlands, May 29 on a seven-day "Rotterdam Naming Celebration" cruise that explores the gorgeous landscapes of Norway. When the ship arrives at Rotterdam May 30, a private ceremony will be held for invited guests that will be broadcast throughout the ship. During the voyage, guests will enjoy special events exclusive to the naming sailing, including a celebratory Gala Dinner and an opportunity to participate in the blessing of the ship's bell, along with surprises and commemorative gifts.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Editors note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/f5zi4ogm.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021.

The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.

CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: pr@hollandamerica.com

Holland America Line Standard Photo/Logo

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TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) calls on Humber College to ensure that student journalists are free to document campus issues without having to obtain approval from college administration.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is a professional organization with more than 1,200 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary roles are public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its members. (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Journalists)

On April 14, two third-year Humber journalism students were confronted by campus security as they were shooting video for a class assignment. According to The Humber News , the students were using their personal phones to film a Starbucks in a public lobby, when a Starbucks staff member approached them. That employee then alerted security.

At issue is a 2019 policy that requires anyone filming on campus to apply for what Humber calls a 'Temporary Use of Space Permit'. A Humber spokeswoman confirmed that the policy, which was originally aimed at improving campus safety around events such as vendor sales and film shoots, does apply to journalism students. According to the college, a permit request requires a minimum of 15 business days to be processed.

"This presents obvious and unacceptable barriers for student journalists," said CAJ president Brent Jolly. "News rarely gives 15 days advance notice, and issues of key importance on campus may not always come with an open invitation to film from campus administration. For an institution that trains the next generation of journalists, this policy is absolutely preposterous."

The work of student journalists  be it for an assignment, or the school paper  is a foundational part of freedom of expression on campus. Journalists must be free to gather information on campus, including video, that allows them to best tell stories of importance to the college community.

In November, Humber News published an editorial highlighting the barriers the policy poses for campus journalists, stating that, while Humber has several journalism programs, "there seems to be a lack of knowledge and appreciation of what journalism requires  and the on-campus training that is needed  to be responsible and factual."

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As the largest advocacy body for journalists in Canada, the CAJ welcomes the opportunity to assist Humber College as it considers revising its practices.

"Student journalists are real journalists," Jolly said. "Institutions must acknowledge the vital role student journalists play on campuses across Canada in providing critical information and perspectives to their community."

The Canadian Association of Journalists is a professional organization with more than 1,200 members across Canada. The CAJ's primary roles are public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its members.

SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Harnessing the engine that digitalization has brought about, ABB, one of global leaders in providing digital solutions for manufacturing and process industries, helps businesses reach their full potential by delivering complete automation and digital solutions, industry-specific products, and lifecycle services to its customers.

ABBs digitalization to streamline manufacturing process in all aspects.

With the emergence of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and Internet of Things, ABB's services and solutions optimize production, reduce cost, and provide a safer environment as factories become fully automated, better connected, and more digitally optimized than ever before.

Software-defined solutions also enable fast changeovers to keep up with consumer demand as well as workforce and supply chain dynamics.

IoT in Manufacturing

ABB's focus on new digital solutions is applicable for enterprises at all scales. It enables enterprise-level collaboration from which best practices that create company-wide alignment emerge. AI-driven analytics with real-time visibility also allow companies to quickly spot and predict trends, which maximizes energy efficiency and prevents losses.

"All these also contribute to lesser cost of operations, with the ability to do data-driven predictive maintenance allowing for prevention of system-wide breakdowns, something that was nearly impossible and unheard of in the manufacturing sector before the advent of IoT and advanced technologies," said Ganesh Kamath, Local Division Manager  ABB Process Industries.

Using software-driven robots, machines, cameras, and other shop floor equipment allows manufacturing companies to produce output as soon as their designers can produce ideas. With seamless integration between engineering, operations, and business systems, manufacturers can meet production targets and react to market demands more easily.

Groundbreaking Technology to Drive Operational Excellence

Story continues

ABB's customized digital solutions address these focus points for its clients in various industries. For example, its pulp and paper Manufacturing Execution System (MES) streamlines multiple supply-chain processes. From order handling to rough planning, production tracking, warehouse management, shipping, and invoicing as well as customer service management, MES hassle-free automation throughout the system, allowing for efficient and error-free automated operation.

In the F&B industry, ABB's Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) provides business owners or managers the visibility and insights to take the right actions for productivity, quality, and compliance. It provides the backbone for an optimized operation that is important for end-to-end visibility, orchestration, and control of one's entire manufacturing operations. From control to monitoring and optimization among other capabilities, ABB's Data Center Automation provides this and more in a single, industrial solution.

Connected Workforce with Integrating Augmented Reality

ABB has also started implementing augmented reality, which improves knowledge retention, better decision-making, and enhanced safety. It has recently deployed its AR solution in Spain, consisting of audio, video, document sharing with live annotations for remote factory acceptance testing (FAT) during the pandemic. This resulted in successfully upgrading a cycloconverter in a steel mill without ABB personnel being physically present.

AR solutions can reduce or even eliminate time-intensive efforts that involve running through, sorting, and categorizing data in various formats, jumping in and out of various systems and coordinating with others when performing tasks in the control room, integrated operations centers, or in the field. This further optimizes processes and systems for companies looking to maximize production and output while lessening cost and environmental impact.

About ABB:

ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB's success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

ABB's Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. We build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations. go.abb/processautomation

SOURCE PT ABB Sakti Industri
A portion of proceeds from all food and beverage items sold on May 11 will be donated to RMHC  and other local children's charities

Purchase exclusive McDonald's Canada x Peace Collective collection featuring nostalgic McDonaldland characters, dropping today

Canadians can get in the McHappy Day spirit by streaming cheerful music mixes curated by Canadian DJs dropping daily in May

TORONTO, April 19, 2022 /CNW/ - Through delicious food, retro merch, and happy music, McDonald's Canada is rallying Canadians to join in on the best day of the year  McHappy Day! In celebration of the 28th McHappy Day on Wednesday, May 11, participating McDonald's restaurants in Canada are donating a portion of the proceeds from all food and beverage items sold all day to support local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) programs, and other local children's charities.

The Brown Family, pictured here, spent 112 nights at RMHC Toronto together as a family, while daughter Emma was receiving treatment for her cancer diagnosis. (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada)

Get decked out in exclusive McDonald's Canada x Peace Collective merchandise

Canadians can look good while doing good in the limited-edition collection of tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, and more, which for the first time ever, features iconic McDonaldland characters. With a portion of the proceeds of every sale from the collection going to support Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada and families with sick children across Canada, the feel-good nostalgic collection is available for purchase starting today until May 11 while supplies last at: https://www.peace-collective.com/collections/mcdonalds.

How you can support McHappy Day on May 11th!

This year, participating McDonald's restaurants in Canada are once again raising money to support families with sick children from across Canadian communities, when it's needed most.

Here are some of the ways to get involved:

On McHappy Day, May 11, every food and beverage purchase, all day, supports families with sick children through RMHC, and local children's charities.

Guests can purchase their favourite menu items in-restaurant, at the Drive-Thru, through the McDonald's app, and McDelivery via Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes and DoorDash. McDelivery orders of $15 or more qualify for $0 delivery fee ( before taxes and fees; see the applicable app for details ).

In the weeks leading up to McHappy Day, McDonald's guests can make a $2 donation to receive a McHappy Day Heart , while supplies last, that will come with a surprise "thank you" video from a variety of Canadian celebrities, athletes, or families that have stayed at RMHC.

Can't make it to McHappy Day? Guests can 'Round up for RMHC' on any order at participating restaurants to support RMHC all year long or visit rmhc.ca for more ways to support.

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Daily DJ sets dropping in May will spread the good feeling across Canada

Music has long been important to RMHC to help promote wellness and happiness during difficult times, with some local houses even offering music therapy programs with certified music therapists. This McHappy Day, McDonald's Canada is using the emotional power of music to connect Canadians and spread that joyful feeling far and wide.

To do this, McDonald's Canada is partnering with DJs across the country to curate their very own cheerful music mixes, to be performed live every day in May leading up to McHappy Day. The entire country will be able to get into the spirit and listen to their favourite DJ mixes anytime, anywhere on McDonald's Canada Spotify.

Quotes

"RMHC holds a very special place in my heart, and I'm enormously proud and thankful to see Canadians come together to make a difference in the lives of sick kids and their families across Canada," said Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. "McHappy Day is one of the most important and special days of the year, and we're so grateful for the commitment and passion of our franchisees, crew, restaurant teams and guests for their support of RMHC and our communities."

"McHappy Day provides a special opportunity for our communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast to come together and support families with a sick child during their most challenging times," said Kate Horton, Executive Director, RMHC Canada. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participates on McHappy Day - from McDonald's franchisees to crew members, and guests. Together with the generous support of Canadians on McHappy Day, we can help even more families stay close to each other and close to the healthcare their child needs."

"The Ronald McDonald House was able to support our family during one of the most difficult times in our lives," said Carinta Mannarelli, whose child Emma was diagnosed with cancer and stayed three times for a total of 112 nights at RMHC Toronto. "We're very excited to participate in McHappy Day again this year, knowing how much it means to support families like ours to stay close together, when it's needed most."

"It's truly an honour to partner with McDonald's Canada and RMHC for McHappy Day for the third year in a row," said Yanal Dhailieh, founder of Peace Collective. "At Peace Collective, we're driven by a passion to make giving back easy and accessible, so we're thrilled to get the chance to design this exclusive McHappy Day collection and bring our joint vision of helping communities in need to life."

"I've seen first-hand the way music has been able to help bring people together," said DJ Starting From Scratch, one of the McHappy Day DJs. "It's an exciting challenge to create a special mix for this year's McHappy Day that will uplift everyone across Canada and encourage them to support families in need across the country."

- More -

Facts:

McHappy Day is McDonald's Canada's largest charity-driven program. Since its inception in 1977, McHappy Day has helped RMHC support more than 436,000 families across Canada.

The 16 Ronald McDonald Houses and 17 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Canada give families a place to stay together when they have to travel for their sick child's treatment.

In an average year, RMHC supports over 26,000 families from more than 3,400 communities.

Every day, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited, our independent franchisees, and guests, support Ronald McDonald House families by purchasing Happy Meals and RMHC Cookies, as well as through coin box and kiosk donations.

About McDonald's Canada

In 1967, Canadians welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving close to three million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast-to-coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC CANADA)

In Canada, 65 per cent of families live outside a city with a children's hospital and must travel for treatment if their child is seriously ill. In an average year, the RMHC network of programs in Canada helps to keep more than 26,000 families close to their sick child and the care they need. The 16 Ronald McDonald Houses provide out-of-town families with a home to stay at while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital, while the 17 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms provide a comfortable place for families to rest and recharge, right inside hospitals. For more information, please visit rmhccanada.ca.

McDonalds Canada X Peace Collective collection, featuring nostalgic McDonaldland characters, launches today and is available for purchase online until May 11, while supplies last. (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada)

McDonald's Canada Logo (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada)

SOURCE McDonald's Canada

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Sitting tall above the crowds on horses at festivals, during parades and on Saturday nights downtown are the officers of the Lafayette Police Departments mounted unit.

The horses can help with crowd control, give the officers an advantage to see whats happening and can sometimes navigate more easily than someone on foot or in a car.

They'll be saddled and weaving through the crowd at Festival International de Louisiane, which takes over downtown Lafayette next week.

Were just another aspect of police work. Were there for everybodys safety, said Sgt. Bridget Karn, who oversees the unit.

Were just another tool that the department has to make sure that everything runs smoothly and everything goes well.

Theyre also great to help bridge the gap between police and the community, Karn, a 23-year department veteran, said. Theyre at different community events and sometimes make school visits. Children especially love the horses and their calm demeanor.

Were approachable. You can ask us anytime to pet the horses, she said. Tell us your funny horse stories. Feel free to approach us, but just know theyre working animals.

Srcpl Adam Townley riding Slim through training course at the Lafayette Police Dept mounted unit barn. Friday, April 8, 2022.

Meet the horses

There are two officers who take care of the horses full time  Karn and Sr. Cpl. Adam Townley. There also are three officers who volunteer as riders and about eight more in training, said Karn, whos overseen the department for about six months.

The officers have their pick of six horses. No one is assigned a horse, but everyone has a favorite they like to ride, Karn said.

All but one of the horses were bred at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. Theyre a crossbreed of thoroughbreds, which are typically racehorses, and Percherons, which are large plow horses.

K-9 unit: Lafayette police use K-9 unit to help officers find drugs, criminals and other evidence

Sgt Bridget Karn saddling Slim at the Lafayette Police Dept mounted unit barn. Friday, April 8, 2022.

There are 20-year-olds Rio, Slim and Sugar Foot, named for his one white foot and love for giving kisses. Theres 16-year-old Dutch and 18-year-old Levi, who Karn prefers to ride.

Story continues

L.T. is named after Crowley Police Department Lt. Richard Newman Sr. who was killed while on duty. Hes a 20-year-old Clydesdale who was donated to the Lafayette Police by a rehab facility.

Each horse has their own personality. Slim was a firecracker when he was younger, Karn said. And once Rio faked a limp to avoid a two-week class.

In other news: 2022 is Lafayettes driest year to date in four decades, what's causing the drought?

The horses are kept at a facility on about 30 acres in north Lafayette Parish. The horses each have their own paddocks, an outdoor space where they can graze and walk around.

The facility also has equipment for the horses to go through training. A bridge helps them feel different materials under their hooves. A teeter-totter trains them to get used to shifting weights.

Sr. Cpl. Adam Townley with Rio at the Lafayette Police Dept mounted unit barn. Friday, April 8, 2022.

They have to be desensitized to anything they may come in contact with  flags, bottles, fire extinguishers, dogs, sirens, smoke, sudden changes, people draping their arms over them.

Theyre trained to navigate through tight spaces and back up into those tight spaces, both of which dont come naturally to horses.

The obstacle course that we have set up, its kind of a trust exercise, Karn said. It comes down to the bond between horse and rider. They have to trust well get them out safely.

Sr. Cpl. Adam Townley riding Slim through training course at the Lafayette Police Dept mounted unit barn. Friday, April 8, 2022.

Approaching retirement

The unit has grown from when it was created in 2005. It started with two horses and has grown to six. But theyre getting older and Karn, who was one of the first officers to work in the mounted unit, hopes the horses can soon live a long, happy retired life.

The department will need to find and train new horses. The state penitentiary stopped its breeding program so the department will have to find horses elsewhere.

This is new territory for us, Karn said. Itll be interesting because we havent bought a horse in a very long time.

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Can I pet a police horse? Meet 6 that help with Lafayette festivals
With an increase in monthly subscription costs, customers are looking for ways to save money on their streaming services. Streaming giant Netflix is now facing the repercussions.

The streamer is missing out on up to $6.25 billion in annual revenue as customers flock to illegal password-sharing marketplaces, according to a recent report in the Daily Mail.

The marketplaces, such as TogetherPrice, offer access to subscriptions for as little as $1, allowing customers to share subscription costs.

Now Netflix is planning to fight back.

Netflix fights password sharing

Last month, the streaming service rolled out a new option allowing users to add someone to their plan for as little as $2 a month. However, this deal is offered only in some countries like Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru.

The streamer started warning users last year that people should not share their passwords with people they don't live with.

Earlier this year, the company also announced that it was planning on charging users who shared their passwords with people outside of their households.

The company has gotten some backlash for this warning, as back in 2017, it tweeted, "Love is sharing a password."

https://twitter.com/PoorlyAgedStuff/status/1505893301915987972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1505893301915987972%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news18.com%2Fnews%2Fbuzz%2Fnetflix-gets-roasted-for-poorly-aged-tweet-claiming-love-is-sharing-a-password-4900676.html

The root of the problem

When the pandemic started, people started spending more time at home, turning to binge-watching shows on streaming platforms. Demand surged for streaming platforms, as consumers sought out new shows and movies to watch.

NAGRA, an organization that develops digital TV standards, believes that the streaming market has become saturated, making it difficult for companies like Netflix to attract new subscribers.

"One of the behaviors we've seen is that with subscription stacking, it started to become expensive for consumers, and pirates have seen an opportunity in credential theft or credential hijacking," vice president of sales Ken Gerstein told the Sacramento Bee.

Story continues

However, according to the Advertising Research Foundation, 18- to 24-year-olds seem to be the problem. Experts suggest this could be because they have lower wages and are trying to save as much money as possible.

Password sharing has become a problem for all streaming services and could cost the industry up to $25 billion a year, according to a Citibank report.

Plans getting more expensive

Netflix recently hiked its subscription costs. Monthly costs for the basic plan went up by $1, while the standard and basic plans increased by $1.50 and $2, respectively.

Now Netflixs cheapest plan goes for $9.99 a month. The standard plan costs $15.49 per month, and the premium plan costs $19.99.

That puts it at the higher end of streaming providers. Disney+ starts at $7.99, Prime Video starts at $8.99, Hulu starts at $6.99, and HBO Max starts at $9.99.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
After nearly 30 years, California authorities have uncovered the identity of Oregon woman, Patricia Skiple, who was one of the multiple victims of the "Happy Face Killer."

After nearly 30 years, California authorities have identified an Oregon woman killed by the "Happy Face Killer."

On June 3, 1993, Patricia Skiple's body was found by a truck driver who stopped on the side of California State Route 152 in unincorporated Gilroy, about a half-hour south of San Jose. The woman was dressed in blue denim when she was found by detectives from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. An autopsy classified her death as "undetermined," and with no leads on her identity, authorities referred to her as "Blue Pacheco."

Detectives resurfaced the case a few years ago to follow up on leads. With the help of DNA Doe Project, a non-profit organization that provides investigative genetic genealogy services to identify "John and Jane Does," they were able to uncover Skiple's identity last week and confirm her killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson.

Skiple, known to her family and friends as "Patsy," was a mother and long-term resident of Colton, Oregon, according to a release from the Sheriff's office. Skiple would have been approximately 45 years old at the time she was killed.

Jesperson, who is already serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole for murders in Oregon, California and Wyoming, gained notoriety for preying on multiple women throughout the Pacific Northwest. He worked as a long-haul trucker, according to Statesman Journal archives.

Jesperson is known as the "Happy Face Killer" for drawing happy faces in letters in which he boasted of committing five murders on the West Coast. Four of the five cases were unsolved.

Jesperson, now 67, has claimed to have killed several people; eight "strangulation" murders of women that occurred between 1990 and 1994 have been confirmed, according to the sheriff's office and a statement from the DNA Doe Project.

In 2006, Jesperson wrote a letter to the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office as well as former Statesman Journal reporter Jan Davies, admitting to sexually assaulting and killing an unknown female subject along a dirt turnout, between Dinosaur Point and El Toro, on Highway 152 in California.

Story continues

He pleaded guilty to first-degree homicide the following year for killing the unidentified woman known as Blue Pacheco," named due to the color she was wearing and the nickname of Highway 152, Pacheco Pass Highway. But Skiple's identity was still unknown at the time of conviction.

In 2019, Sheriffs Office Cold Case Detectives evaluated the Blue Pacheco case to follow up on leads, and partnered with the DNA Doe Project.

Volunteers with DNA Doe Project started researching genetic matches to Blue Pacheco in December, 2019, after Sgt. Shannon Catalano with the Santa Clara Sheriffs Office brought the case to the non-profit, according to a statement from the organization. A likely candidate was matched to Blue Pacheco in 2021.

On Wednesday, investigators were able to confirm Blue Pacheco's identity as Skiple through DNA testing.

This case was exceptionally challenging due to recent Norwegian ancestry which resulted in very distant DNA matches on GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA, DNA Doe Project team leader Cairenn Binder said in a statement.

The organization said Catalano made the most of the information discovered through genealogy by contacting potential family members and encouraging them to voluntarily upload their DNA profiles to GEDmatch, a public DNA database that can be used for forensic cases.

Every single DNA match made a difference in this difficult case," said DNA Doe Project team leader Harmony Bronson.

"Although this criminal case was adjudicated, detectives never gave up as they worked diligently throughout this investigation to provide closure for the family of Patricia Skiple," sheriff's office authorities said in a release.

Records show Jesperson is in custody at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem for murder and aggravated murder convictions out of Washington and Multnomah counties, respectively. One case involved Laurie Ann Pentland, 23, of Carlton, whose body was found Nov. 14, 1992, behind an East Salem store.

Jesperson's earliest release date from the Department of Corrections custody is March 1, 2063.

The sheriff's office thanked DNA Doe Project, Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division, including Detective Jim OConnor, and the Calgary Police Service, including Detective Ken Carriere and analyst Amy Lemieux for their help throughout this investigation.

After nearly 30 years, California authorities have uncovered the identity of Oregon woman, Patricia Skiple, who was one of the multiple victims of the "Happy Face Killer."

Virginia Barreda is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon woman murdered by 'Happy Face Killer' ID'd in 30-year cold case
By Trend

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office has spread new information on the 'Tartar case', Trend reports.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the investigative team headed by the first deputy prosecutor general, resumed criminal proceedings in connection with the illegal actions of some military personnel serving in the military units of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan in Tartar, Aghdam, and Beylagan districts intensively carried out the investigative actions in all spheres since December 16, 2021.

The criminal proceedings relate to a group of servicemen of the mentioned and other military units, having no appropriate powers, who violated the requirements of the law of criminal procedure, illegally involved suspected people in interrogation, tortured them, committed inhuman actions, as well as used physical and psychological violence against the victims, which caused death and other grave consequences from May through June 2017, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, as a result of the investigations, 280 more people were detected and recognized as victims and were thoroughly interrogated on all the circumstances of the case.

Thus, 397 victims have been detected in these criminal cases so far, including those detected during the previous investigation into the torture facts, the Prosecutor General's Office explained, adding that the process of detecting and interrogating the victims upon the case continues.

The Prosecutor General's Office called on the individuals who were subjected to violence, physical or mental pressure, other illegal actions, as well as illegally deprived of liberty, but not recognized as victims, to contact it through its hotline (961), via 012-361-16-47, email: [email protected], or through social networks (Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, Twitter), and come for interrogation to the investigating structures in connection with the investigation of the facts of high treason from May through June 2017.

At the same time, the investigative team thoroughly, comprehensively and objectively studied all details concerning the deceased Elchin Guliyev, and adopted decision of terminating the criminal prosecution against him on the basis of Article 39.1.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, since no corpus delicti was revealed in his actions, the Prosecutor General's Office added.

Besides, according to the Prosecutor General's Office, during the investigation of the criminal case, facts of torture, illegal imprisonment and abuse of official position by Rashid Niftaliyev, Ruslan Mikayilov, Sanan Mashiyev, Jabir Gahramanov, Polad Azizov, Elchin Aliyev and Intigam Mammadov were revealed.

The mentioned persons were held accountable upon articles 145.3 (illegal deprivation of liberty), 293.2 (torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment), 341.2.2 and 341.2.3 (abuse of official powers), and 128 (intentional bodily harm) of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, and arrested. Besides, Polad Azizov was put on the wanted list.

Due to the fact that there were reasonable suspicions that Fuad Aghayev, who is serving his sentence, committed unlawful acts against a large number of victims, he was charged accordingly, with the involvement as an accused under Articles 145.3, 293.2, 341.2.2, 341.2.3 and 128 of the Criminal Code.

The public will be further informed about the investigation process, concluded the Prosecutor Generals Office.
OTC Markets

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced World Copper Ltd. (TSX-V: WCU; OTCQX: WCUFF), a Canadian resource company focused on the exploration and development of its two primary copper porphyry projects, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. World Copper Ltd. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB Venture Market.



World Copper Ltd. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol WCUFF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

World Copper President & CEO, Nolan Peterson, stated, " World Copper has made great strides in expanding our shareholder base in the U.S.A. and upgrading to trading on OTCQX Best Market is a continuation of these efforts. We welcome new shareholders to learn more about our outstanding assets and development path as we press forward to becoming a significant copper company.

About World Copper Ltd.

World Copper Ltd., headquartered in Vancouver, BC, is a Canadian resource company focused on the exploration and development of its copper porphyry projects: Escalones and Cristal in Chile, and Zonia in Arizona. Two of these projects have estimated resources with significant soluble copper mineralization, and each has additional copper porphyry targets with exciting potential to expand the resource base. The World Copper team has a unique skill in navigating the mining sector within Chile, with some members having worked in the country for more than 40 years and with discovery success.

Story continues

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market and Pink Open Market.

Our OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:

OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com




Resverlogix Corp

CALGARY, Alberta, April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Resverlogix Corp. ("Resverlogix" or the Company) (TSX:RVX) announced today that it has closed a one-year extension of Companys US$6.0 million 10% secured convertible debenture with Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. ("Hepalink"), and payment of accrued interest thereon, extending the maturity date to May 13, 2023.



We are extremely pleased that our partner Hepalink has extended the debentures maturity date. This speaks volumes to the ongoing supportive and collaborative partnership we have with Hepalink, and our common goal of bringing lifesaving therapies to highly unmet medical needs, stated Donald McCaffrey, President & CEO of Resverlogix.

About Apabetalone

Apabetalone (RVX-208), is a first-in-class, small molecule, therapeutic candidate with an epigenetic mechanism of action. It is a BD2 (bromodomain) selective BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) inhibitor that works in preventing and treating disease progression by regulating the expression of disease-causing genes.

Due to the extensive role for BET proteins in the human body, apabetalone, can simultaneously target multiple disease-related biological processes while maintaining a well-described safety profile  leading to a new way to treat chronic disease. Apabetalone received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is the only drug of its class with an established safety record in human clinical trials, with well over 4200 patient-years on drug across 10 clinical trials.

COVID-19:

Following a publication in Nature, authored by a consortium of top Universities and Research Institutions, on March 23, 2020, Resverlogix launched a COVID-19 program, conducting research internally and enlisting world-renowned collaborators. Studies  published in prestigious scientific journals (including Cell)  demonstrate that apabetalone has the potential to act against COVID-19 with a unique dual-mechanism: first by preventing viruses from entering the cells and replicating; and second by averting excessive inflammatory reactions that can cause severe and lasting organ damage.

Story continues

A Phase 2b clinical trial is evaluating apabetalone in combination with standard of care for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The investigational treatment could potentially reduce the severity and duration of COVID-19. Apabetalones unique dual-mechanism also means that it has the potential to show efficacy against new COVID-19 variants and may even help fight other viruses.

Resverlogix has partnered with EVERSANA, the pioneer of next generation commercial services to the global life sciences industry, to support the rapid commercialization of apabetalone for COVID-19 in Canada and the United States. EVERSANA is currently leading clinical outreach and advocacy for apabetalone in the Canadian market.

Cardiology:

In February 2020, apabetalone became the first therapy of its kind to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  for a major cardiovascular indication  following the ground-breaking findings from the BETonMACE Phase 3 study. Data from BETonMACE showed apabetalone can potentially prevent major adverse cardiac events among high-risk cardiovascular disease patients who also have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

About Resverlogix

Founded in 2001, Resverlogix is a Calgary based late-stage biotechnology company and the world leader in epigenetics, or gene regulation, with the goal of developing first-in-class therapies for the benefit of patients with chronic disease.

Resverlogix is developing a new class of epigenetic therapies designed to regulate the expression of disease-causing genes. We aim to improve patients lives by restoring biological functions  altered by serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease  back to a healthier state.

The Companys clinical program is focused on evaluating the lead epigenetic candidate apabetalone for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and associated comorbidities, and COVID-19.

Resverlogix common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RVX).

Follow us: Twitter: @Resverlogix_RVX. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/resverlogix-corp-/

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release includes forward looking information related to the Companys Phase 2b COVID-19 clinical trial and the potential treatment of COVID-19 patients with apabetalone (and potentially other viruses), as well as cardiovascular disease and associated comorbidities and other chronic diseases. Our actual results, events or developments could be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our Annual Information Form and most recent MD&A which are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please contact:

Investor Relations

Email: ir@resverlogix.com

Phone: 403-254-9252

www.resverlogix.com




Days of Our Lives will launch a second miniseries on Peacock  and bring along two beloved former stars of the daytime drama.

Peacock has ordered a second installment of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. The five-episode miniseries will run over a week beginning July 11. The new miniseries follows the first Beyond Salem run in September 2021.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

As was the case with the first series, the second Beyond Salem will feature both current and former castmembers of the long-running NBC soap, headlined by Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell. Theyll reprise their roles as Hope and Bo Brady, one of the shows longest-enduring couples.

We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Peacock again to produce a second chapter of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, said executive producer Ken Corday. Being able to build off of the storylines from Days of our Lives to create another exciting series for the audience brings myself, the Corday Productions team, and the cast so much joy. I cannot wait for the fans to see what we have in store next.

Along with Alfonso and Reckell, Beyond Salems cast will feature Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Stephen Nichols, Mary Beth Evans, Lucas Adams, Camila Banus, Victoria Konefal, Robert Scott Wilson and Remington Hoffman.

Per the shows description, Beyond Salem will follow the characters to locations ranging from Hong Kong to Morocco as heartwarming family reunions take a dangerous turn as a mysterious adversary wreaks havoc on their lives. The next chapter of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem is a story full of larger-than-life romance, jaw-dropping twists, and high-stakes drama  and it all connects back to a plot that long-time Days fans will surely remember.

Story continues

Alfonso and Reckell originated the roles of Hope and Bo in 1983. Both actors left and returned to Days a few times, with their most sustained run as the couple lasting from 1995 to 2012. Reckell last appeared on the soap in 2016, while Alfonso departed in 2020.

Corday Productions produces Beyond Salem in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer; Albert Alarr co-exec produces. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
PARIS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), leading developer and provider of 5G and 4G solutions for broadband, critical, and massive IoT, announced today that Georges Karam, CEO and Deborah Choate, CFO, will participate in the B. Riley 22nd Annual Institutional Investor Conference being held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, located in Beverly Hills, California on May 24  26, 2022.

Sequans will conduct one-on-one meetings on Thursday, May 26th and host a fireside chat the same day.

For more information about the conference, or to schedule a meeting with the Company, please contact your representative or email the event organizers at conference@brileyfin.com

About Sequans

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and supplier of cellular IoT connectivity solutions, providing chips and modules for 5G/4G massive and broadband IoT. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia Cat 4/Cat 6 4G and high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com, and follow us on Twitter and Linked-In

Media Relations: Kimberly Tassin, +1.425.736.0569, Kimberly@sequans.com

Investor Relations: Kim Rogers, Hayden IR, +1 385.831.7337, Kim@haydenir.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sequans-to-participate-in-the-b-riley-22nd-annual-institutional-investor-conference-on-may-26-2022-301527736.html

SOURCE Sequans Communications
Sun Pacific Holding Corp.

MANALAPAN, N.J., April 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Pacific Holding Corp. (Other OTC: SNPW) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Sun Pacific Power Corp (SPP) and PT. IDN SOLAR TECH. (IST) have an agreement for the development of a 1GW per year solar manufacturing plant in the USA utilizing revolutionary technology currently being used by IST.



The project is currently in discussions with various states for our location and installation. This state-of-the-art processing will be done with local labor under the supervision and training from IST and will create cost effective panels to boost the economy and job creation. IST is currently producing 1GW of solar panels and also 1GW of solar cells, a level which is planned to be doubled this year. Solar cells produced by IST will be used in our USA facility. We are actively engaged in sourcing raw material components and capital with an end goal to sell to developers/EPC in large scale solar projects. Additionally, at this time we are launching our OEM panel production in Indonesia which is under way for our Sun Pacific Power brand while we work at developing our USA factory.

With ongoing negotiations, the construction of our plant in the USA is being planned to utilize 20 square meters with 1GW production consisting of two 500MW fully automated solar panel production lines.

Nicholas Campanella, CEO of Sun Pacific Holding Corp, stated, We are excited to work with IST in helping with this opportunity in the US. The arrangement with IST will help us with sourcing raw materials and provide knowledge for building our facility as well as foster further growth opportunities for our company. We look forward to using the considerable IST knowledge and expertise to develop various solar panels and designs that we have been working on for some time. This is projected to lead Sun Pacific to over 450 million in sales at full capacity and the creation of hundreds of jobs with the most advanced technologies to be deployed in the USA.

Story continues

Michael Ho, CEO of PT. IDN SOLAR TECH. stated, We are looking forward to assist and work on the expansion between Sun Pacific Power and IST. The collaboration with Sun Pacific Power will help increase sales in our cell manufacturing and the growth for both of our companies. The deployment of this advanced technology will enable SPP to move forward to meet the demand for both green power and sustainable development.

About Sun Pacific Holding Corp.

Sun Pacific Holding Corp. (Other OTC: SNPW) uses management's knowledge and experience to serve its customers and now its shareholders through quality service and equipment, working to keep customers satisfied, and by doing our part in protecting the environment with smart green technology. For more information, visit www.sunpacificholding.com

About PT. IDN SOLAR TECH.

PT. IDN SOLAR TECH. is a company who specializes in solar panel manufacturing and cell production with a current capacity of 1GW for each. PT. IDN SOLAR TECH. intent is to increase their production and technology with the responsibility to have a positive interaction with society, government, and the environment.

For more information, visit www.idnsolar.com

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future expansion or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's OTC Markets filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the company. The company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

IR Contact

Sun Pacific Holding Corp

345 Highway 9 South Suite 388

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone: +1 (888) 845-0242

Email: ir@sunpacificholding.com

Website: www.sunpacificholding.com

PT. IDN SOLAR TECH

Address: Komplek Kabil Indonusa Estate Blk A No. 19B, Batu Besar  Nongsa, Batam, Indonesia

Phone: +62-77-8711052

Email: info@idnsolar.com

Website: www.idnsolar.com




RACINE - Researchers at SC Johnson's Center for Insect Science and Family Health hosted Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan Tuesday, walking her through the company's efforts to develop new mosquito repellent products that may help curb the spread of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.

The two products, which are still under development, can be hung in homes, spreading mosquito-repelling chemicals for up to 10 months without the need for electricity or a flame. They are being developed by a team within the company that focuses specifically on supporting global public health efforts.

SC Johnson entomologists said the new products, called Mosquito Shield and Guardian, would provide people with mosquito protection that complements other commonly-used tools in countries where malaria is an issue, like mosquito nets that hang over beds and more widespread pesticide spraying efforts by public health officials.

The company's scientists conducted research on the products in Tanzania, in partnership with a local research group called the Ifakara Health Institute.

Now, the researchers are conducting clinical trials on the products in Kenya and Mali, with the aim of demonstrating their success to the World Health Organization.

If successful, the products could be added to a WHO list of recommended mosquito abatement products that would be eligible for governments to purchase using public health dollars. The company seeks to keep the cost of the hanging mosquito repellents at or below one cent per person per night. One version of the product lasts one month and costs $0.30. Another, which lasts 10 months, costs $3.00.

Hassan questioned researchers on the technology researchers and watched intently as they released mosquitoes into a clear chamber to demonstrate how the product incapacitated and repelled the insects.

"We actually got a great deal of knowledge that we didn't have before," she said to the research team, thanking them.

Story continues

Before her arrival at the Center for Insect Science, Hassan met with the company's chairman and CEO, H. Fisk Johnson, on the company's main campus to discuss a potential agreement to collaborate on public health measures and research aimed at addressing the scourge of malaria, SC Johnson's senior vice president Alan VanderMolen said.

The World Health Organization estimates there were 241 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2020. Of those, 95% of the cases and 96% of the deaths were in Africa. East Africa, which includes Tanzania, is particularly embattled when it comes to the spread of the disease, and scientists fear the situation is getting worse as the climate changes.

The disease is spread by anopheles mosquitoes.

Every minute, a child under five dies from malaria, most of whom are from Africa, and at SC Johnson, we are committed to sharing our expertise in insect science to help eradicate this tragic, yet preventable, disease, Johnson said in a statement before the visit. We are honored to welcome President Hassan and are grateful to work alongside the Tanzanian government and the greater East African community toward our common goal of eliminating malaria.

Series on disease outbreaks: Pathway to peril

Hassan is in the U.S. for a diplomatic tour that also included meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday at the White House. White House officials said the two talked about several major issues, including health, agriculture and infrastructure developments. They also reported that Hassan's trip had generated nearly $1 billion in new investments by American companies in Tanzania's tourism, conservation and clean energy sectors.

Hassan is Tanzania's first female president, and the only current female head of government of an African nation, according to The New York Times. She was elevated to the role from the vice presidency in March 2021, after the sudden death of Tanzania's former president John Magufuli, who the BBC called one of Africa's "most prominent coronavirus skeptics" and was nicknamed the "Bulldozer."

Hassan has been lauded for setting a new path for the polarized country, encouraging COVID-19 vaccines, lifting educational restrictions for pregnant girls, and bringing back investors to the country, the Times reported. She's fondly known by her people as "Mama Samia."

H. Fisk Johnson and Hassan also met in Tanzania last week prior to the president's visit to the Wisconsin labs, which have operated for six decades on the Wind Point campus that used to house the Johnson family's dairy farm.

SC Johnson is one of the world's largest manufacturers of insect repellents, including OFF! and Raid.

Contact Devi Shastri at 414-224-2193 or DAShastri@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DeviShastri.

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: Tanzanian president visits SC Johnson labs in hopes of curbing maleria
(Bloomberg) -- After suspending Ankiti Bose from her post as chief executive officer, the board of Zilingo Pte is discussing replacing her for good amid an investigation into the Singapore startups accounting practices, according to people familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Directors have been talking regularly in recent days to consider the future of Bose and Zilingo itself, said the people, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. Bose, whose current suspension runs through May 5, has pressed the board to clarify her status in part because she is concerned the company is growing directionless, the people said.

The board has not yet decided who will replace Bose, though one option discussed is to appoint interim leadership, possibly including senior executives and investors, the people said. The private investigative firm Kroll is conducting a probe of Zilingos bookkeeping and is aiming to finish soon.

Bose has denied any wrongdoing and has hired an attorney to fight back against what they have described as a witch hunt. She has grown frustrated with the conflicts and has begun to realize she is unlikely to return as CEO, according to one of the people.

In her first statement since the probe began, Bose told Bloomberg that she is fully committed to cooperating with the board in the investigations and that one thing we all agree on is that whenever there are credible complaints, as board members we are obligated to look into them and do what is best for the company.

In its own statement, Zilingos board said it had received a complaint in March and the company is working closely with an independent firm to investigate the matter. Any question of a change in management is speculative and premature at this stage, the board said.

Story continues

Zilingo, backed by Sequoia Capital India and Temasek Holdings Pte, had been one of the highest-profile startups to emerge from Singapore until revelations about its accounting probe and the CEOs suspension emerged this month. Temasek, also based in Singapore and backed by its government, has expressed concern the meltdown is tainting its reputation and urged the company to fix the situation.

We expect our portfolio companies to abide by sound corporate governance and codes of conduct and ethics. We are therefore supportive of the boards investigation into the complaint as part of good governance, to safeguard the interests of the company, Temasek said in a separate statement.

Zilingo, which supplies technology to apparel merchants and factories, had been trying to raise as much as $200 million with help from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. when prospective investors began to question its financial practices. The concerns involve how the startup accounts for revenue on a platform used by thousands of small merchants, as well as the consolidation of its Indonesia operations, the people said.

The company raised $226 million at a valuation of $970 million in 2019 when Bose was 27 years old. But the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on its business: Revenue dropped by about a third in fiscal 2021 to roughly $40 million. Bose took a pay cut of about 30% as a result, while the company laid off staff.

The clash between Bose and the board has escalated in recent days as executives and directors sort through who is responsible for the startups financial state, the people said. Bose has argued that she is getting blamed for decisions and practices that were well known by senior managers and directors, they added.

In particular, she has made the case that Sequoia and its Managing Director Shailendra Singh were intimately involved in Zilingos operations, the people said. She has said that she and co-founder Dhruv Kapoor were young founders who leaned on the expertise of investors like Sequoia, which owns about 25% of the startup and is considered one of the top venture firms in the world, they said.

Singh participated in many discussions about daily operations, communicating with Bose frequently, the people said. He also joined discussions with Goldman about fundraising and helped bring in other investors.

Sequoia said a statement that its team routinely works with portfolio companies, but it operates on information shared by the companies. The firm, along with other investors, was shocked and disappointed by the allegations that surfaced in March 2022.

Singh and two other directors have resigned from Zilingos board in recent weeks. Sequoia Indias Sandeep Kher took over his director post at Zilingo.

Sequoia India posted an unusual mea culpa on its website on Sunday, following troubles at several of its startups including Zilingo.

We usually stand shoulder to shoulder with our founders during hard times. But on some rare occasions, we wake up feeling disappointed. Our worst days are when we hear about breaches of integrity or ethics in the portfolio. This is the stuff that pains us deeply. And its time we speak about this, said the post, which did not name any individual partners and was attributed only to Team Sequoia.

Recently some portfolio founders have been under investigation for potential fraudulent practices or poor governance. These allegations are deeply disturbing, it read. We need some guardrails that we, as an ecosystem, sign up to, so that a few errant founders dont create big setbacks for the wider ecosystem at large.

Sequoias Singh had raised the idea of replacing Bose as far back as January of 2021 and had suggested Ananth Narayanan, the former CEO of Myntra, as a successor, the Morning Context reported earlier. Bose, who had worked at Sequoia before co-founding Zilingo, fought back against that idea.

Bose has made the case that Sequoia and other investors are now using the pretext of accounting to oust her unfairly, the people familiar told Bloomberg. At least some of the bookkeeping practices at Zilingo are technical decisions that are typically considered judgment calls at startups.

One example is how a startup accounts for revenue when it provides substantial incentives to customers. If, for example, a customer gets a 50% discount on a $100 dress, the company may count that as $100 in revenue and $50 in expenses, effectively making its revenue look bigger. A more conservative approach would be to book only $50 in revenue.

Zilingo has made similar accounting decisions that make its revenue look larger, but Bose has argued the companys finance department is primarily responsible for such moves, the person said.

The board has argued that as Zilingo emerges from the Covid downturn it is better to press the reset button with a new CEO, one person said. While Bose feels loyalty to many employees at the company, she has grown disappointed that directors have not backed her with sufficient support, another person said.

Im committed to, above all, acting in the interests of all of our customers, our hundreds of employees, our shareholders and their LPs and together with the cooperation of the board, we will find the most constructive path forward, Bose said in her statement. I hope that the media and social media can give us some privacy as we resolve this in the best way possible for the company, its stakeholders and the entire ecosystem.

(Updates with Zilingo board statement in sixth paragraph)

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Declan Horgan remembers his first dinner service down to the plating.

I did a rack of lamb, brown sugar and mustard glaze with black pepper, he recalled. Sauteed green beans with trimmings off the lamb, made something that resembled Dauphinoise Potatoes.

Not bad for a 7-year-old.

Horgans culinary journey, which began in Dublin, Ireland, more than 30 years ago and has included stops on primetime television, recently reached Fredericksburg. Last month, he joined Rebellion Bourbon Bar + Kitchen as its new culinary director and executive chef.

Were thrilled to welcome Chef Horgan to the team, Rebellion co-owner Joel Griffin said in a statement. Hes a great match for our vision for Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen and brings extensive operational and leadership experience.

Horgan, 45, will split his time between Rebellions William Street location and Leesburg, where Rebellion will soon open a three-floor concept with a members-only cigar lounge on the top floor.

The latter will serve as a laboratory of sorts; Horgan will develop new recipes, which hell then photograph and discuss with Rebellion Fredericksburg kitchen manager Matt Matter over the phone.

The excitement comes from all of the experience he has, Matter said. So many people would be starstruck, but hes just a regular guy who wants to teach us as much as he can.

Horgan has only been on the job for a month, but he plans to eventually overhaul everything from portion size to the cutlery.

This menu for me, right now, is very male orientated, Horgan said. Its more big burgers and sandwiches, and its not really got a female influence on it. Im changing that.

Exhibit A: a beetroot salad with lemon-thyme flavored goat cheese thats been rolled in panko bread crumbs and deep fried, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and served on a bed of peppery arugula.

Other additions include buffalo cauliflower with a tempura breading, and taco fries, which replace poutine on Rebellions happy hour (36 p.m.) menu.

The restaurant, which is named for the 18th-century Whiskey Rebellion, offers 160 varieties of the stuff, and Horgan has plans to use them in everything from sauces and glazes to dry-aged beef.

Horgan traces his earliest inspirations to his maternal grandmother, who would make traditional Irish dishes like grilled lambs hearts and rosti whenever she babysat him.

There was never a case of Im not eating that, I dont like broccoli, he said. I ate everything. My mother had every cookbook under the sun, so I got to try all different types of flavors from a very young age.

The potato didnt stray far from the root on that one; much to his girlfriends chagrin, Horgan maintains a collection of more than 400 cookbooks, an impressive feat considering he left behind some 700 volumes when he came to the United States in 2015.

Through his father Denis, an angler on the Irish national team, Horgan learned how to butcher all manner of wild game. Berry-picking trips to the rural Irish County Kerry doubled as a lesson in foraging for flat cap mushrooms.

Subconsciously, I was always studying food, he said.

Culinary school, then, was a no-brainer. Horgan excelled during his two years at the DIT School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology in Dublin before working in some of the citys most esteemed eateries.

In Horgan, Rebellion is getting more than a seasoned, classically-trained cheftheyve hired a celebrity. His TikTok (chefdeclanhorgan) has more than 24 million views, and hes amassed legions of followers on Instagram, where he also posts cooking videos.

On St. Patricks Day, Horgan was invited to appear on the Today show. Wearing a black chefs smock bearing the Rebellion logo, he showed viewers how to prepare corned beef and cabbage with gnudi gnocchi.

Horgans popularity surged as a result of his performance on the television series Hells Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey. On season 21 of the show, which aired last year, Horgan advanced all the way to the finals, ultimately finishing third in the competition. He was the first Irishman to appear on the show.

Horgan admits that he never expected his star turn, which has reverberated outside of the kitchen.

Unbelievable, he says. Opportunities have fallen in my lap.

He has an endorsement deal with The Ridge wallet company, and pulled one out of his pocket as proof. Horgan has also secured deals with a kitchen uniform company and Guinness, the company known for its quintessential Irish Stout.

Horgans life has changed substantially since those first meals, prepared with humble Irish ingredients. His personality has not.

Ive always been this way, he says. Even when Im on TV, Im the exact same way. People like me, people dig me, people think Im actually an alright dude.

And I dont [mess] around. I tell you it straight, if its bad I just tell you straight. I dont mean offense by it, but I think people like that about me as well.
A man and two women were arrested following a road-rage incident in Stafford early Sunday that included two rounds of fighting, police said.

According to Sheriff's Maj. Shawn Kimmitz, the driver of one vehicle told police that he had been cut off by a vehicle driven by a Stafford woman. Both vehicles stopped at the Woodstream Pool and a fight ensued, police said.

The three combatants returned to their vehicles, but soon got out and started fighting again, police said. After round two, Kimmitz said, both vehicles left the area and were soon seen traveling at high rates of speed on northbound Interstate 95.

The driver of one vehicle, Jonathan Hernandez Alvarez, 32, of Prince William, claimed the other driver was chasing him and had assaulted his passenger, 30-year-old Tharzis Lona Ayestas of Stafford.

The other driver, 25-year-old Kierra Chapman of Stafford, had a different version of the incident. All three were charged with assault and battery.

Hernandez Alvarez was also charged with DUI, second offense in five years. Police said he had a blood-alcohol content of between .15 and .20, about two times the legal limit.

Hernandez Alvarez was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail, while the two women were released on unsecured bonds.

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His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, has commissioned the immediate launch of a development plan for mosques across the kingdoms governorates, reported The Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

For further details visit https://www.gdnonline.com
The Culpeper community will come together in a Race for Ukraine 58 p.m. Thursday in Yowell Meadow Park.

The benefit 5K and 1-mile walk, sponsored by the Main Street office of Central VA Insurance Agency, will raise funds for Ukrainian regional pastor Vasiliy Gustalo, whos providing direct aid on the ground through a network of churches and the European Baptist Federation.

Both networks are working to provide food, water, shelter, medicine, fuel and transportation to those in Ukraine, as well as millions of refugees.

We have some incredible needs right now due to the war, stated Gustalo on YouTube on Monday. Your generosity helps to address these needs and provides hope to all the people.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion nearly two months ago, Culpeper Baptist Church has partnered with Highland Fellowship Church, of Abingdon, to support the Ukrainian pastor through donations from parishioners.

The Culpeper church alone had raised nearly $18,000 as of April 11. The Baptist groups have helped provide some 52,000 beds in 600 Ukrainian churches, along with 12 shelters in neighboring countries for those fleeing the conflict, according to a Culpeper Baptist Church update.

In addition to a safe place to sleep, our brothers and sisters in Christ are providing hot meals, fresh water, warm showers, listening ears, and caring hearts as refugees find shelter in churches, schools, seminaries, shopping centers, and individual homes, the church states.

Local funds have been combined with more than $6 million given by more than 30 other Baptist Unions and Conventions across the globe, according to the church.

Highlands Fellowship Executive Pastor Jim Fleming said Monday that Gustalo first visited his church several years ago and was identified among key pastors in which their church wanted to invest.

Hes an incredible, humble guy, Fleming said of the Ukrainian pastor who runs a Bible Study Fellowship program in his country.

With the invasion in Ukraine, Gustalo became a vocal point for us to have boots on the ground, Fleming said.

The Ukrainian pastor lives on the outskirts of Kyiv, where Russian shelling has again intensified in recent days. He had left a few weeks earlier with his family to stay with his parents on the countrys west side, Fleming said, noting the two speak daily.

They returned home three days ago and now they are getting a lot of shots again from the Russians, the Highlands pastor said. So its a little iffy.  Hes glad to be home. At the same time, there is some renewed fighting in the area where lives, outside of the capital city.

Fleming said his congregation is good friends with Culpeper Baptist pastor Dan Carlton. He recalled various programs, including establishing church campuses in Pakistan, on which the two congregations had previously collaborated.

Its just an incredible blessing to be partnered with people like that, Fleming said. This is just where we all come together to fulfill what God has called us to do.

Thousands are homeless and millions have left their homes, Gustalo said in Mondays video. The Christian church in Ukraine has been very active serving refugees, the needy, sick and all those affected by the war, he said. Donations from Virginia have greatly helped, he added.

We are very grateful for your open heart to Ukraine, Gustalo said. We believe that God will help us to pass this struggle and give us victory. But today there is still a brutal war.

The Ukrainian pastor asked for prayers for ceasefire, and for people without food, water and heat, for refugees and wisdom in serving them and protection for the Ukraine government, president and army.

Pray for the protection of our homes and church buildings. Pray that the war will end soon because every day is a great loss, the pastor said.

Billy Frederick with Central Virginia Insurance Agency in Culpeper helped organize this weeks Race for Ukraine in partnership with Culpeper Baptist, of which his co-worker is a member. In a phone call last week, Frederick said the event came about rather quickly because of the immediate need in the country.

We were going to put it off until May or June, but what if some other world disaster comes up by then and we lose focus on Ukraine? he said. They need this money yesterday.

Local response in support of the race has been immense, Frederick said.Carlton said his church often responds to humanitarian crises in the U.S. and around the world.

I think the response has been so great with Ukraine because we see their great courage and hopefulness, he said.

Frederick said he was inspired to organize the Race for Ukraine after his girlfriends daughter came home one day with a link to a virtual 5K to support the war-torn country.

It was a good idea, but it wasnt enough, he said. Why dont we just do something locally and get local people and businesses behind it? Because everybody feels pretty strongly about it, Frederick said. We were right because the response has been tremendous.

The Race for Ukraine will feature a no-push skateboard race and 40-yard dash competition. There will be a moon bounce, food and face painting.

Registration is $20 for the 5K or one-mile walk, $5 for the skateboard and 40-yard dash races or $30 to participate in all the races. Sponsorships for $250 are also available.

For more info, contact Billy Frederick at 540/825-8511 or 540/222-8182.

Register at centralvirginiainsurance.com/race-for-ukraine-benefit-5k-race.
On Monday, the CEO of The Montpelier Foundationsteward of a presidential home in Central Virginiafired key staff members who say the terminations were retaliation for criticizing the foundation after it voted to limit Madison slave descendants role in governing the former plantation.

Montpelier Foundation CEO Roy Young fired Elizabeth Chew, executive vice president and chief curator; Matthew Reeves, director of archaeology and landscape restoration; and Communications Director Christy Moriarty, the Montpelier Descendants Committee said in a statement Monday afternoon. He also suspended Mary Furlong Minkoff, director of archaeology and curator of archaeological collections.

Last week, Young fired Event Manager Alex Walsh from the historic site in Orange County, according to the committee.

Together, the employees devoted more than 50 years of service to Montpelier and have 100 years of experience in their professional fields, the committee said.

The Descendants Committee is a nonprofit trying to restore enslaved Americans stories at plantation sites in Central Virginia, including James Madisons Montpelier. Membership in the MDC is open to all descendants of enslaved ancestors in Central Virginia, known as the Arc of Enslaved Communities.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which owns the 2,650-acre estate and leases it to the foundation, condemned Youngs actions against highly regarded and nationally recognized professionals, which will impede the effective stewardship of Montpelier and diminish important public programming at this highly significant historic site.

The trust noted that Chew and Reeves are largely responsible for building the groundbreaking interpretive and research programs at Montpelier in collaboration with the descendant community.

Young did not reply Monday afternoon to a request for comment.

It is now plain to all that Montpelier will not recover with Roy Young or (foundation) Board Chairman Gene Hickok at the helm, Orange County resident James French, a foundation board member who chairs the Montpelier Descendants Committee, said Monday. MDC calls on them to step down before the damage they are doing is irreparable.

After making repeated public statements that the Foundation would not retaliate against staff for opposing the boards abandonment of its commitment, Young has reneged, the MDC said in an announcement released by the law firm Cultural Heritage Partners.

MDC attorney Greg Werkheiser, founding partner of Cultural Heritage Partners in Richmond, said, When Young fires everyone who thinks he is a failed leader, hell find Montpelier uninhabited.

My colleagues and I stood up for our longtime partners in the Montpelier Descendants Committee, just as they have always encouraged and valued us, said Chew. I do not regret taking this stand.

Chew served as Montpeliers executive vice president for seven years. She joined Montpelier to head projects funded by philanthropist David Rubensteins 2014 gift of $10 million, which reconstructed some of the slave quarters.

Chew led the team that created The Mere Distinction of Colour exhibition in partnership with the Montpelier descendant community. Her career at American museums and historic sites spans 35 years.

She was among the authors of groundbreaking ethical principles created in 2018, called the Rubric of Best Practices for Descendant Engagement in the Interpretation of Museums and Historic Sites. It is considered the gold standard by museums and sites of enslavement for involving descendant communities in their work.

Reeves led archaeological work at Montpelier for 22 years. After his firing, he said, I have devoted my archaeological career to understanding the lives of the enslaved men, women, and children who lived at Montpelier in partnership with the Montpelier Descendants Committee. To be retaliated against by the Montpelier leadership for doing my job is a bitter irony.

Reeves public archaeology program set U.S. precedent for inviting the public to work side by side with professional archaeologists excavating places where enslaved people lived and worked.

He has collaborated with members of Montpeliers descendant community since his arrival at Montpelier, and trained a generation of archaeologists passionate about working with the public in investigating the institution of slavery.

Dr. Bettye Kearse, a foundation board member who is a leader of the Montpelier Descendants Committee, saluted the work done by the terminated and disciplined employees.

We are in awe of these faithful employees for their principled stand, and pray that their leave from Montpelier is temporary, Kearse said. Any historic site would be lucky to have them. Montpelier, however, will be unable to replace the brain trust it has so thoughtlessly discarded.

The Montpelier Descendants Committee seeks to demonstrate how enslaved persons lives made possible and informed the ideals of universal liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution yet denied to them. James Madison is widely known as the Father of the Constitution.

The committee works to promote a more accurate understanding of the lives of enslaved people through public programs, events and research.

Last year, Montpeliers foundation announced it would seek structural parity with the MDC, committing to equal representation on the board of directors.

But late last month, Hickok led the board to strip the MDC of its official status.

Of todays 16 board members, five are descended from enslaved workers; three were named by the committee, two by the foundation.

The boards action outraged many of Montpeliers 40-some curators, historians and archaeologists, a majority of whom met and decided to publicly speak out against the foundations action. More than 6,700 members of the public, as well as foundation donors, have signed a petition supporting the MDC and Montpelier staff.

In March, the National Trust for Historic Preservation warned Hickok that the boards action would undermine decades of important work to repair the relationship between Montpelier and the broader African-American community.
EASTER is a time of hope and calls for peace and understanding.

This past Easter weekend saw those calls ignored as three mass shootings occurred that left two dead and at least 31 people injured. Two events in South Carolinaone in Columbia, the other in Hampton about 80 miles west of Charlestonand one in Pittsburgh.

The real tragedy is how common these types of events have become. Mass shootings are on the rise, and have been since 2000.

The Violence Project, funded by the Justice Departments National Institute of Justice, reported in February that more than half of all mass shootings in the United States between 1966 and 2019 occurred after 2000, with 20 percent happening between 2010 and 2019.

This should not be a polarizing issue. And fortunately, in Virginia, it isnt. Both former Gov. Ralph Northam and current Gov. Glenn Youngkin acknowledge the problem.

The split emerges in how to address it. Northam took a broad approach that focused on reducing firearms as well as limiting who can carry weapons and where. In 2020 and 2021, the General Assembly passed a red flag law that allows family members and law enforcement to petition the courts to remove firearms from someone they feel is a threat to themselves and others.

Other laws limited the number of handguns any one person can buy in a 30-day period to one, and also takes away gun rights from people convicted of domestic violence.

Youngkin favors a more-targeted solution. He wants to fund a program called Operation Ceasefire that was created in Boston. The National Institute of Justice finds the program effective. The NIJ describes it as a problem-solving police strategy that seeks to reduce gang violence, illegal gun possession, and gun violence in communities.

There is room for both approaches with a problem that is nationwide and is having a profound impact on Virginia.

Youngkins approach has political clout with the Republican base in the state, which rightly worries about the violence in urban centers. Every Town for Gun Safety, for example, reports that half of all homicides in the U.S. occurred in just 127 cities in 2015.

Further, Just 4% of [city] blocks, Every Town reports, account for 50% of crime in many cities, and only 23 individuals from each street group actively engage in shootings.

Operation Ceasefire was designed to attack this problem specifically, and has a successful track record in doing so. Legislation to establish and fund Operation Ceasefire in Virginia is currently before the General Assembly. It should pass this legislation.

Northams approach is also valid, however, and the Senate was right to stop a bevy of bills introduced in this session to reverse what Northam had accomplished.

According to information from Small Arms Survey 2021, there are more guns in the U.S. (393 million) than in any other nation by a wide margin. India, with a population of over 1.4 billion people, is second with just over 71 million guns.

The Centers for Disease Control ranks Virginia midpack among states for its homicide mortality rate (28 out of 50). Surrounding states, however, fair worse. Tennessee ranks 7, Maryland 8, Kentucky 14, North Carolina 18, and West Virginia 24.

With few national laws governing who can own firearms, and the growing problem of ghost guns, weapons flow easily across borders.

Getting a better handle on who controls these firearms, and how they are moving, is an important piece of lowering the rate of gun violence in the U.S. and in Virginia.

There is a way to balance the rights of those who enjoy owning guns and use them responsibly, with the rights of those who rightly worry that growing gun violence will destroy the lives that they have created and enjoy.

Lets launch Operation Ceasefire in Virginia, and deal with the inner-city violence.

Lets also realize that there are too many guns on the street, that too many people have them who should not, and keep finding responsible ways to deal with this issue.

Between Northams actions and Youngkins strategy, were moving in the right direction. Lets keep at it.
Tuesday

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Letters to the Churches of Revelation, 10 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Ready for Kindergarten, 10-11 a.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. The program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Stories, art, manipulatives and sensory stations will help build the skills needed for kindergarten.

Supportive Singles, 11:30 a.m., Thai & Maki Sushi Restaurant, 507 N. D St., Fremont. For more information, call 402-660-8474.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Business Improvement District No. 1 Committee meeting, noon, Nebraska Quilt Companys second-floor meeting room, 330 N. Main St., Fremont. The meeting will be held in person and electronically to allow remote meeting access via computer or telephone. The link and instructions are provided on the agenda that is posted in the agenda section of the citys website, fremontne.gov.

Narcotics Anonymous Steps of Freedom meeting, 1 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business.

Special Joint City Council meeting, 4 p.m., Fremont Municipal Building, 400 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The special meeting is with the Fremont City Council and Planning Commission. The meeting will be held in person and electronically to allow remote meeting access via computer or telephone. The link and instructions are provided on the agenda that is posted in the agenda section of the citys website, fremontne.gov.

Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Event, 4:30-6 p.m., Nye Square, 655 W. 23rd St., Fremont. All healthcare workers are invited to drive by Nye Square for a free pizza on their way home from work.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Mens and Womens Bible Study, 6 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Novel Idea Book Club, 6-7 p.m., Keene Memorial Book Club, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. Aprils book is Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Wednesday

Dodge County Board of Supervisors, Dodge County Board of Equalization and Dodge County Board of Corrections meetings, 9 a.m., board room, third floor, Dodge County Courthouse, 435 N. Park Ave., Fremont. The meetings are open to the public.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Mens Bible Study, 1 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Library Group, 7 p.m., Keene Memorial Librarys east building, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Thursday

Mens Bible Study, 8 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Kiwanis Club meeting, noon, Midland University Private Dining Rooms, Ninth and Pebble streets, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The menu will include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, tacos and soup. Everyone is welcome.

Lego Club, 4-5 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. Lego bricks will be supplied.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

The Banquet, 5:30-6:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 3200 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Drive-thru meals served. The dinner is free.

WinItBack, TEA Party Patriots of Dodge County, 6:30-8:15 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, Fremont. The group will be showing the Republican Gubernatorial Debate that was broadcast on PBS on April 4. Candidate Breland Ridenour plans to stop by at 7:45 p.m. to answer questions after the viewing of the debate. The public is invited. For more information, call Doug Wittmann at 402-317-1270.

Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., 1201 W. 23rd St., in yellow hangar at Fremont Airport.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave.

Tally Ho Toastmasters, 7-8 p.m., Midland Universitys Anderson Building, Ninth and Clarkson streets, Fremont. Everyone is welcome to learn skills in communication, self-confidence and leadership. For more information, call 402-936-3479.

Narcotics Anonymous Back to Basics meeting, 7:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 N. Davis St., Oakland.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

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At least six people were killed and 11 wounded in three blasts that rocked a boys' school in a Shi'ite Hazara neighborhood of Kabul on April 19, police in the Afghan capital said.

Khaled Zadran, a spokesman for the Kabul Police Command, told RFE/RL that the explosions occurred at the Abdul Rahim Shahid High School, located in the capital's western neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi.

There were children among the casualties, although it was not immediately clear how many.

A security official told the German news agency dpa that the blasts were caused by hand grenades.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The school is located in the capital's western neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, an area mainly inhabited by the Hazara community and previously targeted by the militant Islamic State group.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said on Twitter that the blasts "caused casualties among our Shi'ite brothers."

A Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman said a team of investigators had begun work at the scene.

The explosions occurred as students were coming out of their morning classes, a witness said.

In May 2021, bombings near a school in the same area of the Afghan capital killed at least 85 civilians, mainly schoolgirls, and injured dozens of others.

With reporting by AFP and dpa
Uzbekistan has rejected claims by a regional affiliate of Islamic State that it carried out a rocket attack on the Central Asian nation from neighboring Afghanistan.

The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) said on April 18 that it had fired 10 rockets at an Uzbek military base in the border town of Termiz, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks terrorist propaganda.

But Uzbek presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov denied the claim on April 19, calling on Uzbek citizens to disregard what he called "provocations."

"The information distributed by some Telegram channels about a so-called rocket attack from the territory of Afghanistan at units of Uzbekistan's armed forces near the town of Termiz absolutely do not correspond to the reality. According to the Defense Ministry and Uzbekistan's border guard troops, there are no active military developments along the Uzbek-Afghan border, the situation is stable," Asadov said in a statement placed on Telegram.

IS-K, meanwhile, claimed that it fired the rockets from the Afghan town of Hairatan near the Uzbek border.

IS-K has increased attacks in and around Afghanistan following the U.S.-led military withdrawal from the country in August after 20 years.

The terrorist group has conducted several attacks in neighboring Pakistan, including a deadly suicide bombing of a Shi'ite mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar last month.

In February, the United States offered a $10 million reward for information that helps identify and locate the leader of IS-K in Afghanistan, Sanaullah Ghafari, also known as Shahab al-Muhajir.

The U.S. State Department says Ghafari was appointed to lead IS-K in June 2020 and that he is responsible for approving all IS-K operations throughout Afghanistan and arranging funding for activities.

The State Department has designated Ghafari and two other leaders of the extremist groups affiliate in Afghanistan as global terrorists.

With reporting by VOA and The Tech Agents
Law enforcement advocates are pursuing a compromise to make possession of any amount of fentanyl a felony but allow for the expungement of the criminal record upon completion of certain programs, such as drug treatment or diversion.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown told Colorado Politics that offer was "met with resistance" when he and others met several weeks ago with the group that crafted House Bill 1326, the legislature's sweeping attempt to address the worsening fentanyl crisis, but that he hopes policymakers would reconsider it.

Lawmakers are debating the measure amid surging fentanyl overdoses in Colorado. Nearly 900 Coloradans fatally overdosed after ingesting fentanyl in 2021, a number that's quadrupled since 2019. Though Colorado's fatal overdose rate for synthetic drugs, of which fentanyl is the most prevalent, is below the national average, the state's rate has grown faster than nearly any other state since 2018.

Brown said he is working to get the idea offered up as an amendment once HB 1326 reaches the House floor for a debate. The House Judiciary Committee advanced the bill last week following two days of hearings. Its next stop is House Appropriations.

Brown framed the proposal as providing law enforcement the necessary leverage to get an individual into treatment while offering a "light at the end of the tunnel" for the person facing the felony charge. He added that his county's district attorney is open to exploring the idea.

The felony charge, he said, signals to the public the seriousness of the crisis and that the state, through its laws, is not "not normalizing" this drug use.

"This one pill will kill and so any weight that we are saying is OK is almost legitimizing (it)  well, it just has to be and I don't think this has to be," Brown said, adding his proposal "forces the treatment side of things, and there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

Law enforcement officials, he said, have heard the testimony of family members who lost loved ones to fentanyl.

"The sister of the female party who died in Commerce City  who was poisoned; she essentially thought she was consuming something else  said if that was the case and she had a choice between a felony or being dead, she would take the felony so she could raise her kids," Brown said.

Brown also sought to refute testimony that people can't be forced into treatment, noting Arapahoe County's detention facility has treated nearly 600 individuals over the past four years through its medicated assisted-treatment programs.

Harm-reduction advocates and health care experts oppose any efforts to make simple drug possession a felony, arguing no evidence shows that approach is successful in stopping overdoses and deaths. They also say "felonization" reverts Colorado back to the failed policies of the "War on Drugs." Law enforcement and some city officials, notably the mayors of Denver and Colorado Springs, counter that fentanyl is so deadly that one pill laced with a small amount of the drug can kill. They argue that the only logical approach is to make its possession, regardless of the amount, a felony offense.

Christie Donner, executive director of Colorado Criminal Justice Reform, said Brown's proposal is "not really a compromise."

"Thats going back to what it was before. Weve had record-sealing on drug possession for years," she told Colorado Politics in an email. "I find it highly unlikely that the DAs will spend the effort to get someone into treatment, assuming the right level of treatment even exists in the jurisdiction."

She added: "The underlying assumption by Sheriff Brown and others in law enforcement is that having the felony to 'hammer' someone is effective in getting them to agree to go to treatment, and the research is pretty clear that it doesnt. Plus, its just not a crime that deserves to be a felony."

Much of the debate on HB 1326 focuses making it a felony to possess fewer than 4 grams of a substance containing fentanyl. House Speaker Alec Garnett, one of the bill's sponsors, advocated setting the felony threshold at 1 gram, an amendment that the House Judiciary Committee adopted.

In addition to the change in possession laws, the bill also strengthens 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 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 Tank, Center for Sonic Arts, in Rangely on July, 2021. The 65-foot water tank, that sat empty for years, has been converted into a musical wonder for musicians and experimental sound artists. The Tank opened to the public in 2016, expanding from a recording studio to a performance venue.
Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek is to launch Trendz, a new standalone hotel management company at Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

ATM takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from May 9 to 12.

Trendz offers a unique 360-degree service for hotel owners and operating companies with an accent on technology and sustainability, two of the most important trends in hospitality today, said Walter Knight, Director of Hospitality at Farnek.

Farnek, which has over 8,000 employees, has traditionally provided manpower and outsourcing services, such as cleaning, security and property maintenance. However, Trendz takes that market proposition one stage further, managing front office requirements, reservations, concierge, housekeeping and room service - we can also manage sales operations, marketing and PR.

It is a cost-effective and totally flexible hospitality proposition. Hotels can engage with us for specific operational requirements or contract us to manage an entire property, either under the Trendz brand or as a white label product, added Knight.

One of Farneks most recent accomplishments, was the development of an app called Flexi-Guest which digitalises the guest journey from pre arrival to check out.

The app, which was developed in-house, interfaces with a hotels property management system (PMS) affording guests a whole suite of services from uploading travel documents, such as vaccination certificates, ordering a car on arrival, room service and laundry. The hotel app can also send automated electronic updates and alerts to the guest, as well as e-registration documents, e-invoices and e-receipts, all in one convenient space.

This gives the guest an enhanced experience, providing a seamless pre-arrival and check-in procedure. They can order room service in advance, have laundry picked up or delivered, request early or late check outs, view and pay invoices with secure online payments.

If the guest experience is good, that develops loyalty and improves online ratings. The hotel operates more efficiently, saving staff time and expense and has the added advantage of driving revenue through F&B and e-concierge services, added Knight.

Farnek has just completed a successful trial of the app, having secured a contract for the Expo Village, situated on the Expo 2020 site. Farnek was responsible for managing the reservation services, concierge, front office services and housekeeping, for 2,273 apartments during the show.

Sustainability is key to Farneks hospitality strategy and Flexi-Guest can estimate the carbon emissions generated by any guest during their stay and provide a cost should the guest wish to offset their carbon footprint. Indeed, visitors to Farneks stand at ATM, will be able to measure their own carbon footprint, with an option to contribute to a range of sustainable projects to offset their impact on the environment, while participating in the show.

The fact that Flexi-Guest can interface with any hotel property management system, makes it extremely marketable, hotels can simply pay a licence fee to use it and we are already looking at upgrading Flexi-Guest, so that management reports can be generated in real time, added Knight.

Hoteliers will also be able to take advantage of Farneks Hotel Optimizer software, which records, analyses and benchmarks energy and water consumption, as well as waste generation, resulting in a more cost-efficient and sustainable operation. Farnek can also support hotels that wish to develop and implement Net Zero carbon strategies.

Furthermore, Farnek is a preferred partner and auditor for Green Globe the worldwide sustainability accreditation system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. An essential attribute for green listings on booking.com, or to be labelled Eco-Certified in Google search results.

We believe that our 360-degree market proposition for the hotel sector, is unrivalled and our participation at the ATM provides us with an ideal platform to showcase our services to a targeted audience of over 20,000, local, regional and international travel and tourism professionals, added Knight.  TradeArabia News Service
CANON CITY  After months of uncertainty, including a change of venue, musical chairs with two judges, and the dismissal of 14 of 16 expert witnesses, the question of what happened to Chaffee County resident Suzanne Morphew will not be brought to a Colorado courtroom as scheduled.

Barry Morphew, the husband charged nearly a year ago with killing his still-missing wife, Suzanne, walked out of a Fremont County courtroom in Canon City on Tuesday morning a free man, just nine days before his first-degree murder trial was supposed to start.

Eleventh Judicial District Judge Ramsey Lama granted a prosecutorial motion to dismiss the case without prejudice, to conduct further investigation. "This is still an active investigation," Lama told a stunned courtroom.

In a motion filed 15 minutes before Tuesday's hearing began, the prosecution team led by District Attorney Linda Stanley contended it did not have enough evidence to obtain a conviction without clear knowledge that Morphew's wife is dead.

"In a case such as this, the most influential fact of consequence is whether or not Suzanne Morphew is deceased," prosecutors wrote in their motion, adding that they believe they know where her body is, but that they can't excavate it in time for trial, which was to begin April 28, because the area is under 5 feet of snow.

After the defense requested two breaks to do legal research on the motion, the high-profile case that has been followed by national press and scores of internet websites was dismissed for lack of evidence by its prosecution team, confounding friends and family of Suzanne Morphew.

The air in the courtroom was so tense, a service dog toward the back of the room whined as if to comfort people observing the proceedings.

Barry Morphews family, including the couples two adult daughters, Mallory and Macy, who have not missed a hearing and have stood by his side, hugged their father after learning of the turn of events and cried.

Mallory and Macy were scheduled to testify as key witnesses in the trial, as they were on a camping trip Mother's Day 2020 and alerted neighbors that their mom wasn't answering their texts.

We miss our mom dearly and we know our dad didnt have anything to do with it, Mallory Morphew said in speaking to the judge after he granted the dismissal.

A tearful Macy Morphew echoed a thought her sister said, Were thankful we can go on with our life and just take time to heal, she said. We wish wed been treated better.

Lead defense attorney Iris Eytan on Tuesday accused media outlets of implying Morphew is guilty.

He still is presumed innocent, and he is innocent," Eytan said in speaking after the dismissal.

Suzanne Morphew's three siblings, speaking via the court's Webex teleconferencing system, said they agree with the judge's decision to grant the motion to dismiss without prejudice, which leaves open the possibility to refile.

"I think it's proper, because I think further investigation needs to be done," said her brother Andrew Moorman who also said he was "sorry for all the problems this has caused" among relatives.

"We're looking forward to finding our sister and bringing her home for a proper burial," said David Moorman, another brother. "We plan to see this through to the end."

With the ruling, Morphews $500,000 cash bond was released, his ankle monitors removed, his passport is returned to him, and jury summonses were revoked for about 1,000 people.

"Thank you," Morphew called over his shoulder in response to reporters asking if he had anything to say, as he left the courthouse with his daughters to get in his pickup truck.

Still pending is a voter-fraud case against him in Chaffee County that carries a felony count of forgery.

Morphew is accused of illegally mailing a ballot cast for Donald Trump in Suzannes name in the November 2020 election. Barry Morphew had not signed the ballot in his wifes name, but there was a signature on the witness line, according to the Chaffee County clerk. Morphew told investigators I just thought, 'give him another vote.' She would have voted for him anyway.

In an order filed April 8, Lama chastised the prosecution for being "reckless" and missing deadlines but refused to dismiss the case.

Former Adams County District Attorney Bob Grant said there is a chance that Stanley, the district attorney, could refile the case if Suzanne Morphew's body is found.

"If they find a body and additional evidence develops against the defendant, they should be able to refile although there are constitutional speedy trial issues the DA will have to overcome," Grant said. "If there isn't anything that hasn't made it to the press, dismissal seems like the right move."

The prosecution has said in court that it doesn't have a clear idea of how Suzanne Morphew was killed. There was no blood and no sign of struggle at the Morphew home when investigators went inside on the evening of May 10, 2020. Prosecutors believe Morphew drugged Suzanne with a tranquilizer dart, killed her and then hid her body near the couple's million-dollar home in mountainous terrain west of Salida.

The prosecutions case has been on shaky ground since Lama dismissed 14 of 16 of its most critical expert witnesses, including a cellphone data analyst, a DNA specialist and an expert who investigated the movements of Barry Morphew's truck on that Saturday night and into the early morning Sunday.

Suzanne Morphew disappeared after 2:07 p.m. May 9, the day before Mothers Day 2020. Investigators say that this is the last known moment that she was alive, as that's the time stamp on a final proof of life photo of herself in a bikini to her lover, Jeff Libler's phone. That day, the couple, who had been having a two-year affair, had sent 78 text messages to each other, which ended after the photo was sent. Morphews phone was never recovered, but investigators were able to extract messages from other peoples phones and from her iCloud account.

Her bicycle with blue decorative pedals was found tossed in a ravine near the family home and investigators discovered her turquoise bicycle helmet just less than a mile away to the west just off U.S. 50. Evidence photos show the helmet, a bright blue dot lying in dried grass.

Grant could not recall a murder case in which no body was found that was filed without solid physical evidence or a confession.

Ive been waiting for the smoking gun since I first read about the case, or even a nonsmoking gun, Grant said. "Of course, countless cases have been dismissed on the eve of trial when DAs realize they don't have the horses to convict."

The prosecution was planning to call 72 witnesses, according to court testimony, including Barry Morphews employees, neighbors of the couple and Suzanne Morphews family and close friends, some of whom she confided her unhappiness with her spiraling marriage.

Thousands of hours went into the investigation into Susanne Morphews disappearance. There have been 134 search warrants executed in this case.

There have been extensive searches in the Arkansas River, forests, abandoned mines and under concrete slabs  amounting to about 70,000 man-hours, according to Eytan.

"Today is the first day the prosecution has ever stated that (finding the body) would be a consideration," she said. "They've stated a body is irrelevant until now."

Adding to the uncertainty, investigators in the case could not agree as to whether there was enough probable cause to arrest Barry Morphew when they did. Colorado Bureau of Investigation Director John Camper was so concerned, he called Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze and asked him to hold off until they were able to gather more evidence.

Tuesday afternoon, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office released a statement stressing its dedication to Suzanne Morphew's unsolved disappearance: "While we are disappointed in the delay of the proceedings, we remain unwavering in our commitment to this investigation and the ultimate prosecution of Mr. Morphew. I stand behind the strong work of the investigators within the Chaffee County Sheriffs Office and the many law enforcement agencies involved and the strong case we have built. Above all else, we remain dedicated to seeking justice for Suzanne and her family.

Morphew was taken into custody on May 5, almost a year to the date of when his wife disappeared. He was held in jail for more than four months before being released on bail on Sept. 17.
Colorados governor and his allies in the legislature unveiled measures on Monday that will collectively allocate $200 million to confront the state's growing homeless crisis.

Gov. Jared Polis announced the three-bill package during a press conference, saying the COVID-19 pandemic has elevated homelessness in Colorado from a concern to a crisis. From 2020 to 2021, first-time homelessness in Denver shelters increased by 99%, according to the Denver Metro Homeless Initiative.

"We need to address this issue and we need to address it now," said Polis, who was flanked by legislators who support the measures. "Mental health, homelessness, substance abuse, housing costs  these were problems before the pandemic, but these last two years have pushed communities across the country into a crisis."

Using federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act, the three bills would allocate $105 million to create a statewide grant program funding homeless services and another $95 million to build two homeless recovery campuses in the Denver metro area.

The bills were expected to be introduced by the end of the day on Monday.

The $105-million "Homeless Response Grant Program" would fund local efforts to address homelessness, including affordable housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, recovery care, employment assistance and job training.

"I live in an affordable housing unit myself and its the only reason Im able to stand before you as a state senator today," said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who is sponsoring the legislation to create the grant program. "Access to affordable, safe and secure housing changed my life."

This comes as housing costs in Colorado have reached record highs. In February, the median home price in Colorado hit $555,540  a 7% increase from just the month before and $90,000 more than last year. Rental prices were up nearly 22% from last year, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom reaching $1,919.

Also under the bills, the two homeless recovery campuses would provide services, including behavioral health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, medical care, dental care, transitional housing, emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and employment services.

Of the funds, $45 million would go toward converting the former Ridge View Youth Services Center in Watkins into a homeless recovery campus. Another $50 million would go toward establishing a new campus in the Denver metro area, the product of collaborations between local governments and nonprofits in Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Jefferson and Broomfield counties.

"This is truly a transformational package of legislation," said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, who is sponsoring the legislation to create a new metro regional campus. "Every Coloradan deserves a safe place to live, but that reality is out of reach for so many. We wont fully address this crisis unless we resolve the root causes of homelessness."

If passed by the legislature, Polis said the programs would kick off by the end of the year, with some of the $105 million in grants rolling out by the fall.

For many, this support cant come fast enough. In 2021, 5,530 people were living in homeless shelters in the Denver metro area. The same year, Colorado's chronically homeless population grew by 266% compared to 2007, the largest increase of any state in the nation, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Despite this, Cathy Alderman, spokesperson for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, said she believes state investments will help turn things around.

"Im very excited about the investments being made today," Alderman said. "I think were going to be a better state for it and Im very hopeful that every Coloradan will have a safe place to call home moving forward."

Colorado lawmakers send $36.4 billion state budget to Polis
The Colorado Senate approved legislation Monday seeking to ban adults from talking on cellphones while driving, except when using a hands-free accessory like a Bluetooth headset.

Under current law, adult drivers are allowed to use cellphones for calls but they cannot text or browse the internet. If passed, Senate Bill 175 would prohibit all hand-held cellphone use. Drivers under the age of 18 are already prohibited from all cellphone use, including hands-free.

The Senate voted 24-10 in support of the bill Monday, sending it to the House for consideration.

This is a great step forward for Colorado, said bill sponsor Sen. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. Ive been hit twice by distracted drivers. Both times, they had their cellphones up to their ears, not paying attention enough to the road, not keeping their hands available to control their vehicle.  Luckily, Im here to tell the tale, but unfortunately that doesnt always happen.

During a committee meeting on April 5, several victims of car crashes resulting from distracted driving testified in support of the bill. The victims included multiple people who had lost friends or family members and a Boulder man who lost both of his legs.

Last year, 91% of Coloradans admitted to driving while distracted, according to a survey from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The survey found that 54% of drivers said they read text messages while driving and nearly 50% talk on cellphones without hands-free accessories  which would be prohibited under the proposed bill.

In 2020, there were 10,166 car crashes involving distracted drivers in Colorado, resulting in 1,476 injuries and 68 deaths, the department said. In 2021, there was a 47% increase in fatal crashes caused by distracted driving statewide, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

The Democrat-sponsored bill received both bipartisan support and opposition. Of the 10 senators who voted against the bill, seven are Republicans and three are Democrats.

I find these attempts to be virtually unenforceable and a new, unnecessary burden on law enforcement who should really be spending their efforts to curb the violent crime wave we are seeing in Colorado, said Sen. Jim Smallwood, R-Parker, calling the bill, another effort to have the government dictating good judgement to our otherwise law-abiding and safe driving citizens.

Other concerns included that the bill would result in disproportionate policing and racial profiling. However, Hansen said the bill includes demographic reporting and a requirement that police cannot issue the citation unless they explicitly see a driver using their phone.

Colorado lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully to ban talking on the phone while driving at least three other times. In 2020, Hansen sponsored SB20-65, which is nearly identical to the new SB-175. Hansens predecessor, Sen. Lois Court, D-Denver, also pushed similar bills in 2018 and 2019.

Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert, R-Douglas County, said he voted against previous efforts to pass the ban but is in support of the newest proposed bill.

Holbert said, in 2010, he nearly rear-ended another car because he was looking at his phone while driving and didnt see that traffic had stopped. A few years ago, he said he was on his phone while stopped at a red light and he ran the light after hearing someone honk their horn, mistakenly assuming they were honking at him because the light turned green.

I'm not innocent. I think none of us could claim complete innocence with these devices in our cars, Holbert said. But how many times do we need to see that, how many times do we need to be the victim of that before we recognize?  We have to step in and say, no.

Under the proposed bill, a driver caught using their cellphone would get a $75 fine and two license suspension points for the first offense. If a driver gets another citation within 24 months, they would face a $150 fine and three points for the second offense, and a $250 fine and four points for all subsequent offenses. The fines and points could be waived if the driver proves to the court they have purchased a hands-free device, Hansen said.

Drivers exempt from the bill would include first responders, utility workers, commercial truckers, commercial license holders, drivers using their cellphones to report emergencies and drivers who are parked.

Using hand-held cellphones while driving is already banned in 24 states and Washington D.C., according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Official Raimondi agent of UK, Bennetts Cranes, has deployed two Raimondi flattop tower cranes MRT159 and two LR213 luffing jib cranes for a prestigious residential development in Southern England.

The new riverside development, located in Berkshire, England, is part of the town renewal plan aiming to transform the city into an urban hub.

We are proud to continue boosting our relationship with Berkeley Homes, developer of the project, by supplying these four modern Raimondi machines to the Reading jobsite. The LR213 luffing jib cranes were ideal for avoiding over-sail boundaries due the models 38m hook radius. The MRT159s were chosen due for ease of installation and onsite versatility, explained Edward Saeger, Managing Director, Bennetts Cranes.

Jobsite challenges

The LR213s were erected in different periods in 2020, and have not changed positions, whereas the MRT159s have been relocated to second site positioning. The key here was having flattops with all parts preassembled, ropes passed, and rope connections installed. This was an added boon, facilitating dismantle and re-installation procedures, he added.

Seager added that there were jobsite challenges, including supplying cranes that have a short out of service radius. This was to enable work continuation after the first blocks were completed without over-sailing the occupied flats. Secondly, ensuring that Covid-19 government regulations during operational duties were adhered to, such as maintaining a two metres distance between the installation crew members.

We not only had to carefully study the positioning of each crane through the jobsite progression, but also, with the LR213s being installed in the middle of the pandemic, we had to reinvent the erecting and dismantling methodology to comply with the safety norms in order to carry out the job.

With one Raimondi MRT159 recently dismantled, there are currently two 14t-luffers operating onsite with heights of 40m and jib lengths of 50m, and the remaining 8tn-topless tower crane, with tower height of 36m and jib of 38m.

700 modern apartments

The cranes are all expected to be dismantled in the upcoming months in line with projects completion. The completed complex will feature 700 modern apartments, alongside a central square with amenities such as a cafe, restaurant, gym, and nursery.-- TradeArabia News Service
Joe Barrera, Ph.D, is the former director of the Ethnic Studies Program at UCCS. He is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, and teaches U.S. Military History, and Mexico/U.S. Border Studies.
A young fan reacts in the stands cheering on Montrose during the 2022 CHSAA wrestling state tournament championship finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. (Chancey Bush /The Gazette)
GAC Qatar has been recognised as one of Qatars best workplaces by Great Place to Work, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures, after a thorough and independent survey analysis.

The certification recognises the companys commitment, innovative spirit and support for all employees, irrespective of their role, gender or level. That commitment to nurturing an excellent workplace culture has long been the hallmark of GAC in the growth and wellbeing of its people.

As a goal-oriented company, we pride ourselves in the trust our people have in their workplace, job and the colleagues they work with, says Henrik Althen, GAC Qatars Managing Director. We continuously invest in our employees growth and wellbeing, and strive to bring a competitive difference in the business through our work culture and strong GAC Spirit.

"Not only does achieving this certificate acknowledge the efforts made by GAC Qatar to date, it will also further motivate our team to continue to deliver exceptional services to customers through a highly trusted workplace.-- TradeArabia News Service
U.S. should earnestly tackle its deteriorating human rights situation: spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:03, April 19, 2022

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States is becoming a country where human rights are systemically violated, and it should earnestly reflect on how to address the root causes of the deteriorating human rights situation, a Chinese spokesperson said on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks when asked to comment on the killing of a man of African descent by a white police officer during a law enforcement operation in Michigan. The incident once again sparked fierce criticism over racial discrimination and police violence in the United States.

"We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the U.S. A large number of facts show that racial discrimination, gun crimes and violence in law enforcement do not exist in isolated and sporadic cases, but are long-term and systemic problems in the country," Wang said.

Since the death of George Floyd in 2020, hundreds of people of ethnic minorities have been gunned down by U.S. law enforcement officers. As many as 93.7 percent of American Muslims said that they live in the shadow of Islamophobia; 81 percent of Asian American adults believe that violence against them is on the rise. Hispanic Americans, who make up 19 percent of the U.S. population, own only 2 percent of U.S. wealth, according to Wang.

The spokesperson quoted Fernand de Varennes, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, as saying that the legal system in the United States is structurally set up to advantage and forgive those who are wealthier, and penalize those who are poorer, particularly ethnic minorities.

The United States also has the worst gun violence in the world and is the only developed country that witnessed mass shootings every year over the past 20 years. In 2020, there were 45,222 gun-related deaths in the country, a 43 percent increase from 2010, Wang said.

"Yet over the past 25 years, the U.S. federal government has failed to introduce a gun control act," Wang said.

"The U.S. is in no position to point fingers at other countries' human rights conditions. What the U.S. should do is to face up to its own serious human rights problems, and earnestly reflect on how to address the root causes of the deteriorating human rights situation," he said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has granted Equiti Group, a leading provider of brokerage services, the naming rights of Umm Al Sheif metro station, which will be rebranded as Equiti metro station for a period of 10 years.



The station operates on the Red Line of the Dubai metro network and features a strategic location, thanks to connectivity to several key roads, and proximity to iconic landmarks of Dubai.



The naming rights for metro stations represent a rewarding investment opportunity for numerous companies and businesses in the UAE to promote their brands in Dubai, which stands out as a unique front for a variety of mega corps and a grand platform for major financial and business firms. Dubai Metro stations are a strategic location for investors to showcase their brands. The metro is the mainstay of transportation in Dubai and a key hub in the daily commute of hundreds of thousands of various community members, commented Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Kalbat, CEO of Rail Agency, RTA.



"This new partnership franks Dubais prestigious profile, the reality of business at various levels. It enhances the confidence of major companies and investors in RTAs projects in Dubai. The partnership also showcases the role of this vital sector in achieving sustainable economic growth, through capital and investment injections in RTAs development projects, particularly Dubai Metro, the pioneering mass transit system and the lifeline of passengers transport in the emirate, added Kalbat.



Iskandar Najjar, Equiti Group CEO, said: Equiti is honoured to have been invited to be a part of the infrastructure and community of the UAE through the naming rights of one of Dubais most centrally located metro stations on Sheikh Zayed Road.



As a global broker, we are exceptionally pleased to collaborate with the Roads and Transport Authority on our journey to becoming the most prominent multi-asset, multi-platform broker in the UAE.



Commenting on the partnership, Mohamed Al Ahmad, CEO of Equiti Securities Currencies Brokers, said: We are very excited about our partnership with the RTA and look forward to be a part of the UAE by bringing our financial services offering to this generous country.



RTA will commence this month to mount up the newly named Equiti metro station on exterior signboards, in smart and electronic systems of the public transport system, as well as to onboard voice announcements across metro trains before and upon arrival at the station, so as to familiarise passengers and station goers with the new name.  TradeArabia News Service


Jordan Bielefeld makes his living 250 feet in the air.

At one time, to get to his office, he rock climbed up the ladders of wind turbines, taking a moment to scan the horizon before he tuned the machinery that turns the blades.

Today he is more grounded. In 2019 he started his own business, UpTower, training technicians to ascend towers from California to New York, from Minnesota to Texas. His company is one of Mitchell Countys entrepreneurial success stories.

Ladder

Since he was a boy, Bielefeld knew he was mechanically gifted. He grew up in Ames before moving to Osage in middle school, and as he got older he began working for local farmers, as well as businesses such as Marks Tractor and Implement.

While employed by Monte Chisholm on his farm, he began dating Chisholms daughter, Katie. They would go on marry and have five children together. Chisholm was a mentor. A few Osage teachers also took Bielefeld under their wings, including current industrial arts instructor Brent Jennings and predecessor Ron Betts.

Bielefeld was a kinesthetic learner more comfortable outside the classroom. After graduating a semester early from Osage Community High School in 2006, he went right into the workforce as a mechanic at Fox River Mills.

Then the wind industry arrived in the Mitchell County area, and it swept him up. Turbines were constructed near Northwood. He became a technician. At that time, part of his fascination with the giant curved blades casting huge shadows across Iowas farmland was a simple curiosity, 80-meter-tall versions of the lawnmowers he dissected as a boy.

I enjoy learning about anything new, he said. And this is all three types of systems up there, electrical, mechanics and hydraulics. By the time you figure it out and start to master it, like a computer its obsolete and theres a new technology.

Bielefeld literally climbed the corporate ladder. He served as a contractor commissioning turbines -- which involves working with manufacturers to get the rotors spinning for the first time.

Then it was operations and maintenance, climbing with cable and a fall-arrest device to the top of those towers to tighten bolts, check clearances and keep it all running. Heights vary from 80 to 120 meters. It was an everyday event. Bielefeld still does not forget to enjoy the view.

There arent many offices in the world like that, he said.

Soon he became a lead technician and began working in supervisory positions. At Duke Energy in 2012, he helped one of the industrys largest companies build its portfolio.

First aid

After joining the wind industry, the Bielefeld family moved seven times, from Osage to Laramie, Wyo., in the Snowy Range of the Rockies and back to the Midwest. For three months they lived in a motel in Luverne, Minn. With their two youngest children, they could not even keep the same room during their stay.

Katie was glad when their family was finally able to settle down in their hometown.

Hes continually trying to learn something new and be ahead of the curve, Katie said of her husband. He can see the industry as a whole. He spends a lot of time training technicians and making sure they understand the job. His success is being available to his people and seeing them as individuals.

Bielefeld says there are around 50 different certifications necessary to continue servicing wind turbines. Some of the training requirements are rescue, work-at-heights, first aid and CPR.

There are many ways working on a wind turbine can go wrong. That is part of the reason Bielefeld began UpTower.

For a couple of years I started seeing an industry decline in attention to safety and quality, Bielefeld said, while praising Dukes efforts to keep workers safe.

He believes this development could have been anticipated, as the wind industry boomed and the demand for technicians outgrew the necessary training. Not only was the state of affairs inefficient, it was dangerous.

Across the country there were on-the-job injuries and deaths. One of Bielefelds duties was keeping up with incidents like these, and starting in 2017 he saw an alarming increase. He blames inexperience and a lack of proper training. At Duke, Bielefelds team brought outside contractors onsite to assist them, and he witnessed the danger firsthand.

We couldnt leave them alone, he said of these workers. It was like babysitting.

It also was costing businesses money. Concentrating on the bottom line was hurting the bottom line, in his opinion.

The industry needed first aid.

I knew we could do better, Bielefeld said. But the big corporations were holding us back from changing what the industry was doing.

He sat down with Duke and discussed his concerns, telling his supervisors he could best address these problems by starting a private company. He already worked from home, one of two of Dukes 48,000 employees to do so.

They said, yeah, well support you, Bielefeld said. He still considers Dukes Steve Scott and Jeff Wehner as mentors.

In turn, Duke contracted Bielefeld to work on its own wind turbines.

In 2021, Bielefelds company trained more than 150 technicians for safety. Bielefelds goal is 300 in 2022. He believes his other goal, quality, is tied to the welfare of workers.

UpTower

Bielefeld had also hit a professional plateau. He needed a new challenge.

UpTower started in a shed that had once been a hair salon behind Bielefelds house, where he operated his company until January. The office is now located in St. Ansgar. Katies strength training business Calloused Fitness will soon move into UpTowers former headquarters.

Since its beginning in 2019, UpTower has gone from six employees to around 50. When Bielefeld started, he wanted to be recognized as a competitor, to be the best.

When youre going up against guys with 1,700 technicians, its tough to get rolling, he said. Once they give you a chance, and you start showing them your level of quality, they take notice. Weve seen a lot of people come through our doors to train for safety.

UpTower has staying power. In 2019, for a job in Michigan, UpTower was told it would only be on site three months for maintenance. It hasn't left since.

UpTower has also brought employees as new residents to Mitchell County, and it keeps local students from leaving home after tech school. Trainees come from across the United States. That was one of Bielefelds goals, to help his hometown continue to grow.

Im in awe of it every day, Katie said. You see him working, and hes constantly on the phone helping someone else develop.

On occasion, Bielefeld still gets to ascend wind turbines to train workers. The job is not for those afraid of heights. One UpTower requirement is being able to climb 300 feet every day.

His technicians travel the entire country. It gives Bielefeld an excuse to travel, as well. He took his oldest son, William, a freshman at Osage Community High School, to a conference in San Diego where together they chatted with top executives in the industry.

UpTowers brain trust includes operations manager Jason Rice, contract manager Kloe Randall and training manager Justin Weidman. Weidman was Bielefelds first employee.

Earlier this year, UpTower became a member of the Osage Chamber of Commerce.

We dont want to forget the reason we started, Bielefeld said. We always reset so we know were putting the best people in the field.

Jason W. Selby is the community editor for the Mitchell Country Press News. He can be reached at 515-971-6217, or by email at jason.selby@globegazette.com.

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harish555 wrote:

GMATNinja

I request gmatninja to give explanation for this question



Posted from my mobile device I request gmatninja to give explanation for this question

Quote:

Which of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy between physicians perceptions and the change in the actual time spent?



A. Patients are more likely to be in a hurry nowadays and are less willing to wait a long time to see their physician.

waiting

with

Quote:

B. Physicians today typically have a wider range of options in diagnosis and treatment to consider with the patient before prescribing.

Quote:

C. Physicians are increasingly likely to work in group practices, sharing the responsibility of night and weekend work.

Quote:

D. Most patients would rather trust their physicians than their insurance companies to make decisions about their treatment.

Quote:

E. Since the insurance companies pay physicians a set amount for each office visit, it is to physicians financial advantage to see as many Patients as possible.

Notice the contradiction in this passage. On the one hand, most physicians believe the requirements of insurance companies now "prevent them from spending enough time with patients." Yet at the same time, the "average amount of time a patient spends with a physician during an office visit has actually increased somewhat over the last ten years."So although physicians feel they're spending too little time patients, ever since the requirements were implemented ten years ago, they've actually been spending more time with patients. The correct answer should help resolve this "apparent discrepancy."Let's now consider the answer choices:This concerns the time patients spendto see physicians, not the amount of time they spendphysicians. Since it doesn't affect the amount of time physicians actually spend with patients, we can discard (A).If physicians had a wider range of diagnosis and treatments options to consider today, they may need more time with patients than they did in the past. This could explain why physicians today feel they get too little time with patients DESPITE having more time than they did in the past. Let's hold on to (B).The fact that physicians are in group practices wouldn't affect the amount of time they'd spend with patients in any clear way. Discard (C).The question of trust has no direct relation to the length of physician office visits. Get rid of (D).This would give physicians a financial incentive to shorten their office visits with patients. It would not, however, explain why physicians today feel they get too little time with each patient DESPITE having more time than in the past. (E) is out.That leaves us with (B), the correct answer.I hope that helps!_________________
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

 "Morale is better with his officers and staff and he's put the department in a good place for the next chief."  Mayor Nancy Vaughan

 He is a phenomenal bridge-builder. He has truly been a servant leader in our community.  Franklin McCain of the United Way of Greater Greensboro

 He led the police department during one of the most challenging times in the city's history, including historically high levels of violent crime, really noted protests in 2020, as well as obviously the pandemic and so we wish him well in his retirement.  Councilman Justin Outling

 It's just a loss for our community."  Councilwoman Tammi Thurm

 I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Chief James on a professional level. He is a man of great integrity and much wisdom.  Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers

 I wish him much success, whatever his future endeavors are, and there will be a national search to find the next chief which is normally the process you go through whenever you are looking for replacement of new leadership. And I think that's where we have to be headed.  Councilwoman Sharon Hightower

 Everything he has brought has been solely for the betterment of Greensboro and public safety."  Councilwoman Marikay Abuzuaiter

 I just thought he was a great leader. I'm just sad that he's going to retire."  Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson
Global inspection specialist, Element Materials Technology (Element) has invested $1 million in a new laboratory in north western Saudi Arabia to provide civils and environmental testing for the Neom new city project.

The project will create a futuristic destination and community incorporating smart city technology and entirely fuelled by renewable energy.

Elements Neom laboratory will support the new technology and development of the planned location. Element will principally conduct civils testing, including soils, concrete and other construction materials, to support the major construction and infrastructure works taking place during the project.

It will also be the only laboratory within project boundaries to conduct environmental testing, including seawater and marine sediment; air quality; potable and wastewater analysis; stack, generator and heavy vehicle emissions monitoring; and environmental microbiology.

Proximity advantages

Elements proximity to the project limits both the transportation time and cost of sending samples, improving overall efficiency of the testing programme.

Matt Hopkinson, Executive Vice President at Element, said: Opening the new laboratory in Saudi Arabia is a significant investment in the region as part of our global built environment strategy. It will enable us to support the Neom project with greater efficiency for our customers and will also provide strategic geographical reach to the central and western regions of Saudi Arabia where we expect more projects to take place in future.

Adrian Pettitt, General Manager, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) at Element, said: We are proud to work on the Neom city project and the investment in the new laboratory is in response to the needs of our customers. Neom is the cornerstone of Saudi Arabias 2030 vision. Our new laboratory positioned at the heart of this prestigious development will present opportunities for Element to support Neoms team of Engineers, Consultants, and Contractors on upcoming exciting projects such as The Line and Oxagon.

Network of facilities

Element has a network of accredited environmental testing facilities located throughout the Middle East, the Americas, UK and Africa. Elements team of engaged experts help customers to meet their environmental obligations through a comprehensive range of laboratory and field-based environmental testing services.

They specialise in testing drinking water, groundwater, surface and waste water; testing soil, sediments, solid waste and drilling waste; ambient air quality testing; the management of hazardous materials (including asbestos); and stack emissions sampling.-- TradeArabia News Service
GREENSBORO  Masks are no longer required at Piedmont Triad International Airport after a recent court ruling, airport officials said today.

Transportation Security Administration is no longer enforcing the mask mandate for employees or anyone else inside the airport terminal or on airport-operated ground transportation. TSA altered its face-covering rules for public transportation and at public transportation hubs in response to Monday's federal court ruling, PTI said.

We are following the guidance of TSA, which has lifted its mask mandate, Kevin Baker, the airports executive director, said in a news release.

However, transportation providers, such as individual airlines, could impose face mask requirements. Therefore, anyone booking a flight out of PTI should check with the airline about its policies, PTI officials said.

The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority "urges patrons to respect the individual choices of their fellow travelers regarding face coverings."
At a time when the nation and state are celebrating epic investments in infrastructure, including water and sewer projects, roads, bridges and alternative energy projects, it was interesting to read Anne Hedges guest opinion of April 4. Ms. Hedges letter is quite dramatic regarding House Bill 599, which allows expedited permitting for rural sites for a material that is critical to accomplish all the above listed infrastructure needs. It is also critically important for the construction of new housing. Setting aside the importance of sand and gravel to societys needs, Ms. Hedges claims to know so much about opencut permitting and HB 599, but in fact this showed that she does not.

HB 599 merely places the specific area of concern raised by a particular operation before the scientists and individuals which are best suited to protect the environment  air and water quality.

As it specifically relates to the proposed Fire Pit 9 miles south of Libby, HB 599 did not change the process for Thompson to obtain an opencut permit. HB 599 also did not diminish the state of Montanas ability from making the operator mitigate impacts to the environment by complying with its myriad of environment laws and regulations. HB 599 did not affect how the Air Quality Bureau regulates its program, it did not change the laws pertaining to how the Water Quality Bureau regulates water quality or storm water runoff, and it did not change how DNRC handles water rights.

Ms. Hedges mentions protecting property rights  yet MEIC discounts the property rights of the property or mineral owner where the operation is to be located. Does MEIC believe residents and neighbors have more say over what goes on at the opencut property than the owner? They shouldnt. The property rights of the individual where the opencut operation exists or is proposed must be equally protected.

Many opencut permits are located on property owned by private citizens and not businesses. When approached, many landowners get extremely upset about neighbors and DEQ telling them what they can and cant do with their own property.

In her review of the permits currently issued, she fails to mention that there are 818 county opencut sites, and 639 of those have expired or no recorded reclamation date. These operations were never bonded, therefore, there can be no reclamation enforcement by the state. For example, Valley County has 58 sites and is only mining gravel in five. She also failed to mention that at least 85% of opencut sites in Montana are rural.

The Opencut Act was always intended to be a reclamation act, which in many situations puts that land back in a way that significantly benefits the neighboring property. As a reclamation act, the Department of Environmental Quality never had the ability to say no to mines in what some believe may be the wrong location, therefore the ability to say no is not something that can be restored, as Ms. Hedges claims.

No one cares about the environment, water quality, air quality, dust and being a good neighbor more than the Montana Contractors Association and its members. Gravel is the main component of everything that is built  roads, schools, churches and bridges. Operators pledge to continue working closely with government agencies at all levels to ensure the history of failures of mining in Montana never happen again.

David Smith is executive director of the Montana Contractors Association. The MCA is the leading voice for the highway and commercial construction industry, and a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America.

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With the highest FDI (foreign direct investment) per capita in the GCC and an FDI inward stock of 92%, Bahrain has heightened potential for diversification and economic growth.

The country recently unveiled a plan to balance its public budget by 2024. It aims to implement investment projects worth $30 billion and is targeting a 5% growth in the non-oil economy for 2022, prioritising six key sectors: oil and gas; tourism; logistics; financial services; telecom, IT, and digital economy; and manufacturing, notes Arthur D. Little (ADL), the leading management consultancy firm with the longest-standing presence in the Middle East region, in its latest report entitled Situating the Kingdom of Bahrain in a Future World: Opportunities for Foreign Investment.

Much like the wider GCC, the Kingdom of Bahrain has entered a paradigmatic yet opportunistic shift. The countrys national strategy is pivoting to become more sustainable and competitive by investing in future-defining oil-proof sectors, as the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the need for economic growth through the accelerated uptake of innovation and digital economy.

Competitive advantages

As a result, the kingdom has amplified plans for economic diversification through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), backed by several competitive advantages that make FDI attractive, the report said.

The report analyses the opportunities and challenges awaiting Bahrain in light of neighbouring economic activity and an increasingly tech-oriented global economy, providing insight on how Bahrain can ultimately become a fully enabled Smart country.

Despite being a smaller market in regional terms, Bahrains highly favorable investment environment is clear for all to see, explained Andreas Buelow, Partner, Arthur D. Little Middle East.

The country has the infrastructure and potential to attract robust FDI across various emerging sectors in the short, medium, and long-term, with projects holding high-success rates in areas such as renewable energy, health management, financial services, cloud computing, and technology incubation. Challenges always accompany opportunities, and disruption of varying degrees will continue casting uncertainty as national ambitions are pursued in the years ahead. However, Bahrain is favourably positioned to not only capitalise on FDI openings, but also create the same vibrant future that the kingdoms leadership and wider business community both envisage.

A positive national outlook

Already, Bahrain has embarked on an economic diversification campaign to establish the GCCs first post-oil economy. The kingdom boasts the highest FDI per capita in the region, as well as an FDI inward stock in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP)  the highest in the GCC. Therefore, the foundations are in place for heightened FDI attractiveness that dramatically boosts the current GDP of $30 billion.

The report sheds light on the specific competitive advantages through which Bahrain can realise this objective, including high government responsiveness, low cost of doing business, and full foreign ownership.

Moreover, the country houses a skilled local workforce and a series of global trade agreements, such as free trade agreements (FTAs) with 22 countries, foreign investment protection and promotion agreements (FIPAs) with 34 countries, and double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs) with over 40 international partners. Given this level of strategic positioning, there are numerous possibilities for Bahrain to consider and pursue in due course.

Joint renewable projects

For instance, the regional renewables investment outlook is particularly optimistic, and Bahrain could consider joint renewable energy projects with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by installing solar energy panels across the King Fahad Causeway the links the kingdom over water with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Another possibility concerns manufacturing by building on a national pillar of strategic importance such as the expansion of existing and well-developed industrial sectors, notably aluminium. Bahrain remains one of the worlds major aluminium smelters and the largest in the GCC.

As such, the country could increase its current advantage by exploring sub-sectors where aluminium end-use is attractive, including automobile parts, packaging, and renewable energy components. Furthermore, the kingdom could act as a technology incubator and testing center for nationwide 5G applications, developing 5G infrastructure and services across different sectors.

As for Financial Services also, it remains one of the strongholds of Bahrain whereby the country has recently managed to attract a global technology hub for Citibank for over 1,000 coders, demonstrating the attractiveness of the country in this area.

Challenges and next steps

Having examined the kingdoms entire FDI landscape, Arthur D. Littles newest report identifies specific challenges in anticipation and provides insights about the most prudent courses of action for overcoming obstacles and making full use of upcoming opportunities.

The countrys small domestic market and challenging fiscal position could be overcome by carving a niche in the global landscape for specialised economic activities, whilst continuing to act as a trusted regional economic partner and leverage in full the global potential of its local workforce.

As Bahrain prepares to move forward, driving innovation, establishing new partnerships with neighbouring countries, and utilising existing resources are viable, effective avenues for overcoming the most difficult challenges at hand, added Buelow.

Technology a key enabler

Technology will certainly be a key enabler of any positive eventualities and central to all future economic activities. Consistent implementation over the long haul will be key to success.

Situating the Kingdom of Bahrain in a Future World: Opportunities for Foreign Investment concludes by discussing the groundwork required for the kingdom to become a fully enabled Smart country.

The role of Fintech in crypto, insurance, and trade finance is further examined, with frequent legal environment finetuning, developer dividend monetisation, and physical and digital infrastructure upgrades among the essential next steps identified.-- TradeArabia News Service
I had the honor to serve in the Legislature for almost a decade, from 2003-2013, with one term off in the middle. During my time at the Capitol, I saw some tough political fights and some hard-fought compromises. The legislative process wasnt always perfect, but we did the best we could.

Today, our politics are more divided than ever. At this challenging time, we need to find more issues that can bring people together and help heal our fractured democracy. Since leaving the Legislature, Ive been serving on the board of directors of Montana Audubon, and I believe wildlife conservation can be one of those areas where we can find more common ground. Working with Audubon, Ive seen how conservation of Montanas wildlife can bring people from different walks of life together, with better outcomes for everybody. Ive seen birdwatchers and ranchers work together to protect working family ranches and sage grouse. Ive seen environmentalists and the energy industry find ways to mitigate and collaborate.

Of course, wildlife conservation can be plenty contentious. But instead of just arguing about wolf hunting or elk management or oil drilling, we can seek out areas of common ground here too. Everybody in Montana wants to protect the diversity of our states wildlife as our communities grow and we meet the needs of our economy. Everybody wants to keep our native fish and wildlife abundant and avoid more regulations and lawsuits. Working together, we should be able to make this happen.

Right now, Congress is considering a bill called the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act that would significantly improve wildlife conservation in Montana and across the nation. It hasnt been getting a lot of attention amidst all the other fights going on in Washington. But this bill has been slowly, surely moving through the legislative process, gaining support from every corner of the country and every end of the political spectrum. Right now, the bill has the support of more than 200 members of the House of Representatives and Senate, both Democrats and Republicans.

The Recovering Americas Wildlife Act would provide federal funding to state governments to conserve fish and wildlife at the local level. The bill is unique in that it focuses on preventing conflict over endangered species, supporting state management of wildlife and funding collaborating with private landowners instead of regulating them. Funds under the bill would be allocated to the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks to work together to conserve species and their habitats before disagreements turn into fights. Taking preventive action would also save taxpayers money down the road, because early intervention is always cheaper.

Congress could be voting on the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act within in the next few months. I hope that our Montana congressional delegation can realize the importance of coming to agreement on supporting such a bill.

Maybe if we found a little more common ground to agree on, it would make the tougher debates a little easier. Thats true when it comes to wildlife conservation, and it holds promise for restoring everybodys trust in government.

Dr. Don Roberts, D.M.D., M.S. (retired) and rancher, served in the Montana House (HD 56) from 2003-2007 and from 2009-2013. He is a board member of Montana Audubon.

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Where will wheat turn up next? Even though cash corn at some central Illinois elevators is $8 and May soybean futures on the Board of Trade closed just below $17 per bushel Tuesday, there is quite a bit of discussion about the potential profitability of wheat in the middle of the Corn Belt. And other unexpected places as well.

The prime driver of interest in wheat of course is the conflict in the Ukraine. Wheats importance to global food security cannot be overstated. It is needed for bread. Bread is on the plate of a majority meals eaten daily around the world. And a world without bread produced from wheat would starve millions, topple governments, and create pandemonium that may not be foreseen.

Russian and Ukrainian farmers produce 30% of the wheat traded around the world. There are concerns about how much that supply will drop this year. Ukraine may be kept from harvesting, and Russian exports are being banned by many countries. Those billions of bushels of wheat will evaporate from the supply going into flour mills.

Can the rest of the world make up the shortfall? No one is predicting that. The U.S. wheat belt in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and in portions of neighboring states are the central focus of the U.S. drought. Yields have been diminished.

And that is the same for Canadian wheat. Its central and western prairies are drought stricken as well.

China is the world's largest wheat producer, but does not export any.

Argentina is expected to increase its wheat production and increase its exports, but that is for the crop soon to be planted. Brazil will plant more wheat, but Brazil consumes more than it produces, and typically imports wheat.

With global wheat stocks dropping below sustainable levels, wheat prices have proportionately matched or exceeded corn and soybean prices. That makes Central Illinois farmers try to remember what Dad and Grandad did when they double cropped wheat and soybeans. Such interest has not been lost on the Illinois Wheat Association, whose executive director recently said his group was holding educational sessions on double cropping.

Wheat production in Central Illinois is profitable, but only if there is a follow-up soybean crop after wheat is harvested, says University of Illinois farm management specialist Gary Schnitkey. In a rare move away from his typical topics of corn and soybeans, Schnitkey calculated fertilizer costs when it comes to wheat production. On a per acre basis, corn was $286, soybeans were $111, and double crop wheat and soybeans were $75.

However, his projections for the financial returns to the land and the operator were quite impressive for a wheat and soybean double crop based on 2023 crop prices and production costs. For corn, that return was $243 per acre, but for double crop wheat and beans, it is $422 per acre.

David Brown, a longtime wheat producer in Macon County, frequently said an early summer wheat crop always represented good cash flow, at a slack time of the year for grain income. Will more corn and soybean farmers join him?

Stu Ellis is an observer of the Central Illinois agriculture scene.

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ARGENTA  Argenta-Oreana Elementary School has a new principal.

Jacquelynn Rose was approved by the school board at its April 11 meeting. She is a native of South Elgin and has recently moved to the Decatur area with her husband, David, and their 7-month-old son, Zachary.

I sought out the elementary principal role at Argenta-Oreana because my values align with the school district's mission and vision statements of promoting lifelong learning and academic excellence within our children, Rose said. I am excited to support Argenta-Oreana Elementary School in fostering a collaborative culture of positivity and leadership. I look forward to building partnerships within the (Argenta-Oreana) community, creating academic goals with our students, and developing open lines of communication with our families.

Rose spent the past two years as student assistance coordinator at Parkview Elementary and Sleepy Hollow Elementary schools in the Chicago area. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Aurora University. She has taught kindergarten and served as an after-school intervention teacher for first through fourth grades, and worked in elementary curriculum mapping and development.

I chose a career in education because I am passionate about creating a safe, comfortable learning environment for all children to learn and develop, Rose said. I thoroughly enjoy inspiring students and staff to become life-long learners. In elementary school, school staff work diligently to lay a solid foundation for academic learning and social emotional development.

Argenta-Oreana Superintendent Damian Jones said he anticipates Rose continuing to promote a positive environment.

"Mrs. Rose is an energetic and intelligent educator focused on improving student achievement while cultivating the development of a 'team approach' for the overall educational environment," Jones said. "She repeatedly discussed the importance of a positive school environment where all educators work together for the betterment of all."

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds developing this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 97F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 76F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
BRISTOL, Va.  A judge has established deadlines directing the city of Bristol, Virginia to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request from its sister city.

An attorney representing the city of Bristol, Tennessee filed a petition March 31 in Bristol Virginia Circuit Court, asking the court to intervene in its request for extensive public records related to the Bristol, Virginia landfill.

During an April 13 hearing on that petition, the court established deadlines of April 20 and a final deadline of May 25, according to Bristol Tennessee City Attorney Danielle Smith.

Late last year, Bristol, Tennessee retained the Richmond-based law firm Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders and has threatened legal action against the city of Bristol, Virginia if city officials there fail to take corrective action to resolve concerns and complaints regarding the landfill.

Attorney Andrea Wortzel, a partner in Troutman Pepper, filed the initial request for information Jan. 11. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the government entity is supposed to respond within five business days or, if access would take longer, take an additional seven days or provide information about when the records might be available and any associated fees.

Some documents were previously turned over, but the city hadnt fully responded.

The city will turn over any documents relating to the FOIA request by close of business on April 20, Bristol Virginia City Manager and City Attorney Randy Eads said Monday. Bristol, Tennessee agreed to narrow the scope of their email search, and we have 30 days to respond to the more defined scope of the FOIA request. May 25 is when all of that has to be turned in.

The initial request includes 13 broad categories of documents and information related to the city landfill, according to the March 31 petition.

Those include financial information about landfill closure and post-closure care; city budgets relating to capital projects, operations and maintenance of the landfill; City Council meeting minutes where the landfill was discussed; all email correspondence with state and federal environmental agencies and BVU Authority of actions taken at the landfill regarding violations and responses; all work and reports filed by city consultants Draper Aden Associates and SCS engineers or any other consultant or engineer related to the landfill; any records of a possible subsurface reaction at the landfill; records relating to benzene in the landfill leachate or emissions; records relating to fissures or chimneys in the landfill surface; information on staffing and management, including any internal email correspondence and records of pay and related documents of landfill employees involved in operation, maintenance or supervision of the landfill.

Eads blamed the delays on the volume of information requested.

When the city did the initial review of documents [requested], it was over 1.3 million documents and emails that would have to be reviewed prior to disclosure  all related to the landfill, Eads said.

According to the petition, Bristol, Virginia didnt initially respond and then, on Feb. 2, responded that the request was being worked on. On Feb. 18, the city responded that city staff was working diligently on collecting and copying documents in response to the request and estimated it would require three to four additional weeks to access all of the information,

Bristol, Virginia then failed to respond to subsequent inquiries, according to the petition.

In a related item, Bristol, Virginia has filed a motion to have Troutman Pepper disqualified from representing Bristol, Tennessee because a former iteration of that firm  Troutman Sanders  previously represented Bristol, Virginia on some of its bond debt, including all of the debt associated with the city landfill. The request has yet to be heard.

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North Korea is escalating the rhetoric in the run-up to two dates of huge importance in the confrontation of forces on the Korean Peninsula.

First, theres the 110th anniversary on April 15 of the birth of the dynasty founder Kim Il Sung, grandfather of the current incumbent on the throne, Kim Jong Un. Then, on May 10, the conservative Yoon Suk Yyeol takes charge as South Koreas eighth elected president under the countrys democracy constitution, promulgated in 1987 after tremendous protests against military rule.

Each of these impending events may help to explain the outburst of North Korean missile tests along with vituperative shrieks from the Norths propaganda machine. Some of the rhetoric is really quite frightening, as when Kim Jong Uns sister Yo Jong warns of the need to reconsider a lot of things pertaining to South Korea  and then brandishes the threat of nuclear war.

Its easy to dismiss such statements as bluff and bluster weve heard before, but tests of ever more impressive North Korean missiles may be too alarming to ignore. And, if Kim Jong Un orders a seventh nuclear test, perhaps we should all wake up to whats going on.

Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, has been holding forth on the dangers posed by North Korea for years.

By now it should be clear, he wrote in the Wall Street Journal, that Pyongyang fires off new weapons because their development is vital to its fundamental strategic goal of unifying the Korean Peninsula under Kim rule.

Thats a warning thats just as easy to ignore as another missile test. Sure, weve always known the dynastic ruler in Pyongyang would love to take over the South. Thats why Kim Il Sung started the Korean War in 1950. His son, Kim Jong Il, did not order a second Korean War but had the same fantasy of reunification. Toward that end, he ordered the Norths first two nuclear tests, setting the course for a program that proliferated under the third-generation ruler, Kim Jong Un, who ordered four more tests, most recently in September 2017.

Eberstadt derides the comforting views of analysts who love telling us The Kim regime is trying to get our attention, for example, or that it is shoring up its domestic legitimacy. Get real, he advises. Pyongyang fires off new weapons because their development is vital to its fundamental strategic goal of unifying the Korean Peninsula under Kim rule.

Having known Eberstadt for years, I may not agree with all that he says but find his views compelling. No, I dont think North Korea can do much if anything with these nukes without the approval of Kims Chinese master, that is, Chinas President Xi Jinping, and his North Korea handlers. Xi may want to extend Chinese power to all corners of Asia but is not yet ready for a military showdown with the United States.

Yes, I do think Kim would love finally to unify the Korean Peninsula under his own dynasty, destroying the forms of democracy that have taken root in South Korea over years of tumultuous protests, demonstrations and, yes, elections. He would in the process exact revenge for the failure of his grandfathers invasion of the South and the years of poverty since then.

The nightmare of Korean War II is not going to happen as long as Kim is unable to persuade useful idiots in the South and the United States to approve a Korean War peace treaty calling for withdrawal of U.S. troops and dissolution of the U.S.-ROK alliance. The election of the realistic conservative Yoon Suk Yeol as president should make this goal impossible for at least five years.

Thus Eberstadt is on target when he states, To achieve unconditional unification on its own terms, North Korea would first have to break the U.S.-South Korean military alliance. The way to achieve that goal, he writes, is through a nuclear showdown with America. As Eberstadt explains, The logic is simple: No weapons testing, no unification.

Thats why we have to be concerned as North Korea revs up the testing. Kim Jong Un must be acutely aware, however, of the holy hell that would engulf his regime if he dared use them for real. We may expect the balance of terror that has prevailed over the Korean Peninsula for decades to govern the dynamics of the North-South confrontation.

Thats no reason, though, to shrug off North Korean testing. As Eberstadt warns, If we dont try to stop North Korea from becoming a greater threat, we will enter a world in which Pyongyang can credibly threaten the American homeland with nuclear missiles.

Donald Kirk is the author of 10 books on Korea, Okinawa, the Philippines and the Vietnam War. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, has tied up with Terminus Group to strengthen its trade-related digital infrastructure projects in the UAE and its expansion into new markets.

For this ECI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Terminus Group, a leading international Artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) smart solution provider and an official premier partner of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

The agreement, signed by Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, and Lance Wang, Vice President of Terminus Group, aims to jointly understand existing challenges and needs; and to create bespoke credit insurance solutions in order to enhance the bankability of Terminus Groups digital infrastructure projects in the UAE and upcoming projects in the Mena region.

Mitigating potential risks

The government-backed trade credit insurance will safeguard the groups receivables and mitigate potential risks while trading in the UAE market or entering new competitive business settings.

Meanwhile, Terminus Group is exploring with UAE strategic partners to bring its world-class innovation and manufacturing capabilities to the UAE by setting up an innovation hub and factoring site.

ECI also aims at providing medium and long-term solutions such as buyer credit/project finance insurance and foreign investment insurance to guarantee Terminus Groups project development.

The cooperation is aligned with the UAEs Industry 4.0 strategy to transform UAE's industrial base into a globally competitive, productive, and sustainable sector at the cutting-edge of Industry 4.0 and to increase its in-country value (ICV), establish the UAE as a global hub for future industries, and build the reputation of UAE industrial products through the promotion of exports to global markets.

Digital transformation

Falcioni said: Etihad Credit Insurance supports projects that expedite digital transformation, as our strategy is rooted in continuous improvement and innovationwhich is evident in our first-of-its-kind AI-based Credit Rating Model, SME Protect, and our collaboration with leading technology players to ease trade and project financing procedures. By teaming up with world-leading digital technology brand Terminus Group, we are helping accelerate the UAEs non-oil trade through state-of-the-art digital solutions.

Following the signing, a Terminus Group spokesperson said: The significance of digital infrastructure to emerging economies cannot be overemphasised, and the future is going to bring many new opportunities that we cannot perhaps yet imagine because such is the progress technology achieves through AI, machine learning and other technological developments. Only those who can keep up with this pace can survive and succeed in the technology-driven business landscape.

At Expo 2020 Dubai, we have been able to showcase to the world our innovative technology  from the development of the iconic orange robot mascot, Opti, and the 152 automated service robots, all the way up to our proprietary AI CITY platform. Through this new agreement with the UAEs federal export credit company, we believe we can progress considerably in our vision to create a smart and interconnected world and improve many lives, with AIoT Technology.

China Everbright Group

In addition, ECIs insurance coverage can also be accessed by Terminus Groups mother company  China Everbright Group, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, which will be the entity to invest in the innovation hub and factory. China Everbright Group signed a strategic partnership during the Chinese Presidents visit to the UAE in 2018.

Terminus Group was named Expo 2020 Dubais Premier Partner in 2020 and entered into a long-term lease agreement at District 2020 in line with the innovation ecosystem that will evolve after the event. It has deployed more than 150 programmable robots  which includes Opti, one of the Expo 2020 mascots  to interact and engage with visitors during the six-month mega event.

Equipped with features such as multi-touch displays, 5G network capability, AI-driven object mapping and object detection, the robots have performed numerous tasks such as greeting visitors, performing in special displays, and assisting visitors, such as helping them with food and beverage delivery and hospitality services.-- TradeArabia News Service
Co-Founder and Executive Director of iSparkle2, Natasha Durham.

PERRY, Ga.  iSparkle2, a teen mentorship and leadership organization promoting teen mental health and suicide awareness, will be hosting the Color Me BRIGHT 5K Color Run/Walk from 9 a.m. until noon this Saturday, starting at the East Gate parking lot of the Georgia National Fairgrounds.



Co-Founder Natasha Durham said she and the iSparkle2 non-profit hope to make the event an annual occurrence to serve teenagers across the community. Over 300 girls are currently registered in their regular program.

"Ive seen a press release come out about the suicides going on within Houston County; I know for a fact both of my children have been personally affected, Durham said. "We feel like it was something that isnt really being talked about or being brought to light  and with that, the kids dont know that its okay to not be okay.

She referenced the COVID-19 pandemic as playing a major role in the evolution of societys mental health, both for adults and kids alike.

"I think COVID really shifted everybodys mental health, especially our children, she said. "And we were so busy trying to adjust and focus ourselves that we forgot about our kids, that theyre suffering, too, in a different way.

Some guests for the Saturday event include Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick, Perry Mayor Randall Walker and music from Tex James of Power 107.1 FM. Some teen survivors will be featured speakers, as well.

Registration for the event has closed at this point, and Durham mentioned 635 participants are registered to run or walk  while around 150 folks signed up to volunteer.

"Anyone 18 or under was allowed to register for free with their adult because of the type of [event] it was, she added.

She continued, saying she and the organization hope to feature the event annually and potentially offer a different pressing theme each year.

"Every year we want to bring awareness to a different [issue], so maybe next year it will be bullying, Durham said. "It will be an annual Color Run, and hopefully we want to get more of the cities and the counties involved.

At the event entrance, there will be tents set up for participants to learn through pamphlets, brochures, crisis cards and awareness of mental health options. A group of school counselors will be there, along with iSparkle2 partners and staff from Fort Valley State University to provide experienced personnel and credible knowledge to those that seek it.

Durham said she grew up in the inner city of Chicago, Illinois, and she was not provided the resources that she works to provide for young girls currently.

"We founded iSparkle2 at the beginning of the pandemic, and so we were kind of going back and forth, Durham said. "We wanted to start it, but I think that was the most perfect time to do it because they were suffering the most; so we did it.

Her organization teaches financial literacy, leadership and tutoring to teenage girls. Along with that, in Macon County, they teach after-school leadership classes, parent-student financial aid seminars, along with offering an alternative option to jail for youth in Macon.

"We provide one-on-one mentors for girls within the community, and then we provide mentors for the girls in the Department of Juvenile Justice  thats from the YDC [Youth Detention Center]  and those are two separate mentoring programs because they have two separate needs, she added. "And on top of that, we do a bi-weekly leadership program for our girls where we do confidence classes, self-esteem, we go on college tours and things of that nature.
The NEA Big Read Lakeshore, organized by Hope College, and the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination, a program of Western Theological Seminary, are collaborating to bring award-winning fiction author Leif Enger to Holland.

An Evening with Leif Enger will take place on Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall. The event will include a presentation by Enger and a question-and-answer opportunity, as well as hors doeuvres to enjoy.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

Leif Enger grew up in Osakis, Minnesota, and currently resides in Duluth, Minnesota, with his wife, Robin. He began his career as a reporter for Minnesota Public Radio before writing his bestselling debut novel Peace Like a River. The novel won the Booksense Award for Fiction and was also named as one of the Years Best Books by Time Magazine and the LA Times.

Engers second novel, So Brave, Young, and Handsome, was also a national bestseller. It won the High Plains Book Award for Fiction and was a Midwest Booksellers Honor Book. He recently published Virgil Wander, which has also received national recognition.

Im so excited that the Peterson Center and the NEA Big Read Lakeshore are partnering on this event, said Dr. Deb Van Duinen, director of Hope Colleges Big Read and associate professor of education at Hope. Leif Enger has been one of my favorite authors since I first read Peace Like a River in 2001. If our Lakeshore readers havent yet read his books, I highly encourage them to come to the event to learn more about Leif and add his books to their reading lists.

Hope Colleges NEA Big Read Lakeshore program began in 2014 with the goal to create and foster a culture where reading matters. By bringing the Lakeshore community together around a common book, Big Read Lakeshore uses the shared experience of reading, discussing and exploring the themes of the book as a springboard to listen to and learn from each other.

The NEA Big Read Lakeshore program is made possible in part by a grant from the NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Through nurturing circles of friendship, contemplative retreats, theological reflection, art-filled spaces, and public conversations, the Eugene Peterson Center of Western Theological Seminary hopes to bear witness to the God Eugene loved and pointed toward his entire life. The center also serves as caretaker of Petersons letters, journals and manuscripts, and aims to continue the conversation Eugene Peterson encouraged, pondering the questions that shaped his Christian imagination over a lifetime.

Audience members who need assistance to fully enjoy any event at Hope are encouraged to contact the colleges Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar

Graves Hall is located at 263 College Ave., between 10th and 12th streets.
North Korean hackers are believed to be behind a $757 million cryptocurrency heist. Image: Shutterstock

The US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has linked a $757 million cryptocurrency theft last month to North Korean hackers after more than 173,000 Ethereum was stolen from a blockchain tied to popular non-fungible token (NFT) game Axie Infinity.

On Friday, the FBI posted a short notice confirming that the known North Korean hacker group from advanced persistent threat 38 (APT 38)  also known as the Lazarus Group  was behind one of the largest single cryptocurrency thefts of all time.

In late March, Lazarus exploited the Ronin bridge moving 174,600 Ethereum and 25.5 million of the USDC stablecoin in two transactions that bled the service dry.

Bridges are used to move crypto tokens and other assets between blockchain networks.

Ronin is known as the bridge for players of Axie Infinity, an NFT game especially popular in the Philippines where people have been earning small incomes from gaming, to cash out from the native AXS token.

The attacker used hacked private keys in order to forge fake withdrawals, Ronin said in a blog post about the incident.

Sky Mavis, the Vietnamese company that runs Axie Infinity, runs its own blockchain on Ronin with nine validator nodes.

Validator systems are typically designed such that a fraudulent transaction recognised by one validator doesnt get stamped onto the blockchain unless it gets approved by at least a majority  in the case of Sky Maviss chain on the Ronin bridge, five out of nine validator nodes have to approve every deposit and withdrawal.

Lazarus gained access to five of those nine validator nodes and withdraw a massive amount of cryptocurrency without the network even noticing any malicious activity.

It was only when another user tried unsuccessfully to move five Ethereum ($20,000) from Ronin that developers finally cottoned onto the heist.

Sky Mavis CEO Nguyen Thanh Trung said he was upset and angry about the attack.

This is the money of many players and investors and could have a direct impact on their lives, he told a public forum last week, according to Vietnamese news site VnExpress.

Most of the stolen Ethereum (134,707  today worth around $560 million) is still sitting in the hackers wallet, as visible on Etherscan.

Lazarus will now be looking for ways to move its stolen cryptocurrency despite being blacklisted by major exchanges and closely monitored by law enforcement around the world.

This is not an unfamiliar process for the group which had stolen some $620 million worth of cryptocurrency in 2021, running it through decentralised exchanges and mixers in an attempt to launder the crypto and ramp back onto the global financial market.

There are concerns North Korea funds its nuclear and long-range missile programs through cybercrime activities using sophisticated hacking techniques.

Hackers from the rogue state were pioneers of ransomware, launching WannaCry attacks around the world, locking up systems and demanding payment in bitcoin.
Students may change their thesis topic many times before settling on a final one. Photo: Shutterstock

International postgraduate students could face deportation if they fail to obtain ministerial approval before changing their research topic, under new visa conditions that have academics railing against bumbling and incompetent government interference.

Due to come into effect on 1 July, the new regulations enable the application of new conditions 8204A and 8204B to Subclass 500 student visas.

The new rules require an application to the Home Affairs Minister  currently Karen Andrews  when student visa holders want to change their course of study or research topic, or to commence research if they are not already enrolled in a research degree.

That minister must be satisfied that there is not an unreasonable risk of an unwanted transfer of critical technology by the holder, the new conditions state  flagging concerns about technology or information transfers that would harm Australias security or defence, affect public health and safety, interfere with a criminal investigation, or harm Australias international relations.

The rules dont specify which critical technologies are of concern, but the governments recent Action Plan for Critical Technologies outlines 23 critical technologies in nine priority technology areas including 5G/6G and other advanced communications, AI, cybersecurity technologies, quantum technologies, autonomous vehicles and drones, and more.

Specific technologies include optical and radiofrequency communications, AI algorithms, natural language processing, protective cybersecurity technologies, post-quantum cryptography, quantum computing, and others.

The new measures update existing conditions in the Migration Regulations 1994, known as 8203 and 8204, that can already be imposed on student visas to force the minister to ensure that international students are not likely to be directly or indirectly a risk to Australian national security.

Those guidelines specifically apply to citizens of Iran, whose targeting by international sanctions has necessitated specific controls on the transfer of technology  as does a clause designed to ensure that foreign students are not associated with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The current student visa application form already requires applicants to detail their intended research and what they plan to do with it upon returning home, but many have taken the statement that new conditions apply in relation to any application for a visa made after commencement as a sign that the government will now be vetting all postgraduate research through completion.

Prudent caution or bone-headed blunder?

Concern about the new rules spread quickly, with current PhD candidates railing about government overreach amidst concerns that the regulations threaten the dynamic and iterative nature of postgraduate research.

The changes will undermine rather than enhance Australias security, tweeted Australian National University vice chancellor Brian Schmidt, a 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics who said that universities are completely capable of managing this risk, internally, and being held [to] account if we do not do it appropriately.

The idea that this level of micromanagement is needed is nuts, said another university researcher who has previously questioned the efficacy of ministerial oversight, calling the new visa rules a bumbling and incompetent attempt.

Professor Inger Mewburn, director of researcher development at ANU, suggested that the new regulations may be the Federal governments most bone-headed idea ever.

Noting that PhD students often change study topics as preliminary research expands their understanding of a field, Mewburn said the idea of getting ministerial approval every time an international PhD student changes their mind about [their] PhD thesis topic is stupid and completely unenforceable.

Its all part of an insidious government over-reach into the business of being an academic in this country, she added, with creepy racist overtones to boot. This government seems perpetually anxious about international students and about academics more generally.

Having recently ramped up its investment in key technology areas like quantum computing and AI, the government last November updated formal guidelines to prevent foreign interference in universities with practical steps designed to counter foreign interference and preserve the integrity of our nations world-class higher education system.

With international students set to return to many Australian jurisdictions soon, we need to ensure our University campuses embody the free, open, transparent debate that is so vital to an Australian education, and to our way of life, Andrews said when the measures were announced.

The guidelines will protect universities, students and researchers from hostile foreign actors and intelligence services, who have been known to target sensitive research, muzzle debate, and intimidate foreign students.

Such intimidation increased dramatically during the pandemic, ASIO director-general Mike Burgess warned in a February speech in which he said the last two years had seen thousands of Australians with access to sensitive information targeted by foreign spies using social media profiles. Its an easy way for foreign intelligence services to target employees of interest.
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Patching of vulnerabilities is the security industry's equivalent of thoughts and prayers, a prominent American security expert has said during a debate on the topic "Patching is useless" at a recent online conference named Hack At The Harbor.

Dave Aitel, 46, a former NSA computer scientist who ran his own security shop, Immunity, for many years, said the remedies proposed by security vendors and big technology companies had served to lull people into a false sense of security all these years and ensure that all the old problems still remained.

His reference was to the standard phrase offered by politicians whenever there is a mass shooting in the US and there are calls for action on guns. The status quo is maintained because of the influence that the arms industry has.

Aitel spoke for the motion while his opponent, Phillip Wylie, a well-known offensive security expert and a tech evangelist at CyCognito, argued that patching was not totally useless, but one of the many tools in a defender's armoury. Wylie's arguments were somewhat nuanced, while Aitel used clear, concise phrases, with the occasional touch of wicked humour.

Thewas organised byon 8 and 9 April. Aitel posted a YouTube clip of the debate on Twitter on 18 April.

The debate on Patching is useless. Phillip Wylie is at the top right, the moderator is on the top left, and AItel at the bottom.

Aitel pointed out that if there were vulnerable devices on a network, then they should be removed and substituted with others, rather than being continuously patched.

During his time with Immunity  which he sold to Cyxtera Technologies in 2019  Aitel said many of his customers had been big financial firms and he had advised that any contracts they signed with software vendors also contain a clause that would enable them to walk out of contracts if any software proved to be overly buggy.

He said this could be a way to prevent big companies from being forced to continue to use security solutions even though they were a constant source of grief.

Aitel likened patches to orange juice  a common part of breakfast in the US  pointing out that for many years people had believed that it was the most useful part of one's morning meal. In the end, it had been found to be a source of too much sugar and something that made people obese, he added.

He had harsh words for Microsoft and other big software vendors whom he said had done little to actually mitigate the problems posed by poor-quality software. He also criticised PHP for its numerous security problems.

Aitel was no less severe on Linux, noting that the biggest contributor to the kernel was the Chinese telecommunications vendor Huawei Technologies, which he claimed had been indicted by the US, and asking how one could rest content if so many patches were coming from a company of this kind.

On the positive side, he had praise for ChromeOS, an operating system that is produced by Google, and recommended the use of Chromebooks rather Windows machines.

Aitel called for vulnerability management, advocating the government as the best entity to handle this. His argument was that no other entity had sufficient power to push back against the lobby of the big software vendors and the security industry.

Surprisingly, the audience vote to determine the winner of the debate came down on Wylie's side, with 56% of those present supporting his stance.
'Okaw Gold' viewing, discussion set

SULLIVAN  "Okaw Gold: Moultrie County's Story from the Ice Age to 1976" will be presented at the next regular meeting of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7 p.m., on Thursday, April 21, at the Gold Building at Agri-Fab, 803 W. Raymond St., Sullivan.

"Okaw Gold" was a popular film strip about Moultrie County history created for use in county schools in 1976 by the Moultrie County US Bicentennial Commission. It has been digitized, revised, and shortened to about 40 minutes by Joe Pound and Janet Roney using many new photos and colorful artwork. Those attending will be invited to share stories and ideas for a second chapter of "Okaw Gold" covering the county's stories from the last fifty years. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, email tjshaw@mediacombb.net.

ERBA accepting training applications

CHARLESTON  Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc. is accepting applications for their Skills Training Employment Program to assist individuals with training for employment opportunities.

ERBA will be assisting income eligible individuals who want to obtain a CDL license or take part in a CNA program. Contact your local Illinois college for information on the course specifics.

This assistance is made possible through the Community Services Block Grant funding through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

ERBA serves Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland counties. For more information, contact your local county ERBA Outreach Office or call 800-252-1152. For the Charleston office, call 217-500-3120. For the Mattoon office, call 217-961-0831.

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Federal prosecutors will not bring any case against the former Chicago cop who killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, U.S. Attorney John Lauschs office announced Monday.

Jason Van Dyke has already been tried and convicted in Cook County court for McDonalds death, and federal law sets an extraordinarily high bar to prove civil-rights violations in such a case  more stringent than the state charges on which Mr. Van Dyke was convicted, according to a statement from Lauschs office.

Federal prosecutors would need to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Van Dyke willfully deprived Mr. McDonald of a constitutional right, the statement read. To do that, prosecutors would have to prove not only that Mr. Van Dyke acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids, but also that his actions were not the result of mistake, fear, negligence, or bad judgment.

The decision not to bring federal charges was made in consultation with McDonalds family, according to the statement.

Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery by a Cook County jury in 2018; he spent a little more than three years behind bars for McDonalds death before his release in February. The 2014 shooting, captured on police video, sent shock waves from neighborhood streets to the mayors office at City Hall when footage was released more than a year later.

Van Dyke withdrew his appeal of the Cook County conviction in fall 2020, so authorities decision not to charge on the federal level likely marks the end of his legal journey.

Van Dykes release from prison in February after less than four years in custody prompted calls for federal prosecutors to charge him with civil-rights violations, or at least provide some closure regarding the federal probe that was launched after McDonalds shooting.

The week of Van Dykes release, protesters including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and McDonalds grandmother, Tracie Hunter, crowded near Federal Plaza downtown in a demonstration calling for Van Dyke to face federal charges.

Several people who protested inside the courthouse were taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor civil contempt for violating the chief judges order governing demonstrations at Dirksen.

However, McDonalds great-uncle, the Rev. Marvin Hunter, said that while he believes Van Dykes sentence was legally improper, most of the family does not support the effort to bring Van Dyke up on new charges.

My hope is that Jason Van Dyke went to jail and was rehabilitated, he told the Tribune in an interview earlier this year. I hope he becomes a better man.  If he gets 1,000 more years its not going to bring Laquan back, so we would be better served as a country and as a people if he became better. Our family, were not victims, and were not going to live our life as victims. We want to be better and not bitter.

The president of the national chapter of the NAACP sent a letter in February to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland saying the lack of resolution in the federal case, coupled with Van Dykes pending release, was clearly alarming to the Black community.

We trust that you find the matters alarming as well and join with us in our call for closure of that federal grand jury investigation, wrote NAACP President Derrick Johnson in a February letter. He also asked for Garlands commitment in moving forward with appropriate and applicable federal charges based on the evidence.

Hours later, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth penned a letter of their own noting that the state conviction does not preclude the filing of federal charges, citing the recent cases against ex- Minneapolis officer Chauvin, who was charged in both jurisdictions with the May 2020 murder of George Floyd.

We urge the Justice Department to carefully and expeditiously complete its investigation, the senators letter concluded.

Some of the calls for Van Dyke to be charged again came in reaction to his release after a relatively lenient sentence. Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan gave him 81 months in prison, but inmates earn day-for-day credit for good behavior on many felony convictions, including second-degree murder, meaning Van Dyke only had to serve about half his sentence.

Gaughan chose to sentence Van Dyke on the second-degree murder conviction  not the aggravated battery counts  meaning Van Dyke faced a lower sentencing range.

An effort by Special Prosecutor Joseph McMahon and Attorney General Kwame Raoul to have the states highest court reconsider the sentence was ultimately unsuccessful.

The states highest court declined to hear the petition by a 4-2 vote. The two dissenting judges both noted that Gaughan made his ruling relying on a dissenting opinion that stated the exact opposite of the majority, and the majority opinion is the law of the land.

McDonalds killing, like many prior shootings by Chicago police, barely made news when it happened. But when gruesome dashcam video of the shooting was ordered released more than a year later, it sparked a firestorm of protests, prompted the firing of police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, and allegations of a City Hall cover-up by Mayor Rahm Emanuels administration.

Van Dyke became the first Chicago police officer to be charged with murder for an on-duty shooting in half a century, and the fallout continued. A team of special prosecutors led by then-Kane County States Attorney Joseph McMahon was appointed to handle the Van Dyke case; then-States Attorney Anita Alvarez lost her primary bid to Kim Foxx, who ran on a platform heavily criticizing Alvarezs handling of the McDonald shooting.

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Significant boosts in incentive pay for the top two executives for Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. contributed to higher total compensation for fiscal 2021.

The company reported in a regulatory filing Monday that chief executive Greg Gantts total compensation climbed by 32.4% to $10.58 million.

Meanwhile, executive chairman David Congdons total compensation went up 5.2% to $8.59 million.

Gant received a 40.1% jump in incentive pay to $7.74 million, while Congdon received a 15.6% increase to $6.39 million.

As has been case for several fiscal years, the incentive pay greatly exceeded the base salary for both executives.

Gantts base salary rose by 1.1% to $774,023, while Congdons base salary dropped by 16.2% to $641,284.

Gantts stock awards were valued at $1.97 million on the date they were awarded, along with $1.38 million for Congdon.

Congdon received $148,610 in all other compensation and Gantt $37,213.

Congdon received the estimate value of $99,229 for personal use of corporate aircraft as the biggest chunk of all other compensation, as well as $18,795 in company-paid life-insurance premiums, a $16,040 company contribution to his 401(k) plan, an $8,291 corporate automobile benefit, and $6,255 in vested restricted stock dividends.

Gantt, meanwhile, received $16,353 company contribution to his 401(k) plan, a $10,993 corporate automobile benefit, $6,057 in vested restricted stock dividends and $3,810 in company-paid life-insurance premiums.

Old Dominion reported a pay ratio of $105-to-$1 between Gantt and the median employee with earnings of $75,820.

The Thomasville company, a top-10 U.S. carrier, finished fiscal 2021 with a record $1.03 billion in net income, up 53.8% from $676.7 million in fiscal 2020.

As of Feb. 2, Old Dominion had 1,318 employees at its Thomasville headquarters, 668 at its Greensboro service center and 107 at the Kernersville service center that became operational Dec. 13.

Kevin Freeman, chief operating officer, had a 1.1% increase in base salary to $583,168, a 50.7% increase in incentive pay to $4.16 million, and total compensation of $6.27 million, up 36.7%.

Adam Satterfield, chief financial officer and assistant secretary, had a 1.1% increase in base salary to $493,042, an 71.3% climb in incentive pay to $3.47 million, and total compensation of $5.26 million, up 47.1%.

Gregory Plemmons, senior vice president for sales, was listed for the first time in 2021 as a top-five executive. He was paid $478,432 in base salary, just under $2.5 million in incentive pay and $3.82 million in total compensation.

The company will hold its shareholder meeting at 10 a.m. May 18 at its headquarters, 500 Old Dominion Way, Thomasville. There are no shareholder proposals on the agenda.

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UAE Trade Connect (UTC) has announced that Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has joined its consortium of leading UAE banks utilising its blockchain platform to help de-risk trade finance.

UTC is the fintech blockchain platform of e& enterprise, from e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group) and is the first commercialised blockchain platform to come out of the UAE.

UTCs multi-award-winning platform aspires to be the national trade finance platform and is already enhancing its capabilities to provide in-depth information about suspicious elements of invoices presented for financing.

Important milestone

The signing ceremony was held at the offices of e& enterprise in Dubai and was attended by senior management from both organisations. ADCB, which is among the largest banks in the UAE, becomes the ninth official member bank on the day that UTC celebrates its first anniversary.

Commenting on the ADCB partnership and the consortiums first anniversary, Zulqarnain Javaid, Chief Executive Officer of UTC, said: Today is an important milestone that demonstrates how far UTC has come in our vision to co-create the UAEs first commercialised blockchain platform and move towards a fully digitised trade finance ecosystem. We are indeed very excited to have ADCB join our consortium as we work closely to promote financial stability within the countrys financial system. As more banks join us, we are confident of strengthening our coverage in combating fraud even further as we will be catering to the majority of the trade finance market share.

The commitment of our incumbent member banks to reduce the risk of dubious transactions is evident as they have presented AED28 billion ($7.62 billion) in invoice value through our system during the past 12 months, he added.

Leveraging technology

ADCB has always leveraged technology and innovation as a means of empowering our clients and supporting our delivery of excellent service. As one of the first banks in the UAE to initiate and lead the digitisation of trade finance in the country, we continue to seek out valuable partnerships as we work towards achieving strategic national initiatives.

We remain focused on providing our valued clients with comprehensive working capital solutions in a transparent and efficient manner. This partnership will see us working closely with UTC and its member banks to create a digitalised trade finance ecosystem in the UAE," said ADCB.

With the advent of the Invoice Factoring law recently published by the Federal Government of the UAE, the UTC blockchain platform will be a key enabler for banks to increase lending to SMEs and allow corporates to borrow against their trade receivables. All consortium member banks play an equal and active role in the steering and governance of the UTC platform.

In the past year, UTC has been the recipient of several awards, including Fintech Startup of the Year, Blockchain Solution of the Year, Outstanding Innovation in Trade Finance, and Best Blockchain Initiative. All consortium member banks play an equal and active role in the steering and governance of the UTC platform.-- TradeArabia News Service
If you enjoy a nice, cold beer after a long day, you might actually be practicing self-care  if you pick a strong, Belgian one, that is. Those beers have "very healthy" gut-friendly bacteria, a scientist said.

Professor Eric Claassen of Amsterdam University specializes in gut health. He explained that strong Belgian beers like Hoegaarden, Westalle Tripel and others are rich in probiotic microbes  bacteria and yeast credited with health benefits ranging from combating obesity to getting a better night's sleep.

The difference between these "healthy" beers and most commercial beers is they are fermented twice instead of just once.

"The second fermentation increases the strength of the beer and creates a sharper, drier taste," the Telegraph reported.

The second fermentation "also uses a different strain of yeast found in traditional pints. This strain of yeast produces acids that kill harmful bacteria in the gut that can make us ill," the Independent reported.

The bacteria in this beer is the same as that found in yogurt and kimchi.

"You are getting a stronger beer that is very, very healthy," Claassen told attendees of an event held by probiotic drink maker Yakult.

Don't think this research means it's OK to drink a lot, however.

"We don't want to give people a license to drink more beer," Claassen said. "Those of us who advocate good health know it's very difficult for people to stop at one. In high concentrations alcohol is bad for the gut, but if you drink just one of these beers every day it would be very good for you."

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel might disagree. They conducted a study in September 2018, published in the Cell journal, to determine the effectiveness of probiotics, which are live bacteria meant to boost the immune system, prevent disease and repair the adverse effects of antibiotics by colonizing the good bacteria along the digestive tract.

The scientists learned that the probiotics' gut colonization prevented both the host gut's gene expression and their microbiome from returning to their normal pre-antibiotic configurations months later.

"Contrary to the current dogma that probiotics are harmless and benefit everyone, these results reveal a new and potentially alarming adverse side effect of probiotic use with antibiotics that might even bring long-term consequences," senior author Eran Elinav said.

The researchers concluded that "probiotics should not be universally given as a 'one-size-fits-all' supplement. Instead, they could be tailored to the needs of each individual."
Stephen Shipps deserves every bit of punishment coming to him and more.

Shipps is a former violin teacher who admitted last year to sexually abusing one of his violin students when he taught at the University of Michigan in 2002, as the Journal reported last week. Federal authorities arrested Shipps in 2020 after the student told investigators that Shipps had twice taken her to New York and sexually abused her in 2002, when she was just 16 years old.

Initially charged with two federal counts of trafficking a minor for sex, he pleaded guilty last year to one charge. Hell spend the next five years behind bars, a federal judge decided last week, and three years under probation.

Shipps got off easy  partly because the crime took place before federal mandatory minimums were implemented for child sex trafficking convictions. Under current law, the Journal reported, he would have faced 10 years to life behind bars.

Considering the harm he caused, a harsher sentence would have been more just. And more satisfying to those who are rightly outraged by such predatory behavior.

Shipps is also alleged to have molested four women who studied violin with him at the UNC School of the Arts when they were teens, the Journal reported. He taught at the prestigious school in the 1980s.

His lingering shadow is just one of several facing UNCSA. Theres also a pending civil case in which 56 plaintiffs have accused its leadership of sacrificing students safety to keep its reputation intact.

To its credit, the schools current leadership seems to be doing its best to confront the allegations head on and make amends. We know its no easy task  especially for an organization in which the community otherwise takes so much pride.

Child sex trafficking, sexual predation and adjacent evil acts use power and authority to manipulate youth for perverse pleasure. They can involve coercion, deceit and/or force. Theyre often inflicted by trusted family, political, educational or religious figures who use their relationships to twist and distort their victims real world into an evil mirror universe of torture and shame. The detrimental effects can last for life.

And some goes beyond personal perversion into the realm of organized crime: forced labor and child prostitution.

Fortunately, many trustworthy organizations are fighting the scourge, along with federal and state authorities. They include Polaris, which runs the national human trafficking hotline, and the century-old charity Save the Children (as opposed to the conspiratorial Save Our Children  well get to that).

Unfortunately, some efforts threaten to do more harm than good. They include outspoken acts performed by the adherents of the nonsensical QAnon conspiracy theory, who claim with no evidence that a cabal of Hollywood celebrities and D.C. political figures secretly exploit children for sex  and for their blood. They follow the mysterious Q despite the repeated failures of Qs announcements and prophecies.

We know. It sounds crazy. It is crazy.

The real, established, transparent organizations that fight child sex trafficking have warned that these QAnoners dilute their message and damage their attempts to stop child sex trafficking, including by siphoning resources  donations, potential volunteers, etc.

In 2020, dozens of anti-trafficking groups signed an open letter to Congress declaring that supporting QAnon conspiracies related to human trafficking actively harms the fight against human trafficking.

QAnoners  who march under the banner Save Our Children  sometimes wind up violently threatening those who are working the hardest to stop child sex trafficking. Some have quit as a result.

Their intentions may be pure, but they create more problems than they solve.

The same is true of the recent Republican affection for the loaded word groomer  generally understood to be a sexual predator who builds a relationship with a potential victim. Republican activists have been using it promiscuously, instead, to describe parents, teachers and other educators who are following and promoting the most sound medical advice to keep LGBTQ children healthy and free from the temptations of self-harm and suicide. By conflating the term with caregivers, activists dilute its meaning and provide cover for true offenders.

Some things should be beyond political strategy  and if anything should be, certainly our children should be.

There are plenty of real demons in the world who prey on vulnerable children without inventing more for political gain. Strategists who employ such cynical and deceitful strategies need to reconsider before their slurs result in violence and death.

The rest of us need to soundly reject their hateful appeals.
The only Burrito Express outside the Phoenix area is currently closed, but the chain says it is working on a plan to get it open again.

The Lincoln Burrito Express, which opened last summer at 831 N. 48th St., closed earlier this month.

The small Mexican food chain, which has six locations in metro Phoenix, said in April 2021 that it chose Lincoln because the owner has good friends here who are in the restaurant business and thought a store would work well here.

That arrangement appears not to have worked out, however, but the company is looking for a new partner.

"We are working on it. Our partners couldnt get it done," the company said in response to a query on Twitter. "We are looking for another partner as we speak. Small investment for a huge opportunity! Stay tuned."

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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A vacant restaurant site in central Lincoln will become the city's sixth Dunkin' location.

Bryce Bares, who is the franchisee for all the Dunkin' locations in Lincoln, confirmed that he plans to build one at the site of the former Village Inn at 29th and O streets.

Bares said he will be building a small strip mall on the site with Dunkin' as one of the tenants. He did not provide any other details and said he does not yet have a timeline for construction.

The location was the site of the city's first Village Inn restaurant, which opened in 1969. It operated until early 2018, when the chain closed it, and the building has been vacant ever since.

Bares' company bought it in December for $600,000.

Bares opened Lincoln's first Dunkin' in 2014 at 27th Street and Old Cheney Road. He also opened locations at 84th Street and Old Cheney Road and 84th and O streets in 2015, in Love Library on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus in 2016, and last year at the library on UNL's East Campus.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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On the outside, the Best Western Felix might look like any other chain hotel in Warsaw.

But inside its doors, 165 Ukrainian refugees are escaping the trenches of war thanks to Lincoln's Steve Glenn and his company Executive Travels recent project  Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine. After raising enough money to house each family for the next couple months, Glenn hopes to book even more rooms for families stuck sleeping in train stations and shelters.

The project has been successful so far, Glenn said, because of the community's generosity. Glenn said he was thankful to his Nebraska friends for surpassing their fundraising goal in less than three weeks.

The hotel residents have been grateful, too, albeit a little overwhelmed. The things theyve witnessed have left them traumatized, and some dont even want to leave their rooms.

Despite the bitter circumstances, Glenn and his volunteers are still able to connect with the refugees. An ice cream birthday party held at the hotel for one of the children was the first time Glenn saw some of the kids smile.

Two weeks ago, they were shell-shocked, Glenn said. The children would not look at you.

Glenns volunteers have been hard at work finding permanent placements for the refugees. Every day, Glenn said, one or two families are able to immigrate to other places in Europe, Canada or the U.S. About half of them intend to return to Ukraine after the war is over.

The group finds new families to fill the empty rooms thanks to its local partners, who help scout people arriving at the border or sleeping at a conference center. Glenn wanted to prioritize mothers whose husbands are away, because they have little resources, he said.

Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine has raised $200,000 since the campaign launched March 25, but is hoping to raise $160,000 more in order to secure more rooms.

However, finding rooms in Warsaw has been difficult. The city has been packed since Ukrainians began fleeing after the Russian invasion.

Another volunteer, Glenns employee Brian Wallingford, recently returned from Warsaw after helping the hotels residents get clothes, food and medicine.

Wallingford, Glenn and other volunteers have been posting daily updates on the projects website, www.operationsafeharborukraine.com.

In one of Wallingfords posts, he shares photos of a smiling but weary family. In other, the team poses with the mayor of Warsaw.

Glenn said he wanted to include regular updates to highlight their efforts for donors.

The key to this is sharing the story so (donors) understand they can have an impact, Glenn said. This isn't throwing money at the wall. These are real families.

Though campaign organizers have plenty of work to do, the group has made strides in improving conditions for Ukrainian families waiting to find permanent placement. Glenn hopes that soon, theyll all find permanent, happy homes again  whether thats in the U.S. or elsewhere.

For now, theyre finding a little bit of solace at the Best Western Felix.

The beauty of Operation Safe Harbor is were able to give them stability, Glenn said. This is their home away from home.

Reach the writer at jthompson@journalstar.com

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The Nebraska Supreme Court described a Lincoln judge's on-the-record comments as "ill-advised" Friday but upheld her decision to deny a man's request to set aside a three-decades-old misdemeanor conviction.

Mark Brunsen, of Lincoln, served four months in jail for theft by receiving a stolen item for being caught with others in a stolen car in 1988.

In 2020, with the help of a pro bono program at the University of Nebraska College of Law, he sought to have the conviction set aside so he could get a transportation worker card from TSA and Homeland Security, which would allow him to take shipping containers in and out of railyards, and a HazMat safety permit so he could haul for local co-ops, according to the opinion.

At a hearing last year, Brunsen, a truck driver, said he wanted "to continue on the successful path that I've gotten on now and be judged on my character and my merits instead of my past criminal history and offenses."

Justice John Freudenberg said Brunsens criminal history showed numerous prior convictions, beginning when he was a teenager, that generally involved nonviolent misdemeanor crimes of dishonesty and continued until he approached his 40s.

Several had been set aside in 2020. And the state supported setting aside the 1988 conviction, too.

But Lancaster County District Judge Lori Maret expressed concerns that if she granted the set aside his record would be "wiped clean" so that employers checking his record no longer would see the crime.

Then, she hypothesized about bad publicity she would face if Brunsen "goes out and does something really stupid," alluding to the Oklahoma City bombing.

"Is this really, you know, a good person to take a risk on?" the judge said.

The state clarified that Brunsen's record still would reflect the convictions.

Attorney Ryan Sullivan, of UNL's Civil Clinical Law Program, said of the 200 clients he had worked with through the "Clean Slate Program," Brunsen was one of the best candidates. And it had been 32 years since the crime.

Maret questioned whether it was a good use of tax dollars.

In an order later, she overruled the motion, and Brunsen appealed.

Freudenberg said Brunsen's attorney argued that the district court impermissibly relied on a "fear of personal backlash from the press" and a biased belief that the "Clean Slate Program was a misuse of taxpayer money" and had made an unwarranted comparison of Brunsen to a violent mass murderer.

The justice said while some of the judges commentary was "ill-advised," it was made in the context of Brunsen's lengthy criminal record. The courts obligation "was to independently consider the petition before it, and the record shows it did so," he said.

As for Maret's discussion of the Oklahoma City bombing, Freudenberg said: "While we discourage such colorful hypothesizing, the court was making the point that it felt a serious and independent responsibility to evaluate whether granting Brunsens set aside of his conviction was consistent with the public welfare, which was in doubt due to an extensive criminal history."

And the court upheld the decision.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has acquired a top ten ranking on the Best Workplaces List of 2022  Small & Medium Organisations by Great Place to Work, a global authority.



RAKTDA is the Small & Medium categorys highest placed government entity at number six.



The latest in a series of accolades, the Authority was also named one of the Best Workplaces for Women and a Great Place to Work in 2021, the first and only organization in Ras Al Khaimah to be awarded this certification. It was also recognized as the Government Entity with the Happiest Work Environment in the Emirate and Happiest Employees in Ras Al Khaimah by the Sheikh Saqr Program for Government Excellence (SSPGE).



Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: This amazing recognition for our tourism board didnt happen overnight or come following a one-off initiative. It was a sustained approach that began two years ago and touched almost every part of our employees lives in very meaningful ways.



The pandemic took a huge toll not only on the industry but on everyone working in tourism and hospitality, and I believe our dedication to ensuring employee well-being, not only for our own colleagues but across the sector as a whole, has resulted in our successful recovery as a destination.



As part of its ongoing employee driven efforts to create a work environment that places employee health and wellbeing at the core of its operations, the Authority has recently announced a platform of initiatives aimed at enriching connectivity, community life and facilities for tourism sector employees in the Emirate.



Working closely with government entities, industry stakeholders and hospitality partners, the Authority has set out a roadmap for the Emirate to drive its attractiveness for people to live, work and be immersed into a larger community.



These initiatives include expanded public and inter-city transport across the Emirate, a thorough review of employment regulations and policies, community engagement programmes, employee recognition schemes, a RAK FAM community card, providing travel and tourism employees with special discounts across retail, leisure and activities in the Emirate, and certification for travel and hospitality partners.



These initiatives build on the progressive policies put in place by the Authority, such as its Lifestyle Benefits programme which ensures employees are provided for equally, regardless of age, gender, parental or marital status. It was also one of the first government entities in the Emirate to introduce an Official Remote Working policy and extensive hardship assistance programme.



Additionally, its robust Emiratization programme provides Emirati nationals with leadership training and development opportunities for placement within the Authority or in leading industries throughout Ras Al Khaimah.



Sara Boueri, Senior Director of Human Resources at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, added: At the Authority, we embrace our role in creating a progressive and welcoming working environment for everyone in the industry and are delighted that are efforts have been recognized once again.



Our goal is to make Ras Al Khaimah one of the best places to live, work and raise a family, driven by a happy and strong community, diversified economy and a sustainable environment. As such we are continuously working on innovative ways to boost the mental wellbeing and liveability of our Emirate. - TradeArabia News Service
Two people were arrested Thursday after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 turned into a foot pursuit and two-hour search that led deputies to hundreds of ecstasy pills, according to the Seward County Sheriff's Office.

The ordeal began at about 11 p.m. Thursday when deputies attempted to stop a Chevrolet Cruz on suspicion of multiple traffic violations in the westbound lanes of I-80, near mile marker 388, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Upon stopping, both occupants fled the vehicle, the sheriff's office said.

The vehicle's passenger, 23-year-old Destiny Burnett of North Carolina, returned to the scene a short time later and turned herself in to deputies, according to the news release.

But deputies didn't find the car's driver, 33-year-old Steven Townsend of South Carolina, for another two hours. The Nebraska State Patrol deployed its helicopter to assist in the search effort, according to an agency spokesman.

Townsend ultimately crawled out of a culvert from underneath the interstate and surrendered to troopers without further incident. He was evaluated at a Seward hospital after he'd spent an extended period of time partially submerged in cold water, according to the news release.

Burnett and Townsend were arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a schedule 1 drug and obstructing a police officer after a search of the Chevy turned up "hundreds of ecstasy pills," the sheriff's office said.

They were taken to the Seward County Jail.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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SCOTTSBLUFF  A candidate for the Nebraska State Board of Education is responding to allegations of sexual assault made against her son, a student at Chadron State College.

Elizabeth Tegtmeier issued a news release Friday after The Eagle, Chadron States student newspaper, posted a story on Caleb Tegtmeier to its website.

Caleb Tegtmeier, who had served as a vice president of finance on the campus activities board until resigning in March, is the subject of two protection orders filed in Dawes County Court. The women seeking the protection orders allege sexual improprieties by Tegtmeier, who was also named a student trustee representing Chadron State on the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees. He has attended Chadron State since 2019.

Elizabeth Tegtmeier is a candidate for the District 7 seat on the state Board of Education, challenging incumbent Robin Stevens of Gothenburg.

I am aware of allegations of impropriety that have been asserted against my adult son, Elizabeth Tegtmeier said. As noted in the media coverage of this issue, there are two civil matters currently pending before the judge in Dawes County, as well as a Title IX complaint pending at Chadron State College arising from the same allegations. To date, the court has yet to issue any factual findings.

Ultimately, we are confident the truth will prevail. In the meantime, we consider this a private family matter and request that our familys privacy be respected. My commitment to serving Nebraskas schools, students and teachers on the Nebraska State Board of Education has not wavered and remains strong.

Elizabeth Tegtmeier, of North Platte, launched her campaign in response to the state Board of Educations consideration of health standards. The proposed health standards became a divisive issue for the state board, with Gov. Pete Ricketts among conservative leaders criticizing topics in the standards involving sexual orientation, gender identity and sex education.

Among the issues Elizabeth Tegtmeier cites on her website as part of her campaign is protecting children from sexually inappropriate and racially divisive material. She also says she offers True Western Nebraska Representation.

District 7 extends from the Nebraska Panhandle to as far east as O'Neill in northern Nebraska and Alma in the southern part of the state.

Chadron Police Chief Rick Hickstein confirmed to the Scottsbluff Star-Herald that an investigation is underway involving the allegations against Caleb Tegtmeier. No charges have been filed, according to a search of online court records.

Two women filed for protection orders against Caleb Tegtmeier in February.

Jodi Yorges, director of strategic initiatives and communications for the Nebraska State College System, said Chadron State could not comment on specific matters relating to individual conduct or Title IX complaints involving students for privacy reasons, but added that neither the System Office nor the College received notice of a hearing in Dawes County District Court on Friday, April 8, 2022, and to date, have not received a copy of any protective orders."

Yorges stressed that law enforcement court proceedings are separate from any Title IX investigation conducted by the college.

She referred questions about Tegtmeier's status as a student trustee to Ricketts office, which did not immediately respond. Tegtmeier's appointment is to begin May 1.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  A Kentucky jury has awarded a man $450,000 who sued his employer after he asked them not to celebrate his birthday at work  and they did it anyway.

Kevin Berling told his manager at Gravity Diagnostics in Covington in 2019 that a birthday celebration would cause him immense stress.

But the company didn't heed his request, and Berling suffered a panic attack, the Courier Journal reported. The next day Berling had another panic attack when his supervisor chastised him for "stealing his co-workers'" joy and "being a little girl," according to a lawsuit. Berling was fired after the second attack.

Berling alleged in his lawsuit the company discriminated against him based on a disability and retaliated against him for demanding a reasonable accommodation to it.

The jury returned the verdict after a two-day trial in Kenton County that ended in late March. The jury awarded him $300,000 for emotional distress and $150,000 in lost wages.

An attorney for the company, Katherine Kennedy, said it continues to deny liability and is pursuing its post-trial options.

Julie Brazil, the company's founder and chief operating officer, said in an email statement to the newspaper that "with ever-increasing incidents of workplace violence, this verdict sets a very dangerous precedent for employers and most importantly employees that unless physical violence actually occurs, workplace violence is acceptable."

Brazil said that her employees, rather than the plaintiff, were the victims in the case.

Berling's attorney, Tony Bucher, said once the jury got to meet his client, they realized the company's claim that he posed a threat was far-fetched.

Berling had told his supervisor that a birthday celebration would bring back bad childhood memories surrounding his parents' divorce. The supervisor forgot to pass along his request, the company said.

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Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday celebrated legislative enactment of proposed water infrastructure projects designed to secure Nebraska's contractual rights to a continuing supply of South Platte River water flowing into the state from Colorado and launching proposed development of a 4,000-acre lake between Lincoln and Omaha.

With the governor's signature ceremoniously applied to bills approved by the Legislature, the state set sail on a $700 million commitment to protect future water supply and develop water projects in the state.

"Water is our most important natural resource after our people," Ricketts said.

The South Platte River and reservoir system proposed in LB1015 will allow Nebraska to claim water rights already contained in a century-old compact between Colorado and Nebraska, the governor said. Its cost was estimated at $500 million.

The other water projects are contained in LB1023, the Jobs and Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), which grew out of a study by the Legislature's Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability (STARWARS) Committee chaired by Speaker Mike Hilgers of Lincoln.

During a news conference at which Ricketts signed both bills, Hilgers said it may be two or three years before the proposed new lake could begin to be built.

The project must first be submitted to hydrology studies to assure that it would not interfere with the future water supply of Lincoln and Omaha, required environmental studies and the need to determine whether it would attract sufficient private investment to assure accompanying development, Hilgers said.

The lake is potentially viewed as a billion-dollar development.

Ricketts estimated that work on the proposed South Platte River canal would take eight to 10 years to complete.

But Nebraska must act now, he said, to claim its rights under the 1923 compact before the South Platte water is locked up forever by rapid development in Colorado's Front Range.

"The Front Range demand for water is insatiable," warned Tom Riley, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

Construction of the proposed canal and reservoir system would "give Nebraska certainty that the water will be there in the future," he said.

Colorado has indicated that it will "be very aggressive" about protecting its South Platte River water supply, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said.

"We will build this canal," Ricketts vowed. "It's the only way we can exercise our water rights."

Development in Colorado is on course to take 90% of the South Platte water, the governor said.

A spokesman for Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called the project a bad-faith attempt to undermine a century-long and successful compact between Colorado and Nebraska and a costly boondoggle for Nebraska taxpayers.

The 1923 compact's guarantees of water from the river during non-irrigation seasons is critical to protect Nebraska's drinking water, power supply, continuing irrigation needs and natural environment, Ricketts said.

The proposed lake between Lincoln and Omaha, which would be larger than Lake Okoboji in Iowa, is viewed as a project that would promote tourism and economic development, as well as providing water recreational opportunities and improving the quality of life in the state.

It is the major project in a water development bill that includes marina development at Lake McConaughy near Ogallala, along with marina and site improvement at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area and creation of an event center at Niobrara State Park, both in northeast Nebraska.

Answering questions on other matters, Ricketts repeated his view that Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster "needs to apologize to the women" who have accused him of sexual-related misconduct, "seek help and step out of the race."

Herbster has denied the allegations, describing them as libelous and "100% false."

Ricketts is supporting Republican candidate Jim Pillen in the May 10 GOP primary election.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the number of people studying Ukrainian on Duolingo, a language learning website and mobile app, has increased by more than 500%.

Most of those who are taking up Ukrainian are probably unaware that there is a long-running controversy about this particular form of speech. One side views Russians and Ukrainians as one people, and the opposing side does not.

Unfortunately, there isnt a clear answer. The difference between a language and a dialect depends upon whom you ask.

The linguistics angle

Many linguists base their determination of language-or-dialect on whether forms of speech are mutually understandable. In simple terms, if two people are speaking different dialects of the same language, they can probably understand each other. However, if two people are speaking separate languages, they probably wont be able to understand each other.

By this definition, Czech and Slovak could be viewed as dialects of the same language. The same goes for Indonesian and Malay.

Some spoken forms look quite different when pen is put to paper. For instance, Serbian is written with a variation of the Cyrillic alphabet, like Russian, while Croatian uses a form of the Latin alphabet, like English. Nonetheless, many linguists would consider Serbian and Croatian to be dialects of the same language, because its the understandability of spoken forms that generally counts.

Humans have been talking for a very long time, but weve only been writing things down for a few millennia. Plus, of the roughly 7,000 known living languages only about 4,000 have a writing system.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed the Russian people in the Russian language, while delivering other speeches in Ukrainian and English.

Politics says something different

For political scientists, the difference between a language and a dialect is not based on mutual understandability, but rather politics. For example, Hindi and Urdu are separate languages because the governments of India and Pakistan say they are, even though the colloquially spoken forms of the two varieties are strikingly similar.

Max Weinreich, a Yiddish scholar, popularized the idea that a language is a dialect with an army and navy. In other words, a government can promote the view that a dialect is a separate language even if it isnt in linguistic terms.

Moldova, for instance, argues that Moldovan is a separate language, even though it is nearly identical to Romanian. Although Romania has gotten upset about such linguistic rebranding, according to Article 13 of the Moldovan Constitution, the countrys official language is Moldovan, and not Romanian. Thus the two are separate languages  at least politically.

Ukrainian soldiers move through a combat zone in the Donbas region of Ukraine. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Bestowing official status on a particular spoken form not only encourages its use in government, including the courts, but it also usually means that a spoken form will be taught in schools, thereby ensuring that future generations share a common language  even if it was invented for nationalistic purposes.

Cantonese is widely spoken in and around Hong Kong, yet it is often treated as a dialect of Chinese. However, spoken Mandarin and Cantonese are not mutually understandable. As such, in linguistic terms, these two forms of speech would not be considered dialects of a single language, but rather separate languages.

In order to strengthen the power of the central government against separatist sentiment, the Chinese government has long promoted a language unification agenda. The intent is both to create a common way of communicating for the country but also to minimize the linguistic and cultural differences that exist among different communities. To help spread the adoption of Standard Chinese, as defined by the government, television and radio professionals are subject to strict requirements and can even be fined for using incorrect pronunciation.

Throughout China, local forms of speech are being phased out as mediums of instruction in schools in favor of Mandarin. Many of these forms are now declining, and some are at risk of going extinct. Such efforts do not necessarily mean that these types of speech arent real languages in the linguistic sense.

But politically, the difference between a language and a dialect is whatever China says it is. This is even reflected at the international level, as many organizations, such as the United Nations, recognize Chinese as being the form of speech standardized and promoted by the Chinese government.

Resolving the conflict

So, is Ukrainian a dialect of Russian or a separate language? Linguistically, Ukrainian and Russian are about as different as French and Portuguese. Although French and Portuguese both descend from Latin, theyve now diverged enough to make mutual understanding difficult. Similarly, while both Ukrainian and Russian share a common ancestor, their present-day spoken forms are now different enough that theres a strong linguistic case for them to be considered separate languages.

Politically, however, whether Ukrainian is a dialect or language will, in part, depend upon how the war ends. If Ukraine remains an independent country that considers Ukrainian a separate language  it is a separate language.

If, however, Russia ends up controlling the entirety of Ukraine, thereby finishing the process that it began in 2014 with its annexation of Crimea, then Russia could promote the view that Ukrainian is but a mere dialect of Russian, to reinforce Ukraines diminished status as a part of Russia.

In short, not only is Ukraines territorial integrity at risk, but so is the independence of a unique and distinct cultural community.

[Youre smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversations authors and editors. You can read us daily by subscribing to our newsletter.]

Joshua Holzer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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RACINE  In Wisconsin, pest control typically is regarded as an issue of comfort and convenience. In other parts of the world, it can be a matter of life or death.

That is why Racine-based SC Johnson  maker of OFF! insect repellent and similar products  is helping leaders in Africa and other vulnerable regions to combat the mosquito-borne disease malaria.

On Tuesday morning, Samia Suluhu Hassan, president of the United Republic of Tanzania, visited SCJ to examine research facilities where the consumer goods giant has created its successful tools for pest control.

SC Johnson officials said they were honored to host President Hassan and to showcase the companys Center for Insect Science and Family Health. Located at 101 Four Mile Road, Wind Point, the center is one of the largest privately owned research facilities of its kind in the world.

Fisk Johnson, SCJ Chairman and CEO, said in a prepared statement that malaria kills one child every minute, on average, mostly in African countries.

At SC Johnson, we are committed to sharing our expertise in insect science to help eradicate this tragic, yet preventable, disease, Johnson said.

The Tanzanian presidents visit to Racine followed Johnsons visit with her two weeks ago in Tanzania.

Hassan toured the companys world headquarters in Racine, then visited the Center for Insect Science in Wind Point.

SC Johnson opened its first insect research center in 1957 to develop products that consumers could use to protect their families and homes from pests, and to avoid diseases carried by mosquitoes.

Employees at the Wind Point research facility study insect biology, physiology, behavior and toxicology, as well as infestation management and disease prevention. The center houses about 20 species of insects, including mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants and moths.

The company also manages a field-collection program to capture and study seasonal pests.

Its a controlled, carefully monitored environment where researchers study all aspects of insect behavior, development and methods of insect control, the company said.

The research has led SC Johnson to develop such products as OFF! repellent, Raid insecticide, and Baygon spray.

Malaria, a deadly disease spread to humans through mosquito bites, has been largely eradicated in most parts of the world. But Africa remains home to 95% of all cases worldwide. Children under age five account for 80% of all malaria deaths in Africa.

In a statement Tuesday stemming from the Tanzania presidents visit, SC Johnson said the company is testing low-cost repellents that can be used by people who lack access to other prevention tools in vulnerable regions. Clinical trials have taken place in Indonesia and Peru, and are underway in Kenya.

These repellents are easy to use, do not require electricity or flame, and work continuously for up to 10 months, the company said.

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Gateway Technical Colleges 2022-23 school year budget could result in a year-over-year increase in spending, based on recent projections officials indicate most property owners could pay less in taxes.

Administrators presented the colleges District Board with a draft version of the spending plan for the upcoming school year, which begins July 1, during the governing bodys monthly meeting last week.

Jason Nygard, director, Budgets and Purchasing, combed through the various facets of the budget  including the general fund portion, which fortifies day-to-day operations. Based on the proposal, it clocks in at $90.04 million and represents an increase from the 2021-22 school year general fund budget of $88,990,955.

But a variety of factors, including net new construction figures and updated mill rates, could lead to lower payments for the average taxpayer when bills arrive in property owners mailboxes in December, Nygard said.

Based on his most current calculations, Nygard said a property owner with a home valued at $200,000 could pay $139.18 toward the colleges line item on tax bills, resulting in a $5.11 decrease in year-over-year comparisons.

Budget adjustments

Nygard and other Gateway officials have been discussing with the District Board various aspects of the 2022-23 school year budget assumptions in recent months.

One preliminary estimate  health insurance costs  bucked what college officials described as a conservative figure. Instead of a 5 percent increase, Nygard said premiums are decreasing 2 percent, according to new information.

Based on the plan in motion, Gateway President Bryan Albrecht said a portion of the savings derived from health insurance premiums instead will be diverted to employee compensation. The college previously announced plans for minimum 3 percent salary increases.

Some employees will receive more than 3 percent, Albrecht said. There will be some changes in how their compensation is measured as we go forward.

Other figures that have been incorporated into the budget reflect decisions made at higher levels. The Wisconsin Technical Colleges Board, for example, recently approved hiking tuition 1.75 percent in the fall, bringing per-credit costs to $143.45.

The college also is expecting an influx of new students as two new associates degree programs are launched  one tailored around science, the other around humanities. Both are designed to give students the opportunity to seamlessly transition the two-year degrees to a four-year university within the UW System.

In total, were projecting an additional $406,000 of tuition and fee revenue, Nygard said.

The Gateway District Board will hold a public hearing on the 2022-23 budget at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at the Madrigrano Board Room of the Kenosha campus.

President search

The District Board discussed processes and timelines in the search for Gateways next president. In January Albrecht announced he will retire this fall from the college.

During deliberations, the District Board agreed to leave the search details in the hands of an already-assembled ad-hoc committee. One of the groups most pressing tasks is selecting a search firm.

R. Scott Pierce, board chairman, said the selected search firm will convene focus groups that will help create what has been described as a president profile.

Once we get the presidential profile in place, people applying for the position will have a pretty good understanding of what were looking for, and what the community is looking for, in their next president, Pierce said.

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Hilton, a leading global hospitality company, has announced the opening of the highly-anticipated Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia, marking the luxury brands debut in Italy.



A prime location on Sardinias pristine coastline, the hotel overlooks Chia Bay and is nestled between the golden sands of both Monte Cogoni Beach and Dune di Campana Beach. The 107-room resort offers a secluded retreat for travellers seeking total ease and relaxation along with exclusive guest amenities and privileged access to all that the larger Chia Laguna Resort has to offer.



Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, EMEA, Hilton, said: Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia is a stunning addition to our luxury portfolio in Europe  and Hiltons third hotel on the island. Sardinias natural beauty makes it a desirable destination for discerning luxury travellers, and were thrilled to partner with Italian Hospitality Collection once again to introduce the hotel to Hiltons guests from around the world.



With more than 10 new hotels poised to join our Italian portfolio this year in locations including Rome, Padua and Venice, we continue to see considerable growth momentum in Italy, demonstrating the strength and resilience of Hiltons brands in a dynamic market.



Perched on the southern-most tip of the Mediterranean island, the resort is surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty. Sand dunes, coastal flora and fauna and pink flamingos give way to both Monte Cogoni and Dune di Campana, renowned as Italys most beautiful beaches and found on either side of the resort.



These spectacular vistas decorated with hues of natural green and blue are visible from every corner of the property  with rooms, suites, restaurants and pools boasting panoramic views across the iconic bay and lagoon. Chia is a protected habitat to wildlife and is home to countless species as well as wild herbs such as mint, rosemary and thyme which often fill the coastal air with their favourable scent.



Dino Michael, senior vice president and global category head, Hilton luxury brands said: Were thrilled to introduce Conrad Hotels & Resorts in Italy as the latest marquee opening for the brand following notable openings in Shanghai and Tulum early this year. Located in a destination famous for its turquoise coastline and picturesque mountainous views, Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia will provide our highly discerning guests with authentic, impactful experiences through Conrads renowned purposeful and passionate service.



Marcello Cicalo, group director of operations, Italian Hospitality Collection, said: We are proud to be taking our partnership with Hilton to the next level, having begun last year with the launch of Baia di Chia Resort Sardinia, Curio Collection by Hilton. Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia will offer exclusive, superlative experiences in a unique location brimming with history and culture, set in the magnificent natural surroundings of southern Sardinia. Our partnership with Hilton is a real boost, increasing the international profile of our resort and Sardinia as a travel destination, and providing a real opportunity to relaunch tourism on the entire island.



Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.



Nightly room rates start from 279 or Hilton Honors members can redeem Points using the Points Explorer tool. All hotels offer fully flexible booking options with free changes and cancellations, with many rates giving guests flexibility to change or cancel up to 24 hours before their arrival day.  TradeArabia News Service
CALEDONIA  The DeBack Farms Business Park is almost full. Its getting another industrial building, to be located along Four Mile Road.

Caledonia has approved a site, building and operations plan to construct an approximate 188,000 square-foot industrial building located directly south of 13108 Four Mile Road. There is now only one parcel left in the park that hasnt been purchased or designated for a use.

The approval came at the April 4 meeting of the Village Board with a unanimous 5-0 vote. Trustee Lee Wishau made a motion to approve a resolution associated with this building; it was seconded by Trustee Tom Weatherston. Trustees Dale Stillman and Kevin Wanggaard were excused from the meeting.

The villages Plan Commission had previously recommended approval of the site, building and operations plans.

This building is being constructed as a speculation building, with no set tenants and is to be located on the parcel known as Pad C of the DeBack Farms Business Park. The lot is owned by Wispark and its size is approximately 11 acres.

This is part of the site that has always been intended to be some sort of industrial building, Caledonia Development Director Peter Wagner said. What is being proposed is an 180,000-square-foot speculation industrial building which complies with the vision that we had for the park.

The applicant, Likewise Partners LLC, is purchasing the land from Wispark, and Riley Construction Co., Inc., is expected to begin work on the building in July. The completion date is tentatively some time in the second quarter of 2023, as early as February or March 2023.

Development features

The building exterior will be primarily precast concrete panels with glass and metal accents. It will additionally have a clerestory, with even-spaced windows on all four sides of the building to provide natural light.

The building will have varying shades of gray and blue accents. To draw attention to the building entrances, the building will have canopies above entrance doors and blue shading.

Landscaping incorporates a combination of deciduous and evergreen vegetation along with perennials, shrubs and ornamental grasses.

Prior to any building permits being issued, the applicant will need to get approvals for stormwater management, erosion control and grading plans from the water utility department and engineering department. A conditional use will additionally need to be applied for.

The development is slated to have 136 parking stalls. In the southern portion of the land, Likewise Partners, a Minneapolis-based real estate investment firm, proposed 25 semitrailer parking stalls.

Steven Buss, founder and CEO of the firm, said hes expecting 1 to 3 tenants from the warehouse, distribution or manufacturing industries to occupy the building.

Sometimes industrial companies move or expand quickly and make fast decisions, Buss said, which is why Likewise Partners is building a speculative building. Additionally, theres a shortage of space for industrial companies, he said.

They dont always have time to build their own building. The speed of making decisions for companies has increased and getting faster, Buss said.

We really like the area

Buss, who grew up in Milwaukee and has recently begun working in southeastern Wisconsin, starting with buying a property in Franklin in Milwaukee County, said hes happy to be doing business in Racine and Milwaukee counties.

We really like the area from the airport to northern Racine County, he said. Were very serious about expanding investments in Racine County. We see an opportunity to bring in some new players in terms of new companies to Caledonia.

Emphasizing that labor is the No. 1 problem for almost every company right now, he said he hopes the new industrial building will help attract businesses and workers that would otherwise consider other locations. Additionally, anyone working in Caledonia is close to Racine, Mount Pleasant and Milwaukee, he said, which provides potential for good neighboring relationships.

At the Village Board meeting, Trustee Fran Martin asked the question of if the parking close to Four Mile Road is for cars or semi trucks because people on Four Mile Road had an ongoing problem with semis parking overnight, she said.

Wager said that parking area is for cars and the south side of the building is for trucks.

I want to make sure that were conscious of that and doing whatever we can to mitigate it, Martin said. Putting the truck parking on the south side does help with that.

Buss said Likewise Partners and Riley Construction are moving quickly with this development because material costs are increasing.

Were cruising. Were delivering this, Buss said. Were in the market right now, taking bids on construction and cooking along.

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SOMERS  The Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for the Arts and Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside invites the Kenosha community to A Sunday at the Rita, an open house to be held on April 24 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rita.

The event will be held from 1 to 7 p.m., and will feature a performance by Parkside Range at 3 p.m. in Bedford Concert Hall and a reception for Together Again: Racine/Kenosha at 4:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery.

Its hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the inauguration of the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for the Arts and Humanities, said Lesley Walker, dean of the college of arts and humanities at UW-Parkside. It has been a very busy decade indeed.

In any given year, more than 50 concerts are performed in the acoustically impeccable Frances Bedford Concert Hall, 40 productions are mounted in the two theatres, and the galleries welcome local, national and international artists, said Walker. One of the highlights of my job is the thrill I get when I walk into the building past The Life Expressive, and take a few moments to view on the large monitor in the lobby whats happening that week in the Rita, she said.

The Rita officially opened in January of 2012 after several years of construction and 20 years of planning the $30 million project, according to Walker. The opening represents collaborative planning and brainstorming by members of both the UW-Parkside campus family and the diverse communities that we serve, Dean Yohnk, former dean of Parksides college of arts and humanities, stated in the program for the Ritas grand opening. Yohnk is now dean of the college of arts and sciences at UW-River Falls.

This, we believe, is the beginning of something truly great  a cultural renaissance for this place that we call home, said Yohnk at the time of the Ritas grand opening.

The expansion of the Rita has allowed for robust engagement with the community in southeastern Wisconsin. The Racine Symphony regularly performs in Bedford Hall, local community members play and sing in UW-Parkside bands, orchestra, and choirs; and world-class jazz musicians perform every March during Jazz Week.

In addition, more than 1,400 subscribers enjoy the Foreign Film Series, while regional artists display their work in the Ritas art galleries, and high school teachers attend workshops offered by the UW-Parkside art faculty. Through the Ritas theatre matinee series, regional high school students have taken advantage of theater performances.

When making her transformational gift to UW-Parkside, Kitty Picken sought to honor her stepmother, Rita Tallent Picken, by spurring the creation of a regional center for the arts and humanities in southeastern Wisconsin. Our celebration of the opening of the Rita carries this dream into future as we look forward to the next ten years, Walker said.

Highlights of the day include:

1 to 7 p.m. Open Labs and Studios and Refreshments in the Fine Arts Gallery, including English student videos at the Black Box Theatre; Communication student videos in the Foundation Gallery; demonstrations in the Digital Fabrication Studio, Room D113; and Demonstrations in the Painting Studio, Room D106.

2 p.m. Theater demonstration She Kills Monsters in the Main Stage Theater.

3 p.m. Parkside Range performance in Bedford Concert Hall.

4:30 p.m. Reception for Together Again in the Racine/Kenosha Fine Arts Gallery.

5 p.m. Foreign Film Series Another Round in the Student Center Cinema.

5:30 p.m. Award announcement for Together Again.

For more information, visit: https://www.uwp.edu/therita/

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1. Yes. If inflation remains high and interest rates rise, the economy will be a major factor.

2. Yes. If the nation goes into a recession, it will be the issue on the minds of most voters.

3. No. Inflation will likely moderate by then; if so, the economy wont be a major issue.

4.No. All the turmoil involving Russia and Roe v. Wade will probably take center stage.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the economy will play with voters at this point.

Vote

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KEARNEY  The University of Nebraska at Kearney and University of Nebraska Foundation are launching the first-ever 'Lopers Going Toe-To-Toe' crowdfunding campaign in support of student mental health.

Now through April 29, the online giving effort encourages participants to make a gift of $30 to support UNK Counseling and the mental health resources it provides. In return, participants will receive a limited-edition pair of Loper socks. Gifts of any amount can be made, with gifts of $30 or greater qualifying for the complimentary socks.

Gifts will go to the UNK Student Health Fund, which provides support to UNK Counseling.

The socks, designed in an argyle style with UNK blue and gold and the Loper mascot, were designed exclusively for this event.

Like college students across the country, our students are experiencing a variety of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and hopelessness, bringing their mental health needs in focus more than ever, said Kiphany Hof, UNK associate director of counseling. As we strive to support the record number of students seeking counseling, we do ask for the support of our alumni and friends to sustain and strengthen our counseling resources.

Participants can give and follow the events progress at the "Lopers Going Toe-To-Toe" website through April 29.

UNK Counseling is a mental health clinic, providing a full range of short-term, goal-focused professional mental health services. It uses a flexible care model to address student concerns. Services offered include personal counseling, group counseling, substance use assessments, crisis intervention, outreach programming and consultation.

Due to production time, the socks will be sent within two to three weeks.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for confidential support anytime.

To donate log on to: https://fundraise.nufoundation.org/campaign/unk-sock-campaign-2022/c402260
LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts signed legislation last week that supports construction of a new Rural Health Education Building at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Approved last week by state senators, LB1014 allocates $60 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to the project, which will address the critical need for additional health care professionals in rural Nebraska by allowing more students to study and train in Kearney.

The Rural Health Education Building will serve a crucial role in filling shortages in all medical professions across Nebraska, especially our rural communities, said UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen. This funding will help UNMC and UNK build a transformational facility and roll out comprehensive education covering most disciplines offered by UNMC.

A collaboration between UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Rural Health Education Building will grow the states talent pipeline by expanding existing UNMC programs offered in Kearney. It will also bring new options to the UNK campus, including medicine, medical nutrition, genetic counseling and respiratory care  all high-need areas in rural Nebraska.

A Master of Health Administration will be added to complement UNKs undergraduate program, and discussion is underway for the UNMC College of Pharmacy to offer a joint degree program with UNK.

Governor Ricketts support of the UNK-UNMC Rural Health Education Building will pay dividends for Nebraskans well into the future, University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter said. The University of Nebraska thanks the governor and all those who have championed this crucial investment in the workforce, vitality and growth of our rural communities.

The $60 million included in LB1014 will go toward construction and start-up costs, with an additional $25 million expected to come from private funds. The new building could be completed as early as 2025.

State senators also approved companion bill LB792 Wednesday that will provide $15 million in annual operational and programmatic funding when fully implemented. In addition to addressing equipment and staffing needs at the state-of-the-art facility, this funding would allow UNK and UNMC to grow their current student recruitment programs and develop new initiatives.

We are excited and passionate about training and educating future health care professionals in our state, Kristensen said. UNK will immediately begin recruiting students and developing pipeline programs that provide additional opportunities in rural health education.

The Rural Health Education Building strengthens an already successful partnership between UNK and UNMC. The institutions opened a $19 million Health Science Education Complex on UNKs west campus in 2015, and that facility quickly filled. More than 300 students are currently pursuing degrees there in over a dozen professional programs. About 85% of the students who graduate from this building start their careers in Nebraska.

The Rural Health Education Building will be located directly north of the Health Science Education Complex, creating a hub for health education in rural Nebraska that serves current and future providers and supports collaborative research projects.
Assyrians Celebrate Traditional Flag Raising At Yonkers City Hall

Assyrians and local community members gather in front of Yonkers City Hall on April 2, 2022 to celebrate Assyrian New Year. Every year, Assyrians around the world observe Assyrian New Year on April 1 by hosting festivals or parades to celebrate the beginning of the spring equinox. In Yonkers, New York, the Assyrian community celebrates by coming together and witnessing the raising of the Assyrian flag at city hall.

Often referred to as Akitu or Kha b'Nissan, which translates to the first of April, Assyrian New Year is a key celebration that brings the community together. In fact, according to the Babylonian calendar, the Assyrians celebrated 6,772 years of existence this year.

Since the late 19th century, Yonkers has been home to a small Assyrian community. Between 1914 and 1915, many Assyrians fled persecution from the Ottoman Empire in Persia, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria and settled in Yonkers over time.

The Assyrians were one of the first ethnic groups to adopt Christianity as a religion. Upon arriving in New York, the Assyrians did not want to lose the faith of their forefathers. Eleven families joined together to conduct church services in their homes with the help of three deacons: Ephraim Shimon, Khoona Shomon, and the late Baba Sargis.

Around 1953, the community purchased a three-family house in Yonkers and converted it into a chapel. As communication increased and more Assyrians flocked into Yonkers, the chapel was no longer adequate. The community decided to build a church on the property adjoining the chapel, which instituted the historic Mar Mari Assyrian Church of the East on Lake Buena Vista Avenue.

To Assyrians in Yonkers, Mar Mari is their second home. The church serves not only as a place of worship, but also as a place where parishioners congregate for holidays and commemorations, Neo-Aramaic language classes, and youth fellowship sessions. The church and parishioners manage to keep their culture alive by hosting activities ranging from picnics to social gatherings.

Around 2015, the Assyrian community in Yonkers -- with the assistance of Assyrian American attorney Mark Constantine -- initiated the flag-raising tradition, coinciding with the rise of the Islamic State and the persecution of indigenous Assyrians in Iraq and Syria.

Hoping to promote awareness and participation in this annual event, Constantine said, "The raising of the flag is a community effort, and the most important thing of this is that the younger people participate and feel the drive to continue this tradition in order to celebrate and cultivate their Assyrian culture." Assyrians in Yonkers customarily gather together at the city hall bright and early to witness the Assyrian flag raising.

This annual tradition brings great pride to Assyrian youth as well. Since his childhood, Michael Ashayagori grew up in the Assyrian community of Yonkers. Now 18 years old, Ashayagori is an active youth member in Mar Mari and stands as a deacon in the parish. Describing the importance of his community and engagement as a youth member, Ashayagori said, "I feel very comfortable around everyone and the people that I call family."

Similarly, as a child, Nancy Multari grew up attending the Mar Mari church. She is the daughter of Ivan Mirza, one of the original builders of the Mar Mari church and a close friend of the late patriarch, His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV. Her father encouraged her to be an active member of the community, and he currently serves as a church officer, also referred to as the "Motwa."

To her, the raising of the Assyrian flag symbolizes revival. Multari said, "I think having our flag raised with the Assyrian New Year gives me hope of Assyrian existence at large." She added, "Seeing our flag wave at city hall fills my heart. It's a voice to our people that we are still here in New York and our existence as Assyrians [continues]."

Susy Gevarguize, a member of the Yonkers Assyrian community, sees the flag raising as a beacon of hope. "The flag raising gives me hope that Assyrians will not be forgotten and will forge on with continued accomplishments by future generations," she said.

After the flag raising, the community gathered at the Mar Mari Church to enjoy brunch and drink tea with one another. The community hopes to continue this tradition to inspire the younger generations and promote Assyrian pride. The raising of the flag showcases the past, present, and future of Assyrians in New York. The community takes pride in their culture, and having the Assyrian flag raised at city hall brings great honor to the Assyrians in Yonkers.

Maryam Ishaya (MIA '23) is a first-generation Assyrian American activist from Phoenix, Arizona. Within her master's program, she continues to raise awareness for the indigenous Assyrian community in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran.
Mayo Clinic Health System is seeking community helpers in recognition of National Volunteer Week, which ends Saturday.

The Volunteer Services department is recruiting volunteers to help in the Cancer Center, hosprice, and physical therapy areas; to serve as clinic lobby hosts, desk attendants, endoscopy attendants and wayfinding attendants; or with the Safe Path and DART (Dependable and Resourceful Transport) programs.

Volunteers must be 14 or older. All ability levels are welcome.

We welcome a wide age range of volunteers, from students who are passionate about helping others to seniors who have a wealth of experience to share, says Peter Grabow, director of volunteer services for Mayo SW Wisconsin. Each volunteer makes unique, invaluable contributions to the experiences of our patients and staff through their service.

Mayo this week is also honoring its current volunteers, who have been invited to a gathering on Thursday.

Our volunteers personify the primary Mayo Clinic value, The needs of the patient come first. The volunteers are caring, helpful ambassadors who create a welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff, says Grabow.

In 2021, 144 volunteers served more than 13,000 hours at locations across Mayo in SW Wisconsin, saving over $350,000.

Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.

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Local land trust Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC) has purchased 1,600 acres of rugged land along the lower Kickapoo River for permanent protection.

The site, just north of Wauzeka in Crawford County, which includes a stretch of Plum Creek and is located on both sides of Plum Creek Road, will be known as Plum Creek Conservation Area.

This land acquisition was made possible by an anonymous donor who is passionate about land and water conservation in this part of Wisconsin and gave a gift  the largest we have ever received  to purchase the property. Plum Creek Conservation Area is now the largest property the Conservancy owns, said Carol Abrahamzon, executive director of MVC.

Thanks to the generous donor and our diligent partners, the land will be protected and restored to provide natural services such as flood protection, recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and an expanded area of connected lands that provide refuge for wildlife whose native habitats are threatened by climate change and development.

Abrahamzon went on to explain that MVC purchased the property with a $3 million gift from the anonymous supporter, and in close collaboration with The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin (TNC), and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR). Another partner, the Savanna Institute, will provide planning services for the long-term restoration of the land to help MVC reach its conservation goals for the project. Additional funding from TNC, the Paul E. Stry Foundation and the John C. Bock Foundation covered the remainder of the transactional and other costs.

TNCs Director of Land Strategy Kurt Schlimme called the project a high priority for acquisition because of its size, its proximity to other protected lands, and its prominence within TNCs Resilient and Connected Lands analysis, which comprehensively identified a network of lands and migration corridors across the United States that are best able to support plants and animals in a changing climate.

Craig Thompson of the Wisconsin DNR, which has been working to find ways to conserve the land since the 1980s, said, Its been a long time. Im really glad to see MVC and TNC succeed in the conservation of the land. The Wisconsin Land Legacy Report describes it as one of the most diverse assemblages of natural communities in the state. 

The property includes over 5 miles of frontage along the west bank of the Kickapoo River and over 2 miles along both banks of Plum Creek, a Class I trout stream. It is next to DNRs 1,927-acre Kickapoo Wildlife Area-Wauzeka Unit that includes the 635-acre Kickapoo Wild Woods State Natural Area.

These protected areas, now enlarged by the MVC purchase, support one of the highest concentrations of rare forest-interior breeding birds in southern Wisconsin, including many considered high conservation priorities in eastern North America, Thompson said.

It may take a number of years before the property is healed and restored to its ecological health. Thats the challenge that Mississippi Valley Conservancy has taken on, according to Abbie Church, MVC conservation director. She said the majority of the woodlands have a long history of grazing and the farmland offers ample opportunities to implement conservation practices.

Erosion and habitat degradation both need to be addressed, she said. We will be working closely with our partners at TNC and the Savanna Institute over the coming year to develop a long range plan and vision for the site to achieve conservation goals that include healthy habitats, water quality protection, and resilience to climate change. Much of land will continue to be farmed and grazed while integrating regenerative farming practices as part of the management plan. The land will continue to generate property taxes to support the local community, as it has in the past.

Thompson notes the need to move with some haste to restore the land because of the importance of the area to migrating birds and the rapid decline of their numbers. There is broad agreement among conservation practitioners that we have about a decade to set a course for the future of our planet for its inhabitants, human and otherwise, said Thompson.

With a gift of $50,000 from a generous couple and $200,000 from TNC, MVC has created an endowment to help manage the long-term restoration and care of the property. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, MVC is launching a match campaign to double that amount.

Peter Lewis of Madison represented the owners of the property during the negotiations. His father, Robert Lewis, and other friends and family began buying land for the farm in the 1970s. They raised cattle and had fields in a rotation of corn and hay.

According to Peter, his father, who at one time was the staff assistant for agriculture in the Gaylord Nelson administration, had a lasting commitment not to carve up the property for hobby farms. This commitment has made it possible for the project partners to acquire the property at a scale, in terms of contiguous size, that is much larger than is typically available in southern Wisconsin.

We are grateful that Robert Lewis and his family had a vision that included keeping this property together. It created this wonderful opportunity to ensure that the property will forever remain whole as Robert envisioned, said Abrahazon.

The intact sale and protection of this land is the highest possible ending I can imagine, Peter said.

Asked about the gift to buy the land, the anonymous donor said: I love Crawford County and am so fortunate that I can help the real experts who have worked to save this land for future generations. This county is bounded by the Mississippi River on the west and the Wisconsin River to the south with the beautiful Kickapoo flowing through the middle  what a joy to live here! And to have this opportunity for habitat protection, in such a unique place, on such a large scale, this is all beyond my wildest dreams. My deep gratitude goes to all who made this happen, especially to the Lewis family.

The protected land will be open to the public for hunting, fishing, and low-impact recreation such as hiking, paddling, and wildlife observation.

Public lands are an asset to Crawford County, said Dave Troester, Crawford County Conservationist. People come here to fish the streams, to hunt, to enjoy the rivers and scenic beauty. Public land makes that possible for more people, as access to private land for hunting is harder to find these days.

He also cited Crawford Countys Comprehensive Plan in which a survey of county residents rated the things they most value about living in Crawford County as: natural beauty, open space, small town atmosphere, proximity to family and friends, and recreational opportunities.

Schlimme said TNC signed a memorandum of understanding with MVC last fall regarding its assistance in developing and implementing MVCs management vision. Its definitely been a team effort to see this property protected. And it will continue being a team effort as we move forward.

About Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Founded in 1997, Mississippi Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited regional land trust that protects 23,929 acres of scenic lands in southwestern Wisconsin by working with private landowners, businesses, and local communities on voluntary conservation projects. The focus of the Conservancy is to conserve the forests, prairies, wetlands, streams, and farms that support native wildlife and enrich communities for the health and well-being of current and future generations. For more information about how you can become a member or a habitat restoration volunteer, visit Mississippi Valley Conservancys website. There you can also find out more about learning opportunities, events, and ways to support the Conservancys work. www.MississippiValleyConservancy.org.

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we work in 72 countries and territories to create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our worlds toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters, and oceans, and helping make food and water systems and cities more sustainable. In Wisconsin, we have worked with members and donors, landowners, business, public agencies, and communities to conserve more than 236,900 acres in some of Wisconsins most beloved and ecologically significant landscapes, including the Baraboo Hills, the Door Peninsula and the forests and wild lakes in the Northwoods. www.nature.org/wisconsin

About the Savanna Institute

The Savanna Institute is a 501(3) nonprofit organization that works with farmers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems.

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Western Technical College is one of three recipients of a new state grant program designed to expose high school students to career and volunteer opportunities in the fire service.

Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dawn Crim announced the following 2022 grant awards:

 Western Technical College will receive $22,593 towards its programs available to high schools in the La Crosse area. The programs create dual-credit opportunities for high school students interested in Basic Fire Safety Certification or the WTC Fire Science Degree.

 Oconto Fire Rescue Department will receive $17,982 towards their program, a partnership with Oconto High School and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, to offer a Fire 1 Certification during school hours.

 Winneconne High School will receive $9,425 to partially fund expenses related to its Fire Principles courses offered in partnership with the Winneconne Poygan Fire District, the Omro Rushford Fire District, the Clayton Fire District, and Fox Valley Technical College.

We are proud to support these examples of innovative collaboration among high schools, technical colleges, and fire departments, said Dawn Crim. By working together, they create new learning opportunities for students, they leverage the expertise and resources in our wonderful technical college system, and they address significant recruitment challenges for the fire service.

The fire service is a key stakeholder group for DSPS. The department currently regulates fire fighter health and safety and manages the state fire prevention program. It also administers the 2% dues program, which distributes funds collected from insurers and matched by the state back to qualifying fire departments.

The DSPS grant program has funding to award $50,000 this year and $50,000 next year to help establish or expand similar programs in other parts of Wisconsin. Applications for 2023 grants will open later this year.

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The decree, which calls for women to only show their eyes and recommends they wear the head-to-toe burqa, evoked similar restrictions on women during the Taliban's previous rule between 1996 and 2001.
Turkey Launches New Offensive Against Kurdish Rebels in Northern Iraq

Washington (VOA) -- Turkey announced the start of a new ground and air campaign in northern Iraq Monday, targeting the armed rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Dubbed Operation Claw-Lock, the Ankara government says the offensive is a pre-emptive measure to prevent the PKK from using Iraq as a base to carry out attacks in Turkey.

Founded in 1984 to fight for Kurdish self-rule, the PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

The new operation comes days after Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The two leaders discussed ways to improve security, business and trade ties, according to a statement by Barzani's office.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted by the state-owned Anadolu news agency as saying, "Our operation is continuing successfully as planned. The targets identified in the first phase have been captured."

Meanwhile, in a statement, the PKK fighters claimed to have downed two Turkish helicopters and killed more than two dozen Turkish soldiers.

VOA cannot independently verify the conflicting reports.

The Turkish military has carried out several operations against the PKK in recent years, both inside Turkey and in northern Iraq. The latest operation targets areas near Amedi city's Shiladze district.

Amedi's mayor, Warsheen Mayi, told VOA by phone that the operation has not targeted civilian areas. But Iqbal Omer, a freelance journalist, said civilian properties had been damaged in the most recent airstrike.

Turkish interests in northern Iraq go beyond combating the PKK. Turkey has a significant economic stake in the region, particularly the energy sector. Turkey is also seeking to expand its influence in the region as a counterbalance to the growing power of Iran.

Some experts have suggested that Kurdistan, which is estimated to have 700 billion cubic meters [25 trillion cubic feet] of natural gas, could become a major energy supplier to Turkey and Europe as the world tries to wane itself off its dependence on Russian gas.

"Europeans are searching for new potentials to supply gas to Europe," said Nahro Zagros, a non-resident senior fellow at the Washington-based Gold Institute for International Strategy.

"The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) can be one of these potentials. Having said that the KRG cannot fill the whole vacuum that Russians will leave in Europe, but it can help in some ways, and this cannot be achieved without Turkish support," he added.

Safeen Dizayee, head of the KRG's Department of Foreign Relations, said that after meeting domestic supply, his government was open to the notion of exporting natural gas to Europe.

"The Kurdistan region is not trying to become an alternative to other countries," he told VOA. "That is why it will in the first stage use most of its extracted gas to supply domestic needs. Later on, some portion of the gas can be exported to other parts of Iraq if they have a need for it. In the coming years, when the Kurdistan region opens up more to the world, no doubt it might export some of the gas."

Dizayee added that Turkey, which serves as a bridge for the landlocked Kurdistan region to the outside world, will be a major partner in the exportation of gas.

Others, such as Sulaymaniyah-based Izzat Sabir, an economist who led the Finance and Economic Committee in the Kurdistan parliament, say the region first needs to resolve its internal political issues and meet domestic demand before it can focus on becoming an exporter.

Not every Kurdish politician is on board with the idea of exporting the region's gas through Turkey.

"I think it's my party's official decision that we will not allow natural gas to be sold through Turkey the way oil is being sold," said Rekawt Zaki, a senior leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which controls some of the region's largest gas fields in Chamchamal.

"The future of the Kurdistan Region is natural gas, not crude oil. Crude is depleting in many fields," economist Sabir said.

"Iraq imports billions of dollars' worth of natural gas from Iran and other neighboring countries. While the domestic demand for gas has not been met, we in the Kurdistan region should not think about signing agreements to export natural gas," Sabir added.

Mutlu Civiroglu, Zhiyar Mohammed, and Rikar Hussein contributed to this story from Washington. This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service.
Joyce Ares was feeling fine when she agreed to get a blood test for research. So, she was surprised when the test came back with signs of cancer.

After a repeat blood test and two more tests for cancer, she was found to have Hodgkin lymphoma.

I cried, the 74-year-old retiree said. Just a couple of tears and thought, OK, now what do we do?

Ares had volunteered to take a blood test that is being viewed as a new way to check for cancer among healthy people. It looks for cancer by checking for DNA parts broken from shed cancerous cells.

Such blood tests, called liquid biopsies, are already used in patients with cancer to establish treatment and check to see if cancerous growths come back.

Several drug companies are pushing for the blood test as part of regular health screening to find cancerous growths, or tumors, in certain parts of the body.

Grail, a California-based company, is far ahead of others with 2,000 doctors willing to prescribe the $949 test. Most insurance plans do not cover the cost.

The Food and Drug Administration demands an extensive study of a drug or vaccine before approval. A review by the agency is not required for this kind of blood test. But Grail plans to seek approval from the FDA while it is marketing the tests.

Experts are not sure whether the tests could improve Americans health or help cut the cancer death rate. U.S. government researchers, meanwhile, are planning a large trial with 200,000 volunteers over seven years to study the blood tests.

They sound wonderful, but we dont have enough information, said Dr. Lori Minasian of the National Cancer Institute. She is involved in planning the research. We dont have definitive data that shows that they will reduce the risk of dying from cancer.

Cancer screening

The history of cancer screening has served as a warning.

In 2004, Japan halted mass screening of infants for childhood cancer after studies found it did not save lives. Last year, a 16-year study of 200,000 women in Britain found regular screening for ovarian cancer did not make any difference in deaths.

Cases like these have uncovered some surprises: Screening finds some cancers that do not need treatment. On the other side, many tumors spread so fast that they prove to be deadly anyway.

Cancer screening, at times, can do more harm than good. It leads to worry over false positives, unnecessary costs, and serious side effects from cancer care.

Dr. Joshua Ofman is an official with Grail. He said current screening tests only look for one kind of cancer at a time, including breast, cervix, colon or lung. The new blood tests look for many cancers at once.

We screen for four or five cancers in this country, but (many) cancer deaths are coming from cancers that were not looking for at all, Ofman said.

Dr. Tomasz Beer of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland led the Grail study that Joyce Ares joined in 2020. After chemotherapy and radiation, doctors told her the treatment was a success.

Beer said Ares case is a hoped-for ideal outcome. He added, not everyone is going to have that. For some, Beer said the blood tests could bring false positives. For others, the tests found cancer that turned out to be advanced and aggressive.

Grail continues to update its test as it learns from these studies. The company is also working with Britains National Health Service on a study of 140,000 people. They want to see if the blood test can reduce the number of advanced cancers.

Although Ares feels lucky, it is impossible to know whether her test added healthy years to her life or made no real difference, said Kramer, former director of the National Cancer Institutes Division of Cancer Prevention.

I sincerely hope that Joyce benefited from having this test, Kramer said when told of her experience. But unfortunately, we cant know, at the individual Joyce level, whether thats the case.

Cancer treatments can have long-term side effects, he said, and we dont know how fast the tumor would have grown. Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is very effective. It is possible that Joyce would have had the same good results if she had sought treatment only after she showed symptoms.

For now, health experts say the Grail blood test is not a cancer diagnosis. This is a path in diagnostic testing that has never been tried before, Kramer said. Our ultimate destination is a test that has a clear net benefit. If we dont do it carefully, well go way off the path.

Im Jill Robbins.

The Associated Press reported this story. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English.

Quiz - Can Cancer Blood Tests Help Save Lives? Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________________________________

Words in this Story

shed  v. to lose naturally

ovarian - adj. of or related to ovary (an organ in woman's body that produce eggs and female hormones)

sincerely  adv. genuinely or truly

benefit  v. to be helped

diagnosis  n. the act of identifying a disease or illness

ultimate  adj. happening at the end
Man Arrested Again Over the Disappearance of Assyrian Couple in Turkey

Hurmuz Diril and his wife Aimoni. Arrested and released before as part of the same investigation, Apro Diril has been arrested again over the disappearance of Chaldean couple Hurmuz and Simoni Diril in Turkey's southeast in 2020.

In the trial over the disappearance of the couple in the Kovankaya village in Srnak's Beytussebap district on July 11, 2020, the first hearing was held at the Srnak 1st High Criminal Court today (April 19).

Apro Diril attended via video conference

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), the first hearing was attended by the children and lawyers of the Diril couple. Defendant Apro Diril attended the hearing from the Uludere Courthouse in another district of Srnak via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBIS).

Among the ones who followed the hearing were Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Srnak MPs Hasan Ozgunes and Hasan Kacmaz, Federation of Syriac Associations Chair Evgil Turker, Mardin MP Tuma Celik, Srnak Bar Chair Rojhat Dilsiz and Urfa Vice Bar Chair Fazilet Tastan.

'He threatened my parents'

Rejecting the accusations, defendant Apro Diril did not answer the questions, saying, "I don't know." Cemile Kas, the daughter of the missing couple, took the floor after Apro Diril and said that she lives in France and used to talk to her mother on the phone frequently.

Referring to one of these phone calls with her deceased mother, Cemile Kas said that her mother had said to her, "Apro and his friends treat us badly. Apro threatened us, saying, 'I will not let you live in this village'."

Kas underlined that 20 days before her parents got missing, they had been threatened by Apro Diril. She said:

"When I talked to my mother, she said that Apro told them, 'If you get missing one day, no one will be able to find you. I will hide you in such a way that no one will be able to find you'." Kas requested that the perpetrators of the incident be penalized and pressed charges against the defendants.

Eleonora Diril, also a daughter of the couple, said, "After my mother and father came to the village, I visited them once. When I was there, Apro shot at the house once. My mother said that they were constantly threatening them." She also pressed charges against the defendants.

'Don't go; they will show up in a fews days'

The couple's other daughter Emine Diril also noted that Apro Diril and his friends were constantly threatening the couple and she said that if something happened to her parents, they would be responsible for it.

Taking the floor last, Remzi Diril, the Priest of the Istanbul Chaldean Church and the son of the Diril couple, said:

"When the incident happened, I first went there. Apro and his friends were posing like intelligence officers. When I began making search efforts, Apro said, 'some people from the organization called them and they went downhill.' But when I went there and took a look at it, I saw that there was no human trace. While I was going to the [police] station upon seeing this, Apro said, 'Don't go; they will show up somewhere in a few days'."

Following the statements of the Diril family, Temel Babat, one of the witnesses, was heard at court. In prison on a different charge, Babat said:

"It was 2.5 or 3 months before the incident. Hurmuz came to my house. When we talked back then, he said that he was afraid Apro was going to kill him. He also said that Apro fired at him with a hunting rifle and threatened him, saying, 'I will not let you live till spring'."

Frat Tasdemir, also arrested on another charge, did not attend the hearing. The prosecutor requested that Apro Diril be arrested.

The court board has ruled that Apro Diril shall be arrested and adjourned the trial until June 16 for the rectification of deficiencies.

What happened?

72-year-old Hurmuz Diril and his 65-year-old spouse Simoni Diril, living in the Syriac village of Mehre (Kovankaya) in Beytussebap district of southeastern Srnak province, went missing on January 11, 2020.

Of the Chaldean couple, the deceased body of Simuni Diril was found by her children some 800 meters away from the village on March 20, 2020, 70 days after they had gone missing. The fate and whereabouts of Hurmuz Diril are still unknown.
Ukrainian officials say Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing at least seven people. Russian forces are targeting areas across Ukraine in an attempt to weaken the countrys defenses.

Lviv had escaped the worst violence of the Russian invasion that began almost two months ago. People believed the city was safe.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, meanwhile, promised to fight absolutely to the end in strategically important Mariupol. The few Ukrainian fighters remaining there ignored a surrender-or-die message from the Russians on Sunday.

Maksym Kozytskyy is the governor of the Lviv region. He said the Russian missile strikes hit three military facilities and an automobile repair shop. He said the wounded included a child.

A hotel sheltering Ukrainians who had fled fighting in other parts of the country was among the buildings badly damaged, Lvivs mayor said.

The nightmare of war has caught up with us even in Lviv," said Lyudmila Turchak, who fled with two children from the eastern city of Kharkiv.

Military experts say Russia is increasing strikes on weapons factories, railways and other infrastructure targets across Ukraine. The Russian military wants to weaken the countrys ability to defend against a major ground war in the Donbas. Donbas is Ukraines mostly Russian-speaking eastern area.

The Russian military claimed its missiles struck more than 20 military targets in eastern and central Ukraine in the past day. The military also said it hit another 315 Ukrainian targets, and launched 108 strikes on Ukrainian troops and military equipment. The claims could not be confirmed by The Associated Press.

Ukraines government halted civilian evacuations for a second day on Monday. It said Russian forces were attacking and blocking passages used by civilians to flee.

The government of the Luhansk area in the Donbas said four civilians trying to escape were shot and killed by Russian forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russia could be tried for war crimes over its refusal to permit civilians to leave Mariupol.

Russia is set on capturing the Donbas after its attempt to take Kyiv failed. Russian-backed separatists already control some territory in the Donbas.

We are doing everything to ensure the defense of eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly speech to the nation on Sunday.

The offensive in the east, if successful, would give Russian President Vladimir Putin a needed victory. Many Russian soldiers have died, and sanctions are badly hurting the countrys economy.

The capture of Mariupol is an important step for any eastern advance by the Russians. The major port city sits on the Sea of Azov and would give Russia its biggest military victory of the war.

The attack on Mariupol has killed at least 21,000 people, by Ukrainian estimates. An estimated 100,000 people remain in the city out of a prewar population of 450,000.

Russian forces bombed the eastern city of Kharkiv Monday in an attack that killed at least three people and wounded three others, said AP reporters on the scene.

One of the dead was a woman who appeared to be going out to collect water in the rain. She was found lying with a water container and umbrella by her side.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press.

__________________________________________________

Words in This Story

strategic  adj. of or relating to a general plan that is created to achieve a goal in war, politics, etc., usually over a long period of time

nightmare  n. a very bad or frightening experience or situation

infrastructure  n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly

evacuate  v. to remove (someone) from a dangerous place

ensure  v. to make sure, certain, or safe

advance  v. to move forward

umbrella  n. a device that is used for protection from the rain and sun
Shanghai has announced its first official deaths since the Omicron version of COVID-19 broke out in the Chinese city last month.

Officials said the three older individuals, who died Sunday, all had preexisting health conditions and had not been vaccinated.

Shanghai Health Commission inspector Wu Ganyu told reporters the patients conditions grew worse after they entered the hospital and they could not be saved.

International health officials have questioned the low death rate reported from the current outbreak in Shanghai. Most of the citys 26 million residents have been under stay-at-home orders since early April. The fast-spreading Omicron version of COVID-19 is responsible for most of the new infections.

Shanghai has reported more than 300,000 cases since late March. The government reported 23,460 new cases Monday on the Chinese mainland. Only 2,742 of those cases involved people experiencing symptoms. Shanghai accounted for 95 percent of the total, or 22,251 cases, including 2,420 with symptoms.

The lockdown orders are part of Chinas zero COVID policy that aims to isolate every case of the virus. News reports note that Shanghais policies have led to community disagreements.

Reuters reported that some peoples COVID-19 test results had shown up on local apartment building groups on the WeChat messaging service.

One foreign resident told the news agency he was having trouble entering his test results into the governments health app. When he could not show proof of his health results, the resident said building administrators attempted to block his familys food orders unless he shared his test results with other residents.

In some cases, news reports said people who had been placed in quarantine could not get back into their apartments after being released. That would represent a violation of government guidelines.

The Associated Press reported that one Shanghai quarantine center was set up with 50,000 temporary beds, but no hot water. The center is inside the citys huge National Exhibition and Convention Center.

One woman ordered to the quarantine center with her husband spoke to the AP in a video phone call. The woman, 30-year-old Beibei, asked only to be identified by her given name.

Beibei was ordered into the center with her husband after the two had spent 10 days isolated at home after receiving a positive COVID-19 test. The couples 2-year-old daughter, who did not have the virus, went to stay with her grandfather.

The site where BeiBei is staying is among more than 100 set up in Shanghai for people who tested positive, but have no symptoms of the disease. Beibei said she felt some mild symptoms at first, but they went away in a few days.

At the beginning people were frightened and panicked, Beibei told the AP. But with the publication of daily figures, people have started to accept that this particular virus is not that horrible, she said. Beibei was told she was set to be released Monday after two negative tests while at the convention center.

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported Monday it had recorded more than 504 million COVID-19 cases worldwide and 6.2 million deaths. The center said more than 11 billion vaccines had been administered.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and VOA News reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

___________________________________________________

Words in This Story

resident  n. someone who lives at a particular place

symptom  n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present

isolate  v. to put or keep in a place or situation that is separate from others

quarantine  n. the period of time during which a person or animal that has a disease or that might have a disease is kept away from others to prevent the disease from spreading

positive  adj. in a medical test, positive means the person being tested has a disease or condition

panicked  adj. a sudden, strong feeling of worry or fear

figure  n. a number that expresses an amount

negative  adj. in a medical test, positive means the person being tested does not have a disease or condition
The official May 17 primary day for Oregon is a month away. But with ballots appearing in mailboxes over the next two weeks, the timeline for campaigns to make their case is even shorter.

"Primary month"

Texas had its primary March 1. Oregon's is officially on May 17, tied for fifth earliest among the states.

But Oregon's primary "election day" is more like a "primary month." The state's vote-by-mail system will start sending ballots to voters on April 28.

Most will be returned well before the third Thursday of May, when the first results will be reported by Oregon's Secretary of State.

Top political party: None

As of April 12, there are 2,971,809 registered voters in Oregon.

The largest bloc: "Non-affiliated," with 1,027,139 voters  just over 34.5% of all voters. In second place are Democrats, with 1,018,350 registered voters. Republicans are third, with 725,055 registered members.

The vast majority of non-affiliated voters are people who were automatically registered to vote when doing business with the Oregon DMV. The state sends a card to the newly registered voters asking if they would like to be registered with a political party. Most don't bother.

Top bloc primary votes: None

None of those 1 million-plus non-affiliated voters can cast a ballot on May 17 for partisan offices, including governor, U.S. senator, members of Congress, the Legislature and local offices that have a party-based primary.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

The ballots sent to non-affiliated voters include only non-partisan offices - most significantly, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Party trumps population

Oregon allows each party to determine who gets to vote in their primaries. Both Democrats and Republicans have limited the primary to registered members of their party.

California and Washington are among states with primaries that allow all voters to cast ballots in primaries, with the top two finishers advancing to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Oregon voters have rejected two ballot measures in the past two decades to switch to open primaries.

Fractional factional victory

Just 4% of registered voters will decide one of the top three candidates on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, according to Portland-based DHM Research.

The number crunching goes like this: Republicans account for 24% of registered voters. Their closed primary is restricted to party members. Nonpresidential primaries usually result in far fewer voters actually casting ballots.

The 19 GOP names on the ballot for governor will splinter votes into a string of fractions, with the victor receiving as little as 20% of votes cast in the Republican primary.

Major candidate skips May altogether

Former Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, isn't on any May primary ballot. She's planning on turning in just over 24,000 valid signatures to the Secretary of State by the end of August in order to debut on the Nov. 8 general election ballot along with the primary winners.

U.S. House seats usually have no vacancy

Open congressional seats are a precious jewel for politicians. Hard to find, but held tightly when won.

This year, Oregon has two such gems: the new 6th Congressional District centered on the Salem area and the 4th Congressional District that includes Eugene, Corvallis and Roseburg.

Since the start of the 21st century, just eight people have held one of Oregon's five congressional seats. One Republican and one Democrat were forced to resign amid scandals  and were replaced by members of their own party.

The current Oregon delegation to the U.S. House were first elected in 1988, 1996, 2008 and 2010. Bentz, the newest member of the delegation, was elected in 2020 after U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, retired following two decades in office.

Incumbent upsets in primary are rare

Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner of Terrebonne is mounting an insurgent bid to beat incumbent U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, in the Democratic primary for the 5th district.

If she wins, it would be the first time since 1980 that an incumbent U.S. House member from Oregon would lose a primary. The last upset was 42 years ago when U.S. Rep. Robert Duncan, D-Portland, lost the 1980 Democratic primary in the 3rd district.

The winner was a political activist named Ron Wyden. After 15 years in the House, Wyden won a 1996 special election to replace U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Oregon, who had resigned because of a sex scandal. Wyden is seeking a fifth full six-year term in 2022.

House is not a home

Oregon legislators have to live in their districts to run for office. Not so members of Congress.

The U.S. Constitution does not require U.S. House members to be residents of their districts, just of the state from which they are elected.

Former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith announced last summer that she was running for the new 6th Congressional District seat  before the Legislature had come up with a map for its location.

When the new district was finalized in December, Smith's home near Wilkes Park in Portland was well northeast of the 6th district boundary.

Address question in the 5th

McLeod-Skinner is the most liberal candidate running in the 5th district, which includes Linn County, while former Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is one of the most conservative candidates.

But both share a common quandary in their quest to beat Schrader. They live just outside the district.

McLeod-Skinner has a mailing address of Terrebonne in Deschutes County. But her home is in the portion of Crooked River Ranch about 10 minutes away in Jefferson County. She'll be voting May 17 to choose the Democrat who will run against U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario in the 2nd Congressional District.

Chavez-DeRemer lives in a portion of Clackamas County just east of the 5th district. Her ballot will be cast in the race for the 3rd Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland

Joanna Harbour, an attorney in Estacada, in Clackamas County, is the sole GOP candidate in the primary.

It would be difficult for Schrader to hit either McLeod-Skinner or Chavez-DeRemer as carpetbaggers.

When the new congressional district maps were unveiled in September, Schrader found he was the incumbent of a significantly redrawn district. More than half of his constituents would be in the new 6th district.

Schrader considered running in the 6th district, but in the end opted to stick with the 5th district, which includes his home in Canby.

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Big tech companies like Google and Facebook parent Meta would have to comply with tough British rules under a new digital watchdog aimed at giving consumers more choice online. Otherwise, they would face the threat of big fines. The U.K. government on Friday outlined the powers its planning for its Digital Markets Unit, a regulator set up last year to take on the dominance of tech giants. It didnt specify when the rules would take force, saying legislation would come in due course. The new watchdog would enforce rules that make it easier for people to switch between iPhones and Android devices or between social media accounts without losing their data and messages.
Last month, I wrote about a Crete student whose essay on mental health was published in "Dear Freedom Writers," the newly released sequel to the original "Freedom Writers Diary."

The student learned about the so-called Freedom Writers  a group of California high school students who published an anthology of coming-of-age diary entries in 1999  in Paul Smith's freshman English class at Crete High School.

Smith, one of the hundreds of Freedom Writer teachers across the country, has taught a unit on the book for years, first at Lincoln Southeast High School and now to high school students at Crete.

But following a recent complaint, the book could soon be pulled from shelves.

Lester Ralston took issue with the book during a Crete school board meeting March 14, citing obscene passages and the book's explicit language.

"The Freedom Writers Diary" is co-authored by 150 students  once labeled "at-risk" and "unteachable" in Long Beach, California  who transform their lives through writing. Erin Gruwell, the teacher behind it, created a national movement surrounding the book, which was later made into a movie starring Hilary Swank as Gruwell.

Many of the book's passages deal with serious subjects, such as mental health, substance abuse and violence.

Ralston learned about the book from a friend before he was even aware of the sequel, and decided to read it for himself. He took issue with a number of entries in the book, which are published anonymously.

In one passage, for example, students are asked to assign themselves the grade they think they deserve. After one student writes "F," Gruwell takes the student out into the hallway.

"Do you know what this means?" Gruwell asks the student. "F*** YOU! That's what this is. It's a f*** you, and a f*** me, and a f*** everyone who's ever cared about you!"

In another entry, male students show a group of girls their genitals as part of a hazing ritual.

"We've got enough junk going on in society that we don't need to promote perversion and other things that aren't wholesome and healthy," Ralston, who doesn't have children in Crete schools, said in a telephone interview.

He filed a formal complaint with the district, which then convened a committee to study the book before offering a recommendation to the school board, according to Smith. The committee  comprised of teachers, patrons and a professor of education at Doane University  is set to meet later this month, Smith added.

"The book 'Freedom Writers Diary' presents scenarios that are evil," Ralston wrote in his complaint, dated March 30. "It is presented without comment as to its being bad or good. It only confuses students in trying to sort it out and applying it to their lives."

The book is a collection of "success stories" that shows teens overcoming challenges in their lives, Smith argued. Today's students aren't naive, Smith added, especially in this age of TikTok and social media.

"That would be keeping our heads in the sand," he said.

Smith said parents can request that their children read an alternate book, and students have a lot of leeway in choosing what entries they read for the class. At the end of the unit, the Crete students in his class then write their own Freedom Writer essay.

There are also extensive curriculum guides for Freedom Writers teachers that show how the unit fulfills English language arts standards, Smith said.

The Crete English teacher found out about the Freedom Writers  named after the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights Era  through a mutual friend of his and Gruwell's. When he was at Southeast, he helped pen "Teaching Hope," a book from the perspective of Freedom Writer teachers.

Calls for books to be removed from school shelves have increased nationwide. At a February meeting of the State Board of Education, board member Kirk Penner read aloud passages from several that depict sex acts, saying schools are "hyper-sexualizing" children.

Smith sees the latest challenge as an extension of the current climate.

"It's disappointing, but it's the times we're living in."

Younger Joel returning to Nebraska

Derrick Joel, son of Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Steve Joel, is coming back to the Cornhusker State.

The younger Joel, who last summer accepted a job as superintendent in Fort Dodge, Iowa, will take over for Brian Maschmann as assistant superintendent at Norris.

Maschmann was promoted to superintendent at Norris earlier this year after John Schwartz was named to lead Millard Public Schools.

Before going to Fort Dodge, Joel was superintendent at Raymond Central for four years.

Under a one-year contract, the younger Joel will be paid $150,000 at Norris and will start July 1. The assistant superintendent oversees a number of areas, including the budget, operations and human resources.

Joel and his wife, who have three children, were looking to come back to Nebraska, which felt "more like home for us."

"(Norris) is a great school district and we look forward to not just being a part of the district, but a part of the community," he said.

Quick hits

* Scott Middle School's annual Make-A-Difference Fair, in which sixth graders research a social issue and choose a nonprofit organization to support, is back in-person this year.

You can check it out  and donate to the causes  Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m. in the school's gym. (I received a couple of very enthusiastic invitations  real paper-and-ink letters, mind you  from students.)

* The Community and Youth Collaborative, an afterschool club at Lincoln High School that empowers youth activists through education and community-action projects, will host its first Youth Intertribal Spiritual Walk next weekend.

The walk will take place April 23  Earth Day  from 9:30 a.m. to noon along the Billy Wolff Trail from Lincoln High to the Lincoln Indian Center. The event will start at 9 a.m. with a traditional Native ceremony at Lincoln High.

Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack
The gubernatorial campaign of state Sen. Brett Lindstrom released polling Monday that indicates an increasingly tight three-way contest for the Republican nomination. The poll was conducted before serious allegations against one of the front-runners sent a shockwave through the race.

Polls released by two campaigns in mid-March already had suggested a three-way race, with Conklin Co. CEO Charles Herbster polling ahead of Lindstrom and University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen. The new polling, by 3D Strategic Research, was conducted for Lindstrom's campaign April 10-12. It suggests the gaps among candidates narrowing as undecided voters peel off, with Herbster four points behind Lindstrom and Pillen.

The ballot may be tied, but the momentum is clearly behind Brett Lindstrom," Lindstrom campaign spokesperson Pat Trueman said in a statement. "Hes in the driver's seat for the final month of the campaign.

The new poll found Lindstrom and Pillen each polling at 27% and Herbster at 23%, with 12% of voters undecided. Former state Sen. Theresa Thibodeau came in at 6%.

According to a polling memo, the survey included 500 GOP voters, with respondents randomly selected based on how likely it is that they will vote in the May 10 primary. Of those, 60% were reached via a call on their cellphone and 40% via landline, according to the campaign. The overall margin of error for the survey was plus or minus 4.38 percentage points  meaning the three front-runners all polled within the margin of error.

On April 14, two days after the survey ended, the Nebraska Examiner published allegations from eight women, including a state senator, who said Herbster had groped them. Herbster has denied the allegations, which have sparked condemnation from many figures across Nebraskas political landscape.

The Herbster campaign Monday questioned the new polls credibility: There is no credible polling that we have seen throughout the campaign that has shown Brett Lindstrom any higher than third place, spokesperson Emily Novotny said in an email. This includes polling through the past weekend.

The Herbster campaign declined to release any polling from the weekend, citing campaign policy.

The Pillen campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Randall Adkins, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said he thinks the latest poll shows "the race is continuing to tighten" as undecided voters make their picks. Given its timing in the context of the allegations against Herbster, however, Adkins said the data likely already is out of date.

A poll the same firm conducted for the Lindstrom campaign March 7-9 indicated Herbster was ahead at 30%, followed by Pillen with 23% and Lindstrom with 20%. It showed 18% undecided and a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38 percentage points.

Lindstrom is working with a significantly smaller war chest than the other top candidates. Through April 5, he had spent more than $1.2 million. Pillen had spent nearly $4.8 million and Herbster, who has largely bankrolled his own campaign, had spent nearly $8.7 million. Both Lindstrom and Herbster have been targeted by third-party attack ads  Gov. Pete Ricketts, Pillen's most prominent backer, said he contributed money to the dark-money group that has attacked Herbster. Ricketts has said he did not fund a group targeting Lindstrom.
" " Actor James Dean poses for a photo on the set of the Warner Bros film 'Giant' in 1955 in Marfa, Texas. Dean helped to popularize jeans with teens in the 1950s. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Ever since Levi Strauss, a German immigrant with a dry goods store in San Francisco, teamed up with Jacob Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada, to make sturdy pants for miners in the 1870s, America has had a love affair with blue jeans. Here are five things you may not know about this most democratic of pants.

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1. Those Rivets Had a Purpose

" " Woodcutters in Oregon, wearing Levi Strauss jeans, sit on a giant tree trunk in 1880. ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images

It wasn't just for style that Levi's jeans have had copper rivets on the pockets since the beginning. They were originally designed to make the seams of these miners' pants more durable. An 1873 article in the Pacific Rural Press opined that this feature will become "quite popular amongst our working men," noting, "nothing looks more slouchy in a workman than to see his pockets ripped open and hanging down, and no other part of the clothing is so apt to be torn and ripped as the pockets." The small fifth pocket on a pair of Levi's, by the way, is called a watch pocket since it was originally meant for placing a pocket watch inside. In the 1930s, the pockets were sewn to the pants so that the rivets were covered because of complaints that they scratched furniture. But they were returned to view in 1947.

2. Blue Was Best

The words "jeans" and "denim" come from two European ports that had been making similar fabrics since the Middle Ages. In Nimes, France, weavers had been trying to reproduce a cotton corduroy made famous in Genoa, Italy. They instead came up with their own sturdy fabric, called "serge de Nimes," later shortened to "denim." This was the material Strauss and Taylor used for their jeans. The threads of this fabric were dyed indigo because, unlike most natural dyes, indigo binds to cloth's threads externally. So, every time the fabric is washed, some of the dye molecules  and the thread  are stripped away. This process softens the rough fabric and makes the jeans more comfortable over time, not to mention more form-fitting. Nowadays, synthetic indigo is used.

3. Dude Ranches Made Jeans Popular With Everyday Americans

" " Woman in a cowboy hat and blue jeans rides a horse, 1944. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Although people often associate jeans with cowboys, records show relatively few of them wore the fabric (farmers and miners were more likely). But by the 1930s, jeans had become popular with everyday Americans, thanks to the dude ranch craze. During the Depression era, ranchers made extra money by allowing paying customers to visit and play at being cowboys. Many an American purchased their first pair of jeans in anticipation of their dude ranch visit. But these pants were seen strictly as weekend wear.

4. Movie Stars Made Them Popular with Teens

In 1955, James Dean made the classic teen-angst film "Rebel Without a Cause," telegraphing his rebellious ways with his uniform of blue jeans, white T-shirt and leather jacket. Marlon Brando wore the same look in the 1953 film "The Wild One" and Marilyn Monroe popularized the outfit for women (minus the leather jacket) in "The Misfits." The "cowboy" look symbolized that these young people didn't want to conform to society and longed for the open range, so to speak. In fact, jeans were banned from schools in the 1950s, seen as a symbol against authority. Nevertheless  or because of this  jeans became firmly associated with youth culture as the 1950s morphed into the '60s and beyond. And as these teens became adults, they continued wearing jeans everywhere.

" " Teenage girls dance in their jeans and socks under a nightclub disco ball, 1970s. Archive Photos/Getty Images

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5. They May Be on Their Way Out

Jeans have always been closely associated with America and American values. But could that love affair be cooling down? After a few years of poor company earnings in the 2010s, media reports speculated whether Americans were ditching jeans permanently for "athleisure" wear like yoga pants and leggings. But maybe not. Levi Strauss reported earnings soared during first quarter 2022, while Kontoor Brands, which owns Lee and Wrangler jeans reported huge revenue for the two brands for fiscal year 2021. It's hard to think that there wouldn't be room for both jeans and athleisure in the U.S. fashion landscape.

Now That's Weird Jeans are banned in North Korea as part of a push to eliminate Western cultural influences from its society. In fact, violators of the ban could end up in a labor camp.

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Originally Published: May 19, 2017
Giant container ship aground in U.S. bay freed after vast salvage operation

Xinhua) 08:19, April 19, 2022

The U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland Department of the Environment and Evergreen Marine Corporation, in partnership with multiple state and local responders, refloat the Ever Forward in the Chesapeake Bay, the United States, April 17, 2022. (George Mason University Department of Police and Public Safety/Handout via Xinhua)

"The vastness and complexity of this response were historic, as an incident like the Ever Forward grounding, in type and duration, is a rare occurrence," says Captain David O'Connell.

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A giant container ship named the Ever Forward with more than 4,000 containers aboard was refloated on Sunday more than a month after it ran aground on the East Coast, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The ship -- which became stranded in the Chesapeake Bay on March 13 after departing the Port of Baltimore for Norfolk, Virginia -- was freed around 7 a.m. (1100 GMT) following a 35-day salvage operation.

This came after two unsuccessful refloat attempts, as well as days of dredging and removal of 500 containers from the 334-meter Ever Forward.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland Department of the Environment and Evergreen Marine Corporation, in partnership with multiple state and local responders, refloat the Ever Forward in the Chesapeake Bay, the United States, April 17, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard/Devin Erfourth/Handout via Xinhua)

"The vastness and complexity of this response were historic, as an incident like the Ever Forward grounding, in type and duration, is a rare occurrence," Captain David O'Connell, commander of Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region, said in a statement.

The Ever Forward will be towed to the Annapolis Anchorage Grounds for inspection, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The ship will be reloaded with the containers that had been removed and continue its voyage to its next port of call in Norfolk.

The Ever Forward is operated by Evergreen Marine Corp., whose Ever Given got stuck in Egypt's Suez Canal in March 2021, blocking the waterway for days and causing delays in global shipping.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
How to save lives and become an organ donor

April is National Donate Life Month, and Roth is sharing his story to celebrate Jafari and bring attention to the people still waiting to find a lifesaving donor. That number is more than 100,000 people, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Living donations may make some people more uneasy than the thought of donating after death, but donation organizations say they are a big part of their efforts. Here's how you can become an organ donor.

Read more:

Genetic fingerprints can help treat skin conditions

Rashes can be thought of as a dysfunctional community of skin cells. Your skin harbors dozens of distinct cell types, including those that form blood vessels, nerves and the local immune system of the skin. For decades, clinicians have largely been diagnosing rashes by eye. While examining the physical appearance of a skin sample under a microscope may work for more obvious skin conditions, many rashes can be difficult to distinguish from one another.

At the molecular level, however, the differences between rashes become more clear.

Read more:

Doctors suggest new names for low-grade prostate cancer

A cancer diagnosis is scary. Some doctors say its time to rename low-grade prostate cancer to eliminate the alarming C-word.

Cancer cells develop in nearly all prostates as men age, and most prostate cancers are harmless. About 34,000 Americans die from prostate cancer annually, but treating the disease can lead to sexual dysfunction and incontinence.

Changing the name could lead more low-risk patients to skip unnecessary surgery and radiation.

Read more:

Can cancer blood tests live up to promise of saving lives?

A Canby, Oregon, resident had volunteered to take a blood test that is being billed as a new frontier in cancer screening for healthy people. It looks for cancer by checking for DNA fragments shed by tumor cells.

Such blood tests, called liquid biopsies, are already used in patients with cancer to tailor their treatment and check to see if tumors come back.

Now, one company is promoting its blood test to people with no signs of cancer as a way to detect tumors in the pancreas, ovaries and other sites that have no recommended screening method.

Read more:

Can shrooms help with therapy? And can conservatives be swayed?

Conservative Utah has become at least the fourth state over the last two years to approve studying the potential medical use of psychedelics, which are still federally illegal. A string of cities have also decriminalized so-called magic mushrooms and an explosion of investment money is flowing into the arena.

Experts say the research is promising for treating conditions ranging from PTSD to quitting smoking, but caution some serious risks remain, especially for those with certain mental health conditions.

Read more:

***

Get more of the past week's health news here:

***
The Dane County sherriff's deputy who was fired for undisclosed reasons in November  a month after saying a she shot at a man who stabbed her in Festge Park  was terminated for allegedly causing her own injuries with a box cutter while intoxicated on the night of the incident, reports say.
Madison East High School teacher Cesar Martinez told his students in a college prep program geared toward low-income students two years ago that if they all got into college, he would take them on a field trip to Washington, D.C., for their senior year trip.

In December, acceptances began to roll in from UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, Morehouse University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Maryland, among others, and as of this month, all 16 of Martinezs seniors in the AVID program have been accepted into higher education institutions.

But the pandemic threw a wrench into Martinezs plan to fundraise and as of Tuesday, the cohort was $19,500 short of its $20,000 goal to cover lodging and transportation for the trip.

Martinez set up a GoFundMe page for community members to donate at go.madison.com/east-avid. Students have also begun to sell snacks to classmates to raise money and plan to hold a car wash once the weather warms.

Its been a blessing, he said. Now, senior year, seeing things come full circle and seeing students decide where they want to go to college, thats the good stress that you want in your life as a teacher.

But the fundraising dilemma has created a different kind of stress.

The deadline to purchase plane tickets for the class is mid-May, Martinez said, and if the class doesnt meet its fundraising goal by then hell need to figure out another way to transport his students to the nations capital.

Usually, senior AVID trips head somewhere local, like the Wisconsin Dells, but to motivate his students, who were sophomores at the time, to begin thinking about college, Martinez opted to let the class decide where they would travel to and when as a group.

The best place they can all think of is D.C. to celebrate Juneteenth, he said.

Students plan to take part in Juneteenth celebrations scheduled in the city and to immerse themselves in history by visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of African Art, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Mary McLeod Bethune House and the Lincoln Memorial.

Juneteenth represents the end of our nations most horrific act and the turning over of a new (leaf), Favor Olubi, a member of Martinezs AVID senior class, wrote on the GoFundMe page. Taking a trip to the nations Capitol to celebrate freedom in its purest form would be an incredibly profound experience, but taking that trip with the very small group of people that weve had the opportunity to grow with for four years is even more.

AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, is an in-school academic support program for students in grades 9-12 to prepare them for post-secondary education. Students in the AVID program remain together as a cohort throughout high school and the programs goal is to level the playing field for minority, low-income and other students without a college tradition in their families.

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Before moving to Madison for middle school, East High School senior Gordon Allen grew up on the South Side of Chicago, where abandoned buildings, potholed streets littered with garbage and overdose deaths were common parts of daily life.

Nothing was being done about it, said Allen, now one of two student representatives on the Madison School Board and Stanford University bound. Thats not the only area in this country that has that same condition, even internationally you can really see the effects of poverty.

Allens upbringing has motivated him to seek out ways to effect change at East and has helped form his career goal: to eventually seek a seat in Congress, where he hopes to be a champion for those in communities like the one where he grew up.

Allens mother moved their small family to Madison in 2016, halfway through his sixth-grade year in search of more opportunities in education for her children. Allen, his 11-year-old brother and his mother currently live on Madisons North Side.

When I came here, my classes were more diverse, there was a lot more freedom in terms of what you wear, how you walk in the hallways. I would say Madison schools were definitely a place where you could be yourself more, and youre able to explore more, he said.

That freedom has inspired Allen to seek out as many co-curricular opportunities as possible.

At East, he is student body president and a student adviser on the Madison School Board, and he helped organize protests in October that sought to address the lack of sexual violence education and reporting at the school. After the protests, East administration committed to working with students to meet their demands.

That was my first-ever protest, he said. It was remarkable to see people outside of Door 1, outside of the Castle (what students call the Collegiate-Gothic style facade that faces East Washington Avenue) all together coming as one. We actually made change from it.

The protests were organized in response to what students saw as an inadequate response by the school administration regarding an alleged sexual assault during Homecoming weekend. Easts principal, Sean Leavy, has since left his position for a job in the districts administrative office and the schools interim principal, Mikki Smith, has worked with students to meet their concerns.

Now you can go in East and you see all of these posters up about how to report and what the process is in terms of sexual violence. You see more people adopting consent culture, he said. Its like we finally came together and our demands were met.

Allen is part of the schools investment club, the Black Student Union, and is a youth representative on the Dane County Board Personnel and Finance Committee.

He is also the co-chair of the school boards ad hoc committee on student safety and wellness, where he made a concerted effort to ensure students were a part of the group tasked with figuring out how to make schools safer following a number of high-profile altercations on or near East grounds at the start of the school year.

Allen, who supports the boards June 2020 decision to remove police officers from the districts four main high schools, said he would like to see the district work to connect with the community surrounding East to get ahead of and mitigate possible conflicts on school grounds, and to provide students with access to school-based mental health services.

School board president Ali Muldrow has worked with Allen for all three years she has served on the board so far and said hes acted as her moral compass in the decisions shes made as a part of the districts governing body.

Ill miss him a lot, she said about his approaching departure for Stanford.

He really elevates the voice of other students, and was key in the boards conversations about what was going on at East this year, she said. Hes a natural born leader in every arena he spends time in.

What motivates Allen is a desire to grow leadership skills and to advocate for folks who may not be able to advocate for themselves, like his younger brother who has special needs.

When I see a problem, I like to be the one to help, take part in addressing the problem, he said. I know how it feels to feel unheard.

Allen recently received a full-ride scholarship to Stanford University in California through the QuestBridge program, which aims to expand access to college and universities for first-generation and low-income students. The scholarship covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies as well as travel expenses. Allen will be the first member of his family to attend university.

I feel optimistic, he said about his future at Stanford.

He plans to double major in economics and political science, and he hopes to minor in international relations if the additional coursework is OKd by his college adviser.

Once he graduates from college, Allen said he plans to seek out work in finance, but his end goal is to get into politics and run for Congress. He hopes to bring sustainability, jobs, social and mental health supports to areas that have been consistently underserved.

I cant be just another person complaining without actually trying to do something to leave an impact, he said.

I think its good for Stanford. Theyre really lucky to have him, Muldrow said. Were all really proud of Gordon, and hes got an incredibly bright future.

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For the first time in nearly two years, drivers for Madisons public bus service got to stop playing mask cop Tuesday, a day after a federal judge struck down an oft-extended federal mask mandate for travelers.

Wearing masks is now optional on Metro Transit buses and at its facilities, the city-run bus service said in a statement in which it thanked riders for their cooperation during the extended time this mandate was in place.

With most businesses and workplaces closed and few places to go during the early months of the pandemic, Metro sharply cut back service, let people ride for free, capped the number of passengers who could be on a bus at any one time at 15, required riders to enter and leave by the back door and, beginning in late April 2020, required riders, employees or both to wear masks under the authority of various local, state and federal public health orders.

The mask requirement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the only such restriction left and had been set to expire May 3 when the Donald Trump-appointed judge in Florida ruled the agency had failed to justify the mandate and hadnt followed proper rule-making procedures in creating it.

Metro spokesperson Mike Rusch said staff were working to remove signs on buses, transfer points and elsewhere that alert passengers to the mask requirement. Passengers at the East Transfer Point on Milwaukee Street Tuesday seemed neither overly enthusiastic nor overly concerned about it going away.

Angela Flowers, 50, said shed been taking the bus to work every day for the last two months after her car broke down, and while she described herself as 50-50 on the side of the mask mandate, she was OK with masks being optional.

Its still my choice to wear the mask when I feel uncomfortable and theres a lot of people around, she said. But if theres not that many people on the bus, then Ill go ahead and just wont wear it.

My opinion is I think everyones going to get COVID sooner or later and its just better just to sort of get it out of our system, said Mike Dryden, 54, who hadnt been aware of the mandate ending and didnt have an opinion on whether it should.

Less ambivalent was Derrick Welton, 43, who takes the bus to get to work, shop and to see his mother. He declined to remove his Chicago Bears face covering for a photo.

This COVID thing is still going on, he said. I dont think the masks should be taken away because this COVID thing could start all over again. ... Im not trying to get sick by nobody.

Friction on board

The CDC order struck down Monday has been a point of contention for some passengers, especially on commercial airlines, and the nations largest flight attendants union had recently taken a neutral position on the mask mandate after a spate of sometimes-violent disputes with airline passengers who refused to wear masks. Some airlines in March also called for the mandate to end.

Such resistance could be seen on Madisons buses, too, although it didnt usually end in violence.

Metro driver and driver instructor Adam Corbin said riders unwilling to wear masks were an almost daily hassle, although it often depended on the route, with those serving UW-Madisons sprawling campus less likely to see uncooperative riders, possibly because the campus long had strict mask requirements in place.

The mandates were really difficult to enforce for some passengers, he said. It was a stressor for drivers.

Metro Transit saw at least three incidents in which passengers who refused to wear masks became violent. Two involved the same man who allegedly attacked a bus driver on one day in May and a fellow passenger another day. In the attack on the driver, the mans teenage brother also allegedly participated. In the third incident, 20 police officers were called to arrest two teenage girls who allegedly refused to get off a bus after refusing to put on masks.

Metro has been keeping masks on board for passengers who dont have one, and will continue to do so even now that the mandate has ended, Rusch said.

Our direction to drivers has always been, if someone is not wearing a mask, let them know that its a requirement and offer a mask if they dont have one, he said. Of course, not everyone was always willing to comply.

Handling that noncompliance varied by circumstance, Rusch said. Sometimes people were allowed to ride without masks, and weve always encouraged de-escalation as an approach, but that obviously is not something that was going to be completely effective in dealing with each situation.

Mixed bag

Madison and Dane County officials have been some of the most careful in the country in guarding against COVID-19s spread with mask requirements and limits on public gatherings, although the area has one of the highest rates of vaccination in the state.

The countys indoor mask mandate expired March 1, but the Madison School District last week extended its requirement until at least May 6. The district, the countys largest and most diverse, has been the slowest in the county to reopen schools to in-person learning and drop COVID-19 mitigation requirements.

Milwaukee County also announced Tuesday that despite the end of the federal public transit mask mandate, its transit system would continue to require mask-wearing on its buses.

Corbin  who praised Metro management for installing plexiglass shields to protect drivers and adding air-filtration systems on buses  called the end of the mask mandate a mixed bag.

It will be nice not to have to enforce it anymore, he said, but at the same time drivers are putting faith in their co-workers and riders to police themselves, and choose not to come to work or get on a bus if theyre sick.

But a lot of the work drivers do is public relations and customer service, he said, and that can be hard with masks in the way.

Im excited to see peoples faces again, he said.

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After eight years of study, Madison could take its first major step toward joining the growing number of U.S. cities that equip their police officers with body-worn cameras.

The decision pits Madisons most liberal activists, who view the cameras as a poor way to build trust with the community and hold bad officers accountable, against the citys more establishment left, who say the cameras will provide more transparency to police interactions.

Council president Syed Abbas and Police Chief Shon Barnes, both of whom support the cameras, on Monday predicted a close vote Tuesday by the 20-member City Council on whether to launch a body-camera pilot program. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway would have the power to break a tie, but she has repeatedly refused to stake out a position on the technology. Her chief of staff did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

The citys police union has long supported the cameras. Currently only the citys SWAT team and motorcycle officers use them, and Madison police squad cars have long been equipped with dashboard-mounted cameras.

The resolution on the councils Tuesday agenda would approve 48 cameras for officers in the citys North District, one of the citys six police districts, for a yearlong pilot project. The pilot would require the city to try to implement at least some of the recommendations made by its most recent committee to study cameras, including making the pilot a rigorous, randomized controlled trial of body cameras.

The council had already approved $83,000 for purchasing the cameras but police now anticipate it could get the cameras on loan from a manufacturer, in which case that money would be used for other needs related to the pilot, such as processing and storing video.

Body-worn camera critics on the council have of late pointed to questions about how any future, wider camera program would be paid for and whether enough groundwork has been laid to launch the North Side pilot, such as by adopting the recommendations of the Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee.

That committee in January 2021 released a report that recommended any citywide camera program be contingent on nine actions or policy changes by the city, police department or Dane County District Attorneys Office, including one requiring the DAs office  over which the city has no control  be committed to measures sufficient to prevent an overall increase in charging rates and criminalization in low-level offenses caused by MPD (body-worn camera) implementation.

The resolution on Tuesdays agenda provides no information on the scope and purpose of such a pilot, what information we expect to learn from the pilot or on what measures it will be evaluated, Ald. Grant Foster, District 15, said in a Monday blog post explaining why he will vote against it. Perhaps most importantly, the resolution fails to identify the expected costs of full implementation of body-worn cameras in Madison and how this may exacerbate the structural deficit we find ourselves in.

Barnes described the cameras as a way to provide an accurate record of the way police and citizens behave when they interact, while emphasizing that there is no panacea for community trust-building.

He pointed to a Jan. 7 report from the U.S. Justice Department that found that as of 2016, 80% of large departments, meaning those with at least 500 officers, had acquired the cameras, while 47% of smaller departments had.

Everyone cant be wrong, he said. There must be some effectiveness to body-worn cameras.

That same federal report notes the lack of definitive evidence on the impact of body cameras. A review of available research showed no consistent or statistically significant effect of the cameras on improving officer safety, increasing the quality of evidence, reducing civilian complaints or reducing police agency liability, the DOJ says, although it does reference five body-worn cameras programs in the United Kingdom and the United States that showed promising results.

Tuesdays resolution has seven council sponsors, including Tag Evers of the far-left Progressive Dane party.

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Abortion has catapulted to the front of Wisconsins midterm races for governor and U.S. Senate in the wake of news that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Democrats looked to capitalize on anger over the potential that abortions could soon be illegal in the state, while Republicans were joyful at the possibility that the nearly 50-year-old ruling could be overturned. Abortion rights were already expected to be a major dividing line issue in races for governor and U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. But both Republicans and Democrats say overturning Roe brings new urgency to the races.
There's a chance of rain across Wisconsin today and Friday, but rain will be spending more time in the southern part of the state. See when the best chance of rain is and when we'll dry out again.
The workforce is changing at a rapid pace. So much so, that the cultural phenomenon deemed, The Great Resignation continues to capture headlines. Employees are more vocal about their dissatisfaction with their working environments, and many have resigned for different reasons. This phenomenon, a phrase coined by Anthony Klotz, a business management professor at Texas A&M University, has taken concerned business owners by surprise  forcing them to scramble for solutions to their staffing needs.

In 2021, 3.9 million employees were resigning per month on average, and this trend is predicted to continue into 2022, as 4.4 million employees resigned in February alone  a slight increase from the previous month.

In addition to having expectations of a hybrid or work-from-home option, workers now expect a certain level of fairness and equality from their employers. They want to feel valued and appreciated, and dont want to sacrifice their personal lives for their jobs. The current climate has forced many business owners to reevaluate their workplace culture and adapt in order to retain their best employees.

While these changes may cause feelings of uncertainty, it also presents opportunities for employers and job seekers. Below, Better Business Bureau reviews some of the workplace trends predicted to be the most prominent in 2022.

Hybrid work models are still preferred by employees

The workplace changes initiated by the pandemic have many people looking for jobs that offer a better work-life balance. In particular, they are gravitating towards hybrid work models, where they can flex between working at home and in the office. In fact, not only do 83% of workers prefer a hybrid work model, but 63% of high-growth companies have already adopted a hybrid workforce model.

Establishing trust with your employee to fulfill their responsibilities is not only empowering but also sets a higher standard of accountability. Guiding your employee to set attainable goals and establishing performance measures such as OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) or KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) can significantly help your operation move forward in a hybrid setting.

A heightened push for automation

Automation has been used to increase productivity over the last few decades, and in the wake of the pandemic, it is being implemented even further. 88% of small businesses say automation allows them to compete with larger companies by enabling them to move faster, reduce errors and offer better customer support. Businesses facing staffing shortages can especially benefit from automation, which allows them to maintain a similar work output with fewer employees.

With more tasks being automated, employees can shift their focus to a variety of projects, and even obtain new skills sets to perform more challenging work.

Investing in employees

Every company should strive to have enthusiastic and motivated employees. Demonstrating a commitment to employee growth and success builds loyalty. 94% of employees said they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. Not only will they actively work to improve business operations, but they will become trusted advocates.

Setting up a growth plan, providing funds for courses or certifications inside and outside of their role, mentorships programs, personal development assessments, and inviting guest speakers are all affordable and creative ways to invest in your employees.

For more highlights from the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, visit BBBMarketplaceTrust.org/RiskReport. Go to BBB.org/ScamTracker to report a scam and learn more about other risky scams on BBB.org/ScamTips.

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Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson appeared to be getting himself into hot water with his recent refusal to debate his opponent, Idaho Falls attorney Bryan Smith, on Idaho Public Television.

As it turned out, Simpson was setting a trend. Days later, Rep. Pricilla Giddings of White Bird  who is running for lieutenant governor  backed out of her televised debate with Scott Bedke. Then, Gov. Brad Little  who is being challenged by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin and Ed Humphreys of Eagle, among others  became the first sitting governor to duck a debate.

All had their reasons. Basically, Simpson, Giddings and Little wanted nothing to do with the political food fights that were certain to occur.

Simpsons campaign issued a statement that voters heard enough from Bryan Smith. Its more accurate that Simpson has heard all he wants from Smith. Voters will hear plenty more from Smith about the need to replace Simpson after 22 years. But it wont happen on a debate stage.

Giddings backed away, saying she was concerned that reporters serving on the debate panel would be biased. She has a point. These biased reporters, no doubt, would grill her on things like releasing the name of a rape victim and her blind loyalty to the Idaho Freedom Foundation. With this thing called the free press, politics can be a brutal career choice for people who dont like hard questions.

Littles departure, while somewhat surprising, makes sense politically. His campaign says the governors record is non-debatable, which is not the smoothest choice of words. Of course, his record is debatable  as is the record of any governor in any state. But he has no interest in engaging with McGeachin, who has spent the last two years hammering on the governor for one reason or the other. As Little might see it, theres no reason to give McGeachin free air time.

The question is whether ducking debates will have any impact on the races. My guess is, probably not.

Debates do hold value in political campaigns for undecided voters. In these races, those who have not made up their minds must be living in caves. They obviously dont follow politics, and its likely they wont vote anyway.

For campaign staffs and volunteers, televised debates are better than the Super Bowl, with every word (and gaffe) being the difference between life and death. The reality is, viewers who are not political junkies are more likely to be at home watching a sporting event or favorite program than the debate.

To supporters of various campaigns, televised debates are nice excuses to hold watch parties. Of course, their candidate will be the clear winner no matter how well or poorly he/she does.

Debates provide a snapshot of a candidates relative strengths and weaknesses, to the extent that two-minute responses and one-minute rebuttals provide. But televised debates in Idaho, which have been going on for more than three decades, rarely (if ever) make a difference in the outcome of an election.

If theres a candidate who might be hurt with his decision not to debate its Simpson, who may be facing the toughest challenge of his political career. Smith is eager to call out Simpson for supporting dam breaching as well as the congressman declaring Donald Trump unfit for the presidency a few weeks before he was elected to the office in 2016.

Its his choice if he wants to debate or not, Ill give him that. Whats not his choice, and is the hallmark of arrogance, is for a congressman to say that voters have heard enough from his opponent, Smith says.

When I found out he wasnt going to debate, I was really disappointed for the people of Idaho, Smith said. Debates have been a tradition, and part of our culture, for more than 30 years. Im disappointed that the voters are not going to watch what was going to be one of the most anticipated political debates in this election cycle.

Of course, not all is lost for Smith, who can spend the remaining weeks of the campaign talking about how Simpson is hiding from his record. Smith is gaining some generous attention  and rallying points for his supporters  with Simpsons decision to skip the debate.

Smith might not have gotten that kind of traction after a debate.

Chuck Malloy is a longtime Idaho journalist and columnist. He may be reached at ctmalloy@outlook.com.

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The proposed Henry County Public Service Authority (PSA) budget for FYiscal Year 2022-23 reflects no change in rates to customers and an overall decrease of 5.2% over last years budget.

Henry County Administrator and PSA General Manager Tim Hall, who is retiring at the end of June, presented his last proposed budget Monday evening. Board members charged with providing water and sewer services to residents, businesses and schools in Henry County reviewed a healthy balance sheet that included an annual review of remarkable achievements.

The proposed budget is $11,976,319, said Hall. This is a decrease of 5.2% over last years budget of $12,635,578. Much of this decrease is attributable to the cycle of capital needsthis budget has fewer capital items than past or perhaps future budgets.

Hall said he was not recommending any adjustment to PSA rates and noted that the current rates have been in place for the past 10 years.

Staff recommends a rate study be done in the next year, so the organization can have data available should an increase be needed in the near future, Hall said. Currently we charge residential users $30 a month and non-residential users $45 a month, both based on 4,000 gallons a month, and institutional users pay $68 a month, based on 6,000 gallons a month. These rates place us in the mid to lower range of surrounding authorities and public works departments.

Halls budget also proposes a 6% raise for employees, matching the request in the County budget for County employees.

Our salaries stagnated during the years prior to last year when employees received 5% bumps, said Hall. Those lean years have placed us behind what other localities, and the private sector, are beginning to offer. Given the volatile market, with people more likely to job-hop in the current economy, we are facing a crisis of compensation and commitment to our people.

In order to address the problem, Hall said, Henry County and the county school board were developing a compensation study, and the PSA would be included.

Its imperative that the County and the PSA implement whatever the compensation study recommends, Hall said. To do otherwise means the money to do that study was wasted and tells our employees that we arent serious about their compensation.

Highlights of the past year included revenues that exceeded the budget by nearly 110% and actual expenses that were less than 90% of the budget.

This is another example of our fiscal responsibility and caring for each dollar out customers pay us, said Hall.

Additionally, in the past year the Preston Road water project began providing a redundant water source for the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre, work began on the Elf Trail water line and tank project and permits were renewed for the Lower Smith River wastewater treatment plant.

While this project has gone dormant because of price increases and other factors, we should continue our path forward on re-engagement of this facility, Hall said.

Expansion of the Philpott Water Plant was completed, meter upgrades are about 75% complete and overall water loss continues to decline.

Although Hall said the new budget was reduced primarily due to a decrease in capital spending, a total of $1,098,900 is requested to purchase an equipment trailer, four trucks, a tire loader, more meters, water lines, sewer extensions, computers, a revamped website, a flow study and repairs to water storage tanks.

Our most recent rate increase was in 2013, and clearly weve done an extraordinary job in managing our business since then, said Hall. But costs continue to rise and adjustments in revenue should be considered.

New on the list of expenditures is a request that the PSA contribute to the maintenance of the Henry County Administration Building, where their offices are located.

The PSA has never contributed to maintenance costs of the Administration Building, despite being a tenant for more than 25 years and taking up about 18% of the office space, Hall said. We are recommending that the PSA begin to pay a proportional share of the maintenance costs, which equals roughly $150,000 annually.

Hall said if Martinsville reverts to a town within Henry County there will be no direct impact on PSA operations, but it could lead to a re-engagement on the possible reopening of the Lower Smith River wastewater treatment plant.

The reversion tap dance continues, said Hall. The legislation passed by the General Assembly, requiring a City voter referendum on the issue, could be impactful or maybe not. It all depends on how the courts view the Citys various filings attempting to circumvent the legislation and prevent its citizens from actually having a say about their future.

Hall ended by referring to his proposed budget as your budget to the PSA board members and thanked them for the honor of being their general Mmanager.

As you know, I am out of here July 1, Hall said. Working for Henry County and for the Public Service Authority for the past 24 years, including the past 10 as county administration and PSA general manager, has been an absolute honor. This boards faith in me and our staff has been humbling, and our working relationship has been extraordinary.

The PSA and County organizations are in good hands with Dale Wagoner, and the staffs are unrivaled in the region and in the Commonwealth. Come July 1, Ill be watching from the sidelines and cheering like crazy.

Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 2360. Follow him @billdwyatt.

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A Richmond judge on Monday sentenced a Henrico County man to three life sentences for abducting, raping and murdering a Virginia Commonwealth University administrator in her South Richmond home in May 2019.

Thomas Edward Clark, 62, was convicted by a jury in November of all three felony counts, which each carry up to life in prison.

Suzanne Fairman, 53, lived alone in the quiet Stratford Hills neighborhood of South Richmond. She had planned to visit her mother in Florida for Mother's Day, but never arrived at the airport.

On May 9 around 11 p.m., police were sent to her home where they found Fairman submerged; face up in the tub, her head beneath the still-running faucet. She was fully clothed, though her shirt was pulled up revealing a black bra. Her pants were on inside out. Her wrists showed ligature marks from where they had been bound.

Prosecutors say Clark put her in the water in hopes that his DNA was be washed away, but it was found on her and her clothing.

Clark was part of a landscaping crew that worked on Fairman's back deck. She had complained about the shoddy work, and Clark had returned to redo the work the week before Fairman was killed.

A bandana Clark told investigators he left behind was found on the counter in the bathroom, where Fairman's body was found. It was alongside a knife, a glove and a phone charging cord that had been cut. Prosecutors said the cord was used to tie her hands, and that Clark held the knife on her as he raped her.

Phone records also tied Clark to the scene.

He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and his attorney Ali Amirshahi said Clark intends to appeal.

UPDATE: Jury finds Henrico man guilty in 2019 rape, murder of VCU administrator Scott Fairman wants his mother remembered for the wonderful, beautiful, loving person that she was, he told reporters outside the John Marshall Courts Building on Wednesday after a Richmond jury found a Henrico County man guilty of abducting, raping and murdering her in May 2019.
The Blue Ridge Parkway will receive approximately $127 million in Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) funding for two major infrastructure projects in the countrys most-visited national park.

Generations of park visitors and local residents have enjoyed scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway and into our neighboring communities, just last year the park had 15.9 million visitors, said Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. The Parkway was created to be a driver of tourism and to support and sustain local economies. Ongoing investments in critical park infrastructure and operations will allow the Parkway to continue to serve the nation in this important role.

The projects include approximately $29 million for a full replacement of the Laurel Fork Bridge at milepost 248.8 in Ashe County. The historic bridge is approaching the end of its lifecycle. It was constructed in 1939 and is 546-feet long and 28-feet wide. It is a five-span bridge with a steel girder and concrete floor beam structure supported by concrete and stone masonry abutments which are set in the steep slope of a ravine, and concrete piers which are cast onto a wide concrete footing. The bridge replacement project will take two years and require a full closure with detour.

The other project is for approximately $98 million for a three-year repaving and rehabilitation project that will span 75 miles of the Parkway in North Carolina, from milepost 229.6, just north of Doughton Park, to milepost 305.1, near Grandfather Mountain. The paving project will include repair or replacement of drainage structures, curbs, walks, shoulders, guardrails, overlooks and signage. The paving project will be phased with a staggered series of closures allowing for continuous access to recreation areas and visitor amenities within the construction zone.

Both projects will be jointly managed by the NPS and the Federal Highway Administration. Contracts for both projects have recently been awarded and construction timelines and detour locations are being finalized. Road closure dates and detour information will be announced and updated on the parks website at https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm.

Funding for the projects comes from GAOAs National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund. GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive maintenance backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, the fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment for current and future visitors. This project will eliminate more than $115.6 million of maintenance backlog for the park. It will also support more than 1,600 jobs and contribute $348 million to the nations economy.

About the Blue Ridge Parkway

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the north with Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the south. The route travels the crests, ridges, and valleys of five major mountain ranges, encompassing several geographic and vegetative zones ranging from 600 to more than 6,000 feet above sea level. It provides visitors with many varied vistas of scenic Appalachian landscapes ranging from forested ridgetops and mountain slopes to rural farmlands and urban areas. The parkway offers a ride-a-while, stop-a-while experience that includes scenic pullouts, recreation areas, historic sites, and visitor contact stations. It is known nationally and internationally for its designed landscape as a scenic motorway. Learn more online at www.nps.gov/blri .
The McDowell County Board of Commissioners allocated $1 million of federal money toward expanding broadband internet for the local community.

School closures during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fact that many McDowell County households do not have access to broadband Internet service.

McDowell County and local broadband providers said they hope to reduce the coverage gaps thanks to funding that has been made available by the McDowell County Board of Commissioners and the state of North Carolina, according to a news release.

In November 2021, the N.C. General Assembly passed legislation that provided $350 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for broadband expansion. Perhaps just as importantly, the legislation granted counties in North Carolina the legal authority to spend state and federal funding they have received on broadband expansion. Before this law change, counties were hamstrung in their ability to make investments in broadband projects.

The McDowell County Board of Commissioners exercised this new authority at its regular Monday, March 14 meeting by voting unanimously to allocate $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds toward broadband expansion.

I am very happy that we now have the opportunity to partner with our local broadband providers to reach unserved areas, said Commissioner Brenda Vaughn. The pandemic has definitely shown how important broadband is to our residents.

The countys funds will be provided to qualifying broadband providers that are applying for the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) broadband grant. The providers are required to commit private money toward the project costs.

In addition to private investments, the grant program also requires recipient providers to deliver broadband at download speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (mbps) download and 100 megabits per second (mbps) upload by Dec. 31, 2026.

We understand and share the frustration of residents who do not have access to broadband at their homes and their businesses, said Commissioner Patrick Ellis. Im hopeful these grants will be received in order take care of the coverage problem once and for all.

The GREAT applications are due by Wednesday, May 4. Grant awards will be made in later this year. If the GREAT grant applications are not successful, additional state and federal grants will be sought, according to county officials.
Saudi trade minister Majid ben Abdullah Al Qasabi has voiced his countrys intention to increase the number of Moroccan workers from 22,000 to nearly 500,000 within the frame of its new investment strategy focusing on human capital.

During his meeting held Monday in Jeddah with Moroccan peer Ryad Mezzour, Al Qasabi said Saudi Arabia is determined to strengthen further economic & trade relations with Morocco, stressing the need to enhance contacts between the two countries private sectors and work hand in hand for joint access to emerging markets.

Al Qasabi also called for increasing the Moroccan and Saudi investments injected in both countries for shared dividends, development and prosperity.

For his part, Mezzour said Morocco offers huge investment opportunities thanks to its geographical position, skilled labor force and FTAs signed with the European Union, the United States and several Arab countries.

He called for setting up a Saudi-Moroccan maritime line to give new momentum to trade exchanges between the two countries and overcome all logistic hurdles.

Ryad Mezzour, who led the Moroccan delegation to the Moroccan-Saudi Business Forum held Monday in Jeddah, urged economic stakeholders in the two countries to increase efforts in order to build effective strategic partnerships, through better exploitation of the industrial complementarity between the two countries and the enormous potential offered within the framework of a win-win relationship for both sides, while taking into account mutual interests.

He voiced the Moroccan governments full support for the objectives of this partnership, as well as the particular interest it takes in its development so as to meet the expectations of the two peoples.

Morocco and Saudi Arabia also agreed to draw a roadmap for the creation of an integrated industrial system to increase investment opportunities and promote employment between the two kingdoms.

This came during a meeting Mezzour held with Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef.
Mortar fire claimed by the radical Islamist Shebab targeted Somalias Parliament on Monday as lawmakers gathered for an election process to choose a new President.

Explosions were heard in the middle of a parliamentary session broadcast live on television. Several people were injured, but no elected officials were hit by shrapnel that landed in the fortified airport compound near parliament in the capital Mogadishu, officials and a witness said.

We dont have details yet but these explosions were caused by mortar fire, the lawmakers were inside the building when the incident happened, they are safe, a security official said on condition of anonymity.

I was in the area when the mortar shells landed outside the building where the parliamentarians were gathered, several people were slightly injured in one of the explosions, said a witness, Abdukadir Ali.

The parliamentarians were to set dates for votes for the presidents of the two legislative chambers, the next step in a long-delayed process to elect a new president to lead the country. The upper house will vote on April 26 and the lower house the following day to select their respective leaders, officials said. The new members of the Senate and Peoples Assembly were sworn in Thursday after chaotic elections marked by violence and a power struggle between the incumbent president and Prime Minister.

The al-Qaeda affiliated Shebab, who have been waging an insurgency against the Somali state for over a decade, claimed responsibility for the attack in a brief statement. The insurgents, who were driven out of the countrys main cities, including the capital Mogadishu in 2011, remain established in vast rural areas. In recent months, they have intensified their attacks.
The ruling military junta in Bamako announced Monday that it had received a new shipment of Russian equipment for the Malian armed forces, including two combat helicopters and surveillance radars.

We are receiving this second batch of military equipment from Russia. This is the manifestation of a very fruitful partnership with the Russian state, said Major General Oumar Diarra, Chief of General Staff, according to a statement from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (Dirpa).

The Twitter account of the Malian presidency posted images of the unloading of the cargo of the Russian cargo plane that brought the equipment to Bamako International Airport.

The colonels who took power by force in August 2020 in a Mali in the midst of security turmoil have drawn closer to Russia at the same time as they have turned away from France, which has been militarily engaged in the country against jihadists since 2013.

Against the backdrop of a diplomatic crisis with the junta, Paris announced in February the withdrawal of its soldiers deployed in Mali, an operation that should be completed this summer.

France and its European partners involved in Mali have been denouncing for several months the juntas alleged use of the services of the Russian private security company Wagner. The junta denies this and speaks of an old partnership with the Russian army.
World Bank President David Malpass announced Monday that he is preparing a $170 billion aid package over 15 months to help countries deal with multiple crises including the food and humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

We are preparing for an ongoing response, given the multiple crises around the world, he told reporters at the launch of the spring meetings.

He cited food insecurity and the refugee crisis related to the war in Ukraine. Millions of people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to escape attacks by Russia.

In the next few weeks, I plan to discuss with our board a new 15-month package of about $170 billion to cover the period from April 2022 to June 2023, he said.

He added that the goal was to commit some $50 billion of that amount over the next three months.

This is a significant amount, he noted, noting that the Board approved $157 billion in 2020 to address the pandemic crisis.

David Malpass also expressed particular concern about the debt burden of poor countries.

We expect the debt crisis to continue to worsen in 2022, he said, pointing out that these countries were under severe financial stress.

A total of 60% of low-income countries are already in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress.

Last week, David Malpass again called for an improved common G20 framework for debt restructuring.
Cardiovascular mortality rates declined more among dialysis patients than the general population between 1998 and 2015 in Europe, according to a study published online April 18 in JAMA Network Open.

Gurbey Ocak, M.D., Ph.D., from Sint Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, and colleagues assessed mortality rates (1998 to 2015) for myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism among 220,467 patients (in 11 European countries) receiving dialysis versus the general population.

The researchers found that over follow-up, 9.1 percent of patients died because of myocardial infarction, 6 percent died because of stroke, and 0.5 percent died because of pulmonary embolism. Between the periods 1998 to 2003 and 2010 to 2015, the age- and sex-standardized mortality rate ratio [SMR] for myocardial infarction decreased from 8.1 to 6.8, while the SMR for stroke decreased from 7.3 to 5.8 and the SMR for pulmonary embolism decreased from 8.7 to 5.5.

"Mortality rates for myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism improved more in patients receiving dialysis than in the general population, suggesting possible improvement in predialysis and dialysis care," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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Diagram illustrating problems leading to delayed diagnosis of rare diseases. Credit: CC BY, 2022 M. Isono et al. Why does it take so long for rare disease patients to get an accurate diagnosis?A qualitative investigation of patient experiences of hereditary angioedema. PLOS ONE

Regular episodes of severe pains in the abdomen and mysterious swellings had become the new normal for Yukifor 20 years. Finally, she was diagnosed with a rare disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE), and given a specialized treatment that brought much-needed relief. But what happened during those years of delay, and why did it take so long? In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers from Osaka University revealed the experiences of patients with a rare disease who remained undiagnosed for many years. The findings highlight the importance of raising patients' and clinicians' awareness of rare diseases.

"There are around ten thousand rare diseases," says lead author of the study, Moeko Isono. "Altogether, they affect over 400 million people. There are many people who struggle to find the right diagnosis, and in certain cases the failure to do so can be fatal."

Previous studies that looked at diagnostic delays for rare diseases usually focused on the time taken to reach a diagnosis, and other measures that can be quantified.

"For our study, we used a qualitative approach," says Isono. "This meant that we could explore why the delays were so long and how the correct diagnosis was finally achieved. We hoped to identify areas that could be improved."

The research team focused on patients with hereditary angioedema, a disease that typically involves long diagnostic delays. The condition causes swelling in different parts of the body, such as the skin and digestive system. It can be life-threatening if the swelling affects the airways. An accurate diagnosis is important, as the mortality rate is around three times higher if left undiagnosed.

Interviews were conducted with nine patients with the disease who had remained undiagnosed for more than five years. Patients were invited to share their experiences from initial symptoms to diagnosis with HAE. The responses revealed that many patients had become resigned to living with the symptoms and had stopped trying to find a cause.

"What was striking was that, in most cases, the possibility of a rare disease was simply not considered," says senior author Kazuto Kato. "Symptoms were sometimes put down to 'psychological stress' or 'stomach flu' and left at that. This is concerning, because the condition needs to be treated so as to avoid worst-case scenarios and improve patients' quality of life."

Kato believes that raising the awareness of rare diseases is key to improving the diagnostic delays. "It's important that the possibility of a rare disease is considered, both by clinicians and by patients. Our findings strongly suggest the need for measures to make it easier for patients and health care providers to recognize the possibility of rare diseases. For example, all clinicians should be trained to be able to realize the possibility of rare disease. Additionally, raising awareness among the public by mass media or other stakeholders is important. Health care providers sometimes cannot be fully aware of their patient's overall condition, so patients should be encouraged to raise their suspicion and act themselves. This could reduce the diagnostic delays."

Note: The patient's name has been changed for reasons of confidentiality.

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More information: Moeko Isono et al, Why does it take so long for rare disease patients to get an accurate diagnosis?A qualitative investigation of patient experiences of hereditary angioedema, PLOS ONE (2022). Journal information: PLoS ONE Moeko Isono et al, Why does it take so long for rare disease patients to get an accurate diagnosis?A qualitative investigation of patient experiences of hereditary angioedema,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265847
Colorized electron micrograph showing malaria parasite (right, blue) attaching to a human red blood cell. The inset shows a detail of the attachment point at higher magnification. Credit: NIAID

By analyzing samples from patients who have been treated for malaria in Sweden, researchers at Karolinska Institutet can now describe how the immune system acts to protect the body after a malaria infection. The results, published in the journal Cell Reports, provide knowledge that can aid in the development of more effective vaccines against the disease.

"Our results contribute to a better understanding of how humans fight this serious disease and may help in the development of better vaccines," says Christopher Sundling, principal researcher at the Department of Medicine, Solna, at Karolinska Institutet, and last author of the study. "This sheds new light on the question of how the body's immunse system deals with malaria."

Malaria is caused by parasites that are spread to humans by mosquitoes. The disease caused more than 600,000 deaths in 2020, mainly among young children in sub-Saharan Africa.

People who contract malaria repeatedly may gradually become immune to the disease. But even before that, the body can build up a so-called tolerance, which provides protection against severe disease.

To find out more about how disease tolerance develops, KI researchers investigated immune cells and proteins in blood samples from patients who had been treated for acute malaria infection at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, Sweden and had recovered.

This patient group was monitored by being tested on six occasions during one year following the onset of the disease. A total of 53 patients were included, 17 of whom had contracted malaria for the first time, while 36 had grown up in malaria endemic areas, had had malaria many times before and now contracted the disease again after travel.

"Since we have followed the patients here in Sweden, we can study the natural course of the immune response after a malaria infection, without the risk of a new infection interfering with the results. This cohort has proved to be very valuable for studying the immunology of malaria," says Anna Farnert, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Senior infectious diseases physician at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden in whose research group the study was conducted.

Within this cohort, the researchers recently described the kinetics of antibody responses after infection in Nature Communications.

In the case of malaria, the disease itself is partly a result of the inflammation created in the body by the immune system's reaction to the infection. In their comparisons, the researchers noted a strong inflammatory response from the so-called innate immune system in people who were infected for the first time. In contrast, the people who were re-infected had an ability to suppress the inflammation, Christopher Sundling explains.

"In those who have had malaria before, we saw that the early presence of parasite-specific antibodies interrupt the first stages of the inflammation and prevent a certain type of inflammatory T-cell from expanding," Sundling continues.

In October 2021, the World Health Organization recommended the use of the world's first, and so far, only vaccine against malaria, Mosquirix. However, Mosquirix targets only one form of the malaria parasitethe form the parasite has when it first moves from the mosquito into the liver. Once it enters the bloodstream and gives symptoms, the pathogen is at a different stage against which the vaccine does not work.

"This is a weakness of the current vaccine. Understanding how tolerance develops and what happens in the blood stage can help us develop other types of vaccines, which may not fully protect against infection but will lessen the chances of becoming seriously ill. If such a vaccine can enable people to survive the first infections that kill so many, we could save many lives," says Sundling.

Over the last few decades, the incidence of malaria decreased globally. Efforts to distribute mosquito nets, spray insecticides indoors, as well as diagnostics and new treatments are believed to have contributed to the positive trend, Anna Farnert notes. But in recent years the rate of decline has leveled off, and in 2020 the COVID pandemic contributed to increased mortality.

"We now need to continue to ensure that people are protected from being bitten by infected mosquitoes and have access to rapid and effective treatment. But to further reduce the burden of disease and eventually eradicate malaria, new tools are required. An effective vaccine is really needed; that is how we have been able to manage other infections, also in poor countries," says Anna Farnert.

Explore further Malaria: New knowledge about naturally acquired immunity may improve vaccines

More information: Christopher Sundling, Systems analysis shows a role of cytophilic antibodies in shaping innate tolerance to malaria, Cell Reports (2022). Christopher Sundling, Systems analysis shows a role of cytophilic antibodies in shaping innate tolerance to malaria,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110709 Victor Yman et al, Distinct kinetics of antibodies to 111 Plasmodium falciparum proteins identifies markers of recent malaria exposure, Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27863-8 Journal information: Cell Reports , Nature Communications
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In returning astronauts, there have been more than 30 reports of kidney stones, a painful and debilitating condition, though until now there has been little research into why this occurs.

With speculation that years-long passenger flights to Mars are just five years away, it is becoming increasingly important to improve our understanding of how sustained exposure to weightlessness and cosmic radiation affects health, and in particular, organ function.

Lead researcher Dr. Stephen B. Walsh, Associate Professor in the Department of Renal Medicine, UCL Division of Medicine, said, "Should humans travel to Mars, they will be exposed to far greater and more intense levels of galactic cosmic radiation, subjecting every cell in the body to a mixture of hard gamma radiation and exotic particles.

"The effects could be devasting: While many organs can withstand some radiation, the kidney is one of the most sensitive to radiation; therefore the impact of an almost two-year long mission into deep space could be catastrophic, leading to a dramatic decline in function.

"Through this research we hope to assess in detail the cellular changes microgravity (weightlessness) and galactic cosmic rays make to kidneys, and how this could be mitigated through medicine."

For the study researchers at UCL will examine the kidneys from mice that lived on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than a month, provided by Dr. Jonathan Galazka, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center. The ISS circulates in the thermosphere (or low earth orbit) exposing the mice to microgravity.

In addition, the team will study the kidneys from mice irradiated in NASA's ground-based Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) simulator, based at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. Half the GCR exposed mice were given novel anti-microRNA countermeasure treatments to see if this would prevent or reduce any cellular damage as part of a larger study by Dr. Afshin Beheshti, Principal Investigator at KBR at NASA Ames Research Centre.

The kidneys will be scrutinized using big data "omics" approaches to look for changes in the levels of biomolecules across the entire spectrum of proteins and RNA found in the kidney.

Furthermore, whole-organ 3D imaging techniques will be used to capture any structural changes and microscopic damage.

Dr. Walsh added, "Kidney stones are a real danger. One Soviet mission almost had to undertake an emergency re-entry when the lead cosmonaut developed a kidney stone in orbit. It is critical, now that long term space missions are planned, to work out how and why microgravity increases the risk of kidney stone formation so we can take steps to avoid this.

"We also have a unique opportunity to study kidneys exposed to a GCR dose equivalent to that of a Mars round trip; we will be looking for signs of damage to the mitochondria, energy-producing compartments of the cell that are vital to both the health and function of the kidney."

Dr. Keith Siew, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Renal Medicine, UCL Division of Medicine, said, "The health impacts from this research will not only be confined to astronauts and space tourists."

"Understanding the causes of kidney stone formation may help to develop strategies to slow the increasing incidence here on earth, or the studies of countermeasure efforts could one day help limit radiation damage to healthy tissue caused during radiotherapy."

Libby Jackson, Exploration Science Manager at the UK Space Agency, said: "As we continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, we have a duty to look after our pioneering astronauts."

"This research by UCL will help support longer and more challenging space missions, while potentially delivering health benefits for us here on Earth. It's exciting to see this cutting-edge research taking place here in the UK."

This research will be conducted in collaboration with scientists at KBR and NASA's GeneLab, part of the Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, King's College London, University of Cambridge, Francis Crick Institute, Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at UCL, and Staffordshire University.
Doctors have long thought it dangerous to prescribe erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra alongside chest pain pills containing nitrates.

"It's always been a big red line," said Dr. John Osborne, director of State of the Heart Cardiology in Grapevine, Texas. "You do not mix. Don't go there."

But sex remains important among men with heart problemsso much so that co-prescription of ED drugs and nitrate pills increased 20-fold between 2000 and 2018 in Denmark, said Dr. Anders Holt of the cardiology department at the University of Copenhagen.

Now, a new study indicates there might be little to no potential risk in co-prescribing the two types of drugs.

Men are not more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest if they've been prescribed both an ED drug and a nitrate medication, according to a study led by Holt and published April 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"No increased risk following co-prescription was found, suggesting that in our selected cohort of patients, co-prescription could be safe," Holt said.

Nitrates often are prescribed to men with heart problems and clogged arteries. In the movies, nitrates are the little pills that guys pop under their tongues when they think they might be having a heart attack.

Nitrates ease chest pain and prevent heart attack by causing blood vessels to relax and widen, improving blood flow and allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart muscle.

ED drugs like Viagra and Cialiscalled PDE5 inhibitorsproduce the same effect, even though they operate in a completely different manner. They also widen blood vessels, in their case to allow more blood to reach the penis and promote easier erections.

The concern, which has stretched back as far as Viagra's approval in 1998, is that taking the two drugs together could cause a person's blood pressure to dip to dangerously low levels.

At the very least, the patient could suffer from dizziness or lightheadedness, Osborne said. At worst, the drop in blood pressure might lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Since men are being prescribed both drugs anyway, Holt and his team set out to see if these guys are putting themselves at risk for the sake of good sex.

They pulled up the medical records of nearly 250,000 Danish men with heart disease, focusing on 42,000 who were prescribed nitrates between 2000 and 2018.

The number of nitrate users who had also been prescribed an ED drug rose dramatically during that period, from 0.9 prescriptions per 100 patients in 2000 to 19.5 per 100 in 2018.

But researchers found no statistically significant association between any worrisome or dangerous heart-related outcomes and co-prescription of the two types of drugs.

They speculated this is probably because men are not taking the two medications at the same time, even though both sets of drugs are in their medicine cabinets.

That could simply be a matter of timing, Osborne said.

"The nitrates are usually taken in the morning and the ED drugs you usually take in the evening, time enough that that drug interaction is not relevant," he said.

Or it could be that patients are heeding doctors' warnings to space out the drugs, said Dr. George Abraham, president of the American College of Physicians.

"A number of us physicians would warn them that as long as they don't take them together so that they both come to a peak at the same time, that if you stagger the two, then that way it should be less of an issue," Abraham said. "I think the study has just borne out of what we have sort of suspected all along, at least in clinical practice."

Either way, Osborne and Abraham maintain that men should still take care not to mix the two types of drugs, particularly since ED medications have become longer-lasting.

"The moral of the story would be that this still doesn't eliminate the risk," Abraham said. "Viagra has about a four-hour window, but Cialis is a 24-hour medication. If they've taken an ED drug and if they were to pop one or two nitros because of chest pain, they still stand the risk of potentially having some concomitant effect together and can drop their blood pressure."

At the same time, the study findings provide some relief for cardiologists whose patients want to take ED drugs, Osborne said.

"I think we should still be cautious, but it is very reassuring to see that we're not detecting any signal of major harm in patients who have prescriptions for both of those drugs," Osborne said. "There's the potential for drug interaction, but we're not seeing real-world harm."

A separate study published last year yielded similar results.

Explore further Many people with high blood pressure may take a drug that worsens it, says study

More information: The American Heart Association has more about The American Heart Association has more about heart medications Anders Holt et al, Adverse Events Associated With Coprescription of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and Oral Organic Nitrates in Male Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease, Annals of Internal Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.7326/M21-3445 Anthony P. Nunes et al, Cardiovascular Outcome Risks in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction Co-Prescribed a Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor (PDE5i) and a Nitrate: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Electronic Health Record Data in the United States, The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.06.010 Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine , Journal of Sexual Medicine

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SK channels were upregulated In pyramidal cells. Credit: KyotoU

A new study reports that immune cell responses to bacteria affect the intrinsic excitability of rat neuronal subtypes differently. The findings have implications for neural network control, including irregularities that lead to neurological and psychiatric disorders.

If a neuron can be viewed as a battery that stores and discharges electricity, then its intrinsic excitability can be viewed as the battery's storage capacity. While higher energy storage is usually viewed positively, overcharging a battery could cause it to overheat and become damaged.

Like all immune cells, microglia serve to kill off pathogens and infections, and their activity is known to regulate the intrinsic excitability of neurons. Yet, when microglia are over-stimulated, they can cause inflammation, pain, and other ailments.

"For example, unmanaged intrinsic excitability has been attributed to psychiatric diseases, like mood disorders," explains author Gen Ohtsuki of Kyoto University.

Current knowledge on neuronal regulation comes from experiments analyzing Purkinje cells. These neurons are found in the cerebellum, which is considered an evolutionarily ancient part of the brain and responsible for motor control. Less understood are the effects on the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal cells, which are neurons found in the cortex: the part of the brain associated with higher-level thinking.

The team observed that calcium-activated SK ion channels in pyramidal cells were modulated by microglia, which is the same for Purkinje cells. However, in pyramidal cells, SK channels were upregulated, while they were downregulated in Purkinje cells.

"The effects were completely opposite," notes Ohtsuki.

The pyramidal cells appeared to react to the same cytokineTNFa or tumor necrosis factor alphasecreted by activated microglia: one of the most common cytokines released by immune cells in response to an infection.

However, the difference in SK channel regulation resulted in lower intrinsic excitability of pyramidal cells but higher intrinsic excitability of Purkinje cells. These inverted responses or directionalities to the same input are not uncommon between Purkinje and pyramidal cells and have also been seen with synaptic plasticity.

Ohtsuki cautions that "the effects of microglia in one part of the brain should not be generalized to the entire organ. Our findings show that we need to study different brain regions separately to understand how microglia regulate neuronal function and how immunity impairs plasticity of neurons in psychiatric-diseased brains."

The research was published in Current Research in Neurobiology.

Explore further Purkinje cell dendrites plasticity and the basis for cerebellar learning

More information: Yuki Yamawaki et al, Microglia-triggered hypoexcitability plasticity of pyramidal neurons in the rat medial prefrontal cortex, Current Research in Neurobiology (2022). Yuki Yamawaki et al, Microglia-triggered hypoexcitability plasticity of pyramidal neurons in the rat medial prefrontal cortex,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100028
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. Credit: Stephanie Rossow, CDC/Antibiotic Resistance Coordination & Strategy Unit

Bacteria that cause infections in hospitals are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics, and a group of bacterial species called Enterobacterales that are able to fend off a type of antibiotic called carbapenems are a particular problem. They cause difficult-to-treat, often fatal infections, and can spread between patients within hospital settings, creating outbreaks that can be hard to contain.

A group led by Ashlee Earl, an institute scientist and senior group leader of the Bacterial Genomics group (BGG) at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and including BGG-affiliated scientists Rauf Salamzade, Abby Manson, Bruce Walker, and Colin Worby, along with Roby Bhattacharyya, an associate member of the Broad and assistant professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, has investigated the spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in four hospitals. They developed a new computational method for analyzing the genomes of CRE isolated from patients. Using that method, the scientists were able to track the movement of key genes across different CRE species over time and space, revealing many more connections between patient infections than expected based on standard methods. Their study was recently published in Genome Medicine.

"This new approach changed the picture," said Earl. "While we expected to find examples of gene sharing, the results from Rauf's method started to suggest that there is a veritable interstate highway for antibiotic resistance genes to move between bacteria in hospital environments and for a very long time."

Spot the spread

From 2012 through 2016, the team worked with clinical microbiology leaders at four hospitalsBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, and the University of California Irvine Medical Center in Orange, CAto collect all CRE isolates from patient samples as well as an assortment of CRE that had been saved from patients in these hospitals going back to 2008. Using previously established approaches, the team analyzed the chromosomes of these organisms to see how closely related they were from person to person within a hospital. They identified a small number of very close connections between patient samples within hospitals, suggesting that the movement of the organisms between patients within hospitals had been limited and short-lived. While this suggested the local transfer of CRE was minimal, one large limitation still loomed.

These bacteria typically become resistant to carbapenems by picking up a gene from other bacteria that enables carbapenem resistance. Such genes, which encode an enzyme called a carbapenemase that degrades the antibiotic, typically reside on a piece of the genome, called a plasmid, which is smaller than the chromosome and can be transferred between bacteria through a process called horizontal transfer. The sequence of the carbapenamase gene is highly consistent across CRE from around the world, making it impossible for scientists to confidently track the movement of that gene from one bacterial cell to the next.

Luckily for researchers, the plasmid DNA on either side of the carbapenemase gene varies more than the gene itself, and the team leveraged this to create new analyses for tracking patterns of CRE spread. Rauf Salamzade, now a graduate student at University of Wisconsin, Madison and first author of the study, developed an algorithm to systematically sift through all of the plasmids from the bacterial isolates the team had sequenced. By looking at the entire plasmid rather than just the carbapenemase gene, the researchers identified plasmid segments that were most strongly associated with a specific geographical locationthe team called these segments geographic signatures.

Within these signatures, the researchers found additional antibiotic resistance genes, genes that support resistance to hospital disinfectants, and other genes that they hypothesize help the carbapenemase gene to persist and spread across species even when carbapenems are not present.

The findings suggest that specific genes, rather than entire organisms, were circulating in hospitalsin some cases, for many years. Notably, the team discovered antibiotic resistance gene transfer between bacteria, connecting patient infections in new ways and also helping to explain the large diversity of CRE species and strains in these hospitals. Typically, hospitals would not connect outbreaks of different CRE species such as E. coli and Klebsiella, but the research team says that information from Salamzade's tool could make hospitals more aware of potential hospital reservoirs for gene exchange and inform epidemiological investigations into antibiotic resistant infections.

"Hospital epidemiology would never find this with more traditional methods," said Earl. "I would argue that this is the kind of thing even our standard genomics approaches wouldn't find. It really took having a hypothesis, building up an approach to allow us to test that hypothesis in a really rigorous way, and then stepping back to look at the data."

With this new approach, the team hopes to further investigate how and why CRE can persist in hospitals. They also aim to characterize genes in the geographic signatures with unknown functions to better understand their role in supporting CRE.

Explore further Key genetic clue missing in fight against superbugs

More information: Rauf Salamzade et al, Inter-species geographic signatures for tracing horizontal gene transfer and long-term persistence of carbapenem resistance, Genome Medicine (2022). Journal information: Genome Medicine Rauf Salamzade et al, Inter-species geographic signatures for tracing horizontal gene transfer and long-term persistence of carbapenem resistance,(2022). DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01040-y
Pedro Herrera's team reports new discoveries in the knowledge of the mechanisms of pancreatic cell formation, as well as in the gene expression profile defining the identity of the different types of endocrine cells of the pancreas. Credit: Pedro Luis Herrera

The pancreas is a key metabolic regulator. When pancreatic beta cells cease producing enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise dangerouslya phenomenon known as hyperglycemiathus triggering diabetes. After discovering that other mature pancreatic cells can adapt and partly compensate for the lack of insulin, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) demonstrates that the stem cells from which beta cells are derived are only present during embryonic development. This discovery puts an end to a long-standing controversy about the hypothetical existence of adult pancreatic stem cells that would give rise to newly differentiated hormone-producing cells after birth. The scientists also succeeded in precisely defining the 'identity card' of pancreatic endocrine cells, which is a promising tool for the production of replacement insulin-secreting cells. These results can be read in Cell Reports and Nature Communications.

Diabetes is a common metabolic disease. It is characterized by a persistent hyperglycemia that occurs when pancreatic cells responsible for the production of insulinthe beta cellsare destroyed or are no longer able to produce this regulatory hormone in sufficient quantities. Since 2010, studies performed by the team of Pedro Herrera, a professor in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development and in the Diabetes Centre at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, as well as at the Geneva Institute of Genetics and Genomics (iGE3), reveal that the other pancreatic endocrine cellsnamely alpha, delta and gamma cells, which produce other hormones useful for the metabolic balancecan "learn" to produce insulin when beta cells are absent or defective. This phenomenon, observed in mice and humans, demonstrates the plasticity of pancreatic cells and paves the way to new therapeutic strategies.

The short life of pancreatic endocrine stem cells

In two recent publications, Pedro Herrera's team reports new advances in the knowledge of the mechanisms of pancreatic cell formation, and in the gene expression profile defining the identity of each of the different islet endocrine cell types. The first research, published and featured in the cover of Cell Reports, demonstrates that pancreatic endocrine cells all derive from undifferentiated progenitor cells that emerge exclusively during embryonic development, but not after birth.

"Until now, some scientists thought that intra-pancreatic stem cells persist throughout life, "explains Pedro Herrera. Marta Perez-Frances, a researcher in Pedro Herrera's team and first author of this study, adds that their "work shows that this is not the case. Indeed, all pancreatic hormone-producing cells that emerge after birth originate from the division of existing differentiated cells that were generated during embryonic and fetal life from undifferentiated progenitor cells."

To decipher this mechanism, the scientists generated mouse models in which the different types of pancreatic endocrine cells were genetically tagged with a fluorescent tracer at different developmental stages in order to track them down after birth. The cells were traced up to the age of ten months, when mice are old.

A detailed ID card

In a second article, published in Nature Communications, Pedro Herrera's team focus on the gene expression profile of pancreatic endocrine cells. "Precisely defining the 'identity card' of these cells now helps us to design a tool aiming at engineering cell replacement therapies to treat diabetes. Such therapies could for instance consist of in vitro manufacturing of insulin-producing cells, or in stimulating pancreatic regeneration by exploiting the plasticity of the non-beta cells that we have discovered", explains Leon van Gurp, first author and post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Pedro Herrera.

The generation of surrogate cells with stable functional identities is crucial for the development of cell-based therapies to treat degenerative diseases. However, their generation requires reliable tools to accurately assess cell identities. To this aim, the researchers performed an extensive meta-analysis of single-cell transcriptomics, i.e. the analysis of the genes expressed by individual endocrine cells isolated from human pancreatic islets (these cells are grouped in small "clusters" within the pancreas). The identification of robustly expressed gene-sets allow the precise definition of the genetic signature of each endocrine cell type of the pancreas.

"Our work has no immediate clinical translation. Yet, by deciphering in detail the mechanisms governing the construction of cellular identities, it paves the way for developing innovative therapeutic approaches for treating diabetes and other pathologies linked to the loss of any given cell type," concludes Pedro Herrera.

The gene lists that the authors have generated can be downloaded from the Molecular Signatures Database.

Explore further Safer mass production of endocrine cells for stem cell-derived therapy for diabetes

More information: Marta Perez-Frances et al, Adult pancreatic islet endocrine cells emerge as fetal hormone-expressing cells, Cell Reports (2022). Marta Perez-Frances et al, Adult pancreatic islet endocrine cells emerge as fetal hormone-expressing cells,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110377 Leon van Gurp et al, Generation of human islet cell type-specific identity genesets, Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29588-8 Molecular Signatures Database: www.gsea-msigdb.org/gsea/msigdb Journal information: Cell Reports , Nature Communications
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

China reported seven more deaths from COVID-19 in Shanghai on Tuesday, after hundreds of thousands of cases in the metropolis during a weeks-long lockdown.

City authorities revealed the first deaths of this outbreak on Monday, with Tuesday's fatalities bringing the official toll to just 10, even as the virus continues to spread.

Beijing insists its zero-COVID policy of hard lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines has averted fatalities and the public health crises that have engulfed much of the rest of the world.

But some have cast doubt on official figures in a nation where the vast elderly population has a low vaccination rate.

By comparison, Hong Kongwhich also has a high number of unvaccinated elderlyhas tallied nearly 9,000 deaths among 1.18 million COVID-19 cases since the Omicron variant surged there in January.

Unverified social media posts have claimed Shanghai's deaths are going unreported, but the messages have been quickly scrubbed from the internet.

Shanghai health officials said Sunday that less than two-thirds of residents over 60 had received two COVID jabs and under 40 percent had received a booster.

The seven newly reported deaths were all unvaccinated patients, city health official Wu Qianyu told a press conference on Tuesday.

They were aged between 60 and 101, and suffered from underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, according to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.

The patients "became severely ill after admission to hospital, and died after ineffective rescue efforts, with the direct cause of death being underlying diseases", the commission said.

Shanghai logged more than 20,000 new and mostly asymptomatic COVID cases Tuesday, defying officials' efforts to stamp out the infection.

Many of the city's 25 million residents have been confined to their homes since March, with some flooding social media with complaints of food shortages, spartan quarantine conditions and heavy-handed enforcement.

Protest footage has circulated faster than government censors can delete it.

The country's zero-tolerance approach to COVID had largely slowed new cases to a trickle after the virus first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

But officials have scrambled in recent weeks to contain an outbreak spanning multiple regions, largely driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

By one estimate on Monday, around 350 million people in at least 44 cities are currently under some form of lockdown in China.

Explore further Shanghai reports first deaths in current COVID-19 outbreak

 2022 AFP
Renee Schnettler and Maxwell Anderson show how the soft robot bends with air pressure. Credit: University of Colorado at Boulder

Seniors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder are designing a new soft robot to improve physicians' ability to examine the deepest part of a patient's lung.

Currently, there is only one system that can get down to the bottom of the lungsa rigid catheter that could potentially cause inflammation. The team of mechanical engineering students are working with medical device company Medtronic on making the tip of that catheter more flexible.

"Our client is hoping to reduce the strain on the body by replacing the end of the device with something that is very compliant and soft, especially in comparison to the materials that are used today," said Maxwell Anderson, the team's logistics manager. "We're trying to create a soft robot for the tip that will allow the physician to have more control of the end and have it be less abrasive toward the patient."

The students are tackling this project as part of the department's Senior Design course. They have spent the academic year researching, designing, molding and testing various iterations of their soft robot prototype.

An iterative design process

The team's baseline design is a hollow, silicone tube with bubbles on the outside. The bubbles expand as the soft robot is inflated with air pressure, which causes the tube to bend. The students explained that the bending motion is the key aspect of their design, as that configuration is what allows the soft robot to move through the deeper parts of the lung.

"The catheter still does most of the work during the procedure, and then physicians control the soft robot at the very end to just move the tip," said Renee Schnettler, the team's project manager. "It can hook into different areas and allow doctors to send a needle through it to take a sample of any lung tissue they are studying."

The team said they are constantly making new prototypes for testing purposes. The R&D process has resulted in 55 prototypes since fall 2021.

"A lot of what we've been doing is building off of our baseline design," said Isaac Martinez, the CAD engineer on the team. "We watch how that prototype behaved and try changing certain dimensions. That would be one iteration. Then we change another aspect, like the number of bubbles, and that becomes a second iteration. We've been trying to put together this full picture from a lot of different prototypes."

Each change in the prototype's design has been targeted and intentional. That includes adjustments to the soft robot's control system.

"Our control team has spent a lot of time just trying to figure out how we can tell where the tip of the robot is," said electro-mechanical engineer William Wang. "We have been trying to improve our control systems to hit the desired positions, but each iteration of our prototype behaves slightly different depending on the material properties. We've been trying to find more robust techniques to control all of them."

Prototyping for future ideas

The students emphasized that they are at the very beginning phase of this project. Their work is all preliminary research and development for Medtronic since the field of soft robotics is relatively new.

"Our project is a learning experience for us and Medtronic," said Schnettler. "There's not really a good way to model this. We can't build a SolidWorks simulation and know how it's going to behave. You just have to try it, and I think that's why Medtronic wanted us to do it. We could just try a bunch of iterations over the year, and then they can scale it down and refine it in the future."

Each of the students on the Senior Design team are proud that their project could one day have a bigger impact by helping patients and their families. Many of seniors have plans to continue this line of work and enter the biomedical engineering field after college.

"There's a large difference between working on something that is a commodity rather than medical devices that people need," said test engineer Caitlyn Robinson. "I already had planned on going into the medical device industry, but working on this project and being exposed to all the different elements comprised with working inside a human body really solidified it for me."

Explore further Mechanical engineering professor to design a 'soft' robot that could be used in space

More information: The Senior Design team will present their prototype and control system at the College of Engineering and Applied Science The Senior Design team will present their prototype and control system at the College of Engineering and Applied Science Engineering Projects Expo 2022 on April 22.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Previous work by researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University into the recent surge in firearm violence across Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic found that it was strongly associated with the enactment of containment measures.

Now, new research published in the journal Preventive Medicine builds on those findings by examining the people and places impacted by interpersonal firearm violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia.

Utilizing the Philadelphia Police Department's registry of shooting victims from January 1, 2015, through March 31, 2021, the research team looked at the time, date, and block-level location of incidents, as well as demographic and mortality information about victims. They also examined mass shootings, which are incidents in which four or more people are shot within one hour within 100 meters (about one city block).

Following the implementation of COVID-19 containment measures in Philadelphia on March 16, 2020 (the date of non-essential business closures):

The number of people shot per quarter nearly doubled from 331 pre-containment to 541 post-containment.

The proportion of women shot increased by 39%, from 8.2% to 11.4% of all shootings.

The proportion of children shot increased by 17%, from 7.8% to 9.0% of all shootings.

Among children, there was a 13% increase in shootings from noon-11:59 p.m.

Compared to other groups, Black women were 11% more likely and Black children were 8% more likely to be shot following COVID containment.

Mass shootings increased by 53% from 3.6% of all shootings prior to containment measures to 5.5% of all shootings after containment measures were implemented.

The increase in mass shootings did not fully explain the observed changes in the people impacted by firearm violence.

Shootings were less likely to be fatal, with 17.3% of shootings resulting in death post-containment compared to a shooting fatality rate of 20.2% pre-containment.

There were increased rates of shootings in parts of Northeast, Eastern and Southwest Philadelphia and an increase in mass shootings in the Northeast.

"Our research reveals a shift in the epidemiology and an increasing severity of interpersonal firearm violence in Philadelphia after measures were put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19," said Jessica H. Beard, MD, MPH, FACS, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Trauma Research at the Katz School of Medicine and the study's corresponding author. "Absent robust social and economic support, the containment policies likely worsened structural inequalities that already existed. Only by examining the root causes of interpersonal firearm violence and gaining a better understanding of these changes that have occurred, can we address the epidemic of gun violence in the city. From a public health perspective, solutions could include investment in public education and employment, as well as increasing access to social services and support, such as medical assistance."

Explore further COVID containment measures in Philly associated with rise in gun violence

More information: Iman N. Afif et al, The changing epidemiology of interpersonal firearm violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia, PA, Preventive Medicine (2022). Journal information: Preventive Medicine Iman N. Afif et al, The changing epidemiology of interpersonal firearm violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia, PA,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107020
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A year after a new Montana law stripped local health boards of their rulemaking authority, confusion and power struggles are creating a patchwork oversight system that may change how public health is administered long after the pandemic is over.

The law, which took effect last April amid criticism of mask mandates and other COVID restrictions on businesses, gave local elected leaders the final say in creating public health rules. Supporters said elected officials would be accountable to voters if they abuse that authority, while opponents said the change would inject politics into health decisions.

Matt Kelley, CEO of the Montana Public Health Institute, a nonprofit focused on strengthening public health systems, said local health boards still have a duty to protect their communities, but the law limits their power to do so.

"Anybody who has ever been in a job where they have a responsibility for something but not the authority to actually get that done knows how hard that is and how bad that feels," Kelley said.

The law was part of a wave of bills passed in statehouses amid a pandemic backlash. At least 26 states adopted laws rolling back public health powers. Montana legislators passed some of the most restrictive changes, including preventing limits on religious gatherings and banning employerseven hospitalsfrom requiring vaccination against COVID-19 or any other disease.

Before the new law, health boards comprising appointees by local governments set public health rules and approved emergency health measures for their regions. The measure limiting health boards' powers allows them to pass orders in an emergency, though the elected officials can change or revoke those orders. Elected officials also have final say in appointing a health officer. But local health departments' and health boards' day-to-day operations are supposed to be untouched by the new rules.

The law left county commissions to oversee county health boards and city councils to oversee city health boards. But for local governments with joint health departments, the law is vague; they're left to define their own "governing body" to provide oversight.

As a result, those cities and counties have to rework agreements that define how their joint boards operate, said Kelly Lynch, executive director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns.

Several haven't figured it out. In some places, the holdup has been local officials butting heads over who should get a vote and how much sway each should get. In other areas, established bodies have not outlined how they'll operate.

As of early April, four out of six of Montana's most-populated countiesMissoula, Cascade, Yellowstone, and Gallatinstill hadn't finalized their governing bodies. That left public health boards in limbo. Many of the health officials stuck in the middle are new to the job after their predecessors quit or retired in the face of an increasingly polarized public.

When D'Shane Barnett was hired as health officer for the Missoula City-County Health Department, he expected the new rules to roll into place soon after. A year later, he's still waiting.

"The weirdest impact is that I don't know who my boss is," Barnett said.

County spokesperson Allison Franz said local officials hope to have a draft interlocal agreement ready for county and city leaders in June.

Until then, Barnett said, he tries to make sure all interested local government officials are on board with his department's actions. "So far, everybody is, but it won't be that way forever," he said.

David Bedey, a Republican state representative from Ravalli County who proposed the new law last year, said the idea to shift public health authority to elected officials preceded the pandemic. Although politicians aren't experts in roadways, they craft the rules of the roadand the same idea should apply to public health, he said.

Bedey said he's surprised it's taken localities this long to establish governing bodies, but he believes they'll work it out.

"The idea here was local jurisdictions and citizens within those jurisdictions would settle this amongst themselves," Bedey said. "If they have pending regulations that need approval, that ought to give them plenty of motivation."

John Felton, Yellowstone County's health officer, said the law has created confusion in the state's largest county. There, four jurisdictionsthe county, the cities of Billings and Laurel, and the town of Broadviewoverlap in oversight of a health department, RiverStone Health, which has its own clinics and offers medical services beyond the scope of most public health agencies in the state.

Felton wonders how new oversight might affect future changes in non-COVID areas of public health, such as food prep rules or how tattoo artists wrap clients' new ink. He's waiting to see how local leaders define a governing body's interactions with other new laws, such as one that restricts health officials from getting between a business and its clients.

But with COVID cases low, those once-pressing questions seem to have fizzled out.

"Without that urgency and concern that someone's going to put in masking requirements or occupancy limitations, it kind of gets forgotten," Felton said.

Even with the uncertainty, Felton said, he'll act if a public health issue puts people at risk: "I will just do what I believe is the right thing and sort it out later if someone doesn't like the way it was, or they think it was contrary to the intent of the rules."

In the law, the authors wrote that part of its purpose was to address issues or conditions created during a public health emergency, not to hinder the non-emergency powers of local health boards. Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner, a supporter of the change, said restaurant inspections, septic permits, and the like should be left to health professionals.

"When you start restricting people's freedoms, closing businesses, requiring certain things like masks, that's not a health decision anymore," he said. "That's a political decision that should be made by people that are elected."

For months, Skinner and his fellow county commissioners wanted to be the sole representatives on the new public health authority governing board over the Gallatin City-County Health Department. City leaders from Bozeman and Belgrade objected to being shut out. County officials signed on to a proposal allowing a representative from each city, but some public health workersincluding Kelley, a former Gallatin City-County health officerobjected that the plan goes beyond the law by requiring the county's approval of the health board's spending.

Bozeman Mayor Cyndy Andrus said city officials were reviewing the latest proposal. "The legislature may have made a long-term decision based on what I would call a short-term event," she said. "You know, 99% of what public health boards do is not pandemic-related."

In Missoula, Barnett said it will take time to understand all the consequences of the law. "This has added a layer of bureaucracy, and it brings popular opinion into public health," he said. "There are probably going to be effects and ramifications from this bill that we might not see for years."

Explore further Updated data show sharp increase in laws limiting state and local authority in public health emergencies

2022 Kaiser Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
AFTER THE controversial flyover issue, now the rice purchase made by the local government for Zamboanguenos at the height of the Covid-19 pa...
The U.S. is experiencing a labor shortage that's partly fueled by a drop-off in immigration, which ground to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic. By some estimates, the U.S. now has an 2 million fewer immigrants than it would have if the pace had stayed the same. That's helped lead to a desperate scramble for workers in many sectors, from meatpacking to homebuilding. It's also contributing to supply shortages and price increases. Just 10 miles from the Rio Grande, Mike Helle's farm in Texas is so short of immigrants that he's replaced hundreds of acres of labor-intensive leafy greens with crops that can be harvested by machinery. He's also increased pay for his workers, who are almost exclusively immigrants.
The Montana Department of Transportation is seeking legal action that would allow the Missoula County Sheriffs Office to remove compassionately the people who are illegally camping under the Reserve Street Bridge.

In a complaint for injunctive relief and declaratory judgment filed in Missoula County District Court, the department said that the illegal camp lacks toilets and presents a serious public safety and environmental hazard. Because of a Ninth Circuit Court ruling in Boise last year that prohibits the criminalization of people without homes, the Montana Department of Transportation seeks to gain the authority needed to clear the property, which it owns.

As I understand it, (the Department of Transportation) approached the courts in order to get an order that would give legal backing to our Sheriffs Department for them to enforce trespassing on MDT property, specifically under the Reserve Street Bridge, explained county commissioner Josh Slotnick.

Slotnick said the goal is for the people living there to be gently escorted out and shown other options, including the legal Authorized Camping Site a few hundred yards away.

This doesnt dampen our commitment to compassionate enforcement and understanding people need places to live, Slotnick said. We are not going to criminalize poverty and homelessness, and we will not be arresting anybody.

But, he said, people simply cant live without sanitation or trash removal services in a riparian area with the spring floods coming soon.

Theres a health and safety hazard under the bridge, he said. My educated guess is the number of people living there is in the single digits. Most everybody has left, but a few folks came back. And we want to make sure we have the legal decision that gives our Sheriffs deputies the authority to do the enforcement that we have to do.

The complaint from the Montana Department of Transportation is filed against John and Jane Does 1-100.

The department claims the defendants unlawfully entered the property at night and have no right to occupy the land.

Defendants are aware there is safe and lawful alternative housing available at the newly established transitional housing behind Super Walmart on Mullan Road in Missoula only a short distance from the property, the complaint states. However, they have returned and are presently occupying the property unlawfully.

The complaint states that over the past several years, Missoula residents experiencing homelessness have erected an unauthorized encampment on the property that had 140 people living there at its peak. That number has since dwindled, but much trash and many structures remain.

The density of the encampment in combination with the lack of basic services or infrastructure such as running water, toilets, showers and places to prepare food and dispose of waste presented a serious public safety risk, the complaint states.

There is the continual risk of contamination to the river due to lack of garbage facilities and toilets.

Additionally, inhabitants of the encampment relied on personal fires, propane tanks and heaters to maintain warmth throughout the colder months, the complaint reads. The quantity of fires, propane tanks and other heaters stored in or near flammable tents posed a significant fire hazard and explosion risk that endangered not only the safety of those in the encampment but also the safety of the traveling public utilizing Reserve Street Bridge.

The department installed a fence around the property last year after the city and county opened the 40-site Authorized Camping Site. However, a few residents have returned and started living under the bridge again.

The lack of affordable housing in Missoula in addition to the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic made it challenging for many of the inhabitants to find alternative housing, the complaint states. Accordingly, MDT agreed to postpone the removal of the inhabitants until a safe alternative to the encampment could be established.

Bob Vosen, the Missoula district administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The complaint states that starting in about mid-March, MDT employees and private security guards started noticing that inhabitants from the original camp began re-erecting tents and other temporary structures. They also saw evidence of human waste, drug paraphernalia and trash accumulating on the property.

If the individuals are not removed from the property in the near future, MDT and others will not be able to properly clean the property and contamination will worsen, the complaint states, noting that the camp was never fully cleaned because of cold winter weather last year.

Slotnick said that all three county commissioners are on board with the plan and that the county requested that MDT get a court order prior to the countys involvement with assisting with the removal. He also said hes not sure when a court might make a decision on the complaint.

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Russia pours in more troops and presses attack in the east

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia is attacking cities and towns in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland and pouring more forces into the country. It intensified assaults along a front hundreds of miles long Tuesday in what officials on both sides described as a new phase of the war. After a Russian push to overrun the capital failed, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the eastern Donbas region. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces there for eight years. If successful, that offensive would give President Vladimir Putin a vital piece of Ukraine and a badly needed victory in the now 7-week-old war.

EXPLAINER: How Russia's eastern push in Ukraine may unfold

Russias new offensive in eastern Ukraine reflects Moscows hope to reverse its battlefield fortunes after a catastrophic seven weeks of war. Russian forces have intensified artillery barrages and airstrikes on Ukrainian positions in the industrial heartland known as the Donbas. Ukrainian officials said the push began Monday, with Russia trying to press the offensive along an arc-shaped front line for more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from the northeast to the southeast. In what appeared to be a sharp increase in bombardment Tuesday, Russia said that in the last 24 hours, it struck 60 Ukrainian military facilities with its warplanes and 1,260 with its artillery, while attacking 1,214 troop concentrations. The claims could not be independently confirmed.

Shanghai allows 4 million out of homes as virus rules ease

BEIJING (AP)  A health official says 4 million more people in Shanghai have been allowed to leave their homes as coronavirus quarantine rules ease. The official, Wu Ganyu, said a total of almost 12 million people have been allowed to leave their homes as Chinas largest tries to contain virus outbreaks. Authorities confined most of Shanghais 25 million people to their homes starting March 28 following a surge in infections. Chinas case numbers in its latest infection surge are relatively low, but the ruling Communist Party is enforcing a zero-COVID strategy that has shut down major cities to isolate every case.

Feds will appeal mask ruling only if mandate still needed

The Justice Department says it will not appeal a federal district judges ruling that ended the nations federal mask mandate on public transit unless the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the requirement is still necessary. A judge in Florida on Monday ended the sweeping mandate, which required face coverings on planes and trains and in transit hubs. Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said Tuesday that officials believe the federal mask order was a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. The CDC continues to assess public health conditions, and if the agency determines a mandate is necessary, the Justice Department will file an appeal.

Moving beyond masks: Biden toils to put pandemic behind him

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Bidens administration has been working for months to prepare people to rethink their personal risk calculations as the nation gets used to the idea of living with an endemic COVID-19. That measured approach disappeared abruptly after a federal judge threw out a federal requirement to mask up when using mass transit. The ruling adds to the administrations messaging challenges as it tries to move past the virus in the leadup to midterm elections. The Biden administration is accelerating its efforts to provide the best advice for millions making their own personal safety decisions on the still-dangerous pandemic. Its both a public health imperative and an important shift in emphasis for Bidens political future.

For Russian diplomats, disinformation is part of the job

Governments and social media companies have moved to restrict the ability of Russia's state media to spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine. That has prompted the Kremlin's diplomats to step up to do the dirty work. Russian embassies around the world control hundreds of accounts on platforms including Facebook and Twitter. Those two companies have added labels to their posts and tried to limit their reach. But research shows these diplomatic accounts are still disseminating pro-Russian propaganda and conspiracy theories, including ones suggesting Russia has been framed for recent attacks that killed civilians. The Russian Embassy in the U.S. hasn't returned a message seeking comment.

Energy shift creates opening for 'world's largest batteries'

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP)  A question is hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy such as wind and solar: What happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine? The hydropower industry says the answer is developing more pumped storage plants. They function like giant batteries, pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper one. When power is needed, the water is released downhill through turbines. The U.S. has 43 pumped storage plants but only one has been built since the 1990s. Cost, regulatory and logistical problems have hampered new construction. The industry is lobbying for tax breaks and streamlined permitting. But some say pumped storage causes environmental problems and better technologies may emerge.

Johnny Depp on stand: Ex-wife Heard's allegations 'heinous'

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  Actor Johnny Depp told jurors that he felt compelled to sue his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel out of an obsession for the truth after she accused him of physical and sexual assault. Depp on Tuesday flatly denied ever hitting Heard, calling the allegations against him disturbing, heinous and not based in any species of truth. Depp says Heard falsely accused him of domestic abuse when she wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post. The trial in Fairfax, Virginia, began last week but, prior to Tuesday afternoon, the jury had only seen Depp sitting silently with his lawyers. Heard is scheduled to take the stand later in the six-week trial.

Netflix shares drop 25% after service loses 200K subscribers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Netflix suffered its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, causing its shares to plunge 25% in extended trading amid concerns that the pioneering streaming service may have already seen its best days. The companys customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period, and it now expects to lose another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period. Netflix is hoping to reverse the tide by taking steps it has previously resisted, including blocking the sharing of accounts and introducing a lower-priced  and ad-supported  version of its service.

Massive flames force evacuation of hundreds of Arizona homes

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Winds kicked up a towering wall of flames in rural northern Arizona on Tuesday, tearing through two-dozen structures and forcing the evacuation of more than 700 homes. Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll said during a news conference that the county declared an emergency Tuesday as the fast-moving wildfire outside of Flagstaff ballooned to over 9 square miles. Forest Service officials say flame lengths are as high as 100 feet. County officials said 766 homes and 1,000 animals have been evacuated. A couple of hundred homes are still threatened as smoke billowed into the air in an all-too-familiar scene. Elsewhere in Arizona, firefighters battled a wildfire in a sparsely populated area of the Prescott National Forest south of Prescott.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the country's eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two and give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory following the failed attempt by Moscow's forces to storm the capital, Kyiv, and heavier-than-expected casualties nearly two months into the war.

The eastern cities of Kharkiv and Kramatorsk came under deadly attack. Russia also said it struck areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro west of the Donbas with missiles. Multiple explosions were heard early Wednesday in the southern city of Mykolaiv, the regional governor said. A hospital was reported shelled earlier in the nearby town of Bashtanka.

In Mariupol, the now-devastated port city in the Donbas, Ukrainian troops said the Russian military dropped heavy bombs to flatten what was left of a sprawling steel plant and hit a hospital where hundreds were staying.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Moscow's forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages. Those claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) from northeastern Ukraine to the countrys southeast. Ukraines military said Russian forces tried to "break through our defenses along nearly the entire front line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian military was throwing everything it has into the battle, with most of its combat-ready forces now concentrated in Ukraine and just across the border in Russia.

They have driven almost everyone and everything that is capable of fighting us against Ukraine, he said in his nightly video address to the nation.

Despite Russian claims of hitting only military sites, they continue to target residential areas and kill civilians, he said.

The Russian army in this war is writing itself into world history forever as the most barbaric and inhuman army in the world, Zelenskyy said.

Weeks ago, after the abortive Russian push to take Kyiv, the Kremlin declared that its main goal was the capture of the mostly Russian-speaking Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for eight years.

A Russian victory in the Donbas would deprive Ukraine of the industrial assets concentrated there, including mines, metals plants and heavy-equipment factories.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the Pentagons assessments of the war, said the Russians had added two more combat units, known as battalion tactical groups, in Ukraine over the preceding 24 hours. That brought the total number of units in the country to 78, all of them in the south and the east, up from 65 last week, the official said.

That would translate to about 55,000 to 62,000 troops, based on what the Pentagon said at the start of the war was the typical unit strength of 700 to 800 soldiers. But accurately determining Russia's fighting capacity at this stage is difficult.

A European official, likewise speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, said Russia also has 10,000 to 20,000 foreign fighters in the Donbas. They are a mix of mercenaries from Russia's private Wagner Group and Russian proxy fighters from Syria and Libya, according to the official.

While Ukraine portrayed the attacks on Monday as the start of the long-feared offensive in the east, some observers noted that an escalation has been underway there for some time and questioned whether this was truly the start of a new offensive.

The U.S. official said the offensive in the Donbas has begun in a limited way, mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

Justin Crump, a former British tank commander now with the strategic advisory company Sibylline, said the Ukrainian comments could, in part, be an attempt to persuade allies to send more weapons.

What theyre trying to do by positioning this, I think, is ... focus peoples minds and effort by saying, Look, the conflict has begun in the Donbas, Crump said. That partly puts pressure on NATO and EU suppliers to say, Guys, were starting to fight now. We need this now.

President Joe Biden is expected to announce a new weapons package in the coming days that will include additional artillery and ammunition, according to a U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said his country will send heavy artillery to Ukraine. And Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Zelensky that the Netherlands will send more heavy weapons, including armored vehicles.

Western arms have played a key role in enabling the outgunned Ukrainians to hold off the Russians.

Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv said at least four people were killed and three wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area of the city. The attack occurred as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

An explosion also rocked Kramatorsk, killing at least one person and wounding three, according to AP journalists at the scene.

In Bashtanka, an unspecified number of people were wounded when Russian forces shelled the hospital, destroying the reception area and the dialysis unit, the head of the regional council, Hanna Zamazeeva, said on Facebook. Bashtanka is about 70 kilometers (40 miles) north of Mykolaiv.

Eyewitness accounts and reports from officials have given a broad picture of the extent of the Russian advance. But independent reporting in the parts of the Donbas held by Russian forces and separatists is severely limited, making it difficult to know what is happening in many places on the ground.

Military experts said the Russians' goal is to encircle Ukrainian troops from the north, south and east.

Key to the campaign is the capture of Mariupol, which would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine in 2014. It would also free up Russian troops to move elsewhere in the Donbas.

A few thousand Ukrainian troops, by the Russians estimate, remained holed up in a sprawling Mariupol steel plant, representing what was believed to be the last major pocket of resistance in the city.

Russia issued a new ultimatum to the Ukrainian defenders to surrender Wednesday after a previous ultimatum was ignored. The Russian Defense Ministry said those who surrender will be allowed to live and given medical treatment. There was no immediate response from the Ukrainian troops, but they have repeatedly vowed not to give up.

Instead, the deputy commander of the Azov regiment, who was among the troops remaining in Mariupol, said the Russian military dropped heavy bombs on the steel plant and hit an improvised hospital. We are pulling people out from under the rubble, Sviatoslav Palamar told Radio Liberty.

Serhiy Taruta, the former governor of the Donetsk region and a Mariupol native, also reported the bombing of the hospital, where he said 300 people, including wounded troops and civilians with children, were sheltered.

The reports could not be independently confirmed.

Zelenskyy said the Kremlin has not responded to a proposal to exchange Viktor Medvedchuk, the jailed leader of a pro-Russia party, for the Mariupol defenders.

Associated Press journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Felipe Dana in Kharkiv, Ukraine; Danica Kirka in London; and Robert Burns and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report, as did other AP staff members around the world.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale maintains his lopsided fundraising lead over 10 other candidates for Montanas U.S. House District.

Campaign finance reports for the first quarter of 2022 show Montanas current at-large representative with more than $1 million cash on hand. Rosendale raised $199,000 in contributions in the first three months of the year, but also picked up $24,000 from PACs and $87,873 in transfers from other campaign committees for a total of $310,917,

This is Rosendales third U.S. House campaign. He has also been a losing candidate in a high-stakes U.S. Senate race. His fundraising machine has a sophistication the other candidates in the race dont have.

By contrast, the remaining candidates in the race reported a combined $106,794.73 cash on hand. Two of the candidates, Republicans James Boyette and Kyle Austin, reported no cash available. A third Republican, Charles Walkingchild, didnt file a report.

Boyette did raise $400 in donations and received $1,850 in PAC money, but ended the quarter with a negative $2,218 on the books.

Democrat Mark Sweeney reported the most among the non-Rosendale candidates, with $55,000 cash available and $80,000 in donations, plus a loan to himself of $1,740.

Independent Gary Buchanan was third for money available with $37,734. Buchanan, who has been a candidate for a few weeks, received $15,573 in donations. He also had a personal loan of $25,000.

Fourth was Penny Ronning, a former Democratic Billings City Council member, who finished the quarter with $11,809 available after raising $22,697 in donations. Ronning had a personal loan of $595 and $875 from a PAC.

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DALLAS, N.C.  Joyce Picklesimer can never return to the home she shared with her late husband, Buddy.

On April 7, her furniture and boxes crammed with some of her belongings lay on a curb as her family cleaned out the house she had been renting in Dallas.

Picklesimer herself now lays in bed in a small room in her daughters Cherryville home.

The 800-square-foot house in downtown Dallas that she rented for nearly 20 years is to be sold, and she was forced to move.

Its just been hard to realize all of its just gone, she said. Its like somebody cut a piece of my world off.

Picklesimers daughter, Cynthia Pilkington, has tried desperately to find her mother a place of her own.

Pilkington, who works a third-shift job and has three children at home, said that Picklesimer was notified in February that she had to be out by April 3, but many apartments in the area have a waiting list of a year or more.

Everybody has a waiting list if its anything Mom can afford, Pilkington said.

Picklesimer is not alone in her predicament.

Belmont real estate agent Chip Wilson said that he gets several calls a week from people who cant find anywhere to live.

I probably get three to five calls every week from people in the same kind of situation. Not as desperate as hers, but theyre still in tough spots, he said.

Housing prices, he said, are at a peak.

I have a house in Lowell that I have under contract in the regular market. It is under contract for, I kid you not, $40,000 more than I had it appraised for three months ago, he said.

Rent also is high. Wilson said he lives in Belmont, and Im looking out my window right now at a house thats half the size of mine, and its owned by one of the hedge fund rental companies. And I think theyre asking $2,200 a month, and they probably will get that if theyre willing to wait long enough until they do.

Picklesimer is disabled by lupus and other illnesses and has been bedridden for five or six years, Pilkington said. Such an abrupt transition after so many years of living in that house seems to have affected her health.

I have never seen mama this broken, Pilkington said. She was crying her eyes out when we took her out of here Friday. It was so pitiful.

Picklesimers landlord, Jackie Kirksey, said that he has been saddened to lose his longtime tenant, who he has known for decades, but he also is in a difficult position:

He said he had a stroke in December, he does not have health insurance, and he has been burdened with thousands of dollars in medical bills.

He fears his bills will be sent to debt collectors, and that he could lose his own home. He added that asking Picklesimer to move was a decision he did not come to easily, but he doesnt see another way out. He feels hes been backed into a corner.

Its a no-win situation for both of us, I mean, it really is, he said. It still hurts my heart to know that I had to ask that woman to move.  Ive been backed into a corner in a bad way.

Cynthia Hegler, the owner of investment firm Southern Home Group, said that the tendency to villainize landlords and real estate investors is misdirected.

You know, the real underlying issue with this in my opinion, the reason the markets going so crazy and the reason prices are rising so much, its all about supply and demand, and theres not enough houses to go around, she said. And when you get to a situation where the supply is low, and the demand is high, in any sector of the economy, the people that could afford the most are going to be the people that get the product.

The situation, she said, is multifaceted: Outdated zoning laws make it difficult to build new housing, landlords are seeing their own expenses rise, and hedge funds arent just buying up available property  theyre also funding other purchases.

And then youve got rents increasing, so people are having trouble finding places they can afford, she said.

Kirksey said that he cried over asking Picklesimer to leave, but he was losing money on the house. He is paying more in property taxes and insurance, and he spent thousands to replace the heating and air conditioning system in the house.

The rent on the house, for which Picklesimer received government assistance, was $540 a month, Kirksey said. Then came the stroke. With his medical debt, he said, he was faced with a devastating choice.

I did not want to ask her to move, no. Ive just  Ive got to pay these bills, he said.

Hegler said that Picklesimer in some ways is lucky  She at least has a daughter who made room for her.

Theres a lot of people that dont have families that help them. Even in my own business, Ive run into situations like this before, she said. Its heartbreaking, and its hard even as a business owner to make a decision.

Picklesimer was able to live alone in Dallas because she has an aide who comes and helps her, but the aide, although she still comes, isnt there all the time. Picklesimer said she is worried about burdening her daughter.

Shes got kids and a husband, she said. I feel like Im in the way, stopping them from doing stuff they want to do.

She also simply misses Dallas. She grew up in Dallas, attended the towns schools, and at her home in downtown, she watched her neighbors grow up, get married, and have children.

Furthermore, Buddy, who she married in January 1965 at the age of 15, died in the house, she said. The two had been married for 48 years.

To me, he was still there, she said. Its been like a bad nightmare.  Its like it drained me. It took everything in me out of me.  I feel like Im in somebody elses body.
Butte Central High School principal JP Williams will start a new job as special education director at the Montana Office of Public Instruction in July.

It has been a 17-year-long journey for Williams, who got his start substitute teaching a kindergarten art class for a friend whod been diagnosed with cancer in 2005.

I feel like after [17] years, Im just getting started, he said. Im just getting the opportunity now to really make an impact. And I wouldnt want to do it anywhere else besides Montana. To me, its the best place in the world.

Teaching was a career change for Williams, who three years prior was working for a record company. In October 2002, an 18-wheeler rear-ended Williams and broke four vertebrae in his back while he was in Las Vegas. It took two years before Williams could walk again, and the experience was a pivotal one that led to him dedicating his life to teaching.

His bachelors degree is in political science with an emphasis on constitutional law. He got his master's in special education in 2007 and spent the next decade working his way up from special education teacher to lead instructor in Clark County School District in Nevada, which boasts 329,259 students as of fall 2017 and is the fifth largest school district in the country, according to the National Center of Education Statistics.

Bruce Pierce, vice principal of Chaparral High School in Las Vegas, said that when he started working with Williams in Clark County School District, he was an in-school suspension teacher and had to move from room to room.

His job was challenging because we didnt have a permanent home for him yet, Pierce said. He said Williams later taught socially and emotionally challenged children, and did an excellent job. The state of Montana got it right, Pierce said. Hes extremely knowledgeable, he has good connections, and hes a great people person. Hes one of the best in the business.

In 2018, he came back to Montana, where he and his wife of almost 30 years, Jamie, both have multi-generational roots, and took the job as principal at Butte Central. He also has experience with Native American education and in equity and diversity, both as the equity and diversity liaison for Clark County School District and serving on the diversity taskforce at Carroll College in Helena. He is working on wrapping up his doctorate in education from Montana State University.

So I would say the first half [of my career] I was learning how to be a teacher, and the second half I was learning how to teach teachers and lead communities, Williams said.

Williams wife, who is also a teacher, said he is a natural-born leader and good at problem-solving, but stressed that one of the most important things about his leading style is that he collaborates with and includes a lot of people. He builds a team, she said. Hes just got the gift.

His position at Butte Central was his first principal position, and he did a lot of work considered important during his tenure there, including starting a dual-credit enrollment program with the Montana University System.

Its always difficult to replace someone youve worked well with for four years, said Butte Centrals Superintendent Don Peoples Jr. But hes leaving the school in really great shape, and were grateful for that.

Williams said that although there was an application process, he didnt find out about it until a few weeks after the process, and was contacted to interview for the position.

He said hes excited to start at OPI because he wants to be part of the conversation as someone in the state who helps and is dependable, someone that not only educators and stakeholders can trust but that families and students can trust.

Its important for me to help every student, every educator, teacher, every paraprofessional, every superintendent, every cooperative educational agreement, he said.

The SPED director manages Montana OPIs special education unit, which serves 19,156 students between 3 and 21 years old at public schools, private schools, and special education cooperatives across the state, according to a press release from Montana OPI.

Cooperatives are made up of the public school districts within the cooperatives boundaries, which help alleviate funding restrictions and special education teacher recruitment and retention issues, the press release said. There are 21 cooperatives and 1,098 teachers with a special education endorsement in Montana. A little over 13% of the total student population in Montana are special education students.

JP Williams has the range of knowledge and skills necessary to lead our Special Education Unit, State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said in the press release. The leadership under JP and our team at the OPI will aid in the partnership of parents and teachers supporting all of our students abilities.

The communications director of Montana OPI, Brian OLeary, said in an email that 15 people applied for the SPED director position, three were interviewed, and Williams was offered the position because he proved to be the best candidate.

I want to do it differently than its been done in the past, Williams said. The key role is going to be supporting leaders and communities and schools and students and families.

The Montana OPI has struggled with high turnover in numerous positions in the last few years, including the SPED director. In December 2021, the superintendents of the AA school districts in Montana wrote a letter to Arntzen outlining many concerns and complaints, including the lack of a SPED director in the Montana OPI.

Williams served for four years on the OPIs Special Education Advisory, one year as the chair. He also serves on the OPI Montana School Safety Advisory Committee.

Williams said he feels that not only is there a sincere need for leadership, but a sincere need for leadership that knows how to pivot to what the next phase of education looks like.

In Williams opinion, the next phase of education is crisis efficacy. Crisis efficacy, according to Williams, is where leaders develop measures that address how to manage crises when they arise and be successful and prepared.

Nobody couldve been prepared for [COVID]However, now that we see what it looks like, and we understand how its impacted, or its beginning to impact education in our state, we have to act, he said.

I want to win, he said. When the rest of the nation isnt sure, I want them to be able to look at Montana and say Theyre doing it right. I want Montana to win.

The Butte Central High School, Elementary School, and Middle School are hiring for 11 positions, according to its website. Peoples said that this volume of open positions is common for the end of the school year.

Although the school hasnt yet found a replacement for Williams position, it is taking applications.

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DETROIT (AP)  An independent autopsy confirms that Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer while facedown on the ground, lawyers for Lyoya's family said Tuesday.

The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief. The official autopsy report hasn't been released to the public.

"There's no question what killed this young man," said Dr. Werner Spitz, holding a skull at a news conference to show where the bullet entered the head.

Lyoya was killed after a traffic stop in western Michigan on April 4. He and the white officer physically struggled on the ground before the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was shot.

Lyoya wasn't armed, though the officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

"We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head," attorney Ben Crump said. "That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution."

Crump, who has secured multimillion-dollar settlements for families of other Black men killed by police, said Lyoya could have lived until his early 80s  a "long and fruitful life."

Lyoya's death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer.

The officer, whose name hasn't been released, is heard saying during a traffic stop that the license plate didn't match the car. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

State police will give their findings to the Kent County prosecutor for consideration of any charges.

Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.

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Your voice in the U.S. House of Representatives is about to double thanks to population growth that gave Montana back its second congressional seat for the first time in nearly 30 years. One of the big questions voters in western Montana face is whether they want their new representative to truly voice their interests or whether we will have a congressperson who is more at ease with the powerful interests that spend over a hundred million dollars each year on K-Street lobbyists and consultants who haunt the hallways of Congress seeking special favors at the expense of Montanans.

If you read or listen to the talking heads in the D.C. swamp, the odds-on favorite for our new seat is Ryan Zinke. Thats the same Ryan Zinke who, only four months after being elected in November 2016, walked away from his Montana congressional seat to take a position where he could coddle those same powerful special interests as they sought favors and special advantage. Its paid off as Zinke is now $30 million richer since jumping into the D.C. swamp.

But Zinke had already bellied up to the petroleum bar to cash-in on the big money theyre pocketing by overcharging us at the gas pump. In his legally-required financial report, Zinke disclosed that he had received $460,000 from ConocoPhillips alone. That report was up to seven months late, raising more questions of whether Zinke was getting money from Big Oil as a candidate.

Almost exactly a year ago, while still being paid big money from Big Oil, Zinke decided to announce that he would start picking up big campaign dollars from Big Oil by running for this seat. Sort of like trying to butter your bread on both sides. And this could just be the tip of an iceberg.

As I said, representing Montana is about making choices. Candidates have choices to make. Voters have choices to make.

Ryan Zinke made a choice years back to be in the pocket of Big Oil. He supported them in Congress, coddled them from Interior, collected more than a half million from them as a consultant or board member, and now is chasing them for more campaign cash. There is no question whose bed Ryan Zinke has chosen to lay down in.

I have made a choice as well. In a letter last week to the ConocoPhillips CEO I told him in no uncertain terms: I am running for the same Congressional seat as Ryan Zinke and I want you to know that I have no interest in receiving any consulting, lobbying or campaign checks from ConocoPhillips. I intend to represent the interests of Montanans, not powerful corporations such as ConocoPhillips.

Montana voters will also need to make choices. Will you choose to demand answers from Ryan Zinke about:

1. What exactly did Ryan Zinke do for the $460,000 he got from ConocoPhillips?

2. Did Zinke use his positions to secure a $2,500 campaign contribution from ConocoPhillips PAC and other Big Oil donations?

3. Did Zinke advise ConocoPhillips to go ahead and price gouge Montanans at the gas pump while raking in $8.1 billion in profits last year?

Will you choose to believe Ryan Zinke when he lies and denies these facts and tells you he wants to represent you? Or will you choose to cast your vote for me, Monica Tranel, in my crusade to serve Montanans in Congress with the same level of commitment and dedication, honor and integrity, I applied to represent America in two consecutive Olympic Games. The choice, I hope, is clear.

Monica Tranel grew up in eastern Montana with her nine siblings and is an attorney and candidate for Montanas U.S. House seat MT-01.

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ARCHIVED - Countdown to the end of masks in Spain: where will we still need to wear them?



Face masks will cease to be mandatory indoors in most places in Spain on April 20

After a long two years, Spain is finally preparing to say adios to mask-wearing indoors on Wednesday April 20 , but the new rule will have some exceptions and there has been a lot of speculation that certain establishments will continue to impose the restriction.

The government has been very clear on the fact that masks will absolutely remain mandatory on all public transport, in hospitals and health centres and just this weekend, the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, announced that they would also be required in pharmacies.

Bars and Restaurants

When the Royal Decree scrapping masks is published in Spains Official State Gazette (BOE) on April 19, it will specify that face coverings are no longer required in the indoor spaces of bars, restaurants and cafes. Everything indicates, therefore, that establishments will not be permitted to force customers to wear masks.

Supermarkets and shops

It will not be necessary to wear a facemask in any commercial establishment, regardless of its size. Likewise, people across Spain will be able to visit cinemas, theatres and concerts without masks.

However, the government has appealed for individual responsibility and has advised citizens to consider wearing a mask indoors where they are a lot of people gathered or in cases where the ventilation is poor.

The gym

One of the greatest criticisms of indoor mask-wearing has undoubtedly been the irritation while exercising, but the restriction has long been applied to gyms given the heightened risk of infection in this environment. From Wednesday, however, it is expected that masks will no longer be mandatory in gyms.

At the office

This has been a sticking point for the Ministry of Health in Spain, but President Sanchez has indicated that the decision on whether employees will be required to wear masks will be left up to the companys occupational risk prevention services. Therefore, individual businesses will decide if their staff will have to wear masks and employees must abide by this decision.

Schools

Children in school classrooms will also not have to wear facemasks anymore, but it is up to each individual school whether or not they request teachers to continue wearing them.

Taxis and public transport

Masks will continue to be mandatory on all forms of public transport such as buses, trains and planes. The law will also apply to taxis, even if there is only one passenger.

Dentists and doctors

The term health centre has been one of the most confusing in the legislative change, but it is understood that dentists, physiotherapy, psychology centres and the like will all fall into this category and so masks will be required.

Image: Archive

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MUSCATINE  Although birthdays are meant to be a happy time for children, there are kids who miss out on parties with friends because they are in the hospital. The students of Laura McDonalds class at Jefferson Elementary decided to do something to help these kids feel a little less alone on their special day.

On Tuesday, Angie Kopy from UnityPoint Health-Trinity stopped by McDonalds classroom to pick up 500 of the 912 birthday cards made by McDonalds students. They will be distributed to Muscatine, Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport UnityPoint campuses to be given to young patients having a birthday.

We are super grateful that the kiddos made these cards for us, Kopy said. Its very special to be able to receive these cards and be able to hand those out to the kids that are sick in the hospital.

The project was funded through a Realtor Foundation of Iowa program called Project Jack. Fourth and fifth graders from are given $250 to carry out a "pay-it-forward" project.

McDonald had asked her students what they would do if selected for the program.

Each child shared their ideas for project proposals. The top three ideas were voted on by the class, and the winning idea was to create birthday cards for children who find themselves in the hospital on their birthdays, McDonald explained.

Once the class knew they were getting the grant, the kids were eager to discuss the ways a hospitalized child could be cheered up. One idea was a card with a hand-written message.

The class purchased birthday cards through Amazon.com and decided to include stickers with the cards  donated by Jefferson Elementary teachers and staff  for extra fun.

The students talked about how much worse it would be to spend your birthday in a hospital, and how receiving a card could give them something positive to focus on, McDonald said. As my students worked on writing cards or picking out stickers to place inside the cards, I often overheard students talking to each other and hoping the child that receives their particular card really likes it. There was a real sense of empathy among the students, as well as some empowerment in the realization that they could help make someones day a little brighter.

According to McDonald, the 912 cards took about three weeks to finish.

This grant is a wonderful way to help students realize their power to make a positive difference in their communities," McDonald said.

Two other fourth grade classes at Jefferson Elementary, Mrs. Shepard and Mrs. Noels classes, also received the Project Jack grant. The classrooms are making blankets for Muscatine's foster care program.

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A young colored boy, Jim White, belonged to Dr. [Samuel] Merry, who then lived on a farm about thirteen miles up the river. When Dr. Merry moved from St. Louis to Iowa he left this boy [age unknown] with his daughter, Mrs. Hughes, at St. Louis. Jim was hired on a steamboat on the lower Mississippi and was to have his freedom in two years. But he got into a fracas with the steward of the boat and got his head badly hurt, so he was sent North to Dr. Merry for treatment. He soon became so impudent that the doctor ordered him off the farm. Jim concluded he did not like country life and simplyleft Massa Merry and came to town and commenced working at the hotel for Mr. James Borland, the proprietor at this time. The Merry family concluded that if Jim did not want to stay with the doctor he had better go to St. Louis, where he could be [hired out]. Accordingly an officer from St. Louis was sent after Jim. He found him at the hotel and attempted to arrest him without judge or jury. Perhaps he would have succeeded if the proprietor, Mr. Borland, had not interfered. He disarmed the detective of his pistols by main force. In the mean time the boy took shelter with Mr. Clark, who had the St. Louis man arrested for kidnapping. One of our old citizens who is still residing here, Mr. Fred Phelps, was his security. The Merry family had the boy arrested according to law by one of our officers. He was arraigned before D.C. Cloud, then a justice of the peace, with Stephen Whicher and R.P. Lowe for the prosecution and Jacob Butler, W.G. Woodward and J.S. Richman for the defense. The trial was held and the boy released on the ground that Dr. Merry had brought, or permitted the boy to come within the bounds of a free State, and which act freed the boy from all liability to be returned. This was before the noted Dred Scott decision. The boy was not safe, as the leading southern sympathizers were determined to take him without law. While the excitement was still high, an old fellow named Michael Greene went to Uncle Ben Mathews and Aunt Nellie, his mother, and said he was going to Chicago with a team and that he would take the boy with him. This was reported to Mr. Clark, who now had the boy snugly stowed away in his garret. It was arranged that Greene was to cross the river before night and go out to the third bridge and wait for the boy, who was to cross in a skiff as soon as it was dark. Mr. Clark, although not so old as he is now, was too smart to be gulled by such an old villain as Greene, he having known something of his previous record. Clark started as it was dark in company with the boy and two other persons to cross the river in a skiff. When out on the river so far as not to be noticed from the shore, they quietly let the skiff float down the river. They soon heard three different boats crossing above them. They quietly went home and went to bed. The parties in the other three boats spent the night in the bottom on the other side of the river looking through the woods after Jim, whom Mr. Clark had stowed away for the night. In the morning Greene returned without going to Chicago. After waiting two or three days the St. Louis man concluded he could not get Jim by stealth, so he went to Dubuque to obtain a warrant from a United States Judge for his arrest. It was generally understood that U.S. Courts were intensely pro-slavery at this time and that Jim would stand a poor chance there. This pleased the pro-slavery side immensely, so much so they could not keep it secret. When the man got back from Dubuque, which occupied three or four days, Jim was arrested a second time. A writ of habeas corpus was obtained from Hon. S.C. Hastings, then acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of this state, who released him. Jim stayed around Bloomington, and joined the colored Methodist Church. [The Annals of Iowa, 1882. State Historical Society of Iowa.]
NEW YORK (AP)  A Ukrainian journalist imprisoned in Crimea will be honored next month at the PEN America gala. Vladyslav Yesypenko, arrested last year and sentenced recently to six years in a Russian labor camp for alleged possession and transport of explosives, is this year's recipient of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.

Yesypenko, 53, is a freelance correspondent for Krym.Realii Project, a Crimean radio program and news source run by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He has denied the allegations and has said he confessed after being tortured and threatened with death. He was arrested in March 2021 by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

At the time, he had been working on a video report about how life has changed in Crimea since it was annexed by Russia eight years ago.

Since February, the horrors of Russias war on Ukraine have been laid bare for all the world to see. But Russias campaign to suffocate Ukraine dates back much further, and intensified in 2014 with the illegal occupation of the Crimean peninsula," Suzanne Nossel, CEO of the literary and human rights organization, said in a statement Tuesday.

Indomitable reporters like Vladyslav Yesypenko have provided a portal to enable the world to see Russian occupation for what it is, an exercise of force aimed to stifle the will of free people."

While in detention, Yesypenko wrote a letter, published by Krym.Realii, in which he contended that Nothing shows the ugly nature of the occupying power as the constant filling of the cells with new people who were detained on fabricated evidence." Referring to his treatment by the FSB, he added: "It didnt break me, but my hair seemed to turn gray.

His wife, Kateryna Yesypenko, will accept the award on his behalf during the May 23 gala at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Other honorees will include author Zadie Smith and Audible founder Donald Katz.

The PEN award, called the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award when established in 1987, is given to writers and artists imprisoned for their work. Over the years, numerous honorees have since been freed, including the 2017 recipient, Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. He was released from a Russian prison two years later.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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The Competition Commission of South Africa has recommended that its Tribunal approve Digital Realty Trusts acquisition of Teraco, with conditions.

Reports of the planned acquisition first surfaced in early January 2022, following which Digital Realty confirmed it planned to buy a majority stake in Teraco.

At the time, it valued South Africas biggest data centre company at approximately $3.5 billion (R52 billion).

In a statement on Tuesday, the Competition Commission said it found the proposed transaction was unlikely to result in a substantial prevention or lessening of competition in any relevant markets.

However, it also determined it was likely to negatively impact the greater spread of ownership.

As a result, Digital Realty and Teraco agreed that employees would be given shares in the new entity.

In order to address this concern, the merging parties have agreed to the imposition of a condition that would ensure that the merged entity maintains the current B-BBEE Trust and further, introduce an employee share ownership plan in the merged entity, the commission stated.

The Competition Commission added that Digital Realty was currently not active and did not undertake any business activities in South Africa.

Teraco operates seven data centres in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, providing space for cloud providers, network and telecoms providers, managed services providers, enterprises, financial services and content providers.

In addition to the rentable floor and cabinet space, it also provides auxiliary infrastructure services such as monitoring power, cooling, humidity security, ancillary building systems and limited non-technical support.

The company recently completed Phase 1 of CT2, a new hyperscale data centre in Brackenfell, Cape Town.

That facility is now the largest data centre in the Western Cape, providing 25,000m2 of building structure, 25,000m2 of data hall space, and 18MW of critical power load.

Digital Realty is a San Francisco-headquartered real estate investment trust that invests in carrier-neutral data centres and offers colocation and peering services, similar to what Teraco offers.

It competes with digital infrastructure real investment trusts like American Tower Corp and Equinix Inc.

As of April 2022, Digital Realy had a market capitalisation of $42.11 billion, or around R626 billion.

Now read: AWS and Microsoft Azure shook up hosting in South Africa
One option for South Africans looking to power their home or office appliances during load-shedding is the Tesla Powerwall.

The second generation of the acclaimed backup battery system is highly popular in the US, Europe, and Australia.

Alongside the Tesla Wall Connector, it is one of two Tesla products sold in South Africa by the official local distributor Rubicon Group.

According to Eskom, South African households consume around 30kWh per day, or 2.5kWh per hour.

With the Powerwall 2 packing 13.5kWh of battery storage, it could theoretically feed power into a home for a 5-hour outage.

It also comes with an inverter that offers 5kW continuous discharge or charge, and 7kW peak power.

Therefore, the Powerwall can support several appliances running simultaneously and will only need around two to three hours to charge back to full.

These factors make it suitable for providing backup power, even in the event of stage 8 load-shedding.

It can also easily be paired with solar panels, for those looking to generate their own power.

However, many South Africans have questioned whether the Tesla Powerwalls features justify its hefty price tag when pitted against competitors.

The Powerwall 2 currently retails for R170,300, excluding installation.

MyBroadband found several backup energy providers sell similarly-sized battery-inverter systems with supporting hardware for around R100,000 to R120,000.

We asked Rubicon chief product officer Nick Roche why consumers should opt for the Powerwall over other products in the market.

Roche explained the Powerwall was a polished and premium product, with a design that is aesthetically and technically ahead of many of its competitors, offering an attractive and highly-capable product with excellent functionality.

The Powerwall also comes with several integrated features that justify the price. Roche said when everything is taken into account, it compares well with rivals.

On a cost-per-kilowatt hour basis, the Powerwall is actually not that much more than its competition, especially when you consider that it includes an integrated 5kW inverter and various metering accessories, which are often additional costs in other brands, Roche said.

Another one of its standout features is a robust design, allowing for safe installation inside or outside a building.

The Powerwall 2 is fully waterproof, meaning it can handle rain. It is also dust-proof, ensuring protection from particles without the need to install a protective enclosure.

An integrated cooling system allows it to operate within temperatures ranging from -20C to 50C.

Its stackable design allows users to combine multiple units and increase capacity and output linearly. This also makes it appropriate for large residential applications and medium-sized office and commercial setups.

Roche added that the Tesla mobile app offers a host of features, including electric vehicle charging integration and off-grid working modes.

Tesla offers a 10-year product warranty guaranteeing that the Powerwall will retain 80% of its capacity over this period, more than that provided by many of its competitors, he said.

According to Roche, general demand for backup power and the Powerwall in South Africa has been good.

Many users look for the Tesla brand, and their high profile as a company helps maintain the demand.

Roche said that solar power was also seeing increased uptake.

Recent prolonged outages in various regions, as well as steeply rising energy costs, are encouraging users to seriously explore solar for their homes and businesses, he stated.

Residential solar in South Africa is showing positive signs, and we expect that trend to continue for the foreseeable future.
You never know what direction your career will take. It may follow the path youve planned or can take an unexpected turn.

The North-West University (NWU) strives to prepare its students for wherever their professional career path may lead.

Our students benefit from great academic choice and flexibility within a supportive and responsive learning environment that is enhanced by advanced technological resources.

As students recently returned to the campuses, the University moved to the next stage of teaching and learning.

The NWU piloted a hybrid-flexible approach that enables students to attend classes simultaneously face-to-face and through online teaching and learning.

Students at the NWU also join a community that gives them the opportunity for greatness.

Nadia van der Merwe, who is studying towards a BSocSc degree in psychology and anthropology, recently won the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship after her lecturer told her about it.

With the help of our world-class lecturers, students can take on any academic challenge.

An NWU education is about students enjoying their journey, getting a degree of the highest academic quality, and receiving the necessary support to make an impact in the world.

Our graduates impact can be seen locally and internationally. Shaun Frazao, chief strategy officer of Wavemaker South Africa and an NWU graduate, recently moved to London as a strategy partner at Wavemaker Worldwide.

Wavemaker is one of the five largest media agency networks in the world. His new role will require him to develop strategies for pitches and global clients, and to assist in developing global strategy products.

Locally, three NWU alumni have been chosen to make a difference in their industry by serving on the board of Women in Nuclear South Africa (WiNSA).

WiNSA aims to promote the meaningful participation of women in the fields of nuclear technology, safety, and non-proliferation.

The President of WiNSA, also an NWU alumnus, Tebogo Motlhabane, believes the alumni are seasoned professionals in the nuclear industry who will contribute to the growth of WiNSA.

NWU alumnus, Oratile Mokgwetsi, also highlighted the impact of NWU excellence by obtaining five awards as part of a team working on several of Nandos digital marketing campaigns.

She received an Apex Award for assisting in Nandos e-commerce platforms, an IAB Bookmark Award and a Loerie Award for the Nandos app, and another Bookmark and a Loerie Award for Nandos load-shedding campaign.

Our graduates are not only sought-after employees but leaders in their field.

Thats why students who want to thrive in the world of work, choose North-West University. For more information visit: www.nwu.ac.za.
The St. Helena Historical Society is launching a new exhibit and hosting an open house on Sunday, May 1, at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Center, 1255 Oak Ave.

The exhibit, "The History of Firefighting," features artifacts and photographs from the collection of longtime volunteer fireman Art Carr, who also will be the featured speaker at the event. Hell be sharing anecdotes that trace the development of St. Helenas fire department. Arts collection includes helmets that date back to the late 1890s, clothing, fire extinguishers, hoses and other equipment.

Carr reminds us that with open flames, fires were an inevitable part of life.

People relied on candles, lanterns and open fireplaces to cook their food, to provide light and to heat their homes and businesses. But it was easy for those open flames to be knocked over and ignite curtains and tablecloths, haylofts and barns. Providing a way to fight the inevitable fires became an important part of building the communitys infrastructure.

As city planners became more sophisticated, they built a dam on Spring Mountain so that water flowed downhill into the fire hydrants on Main Street. Firemen would roll their hose carts to the hydrants and hope that their hoses were long enough to reach the flames.

Join SHHS as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with wine and bites. This is also the annual membership meeting for Historical Society members.

The Historical Society moved into its new home at 1255 Oak Ave. and opened the Heritage Center in 2022. Its now open on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Its a small museum that documents St. Helenas history that dates back 10,000 years to the areas Native Americans, the Wappos.

Were looking forward to showing off our Heritage Center. Many of our loyal volunteers have been carefully cataloging artifacts for 20 years. Weve been entrusted with preserving memories, said SHHS President Stephen Taplin. We take this role seriously.
Wednesday, April 13

0937  An officer assisted with a bike rodeo for kids.

1132  A couple went to a local business and used three credit cards that were all denied. They tried to buy a $100 gift card and two packs of cigarettes. The caller was suspicious that the cards might have been stolen. They left in a silver Ford Explorer.

1200  A Hudson Avenue resident said two landscapers hired by a neighbor went onto her property and cut multiple plants without her consent. Police took a report.

1225  Medical aid on Main Street.

1310  Police took a report on a non-injury accident.

1945  Medical aid for a sick man on Hunt Avenue.

2147  A parked vehicle was blocking a driveway on Sylvaner Avenue.

Thursday, April 14

1157  Report of a low-hanging power line on Spring Street. The fire department checked it out.

1406  A student who wasnt supposed to be on campus reportedly stole a Prada purse from Grayson Avenue. Police took a report.

1437  Police assisted following an accident near Howell Mountain/Big Rock involving three cars and a tree.

1620  An officer cited a car blocking a driveway on Pope Street.

1640  An officer cited a car parked near Adams/Money.

1907  Report of a vehicle blocking a driveway on Spring Street.

2015  Following a routine traffic stop near Main/Madrona, police detained a 33-year-old New York City resident on suspicion of DUI.

Friday, April 15

0816  Report of a man lying on the ground near Madrona/Kearney. Police arrested the 38-year-old St. Helena man on suspicion of public intoxication.

0835  A bike was reported stolen from Hunt Avenue.

0953  Someone reportedly threw a full water bottle at a landscaper on Main Street. Police took a report.

1334  Report of a loose pitbull near Adams/Main.

1417  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Adams/Main.

1453  Police towed a vehicle from Spring/Oak.

1516  A caller asked police to talk to a person who speeds in a very loud Charger on Madrona Avenue. An officer spoke to the person responsible.

1618  Report of a woman looking for her vehicle on Main Street. An officer helped her find it.

1813  Report of a man in a yellow and orange reflective jacket screaming obscenities and being belligerent on Main Street. Officers contacted him and determined that nobody had made any threats.

1849  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Adams/Main.

2011  Report of a suspicious man walking in and out of peoples driveways and mumbling to himself on Fir Hill Drive.

2309  Police responded to a noise complaint on Edwards Street.

Saturday, April 16

0823  Report of a homeless man with a pitbull sleeping in a minivan near Railroad/Hunt.

0914  The four-way stoplight at Deer Park/Silverado wasnt working.

0935  Someone left a playpen on the sidewalk near Allison/Brown. Police notified Public Works.

1052  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Dowdell.

1226  Report of a stretch limo in the center lane of Main Street, possibly broken down. It was gone when police arrived.

1308  A bicycle was reported stolen from Hunt Avenue.

1417  An officer cited a parked vehicle on Hunt Avenue.

1806  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Vintage.

1936  Medical aid for a woman having trouble breathing on Voorhees Circle.

1942  Lift assist on Olive Avenue.

1958  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Mitchell/Main.

2003  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Vidovich/Main.

2015  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

2215  Loud music complaint near Mitchell Drive.

2327  Loud music complaint on Main Street.

Sunday, April 17

0052  Report of a suspicious man walking through an apartment complex on Hunt Avenue. The caller was concerned because of recent bike thefts.

0427  Lift assist on San Ardo Court.

0744  Someone rifled through an unlocked vehicle on Meadowcreek Circle. Nothing was damaged or stolen. The vehicle was left smelling like cigarette smoke.

0814  A woman came to the lobby to report an incident that occurred Saturday night involving her boyfriend. She said she hadnt been able to call the police at the time because he had taken her phone. Police interviewed the 34-year-old St. Helena man at his workplace and arrested him on suspicion of domestic battery, false imprisonment and taking away someone elses cell phone to prevent them from calling the police. He was taken to the Napa County Jail and served with a restraining order.

1719  A caller was concerned about an elderly lady whod been walking on the river trail behind the library. The caller thought the walk might be a bit much for her and wanted police to know where she was in case she was reported missing.

1925  A Meadowcreek Circle resident said someone had opened her side gate. Her three dogs got out, and one of them was still on the loose. She requested extra patrol due to her vehicles being ransacked earlier today.

2128  A minivan almost crashed into a fire truck that was responding to a traffic accident. It was last seen heading toward Highway 128 on Tubbs Lane.

Monday, April 18

0908  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Pratt.

1045  Police found an abandoned tent near the Napa River. It appeared to have been unoccupied for some time, and there were no indications that anybody was living there. Officers cleared the area and brought the items to the police station.

1046  Report of homeless encampments near the Napa River and near Hunt Avenue, where a loose pitbull was posing a potential threat. Police assured the caller they were looking into the matter.

1648  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Mills/Main.

1918  A caller reported the sounds of banging and swearing on Main Street, with family and kids present. Police responded and took a report.

2052  An officer cited someone for driving without a license near Main/Madrona.
The late Sally Schmitt never attended a culinary arts school, but she collected a lifetime of cooking knowledge that she passed on in the voice of a skilled, patient educator in her new book "Six California Kitchens."

Sallys cooking and entertaining helped change the Napa Valley into the tourism dynamo it is today. She learned the basics in her mothers homestead kitchen, ran a small kitchen at what was Vintage 1870, later buying a rundown home in Yountville that previously had been a laundry and transforming it into the French Laundry restaurant.

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After 16 years she decided to stop cooking for others. Instead, I wanted to pass on the techniques, habits, knowledge and recipes I'd acquired through the years."

This led to another kitchen: a renovated farmhouse in the rustic town of Philo, Mendocino at their Apple Farm, where she taught cooking to small groups.

Eventually, she and her husband, Don, retreated to a cottage on the coast of Mendocino, where she only had to cook for themselves. After six years, she and Don moved back to Apple Farm to be with their family. Don passed away in 2017 with Sally passing away on March 5, five days after celebrating her 90th birthday, but not before she was able to set her wisdom down in this beautiful book.

As she did with every project she took on over her life, Sally relied on the help of her family, ranging from the book design by Byron Hoffman, her grandson, and her daughters, plus a couple of grandchildren, pitching in for the food and prop styling.

By the way, one of her grandchildren, Perry Hoffman, followed Sally into the professional kitchen, earning his first Michelin Star at 25 at the now-closed etoile at Domaine Chandon; then he was culinary director at Healdsburgs farm-to-table marketplace, Shed, which is also now closed. When the chef left the Boonville Hotel in the Anderson Valley owned by his uncle, Johhny Schmitt, he came back home to where he had worked after high school under his uncle. Except now he is chef/partner. Recently, Perry also opened up Offspring, a wood-fired pizza pop-up at the Farrer Building across the street.

One pleasure of the book is the additional voices of Napa Valley before it became a tourist destination, such as Thomas Keller, who purchased The French Laundry from the Schmitts when they wanted to slow down.

Cindy Pawlcyn wanted to become a chef but saw no females in that position until her sister-in-law found an article in Sunset magazine that featured Sally and her cooking at the French Laundry. This eventually led Chef Pawlcyn to the Napa Valley to open Mustards Grill and other restaurants.

Robin Daniel Lail, who grew up as part of the Inglenook winery and founded Lail Vineyards, remembers the pleasure of Sallys Chutney Kitchen during the 1970s.

Another fan was Lissa Doumani, who, with her husband Hiro Sone, eventually opened the Michelin-starred restaurant Terra (sadly gone) in St. Helena.

The erudite Gerald Asher, longtime wine writer for Gourmet magazine (again, sadly gone) is quoted from his book, "A Vineyard in My Glass": The evenings I spent at their Yountville restaurant were among my most memorable in California.

While she did not attend culinary school, she did learn from a wide world of sources, including the famed Time-Life cookbooks on Foods of the World, and Sunset magazine, which printed an impressive list of recipes in those days.

From a lifetime of cooking in her six kitchens, she passes along a bit of insight on almost every page. She devotes a whole page to Cleaning As You Go, another whole page on Keeping It Simple.

She learned one of her most valuable lessons from the years she cooked the monthly luncheon for the Napa Valley Vintners Association, back when all the membership could sit at one long table. While the vintners had a discerning palette, she discovered: Simple food, without fancy frills, was what pleased them the most.

Other knowledge she shares includes Start the day clean. Dont have things piled up to be washed from the day or night before, to my restaurant years taught me to be prepared (always planning the next meal) plus Ive also learned not to fixate on measuring much, unless Im baking teaching herself what measurements of dry ingredients looked like in the palm of her hand. The list goes on, so youll have to read the book to learn more.

I loved the tone of the writing and the mix of historic images and illustrations with photos of the finished dishes. The only thing that made me raise an eyebrow was the frequency cream was incorporated in the recipes, particularly most of the soups. Most classes Ive taken have emphasized a vegetable base as healthier. But she and her husband lived long lives, so maybe theyre on to something there.

In my column, I always try to give readers a wide choice of books/websites by listing three recipes from three different sources, but I feel it would be a shame not to share at least three recipes from Sallys cookbook. She uses the format often seen in professional kitchens, with instructions on the left-hand side, ingredients on the right-hand side, so Ill follow her lead here.

One more tip from Sally: I recommend you read through it at least three times before you start cooking. Long ago I discovered that piece of advice on my own.

Tuna Tartare

"Six California Kitchens" by Sally Schmitt

Serves 8 to 10 as an appetizer

Adapted from

This is an easy starter for a meal to add to your repertoire of dishes.

Slice and cut gently not very small dice, 1 pound of the very best ahi tuna avoiding the connective tissue:

Transfer to a bowl and add: 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp. finely chopped jalapeno

1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh ginger

1 Tbsp. finely chopped green onion

Use your finger or a fork, toss gently until combined. Serve on toast rounds or very crisp cucumber slices. Garnish each serving with 1 little sprig of cilantro and Maldon salt.

Zanzibar Duck with Rice and Papaya

"Six California Kitchens" by Sally Schmitt

Serves 6

Sally had an admitted love affair with duck so she includes a whole chapter of duck recipes. She credits the African Cooking, volume of the Time-Life series, as the inspiration for this dish, which was a favorite when she cooked her monthly Friday night dinners at the Chutney Kitchen in Vintage 1870 from 1970 to 1978.

Note: She allows 1 hour for preparation and 2 hours of cooking time so this is not a spur-of-the-moment dish. Rice also needs to be made.

Preheat the oven to 400

On a rimmed baking sheet: 6 whole duck legs

Arrange them skin-side up and season with: Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Roast in the oven until they re very brown, but not dried out, about 45 minutes

While the duck legs are cooking, prepare and set aside 2 green or red bell peppers, charred, peeled, and torn into strips.

In a medium saucepan, combine and bring to a simmer: 2 cups chicken stock

12 whole cloves

2 jalapeno peppers, halved

Drain the fat from the duck legs and lower the oven temperature to 300F. Reserve the flavorful duck fat for another use (this makes great fried potatoes). Pour the prepared stock over the duck legs and cover the pan with parchment paper. Return to the oven and steam until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour more. Discard the cloves and jalapenos. Carefully pour off the cooking juices into a large saucepan.

Add: 4 cups of chicken stock

1 cup fresh orange juice

2/3 cup fresh lime juice

Return the duck to the 300F oven, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes to let the skin crisp up. At this point, it can sit in a very low oven up to 30 minutes more until you are ready to serve. Bring the stock and juices to a gentle simmer and keep it simmering until it reduces to about 3 cups. After the stock is reduced, taste for salt and add more if needed.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over low heat, melt:  cup butter

Peel, seed, cut into cubes and add to the pan: 2 fresh papayas

Gently warm and sprinkle with:  teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt

When ready to serve, place a generous spoonful of rice on each plate. Add a duck leg and scatter the reserved pepper strips over the leg. Place a serving of the warmed papaya on the side and spoon the reduced stock overall. Be very generous. There should be enough liquid to really soak into the rice. Garnish with lime and orange zest.

Coffee Pots de Creme

Makes enough for 6 to 8 ramekins or 8 to 10 ovenproof espresso cups

I love fruit desserts but every so often, you need chocolate. The classic flavoring is vanilla, but the chocolate variation is my favorite.

Preheat the oven to 325F.

In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, scald, and remove from the heat:

2 cups half-and-half

3 Tbsp. instant espresso coffee

1 cinnamon stick

In a medium bowl, beat gently to avoid having too much foam:  cup egg yolks from about 6 eggs

 cup sugar

Add the hot half-and-half mixture slowly to the bowl in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Strain the mixture into a large heatproof measuring cup. Fill the ramekins or espresso cups and place them in a roasting pan

Pour enough hot tap water into the pan to come about two-thirds up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until the custard is barely set, 30 to 50 minutes, depending on how warm the mixture was to start. It should jiggle in the middle.

Let cool a little, and then lift the ramekins out of the pan, using a jar lifter if theyre still too hot. Then cool before serving or refrigerate to serve cold.

To serve, top each with: A spoonful of softly whipped cream, chocolate-covered coffee beans or chocolate curls.

Ken Morris has been cooking for comfort for more than 30 years and learning in kitchens from Alaska to Thailand to Italy. He now cooks and writes from his kitchen in Napa. Email macmor@sbcglobal.net.
A 33-year-old man was arrested Sunday afternoon after threatening workers in a Napa supermarket, police reported.

At about 4:15 p.m., Napa officers were sent to Raley's at 217 Soscol Ave. after receiving reports of a person holding a gun, according to police Sgt. Brett Muratori.

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Christopher Delno Davis, who earlier had been told not to return to the grocery, had returned and pulled what appeared to be a black handgun from a backpack, holding it for about a minute and threatening employees, Muratori said in an email.

After leaving the Raley's and heading for the Napa Valley Vine Trail, Davis fled police on his bicycle after officers gave him multiple orders to stop, according to Muratori.

Later, Davis was found and detained at 5 p.m. in a parking lot in the 400 block of Soscol Avenue. A search of Daviss belongings turned up a replica firearm, Muratori said.

Davis, who had no listed address, was booked into the Napa County jail on misdemeanor allegations of brandishing an imitation gun and resisting police, as well as for a Napa County felony warrant.

You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com
Napa County has joined an effort to raise an early alarm about flood control agencies potentially losing out on millions of dollars if the state doesn't take action to extend a deadline.

Specifically, a loss of access to reimbursement funds would happen if the funding from Proposition 1E  a $4.09 billion bond measure for flood control projects passed by California voters in 2006  is allowed to expire by its current deadline of July 1, 2023.

The funds come by way of a state program, managed by the California Department of Water Resources, that pays back agencies their costs for federally-required flood control projects.

A coalition of flood control agencies and the California Association of Counties say about $149 million remaining from those bond funds for 13 flood control projects could fall back into the state's general fund, and therefore be more difficult to access, if that deadline passes. Napa Countys Legislative Subcommittee  consisting of county Supervisors Diane Dillon and Ryan Gregory  voted Friday for the county to join the coalition in encouraging the state to extend the deadline.

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Richard Thomasser, the manager of the Napa district, said it has received over $125 million in reimbursement funding from the state program for flood control efforts over the years. He added that though reimbursements have no impact on initial budgets, they're core to the long-term operations of the flood district.

"Its an important program," Thomasser said. "We've received a lot of reimbursement. Basically, were reimbursed for our cost of real estate, property we have to buy for the project and what we call relocations, which are things like utility relocations. Its been an important part of our overall financing of the project."

A document put out by the coalition states that the 13 ongoing projects authorized to receive reimbursements from the program carry an estimated $473 million price tag  including about $10.5 million for the Napa River flood control project.

That's well beyond the estimated $22 million remaining for such work from Proposition 84, a $5.4 billion 2006 bond measure that doesnt carry a similar deadline.

And thats also not taking into account pending projects that could add an estimated $300,000 that the state would otherwise be expected to reimburse, the document states.

Its authors argue that securing funding for these projects through the states general fund may be quite difficult considering the high number of competing state priorities. And they warn it would be detrimental to the ability of the local agencies to adapt to climate change the state doesnt pay its share of costs for the flood control projects.

If the state does not keep up with these federally mandated payments owed to local agencies by the Program, the state becomes a detriment to flood protection, sitting on funds needed to implement other projects that address increasing flood vulnerabilities from intensified storm events due to climate change, the document states. Extending the Proposition 1E deadline is a simple fix to fund the program for years to come.

The flood district generally serves to coordinate flood control projects, which are then carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Thomasser said. That includes work such as buying up property and relocating utilities in preparation for the construction work to come. And that's the work that's generally reimbursed by the state.

"The corps is the lead on the project," Thomasser said. "Nothing really happens unless the corps is funded."

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been poured into Napa River flood control projects over roughly the past 25 years. Among other successes, the projects helped transform downtown Napa, where floods used to periodically destroy homes and cause millions of dollars worth of damages.

Measure A, a half-cent flood control sales tax that funded projects for 20 years, raised approximately $251 million for the city of Napa flood control project through June 2017, according to past Register reporting. And other sources  the Army Corps of Engineers, federal stimulus programs, and state subvention funding  provided $347 million as of 2017, according to past reporting.

The next phase of flood control  to build flood walls north and south of Lincoln Avenue  is moving forward with an infusion of $48.3 million in federal funds, though the start of construction work isn't expected to begin until 2024, according to Thomasser.

Thomasser said the flood district is aiming to seek state reimbursement as soon as possible for this phase of the project, but that it would be difficult to meet the deadline.

You can reach Edward Booth at 707-256-2213.

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LOS ANGELES  Sonoma State University President Judy Sakaki, who is facing growing criticism of her handling of sexual harassment allegations involving her husband, announced Monday that she is separating from her spouse.

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Sakaki said in a statement that she was disavowing the words and actions of my husband, Patrick McCallum, who she said sent emails to friends and family about the allegations that Sakaki called inaccurate and unauthorized. McCallum is a prominent higher education lobbyist and official volunteer on the Sonoma campus who has represented the university at many events with his wife.

The announcement comes after a Los Angeles Times investigation reporting that California State University paid $600,000 this year to settle a claim with a Sonoma State provost who reported retaliation and sexual harassment allegations involving Sakaki and her husband.

The provost alleged that she faced retaliation from Sakaki, her boss, after she reported the sexual harassment accusations about McCallum to top officials at the chancellors office, records in the case show.

Sakaki and McCallum issued statements last week saying he had done nothing wrong, and Sakaki denied retaliating against Vollendorf, saying the accusations are utterly without basis.

At an Academic Senate meeting Thursday, faculty voiced criticism and raised frustrations over the allegations. One faculty member asked Sakaki if her husband would still attend fundraising events. Sakaki said that a decision had not been made, but that the sensitivity of the campus would be taken into consideration.

Another faculty member told Sakaki she believed her husband owed the women who alleged harassment an apology. A day later, McCallum issued one, saying I want to apologize to anyone who has felt uncomfortable in my presence or through my actions. It was never my intent to act disrespectfully but its clear that I made some people uncomfortable. For that, Im truly sorry.

Within days, McCallum sent out an email in which he references the hurtful allegations detailed in the Times investigation and criticizes former Provost Lisa Vollendorf, whose allegations led to the settlement, according to an email message that was reviewed by Times reporters.

The email was one of several rambling messages, including some sent to a Times reporter, that McCallum sent in recent days.

Sakaki said the email to friends and family was sent without my knowledge or consent and does not reflect my viewpoint. I consider the matters between Dr. Vollendorf and me to be resolved, she said.

I ask for privacy and time to address these personal matters, Sakaki added, as I continue my service to our campus and community.

The Times investigation noted that Vollendorf provided CSU officials with the names of three women who reported inappropriate touching or comments by McCallum and three more people who said they witnessed such conduct.

The CSUs former Title IX officer interviewed three people  two complainants and an apparent witness  about the allegations. One person declined to be interviewed. Ultimately, no formal investigation was launched after CSU officials said that those interviewed declined to proceed. Two complainants, who spoke with the Times on the condition of anonymity, said that fears over job loss and damage to the presidents reputation prompted them not to go forward.

One complainant said she later told the Title IX officer that she believed Sakaki had retaliated against her over the claims.

A former interim vice president at the university told the Times that he reported similar allegations in 2019 against McCallum on behalf of his staff to general counsel Andrew Jones but that no one followed up with him.

Gordon McDougall, who directed Sonoma States University Advancement Division before retiring in 2020, told the Times he changed schedules to prevent women on his team from working with McCallum during campus events following complaints of inappropriate touching and comments."

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Its well established that the state Public Utilities Commission has a major-league bias favoring the huge corporations it regulates over the consumers they serve.

Gov. Gavin Newsoms leaning is also clear from his refusal to seriously penalize companies like Pacific Gas & Electric even after they're convicted multiple times of manslaughter  killing their own customers.

And the state Legislature is so obviously in the pocket of large developers and Wall Street housing investors that it insists upon cities helping them build housing for which there are no assured buyers  housing thats often likely to sit vacantly or become short-term or corporate rentals.

But until now, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal court that often gets to oversee California laws, appeared at least somewhat independent.

Yet, its new ruling in a case involving mental health coverage by health insurance companies puts that supposition of integrity into serious doubt.

This case ultimately stems from a 1999 state law called the Mental Health Parity Act, which requires that health insurers cover medically necessary treatment for most mental illnesses even when insurance policies are written earlier explicitly exclude such coverage.

This law is particularly critical now, while Newsom is pushing a plan to let authorities force the unhoused mentally ill into treatment even if its against their will. No one is quite sure how that might be paid for or carried out.

Enter the Ninth Circuit, sowing extreme confusion on the issue. In a decision this spring, a panel there overturned lower court rulings that required a large insurer to reconsider its denials in tens of thousands of claims for mental health, drug and alcohol addiction care  just the kind of treatments Newsom calls for.

The lower court decision, from federal Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero of San Francisco, said United Behavioral Health, manager of mental health services for the giant United Healthcare, acted to protect its bottom line via restrictive criteria it set up to deny claims here and in several other states between 2011 and 2017.

He said the companys policies did not provide sufficient coverage for treatments within generally accepted standards of care.

WATCH NOW: Celebrations mark Easter Sunday in Napa Easter Sunday was marked by worship services around Napa, including indoor services at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and other congrega

But the Ninth Circuits baffling, confusing decision said group plans dont have to comply with all generally accepted care standards, but only must not conflict with them. Huh?

The appeals court said United Behavioral Healths policies met that standard and it followed them when denying coverage for both residential and outpatient treatment under plans written for self-insured persons and fully insured employee groups.

The appeals court ruling came despite unified support for the lower court decision from the American Medical Assn., the American Psychiatric Assn. and other medical groups.

They entered the case because, they said, it could set a precedent for all insurance companies that are providing employer-sponsored health benefits.

But no matter, the Ninth Circuit said in appearing to reverse its own 2011 decision in a case where Blue Shield of California tried to withhold mental health coverage. The court back then said Blue Shield was required under the state law to provide medically necessary health insurance for mental illness on a par with treatment for physical problems.

It cited findings by the state Legislature that mental health coverage limitations result in inadequate treatment and cause relapse and untold suffering for persons with treatable mental illness.

The Ninth Circuit has now thrown out this previous work, giving insurance companies an apparent license to return to the bad old days when they refused to provide almost any mental health coverage.

The courts reasoning here leaves a lot of open questions about what kinds of mental health care the companies must provide in California. Clearly, these will not be as broad in the future as they have been for most of the last 20 years.

The fact this comes at a time when Newsoms planned remedy for homelessness includes a strong mental health treatment component lends a great irony to the picture, and involves especially bad timing.

But it should hardly shock anyone, considering how long and how thoroughly the political and legal apparatus in this state has favored corporations over their customers.

Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. Readers may reach him at tdelias@aol.com.
The governmental delegation headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Russia on a two-day official visit.

The Prime Minister was met at the Vnukovo 2 airport in Moscow by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, after which an official welcoming ceremony was held with the participation of the guard of honor, and the national anthems of Armenia and Russia were played.

The meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place in the second half of the day.

The leaders of the two countries will discuss issues related to the further development of the Armenian-Russian strategic-allied relations. Reference will be made to the implementation of the trilateral statements of the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020, January 11, November 20, 2021.

On April 20, Nikol Pashinyan will also meet with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other high-ranking officials.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Nizhny Novgorod.
A Georgian delegation led by Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze is visiting in Armenia.

The meeting of the prosecutors general of the two countries took place Tuesday at the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia.

Prosecutor General of Armenia Artur Davtyan stressed that the high level of trust between the prosecutor general's offices of the two countries enables to resolve urgent matters related to mutual legal assistance and extradition processes.

The contribution of the Georgian side in the solution of humanitarian issues was especially stressed amid the consequences of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Armenia in the fall of 2020.

Georgia's Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze noted that the brotherhood of the Armenian and Georgian peoples has a history of centuries, trade between and mutual visits of the citizens of the two countries are growing dynamically, and Georgia is viewing Armenia as an important pillar in the region. Also, Shotadze invited Davtyan to Georgia to participate in the international conference of prosecutors to be held in the capital Tbilisi in September.

In particular, issues related to increasing the effectiveness of protection of the rights of citizens of the two countries in each other's countriesespecially at border checkpointswere discussed during the meeting.

As a result of the meeting, Artur Davtyan and Irakli Shotadze signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the prosecutor's offices of Armenia and Georgia.
Second President Robert Kocharyan's lawyer Aram Orbelyan left the courtroom as a sign of protest against the actions of presiding Judge Anna Danibekyan at Tuesdays Yerevan court hearing on the criminal case against Kocharyan and former deputy prime minister Armen Gevorgyanwho is now an MP of the opposition Armenia Faction in the National Assembly of Armenia.

From the beginning of the court session, the lawyer asked to hear his motion which, Orbelyan is sure, will stop the trial. However, the judge first established the order of examining the evidence, and then Gevorgyan's petition was heard.

Subsequently, the judge was going to announce a recess and only then consider the aforesaid motion. But the judge's actions infuriated Orbelyan.

The lawyer asked the court to consider his motion, after which he would leave the courtroom.

The presiding judge left for the deliberation room to make her decision on the Orbelyan's action.
At the beginning of his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that they will discuss security issues in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and the situation there.

"Of course, our focus will be on security issues, including those related to Karabakh. There are many problems, I agree with you. We are constantly in touch, talking on the phone every week or every 10 days. And the meetings are regulardespite the pandemic. I am very happy to see you," Putin said addressing Pashinyan.

He added that the Armenian PMs current visit to Moscow is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Armenia.

"It is planned to sign a number of documentson a fairly solid basis. In the previous years, we have signed 200 documents based on our legal relations, and this creates a good opportunity to work in virtually all directions.

One of the leaders, of course, is the economy. According to statistics, our growth in 2021 was 12.8 percent; and in the first months of this yearplus another 50 percent. This is a very good indicator, especially in our times," the Russian president said.
Russia is an important factor in ensuring stability and security in the South Caucasus, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on a Tuesday. Addressing the President of the Russian Federation, Pashinyan noted in particular that his visit has not only practical, but also symbolic significance.

In April this year, the countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. According to the prime minister, these relations are at a very high level.

We really are in constant contact, we meet very often and talk on the phone. The agenda of bilateral relations is very rich, starting with the economy and ending with culture and education, Pashinyan said.

The head of the Armenian government also emphasized the military-technical cooperation between the two countries. He recalled that Russia is a strategic partner and ally of Armenia. The parties closely cooperate within the framework of the EAEU, the CIS and the CSTO. Pashinyan reiterated the personal role of Vladimir Putin in the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh in November 2020.

According to him, the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, in general, cope with the task assigned to them, ensuring the safety of the inhabitants of the region.

At the same time, he believes that it is necessary to look for mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. The main issue of our region is the settlement of the Karabakh problem. We will also talk about this today, Pashinyan said.